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Genre: Romantic Comedy

Subject: A young woman who has completely re-structured her life in order to care for her orphaned half-brothers and -sisters meets an attractive man at a political fundraiser. Due to a misunderstanding and a careless remark, her initial attraction quickly turns to dislike but she just can't seem to get him out of her life…

Character Biographies

• ANNIE CARTER - ANNIE is the leading female character. She is in her late twenties/early thirties. She is intelligent and attractive in a clean, honest way. She has a quick sense of humor and a strong sense of responsibility... [Read Bio]
• KIDS - ANNIE's four half-brothers and -sisters include:
  • JACK - 7 year old boy. JACK has the hardest time adjusting to his parents' death and accepting ANNIE as the new head of the family. He originally acted up in school and he tends to see himself as "head of the family." 
  • KATIE - 4 1/2 year old girl, one of the twins.
  • TIM - 4 1/2 year old boy, one of the twins.
  • JANIE - 18 month old baby girl.
• WILL MONTGOMERY - WILL is the leading male character. He is in his early thirties (a couple of years older than ANNIE). He is tall, strong, intelligent and dependable with a kind disposition and a good sense of humor... [Read Bio]
• PAUL ??? - PAUL is WILL's cousin and ANNIE's new friend. He is in his mid-late twenties... [Read Bio]
• CHARLOTTE LOWRY - CHARLOTTE is one of ANNIE's best friends and a former teacher of Jack's... [Read Bio]
• LIZA PRESTON - LIZA is one of ANNIE's best friends. She is wilder, louder and more irreverent than ANNIE and CHARLOTTE... [Read Bio]
• KATHERINE HARRIS - AUNT KATHERINE is ANNIE's mother's sister. She is a widowed society woman living in San Francisco for reasons unconnected to ANNIE's move.
• ARCHIE LANCASTER - ARCHIE is AUNT KATHERINE'S dapper old gentleman suitor. He has a twinkle in his eye and a penchant to meddle humorously into the lives of the younger folks, like the grandpas in many old movies, such as Meet Me in St. Louis and The Parent Trap.
• ROGER MAXWELL - ROGER is an unpleasant man who was a former college acquaintance of WILL's and a current love interest to ANNIE, who doesn't yet know his real personality.
• PATRICK RYAN - PATRICK is a friend of WILL's and a candidate for national office.
• ELIZABETH GHIBERTI - ELIZABETH is PAUL's mother and WILL's aunt.
• HILLARY YORK - HILLARY is a haughty and unpleasant career-driven attorney who is introduced to WILL by his AUNT ELIZABETH as a potential romantic interest.

Act One

[Scene 1]  [Scene 2]  [Scene 3] [Credits] [Scene 4]  [Scene 5]  [Scene 6]  [Scene 7]  [Scene 8]

Scene 1

DAY. INTERIOR, OFFICE. ANNIE walks briskly through a busy book publishing office in New York City, exchanging pleasantries with co-workers and looking confident and satisfied with her job. She arrives at her cubicle and the phone is ringing. She answers the phone.

ANNIE: Annie Carter speaking. <pause> Yes, that's my father and his wife, my stepmother. <pause> Oh my God. Are you sure there is not mistake?

Annie picks up a photo of her dad's new family from her desk. He is an attractive older man with an attractive younger woman (his new wife) and their four cute kids. Annie starts to cry but tries to keep it together.

Who's staying with the kids? <pause> Okay, I'll try to get there as soon as I can. I'll call you when I know the arrival time. <pause> Yes, I know. Thank you.

Annie hangs up the phone and begins to cry for her dad and his wife, and their kids who have lost their parents.

Scene 2

DAY. INTERIOR, CHURCH. ANNIE and the kids are sitting together at the funeral mass in Catholic church in San Francisco. They look dazed and sad, as expected.

<The Priest is probably saying something about the living carrying on...>

Scene 3

DAY. EXTERIOR, FRONT OF CHURCH. ANNIE stands holding the baby with the other kids clustered around her while people offer condolences. Her AUNT KATHERINE approaches them, dressed expensively and looking sad.

KATHERINE: Annie, I'd give anything so that you wouldn't have to go through this again. I'm here for your of course, anything you need.

ANNIE: I know, Aunt Katherine, thank you.

KATHERINE: Are you staying in San Francisco?

ANNIE: Uh huh. The movers are packing my things in New York and bringing them out next week. I gave notice at <insert publishing house> last Friday.

KATHERINE: It's the right decision, Annie. Of course you are doing the right thing. You know, darling, your mother was the strongest person I ever knew. When we were little girls, she used to <insert inspirational anecdote>. But you're stronger...and you'll be just fine. <squeezes ANNIE's hand> How are the kids holding up?

ANNIE: About what you'd expect. None of really knows what's happened yet, I guess.

<scene continues>

CREDITS SEQUENCE

The credits roll over various scenes of ANNIE and the kids adjusting to the new life, with music playing and little, if any, dialogue. Scenes include:

• ANNIE struggling to diaper or feed the baby, or carry all of the gear, etc.
• ANNIE in a business suit, shaking hands with her new boss.
• ANNIE at a parent-teacher conference with CHARLOTTE, discussing JACK's discipline problems at school and becoming friends.
• ANNIE and the kids eating smoothies at LIZA's shop near their house, and becoming friends.
• ANNIE looking sleepy but content with a messy house and kids sleeping around her as she reclines away from the computer.
• <other scenes that might be more appropriate?>

Scene 4

DAY. EXTERIOR, BACKYARD. ANNIE and the kids are talking to an older couple who breed Newfoundland puppies. While the kids play with two adorable 10 week old puppies, ANNIE asks questions and explains that she hopes the dog will help to bring them together as a family. When it is time to choose one of the two pups...

TIM: But what's going to happen to the one we don't choose?

BREEDER: He's going to be adopted by another family.

KATIE: But they are twins! Twins have to grow up together in the same family!

ANNIE: Well, that's how it works for most people twins, honey. But puppies who are brothers and sisters grow up in lots of different families. 

The twins look unconvinced and JACK pulls ANNIE aside as they are the two adults and can't speak in front of the children.

JACK: I think the only thing to do is take both puppies, ANNIE.

ANNIE: What?!

JACK: KATIE and TIM think these puppies are twins like they are and they're not going to want to break them up.

ANNIE: I know, JACK, but we only requested one puppy. The other one is probably already promised to someone else. KATIE and TIMMY will forget about it eventually.

JACK: ANNIE, in the three months that you have been living with us, has KATIE ever forgotten anything?

Annie shrugs.

Let me talk to Mrs. <insert>. I think I can work things out.

ANNIE is surprised and a little amused to see JACK taking charge. He enters into another exaggeratedly private conversation with the breeder and then comes back to ANNIE smugly.

JACK: It's all taken care of. They were just going to keep the other puppy anyway, and they have plenty already. She just wants to talk to you for a minute because she thinks you're in charge.

ANNIE raises her eyebrows at "she thinks" then smiles and goes over to talk to Mrs. <insert>. She looks again to see all three kids now playing happily with both puppies. She begins to negotiate with Mrs. <insert> for the second puppy. 

Scene 5

ANNIE and kids playing with two Newfoundland puppies.

Scene 6

DAY. EXTERIOR, BACKYARD PATIO. About nine months after ANNIE moved to California, ANNIE, LIZA, CHARLOTTE and AUNT KATHERINE sit together on the patio of the family's large nice house (perhaps in the Presidio area of San Francisco), cutting birthday cake and pouring juice, etc. while 10-20 5-year-olds run around in the yard playing games. A couple of college kids from Berkeley (boy and a girl) are supervising the activities so that the women are mostly free to talk.

ANNIE: Okay, so I haven't been on a date in California yet but I may be making progress. <pause> I think that the puppies' vet made a pass at me last week.

CHARLOTTE: What kind of pass?!

LIZA: <at the same time> Woo hoo. Is he cute?

<scene continues - Katherine invites Annie to a political fundraiser.>

Scene 7

NIGHT. INTERIOR, LIVING ROOM. ANNIE moves around the house trying to get the kids ready for the babysitter and herself ready for a formal party. During the confusion, KATIE slips a plastic toy ring onto ANNIE's wedding ring finger and she doesn't notice it.

<insert dialogue> 

Scene 8

NIGHT. INTERIOR, BALLROOM. At the fundraiser, AUNT KATHERINE and her beau ARCHIE conspire to keep ANNIE supplied with eligible men for dance partners. They first introduce ANNIE to WILL. They dance together, having pleasant getting-to-know-you conversation. When ANNIE lifts her hand to brush a lock of hair away from her face, WILL sees the plastic ring on her finger.

WILL: <humorously> Don't tell me, you're married to GI Joe?

ANNIE follows his gaze and looks at the ring distractedly. 

ANNIE: Oh! KATIE must have slipped that on before I left the house! I guess I'm still not very good at this motherhood thing. Those kids are always doing something that I'm not prepared for!

WILL is surprised, although ANNIE doesn't notice, and asks how many kids she has. ANNIE says "four" with no further explanation. She moves onto another topic but the conversation falters after that and they finish the dance with very little to say to one another. After that, ARCHIE and KATHERINE introduce ANNIE to several more men and each one has something funny wrong with him. Their effort to keep ANNIE supplied with dance partners is obvious and comical. ANNIE quickly begins to tire of the process and is relieved to meet PAUL, who recognizes what ARCHIE and KATHERINE are up to and steps in to keep her company for the rest of the evening. He's gay and very friendly and charming and they become fast friends. ANNIE looks at WILL once or twice, wondering why he wasn't interested in a second dance but she's not too broken up about it.

At the end of the evening, after PAUL has left to meet his boyfriend who had the late shift, KATHERINE makes one more attempt at matchmaking by sending ANNIE over to give a contribution envelop to the candidate, PATRICK RYAN. PATRICK happens to be talking to his good friend WILL. ANNIE approaches them from the side and before they see her, she overhears:

PATRICK: You know, I continue to live vicariously through my unmarried friends. Did you meet any attractive women this evening?

WILL: <with a laugh> Sorry to disappoint you.

PATRICK: Come on, I saw you talking to KATHERINE HENRY's niece. She is very pretty.

WILL: She's also an incompetent mother of four. She's apparently reproduced four times and still "can't quite get the hang of motherhood." I don't need that kind of pretty, PAT.

ANNIE interrupts them at this point. She makes it clear that she has heard the insult but is too dignified to respond to it. She says something intelligent to PATRICK RYAN and then strides away. PATRICK tells WILL that he's just made a big mistake. ANNIE is the generous and courageous half-sister and adoptive mother to the four kids, not an irresponsible air-headed "breeder."

Act Two

[Scene 1]  [Scene 2]  [Scene 3]  [Scene 4]  [Scene 5]  [Scene 6]  [Scene 7]  [Scene 8]  [Scene 9]  [Scene 10]  [Scene 11]  [Scene 12]  [Scene 13]  [Scene 14]  [Scene 15]

Scene 1

DAY. INTERIOR, OFFICE. ANNIE arrives at the RYAN campaign headquarters to fulfill a promise to help with some computer work for the campaign. She gets into a spirited argument with WILL over campaign strategy.

Scene 2

DAY. EXTERIOR, PARK. ANNIE and the kids meet PAUL for lunch at a park near his hospital. At the end of the lunch, a doctor from PAUL's hospital, ROGER, passes by. He is attracted to ANNIE so he stops to talk in order to be introduced. Because PAUL has mentioned that his cousin WILL doesn't like ROGER, ANNIE is pre-disposed to like him and smiles encouragingly when they meet.

Scene 3

?. ?, ?. ANNIE, LIZA and CHARLOTTE talk about men, including ANNIE's ambivalence about the date she has agreed to go on with ROGER and her strong dislike for WILL.

Scene 4

DAY. EXTERIOR, BASEBALL STADIUM. ANNIE, friends and the kids run into WILL and a date while in the outfield of Pac-Bell park during batting practice before a Giants game. Something happens that makes WILL like ANNIE more and ANNIE like WILL less.

Scene 5

?. ?, ?. PAUL invites ANNIE and the kids to Sonoma for the weekend, for an annual party at his mother's house on a vineyard.

Scene 6

DAY. INTERIOR, BEDROOM. ANNIE is asleep in bed as the sun rises. The Newfies take up most of the space in the bed. JACK wakes her up because he's excited about going "to the country" today. ANNIE says that they first have to walk the puppies (dogs perk up at the word "walk") so that they can take them to LIZA's. JACK says that he's got everything packed for the puppies but when she asks if he has his own overnight bag packed, he looks sheepish and runs out of the room.

Scene 7

DAY. INTERIOR, SONOMA MANSION. PAUL, ANNIE and the kids arrive at PAUL's mother's house in Sonoma. She meets and likes PAUL's mom and then is irritated to discover that WILL has also been invited for the weekend. She also meets HILLARY who has come for the weekend to be "set up" with WILL - she is horrible and ANNIE is pleased that WILL will be stuck with her.

Scene 8

DAY. EXTERIOR, SWIMMING POOL. ANNIE plays by the pool with the kids when she sees WILL watching them. She mistakenly thinks that he is being critical and says something saucy. Meet Cherie and her son.

Scene 9

DAY. INTERIOR, SOLARIUM. ANNIE sits in the solarium with one of WILL's sisters and his aunt, playing with JANIE, JACK and TIM. When WILL's other sister comes in without KATIE, ANNIE gets up to check on her. WILL's sister laughs and says that KATIE is entertaining WILL in the playroom. It is clear that WILL's sisters think he is great with kids and assume that ANNIE knows how much he likes her family.

Scene 10

DAY. INTERIOR, PLAYROOM. ANNIE arrives in the playroom to find KATIE and WILL having a tea party (i.e. WILL sits at a table that is much too small while KATIE pours tea and tries to act grown up). HILLARY interrupts and says something rude, which ANNIE attributes to WILL.

Scene 11

NIGHT. INTERIOR, KITCHEN. ANNIE gets up late at night to get something from the kitchen. When she arrives, she finds WILL repairing something for his aunt and she is forced to have a conversation with him. ANNIE gets irritated when WILL tries to warn her that ROGER is not a good guy.

Scene 12

DAY. EXTERIOR, FARMER'S MARKET. ANNIE and CHARLOTTE shop at a Farmer's Market with the kids and talk about ANNIE's upcoming trip to Monterey with ROGER. ANNIE isn't sure that the relationship is going anywhere but she figures that if WILL doesn't like him, ROGER must be okay and she's looking forward to visiting the aquarium in Monterey.

Scene 13

DAY. INTERIOR, MONTEREY AQUARIUM. ANNIE is watching the otters at the aquarium and clearly enjoys herself while ROGER talks on his cell phone and appears to be annoyed by the people enjoying themselves.

Scene 14

NIGHT. INTERIOR, RESTAURANT. ANNIE is eating dinner with ROGER at an expensive restaurant. She is listening to him talking on the phone to a subordinate and being rude. She is realizing what a jerk he is when she receives the emergency phone call from AUNT KATHERINE about JACK's appendicitis.

Scene 15

NIGHT. INTERIOR, HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM. ANNIE arrives at the hospital to find WILL sitting with the kids and AUNT KATHERINE in the waiting room. After KATHERINE and the kids go home, ANNIE checks on JACK and then returns to the waiting room to find out what WILL is doing there. She expresses her regrets that she wasn't there when JACK needed her, WILL comforts her and she begins to like him. At the end of the scene, he kisses her and she pulls away because it is way too soon.

Act Three

[Scene 1]  [Scene 2]  [Scene 3]  [Scene 4]  [Scene 5]  [Scene 6]  [Scene 7]  [Scene 8]  [Scene 9]  [Scene 10]

Scene 1

DAY. ?, ?. ANNIE talks to CHARLOTTE and LIZA about what she has discovered about what a creep ROGER is (he got Cherie pregnant in college and then was unsupportive, is rude to his nurses, etc.). She explains that WILL helped the girl and suggests that he's not such a creep but doesn't mention the kiss. Cherie and her son are coming to JACK's birthday party.

Scene 2

DAY. INTERIOR, CAMPAIGN HQ. ANNIE runs into WILL at Ryan Campaign HQ. WILL is polite/friendly but reserved and ANNIE is somewhat disappointed that he seems to have lost interest.

Maybe: After ANNIE leaves, WILL explains to PATRICK that he's afraid he moved too fast at the hospital and wants to give her some space.

Scene 3

DAY. INTERIOR, ROLLER SKATING RINK. PAUL, CHERIE and her son come to JACK's birthday party at the skating rink. CHERIE talks of WILL in glowing terms and obviously assumes that ANNIE and WILL are a couple. ANNIE looks bemused and PAUL concludes that ANNIE now wants WILL to pay attention to her.

Scene 4

?. ?, ?. Another scene where WILL looks great and ANNIE feels silly about misjudging him and frustrated that she appears to have missed a good opportunity for a satisfying relationship.

Scene 5

DAY. INTERIOR, OFFICE. ANNIE is giving a presentation for work and runs into HILLARY, who is haughty but talkative. She "badmouths" WILL but since she is so unpleasant, her criticisms are actually compliments. She mentions that she's now dating ROGER and that he's so much better. ANNIE can't believe that just a few weeks/months before, she would have agreed with this woman!

Scene 6

?. ?, ?. ANNIE confides in CHARLOTTE about the hospital and her change of heart about WILL. She admits that she now wishes that she had returned his kiss but he has apparently lost interest.

Scene 7

?. ?, ?. WILL is pumping PAUL for information about ANNIE and the kids. PAUL tells WILL that he's playing things too cool.

Scene 8

NIGHT. INTERIOR, HOME. ARCHIE and KATHERINE arrive to take ANNIE to the election night party. She doesn't really want to go but KATHERINE and ARCHIE are up to their old tricks. This time, ANNIE checks carefully to see that nothing will embarrass her about her dress or jewelry - she looks great.

Scene 9

NIGHT. INTERIOR, ELECTION PARTY. PATRICK has won the election and the celebration has begun. ANNIE dances first with ARCHIE, who craftily maneuvers her near WILL. WILL asks for the next dance but they're both unsure and don't say much. After the dance, WILL asks if she wants to get some air and they head out to the balcony.

Scene 10

NIGHT. EXTERIOR, BALCONY. It's a beautiful night and ANNIE exclaims upon the view. WILL takes her into his arms and kisses her passionately. He pulls away slowly and waits apprehensively for her reaction. ANNIE smiles with surprise and happiness. WILL, relieved and elated, grabs her and kisses her again.

WILL: I was afraid that you might punch me.

ANNIE: I was afraid that you wouldn't kiss me again.

OR

ANNIE: I was about to because I was getting tired of waiting for you to kiss me again!

WILL: Good, I'm glad that I can still inspire a saucy response. I'm crazy about your feisty temper."

They kiss again and the music and credits begin.

THE END