(Annie leads the man into the kitchen. Eric looks up and his jaw drops and gives Annie a quizzical look)
ERIC- Umm hello?
ANNIE- This man was at
the door and well he looked so beat up that well I had to let him
come him.
MAN- Your're wife is very kind.
ERIC- Thank-you?
ANNIE-
What's your name?
MAN- Henry, Henry Fitch.
ANNIE- Nice to
meet you Henry. I'm Annie Camden and this is my husband Eric Camden.
HENRY- How do you do?
ERIC- Fine thank-you. And you?
HENRY-
Not so well i'm afraid.
ERIC- How so?
HENRY- Well my car
broke down a few miles back and-
ERIC- And you just happened to
knock on our door???
HENRY- Well this house seemed to be
the only one that had lights on. It looked... friendly.
ERIC-
Friendly?
HENRY- Yes.
ANNIE- Oh Eric give him a break!
ERIC-
Annie can I talk to you... in my office.
(He leads her down the
hall while Henry looks around nervously)
OFFICE
ERIC-
Annie I don't like him in our house! We don't even know him!
ANNIE-
Relax! He's harmless. We'll call AAA and they'll come pick him up.
ERIC- It's not just that.
ANNIE- Then what is it?
ERIC-
He looks suspicous
ANNIE- How?
ERIC- They way he talks and
he's always looking around nervously.
ANNIE- It's probably
because he's cold and maybe a little scared!
ERIC- Remember what
happened with Elizabeth Smart? Her mother let this man stay with them
for a few weeks and then later he came back and kidnapped her
daughter!!! What is this happened to Ruthie? How would you feel? I
want him to leave now!
ANNIE- I can't believe you Eric! Aren't
you always preaching to be kind to strangers, even if they do look a
little suspicious?
ERIC- Honey please! I want this Henry man to
go!
ANNIE- Fine. But you can be the one to tell him!
(She
walks out of the office and up the stairs.)
ERIC- Ugggghhhhhhh
KITCHEN
(Henry is still at the table when Ruthie walks
in)
RUTHIE- Um who are you?
HENRY- Henry, who are you?
RUTHIE- Ruthie, I live here. What are you doing here?
HENRY-
My car broke down, so I cam here.
RUTHIE- That's funny because I
don't remember seeing a car outside of my house!
HENRY- It's down
a few blocks.
RUTHIE- Well then why'd you come here?
HENRY-
Cause it looked friendly.
RUTHIE- Um ok
(She
walks upstairs and Henry's eyes follow her)
HENRY- Damn!
(Eric
walks into the kitchen)
ERIC- Who just walked in the house?
HENRY- Some girl named Ruthie?
ERIC- That would be my
daughter
HENRY- Ahhhh I see! Nice daughter you got there.
ERIC-
What's that supposed to mean?
HENRY- Nothing at all! Just saying
shes friendly that's all.
ERIC- Oh
HENRY- So how many
children do you got?
ERIC- 7!
HENRY- 7???
Wow!
That's a lot!
ERIC- We manage.
HENRY- How many girls?
ERIC-
(leans closer) Why?
HENRY- Just wondering?
ERIC- I have 3
girls and 4 boys
HENRY- O!
ERIC- The girl you just saw,
Ruthie, was my youngest daughter. Then there's Lucy who is 23 and
Mary who is 24. Both married
HENRY- How about the men?
ERIC- I have my oldest son, Matt who is 26, Simon who is 19 and
then twin boys Sam and David who are 6.
HENRY- Wow! Wil I be
seeing any of them?
ERIC- Yes they'll be coming home for the
Holidays.
HENRY- Awww that's nice
ERIC- You got any family of
you own?
HENRY- Well I did have 1 sister but she moved back East
where we grew up.
ERIC- How about your parents.
HENRY- Dead.
ERIC- Oh, i'm sorry.
HENRY- Don't be, wasn't your fault. They
died 13 years ago. Barely knew them.
ERIC- And how old are you
now?
HENRY- I am 22. 9 when they died.
ERIC- That's horrible
HENRY- No not really. They weren't nice people. Very negative and
they were always ridiculing me.
ERIC- Oh.
HENRY- Well enough
about me eh.
(The door opens and Simon and Monty walk in)
SIMON-
Hey dad hey-
HENRY- Hi i'm Henry. Nice to meet you.
SIMON-
Umm hi i'm Simon nice to meet you to.
HENRY- Ahh Simon your
father has told me a lot about you
ERIC/SIMON- What?!
HENRY-
Or maybe that your just 19 years old.
SIMON- Oh uhh ok.
ERIC-
I think you should really be going now Henry!
HENRY- Nonsense! I
want to meet your whole family.
ERIC- Well they all won't be back
til' tomorrow, at the earliest.
HENRY- Well then i'll just have
to spend the night
ALL- What!??
HENRY- I can sleep on the
couch, unless that's already reserved for someone else?
ERIC-
Well um no but-
HENRY- Wonderful then!
(Annie comes down
stairs)
ANNIE- What's wondeful?
MONTY- I think you're new
friend is staying the night!
ANNIE- Ummm ok, sure why not!
HENRY- Oh Mrs. Camden you are too kind!
ANNIE- Ohhh stop it
Henry (laughs)I'll get you some blankets and a pillow.
HENRY-
Shall I ist?
ANNIE- Why that would be wonderful!
(They
walk upstairs)
SIMON- Who is he and why is he in our house?
ERIC- Your mom's the one who let him in.
SIMON- Does she know
him?
ERIC- No!
SIMON- I don't trust him.
ERIC- That's
what I've been telling your mother but she won't listen to me!
MONTY- I've seen these kind of guys before. They try to charm you
and then they'll either rob you or they'll murder you.
SIMON- And
where have you seen "these" kind of guys before?
MONTY-
In the movies!
SIMON- (laughs)
ERIC- But listen to me! Stay
away from him and tell your sister and brothers to stay away from him
too!
SIMON- Sure thing dad!
(Simon and Monty walk upstairs)
UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
(Annie and Henry are in the linen closet
while Ruthis is watching from Simon's room from behind the door)
HENRY- Ohh Mrs. Camden how can I ever repay you?
ANNIE- Ohh
Henry, please. It's my pleasure!
(Simon and Monty enter from the
stairs just as Annie and Henry are leaving)
ANNIE- Good night
Simon, good night Monty
SIMON/MONTY- Good night!
(Annie and
Henry exit)
(Ruthie comes out of Simon's room)
RUHTIE- I
don't like him at all!
SIMON- yeah me either!
RUTHIE- He's
weird.
SIMON- Look I want you to stay away from him. He could be
dangerous and I don't want you getting hurt.
RUTHIE- Thanks
Simon, I will.
SIMON- Ok good!
(They go upstairs to Ruthie's
room)
RUTHIE- (sighs and closes the door)
2 HOURS LATER
(The Camdens have gone to bed and Henry is alone in the living
room. He's flipping through the channels and stops at the local News
Station)
NEWSCASTER- The Police say that the witnesses said he
was driving a small, rusty gray car. They also reported that he had
curly brown hair and that he had not shaven in awhile. Please if you
see this man report him to the police. They say he is dangerous and
could-
(He turns it off)
HENRY- (smirks and turns out the
light)
THE END
