"CRAVINGS"
an original screenplay
by
Charles Deemer
FADE IN:
EXT. BRITISH COLUMBIA - WOODS - NIGHT
A gang of MEN holding flashlights and torches
chases someone
through the woods.
The object of their hunt is VICTORIA LESEUR,
late 30s and
looks younger. She wears a formal gown that
is blood-stained
and torn.
Victoria looks terrified as she races ahead
of the pursuing
gang. And with reason: the men are gaining.
Victoria sees an obstacle ahead, a mountain
of stone. She
struggles to reach it before the men catch
her.
The men also see the mountain.
MAN
She can't get far now!
They run even harder. The lights dart ahead
of them like
volleys of bullets.
EXT. WOODS - CAVE - NIGHT
At the foot of the mountain is a cave.
Victoria sees it.
The men are closing in.
MAN
She's heading for the cave!
Just ahead of them, Victoria disappears into
the cave.
INT. CAVE - NIGHT
The cave is filled with bats.
A smile crosses Victoria's lips. One would
think she was
home. She moves deeper into the cave.
The men enter. Lights dart through the
darkness.
Bats flutter everywhere.
MAN
There!
A light falls on something on the ground: it
is Victoria's
gown. She's disappeared, leaving her gown
behind her.
2.
The men exchange knowing glances. Just as
they suspected:
she's turned into a bat!
They mumble among themselves. Then a bat dive
bombs them,
and the men race out of the cave.
Out of the shadows comes Victoria, in her
underwear, smiling.
She is safe.
EXT. CROWN MOUNTAIN RESORT - SWIMMING POOL -
NIGHT
Late. Victoria has the pool to herself. It's
officially
closed but she swims quiet, slow laps. She
looks relaxed
after the earlier ordeal.
Into the light steps MARTIN LESEUR, 40s, her
husband. He
waits at the deep end until she swims close.
MARTIN
Time to come to bed, Victoria.
VICTORIA
Do I have to?
MARTIN
You know you must.
She climbs out of the pool.
INT. SOFTWARE COMPANY - VICTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
VICTOR MONTGOMERY, 20s, sits at his desk,
working on a
computer.
JANEY, 20s, beautiful, appears in the
doorway.
JANEY
Knock, knock.
Victor looks up. He is stunned, and quickly
flustered, to
see her.
JANEY
Hello, stranger.
VICTOR
Janey ...
JANEY
I hear you finally got a date --
you're getting married! Bad joke. But
it's true, you're getting married?
3.
VICTOR
Yes, I met her, Margaret, five or six
months ago and--
JANEY
You don't have to explain anything to
me. I'm just glad you're happy.
VICTOR
I'm happy, yes, of course.
JANEY
So the broken heart I gave you wasn't
permanent. See how I was right? We're
too different. I'm thrilled you found
someone. Well ... That's all I came
by to say.
She leaves.
VICTOR
(after her)
I'd like you to come--
But she's already gone. Victor buzzes his
secretary.
VICTOR
Muriel, send a wedding invitation to
Janey, Jane Sebastian, in Accounting.
INT. SOFTWARE COMPANY - VICTOR'S OFFICE - DAY
- LATER
Victor stares out the window, lost in his
thoughts. JEFF,
20s, knocks and steps into the office.
JEFF
Jitters?
Victor turns from the window.
VICTOR
I saw Janey. She came by to wish me
happiness.
JEFF
You okay with that?
VICTOR
I don't know. It's strange ... the
moment I saw her ...
He can't go on.
4.
JEFF
Victor, you're getting married.
He quickly recovers and looks at his watch.
VICTOR
I have an appointment.
JEFF
Brew after work?
VICTOR
I'll meet you there.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY
Victor steps off an elevator and walks down a
hallway to an
office.
The door reads "Lloyd Jacobson, Private
Investigations."
INT. JACOBSON'S OFFICE - DAY
Victor and JACOBSON, 30s, a detective, sit in
his office.
Victor is studying a photograph.
The PHOTOGRAPH is of Victoria LeSeur, taken
when she was in
her 20s.
It is clearly the woman who was being pursued in
the woods.
VICTOR
Where did you find her?
JACOBSON
She lives in Viren. It's in British
Columbia, Canada.
VICTOR
And my father?
JACOBSON
He's also alive.
Victor hands Jacobson the photo but the
detective doesn't
take it.
JACOBSON
It's yours.
VICTOR
Thank you.
He looks at it again.
5.
VICTOR
She's so beautiful.
He looks at Jacobson.
VICTOR
I can't tell you how important this
is to me.
Jacobson hands him a business envelope.
JACOBSON
You can try ... your bill.
INT. BAR - DAY
A popular after-work watering hole.
INT. BAR - BOOTH - DAY
Victor and Jeff share a pitcher of beer.
JEFF
You've been trying to find your
parents for almost a year and now
that you've found them, you look like
you just got fired. What's up?
VICTOR
It's Janey.
JEFF
I was afraid of that.
VICTOR
I should've let it pass. Said thank
you and sent her on her way.
JEFF
I don't follow.
VICTOR
I invited her to the goddamn wedding.
JEFF
You're not still in love with her ...
Victor?
VICTOR
Of course not.
Jeff looks skeptical.
6.
VICTOR
Jeff, I'm getting married! I love her.
JEFF
Who?
VICTOR
Margaret!
EXT. WALLER MANSION - GARDEN - DAY
Victor is walking in a luxurious garden with
his fiancee,
MARGARET WALLER, 20s, plain, aristocratic.
Margaret is looking at the photograph of
Victoria LeSeur.
MARGARET
She's so beautiful.
VICTOR
Almost as beautiful as you.
MARGARET
Do you have a picture of your father?
VICTOR
No.
They walk in silence a moment, looking at the
photograph
together.
VICTOR
Margaret, I'm going to Canada. I have
to see them.
This surprises her.
MARGARET
When?
VICTOR
Right away. I know what you're
thinking. The wedding's less than a
week away.
MARGARET
There's so much to do!
VICTOR
I want them to come, and I don't want
to give them the opportunity to say
no on the phone. You understand,
don't you?
7.
MARGARET
This will give mother something else
to panic about.
VICTOR
I'm glad you don't take after her.
Margaret gives him a funny look, as if
thinking, If he only
knew!
VICTOR
I'll be back in a few days. I promise.
MARGARET
Victor, I love you so much.
They embrace and kiss.
INT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
Seeing Victor off are Margaret and her
mother, GLADYS
WALLER, 50s, over-bearing and arrogant. She
looks like being
in a public train station is as unsettling as
visiting a
prison filled with the unwashed.
GLADYS WALLER
The train, Victor! When time is so
short?
MARGARET
You know he hates to fly.
VICTOR
Don't worry, I'll be back in plenty
of time. And with my parents.
GLADYS WALLER
Your parents are the people who
raised you, God rest their souls.
Victor, I understand how--
MARGARET
Mother...
GLADYS WALLER
Now that you've found them, I know
how much you want them to be here. I
truly understand. But that's what
they have telephones for. You call
and invite them.
VICTOR
I have to board.
8.
GLADYS WALLER
If you have to ask them in person,
it's what they have airplanes for.
MARGARET
Call me from the hotel.
GLADYS WALLER
Today we have email, for God's sake.
There's no reason to stoop to this
level.
VICTOR
Mrs. Waller, be thankful I didn't
take the bus.
He winks at Margaret and moves off to get in
line to board.
INT. TRAIN STATION - VIEWING AREA - DAY
Margaret and Gladys watch the train pull out
of the station.
MARGARET
He's going to be fine, mother.
GLADYS WALLER
Of course, he is. He thinks I'm such
a worry wart. I didn't want to
disappoint him. We can get a lot more
done without Victor around to distract
you. Come along, dear.
She takes her daughter's arm and moves off.
INT. TRAIN - DAY
Victor moves down the aisle, looking for a
seat. The train
is crowded.
He finds an empty seat and takes it.
INT. TRAIN - CLUB CAR - DAY
The club car, too, is crowded. Victor enters
and finds a
spare seat at a small table, occupied by a
man sitting alone.
This is JIMMY BOW, 30s.
VICTOR
Do you mind?
JIMMY
Please.
9.
Victor sits down.
JIMMY
How far you going?
VICTOR
Viren. It's in British Columbia. I've
never been there before.
JIMMY
You like mountains?
VICTOR
The higher, the better.
JIMMY
You'll love Viren then.
VICTOR
How far are you going?
JIMMY
Past Viren, to the end of the line.
EXT. VIREN - MAIN STREET - DAY
Viren is a small town in the foothills of
rugged mountains.
Main Street. Taverns, shops.
A MAN stops at an alley. He looks up and down
the street,
then darts into it.
EXT. ALLEY - DAY
The man continues forward, looking behind to
make sure no
one has seen him.
He reaches a boarded-over building at the end
of the alley.
He takes steps down to a basement door.
INT. ABANDONED BUILDING - BASEMENT - DAY
A 12-step meeting is in progress as the man
enters late. He
takes a seat in the back.
Only a dozen or so people are in attendance.
Some wear dark
glasses, despite the dim interior. All have
sallow
complexions.
Sitting in the meeting together are Victoria
and Martin. He
is holding his wife's hand.
10.
Victoria wears a scarf, a hat, dark glasses,
looking like an
imitation of Greta Garbo in hiding.
The meeting is chaired by a WOMAN wearing too
much makeup.
She looks a little ghoulish.
CHAIRWOMAN
Anyone else?
The man in back rises.
MAN
I'm James, and I'm a vampire.
VOICES
Hi, James, welcome!
MAN
Last night I put my coffin in the
closet -- and slept in a bed!
Scattered applause.
MAN
I had a good night's sleep, too. And
one more thing, you'll notice I
stopped wearing dark glasses! Thank
you.
He quickly sits down, grinning.
CHAIRWOMAN
We have time for one more.
Martin nudges his wife. She shakes her head.
He gives her a stare, Do it!
Victoria gives in and stands up.
CHAIRWOMAN
Yes, dear?
All eyes are on Victoria.
VICTORIA
My name's Victoria, and I'm a vampire.
People respond in unison.
PEOPLE
Hi, Victoria, welcome!
11.
VICTORIA
Last week ... while we were on
vacation ... I relapsed again. You
probably read about it in the paper
... the young man at the resort ...
Scattered responses: surprise, groans of
disappointment.
VICTORIA
So it's back to square one.
Knowing nods around the room.
Martin reaches up, smiles, squeezes her hand.
Tears well in
her eyes.
VICTORIA
I'm going to really try to do better
this time.
A few people applaud. Others look skeptical.
Above the chairwoman, a banner reads:
"Vampires Anonymous"
INT. TRAIN - CLUB CAR - DAY
Victor and Jimmy still sit over drinks.
JIMMY
That's quite a story. Your parents
must be as excited as you are.
VICTOR
They don't know I'm coming.
JIMMY
Really? That's even better. I'm sorry
I'm on assignment, it would make a
hell of a human interest story.
VICTOR
On assignment?
JIMMY
I write for The Spectacle.
VICTOR
I'm sorry, I don't know it.
JIMMY
One of those tabloids you see in the
supermarket. We're the new kid on the
block.
12.
VICTOR
What's the assignment?
Jimmy grins.
JIMMY
A guest at a resort was murdered. I'm
supposed to show that a vampire did it.
A WAITER appears.
WAITER
Another round, gentlemen?
JIMMY
By all means.
INT. TRAIN - HALLWAY - DAY
Victor and Jimmy head back to their seats.
They reach a men's room.
VICTOR
It was nice talking to you.
JIMMY
Likewise.
Victor enters the men's room.
INT. TRAIN - MEN'S ROOM - DAY
Victor stares at his face in the mirror. He
looks tired,
worried.
He turns on the water, stoops forward and
splashes water on
his face.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - SUNSET
The train speeds along tracks at sunset.
There are mountains
in the distance.
INT. TRAIN - DINING CAR - NIGHT
Victor and Jimmy share a table again. They
are dining.
VICTOR
Is it hard to write about something
you know isn't true?
13.
Jimmy looks puzzled.
VICTOR
"Boy born with three heads and each
has the brain of a genius."
JIMMY
You read the headlines. Everyone
does, of course. Most people won't
admit it.
VICTOR
Is it like writing humor? You're
laughing as you do?
JIMMY
Laughing all the way to the bank.
VICTOR
I'm curious. How do you track down a
vampire? How do you figure out
what
to write?
JIMMY
I interview people. You can find
someone who believes almost anything.
Then it's just a matter of getting
him to open up. And embellishing what
he says so it's more colorful.
VICTOR
Sounds like a very creative job.
JIMMY
It pays the rent while I work on my
novel.
EXT. VIREN - TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
The train pulls into the station.
EXT. VIREN - TRAIN STATION - PLATFORM - NIGHT
Victor and Jimmy come off the train. Jimmy
quickly lights a
cigarette.
Jimmy offers his hand.
JIMMY
Good luck with meeting your parents.
14.
VICTOR
Thank you. And you with finding your
vampire.
Jimmy playfully crosses two index fingers to
form a cross.
JIMMY
Bring them on!
Victor laughs and heads out.
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - NIGHT
Victoria and Martin sit at the dinner table,
sipping wine.
Victoria has been crying.
VICTORIA
Martin, I couldn't help it. He was so
beautiful.
MARTIN
You were old enough to be his mother.
It's always that way.
VICTORIA
I'm sorry.
MARTIN
What's going to be different this time?
VICTORIA
I try. I really do. Maybe we should
move.
MARTIN
When has moving ever worked?
He finishes his wine and stands up.
VICTOR
Don't hate me.
MARTIN
I could never hate you. You disappoint
me. I'm going to read.
VICTORIA
(after him)
I'll do better. I promise.
But even she doesn't look like she believes
it.
15.
EXT. VIREN HOTEL - NIGHT
Establishing.
INT. VIREN HOTEL - FRONT DESK - NIGHT
Victor is at the front desk. The CLERK
returns a sheet of
paper.
CLERK
That's just up the street and around
the corner, sir. Less than a mile.
VICTOR
Good, I can walk. Thank you very much.
EXT. VIREN HOTEL - NIGHT
Victor comes outside and heads up the street.
EXT. LESEUR APARTMENT - NIGHT
Victor arrives in front of the LeSeur
apartment. He checks
the address with the one he has written down.
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - NIGHT
Martin is reading when the doorbell rings. He
calls to
Victoria in another room.
MARTIN
I'll get it!
He goes to the door and opens it. He faces
Victor.
A silence. Victor can't speak.
MARTIN
Yes?
Victor clears his throat.
VICTOR
Is this the LeSeur residence?
MARTIN
It is.
VICTOR
You're Martin LeSeur?
16.
MARTIN
I am. And who are you?
VICTOR
Sir, I think I'm your son.
Martin stares at him, waiting. Finally:
MARTIN
My son?
VICTOR
My name is Victor Montgomery. I was
named after my stepparents, who
adopted me when I was very young. For
the past nine months, since my step
parents died, I've been doing research
to learn the identity of my birth
parents.
MARTIN
And if I told you I didn't have a son?
VICTOR
Then there must be another Martin
LeSeur.
Martin studies him.
MARTIN
Can I buy you a drink? There's a pub
around the corner.
VICTOR
Yes, sir.
MARTIN
I'll be just a moment.
EXT. LESEUR APARTMENT - NIGHT
Victor and Martin come outside. They start
walking to the pub.
They are awkward together, neither knowing
what to say.
INT. PUB - NIGHT
Martin joins Victor at a table. He carries
two pints of ale.
VICTOR
I guess I should apologize.
17.
MARTIN
Not at all.
VICTOR
Sir?
MARTIN
For God's sake, boy. Victor.
He reaches across the table and squeezes
Victor's hand.
VICTOR
Dad?
Martin nods, yes.
Victor takes his other hand. Neither knows
what to say until:
MARTIN
I'm so glad to see you. I never
thought I would.
He grabs Victor by the back of the neck,
pulls him forward,
and their foreheads touch.
MARTIN
My son.
EXT. VIREN - NIGHT
Victor and Martin walk along a street.
MARTIN
I want to forewarn you, your mother
may not be able to handle this. She's
often regretted giving you up for
adoption.
VICTOR
Really?
MARTIN
She also hasn't been feeling well.
VICTOR
I could come back tomorrow ... after
you talk to her.
MARTIN
Let me see how she's doing.
They arrive at the LeSeur apartment.
18.
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - NIGHT
They enter.
MARTIN
Make yourself comfortable.
He gestures to the living room.
MARTIN
I'll be right back.
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Victor comes into the living room.
The room is dark, gothic.
He finds a photograph on the mantle: the
young Victoria is
holding a baby. Could it be himself?
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Victoria has fallen asleep. A magazine rests
on the bed
beside her.
Martin approaches and touches her.
MARTIN
Victoria?
She opens her eyes. She sees something in his
expression.
VICTORIA
What is it? What happened?
MARTIN
I have wonderful news.
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Victor still stares at the photograph when
Martin leads
Victoria into the room. He holds her arm.
MARTIN
Victor?
Victor turns.
MARTIN
May I present your mother, Victoria
LeSeur.
19.
VICTORIA
Victor?
VICTOR
Hello, mother.
VICTORIA
Victor!
She races into his arms, and they embrace.
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - DINING ROOM - NIGHT
An empty bottle of champagne is on the table.
Victoria sits
next to Victor, Martin across from them.
MARTIN
You must spend the night here.
VICTOR
I've already paid for a room at the
hotel. I have to call Margaret.
VICTORIA
What's she like?
VICTOR
Warm, thoughtful. You'll like her.
VICTORIA
Martin, one day we'll be grandparents.
MARTIN
I suppose we will.
VICTOR
What time is it?
MARTIN
You must be exhausted.
VICTORIA
We're all exhausted! It's been such
an extraordinary night.
VICTOR
What time shall I come by in the
morning?
MARTIN
We're late sleepers. And we'll have
to pack. Why don't we meet you
at
the station for dinner? Say sixish?
20.
VICTOR
Then you want to take the night train.
MARTIN
It's the best we can do.
VICTOR
I mean, that's fine! Dinner at the
station it is.
EXT. LESEUR APARTMENT - NIGHT
Victoria and Martin escort Victor out.
Victoria embraces her son again. The look she
gives him is
almost lustful.
VICTORIA
You've grown into such a handsome boy!
VICTOR
The photograph on the mantel ... ?
VICTORIA
Of course it's you! I've looked at it
every day these past ... how many
years?
VICTOR
Twenty-four.
VICTORIA
Twenty-four years. But now we can
start anew, can't we?
VICTOR
Yes, we can.
MARTIN
Goodnight, my son.
VICTOR
Goodnight.
He walks away.
Victoria watches him until Martin takes her
arm and leads
her back inside.
INT. LESEUR APARTMENT - NIGHT
They come back into the apartment.
21.
Victoria sees how Martin is looking at her.
VICTORIA
What?
MARTIN
This is not just another handsome
young man. This is your son!
VICTORIA
And he's come back to me!
EXT. VIREN HOTEL - DAY
Victor comes out the next morning.
A SERIES OF SHOTS
Victor sight-seeing the town: having coffee
at an outdoor
cafe; browsing through a bookstore; walking
through a park.
INT. VIREN HOTEL - NIGHT
Victor closes his packed suitcase.
EXT. TRAIN STATION - NIGHT
Victor stands at the station, waiting for his
parents.
He sees them in the distance and waves.
Victoria and Martin arrive with a large
amount of luggage.
Martin sees that Victor is surprised by how
much they have.
MARTIN
We're going to move. Your mother
insists on living close to you.
Victor looks at his mother, who is smiling at
him. He smiles
back.
INT. TRAIN - NIGHT
The threesome move down the aisle, looking
for free seats.
They find some together and take them.
22.
INT. TRAIN - CLUB CAR - NIGHT
Victor, Martin and Victoria enter the club
car. Jimmy is
sitting alone at a table.
JIMMY
Victor! Please join me!
VICTOR
Jimmy, what are you doing here?
JIMMY
Story was a piece of cake. Join me,
please.
VICTOR
Thank you, we shall.
Everyone gets settled.
JIMMY
You must be the parents.
VICTOR
I'm sorry ... Martin, my father ...
and my mother, Victoria.
JIMMY
Victor told me the story. It's quite
something.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT
The train speeds along.
INT. TRAIN - CLUB CAR - NIGHT
The foursome at the table.
VICTOR
How'd the interviews go?
JIMMY
Quite predictable, actually.
Victoria looks at Victor.
VICTOR
Jimmy is a writer.
JIMMY
A real one when I have time. I'm only
a hack to pay the rent.
23.
VICTORIA
And what do you write about?
VICTOR
He was interviewing people about
vampires. You must've heard about the
murder.
VICTORIA
I'm not sure.
JIMMY
A young man at Crown Mountain Resort
was found with his throat slit. Some
people interpreted this as the wound
left by a vampire.
VICTORIA
And what do you think?
JIMMY
I don't believe in vampires, if
that's what you're asking.
VICTORIA
I do.
MARTIN
She also believes in Santa Claus and
the Tooth Fairy.
He grins.
EXT. TRAIN - NIGHT
The train speeds along.
INT. TRAIN - AISLE - NIGHT - LATER
Victor is moving down the aisle toward his
seat.
Coming the other way is Victoria.
They meet and stop.
VICTORIA
Is the rest room this way?
VICTOR
Straight ahead.
They move to pass one another in the narrow
aisle. There's
barely enough room.
24.
As they pass closely, chest to chest,
Victoria's mouth comes
near Victor's neck.
Her mouth opens longingly before he passes
on.
Then she watches him go.
EXT. TRAIN - DAY
The sun rises as the train continues its
journey.
INT. TRAIN - SEATS - DAY
Victor, Martin and Victoria in their seats
together.
MARTIN
We're almost there, love. You may
want to get ready.
VICTORIA
I was just about to. Excuse me.
She takes a small suitcase and leaves.
INT. TRAIN - LADIES ROOM - DAY
Victoria has barely enough room to open the
small suitcase.
She prepares for being exposed to the sun:
she puts a
protective cream on her face and arms. Then
she puts on the
same Greta Garbo outfit she wore before
(sunglasses, scarf,
shade hat).
EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
The train pulls into the station.
Waiting for it are Margaret and Gladys.
GLADYS WALLER
I'm nervous. I hope they come from
good stock.
MARGARET
Mother, you are not going to act like
a snob with them. Let them find out
slowly.
GLADYS WALLER
I'm just saying I hope he comes from
a good gene pool.
25.
MARGARET
It doesn't matter.
GLADYS WALLER
It most certainly matters to your
children!
Passengers disembark.
Victor, Martin and Victoria step off. Behind
them is Jimmy.
Victor offers his hand.
VICTOR
It's been a pleasure.
JIMMY
The same.
VICTOR
I'd like to invite you to my wedding.
JIMMY
I'd love to come.
Margaret spots Victor.
MARGARET
Victor! Victor!
She heads off, with her mother following.
Everyone meets. All eyes turn to Victor to
make the
introductions.
VICTOR
Mrs. Waller, I'm pleased to present
my parents.
Gladys can't take her eyes off Victoria but
recovers enough
to fake cordiality.
GLADYS WALLER
This is such an honor.
Victoria immediately figures her out and
plays along.
VICTORIA
Likewise, I'm sure.
Victor and Margaret exchange a look of
relief. They seem to
get along.
The Waller limo pulls up, and the CHAUFFEUR,
Daniel, hops
out to open the door.
26.
He's a hunk, and Victoria immediately
notices.
Martin notices Victoria admiring the
chauffeur and discreetly
elbows her.
INT. WALLER LIMO - DAY
Everyone has plenty of room in the back of
the Waller limo.
GLADYS WALLER
Of course you'll stay with me. I have
so much room, especially since Edgar
died. I need someone besides the help
to talk to.
MARTIN
Thank you, but we can't. We have a
terrible affliction, I'm afraid:
we're really very private people.
GLADYS WALLER
I don't blame you! There are so few
people in the world worth knowing.
MARGARET
Mother ...
MARTIN
Any hotel that's convenient would be
fine.
GLADYS WALLER
At least let me get you a suite at
the Ambassador.
MARTIN
I wouldn't think--
But he stops when Victoria elbows him.
VICTORIA
Do they have a swimming pool?
GLADYS WALLER
Olympic size, I'm sure.
Gladys picks up the limo phone and punches a
button.
EXT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - DAY
The limo pulls in front of the Ambassador
Hotel.
A DOORMAN rushes forward to open the door.
27.
INT. WALLER LIMO - DAY
Martin and Victoria maneuver to get out.
GLADYS WALLER
I'll send the limo at ten. It will
give us a chance to visit before the
wedding. Or is that too early?
VICTORIA
Perhaps a little.
MARTIN
Ten is fine.
They step out.
EXT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - DAY
Martin and Victoria watch the limo pull away.
MARTIN
Poor Victor.
VICTORIA
I don't know what he sees in her.
MARTIN
I meant the mother. And I saw the way
you looked at the chauffeur.
VICTORIA
Looking does not mean touching, Martin.
She smiles but he doesn't look convinced.
EXT. WALLER MANSION - NIGHT
Victor is saying goodnight to Margaret. They
break an embrace.
MARGARET
I'm so happy for you. It's almost a
miracle, isn't it?
VICTOR
The timing couldn't be better.
MARGARET
Tomorrow at this time, I'll be Mrs.
Victor Montgomery.
They embrace and kiss again.
28.
EXT. WALLER MANSION - BACK AREA - DAY
A stage, tents, tables. The set up for the
wedding is
extravagant. It looks like a festival is
going on.
In the distance, a tennis court. A swimming
pool.
Dozens of early GUESTS are mingling as a
stream of others
arrive.
Gladys is looking for someone. Finally she
finds her
chauffeur.
GLADYS WALLER
Daniel!
He comes running to her.
GLADYS WALLER
You're to pick up Victor's parents at
the Ambassador.
CHAUFFEUR
I know, Mrs. Waller. At ten, I believe.
GLADYS WALLER
Oh, do it earlier. It will give us
more time to get to know one another.
CHAUFFEUR
Certainly, madam.
INT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - ROOM - DAY
Martin comes into the room.
MARTIN
Victoria, are you ready yet?
No reply. He goes through the suite, looking
for her.
INT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - SWIMMING POOL - DAY
Victoria is swimming laps as fast as she can.
She is
exhausting herself.
Martin appears.
MARTIN
Victoria! We're running late.
29.
INT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - ROOM - DAY
Victoria is sitting on a wooden chair,
breathing heavily,
still exhausted.
Martin is behind her, massaging her
shoulders, trying to get
her relaxed.
MARTIN
Better?
VICTORIA
Martin, you know what I need.
MARTIN
It's only what you think you need.
VICTORIA
I have such strong cravings--
MARTIN
I'm going to find a meeting.
VICTORIA
Here?
MARTIN
I don't expect to find the meeting
you need. But twelve steps are twelve
steps.
EXT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - DAY
Martin and Victoria come out and get into a
cab. Victoria is
still covered to protect herself from the
sun.
INT. CAB - DAY
The CABBY turns around.
CABBY
Where to, folks?
MARTIN
We're looking for a 12-step meeting.
CABBY
What kind?
MARTIN
It doesn't matter.
30.
CABBY
I know an AA meeting that started at
nine. It's only a couple miles from
here.
MARTIN
Perfect.
INT. CATHOLIC CHURCH - BASEMENT - DAY
The meeting is already in progress when
Martin and Victoria
enter in back.
They find empty chairs and sit down.
EXT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - DAY
The Waller limo parks. The chauffeur gets out
and enters the
hotel.
INT. AMBASSADOR HOTEL - FRONT DESK - DAY
The chauffeur waits as a DESK CLERK buzzes
the room. He
gives up.
DESK CLERK
They don't answer, sir.
CHAUFFEUR
Have they gone out?
DESK CLERK
I just got on.
Another EMPLOYEE passes by.
HOTEL EMPLOYEE
Who are you looking for?
DESK CLERK
Mr. and Mrs. LeSeur.
HOTEL EMPLOYEE
The lady in the Hollywood starlet
disguise, like she doesn't want to be
recognized?
CHAUFFEUR
That's the one.
31.
HOTEL EMPLOYEE
They left in a cab about half an hour
ago.
INT. CATHOLIC CHURCH - BASEMENT - DAY
Victoria stands up.
VICTORIA
My name's Victoria and I'm a ...
She stops. Everyone waits.
VICTORIA
I'm a ... an addict.
EVERYONE
Hi, Victoria! Welcome!
VICTORIA
I'm new ... I mean, I've never been
to this meeting before ... we live in
Viren, in British Columbia, my
husband and I ... or did. We're here
for my son's wedding. I think we'll
move permanently, to be closer to him.
... I don't know why I'm so nervous.
I do this sort of thing all the time
in Viren.
SOMEONE IN AUDIENCE
You're doing fine.
VICTORIA
Thank you. ... I woke up this morning
with the shakes. I needed ... I
needed, well, a drink, yes ... I
needed a drink so bad! ... Sometimes
a good swim will stop my cravings but
today it didn't work.
Knowing nods around the room.
VICTORIA
I got the shakes and couldn't stop.
Martin, my husband, insisted on
bringing me here. We didn't even know
if we could find a meeting or not. On
such short notice, you know ... but
we did, and being here is really
helping me. It truly is. Thank you so
much for being here for me.
She sits down. Everyone applauds wildly.
32.
Victoria turns to Martin. He smiles and nods.
EXT. WALLER MANSION - BACK AREA - DAY
The chauffeur has explained the situation to
Gladys.
GLADYS WALLER
They're not here, and they're not
there, so I have no idea where they
can be. Shopping. They must be
shopping. They probably didn't have
time to buy a wedding gift. We just
have to assume they'll be here on
time, don't we?
EXT. CATHOLIC CHURCH - DAY
The meeting is over. People come up out of
the basement.
Martin and Victoria are shaking hands as
people crowd around
to meet them.
Finally they are alone.
VICTORIA
Martin, that's just what I needed.
You're such a love.
MARTIN
We're late. Let's find a cab.
INT. WALLER MANSION - ROOM - DAY
From an upstairs room, Victor looks over the
crowd below.
Jeff comes in.
Victor hears him and turns.
VICTOR
Is it time?
JEFF
We're waiting for your parents.
They're late.
VICTOR
Have you seen Janey?
JEFF
I don't think she's coming. ... Say,
Good, Jeff.
33.
VICTOR
(ignoring this)
I don't know why I'm so nervous.
JEFF
Loosen up. You're supposed to be
nervous.
INT. WALLER MANSION - BACK AREA - DAY
Wandering through the crowd is Jimmy.
Gladys spots him and approaches.
GLADYS WALLER
I don't believe we've met. I'm Gladys
Waller. You must be a friend of
Victor's.
JIMMY
Jimmy.
GLADYS WALLER
It's so nice of you to come.
JIMMY
I'm honored to be here.
GLADYS WALLER
We'll be starting very soon now!
She hustles away to play hostess with someone
else.
EXT. STREET - DAY
A cab is caught in traffic.
INT. CAB - DAY
Victoria and Martin sit in the back seat.
VICTORIA
Relax, dear. It's not the end of the
world.
MARTIN
We don't dare be late. Our only son,
his only wedding.
VICTORIA
You don't know that.