My Best Friend's Wedding Page #24

MINISTER (O.S.)

If anyone here can show just cause

why this man and woman should not

be married, speak now. Or forever

hold your peace.

Julianne CLEARS her throat. Kimmy's heart flutters. In the

silence... Julianne's wonderful smile. Just kidding.

Michael reaches for Kim's hand, turns her gently to him. Places

his ring on her finger. Holds her hands.

MICHAEL:

Kimberly. I promise to love.

And respect and comfort you.

To hear your voice and your

heart. Until we are parted

by death.

She swallows. Smiles a fleeting, beautiful smile. Fumbles

slightly, putting the ring on his finger.

KIMMY:

Michael. I promise to love and

respect and comfort you. To

hear your voice and your heart.

Until we are parted by death.

Staring in each other's eyes. A moment so fragile, the Minister

waits an extra beat.

MINISTER:

For the record, you each agree

to marry the other?

KIMMY:

(quickly)

I do!

MICHAEL:

(smiling)

I do.

The Minister joins their right hands.

MINISTER:

We haven't said much about God

this evening, I know. But He

is here. And He is happy. To

bless His wonderful children.

CLOSE now on Julianne. For the inevitable moment.

MINISTER (O.S.)

In that Michael and Kimberly have

given themselves to each other by

solemn vows, and the exchanging

of rings...

Unnoticed by the world. Her eyes are close.

MINISTER (O.S.)

I pronounce them husband and wife.

Those whom God has joined together,

let no one put asunder.

The eyes open. Wet, brave, ready for...

MINISTER (O.S.)

Now. Kiss the bride.

Julianne watching. As Michael does.

EXT. WALLACE POND - NIGHT

This is what all the preparation was for. Tables, lights, balloons,

the guests dancing on the hardwood floor, at the base of the gazebo.

The bride and groom among them, relaxed and happy. Two who are one.

PAN TO...

... the stage, the band playing. Julianne conferring with the twins

and the band leader, clear that she's giving the instructions.

Then, she takes her glass of champagne to the microphone...

... KLUNKS it, for silence. The band stops. The dancers follow.

All eyes are comfortably turned to the maid of honor. She looks to

the couple. Just below her. Then, to the crowd...

JULIANNE:

I'm a writer, too, not as

good as Michael. But I do

steal from quality.

She raises her glass. Everyone at the table does the same.

JULIANNE:

This is to my best friend. On

the occasion of his wedding.

Shouts of support, a few whistles. Silence. She tells Michael...

JULIANNE:

If I have truly come to know

your bride as my new sister.

This is in her heart...

She has to stop. Swallows. Because she will not let herself cry.

JULIANNE:

"Understand. I'll slip quietly

away from the noisy crowd when

I see the pale stars rising,

blooming, over the oaks."

Deep breath. Looks in his eyes.

JULIANNE:

"I'll pursue solitary pathways

through the pale twilit meadows,

with only this one dream: You

come too."

A hush. SHARP applause. From four hundred hands. But not from

his. He is too moved. Too understanding of what he has heard.

JULIANNE:

I don't have a wedding gift.

But this is on loan. Until

you two find your song...

And with that the band begins. The opening phrases of a song we

have come to know. Michael seems overwhelmed. Julianne nods

toward the gazebo...

... Michael takes his bride's hand, leads her up the stairs, into

his arms, as the twins step to the microphone, and guests begin to

applaud an unscheduled wedding dance...

MANDY/SAMMY

(singing)

Someday, when I'm awfully low,

And the world is cold,

I will feel a glow just thinking of you,

And the way you look tonight.

Soft two-part harmony. As perfect as the words.

MANDY/SAMMY

(singing)

You're lovely. With your smile so warm,

And your cheeks so soft,

There is nothing for me but to love you,

Just the way you look tonight.

Julianne can cry now. Because she's tied with half the place.

MANDY/SAMMY

(singing)

With each word, your tenderness grows,

Tearing my fears apart...

And the laugh that wrinkles your nose,

Touches my foolish heart.

Julianne begins to sing. Unheard. Unseen. Even by the man she's

singing to...

JULIANNE/MANDY/SAMMY

(singing)

You're lovely, please don't ever change,

Keep that breathless charm,

Darling, please arrange it, cos I love you...

Just the way you look tonight.

The band keeps playing. The dance goes on. Two people lost in each

other. The way it's supposed to be.

INT. GREAT ROOM - LATE NIGHT

Bedlam. Julianne caught in the middle of the throng. A young

couple, dressed for travel, appear at the top of the staircase.

The SHOUT are deafening. The bride has her bouquet...

... she spots Julianne far below. THROWS it her way, Julianne

reflexively GOES FOR IT...

... not a f***ing chance. The twins nearly TRAMPLE her in the

stampede, Mandy WRESTING the prize from Sammy's grasp. Everyone

CHEERS, and then the couple is...

... FLYING down the stairs, RACING through the crowd with a

protective phalanx of groomsmen bodyguards, heading for the door,

for freedom...

... Julianne, trapped in the crush, loses sight of the couple,

struggles against the flow, suddenly panicked by the certainty

that she will never see him before...

And then, he's THERE. He has Julianne in his arms. Holding her

so tight. An embrace so wonderful, so terrible, she could go mad

from the confusion alone. Against the din, he murmurs in her

ear...

MICHAEL:

Wherever I go. However far...

She sobs. Holds him.

Deep, deep breath.

JULIANNE:

You win a few, you lose a few.

Some get rained out.

And to her surprise...

DIGGER:

(V.O., very softly)

You have a good time?

To her greater surprise. There are a few tears left, after all.

JULIANNE:

I did what I came to do.

DIGGER:

(V.O., even softer)

Good girl.

She just can't speak now. So she doesn't.

DIGGER (V.O.)

I was thinking. Maybe you might

visit us for awhile. We've got

the room made up.

This f***ing guy. God, she loves him.

JULIANNE:

I'll think about it. I'm okay.

DIGGER (V.O.)

Oh, you're more than okay.

Just above a whisper...

JULIANNE:

You, too.

And with the last of her strength...

JULIANNE:

If the sun comes up, I'll see

you tomorrow, huh?

A chuckle. At the other end.

DIGGER (V.O.)

I'll play those odds. You have

sweet dreams.

We hear the CLICK. She turns her back on the stars. Shoulders

straight. Chin up.

She walks from frame.

FADE TO BLACK. HOLD END CREDITS.

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