Lulu in Honolulu (16 page)

EXT. NOELANI'S HOUSE—FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER

The Watson Wagon pulls into the driveway. Lulu races out of the car and jogs across the small lawn. She notices that the American flag flies next to the front door.

LULU

NOE!! It's me, Lulu. You home?

Lulu pushes open the front door.

INT. NOELANI'S LIVING ROOM—CONTINUOUS

Noelani vacuums. Tutu is on a chair, wiping down windows. Lulu waves to get their attention.

LULU

I heard your mom's coming home! How soon?

NOELANI

(a smile creeping across her face)

I know.

(pauses)

But I don't know when.

Lulu hugs her friend. Watson runs in with James following behind.

LULU

Is she coming home today?

NOELANI

(murmurs)

We missed, ummm, talking to her last night.

LULU

(quietly)

That would be my fault.

Noelani smiles at her friend.

NOELANI

No, it's NOT. Besides, Tutu got a call from the Marine command office saying Mom's on her way.

TUTU

They said she's coming in on a special transport. It's all very rush and hush.

Watson rolls over the carpet where Noelani has just vacuumed.

LULU

How do we find out?

NOELANI

We just wait.

Tutu steps down from the chair. James takes her hand and helps her.

TUTU

Why do you need to know, Lulu? You'll meet Noelani's mother soon enough.

CUT!! Geez peas! I've got to get my mom, dad, movie cameras, and Mr. Sanyo to a military landing that no one knows the time or location of. Directing the end of
Seas
the
Day
is going to be way harder than I thought. Since every minute could count, I better get back to: ACTION!!

LULU

I came rushing over here because we have to plan for both our mothers.

NOELANI

What do you mean?

LULU

Your mom deserves a big Welcome Home! Ya know, music. Food. A banner. Entertainment. People cheering. The works. Maybe even TV stations!

NOELANI

I don't think we have time.

LULU

Sure we do!

NOELANI

And doing a party like that, we'd need lots of people to help.

LULU

No problem!

NOELANI

What you're describing sounds like it's from a movie.

LULU

Well, for better or worse, and lately it's been for worse, that's my world. So, let's do a Hollywood Homecoming for Lieutenant Colonel Nui!

Noelani sinks into the cushy couch and pulls herself into a ball.

NOELANI

(whispering)

I don't like to be near all that attention. A quiet thing is better.

Tutu and James, who have been joking and laughing, now break off.

TUTU

That's a wonderful idea. I've never done a party like that. And since it's MY daughter coming home, I say, “Lulu, roll 'em!”

NOELANI

Wait. What are we planning for your mom?

LULU

To get her job back!

INT. SPLASH! BATHING SUIT SHOP—THIRTY MINUTES LATER

Alexis strolls around the store, checking out all colors, shapes, and sizes of bikinis. Once in a while she pulls a hanger from the rack but soon clanks it back.

ALEXIS

(bored tone)

Shawna, isn't there anything new since last time I was here?

Shawna sits on a stool behind the register.

SHAWNA

Lex, you were just here two days ago.

Lulu, followed by Noelani and Watson pulling James, tumbles into Splash! They are giddy with nerves and excitement. One withering look from Alexis, however, hushes them.

ALEXIS

(to her sister)

There's not one reason I can think of that you're here. It's NOT Christmas. I'm off from you for a couple more seasons, at least. You've caused me enough humiliations for one lifetime, let alone one summer.

LULU

Lex, I figured out how to get Mom rehired to direct
Seas the
Day!

ALEXIS

And I've figured out that one more scheme of yours could cause Fiona to have a gigantic volcanic eruption the likes of which the Hawaiian Islands have never seen.

LULU

Which is why I need you, Lex.

ALEXIS

Which is why I need to stay away from you, Lulu.

Noelani slinks behind a rack of sunglasses.

JAMES

Ahh-humm. Pardon me, ladies. Watson and I are going to duck out to look for something to eat.

LULU

No, wait here.

Lulu fishes around in her I USED TO BE A PLASTIC BOTTLE bag and pulls out a
li
hing
mui
butterfly-shaped lollipop. She waves it in Watson's direction. He trots over.

SHAWNA

Wait. Your pug eats lollipops?

LULU

Sure. He and I usually share a few a day. And look what else I found.

Pulls out the orange bikini top Alexis had tossed her that morning.

LULU

Lex, will you help me put this on?

Lulu shakes the top over her head like it's a pom-pom.

ALEXIS

You'd put on a bikini? That's crazy.

LULU

I'd do something mega-looper crazy for you. Besides, most of my kid life, you've been telling me to wear bikinis.

Alexis's perfectly waxed eyebrows knit together.

ALEXIS

Lu, I admit, it might be impossible to find a bikini that works for you.

LULU

Then help me. 'Cause, Lex, we can pull off impossible things together.

Lulu shuffles through skimpy bottoms hanging nearby.

LULU

There's no better teammate than you but—

ALEXIS

No buts! You're right. For any tricky, delicate, or complicated assignment, you need
moi
.

A smile forms at the corners of Lulu's mouth.

NOELANI

(lightly clears her throat)

That's what Lulu always says, Alexis. That no one can do what you can do. You're the master of getting people to do what you want.

Alexis shakes her long, luxurious hair.

It's quiet in the store…except for the sound of Watson slobbering up the lollipop.

ALEXIS

I'm actually kinda bored bikini shopping. What's this about? You need me to film something like
Hilarious Hula
?

LULU

Not exactly. More like getting Mom to film the last scene of
Seas
the Day
.

Alexis rolls her big violet eyes.

ALEXIS

Seriously? Lulu, you're not serious?

SHAWNA

Sounds exciting!

LULU

You're gonna have to get Mom, Dad, the rest of the crew, and Mr. Sanyo on location.

ALEXIS

You're nuts!

LULU

But we don't know the day or time or location quite yet.

NO RESPONSE.

Alexis sits down next to Watson.

ALEXIS

OK. I need a lick of the lollipop, Watson, because what I'm about to do is crazier than sharing a lollipop with a pug.

EXT. AUNTIE MOANA AND UNCLE AKAMU'S HOUSE—SUNDAY, 1 P.M.

The Watson Wagon skids up to the modest house. Lulu races to the front door. Noelani and James follow. Watson leaps from the car and sniffs the ground.

LULU

(calls out)

Anyone home?

(panicky)

I don't see the blue van here.

The front door opens. Auntie Moana comes out a smile on her lips, but her eyes look puzzled.

AUNTIE MOANA

Aloha
. I love seeing you, but there's no Ohana Camp on the weekends.

LULU

First, Auntie, I'm so sorry about last night.

Auntie sits down on a front porch step. She takes Lulu's hands in her own.

AUNTIE MOANA

No more of that. Everyone is fine.

(looks from Lulu to Noelani to James and Watson)

Now, what can I do for you today?

Noelani looks up from her toes.

NOELANI

(softly)

We're planning surprises for our moms.

Noelani hesitates.

LULU

(speedy)

Noelani's mom is coming home! We want to do a gigantic welcome-home party, but we need help.

Auntie Moana, usually calm and serene, leaps from the step.

AUNTIE MOANA

That's fantastic news! Let's get going.

(looks at Noelani)

When's she coming? Where should we surprise her?

Noelani, normally so shy and hoping to be invisible, answers.

NOELANI

I don't know.

AUNTIE MOANA

Don't know which?

PAUSE

LULU

We don't know anything. That's super-looper-dooper why we need help. We need to plan for this to happen anytime, anywhere.

It becomes quiet except for the singing of thrushes. FINALLY…

AUNTIE MOANA

Lulu, what are we doing for your mother?

Lulu shakes her head.

LULU

My mom? Let's just say I'm trying to surprise two moms with one stone.

EXT. UNCLE AKAMU AND AUNTIE MOANA'S HOUSE—CONTINUOUS

LULU

Noelani, you need to think hula!

NOELANI

That's something I just can't think about.

LULU

There's something special inside you, Noe, and letting it out would be a great welcome-home present for your mom.

Noelani walks away from her friend. Before she disappears inside Auntie Moana's house, she turns back to Lulu.

NOELANI

Mahalo
, Lulu. Even if I don't have
koa
, I'm really lucky to have you as my friend.

CUT!! The next hour is a total whirl. It shows exactly what
ohana
means! Family. Plain and simple. To act like family, people don't have to be related. The spirit of helping each other and doing things together swirls around families and friends alike. All my Hawaiian friends and people I didn't even know were friends totally came together to do something for Noelani that she couldn't ever ask for herself. And for me! Seems my pals don't want me shipped back to L.A. either. Since so many people do so much so fast, I'm going to show you what happens in one of those MONTAGES. So here goes. A series of brief shots of my pals getting a welcome-home party together for when and where they don't even know. OK. Back to: ACTION!!

MONTAGE—OHANA TEAM GOES INTO ACTION

• Uncle Akamu and Caridyn stand onstage. A crowd dressed in Hawaiian shirts and dresses gathers to watch their hotel's
luau
performance. Auntie Moana walks onto the stage and whispers to Uncle Akamu and Caridyn. Uncle Akamu snaps his ukulele into its case. Caridyn swings her drum over her shoulder. All three wave and head for the nearest exit.

• Khloe and the Cs sway and shuffle on a big stage with Island School of Hula girls. They're in yet another performance at the mall. Distracted by commotion, Khloe misses her arm movements. The commotion is Lulu and Alexis. They motion wildly for Khloe. She hops off the stage and soon motions for Cate and Carole to ditch the show and follow her.

• Kenna and Kapono sit on a bench at an outdoor table. Kenna threads tuberose and orchids onto nylon string. Kapono pulls his sister's hair. Kenna shoves her brother off the bench. He gets up and helps Kenna string
leis
.

• Liam and his mother knock on a door. Mrs. Lyons, Khloe's mother, opens it. They explain that they need her connections. Mrs. Lyons flashes a perfect toothy smile and nods.

• Maleko walks down his driveway, carrying his surfboard. He puts it down to answer his cell phone. Within seconds, he runs into his house and races back out with his drums strapped to his back. He hops on his bike and rides away.

• James, wearing his dog butler chauffeur cap, hacks away at long, sword-shaped ti leaves. Watson sleeps in the sunshine nearby.