EXT. WOLF RESIDENCE/BACKYARD - SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- EVENING
Lanterns TWINKLE. A pelican piñata sways. A BAND plays Brazilian BEATS
beneath a banner "HAPPY EMPTY NEST." WAITERS pass hors d'oeuvres amid a
party of multi-cultural GUESTS.
FELICITY WINTERS (FLIT), African American, 48 and fabulous, lights up
the room with her smile as she mingles with Guests, picks up glasses
and napkins.
She makes her way into
KITCHEN
FLIT
(to Caterer, gently)
No, no, no. Put the Persimmon Pudding in
the orange bowl... the Black Bottom on the
white platter and... add rose petals around
the cookies.
(walking out)
Thank you!
OUTDOOR PATIO
Flit's husband, JACK WOLF, 50s, Caucasian, rugged outdoorsman with a
goofy charm, performs magic trick a pop-up top hat amid a circle of
admiring Women. The Women LAUGH.
Flit turns. Her adoring eyes catch Wolf. He winks.
FLIT (CONT'D)
(to Guests)
Dessert is served.
The Guests OOH and AAH.
WOLF
Not yet, Babe. Piñata first.
Flit shoots him a questioning glance.
WOLF (CONT'D)
(to Guests)
Piñata first.
The Guests CHEER. Wolf moves toward Flit, draws a magic scarf from his
sleeve. The Conga drums ROLL.
The Guests circle. Wolf whips the scarf around Flit's waist, shimmies
to the beat, draws her beneath the piñata. Flit revels in the moment.
Wolf blindfolds her, places a kid's baseball bat in her hand.
WOLF (CONT'D)
(whispers in her ear)
It's you and me Babe.
He pats her butt, gives her a twirl. Flit swats the air, LAUGHS with
abandon. The Crowd CHEERS.
Wolf steps behind her, his hands around Flit's on the bat. Together
they swing, crack the piñata.
The SOUND of a single metal key hits the patio stone.
Flit pulls off her blindfold, looks at the key, at Wolf.
WOLF (CONT'D)
No more station wagon for my slibba-dabby
girl.
(hands key to Flit)
It's out front.
Flit makes a bee-line for the
FRONT OF HOUSE
Wolf and Guests follow.
An eggshell blue Thunderbird Convertible sits in a make-shift straw
bird's nest. Flit looks to her best friend, CONNIE, 50, chic, fit, who
wipes a sentimental tear from her eye.
FLIT
Did you know about this?
CONNIE
Didn't think I could keep a secret from
you, huh?
Flit squeezes Wolf's hand. He kisses her.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Will you two stop? You're making my
mascara run.
MAN
(to his WIFE)
Why didn't we celebrate our empty nest?
SUPERIMPOSE: TWO YEARS LATER
BEGIN MONTAGE
- C.U.: olive oil poured into colorful Paella pan, followed by chopped
garlic, red pepper and onions.
- B&W slide of: A Man O'War in flight, its 6-feet wingspan soaring over
a stunning panorama of Galapagos Islands.
- C.U. Paella pan: Vegetables sizzle. Sliced sausage and chicken are
added, seasoned, tossed around.
- B&W slide: pair of Striated Herons engaged in an elaborate courtship
display.
- C.U. hands in oven mitts pull a pot from the oven, remove lid to
display saffron rice.
- B&W slide: young Galapagos Brown Pelican eating fish out of its
mother's pouch.
- C.U. steaming saffron rice being mixed into Paella pan. Shrimp,
mussels and clams added. Lid placed on pan.
- B&W slide: Wolf, bare feet dangling above water on end of pier next
to a brown breasted Pelican, San Francisco behind.
END MONTAGE
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Bittersweet Farewells and Enthusiastic Engagements
INT. COOKING CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON
Flit spoons paella, spiked with pink shrimp and glistening vegetables,
onto plates. Six eager WOMEN leap from their seats.
INT. UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM - AFTERNOON
Lights up. Wolf in front of room next to slide projector. A camera
FLASH goes off in Wolf's face. He startles.
PEOPLE swarm the aisle, books in hand, eager to get Wolf's autograph.
One WOMAN juggles three of his publications.
The MODERATOR, a prim librarian type, leaps to the fore.
MODERATOR
Dr. Wolf will take three questions.
INT. COOKING CLASSROOM - MORNING
Flit doles out more paella.
DOWDY WOMAN
Ms. Winters, how do we get more of your
recipes?
FLIT
With the school shutting down, everything
is up in the air.
DOWDY WOMAN
It's too bad you don't have a cook book.
Or a TV show.
FLIT
I gave all that up for my family.
INT. UNIVERSITY AUDITORIUM - AFTERNOON
Wolf packs his gear, semi-attentive to his eager Audience. A pensive
STUDENT stands. The Moderator points.
STUDENT
How many people go with you on your
excursions? Who takes care of all your-
Wolf points two thumbs to his chest.
ELDERLY WOMAN
Dr. Wolf, you've been studying pelicans for
twenty years. What sparked your interest?
WOLF
It's simple. Man is like a pelican. One
minute he's soaring. Suddenly, he sees
something he wants, pulls in his wings,
takes the plunge.
INT. COOKING CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON
Flit reveals a platter of chocolate jewels dusted in cocoa.
FLIT
Thank you, ladies. The past six weeks have
been a pleasure. Take some truffles home
to your families.
The Women clear the plate of truffles.
Flit gathers her belongings, peruses the empty room. It's not
glamorous, but at least it was something.
INT. AUDITORIUM - AFTERNOON
Wolf gathers his briefcase and slide carrousel. A BRA-LESS CO-ED rushes
to the front of the room.
BRA-LESS CO-ED
How do we reach you?
WOLF
(to Everyone)
I don't email. I don't Tweeter. I don't
look at the book of faces. Send me a
letter. Snail mail.
Wolf steps around the Co-ed, marches toward the exit.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Balancing Act
EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - PARKING LOT - AFTERNOON
Wolf strides across the lot, the Co-Ed ten paces behind.
AT CAR
The Co-Ed rushes to insert herself between Wolf and his car.
BRA-LESS CO-ED
Dr. Wolf, I know you said you work alone,
but I'd do anything to be your assistant...
truly.
WOLF
Anything? As my wife would tell you, I'm
not a people person.
Wolf gently moves her aside, opens car door.
WOLF (CONT'D)
And, if you'll excuse me, Pink Pelicans had
me in Uganda. I haven't been home in a
month.
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - EVENING
Flit walks in laden with baskets. She unpacks produce, arranges fruit
in bowls, unwraps cheese, inhales its aroma.
She sets a romantic table for two.
She pours a glass of wine, points remote at TV. The Food Channel pops
on. Flit shells peas, CHEF on TV in B.G.
FLIT
(sotto)
No, no, no. Don't cut lettuce. Tear it.
O.S. door OPENS, FOOTSTEPS. Flit looks up, beams as Wolf appears. He
drops his bag, smacks Flit with a big wet kiss, presents her with a
stuffed lion.
WOLF
You can't imagine how much I've missed you.
Wait 'til you see these amazing pink
pelicans.
FLIT
Can't wait. Dinner's almost ready.
WOLF
I'll be right back.
LATER
Flit blows out candles, clears her plate.
IN DARKROOM
Wolf dips a sheet of paper into a tray. An image emerges. Wolf holds up
the photo, salutes a pelican.
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
On the counter, a glass dome covers a plate of ravioli on a bed of pea
puree.
BEDROOM
Flit matches Wolf's socks into pairs, organizes them by color in a
chest drawer on the bed. The TV plays in B.G.
LATER
Wolf tiptoes in from master bathroom wearing his pajamas - plaid shorts
and "save the wilderness" t-shirt worn backwards.
He lifts chest drawer off bed, smiles at the color-coordinated socks
and Flit with TV control in hand snoring gently. He sets drawer on
floor, crawls into bed, kisses Flit's nose.
WOLF
Wait 'til you see my shots. The pelicans
look magnificent.
FLIT
(stirring awake)
Wolf, you've been gone a month.
Flit turns over, goes back to sleep. Wolf looks crestfallen.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
Disconnected Connections
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - MORNING
Flit video chats on laptop with her kids: twins Jack Jr. and Oliver
(22), and Natalie (20).
JACK JR. (on computer)
Make this quick. I have a gig.
FLIT
All I ask is fifteen minutes a week and now
you're too busy for that?
OLIVER (on computer)
I have time, Mom. I don't have to be at
the lab for an hour.
NATALIE (on computer)
Geez, Mom, you know we love you.
FLIT
I just wish-
WOLF (O.S.)
Hey, Babe, I can't find my keys.
Wolf ambles in.
JACK JR. (O.S.)
Hi Dad. Bye Dad. Gotta' go.
OLIVER (O.S.)
Dad! You came out of your cave?
NATALIE (O.S.)
Love you, Dad.
Flits dangles Wolf's keys. Wolf takes the keys, mugs for the web cam.
NATALIE (on computer)
Time to clip your nose hairs, Dad.
WOLF
Bye kids.
Wolf walks out.
NATALIE (O.S.)
I have news!
Flit spots Wolf's portfolio on the counter, grabs it.
FLIT
Don't move, I'll be right back.
Flit runs after Wolf.
NATALIE (O.S.)
I see things haven't changed.
FRONT DOOR
Flit catches up to Wolf, hands him his portfolio.
WOLF
I'd be lost without you.
FLIT
Be back by six. Professor Balasubrmamium
and his wife will be here at seven.
WOLF
The Beezelbobs? That's tonight?
Wolf rolls his eyes, walks away.
FLIT
(sotto)
Love you too.
KITCHEN
Flit walks in. The computer screen is BLACK. She fights back tears.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
A Day at the Market
EXT. FARMER'S MARKET - DAY
Flit strolls through the CROWD, stops at various stalls to admire and
smell the glorious produce.
She picks out heirloom tomatoes, swoons at their aroma. She tastes a
sample of tomato jam. MR. OCHOA, 50s, pops up from behind his stall.
MR. OCHOA
Señora Felicity. So nice to see you. What
do you think of my wife's tomato jam?
FLIT
Sublime.
MR. OCHOA
Mrs. Ochoa will be pleased. Her heart is
set on the gourmet market.
CARLOS OCHOA, 23, metro-geek, carries a box of green tomatoes.
CARLOS
Here you go, Dad. Mom says-
Carlos trips. The tomatoes roll.
MR. OCHOA
Got his degree, but still can't put one
foot in front of the other.
FLIT
I'll take a dozen.
Carlos straightens his glasses, grins.
CARLOS
Hello, Mrs. Wolf. Mr. Wolf off on another
expedition?
FLIT
He just got back from Africa.
CARLOS
Your rhododendrons need pruning.
FLIT
That's just half of it. The back of the
house looks like day of the triffids. I
expect the body snatchers to appear at any
moment.
Carlos hands her a business card.
MR. OCHOA
Carlos, don't be bothering the Señora. She
just wants tomatoes.
FLIT
Actually, I want to turn the backyard into
a vegetable garden.
CARLOS
My thesis project was an edible pathway.
FLIT
Fantastic. Come by tomorrow. I'll show
you what I'm thinking.
Carlos beams. Mr. Ochoa stuffs Flit's basket with tomatoes. She offers
to pay. He waves her money away.
SPECIALTY BREAD AND SPREAD BOOTH
An AFGHAN MAN, 20s, prepares a sample, as he gives his spiel. Flit
draws close.
AFGHAN MAN
Steamed sweet pumpkin trapped between
delicate layers of filo. It's vegan. Low
fat. Low calorie. Now we top it with
homemade Basil Pesto made with almonds and
a hint of garlic.
The Afghan Man extends the sample toward Flit. She reaches for it, only
to realize it's for someone behind her.
Flit turns to see a young WOMAN in a Chef's coat. Self-conscious, Flit
hurries away, bumps smack into a man. Embarrassed, she looks up into
the face of:
LINCOLN PRICE, African American, 50, twinkling eyes, grins.
LINCOLN
Of all the gin joints in the world...
FLIT
Lincoln Price!
LINCOLN
What kind of hello is that?
Lincoln takes her basket, sets it down. He enfolds her, swings her off
her feet. Flit throws her head back, LAUGHS.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
That's more like it.
FLIT
You always could make me smile.
LINCOLN
How about a glass of wine?
FLIT
I shouldn't.
LINCOLN
Come on... you can spare twenty minutes for
the guy who took you to your senior prom.
He picks up her basket, leads her through the Crowd.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
A Toast to New Beginnings
INT. WINE BAR - DAY
Lincoln guides Flit to a table. They sit, take each other in. The
WAITER appears, hands them wine lists.
LINCOLN
White? Rose? Sparkling?
FLIT
Surprise me.
LINCOLN
(scanning the list)
Perfect.
(to Waiter)
A bottle of White Star.
The Waiter nods his approval, walks away.
FLIT
You've come a long way since Cordon Negro.
LINCOLN
Moving to Paris was the best move I ever
made. Good advice.
The Waiter returns, shows the bottle, POPS the cork, pours.
They lift their flutes, CLINK glasses, sip champagne.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
As lovely as the lady.
FLIT
Last I heard you were ensconced... never to
return.
LINCOLN
Blame it on Marshall.
FLIT
How is that brother of yours? Still
roaming the world?
LINCOLN
He's back from Shanghai. Traded spliffs
and dreads for tea and zen.
FLIT
Marshall always did follow his bliss.
LINCOLN
And now he's blissed his way into the
pockets of some guys with money to burn...
convinced them to invest in a restaurant.
Flit looks interested.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
Except he doesn't know what he's doing,
which is why I'm scouting for talent. Got
any?
FLIT
I can still burn a little.
LINCOLN
Would love your professional opinion. Will
you take a look at our menu?
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
A Night of Culinary Delights and Unspoken Tensions
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Flit pulls a perfect salted sea bass from the oven. She transfers it
onto a platter, surrounds the fish with black beans and Tomato Verde.
LIVING ROOM
Wolf over-fills his guest's wine glass. INDIRA BALASUBRAMIUM, 50s, in
traditional Indian attire, smiles politely.
Wolf turns to fill his colleague PROFESSOR BALASUBRAMIUM's glass. The
bottle is empty.
KITCHEN
Wolf rushes in with the empty wine bottle.
WOLF
Is dinner ready? You know I can't handle
the Beezelbobs by myself.
FLIT
Shh! They'll hear you. Two minutes.
Wolf leaves still carrying the empty bottle. Flit pulls a bottle of
wine from the fridge. C.U. on Calendar, scrawled across Saturday and
Sunday: Carmel!
FLIT (CONT'D)
Wolf! The wine!
Wolf returns, grins sheepishly, takes the bottle from Flit.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Seat the Professor and his wife in the
dining room.
DINING ROOM
Flit proffers the platter of fish. She inhales the rich aroma, looks to
her guests.
PROFESSOR BALASUBRAMIUM
That looks interesting.
Deflated by the lack of enthusiasm, Flits serves the meal, raises her
glass anticipating a toast. Wolf and the Professor shovel food into
their mouths. Indira picks at her plate.
LATER
Wolf and the Professor slump back in their chairs, satiated. Indira
pats her mouth with a napkin.
INDIRA
That was lovely. Thank you.
WOLF
It's our way of thanking you for writing
the foreword to my book. Speaking of...
Wolf reaches for a package on sideboard, hands it to the Professor.
WOLF (CONT'D)
Hot off the press.
The Professor unwraps a coffee table book: "Rare Pelicans of the
Galapagos Islands" by Jack Wolf, PhD.
PROFESSOR BALASUBRAMIUM
Ah, marvelous. You bring a glimpse of
nature that few, very few, of us would
otherwise see.
Flit rises, gathers plates.
PROFESSOR BALASUBRAMIUM (CONT'D)
Enough bird talk, my mind is on the mango
souffle.
FLIT
Make yourself comfortable in the living
room. I'll be right back.
INDIRA
Can you point me to your powder room?
FLIT
Follow me.
HALLWAY
Indira stops to admire the gallery of photos. An elderly Black Woman
oversees a pictorial history of family life, Wolf noticeably absent.
FLIT (CONT'D)
That's my Nanna.
INDIRA
I see beauty runs in your family.
FLIT
Thank you.
INDIRA
How lucky you are to have your grandmother
close by.
FLIT
She passed away, but she's still my
inspiration.
INDIRA
These photos of your children are
wonderful. My degrees are not nearly as
photogenic.
FLIT
But, Indira... you have a career.
Indira looks surprised. An awkward moment.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Excuse me. A soufflé has but one perfect
moment.
KITCHEN
Flit pulls souffle from oven, places it on a tray ready to serve
dessert. She squares her shoulders, forces a smile.
LIVING ROOM
A decimated soufflé on coffee table. The Professor runs a finger around
his bowl. Indira dares to swipe her spoon along the edge of the soufflé
dish, catches herself, resumes her reserve.
INDIRA
Felicity, you should write a book on good
housekeeping.
WOLF
Housekeeping? When I first set eyes on
Felicity Winters, she was in the window of
Paris' grandest department store
demonstrating knife techniques.
FLIT
And, there he was at the back of the crowd
pretending to be interested in cuisine
minceur. Was it day four you did your
magic trick?
WOLF
I did tricks every day. It was day five, I
swallowed fire.
(blowing Flit a kiss)
And then we got cooking... and along came
the twins.
Wolf points to a framed photograph of twin boys.
FLIT
And then we got pregnant again.
Wolf points to a photograph of their daughter, Natalie.
WOLF
She gave up her Cordon Bleu career to be
Mrs. Doctor Jack Wolf.
FLIT
Actually, I-
PROFESSOR BALASUBRAMIUM
Wolf, you still smoke? I brought a couple
of Montecristos. I want to hear all about
Uganda.
WOLF
Wait 'til you see these magnificent pink-
backed pelicans.
Indira flashes an apologetic smile. Flit rises.
FLIT
More coffee?
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
Echoes of the Past
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Flit and Wolf wave their Guests goodbye. Flit breathes a sigh of
relief.
WOLF
Beezelbob sure is full of himself.
Flit looks incredulous, turns toward the kitchen.
WOLF (CONT'D)
Don't touch those dishes. I'll be right
there.
KITCHEN - LATER
Flit assesses spotless kitchen, throws her rubber gloves on the
counter.
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Flit, in pajamas, searches through stacks of boxes marked 'OLIVER',
'NATALIE', 'JACK JR.'.
FLIT
Where is that darn trunk?
She moves boxes aside to reveal an old hope chest. Her face lights up.
Flits pulls the chest beneath the light, shoves a hat aside, plunks
herself down, opens the chest.
She lifts a box from the top, opens it: a silk scarf atop old photos of
her life in Paris. She wraps the scarf around her neck, shuffles
through the photos, Wolf, friends, cooking school, a portrait of
herself in chef's coat and hat.
WOLF (O.S.)
Babe, where are you?
FLIT
Down here!
O.S. the door OPENS. Wolf pokes in his bed.
WOLF
Come to bed. I'm tired.
FLIT
Go on up. I'll just be a minute.
Wolf GRUNTS, leaves.
Flit puts the photographs back in the box, starts to remove the scarf,
keeps it on. She closes the trunk, stands, re-opens it, digs through
layers, pulls out a blue book.
Flit sinks to the floor. Loose pages of hand-written recipes fall into
her lap. Flit runs a fingertip over the curves of the heading 'Break
Your Heart Molasses Ribs'.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Oh, Nanna, why do I feel there's something
missing?
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Packing Up Memories
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - NATALIE'S ROOM - MORNING
Flit scans the room of artifacts from age 8 to 18; stuffed animals, pom
poms and posters. Wolf appears, stops, looks around, nods, walks on.
LATER
Flit crams the last stuffed animal into a plastic container, sits on
it, clamps the handles shut.
She shoves a desk against the window, peers out at Carlos and his crew
clearing debris from the yard.
FLIT
Perfect.
Flit opens her trunk, removes Nanna's book of recipes, places it on the
desk. She pulls out the photo of herself in chef's coat, props it up.
LATER
Flit marks a typo on Lincoln's menu, frowns, turns to her computer.
NATALIE (O.S.)
I'm home.
NATALIE, 21, zoftig, bounces in, drops a bag.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Wow, Mom. Looks great. I was wondering
how I was going to work surrounded by
posters of my teen idols.
FLIT
What do you mean work?
NATALIE
Internship. With old Judge Shumacker.
Dad didn't tell you?
FLIT
What about your trip to Europe?
NATALIE
Miles dumped me... for a skinny girl.
FLIT
Oh, honey... I'm sorry.
Flit reaches to hug Natalie, who shrugs away.
NATALIE
Really, Mom, I'm not a child. What's with
the scarf? A bit much for house cleaning.
Natalie turns on her heels and leaves. Flit looks around, takes off the
scarf, packs her photo and recipes back into her trunk.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Eager Anticipation on the Trail
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO LANDS' END TRAIL - DAY
FOG HORNS O.S. The Pacific Ocean CRASHES at the foot of the cliffs in
the distance. Flit POUNDS the path, a determined look on her face.
Behind her, her best friend Connie bends over, PANTING.
CONNIE
Wait! I can't keep up.
Flit stops in her tracks, turns around.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Who lit the fire under your butt?
FLIT
Nat's home.
CONNIE
Lovely! Let's have a girl's afternoon
before she leaves.
FLIT
She's not leaving.
CONNIE
Even better.
FLIT
I had all these plans. I turned her room
into my office overlooking my garden to be.
Flit turns, walks along the path.
CONNIE
Hold on... office?
(hurries to catch up)
What's going on?
FLIT
I ran into Lincoln Price.
CONNIE
And you're just telling me now? Is he
still hot? Is he back to stay? Is he
still single?
FLIT
Yes, yes and yes.
CONNIE
And?
FLIT
He wants me to look over a menu.
CONNIE
And?
FLIT
He's opening a restaurant.
CONNIE
Did you tell him about me?
Flit picks up her pace.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
Culinary Crossroads
EXT. LAND'S END PARKING LOT
Flit runs up to
FOOD TRUCK
A crowd of PEOPLE wait to order. Flit looks at the chalkboard menu
across the top of the brightly decorated truck. Connie catches up.
CONNIE
I thought we were going out to lunch.
FLIT
I've been reading about these food trucks.
CONNIE
I made a reservation... in a real
restaurant.
An OLD COUPLE walk away from the truck inhaling the aroma of the food
they carry on paper plates.
FLIT
Excuse me, what's that?
OLD MAN
It's the Korobuta.
FLIT
Koro-?
CONNIE
Did I tell you I'm dating a client?
FLIT
I am so out of the loop.
INT. HIGH-END SAN FRANCISCO RESTAURANT - EVENING
Flit, ensconced in a booth across from Lincoln, cranes her neck to see
the dishes that pass on WAITERS' arms. Lincoln COUGHS politely.
LINCOLN
You act like you haven't been to the most
talked about restaurant in the city. I
thought French was your thing.
FLIT
French? It doesn't even look like food...
looks like art.
LINCOLN
Then let's order the nine-course tasting
menu.
LATER
A WAITER removes plates, walks away. Flit pulls Lincoln's menu from her
purse, hands it to him.
FLIT
Congratulations. A couple of typos, but
you have a menu.
LINCOLN
Without a chef.
FLIT
What are you saying?
LINCOLN
I need you to come on board.
FLIT
These days, I'm not even qualified to run a
food truck.
LINCOLN
Of course you are.
The WAITER arrives with desert, sets a plate of a poached orange slice
floating in lavender foam.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
You can even name it.
Flit blows the foam off her plate toward Lincoln, pops the orange in
her mouth.
FLIT
Foam.
LINCOLN
Done.
FLIT
Lincoln Price, be serious.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
Seeds of Doubt
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET
Lincoln and Flit stroll along a shopping street. A POET types on the
corner. A MIME entertains an audience. A PANOPLY OF COUPLES pass by.
FLIT
Remember we used to sneak into the city
just so we could see Black people?
LINCOLN
(chuckling)
What I remember is getting grounded.
FLIT
I often think of your mom. And your
family's cottage in Mendocino. I can still
see the lupine in the front yard-
LINCOLN
Nobody uses the cottage. Key's still in
the same spot-
FLIT
And smell your mom's blueberry pie.
LINCOLN
If you won't do it for me, do it for old
time's sake.
FLIT
Do it?
LINCOLN
Be my chef. Just take over.
FLIT
Let me think about it.
LINCOLN
Are you telling me you might say no?
FLIT
Give me the weekend.
EXT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BACKYARD - MORNING
Flats of starter plants in neat stacks. Flit on her knees on a path
between plowed rows. She packs fresh dirt around newly-planted lettuce
with bare hands.
FLIT
(sotto)
I can do it.
She swings to the row on the opposite side of the path, buries a
seedling next to a stick marked okra.
FLIT (CONT'D)
(sotto)
No, I can't.
She wipes her brow, smears dirt on her face, shoves another lettuce in
the ground.
FLIT (CONT'D)
(sotto)
I can do it.
She tosses the flat onto a pile of empties.
KITCHEN
Wolf and Natalie look out the window at Flit planting ferociously, then
at each other nonplussed. Natalie pecks Wolf on the cheek.
NATALIE
Bye, Dad, I'm off to work.
WOLF
Me too.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
Renovation Revelry
EXT. RESTAURANT - MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA - MORNING
A car pulls up. Lincoln gets out. Antique Asian doors rest against an
unfinished entry.
INT. RESTAURANT - COURTYARD
Lincoln enters. A HARP PLAYS in B.G. Crates of Asian artifacts are
strewn around mixed with cans of paint, ladders and construction tools.
MARSHALL PRICE, 50s, African American, meditates in lotus position on
the top level.
LINCOLN
Yo, Obi-Wan, get your black ass down here.
An agile Marshall swings to the ground.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
Who's she?
DESTINY, 20s, African American, stops strumming.
MARSHALL
Destiny is going to play Sunday brunch, the
quiet crowd.
Lincoln pulls Marshall into
RESTAURANT
LINCOLN
Our investors are young. We need hip.
Where are the workers? This place looks
like it did a week ago.
MARSHALL
Waiting on the Feng Shui master's report.
LINCOLN
What are you talking about?
MARSHALL
Our investors are Chinese. We need to have
the elements in balance... wood, water,
metal...
LINCOLN
You serious?
Marshall makes a Kung Fu move.
MARSHALL
Serious as Jackie Chan chasing the Black
Dragon!
Lincoln can't help but LAUGH.
MARSHALL (CONT'D)
What's happening with pairing wine to our
menu?
LINCOLN
You do your part. I'll handle mine.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
A Nostalgic Reunion
EXT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BACKYARD - AFTERNOON
Carlos sets a ladder against a tree, climbs up.
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE/KITCHEN
Natalie walks in, surprised to see Flit still working in the yard.
The ladder slips from under Carlos. He hangs from a branch, legs
kicking air. Flit, at the far end of the garden, jumps to his aid.
EXT. WOLF RESIDENCE/BACKYARD
Natalie comes running, beats Flit to the rescue, props up the ladder.
Carlos finds his footing, descends.
CARLOS
Perfect timing, Natalie.
Flit LAUGHS, goes back to planting.
NATALIE
Do we know each other?
CARLOS
I sat in front of you in homeroom for four
years.
NATALIE
Puny Carlos Ochoa with the braces?
Carlos gives her a shit-kicking grin, flexes his muscles.
CARLOS
Braces gone. Puny? I'm working on it.
Natalie squeezes his skinny bicep.
NATALIE
How's school?
CARLOS
I graduated. What about you?
NATALIE
Pre-law. I have a summer internship with
Judge Shumacker.
CARLOS
Good. I'll be seeing you around.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Romantic Tensions
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BEDROOM - EVENING
Flit hangs a piece of lingerie from each hand, deliberates. She picks
up the phone.
INTERCUT - INT. HIGH RISE - SAN FRANCISCO / WOLF RESIDENCE - BEDROOM
The phone RINGS. Dressed for a night out, Connie poses before a mirror,
tries on different pairs of shoes. She grabs the phone.
FLIT
Lace or no lace?
CONNIE
Huh?
FLIT
For my trip to Carmel.
CONNIE
Your long-awaited romantic weekend?
FLIT
Finally! Just me and Wolf.
CONNIE
You mean you, Wolf and his pelican pal?
Flit SIGHS, tosses the lingerie aside.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Come on Flit, you know I love Wolf.
Flit pulls out pajamas, SIGHS.
FLIT
Me too.
O.S Connie's BUZZER.
CONNIE
Harvey's here.
FLIT
Is that the client you're dating?
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BEDROOM
O.S. phone CLICKS. Flit hangs up. Wolf walks in, hands Flit a mug of
hot chocolate.
WOLF
Who was that?
FLIT
My secret admirer.
WOLF
Connie.
FLIT
Who else?
LATER
Flit and Wolf in bed. She reads a brochure about Carmel. He reads a
conference agenda. He sets the agenda aside, flips off light, turns
over. She sets the brochure aside, turns off her light.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Priorities in Conflict
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BEDROOM - MORNING
Two suitcases open on bed. Flit packs her clothes in one, Wolf's in
the other. She debates the lingerie, tosses lacy and plain on top.
Wolf walks in, hands her coffee, looks at swimming trunks in her hand.
WOLF
I won't be swimming.
FLIT
Hot tub, maybe.
WOLF
I suppose the hotel might have one.
(fumbles in closet)
Where's my raincoat?
FLIT
I checked. Sunny and bright.
WOLF
(holding up two ties)
Toucans or turtles?
Flit slips the toucan tie from his hand, provocatively twirls it around
her neck and his.
FLIT
Two can dance.
Wolf unfurls the tie from his neck, wraps it around Flit's.
WOLF
Toucans it is.
She rolls up the tie, puts it in his suitcase. Wolf picks up the
conference agenda, tosses it into suitcase.
WOLF (CONT'D)
I need that so I'll know where to be while
you're catching up on New York's food
scene.
Flit picks up the agenda, reads.
FLIT
New York?
She tosses the Carmel brochure at Wolf.
WOLF
Carmel?
FLIT
Wolf, we planned this months ago.
WOLF
It's my annual conference.
FLIT
You didn't even go last year.
WOLF
This one's special.
FLIT
How many of your conferences have I been
to? And every damn book signing! You've
been promising me this weekend forever.
WOLF
You love New York.
FLIT
That's not the point.
WOLF
Then what is?
FLIT
It's always about you, Wolf. That's the
point.
Wolf is mute. Flit chokes back tears, stomps out. Natalie passes by.
NATALIE
What dorky thing did you do now, Dad?
KITCHEN
Flit stares out the window at neat rows of seedling, BLOWS her nose.
Wolf appears at doorway, suitcase in tow.
WOLF
Flit... I have to go.
FLIT
Then go.
Wolf leaves. Flit watches Carlos direct WORKERS to remove last of
debris, trim hedges. Natalie joins her, drapes an arm around Flit.
NATALIE
There's something about that geeky Carlos I
like.
FLIT
Nanna always said even chickens-
NATALIE
Turn into roosters...
Flit smiles.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
How did you know dad was the one?
FLIT
Your dad has his hidden charms.
But, it wasn't until Paulette Dupois
followed him back from Paris-
NATALIE
A woman followed dad?
FLIT
A French model. Completely besotted. I
sent her packing.
(kissing Natalie on cheek)
Always go after what you want.
Natalie looks confused.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Thanks, Sweetie. I'm going to take my own
advice.
GARAGE
Flit pulls dust cover off the Thunderbird, loads her laptop and
recipes, lowers the rag top, jumps in.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
Crossroads of Connection
INT. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY
Wolf stares at a window display: A cardboard cut-out of his image amid
copies of his book, stuffed sea lions strewn around. Wolf looks at his
boarding pass, back at the display.
He pulls out his conference agenda. On the cover: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER
OF THE YEAR, JACK WOLF, PHD. BURT, a university colleague, elbows Wolf.
BURT
Book looks good.
WOLF
Huh?
BURT
Where's your lovely wife?
Wolf looks dazed.
WOLF
She's not coming.
P.A. ANNOUNCEMENT (O.S.)
Flight 255 to JFK final boarding.
BURT
That's us.
Burt leaves Wolf standing.
Wolf watches the jetway door close behind Burt. He walks into the
store.
Connie, bewildered, a LINE behind her; the BUTCHER impatient. She
signals 'one minute', talks loudly.
CONNIE (into phone)
Oh, good! I caught you. I can dissect a
real estate deal but when it comes to
veal... Tell me what I need to make your
scallops.
FLIT (into phone)
Scallopini.
Connie points at scallopini. The Butcher slaps slices onto paper,
looks for Connie's signal to stop.
FLIT (into phone) (CONT'D)
Who's cooking?
CONNIE (into phone)
I am.
Flit LAUGHS. STATIC on the phone.
CONNIE (into phone) (CONT'D)
You're breaking up. Where are you?
FLIT (into phone)
Heading out of town.
Flit's call waiting CLICKS.
FLIT (into phone) (CONT'D)
I have another call.
Flit hangs up. Connie looks to Butcher in disbelief. The Butcher holds
up the stack of veal.
BUTCHER
Enough?
CONNIE
I don't know. She hung up.
An OLD LADY in queue.
OLD LADY
Dearie, why don't you just make
reservations?
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Confusion and Clarity
INT. FLIT'S CAR - MOVING
LINCOLN (O.S.)
I checked with my lawyer. We can have the
name Foam.
FLIT (into phone)
I'm on my way there now.
LINCOLN (O.S.)
I'll be here.
FLIT (into phone)
Can't talk. I'm driving.
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - DAY
A gigantic stuffed sea lion on human legs walks in the door.
WOLF
Flit, where are you? Babe! I'm sorry.
Let's go to Carmel.
KITCHEN
Wolf looks around messy kitchen. He spots Natalie outside with Carlos.
BACKYARD
WOLF (CONT'D)
Nat, where's your mother?
NATALIE
I thought you went to New York.
WOLF
Can you come inside, please? Now.
Natalie SIGHS, flashes Carlos a look.
KITCHEN
NATALIE
Mom left right after you.
WOLF
For Carmel?
NATALIE
I didn't ask.
WOLF
Then what did she say?
NATALIE
Go after what you want.
WOLF
What does that mean?
BEDROOM
Wolf on bed, Carmel brochure in one hand, phone in the other.
FLIT'S VOICEMAIL (O.S.)
...I'll get back to you.
Wolf hangs up, hangs his head.
WOLF
Just call me.
EST. SHOT - MENDOCINO WINE COUNTRY
Flit's blue convertible winds through narrow country roads.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
A Fork in the Road
EXT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Flit pulls up, TOOTS the horn. Lincoln appears, opens her door. Flit
steps out.
FLIT
Wow. I have to give it to Marshall. This
is a beautiful spot.
Lincoln kisses her cheek. They bump noses when Flit goes to kiss his
other cheek. An awkward moment. Lincoln CHUCKLES.
LINCOLN
Does this mean you're in?
FLIT
I'm in.
He wraps his arm around her shoulder, leads her
INSIDE COURTYARD
Tools and equipment have been cleared; antiques put into place. Chairs
sit around imaginary tables.
Marshall holds up samples of different colored silk.
LINCOLN
Marshall, you remember Flit?
Marshall turns, surprised.
FLIT
Hello, Marshall.
LINCOLN
She's agreed to be our Executive Chef.
Marshall looks stunned.
MARSHALL
Flit, why don't you look around?
FLIT
Which way is the kitchen?
Marshall points across the courtyard, shoots Lincoln a look.
Flit walks away; admires the surroundings. Marshall grabs Lincoln by
the elbow.
MARSHALL
I thought you were hiring a professional
chef, not the girl who broke your heart.
LINCOLN
She graduated top of her class at the
Cordon Bleu. Trust me. She can handle it.
MARSHALL
Can you handle it?
LINCOLN
You manage your side of the business. I'll
take care of mine.
Lincoln walks away.
KITCHEN
Flit walks through the kitchen, examines amenities. BAI, 20s, Asian,
ear discs, hair tied up with a bone, tattoo sleeves, pushes out of a
walk-in cooler. Flit startles.
FLIT
I didn't know anyone was here.
BAI
Surprise!
Lincoln walks in.
LINCOLN
I was just coming to introduce you two.
Felicity Winters, executive chef, meet Bai
Quong, sous chef.
BAI
Cool. When do we start cooking?
FLIT
Nice to meet you, too. Lincoln, can we
have a word?
RESTAURANT
LINCOLN
What do you think?
FLIT
I'm confused. I thought you were talking
French cuisine.
LINCOLN
What do you mean?
FLIT
The decor, Lincoln.
LINCOLN
You going to let a few Asian antiques throw
you off?
MARSHALL
You know what they say... if you can't take
the heat!
Lincoln flashes Marshall a look, goes after Flit
OUTSIDE
LINCOLN
Flit!
FLIT
I can't do this. I thought I could, but I
can't.
Lincoln takes her by the shoulders, faces her squarely.
LINCOLN
You've been dreaming about this your whole
life.
Flit deflates, gets in car, starts the engine. Lincoln taps on window.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
You can do this.
FLIT
I'm not sure any more... about anything.
LINCOLN
It's late. Why don't you stay at the
cottage?
FLIT
Thanks. I better get home.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
Stranded at the Crossroads
INT. FLIT'S CAR - MOVING - EVENING
Flit drives along a country road, stops at a crossroad. A sign points
to San Francisco one way, Mendocino the other. She turns toward San
Francisco.
Her car sputters, stalls, cuts off. She GROANS, turns the ignition.
The engine is dead. She picks up her cell phone.
EXT. FLIT'S CAR - NIGHT
A tow-truck pulls up, bright lights blind Flit in the car. She steps
out.
HERB, 30s, coveralls, balding, ambles up.
HERB
I see you're not from around here.
Flit hands him her insurance card and driver's license.
HERB (CONT'D)
I hope you don't think I'm towing you to
San Francisco.
Flit, stunned, watches Herb hook up her car, get back into the truck,
crank the car into place. Herb's head pops out window.
HERB (CONT'D)
Hop in.
Flit jumps in.
HERB (CONT'D)
The nearest garage is my place. Mendocino.
FLIT
Mendocino it is.
EXT. PRICE COTTAGE, MENDOCINO - NIGHT
A pick-up truck pulls into the overgrown driveway.
INT. HERB'S TRUCK
HERB
Haven't been by this way since old Mrs.
Price died. Looks like the place is
holding up.
Flit gets out.
DRIVEWAY
FLIT
Thanks for the lift.
By the light of the truck's high beams, Flit retrieves a key from under
a pot. She holds it up for Herb to see. He TOOTS his horn, backs out.
A sign on the door reads: Misbehave here and I'll barbeque yo' ass in
molasses! Flit smiles, flips over the sign to: Welcome!
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Flit opens a window, pulls dust cover off couch, flops down. She pulls
our her phone, DIALS.
VOICEMAIL (O.S.)
(Flit's voice)
You've reached the Wolf residence. Leave a
message.
FLIT (into phone)
Hi Nat. My car broke down. I got towed to
Mendocino. I'm at the Price cottage.
She hangs up, dials another number.
WOLF'S VOICEMAIL (O.S.)
You've reached Jack Wolf. Don't leave a
message.
FLIT (into phone)
Hey Wolf, how's New York? Don't worry, I'm
not mad any more. Have a good trip.
She hangs up. Her phone makes a NOISE.
FLIT
Ugh. I didn't bring my charger.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Nostalgic Reflections
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BASEMENT - NIGHT
Wolf places his suitcase on a shelf, sinks into chair, picks hat off
floor, plops it on his head.
Wolf spies Flit's chest, polished, dust-free. He opens it, pulls out an
envelope addressed to Jack Wolf, stamped RETURN TO SENDER. Inside are
photos of Flit, the kids on vacation.
NATALIE (O.S.)
Dad! Dad!
WOLF
(wiping a tear)
Down here.
Natalie pops in.
NATALIE
Great look, Dad. That's mom's beach
combing hat.
WOLF
Beach combing?
NATALIE
That magical summer we spent in Mendocino.
I think you were in Alaska... or was it
Newfoundland?
WOLF
I'm not in any of these pictures.
Wolf picks up more photographs amid memorabilia.
WOLF (CONT'D)
Wait, here's one.
Wolf hands her a photo of himself and Flit at the base of the Eiffel
Tower; another of them outside Notre Dame.
NATALIE
Wow. How old are these?
WOLF
Paris... B.C.
NATALIE
B.C.?
WOLF
Before children.
NATALIE
Bring them upstairs. I'll make tea.
Natalie leaves. Wolf sees an envelope marked, "NEGATIVES."
KITCHEN
Wolf sips tea. Natalie picks up a photograph.
NATALIE
Look at mom's fabulous dress.
WOLF
She's always been a slibba-dabby girl.
Natalie picks up a note, reads it.
NATALIE
You sent slibba-dabby flowers to your
slibba-dabby girl? Wow, Dad, you've always
been a dork.
WOLF
A lucky dork.
Doorbell RINGS O.S. Natalie pecks her dad on the cheek.
NATALIE
That's Carlos. Don't wait up.
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Morning Routines and Nostalgic Moments
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - DARKROOM - NIGHT
Wolf lifts a photograph from a tray, holds it up: Flit hovers over a
pyramid of cupcakes, Jack Jr. blows out candles.
He pins it on the dry line next to an image of: Oliver with insect
collection, Flit proudly displays 1st place ribbon.
Wolf returns to developer tray. An image comes to life: Flit, in
chef's coat, holds up a cake, her smile radiant.
WOLF
My slibba-dabby girl.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE - MORNING
Birds CHIRP O.S. Sunshine streams through the windows. Flit opens her
eyes, sits up, stretches out, heads out the door.
OUTSIDE
On the porch, an old bicycle with a basket on the handlebars catches
Flit's eye. She brushes off the cobwebs, carries it to the driveway,
hops on and takes a turn, checks brakes.
EXT. MENDOCINO - MORNING
Flit cycles along cliff top onto
MAIN STREET
past galleries and antique shops opening for the day. She pulls up at
the Sea Lion Cafe.
INT. SEA LION CAFE - MORNING
A classic old diner: booths line one wall, a counter stretches along
another. The place is packed.
Flit finds a stool at the counter between TWO FISHERMAN who give her a
smile. A WAITRESS hands her a menu, pours a cup of coffee.
WAITRESS
What can I get you, Hon?
Genres:
["Drama","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Settling In
INT. SERVICE STATION - DAY
HERB, feet on desk, reads Field & Stream. The bell on the door RINGS.
Flit walks in.
FLIT
Hello.
Herb is engrossed in his magazine.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Good afternoon, Herb.
He looks up.
FLIT (CONT'D)
I came to see about my car.
HERB
I tried to call you. It's ready.
FLIT
Oh! Great. How much do I owe you?
He slaps an invoice on the counter.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Flit throws the cover back onto the couch, closes the window, draws the
curtains closed. She walks to the door, turns to take in a last look.
One hand on the door, she hesitates.
BEGIN MONTAGE
Flit
- pulls dust covers off furniture.
- takes rugs outside, throws them over clothes line.
- opens cedar chest, pulls out linens and blankets, sniffs a lavender
sachet.
- makes the bed, finishes with a chenille bed cover.
- plugs in the fridge, clears cabinets of old cans and dried goods.
- arranges lupine, places them and bowl of berries on dining table.
- opens an old baking hutch. The shelves are lined with every pot, pan
and utensil a chef could want.
- sits at kitchen counter writing lists.
END MONTAGE
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
A Fashionable Transformation
EXT. MAIN STREET, MENDOCINO - DUSK
Flit packs groceries into her car. She spots an organic bakery, walks
to the door. She peers in. It's empty. She catches her reflection.
NEXT DOOR
SUNDANCE, 30s, locks up the "Gossip Lounge," uses glass door as a
mirror: adjusts leopard wrap dress, flings boa over shoulder, adjusts
Fedora, and rubs a 5 O'CLOCK SHADOW.
Flit looks horrified at her own shapeless beige outfit.
SUNDANCE
Honey, you need help!
FLIT
You think?
Sundance LAUGHS, snaps fingers with a flourish.
SUNDANCE
Honey, I have everything you need. Just
follow Sundance.
Sundance unlocks the door, beckons Flit to follow.
INT. GOSSIP LOUNGE
Sundance flips on lights, hands Flit a kimono, points to a fitting area
beyond a still-life cocktail party of mannequins.
SUNDANCE
Changing room. Everything off.
Sundance turns to a record player, flips through vinyl records.
Flit walks through the mannequin party, thrilled. She turns to admire
the dress on one and bumps into another, catches its extended gloved
hand holding a plastic martini glass.
"THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT" by Frank Sinatra plays O.S. Flit twirls the
mannequin in a dance. Sundance LAUGHS, dances along a rack of clothes,
pulls out items, hands Flit a colorful dress.
FLIT
Oh, no, that's not me.
SUNDANCE
You're tell me that you are boring beige?
LATER
Flit, in a colorful 50s cocktail dress, poses at the mirror, awed by
her transformation. Sundance peers over her shoulder, pins a faux
gardenia in Flit's hair.
SUNDANCE (CONT'D)
Who's fierce now, Honey?
Sundance primps her hair.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
A Night of Cooking and Concern
INT. PRICE COTTAGE - NIGHT
Flit walks in laden down with "Gossip Lounge" bags. She dumps the bags
on the bed, kicks off her shoes, walks into
LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN
She opens a bottle of wine, flips through albums, selects one, pulls it
from its sleeve, blows off dust, puts it on the turntable. "TOMORROW IS
MY TURN" by Nina Simone plays O.S.
Flit unpacks groceries. Vegetables, fruit, meat and fish pile up around
her. She sips wine, ponders, sets down the glass, swipes produce aside
to clear space on counter and gets to work, dances as she goes.
MONTAGE
Flit
- Puts a butt of pork into the oven
- Wraps a whole fish in parchment, poaches it on stove top
- Slices, dices, multi-colored vegetables
- Whips up sauce, licks whisk, tosses whisk into sink
- Purees mixtures in the blender
- Pulls pork from oven, shreds it, sticks it back in oven
- Unwraps parchment. Steams rises. She cubes fish into small pieces.
MUSIC OUT
Flit wipes her hand on her butt, catches her ring on jean's pocket,
looks down to see her diamond rings caked with food. She pulls off her
rings, sets them on a porcelain dish.
She switches the album, catches her reflection in a mirror."LA VIE EN
ROSE" by Edith Piaf plays. She LAUGHS, dances back to the kitchen.
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Natalie and Carlos eat pizza, share a beer. Natalie goes to pull a
fresh beer from the fridge, spots answering machine LIGHT FLASHING.
Natalie hits the button.
ANSWERING MACHINE (O.S.)
Nat. It's mom....
Natalie bolts up the stairs
MASTER BEDROOM
Natalie bursts in.
NATALIE
Dad. Dad!
She looks around, runs
DOWNSTAIRS
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Dad! Dad!
HALLWAY
Natalie opens door to darkroom. It's empty.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Dad! Dad!
WOLF (O.S.)
In here.
Natalie walks into
LIVING ROOM
Wolf sits in a chair facing the front door.
NATALIE
Mom's car broke down. She's in Mendocino.
Wolf bolts out of his chair.
Genres:
["Drama","Slice of Life"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
A Breakfast Interrupted
INT. PRICE COTTAGE - DAWN
"COMMENT TE DIRE ADIEU" by François Hardy plays in B.G.
Flit stands before five plates on the dining table, each a masterpiece
constructed with food. She sets a sprig of watercress atop a tent of
transparent pastry over a cube of fish on a bed of puree.
O.S. POUNDING ON DOOR. The tent collapses.
FLIT
Damn it.
Flit pops the fish into her mouth, turns off the music, opens the door.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Sorry. Is the music-
Wolf grins ear to ear.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Wolf!
WOLF
I came to rescue you.
FLIT
I-
WOLF
Smells good.
Wolf walks past Flit, b-lines to the pan of pulled pork.
FLIT
Wait. Try these.
Flit indicates the plates on the table. Wolf glances at them, fills a
fork with pork, stuffs his mouth.
WOLF
I'll never forget why I married you.
Flit is incredulous, looks at her plates of art. Wolf looks around.
WOLF (CONT'D)
This place is perfect. We can have our
romantic weekend right here.
FLIT
Wolf, I-
WOLF
And.. what month is this? The pelicans are
mating. Babe, we gotta' go to the refuge.
FLIT
That's your idea of romantic?
Wolf is confused, speechless.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Once again, it's all about you.
Wolf grabs another fork full of pork.
FLIT (CONT'D)
I want you to go.
WOLF
Okay, I'll just grab a few shots of the
pelicans. How long will it take you to
clean up?
Wolf looks around the kitchen, delighted with the mess. Obviously,
it'll take a while to clean up.
WOLF (CONT'D)
I'll come back around lunch.
Flit throws a tea towel at him.
FLIT
Right now, I don't remember why I married
you.
Wolf is stunned, dejected. She stands planted, determined.
FLIT (CONT'D)
I need you to leave.
Wolf leaves. The door closes.
Flit walks to the sink. Through the window, watches Wolf walk up the
driveway. She's a little glad, a little sad.
She picks the plates of the table, scrapes the arty food into the
trash, dishes a plate of pulled pork with a mound of vegetables, sits
down to eat.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Wine and Paint: A Clash of Priorities
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Lincoln presides over a wine tasting in a private room separated from
the main dining area by a glass wall.
Through the glass: Marshall rolls a swatch of red paint onto a wall.
Lincoln swills wine, spits into a bucket. Empty glasses scatter a
table. Two young VINTNERS await his response. MAC, 60s, African
American Vintner, leans back to watch.
Through the glass: Marshall steps back to appraise his handiwork.
LINCOLN
Nice terroir.
ITALIAN VINTNER
Are you going to want my Mediterranean
reds?
LINCOLN
The menu isn't final, but I love them,
especially the Carignane.
FEMALE VINTNER
Are you thinking my Cabernet or Pinot?
LINCOLN
Both. Mac?
MAC
Great wines. Get me the final menu and
I'll round out your list.
LINCOLN
Done. Just be sure they're local.
The Italian and Female Vintner smile, happy with their list of orders,
nod to Lincoln as they walk out.
MAC
I didn't want to mention in front of the
others, but aren't you cutting it close
with your menu?
LINCOLN
It's under control. Come on, I'll walk you
out.
Lincoln and Mac walk into
MAIN DINING ROOM
MARSHALL
Lincoln! I need a word.
Mac and Lincoln shake hands. Mac leaves.
LINCOLN
What's up?
MARSHALL
I got a lead on a top chef out of Detroit.
LINCOLN
We have a chef.
MARSHALL
Just sayin'.
LINCOLN
Why are you painting?
MARSHALL
What do you think of this red?
LINCOLN
It's fine.
MARSHALL
What about those?
Lincoln turns to see a wall covered in different patches of red paint.
MARSHALL (CONT'D)
I'm leaning towards the one in the middle.
LINCOLN
Make a decision. Time is money.
Lincoln walks away, pulls out his cell phone. He gets Flit's VOICEMAIL.
LINCOLN (into phone)
Flit, call me.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
A Taste of Doubt
EXT. GOSSIP LOUNGE - AFTERNOON
Flit pulls up and gets out car, carrying a huge picnic basket. At the
bakery door, Herb looks disconsolate.
HERB
Recession's really hit this town. Sure
gonna' miss my Napoleons.
FLIT
I have French food. Join us.
HERB
Thanks. Gotta' get back before I go out of
business.
INT. GOSSIP LOUNGE - AFTERNOON
Sundance sits in the lounge area with SOPHIE, 70, tiny church mouse;
ELEANOR, 65, Rubenesque; GINGER, 78, hippie. Sophie takes notes.
SUNDANCE
The fire marshall's daughter had twins.
Orion and Big Dipper.
ELEANOR
They're not calling the baby dipper. I
heard Ursa.
SUNDANCE
Guess who I saw with you know who at the
Red Rooster motel?
SOPHIE
We can't print that!
GINGER
How about this? There's a mystery woman in
the Price cottage.
SUNDANCE
She's no mystery.
The door OPENS. Flit walks in.
SUNDANCE (CONT'D)
Here she is!
Sundance sashays toward Flit, kisses her on both cheeks.
SUNDANCE (CONT'D)
What am I smelling? And I don't mean
French perfume.
FLIT
(holding up basket)
I want your opinion.
The Women leap into action. Sophie retrieves china; Eleanor fetches
napkins; Ginger clears jewelry onto a tray, covers table with a cloth.
MOMENTS LATER
Sundance pours lemonade into glasses. Flit serves a frisée salad and
what looks like miniature tacos. The Ladies pick up their forks.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Not yet.
Flit produces quail eggs. She spoons one over each salad.
ELEANOR
Oh my God.
SOPHIE
This is devilish.
GINGER
You are a saint.
SUNDANCE
I am digging this taco.
FLIT
That's pulled spiced pork on a jicama round
with pickled coleslaw and a soupçon of
jalapeño.
SOPHIE
Huh? How do you spell all that? Start
with jicama... H-I-
GINGER
Just say it's a twist on the Sea Lion's
Friday night tacos... but spicy.
FLIT
Oh.
ELEANOR
We love tacos.
FLIT
(stands, paces)
I don't know what I'm doing.
SUNDANCE
What are your trying to do?
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
29 -
A Morning of Reflection and Inspiration
EXT. HORSESHOE BAY - END OF PIER - MORNING
Wolf sits in crumpled clothes, bare feet dangling over the water.
FRED, the pelican, squats beside him.
Wolf opens a bag of cooked shrimp, pops one in his mouth, tosses
another in the air. The pelican gobbles it down.
WOLF
I messed up, Fred.
Wolf turns to Fred.
WOLF (CONT'D)
What should I do?
Fred turns to Wolf, pecks him on shoulder. Wolf tosses another shrimp.
Fred flaps his wings, takes off.
WOLF (CONT'D)
You're right. Let her do her thing.
EXT. PRICE COTTAGE - MORNING
Eleanor, Sophie and Ginger march shoulder to shoulder up the driveway.
Eleanor carries food magazines; Sophie has wild flowers in a jam jar;
Ginger a Tupperware container.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Flit, in pajamas, pours water into coffee maker, hits start. Water
GURGLES. O.S. a KNOCK on the door.
FLIT
(sotto)
Wolf?
Flit whips open the door.
FLIT (CONT'D)
I'm ready to go home.
SOPHIE
Oh, no you're not. We're here to help.
Ginger pops open the Tupperware to display deviled eggs.
GINGER
Fresh from my chickens.
The Women step past Flit.
LATER
Flit, Sophie, Eleanor and Ginger sit around the table, flip through
magazines, drink coffee, eat deviled eggs Flit looks up with a start,
gestures at a magazine.
FLIT
This is what I need. Somewhere to hold a
pop-up.
SOPHIE
Pop what?
ELEANOR
I read about people taking over restaurants
for a day.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Culinary Ambitions and Creative Frustrations
EXT. RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
A delivery truck pulls away. Lincoln pulls up, walks into
COURTYARD
The space is transformed. Majestic urns anchor each corner, saffron
silks sway in the breeze, a single marigold floats in a fountain.
INSIDE RESTAURANT
Marshall atop a ladder, Bai on the ground, roll red paint on a wall.
Lincoln walks in.
LINCOLN
The courtyard's looking good.
Marshall smiles smugly.
BAI
Sure be glad when this is over.
LINCOLN
I know this isn't what you signed up for.
BAI
It would be nice to see the menu.
LINCOLN
It's coming.
Marshall steps down from ladder, admires the paint job.
MARSHALL
We're going to blow their minds.
Bai shoots Lincoln a look of concern.
EXT. WOLF RESIDENCE - BACKYARD - DUSK
Wolf carries a grocery bag in each arm.
WOLF
Dinner's coming right up.
NATALIE
You're going to cook?
WOLF
Just 'cos your mom isn't here, doesn't mean
we can't eat as a family.
Natalie and Carlos look at each other in disbelief.
WOLF (CONT'D)
How hard can it be?
Carlos resumes watering. Natalie reads a law book.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Sophie and Eleanor stand poised, knives in hand.
FLIT
Sophie, you dice the onions. Eleanor,
julienne the carrots.
Ginger shakes a pan of pine nuts over an open flame.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Ginger, when the nuts are toasted, I'm
putting you in charge of dessert.
Flit hands Ginger a recipe. Ginger scans it, GROANS.
GINGER
Buloxi Black Bottom cake. Six layers?
FLIT
No, eight. Sophie, a little chunkier.
Eleanor, thinner strips.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Cooking Catastrophe
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - KITCHEN
Wolf fishes egg shells from a bowl. He rolls veal with a rolling pin.
He opens a bag of flour, empties it. A cloud of dust coats his glasses.
He dips meat in eggs, adjusts his glasses to read the recipe.
Wolf drops butter into a pan. He dumps pasta into boiling water. His
hands and spectacles are a floury, eggy mess.
The pasta boils over. Wolf dumps it into the sink. The phone RINGS,
answering machine kicks in.
LINCOLN (on answering machine)
Felicity, we need to talk. Pick up.
(beat)
LINCOLN (on answering machine) (CONT'D)
Are you there? Maybe you went to the
cottage. I'll count to three...
Wolf stands frozen. The butter bursts into flames.
LINCOLN (on answering machine) (CONT'D)
Two... Alright, I'm on my way.
The smoke alarm SCREECHES. Natalie runs in, SCREAMS.
NATALIE
FIRE!
Carlos runs in with the hose.
MOMENTS LATER
Natalie, Carlos and Wolf stand around a blackened soggy mess.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Dad, this has gone far enough.
Wolf deletes Lincoln's message.
WOLF
I'm going to lie down.
BEDROOM
Wolf slumps on bed, picks up phone, hits SPEED DIAL.
A sparkling view of San Francisco in the distance. From behind a sofa:
Connie, semi-naked on top of HARVEY, 50, of whom we see a hairy leg.
CONNIE
Ooh, ooh, Harvey.
Connie's phone RINGS. She stretches to reach it.
HARVEY
That's it. Come on, Baby.
The phone is out of her reach. She peers to read caller ID.
CONNIE
Uh, uh.
She makes a desperate grab for the phone, her bare butt in the air.
She grabs the phone, falls to the floor.
CONNIE (into phone)
Flit! I've been trying to reach you.
WOLF (into phone)
Flit's having an affair.
CONNIE (into phone)
What? Wolf?
WOLF (into phone)
A man called. He's on his way to meet her
in Mendocino.
CONNIE (into phone)
If Flit's having an affair I would know
about it.
WOLF (into phone)
I'm a terrible husband.
CONNIE (into phone)
Wolf, get a grip.
Wolf flops back onto the bed.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
Culinary Chaos and Charming Moments
INT. HARVEY'S MANSION
Connie gathers her clothes scattered across the floor.
CONNIE
Sorry, big boy. I need to get to the
bottom of this.
HARVEY
I need to get to the bottom of this!
Harvey slaps her butt.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE - NIGHT
Flit, Sophie, Eleanor and Ginger sink into chairs with a unified SIGH.
Containers of food cover every horizontal space. O.S. a truck HONKS.
FLIT
Not done yet. We have to load up.
Lincoln walks in larger than life. The Ladies swoon.
LINCOLN
Ladies.
FLIT
Right on time. You can help load.
Lincoln bends over to pick up a tub. Herb walks in.
HERB
Let's move it. I have things to do.
Sundance swans in.
SUNDANCE
And places to go? Honey, not dressed like
that, you don't.
Herb looks Sundance up and down.
HERB
Bubble gum pumps? I can't match those.
SUNDANCE
You could use some color.
Lincoln straightens up.
SUNDANCE (CONT'D)
Oh, my! So could I.
LATER
The house is cleared of containers. Flit sinks into sofa. Lincoln
uncorks wine, hands a glass to Flit. He flips through LP's. "TIRED OF
BEING ALONE" by Al Green plays softly. Flit relaxes.
Lincoln sits by her, hands her a bag.
LINCOLN
I bought you a phone. We need to be in
touch.
FLIT
(pulls cell from bag)
I'm sorry. It's been so chaotic, but I
think I have the menu.
LINCOLN
Tell me about it while I fix a bite.
Lincoln fishes around the kitchen, pulls out vegetables, bread, cheese,
salad greens. Flit pulls up a stool, fires up her laptop, syncs her
phone. He tops off her wine, starts cooking.
FLIT
I've found a fresh way to present my
favorite dishes.
LINCOLN
Now, that's the Flit I know.
FLIT
We'll find out tomorrow at the tasting.
LINCOLN
Tasting?
FLIT
The menu in action.
Lincoln feeds Flit a morsel of bread and cheese.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Pass me that honey.
Flit drizzles honey over the cheese, feeds it to Lincoln. It drips on
his chin. Lincoln wipes it off, sucks his thumb. Flit LAUGHS. He pours
Balsamic in a pan, a pinch of this and that.
LINCOLN
Who's tasting?
FLIT
My entourage arranged for a pop-up at the
diner.
Lincoln holds up a spoon of sauce for Flit to taste
FLIT (CONT'D)
Could use a little more salt.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
A Night of Tension
INT. SERVICE STATION - BAY - NIGHT
Herb tinkers under the hood of a car.
CONNIE (O.S.)
Woo hoo! Woo hoo!
Herb picks up a wrench. Connie strides in.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Excuse me! I'm looking for a friend.
HERB
Aren't we all?
CONNIE
She's staying at a cottage.
HERB
Lady, you're going to have to do better
than that.
CONNIE
She's Black.
HERB
Why didn't you just say so? Nice lady.
Hope everything's okay.
CONNIE
She's not answering her phone.
HERB
They don't have a phone at the Price
cottage.
CONNIE
Who's they?
HERB
I don't ask questions.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Lincoln carries food to the table. He pulls out a chair for Flit. She
looks at the clothes she's been in all day.
FLIT
Give me a minute.
LINCOLN
I'll grab wine from the car.
BEDROOM
Flit holds up two hangers, black pants on one, cocktail dress on the
other. She tosses the black pants aside.
LIVING ROOM
Lincoln pulls candles from a sideboard, sets them in a silver
candelabra. He lights the candles, dims the lights.
INT. CONNIE'S CAR - MOVING - NIGHT
Connie crawls along a dark country road. Her cell RINGS.
CONNIE (into phone)
Harvey. I can't talk now.
WOLF (O.S.)
It's Wolf.
Connie's call waiting CLICKS.
CONNIE (into phone)
Hold on.
HARVEY (O.S.)
Is he right?
CONNIE (into phone)
Is who right?
HARVEY (O.S.)
The husband. Is she having an affair?
Connie CLICKS back to Wolf.
CONNIE (into phone)
I'm parking.
WOLF (O.S.)
Where?
CONNIE (into phone)
Mendocino. I'll call you right back.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
Connie steps out the car, looks down the dark driveway. In two steps
she teeters in a gopher hole.
CONNIE
Damn. My heel.
She kicks off her heels, creeps toward the cottage.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Jealousy and Miscommunication at the Price Cottage
INTERCUT - INT./EXT. PRICE COTTAGE
AL GREEN continues O.S. Flit sashays to the table in her cocktail
dress.
LINCOLN
Felicity Winters. Stunning.
Flit grabs a Fedora off a hat stand, plops it on Lincoln's head, looks
him up and down.
Lincoln seats Flit, pours wine, sits down. He leans into Flit, raises
his glass. She raises hers.
CONNIE
Holy crap.
Connie's phone RINGS. She presses buttons to silence it, lands up with
Wolf on the line.
CONNIE (into phone) (CONT'D)
I said I'll call you back.
HARVEY (O.S.)
You hung up on me.
A branch yanks Connie's hair.
CONNIE
Ouch!
HARVEY (O.S.)
Are you alright?
Connie's phone CLICKS.
CONNIE (into phone)
I'm in the wilds. It's pitch black. What
do you think?
WOLF (O.S.)
What is going on?
CONNIE'S POV: Lincoln feeds Flit a fork of food. Flit swoons.
CONNIE (into phone)
KRCH.. KRCH... KRCH.
WOLF (O.S.)
Connie. You're breaking up.
The MUSIC stops. The record SKIPS. The chemistry is palpable. Lincoln
gets up, flips "GOT TO GIVE IT UP" by Marvin Gay. He shuts the drapes.
Connie jostles to see between the crack in the curtains.
Lincoln sways to the music. Flit stands up.
CONNIE
Flit's wearing a dress?
FLIT
If you ask me, I'll say yes.
Lincoln extends his hand. Flit takes it. He twirls her in.
Connie moves to side of building, tries to see through drapes.
CONNIE
Flit's dancing?
WOLF (O.S.)
With who?
Horrified, Connie realizes Wolf is still on the phone.
CONNIE (into phone)
KRCH... KRCH.
Connie hangs up.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Secrets and Suspicion
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE
Wolf stares at a dead phone. Natalie walks by.
NATALIE
Is that mom?
Wolf grabs his car keys.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Where you going at this hour?
WOLF
A pelican's gotta' do what a pelican's
gotta' do.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Lincoln holds Flit tight. They dance. He smells her hair. She looks up.
He takes her face in his hands. They kiss.
OUTSIDE
Connie, shocked, creeps back to the car.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Lincoln pulls back. Flit teeters, composes herself.
LINCOLN
It's late.
FLIT
We have a big day tomorrow.
INT. CONNIE'S CAR - NIGHT
One eye on the cottage, Connie struggles to keep her eyes open. Her
head jerks back; she's dead asleep.
INT. CONNIE'S CAR - MORNING
Connie wakes herself up with a SNORTING SNORE. She looks around dazed.
CONNIE'S POV: Lincoln and Flit come out of the cottage.
CONNIE
Could Wolf be right?
Connie ducks, peeps up to see Lincoln and Flit drive by. She grabs a
floppy hat from rear seat, puts on sunglasses.
EXT. MENDOCINO
Connie follows at a distance through the morning fog.
INT. CONNIE'S CAR - MOVING
Connie peers through the windshield, watches Flit and Lincoln enter the
Sea Lion Cafe. She pulls over.
INT. SEA LION CAFE - KITCHEN
Eleanor, Sophie and Ginger drink coffee, eat donuts.
SOPHIE
Things are so exciting since they arrived.
ELEANOR
(sees Flit and Lincoln)
Shh.
Flit and Lincoln walk in.
LINCOLN
Good morning, Ladies.
FLIT
Wow. I thought we'd be here first.
Sundance swans in.
SUNDANCE
And we thought you'd still be in bed.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Lost in the Fog
INT. CONNIE'S CAR
Connie's cell RINGS.
CONNIE (into phone)
Connie Rafner.
INTERCUT - WOLF'S CAR, CLIFF TOP, MENDOCINO / CONNIE'S CAR, MAIN STREET
Wolf sits in his car, parked in midst of thick fog.
WOLF (into phone)
I'm here.
CONNIE (into phone)
Where?
WOLF (into phone)
Mendocino.
CONNIE (into phone)
Where?
WOLF (into phone)
I don't know.
(looking through
binoculars)
It's all pea soup.
CONNIE (into phone)
Well look harder. There must be a
landmark... a lamppost? You're the
wilderness expert.
Wolf steps out of car, walks ten feet, sees a sign.
WOLF (into phone)
I'm at the Beachcomber trail head.
CONNIE (into phone)
Do not move. I'll be right there.
WOLF (into phone)
Ten four.
Connie flounders with a map.
LATER
Wolf, in full bird watching regalia, sits on the hood of his car, peers
through binoculars.
Connie appears out of the fog, fingers forming binoculars around her
face. Wolf startles.
WOLF
Why are you creeping around?
CONNIE
Why are you in camouflage?
WOLF
'Cos my top hat's in the trunk.
(jumps down)
Come to the cottage. I need moral support.
CONNIE
I can't support anything without having a
cup of coffee. You look like you could use
some too.
WOLF
Hop in.
CONNIE
Leave your car. I'll drive.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
Pancakes and Bookstore Confusion
INT. CONNIE'S CAR - MOVING
Connie turns on the IGNITION. Wolf SNORES, instantly asleep.
Connie pulls up across from the Sea Lion Cafe. About to shake Wolf
awake, she sees Lincoln inside the cafe. Wolf bolts awake.
WOLF
I'm having pancakes with my coffee.
Connie's POV: A life-size cardboard cut-out of Wolf in a bookstore
window.
CONNIE
Oh, look Wolf! There you are.
WOLF
Save us a table, I'll be right there.
EXT. MAIN STREET
Wolf gets out car. Connie hurries to steer him towards the bookstore,
practically shoves him in the door.
INT. BOOKSTORE
The PROPRIETOR, 60s, bespectacled, Tweedy, looks up. He removes his
spectacles, polishes them. Connie hustles Wolf deeper into the store.
PROPRIETOR
Jack Wolf?
Wolf pulls his hat lower to hide his face. Connie shoves him forward.
CONNIE
Yes, Doctor Jack Wolf.
The Proprietor bustles forward, shakes Wolf's hand, doesn't let it go.
PROPRIETOR
I'm such a fan. The whole town is.
Haven't you ever noticed when you Google
yourself, we're right beneath Amazon?
Wolf looks baffled, turns to Connie.
WOLF
(whispers)
Google myself?
Connie sinks into a chair, relieved.
PROPRIETOR
Are you here for the pelicans?
WOLF
Not this time.
PROPRIETOR
That's too bad. I would love it if you
could sign a few books.
WOLF
Maybe after my pancakes.
Wolf walks towards exit, comes face to face with hand-made poster on
the back of the door: Free tasting at Sea Lion Cafe.
Guest Chef Felicity Winters. He turns to Connie.
WOLF (CONT'D)
That's today. Now!
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Chaos at the Sea Lion Cafe
EXT. MAIN STREET
Wolf marches across the street, to the head of the line at
SEA LION CAFE DOOR
Sundance she-mans the door. Wolf tries to squeeze his way in. Sundance
puts her arm across the doorway.
SUNDANCE
Sorry, Sir. You'll have to get in line.
WOLF
My wife's the chef.
SUNDANCE
Nice try, Buddy. Get in line like
everybody else.
WOLF
You'll see.
Wolf marches back across the street, where Connie waits at
BOOKSTORE DOOR
WOLF (CONT'D)
Might as well sign books. Looks like it
could be a while.
INT. BOOKSTORE
The Proprietor is ecstatic.
PROPRIETOR
Follow me. I have a comfortable spot with
good light.
INT. SEA LION CAFE
Chaos prevails as thirty or so LOCALS including a WIZENED FISHERMAN,
GOTH FAMILY, OLD WOMAN wig askew, her boyfriend dressed as TOULOUSE
L'AUTREC, two FIREMEN, a POLICEWOMAN, a FACE PAINTER scramble to sit.
At each place setting: an amuse bouche of cold orange soup. The Diners
look at each other confused and skeptical.
Ginger and Sundance clear the instantly-drained spoons, bring them to
KITCHEN
Sophie and Eleanor assemble colorful miniature salads: a leaf of this,
a sprig of that, a shave of beetroot, pass plates to Flit, who makes
adjustments, drizzles dressing, tops each with a Nasturtium.
Ginger and Sundance carry plates out two at a time. Lincoln mingles,
pours samples of wine.
INT. BOOKSTORE
Wolf sits at a desk, signs books. The Proprietor unloads another box of
"Rare Pelicans of the Galapagos Islands."
Connie peers through binoculars at the Cafe across the street.
INT. SEA LION CAFE
Diners stare astonished as Sundance and Ginger serve huge dinner plates
with tiny salads. Some pull out their phones, take photos, others stab
the arrangement with a fork and down it in one bite.
KITCHEN
Duck breasts sizzle on the broiler. Flit sears scallops on the stove
top, passes them to Sophie and Eleanor who place one on each plate atop
a bed of sauce.
Ginger and Sundance hustle the plates away, return quickly for the next
batch. Sophie and Eleanor get flustered, can't keep up the pace.
DINING ROOM
Lincoln turns from pouring wine to see two People walk out the door.
He looks around, sees that others are restless.
KITCHEN
Flit slices duck breasts, waits for Sophie to hand her a plate with a
bed of sauce. Flit arranges duck, passes the plate to Eleanor to top
with a dollop of mandarin marmalade. Lincoln bursts in.
LINCOLN
People are leaving. What's the hold up?
Lincoln grabs an apron, goes to Flit's side. Flit nicks her finger with
the knife. She runs out the back door.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
Carry on, Ladies.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
A Sweet Recovery
EXT. SEA LION CAFE - ALLEY
Flit sucks her finger. Lincoln appears.
LINCOLN
Do you need stitches?
FLIT
(bursting into tears)
My finger's fine, but I'm not.
Lincoln takes her in his arms.
INT. BOOKSTORE
Wolf shakes his wrist, wriggles his fingers. Connie adjusts the focus
on the binoculars, presses them to her face.
CONNIE'S POV: Lincoln holds Flit tight, releases her gently. She looks
up at him, squares her shoulders.
INT. SEA LION CAFE - KITCHEN
Lincoln and Flit walk in to see the last entrees go out the kitchen:
whole duck breast floating in sauce with mounds of marmalade. Flit
looks at Lincoln in despair.
LINCOLN
Let's just get through dessert.
INT. BOOKSTORE
Connie shoves books aside to get a line of sight on the interior of the
Cafe. She gets down on her belly.
WOLF
Bird watching position. What's so
interesting?
INT. SEA LION CAFE - KITCHEN
Lincoln picks up a multi-layered chocolate cake.
LINCOLN
Ready?
Lincoln balances the cake in one hand, grabs Flit's hand in the other.
DINING ROOM
Lincoln leads with the cake, Flit reluctantly behind.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
I present Chef Felicity Winters.
The Locals APPLAUD politely. Lincoln sets down the cake, WHISPERS into
Flit's ear.
Genres:
["Romance","Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Cake, Curiosity, and Unspoken Tensions
INT. BOOKSTORE
CONNIE
Uh oh!
Wolf grabs the binoculars from Connie, adjusts them furiously. Wolf's
POV: Lincoln whispers into Flit's ear. She blushes, LAUGHS. She brushes
her ear with her ringless left hand. Wolf GASPS.
WOLF
She's not wearing her wedding ring.
Lincoln hands Flit the cake knife. As she cuts, he puts his hand over
hers. Flit plates the cake. Lincoln breaks off a piece with his
fingers, feeds it to Flit.
The Crowd OOHS. Flit in turn feeds Lincoln cake. Wolf is stunned.
Plates of cake are passed around. The Crowd EXCLAIMS.
Herb rushes in, out of breath.
HERB
Made it! Is that what I think it is? Mrs.
Price's Bulox-
FLIT
Hush!! It's our secret.
HERB
For a piece of that cake, whatever you say.
(grabbing plate of cake)
Did your friend find you?
FLIT
What friend?
HERB
The city lady in high heels.
FLIT
Connie?
HERB
Didn't ask.
Genres:
["Romantic Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Awkward Arrangements
EXT. MAIN STREET
Connie pushes a dazed Wolf into the car.
WOLF
Did you see how radiant she looks?
CONNIE
Get in the car.
WOLF
That's the same outfit she had on the first
time I saw her in Paris.
CONNIE
A chef's coat and hat?
WOLF
And that big beautiful smile. I should be
the man making her smile.
Connie's phone RINGS.
INT. SEA LION CAFE - KITCHEN
Cell phone to her ear, Flit waits for Connie to answer.
CONNIE
To cause a scene? We're both exhausted.
We need to think.
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST - AFTERNOON
A quaint lobby replete with chintz and floral wallpaper. SADIE, 30s,
SNAPS her gum, looks up from a taxidermy magazine.
SADIE
What can I do for you lovebirds?
WOLF
I'm in birds. She's in real estate.
CONNIE
We've been up all night. Two rooms.
SADIE
No can do. Just one room.
CONNIE
Two beds.
SADIE
One room. One king-sized bed.
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST - BEDROOM
Wolf and Connie stare at the bed occupying the entire room.
WOLF
I can't sleep with my wife's best friend.
Connie looks at him in disbelief, makes a center divide with pillows.
WOLF (CONT'D)
Did you see him? I can't compete with
that.
CONNIE
Wolf, you're delirious. Let's get some
sleep then we'll come up with a plan.
They lie on their respective sides of the bed, stare at the ceiling.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
43 -
Seeking Clarity
INT. PRICE COTTAGE - EVENING
Flit, exhausted, props feet on coffee table, leafs through pages of
tasting comments. Lincoln kicks off his shoes, flops next to Flit,
reaches to massage her foot.
Flit bolts upright, reels off comments as she tosses sheets aside.
FLIT
(reading)
Don't know what I'm eating. Tasty. Looks
pretty. Unusual but nice.
Flit paces as she reads.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Oh, here's one. Mushroom sauce. I think
your flavors would be enhanced with my
organic varieties. Call me.
Flit hands sheet to Lincoln.
LINCOLN
Nick Warren. Mushroom specialist.
FLIT
Now, that is useful.
LINCOLN
Can we get back to your foot massage?
Flit looks at Lincoln. He stares into her eyes.
FLIT
I need air.
Flit walks out.
Lincoln's cell BUZZES. He reads a text from Marshall: Good News. Check
your email.
OUTSIDE
Flit paces the driveway, pulls out her cell phone.
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST
Connie's phone VIBRATES inside her purse. Connie rolls in her sleep,
covers her head with a pillow.
EXT. PRICE COTTAGE
FLIT (into phone)
Connie, pick up! I need to talk. I'm in
over my head.
Flit snaps her phone shut. She looks toward the cottage, marches down
the driveway.
FLIT
The one time I need you. Where are you?
Why am I so unhappy?
(stops walking)
I'm not. I have three great kids, a
husband who adores me... a perfect life.
(looking up at stars)
Nanna, I need your advice.
The breeze RUSTLES through the trees.
FLIT (CONT'D)
You're right. This is what I've always
wanted.
Flit marches to the cottage door, hesitates, looks at the Welcome sign.
She flips it over, LAUGHS.
FLIT (CONT'D)
And what kind of name is Foam any way?
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
44 -
A Bold New Flavor
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Flit bursts in. Lincoln types at the computer.
FLIT
Lincoln, we need to get serious.
LINCOLN
How would you like to have your debut in
the New York Times, Chef Winters?
FLIT
Ha ha.
LINCOLN
They're doing a feature on Mendocino. If
we move up our opening, Foam will be
included.
FLIT
I want to call the restaurant Molasses.
LINCOLN
Too late.
FLIT
Foam has no meaning. Let's leave the frou
frou Duck Medallions with Truffled
Marmalade on Fairytale Mushroom Pyramids
for others to enjoy.
LINCOLN
What are you talking about?
FLIT
I'm going back to my cast-iron pan.
Lincoln tosses comment sheets in the air, frustrated.
LINCOLN
We've paid the lawyer, the designer, and
the printer's ready to go.
FLIT
Molasses will be the signature. My food
will be bold, honest... rooted.
LINCOLN
Bold? Honest?
Lincoln looks away, at her. She looks determined.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
Okay, you've got it.
FLIT
Thank you.
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST - MORNING
Wolf and Connie sound asleep. A TAP on the door. Sadie marches in,
throws open curtains. Wolf awakes, his arm around Connie, bolts
upright, YELPS.
SADIE
Sorry. I knocked. Thought you were dead.
Figured I'd be sure. It's check out time.
Sadie marches out. Connie leaps up, a disheveled mess.
WOLF
There's a caterpillar on your face.
Connie looks in the mirror, a false eyelash on her cheek, Wolf behind
her.
CONNIE
You look like you've been dragged through a
hedge backwards.
Wolf takes in his bedraggled image.
Genres:
["Romantic Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
45 -
Fashion Fiasco at the Gossip Lounge
INT. GOSSIP LOUNGE
Wolf behind changing room curtain in boxers and socks. Sundance pulls
back curtain.
SUNDANCE
Let's see what I have to work with.
(appraising Wolf)
Mmmh! Could be worse.
Wolf puffs his chest. Sundance pinches her nose as she picks up Wolf's
discarded camouflage.
SUNDANCE (CONT'D)
You won't be needing these.
Sundance flings the curtains closed, marches past Connie scanning the
racks.
SUNDANCE (CONT'D)
Check behind Frankie in the tux, there's a
Pucci-esque, psychedelic made for you.
CONNIE
Frankie?
SUNDANCE
(pointing at mannequin)
Sinatra.
The door CHIMES open.
FLIT (O.S.)
(LAUGHING)
Stop fooling around. We have work to do.
Connie adopts a pose behind Frankie.
SUNDANCE
Well, if it isn't the talk of the town.
Don't you two look bright and bushy tailed.
Wolf pokes his head through the curtain.
LINCOLN
She always looks good, even when she's been
up all night.
Flit LAUGHS.
SUNDANCE
Oooh. I remember those nights.
Wolf looks at his reflection, deflated in boxers and socks.
LINCOLN
We came to enlist your help.
SUNDANCE
I'm at your beck and call... Honey.
FLIT
I have a list of produce I need from local
growers. Can you organize the girls to do
the rounds?
SUNDANCE
Consider it done. And what will you two be
up to?
FLIT
It's a secret. You'll know soon enough.
SUNDANCE
I love a mystery.
Flit pulls Lincoln by the arm out the door.
Wolf exits the changing room.
WOLF
Please, give me back my clothes.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
46 -
Reflections and Road Trips
EXT. PIER - AFTERNOON
Wolf dangles at end of the pier, staring at the water below. BOSTON,
30s, horn-rimmed specs, Red Sox baseball cap, uncoils a rope from a
bollard, tosses it onto his small boat.
BOSTON
Hey, Buddy. It can't be that bad.
Boston climbs down the ladder, hops aboard, cranks engine.
BOSTON (CONT'D)
Toss me that line, will ya?
Wolf uncoils the bow rope.
BOSTON (CONT'D)
Jump in. I bet I have a story to trump
yours.
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST - FOYER
Connie marches in with shopping bags.
SADIE
I made up your room the way you like it.
BEDROOM
Chocolates on pillows, a pillow barricade down the center. Connie dumps
her bags, runs out panicked.
INT. GINGER'S CAR
'68 VW Bug - a flower child's vehicle, murals and bumper stickers
galore. Ginger drives. Eleanor shotgun. Sophie cramped in back.
SOPHIE
I think we should have taken a left back
there.
ELEANOR
There was no left. It was a cow pasture.
SOPHIE
'Course it's a cow pasture. We're going to
a dairy farm aren't we?
They bump along the rutted path.
ELEANOR
Step on it. There's a cow with horns
coming at us.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
47 -
Beets and Banter
EXT. MUSHROOM FARM - HERB'S TRUCK
Sundance, on truck bed in high heel pumps, stacks boxes. Herb throws up
a box.
HERB
I don't know why she needs all these
varieties.
SUNDANCE
She can't cook everything with buttons.
HERB
All you think about is fashion.
Sundance smooths out her dress.
SUNDANCE
And you didn't even notice my dress.
Herb tosses up another box.
HERB
Sure shows off your fine legs.
INT. FLIT'S CAR - MOVING
Lincoln behind the wheel, top down. Flit checks off a list.
FLIT
Eggs... chicken... herbs... next, sugar
beets.
(looking up)
That was it.
Lincoln whips a U-turn. Flit LAUGHS, removes her sunglasses, her face
to the breeze.
EXT. SUGAR BEET FARM
JULIAN DEMATEO, 30s, straw hat and muddy boots, steps down from his
porch as Lincoln pulls to a stop.
JULIAN
You must be the folks from the new
restaurant. Did I hear the name right?
LINCOLN
This is Felicity Winters, Executive Chef,
of Molasses. I'm Lincoln Price.
Julian shakes Flit's hand, leads them to the porch, pours iced-tea.
JULIAN
How can I help you?
FLIT
I want to make my own molasses.
JULIAN
Why would you go to that trouble?
FLIT
To use local organic beets.
JULIAN
You sound determined, but, truthfully, I've
moved on to medical marijuana. It's more
lucrative. I just grow beets on the side.
FLIT
For now, I only need a bushel.
LINCOLN
Soon we'll make growing beets worth your
while.
Lincoln winks at Flit.
Genres:
["Romantic Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
48 -
Navigating Loss
EXT. FISHING BOAT
Boston mans the tiller, steers toward an atoll. Wolf scans the horizon.
BOSTON
Feel like talking?
WOLF
I lost my wife.
BOSTON
Sorry to hear that. Was she sick a long
time?
WOLF
She's not dead. Just happier with another
man.
BOSTON
Maybe your story is worse than mine.
The small boat chugs along the shore. Boston passes Wolf a pole.
BOSTON (CONT'D)
Push us off the rocks, if you don't mind.
WOLF
What do you catch out here?
BOSTON
Not catching anything. Collecting data.
I'm with the UC Invertebrate Management
team.
WOLF
Small world.
BOSTON
You too!
WOLF
No. I just feel like an invertebrate.
BOSTON
(laughing)
I've been there.
WOLF
Not with this woman. If you could see
her...
BOSTON
Want to jump off? I could use a hand.
Wolf and Boston walk the atoll.
WOLF
Come out here every day?
BOSTON
Every other. No rest for limpet counters.
WOLF
Mind if I stay and ride back next trip?
BOSTON
You going to be alright out here?
WOLF
Jack Wolf. Wildlife photographer.
BOSTON
There's a cabin on the lee side stocked
with water and granola bars, a couple of
blankets.
Genres:
["Drama","Character Study"]
Ratings
Scene
49 -
Muddy Struggles and Tavern Troubles
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
Ginger double clutches as Eleanor and Sophie push their weight against
the VW Bug. The wheels spin, mud flies.
Ginger sticks her head out the window.
GINGER
Sophie, get behind the wheel and let me
push before you crack your bony ass in
half.
INSIDE VW BUG
Sophie gets behind the wheel, POPS the clutch, GUNS the engine. The Bug
leaps forward.
SOPHIE
Hop in, girls!
OUTSIDE VW BUG
Ginger and Eleanor are splattered with mud. Sophie's head pops out the
window.
SOPHIE (CONT'D)
Quit muckin' around. The chef's counting
on us to bring in the cheese.
INT. HERB'S TRUCK
Herb, one hand on the wheel, licks an ice-cream cone. Sundance taps her
toes on the dash.
HERB
Can I ask you a personal question?
Sundance licks her cone, smiles coyly.
HERB (CONT'D)
What brought you to Mendocino?
SUNDANCE
I lived the city life. Came here to find
me a sweet, country boy.
HERB
Does a mechanic fit the bill?
Sundance blushes.
INT. SEAFARER'S TAVERN - EVENING
LOCALS and TOURISTS mingle in a classic old-fashioned pub.
Connie bellies up to the only empty stool. SANDY, 40s, the Bartender,
sets down a coaster.
SANDY
What'll it be?
CONNIE
Scotch. Neat.
Sandy sets down a glass, pours whisky. Connie slugs it, slams down the
glass. Marshall looks up from his burger.
MARSHALL
That bad, huh.
CONNIE
Don't get me started.
MARSHALL
I have to tell my brother that we're one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars in the
hole.
CONNIE
It's only money. My friend ran into her
high-school sweetheart and now she's having
an affair.
(toying with empty glass)
I should have seen it coming.
MARSHALL
Sandy, set them up.
Genres:
["Comedy","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
50 -
Driving Through Unresolved Feelings
INT. FLIT'S CAR - MOVING
Lincoln drives through rolling farmland, heading West toward the
sunset. Flit pulls out her phone.
LINCOLN
Put that away. Take in these gorgeous
vineyards. Look at that sunset.
Flit opens email.
FLIT
The growers have rsvp'd.
(clicks through email)
Yes. Yes. And yes, I'll be there.
LINCOLN
What about the p.r. people?
FLIT
Hmmm... not so good. Tablehopper's the
only response. She's coming.
LINCOLN
I'll call the others. They'll be there.
Now relax.
Flit continues to work her phone. Lincoln swerves to a halt.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
If I had my way this would be more than
business.
FLIT
Lincoln, don't.
LINCOLN
When you came back from Paris with Wolf I
knew I'd missed my chance. The other night
made me think that-
FLIT
Lincoln, you're always in my heart-
LINCOLN
But I'm not Wolf.
Flit smiles. Lincoln pulls back onto the road.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
Let's go make molasses.
FLIT
It's going to take all night.
LINCOLN
(winking)
You'll need real help tomorrow. I'll call
Marshall.
FLIT
I'm not cooking with Marshall.
LINCOLN
(laughing)
I'll have him send Bai.
INT. SEAFARER'S TAVERN
Marshall's phone RINGS. He reads the ID, answers.
MARSHALL (into phone)
Where are you?
INT. LINCOLN'S CONVERTIBLE
LINCOLN (into phone)
Where are you?
MARSHALL (O.S.)
In town. Something's come up.
Genres:
["Romance","Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
51 -
Tides of Heartbreak and Crisis
EXT. ATOLL - SUNSET
Wolf huddles on the shore, a pile of pebbles at his feet. He tosses
pebbles into the water.
WOLF
She loves him... She loves me... She
loves him.
(tosses another)
She loves me.
(tosses the last)
She loves him.
Wolf pulls out his phone. The battery is dead.
WOLF (CONT'D)
(into dead phone)
If you could only hear me. I love you.
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Marshall paces. Lincoln and Flit walk in carrying boxes of produce.
Lincoln flashes a look of concern to Flit.
LINCOLN
Obi Wan isn't meditating? Must be serious.
FLIT
Hey, Marshall.
MARSHALL
We have a situation.
Flit sets to work with beets. Marshall sinks onto the sofa.
MARSHALL (CONT'D)
The restaurant looks good, right?
LINCOLN
Spit it out.
MARSHALL
We lost an investor. You know these guys
like to gamble, right?
Lincoln is speechless.
MARSHALL (CONT'D)
So he lost his money. But that's not all.
We're over budget. We have to get
creative.
LINCOLN
No. We need to get practical.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
52 -
A Slice of Frustration
INT. SEA LION CAFE
Connie pushes away a plate, eats a second slice of pie.
IN THE NEXT BOOTH
Sophie, Ginger and Eleanor eat hot dogs.
SOPHIE
Did you see how Herb looked at Sundance
when we were unloading?
ELEANOR
I always knew he was a sweetie.
SOPHIE
And guess what else? Or should I say who
else?
Ginger and Eleanor lean in to hear the gossip.
SOPHIE (CONT'D)
Jack Wolf is in town.
Connie strains to eavesdrop.
GINGER
The Jack Wolf? Now that's a man.
SOPHIE
The old codger at the book store saw him.
All I really know is he's staying at
Sadie's place.
ELEANOR
He must be here for his new book.
EXT. BOOKSTORE
Dim lights through closed blinds. Connie RAPS on the door. The
PROPRIETOR peeps through the blinds. Connie bends to face him. The
blinds drop. Connie RAPS on the door.
PROPRIETOR (O.S.)
I'm closed.
CONNIE
I'm looking for Jack Wolf.
PROPRIETOR (O.S.)
He's not here.
Connie RAPS on the door. The door opens a crack.
CONNIE
Have you seen him since yesterday?
PROPRIETOR
Passed him on the pier. Wouldn't even say
hello.
Connie spins and walks away.
PROPRIETOR (CONT'D)
(sotto)
City folk.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
53 -
Desperate Search
EXT. FISHING PIER
FOOTSTEPS on wood. A flashlight cuts through the dark.
CONNIE (O.S.)
Wolf! Jack Wolf... Hello-o-o-!
Boats THUMP against the pier. Connie steps under lamplight.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Damn it, Wolf!
(scanning empty pier)
Where did you go?
She sits on a bollard, bursts into TEARS.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
This is all my fault.
Connie SHIVERS, pulls out her phone.
INT. WOLF RESIDENCE - MASTER BATHROOM - NIGHT
In bathtub, Natalie stretches her legs over Carlos' thighs. A flotilla
of rubber ducks bobs in the bubbles between them. The phone RINGS.
Natalie flicks bubbles in Carlos' face. He SPLASHES back.
CARLOS
I'll get it.
NATALIE
Don't you dare.
Natalie reaches for the phone.
NATALIE (into phone)
Wolf residence.
CONNIE (O.S.)
(sobbing)
Nat, it's Connie. I can't find your dad.
NATALIE (into phone)
Dad's in Mendocino.
CONNIE (O.S.)
I'm in Mendocino.
NATALIE (into phone)
He's with Mom.
CONNIE (O.S.)
You need to get here right away.
Carlos SPLASHES Natalie. She looks serious.
NATALIE
I have to go to Mendocino.
CARLOS
I'll drive.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
54 -
Tides of Connection
INT. COTTAGE - NIGHT
Flit, spattered in beet juice, stirs molasses on stove.
Across the room, Lincoln and Marshall crunch numbers on the computer.
Lincoln looks at his serious brother, smiles, then across the room at
Flit. She turns, catches his eye, returns the smile.
Headlights flood kitchen. O.S. FOOTSTEPS. Bai walks in.
BAI
I love all-nighters.
MONTAGE
- Herb and Sundance snuggle, watch a movie.
- Eleanor spoons Sophie in bed, beneath a patchwork quilt.
- Ginger at computer on Facebook, sips tea.
- Natalie navigates by dim light, Carlos behind the wheel.
- At end of pier, Connie stares out to sea.
- Wolf on the atoll, stares at the stars.
END MONTAGE
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - SUN RISE
Oliver pulls up. Jack Jr. throws his rucksack in back seat, hops in.
JACK JR.
I refuse to believe there's trouble in
paradise.
OLIVER
Happens all the time when the kids leave
home. Families fall apart.
JACK JR.
Maybe other families.
OLIVER
I'm telling you something's up. Nat says
Dad's a mess.
EXT. ATOLL - DAWN
Wolf perches on a rock surrounded by pelicans.
WOLF
Any of you related to Fred?
They scatter but one.
WOLF (CONT'D)
Can you pass on the news? I've made my
decision. Flit deserves better.
The lone pelican flies off.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
55 -
Culinary Chaos at the Price Cottage
EXT. PRICE COTTAGE - MORNING
Lincoln and Marshall set up folding tables, mismatched chairs.
MARSHALL
I'm sorry I went overboard. Maybe I can
return those antiques, get some money back.
LINCOLN
What's done is done. We've come this far.
There's no stopping us now.
INSIDE
Bai juggles oven racks. Flit rubs her back, sets down her stirring
spoon. O.S. a truck HONKS.
OUTSIDE
Mr. Ochoa jumps out his truck.
MR. OCHOA
Beautiful morning!
LINCOLN
Sure is. The chef's inside.
Mr. Ochoa carries flats of tomatoes.
INSIDE
MR. OCHOA
Looks like a murder's been committed.
Flit looks down at her red splattered chef's whites, LAUGHS.
FLIT
In the name of good food. Coffee?
MR. OCHOA
I'll take a cup for the road. Got to get
back to the Missus. It's jam canning day.
BAI
Chef, I don't know how we're going to
manage with one oven.
FLIT
Lincoln was right. We should have done
this at the restaurant.
(exhausted)
Now what do we do?
Sundance bounces in, Herb beaming behind her.
SUNDANCE
Why you all standing around? We have a
party to put on.
FLIT
We need ovens.
HERB
I have a toaster oven.
SUNDANCE
Oh, Herb, that's so cute. Flit means real
ovens... like they have in the bakery next
door.
FLIT
Could we get in there?
HERB
I'll call Oscar.
FLIT
You're my hero.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
56 -
Morning Arrivals and Bakery Buzz
INT. CARLOS'S TRUCK - MOVING - MORNING
Natalie sleeps. Carlos brushes hair off her face.
CARLOS
Nat, wake up. We're almost there.
NATALIE
Why didn't you wake me sooner? I was going
to share the driving.
CARLOS
What's the address?
NATALIE
I have no idea.
Natalie pulls out her cell.
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST - BEDROOM
Connie sleeps on Wolf's side of the divide. Her phone VIBRATES. Connie
barely wakes up, pats around, finds phone.
CONNIE (into phone)
Wolf?
NATALIE (O.S.)
It's Nat. We're pulling into town.
INT. ORGANIC BAKERY
OSCAR, 30s, bald, fat, French, opens the door to Sundance and Herb
laden down with ingredients.
SUNDANCE
Who knew? All this to make bread.
OSCAR
Looks like sourdough starter... and what's
that other smell?
SUNDANCE
Molasses, honey, and it's homemade. She
stayed up all night.
OSCAR
Who's she?
HERB
Chef Felicity Winters. Our friend.
Sophie appears, giddy.
SOPHIE
You're open! I'll have one buttermilk
blueberry scone.
OSCAR
All of you. Out.
Sundance and Herb escort Sophie out.
SOPHIE
Have you heard about the missing
photographer?
SUNDANCE
We don't have time for gossip.
SOPHIE
No scones. No gossip?
Herb opens the truck door for Sundance. Sophie lights up.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
57 -
A Race Against Time
INT. FISHING BOAT
Boston mans the tiller, skirts the shore of the atoll, a worried look
on his face. He WOLF WHISTLES.
BOSTON
JACK WOLF! WHERE ARE YOU?
Jack pops his head around the side of the lookout shack.
WOLF
Where'd you think I'd be?
BOSTON
Jump aboard.
WOLF
Don't you have to count limpets?
BOSTON
I gotta' get you back to shore. The whole
town's looking for you.
WOLF
For me?
INT. PRICE COTTAGE
Flit scans the array of food covering the table and counter.
FLIT
Bai, looks like we're in good shape. How
long 'til the roast's done?
BAI
An hour.
FLIT
I might even have time to change.
Bai dips a spoon into batter.
BAI
Check the sweet potato pancake batter.
Flit tastes.
FLIT
A touch more molasses.
BAI
You got it, Chef!
OUTSIDE
Marshall hangs Chinese lanterns around the garden. Mac pushes a dolly
up the driveway with cases of wine and glasses.
LINCOLN
Meet my brother and business partner,
Marshall Price. Marshall, this is Mac, our
featured wine maker. Mac, you're in for a
fabulous meal.
MAC
You're going to love my choices. I brought
the best of our finest vineyards with some
sparkling too.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
58 -
Reunion at Sadie's: A Family's Struggle for Love
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST
Natalie and Carlos walk in.
SADIE
Sorry. No room at the inn.
CARLOS
We're looking for Connie Rafner.
SADIE
Upstairs. Sleeping like the dead.
Wolf tries to slide by unnoticed.
SADIE (CONT'D)
Where the hell have you been?
Natalie and Carlos turn around.
WOLF
What are you doing here?
Behind him, Jack Jr. and Oliver walk in. Wolf takes in his three kids.
WOLF (CONT'D)
You're all here.
They hug Wolf.
NATALIE
Dad, you stink.
WOLF
I guess I could use a shower.
INT. SADIE'S BED & BREAKFAST - BEDROOM
A TAP on door. Connie asleep face down. Wolf unlocks the door, pokes
his head in. The Kids push past.
OLIVER
Dad?
JACK JR.
Who's that?
Connie jumps up, rushes into Wolf's arms.
CONNIE
Oh, my God, I've been worried sick.
NATALIE
Connie? Dad!
OLIVER
What is going on here?
WOLF
It's not what it looks like.
JACK JR.
Okay, so what is it?
WOLF
Kids, everybody else, sit down.
They find a spot on the bed, all eyes on Wolf.
WOLF (CONT'D)
You need to know that when you love
someone, sometimes you have to set them
free.
OLIVER
Dad, what are you talking about?
CONNIE
Wolf, into the shower. Jack, get your bag,
find something for your dad to wear.
(MORE)
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Natalie, you and your friend go get coffee.
Oliver, be useful.
Everyone leaves. Wolf gets into SHOWER.
BATHROOM
Connie opens door, stands with her back to Wolf in the shower.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
So, you're going to let twenty-five years
go down the drain?
WOLF
I can't hear you.
Connie moves next to the shower door.
CONNIE
You're going to let your wife go because
you saw a man whisper in her ear?
Wolf slides door, pokes his soapy head out.
WOLF
Did you see him? I can't compete.
CONNIE
Stop saying that. Go fight for her.
WOLF
She's happier than I've seen in years.
CONNIE
Wolf, I'm the one who talks to her every
night. It should be you.
WOLF
I'm right downstairs.
CONNIE
In your world, a million miles away.
The Kids and Carlos return. Connie scuttles out, closes bathroom door.
BEDROOM
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Look, here's the deal. Your mom's been
handed her dream and your dad thinks she's
been seduced by the man, not the job.
OLIVER
What man?
CONNIE
Lincoln Price.
NATALIE
Mom's high school sweetheart?
CONNIE
KRCH! Don't bring that up! What we need
is to convince your dad that he's still her
man. Jack, what did you find for clothes?
Genres:
["Drama","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
59 -
Tension at Dusk
EXT. PRICE COTTAGE - DUSK
The garden looks magical - candles GLOW in hurricanes, colored lanterns
TWINKLE, white table cloths graze the ground, the collection of old
china and silverware sparkle.
Mac pours wine as Lincoln and Marshall greet guests, LOCAL PURVEYORS
and FOOD WRITERS. Herb and Sundance, in tuxedos and Italian-style white
aprons, pass tapas. Purple pumps peep under Sundance's pants.
INSIDE
Bai and Flit move competently and quickly around the kitchen. Oscar
walks in with a Buloxi Black Bottom cake in each hand.
OSCAR
Hubble bubble, toil and trouble insisted on
coming along.
Sophie, Ginger and Eleanor follow, carrying artisan breads.
GINGER
If you let us stay, we'll promise to be out
of the way.
ELEANOR
Tell us what we can do to help.
FLIT
You're a god send... dish detail. Check
with Bai.
BAI
I need the counters clear to plate. I hope
you don't mind washing all these pots and
pans.
The Ladies set to work.
FLIT
Those cakes look magnificent.
OSCAR
I took a little creative license before the
electricity cut off.
Marshall appears.
MARSHALL
Electricity? That's brilliant! We'll go
green, use biofuel. Lincoln can take that
to the bank.
OSCAR
Bon. Bon.
Sundance walks in with empty platters.
MARSHALL
Flit, your guests await.
SUNDANCE
Go put on that cute cocktail dress.
FLIT
Give me a minute.
Flit lifts lid off the roast. Marshall reaches to snag a morsel. Flit
slaps his hand.
FLIT (CONT'D)
Don't you dare.
MARSHALL
See you outside.
ELEANOR
Isn't this exciting? Everything looks so
magical in the twilight.
SOPHIE
It'll be dark soon. I wonder if they found
Jack Wolf.
FLIT
What did you just say?
SOPHIE
The famous wild life photographer.
GINGER
He's missing.
FLIT
Missing?
OUTSIDE
Lincoln breaks away from the Guests to join Marshall who fusses over
the table.
LINCOLN
Relax. We did it.
MARSHALL
Go see what's taking Flit so long.
BEDROOM
Flit sits on the bed, stunned, her dress in hand.
LINCOLN (O.S.)
Flit? What's keeping you?
Lincoln stops in his tracks.
LINCOLN (CONT'D)
Are you alright?
FLIT
Wolf is missing.
LINCOLN
How do you know?
FLIT
Sophie said it.
LINCOLN
Little old lady Sophie? Knows Wolf? I'm
sure there's an explanation. Everyone's
waiting.
Lincoln leaves. Flit sets the dress aside, looks at her bare fingers.
She retrieves her diamond rings from a bedside drawer.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
The road is lined with parked cars and trucks. A dapper Wolf strides
with Carlos. Natalie, arm in arm with Jack Jr. and Oliver follow.
Connie takes up the rear.
WOLF
You sure I look good? I'm not used to my
hair slicked.
CARLOS
You look like a movie star.
Connie's phone RINGS. She reads Caller ID; it's Flit. She turns it off.
OLIVER
What's with all the cars?
NATALIE
Looks like a party.
CONNIE
(sotto)
Or a wake.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Family"]
Ratings
Scene
60 -
A Celebration of Love and Culinary Dreams
EXT. PRICE COTTAGE - GARDEN
The Guests sit at one long table CHATTING in anticipation. Lincoln TAPS
a glass. Flit appears. The Guests APPLAUD.
INTERCUT - EXT. PRICE COTTAGE - COUNTRY ROAD / GARDEN
Wolf stops short. They all collide.
WOLF
SHH!
Wolf motions them to be still, peers around the hedge.
LINCOLN
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Felicity
Winters, Executive Chef of Molasses.
Flit joins Lincoln, steadies herself against his arm.
FLIT
Thank you all for coming tonight. I- I-
Lincoln gives her a quizzical look.
FLIT (CONT'D)
(whispers)
You talk.
LINCOLN
It seems our chef is speechless.
Flit steps back. Lincoln continues in B.G.
CARLOS
Go on, Mr. Wolf.
NATALIE
Dad, go get your slibba-dabby girl.
Wolf taps a black disk against his knuckles. A top hat pops open. He
sticks it over the hedge.
Sundance nudges Herb. Flit looks over.
The top hat dances along the hedge top. As it reaches the end, Wolf
steps out, puts it on his head, pulls a bouquet of red roses from his
sleeve. Flit beams.
FLIT
Excuse me, Lincoln. I can take it from
here.
Lincoln steps back.
FLIT (CONT'D)
As Lincoln was saying, Molasses is a
tribute to some of the world's great
foodscapes. It connotes rich cultural
heritage and deep relationships.
Sophie, Ginger and Eleanor peep their heads around the cottage door.
SOPHIE
I'll never remember all this.
ELEANOR
Forget your damn gossip column.
GINGER
We're in the mix.
Wolf steps forward.
WOLF
Excuse me, everyone. I'm Jack Wolf. Lone
wolf might be more appropriate. I'll be
quick. I don't want to hold up your feast.
Felicity Winters has been waiting 25 years
for this moment.
Wolf CHOKES. A LOUD WHISPER from behind the bushes.
JACK JR. (O.S.)
You're doing great, Dad.
WOLF
That's our smart, funny, kids egging me on.
I don't know how I ever got this amazing
woman to marry me and put up with me all
these years, but-
OLIVER (O.S.)
Dad, it sounds like you're giving up!
WOLF
I'm here to take back my slibba-dabby girl.
She may be the next top chef but without
her I'm a mere bottom feeder.
NATALIE
That's enough, Dad!
The Kids, Carlos and Connie come down the path. Flit lights up. Wolf
gets down on one knee, offers Flit the bouquet.
WOLF
Babe, the love of my life, from here on
out, it's all about you.
Flit chokes back a tear. At the door, Bai shrugs at Marshall.
MARSHALL
Can we get on with the food?
Lincoln steps forward to shake Wolf's hand.
WOLF
For a minute I thought you stole my wife.
LINCOLN
It's not always what it seems.
Lincoln and Wolf turn to watch Flit hug the Kids, Carlos, Connie. She
turns towards them with a captivating smile.
WOLF
Oliver, get my camera. It's in the trunk.
Lincoln leans in to Wolf.
LINCOLN
Just so you know, she's always been your
girl.
SUPERIMPOSE: ONE YEAR LATER
INT. MOLASSES RESTAURANT - AFTERNOON
Marshall hangs a review on a wall of reviews. Herb and Sundance, arm-in-
arm, admire Jack's Mendocino portraits. At the bar, Lincoln pours wine
for Natalie, Carlos and Mac.
Connie hands cookbooks for Flit to sign.
WOLF (into phone)
Sorry, the first table we have is three
months from tomorrow. Would you like the
courtyard or a view of the vineyard?