GROUP SHOT OF AN ALL AMERICAN FAMILY SITTING AROUND WATCHING A SLIDE SHOW. THE CURTAINS ARE DRAWN AND EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THE SLIDES. ON THE WALL BEHIND IS A BANNER THAT READS, “HAPPY 85TH BIRTHDAY GRANDMA”. TOM, THE TEENAGE GRANDSON, IS STANDING WITH HIS BACK TO CAMERA GIVING COMMENTARY. HE CLICKS THE REMOTE AND THE SLIDE CHANGES. THE IMAGE IS OVER HIS SHOULDER AND OUT OF SHOT BUT WE SEE THE REACTIONS OF THE FAMILY, THEY ALL SMILE AND GRANDMA HOLDS THE HAND OF HER ELDEST SON WHO IS SITTING NEXT TO HER ON THE SOFA.
TOM: …and this is me at age nine. This was taken on holiday in Maine. I remember the pot roasts Grandma would make for our return.
HE PRESSES THE REMOTE AGAIN. THE SLIDE CHANGES. EVERYONE SMILES AGAIN.
TOM: Here she is, love that dress grandma. This shot was taken by Grandpa just before he was taken away from us and I think you can see by the look in Grandma’s eyes that she loved him as much then as when they first met
GRANDMA WIPES A TEAR AWAY AND SMILES, EVERYONE SIGHS WITH THE FONDNESS OF THE MEMORY OF GRANDPA. TOM PRESSES THE REMOTE AGAIN, EVERYONE LAUGHS AT THE NEW SLIDE
TOM: After Grandpa’s sad passing the family stuck together. I remember thinking even then what a great feeling it was to have so many loved ones around. Although, as you can see, we can be a little crazy at times. I think Mom took this, she was the only one who didn’t end up covered in birthday cake that day.
PRESSES REMOTE AGAIN. MORE SMILES. GRANDMA LOOKS TO HER SON AND HUGS HIM
TOM: Everyone in the family seems to have found a special talent that makes them stand out. This picture of Dad was taken when he got his Doctorate at Yale
CLICKS REMOTE AGAIN
TOM: And here’s Mom when Sally was born, looking radiant as ever, although Sally looks a little upset about something, ahh she hasn’t changed a bit
EVERYONE LAUGHS AND SALLY PUTS A ARM ON HER MUM’S SHOULDER
TOM: And this got me to thinking. We do all have a talent, something to contribute to the family and we’re all different. Sally has her music, Brian has his computer business and I have my photography. So to finish I thought I’d make my own contribution. It occurs to me that none of us would be here if it weren’t for Grandma
EVERYONE NODS AND LOOKS DOWN AT GRANDMA
TOM: And that in itself is a miracle when you think about it. I mean there are nine adults in this room apart from Grandma and Mom. Our combined weight must be over thirteen hundred pounds. You couldn’t fit us all in a station wagon
EVERYONE NODS AS THEY PONDER THESE FACTS
TOM: And yet we all came from the same place
HE CLICKS THE REMOTE. EVERYONE LOOKS IN AMAZEMENT FOR A SECOND THEN SHRINKS BACK IN DISGUST AND SHOCK. GRANDMA FEINTS AND DAD COVERS HIS EYES. THE LIGHT REFLECTED FROM THE SCREEN IS A LITTLE PINKER THAN USUAL
TOM: Here. I took this while you were asleep Grandma, and you said you were just resting your eyes eh?
DAD RUSHES FROM THE SOFA AND DIVES ON TOM, THEY KNOCK THE PROJECTOR OVER AND THE SCREEN.THERE IS DARKNESS AND THE SOUND OF STRANGLING.
