276. Daddy - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• EXT. THE WALTER HOME - NIGHT


• JAN and THEO stand at the door of the house.


• Jan fixes Theo's collar.


• JAN
• Don't be so nervous; it's not like my Dad's a mafioso or the leader of a biker gang, sure he's got his quirks, but seriously!


• THEO
• Yeah, yeah, still not that comforting.


• JAN
• You guys will get along fine.


• She opens the door.


• JAN
• Hey, we're here!


• The WALTERS come to the door.


• MR. WALTER
• Jan, my beautiful girl!


• JAN
• Hey Daddy.


• MRS. WALTER
• Theo, it's good to see you again.


• THEO
• You too Mrs. Walter.


• MR. WALTER
• Theo. Lilia here has told me good things.


• THEO
• Yeah, Mrs. Walter and had a blast when she visited Jan last year.


• MR. WALTER
• Well, you're a good looking guy. I like you so far.


• Everyone laughs.


• MRS. WALTER
• Come in, come in.


• INT. THE WALTER HOUSE LIVING ROOM - NIGHT


• Mrs. Walter grabs Jan and they disappear, laughing in the direction of the kitchen.


• THEO
• I can help...


• MRS. WALTER (O.S.)
• We'll call you when dinner's ready.


• Theo looks around awkwardly.


• MR. WALTER
• Ah, they have some catching up to do. You know what, let me show you something I've been working on.


• He strides to the basement door and opens it, heading down the stairs.


• Theo glances around, then follows.


• INT. THE WALTER HOUSE BASEMENT - NIGHT


• The basement is crowded with knick-knacks that go back generations.


• A large shelf full of beautiful ships-in-bottles catches Theo's eye.


• THEO
• These are amazing.


• Mr. Walter moves quietly behind him.


• MR. WALTER
• Yes they are...family tradition. The oldest one was built by my great-grandfather. That schooner there.


• Theo leans to view the ship and Mr. Walter approaches, a syringe in hand.


• Theo inspects the ship admiringly and then freezes as Mr. Walter injects him.


• THEO
• Whaaa?


• Everything goes black.


• INT. THE WALTER HOUSE BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER


• Theo is slumped in a chair while Mr. Walter finishes going through his wallet.


• Theo begins to wake up.


• MR. WALTER
• So, what are your intentions with my daughter?


• THEO
• You drugged me?


• MR. WALTER
• Let's move beyond stating the obvious Theo. Intentions?


• THEO
• I don't believe this.


• MR. WALTER
• The quicker you answer, the faster we can get to that delicious dinner upstairs.


• THEO
• You're out of your mind.


• Mr. Walter sighs and pulls Theo out of the chair.


• He drags him over to an old bathtub filled with water and shoves his head under the water.


• MR. WALTER
• Intentions?


• Theo splutters.


• THEO
• I'm in love with her, I want to marry her...you're crazy!


• Mr. Walter shoves his head under the water again.


• MR. WALTER
• What makes you think you deserve her?


• THEO
• I'm sure I don't. But I'll take care of her and be committed to her. Please, just let me go.


• Mr. Walter considers him.


• MR. WALTER
• I'm not sold.


• He dunks him under the water again, holding him there for a bit.


• Theo comes up, eyes glazed.


• THEO
• What do you want to hear from me?


• MR. WALTER
• I suppose we'll see what you have to say eh?


• THEO
• Jan and I click in a way I've never quite connected with someone before. I'm terrified that I'll let her down, but I'm working as hard as I can not to.


• Mr. Walter dunks him again, then pulls him away from the tub and tosses a towel at him.


• MRS. WALTER (O.S.)
• Boys! Dinner!


• MR. WALTER
• That'll do for now. Dry yourself off, should probably look presentable for dinner.


• Theo stares at him, then obeys.


• Mr. Walter heads for the stairs.


• MR. WALTER
• Join us when you're all finished up. Don't you ever break her heart.


• INT. THE WALTER HOUSE DINING ROOM - NIGHT


• The four sit around the table eating.


• Theo still looks a bit dazed.


• MRS. WALTER
• Darling, did you show Theo your boats, I know you love them.


• She giggles.


• MR. WALTER
• I did, I think he really liked them.


• They smile at each other.


• Jan looks at them.


• Theo stares at her, then at Mr. Walter like a deer in gunsights.


• JAN
• Sometimes I don't understand you too.


• MRS. WALTER
• That's ok, just glad Theo had fun. Eat up!


• FADE TO BLACK.