Stepmom Page #8

...Duncan's office. He sits behind his desk, across from a client.

Both men looking up at this stranger.

JACKIE:

Mr. Samuels? Forgive the intrusion,

I'm Jacqueline Harrison, and...

The sweetest smile she's got. Which is pretty good.

JACKIE:

...well, I just wanted to thank you.

For your generosity.

DUNCAN:

(a beat)

Gener...

JACKIE:

...my daughter had a terrible

emergency yesterday. My husband and I

couldn't be reached, and...your Ms.

Kelly came to Annabelle's rescue.

Confides...

JACKIE:

I'd hate to think what might have

happened.

Shakes her hand.

JACKIE:

She told me that you were so suppor-

tive, even at great inconvenience to

your business, and...

An amazing smile.

JACKIE:

It's wonderful to see a successful

man. With that sense of priorities.

DUNCAN:

(longer beat)

Well...under the circumstances...

JACKIE:

If I can ever repay your kindness. It

would be my great pleasure.

Backing out the door...

JACKIE:

...and your Ms. Kelly? A remarkable

young woman.

The client is beaming.

DUNCAN:

(clearing his throat)

We think so.

INT. DOCTOR'S OFFICE - AFTERNOON

CLOSE on Jackie, looking down. She seems to be staring at

something in her lap...

JACKIE:

(quiet anger)

I don't even know what that means.

Spread. That is very unclear.

...but there is nothing there. Her lap is empty. Except for her

unnaturally still hands.

FEMALE VOICE (O.S., gently)

I means we found some cells. In your

lymph nodes. In three of them.

The hands come together. Slowly, deliberately. Stating to anyone

who would watch that there is no panic here.

JACKIE:

But the other time. You said you got

it all. So you could be wrong again.

One time, you say one thing, then...

FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)

The other time. Was a year ago.

The air comes out of Jackie. In a thin, slow, precise stream.

Everything, her very breath. Under complete control.

FEMALE VOICE (O.S.)

That was a tiny lump in the breast.

We radiated, we thought we had it

all. We were hopeful. But there

were no guarantees.

Silence. Jackie's eyes stay on her folded, still, hands.

JACKIE:

But we can beat it.

PULL BACK to see the small, neatly kept office. DR. SWEIKERT is

50, slender, elegant, kind. The doctor you want when you're dying.

Jackie looks up to her.

JACKIE:

People beat it, don't they? All

the time.

DR. SWEIKERT

(straight)

Every day. More and more.

Jackie swallows. The confirmation of hope has allowed some of the

fear to show.

JACKIE:

So we'll...radiate some more?

DR. SWEIKERT

At first. Then, after awhile, some

chemo.

A blow. Jackie absorbs this.

JACKIE:

That's necessary, huh?

DR. SWEIKERT

Let's take our best shot.

Jackie nods. Staring at the woman. Then, to break the spell...

JACKIE:

I guess a no-hair day beats a

bad-hair day.

The doctor smiles. Jackie looks at her watch...

JACKIE:

I have to get dressed. My ex-husband

has asked me to dinner. God knows

why, he was very mysteri...

DR. SWEIKERT

Have you still never told him?

A flash of the anger flickers.

JACKIE:

Why would his worry? Or my children's

worry. Or anyone's worry. Help the

sit...

DR. SWEIKERT

(very soft)

Sooner than later. You really need

to.

That brings a silence. A shading of defiance to Jackie's features.

JACKIE:

You don't burden others needlessly.

That's how I was raised, Doctor.

Hold the look.

MR. SWEIKERT

Maybe at dinner tonight. Think

about it.

INT. JACKIE'S BATHROOM - DUSK

Jackie is getting dressed in front of the mirror, her eyes distant,

in spite of her attempts at control. Annabelle is watching her

like a hawk. We see Ben in the BACKGROUND -- sawing the BABYSITTER

ALISE in half.

ANNABELLE:

Why are you going to a French

restaurant?

Throughout, Annabelle is trying on Jackie's jewelry, making a pest

of herself. Jackie fights against rising irritation.

JACKIE:

Because it's quiet. And he wants to

talk. Alise -- Once he saws you in

half, it's bedtime...

ANNABELLE:

What are you gonna talk about?

JACKIE:

(applying mascara)

Probably you -- your brother -- school --

The solar system...The usual...

ANNABELLE:

Then why are you putting on mascara?

JACKIE:

(a beat)

I'm a little tired and it's just a

pick-me-up.

ANNABELLE:

But you only wore mascara when you and

Daddy went on romantic dates...

JACKIE:

Well Daddy and I are just friends

now, and that's no reason not to

wear mascara...

ANNABELLE:

Or blush. You look pale.

EXT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

A Country French place on the West Side. Classy, but inviting.

INT. FRENCH RESTAURANT - NIGHT

Jackie and Luke sit across from each other in the lovely

restaurant. Jackie looks beautiful in the warm candlelight.

LUKE:

...Maybe you don't think three years

is enough for a person to change

but...things are different now Jackie.

I'm different.

Jackie feels her heart beginning to race. They lock eyes for a

moment. He unconsciously begins to eat off her plate. He eats

her chicken, and in the dance they've done a thousand times -- she

reaches for his uneaten vegetables. The WAITER approaches.

WAITER:

Would you and your wife prefer

still or sparkling water?

He doesn't correct the waiter.

LUKE:

Still, please.

JACKIE:

(when the waiter leaves)

Annabelle showed me the new dress.

She's amazing in it.

LUKE:

Getting so beautiful...she looks more

like you every day.

(Luke downs Jackie's wine)

Jackie...I've really given this a lot

of thought. A great deal of thought...

Their eyes lock for a moment. Here it comes...

LUKE:

I'm gonna marry Rachel. I know you don't

think much of her but she's a special

person -- she really is. And I love her.

This is a bridge we never wanted to cross

but it's not helping her or the kids if I

don't really commit to that.

Jackie stares at him stonefaced.

LUKE:

I didn't think a phone call was

appropriate...

JACKIE:

Tell me exactly how you're different

from three years ago? The music

sounds kind of the same from where

I'm sitting.

He shifts in his chair. Wants this to sound as authentic as he

feels it...

LUKE:

I grew up, a little. I'm ready for a

life that's built around commitm...

JACKIE:

Just not to me.

The waiter returns with a bottle of red wine. It's horribly quiet

as he pours. Waits, obtrusively.

LUKE:

Thank you, it's fine...

WAITER:

Would you like to taste it?

LUKE:

Can we please have less service, here?

The waiter leaves, taking his attitude with him. Luke sighs...

LUKE:

It's going to be hard for the kids

when I tell them...I'd like you to

be there.

JACKIE:

To make it easier for them or you?

LUKE:

It's a huge moment in their life --

JACKIE:

You can't be an 'us' just when you

want to. You can't play that card

when it's convenient.

LUKE:

We...

JACKIE:

WE are over.

LUKE:

WE'RE still their parents for the next

hundred years.

On this, Jackie looks down at her hands.

LUKE:

You're still going to have to be

dealing with me -- with us. We should

tell them together.

JACKIE:

No. You think this is going to help

the kids then you do it. You're on

your own.

INT. RACHEL'S AND LUKE'S LIVING ROOM - THAT NIGHT

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