Step By Step: The Last Step
I found this story years ago on a site that has since been shut down. luckily i saved it onto a disk :) its really cool so hopefully you al lwill like it, since well this guy has written the only sbs fics that i can find :) also if john, you happen upon my site, i mean no disrespect to you nor your talent by posting them on here, i just felt they needed a place to be so people could read them again :)
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Step By Step and its characters are © William Bickley
& Michael Warren and Miller, Boyette Productions.
No copyright infringement is inferred.
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STEP BY STEP
“The Last Step: Part I”
CAST
FRANK.............................PATRICK DUFFY
CAROL............................SUZANNE SOMERS
DANA...............................STACI KEANAN
JT.................................BRANDON CALL
KAREN.............................ANGELA WATSON
AL..............................CHRISTINE LAKIN
MARK..............................CHRIS CASTILE
RICH..............................JASON MARSDEN
LILLY...........................EMILY MAE YOUNG
SETS
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY (A,E,K)
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (L)
INT. KITCHEN - DAY (B)
INT. GIRL’S BEDROOM - DAY (C,I)
INT. JT AND RICH’S APT. - DAY (J)
EXT. BACKYARD - DAY (D,F,G)
1.
(A)
STEP BY STEP
“The Last Step: Part I”
Teaser
FRANK
CAROL
+DANA
+RICH
+JT
+SAM
+KAREN
+MARK
+LILLY
A
FADE IN:
INT. LIVING ROOM - MORNING (DAY 1)
FRANK, CAROL, MARK AND LIILY ARE THERE. FRANK IS DRESSED
IN A SUIT, CAROL IN A DRESS. CAROL HOLDS A CAMERA BY HER
SIDE.
CAROL
(CALLING UPSTAIRS) Dana, Rich,
JT, Sam! Come on guys, you don’t
want to be late to your own
college graduation do you?
DANA
(FROM UPSTAIRS) Be right there,
mom!
CAROL
(TO FRANK) Isn’t this exciting, Frank?
2.
(A)
FRANK
What excites me is the fact
that we’re this close to having
the whole house to ourselves
again.
CAROL
(EMOTIONALLY) Oh, Frank, how
can you say that? It’s like
one minute they’re starting
kindergarten, and the next they’re
graduating Magna Cum Laud.
FRANK
I know. But it’s all part of
nature’s plan. Besides, if it
makes you feel any better, JT
didn’t graduate Magna Cum Laud.
He’s just happy he’s graduating.
I’m just happy he’s graduating.
We’re all just happy he graduating...
CAROL
I get the picture, Frank.
KAREN COMES DOWN THE STAIRS. SHE IS FOLLOWED BY
SAM AND AL. THEY ALL WEAR NICE DRESSES.
3.
(A)
KAREN
Frank, Carol. Before Dana,
Rich, and JT come down just
let me say that I slaved away
into the wee hours of the
morning coming up with the
perfect look for them today.
AL
Yeah, you should have seen her.
She jumped right in without
any thought to her pedicure.
KAREN
The sacrifices I make for
fashion...Anyway, I now
present you the graduating
class of 1998.
DANA, RICH, AND JT COME DOWN THE STAIRS. THEY ALL
WEAR BLACK ROBES AND MORDERS. (DANA’S HAIR IS LONG,
AND IT’S NATURAL COLOR. JT’S HAIR IS CUT SHORT WITH
A FADE ON THE SIDES, AND RICH HAS ON A PAIR OF GLASSES).
CAROL
(EMOTIONALLY) Oh, just look
at all of you. You look so grown up.
DANA, JT, AND RICH STAND BEFORE FRANK AND CAROL.
4.
(A)
DANA
(ANNOYED) Mom, that’s because
we are grownup. I can’t believe
you still can’t accept the
fact that we’re about to graduate
college. That we’re about to
finally break free of this house.
That we’re about to start our lives
fresh and new. That we’re going to...
CAROL
I get the point, Dana.
FRANK
(ASIDE TO MARK) Boy, some people
just don’t know when to quit, huh?
JT
(TO RICH) Had I known I looked
this good in black, I would
have graduated a long time ago.
FRANK
You know son, nothing is more
sexier to a woman than an educated
man.
DANA
Well that obviously explains
why JT was single all these years.
5.
(A)
SAM COMES UP TO JT AND WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND HER.
SAM
(TO JT) Don’t listen to her, JT.
I think you’re father’s right. I
find an intelligent man very
attractive.
JT AND SAM KISS.
JT
Yep, I should have graduated a
long time ago.
RICH
(RE: GLASSES) Well, what do you
think of my new look, huh? Do
they make me look smarter and
and more desirable to you?
DANA GENTLY TAKES RICH’S HANDS.
DANA
Honey, those glasses make you
look...
RICH
Yeah?
DANA
Like Jerry Lewis.
6.
(A)
CAROL
(UPSET) Oh, just once I wish you
guys could stop making fun of each
other for one day. Do you think
that you could do that, is that
possible?
DANA, JT, RICH, AL, SAM, AND KAREN ALL LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER.
AFTER A BEAT:
ALL
(IN UNISON) No, I don’t think
that’s possible...
CAROL
All right, everybody line up for
a group shot.
THE GROUP REACTS NEGATIVELY. CAROL ARRANGES EVERYONE IN A
LINE FOR A GROUP PICTURE.
CAROL (CONT’D)
Graduates up front. Al you go
here, Dana, Rich...
THE LINE-UP GOES: KAREN, RICH, DANA, JT, SAM AND AL.
CAROL STEPS BACK AND PUTS THE CAMERA TO HER EYE.
CAROL
Okay everybody, smile.
ANGLE: CAMERA POV PANS FROM KAREN ACROSS THE GROUP TO
AL. ALL TALK THROUGH THEIR SMILES THROUGH THE FOLLOWING.
7.
(A)
KAREN
Just think, Jose Ebear started
out this way.
JT
Sam, you really like smart guys?
SAM
(TACTFULLY) Well, let’s just
say that if I didn’t I wouldn’t
be here with you.
JT
That’s so sweet. (A BEAT, REALIZES
IT’S A SLAM) Hey, wait a minute.
AL
For the love of God, please
take the picture, I can’t
feel my cheeks anymore.
THE CAMERA POV PULLS OUT TO REVEAL THE GROUP.
CAROL
Say cheese!
ALL
(IN UNISION) Bite me!
THE FLASH GOES OFF. A BLACK AND WHITE STILL OF THE GROUP
SMILING FILLS SCREEN.
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
8.
(B)
ACT ONE
FRANK
CAROL
MARK
LILLY
JT
SAM
DANA
RICH
AL
KAREN
B
FADE IN:
INT.KITCHEN - LATER THAT DAY
FRANK AND CAROL ENTER FROM THE BACK DOOR FOLLOWED BY THE
REST OF THE GROUP. DANA, RICH, AND JT CARRY THEIR BLACK
ROBES AND DIPLOMA CASES. AL, SAM, MARK AND KAREN SING
“POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE”.
FRANK
Boy, that was a great commencement
ceremony. (TO KIDS) What did
you guys think?
JT
Yeah, it was cool. And the best
part of it was Barkey didn’t
scratch behind her ears even once.
DANA
(TO JT) At lest the Dean didn’t
pass out when he handed me my
diploma.
9.
(B)
JT
That doesn’t prove anything. It
was hot out.
JT SNIFFS UNDER BOTH ARM PITS.
(ASIDE TO SAM) I’m okay right?
DANA
(UPSET) What I can’t believe is
that I didn’t make class
Valedictorian. What a crock.
CAROL
Dana, you should be very proud.
You graduated in the top five
percent of your class. Doesn’t
that at least mean something to you?
DANA
Yeah, it means that when I go
to apply for a job, that the other
four percent are going to get it,
and I’ll be homeless on the streets.
Like JT is destined to be.
JT
Hey Dogzilla, I also have a
college degree and on top of
that, dad said I could stay
here as long as I want.
10.
(B)
FRANK WALKS UP TO JT AND PUTS ON HAND ON JT’S SHOULDER.
FARNK
Son, make sure you find a good park
bench to sleep on that’s near a
restaurant.
DANA
Well, I don’t know about you, but
I don’t feel much like celebrating.
I’ll be upstairs.
DANA STARTS FOR THE STAIRS. CAROL GOES TO STOP HER.
CAROL
(UPSET) Dana, wait a minute. We
have a celebration all set up in
the backyard. Don’t you want to
come out and have fun with everybody?
This is your special day.
DANA IS GONE. RICH STARTS FOR THE STAIRS.
RICH
I better go up there and see what
what’s bothering her. I’m just
glad that for once it’s not me.
RICH EXITS UPSTAIRS.
CAROL
(UPSET) Frank, what has gotten in
to her?
11.
(B)
FRANK
(SINCERE) I don’t’ know. End of
college, new life...(TO GROUP)
Well, how about some hamburgers
and hot dogs out back?!
THE GROUP AGREES POSITIVELY. THEY ALL EXIT UPSTAIRS TO CHANGE
CLOTHES. FRANK AND CAROL ARE LEFT ALONE.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Ah, isn’t this a great day?
The sun is shining, two of
our kids graduated college,
and they just re-introduced
peanut M&Ms.
CAROL
(WHINING) No.
FRANK
Well, if it makes you feel
any better I don’t like the
peanut ones either.
CAROL
(UPSET) Oh, Frank that’s not
the reason I’m upset.
FRANK
Oh. (RE: M&Ms) I am.
12.
(B)
CAROL
Frank, Dana doesn’t want to
celebrate with the kids, and
I don’t know what to do. This
is supposed to be her special
day and she’s miserable.
FRANK SITS CAROL DOWN AT THE TABLE.
FRANK
Listen to me, Carol. After seven years
I’ve learned that Dana is Dana, and
nothing we do is going to change her.
CAROL
You’re right. But I feel like such
a failure as a parent.
FRANK
You are not a failure, Carol. In fact,
I remember seven years ago when we
first came through the front door
you had the exact same worries.
I’ll admit it was touch and go
there for a while, but we managed
to get through it all.
CAROL
Well, I guess you’re right.
But what do we do about Dana?
13.
(B)
FRANK
Tell you what. Wait ‘til lunch, and
if she doesn’t come down on her own,
you can go up there and talk to her
about it.
CAROL
Good idea.
FRANK AND CAROL SIT AT THE TABLE, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
14.
(C)
DANA
RICH
C
INT. GIRL’S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
DANA STANDS AT A DESK GOING THROUGH A BOX OF OLD REPORT CARDS
FROM ELEMENTARY AND JR.HIGH SCHOOL. RICH SITS ON AL’S BED.
DANA
(READING CARD) “A+” ha!
(READING FROM CARD) Dana
possess an intelligence
far superior to the other
students and always works up
to her full potential. What
a load!
RICH
Honey? Has anyone ever told you
have a lot of penned up
aggression?
DANA
(STERNLY) I do not!
RICH
Okay...
RICH GETS UP AND CROSSES OVER TO DANA.
15.
(C)
RICH
Honey, I don’t understand why you’re upset.
DANA PAUSES A BEAT, THEN TURNS TO RICH.
DANA
I guess...I’m just confused. I mean,
from the time I was little, I’ve had
my whole life planned out. You know,
go to school, get an education, and
then get a job. It all seemed so clear
until you actually do it.
RICH WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.
RICH
You don’t have to worry about it any
more. I’m here, and I love you no
matter what kind of grades you get.
DANA
Really? You mean that?
RICH
Of course. Dana, I love you.
DANA
(ACCEPTING) I know. I’m a lucky
woman aren’t I?
16.
(C)
RICH
Yeah, but not derail your feminist
perspective, I’m also a pretty
lucky guy. And what would make me
even more lucky is if you answered
this one question.
DANA
What?
RICH REACHES INTO HIS BACK POCKET AND PRODUCES A SMALL CASE.
HE THEN GETS DOWN ON ONE KNEE AND OPENS THE CASE. A DIAMOND
RING SPARKLES IN THE LIGHT.
RICH
Will you, Dana Foster, do me
the honor and make me the happiest
man in Port Washington and
marry me?
DANA IS IN SHOCK. HER SHOCK THEN TURNS TO JOY.
DANA
(OVERJOYED) Yes! I do!
RICH RISES AND DANA HUGS HIM. HOLD ON THEM HUGGING, AS
WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
17.
(D)
FRANK
CAROL
MARK
JT
SAM
KAREN
AL
LILLY
D
EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER
MARK, JT, SAM, KAREN, AL, LILLY, AND CAROL ALL SIT AT A
PICNIC TABLE. FRESH PAPER PLATES SIT IN FRONT OF THEM.
FRANK IS AT THE BARBECUE.
FRANK
(TO ALL) How do you want your
burgers?
THE GROUP RESPONDS SIMOTANEOUSLY WITH DIFFERENT PREFERENCES.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Well done it is.
FRANK SQUIRTS LIGHER FLUID DIRECTLY ONTO THE GRILL.
IT FLARES UP WITH GIANT YELLOW FLAMES.
CAROL
(TO JT) So, JT now that you’ve
graduated college, what do
you plan on doing?
18.
(D)
JT
Well, Carol, I intend to sleep
late, watch “Xena” and “Baywatch”
in my underwear...
SAM COCKS AND EYEBROW.
JT (CONT’D)
Because they have strong
female role models that we can
all learn from...and basically
wait for whatever comes along.
AL
Dare to dream.
SFX: PHONE RINGS
FRANK PICKS UP A CORDLESS PHONE SITTING NEXT TO THE
GRILL.
FRANK
(TO PHONE) Hello. Yeah, he’s
here. (TO JT) JT? Phone.
JT GETS UP AND CROSSES OVER TO FRANK. HE PUTS THE PHONE
TO HIS EAR.
JT
(TO PHONE) Hello. Yeah. Really?
That’s great, yeah. Yeah, I’ll
tell him. No, thank you!
JT LETS THE PHONE FALL TO HIS SIDE.
19.
(D)
JT
(TO FRAK) Dad, you’ll never
believe who that was?
FRANK
The original Batman, Adam West?
JT
(A BEAT) No, that was Mr.Garabaldi
from Garabaldi Photography Studios.
He interviewed me and Rich at a
job fair at school, and he wants us
to come work for him!
FRANK
(EXCITED) Really? That is
better than Adam West.
JT
Yeah, and he wants us to start
next Friday.
FRANK
That’s great!
JT
Yeah, but there’s just one
problem, we have to move
to Milwaukee, if we want the
jobs.
20.
(D)
FRANK
Milwaukee? That’s so
far away.
JT
I know, but dad, this job
pays 38,000 a year starting.
FRANK
(A BEAT) But what is far a
way, really...? (TO GROUP)
Everybody, JT’s moving out!
EVERYONE AT THE TABLE PAUSES A BEAT. THEN THEY ALL EURPT
INTO HOOTS AND HOLLOWERS OF JOY. ALL EXCEPT CAROL.
CAROL
Now, wait a minute. What’s
this all about?
CAROL CROSSES OVER TO FRANK AND JT.
FRANK
(EXCITED) JT just got a call
from some guy who interviewed
him and Rich at school. He wants
them to move to Milwaukee and
work for him. And the best part
is he has to be outta’ here by
Friday. Isn’t that great?
21.
(D)
CAROL
(UPSET) No.
JT
I better go tell Rich.
JT EXITS INTO THE KITCHEN.
CAROL
(TO FRANK) Frank, what is going
on here? First Dana is upset,
and now JT is leaving us?
Frank, I don’t believe this.
Everything is happening so fast.
FRANK
(ENTHUSIASTIC) Yeah, I know. It’s
better than meeting Adam West!
FRANK TAKES A PICTHER OF WATER AND DOUSES THE FLAMING
BURGERS. PLUMES OF STEAM RISE FROM THE GRILL.
FRANK (CONT’D)
(TO ALL) Burgers are ready!
CUT TO:
22.
(E)
JT
+DANA
+RICH
E
INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
JT ENTERS FROM THE KITCHEN. DANA AND RICH ENTER FROM
UPSTAIRS HOLDING HANDS.
JT
Rich have I got some great
news for you.
RICH
Well, so do we.
DANA IS GIDDY WITH EXCITEMENT.
JT
Rich, you remember Mr.Garabaldi,
that photography guy who interviewed
us at the job fair?
RICH
Yeah?
JT
Well, he just called and
said that we got the jobs!
RICH
(A BEAT, REALIZING) What?! We
got the jobs!?
23.
(E)
JT GRABS RICH AROUND THE ARMS AND LOOKS HIM
STRAIGHT IN THE EYE.
JT
Yeah! I can’t believe it!
And the best thing is we start
next Friday! Isn’t that great?!
RICH
Like Tony The Tiger!
JT
Yeah, but we got a lot to do
if we’re moving to Milwaukee
by then.
RICH
(OFF GUARD) Milwaukee? Why do
we have to move to Milwaukee?
JT
Because that’s where the company
is, man. Don’t you remember?
RICH BREAKS AWAY FROM JT.
RICH
(DISTRAUGHT) Aw, man. I can’t
believe this is happening. Not
now!
24.
(E)
JT
Look, whatever the problem is we’ll
work it out. Now, what were you going
to tell me?
RICH TAKES DANA’S HAND AND IS ABOUT TO SPEAK.
CUT TO:
25.
(F)
FRANK
CAROL
MARK
KAREN
AL
LILLY
+DANA
+RICH
+JT
F
EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER
THE GROUP SITS AT THE TABLE EATING THEIR BLACKENED
HAMBURGERS. JT ENTERS AND SITS DOWN AND AT THE TABLE.
HE IS IN A SOLEMN MOOD.
CAROL
So, did Rich have any questions?
JT DOESN’T RESPOND. DANA AND RICH ENTER FROM THE KITCHEN.
DANA
(GIDDY) Mom, Frank. Rich
asked me to marry him.
Isn’t that wonderful?!
PAUSE AS THEY ARE ALL STUNNED. FRANK’S HAMBURGER FALLS TO HIS
PLATE IN MID-BITE. DANA JUST GIGGLES AND RICH SMILES PROUDLY.
AL
(TO CAROL) I’d say he had a few.
HOLD ON THE GROUP STANDING IN SHOCK, AS WE,
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
26.
(G)
ACT TWO
FRANK
CAROL
DANA
RICH
JT
SAM
AL
LILLY
KAREN
MARK
G
FADE IN:
EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER
EVERYONE STANDS STUNNED.
CAROL
(IN SHOCK) Married? Dana a while
ago you were upset you didn’t
make Valedictorian and now you’re
getting married?!
DANA RESPONDS WITH A GIDDY LAUGH. LILLY STEPS
FORWARD.
LILLY
Are you two going to have a baby?
FRANK AND CAROL’S EYES GO WIDE.
CAROL
(TO FRANK, PANICKED) Oh, my
God, Frank. She’s pregnant.
27.
(G)
FRANK
(TO RICH) You are deader than
disco.
FRANK HEADS TOWARD RICH AS DANA STEPS BETWEEN THEM
AND PLEADS WITH HIM.
DANA
(TO ALL) No, no Frank, mom.
I am not pregnant! We’re
getting married because we
love each other. I don’t
know what it is, but for
once in my life I am really
happy about something.
CAROL PAUSES A BEAT. SHE THEN GIVES DANA A BIG HUG.
CAROL
(TEARING UP) Well, if this makes you
happy, then it makes me happy.
DANA
Thanks mom.
FRANK
Well, if it makes Carol happy,
then...you’ve got my blessing
as too.
DANA
Thank you, Frank.
28.
(G)
RICH
Hey, Mr.”L”, once I get married to
to Dana, we’ll have a lot to talk about,
eh?
FRANK TURNS TO CAROL.
FRANK
But what is happiness really?
TURNS TO LOOK AT RICH WHO SMILES AND GIVES A THUMBS
UP SIGN.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Oh, gees.
DISSOLVE TO:
29.
(H)
H
EXT. HOUSE - A FEW DAYS LATER (DAY 2)
ESTABLISHING SHOT OF THE LAMBERT-FOSTER HOME.
A TITLE CARD FADES IN:
A Few Days Later.
CUT TO:
30.
(I)
DANA
AL
KAREN
SAM
I
INT. GIRL’S BEDROOM - (DAY 2)
DANA STANDS ON A STOOL IN A WEDDING GOWN AS KAREN
AL, LILLY AND SAM MAKE ALTERATIONS. AL WEARS ONE OF
THE BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES.
KAREN
Wow, I can’t believe that you and
Rich are actually going to tie
the knot in less than 24 hours.
DANA
You can’t believe it. I dreamt
I walked down the isle and my
feet were two frozen blocks of
ice. How’s that for a sign?
KAREN
Was the ice made out of Pierre
water?
DANA JUST LOOKS AT HER AND DOES NOT RESPOND.
SAM
I think it’s great that you and
Rich are getting married. In fact,
I can’t wait to marry JT.
31.
(I)
AL, KAREN, AND DANA PAUSE A BEAT THEN SHUTTER AT THE
VERY THOUGHT OF MARRYING JT.
KAREN
(LEADING HER) Sam...Is there
something that you’re not
telling us?
DANA
Yeah, like JT’s really a space
alien sent here to study the
living habits of the terminally
stupid?
SAM
(AMUSED) No, nothing like that. I
just meant that I can picture
spending the rest of my life with
JT if he asked me too. Hey, I’m moving
with him to Milwaukee aren’t I?
AL
Sam, trust us. We have spent the rest
our lives with JT. It’s no picnic. In
fact, it’s more like 99 cent taco night
at the bowling alley.
DANA
Yeah. Stale and boring.
32.
(I)
SAM
Well, I don’t care what any of
you guys say. I know that JT and I
are meant to be together.
CAROL AND LILLY ENTER FROM THE HALLWAY. LILLY RUNS UP TO DANA
HOLDING A PAIR OF WHITE SHOES.
LILLY
(EXCITED) Dana, here are your
shoes for tomorrow. I polished
them myself.
DANA STEPS DOWN FROM THE STOOL, BENDS DOWN TO LILLY AND
TAKES THE SHOES.
DANA
Thank you, Lilly.
CAROL
(RE: POLISH) Well, she had
some help.
LILLY
(ASIDE TO DANA) Just humor her.
It makes her feel grown up.
DANA WINKS AT LILLY WHO THEN GOES AND SITS ON AL’S BED.
CAROL CROSSES OVER TO DANA.
CAROL
(EMOTIONAL) Oh, Dana. You look
so beautiful.
(MORE)
33.
(I)
CAROL (CONT’D)
Just like your Grandma did when we
she wore this dress.
AL
(ASIDE TO KAREN) You did have
this thing dry cleaned didn’t
you?
KAREN SHRUGS HER SHOULDERS. AL LOOKS AT DANA IN THE
DRESS AND CRINGES.
DANA
Mom it’s beautiful and I
just want to thank you for
letting me wear it.
CAROL
Oh, you’re welcome. (TO AL)
And you look lovely too, Al.
AL
I feel like such a tool.
DANA
I also want to thank you for being
so understanding about me and Rich
moving to Milwaukee next Thursday.
CAROL
(ALARMED) What?!
34.
(I)
DANA
Yeah, I’m moving with Rich and
JT to Milwaukee. Rich said he
has an apartment all lined-up
for us and everything.
CAROL
Wait a minute, you can’t do
that.
DANA
Why not?
CAROL
(UPSET) Why not?! Dana, you’re
getting married tomorrow...you
have to pack...what about journalism
school?!
DANA
Mom, relax. I’ve got everything
under control. I can pack tonight,
and there are plenty of Journalism
schools in Milwaukee.
CAROL
Relax?! Dana, you can’t just leave
me like this?
35.
(I)
DANA
Mom, this isn’t like you. What’s
the big deal? It’s not like I’m
going to the Kennedy Compound, I’m
just moving to Milwaukee with Rich.
CAROL
(STERNLY) No. No you’re not.
DANA
(SEMI-AMUSED) What? Why?
CAROL
Because...because you are grounded.
Yes. Grounded. Grounded, grounded,
grounded...grounded.
DANA
(A BEAT, AMUSED) Yeah, right. You’re
such a kidder, mom. I gotta’ change
out of this thing.
DANA EXITS FOLLOWED BY THE REST OF THE GIRLS EXCEPT LILLY WHO
REMAINS SEATED ON THE BED.
CAROL
(PLEADING) Dana...
DANA AND THE GIRLS ARE GONE.
LILLY
What’s wrong, mommy?
36.
(I)
CAROL
I’m losing my babies one by
one.
HOLD ON CAROL’S REACTION, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
37.
(J)
JT
RICH
J
INT. JT AND RICH’S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
JT SITS ON RICH’S BED AND IS ON THE PHONE. RICH
SITS NEXT TO HIM.
JT
(TO PHONE) Yeah, I want the best
stripper you got. (A BEAT) Okay,
great. Send her over around six.
JT HANGS UP THE PHONE.
JT (CONT’D)
(EXCITED) This is going to be awesome.
This is going to be the best bachelor
party in the history of bachelor parties.
RICH GETS UP AND CROSSES OVER TO THE STOVE AND PICKS
UP A SLIM JIM AND UNWRAPS IT.
RICH
(WORRIED) I don’t know, JT. I don’t
think Dana is going to like this.
JT GETS UP AND GENTLY GRABS RICH BY ONE ARM.
JT
Rich, this is what guys do before
they get married.
(MORE)
38.
(J)
JT (CONT’D)
This is your last chance to live it
up before Barkey slaps a leash around
you and takes away your...manhood.
JT TAKES THE TOP HALF OF THE SLIM JIM AND BREAKS
IT OFF. RICH LOOKS AT THE BROKEN TIP.
JT (CONT’D)
Besides, Sam and the rest of the
girls are throwing Dana a
bachelorette party.
RICH
Really?
JT
Yep.
JT BEGINS TO CHEW ON HIS HALF OF THE SLIM JIM.
RICH
Well, now. That’s different.
JT
Yep.
JT AND RICH BOTH NOW CHEW THEIR PIECES OF SLIM JIM
LIKE MACHO MEN CHEWING TOBACCO.
RICH
Well, I guess it is tradition.
And who am I to go against
tradition, right? Huh, huh?
39.
(J)
JT
(WORKED UP) That’s right. And
as Best Man it’s my duty to make
sure that traditions are alive
and well in this country! Huh, huh?!
RICH
(WORKED UP) Right! Are we men or
are we men!
JT
We are men!
RICH
Okay! (A BEAT, IN NORMAL VOICE)
Do you think there’s going to
be gummy worms at the party?
JT LOOKS AT HIM, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
40.
(K)
FRANK
JT
RICH
EXTRAS
K
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER THAT DAY
CATERERS SET UP ROWS OF SEATS. FLOWERS AND OTHER DECORATIONS
ARE BEING CARRIED BACK AND FORTH. FRANK STANDS BY THE SOFA
TALKING ON THE PHONE WITH RICH AND JT NEXT TO HIM.
FRANK
(TO PHONE) Well, I’m sorry to hear
that. We’ll miss you both. All right,
I will. You too. (TO RICH, JT) That
was Penny and Ivy. They can’t make
it to the wedding, but they send
their love.
RICH LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM.
RICH
Mr.”L”, don’t you think this going
over board just a bit?
FRANK
Rich we’re going to be family soon.
Call me dad.
RICH
All right, “Dad”.
41.
(K)
FRANK
(HATING SOUND OF IT) On second
thought, call me Mr.”L”.
RICH
Don’t you think we’re going
over board just a bit?
FRANK
This wedding isn’t costing us
a thing because I called in a
few favors. For instance, check
out those flowers. Got’em from
Used Plant’s & Stuff.
JT
(SARCASTIC) I see. First class all
the way huh, dad?
FRANK
Hey. There motto is “As long as it’s
green when you bring it home, it’s still
a plant--even if it’s not.”
JT
Pulled out all the stops, did we?
FRANK
(ENTHUSIASTIC) You bet.
DISSOLVE TO:
42.
(L)
CAROL
DANA
L
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
THE SOFA IS GONE, AND AN ARCH WITH FLOWERS STANDS NEAR
THE FRONT DOOR. A CARPET IS ROLLED OUT, AND CHAIRS ARE
ALIGNED IN ROWS. DANA ENTERS FROM UPSTAIRS AS CAROL ENTERS
FROM THE KITCHEN.
CAROL
Oh, Dana. Mark, Lilly, Frank and I
are going out for pizza. Do you
want to come with us?
DANA
Mom, tonight’s my bachelorette
party at Sam’s. Plus, I’ve still
got a lot of packing to get done
before we move.
CAROL
(DISAPPOINTED) Well, all right.
DANA
Besides, in less than 48 hours
me and Rich will be married and
be winging our way to Milwaukee.
43.
(L)
CAROL
(COLDY) I swear, that’s the only thing
I hear out of you lately.
DANA
Mom, what is the problem?
CAROL
(ANGRY) I’ll tell what the problem
is Dana. If I were you I would want
to spend the last few nights in this
house with my family because that’s
what a family does.
DANA
I’m spending time with you guys.
I just have a lot of things to
do if you hadn’t noticed.
CAROL
Don’t take that tone with me, Dana.
DANA
Mom...What...What’s going on?
Is it because I’m not going out with
you and Frank tonight that’s
bothering you?
44.
(L)
CAROL
No, Dana. What’s bothering me is the
fact that ever since Rich proposed to
you you’ve been acting like an ungrateful,
spoiled little girl who thinks she
doesn’t have to spend time with her
family any more.
DANA
I don’t believe this. Mom, I have
important stuff I have to do. I
can’t believe you can’t understand that.
CAROL
No, what I understand, Dana, is that
you don’t care enough about us to
take an hour out of your life to
eat with Frank and me before your
big day tomorrow. But I guess you’re
just too busy for stuff like that
now that you’ve graduated -- which
by the way, Frank and I have been
paying for every step of the way.
DANA
Is that what this is about?
A “Thank You”?
DANA BACKS TOWARD THE FRONT DOOR.
45.
(L)
DANA (CONT’D)
(IRATE) Well, Thank You, mom!
Thank you for everything you and
Frank have done for me! But you know
what? I don’t need you to pay my
way anymore. In fact, Rich and I
aren’t waiting until Friday. We’re
moving out of here tomorrow!
DANA EXITS SLAMMING THE DOOR BEHIND HER. FRANK, MARK
AND LILLY COME DOWN THE STAIRS.
FRANK
So, you up for a jumbo size pizza
with all the trimmings?
CAROL
(UPSET) Oh, Frank.
FRANK
We don’t have to go for pizza.
HOLD ON CAROL’S REACTION, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
END OF ACT TWO
STEP BY STEP
“The Last Step: Part I”
Written by
John Moudry
REVISED FINAL DRAFT
September 21, 1997
Continue onto continue to the 2nd part
