The Family Man Part 1

THE FAMILY MAN


ANNOUNCER
This will be the final boarding call for flight 2...
to London, Heathrow.

INT.KENNEDY AIRPORT, PAN AM TERMINAL

JACK
Okay.

Jack pulls out a BLUE PAN AM TICKET ENVELOPE. Kate nods.They embrace
and kiss again. As they separate.

JACK
I'm not even gonna say it, Kate. Then it'll be like I never
left. Okay?

Jack takes one lastlook at her, then heads for the gate. Kate stands
there, watching him go. Then...

KATE
Wait.

Jack looks back. Kate approaches him.

KATE
I have a really bad feeling about this.

JACK
About the plain? You think it's gonna crash? Don't say that.

KATE
No. Look, I know that we've talked about this a thousand
times, and we agreed that going to London was the right
things to do. But in my heart... this feels wrong.

She looks at the gate... the last few passengers are boarding, then
back into Jack's eyes.

KATE
Don't go, Jack.

JACK
You mean don't go at all? Well, what-- what about my
internship?

KATE
Believe me, I know-- I know what an incredible opportunity
this is for you.

JACK
For us, Kate.

KATE
Right, for us. But I'm afraid that if you get on that plain--

JACK
Look. We're at the airport. Nobody ever thinks clearly at
the airport. So we should just trust the decision we already
made. You've been accepted to one of the best law schools
in the country. I've got this internship at Barclay's Bank.
We have a great plan, honey.

KATE
You wanna do something great, Jack? Let's flush the plan.
Let's start our lives right now, today. I mean, I have no
idea what this life is gonna look like, but I know that it
has the both of us in it, and I choose us.
Jack is jolted by her words.

KATE
The plan doesn't make us great, Jack. What we have together,
that's what makes us great.

Her words sink in...A long moment of decision...He looks toward the
gate, only one person left in line...back to Kate...imploring him
with her eyes. Finally...He kisses her deeply on the lips...

JACK
I love you, Kate.

KATE
I love you too. I do.

...a smile from Kate...relief...then...

JACK
And a year in London's not gonna change that. A hundred
years couldn't change that.

Jack gives her one final kiss then walks pensively to the gate,
handing the attendant his ticket, not able to look back. Kate watches
him go, tears streaming down her face, as the gate door closes behind
him. She waits, almost willing it to open again...waiting...waiting
...but it doesn't...


EXT. MANHATTAN - ESTABLISHING - DAY

The skating rink at Central Park...Christmas tree at Rockefeller
Center...the view down Fifth Avenue with Christmas decorations...
Park Avenue.


INT. JACK'S APARTMENT

The place looks like a museum display...everything is of the highest
quality and meticulously maintained. A wall of photos - Jack and
Clinton, Jack with Patrick Ewing, Jack between Alan Greenspan and
Henry Kravis. And a "Willie Mays" baseball bat encased in glass...


INT. JACK'S BEDROOM

A WOMAN'S BACK...draped in a towel...an incredible back, neither
flabby nor overly toned, beautifully curved...Jack focuses on it
a moment. PAULA, she is Beautiful, late 20s, a toothbrush in her
mouth...

PAULA
Last night was great...

JACK
You are an amazing lover.

PAULA
Thanks. You're not bad yourself...

Jack grabs his Frank Mueller watch from the night stand, puts it on
his wrist. He looks at Paula as she slips the dress on.

JACK
I want to see you again.

PAULA
I'd like that, too.

JACK
Tonight.

She turns to him.

PAULA
It's Christmas Eve, Jack.

JACK
So? I'll pour eggnog over you.

Paula laughs.

PAULA
I have to go to my parents' house out in Jersey.

JACK
Jersey? Do you have any idea what the traffic's gonna
be like?

PAULA
That's why I'm taking the train...

Paula walks to the door, then turns back to Jack.

PAULA
It was nice meeting you, Jack...

Jack sings along with a CD, being naked and excited.

JACK
"Sempre un amabile Leggiadro viso Inpianto o in riso
Emenzognero La donna e mobil Qualpiuma al vento
Muta d'accento Edipensier Edipensier"
INT. JACK’S CLOSET - MORNING

The size of a small house, a long row of Zegna suits, shoe trees
stacked with Italian shoes, tailored shirts everywhere.Jack’s still
HUMMING to the music as he dresses in front of a mirror.

INT. ELEVATOR - MORNING

Jack, wearing an elegant camel’s hair overcoat and carrying a leather
briefcase, a “Master of the Universe” smile on his face, now HUMMING
the Bach piece from memory.

The doors open at 6. Jack self-consciously stops singing as
ELIZABETH PETERSON, 60s, wearing a mink coat, gets on the elevator
carrying a yappy little dog.

JACK
(a charming smile)
Mrs. Peterson.

MRS. PETERSON
Hello Jack. You don’t have to stop singing on my account.

JACK
It’s because I’m shy, Betty. So, when are you going to leave
that old corpse Mr. Peterson and run away with me?

MRS. PETERSON
You know you could never satisfy me the way he does.

The doors open to the lobby. Mrs. Peterson walks out ahead.

INT. JACK'S BUILDING, LOBBY - MORNING

TONY THE DOORMAN holds the door open for Jack and Mrs. Peterson.

TONY THE DOORMAN
Merry Christmas, Mr. Campbell.

JACK
How'd you do this year, Tony?

TONY THE DOORMAN
About four grand. And a bottle of twenty five year old
scotch from Mrs. Johnson in 9D. I’m putting it all in
commercial paper like you said.

JACK
Just until the Deutsche Mark turns.

Jack exits the building.

EXT. CENTRAL PARK - MORNING

Jack’s Ferrari racing through the park.

EXT. LASSITER BUILDING - MORNING

A modern Wall Street building. The sign above the glass doors reads,
P.K. Lassiter and Associates, Investment House.
The Ferrari SCREECHES to a halt. Jack gets out, heads into the
building.

INT. LASSITER BUILDING - CONTINUOUS

Jack throws his keys to a nearby SECURITY GUARD with a smile on
his way to the elevators.

INT. LASSITER BUILDING, CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

The Manhattan skyline shines through the windows of this beautiful
conference room.

SIX EXECUTIVES are seated at a huge oak table littered with coffee
cups and lunch waste. At the end of the table, ALAN MINTZ, 30s,
balding, sits with a faraway look in his eyes, three empty Diet Coke
cans in front of him.

Mintz is poking at a shiny gold cherub dangling from as mall, plastic
Christmas tree, sitting in the middle of the table.

Jack is addressing the group from the front of the room, standing in
front of a computer with a huge flat screen monitor, covered with
stock charts and tables.

JACK
if MedTech's shares sink any lower than forty three, we're
in trouble with the stock valuation. So for god's sake watch
what you say to your institutional customers.

Jack notices Alan Mintz playing with the cherub.

JACK (CONT'D)
we still have almost a full day of trading before zero
hour and I don't want any trouble penny for your thoughts,
Alan.

Alan looks up.

ALAN
Hmm? Oh, GOD, I'm Sorry.
ALAN
Jack, I was thinking about,
you know, Dee and the kids.
I promised I'd be home for
dinner. It's Christmas eve,
Jack ?

JACK
Oh, is that tonight ?

A LAUGH from the group. Jack approaches Alan.

JACK (CONT'D)
You think I like being here
on Christmas eve, Alan ?

ALAN
No. Well, maybe.

Another LAUGH. Even Jack lets out a good-natured chuckle.

JACK
Okay, maybe I do have a touch
of tunnel vision this holiday
season. But in two days we're
going to announce one of the
largest margers in U.S. corporate
history.
(basking in the glory)
When a deal like this turns
up, you get on it and you ride
it till it's over. You don't
ask it for a vacation.

A chuckle from the group...the esprit de corps seems to energize Jack.

JACK (CONT'D)
(to the group)
December 26. After that there'll
be so much money floating around
here, it'll be like Christmas
every day.
(smiling)
December 26, people. If you'd
like to celebrate that day,
you all have my blessing.

Enthusiastic nods and words of agreement from the suits around the
table...

ALAN
You're right. I'm sorry.

JACK
I don't want you to be sorry.
I want you to be excited. I
want my gift to you to be the
first gift you open this year.
You know why ? Because my gift
comes with ten zeroes.

ALAN
You're right. I'm focused. I'm
there.

A MURMUR of excitement in the room, even Alan cracks a smile. Jack
puts a hand on Alan's shoulder.

JACK (CONT'D)
Good man. Everyday, turn to
page 12 in your prospectus.

INT. LASSITER BUILDING CORRIDOR - NIGHT

The conference room door opens and the SIX ENERGIZED SUITS emerge,
each met by an ASSISTANT handing them messages.

ASSISTANT
You have six messages. Two
of them are imperative.

ALAN
Whoa. I'm going home. I'm not
even here now. Good night.
Merry Christmas.

ASSISTANT
Merry Christmas.

Jack is the last one out. He's met in stride by ADELLE, 50s, carrying
a Filofax and a pile of phone messages.

ADELLE
It's only 8:30. I'm disappointed.
Got some last-minute shopping
to do ?

Jack pops a peppermint Lifesaver in his mouth as Adelle hands him his
messages.

JACK
You too ? This holiday's about
giving. I'm giving everything I've
got to this deal, so in a way, I'm
more Christmassy than anybody.

ADELLE
You're my role model, Jack. Oh,
and Oxford called.

They open the door.

JACK
Ooh, my suits are ready.

ADELLE
Mm-hmm.

JACK
(holding out the candy)
Care for a Lifesaver ?

ADELLE
No, thank you.

JACK
Help yourself.

Jack sits down on the chair.
JACK (CONT'D)
Kate Reynolds...

ADELLE
Her assistant said you could
call her at home after eight.

Jack stares at the message like he's looking at a
ghost.

JACK
Her assistant?

ADELLE
Yeah Jack, her assistant...

JACK
(lost in the message)
Kate Reynolds was my
girlfriend in college. I
almost married her...

ADELLE
(a hearty LAUGH)
You? Married?

JACK
(snapping out of it)
Almost married. And almost a
junior broker at E.F.
Hutton...

ADELLE
Excuse me?

JACK
She didn't want me to go to
London. We're standing at the
airport saying goodbye and she
asks me to stay.

ADELLE
So you left her? Just like
that?

JACK
God, no. I thought about it
for practically the entire
flight...

ADELLE
Stop Jack, I'm getting all
weepy.

JACK
I took the road less traveled,
Adelle.

ADELLE
And look where it's led you...
(picking up the phone)
I'm gonna get her on the
phone...

Jack pauses, focused on the message, his mind drifting
back...

Adelle begins dialing the number. Finally, Jack
reaches out and hangs up the phone.

JACK
No...

ADELLE
No?! You almost married this
woman. Aren't you even
curious what she wants?

JACK
She's probably just having a
fit of nostalgia. You know,
lonely Christmas Eve, call the
one that got away, that kind
of thing.

Adelle rolls her eyes at him.

JACK (CONT'D)
I'm telling you, it's ancient
history...

Jack looks up as PETER LASSITER, 60s, founder and
chairman of P.K. Lassiter and Associates, saunters into
the room.

LASSITER
Eight forty-five on Christmas
Eve and Jack Campbell is still
at his desk. There's a
Hallmark moment for you...

Lassiter heads to the bar like he's done it a million
times.

JACK
Peter. I don't see you
rushing home to trim the tree.

LASSITER
(pouring himself
a scotch)
That's because I'm a heartless
bastard who only cares about
money.

JACK
And God love you for it.

Lassiter drops down in a soft leather chair opposite
Jack.

LASSITER
(sipping the scotch)
I just got a call from Terry
Haight. Bob Thomas is
nervous...

JACK
That'll happen when you're
about to spend thirty billion
dollars on some aspirin...

LASSITER
Someone's gonna have to nurse
him through this.

JACK
Why are you staring at my
breasts, Peter?

LASSITER
I need you, tiger..

JACK
Where is he?
PETER LASSITER
Aspen.

Jack pauses for a beat.

JACK
Call Aunt Irma and tell her.I won't be able to make it.

Adelle rolls her eyes at him...
PETER LASSITER
You're a credit|to capitalism, Jack.

Jack glances at Adelle, then looks back at Lassiter.
JACK
Hey, Peter, let me ask you a question.
An old girlfriend calls you out of the blue on
Christmas eve.What do you do ?

PETER LASSITER
You suddenly having trouble|getting dates ?

JACK
Yeah.

PETER LASSITER
Leave it in the past.Old flames are like.
Old tax returns.Put 'em in the file cabinet
for three years, and then you cut 'em loose.

Jack shoots Adelle a satisfied smile, crumpling up
Kate's message and tossing a perfect hook into a N.Y.
Knicks hoop.

JACK
I'll leave from my office tomorrow in the afternoon.
Call the group.Schedule an emergency strategy session
for noon.

ADELLE
That'll be a nice little holiday treat.

EXT. LASSITER BUILDING - NIGHT

A single light remains on in the building.

INT. JACK'S OFFICE - SAME TIME

Jack is alone in the office working on his computer,
checking spreadsheets on a large flat screen monitor.

Jack leans back in his chair rubbing his eyes. He
checks his watch. It's past eleven. He gets up, goes
to the window, sees the city in all its Christmas
glory, then he see it......the message from Kate,
crumpled in the trashcan...then turns back to the window,
gazing out at the night...

INT. LASSITER BUILDING - NIGHT

Jack comes out of the elevator, walking past the lobby
desk where FRANK, a security guard, sits watching the
monitors.

JACK
Good night, Frank.

FRANK
Hey, Mr. Campbell.
Why didn't you call down ?I would have had Joe
get your ride.

Jack looks outside the front door to the snowy, quiet street.
JACK
I'm thinking I'll walk tonight.

A nod from Jack.
FRANK
It's a nice night for it.I'll send your car.home for you.
That'll be fine. And Merry Christmas to you, sir.

JACK
To you too.

Jack puts on a pair of soft leather gloves and heads
out into the crisp night air...

EXT. LASSITER BUILDING - CONTINOUS

Jack emerges from the building, walking across the
large plaza, past the fountain...snow begins to fall...

EXT. MANHATTAN STREET - A LITTLE LATER

Jack's walking down the nearly empty street, snow
falling down on him, a bounce in his step, looking at
the windows of the closed shops along the way.

He gets to the end of the block spots the Wong
Brothers' 24 Hour Deli across the street...

He heads toward it...


INT. WONG BROTHERS' DELI - SECONDS LATER

Jack walks into the brightly lit deli...

SAM WONG, 20s, is with his 80-year-old GRANDFATHER
behind the counter. There's a NERDY COLLEGE KID at the
salad bar, a drunken DEPARTMENT STORE SANTA at the
liquor display, a WOMAN with a BABY in an aisle and...


JACK
Eggnog ?

SAM WONG
Yeah, dairy case. Five dollar.

JACK
Okay.

CASH
Hey, yo. Y'all do the lotto here, right ?Y'all do the lotto here ?

SAM WONG
Yeah.

CASH
Cool. 'Cause I got a winner, baby. I got a winner.
Certified, good as gold. I know lotto keep a lot of brothers down,
but not Cash Money. Don't do me none, son, cause I'd be like--
Bang on the lottery !You know what I mean ?It's all good.
Relax, son. Relax. I got you four numbers.Check it. Bust it.
6, 14, 16, 49. That's a winner, son. $238, B.Cheddar coming.
Give me my money.

SAM WONG
I'm sorry. Your ticket bad. You draw in the lines.

CASH
What are you talking about, B. ?

SAM WONG
You draw in the lines with a pencil. I know about this.
CASH
What're you talkin' about?

SAM WONG
(throwing the ticket
back)
You draw lines with pencil! I
know about this.

The woman with the baby looks over...the college kid
looks up, nervous...

CASH
Yo, buster, check the ticket, son.

SAM WONG
No, you get out.

CASH
Yo, you ain't even looked at the ticket.
You looking at me, son. Check the ticket.

SAM WONG
You get out now! You take the ticket somewhere
else! Next customer in line! You get out or I
call 9-1-1.

Cash takes out a gun, angry. The woman gasps.

WOMAN
Oh, my God!

Cash puts the gun on the ticket and slides it toward Sam on the
counter.

CASH
Check the ticket, stupid. Look at the ticket. Shit,
now I'm gonna make you call God. That's my word. You
best check that ticket, fool!

A moment of decision for Jack. Then...

JACK
(carefully)
Let me see that ticket.

Cash turns to Jack.

CASH
(menacing)
Was I talkin' to you?!

Jack looks at the woman, the college kid, the Santa,
then...

JACK
Maybe I'll buy it from you. You know, make a little
business deal.

Now Cash walks over to Jack...

CASH
Stupid-ass white boy in $2,000 suit gets capped trying
to be a hero. News at 11:00.

The patrons exchange nervous glances...Jack watches,
confused.

CASH (CONT'D)
That's what you wanna see? You wanna see Cash up in here?
You want me to set it, son?

In a flash, Cash whips a .38 from the back of his
pants, aiming it at Jack's face. The woman SCREAMS,
covers her baby.

CASH
(in Jack's face)
Do you want to die?

Jack stares at Cash, trying his best to keep his
cool...

CASH (CONT'D)
Do you wannna die? DO YOU WANNA DIE?!

JACK
No.


JACK
Look, I'm talking about a
business deal here. I buy the
ticket for two hundred, take
it to a store where the guy
behind the counter...
(glaring at Sam Wong)
...doesn't have a death wish
(back to Cash)
...I just made myself a quick
thirty eight dollars.

Cash gets closer...

JACK (CONT'D)
Like I said, it's a business
deal...


Cash narrows his eyes...then, a smile as he puts the
gun back into his pants...

CASH (CONT'D)
All right. Yeah. All right.
(to Sam Wong)
You blew it, B. You blew it. Damn,
you had your chance too. Come on, Jack,
let's get out of here.

Cash starts out of the deli. Jack follows...
EXT. MANHATTAN STREET - MINUTES LATER

Jack and Cash walking down the street...Jack, holding his carton of
egg nog under his arm, counting out two hundred dollars...

JACK
How'd you know my name was Jack?

CASH
I call all you guys Jack.

Jack hands him the money.

CASH
Here. Nice doing business with ya.

JACK
Hey. Hey, um... What do you want to carry that gun around for
anyway? You're just gonna wind up doing something you'll
regret.

Cash turns around.

CASH
You're talking to the wrong person about regrets, Jack.

JACK
I mean, there must be programs out there and, um...
opportunities.

Cash replies with a deep laugh.

CASH
Wait a minute. Are you actually trying to save me? This is
bananas. This man thinks I need to be saved, yo!

JACK
Well, everyone needs something.

Cash looks at Jack...

CASH
Yeah? Well, what do you need, Jack?

JACK
Me?

CASH
You just said, everyone needs something.

JACK
I've got everything I need.

CASH
Wow. It must be great being you.

Cash looks at Jack. He smiles and shakes his head.

JACK
I'm not saying that you'd be able to do it without some
honest hard work, and possibly some medicine.

CASH
You know, I'm gonna really enjoy this. You just remember
that you did this, Jack, okay? You brought this on yourself.

And with that, Cash turns and leaves Jack alone on the street with
his egg nog...

INT. JACK'S APARTMENT

Jack walks in and throws his keys on a table. He takes off his
gloves and overcoat, glances at the mail, then heads into the
bedroom.

Through the large windows we see snow falling...

INT. JACK'S BEDROOM

Jack, flat on his back in bed, fast asleep...

INT. CAMPBELL HOUSE, MASTER BEDROOM

Close in on Jack's face, bathed in morning light...he opens his
eyes...feels something strange... Jack looks down...there's a
woman's head resting on his chest.

KATE
Mmmm...ten more minutes, Jack... it’s Christmas...

Jack jumps as he hears Kate talk for the first time...Suddenly,
the door bursts open...A SIX YEAR OLD GIRL, ANNIE, in alittle
nightgown, walks into the room carrying an 18 MONTH OLD BOY, JOSH,
SINGING at the top of her lungs...

ANNIE
Jingle bells, Santa smells, Rudolph laid an egg...la la la,
la-la la la, la la la la la...

Annie places Josh on the bed and then jumps up herself. She gestures
to the dog, patting the bed.

KATE
Never mind. Who's here?

ANNIE
Rise and shine. Don’t you think we should open some
presents?


KATE
I think you should give Mama five more minutes in bed.

ANNIE
Come on, Dad. Get up. Can we do that ?

KATE
Yea !

KATE
It's Christmas ! It's Christmas !

KATE
Look, your sister's jumping on the bed. What is this dog doing on the bed?
He needs to get off the bed.

ANNIE
Did Santa come ?

KATE
I don't know. We'll have to go see.

ANNIE
Let's go see the presents.

KATE
You wanna get some presents ? Mommy just needs to wake up. Jack. Strong coffee.

Jack down the stairs.

Lorraine and Ed come in the house.

LORRAINE
Oh, Jack. Merry Christmas, dear.

JACK
Lorraine. Ed.

ED
Hey, Jack, you old bird dog. Merry Christmas to ya.

LORRAINE
Talk to him. One day a year away from the Ponderosa. I don't think that's asking too much.

ED
This is who I am. Tell her, Jack, for God's sake. You're the only one around here that gets me.

LORRAINE
I need some eggnog.

ED
'Course you do, sweet thing. Almost 8:00 in the morning.

JACK
Excuse me.

ED
Where you going, Jack ? Josh, Annie, giddyup !

EXE. OUT OF JACK'S HOUSE.

JACK
Where's my car ? Where's my Ferrari ?

ED
What ?

JACK
Where's my Ferrari ?

ED
What the hell are you talking-- What's he talking about ?

LORRAINE
You got a Ferrari ?

JACK
Let me borrow your car and then I promise I'll have it returned.

ED
My Caddy ? Drive your own damn car.

LORRAINE
Oh, just let him borrow your precious Cadillac, for God sakes.

ED
There's a perfectly good minivan sitting out there in the driveway. Here.
What the hell's wrong with him anyway ?

Jack drive a car and go to Jack's company building.

JACK
Tony, thank God !

TONY
Sorry, pal. Entrance is for|residents and guests only.

JACK
What ? What are you talking about ? Jack Campbell, penthouse "C."
What's the matter with you ?

TONY
Uh-huh.

JACK
Mrs. Peterson, I think there's something wrong with our man Tony here.

MRS.PETERSON
Who is this man ?

JACK
Oh, come on. What is going on with you two this morning ?Is this like
a, uh-- a Christmas joke ? "Who is this man ?" Well, we're on the
co-op board together, Betty. And we fought side by side for garbage
disposals. And every morning we exchange quasi-sexual witty banter.
Okay ?

TONY
Shall I call the cops ? I'm gonna call the cops.

JACK
No, I'm gonna call the cops ! You're scaring me.

MRS.PETERSON
No, no, no, no.

JACK
Thank you for not calling the cops. Now, I'm going upstairs, I'm gonna
get some sleep. Then I'll be fine.

MRS.PETERSON
Sleep you shall. Noblesse oblige isn't dead. Not yet anyway. Let's,
um--Let's get you some help. Surely there's a shelter somewhere in
this city.

JACK
A shelter ? Hey, hey, are you smacked out of your head ? I'm the richest
man in this building ! I've got twice the square footage you have !And
I'm going upstairs.

TONY
Take a walk, pal.

JACK
Oh, not cool. Not cool ! You wanna get cute ? Get cute.I'm gonna go to
my office. I'm gonna file a comp aint to the manager of the building.
I'm gonna have you fired, Tony. And, Mrs. Peterson, you're on notice
with the co-op board ! So you better just stop whatever this is that
you're doing !

JACK takes his car and he starting the engine. But, the engine isn't starting.

JACK
Oh, yeah. Oh. Oh, yeah. Oh, come on !

At last, the engine starts.

EXT. JACK'S COMPANY BUILDING
Jack's car stops in front of the building.

INT. JACK'S COMPANY BUILDING
Jack comes in the building. He is confused.

JACK
Frank, you won't believe what's been happening to me. Is Adelle here
yet ?

FRANK
Hold it right there.

JACK
Where's Mintz ?

FRANK
The building is closed, pal. You have to come back tomorrow.

JACK
Frank, why do I feel the need to remind you that I'm Jack Campbell,
President ?

FRANK
I don't care who you are. It's Christmas, and like I told you,
the building is closed.

JACK
I don't think you heard me correctly. I'm Jack Campbell.

Approaching the building directory.

JACK
Jack Campbell! President !


FRANK
Have a nice holiday, man.

Jack looks at Frank, then back to the building directory.Jack stands
there, in shock.