Chapter 7: Pizza and an Apology
(In the foyer…Tracy walks down the stairs. Luke is waiting for her.)
Luke: Tracy—
Tracy: (pause) If this is about earlier, then I'm not interested.
Luke: I'm trying to apologize.
Tracy: Ha!
Luke: I'm being serious. (pause) I'm sorry.
Tracy: (sighs) Look. I realize that our marriage is nothing more than a business transaction.
Luke: Was.
Tracy: Hmm?
Luke: Tracy—You said "is." Our marriage isn't about the cash anymore.
Tracy: It isn't?
Luke: (shakes head) It isn't. It hasn't been. It's also not about me avoiding commitment to another woman.
Tracy: (rudely) See, that I do not believe.
Luke: Why not? I speak the truth.
Tracy: Hahaha. Luke Spencer speaking the truth?
Luke: Believe what you will then.
Tracy: (sighs) Why should I believe you?
Luke: (sincerely) Because I'm asking you to.
Tracy: Ha! It's going to take a hell of a lot more convincing than that.
Luke: I'm sorry that you feel that way.
Tracy: Oh Luke! Can you blame me?
Luke: I guess not. (starts walking towards the den) Uh Tracy—
Tracy: Hmm?
Luke: You were right. You do deserve better. (continues walking)
Tracy: (smiles) Luke—Wait. (walks closer to him) Earlier today, you assumed that I enjoyed being married to you.
Luke: And you denied it.
Tracy: (bites her lip) I lied.
Luke: I knew it!
Tracy: (whispers) You cannot tell ANYBODY. (laughs)
Edward: (voice only) Tracy!
Tracy: It's time to eat. Shall we?
Luke: We shall…
(The two walk hand-in-hand into the den; the pizzas are out on the table.)
Monica: How did I know we would end up with pizzas this year?
Alan: (smiles) Because it's tradition.
Ned: That it is!
Tracy: Ugh. A tradition I refuse to be part of.
Dillon: Aw come on, Mom. Doesn't it look good?
Lois: It looks delicious!
Tracy: Oh. I am going to puke. (covers mouth)
Luke: Hey, Spanky Buns. If you're serious, can you puke in that direction? AWAY from the food.
(Everyone laughs.)
Lulu: So do you guys always end up with pizza for Thanksgiving dinner?
Monica: For the last several years…yes. It just happens.
Edward: Unfortunately.
Brook Lynn: Hey! I like pizza!
Diego: Me too.
Georgie: Me three.
Tracy: Did anyone ask you?
Luke: So what are we waiting for? Let's dig in!
Ned: (interrupts) Wait. (clears throat) We gather together…
Everyone: …to ask the Lord's blessing. He chastens and hastens his will to make known…The wicked oppressing must cease from distressing. Sing praises to his name, he forgets now his own.
(The family sings happily…)
(Next scene…The Quartermaines are about to eat the pizza.)
Tracy: Oh! This is disgusting.
Brook Lynn: Come on, Granny. It's good. (waves the pizza under her nose) Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.
Tracy: Ugh!
Dillon: Fine. More for the rest of us. (takes a bite)
Ned: Guess it's a good thing I ordered the pizzas after all.
Edward: (glares at him) You jinxed it.
Alan: Oh Father. You don't believe in that nonsense, do you?
Monica: Maybe we are just destined to have pizza every Thanksgiving.
Lulu: Well, I am not complaining.
Luke: (while eating the pizza) Me either. Mmmmmmm! Mmmmmmm! (with mouth full) Damn! This is good!
Tracy: (hands Luke a napkin) Damnit! Luke Spencer! Keep your mouth closed!
Alice: Leave Mr. Luke alone!
Tracy: Ugh!
Skye: I am so sorry, Lorenzo.
Lorenzo: For what?
Skye: For this mess.
Lorenzo: My lady friend need not apologize. (smiles)
Luke: Oh would you two knock it off? You think I don't know what you're trying to pull?
It's not going to work.
Tracy: Oh, I think it's working REALLY well. (smiles)
Luke: Hey! What do you know about this?
Skye: She knows nothing.
Tracy: I know enough. You two are so transparent.
Edward: What about Carly?
Monica: Where have you been? She and Sonny are—
Edward: Together again?
Tracy: Oh! Who cares?
Skye: Can we all just stop? Lorenzo and I are not together. We are here as friends. That is all.
Tracy: Have you been drinking?
Skye: (glares at Tracy)
Dillon: Hey! Hey! Is it possible to have a peaceful dinner in this house?
Lorenzo: Apparently not.
Monica: Nobody asked you.
Brook: All right. You know what? Can't we all be thankful that we all have food…even if some of us (looks at Tracy) are choosing NOT to eat it?
Dillon: And that we are together as a family?
Lois: He does have a point.
Tracy: That's my son. (smiles)
Dillon: So, Mom…You gonna eat the pizza or not?
(Everyone laughs.)
Tracy: I could. I suppose.
Justus: Family solidarity?
Tracy: Something like that. (tries to take a bite)
Luke: What if feed you?
Tracy: Hahaha. No.
Coleman: I can feed you!
Tracy: In your dreams.
Alice: Can I feed Mr. Luke?
Edward: No one is feeding anyone in my house!
Monica: Your house? It's MY house.
Alan: I gave it to you!
Ned: Here we goooo…
Dillon: (laughs) Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
(The family stops arguing to engage in "Happy Thanksgivings.")
The End!
To those who celebrated: Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and your families had a wonderful holiday.