FADE IN.
EXT: DAD comes into focus, a big guy, burley, mid-thirties, Oklahoma t-shirt, shorts, flip flops, walking fast, almost chasing his kids. Three sons 8 YRS., 6 YRS. and 4 YRS., in front of him, running along a low cement wall. At first light, on the boardwalk, just south of Santa Monica Pier. DAD is clearly frustrated and tired from a time change and lack of sleep.
DAD (surprisingly stern)
If you don’t stop complaining we can just stay at the hotel and skip Universal Studios.
6 YRS.OLD grinning hops off the wall and runs in circles.
6 YRS.OLD
Great!
4 YRS.OLD starts to cry.
DAD
Stop crying.
8 YRS.OLD starts to laugh.
DAD
Stop…
DAD pauses to reassess, changes the subject, addresses 8 YRS OLD.
DAD
So, almost Valentines Day and you know what that means. Someone special is going to give you a Valentine.
6 YRS.OLD (smiling ear to ear)
Daniel!
DAD
No, no, not Daniel.
8 YRS.OLD (eager to please)
Michael!
DAD (sounding frustrated)
No, not Michael, someone special.
6 YRS.OLD (clearly excited):
Henry, Henry, its Henry! I hope I get one from Henry!
DAD (louder and more forceful)
NO! Listen to me and think for a minute. I said it’s a Valentine.
The boys read his tone and know better than to respond.
DAD
It’s Mary or Jane or Veronica! I think Mary. Now she is special, right? Right!
6 YRS.OLD (ignoring him and sprinting forward)
No, no it’s Henry. I love Henry!
They move out of earshot.
FADE OUT.
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