_A NORTHERN EXPOSURE VALENTINE: TO THE BETTER END

A NORTHERN EXPOSURE VALENTINE: TO THE BETTER END

FADE IN:

EXT. FOREST - NIGHT

We HEAR the music, Artie Shaw’s “Nightmare.” The

CAMERA PANS a surreal looking forest; the trees have

clock faces and long pendulums which keep time to the music.

MAGGIE’S POV - AN ENGLISH STYLE BABY CARRIAGE

MAGGIE is chasing the carriage through the forest.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MAGGIE’S BEDROOM - MORNING - ANGLE ON MAGGIE

MAGGIE bolts upright from a sleeping position. She looks

at her clock radio which reads 7:00 and falls back on her bed.

MAGGIE

Oh no! Not again.

TITLES BEGIN

INT. KBHR RADIO STUDIO - MORNING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS is sitting at the microphone with a copy of Freud’s

Interpretation of Dreams.

CHRIS

Good morning Cicelians and thank you Artie Shaw for that rendition of

Nightmare. I trust that everyone slept

well last night. How do you feel about

dreams? Do they represent, as Freud

suggested, wish fulfillment of the

individual’s unconscious, or do you take the Jungian view that dreams are

archetypes which result from the

collective unconscious? Or are dreams

the result of neurons randomly firing?

(sips some coffee)

It is Thursday, January twenty-ninth,

Nineteen ninety-eight, a few

minutes after seven o’clock.

(MORE)

CHRIS (CONT’D)

This is Chris in the morning with

announcements from the KBHR Cicely

Community Calendar. Our first item is

today’s baby shower for Doc and Mrs.

Capra to be hosted by Shelly and Holling.

Bring those booties, blankets, and

bottles to the Brick at four PM. Herbal

Tea will be served. (beat)

Our next announcement, highlighting the

social season of the Borough of Arrowhead County, is the greatly anticipated

marriage of Maurice Minnifield and

Sergeant Barbara Semanski this Sunday,

February first at eleven in the morning.

(sips coffee)

For those of you who may not be fully

informed of the progress of the

Minnifield dash Semanski nuptials, it

began roughly four years ago when the

boss first popped the question to the

lady in blue. Since that time, she has

been stricken with two severe attacks of

popsicle toes as the invitations were

being printed; let’s hope that third

time will be the charm. Special guests include Maurice’s extended family from

Korea and Barbara’s twin sister Debbie.

Adam will be catering the luncheon and

Cal will provide music during the

ceremony with yours truly officiating.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - MORNING - CAMERA PANS THE CUSTOMERS AT

THE BAR

HOLLING is pouring coffee while MAURICE and others are sitting at the bar, eating breakfast and listening to the VOICE OVER from CHRIS on the radio.

CHRIS (V.O.)

I’ve been thinking about a gift for

the happy couple and, well, let’s face

it, what can I give to Maurice and

Barbara? So, dear listeners, if you

will bear with me, I will be, starting

tomorrow, devoting the next three days

to continuous programming of show tunes

from the Broadway stage to the silver

screen.

The CAMERA ZOOMS to MAURICE who smiles broadly while other patrons in the Brick groan.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - MORNING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS

The wedding preparations have given me

a chance to review the thoughts of other

great thinkers on love and marriage.

Plato remarked, “At the touch of love

everyone becomes a poet.” Sammy Cahn

said “Love and marriage, love and

marriage, go together like a horse and

carriage.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning

wrote, “How do I love thee? Let me count

the ways.” Christopher Marlowe penned

“Come live with me and be my love, And we

will all the pleasures prove. . .” Of

course Shakespeare had quite a bit to say

about love; don’t get him started. And

while we’re on the subject, Maggie, this

one’s for you.

CHRIS inserts a cassette into the radio console. We

HEAR the song, “Wedding Bell Blues” as sung by Laura Nyro.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE CAPRA’S CABIN - MORNING - CAMERA PANS THE BREAKFAST TABLE

PHIL, WERNER AND ELLIE THOMPSON are seated at the table; MICHELLE, visibly pregnant, is serving cinnamon rolls. We continue to HEAR “Wedding Bell Blues.” ANGLE on MICHELLE.

MICHELLE

Werner, Ellie, cinnamon rolls?

ELLIE

These look wonderful.

(She takes one.)

MICHELLE

Well Phil, what do you think? Sounds

like a wedding proposal to me. Maggie

hasn’t said a word to me about this.

PHIL

I don’t know Michelle. Chris hasn’t said

anything to me either. Still, they’ve been

a couple just about as long as we’ve been

here.

WERNER

That’s almost five years isn’t it?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CICELY AIR STRIP - LATE MORNING - ANGLE ON BARBARA

AND MAURICE

MAURICE and BARBARA are watching as MAGGIE lands her plane. MAURICE’S relatives disembark.

MAURICE

Welcome to Cicely. Barbara, I would like

you to meet my son, Duk Won and his wife

Soon Ae; This is Duk Won’s son, Bon Joo

and who do we have here?

BON JOO

Grandfather, I wish to introduce you to

my wife, Cha Rim, and our son, Maurice.

MAURICE

Did you hear that, Barbara, his name is

Maurice!

BARBARA

I am very pleased to meet all of you.

DUK WON

And I am very pleased to meet you

Ms. Semanski.

MAURICE

Duk Won, you’re speaking English!

DUK WON

Yes father. Soon Ae and I decided to take lessons; we wanted to understand your

wedding.

MAURICE

Barbara and I are invited to a baby

shower this afternoon. I would be

(MORE)

MAURICE (CONT’D)

delighted if you came, too. Okay, let’s

get this show on the road; everyone into the Suburban!

(to MAGGIE)

Thanks Maggie for bringing my family home safely.

MAURICE, BARBARA and his KOREAN FAMILY begin filling

the Suburban.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - NOON - CAMERA PANS THE LUNCH CROWD SITTING AT THE BAR

MAGGIE is seated at the bar. SHELLY, eight months pregnant, is working behind the bar, approaches MAGGIE with a coffee pot. RUTH-ANNE is sitting next to MAGGIE. There is an empty stool on the other side of MAGGIE.

We HEAR the radio playing “This Time the Dream is on Me.” ANGLE on SHELLY. SHELLY

Hi Maggie. What can I get you for lunch?

MAGGIE

A cup of coffee, the hard stuff, would

be just fine, and a tuna salad sandwich on

wheat.

SHELLY

Coming right up.

(pours coffee.)

So, Maggie, have you given Chris your

answer.

MAGGIE

To what?

SHELLY

Didn’t you hear Chris this morning on the

radio? He practically asked you to marry

him. First he talks about love and then

reads poetry and then dedicates The

“Wedding Bell Blues” to you. Sure sounded

like a proposal to me. What did you think, Ruth-Anne?

RUTH-ANNE

Maggie, I think Shelly is right; although

I preferred the Fifth Dimension’s version (MORE)

RUTH-ANNE (CONT’D)

better. Have you seen my first great

grandchild’s baby pictures?

RUTH-ANNE hands the pictures to MAGGIE. She looks at the photographs.

MAGGIE

Oh, that.

SHELLY

Yes, that. So, what are you going to

tell him?

MAGGIE I don’t know. I have to think about it.

SHELLY

Well, think fast; here he comes.

RUTH-ANNE leaves. CHRIS returns to his seat on the other side of MAGGIE.

SHELLY

Can I get you anything else?

CHRIS

No, Shelly, I’m full.

SHELLY clears his plate and returns to the kitchen. ANGLE on CHRIS and MAGGIE.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

(to MAGGIE)

About this morning, I’m sorry, I should

have spoken to you privately. Sometimes

when I’m working, I imagine that I’m

talking just to you.

MAGGIE

Chris ... I don’t know what to say. I’ve

been so content these past few years

with things just the way they are, I

hadn’t thought about taking the

relationship any further. Marriage is a

very big step and, oh, I don’t know.

CHRIS

Is it the O’Connell curse? Are you

afraid that something might happen to me

once we made a commitment and lived under

the same roof?

MAGGIE

Do you believe that nonsense? There is no

such thing as a curse. Everything occurs

as a matter of probability. My having a relationship with Rick and the others was

purely a coincidence. Besides, even if

there is such as thing as a curse, I

cured Mike Monroe and, as far as I know,

Fleishman is still living.

CHRIS

I don’t want to pressure you. Let’s take

it nice and easy.

CHRIS gets up from the stool.

MAGGIE

Chris, this is so sudden and it’s such a surprise, can you give me some time?

CHRIS

I’m not going anywhere.

CHRIS exits The Brick and SHELLY rushes back to MAGGIE.

SHELLY returns from the kitchen with MAGGIE’S sandwich.

SHELLY

So Maggie, what happened? Have you set a

date? Can I do your wedding shower?

MAGGIE

When I came in here today, it was for a

cup of coffee and a sandwich. Now I am

facing the biggest decision of my life

and I want it to be right.

(beat)

Did I ever tell you about the dream I had

after Rick died? Well, in the dream, I

met Rick at the Grosse Point Country Club

which was substituting for heaven. He told me that he had met all of my

deceased boyfriends and thought that

I would be better off with someone more

stable, like Fleishman.

SHELLY

I have really tried to hang with Barbara,

but I just don’t get that chick. Here it

is the biggest day of her life, getting

hitched to Maurice and she wouldn’t let

me do her wedding shower.

MAGGIE

Maybe I should have married him; but he

wouldn’t have been happy staying in

Cicely and I couldn’t live in New York.

SHELLY

Do you know what she said?

MAGGIE

It’s been over four years since he left

and it probably was for the best, but I

still feel badly about how we ended;

there was so much emotional energy

invested in that relationship.

SHELLY

She said that a wedding shower for her

and Maurice was superfluous. So I

suggested a personal shower, you know,

undies and lacy nighties and she said

that was just plain silly. She asked me

to be her bridesmaid and so far, I’ve

done diddly.

MAGGIE

Shelly, thanks for listening. I’ve got

to run. I’ll see you later.

MAGGIE places money on the counter and leaves.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE BRICK - DAY - ANGLE ON PHIL AND MICHELLE

MICHELLE, nine months pregnant, is having some difficulty walking on the icy sidewalk. PHIL is helping her to enter The Brick.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - DAY - 4:01 PM - CAMERA PANS GUESTS

The shower GUESTS are sitting on chairs in a circle; shower gifts are stacked on the bar. Shelly is holding a tape measure. ANGLE on SHELLY and MICHELLE.

SHELLY

Holling and I want to thank all of you for coming to Michelle and Phil’s shower

for the baby girl Capra. You know

they’re keeping her name a secret?

Anyway, the first game we’re going

(MORE)

SHELLY (CONT’D)

to play will be to guess the actual size,

in inches, of Michelle’s waist. I’ll pass

paper around for all of you to write

your best guess.

THE CAMERA PANS the reaction of the GUESTS and focuses on MAGGIE who is seated in between EVE and MARILYN who is accompanied by MR. BELLATI.

EVE

Have you noticed all of the babies in the

room? I’m five months pregnant, Michelle

is due next week, and Shelly is due in

mid-February.

RON

Erick and I are on a waiting list for an adoption.

MAURICE

(muttering to Barbara)

Just what this town needs is the two of

them raising a child together.

MARILYN

We’re going to have a baby in six months.

MR. BELLATI squeezes MARILYN’S hand and smiles proudly.

EVE

That’s wonderful news. Are you taking

your prenatal vitamins? Have you had any morning sickness? You cannot believe how

ill I was with Aldrich and now with this

one. You really must keep your blood

sugar even because you don’t want to risk

gestational diabetes.

The CAMERA focuses on MAGGIE as she rises and signals to

CHRIS to join her at the pool table.

INT. THE POOL TABLE - AFTERNOON - CLOSE ANGLE ON CHRIS AND

MAGGIE

CHRIS

Maggie, are you okay?

MAGGIE

I’m fine. Chris, let’s get married. Soon.

CHRIS Valentine’s Day is in two weeks. How does

that sound?

MAGGIE

Perfect.

CHRIS and MAGGIE hug and kiss, briefly. They return to the baby shower, hand and hand.

INT. THE BRICK - AFTERNOON- ANGLE ON MICHELLE AND SHELLY

SHELLY

Now, has everyone turned in their guesses?

Okay, Michelle here is the tape.

SHELLY hands the measuring tape to MICHELLE. ANGLE SHIFTS

FROM MICHELLE to CHRIS as he makes his announcement.

CHRIS

Excuse me Shelly, but I have an important

announcement to make. Maggie and I are

going to be married on Valentine’s Day.

The CAMERA PANS the baby shower GUESTS for their reaction, then focuses on HOLLING.

HOLLING

This calls for a celebration. Seems to

me we have a bottle of genuine French

champagne behind the bar.

While HOLLING walks behind the bar, the guests are congratulating CHRIS and MAGGIE. The CAMERA returns to EVE and MARILYN.

EVE

(to MARILYN)

Do you have your birth plan finalized

yet? Are you taking Lamaze or Bradley

method classes for childbirth?

HOLLING is pouring champagne into glasses. ANGLE on

HOLLING.

HOLLING

(Raising his glass)

To Chris and Maggie! I can only hope

that you will be as happy as Shelly and I

have been.

MAURICE raises his glass. ANGLE on MAURICE.

MAURICE

To Maggie and Chris! I wish you good

health and prosperity and the kind of

happiness I have come to know with

MICHELLE shrieks and grabs her stomach.

MAURICE (CONT’D)

Barbara.

The CAMERA ZOOMS to MICHELLE who is gasping and very uncomfortable. ANGLE on PHIL, MICHELLE and ED.

PHIL

(to ED)

Help me take Michelle to the office.

(to MICHELLE)

Honey, can you stand up? I want to take

you to the office so I can do an

examination, okay?

MICHELLE

I think I can make it.

MICHELLE gets up slowly with ED and PHIL helping her.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE- WAITING ROOM - A FEW MINUTES LATER

The CAMERA PANS the GUESTS who are seated in the waiting room. The door opens and PHIL comes out of the examining room and approaches MAGGIE. ANGLE on PHIL and MAGGIE.

PHIL

Maggie, Can you take us to Anchorage?

Our baby is still in the breech position;

I think this is false or preterm labor,

but I will not take any chances with

Michelle and the baby.

MAGGIE

It’s clear, no storms are expected and

there’s a full moon. Let’s go.

PHIL

Are you absolutely sure?

MAGGIE

I’m certified to fly using instruments.

Rick and I used to make midnight flights

to Sitka regularly. We’ll be fine.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MAIN STREET - NIGHT - LATER THAT SAME EVENING

ANGLE on MAGGIE’S TRUCK as she is driving into a parking spot in front of the Brick. We HEAR CHRIS on the radio.

CHRIS (V.O.)

This is a dedication from Hayden Keyes to Marsha. Hayden will miss you while you

are visiting your mother in Florida.

(beat)

Why Hayden, you sly devil, who would have

thought there beat the heart of a true

romantic under that seemingly tough hide

of yours?

We HEAR the song, “I’ll be Seeing You” as sung by Frank Sinatra.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MAGGIE’S TRUCK - NIGHT - ANGLE ON MAGGIE

MAGGIE is seated in the truck listening to the radio. We continue to HEAR the song, “I’ll be Seeing You.” When Frank Sinatra refers to that small cafe, MAGGIE is suddenly flooded by a montage of memories of JOEL.

DISSOLVE TO:

MONTAGE:

A. The first time they met when JOEL thought MAGGIE was propositioning him.

B. The day JOEL dared MAGGIE to punch him in the nose and she did.

C. The day JOEL proposed marriage on the airplane.

D. MAGGIE breaking their engagement.

E. The last time MAGGIE saw JOEL and he asked her to come to New York City and she said no.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MAGGIE’S TRUCK - NIGHT - CLOSE ANGLE ON MAGGIE

MAGGIE is still seated in her truck. We continue to HEAR

the song, “I’ll be Seeing You.” As the song ends with

“I’ll be looking at the moon, but I’ll be seeing you.”

MAGGIE grabs a tissue and dabs her eyes before leaving. As she gets out of the truck, she looks up at the moon and heads for The Brick.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - NIGHT - CAMERA PANS EVENING CROWD

MAGGIE has just walked in and is removing her coat. SHELLY rushes up to her. ANGLE on SHELLY, HOLLING, and MAURICE.

SHELLY

(singing)

Maggie’s back from her flight. What news

can you tell us of their plight?

The CAMERA PANS the crowd reaction to SHELLY’S singing. HOLLING comes to her side.

HOLLING

(to MAURICE’S relatives)

When Shelly is pregnant and anxious, she

sings. This happened with our Miranda.

MAURICE

Maggie, how is she?

MAGGIE

Michelle is fine, basically. Phil was

right. As soon as we got to Anchorage,

she stopped her labor. She was dilated

less than two centimeters. But, the

baby is still in the breech position. So

both Phil and the OB on call want her to stay. They think she’ll have the baby

very soon and so Phil naturally wants to

be with her.

SHELLY

(singing to the tune of

St. Louis Blues)

Oh, no! I hate to see Doc Capra leave

this town.

SHELLY

Oh, yes! I hate to see Doc Capra leave

this town.

What happens when my labor comes around?

(to MAURICE)

Oh, Maurice, what is Cicely going to do?

Yes, Maurice, what is Cicely going to do?

(MORE)

SHELLY (CONT’D)

Let’s call Dr. Joel to come for a day or

two.

I’ve got the Cicely Blues, we’re

Doctorless again ...

MAURICE

(interrupting her)

That’s not a bad idea Shelly. I want

this weekend to be perfect.

MAURICE removes his cell phone and dials information.

MAURICE (CONT’D)

Information. I am looking for a Doctor

Joel Fleishman, probably in Manhattan,

New York City.

CUT TO:

EXT. MANHATTAN STREET - NIGHT - ANGLE ON JOEL AND ELAINE

JOEL and ELAINE are walking down the street.

JOEL

(pointing to the moon)

Elaine, isn’t the moon especially

beautiful tonight? I never really

appreciated the moon until I lived in

Alaska. I remember the night I was

stranded and met Adam for the first time, there was this giant full moon. Then

there was this other time the tribe

wanted to adopt me and I went through

this purification ritual that involved

spending the night outside with Ed.

ELAINE

Joey, do you ever miss Alaska?

JOEL

Sometimes. While I was there, I never

thought I would ever miss the place, but

after living in Cicely for almost five

years, it almost became home. I miss

the people...

ELAINE

(interrupting)

Should we register at Bloomingdales

tomorrow, before we go to Hawaii?

JOEL

Let’s wait until we come back and are

officially engaged.

JOEL puts his arm around ELAINE and hugs her.

JOEL (CONT’D)

Oh! My beeper just went off.

JOEL pulls the beeper out of his pocket and reads the number.

JOEL (CONT’D)

This is an amazing coincidence. We were just talking about Alaska and this

is a message from Cicely! Let’s go home.

Taxi!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. BRICK - NIGHT- CLOSE ANGLE ON MAURICE

MAURICE is speaking on his cell phone.

MAURICE

Joel, This is Maurice. How are you?

Let me cut to the chase. We’re in a jam here in Cicely. Maggie just flew Dr.

Capra and Michelle to Anchorage so she

can have her baby by C Section. Shelly is

pregnant, too. She just started singing

after they left. Her baby is due next

month. Barbara and I are getting married

this weekend and we really need you. Can

you help us? Son, name your price.

(listens, nods, smiles)

Maggie checked the airline schedule and

there is a red eye out of Kennedy in two

hours; she can pick you up in Anchorage

at O eight hundred hours. Ron and Erick

will have a room for you at the Sourdough

I assure you that this will only be for a couple of days. Thanks Joel.

(hangs up)

SHELLY

(singing)

Maurice, thanks for what you’ve done.

To fix this problem, you were the one.

MAURICE

Okay people, listen up! This boy gets

first class treatment while he is here.

I have just gone to a lot of trouble and personal expense, I might add, to insure continuity of health care for Cicely.

To that end, I think we should keep a lid

on Chris and Maggie’s wedding plans until

after he leaves.

(finger at MAGGIE)

Remember what happened when you broke

off your engagement to Joel? Now, people,

we don’t want a repeat of that now, do we?

It will only be for a couple of days, so

button up those lips. Bar dismissed!

INT. ED’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING - CAMERA PANS HIS ROOM

ED is sleeping; he suddenly awakens to find ONE WHO WAITS

sitting on a chair. ANGLE on ONE WHO WAITS and ED.

ONE WHO WAITS

Hi Ed.

You’re back.

ED gets up from his bed.

ONE WHO WAITS

Yes, Ed. It took a long time; but I

found your mother.

Who is she? Where is she?

ONE WHO WAITS

Her name is Tina Hendrix and she is a photographer from Sleepmute. She will

be here on Sunday to photograph Maurice’s wedding.

That can’t be. At Christmas, my father

sent me a card.

ED searches through papers on his desk.

ED (CONT’D)

Here it is. He told me that my mother’s

name was Chris Baker and she was from

(MORE)

ED (CONT’D)

Cantwell. How do you know that Tina is

my mother?

ONE WHO WAITS

Recently, I met a woman who just came

over to the other side. Her name is Virginia White Cloud. She worked as a

delivery room nurse and remembered you.

I don’t know what to say.

ONE WHO WAITS

I will see you at the wedding.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ANCHORAGE AIRPORT - DAY - CAMERA PANS THE TERMINAL

MAGGIE is waiting for passengers to arrive. ANGLE on

MAGGIE and JOEL.

MAGGIE

Fleishman!

JOEL

O’Connell!

MAGGIE and JOEL gaze at each other. After a few seconds, they both speak simultaneously.

MAGGIE AND JOEL

How are you?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MAGGIE’S PLANE - MORNING - CLOSE ANGLE ON MAGGIE AND

JOEL

MAGGIE is piloting her plane and JOEL is sitting in the passenger seat.

MAGGIE

Thanks for coming. The whole town is

so grateful to you for helping us out.

JOEL

I’m glad I could help. You know it’s

been a long time.

MAGGIE

(nervously)

Yes, it has. So much has happened since

you’ve been gone. Mr. Bellati returned

to Cicely and married Marilyn. They’re

going to have a baby in six months. Ron

and Erick are on a waiting list to adopt.

Eve is pregnant and of course you heard

about Shelly and Michelle last night.

The big news is Maurice’s wedding to

Barbara. He proposed to her right after

you left and it has taken this long to

tie the knot. She postponed the wedding

date twice. I think she’s afraid to give

up her independence.

JOEL

Remind you of anyone?

MAGGIE

We really need for you to keep an eye

on Ruth-Anne. She was recently

diagnosed with a heart condition. I’m

quite worried about her because Phil

made arrangements for her to have a

treadmill along with other kinds of

cardiac testing and she refused to

go to Anchorage for the appointment. I

think he prescribed some medication for

her, but it seems pretty serious.

Between you and me, I think that Maurice

was concerned more about her than

Shelly; not that he would ever admit

that. So, Fleishman, what’s new with you?

JOEL

Well, I have an endocrinology practice,

but it’s mostly a weight reduction clinic. You’re still flying, I see.

MAGGIE

Is there anyone special in your life?

JOEL

(looking out of the window)

Hey, O’Connell, isn’t that where we

camped when we were stranded?

MAGGIE

That’s right. You fixed my plane.

JOEL

That was the first and last time I’ve

eaten roasted squirrel. How is Ed?

MAGGIE

Ed was accepted into the Director’s Guild Apprenticeship program, but he is

uncertain as to whether he wants to leave

Cicely and pursue his directing career or

stay here and be a shaman. Fortunately,

he has until this summer to make up his

mind. He still works for Ruth-Anne and

Maurice.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MAGGIE’S TRUCK - MORNING - ANGLE ON MAGGIE’S TRUCK

JOEL and MAGGIE are returning to Cicely. We HEAR

CHRIS on the radio.

CHRIS (V.O.)

This is Chris in the Morning on KBHR, it

is Friday, January thirtieth, nineteen

ninety eight and the time is ten forty

five. At this time, the town of Cicely

would like to extend an extremely warm

and thankful hello to our former town doc,

Joel Fleishman. This one is for you.

We HEAR the song, “NEW YORK, NEW YORK,” as sung by Liza Minelli. MAGGIE parks the truck in front of the medical office. JOEL departs with luggage. MAGGIE assists. JOEL enters the office.

INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY - CAMERA PANS THE PATIENTS

Among the patients seated is RUTH-ANNE and WALT, SHELLY

and HOLLING. MARILYN is seated at her desk. ANGLE on MARILYN AND JOEL.

JOEL

Hi Marilyn.

MARILYN

We’re almost out of urine cups. Should I

order more?

JOEL

By all means, please do. Looks like we

have a full house; I better get started.

JOEL takes a stack of patient charts into the examining room.

MARILYN

Number One.

RUTH-ANNE

Walt, I guess that’s me.

RUTH-ANNE exits to the examining room.

INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE - ANGLE ON JOEL AND RUTH-ANNE

JOEL is seated behind the desk. RUTH-ANNE is sitting

in a chair in front of the desk.

JOEL

Ruth-Anne. I’m so glad to see you. I’ve

really enjoyed your commentaries on

National Public Radio. What brings you to

the office today?

RUTH-ANNE

Well, I haven’t been feeling so good

lately. I saw Dr. Capra last week and

he took, well, it seemed like a pint of

blood in a bunch of little vials and told

me to come back today for test results.

JOEL

(reviewing the chart)

Well, let’s see what we have here. He

ran blood chemistries, serological

studies, and a complete blood count.

JOEL gets up from his chair and goes over to the door.

JOEL (CONT’D)

Walt, would you like to come in for

minute?

WALT enters the office and sits in a chair next to

RUTH-ANNE facing the desk.

JOEL

Ruth-Anne, I asked Walt to come in

because these test results are not good.

RUTH-ANNE

Does this have anything to do with my

heart?

JOEL

Well, not exactly. There is a reason

you have felt poorly and very tired

lately, besides your heart condition.

I believe you may have a form of leukemia.

With further, more precise testing we

will know for sure what it is. Your

platelet count is quite abnormal as well

as your white blood cell count. Now, what

I would recommend is that we have Marilyn schedule a bone marrow biopsy in

Anchorage next week, to confirm this

diagnosis.

RUTH-ANNE

I’ll do no such thing. I am eighty years

old. If I am sick, if I am dying, I want

to stay right here in Cicely. I don’t

want to go to Anchorage and be surrounded

by strangers and there is nothing either

of you can say to change my mind.

WALT

Ruth-Anne, if that is how you feel than

it is okay by me. But I would like to

ask you a question. Something, I should

have asked you a long time ago.

RUTH-ANNE

Yes, Walt.

WALT

Will you marry me?

RUTH-ANNE

Oh! What a surprise. Yes. Walt I would

be most honored to marry you.

WALT

Joel, how long will it take for us to

get the necessary blood tests for a license? I’ve waited this long to

propose and I want to do it by the book.

JOEL

Well, under these circumstances, I can

draw your blood now and have Maggie fly

the samples to Anchorage today or tomorrow. We should have the results by

next week. But, I think you should

pursue the biopsy; with proper treatment,

we can buy time and extend your life.

RUTH-ANNE

I feel like I’m having deja vu all over

again. First Dr. Capra wants me to go

to Anchorage for a treadmill and who

knows what else and now you want to

put me in a hospital and have a

biopsy. Please Joel, bear with me;

I’m of sound mind and I know what

I am doing. Besides, I have a wedding

to plan.

WALT

How does a week from tomorrow sound?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY - A FEW MINUTES LATER - ANGLE ON

MARILYN

MARILYN is seated at her desk, knitting. RUTH-ANNE and WALT are departing. RUTH-ANNE hands MARILYN the blood samples and lab slips.

MARILYN

Congratulations. I’ll call Maggie.

RUTH-ANNE and WALT depart.

MARILYN (CONT’D)

Number Two.

SHELLY and HOLLING rise and walk over to the office door.

INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE - DAY - ANGLE ON JOEL

JOEL

Shelly and Holling. It is so good to

see you. How is Miranda? What brings you

here today?

HOLLING

I am speaking for Shelly because she

started singing last night. Dr. Capra

wanted her to be examined every Friday

now that we’re in the home stretch.

JOEL

Other than singing, which seems to be one

of Shelly’s idiosyncracies, has the

pregnancy been going well?

(MORE)

JOEL (CONT’D)

(motioning to Shelly)

Why don’t you sit on the table and we’ll

take a listen.

JOEL unwraps a portable fetal monitor device.

SHELLY

Actually, Dr. F, I’ve been just fine.

HOLLING

Shelly, you’ve stopped singing!

(hugs SHELLY)

JOEL

I wish I could cure all of my patients

this easily! Have you had a sonogram? An ultrasound test?

SHELLY

Yes. Maggie flew us to Anchorage and we

had the test done. I had to drink a half

gallon of water and just when I thought

I was going to pee in my pants, they

snapped the photos. The little pooper is

going to be a boy! We’re going to name

him Jared. He’s due February fifteenth.

JOEL

Well, Shelly, as you know, due dates are

at best an approximation. Remember Miranda?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY - LATER THAT MORNING - ANGLE ON

MARILYN AND MAGGIE

The waiting room is empty. MAGGIE is standing next to MARILYN’S desk. MARILYN hands her a small box with the blood samples in it.

MAGGIE

I hadn’t even thought of blood tests and

a license yet. I don’t think Maurice

would like Fleishman to draw our blood

samples.

MARILYN

The lab in Anchorage can draw your

blood and run the test.

The door of the office opens and JOEL walks out, holding medical charts. MAGGIE quickly rushes out the door.

JOEL

So, you married Mr. Bellati. What was

his real name?

MARILYN

Bob. Bob Wilson.

JOEL

He’s no longer the flying man in the

circus?

MARILYN

He gave it up, like King Edward the

Seventh and Mrs. Simpson.

JOEL

For the woman he loved. What happened

with Ted? I thought you two were a

steady item?

MARILYN

It wasn’t right. You shouldn’t marry

someone because other people think you

should.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. RUTH-ANNE’S STORE - MORNING - ANGLE ON ED

ED is working behind the counter at the cash register.

He is ringing up a sale for HAYDEN KEYES.

Instant Mashed Potatoes, Apple Sauce,

Tapioca Pudding, Macaroni and Cheese.

Will that be all?

HAYDEN

For today. I can’t wait until Marsha

comes home. Can you put this on my tab?

Sure can, Hayden.

HAYDEN exits the store as RAYNALDO PINETREE enters.

RAYNALDO

Good news Ed. I think I solved the

mystery of your mother.

Boy, did you work fast.

RAYNALDO

Well, it was really pretty easy with

those two names you gave me.

(opens a file folder.)

This is a copy of a birth certificate

from about the time you were born. The

mother’s name is Chris Baker. Here is a

copy of a marriage license from fifteen

years ago. Tina Baker married Jim Hendrix

in Sleepmute. So, I called in a favor

from one of my contacts in Sleepmute

and he determined that Tina is also

called Christina and she is a wedding photographer. My guess is that she was

called Chris in high school. Therefore,

I think I can confirm your source’s

information.

Well, alright! I knew you would find her.

Tomorrow is the wedding. I don’t know

who will be more nervous, Maurice,

Barbara or me.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - NIGHT - THE CAMERA PANS THE CROWD

The Brick is crowded. MAURICE’S relatives are seated next to BARBARA. SHELLY is taking a tray of drinks to a table.

HOLLING is behind the bar pouring a drink. CAL is seated at a two person table in the center of the main room. MAGGIE, CHRIS and DEBBIE enter The Brick. DEBBIE is BARBARA’S identical twin sister. She is very stylishly dressed and has a number of suitcases which are being carried by MAGGIE and CHRIS. We HEAR the radio playing “Some Enchanted Evening.” The Brick is fairly noisy.

ANGLE on BARBARA, MAURICE, and DEBBIE.

BARBARA

Maurice, I would like you to meet my

sister Debbie. Debbie, this is Maurice.

MAURICE

At last we meet. I’ve been waiting so

long for this opportunity. Debbie, I

would like you to meet my son, Duk Won

and his wife Soon Ae. Debbie works as a photography editor for a fashion magazine

in New York City.

SHELLY sees DEBBIE and rushes over to her.

SHELLY

So you’re Debbie. I’m Shelly, your fellow bridesmaid. I’m so very pleased to meet

you. Tell me what is the latest scoop on

the hot colors for Spring? Have you met

Cindy Crawford? What is she really like?

What is your maid of honor dress like?

Mine is kind of lame on account of being

knocked up.

As DEBBIE is about to answer, she is struck by CAL who

is seated by himself at a small table.

DEBBIE Well Shelly, I don’t actually go out on

many photo shoots. I am usually stuck

in the office. Please, excuse me.

Distracted by her attraction to CAL, DEBBIE walks toward

his table. We HEAR the crowd noise soften considerably.

The music is louder. The CAMERA FOLLOWS DEBBIE.

DEBBIE (CONT’D)

You must be Cal. I’m Debbie.

DEBBIE offers her hand. CAL is similarly struck by DEBBIE,

he rises to greet her and takes her hand. CLOSE ANGLE on

DEBBIE and CAL.

CAL

I never knew Officer Semanski had a

twin sister. Please, sit down.

DEBBIE and CAl sit down and are transfixed by the other.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - MORNING - THE NEXT DAY - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS

Good morning Cicelians. It is Sunday,

February first and in two hours we are

going to have a wedding! I know this

selection isn’t terribly original, but,

it just seems so right.

CHRIS inserts a cassette into the radio console. We HEAR “GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME” during the following SERIES OF SHOTS.

DISSOLVE TO:

SERIES OF SHOTS:

A. DEBBIE zipping the back of BARBARA’S wedding dress.

B. RON and ERICK arranging flowers in the church.

C. CAL tuning his violin.

D. MAURICE tying his tie.

E. SHELLY brushing MIRANDA’S hair.

F. ADAM, chopping onions while being assisted by MR. BELLATI and EUGENE who are bustling in MAURICE’S kitchen.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SHELLY AND HOLLING’S LIVING ROOM - DAY - ANGLE ON SHELLY

SHELLY

(putting on her coat)

Holling, I’m going over to put a load of washing in the dryer before the wedding. Okay, Babe? Keep an eye on Randi. I

don’t want her to mess up her dress.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. LAUNDROMAT - DAY - FEW MINUTES LATER - ANGLE ON JARED

SHELLY enters the laundromat and notices a young man sorting socks and underwear into piles. A suitcase

is nearby. ANGLE on SHELLY and JARED.

SHELLY

Hi! Are you new in town?

JARED

No, Mam. I’ve lived here all of my life,

except for college; I went to UCLA. My

name is Jared.

JARED offers his hand. SHELLY shakes his hand. She

walks over to the washer and starts to put the laundry

in a basket.

SHELLY

Excuse me for being so nosy, but do you

like your name? When this baby is born

we plan to name him Jared.

JARED

It’s an okay name. I’m awfully glad that

my name is Jared Maurice and not Maurice

Jared. SHELLY

Are you going someplace?

JARED

Today, I’ll be leaving Cicely for

Florida. Spring Training, with the

Dodgers.

SHELLY

You’re a baseball player. That’s cool.

What position do you play?

JARED

Left Handed Pitcher.

SHELLY

How does your family feel about this?

JARED

Well, my Dad is no longer living. But I

think he’d be happy. He wasn’t much of

an athlete. He never showed me how to

throw a fastball or hit a hanging

curveball, but he was always there

whenever I had a game. He was so

encouraging and I really miss him.

SHELLY

What about your mom?

JARED

Mom is just great. My number one

cheerleader. You know she came down to

LA for my graduation and the guys thought

she was my older sister, Randi.

SHELLY

Oh.

JARED

Well, I better get going.

(walks to the door)

It was nice meeting you.

SHELLY

Good Luck. I hope you make the team!

(beat, then loudly)

Wait a minute, when is your birthday?

JARED is already out the door and doesn’t answer her. As SHELLY finishes loading the dryer, she has tears in

her eyes.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE CHURCH - DAY - ANGLE ON ED, TINA AND ONE WHO WAITS

ED is helping TINA with her camera equipment. ONE WHO WAITS is standing nearby observing.

TINA

Thanks Ed. I really appreciate your

help with this tripod.

What kind of film are you planning on

shooting?

TINA

400 ASA

A good choice.

TINA

Do you take photographs?

Not still photographs. I shoot movies.

ONE WHO WAITS

(to ED)

Ed. Ask her if she is your mother.

(whispering)

I can’t. I have to work up my nerve.

TINA

Did you say something?

Yes. Would you like me to load film for

you?

TINA

Sure. That would be just great. Thanks.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. CHURCH THE WEDDING - DAY - THE CAMERA PANS THE

CHURCH

CHRIS is standing at the altar. CAL is finishing a lovely

violin solo. Both HOLLING, DUK WON, and MAURICE are wearing formal clothing.

We HEAR the Wedding Processional, as performed by a String Quartet, begin with the various members of the bridal party entering the church. First, MIRANDA and ALDRICH as the flower girl and ring bearer. Next comes SHELLY and later, DEBBIE. As BARBARA enters the church, the guests rise and are impressed by how lovely she looks in her wedding dress. MAURICE is beaming. He is flanked by HOLLING, his best man. TINA is snapping pictures. ANGLE on CHRIS.

CHRIS

Welcome family, friends and honored

guests. It is with great pleasure that

I invite you to witness this wedding

ceremony between Barbara Semanski and

Maurice Minnifield. At such a glorious

occasion as this, I am reminded of the

advice from Ralph Waldo Emerson as

recorded in his poem, Give all to Love.

Give all to love;

Obey thy heart;

Friends, kindred, days,

Estate, good fame

Plans, credit and the muse

Nothing refuse.

Tis a brave master;

Let it have scope

Follow it utterly,

We suddenly HEAR a very loud shriek coming from SHELLY.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

Hope beyond hope.

The CAMERA ZOOMS from CHRIS to SHELLY who is doubled over and gasping. JOEL, who was in attendance rushes to the altar to assist SHELLY. ANGLE ON SHELLY and JOEL.

SHELLY

Dr. F. The baby is coming. Real soon.

I can’t leave. Maurice, I’m so sorry!

JOEL

Excuse me Chris, I think we should clear

the church. Marilyn, can you bring me

the obstetrics kit. Holling, do you

remember your childbirth coaching duties?

I’ll get my camera.

MAURICE

(to BARBARA)

Just once. Just once I would like to see

us get through a wedding without an interruption. We might as well go over

to the Brick and cool our heels there.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MAURICE’S KITCHEN - DAY- CAMERA PANS THE THREE COOKS

ADAM, MR. BELLATI, and EUGENE are preparing the wedding

luncheon. ANGLE on ADAM.

ADAM

Eve. What have you done to me? Why am I

here in this geographical ice box? I

should be in the south of France,

preparing haute cuisine, instead I’m in

this kitchen, catering a wedding with

Harpo and Chico; neither of whom, I can

be assured know the difference between a

demi-glace and a hockey puck.

ADAM interrupts his monologue to focus on MR. BELLATI who is beginning to cut romaine lettuce with a knife. He walks over and begins demonstrating how to tear lettuce.

ADAM (CONT’D)

What are you doing? This isn’t slaw for

the lunch crowd at the Brick. This is

romaine lettuce for a Caesar salad.

You gently dampen the leaves, pat them dry and ever so carefully, tear the leaves.

No knives. Okay?

Adam walks over to the stove to stir a pot.

ADAM (CONT’D)

Caesar salad. How mundane. A salad

gracing most restaurants and half the fast

food franchises in the U.S. Maurice, who

should know better, left the menu to that

(MORE)

ADAM (CONT’D)

woman. Where did she learn about fine

dining, from the fallen arches?

Adam returns to the chopping board.

ADAM (CONT’D)

Not only that, she insisted upon bottled dressing. What’s a little Salmonella

among friends? We have a big shot New

York City doctor here to handle any

possible food poisoning. New England Clam Chowder. Why not Manhattan style?

We HEAR the telephone ring. ANGLE on EUGENE and MR. BELLATI.

EUGENE

Hello.

EUGENE listens and hands the receiver to MR. BELLATI. BELLATI. He listens briefly and hangs up. ANGLE on ADAM.

ADAM (CONT’D)

Now why did you give him the telephone?

He doesn’t talk?

EUGENE

Marilyn asked to speak to him.

ADAM

(to Mr. Bellati)

Well, are you going to keep us in

suspense?

MR. BELLATI, an expert pantomimist, points to clam shells to explain that SHELLY, has gone into labor, thereby delaying the wedding. After several attempts, EUGENE and ADAM decipher his message. ANGLE ON MR. BELLATI.

ADAM (CONT’D) Shell. Shelly. Shelly is sick?

EUGENE

Shelly is having the baby ...

EUGENE (CONT’D)

in the church and the ... wedding is

and the wedding is ... delayed!

ADAM

I can see it now. The menu should read

Alaskan beef jerky instead of prime rib.

Prime rib, now how is that for

originality? What does he see in her?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - DAY - FEW MINUTES LATER - THE CAMERA PANS THE BAR AT THE BRICK.

MAURICE and BARBARA are standing next to the bar. HAYDEN

KEYES is behind the bar. RON AND ERICK are next to BARBARA. ANGLE ON BARBARA AND MAURICE.

BARBARA

Maurice, I don’t think I can go through

with the wedding.

MAURICE

Barbara, what are you talking about?

BARBARA

The wedding. The marriage.

MAURICE

Barbara, we’ve been through all of this

before. Please, reconsider. We have

friends and family here. I can’t bear

to have you say this to me.

DEBBIE

Excuse me Maurice. Let me talk to her.

MAURICE

Okay. I think I’ll make a telephone call.

MAURICE leaves the bar. ANGLE on BARBARA, DEBBIE, RON,

and ERICK.

RON

You know Barbara. Maurice saved our

wedding.

ERICK

The night before the wedding, I was all

set to end it. But, he talked me out of

leaving Cicely. He has an awful lot to

offer. Barbara, give him a chance.

DEBBIE

Barbara, this isn’t about Maurice is it?

(MORE)

DEBBIE (CONT’D)

This is really about you.

(pause)

The thought of marrying an authentic

American hero must be a little

intimidating to you.

BARBARA

Yes. You’re right. I’m afraid of losing

control. I won’t be just Officer Semanski

anymore.

DEBBIE

Remember what Mom always asked us?

BARBARA

What’s the worst that could happen?

DEBBIE

That’s right. Think about it. If you

marry Maurice and you’re unhappy, you

can get a divorce. You’re both covered

by the pre-nuptial agreement. You both

move on with your lives. But, at least

you made the attempt. If you don’t marry

him, are you willing to give up the best

thing that has ever happened to you?

Are you willing to possibly spend the

rest of your life alone and cause great

misery to a wonderful person all because

of your pride?

We HEAR CHRIS speaking on the radio.

CHRIS (V.O.)

A news flash from the church, Shelly is

just about ready to deliver. All systems

are go!

(beat)

Moving on to other matters of the nuptial

kind, the boss has asked me to dedicate

the next song to his beloved, Barbara. He

hopes that you will change your mind and reconsider; he humbly realizes that he

isn’t famous for sensitive communication

skills so he is asking you to listen to

Nat King Cole who is.

We HEAR the song, ”I Love you for Sentimental Reasons.” After the first few bars BARBARA walks over to the table where MAURICE is speaking to LESTER HAINES.

BARBARA

Maurice, would you like to dance?

MAURICE

Barbara, I would be delighted.

After the two begin dancing, we HEAR CHRIS on the radio:

CHRIS (V.O.)

We have happy news from the church. Jared

Maurice Vincouer has safely arrived.

Twenty one inches and eight pounds six

ounces. Mother and Dad are doing fine.

The CAMERA PANS the CROWD at The Brick as they applaud the news.

CHRIS (V.O.)

The maternity party is evacuating the

church, so if bride and groom so desire,

let’s have a wedding! However, we will

need a new best man. Any volunteers?

INT. MAURICE’S DINING ROOM - DAY - THE CAMERA PANS THE

DINING ROOM.

ED and HEATHER are seated next to each other at a table.

ONE WHO WAITS is standing nearby. TINA is taking pictures of the guests at the reception. There is a small band playing music. ANGLE ON ED, HEATHER, and ONE WHO WAITS.

That was some wedding wasn’t it? I’ve

never been a best man before.

HEATHER

So, Ed, what have you been doing lately?

Did you ever get your movie about the

shaman made?

ED is suddenly distracted by the sound of laughter. He looks over at the buffet table and sees the DEMON of LOW SELF ESTEEM filling his plate. ANGLE ON THE DEMON.

DEMON

Ed, where did you get the idea that you

could ever have a relationship with

someone like Heather? Look at you.

Better yet, look at her.

(laughs)

Can you believe this spread?

ANGLE on ED and HEATHER.

Heather, I have been selected as an

apprentice for the Director’s Guild in

Los Angeles and no I haven’t made the

movie, yet.

HEATHER

Ed, that is very impressive. I knew you

would do something wonderful with your

talent. Congratulations.

HEATHER leans over to kiss ED on the cheek. The DEMON of LOW SELF ESTEEM begins giggling again. ANGLE on the DEMON.

DEMON

Hey kid! Now what are you going to do?

Do you lie to her or tell her the truth?

Heather, do you realize how much you

hurt me when you used me to get back

at your father?

HEATHER

I am truly sorry, Ed. I was so immature

back then. You know the saying what goes

down comes around?

Yes, I do. Chris calls it the whole

karmic enchilada; Ruth-Anne says every

dog has his day.

HEATHER

Well, believe it or not, in graduate

school, the same thing happened to me.

This guy from a blue blood family from

Boston started dating me and later I

found out it wasn’t because he really

liked me; he just wanted to annoy his

family. That hurt a lot. (pause)

Can I propose a toast?

They lift their glasses of milk.

HEATHER (CONT’D)

To a clean slate.

The CAMERA PANS the wedding festivities. ANGLE on the BAND LEADER.

BAND LEADER

As you know, Maurice hails from the great

state of Oklahoma and has asked us to

play some tunes from the show of the same

name. For those of you who may not be

familiar, this one is called, “People

Will Say We’re in Love.”

We HEAR the band begin to play the song. JOEL approaches

MAGGIE. ANGLE ON JOEL AND MAGGIE.

JOEL

Hey, O’Connell. Would you like to dance?

MAGGIE

(hesitating)

Oh, uh, okay.

MAGGIE looks at CHRIS for help and then back to JOEL.

They begin dancing.

MAGGIE (CONT’D)

We were so pleased that you were here

today. You really helped Shelly and

Holling. I don’t know what we would have done without you.

JOEL

I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

It was so, so symmetrical, delivering

Miranda and now Jared.

CHRIS, sensing MAGGIE’S discomfort, approaches the two while their dancing.

CHRIS

Hey, Joel, you don’t mind if I cut in, do

you?

JOEL

(hesitating, but polite)

Oh, no. Go right ahead.

CHRIS takes MAGGIE’S hand while JOEL returns to his seat.

ANGLE on CHRIS and MAGGIE.

MAGGIE

Thank you for rescuing me. I feel just

awful lying to him.

CHRIS

Maggie, I’m not so sure you’re actually

lying to him. Why, you just haven’t

told him the complete truth.

MAGGIE

I suppose you’re right. You know, this

is just like when I took Joel to Juneau

for the medical convention and I thought

we had made love, but I had just dreamt

that we had. He didn’t tell me the truth for days. I hated him for that. I don’t

want to do that to him.

CHRIS

Well Maggie, I think you have raised a

very interesting question. What is

truth? What is a lie? Are we lying when

we don’t tell the complete truth?

As CHRIS rambles on the subject of truth, MAGGIE is remembering her trip to Juneau and is not paying attention to him.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

I’m not sure this counts as lying, but

I think you can justify your position by

citing the old proverb, Better a lie that

heals than a truth that wounds. Then again

the Bible tells us that the truth will make

us free. What do you think?

MAGGIE

(preoccupied with Juneau)

About what?

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CICELY AIR STRIP- LATER THAT SAME AFTERNOON -

THE CAMERA PANS THE CROWD.

The CICELIANS are assembled to say good bye to BARBARA and MAURICE. Their chartered plane has a Just Married sign. TINA is photographing their departure. The crowd is waving goodbye and throwing confetti at the newlywed couple. ED and HEATHER are standing next to each other; ONE WHO WAITS is standing behind ED. ANGLE ON ONE WHO WAITS, ED, and HEATHER.

ONE WHO WAITS

(to ED)

Ed, you’ve just about wasted an

(MORE)

ONE WHO WAITS (CONT’D)

entire day. When are you going to speak

to her? Heather Haines can wait.

Remember how good you felt when you

finally met your father? Now, go over and

ask her.

(whispering)

You’re right.

HEATHER

Did you say something?

I think I better go and help Tina with

her equipment. I’ll see you later.

ED walks over to TINA and picks up one of her camera cases. They walk over to her minivan. ANGLE on TINA and ED.

TINA

Thanks for helping me today Ed. I really appreciated the help.

Your welcome. Uh, Tina, I was wondering

if I could ask you a personal question?

TINA

Well, I guess so.

What is your blood type?

TINA

(smiling)

It’s AB Negative. Why do you ask?

I have reason to believe you are my

mother.

TINA

(starting to cry)

I am so sorry to have abandoned you.

There hasn’t been a day that has gone by

that I haven’t said a prayer and hoped

that you were okay.

ED and TINA hug. ED continues talking. CLOSE ANGLE

on ED and TINA.

(starting to cry)

I’m so glad to finally meet you. I

turned out okay; the tribe raised me, I

work for Maurice and in Ruth-Anne’s store

and I make movies and I’ve been accepted

as a Director’s Guild Apprentice. I

didn’t want to leave Cicely because I was

afraid I would never find you.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KHBR STUDIO - MORNING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS

Good Morning Cicelians. This is Chris in

the Morning with our Wednesday morning

update on the Capras. The word from

Anchorage is no baby as yet.

(sips coffee)

Kudos to Dr. Fleishman, for his refusal

to abandon his post.

(pause)

On a completely different subject, a marathon quilting bee will begin this

afternoon at the home of Ruth-Anne Miller.

Seems the ladies have plans to finish

this project by Saturday evening in time

for the wedding between Ruth-Anne and

Walt.

(reviewing a clip board)

Volunteers are needed for the after

dinner shift. No experience necessary,

just bring your thimble! To sign up, call

the station. Come on Cicely, duty calls!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. RUTH-ANNE’S LIVING ROOM - DAY - THAT AFTERNOON -

THE CAMERA PANS THE QUILTERS.

MAGGIE, MARILYN, EVE, EDNA HANCOCK, MRS. WHIRLWIND, MRS. NOANUK and SHELLY with JARED in a baby carrier are gathered around a large quilt frame. RUTH-ANNE is pouring tea. ANGLE on RUTH-ANNE and SHELLY.

RUTH-ANNE

Shelly, thank you for substituting

today’s quilting bee for a more

traditional wedding shower.

SHELLY

No problem. What is this quilt pattern

called?

RUTH-ANNE

My mother said it was Bride’s Knot.

EDNA

When I was a little girl, my mother

made one just like this and it was

named Monkey Wrench.

MARILYN

Here it’s called Alaskan Homestead.

EVE

I was in a museum in Boston and it was

entitled Churn Dash.

MRS. WHIRLWIND

Hole in the Barn Door. I saw one like it

in a craft magazine.

MRS. NOANUK

Our family had one, too. My mother named

it Hens and Chickens.

MAGGIE

My grammy gave me one called Aeroplane

after I got my pilot’s license. I lost it

when my house burned down.

SHELLY

I don’t get it. How can one quilt have

so many names?

RUTH-ANNE

Well, Shelly, the names developed in

different regions of the country during

the nineteenth and twentieth century.

SHELLY

Was there a reason your mom was making

you a quilt called Bride’s Knot?

RUTH-ANNE

It was just about sixty years ago to this

day, when Mother finished sewing the

last border onto the quilt. I was

engaged to Bill and we were planning to

be married in a couple of years. He was

(MORE)

RUTH-ANNE (CONT’D)

in college and we wanted to wait until he

graduated. It was in January of nineteen

thirty eight and we were listening to

Benny Goodman’s concert at Carnegie Hall.

It was right after Blue Reverie, a Duke Ellington tune, that my mother got up from the living room sofa and said she

was tired. I remember her saying, with

tongue in cheek, that we could get

married only after she finished it so it

was a good thing we had a long engagement.

She then excused herself saying she

wasn’t feeling well.

EVE

What were her symptoms? Had she been sick

long? Did she have a proper diagnosis?

EDNA

(interrupting)

Please finish your story.

RUTH-ANNE

Well, Bill and I had the best time

listening. We loved to dance and it

was such a special occasion. The first

time Jazz had been played at Carnegie

Hall. It was a treat for fans of

swing music to hear those wonderful

songs. Benny Goodman was a trailblazer

of sorts, he integrated his band at a

time when that just wasn’t done. Seems

silly now to exclude some of the best

musicians on account of race. Anyway,

it was right after Sing, Sing, Sing, did

you know it was so long, it didn’t fit on

one side of a normal 78? I checked on

Mother and she was sleeping. Bill stayed

quite late and finally left after

midnight. The next morning I tried to

wake my mother, but she was dead. That

afternoon, I folded this quilt top and

put it in an old cotton muslin pillowcase.

It traveled with me to England during

the war and went across the United

States after the war and later up here

in Alaska. I always intended to quilt it.

A few weeks ago, I was rummaging through

the attic and decided now was the time to

finish it. With all of you stitching, I

think it will be done by the wedding on

Saturday.

EDNA

Ruth-Anne, will your sons be coming?

RUTH-ANNE

No, unfortunately, Rudy’s wife just had

hip surgery so traveling would be out of

the question. And Matt is in Japan on a

business trip. They both promised to

come in the summer.

SHELLY

You know Maggie, Dr. Fleishman seems

different than when he lived her before.

MAGGIE

Now that you mention it, I noticed that

on the plane ride from Anchorage, he

didn’t flinch when we hit some turbulence.

MARILYN

He was supposed to go to Hawaii, but came

here instead.

SHELLY

(cuddling with JARED)

Well, this guy is awfully glad he came

back.

EVE

When my temperature was elevated to 98.8,

he gave me a thorough examination and

didn’t comment about wasting his time.

RUTH-ANNE

Well, he is still every inch the no

nonsense doctor. Why, he wouldn’t

let me go birdwatching with Walt

yesterday. With one more documented

sighting, I’ll have five hundred.

EDNA

If you ask me, I think coming back

as a short term, handsomely paid

volunteer, rather than a four year hostage probably accounts for this change.

ANGLE on MAGGIE as she is stitching the quilt, we HEAR

the song, “Blue Reverie” and see the following montage of memories from their past:

MONTAGE:

A. The first time MAGGIE kissed JOEL on the cheek while sharing Soapy Sanderson’s bottle of wine.

B. JOEL nibbling on the back of her neck while MAGGIE was trying to pass him off as her boyfriend to impress her father.

C. Their first kiss in the kitchen of The Brick while waiting for the ice to melt.

D. That afternoon in the barn, when their fighting led

JOEL and MAGGIE to a literal roll in the hay.

E. The day in the field when MAGGIE kissed JOEL passionately after her allergic reaction and subsequent obsession with dust mites.

SHELLY

So Maggie, What do you think? Can a

leopard change his stripes? Do you

think a man can change?

MAGGIE

(preoccupied)

Change? Let me get my purse. How

much do you need?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - DAY - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS is sitting at the microphone.

CHRIS

Good Morning Cicely! It is Saturday,

February, seventh, Nineteen ninety

eight. I am pleased to report that on

the maternity front, the Capra’s baby girl arrived very early this morning by

Caesarian section; Roslyn is nineteen

inches and weighs seven and a half pounds.

Well done, Phil and Michelle. Their

estimated time of arrival in Cicely

will be Tuesday afternoon.

(sips some coffee)

Let’s take a peak at the Community

Calendar. Our second wedding this week

will take place at the church between

Ruth-Anne and Walt with a late, post nuptial supper at the Brick. Speaking

of the wedding, flying fingers are

(MORE)

CHRIS (CONT’D)

continuing to make progress on the

wedding quilt. We could use a couple

more happy hands this AM and it will

be finished.

(sips more coffee)

Why a quilt? In this day when we have

indoor heating, manufactured linens and

electric blankets what is the attraction

to bed coverings composed of small pieces

of cloth? Some authorities consider

patchwork quilts to be a truly American

artform, along with jazz. What do you

think? Cicely, the lines are open ...

Walt and Ruth-Anne, this one’s for you.

CHRIS places a cassette into the radio console and we HEAR the song, “Going to the Chapel.”

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. RUTH-ANNE’S STORE - MORNING - THE CAMERA PANS THE

STORE

We continue to HEAR “Going to the Chapel” on the radio.

WALT is behind the cash register and ED is stocking the

shelves. HOLLING enters and approaches WALT. HAYDEN

KEYES is at the counter, renting several videos. ANGLE on WALT and HAYDEN.

WALT

Let’s see, we have Bridges of Madison

County, Wuthering Heights, the one with

Olivier, and An Affair to Remember. She’s

not back yet?

HAYDEN

No. Two more days. I’ll see you

tonight.

HAYDEN exits the store. Holling approaches the register.

ANGLE on WALT and HOLLING.

HOLLING

Walt, do you have any capers here?

Mr. Bellati and Eugene have fallen under

Adam’s spell and are preparing Chicken

Piccata for your wedding supper.

WALT

I haven’t a clue. Ed, how about you?

I’ll check downstairs in the basement.

We just got a new case in last week.

WALT

As long as he is here, we’ll never need

a computer for inventory. A mind like

a steel trap.

HOLLING

Shelly is looking forward to the wedding.

She’s a real fan of weddings. She felt

bad missing Maurice and Barbara’s. All

of that frou-frou of the ceremony is kind

of lost on me. You know, Walt, I’m not

a religious individual, but I have felt

truly blessed by the institution of holy

matrimony. I can only attribute my good

fortune to divine intervention. I really

hope that you find your marriage to be a

source of deep satisfaction and

happiness. Any special plans for

the honeymoon?

WALT

Well, Dr. Fleishman will hardly approve,

but Monday morning we plan to go to

Coffeepot Ridge for a birdwatching

excursion; seems there is a Rufous Sided

Towhee that will make her five hundredth

bird.

ED has returned with a bottle of capers. He hands it to

HOLLING. Walt logs the cost of the capers.

HOLLING

I don’t suppose she told you about the

last time we went out in search of that

very rare bird?

WALT

In glorious detail. But all is forgiven.

HOLLING

Can I come too? What am I asking? I know

it’s hardly the honeymoon you had in mind.

WALT

I think Ruth-Anne would be perfectly

delighted. We could certainly use an

extra pair of eyes. Now, go easy on those capers!

HOLLING

I’ll be seeing you. Good bye Ed.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. JOEL’S ROOM AT THE SOURDOUGH B AND B - MORNING - ANGLE ON JOEL

JOEL is speaking on the telephone with ELAINE.

JOEL

Honey, I’m sorry that I’ve missed the

first week of our vacation, but I have

good news. Phil and Michelle had their

baby this morning. They’re due back in

Cicely on Tuesday. So maybe, by Tuesday

evening we can both be drinking Pina

Coladas, watching the sun set over

Diamond Head. What have you been doing?

ELAINE (V.O.)

Sightseeing. The beach. Botanic gardens.

It’s so beautiful here. Are they keeping

you busy?

JOEL

Well, besides delivering Shelly’s baby,

I delivered another one yesterday; it was

a girl. And we went upriver to do some vaccinations and it seems that half the

town has come for a general physical.

I forgot how interesting a general practice

can be.

ELAINE (V.O.)

How’s Maggie?

JOEL

Except for flying me to Cicely, I’ve

barely seen her. What are you doing

today?

ELAINE (V.O.)

I’m going to an exhibition of orchids

at the University. How about you?

JOEL

Ed and his friend Reynaldo Pinetree are

taking me ice fishing. Tonight Ruth-Anne

and Walt are getting married.

ELAINE (V.O.)

I’ve got to go, I’m going to be late.

JOEL

Good-bye.

ELAINE (V.O.)

Good-bye Joey.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE ICE FISHING HUT - LATER THAT DAY - THE CAMERA

PANS THE GROUP

JOEL, ED and REYNALDO are sitting around a hole with

fishing equipment. ANGLE on JOEL.

JOEL

Ed, I was wondering, if maybe you could

give me some advice as to how to

convince Ruth-Anne to go to Anchorage

for further treatment. What can I

say to persuade her to seek further

help? It’ll buy time for her and Walt.

Well, she can be a pretty tough cookie

sometimes. Do you remember Nedra? She

felt it was her time and she was right.

Maybe Ruth-Anne sees it that way.

JOEL

You’ve seen the movie Love Story; this is

serious, but may be treatable. It doesn’t

have to be her time. Your Uncle, who was

a shaman, went to Anchorage and saw a

specialist and he recovered.

REYNALDO

(looking at fishing line)

Have you considered that you may not

be using the right bait?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE CHURCH - EVENING - THE CAMERA PANS THE

CHURCH

The church is filled with CICELIANS. ARLEN is seated

at the piano and soon we HEAR Mozart’s Piano Concerto #21. WALT and HOLLING are standing next to CHRIS at the altar. SHELLY walks down the aisle with JARED in a cloth baby carrier. Finally, RUTH-ANNE appears, escorted by ED. The music stops when she is standing next to WALT, in front of CHRIS. ANGLE ON CHRIS.

CHRIS

Welcome! It is my extreme honor and

pleasure to preside over this wedding

celebration between two of Cicely’s most

beloved citizens, Ruth-Anne and Walt.

Before I begin the official duties, let

me share with all of you a poem by Edwin

Muir which sums up why we are here better

than I can.

(beat)

Yes, yours, my love, is the right

human face.

I in my mind had waited for this long.

Seeing the false and searching for the

true,

Then found you as a traveller finds a

place

Of welcome suddenly amid the wrong

Valleys and rocks and twisting roads.

But you.

What shall I call you? A fountain in a

waste,

A well of water in a country dry,

Or anything that’s honest and good, an

eye that makes the whole world bright.

Your open heart, Simple and giving,

gives the primal deed,

The first good world, the blossom, the

blowing seed,

The hearth, the steadfast land, the

wandering sea,

Not beautiful or rare in every part,

But like yourself, as they were meant to

be.

(pause)

Walt, Do you take this woman to be your

lawful wedded wife in sickness and in

health for richer or poorer, for all the

days of your life till death do you part?

WALT

I do.

CHRIS

Ruth-Anne, do you take Walt to be your

lawful wedded husband, in sickness and

in health, for richer or poorer, for all

the days of your life till death do you

part?

RUTH-ANNE

I most certainly do!

CHRIS

Holling, may we have the rings?

HOLLING hands CHRIS two wedding bands. CHRIS hands one ring to WALT and the other to RUTH-ANNE.

RUTH-ANNE

With this ring, I thee wed.

RUTH-ANNE places the ring on WALT’S finger.

WALT

With this ring, I thee wed.

WALT places the ring on RUTH-ANNE’S finger.

CHRIS

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.

WALT and RUTH-ANNE kiss briefly.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

Okay ARLEN, take it away!

As ARLEN plays the piano, we HEAR the beginning of the Gershwin tune, ”Our Love is Here to Stay.” Simultaneously, we also HEAR NIKOLAI singing the words as he enters the church.

NIKOLAI

It’s very clear, your love is here

to stay, not for a year, but ever

and a day.

The radio and the telephone and the

music that we know are just passing

fancies and in time may go,

but oh my dears, your love is here to

stay, not for a year, but ever and

a day.

In time, the Rockies may crumble,

Gibraltar may tumble, they’re only made

of clay, but your love is here to stay.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - LATER THAT SAME EVENING - THE CAMERA

PANS THE WEDDING GUESTS.

The WEDDING GUESTS are seated around a large table. The

Brick is decorated with streamers and paper wedding

bells. ANGLE ON RUTH-ANNE AND NIKOLAI.

RUTH-ANNE

So, tell me Nikolai, what brings you to

Cicely at this time of year?

NIKOLAI

The wedding of my favorite Alaskan

babushka. Where else would I be?

RUTH-ANNE

But, how did you know?

NIKOLAI

You know that you can’t keep a secret

from me.

(pause)

Ed asked me to come.

WALT

Holling, how about a little music? My

feet are itching to dance with my new

bride.

HOLLING

Coming right up, sir.

HOLLING goes over to the juke box and inserts coins. We HEAR the music, “Moonglow.” WALT escorts RUTH-ANNE to the

dance floor and they begin dancing. Soon other couples join them. JOEL approaches MAGGIE. ANGLE ON JOEL AND

MAGGIE.

JOEL

Well, how about it O’Connell, can we try

again?

MAGGIE

(hesitatingly)

Sure, Fleishman. Why not?

JOEL and MAGGIE begin dancing.

JOEL

I went ice fishing today.

MAGGIE

Did you catch anything?

HOLLING approaches them.

HOLLING

Excuse, me Joel, you don’t mind if I cut

in do you? I need to discuss some city

business with the mayor.

JOEL

No, Holling, go right ahead. Catch

you later?

MAGGIE

Maybe.

(to HOLLING)

Thank you for rescuing me. This is so

hard. He wants to talk and I want to talk

with him, but I keep avoiding him. I feel

awful. Do you remember when he and Ed

rescued me on my thirtieth birthday? I

was camping by myself and I had a burst

appendix; he saved my life. I don’t know

how long I can keep this up.

HOLLING

Well, Maggie, you have a duty as mayor

to assure continuity of health care for

your fellow citizens. Therefore, it is

your civic responsibility to keep your

engagement to Chris a secret. We’re all

counting on you. Besides, it’s just until Tuesday. When you fly him back to

Anchorage, you can tell him all about

your wedding plans.

As the music ends, both HOLLING and MAGGIE return to their seats. ANGLE on WALT.

WALT

Excuse me Arlen. Maybe it’s the occasion,

maybe it’s the bubbly, but, I just feel compelled to sit down at this piano and

play a tune.

ARLEN

How can I refuse the groom? Point me to

the bar. I think it’s going to be a bumpy night.

ED quickly moves to ARLEN’S side. He guides ARLEN over

to the bar.

All about Eve. Great movie.

WALT sits down on the piano stool. He begins playing “September Song.” ANGLE on RUTH-ANNE.

WALT

Oh it’s a long, long while from May to

December, but the days grow short when

you reach September.

When the autumn weather turns the leaves

to flame, one hasn’t got time for the

waiting game.

Oh, the days dwindle down to a precious

few--September, November!

And these few precious days I’ll spend

with you. These precious days I’ll spend

with you.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - DAY - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS is sitting at the microphone.

CHRIS

Top of the morning to you, Cicely, It is

eight A. M. this frosty morning, Monday,

February ninth. For those of you who

commute, most of the local streets have

been cleared, including the road to

Coffeepot Ridge. However, I must warn you,

our good friends at the Weather Bureau

are promising another dose of

precipitation, very shortly. In these El

Nino times, we better take advantage of

it, while we can. El Nino, for the

uninitiated, is a weather condition

arising off the coast of South America

during Christmas. The warm waters play

havoc with our weather and the upshot is California is receiving more rain and the Pacific Northwest is receiving less than

normal precipitation. So, Bon Hiver!

He places a cassette into the radio console. We HEAR the

song, “Snowfall,” as sung by the Manhattan Transfer. The

following SERIES OF SHOTS of winter sports as engaged by various CICELIANS.

DISSOLVE TO:

SERIES OF SHOTS:

A. Snowball fight between HAYDEN KEYES and EUGENE.

B. Iceskating on a frozen pond with CHRIS and MAGGIE.

C. Snowshoeing with CAL and JOEL.

D. Cross-country skiing with HEATHER and ED.

E. Snowman building with SHELLY, ALDRICH and MIRANDA.

F. RUTH-ANNE, HOLLING and WALT walking through a

snowy forest, cameras poised, ready to film

number five hundred.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - DAY - THE CAMERA PANS THE CROWD

The Brick is filled with the lunch crowd. ED is seated

at one of the booths with HEATHER; MAGGIE and CHRIS are

in the next booth. MR. BELLATI is bringing trays of

food. The front door opens abruptly and JOEL walks

directly over to ED, clearly angry. ANGLE on JOEL and ED.

JOEL

How could you?

How could I what, Dr. Fleishman?

JOEL

Keep a secret like this from me?

The noise level of The Brick drops and MAGGIE strains

to hear this conversation.

Well, we didn’t want to hurt you.

JOEL

Hurt me? She’s the one who is sick!

Maggie?

JOEL

No, Ruth-Anne. As a shaman in training,

as a healer, you of all people should

(MORE)

JOEL (CONT’D)

understand the need for her to have her

rest. The wedding was too much for her. Yesterday, I put Ruth-Anne on bed rest;

I prescribed anti-inflammatory meds for

the low grade fever she is running. Today,

I went over to see her and she was gone;

so was Walt. Do you know where she went?

Not exactly.

JOEL

This wouldn’t have anything to do

with birdwatching would it? Last

week, she asked to go and I told her

no.

You may be right. I know she was

looking for her five hundredth bird.

Maybe Holling knows where she is.

JOEL

Mr. Bellati, is Holling here?

ANGLE on MR. BELLATI who pantomimes that HOLLING isn’t here. He went birdwatching with RUTH-ANNE and WALT on Coffeepot Ridge.

Birdwatching

JOEL

Where? ... coffee ... coffeepot?

ED, CHRIS and MAGGIE

Coffeepot Ridge!

ANGLE on JOEL and ED.

JOEL

I’m sorry I yelled at you.

That’s okay Dr. Fleishman. I wouldn’t

worry, she’s in very good hands. They’ll

be home by dinner time.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KHBR STUDIO - MORNING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS is sitting at the microphone.

CHRIS

Friends, it is Tuesday, February tenth,

nineteen ninety-eight, and I’m afraid I

have some very disappointing news to

report. Our much anticipated return of

Dr. and Mrs. Capra with baby Roslyn has

been postponed, yet again. A

particularly pernicious and pesky staph infection has made a home in a most

hospitable host, Michelle. Our reliable

sources tell me, it will probably be

Saturday afternoon, Valentine’s Day,

before our town will be reunited. But,

do not despair, fellow Cicelians, the good

Dr. Fleishman has agreed to stay until

Saturday. How can we ever thank you?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE - MORNING - ANGLE ON JOEL

JOEL is reading a chart when ED and LEONARD enter the

office, without knocking.

LEONARD

Excuse me, Dr. Fleishman, Ed mentioned

that you might wish to consult with me

regarding one of your patients, Ruth-Anne.

JOEL

Leonard, it’s so good to see you. Please

sit down.

ED and LEONARD sit in chairs opposite JOEL.

JOEL (cont’d)

Thanks Ed. You’re right, Leonard

might have a fresh approach.

LEONARD

Joel, are you familiar with the idea

of finishing unfinished business?

Well, let me put it another way,

what would you do if you knew that

you had a terminal diagnosis?

(interrupting)

Dr. Fleishman, remember when Angelo, the

(MORE)

ED (CONT’D)

barber, found a growth on the back of

your head and you thought it was a

malignant tumor?

LEONARD

How did you feel when that happened?

JOEL

Now that you mention it, I’d completely

forgotten about that. I remember feeling

like I had to make every moment count.

I took a ride on Chris’s Harley and

drove very fast. I remember how

beautiful the sky looked one morning

and how I wished my family had included

a wife and children along with my

parents.

LEONARD

As a fellow healer, I have to empathize

with you. When a patient doesn’t

follow instructions and takes risks, he

or she, in this case, is not trying to

make us feel incompetent. They’re just

unwilling to surrender the illusion of

their control. I’m reminded of the old

Yiddish proverb that says, When man makes

plans, God laughs.

JOEL

You’re right. We have to remember whose

life it is and to honor their choices

even when they seem foolish or short

sighted. I’m planning to go over to

Ruth-Anne’s house after lunch, why don’t

you come with me?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE MEDICAL OFFICE WAITING ROOM - AFTERNOON -

ANGLE ON MARILYN

MARILYN is knitting at her desk. MAGGIE enters with

a package. She hands it to MARILYN.

MAGGIE

Is he in?

MARILYN

Yes. Be careful.

MAGGIE enters the doctor’s office.

INT. THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE - AFTERNOON - ANGLE ON JOEL

JOEL is sitting behind his desk reading a medical journal.

ANGLE on JOEL and MAGGIE.

MAGGIE

Fleishman. Are you busy?

JOEL

No. What brings you here, O’Connell?

Are you feeling okay?

MAGGIE

I’m feeling fine. I just wanted to tell

you there’s been a change in plans for

your return flight to Anchorage. I can’t

take you.

JOEL

Why not you?

MAGGIE

I have a previous engagement scheduled.

JOEL

You’re not dreaming of black fedoras and

games of Clue are you?

MAGGIE

No, Fleishman. Not this time.

JOEL

So how am I supposed to get back to

Anchorage?

MAGGIE

Colonel Pickering will fly you back.

JOEL

That name sounds familiar.

MAGGIE

His son is a professor at the University.

JOEL

That’s right. His son was the professor

of Ornithology who came to see my

partially defrosted woolly mammoth;

only Walt had carted it off and had

butchered the beast by the time I took

Professor Pickering to the site.

MAGGIE

You came to my cabin that day and

instead of being mad, you said you’d

become a Cicelian. You know Joel, there

is something I’ve been wanting to tell

you about since you came back.

MARILYN opens the door. ANGLE on MARILYN as she glares at MAGGIE.

MARILYN

Should I order more paper clips?

MAGGIE

That reminds me, I’ve got to go.

See you Fleishman.

MAGGIE quickly exits. JOEL follows her out to the waiting

room, but she is gone. ANGLE on JOEL.

JOEL

O’Connell. Hey, wait a minute. O’Connell!

MARILYN returns to her desk and sits down. We HEAR CHRIS on the boom box.

CHRIS (V.O.)

I recently came across this new version

of an old standard. Thought you might

like to hear it.

We HEAR the beginning of “I Can’t Get Started” as played

by Warren Vache.

JOEL

What is that song? I know the melody

I just can’t place the title.

MARILYN

I Can’t Get Started.

JOEL

(laughing)

How appropriate. You know Marilyn,

it’s been so funny, well maybe not

funny, more like peculiar. Every time

I start a conversation with O’Connell,

there is some kind of interruption.

It doesn’t seem to matter where we meet:

at Ruth-Anne’s store, The Brick, or

dancing at the two wedding receptions and

now here in my office. It’s uncanny.

Really.

MARILYN does not react. She continues knitting.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. SOURDOUGH INN - JOEL’S ROOM - NIGHT - ANGLE ON JOEL

JOEL is sitting in a chair and speaking on the

telephone to ELAINE.

JOEL

Elaine, I’m glad I caught you.

I’ve been trying for over two hours.

Anyway, I just want to apologize for

ruining our Hawaiian vacation. Phil

and Michelle are supposed to return on

Saturday. I have plans to fly to

Anchorage and I might as well go on to

New York. I should be back in time for

our engagement party that evening.

ELAINE (V.O.)

It’s okay Joey. I understand the life

of a doctor. They really need you. I’m

glad you could help. There will be other

vacations. I just wish you could see how

pretty it is here.

JOEL

Actually, believe it or not, Cicely

is very pretty this time of year.

We had a snowfall on Monday.

(pause)

Pleasant dreams? Good night, Elaine.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KHBR STUDIO - MORNING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS is sitting at the microphone.

CHRIS

The clock on the wall tells me it is

ten AM and the calendar informs me that

it is Friday, February thirteenth. Just a

friendly reminder to avoid black cats,

broken mirrors and walking under ladders.

On a more pleasant note, Holling and

Shelly are hosting a good-bye dinner for

Dr. Fleishman this evening at the Brick.

Speaking of this evening, let me invite

you to our annual Valentine’s Eve musical (MORE)

CHRIS (CONT’D)

special this evening. Starting at six PM,

I will be available for dedications of

that special love song to your certain

someone.

(beat)

Bernard, my most capable brother, will

be available tomorrow to handle these

chores. In anticipation of the baby

Roslyn’s arrival tomorrow with her

parents, Phil and Michelle, I would like

to dedicate this song to her and to baby

Jared and all of the other little ones

who should be settling into their morning

naps.

CHRIS inserts a cassette into the radio console. We HEAR

Gershwin’s “Lullaby.”

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. RUTH-ANNE’S STORE - MORNING - ANGLE ON RUTH-ANNE

RUTH-ANNE is behind the counter sorting mail. MAGGIE

enters the store. We continue to HEAR “Lullaby” on her

radio.

MAGGIE

Ruth-Anne, what are you doing here?

RUTH-ANNE

Well, after three days of bed rest, per

Doctor’s orders, I was developing a

severe case of cabin fever. I thought

I would give Ed a break and cover the

store for a couple of hours.

MAGGIE

Does Fleishman know your here?

RUTH-ANNE

No. I suppose he means well, but I’ve

never been able to sit still, or lie

still for very long, no matter how I

feel. How are your wedding plans?

MAGGIE

My parents are due to arrive this

afternoon, separately, that is. My

brother should be here this evening.

Cal said he would be available to play.

We have our wedding rings. I picked up my

(MORE)

MAGGIE (CONT’D)

dress yesterday when I was in Anchorage.

We have tickets for New Orleans; we’re

going to a jazz festival and Mardi Gras

for our honeymoon. Everything is ready,

but me. Two and half weeks ago it seemed

so right, and now, I’m full of self-doubt.

RUTH-ANNE

I think it’s probably natural to have

a momentary twinge about committing your

life to another person, but you know each

other very well. I can’t imagine that

there would be too many surprises. Still,

this business of Joel returning

temporarily and keeping your engagement a

secret must be causing you some distress.

With so much time passing between the two

of you, it’s not like you have any left

over feelings for him, is it?

MAGGIE

With Fleishman? Are you kidding? How

could I? Do I have any mail?

RUTH-ANNE

Yes. Quite a bundle. There’s one from

Brazil.

She hands MAGGIE her bundle of mail. She opens the letter from Brazil.

MAGGIE

Brazil. It’s from Mike Monroe.

RUTH-ANNE

Well how is Mike these days? Still

fighting the polluters?

MAGGIE

Dear Maggie, I was surprised to receive

your wedding announcement. Somehow I

always pictured you marrying Joel. I

don’t know if I can make the necessary

travel connections to Cicely. Presently

Greenpeace is documenting a giant oil

spill off the coast of Brazil. When are

they ever going to learn to use double

hulled tankers? I wish you every

happiness in your marriage. Chris is

one very lucky fellow... Do you want the

stamp?

MAGGIE folds the letter and hands RUTH-ANNE the envelope.

RUTH-ANNE

Oh, thank you dear.

MAGGIE

Since my mother is staying with me, I

better go and clean up. I’ll see you.

Good Bye!

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - EVENING - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS is at the microphone. He is surrounded by Valentine Day symbols: cupids and hearts.

CHRIS

Welcome to the annual KHBR Valentine’s

Eve musical special. Before we begin

sending our musical valentines, we

might wish to reflect on the origins

of this holiday. It is believed that

the holiday comes from the ancient

Roman feast of Lupercalis which was

celebrated on February fifteenth. Over

time, the celebration became connected

with the feast day on February fourteenth of not one, but two Roman

martyrs, both named St. Valentine who

lived in the third century A.D. One of

these saints was associated with the

delivery of love letters. Cicelians, the

phone lines await your dedications. To

start our show this evening, let’s begin

with a personal favorite of mine, Duke

Ellington’s Creole Love Call. This one is

dedicated to Lowell Grippo from his wife,

Connie.

We HEAR Cleo Laine begin singing the song. After the first few bars, we see BERNARD and ANNE approach the

studio. CHRIS turns off his microphone and invites

them to enter. He rises to hug both of them.

CHRIS

Bernard, Anne, you made it.

BERNARD

Here it is, just in time.

BERNARD removes a certificate from a large envelope. CHRIS and ANNE examine the document. ANGLE on CHRIS and ANNE.

CHRIS

The World Wide Church of Truth and

Beauty. Looks just like mine!

ANNE

Where did you get this?

CHRIS AND BERNARD

From the back of a Rolling Stone

Magazine.

BERNARD

When can you and Maggie and I get

together to review the ceremony?

CHRIS

Uh, I promised Maurice, I’d do the show

tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning?

BERNARD

The wedding is tomorrow afternoon. Will

there be time?

ANNE

So, Chris Stephens, I never thought I

would be asking this question, are you

ready for the wedding tomorrow?

CHRIS

Well, I thought I was. Now that it’s

actually going to happen, I’m, I’m uh

at a loss for words.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - EVENING - THE CAMERA PANS THE CROWD

The Brick is filled with various patrons, JOEL is

sitting at a table with MARILYN, MR. BELLATI, ADAM,

EVE, RUTH-ANNE and WALT. (Absent are MAGGIE, CHRIS

and ED.) HOLLING is pouring JOEL a glass of wine

and SHELLY is serving him his dinner. We continue

to HEAR “Creole Love Call” on the radio. ANGLE on HOLLING

and SHELLY.

HOLLING

I don’t quite know how to properly thank

you for all you have done for Shelly and

me.

SHELLY

That’s right H. Dr. Fleishman, you’re one

totally righteous dude.

JOEL

Well, thank you Shelly. This place, I

mean Cicely, has given me a lifetime of

memories, but delivering your two kids

has got to be near the top.

ED comes bursting into The Brick, holding a Fax. He approaches JOEL. ANGLE on ED.

Dr. Fleishman, this just came in for you

at Ruth-Anne’s store. I am so sorry.

Will you be needing Maggie for closure?

JOEL

Thank you Ed.

As JOEL reads the fax we HEAR ELAINE’s voice.

Simultaneously, Joel has been transformed into a World

War II paratrooper. The CAMERA PANS the interior of a transport plane where Joel is reading a letter while

waiting for his turn to jump. MAURICE is his commanding officer and RABBI SCHULMAN is seated next to him. ANGLE on JOEL.

ELAINE (V.O.)

Dear Joel, I know this is a lousy way

to communicate. I am so sorry, but I

just couldn’t face you over the telephone

to tell you that I am staying in Hawaii.

I met someone that I want to know better.

I’ve been re-evaluating my career, too.

I’m not sure I want to be a securities

lawyer. I think I would like to go back

to college and study horticulture and

raise flowers. Since I’ve been here, it’s

like I’ve had this spiritual

transformation. I can’t leave.

I called my mother and she will call your

mother to cancel the engagement party. I

can’t believe I’m doing this to you again.

I hope in time you will understand and

find it in your heart to forgive me.

Elaine

MAURICE

Corporal Fleishman, you’re next.

MAURICE grabs JOEL and pushes him out of the plane.

MAURICE (CONT’D)

Okay, Schulman, it’s your turn.

CUT TO:

INT. THE BRICK - EVENING - ANGLE ON JOEL

Joel is seated with the others at the table.

JOEL

Excuse me. I think I better go and pack.

(to Holling and Shelly)

Thank you for dinner.

JOEL leaves abruptly. The others are puzzled by his exit.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. JOEL’S ROOM IN THE SOURDOUGH INN - NIGHT - ANGLE ON

JOEL

JOEL is lying on his bed, channel surfing with the remote control. He suddenly stops when he recognizes Rabbi

Schulman on the television screen. ANGLE ON RABBI SCHULMAN ON TELEVISION.

RABBI SCHULMAN

Joel, let me be the first to offer my

condolences on your broken engagement.

I’ve heard it said that insanity is doing

the same thing twice and expecting

different results. Elaine showed a lot

of courage to recognize a marriage

between the two of you would not be

completely satisfying. Especially when

both of your families thought it would be.

She knew how you felt, didn’t she? Joel,

it’s not too late for you to be happy.

JOEL

What about Maggie? Wouldn’t that be doing

the same thing twice and expecting

different results?

RABBI SCHULMAN

No, I don’t think so. Maggie ended your

engagement because she was afraid of

abandonment. Remember, this woman has

major issues with abandonment. Anyway,

she knew at some level that the minute

your obligation was finished with the

state of Alaska you would be gone.

JOEL

But, I asked her to come with me.

RABBI SCHULMAN

She couldn’t go and you wouldn’t stay.

JOEL

Well, what should I do?

The television screen goes blank. JOEL turns the

TV off and finds the radio. We HEAR the song

“Solitude” by Duke Ellington. He picks up a magazine

and flops back on the bed. We HEAR a knock on the

door. He gets up to answer the door. MAGGIE is

standing outside. ANGLE ON JOEL AND MAGGIE

JOEL

O’Connell. Come in. What brings you

here?

MAGGIE

Ed said that he thought you might need

to talk; he mentioned something about

closure. I am so sorry about Elaine.

JOEL

It’s okay. Really, I’m fine; once the

shock wore off, I was actually relieved.

MAGGIE

Relieved?

JOEL

Yes. After I left Cicely I spent

the next two years working to build

my medical practice. It seemed that

all of my friends and colleagues were

getting married and having kids and

moving out of the City. One day I

ran into Elaine at the Guggenheim

Museum and we sort of fell into our

old routine. Getting re-engaged seemed

the logical next step, but we both kept

finding reasons to delay. I think we both

knew that we might be settling for next

best.

MAGGIE

Was there a reason you didn’t tell me

about the engagement when we were flying

back from Anchorage?

JOEL

When I came back to Alaska, and I saw

you at the airport, I found myself

feeling very confused.

MAGGIE

(looking around the room)

Is that a bottle of Cicely water?

JOEL

Yes. It was supposed to be a present

for Elaine.

MAGGIE sees a small box on the chest of drawers and

walks toward it.

MAGGIE

Was this the ring? The Grosse Point

part of me always wanted a diamond from

Tiffanys. Can I see it?

JOEL

Sure. Go right ahead.

MAGGIE

(opening the box)

Joel, it’s beautiful. Can I try it

on?

MAGGIE slips the ring on her left hand ring finger. We no longer HEAR “Solitude,” but the opening bars to “At Last.”

JOEL

Maggie, would you like to dance?

JOEL offers his hand and MAGGIE accepts. They begin to dance. CLOSE ANGLE on MAGGIE and JOEL.

MAGGIE

This was the song that we danced to

after Rick died and no one would go near

me. You said you didn’t believe in

curses and you weren’t afraid of me.

JOEL

I don’t know if I have the right to ask

you this, whether you’re even available.

(beat)

Will you spend the night with me? I

really don’t want to be alone. I’m

leaving tomorrow, there won’t be any

strings attached, I promise.

MAGGIE

Oh Joel, I don’t know what to say.

While they continue to dance, JOEL looks tenderly

at MAGGIE and begins to kiss her neck.

JOEL

(whispering)

Maggie, this is, most definitely, the

wanting part. Let me see if I can

convince you to stay.

While JOEL is kissing MAGGIE passionately, we HEAR the dual sides of Maggie’s nature begin to bicker.

ANGEL

Maggie, what are you doing? This is

hardly proper behavior for a woman who

is getting married tomorrow. Look, just

tell him the truth. He deserves it.

DEVIL

Oh, spare me. Go for it girl. You have

been wanting this ever since he came

back.

As their kiss continues, ED bursts through the door.

ANGLE ON ED.

Dr. Fleishman. It’s Ruth-Anne. She

has chest pain.

Joel and Maggie immediately come apart. ANGLE ON JOEL.

JOEL

Where is she?

Marilyn and Walt have taken her down to

the medical office.

JOEL

Okay, let’s go.

INT. EXAMINING ROOM - NIGHT - THE CAMERA PANS THE ROOM

JOEL is reading an electrocardiogram strip. RUTH-ANNE

is lying on the table and WALT is standing next to her

holding her hand. She is wearing a hospital gown for

some privacy. ANGLE on JOEL and RUTH-ANNE.

JOEL

Ruth-Anne you have developed an

arrhthymia which, by definition is an

abnormal heart rhythm. I’d like to give

you a sedative and some cardiac

medication which may help settle you down.

RUTH-ANNE

Joel, it was just a little indigestion.

I’m fine now. Please, can we hold off

on the medication? Now, if you don’t

mind, I’d like to get dressed.

(shaking the gown)

This blouse is a bit breezy.

JOEL

Okay. I’ll be right outside.

JOEL exits.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE WAITING ROOM - NIGHT - THE CAMERA PANS THE WAITING ROOM

JOEL enters the waiting room where MAGGIE, ED, and MARILYN

are seated. ANGLE on ED.

How is she?

JOEL

Sicker than she thinks she is.

WALT comes into the waiting room. ANGLE on WALT.

WALT

What time is it?

MARILYN

Almost nine thirty.

WALT

Can I turn this on? I asked Chris

to make a dedication about this time.

WALT sees MARILYN’S boom box and turns on the radio. He returns to the examining room. We HEAR Chris on the radio. ANGLE on the BOOM BOX.

CHRIS (V.O.)

I have a very special dedication from Walt

(MORE)

CHRIS (CONT’D)

to Ruth-Anne. Walt wants to thank you for

a wonderful week of wedded bliss. The song

is Chelsea Bridge.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE EXAMINING ROOM - NIGHT - ANGLE ON RUTH-ANNE

RUTH-ANNE is dressed and we hear the beginning of “Chelsea Bridge.”

RUTH-ANNE

Oh, Walt, you remembered.

WALT

Care to dance my dear? Any woman who

knows that Billy Strayhorn wrote Take

The A Train and not Duke Ellington

has to be my soul mate.

RUTH-ANNE and WALT begin to dance.

RUTH-ANNE

Yes, and he wrote this tune too. Do

you remember where you were when this

one came out?

WALT

That song is over fifty years old. I’d

prefer to concentrate on the present.

RUTH-ANNE

We’ve had some great times haven’t we?

WALT

I’ll never forget that trip from

Cantwell with those display cases and

RUTH-ANNE

(finishing the story)

How mad we were with each other and then

we heard that Shelly had her baby and

we ate butter brickle ice cream to

celebrate.

WALT

I lost my heart to you on that trip.

RUTH-ANNE

So did I. Why did it take us so long

to realize it?

WALT

Well, at least we finally did. How sad

for those that never do.

As they continue dancing, RUTH-ANNE suddenly slumps

over.

WALT(CONT’D)

Joel! Come here quick. Something’s wrong.

JOEL rushes into the room. WALT eases RUTH-ANNE’S slumped body over to the examining table. ANGLE on JOEL and RUTH-ANNE.

JOEL

What happened? Let me check her pulse.

JOEL checks her pulse.

JOEL (CONT’D)

Marilyn! We need the crash cart. Let me

see if I can revive her.

MARILYN wheels the cart with the CPR equipment into the

examining room. JOEL begins to attach the electrodes to RUTH-ANNE’S chest. MARILYN finds the wall socket and

attaches the plug.

WALT

No, Joel. Please. No heroics. When we

drafted our wills, we discussed this

type of situation. Ruth-Anne knew

exactly what her situation was and

she wouldn’t want this. Let her rest in

peace.

JOEL removes the CPR equipment from RUTH-ANNE.

JOEL

(sighs)

Okay Walt. Do you need some time alone?

WALT

Thank you.

JOEL and MARILYN exit the examining room.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - NIGHT - LATER - ANGLE ON CHRIS AND ED

CHRIS is sitting at the microphone. ED is sitting

next to him, looking very sad and tearful. A whiskey

bottle and empty glass are visible.

CHRIS

I’ve just been informed that our

beloved general store owner,

Ms. Ruth-Ann Miller Kupfer died

this evening of an apparent heart

attack. The management of KBHR

wishes to extend our condolences to

her husband, Walt.

(pause)

Perhaps we should suspend our Valentine dedications and devote the remainder of

this evening’s show to Ruth-Anne.

(beat)

For me, I’ll never forget that day when

Ruth-Anne took my Harley and met up with

some other bikers. Right now, I would like

to pour a drink and lift a glass to our

friend.

CHRIS pours a drink.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

Ed Chigliak, her most able assistant

tells me that Ruth-Anne’s favorite movie

was Casablanca. Well, here’s looking at

you kid.

CHRIS inserts a cassette into the radio console; we HEAR

“As Time Goes By.”

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE BRICK - NIGHT - THE CAMERA PANS THE CROWD

We HEAR the radio playing, “As Time Goes By.” MAGGIE

is standing next to the pool table by herself. JOEL

approaches her. CLOSE ANGLE on JOEL and MAGGIE.

JOEL

How are you?

MAGGIE

This is so hard. She was such a good

friend. I’ll miss her. I can’t

imagine Cicely without her being here.

As MAGGIE starts to cry, JOEL gives her a hug. He continues to hold her as he speaks to her.

JOEL

No matter how long I’ve been a doctor,

it never gets any easier losing a

patient and it’s even harder when it’s a

friend. Right now my mind is full of

would haves, should haves, and could

haves, and if onlies. Leonard reminded me

to trust the patient in these matters. I

hope I did the right thing.

(pause)

Maggie, please, I don’t want to be alone tonight.

MAGGIE

Joel, let me think about this. I’m sorry I

can’t seem to give you an answer. My

mother is staying with me, I have to make

sure my house hasn’t burned down.

MAGGIE grabs her coat and leaves the Brick. As she

is walking out the door we HEAR the dual natures bicker.

DEVIL

You’ll never have a chance like this

again. You better grab it while you can.

Who knows where it will lead.

ANGEL

Oh stop it! Can’t you see she’s upset?

Leave her alone. Right now, she needs

her mother, not a one night stand.

JOEL returns to the bar in the Brick. The radio is

playing “Unforgettable” He takes a seat at the bar with WALT and ED. HOLLING is behind the bar, pouring a drink for WALT. When he sees JOEL, he pours another drink. When MAURICE enters, he sees SHELLY and immediately questions her. ANGLE on MAURICE and SHELLY.

MAURICE

(to SHELLY)

What are you doing here? I thought there

would be a bachelor party for Chris this

evening.

SHELLY

Well, Maurice, Ruth-Anne died about an

hour ago.

MAURICE

Was it her heart?

SHELLY

Yes. I guess her ticker just finally

gave out.

MAURICE

Well, did Phil try to save her?

SHELLY

No. Walt wouldn’t let Dr. Fleishman

do CPR.

MAURICE

Fleishman? What is he still doing here?

SHELLY

It took a lot longer for Michelle to

have her baby, and then she got an

infection and with Ruth-Anne being sick,

Dr. F didn’t want to leave until Phil

comes back tomorrow.

MAURICE

(whispering)

Does he know about Chris and Maggie’s

wedding?

SHELLY

No, I don’t think anyone spilled the

beans, but he isn’t doing so well.

Elaine broke off their engagement this

evening. What a bummer! Anyway,

Col. Pickering is flying him to

Anchorage tomorrow morning. They’re

taking Ruth-Anne’s body to be cremated.

Seems kinda creepy, flying with a dead

body, don’t you think?

MAURICE

Seems to me I should offer my condolences

to Walt.

MAURICE walks over to the bar and sits down next to WALT.

ANGLE ON ED and WALT.

WALT

Ed, now, don’t you worry about your job.

Ruth-Anne wants you to have the store.

Oh, no, that can’t be. There must be

a mistake.

While ED is responding, he hears the laughter of the DEMON of LOW SELF ESTEEM who is now tending the bar.

ANGLE on the DEMON.

DEMON

That’s right Ed. Who would ever want to

help you? Hey, how about a drink?

WALT

No sir. When Ruth-Anne and I drew up our

wills, she insisted that you be given

the store. She said you were like a son

to her.

But why? What about Rudy and Matthew, her

two real sons? What about you?

WALT

She felt that neither of her sons would

want to move to Cicely and she knew that

you would know how to run the store.

She left me her house. I’ll be okay.

Well, if Ruth-Anne thinks I can manage

the store, then it’s not a mistake. Hey

Holling, how about a root beer?

HOLLING

Coming right up, sir.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - THE NEXT DAY - ANGLE ON CHRIS

CHRIS is sitting in front of the microphone.

CHRIS

Dear listeners, under ordinary

circumstances I would be wishing all of

you a Happy Valentine’s Day, this fine

morning, but I cannot. In just a few

minutes, fellow Cicelians will be

gathering at the air strip to say goodbye

to Ruth-Anne as her body will be flown to

Anchorage for cremation. An internment

of ashes and a memorial service will take

place after the ground thaws.

(pause)

Dr. Fleishman will be leaving our town at

the same time, too. A grateful community

(MORE)

CHRIS (CONT’D)

will be forever in your debt; your stay

was above and beyond the call of duty.

Col. Pickering will be flying back with

the newly minted Roslyn and her parents, Michelle and Phil.

CHRIS picks up an album cover, Joni Mitchell’s Ladies of

the Canyon, and begins reading from the back.

CHRIS (CONT’D)

The refrain from Joni Mitchell’s “Circle

Game” seems very apt right about now:

And the seasons

they go round and round

And the painted ponies go up and down

We’re captive on the carousel of time

We can’t return we can only look behind

From where we came

And go round and round and round in the

circle game.

(pause)

Goodbye Ruth-Anne.

(pause)

Hello Roslyn!

CHRIS places a cassette in the radio console and we HEAR

Benny Goodman’s “Goodbye.”

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. CICELY AIR STRIP - DAY - CAMERA PANS THE AIR STRIP

We continue to HEAR “Goodbye” as the various CICELIANS

gather around COL. PICKERING’S plane. JOEL is waiting

while RUTH-ANNE’S body is being loaded onto the plane.

MAGGIE approaches JOEL. ANGLE ON MAGGIE and JOEL.

MAGGIE

Joel, I forgot to give this back to

you.

MAGGIE hands him the engagement ring.

JOEL

No, Maggie, please keep it. I never

gave you a ring when we became engaged.

I want you to have it.

MAGGIE slips it back on her finger.

MAGGIE

Well, good-bye. Have a safe trip. I’m so

glad you came to help us.

MAGGIE gives JOEL a quick hug.

JOEL

Take care.

JOEL gets into the plane. MAGGIE closes the door.

The CICELIANS wave as the engine starts and the

plane begins to taxi. CHRIS has just arrived and rushes over to MAGGIE. She has tears in her eyes. ANGLE on

CHRIS and MAGGIE.

CHRIS

It’s sure hard to say goodbye to

Ruth-Anne. Words fail me.

MAGGIE

Chris, do you think we should be

having the wedding today?

(to WALT)

Walt, would it be bad timing to have our

wedding today?

WALT

I think Ruth-Anne would want you to go

ahead with your wedding plans. Your

relatives are here. We really shouldn’t

dwell in sadness. We should celebrate

life and what better way than to have

a wedding?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MAGGIE’S CABIN - DAY - LATER THAT AFTERNOON -ANGLE ON

MAGGIE

MAGGIE is getting ready; her MOTHER is zipping her dress

while MAGGIE brushes her hair. Her MOTHER takes her hand and admires the ring.

MOTHER

Maggie, this is a beautiful ring. Did

Chris pick it out or did you?

MAGGIE

No, Joel did. It’s a long story.

MOTHER

Well, I think you probably shouldn’t

wear it today. Still, it is quite

lovely.

MAGGIE

Mom, I don’t know what I’m doing.

MOTHER

What do you mean, honey? Your hair looks

fine. You make a beautiful bride. I wish

your grandmother could be here today.

MAGGIE

Did I ever tell you about the time

the circus came to Cicely? The palm

reader looked at my hand and said that I

would marry a tall man and have three

children and be unhappy.

MOTHER

Does Chris know about this?

MAGGIE

When Chris asked me to marry him, I

wasn’t sure and then at Michelle’s

baby shower, it seemed like the right

thing to do and Chris and I got so

busy with wedding plans and then

Fleishman came for the past two weeks

and last night, my very good friend

Ruth-Anne died and now I don’t know

what to do.

MOTHER

Maggie, I don’t know how to help you

with this. I do know that being married

to Chris certainly wouldn’t be dull.

Remember when he flung your piano, after

I accidentally burned your house down?

MAGGIE

This past two weeks, I saw a different

Joel. He was more like the man I

wanted him to be when he originally

proposed to me years ago. What am

I saying? He’s happier living in New

York City and he’d be miserable living

here in Cicely. Edna Hancock is probably

right, coming back to Cicely for a few

days as a paid volunteer doesn’t compare

with living here permanently.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. CHRIS’S TRAILER - DAY - A FEW MINUTES LATER - ANGLE ON CHRIS IN THE MIRROR

CHRIS is looking in the mirror and having trouble tying

his tie. The image in the mirror is blurring and he is

humming a tune, “Getting Married Today.”

CHRIS

Hey, Bro, can you help me with this tie?

BERNARD

Sure, what are you humming? It’s from

a Sondheim show, isn’t it?

BERNARD assists CHRIS with his tie.

CHRIS

That’s right, Company. It’s called

“Getting Married Today.”

BERNARD

Anne and I saw it recently in Portland.

As I recall the character singing the

song feels that the wedding is going to

be a mistake. Are you feeling okay?

CHRIS

No, the last time I felt this way was

when I tried to take the written part

of the pilot’s license examination.

I had heart palpitations; I couldn’t

breathe; and I had trouble focusing my

eyes. Flying the plane came so easily

for me, but I couldn’t pass the written

test. I think Joel called it test

anxiety and Maggie tried to help me get

over it with systematic desensitization,

but I never could.

BERNARD

Well, everybody has a little fear when it

comes to marriage. It’s only natural that

you’d be nervous.

CHRIS

I don’t know. Maybe I got caught up in

all of the excitement of Maurice’s

wedding. Then, there is the paradigm

shift aspect to it.

BERNARD

Paradigm shift? What does that have to

do with marrying Maggie? I’m not

following you.

CHRIS

See, it’s like this. When Joel used to

live in Cicely, I always imagined that I

would perform their wedding ceremony. But

now, I am marrying Maggie, and you are

presiding over our ceremony.

BERNARD

Oh.

CHRIS

I feel guilty even talking about this

with you. I really care for Maggie. She’s

been a good friend. Did I ever tell you

about the time I lost my voice and she

helped me find it?

BERNARD

Have you talked to her about all of this?

CHRIS

No, the anxiety just started about a

half an hour ago. I don’t want to

disappoint her. You’re probably right,

it’s just a little case of wedding day

jitters.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. ANCHORAGE AIRPORT - DAY - CAMERA PANS AIRPORT

TERMINAL

JOEL and COL. PICKERING are walking through a small waiting room. They meet PHIL who is carrying a wrapped wedding gift and MICHELLE who is carrying the baby ROSLYN.

PHIL

Joel, Col. Pickering. It’s good to see

you. Thanks for taking my place. How is

Ruth-Anne?

JOEL

She died last night. A myocardial

infarction.

PHIL

I should have insisted that she come to

the Cardiac Clinic here. I feel terrible

about this.

JOEL

I know how you feel. When her blood

count came back abnormal, I tried to

convince her to come to Anchorage for

a bone marrow biopsy, but she refused.

(beat)

Michelle, let’s see the baby.

MICHELLE opens the baby blanket for JOEL to see ROSLYN.

JOEL (CONT’D)

She’s a beauty! Well, you must be

looking forward to returning to Cicely.

MICHELLE

We’re not coming back, at least for

awhile. We’re going to Seattle.

JOEL

Why aren’t you coming back? Does

Maurice know about this?

PHIL

The past two weeks were mighty stressful

on Michelle. She wants to live within

five minutes of a hospital. We don’t

have firm plans as yet, but I’m

considering a teaching post at the

University of Washington Medical School

in Seattle.

MICHELLE

We liked Cicely; it’s just too remote now

that we’re a family.

PHIL

I will gladly forfeit the remainder of my contract if it will please Michelle.

Col. Pickering, can you give this gift to

Maggie and Chris and tell them we’re

sorry we’re going to miss their wedding.

PHIL hands the present to COL. PICKERING.

JOEL

What wedding?

MICHELLE

Didn’t you know? Chris and Maggie

announced their engagement at our

baby shower.

PHIL

Well, Michelle, we need to get moving

if we’re going to catch that flight

to Seattle. Thanks again for taking my

place.

PHIL, MICHELLE, JOEL and COL PICKERING exchange goodbyes.

PHIL, MICHELLE, and ROSLYN exit. ANGLE on JOEL and COL.

PICKERING

JOEL

(to COL. PICKERING)

Take me back to Cicely.

COL. PICKERING

I can’t. At least not for the next

hour. There is a storm front moving

through. It’s too windy. No one is

taking off right now. See. My guess is

that the Capras’ flight will be delayed

as well.

COL. PICKERING points out the window overlooking the runways.

COL. PICKERING

We might as well sit down, it may take

a while.

They sit down. We HEAR the song, ”I’ve Grown

Accustomed to her Face,” in the airport waiting room.

Initially, JOEL pulls out a magazine. He tries to read, but cannot. He rises to his feet, agitated. COL. PICKERING is deeply absorbed in a novel. ANGLE on JOEL.

JOEL

Marry Chris. What a dumb, idiotic and

ridiculous thing to do. Don’t get me

wrong, Col Pickering, I like Chris, but

he is definitely not husband material.

What was she thinking? Had she stopped

to consider the ramifications of one of

his pheromone attacks? There were dozens

of women lined up to have their way with

him. I hope she realizes the public

health issues she is facing. At least

with Rick, they both flew planes. I

could understand that. Even Mike Monroe,

and her neurotic need to have someone

that was seemingly unavailable. That

could be explained, but Chris? Oh sure,

he’s good looking and tall and articulate

(MORE)

JOEL (CONT’D)

with an artistic talent. But, he can’t

marry her.

(beat)

Well, that explains that. No wonder she

didn’t want to talk to me while I was

here. She couldn’t face me with this,

this news.

(to COL. PICKERING)

Can you check on the weather?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE CHURCH - DAY - LATE AFTERNOON - CAMERA PANS

THE CHURCH AND THE WEDDING GUESTS

The CICELIANS are seated in the church which is decorated with flowers. CAL is finishing his violin solo, “A Lark

Ascending.” BERNARD is standing at the altar. CHRIS and

ED, his best man, enter the church. As MARILYN begins

playing the piano, ALDRICH and MIRANDA walk down the aisle

first, followed by SHELLY, wearing a baby carrier with

JARED sleeping in it. As the Wedding March begins, MAGGIE is escorted down the aisle by MR. O’CONNELL. She is wearing a simple, but elegant long sleeved dress with a hat instead of a veil. She takes her place next to CHRIS. MR. O’CONNELL sits down next to his second wife. ANGLE on

BERNARD.

BERNARD

Today we are here to celebrate the union

of Ms. Maggie O’Connell and Mr. Chris

Stevens. And what better day to

celebrate a wedding than Valentine’s

Day? A holiday named in honor of the

patron saint of lovers. As we observe

this day’s nuptial rites, let us

consider the many facets of love.

Did you know that the Greeks had three

different words for love?

Suddenly, the doors swing open. The CAMERA ZOOMS to

BROTHER SIMON.

BROTHER SIMON

Chris, please don’t marry her!

The CAMERA PANS the reaction of the wedding guests.

BERNARD stops speaking and the MEMBERS of the wedding

party and all of the invited guests turn to look at

this intruder. CHRIS recognizes her. ANGLE on CHRIS.

CHRIS

Brother Simon, I mean Chris. Excuse me

Maggie.

CHRIS approaches BROTHER SIMON and escorts her from the church. The CAMERA PANS the church for reactions from

various guests and wedding party members. MAGGIE has a slightly bemused look on her face, while others are shocked. After a several minutes, guests start to rise and the wedding gradually comes apart. ANGLE on ED and SHELLY.

(whispering to SHELLY)

You know, this kind of reminds me of the

movie, The Graduate, when Dustin Hoffman

runs into the church and rescues

Katharine Ross right before her wedding

and they leave on the bus.

MAURICE

(to BARBARA)

Well, here we go again. Another in a

series of interrupted Cicelian weddings.

We might as well cool our heels at The

Brick.

BROTHER

That’s my sister for you. Either they

die or they leave her.

MOTHER

Maggie, I am so sorry that this happened.

Who was that woman? Why don’t we go back

to your cabin and wait for Chris? Most

likely he’ll be back soon and we can have

a wedding!

MAGGIE

If you don’t mind, I think I’d like to be

by myself for a while. Why don’t you

join the others at The Brick?

EVERYONE exits the church, but MAGGIE. ANGLE on MAGGIE. She walks around the church and then sits down on one of the pews. She lays her bouquet down next to her.

After a few seconds, MAGGIE gets up to leave.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MAGGIE’S CABIN - DAY - A FEW MINUTES LATER - ANGLE ON

MAGGIE

MAGGIE is walking back to her cabin; she is wearing an

overcoat over her wedding dress. She is surprised to

see ESAU, a ventriloquist’s dummy, sitting on the

porch next to her front door. ANGLE on ESAU.

ESAU

Hi Maggie! I’ve got a letter for you

from Chris.

MAGGIE takes the letter from ESAU and begins reading. We HEAR the voice of CHRIS.

CHRIS (V.O.)

Dear Maggie. I am so sorry for leaving

you abruptly at the church earlier this

afternoon. Believe me, I had no idea

Chris, who was formerly Brother Simon,

would even come to the wedding, let

alone interrupt it. But when she came in,

it was like a cosmic omen; something out

of a ancient Greek drama when the deus ex machina would appear magically to resolve

the conflict in the story. Remember when

I had test anxiety? I felt that way most

of today; then when she came, I just had

to run. I guess I’m not a holy matrimony

kind of guy. Please, please understand

this wasn’t about you. Ever since I came

to Cicely, you’ve been such a good friend;

these past four years were very special.

I hate myself for disappointing you. I

hope you can forgive me. I’ll be gone

for a while. I don’t know when I’m

coming back. Chris.

MAGGIE

If you see Chris, please tell him I

understand. You see, Esau, I felt

pretty anxious, too. I didn’t want to

say anything because I was afraid of

disappointing him. Chris was so kind to

me after Joel left, I didn’t want to hurt

him, either.

MAGGIE walks into her cabin and closes the door.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. THE CHURCH - DAY - LATE AFTERNOON - ANGLE ON JOEL

JOEL enters the church and is surprised to find it

empty. He walks around looking at the flowers and

notices MAGGIE’S bridal bouquet on one of the pews.

He picks it up and lays it back down. He decides to

leave.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE BRICK - DAY - A FEW MINUTES LATER - CAMERA PANS

THE BRICK.

JOEL walks into The Brick and sees FRANK O’CONNELL. He

approaches him. ANGLE on JOEL and MR. O’CONNELL.

JOEL

Mr. O’Connell. Where is Maggie? Is the

wedding reception over?

MR. O’CONNELL

Oh, hi Joel. No, the wedding reception

was cancelled because there wasn’t a

wedding. Some strange woman came into

the church and begged Chris not to marry

Maggie; so he left. Maggie wanted to be

alone. You might try her cabin.

JOEL

Chris left her at the altar?

MAURICE

(interrupting)

Just the man I want to see. Listen son,

I don’t know if you know that Phil and

Michelle aren’t coming back to Cicely.

So, if you would like to fill in for

a while, I’m sure we can work out a

suitable compensation package with a

generous vacation policy. How about

breakfast tomorrow? We’ll crunch some

numbers over croissants and orange

marmalade.

JOEL

Maurice, let me think about it, okay?

JOEL rushes out the door.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. MAGGIE’S CABIN - DAY - A FEW MINUTES LATER - ANGLE ON MAGGIE

MAGGIE is standing at the stove in her kitchen pouring

boiling water into a tea pot. She is still wearing

her wedding dress. As she is adding tea bags to the

tea pot, we HEAR a knock at the door. She carries

the tea pot on a tray and sets it down on the coffee

table in the living room. She answers the door and

finds JOEL. He enters. ANGLE on JOEL and MAGGIE.

MAGGIE

Fleishman, you came back?

JOEL

Your dad told me what happened at the

wedding. I am so sorry.

MAGGIE

It’s okay. I’m kind of relieved in a

way. I think I know how you felt

yesterday. What made you come back?

JOEL

You. I was hoping to persuade you not

to marry Chris. When I came back two

weeks ago, I realized that I really am a

Cicelian and I want to come home, to you.

Please Maggie, can I stay?

JOEL sits down in THE chair.

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. KBHR STUDIO - NIGHT - ANGLE ON BERNARD

BERNARD is sitting at the microphone. ANNE is seated

next to him.

BERNARD

Well, fellow Cicelians, as we prepare to

sign off this Valentine’s Night, let us

recap, for our listeners, the events of

this truly amazing day. We began this

morning saying farewell to Ruth-Anne and

Dr. Fleishman who pinch hit for Dr. Capra

so brilliantly these past two weeks.

(pause)

Then there was that little matter of my

brother leaving Maggie at the altar

during their wedding this afternoon. For

those of you who weren’t in attendance, a

friend of his, a woman who,

coincidentally, is also named Chris,

interrupted the ceremony.

Chris, my brother, met Chris, the woman,

at a monastery when he went on a retreat,

although at that time, she was

masquerading as Brother Simon and

(MORE)

BERNARD (CONT’D)

keeping her feminine identity a secret.

Her encounter with my brother was rather

unnerving for her, so she left the

monastery because she didn’t want to live

a lie. She’s been teaching philosophy in

British Columbia. They have maintained a relationship by email and, of course, he

invited her to the wedding. When last

seen, they were heading south. I hope

that explanation unravels the mysterious

tale of the wedding intruder.

(pause)

The unexpected return of Dr. Fleishman,

for the foreseeable future as a

replacement for Doctor Capra, provided

the impetus for this evening’s impromptu

wedding between Maggie and Joel. My

sources tell me that a legal wedding

with an official license and blood tests,

will take place later in May in the Big

Apple.

(pause)

During my brother’s absence, I will

be substituting for the next two weeks.

In closing, here is one of my favorites,

and I hope that it is one of yours. Good

night Cicely, we love you!

BERNARD inserts a cassette into the radio console and we HEAR “I’m Just a Lucky So and So,” as sung by Louis Armstrong. As the song plays, we see the following series of shots.

A. BERNARD and ANNE holding hands in the studio.

B. HOLLING and SHELLY putting their children to bed.

C. MARILYN and MR. BELLATI are washing and drying dishes.

D. MAURICE and BARBARA are staring intently at each other while playing chess.

E. ED and HEATHER are watching a video, “The Philadelphia

Story,” and sharing popcorn.

F. WALT is sitting on RUTH-ANNE’S couch wrapped in the

wedding quilt, eating butter brickle ice cream.

G. ADAM is giving EVE a taste of his latest creation.

H. CAL is playing a song for DEBBIE on his violin.

I. MAGGIE and JOEL are walking down the street to her

cabin.

FADE OUT

THE END