Auntie Up Transcript (Season 3)

Scene 1:
Livingroom: Alex, Jennifer and Steven are present. They are preparing for a garage sale. Steven is sitting on the couch. Jennifer is sitting by the fireplace.

Steven: That's terrific Alex. Nice to see you pitching in like this.

Alex picks up a box and walks over to the couch with it.

Alex: Well, Dad it's the least I could do. I mean we got to get this junk out of the house. We all have to make sacrifices and I'm willing to do my part.

Jennifer: Well, what do you have there?

Alex: Everything in Mallory's closet.

Alex drops the box on the floor.

Alex: Hey, Jen give me a hand with Mallory's bed.

Jennifer: I hope Aunt Trudy and Mallory hurry up and get home. They've been gone for over three hours.

Steven: Well, that's no surprise. They have a great relationship. They always have. You know in some ways Mallory and Aunt Trudy are very much alike.

Steven stands up. Alex is standing by the table by the front door.

Alex: Well in that case, there's no chance they'll find their way home.

Mallory and Aunt Trudy come in the front door.

Mallory: Hi. Sorry we're late. We got lost.

Mallory takes off her jacket.

Aunt Trudy: We had the most wonderful time.

Jennifer: What did you do?

Aunt Trudy: We went to see Swan Lake.

Mallory hangs up her jacket in the coat closet.

Alex: Oh, Swan Lake. Dad, remember we used to go fishing at Swan Lake. I caught a couple of swans one time.

Steven: I remember. I'm still picking the feathers out of my teeth.

Mallory: It's ballet you fools.

Alex: It's a ballet.

Mallory: They're hopeless.

Aunt Trudy: I've known that for a long time. They pretend to be ignorant and they make the most smashing success of it.

Mallory and Aunt Trudy walk over to the couch. Alex walks over to Aunt Trudy.

Alex: It's great to see you Aunt Trudy and we want to thank you for getting Mallory out of the house for a few hours every week.

Alex hugs Aunt Trudy. Aunt Trudy sits on the couch and Alex sits on the arm of the couch. Mallory is sitting on the couch.

Alex: How do you feel about her moving in with you?

Aunt Trudy: It would be my pleasure Alex. In fact all three of you kids can move in.

Alex: No, you see that would be defeating the purpose. I want to get as much distance as I can between me and her.

The doorbell rings. Alex gets up and walks to the table by the front door. Steven gets up from the table and answers the door and Skippy is there.

Steven: Hey.

Skippy: Hi everybody.

Skippy is carrying a moose head with ties on it.

Skippy: Oh hi Aunt Trudy.

Aunt Trudy: Oh hi Skippy.

Jennifer is standing by the couch.

Steven: Hey Skippy you brought that over for the garage sale?

Skippy: Bring what over?

Jennifer: The moose head.

Skippy: No. The ties are for the garage sale. The moose head was just to help me carry them over.

Scene 2:
Livingroom: Mallory and Aunt Trudy are present. Aunt Trudy is sowing a shirt that Mallory is wearing.

Mallory: I don't know Aunt Trudy. I want to do better in school, but I can't ever seem to.

Aunt Trudy: How much did you study last night?

Mallory: Not at all.

Aunt Trudy: Try doubling that. There.

Mallory: Great.

Mallory spins around.

Mallory: Weeeee!

Aunt Trudy: You know I see a lot of myself in you Mallory. I have ever since you were a little girl.

Mallory: Really?

Aunt Trudy: Yes.

Mallory sits down.

Aunt Trudy: And don't you worry about this school stuff. You're a very bright girl and you're going to be a late bloomer just like I was.

Mallory: I hope so. You know whenever I try to concentrate on school my mind drifts to other things.

Aunt Trudy: What other things?

Mallory: (smiles) Boys.

Aunt Trudy: Oh that will change. Soon you'll drift to men.

Mallory stands up.

Mallory: Did you used to date a lot Aunt Trudy, I mean before you were married?

Aunt Trudy: I had a date or two.

Mallory: What was it like? I mean dating when you were a girl?

Aunt Trudy: Oh it wasn't all that different then it is today. He picked you up in his Packard, took you to see Tyrone Power at the movies. Then out to the corner soda fountain. Then you fought him off in the rumbleseed.

Mallory: Oh. I guess some things never change.

Aunt Trudy stands up.

Aunt Trudy: What else have you been doing with your life? Besides boys.

Mallory: Well, I learned a new dance step in my Ballet class.

Aunt Trudy: Why don't you show me?

Mallory: Ok.

Aunt Trudy sits down at the table. Mallory starts to show Aunt Trudy the dance step. Part of the dance step is twirling. As she is twirling Skippy opens the front door and Mallory ends up twirling right out the front door. Skippy closes the door.

Skippy: Oh, hi Aunt Trudy.

Aunt Trudy: Oh hi Skippy.

Skippy: Where's Mallory?

Aunt Trudy: She just stepped out.

Mallory knocks on the front door.

Skippy: I'll get it.

Skippy opens the front door and Mallory comes in.

Skippy: Oh Mallory! Come on in. Trudy and I were just talking about you.

Mallory closes the door.

Mallory: Skippy what are you doing here? I was showing Aunt Trudy some dance steps.

Skippy: Why were you doing them outside?

Mallory: Skippy, how can you be so stupid?

Skippy: Well--

Aunt Trudy: Skippy's not stupid Mallory.

Skippy: I'm not?

Aunt Trudy: No. Of course not. You remind me of a dance student I had years ago. He also used to march to his own drummer. Know what I mean?

Skippy: No. I don't have my own drummer.

Mallory: See what I mean?

Aunt Trudy: That dance student I just mentioned.

Mallory: Yeah.

Aunt Trudy: Turned out to be my husband.

Skippy turns around to face Mallory and smiles. Mallory looks at Skippy and steps back.

Mallory: Don't even joke about that Aunt Trudy.

Mallory walks over to the couch. Skippy follows her. Aunt Trudy sits on the couch. Mallory sits on the arm of the couch and Skippy stands next to Mallory.

Skippy: Aunt Trudy how was Mallory as a dancer when she was a kid?

Skippy sits down in the chair by the couch.

Skippy: Tell me everything.

Aunt Trudy: Well, Mallory was a great tap dancer. Much better than Alex.

Aunt Trudy: Oh dear.

Aunt Trudy covers her mouth. Mallory sits down on the couch.

Mallory: Alex, took tap dancing?

Aunt Trudy: He made me promise never to tell.

Mallory: Well, what was he like?

Aunt Trudy: He was the worst dancer in the history of the human foot.

Mallory: Wow! This is the greatest news. (smiles) I can't wait to use this.

Aunt Trudy: Mallory, you musin't. I gave my word. Oh was he bad.

Mallory: All right. I won't say anything, but it's breaking my heart.

Aunt Trudy: Skippy?

Skippy: I won't say anything either Aunt Trudy.

Skippy stands up and goes over to Mallory.

Skippy: Oh Mallory. This is great. You and I are sharing a secret. (smiles)

Skippy kneels down to Mallory's eye level. Aunt Trudy stands up and walks over to the fireplace.

Skippy: Think of the knowing looks we can exchange. (smiles)

As Skippy talks he leans closer and closer to Mallory and she leans backward away from Skippy.

Skippy: The whispers, the winks.

Skippy winks at Mallory.

Mallory: Skippy, if I ever wink at you it's only because I've got a bug in my eye.

Aunt Trudy puts her hand to her heart.

Aunt Trudy: Oh!

Mallory stands up and walks over to Aunt Trudy. Skippy stands up.

Mallory; What's wrong Aunt Trudy?

Aunt Trudy: Oh, I'm all right.

Mallory: Well, you don't look all right. Why don't I get you a drink of water?

Aunt Trudy: No, I'll just sit down here for a few minutes.

Aunt Trudy sits down by the fireplace. She puts her hand to her heart.

Aunt Trudy: Oh! As a matter of fact I think I better sit down in a hospital.

Mallory and Skippy help Aunt Trudy up.

Scene 3:
Hospital: Mallory and Skippy are present.

Mallory: What's taking them so long? She's been in there for over an hour.

Skippy: I don't know. I'll find out.

Mallory sits down in a chair. A nurse walks past Skippy as he tries to ask her a question.

Skippy: Miss?

Skippy: I didn't find out everything. But, I think I established a relationship that will be useful to us later.

Mallory: Skippy, I'm scared.

Skippy kneels down to Mallory's eye level.

Skippy: Don't worry. Everything's going to be ok.

Mallory: I'm scared about Aunt Trudy.

Skippy: I know. She's a very special person.

Mallory: Yeah.

Skippy: Remember when I was a little kid and I used to come over to the house when she was visiting and we'd play hide and seek.

Mallory: Yeah.

Skippy: No one else would look for me.

Mallory: I remember what she used to say about you. (smiles) That Skippy's one of a kind.

Skippy: I hear that a lot.

Mallory: I know (smiles) but she meant it as a compliment.

Scene 4:
Hospital:
Mallory and Skippy are present. Steven, Alex and Jennifer arrive.

Steven: Oh, where is she? How is she?

Steven: Oh, Mr. Keaton, she's been in there so long.

Alex: What did the doctor say?

Mallory: We haven't seen the doctor yet. I'm really worried Dad. They won't tell us anything.

Steven: I'll see what I can find out.

A nurse walks past Steven.

Steven: Oh Miss?

Skippy: We had the same conversation.

A doctor comes over to Mallory.

Mallory: Oh how is she? Is she ok?

Steven stands behind Mallory.

Doctor: I'm sorry Miss. We couldn't save her.

Mallory looks at the doctor.

Scene 5:
Livingroom:
Alex, Mallory and Steven are present. They are preparing for visitors to pay their condolscences. Steven and Alex are carrying refreshments. They sit the refreshments on the table by the front door.

Steven: It's hard to know how many people will pay condolscence calls. Trudy had so many friends.

Alex: There's plenty of food Dad. Someone else could die and we'd still have enough food.

Mallory is sitting on the couch and looks over at Steven and Alex.

Alex: I love this kind with the momento in it.

Alex takes a refreshment and eats it.

Steven: I wish your mother was in town. She knows more about entertaining then I do.

Mallory stands up.

Mallory: (upset) Would you two stop talking about the food please?

Alex: Wow, Mallory sorry. Take it easy.

Mallory: Don't tell me to take it easy.

Alex: Listen Mallory.

Mallory: This isn't the time to talk about--

Alex: Mallory--

Mallory walks over to Alex. The doorbell rings.

Steven: Kids, please. People are here to pay condolscence calls. Settle down please.

Alex puts his suit jacket on. Steven answers the door.

Larry: Hello.

Suzanne: Hi.

Steven: Hi how are you? Come right in.

They come in.

Larry: Thank you.

Suzanne: Thanks.

Steven: I'm Steven Keaton.

Steven closes the front door.

Steven: This is my son Alex, and my daughter Mallory.

Larry and Suzanne shake Alex's and Mallory's hands.

Larry: Hi

Suzanne: Hello.

Larry: I'm Larry Cromwell and this is my wife Suzanne.

Steven: Would you like something to eat?

Suzanne: Oh, well thank you.

Alex picks up the refreshments and carries them to the coffee table. Jennifer comes downstairs.

Suzanne: This is a lovely display.

Alex: Thank you.

Steven is sitting by the fireplace. Alex sits in the chair by the couch.

Steven: Thank you.

Jennifer sits on the arm of the couch. Steven picks up the refreshments and offers them to Larry and Suzanne.

Steven: Here.

Larry: We've been to a lot of these before, but no one's gone to this much trouble before.

Steven: Well, thanks.

Everyone looks at each other.

Steven: How did you two know Trudy.

Larry: Trudy who?

Steven: Trudy Harris.

Larry: We're here for the garage sale.

Steven: Garage sale? Alex.

Steven stands up. Alex stands up.

Alex: I'm sorry Dad. It was too late to cancel the ad.

Suzanne: What's going on?

Steven picks up the refreshments and Alex takes them.

Steven: The garage sale is canceled. I'm very, very sorry.

Larry and Suzanne stand up.

Larry: Who's Trudy?

Steven: Trudy, is my aunt.

Larry: Where is she?

Jennifer: She's dead.

Larry: Oh, I guess the garage sale is definitely off?

Steven: Yeah, I'm afraid so.

Suzanne: Could we just take a quick peek?

Steven: No. I'm sorry. I'm afraid not under the circumstances.

Alex opens the door and Larry and Suzanne walk out.

Mallory: Alex, why didn't you take that ad out of the paper yesterday?

Alex: Mallory, I forgot. I didn't think of it until today.

Mallory: (upset) You're so insensitive sometimes and Jennifer how could you just blurt that out?

Jennifer: Blurt what out?

Mallory: (upset) That Aunt Trudy's dead.

Jennifer: (upset) Well she is, isn't she?

Steven: (upset) Kids, please.

The doorbell rings. Steven answers the door.

Steven: Look, I'm sorry, there's been a mistake.

Stu: There has?

Steven: Yes.

Stu: So then she's not dead?

Steven: No, no. She's dead, she's dead. Come on in.

Stu comes in and Steven closes the front door.

Steven: I'm Steven Keaton, Trudy's nephew.

Steven shakes Stu's hand.

Stu: Stu Deven's. Trudy's dentist. I saw the obituary in the paper. I thought I'd drop by.

Steven: Nice to meet you.

Stu: She was a fine woman. Great teeth.

The doorbell rings. Alex just looks at him.

Alex: I'll get it.

Alex answers the door.

Steven: Dr. Deven, have a seat.

A group of people are at the door.

Alex: Hi Phyllis.

Phyllis is carrying food.

Phyllis: Hello Alex. Hi Steven how are you?

Steven: Hi Phyllis. Thanks. I'm doing ok.

A man is looking at the mantle over the fireplace. Another man standing by the couch is holding a lamp in his hand and is looking for a price tag. Mallory is sitting on the couch.

Man: Excuse, how much for this lamp?

Mallory gets up from the couch and runs over to Alex.

Mallory: Alex, you let people in for the garage sale? How could you?

Man: (holding the lamp) I'll give you thirty bucks for it.

Alex: Excuse me sir. I'm sorry, but the garage sale is canceled.

Alex takes the lamp.

Alex: You'll have to leave.

Man: Oh yeah, what about everyone else?

Alex: They're here for a condolscence call. You see, our aunt passed away on Thursday of sudden heart attack.

The man puts a hand to his heart.

Man: Oh my God. How old was she?

Alex: Sixty-six.

Man: Struck down just like that? That's not fair. Oh it's a crime. I'm so, so sorry.

The man shakes Alex's hand.

Alex: Thank you.

Man: Can I sit down just for a second?

Alex: Please.

The man sits on the couch.

Mallory: Alex, get rid of these people now.

Alex: All right. Excuse me. Can I have your attention for a moment please? Who is here for the garage sale? Show of hands please?

Some people raise their hands.

Alex: Ok, good, and who is here for the condolscence call?

Some people raise their hands including the man who wanted to buy the lamp. Alex holds up the lamp.

Alex: Garage sale people follow me.

Some people follow Alex.

Steven holds up the refreshments.

Steven: Mourners over here by the cold cuts.

The man who wanted to buy the lamp tries to go in both directions.

Scene 6:
Funeral: Mallory, Skippy, Jennifer, Alex, and Steven are present. They are standing around a casket.

Alex: Well, this must be the place.

Mallory: Not funny Alex.

Alex: I'm sorry. I'm nervous and it just came out.

Steven kisses Alex on the top of the head.

Steven: Sometimes a joke, even an inadvertent joke, can easy the tension at a time like this.

Skippy: Did you hear the one about the nun and priest?

Mallory: Skippy.

Reverend: Mr. Keaton, I'm Reverend Wilson.

Steven: Hello Reverend, nice to meet you.

Steven shakes hands with the Reverend.

Reverend: Please let me offer my condolscences to all of you. I'll be conducting the funeral services for the dearly departed.

Mallory: Reverend Wilson, Aunt Trudy was a very special person to all of us.

Reverend: Who?

Jennifer: Aunt Trudy, the dearly departed.

Reverend: Oh yes, please go on.

Mallory: What I was going to say was Aunt Trudy always loved singing and dancing. Music was everything to her. She even tried to teach me how to play the piano once, but I was so tone deaf.

Reverend: Tone deaf, I see.

Mallory: I remember one day I--

Reverend: Oh, excuse me, I think we'll have to begin the service shortly.

Mallory: But, I've hardly told you anything about Aunt Trudy.

Reverend: I'm sorry. I'll do the best I can.

Steven: Mallory, we better sit down now.

Mallory: Dad, it's not fair he never even met Aunt Trudy.

Mallory and Jennifer sit down.

Jennifer: Mallory, I'm sure he'll handle it tactfully.

Skippy: Yeah, he seems like a decent guy Mallory.

Skippy sits down. Steven also sits down. Alex sits next to Mallory.

Alex: A bit of a devil may care attitude about him, but I'm sure he'll come through. We should invite him to the garage sale.

Steven puts a finger to his lips to quiet Alex.

The guy from the garage sale who wanted to buy the lamp sits down in the back row.

Reverend: We are gathered here today to say farewell to Gertrude Harris. While I did not have the honor to know Gertrude it's easy to see that she made many friends in this world. She was also dearly loved by her family who referred to her affectionally as Aunt Gerdy.

Mallory: Did you hear that Dad? He called her Gerdy. Nobody called her Gerdy.

Reverend: Aunt Gerdy brought joy to many of us in this room. She was a very musical person despite the handicap of being tone deaf.

Mallory: (upset) She wasn't tone deaf I was.

Alex covers his ear.

Alex: Hey.

Reverend: But, as it happens to all of us Aunt Gerdy has passed on to a better world.

Mallory stands up really upset. She starts to cry.

Mallory: No, her name wasn't Aunt Gerdy, it was Aunt Trudy.

Steven: Mallory sit down please.

Mallory: And she wasn't just like everyone else because she was different. How can you talk about a woman you never even met?

Steven stands up.

Steven: Mallory, come on honey, sit down.

Mallory: (upset/crying) No Dad. Nobody cares that Aunt Trudy's gone. I mean Alex is thinking about his garage sale. The Reverend can't remember her name.

Steven: Excuse us Reverend.

Reverend: Mallory, I'm sure we all share your sense of grief at this moment.

Mallory: (upset/crying) No you don't! I was the closest with her. I shared secrets with Aunt Trudy that no one else even knew. I mean how many of you knew she was a dancer?

Skippy raises his hand.

Skippy: I knew that.

Mallory: (upset/crying) All of you are just looking at your watches trying to figure out what time you're going to be home, but I loved Trudy.

Mallory covers her face with her hands.

Mallory: (upset/crying) She was the nicest person I've ever known and now she's gone and I feel alone. Don't you understand? My Aunt Trudy's dead.

Steven tries to go over to Mallory, but she runs out of the church.

Skippy: I knew that.

Scene 7:
Kitchen:
Mallory is sitting at the kitchen table. Alex comes into the kitchen through the pantry area. Mallory stands up.

Alex: Hey

Mallory: Hi. Is the funeral over?

Mallory picks up the tea pot and walks over to the table. She pours the hot water into a cup.

Alex: Yeah, you know after you ran out, the minister invited other people to come up and say nice things about Trudy. The dentist talked about her teeth for half an hour.

Mallory: I'm going to miss her Alex.

Alex: We're all going to miss her. She was really something you know. She could make you say things and do things you never thought you would. You know nobody in the world knows this, but she once taught me how to tap dance.

Mallory: Really?

Alex: Yeah. I don't want to brag, but she said I showed a lot of potential.

Scene 8:
Kitchen: Mallory is standing by the table. Steven and Jennifer enter through the back door.

Jennifer: Hi Mallory.

Mallory: Hi Jennifer.

Jennifer: Mallory if it makes you feel any better after you left the minister started calling her Aunt Trudy. He started calling everyone Aunt Trudy.

Jennifer hugs Mallory. Jennifer exits the kitchen through the swinging door. Mallory picks up her cup and carries it over to the sink. Steven is standing at the center counter.

Steven: How are you?

Mallory: I'm ok. Dad, I'm sorry.

Steven: I don't know anybody who is good at handling these things.

Steven walks over to the fridge and takes out the orange juice.

Steven: I don't deal well with death myself. Funeral's are usually your mother's area.

Mallory: What do you mean?

Steven gets a glass. He pours some orange juice into the glass.

Steven: Well, when you've been together as long as your Mom and I have you tend to divide the big emotional responsibilities. Your mother handles, funerals, first dates, and plumbing. I handle colds and flus, open school nights and office supplies.

Mallory: Dad, where do you think Aunt Trudy is right now?

Steven: She's probably still at the funeral home.

Mallory: No, I mean where do you think she 'is' right now?

Steven: Some place nice. Some place green. Some place with a lot of music.

Mallory: Do you believe in God Dad?

Steven: I do. I know I don't talk about it very much, but I believe in God. Not in a fire and brimstone, hell and heaven God, but I believe in a higher spirit. Something controlling the universe.

Mallory: What do you think God looks like?

Steven: I've always picked him as looking like Cary Grant and he'd see me and say (does an imitation) hello Stevie how are you? Tell me something about yourself. Well, I know everything about you don't I?

Mallory: (smiles) I hope Aunt Trudy's with Cary Grant. She'd like that.

Steven looks at Mallory.

Mallory: I'm going to miss Aunt Trudy Dad.

Steven: We all do.

Mallory: (crying) I don't know how to let go of her.

Steven: You don't have to.

Steven hugs Mallory.

Steven: You don't have to let go. Hold on to those memories. Go ahead and cry. Go ahead, but when you finish crying I want you to do something.

Mallory steps back.

Mallory: What?

Steven: Remember all the fun things about Aunt Trudy. Remember the happy times. Then when you think of her maybe you'll be able to smile.

Steven kisses Mallory on the top of her head. He hugs her as she cries.

The End

Transcript