INT. HARRISON'S HOUSE - FOYER - 6:25
ROBIN JOHN fixes HARRISON'S baby blue bowtie as he adjusts his matching cumberbund.
HARRISON
Mom, come on -- I'm never gonna get out of
here on time --
ROBIN
Oh, come on now...your limo isn't even here
yet.
Outside, a LOUD, musical horn sounds. Harrison sighs.
ROBIN (cont'd)
Oh...you just look so handsome!
Harrison scurries about.
ROBIN (cont'd)
Wait, your boutinierre --
Harrison shoves it in his pocket and moves towards the door.
ROBIN (cont'd)
Your corsage?
She hands him the box with the beautiful lily of the valley corsage. Harrison rushes towards the door.
ROBIN (cont'd)
Don't forget, I want pictures!
Harrison whips open the front door.
HARRISON
I won't Mo --
His eyes widen as he see the very long stretch truckmousine and Mary Cherry standing through one of the sunroofs as she waves.
MARY CHERRY
Hi Joe!
Harrison winces.
INSIDE THE TRUCKMOUSINE
Mary Cherry sits with Carmen. Carmen pushes in for Harrison as they both make room and the driver closes the door. Both girls look very beautiful -- Mary Cherry in her colorful evening gown and Carmen in a nice off-the-shoulder forest green dress.
MARY CHERRY
Loooookin' gooood, Mr. Pres-i-dent!
HARRISON
Ladies...you don't look so bad yourselves.
He looks across the seats -- EXQUISITE WOO sits, feeding SUGAR DADDY some cream-covered strawberries.
HARRISON (cont'd)
Sugar!
SUGAR DADDY
Hey there, scrub -- you look sharp,
dude!
HARRISON (cont'd)
Thanks. Exquisite...we haven't seen you in
a while. Where'd you go?
CARMEN
Mary Cherry flew her in from China
after her parents ripped her out of
Kennedy after the Forever Tree incident.
SUGAR DADDY
Yo, MC's my giiiirrrrl!
(pauses)
Next to you, of course.
EXQUISITE
Word up, homey!
Harrison laughs as he high fives Mary Cherry.
HARRISON
I don't see your dates -- what gives?
MARY CHERRY
I decided that this year I would not stress
my flawless complexion with blemishes
worryin' about some inept lil' steroid
messin' up my Vera Wang with his sweaty
paws.
CARMEN
So, this year -- Mary Cherry and I are happy
to go stag. So much this year has been about
our own power and self-confidence that we
decided that we didn't need a man to compliment
our glamorous bodies.
MARY CHERRY
Mmmkay?
CARMEN
Mmmkay!
They all laugh.
MARY CHERRY
Driver! Take us for spin in this thing --
HARRISON
Uh -- we've got to pick up Nicole --
MARY CHERRY
Oh yes, I almost forgot. Driver! Take us
to Hell -- I mean, Ms. Julian's house.
INT. NICOLE JULIAN'S HOUSE - BATHROOM - A LITTLE LATER
CLOSE-UP of NICOLE'S FEATURES, as she makes the finishing touches on her appearance. Her hair, adorned with white diamond specked clips. Her eyelashes, brushed softly with mascara. Her cheeks, brushed lightly with the finishing blush. And, of course, her lips, smoothed over in soft pink gloss.
The doorbell rings.
OUTISDE, Harrison waits, nervously. JUDY JULIAN answers the door.
HARRISON
Ummah...mah...Ms. Julian, hi.
Judy looks him over.
JUDY
Mr. John. What can I do for you?
HARRISON
(puzzled)
I'm uh...here to pick up Nicole.
JUDY
What for?
HARRISON
Uh...the prom?
JUDY
Oh.
(pauses)
She didn't tell me she was going with...you.
There is an awkward silence.
JUDY (cont'd)
Please. Come in...I doubt she's ready --
NICOLE
I'm ready.
Just as Harrison enters, his eyes widen. Bruce Channel's classic
"Hey Baby" starts on the soundtrack as the camera pans up on NICOLE from
her slingbacks. She looks absolutely
STUNNING in her baby blue Calvin dress, the color matching Harrison's
tie. She stands there and cocks her head slightly. Harrison
is speechless.
NICOLE
What's the matter -- you don't like my
dress?
Harrison gulps.
HARRISON
Uh...no, I uh...I like the color. It
looks...it looks good on you.
JUDY
Nicole -- why didn't you tell me you were going
with...
She hesitates and Nicole approaches Harrison and slaps a JoyCam in her mother's hands.
NICOLE
My brother? You can say it, Mom. I'm
not ashamed of it.
She looks at Harrison.
NICOLE (cont'd)
Not in the least.
She looks at the corsage box.
NICOLE (cont'd)
Is that for me?
Harrison snaps out of it.
HARRISON
Duh...yeah, yeah, it's...it's yours.
He fumbles to open the clear box.
HARRISON (cont'd)
Here, lemme...just...stupid thing --
The box goes flying out of his hands but he manages to save the corsage from falling. He nervously takes her right hand and slips it over her wrist.
HARRISON (cont'd)
It...matches perfectly.
(pauses)
Uhb, with your dress, that is.
Nicole's impressed to see how great Harrison looks. She snaps out of it.
NICOLE
Welp, time to dive into time-honored
traditions.
She looks to her mother as she puts her arm around Harrison.
NICOLE (cont'd)
Take at least five and watch the thumbs.
(pauses)
I'd like the first photos of me with my
brother to look somewhat decent.
Harrison looks nervous as he struggles to find a place for his hand...she places it on her waist for him and smiles. Judy, annoyed, brings the camera up and centers them. The FLASH goes off...
INT. BROOKE & SAM'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAME
...a FLASH has gone off -- BROOKE and JAMIE ROTH pose for MIKE as JANE and SAM look on. Brooke's wearing a conservative pastel pink gown while Sam's two-toned deep purplish/violet dress is more gothic. Brooke seems a little preoccupied.
MIKE
THAT one's a keeper.
BROOKE
I dunno...you don't think this dress
makes me look like an Easter MnM,
do you?
JANE
No, of course not -- you two look absolutely
gorgeous.
JAMIE
Well, I happen to think Brooke always looks
gorgeous.
Sam rolls her eyes.
JANE
Well, she's not the only one...Sammy? Why
don't you get up there and give us a picture?
SAM
No thanks. Last thing I need is a
reminder of the night I went dateless
to my junior prom.
MIKE
I thought you said you didn't want to go
with anyone.
SAM
True, it was of my own doing, but...I'd feel
weird just standing there.
BROOKE
Come on, Sam, I'll pose with you.
JANE
That's a great idea!
(pauses)
Come on...do it for me?
BROOKE
Pretty please? You look great and I'd like
a
copy of it for my scrapbook.
Sam reluctantly takes Brooke's hand.
SAM
Oh yay...I get to be sandwiched in between
pictures of Justin Timberlake and Ace of Base.
BROOKE
(laughing)
Shut up!
They laugh as Mike readies the camera.
BROOKE
Isn't it amazing how we've managed to come
so far in just one year?
Mike starts snapping away.
BROOKE (cont'd)
Last year we couldn't even have dreamed
we'd be standing here, posing for pictures
together.
SAM
You're right...as usual.
(pauses)
It's funny how you never know how close
two people can get in such a short amount
of time.
The doorbell rings.
JANE
I'll get --
She attempts to get up, but she can't.
SAM
Mom, you o.k.?
JANE
I just stood up a little too quickly, that's all --
MIKE
Just sit...relax, I can get --
BROOKE
That's o.k., I can get it. It's probably
Harrison.
She answers the door -- Nicole stands in front of Harrison.
NICOLE
Hey B.
BROOKE
Nicole...Harrison.
Sam looks at them then looks away.
BROOKE (cont'd)
Um...come on in.
HARRISON
You guys ready yet? We've still gotta
pick up Lily and Josh.
BROOKE
Um, yeah, I'm ready...Sam?
SAM
Ready as I can be.
NICOLE
Hello Mr. McQueen, Mrs. McPherson --
I don't believe we've met.
Nicole looks at Jamie and then at Brooke.
BROOKE
Oh, this is Jamie --
Nicole extends her hand.
JAMIE
Jamie Roth...nice to meet you.
NICOLE
So you're the big man on campus that
Brookie's always talking about.
JAMIE
And you must be Nicole. I've heard
alot about you.
NICOLE
Well, don't believe everything you hear
unless it's positive, mmkay?
JANE
Uh...Nicole...you're looking fabulous
tonight.
NICOLE
Thanks Mrs. McPherson. Sometimes last
minute grooming can do wonders for a gal's
appearance.
(pauses)
Speaking of which, Spam, your hair looks
just --
Harrison nudges her.
NICOLE (cont'd)
-- great. I really like what you've done with
it.
SAM
Thanks...I think.
MIKE
Hey, why don't we get a group picture?
SAM
Sounds like a blast.
The kids start to get into a group as Brooke stares at Nicole.
JAMIE
(whispers)
Something wrong, Brooke?
BROOKE
Oh, no...nothing's wrong, Jamie.
Harrison puts his arm around Sam's shoulders and she looks at him, then at Nicole.
MIKE
Get ready to smile for the camera...
The kids hold a smile.
NICOLE
(whispers)
Something smells awfully pungent...
new perfume, Spam?
SAM
(whispers back)
Nope -- Eau De Ho is your scent,
not mine.
HARRISON
(through his clenched teeth)
Not tonight you guys.
MIKE
Smiiiiile --
The flash goes off as the kids smile sweetly...
INT. MARY CHERRY'S TRUCKMOUSINE - A LITTLE LATER
...the flash dissovles in on Harrison and Nicole seating themselves in front of Sam, Brooke, and Jamie.
NICOLE
Nice dress, Spam. Goodwill have another
orange tag sale?
SAM
No, but it looks like you had fun rooting
through Jennifer Lopez's trash for yours.
BROOKE
Guys, please --
NICOLE
Yeah, hi, hon -- you might wanna go a little
heavier on the detangling cream 'cuz your head's
starting to look like something my mother's cat
coughed up.
HARRISON
Nicole --
SAM
Huh, I knew that compliment was just a
coverup. God, you're just as transparent
as your dress!
BROOKE
For once, could you both just chill? God...
can't even ride in the same limo without
bloodshed!
Jamie smiles to Harrison.
JAMIE
Is this what I'm missing every day?
HARRISON
Believe me, you're not missing much.
The divider behind Brooke, Sam, & Jamie's heads slides down, startling Brooke.
MARY CHERRY
Hey y'all...could ya muffle the scufflin'?
We're tryin' to watch Charlie's Angels
in here.
(waves)
Thank you.
The divider starts to go up.
CARMEN
(rising with the divider)
I like your dress, Sam --
SAM
(smiling)
Hey Carm.
JAMIE
Hey...how come we don't get a movie?
Mary Cherry's voice comes over the built-in speakers in their section.
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
Oh, you do.
CARMEN'S VOICE
Hey Sam!
HARRISON
Wait, you can hear us?
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
Every single word.
NICOLE
Then why did you even bother using the
divider?
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
I jest wanted t'git a look at y'all. Nice
dress, Nic. Very Gwenny.
(pauses)
Joe -- press the red button next to
your left.
Harrison looks at it. He reaches for it --
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
OH MY LORD, not THAT red button!
The kids startle.
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
(sweet)
Just kidding. Press it. It won't bite.
Harrison presses it and a cover on the side of the limo slides to reveal a flat TV screen. It flickers on to the middle of the Charlie's Angels movie. The kids start to watch, but Sam feels a stare -- it's Harrison. He nods to her and looks at the TV screen. Nicole catches the glance and stares back at Sam, who in turn stares back -- Nicole raises an eyebrow as she places her hand on Harrison's knee. Not sure what to do, he places his hand on hers and squeezes. Sam looks away, shaking her head. Brooke catches the hand/knee thing.
BROOKE
You guys, I can already tell that this is
going to be a great night...right?
SAM
Oh yeah, just great.
NICOLE
Wonderful.
HARRISON
Spectacular.
Brooke nods her head, her smile dissipating as she looks at Nicole.
NICOLE
Something wrong, Brookie?
BROOKE
No.
JAMIE
You do seem a little preoccupied tonight.
BROOKE
I'm fine. Let's just watch the movie.
The limo stops with a jerk.
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
Damned low-rent driver!
SAM
Why've we stopped?
The door opens and JOSH and LILY peek in. Lily seems to be irritated.
JOSH
Hey guys, can I squeeze in?
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
Dang it, I told you that section's full!
JOSH
Never mind, I'll just go sit in another
part of this kickass truck.
LILY
Be my guest.
Sam, Brooke and Jamie squeeze in to let Lily sit -- she's now across from Nicole. The driver closes the door.
LILY
Ooo, guys can be so infuriating
sometimes!
SAM
Maybe that's why I chose to go stag.
Lily, what's wrong?
NICOLE
Isn't it obvious? Joshie finally woke up
and smelled the Ani DiFranco emanating
from lil' miss Lily Fair.
LILY
Very funny, Nicole.
(pause)
I just don't feel like he's supporting me
with my new club.
NICOLE
And why should he? He has his own mind --
that is, unless you took that as well as his
pride away from him.
HARRISON
Wow, you don't know when to quit, do
you?
NICOLE
Apparently not, big brother.
SAM
I don't understand -- Josh has been pretty
supportive of everything that you've done,
why the meltdown now?
LILY
I think he's still mad about the gun thing.
He thinks it's a constitutional right --
SAM
It is a constitutional right.
LILY
Yes, but it's an outdated one supported by
corrupt, browbeaten government officials
who receive millions upon millions of
cash from gun lobbyists like the NRA to
keep the Second Amendment's clear
interpretation of 'the right to bear arms' muddied
and active.
(pauses)
If it weren't for these gun-obsessed jerks,
the Amendment could be modified or
eradicated altogether along with the
gun dealers who often times appeal to those
who wouldn't be able to get a gun under
current restrictions and background checks.
BROOKE
Josh can be stubborn about things sometimes.
You just need to be patient...he'll come around.
NICOLE
That's what I keep telling myself.
HARRISON
Can we please survive this limo ride without
it turning into a warzone? This night is supposed
to be fun, and I know I'm not going to let
anything ruin it.
BROOKE
Harrison's right, you guys. Lily, I'll talk to Josh
if you want --
LILY
No, that's o.k. Harrison, you are right.
I'll
make sure that Josh and I put everything
aside for now, if only for one night.
She looks at the screen.
LILY (cont'd)
(lighter)
Hey, is this Charlie's Angels?
SAM
Yeah, leave it to Mary Cherry to provide
the cheesy B-movie action.
MARY CHERRY'S VOICE
Ah heard that, Spam!
Everyone chuckles -- Sam and Lily laugh. Sam's laughter disappears when she spies Nicole's fingers interlocking with Harrison's.
END OF ACT 3