ANNIE: You’re not really our dad, are you?

Jack turns to her. She’s looking back at him with complete earnestness. They stare at each other another moment. Then…

JACK: No, I’m not.

A look of curiosity from Annie.

JACK: I work on Wall Street, you know with the big buildings…?

No response from Annie…

JACK: I live in an apartment house with a doorman, I can buy just about anything I want…

Annie nods at Jack, still suspicious.

JACK: This isn’t my real life. It’s just a glimpse…
ANNIE: Where’s my real dad?
JACK: I don’t know…

A concerned look on Annie’s face, Jack’s petrified that she’s about to cry.

JACK: But don’t worry, he loves you and I’m sure he’ll be back very soon… (to himself) …very, very soon…

Annie approaches Jack, climbing up on a little chair and tugging firmly at his hair.

ANNIE: They did a pretty good job.
JACK: Who did?
ANNIE: The aliens…In the mother ship. You look just like him.
JACK: Uhh…thanks…slightly better looking though, right?

Annie’s now stone faced, trying to decide about Jack.

JACK: You’re not going to start crying, are you? Because I’m not really sure I could deal with that right now.

She thinks about it for a moment.

ANNIE: Do you like kids?
JACK: On a case by case basis…
ANNIE: You know how to make chocolate milk?
JACK: I think I could figure it out.
ANNIE: You promise not to kidnap me and my brother and implant stuff in our brains?
JACK: Sure.

Beat. Then…a smile from Annie.

ANNIE: Welcome to earth.

– The Family Man (2000), written by David Diamond & David Weissman

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is answering children’s questions, suggested by @BillieJeanVK. Today’s suggestion by Teddy Pasternak.

Trivia: In the script version, Jack sings ‘Witchcraft’ by Frank Sinatra to Kate during her birthday party. In the movie, it had been switched to ‘La, La, La Means I Love You’ by The Delfonics.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary from Teddy: “A sweet little scene with a great ending line showing Annie’s acceptance of Jack.”