The Parent Trap Page #16

Nick's EYES WIDEN as Meredith, her back to Elizabeth, continues kissing Nick. As the ELEVATOR DOORS START TO CLOSE, Nick leans further and further to his right, trying to keep his eyes on Elizabeth. He leans, he leans ... but the DOORS CLOSE. He stands there stunned, eyes wide open.

INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

Elizabeth barrels down the hallway, focused and furious.

ELIZABETH:

Hallie Parker!

Simultaneously, 7WO DOORS OPEN ACROSS THE HALL FROM EACH OTHER. Hallie stands in one doorway, Annie in the other.

ELIZABETH (cont’d)

Don't do this to me, I'm already seeing double! Which one of you is Hallie?

(Hallie raises her hand)

Okay, now...

(then, softens at the sight of Annie)

oh, honey ... hi...

Annie

Hi, Mom.

Elizabeth crosses to Annie and hugs her.

ELIZABETH:

You look beautiful. So tan and healthy...

(kisses her, then, remembering)

Okay you two:
.. How could you do this to me?

CHESSY:

(arriving behind Annie)

.may I suggest we take this little pow-wow inside.

(to Elizabeth)

Hi, you probably don't remember me...

ELIZABETH:

(warmly)

Chessy!

CHESSY:

I knew I always liked you.

INT. HOTEL SUITE - MOMENTS LATER The Girls sit side-by-side.

ELIZABETH:

Let me put this as sucthinkinctly as possible. You...

(points to Hallie)

I mean,

(points to Annie)

-- One of you told me your father knew I was arriving here today... And I'm here to tell you the man I just saw in the elevator had absolutely no idea he and I were on the same planet, let alone in the same hotel.

Annie

You saw Dad already?

ELIZABETH:

Yeth. And it was completely and utterly humiliating. I gotta lie down... (flops down on sofa, resting her head on a pillow)

The man went completely ashen. Like I was the bloody ghost of Christmas past.

(rubs her head)

Can one of you get me something cold for my head?

(the Girls cross to the bar)

Don't you think I've pondered what it was going to be-,like to see your father again after all these years?

(the Girls exchange a look)

Well, let me tell you, me waving like a mindless idiot while Nick Parker is wrapped in another woman's arms is not exactly the scenario I had in mind. No sireee...

(the Girls arrive with a wet washcloth and a glass of water)

Thank you.

(she places the wash cloth on (MORE)

92.

ELIZABETH (cont'd)

her forehead, shuts her eyes)

And furthermore and much worse, is the fact that I've been lied to by my own children and I'd like to know why.

On that note, Martin passes through the room wearing only a SPEEDO BATHING SUIT. Elizabeth cracks open an eye, sits up.

ELIZABETH:

Martin! What are you doing?

MARTIN:

Going for a swim. Do you mind?

ELIZABETH:

No, no, that's perfectly perfect. By all means, yes, have fun... someone ought to. Just put on a shirt... my God...

She lies down again as Chessy ENTERS from an adjoining room with Sammy. She stops when she sees Martin.

CHESSY:

Oh... Hell-o.

MARTIN:

Hello, Hello...

There seems to be something in the air between them.

ELIZABETH:

Oh, Chessy, this is our butler, Martin.

CHESSY:

(plainly interested, extends her hand)

How do you do?

(indicates Hallie)

I'm her butler.

MARTIN:

(gallantly kissing her hand)

Enchante, mademoiselle.

CHESSY:

Gee, the pleasure's all mine, monsieur.

The Girls can't believe it and suppress their giggles.

ELIZABETH:

Girls! You were going to tell me why you lied and brought me here without telling your father!?!

93

CHESSY:

Were they? 0-kay, that's good.

(starts tip-toeing out)

Well, then why don't I just slip back into my room and check out the ol' mini bar...

MARTIN:

(trying to escape)

Allow me to assist you...

ELIZABETH:

(sits straight up)

Wait! You mean everyone knows but me?!? What's going on here?

Everyone freezes.

Annie

Mom... Daddy's getting married.

ELIZABETH:

Oh. I see... getting married...

Annie

-- To Cruella de Ville. She's awful, Mom...We can't let him go through with it.

ELIZABETH:

Girls, your father's a grown man and quite capable of deciding whom he wishes to marry..

Hallie

But she's all wrong for him. And the only way he won't marry her is...

(to Annie)

You tell her, she )knows you better.

Annie

Is if he sees you again.

ELIZABETH:

(piecing-it together)

You're trying to fix me up with your father.

Hallie

Why not? You're perfect for each other.

Annie

A match made in heaven.

By now, Chessy and Martin have reached the door.

9 4

ELIZABETH:

Hold it! You two knew about this?

MARTIN AND CHESSY

(turn, ad jibbing at the same time) No. Not exactly. We tried to reason with them. What could we do? They made us do it. We're the hired help. Don't fire us. It was a mistake.

ELIZABETH:

(rises unsteadily)

okay, let me say this loud and clear. Nick Parker and I have nothing in common... anymore. Plus, in case you haven't noticed, he seems extremely content with his leggy, long haired, tight-skirted fiance. I want the two of you to explain to your father that I am here for one purpose only and that's to switch you two back. Now, let's do what we have to do and be done with it. Understood?

CLOSE ANGLE - MEREDITH

in THE SUITE NEXT DOOR.

MEREDITH:

No. I don't understand.

Nick nervously runs his fingers through his hair and straightens his clothes as he tries to get out the door.

NICK:

I just need to go downstairs for a few minutes to c-c-clear my head... then I'll meet you for lunch.

MEREDITH:

Clear your head? What do you have to clear your head about? Is something wrong?

'NICK

I hope not. I mean... no. What could be wrong? We're getting married in ten days, everything's perfect.

(then, quickly)

I gotta go.

'He quickly kisses her on the cheek, opens the door.

95.

MEREDITH:

We're still going ring shopping after lunch, right?

NICK:

Ring shopping?

MEREDITH:

Nicky!

NICK:

Of course! For the funeral. I mean, for the wedding.

MEREDITH:

The funeral?!?

NICK:

I'm kidding.

(laughs)

Don't listen to me. I'll see you there. I mean, here. Downstairs.

He slips out the door, hurries down the CORRIDOR and bumps right into Annie.

Annie

(as Hallie)

Hey, Dad, what's up?

NICK:

Just running down to the lobby. Hey, Hal, do me a favor, keep Meredith company, willya?

(rushing off)

Thanks, kiddo.

(turns back)

Do I look alright? Like presentable and everything? Not too old?

Annie

You look fab, Dad. Young and fabulous.

LOBBY - MOMENTS LATER

Nick rushes off the elevator, looks around for Elizabeth. lie turns a corner and bumps into the real Hallie, who hasn't seen her Dad all summer.

Hallie

Dad!

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NICK:

I thought you were going to keep Meredith company?

Hallie

I was? 'I mean, I am. Yeah. I was actually just looking for her.

(then)

It's great to see you, Dad. She can't help herself and gives her Dad a quick hug.

NICK:

It's great to see you too, squirt. (pats her on the tush)

Now go on, get up there.

Nick heads off in one direction as CAMERA TRACKS Hallie back to the elevators. An elevator PINGS and Meredith steps out, checking herself in a compact. She snaps the lid shut when she sees Hallie (who has never laid eye’s on Meredith).

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