Stepmom Page #3

Jackie nods sagely. Pulls up next to a school playground.

JACKIE:

I hate to say goodbye. Eskimo Kiss.

(they rub noses)

Russian Orthodox Wedding Kiss.

They bump foreheads and elbows. Ben runs toward the kindergarten

playground; Jackie watches concerned as Annabelle climbs the steps.

The only orangey red dot in a sea of purple.

EXT. PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO, TRIBECA - MORNING

Taxi pulls up to a converted warehouse. Rachel BOLTS out,

SPRINTING for the door.

INT. PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO - DAY

Black and white FILLS the frame. Like a checkerboard. We PULL

BACK and realize we are seeing a group of PENGUINS waddling against

a black and white backdrop. We see a WHITE WAITRE'D in a BLACK

TUXEDO holding glasses on a tray. A BLACK MODEL, IMAN, in a WHITE

DRESS glides through it all.

In the center the only dash of color is Rachel -- who has just

entered and starts expertly directing the action. She calls out to

her assistant, COOPER. Perpetually hip. Perpetually young.

RACHEL:

Cooper, back the fill off I don't have

enough shadow...

COOPER:

You've got a fruit loop in your hair.

RACHEL:

You say that like I don't know that.

COOPER:

I once threw an entire bowl of jello

on my stepmother's head --

RACHEL:

And when did that pass?

COOPER:

Actually, never. They'll always hate

you. There's a gene for it.

DUNCAN SAMUELS -- Rachel's boss, an elegant, edgy, Englishman

interrupts them.

DUNCAN:

Congratulations. Only forty minutes

late. You're handling this promotion

really well Rachel.

RACHEL:

Duncan. My work is everything to me.

This'll never happen again. Now stand

back -- this session's gonna make you

remember why you hired me even though

I wouldn't sleep with you -- Cooper

let's get these penguins dancing --

Duncan backs off, charmed by her ballsiness. The music BLARES just

then, and a penguin JUTS forward and NIPS the model. The FLASH of

the camera. We FREEZE for a second, seeing the photo Rachel just

took. An Avedonesque portrait of a model being GOOSED by a penguin

COLLIDING with a maitre'd who SPILLS his tray and the penguins seem

to be POINTING and LAUGHING uproariously. It's an inspired photo.

INT. SCHOOL COUNSELOR'S OFFICE - 2:30 THAT DAY

Jackie and LUKE HARRISON -- ruggedly handsome man, mid-forties,

charming, disarming, and smart as they come. They sit side by side

on a couch across from RUTH FRANKLIN, an Elementary School Counselor

MRS. FRANKLIN

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, while change is

exhilarating for adults, it can be

quite challenging for a child.

Luke's beeper beeps. He ignores it; focuses on Mr. Franklin.

LUKE:

I won't get that...It's fine. Change.

we were talking about change.

MRS. FRANKLIN

The fact that you two are remarrying

obviously has Annabelle overjoyed...

(they look at her,

dumbfounded)

And she's very excited about your move to

Switzerland.

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