Step By Step: The Last Step Part 2
Here is the end of one fans take on how the show should have ended.
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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 II”
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
MINISTER......................................?
SETS
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (D,G,K)
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY (I)
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT (REDRESSED) (L)
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT (E,F)
INT. KITCHEN - DAY (J)
INT. SAM’S APT. - NIGHT (B)
INT. JT AND RICH’S APT. - DAY (A)
INT. RESTARAUNT - NIGHT (C)
EXT. BACKYARD - NIGHT (H)
STEP BY STEP
“The Last Step: Part II”
Written by
John Moudry
REVISED FINAL DRAFT
September 21, 1997
1.
(A)
ACT THREE
JT
RICH
EXTRAS
+BARBIE
A
INT. JT AND RICH’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
MUSIC BLASTS FROM A STEREO AS PARTY GUESTS MINGLE WITH
ONE ANOTHER. JT CROSSES TO RICH WHO STANDS NEAR HIS BED.
JT
Isn’t this great?
RICH
Yeah!
JT
Are we men, or are we men?!
RICH
We are men!
RICH AND JT GROWL AND FLEX. JT THEN CROSSES TO THE
STEREO AND TURNS IT DOWN A NOTCH.
JT
(TO ALL) All right, everybody.
The moment you’ve all been
waiting for. Direct from the
Boom-Boom Room, may I present
Miss Barbie Doll!
JT TURNS THE STEREO BACK UP. A TECHNO BEAT PLAYS OVER.
BARBIE ENTERS FROM THE KITCHEN, SHAKING HER REAR TO
THE MUSIC. SHE BACKS INTO THE APARTMENT SEDUCTIVELY, AND
THEN TURNS TO FACE RICH.
2.
(A)
BARBIE
(SHOCKED) Rich!
RICH
(STUNNED) Barbie?
BARBIE
Aw, man. This is bad. (TO JT)
I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.
JT
For God’s sake why not?!
BARBIE
I’m sorry.
BARBIE HEADS TOWARD THE KITCHEN.
BARBIE (CONT’D)
(TO JT) Do you validate?
SHE THEN DECIDES NOT TO WAIT FOR AN ANSWER AND EXITS TO THE
KITCHEN. THE GUESTS ARE DISAPPOINTED AND CONFUSED.
JT
(TO RICH) What’s going on?
RICH
She’s the one I teamed up with
to win the recycling contest
at school last year.
JT
(CONFUSED) And this is stopping
us from seeing her naked...why?!
3.
(A)
RICH
Look, JT, I know that you did this
as friend, but I just wouldn’t feel
right having her dance for us after
I worked with her is all. I hope you
understand?
JT
(BEGRUDGINGLY) Yeah, believe it or not
I do. Boy, I sure liked it when we were
single and a bunch of horn-dogs.
RICH
I hear ya.
JT
Well, now what do we do?
RICH
(TO ALL) Anybody got any gummy worms?
TO OUR SURPRISE, ALL THE GUESTS HOLD UP BAGS OF GUMMY WORMS.
HOLD ON JT AND RICH’S REACTION, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
4.
(B)
DANA
SAM
KAREN
AL
B
INT. SAM’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
SAM, DANA, AL, AND KAREN ALL SIT AROUND A COFFEE TABLE
EATING PIZZA AND DRINKING WINE.
SAM
Now, isn’t this better than
going to some Guy-strip-club?
DANA
I don’t know, I’m always in
the mood to support young,
struggling college students as
they earn their way through
school.
AL
Yeah, especially if they have
tight butts.
SAM
So, Dana, are you nervous about
tomorrow?
DANA
Nope.
5.
(B)
SAM
Not even just a little?
DANA
Well, maybe just a little.
KAREN
How little? Are we talking
“I didn’t inhale” a little,
or “I like Antonio Banderas
a little”?
DANA
(AMUSED) No, Karen, it’s just
that for once in my life I’m
not afraid to take a chance.
I’ve never felt so right about
anything.
SAM
See? That’s like with me and JT.
I know he’s the perfect guy for
me. He may be rough around the
edges, but I know he’s the one.
DANA
Rough? We’re talking sand-paper
against a brillo pad here.
KAREN
(EMOTIONALLY) Oh, that’s so romantic.
6.
(B)
SAM
You may joke a lot about JT, but
he’s told me that actually a lot
times you two were there for each
other when it really counted.
Then again, that’s what families
are for, right? (A BEAT)
I’ll get us some coffee.
SAM GETS UP AND GOES TO THE KITCHEN.
KAREN
Could you make mine an expresso?
SAM
(AMUSED) We’re not StarBucks’,
but I’ll see what I can do.
HOLD ON DANA AS SHE CONTEMPLATES WHAT SAM SAID ABOUT
FAMILY, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
7.
(C)
FRANK
CAROL
+MARK
+LILLY
C
INT. PIZZA RESTAURANT - LATER THAT NIGHT
FRANK AND CAROL SIT IN A BOOTH AT A PIZZA PARLOR. IT IS NOISY
WITH KIDS AND VIDEO GAMES BUZZING IN THE B.G. CAROL
HALF-HEARTEDLY PICKS AT HER SLICE OF PIZZA.
FRANK
Carol, is everything all right?
You hardly touched your pizza
tonight.
CAROL
Frank, I just can’t believe how
fast everything is happening to
us lately. JT and Rich are moving
to Milwaukee and Dana is going
with them? Doesn’t that bother
you just a little?
FRANK
Are we talking “I don’t like people
who smoke a little” or “I’d give
my right arm to see Suzanne Somers
demonstrate the Thigh Master in
my living room a little”?
8.
(C)
CAROL
(UPSET) Frank...(CHANGES TONE)
By the way, I don’t know who
she’s kidding. You try having
a couple of kids and see how
you look at her age without
a personal trainer. (UPSET) No,
but doesn’t it make you the least
bit sad to see all our kids leaving?
FRANK
Of course it does, honey. But
as parents we knew this day would
come. In fact, most of us wish it
would come a lot sooner...but the point
is we have to learn to let go.
CAROL
You’re right. I just don’t want to right
now.
MARK AND LILLY SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE.
LILLY
(EXCITED) Mommy, daddy! Look what
Mark won for me!
LILLY HOLDS UP A STUFFED ANIMAL. MARK AND LILLY SIT
DOWN OPPOSITE FRANK AND CAROL IN THE BOOTH.
9.
(C)
MARK
Aw, it was nothing really.
(COCKY) Just the old manual
dexterity if I do say so myself.
FRANK
You begged them to let her
have it didn’t, you?
MARK
You know it, Frank.
FRANK
(ASIDE TO CAROL) See, we’ve still
got Mark, Karen, Lilly and Al. You
still got plenty of time before you
have to let go.
CAROL MANAGES A SMILE.
CAROL
Well, I guess you’re right. I
just wish I could talk to Dana
and apologize to her for the way
I’ve been acting.
FRANK
Well, the night is still young.
HOLD ON CAROL’S REACTION, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
10.
(D)
FRANK
CAROL
MARK
LILLY
D
INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER THAT NIGHT
IT IS DARK. FRANK, CAROL, MARK AND LILLY ENTER AND TURN
ON THE LIGHTS.
FRANK
Well, I’ll tell you Carol, that
was the best pizza I’ve ever had.
And the best part is...
FRANK BURPS.
FRANK (CONT’D)
It tastes better the second time
around.
CAROL
(AMUSED) Well, why don’t you take
Lilly up to bed and I’ll be right
up.
FRANK
Ooo. I like the sound of that.
(TO LILLY) Come on, Lilly you
can ride old bronco-bucking dad up.
11.
(D)
LILLY
Get real, daddy. I’m too old
for that.
LILLY AND MARK EXIT UPSTAIRS.
FRANK
(TO CAROL) It’s a good thing
too since my back is killing me.
FRANK EXITS UPSTAIRS. CAROL THEN EXITS INTO THE KITCHEN.
CUT TO:
12.
(E)
CAROL
+DANA
+KAREN
E
INT. KITCHEN - (CONTINUOUS)
CAROL ENTERS AND TURNS ON THE LIGHTS. (RICH AND JT’S PARTY
HAS LONG SINCE BEEN OVER). SHE GOES OVER TO THE SINK AND
BEGINS TO WASH SOME DIRTY GLASSES. DANA AND KAREN ENTER.
DANA
(OUT BACK DOOR) Thanks for
everything, Sam! I had a
great time.
KAREN
Yeah, see you tomorrow!
DANA
(NOTICES CAROL) Mom.
CAROL
(STAND-OFFISH) Dana. Where’s Al?
DANA
She’s out back. She wanted to stay
and look at the stars.
BRIEF PAUSE OF SILENCE BETWEEN EVERYONE.
KAREN
I think I’ll go to bed now.
KAREN EXITS UPSTAIRS. CAROL CONTINUES TO WASH GLASSES, NOT
REALLY LOOKING AT DANA.
13.
(E)
CAROL
So, how was your bachelorette
party?
DANA
It was good. We had a good time.
CAROL
I’m glad to hear it.
DANA
Mom, what’s wrong? Come on,
you’re treating me like I’m
not a member of this family
and that really hurts.
CAROL PUTS DOWN THE GLASS AND TOWEL AND TURNS TO FACE
DANA.
CAROL
Hurts you? What about what
you did to me?
DANA
What did I do to you?
CAROL
How about not going out to
dinner with me and Frank?
How about...
14.
(E)
DANA
I don’t believe this. If you’re
still upset about that, I don’t
have time for this...
DANA STARTS TO EXIT UP THE STAIRS. CAROL STOPS HER.
CAROL
No, you wait just a minute, I’m
not finished yet!
DANA TURNS TO FACE HER.
CAROL (CONT’D)
(ANGRY) If it were me who was
leaving this house forever, if it was
me, I wouldn’t be saying things like
“Oh, I’ve got a bachelorette party tonight,
bye bye, we can do that another time”
because if it were me, Dana...(TEARING UP)
It’d break my heart because I would know
I’m never going to see you again!
CAROL STARTS TO CRY. DANA COMFORTS HER.
DANA
Mom, is that what this is all about?
CAROL
(THROUGH TEARS) Yes.
DANA SITS HER DOWN AT THE TABLE.
15.
(E)
DANA
Oh, mom. You’ll see me again. I’ll
come back and visit you. I love
you.
CAROL
(COMPOSING SELF) I know. I shouldn’t
blame you. It’s not your fault. It’s
just that when they handed you to me
23 years ago, I made a promise to
protect you, love you, and prepare you
for the real world. And when I realized
that this big part of me that makes
me who I am is suddenly going to have
this big empty space where you used to
be...I just got scared...then angry. I
guess I should have made a promise to let
you go too, huh?
DANA
Oh, mom. You should have just told
me how you were feeling in the first
place.
CAROL
I know.
16.
(E)
DANA
And it’s not all you fault. I guess I
have been acting a little selfishly
lately.
CAROL
A little?
DANA
Mom, let’s stay focused on the
conversation, shall we?
CAROL MANAGES A SMALL MILE THROUGH HER SNIFFLES.
DANA (CONT’D)
I guess the reason I’ve been acting
the way I have been is because...
well...I guess I’m scared too.
I mean, I tell everyone that I’m not,
but I guess I do that because I know
that once I walk out that door
everything is going to change for the
rest of my life. And I guess I’m afraid
that if that happens, you’ll stop
loving me forget about me too.
CAROL GENTLY BRUSHES THE HAIRS FROM DANA’S FACE.
CAROL
Dana, I could never stop loving you.
You are my daughter.
17.
(E)
DANA
(REALIZING) That’s right. I’m
Carol Foster’s daughter.
CAROL
Yeah, you are. (A BEAT) Actually,
it’s Carol Lambert.
DANA
Please, don’t remind me.
DANA AND CAROL LAUGH A BIT.
CAROL
It’s not so terrible is it?
DANA
(SINCERE) No. Not at all. I’m
glad I’m Carol Foster...
(BEGRUDGINGLY) Lambert’s daughter.
CAROL MANAGES TO SMILE.
CAROL
So am I, Dana. So am I.
DANA AND CAROL HUG ONE ANOTHER, AS WE,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
18.
(F)
ACT FOUR
DANA
CAROL
F
FADE IN:
INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER
DANA GETS UP AND COMPOSES HERSELF.
DANA
Well, I suppose I better get to
bed. Big day and all.
CAROL
I suppose I should too. I’ll put
the trash out and be right up.
DANA
Okay. (A BEAT) I love you, mom.
CAROL
And I love you too, Dana.
DANA THEN EXITS TO THE LIVING ROOM AS CAROL CROSSES TO THE
SINK AND PULLS A WASTE BASKET OUT FROM UNDER IT.
CUT TO:
19.
(G)
DANA
+FRANK
G
INT. LIVING ROOM - (CONTINUOUS)
DANA STOPS AND LOOKS AROUND THE EMPTY ROOM. SHE PICKS UP A
WEDDING INVITATION SITTING ON ONE OF THE CHAIRS. FRANK ENTERS
FROM UPSTAIRS.
FRANK
Oh, hi Dana.
CAROL
Hi, Frank.
FRANK
Did you talk with your mom?
CAROL
Yeah, everything’s fine now.
FRANK
I’m glad. (EXCITED) That also
means everything will be fine
in the romance department too.
FRANK HEADS TOWARDS TO THE KITCHEN. DANA STOPS HIM.
DANA
Frank?
FRANK
Yeah?
20.
(G)
DANA
I know I may joke around with you,
but I just want to say thank you
for being there for me--for all of
us when we needed it. I don’t know
how you and mom do it with seven
of us.
FRANK
Nine if you count Rich and Sam.
DANA
Must be tough, but you guys handle
it like pros.
FRANK
Well, it hasn’t been easy Dana, let
me tell you, but the secret is this:
I think deep down that we’re all a little
crazy. I mean, who else but your mother
and I would get married without
introducing our kids to one another,
and then make a go at it as long as we have?
DANA
Yeah, but you guys actually did it.
You’re still doing it.
FRANK
(JOKINGLY) I must be crazy.
21.
(G)
DANA
Well, then I just want to say one
last thing: Thank you for being
my step-father.
FRANK
Thank you. (A BEAT) And thank you
for being my step-daughter. You’re
a special person, Dana. You’ll go
far in this world.
DANA
Well, I owe a lot to you and mom.
FRANK
(JOKING) Enough to entitle us to
a percentage of your future earnings?
DANA
(A BEAT) I’m going to miss you, Frank.
FRANK
I’m going to miss you too, Dana.
A BEAT, THEN FRANK AND DANA HUG ONE ANOTHER.
CUT TO
22.
(H)
CAROL
AL
H
EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
CAROL PUTS A TRASH BAG INTO A GARBAGE CAN. AL SITS ON
THE PICNIC TABLE LOOKING UP AT THE STARS.
AL
Hey, Carol.
CAROL THEN CROSSES TO AL AND SITS DOWN NEXT TO HER.
CAROL
Hi. What are you looking at?
AL
Oh, just the stars. Beautiful
aren’t they?
CAROL
Boy they sure are. They don’t shine
as brightly as yours is going to
someday, though. Or JT’s, or Dana’s
or all of you.
AL
What do you mean?
CAROL
You’re a special person, Al.
(MORE)
23.
(H)
CAROL (CONT’D)
Don’t ever lose your passion.
AL
I won’t. Where’s this coming from?
CAROL
Oh, well. It’s not important.
AL
You know something, Carol. You never
cease to amaze me. You always give
people the benefit of the doubt. You
always see the good in them.
CAROL
Well, it doesn’t come easy. But I think
we all deserve the benefit of the doubt
from time to time.
AL
Well, then I just want to say this: I’m
glad that I’m your step-daughter.
CAROL
Thank you, Al. And I’m glad that I’m
your step-mother.
AL
(SEMI-JOKING) That’s it?
CAROL
(AMUSED) That’s it.
24.
(H)
AL
Thanks for being there for my dad, too.
CAROL PUTS ONE ARM AROUND AL AND WALKS HER TO THE BACK DOOR.
CAROL
He’s a lucky man, isn’t he?
AL
I know he is.
FRANK ENTERS FROM THE BACK DOOR. HE CARRIES ANOTHER GARBAGE
BAG.
FRANK
Hi, guys.
CAROL AND AL LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER AND SMILE.
AL
Good night, dad. Good night
Carol.
CAROL
Good night, Al.
FRANK
Nice seeing ya.
FRANK PUTS THE BAG IN THE GARBAGE CAN. CAROL LOOKS AT FRANK
A BEAT, THEN WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND HIM AND GIVES HIM A DEEP
KISS.
FRANK
What was that for?
CAROL
(TEASINGLY) Nothing.
25.
(H)
CAROL THEN SEDUCTIVELY BACKS INTO THE KITCHEN.
FRANK
Boy, I should have started
helping out with trash night
a long time ago.
FRANK SLICKS BACK HIS HAIR AND EXITS INTO THE KITCHEN,
AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
26.
(I)
CAROL
MARK
JT
RICH
EXTRAS
I
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY (DAY 2)
ANGLE ON: CU ON BOUQUET OF FLOWERS. PULL OUT TO REVEAL CAROL
SEATING WEDDING GUESTS. A MINISTER STANDS NEAR THE FRONT
DOOR. CAROL CROSSES TO THE MINISTER AND RICH WHO STAND AT THE
ALTAR.
CAROL
Rich, you look so handsome.
MINISTER
Are we all ready?
RICH
Well, I don’t know about you,
but I’ve been ready ever since
I met Dana.
CAROL AND THE MINISTER BOTH LOOK AT RICH.
RICH (CONT’D)
(CORRECTING SELF) ...To get
married and live in a wholesome
family values kind of relationship.
CAROL
(TO MINISTER) I think we can start.
CAROL EXITS INTO THE KITCHEN.
CUT TO:
27.
(J)
FRANK
DANA
AL
KAREN
LILLY
SAM
+CAROL
J
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
CAROL ENTERS. FRANK STANDS WITH DANA ON HIS ARM. DANA
WEARS A WEDDING GOWN, FRANK A TUXEDO. SAM, AL, KAREN,
AND LILLY WEAR BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES AND STAND BEHIND DANA.
CAROL
(TO FRANK) We’re almost ready
to start. (TO DANA) Oh, Dana.
You look so beautiful.
DANA
You think so?
CAROL
Oh, yeah.
DANA
(NERVOUS) Well, this is it. I
guess it’s too late to call off
the wedding, huh?
CAROL
You’ll do fine. I love you.
DANA
I love you too.
28.
(J)
DANA AND CAROL HUG ONE ANOTHER.
CAROL
I’ll tell them we’re ready.
CAROL EXITS INTO THE LIVING ROOM.
FRANK
Dana, you really do look
beautiful.
DANA
Thank you, Frank.
SFX: NOTES OF “HERE COMES THE BRIDE”
FRANK
Here we go.
CUT TO:
29.
(K)
CAROL
MARK
JT
FLASH
RICH
EXTRAS
+FRANK
+DANA
+LILLY
+KAREN
+AL
+SAM
K
INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
LILLY ENTERS. SHE CARRIES A BASKET OF FLOWERS AND TOSSES
PETALS ABOUT AS SHE CROSSES TO THE ALTAR. FRANK ENTERS
WITH DANA ON HIS ARM. ALL HEADS TURN. THEY CROSS TO THE
ALTAR, FOLLOWED BY SAM, AL, AND KAREN. FRANK LIFTS THE VAIL.
MINISTER
Dearly beloved. We are gathered here
today to join this man and this
woman in holy matrimony. If anyone
has due cause why these two should
not be married, please speak now,
or forever hold your peace.
ALL HEADS TURN TO JT.
JT
What?
ALL HEADS TURN BACK TO THE ALTAR.
MINISTER
These two people have come here
today...
30.
(K)
CAROL SITS IN THE FRONT ROW. WE HEAR CAROL’S THOUGHTS OVER
THE SCENE AS THE SERVICE IS DROWNED OUT IN B.G.
CAROL (VO)
Well, Dana this is it. Today
you’re getting married. Gosh
you look so grown-up standing
there. It’s gone by so fast,
but I wouldn’t change it for
world.
ANGLE ON: RICH STANDING AT THE ALTAR
CAROL (VO)
Rich. I know that you’ll take
good care of Dana. You’re that
part of us that tells it’s okay
take time out to smell the roses
and that goofing off never hurt
anyone. Dana needs that balance,
and I can’t think of anyone more
qualified than you to keep her off
balance in the years to come.
ANGLE ON: AL AT THE ALTAR
CAROL (VO)
Al. Dear sweet Al. You’d never
hurt anybody who didn’t deserve
it first.
(MORE)
31.
(K)
CAROL (CONT’D)
Your strength and independence has
gotten Mark and the others in and
out of jams plenty of times, and
I don’t know what I would do without
you.
CAROL TURNS TO LOOK AT MARK WHO SITS A FEW ROWS BEHIND.
ANGLE ON: MARK SITTING A FEW ROWS BEHIND.
CAROL (VO)
Mark. You’re so smart, and so witty.
Sometimes you’re too smart for your
own good, but everything always works
out in the end. You’re always wanting
freedom, and I know it mustn’t be
easy with me trying to stop you at
every turn. But I’d be more worried
if you didn’t try and break away from me.
CAROL TURNS BACK TO THE ALTAR.
ANGLE ON: KAREN STANDING NEXT TO AL
CAROL (VO)
Karen. Loving Karen. You have a
pure innocence that I wish
a lot of people still had.
(MORE)
32.
(K)
CAROL (CONT’D)
You see the world the way you want
to see it, full of love, peace -- and
mall’s that are open 24 hours a day.
Instead, you were born into this world,
but knowing you, I know you’ll
make the best of it -- and in the
process, make it better for other
people as well.
ANGLE ON: JT SITTING A FEW SEATS AWAY FROM HER. HE
WAVES TO SAM, WHO WAVES BACK.
CAROL (VO)
JT. So much like your father. You
remind us that it’s okay to be
average and that even average
people can do great things. You
may not fly to Mars, or win
the Nobel Peace Prize, but
I know that you’ll be a strong
family man and provider.
And that is what truly makes
someone great.
CAROL LOOKS TOWARD THE ALTAR.
ANGLE ON: SAM STANDING NEXT TO KAREN AND AL ON THE ALTAR.
33.
(K)
CAROL (VO)
Sam. You’re just what JT needed.
Like Rich and Dana, you may be
complete opposites, but you give
JT that balance that we all need
from time to time that keeps us
both humble and proud. I know
you’ll both do each other right
in the end.
CAROL LOOKS AT LILLY WHO SITS NEXT TO HER. LILLY SMILES AT
CAROL. CAROL THEN LOOKS TOWARD THE ALTAR.
ANGLE ON: FRANK STANDING NEXT TO THE GIRLS.
CAROL (VO)
And Frank. Thank God for Frank.
You’ve been my light house in
this turbulent sea and I don’t
know what I would have done without
you. You remind us those who sacrifice
everything for the well-being of
their children are truly the ones
who should be honored. Not the
politicians, not statesmen, kings
or queens, but parents.
(MORE)
34.
(K)
CAROL (CONT’D)
We are truly the ones who make the
world go around. And we mean everything
to our children. When they shine like
the stars, they are the center of our
universe. Whether we admit it or not
is not important.
ANGLE ON: SHOTS OF DANA, AL, KAREN, SAM, LILLY, JT, RICH, AND
FRANK AS CAROL CONCLUDES HER THOUGHTS.
CAROL (VO)
What is important is what I
have learned over the years and
it is this: Family is more precious
than gold. It’s what binds us,
connects us and gives us a sense
of who we are. Nobody’s family is
perfect, but if you have a good one,
then all you can do is take it one
day at a time, step by step. It’s as
simple and as complicated as that.
CAROL CRACKS A SMALL SMILE TO HERSELF. FRANK WINKS
AT HER FROM THE ALTAR. SHE WINKS BACK. LILLY GIGGLES.
35.
(K)
MINISTER
(TO DANA) Do you, Dana Foster,
take this man, Richard Halke to
be your lawfully wedded husband
for richer or poorer, in sickness
and in health, until death do you
part?
DANA
I do.
CAROL WIPES TEARS FROM HER EYES WITH A HANDKERCHIEF.
MINISTER
(TO RICH) Do you, Richard Halke,
take this woman, Dana Foster to
be your lawfully wedded wife
for richer or poorer, in sickness
and in health, until death do you
part?
RICH
I do.
MINISTER
By the power vested in me, I
now pronounce you man and wife.
You may now kiss the bride.
RICH
Goody!
36.
(K)
RICH AND DANA KISS. THEY THEN TURN TO FACE THE GUESTS.
MINISTER
May I now announce Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Halke.
THE GUESTS APPLAUD.
SFX: “RECEPTION MARCH” IS PLAYED
DANA AND RICH WALK DOWN THE ISLE SHOWERED WITH RICE IN SLOW
MOTION, AS WE,
DISSOLVE TO:
37.
(L)
FRANK
CAROL
+DANA
+RICH
+JT
+SAM
+MARK
+LILLY
+AL
+KAREN
L
INT. LIVING ROOM (REDRESSED) - LATER THAT NIGHT
THE LIVING ROOM IS BACK TO NORMAL. LUGGAGE SITS BY THE DOOR.
FRANK, CAROL, AL, LILLY, KAREN, AND MARK ARE THERE. DANA AND
RICH ENTER FROM THE STAIRS HOLDING HANDS.
FRANK
There’s our happy newlyweds.
RICH
(EXCITED) You got that right,
Mr. “L”, huh, huh?
FRANK JOKES AROUND WITH RICH THEN:
FRANK
Rich, knock it off.
RICH BACKS OFF. CAROL CROSSES TO DANA, STRAIGHTENS
HER HAIR.
CAROL
I really wish you didn’t have to
go so soon.
38.
(L)
DANA
I know, but it’s better for
Rich and JT this way.
CAROL
(WORRIED) You’ll call when you
get there, right?
DANA
Yes, of course mother. I’ll
write, call -- I’ll send
smoke signals if I have to.
CAROL
Well, only if it’s safe...
DANA
(ANNOYED) Mom.
CAROL
Oh, sorry...I’m doing it again
aren’t I?
DANA
Yeah.
SFX: CAR HORN
RICH
Whoops. There’s our cab.
Gotta’ go.
39.
(L)
FRANK
(FINALLY HITTING) I guess
this is it, huh?
DANA
Yeah...(HOLDING TEARS BACK)
Look, I don’t want leave in
a big emotional scene, so
why don’t we leave in a manner
befitting someone who graduated
in the top five percent of
her class, Okay?
JT
(TO RICH) Rich, your cab’s here.
Me and Sam are ready to go if
you are?
RICH
(TEARING UP) Yeah...Okay. We’ll
see you in Milwaukee.
JT CROSSES TO RICH.
JT
(HOLDING BACK TEARS) Okay.
Boy, I can’t believe this is
our last morning in this house.
(TO DANA) What about you, Dana?
40.
(L)
DANA
I can’t...either.
AL
(TEARING UP) Well, I guess this is
it, huh? I’m going to miss you,
Dana.
AL GIVES DANA A BIG HUG. DANA IS STILL MANAGING TO HOLD BACK
HER TEARS.
DANA
Now, Al. It’s up to you to
keep feminism alive and well
in this house.
AL
The next guy I beat up for trying
to sexually harass me I’ll think
of you.
DANA
Thanks.
KAREN COMES UP TO DANA.
KAREN
(TEARING UP) You can remember me
by just doing one simple thing.
DANA
What’s that, Karen?
41.
(L)
KAREN
Always wear pumps to work and
heels to dinner.
DANA MANAGES A SMILE. NOW IT’S REALLY HITTING HER HARD.
DANA
I’ll do that.
LILLY CROSSES TO DANA AND GIVES HER A PICTURE SHE DREW
IN CRAYON.
LILLY
I made this picture of myself
so you won’t forget about me.
DANA TAKES THE PICTURE.
DANA
Thank you, Lilly. It’s very
nice.
LILLY THEN CROSSES OVER TO JT AND HANDS HIM ANOTHER PICTURE
SHE DREW IN CRAYON.
LILLY
This is for you, JT, so you
don’t forget about me, either.
JT TAKES THE PICTURE.
JT
Thanks, Lilly. It’s beautiful.
LILLY
Yeah, right.
LILLY CROSSES TO STAND BY FRANK AND CAROL.
42.
(L)
MARK
Well, I guess this is goodbye
to both of you. A great
philosopher once said “the
road less traveled is the
one that always brings you
back to where you started.”
Isn’t that great?
DANA
Yeah. It is.
DANA HUGS MARK. JT PUTS OUT HIS HAND.
JT
It’s been fun, bro.
MARK LOOKS AT JT, THEN BEAR HUGS HIM. JT HUGS HIM BACK.
JT (CONT’D)
I take it you thought
is was fun too?
MARK RELEASES JT AND BEGINS TO WIPE THE TEARS FROM HIS
EYES.
SFX: CAR HORN
DANA
Mom, we really gotta’ go
so -- (CONFIDENT) Goodbye.
We’ll be seeing you.
FRANK HOLDS ONTO CAROL FROM BEHIND.
43.
(L)
FRANK
(SINCERE) Goodbye, Dana.
Goodbye JT. Make us both
proud. It was nice being
your parents.
DANA
It’s not such a terrible thing,
is it?
CAROL
(TEARING UP) No.
DANA AND RICH PICK UP THEIR LUGGAGE. FRANK CROSSES
OVER TO THEM BY THE DOOR.
FRANK
Here, let me help you with that.
Son.
RICH SMILES.
DANA
(ALMOST CRYING) I almost forgot
something. Our plane tickets to
Jamaica.
CAROL
Oh, you guys wait here, I’ll
get them.
CAROL HEADS TOWARD THE KITCHEN. THEY ALL STOP. FRANK STANDS
AT THE DOOR WITH RICH, AL, AND DANA. CAROL STANDS WITH JT,
SAM, MARK AND KAREN.
44.
(L)
NO ONE SAYS A WORD UNTIL:
LILLY
I want a hug.
DANA
(CRYING) I love you guys.
FRANK, DANA AND RICH PUT DOWN THEIR LUGGAGE AND MOVE IN. THEY
ARE MET BY CAROL, AL, KAREN, MARK, JT, SAM AND LILLY IN A
GROUP HUG. HOLD ON THIS IMAGE, AS WE,
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
45.
(M)
TAG
M
MONTAGE:
A RETROSPECTIVE OF ALL SEVEN SEASONS OF “STEP BY STEP”
INCLUDING BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE, CANDIDS, SCENES FROM
EPISODES, AUDIENCE MEMBERS, CREW MEMBERS, ECT. ALL EDITED TO
THE VAN HALEN SONG “CAN’T STOP LOVIN’ YOU”.
AT THE END, A SHOT OF THE CAST.
A TITLE CARD FADES IN:
Thank You Step By Step for seven years
of fun and a million laughs.
FADE OUT.
END OF TAG
