Reincarnation,
Part i
INT.VICKY'S
LIVING ROOM-DAY
VICKY is in the living room, a feather duster in her hands. She's
dancing to Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun",
singing loudly along with the music, and dusting the living room.
The doorbell rings and she puts down the duster and turns down
the stereo. She opens the door to find a YOUNG WOMAN standing in
the doorway, a baby in her arms.
VICKY
Hi. Can I help you?
YOUNG WOMAN
Vicky? Vicky Hudson?
VICKY
Yes. Actually, it's Vicky McKinnon....wait....why am I telling
you this? Who are you?
YOUNG WOMAN
Vicky McKinnon, huh? So you and Jake finally took the plunge.
VICKY
I'm sorry, do I know you?
YOUNG WOMAN
The last time you saw me, I was ten years old. Do you remember
Squidgie? Vicky stares at the young woman, when suddenly, a flash
of recognition crosses her face and she squeals.
VICKY
Katie! Kathryn Daimler!
KAT
Actually, I go by Kat now. God, Vicky, look at you! I know you
said you'd 'grown up' in your letters, but you're almost
downright....normal.
VICKY
The kiss of death. (She grins). Speaking of growing up,
who's this?
Kat shifts the baby around so that Vicky can see her.
KAT
This is my daughter, Claire Alisa Daimler. She's six months
yesterday.
VICKY
Kat, she's beautiful! Why didn't you let me know about her?
KAT
(teasingly)
Why didn't you tell me about your marriage? Come on, Vicky, you
lose touch once, it's gone.
VICKY
I know, I know, and I'm just as much to blame. But wow, Kat, I'm
so glad to see you. I've
wondered about you a lot. And why are you here? In Bay City, I
mean.
KAT
No reason. Claire and I were due a vacation. I wanted to look up
my old surrogate big sister
and brother. Come see those two boys your letters raved
about....where are the cuties?
VICKY
The cuties....who are old enough to pin their mother to the floor
and tickle the daylights out
of her....are at school. Jake is working at his newspaper.
KAT
He has a newspaper? His own? Who did he con out of a legitimate
business for himself?
VICKY
(laughing, remembering that Kat has only seen the old, conniving
side of Jake.). He didn't con anyone. He bought it, fair and
square.
KAT
I'm impressed. I always figured you two would be the Living
Legends of Lassiter. Running from town to town to escape the law.
I never figured you for Ward and June Cleaver. So which of your
boys is the Beav?
VICKY
Neither. So what about you? Domestic bliss has struck you, too,
it looks like.
KAT
Not quite. Claire's father and I aren't together. Domestic bliss
is watching ducks at the park with my daughter.
VICKY
Aww, Kat, I'm sorry to hear that.
KAT
(shrugs) We're okay. He was such a creep that we're better off
without him. But you...and Jake...together. I always knew that it
would happen for you guys.
VICKY
You did, huh? Psychic?
KAT
Not psychic. Just able to recognize true love when I saw it. You
know, when I was little, I had one of those adoption
fantasies....you know, the kind every little kid in a foster home
has.
VICKY
For Jake and me to get married and adopt you, right?
KAT
(Staring at Vicky.) Yeah. How'd you guess?
VICKY
You told me once when you were about eight.
KAT
The things eight year olds dream about....
VICKY
Most eight year olds were dreaming about what to do at their next
birthday parties. You
dreamed about having a family love you. Doesn't quite seem fair
now that we're all grown up, does it?
KAT
It wasn't fair back then.
They are silent for a few minutes, listening to Claire babble in
her baby talk. Finally, Vicky stands up, slapping her thighs with
the palms of her hands.
VICKY
I have an idea. Want to head to Jake's office and surprise him?
He's going to be so thrilled to see you.
KAT
I can't wait. Do you think he's even going to remember me?
VICKY
Forget our Katie? He hasn't forgotten you. Believe me. Now come
on....I'm dying to see the look on his face.
Vicky leads Kat out the front door.
FADE OUT
