The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Page #2

Yeah! The frame's there,

the hardware's there.

All I'd have to do is erect it

and replace the glass.

Honey, don't you think

you're taking on too much?

Have you given any more

thought to hiring a nanny?

Honestly, I wouldn't

feel comfortable...

having any of the girls

I've interviewed take care of Joey.

Claire, it's not like

when we had Emma.

You don't need to do

everything yourself.

What about Solomon?

He could be our nanny.

Honey, I don't think

that Solomon...

would make

a very good nanny.

Why not?

Remember we had the talk about

what a special person Solomon is?

- Yeah.

- Well, there are just some things...

that he can't do.

What's gonna happen

to Solomon...

when Solomon

finishes painting the trim?

Well...

when he finishes painting,

we'll have to find something

else for him to do.

- Okay?

- Okay.

Hurry up, sweetheart.

- Bye, Mom.

- Bye.

Mrs. Thompson?

Mrs. Thompson!

Thanks.

- Thanks for stopping.

- No problem.

- Here you go, sweetheart.

- Thanks, Mom.

Thanks. I think it's gonna rain later.

That was really nice of you.

- You're welcome.

- Well, thanks. Thank you.

Excuse me, do you know

where the Bartels live?

Well...

I'm Claire Bartel.

- Oh, hi. I'm Peyton Flanders.

- Hi.

- I was coming about the nanny position.

- Oh!

- All right. You wanna come up to the house?

- Yeah.

I can't believe I forgot

I had an appointment.

I'm usually so good

about these things.

Actually, I didn't have

an appointment.

Oh. Did the agency

just tell you to stop by?

- Well, no. I'm not with an agency.

- Oh.

The truth is, I've only

worked with one family.

They're moving and I didn't

know what I was gonna do next.

I was with their

little girl in the park.

Nannies talk and I heard

that your family needed someone.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't

have just showed up.

- I've made you uncomfortable.

- Oh no, it's fine.

You're here

so come on in.

- Are you sure? Okay.

- Yeah, yeah.

Usually I have a set

of questions I ask, like...

- are you old enough to drive?

- Thank you.

Oh, here.

Don't lose this.

My husband's been after me

to fix this thing.

Well...

how did you come

to be a nanny?

Well, um...

a few years ago

I was pregnant.

I lost the baby and my husband

within days of each other.

The miscarriage prevented me

from having more children.

It was a very

difficult time.

A mutual friend set me up

with a family looking for a nanny.

It turned out to be... a wonderful

experience for both of us.

I adore children.

I love being with them,

taking care of them.

For me it's...

the next best thing

to actually being a mother.

Well, I'm building

my own greenhouse.

And... although I'll just be

right in the backyard,

I'm anticipating

being very busy.

That's Joe.

Oh!

I'd love to meet him.

The nursery is across

from the master bedroom.

Claire? I need to ask you something.

I'll be right back.

Excuse me.

Try to open the window from the inside.

If you can't, wait

'til Michael comes home.

Solomon, this is Peyton.

Peyton, Solomon.

- Nice to meet you, Solomon.

- Oh, hello.

Oh, I'm sorry!

I'm sorry.

- I'm sorry.

- That's all right. It was an accident.

Anyone can have an accident.

Okay.

Ohh!

He's beautiful.

He's very hungry.

I've taken up

half your morning.

No problem,

I really enjoyed it.

I should be going. I'm gonna

leave a letter of reference.

I can show myself out.

You don't have to get up.

Peyton, would you like to

have dinner with us tonight?

I'd love for you

to meet the family.

I'd love to.

Say around 6:
30?

I'll be here.

I'm in charge of

the salad dressing.

And now you're in charge of setting

the table, sweetheart.

Daddy's gonna be home

any minute.

If you don't mind my asking,

what does your husband do?

Michael's a

genetic engineer.

He works for a research

outfit called Biotechnics.

Daddy is a

mad scientist!

It's Daddy!

Here, let me help

with that.

Thanks.

Gimme a kiss.

Thank you very much.

- You helping Mom out, huh?

- Shh.

What are you

shushing me for?

Oh, Joey's asleep. Thank you.

Shh.

- Hi, beautiful.

- How are you?

- Peyton, this is my husband, Michael.

- Hi.

I gotta tell you guys,

- that was one of the all-time

great meals. - It was delicious.

I was in charge

of the salad dressing.

That's right. She did.

She made it all by herself.

When Mom finishes

the greenhouse,

- I'm in charge of the strawberries.

- Really?

- That sounds like a very important job.

- It is.

She seems terrific. What's the catch?

There is no catch.

I think she's great.

I don't think she'll be a nanny forever,

but we can get her to commit for a year.

- Let's grab her up.

- Yeah? Okay.

Oh my God!

- What happened?

- He had this in his mouth.

- Mommy's earring.

- It must have fallen out

when I was holding him.

He's okay.

I'm sorry

I frightened everybody.

- I'm glad you caught it.

- I'm glad you got there on time.

- Hi.

- Hi.

- This is for you.

- Oh, thank you. You didn't have to do that.

Oh, that's

very pretty.

They say a wind chime

helps a baby sleep.

Why don't we get

you settled downstairs,

- then we'll hang it up outside the nursery.

- Okay.

This is a little bit dark,

but your room gets more light.

This is...

the laundry room.

And this is your room.

- Ah... it's perfect.

- You like it?

There we go.

Mom, look!

We did it.

Oh boy!

Let's see.

- Emma, you can certainly shovel!

- Thank you.

How pretty!

It looks just like

your house.

Yeah, I know.

We put it out every year...

when the martins come back.

Who are the martins?

They're large swallows.

The same family comes back

every year to visit us.

Yeah!

I would come back too.

That is a beautiful

bracelet, Claire.

You like that?

I got that at an antique show.

- You can borrow it anytime.

- Well, thank you.

This must be

a special occasion.

I always feel sexy and glamorous

when I wear this dress.

It's a present

from Michael.

Okay...

which shoes should I wear,

red or black?

- Are you wearing a jacket?

- Yeah. Well, no.

- Maybe not.

- Then I'd go with the black.

You think so?

Yeah, I guess you're right.

That's them. Now I'm really late.

- Where are you guys?

- Oh, we're running late.

- Where's Marlene? She want to come in?

- Nah, she's on the phone.

Oh damn.

- What is it?

- It's just a stain.

It's perfume oil.

I must have perfume oil

on my hands.

- Don't move. I'll go get some club soda.

- Thanks.

Marty, this is... Peyton.

- Hello, Peyton.

- Hello. Nice to meet you.

- I need to get something for Claire.

- Okay.

Whew!

Maybe we should

go ahead and have kids.

I just want to inform everybody that

this place will not hold our table.

- Hello, Marlene.

- Hello.

What's with you?

What do you mean?

Nothing's with me.

Nothing my ass.

Hi, I don't

believe we've met.

- I'm Marlene Craven. You must be Peyton.

- Nice to meet you.

- Poison.

- Excuse me?

- The perfume. You're wearing Claire's perfume.

- Oh.

Well, Claire

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