ACT II
FADE IN:
INT. MCGUIRE HOME—-KITCHEN-DAY
Jo is finishing up washing her face as Sam looks on.
SAM
We just need to work out the kinks, that's all.
JO
Sam, don't you think you're taking this a bit too far?
SAM
Nah. Why do you say that?
The doorbell rings.
SAM
I'll get it.
At the door is a tall, athletic man, with a tank top and whistle—-a PERSONAL TRAINER of some kind.
SAM
Oh, hey, come on in.
Jo comes to see their visitor.
JO
Sam? Who's your friend?
SAM
He's going to be our personal trainer.
JO
'Personal trainer'?
SAM
Yeah. I figured all we need is a little extra help and we'll win this year for sure!
JO
This is what I'm talking about!
SAM
What?
JO
We do not need a personal trainer.
PERSONAL TRAINER
Actually, you could stand to lose a few—-
(off look)
Uh, I think I'll just wait over here…
JO
(coldly)
Yeah, you do that.
The Personal Trainer wanders off.
JO
Sam, we are not hiring a personal trainer!
SAM
(sheepishly)
Actually, we already did…
JO
What?
SAM
He's paid up through the week…
As Jo stands agog, we see the Personal Trainer in the background grazing through the refrigerator, munching on a carrot stick he found.
CUT TO:
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL—-QUAD—-DAY
Lizzie, Gordo, Miranda, and Kate are sitting around a lunch table trying to puzzle something out.
KATE
Okay, we've done all this studying about other cultures, now what do we do with it?
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Good question. I just wish I had a good answer!
LIZZIE
There's got to be something we can do with all this information.
GORDO
We could always write a book.
LIZZIE
Not helping, Gordo.
MIRANDA
Personally, I'm too hungry to think.
She starts chowing down. As she does, an idea comes to Lizzie.
LIZZIE
That's it!
KATE
What is?
LIZZIE
(pointing to the food)
That!
MIRANDA
Curly fries?
LIZZIE
No! Food!
GORDO
What about it?
LIZZIE
The one thing all of these different celebrations have in common is food! What if we threw a party, incorporating all their different customs?
KATE
That sounds kind of cool. But where would we have it?
MIRANDA
Oh, we could have it at the school gym!
GORDO
That's great, but how're we supposed to get that much food on such short notice?
ANIMATED LIZZIE
One problem at a time!
CUT TO:
EXT. MCGUIRE BACKYARD-—DAY
Sam, Jo, and Matt are 'sweating to the oldies', doing pushups as their Personal Trainer coaxes them on.
Jo stops exercising.
JO
Sam, we need to talk.
PERSONAL TRAINER
I didn't call for a break.
A lion like growl escapes from Jo's throat.
PERSONAL TRAINER
Er, like I said, let's take five.
He walks off quickly.
JO
Sam, this has gotten out of hand.
SAM
What do you mean?
JO
I know the company picnic is important to you, Honey. But what's more important is to keep things in perspective.
SAM
What do you mean?
JO
Sam, you've hired a grown man to get us ready for a Three-Legged race! They're games. Games are supposed to be fun!
MATT
And there's nothing fun about pushups!
SAM
(abashed)
I guess you're right. I just got so caught up in winning that I forgot that it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.
MATT
Though it would be nice to win for a change…
JO
Matt!
The Personal Trainer wanders back over.
PERSONAL TRAINER
So, I still get paid, right?
CUT TO:
INT. HIGH SCHOOL—-GYM—-NIGHT
Lizzie, Gordo, Miranda, and Kate are at their multicultural Thanksgiving festival. They are surrounded by people, food, decorations, etc.
GORDO
I have to hand it to you, Lizzie. You really pulled it off.
LIZZIE
(facetiously)
Was there any doubt?
MIRANDA
Frankly? Yeah.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
You think you know somebody!
LIZZIE
Miranda!
Miranda grimaces
KATE
Everybody seems to be having a good time.
GORDO
Everybody loves a potluck. It's a law of Nature.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
Funny, I don't remember that one from Physics class.
LIZZIE
Yeah, once everybody knew what we were trying to do, they couldn't wait to help. Nothing like a party to bring people together.
ANIMATED LIZZIE
And that's what Thanksgiving is all about. Being thankful with those you're thankful for.
LIZZIE
(V.O.)
Friends…
ANGLE ON: A smiling Kate and Miranda mingling with the crowd.
LIZZIE (CONT'D)
(V.O.)
Family…
ANGLE ON: A family unit enjoying the party.
LIZZIE (CONT'D)
(V.O.)
Loved ones…
ANGLE ON: A smiling Lizzie and Gordo holding hands.
LIZZIE (CONT'D)
(V.O.)
It's not so much important how you give thanks, but that you do.
FADE OUT:
END OF EPISODE