ROBIN HAWDON
P L A Y W R I G H T

The Big Day
E X T R A C T
*

….CUT TO:

INT. RECEPTION AREA.

Mr TAVISTOCK, the somewhat pompous and effete HOTEL MANAGER comes up to the desk. He is dressed in traditional black jacket and striped trousers.

TAVISTOCK
(to the RECEPTIONIST)
All well, Diana?

RECEPTIONIST
Yes, Mr Tavistock. Er - there does seem to be a bit of confusion going on in the Wellington Suite....

CUT TO:
INT. PASSAGE.

The GIRL is heading for the lift. BILL sprints after her. The doors open as she gets there, and the two middle-aged HOTEL GUESTS emerge. The GIRL enters as BILL arrives. He barges past the GUESTS into the lift.

FEMALE GUEST
(outraged)
Well, really!

BILL
(as the lift doors close)
Sorry.

CUT TO:

INT. LIFT.

She presses the button to descend.

BILL
(collecting his breath)
What happened to you? We thought you'd died.

GIRL
Sorry.

BILL
Why wouldn't you come out?

GIRL
I was hiding.

BILL
From me?

GIRL
No.

BILL
From Rachel?

GIRL
No.

BILL
Then who?

GIRL
From Tom.

BILL
(puzzled)
Tom?

GIRL
Yes.

BILL
Why?

GIRL
I'm his girl-friend.

BILL stares at her, stunned. The lift doors open.

CUT TO:

INT. FOYER.

The GIRL hurries out. BILL is frozen to the spot in a state of shock. He pulls himself together, and dashes out of the lift after her. TAVISTOCK turns from the desk.

TAVISTOCK
Ah - Mr Martin....

BILL
Er.... Hello, Mr Tavistock.

TAVISTOCK
I need to see you for a few moments - just to finalise one or two things.

BILL
Right. I'll, er... be back in a sec. I just need to, er....

Dashes past and after the GIRL, leaving a bemused TAVISTOCK behind.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOTEL DRIVE.

The GIRL hurries towards the car park. BILL sprints after and catches her up.

BILL
His girl-friend's at home.

She shakes her head.

With his parents.

Another shake.

Eating corn-flakes.

Another shake.

They pass a pair of GUESTS in wedding clothes.

MALE GUEST
(effusive)
Ah, Bill! Great day - eh?

BILL
Yes, er.... see you shortly.

The GIRL reaches her little car and gets in. He runs around to the other side. Opens the door and collapses into the passenger seat.

INT. CAR.

BILL
You're Judy?

A nod.

Oh my God!

He sits dazed.

How did it happen?

JUDY
You don't remember?

BILL
Not a lot.

JUDY
Oh.

BILL
It really did feel like a dream.

CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM. NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

Quick memory flash. They are naked, passionate....

RESUME:

INT. CAR.

JUDY
It was. Sort of.

BILL
(still bemused)
So did George call you?

JUDY
I beg your pardon?

BILL
You're a call-girl, right?

She slaps his face.

Wrong.

JUDY
Would Tom invite a call-girl to a wedding?

BILL
I'm sorry.

JUDY
You have a genius for making a girl feel good.

BILL
So what were you doing here?

JUDY
It's a long story. I must get back to Tom's house.

Looks at him sadly.

See you at the wedding.

BILL
You can't.... We can't just....

JUDY
We can. We have to.

CUT TO:

EXT. CAR PARK.

The PALMERS drive their Rover in and park right beside JUDY's car, still shouting at each other.

RESUME:

INT. JUDY'S CAR.

BILL sees them. Dives down below the window.

BILL
Oh, my God! It's Rachel's parents!

JUDY
All right - keep calm.

She lowers the visor mirror, and pretends to arrange her hair.
CUT TO:

EXT. CAR PARK.

The PALMERS clamber out of their car.

DAPHNE
....well I did warn you, Gerald. I said we shouldn't have the stag night, and the reception, and the honeymoon night all in the same place! Get the dress out.

GERALD
(opening the rear door)
What else could we do, woman? It's the only decent hotel for miles! And you insisted on the full works.

He scrabbles for the wedding dress, which is laid out in its transparent cover on the back seat.

DAPHNE
Naturally - it's a wedding! Careful with it, careful! Rachel will never forgive us if it's creased.

He puffs and pants as he pulls it out.

Here, I'll carry it. You bring the bags.

They set off to the hotel with their loads.
RESUME:

INT. JUDY'S CAR.

BILL raises himself and peers cautiously after them.

JUDY
They look fun.

BILL
They're a nightmare.

JUDY
You'd better get that chamber-maid out of the way before someone introduces her to them.

BILL
Oh God, yes.

Opens the car door.

What are you going to say to Tom?

JUDY
I don't know. Perhaps I won't have to say anything.

He gets out. Leans in before closing the door.

BILL
I wish I could remember how it all happened.

JUDY
It's probably best you don't.

He closes the door, and she starts the car. He watches her go, then hurries back to the hotel…..

*