part 1A
INT. REGENCY SUITE. DAY
BRYAN and LUCAS are out on the now canopied patio. Bryan holds Lucas in his lap while Lucas holds the book and reads aloud. STEPHEN is in the livingroom area, sitting cross-legged on one of the couches with a Powerbook balanced on his lap. MICHAEL and MIKE are at the kitchen table. MIKE works on exercises while Michael works just as hard trying to comprehend the teacher's manual. Occasionally, Michael looks up to watch Bryan and Lucas bonding.
Done.
What?
I finished the exercise.
Great. Well, let's, um... Whadda ya got for the first one?
Can I see that?
Huh?
Lemme have the manual Uncle Mike. I'll check the work. You can watch me, okay?
Michael looks at him out of the corner of his eye and then slides the manual over.
Deal kid.
I hate Math.
Join the club.
Hey, Uncle Mike! Do you think scientists should be held accountable when their when their work is exploited and used for less than stellar purposes?
Michael's eyes widen. Mike stifles a laugh.
What are you working on?
Essay...
Don't let me interrupt...
I wanted your opinion.
Michael goes over and reluctantly sits down in a chair near Stephen.
You mean like the guy who invented processes used in cigarette manufacturing being named in class action medial suits, going beyond the company?
Stephen nods.
Steve, I'm a divorce lawyer.
Stephen shakes his head in disbelief.
But I think attempts have been made to prosecute the inventors.
Successful?
Dunno. I think it has to do with the creator's continued involvement with the company or manufacturing process.
Stephen squints at him and frowns.
I think I have a friend you can ask. You want me to get his e-mail?
Stephen nods. Michael looks at his watch.
How much longer are we gonna be at this?
Stephen and Mike look at each other and smile.
What time is it?
Quarter to four.
About another 15 minutes.
Ooof.
The boys laugh.
Uncle Mike, how did you ever make it through law school?
Easy. No math or science classes, girls and mass consumption of adult beverages.
Mike and Stephen again exchange bemused glances. Mike then turns the page in his math book and goes back to work. Inspiration strikes Stephen and he begins typing again. Michael begins watching the scene on the terrace again.
INT. BACKSTAGE - CONCERT VENUE. NIGHT
MICHAEL follows BRYAN as he checks the stage. Bryan climbs the drum riser and sits on Lucas' stool.
Hand me one of the set lists, will you?
Michael hands him the requested piece of paper. Using masking tape, Bryan hangs it from the top edge of the bass drum.
And one more.
Michael hands Bryan another, and Bryan tapes it to the back of the drum riser, for the rest of the band. He tosses the tape to Michael.
Stephen's goes on the floor next to his pedals.
Yessir.
Michael crouches down near Stephen's mic and pedals and tapes down another copy of the set list. Bryan remains seated on Lucas' stool.
And Mikey's on the lower keyboard, right side.
Michael goes over to the keyboards and tapes down the last list as per instructions.
All set.
All right, now we have to check on the boys.
Michael goes over to the drum riser and helps Bryan down.
Good god, how does Mark manage to get on and off this thing?
Bryan gives him a "grab-a-brain" kind of look.
Right.
Let's go check on the boys.
INT. DRESSINGROOM. MOMENTS LATER
STEPHEN is playing an accoustic guitar. MIKE is drinking from a teacup. LUCAS is trying to get his hair to do something, anything.
It's alive! Somebody help me!
He starts bouncing around the room, having a mock battle with the hairbrush. Stephen and Michael ignore the commotion and stayed focused on themselves. BRYAN and MICHAEL enter and watch the scene for a few moments.
Can I say one word?
Would it be Prozac?
Lucas Andrew Hawthorne...
Lucas stops dead in his tracks.
I thought you killed that thing in Portland.
Evil twin.
Nevertheless, save it for the show.
Michael hands Lucas a scrunchie or elastic band and Lucas fastens it around a hastily made ponytail.
You guys done your warmup yet?
Mike sets the teacup down on the nearest flat surface and joins Stephen, who now stands near the chair he had been sitting in. Lucas completes the circle of brothers. Stephen begins to play. Michael gestures Bryan into a chair. The brothers begin to sing "Moon River" in 3-part, flawless harmony. Michael is impressed.
Mom used to sing that to us.
Them, too. I think it's the only song she knows all the words to.
Michael smiles. The boys finish the song.
You should record that.
Do not say that in front of anybody from the record company.
The mere mention of the title tends to confuse most people.
We are gonna make a special recording for Nana's birthday, though.
Limited edition. Want to sign up for your copy now?
Special price for family members...
All right, everyone ready?
Michael positions himself next to Mike.
Danielle Ferguson?
Right. Danielle Ferguson. Don't worry Uncle Mike. I'll handle it.
Just watch me.
Mike exits, followed by his brothers.
After you.
INT/EXT. STAGE. NIGHT
The stage is dark. A shadow light comes on backstage and the technicians pump a low-lying fog, made with dry ice, onto the stage.
Is everybody ready?
The throng assembled for the show screams. The bass player begins the introduction for "Gimme Some Lovin'"
Here they are...Stephen...
A light hits Stephen, who blends his guitar part with the bass line.
...Lucas...
The drum riser is lit, revealing a grinning Lucas, who joins Stephen and the bass player.
...and Michael...
C'mon!
Michael and his keyboards are illuminated. He adds in the keyboards and kicks the song into full gear.
Hawthorne!!
The crowd is estatic. It's a fast, hard driving number, heavy on the guitar, with Mike singing lead and his brothers layering their voices over his. When The song finishes, the audience goes wild and Mike eats it up.
We love you, too! Anyone wanna hear summore?
The crowd roars. Mike strikes a chord and rips into their next song.
INT. BACKSTAGE. NIGHT
MICHAEL pulls a sliding chair away from its previous position and slides it behind BRYAN, touching the seat to the back of his legs. Michael firmly guides him into the seat.
Take it easy. They're on and they're rockin'.
Michael surveys the scene, taking note of his nephews, the backing musicians, the fans, the screaming, and the popping flashbulbs.
Cut to:
INT. STAGE. NIGHT
LUCAS brings the second song crashing to an end.
Okay guys, we're gonna slow it down a little, and this one goes out to a very special friend of ours ... Danielle Ferguson.
Cut to:
INT. AMPHITHEATRE. NIGHT
DANIELLE FERGUSON, a 15-year-old brunette with short hair, a mouth full of braces and a faded jean jacket, is shocked. She is immobile. Her best friend, KARLA FISHER, is next to her, going berserk.
Cut to:
INT. STAGE. NIGHT
MIKE begins to play the piano intro to a ballad (I Will Come to You)
Cut to:
INT. BACKSTAGE. NIGHT
MICHAEL is very pleased. He stops A MEMBER OF THE SECURITY STAFF.
There's a girl in the third row, seat 12, named Danielle Ferguson. Can you grab her and whoever is sitting next to her in 13 and get them back here before the crowd starts to move?
You mean at the end of the show, right?
Oh, uh-huh, that's right.The guard looks at Bryan, who nods.
No problem.
He walks away without acknowledgement from Michael, who turns to Bryan in exasperation.
Is it going to be that hard with the boys?
You had better hope not.
Cut to:
INT. BACKSTAGE. LATER
The SECURITY GUARD brings DANIELLE and her friend KARLA to MICHAEL, who is still hovering around BRYAN.
Hi Mr. Hawthorne. I wanted to thank you so much for the tickets. That was incredibly cool of you.
Don't mention it Dani.
This is my friend Karla.
Ohmygod...
Danielle shakes her head. Michael raises his eyebrows.
Nice to meet you Karla. This is my brother Bryan Hawthorne.
Hello sir. Your brother has been a great help to my mother and your sons have been a great help to me.
That's good to hear Danielle, thank you. And thank you for coming Karla.
Ohmygod...
The song ends.
Thank you everybody!
We love you!
Goodbye and good night!
The crowd roars and the boys come running offstage. The run directly to their father.
Pick it.
You choice tonight.
Mike notices Danielle and looks at her briefly but intently before turning his attention to his father.
What's it gonna be Pop?
Hmmm, how 'bout a Beach Boys song?
Stephen smiles and motions to his brothers.
C'mere.
The boys step away for a huddle-like conference. They break, smiling. Lucas finds the auditorium sound system. The operator hands him the mic and signals him to go ahead.
Anybody wanna hear some more?
The reaction is thunderous. Lucas turns to the others, eyes wide and a massive grin on his face.
I love my job.
Oh-my-God.
It's not a job, it's an adventure.
The boys run out to the edge of the curtain. A technician hands Stephen an acoustic guitar. Lucas counts to three on his fingers, then they run onto the stage. The crowd explodes with applause.
INT. STAGE. NIGHT
The brothers stand just far enough back from the apron to avoid being grabbed. Stephen stands on the left, Lucas in the middle and Mike on the right. Each hand their own mic. Mike raises a hand to ask for silence and the noise level drops.
You guys know who the Beach Boys are?
There is moderate applause.
Well, they're one of our dad's favorites, and we like 'em, too!
The applause grows.
So we're gonna sing one of their songs now, and it's 'specially for our dad!
Stephen looks at Mike.
I'm nervous.
Mike shoots him a "get-over-it" look. Lucas twitches impatiently. Stephen begins to pick out the introduction to "God Only Know" by the Beach Boys. The boys sing the song in impeccable 3-part harmony.
INT. BACKSTAGE. LATER
The applause is beginning to die down. The boys have their father enveloped in a hug. Michael, Danielle and Karla watch the display of emotion.
That was great guys, thanks.
Yeah, you guys really nailed that one.
Thanks Uncle Mike, we've been practicing.
Mike moves closer to his uncle and turns so that his back is to Danielle.
Who's that?
Danielle Ferguson.
Mike gets an "oops-stupid-question" look on his face. He swivels to face Danielle.
Danielle! There you are!
He walks over to Danielle and kisses her one the cheek. Danielle's eyes widen significantly.
Uh, this is my friend Karla.
Great! Stephen, Lucas...
Mike gestures towards Karla in a Price-is-Right like gesture.
...Karla!
Karla!
He squeezes her in an embarassingly affectionate hug she seems to enjoy. She makes a little squeak. Stephen pries Lucas off of her.
Sorry.
No problem.
Hey, you guys wanna eat with us? We can't go out or anything, but we were thinking of ordering pizza at the hotel. That okay with you guys?
Mike looks towards his father and uncle for approval.
The party's over at 11:30 though.
Deal.
You girls should call your parents.
He hands Danielle his cellular phone.
Your mom's on speed dial.