EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - SOUTHERN MAINE - DAY
A caravan of THREE CAMP BUSES with the name CAMP WALDEN
FOR GIRLS emblazoned on their sides climb a tree-lined road. The
Buses turn down a narrow lane and pass through a freshly painted wooden
gate as the CAMERA RISES giving us a sweeping view of beautiful CAMP WALDEN.
A magnificent lake sparkles in the distance with red canoes lined up on
its shores. over this quiet serenity we HEAR the Bus HORNS HONKING to announce
the first day of camp has officially begun.
EXT. MAIN LODGE - CAMP WALDEN
Girls. Girls. Girls. Tall ones, short
ones and everything in between. Some carry pillows, others carry
stuffed animals, all wear backpacks. There are more pony-tails swinging
at this moment than you can imagine. Teenage Counselors try to control
the pandemonium without much luck. The only men in sight, the Bus
Drivers,. toss duffel bags out of the buses and into a large pile.
MARVA KULP, the owner of the Camp, late sixties, four
and a half feet tall, wearing khaki shorts, talks through a BULLHORN.
Next to her stands her daughter and first lieutenant, MARVA JR., just under
six feet, tanned and humorless. She also holds a BULL-HORN.
MARVA SR.
(into bull-horn)
Good morning, ladies and welcome to Camp Walden.
I'm Marva, your Camp Director and this is my daughter and right hand man,
Marva, Jr. Girls, please find your duffels as quickly as possible, we've
got a big, big day ahead of us. Marva,'bunk assignments, if you please.
Marva Jr. lifts her BULL-HORN and starts barking out bunk
assignments right into her Mother's ear. Marva Sr. covers her ears
in pain.
MARVA JR.
Berg, Kate, Iroquois, bunk seven Berg, Lily! Chickasaw,
bunk five!
(we HEAR a SCREAM of joy) Burnham, Daisy! Kickapoos,
bunk three!
2
A MOUNTAIN OF DUFFEL BAGS
sits on the quad as one eleven year-old, Hallie Parker,
pops up from behind the huge pile.
Hallie
(to herself)
okay, found my duffel, now the question is, how do I get
it out?
Hallie wears overalls, a baseball cap that says Girls
Rule, sunglasses, and a sweat-shirt tied around her waist. Her ears.
are pierced, her hair is short, she wears bright red high tops and metallic
blue nail polish.
Hallie
(finding her duffel bag strap)
Okay, I can do it.
Hallie pulls on the strap with all her might, her face
turning bright red.
Hallie
Okay, no I can't.
A skinny kid with a long neck, ZOE, steps in, carrying
her duffel bag on her shoulder and chewing gum.
ZOE
You must be new.
Hallie
How can you tell?
ZOE
You didn't know to grab your duffel before the apes tossed
it into the heap. I would say you need some serious help.
Hallie
Thanks. it's the big blue one.
ZOE
(helps Hallie pull on the
strap)
Cool hat.
Hallie
Thanks, it was a going away gift from my Dad.
As Zoe and Hallie pull on the strap together, the Bus
Drivers
toss another half-dozen new duffels onto the pile.
Hallie and
3
Zoe shoot the Bus Drivers a look. Just then, NICOLE,
a strapping ten year-old in a tie-dye T-shirt, beads and a bandana around
her head arrives and easily pulls her duffel from the center of the pile.
Hallie
Now that's my kind of woman.
ZOE
(cups hands around her mouth)
Hey! Tie-Dye girl!
Nicole turns around.
Hallie
Would you mind giving me a hand? My duffells the
red one, way in there.
Nicole nods and drops her duffel. It LANDS right
on Zoe's foot.
Hallie
You okay?
ZOE
(grabbing her foot)
That would be negative.
Nicole yanks Hallie's duffel out of the pile and drops
it on Zoe's other foot.
ZOE
Aaaahhh! Why, thank you.
NICOLE
(smiles)
You're welcome.
(reading name-tag on Hallie's duffel)
Hey, you're from California?
ZOE
You are? Do you live in Hollywood?
NICOLE
Do you like live next door to a movie star?
Hallie
-- What are you two, Lucy and Ethel?
I’ve never even been to Hollywood. I live in Napa,
that's in Northern California, and I live next door to a vineyard.
4
ZOE
A whatyard?
Hallie
A vineyard. It's where you grow grapes to make
wine. That's what we do, me and my I)ad, we own a vineyard.
What bunk are you guys in?
ZOE/NICOLE
(at the same time)
Arapaho.
Zoe and Nicole look at each other, not thrilled.
MARVA JR.
(yells from bull-horn)
Parker, Hallie...
Hallie
(yells back)
Yo! Right here!
MARVA JR.
(looks over and waves)
Arapaho! Bunk eleven!
The Girls slap hands and head off toward their bunk.
Hallie
So, either of you by any chance know how
to play poker?
(Nicole and Zoe shake their
heads)
No? That's a shame. So, tell me, how much cash did
you guys bring with you this summer?
As the Girls walk off, CAMERA BOOMS UP to a LIMOUSINE
pulling up in front of the MAIN LODGE. Heads turn as the Driver,
in a dark suit and cap, hops out and opens the limousine's back door.
Out steps a PROPER BRITISH BUTLER, perfect posture, elegant grey suit,
extremely proper demeanor. His name is MARTIN and he speaks with
a stuffy ENGLISH ACCENT.
Martin leans into the back-seat and takes the hand of
an elegantly dressed eleven year-old, Annie James. Annie wears a
powder blue suit and carries a purse and a small vanity case. Her
hair is perfectly neat, shoulder length and worn with a powder blue head
band. As Annie turns to Martin, we see her face and we realize SHE
LOOKS ECACTLY LIKE Hallie Parker! Same hair color, same eyes, same
nose, same mouth, same height, same weight. Identical in every way.
5
MARTIN
Well, here we are - Camp Walden For
Girls.
(looks around, with disdain)
We travelled six thousand miles for... this?
Annie looks around. She also speaks with a BRITISH
ACCENT.
Annie
It's rather picturesque, wouldn't you
say?
MARTIN
I don't know if that's precisely the term
I would use.
Annie smiles as the Limo Driver lines up four pieces of
matching luggage by Martin's side.
MARTIN
So, lets review, your Mother's list, shall
we?
(pulls out a typed list)
Vitamins?
Annie
Check.
MARTIN
Minerals?
Annie
Check.
MARTIN
List of daily intake of fruits and vegetables?
Annie
Check. Check.
(Martin looks up)
Check for fruits, check for vegetables. Go on.
MARTIN
Herbal teas, sugarless candy, sun block, lip balm, insect
repellent, umbrella, stationary, stamps, fountain pen, flashlight, batteries,
photos of your mother, grandfather and of course....
(turns page)
Yours truly!
6
Annie
Got it all, I think.
MARTIN
Oh, and here's a little something from your
Grandfather,
a brand new deck of cards.
Maybe you'll find
someone on this continent
who can actually
whip your tush at poker.
Annie
I doubt it but thanks.
And thanks for
bringing me,
Martin.
Martin is suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. He
looks away, about to burst into tears, quickly grabs Annie, hugs her tightly,
then just as quickly - regains his dignity.
MARTIN
And remember, if you change your mind and want me to
pick you up at the end of camp, I'm only a phone-call away.
Annie
I'll be fine. See you in eight weeks,
Marty ol’ pal.
MARTIN
Eight weeks it is, Queen of my Heart.
Annie puts out her hand, Martin places his hand over hers
and they proceed to do an extravagantly worked out SECRET HANDSHAKE - with
all kinds of moves in it including a butt bump, a wave under the chin and
a shimmy to-and-fro. When it's over, Martin resumes his proper Butler
demeanor and gets into the Limo. As the Limo pulls away, we HEAR:
MARVA JR.
Annie James?
Annie
Yes, hello. I apologize if I'm late. My plane
was fogged in leaving Heathrow. You )mow how- London is in June.
JR.
Can't say that I do. Never been to jolly 01- England
but never-the-less,.mllady, welcome to the U.S. of A. and what we like
to think of as the most beautiful spot on God's green earth - Camp Walden.
(takes a huge sniff of fresh air)
Oh, jeez, a bug flew up my nose.
(starts honking and swatting at
(MORE)
7
MARVA JR. (cont'd)
her nose and generally going
crazy)
Annie
Are you all right?
MARVA JR.
Oh sure. Just one of the hazards of camp life.
You have a little shnoz ... you-11 be fine.
(indicates her' own nose)
With this honker, you got problems.
(looks at Arnie's luggage)
Okey-dokey, let's get this show on the road.
Annie
Can you manage?
MARVA JR.
Manage? Uh, sure... Suppose I can... Why
not?
Marva Jr. awkwardly gathers up all of Annie's luggage
and leads her toward her bunk.
MARVA JR.
I know this sounds weird, but ... have we
met before?
-Marva accidentally steps in a gopher hole and stumbles
forward...
Annie
Met before? No, no, I don't think
so.
(catching her)
I'm positive I'd remember you.
EXT. ANNIE'S BUNK - THE NAVAJOS --A COUPLE OF MINUTES
LATER
Marva Jr., huffing and puffing, leads Annie up the steps
to her cabin.
MARVA JR.
Showers are to your right. Rec room's to your left.
Mess hall's straight ahead. Chow's at seven, twelve-fifteen and sixthirty.
Mother gives five demerits for being tardy, so don't be.
Marva Jr. holds the screen door open with her LEG as she
balances Annie's suitcases under her arms
8
MARVA JR
Welcome to the Navajos.
INT. NAVAJO BUNK
Eight cots with Seven Girls unpacking and getting into
their uniforms. Annie and Marva Jr. enter.
MARVA JR.
New arrival, girls. Name's James.
A cherubic-looking Black girl, JACKIE, her hair in corn
rows, looks up from her Game Boy.
JACKIE
Your name's James?
MARVA JR.
Annie James. Just arrived from London,
England.
(dropping Annie's luggage)
First time in the country, I believe,
right, Ann?
Annie
Yes, ma'am, just arrived this morning, which is actually
tonight for me, which makes this tomorrow morning, which... (notices everyone
watching her) makes me a ' bit jet-lagged.
(notices empty cot)
This one mine?
MARVA JR.
Yep. Has to be made every morning right after reveille.
Mother's a stickler for neatness, so remember to police your area daily.
Now, change into your uniform, James, chow's at thirteen hundred.and Mother
gives five demerits...
Annie
--for being-tardy. (MARVA stops short) I remember.
CROSBY, a freckled camper, with a CD Walkman around her
neck, catches Annie's eye and smiles.
Annie
.But thank you for reminding me, Ma'am.
9
MARVA JR
Quite welcome, James.
(as she exits)
Introduce yourself, ladies. Be sociable.
Marva trips over a sneaker on her way out. The Girls
hold in their laughter as she BANGS her head on the door frame. As
soon as she's gone, the Girls crack-up.
CROSBY '
How scary is it that that woman's in charge?
INT. DINING HALL - TWENTY MINUTES LATER.
A hundred and fifty Girls, all in camp uniforms, have
arrived for dinner. Two lines of Girls approach a central buffet
table.
IN ONE LINE we find Hallie. IN THE OTHER LINE, headed
right toward her, is Annie. Both Annie and Hallie are busy talking
to their friends and don't notice each other.
As Annie reaches the front of the line and approaches
the buffet table, Hallie does the same. For a split second, they
stand directly next to each other. Just as they are about to see
each other, Marva, Sr. steps between them with a plate full of food.
MARVA SR.
Excuse me, girls ... I've just got to have
a scoop of those gorgeous strawberries.
(holding a large spoonful, turns to Hallie)
Care for some?
Hallie
Oh, no thanks, can't, I'm allergic.
Hallie takes her plate and moves off.
MARVA SR.
(turns to Annie on her other
side) .
How bout you, dear? Strawberries?
Annie
(moving off)
Sorry, wish I could but I'm allergic.
MARVA SR.
(confused, looks back to
Hallie, who is now gone)
Oh, yes, allergic, you just told me that.
(MORE)
I 0
MARVA SR. (cont'd)
How'd you get over there? Oh, well,
first day of camp... You'll have to
excuse the ol’ girl. At least I'm not Putting salt
in the sugar shakers yet. I mean, sugar in the...
(turns back to Annie, who is
also gone)
Now, where'd she go?
INT. SHOWER HOUSE - LATER THAT EVENING
Hallie ENTERS a shower stall and begins washing her hair.
She wears a small GOLD LOCKET around her neck. A beat later, Annie
ENTERS the stall next to her and turns on the water. She wears the
IDENTICAL LOCKET. The Girls can not see each other over the partition.
Hallie drops her soap and it slides into Annie's stall. Annie reaches
over the partition and hands the soap back to Hallie.
Annie
Here you go.
Hallie
Got
it! Thanks.
As their FINGERS TOUCH, they both STAND FROZEN for a moment...
a current of some sort running between them. They each TURN AND LOOK
AT THEIR TOUCHING HAMS. Then they both let go. Hallie lifts
her locket, sucks on it. Annie does -the exact same thing as she
turns off the water...
EXT. CAMP - THE FOLLOWING DAY
A FENCING MATCH. Two Girls, each wearing nylon jackets
and wire-mesh masks are in the middle of a duel. The First Girl is
whipping the Second's butt, knocking her sword out of her hand and pinning
her against the wall. The other Campers applaud and cheer.
Both Girls take off their masks and we see Hallie is the
victor.
MARVA JR.
Touche! Excellent, girls.
(raises Hallie's arm)
The winner and still undefeated champ, Hallie Parker!
Hallie takes a bow and moves off with her-friends.
Annie,
Crosby and Jackie pass by in time to
MARVA JR.
Do we have any challengers?
Annie
(pulling on a mask)
Sure. I'll take a whack at it.
She snaps on a vest, flips the sword into the air and
catches it, then nods to Marva, Jr.
MARVA JR.
(blows her whistle)
En garde!
Hallie, still in her mask, turns to see Annie in her mask
and vest. Annie SALUTES briskly with her sword. Hallie hesitates,
then does the same. They stand on guard... looking like bookends.
Marva, Jr. blows the whistle again and...
THE DUEL BEGINS
Hallie lunges, Annie parries, then attacks. Hallie
tries to knock the sword out of Annie's hand but Annie deflects the blade,
whirls around and lunges. Point for Annie!
Hallie gets the jump on Annie and comes in low.
Point!
Hallie lunges but Annie catches her sword and sweeps
it in a full circle pulling them together, mask-to-mask. They break.
Hallie charges but Annie side-steps and Hallie runs past
her. Hallie stops and whips around to find Annie lunging toward her.
..Hallie steps back, loses her balance and falls butt-first into a WATER
TROUGH, landing with a huge splash. The Campers explode with laughter.
Annie reaches out to help Hallie but Hallie grabs Annie's
hand and yanks her into the trough. The Campers crack-up as the two
Girls sit soaking, side-by-side. They climb out together and angrily
pull off their masks. Annie tosses her long hair as Hallie shakes
her short hair dry.
MARVA JR.
Looks like we got ourselves a new camp champ. Miss
Annie James! Let's'shake hands, girls.
Neither girl turns around.
MARVA JR.
Girls!
Annie and Hallie turn, hands extended. And for the
first
time, THEY LOOK INTO EACH OTHER'S FACES. They freeze.
Speechless. it's like looking into a mirror. Hallie
extends
her hand...Annie reaches for it.
12.
CLOSE ANGLE - THEIR HANDS
as they touch, something electric again passes between
them.
Annie AND Hallie
look down at their hands, then up at each other... not
knowing what to say. Just then, their friends join them and they
immediately slip their hands into their pockets - at the same time.
Their friends stop in their tracks and look from Annie to Hallie - stunned
at the resemblance. The lunch bell RINGS and everyone else on the
lawn runs toward the Mess Hall.
Hallie
Why's everyone staring?
Annie
Don't you see it?
Hallie
See what?
Annie
The resemblance between us.
Hallie
Between
you and me?! A resemblance? Let
me see,
turn sideways ...
(Annie turns)
Now the other
way...
(Annie does)
well, your eyes are much closer together than mine.
Your ears stick out, your teeth are crooked and that nose... well,
don't worry, those things can be fixed.
Zoe and Nicole laugh.
CROSBY
(to Annie)
Want me to deck her for you?
Hallie
Hold on, I'm not quite finished. You want
to )mow the real difference between us?
Annie
I have class and you don't? Or I know how
to fence and you don't? Take your pick.
Hallie angrily steps forward but Marva steps between them.
13
MARVA JR
Okay, ladies, time to break-up this
little
love fest. Annie... Hallie...
(notices how they look alike)
I mean,
Hallie... Annie...
The lunch bell RINGS again. Jackie and Crosby pull
Annie away, as Zoe and Nicole pull Hallie in the other direction.
ZOE
That girl is a major loser.
NICOLE
Yeah. Too bad you couldn't look like somebody cooler.
ANGLE - Annie AND HER PALS - TRACKING
Annie
Do we really look as much alike as I think we do?.
CROSBY
It's just a weird freak of nature. (slaps her on
the back)
Please accept my condolences.
Annie looks back at Hallie, who is sneaking a look at
her. She quickly turns away.
INT. ANNIE'S BUNK - THE NAVAJOS - NIGHT
CLOSE on a PILE of CHANGE, crumpled DOLLAR BILLS, CANDY
BARS. ANGLE BACK to see a Crowd of Girls watching a poker game Annie,
with a Tootsie Pop dangling from the side of her mouth, is playing with
Four Older Girls and winning big-time.
Annie
Sorry, ladies, read ‘em and weep.
Annie spreads out a full house. The Older Girls
groan and toss in their hands, as Annie rakes in the pot.
Annie
So... that's-it... no other takers?
LITTLE KID
You've already tooken everybody...
A CRISP NEW FIVE DOLLAR BILL floats on to the cot.
14
HALLIE'S VOICE
Not everybody.
ANGLE - Hallie
standing over Annie, a smile on her face.
CUT TO:
HALLIE'S HANDSS - SKILLFULLY-SHUFFLING A DECK
OF CARDS
As she deals, we see A SERIES OF QUICK CUTS of Annie and
Hallie, going one-on-one... shuffling, dealing, drawing, bluffing... First
Annie rakes in the pot... then Hallie... then Annie... it's back and forth...
until finally the entire pot sits in front of Hallie and Annie is down
to her last dollar.
Hallie
(tossing in her bet)
Three bucks.
Annie checks her hand... she's holding a straight.
She bites her lip... knowing she's holding a winning hand.
Hallie
Tell you what I'm gonna do, since you're almost tapped
out... I'll make you a deal. Loser jumps into the lake after the
game.
Annie
Excellent.
Nude.
Annie
Even more excellent.
(revealing her hand)
Queen high straight.
Hallie
(spreads-a full house across
the blanket)
Start unzipping, Princess... full-house.
EXT. LAKE - NIGHT
CAMERA IS CLOSE on Annie's CAMP UNIFORM as it falls to
the sand. Annie's BARE FEET step away from the clothes.
15.
ANGLE - THE GIRLS FROM THE POKER GAME
huddled on the shore holding candles. Hallie stands
in the center of the group, a content smile on her face.
ZOE
(watching Annie walk to lake)
That girl's butt looks awfully familiar.
(off Hallie's look)
It does!
CLOSE - Annie
She reaches the dock, teeth chattering. She turns
back, looks at the Girls. Hallie and her friends wave. Annie
salutes them.
THE LAKE
as ANNIE'S LEGS gracefully slice through the water, in
a perfect dive. Annie pops up in the water, looks out at the Girls
but THEY ARE GONE!
ANNIE'S WET FEET hurry across the sand and arrive at where
her clothes were but all that's left are her sneakers.
ANGLE - ANNIE'S WET AND SHIVERING FACE
Annie
(catching on)
Let
the games begin.
EXT. CAMP WALDEN - THE FOLLOWING I)AY
Hallie and her friends are trudging home after a hike.
They're hot, sweaty and tired.
Annie
I swear I heard that girl sneezing
all the
way across the mess hall this morning.
(the others laugh, Hallie
yawns)
I'm so tired. I'm crawling back
into bed
and sleeping until lunch.
NICOLE
(stops, looking up at the roof
of their bunk)
That does not seem like a possibility.
Hallie
Why not?
16.
NICOLE
(pointing)
That's 'why not'.
Hallie stops in her tracks, her eyes rising to THE ROOF
OF THE BUNK where every single COT is now perched.
Hallie
No way.
EXT. CAMP WALDEN - NIGHT
Lights are out. Everything is quiet and peaceful.
Suddenly, THREE SHADOWY FIGURES run silently toward Annie's bunk.
INT. ANNIE'S BUNK - NIGHT
CAMERA PANS past a sleeping Jackie, Crosby and Annie.
The door squeaks open and Hallie steps inside. She signals the coast
is clear" and Nicole and Zoe tip-toe in carrying strange,
unidentifiable objects. They all quickly go to
work and we SEE: A jar of HONEY is opened and poured into a pair of Addidas.
A can of SHAVING CREAM is squirted onto a pillow-case.
A ball of TWINE is wound around a bedpost, then zigzagged
across the room.
An industrial-size can of CHOCOLATE M UP is emptied into
a bucket.
WESSON OIL is poured all over the floor.
CUT TO:
MORNING - A SLEEPY SEVEN YEAR-OLD WITH A BUGLE
plays reveille... badly.
INT ANNIE'S BLINK - FOLLOWING MORNING
The bunk looks like one giant spider web. Mazes
of string everywhere. The sound of EMILLE reverberates through the
room as the Girls get out of bed, slide in the Wesson Oil, get stuck in
the honey, trip over the string... lots of yelling and screaming.
Annie stands dripping in shaving cream.
Annie
She's without a doubt, the lowest, most awful creature
that ever walked the planet!
EXT. ANNIE'S BUNK - SAME TIME
Hallie, Zoe and Nicole are peeking in the windows, thrilled
with their achievement.
Hallie
(ala Elvis)
Thank you, thank you very much.
Just then, the Two Marva’s appear behind them, clipboards
in hand.
MARVA SR.
'Morning, girls.
Hallie/NICOLE/ZOE
'Morning, Marva's.
(then, freaked out) Marva's?!?!
MARVA JR.
(climbing steps to Annie's bunk) Navajos... Surprise
inspection. Ten-shun! Mom, why don't you do the honors...
Marva Sr. nods and reaches for the screen door handle
but Hallie rushes to her.
Hallie
No, no, don't go in there!
Annie crosses to her side of the SCREEN DOOR and watches,
wondering what Hallie's up to.
Hallie
one of the girls got sick last night and it's a big mess.
Save yourself the aggravation. It's really disgusting.
MARVA, SR.
Well, if someone's sick, dear, then 1
must go in.-
She starts to OPEN the door, not realizing she's PULLING
on a string attached to a BUCKET that's about to tip right over her head.
Hallie's eyes shoot up to the bucket, then back to Marva, Sr.
No, really, let go of that door. I insist.
She's highly contagious.
18.
Annie
Actually, we're all fine in here. Unless Hallie
Parker knows something we don't know.
(Annie watches Hallie's eyes go up to the bucket)
Open the door and come on in, ma'am.
With that, Marva Sr. swings OPEN the door, TIPPING THE
BUCKET which we now see is filled with HERSHEY'S SYRUP. Marva Sr.
is instantly covered head-to-toe in CHOCOLATE. Marva Jr. : SCREAMS,
slipping in the syrup and tumbling down the stairs. Marva Sr. turns
to Hallie, slowly wiping the syrup from her eyes. OVER, we HEAR:
MARVA, SR. (V.0.)
Congratulations, ladies ...
INT. MARVAIS TENT - MOMENTS LATER
Annie and Hallie stand side-by-side as Marva Sr. paces
in front of them, holding a towel, still wiping off chocolate. Marva,
Jr. stands at her side, also spotted in chocolate.
MARVA, SR.
-- That little stunt was the most revolting display of
hooliganism ever to take place on these hollowed grounds.
MARVA JR.
A-men.
MARVA SR.
And worst of all, coming from two sisters who should
be setting an example for the entire...
Annie
we're not sisters, ma'am.
Marva Sr. turns, looks at them.
Hallie
-- We've never even seen each other
before.
MARVA SR.
That's impossible.
MARVA JR.
I'm afraid the look-alike thing has been the crux of
the problem, Chief.
19.
MARVA SR.
Well, whatever the excuse, I recommend
immediate dismissal.
Hallie
You're sending us home?
MARVA JR.
(sotto)
That does somehow say we failed, doesn't
it, Mom?
MARVA SR.
All right, all right... Let me just think...
MARVA JR.
(under her breath)
Uh-oh.
The Girls both bite their lockets, nervously awaiting
their fate, as MUSIC BEGINS.
EXT. CAMP GROUNDS - A LITTLE LATER (MUSIC OVER)
The Two Marva's lead Annie and Hallie away from their
bunks and up a long winding hill. Hallie balances her duffel bag
.-on her shoulder, as Annie struggles, her full of luggage. The rest
of the Girls, and we mean, the ENTIRE CAMP, marches in a line behind them.
INT. ISOLATION BUNK - A FEW MINUTES LATER
The Two Marvas catch their breath as they lead Annie and
Hallie into a bunk with just two cots and two trunks.
MARVA, SR.
we've got six weeks left at camp and you two are going
to spend every glorious one of them - together. You'll eat together,
bunk together and do all your activities together. Either you'll
find a way to get along or you'll punish yourselves better than I ever
could.
MARVA JR.
You'll thank us for this, you'll see.
The Marvas exit, leaving Annie and Hallie alone and worse,
with each other. Annie lifts her suitcases onto the bed and neatly
starts unpacking her things. Hallie, on the other hand, flips
2 0.
open her trunk, unzips her duffel and shakes her things
out like she's emptying a bag of potato chips into a bowl.
A SIGN
that reads: Isolation Table - Do Not Disturb. CAMERA
TILTS DOWN to see Annie and Hallie eating at a table in the MESS KUL, directly
under the sign. They are separate from the other Campers and eat
without speaking. Annie eats a well balanced meal while she reads
a book as Hallie munches on a cheeseburger and plays Game Boy. They
never look at each other.
INT. DANCE ROOM - DAY
Annie, wearing a black leotard, her hair in a bun, stands
at the ballet barre, practicing her plies to SWAN LAKE.
Hallie ENTERS in black bike shorts and sports bra, carrying
a boom box. She ignores Annie, turns on a JANET JACKSON CD and starts
practicing a hip-hop routine. Annoyed, Annie TURNS UP Swan Lake.
Hallie BLASTS 7anet Jackson right back at her.
INT. BATH HOUSE - NIGHT
Hallie stands in front of the mirror, in pajama bottoms
and a T-shirt, combing her wet hair. She wraps a towel around her
-head as Annie's pal, Crosby enters.
. CROSBY
(mistaking her for Annie)
Annie, hi! Oh, man, I can not believe they stuck
you with that Hallie person, I feel so bad for you.
Hallie
(doing her best ENGLISH ACCENT, which is pretty melodramatic)
You have no idea, luv. It's just bloody awful being in isolation
with that dreadful little monster. I do miss you so, daahling.
Come give us a kiss... Right here on my rosy little cheek. Come,
come, don't be shy,.. I've been ev-uh so lonely.
Crosby gives Hallie a strange look, then kisses her awkwardly
on the cheek. Just then, Annie ENTERS, holding her toothpaste and
toothbrush.
CROSBY
(leaping away)
Annie!
21.
Annie
Crosby?
Hallie
Guess that makes me Hallie.
Crosby's SCREAM is drowned out by the SOUND of ROLLING
TH = ER.
E:XT. ISOLATION BUNK - ANOTHER DAY
It's pouring. The wind howls.
INT. ISOLATION BUNK - SAME TIM
Hallie, in flannel p.j.'s and a sweat-shirt, is pinning
up postcards and photos above her cot. Annie, in matching sweater
and pants, plays solitaire. Now and then, each sneaks a glance at
the other.
A sudden GUST of wind blows the door open, sending Hallie's
stack of photos flying into the air. Hallie screams, trying to salvage
them, as Annie rushes to the door and bolts it shut. Together, the
girls tie down the blinds. Annie finds Hallie's favorite stuffed
animal, CUPPY, lying on the floor and hands him to Hallie.
Hallie
Thanks.
Annie
Any of your pictures ruined?
Hallie
(holding torn photo)
Only the beautiful Leo DiCaprio.
Annie
oh, your boyfriend?
Hallie
(shows her photo)
Yeah, right.
(then)
You've never heard of Leonardo DiCaprio?
Annie
I've heard of Leonardo DiVinci.
Hallie
'How far away is London anyway?
22
Annie
From here - six thousand miles. But sometimes,
it seems much further. -How far away is your home?
Hallie
California’s way at the other end of the
country.
(shows her photo)
Actually, here's a picture of my house.
Annie
Wow. It's beautiful.
Hallie
We've got this incredible porch that wraps around the
whole house with rocking chairs and a hammock and stables back thataway...
and this great pool with a sliding board...
Annie
How cool.
(points to the back of a Man)
Who's that?
Hallie
Oh, that's my Dad... He didn't know I was taking a picture
or he would've turned around. He's kinda like my best friend.
We do everything together.
Annie reacts strangely, as if chilled, she rubs the goosebumps
on her arms.
Hallie
What's the matter?
Annie
(pulling down her sleeves)
it's chilly in here, that's all.
Hallie crosses to her trunk and takes out a bag of oreos.
Sees Annie watching her.
Hallie
Want one?
Annie
Sure. I love Oreos. At home, I eat them with
peanut butter.
23.
Hallie
(stops, surprised)
You do? That's so weird. So do I.
Annie
You're kidding? Most people find that
totally disgusting.
Hallie
I know. I don't get it.
Annie
Me either.
The Girls laugh, feel a little guilty for enjoying each
other's company, then laugh even harder. Hallie digs a jar of peanut
butter from her trunk and opens it. The Girls start eating.
Hallie
What's your dad like? I mean, is he the kind of
father you can talk to or is he one of those workaholic types that says,
'I'll talk to you later, honey', but never really does? I hate that.
Annie
I don't have a father, actually. I mean, I had
one, once, I suppose, but my parents divorced years ago. My mother
never even mentions him. It's like he evaporated into thin air or
something.
Hallie
It's scary the way nobody stays together
any more.
Annie
Tell me about it.
Both Girls devour their Oreos and peanut butter.
Hallie
How old are you?
Annie
(her mouth full)
I'll be twelve on October 11th.
HALLE
(chokes)
So will I.
2 4
Annie
Your birthday's October 11th?
(Hallie nods)
How weird is that?
Hallie
Very.
(then, realizing)
Hey, it stopped raining. Want to get
a popsicle or something?
Annie walks to Hallie and looks her up and down, really
studying her, biting on her locket. Hallie, feeling her eyes on her,
plays with her necklace.
Hallie
What's the matter?
Annie
Hallie, what's your mother like?
Hallie
I never met her. She and my Dad split up
when I was a baby, maybe
even before, I'm not sure. He doesn't like to talk
about her... but I know she was really beautiful.
Annie
How do you know that?
Hallie
Because my Dad had this old picture of her hidden in
his sock drawer and he caught me looking at it all the time so he gave
it to me to keep. I'm really thirsty, you sure you don't want to
go to the canteen and get something to drink?
Annie
Will you stop thinking about your stomach
at a time like this!
Hallie
At a time like what?
Annie
Don't you realize what's happening?!?
Don't you find it peculiar that we both
look so much alike and have the same birthday
and...
(putting it all together)
Oh man, this is beyond coincidence, this
is
beyond imagination! I only have a
mother,
(MORE)
2 5.
Annie(cont'd) you only have a father.. You've never seen
your Mom, I've never seen my Dad. You have one old picture of your
Mom, I have one old picture of my Dad but at least yours is probably a
whole picture.
(Hallie drifts over to her trunk)
Mine's a pathetic little thing, ripped right down the
middle... What are you rummaging in your trunk for?
Hallie
(turns, holding PHOTO to her
chest)
This. It's the picture of my Mom. And it's
ripped, too.
Annie
(a little spooked)
Right down the middle?
Hallie
(nods, nervously)
Right down the middle.
Annie rushes to her trunk, wildly tossing out her things.
She pulls out a small box, opens it and carefully takes out her RIPPED
PHOTOGRAPH. She walks to Hallie, holding it to her chest.
Annie
This is so freaky. Okay. on the count of
three, we'll show them to each other, okay?
Hallie/Annie
(at the same time)
One... two...
(they put their PHOTOS
together)
Three!
INSERT - THE TWO TORN PHOTOS
which, when placed next to each other, fit perfectly,
forming one COMPLETE PHOTO. ANNIE'S MOM sits cozily next to IE'S
MM. Behind them, is a life preserver with the name on it.
(biting her nails)
That's my Dad...
Annie
That Is my Mom...
2 6
The Girls stare at the photo, then at each other.
A formality of strangeness settles on them. They both reach for their
lockets. O.S., the lunch BELL SOUNDS.
Annie
That's the lunch bell.
Hallie
I'm not so hungry anymore. So if your Mom is my
Mom and my Dad is your Dad... and we're both born on October 11th, then
you and I are... like... sisters.
Annie
Sisters?!? Hallie, we're twins!!!
Frozen, Annie laughs then tears come to her eyes.
Hallie's eyes fill up and soon tears streak her cheeks. They put
their arms around each other and embrace, sobbing. They pull apart,
look at each other, smile, then begin to laugh. Hallie bites nervously
on her locket.
Annie
What's that locket you're biting?
Hallie
Oh, I got it when I was born. It has my initial
"Ho on it.
Annie
(showing hers)
I got mine when I was born, too. Except mine has
an "Au on it.
Hallie
Now I’ve got goose-bumps
(realizing)
Oh my God. I'm a twin?!?. There's two of
me! I mean, two of us? Wow! This is like... I have to sit down.
Hallie takes a seat on Annie's bed.
Annie
(sitting next to her)
Think I'll Join you.
They sit for a beat, then:
Hallie
Can I see your toes?
27
Annie
(pulling off her sneakers)
Sure.
Hallie kicks off her shoes and they hold their feet out
in front of them, side-by-side.
Annie
Identical! Hands?
They hold out their hands together.
Hallie
Oh my god. Exactly the same. Except I bite
my nails.
Annie
You should stop. See how nice they could look.
Hallie
What's your favorite color?
Annie
Mint Green.
Hallie
Oh my God Oh my God!
Annie
(bending her right thumb down to her wrist)
Can you do this with your right hand only?
Hallie
(bending her left thumb down)
No, but I can do it with my left hand only.
Annie
If you could only eat one food for the rest of
your life, what would it be?
Hallie
I don't know. Pizza...
Annie
Topped with... ?
Hallie
Olives, green pepper...
2 8
Annie
And... ?
Hallie
Anchovies.
Annie
Oh my God. We are twins!
The Girls hug.
INT. MESS HALL - DINNER TIME
Annie and Hallie sit at their Isolation Table, talking
a mile-a-minute.
Annie
I don't know what our parents fought
about but it must've been pretty dreadful
for them to bisect us like this.
Hallie
I can't imagine anyone not getting along
with Dad. Everyone loves him.
Annie
I know, same with Mom.
Hallie
Tell me about her, what's she like?
Annie
She's a clothing designer.
Hallie
Get out!
Annie
She designs the most beautiful wedding gowns. That's
her specialty. She's
becoming quite famous, actually. A Princess in
Greece just bought one of her gowns.
Hallie
Wow.
Annie
You know what's interesting - neither of them ever got
married again. Has your...my... our Dad ever been close to remarrying
2 9.
Hallie
Never. He always says I'm the only girl in his
life.
Annie
Mom's never come close either. You know what this
means, don't you?
Hallie
Not exactly. You’re obviously the older one, you
get everything before me. What does it mean?
Annie
(leaning in)
Secretly, in their innermost heart of hearts, they must
still be in love with each other.
Hallie
You think so? Then why haven't they tried to see
each other all these years?
Annie
That's the way true love works. History's filled
with stories of lovers parted by some silly misunderstanding. Anyway,
Mom can be unbelievably stubborn when she wants to be.
Hallie
She can't be worse than Dad
Annie
(laughs)
They sound exactly like us.
EXT. ISOLATION BUNK - ESTABLISHING - LATE AT NIGHT
Everything is quiet and peaceful until we HEAR:
Hallie’S VOICE (O.S.)
OhmyGod!
INT. ISOLATION BUNK - SAME TIME
The room is Dark, Annie is sleeping. Hallie BOLTS
STRAIGHT UP IN BED.
Hallie
I have a brilliant beyond brilliant idea.
(gets out of bed, paces)
(MORE)
3 0
Hallie (cont'd)
I'm a genius. Annie, wake up, you're related to
a bona fide genius.
Annie
What are you raving about?
Hallie
You want to know what Dad is like, right?
Annie
I was just dreaming I was on your front porch with him.
Hallie
-- And I'm dying to know Mom. So what I'm thinking
is ... Oh man, this is so brilliant, it's scary.
Annie
What is it?!?
Hallie
I think we should switch places. When camp's over,
I leave as you and go back to London and you leave as me and go to California.
(off Annie's look)
We can pull it off. We're twins, aren’t we?
Annie
Twins from different countries, with different accents,
different hair-styles, different vocabularies... different everything.
Hallie, we're totally and completely, one hundred percent different.
Hallie
So? What's the problem? I'll teach you to be me
and you teach me to be you.
(gets on knees and begs)C'mon, I gotta meet my
Mom.
Annie
(gets out of bed)
The truth is, you know, if we switch, sooner or
later they'll have to un-switch US.
Hallie
And when they do, they'll have-to meet again.
Annie
Face-to-face. After all these years.
Hallie
I told you I'm brilliant.
INT. DANCE ROOM - DAY
Hallie wears Annie's leotard and Annie wears Hallie's
bike shorts and sports bra. Hallie holds a large pad on which she
has drawn the layout of her house.
Hallie
-- okay, dining room's on the right, but we never eat
in there except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Living room's here...
Dad's office is the first door down the hall. You never have to knock,
if you do, he'll think it's weird... Down here is...
F-XT. LAKE - SUNSET
Annie and Hallie sit on the dock looking through a stack
of photos, as the sun sinks behind them. Annie wears Hallie's Girls
Rule baseball cap.
Annie
This is Grandfather.
Hallie
He's so cute. What do we call him?
Annie
Grandfather.
Hallie
That makes sense.
Annie
(showing next photo)
This is Martin. He's our Butler.-
Hallie
We have a Butler?
MAIN HALL - NIGHT'
The entire camp is assembled for a screening of Father
Of The ,Bride, Part II, and naturally, they're laughing hysterically.
Hallie and Annie sit in the middle of the crowd, whispering.
Annie
But I never bite my nails!
32.
Hallie
But I always do. Daddy'll know.
Annie
(sits on her hands)
I can't.
Hallie
Want me to do it for you?
Annie rolls her eyes and starts chewing away.
INT. MESS HALL - MORNING
Annie sits in Hallie's seat and Hallie sits in Annie's.
Hallie sips a cup of tea, very lady-like and Annie munches on Fruit Loops.
Hallie
(with a proper British accent)
I dare say this is frightfully good tea, wouldn't you
agree?
Annie
(playing Game Boy)
What-ever.
INT. ISOLATION BUNK - DAY
PANS the walls which are now covered with charts, photos
and diagrams of Annie's London Town House and Hallie's Napa Ranch House.
COMES TO REST on Annie, sitting on a stool in front of a mirror, biting
her locket.
Annie
Okay, I'm ready.
CLOSE - A DRAWER SLIDES OPEN
and Hallie takes out a comb and a pair of scissors.
CLOSE - Annie- CLOSING HER EYES
Hallie steps INT FRAME, grabs a of clump of Annie's hair
and
closes her eyes, as well.
Annie
Don't shut your eyes!
3 3
Hallie
Oh, right. Sorry. I'm just a little
nervous.
Annie
You're nervous?!? An eleven year-old is
cutting my hair. Go ahead, just do it!
As Hallie raises the scissors ...
ANGLE - THE FLOOR
as ANNIE'S HAIR falls in a ring around her feet.
A beat and CAMERA TILTS UP to Annie staring in the MIRROR at her new look".
Hallie leans in next to her. They are now IDENTICAL in every way.
Annie
This is scary.
Hallie
(New Yawk accent)
Honey, you never looked better.
(realizes something)
OhmyGod!
Annie
ohmygod what?
Hallie
I have pierced ears!
Annie
Yeah... ?
(then, panicked)
Oh, no. Forget it! Uh-uh, not happening.
Sorry. Wrong number.
Hallie
Then cutting your hair was a total waste. There's
no way I could go to camp with pierced ears and come home without 'em.
I mean, come on. Get real.
Annie
This isn't fair. I've had to chew my nails, cut
off my hair and now you want to punch holes in my ears! You didn't
have to do one bloody thing to become me!
Hallie
Hey, can I help it if I'm a complicated woman with a
look entirely my own?
3 4
A MATCH
is FIRED UP. Hallie holds a sewing needle over the
flame.
Hallie
(very calmly)
Needle sterilized.
Hallie professionally carries the needle to Annie, who
lies on her bed, petrified, holding an ice cube to her ear.
Annie
Y-Y-You sure you know what you're doing?
Hallie
(cool as a cucumber)
I've gone with all my friends to have their ears pierced.
Just close your eyes, it'll all be over before you know it. Earring
ready?
Annie holds up the earring as her reply.
Hallie
Okay, just relax. On the count of three,
remove the ice. One, two, three!
Annie shuts her eyes TIGHTLY, pulls the ice away as Hallie
-STICKS THE NEEDLE through Annie's ear lobe. Both Girls SCREAM at
the top of their lungs.
CUT TO:
Hallie - PASSED OUT COLD ON THE FLOOR
Annie, now wearing the earring, gently slaps Hallie's
face
trying to revive her.
Annie
Hal, are you okay? Wake up! Hallie! Hallie
OPENS her eyes.
Hallie
Are you bleeding to death?
Annie
I'm fine. It didn't hurt at all. But
I refuse to go through life with only one pierced ear.
(holds up NEEDLE.)
Back to work, darling.
3 5
Hallie takes one look at THE NEEDLE and PASSES OUT AGAIN.
Annie
Hal!
EXT. MAIN LODGE - MORNING
Teary-eyed Campers are hugging good-bye, as they load
into the buses and cars.
Crosby, Jackie, Zoe and Nicole hug Hallie and Annie good-bye
and-climb into their buses. Hallie is now dressed in Annie's blue
suit and Annie is dressed in Hallie's overalls.
Annie
Okay, so remember, you're going to find out how Mom and
Dad met...
Hallie
-- and you're gonna find out why they broke up...
MARVA JR.
(through her bull-horn)
-- Annie James! Your car's here! Annie James,
front and center!
Annie
That's you.
(hands her envelope)
Here's your ticket and passport. The plane leaves
at noon.
(then)
Also, remember, you've got to figure out a way to bring
Mom out to California.
MARVA JR
Last call, Annie James!
The Girls hug.
Give Dad a kiss for me.
Annie
And give Mom one for me.
Hallie nods and takes off. Annie watches her, biting
her locket.
Annie
OhmyGod! Hallie! I mean, Annie!
Hallie!
(MORE)
3 6
Annie(cont'd)
(Hallie turns)
The lockets!
Hallie rolls her eyes, runs back and the Girls quickly
switch lockets, kiss good-bye and Hallie takes off again.
Annie WATCHES FROM THE CROWD
as Hallie greets the Limo Driver, climbs in the back seat
and speeds off. Annie crosses her arms, then crosses her fingers.
Annie
Good luck.
CUT TO:
LONDON
from 10,000 feet.
ANGLE - Hallie - SEATED BY THE WINDOW
on British Air, just moments before landing.
Hallie
(to herself)
okay, this is it. Oh, God, I hope she likes me.
Please like me.
INT. BRITISH AIR TERMINAL - A FEW M
A steady stream of Passengers fill the terminal.
Hallie cautiously enters, looking into the SEA OF FACES waiting behind
a velvet rope, when she HEARS:
MARTIN (O.S.)
Annie!
Hallie looks up and sees Martin pushing through the crowd,
holding a small bouquet of flowers
Hallie
(with her best British accent)
Maaaw-tin!
She rushes to him and dives him a big hug.
MARTIN
You look fantastic. What did you do to your hair?
Hallie
cut it. Do you like it?
3 7
MARTIN
Love it. It's the new you!
(notices)
And you got your ears pierced! Give me five, girlfriend!
He puts out his hand to start "the handshake". Hallie
looks at him strangely for a moment, then remembers "the handshake" and
executes it to perfection.
LONDON - THE SIGHTS
as seen from a moving Limo. We PASS the HOUSES OF
PARLIAMENT, WESTMINSTER ABBEY and BIG BEN.
INT. LIMOUSINE - MOVING - SAME TIME
Hallie has the window rolled down, her head resting on
her hands, as she soaks up the sights.
Hallie
This is so amazing! What a city!
MARTIN
Eight weeks at camp and suddenly you act like a American
tourist.
Hallie
That's what camp's for, silly. Makes you appreciate
home. I just love how everyone drives on the wrong side here.
(then, realizing)
I mean, here they actually drive on the right side, but
after being in America where they drive on the wrong side, which after
a while begins to feel like the right side, makes this seem like the wrong
side... ObmyGod! Martin! Buckingham Palace!!! Can we
stop?!? I'm dying to see one of the guards up close.
MARTIN
You've seen the guards up close a million times.
Hallie
But never with short hair and pierced ears.
MARTIN
Did they serve you anything funny to drink on that plane?
3 S.
Hallie
Please, Martin. Just for a sec.
MARTIN
Just for a sec? Now you're even talking like an
American. Oh, dear... Gareth pull over, will you, old boy?
The Driver pulls up in front of BUCKINGHAM PALACE and
Hallie gets out and runs up to one of the Royal Guards. As is the
custom, the Guard doesn't look at Hallie, doesn't even blink.
Hallie
(waves)
Hi, there. How ya doin'?
(no answer, whispers)
My name's Hallie. I'm from California. We
don't have anything remotely like you in California. Oh, this is
too cool. My Dad has a nutcracker shaped just like you. Same
outfit... everything. is the Queen home? What's she doing?
I know you can't answer. Can you blink if she's home?
Suddenly, the Guard clicks his heels, lifts his rifle
over his shoulder and snaps to attention. A DOZEN OTHER GUARDS join
him, doing the same. immediately, the other side of the gate is flanked
by a MATCHED SET OF GUARDS, all switching their rifles from one shoulder
to the other and snapping to attention.
The enormous Gates to the Palace MAJESTICALLY OPEN and
a DOZEN PALACE HORS holding Royal Flags exit in formation, followed by
A WHITE ROLLS ROYCE. The Rolls slowly pulls through the Gates and
heads directly toward Hallie, who stands frozen among the Palace Guards.
Hallie
oh jeez, tell me this isn't happening!
The Rolls comes to a stop in front of Hallie and the tinted
window in the back-seat slowly lowers. Hallie starts to fall backwards.
The Palace Guard pushes her back upright.
From the back-seat, behind the Driver, QUEEN ELIZABETH
leans forward and peers out crown and all.
QUEEN ELIZABM
Good afternoon.
Hallie
Good afternoon.
QUEEN ELIZABETH
What's your name, dear?
Hallie
Hallie Parker. I mean, Annie James, ma'am.
Not Hallie Parker. Sorry. Forgot my name.
QUEEN ELIZABETH
Yes, I have that effect on people. So nice to meet
you, Annie James. Thank you for stopping by the Palace today.
39
Hallie
Thank you, Your Highness. Very nice to meet you
personally like this ... I didn't even know you were home. I was
excited just to see one of your Guards ... I'm supposed to curtsey, aren't
I?
QUEEN ELIZABETH
That's okay, my dear, I shan't tell a single soul.
I promise.
Hallie
(nods, stunned)
You shan't? Oh, thank you, ma'am.
QUEEN ELIZABETH
(waves, with a gloved hand)
Time for me to go. Ta-ta.
Hallie
(waves back, shocked)
Ta-ta.
The window rises and the Rolls pulls off amongst The Queen's
Guard.
PALACE GUARD
(through locked teeth)
Now that's a first.
Hallie turns to Martin and the Chauffeur, who watch, their
mouths agape.
EXT. 18TH. CENTURY HOUSE - REGENT'S PARK - A LITTLE
LATER
An elegant town house on one of London's loveliest streets.
The Limousine pulls up and the Driver gets out, opening
the
back door for Hallie. She steps out and looks up
at the house.
4 0.
Hallie
(to herself)
This is it, 18 Cumberland Square.
Martin helps the Driver with the luggage as Hallie rushes
up the steps. She places her hand on the big round knob and turns
it.
INT. TOWN HOUSE
A beautiful, sun-filled house with a fantastic carved
staircase. Hallie stands in the foyer, feeling very small.
Hallie
Hello?
She peeks into the Drawing Room, doesn't see anyone, heads
around the stairs, counting the doorways and stops at:
THE LIBRARY
where she sees someone sitting in a leather chair, smoking
a pipe, hidden behind The Financial Times.
Hallie
(softly)
Grandfather, I'm home.
Hallie's Grandfather, CHARLES James, a small, dapper man,
with a moustache and wearing a Saville Row suit, rises with a smile.
CHARLES
Is that my little girl? That tall gangly thing?
Hallie
Yes, it's me.
(takes her in his arms)
Did you have a good time, sweet pea?
Hallie
(buried in his suit jacket)
Uh-huh... Great...
CHARLES
(amused)
What are you doing?
Hallie
Just smelling.
CHARLES
Smelling?
Hallie
I'm making a memory. Years from now, when I'm all
grown up, I'll remember my Grandfather and how he always smelled of peppermint
and pipe tobacco.
He pulls her close, she rests her head on his chest.
Then, from the top of the stairs, Hallie HEARS:
ELIZABETH'S VOICE
Annie...!
Hallie looks up to the balcony at the top of the stairs
and sees her Mother - for the first time in her life. ELIZABETH James
is
a natural beauty in her mid-thirties. Hallie walks
trance-like to the bottom of the stairs.
Hallie-
Mother?
ELIZABETH
Honey, welcome home!
Elizabeth rushes down the stairs as Hallie flies up toward
her.. Hallie falls into her Mother's arms, tears flooding her eyes.
Hallie
I can't believe it's you.
ELIZABETH
And I can't believe it's you and with short hair no less.
Hallie
A girl I met at camp cut it. Do you hate
it?
MARTIN
(entering with the luggage)
I think it looks awesome.
ELIZABETH
So do 1. I absolutely love it. And you got your
ears pierced?!
Hallie nods.
CHARLES
Looks very chic if you ask me, although nobody ever does.
42.
ELIZABETH
Any other surprises - belly-button rings, tatoos ...
?
Hallie laughs, shakes her head, looks up at her Mother
with tears in her eyes.
ELIZABETH
What is it, sweetie?
Hallie
I'm sorry, it's just... I've missed you so much.
ELIZABETH
(hugging her)
Can you believe it? It seems like it's been forever.
Hallie
You have no idea.
INT. ELIZABETH'S BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER
We hear LAUGHTER OFF-CAMERA then Elizabeth and Hallie
E R. Hallie takes in the room... it's beautiful, feminine and gracious.
Tea has been laid on a corner table. Elizabeth leads Hallie to a
small love seat.
ELIZABETH
So tell me all about camp.
Hallie
Ohmygod, I love your room, Mom... it's so... totally
Mom-like.
ELIZABETH
Nothing's new... it's just as Mom-like as it's always
been. So... c'mon, tell 7ne... Did you like everyone? Was it
fun?
Yeah, it was great and I liked this one girl a real lot,
I mean... in particular. She's from California, actually.
(then)
Have you ever been to California?
ELIZABETH
(pouring tea)
Yes... Once. But that was a long time ago, before
you were born.
4 3
Hallie
(staring at Elizabeth)
Man-o-Manichevitz ... I didn't realize you were so beautiful.
ELIZABETH
Man-o-Manichevitz ... I love your new vocabulary.
Just then, Martin knocks on the open door and with disdain,
holds up Hallie's Teddy Bear, by it's ear.
MARTIN
I found a stowaway in your suitcase.
Hallie
OhmyGod, Cuppy.
(Elizabeth turns to her)
He belongs to a girl in my bunk... I don't know how on
earth he ended up in my suitcase. Gosh, whaddya know.
MARTIN
well, since he's not our 'Cuppy’, shall we dispose of
him?
Hallie
(retrieving it)
No! I mean, no. I'll mail him to her. She
loves this thing a lot. A lot. A lot. She's like slept
with that thing her entire life and she could never be like in a foreign
country without him. No, no, I'll take care. of it, thank you, Martin.
Just then, the PHONE RINGS. Elizabeth answers it.
ELIZABETH
Hello? Hi... Really? Can't you manage without
me? Annie just got home from camp... Well, what's the problem?
As Elizabeth talks on the phone, Hallie crosses to the
dresser and runs her hand across her Mother's brush, her pearls, smells
her perfume, then lifts up a photo of Elizabeth as a little girl.
Hallie t = s back, looks at her Mom. Elizabeth makes a face about
the phone call. Hallie laughs as Elizabeth continues on the phone.
Hallie notices Elizabeth's closet door is open and she
enters, gazing at all of her Mother's clothes. She looks at a row
of evening clothes and touches the beautiful fabrics.
44.
ELIZABETH
Annie!
Hallie pops out of the closet, worried she's been caught
trespassing.
ELIZABETH
Would you mind very much running down to the studio with
me?
EXT. KINGS ROAD - LONDON - A LITTLE LATER
Through a LONG LENS, shooting through taxi cabs and traffic,
we SEE one very happy Little Girl walking the streets of London, holding
her Mother's hand.
A STORE WINDOW - MOMENTS LATER
IS CLOSE on a mannequin wearing an EXQUISITE WEDDING GOWN.
Above the window is the name Elizabeth Tames Designs.
Hallie (O.S.)
Wow, that's incredible.
ANGLE BACK to REVEAL Hallie and Elizabeth standing in
front of the shop.
ELIZABETH
Really? You don't think it's too over-the-top?
Hallie
No. I love it. You know who would look really
beautiful in that gown? I mean, beautiful?
ELIZABETH
Who?
Hallie
You.
ELIZABETH
Me? I think the time change has made you a little loopy.
Come on, let's see what all the fuss is about...
4 5.
ELIZABETH James STUDIOS - DAY
A skylight fills the foyer of this converted town house
with a splash of white light. A huge vase of white orchids sit on
an antique table. Elizabeth and Hallie climb a circular stairwell,
passing a Bridal Boutique on the first floor.
Hallie
-- You mean you never think about getting married again?
ELIZABETH
No, I like things exactly the way they are, thank you.
An Assistant hurries past them, carrying a veil.
ASSISTANT
Hi, Elizabeth. Hey Annie, welcome home. Great haircut.
Hallie
Hi... Thanks ...
(shuts her yes, thinking hard) -- Fiona! Yeah,
I'm back. Thanks.
(then)
But Mom, seriously, doesn't designing all these wedding
gowns ever make you think about marriage... or maybe just think about the
IF' word?
ELIZABETH
(stops)
The ‘F’ word?!
Hallie
My 'father'.
ELIZABETH
Oh. That ‘F’ word. Well, no, actually it doesn't
because I didn't even wear a wedding gown-when I married the IF' word.
HALLLIE
You didn't? -Why not?
ELIZABETH
Hey, how did we get into this discussion anyway?
(they arrive at a large loft filled with people)
(MORE)
4 6
ELIZABETH (cont'd)
Okay, here we are. Now let's see what disaster
awaits us.
As they step into THE LOFT, we see a PHOTO-SHOOT is in
progress. A MODEL wears a beautiful wedding gown as a PHOTOGRAPHER,
shoots away. Make-Up, Hair people and Assistants scurry about.
MUSIC plays in the B.G. Hallie watches like a kid in a candy store.
PHOTOGRAPHER
Okay, she's here.- We're saved.
ELIZABETH
(sotto, to Hallie)
Uh-huh, the pressure's on.
PHOTOGRAPHER
We don't know what to do with the veil. if she wears
it, it covers the back of the dress, if she doesn't the dress looks--
ELIZABETH
-- incomplete. Right.
(to Model)
Can you try standing sideways..? Head up, kind of an
Audrey Hepburn type... that's it. That's perfect.
(to Assistant)
Now slip the veil on and drape it back... not over her
shoulders ... straight back, there you go...
(to Model)
Now lift the train in your arms like you're carrying
it. Don't worry about the bouquet, you're married now, you gotta
learn to juggle... Beautiful. And look happy, it's your wedding day!
The Model laughs as the Photographer reels off shots.
Hallie
(to herself)
Mom is too cool.
STUDIO CORRIDOR - MOMENTS LATER
Elizabeth and Hallie make their way down the hall, passing
a row of design offices. Two Assistants carry a gown past them.
Hallie
So what did you wear to marry my Dad?
47.
ELIZABETH
Why the sudden curiosity about your Dad?
Hallie
Well, maybe because he's never mentioned and you can't
blame a kid for wondering...
ELIZABETH
(sticks her head in an office)
I'm going home, kids ... See you tomorrow.
Elizabeth and Hallie head back down the circular staircase.
Hallie
So, what was he like? Really.
ELIZABETH
Who?
Hallie rolls her eyes.
EXT. ELIZABETH James DESIGNS - LONDON - LATE DAY
Elizabeth and Hallie step onto the street.
Hallie
Mother, you can't avoid the subject forever.
ELIZABETH
Okay. He was quite lovely to tell you the truth.
When we met, he was...actually entirely lovely. All right?
Hallie
(smiles)
All right.
it starts to RAIN. Elizabeth snaps open an umbrella.
ELIZABETH
(puts her arm around Hallie)
Are you cold?
@IE
I'm fine.
(looks up at her)
so, did you meet him here in London?
Elizabeth-takes Hallie's hand as they dash across the
street.
4 8.
ELIZABETH
We met on the QE 2.
Hallie
The QE what?
ELIZABETH
The Queen Elizabeth 2. It's an ocean liner that sails
from London to New York. I was nervous about flying in those days,
so was your father.
(remembering back)
We met our very first night on board the ship, actually.
We were seated next to each other at dinner. He's an American, you
know.
Hallie
No kidding?
ELIZABETH
(nods)
We kind of hit it off immediately.
Hallie
Hey, I love Americans. I mean, if I wasn't British,
I'd be an American. So, was it love at first sight?
ELIZABETH
I knew you were going to ask me all these questions one
day.
(yells)
Taxi!
Elizabeth raises her am and hails a cab. It splashes
to a stop and they hurry inside.
INT. TAXI - MOVING
Elizabeth and Hallie sit side-by-side.
Hallie
So, did you see each other every single night?
ELIZABETH
You know, this part of your personality reminds me of
you father. You'd think he raised you instead of me.
(looking into Hallie's eyes)
Yes, we saw each other every night, every
4 9.
ELIZABETH (cont'd)
morning and every hour in-between. Then one night,
he popped the question, right there in the middle of the Atlantic.
Hallie
Cool.
ELIZABETH
And since a ship's Captain can do all kinds of special
things, like even marry people...
Hallie
OhmyGod, you mean, you got married on the QE 2?
(Elizabeth nods)
That's beyond cool. So what happened? You
didn't love each other when you weren't in the middle of the Atlantic?
ELIZABETH
I don't )mow, honey. These things are complicated.
I'm very British and you father's very American. I tried living in
California, he tried living in London but...
Hallie
It just didn't work out.
ELIZABETH
No, it didn't. Except for having you.
Hallie smiles. Elizabeth puts her arm around her,
pulls her close. Hallie signs.
Hallie
Dear old Dad. I wonder what he's doing at this very
moment?
CUT TO:
DEAR OLD DAD
CAMERA is CLOSE on NICK Parker and he is lovely, indeed.
A smiling, ruggedly hancuome guy, who shines among a throng of people waiting
anxiously at THE NAPA COUNTY AIRPORT. Suddenly, he brightens and
waves.
NICK
Hal! Hey, welcome home, kiddo!
5 0
ANGLE - Annie WALKING ACROSS THE TARMAC
carrying Hallie's duffel bag over her shoulder.
Nervous at first, she breaks into a grin at the sight of her father, waving
and smiling at her.
Annie
Dad!!!
Annie runs to him and stops just as she reaches him.
Annie
(looking up at him)
Dad... Finally...
NICK
Get into these arms, you little punk.
Nick wraps his arms around Annie and pulls her close.
NICK
I hope you had a lousy time at that camp 'cause you're
never going back - I missed you too much.
(Annie smiles, Nick looks at her)
What happened to you? Something's changed. Did you
get taller?
They walk off, arm-in-arm, into the terminal, Nick carrying
Hallie's duffel.
INT. TERMINAL
Annie
So, what's up, Dad? How’s Chessy and everybody?
NICK
Great. Everybody's great, can't wait to see you.
Eight weeks really is too long, Hal. So much has been happening around
here.
Annie
A lot's happened to me, too. I feel like I'm practically
a new woman.
As they walk, Annie keeps peeking at Nick.
NICK
What's the matter? Did I cut myself
shaving?
Annie
No, it's just seeing you for the first
time. I mean, you know... in so long.
(giggles)
You look taller to me, too.
NICK
(pulls her to him)
C'mon, squirt, let's go home.
EXT. NAPA, CALIFORNIA - AERIAL VIEW - DAY
A dark green Suburban drives past picture perfect wine
vineyards.
INT. SUBURBAN - MOVING
Nick drives wearing a straw cowboy hat. Hallie
sits next to him.
NICK
Hey, by the way, thanks for all those newsy letters.
I'm really glad I bought you all that personalized stationary you just
had to have.
Annie
we meant to write, Dad, but we just got so busy with...
NICK
We?
Annie
Oh. Me and my friend. I met this girl at camp and
we got really close. Practically like sisters. She was a lovely
girl.
NICK
‘Lovely’? You seem to have gotten very Proper all
of a sudden.
(takes her hand, looks at it)
Still biting those nails.
Annie
Dad! You noticed!
52.
NICK
Whaddya mean, noticed? You've been biting them
since you got teeth.
Annie
But I've decided to stop, Dad. It's a horrid, habit,
really it is, Dad.
NICK
'Lovely' girl ... 'Horrid, habit? Did I send you
to summer camp or finishing school? And why do you keep saying 'Dad,
at the end of every sentence?
Annie
I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was doing it, Dad.
(realizing she's done it again) Sorry, Dad.
They both laugh.
Annie
Do you want to know why I keep saying Dad... ? The truth?
NICK
Because you missed your old man so much?
Annie
Exactly! it's because in my whole life, I mean for these
past eight weeks, I was never able to ever say the word 'Dad'. Never.
Not once! And a Dad is an irreplaceable person in a girls' life.
I mean think about it, there's a whole day, devoted to celebrating Fathers,
right? Just imagine, someone's life without a Father. Never
buying a Father's Day card, never getting their Father a' birthday present,
never sitting on their Father's lap, never being able to say, 'Hi, Dad',
'What's up, Dad?,, 'Bye, Dad, catch you later, Dad'. A baby's first
words are always ]Dada, aren't they? Then there's 'Daddy', 'Daddio',
'Pop', 'My old man'... Not to mention, 'Wait 'til your father gets home,
and...
NICK
So, let me see if I get this ... you missed being able
to call me Dad.
53
Annie
Yeah. I really have, Dad.
Nick smiles as he turns in under a wooden sign that says
Parker Vineyard and Winery. Annie looks out the window.
Annie
ObmyGod.
NICK
Now you sound like your old self.
EXT. NICK AND HALLIE'S HOUSE - DAY
A rambling Victorian-style ranch house, with a wide porch
that wraps around the entire facade. Nick toots the HORN as he drives
down the long gravel driveway. SAMMY, a big golden mutt, races after
the car, barking.
JOSE, Nick's right-hand man, arrives from the side of
the house, drinking a small bottle of juice. He opens the Surburban's
door for Annie.
JOSE
Well, look who finally decided to come home.
Annie
Hey, Jose.
JOSE
Did your old man tell you we decided no more camp for
you?
Annie
(climbing out)
Yeah, he told me.
JOSE
(hugging her)
it got too quiet around here, Hal. We couldn't
stand it. Nobody blasting music, nobody playing hide and seek in
the vineyards, nobody getting stuck up on the roof...
Annie laughs as the screen door swings open and CHESSY
EXITS, humming as if she's a one-woman welcome home band. Chessy,
the most lovable woman on the planet, early thirties, warm eyes, great
sense of humor, lifts Annie right off her feet.
54
CHESSY
Hell-o, Gorgeous! You grew, you lost weight, you
look fabulous, we missed you, don't let these bums talk you out of, going
back to camp. You're a growing girl. You need adventure.
You hungry? I made cornbread and chili. Why're you so quiet?
What's wrong?
Annie
I'm just so happy to be home.
NICK
(passes, carrying Hallie's duffel)
Did I hear something about cornbread and chili?
CHESSY
It's on the stove...
(without even looking)
Wipe your feet, Jose!
Chessy looks Annie over, hugs her again.
CHESSY
You've changed, Hal ... I can't put my finger on it,
but something about you has definitely changed..
Sammy bounds down the steps of the porch.
Annie
Really? Me?
(then)
Hi, Sammy!
Sammy sniffs at Annie's shoes, looks up at her, then backs
off suspiciously, BARKING at her.
CHESSY
What's with you, goofball! It's Hallie.
Sanmy continues BARKING.
Annie
I probably smell like camp, that's all.
Annie runs up the porch steps, followed by Chessy.
55.
CHESSY
(to Sammy)
What's wrong with you? it's like you didn't even
recognize her.
INT. HOUSE
A spacious comfortable ranch house with high ceilings
and panoramic views of Nick's vineyards.
Annie
(taking it all in)
Wow! It's even better than the pictures.
CHESSY
Whaddya want to do first, kiddo - unpack or eat?
Or eat, then unpack? Or, we can eat while we unpack.
Annie
You mean I can eat in my room?
CHESSY
(looks at her like she's nuts) Yes, I would say that's
a definite possibility.
-As Chessy and Annie head up the stairs, Nick ENTERS,
eating a big bo | 
