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ROSWELL: WHAT
MIGHT HAVE BEEN - "Limited Options" - ACT IV - 05/14/03
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ACT IV
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38 |
INT. SCOTTY'S BAR & GRILL - SAME
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Deputy Green and Larry Trilling are sitting across from each other in one of the booths. The place is moderately busy and noisy.
LARRY
(gushing)
I can't tell you how honored I feel that you trusted me to help you with this. I mean, I realize it was based on information I had, but--
GREEN
Yeah, right. What did you find out?
LARRY
I checked the plant at Las Cruces like you suggested--Hank Whitmore never worked for them. I've been interviewing his friends and neighbors and no one has seen or heard from him since he supposedly left for Las Cruces.
GREEN
And I checked for credit card activity--nothing.
LARRY
It's as if he dropped off the face of the Earth.
(beat)
You really should talk to Michael Guerin. Hank's neighbor from the trailer park, Nellie Smith, told me that the night before Hank left, he and Guerin had a major blow out.
Green throws some bills on the table and gets up. Larry does the same.
GREEN
Thanks for your help.
LARRY
(smiling)
Any time, Deputy.
They head for the door. As they are walking out, a man (the same Hispanic man from Independence Day and Sexual Healing) looks around from the booth that was directly behind them and watches them exit.
Cut to:
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39 |
INT. MICHAEL GUERIN'S APARTMENT - 15 MINUTES LATER
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The door bursts open and Michael and Max enter, arguing. Isabel, Liz, Maria and Alex follow; Alex closes the door behind them.
MAX
What were you thinking when you pulled that fire alarm!?
MICHAEL
You should be thanking me for that!
MAX
Don't hold your breath.
MICHAEL
Your parents were heading for the lab! Do you really want your parents talking to the Parkers about your "healing" abilities!?
MAX
Of course not, but do you think that's the only time they'll have a chance to talk? Are you planning on pulling an alarm every time they meet?
MICHAEL
If I have to.
ALEX
(interrupting)
OK, OK, calm down. We're all a little on edge, but snapping at each other isn't going to help.
ISABEL
And what will help? God, could this get any worse!?
ALEX
Yes.
(at their surprised looks)
Michael could be saying "I told you so."
Everyone smiles at this, even Michael. The tension is relieved somewhat.
ISABEL
But what are we going to do? They're just one step away from figuring out the whole thing!
ALEX
Yeah. The bullet being "missing" really feeds their speculation.
(pause as they contemplate the implications of this)
LIZ
Who says it has to be missing?
MARIA
Um, Liz, Max dissolving the bullet sort of keeps it from being found.
LIZ
Who says it has to be the same bullet?
The others look at her, intrigued.
MAX
Exactly! All we have to do is plant a bullet where it can be found!
MARIA
But the Sheriff's Department searched for the bullet. How do we explain them not finding it before?
ALEX
It would have to be some place that they wouldn't think to look.
MAX
Right. Someplace obscure.
LIZ
We should probably concentrate on the kitchen; it could have ricocheted and landed someplace they never thought to look.
MICHAEL
Wouldn't an employee have found it if it landed in the kitchen? I mean, your father is so adamant about keeping his "A" rating, he makes sure everything is cleaned thoroughly.
MARIA
(rolling her eyes)
Look who's talking like he actually cleans things.
MAX
Then we need to think of someplace that wouldn't need to have been cleaned since last September.
Isabel shudders a little as if the thought of that gives her the willies.
ALEX
OK, so lets think about what's in the kitchen ... we have the sink, the range, the grill--
ISABEL
The sink drain! Don't things get lost in that ... U-shaped pipe--
ALEX
(stage whisper)
P-Trap.
ISABEL
Right ... the P-Trap. Don't things get lost in that all the time?
MARIA
Yeah, like rings and stuff. I'm always warning Jen not to leave her wedding ring by the sink during the after-hours clean-up--
LIZ
That's perfect! We plant the bullet in the sink drain, then make sure that Jen's ring finds its way down there.
ALEX
Wedding ring down the drain. That sounds important enough to get out the wrench.
MARIA
But how does the bullet get to the sink without putting a hole in the wall? Does it ... go through the pass-through window and ... hang a left?
LIZ
(deep in thought)
We need a diagram.
Dissolves show Michael unearthing a sketch pad and drawing a plan of the Crashdown with the others looking over his shoulder and making suggestions. We see a close-up of the completed sketch; different hands appear drawing lines and arrows over it. Each time, Michael uses his powers to erase them as they are rejected until:
LIZ (cont'd)
(musing)
OK, what if the bullet hit the ceiling fan?
MAX
The fan could have deflected the bullet through the pass-through window!
LIZ
(pleased that their minds are so in sync)
... into the sink and down the drain.
MARIA
I guess the educational system didn't fail you two after all.
MICHAEL
(his turn to roll his eyes)
Sounds a bit whacked to me, but I guess it's possible.
MAX
And that's all it has to be. Now we have to plan this out. First we need to get a bullet that's the right caliber--
MICHAEL
(interrupting)
That should be easy enough. I'm sure the sheriff has plenty at his house.
MAX
That's way too risky. I'm sure we can find what we need at one of the local shooting ranges. It will even be a fired bullet so we will only have to do minor manipulation to change the markings so it can't be identified.
MICHAEL
(grudgingly)
Fine.
Click here to see finished diagram
Cut to:
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40 |
EXT. "ASTEROID FIELD" OUTDOOR SHOOTING RANGE - MIDNIGHT
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play "Origins (Jungle Morning)"
by Joe Thurber (streaming audio):
MP3
Michael is standing outside the perimeter of the range, looking around, checking for security. When he's satisfied that there is no security guard nor watch dog around he proceeds towards the pistol shooting range. He picks up a stick from the ground, hesitantly reaches out to check the surrounding fence for an electric shock, then climbs the fence to get into the shooting range. The moon is not yet full so Michael cups his hands and uses his power to provide enough illumination to check the field for spent bullets. Dissolves show a passage of time as Michael searches the field looking for the right caliber, picking up and discarding various bullets. We sense he is being watched and at one point so does he. He stops and looks around, doesn't see anything, so he shakes it off and continues searching the ground. Finally he finds the one he's looking for, holds it in his fist briefly to distort it and alter the markings.
Cut to:
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41 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - KITCHEN - 15 MINUTES LATER
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Michael is standing by the sink. He removes the modified bullet from his
pocket, reaches for a paper towel from a roll on the counter and wipes off
any incriminating fingerprints. Holding the bullet by the towel he drops
it down the sink drain. We hear a clink as it hits the trap. He turns and
heads for the kitchen doorway, tossing the towel in the trash as he passes
it. The camera follows him to the back room, through the swinging door and
over to the counter in the main dining area. He climbs onto the counter,
checks the trajectory, and reaches up towards the fan. His hand glows red
and when he lowers it there is a ricochet mark on the fan.
Cut to:
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42 |
INT. WEST ROSWELL HIGH SCHOOL - HALLWAY - MORNING
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Max is at his locker. Michael approaches looking self-satisfied.
MICHAEL
It's done.
MAX
What's done?
MICHAEL
The bullet. It's all taken care of.
MAX
(hesitant, not sure if he's glad or apprehensive about this news)
So soon? You didn't go to Valenti's did you?
MICHAEL
(slightly irritated by Max's lack of confidence)
Nooo, I didn't go to Valenti's.
(beat)
I went to the police station.
(at Max's look of alarm)
Kidding. I went to the shooting range like you suggested. Anyway, it's planted and everything, so we're all set.
MAX
(sigh of relief)
Good! I'll let Liz know so she and Maria can make sure Jen's ring goes down the drain tonight.
Cut to:
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43 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - MAIN DINING AREA - 8:30 PM
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The evening rush has ended and things are starting to quiet down. Max is in his usual booth in the seat facing the front door, doing his homework, occasionally sneaking glances at Liz and exchanging smiles with her as she helps customers. There's a lull and she slips into his booth across from him. Maria comes out from the back room wearing her jacket and approaches Liz. In the background we see that Ricky is at the pass-through window waiting for his next order and Jen is bringing the check to her customer.
MARIA
I just have to run out for a few minutes. I swear I'll be back to help you with
(nods slightly towards Jen)
the after hours clean-up.
LIZ
OK, no problem. I'm sure Jen and I can handle whoever comes in before then.
(giving Maria a knowing smile)
And good luck.
MARIA
Thanks, I'll need it.
Cut to:
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44 |
EXT. MICHAEL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - STREET - 10 MINUTES LATER
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Maria is parked in the Jetta. She appears to be rehearsing a speech and keeps repeating "Michael, we need to talk" in different ways, emphasizing different words. She sees Michael approach his apartment, takes a deep breath and gets out of the car. As Michael gets to his door, Deputy Green steps out of the shadows. Maria stops short.
GREEN
Michael Guerin?
MICHAEL
Yeah.
GREEN
A citizen has voiced concern about the whereabouts of Hank Whitmore. Would you mind accompanying me to the station to answer some questions?
Cut to:
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45 |
INT. CRASHDOWN MAIN DINING AREA - 20 MINUTES LATER
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Liz is locking the front door and Max is still working on his homework. Jen goes through the swinging door, on her way to the kitchen. Through the pass-through window we can see Ricky carrying plates towards the sink and then Jen following. Liz heads for the kitchen but her path is blocked by Nancy and Jeff coming in from the back room. Nancy signals to Liz to precede her and she and Liz approach Max's booth. Liz looks apprehensive as she peers over her shoulder to see what Jeff is up to. Jeff walks over to the pass-through window.
Cut to:
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46 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
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Ricky turns on the faucet and starts cleaning the sink, preparing to wash the pots. Jen reaches above him to get some cleaning supplies off the shelf above the sink. She then heads towards the exit.
JEFF
(at the pass-through window)
Ricky ... Jen, we'll finish the clean-up tonight, you two can go home early.
Surprised, Ricky looks over his shoulder at Jeff while continuing to wipe down the sink counter.
RICKY
Righteous!
JEN
(at the doorway with the cleaning supplies, stops and turns)
Really? That's great. Thanks, Jeff!
Ricky turns off the water and places the strainer in the sink. Jen heads back to the sink to replace the cleaning supplies. In the meantime, Ricky removes his apron, throws it on the counter next to the sink.
Cut to:
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47 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
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Max's stricken look is unseen by Nancy but not Liz as she slides in next to him; she shares his panic. Nancy then slides into the booth across from Max, as Jeff approaches them.
NANCY
Would you mind staying a little bit longer, Max? Mr. Parker and I would like to talk to you and Liz.
Max and Liz stare at Nancy, then Jeff as he slides in next to Nancy; both look like deer caught in headlights.
Cut to:
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48 |
INT. JETTA - MOMENTS LATER
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Maria is sitting in the Jetta in the Sheriff's Dept. parking lot. She is just hanging up her cell phone when the back door to the car suddenly opens and Isabel and Alex slide in.
ISABEL
(panicky)
Where is he?
MARIA
In there with some deputy.
ISABEL
You're sure that this is about Hank?
MARIA
That's what the deputy said. He wants to talk to Michael about Hank Whitmore's disappearance.
ALEX
Then it's not Czechoslovakian.
ISABEL
Not yet. So is Max coming?
MARIA
No, I didn't reach him in time.
ALEX
(apprehensive)
What do you mean, "in time"?
MARIA
He and Liz had their cell phones off so they didn't get my voice mail message until just now and now they are being detained by Liz's parents.
ISABEL
(her turn to be apprehensive)
Detained?
MARIA
Yeah. Liz had to pretend to use the restroom to call and tell me that her father sent Ricky and Jen home before she had a chance to put the ring down the drain, so he and her mother could talk to Liz and Max alone.
ISABEL
Great! Just--
Isabel stops in mid-sentence, focused on a man who is entering the Sheriff's Dept.
ISABEL (cont'd)
I thought you said Hank was missing.
MARIA
The deputy said that.
ISABEL
(bewildered, pointing)
That's Hank.
Cut to:
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49 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - BOOTH - SAME
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JEFF
So, Max, am I wrong in assuming the information the sheriff wants from you is related to the shooting here in the Crashdown last September?
MAX
(feeling cornered)
Information? ... What information might that be?
Cut to:
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50 |
INT. JETTA - ROSWELL SHERIFF'S DEPT. - PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS
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MARIA
(antsy with anxiety; talking to no one in particular)
What's taking so long!? Come on ... just let Michael go so I can go help Liz and Max.
Cut to:
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51 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - BOOTH - SAME
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JEFF
I was talking to your co-worker, Larry Trilling, the other day. He has an interesting theory ...
Cut to:
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52 |
INT. JETTA - ROSWELL SHERIFF'S DEPT. - PARKING LOT - 10 MINUTES LATER
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ALEX
(musing)
How weird is it that Hank shows up twice just when he's needed? Are you sure that was Hank?
At that moment, Hank exits the Sheriff's Dept. Isabel nods. They stare at the door to the Sheriff's Dept. expectantly but no one else emerges.
MARIA
(still anxious)
Where's Michael? Why didn't they let Michael go?
ISABEL
(also anxious but showing it with slight annoyance)
Maria, chill! I'll go in and make sure Michael is OK. You go back to the Crashdown and help Max and Liz.
Isabel opens her car door; Alex opens his.
ISABEL
Where are you going?
ALEX
I want to follow Hank. Something doesn't seem right about this to me. I'll meet you all back at the Crashdown.
Isabel and Alex get out of the car. Isabel heads for the Sheriff's Dept. and Alex follows Hank, who is walking down 5th St.
Cut to:
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53 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - BACK ROOM - 10 MINUTES LATER
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Maria comes through the back door and without taking her jacket off she heads straight for the swinging door. She hesitates there and peers out the window. Max and Liz have their backs to her so she can't see their faces but she can see the serious expressions of Jeff and Nancy. She opens the door a crack to hear what is being said. Jeff and Nancy do not notice.
MAX
(nervously)
I don't know what else to tell you, Mr. Parker. I didn't heal anyone. Liz was shaken up by the gun going off and I was just trying to calm her down.
Maria backs away, letting the door close slowly. She leans against the lockers, trying not to have a panic attack by doing her breathing exercises (from Blind Date) and giving herself a pep talk in whispered tones.
MARIA
OK, breathe, breathe, ... you can do this ... just think, think ...
Cut to:
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54 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - BOOTH - CONTINUOUS
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LIZ
(desperately)
What else can we say? Larry was wrong. Why do you want to believe him instead of us?
JEFF
It's just when you add it all together: your uncharacteristic behavior, the missing uniform, the missing bullet
Maria suddenly appears at the pass-through window. The tension in Liz and Max's faces relaxes somewhat.
MARIA
(interrupting; talking a mile-a-minute)
Hey, sorry I'm late. Don't worry, I'll get right on the clean-up.
She starts to head for the sink but is forestalled by Jeff's voice.
JEFF
That can wait; I think you should join this conversation.
Liz and Max's faces fall. Maria hesitates, looking down at her hands as she nervously fingers her own ring.
JEFF (cont'd)
Maria?
Maria turns away from the window and reluctantly heads towards the back room. As she opens the swinging door the back door opens.
MARIA
(surprised)
Hey, Jen!
Max and Liz perk up. Jeff and Nancy look puzzled. Jen rushes past Maria on her way to the kitchen, giving Maria a quick "Hi" as she passes.
NANCY
(calling out)
Jen!?
Jen comes up to the pass-through window.
JEN
I'll just be a second. I left my wedding ring by the sink.
She disappears from view as she heads towards the sink. In the meantime, Maria has entered the dining area and reached the booth. Nancy indicates that she should pull a chair over to the booth, which she does.
MARIA
I really think I should--
JEN (VO)
(frantic)
Oh no! It's gone!
Cut to:
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55 |
EXT. SCOTTY'S BAR AND GRILL - SAME
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Hank is walking toward Scotty's; Alex is following surreptitiously. Hank enters. Alex looks around for a place to wait.
Cut to:
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56 |
INT. CRASHDOWN - KITCHEN - SEVERAL MINUTES LATER
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Jeff, Nancy, Liz, Max, Maria and Jen are in the kitchen. Things on counters are disarranged; clearly they've been searching for the ring. Jen looks distraught.
NANCY
I'm sorry, Jen it just doesn't seem to be here. Maybe you left it somewhere else.
Nancy and Jeff move to leave the kitchen. When the kids don't move, Jeff looks pointedly at them.
LIZ
(anxiously)
There must be somewhere else we can look.
JEFF
We looked everywhere, Liz.
JEN
What if it fell down the drain?
Max, Liz and Maria look astonished.
JEN (cont'd)
Maybe it fell down the drain into that ... trap thing ...
LIZ
(faintly)
The P-Trap.
Jeff gives Liz a surprised look and she shrugs.
JEFF
(to Jen)
But the strainer is in the sink so the ring couldn't have fallen down the drain.
MARIA
It could have happened before the strainer got put in.
JEN
(eagerly)
Do you have a wrench I could use? I mean, if you don't mind.
Jeff looks reluctant.
JEN
Oh please, Jeff. I know it's a lot to ask but I just have to find that ring.
(pause)
JEFF
That's OK, I'll do it.
Dissolves as Jeff turns off the water, puts a pail under the pipes, and disconnects the P-Trap, getting wet in the process, despite his better efforts. He stands up with the P-Trap in his hand and dumps its contents into a disposable plate that Liz provides. A gob of gunk and food particles drops onto the plate and everyone backs up from the sight and the stench.
MARIA
Oh gross!
JEN
(stepping forward)
Wait! I think that's my ring.
Jeff uses a fork to sift through the gunk and uncovers the ring. Jen smiles ecstatically then gingerly picks up the ring with just the tips of her fingers and thumb.
JEN
Thanks ever so much. I won't forget this. I'm gonna take this to the restroom to clean it.
Jen exits the kitchen. Max, Liz and Maria are using surreptitious signals to determine who should bring up the bullet. They look on in horror as Nancy takes the plate and starts walking towards the exit with it.
NANCY
I'm going to put this in the outside trash before it stinks up the kitchen. And I think we should clean out that--
Suddenly Maria screams, causing everyone to jump and Nancy to drop the
plate. The gunk on the plate splatters on the floor. Maria, Max and Liz
watch apprehensively as the bullet skids across the floor towards the
grill; it looks like it might go under it.
NANCY
(staring at Maria in amazement)
What was that about!?
MARIA
(her rapt attention drawn away from the bullet to Nancy)
Um, I'm sorry, I ... thought I saw a mouse.
JEFF
(aghast)
In my kitchen!?
MARIA
No, no, I was mistaken.
Nancy heads towards the sink
NANCY
Well, we need to clean up this mess--OW!
Nancy has stepped on something that hurt her foot and stops to examine it.
NANCY (cont'd)
(pointing to a small lump of metal on the floor)
What's that!?
JEFF
(walking over to her)
What's what?
Jeff stoops and picks up the object Nancy is pointing at, then holds it in the palm of his hand to examine it. The others gather around.
JEFF
I think it's a bullet.
LIZ
You mean ...?
JEFF
Yes, the bullet. The one they never found. It must have been in there all this time.
NANCY
But how did it end up in the drain?
JEFF
I haven't a clue.
He looks around then heads towards the pass-through window.
JEFF (cont'd)
(thinking as he speaks)
Well, the guy with the gun was in the dining area over there ... if it went through the wall we would have seen the hole so the bullet probably went through this pass-through window ... but it would need the proper angle to make it to the sink, which means it must have ricocheted off something ...
(mulling)
The ceiling fan! It must have hit the fan and deflected into the sink and down the drain.
(sees Nancy's skeptical look and shrugs)
It's a stretch but I don't see any other way to explain it. And now I guess we'll have to explain it to the Sheriff's Department.
NANCY
(feeling embarrassed)
But first we need to apologize to Max and Liz for allowing ourselves to get sucked into Larry Trilling's fantasy life and trying to take them with us.
(to Liz)
I can't believe we actually thought you might have been shot!
(to Max)
And that you healed her.
(to both)
I hope you two can forgive us.
LIZ
Of course, Mom. Dad.
MAX
(quietly)
Sure, no problem.
Cut to:
|
57 |
EXT. LIZ PARKER'S BALCONY - ONE HOUR LATER
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Liz is sitting in her lounge chair, writing in her journal.
LIZ (VO)
March 17, 2000. These past three days have been an emotional rollercoaster. From the highest highs to the lowest lows. I should be elated right now at our success but instead I feel a profound sadness. Sadness that the trust I've built up with my parents for the past sixteen years is slowly being chipped away. But I have to accept that there are some decisions that can't be unmade, can't be taken back. Once you've started down the path, you're committed. You may not even know it until it's too late. Sometimes circumstances force you to choose between limited options.
Cut to:
|
58 |
EXT. EVANS HOUSE - SAME
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Max is sitting in the Jeep, resting his hands on the steering wheel. He waves one hand over the hand with the ring, revealing the healing symbol. He looks at it, changes it back, then gets out of the car to head into the house.
LIZ (VO)
There's nothing you can do about it, except cope the best way you can. Others may judge you for this, but probably not as harshly as you judge yourself.
Cut to:
|
59 |
EXT. SCOTTY'S BAR AND GRILL - SAME
|
Alex is lurking in the shadows outside Scotty's, watching the front door. Suddenly the door opens and Hank walks out and up the street. Alex follows at a safe distance.
LIZ (VO)
But at the same time I know that protecting Max, Michael and Isabel is the right thing to do. How ironic that it sometimes takes doing the wrong thing to do the right thing.
Hank continues walking down the street with Alex following at a safe distance. Hank turns a corner down an alley. Before Alex can get there, a bright light shines out from the alley; then a man walks out, the same Hispanic man from Independence Day and Sexual Healing. He pops something into his mouth, pockets the small container, and continues down the street.
LIZ (VO)
In a perfect world I could just tell my parents the truth, but this isn't a perfect world and there is just so much they wouldn't understand.
Alex notices the man, but is curious about the light and turns down the alley. It's a dead end and no one is there. Alex looks back in the direction the Hispanic man went (which is now empty), then back to the alley. He starts looking around, behind trash bins, etc. to see if Hank is hiding, but finds nothing. Alex ends up standing in the middle of the alley looking baffled.
Fade Out.
END OF ACT IV
Roll Credits
Technical Advisors:
Stephen Carrabino
Tom Cavin
Liz
Tim Miller, author of Without a Trace and Out of
Nowhere
Michael Sartell: S&H Plumbing, Medford, MA
Larry Stark
Beta Testers:
LA
Mel
Pam
provence
Sara Robey
Music Supplied By:
Maria DeLuca: "Tell Me Why"
Etta James: "At Last"; At Last
Smash Mouth: "All Star"; Astro Lounge
Joe Thurber: "Origins [Jungle Morning]"; Mad Hatter
Original contents copyright (C) 2003 by
Roswell: What Might Have Been