The Family Man Page #4

Jack notices Alan Mintz playing with the cherub.

JACK (CONT'D)

...we still have almost a full

day of trading before zero

hour and I don't want any

trouble...

(distracted by Mintz)

...penny for your thoughts,

Alan...

Alan looks up.

ALAN:

Sorry, Jack. I told Dee and

the kids I'd be home by

dinner. You know, it being

Christmas Eve and all.

JACK:

Is that tonight?

A LAUGH from the group. Jack approaches Alan.

JACK (CONT'D)

You think I like being here on

Christmas Eve, Alan?

ALAN:

I don't know. Maybe...

Another LAUGH. Even Jack lets out a good-natured

chuckle.

JACK:

Okay, maybe I do have a touch

of tunnel vision this holiday

season. But in two days we're

going to announce one of the

largest mergers in U.S.

corporate history. Thirty

billion dollars...

(basking in the glory)

When this kind of deal turns

up you get on and you ride it

`till it's over. You don't

ask it for a vacation...

A chuckle from the group...the esprit de corps seems to

energize Jack.

JACK (CONT'D)

(to the group)

December 26th. After that

there'll be so much money

floating around here it'll be

like Christmas every day...

(smiling)

December 26th, people. If

you'd like to celebrate that

day, you all have my

blessing...

Enthusiastic nods and words of agreement from the suits

around the table...

ALAN:

You're right, Jack. Sorry...

Jack approaches Alan.

JACK:

I don't want you to be sorry,

Alan, I want you to be

excited. I want my gift to be

the first one you open this

year. You know why?

ALAN:

Why Jack?

JACK:

Because my gift comes with ten

zeroes at the end...

A MURMUR of excitement in the room, even Alan cracks a

smile. Jack puts a hand on Alan's shoulder.

JACK (CONT'D)

Good man...

12INT. LASSITER BUILDING CORRIDOR - NIGHT

The conference room door opens and the SIX ENERGIZED

SUITS emerge, each met by an ASSISTANT handing them

messages.

Jack is the last one out. He's met in stride by

ADELLE, 50s, carrying a Filofax and a pile of phone

messages.

ADELLE:

Only eight thirty? What's the

matter, had some last minute

shopping to do?

Jack pops a peppermint Lifesaver in his mouth as Adelle

hands him his messages.

JACK:

You too? This holiday's about

giving, Adelle. And I'm

giving everything I've got to

this deal, so in a way, I'm

more Christmassy than

anyone...

(holding out the candy)

Lifesaver?

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote