(Brady’s Jewelry store in Springfield. Beth is meeting Alexandra for a shopping date when Lujack surprises her.)
Lujack:
I told Ma to meet you here, but I wanted some time together first. Come here. (He leads her over to the counter.)
Beth:
Oh, wait a minute. If you buy yourself a gold chain, I will never speak to you again.
Lujack:
Don’t worry about it. I thought we could spend some time at the ring counter—checking out some engagement rocks.
(Beth is stunned as he leads her to the ring section.)
-[COMMERCIAL]-
(They are looking over a tray of rings with the owner, Mr. Brady.)
Mr. Brady:
Here—try this one on for size. (He slips a ring on Beth’s finger and she’s in awe.)
Lujack:
You’re really into this jewelry stuff, huh?
Mr. Brady:
Yes. This business has more facets than you can imagine. (He laughs as Lujack groans at his attempt at humor. Beth slips the ring off.) You don’t like that one? Try this one. (He reaches for another ring.)
Beth: (stops him)
I think…maybe this one. (She points to one.) May I? (Mr. Brady nods and she tries it on. She takes a step back from the counter and does a Marilyn Monroe imitation, singing.) Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
Lujack: (smiles)
Would you cut it out? Okay now, which one do you like best?
Beth:
I don’t know. They’re all so lovely (whispers to Lujack) …but the prices.
Lujack:
Hey, don’t worry about it. Haven’t you ever heard of layaway? (To Mr. Brady) You do have layaway, don’t you? (Mr. Brady nods.) Go ahead—pick any one you want. I’ll use Mr. Brady’s layaway plan and I’ll have the whole thing paid off by 1999—I promise. (He smiles and picks out a ring, asking how much it is.)
Mr. Brady:
For you—$18,500.
(Lujack nearly falls to the floor.)
Beth: (protests)
Uh, no—I think I like that one (points to a new ring).
Lujack:
Which one? (Beth shows him and he picks it up. You can barely see a diamond on it.) Aw, come on, Beth. Forget it. I ain’t buying this one. I’d have to buy you a magnifying glass just to look at it. (He puts it back.) C’mon—get real.
Beth:
Okay, um… (She looks them all over again and points to one). Definitely that one.
Lujack:
Sure?
Mr. Brady:
Sold.
(Mr. Brady starts to put it on her finger when Lujack stops him and asks if they can have a minute alone. Mr. Brady goes to help another customer.)
Lujack: (turns away from the counter to face Beth with the ring in his hand)
I love you, Beth Raines. With all my heart—and all my soul. I grew up in your smile, and I want to grow old in your arms. (He slips the ring on her finger.) Will you marry me?
Beth: (smiles)
Oh, let me think about it. (Laughs.) Yes, yes! (She hugs him.) A thousand, million, zillion times yes!
Lujack:
Once I get this thing paid off, we’re gonna go back to the beach and we’re gonna do this again for real. And then we’re gonna come back and we’re gonna scream to everybody in the world that me and you are gonna be Mr. and Mrs. Luvonaczek.
Beth:
I love you, Brandon Luvonaczek.
(Later that afternoon, Lujack, Beth, Alexandra and Lillian are having lunch at the Country Club. When Beth and Lillian go to the ladies room, Lujack lets his mother in on his plans.)
Lujack:
I’m gonna ask Beth to marry me.
Alexandra: (hugs him)
Oh, darling, that is wonderful! I couldn’t be happier. Committing yourself to a future with Beth is the best way I can think of to stop dwelling on all of the unhappiness the two of you have been through. Now, when are you going to propose?
Lujack:
Well, I’m not so sure. You see, I’ve got this ring on layaway at Brady’s Jewelers, and once it’s paid off, I’ll pop the question.
Alexandra:
Oh, I don’t think you have to wait until you pay that ring off.
Lujack:
Of course I do. I’ve got to have a ring, Ma.
Alexandra:
Darling, (she slips a ring with a large, pear-shaped diamond off her finger and holds it out to him) I want you to have this for Beth.
Lujack:
No, Ma. I want to buy her my own ring.
Alexandra: (protests)
But this is your ring. I bought it for you.
Lujack:
What are you talking about?
Alexandra:
Years ago, I was passing a jewelry shop when the fire in this ring caught my eye in the sunlight. (She looks at it.) It was brilliant—as if hope itself were cut into the facets. I went into the store and bought it, thinking one day I’d give it to my son to give to his bride. It gave me hope, Brandon. That I’d find my son and he’d be as rare and beautiful as this ring. And he is. Take it, darling. Let it bring you and Beth the same hope for happiness that it brought me.
Lujack: (takes the ring and looks at it)
Thanks, Ma. I know Beth will love it.
Alexandra:
All right, now you have a ring. When can I start planning your engagement party?
Lujack:
I don’t know—I just got the ring. (He laughs.)
Alexandra:
How about Valentine’s Day? It’s next week!
Lujack:
Yeah—Beth would go for that. That’s great!
Alexandra:
Wonderful! I’ll have a surprise engagement party that night.
Lujack:
Ma, you are the best.
(They hug.)
(Beth and Lillian have rejoined the table.)
Alexandra:
Beth, I want you and your mother to be the first guests I invite to a small Valentine’s Day party. Will you come?
(Beth nods, smiles and looks at Lujack.)
Lillian:
I’d be thrilled. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Alexandra:
Thank you.
(The waiter brings four glasses of champagne for them. Lujack takes a glass for him and one for Beth. Alex passes one to Lillian and gets one for herself.)
Lillian: (taking her glass)
Ooh—shampoo!
(They laugh.)
Lujack:
Um, I want to—how do they say it—propose a toast: To the two best Moms in the whole, wide world.
Alexandra:
And to the finest children any two mothers could ever hope to have.
Lillian:
Here, here.
Lujack:
I’ll buy that.
(They all laugh. Lujack and Beth clink glasses and kiss.)
