The Parent Trap Page #18

TOWEL BOY:

Sure.

ELIZABETH:

Okay, lie down...

Nick lies on a chaise as the Towel Boy returns with a First Aid Kit. Elizabeth sits beside Nick, tending to his cut.

NICK:

(looking up at her)

How is your Dad, still sneaking those stogies?

ELIZABETH:

Every day.

They exchange a smile.

NICK:

I can't believe it, you haven't changed at all...

103

ELIZABETH:

You thought maybe I'd be fat and grey?

NICK:

Well, not grey...

(then)

Ouch!

ITH'S VOICE

-- Finally! There you are!

Nick and Elizabeth turn, looking CLOSE ENOUGH to be kissing. Meredith is taken aback.

MEREDITH:

(thrown by seeing them together)

Oh. You've met Elizabeth. Good. Honey, Elizabeth's going to make my... wedding gown... But, I don't understand... How did you two meet and why are you so wet?

NICK:

I wasn't paying attention and I...

(turns to Elizabeth)

You're making My fiance's wedding gown?

ELIZABETH:

Nick, I didn't know she was y OUR fiance...

NICK:

(confused)

How did we meet? How did you two meet?

MEREDITH:

Am I missing something here?

NICK:

Sweetheart, you know what? This is one all world...

MEREDITH:

How small?

Just then, Annie arrives.

AI*IE

Oh, hi, Mer.

ITH:

Hello.

10 4

Hallie

(joining Annie)

How ya doin'?

Meredith SCREAMS at seeing double.

NICK:

Honey, did I ever mention Hallie was a twin?

MEREDITH:

No, as a matter of fact, you didn't. Two of them?!? How fabulous.

Hallie

Don't feel bad, Mer, he never mentioned it to me, either. Imagine My surprise. By the way, I'm the real Hallie. This is Annie. She was just pretending to be me while I was in London pretending to be her. And this is our Mom, Elizabeth James. By the way Dad, I want to change my name to Hallie James-Parker.

MEREDITH:

This is your mother?

GIRLS:

Yes.

MEREDITH:

(to Elizabeth)

You were married to Nick?

ELIZABETH:

Guilty again.

MEREDITH:

well, this is a small world.

NICK:

And getting smaller.

ITH:

And what a coincidence that we're all here on the same exact weekend.

ELIZABETH:

it's not exactly a coincidence. The children arranged it so their father and I could work out their custody situation.

The Girls smile.

I 0 5

MEREDITH:

The children arranged it? Oh. How sweet.

INT. TIFFANY - THAT AFTERNOON

CLOSE on a JEWELRY CASE filled with DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS. CAMERA TILTS UP to find Nick and Meredith, browsing in Tiffany.

MEREDITH:

I'm sorry, I just don't see why you have to have dinner with your ex-wife with her little 'Mary Poppin's accent. Why couldn't you just meet her in the lobby, discuss the custody, shake hands and say good-bye? I'll tell you why - because your daughters don't want me to marry you.

NICK:

That's not true.

MEREDITH:

(to Saleswoman)

Can we have some help over here, please?

(then)

It-s totally true. They see me as the ,evil step-mother., Trust me, I'm not being paranoid. Those girls have something up their sleeve...

(without missing a beat, to Saleswoman)

Can I try on the emerald cut please? No, the bigger one... The biggest one.

NICK:

Honey, calm down. The girls have never had a meal with both their parents in their entire lives. How could I say no?

MEREDITH:

(lightening up as she slips on

the ring)

I told you to let me represent you on all your negotiations, didn't I?

(showing, him the ring)

This is incredible. What do you think?

NICK:

I think I have to get dressed for dinner.

MEREDITH:

(whines)

Nicky...

I 0 6

NICK:

If you love it. I love it.

MEREDITH:

(throws her arms around him)

I love it.

EXT. FOUR SEASONS HOTEL - THAT NIGHT

Nick and Hallie exit, both dressed to the nines. A LIMO waits by the curb.

NICK:

Hal, I've had enough surprises for one day... just tell me where we're going...

Hallie

You're gonna love it, Dad, trust me.

Just then, Elizabeth and Annie step out of the hotel. Elizabeth is wearing the red dress Martin recommended. Nick tries not to admire her too openly.

NICK:

Hey... Hi.

ELIZABETH:

Hi. So do you know where they're taking us?

NICK:

She won't crack.

Annie

(as they cross to Limo, hands them eye shades)

Okay, now put these on. You can take them off when we reach our destination.

NICK:

We're going in a limo?

Hallie

You want one of us to drive?

(off Nick's look)

Please, indulge us.

A DARK STREET - NIGHT

A FOGHORN sounds, as the Limo pulls to a stop. The Girls hurry out.

107

Annie

Okay, you can take them off.

Nick and Elizabeth exit, taking off their blindfolds. Their eyes widen as they look ahead and SEE:

AN EXQUISITE 150 FOOT YACHT

all lit up and bobbing gently in the sparkling Bay.

Hallie

She's ours for the night.

NICK:

And exactly how are we paying for her?

Annie

Hallie and I pooled our allowances.

Nick and Elizabeth look at her doubtfully.

Annie

Okay, Grandfather pitched in a bit. (they continue looking at her) Okay, he pitched in a lot.

Nick and Elizabeth exchange a quizzical look, as they follow -the Girls down the steps to the DECK, where a Uniformed Captain welcomes them aboard.

Hallie

okay folks, right this way...

Hallie and Annie open a pair of DOUBLE DOORS:

Hallie

Ta da’

And in front of them, they SEE:

AN ROMANTIC DINING ROOM

where a candle-lit table is set for two. The windows reveal the San Francisco Bay, lit by the yacht's twinkling lights.

NICK:

The table's only set for two.

Annie

That's the other part of the surprise we're not joining you.

108

ELIZABETH:

You're not?

The Girls smile and shake their heads as Chessy ENTERS, dressed as a Ship's Steward, in tropical white.

CHESSY:

No, but I am. Good evening, I'm Chessy, I'll be your server tonight. No wisecracks please.'

At that moment, out steps Martin, also dressed in ship's whites and carrying a bottle of champagne.

MARTIN:

And I'm Martin, your Sommelier. May I offer you both a taste of the bubbly in hopes that you'll get a little snickered and won't can this lovely lady and myself for following the orders of two eleven year-olds...

CHESSY:

Annie, mood music, if you please.

Annie pushes a few buttons and the LIGHTS DIM. Moonlight spills into the room as we HEAR Sade's Smooth Oper-ator play over the cabin's speakers.

Annie

(like a hypnotist)

Relax... Sail through time...

Hallie

-- Back to yesteryear...

The Girls disappear behind double doors, leaving Nick and Elizabeth looking thoroughly confused. Chessy approaches with a tray of hors d'oeuvres.

CHESSY:

You don't get it, do you? Smooth Oper-ator...'Big hit in 186 ... The year you two met... Hors d'oeuvre?

ELIZABETH:

So, that's what this is all about.

Nick notices a LIFE RAFT with a homemade sign that says QE2 hanging on the wall.

1 09

NICK:

They're recreating the night we met ...

The boat... the music ...

CHESSY:

(points to herself)

The help.

'ELIZABETH

(a little misty-eyed)

it's incredibly sweet.

NICK:

Martin, I think I'll have that drink.

Martin pours them both champagne, then he and Chessy slip away.

NICK:

To tell you the truth, I haven't been on a boat since the -QE2.

ELIZABETH:

Neither have 1.

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