FADE IN:

EAGLE SENIOR CONDOMINIUMS

Lucile Taylor-Leonard is quickly putting the finishing touches on the table that is already set with plates, cutlery, and glasses along with a bottle of sparkling apple cider, a baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and peas. The house is decorated with nice furniture and the walls are filled with all sorts of family photos.

LUCILE (cheerful): Art, hurry up. (a beat) Brad, Randy, and Mark should be here soon!

ART (off-screen): I'll be out in a minute once I get a tie on! My hands are being difficult.

Lucile sighs and Art comes out of a back room holding a tie in his hands, looking deeply frustrated.

LUCILE (soothing): Art, the boys won't care that you're wearing a tie. You look fine.

Art nods and tosses the tie down the hall just as a knock sounds. Lucile smiles and hugs him.

LUCILE (kind): Now, there's the Art I know and love. (loud) Boys, the door's open!

The door opens and Brad and Mark come in. Suddenly, retching sounds can be heard.

MARK (glares at Brad): You shouldn't have driven so fast with the windows closed!

LUCILE (concerned): Is that Randy throwing up outside? Is he all right?

Brad and Mark exchange a concerned look and Art gives them a look right back.

ART (stern): Come on, you can't keep secrets from your grandparents!

Just then, Randy comes into the house and closes the door before sighing heavily.

LUCILE (worried): Randy, are you all right? (a beat) We heard you getting sick.

Randy pauses, eyes Mark and Brad briefly, and then sighs as he shakes his head.

RANDY (nervous): I have thyroid cancer and I'm in chemotherapy for it right now.

Art looks shocked and Lucile hurries over to Randy and gives him a warm hug.

RANDY (quiet): Mom knows, but I'm too afraid to tell Dad about it because he's going to blame that whole time I was in New York and 9/11. (a beat) Wilson died because of cancer from 9/11…

ART (thoughtful): Timothy does not handle change well. (a beat) I remember when Lucile and I told him we were going to get married; he gave both of us the silent treatment for a week.

Randy nods and Randy, Brad, Mark, and Art sit at the table as Art shares the story.


***FLASHBACK***

TAYLOR HOUSEHOLD – December 1999

The Taylor home is decorated for Christmas and the light outside floods the neighborhood. Jill, Randy, and Mark are all sitting at the kitchen counter. The door opens and Tim comes inside.

TIM (eager): Well, I'm off to the hardware store to get supplies to decorate for the lighting contest.

JILL (amused): Don't forget that Art and your mother are coming for dinner tonight.

Tim sighs and is about to leave when the doorbell rings. He goes to answer it and finds Art and Lucile.

TIM (hugs them both): I thought you two weren't coming over until dinner time.

LUCILE (looks at Art nervously): Can we come in? (a beat) We need to talk to all of you.

Art and Lucile come inside and Tim closes the door. Jill notices that Art and Lucile look nervous.

JILL (pleasant): Do you want some coffee?

ART (nervous): No, no… (a beat) Lucile and I have been dating for a while now…

Tim freezes, but Jill suddenly smiles while Brad and Mark listen intently.

LUCILE: We've decided to get married on Christmas Eve. (a beat) With just the family present.

Tim's eyes widen in shock and he doesn't look happy about the news, but Jill, Randy, and Mark go embrace Lucile and Art. Tim silently moves back into the kitchen without saying a word.

JILL (anxious): Christmas Eve isn't that far away! (a beat) There's a lot of planning!

LUCILE (pleasant): We wanted to do it at a time when Brad, Art's daughter, and everyone else could be here. We really don't need a lot of planning or fancy things done; we just want a simple wedding.

While Jill and Lucile talk with Randy and Mark listening, Tim silently goes into the garage and begins to tinker with things. Art comes into the garage and watches Tim for a few moments.

ART (upset): Aren't you going to congratulate us, Timothy? We're getting married.

Tim doesn't reply and continues to tinker with things. Art sighs in frustration and leaves.


***FLASHBACK ENDS***

FADE TO:

EAGLE SENIOR CONDOMINIUMS

Brad, Randy, Mark, Art, and Lucile are now sitting around the table, helping themselves to food.

RANDY (confused): How exactly is that story supposed to make me less nervous about telling Dad?

ART (gruff): Would you rather he find out from someone else that you're sick?

Randy shrugs and focuses on his plate, ignoring the worried looks that Brad and Mark are giving him.

LUCILE (worried): Why don't you boys tell us what you've been up to lately?


CUT TO:

MARK'S (DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT)

The restaurant is semi-busy and Tim sighs as he, Jill, Al, and Trudy come inside and linger at a 'Wait to Be Seated' Tim looks around at the busy tables and sighs irritably.

TIM: Did you call ahead for a reservation?

JILL (anxious): I didn't think it would be this busy tonight. It's usually not when Mark's off.

Tim sighs as a dark-haired man in a suit approaches the group and looks over them critically.

MAN (snobby): Gooood evening. (a beat) Do you have a reservation with us tonight?

TIM (calm): No, but the owner is our son and we have a family discount.

MAN (sighs irritably): Mark Taylor is your son? (a beat) I'll have to check with his wife.

Tim and Jill exchange a confused look while Al and Trudy watch curiously.

JILL (confused): Donna doesn't usually work nights. She's got two kids at home.

MAN (annoyed): I'm Santino and I am the maitre'd here (a beat) I don't involve myself in my bosses personal lives, but I know that Donna Taylor is here tonight. She's gathering what is hers.

TIM (confused): Santino, what do you mean she's gathering what's hers?

SANTINO (calm): I mean what I say (a beat) You are welcome to check if you like.

JILL (nervous) We'll go sit at a table, Tim. Find out what's going on, will you?

Tim nods and wanders into the back, leaving Jill, Al, and Trudy with Santino


CUT TO:

KITCHEN

Several kitchen workers and dishwashers are working at a steady pace, but a few nod politely to Tim as he walks past them and over to the offices. Donna, who is a svelte, dark-haired woman wearing a fancy pantsuit and nice jewelry, is in one of the offices, packing things into boxes.

TIM (concerned): Donna?

DONNA (looks at Tim): Oh, hi there, Tim. (a beat) I'm assuming Santino sent you back here?

TIM (concerned): Santino said you were packing your things. I thought you were with your kids?

DONNA (casual): Marissa's looking after them since Brad went out tonight. (a beat) I'm quitting the restaurant and giving full ownership over to Mark. We've been having too many fights lately.

TIM (concerned): Mark never told us that you two were having problems.

DONNA (sighs): I'm not cut out for marriage or kids and I've already told Mark as much.

Tim looks both stunned and concerned, prompting Donna to sigh as she continues to pack.

TIM (concerned): But…you and Mark seemed so happy last time you came over for dinner.

DONNA (sighs): Mark's trying to keep things together for the sake of the kids, but Tommy and Rachel are not stupid and I just can't take dealing with them anymore. I was never really close to them.

TIM (concerned): You had a C-Section with both kids and you had to take time to rest.

DONNA (upset): Tim, I never wanted kids! (a beat) Mark was the one who wanted kids!


SMASH CUT TO:

DINING ROOM

Al, Trudy, and Jill are seated at a table for four and they have menus and drinks in front of them.

AL (nervous): Do you think I should call over to Randy's and see how Albert's doing?

TRUDY (calm): He'll be fine, Al (smiles) Albert's always been very responsible.

AL (fidgets with the menu and sighs): Jill, I talked with Randy a bit when I dropped Albert off.

JILL (nervous): You did?

AL (concerned): He told me about his cancer and chemotherapy. (a beat) Jill, I'm so sorry.

JILL (sighs): Tim doesn't know about it. (a beat) Can you please not mention it in front of him?

Al's face suddenly reddens and Trudy's eyes widen with shock. Jill turns in her chair and sees Tim standing there looking very somber, yet confused. Jill tries to speak, but no sound comes out.

TIM (sits down next to Jill): Donna is here. (a beat, looks at the menu) I'd like some wine.

Al and Trudy exchange a look and Jill fidgets nervously, but Tim silently looks over the wine list.

AL (concerned): Tim, I know you're upset. (a beat) If there's anything I can do…

TIM (scoffs): Donna just told me that she and Mark are splitting up and I come to the table only to find out that Randy has kept a very big secret from me! (a beat, slams menu down) I'm more than upset!

JILL (eyes widen) Mark and Donna are splitting up? (upset, quiet) I can't believe that!

Tim sighs and drums his fingers on the menu for a few moments before getting up.

TIM (upset): You know what? I'm not in the mood for this. (a beat) You three have fun.

As Jill opens her mouth to speak, Tim gets the keys out of his pocket and sets them on the table.

TIM (annoyed) I'm going to take a walk by the hardware store and visit Wilson after that.

JILL (concerned) What time will you be home?

Tim shrugs and leaves the restaurant just as Santino comes over to the table.

SANTINO: Are we finally ready to order?


CUT TO:

RANDY'S HOUSE

Albert is sitting on the couch, silently reading a pamphlet about alcoholism that his father gave him after his experiment with alcohol. Bobby and Jillian come out of their rooms and sit on the couch.

JILLIAN (whiny): Albert, can we watch a movie?

ALBERT (pockets the pamphlet): I guess so. What movie do you want to watch?

WIL (comes out of his room): They're supposed to go to bed!

BOBBY (mad): Daddy told us we could stay up late! (a beat) It's Friday!

WIL (glares at Albert): They're supposed to go to bed so Dad doesn't get stressed out by them!

ALBERT (annoyed): That's not what your father told me, Wil.

WIL (scoffs): You're such a terrible babysitter. (a beat) My dad has cancer and gets tired easily, so he doesn't want Bobby and Jill up when he gets home! I'm gonna tell my dad you're a screw up!

ALBERT (annoyed): Do whatever you want. (a beat) Bobby, Jill, why don't you pick a movie?

Wil stomps off back to his room, but Bobby and Jill begin going through a shelf full of DVD's.

BOBBY (runs over to Albert with a DVD): Can we watch Aladdin, Mister Albert?

ALBERT (takes the DVD): That sounds good. I'll put this in and then clean up the kitchen, okay?

Bobby and Jillian nod excitedly and Albert starts the movie before he goes into the kitchen. He puts all of the dishes into the sink and puts the leftover pizza into one box before trashing the other boxes.

WIL (comes storming into the kitchen): The movie's too loud (a beat) What are you doing?!

ALBERT (nervous): Cleaning the kitchen so that your parents won't have to do it later?

Wil scoffs, but before he can speak, the front door opens and squeals fill the room. Albert and Wil come out of the kitchen and see Bobby and Jillian trying to hug Randy, who looks tired, but happy.

WIL (scoffs): Dad, we had pizza and Albert let Bobby and Jillian watch Aladdin.

RANDY (surprised): What's wrong with that? It's Friday night and no school tomorrow.

WIL (scoffs): Albert cleaned the kitchen! (a beat) Babysitters don't clean kitchens!

RANDY (sighs): Thank you so much, Albert (a beat) It's one less thing I'll need to do tonight.

Wil stomps off to his room, Bobby and Jillian return to their movie, and Randy pays Albert.

RANDY (calm): Did you want a ride home or did you call your dad to pick you up?

ALBERT (calm): It's a warm night. (a beat) I'll take a bus home. Thank you, Uncle Randy.

Before Randy has a chance to reply, Albert grabs his things and leaves. Randy silently wanders into the kitchen and eyes the box of pizza before going over to the phone, deeply concerned for Albert.


CUT TO:

CEMETERY

The cemetery is quiet and the sun is almost down. Tim silently approaches an expensive looing headstone that sits under a weeping willow tree along with a bench. He sighs and sits on the bench.

TIM (somber): Hey there, Wilson. (a beat) I'm sorry I haven't visited you more often over the years.

A small breeze suddenly crops up and Tim hears a familiar chuckle in the midst of the wind.

WILSON'S VOICE: Heidi-ho, good neighbor. (a beat) I'm not upset that you've had a busy life.

TIM (confused): Wilson? (a beat) How can I hear your voice if you've been dead a long time?

WILSON'S VOICE (calm): Tim, I'm in your heart and in your mind. (a beat) You wanted to talk to me.

TIM (sighs): I just found out that Mark and Donna are having marriage problems and that Randy's been hiding his cancer from me. (a beat) Why would Mark and Randy not trust me with their problems?

WILSON's VOICE (thoughtful): Have you ever heard of making a mountain out of a molehill?

TIM (confused): Yes, but I don't get what that has to do with Mark and Randy not sharing…

WILSON'S VOICE (thoughtful): Do you remember when your mother and old high school shop teacher decided to get married? (a beat) Mark and Randy were still living at home at that time…

TIM (sighs): I just didn't want anyone replacing my father and I didn't know how to share it.

WILSON'S VOICE (thoughtful): Instead of explaining that to everyone, you gave your mother and your teacher the silent treatment for a week and everyone thought you were being a big jerk.

TIM (nods): I'm just not good with change. (a beat) Wilson? What do you think I should do?

WILSON'S VOICE (thoughtful): Just be supportive and don't make yourself any mountains.

The breeze disappears, leaving Tim alone with his thoughts and with the advice he was given.


CUT TO:

BORLAND MANSION

The door opens and Albert comes into the house looking tired and drained from how he was treated by Wil at the Taylors. He silently puts his coat and shoes away before going into the kitchen.

ALBERT (opens the fridge) Ugh, there's nothing good. (a beat) I hated that job so much.

Irritated, Albert slams the fridge and begins rooting through the cupboards. He comes across a bottle of rum in one of the cupboards that is filled with baking supplies. Sighing, he takes the bottle of rum out.

ALBERT (opens the bottle): I'll just have a little bit and put it back. Nobody will ever find out.

Raising the bottle in a fake toast, Albert silently takes a sip, shudders, and then slowly continues to drink, unaware that Alma has come downstairs and is watching in horror as he drains the bottle.


Please read and review!