FIRST DRAFT SCRIPT: (January 25th, 1988)
0217 (030)
PEGGY LOVES AL - YEAH, YEAH, YEAH
TAPE: 1/29/88
AIR: TBA
Regular Cast:
Ed O'Neill..............Al Bundy
Katey Sagal.............Peggy Bundy
David Garrison..........Steve Rhoades
Amanda Bearse...........Marcy Rhoades
Christina Applegate.....Kelly Bundy
David Faustino..........Bud Bundy
.....April May June
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
INT. BUNDY LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - DAY
Peggy is at the kitchen table, having coffee.
Kelly enters from upstairs. She's dressed up special, in a very hot looking mini-skirt outfit.
PEGGY Kelly, are you going out walking by construction sites again? [beat] 'Cause if you are,
give me five minutes and I'll put on something cute and come join you.
KELLY Not today, Mom. It's Sunday.
PEGGY Then why are you dressed like that?
KELLY I owe it to my public. It's Valentine's Day, so tonight I'm putting all my cards into a
bag and I'm going to pick one lucky guy to go out with. It's a new policy. That way we
don't have to charter a bus to the drive-in like last year.
Peggy nods.
PEGGY Gee, I hope Bud gets a Valentine this year.
KELLY So does he. He's been in the bathroom for a half hour, combing his hair, sniffing his
pits, toying with the idea of using his toothbrush... I don't know why. He's got about as
much chance of getting a Valentine as I do of getting an A.
They laugh.
Bud enters from upstairs. He's dressed in a sports jacket. His collar is turned up. He saunters
coolly into the kitchen.
BUD Ladies. Kelly.
He takes a carton of milk from the refrigerator, opens it and drinks from the carton. It's empty.
He reacts, then puts it back.
BUD Yep. This is gonna be my special day. Any girls call me?
KELLY Yup. they call you geek, dork, and hairy palms.
BUD That was the old Bud. This year I'm hot. See, in the past I haven't been interested in
girls. Seeing Kelly in the morning can do that to a guy. But I put out some feelers this
year. [real cool] You know... I threw a couple of winks around, let it be known I'm
accepting cards. So, they should be rolling in. Won't they, Mom?
PEGGY [sadly] Sure they will, son.
BUD Well, I'm off to the mall to let my admirers know I'm there.
Bud and Kelly cross to the back door.
KELLY Sort of like "the minnow has landed" eh, Bud?
BUD Hey, Kell. I see you're wearing your "love me for my mind" outfit again.
Kelly reacts. They exit.
AL [o.s.] Kids gone?
PEGGY Yeah.
Al enters from upstairs.
AL I hate Valentine's Day at the shoestore. Every fat woman in Chicago. Hippos into the
store wanting pink pumps. They think it makes 'em look sexy. As if anyone's gonna look
further after they've seen their face.
PEGGY Good morning, Al.
AL Yeah, yeah, yeah.
He takes the carton of milk out of the refrigerator. He takes a sip. It's still empty. He shrugs,
and puts it back.
SFX: DOORBELL
Al crosses to the door.
PEGGY Anything special you want for Valentine's Day, Al?
AL Yeah, but she's wrestling in the mud and I'm just living in it.
Al opens the door to Steve who holds a small gift wrapped package.
STEVE [cheerful] Hi, Al. Y'know, all you have to do is walk outside, look around, and you just
know it's Valentine's Day.
AL Yep, there's soot in the sky and a dead bird on my lawn. What do you want? You're letting
my heat out.
STEVE Al, I need a favor. [Al stares at him] Peggy, I need a favor. I need someplace to hide
Marcy's present.
PEGGY Well, you've come to the right place. No one would ever think to look for a present here.
AL [to Steve] It wouldn't be food, would it? 'Cause no one would ever think of looking for
that here, either.
PEGGY Gee, what is it, Steve? Y'know, having Al for a husband, I always wondered. What do
husbands give their wives for Valentine's Day?
STEVE Well. It's not a fair example. See, for us, it's not just Valentine's Day. It's our first
anniversary.
Peggy reaches affectionately for Al's hand.
PEGGY Oh, Al.
Al flicks her hand away.
AL Oh, leave me alone.
STEVE Yes. Well, anyhow, could you hide this for me?
He hands Peggy the package, she holds it up to the light trying to see what it is.
PEGGY Sure. I'll hide it upstairs.
She shakes the box.
STEVE Let me save you some wear and tear on your nails and teeth. See, the first anniversary is
paper and since paper isn't all that romantic, I got her tickets for two to Hawaii.
PEGGY Gee, Steve, you think she'd take me?
STEVE It's possible but I was kinda hoping she'd take me.
PEGGY Oh, that's right. I was just thinking what I'd do if I had two tickets.
STEVE Sure. Listen, could you just hide the present and if Marcy asks, don't tell her what I
got her. I want it to be a surprise.
PEGGY Don't worry. I can keep a secret. Oh, by the way, Al, the little rubber donuts you
ordered came in yesterday. [to Steve confidentally] Al's got "roids," y'know.
Al reacts. Peggy exits upstairs.
STEVE Well, Al, I see you're all wired for Valentine's Day. What are you getting Peggy? Fur,
jewels, a car?
AL If it was only that easy. I'm gonna have sex with her. [he shudders a bit] Yeah, it's
kind of a tradition. Every Valentine's Day I climb those stairs, y'know, walk the last
mile, and slam dunk her one. It's a spin through Hell for me, but she seems to like it.
What the hell, it is Valentine's Day.
STEVE I only pray that after sixteen years, Marcy and I will have that kind of magic between
us.
AL Steve, if it was magic, I could do it from down here in front of the TV.
ACT ONE
SCENE TWO
INT. BUNDY LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - A SHORT TIME LATER
Peggy is sitting on the couch.
PEGGY Well, this is what Valentine's Day is all about. Home with the one I love.
She flicks on the TV.
SFX: TV ON
ANNOUNCER [O.S.] Stay tuned for a very special Valentine's Day Oprah. "Male Impotence. It's Their
Problem."
SFX: DOORBELL
Peggy reacts disappointed. She shuts off the TV.
SFX: TV OFF
She then crosses to the door. She opens it to Marcy.
MARCY Hi, Peggy. I waited till Steve left. I need your help. What can I get Steve for our
anniversary?
PEGGY Get him two tickets to Hawaii. That way Steve and Al can come with us.
MARCY He got me tickets to Hawaii? He's so irritating, getting me the perfect gift. Damn him.
Now I have to get him something just as great. What a weenie. God, I hate him.
PEGGY Well, sure you do. He's your husband.
MARCY I've got to get him something great. But is has to be paper.
PEGGY Paper, huh? Well, how about those little robes you have to wear at the doctor's office?
They're nice. And we have some extras. We stole them from the hospital when Al's mother
was sick.
MARCY [humoring] That's a good back up. But I was thinking of something more personal.
Something romantic. Something that symbolizes the depth and purity of our relationship.
PEGGY You could jump naked out of a cake.
MARCY Yeah! That says it all. And those cakes are paper, too. It's perfect. But who would know
where to find something so kinky?
PEGGY Cakes A Poppin'. Here's their card. Ask for Leif. And when you pay for it, have them
punch my card. Two more and I get one free.
MARCY I'll do it. I know. The cake can say "Do with me what you will." He'll love it. Thanks,
Peggy. So, what are you giving Al for Valentine's Day?
PEGGY I'm going to cook this year. Well, actually, I'm ordering out. But to a nice place. Then
I'll dump the stuff in pots so it has that home cooked look. Sure it's a lot of trouble
but that's how I feel about Al.
MARCY You two really have something special. Do you know Al's getting you?
PEGGY Same thing he gives me every year. He's going to slam dunk me a quick one. [Marcy reacts]
Of course those are his words. In reality it's more like a foul shot. He takes a deep
breath, and scores. Sure, it's worth a point but it'll never make the highlight reel.
MARCY Well... as long as he tells you he loves you, I guess that's all that really matters.
PEGGY Actually, Al says "There, that should hold you." But that's sort of the same thing, isn't
it?
MARCY Well, not really. But I'm sure he tells you other times.
PEGGY No. I mean I know he does. He just has trouble saying certain things, like, "I love you."
"Thank you." "Look out, there's a car coming."
MARCY Oh, bunk. You live in this hovel, you bore him those awful children, and he can't even
tell you he loves you? I've heard him say "I love the Bears," "I'd love a beer." "I'd
love it if you'd leave, Marcy." Face it Peggy. This man is no stranger to the word,
"love".
PEGGY It doesn't matter. I know he loves me. He just doesn't say it, it would be nice to hear
it once in a while. But, it's really not that big of a deal. He does so many other things
for me. He...
She stares blankly.
ACT ONE
SCENE TWO
Peggy is dressed nicely as she stands over the stove unwrapping hamburgers and putting them into
a pot. She pours french fries on top. She lights the stove with a match and quickly jumps back.
Kelly enters through the front door with her arms filled with more Valentines. She crosses to
Peg.
PEGGY Kelly, what does your father do for me?
KELLY Well, he... [she sits down and thinks. A beat, then] Daddy?
PEGGY Ah, never mind. Where's your brother?
KELLY He's standing by our mailbox, waiting for a Valentine. I haven't got the heart to remind
him it's Sunday.
PEGGY Well, in case he doesn't get any this year...
KELLY And he won't.
PEGGY Just go easy on him tonight, for me, okay?
KELLY Oh, come on, Mom. We both know Bud is an obnoxious, ratlike creature. But that doesn't
mean I don't love him. He knows that.
PEGGY How does he know that.
KELLY I tell him.
There is a long pause.
PEGGY Has he ever told you?
KELLY Sure. You gotta. If you can't hurt the ones you love, why bother? Look. If I went out and
said something reassuring would it make you feel better?
PEGGY Yes.
KELLY Well, then this Bud's for you.
She goes to the door, opens it. She calls out.
KELLY Y'know, Bud! Just because you didn't get a Valentine doesn't mean you're unpopular.
It just means girls find you repulsive and odious. There. Happy Valentine's Day, Budkins.
Oh, by the way, it's Sunday. [she laughs evilly] I think he's okay now, Mom.
Kelly exits upstairs. Al enters.
AL Hey, Peg. How come when I said "Hi, Bud," he said "I don't need your pity"?
PEGGY You don't really want to know, do you?
AL Nope. What time is dinner rearing its ugly head?
PEGGY Soon, honey. By the way, I love you, Al.
AL Yeah, yeah. yeah. Look I know you're anxiously awaiting your Valentine's sexarama. Now I
know traditionally it happens at 10:06, after the national news, but they're running a
tape-delay of the Bulls-Pistons game, so game time for us is gonna have to be between the
game and the re-run of the John Davidson episode of "Streets of San Francisco."
PEGGY Gee, there's usually about four or five commercials between them. Are we gonna do it
twice?
AL Peg, remember, a smart mouth is a lonely mouth.
PEGGY Uh, Al, y'know this year I was hoping for something different.
AL Uh uh. The socks stay on, Peg.
PEGGY No, Al. This year, instead of sex, I want to hear you say you love me.
There's a long silence. Then
AL Okay. What if I do take the socks off?
She stares at him.
PEGGY I'm serious, Al. I want to hear it.
AL Yeah, right, Peg. I'm going upstairs and wash up. And just to show you how special you
are to me, tonight... I'm gonna kiss you.
He exits proudly upstairs. She reacts distraught.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
SCENE ONE
INT: BUNDY LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - A SHORT TIME LATER
Peggy is sitting at the kitchen table. Kelly enters from downstairs with a bag sack of cards.
KELLY Mom, Dad's up there in the shower. Is anything wrong?
PEGGY We had a little argument. Don't worry about it.
KELLY Fine. As long as the mortgage gets paid, I'm cool. Anyhow, it's time for the big drawing.
[shakes up bag] Pick one for me.
Peggy picks a card.
PEGGY Josh!
KELLY Great. The Bud Bundy of his generation. Pick again.
Peggy picks another from the bag.
PEGGY Sheldon.
Kelly stares at her. Peggy picks again.
KELLY Not that one. The red one with the star.
Peggy picks it.
PEGGY Johnny.
KELLY What luck. The cutest boy in school. You sure know how to pick a man.
We hear Al [O.S.] in the shower.
AL [o.s.] [sings] "Cupid. Draw back your bow."
PEGGY [to Kelly] Yeah, right.
Bud enters. He looks at them, then puts on a smug attitude. He carries a sack.
BUD Well, all my Valentines finally cane in. I'm going upstairs to open them.
He heads for the stairs. We hear the clanking of soda bottles.
SFX: SODA BOTTLES CLANKING
KELLY Sounds kinda like pop bottles.
BUD Well, they're not. They're paper.
He walks more. He clanks. He looks back at them.
PEGGY Uh, Bud. Y'know, you're my Valentine.
BUD [unenthusiastic] Wow. Wait till I tell the guys.
KELLY Well, speaking of losers, let me get rid of my excess Valentines. [she looks through her
bag and reads envelopes] "Dearest Kelly," "Beautiful Kelly," "Kelly my love," [then,
shocked] Bud?
Bud drops his sack. We hear it crash.
SFX: BOTTLE CRASHING
BUD Let me see that.
KELLY How'd that get in there? It must be another one from Sheldon.
Bud opens it.
BUD It's from some girl named April May June.
PEGGY Why didn't they just call her Spring?
BUD [reads, cocky] She says he loves me. And she's coming over to see me tonight.
PEGGY That's great, honey! [to Kelly] Did you write that card as a joke?
KELLY [so Bud can hear] Why would I play a joke on little Bud? Life did that.
BUD You did write it, didn't you, Kel? I mean, "April, May, June"... Those are all words you
know. C'mon, tell me. 'Cause I've got a chance to go to the Bulls game tonight with Joey.
KELLY Gee, Bud. Dilemma, dilemma. Do you get all dressed up, stay here and look like an idiot,
or go to the game, stand up the only date you'll ever have, and look like an idiot. Hmm,
tough one for Bud. Well, I'm going upstairs to get ready for my real date.
She crosses to the stairs. Bud follows her.
BUD Did you write that, Kelly? Just say yes or no.
KELLY No.
BUD Come on, Kelly. Really. I know you did.
KELLY Okay. Yeah, I did.
BUD No you didn't. Really, Kel?
Bud and Kelly exit upstairs as Al comes down in a robe.
AL Okay, Peg. No sense in putting off the inevitable. The kids are upstairs so we probably
shouldn't do it up there because of your screaming and everything.
PEGGY That was your fault, Al. You were the one who turned the lights on.
AL Hey, let's not throw stones on this romantic night. Okay, it's almost time, so, why don't
you go down in the basement, sweep out that little area behind the furnace, lay out a
couple rags and brace yourself.
PEGGY I want to hear it, Al. I want to hear you say "I love you."
AL Not that again. Peg, can't I just show you down in the water heater.
PEGGY No.
AL Okay. I know you didn't think of this yourself. Now, where did this come from? Phil?
Oprah?
PEGGY Marcy.
AL I should have known. The only one we can't turn off.
PEGGY Steve and Marcy don't only just say it, they mean it, and they show it. You know what
Marcy's giving Steve tonight?
AL A running start?
PEGGY She's going to Cakes A Poppin', and have herself delivered to him. Then she's gonna pop
out naked.
AL I hope you're happy. I'll never have cake again.
PEGGY Well, if she can go to all that trouble for Steve, the least you can do for say "I love
you" to me. [a long beat] Al, I'm not going downstairs with you unless you say it.
AL Withholding sex from me, Peg? Oh, no. Well, I guess I'll just have to relax and have fun
instead. [beat] Come on, Peg, what's the big deal? You know I do. I just don't like to
say it. It makes me sick.
PEGGY Well, it doesn't make me sick to say it. I love you, Al.
AL Yeah, yeah, yeah.
PEGGY I'll be waiting upstairs.
Peggy exits upstairs. Sighs.
AL Yeah, I owe Marcy a lot. [beat] Payback time. [he picks the phone and dials, then into
phone] Hello, I'm calling about the Marcy Rhoades cake. I'm her husband. There's been a
change in plans. Instead of the address she gave you... Do you have a pen?
DISSOLVE TO:
ACT TWO
SCENE TWO
INT: BUNDY'S LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - LATER THAT NIGHT
Al is sitting on the couch watching the game on TV. We hear the sportscaster.
SPORTS [v.o.] Jordan fakes left, goes right. He's up... triple pump and he stuffs over Rodman.
What a shot!
AL [standing] Yes! Man, I love him!
Kelly and Bud enter from upstairs. Kelly is dressed for her date. Bud is wearing a robe and his
feet are bare.
KELLY Bud, I don't know why you're dressed like that. You're going to look like an idiot in
front of your little date.
BUD Yeah, right, Kel.
KELLY Well, if you don't think you really have a date, why did you pass up a chance to go to
the game?
BUD Look, maybe I just want to spend the night watching the game with my dad.
KELLY Suit yourself. Dad, Mom's upstairs cursing you. I'm late. Gotta go.
AL Wait a second. You guys are what... in your teens?
KELLY Something like that, Dad.
AL Well, that's a long time. And you've known me most of those years. How do you think your
dad feels about you? I mean, do you know that your dad...
KELLY Loves us?
AL Yeah... that. You guys know that, right?
BUD Sure. Dad... are you dying?
AL Yes, I am... But it's nothign new. So it's not important to hear uh...
KELLY That you love us?
AL [irritated] Yes.
BUD Well, it probably contributes to Kelly's poor grades in school, her latent hostility, and
fallen virtue. But other than that, it's no big deal.
Kelly shrugs an agreement.
KELLY We think it would make a nice moment for when you're old and feeble.
Kelly holds out her hand for money. Al gives her some. She kisses him and crosses to the door.
Bud holds out his hand for money. Al gives him some. Bud sits down.
KELLY I'd be getting ready if I were you, Bud.
BUD You're not going to get me, Kel.
Kelly exits. Bud pulls off his robe. He's wearing a suit and a tie. The pants legs are rolled up.
Bud rolls them down. He takes his socks and shoes out of his pockets and puts them on.
BUD Look, Dad, I've got a hot date coming. Could you leave?
AL The game is on.
BUD Dad, the way I see it if you left now it would be kinda like saying you love me.
Al lets out a long sigh, crosses to the stairs and starts up.
AL [grumbling] Gee, I love paying the mortgage on this house.
DISSOLVE TO:
ACT TWO
SCENE THREE
INT: BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
Al enters. Peg sits on the edge of the bed.
AL [casual] So what's doin'? [Peggy stares at him] C'mon, Peg. People shouldn't have to say
it. It's unnecessary. I haven't cheated on you. I haven't killed you. I stayed here
through two kids and your hot pants phase and I still have to say it?
PEGGY Yes.
AL Why?
PEGGY Because it's nice to know. Now I'll start. Al, I love you.
AL Peg, this really makes my stomach hurt.
PEGGY Then you can feel better real quick. Just say it.
AL I... I gotta go to the bathroom.
Al turns and quickly exits into the bathroom.
DISSOLVE TO:
ACT TWO
SCENE FOUR
INT: BUNDY LIVING ROOM/KITCHEN - NIGHT
Bud sits, sadly watching TV. His jacket is off, his tie is off, and his shirt is opened a few
buttons.
ANNOUN [o.s.] And that's the game. Michael Jordan finishes with sixty-one of the Bulls
eighty-eight points.
Bud flicks off the TV.
SFX: TV OFF
He picks up a bra and speaks to himself.
BUD Thanks, Kell. Real funny joke. [he picks up a small cannister] April May June. So
immature. Hope you like the itching powder in your bra.
Pours some on. The doorbell rings.
SFX: DOORBELL
Bud crosses to the door with the bra and opens it to April May June, a pretty young girl.
APRIL Hi, Bud. Did you get my Valentine? I'm April May June.
Bud slams the door on her. He shoves the bra down his shirt. He opens the door.
BUD [coolly] Come in, dear. [They cross to the couch and sit] Sooo. You have quite an unusual
name. How did you get it?
APRIL My parents were idiots.
BUD We have a lot in common. [suave] So you want me to be your Valentine's, eh?
APRIL Well, I saw you around school and thought you were kinda cute. But you never noticed me.
Bud starts scratching.
BUD You think I'm cute?
APRIL Sure. All the girls do.
BUD [bitter] Then why do I only get one stinkin' Valentine? Sorry, I meant, thank you.
APRIL Why are you scratching?
BUD It's this bra. Excuse me. [he takes the bra out of his shirt] That's better.
APRIL Don't you hate it when they ride up, too?
He nods and puts his arm around her.
DISSOLVE TO:
ACT TWO
SCENE FIVE
INT: BUNDY BEDROOM - NIGHT
Peggy sits on the edge of her bed.
PEGGY [calling out] Don't pull that upset stomach routine with me, Al. Come out here and tell
me you love me. And you betetr mean it!
Al enters from the bathroom.
FREEZE FRAME:
IF THE VOTE IS "YES"
ALTERNATE SCENE
ACT TWO
SCENE SIX
INT: BUNDY BEDROOM - NIGHT
Peggy sits on the bed.
PEGGY [to camera] Thank you so much for understanding. You must know what it's like to smell
his socks, to walk barefoot on his toenail clippings, and to kill what's living in his
toothbrush. I deserve to hear "I love you" and dammit I'm going to. And for those of you
who voted no, and think I should have a miserable life -- Don't worry. I do. [calling
sweetly] Oh, Al.
ACT TWO
SCENE SEVEN
INT: BUNDY BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS
Al enters from the bathroom.
AL All right, Peg. I'm going to say it. But before I say it, I want to tell you I really
hate you. I don't want to do this. I'm unhappy. If you can see my face, you know I'm
unhappy. And if you had a brain in that huge head, you'd know how I feel about you. Why
else would I live with a nightmare like you? This is the worst Valentine's Day I've ever
had. And if you think I'm gonna give you a jump after this, you're sadly mistaken. This
takes everything I have. But if this is what you want, it's your lousy stinkin'
Valentine's Day present. So here it is. I love you.
Peg goes to Al, puts her arms around him and gives him a big hug.
PEGGY Oh, Al.
AL Yeah, yeah, yeah.
PEGGY I hope that Steve and Marcy are as happy as we are right now.
AL Well, I don't know about Steve but Marcy's having the night of her life.
DISSOLVE TO:
ACT TWO
SCENE EIGHT
INT: BULLS LOCKER ROOM
A delivery man wheels a huge cake that has "DO WITH ME WHAT YOU WILL" written on it through two
opened swing doors. Marcy can be heard singing "My Funny Valentine" from inside the cake. The
delivery man closes the doors. They read:
CHICAGO BULLS LOCKER ROOM
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
IF THE VOTE IS "NO"
ALTERNATE SCENE
ACT TWO
SCENE SIX
INT: BUNDY BEDROOM - NIGHT
Peggy sits on the bed.
PEGGY [to camera] So you don't think I deserve to hear "I love you." Have you ever smelled his
socks? Have you ever walked barefoot over his toenail clippings? Have you ever seen what
lives in his toothbrush? I didn't think so. Feel pretty low now, don't you? You don't
want to see him say it? Then turn off the set, 'cause he's gonna say it. [sweetly, calls
out] Oh, Al.
Al enters from the bathroom.
AL All right, Peg. I'm going to say it. But before I say it, I want to tell you I really
hate you. I don't want to do this. I'm unhappy. If you can see my face, you know I'm
unhappy. And if you had a brain in that huge head, you'd know how I feel about you. Why
else would I live with a nightmare like you? This is the worst Valentine's Day I've ever
had. And if you think I'm gonna give you a jump after this, you're sadly mistaken. This
takes everything I have. But if this is what you want, it's your lousy stinkin'
Valentine's Day present. So here it is. I love you.
Peg goes to Al, puts her arms around him and gives him a big hug.
PEGGY Oh, Al.
AL Yeah, yeah, yeah.
PEGGY I hope that Steve and Marcy are as happy as we are right now.
AL Well, I don't know about Steve but Marcy's having the night of her life.
DISSOLVE TO:
ACT TWO
SCENE
INT: BULLS LOCKER ROOM
A delivery man wheels a huge cake that has "DO WITH ME WHAT YOU WILL" written on it through two
opened swing doors. Marcy can be heard singing "My Funny Valentine" from inside the cake. The
delivery man closes the doors. They read:
CHICAGO BULLS LOCKER ROOM
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
Scribed by Marriedaniac
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