ROSWELL: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN - "Breathing Lessons" - ACT III - 01/26/05

ACT III


  26 EXT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - QUAD - NOON

Elana and Vanessa are carrying their lunches to a table. Kyle spots them and heads right for them, deliberately, but not too obviously, bumping into Vanessa, causing her to spill her drink.

VANESSA
(indignant)
Could you be more clumsy!?

ELANA
I think not.

KYLE
Now, now, sorry about the spill, but you two are gonna have to be nicer to the little folk or neither of you will win.

Kyle walks off. Elana and Vanessa look at each other puzzled.

VANESSA
Win what?

ELANA
I haven't a clue.

Cut to:

  27 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - LATER

Maria and Liz are walking down the hallway in between classes. Other students are milling about. They see Kyle at the end of the hallway. He slides his finger along his nose a la the movie "The Sting", signaling Liz and Maria that they are "on". They respond in kind. He continues on his way and they continue their conversation.

LIZ
So did Isabel help you with your dress and shoe problem?

MARIA
Yes, she did, and it looks great! It almost makes up for her walking around my dreams uninvited.

Before Liz can respond they both notice Elana and Vanessa going into the girls' bathroom. They wait, conspiratorially, for a moment outside.

LIZ
OK, we go in; if they're in the stalls and no one else is there we go into our act; if not we just primp a little, leave, and try again later today.

MARIA
Got it!

Liz and Maria enter the girls' bathroom. The camera follows them. They appear to be alone and they see Elana's and Vanessa's feet under the stalls. Maria gives Liz "the signal". Liz nods and returns it. They each go to the sinks and mirror. Liz pulls out a lipstick from her backpack and Maria pulls out a brush from hers.

LIZ
So, who are you voting for?

MARIA
You mean the dance committee award?

LIZ
Yeah.

MARIA
I don't know. I mean Elana, Vanessa, Sandy, and Robert all seem alike. Who knows which of them deserves the award the most.

LIZ
Yeah. Too bad it's a secret to them or they could just tell us who had done what, so we'd know who had done the most to earn it.

MARIA
(putting her brush away)
You done?

LIZ
(clicks her lipstick shut)
Yup, that should do it.

They both smile and leave the bathroom. Elana and Vanessa flush their toilets and exit their stalls. It's obvious they have overheard. We stay a moment to note their calculating looks.

Cut to:

  28 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - SAME

Max is walking down a hallway alone. The expression on his face tells us he's "sensing" something. The camera angle shows that there are a few students and teachers, etc. at the other end of the hallway behind him, some familiar, some new; among them is the new girl introducing herself to Mr. Seligman. The camera focuses on Max who stops in his tracks, trying to figure out what he is feeling. He turns to look behind him. Everyone who was behind him is now gone and the janitor's closet door is closing. Max hesitates, then approaches the door slowly. When he gets to the door he reaches out, hesitantly, then flings the door open. The person inside turns quickly at the sudden opening of the door and there is a blast of fire. Max reacts by putting out his hand in a protective stance and unwittingly puts up a "shield", which shimmers green, between him and the person in the closet. Within milliseconds he realizes it's just the janitor wearing a welder's helmet and holding a lit welding torch. Max immediately puts his hand down and the shield dissipates. The janitor raises his helmet. It's apparent he didn't see Max's shield because of the shield of his helmet and the fire, and it happened so quickly even Max isn't really sure it happened. He's looking at his hand strangely when the janitor breaks into his confused thoughts.

JANITOR
Can I help you?

MAX
Oh. Sorry. Didn't mean to disturb you. Thought you were someone else.

JANITOR
(teasing)
And just who else did you expect to meet in the janitor's closet?

Cut to:

  29 EXT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - PARKING LOT - DAY

Max, Michael, Isabel, Liz, Maria, and Alex are walking towards the Jeep and the motorcycle. In the background we can see Elana and Vanessa going up to other students, separately, talking to them before they can get into their cars (not always to the pleasure of the student), then rushing to the next student. Max, Isabel, Liz, and Alex stop at the Jeep; Max stops Michael and Maria from continuing to the motorcycle.

MAX
Let's all meet at Michael's tonight after work.

MARIA
Um, Max, I was kinda planning on making it an early night tonight--get my beauty rest so I look my best for the dance tomorrow night.

MAX
It won't take long. I just want to show you all something that requires more privacy.

Cut to:

  30 INT. MICHAEL GUERIN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Isabel, Alex, and Liz are sitting on the couch. Michael and Maria are sharing an arm chair. Their eyes are wide in wonder. Max is standing before them. It's apparent he has just shown them something. Alex is the first to speak.

ALEX
Wow!

MARIA
Understatement!

ISABEL
(equally impressed but also concerned)
Do you think the janitor saw?

MAX
No, I'm pretty sure his helmet and the torch distorted his vision. Besides it happened so fast I wasn't even sure it had really happened.

MICHAEL
Do it again.

Max does the same gesture he did in the janitor's closet and the green shield appears again.

MICHAEL (cont'd)
That is so cool.

Liz gets up from the couch and hesitantly reaches out to touch it. It's impenetrable, but does not harm her.

LIZ
(breathless)
Whoa! Max, this is amazing!

MAX
I know.

Liz walks around the shield examining it closely. She stops next to Max.

LIZ
How strong do you think it is?

ALEX
One way to find out.
(to Max and Liz)
You ready?

Max and Liz both nod. Max adjusts his stance to brace for an impact. Liz studies the shield closely to watch for changes. Alex bolts from the couch and rushes the shield. He bounces off and lands, unharmed, in Isabel's lap. Everyone looks astounded, then Isabel starts laughing.

ALEX
(smiling)
I'd say pretty strong.
(looking at Isabel)
You too.

Cut to:

  31 INT. ISABEL EVANS'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Isabel goes through her closet, pulls out a semiformal dress and puts it on. She looks at herself in a full-length mirror. She doesn't like what she sees. She flashes back to the dress she was wearing in Alex's dream, then waves her hand over the dress she is wearing. It turns into the sexy red dress from the dream. Isabel smiles, liking what she sees. Then, a look of consternation crosses her face.

ISABEL
(softly to herself)
Subtle, Isabel; like he won't notice it's the exact same dress.

Isabel looks at herself in the mirror with a critical eye. She waves her hand over the dress, modifying it slightly--removing the black border at the top, the gold and black thread print--changing it to a Jacquard weave, and changing the color of the straps from black to red. She debates about changing the spaghetti straps to another style, and removing the slit in the back, but decides to keep them. She eyes it critically again, smiles and nods in approval. As she puts on her shoes, she changes their color to match the dress. She does the same as she puts on her shawl and as she picks up her purse. She takes one final look in the mirror, then opens her bedroom door and exits.

Cut to:

  32 INT. EVANS LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Diane, Phillip and Max are there. Phillip is taking Max's picture, who is looking exceptionally handsome in a black suit, white shirt, and black tie. They all glance towards Isabel, as she enters the living room from the hallway, and smile broadly in approval.

PHILLIP
(almost in awe)
Honey, you look ... beautiful.

DIANE
Yes, absolutely beautiful!

MAX
(nodding)
You really look good. That dress ...

Isabel smiles radiantly, basking in all the attention.

ISABEL
Oh, this is just something I threw together.

DIANE
(shaking her head, but her pride is coming through)
It never ceases to astound me, all the incredible outfits you are able to put together. You've done amazing things with that sewing machine we gave you two years ago. We may have a budding designer in our midst.

A look of guilt passes over Isabel's face, but she quickly covers it with a beaming smile. The doorbell interrupts before Isabel can respond.

MAX
That must be Alex. I'll get it; I have to leave to pick up Liz now, anyway.

Max picks up the box with Liz's corsage and heads towards the door. Phillip calls after him.

PHILLIP
Don't forget to ask the Parkers for duplicates of any pictures they take.

Max turns to look over his shoulder.

MAX
(grinning)
Sure, Dad.

Max opens the door to Alex, who steps into the entry hall. He also looks very handsome in a similar black suit, white shirt and black tie.

MAX
(smiling)
I'll see you two at the dance.

Max leans in and whispers.

MAX (cont'd)
Just remember to breathe.

Alex is nonplussed, having no idea what Max is taking about. He smiles and nods at Max.

ALEX
Sure ... right. See you at the dance.

Max leaves and Alex proceeds into the living room. When he sees Isabel, he momentarily forgets to breathe.

ALEX
(partially regaining his composure)
You look ... stunning!

ISABEL
(smiling)
Thank you, Alex.

Alex holds up the box with her corsage.

ALEX
This is for you.

He takes it out of the box and places it on her wrist.

PHILLIP
OK, time for pictures.

Diane positions them and Phillip starts taking pictures, as we cut to:

  33 INT. PARKER LIVING ROOM - LATER

Liz is equally stunning in her outfit--a form-fitting, silky, midnight blue sheath with cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. Max is speechless, mesmerized. Jeff notices and leans over to Max.

JEFF
(sotto voce)
Breathe, Max, breathe.

  34 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM - LATER

Michael and Maria enter the gymnasium. We see that Maria chose to change the color of the dress to match the shoes. She looks beautiful and Michael looks amazing, having bitten the bullet and donned a black suit and shirt. The camera pulls back to reveal the school gymnasium, which is decorated for the Spring Blast-Off (with such things as paper rocket ships leaving a trail of paper flowers in their wake), and is filled with students and chaperones enjoying the festivities. The Alienettes are up on the stage, playing a fast song. They are doing a mediocre job of it, but some students are on the dance floor, enjoying it nonetheless, while others are seated at tables, talking. Kyle and Vicky are at the refreshment table. Kyle is busy eating; Vicky, who is facing the gymnasium notices Michael and Maria's entrance.

VICKY
There's something I never thought I'd see in my lifetime.

KYLE
(turning quickly to look behind him)
What?

VICKY
(pointing towards the entrance)
Michael Guerin at a school dance!

KYLE
Yeah, well, Maria has a way of convincing you to do all sorts of things.

VICKY
(not really listening)
Mmmm, I must say, he cleans up good! Still a little "Rebel Without a Cause"ish, with the all black and no tie, but yeah, not bad.
(noticing Kyle's "What the hell?" look)
But not as good as you, honey. You look much better.

She starts playing with his tie, being kittenish. The camera pans away from Vicky trying to make up for her faux pas, passing Chris, Marcos and Nicky, who apparently found dates in time, then by Amy and Valenti at one of the tables, observing the activities, acting as chaperones. Amy waves to Maria and Michael. Maria gives a tiny wave back looking embarrassed. She walks quickly towards Alex and Isabel who are sitting at another table together. Michael speeds up to match her pace. The band, which has switched to a slow song, hits a sour note and Maria and Alex exchange pained looks, as do Chris, Marcos and Nicky. The camera continues to pan and stops when it finds Max and Liz on the dance floor.

MAX
(softly)
I still can't believe this is happening. I dreamed of this day for so many years ... but my imagination fell far short of the reality. I may never come down from this cloud.

LIZ
(losing herself in his eyes)
I know what you mean.

Max moves one of his hands from its place on her lower back and begins gently stroking her long hair. She smiles. He takes her closer in his arms and strokes the side of her face. She tilts her head toward his hand and kisses his open palm.

  35 FLASH TO EXT. ROSWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLYARD - DAY

Young Liz is playing rock, paper, scissors with her friends. She looks up from the game to see young Max staring at her. He and young Isabel are standing by the school bus. Young Isabel pulls young Max away. Young Liz watches young Max for a long moment as he walks away.

  36 FLASH TO EXT. ROSWELL CITY PARK - DAY

Young Max is sitting alone under a tree. In the background young Liz and some other children are playing some game involving a ball. The ball rolls away and young Liz runs after it. It stops near young Max. She invites him to join the game. Young Max looks like he wants to accept, but then shakes his head and looks down. Young Liz waits a few seconds then walks away with the ball. Young Max does not see the hurt look on her face.

  37 FLASH TO EXT. ROSWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL - LUNCHROOM - DAY

A young teen Liz is sitting at a table in the lunchroom with some other young teen girls. A number of young teen boys at a nearby table, a young teen Kyle among them, are showing off for the girls' benefit. Most of the girls are giggling, but not young teen Liz. Her attention is caught by young teen Max, sitting alone at another table. He appears totally isolated from what's going on around him. Absent-mindedly she is drawing a heart in her notebook.

  38 FLASHBACK TO PRESENT

Max looks at Liz, astonished.

MAX
I had no idea you felt that way before I ...

LIZ
Changed my life forever?

Max nods.

LIZ (cont'd)
Max, if invisibility were an Olympic sport you'd win the silver.

MAX
(smiling)
Not the gold?

LIZ
(intently)
No. You let me see you now.

They kiss, the passion building. The camera moves back to show Valenti watching them, an unreadable expression on his face.

  39 FLASHBACK TO EXT. DESERT HIGHWAY - DAY

Valenti and Deputy Owen have pulled off the road and are searching the area, as if for clues. In the distance we can see the old radio tower.

OWEN
Just what is it we are looking for?

VALENTI
Some sign that those kids have been out here recently.

OWEN
You think they're responsible for the signals?

VALENTI
I think they're responsible for a lot of unexplained things.

  40 FLASHBACK TO PRESENT

Close-up of Max and Liz, still kissing. Suddenly a hand appears on Max's shoulder. Startled Max breaks from the kiss and turns to see Valenti standing beside him.

Cut to commercial.

END OF ACT III

     Return to Act II Click here to continue     




Original contents copyright (C) 2004-2005 by Roswell: What Might Have Been