TEASER

(The show starts with two minutes of clips of the past five years episodes. We get to see presents and past characters, reminding us of the best moments of the show.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 1: ALLY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM]

(Ally and Maddie are on the couch. Maddie seems sick. She has a thermometer in the mouth.)

Maddie: A serial dater ?

Ally: That’s what I’ve become after dating every guy in Boston.

Maddie: And not one of them worked out. Except for Larry.

Ally: Well except Greg until Renée stole him away.

Maddie: Your roommate stole your boyfriend?

Ally: Sort of. They sang a song together.

Maddie: They sang a song ?

Ally (reaching for the thermometer): Come on.

(She looks at it.)

Ally: Uh. 100.2.  You know I wonder if you do have [strep], and that’s why it just seems to reoccur. All right, up to bed we go.

(They stand up.)

Ally: Do you, uh, do you still feel nauseous?

Maddie: Less much.

Ally: All right, let me get your [pills].

(Maddie starts to climb the stairs.)

Maddie: Oh, oh.

Ally: Maddie?

Maddie: I don’t feel so…

(She faints and falls down the stairs.)

Ally: Maddie ! Maddie !

END OF TEASER

OPENING CREDITS

Special guest-stars: Lisa Nicole Carson, Courtney Thorne-Smith, Gill Bellow and Christina Ricci.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT I

[SCENE 2: ALLY’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM]

(Maddie’s lying on the couch as a doctor is examining her.)

Maddie (to Ally): I’m fine. It’s so embarrassing.

Ally: Honey, just try to stay calm, OK?

Maddie: Ally, I’m calm, you’re the one who called the fire department.

(Shot of a group of firemen.)

Doctor: Well everything seems normal. Not even a fever.

Ally: Then why did she faint?

Doctor (to Ally): Well, she had some sort of a panic attack, or…

Ally: Or what?

Doctor: Or she’s pregnant.

(Ally just stares at him, blankly.)

Doctor: Did you hear me?

(Ally just keeps staring.)

Doctor: Hello?

CUT TO:

[SCENE 3: CAGE & FISH – MEETING ROOM]

(Everybody’s gathered around the meeting table.)

Richard: All right, uh, everybody’s here. Seats please, I have an announcement.

Nell: Don’t tell me, you changed your name to Fish, McBeal… and Bump.

Lisa: Oh, that hurts my feelings, Morgan.

Nell: I apologize, Debbie.

Richard: Never mind. Actually Nell, uh, you’re close. Well, uh, I’m just gonna, uh, say it. I’m taking Lisa for my first wife.

Lisa: And I’m taking Richard for my very first husband.

(Ally looks surprised.)

Richard: We’re getting married.

(He laughs. Everyone just stares at him, confused.)

Elaine: You’ve got to be kidding.

Lisa: Well we’re in love now, why not commit for now!

Ally: Wait, wait, wait. You two are… getting married?

Lisa: You know what they say Ally, after the age of thirty we have better chance to be struck by a lightning...

(Coretta, Nell and Elaine look at her, an angry look in their eyes.)

Richard: The date is June 8th, so take the day and night. Big party, [Gawdy].

Coretta: This June?

Raymond: What’s the rush?

Lisa: We found it best to do while we’re still in love. It will be funnier.

Wilson: What are you two, like nuts?

Richard: Obviously a lot of you have doubts, I can understand that. But the truth is, and studies prove it, most couples sexual passion begin to [decline] before they actually married.

(Ally seems to find Richard's words pathetic.)

Richard: Lisa and I want to be husband and wife and [enjoy ourselves] while in our sexual beat years. Is it a gamble? Of course. But what is love, if not a risk. And should it fail, for some reason, well,…

Richard and Lisa (at the same time): …bygones.

Lisa: Divorce’s ruiny.

(They kiss.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 4: SOME THERAPIST’S OFFICE]

(Ally and the therapist, a woman, are talking about Maddie.)

Therapist: She’s being socially battered.

Ally: Socially battered?

Therapist: You know what relational regression is?

Ally: Well, I, uh, no.

Therapist: Well it’s complicated but for the sake of simplify it : what boys [do] with their fists, girls do it with gossips, exclusion, [missed word]. With boys it’s the enemy that’s doing the damage, with girls it’s the friends. And the scars go much deeper. Girls, in a word, are vicious. I think your daughter is under tremendous amount of stress.

Ally: Well she, uh, never said anything.

Therapist: They never do. Maddie was involved in a 3-Way last night.

(Ally stares at her blankly.)

Therapist: Do you what’s a 3-Way is?

Ally keeps staring.

Therapist: Miss McBeal?

Ally: Yeah, it’s when, uh, three people engage in a…

Therapist: …a phone call.

Ally: A phone call

Therapist: Two friends conspiring against a third. Last night Maddie and Myra called Jodi. Myra didn’t tell Jodi that Maddie was listening. Then she got Jodi to talk about Maddie. And she said some very nasty things. That’s the game: to talk about the other girl she doesn’t know she’s listening in.

Ally: Well what did Jodi say?

Therapist: A lot. But on top of this, Maddie is feeling enormously displaced. She has a lot of friends in New York; they’re gone. Her father is gone. Her whole life seems to be [drifting] from her.

Ally: So it’s, uh, it’s serious

Therapist: Miss McBeal? Your daughter has basically the form of a nervous breakdown. At ten!

(Ally takes this in.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 5: CAGE & FISH – RICHARD’S OFFICE]

(Richard enters his office, followed by the Biscuit.)

John: Are you cut to the quick!

Richard: It doesn’t mean that I don’t love you.

John: Oh come on, marriage!

Richard: And I want you to be the best man.

John: Richard, do you really know this woman?

Richard: John, every relationship… it’s like a cave, you explore it, you [missed word] it, but you have to be willing to venture into a little dark. That’s, that’s the glory of love. And, with Lisa, the best cave is locked up until after the marriage.

(John seems to find Richard's words pathetic.)

John: Richard, this is serious

Richard: That’s right. For once I’m being serious

John: No you’re not. You’re being insane. This is worthy of Ally. What are you afraid of Lisa leaving you? Is that it? Is that it? That is it, isn’t it? Every love you had has died.

Richard: I want to get married!

John: You’ve know her a month!

(Lisa enters the office.)

Lisa: Hey!

(John, caught off guard, screams the hell out of him.)

Lisa: Talking about me? Hi John. (She punches his cheek) Oh, so cute.

John: Look, Lisa, I don’t want to be a stick in the mud here, but I have a problem with this. What are your reasons for getting married?

Lisa: Well, first if a woman goes too long without marrying, men start to think there’s something wrong with her. Divorcee’s fair better. And second, well, Fishy is so fun and exciting.

(Richard looks happy. John leaves, annoyed.)

Lisa (to Richard): Look, about the wedding, I don’t like walking down the aisle. It feels to formal; as if we walk in a courtroom for god’s sake. I want to be suspended from the ceiling!

(Richard looks confused.)

Richard: Uh, the, uh…

Lisa: If you love me you’ll say yes.

(An old man enters. He looks like some kind of a priest.)

Old Man: Hello. Oh Lisa, Lisa! Oh, my dear.

(They hug.)

Lisa: Oh thank your for coming. This is Reverend Buck. He’s gonna perform the ceremony.

(Reverend and Richard shake hands.)

Reverend: Richard, very pleasure. Oh my son!

(Reverend hugs Richard tightly.)

Reverend: (to Lisa): I can’t believe that you’re getting married. (To Richard) She’s like my own daughter. (To Lisa) And you’re getting married!

(Reverend faints and fall on Richard’s arms on the desk.)

Lisa (casual): It’s OK, don’t worry.

Reverend: (waking up, to Richard): Did it happen?

Richard: What?

Reverend: Oh yes it did.

Lisa: Emotion makes him go [missed words, some kind of medical expression, phonetically it gives vasal vagal, which for me sounds like Chinese, so for the sake of the story let’s just say that emotion makes him faint].

Richard (repeating Lisa’s last words): [...]?

Lisa: That, and laughter. But he reaches right back up.

Richard: Emotion and laughter makes him faint?

Reverend: No biggie.

Richard (concerned): No biggie? How can you perform a wedding ceremony? (Romantically) When Lisa and I exchange our vows, when we’re locking in ocher other’s eyes and express our love, I can assure you it’s gonna be funny.

(Reverend faints on a chair.)

Lisa: You did it on purpose.

Richard: What?

Lisa (to Reverend): Are you OK?

Reverend (standing up): I’m fine, I’m fine.

(Coretta enters.)

Coretta: Richard, Ally’s calling a meeting.

Richard: Ally’s calling a meeting?

Coretta: You made her partner; now she gets to call a meeting.

CUT TO:

[SCENE 6: CAGE & FISH – MEETING ROOM]

(Everyone’s here, except Ally.)

John: Well where is she? She calls a meeting and she doesn’t show up.

Wilson: Easy little guy.

(John looks at him with threatening eyes.)

John: Don’t call me little guy youngster.

(Ally enters.)

Ally: Uh, thanks everybody for coming. Sorry about the short notice but it’s important.

Nell (ironically): You’re changing your hair color?

Ally: No, it’s not that important. But I am resigning, effective immediately.

(Everybody looks at her, confused, silent.)

Nell (after a beat): Ah, ah.

Ally: No, I am. Maddie is having emotional problems so I’ve decided to take her to New York so she can be close to her friends. And my house is on the market if anybody is interested. (Taking her breath, about to cry). Well that’s it.

(She leaves.)

Everyone just looks at each other, confused and in shock.

END OF ACT I

COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT II

[SCENE 7: CAGE & FISH – UNISEX RESTOOMS]

(Ally enters. She looks haggard. She stares at herself in the mirror.)

[Flashback - Ally and Billy in the restrooms]

Ally: All I ever wanted is to be rich and to be successful with three kids and a husband who was waiting home for me at night to [rub] my feet and, and, and look at me, look how I… I don’t even like my hair!

(She cries. Billy hugs her closely.)

[End of flashback]

Claire (leaving one of the stall): Ally. Are you all right?

Ally (nodding): Mmm, mmm,… I’m fine.

Claire: I can see you’re not.

(Ally doesn’t respond.)

(Elaine enters the restrooms.)

Elaine: You just announced that in a staff meeting?

Ally: Well, what did you want me to do? Call in everybody on one by one?

Elaine: You could’ve called me in. You owe me that.

Ally: Excuse me.

(She leaves. Elaine follows.)

(Reverend enters.)

Claire (smiling): Oh hello, I’m Claire Ottoms.

(Reverend looks at her, then faints.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 8: CAGE & FISH – MAIN ROOM]

(Richard’s walking down the stairs and sees Ally.)

Richard: Ally?

Ally (weaving him to stop): Ah, Richard, not now!

Richard: Never mind not now, you don’t announced you’re leaving then…

Ally: I said not now

Elaine: When then?

(Ally enters her office, following by Richard who closes the door.)

Richard: I don’t care. This is way too rash.

Ally: Oh don’t lecture me on rash Mister Groom.

Richard: At least take some time to think this through.

Ally: You know Richard I don’t have any time

Richard: Why? Because Maddie is missing her friends?

Ally (angry): Maddie is cracking up!

Richard: It could be genetic.

Ally (about to cry): Richard, she’s falling apart. The doctors are telling me that it is serious. Her emotional health is affecting her nervous system; she needs to go back to New York. And I need to go with her. And I… (A beat) I do really need you to accept that Richard.

Richard (after a long moment): What about… your career?

Ally: Well they, they… they have law firms in New York. (A beat) You know it could be temporary, maybe I’ll be back in a couple of…

Richard (cutting her): It won’t be temporary; you wouldn’t resign if it was temporary.

(Long pause.)

Richard: I want you at my wedding.

Ally: I’ll be back.

Richard: In three weeks, suppose Maddie’s sick?

Ally: She won’t be.

Richard: I just talked it over with Lisa, we can push it up, when do you have to leave?

Ally: Tomorrow night.

Richard: Then the wedding’s tomorrow.

Ally: Oh Richard.

Richard: Then we’ll have a small private ceremony right here in the office and do the church thing later.

Ally: Richard you don’t have to have to have a ceremony…

Richard (firmly): I want you at my wedding.

Ally (about to cry): I will be back.

Richard: Suppose Maddie’s sick?

Ally: She’s not that sick.

Richard: Well we’ll have a small ceremony. Here. Tomorrow. If it’s possible, you can come back for the church thing later. But we’re exchanging vows tomorrow.

(He leaves.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 9: ALLY’S HOUSE – LEAVING ROOM]

(Ally and Maddie are packing up.)

Maddie: Tomorrow?

Ally: I know it’s insane but they’re gonna have a reception at the bar afterwards then I’m gonna come back here and we’re still gonna make our flight.

Maddie: Why do we have to rush?

Ally: Doctor Winston thinks that it’s very important for you to go to school before summer break so you can reconnect with your friends.

[MUSIC - Dancing Baby's Theme » plays]

(Dancing Baby appears, wearing a NY baseball outfit. Ex-Mayor Rudy Gulliani, half naked, and Hillary Clinton, dragging Bill by a leather collar around his neck, tag along.)

Ally: Oh, no. (To Dancing Baby) What, what, you think you’re funny? No, no, no, no! (To half-naked Rudy Gulliani) And you, it’s not your moment, OK? (To Hillary) And you, you’re not even from New York!

(Hillary makes an angry face as Bill laughs.)

Maddie: Ally?

(Ally click-stops the Dancing Baby Team using her finger as a remote. They freeze.)

Maddie: Who are you taking to?

Ally: To one of my fantasy. You know I told you I talk to them sometimes. Can you excuse me one second?

(She clicks-back on the Dancing Baby Team. They resume dancing.)

Ally: Ok look, if you’re planning on going with me, you can forget about it, you can forget about it right now, OK? I’ll be clear; do you hear me?

(The doorbell suddenly rings. The Dancing Baby Team fades away.)

Ally: Oh brother you know this is just.. What, what, what know, what?

(She opens the door.)

(Renée’s here, a sad look on her face. Ally seems astonished to see her.)

Renée: True?

Ally: True.

(She enters and looks at Ally.)

Ally: Oh come on Renée, please don’t you start to it. It’s tough enough as it is. Hey, you and I Renée we haven’t see all that much of each other anyway. You know we might see more of each other now since [we’re forced to make some] efforts so we could kind of look at this as a sort of a reunion.

(Renée looks surprised.)

Ally: OK?

Renée: OK.

CUT TO:

[SCENE 10: CAGE & FISH – JOHN’S OFFICE]

(John seems deep in thoughts.)

[Flashback: John and Ally in the office]

John: Would you… [may consider] dating me?

Ally: Well I would probably wouldn’t consider dating you since you’re my boss and we work together but otherwise, yeah, I would consider it. I’m sure I would. Otherwise.

[End of flashback]

(John comes back to reality and realizes Nell’s been watching him.)

John: Nell? How long have you been there?

Nell: Have you talked to her?

John: Who?

Nell: Ally!

John: About what?

(Nell just looks at him. He definitely knows about what.)

John: Nell, we all move along at some point. Richard is getting married, Ling became a judge, Ally… is going to New York. People move on, it’s part of life. People move on.

Nell: Right.

(She leaves. John looks sad.)

END OF ACT II

COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT III

[SCENE 11: CAGE & FISH - RICHARD’S OFFICE]

(Richard, John and the Reverend are there, well dressed. Reverend is in some kind of a cage, attached around the waist by a harness.)

John (to Reverend): Why are you in this, this, this thing?

Richard: Emotion makes him go [missed words, some kind of medical expression, phonetically it gives vasal vagal, which for me sounds like Chinese, so for the sake of the story let’s just say that emotion makes him faint].

John: […] what?

Reverend: Not to worry. The robe will cover the harness. If I should black out, just give it a quick short tip up.

(As a demonstration he pulls the rope and the harness makes him stand up.)

John: This is ridiculous.

Reverend: The harness keeps me from falling; the tug wakes me up. So I won’t miss a bit!

John: Am I the best man or the designated rope tugger?

Richard: You’re both, just do it!

John: Richard, come on. Is this a [missed word] example of your new found maturity or your dumb stick’s defining moment?

Richard: John, truly, have I ever make sense to you?

John: Yes! It’s always been about the money.

Richard: Well exactly, this time it isn’t. You know lots of people are [missed word] on their wedding, I just want to do it with my friends there, and Ally.

(They both look at Reverend who’s struggling with his harness. Then they look at each other with a concerned and confused face.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 12: THE BAR DOWNSTAIRS THE OFFICE]

(Ally is sitting in the middle in the empty bar, deep in thoughts as Renée walks in.)

Renée: Hey.

Ally: Hey. So you’re ready for the wedding?

Renée: Oh yeah.

Ally (looking at the bar): We had some fun time here, haven’t we Renée.

Renée: Yes. Remember when you lost the bet, you had to get up there and tell a dirty joke.

Ally (bursts laughing): Oh God !

[Flashback: Ally on stage at the bar, telling a dirty joke].

(The all bar's looking at her while she’s speaking.)

Ally: First flea: “OK why are you cold? You didn’t’ do what I said?” And the second flea: “I did exactly what you said. I went into a bar, I had a couple of drinks, I climbed right up the leg of a beautiful stewardess, I nestled in and I passed out all snuggled up. And the next thing you know I am zooming down the freeway in the mustache of some guy on motorcycle.”

(People stares at her, blankly, visibly finding the joke in bad taste. Ally looks mortified.)

[End of flashback]

(Ally and Renée are laughing after remembering this event.)

(Elaine walks in.)

Elaine (surprised): Hello… Renée. (To Ally) Are we doing one on ones now?

Ally: Oh, Elaine.

Elaine: The wedding’s about to start, they want you upstairs.

CUT TO:

[SCENE 13: CAGE & FISH – MAIN ROOM]

(Reverend is performing the wedding ceremony. Everyone is gathered around Richard and Lisa.)

Reverend: Do you Richard take Lisa to be your [missed word] wife, to have and to hold…

Coretta (to Nell): Why is the minister in a cage?

(Nell hushes her silent.)

Claire (to Wilson): Am I [over-dressed]?

Wilson: You look like a float.

(Ally hushes them silent.)

Reverend: … to love and to cherish, always.

Richard: I do.

Reverend: And you Ally, take Billy, Larry, Victor, whoever to be your wedded husband?…

(Ally’s now having a fantasy. She’s wearing a wedding dress, looking happy. As the Reverend speaks, Ally just keeps nodding to everything he says, a big smile on her face.)

Reverend: …To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worst for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, always.

Lisa: Dah! That’s why I’m here. Hello!

Reverend: Hello dear. Now you each have a ring, you have written your own vows. You care to go first Lisa?

Lisa: Richard, I know everyone’s thinking I’m getting married because I’m sick to be a virgin and because I want to have sex and keep it with my values, (a beat) but the truth is… I really do love you. (Crying) I’m not a person who loves easily, if at all. But Richard, I love you.

(Reverend faints in a big noise. Coretta gasps. John gives a tug and Reverend wakes up.)

Reverend: That was beautiful. (To Richard) Richard.

Richard: Uh, yes. I think the question on a lot of your minds, since we haven’t known each other too long, will we be having safe sex or will we, because we’re husband and wife, automatically donate the [missed word] into the shelter.

(He chuckles as John looks embarassed.)

Richard: Well the truth is, sex has always been easy, but love… it’s something different. (To Lisa) And I met you. Someone who’s just as afraid as me. Just awkwardly dismisses it. But inside just as desperate for it.

(Reverend faints. John gives a tug and he wakes up.)

Richard: I think, uh, one of the reason I wanted to get married today is there’s a risk Ally might not make it back in June. I was unwilling to assume that risk. (To Ally) Ally, the Biscuit said that my marrying Lisa today was worthy of you. I would agree. Without your influence I don’t think I would be open to the… well, the insanity that just causes me to go with what I feel. And I know what I feel. I love you Lisa. And I’m betting on that love, as new as it is.

(John gives Richard the ring. Richard puts it on Lisa’s finger.)

Richard: With this ring I give you something I never gave anybody… my heart.

(Reverend faints again. John gives a new tug.)

Lisa: And with this ring I give you mine.

(Reverend faints again. New tug.)

Reverend: What God has joined together there's no man [missed word] Ladies and gentlemen I give mister and miss Richard… Bump. Kidding! Fish.

(Richard and Lisa kiss.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 14: THE BAR DOWNSTAIRS THE OFFICE]

(The after-ceremony party’s going on.)

[MUSIC - Vonda Shepard's « Tell Him » plays]

(Everyone’s dancing, but Ally.)

Vonda Shepard (singing):

I know something about love

You've gotta want it bad

If that guy's got into your blood

Go out and get him

If you want him to be the very part of you

That makes you want to breath

(Georgia walks in as Vonda keeps singing in the background.)

Georgia: Stranger.

(Ally gasps.)

Ally: Hey.

Georgia: Hey. So, (pointing to Richard) he actually got married.

Ally: He did an hour ago, and he’s still married.

(Georgia laughs.)

Georgia: What is going on?

Ally: Well you know what, they really do love each other. Evidently, it happens.

Georgia: And you?

Ally: Oh you heard.

Georgia: I did.

Ally: It’ just she needs to be in her old environment. At least for now.

Georgia: It’s not like I get to see that much of you, and to think you’re moving away…

Ally: I know, I know. You know what we shouldn’t think about it tonight. Tonight is Richard’s night and we should, uh, celebrate.

Georgia: OK

Ally (proposing a toast): Cheers.

Georgia: Cheers.

(As Ally’s takes a sip of Champaign she catches the look of John, alone in a corner. They look at each other for the first time since she announced her departure. They just look for a moment, then he smiles and waves at her with his glass. She smiles and waves back.)

END OF ACT III

COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT IV

[SCENE 15: THE BAR DOWNSTAIRS THE OFFICE]

[MUSIC – « Lady Marmelade » plays]

(Elaine’s performing the song on stage. Everyone’s clapping and cheering.)

Elaine (singing):

He met Marmalade down in old Moulin Rouge

Struttin’ her stuff on the street

She said, "Hello, hey Joe. You wanna give it a go?" (Oh, oh)

(Renée joins Elaine and sings along.)

Renée / Elaine (singing):

Giuchie giuchie ya ya da da (Hey, hey, hey)

Giuchie giuchie ya ya here (here)

Mocca choca lata ya ya (oh yeah)

(Then, like they used to, they fight to be alone on stage, shoving each other.)

Renée / Elaine (singing):

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?

CUT TO:

[SCENE 16: CAGE & FISH – MAIN ROOM]

(The elevator opens and Ally enters the office, alone. She stares at the empty office for a long moment, looking at what she’ll be missing soon. She takes a breath and enters slowly her own office.)

[Flashback – Ally and Billy in Ally’s Office]

Billy (to Ally): I just never figured you could meet the person of your dreams… at age 8.

[End of flashback]

(Georgia appears in the frame door.)

Georgia: Hey. What are you thinking about?

Ally: Uh, just, uh… stuff.

Georgia: Hard to say good bye, isn’t it?

Ally: Well, it really isn’t goodbye. I wish everybody would, would stop thinking that. I’ll keep in touch.

Georgia: I meant the room. A lot happened in this office.

[Flashback – Ally and Billy in Ally’s Office]

(Billy kisses Ally tenderly.)

[End of flashback]

Ally: What do you mean?

Georgie: Just, stuff happened. Lot of memories.

Ally (teary): Well… a room is a, is a room. You know… four walls.

Georgia: Yeah. I give you some time with these… four walls.

(She leaves. Ally looks sad.)

[Flashback – Ally and Larry in Ally’s Office]

Ally: Larry you’ve only seen the tip of the neurotic iceberg. I am demented.

Larry (not troubled): What else?

Ally: Self-absorbed

Larry (leaning closer): What else?

Ally: Vain.

Larry: What else?

Ally: Maybe incapable of letting myself be loved.

Larry: We’re gonna need to work on that.

[End of flashback]

(Ally’s still deep in thoughts as John enters her office.)

John: Ally?

Ally: John. Hey. (A beat) I thought you were avoiding me.

John: Me? No!

Ally: Well we, we haven’t talked about this.

John: Well… it’s… I mean there’s nothing really to say. I know why you’re leaving. I know that’s the right decision. You know… how I feel about you leaving. So I guess there’s no need for words

Ally: Maybe not.

(They both stay silent for a long moment, avoiding each other’s eyes.)

John: You’re the soul of this place. In some way you became a soul for all of us. And I am afraid of what will happen when you go.

Ally: I think you underestimate your own soul Mister Cage.

(She smiles at him. He looks uncertain.)

John: Oh I do have a departing gift. (Taking it) It’s a necklace… a friend of mine designed it.

(He hands Ally the necklace.)

John: It’s remains of the Trade Center. I figured it would fit in since you…

Ally: It’s beautiful.

John: I’m sure it’ll look beautiful on you.

(She puts the necklace on.)

John: Well I was right.

Ally (sincere): Thank you.

(They both look at each other for some time.)

Ally: Uh look… uh…

She stops speaking. John looks at her intently. He sadly nods his head, enable to say a word also. They just stares at each other, teary.

John (after a moment): Well there’s probably a party going on downstairs. I think we should join them.

Ally (nodding): Right.

(They leave.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 17: THE BAR DOWNSTAIRS THE OFFICE]

[MUSIC – Barry White’s” My First, My Last, My Everything” plays]

(Elaine’s singing it with new appropriate lyrics for the newlyweds. Everyone’s clapping.)

Elaine (singing on Barry White’s air, with a deep voice):

It’s their first marriage.

Probably, their last.

They really got it together, didn’t they baby?

Nothing, but Richard and Lisa

They really got it together, didn’t they baby?

Isn’t that nice ?

Their first, my last, my everything

And the answer to all my dreams.

(Renée appears and continues the song.)

Renée (singing):

You’re my sun, my moon, my guiding star,

My kind of wonderful, that’s what you are

(Vonda joins them and continues the song.)

Vonda (singing):

I know there’s only, only one like you.

Theres’s now way they could have made two

You’re all I’m living for

Elaine (singing):

Your love I keep forever more

(Barry White himself appears to finish the song. People seems surprised and happy.)

Barry White (singing):

In you I’ve found so many things

A love so new only you could bring

Richard (to Nell, as Barry White keeps singing): Did you get him for me?

Nell: I did. For you and Debbie.

(Richard and Lisa stands up and go dancing.)

John (to Ally): Well, it’s a party now.

Ally: Yes it is.

John: Won’t you miss this?

Ally: I never said I wouldn’t miss it.

John: Come on, let’s dance.

(They go dancing.)

Georgie (to Nell): Oh come on Nell.

(They both joins the gang. Everybody dances as Barry White sings.)

Barry White (singing):

Can’t you see if you,

You’lle make me feel this way

You’re like a morning first dew on a brand new day

(Claire, Wilson, Raymond and Coretta look at them. On stage, the gang, a.k.a the original cast members, plus Lisa, joins together, arms around each other and dances on slow motion on Barry’s lyrics.)

Barry White (singing):

I see so many ways that I can love you

Till the day I die

You’re my reality yet I’m lost in a dream

You’re the first, my last, my everything.

(The song ends and everyone applause Barry White. Then they go back to their table.)

Nell (catching Ally alone): At what time’s your flight?

Ally: At 10. Yeah, I guess I’m gonna have to leave pretty soon.

Nell: I… You don’t mind if I take your office, do you? It has better light than mine.

Ally: Fine.

Nell: Listen, Ally, I know we’ve had differences. But I…

(She sighs and smiles, enable to go on, apparently it’s too emotional for former Sub-Zero.

Nell: Is there anything I need to know in particular about your office.

Ally: Just that it’s lucky.

Nell: Oh good. That’s uh, that’s good to know.

[MUSIC – Vonda Shepard’s « In The Neighborhood » plays]

Vonda (singing):

Here's a photo I've been looking for

It's a picture of thee boy next door

And I loved him more than words could say

Never knew it 'til he moved away

(As Vonda sings Ally realizes that it is Billy’s song.)

Nell: Ally, you’re alright ?

Ally: Yeah I just, I just need to get some air.

(She leaves, as Nell looks sad.)

CUT TO:

[SCENE 18: THE EXTERIOR OF THE BAR]

(Ally exits, makes a few steps in the street and stops. She thinks.)

(Billy appears.)

Billy: You’re OK?

Ally: Hi. Well, I must not be OK, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Well I summon you up when…whenever I’m, I’m… (A beat) You know I’m, I’m fine. How can I help you?

Billy: Living without me is one thing, living without them…

Ally: Maddie needs to go and I’m her mother. You have to do what you have to do. That, That’s a Ally McBeal-ism. Are you seeing anyone up there?

Billy: I’m not supposed to be giving out insight information Ally, but uh, your life… it all works out.

Ally: Yeah, it’s working out Billy. It’s been… working out.

(She smiles at him.)

Billy: And you summoned me now because..?

Ally: I don’t know. Maybe I need to say good-bye to you too.

Billy: I had the feeling. (A beat) Don’t ever forget.

Ally (about to cry): And don’t… you.

(They kiss. Very romantic kiss. It's pretty clear that she does still love him.)

Billy: All of my heart.

(She touches his heart.)

Ally (crying): Forever and ever.

(Billy vanishes slowly.)

(Nell, Georgia, Renée, Elaine, Richard and John exits the building.) [Note that only the original cast members are there, no newbies seems allowed for the big farewell]

Ally: Hey. My, my, my flight is… So I’m gonna leave now. And, uh, you know this isn’t a good bye, so if anybody is particularly emotional…

Nell (sarcastically): My dam vanes is about to break.

Ally: You know, Nell, you are the biggest fraud I’ve ever met. You have a huge heart and you don’t fool anybody and… I’m gonna miss you.

(She hugs Nell, who’s now crying.)

Ally (to Georgia): Don’t, uh, don’t be a stranger, OK?

Georgia: Like we were this year?

Ally (almost crying): Exactly.

(They hug. The all gang is now crying.)

Ally (to Richard): Oh, Richard. I just can’t believe that you got married before I do.

Richard (teary): Bygones.

(They hug.)

Ally (to Elaine, both crying hard): You see?

Elaine: I’m sorry.

Ally: You know how I feel about you.

(They hug, tears all over their face.)

Ally (to Renée, smiling and laughing a little): Uh…

Renée: It’s like you said. We’ll be forced to make an effort now.

Ally (nodding): Right.

(They hug.)

Ally (to John, crying): I think… (Crying harder) I think I’ll miss you most of all, scarecrow.

(They hug. Everyone’s have tears rolling all over their face now.)

Ally (looking at them all): You know I, uh, I love you all so much. Everyone of you. And the last five years… I love you all and, uh, and, uh, I’ll call.

(She walks away as Vonda starts to sing.)

[MUSIC – Vonda Shepard’s « In the Neighborhood » resumes playing]

Vonda:

And all those friends, where did they go?

Oh, Oh, I don’t know.

And all those friends, we used to know.

In the Neighbourhood…

(They watch her leave, including Billy who’s here for the big goodbye. They waves her goodbye. She waves back and just walks away, tears on her face.)

Ally (voice over): Looking backwards, many of the sadiest time in my life turned out to be the happiest. So I must be happy now. Yeah. This is gonna be good. Why else would I be crying?

[MUSIC – Vonda Shepard’s « In the Neighborhood » resumes]

Vonda (still singing):

In the neighbourhood…

(Last shot is the cast watching Ally leaving as we, for the last time ever,

FADE TO BLACK)