INT. HANSEN HOUSE - LATER
ROBBIE enters the kitchen through the back door.
ROBBIE
Dad? Joanie? Hannah? Anyone home?
He waits for an answer but no one replies. He walks over to the door, which leads downstairs to the vet clinic and opens it.
ROBBIE
Heather? Dad?
Still no answer. He shuts the door and looks around the kitchen. He spots a note on the counter and goes over to read it. It's from Joanie and reads:
NOTE:
Dad,
Heather, Syd, and I went to grab some lunch at O'Neill's and visit with Tina. Be back soon. Hope you had fun at your Zoo Board Meeting ~ Joanie.
Robbie places the note back down on the counter. He pauses a moment and looks toward the back door, but then turns and heads upstairs.
INT. BED and BREAKFAST
OWEN places a small plate of chicken nuggets in front of NICHOLAS who is sitting patiently in his highchair. The toddler smiles and immediately brings one to his mouth. With his other hand, he picks one up and offers it to his uncle.
Owen smiles and runs his hand through the boys soft wavy brown hair.
OWEN
Oh, no thank you. You eat em.
(he reaches behind him and grabs the ketchup off the counter)
Want some dunkin' sauce?
Nicholas nods his head excitedly.
OWEN
Of course you do! You can't have chicken nuggets without dunkin' sauce!
As he squeezes some ketchup onto Nick's plate, he hears the familiar voice of his wife behind him...
SYDNEY
(standing in the doorway)
How are my two favorite guys doing?
Owen turns and sees Syd smiling at him.
OWEN
Oh, aunty Syd! There you are.
(walking towards her)
Where have you been?
SYDNEY
Heather, Joanie and I went to visit Tina at O'Neill's and we grabbed a quick bite.
(sensing the tension in Owen)
You don't mind -do you?
OWEN
No, not at all it's just...
He pulls her aside so that Nick can't hear them.
OWEN
(continuing)
You haven't seen Robbie have you?
SYDNEY
No, I thought he was here with you. He was supposed to be resting.
OWEN
(nodding his head)
And he was. He was here resting. But...then he left. And now...he's not here.
Syd looks over at Nick who is still munching away on his lunch and not paying any attention to them. Turning back to Owen she asks...
SYDNEY
Well, where did he go?
OWEN
(laughing nervously)
That's a very good question.
SYDNEY
Well, why did he leave? He told Tina he was going to rest.
OWEN
Yes he did! He did say that so you see, this isn't completely my fault!
SYDNEY
(smiling)
I didn't say it was your fault. Why would you think I would think it's your fault?
OWEN
I might have had another little argument with him.
SYDNEY
Oh Owen!
OWEN
No, no, no! Don't get upset. See, I heard Robbie talking on the phone with a bookie...
SYDNEY
A bookie!
OWEN
Yes! Yes! A bookie. And see, I asked him about it and he kinda freaked out on me and then...I kinda freaked out on him...and he kinda left. And now I don't know where he is and I've been waiting for you to come home... or for him to come home ...or for someone to just come home because I couldn't do anything about all this until someone got home because I'm supposed to be watching Nick!
Having explained all that in one panicked breath, Owen closes his eyes and waits for the wrath of Syd. But it doesn't happen. Cautiously, he opens one eye and sees Syd just looking at him-almost sympathetically.
SYDNEY
Oh honey, why didn't you just call me on my cell phone?
Owen walks over to the kitchen counter and picks up Syd's cell which is still sitting in it's charger.
SYDNEY
Oh. That would explain it.
OWEN
I tried to call your dad but there was no answer at the clinic.
SYDNEY
Yeah, Dad's at a Zoo Board meeting.
OWEN
And I didn't want to call Tina and worry her at work.
SYDNEY
Well, let's not panic. I'll call Joanie at the Barkery and see if she's seen him. Why don't you... I don't know. Go get Nick cleaned up.
As Syd starts dialing Joanie...
INT HANSEN HOUSE
Robbie enters Jim's bedroom and closes the door. He walks over to the bureau and opens his mothers jewelry box, which Jim has kept exactly where Lynda left it. Taking out a small ring box, he opens it to reveal a beautiful gold ring with three birthstones in it - one for Syd, one for Joanie and one for Robbie. It is a mother's rings, similar to the one he purchased for Tina, but this one belonged to Lynda-a gift from Jim on their tenth wedding anniversary. Robbie holds the box in his shaking hand and stares at the ring for what seems like an eternity...
INT. BED and BREAKFAST
SYDNEY is on the phone with JOANIE, as OWEN sits nearby, with NICHOLAS on his lap, listening.
SYDNEY
(to Joanie)
Well, I don't think we should panic just yet. I'm sure he'll be back. Just let me know if you hear from him. OK?
She hangs up the phone and turns to Owen.
OWEN
She hasn't heard from him?
SYDNEY
No.
Owen sighs and shakes his head.
SYDNEY
I'm sure he's fine Owen. Really.
OWEN
I shouldn't have been so hard on him. If I had just remained calm, maybe we could have talked about it.
SYDNEY
You were worried about him. We all are.
PETE enters the kitchen through the back door. He is carrying a backpack which he promptly tosses on the floor next to the table.
PETE
Hey guys.
OWEN
Hey Pete. You haven't seen Robbie by any chance?
Pete takes a seat next to Owen at the table.
PETE
I've been at summer school all morning. When would I have seen Robbie? Why? Is everything OK?
SYDNEY
Yeah. Everything's fine. Robbie just went out for a drive and didn't tell us where he was going?
(beat)
He's suppose to resting.
PETE
Yeah well, he is probably going stir crazy being cooked up in this house all day. I wouldn't worry. I'm sure he'll be back by dinner time. Robbie never misses a meal.
He gets up and starts heading out of the kitchen.
OWEN
Oh Pete...
Pete turns back.
OWEN
(continuing)
Would you mind taking Nick with you? Poor little guy has been waiting all morning for you to get home.
Pete walks over and takes Nick from Owen
PETE
Sure! Come on Nicko! Let's go play.
As, Pete and Nick exit, Syd goes over and sits on Owen lap.
SYDNEY
Pete's right. I'm sure Robbie will be home by dinner time.
(kissing him on the head)
Don't worry about it.
PHONE RING
Syd hops off Owen's lap and answers the phone.
SYDNEY
Hansen House.
Robbie?
(she turns and smiles at Owen)
Where are you?
(listening)
Are you OK?
Owen leans forward, as if doing so will help him hear what Robbie is saying.
SYDNEY
(continuing)
Yeah, sure. I'll be right there. Are you OK?
(listening)
OK, just stay there Robbie. I'm on my way.
She hangs up.
OWEN
Is he alright?
SYDNEY
I don't know.
OWEN
Where is he?
SYDNEY
At my dad's. I'm going to head over there. Do you mind staying here with the kids again?
OWEN
Of course not. Do you need me to come with you?
SYDNEY
(grabbing her purse)
No, I'll be fine. I'll be back soon.
INT. HANSEN HOUSE - JIM BEDROOM
ROBBIE is sitting on the floor, leaning up against his father's dresser.
JIM appears in the doorway and is surprised to see his son sitting there. His surprise turns to concern as he approaches Robbie who is just staring blankly at the opposite wall.
JIM
Rob?
Robbie doesn't respond.
Jim walks over to his son and kneels in front of him. Reaching out and touching Robbie's arm, he tries again to get his son's attention.
JIM
Robbie? Are you alright?
Robbie blinks and looks up at his father. Jim asks again...
JIM
Are you alright?
ROBBIE
No, not really.
JIM
(panicking)
Are you in pain? What's wrong?
ROBBIE
No dad, I'm not in pain. In fact...I can't really feel anything at this point.
JIM sits down on the floor next to his son. He knows something is terribly wrong, but yet Robbie is showing very little emotion, which is really starting to frighten him.
Without saying a word, Robbie holds out the ring box. Jim takes it from him, opens it, and realizes it is his wife's ring. He turns to Robbie who is once again staring straight ahead. In almost a trance-like state, Robbie starts to explain...
I was going to pawn it...for gambling money. I needed the ring becuase I've already gambled away just about every cent Tina and I had. I even lost Pete's money.
As if he can't believe the words that came out of his own mouth, Robbie repeats himself...
ROBBIE
I took Pete's camp money. We've been saving it for him for a year and I just took it and gambled it away. I couldn't stop. I thought I could get it back. I just wanted to get it back!
Jim doesn't say anything. He just lets Robbie continue.
ROBBIE
Those guys...the ones that beat me up...they weren't there to rob O'Neill's. They were there because I owe them $8,000. And they beat me up because I didn't have it. I didn't tell the cops because I was afraid...
(he pauses before adding)
...and I was ashamed. What kind of a father steals from his own son?
Jim puts his arm around his son and pulls him close. Robbie rests his head on his father's chest and Jim can feel his son finally relax in his arms.
JIM
(softly)
It's all right Rob.
(he kisses his sons head)
I'm glad you told me. We'll figure this out. Don't worry.
ROBBIE
(almost whispering)
I'm so tired.
He closes his eyes and settles in his father's arms.
Jim's eyes are brimming with tears as he tightens his grip on his defeated son.
JIM
I know.
SYDNEY appears in the doorway. Seeing Robbie and Jim on the floor, she rushes to them.
SYDNEY
What's going on?
Kneeling in front of them, she reaches out for Robbie...
SYDNEY
(panicked)
Robbie, are you hurt? What's wrong?
Jim reaches out and places his hand between Syd and Robbie, trying to get Syd to back off a bit. Robbie doesn't even acknowledge his sister but keeps his eyes closed -his head still resting on his father's chest.
JIM
(calmly)
He's fine.
To be continued...
ROBBIE enters the kitchen through the back door.
ROBBIE
Dad? Joanie? Hannah? Anyone home?
He waits for an answer but no one replies. He walks over to the door, which leads downstairs to the vet clinic and opens it.
ROBBIE
Heather? Dad?
Still no answer. He shuts the door and looks around the kitchen. He spots a note on the counter and goes over to read it. It's from Joanie and reads:
NOTE:
Dad,
Heather, Syd, and I went to grab some lunch at O'Neill's and visit with Tina. Be back soon. Hope you had fun at your Zoo Board Meeting ~ Joanie.
Robbie places the note back down on the counter. He pauses a moment and looks toward the back door, but then turns and heads upstairs.
INT. BED and BREAKFAST
OWEN places a small plate of chicken nuggets in front of NICHOLAS who is sitting patiently in his highchair. The toddler smiles and immediately brings one to his mouth. With his other hand, he picks one up and offers it to his uncle.
Owen smiles and runs his hand through the boys soft wavy brown hair.
OWEN
Oh, no thank you. You eat em.
(he reaches behind him and grabs the ketchup off the counter)
Want some dunkin' sauce?
Nicholas nods his head excitedly.
OWEN
Of course you do! You can't have chicken nuggets without dunkin' sauce!
As he squeezes some ketchup onto Nick's plate, he hears the familiar voice of his wife behind him...
SYDNEY
(standing in the doorway)
How are my two favorite guys doing?
Owen turns and sees Syd smiling at him.
OWEN
Oh, aunty Syd! There you are.
(walking towards her)
Where have you been?
SYDNEY
Heather, Joanie and I went to visit Tina at O'Neill's and we grabbed a quick bite.
(sensing the tension in Owen)
You don't mind -do you?
OWEN
No, not at all it's just...
He pulls her aside so that Nick can't hear them.
OWEN
(continuing)
You haven't seen Robbie have you?
SYDNEY
No, I thought he was here with you. He was supposed to be resting.
OWEN
(nodding his head)
And he was. He was here resting. But...then he left. And now...he's not here.
Syd looks over at Nick who is still munching away on his lunch and not paying any attention to them. Turning back to Owen she asks...
SYDNEY
Well, where did he go?
OWEN
(laughing nervously)
That's a very good question.
SYDNEY
Well, why did he leave? He told Tina he was going to rest.
OWEN
Yes he did! He did say that so you see, this isn't completely my fault!
SYDNEY
(smiling)
I didn't say it was your fault. Why would you think I would think it's your fault?
OWEN
I might have had another little argument with him.
SYDNEY
Oh Owen!
OWEN
No, no, no! Don't get upset. See, I heard Robbie talking on the phone with a bookie...
SYDNEY
A bookie!
OWEN
Yes! Yes! A bookie. And see, I asked him about it and he kinda freaked out on me and then...I kinda freaked out on him...and he kinda left. And now I don't know where he is and I've been waiting for you to come home... or for him to come home ...or for someone to just come home because I couldn't do anything about all this until someone got home because I'm supposed to be watching Nick!
Having explained all that in one panicked breath, Owen closes his eyes and waits for the wrath of Syd. But it doesn't happen. Cautiously, he opens one eye and sees Syd just looking at him-almost sympathetically.
SYDNEY
Oh honey, why didn't you just call me on my cell phone?
Owen walks over to the kitchen counter and picks up Syd's cell which is still sitting in it's charger.
SYDNEY
Oh. That would explain it.
OWEN
I tried to call your dad but there was no answer at the clinic.
SYDNEY
Yeah, Dad's at a Zoo Board meeting.
OWEN
And I didn't want to call Tina and worry her at work.
SYDNEY
Well, let's not panic. I'll call Joanie at the Barkery and see if she's seen him. Why don't you... I don't know. Go get Nick cleaned up.
As Syd starts dialing Joanie...
INT HANSEN HOUSE
Robbie enters Jim's bedroom and closes the door. He walks over to the bureau and opens his mothers jewelry box, which Jim has kept exactly where Lynda left it. Taking out a small ring box, he opens it to reveal a beautiful gold ring with three birthstones in it - one for Syd, one for Joanie and one for Robbie. It is a mother's rings, similar to the one he purchased for Tina, but this one belonged to Lynda-a gift from Jim on their tenth wedding anniversary. Robbie holds the box in his shaking hand and stares at the ring for what seems like an eternity...
INT. BED and BREAKFAST
SYDNEY is on the phone with JOANIE, as OWEN sits nearby, with NICHOLAS on his lap, listening.
SYDNEY
(to Joanie)
Well, I don't think we should panic just yet. I'm sure he'll be back. Just let me know if you hear from him. OK?
She hangs up the phone and turns to Owen.
OWEN
She hasn't heard from him?
SYDNEY
No.
Owen sighs and shakes his head.
SYDNEY
I'm sure he's fine Owen. Really.
OWEN
I shouldn't have been so hard on him. If I had just remained calm, maybe we could have talked about it.
SYDNEY
You were worried about him. We all are.
PETE enters the kitchen through the back door. He is carrying a backpack which he promptly tosses on the floor next to the table.
PETE
Hey guys.
OWEN
Hey Pete. You haven't seen Robbie by any chance?
Pete takes a seat next to Owen at the table.
PETE
I've been at summer school all morning. When would I have seen Robbie? Why? Is everything OK?
SYDNEY
Yeah. Everything's fine. Robbie just went out for a drive and didn't tell us where he was going?
(beat)
He's suppose to resting.
PETE
Yeah well, he is probably going stir crazy being cooked up in this house all day. I wouldn't worry. I'm sure he'll be back by dinner time. Robbie never misses a meal.
He gets up and starts heading out of the kitchen.
OWEN
Oh Pete...
Pete turns back.
OWEN
(continuing)
Would you mind taking Nick with you? Poor little guy has been waiting all morning for you to get home.
Pete walks over and takes Nick from Owen
PETE
Sure! Come on Nicko! Let's go play.
As, Pete and Nick exit, Syd goes over and sits on Owen lap.
SYDNEY
Pete's right. I'm sure Robbie will be home by dinner time.
(kissing him on the head)
Don't worry about it.
PHONE RING
Syd hops off Owen's lap and answers the phone.
SYDNEY
Hansen House.
Robbie?
(she turns and smiles at Owen)
Where are you?
(listening)
Are you OK?
Owen leans forward, as if doing so will help him hear what Robbie is saying.
SYDNEY
(continuing)
Yeah, sure. I'll be right there. Are you OK?
(listening)
OK, just stay there Robbie. I'm on my way.
She hangs up.
OWEN
Is he alright?
SYDNEY
I don't know.
OWEN
Where is he?
SYDNEY
At my dad's. I'm going to head over there. Do you mind staying here with the kids again?
OWEN
Of course not. Do you need me to come with you?
SYDNEY
(grabbing her purse)
No, I'll be fine. I'll be back soon.
INT. HANSEN HOUSE - JIM BEDROOM
ROBBIE is sitting on the floor, leaning up against his father's dresser.
JIM appears in the doorway and is surprised to see his son sitting there. His surprise turns to concern as he approaches Robbie who is just staring blankly at the opposite wall.
JIM
Rob?
Robbie doesn't respond.
Jim walks over to his son and kneels in front of him. Reaching out and touching Robbie's arm, he tries again to get his son's attention.
JIM
Robbie? Are you alright?
Robbie blinks and looks up at his father. Jim asks again...
JIM
Are you alright?
ROBBIE
No, not really.
JIM
(panicking)
Are you in pain? What's wrong?
ROBBIE
No dad, I'm not in pain. In fact...I can't really feel anything at this point.
JIM sits down on the floor next to his son. He knows something is terribly wrong, but yet Robbie is showing very little emotion, which is really starting to frighten him.
Without saying a word, Robbie holds out the ring box. Jim takes it from him, opens it, and realizes it is his wife's ring. He turns to Robbie who is once again staring straight ahead. In almost a trance-like state, Robbie starts to explain...
I was going to pawn it...for gambling money. I needed the ring becuase I've already gambled away just about every cent Tina and I had. I even lost Pete's money.
As if he can't believe the words that came out of his own mouth, Robbie repeats himself...
ROBBIE
I took Pete's camp money. We've been saving it for him for a year and I just took it and gambled it away. I couldn't stop. I thought I could get it back. I just wanted to get it back!
Jim doesn't say anything. He just lets Robbie continue.
ROBBIE
Those guys...the ones that beat me up...they weren't there to rob O'Neill's. They were there because I owe them $8,000. And they beat me up because I didn't have it. I didn't tell the cops because I was afraid...
(he pauses before adding)
...and I was ashamed. What kind of a father steals from his own son?
Jim puts his arm around his son and pulls him close. Robbie rests his head on his father's chest and Jim can feel his son finally relax in his arms.
JIM
(softly)
It's all right Rob.
(he kisses his sons head)
I'm glad you told me. We'll figure this out. Don't worry.
ROBBIE
(almost whispering)
I'm so tired.
He closes his eyes and settles in his father's arms.
Jim's eyes are brimming with tears as he tightens his grip on his defeated son.
JIM
I know.
SYDNEY appears in the doorway. Seeing Robbie and Jim on the floor, she rushes to them.
SYDNEY
What's going on?
Kneeling in front of them, she reaches out for Robbie...
SYDNEY
(panicked)
Robbie, are you hurt? What's wrong?
Jim reaches out and places his hand between Syd and Robbie, trying to get Syd to back off a bit. Robbie doesn't even acknowledge his sister but keeps his eyes closed -his head still resting on his father's chest.
JIM
(calmly)
He's fine.
To be continued...
