A Royal Winter Page #6

- Adrian?

- No, it's Dad.

Oh, hi.

How are things at home?

Not as hopping

as things are in Europe.

That made the U.S. papers?

No. You didn't call last night,

so your father

Googled "Calpurnia"

to see if anything bad

was happening.

Maggie, what exactly

is going on there

between you and this prince?

Nothing. They're making

a big deal of nothing.

Well, that's good

because from here,

it looks rather embarrassing.

Dad, it was just a kiss.

Brockton & Pierce take

appearances very seriously.

So what do you want me to do?

That's not for me to decide.

You've got a good head

on your shoulders.

I'm sure you'll

do the right thing.

Love you.

Love you, too.

SARAH:
What did he say?

I think he's expecting me

to go home.

Did he even ask you

if you like the guy?

No.

Out!

Out, out!

You got my text?

Are they still out there?

Yeah, just some of our more

die-hard journalists.

Vultures, really.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

It's not your fault.

I'm happy you're here.

Let's go to Paris.

What?

Yeah.

Just for a couple of days.

It'll be a lot more fun

than sneaking around here,

avoiding the vultures.

I'm not sure

that's such a good idea.

Well, your friend Sarah

can come, too, of course.

I'll get you guys your own

hotel suite, everything.

That's very generous of you.

but aren't you being crowned

in a few days?

That's all set in motion.

I'd rather

spend the time with you.

And I with you.

but right now

the whole country is watching,

waiting to see

what kind of king you'll be.

And running off to Paris

with some American girl

may not be the best idea.

You're not just some...

Do you know what?

It doesn't actually matter

what I do.

The tabloids will print

what they want.

Surprise them.

Tell them about

the children's foundation.

No. I wouldn't let them

use the kids as pawns,

even if it helps me.

You are so wonderful.

I want everyone to see that.

I'm just glad you see it.

[phone chiming]

Sorry.

The palace?

No, volleyball.

I have practice in half an hour.

Do you wanna come?

I would love to,

but I promised Sarah

I'd finally go shopping.

Ah, of course.

Well, try to stay clear

of the vultures,

and if you get into trouble,

this is Felix's number.

He'll extricate you

anytime, anywhere,

and bring you

straight to me.

Thank you.

Any other expert advice

on avoiding the press?

I have two words for you.

Yes?

Winter wardrobe.

Who knew your mom's clothes

would work well as a disguise?

Why don't you say it louder

so that everyone can hear you?

Sorry.

I can't believe

you turned down Paris.

I just met him this week.

So maybe he jumped the gun

a little bit.

- You think?

- But he's not just a guy.

He's a prince.

Remember Lenny Schwartzman

with the crazy beard,

who lived upstairs from me

on 23rd Street?

- Yeah.

- So we go out on a few dates,

couple of good night kisses,

next thing you know,

he wants me to drive

to the Poconos to meet his mom.

So?

So? Prince Adrian of Calpurnia

taking you to Paris

is Lenny Schwartzman

taking me to the Poconos.

They're royals.

They fly everywhere.

Who wouldn't wanna

live like that?

[phone chiming]

Oh, no.

They must have

seen the tabloids.

What?

I should take this.

- Hello?

- Maggie?

- It's Janice Brockton here.

- Janice!

- It's so nice to hear from you.

- Likewise.

Listen, we have

some news for you.

Look before you say anything,

the article, it wasn't--

What article?

Oh, uh...

Maggie, it's not an article

we need to talk to you about.

- It's a job.

- Really?

JANICE:
We'd like to offer you

a position here,

an associate position

in litigation.

We're willing to make you

a very reasonable offer,

but there's a catch.

We need you to start right away.

How soon?

We need an answer

by tomorrow morning

so we can get you started

on Monday.

We're emailing you

the offer right now.

You're gonna make your dad

real proud, kid.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

What's wrong?

WICKFORD:
It's done.

They've offered her the job.

Did she accept?

They'll know for sure

tomorrow.

She's an ambitious girl,

but she struck me

as a little timid.

She'll go for the safe choice.

I'm so glad our background checks

proved useful, Your Majesty.

- There's really no choice.

- There's always a choice.

Like what, give up the perfect

job for some guy I just met?

For a prince you just met.

That's irrelevant.

Let me rephrase that, counselor.

For a prince that you're

quickly falling for.

- I'm not.

- Oh, please!

Tell it to the judge.

How about this perfect job?

Would this be the meaningless

job that had you terrified

you'd reduce your life

to billable hours,

working in an office 24/7,

a cog in the machine?

[sighing]

I came here for a vacation,

not to have my life

turned upside-down.

Let me ask you a question.

Rushing back home like this,

does it make you happy?

Yes.

No. I--

There are more important things

in life than just being happy.

Oh, of course!

What was I thinking?

ADRIAN:
All right, good game!

Well done!

BOYS:
Bye!

Hey, stranger.

Hey. Can we talk?

Yeah.

Oh, but before I forget...

What's this?

It's from little Katia.

She made it for you.

She said it's a thank-you gift

for helping her sing.

What's wrong?

They offered me the job

in New York.

That's great.

They want me to start

right away.

Ah.

Well, when would you leave?

The day after tomorrow.

The day of your coronation.

I see.

Uh...

Well, of course you should go.

I mean, it would be crazy

for you not to, right?

Exactly.

This is the job

you weren't thrilled about.

It's a really good

career move.

The perfect one, really.

No, yeah, of course.

And I've been thinking,

I'm a huge distraction for you.

Like last night.

No, no,

that was just a hiccup.

Stuff like that

happens all the time.

To you, not to me.

See, we're from

really different worlds.

For me, being with someone

is a personal decision.

For you, it's an act of state.

Yeah.

Well, you've certainly

thought this through

for both of us.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to...

All right.

Last night, you told me not to

try so hard to be someone else,

to find my own way to be king.

So I ask you,

and of course,

I'll respect your decision,

just make sure you're not

trying to live the life

you think you should,

instead of the life

you want.

What are you saying?

Stay.

Please.

I don't want to lose you.

I'm sorry. I can't.

I was thinking.

After the coronation,

I'll stop riding my bike.

Not too seemly for a monarch.

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Hi.

MAGGIE:
Hi.

I wanted to see

if you were okay.

Are you still leaving?

I'm sorry.

Well, then I'm not so okay.

But hey, at least

my mother's happy.

She's getting the coronation

and the son

that she always wanted.

Will she at least

let the public come,

give you something

to make it your own?

You met my mother just once,

so it's understandable

that you don't know her at all.

And she doesn't know you at all,

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