The Babble Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree
The alarm chimes, then an electronic voice saying, “Good Morning” is followed by music blasting from the alarm clock in Maddie’s room. After a few seconds, she sits up, looking frazzled and disoriented. While fumbling to locate the alarm clock, she topples over a picture frame and figurine before finally finding the clock. After several unsuccessful attempts to turn it off, she accidentally knocks it to the floor, which in the process, stifles the alarm. The bed sheets are half off the bed, and the pillows are out of place. There are baby things strewn about.
David is sleeping in a rocking chair across the room. He has one leg hanging over the side of the chair and his opposite arm hanging over the other side of the chair. His hand is resting on the edge of Michael’s cradle. As David hears the alarm, he is startled and inadvertently rocks the cradle. We hear the hint of a cry from Michael. David and Maddie both jump to their feet. Maddie steps on a squeaky toy and David stubs his toe on the chair then blurts out “Ouch.” They both frantically tell one another to “ssshhh”, then hastily cover their mouths in horror, realizing their mistake in making any noise. They stare at Michael as if he were a volcano, ready to erupt. They wait, look, and listen, but Michael is quiet. Relieved, David and Maddie step comically backward and sit down on the side of the bed, never taking their eyes off the cradle.
David: “What time is it?” he asks, still half asleep.
Maddie: “I think it’s morning” she says groggily as she looks towards the window.
Maddie and David both fumble for the alarm clock which had fallen on the floor. They knock their heads together as they reach for it. Maddie retrieves the alarm. They sit back on the bed, each holding a hand to their head. Maddie looks at the clock face.
Maddie: “It’s 7.”
David: “Is that the time or how many minutes we actually slept last night? Tell me again when it is that babies start to sleep through the night?” David falls backward on the bed and rubs his eyes.
Maddie: “Supposedly somewhere around 3 months” she says with a sigh.
David: “Oh... well that’s a relief. Only 1 month left of our sleep deprivation experiment” he says tiredly. Maddie lies down next to him, lying on her side and using her arm to prop herself upright.
Maddie: “Thanks for sitting up with him last night” she says appreciatively.
David: “Hey, it’s only fair. You had to get up twice to feed him. You need sleep, too... I’ll catch up on mine at the office” as he yawns.
Maddie: “I see even in my absence, it’s business as usual at Blue Moon.”
David: “Speaking of business... you decided when you two will be joining the work force?
Maddie: “I’ve already been away for almost two months... I feel guilty neglecting my responsibilities too much longer.”
David: “Not like you haven’t ever taken a longer hiatus... at least this time, you have a good reason.”
Maddie: “David, it’s too early in the morning to start throwing punches at me... albeit, I probably deserved that one.”
David: “Well, the kids at work are all anxious to have our little apprentice flat foot join the payroll.”
Maddie: “Actually... that’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about... I was thinking of getting someone to watch him... I know we talked about taking him to work... I’m just not sure the office is the right place for a baby... ” David rolls over towards Maddie.
David: “You mean send him to day care... as in, a center or something?
Maddie: “Not exactly...
David: “A babysitter... as in, you drop him off there or they get dropped off here?”
Maddie: “Not exactly...
David: “What, like a nanny or something?
Maddie: “Exactly... a nanny. . . I was given the name of a childcare agency... thought I would call them... just to get some information.”
David: “I don’t know... I was kind of looking forward to having him around the office... even though he is a high-maintenance kid... although... come to think of it... we probably would never get any work done.”
Maddie: “Business as usual?”
David: “I gotta be honest... I had no clue how much attention a baby needs.”
Maddie: “Is this the man that said, “How much work can 5 pounds 7 ounces be?”
David: “If this kid’s need for attention grows proportionally to his weight, we’re going to need to call in backup.” David starts to put his arm around Maddie when, suddenly, Michaels begins to stir. Maddie stands up. David looks at the spot where she was lying and pats the mattress several times.
David: “She was here just a minute ago... “ (he looks over at her) “When I said backup, I didn’t mean that you should.” Maddie takes a couple cautious steps towards the cradle and peers inside. She puts the pacifier in Michael’s mouth and straightens his blanket, then adoringly gazes at him for a moment.
Maddie: “False alarm... he’s still asleep” she whispers. She kisses her fingers and gently touches Michael’s forehead with them.
Maddie: “David, why don’t you go back to sleep and go in late today... I think I might take advantage of the calm before the next storm and take a shower. You should probably run by your place today, too... check on things. You haven’t been there in a while.”
She turns around to see David is already asleep on the bed. She smiles as she shakes her head, then awkwardly struggles several times to move his legs onto the bed as they hang over the side. She pulls the sheet over him and before heading to the bathroom, she kisses her fingers and touches them to his lips. A grin emerges on David’s face as he resettles himself in bed. Just as he becomes comfortable and relaxed, Michael begins to stir again. David slowly opens one eye.
*****
Later that morning, the elevator doors open to reveal David asleep, leaning back against the rear wall of the elevator. With the ‘ding’ of the elevator bell, he slowly opens his eyes and looks at the walls of the elevator, almost as if he didn’t remember getting into it. The doors of the elevator begin to close and David quickly moves forward, sticking his arms between the closing doors. He struggles to reopen them and steps out of the elevator, the doors catching him as he exits. As the doors finally close, he raises a fist to them and mumbles something. He makes his way down the hall to Blue Moon. Agnes is sitting at her desk as we see him come into view through the Blue Moon window and then continue to walk right past it. A moment later he walks back to look at the wording on the window, assuring himself he is at the right place. As he enters the office, Agnes is answering a phone call.
Agnes: “No case is too big, no case is too small
With an extra mouth to feed, we’re taking them all
Morning , noon, and dead of night
Our extended hours will fit you right
Pay by cash, check, or charge
Doesn’t matter your quandary, tiny or large
Our staff waits to serve you, so don’t delay
With a baby in tow, there are bills to pay.”
Agnes puts her hand over the mouth piece of the phone.
Agnes: “Mr. Addison... you’re here.”
David: “I am?... figured I was somewhere.” he says groggily.
Agnes: “I thought you weren’t coming in until later today?
David: “Yeah... well... thought I’d come into work and catch up on some sleep” as he yawns.
Agnes: “Here are your messages.” He walks towards his office and begins to open the door.
Agnes: “You know... I tried calling you this morning, but your answering machine said it was full and then it just hung up on me.”
David: “Darn machine... just can’t get good help nowadays... I’ll have to have a talk with it.” He walks towards his office and begins to open the door. “I’ll be in my office, Agnes. Unless it’s a mattress salesman asking me to sample his wares, sic Bert on ‘em.”
Bert hears this and jumps up, beginning to walk towards David.
Bert: “Yes sir, Mr. Addison, you can count on me! I’ll man the helm while you’re below deck. Rest assured Blue Moon will remain ship-shape and on course. It will be smooth sailing. . .” David closes the door before Bert gets there.
Agnes: “I think someone needs to let some of the wind out of your sails... get back to your poop deck!”
*****
Late that afternoon, David unlocks the door to Maddie’s house and walks in.
David: “LUCY, I’m home!
He looks around the entry hall to see a stroller, car seat, diaper bag and some packages on the floor.
David: “LUCY?”
He peaks into the living room where a baby swing, infant seat, and portable bassinet clutter the room. He heads upstairs.
David: “Lucy? Little Rickie? You home?
As he enters the bedroom, he sees Michael sleeping peacefully in his cradle.
Maddie: “Sshhh, David I’m in here.”
David rounds the corner to the bathroom, stops at the door, and leans against the frame. He smiles at Maddie who is soaking in a bathtub full of bubbles.
David: “So this is what you do all day while I’m gone... Anyone else hiding in there?”
Maddie: “Darn... your early” she says sarcastically, then smiles. “Just recuperating.”
David: “Mikey wore you out, huh?”
Maddie: “I was exhausted after taking Mikey... ” (she suddenly catches her mistake).
David: “Caught ya!” David laughs.
Maddie: “Did not!
David: “Did too!”
Maddie: “Did not!
David: “Did too!”
Maddie: “Did not, did not, did not!” she says in a whispering, playful voice as they both smile.
Maddie: “I took Michael to the doctor today and then made a bunch of stops on the way back. When we got home and he fell asleep, a hot bubble bath seemed so inviting.”
David: “Gotta admit... it does look inviting” as he walks towards her, pausing as he reaches the tub.
David: “Hope that was an invitation.” He steps into the tub, clothes, shoes and all, and sits behind her. Bubbles overflow onto the bathroom floor.
Maddie: “Da - vid!... I can’t believe you did that!!” as she looks back at him.
David: “Oopps!... Didn’t mean to get bubbles on the floor... ” as he looks over the side of the tub.
Maddie: “Not the bubbles... your clothes!”
David: “Oh these? This is a drip-dry suit... but you’re right... shoulda taken off the shoes” as he removes them and throws them out of the tub.
David puts his arms around her shoulders, hugs her, then kisses her neck. He slowly pulls away and begins to message her back.
David: “So, how was your day... took Mikey to the doctor?”
Maddie: “Took Michael to the doctor.”
David: “How is the little half pint.”
Maddie: “Gained three pounds” she says proudly. David thinks a moment.
David: “Guess that makes him a quart.”
Maddie: “He had a shot today, too. I think the whole day wore him out. He’s really tired.”
David: “A case of acute tireditis,... seems to be going around... have a little case of it myself... You know, Maddie, I think this is the first quiet moment you and I have had together that we aren’t covered in spit up, singing rock-a-bye, or sleeping in shifts.” He puts his arms around her as he gently pulls her back against his chest, then he continues backward until he is resting against the back of the tub. They lie there enjoying a quiet moment.
Maddie: “By the way... guess who came by today?”
David: “By this way?... today?... hmm... came by today... came by today... ” as he slowly strokes her arms.
Maddie: “Give up?
David: “Gave up.”
Maddie: “Walter and Terri... Little Wally is getting so big.”
David: “A real Wallypalooza, huh?” He starts running his hands over hers. “When you said Walter and Terri, did you say ‘Walter... and... Terri’ or ‘Walter AND Terri’?” as he intertwines his fingers with hers.
Maddie: “Walter AND Terri... seems they’ve been spending a lot of time together. You know... it was sweet, David... they seemed really happy ... brought Michael the cutest little outfit, too.”
David: “How ‘bout you?”
Maddie: “No... they didn’t bring anything for me.”
David: “No... how ‘bout you? You happy?” as he looks around trying to see Maddie’s face.
Maddie: “Yeah... I am happy.” Maddie smiles and turns to meet him halfway. They look intently at one another for a moment then begin to kiss. Their kissing becomes more passionate, and she turns towards him. Suddenly, the doorbell rings. David is uninhibited by the ring and starts gently kissing her neck.
Maddie: “David... David... I think someone is at the door.”
David continues to kiss her neck, moving back up towards her ear. The doorbell rings again and now Michael starts to stir. They stop kissing for a moment.
David: “Probably someone just selling magazines... not really interested in reading right now... ” he begins kissing her again, trying to recapture the mood. The doorbell rings again and Michael starts crying.
David: “Remind me to disconnect that doorbell... you expecting anyone?”
Maddie: “I was supposed to interview a nanny at 6:00... what time is it?”
David lifts his dripping arm from the bath and blows the bubbles from it to reveal his watch.
David: “5:40.” There is a loud knock on the door. Michael is now crying hysterically.
Maddie: “Maybe she came early.”
David: “Lucky her...”
*****
In the bedroom, Michael is still crying in his cradle. He momentarily stops crying as he catches his breath. We hear his thoughts in between cries... (the voice of John Travolta)
Michael: “HEY, I know you guys are there... Don’t think I don’t know what you two are up to... You gonna just let me lie here and use up all this extra oxygen?” He continues to cry.
*****
Back in the bathroom, Maddie is out of the tub with a towel wrapped around her. David stands up dripping water and covered with bubbles.
David: “I guess since I’m already dressed, I’ll pretend I’m the butler and get the door.”
David looks at the camera.
David: “Not exactly the fantasy I had in mind...”
David gets out of the bathtub. The doorbell rings again. He walks out of the bathroom, dripping water and bubbles on the floor as he goes. Maddie quickly dresses so she can tend to Michael and then go downstairs. There is another loud knock. As David nears the door, he shakes his leg to remove some of the bubbles that are still covering him. He opens the door to see a large, brawny woman. Her hair is salt and pepper in color and pulled back into a tight bun. She is wearing a drab navy blue tailored two-piece suit. Expressionless, she stares him up and down.
David: “Oh, this?... Put too much soap in the washing machine” as he looks at himself.
Nanny: “Generally, it is recommended to remove the clothing before laundering” she says in a very somber tone.
David: “I knew I had to be doing something wrong.”
Nanny: “I am Helga Biddel. I’ve come to interview with Madolyn Hayes for the position of nanny.”
David: “She’ll be right down. She... we... weren’t expecting you this early.” He motions for her to come in. “Excuse the puddles. You can wait in the living room. Maddie will be down in a minute.”
Nanny: “I should apologize for my prematurity. I like to be punctual. I left a bit early not being sure how much congestion there would be on the roadways.”
David: “Yeah, traffic in L.A. can be a bi... ” Maddie cuts him off as she gives him a scolding look and hands him a towel.
Maddie “You must be Mrs. Biddel... David, thank you for showing her in. Mrs. Biddel, I’m Madolyn... Maddie Hayes and this is my son’s father, David.”
Helga extends her hand to Maddie and then to David.
Helga: “Mrs. Hayes” (as she shakes Maddie’s hand)... “Mr. Hayes” (as she shakes David’s hand).
Maddie: “Oh, I’m sorry, it’s Mr. Addison, David Addison.”
Helga: “Mr. Addison... ” as Helga acknowledges David again.
Maddie: “Oh, and it’s Miss Hayes” as Maddie puts her hand to her chest.
Helga: “Oh... sorry” she says in a judgmental tone.
David: “Uh oh...” he says under his breath in Maddie’s direction. Maddie gives him a reprimanding look.
Maddie: “Let’s sit down on the sofa and we can get to know one another. You come highly recommend by the agency. They just couldn’t say enough about you. Your references are impeccable.”
Helga: “I will be upfront with you Ms. Hayes...
Maddie: “Oh, please... call me Maddie.”
Helga: “I prefer to maintain a strictly professional relationship with my employers so if you don’t mind, Ms. Hayes, I feel it keeps our roles well defined.” David is listening in disbelief, looking back and forth at Maddie and Helga as they are speaking, occasionally turning his head away to grin.
Maddie: “Certainly, Mrs. Biddel... to be honest, I feel a little awkward... I’ve never interviewed anyone for this type of position... I mean... my son, Michael... well, he’s my first child... our first child” as she motions to David who is smiling a forced smile.
Helga: “Much of my philosophy on child rearing is attributed to my 30 years in the Navy and can be summed up in two words... firm consistency. I am a firm disciplinarian and follow a carefully laid out schedule. I find children thrive when they adhere to the routines of a daily program built on regularity.”
David: “Well... we all like to be regular” he says sarcastically. Helga opens her large bag and hands Maddie a piece of paper.
Helga: “This is my schedule. I will arrive for my daily duties at 0800 hours and must be dismissed by 1800 hours sharp. Meals, social time, and naps are scheduled on a successfully proven timetable.” David turns and blocks his face with his hand as he tries to contain his laughter. Maddie is listening intently and somewhat questioningly. Michael begins to cry upstairs.
Maddie: “That’s Michael... I better get him before he becomes too upset.”
Helga: “Is it his scheduled feeding time?”
Maddie: “Well, I have been mostly feeding him on demand as the pediatrician instructed me to do.”
Helga: “Babies should be feed every four hours, no more, no less. And I don’t believe a baby should be picked up whenever it cries. If it is their scheduled nap time, they will learn to calm themselves and go back to sleep. It fosters independence and self-reliance.”
David: “I always say... that’s what the world needs... more independent, self-reliant babies.” David says sarcastically. Maddie tries to compose herself. Michael is screaming.
Maddie: “Excuse me, I’ll just be a second.” She gives David a ‘behave yourself’ look as she goes upstairs to get Michael. Helga and David stare at one another
David: “So... how about those Navy Seals?”
*****
In the bedroom, Michael is now crying hysterically. Maddie picks him up and his crying dies to a whimper.
Michael: “Mom, you gotta work on getting here a little faster. I’m wet on the bottom end most of the time, I don’t need to be wet on the top part, too!” Maddie cuddles him and he stops crying.
Maddie: “Let’s go downstairs and meet the nanny.”
*****
Maddie returns to the living room with Michael, and they sit down on the sofa. Michael is smiling when he sees David who is making a silly face at him. Suddenly, Michael sees Helga and immediately becomes very serious as Maddie sits down next to her.
Michael: “Whoa!... I thought mom said ‘Nana’ was here... you’re not Nana... where’s Nana?... I don’t think I like you... I hope she doesn’t let you hold me!”
Maddie: “Helga... (she stops, catching her error) ... Mrs. Biddel, this is Michael” she says proudly, waiving Michael’s hand at her. Helga is expressionless.
Helga: “He is a nice, sturdy boy.”
David: “Yeah... well... he really is a big help when I need to change a tire.” Maddie sighs. Michael looks at David quizzically.
Michael: “Hey, dad, you never let me help you change a tire?!”
David: “This schedule of yours?... Is there any playtime?”
Helga: “I have allotted two blocks of time for social interaction.”
Michael: “Hey, I like blocks!... where’s the blocks?” Michael is smiling.
Helga: “It is best not to over stimulate a child. I believe in training them at a young age how to behave properly.”
Michael is smiling and making gurgling sounds and David is mimicking him. Maddie hands Michael to David.
Maddie: “I can see you take your work quite seriously, Mrs. Biddel.”
David is making airplane noises as he gently lifts Michael as if Michael was an airplane. He ‘flies’ Michael towards Helga.
David: “Comin’ in for a landing... Mrs. Biddel, would you like to hold him?” he says methodically, knowing exactly what will happen.
Helga takes Michael and holds him in front of her as if he was standing on her lap. Michael catches a glimpse of her and begins wailing.
Michael: “Yikes!... Hey, Dad? What did I ever do to you?... Mom... some help here!”
Maddie: “There, there sweetie, it's OK.” Maddie takes Michael, puts him to her shoulder and pats his back. Michael looks at the camera.
Michael: “I have her wrapped around my little finger... is this great or what?” as he smiles.
Maddie: “Well, Mrs. Biddel, thank you for coming over on such short notice. Talking to you has been truly... enlightening. We’ll be in touch with you through the childcare agency.” Maddie and David stand up and escort her to the door. As the door closes behind Helga, David sarcastically salutes her.
Michael: “Hey, where are the blocks? ... she said she had blocks?!” Michael starts crying hysterically as Maddie tries to calm him.
David: “And we got out of the bathtub for that?” David laughs loudly. “I may be wet behind the ears when it comes to child care (he stops and looks down at himself) well, actually I guess I am wet all over... but I wouldn’t want that woman watching my kid.”
Maddie: “Well... she was a bit... stolid.”
David: “Stolid?... a bit stolid?... Maddie, she was solid stolid.” Maddie and David walk back to the living room.
Maddie: “She was probably a tad dull because she was nervous about the interview. It was like being on stage, being judged.”
David: “In order to be nervous, Maddie, she needs to have nerves, you know, feelings. From my seat in the auditorium, she had none. You take away the last letter in her name and that’s what she is... B-I-D-D-E... biddie.”
Maddie: “Oh... as opposed to your choice which would be... let me think... B-I-M-B-O... bimbo!”
David: “B-I-N-G-O... bingo!” he says sarcastically.
David and Maddie’s voices begin to rise as they stand face to face. Michael is now whimpering as Maddie rocks him.
Maddie: “She just takes her job a little too seriously. She’s a professional. Did you see her references?”
David: “Those are pieces of paper, Maddie. I was looking at the real thing. I saw a professional all right... a professional drill sergeant.”
Maddie: “She just adheres to a strict regimen.”
David: “Regimen? More like, regiment. I bet she drove away in a tank. I had all to do not to answer her ‘Sir, Yes, Sir.”
Maddie: “David, you are being unfair.” Maddie continues to rock Michael in her arms as she and David’s voices escalate. Michael is becoming sleepier.
David: “There may come a day when Michael is a teenager and I threaten to send him to military school, but that’s a long way off.”
Maddie: “You act as if military school would be a bad thing... just because it’s highly structured and strives for extraordinary performance from its students doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy of consideration.”
David: “Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, hold on... CUT... Maddie, we’re jumping way ahead of ourselves here... it’ll be at least two or three seasons before we start arguing about what school to send him to.... ”
Maddie: “Well, be that as it may, David, but I cannot leave my child in the care of just anyone.”
David: “I wasn’t suggesting you leave him with just anyone.”
Maddie: “And just who are you suggesting I leave him with.”
David: “Well, definitely not the ‘sarg’... more along the lines of... say... your Mary Poppins variety.”
Maddie: “Mary Poppins?... Mary Poppins?... You forget David, I have already seen your adaptation of Mary Poppins as they paraded through the office a couple months ago... more like Cherry Boppins!”
David: “Yeah... well, a little ‘spoon full of sugar’ could go a long way in this house.”
Maddie: “And what does that mean?” Maddie and David are now yelling at one another.
David: “It means... you have to have everything your way... it’s always the ‘Wayes of Hayes’. Sometimes there is no talking to you. You get your mind made up and that’s it... whether it’s here or in the office.”
Maddie: “But it’s my office... my house.”
David: “Yeah... your office... your house... our son.”
Michael is almost asleep.
Michael: “Ah, the banter... music to my ears... ” Maddie places Michael in the portable bassinet and motions David to the entry hall.
Maddie: “Yes, our son, David... but I won’t have someone caring for him that isn’t qualified.”
David: “Qualifications are more than just some words on a piece of paper. He needs more than just someone who knows what task is penciled in on the schedule next.”
Maddie: “I’m already all too familiar with your dislike of schedules and tasks, David. You have made coming in late for work and just plain avoiding it an art form.”
David: “At least I have an art form... she lacks any creativity... .how could she possibly relate to children. To understand a child, you need be able to put yourself in their place... let yourself become a child... she’s not even close... a Power Ranger couldn’t pull off a morph that big.”
Maddie: “Well, now it all makes sense... I can see why you and Michael have such a great rapport with one another. . . you’re still a child.”
David: “And I can see now why you find the ‘sarg’ so appealing... you two are like ‘two peas in a platoon’. She should feel right at home in this house... no correct that... this base... no... this camp... Camp Hayes-Addison.
Maddie: “What are you saying?”
David: “You expect everyone to fall in line and do what you say... Atten – tion.” David salutes Maddie. She is fuming.
Maddie: “What are you accusing me of?... of wanting the best for Michael?” Maddie and David are talking in unison.
Maddie: “Of looking at options, of being open minded?”
David: “Blinded. . .”
Maddie: “Organized”
David: “Structured...”
Maddie: “Caring”
David: “Domineering...”
Maddie: “Domineering?... Domineering?”
David: “Domineering... bossy... your job title has gone right to your head, Boss.”
They stare at each other for a heated moment, collecting their thoughts for the next round.
Maddie: “You think I’m bossy?... you think I’m bossy?... I’ll show you bossy... This is my house... get out!
Maddie opens the door.
Maddie: “Get out... Go!”
Their staring match continues.
Maddie: “Leave!”
David: “You know... I was wrong... this isn’t Camp Hayes-Addison... this is Camp Hayes. Your right, Maddie, this is your house. I don’t live here; I just bunk here. Well... thanks for the ‘leave’. . . I wouldn’t want to be AWOL” he says sarcastically and walks out the door.
Maddie: “Dismissed!” she says as she slams the door behind him. Moments later, David opens the door and pokes his head in.
David: “At ease!” and he walks away. Maddie slams the door as she ‘growls’ in frustration.
Maddie: “Domineering... I am not domineering” she mumbles to herself. She hears Michael crying and goes into the living room. Even with Michael’s crying, she is aware of a cold, lonely silence in the house. Her expression begins to change to a look of regret. A song begins to play in the background.
Maddie picks up Michael and gently rocks him as she walks back to the entry hall.
Maddie: “Ssshh, I know... I know...” (She looks toward the door.) “Don’t cry... he’ll be back” (she says softly, as she tries to console Michael and convince herself David will be back.)
Maddie begins walking up the staircase... Sometime later, she is putting Michael in his cradle and then sits down in the rocking chair.
Instrumental
(Maddie looks out the window as she taps her fingers on the arm of the chair. She stands up and then abruptly sits down again. She looks toward the bedroom door, imagining David walking through it and she sighs. She surveys her bedroom, stopping to stare at photos of her family on the table across the room, then looking over to the montage of her modeling photos on her bedroom wall.)
I had a good life... before you came.
I had my friends and my freedom.
I had my name.
(Maddie gets up and begins tidying the bedroom, stopping as she finds David’s sweater on the dressing table chair. She pauses and stares at it, then holds it up against her, part of it touching her face. She closes her eyes as she becomes intoxicated by the scent of David’s cologne on the sweater. She looks out the window as rain begins to gently fall on the glass.)
Still there was sorrow... and emptiness
Till you made me glad,
And this love...
I found strength I never knew I had.
(Maddie checks on Michael in his cradle and then climbs into bed. She unsuccessfully tries to get comfortable. Staring at the bedroom door, she thinks about what transpired between them earlier that evening. She is confused how their conversation escalated into a fight and regretful that she told him to leave. Watching the door, she falls into a restless sleep, wondering when he’ll be back, wondering if he’ll be back.)
And this love...
Is like nothing I have ever known.
Take my hand now...
I’m taking you home... taking you home.
(David is sitting in a diner. A plate sets before him full of uneaten food. He pushes the food about his plate, stopping to look out the window at the wet L.A. streetscape. He sees a couple lovingly walking arm in arm down the street as they share an umbrella. He watches until they are out of sight.)
There were days... lonely days
When the world wouldn’t throw me a crumb,
But I kept on believing...
That this day would come.
(David goes back to his place, which has been for the most part, unoccupied for over a month. He picks up the damp clothes he changed out of earlier and moves them off the bed. He sits down on the edge of the bed and looks around the room, stopping as he sees a picture of Maddie holding Michael which is tucked in the mirror frame hanging on the wall. He lies back, not taking his eyes off of the photo until he falls asleep.)
And this love...
Is like nothing I have ever known.
Take my hand now.
I’m taking you home... taking you home.
(Maddie wakes up in the middle of the night, glances at the clock, then rolls over to discover David is not there. She pulls his pillow towards her and gently hugs it, noticing the scent of his cologne on it. Tears are on the verge of falling from her eyes. “I hate you, David Addison” she says softly.” Michael begins to cry and she goes to him. Picking him up, she is keenly aware for the first time that Michael, like the sweater and pillow, also has the scent of David’s cologne from when David was holding him. She tenderly rubs her cheek against Michael’s face as she hugs him. Tears run down her face.
Home... where we can be with the ones who really care.
Home... where we can grow together,
Keep you in my heart forever.
Maddie goes to the telephone to call David. His answering machine immediately answers with a message stating the message box is full and then disconnects. She dials Blue Moon on the off chance he is there.
Answering Machine: “You’ve reached Blue Moon in the middle of the night, leave a message and we’ll call you by dawns early light.”
Maddie: “David?... are you there... if you’re there, please pick up? ” With no reply, she brushes her tears away and heads down the stairs with Michael. Meanwhile, back at David’s apartment, he has also awakened. He glances at the clock and then at the photograph of Maddie. Realizing he had unintentionally fallen asleep; he grabs his coat and leaves.
Instrumental
Maddie arrives at David’s sometime after he had left. She enters the barren apartment and steps into the bedroom to find, disappointedly, that it is unoccupied. Michael is asleep as she sets his car seat on the floor next to the bed and removes the blanket which was covering him. She sits down on the side of the unmade bed and brushes the rain water from her clothes. Meanwhile, David has arrived at her house to discover she and Michael are gone. He begins to leave the bedroom, then hesitates. He reluctantly goes to her closet and looks inside, relieved when he sees her clothes are still there. He sits down on the bed and dials his home phone but is greeted by the unfriendly message on his answering machine. He hurriedly hangs up the receiver and leaves. He is drenched as he arrives back at his apartment. As he opens the door, Maddie is intensely aware of his presence and watches the bedroom doorway, going over and over in her mind what she will say to him. David begins to enter the darkened room, but abruptly stops as he sees her. Only the moonlight illuminates the space surrounding her. They both stare at one another, their eyes apologizing before their words have a chance to.
Oh, and this love...
Is like nothing I have ever known.
Take my hand now... I’m taking you home
This love... is like nothing I have ever known.
Take my hand... taking you home... taking you home.
Yes, I am... taking you home.
The silence is suddenly broken as they both speak simultaneously.
Maddie & David: “I’m sorry.... No, I shouldn’t have...”
They both smile at one another as the awkwardness of the moment begins to subside. Maddie takes Michael’s little white blanket and gently waves it as if it was a flag.
Maddie: “Truce?” David smiles as he looks off to one side for a moment.
David: “I guess I can cease-fire for a minute... anyway... I need time to reload” he says with the hint of a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood.
Maddie: “David, you were right... that woman isn’t the person who should be caring for Michael... I knew it the minute you did... I guess my pride just got in the way... I felt I needed to defend her for some reason... ”
David: “I didn’t make it easy for you... I never make it easy for you... I always shoot from the hip with some quick comeback to put you on the defensive.”
Maddie: “I don’t know how it happens, David... why it happens... I never see it coming in time to stop it... this thing between us... we have this chemistry... I have a hard time putting it into words.”
David: “I’ve never known you to be at a loss for words.”
Maddie: “We’re like... nitroglycerine or something ... in a word?... volatile.”
David: “Volatile... yes... irrational. . . emotional... physical... sensual... devotional... ” with each word he walks closer to her until he is standing before her.
Maddie: “Inseparable?” she looks up at him for a sign that he agrees.
David: “Hope so... come here” as he extends his hands to her, and she takes them. He gently pulls her up towards him and they embrace one another. They begin to kiss softly in between ‘I love you’s’. Maddie rubs her cheek alongside David’s and then rests her forehead against his.
Maddie: “David... I have been sitting here... waiting... thinking... about us... I don’t think we should continue with things the way they are... you staying over at my place... ” she says in a serious tone. David pulls back to see a solemn look on her face and he is confused by her statement.
Maddie: “You going back and forth from your place and mine... I don’t think you should stay at my house... I think you should live there... move in... with us... Michael and I.” David is silent as he stares at her.
Maddie: “Well?... say something.” David is still silent.
Maddie: “Well?”
David: “I’m speechless... no, really... this time... I’m speechless... I never thought you’d ask me that... ask me to leave maybe... but not that.” David is smiling but Maddie is feeling maybe she shouldn’t have asked, making herself vulnerable to rejection.
Maddie: “Forget it... ” as she begins to sit down on the bed, but David grabs her before she can.
David: “Hey” as he hugs her. “Not that I need to think about it, but that one caught me right out of left field... you really threw me a curve.”
Maddie: “Heads up...”
David: “You’re asking a lot, you know. . . I would have to give up all this” as he motions to his empty apartment.
Maddie smiles.
David: “You’re place is pretty high rent... hope I can afford it.”
Maddie: “You won’t find a better deal anywhere else in town.”
David: “It won’t be easy to get rid of me if you change your mind... ”
Maddie: “I learned that a long time ago” she says sarcastically.
David: “Actually, I was going to ask you two to move in here... but you’re right, your place has a better view.”
Maddie: “You better make up your mind before I withdraw the question” she says smiling.
David: “Yes... my answer is yes” as he nods his head.
Maddie: “And it’s not just because of Michael... don’t think that’s why I asked... ”
David: “And that’s not why I said ‘yes’... just because of him... I love you... I think I’ve always loved you...”
Maddie: “I love you, too, David.”
They embrace and tenderly kiss one another. Maddie pulls back and looks at his clothes.
Maddie: “You’re still all wet... isn’t that how I left you earlier?”
David: “See what I go through for you.” A song begins to play in the background.
(Maddie starts to unbutton his shirt as she kisses his neck, letting the shirt drop to the floor. They kiss each other tenderly, with each kiss becoming more and more passionate as they slowly recline on the bed. They continue to kiss, stopping repeatedly to gaze eye to eye at one another with loving glances as their lovemaking continues.)
Lying here with you... listening to the rain...
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face.
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive.
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for... and I could not ask for more.
(Sometime later, the rain is still falling on the window as they sleep with Michael now between them. David wakes up to see Maddie and Michael asleep. He gently strokes her hair from her face as he continues to admire her and Michael.)
Looking in your eyes... seeing all I need...
Everything you are... is everything to me.
These are the moments I know heaven must exist.
These are the moments I know all I need is this.
I have all I've waited for... and I could not ask for more
(The next morning, the rain has stopped and they are preparing to leave the apartment. David grabs some clothes from his closet. He picks up a hockey stick and Maddie smiles and shakes her head as if to say ‘no’. He takes a last look around as they exit the bedroom. He motions with a smile for Maddie to go first and they walk out the bedroom and through the living room. David opens the door for Maddie as she carries Michael out. He steps out of the apartment and starts to close the door, looking back inside to take one last look into the living room. He reminiscently looks about the room and then smiles as he slowly closes the door.)
I could not ask for more than this time together.
I could not ask for more than this time with you.
Every prayer has been answered... Every dream I have's come true,
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be.
Here with you... here with me.
David is loading his things in the trunk as Maddie is putting Michael in the car. He opens the passenger side door for her and she sits down.
Maddie: “Wait... maybe I should drive... beings I am dropping you off at work, right?”
David: “Right... good idea” he says in a slightly raspy voice.
Maddie: “Sounds like you’re coming down with a cold.”
David & Maddie: “Must have been the wet clothes... ”
David takes her hand to help her out of the car and then runs around to the driver’s door to open it for her. He runs back to the passenger side, closing the trunk before he jumps in the car. They fasten their seatbelts and smile at one another.
Maddie: “Ready?” she says, looking over the top of her sunglasses.
David: “Ready” he answers, as he puts his sunglasses on.
David: “Just a minute.” David reaches in his jacket pocket and pulls out a miniature pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.
Maddie: “Where on earth did you get those?”
David: “Oh these?... found ‘em at the bottom of my cereal box.” He reaches back and puts them on Michael. “Now we’re ready.”
Michael: “Now this is more like it... lookin' good... do ducks duck?... do kids kid?” Michael laughs.
As they begin driving, a song comes on the radio. After a few words, David turns the radio up, obviously enjoying the song. Maddie and David smile at one another.
Listen to me people…
I ain’t got time to think about money
Or what it can buy,
And I ain’t got time to sit down and wonder
What makes a birdie fly
(David starts singing with the radio. Maddie tries to drive as she laughs and watches David’s very animated performance.)
And I don’t have the time to think about
What makes a flower grow,
And I never give it a second thought
To where the river flows.
Too busy thinking about my baby, oh yeah,
And I ain’t got time for nothing else... oh yeah.
(Michael begins to cry. We hear his thoughts in between cries.)
Michael: “Hey, as if it wasn’t bad enough, I have to sit in the back seat, you have to go and put me in backwards! I miss all the good stuff!” David reaches back with his hand and puts the pacifier in his Michael’s mouth.
Michael (in a muffled voice): “How am I supposed to sing with this in my mouth?”)
I ain’t got time to discuss the weather
Or how long it’s gonna last,
And I ain’t got time to do no studying
Once I get out of class.
Telling you, I’mmm just a fella.
Said I got a one track mind,
And when it comes to thinking ‘bout anything but my baby,
I just don’t have the time
As David enters Blue Moon, he is singing.
David: “Telling you, I’mmm just a fella, said I got a one track mind...” with a raspy voice.
Agnes: “Good morning, Mr. Addison.”
David: “That it is, Agnes.”
Agnes: “You seem like you finally got a good night’s sleep.”
David: “Well... you got the ‘good night’ part right.”
Agnes: “Are you coming down with a head cold? I have a great home remedy for that.”
David: “Yeah... head cold... could be... actually... it’s more like a head rush.” And he smiles.
Agnes: “Here are your messages... I called you again this morning... your answering machine is still full... I left the message at Ms. Hayes’. . . figured you might be at her place.”
David starts towards his office as he continues to sing.
David: “. . . and when it comes to thinking ‘bout...” then he stops and turns around. “Actually, Agnes... glad you mentioned that... I have a new phone number.”
Agnes: “You could have just erased the messages... you didn’t have to get another phone number” she says seriously. David smiles at her.
David: “I’m moving, Agnes.” Agnes’ serious expression gives way to a giggle as she realizes that’s not what David meant.
Agnes: “Oh... you’re moving?... what’s your address and phone number?... let me get a piece of paper to write this down.”
David: “Don’t need one... same as Maddie’s.”
David resumes his song as he goes into his office.
David: “Anything but my baby... I just don’t have the time...”
Slowly, Agnes looks up from her desk. A huge smile blooms on her face as she finally realizes what David’s comment actually meant.
Freeze Frame
THE END
"Taking You Home" by Don Henley
"I Could Not Ask for More" by Edwin McCain
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" by Marvin Gaye