OPENING SCENE

(The following morning the sun is shining brightly through the windows, everyone is asleep, even Henry. It's Saturday and two days before Christmas Eve. The front door opens and in walks Mary, Carlos and baby Charles. Mary signals them to be quiet and they head towards the kitchen without even noticing Henry on the living room couch.)

MARY- I don't think anyone is awake yet.
CARLOS- What should we do then?

MARY- Umm...(thinks for a moment) I think it would be a really nice gesture if we made mom and dad breakfast, just for the two of them!

CARLOS- Sounds good but uh, I can't cook.

MARY- Niether can I but we can try!

CARLOS- (laughs) Ok. (to baby Charles) Your mommy is crazy.

CHARLES- (laughs) Mawmy!

MARY/CARLOS- O my god! He said his first word!!

MARY- Yes very good Charlie. Mommy! Mommy! (points to herself)

CHARLES- Mawmy! Daddy!

CARLOS- That's my guy! (Flashes a huge smile)

GARAGE APARTMENT

(Lucy and Kevin awake after hearing a car door slam in the driveway)

LUCY- Mary must be here!!

KEVIN- Or Matt?

LUCY- Who cares let's go and see!!!!!

(Lucy throws some clothes on and a coat and rushes out while Kevin goes back to sleep)

CAMDEN KITCHEN

(Mary and Carlos are over the stove preparing eggs and bacon while Charlie is in a highchair over at the table eating Cheerios, when Lucy comes barging in)

LUCY- Mary!

MARY- Lucy!

(They hug)

LUCY- Ohhhhh i've missed you so much! You haven't been home since last year!

MARY- Yeahh. I feel badly about that, but life keeps me busy!

LUCY- I can understand. So what are you doing?

MARY- Carlos and i have decided to prepare breakfast for Mom and Dad!

LUCY- Ohhh that was sweet!

MARY- You wanna help?

LUCY- You bet ya! (laughs)

(Henry comes walking in the kitchen)

HENRY- Morning everyone!

(All three chime in)ALL- Who are you??

HENRY- Henry Fitch and who are you two lovely ladies.

LUCY- I'm Lucy Kinkirk

MARY- And i'm Mary Rivera

HENRY- Camden kids?

BOTH- Yes.

CARLOS- Who are you?

HENRY- I already said, i'm Henry Fitch

CARLOS- Yes I know but why are you here, in the Camdens home?

HENRY- I came in last night. I'll be staying with you a for a few days.

MARY- Why??? (with an annoyed look on her face)

HENRY- Because.... because I want to.

LUCY- Well that's an excellent reason! (rolls her eyes)

(Ruthie walks down)

RUTHIE- Mary! Carlos!

(Runs over and gives them both a hug)

MARY- Heyyy Ruthie. Did you have a nice flight back?

RUTHIE- Yeah it was fine.

MARY- Good!

RUTHIE- (looks at Henry) Oh, you're still here.

HENRY- Yes I am!

RUTHIE- Well when will you be gone?

HENRY- Who knows?

RUTHIE- (to Lucy) hey have you seen Martin?

LUCY- No sorry I haven't. Is he not in his room?

RUTHIE- No. The bed is already made. Did he even come home last night?

LUCY- Couldn't tell ya! Kevin and I didn't get back til' around 1:00 last night.

MARY- Ok sorry to barge in here but who is Martin?

(Ruthie and Lucy both look at her weird)

RUTHIE- Wow you have got to come home more often.

LUCY- He is living with us because his father is serving in Iraq. Very nice kid!

MARY- Ohhhhh (still lost)

RUTHIE- Don't worry you'll get to know him eventually.

HENRY- Hello???? I'm still here!

RUTHIE/MARY/LUCY- Shut-up!

HENRY- (turns away and walks back into the living room)

RUTHIE- That guy has got to go!

MARY- First off, why is he here anyway?

RUTHIE- I have no idea. Ask mom. She's the one who wants him here.

MARY- Is she still sleeping?

RUTHIE- The door is closes so probably.

(Charlie spilled his Cheerios and starts to cry)

MARY- Ohh sweetie it's ok. I'll get you some more right after i'm threw making grammy and grandpa's breakfast.

(His cries soften but he is still sobbing slightly)

(Annie comes down the stairs)

ANNIE- I thought i heard a- MARY!

MARY- Hi Mom!!

(Annie runs over and gives a huge hug to both Mary and Carlos)

ANNIE- Ohhh my baby is home!!!!!

MARY- (laughs)

CARLOS- We were making you and Eric's breakfast so that you didn't have to get up.

ANNIE- Ohhh how thoughtful. I'll go back to bed and you can surprise Eric. He's still fast asleep but i'll wake him soon.

CARLOS- Ok thank-you so much mom.

ANNIE- Anytime Carlos.

(She walks back upstairs)

RUTHIE- Well if you don't mind i'm going over one of my friend's house from school.

LUCY- Oooooo is it a boy???

RUTHIE- Nooo. Her name is Hannah and she lives about half-a-mile from here so i'll need a ride.

(Henry slips in)

HENRY- I can drive ya!

RUTHIE- I thought you didn't have a car! And besides I wouldn't go with you even if you were the last person on earth!

MARY- Well i'd be happy to drive you but we took a cab here.

LUCY- Come on I can drive you.

RUTHIE- Great thanks!

(Ruthie heads upstairs)

LUCY- I'll be right back and then we can talk.

MARY- About what?

LUCY- About..... life!

MARY- Fun! (she laughs)

LUCY- (laughs and goes back to the garage)

CARLOS- I think we are done here Mare.

MARY- Great! Hopefully dad will be up. Let's go Charlie.

(All three go upstairs while Henry stands there alone)

HENRY- (yawns; opens the fridge, takes out the orange juice and downs it. He chucks the empty carton and burps. He slowly walks back to the living room)

OUTSIDE IN THE CAMDENS DRIVEWAY

(Lucy is trying to start the car but it won't start)

LUCY- Arrrrggghhh!!!!!

(Ruthie comes out of the house dresses in jeans and a black blouse)

RUTHIE- It won't start will it.

LUCY- (sulkingly) No.

RUTHIE- That's alright. I heard you trying to start it from my room so I asked Simon to drive me. He just got up.

LUCY- Did he say yes?

(they hear the front door slam shut and see Henry walking away)

LUCY- Where do you think he's going?

RUTHIE- I have no idea.

LUCY- Wanna follow him?

RUTHIE- That's soo childish!

LUCY- So!

(Ruthie laughs)

RUTHIE- Just go back to bed. You look so tired!

LUCY- Noo that's alright, i'm going to go and talk with Mary. Catch up a bit, maybe go to the promenade?

RUTHIE- Cool

(Simon and Monty come out of the door)

RUTHIE- Well i'll see you later.

LUCY- Ok! Don't stay out too late!

RUTHIE- I wooon't!

(Lucy heads off back into the house)

SIMON- You ready?

RUTHIE- Yep!

(She hops in the backseat while Monty hops in front. Simon puts the keys into the ignition and drive away)

HANNAH'S HOUSE

(It's 4 hours later and Ruthie and Hannah are watching a movie)

HANNAH- I'm hungry.

RUTHIE- Yeah. I kind of am too.

HANNAH- Well my mom is out grocery shopping so let's go to the strore.

RUTHIE- Ok. I brought 10 bucks with me.

HANNAH- Nice. Let's go!

(They head out the door)

CAMDEN'S HOUSE

(Simon and Monty are in the kitchen talking at the table when Martin walks in)

SIMON- Hey Martin!

MARTIN- Oh hey Simon.

SIMON- This is Monty. My roomate and friend from college!

MONTY- Hey Martin (reaches out to shake his hand)

MARTIN- (shakes his hand) Hey Monty. So what are you guys talking about?

SIMON- Just stuff. Hey did you know about that guy staying with us?

MARTIN- What?

SIMON- Guess not.

MONTY- Yeah some weird guy is living in Simon's living room. He came in last night.

MARTIN- I didn't even know. I came in through the back door last night and out the same one this morning.

SIMON- I don't like him living with my family. And I don't like it even more that my mom likes him staying here!

MONTY- He does seem kind of mental!

MARTIN- I'll watch out for him.

SIMON- And could you do me a favor and watch out for Ruthie and Sam and David when I head back to college.

MARTIN- Sure thing.

SIMON- If he's still living here which hopefully he won't be!

(They all agree)

SIDEWALK IN GLEN OAK

(It's about a half hour later and Ruthie and Hannah are walking home when they notice this guy has been following them for quite sometime)

HANNAH- Ruthie that guy behind us with the hood on is following us!

RUTHIE- I know! What do we do?

HANNAH- Don't run. Not yet. See that small fower shop over there!

RUTHIE- Yeah.

HANNAH- When I say so run towards it.

RUTHIE- Why?

HANNAH- I was watching some show and it said if you're being followed go to somewhere that's crowded and don't ever go back home. Then they'll know where you live.

RUTHIE- Well what if he already knows. What if he's been watching us since I got there.

HANNAH- Eeek don't say that your giving me goose bumps

(Ruthie chuckles a bit)

HANNAH- OK on my count run towards it. 1-2-3!!!

(They start running and the stranger starts to pick up speed but later gives up and sneaks away down a side street.

FLOWER SHOP

RUTHIE- He didn't follow us.

HANNAH- Well thank god cause there's no one here!!!!

(They both laugh)

RUTHIE- Should we head back to your house

HANNAH- Umm.... yeah I think it's safe. He disappeared a couple yards back.

(They walk out and quickly walk across the street and turn the corner)

FADES TO BLACK

END OF EPISODE