Family Games Night

8/7/2019 Family Games Night

1/27

MODERN FAMILY

"Family Games Night"

written by

Gavin Warner

[email protected]#


2/27

ACT ONE

MITCHELL AND CAMERON INTERVIEW

Cameron nudges Mitchell. Tell them.

MITCHELL(reluctantly)

So were having a family gamesnight.

Cameron claps excitedly.

CAMERONOrganised by moi.

Cameron looks over at Mitchells sour face.

MITCHELLOh cmon itll be a blast.

(sing-songy)Charaaaades. Give me one.

Mitchell sighs. Squints.

CAMERONClint Eastwood.

Mitchell nods. Puts his hands on his hips.

CAMERON (CONTD)Mickey Rooney.

A sour expression.

CAMERON (CONTD)One Flew over the Cookoos Nest.

Mitchell shows two slight changes in facial expression -almost imperceptible.

MITCHELLNo, this is One Flew over theCookoos Nest. THIS is The Deathand Life of Peter Sellers.

CAMERON(to the camera)

Were still working out some of thesubtleties.

Beat.

Mitchell starts to move his hands forward.


3/27

CAMERON (CONTD)Casablanca!

INT. DUNPHY HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

Claire is on the phone.

CLAIREHang on Ill just check.

Claire goes to back door.

Phil and Luke are battling it out dressed as robots.

Phil slams Lukes body-armour-cardboard-box with his foilcovered arm.

PHILGorbotron strikes hitting Rotozorin the fuel tank.

CLAIREPhil, Cam wants to know if wedlike to go to a family games nightat their place tonight.

PHIL(sounding robotic)

Thats a big O.

CLAIREIs that a yes?

PHILWord to your mother.

CLAIRE(to the phone)

Ill get back to you.

INT. JAY AND GLORIAS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Jay is sitting with his arm around Manny watching Saturdaymorning cartoons - old-school.

MANNYI dont understand why Tom andJerry fight all the time. Why cantthey just sit down and reason outtheir differences.

JAYIts a cartoon. Its funny.

Beat.


4/27

MANNYTheres this kid at school calledHenrich that keeps picking on me.

JAY(indicating to the T.V.)

So, be like the Jerry. Outsmarthim.

Gloria enters.

GLORIAWere going to a games night atMitchell and Camerons tonight--

JAYBut Ive got a thing on at

the...thing...

Gloria ignores him.

GLORIAAnnnndd...

JAY(to Manny)

I dont like the sound of that and.

GLORIA

Does anyone know what day it istoday?

JAYHappy birthday Manny.

MANNYAlready had it.

Jay nods...back to the cartoon.

GLORIAWere picking up Diego from theairport.

JAYWhosa?

GLORIAMy cousin Diego. We talked aboutthis last month.

JAYAh, thats why I remember it so

well.

Gloria starts handing out ponchos.


5/27

GLORIAAnd we all need to wear traditionalColombian outfits today.

JAYNo, no we dont.

JAY & GLORIA INTERVIEW

Jay and Gloria are dressed in traditional Colombian outfits.

GLORIAMy cousin Diego arrives today fromBogota. Hes the sweetest floristyoull ever meet.

JAYMaybe hell get on well with Mitchand Cam.

Gloria throws Jay a glare which he ignores.

INT. MITCHELL AND CAMERONS DUPLEX - STUDY - DAY

Mitchell is typing away at his laptop. Suddenly, Lilys head

pops around the door corner.

CAMERON (O.S.)Daddy. Daddy. Are you in here. Ireally want to go to the park andam wondering why you are being soemotionally withdrawn today.

Mitchell sits back in his seat, looks at the camera andsighs.

EXT. PARK - WALKING PATH - DAY

Cameron is pushing Lily in a pram while Mitchell walksbeside.

MITCHELLThe whole Games Night thing itjust...brings back memories.

CAMERONWeve all had a bad run ofcharades. I remember a time when

everyone thought--

MITCHELLYoure not listening.


6/27

CAMERONJust adding some levity.

MITCHELLOur family loved board games.Friday nights. But one year my dadfound some magazines under mybed...he was so mad with me thathed wouldnt play on my sideanymore. Soon our family grew outof board games anyway, but thepoint was--

CAMERONHe wasnt there for you.

MITCHELL

Yeah and he--

CAMERONKept to himself. Kept busy.

MITCHELLYes. Yes.

CAMERONWas emotionally distant?

MITCHELL

Right...(realization dawns)Oh.

Mitchell slips a hand inside Camerons arm. Looks down atLily and smiles.

PHIL & CLAIRE INTERVIEW

PHILEvery Tuesday night before there

were kids biting our ankles wedhave a few friends around, play afew games...

FLASHBACK

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Three couples including Phil and a heavily pregnant Claire

sit on the floor around a small coffee table. On the table -a board game.


7/27

Phil rolls a die, moves his piece, then suddenly leaps up inthe air.

PHILYes. Yes. Winner.

(to the others)Loooosers. Woo hoo. U.S.A.

He jumps up on the table, but slips, falls on his back.

CLAIREAre you okay?

PHIL & CLAIRE INTERVIEW RESUMES

CLAIRE (CONTD)Its not all about winning.

PHILYep. Thats what the losers say.

Phil produces the board game Trivial Pursuit.

PHIL (CONTD)And heres my secret weapon.

Claire hangs her head in despair.

CLAIREOh God.

Phil pulls out the card deck. Hands it toward the unseencamera operator.

PHILAsk me any question.

Phil waits.

CAMERA OPERATOR (O.S.)Whats the capital of Russia?

Beat.

PHILThats a good one. Uh...let methink now...when Gorbachov waspresident it was...

PHIL (CONTD)(reaching)

Can I...

Hes given back the card.

Examines it carefully.


8/27

PHIL (CONTD)Did you take this from the front orthe back?

CAMERA OPERATOR (O.S.)The middle.

Another quick look.

PHIL(handing back the card)

Ok. Ask me again.

EXT. PARK - PLAYGROUND - DAY

Cameron and Mitchell have parked the stroller and are pushingLily on a swing. Both involved. A happy family.

Another woman comes along. Puts her kid on the swing besideLily. Begins pushing.

WOMAN(to Mitchell)

Shes gorgeous. How old is she.

MITCHELLTwo.

WOMANReally. Sos mine. She walking yet?

Mitchell nods unconvincing. Looks to Cameron who issurprised.

WOMAN (CONTD)Oh little Jessies been walkingsince one.

CAMERONReally.

WOMANTook to it like a champion. Whatabout climbing?

Cameron is about to speak but Mitchell gets in first.

MITCHELLGreat climber.

WOMANJesse could climb from day dot. Up

on chairs, holding the edge ofanything she could get her handson.


9/27

Mitchell begins unhooking the chain holding Lily in the seat.

MITCHELLYeah. Well you know weve got toget her to swimming class now.

WOMAN(shocked)

She can swim?

MITCHELLDoes 15 in less than a minute.

WOMANWow.

INT. DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Claire and Hayley are waiting at the front door with Claire.Phil enters dressed in a tight fitting basketball outfit.

PHILStill fits.

CLAIREReally?

HAYLEYDo we have to go mom?

CLAIREYour brother who loves you needsyour support...

Phil is oblivious. Hes pretending to do lay-ups.

CLAIRE (CONTD)...so does your father.

Luke comes down the stairs.

PHILHeres the baller.

Claire puts a hand on Lukes shoulder as he reaches thebottom stair.

CLAIREPlay fair. Do your best.

Phil makes a honking sound

PHILBall just hit the rim.


10/27

Phil looks at the camera.

PHIL INTERVIEW

PHIL (CONTD)Do you think Michael Jordan eversaid, Lets just go out there andplay fair. Lets NOT slam dunk oneveryones heads today.

INT. DUNPHY HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Claire shuts the door behind Phil, Luke and the girls as they

leave. She then indicates that the camera should follow her.

She moves to a nearby potted plant. Reaches in. Pulls out afew Trivial Pursuit cards and shows them to the camera.

Claire then moves into the living room. Goes to the couch.Reaches in-between the cushions. Pulls out more cards.

SERIES OF SHOTS

--Cards are stashed in a suit jacket;

--Under the dining table with sticky tack;

--At the back of the fridge;

Pan up to Claire at the fridge.

CLAIREPhil studies the first twenty or socards and then puts them to thefront.

INT. PHILS CAR - DAY

Phil is not concentrating on his driving. Hes looking atthree cards which are stuck to the inside of the visor.

HAYLEYDad!

Phil quickly pulls the car back into the lane.

INT. MITCHEL AND CAMERONS CAR - DAY

Cameron reaches over to Mitchell who is driving and puts ahand on his.


11/27

CAMERONIm so proud of you.

MITCHELLFor lying to that lady.

CAMERONFor sticking up for your daughter.Being there for her.

Mitchell smiles. Glances at Lily in the rearview.

LILYDa!

EXT. MITCHELL AND CAMERONS CAR - DAY

Their car screams to a stop. Mitchell gets out and takes Lilyout of her seat.

Camerons running around in circles shaking his hands.

CAMERON(high-pitched)

She said Da.(to a walker nearby)

She said Da.

END OF ACT ONE


12/27

ACT TWO

INT. BASKETBALL COURT - DAY

Phil sits on the sideline of a basketball court, Hayley andAlex beside him. Hayley is texting on her phone. Alex islooking bored.

Luke is playing on court. Hes a bit weak. Nobodys passinghim the ball.

PHILCmon Lukey. Call for it. Call forit.

Phil looks over at Hayley. Reaches across and grabs her phone

off her.

HAYLEYDad!

PHILAt least try and look interested.

Hayley crosses her arms and sits back.

HAYLEY(sarcastic)

Yay Luke.

Phil nudges Alex.

ALEX(bored)

Yay Luke.

Someone finally passes Luke the ball. He starts moving downthe court...

PHILYes. Cmon little buddy!

...but is soon stripped by another player and stands thereshaking his head.

Phil shakes his head.

A whistle blows.

Phil calls Luke over.

Phil gets up and waves the girls to their feet. Encouragesthe four into a huddle.

PHIL (CONTD)Now listen son, you need to startgetting your game on.

(MORE)


13/27

You dont want to shame on thisfamily do you.

Luke shakes his head.

PHIL (CONTD)Lets not forget I was an all-American football legend.

HAYLEYLets not forget you were acheerleader.

PHILGames were made or broken on mythigh stands young lady.

Phil breaks the huddle. The girls quickly sit down again.

PHIL (CONTD)Just...start bringing home thebacon.

LUKEWhats that mean?

PHILOkay, let me put it another way, ifyou dont get that ball and put it

in that hoop, Im going to be alllike, who are you? Youre not myson.

Luke stands there looking hurt and shocked.

Phil looks at the camera and then heads back to the benchseat with a smug look.

PHIL INTERVIEW

PHIL (CONTD)Encouragement. We all need it.

BACK TO THE GAME

Luke is trying really hard to get the ball this time butwithout much success. Phil is shouting instructions from thesideline. He suddenly stops.

PHIL (V.O.) (CONTD)

It was then that I realized what Ihad to do...

PHIL (CONTD)


14/27

Phil starts cheerleading. Its really corny and weird; somuch so that the crowd lose interest in the game and beginwatching Phil; so do a lot of the players. This gives Lukethe opportunity to snatch the ball off a mesmerized opponent,bounce it down the court, and shoot a basket.

Hardly anyone notices. Not even Phil who is still self-absorbed in his routine.

INT. BASKETBALL COURT - LATER

Phil and Luke stand before the coach.

PHILLot of potential huh coach.

COACHIt was...disturbing.

Phil sees the coach looking him up and down.

PHILOh, no, I mean, Luke.

COACHHas he tried baseball?

PHILHe has. Look, he swished didnt he.

COACHControversial. And...its not allabout winning.

PHIL(pretending to cough)

Michael Jordan.

Phil looks at the camera.

COACHSorry, did you say something?

PHILNo, no, just got a tickle. So thentell me coach, what is it all aboutthen.

COACHOne word - team.

PHIL

Thats right. And how do you spellthat?


15/27

COACHUh...T..E..A..M.

PHILExactly. Ever notice the letters mand e in there?

INT. PHILS CAR - DAY

Phil looks in the rear vision.

PHILDont sweat it champ. I dont thinkhe was the right coach for youanyway.

LUKESo am I still your son?

The girls look horrified.

ALEXDad?

PHILOf course buddy. That was justcourt talk. Maybe the coach was

right.

LUKEAbout winning?

PHILAbout baseball.

Phil becomes involved in another Trivial Pursuit card whichhe has hidden in a flip panel on the middle console. Hestrying to get a peek at it.

ALL KIDS(looking through thewindscreen)

Dad!

INT. JAY AND GLORIAS CAR - DAY

Jay is driving. The family are still in their traditionalgarb.

GLORIA

I want to get Diego a welcomepresent.

(she points ahead)Lets stop at Costco.


16/27

JAYIm not getting out.

GLORIASo youre not proud of your wifeand sons wifes nationality.

JAYYou always put things so...harshly.

INT. COSTCO - DAY

Jay, Gloria and Manny come through the doors. Jay is lookingaround nervously hoping not to get noticed by anyone heknows. As they head toward one of the isles they see Mitchell

and Cameron pushing their trolley.

GLORIAHey boys.

JAYOh great.

CAMERONHey Gloria.

Both look with interest at Jay.

CAMERON (CONTD)I like this!

GLORIAMy cousin Diego is coming fromBogota.

CAMERONSo youre making him feel welcome.How sweet. Make sure you bring himalong tonight then.

MITCHELLYou all look so festive...

(to Jay)especially you.

JAYYeah yeah. Laugh it up.

Manny is preoccupied staring at a father and son over nearthe toilet paper.

MANNY

Thats him.

GLORIAWho?


17/27

MANNYHenrich. The kid whos picking on

me at school.

GLORIAA kid is picking on you at school.Jay did you...?

Jay nods.

GLORIA (CONTD)(to Jay)

Well go over there. Talk to hisfather. Mano o mano.

Jay stares at the father who looks a little rough around theedges.

JAYBut...the kids got to learn tofight his own battles.

Mitchell scoffs at this.

MITCHELLYeah, I did.

Jay looks at Mitchell. Sees the hurt. Contemplates this.

Gloria waves Jay onward.

JAYAlright alright.

Jay ambles over. Sticks out a hand to the father.

JAY (CONTD)Jay Pritchett.

The man just stares coldly.

JAY (CONTD)Uh...your boy there...well...hesbeen picking on my kid and...maybeyou could talk to him.

HENRICHS FATHERAbout...

JAYAbout stopping.

HENRICHS FATHER

Why?


18/27

JAYWhy? Because its hurting hisfeelings thats why.

Henrichs father looks Jay up and down, looks to his son andsmirks.

JAY (CONTD)Cmon. Youre a father. How wouldyou feel if it was the other wayaround.

HENRICHS FATHERId tell him to harden the--

A voice comes over the speaker drowning out what Henrichsfather says next, although we can tell its not pretty.

SHOP ASSISTANTS VOICEPrice check on a packet of wildoats.

Henrichs father finishes what he was saying as the voicefinishes the price check.

JAYI bet you would.

Jay throws a hand out in frustration.

JAY (CONTD)Ah, forget it.

Jay begins to move away.

HENRICHS FATHER(calling after him)

Nice dress.

Jay stops. Turns and heads back. Gets in Henrichs fathersface.

JAYYou know this is traditionalColombian poncho. My wifesColombian, my kids Colombian, and

we have quite a few Colombianfriends whod be interested in the

whole...situation we have here.

The mans eyes widen as he realizes what Jay means. He looksdown at the poncho again.

HENRICHS FATHER

You know...the colours arent sobad.


19/27

Jay nods and walks off. He moves up to Manny and puts an armon him. Begins to lead him away toward an isle.

JAYCmon Manny. He wont bother youanymore.

GLORIABaby, what did you say?

JAYI just reasoned with him. Youknow...mano o mano.

GLORIAAwwww. Youre so brave.

She looks back.

GLORIA (CONTD)He looks scared of you.

JAY(wide-eyed)

Mmmm hmmmm.

Mitchell watches his father leave.

END OF ACT TWO


20/27

ACT THREE

INT. MITCHELL AND CAMERONS DUPLEX - KITCHEN / INT. DUNPHYSHOUSE - KITCHEN

SPLIT SCREEN or cut back and forth as necessary.

Mitchell is buzzing around the kitchen getting things readyfor the Games Night while holding a phone to his ear.

In the B.G. Cameron is dancing with Lily to Aretha Franklin.

MITCHELLI dont know. This mother was alllike my daughter can do this. And

my daughter can do that.

Claire is arranging some flowers in a vase in the kitchen.

Out the window in the back yard Phil and Luke are wrestling.Phil is dressed in a cape and a mask and Luke has underpantsover his head and is wearing some bed leggings.

CLAIRENot every kid develops the sameMitch.

MITCHELLThats true. Thats helpful.

CLAIRETake you for example. You werenever as good at sport as me. Alate bloomer.

MITCHELLThats not as helpful.

Claire looks out the window - frowns.

CLAIREDont you remember...Mum and Dad

were always letting us try newthings.

MITCHELLYeah. Basketball.

CLAIREBaseball.

MITCHELL

Present wrap club.

TOGETHERMums idea.


21/27

MITCHELLIce skating. Who wouldve thoughtId find my niche.

CLAIREEven then I was the one who...

MITCHELLAlriiight. Point taken. Bet me ice-skating disappointed dad though.

CLAIRENah. You were always the apple ofhis eye.

MITCHELLWhat?

CLAIREEven when he found out you were gayMitch.

MITCHELLReally?

CLAIREIt was such a turbulent time youprobably didnt notice. It was hardfor him too with his traditional

values.

MITCHELL(in deep thought)

Yeah. Right.

CLAIREThe key with kids is to work ontheir strengths.

Claire looks out the window.

Phil is now climbing on the bin ready to Hammer Drop Luke whois sprawled on the grass pretending hes injured.

CLAIRE (CONTD)Uh, I gotta go.

MITCHELLSee you tonight.

Claire races for the back door.

CLAIREHoney thats not...

CRUNCH


22/27

LUKEOwwwwww.

CLAIRE...safe.

PHIL AND CLAIRE INTERVIEW

Luke sits between his parents on the couch. He has his arm ina sling.

CLAIRE (CONTD)I realized that Lukes strengthlies in pretend-play, so we--

PHILYou.

CLAIREI, enrolled him in acting classes.

PHILMainly girls. Wearing eighteenthcentury dresses and pretending tobe the Brontes.

CLAIRE

One of the male students recentlygot cast in the next Narnia--

PHILSure...as one of the sisters.

CLAIREThe kids making more than hisparents income combined.

PHILWhen does Luke start again?

CLAIREMonday.

INT. JAYS CAR - DAY

A huge Colombian man sits beside Manny in the back of thecar. Hes so large that he has to hunch over to fit. Mannystares up at him in awe.

JAY

So...Diego...youre a florist.

DIEGOA fauna engineer.


23/27

JAYUh huh. Hows that working out foryou?

DIEGOGood.

JAYGreat.

DIEGOI just open my twenty third storein Barranquilla.

JAYWow. So business is blooming.

Jay laughs at his own joke. Stops when he sees Diego is not.

Jay pulls up at the lights. A beefy Hummer pulls up beside.Jay looks over. Henrichs father is behind the wheel.

JAY (CONTD)Diego. Do me a favour and wave atthat guy over there.

Diego waves enthusiastically.

JAY (CONTD)

Lose the smile.

Henrichs father looks across, sees Jay, and then sees thehuge Colombian man in the back waving darkly at him.

He quickly looks away.

As soon as the lights go green Henrichs father takes offquickly.

Jay laughs.

INT. MITCHELL AND CAMERONS DUPLEX - FRONT DOOR

At the door stand Jay and family with Diego.

Mitchell and Cameron open the door.

Cameron is dressed in a Colombian outfit. Hes the only one.He bows to Diego who looks at him strangely.

MUSIC

MONTAGE


24/27

INT. STUDY - NIGHT

Cameron opens the study door for Manny and sweeps an armtoward the other children who are sitting around a stack ofboard games looking bored.

When Cameron leaves, the kids quickly sweep the board gamesaway and pull out a set of poker cards. Hayley beginsdealing.

Manny smiles and sits down.

INT. MITCHELL AND CAMERONS DUPLEX - LIVING ROOM - DAY

Jay and Gloria are in the lounge chair, Phil and Claire on

the floor with Mitchell and Cameron around the coffee table.

CLAIRE (V.O.)Lifes not about getting it rightall the time...

A bunch of games are stacked on the table. Phil produces histrivial pursuit and starts opening it. As he pulls out thecard set he drops it and it spills everywhere - the cardsgetting mixed up. Phil looks horrified as he franticallystarts to scoop them up. Claire stifles a giggle.

INT. MITCHELL AND CAMERONS DUPLEX - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Everyone is now playing Outburst. Jay is teamed up withMitchell. They are obviously winning.

CLAIRE (V.O.)Its about accepting one another...

Jay throws an arm around Mitchell in victory, and Mitchellquickly glances over at Claire and Cameron who are teamed up.Both are smiling at him. Mitchell smiles back.

CLAIRE (V.O.)Especially those closest to us...

INT. MITCHELL AND CAMERONS DUPLEX - LIVING ROOM - LATER

Mitchell and Cameron are winning at Charades. Phil is nothappy with this but Claire pats his arm and he relaxesslightly.


25/27

INT. DRAMA CLASS - DAY

CLAIRE (V.O.)And celebrating their strengths

with them.

Luke is dressed in an eighteenth century costume completewith leggings and frilly shoulders. He has his arms aroundtwo other boys and is kicking his legs from side to side andsinging boisterously.

Phil and Claire sit to the side.

Phils clapping happily along.

END OF ACT THREE


26/27

TAG

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY

Michael Jordan sits in front of a class of students who areseated in front of him on the floor, parents behind them.

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - HALLWAY - DAY

Phil is rushing down the hallway dragging Luke behind him.

PHILThis is so exciting. This is soexciting.

INT. MIDDLE SCHOOL - CLASSROOM - DAY

Phil bursts in the door and pushes his way to the front,seats Luke, then heads toward Michael and shakes his hand.

PHILHello Mr. Jordan. Im a big fan ofyour work.

MICHAELThanks.

PHILThe NBA final of 86...what a game.That was magic.

MICHAELYeah it was...Magic Johnson. Not

me.

PHILYou werent on the bench or...

Michael shakes his head.

PHIL (CONTD)Well, 90 against the Mavericks--

MICHAELAlso Magic.

PHILI think my wife mixed up my DVDsagain.

MICHAELIf you dont mind...

Michael indicates he wants to start.


27/27

Phil heads to the back of the classroom with the otherparents.

MICAHELAlright welcome everyone. Nice tosee you today. My names MichaelJordan and let me start by saying,Its not all about winning.

Luke looks around at Phil.

Phil shakes his head as if to say, Dont listen to him.

Its then he notices Michael Jordan is staring straight athim.

END OF SHOW

Family Games Night

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