MY DEAREST SEPTEMBER Special AU Episode: The Dowell Family — Unfiltered
An official, non-canon family special.
The Dowell Family :
Grayson Dowell — 49
Kieran Dowell — 47
Ashlyn Rose Dowell — 25
Lucas Dowell — 25
Damien George Dowell — 21
Akiel Dowell — 17
Vian Lewis Dowell — 13
[OPENING SCENE]
Location: The Dowell Family Living Room
The camera slowly moves through the living room.
Grayson is sitting on the sofa, reading his newspaper. Kieran is arranging the coffee table. Ashlyn is occupied with her phone, while Damien is sitting nearby.
Vian is playing on the carpet.
Lucas and Akiel are arguing about something that apparently started several minutes before filming.
LUCAS: Can you stop doing that?
AKIEL: Doing what?
LUCAS: Exactly that.
AKIEL: You're going to have to be more specific.
LUCAS: You know what you're doing.
AKIEL: Unfortunately, I don't.
The camera zooms in on Lucas's expression.
KIERAN: Boys. Please.
Neither responds.
GRAYSON: Is this going to continue all afternoon?
AKIEL: Depends.
LUCAS: See?
CUT TO BLACK.
ON-SCREEN TEXT:
THE DOWELL FAMILY.
Seven people. One household. Absolutely no peace.
[CONFESSIONAL — GRAYSON DOWELL]
ON-SCREEN LABEL: GRAYSON DOWELL — FATHER, 49
Grayson sits comfortably in the interview chair.
PRODUCER: How would you describe your family?
GRAYSON: Wonderful.
A short pause.
GRAYSON: When they're asleep.
CUT.
[CONFESSIONAL — KIERAN DOWELL]
ON-SCREEN LABEL: KIERAN DOWELL — MOTHER, 47
PRODUCER: What's the most difficult part of raising five children?
KIERAN: Knowing that even when they're all grown up, they'll still find a reason to argue over the smallest things.
PRODUCER: Do you have an example?
KIERAN: You're filming them right now.
CUT BACK TO THE LIVING ROOM.
Lucas and Akiel are still arguing.
[SCENE TWO — THE TWINS]
Location: Living Room
Ashlyn is sitting on the sofa. Lucas walks past her and takes something from the table.
ASHLYN: Lucas.
LUCAS: What?
ASHLYN: That's mine.
LUCAS: It's on the table.
ASHLYN: And?
LUCAS: So I assumed it was available.
ASHLYN: You have a whole house.
LUCAS: Thank you for reminding me.
Ashlyn stares at him.
ASHLYN: I genuinely don't know how we ended up being twins.
LUCAS: Neither do I.
ASHLYN: I'm clearly the better one.
LUCAS: Of course.
ASHLYN: Don't say it like that.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL — ASHLYN.
ON-SCREEN LABEL: ASHLYN ROSE DOWELL — ELDEST DAUGHTER, 25
Ashlyn crosses her arms.
PRODUCER: What's it like having a twin brother?
ASHLYN: Exhausting.
PRODUCER: Anything else?
ASHLYN: He's annoying. He's stubborn. He's convinced he's always right.
She pauses.
ASHLYN: And unfortunately, he's been like that for twenty-five years.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL — LUCAS.
ON-SCREEN LABEL: LUCAS DOWELL — ELDEST SON, 25
PRODUCER: Ashlyn says you're annoying.
LUCAS: She's my sister. What else would she say?
PRODUCER: She also says you're stubborn.
LUCAS: That's a family trait.
PRODUCER: Does that include her?
Lucas looks directly at the camera.
LUCAS: Next question.
[SCENE THREE — THE MIDDLE CHILD]
PRODUCER: Damien, your turn.
DAMIEN: Damien George Dowell. Middle son.
INTERVIEWER: How is it being the middle child?
DAMIEN: Peaceful.
A sudden voice comes from outside.
ASHLYN: DAMIEN! DID YOU TAKE MY CHARGER?
Damien looks towards the camera.
DAMIEN: I would like to change my answer.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL.
ON-SCREEN LABEL: DAMIEN GEORGE DOWELL — MIDDLE SON, 21
INTERVIEWER: How would you describe your siblings?
DAMIEN: Ashlyn talks too much. Lucas thinks he's the father. Akiel thinks he's smarter than everyone. Vian gets away with everything.
INTERVIEWER: And your parents?
DAMIEN: They're innocent. I feel sorry for them.
CUT.
Damien looks directly into the camera.
DAMIEN: Actually, I feel sorry for myself.
[SCENE FOUR — THE YOUNGEST SON]
PRODUCER: Akiel, would you introduce yourself?
Akiel is sitting on the couch, looking rather uninterested.
AKIEL: Akiel Dowell.
INTERVIEWER: Anything else you'd like to share?
AKIEL: No.
INTERVIEWER: That's it?
AKIEL: You asked for my name.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL.
ON-SCREEN LABEL: AKIEL DOWELL — YOUNGER SON, 17
Akiel leans back against the couch.
INTERVIEWER: Your siblings have described you as stubborn.
AKIEL: They're entitled to their opinions.
INTERVIEWER: And difficult?
AKIEL: That's a family problem.
INTERVIEWER: Do you get along with your siblings?
Akiel considers the question.
AKIEL: Define get along.
CUT BACK TO LIVING ROOM.
LUCAS: He's always like that.
AKIEL: And you're always talking.
LUCAS: See?
AKIEL: Exactly.
[SCENE FIVE — THE FAVOURITE SIBLING]
Location: Living Room
Vian is sitting with the rest of the family.
PRODUCER: Who's your favourite sibling?
Vian looks around the room.
VIAN: Akiel.
The room goes quiet.
LUCAS: Excuse me?
ASHLYN: Wow.
DAMIEN: That's unfortunate.
Akiel looks rather pleased with himself.
AKIEL: Good choice.
LUCAS: What makes him so special?
VIAN: He gives me his snacks.
AKIEL: See? She understands me.
ASHLYN: I literally bought you both snacks yesterday!
VIAN: But Akiel shares his.
The camera zooms in on Ashlyn's offended expression.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL — VIAN.
ON-SCREEN LABEL: VIAN LEWIS DOWELL — YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, 13
PRODUCER: Why is Akiel your favourite?
VIAN: Because he shares his snacks.
PRODUCER: What about your other siblings?
Vian thinks for a moment.
VIAN: They're okay.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL — AKIEL.
PRODUCER: Vian says you're her favourite.
AKIEL: I know.
PRODUCER: How does that make you feel?
AKIEL: Nothing.
A pause.
AKIEL: She has good taste, though.
[SCENE SIX — FAMILY PHOTO]
Location: Living Room
The entire family is gathered for a group photograph.
Grayson and Kieran sit in the middle. Ashlyn and Lucas stand behind them, while Damien, Akiel, and Vian arrange themselves around the sofa.
PRODUCER: Everyone, please look at the camera!
ASHLYN: Damien, move.
DAMIEN: You're blocking me.
LUCAS: Can everyone just stand still?
AKIEL: I'm already standing still.
VIAN: Akiel, you're blocking me!
AKIEL: How?
VIAN: You're tall!
GRAYSON: Can we take the photograph now?
KIERAN: Everyone smile.
The camera flashes.
Akiel closes his eyes.
PRODUCER: One more!
AKIEL: No.
ASHLYN: Akiel!
AKIEL: I said no.
LUCAS: Just take the picture.
AKIEL: You take it.
DAMIEN: He's actually refusing to participate.
VIAN: AKIEL, SMILE!
Akiel looks at the camera with the most exhausted expression imaginable.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL — AKIEL.
PRODUCER: Would you participate in another family special?
AKIEL: No.
PRODUCER: Why?
AKIEL: I've learned my lesson.
CUT TO CONFESSIONAL — GRAYSON.
PRODUCER: Would you consider filming another episode?
GRAYSON: We'll have to reconsider the production arrangements.
CUT TO BLACK.
[ENDING CREDITS]
The Dowell family would like to thank the production team for their patience.
And the production team would like to thank the Dowell family for finally leaving.
END OF SPECIAL EPISODE.