Family Ties Fan Fic: L'Amour Interdit

[Plata]

Scene 1:

(Steven, Elyse, Alex and Jennifer in living room carrying suitcases to the door.)

Steven: Come on, kids. We don't want to be late for our flight to France.

Jennifer: Dad, did you have to pick such an early flight?

Steven: I'm sorry Jennifer, but the 4:36 am flight was the cheapest. Besides, we need the money for eating and the hotel. I've been planning on budgeting for a very long time.

Alex: It's too bad you couldn't have planned our departure time better.

(Alex yawns)

Steven: What's taking Mallory so long?

Elyse: I'm sure she'll be down soon.

(Mallory comes down the stairs with two suitcases)

Mallory: Sorry to keep you guys waiting. I had to pack alot of stuff.

Jennifer: Are you taking your whole wardrobe with you, Mallory?

Mallory: No. Just enough to make it through the week.

Elyse: It looks like you're going on vacation for a month.

(car horn sound offstage)

Steven: The cab's here. Come on everyone.

(everyone goes out door)


Scene 2:

(at the airport)

(Alex, Mallory, Jennifer, Steven and Elyse run to customs)

Elyse: We haven't missed the 4:36 am flight to France, have we?

Customs man: I don't know. All I do is check luggage and make sure nothing dangerous comes on the flights.

Steven: Have we or have we not missed the flight to France?

Customs man: You have not. Put through your bags. And take off anything that's metal.

(They put down their bags and jackets on trolley and walk through)

Customs man: Enjoy your flight.

(They take their luggage)

Steven: Thankyou.

(They run to the gates)

Flight Attendant: Tickets and identification, please.

(They take out photo ID and show their tickets)

Flight Attendant: Okay. Enjoy your flight.

(They go on plane)

Elyse: Oh, Steven. This is wonderful.

Steven: I knew you would enjoy this vacation, hon.

(Alex and Mallory seated together, Mallory by window, Alex by aisle. Jennifer seated ahead of them by window. Jennifer turns around.)

Jennifer: Isn't this exciting?

Mallory: I'm kind of nervous. I mean, what if we crash?

Alex: We won't crash, Mallory. Pilots are trained to fly and how to handle emergency situations.

(Stewardess walks up)

Stewardess: Would you like anything to eat or drink?

Mallory: I'd like a root beer.

Alex: I have a question.

Stewardess: Yes? ( hands Mallory root beer)

Alex: How much do you make a year?

Mallory: Alex!

(Stewardess walks away)

Alex: Great! Now we'll never know, Mallory!

Mallory: That's such a shame, Alex. (rolling her eyes)

(Jennifer turns around to face Alex and Mallory)

Jennifer: Alex, I found a magazine about politics you can read.

Alex: Thanks, Jennifer. (taking magazine) I was wondering what was going on in the political world.

Mallory: Don't encourage him, Jennifer.

Jennifer: Why not? Encouraging others is what family is all about.

Alex: Jen, did you remember to take your vitamins today?

Jennifer: Yes, I did. Every vitamin in the rainbow.

Pilot: Attention passengers. We will be landing in France International Airport very shortly. Please keep your seatbelts on until the plane has come to a complete stop. I hope you have enjoyed your flight. Have a nice day. And, we hope to see you again soon.

(plane lands, comes to a stop. Everyone gets their luggage and runs to the terminal.)

(Mallory takes her bags off the pick-up)

(A french man walks upto her)

Jacques: Boujour, Madmoiselle.

Mallory: Boujour, Monsieur.

(Jacques says something Mallory can't understand)

Mallory: Huh?

Jacques: Tu parle francais?

Mallory: No. Anglais. English.

Jacques: Oh. I am Jacques. (extends hand)

Mallory: I'm Mallory. (shakes Jacques' hand) You're the first french guy I have ever met. Well, besides my french teacher.

(Jennifer runs upto Mallory)

Jennifer: Come on, Mallory! We don't want to keep Mom and Dad waiting.

Mallory: I have to go, Jacques. Maybe I'll see you around.

Jacques: Oui. Au revoir, Mallory.

Mallory: Au revoir, Jacques.

(Mallory goes to her family. As she approaches them they're all smiling)

Mallory: What?

Alex: Who's the guy?

Mallory: Just some french guy. His name is Jacques.

Jennifer: Gee Mallory, you don't know much french. How did you two communicate?

Mallory: He can speak some english, Jennifer. And, I happen to know some french. Enough to communicate with a french-speaking person.

Steven: You don't know enough french in school, but you know enough to communicate with a french-speaking person in France?

Mallory: I'm not stupid. I do know some words in french.

Alex: Was he nice?

Mallory: He seemed nice, yeah.

Alex: Mallory's got a boyfriend. (said teasingly)

Mallory: I do not. I just said he was nice, that's all...And cute.

Jennifer: Boy, is this vacation ever heating up.

Elyse: Kids, come on! The cab's here to take us to the hotel.

Alex: We're coming!

(Alex, Mallory and Jennifer run outside and Steven, Elyse, Alex, Mallory and Jennifer all squeeze into the cab)

Scene 3:

(Alex, Mallory, Jennifer, Elyse and Steven walk into the hotel room)

Elyse: Oh Steven, this is so nice. Air conditioned, beautiful scenery outside...

(Elyse looks out window. Her eyes widen in surprise.)

Steven: What is it, Elyse?

Elyse: We have a view of the roof!

Steven: I'm sure it's a beautiful scenic roof.

Alex: Yeah, Mom. It takes architectural genius to build a roof like that.

Jennifer: Since when have you been an expert on roofs, Alex?

(Mallory walks around looking at the walls)

Alex: You find the walls interesting, Mallory?

Mallory: No, not really. (turns away from wall) I was just daydreaming, that's all.

Elyse: What were you daydreaming about?

Mallory: Jacques.

Jennifer: What a surprise!

Steven: Who's Jacques? (absentmindedly)

Alex: Some french guy she's in love with. (flipping through a Times magazine)

Mallory: I just think he's a nice guy, that's all.

Elyse: Mallory, love takes time. You don't just fall in love when you first meet.

Jennifer: If you're Mallory, you do. (smiles)

Mallory: So, I like Jacques. What's the big deal?

Elyse: Mallory, he speaks another language. He lives in another country-

Mallory: You're right, Mom. That means I'm going to have to say good-bye to him in two weeks. God, I wish vacations didn't have to end. Just when I fall in love, I have to leave. Life's not fair!

Steven: Mallory, just make the best of it you can. You're here for two weeks after all.

Mallory: Okay, Dad. Maybe I'll just make the best of the time I have with Jacques.

Steven: That's the spirit! I've got an idea! Lets' leave the unpacking for later. Lets' all go out and see the scenery.

Elyse: Yes, that sounds like a great idea. I'll bring the camera. We can take pictures.

Alex: Did you know that the market value of cars has gone up 15%?

Mallory: Nobody cares, Alex.

Alex: Sorry. Just thought I'd share.

Steven: Come on kids! Lets' go have some fun!

(Elyse, Steven, Alex, Jennifer and Mallory go out the door)

Scene 4:

(Elyse, Steven, Alex, Mallory and Jennifer walk down the street. Eluse holds the camera upto a pole and takes a picture.)

Alex: Mom, why are you taking a picture of a pole?

Elyse: It has nice artistic features on it, Alex.

Alex: But Mom, if you want a picture of a pole, you can always get one back in North America.

Elyse: Yeah, later. Right now, I want a picture of this pole.

(Elyse takes another picture of the pole)

Mallory: There's Jacques! (points to Jacques over by a fountain) I'm going to go say hi to him.

(Mallory approaches Jacques)

Mallory: Boujour Jacques.

Jacques: Oh, boujour Mallory.

Mallory: Small world.

Jacques: What brings you here?

Mallory: Oh, my family and I are touring the place. You can join us if you want.

Jacques: Thanks. I'd be glad to join you.

Mallory: Great!

(Mallory and Jacques walk over to Steven, Elyse, Alex and Jennifer)

Mallory: Dad, Mom, Alex, Jennifer, this is Jacques. Jacques, this is my family.

Jacques: Boujour.

Steven, Elyse, Alex, Jennifer: Boujour.

Alex: Mallory, you amaze me with picking people to hang out with. Especially when you barely understand what they say.

Mallory: I know some french, Alex.

Jacques: And, I know some english.

Elyse: Jacques, would you care to join us for dinner tonight?

Jacques: Certainly.

Scene 5:

(that evening)

(Steven, Elyse, Alex, Jennifer, Mallory and Jacques sitting at table)

Elyse: So Jacques, what do you do?

Jacques: I....well.....

Steven: It's not a difficult question, Jacques.

Jacques: Lets' just say I sell things.

Elyse: Oh. What sort of things do you sell?

Jacques: Plants mostly, I guess you'd say. Vegetation.

Jennifer: Good catch, Mallory.

Steven: Plants. I see. (nods head)

Jacques: Yes. Plant industry is very good. People love to buy plants.

Alex: What do you specialize in? Grass?

Jacques: I don't really specialize in any one plant. Although, grass is the main product line.

Steven: Uh, I think I'm going to get some more ginger ale. (gets up from chair laughing uncomfortably) Anyone want anything?

Alex: Pepsi free.

Jennifer: Cream soda.

Mallory: Uh, a sprite.

Elyse: Nothing, thanks.

Jacques: Nothing for me, either. I'm fine, thanks.

(Steven goes into kitchen and comes back with beverages and hands Alex, Mallory and Jennifer their drinks and sets his own on the table.)

Steven: So, uh, who wants to go to one of the art gallerys or something after dinner?

Elyse: Oh, an art gallery would be nice. What do you say, Jacques?

Jacques: Well, my first choice would have been going to a garden, but ab art gallery is fine.

Steven: Okay, then. Art gallery it is.

(A knock is heard at the hotel door)

Alex: I'll get it.

(Alex goes to door and opens it. Two officers stand outside.)

Alex: Good evening.

Officer #1: Sorry disturb you. We from Paris police department. Excuse us as english not too good.

Alex: What's wrong?

Officer #2: Criminal spotted not far from around here. He been involved in selling marijuana. His name Jacques Choiseaux. (shows picture of Jacques) If you see guy, do call.

(Officer #1 hands Alex card)

Alex: Uh, oui. (taking card)

Officer #1: Au revoir.

Alex: Au revoir.

(Alex closes door and runs back to kitchen)

Alex: Mallory, we need to talk.

Mallory: Can't it wait, Alex? I'm eating.

Alex: No. Now.

Mallory: Fine. (puts down fork and Alex and Mallory exit kitchen)

Scene 6:

Mallory: What is it, Alex?

Alex: Mallory, what I am about to say might upset you. In fact, it may upset you so greatly, you may hate me.

Mallory: What?

Alex: Two officers just left here. They were looking for Jacques.

Mallory: So? There's lots of guys named Jacques.

Alex: He's sold marijuana, Mallory.

Mallory: Oh my god. Really?

Alex: Why else would he have said he worked with plants and grass?

Mallory: Alex, he could be in agriculture.

Alex: In France? Think about it, Mallory!

Mallory: Okay, maybe he is a criminal. But, I should at least give him a chance. He asked me out to a movie tonight.

Alex: And, what did you say?

Mallory: Well, I accepted.

Alex: You did?

Mallory: Of course.

Alex: Mallory, you're making a mistake.

Jacques: Come on, Mallory. Lets' go. We don't want to be late for the movie.

Alex: What are you seeing?

Mallory: La Plante.

Alex: Oh no!

Mallory: See you later, Alex.

Alex: Good-bye, Mallory.

(Mallory and Jacques go out the door. Alex sits down on couch with a worried expression on his face.)

Scene 7:

(Jacques and Mallory in car. Jacques is driving)

Jacques: I've been looking forward to tonight, Mallory. Spending time with you, going out.

Mallory: Yeah, me too, Jacques.

Jacques: Do you mind if before we go to the theater if I drop by a friends' place? I promised I'd pick up some plants for him. You can help me load the car, if you want.

Mallory: I don't mind.

(Jacques pulls into driveway of a house. Jacques and Mallory get out. Jacques opens garage.)

Mallory: Ew! It stinks in here! (waves hand in front of her nose)

Jacques: It's just grass, Mallory.

Mallory: Grass? You mean-

Jacques: Yeah. Here, help me load them. (Hands box to Mallory)

(Mallory takes box)

Mallory: Jacques, why-

Jacques: Shhh! Quiet, Mallory.

(Jacques hands her another box. Mallory puts it down on the ground)

Mallory: Jacques?

Jacques: Okay, lets' go. (putting the three boxes in the car)

(Jacques and Mallory get back in car and drive away)

Scene 8:

(Mallory and Jacques drive back to hotel)

Jacques: Good night, Mallory. (kisses her on the cheek)

Mallory: Good night, Jacques. (kisses him on the cheek)

(Mallory gets out of the car and walks to hotel room. Mallory opens hotel room door. Alex puts down paper, gets up from couch.)

Alex: So, how was your date?

Mallory: Alex, I need to talk to you.

Alex: If you want to discuss your first kiss with Jacques, talk to Mom, not me.

Mallory: Alex!

Alex: Sorry. What's wrong?

Mallory: Before Jacques dropped me off here we went somewhere.

Alex: Where?

Mallory: We went to a house and he put boxes in his car.

Alex: What were in those boxes, did he say?

Mallory: Well, he said it was grass.

Alex: Grass?!?

Mallory: Yeah.

Alex: Mallory, I tried to warn you before! When he said he worked with plants.

Mallory: Yeah, I guess I was a bit naive. Oh Alex, what am I going to do? I don't want to turn Jacques in, but he is moving marijuana plants.

Alex: Don't worry, Mallory. These kinds of incidents heppen all the time, probablty all over the world.

Mallory: Alex, you're not helping me! Should I turn him in or not?

Alex: Okay, uh....Did you put any boxes in the car?

Mallory: No. I put them on the ground and Jacques put them in the car. I smelled something in them, the grass, and I didn't feel right helping him move them into the car.

Alex: Okay, so it's all his doing. Mallory, I think you should turn Jacques in.

Mallory: I know it would be the right thing to do, but I can't. I love him, Alex.

Alex: After a couple of days?

Mallory: Uh...yeah.

Alex: Mallory, you can't let personal feelings get in the way of how a person acts. Tell me, how can you love a criminal?

Mallory: That's a good point, Alex. Maybe I should just tell him we can't see each other anymore.

Alex: Yes. Good idea! I'm proud of you!

Mallory: I'll go see him tomorrow and tell him. (turns to Alex) Will you come with me?

Alex: Yeah. If it means that much to you.

Mallory: Thankyou, Alex.

(Jennifer walks into kitchen. Mallory and Alex hug.)

Jennifer: Mom, Dad, you won't believe this!

(Steven and Elyse walk into kitchen)

Steven: I've always heard of sisterly and brotherly love.

Mallory: Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Hi, Jennifer.

Jennifer: You won't ever guess who's here to see you.

(Mallory goes into living room. Alex follows. Jacques stands in living room, holding a box of chocolates.)

Jacques: Hi, Mallory. I brought you these. (hands box of chocolates to Mallory)

Mallory: Jacques, after what happened last night, I just want to tell you that I don't want to see you ever again.

Jacques: You're right, Mallory. (puts chocolates down on table) I'm a jerk. I'm a criminal. I use my charm to get people in situations they don't want to be in. I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?

(Mallory glances at Alex, turns back to Jacques)

Mallory: I don't think so, Jacques.

Jacques: Okay, I understand. (turns to door. Turns back.) You can keep the chocolates.

Mallory: I don't want them.

(Jacques opens door, takes chocolates, exits through door)

Steven: Well, we got rid of him.

Mallory: Mom, Dad, I'm sorry.

Elyse: No Mallory, we're sorry. We kind of questioned what Jacques was upto, but we didn't confront you about it.

Mallory: Alex did. But, I didn't listen to him. Alex, I'm sorry.

Alex: Don't be sorry, Mallory. We're just glad you didn't end up in jail after all this.

Mallory: I guess I was pretty stupid. I was in love and I took every word he said as the honest truth. I never even questioned it when he said he worked with plants.

Elyse: The important thing is you look at this as a learning experience and make sure it doesn't happen again.

Steven: That's right. And, don't ever date a person who works in the agricultural industry.

Elyse: Steven!

Steven: Okay, maybe that's being a bit too careful. But, you know what I mean. Never date a gardener.

Jennifer: Yeah, they might have too many weeds.

Steven: Our flight's going to leave in a few hours. (points to clock)

Steven: Oh my goodness! Kids, get packed.

(Alex, Mallory and Jennifer go to their rooms. Steven and Elyse get packed.)


Scene 9:

(In Ohio, back at Keatons' residence)

Elyse: That was a wonderful trip, Steven.

Steven: Except for the gardener.

Mallory: Can we stop talking about Jacques? I don't want to even think of him anymore.

Steven: Sorry, Mallory. I just think I prefer your old boyfriend, Nick better. He made art out of garbage, but
still, he wasn't into the drug thing. Whatever happened to Nick, Mallory? I miss Nick. We all miss Nick.

Mallory: He left for an art school and we sort of lost touch.

Steven: Such a shame. (sighs) Oh well, he's in the past.

(Skippy walks in.)

Skippy: Mallory, my beloved, how was your trip in France?

Mallory: Terrible, Skippy. I met a guy who turned out to be a drug dealer. He sells marijuana.

Skippy: Wow! How exciting! I wish I could have been there.

Alex: No, you don't, Skippy.

Skippy: Alex, do you know how boring my life is these days?

Alex: With you, I can't believe that to be even remotely possible.

Jennifer: Can we stop talking about drugs? I'm getting a headache.

(Jennifer holds hand to her head)

Steven: I have an idea. How about lets all play Monopoly.

Alex: I'm the bank.

(Steven, Elyse, Alex, Mallory, Jennifer and Skippy all crowd around Monopoly board.)

THE END