FADE IN:
TAYLOR HOUSE
The table has been extended and it is set with plates, cutlery, napkins, and glasses and the entire front area has been straightened up. Boxes of takeout food from various restaurants are sitting on the counter and Jill, who is wearing business clothes, is putting them into various serving dishes. Tim comes in through the garage and looks tired, but pleased. He gives Jill a gentle hug and kiss.
TIM (calm): Has anyone arrived yet? (a beat) The Tool Time remote was successful.
JILL (calm): Mark and his kids are upstairs getting dressed and Randy, Lauren, and their kids are on their way just as soon as they get ready. Brad and Marissa called and are on their way…
TIM (sighs): I hope nothing goes wrong. Brad and Marissa tried for 10 years to have kids on their own and if they can't adopt, I don't know what they'll do. I want everything to go just right.
JILL: I do too; that's why I ordered takeout. (a beat, the doorbell rings) Go answer the door.
Tim goes over to the door and opens it, smiling when he sees Brad, who is carrying a pile of adoption paperwork in a briefcase, and Marissa. He lets them in and gives them each a hug.
BRAD (nervous): I hope this interview goes well. (a beat) Our family is pretty crazy.
Before Tim can comment, Mark comes downstairs and gets his jacket from the coat stand.
MARK (nervous): I'm afraid I have to miss dinner. (a beat) Donna…she wants to meet.
BRAD: Why can't you just invite her for dinner? The social worker is coming tonight.
MARK (sighs): Because inviting a drug addicted alcoholic would destroy your chances.
Brad's eyes widen in surprise and Marissa looks shocked, but Tim sighs softly.
TIM (calm): Do you want me to call you a cab, Mark? You shouldn't be driving…
MARK (sighs): I called one. (sighs) Just tell the kids I went to work, okay?
Tim nods and Mark leaves the house in a hurry. Brad gives his father a look.
TIM (concerned): Just don't worry about it. (a beat) Dinner's just about ready.
Brad nods and silently makes his way to the table with Marissa. Just then, the back door opens and Randy comes in with Lauren, Wil, Bobby, and Jillian. Everyone is dressed in nice clothes.
JILL (eager): Let's get seated at the table (doorbell rings) Tim, can you get that?
Tim opens the door and finds Jeff, Carrie, Art, and Lucile. He hugs them all as they come in.
LUCILE (cheerful): Brad, Marissa, I think it's wonderful you're going to adopt!
BRAD (concerned): The social worker's just interviewing the family to see if we're eligible…
Just then, Rachel and Tommy come downstairs dressed in their best clothes.
RACHEL (eager): Daddy said we had to dress in our best to help Uncle Brad, Grandma!
JILL (kind): Well, don't you two look adorable! (a beat) Brad, help me set up the kids table.
Brad and Jill get a kids table and chairs out of the closet and set it up near the couch.
TOMMY (sighs): Did Daddy go talk to Mommy?
BRAD (walks over to Tommy): Yeah, he did, but he wanted me to tell you that he loves you and Rachel.
Tommy nods and gives Brad a hug, which Brad returns. Tim and Jill exchange a worried look.
JILL (sets up the table): Okay! (a beat) Rachel, Tommy, Wil, Jillian, Bobby, you sit at this table.
Wil scowls, but Randy sternly points towards the kids table and Wil takes a seat between Bobby and Jillian while Tommy and Rachel sit together. Tim, Jill, Randy, and Lauren take seats at the adults table.
CARRIE: Jill, honey, Jeff and I can sit with the kids if you want. (a beat) We need the practice.
Jill shrugs and Carrie and Jeff sit at the table next to a relieved looking Rachel and Tommy.
JILL: How is your journey through the adoption process going, anyway?
Carrie and Jeff exchange a look, but before either can reply, the doorbell rings. Brad runs to the door and opens it. Willow is standing there wearing professional clothes and a big smile.
BRAD (lets Willow in): Everyone, this is the social worker who is going to help us adopt.
FADE TO:
RESTAURANT
WAITER: Will there be anything else, Mister Borland?
Al, who is sitting at a table with his family, smiles at all of them encouragingly.
ALBERT (quiet): Can I get a milkshake? (a beat) Please?
AL (nods): We'll all get one. (a beat, looks at waiter) Four strawberry milkshakes to start.
The waiter nods and leaves. Albert swallows hard and looks at his plate.
ALBERT (quiet): You didn't have to do this, Dad. (a beat) I certainly don't deserve it.
AL (concerned): Albert, you're going to Alateen and you've been doing a lot better since then.
TRUDY (gentle): Honey, we just want to show that we love you and your sister…
ALBERT (curious): Even if I want to become a nurse and not a tool guy?
AL (amused): You think I wanted you to become a tool guy? (a beat) You really thought that?
ALBERT (shrugs): You're always talking about how I should learn to build stuff.
AL: Learning to help sick and hurt people is sort of like construction.
ALMA: I don't want to build stuff either. (giggles) That and blowing up stuff is Uncle Tim's job.
Albert cracks a grin and he and Alma start giggling mischievously. Al sighs calmly.
WAITSTAFF (off-screen): Ma'am, are you sure you're feeling all right?
Al, Trudy, Albert, and Alma look towards the source of the voice just in time to see a waiter walking alongside a nervous looking Mark and a testy looking DONNA TAYLOR, who has long red hair that is pulled back in a bun on top of her head, is wearing capris and a low cut shirt.
DONNA (annoyed, loud): Will you please back off and get us some menus? (a beat) Now?!
ALMA (worried, whispering): Dad, what happened to him? (a beat) Did he get beat up?
TRUDY (concerned, whispering): Al, isn't that Mark?
AL (nods, whispers): I think that's his wife, but I thought she was arrested after what happened on Tool Time. (a beat, pulls his cell phone out) If something happens, I'm going to call Tim.
Over at Mark and Donna's table, Mark silently drinks some water as he studies Donna nervously.
DONNA (sighs): Thank you for bailing me out. (a beat) How's your head?
MARK (tired): It hurts sometimes. (a beat) I'm supposed to get a lot of rest right now.
DONNA (amused): So you're out here with me. (a beat) Where are the kids?
MARK (tired): They're safe. (a beat) Donna, what is it you wanted to talk about?
Donna sighs irritably and drinks from the glass of wine that is in front of her.
DONNA (irritably): I need money. (a beat) I can get my licence back pretty soon…
MARK (concerned): What happened to the money you got from the restaurant?
DONNA (irritable): I needed it…for other things.
MARK (tired): Donna, I need money to take care of Tommy and Rachel.
DONNA (pouty): Maaaaark….do you know how hard it is to not be able to drive?
MARK (as the waiter approaches with menus): We should pick what we're going to eat.
Donna snatches a menu from the waiter while Mark calmly takes a menu and reads it.
CUT TO:
TAYLOR HOUSE
Brad, Marissa, Randy, Lauren, Wil, Bobby, Jillian, Mark, Rachel, Tommy, Jeff, Carrie, Art, Lucile, Tim, Jill, and Willow are all eating dinner. The doorbell rings and Tim gets up to get it. He opens it to find Marty.
TIM (kind): Hi there, Marty. (quieter) You're a little late for dinner.
MARTY (comes in) Sorry, Gracie and Claire were over with their boyfriends and we got to talking…
RANDY (amused): Gracie and Claire have boyfriends again?
MARTY (nods): Oh hey, Randy. (a beat) It's been a while since I've seen you!
RANDY (kind): Lauren and I just moved back to Detroit with our kids.
MARTY (nods): I honestly thought you'd never leave New York. You had a huge career there…
TIM (nervous): Marty…
RANDY (shrugs): I went to school there because of the journalism opportunities and I didn't expect to be out there for so long, but I was. Lauren and I thought Detroit would be better for our family…
JILL (anxious): Marty, did you want to join us?
Tim leads Marty over to the table and Marty sits down in the empty seat next to Willow.
MARTY (smiles at Willow): Well, hello there. (a beat) My name's Marty. What's yours?
BRAD (mortified): This is Willow Wilson. She's the social worker helping Marissa and I adopt.
WILLOW (pleasant): I'm Willow. (a beat) You know, I can do the interviews sporadically. They don't all have to be done tonight. I'm simply content observing how you get along as a family for now.
Brad exhales sharply and Marissa pats his hand reassuringly. Tommy stands up.
TOMMY: Gramma Jill, I'm full. (a beat) Can I go read on the couch?
JILL (gets up): Of course, Tommy. (a beat) Do you want me to read with you?
Tommy shrugs and goes into the living room, grabbing a small book from a tote bag near the couch.
RACHEL (yawns): Grandma, can I go read in my room?
JILL (looks to Willow): I'm sorry, Tommy and Rachel are really young and they tire easily.
WILLOW (kind): It's fine. (a beat) They're Mark's kids, right?
RACHEL (leaves the table): Mommy and Daddy are fighting.
TIM (concerned) Rachel.
Rachel disappears upstairs and Brad silently groans, covering his face in embarrassment.
JILL (concerned): Mark and his wife are having issues, so Mark and his kids currently live here.
TOMMY (looks up from his book): Mommy beat Daddy up.
Tim's eyes go big and Willow sighs, nodding patiently as she looks at Tommy.
BRAD (nervous): Um, Willow, I hope this doesn't put you off to wanting to help us.
WILLOW (reassuring): Brad, I've known you and your family a long time, so it doesn't.
Tim's phone suddenly goes off and he checks it, frowning as he reads the message sent to him.
JILL (concerned at Tim's expression): Tim?
TIM (gets up): Um, Al's just sending me a text about the show tomorrow. (a beat) I'll take it in the garage.
Jill frowns, but doesn't say anything as Tim disappears into the garage as fast as he can.
RANDY (nervous): Mom, can I skip dessert?
LAUREN (looks at Randy, concerned): Randy, are you feeling all right?
RANDY (sighs): Just a little nauseous. (a beat) It happens sometimes.
WIL (annoyed): You shouldn't have eaten so much after having chemo yesterday, Dad.
Willow's eyes widen in shock and Brad sighs irritably before getting up and going to the fridge.
BRAD (concerned): Do you want some gingerale?
CUT TO:
RESTAURANT
Donna is surrounded by several empty glasses while holding a half-full one in her hand while Mark is nervously sipping water. A waiter approaches carrying a tray of two spaghetti dishes.
WAITER: I have your orders. The garlic bread will be out shortly.
DONNA (sneers at the food): I'm a chef and my husband's a chef…what is THAT?!
MARK (upset): It looks very nice, thank you. (a beat) Donna, stop it. We're in public.
DONNA (scoffs): Mark, I could cook a better meal than that! (a beat) I…
MARK (sighs irritably) Donna, you were in restaurant management…
Donna glares at Mark as the waiter sets their plates of spaghetti in front of each of them.
MARK (anxious): Thank you. (picks up his fork) I don't know about you, but I am going to eat.
DONNA (annoyed): Maaaark…I want to talk about our relationship and my children.
MARK (annoyed): I told you that you need to be clean and sober to be around them.
Donna scoffs and takes another sip of wine, so Mark begins to eat his meal quietly. Just then, Tim comes into the restaurant and makes a beeline for Al's table, but Donna notices him and scoffs.
DONNA (annoyed): Did you call your fool of a father to spy on me, Mark?
Mark, however, doesn't reply and watches as his father talks to Al and Trudy while Albert and Alma eat.
DONNA (slams wine glass down on the table) Really, Mark?! (scoffs) I AM YOUR WIFE!
Almost all of the waitstaff disappear into the kitchen, all of them worried about the situation. A moment later, a man in a suit comes out and walks over to Mark and Donna's table.
MANAGER: Ma'am, I am the manager of this establishment and you have been very disruptive ever since you arrived. (a beat, sighs) I am going to have to ask you to leave.
DONNA (scoffs): Mark, are you going to drive me home? (scoffs) You ARE my husband.
MARK (sighs): Donna, I want a divorce. (a beat) And full custody of the kids.
Tim, Al, and Trudy look shocked, but Alma and Albert remain quiet. Donna, however, looks angry.
DONNA (angry): You…what?!
MARK (sighs): I can't do this anymore, Donna. (a beat) The kids can't do this anymore.
Donna's eyes go wide and she chucks the wine glass towards Mark, but misses and the glass and wine hits the nearby wall. As Donna stands with her plate of food in hand to hurl at Mark, sirens fill the air and cops flood the restaurant. The cops take the plate from Donna's hands and stand her up.
TIM (anxiously hurries over to the table): Mark, come on. I'll give you a ride home.
Mark gets up and heads towards Tim, but Donna reaches out and grabs his arm roughly.
MARK (pulls away): Donna, let go! (a beat) You're hurting me!
Donna, however, increases her grip and Tim finally manages to extract Mark from Donna's grip. Donna screams like a banshee, kicks both Mark and Tim, and fights the cops as they handcuff her.
MARK (sighs, looks to the manager): How much is the bill?
MANAGER (quiet): Don't worry about it. (a beat) I'll charge everything to her.
TIM (anxious): Mark, come on. Let's go outside and sit in the car.
OFFICER (nods): That's a good idea. (glares at Donna) You're in a lot of trouble, ma'am.
As Tim leads Mark out of the restaurant, Albert looks at his parents rather nervously.
ALBERT (concerned): Mom, Dad, is that what drinking can do to a person?
Alma starts crying, terrified by the scene, and Trudy quietly comforts her.
AL (nervous, watches as Donna is led away): It can do terrible things to a person if they become dependent on it. (a beat) I'm not sure how much she had to drink, but she was quite…
ALBERT (upset): I don't want to turn into THAT. I don't want to drink anymore, Dad.
Nodding, Al pats Albert's shoulder and then sends a silent prayer of thanks heavenward.
CUT TO:
TAYLOR HOUSE
Dinner is over and the tables have been cleared. Jill, Brad, Marissa, Willow, Wil, Randy, and Lauren are all sitting on couches in the living room. Willow, Brad, and Marissa are looking over an adoption binder.
The front door opens and Tim comes in with an arm around a tired looking Mark.
TIM (kind): Mark, there might be some leftovers in the fridge if you're hungry.
Willow looks at Mark's bandaged head with concern, but doesn't say anything. Mark silently goes over to the fridge and begins rummaging through it while Tim silently walks over to the couch.
TIM (pleasant): What are you guys doing?
BRAD: We're looking at photos of kids who need families.
MARISSA (sighs): They are all so cute. I do not know how we are going to pick.
WILLOW (kind): There are also events where you can meet children who want families. (a beat) I can get you a list of when and where the events are going to be if that's something that interests you.
As Willow continues talking with Brad and Marissa, Jill silently gets up and wanders into the kitchen.
JILL (quiet): Mark, did you want me to get you a plate?
WILLOW (sighs tiredly and stands): Thank you for dinner tonight. Everyone was very kind to me, especially that one fellow that was late. (a beat) He actually left his phone number on my napkin.
Tim snickers, but Brad and Randy look mortified. Willow, however, chuckles as she goes to the door.
WILLOW (pleasant): Brad, Marissa, I'll get you the list in a couple of days. (a beat) Goodnight.
Willow leaves and Brad lets out a sigh of relief. Randy and Lauren get up from the couch.
LAUREN (kind): I'll go upstairs and get Bobby and Jill. (a beat) Wil, get your shoes.
MARK (sighs as he takes a takeout box out of the fridge, quiet): Mom, I need some help.
JILL (nods): What kind of a plate do you want? There were lots of leftovers.
MARK (tired): I need you to help me get a lawyer. I told Donna tonight that I want a divorce.
Tim's eyes go wide with shock, but Brad doesn't look too surprised. Randy and Lauren gasp.
TIM (stunned): That's what made her go so crazy at the restaurant?!
JILL (concerned): Mark, whatever you and the kids need…we'll help you.
BRAD (sighs): I can't say I'm surprised. (a beat) You toughed it out for longer than you should have.
TIM (mad): Brad, that's not a nice thing to say! (a beat) Donna has problems…
MARK (sighs and puts food container on the counter): Brad's right.
JILL (anxious): Brad, Tim, stop arguing. It's Mark's decision to what's best for him and his kids.
RANDY (confused): I'm kinda confused as to why you married Donna in the first place.
MARK (annoyed): Because she got pregnant and I wanted to be there for my child.
Just then, Lauren comes back downstairs with Bobby and Jillian in tow.
LAUREN (kind): Mark, Rachel and Tommy already went to bed. I hope that's okay?
MARK (sighs): That's perfect. (a beat) I don't know how I'm going to tell them.
Overwhelmed, Mark lowers his head and begins to cry. Tim, Jill, Brad, and Randy all silently walk over to Mark and gently envelop him in a hug. Marissa sighs sadly while Lauren gets the kids ready to go.
FADE TO BLACK
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