INTERIOR HOME
The family is seated in the dining room.  A chicken pot pie is steaming in the center of the table. A white cat is perched on a nearby credenza while a grey cat wanders the room aimlessly meowing for no apparent reason.

Mom: but we need to make sure the mortgage gets paid by the -

Daughter: Moooooom. Hey mom!

Dad: Your mom is talking, hold on a second honey.

Mom: by the 15th. So can you transfer that over from the other account in the morning?

Dad: Yep. OK honey, what did you want to tell your mom?

Daughter: um. Mom?

Mom: Yes?

Daughter: Um. Uh. Um. [Pause] Do you know what we did at school today?

Mom: What did you do at school today?

Daughter: We had um. [Pause] What was I going to say?

Mom: Something about what you did at school today?

Daughter: Oh yeah. Um. Phoebe was the mommy and I was the baby. Then we had lunch.

Mom: That sounds fun.

SILENCE FALLS ON THE TABLE
The grey cat rubs his body against mom and lets out a very loud whine.

Dad: Did they get fed?

Mom: Yes, and I tried to let him outside.  I think he might have brain damage.

SILENCE

Dad: Are you going to run tonight?

Mom: I think so, I’m right at my calories for the day but my -

Daughter: Dad.. Guess What?

Dad: Hold on sweetie, Mom is talking [Mom shrugs her shoulders]. Yes?

Daughter: Guess What?

Dad: What?

Daughter: Guess!

Dad: There is a bird flying around in our bathroom?

Daughter: [smiling] Nooooooooooo!

Dad: Your hair is made of spaghetti?

Daughter: Noooooooooooo!

Dad: Um…..

Daughter: Guess!

Dad: Is it your birthday?

Daughter: No silly.

Dad: I give up?  What is it?

Daughter: Um.. Uhhhh. [Pause] When is your birthday?

Dad: March 4th. Are you going to get me a present?

Daughter: Yes.

Dad: Cool.  What is it?

Daughter: It’s a surprise, but I know.  Right mom?

Mom: Yep.

SILENCE
The white cat attempts a jump from the credenza to the dining room table. She misses by several feet.

Dad: So do I need to leave work early tomorrow for the teacher conference? Or did it get moved back?

Mom: We couldn’t move it. We’ll come get you at the train at 3:30.  It should only take -

Daughter: Mom. Mom. Mom.

Mom: I’m talking. Just a second.

Daughter: Mom. Mom. Mom.

Mom: Just a second, honey.

Daughter: Mom. Mom. Mommmmy.

Dad: ONE!

SILENCE

Mom: It should only take about half an hour.  I need you to sign her slip still.  Do you want us to bring you a snack?

Dad: Sure.  OK.  You can talk to your mom now.

Daughter: Mom?

Mom: Yes.

Daughter: Um. When I was.. um.

SILENCE

Mom: When you were?

Daughter: Um.  When I was a baby in your tummy. Did you know -

THE GREY CAT
Let’s out a giant howl and starts climbing up on Daughter’s leg.

Daughter: Hey! Get down.  Get down!

Dad: He’s OK honey.  He just wants you to pet him.

Daughter: Down!

THE GREY CAT
Walks into the kitchen and lays inside an overturned grocery bag.

SILENCE

SILENCE

Mom: If you eat the rest of your chicken, you can have one of the cookies we baked today.

Dad: Really?  I love cookies!!

Mom: I was talking to your daughter.

THE NEXT DAY
Interior Compact Car
The family is driving to the teacher conference.  Bruno Mars is playing at a low volume on the car stereo. It is raining outside.

Dad: Here’s the slip.  I also put -

Daughter: Dad! Guess What!

FADE TO BLACK