[INT. CHARLIE’S BEACH HOUSE – KITCHEN – MORNING]
Charlie is casually flipping pancakes in the kitchen. Alan bursts in, stressed, holding a to-do list.
ALAN:
Charlie! Thanksgiving is in six hours and nothing is ready! The turkey’s not thawed, the guests are arriving early, and Berta’s refusing to cook unless we stop arguing about the seating arrangement.
CHARLIE:
Relax, Alan. It’s Thanksgiving. The one day of the year when it’s socially acceptable to eat your weight in carbs and blame family drama on the mashed potatoes.
Jake walks in with a football helmet on, balancing a plate with half a sandwich.
JAKE:
Did someone say carbs? Also, I’m trying to see if I can play football and eat at the same time. It’s a new skill.
ALAN:
Jake, can you please take off the helmet? We’re having company.
JAKE:
Can’t. Safety first.
[INT. LIVING ROOM – LATER]
Guests start arriving — Judith, Walden, and even a surprise visit from Evelyn. Charlie is trying to charm Evelyn; Alan is frantically answering the door and juggling last-minute preparations.
CHARLIE (to Evelyn):
You know, Mom, I think you’re the only one who can keep this family circus in line.
EVELYN:
Honey, I don’t keep the circus in line — I’m the ringleader.
Alan trips over the football helmet Jake left on the floor, spilling a tray of appetizers.
ALAN:
Great. Just great.
[INT. DINING ROOM – EVENING]
Everyone sits down to eat. The turkey is a bit overcooked, the mashed potatoes lumpy, but everyone tries to keep the mood light.
WALDEN:
So, Charlie, any new romantic adventures?
CHARLIE:
Let’s just say the last one was more “comedy of errors” than “romantic comedy.”
Jake tries to stealthily sneak a second helping of stuffing, but is caught by Alan.
ALAN:
Jake! You’re going to make yourself sick.
JAKE:
It’s Thanksgiving. The only day I can eat like a linebacker and not get benched.
TAG SCENE – [LIVING ROOM – NIGHT]
The family is sprawled on the couch, tired but full.
CHARLIE:
Well, Thanksgiving may be chaotic, but at least we survived without anyone calling the cops.
ALAN:
Barely.
JAKE:
Can we do this again next week?
CHARLIE and ALAN:
No.
