Close Encounters - Act III

ROSWELL: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN - "Close Encounters" - ACT III - 07/07/10

ACT III

35 INT. MICHAEL’S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS

Everyone is in the same position. Max tries to get up but Ed is using his powers to keep him pinned to the floor.

ED (cont’d)

If you'll just listen to me, and let me teach you, I won't be able to do this to you ... nor will anyone else. Do you understand?

Max nods and Ed releases him. Ed places his hand on Max's shoulder in an effort to help him up, but Max shrugs him off, getting up slowly, bruised and sore from the fall.

ED (cont’d)

(to Tess)

I think it’s time we left.

(to others)

We’ll talk again later, when you’ve had a chance to calm down and think about what I’ve said. You need to understand something. I am your mentor, not your enemy. My role in life is to teach you, to pass on to you my life experience. The military severely curtailed my abilities to do this, but I have never shirked my duties. All I’ve thought of these past 40 plus years is finding and helping you.

Ed and Tess leave. The others are still somewhat in the state of shock.

MICHAEL

"Mentor" huh? I already had one of those.

ISABEL

(apprehensive)

Max, I don’t want to leave.

MAX

Don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere.

MICHAEL

How are we going to stop him from making us? He’s obviously stronger than we are.

MAX

We’ll find a way.

Cut to:

36 INT. VALENTI HOME - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Kyle and his father are eating dinner. Kyle seems in a world of his own, causing an awkward silence.

VALENTI

You seem distracted.

KYLE

(not wanting to talk)

It’s nothing.

VALENTI

Doesn’t seem like nothing.

(pauses for a response which he doesn’t get)

Didn’t we agree to keep the lines of communication open?

KYLE

(reluctantly)

It’s just this new girl at school ... I can’t stop thinking about her.

VALENTI

(interested)

What’s she like?

KYLE

(faraway, like he’s back in his own world)

She makes me hum.

VALENTI

Hum?

Kyle nods absently.

VALENTI (cont’d)

Any particular tune?

KYLE

No, my body actually hums when I’m around her ... She’s not like anyone else I’ve ever met.

Valenti smiles knowingly.

Cut to:

37 INT. HARDING KITCHEN - NIGHT

Tess is at the kitchen sink. We hear a humming noise. When Tess changes the magnet on the dishwasher from “Dirty” to “Clean” we realize the humming noise is coming from the dishwasher. She and Ed are doing last minute clean-up after their dinner.

ED

Obviously I’ll no longer be welcome at Michael’s party tonight, but I think you should still go.

TESS

(concerned)

What makes you think I’ll be welcome?

ED

It’s me they don’t trust. You’ve done nothing to upset them.

TESS

Neither have you really. Their distrust ... it’s all based on misconception.

ED

All the more reason for you to go. This will give them a chance to get to know you better and for you to get to know them better. For you to pave the way for them to get to know me better.

(sternly)

You need to go.

TESS

Yes, sir.

Cut to:

38 INT. DELUCA LIVING ROOM - NIGHT - LATER

Michael, Max, Isabel, Liz, Alex, River Dog, and Amy are there, some sitting, some standing; music is playing in the background. It’s a subdued atmosphere. Maria enters the living room, all dolled up. Michael sees her and smiles. The door bell rings and Maria goes to the door and answers it. When she opens the door she sees Tess. Her smile fades. Without turning from Tess, she calls out.

MARIA

Michael, Max, Isabel!

Michael, Max, and Isabel come to stand behind her.

TESS

(feeling awkward, she blurts things out)

I’m sorry. That wasn’t the real Ed ... this afternoon. He’s not usually like that. He just doesn’t understand your resistance ... I’ve learned so much from him these last 10 years ... I think he assumed you would want to learn as much as I do.

MICHAEL

(defensively)

We do.

MAX

(acrimoniously)

We just don’t like his methods.

TESS

Will you give him another chance?

MAX

We’ll think about it.

Disappointed, Tess starts to walk away.

ISABEL

(sympathetically)

We’re not mad at you.

Tess stops, looks back hopefully.

ISABEL (cont’d)

That’s all I’m saying.

Tess nods and starts to leave again.

MICHAEL

Do you want to come in? I’m assuming you were invited.

He looks to Maria for confirmation, who nods. Tess turns, smiles, and enters as the others back away to give her passage. In the background Amy and River Dog look confused by the confrontation, but shrug it off.

TESS

Thank you.

Cut to:

39 INT. MARIA DELUCA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT - LATER

Party noises can be heard coming from the living room. Maria and Michael are alone in her bedroom; the door is ajar. She is wearing the corsage on her wrist.

MICHAEL

(pleased, indicating corsage)

You're wearing it.

MARIA

(smiling)

Of course. Corsages are for special occasions and this is a very special occasion.

MICHAEL

Thanks.

MARIA

No, thank you.

(beat; admiring corsage)

You did a great job on the look.

MICHAEL

The look?

MARIA

Yeah, it looks just like an orchid.

MICHAEL

Oh ... you know ... sorry. All I could afford was the carnation, but that didn't look like the ones Liz and Isabel had, so I ...

He gestures with his hand that he manipulated it.

MARIA

There's no need to apologize. I appreciate the thought.

MICHAEL

How did you know it wasn't?

MARIA

The smell.

MICHAEL

The smell?

MARIA

Yeah, it needs to smell like an orchid, not a carnation.

MICHAEL

I'll work on it.

MARIA

(smiles)

Feel free to practice with me all you want.

Michael smiles back and they kiss.

Cut to:

40 INT. DELUCA KITCHEN - LATER

Michael is alone in the kitchen, searching in a drawer for something. He cuts himself on a sharp object in the drawer; it’s a pretty deep cut. He goes to the bathroom to get first aid supplies, leaving the door ajar.

Cut to:

41 INT. DELUCA HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Tess is walking towards the bathroom. From her angle she can see that the door is partly open and Michael has first aid supplies out on the sink counter.

TESS

What happened?

MICHAEL

I cut myself.

Tess steps into the bathroom and closes the door.

TESS

Did someone see you?

MICHAEL

No.

TESS

Then why don’t you just heal yourself?

MICHAEL

(hesitantly)

I’m ... uh ... not that good at healing. It kinda comes and goes. I don’t seem to have any control ... I’m better at healing others than myself.

TESS

(impersonal tone)

That’s not surprising. You would naturally be calmer, more focused when trying to heal someone else then when trying to heal yourself.

MICHAEL

I’m calm now.

TESS

But you’ve already convinced yourself that you’re going to fail. We’ll have to work on building your confidence. “Thinking 'I alone shall do it' is the self-confidence of action."

(at Michael’s quizzical look)

A Buddhist saying.

Cut to:

42 INT. DELUCA HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Maria is approaching the bathroom when she hears voices and stops.

TESS (OS)

I didn’t have time to get you a present; this could be my gift to you.

MICHAEL (OS)

Thanks.

They leave the bathroom together; Michael’s cut is healed; they do not see Maria, who frowns, looking puzzled and suspicious.

MARIA

Michael!

Michael turns, startled.

MARIA (cont’d)

It’s time to open gifts.

Cut to:

43 INT. DELUCA DINING ROOM - LATER

In the background are Michael, Max, Isabel, Maria, Liz, Alex, and Tess in the living room dancing to rock music. Isabel is showing Tess some moves and Michael joins her, which sets everyone to laughing and good-naturedly mimicking his moves; he joins in on the laughter.

In the foreground, Michael’s opened gifts are on the dining room table. Among them we can see a book A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce, a basket that is filled with teas, jarred fruits, etc., a picture of a group shot of Michael, Max, Isabel, Maria, Liz, and Alex, with two tickets to a Metallica concert tucked in the corner of the frame. Amy is holding up a dream catcher, admiringly. River Dog is holding one of the jars from the basket.

RIVER DOG

(nodding in approval)

Mulled pears in a juniper berry and red wine sauce.

AMY

(smiling)

Good for cleansing karma.

RIVER DOG

(admiring other items in basket)

Good choices. These will be good for Michael.

AMY

(indicating dream catcher in her hand)

As will this. Between cleansing his karma and catching bad dreams, I think Michael will do all right, with us on his side. By the way, this is beautiful craftsmanship. Did you make it yourself?

RIVER DOG

Yes.

AMY

You know, if you want to make some more I take things on consignment at my store.

MARIA

(calling from living room with a warning tone)

Mom!

AMY

(aside to River Dog)

We’ll talk later.

Cut to:

44 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY – MORNING

Isabel seems to be waiting for someone. When Alex turns the corner she brightens.

ISABEL

Alex! It’s so good to see you!

ALEX

(pleased but perplexed)

That’s always good to hear, but didn’t we just see each other an hour ago?

ISABEL

(dragging him into an empty classroom and closing the door)

That was one hour too long.

ALEX

OK, so what’s up?

ISABEL

I’ve been thinking about this whole destiny thing, you know, where I’m supposed to be with Michael.

ALEX

Oh, yeah, right.

ISABEL

And wondering how that might affect us; I don’t want this, or anyone, to come between us.

ALEX

You know I’ll support whatever decision you make. If you want ... if you just want to be friends ... I’ll understand.

ISABEL

Remember when I said I wanted to take things slow.

ALEX

The word “glacial” comes to mind.

ISABEL

Do you view me that way? As an ice princess?

ALEX

Oh, no, no, that isn’t ... I mean ...

ISABEL

Relax, Alex, I know that’s what people call me ... and maybe they’re partially right.

ALEX

I swear—that’s not how I feel.

Isabel pins Alex to the wall.

ISABEL

How would you feel if I said I wanted to melt that ice?

ALEX

(shocked at Isabel’s forcefulness)

Oh well ... um ... you know I’m here for you, whatever it takes. You can count on me.

ISABEL

Yes, that’s true ... I can always count on you.

She kisses Alex, passionately.

Cut to:

45 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - LATER

Max and Liz are at his locker, talking; we do not hear their conversation. Michael approaches.

MICHAEL

Hey.

MAX

Hey. What’s up?

MICHAEL

Can you meet me at my pod after school? There’s something I think you need to see.

MAX

Sure. What is it?

MICHAEL

I’d rather just show you than tell you.

MAX

OK.

(to Liz)

You coming?

LIZ

Maria and I have a shift at the caf after school. Maybe we’ll come by later.

MICHAEL

(to Max)

I don’t have sixth period, so I’ll go ahead and see you there; and I’ve already asked Isabel and Tess.

Max looks up sharply at Tess’s name, then frowns. Michael takes off. Max seems about to call after him, but changes his mind.

LIZ

(ruminating)

What do you suppose Michael found? We went over those chambers with a fine tooth comb.

MAX

(shrugs)

Won’t know till I get there.

Cut to:

46 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - LATER

Maria is walking down the hall and Michael catches up to her.

MICHAEL

Hey.

MARIA

(smiling)

Hey back atcha.

They continue walking. Michael is silent, but seems to be working his way up to something. Maria keeps sneaking glances in his direction, wondering what’s up. Finally he speaks.

MICHAEL

Can we talk?

MARIA

(teasing)

I was beginning to wonder.

MICHAEL

I’m serious.

MARIA

(frowning)

Is something wrong?

MICHAEL

No. No. Let’s go in here.

He takes her hand and leads her into the janitor’s closet. She turns on the light as he closes the door.

MICHAEL

You know how I feel about you, right?

MARIA

Oh, God, are you breaking up with me? Is this about Isabel? Or Tess? What were you two doing together in my bathroom anyway?

MICHAEL

(looking bombarded)

No. Yes. What!? Look ... I just ... I just don't want anyone to ever come between us. Not Ed, not Isabel, not Tess. No one.

MARIA

I don’t either.

MICHAEL

Good. So we’re good, right?

MARIA

(assuringly)

We’re good. We’re better than good.

Michael suddenly takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately.

Cut to:

47 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - LATER

Max meets Liz just as she’s entering a classroom. He takes her arm and leads her in the opposite direction.

MAX

(playful; conspiratorially)

Hey, Liz, I’ve got an idea.

LIZ

(smiling)

And what’s that?

MAX

Let’s skip study period and go for a drive.

LIZ

(wary)

OK, but why.

Max releases his hold on Liz’s arm and starts pacing, stretching and flexing the muscles in his hands and arms. His tone of voice suggests that he’s elated; his body language that he’s a caged animal, itching to get out and roam.

MAX

I don’t know ... I just feel I need to escape ... feel the wind in my face.

He steps up close to Liz, in a sensual way.

MAX (cont’d)

Don’t you ever feel the need to get out of your skin?

Cut to:

48 INT. PHILLIP EVANS’S LAW OFFICE - LATER

Phillip is standing by his desk ready to greet Ed who is walking into his office.

ED

(extending his hand)

Ed Harding.

They shake hands.

PHILLIP

Pleased to meet you, Mr. Harding. How may I help you.

Phillip sits in his desk chair and Ed sits in the guest chair.

ED

My daughter and I just moved to Roswell. I was told you are the man to see for family law questions.

Cut to:

49 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - LATER

Max is walking down the hallway and Tess is catching up to him.

TESS

Max, wait up.

MAX

(stopping)

What’s up?

TESS

(catching up)

Would you mind giving me a lift to the pods this afternoon? I don’t have a car today.

They continue walking.

MAX

(somewhat begrudgingly)

Sure, no problem. I probably should find Isabel and see if she wants to ride with us.

TESS

Michael told me Isabel and Alex had something they had to do and would meet us later.

MAX

OK, I’ll meet you in the parking lot after sixth period.

TESS

(smiling)

Thanks.

They come to an intersection and go in opposite directions.

Cut to:

50 EXT. VASQUEZ ROCKS - LATER

Max parks the Jeep next to Michael’s motorcycle and he and Tess get out. Michael is standing by his pod chamber watching them approach.

MAX

So, what’s this mysterious find that we had to see and you couldn’t describe?

MICHAEL

(pointing to the interior of his chamber)

It’s in the back.

Michael steps aside to allow Max and Tess to enter the chamber. Our POV is of Michael standing outside the chamber as Max and Tess walk past the pod and head for the back. They do not have far to go, considering the tight quarters of the chamber. A lantern has been lit to provide some light. Max turns towards the opening and Tess follows suit.

MAX

(calling out; puzzled)

I’m not seeing anything new? Where exactly is it?

As Max is speaking, Michael presses his hand on the wall of the chamber. It glows silver under his hand and a ripple effect appears. Max and Tess see the ripple effect and go from being surprised, to confused, to shocked as the doorway-like opening of the pod chamber turns back into a solid stone wall, sealing them inside.

Cut to commercial.

END OF ACT III

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