JUST MARVELOUS
MsChrisAnn
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Lee Stetson
Phillip King
Jamie King
Francine Desmond
Paul Barnes
Scotty
Dr Smyth
LOCATIONS
Q Bureau in the Agency
Marvelous Marvin's Restaurant
PROLOGUE:
(After season 4: September, 1987.)
Lee
(talking into the phone in the Q Bureau)
What's Billy wanting you to do? (Pause) Ah, that's a milk run. That shouldn't take too long. (Pause) You're coming over afterwards? (Pause) Oh, practice got canceled? Yes, honey, I can pick them up. Where are your keys? (Pause) Okay. I'll take them to get Moby's Dock or Daffy Dogs or something, and then we will head home. I'm leaving my keys where yours are. I love you, Amanda. (Hangs up, grabs his coat and starts to leave.)
Dr. Smyth
(enters the Q Bureau)
Ah, Lee, and where are you running off to?
Lee
I'm just heading out to pick up Amanda's kids since she's still on assignment.
Dr. Smyth
What's the status of the Melendez brothers case?
Lee
We're just finishing up our report, sir. Now, Dr. Smyth, I really need to hurry. The boys' practice got canceled, and I don't want them to be left there alone.
Dr. Smyth
So Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and Little Boy Blue is going to find them.
Lee
So to speak.
Dr. Smyth
I want that report on my desk by 10 am tomorrow.
Lee
Yes, sir.
(They both exit.)
SCENE 1
(Restaurant interior. Lee, Phillip and Jamie are sitting in a booth, looking over menus.)
Lee
I've never actually eaten at a Marvelous Marvin's before. What do you like here?
Phillip
(enthusiastically)
Everything's great here, Mr. Stetson! The burgers, the Chock-o-block-o shakes, the fries! I usually get the Double Whamm-o with extra cheese, pickles and mustard. I like the onion rings too.
Jamie
Yeah! I love the Torpedo Burger with extra sauce and fries. Mom and Grandma like the fish burger. (The boys both make a face.) It stinks up the whole house, so I hope you're not going to get that.
Lee
(laughs)
Thanks for the warning. I'll spare us all.
Phillip
I heard they have a new burger that I've GOT to try! It's called … um… (he scans the menu) the Colossus. Freddie had it and he said it was "to die for!"
Lee
(under his breath)
You have no idea.
Jamie
I heard that you get your meal for free if you eat a Colossus, a large chili cheese fries, and a jumbo Mega Mugga Cola in an hour!
Phillip
They give you a t-shirt too! That's what I'm getting.
Scotty
Welcome to Marvelous Marvin's, where we go that extra mile. Are you ready to order?
Lee
Scotty! What are you doing working here?
Scotty
Oh my gosh, Mr. Stetson! It's so great to see you. I'm working here to pay for school, but I'm still making movies. I've tried to call you at IFF, but I can never get through to you.
Lee
I know, Scotty, and I'm sorry it's been hard to connect with me. I'm always out on location -
Jamie
Or in the editing room with our mom.
Lee
Yeah (chuckles) or in the editing room. (Pause) Whatever happened to the assignment you were working on for me? The one about the…
Scotty
The Cuyahoga River fire. I finished it, but I didn't send it to you because I was afraid it wasn't good enough, Mr. Stetson. You are one of the most brilliant filmmakers ever.
Lee
(Laughs) Thank you, Scotty. That's very kind of you. But I'm a filmmaker, just like you. If you change your mind, you can send it to my office, and I'd be happy to watch it for you.
Scotty
Thank you, Mr. Stetson! I think I will. Now then. What can I get for you?
Phillip
I'd like the Colossus Burger - and I'm gonna take the challenge. I'm starving. I ate my lunch in homeroom. You gonna go for it too, Jamie?
Jamie
Uh… no. I think I'm gonna get the Beast Burger with cheese, the jumbo Fabulous Fries, and a large Mountain Fizzle.
Scotty
And for you, sir?
Lee
I'd like the Double Marvin with cheese, bacon, and the works. Small onion rings and a large Mega Mugga Cola, light ice.
Scotty
Great! We'll get that started for you. (Exits)
Lee
I hope you boys have iron stomachs!
Phillip
Yeah, we do all right, although Junior here sometimes has weird dreams if he has too much chocolate. (Ruffles his brother's hair.)
Jamie
(ducking)
Shut up, stupid. That was one time.
Lee
Jamie, don't call your brother stupid.
Jamie
(begins to protest while Phillip laughs)
But, he -
Lee
(glares which stops them both)
Come on, guys. Don't start!
Jamie
Do you have any brothers, Mr. Stetson?
Lee
Guys, remember. Call me "Lee". "Mr. Stetson" makes me feel old. And we're better friends than that, right? But no, I don't have any brothers. Or sisters. Lots of times I wish I had.
Jamie
Really? Why?
Lee
Because being an only child can be lonely. You're really lucky that you always have each other.
Phillip
Lucky? (He playfully swats Jamie)
Jamie
(laughing)
The luckiest day of your life was the day I was born.
Phillip
You mean, the unluckiest!
Lee
(breaking in)
Actually, fellas, I'm glad we are getting the chance to go out - just us men.
Jamie
You wanted to go out with us?
Phillip
I mean, we know you're mom's boyfriend and all, but why did you want to spend time with us?
Lee
Because I want to get to know you better. I want you to get to know me better. Your mom is a package deal - with her comes you boys and your grandma. So, it's important to me for us to be friends. I took your grandmother out for lunch on Sunday, remember?
Jamie
That's really nice. We got to know Dean a little bit, but that's only because Mom was never around when he came over.
Phillip
Yeah, he and Grandma had some long talks when my mom was late coming home from walking the dogs.
Lee
You liked Dean?
Phillip
Nah, he was a "simp". He didn't care about us. Plus he was always worried that his car was gonna get wet.
Jamie
And he had a crap car, too.
Lee
Yeah, I know. (Laughs)
Jamie
How would you know that? Mom dated him like three years ago.
Lee
(quickly)
Oh, uh, your mom told me he had a '73 Pinto.
Phillip
Yeah, what a piece of junk that was. I guess he was worried about it getting even rustier.
Paul Barnes
(walking up to the table)
Scarecr - ahem… Lee, my friend! Hello! (They shake hands warmly)
Lee
Paul! I haven't seen you in ages! How's retirement?
Paul
It's great, Lee! No commitments, no paperwork, no stress!
Lee
Ah, that's great, Paul. Hey, I'd like you to meet Phillip and Jamie. Phillip, Jamie - this is my good friend, Paul Barnes.
Phillip & Jamie
(ad lib greetings)
Paul
Phillip, Jamie. These must be Amanda's boys! I've heard all about you two!
Lee
What are you doing in DC?
Paul
I'm here meeting a friend.
Francine
(comes up behind Paul and slides her arms around him)
Hello, honey. Sorry I'm late. I got caught -
Lee
Francine! How nice to see you… here, at Marvelous Marvin's.
Francine
(dropping her arms from around Paul)
Uh… uh, hi, Lee. Here you are. With Amanda's boys.
Phillip and Jamie
(whispering to each other earnestly)
Lee
Boys, it's not polite to whisper. What's up?
Jamie
(hesitantly)
Uh, you look like the lady who thought that winning second place at Phillip's science fair was losing. That was kinda mean.
Lee
Jamie…
Phillip
That wasn't her, Doofus. That lady had dark hair. This lady was one of Mom's clients, remember? (To Francine) How's your chimpanzee doing?
Francine
Chimpanzee? I don't know what you're talking about.
Phillip
I'm sure it was you!
Lee
Your mom took care of animals a really long time ago, Phillip. I'm sure this isn't the same lady.
Francine
You must be thinking of someone else.
Phillip
(Shakes his head and says quietly)
I'm sure it was her…
Lee
So, Paul - you and Francine? When did this start?
Francine
(Slightly embarrassed at getting caught)
Not long after he retired. He asked me out and here we are.
Paul
And I think our table is ready.
Lee
But Marvelous Marvin's, Francine? This is a far cry from Spencer's.
Francine
Guilty pleasure. (She and Paul go to their table across the restaurant.)
Scotty
(brings drinks, ad lib)
Here you go… (leaves)
Jamie
Lee? How did both of those people know me and Phillip?
Lee
Uh, probably from me talking about you.
Phillip
You talk about us?
Lee
Sure. You guys are cool. Your mom tells me all sorts of stories. I've loved watching you grow up. Phillip, I can remember you working on the map of Czechoslovakia. And, Jamie, I can remember when you had chicken pox on your birthday.
Phillip
But you and Mom only started dating around Christmas time.
Jamie
Yeah, and that birthday was three years ago. How did you see us?
Lee
(quickly)
Uh, I didn't actually SEE you. Your mom just told me about those stories. She described everything in such detail that it was like I had watched you through the kitchen window.
Jamie
Wow, that's kinda cool that you remember her stories about us.
Lee
Of course I remember. You're important to me!
Phillip
Do you love Mom?
Lee
(glancing over his shoulders)
Yes. I love her very much.
Jamie
Good. Cause she loves you, too. She's been so happy lately.
Phillip
And you really helped her after she got - after California.
Lee
Yes I did. She's a very strong woman, your mother. Fellas, can I ask you something?
Phillip and Jamie
(ad lib)
Yes.
Lee
Well, guys. I love your Mom so much, and she makes me very happy, too. I would like to marry your mother, and I'm asking for your permission. May I marry your mother? I promise to love her and make her safe and happy every day of our lives. I also promise that I will be the best stepfather that I can be for both of you.
(Long pause)
Phillip
Yes! Please marry Mom! She'll be so happy!
Jamie
(quietly)
I would really really like that. (He throws his arms around Lee.)
Lee
I can't tell you how happy you've made me. I asked your grandmother on Sunday, and she also said yes. She's already calling caterers. (Laughs)
Phillip
Grandma's been trying to find a husband for my mom since my dad left.
Jamie
When are you going to ask Mom?
Lee
Not sure, yet. What do you think?
Phillip
Right at the beginning of next month. Mom loves early October.
Lee
Hmmm… good idea. How about October 3?
Jamie
That would be cool.
Lee
Now, you can't tell her.
Jamie
I know. I promise
Phillip
I do, too.
Scotty
And here are your burgers. Good luck with the Colossus.
Lee
Thanks. You'd better get his shirt ready. He's gonna do it.
Phillip
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Lee… I mean, Dad.
Scotty
Anything else I can get for you all?
Lee
(Looking at both boys and smiling)
I think we're good. In fact, everything is just marvelous.
THE END