INT. SET. DAY
Kelsey and Lucas are in the room blocking with Rob, Chelsea and Jake. Mike and Meline are supposed to be working, but Mike is studying Meline's face as she speaks her lines. He's so intent that it unnerves her and she snaps him out of it.
What are you doing Freak Boy?
Oh…um…
Look, I realize you don't get a chance to be around so-called normal girls too often.
You got a point there.
Yeah, well. How about when we get our day off, we do something together?
Mike's eyes widen and he face lights up at the suggestion.
Hey, it's not like I'm proposing to you.
No no no, I know. Man, shoot me for being happy.
He whacks her playfully in the shoulder and they get into a mock shoving battle that has them both giggling. Rob watches the whole thing out of the corner of his eye.
INT. HAWTHORNE HOUSE. NIGHT
Everyone, including Stephen, is seated at the table. He looks about ready to burst at the seams, but everything runs normally, he even helps Valerie and his mother bring in the meal from the kitchen.
This looks really great Mom. Thanks.
Lucas looks directly up at the ceiling.
Thank you too big guy.
Well I guess that will serve as grace. Thanks Lucas.
No prob Dad.
So I guess you had a good day.
It was cool.
He accepts a basket of bread, takes a piece and hands it to Kelsey.
What about you Mike?
Yeah, me too. Meline said we could do something together on our day off.
Michael nods appreciately.
Speaking of days off, it really appears as though you've got something to say Steve…
Yep, I was on TV.
Big deal, we're on TV all the time. Who was it, ET?
Haha, no, I did a cameo on Freedom, Texas.
Really?
Yeah, these two characters were gonna dance, so they dressed me up and I played while they danced! It was really cool.
Guitar?
Of course.
You played guitar while they danced?
Bryan looks down the table at Michael, a moderately serious expression on his face.
What?
Alone? Without your brothers?
Stephen looks at each of his brothers.
Oh…..
Oh. Um, can we…?
Spin it? Sure…Michael, we gotta call someone at ET or maybe Showbiz Today.
Right. Excuse me Wendy.
During dinner? Wait, of course, during dinner. God bless microwaves.
Michael exits the dining room. Stephen shakes his head a little, and starts to silently eat.
INT. STEPHEN'S BEDROOM. LATE
Stephen is online, the ICQ is open and he is talking to Cori.
You gotta download Yahoo so we can voice chat.
Why can't you just phone?
They're already mad at me.
Mad? Why?
Oops, sorry, I completely forgot to tell you. I went with Colette today, the girl in our movie? And we went to see her boyfriend, he works on that show Freedom, Texas.
Really? Which one is he?
Peter Cameron.
Not bad. Present company excluded.
Thanks so much.
Well? What happened that could make your family mad?
There's like this tradition that visitors to the set lotsa times get put in the show. So Colette and that girl Trixie Waters came up with like the perfect way to use me and I was in one of her scenes, playing guitar while she danced with a cowboy.
That sounds cute. I still can't get why anyone would be mad at that.
It was me. Me, alone. No Mike, no Lucas, no Hawthorne.
And that's bad?
For the group supposedly. Like the media is gonna think I'm launching a solo career or something. I mean there are rumors about me all the time, especially since I finished high school, so all the college stuff, you know?
Yeah honey, I understand now.
Thanks for being there.
I love you. It's not a problem.
I love you too, but I gotta go. I have to work tomorrow.
Okay honey, talk to you soon.
Without a doubt. Goodnight.
Stephen signs off ICQ, disconnects from the net and closes down his computer. He picks up a photo that sits on the desk. It's part of a pile he's been signing for the fan club. Lucas and Mike's signatures are already on them.
Hawthorne.
He lays the photo down and covers everyone except Lucas.
Lucas Hawthorne.
Next he covers Lucas and himself.
Michael Hawthorne.
Then he covers Lucas and Mike.
And Stephen Hawthorne. Three parts of a whole.
Nodding, he get up and begins to prepare for bed.
INT. STUDIO. NEXT DAY
The boys, Michael, Valerie and Kelsey arrive to find the band's bus parked outside the soundstage.
Oh God, what is that thing doing here?
Are we shooting on the bus today?
Uncle Mike?
Michael looks at everyone else, who is looking at him expectantly.
Me?
Yeah, don't you have the schedule with you?
Ummm….
Well the bus is here. I can't any other reason why it would be, so the safe bet would be, yeah, we're using the bus today.
She shakes her head in Michael's direction.
INT. SOUNDSTAGE. LATER
Rob is going over the schedule with Michael and Valerie.
At 2 I think there's gonna be a CNN crew by for a short interview, we need to take some time out for that. It shouldn't take long, but it's gotta be done.
Behind him, Stephen shakes his head slightly. He sees Colette enter and goes over to her.
Save me.
What's wrong?
Oh the Hawthorne world is about to disintegrate because I did something by myself.
Colette looks at him, a litte disbelieving.
Are you serious?
Never more. Just wait til the CNN crew gets here to correct my bout of independence.
Stephen sighs and walks off into a corner of the soundstage. Colette follows him.
INT. TOUR BUS. DAY
Mike is showing Meline around. He stops at his own bunk, which is on the top level.
This one is mine.
Meline steps up on her toes to get a glimpse in the bunk. Mike watches her from behind and when she starts to totter, puts his hands on her hips to hold her steady.
I wanted something on the bottom, but it's quieter up there.
Meline comes down of her tip toes. Mike's hands are still on her hips. She swivels to face him, careful noto to break free of his hands. She smiles softly and kisses him. Mike leans in for the kiss, with only his hands touching Meline. You can see a weakness in his body as she holds the kiss. Lucas picks this exact moment to bound onto the bus.
Hey guys! Are you on here?!
Mike and Meline separate quickly. Lucas looks at Mike, eyes wide.
It's just me and Melody.
He looks at Meline nervously.
Cut!!
He pats the camera man on the shoulder.
Good for you?
Need a close up of the kiss and the intruder and his face…
…when they get caught.
Okay, so you two don't move, and we'll do the kiss again right away.
Mike smiles a little smile and looks at Meline for her reaction. He sees a little smile on her face too and looks at her curiously.
You didn't wipe this time.
Maybe I didn't have time.
Uh-huh, right.
You guys ready to go again?
Mike nods, never taking his eyes off Meline.
Lucas? Same entrance, although you don't have to do any of the visual stuff, you're not gonna be on camera. But I want you in there so they know when to break it up, okay?
Gotcha.
Lucas backs out of the bus and waits in the entry. Rob repositions Mike and Meline.
Same thing, just close up. No biggie, right?
Right.
Uh-huh. No biggie.
They repeat the scene, same as before, but this time, when Mike's hands grip Meline, it's a little tighter. Lucas interrupts again, taking in the whole scene thoughtfully.
INT. SOUNDSTAGE. LATER
Lucas enters and finds Stephen and Colette rehearsing. He watches for a bit, until Stephen notices him and stops.
What's up Luke?
Nuthin much. We finished the bus stuff and I got my closeup and Mike's spent the morning trying to get his tongue in that girl's mouth I think.
Colette tries not to giggle, but does. Stephen shakes his head.
So are we up then?
Yeah, I told Rob I would come get you guys.
EXT. BUS PARKED OUTSIDE THE SOUNDSTAGE. LATER
MUSIC: Now We're Getting Somewhere (Crowded House)
For the cameras, Stephen, Mike and Lucas bring their luggage out to the bus. Lucas is always trailing behind. They make the approach to the bus two or three times.
Then Rob calls for Kelsey, who's dressed for the road, with a backpack slung over her shoulder. He gives her instructions and they begin the scene again as Stephen and Mike walk away from the bus and Lucas makes like he's taking his time putting his suitcase on.
Once Stephen and Mike are out of the shot, Lucas motions to Kelsey, who sneaks onto the bus. Rob calls cut and Lucas calls her out of the bus. Rob asks for one more time, and once it's on film, they wrap the shot.
EXT. SOUNDSTAGE. LATER
The Hawthorne boys and their co-stars are returning from lunch. Kelsey tosses an apple between her hands and Stephen is sipping from a can of Coke as they approach their soundstage. A CNN van is parked at the entrance. Stephen tries not to notice. Michael greets them at the door. Stephen slides behind Colette, almost for protection.
INT. BUS. LATER
The CNN camera operator is perched on the driver's seat, shooting over the back. Stephen sits on a couch still bench with his acoustic guitar. Colette sits on the arm nearby. Kelsey sits on the inside of one of the benches at the kitchen-style table. Lucas sits on the outide of the bench and drums on the table top as Stephen plays. Meline hovers near Mike as he sings the lead part on Always, a favorite of Stephen's.
After the song, the interviewer lets them stay in their places for the interview.
So the Hawthorne brothers are making a movie huh?
Yep, and so far it's been really awesome. We have great leading ladies, and our director really knows what he's doing.
And how are you girls finding life with Hawthorne?
I'm an old hand, I mean I've seen all them in the morning and sometimes it makes me wonder what everyone's screaming at!
Lucas turns and looks at her with a mock expression of horror on his face.
They kick it as a a group and as individuals. It's their separate strengths that makes them unstoppable as a group.
EXT. COLETTE'S VEHICLE. END OF THE DAY
Stephen walks Colette to her truck. She climb in and he shuts the door behind her. She sticks her keys in the ignition as he climbs up on the running board.
Thanks for today. That was pretty cool, what you said.
My leading man needed my support.
Stephen grins and they exchange a high five and secretive handshake.
INT. HAWTHORNE VAN. END OF WORK DAY
Lucas and Kelsey are curled up against each other on the middle bench. Mike and Stephen are sitting on the back bench, with Michael driving and Valerie beside him in the passenger seat.
I like Colette.
Huh?
I mean what she did for you was pretty cool.
Stephen looks at Mike suspiciously.
What are you getting at?
Come on, I feel it, same as you. We're getting older and establishing ourselves as individuals, but at the same time, we have to be like a tight group unit, because it's how we make our living. And I'm just saying I think Colette gets that, too, considering what she said during the interview.
Stephen nods thoughfully, and eyes the adults in the front.
So what are you going to do on your day with Meline?
I've been thinking, and I haven't come up with anything yet.
Well you've been saying you wanted to go into the college areas and cruise the bookstores, why don't you do that? Not everyone gets to see the bookworm side of you. And then you could have coffee and some quality conversation.
Yeah, I bet she'd like that.
Michael, listen, do something you'll both like, and…don't forget that Dani is due for her visit in like what? Three weeks? I know it's before Cori comes for hers.
Man Steve, you gotta get off my back about Dani. I mean I really do like her and all, but it's not like the commitment you and Cori made.
Fine. Just…well…make sure you do your thinking with your head.
Big brother, are we having the sex talk?
Stephen laughs and shoves Mike, who shoves back and a little play fighting begins. They only stop when Lucas stirs in front of them.
Ssssshhhhh…we wake him up he could hurt us both.
