Working title:
The Once and Future King
These are scenes from the October 3, 1996 production draft of the script for the episode The Prince of Slides written by Eleah Horwitz. These scenes did not make it into the final episode due to time and story considerations.
Our first difference comes at the beginning, and I believe it was cut due to a continuity reference...
TEASER
FADE IN
EXT. JEFFERSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL - DAY - ESTABLISHING
INT. HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM - DAY
CLOSE ON AN AMERICAN FLAG
hanging over the admission's desk. It's the standard stars and stripes, except there's an outline of a GOLD CROWN stitched across the stars. CAMERA FINDS WADE sitting in a chair, writing in her diary. REMBRANDT'S behind her at a VENDING MACHINE, eyeing the selections and the prices, his hand full of various coins.
REMBRANDT
Six pence for a Snickers.
(checks the change in his
hand)
Oh, great. Not one of these is a
pence, much less six.
Wade smiles sympathetically, scribbles in her diary.
WADE (V.O.)
We have three days on this world.
I wish it was longer. America as a
monarchy sounds so romantic it
would be nice to have more time to
explore it...
REMBRANDT
(pulling out another
coin)
I kept a zinc dollar from that
world where the geeks could enter
your dreams. I wonder if this
machine would know the difference.
As he slips the coin into the machine...
WADE (V.O.)
From what we've seen so far, this
world is very clean, with lots of
parks and gardens. And the people
are so polite...
Remmy pushes a selection button. Nothing. He sighs.
REMBRANDT
It knows.
Quinn enters from a side corridor.
WADE
How's the Professor?
QUINN
He'll live. But he's still pretty
upset about sliding into a bee
colony.
And the rest is as we saw it...
Another little tid bit or two...the news report we see at the beginning of Act One was from RNN (The Royal News Network), and the picture they showed of Remmy's double was supposed to reveal that he had longer hair than our Rembrandt (a look the double was to carry for the episode).
Our next missing bit comes at the palace when Remmy is waking up after the transfer. Arturo was supposed to give us a better look at that world's alternate history...
Rembrandt tries to sit up, but he can't bend in the middle. Quinn and Wade help him and put a pillow behind his back.
QUINN
Easy, guy. You've just had major
surgery.
ARTURO
Fortunately, with their advanced
medical technology, you'll be up
and around in no time.
REMBRANDT
Tell me that's not what I think it
is.
ARTURO
Oh but it is Mr. Brown. In fact,
you bear royalty. The Duchess
Danielle is a direct descendant of
Thomas Jefferson, first *King* of
America, and his second wife, the
former slave, Sally Hemmings.
REMBRANDT
I'm pregnant?! I'm not even
married!
WADE
The father is your missing double.
If you hadn't shown up when you
did, the little guy would've died.
As this sinks in, Rembrandt looks at and feels his tummy.
And the rest plays out like the final version...
The next missing scene comes after Danielle asks the Sliders to leave and has her private moment with Remmy...
DANIELLE
Morning sickness is normal in the
first few hours after transfer.
You're lucky -- mine lasted two
months!
REMBRANDT
(mouth full of crackers)
I fink iff paffing.
DANIELLE
(gently)
I told you it would.
Rembrandt opens his eyes, locks onto her.
REMBRANDT
You're so beautiful.
DANIELLE
(touching his face)
When Lady Mary told me you'd left,
I wanted to die. And then the
crisis came early...
(and then)
Rem, I know we've had our problems,
but please, let's try again. I
love you.
Before Rembrandt can get a word in, Danielle embraces him and they dissolve into a kiss.
CUT TO
INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE MASTER BEDROOM - DAY
Arturo's leaning against the heavy oak doors leading to the master bedroom, eavesdropping. Quinn and Wade, appearing at the top of the stairs behind him, approach.
QUINN
What's going on in there?
As Arturo steps away from the doors, leads them a few feet away so as not to be heard...
ARTURO
It's hard to tell. I heard a few
muffled words and what sounded
like... munching.
The Sliders exchange a look.
WADE
I don't even want to know.
ARTURO
What did you find out on the Duke's
whereabouts?
QUINN
Nothing. All I heard is the guy
had a problem with living in the
royal spotlight. I guess he and
the Duchess had some big fights
about it.
WADE
Well, I found a maid who said Lady
Mary started a rumor that the Duke
was cheating on his wife.
ARTURO
How do we know it was a rumor?
WADE
We don't, except the maid said it
just couldn't be true. According
to her, Remmy's double is crazy
about Danielle.
QUINN
Some things are constant on every
world.
WADE
The maid said she heard the royals
arguing over this rumor, then the
Duke disappeared.
ARTURO
(considering)
So he might be staying away out of
spite.
WADE
Even after his wife went into
crisis? That's pretty low.
A CACOPHONY of CHURCH BELLS start up in the distance. As the Sliders react, a grim faced Stellos rushes into the hallway from the stairs.
QUINN
What's going on?
He ignores the question, pushes past Quinn as Lady Mary and some guards enter the hallway from the stairs. Stellos opens the bedroom door without knocking.
Remmy and Danielle are kissing passionately when Stellos enters and startles them.
REMBRANDT
(annoyed)
Hello? Anyone remember knock-
knock?
STELLOS
Forgive me, Your Grace, but there
is grave news.
And as we saw, that news is the death of the King in his home at Monticello - something that now makes more sense once we know the missing bit about Thomas Jefferson as the first King...
Act Two was to begin with another little bit of alternate history...as well as a short JOC swordsmanship display...
ACT TWO
FADE IN
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - MORNING
CLOSE ON A MAGAZINE COVER OF "PATERNITY TODAY"
showing a photo of a nude male subtly covering himself (a la Demi Moore).
PULL BACK TO REVEAL
Wade sitting on the bed reading the magazine. Nearby, Quinn pulls a short sword from a scabbard that's attached to the bed frame near the headboard.
QUINN
Check this out.
WADE
I guess they keep it nearby in case
of a palace coup.
Quinn assumes a dueling pose and waves the sword at Wade.
QUINN
Don't toy with me you saucy wench,
lest I slice the bodice right off
you with my trusty blade.
WADE
(deadpan)
You do and I'll have my guards turn
you into a eunuch.
QUINN
Ah, a fiesty one. Perhaps she
needs to be taught a lesson.
Rembrandt comes out of the bathroom within the bedroom wearing a silk robe over his nightshirt. He walks toes-out, one hand on his lower back for support. As he starts to close the bathroom door, they all react as they hear a delayed TOILET FLUSH. As Remmy finishes closing the door...
REMBRANDT
(over his shoulder)
Thank you.
(to Quinn and Wade)
You know I think they carry this
servant thing a little too far.
(and then)
Y'know I've had some amazing
experiences since I've been
sliding, but not one compares to
the feeling of realizing you're
carrying life inside you.
WADE
Can I feel??
He nods. Wade puts her hand on his stomach.
WADE
I think I just felt it kick.
REMBRANDT
Uh, I think that was just gas.
(and then)
Any word on my double?
And the scene plays out as we saw it from there...
Also, the script had Remmy and Arturo glossing over the "tone deaf" fact at a much earlier point in the story...
EXT. PRIVATE GARDEN - MORNING
Danielle sits on a beautiful, cushioned love seat/swing suspended form a huge, flowering tree, looking out over the luscious royal gardens which stretch out for acres (CGI), including a maze of tall hedges. Stellos stands next to her.
STELLOS
As it now stands, I am to rule as
Regent. But once the child is
born, I will step aside and your
husband will replace me. It will
be his responsibility to rule as
Regent until your son is deemed old
enough.
DANIELLE
George, I'm concerned that if we
tell my husband of this new
responsibility it will only make
him flee again.
Rembrandt and Arturo enter, bringing their conversation to a halt.
REMBRANDT
(teasing)
Hey, Stellos. Trying to make time
with a pregnant man's wife?
DANIELLE
Rembrandt. How's our little king?
REMBRANDT
Little king. I like that. He's
doin' great. I've been thinking
about writing a song for him. I
figure I could sing it to him while
he's still inside here.
Danielle and Stellos eye him curiously.
DANIELLE
A song? I'm not sure that's such a
good idea.
REMBRANDT
Why not?
STELLOS
Because you're tone deaf, Your
Grace.
Rembrandt and Arturo react -- oops.
ARTURO
(then quickly covering)
The Duke knows that. But... the
baby doesn't.
He smiles as if making a joke. Rembrandt laughs, maybe a little too hard. Danielle and Stellos exchange a dubious look.
Then we cut to Wade and Quinn as they enter Camp Muir to find Rembrandt's missing double...
As to when Danielle finds out Remmy is a fraud in the script - well, that comes up in this scene...where we also learn something about Arturo's service in the castle...
INT. ROYAL LIBRARY - AFTERNOON
Arturo sits in a high-backed, leather wing chair with his feet up on the matching ottoman and puffs a cigar. A uniformed maid pours cream into his Limoge cup from a silver creamer. A nearby tray is loaded with dome-covered dishes.
ARTURO
If you'd be so kind, would you
replace the pillows on my bed? I
am sensitive to goose feathers and
would prefer elderdown.
The maid curtsies and exits. REVEAL REMBRANDT on the sofa, eating ice cream and pretzels from a huge bowl which rests on his ever growing tummy.
REMBRANDT
You realize you didn't even say
than you?
(becoming emotional)
Poor girl's busting her butt and
you can't even tell her how much
you appreciate it.
(abruptly harsh)
And put out that smoke stack around
my baby!
Arturo hides his amusement as he stubs out his cigar. Arturo begins lifting domes on the serving tray, checking out the various delicacies.
ARTURO
Let me give you some advice about
royal help. Most have been born
and raised in service. They love
to serve, indeed they live to serve
and would be confused and hurt if
their superiors did not behave in a
superior fashion.
REMBRANDT
You know, you're so full of...
Danielle enters purposefully.
DANIELLE
I heard the goodies were in here.
Danielle sits beside Rembrandt and helps herself to a strawberry. Rembrandt can't take his eyes off her. He holds his ice cream and pretzel concoction out to Arturo.
REMBRANDT
Professor, would you take this to
the kitchen, please. And have them
save it in the freezer, I may want
to finish it later.
ARTURO
But we have servants to...
Danielle looks up, surprised to hear anyone talking back to her husband. Rembrandt shoots Arturo a look.
ARTURO
Yes, Your Grace.
Arturo exits, hoist on his own superior petard.
DANIELLE
(re: Arturo)
I hear that the cook spits in his
food.
REMBRANDT
(laughing)
No!
DANIELLE
(laughing)
Yes.
REMBRANDT
(re:food tray)
Good thing *I* ordered this little
snack.
He grabs a handful of peanuts and is about to down them when...
DANIELLE
(grabbing his hand)
Rembrandt, no!
They stare at each other for a beat, then...
DANIELLE
My husband has a deadly allergy to
peanuts.
(a beat)
Apparently you, whoever you are, do
not.
Off Rembrandt's reaction...
We cut to Quinn, Wade and Rembrandt's double in their car ride back to the palace...
When we cut back to Rembrandt and Danielle...Remmy is explaining the situation. But in the script, we were to gain another piece to Rembrandt's history...
INT. MASTER BEDROOM - EVENING
Remmy's on a love seat. Danielle sits next to him.
REMBRANDT
On my world, you and I were living
together. We'd had a big fight.
You took the car and -- you were
gonna show me how it felt when I
walked out on you. I should never
have let you go. You couldn't even
see through your tears.
Danielle is engrossed. The story is an emotional one for Rembrandt to relive.
REMBRANDT
After the accident, I still had the
boneheaded idea that we could make
it right. But after you got well,
you wouldn't look at me. I started
crying and couldn't stop. It's how
I got the nickname The Cryin' Man.
Rembrandt laughs bitterly. Danielle strokes his face, touched by Remmy's pain.
DANIELLE
This story never happened to me,
yet I feel as if it had.
And the scene finishes out as we saw it with Rembrandt quoting the poem the Duchess never sent...
There was also an added to bit to why Danielle wanted to transfer the baby without George knowing about it...
DANIELLE
It's a lot to comprehend, but
you've got to help us.
(gesturing to the two
Remmys)
We must find a way to transfer the
baby from this Rembrandt to the
Duke. Without your nephew finding
out.
(to our Remmy)
George likes to behead first and
ask questions later.
Suddenly, we hear the SOUND OF PEOPLE heading up the stairs.
DANIELLE
(knowing)
Guards...
QUINN
We'll stall them.
As he and Wade cross and hurry out...
DANIELLE
(to Lady Mary)
Will you help us?
And of course, Lady Mary does...while helping herself at the same time...
Probably one of the most surprising changes from the script has to do with the delivery of the baby...
REMBRANDT
(looking Arturo in the eye)
Save... my son.
CLOSE ON KNIFE
poised over Rembrandt's belly as Arturo prepares to make the incision. As he presses it against Rembrant's stomach,
THE DOOR
burst open and Quinn and Wade rush in.
QUINN
Professor, what are you doing?!
ARTURO
The infant is in distress.
WADE
The paramedics should be here...
The SOUND of a helicopter draws their attention.
WADE
(smiling)
...any second.
DANIELLE
(heavenward)
Yes!
REMBRANDT
It's about time something went
right.
As Danielle and Rembrandt 2 start to bundle Remy up for the move.
ARTURO
You cut it awfully close, Mr.
Mallory.
QUINN
(re:knife in Arturo's
hand)
Look who's talking.
Then we dissolve to the next day and the good byes...which brings us to...
Danielle presses something wrapped in a handkerchief into Rembrandt's hand and kisses him on the cheek.
Remmy closes his eyes -- and then she moves away and he is alone.
Arturo opens the doors to the balcony. Danielle and Rembrandt 2 step out to show the new King to the cheering crowd.
THE CROWD (O.S.)
Long live the King!
BACK ON OUR PEOPLE
QUINN
Take one last look, guys.
Quinn aims the timer at the TV showing the new family waving at the crowd.
REMBRANDT
(dying inside)
Lord, how I hate good-byes.
THE VORTEX OPENS. Rembrandt and Wade jump together into the votex. Then Quinn. Arturo takes a last look around. It was nice while it lasted. He jumps.
And then after we see the girl take her first flying lesson...
THE END.
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