Reagan Page #4

Frank’s had enough of losing and stands up.

FRANK:

Anyone want anything while I’m up?

The room shakes their heads no. Frank drifts out.

GLADYS:

Time. It just goes so fast.

INT. CORDEN RESIDENCE - DINING ROOM - MINUTES LATER

The table is set for Christmas Eve. Frank exits the bathroom

to find Brandon frozen on the ground in a ball.

FRANK:

Hey, Brandon. You okay? Brandon?

MARCY (O.S.)

That’s not his name today.

Marcy has joined her brother-in-law.

MARCY (CONT’D)

He thinks he’s a Transformer.

But instead of turning into a

truck, he turns into a table. Or a

ball on the ground.

BRANDON:

Mom! I’m a table!

MARCY:

The boy thinks he’s a table; who am

I to argue with him?

10.

Frank almost admires the kid’s commitment.

FRANK:

All the time he’s doing this?

MARCY:

Until he forgets and wants to be He-

Man instead. That’s how kids work:

you need to operate in the realm of

their reality.

FRANK:

Works on adults, too.

MARCY:

(checking her watch)

Okay, we’re good.

(to Brandon)

Dinner time, Optimus!

Making the ‘Transformer sound,’ Brandon stands and scurries

for the bathroom to wash up.

MARCY (CONT’D)

Life, huh?

They both laugh, but for different reasons.

LATER. The family is gathered around the dinner table.

GLADYS:

Frank, I have a job for you:

FRANK:

Mom, I have a job.

GLADYS:

A coffee table...made out of coffee

table books! That’s a million

dollar idea; you should do

something with it.

JACK:

Gladys, he’s got a job. He works

for the...the department...

The pause grows. Frank knows he shouldn’t help. But...

FRANK:

Treasury.

JACK:

Right, the Treasury.

11.

HENRY:

He told you ten minutes ago, Dad.

JACK:

I know, I remember.

GLADYS:

Your father’s getting to that age.

JACK:

Oh, enough with the age! I knew it

was the Treasury, I just took a

second! I remembered it just fine.

GLADYS:

It’s not a problem, Hon.

JACK:

You’re right, it’s not a problem!

The room gets quiet outside of the sounds of utensils. Frank

sees the covered concern on his father’s face.

FRANK:

So, Dad, I read this thing on the

‘66 O’s. That was some team.

Jack’s eyes light up.

JACK:

Terrific, Frank. All-time great. I

remember early in the season, we’re

playing Cleveland at home. Frank

Robinson comes to the plate against

Luis Tiant. Cuban guy; fled Castro.

Frank notices his mother silently thank him with a grin.

JACK (CONT’D)

Robinson just hammers one and-- you

know that flag? The one in the

ballpark that says ‘HERE’? That’s

where Robinson put the ball onto

33rd Street. Can you believe it?

Out of the stadium onto the street!

FRANK:

And that’s why you named me after

Frank Robinson?

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