Chapter 6 - 6: The Screenplay SurpriseChapter 6: The Screenplay Surprise

    ---

    Grant had only intended to playfully scare his son, but he was taken aback to find that Martin truly had been up to something else behind his back.

    "Did you say you wrote a screenplay and sent it to your Aunt Nancy?"

    "Yes, Dad. By now, she should have received it and might even be reading it right now." Martin grinned mischievously.

    ---

    Meanwhile, in a cozy villa.

    Nancy Meyers opened the thick envelope her nephew had sent, wondering what on earth little Martin had mailed her.

    "The Parent Trap? A screenplay?" Nancy''s eyes widened as she saw the title and author: Martin Myers. Did this kid actually write a screenplay?

    For a moment, Nancy thought it might be a prank, something filled with childish nonsense. But as she turned the first page, she realized it was indeed a complete screenplay—complete with illustrated storyboards, drawn with surprising skill and professionalism.

    In no time, she found herself captivated by the story...

    The screenplay told the tale of a married couple who separated due to a misunderstanding. They had twin sons, with Mike growing up with his father in California and Beck living with his mother in London. Eleven years later, by sheer coincidence, each parent decided to send their son to the same summer camp...

    During an activity at a camp in Maine, eleven-year-old Mike Parker encountered Beck James. Despite their uncanny resemblance, they were sworn enemies at first.

    Mike found Beck irritating, and Beck felt the same about Mike. But they shared a few quirks: both were allergic to strawberries, skilled at card games, and masters of pranks.

    While bickering, they each mentioned their single parents—a father for Mike, a mother for Beck—and began to realize there was more to their connection. After comparing family photos, they put together torn halves to create a full picture, and the shocking truth hit them—they were long-lost twin brothers.

    Nancy was completely absorbed; the heartwarming, romantic story touched her deeply.

    Of course, it would.

    Martin had chosen to "create" (copy) this screenplay for Nancy because she had actually written it herself in 1997! No wonder it resonated with her—she was essentially reliving her own work. sea??h thё Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    (Note: The original screenplay was adapted from German writer Erich K?stner''s Lottie and Lisa. For the story''s purpose here, we''ll treat it as Martin''s "original" creation.)

    Martin had thought of adapting The Parent Trap partly because of his Aunt Nancy and partly due to his friend, Lindsay Lohan.

    Lindsay had starred in the original The Parent Trap movie, which launched her Hollywood career as a child star in 1998.

    In the original, the twins were girls, with Lindsay brilliantly playing both roles, showcasing acting skills far beyond her years.

    However, Martin, even with Lindsay as a good friend and admirer, didn''t hesitate to make the main characters twin boys. He had his reasons—he saw this movie as his springboard into stardom.

    ---

    Ring, ring...

    "Hello, Myers residence. Who''s calling?"

    "Oh, Ms. Nancy! Are you looking for Mr. Grant? One moment, please!"

    "Hello, Nancy."

    "Grant, did you know that little Martin sent me a screenplay?"

    "Yes, yes, I just found out."

    "You did? Well, it doesn''t surprise me. But the screenplay is fantastic! Be honest—did he have help, or..."

    "No, Nancy. I assure you, no ghostwriters, no help from anyone. Martin wrote this completely on his own."

    "My goodness, it''s true. Martin is simply extraordinary. He''s only eleven, and he wrote this?"

    "Indeed. You''re not the first to say that today. And actually, Martin also wrote a children''s book. Random House is already preparing to publish it."

    "My word, Grant! You''re the luckiest man alive, having a son who''s a prodigy! Put Martin on the phone—I need to talk to him right away."

    "Sorry, Nancy. We''re just heading out for dinner. How about tomorrow?"

    "Tomorrow? Fine. I''ll call him tomorrow... No, wait! I''ll come over tomorrow. It''s the weekend, so make sure Martin''s home!"

    ---

    Late that night.

    It was almost midnight, but Linda couldn''t sleep.

    "Grant, are you awake?"

    "Yes."

    "I can''t fall asleep."

    "Neither can I."

    "Grant, do you think our little Martin is really a prodigy?"

    The events of the day felt so surreal that, now that Linda had time to process, she found herself both thrilled and anxious.

    "Don''t worry, Linda. Martin''s a genius—at least in writing. The fact that both Benjamin and Nancy are in awe of his work proves it, doesn''t it?"

    "I know... It''s just so hard to believe, like I''m dreaming. I actually gave birth to a little prodigy!" Linda broke into a proud smile.

    "No, we gave birth to a little prodigy," Grant emphasized.

    ---

    The next morning.

    True to her word, Nancy arrived bright and early.

    The moment she stepped inside, she wrapped Martin in a bear hug, ruffling his hair affectionately until his fair face turned pink. Not from blushing—he could hardly breathe!

    "Aunt Nancy, maybe we could... discuss the screenplay instead?" Martin, who had held his own in front of Benjamin, was completely at a loss under his aunt''s smothering embrace.

    "Don''t worry about the details. I''ll talk those over with Grant. I just want to ask you one thing—would you like to star in this movie?"

    "You do, don''t you?"

    "The eleven-year-old twin brothers—they''re meant for you, right?"

    "Martin, do you want to be a star?"

    "In that case, let''s just say you''re giving me the screenplay rights for free, and I''ll negotiate a good actor''s fee for you with the studio."

    Martin was stunned. Wait... this is my Aunt Nancy? You''ve said everything already—what am I supposed to say?

    Unable to hold back, he muttered, "Aunt Nancy, do you know what an ''iron rooster'' is?"

    Before Nancy could respond, Martin imitated her quick tone and explained, "It''s an Asian expression. It means ''someone who doesn''t give up a single feather,'' basically describing a miser, a Scrooge, a true penny-pincher."

    "So, I give you the screenplay rights for free, the studio pays me an acting fee, and meanwhile, you get both producer and director credits, meaning you''re double-dipping!"

    Nancy looked at Martin in surprise. How could this little guy connect all these dots from a single comment?

    She glanced at Grant, who gave her a proud, knowing look, as if to say, Yep, that''s my son—sharp as a tack!

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