Isabel is sitting alone at a table eating lunch. Michael comes by and sits with her. Kyle, sitting down at a nearby table, notices and watches them.

There is a long pause while he gets up the courage to tell her, leading her to the wrong conclusion.

Maria comes up behind Michael and plants a kiss on his cheek. He's nonplused, thinking she would be mad at him, but glad to see that she's not.

Michael doesn't look convinced.

Liz joins them and notices Michael's perturbed look.

Max approaches the table. He looks at Liz expectantly. She smiles at him, then winks. He smiles broadly. She decides to throw something away, as an excuse to brush by him on the way to the trash can. She leans in and whispers to him as she goes by.

Max's smile broadens even more.

Contrite, Max starts to apologize but Liz forestalls him by mouthing "I know," and smiling. They move on to separate tables that are still close enough to be able to share longing looks.

Michael glares, but leaves with her. Kyle reacts when he sees everyone leaving Isabel. He's about to head over when he sees Alex approach, so he remains seated. Alex sits with Isabel.

He pulls the tickets out of his pocket and holds them up.

Alex beams at her praise. Kyle frowns, stands, and walks away.

Cut to:

Larry is sitting at a bar where the local cops hang out, finishing his lunch. In the background there are several booths and tables occupied by law enforcement officers. Picking up his beer, Larry swivels around on his bar stool, surveying the crowd and trying to pick up on some of the conversations around him, but the din from the jukebox and multiple conversations makes eavesdropping difficult. Larry turns back to his fries. The song on the jukebox ends and before the next one begins, there's a lull in which a conversation from the booth directly behind him between two deputies--Deputy Blackwood and the new deputy on the force--can be heard. Larry perks up and listens in.

Deputy Blackwood leaves. Larry waits a moment, finishing his burger and fries. Then he picks up his beer and wanders over to the new deputy.

Larry puts out his hand.

The deputy shakes his hand.

Cut to:

Larry and Milton are discussing the exhibit they are arranging. Max arrives. During the following exchange, Max and Larry stare at each other distrustingly.

Milton leaves. With just Larry and Max in the room, the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife.

Larry unfurls a poster showing an old fighter plane being chased by what look like balls of orange and green fire.

Larry hands him a tape dispenser.

They reluctantly work together to put up the exhibit. Neither trusts the other; neither will turn their back on the other, making working together somewhat awkward. In the background we see Ty Appleton enter the exhibit room and surreptitiously signal to Larry to join him.

Larry leaves Max and goes up to Ty, out of earshot from Max. Larry's body language seems tense. Max is observing them; a look of consternation crosses his face when Ty abruptly leaves. Larry returns to Max to help with the exhibit.

Cut to:

Michael is watching TV when there is a knock on his door. He opens it and finds Max on the other side. Max's expression shows that he's not in the best mood.

Max steps in, Michael closes the door and they move towards the couch.

Michael sits on the couch and Max follows suit.

Max laughs.

Max nods.

Michael stands up and demonstrates.

Max stands up. He looks around and spots a plant on the counter. He raises his arm, concentrates and makes it move a few inches to the left.

Michael steps forward and reaches out in the direction of the plant. Nothing happens. Michael looks at Max and shrugs.

Michael raises his hand, aims it at the plant, and focuses his full attention on it. They both jump when it suddenly explodes. They continue to stare at the broken shards of the pot and uprooted plant for a beat, in awe.

They both turn and look at each other, at a loss for words, then turn back to look at the broken shards.

A smile of satisfaction plays at his lips.

Cut to commercial.

Return to Act I

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