Groundhog Day Page #7

DISSOLVE TO:

C LOSE UP - CLOCK

The digital clock-radio changes from 5:59 to 6:00 AM. The

radio comes on, playing the end of the Sonny and Cher hit, "I

Got You, Babe," just as it did the day before.

INT. PHIL'S ROOM - DAWN

Phil sits up in bed, quickly alert, and looks around the room.

Something is wrong. He's wearing pajamas, his suit is once

again hanging neatly on the closet door and his suitcase is

back on its stand at the foot of the bed, again neatly packed.

The song ends and the same radio deejay and his sidekick come

on with the same manic energy. Phil stares at the radio and

listens to them. A look of astonishment comes over his face as

they banter.

DEEJAY:

Okay, campers, rise and shine,

and don't forget your booties

because it's COOOLD out there

today!

SIDEKICK:

It's cold out there everyday.

What is this-- Miami Beach?

The deejay laughs. Phil "mock" laughs at exactly the same

time, recognizing the repartee from the previous morning.

PHIL:

(to himself)

Nice going guys. That's

yesterday's tape.

Phil crosses to the sink and gets a towel off the rack, only

half-listening to the radio.

-26-

DEEJAY:

Not hardly. Expect hazardous

travel later today with that, you

know, blizzard thing --

SIDEKICK:

That "blizzard thing?"

Phil turns on the water and splashes some on his face as if

trying to wake himself up, vaguely disturbed by the repetition

of the broadcast.

SIDEKICK (CONT.)

Oh, here's the report: the

National Weather Service is

calling for a big blizzard

thing."

DEEJAY:

Yes they are, but there's another

reason today is very special --

SIDEKICK:

Especially cold --

DEEJAY:

Especially cold, okay, but the

big question on everybody's lips --

Phil supplies the next line in unison with the radio.

SIDEKICK AND PHIL

Chapped lips --

DEEJAY:

-- on their chapped lips, right --

Do you think Phil's going to come

out and see his shadow?

SIDEKICK:

Punxsutawney Phil.

Some vague doubt causes Phil to go to the window.

DEEJAY:

That's right, rodent lovers!

IT'S--

BOTH DEEJAYS:

Groundhog Day!

SOUND EFFECT of GRUNTING GROUNDHOGS as Phil pulls back the

curtains and looks out.

HIS POV:

The street is full of people heading toward Gobbler's Knob,

exactly as they did the day before.

-27-

PHIL:

(AGHAST)

What the hell?

CUT TO:

INT. BED AND BREAKFAST - DAWN

Phil rushes out into the corridor, hastily tying his tie, his

suit jacket and overcoat over his arm. As he heads for the

breakfast room, the same Chubby Man passes.

CHUBBY MAN:

Morning.

PHIL:

Morning.

CHUBBY MAN:

Think it'll be an early Spring?

PHIL:

(stops, irritated)

Didn't we do this yesterday?

CHUBBY MAN:

(INTIMIDATED)

I don't know what you mean.

Phil grabs him by the front of his shirt and looks deep into

his eyes.

PHIL:

Don't mess with me, pork chop.

What day is this?

CHUBBY MAN:

(TERRIFIED)

Febr uary second--Groundhog Day!

Phil can see he's telling the truth and relaxes his grip on the

poor man.

PHIL:

Okay. Sorry. I'm having a bad

day.

Phil walks on, leaving the chubby man baffled and insulted.

CHUBBY MAN:

(to himself)

I'll say.

-28-

INT. BREAKFAST ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Phil enters the old library of the house and finds everything

exactly as it was the day before. Mrs. Lancaster spots Phil as

she comes out of the kitchen with the fresh pot of coffee.

MRS. LANCASTER

Did you sleep well, Mr. Connors?

PHIL:

(completely confused)

D i d I? I don't know--

MRS. LANCASTER

Would you like some coffee?

PHIL:

Yes, thank you. I ' m feeling a

little strange.

MRS. LANCASTER

( as she pours)

I wonder what the weather's going

to be like for all the

festivities.

PHIL:

Did you ever have deja vu, Mrs.

Lancaster?

MRS. LANCASTER

Is that the Italian dessert with

the brandy and the chocolate

mousse?

PHIL:

No, that's spaghetti. Never

mind.

He heads for the door, still in a daze.

MRS. LANCASTER

Oh, will you be checking out

today, Mr. Connors?

PHIL:

(VAGUELY)

I don't know. I don't think so.

I'll tell you after I wake up.

Phil exits.

CUT TO:

-29-

EXT. BOARDING HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

Phil gulps down the steaming coffee, still trying to wake up

from what he assumes is a dream, and descends the front steps

of the house. He accosts a PASSERBY.

PHIL:

Ma'am? Excuse me. Where's

everybody going?

PASSERBY:

To Gobbler's Knob. It's

Groundhog Day!

The coffee cup drops from Phil's hand as he stands there open-

mouthed. Then he slaps his own face and shakes his head as if

trying to clear it and starts off down the street.

EXT. MAIN STREET - PUNXSUTAWNEY - CONTINUOUS

Phil rushes down the street, again failing to notice the OLD

BUM sitting on the sidewalk leaning against a storefront.

NED RYERSON (O.C.)

Hey, Phil!

Ned Ryerson approaches with the same obnoxious attitude.

NED:

Phil! Phil Connors! I thought

that was you!

Phil just stares at him and keeps walking.

NED:

My oh my! Phil Connors. Don't

say you don't remember me, 'cause

I sure as heck-fire remember you.

Well?

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