The Birthday Present

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Part IV: The Birthday Present
Tuesday, October 10, 1989

The next day, Roger and Holly both flashback to what happened the night before. Actually, Holly was dreaming about it. Later, Holly gets visits from Nadine and Blake, and tells them about the accident. Nadine leaves to get a scarf for Holly.

BLAKE: ... I swear to you, last night after the Country Club was wonderful for me and Phillip. I have never felt so much in love, or so loved, in all my life. I just wish you had a man who could make you feel that way.

HOLLY (resigned): Yeah, well ...(hearing a knock at the door): Ah, that would be Nadine with "just the scarf".

BLAKE: Uh huh ...

HOLLY: Coming ... (she opens the door, and reacts without enthusiasm to seeing Roger): Oh ... didn't we spend enough time together last night, you have to show up on my doorstep?

ROGER: Look, since I managed to ruin your birthday celebration last night, I thought I'd try to make it up to you.

BLAKE: Hi Daddy!

ROGER: Hi Sweetie (big hugs) ...awww ... oh, boy, God, what a hug!!!!

BLAKE: Oh, I was just so worried about you last night, you and Mother. I'm so glad neither one of you were hurt.

ROGER: Awww ...

BLAKE: And it's good to see that the two of you can sit in the same car together. I just wish you two wouldn't try to kill each other when you do.

ROGER: Well, actually, we were pretty congenial part of the time ... or so it seemed to me.

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BLAKE: Please, be careful with each other. What would I do if I lost you both?

HOLLY (brimming with compassion): You'd survive.

ROGER: Oh, now, that was a pretty cold-hearted answer.

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BLAKE: It's okay Daddy, I know she doesn't mean it. (Blake laughs) ... goodbye Mom.

HOLLY: Goodbye honey.

BLAKE: Hope you enjoy your birthday present. Bye Daddy.

HOLLY: All right. What's going on?

ROGER: Just what I said: trying to make amends for all the trouble I caused you last night. ... Ain't ya gonna open it?

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HOLLY: Just to make sure there's not a bomb in it then it goes in the trash.

ROGER: Ah, it's yours to do with as you wish.

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ROGER laughs at HOLLY's expression when she opens it. She pulls out a stuffed animal: a skunk.

HOLLY (smiling): The perfect present. I'll always think of you when I look at it.

ROGER (smiling): That's what I hoped.

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NEXT SCENE: ROGER is about to leave.

ROGER: So, what time shall I pick you up tonight?

HOLLY: Oh, not, uh ... I have a dinner, a business dinner tonight.

ROGER: Oh. Well, pick a night, any night.

HOLLY (hesitating): I ...

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ROGER (interrupting): Don't you think we could maybe find some way to work out our problems in a civilized fashion instead of just totaling cars whenever we want to communicate?

HOLLY: All right. Fine. But it's not a date.

ROGER: Hey, call it whatever you wish. I'll be in touch. And uh ... enjoy the skunk.

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As ROGER opens the door to leave, NADINE is coming in.

ROGER (surprised): Oh.

NADINE (smiling): Oh ... Hi!

ROGER: Well, "Hi" to you. (She laughs)

NADINE: So now what was that all about? Tell me!!!

HOLLY: He brought me a birthday present.

NADINE: (excited) Yeah!? What's it like?

HOLLY: It stinks.

NADINE: Oh, it's cute! ... so, what does this mean?

HOLLY: What does it mean? What does it mean ... (she opens an envelope that was also in the box) ... a gift certificate.

NADINE (impressed): The Car Emporium?!!! Honey, they don't carry anything under fifty-thousand dollars! Oh, all those cute little red convertibles!!! Wow, that Roger sure is a sweet skunk.

HOLLY tears up the gift certificate.

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