After All These Years

by Ceetay

Episode 1 of Maddie and David's new series. Can someone from their past destroy their future?

2. After All These Years - Pt. 2

MOONLIGHTING IN THE 21ST CENTURY:

EPISODE 1: AFTER ALL THESE YEARS (PART 2)

WRITTEN BY: Christie Taylor

FADE IN:

HALFWAY BUMPER (2)
A still image of the title is showing. An abbreviated version of the theme is being used. Maddie and David's voices are in voice over.

MADDIE
As promised, we're back.

DAVID
Now that didn't take long, did it?

FADE OUT:

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. - BLUE MOON OFFICE - AFTERNOON

MRS. HARRISON
How could this happen?

TERRI
We can't jump to conclusions. (Turns to little David) How long have Ashley and...

MRS. HARRISON
Joey!

TERRI
(Looks apologetically to Mrs. Harrison)
Joey, have been gone?

LITTLE DAVID
(Looks at his watch and fights back tears)
About an hour.

TERRI
Not only do we jump to conclusions, we leap to them.

AGNES
Wait a second, wait a second. Let's all calm down. I'm sure it's not as bad as it looks.

MRS. HARRISON
Not as bad as it looks? It looks like my boy is missing!

LITTLE DAVID
Hey, my sister's missing too, lady!

TERRI
(Tries to console little David)
David . . . David, it's okay. (To Agnes) Are you sure Maddie and David didn't tell you where they went?

AGNES
They raced out of here so fast, they probably didn't have time to think. But, don't worry, I'm sure Miss Hayes and Mr. Addison will –

EVERYONE
(Wearily)
Be here soon.

CUT TO:

EXT.- OUTDOOR RESTURANT - CONTINUOUS

Maddie and David sit opposite each other as they finish what's left on their plates.

MADDIE
Mmm . . . David, taking an early lunch was a great idea.

DAVID
We burned up enough calories. (Holds his fork out toward Maddie) Wanna bite?

Maddie stands and stretchs herself over to his side of the table. She bends forward to reach his fork with her mouth, but David pulls the fork back.

DAVID
(Has a playful smile on his face)
Ah, ah, ah . . . you have to come over here to get it. ( Looks at her chest, then back to her eyes) Although I do enjoy the view.

Maddie wears a grin while walking to David's side of the table. When Maddie gets close enough, David grabs her around her waist and sits her down on his lap.

MADDIE
(Looking around to see if anyone is watching)
David.

DAVID
(Chuckles) Nobody's gonna notice. They have too much on their plates to be bothered with what we are doing.

Maddie reaches forward to capture the food David still has on his fork. He puts the fork down and looks seductively at his wife. When she swallows the last piece, he reaches over to kiss her. They get more into it with each passing minute. They begin kissing each other's necks when a loud ringing sound should be disturbing them. But David, without breaking his concentration, frees up his right hand to search for his cell he put beside the glass of water. He grabs it and holds it up to the same level he is kissing Maddie's neck. His eyes are wide when he sees, 911 – COME BACK TO OFFICE – AGNES, on the message window. He involuntarily jumps out of his seat which sends Maddie crashing to the ground.

DAVID
I'm sorry! (Reaches over to help Maddie up) I'm so sorry, honey. (She responds by smacking him hard on his arm.) Something's happening at the office. (He shows her the message.)

CUT TO:

INT. - BLUE MOON OFFICE - MINUTES LATER

David and Maddie burst through the front door.

DAVID
What happened?! Where's the fire?!

LITTLE DAVID
(Runs up to his father crying)
I'm sorry, Dad. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen.

DAVID
What? Who went where?

TERRI
Ashley and . . . (Turns to Mrs. Harrison)

MRS. HARRISON
Joey!

TERRI
Joey are missing.

DAVID
What?!

MADDIE
(Looks around the room shell shocked)
Terri?. . . Davy?. . . Mrs. Harrison? . . . Why are you all here?

MRS. HARRISON
The question is, why weren't you here?

AGNES
It's not their fault. It's my fault. I shouldn't have left my desk.

TERRI
Agnes, it's not your fault. It's my fault. I shouldn't have used that sink.

DAVID
Don't tell me . . . the faucet turned into a fountain. (They all look at him) What?

LITTLE DAVID
No, Aunt Terri, it's my fault. I never should have let Ashley go downstairs.

DAVID
Look, none of this is gonna bring Joey and Ashley back any sooner.

MADDIE
Why don't we all go into the conference room and figure out what to do next. (Everyone starts walking except Agnes. She's returning to her desk.) You too, Agnes.

AGNES
But –

MADDIE
(Gently grabs Agnes' shoulders and steers her to the conference room) You know the most exciting thing about having voice mail, it can take messages even when you're away from your desk.

MRS. HARRISON
(To Herself) I knew I couldn't trust them.

DAVID
(He looks puzzled after he hearing this, but doesn't respond. Instead, he throws his arm around Terri's shoulder) Did you take a wrong turn from the Philharmonic? If you don't mind practicing on my harmonica, then you're in the right place.

TERRI
I picked up my godchildren from their half day of school.

DAVID
That explains why a 10-year-old is staring me in the face, in my office, in the middle of the day. (He drops his head; this is clearly overwhelms him.)

TERRI
Hey. . . (David looks over to her) We're gonna find them. (She looks in the direction of Agnes' desk. She goes over and picks up the lawyer's briefcase) Who would leave something this expensive?. . . (She looks at David) What's wrong?

DAVID
(Drags his hand over his face in frustration)
I just realized Maddie and I ran a mini marathon for nothing.

TERRI
I don't know about that. (David looks confused) I just thought of an idea.

CUT TO:

A montage of places David, Maddie, Terri, Agnes and Mrs. Harrison go to look for Ashley and Joey. The song, "Tell Me What I Gotta Do", by Al Jarreau begins. A shot of two pairs of feet (One pumps, the other loafers), pound the pavement to the beat of the music.

INT. - PIZZA SHOP

David presents to the people behind the counter, two photos of Ashley and Joey. The people shake their heads no.

CUT TO:

EXT. - PLAYGROUND

Terri goes to the sandbox and shows the pictures to some of the kids, they shake their heads no. She goes toward the See Saw, the two children shake their heads no, while continuing to go up and down.

CUT TO:

INT. - CLOTHING SHOP

David shows the pictures of the children to some of the costumers, they shake their heads no. Maddie takes the pictures and turns to a woman who is looking at a nice blouse. Maddie shows her the photos, but the woman doesn't pay Maddie any attention. She attempts to show the photos to the woman again, but the woman moves away from her.

CUT TO:

INT. - LIBRARY

Agnes talks to the librarian, but Agnes gets shushed. Each time Agnes comes closer to the woman, she continues to get shushed.

CUT TO:

INT. - BACK TO CLOTHING SHOP

As David talks to the other costumers, Maddie tries to get this woman's attention. She follows the woman around. Maddie is determined to get a response one way or another. The woman looks over to Maddie, waves her off, and tells Maddie to get lost, but Maddie still follows her.

CUT TO:

INT. - ARCADE

Mrs. Harrison walks over to some of the kids, who's eyes are glued to the screen. They move their heads to avoid the pictures Mrs. Harrison holds up in front of them.

CUT TO:

INT. - BACK TO CLOTHING SHOP

Maddie still engrosses herself into not letting this woman show her up. Maddie taps her on the shoulder, the woman ignores her. She shakes the woman's shoulder, she swats Maddie away like a fly. Maddie gets fed up and whips the woman around by the arm and shows her the pictures. The woman responds by taking her purse and whacking Maddie on the head. Maddie uses her own purse to hit the woman back. When David finished talking, he sees, out of the corner of his eye, what is going on. He moves in and holds his hands up to the woman, so she doesn't start to hit him. It doesn't work. David begins steering Maddie out of the store. Maddie begins to calm down, but David lets Maddie out of the store first just to be on th safe side. Seconds later, Maddie returns. Before she is able to reach the handles of the glass door, David pulls her away.

CUT TO:

The two pairs of feet pound the pavement once more to the beat of the music.

CUT TO:

EXT. - BACK TO PLAYGROUND

Terri swings in the middle swing and shows two kids, on each side of her, the pictures of Ashley and Joey. However, they indicate they haven't seen them by shaking their heads.

CUT TO:

INT. - BACK TO LIBRARY

Agnes is visibly frustrated and slams the two photos on the librarian's desk. The librarian checks the pictures, shakes her head no, and shoves the photos back to Agnes. Agnes starts yawning, but the librarian shushes her again. Agnes leaves the library in a huff.

CUT TO:

EXT. - THE ZOO

Maddie and David walks every inch of the zoo. They show everyone the pictures as Maddie and David walk by them. They go to the zookeepers tending to their Elephants and present them with the pictures. They shake their heads no as Maddie watches the Elephant's trunk very closely.

CUT TO:

INT. - BACK TO ARCADE

The kids are still try to avoid looking at the pictures Mrs. Harrison sticks in their faces. One girl moves the pictures out of her way until another camera angle reveals "GAME OVER" on the video screen. She throws her hands up and gives Mrs. Harrison a glare before she walks away.

CUT TO:

INT. - HAMBURGER DINER

Agnes holds up the two pictures to all the waitresses and the customers. Some of the customers continue eating without looking up. The ones who do look up, shakes their heads no.

CUT TO:

EXT. - BACK TO THE ZOO

Maddie and David keep walking, but they stop to take a break near the cages of some monkeys. One of them takes Maddie's glasses she put on her head and places them on itself. When Maddie reaches for her glasses, she soon finds that they are gone. She looks everywhere until she sees a monkey wearing them. David laughs as Maddie snatches the glasses back and puts them in her purse.

CUT TO:

EXT. - SIDEWALK/ INT. - ICE CREAM PARLOR

The same two sets of feet continue walking to the beat. The camera pans up as Maddie and David are slowing their pace and walks into an ice cream parlor. The song fades out when they are inside.

ICE CREAM MAN
Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Addison. How are you today?

DAVID
Other than putting in a month's worth of exercise, I'm pretty good.

MADDIE
It's Miss Hayes.

ICE CREAM MAN
Huh?

MADDIE
My name is Maddie Hayes, not Addison.

DAVID
Maddie, this isn't the time to reclaim your name. We gotta find Ashley and Joey.

ICE CREAM MAN
You didn't see them?

DAVID
(Gets excited)
You saw them? When?

ICE CREAM MAN
They came by here a few hours ago.

MADDIE
Do you know where they went?

ICE CREAM MAN
No. (He gives David his ice cream cone, then he gives Maddie her ice cream.) Oh, now I remember.

DAVID
Yeah?

ICE CREAM MAN
Yeah, but you're not gonna like my answer.

DAVID
Try us.

ICE CREAM MAN
They were taken by some guy with a mask and green fatigues.

MADDIE
(Grabs her chest)
Oh, my God!

ICE CREAM MAN
I tried to run after him, but the only thing I caught was the license plate.

MADDIE
(talks at the same time) The license plate?

DAVID
(talks at the same time) The license plate?

ICE CREAM MAN
(Shows them a piece of paper)
The license plate.

DAVID
(He frantically takes out the cell in his pants pocket and starts dialing. He looks up to the ice cream man) Thanks a lot. We'll lobby Congress to make sure the 32nd flavor is named after you. (He attempts to get in touch with Bert, but there is no answer. He tries all the numbers Bert gave him, still no answer.) Only Bert would make a simple bugging operation into a federal case.

MADDIE
Why didn't you call Agnes?

DAVID
Good question, (He starts dialing) I hope she provides me with some good answers. . . Agnes, can you get in touch with Bert's canary at the DMV? . . . Good. Here's the plate number, (He gives her the numbers) . . . Okay, when you get the 411, call me ASAP, get it? Got it? Good, don't forget it. (Hangs up cell then turns to Maddie) What do we do now?

MADDIE
There's nothing else to do except sit and wait.

CUT TO:

INT. - DAVID'S OFFICE - LATE AFTERNOON

As David's theme plays, he is lounging in his leather chair playing the same notes in his harmonica. The phone rings and David stops in mid-note to answer the phone. The theme stops short as well.

DAVID
Hello? . . . Hello?!

He slowly hangs up. He picks up the harmonica and continues to play. The theme also picks up where David left off. Soon after, he and the theme stops again. He drops the harmonica on his desk and turns his chair around to the window. He starts to cry then clasps his hands together to pray.

DAVID
Umm, listen. I . . . I haven't been corresponding with you lately. I promise to rectify that in the near future. . . . I bet you hear that a lot, right?. . . Umm . . . I just need to bend your ear for a minute. . . . I need you to watch over Joey and my little girl for me. . . (Maddie walks in and hears David talking to God) Just . . . just look after them wherever they are . . . whoever they are with . . . please help them stay safe (He cries a little harder) Please . . . I don't know what I'd do if anything happens to . . . (David breaks down and cries uncontrollably)

Maddie hears the painful sobs of her husband. She slowly moves over to him as he covers his face. She walks up behind his chair and puts her arms around him from behind. David slowly gets up and they both hold each other as they both burst into tears. The slow Moonlighting theme slips in. They hug as if they will fall to the ground if one lets the other go. Maddie manages to whisper into David's ear.

MADDIE
It's okay. . . it's okay.

They continue to comfort each other when Jamie silently enters into the room.

JAMIE
(Softly)
Ex. . . excuse me. (Maddie and David look up to see Jamie with papers in her hand) I happened to get a hold of Joey and Dennis' family tree projects. I think you really need to check them out.

Maddie walks over to Jamie, while David stays behind his desk. Jamie places the papers on David's desk. They all lean in to see what is written on those papers. Maddie and David's heads rise up sharply and checks the papers again. The realization of what they have found is written on both of their faces.

CUT TO:

INT. - CONFERENCE ROOM - A MINUTE LATER

Maddie and David looks at Mrs. Harrison.

DAVID
When were you gonna let us in on your little secret?

MRS. HARRISON
I didn't think I had to.

DAVID
Didn't think you . . . (Cools his temper) . . . So, that's what you meant, huh? That you couldn't trust us.

MRS. HARRISON
Put yourself in my position –

DAVID
As long as you put yourself in my position first!

MRS. HARRISON
So, what was I supposed to do? Tell you I was sent here by –

MADDIE
(Sarcastically)
It would have been the polite thing to do.

DAVID
It would have been the only thing to do!

MRS. HARRISON
(To Maddie)
This doesn't concern you!

DAVID
As long as she shares my life, it sure as hell does! (He paces around the room still not believing what he now knows) So, how much does the person in question knows?

MRS. HARRISON
Knows enough not to trust you with Joey.

DAVID
Not to trust . . . (Calms down again) (To himself but everyone in the room can hear) I can't believe you two are putting me in this, then blame me.

MADDIE
So, what do we do now?

DAVID
Contact the Rockwells. Get their side of this whole mess.

Maddie and David gets ready to leave the room. David looks Mrs. Harrison in the eyes.

DAVID
(Controlling his anger)
If you still want to, you're still welcome to stay. If not, we'll contact you. (He turns to leave. Maddie follows. Before he steps out of the room, he stops and turns to Maddie) Why don't they (Looks at the camera) know what we're talking about?

MADDIE
We gotta hold them 'til the commercial break. (David lets Maddie out first.)

DAVID
(To Camera) Can't say I didn't try. (He closes the door behind him)

Maddie and David are about to retreat into David's office again until –

AGNES
Mr. Addison?

He races over to Agnes.

MADDIE
I'll be in my office, David.

He nods. Maddie turns around and goes into her office.

DAVID
Find anything?

AGNES
An address, a phone number –

DAVID
Name?

AGNES
He was about to tell me, but he was cut off. He didn't have enough change.

DAVID
Who says small change is worthless?

BERT
(Bursts through the front door)
Great news, sir. It's all set! (To Agnes) Hello, my little sugar plum. (Jumps up and holds onto the edge of the desk to kiss Agnes then jumps off) Get ready to celebrate because after tonight, Daddy's comin' home! . . . to stay! (Looks at David) Until I come back to work the next day.

DAVID
What's all . . . (He now understands why Bert is excited) Ohh . . . that's great! So great, I have something else for you to do.

BERT
You do!

DAVID
I do. (Grabs the information Agnes gathered and gives it to Bert) See this? I want you to track this information down along with this . . . (He gives Bert another piece of paper)

BERT
The Rockwell residence? Any relation to Norman?

DAVID
Just go.

BERT
But . . . but sir?

DAVID
But . . . but what?

BERT
It's just . . . I was looking forward to cracking this Adams case once and for all.

DAVID
I know, I saw, but Bert we have time to catch him with his pants down later. Right now, what I need you to do is paramount.

BERT
But –

AGNES
Bert. Do it. Two small lives hang in the balance. (Realizing what she said, she looks at David) Sorry, Mr. Addison.

BERT
(He's sensing something is wrong by how David and Agnes are reacting) What's going on, Mr. Addison?

DAVID
A client's child and Ashley have been taken –

BERT
Oh, my God! Sir, you must be utterly beside yourself.

DAVID
(Gives Bert a strange look) In a matter of speaking.

BERT
You must feel like your daughter has been sucked into a Black Hole with no signs of ever escaping the enormous yet lethal cosmic power of the Heavens. She's out there . . . alone like a star that's about to lose its light, and you fear she might perish without a sense of knowing why –

DAVID
You ever hear of Cliff Notes, Bertie?

BERT
Listen, if there's anything I can do to help you ease this unbearable suffering in this traumatic time, please don't hesitate.

DAVID
You wanna help me?

David shoves the papers to Bert's chest and steers him around to face the front door and points straight ahead to show Burt where he wants him to go.

BERT
No problem, sir. (He leaves office)

DAVID
If only he had said that five minutes earlier. (Turns to Agnes) So, where's mini-he?

AGNES
Mini-who?

DAVID
Mini-him. (Points towards the door) The two-foot, seven-inch Bert impersonator. I didn't see him in the day care center lately.

AGNES
Jeffrey is going to pre-school. I thought you knew.

DAVID
I did. I wanted the people at home to get up to speed. (Breathes out a huge sigh and gives Agnes a concerned look) Now, Agnes –

AGNES
Mr. Addison, it's okay.

DAVID
What can be better than stretching out, putting your feet up, and snoozing 'til lunch? You can only do that if you have your own four walls.

AGNES
I'm fine. I like it out here.

DAVID
Why pick the run of the mill three leaf clover when you have the four leaf variety me and Miss Hayes offered you?

AGNES
Really, Mr. Addison, I'm okay.

DAVID
Well, I'm leaving that office empty until you finally come to your senses.

AGNES
Thanks, Mr. Addison.

David blows Agnes a kiss, then heads over to Maddie's office.

CUT TO:

INT. - MADDIE'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

David steps in.

DAVID
Have you heard any –

Maddie cuts him off, puts her finger to her lips, and pointed over to Terri and little David sleeping side by side. He smiles as he watches his son and his ex-lamaze partner sleeping peacefully.

DAVID
I never thought I'd like the idea of seeing my son sleeping with an older woman.

MADDIE
Only you can make something sweet into something tawdry.

DAVID
It's a gift.

MADDIE
You mind keeping it wrapped?

DAVID
Even when we're undressed?

MADDIE
(She sighs) When you said it can happen anyplace, anytime, anywhere, you never said the anywhere would be a few feet away from our building.

David moves closer to her as Maddie gets up to meet him near the middle of the room. The slow Moonlighting theme starts the second they give each other a soft, comforting hug.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. - MADDIE'S OFFICE - NEXT MORNING

The theme continues throughout this transition into the next morning. The camera pans from the left side of the couch to the right where David and Maddie are lying. David has his arms around Maddie's waist while they continue sleeping. David is groggy when he feels someone tugging at his sleeve. He looks up seeing his worried son staring at him.

LITTLE DAVID
Dad?

DAVID
What's up, buddy? What's wrong?

LITTLE DAVID
Will we ever find them?

DAVID
Hey, what kind of question is that? Of course, we're gonna find them. It's taking us a little longer, that's all.

Maddie groans when she wakes up.

DAVID
(Looking at her) Take it easy, sleepy head. One false move, you'll find yourself kissing the carpet instead of me.

Not noticing little David is standing in front of her, she shifts her body in toward David.

MADDIE
How about you giving me a reason for me to wake up. (Starts kissing him on his neck)

DAVID
How about we save it before our son gets his firsthand lesson on what a porno flick looks like.

Maddie jerks herself around and sees little David. She gives him an awkward smile.

MADDIE
Hi, sweetheart. Sleep okay? (Little David continues to gawk at his parents) . . . I'm going into the kitchen and fix us some breakfast.

DAVID
As long as it's out of a cereal box.

Maddie playfully pushes David's head into one of the throw pillows. She gets off the couch and walks backwards to the door. She bumps into the couch along the way. She almost loses her balance and mumbles to herself as she walks out the door.

DAVID
(To little David – Jokingly)
You've witnessed what I have been waking up to every morning.

BERT
(Comes through the door)
Mr. Addison.

DAVID
Bert! (Pops up from the couch and rushes over to Bert) What's the scoop?

BERT
The trace went cold. The info. from the license plate is more like a company car. It's owned by a Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson. They own a local gym. Funny thing about it is, nobody knows who these people are. They just collect the rent checks.

DAVID
What about the Rockwells?

BERT
They weren't in a talkative mood. Since Joey is reported to be Dennis' friend, and they're enrolled in the same class, the media has been focusing on them pretty hard. They went so far as to sic their pitbull Scruffles on me. I had to leave their premises.

DAVID
(Throws up his hands in frustration)
This is just great!

BERT
However, seeing the magnatitude of the situation, I'll go back to see if they're really on the level.

DAVID
Contact me as soon as you can.

BERT
Right, sir. (He rushes out the door and almost knocking Maddie down in the process) Sorry, Miss Hayes. (He continue to leave.)

MADDIE
(Gets excited)
Did he find a lead?

DAVID
He barely found a way through the door.

LITTLE DAVID
We don't know if Ashley and Joey are still alive, do we?

David motions for Maddie to go outside the office.

DAVID
We'll be right back, okay? (little David nods)

David closes the door behind him. David blows out a huge sigh before he finds the words to tell Maddie –

DAVID
We have to go to the last resort.

MADDIE
Last resort?

DAVID
The last resort. It's not any old resort. This oasis is so exclusive, it's surrounded by bobwire.

MADDIE
David, you're not suggesting –

DAVID
We have to. I sure as hell would like to know why I volunteered for something I didn't volunteer for. Look, I wouldn't think of doing this, but our daughter is in danger.

MADDIE
(Surrendering to the idea)
If that's what we gotta do . . . we gotta do it.

They both walk back into the office.

DAVID
Terri? You mind watching my namesake for a little while longer?

TERRI
No problem. I couldn't leave if I wanted to anyway, Ashley took my car keys.

LITTLE DAVID
(Answering his parents' confused looks)
To get her backpack out of Aunt Terri's car.

TERRI
I was checking in with Walter a few minutes ago . . . he's okay.

DAVID
The 47 -year-old version, or the 13-year-old version?

TERRI
The 13-year-old. I still can't believe he's that old.

MADDIE
Tell me about it. I still remember screaming and shouting at the top of my lungs, while you were the one who was actually giving birth to him.

DAVID
I hate to break our trip down memory lane, but Maddie and I have to detour into a nightmare on some other street.

CUT TO:

INT. - VISITING ROOM - LATE MORNING

David and Maddie are about to sit down.

MADDIE
I still don't understand why we couldn't grill Mrs. Harrison.

DAVID
She wouldn't have spilled the beans. We gotta get it from the horse's mouth, which means we have to settle for talking to...

VOICE (Off Screen)
I wondered when you were goning pay me a visit.

They are looking from the other side of the glass.

DAVID (Off Screen)
(Close-up shot)
Jillian.

CUT TO BLACK.

END OF ACT THREE

- 4 MIN COMMERCIAL BREAK -

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

INT. - VISITING ROOM (JAIL) - CONTINUOUS

JILLIAN
It's nice of you to drop by, David.

DAVID
Can we stop with the small talk?

JILLIAN
(Looks at Maddie)
I had figured you'd end up with her.

DAVID
Stop stalling and tell us why you dragged me into this?

JILLIAN
(To herself)
Where should I start?

DAVID
Tests have proven it helps when you start at the beginning.

MADDIE
It sure helps me when I read to my kids at bedtime.

JILLIAN
Okay . . . after four long, hard years of being locked up in this dump, I planned my great escape. I didn't know where to go. My family didn't want anything to do with me . . .

DAVID
Smart people.

JILLIAN
Except my mother . . .

DAVID
Well, mothers can't be choosers.

JILLIAN
But, I didn't want to put her in that position. So, she advised me to go up to the Bay Area and visit my longtime friend.

MADDIE
Mrs. Harrison?

JILLIAN
Mrs. Harrison . . . Gale actually . . . Anyway, I explained the situation, she still offered to let me stay as long as I needed.

DAVID
Well, how about? Cinderella ain't the only one who has a fairy godmother.

JILLIAN
I managed to stay there for about two years. While I was there, I became acquainted with a man . . .

DAVID
Prince Charming, I assume . . .

JILLIAN
We became friends, then we became lovers . . .

DAVID
And nine months later, Joey pops out of your oven . . .

JILLIAN
Not before I was recaptured.

DAVID
Let me guess, Prince Charming turned out to be a frog with a badge and a gun.

JILLIAN
He really pulled one over on me.

DAVID
Yeah, I know the feeling.

JILLIAN
Anyway, I was three months pregnant when I went back to jail. I told him the baby was his, but he didn't want anything to do with it. I had to give birth to Joey while being handcuffed to a hospital bed. My mother had custody of him until she died three years ago. Gale and her husband volunteered to move down to LA and become Joey's legal guardians.

DAVID
This all doesn't explain why she says she doesn't trust me, or Maddie, right after Joey and our daughter disappeared.

JILLIAN
Well, I sort of told her you are his father.

DAVID
(talks at the same time) You did what?

MADDIE
(talks at the same time) You did what?

JILLIAN
I couldn't tell her Joey's father, the man I fell in love with, was the one who sent me to jail.

DAVID
Or did you?

JILLIAN
Excuse me?

DAVID
You told her I was the reason why Joey doesn't have a father. You told her I abandoned him didn't you?

JILLIAN
I –

DAVID
Didn't you!

Jillian lowers her head in shame.

MADDIE
(Looks uneasy)
Would you mind if we move on to the other piece of the puzzle named the Rockwell's.

JILLIAN
It was a matter of time before they'd to get into the picture. See, June Rockwell, then June Armstrong, never liked me when Harlan and I started dating. She'd tell him I was no good for him . . .

DAVID
If only I had a sister . . .

JILLIAN
She was hell-bent on breaking us up, but Harlan wouldn't hear of it. After I was sent away, she vowed she'd never forgive me for taking away her only brother.

DAVID
And when Dennis found out that Joey was your son, the Rockwells planned the big payback. If they can't break into jail to get to you, they decided to get to the next best thing. What's more satisfying than cutting down your side of the family tree.

MADDIE
So, why did they take Ashley?

DAVID
It may be a classic case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

JILLIAN
You know, weirdest thing about that woman . . .

DAVID
Weirder than killing her brother?

JILLIAN
She'd make Harlan promise not to give me her cigarettes.

DAVID
You're making this up, right?

JILLIAN
(Shaking her head) She loves those old cigarette holders. They made her look more elegant and fashionable than she could ever be on her own. (She mimics by holding her chin in the air, tilting her head back, and to the side while holding two fingers in the air creating a "V".)

DAVID
I hope she remembers all that at her next doctor's visit.

JILLIAN
Oh, no. She doesn't smoke.

MADDIE
She doesn't?

JILLIAN
She loves to look like she does.

DAVID
Who says image isn't everything?

JILLIAN
(Under her breath)
"His Girl Friday."

MADDIE
Excuse me?

JILLIAN
It was one of those stupid movies she watched when Harlan first introduced me to her. Movies like, "The Philadelphia Story", "Bringing Up Baby", "It happened One Night." She loves that kind of junk. They always put me to sleep.

DAVID
Well, this has been a hoot of a reunion. We'll try to come back for the 25th anniversary. Same time? Same place? . . . What am I saying? It ain't like you're gonna change your address any time soon.

Maddie and David signal to the guards that they are finished with their discussion. They lead Jillian back to her cell. David puts on a plastic grin, a small wave, and says –

DAVID
Toodles.

CUT TO:

INT. - INSIDE MERCEDES - 20 MINUTES LATER

Maddie drives the car as they go back to the office.

DAVID
How does she do it?

MADDIE
Do what?

DAVID
After all these years, she can still haunt me.

MADDIE
Jillian?

DAVID
Jillian.

A long awkward silence fills the car as we –

CUT TO:

INT. - BASEMENT OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Ashley and Joey are tied up on one of the basement pillars.

ASHLEY
Okay, I'm going ask you one more time. Why are we tied up on this thing?

WOMAN
Why?

ASHLEY
Yeah, why? You know, it's a question, which is followed by an answer. It also tells me the reason why I asked question in the first place. I know about this because I got an A in Grammar.

BOY
Maybe I can answer it for you.

MAN
Dennis, stay upstairs!

JOEY
Dennis?

DENNIS
That's right. (Walks over to Ashley and Joey) Dennis.

JOEY
What is this all about? Why are you doing this to me?

ASHLEY
Why are you doing this to me? I don't even know you.

DENNIS
(Moves closer to Ashley)
Maybe if you play your cards right, we can begin to know each other.

ASHLEY
Maybe if you stop breathing on me, I won't have to smell your breath.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Don't tell me you don't know what your mother did to our family?

ASHLEY
You talking to me?

MRS. ROCKWELL
I'm talking to him. (Pointing to Joey)

ASHLEY
Oh.

JOEY
What did she do?

MRS. ROCKWELL
Don't play dumb with me.

DENNIS
Ma, he's ain't playing. He is dumb.

JOEY
I must be for having a friend like you.

MRS. ROCKWELL
She never told you, did she?

JOEY
Tell me? Tell me what?

MR. ROCKWELL
Isn't it strange to visit your mother in the State Pen?

JOEY
My godmother told me all about that.

DENNIS
Did your godmother tell you that your mom killed your father?

JOEY
(Shocked)
My father?

MRS. ROCKWELL
He was my brother too.

JOEY
But, that's not possible. My father's David Addison.

ASHLEY
(Laughing)
He's what?

JOEY
Shocking ain't it, sis?

ASHLEY
I have never seen you fight for the last drumstick at our dinner table, unless David really does have an imaginary brother.

JOEY
I'm not there because he abandoned me.

MR. ROCKWELL
That's a crock!

ASHLEY
I'll say it is!

MRS. ROCKWELL
You're father is Harlan Armstrong.

JOEY
Never heard of him.

MR. ROCKWELL
Of course, you didn't! Your mother shot him fifteen years ago!

ASHLEY
Wait a second. (Turns her head to Joey) How old are you?

JOEY
Nine.

ASHLEY
And this Harlan guy was shot by his mom fifteen years ago?

MRS. ROCKWELL
You bet she did.

ASHLEY
It doesn't take a lot of math to figure out something is off here.

MR. ROCKWELL
(Turns to his wife)
You know, she has a point.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Are you gonna help me avenge my brother's death or what?

ASHLEY
(talks at the same time) What.

JOEY
(talks at the same time) What.

MR. ROCKWELL
But if he's only nine, Harlan can't be his father.

MRS. ROCKWELL
What difference does it make! The important thing still remains, his mother is Jillian Armstrong. After Dennis heard your little family tree presentation, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven.

ASHLEY
(To herself)
I wouldn't mind thinking you were up there myself.

JOEY
But wait, if you planned to kill me so bad, why are you gonna kill her?

ASHLEY
They're gonna kill me?

DENNIS
(Turns to his parents)
Who is she?

ASHLEY
Ashley Addison's the name, private detection's my parents' game.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Didn't you say your father is David Addison?

ASHLEY
No, he did. (Motioning her head to Joey) But yeah, he's my father.

MRS. ROCKWELL
(Hits Mr. Rockwell in the back of the head)
Are you crazy?

MR. ROCKWELL
What did I do?

MRS. ROCKWELL
If it wasn't for him and his partner . . .

ASHLEY
That's my mother.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Jillian would still be out there using somebody else.

MR. ROCKWELL
I'm sorry, when I was sneaking up on them I heard her say, "my parents are the best detectives in L.A."

MRS. ROCKWELL
So, you kidnap their daughter?

MR. ROCKWELL
I told you it was an imperfect plan from the beginning.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Well, it's too late now. We can't have any witnesses.

ASHLEY
Look, I'm not gonna upload this newsflash on a website. I don't even have a website. Hey, just tell me to clam up and I'll do it. I'll even jump back into the ocean if you want me to.

MR. ROCKWELL
No can do, kid.

JOEY
(Turns his head to Ashley)
I'm sorry.

ASHLEY
(Turning her head to Joey)
You better be.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. - BLUE MOON OFFICE - AFTERNOON

The employees are all exhausted. They are lying their heads on their desks; their hands rests on their phones. One phone rings. They snap out of their naps at the same time yelling –

EVERYONE
Hello!...Hello!

When they all realize it was not their phone, they lay their heads back on their desks. David charges out of Maddie's office.

DAVID
Did you guys hear anything!

He shocks everyone. His outburst causes them to jump out of their seats and scream like they all had the same nightmare.

DAVID
(Disappointed)
I'll take that as a no.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BASEMENT OF BULIDING - AFTERNOON

The Rockwells bring out a gasoline container. The father / son team splashes the gas all over the floor.

JOEY
Why can't you just shoot us?

MRS. ROCKWELL
We can't afford anyone to identify your bodies.

DENNIS
And I hate to see the sight of blood.

Ashley airs out a nervous chuckle.

MR. ROCKWELL
What's so funny?

ASHLEY
I can't believe I'm about to die before my first episode is even finished.

MR. ROCKWELL
That's life, kid.

MRS. ROCKWELL
(To her husband)
This is a great idea to finally get rid of this dump, get the insurance money, and get even with an evil bitch in the process. This calls for (She takes out a cigarette, then a lighter, and starts lighting up the cigarette.)

DENNIS
(Stops her from lighting up.)
Mom, are you nuts?

MR. ROCKWELL
I don't know why you go through all that nonsense. You can't take a puff without coughing.

MRS. ROCKWELL
It makes me feel good.

JOEY
(To Ashley)
Yep, she's completely nuts.

ASHLEY
I bet you won't cash in, when the insurance company finds out the building was torched with the same stuff you put in a car.

MRS. ROCKWELL
(Walks over to Ashley)
Who do you think owns the insurance company?

JOEY
Why can't you do what normal people do? Embezzle the money and fly to Rio.

MR. ROCKWELL
Are you kidding? Our paperwork has to be in order.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Speaking of which, where is the policy?

Mr. Rockwell searches all his pockets. He then checks some of the tables and several boxes, but he comes up empty.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Don't tell me you left it on the dresser again?

MR. ROCKWELL
Okay, I won't . . . but I did.

Mrs. Rockwell smacks him in the head again.

MRS. ROCKWELL
We'll have to get it when we're finished.

JOEY
It's like being among "The Addams Family."

ASHLEY
Nah, "The Addams Family" wasn't this weird.

CUT TO:

INT. - BLUE MOON OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Everyone, especially Maddie and David, perks up when Burt comes through the front door.

DAVID
Bertie, what did you find?

BERT
A good doctor. I needed eight stitches. I also found, before Scruffles found me, this unfinished paper work from an insurance company. (Gives papers to David)

DAVID
What does this have to do with anything?

BERT
I don't know. It was the only thing I could grab in short notice. It says something about a claim for a burnt down building. Maybe we should give Walter and Hildy a call.

MADDIE
Who?

BERT
Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson. They're the ones who own the building. Life is funny. I was over at that gym yesterday, now it's nothing but charcoal.

DAVID
But why would the Rockwells care about their claim? (Looking at the forms) Why do they even have these papers in the first place?

BERT
I checked into that. It turns out they own an insurance company and some other properties. Maybe they're studying their claim.

MADDIE
Who owns that building again?

BERT
Walter Burns –

MADDIE
(talks at the same time) And Hildy Johnson.

BERT
(talks at the same time) And Hildy Johnson.

DAVID
So?

MADDIE
(Half whispers)
"His Girl Friday."

DAVID
Huh?

MADDIE
"His Girl Friday!" They were the lead characters in "His Girl Friday."

DAVID
(Coming around to what she's saying)
Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell –

MADDIE
And June Rockwell.

DAVID
Lesser known as June Armstrong! Bert, you still have that address?

BERT
Yes, indeed I do, sir.

DAVID
(Looking at everyone)
Quit standing around! Let's go!

David, Maddie, Agnes, Jamie and Bert fly out the office. Seconds later, Bert is the first to step back in.

BERT
I left it here somewhere.

DAVID
You better find it quick. My daughter's life is at stake!

MRS. HARRISON
I can't take much more of this! Jillian told me about how you abandoned Joey, but I thought if you met him face to face, you'd reclaim him.

BERT
Reclaim who? Who's Jillian?

AGNES
(Pats Bert on the shoulder)
It was before your time.

DAVID
Listen, I don't have time to explain it now, but what Jillian told you was a boldface lie!

MRS. HARRISON
She said you would say that!

DAVID
Bert! The Address!

BERT
(Frantically searching around the office)
I'll find it, sir. I'll find it.

MRS. HARRISON
What on earth has Jillian ever did to you?

DAVID
Lady, catch the re-run and find out for yourself.

TERRI
(Walking out of Maddie's office)
What happened? What's going on?

DAVID
(Runs to her)
Did you see a little slip of paper with an address written on it?

TERRI
Well –

BERT
Ah-ha! Now I remember. It's in –

Sounds of something crashing to the floor are coming from Maddie's office.

BERT
There. (Points to Maddie's office)

David and Maddie run inside. They see orange juice spilled all over Maddie's desk.

LITTLE DAVID
I'm sorry, Mom . . . Dad, I'm not my rock solid self these days.

The rest rush in to see the mess. David picks up a soggy slip of paper; the ink on the papaer is badly smeared.

DAVID
(Turns to Bert)
This isn't what we're supposed be looking for, is it?

Bert simply nods his head to confirm that it is. David slumps on the dry edge of Maddie's desk. Maddie comes over and hugs him.

MADDIE
Don't worry, we'll find it.

JAMIE (Off Screen)
Find what?
(She enters the office)

DAVID
We just lost the winning ticket that claimed Ashley and Joey's freedom.

JAMIE
What about your car?

DAVID
(Looks confused)
My car?

JAMIE
Your car. Remember when Bert insisted that you install a tracking device in case any one of us is missing?

DAVID
I did?

BERT
I did!

MADDIE
You did! We gave Ashley and David one of those ID cards so we'll know where they are at all times.

LITTLE DAVID
That is, if she was able to get her backpack before they nabbed her. She always puts that stuff in there.

MADDIE
(To little David) For her sake, she better had.

DAVID
Davy, you, and Terri stay here. To the rest of you, we have an Addison to find! (To himself) This is the first time I wasn't referring to Richie. (To Everyone) To the Batcave!!

CUT TO:

INT. - UNDERGROUND GARAGE - MINUTES LATER

The "Batman" theme plays while the headlights are turned on. David revs up the engine for a few seconds. The car zooms out of the garage with a loud screeching sound of burnt rubber. An outside shot of the garage is established seconds before David's car speeds and make a sharp turn onto the streets of L.A.

CUT TO:

INT. - BASEMENT IN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

We look at the close-up on Ashley's backpack, then the camera zooms out to see it is a few feet away from where Ashley and Joey are tied up on one of the basement pillars.

MRS. ROCKWELL
I want to say the last word, but the second my husband pulls that trigger, I would have said enough. (She shakes her head in mock sorrow) I really wish I could have met you kids in different circumstances. I would have invited you to watch, "His Girl Friday" with me.

MR. ROCKWELL
Oh God! Not that damn movie again!

MRS. ROCKWELL
Shut up!
(She smacks him again)

DENNIS
Well, I wish I can say, "I'll see you later, Joey," but I can't. You'll be dead.

ASHLEY
(Whispers)
If we ever get out of this, remind me to kick you in the teeth for having a crappy judge of character.

JOEY
(Whisper back)
Deal.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Bye, bye, kids.

Ashley and Joey brace themselves, but hears constant clicking instead.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Don't tell me you forgot to put the bullets in the revolver?

MR. ROCKWELL
Okay I won't . . . but I did. (Mrs. Rockwell sighs in frustration.) But I know where I left them.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Well, get them!

Phil Collins', "In the Air Tonight," fades up as the camera follows Mr. Rockwell up the stairs.

CUT TO:

INT. - INSIDE MERCEDES - CONTINUOUS

The song continues as David drives. Maddie rides shotgun. Agnes, Bert, and Jamie are in the back seat. An outside shot reveals David running red lights and weaving in and out of traffic, which makes the rest of the cars around him spin out of control.

CUT TO:

INT - MAIN FLOOR OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Mr. Rockwell continues to weave his way around numerous fitness equipment.

CUT TO:

INT. - INSIDE MERCEDES - CONTINUOUS

A close-up shot of David's anxiety-ridden face continues to make Maddie a bit nervous.

CUT TO:

INT. - BASEMENT OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Ashley and Joey are wrestling as much as possible to try loosening the ropes around them.

CUT TO:

INT. - LOBBY OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Mr. Rockwell reaches the lobby. He looks for the bullets in one of the drawers near the cash register.

MR. ROCKWELL
(Smacks himself in the head)
I left them in the car!

He runs over to the front door. He twists the knob and pulls the door back. The song comes to an abrupt halt.

DAVID
(Calm, cool, and collected)
Going somewhere?

Mr. Rockwell tries to storm through the door until Maddie, Agnes, Burt, and Jamie help David block the doorway. Mr. Rockwell chose to run in the other direction. David and company follow. They continue chasing Mr. Rcokwell until David stops.

DAVID
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold it! Nobody move!

Everyone, including Mr. Rockwell, stop in their tracks.

DAVID
(Looks around his surroundings)
Where the hell is the chase music? (Everyone shrugs) We can't have a chase without chase music. (Still more silence)

CUT TO:

INT. - BASEMENT OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

MRS. ROCKWELL
What's going on up there?

She turns to go upstairs.

CUT TO:

INT. - MAIN FLOOR OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Everyone is still standing around.

DAVID
Look, nobody's moving until I hear something other than my heartbeat.

A second later, Michael Sembello's, "Maniac" starts playing.

Maddie sees a woman coming up from behind to try and tackle David. Maddie runs up behind Mrs. Rockwell and wrestles her to the floor. David catches up to Mr. Rockwell and jumps on him. They trade punches. Jamie runs up to David while he continues punching Mr. Rockwell.

JAMIE
I'm going to see if they're downstairs!

DAVID
Go for it!

David prepares to give Mr. Rockwell another punch when Dennis stomps on his toe. David bends over and hits his head on one of the exercise equipment. This exposes David to Mr. Rockwell's well placed kick to his stomach. Maddie and Mrs. Rockwell are still wrestling on the floor. Mrs. Rockwell pushes Maddie off with her feet. Maddie sails into one of the walls with much force then she slips down to the floor. Dennis holds a free weight over his head and prepares to sneak behind David and hit him over the head with it. However, the chase music skips like a defective CD. It makes everyone stop what they are doing.

DAVID
(Gets fed up)
Yo! What's the deal! I know you guys are rusty, but this is ridiculous!

The music starts up again, but it's now "The Nutcracker," by Tchaikovsky.

DAVID
"Fantasia?"

VOICE (Off Screen)
It's the only CD that doesn't skip.

David looks up and snatches the free weight from Dennis.

DAVID
I'll take that!

MR. ROCKWELL
Your gonna have a like more to handle.

He hurls the heavy weights at David. David ducks and dodges them. The weights miss him and crashes into the wall.

DAVID
Avoiding Maddie's throws of fury sure helped my reflexes.

CUT TO:

INT. - BASEMENT IN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Jamie runs down to the basement and sees Ashley and Joey tied up.

ASHLEY
Jamie watch out! There's gas all over the floor.

Jamie carefully walks over to Ashley and Joey and begins untying them.

CUT TO:

INT. - MAIN FLOOR OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

David continues dodging the free weights until he sees, out of the corner of his eye, a barbell. It takes him a few minutes to feel safe enough to move. He blindly runs over to the opposite end of the room. David looks back and sees Bert crouching behind one of the exercise bikes.

DAVID
What the hell are you doing back there?

BERT
Sir, I –

DAVID
No time for long winded explanations. It's time for standing up and fighting like a –

BERT
Sir!

Bert pulls David down with him when a free weight crashes behind them.

DAVID
All right, you didn't have to stand that time, but you can this time. (They look over at Mr. Rockwell) He just ran out of ammo.

Maddie is still dueling it out with Mrs. Rockwell. Dennis kicks Maddie in the leg. Maddie turns around. It lets Mrs. Rockwell have an opportunity to grab Maddie from behind. She chokes Maddie. She continues to do so until Mrs. Rockwell feels an enormous pain on her right side. It makes her lose her grip. It also makes her lose her balance and falls backward toward the chest pressing bench.

AGNES
No one chokes Miss Hayes and gets away with it!

CUT TO:

INT. - BASEMENT OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Jamie loosens the ropes. Ashley can now wiggle her way out. They are both helping Joey out of the ropes.

CUT TO:

INT. - MAIN FLOOR OF BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Dennis tries another sneak attack. This time Maddie is the target. However, Bert grabs him. Dennis kicks Bert on the thigh. It forces Bert to move backwards, but Bert is not loosening his grip. Mrs. Rockwell pushes Agnes into one of the exercise machines and it knocks Agnes to the floor. Mrs. Rockwell picks up the closest dumbbell and starts advancing on Agnes, but Maddie hits her with her own dumbbell from behind. It knocks Mrs. Rockwell out.

MADDIE
No one hits Agnes and gets away with it!

VOICE (Off Screen)
Mommy! . . . Daddy!

Maddie and David instinctively look over to see Ashley and Joey running at full speed. This distraction almost costs David, but Jamie sneaks up from behind and hits Mr. Rockwell over the head with one of the weights he threw earlier. It knocks him out cold.

DAVID
(Turns to Jamie)
Remind me to give you three wishes when this is all said and done.

ASHLEY
Mommy! Daddy!

She runs to her parents and hugs them. After a few seconds, Maddie turns to hug Joey. David continues to hug Ashley with all of his might.

DAVID
I'm so glad you're okay, sweet pea!

ASHLEY
(Struggling to talk)
Daddy!. . . I can't breathe!

David lets go and shares a laugh with Maddie. David goes over to hug Joey. When he lets go, he senses something is still wrong. So does Maddie.

MADDIE
Is there a person we have forgot?

DAVID
Forgot? Didn't we give them their long awaited beauty sleep?
(Points to the Rockwells)
Joey spots Dennis sneaking up behind David again holding a dumbbell. He is inches away from David's head.

JOEY
Dennis!

ASHLEY
(Turns to see what is going on)
The hell you will!

She stops him, then punches him square in the face. It knocks him out. Ashley looks up, her eyes met her parents' stare.

ASHLEY
(Apologically)
I meant heck.

DAVID
(Turns to Maddie)
Like mother, like daughter.

CUT TO:

INT. - MAIN FLOOR OF BUILDING - MINUTES LATER

The police is on the scene. One officer has handcuffs on Mrs. Rockwell. Another officer walks over to Mr. Rockwell, who is still knocked out on the floor. The officer tries waking him up.

DAVID
Well.

MADDIE
Well.

DAVID
Another day, another bad guy in handcuffs.

MADDIE
I wonder if those things are small enough for that bad guy.

They both watch an officer slip Dennis into his handcuffs. Meanwhile, the other officer finds it difficult to wake up Mr. Rockwell.

MRS. ROCKWELL
Norman? . . . Norman? . . . Can you hear me? (She slaps him in the face in her attempt to wake him up) Norman . . .

DAVID
(To Camera)
Thought it was just a silly joke, didn't ya?

David turns back around to watch two officers pull Norman off the floor, put handcuff on his wrists, and starts dragging him out the building.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT FOUR

- 4 MIN COMMERCIAL BREAK -

TAG

FADE IN:

INT. BLUE MOON OFFICE - A FEW DAYS LATER

David talks to Mrs. Harrison while Ashley, little David, and Joey play in the background.

MRS. HARRISON
(Smiling)
Mr. Addison, how can I ever repay you?

DAVID
Cash, check or credit card will do. . . but don't worry . . . we're throwing in the family discount. (He looks at the three children playing.)

MRS. HARRISON
That's very kind, but I can't let you do that.

DAVID
Hey, lady, you caught me in a charitable mood. It's only here for a limited time. Take it while supplies last.

MRS. HARRISON
I talked to Jillian. (His face turned a little more serious when she mentioned Jillian's name) She explained everything and I explained everything to Joey.

DAVID
How did he take it?

MRS. HARRISON
As much as a nine-year-old can in these kind of things, but he'll be okay. (Looks at David) I owe you an apology.

In the background, Ashley is actually trying to kick Joey in the teeth. She misses several times.

DAVID
The discount offer still stands. In fact, why don't you bring Joey around these parts. My kids gained a new playmate.

Both adults watch Ashley continue to kick Joey in the teeth. David turns to Mrs. Harrison and gives her a defensive grin.

DAVID
This will only take a second. (Walks over to kids) Ash! What do you think you're doing? This ain't Karate class and his teeth ain't a block of wood!

As David continues to scold his child, Maddie's door opens, and she shakes the hand of the lawyer.

MADDIE
Thanks again for moving the court date to tomorrow, Mr. Duncan. David and I will definitely be there this time. Thank you.

She shakes Mr. Duncan's hand again. He turns and starts walking out of the office.

MADDIE
(Happy tone in her voice)
Oh, Da-vid.

DAVID
(Repeating the tone)
Oh, Mad-die.

MADDIE
Do you mind stepping into my office, please?
(She disappears into her office)

DAVID
(Turning to kids)
Well, she did say, "please."

He proceeds to walk into her office and closes the door.

CUT TO:

INT. - MADDIE'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

MADDIE
It's all set.

DAVID
What is?

MADDIE
The court case. The bankruptcy case.

DAVID
Ohh, that's right. (He sits next to her on the coach) The bankruptcy case. I can't believe it.

MADDIE
After all these years, Lou LaSalle comes to us, not to buy our agency, but for us to buy his.

DAVID
It's only to bail him out of Chapter 11. But whatever the reason, we're coming to the last chapter of the Lou LaSalle chronicles and the great thing about it, we already know how the book ends.

MADDIE
Not only will we take over his L.A. operation, but we also take over his New York and DC branches as well.

DAVID
(Looking smug when he puts his arm around Maddie)
We've come a long way, baby. So long, it's reached three thousand miles. We've definitely expanded our corporate family tree.

MADDIE
(Putting both arms around him)
I think it's time for us to celebrate.

DAVID
(Moves in closer to her)
Celebrate?

MADDIE
(Moves in closer to him)
Celebrate.

They begin to kiss. Seconds later, they hear the door slam forcing them out of their bliss.

BERT
I've done it! I caught Mr. Adams on tape! I guarantee it will make you say, "this is great! . . . this is incredible –"

DAVID
(Pushing Bert out the door)
This is me saying, "Buh-bye!"
(Slams the door, then locks it.)

He calmly walks back to the the couch and sits next to Maddie.

DAVID
Now, where were we?

Maddie pulls him to her and they kiss. Their kisses get more heated and David gently pushes her down to a horizontal position. While David gives baby kisses on her neck then down her chest, there is a knock on the door. This follows with several knocks.

MADDIE
I wish we can go someplace else.

DAVID
Your wish is my command.

They continue to kiss. David lifts his hand to snap his fingers. Without them moving an inch, the scene begins changing around them; even their clothes morphs from business attire to evening wear. They soon find themselves on their bed at home. Maddie is now wearing her silk nightie. David is wearing only his silk pajama bottom. Frank Sinatra's version of "Fly Me To The Moon," plays in the background. Maddie gently breaks the kiss and looks around.

MADDIE
How did you do that?

DAVID
I saw it on "Star Trek Voyager."

They continue kissing but, the song ends.

MADDIE
(Whispers)
The song just ended.

DAVID
Guess they knew what they were doing when they made this. (David holds up the stereo remote.)

MADDIE
Who are they?

DAVID
Who cares.

He kisses Maddie again. He doesn't bother to look at the remote. He already knows which buttons to push. A close-up of the remote shows his fingers pressing the play and repeat buttons. David and Maddie increase their passion level with every kiss. He throws the remote on the floor. He uses both hands to caress Maddie's body and Maddie does the same to him. He proceeds to takes her straps off and pulls the bottom of her nightgown up as we –

FADE OUT.

END CREDITS

END OF SHOW