ROSWELL: WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN - "Limited Options" - ACT II - 05/14/03

ACT II

  9 INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM - DAY

Alex, Maria, and the rest of the band members: Chris, Marcos and Nicky, are there, as are other bands. Elana and Vanessa, and the rest of the dance committee who will be choosing the band, are seated in the front row. The auditioners are scattered among the seats in the auditorium. There is one set of drums on stage, to be used by all the auditioners. Alex, Marcos and Nicky are holding their guitars and Chris a pair of drumsticks. Chris is "drumming" on the back of the seats. Marcos and Nicky are tuning their guitars. Alex, his back to the stage, is talking with Maria.

MARIA
So, we'll start with "Catch Your Breath", follow that with the Chili Peppers', "Under The Bridge", then my song--

ALEX
Your song? I thought it wasn't finished. You were having trouble with the ending, remember?

MARIA
Actually, you gave me an idea for the ending.

ALEX
(pleased)
Yeah? How does it go?

Maria sings the last two stanzas of the song a capella. Others in the auditorium turn and listen.

MARIA
I just need to know
why I love him so
I just need to know
why I can't let go

Could it be
possibly
he knows my secret
he holds the key
to my heart?

There is a smattering of applause from others in the auditorium.

ALEX
That's nice.

Chris, Nicky and Marcos nod and mutter words of appreciation. Maria smiles at the attention. Vanessa stands up from the front row and makes an announcement.

VANESSA
OK, first up is ... The Whits?

Alex, Maria and the others climb the stairs to the stage and start to set up. Elana and Vanessa exchange stunned looks.

ELANA
(shrugs)
She must have chosen Kyle.

Cut to:

  10 EXT. NORTH MAIN STREET - NIGHT

Max is alone in the Jeep. He is smiling as he drives.

Cut to:

  11 INT. CRASHDOWN - FRONT DOOR - CONTINUOUS

Liz is by the door, holding a present. Full of barely suppressed excitement, she scans the passing cars.

  12 EXT. CRASHDOWN - CONTINUOUS

Max pulls up in the Jeep outside the Crashdown. Before he can completely turn off the engine, the door of the Crashdown bursts open and Liz runs over to the Jeep. She moves so fast that her feet hardly seem to touch the ground; she's propelled by pure joy. In one fluid movement, she tosses the present onto the back seat, grabs the top of the windshield with one hand and the back of the passenger seat with the other, and vaults over the door into the Jeep. Max is amused, pleased and stunned, all at the same time.

LIZ
(ecstatic)
Let's go!

Max starts the car.

MAX
(teasing)
Have you been keeping something from me? I thought you could only fly in dreams.

LIZ
(teasing back)
Didn't you know I have special powers?

MAX
(looking intently at her)
I've always known that.

They drive off.

Cut to:

  13 EXT. SIDE STREET - SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER

The Jeep is parked by the side of the road. The top is now on the Jeep and Max and Liz are inside, kissing.

  14 INT. JEEP - CONTINUOUS

LIZ
(breathless)
Happy birthday.

MAX
Very.

More kissing.

LIZ
Thanks for stopping to put the top on.

MAX
Didn't want you to be cold.

More kissing.

LIZ
I'm much warmer now.

MAX
Yeah, me too.

More kissing.

LIZ
Maybe ... we should get to your party.

MAX
OK.

Even more kissing.

MAX (cont'd)
I don't think Isabel would mind ... entertaining the guests.

LIZ
OK.

  15 EXT. SIDE STREET - CONTINUOUS

The Jetta approaches. Maria recognizes Max and Isabel's Jeep and slows down, wondering why it's parked there, concerned that there may be a problem. The top is on the Jeep so she cannot see clearly who is inside but she sees movement so she glances in as she passes by, then shakes her head and drives off.

  16 INT. JEEP - CONTINUOUS

LIZ
Max, I think someone almost stopped. What if someone does?

Max pauses. He reaches with one hand and waves it in the direction of the hood.

MAX
We have car trouble.

LIZ
(smiles)
Oh. How long do you think it'll take to fix?

MAX
Ten minutes?

They kiss.

LIZ
Or fifteen?

Another kiss.

MAX
Maybe longer.

Cut to:

  17 INT. EVANS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - 20 MINUTES LATER

Max and Liz walk into the living room. There's a banner which reads "Happy Birthday Isabel and Max." Everywhere they look it's crowded with people.

LIZ
(impressed)
I thought this was for a few close friends.

MAX
Well, you know Isabel.

LIZ
Apparently, a lot of people do.

Maria sees them and walks over.

MARIA
(teasing)
You two are fashionably late.

LIZ
We had car trouble.

MARIA
Right. Car trouble. Two honor roll students and that's the best you could come up with?

LIZ
Max, the educational system has failed us.

MARIA
I wonder what excuse Michael's going to give.

Cut to:

  18 INT. CRASHDOWN KITCHEN - SAME

Michael is at the grill. He glances at the clock, which reads 7:20, and then towards the back room. He's obviously irritated. Another cook eventually enters the kitchen.

MICHAEL
Where have you been? I told you I had to leave early today.

RICKY
Sorry, man, I had, um ... car trouble, on my way back from dinner.

MICHAEL
(noticing the lipstick on his cheek)
Yeah, right.

Michael takes off his apron and tosses it in the laundry basket near the door, then heads out to his locker for his jacket. As he is putting it on we hear Jeff and Nancy coming down the stairs from their apartment above.

NANCY (OS)
We'll be seeing Amy, Chuck and Gloria at the Parent-Teachers' meeting tomorrow; we can find out if they--

Coming into view Nancy stops short, and stops speaking, as soon as she sees Michael. Jeff almost collides with her on the stairs as he was right behind her. Nancy glances at Jeff than smiles at Michael, trying to hide the awkwardness of the situation.

NANCY
Hi, Michael.

MICHAEL
(nods but eyes her suspiciously)
Mrs. Parker.

JEFF
Are you taking off now?

MICHAEL
Yeah.

NANCY
(almost too enthusiastically)
Well, have fun at the party.

MICHAEL
Thanks.

He exits and Jeff and Nancy exchange worried looks.

Cut to:

  19 INT. EVANS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

play "At Last" by Etta James (streaming audio):
MP3

Max and Liz are gazing into each other's eyes as they dance.

MAX
Penny for your thoughts.

LIZ
I was thinking about gestalt.

MAX
(slightly teasing)
Gestalt!? Maybe I should have said a dollar for your thoughts. These are pretty heavy thoughts.

LIZ (cont'd)
(laughing lightly)
No, I was just thinking about how the idea that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole relates to us. When we're together, who we are ... who we can be as individuals changes.

MAX
I know what you mean. It's ... overwhelming. When we were apart, nothing was right. Nothing felt possible ...

LIZ
(continuing the thought)
And now it's like I can do almost anything.

Liz smiles at Max, half embarrassed.

MAX
Like flying?

Liz laughs. Max spins her around.

Cut to:

  20 INT. CRASHDOWN - STOREROOM - SAME

Jeff and Nancy are getting some supplies; they are still discussing what Larry told Jeff.

NANCY
We have to consider the source. Remember what Amy said about Larry.

JEFF
You're right, we're just being silly; there's nothing to discuss with the others. I'm sure Max was just calming her down ... she was pretty shaken up by the whole thing. And even if they never found the bullet, that doesn't mean Liz was shot, right? I mean that's ridiculous, right? We would know ...
(beat)
It was just ketchup on her uniform, right?

NANCY
(musing)
You know, I thought it odd at the time but forgot about it--that uniform never ended up in the wash.

Cut to:

  21 INT. EVANS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

continue "At Last" by Etta James (streaming audio):
MP3

(Please turn off the "repeat" or "loop" function of your MP3 playing software, so you can hear the music the way it's intended to play.)

Max and Liz are still dancing but no longer talking; they seem gloriously happy. Maria walks over to Alex who is sitting on the couch watching the dancing. Alex moves over to make room for Maria who sits next to him.

ALEX
Good party.

MARIA
Yeah.

Michael enters. Isabel looks at her watch then pointedly at Michael. He walks past the couch.

ALEX
(to Maria, indicating Max and Liz)
They sure seem to be enjoying themselves.

MARIA
Yeah, but I don't think that's the party. I mean look at them; they're glowing.

Michael stops, startled.

MICHAEL
What?

MARIA
Glowing with happiness, Michael. Because they're together.

Michael looks at Maria. He meets her eyes for a second then walks off in the direction of the front door.

ALEX
(sympathetically to Maria)
Come on, let's get something to drink.

Maria and Alex walk toward the kitchen. They pass Isabel who is chatting with Elana and Vanessa. The camera stays with Isabel and her friends.

ELANA
So, Kyle is the winner?

ISABEL
Huh? Winner of what?

VANESSA
Your affections? Aren't you going to the dance with him?

ISABEL
Actually, I haven't made my decision yet.
(beat as she glances towards the kitchen)
And I was leaning more towards Alex.

Elana and Vanessa exchange puzzled looks.

ELANA
So ... then ... you weren't planning on doing too much dancing?

ISABEL
What are you talking about? Alex can dance.

VANESSA
(concerned)
I do hope you're not planning on getting up on stage to dance with Alex. I mean, that would be an embarrassment to us ALL!

Isabel looks at them as if they were speaking a foreign language.

ISABEL
Did you two spike the punch or something? Why in heaven's name would I dance on stage!

Elana and Vanessa exchange looks.

ELANA
You don't know?

ISABEL
Know what?

VANESSA
(as if stating the obvious)
That Alex and his band auditioned for the dance gig ... and they'll probably get it too.

Vanessa stops when she sees the stricken look on Isabel's face.

VANESSA (cont'd)
I'm sorry, we assumed you knew.

play "All Star" by Smash Mouth (streaming audio):
MP3

(Please turn off the "repeat" or "loop" function of your MP3 playing software, so you can hear the music the way it's intended to play.)

Isabel turns to look at Alex who is returning to the living room, drink in hand. He is engrossed in his conversation with Maria and does not notice Isabel staring at him. The camera focuses in on them.

ALEX
(to Maria)
I'm fine with Isabel wanting to be friends.

Maria looks at him, surprised.

ALEX (cont'd)
Really. At one time it would have been a dream come true to be friends with Isabel Evans. To be in her house. Invited to her birthday party. This is my new plan. I'm gonna focus on the positive. I'm at a party. Our band audition went great. See, I'm doing fine. I'm--

Kyle enters and walks over to Isabel. He says something to her and she laughs. Elana and Vanessa both roll their eyes and move on to another group of friends.

ALEX (cont'd)
... gonna get some air.

He puts down his drink and leaves. The camera moves to Isabel and Kyle.

KYLE
OK, so you haven't made up your mind yet. That's cool. That means I still have a chance to convince you.
(beat)
So ... what can I do to convince you to go to the dance with me?

ISABEL
(smiling, calculatingly)
I m not sure ... How good of a dancer are you?

KYLE
(puffing up his chest, ready to start boasting)
Well, I don't mean to brag, but--

ISABEL
(glancing at Liz as she interrupts)
Bearing in mind that I can check your references.

KYLE
(seeing who Isabel is referring to, becomes flustered)
Oh, um, well ...
(regains his composure and gestures to the dance floor)
How about if I just show you?

Cut to:

  22 EXT. EVANS HOUSE - FRONT YARD - SAME

Michael is standing alone outside. Alex approaches.

ALEX
Hey.

MICHAEL
Hey.
(beat)
Did Maria send you?

ALEX
No.

MICHAEL
Isabel? To drag me back in?

ALEX
(hollowly)
No.

He glances at the house. We can see the partygoers through the window; Isabel is starting to dance with Kyle. Michael follows Alex's gaze.

MICHAEL
Oh. What's he doing here anyway?

ALEX
(sadly)
Hitting on Isabel.

Dissolve to:

  23 INT. EVANS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - 20 MINUTES LATER

Maria looks at her watch then makes her way to Max and Liz.

MARIA
(to Liz)
I need you for a rescue mission.

LIZ
Who needs to be rescued?

MARIA
Alex. He took one look at Kyle and Isabel and went outside. We should get him back here.

MAX
He might want to be alone for a few minutes.

MARIA
It's been more than a few minutes. Besides, I think Michael's out there too. Alex really doesn't need avoidance lessons.

LIZ
(to Max)
I should go.

MAX
I'll join you.

The three head toward the door. Isabel, who has moved on to a group of school friends, looks up from her conversation and watches them go outside. She makes an excuse and follows them.

Cut to:

  24 EXT. EVANS HOUSE - FRONT YARD - CONTINUOUS

Alex and Michael watch as Max, Liz, Maria and Isabel approach.

MICHAEL
(sullen)
What are you doing out here? Won't your guests miss you?

MAX
All our guests are important. We just wanted to make sure everything was OK and you two were enjoying the party.

MICHAEL
We're fine.

Max turns to Alex who nods. Maria seems unconvinced but before she can say anything, Michael interrupts.

MICHAEL (cont'd)
But as long as you're all here, there's something I want to tell you.

ISABEL
What?

MICHAEL
(to Liz)
I overheard your parents talking today. They're planning on talking to Alex's parents and Maria's mom at the Parent-Teachers' conference tomorrow night.

Liz waits, thinking there's more. There isn't.

LIZ
And ...?

MICHAEL
(to all)
And I think we should be there to find out what they talk about.

MARIA
What?

MICHAEL
(to Max, ignoring Maria)
It should be easy enough. It'll be crowded, they won't notice us.

MAX
It's a Parent-Teacher conference, not a Student-Teacher conference. There won't be any other students there, we'd stick out like a sore thumb. Besides, why do you think it's necessary to spy on them?

MICHAEL
They're having a meeting. Last time all your parents met they were talking about reading your diaries.

LIZ
But that's blown over now. I think you might be overreacting. Our parents are all friends. They could be talking about getting together for a social function.

MICHAEL
Then why did they stop talking about it as soon as they saw me?

ISABEL
Michael, not everything's a conspiracy.

MAX
Right, things are fine.

MICHAEL
You mean things are fine between you and Liz. Take off the rose-colored glasses, Maxwell, and look around. There are dangers everywhere.

MAX
(firmly)
Michael, I am looking around.
(he meets Liz's eyes)
I have so many reasons to be careful, to make sure we are safe.
(turns back to Michael)
I can watch out for us and be happy. I'm learning that the two aren't mutually exclusive.

MICHAEL
And I think you and Isabel are being overly lax.

ISABEL
Excuse me?

Michael points at Kyle, who can be seen through the living room window talking to Elana and Vanessa, who are trying their best to ignore him.

MICHAEL
What were you thinking, inviting Kyle Valenti here?

MAX
Isabel asked Kyle because she's keeping an eye on him.

Alex perks up at this information.

MICHAEL
(to Isabel)
You and Max should never have allowed Kyle to come here; you don't invite your enemies into your home.

Alex moves closer to Michael, as if in support.

LIZ
I'd hardly call Kyle an enemy.

MICHAEL
No, I don't suppose you would.

Max puts his arm around Liz and glares at Michael for his verbal attack on her but remains calm in his response.

MAX
Granted, we don't know if we can trust Kyle, but just what do you think he is going to do?

MICHAEL
He could search the house. The healing stones and the orb are here.

ISABEL
(to Michael, incredulous)
Do you actually think Kyle came to a birthday party to look for alien artifacts?
(sarcastically)
I know, the sheriff sent his son to find Max's alien identification card. God, I suppose you could be more paranoid but you'd have to stay up nights working on it.

MICHAEL
It's not paranoia when they really are out to get us.

MAX
You mean like you think Valenti is still out to get me?

MICHAEL
You don't?!

MAX
He may still want to know the truth but he doesn't want to harm us ...at least not anymore. And I really don't think his having dinner with Maria's mom is a ruse to interrogate Maria about me or that Kyle is here to unearth "unearthly" objects. There's no threat here; why can't you just relax and enjoy the party?

MICHAEL
We can't let down our guard, Max. The minute we do, that's when something bad will happen.

MARIA
Then maybe you better go back in the house to keep an eye on Kyle.

Michael glares at Maria but then heads towards the house.

MAX
I think we better go keep an eye on Michael.

There are nods and sighs from the others as they start back toward the house. As they enter the house, they pass Phillip and Diane who look concerned at the serious expressions on the kids' faces. Isabel notices and forces a smile.

ISABEL
(quietly)
This is a party.

ALEX
Have fun or else?

Cut to commercial.

END OF ACT II

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Original contents copyright (C) 2003 by Roswell: What Might Have Been