ROSWELL: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN - "Damage Control" - ACT IV - 04/20/02

ACT IV

  24 EXT. STREETS OF DOWNTOWN ROSWELL - 15 MINUTES LATER

Max, Liz, Isabel and Alex are in the Jeep heading for the Roswell Weekly Record. Max drives past the office.

MAX
I'm going to park a block away. I don't want to attract attention by having a vehicle parked in front of a closed building.

He parks the Jeep and they all get out and walk back towards the office, approaching it from the back. Max spots the alarm system and heads for it.

MAX
I'll disable the alarm system. Isabel, on my signal, open the back door.

Max uses his powers to disable the alarm and nods to Isabel, who uses her powers to open the lock.

  25 INT. ROSWELL WEEKLY RECORD NEWSPAPER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

They enter the building, which is in total darkness.

ALEX
Um ... did anyone remember to bring a flashlight?

MAX
We don't need a flashlight.

Max cups his hands and uses his powers to create a small beam of light (as he did in River Dog); Isabel does the same.

ALEX
Nice.
(beat)
We are looking for the desk of Ross Gold.

Max and Isabel spread out, checking the name plates on the desks. Liz heads for the front window.

LIZ
I'll keep a lookout.

ISABEL
Found it!

Alex rushes over to the desk Isabel is standing at, and turns on the computer and monitor. Isabel and Max each extinguish their lights. The login dialogue box pops up on the monitor.

MAX
Do you think this will take long? It won't be as easy as Larry's. I'm sure Gold used a password.

LIZ
But nothing you can't handle, right? I mean, if you can get into Topolsky's laptop, this should be a piece of cake.

Alex is typing on the keyboard.

ALEX
We'll know in a minute.

Alex watches the monitor. A smile spreads across his face as the hour glass disappears and Gold's desktop appears.

ALEX (cont'd)
(very pleased with himself)
I've still got the magic touch! We're in!

ISABEL
How did you get in so quickly?

ALEX
(teasing)
Sorry, I don't give away trade secrets.

Alex turns back to the monitor and clicks on the e-mail icon.

ALEX (cont'd)
Here it is and, luckily, he hasn't opened it yet. I'll just open it then delete it.

LIZ
Why not just delete it?

ALEX
Because some return receipt programs indicate if something was deleted without being read. That would look too suspicious.

MAX
Instead of deleting it, why not make it look like a virus is attached, so he won't want to accept anything from Larry again.

ALEX
Okay, but that will take longer.

MAX
See what you can do.

Cut to:

  26 INT. SENOR CHOW'S BOOTH - MOMENTS LATER

The waiter brings them their check and places it on the table.

WAITER
I hope everything was to your liking. Please come again.

The waiter leaves.

LARRY
Man, look at the time! Thanks for the dinner, and conversation, but we have to get going. Oh, and if I were you, I wouldn't leave a tip; the service sucked--could he have been any slower!?

JEN
Yeah, thanks a lot for the dinner. Next time it will be our treat, and if it doesn't take as long as it did this time, maybe you can show us those other night spots you mentioned.

LARRY & JEN
(as they leave)
Good night!

Michael is shocked and ticked off.

MICHAEL
It's not bad enough I had to come to this thing, but now I have to pay for them too!? I'm already in hock to Max and Isabel's parents for first and last month's rent on my apartment, and I don't even start my job at the Crashdown until next week. I can't afford this! What did you say to them to make them think we were paying!?

MARIA
I just invited them to dinner.

Flashback to a scene in the Crashdown.

MARIA
Michael and I would like you and Larry to join us tonight for dinner at Senor Chow's. We can fill you in on Roswell's night life; show you the local hang-outs, if you like.

JEN
I like!

Back to scene.

MICHAEL
(sarcastically)
Oh, they would never confuse that with a Dutch treat dinner.

MARIA
I'm sorry! Maybe we can get the others to chip in.

MICHAEL
Never mind, I'll take care of it.

Michael takes a $1 bill from his wallet, waves his hand over it and changes it into a $50 bill.

MARIA
(hissing to keep from being overheard)
What are you doing!?

MICHAEL
Solving our problem.

MARIA
Michael! That's counterfeiting--a federal offense. If you made even one tiny mistake, you could get caught, be arrested and go to jail!

MICHAEL
Stop getting all bent out of shape; it's just a little creative financing. And I know what I'm doing.

MARIA
(sarcastically)
Right, because you're so good at using your powers.
(beat)
Michael, it's wrong! Now, get rid of that thing and swear to me you'll never do it again.

Silence from Michael.

MARIA
(glaring--if looks could kill)
Michael!

MICHAEL
All right, all right! Gheeze, don't get your panties all in a bunch.

MARIA
You leave my panties out of this. And, if you break your word, don't expect me to visit you in Sing Sing.

MICHAEL
Sing Sing is a state prison in New York. La Tuna in El Paso is the closest minimum security federal prison.

MARIA
(sarcastically)
Why am I not surprised that you know that?

Camera focuses on Michael, who is at a loss for a comeback line, and we cut to:

  27 EXT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Deputy Blackwood is patrolling the area. He notices a flicker of movement in the newspaper office and decides to investigate.

Cut to:

  28 INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Liz spots the cruiser approaching.

LIZ
We've got trouble! Deputy Blackwood is headed this way.

Alex turns off the monitor and they all find a desk to hide under. Blackwood looks through the front window, doesn't see anything but heads for the front door anyway. We see him standing outside the glass door and the handle moving; cut to the terrified looks on the kids' faces.

ISABEL
(hissing at Max)
I thought you disabled the alarm!

MAX
(hissing back)
I did!

Cut to:

  29 EXT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Suddenly Blackwood's radio crackles.

RADIO
Code 7 in progress, at 223 Citrus Street. Respond Code 3.

OWEN
Adam 1 responding. ETA 2 minutes.

Deputy Blackwood rushes back to his cruiser and peels off, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

Cut to:

  30 INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

The kids all expel their breath, as if they had been holding it forever, and climb out from under the desks.

ISABEL
(a little shaken up)
That was too close for comfort. I can't go to jail-- I look terrible in orange.

The others look at her as though they are not sure if she is joking or not.

ISABEL (cont'd)
Alex, forget about the virus, just delete it. I want to get out of here!

ALEX
I'm almost done. I just need a few more minutes. I have to cover our tracks that we opened it and create a new back up copy.

ISABEL
Well, just hurry, okay?

ALEX
You bet!

Alex returns to Gold's computer and turns the monitor back on. He begins to type on the keyboard. Max joins Liz by the window and puts his arm around her.

Cut to:

  31 INT. MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATERS

Michael is looking out the window. Maria is sitting on the sofa, looking at her watch.

MARIA
Do you see them yet?

MICHAEL
No.

He turns away from the window and faces Maria.

MARIA
It's been a long time. Do you think it's been too long?

MICHAEL
(abruptly)
How should I know? Do you think my "criminal tendencies" make me some kind of expert?

MARIA
(seriously)
No.

Maria gets up and walks over to a clock. She compares the time on the clock to her watch.

MARIA (cont'd)
I should call Liz again.

Michael rolls his eyes in exasperation, leaves the window and approaches Maria.

MICHAEL
You can't call Liz again. Remember? She said they were turning off their phones while they were in the newspaper office.

MARIA
I just hate this waiting, and not knowing. Anything could have hap--

Michael interrupts Maria in mid-sentence by enfolding her in his arms and kissing her soundly.

MARIA
(slightly breathless)
Was that to calm me down?

MICHAEL
No, to distract you.

MARIA
(smiles; then flirtatiously)
I ... think I need ... a little more distraction.

They kiss again, a little more passionately as we cut to:

  32 INT. NEWSPAPER OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER

Isabel is pacing back and forth in front of Gold's desk, anxious to leave.

ALEX (cont'd)
Done!

ISABEL
Thank God! Let's get out of here.

ALEX
(teasing)
Something tells me you're not cut out for the world of espionage.

ISABEL
No? Does that mean I should give up my dream of being a CIA operative?

Max starts to laugh, tries to cover it up, but then Isabel and the others join in. They hush each other as they all head out the back door.

Cut to:

  33 EXT. STREET OUTSIDE MICHAEL'S APARTMENT - 15 MINUTES LATER

As Max, Liz, Isabel, and Alex drive up to Michael's building, they notice the lights on in Michael's apartment.

MAX
(to Isabel and Alex)
You'll fill in Michael and Maria? I have to get Liz back.

ISABEL
Sure.

Alex and Isabel get out of the Jeep. Max and Liz drive off. Isabel starts walking toward the building. Alex takes her arm to stop her.

ISABEL
What?

ALEX
Before we go in ...

ISABEL
Michael and Maria are waiting.

ALEX
I know. It's just ... something happened.

ISABEL
What!? Did you remember something about the computers?

ALEX
No, the computers are fine.
(under his breath)
Computers I can deal with.
(out loud)
Isabel, yesterday we kissed. You know, for the first time. And I know you said it was just to figure out where Max and Liz were but ...

He stops and looks at Isabel's face as if trying to figure out what she's thinking. She looks serious and attentive, but a little nervous.

ALEX (cont'd)
Maybe you're right. Michael and Maria must want to know what happened.

ISABEL
What did you want to say, Alex?

(pause)

ALEX
It meant something to me.

ISABEL
(quietly)
It did to me too.

Isabel takes a step toward Alex and kisses him lightly on the lips. They look at each other, then hear a loud noise from the building. Michael is banging on the window. They go into the apartment.

Cut to:

  34 EXT. THE ALLEY BELOW LIZ'S BALCONY - 10 MINUTES LATER

Max and Liz climb the ladder. Max goes first and takes Liz's hand to help her up.

  35 EXT. LIZ'S BALCONY - CONTINUOUS

They stand face to face on the balcony, still holding hands.

MAX
I should go. My parents ...

LIZ
Think you're studying.

MAX
But we were gone a long time.

LIZ
Yeah, you're right.

(beat)

MAX
Thank you.

LIZ
For what?

MAX
For tonight.

LIZ
Max, you know I'd do anything for you, I mean, for us, all of us.

MAX
I really should go home. But feeling your hand in mine ... it just feels ... right ... perfect. As if everything in the world is in place. And if I let go ... everything will shatter.

He takes her hand and kisses it gently.

MAX (cont'd)
You know, we assumed that the orb was the reason we were experiencing ... everything we were experiencing ... but since we found it, and it turned off, I still can't not touch you. I've been wondering if my strong feelings for you are what set it off in the first place.

He leans in closer to her and they kiss as though they are the only two people in their world. Lost in their kiss, they have no warning as Jeff comes barreling through her bedroom doorway. Just as he reaches the open window, Nancy turns on the light. Max and Liz are startled, and turn towards the light, seeing Jeff's angry face staring at them from the window.

JEFF
Just what do you think you are up to, young lady!

LIZ
(to Max)
I think you better leave now.

Max turns and heads for the ladder.

PHILLIP (OS)
You're not going anywhere!

Max freezes in his tracks at the sound of his father's voice, turns back towards the window and blanches at the sight of his parents in Liz's bedroom. He walks back to Liz. They reach out to take each other's hand, ready to face the music together, but they both jump apart when Jeff yells.

JEFF
Get in here! Now!

Cut to:

  36 INT. LARRY AND JEN'S LIVING ROOM - MORNING

Larry is on the phone with Ross Gold.

GOLD (VO)
What are you trying to pull here!? I opened your attachment and got nothing but Computer Greek! If you infected my computer with a virus, so help me ...

LARRY
I would never do that! I don't know what you are talking about. The document I sent you last night was fine. Let me resend it to you.

GOLD (VO)
No way! I'm not opening anything you send to me by e-mail. If you've got something, print it out and deliver me the hard copy. You have six hours to get it to me by my deadline, and if you can't deliver, don't bother me again!

There is a click on the other end of the phone. Larry turns to his computer and tries to open the file on the computer. He gets a page of boxes and mathematical symbols.

LARRY
No. This can't be happening.

Tries again; same result.

LARRY (cont'd)
Nooo ...
(starts to panic)
Noooo ....
(remembers something)
My back up CD. Thank God I made a back up copy!

Larry gets the CD from among his music CDs, puts in it in the CD drive; receives the same garbage.

LARRY (cont'd)
(screaming)
Noooo!!!!!

Jen rushes in, holding a cleaning rag in her hand.

JEN
What is it!? What's the matter?

LARRY
(looks up from computer, grief stricken)
It's gone ... it's all gone ...

JEN
(concerned but unsure what he is talking about)
What's gone?

LARRY
All my work! Everything I collected on Hubble ... it's all corrupted.
(pauses; starts talking to himself, forgetting Jen is there)
No, not corrupted ... sabotaged! They were here ... last night. Michael and Maria were decoys, to lure us out so they could come here and destroy my notes.

JEN
Lured!? Sabotaged!? Larry, what are you talking about!? What could Maria and Michael possibly have to do with your investigation of this Hubble person? This doesn't have anything to do with Max, does it? Because you promised me you were through with hunting "aliens". You promised, no more obsessions!

LARRY
(squirming)
Um ... no. No. Nothing to do with Max. I'm just, uh ... I'm just being paranoid. It's probably just a computer virus. You're always warning me about opening attachments from people I don't know. I'm sure that's all it is.

Larry checks a few files.

LARRY (cont'd)
Yeah, that's what it must be, there are other corrupted files as well. Damn! Now what am I gonna do? Gold needs the information in six hours. There's no way I can recreate all my information by then. He'll never trust me again, if I can't deliver.

JEN
Who is this Gold guy and why do you only have six hours?

LARRY
He's a reporter with the Roswell Weekly Record. He has a deadline to meet, so he needs the information before the deadline.

JEN
Can't it wait until next week's paper?

LARRY
Probably, but I think he's mad at me--he thinks I infected his computer with a virus.

JEN
Oh.
(softening)
Well, he's not the only reporter in town. I'm sure you'll find someone else who will be interested in your story. Don't get discouraged. And next time, be more careful with your computer.
(beat)
Now, I'm gonna get back to dusting; this place needs a thorough cleaning!

Jen leaves the room.

LARRY
(quietly, with fear in his voice)
Careful, right. I've got to be more careful. I definitely will not underestimate Max Evans again.

Cut to:

  37 INT. LIZ'S BEDROOM - SAME

Liz is lying on her bed, wearing the same clothes as last night; clearly she has been crying most of the night. She gets up slowly, walks to the calendar, takes it down from the wall and tears it up while we hear Jeff's voice-over.

JEFF (VO)
We trusted you and you violated our trust over and over. You looked us in the eyes and lied to us because of Max. We can't trust you with him. Not now, not ever. You are not to see Max while you are grounded. You are not to see him after the grounding is over. Don't make the mistake of ignoring us again. We can, and will, take stronger measures.

Liz looks down at the pieces of cardboard that were once her calendar; she takes a deep breath then walks slowly to her dresser. She opens a drawer and pulls out a shirt, uncovering something that had been hidden there. Distracted, she lets the shirt fall and pulls out the picture Max had altered when he was drunk. It brings a brief smile to her lips, but then a new flood of tears. She carries the picture with her to her bed and lies down, in a fetal position, clutching the picture to her chest.

play "Donegal Rain" by Andy M. Stewart (streaming audio):
Real Player           MP3

My darling, do not break your heart
Though I leave this Irish shore
Though their cruel laws may force us to part
Fate may join we two once more

Take this farewell kiss as a token
Of my love while far I stray
For true love will never be broken
Let me kiss your tears away

Like the rain, like the rain
When he turned his back to Donegal
Her tears fell like the rain

Don't let your eyes fill with sorrow, love
Don't wet your pretty cheeks with tears
There will come a bright new tomorrow, love
There will come an end to fears

Dark may seem our lives' December
Time will bring to us the May
Love will guide me back, remember
Let me kiss your tears away

Like the rain, like the rain
When he turned his back to Donegal
Her tears fell like the rain

Take this jewelled ring to wear, my love
While I am o'er the wave
Next my heart you know I will wear, my love
This lock of hair you gave

Kiss me once before we sever
For my safety, say you'll pray
You will be my dearest, forever, love
Let me kiss your tears away.

Like the rain, just falling like the rain
When he turned his back to Donegal
Her tears fell like the rain

Like the rain, like the rain
When he turned his back to Donegal
His tears fell like the rain

"Donegal Rain" Andy M. Stewart
Lyrics: A.M. Stewart / Traditional

Fade out.

END OF ACT IV


Roll Credits


Technical Advisors:
Tom C.
Lt. Snyder, Chavez County Sheriff's Department
Larry Stark

Beta Testers:
Carol000
Fran
Lisa Gansky
Gloria
JC
LA
Bob Lapinsky
Linda
Mel
Pam
Phae
TeeJay

Music Supplied By:
Counting Crows: This Desert Life
Andy M. Stewart: Donegal Rain


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Original contents copyright (C) 2002 by Roswell: What Might Have Been