Sunday
August 20th
1967
HEX-VILLE, BUFFALO, NEW YORK STATE
APPEARS ON THE SCREEN
EXT. AERIAL SHOT OF A SUBURBAN NEIGHBOURHOOD.
It's a clear sunny day.
The neighbourhood seems to be a peaceful and relaxing place to live.
The camera pans slowly downwards and across a Cul De Sac.
Panning closer to a house, with a 1960's Green Plymouth Parked outside and a Mustang.
Edging closer to the back of the house, it appears there is a Garden party, with who seems to Parents
with their children at a Birthday Party.
EXT. GARDEN PARTY.
There are numerous children dancing and playing with Balloons and Party Blowers. Also they are wearing Party Hats.
There parents sit drinking and sharing conversation with one another.
EXT. JON WILSON
A Thirty Seven Year Old, War Veteran in Green Beret, having just returned from fighting the War in Vietnam.
He is carrying a young boy in his one arm and looking cheerful. He holds a glass of Beer in the other.
EXT. HARRY WILSON
A Seven Year Old Boy, wearing a party hat. It's Jonathan's son, who is elated and emotional, due to the fact that his father has returned home safe. He can't stop hugging his father.
HARRY
I missed you so much Daddy.
JON
I missed you so too Son. Did you look after your mother.
HARRY
Sure Dad.
EXT. MARY WILSON.
Thirty Seven Year Old, Wife to Jonathan and Mother to Harry, appears, looking exhubarant. She puts his arm around her husband and kisses him passionately on the lips, smiling. Jonathan feels like, he's on top of the World. Mary tugs on her Harry's cheeks playfully.
MARY
We gonna have to cut the cake soon sweetheart.
HARRY
Can I play pass the parcel Mommy?
MARY
OK, but we must cut the cake.
Jonathan looks around the Garden, looking for their eldest son Jeff. He doesn't seem to be present.
JON
Where's Jeff?
MARY
I don't know. I told him, it was his Brother's birthday. He'll come out, when you're ready.
JON
He has been alright, has he?
(frowning a little)
MARY
It's been tough, since you've been gone. Give him some space for now.
CUT TO A TALL MAN AND WOMAN OF MEDIUM HEIGHT.
Talking to another man in a Green Beret and Dark Haired lady.
EXT. WILLIAM MCQUIRE (BILLY)
Tall, dark brown haired man, 38 years old, holding a Vodka Martini in his hand.
He has appears to have a Scottish accent.
EXT. AUDREY MCQUIRE
Dark haired English woman, around the same age as Billy. She holds a glass of white wine in her hand.
EXT. BOB JARVIS
A War Veteran, with a walking stick in conversation with the Mcquire's.
EXT. MARGIE JARVIS
Bob's wife, arm locking with her husband.
BOB
And Jon, he just pulled me out of there. If it wasn't for him, I'd be a gonner for sure.
BILLY
Fascinating
(like- whatever reply)
Audrey unlike her husband, looks more enthusiastic, by Jon's Heroics in Vietnam.
AUDREY
Well, you're home that's the main thing. Jon sounds like a real hero. But, so are are you.
MARGIE
He sure is. My heart has been in my mouth, the last few years.
AUDREY
I can imagine.
Like Jonathan, Billy appears to be scouring the Garden for someone.
BILLY
Where's the twins?
Audrey takes a sip of her wine and looks around also. She nods in front of her, having apparently spotted their two children.
AUDREY
Over there.
Billy looks across the Garden.
EXT. TINA WILSON
Six year old, nearly Seven. Sat on chair, smiling up at Harry, who is in his arms of his father.
EXT. GREG MCQUIRE
Tina's twin brother, sat beside her.
Greg gets to his feet and walks slowly over to his parents. He tugs on Billy's jacket. Billy is rather annoyed, by his son's manner of attention seeking. Billy spills a little bit of his Vodka Martini.
BILLY
Watch it Gregory. You'll ruin it. Why aren't you playing with the other kids?
GREG
Can I try a beer dad?
Billy seems annoyed by his son's suggestion.
BILLY
What, so you can embarrass me?
Audrey realizes his son is curious and rolls her eyes, with what seems a sarcastic brief laugh.
AUDREY
Billy. He's Seven years old. He's curious.
(Audrey kneels in front of her son, doting on him, by straightening his tie).
Greg, my little pudding. You are too young to drink the big boy stuff. You'll end up with Jelly Legs and you'll fall over.
Greg chuckles at his mothers claims.
GREG
Will I get Jelly legs?
AUDREY
Did you eat all your Jelly, Mary gave you?
GREG
Yes Mom.
Audrey tenderly smiles and rubs Gregs arm and kisses him on the forehead.
AUDREY
Go sit with your sister for a while. Harry might let you have some of his cake.
GREG
OK, Mom.
Greg looks disappointed and reluctantly rejoins his twin sister, Tina. Billy looks disgruntled, by the way Audrey fusses over their son. He lets out a big sigh.
BILLY
I wish you'd stop fussing him, Audrey. He'll never be a man.
AUDREY
Why didn't you fight the War in Vietnam then?
Billy gives his wife a look of a stern look, almost as if it's the most unforgiving thing she could say. If looks could kill.
BILLY
You witless woman. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
AUDREY
Sorry, love, you've lost me.
BILLY
How could I have fought the War in Vietnam?
I'm not even American.
Billy storms off, leaving Audrey bewildered by Billy's outburst and laughs a little to herself and continues drinking her wine.
CUT TO CHILDREN PLAYING PASS THE PARCEL AS PARENT'S AND OTHER GUEST WATCH ON.
EXT. JEFF WILSON
Fourteen year old teenager, eldest son of Mary and Jonathan and elder sibling to Harry exits the house and joins the Party.
He has a bruised face and knuckles.
Mary is horrified by her sons appearance and the sight of injury concerns Jonathan.
Mary rushes over to tend to Jeff and check his bruises. She senses he's been in a fight.
MARY
Oh my God. Jeff, what happened?
Jeff tries not to allow his mother to fuss and holds his head back.
JEFF
Mom it's fine. You should have seen the other guy.
Jonathan is not impressed by his son's attitude.
JON
Fighting is nothing to be proud of son. Especially, if you consider it as fun.
You should be here, celebrating your sons birthday. Not, gallivanting looking for trouble.
JEFF
Yeah, I heard you war hero!
Jon appears incensed by that remark and wants to discipline his son, but Mary stops her husband, for Harry's sake and because there are numerous guests, who are witnessing Jeff's show up. Mary doesn't want to see either Father and son embarrassed.
Billy rolls his eyes, appearing to know what Jeff is like.
With pass the parcel nearing the end. Harry manages to unveil the gift and it's a Toy Ring inside a plastic case.
In the background on the radio The Australian group 'The Seekers' are singing the 1964 song, "I'll Never Find Another You."
('There's a new World somewhere, they call the promised Land
And I'll be there someday, if you could hold my hand
I could search the whole World over, until my life is through
For I know, I'll never find another you.')
Harry looks in front of him.
EXT. TINA
Smiling at him.
Harry holds the ring out in front of him and offers it to Tina, as the other kids watch on.
HARRY
Will you marry me?
TINA
Yes, Harry. I will marry you.
Harry places the toy ring on her finger.
EXT. GREG CLOSE UP
Just staring.
The adult guests find Harry's gesture sweet, generous and kind hearted and very innocent.
('There is always someone for each of us they say
And you'll be my someone forever and a day
I could search the whole World over, until my life is through
But, I know, I'll never find another you.')
EXT. WILLIAM AND AUDREY
Audrey is overcome with emotion by Harry's token to her daughter. Billy rolls his eyes and smiles, almost being sarcastic.
BILLY
Kids, will be kids, won't they?
AUDREY
I think it's Romantic.
BILLY
If you believe that stuff.
AUDREY
Underneath that cold sarcastic demeaner of your's, there's a some goodness in you somewhere. But, it will probably require a surgical procedure to find it.
Guests applaud Harry for giving Tina the ring.
('It's a long, long journey, so stay by my side
When I walk through the Storm, you'll be my guide, be guide
If they gave me a fortune, my pleasure would be small
I could lose it all tomorrow, I'd never mind at all
But, if I should lose your love dear, I don't know what I'd do
For I know I'll never find another you.
INTERLUDE ")
Jon and Mary watch on, as Jeff mellows and sits down. He smiles slightly. Jon puts his arm around Mary, looking down at their youngest sibling, being smitten with Tina.
JON
That's some boy there isn't Mary?
MARY
Love at first sight.
CLOSE UP OF HARRY HOLDING TINA'S HAND WITH THE TOY RING ON HER FINGER.
('But if I should lose your love dear, I don't know what I'd do
For I know I'll never find another you
Another you.')
SCREEN GOES BLANK