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The Sequel, part 2

by Kerri Philpott

graphic by Sacha Raby
This is a copyrighted work

INT. STEPHEN'S AIRPLANE. DAY

Stephen is in a window seat in first class. The seat next to him is empty. A stewardess approaches.

STEWARDESS
Excuse me, Mr. Hawthorne?
STEPHEN
Please call me Stephen.
STEWARDESS
Okay, Stephen. I've been informed that we're going to have to keep you on the plane while the other passengers disembark.
STEPHEN
No problem. I'm used to it.
STEWARDESS
(smiling)
I guess so. Well, word is your brothers were spotted and the airport is overrun with fans.
STEPHEN
(shaking his head)
Lucas is probably loving every minute of this.
STEWARDESS
Once the plane has emptied, security will take out down to the tarmac and you can meet your party there. Okay?
STEPHEN
Of course. Sounds good. Thank you.

Cut to:

EXT. LAX TERMINAL. DAY

Michael, Valerie, Mike, Lucas and Kelsey are grouped together near the terminal building. Security forms a loose barrier around them.

LUCAS
Do you see him yet?
MIKE
Calm down huh? It's your fault we're out here Monkey Boy.
MICHAEL
Once…once I would like to go somewhere and just…

Michael leans over and inspects one of Mike's ears. A small earplug is visible. Michael takes it out, startling Mike.

MICHAEL
You will be telling me where I can get a set of these, right?
MIKE
Nobody told you yet? Geez, Uncle Mike…you've had nothing?

Michael shakes his head, Mike grimaces.

MIKE
Sorry, I'll get Toby to get you some. I promise.
LUCAS
Here he comes!

Lucas breaks into a run and bolts through security as he sees Stephen coming across the tarmac. He throws himself at Stephen, wrapping him in a bear hug.

STEPHEN
Lucas…what the heck did you have for breakfast huh Little Man?
LUCAS
(not breaking the embrace)
How was Louisiana?
STEPHEN
(laughs)
Cool. Cori says hi. So does her sister.
LUCAS
I'm…
STEPHEN
I know kid, I see her. Have you told her today that she looks pretty?
LUCAS
What?
STEPHEN
Lucas, when you get in the van and she sits next to you, which she probably will, tell her she looks pretty. Okay?
LUCAS
Okay.
STEPHEN
And get off me.
LUCAS
But I missed you.
STEPHEN
You do this to Mike too?
LUCAS
Of course.
STEPHEN
Fine. I missed you too.
(ruffles Lucas' hair)
Now…get off me.

Lucas reluctantly climbs off his brother and races back to the group, with Stephen following behind them.

STEPHEN
Hey guys, nice to see you Kelsey…

Kelsey smiles at Stephen. Lucas notices and moves quickly to her side. Stephen smiles and shakes his head.

Cut to:

EXT. VAN. DAY

The door to the large passenger transport van is open. Lucas goes to climb in first, but Stephen restrains him.

STEPHEN
After you Kelsey.

Lucas shrinks back, and allows Kelsey to climb into the van first. She chooses a seat on the middle bench.

STEPHEN
(whispers in Lucas' ear)
Remember what I told you.

Lucas nods and climbs into the van.

INT. VAN. DAY

Lucas slides onto the middle bench and inches closer to Kelsey. He stops when he is less than an inch away from her. Lucas folds his hands in his lap and looks straight ahead. He looks at Kelsey for a moment, and then his gaze is straight ahead again. Outside the van, Stephen makes a "get-on-with-it" face at Lucas.

LUCAS
Kels?
KELSEY
What?
LUCAS
(without turning his head)
You look really pretty today.

Kelsey looks at Lucas. He's still looking straight ahead. She looks at him curiously and smiles.

KELSEY
Thank you Lucas.

She gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Stephen winks at Lucas.

MICHAEL
Alright, for pity's sake, get in get in. One more trip and we're there!

Mike looks at Stephen and winks. Stephen nods in Lucas's direction, and Lucas snaps his fingers in a four beat pattern. The boys, teasing smiles illuminating their faces, begin to sing Take It Easy by the Eagles. Michael rolls his eyes and gets into the van, closing the door behind him.

MICHAEL
Let's get out of here.

Montage:

MUSIC: Take It Easy (originally recorded by the Eagles)

A cover version by Hawthorne, vocal arrangements and a single acoustic guitar accompaniment, is heard as the van carrying the singing group travels from the airport, through Los Angeles, and into an affluent suburb.

The van stops outside a set of heavy iron gates. The driver punches in a code and the gates open. The van pulls through and Mike turns around to watch them as they close, with a thud, behind the van. The thud and the closed gates produce a satisfied smile on his face.

The van pulls up at the house and the boys urge their uncle to honk the horn. He refuses for some reason. Valerie reaches across and does it for him, beeping the horn three or four times. In response, Bryan and his wife WENDY come out of the house. Wendy Hawthorne is a tall woman with short blond curls and a vibrant glow. She's about 5 and a half months pregnant.

EXT. HAWTHORNE HOUSE. LATE AFTERNOON

The boys and company tumble out of the van. Lucas makes it to his mother's arms first. He hugs her gently but firmly. Michael greets his brother with a pat on the shoulder, and introduces Valerie and Kelsey. Mike takes his turn hugging this mother, followed by Stephen, who runs his hand gently over his mother's swollen stomach.

STEPHEN
Hello new Hawthorne…how you like the ride so far?

Wendy laughs and pats Stephen on the head. She sees Valerie watching the scene and smiles.

WENDY
Hi, Wendy Hawthorne, mother of the…uh, monkeys.
VALERIE
Valerie Lincoln, monkey tutor. Nice to meet you.
WENDY
Same here. We're really happy you could stay on.
VALERIE
Thank you. We're happy to be here.

Wendy looks over at Kelsey, who's been standing quietly by her mother's side.

VALERIE
This is my daughter Kelsey.
WENDY
Kelsey…

Wendy walks over to Kelsey and envelops her in a hug.

WENDY
Lucas talks about you so much in his e-mails I feel like I know you already.

Lucas turns beet red.

LUCAS
Mo…th…er…

He reaches around his mother and takes Kelsey by the hand.

LUCAS
Come on, let's go see the house.

INT. HAWTHORNE HOUSE CA. LATE AFTERNOON

The group is assembled in a homey foyer. The tones in the house are earthy and warm. It feels instantly like a relaxing atmosphere.

WENDY
Okay, we're already in the master bedroom upstairs, and there are three others for you guys…
MIKE
(outloud, to himself)
Our owns rooms…
(to Lucas)
Our own rooms!
(to everyone)
Yes!

Mike goes racing up the stairs, with Lucas hot on his heels. Stephen looks at his mother, shrugs, and runs after them. Wendy shakes her head and smiles.

WENDY
Valerie, there's a guest house out back. We thought maybe you and Kelsey would want to make that your home. That will give you a little privacy and structure maybe.
VALERIE
(teasing)
Aw, just when I was getting used to frantic life in the public eye…
WENDY
(laughs)
Come on, I'll take you and Kelsey out there. It's a cute little cottage…really…

She begins leading Valerie and Kelsey towards the back of the house. Something suddenly dawns on Michael and he looks at Bryan.

MICHAEL
And where does she think I'm gonna sleep?

INT. DEN. LATE AFTERNOON

Bryan leads Michael into the den. It's set up like an office, with two desks and computers, filing cabinets, and photos, posters, merchandise and other reminders of the family business. One desk is covered in papers and other materials and the other is spotless. Michael looks at it.

MICHAEL
That one mine?
BRYAN
Yup. Even got you your own phone line.
MICHAEL
And you want me to sleep in here?
BRYAN
Well, that's pretty comfortable.

Bryan motions to the couch. It's wide and worn enough to look comfortable, but not like a piece of garbage.

BRYAN
I've fallen asleep on it a couple of times and the only thing my bed has that it doesn't is Wendy.
MICHAEL
Nice sell job Big Bro.
BRYAN
(hopefully)
Did it work?
MICHAEL
Well, considering my alternative would either be one of the guy's rooms or a pool chair, this looks pretty good.

Cut to:

INT. MIKE'S BEDROOM. LATE AFTERNOON

Mike stands in the middle of the room, drinking in the space and privacy.

MIKE
My own room…

He goes over to the closet and slides the door open.

MIKE
With my own clothes!

Smiling, Mike goes over to the window and sits at a portable keyboard.

MIKE
(sighs)
I could get used to this.

Cut to:

INT. LUCAS' BEDROOM. LATE AFTERNOON

The room is still and quiet despite it being covered in everything Lucas holds near and dear, and the presence of a drum set in the corner. But Lucas is nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, the closest door flies open and Lucas leaps out.

LUCAS
Yes! Beyond cool! All my stuff is here…Los Angeles…

He goes over, looks out the window and finds out he has a great view of the guest house. A gigantic grin spreads across his face.

LUCAS
I could get used to this.

Cut to:

INT. STEPHEN'S BEDROOM. LATE AFTERNOON

Stephen lies happily on the bed, surveying his surroundings. He reaches down and runs his fingers on the carpet, and touches the case of the acoustic guitar that lies near the bed. Then he stretches his arms straight up.

STEPHEN
Space…privacy…

He sits up and looks at his computer sitting on the desk.

STEPHEN
…I could get used to this.

A knock at the door causes him to turn his head. Kelsey stands in the entryway.

STEPHEN
Hey Kels.
KELSEY
Hey, your mom wanted me to come tell you guys we're gonna have dinner now.
STEPHEN
Food.
KELSEY
Pretty much.
STEPHEN
Okay, thanks.

INT. MIKE'S BEDROOM. LATE AFTERNOON

Kelsey knocks on the open door and interrupts a daydream Mike is having as he sits at the keyboard.

KELSEY
Did I interrupt?
MIKE
(drifting back to reality)
I don't think so. What's up?
KELSEY
Dinner time.
MIKE
Cool. See you down there?
KELSEY
Yeah. I just gotta tell Lucas.

INT. LUCAS' BEDROOM. LATE AFTERNOON

Lucas greets Kelsey at the door.

LUCAS
Heard ya coming.

He tries to wiggle his eyebrows like Groucho Marx and Kelsey giggles.

KELSEY
You like your room?
LUCAS
Yeah. You like the guest house?
KELSEY
Yep. It's pretty cool.
LUCAS
I can see it from here.
KELSEY
What?
LUCAS
C'mere.

Lucas grabs Kelsey's hands and takes her over to the window.

LUCAS
Look!

Kelsey sees the guest house out the window and smiles a goofy smile.

KELSEY
(warns)
No spying, okay?
LUCAS
(laughs)
Maybe.
Kelsey gives Lucas a shove.
LUCAS
Hey!

When he turns to look at her, Kelsey kisses him on the lips. Their lips are the only things that touch.

KELSEY
Dinner.
LUCAS
Huh?
KELSEY
Dinner time.
LUCAS
Uh-huh.

Kelsey takes Lucas by the wrist and heads for the door. Before they reach it though, Lucas slides his hand into hers and they leave the room holding hands.


part 3

Other Great Writers


Click below to link to additional fiction inspired by Hanson
Until It's Time For You To Go...
If Angels Bit Their Fingernails
Tulsa 74312
Just One Of Those Things
For What It's Worth
Teach Me How To Cry
Blond Over Blue
Kangarooland's Hanson Website
The Loft

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