The Parent Trap Page #17

MEREDITH:

Have you seen your father?

Hallie

You talkin' to me?

ITH:

What are you, Robert DeNiro? Yes, I'm talking to you.

Hallie

(realizes)

oh! Meredith... Uh, yeah, I just saw him...

MEREDITH:

(straightens out her suit)

Well, hel-lo? Where was he?

Hallie

Oh, he went; thataway, I think.

(sizing her up)

MEREDITH:

What are you staring at?

Hallie

Oh, nothing. You really are pretty... -that's all.

97.

MEREDITH:

Don't tell me you're going to break your rotten streak and suddenly be nice to me?

(starts off)

If you see your father, tell him I'm waiting.

MULIE:

(to herself, as Meredith exits)

Whatever you say,'Cruella.

EXT. HOTEL CORRIDOR

Nick ducks his head into THE HOTEL GIFT SHOP, looking for Elizabeth. Instead, he sees Annie buying a candy bar. He does a double-take.

NICK:

What are you doing? I thought you were gonna...

Annie

-- She wasn't in her room, Dad.

NICK:

she wasn't? Oh... okay... See you in a little bit, kid.

Annie

if not sooner, Dad.

INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER

Nick walks along the corridor, looks through a bank of windows and thinks he sees Elizabeth walking through the HOTELIS GARDEN. He tries to get a closer look but gets caught in the midst of a group of Japanese Tourists. Elizabeth notices him and gives a little wave.

Nick weaves through the Tourists but when he gets to the patio, Elizabeth is gone. Discouraged, he pauses, then SEES Hallie sitting in a large wicker chair, under a palm tree, sipping a fruit cocktails He jumps, surprised.

Hallie

Lookin, for somebody, Dad?

9 8.

HOTEL BAR - MOM = S LATER

Meredith enters, takes a seat at the nearly empty bar. only one other customer sits at the bar - Elizabeth. Meredith sits one stool away from her. The Bartender delivers a red concoction to Elizabeth, who holds a glass of ice to her head.

BARTENDER:

Here you go. This'll cure anything you got. Just don't ask what's in it.

ELIZABETH:

(hesitates)

Okay... Here's to..'

(turns to Meredith, not

recognizing her)

Here's to you. May your life be far less complicated than mine.

MEREDITH:

Thank you...

Elizabeth tosses down the drink and winces at the taste.

MEREDITH:

(orders)

Martini, dry and a pack of Parliaments.

Elizabeth belches.

ELIZABETH:

Excuse me...

(to Meredith)

I apologize. Really, I'm so... (belches again)

-- sorry. I think I just drank tar.

The Bartender hands Meredith her drink and Elizabeth her bill. Elizabeth signs her check and Meredith sneaks a peak at her signature, practically choking on her Martini.

MEREDITH:

You're Elizabeth James?

ELIZABETH:

Guilty.

I can't believe it. You're the designer,

Elizabeth James?

9 9

ELIZABETH:

still guilty.

MEREDITH:

I faxed your office just yesterday. I

saw a wedding dress you designed and fell

completely in love with it. Your office

said you were out of town and they didn't

know if you could make another one. I

can't believe it. This is fate.

(moves to' seat next to her,

extending her hand)

I'm Meredith Blake.

ELIZABETH:

(shaking her hand)

How do you do?

MEANWHILE - AT THE POOL

Nick steps into the sunlight, still searching for Elizabeth. He sees a Woman resembling Elizabeth sitting under a large straw hat. He crosses to her, takes a quick peek, realizes it's not her and smiles an apology to the Lady and her BodyBuilder Husband. He backs into an umbrella as Meredith's Parents join him.

MR. BLAKE

There you are! We've been looking all over for you!

MM. BLAKE

Nicholas, I think this hotel is perfect for the wedding... The more I see of it, the more I like it.

NICK:

(still looking around)

Me too. Absolutely.

Nick glances across the pool and spots Elizabeth arrive, talking on a cell phone. She waves shyly at Nick, slipping on sunglasses.

MM. BLAKE

Tell me, dear, how many guests will there be from your side of the family? Just a guesstimate?

NICK:

(staring across at Elizabeth)

I'm not sure at the moment... Can I get back to you on that one?

I 0 0

MRS. BLAKE

Of course, And are we thinking formal attire or...

A small contingent passes in front of Elizabeth, blocking her from Nick's view. Not wanting to lose her, Nick darts around a Towel Boy, side-steps a couple of Toddlers, then trips over a rubber duck.

CHESSY:

(lying on a chaise next to Martin, looks up)

Boss, you okay?

Nick glances over at her, gets tangled up in Sammy's leash and almost crashes right into Annie.

Annie

Dad! Watch out!

Too late! Annie and Sammy jump out of the way as Nick SPLASHES head first into the deep end of the-pool.

ELIZABETH TURNS:

and SEES Nick pulling himself out of the pool and coming toward her, soaking wet, cheek bleeding, not looking terribly happy.

ELIZABETH:

Nick, hello... Long time no see...

(backing up)

Please try not to go crazy...

NICK:

A little late for that advice. What is going on? I haven't seen or heard from you in eleven years and suddenly you're popping up everywhere I look and naturally on the day I'm--

Annie appears at her Mother's side.

Annie

-- Dad, I can explain why she's here.

NICK:

Hallie, you know who this is?

Annie

Actually, yes. And actually I'm not Hallie.

Hallie appears on Elizabeth's other side.

10 1

Hallie

Actually, I am.

Nick looks from Annie to Hallie, back to Annie, then to Elizabeth. She's nods. He's speechless.

NICK:

Both of them? Annie... Hallie...

Annie

I guess you and Mom sort of think alike ,cause you both sent us to the same camp. We met and the whole thing kind of just spilled out.

ELIZABETH:

They decided to switch places on us, Nick.

NICK:

Wait a minute. You mean I've had Annie all this time5

Annie

(nods)

I wanted to know what you were like and

Hallie wanted to know Mom. Are you angry?

it takes a moment to sink in, then Nick takes Annie in his arms.

NICK:

Honey, of course not. It's just... I can't believe it's you. The last time I saw you... you had diaper rash. Look at you...

Annie

Well, I'm quite grown up now and quite without a father.

Hallie

And I'm headed into my crazy mixed'-UP teenage years and I'll be the only girl I know without a mother to fight with.

NICK:

(still trying to put it together)

Hal, you've been in London all this time?

(Hallie nods)

Come here.

He pulls her to him..

I 0 2

Hallie

Mom's amazing, Dad... I don't know how you ever let her go.

ELIZABETH:

Girls, why don't you let your father and I talk for a couple of minutes, okay?

The Girls take off. Nick grabs a towel ... dries his hair.

NICK:

oh, man, I can't believe this. Seeing them together... and you... and...

(a beat)

How are you, Lizzie or does everyone call you Elizabeth now?

ELIZABETH:

No, no, Lizzie's fine. My Dad still calls me Lizzie. I've been terrific. How 'bout you?

NICK:

Well, I've had better days.

(touches his cheek)

Ouch!

ELIZABETH:

Let me help you with that?

(to passing Towel Boy)

Excuse me, do you have a First-Aid kit?

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