The Parent Trap Page #10

JOSE:

Well, look who finally decided to come home.

Annie

Hey, Jose.

JOSE:

Did your old man tell you we decided no more camp for you?

Annie

(climbing out)

Yeah, he told me.

JOSE:

(hugging her)

it got too quiet around here, Hal. We couldn't stand it. Nobody blasting music, nobody playing hide and seek in the vineyards, nobody getting stuck up on the roof...

Annie laughs as the screen door swings open and CHESSY EXITS, humming as if she's a one-woman welcome home band. Chessy, the most lovable woman on the planet, early thirties, warm eyes, great sense of humor, lifts Annie right off her feet.

54

CHESSY:

Hell-o, Gorgeous! You grew, you lost weight, you look fabulous, we missed you, don't let these bums talk you out of, going back to camp. You're a growing girl. You need adventure. You hungry? I made cornbread and chili. Why're you so quiet? What's wrong?

Annie

I'm just so happy to be home.

NICK:

(passes, carrying Hallie's duffel)

Did I hear something about cornbread and chili?

CHESSY:

It's on the stove...

(without even looking)

Wipe your feet, Jose!

Chessy looks Annie over, hugs her again.

CHESSY:

You've changed, Hal ... I can't put my finger on it, but something about you has definitely changed..

Sammy bounds down the steps of the porch.

Annie

Really? Me?

(then)

Hi, Sammy!

Sammy sniffs at Annie's shoes, looks up at her, then backs off suspiciously, BARKING at her.

CHESSY:

What's with you, goofball! It's Hallie.

Sanmy continues BARKING.

Annie

I probably smell like camp, that's all.

Annie runs up the porch steps, followed by Chessy.

55.

CHESSY:

(to Sammy)

What's wrong with you? it's like you didn't even recognize her.

INT. HOUSE

A spacious comfortable ranch house with high ceilings and panoramic views of Nick's vineyards.

Annie

(taking it all in)

Wow! It's even better than the pictures.

CHESSY:

Whaddya want to do first, kiddo - unpack or eat? Or eat, then unpack? Or, we can eat while we unpack.

Annie

You mean I can eat in my room?

CHESSY:

(looks at her like she's nuts) Yes, I would say that's a definite possibility.

-As Chessy and Annie head up the stairs, Nick ENTERS, eating a big bowl of chili.

NICK:

Hal, when you're done, come on down, there's someone I want you to meet.

Annie

(looks down at him)

Okay, Dad.

NICK:

(smiles)

Okay, Hal.

Annie continues up the stairs, suddenly stops. Turns to Chessy.

Annie

Someone he wants me to meet?

CHESSY:

(on the sly)

-He didn't tell you?

5 6

Annie

Tell me what?

Annie HEARS the SOUND of A WOMAN LAUGHING. She looks down.

ANNIE'S VIEW - THE LIVING ROOM BELOW

Nick turns as MEREDITH BLAKE enters from the patio. Meredith is a tawny beauty of twenty-six, wearing a chic sleeveless dress, sleek hair and heels.' Nick takes her hand.

Annie turns back to Chessy and mouths "Who is that?” Chessy motions for Annie to follow her upstairs.

INT. HALLIE'S ROOM

Sunny, warmly furnished with lots of books, CD's, Horse Show ribbons and toys. The French doors are wide open and a gentle breeze billows the curtains.

Annie-

Who’s the blonde?

CHESSY:

Hal, it's none of my business how your father makes a fool out of himself, you understand? He's a big boy, he can do what he wants.

Annie

Right. So who is she?

CHESSY:

Her name's Meredith Blake. She's a publicist from San Francisco. Your father hired her at the beginning of the summer to do some publicity for the vineyard and if you ask me, she's done a better job selling herself than the grapes.

Annie

Whaddya mean?

CHESSY:

Look, you and I )mow your Dad's no suave debonair Bachelor of the Month-type, so I wonder what a young hot thing like her sees in a guy who walks around with his shirt-tail hanging out and his cereal bowl full of chili. Then I realized, there's a .million reasons why that girl's giggling and they're all sitting in the Napa Valley Community Bank.

Annie

You mean you don't think she even really likes Dad...

CHESSY:

-- What do I know? But I'll tell you one thing. This one could give Sharon Stone femme fatal lessons. She's got your father eating out of the palm of her hand. They ride together, they swim together, they're out to dinner every night. Not to mention she treats yours truly like the shlepper help' of all time which has really endeared her to me, as you can imagine. = you go down and meet her and see for yourself. Don't let me influence you.

INT. LIVING ROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

Annie bounds down the stairs, wearing sunglasses and a faded

Parker Vineyards T-shirt over a bathing suit-. She looks

Around, sees lots of PHOTOGRAPHS of Nick and Hallie when

Hallie was a baby.

Annie

(admiring a photo)

We were such a cute baby.

She's distracted when she HEARS Meredith's LAUGH. Annie lowers her sunglasses, peering over them at Meredith lounging by the pool ogling Nick.

EXT. POOL

Annie joins Nick and Meredith under an umbrella. The vineyards and mountains cascade down from the pool creating an incredible vista.

NICK:

There's my girl! Hal, I want you to meet a friend of mine. Honey, this is Meredith Blake.

Annie

(waves)

Hi ...

ITH:

Hi. Wow. I can't believe I'm finally meeting the famous Hallie. I've looked forward to this all summer.

58.

Annie

Really? Well ... here I am.

MEREDITH:

Nicky, she's adorable.

Nick blushes as Annie mouths "Nicky-O

MEREDITH:

The way your father talked about you I expected to meet a little girl but you're so grown up...

Annie

I'll be twelve soon. How old are you?

MEREDITH:

(a little thrown)

-- Twenty-six.

Annie

Only fourteen years older than me. How old are you again, Dad?

NICK:

oh, suddenly she's interested in math. I'm gonna get some more chili and a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Annie

What are we celebrating?

Nick pauses.

MEREDITH (jumping in)

You're home-coming of course.

Nick and Meredith exchange a quick look which is not lost on Annie. Nick heads toward the house as Annie sits by the pool, dunking her feet in the water. A cell-phone RINGS, Meredith flips it open.

MERIDITH:

Hello. Yes, Reverend Mosby... Uh-huh. I'll certainly ask him but I doubt if he'll be

available. I understand it's for a local charity. Um-hmmm... I'm writing it all down.

(she writes nothing down)

Okay, got it. Sounds very worthwhile, I-agree but unfortunately, I see that Mr.

Parker will be out of the country those days. Yes, I'll be sure to mention it to him. Thank you

(snaps phone shut)

So. How was camp, Hal? Was it fabulous?

Annie

Yes, I loved it actually. My Dad's going out of the country? When?

MERIDITH:

No, no, I just had to say that to get him out of something.

(changing the subject)

You know I never heard a man talk about his daughter the way Nicky talks about you. You two are obviously incredibly close.

Annie

We're closer than close. We're all each other has...

Annie does a huge cannonball into the pool, SPLASHING water all over Meredith. Pissed, but controlling it, Meredith walks to the edge of the pool picks up a towel and pats herself dry as Annie POPS to the surface.

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