Broadcast News

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

EXT. CONVENTION CENTER - DAY

Much the same place where Jane and Tom first met.  The
words "SEVEN YEAS LATER" appears on the screen.

A sign off to one side tells us it's the annual meeting of the
Local Television Broadcasters... and that at 2 P.M.  Tom Grunick
will be speaking on "Responsibilities of Broadcast Journalism
for the '90s."

INT. AUDITORIUM - DAY

Much the same audience, though two members of the audience
may strike particular interest -- curly haired man seen
from behind holding a similarly curly haired five-year-old.
Tom is in mid-speech.

TOM
... when they told me Bill had decided
to retire and offered me the Evening
News, I thought it was the same kind
of joke we used to pull back at the
station -- turning off somebody's
prompter in the middle of a show.

Some good-natured laughter.

TOM (cont'd)
And then when they heard my reaction --
they thought I was kidding.  I told them
I'd be their anchor but I didn't want
to be the Managing Editor -- that there
were people better qualified than I to
control the content and if there
weren't we were all in trouble.

The audience really enjoys this:

SAME SCENE -- SOME MINUTES LATER

MOVING SHOT...

The anchor teams -- leaning forward.  They love this man,
a humble specialist refusing the generalist trap.  Imagine
the feeling -- you see, on the top of the mountain, a man
not unlike yourself.

TOM
And now to something more
important... I'd like to introduce
my bride.
(gestures to a woman in
the front row)
Lila?

A svelte, classic, warm beauty gets to her feet.

ON CURLY HAIRED MAN AND BOY...

Aaron and his son as Aaron cranes for a look at Mrs. Grunick.

INT. AUDITORIUM - STAGE AREA - MOMENTS LATER

Tom and Lila shaking hand.  Aaron, his son in his arms, wait.

ON TOM

As he sees Aaron... he is clearly delighted.

TOM
Holy shit, Aaron.

He claps him on the back... Aaron is as pleased as he is
uncomfortable with the attention.

TOM
Lila -- this is Aaron Altman.

LILA
(high British accent)
Oh, yes -- you're one of Tom's
50 or so role models.

AARON
Hi.

TOM
Well, this kid couldn't possibly
belong to anyone else.  What's
your name?

BOY
Clifford...

AARON
(indicating Tom)
Do you know who this is, Cliff?

BOY
The big joke?

Tom looks at him -- Aaron gives his son a disciplinary nudge.

AARON
I'm just bringing him over to give
Jane a look at him --

TOM
I thought she'd be here.  I'll
go with you.

AARON
Okay.

TOM
(to Lila)
I'll see you back at the hotel.

LILA
(cool)
All right.

He starts off.  She pulls him back for an urgent communication.

LILA
Tom, the speech was magnificent.

AARON
Oh, I didn't say anything about
your speech.

TOM
I appreciate it.

INT. WALKWAY - DAY

Tom, Aaron and the boy walking along.  Tom plays with Cliff
as they move.  The boy is delighted.  Jane is in a park -- a
blanket spread out -- she is wearing shorts and a top -- she
has some wine and a small picnic -- a toy for Clifford.

She HEARS her name being called.

ON JANE

Shielding her eyes from the sun -- now making out Tom.  As
they reach her.

JANE
(to herself)
Well, why not?
(as they arrive)
Hey, what is this?  My life's
rushing in front of my eyes.

TOM
A picnic?

JANE
I thought for ol' Cliff here --
Look at you?  You're more adorable
than your pictures.  Look what I
got for you.

She hands him a toy.

AARON
What do you say, Cliff?

The boy kisses Jane's hand.

AARON
He excels at gratitude.

TOM
(to Jane)
Are you any closer to a decision?

JANE
I think so...They've been talking
to me about being Tom's Managing
Editor.

AARON
Really?