Baby, It?s Cold Out side ? Jane Monheit, Steve Tyrell
INT. MEREDITH?S HOUSE ? GEORGE?S ROOM
George and Ripley are getting ready, changing into their clothes.
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� So? You never mention your family.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Nope.
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� Or your childhood.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Nope.
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� You?ve met my dad and brothers.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Yeah. And I was pretty naked.
������������������������ GEORGE
��������� But you still met them.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� George?
Someone knocks on the door.
������������������������ MEREDITH(O.S.)
��������� Ripley. This dress doesn?t fit.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� I have to go help Mer.
Ripley walks over to the door and opens it to find Meredith standing in a dress that looks to be two sizes too big.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Do you have any bobby pins?
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Bathroom.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Why the bathroom?
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� Showers in the morning.
Meredith leads the way down the hallway and into the bathroom. Ripley closes the door behind them.
������������������������ MEREDITH
It looked pretty serious in there. Bobby pins are in the medicine cabinet.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Yeah, well.
Meredith pulls out a step stool and steps onto it while Ripley pulls out a plastic container of bobby pins.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� What?s going on, Rip?
������������������������ RIPLEY
George is asking questions. About my parents.And my child hood.
Ripley places the container on the counter, then unzips Meredith?s dress and begins pinning the sides.
�������������� MEREDITH
You?re going to have to tell him eventually.
�������������� RIPLEY
I know. What happened to avoidant Meredith? She would be all for me changing the subject and going on my merry way.
�������������� MEREDITH
She?s been replaced with the one that?s dating Derek.
�������������� RIPLEY
How?s that going, by the way? Has he asked you to Christmas dinner?
�������������� MEREDITH
No, thank goodness.
�������������� RIPLEY
You?ve already met McSister. You?re going to have meet the whole McFamily.
�������������� MEREDITH
And you?
Ripley turns Meredith to face the mirror and zips the dress back up, admiring her handy work.
�������������� RIPLEY
That looks better. Totally different circumstances. Besides, I?ve met George?s father and brothers.
�������������� MEREDITH
What about the length?When?
�������������� RIPLEY
I?m working on the length next, don?t worry. I didn?t tell you about this? After you and Derek left on Thanksgiving, George and I were getting it on. Out of nowhere, his brothers and father show up. Me, totally naked and on top of him.
Ripley kneels down on the ground and begins to bobby pin the hem of the dress.
�������������� MEREDITH
That?s a great way to meet the rents.
�������������� RIPLEY
Freakin? tell me about it.
EXT. CHILDREN?S CENTER
Meredith, Derek, Izzy, George, Ripley and a few of Ripley?s band mates stand staring up at the children?s center. Meredith wears a big old lady type red dress with a gray wig and wire rim glasses, Derek a big red velvet Santa Klaus suit, beard and all. Everyone else wears variations of green elf outfits.
������������������������ MEREDITH
��������� I can?t believe we got talked into this.
������������������������ IZZY
��������� They?re just kids. It?ll be fine.
������������������������ MEREDITH
We?ll see what you have to say when there?s a lollipop stuck in your hair.
�������������� IZZY
At least yours is a wig.
�������������� RIPLEY
You won?t get a sucker stuck in your hair. Come on guys, it?ll be fun.
Rilpey leads the group into the children?s center. When the door opens, they?re met with a dull roar of childish chatter. Monica sits at a table with name tags and a sign in sheet.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Hey, Mon.
������������������������ MONICA
Hey, Rip. Sign on in. Have those two sign in as Mr. and Mrs. Klaus.
Monica motions to Meredith and Derek.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Right on.
Ripley quickly signs everyone in and lets everyone else write their names on the name tags provided. George makes a name tag for Ripley.
������������������������ MONICA
They?re going to do the festivities in the great room. The kids have been talking about nothing else for DAYS.
�������������� RIPLEY
Thanks, Mon. That?s good to hear. Since most won?t be going home for the holidays.
Ripley leads the short distance to the hallway.
������������������������ RIPLEY
I?m going to go in and I?ll signal you guys when you can go in.
Ripley enters the great room. There are kids everywhere talking, laughing and goofing around. Some are wrestling, some are in small groups playing clapping games, while others sit in circles with cups, making a rhythm with the cup and then passing it on to the next person. Several adults mill around the room, keeping an eye on things to make sure nothing gets out of hand. Ripley spots, the coordinator, Maria, with a clipboard. Ripley makes her way over, waving to the kids who recognize her.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Hey, Maria.We?re here.
������������������������ MARIA
��������� Hey. Check.
Maria makes a checkmark on her clipboard before continuing.
������������������������ MARIA
Thanks again for volunteering like this. I can?t believe they got arrested!
�������������� RIPLEY
No problem.We?re happy to help.
�������������� MARIA
Hey guys. GUYS!
Maria motions for one of the adults to flip the lights. The lights flicker and the room becomes quiet.
������������������������ MARIA
We have a very special treat today. Dr. Buffet?
�������������� RIPLEY
Well, I have some VERY special friends visiting today. Come on in, guys!
Ripley motions to the door and Mr., Mrs. Klaus and all of the elves enter, carrying bags and bags of toys.
������������������������ DEREK
��������� Ho, ho ho. Merry Christmas!
The kids begin screaming in excitement, jumping up from their seats on the floor. Ripley smiles as everyone begins handing out presents.
������������������������ MARIA
��������� It?s good to see them smile.
Ripley scans all of the familiar faces, looking for one in particular.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Very good.Where?s Kat?
������������������������ MARIA
She?s over there in the corner. Her parents have been MIA for a few days again.
�������������� RIPLEY
Poor girl. She reminds me a lot of me when I was her age. I have a soft spot for her.
�������������� MARIA
You can?t help everyone, Rip.
�������������� RIPLEY
I know. But I can try.
�������������� MARIA
Yes. You can try. (pause) We rolled the piano in for you guys. For carols, if you?re up for it.
��������������
RIPLEY
Excellent.I?m sure it won?t take much convincing for that.
Ripley looks around and smiles at all the kids ripping into presents, a few then running back for a hug, then running to Derek to tell him what else they want for Christmas. Other kids were showing off their new toys and playing with the elves and Mrs. Klaus.
Katalina walks over to Ripley.
������������������������ KATALINA
��������� Hi Dr. Buffet.
Katalina gives Ripley a hug.
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Hey Kat.
������������������������ KATALINA
��������� So did Maria tell you about my ?rents?
������������������������ RIPLEY
��������� Yes. Yes she did.
������������������������ KATALINA
It?s okay Dr. Buffet. Really.I?m fine with it. They disappear like this all the time. They?re probably in Acapulco or Martinique or something. Somewhere exotic, anyway.
�������������� RIPLEY
It?s okay to be upset, Kat.
�������������� KATALINA
I know it is. Really.But I?m not.
�������������� RIPLEY
Okay, kiddo.
�������������� KATALINA
Besides, who needs parents when we?ve got someone like you around?
Ripley feels her eyes mist over, but tries to push them aside.
�������������� RIPLEY
Thanks, Kat. Come here.
Ripley gives Kat another hug.
������������������������ KATALINA
So, are you guys going to sing Christmas carols?
�������������� RIPLEY
That?s the plan, Stan.
�������������� KATALINA
My name is Katalina.
�������������� RIPLEY
I know I was just? Never mind. I?m lame, I know.
�������������� KATALINA
But we still love you.
�������������� RIPLEY
Why don?t you go join the line to see Santa?
�������������� KATALINA
I haven?t believed since?
�������������� RIPLEY
I know, but these kids look up to you. Plus, Santa is pretty hot, and he might be a little familiar. Go up and take a look.
�������������� KATALINA
Excellent.
Katalina begins to run, but remembers that she?s supposed to be cool, and slows down to a walk. Ripley laughs.
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