A PERSONAL NOTE: This story was written days after this tragic event. It was a therapeutic way for me to understand and to never forget. Writing this story helped me convey how I felt in an event I thought I’d never see in my lifetime. As a New Yorker, I remember being inside those Twin Towers. Like the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the Varrazano-Narrows Bridge (it connects Brooklyn to Staten Island), the World Trade Center represented New York and was an unmistakable symbol in our skyline, our home. Whenever my family took trips outside New York by car, we’d cross the bridge and I always turn my head back and see those towers. When we return, the first thing I see were those two buildings greeting us as if to say, “welcome home.” Now when we take trips outside the city (most recently a family reunion in Virginia), I turn around and see such an empty hole in the skyline. It feels like having a huge hole on my front door. I also feel the pain, the fear, the sorrow, and the horror of all those who lost their lives. This story I’m about to present is not to depress anyone. This story was written to simply remember and to never ever forget.
– Christie Taylor
Maddie and David are sitting on the edge of her desk.
MADDIE
Hello, I’m Maddie Hayes.
DAVID
I’m David Addison.
MADDIE
In tonight’s episode we planned to have our usual knock down, drag out -
DAVID
Make up, make out -
MADDIE
Kind of shows... but we... we’re just not in the mood.
DAVID
Yeah, you all are gonna have to excuse me. I’m not gonna be that funny tonight.
MADDIE
But, you have to.
DAVID
(Looks at her, horrified)
What?
MADDIE
Only for a little while.
DAVID
(Realizing what she means)
You mean, the day before.
MADDIE
(Chokes up)
Yeah...the day before.
DAVID
(Puts his arm around Maddie)
Okay, I’ll be funny when we talk about the day before.
MADDIE
(To Camera)
You see, David and I have discussed this with the rest of our staff. We all agreed we should tell our story. Tell what we were doing on that horrendous day.
DAVID
I still can’t believe it happened.
MADDIE
(Turns to David)
Honey, I know. I can’t believe it, either.
(to Camera)
We thought it was best for us, for our well being, to share our experience with all of you.
DAVID
We also dedicate this show to all who died in that devastating tragedy.
MADDIE
And we also dedicate this show to all the heroic efforts of the firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel and volunteers from all over the country.
DAVID
(Sighs to fight back tears)
God Bless America.
Maddie is checking the complete list of employees she and David will be in charge of in New York and in D.C. once they take over Lou LaSalle’s operations.
DAVID (V.O.)
The day started like any other. Actually, it wasn’t that day. It was the day before... I don’t know if I can do this...
MADDIE (V.O.)
Yes, you can, sweetheart. You’re doing fine... go ahead.
DAVID (V.O.)
Maddie and I were trying to figure out how to, you know, introduce ourselves to our future employees on the east coast. We were in the process of putting together our health benefits and 401k packages.
MADDIE
(Puts a huge pile of files onto her desk)
These are the last of them.
DAVID
That’s all of them?
MADDIE
That’s all of them. The entire employee list.
DAVID
(Looking through some of them)
And you expect to have every last one of these packages sent by tomorrow morning?
MADDIE
They need to know who their new employers are and what we’re willing to offer.
DAVID
Ever heard of conference calls?
MADDIE
David, they won’t be able to remember each and every detail over the phone. We can’t hit them over the head with all that information all at once.
DAVID
Even if we wanted to hit them over the head, our arms wouldn’t be long enough to reach them, anyway.
MADDIE
Can you be serious for once?
DAVID
Yes, I can be serious for once. On a good day, I can be serious for twice.
MADDIE
It’s important that we start coordinating this stuff. I want to make this transition as painless as possible.
DAVID
I have an idea... we can ask all those people outside those doors called employees. You know, the ones we already have?
MADDIE
I don’t know if they’ll go for an all nighter.
DAVID
Give ‘em a bottle of Scotch and their minds will change real quick.
MADDIE
David -
DAVID
You want me to ask them?
(Gets up from the seat that’s directly in front of Maddie’s desk - Playful tone)
Okay, I’ll ask them. You didn’t have to twist my arm.
He opens the door and steps into the outer office.
DAVID
Hey kids...
(Everyone stops what they are doing and turns to listen to their boss)
Mom and I need your help. We have to put together a couple of hundred packages and ship them over to your adopted siblings back east. We may have to make you stay beyond your bedtime.
(Some employees are pouting)
Hey, think of it this way, we can make a night of it. Grab some pizza, some ice cream. It’ll be an all night pajama party with suits and ties. C’mon, what do ya say?
Everyone starts to warm up to the idea and nod their heads.
MADDIE (V.O.)
That’s what you said to them?
DAVID (V.O.)
That’s what I said to them.
MADDIE (V.O.)
No wonder they were so eager to stay.
DAVID (V.O.)
We had copiers copying, staplers stapling, lickers licking...
Sound of Maddie clearing her throat.
DAVID (V.O.)
Postage stamps.
MADDIE (V.O.)
Many postage stamps.
DAVID (V.O.)
Then Maddie received a call.
The cell phone rings while Maddie puts another corporate informational package into another envelope, with the Blue Moon logo on the upper right hand corner, into one of five Fed-Ex boxes. She picks the cell phone up from the table and answers the call.
MADDIE
Hello... Hi Daddy.
DAVID
If you’re wondering why we haven’t been to the Windy City lately, you’re pride and joy insists on putting her nose to the grind stone.
MADDIE
... Yes, that was David. Are you still going to New York? Can’t you reschedule your meeting with your friend another day...? You’ve been working more now than you have been in months. No one would guess you’re about to retire.... All right, but promise me after this business trip you will take it easy for a while, okay...? Okay... have a safe trip, bye.
Maddie hangs up.
DAVID
Wow, you twist arms so well you should be in the WWF ring against Stephanie McMahon.
MADDIE
Oh, Jamie, I almost forgot. How’s your brother doing on his first day?
JAMIE
He called me about an hour ago. He’s exhausted, but sounded quite happy.
MADDIE
I’m sure transferring to a huge city like New York has to be quite exhausting.
DAVID
No, walking down Fifth Avenue during lunch hour is exhausting. Running around the concrete jungle fighting fires everyday is damn near impossible. I don’t know how they do it.
JAMIE
Yeah, but Jason loves being a firefighter. He considers himself lucky to serve people the way he does. He believes he’s giving back in times people need help the most.
MADDIE
Does Cheryl feel better now that they’re living in the same city.
JAMIE
She still can’t believe he actually moved out there. But I guess things changed when he asked Cheryl to marry him not too long ago.
DAVID
Yeah, I’ve heard that could have a profound effect on people.
Maddie playfully nudges her elbow to David’s left arm.
AGNES
Where does she work again?
JAMIE
I’m not exactly sure. I think she works somewhere near Wall Street, I think.
BERT
Miss Hayes?
(Maddie turns to Bert)
This is the last of the pile.
Bert places the last of the five boxes near the wall next to the door.
MADDIE
Thank you, Bert.
(To David)
I think that’s the last of it.
DAVID
Isn’t that what Bert said?
BERT
Is there anything else?
DAVID
Yeah, sit and have a slice.
He points to one of the several boxes of pizza, looks at everyone in the room.
DAVID
That goes for all you pencil, I mean, Palm Pilot pushers, too.
David, Maddie, Bert, Jamie and ten others who had chosen to remain later than 11:30pm continue celebrating the end of a long monotonous day, which turned into a monotonous night. They are watching movies on the wide screen High Definition TV, eating ice cream, drinking soda (some mixed their drinks, even their ice cream, with Rum). Maddie’s cell phone rings. She puts the phone to her ear.
MADDIE
Yes... oh, hi Mom.
DAVID
Swallowing non-alcoholic soda.
Hi Mom.
MADDIE
I hope the food in first class is much better than your last trip.... You’re not on the plane with Dad? I thought you love going to New York...
DAVID
(Mouth full of Pizza)
She’s not going to New York?
MADDIE
(to David)
She’s not going to New York.
(to Phone)
Why are you not going to New York...? You will be well enough to come out here for Ashley’s play next month, right?
DAVID
Why wouldn’t she? What happened?
MADDIE
(to David)
Remember, she threw her back out?
DAVID
Oh, yeah.
(Slightly embarrassed for forgetting)
Umm, is she -
MADDIE
Yes, she’s fine....
(to Phone)
You are fine, right Mom...?
(to David)
Yeah, see, she’s fine.
DAVID
(to Bert; he sits next to David)
You hear that, she’s fine.
Bert nods in response.
MADDIE
Mom, I know what time it is. The last time I saw Ashley and David, they were trying to outplay each other on Playstation in the game room.
AGNES
(Walks in)
They’re asleep.
(Maddie jerks her head toward Agnes)
I turned everything off in there a few minutes ago.
DAVID
I was wondering why I haven’t heard Ash scream, “Who’s the man? It ain’t you,” in the last few hours.
MADDIE
Okay, Mom. Get some rest. You don’t want to miss Dad’s wake up call, do you?
(Laughs)
Okay, Mom... I love you, too... bye.
DAVID
Bye, Mom.
(Maddie hangs up the phone.)
Now, will you take off your business attire and put on your party face?
Maddie stares at him. David realizes he and Maddie are not alone. Their employees have grins on their faces.
DAVID
(Turns to Maddie)
Sorry, force of habit...
MADDIE (V.O.)
A habit you need to break.
DAVID (V.O.)
What I need is for me to turn away. I’ve seen this scene in my mind too much as it is.
The camera pans from a close-up of a table littered with empty pizza boxes, paper cups, and several one gallon cartons of ice cream, which are almost empty. We see a pair of hands grabbing some of the cartons and take them off the table. The employees, who were eager to party, are sleeping off their enthusiasm. The pan starts to slow down when David is seen snoring near the right edge of the table. Another angle catches Jamie waking up. She stretches her arms as she yawns. Then she sees Agnes.
JAMIE
Agnes, what are you still doing here? Doesn’t little Jeffrey have to go to school?
AGNES
Bert agreed to take him when he left a few hours ago.
JAMIE
Why didn’t you go with him? You need your rest.
AGNES
I've had enough rest. I was sleeping on one of the sofas in Miss Hayes’s office.
JAMIE
Agnes, go home.
AGNES
No. That’s okay. I need to finish cleaning up.
JAMIE
You don’t need to do this right now.
AGNES
It’s something I want to do.
JAMIE
You know what I want you to do?
(Grabs the remote off the table)
Sit and watch TV... relax while I get us something out of the kitchen.
As Jamie leaves the room, Agnes turns on the TV. What Agnes sees, her eyes can not believe.
AGNES
Oh no!
Jamie rushes back into the room.
JAMIE
What’s wrong?
(Agnes points to the TV)
Oh, my God!
DAVID
(Groggy, but has his head on the table)
Maddie, my feet can’t smell that bad.
JAMIE
Mr. Addison! Look at the TV!
AGNES
It’s so horrible!
DAVID
(Startled)
What? What?
David looks at the huge wide screen TV; a second later, his mouth is wide open in shock.
MADDIE
(Snaps out of her sleep)
What the...
Maddie answers her question as she sees the top of one of New York’s Twin Towers is filled with black smoke.
Agnes, Maddie, David and Jamie are still dumbfounded by what they are seeing on the TV screen.
AGNES
Is anybody going to say something?
MADDIE
What is there to say? There’s nothing anyone can say. Look at him.
(She turns to David)
Even he can’t say anything.
JAMIE
It had to be an accident.
MADDIE
It had to be. Who would deliberately slam an airplane into a building?
JAMIE
I bet my brother slid down that pole at his firestation a few seconds ago.
MADDIE
(Alarmed)
What is that plane doing? It's flying too low!
JAMIE
It’s going into the second tower!
AGNES
Get out of the way!!
The other employees who stayed through the night are flailing their arms and screaming for the airplane to miss the second tower. They are stunned into silence when the plane struck the tower. The vivid fireball reduced seasoned journalists in the background to gasp and groan in horror.
DAVID
(In a low voice)
That was no accident.
MADDIE
(Still in disbelief)
What are you saying, David?
MADDIE
(More deliberate)
That-was-no-accident. We just saw a guided missile strike the World Trade Center.
MADDIE
(Frantically grabs her cell phone off the table)
Daddy! Oh my God, Daddy!
David stands behind Maddie and slips his arms around his wife.
DAVID
Baby, don’t panic. We don’t know where his meeting was supposed to take place.
MADDIE
I have to hear his voice!
(puts the phone to her ear)
The phone isn’t working...
(gets hysterical)
Why isn’t the phone working!
DAVID
Sweetie, calm down.
MADDIE
How can you stand here and be calm? My father could be stuck in one of those buildings!
DAVID
Calm? I’m trying not to scream at the top of my lungs. But I realize it’s not going to make anyone feel any better.
MADDIE
David -
DAVID
Maddie, we don’t know anything right now. Maybe Dad turned his cell off. Maybe he’s still asleep. What time is his meeting supposed to start?
MADDIE
I don’t know. I didn’t ask.
(hitting her forehead several times)
Stupid! Why didn’t I ask? It was a simple question. Why couldn’t I remember to...
DAVID
(Pulls her hands away from her face)
Maddie, everything is going to be okay.
David hugs her. Maddie clings to David for comfort.
Maddie sits in David’s lap on one of the couches. She has her head on her husband’s shoulder. David strokes her upper back to soothe and comfort Maddie. Every person in the room is glued to the TV. They listen to an anonymous woman explain her ordeal of how she got out of one of the towers. Bert enters the room and sees the World Trade Center filling the air with black smoke.
BERT
(Mesmerized)
I still can’t believe this is happening.
Agnes runs to Bert. They cling to each other for comfort.
AGNES
Where’s Jeffrey?
BERT
He’s in his bed. Don’t worry, he’s still asleep.
AGNES
Why didn’t you bring him here?
BERT
Karen offered to give us some overtime with her babysitting duties.... She’ll get Jeff ready to go to pre-school in an hour or so.
Maddie’s cell phone rings. She jumps out of the couch and races to answer it.
MADDIE
Dad...! Dad...! Mom! Have you heard from Dad...? Oh, please don’t say that...
(David raises his head in concern)
I have to go out there...
DAVID
I’ll call the airport.
He immediately goes to the phone, which sits on the opposite end of the table.
MADDIE
You’re at O’Hare right now? Okay, David and I are going to meet you in New York in a few hours... Oh, Mom, where did Dad say he was supposed to have his meeting...? And what time is it scheduled to start...? Oh, God
(Her head flops down to the table in despair)
...I’m... I’m okay, Mom... yes, I’m sure I’m okay... We’ll see you later today... all right, take care and be careful... we will, too. Bye, Mom.
(She hangs up the phone. Looks over to David at the opposite end of the table)
Were you able to get the reservations?
DAVID
I haven’t gotten through, period.
BERT
I bet everyone in the country is on the line right about now.
David slams the phone in its cradle. Another round of screams makes Maddie and David whip their heads toward the TV. They see one side of the Pentagon has also been struck and is on fire.
DAVID
(low, strained voice)
We’re under attack.
VOICE (O.S)
Wow! That’s cool!
Everyone turns to see little David standing near the door and smiling.
LITTLE DAVID
That’s “Independence Day” you’re watching, right?
Maddie and David turned to each other with much concern on their faces.
DAVID
Ummm... Maddie...
MADDIE
Let’s talk about this with your sister. Is she up, yet?
LITTLE DAVID
I would be too busy arguing if she was.
(Looks around the room noticing the terrified looks on people’s faces)
What’s wrong? Why is everybody so upset?
DAVID
(To employees)
Would you excuse us?
Everyone nods.
Maddie, David and their son leave the room. The camera follows them as David talks in Voice Over.
DAVID (V.O.)
I think this was the hardest talk I ever had to make. The birds and bees explanation will be a cake walk compared to what we had to come up with.
Maddie opens the door and sees Ashley still sleeping on the couch. David sits to the right of his sleeping daughter. Maddie and little David sit in chairs facing David and Ashley. Maddie gets up to lock the door and sits back down. David shakes Ashley as he attempts to wake her up. The parents are visibly apprehensive as they are forced to tell their children about what is happening at the moment.
DAVID
Ash, c’mon rise and shine.
(Shakes her again)
Ashley, we need to talk to you.
LITTLE DAVID
Why do you need to wake her up for? Why can’t you tell me and I’ll tell her later?
MADDIE
What we’re about to discuss is something both of you need to know and understand... but the thing is... we’re not sure if we understand.
LITTLE DAVID
So, why are you telling us?
MADDIE
Because what is happening has changed this country as we know it.
ASHLEY
(Murmurs)
Daddy, I’m up. I’m up.
DAVID
C’mon sweet pea, we have to talk.
Ashley slowly gets up. David picks her up and places her in his lap. She wipes the sleep from her eyes.
ASHLEY
What’s so important that it couldn’t wait before I watch Bugs Bunny?
(She is puzzled by the terrified, yet controlled looks on her parents’ faces)
Why are you looking like the world is about to end?
David and Maddie take a slow, deep breath.
MADDIE
Ummm... what your father and I are about to tell you may be a bit scary.
LITTLE DAVID
What is it?
DAVID
David, what you saw, what you witnessed...
(takes another deep breath)
is not a movie... it’s real. Two planes have crashed into the World Trade Center not too long ago.
ASHLEY
(Breathless, startled)
What...? How?
MADDIE
We don’t know, honey.
LITTLE DAVID
Were... were there people inside those buildings?
DAVID
(Puts his head down - in a weak voice)
Yeah.
ASHLEY
Are they all right?
MADDIE
(Somberly)
We don’t know that either.
LITTLE DAVID
Why would someone do this?
ASHLEY
Wait a minute. Nobody would be that cruel.
(Gets angry with her brother)
Why would you think of a thing like that, David? It was an accident. It was an accident, right Mommy...? Daddy?
DAVID
(His voice cracks)
I’m afraid not, honey.
ASHLEY
(Whispers)
How could this happen?
DAVID
That question has been coming out of everybody’s lips for the past hour and a half. The worst thing about it, I don’t know if anyone will find the answer.
MADDIE
Ummm, that’s not all.
(takes another deep breath)
The Pentagon in Washington D.C. has also been struck by an airplane.
ASHLEY
Are we at war?
Maddie and David give another concerned look to each other.
MADDIE
(Carefully)
Why do you need to ask about something like that, sweetheart?
ASHLEY
Well, my teacher , Mrs. Whitman, was teaching me about what happened in World War Two and how this country was surprised when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
DAVID
(Tries to find a light moment)
You’re too smart to be eight, you know that?
ASHLEY
You tell me almost every week.
LITTLE DAVID
(Getting scared)
Are we at war?
ASHLEY
Three planes have smashed into three buildings and you’re asking “are we at war?”
LITTLE DAVID
How come it’s okay for you to ask, but not me?
DAVID
Okay, guys. This ain’t the time to express how much you love one another. This is something we have to deal with 'cuz it'll alter our way of life pretty soon.
ASHLEY
Are there any planes coming for this building?
DAVID
(To himself)
Let’s hope to God they’re not.
MADDIE
I heard before we came in here that every plane in the country has been grounded.
DAVID
That means we can’t
(stops himself)
...ummm, go to where we wanted to go?
MADDIE
(Realizing what David is saying)
I’m afraid it does.
LITTLE DAVID
Where were you guys going?
MADDIE
We were planning to visit your Grandfather -
ASHLEY
Is he in danger?
MADDIE
(Quickly responds)
No, no. it’s nothing like that. We felt it’s about time we visit him and see how he’s doing. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen him.
DAVID
And, and we wanted to know if he was going to be here for your play next month.
ASHLEY
You need to get on a plane to know that? A simple conference call would have done the trick, Daddy.
MADDIE
(Smiles)
You are too smart to be eight.
DAVID
Sometimes I wonder if this is Ashley, or is this my Grandmother who has been re-incarnated as my daughter.
MADDIE
Look, no matter what is going on, we’ll get through it together.
ASHLEY
I still don’t really know what “it” is.
DAVID
(hugs Ashley)
Neither do we.
There’s a knock on the door.
BERT (O.S.)
Mr. Addison... Miss Hayes... Lou LaSalle wants to speak to you.
MADDIE
I want you two to stay in here. We’ll be right back.
DAVID
Promise me you will stay in here.
ASHLEY
We promise.
DAVID
Ash, I mean it. I want you to stay in here.
ASHLEY
Daddy, I won’t go anywhere. You have my word.
DAVID
Okay...
(to Maddie)
Let’s go.
(to kids)
Be right back.
Maddie and David exit the room.
David and Maddie walk in. David goes straight to the phone and picks up the receiver.
DAVID
Hey, Lou. How is everything out there...? out where...? back east...!
(Getting frustrated)
What do you mean “what for?”... Have we sent what?
(Gets angry)
Forget the damn packages! Do you know what’s going on...? You just woke up, huh...? I suggest you turn on your TV and find out why I’m thinking you’re a self centered son of a...
(David’s cell phone rings. - To Maddie)
Can you get that?
Maddie picks up the phone.
MADDIE
Hello...? Helen!
(talks rapidly)
You’re the manager in D.C., right? How is it out there? Are you guys okay?
DAVID
(Agitated)
Lou, we’ll talk about this later. I’m about to make a conference call.... Lou, I said later!
(Hangs up the phone. Looks over to Maddie)
Tell Helen to call back on my office phone.
MADDIE
Helen, can you call us back? Yeah, call Mr. Addison’s office number... okay, bye.
She hangs up cell phone. A few seconds later, the office phone rings and David grabs the receiver.
DAVID
Helen, wait a sec. We’re gonna put you on speaker.
(He pushes the button to activate the speaker phone.)
Helen?
HELEN (O.S.)
Yes, hi, Mr. Addison.
DAVID
Is everyone okay?
HELEN (O.S.)
We’re fine, we’re fine, thank God. We’re all fine, but we’re still in shock.
DAVID
You and every red blooded American.
HELEN (O.S.)
It was so... I don’t know how to explain it.... We were starting the day like any other day. Half of our people barely arrived when we heard the roar of an airplane. It wasn’t like a roar we are used to hearing. It was louder, more... It felt weird... ominous even. We had to cover our ears it was so loud; it felt like it was directly above us. A few minutes later, someone screamed. We ran into the conference room, that’s where our TV is located, and that’s when we saw it. We saw the Pentagon. The mighty symbol of our military, our national security, up in smoke. We have the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard... not to mention the FBI and CIA... and they were still able to plow a 747 into the Pentagon.
DAVID
(Shaking his head)
It’s unreal, I know.
HELEN (O.S.)
On another TV screen, we saw the World Trade Center burning in the sky... then I just lost my train of thought... I couldn’t think at all.
MADDIE
For a while, I thought I was dreaming. I kept telling myself “This sort of thing doesn’t happen in the United States.”
AGNES (O.S.)
Miss Hayes...?
(Maddie turns and sees Agnes at the door)
Brian from the New York office is on line three.
MADDIE
Transfer all the calls into the conference room.
AGNES
Sure thing.
MADDIE
Thanks, Agnes.
MADDIE
C’mon, David, let’s go.
DAVID
Helen, stay on the line. Your call is gonna be transferred to the conference room.
HELEN (O.S.)
Okay, Mr. Addison.
David hangs up the phone. He and Maddie make a mad dash to the conference room.
David bursts through the door; Maddie is not too far behind. David goes to the phone that is set on the small table in between two plush chairs. He pushes a button to bring Helen back on.
DAVID
Hello, Helen?
HELEN (O.S.)
Yes, I’m here.
DAVID
Okay, I’m gonna put Brian on with us.
HELEN (O.S.)
Oh, good! I was wondering how he and everyone else is doing up there in New York.
David presses another button to put Brian on speaker phone.
DAVID
Hey, Brian. How are all of you holding up out there?
BRIAN (O.S.)
I honestly don’t know, Mr. Addison. I... I didn’t know who to call. I tried calling Mr. LaSalle, but there was no answer. I wasn’t even sure to call you. You’re not legally obligated to... you know, since the buyout hasn’t been finalized yet -
DAVID
Nonsense.
MADDIE
Don’t worry about that. Calling us was the right decision.
HELEN (O.S.)
Brian... Brian, are you all, okay?
BRIAN (O.S.)
Is that Helen?
DAVID
Yeah, she’s on the other line.
BRIAN (O.S.)
We’re doing fine, so far. What about you down in D.C.?
HELEN (O.S.)
I just told Mr. Addison and Miss Hayes we are all, all right. We’re shaken up, but we’re all right.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Please don’t say “shaken up.” The force of those planes rattled this place pretty good.
MADDIE
Where are you located?
BRIAN (O.S.)
We’re about ten blocks away from the World Trade Center.
DAVID
(Sighs)
Oh, God.
MADDIE
Are you able to contact your family, friends?
HELEN (O.S.)
I tried, but the lines are still busy.
BRIAN (O.S.)
And our cell phones aren’t working. We have to go to a pay phone.
DAVID
That must have been why your call didn’t go through, Maddie.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Is everything all right?
MADDIE
Umm, yes, it’s... no. My father was scheduled to have a meeting this morning at the World Trade Center.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Miss Hayes, I’m sure your father is oh... oh my God!
DAVID
What? What’s going on?
BRIAN
One of the towers! It’s collapsing!
MADDIE
What!!
Maddie grabs the remote from the table and turns on the High Definition TV. She and David hear the collective screams of the employees, who are still in the recreation room. Both Maddie and David cover their mouths as they see one of the World trade Center towers implode before their eyes.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Hello...? Hello...? Are you there? Mr. Addison...? Miss Hayes?
DAVID
Yes, yes. We’re still here.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Get back! Back from the windows!
MADDIE
What’s happening!
All Maddie and David can hear are screams, footsteps, and some objects being smashed to the floor.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Get down...! Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison, are you still there?
DAVID
Yes!
MADDIE
Yes!
BRIAN (O.S.)
Oh my... This is unbelievable.
(breathes heavily)
We’re seeing an enormous amount of debris flying around outside. The collapse created a massive dark cloud rolling through the street...
Maddie grabs hold of David for comfort.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Day has literally turned into night.
DAVID
Obviously, you guys have the right to get the hell out of there. Hell, take the whole week off.
MADDIE
With pay.
DAVID
Yeah, with pay. If LaSalle has any objections, leave him to me.
MADDIE
And if you need counseling, help with medical bills, whatever, just gimmie a ring. You got that?
HELEN (O.S.)
I got it, Mr. Addison, Miss Hayes.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Thanks.
MADDIE
It’s the least we can do.
DAVID
We’d be flying the friendly skies to the Big Apple as we speak, but the skies are anything but friendly right now.
HELEN (O.S.)
You know what boggles my mind? These people, whoever they are, went so far to kill themselves just so they can kill us.
BRIAN (O.S.)
We’re dealing with sick, twisted minds.
DAVID
My question is, what is this country going to do to combat this evil act? Something tells me playing cowboys and indians and dropping a few bombs here and there ain’t gonna cut it.
MADDIE
David, you’re not suggesting we go to war?
DAVID
Maddie take a look.
(He points to the TV screen)
We are at war. Their revolution is being televised. We just tuned in for the season premiere.
MADDIE
David! This is no time for jokes!
DAVID
Who’s joking? The big joke of the day is us. They made a fool out of us to the entire world!
MADDIE
I don’t think anybody feels that way.
DAVID
(Calms down)
Let’s hope you’re right.
BRIAN (O.S.)
Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison we’re being told we have to evacuate once everything clears up outside.
DAVID (O.S.)
Don’t let us stop you. Call me on my cell so we know all of you are all right.
BRIAN
Will do, Mr. Addison. Good bye Miss Hayes. I’m sure your father is safe.
MADDIE
Thank you, Brian. Good bye.
DAVID
Bye, stay safe.
We hear a phone click followed by a dial tone.
HELEN (O.S.)
I better get off the line, too. I want to see if anyone needs my assistance.
DAVID
Sure, Helen. Absolutely.
MADDIE
Bye, Helen. Be safe.
HELEN (O.S.)
Thank you, good bye.
Maddie pushes a button to hang up.
MADDIE (V.O.)
As horrible as that was, it really didn’t hit home until...
David and Maddie walk into the room. They hear constant buzzing at the front door. David heads for the intercom next to the front door.
DAVID
(Pressing intercom button)
Yo!
VOICE (O.S.)
Mr. Addison, you need to evacuate.
DAVID
(Opens the door)
What?
SECURITY OFFICER
I said you need to -
DAVID
No, no. I already heard you. Ever heard of a rhetorical question?
(Security guard has a blank expression on his face; to Himself)
Okay, take two.
(to security guard)
We need to evacuate? What for? We already paid next month’s rent.
SECURITY OFFICER
That’s not the reason, Mr. Addison. The owner of the building wants it shut down. Everyone has to be evacuated.
DAVID
Consider it done.
He closes the door.
Maddie, Agnes, Bert, Jamie and the rest of the employees huddle together. They are visibly still shaken by what has taken place three thousand miles away.
MADDIE
I’ll get the kids.
She walks out the room.
DAVID
Agnes, is there any children left in the day care center?
AGNES
No, Mr. Addison. I checked a few hours ago.
DAVID
Good. Go get all of your stuff. We’re gettin’ outta here.
(Turns to leave, then stops and turns back to face all the employees in the room)
Oh, by the way kids...
(Everyone looks up)
take the rest of the week off. And Agnes -
AGNES
I’ll call everyone else as soon as Bert and I get home.
DAVID
Good.
MADDIE
(Walks into the room)
The kids are waiting at the front door.
DAVID
(To employees)
Meet us outside the door.
DAVID
(To Maddie)
You get a head count?
MADDIE
Yeah, everyone’s here.
DAVID
Well, after the commercial break, we’re not. You got the keys, Bert?
BERT
Yes, sir.
Bert gives them to David.
DAVID
(Breathes a deep sigh)
Let’s move out.
The employees begin to walk down the hallway. David begins to close and lock the front door. He punches in the secret code on the left side of the door. He lets his children walk in front of him and Maddie. He puts his arm around Maddie’s shoulder as they slowly walk through the hallway.
A still image of the title is showing. An abbreviated version of the theme is being used. Maddie's voices are in voice over.
MADDIE
(Subdued)
Stay tuned, we’ll be back in a moment.
A still image of the title is showing. An abbreviated version of the theme is being used. David's voices are in voice over.
DAVID
Thanks for sticking around. We all appreciate it.
The people of Blue Moon Investigations and other people who also stayed in their offices overnight, or came to work early, continue to walk down the stairs.
DAVID (V.O.)
As you can see, It was even hard for us to walk down thirty flights of stairs. All you can hear are patent leather shoes pounding the staircase, one floor at a time. We were all so stunned.
MADDIE (V.O.)
I think we just got to the 10th floor.
DAVID (V.O.)
Normally a sign saying “10th floor” suggests we’re on the 10th floor.
MADDIE (V.O.)
Can we get on with the story?
DAVID (V.O.)
Certainly, as soon as we -
MADDIE (V.O.)
Shhh! Agnes is about to speak.
Everyone has just reached the 9th floor.
AGNES
(Sadly)
This eleventh day of September
Our nation has been dismembered
By a dastardly act
To spread fear and attack
Our freedom we cherish and remember.
DAVID
Are you okay, sweet pea?
ASHLEY
Daddy? I’m fine. You don’t have to check on me every five seconds.
DAVID
You sure?
ASHLEY
I’m sure.
MADDIE
(Sighs)
What is this world coming to?
DAVID
Believe me, you don’t want to hear the answer.
WOMAN
(Walking behind Bert)
It can’t be that bad, can it?
BERT
Lady, three sets of terrorists committed suicide, took hundreds, thousands of lives while destroying our national symbols...
(somberly)
yes... it is that bad.
JAMIE
The thing that scares me the most is there are people out there who are willing to commit suicide and create mass destruction.
BERT
How can you defend against a person who’s not afraid to die?
MADDIE
And take innocent lives with them.
DAVID
We’re dealing with people who clearly do not have any value for human life.
ASHLEY
Daddy, what are terrorists?
DAVID
Huh?
ASHLEY
I heard Bert say it a few minutes ago.
David gives Bert a stern look. Bert responses by giving David an apologetic look.
DAVID
Your mother and I will explain it to you when we get some grub, okay?
ASHLEY
Okay.
Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On,” begins to play as everyone continues to climb down the stairs.
Many people are exiting the front doors. A few seconds later, David, Maddie and the rest of Blue Moon are walking out of the building. “What’s Goin’ On,” fades in the background as Jamie takes out her cell phone.
AGNES
Are you calling your brother?
JAMIE
I hope I can get through this time.
Something is ringing in Maddie’s purse. She immediately searches for her cell.
MADDIE
Hello...? Mom!
(David stops walking and turns to Maddie)
Are you in New York?
Maddie and David stand side by side. Maddie shares the phone with David as they begin to hear Mrs. Hayes’s response.
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
I’m still at O’Hare. They made all of us get off the plane, but they didn’t tell us why.
MADDIE
Were you able to reach Dad?
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
I’ve been trying all morning. I still can’t get through.
Mrs. Hayes is sitting with many people. Everyone is murmuring to their loved ones and their friends. This makes it a little difficult for Mrs. Hayes to hear Maddie. She covers one ear while pressing the cell phone to the other ear.
MADDIE (O.S.)
Are you at least able to see what is happening, so far?
MRS. HAYES
Unfortunately, yes. There are TV’s all over the place. Many people are hovering around each other gasping and crying in disbelief. I tell you, Maddie, I have never seen anything like this in my life. The assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., the space shuttle Challenger explosion, Oklahoma City bombing...
(breathes a deep sigh)
...even Pearl Harbor... all those national tragedies didn’t make me feel as helpless as I do right now.
MADDIE (O.S.)
You and me both.
DAVID
Is she all right?
MADDIE
Yes, David, she’s fine.
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
Is David there? Let me speak to him.
MADDIE
(Hands David her cell)
Mom wants to speak to you.
DAVID
(Smiling)
Hey, Mom. Are you sure you’re okay?
MRS. HAYES
Yes, David I fine. The question is, is Maddie all right?
DAVID (O.S.)
She’s hanging in there, as much as anyone can in these circumstance.
MRS. HAYES
What about little David and Ashley? How are they holding up?
DAVID (O.S.)
Well, we talked to them not too long ago, but Ash asked what a terrorist is?
MRS. HAYES
Oh, boy.
DAVID (O.S.)
Exactly, we’ll try to ease into the discussion after we all get something to eat.
MRS. HAYES
Who else is there with you?
DAVID
Oh, all the people who were inside our building. We had to leave. The building had to be evacuated. Nothing to be alarmed about. It’s just a precaution.
MADDIE
(She turns to her left to Jamie)
Did you get through, Jamie?
JAMIE
I was only able to reach his voice mail. I sent him a message. I hope Jason answers it before the day is over.
MADDIE
(Hugs Jamie)
I’m sure he will.
AGNES
What about your family, Bert?
BERT
I don’t know. I haven’t been able to reach them, either.
AGNES
(Hugs him)
Do you think we should take Jeffrey out of school?
BERT
No, let him have a sense of normalcy. Also, having Mrs. Claybourne and his classmates around him will help him get through the day.
AGNES
I hope you’re right.
MADDIE
Ashley, honey. You don't have to pretend to be brave if you don’t want to. If you need a hug, or cry, or anything, you’re allowed to do so.
ASHLEY
(Gets a little irritated)
Mommy, I’m fine. We’re fine, we’re all fine. You don’t have to treat me like a baby. I can handle it.
MADDIE
I don’t think you’re a baby. All I’m saying is it’s okay to show you’re scared. It’s safe to say, many people my age and older are shedding a few tears of their own.
LITTLE DAVID
Forget it, Mom. She’ll never admit that she’s scared.
ASHLEY
Will you mind your business?
LITTLE DAVID
Will you be for real? I’m not ashamed to say I’m scared.
ASHLEY
Good for you! Maybe you can finally get a gold star.
DAVID
(Sharply turns toward his children)
Ay! I’m still on the phone!
(to phone)
Do you think Dad is all right out there?
MRS. HAYES
I honestly don’t know. I’ve been praying every five minutes for my cell phone to ring and hear his voice.
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
(Sighs)
So, what about your father?
DAVID
(Gets caught off guard)
My father? Why? What about him?
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
You didn’t know?...I thought you knew. Alex talked to him a few days ago about meeting him today in New York after Alex’s meeting.
DAVID
(Runs his free hand in his hair)
Oh, God.
MADDIE
(Gets concerned. Walks over to David)
What?
DAVID
Are you sure they were supposed to meet today?
MADDIE
(Tugging his shirt)
David!
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
I’m sure Alex said he’ll see David on September eleventh.
DAVID
Oh, my God.
AGNES
Mr. Addison? What is it?
ASHLEY
What’s wrong, Daddy?
David tries to hide his fear.
DAVID
Umm, don’t worry. It’s nothing to make a big deal over, really.
BERT
Are you sure, sir?
DAVID
Very.
LITTLE DAVID
Is that Grandma on the phone, Dad?
DAVID
You want to speak to her?
(to phone)
Hold on, Mom, your grandson wants to speak to you.
David gives his son the phone.
LITTLE DAVID
Hi Grandma.
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
Hi, sweetheart. How are you, today?
LITTLE DAVID
I’m okay. Confused and a bit scared, but I’m okay. How’s Grandpa? Is he there with you?
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
No, darling. He’s not here at the moment. He’s -
LITTLE DAVID
Busy, I know. He should learn how to relax.
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
I’ll tell him the next time I see him.
DAVID
Listen, I have a great idea. Why don’t we walk and talk at the same time. That way, we can still get some breakfast before we run into the lunch hour crowd.
Stevie Wonder’s, “Love’s In Need Of Love Today,” plays in the background. The Blue Moon gang walk down the street heading for the nearest diner. They all have the choice to go into the underground parking lot and go home, but what people have witnessed thus far help them decide to stay together and deal with the terrible events with each other.
MADDIE
David, do you know where we’re going?
DAVID
We’re walking in L.A. If that doesn’t give you an indication that we don’t know where we’re going, nothing will.
The Stevie Wonder song continues playing. Everybody continues walking until Ashley stops at a store window. She stares at a TV screen.
DAVID
Hey, Ash. You want to talk to Grandma...? Ash?
(He turns around to see his daughter isn't there)
Ashley!
MADDIE
David.
Maddie points in the opposite direction. They both see their daughter break down in tears.
DAVID
(to everyone else)
You guys wait here for a sec. C’mon, Maddie.
They walk back to reach out to Ashley. She extends her arms for her mother to hold her. The Stevie Wonder song gets louder while Ashley sobs. David glances at the TV as it replays the second tower collapsing.
Everyone is sitting in three booths. They all sit next to each other. Maddie, David, their children, and Jamie sit in one booth. Agnes, Bert, and three more Blue Moon employees sit in the next booth. The remaining seven employees sit in the last available booth. The waitress comes over to place breakfast on Maddie and David’s table. Another waitress does the same for Agnes and Bert’s table. The Stevie Wonder song fades until it disappears. David takes out his cell and starts dialing.
MADDIE
Who are you calling now?
DAVID
The same person I was trying to call a half hour ago.
MADDIE
David, what is going on?
He looks at his children then back to Maddie.
DAVID
(Grabbing Maddie’s hand)
Let’s go to the counter. I think we need some more mustard.
MADDIE
On our pancakes?
DAVID
Call me strange.
MADDIE
You’re making it too easy for me.
Maddie doesn’t resist when David leads her toward the front counter of the diner.
DAVID
Did you know anything about who your father was going to meet after his meeting?
MADDIE
No. Who was he going to meet?
DAVID
My father.
MADDIE
(Shocked)
David, are you sure?
DAVID
No. That’s why I’ve been trying to get in touch with Stephanie for more than thirty minutes.
MADDIE
Look, let’s not panic.
DAVID
We wouldn’t have to if we knew where our family is.
(to phone)
Hello...? Stephanie. Hi, it’s David... no, you’re stepson David, yeah... have you heard anything? Did Dad call? Did you hear his voice anytime today?...
(Looks worried)
You haven’t
(Maddie puts her arm around him)
What made him choose this day to go to the other side of the Hudson river...? Important business meeting... ummm, have you spoken to Mr. Hayes, by any chance...? You were hoping that I did, huh...? Does Richie know about this...? No, no, I’ll handle it. I’ll be the bearer of bad news. You just sit tight, hope and pray that the phone will ring, all right? Okay, take care.
(Hangs up phone - turns to Maddie)
Looks like we’re in the same nightmare.
MADDIE
Every person in this country is in the same nightmare.
ASHLEY
(Runs up to David)
Mommy... Daddy, your pancakes are getting cold.
DAVID
(Smiles)
Have you been sticking your finger in my food again?
MADDIE
I think we got what we came for, David.
She sends a non-verbal message with her eyes for them to get back to their booth.
DAVID
Yeah... you’re right. Let’s eat.
With Ashley leading the way, they all return to their booth. Everybody in the diner is feeling uneasy. Most people find it hard to look anywhere other than their own plates.
MADDIE (V.O.)
Look at us. Look at how this had affected our lives. It still affects our lives and it’s been a year.
DAVID (V.O.)
We couldn’t even find anything to argue about.
MADDIE (V.O.)
I have never felt as powerless and as heartbroken as I did on that day.
DAVID
I’m still trying to find the right words on how I felt but... but I can’t. It’s beyond my capability of my use of the english language... or any language for that matter.
MADDIE (V.O.)
I’m amazed I lasted this long without crying.
Sounds of sniffling.
DAVID (V.O.)
Come here.
Sounds of Maddie’s clothing rustling over to David.
Can you believe that? There was another plane that was hijacked.
ANOTHER MAN
Another plane?
FIRST MAN
Yeah, it crashed near Pittsburgh. I heard it was heading to White House or Camp David. I wish I can get my hands around the neck of one of those Arabs right now and tell them where to go.
DAVID
(Stands up)
No, let me tell you.
(The two guys are startled by David’s reaction)
I don’t want to hear you or anyone else try to pin this horrible act on any group or any religion. Do you pin all Germans for the Holocaust? Do you pin all Italians for organized crime? Do you pin all Russians for Communism? I don’t want to hear none of that garbage! And I definitely don’t want to hear it in front of or in back of my kids! You get what I’m sayin’?
The two guys nervously nod their heads.
DAVID
(Calms down)
Thank you. Have a nice day.
He sits down then looks up to see everybody in the diner staring at him.
DAVID
(Still a bit steamed)
That’s it. Show’s over. If anyone missed the matinee, they’re our of luck. No encores allowed.
People slowly go back to their business.
LITTLE DAVID
Wow, Dad. You really told them off.
DAVID
I don’t want to talk about it anymore.
A faint ringing sound sends David, Maddie and Jamie to fetch for their cell phones. Jamie was the one who had to answer it.
JAMIE
Hello...? Jason!
(Everyone in the three booths is very eager to hear what Jamie is about to say.)
Are you okay! Are you in the hospital?...Thank God, you are okay...! You didn’t happen to be down at the World Trade Center, have you...? You did.... You did...? That’s great!
MADDIE
What did he do?
JAMIE
(to Maddie)
He rescued a lot of people out of tower two.
LITTLE DAVID
Tower two?
JAMIE
(to little David)
It’s the second tower that was hit and unfortunately, the first one to collapse.
(to Phone)
Is Cheryl all right? Did she... oh, she didn’t go to work today? Thank God!
(Everybody else looked up to the ceiling as they thank God silently.)
What? What was what...?...You have to go? Okay, get back to me as soon as you can -
MADDIE
Umm, do you think your brother can try to find out if Alex Hayes and David Addison are okay?
JAMIE
Did you hear that, Jason...?
(to Maddie)
He heard. He’ll try to find them.
MADDIE
Thank you! Thank you so much.
DAVID
If Jason ever needs someone to investigate anything, don’t hesitate to call. No, I mean it. It’s on me. Tell the New York office that David Addison sent you.
JAMIE
(to Phone)
David Addison, Jr, right. Please call back, promise me... all right, bye.
She hangs up her cell phone.
VOICE (O.S.)
Hey, bro.
David turns around to see Richie.
RICHIE
What’s up? What’s going on?
(Looking at the three booth)
Is this some sort of field trip of some kind?
(to Maddie)
Hey! How’s my great looking sister-in-law?
MADDIE
I could be better.
DAVID
Umm, Rich, what are you doing here?
RICHIE
(In a soft, bewildered voice)
I don’t know. I was in the middle of the morning rush hour until I heard what happened. I just wasn’t in the frame of mind to go to work. I wound up calling in sick and cruised all over town just thinking and wondering if all those people got out of those buildings in time.
(Sighs)
After seeing the same palm trees for the 20th time, I decided to come here and drown my sorrows with cheeseburgers.... It’s just so unbelievable.
DAVID
(Looks very uncomfortable)
Richie -
RICHIE
Dave, I’ll be okay, honest.
DAVID
Rich, it ain’t about that. There something I gotta tell you.
(David’s cell phone rings - to Richie)
Don’t move...
(to Phone)
Hello...? Terri. What’s wrong?
(Maddie looks concerned)
... What? That’s horrible...
MADDIE
What happened, David?
DAVID
You two want to meet us at our house? Sure, no problem. We’ll be over there within an hour, okay? No, no don’t be silly. You’re not bothering us. We could use some company when we get home to tell you the truth, all right...? All right, bye bye.
He hangs up the phone.
MADDIE
David, tell me what happened.
DAVID
Terri told me Walter thinks his partner was on the same plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
The soft, harmonious piano keys of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” plays in the background. A dark blue Mercedes drives toward the front of the house. A black Lexus is parked a few feet way from where David parks the car. Once Maddie, David, little David, Ashley and Richie come out of the Mercedes, Terri, Walter and Walter Jr., come out of their Lexus. The two families meet each other in front of the house and they all take turns hugging each other. Minutes after, Maddie manages to walk to the front door, opens it and lets her family and her good friends inside.
The song fades as everyone stands around looking at each other. They search for something to say, but their confused and anxious looks on their faces speak volumes.
LITTLE DAVID
(sounds timid)
Uhhh, Wally... how are you holding up?
WALTER JR.
I’m still trying to comprehend if what is going on is really real.
ASHLEY
(Softly, somber)
How did you know?
WALTER JR.
I didn’t at first. I woke up feeling much better after I had a terrible stomach virus -
LITTLE DAVID
That’s why we couldn’t talk on the phone yesterday.
DAVID
The two of you talk on the phone more than these two.
He points to Maddie and Terri.
ASHLEY
Daddy -
DAVID
I’m sorry, continue, Wally.
WALTER, JR.
I was getting out of the shower when I heard Mom shouting about something. Then I heard Dad try to calm her down, but a few minutes later, he was the one who was shouting. When I hear my dad raise his voice about anything, I knew something had to be wrong. I wish I didn’t find out how right I turned out to be.
DAVID
Let’s continue talking about this in the living room.
The adults lead the way to the living room.
Maddie, David and Richie sit on the left side of the white sofa. Terri and Walter sit next to Richie. The children choose to sit on the right side, perpendicular to where the adults are sitting.
ASHLEY
(Carefully - Looking at everybody)
Umm, is somebody going to turn on the TV?
David gingerly reaches for the remote. He looks to Maddie and she says with her eyes that it’s okay. He turns on the TV and they see hundreds of people running filled with thick dust in downtown Manhattan.
MADDIE
So, Walter. Tell us what happened to your partner.
WALTER
It’s the darnest thing. I was supposed to be with him in D.C. Mitch and I were needed to help some government agencies upgrade their computer systems. At the last minute I had to cancel. As Walter just told you he suffered one of those awful stomach viruses. Mitch said it was okay; he can handle the job by himself. I called him last night to see if he was able to book his flight back to L.A.
David clears his throat and looks at the three kids. Walter, Terri and Maddie understood by giving each other concerned looks. Richie gets out of his seat.
RICHIE
(Walks to the kitchen)
Okay, who wants some ice cream?
LITTLE DAVID
Who can eat at a time like this?
WALTER, JR.
I wouldn’t mind worrying about which flavor to choose from.
ASHLEY
(Gets up)
I wouldn’t mind, either.
LITTLE DAVID
I guess it’s not a bad idea after all.
Little David looks away from the TV when he sees yet another replay of the towers collapsing. The children follow Richie to the kitchen.
DAVID
(Looks toward the kitchen to see if the children are out of sight.)
Okay, I think we’re safe.
WALTER
Well, after I called Mitch, he said he switched to an earlier flight just to make sure he gets here before our big presentation we were supposed to give this morning. We were preparing to expand our services to one of our most vital clients. We agreed he would call by 7:30 L.A. time. By 8:20, I still didn’t hear from him. And that’s unusual. If Mitch couldn’t reach me by phone, he usually got in touch with me by email or voice mail. However, when 9 o’clock rolled around, I knew there was something wrong.
MADDIE
But how do you know he was on one of those planes?
WALTER
All I know is he’s in D.C. and he was planning to come back to L.A. from Dulles airport. And they said on the news that the terrorists specifially chose flights that used the most fuel. Bi-coastal flights need a lot of fuel.
DAVID
Walter, you can’t think that way.
WALTER
That’s funny. I really haven't been thinking at all. My worrying kept getting in the way.
Richie sits at the table with little David, Walter Jr., and Ashley, who sits next to Richie’s on his right side. They are all in the middle of eating ice cream.
DAVID (V.O.)
I didn’t know why I couldn’t do it, but I couldn’t do it. How can you explain what a terrorist is without getting angry and screaming that I wanted those bastards to go to hell? I didn’t want Ash and Davey to see me that way. I avoided her questions as much as I could...
MADDIE (V.O.)
Be grateful you had someone to step in for you.
ASHLEY
Uncle Richie, can I ask you something?
LITTLE DAVID
(Sharply)
No, Ash.
ASHLEY
What am I supposed to do? Wait until I’m fifty to get a straight answer?
RICHIE
What? What do you need to know?
LITTLE DAVID
Look, let’s just forget about it.
ASHLEY
No! I want to know!
WALTER, JR.
Ash, it’s okay.
ASHLEY
‘Till someone answers my question, then it’ll be okay.
RICHIE
What is this all about?
LITTLE DAVID
Uncle Richie, you don’t want to know.
ASHLEY
I asked Daddy several times what does the word “terrorist” mean? He kept telling me he’s going to tell me, but I haven’t heard a peep from him.
RICHIE
Well, honey, I’m sure your dad will tell you when he has time.
ASHLEY
Has time? We have all the time in the world. And how are we spending that time? Sitting, eating, talking and looking at TV. When will it ever be the right time?
WALTER, JR.
But why would you want to know, anyway?
ASHLEY
I want to know why when I see the TV reporters, they have this serious sound in their voice every time they say that word.
Richie looks to the back of him to see if someone is walking into the kitchen.
RICHIE
This stays at the table, capisce?
ASHLEY
Huh?
RICHIE
Never mind, just don’t tell anyone, including your parents, about what I’m about to say.
ASHLEY
If it means my question will finally get answered I’ll take what you say to my grave.
Richie looks in back of him again. No one is coming. He leans forward. The children do the same. They huddle close together like a football team huddles to discuss the next defensive play.
RICHIE
(to himself)
Whew, now I know why Dave buttoned his lip.
WALTER JR.
Huh?
RICHIE
Nothin’.
(to Ashley)
Ash, sweetie, a terrorist is not a good person, not a good person at all.
ASHLEY
Why?
RICHIE
(Delicately)
What this person wants to do is make all of us afraid.
ASHLEY
But why?
RICHIE
(Searches for something else to say)
Ummm, have you ever come across a kid in your school you can’t stand?
ASHLEY
Well, don’t tell Mommy and Daddy this, but there are a few I’d like to put my fist to their face.
RICHIE
Sadly, that’s how these terrorists think about us. They wanted to put their fist to our minds and to our hearts.
LITTLE DAVID
But the difference is in Ash’s example, she would have just affected the people she knows. These people effected people they don’t even know.
RICHIE
That’s the worst thing about all this. In their eyes, we, the entire United States, are their enemy. So, it really doesn’t matter if they know us or not.
LITTLE DAVID
(Absorbing what his uncle just said)
Whoa.
DAVID (O.S)
Hey, Rich, can I see you for a sec.?
Richie turned his head sharply and sees David standing a few feet behind him. Richie looks nervous.
RICHIE
(Looks a little nervous - to Ashley)
Did that clear things up for you?
ASHLEY
It’s beginning to... finally.
Richie gets up and Ashley goes to her uncle and hugs him.
ASHLEY
Thanks a lot, Uncle Richie.
RICHIE
(Gives her an uneasy smile)
Anything for you, kiddo.
He kisses Ashley's cheek. Walter Jr., little David and Ashley continue to exit the room. Richie slowly turns to his brother and prepares for what is to come. Richie walks over to David.
RICHIE
Look, Dave... she kept asking and... I just thought if I didn’t do what I did, she would never be satisf...
David reaches to hug his brother. Richie is caught by surprised by this sudden display of affection. David half whispers in Richie’s ear -
DAVID
Thanks.
(Richie starts to leave, but David doesn’t let him go)
There’s something else... Dad’s in New York.
RICHIE
(Looks concerned)
Is... is he all right?
DAVID
(Looks to the floor)
We don’t know.
TERRI
I’m keeping my hopes up. Like I told Walter as we were coming over here, many things could have happened. We all have to have faith that everyone is okay.
MADDIE
(Gets up)
Would you all excuse me?
Maddie’s theme plays as she walks into the room. She spots the Addison brothers talking among themselves. Maddie doesn’t have to know what they are saying to know what they are talking about. She goes over to them and puts her arms around them for a heartwarming hug.
MADDIE
We will get through this.
David turns to Maddie and gives her a small kiss.
DAVID
C’mon, Rich. Let’s see what’s goin’ on out there.
RICHIE
I’ll be happy when this day is over.
They leave to go back into the living room. Maddie is left alone for the first time in this horrible day. She wanders toward the fridge, opens it and pokes her head in to see if she can find something. However, she slams the refrigerator door, spins around and presses her back to the fridge. She breaks down to cry and puts her head in her hands. Maddie then looks up to the ceiling. Seconds later, she does something she thought she never had to or believed was necessary to do. She clasps her hands together to pray.
MADDIE
I... I don’t know where to begin...or how to begin... I don’t know if I’m even allowed to do what I’m doing now, but I don’t know where else to turn. David told me you are always here for us. I hope in my heart it’s true. You see, both of our fathers are missing and a good friend’s partner is unaccounted for, as well. I just ask if you can help us locate them, to find out if they are still alive and well....
(sighs, tears rolling down her face)
This is the hardest thing I have ever done. What this unbelievable act has done to our lives, to our families,... to our country is oh so unthinkable.... What did we all do to deserve this...?
David walks into the kitchen and is surprised to see his wife doing what he never thought she would do. He decides not to disturb her and leaves the room.
MADDIE
I guess what I’m trying to say is, please watch over my father, David’s father and Walter’s partner...
(Cries harder)
And make sure they are all right.
She continues crying.
Each person in the room have their eyes glued to the HDTV located a few feet above the fireplace. No one has said a word in the last ten minutes.
MADDIE
(Anxious and pulls out her cell phone off the coffee table)
I have to call her.
(Dialing, puts the phone to her ear)
... Mom? Have you heard anything?
MRS. HAYES
No, darling. I’m afraid not.
MADDIE (O.S.)
Still?
MRS. HAYES
Maddie, are you sure, you can handle this?
MADDIE (O.S.)
(Gets aggravated)
Yes! I’m fine! Why does everyone keeps asking me if I’m fine when I’m fine! I’m finer than fine! I’ve never been better!
MRS. HAYES
Honey, you don’t have to convince me.
MADDIE (O.S.)
Good. I wasn’t trying to convince you...
MADDIE
(Sniffles)
... I was trying to convince myself.
Walter rises from the sofa and turns to Terri.
WALTER
Honey, maybe we should leave.
DAVID
No, no. Absolutely not. This is the time, more than ever, that we need to sit, to talk and to be together...
(David’s cell phone rings - Apologetically)
After I get this call...
(to phone)
Hello...? Brian, where the hell are you? Didn’t I tell you to call me as soon as you can...?
This is as soon as you can, huh? I guess my constant phone calls to my hometown made it difficult for you to reach out and touch me... All of you are out of danger, right...? Good...! Good, I’m so happy to hear it. It’s the best news I’ve heard, so far. Did everybody get home? You’re what...? You’re walking across the Brooklyn Bridge as we speak?
(Chuckles a little)
Is this part of your regular exercise regime...? Yeah, I know. I was just trying to ease tensions a bit. There isn’t any other way to get out of the city? What about the subway...? No service...? Really?
(Shakes his head - to himself)
Damn....
(to phone)
Only the Staten Island Ferry, huh?
(ringing his hand through his hair)
This is so awful... anything you guys need consider it done, you hear me...?
MADDIE
(To phone)
They have to be okay, Mom. They just have to be. I can’t bare to lose two fathers.
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
Let’s hope Alex met David and they were able to get away in time.
Another cell phone rings. Walter answers it.
WALTER
Hello...? Yes, this is Walter Bishop.... Yes, I did call to find out if Mitch Jacobson was on any flights to L.A.... You don’t know if he did? Then why did you call...? You wanted to inform me that you don’t know. Well, thanks for the information. I’m so informed, I’m able to do this.
He hangs up the phone.
DAVID
(Punches his fist in the air)
At a boy!
(to phone)
No, not you... I mean, I didn’t mean I wouldn’t say it to you, but it wasn’t directed to you...
(breathes a heavy sigh - gives up trying to explain)
I’m not alone in here.
MADDIE
(to phone)
Mom, please tell me it will be -
MRS. HAYES
Maddie, I wish I can kiss all of this away and make it better, but honey, I can’t. I’m as scared as you are.
The doorbell rings.
DAVID
(To Brian)
Hold on, Brian. Someone’s at the door.
(Gets up and walks to the door.)
Who can this be ?
David opens the door to reveal -
DAVID
Jamie? What’s up? What’s wrong?
JAMIE
I tried to contact you both, but your cell phones were busy.
DAVID
Did you try our regular number?
JAMIE
Also busy.
DAVID
Busy? How can that...
David turns and sees his children and overhear how overwhelmed they are as they talk to their friends about what is happening three thousand miles away.
JAMIE
Mr. Addison? Can I come in?
He turns and sees Jamie is still outside the door.
DAVID
Oh, sure. I’m sorry.
(He lets Jamie in and closes the door behind her)
So, what’s goin’ on? Just in the neighborhood?
JAMIE
Actually, I was downtown when my cell started to ring and Jason gave me news that you and Miss Hayes would love to hear.
DAVID
Why didn’t you said that before? I would have invited you in here sooner.
They walk into the living room.
DAVID
Hey, Blondie. We got news. I’ll give you a hint, it’s the opposite of what we’ve been getting all day.
MADDIE
Hold on, Mom. David may have some news.
DAVID
Actually, it’s Jamie’s news. I just wanted to give her a head start.
(to Jamie)
How am I doing?
JAMIE
Pretty good, Mr. Addison.
MADDIE
What is this news?
JAMIE
My brother broke his leg and he's in the hospital!
DAVID
That’s supposed to be good news?
JAMIE
No, this is. He’s on the phone with Mr. Hayes and Mr. Addison. They were all admitted to St. Vincents hospital when he helped both of them out of all that debris.
DAVID
What?
MADDIE
What?
DAVID
(Overjoyed)
Can I speak to them?
JAMIE
Sure.
She gives David the phone.
DAVID
Hello? Hel...
(Looks at the phone)
He’s not there.
JAMIE
This stupid thing. It drops some of my calls. But don’t worry, I’ll get him back... don’t worry.
Walter’s phone starts to ring.
WALTER
(Gets his phone out of his pocket - Unenthused)
Hello... Mitch... Mitch! What happened to you?
(Everyone’s head whipped around to Walter.)
Uh huh... Uh huh... Uh huh...
DAVID
You mind filling us in while where on stand by?
RICHIE
Can I speak to him?
DAVID
Speak to who?
RICHIE
Dad? That’s who’s on the phone, right?
DAVID
(Tries to be patient)
Is Dad's name Mitch? Jamie has to drop a line to her brother first before we can talk to Dad. That’s how these things are done in this side of the galaxy.
WALTER
Well, tell me what happened? I’ve been calling and emailing all morning... uh huh... uh huh...
DAVID
(Under his breath)
Here we go again.
WALTER
... That’s incredible!
(to everyone)
Mitch was supposed to have been on that flight, but he had trouble checking out of his hotel room. He remembered he left his Palm Pilot after he checked out, so he had to fight to get back in the room to search for it. Anyway, this unpleasant exchange caused him to miss his scheduled flight.
DAVID
Whoa! Talk about life saving devices.
WALTER
(to phone)
Huh...? That doesn’t sound like you, yet in these circumstances I can certainly understand...
(to everyone)
He was so shaken by what almost happened to him, he spent the morning in a nearby church thanking God and praying for the victims of this atrocity.
JAMIE
Jason’s back on the line, Mr. Addison.
DAVID
(He takes her phone)
Hello, Jason... hi. I’m David Addison... Junior, right.... Are my fathers there with you?
(Maddie crosses her fingers.)
Yes.
(to Maddie)
Yes! They’re both there and they’re fine! Whew!
He breathes a much needed sigh of relief.
MADDIE
(to phone)
Did you hear that Mom? They’re both okay!
MRS. HAYES (O.S.)
I hear it! I hear it!
DAVID
Umm, could you do me this one small favor? There’s a lot of people on the left coast who would like to hear their voices so could you call us back? We don’t want this cell to drop out on us again. Jamie gave you my house number, right...? Good. Talk to you in a few seconds.
David hangs up the phone. Little David tells his friend he will talk with him later and hangs up. Seconds later, the house phone rings; David picks up the phone.
DAVID
Hey, Jason. Let me put you on speaker.
David presses the button to put Jason on speaker phone. Everyone begins to gather around the phone. The kids are sitting on the carpet near the phone. Maddie takes her cell from her ear and faces it to the speaker phone so Mrs. Hayes will be able to hear.
DAVID
Okay, you’re on.
JASON (O.S.)
Hi... umm... why don’t I give this phone to one of the people you really want to talk to.
DAVID
No, don’t duck out on us now. We have a parade with your name on it.
MR. HAYES (O.S.)
Hello? Hello? Maddie? David?
MADDIE
Daddy! Daddy are you okay?
MR. HAYES (O.S.)
I’m fine, sweetheart. I’m fine. But this has got to be one of the most terrifying days in my life and I’ve been in two wars.
MADDIE
Daddy, what happened?
MR HAYES (O.S.)
It seems like a lifetime ago.... I was on the sixty third floor in tower two. I was getting ready for my meeting then all of a sudden, I hear a loud bang, or bomb, or what I thought was a bomb, exploding in the other tower. So, I immediately told everyone we have to get out of the building. We walked down the stairs. When we reached the 44th floor, the PA system told us the building was secure and people can go back to their offices.
DAVID
(Taken aback)
What?
MR. HAYES (O.S.)
I told everyone we can not stop. We had to get out of there. The other plane hit tower two when we reached the 33rd floor. The building swayed from one side to the other. It shook us to the core of our being, but we didn’t stop. A few flights down we were greeted by this brave, young firefighter here, who helped all of us reach ground level. Jason helped us get out there.
(He voice begins to crack. He is overwhelmed with emotion.)
If it wasn’t for him and many others like him, I wouldn’t be here talking to you.
(He sniffles)
I thank you so much! David, take over. I can’t speak anymore.
DAVID
There’s nothing much more I can say.
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
He meant me, son.
DAVID
Sorry, Dad.
DAVID SR. (O.S)
(Blows out a heavy sigh)
Where do I begin...? I was in the middle of my meeting and I felt this shaking. I said to myself, “This is the wrong coast to experience an earthquake.” I was thinking the earth had bad aim or something... Anyway, I high tailed it out of there quick, fast in a hurry, you know? And I thought I was safe ‘cuz I was only on the second floor and the World Trade Center was ‘bout twelve blocks away. There were so many people whizzing past me. I was afraid I was gonna get knocked down. When I turned around, I knew why I was in the middle of a stampede. It was the biggest, dirtiest, scariest avalanche of debris I will ever see on this side of Babylon. Oh my God, I had to go under a car so I wouldn’t choke to death, or get hit in the head by... anything. I swear to you, it turned a clear blue sky into darkness in seconds... This man, this firefighter... this hero, helped me get out of oblivion and into the world of the living again. I’m not exaggerating when I say, I don’t need no comic book or action movie to find a hero. As far as I’m concerned, I’m looking right at one... He’s battered, bruised and broke his leg, but still a hero.
JASON (O.S)
(Sounds bashful)
Thank you, Mr. Addison... thank you, too, Mr. Hayes.
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
No, thank you. My son owns a detective agency. So, if you need to have anybody investigated -
DAVID
(Smiles)
I already offered, Dad.
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
Then why did you allow me to waste my breath? I need as much of it as I can get.
DAVID
(Chuckles a bit)
I’m sorry, Dad.... Richie’s here.
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
Hey! Bighead! Are you giving your younger brother any grief out there?
RICHIE
Nope. I’m on my best behavior. Pinky swear.
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
Too bad.
Everyone started to let out a nervous laugh.
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
Where’s my beautiful daughter-in-law?
MADDIE
(Has a huge smile)
I’m right here, Dad!
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
Is David on his best behavior?
DAVID
(Blushes)
Dad, do we have to get into that now? Especially, when I have my other Dad waiting to hear a different answer.
DAVID SR. (O.S.)
I’m just livening up the conversation a little bit....
MADDIE (V.O.)
It was such a relief to hear their voices wasn’t it, David?
DAVID (V.O.)
You better believe it. I have never been as scared as I was when I didn’t know what happened to our fathers.
MADDIE (V.O.)
I could tell... you didn’t think I knew, but I did.
DAVID (V.O.)
I also knew the Big Guy answered your prayers.
MADDIE (V.O.)
I wished he could have answered everybody’s prayers.
DAVID (V.O.)
(Softly)
Yeah... me too.
Maddie and David sit in front of her desk.
MADDIE
So, you might ask, what are we still doing on the air?
DAVID
Aside from the fact that the hour isn’t up yet, we need to tell you what we did since that tragic day.
MADDIE
Agnes suggested we all raise money to send to the victims of this horrendous tragedy.
DAVID
Terri pitched in and performed a benefit for a fundraiser we organized on both coasts. She convinced her partners in the Philharmonic to donate their time. They all played their hearts out, didn’t they, Maddie?
MADDIE
Oh, yes. They were magnificent.
DAVID
Just so you know, we hopped on a plane to the Empire State and met up with Jason.
MADDIE
He was surprised we came all that way, wasn’t he?
DAVID
He’s an extraordinary young man. We’re invited to his wedding.
MADDIE
It took me a while to get these awful images out of my head, but I knew with the help of my family
(looks at David)
and our friends, I... we made it through a very turbulent year.
DAVID
On that note, honor the true spirit of this nation by giving any way you can. Whether it’s money, time, anything you can possibly think of. Let the world know that we may have been sent straight to the canvas, but weren’t knocked out... Good night... take care.
MADDIE
Good night.