Bridget Jones's Baby Page #16

BRIDGET (CONT’D)

Because at Hard News we

believe...We believe...Hard News

is...ready and on the front line.

Bridget collects herself, but she’s left the H on the screen

and all her previous searches starting with ‘H’ displayed on

the massive screen behind her.

SHOOTING SCRIPT.

78

BRIDGET (CONT’D)

Asking the questions that the world

wants answers to.

ON THE SCREEN:

HOW CAN I MAKE MY THIGHS LOOK THINNER?

HARRY STYLES NAKED.

HOW CAN I MAKE MY BOSS LIKE ME?

HOW CAN I GET MY BOSS FIRED?

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHO IS THE FATHER OF MY CHILD?

The crowd are mesmerized by the searches. Bridget blissfully

unaware. She then looks behind, sees the searches. Is

horrified.

115 INT. SAME. FIVE MINUTES LATER.

Mark makes his way over to her. Her happiness at seeing him

is significantly tempered by the fact that she can see Jack

approaching behind.

MARK:

I hope it’s okay me turning up,

surprising you. I mean, well done.

It was very...technically adroit?

As he says this Bridget sees Jack approaching and panics.

BRIDGET (V.O.)

GAAAAAH!

She grabs the nearest person to her.

BRIDGET:

Mark Darcy I’d really love you to

meet....

She squints at this stranger’s name badge...

BRIDGET (CONT’D)

Ariyaratna Sithamparanathan,

Ariyaratna is Area manager for DTC

technological solutions aren’t you

Ariyaratna?

Both men look perplexed as Bridget rushes to cut off Jack.

She is intercepted by Alice Peabody......

ALICE:

What the hell was that? What were

you thinking? I have 4 voicemails

from David Cartwright on my phone

that I dare not listen to.

SHOOTING SCRIPT.

79

BRIDGET:

Well they say there’s only one

thing worse than being talked

about...

Bridget is trying to extricate herself, but Alice is

steadfastly blocking her way.

ALICE:

Is it that presentation?

BRIDGET:

Alice, I’m so sorry.

ALICE:

Sorry doesn’t cut it, I seriously

have to question whether there is a

place for you at Hard News...

To her horror, she now sees Ariyaratna intercepting his hero,

Jack Quant and introducing him to Mark Darcy.

BRIDGET:

So sorry I really have to...

And she leaves a furious Alice hanging, mid sentence.

MARK:

Bridget! This is Jack Quant. He’s

really rather brilliant. I read

this tremendous profile of him in

the New Yorker-

BRIDGET:

Right, yes. We actually know each

other.

Jack puts his arm round Bridget.

JACK:

We sure do!

Mark slightly balks, looking confused. Ariyaratna

Sithamparanathan is still there.

JACK (CONT’D)

Why didn’t you introduce me to this

guy earlier? He’s great, you know

he’s representing that punk protest

band who are being extradicted?

BRIDGET:

Yes. Yes I knew that too.

ARIYARATNA:

Hi, we met fleetingly before, I’m

in charge of the data management

for most of Daventry.

A shell shocked Bridget ignores Ariyaratna.

SHOOTING SCRIPT.

80

BRIDGET:

Well, I have to say it’s fantastic

that you are getting on so well...

because you actually have a lot in

common. I feel we should go and

discuss somewhere a bit quieter...

JACK:

Fantastic.

MARK:

Why not? I booked GIANNI'S.

ARIYARATNA:

Great idea.

BRIDGET:

I think you might have to sit this

one out, Ariyaratna.

116 INT. GIANNI'S RESTAURANT. NIGHT

Mark, Jack and a shell-shocked, silent Bridget are sitting at

a table. Mark and Jack are getting on like a house on fire.

GIANNI, laying the table, is enjoying the conversation too.

MARK:

...so you really believe that

mathematics can help us - how did

you put it in your book - ‘analyze

human behavior previously invisible

to science.’

JACK:

Well, it’s a theory.

GIANNI:

(Butting in)

Is incredible idea.

MARK:

Really? In my experience emotions

have a lot to do with it.

A pause. Bridget looks uncomfortable.

JACK:

My dating algorithm is to help

people find love, not necessarily

replace it. Have you ever tried it

out?

Bridget laughs nervously.

JACK (CONT’D)

You’re single right?

MARK:

Well

SHOOTING SCRIPT.

81

Mark looks to Bridget - she smiles, even more uncomfortable.

GIANNI, frankly, confused.

MARK (CONT’D)

I suppose in a way...Yes...So, how

do you two know each other?

Bridget takes a deep breath.

BRIDGET:

Well... it’s sort of a funny story,

sort of. You see, the thing is, a

few months ago on June 4th I met

Jack at a music festival.

MARK:

Right.

BRIDGET:

(Interrupting)

We got on very well and sort of

had... relations.

GIANNI backs off, pretends not to be listening.

GIANNI:

Dio Mio!

MARK:

Oh...Right..I see...that’s...

All of a sudden it’s a bit awkward.

BRIDGET:

-and then the following week, that

is to say... on the 11th June at

Jude’s baby christening to be

precise, and following the

consumption of quite a lot of

alcohol, Mark and I..um..well..we

had similar ‘relations’.

It’s now very awkward.

BRIDGET (CONT’D)

And this is the ‘funny’ part, I

suppose, and why in many ways it’s

good that we all met and are

getting on so well. The thing is

that owing to these ‘relations’ the

resulting - um - life-form

currently residing in my - um -

tummy - could in fact be either of

yours. I know I should have told

you both before, but I just

didn’t...you both seemed so happy.

JACK:

Correct me if I’m wrong but did you

just say that the baby could be

either of ours?

SHOOTING SCRIPT.

82

Bridget nods.

MARK:

So you have no idea which of us is

actually the father?

GIANNI, wishing he was invisible.

BRIDGET:

I know this is all very confusing.

I’ve made a mess of it and I’m

sorry, but one thing I’m certain

of, is, however we choose to do

this, the most important thing now

is this.

She points to her bump.

BRIDGET (CONT’D)

OK?

A long pause.

JACK:

Bridget, I’m not going to pretend

this isn’t a shock, but I just want

you to know whatever the

circumstances, you’re right, the

most important thing is the baby,

and I’m here to support you both.

Who knows this could be a great

adventure?

He puts his arm around her.

MARK:

(Less convincingly)

I’m sorry, you’ll have to excuse

me, I have a meeting.

He gets up and leaves.

117 OMITTED 117

118 INT. VILLAGE HALL. GRAFTON UNDERWOOD. DAY. 118

Bridget tentatively inches her way into the back of the hall

where Mum’s campaign launch is in full swing.

All of Grafton Underwood is present and the room is bedecked

with campaign slogans. There is a photographer in the

background. Mum sees Bridget and rushes over to greet her.

MUM:

I say we bring back National

Service.

SHOOTING SCRIPT.

83

DAD:

I don’t disagree in principle Pam,

it’s just I’m not sure Grafton

Underwood Parish Council has the

power to conscript.

MUM:

Don’t be sarcastic Colin. Add it to

the minutes.

Dad rushes off to talk to speak to an official. Mum sees

Bridget at the back and rushes over to greet her.

MUM (CONT’D)

... Honestly, we started half an

hour ago where have you...

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