The Family Man Page #7

35INT. MINI-VAN - SAME TIME

Jack’s trying to find the house, a map unfolded on the

steering wheel and the car’s registration in his

hand...

He spots ARNIE BENDER, late 30s, carrying an empty

science kit box to the trash. His wife, JEANNIE, also

late 30s, is getting in a Ford Taurus wagon, a bowl of

fruit in hand...

Jack pulls up to the curb near Arnie, rolling down the

window.

JACK:

Excuse me. Do you know

where Merrison Street is?

Arnie looks up and sees Jack in the van.

ARNIE:

(turning to his wife)

Jeannie! I found Jack!

36INT. BENDER HOUSE, DEN - A LITTLE LATER

Jack follows Arnie into the den of this garishly

decorated suburban home, Arnie’s arm around his

shoulder.

ARNIE:

You look terrible...

Jack takes in the decor – it’s a male leisure time

fantasy – old pinball machine, wide screen TV, dart

board, and kitschy ‘50s style bamboo bar...

ARNIE (CONT’D)

Truth is I expected you.

Kate called before and

asked if I knew where you

were.

Arnie notices Jack’s fascination with the room...

ARNIE (CONT’D)

I know, I moved the

Barca-lounger into the

corner. It’s throwin’

everybody off. What do

you think?

JACK:

(with a nod)

Great room...

A satisfied smile from Arnie, Jack’s approval means

something to him.

ARNIE:

You and me, buddy. We

know how to live...

Arnie shepherds Jack onto a bar stool and pours a drink

out of a bamboo bottle holder.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

So Jack, you okay?

Jack doesn’t respond, his eyes drawn to a softball team

photo on the bar...Jack and Arnie kissing a huge trophy

with the caption, “Plainfield, N.J. Softball League

Champs, 1994.”

ARNIE (CONT’D)

I mean you leave the

house on Christmas

morning, you don’t tell

anyone where you’re

going...

Jack looks over from the photo to Arnie...

JACK:

We’re friends, aren’t we?

ARNIE:

Maybe I don’t say it

enough but you moving in

next door to me...

Arnie makes a fist and gestures to his heart. Jack

nods.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

Talk to me...

A moment of decision for Jack as Arnie stands there,

open eyed, ready to listen.

JACK:

I’m having kind of a bad

day.

ARNIE:

(nodding)

I read somewhere that the

suicide rate doubles

during the holidays...

A raised eyebrow from Jack.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

(to himself)

What am I saying? You

don’t need to hear

that...

(back to Jack)

All I meant was a lot of

people have a hard time

dealing with all the

forced reverie, that’s

all. Is that you?

JACK:

Is it...?

ARNIE:

Trouble at work?

JACK:

I don’t think so.

ARNIE:

It’s not Kate, is it?

Jack pauses at the mention of Kate. Arnie’s eyes

widen...

ARNIE (CONT’D)

(proudly)

You see, it’s like we’re

in each other’s heads...

JACK:

Kate’s my wife...

Jack looks at Arnie as if he’s seeking confirmation.

ARNIE:

(a playful smile)

Just keep saying it,

Jack, like a mantra.

Arnie comes out from behind the bar, taking Jack by the

arm.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

C’mon, I better walk ya

home. She’s mad enough

as it is, right...?

37EXT. ARNIE’S YARD - SECONDS LATER

Arnie walks Jack through his backyard...

ARNIE:

Look, you fit the profile

exactly. Thirties,

house, kids, financial

responsibilities. You

start thinking...this

isn’t the life I dreamt

about. Where’s the

romance, where’s the joie

de vivre? Suddenly,

every lingerie ad in the

Newark Star Ledger

represents a life you

can’t have...

JACK:

(thinking, then...)

It’s just two kids,

right?

A chuckle from Arnie.

ARNIE:

You made a choice, Jack,

a promise to your wife.

Maybe sometimes it seems

like you gave up the

world, but look what you

got...

They arrive at...the backyard of the Campbell house...

cluttered with a swing set, a dog run with chewed up

lawn, and a wooden sun deck in the process of being

built...

ARNIE (CONT’D)

Four bedrooms, two and a

half baths, and a

partially finished

basement...

Jack trips over a wayward BIG WHEEL.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

(shaking his head)

Kids...

Arnie leads Jack toward the house.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

Okay look, you probably

don’t want to hear this

right now but remember

what you told me last

summer when I almost had

that thing with Arnie

Jr.’s speech therapist.

A blank stare from Jack as they arrive at the sliding

glass door...Arnie faces Jack squarely, grabbing his

shoulders and looking him in the eye.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

Don’t screw up the best

thing in your life just

because you’re a little

unsure about who you

are. Okay?

Arnie gives Jack a comforting smie...

ARNIE (CONT’D)

God, it feels so good to

finally give something

back to you...

Arnie turns Jack toward the door and slides it open.

ARNIE (CONT’D)

I’m gonna hug you now...

Arnie gives Jack a gentle hug...then gives him a little

push toward the door...

38INT. CAMPBELL HOUSE, DEN - CONTINUOUS

Jack steps inside. He turns back to the door but

Arnie’s gone.

Then, Kate enters the room, holding a portable phone...

KATE:

(into phone)

Hold on a second...

She cups the receiver. Jack looks at her, she’s

dressed now, nothing fancy but she looks great.

JACK:

You cut your hair...

A curious look from Kate.

KATE:

Ten years ago...

Kate just stands there looking at Jack, giving away

nothing.

KATE (CONT’D)

Are you okay?

JACK:

Yeah...fine.

She gives him a resolute nod, then...

KATE:

(into phone)

Never mind, he just

walked in...

Jack grimaces as she resolutely hangs up the phone then

stares him down angrily.

KATE (CONT’D)

Do you have any idea what

you put us through

today?! You walk out of

here at 7:
30 in the

morning, don’t tell me

where you’re going, or

even that you’re going,

and I don’t see you ‘til

hours later. I had state

troopers looking for

you! I called

hospitals...

(pointing at

the phone)

...I was just on the

phone with the morgue

for god’s sake!

Jack watches her vent, the frustration on his face

building.

KATE (CONT’D)

What kind of man leaves

his family on Christmas

morning without a word

about where he’s going?

Jack’s almost to a breaking poINT.

KATE (CONT’D)

What kind of man does

that!?

JACK:

(jumping in)

I don’t know! Please

stop yelling at me!

She looks at him curiously.

KATE:

Where were you?

JACK:

I was in the city.

KATE:

The city? New York

City? Why?

JACK:

Because that’s where I

live.

KATE:

Jack...don’t even

start...

JACK:

Look, you don’t

understand. I woke up

here...and this is very

strange ...this is not my

house...

A raised eyebrow from Kate. Jack moves around the

room...

JACK (CONT’D)

(pointing upstairs)

I’m not “Dad...”. Kate,

you’re not my wife...

Kate looks him over, assessing, then...

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