Groundhog Day Page #10

-38-

PHIL AND DEEJAY:

Okay, campers, rise and shine,

and don't forget your booties

because it's COOOLD out there

today.

PHIL AND SIDEKICK

It's cold out there everyday.

What is this -- Miami Beach?

The deejay laughs. Phil laughs insanely along with him.

CUT TO:

EXT . GOBBLER ' S KNOB - EARLY MORNING

Phil is wrapping up another groundhog report, trying to be

completely professional despite the circumstances.

PHIL:

(with forced good

HUMOR)

. . . S o according to Mr. Groundhog

I guess we can expect six more

weeks of winter. It's not very

scientific, but it sure is fun.

Hey, wait a second. If he's

right, I could be out of a job!

(mock laugh)

For Channel 9 News, this is Phil

Connors in Punxsutawney .

He holds until Larry stops tape, then approaches Rita.

PHIL:

How was that?

RITA:

(PLEASED)

It was good. A little smarmy for

my taste, but I guess that's what

sells.

PHIL:

Could I talk to you about a

matter that is not work related?

RITA:

You never talk about work.

PHIL:

Do you know what I did last

night?

RITA:

Do I want to know?

-39-

PHIL:

I destroyed my hotel room.

RITA:

You whatl This is not some kind

of rock and roll tour. We don't

have the budget for that--

PHIL:

No, it's okay. This morning it

was all right again. That's what

I have to talk to you about.

RITA:

Phil, what are you doing?

CUT TO:

EXT. MAIN STREET - A BIT LATER

Phil and Rita cross the street and walk past a crowd of

concerned citizens gathered around what looks like a car

accident. As an ambulance arrives, Phil and Rita enter the

cozy looking diner on the corner.

INT. DINER.- CONTINUOUS

Phil and Rita sit together at the same table they had

previously. The WAITER approaches.

RITA:

(to waiter)

Could I have some coffee, please?

The waiter pours her a cup.

WAITER:

(EXITING)

I'll be back to take your order.

RITA:

Thanks.

(to Phil)

Okay, so tell me. How'd you know

where to put the camera?

PHIL:

Because I've done it before.

RITA:

I know, but the groundhog doesn't

do exactly the same thing every

year, does he?

-40-

PHIL:

I ' m not talking about last year.

I ' m talking about today. I lived

it before.

RITA:

You're having deja vu?

PHIL:

Big time. Rita, I know it's nuts

but I keep reliving the same day

o ve r and over-- Groundhog Day--

today. This is the third time.

RITA:

(completely skeptical)

Uh-huh. I'm waiting for the

punchline.

PHIL:

No, really. It's like today

never happened. I shaved my head

last night, today its all grown

back. I could probably cut off

my limbs, one by one, and - pop!

They'd grow back. Just like a

starfish. I probably don't even

have to floss?

RITA:

I'm wracking my brain, but I

can't even begin to imagine why

you'd make up something like

this.

PHIL:

'Cause I'm not making it up. I'm

asking for your help.

Rita looks at him for a long moment.

RITA:

Okay, I'll bite. What do you

want me to do?

PHIL:

The truth? I'd 1ike you to spend

the next 24 hours with me and

don't leave my side for a second.

RITA:

I see. You know, Phil, you can

charm all the little P.A.'s at

the station, all the secretaries,

and even some of the weekend

a nchors, but not me-- not in a

thousand years.

-41-

PHIL:

Wa it a second--

RITA:

Not if I was dying and your

breath was the only cure; not if

having your child was the only

way to preserve the human race.

Just get it out of your head

because it is NOT GOING TO

HAPPEN!

PHIL:

So much for the truth.

Larry pokes his head in the doorway, looks around, spots Rita

and makes his way over to their table.

LARRY:

(to Rita)

You ready? We better get going

if we're going to stay ahead of

the weather.

RITA:

Yeah, , I ' m . ready, Larry.

(EXITING)

Good luck, Phil.

CUT TO:

INSERT:

X-rays of Phil's skull are slapped up onto a light box.

INT. MEDICAL CLINIC - DAY

Phil is having his head examined by a NEUROLOGIST.

NEUROLOGIST:

No spots, no tumors, no lesions,

no clots, no aneurisms.

Everything looks fine and dandy

to me, Mr. Connors. Have you

considered psychiatric help?

CUT TO:

INT. PSYCHOLOGIST'S OFFICE - DAY

Punxsutawney's only PSYCHOLOGIST is a marriage and family

counselor at the local Lutheran church. His appearance and

manner indicate he may have some serious problems of his own.

-42-

PSYCHOLOGIST:

(not too confident)

That's kind of an unusual

problem, Mr. Connors. Most of my

work is with couples and

families.

Phil is lying on a couch. His head is completely shaved.

PHIL:

Yeah, but you're still a

psychologist. You must have had

some course in school that

covered this kind of thing.

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