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Entry tags:
Still Life - "Dead Serious" - Acts III, IV, & V
Dead Serious, Acts I & II
Act III
Interior, Morgan dining area (with kitchen in the background), Evening:
The family is just finishing up dinner. Max—now attired in a dark blue-toned striped button-down overshirt over a dark t-shirt—is at the sink washing dishes. Mom is serving coffee. Dad sits at the head of the table, Daisy to his left, Em next to Daisy.
Ben: Emily, what a meal. You do have a gift.
Charlotte: I wish you’d take these classes again.
Em: (shrugging, she’s definitely got someplace to be) Maybe, yeah.
Daisy: (after checking her watch) You know what? We’re gonna have to go, ‘cause we’re gonna miss the thing. Max!
Mom: What thing?
Em: (as if she’s making it up on the fly) We’re seeing a band.
Dad: (to Max) You know you’ve got to get up early for that job in the morning, don’t forget.
Max: (to Dad) Yeah, I know. (To his sisters) So we’ll be late.
Em & Daisy (in chorus): No!
Max: (Is that a note of suspicion in his voice?) What’s the big deal?
Mom: (definitely a note of suspicion in her voice) Yeah, what’s the big deal?
Em: Daisy has a crush on the drummer. She wants make sure her panties are the first on stage.
Dad: (concern that he heard what he thought he just heard) Excuse me?
Daisy: (grabbing her glass and taking it to the sink) I love him. (to Max) C’mon.
Mom: I thought you loved Joe Hipps.
Em: So last week, Mom. (Em takes her glass to the sink. Her tone says it’s time to go!) Max!
Max: What? Yes. I’ve gotta get my coat. (Max exits the scene.)
Mom: (calling the girls over with the Mom summoning finger) Girls. What are you doing?
Daisy: (like she’s got no idea what Mom is talking about) Nothing. Just hanging out with our brother.
Mom: Well this better not have anything to do with that Max and Maggie business. I told you he’s already been through enough with her.
Dad: (definitely suspicious) What Max and Maggie business?
Em: Mom. I’m on your side. I thought it was a dumbass idea, remember? Let’s roll. (She pushes Daisy toward the front hall.)
Daisy plays an over-exaggerated shove.
Daisy & Em: Bye!
Mom: (to their retreating backs) I want Daisy back in the house by 12:30!
Mom and Dad are left alone at the dinner table.
Dad: What Max and Maggie business?
Mom handwaves it off.
Cut to:
Establishing shot of the city at night . . . Bridge over water in foreground, city skyline in background.
Cut to closer establishing shot of overview of city at night.
Cut to exterior bar/tavern, night.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Em, Max, Daisy, and Maggie are all sitting together in a conversation-friendly arrangement of short, cushy couches. Music plays in the background. The foursome all look very awkward.
Daisy: You guys, this is so funny. When Emily asked Max along we totally spaced that we were meeting you here.
Maggie: (sitting with her arms crossed. Her body language is very closed.) You called to ask me a couple hours ago. That’s like Alzheimer’s.
Daisy: I know. What cadets, huh.
An awkward pause.
Maggie: You know, I’m leaving. (She gets up to go.)
Daisy: (practically grabbing Maggie by the arm) No, you can’t.
Em: (quickly, thinking fast) We paid for drinks. We’ll go see what’s holding them up.
Em and Daisy leave to check on the drinks, leaving Max and Maggie by themselves. (For those of you keeping score, Max is wearing a sandy-tan shearling-lined coat right now.)
Maggie: (crossing her arms again) Were you in on this?
Max: (leaning forward, elbows on knees, rubbing his hands together for something to do. His tone is good-natured and un-accusing) Yeah, I thought that letting my crazy sisters ambush you into a blind date would really smooth things over. You don’t have to stay. You can go if you want.
Maggie: (settling in, but with arms still crossed) No. I want my drink. You go.
Majorly awkward silence as neither will look at the other.
At the bar, Daisy and Em watch them from across the room.
Daisy: They’re furious.
Em: (mischievous grin) Then why haven’t they bailed?
Cut to Max and Maggie. Max heaves one of his puffy-cheeked sighs and settles back, crossing his arms and stretching out and crossing his legs. Maggie, too, sits cross-armed and with crossed legs pulled in. Oh, yeah. This is a fun night.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan living room, Evening:
Charlotte is giving her first interview. Jonathan and Owen are present.
The lady interviewer starts out with a question about why Charlotte is running for mayor. “As a mother—” Charlotte begins, but Jonathan cuts her off. Motherhood deals with her family. “I’m just doing my job,” Jonathan says. Charlotte silently concedes the point, smiling and returning her attention to the interviewer. The woman asks about public safety as an issue, but Jonathan jumps in and says he thinks he knows where this is going, and they’re downplaying the personal. As the interviewer points out that this is supposed to be a human interest piece, Charlotte gives her dad, sitting in the corner, the stink eye. Jonathan tells the interviewer to focus more on the “interest” and less on the “human,” and suggests Charlotte’s views on the city budget as a topic. The interviewer smiles in that way that covers up the urge to cuff someone upside the head.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Max and Maggie are having their drinks. Max has taken his coat off, Maggie has not removed hers.
Maggie: (eyeing her drink) Great. My Coke has bourbon in it. So the girls’ plan is to get me drunk, [I'll] fall into your arms, and everything is love and puppies.
Max: They’re working on the time machine thing, but this seemed more realistic.
Maggie: I’m glad you think this is funny.
Max: It’s stupid. I mean, it’s kind of sweet in a twisted way. They’re just trying to make us happy.
Maggie: When did we ever make each other happy? I mean really?
Max: (with the courage to look her in the eye, though slightly from the side) You were the only thing that ever did. Make me completely happy.
Maggie doesn’t know what to do with this information.
Maggie: I can’t do this. (And she gets up and leaves.)
At the bar, Em has been watching.
Em: Uh-oh. Maggie’s leaving.
Daisy turns from the bar with a pink drink in her hand. Pineapple and a martini glass are involved.
Em: But she left her purse.
Daisy: Well maybe she went to the bathroom.
Em notices the drink.
Em: Daisy, where did you get that?
Daisy: (with a smile) A guy bought it for me. (Off Em’s reaction) What? I’m stressing.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan front hall, After the interview:
Charlotte sees the interviewer out, thanking her for her time and apologizing for the difficulty of the situation. Then she turns to her father to lay into him. Owen thinks Charlotte is hamstringing herself by refusing to talk about her personal life.
Jon: You don’t want to talk about your family, you want to talk about yourself. You are your family. Jake is the whole reason you got into this campaign.
Charlotte: Yes. And maybe that boy wouldn’t have hurt my son if he’d had a better chance in this world, but I’m not going to—
Owen: Now you’re talking! That’s your campaign.
Charlotte: That’s my life! Yours, too. I can’t believe you want this race so badly that you would sell Jake’s memory for it.
She is not going to let herself be ripped open every day just so her father can get back into public life. Jon says that he doesn’t care if she hasn’t dealt with the death of her kid, they can fake it, work up some platitudes.
Charlotte fires Jonathan.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Max is sitting alone texting someone. Em comes over and sits down.
Em: What are you doing with my phone?
Max: Some guy named Gideon just instant messaged you?
Em grabs the phone from Max, sits down opposite, and slumps back into couch as she reads the text.
Em: “Gideon, call me hot, horny, and ready”?!? You sent that??? (She kicks Max in the side of his thigh.)
Max: Payback’s a bitch. Who’s Gideon?
Em: I’m sure it’s doomed. He’s too nice for me.
Max: So he’s your latest victim? You’re trying to help me with my love life? Greeaat. (Max grabs his coat to leave.)
Em: Where’re you going? (She sits up, alarmed.)
Max: I’ve gotta get some sleep for that job tomorrow. Besides Maggie’s—
Em: (almost desperately) No, stay. I need to talk.
Max: About what?
Em: I found Jake’s journal.
Max flashes a perplexed look.
Max: Why didn’t you tell me?
Em: I don’t know. It just seemed too weird, you know?
Max: What does it say?
Em: Just boring stuff. Did you know Jake recorded all his expenditures? I haven’t read very much.
Max: You’ve gotta give that to Dad, Em. I mean there could be something in there, something to help the case, you know?
Em slumps back.
Max: Seriously. Tomorrow.
Em: (nodding agreement) Okay.
Cut to:
Interior, Police station office, Night:
Ben is checking in with his captain (I assume it’s his captain, or superior in some capacity). Says his wife has a thing tonight, so he’s staying late, catching up on paperwork, and the case . . . Jake’s case.
Carl: Not much to catch up on. Not lately.
Ben: I know. There’s got to be more we can do.
Carl: We’ve been over this, Ben. We’ve grilled everyone in the neighborhood. We turned the place upside down for a weapon.
Ben: We haven’t had a tail on Eddie Marble for over a month.
Carl: We watched him for almost a year.
Ben: We can’t just quit. C’mon, we put him in Jake’s neighborhood, what, how many times? There’s gotta be more going on. I just know it.
Carl: I’m sorry, Ben, but even for one of our own, I can’t justify the surveillance expense, not anymore.
Ben: Let me sit on him. On my own time.
Carl: I can’t do that, you know it. You get too close to that kid—
Ben: Look, give me something, damn it! Something!
Ben’s defeated, Carl looks sympathetic. Ben sinks into the visitor’s chair facing Carl across the desk.
Ben: My kid was here today, started asking me about the case, about the progress we were making. I had nothing to tell him.
Carl: (after a pause of consideration) Forget the paperwork. Why don’t you go home.
Ben: Yeah (Ben sighs and rises to leave.)
Carl: It’ll take a few days to get approval, then we’ll get another tail started on Eddie.
Ben nods his appreciation.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Em and Daisy are leaning back against the bar, looking dejected. They’ve probably got Max in their line of sight, but that’s just a guess on my part. Daisy is on at least her second drink (this one is clear, but still with the pineapple and the martini glass).
Daisy: It’s over. We suck as matchmakers. Of course my big romance was Joe Hipps, and you run from love like a little bunny, so really, it’s no big surprise, right?
Em rolls her eyes and turns back to the bar. Daisy gets an idea!
Daisy: (eyes wide) Idea! (And she hops off her bar stool and dashes off.)
Cut to:
Max giving something to a blonde chick in a red top. “Thanks,” he says as he pays the waitress.
Maggie, having removed her coat, now showing a lovely blue v-neck, sleeveless blouse with a gather just below the center of the bust line (yes, I like the blouse, why do you ask?), works her way back toward where Max is standing.
Maggie: Lame dramatic exit, huh. I forgot my purse. (She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. Pauses.) You did make me happy.
Music begins to play, and both Max and Maggie recognize the song, a slightly up-tempo, kinda jazzy/R&B love song.
Max: (exasperated) Daisy . . . They don’t give up, do they?
Maggie smiles. A well-built, dark haired guy is eyeing Maggie in the background.
Maggie: I love this song.
Max: Yeah, I do, too. It holds up. You know it would.
Maggie: (with a soft laugh) Max . . .
Dark haired jock frat boy who’s been eyeing Maggie decides to make a move. He leans in, all suave and slick.
Frat Boy: Yo. You wanna dance, or are you with him (tipping his head toward Max)?
Max: (no non-sense) She’s with me.
Frat Boy backs off.
Max: (to Maggie) So? (He nods toward the dance floor). Come on. It’ll make my sisters crazy. Let’s humor ‘em.
Max leads Maggie to the dance floor. Based on this particular sequence, I’m guessing that Jensen is a fairly good dancer, and that I, since I do so love to dance, would probably enjoy dancing with him. You know, in the right place at the right time.
Em contemplates them from her place at the bar.
Max waves acknowledgement to someone off-screen, I’m guessing Daisy.
After a few moments, their dancing slows and they’re just breathing each other in. Max is drinking her in with his eyes, and she can’t look at him.
Max: This feels right, Maggie.
Maggie: Okay, Max. That’s enough humoring. (And she leaves quickly, grabbing her coat and purse, and leaving Max on the dance floor.)
Daisy rushes to Max and asks desperately:
Daisy: What happened?
Max: I’m leaving.
And he picks up his coat and puts it on. He sees Frat Boy hitting on Maggie and moves to intervene as Daisy scrambles behind, collecting her and Em’s things.
Frat Boy: You’re a creature, you know that? What’s up?
Maggie is pushing him off, but he can’t take a hint. He’s obviously been drinking.
Max: (pushing Frat Boy away. He’s not happy, lips pressed together, danger in his eye) What’re you doing, man?
Maggie: Max . . .
Frat Boy: Max. She was leaving you in the dust, Max. It’s open season. You’re history, man. She doesn’t want you.
Maggie grabs Max by the wrist and tries to pull him away.
Maggie: Come on.
Frat Boy: (shoves Max in the shoulder) What’s up, man? Where’re you goin’? I still gotta steal your girlfriend.
Without a word, Max swings, landing a hard right to the guy’s jaw. The punch is hard enough to down the dude. One of Frat Boy’s buddies grabs at Max, and Max lands a solid punch on him, too. Before long, all of Frat Boy’s buddies are in on it, and it’s at least 6-on-1 as Max goes down under an onslaught of fists.
Em and Daisy look on, horrified.
BLACK
Act IV
Exterior, Bar sidewalk, Night:
Frat boys and Max are being tossed out by the bar bouncers. Burly dudes are trying to keep Frat Boy and Max from going at each other again, shoving them in opposite directions.
Frat Boy: I’m not done with you!
Max: Yeah? Why don’t you say it when your friends aren’t around? Huh?
Bouncers (to FB and/or Max): Get goin’ man. I don’t want to see y’all around here again.
Frat Boy: (still being held back by big dudes, he’s being pulled across the street and still posturing) Yo! You and me, man! I’ll pound you! S’up?
A bouncer shoves Max back toward the sidewalk where Maggie, Em, and Daisy are waiting.
Maggie reaches out to him, calming, Em is worried, and Daisy is stoked (in more ways than one), and Max is calming down off his adrenaline.
Daisy: (laughing. She’s pumped) That was so awesome! Let’s go kick some more ass!
Max: (to Em) Is she drunk?
Em: (ignoring the question) That was really screwed up.
Max: I had it covered.
Em: Oh, was that when you had the guy’s fist in your face, or when you were twenty deep in a pile of frat boys?
Max: (turns his back and starts down the sidewalk) Whatever, Em.
Em: (following, she’s angry and ready to tear into him) No! You always have to be the big man, doncha? Throw the first punch. You know, I lost one brother. If you die over something stupid like this, I will kill you!
Daisy: Does anyone else see the irony?
Em: Shut up, Daisy. (To Max) We’re going home. (She pushes Daisy toward a taxi and crosses to get in the opposite door. As a parting blow, to Max) Something is seriously wrong with you! (To Daisy) Get in the-----car. (No, a word isn’t actually there, but you could tell Audrey Marie wanted to say it.)
Max and Maggie are left standing on the sidewalk. Max has a scrape on his right cheekbone that is bleeding, and Maggie reaches for it tentatively as Max walks away.
Cut to:
Interior, Cab, Night:
Daisy is leaning against the door, watching the scenery pass.
Em’s phone rings. It’s Gideon. “Is this Hot, Horny, and Ready?” he asks when she picks up. “Yes. No,” Em says. She tells him she’s not going to be able to make their date. Why not?
Em: Because there’s no way this can work. I bring nothing but chaos and disaster.
Gid: You can’t be that bad.
Em: I spent the night trying to hook Max up with Jake’s ex, who is also Max’s ex, because I’m hoping she’ll keep him from skipping town again and so, Max tries to kill himself by starting a bar fight, and my baby sister goes on her first bender. Which is all highly typical, by the way.
Gid says, so her family is nuts. That’s not her.
Em: Think about where you met me, Gid. Apple, tree?
Gid: Okay, you’re trouble. Now when can I see you again?
Em: You know, just do yourself a favor and let’s say “never.”
She hangs up.
Daisy looks at Em appraisingly.
Em: What?
Daisy: (turning back to the window) Run, little bunny.
Em: As if you know what’s going on.
Daisy: You have no idea. You’re looking for any dumb excuse to blow this guy off. It’s not going to feel right, if that’s what you’re waiting for.
Em: And you know this how, love cripple?
Daisy: (laughing) I am. You’re right. I am. We all are. You, me, Max. We all got crippled. You know, you might get hurt again, but you’re alive. You have to live.
Cut to:
Exterior, Sidewalk, Night:
Max and Maggie are walking down the street.
Maggie: We should probably get a cab up here.
Off Screen Voice: There he is!
A green open-topped Ford Bronco screeches up to the curb, blocking Max and Maggie’s way. It’s the Frat Boys spoiling for another fight, only this time they’re in a 1-ton motorized weapon.
Max: Maggie, go! Run!
And they take off around the corner down an alley, trying to outrun on foot these thugs in their Bronco. The Bronco turns around and chases them.
Max and Maggie dash into a green area, like a park, and duck behind a bush as the Bronco drives past them, Frat Boy scanning the darkness, looking for his victims.
Cut to:
Interior, Ben and Charlotte’s bedroom, Night:
Ben is getting home late; Charlotte is already in bed. Charlotte isn’t asleep; the kids aren’t home yet. She tells Ben about the interview and firing her campaign manager. She didn’t want to talk about Jake publicly. What does it have to do with her running for mayor, anyway?
Ben: Nothing, really. Except it’s the reason you decided to run.
Charlotte can’t believe Ben is siding with her father on something. Ben’s not siding with anybody.
Ben: Max asked me about Jake’s case today. I got mad. Like he was accusing me of something. Not doing my job.
Charlotte: I’m sure that’s not—
Ben: He was right. I haven’t been riding the case like I was before. I just haven’t been able to face it.
C: That’s okay. You took a break.
B: No, it wasn’t that. I’ve been trying to make things like they were before, and that’s just not gonna work. I mean, this is where we are. We’re not going to be able to deal with this at home and just forget about it at work. You can say what you want, Charl, I just don’t think you can help other people with their pain till you can admit your own.
Cut to:
Exterior, Park, Night:
The frat boys are cruising the park, looking for Max and Maggie. “If they’re here, I’m gonna kick his ass,” says one of them as they drive past Max and Maggie’s hiding place.
Maggie: Who knew a bunch of drunk guys could have such an attention span.
She starts to laugh.
Max: What?
Maggie: Typical Max night.
Max: (with a smile) C’mon. That’s not fair. (Then he nods in concession) It’s a little fair.
Maggie: Tonight’s the first night I’ve been out like this.
Max: Seriously?
Mag: It’s been hard. He’s in my dreams, too. All the time. Can you sleep?
Max: Yeah, most of the time.
Mag: I’d do anything for a night’s sleep. Just a few solid hours.
Max: I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do.
Maggie: That’s okay. It’s good to talk. (pause) So how’s it been, being home?
Max: Weird. I mean, I miss this place, you know? I miss my family, but . . . It’s just really tense. Me, uh, running away like that didn’t do too much to help my rep as a screw-up, especially with my dad.
Maggie: (nudges him in the shoulder with her shoulder) Stop screwing up.
Max: Yeah, that’s one way to go.
Mag: I’m serious, Max. You’ve always been able to do anything you set your mind to. It’s like you don’t want to give your dad the satisfaction.
Max: Actually, this job he got me is pretty cool. You know, for now.
Maggie: What time do you have to be there?
Max: Well if these idiots ever leave, 4 AM.
Maggie: So do it. Take the easy road for once.
Max: Alright. If you promise to get out more.
Maggie: Fair enough.
Max: Really. Tomorrow night. We’ll catch a movie.
Maggie: Okay.
BLUE WASH and dissolve to:
Interior, Morgan TV room, Night:
Ben is watching Eddie Marble’s interrogation on tape.
VOJ tells us he hopes Eddie never talks.
Eddie tells the interrogator that he was just walking, wasn’t going anywhere in particular. When asked if he heard the gunshots, he says he doesn’t know. He seems kind of out of it.
Cut to:
Exterior, Park, Night/Early morning:
Max and Maggie are still hiding, and she has fallen asleep against his shoulder. He checks his watch: 3:30.
Max: Alright, I gotta go if I’m gonna make it on time. I think those guys are long gone.
He shifts a little and sees that she’s asleep.
Max: Maggie?
She shifts and snuggles closer to him. He sits quietly, considering his options. Then he wraps his arms around her and settles in for the duration.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan TV room, Night/Early morning:
Ben is asleep on the couch. The phone rings. It’s Will.
Will: Hey, partner, did I wake you?
Ben: No, it’s alright, Will.
Will: Where’s Max?
Ben: He didn’t show.
Will: No, he’s not here.
Ben hangs up, frustration getting ready to boil into anger. He goes up to Max’s room, but Max’s bed is empty. There’s only a guitar lying on the bed. Ben’s sigh is a mixture of frustration and worry.
BLACK
Act V
Establishing shot:
Exterior, Morgan house, Day.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan kitchen, Day:
Em and Daisy are sitting at the kitchen island. Em looks worried, Daisy looks ill. Ben is pacing behind them.
Ben: So the last time you saw Max was after the fight, and then you left without him. Why?
Em: Don’t “cop” me, okay? I told you Daisy wasn’t feeling well.
Ben: Oooh, I got a pretty good idea of what Daisy was feeling. (He moves to lean in behind Daisy) You’re grounded. Violation of curfew and suspicion of intoxication.
Daisy: (holding an aching head) Dad . . .
Charlotte: (hanging up the phone, worried) Maggie’s not answering. (But thinking positively) They’re fine. He’s gonna walk through that door any minute. (She sits on a stool at the side of the island.)
Ben: You better hope he doesn’t.
Em: It’s our fault. We’re the ones who invited Maggie and kept Max out.
Ben: That doesn’t explain why he didn’t show up for his job or pick up a damn telephone!
Charlotte: Ben, calm down. I just got my son back.
Cut to:
Establishing shot, City, Day. Probably Maggie’s apartment building.
Cut to:
Interior, Maggie’s bedroom, Morning:
Maggie is just getting in from her night out, and she’s very happy, content. Smiling widely to herself. She flops down on her bed.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan kitchen, Day:
The family is all pensive and worried. There’s a knock at the door. Charlotte goes to answer it. It’s Jonathan, who asks that she just hear him out.
Cut to:
Exterior, Morgan patio, Day.
Charlotte leads Jon onto the patio so they can talk in private. They each want to talk, but Charlotte insists on speaking first. “While your method was horrible and insensitive, you made your point,” she says. “I am who I am because of what happened to Jake.” She rehires Jonathan.
Which is actually what he came to tell her—Owen gave him his job back. But before Charlotte blows a fuse, Jonathan says she’s amazing, not because she’s a Foster or has a dead son and can continue to function, but because she’s smart, capable, and sane, and she really should be in office. But most people who should be in office are too smart to run for office, which makes his job mostly depressing. “You are a rare find, Charlotte,” he says. “And I want to make you mayor.”
Cut to:
Interior, Kitchen, Day:
Charlotte re-enters, and just as Ben is asking her what that was all about, Max comes in.
Max tries for a pre-emptive strike of sorts, confessing before he can be accused.
Max: Dad, I know, I wanted to make it, I did, and I’ll call, I’ll apologize, whatever it takes, but there was a friend in trouble.
Ben: Maggie.
Max has that “busted” look on his face.
Max: (firmly, unapologetic, he’s just nervously confirming the facts) Yes.
He knows he’s in for a reprimand. He closes up, waiting for what is to come.
Instead, Ben takes hold of Max’s chin, angling his face to look at the scrape. Then Ben turns toward the fridge and opens it.
Ben: We held breakfast for you. How do you want your eggs?
The ladies are happy with this turn of events: Em smiles, Daisy looks nonplussed, Charlotte is relieved.
Max: Got any waffles?
Ben: Don’t push it.
(pause) The kids (particularly the girls) starts talking over each other.
Em: So? You gonna tell us what happened?
Daisy: What happened?
Max: Those guys came after us and we hid in the bushes all night.
Em: Nooo!
Daisy: Are you kidding?
The girls start laughing.
Max: They wouldn’t leave. They just kept driving and driving. (He starts to smile at the story, too.)
At the counter, Ben and Charlotte are smiling at the story, too. Charlotte rubs Ben on the shoulder fondly. Their family is together and safe.
Daisy: We thought you were---[the next part of the line is too low to hear]. You had bushes in your butt?
Max: (growing serious again) Don’t laugh. It’s not funny. What were you guys thinking?
Em shrugs.
Em: Just that there was unfinished business.
The girls burst out laughing again, and Max smiles, looks to his parents, shaking his head like he can’t believe he’s related to these two nutjobs.
Wipe to:
Exterior, Pier, Day:
Gid and Em taking a walk at the pier. Gid says he’s glad Em called. Getting the brush-off over a cell phone lacks closure.
Em apologizes and tells him that she has a strong impulse to destroy anything that might be good for her. Gid makes note. “You think I might be good for you?” he asks. “I’m willing to explore the possibility,” she says. “If you don’t mind being my first post-traumatic guinea pig.” Gid doesn’t want to push her, but Em says it’s time for her to start living. They kiss tenderly.
Cut to:
Interior, Max’s bedroom, Day:
He’s wearing another button-down shirt—this one actually buttoned—that has a strong, almost cabernet/magenta red stripe pattern to it. He’s calling Maggie.
Max: Hey! It’s me. I’m just calling to see if we’re still on for tonight.
Cut to Maggie lying on her bed, phone to her ear.
Maggie: As long as we stay out of bars.
Max: Done. I’ll meet you at six. (He’s smiling, definitely looking forward to the evening.)
Maggie hangs up, sighs contentedly, and closes her eyes. She then gets up and goes to her dresser, pulling out a sweater. When she turns around, Jake swoops her into his arms.
Jake: I got off early.
Maggie: I can see that.
He teases her about her taste in clothes, calling the sweater ugly. She’s giggling, and he maneuvers her onto the bed.
Maggie: Alright, smart ass, what would you have me wear?
Jake: (considers) Pearls.
Maggie: And?
Jake: And that’s it.
Maggie laughs.
Maggie: You really hate my clothes?
Jake: As obstacles, yes.
Maggie: Let me help you then. (And she starts to unzip the sweater top she’s wearing.)
Jake: I would do anything for you.
Maggie: I know.
Jake: I love you so much.
He leans in for a passionate kiss.
Jake: Tell me you love me—
—Maggie startles awake. It was a dream. She sits up, upset, and goes to her dresser. The ring is sitting out on top of its box in front of the pic of her and Jake.
VOJ: Don’t put that ring away, Maggie. I’m still here.
Dissolve to:
Exterior, Movie house, Night:
Establishing shot of the theater blade and marquee, then the camera cranes down to find Max, wearing his brown suede jacket, waiting outside the theater, checking his watch. It is raining.
VOJ: She’s not coming, Max.
Max sighs. Waiting, but not hopeful.
Final long shot of the front of the theater, no one on the sidewalk out front except one lone figure—Max, waiting.
VOJ: She’s still my girl.
BLACK
End credits
Act III
Interior, Morgan dining area (with kitchen in the background), Evening:
The family is just finishing up dinner. Max—now attired in a dark blue-toned striped button-down overshirt over a dark t-shirt—is at the sink washing dishes. Mom is serving coffee. Dad sits at the head of the table, Daisy to his left, Em next to Daisy.
Ben: Emily, what a meal. You do have a gift.
Charlotte: I wish you’d take these classes again.
Em: (shrugging, she’s definitely got someplace to be) Maybe, yeah.
Daisy: (after checking her watch) You know what? We’re gonna have to go, ‘cause we’re gonna miss the thing. Max!
Mom: What thing?
Em: (as if she’s making it up on the fly) We’re seeing a band.
Dad: (to Max) You know you’ve got to get up early for that job in the morning, don’t forget.
Max: (to Dad) Yeah, I know. (To his sisters) So we’ll be late.
Em & Daisy (in chorus): No!
Max: (Is that a note of suspicion in his voice?) What’s the big deal?
Mom: (definitely a note of suspicion in her voice) Yeah, what’s the big deal?
Em: Daisy has a crush on the drummer. She wants make sure her panties are the first on stage.
Dad: (concern that he heard what he thought he just heard) Excuse me?
Daisy: (grabbing her glass and taking it to the sink) I love him. (to Max) C’mon.
Mom: I thought you loved Joe Hipps.
Em: So last week, Mom. (Em takes her glass to the sink. Her tone says it’s time to go!) Max!
Max: What? Yes. I’ve gotta get my coat. (Max exits the scene.)
Mom: (calling the girls over with the Mom summoning finger) Girls. What are you doing?
Daisy: (like she’s got no idea what Mom is talking about) Nothing. Just hanging out with our brother.
Mom: Well this better not have anything to do with that Max and Maggie business. I told you he’s already been through enough with her.
Dad: (definitely suspicious) What Max and Maggie business?
Em: Mom. I’m on your side. I thought it was a dumbass idea, remember? Let’s roll. (She pushes Daisy toward the front hall.)
Daisy plays an over-exaggerated shove.
Daisy & Em: Bye!
Mom: (to their retreating backs) I want Daisy back in the house by 12:30!
Mom and Dad are left alone at the dinner table.
Dad: What Max and Maggie business?
Mom handwaves it off.
Cut to:
Establishing shot of the city at night . . . Bridge over water in foreground, city skyline in background.
Cut to closer establishing shot of overview of city at night.
Cut to exterior bar/tavern, night.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Em, Max, Daisy, and Maggie are all sitting together in a conversation-friendly arrangement of short, cushy couches. Music plays in the background. The foursome all look very awkward.
Daisy: You guys, this is so funny. When Emily asked Max along we totally spaced that we were meeting you here.
Maggie: (sitting with her arms crossed. Her body language is very closed.) You called to ask me a couple hours ago. That’s like Alzheimer’s.
Daisy: I know. What cadets, huh.
An awkward pause.
Maggie: You know, I’m leaving. (She gets up to go.)
Daisy: (practically grabbing Maggie by the arm) No, you can’t.
Em: (quickly, thinking fast) We paid for drinks. We’ll go see what’s holding them up.
Em and Daisy leave to check on the drinks, leaving Max and Maggie by themselves. (For those of you keeping score, Max is wearing a sandy-tan shearling-lined coat right now.)
Maggie: (crossing her arms again) Were you in on this?
Max: (leaning forward, elbows on knees, rubbing his hands together for something to do. His tone is good-natured and un-accusing) Yeah, I thought that letting my crazy sisters ambush you into a blind date would really smooth things over. You don’t have to stay. You can go if you want.
Maggie: (settling in, but with arms still crossed) No. I want my drink. You go.
Majorly awkward silence as neither will look at the other.
At the bar, Daisy and Em watch them from across the room.
Daisy: They’re furious.
Em: (mischievous grin) Then why haven’t they bailed?
Cut to Max and Maggie. Max heaves one of his puffy-cheeked sighs and settles back, crossing his arms and stretching out and crossing his legs. Maggie, too, sits cross-armed and with crossed legs pulled in. Oh, yeah. This is a fun night.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan living room, Evening:
Charlotte is giving her first interview. Jonathan and Owen are present.
The lady interviewer starts out with a question about why Charlotte is running for mayor. “As a mother—” Charlotte begins, but Jonathan cuts her off. Motherhood deals with her family. “I’m just doing my job,” Jonathan says. Charlotte silently concedes the point, smiling and returning her attention to the interviewer. The woman asks about public safety as an issue, but Jonathan jumps in and says he thinks he knows where this is going, and they’re downplaying the personal. As the interviewer points out that this is supposed to be a human interest piece, Charlotte gives her dad, sitting in the corner, the stink eye. Jonathan tells the interviewer to focus more on the “interest” and less on the “human,” and suggests Charlotte’s views on the city budget as a topic. The interviewer smiles in that way that covers up the urge to cuff someone upside the head.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Max and Maggie are having their drinks. Max has taken his coat off, Maggie has not removed hers.
Maggie: (eyeing her drink) Great. My Coke has bourbon in it. So the girls’ plan is to get me drunk, [I'll] fall into your arms, and everything is love and puppies.
Max: They’re working on the time machine thing, but this seemed more realistic.
Maggie: I’m glad you think this is funny.
Max: It’s stupid. I mean, it’s kind of sweet in a twisted way. They’re just trying to make us happy.
Maggie: When did we ever make each other happy? I mean really?
Max: (with the courage to look her in the eye, though slightly from the side) You were the only thing that ever did. Make me completely happy.
Maggie doesn’t know what to do with this information.
Maggie: I can’t do this. (And she gets up and leaves.)
At the bar, Em has been watching.
Em: Uh-oh. Maggie’s leaving.
Daisy turns from the bar with a pink drink in her hand. Pineapple and a martini glass are involved.
Em: But she left her purse.
Daisy: Well maybe she went to the bathroom.
Em notices the drink.
Em: Daisy, where did you get that?
Daisy: (with a smile) A guy bought it for me. (Off Em’s reaction) What? I’m stressing.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan front hall, After the interview:
Charlotte sees the interviewer out, thanking her for her time and apologizing for the difficulty of the situation. Then she turns to her father to lay into him. Owen thinks Charlotte is hamstringing herself by refusing to talk about her personal life.
Jon: You don’t want to talk about your family, you want to talk about yourself. You are your family. Jake is the whole reason you got into this campaign.
Charlotte: Yes. And maybe that boy wouldn’t have hurt my son if he’d had a better chance in this world, but I’m not going to—
Owen: Now you’re talking! That’s your campaign.
Charlotte: That’s my life! Yours, too. I can’t believe you want this race so badly that you would sell Jake’s memory for it.
She is not going to let herself be ripped open every day just so her father can get back into public life. Jon says that he doesn’t care if she hasn’t dealt with the death of her kid, they can fake it, work up some platitudes.
Charlotte fires Jonathan.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Max is sitting alone texting someone. Em comes over and sits down.
Em: What are you doing with my phone?
Max: Some guy named Gideon just instant messaged you?
Em grabs the phone from Max, sits down opposite, and slumps back into couch as she reads the text.
Em: “Gideon, call me hot, horny, and ready”?!? You sent that??? (She kicks Max in the side of his thigh.)
Max: Payback’s a bitch. Who’s Gideon?
Em: I’m sure it’s doomed. He’s too nice for me.
Max: So he’s your latest victim? You’re trying to help me with my love life? Greeaat. (Max grabs his coat to leave.)
Em: Where’re you going? (She sits up, alarmed.)
Max: I’ve gotta get some sleep for that job tomorrow. Besides Maggie’s—
Em: (almost desperately) No, stay. I need to talk.
Max: About what?
Em: I found Jake’s journal.
Max flashes a perplexed look.
Max: Why didn’t you tell me?
Em: I don’t know. It just seemed too weird, you know?
Max: What does it say?
Em: Just boring stuff. Did you know Jake recorded all his expenditures? I haven’t read very much.
Max: You’ve gotta give that to Dad, Em. I mean there could be something in there, something to help the case, you know?
Em slumps back.
Max: Seriously. Tomorrow.
Em: (nodding agreement) Okay.
Cut to:
Interior, Police station office, Night:
Ben is checking in with his captain (I assume it’s his captain, or superior in some capacity). Says his wife has a thing tonight, so he’s staying late, catching up on paperwork, and the case . . . Jake’s case.
Carl: Not much to catch up on. Not lately.
Ben: I know. There’s got to be more we can do.
Carl: We’ve been over this, Ben. We’ve grilled everyone in the neighborhood. We turned the place upside down for a weapon.
Ben: We haven’t had a tail on Eddie Marble for over a month.
Carl: We watched him for almost a year.
Ben: We can’t just quit. C’mon, we put him in Jake’s neighborhood, what, how many times? There’s gotta be more going on. I just know it.
Carl: I’m sorry, Ben, but even for one of our own, I can’t justify the surveillance expense, not anymore.
Ben: Let me sit on him. On my own time.
Carl: I can’t do that, you know it. You get too close to that kid—
Ben: Look, give me something, damn it! Something!
Ben’s defeated, Carl looks sympathetic. Ben sinks into the visitor’s chair facing Carl across the desk.
Ben: My kid was here today, started asking me about the case, about the progress we were making. I had nothing to tell him.
Carl: (after a pause of consideration) Forget the paperwork. Why don’t you go home.
Ben: Yeah (Ben sighs and rises to leave.)
Carl: It’ll take a few days to get approval, then we’ll get another tail started on Eddie.
Ben nods his appreciation.
Cut to:
Interior, Bar, Night:
Em and Daisy are leaning back against the bar, looking dejected. They’ve probably got Max in their line of sight, but that’s just a guess on my part. Daisy is on at least her second drink (this one is clear, but still with the pineapple and the martini glass).
Daisy: It’s over. We suck as matchmakers. Of course my big romance was Joe Hipps, and you run from love like a little bunny, so really, it’s no big surprise, right?
Em rolls her eyes and turns back to the bar. Daisy gets an idea!
Daisy: (eyes wide) Idea! (And she hops off her bar stool and dashes off.)
Cut to:
Max giving something to a blonde chick in a red top. “Thanks,” he says as he pays the waitress.
Maggie, having removed her coat, now showing a lovely blue v-neck, sleeveless blouse with a gather just below the center of the bust line (yes, I like the blouse, why do you ask?), works her way back toward where Max is standing.
Maggie: Lame dramatic exit, huh. I forgot my purse. (She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. Pauses.) You did make me happy.
Music begins to play, and both Max and Maggie recognize the song, a slightly up-tempo, kinda jazzy/R&B love song.
Max: (exasperated) Daisy . . . They don’t give up, do they?
Maggie smiles. A well-built, dark haired guy is eyeing Maggie in the background.
Maggie: I love this song.
Max: Yeah, I do, too. It holds up. You know it would.
Maggie: (with a soft laugh) Max . . .
Dark haired jock frat boy who’s been eyeing Maggie decides to make a move. He leans in, all suave and slick.
Frat Boy: Yo. You wanna dance, or are you with him (tipping his head toward Max)?
Max: (no non-sense) She’s with me.
Frat Boy backs off.
Max: (to Maggie) So? (He nods toward the dance floor). Come on. It’ll make my sisters crazy. Let’s humor ‘em.
Max leads Maggie to the dance floor. Based on this particular sequence, I’m guessing that Jensen is a fairly good dancer, and that I, since I do so love to dance, would probably enjoy dancing with him. You know, in the right place at the right time.
Em contemplates them from her place at the bar.
Max waves acknowledgement to someone off-screen, I’m guessing Daisy.
After a few moments, their dancing slows and they’re just breathing each other in. Max is drinking her in with his eyes, and she can’t look at him.
Max: This feels right, Maggie.
Maggie: Okay, Max. That’s enough humoring. (And she leaves quickly, grabbing her coat and purse, and leaving Max on the dance floor.)
Daisy rushes to Max and asks desperately:
Daisy: What happened?
Max: I’m leaving.
And he picks up his coat and puts it on. He sees Frat Boy hitting on Maggie and moves to intervene as Daisy scrambles behind, collecting her and Em’s things.
Frat Boy: You’re a creature, you know that? What’s up?
Maggie is pushing him off, but he can’t take a hint. He’s obviously been drinking.
Max: (pushing Frat Boy away. He’s not happy, lips pressed together, danger in his eye) What’re you doing, man?
Maggie: Max . . .
Frat Boy: Max. She was leaving you in the dust, Max. It’s open season. You’re history, man. She doesn’t want you.
Maggie grabs Max by the wrist and tries to pull him away.
Maggie: Come on.
Frat Boy: (shoves Max in the shoulder) What’s up, man? Where’re you goin’? I still gotta steal your girlfriend.
Without a word, Max swings, landing a hard right to the guy’s jaw. The punch is hard enough to down the dude. One of Frat Boy’s buddies grabs at Max, and Max lands a solid punch on him, too. Before long, all of Frat Boy’s buddies are in on it, and it’s at least 6-on-1 as Max goes down under an onslaught of fists.
Em and Daisy look on, horrified.
BLACK
Act IV
Exterior, Bar sidewalk, Night:
Frat boys and Max are being tossed out by the bar bouncers. Burly dudes are trying to keep Frat Boy and Max from going at each other again, shoving them in opposite directions.
Frat Boy: I’m not done with you!
Max: Yeah? Why don’t you say it when your friends aren’t around? Huh?
Bouncers (to FB and/or Max): Get goin’ man. I don’t want to see y’all around here again.
Frat Boy: (still being held back by big dudes, he’s being pulled across the street and still posturing) Yo! You and me, man! I’ll pound you! S’up?
A bouncer shoves Max back toward the sidewalk where Maggie, Em, and Daisy are waiting.
Maggie reaches out to him, calming, Em is worried, and Daisy is stoked (in more ways than one), and Max is calming down off his adrenaline.
Daisy: (laughing. She’s pumped) That was so awesome! Let’s go kick some more ass!
Max: (to Em) Is she drunk?
Em: (ignoring the question) That was really screwed up.
Max: I had it covered.
Em: Oh, was that when you had the guy’s fist in your face, or when you were twenty deep in a pile of frat boys?
Max: (turns his back and starts down the sidewalk) Whatever, Em.
Em: (following, she’s angry and ready to tear into him) No! You always have to be the big man, doncha? Throw the first punch. You know, I lost one brother. If you die over something stupid like this, I will kill you!
Daisy: Does anyone else see the irony?
Em: Shut up, Daisy. (To Max) We’re going home. (She pushes Daisy toward a taxi and crosses to get in the opposite door. As a parting blow, to Max) Something is seriously wrong with you! (To Daisy) Get in the-----car. (No, a word isn’t actually there, but you could tell Audrey Marie wanted to say it.)
Max and Maggie are left standing on the sidewalk. Max has a scrape on his right cheekbone that is bleeding, and Maggie reaches for it tentatively as Max walks away.
Cut to:
Interior, Cab, Night:
Daisy is leaning against the door, watching the scenery pass.
Em’s phone rings. It’s Gideon. “Is this Hot, Horny, and Ready?” he asks when she picks up. “Yes. No,” Em says. She tells him she’s not going to be able to make their date. Why not?
Em: Because there’s no way this can work. I bring nothing but chaos and disaster.
Gid: You can’t be that bad.
Em: I spent the night trying to hook Max up with Jake’s ex, who is also Max’s ex, because I’m hoping she’ll keep him from skipping town again and so, Max tries to kill himself by starting a bar fight, and my baby sister goes on her first bender. Which is all highly typical, by the way.
Gid says, so her family is nuts. That’s not her.
Em: Think about where you met me, Gid. Apple, tree?
Gid: Okay, you’re trouble. Now when can I see you again?
Em: You know, just do yourself a favor and let’s say “never.”
She hangs up.
Daisy looks at Em appraisingly.
Em: What?
Daisy: (turning back to the window) Run, little bunny.
Em: As if you know what’s going on.
Daisy: You have no idea. You’re looking for any dumb excuse to blow this guy off. It’s not going to feel right, if that’s what you’re waiting for.
Em: And you know this how, love cripple?
Daisy: (laughing) I am. You’re right. I am. We all are. You, me, Max. We all got crippled. You know, you might get hurt again, but you’re alive. You have to live.
Cut to:
Exterior, Sidewalk, Night:
Max and Maggie are walking down the street.
Maggie: We should probably get a cab up here.
Off Screen Voice: There he is!
A green open-topped Ford Bronco screeches up to the curb, blocking Max and Maggie’s way. It’s the Frat Boys spoiling for another fight, only this time they’re in a 1-ton motorized weapon.
Max: Maggie, go! Run!
And they take off around the corner down an alley, trying to outrun on foot these thugs in their Bronco. The Bronco turns around and chases them.
Max and Maggie dash into a green area, like a park, and duck behind a bush as the Bronco drives past them, Frat Boy scanning the darkness, looking for his victims.
Cut to:
Interior, Ben and Charlotte’s bedroom, Night:
Ben is getting home late; Charlotte is already in bed. Charlotte isn’t asleep; the kids aren’t home yet. She tells Ben about the interview and firing her campaign manager. She didn’t want to talk about Jake publicly. What does it have to do with her running for mayor, anyway?
Ben: Nothing, really. Except it’s the reason you decided to run.
Charlotte can’t believe Ben is siding with her father on something. Ben’s not siding with anybody.
Ben: Max asked me about Jake’s case today. I got mad. Like he was accusing me of something. Not doing my job.
Charlotte: I’m sure that’s not—
Ben: He was right. I haven’t been riding the case like I was before. I just haven’t been able to face it.
C: That’s okay. You took a break.
B: No, it wasn’t that. I’ve been trying to make things like they were before, and that’s just not gonna work. I mean, this is where we are. We’re not going to be able to deal with this at home and just forget about it at work. You can say what you want, Charl, I just don’t think you can help other people with their pain till you can admit your own.
Cut to:
Exterior, Park, Night:
The frat boys are cruising the park, looking for Max and Maggie. “If they’re here, I’m gonna kick his ass,” says one of them as they drive past Max and Maggie’s hiding place.
Maggie: Who knew a bunch of drunk guys could have such an attention span.
She starts to laugh.
Max: What?
Maggie: Typical Max night.
Max: (with a smile) C’mon. That’s not fair. (Then he nods in concession) It’s a little fair.
Maggie: Tonight’s the first night I’ve been out like this.
Max: Seriously?
Mag: It’s been hard. He’s in my dreams, too. All the time. Can you sleep?
Max: Yeah, most of the time.
Mag: I’d do anything for a night’s sleep. Just a few solid hours.
Max: I’m sorry. I wish there was something I could do.
Maggie: That’s okay. It’s good to talk. (pause) So how’s it been, being home?
Max: Weird. I mean, I miss this place, you know? I miss my family, but . . . It’s just really tense. Me, uh, running away like that didn’t do too much to help my rep as a screw-up, especially with my dad.
Maggie: (nudges him in the shoulder with her shoulder) Stop screwing up.
Max: Yeah, that’s one way to go.
Mag: I’m serious, Max. You’ve always been able to do anything you set your mind to. It’s like you don’t want to give your dad the satisfaction.
Max: Actually, this job he got me is pretty cool. You know, for now.
Maggie: What time do you have to be there?
Max: Well if these idiots ever leave, 4 AM.
Maggie: So do it. Take the easy road for once.
Max: Alright. If you promise to get out more.
Maggie: Fair enough.
Max: Really. Tomorrow night. We’ll catch a movie.
Maggie: Okay.
BLUE WASH and dissolve to:
Interior, Morgan TV room, Night:
Ben is watching Eddie Marble’s interrogation on tape.
VOJ tells us he hopes Eddie never talks.
Eddie tells the interrogator that he was just walking, wasn’t going anywhere in particular. When asked if he heard the gunshots, he says he doesn’t know. He seems kind of out of it.
Cut to:
Exterior, Park, Night/Early morning:
Max and Maggie are still hiding, and she has fallen asleep against his shoulder. He checks his watch: 3:30.
Max: Alright, I gotta go if I’m gonna make it on time. I think those guys are long gone.
He shifts a little and sees that she’s asleep.
Max: Maggie?
She shifts and snuggles closer to him. He sits quietly, considering his options. Then he wraps his arms around her and settles in for the duration.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan TV room, Night/Early morning:
Ben is asleep on the couch. The phone rings. It’s Will.
Will: Hey, partner, did I wake you?
Ben: No, it’s alright, Will.
Will: Where’s Max?
Ben: He didn’t show.
Will: No, he’s not here.
Ben hangs up, frustration getting ready to boil into anger. He goes up to Max’s room, but Max’s bed is empty. There’s only a guitar lying on the bed. Ben’s sigh is a mixture of frustration and worry.
BLACK
Act V
Establishing shot:
Exterior, Morgan house, Day.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan kitchen, Day:
Em and Daisy are sitting at the kitchen island. Em looks worried, Daisy looks ill. Ben is pacing behind them.
Ben: So the last time you saw Max was after the fight, and then you left without him. Why?
Em: Don’t “cop” me, okay? I told you Daisy wasn’t feeling well.
Ben: Oooh, I got a pretty good idea of what Daisy was feeling. (He moves to lean in behind Daisy) You’re grounded. Violation of curfew and suspicion of intoxication.
Daisy: (holding an aching head) Dad . . .
Charlotte: (hanging up the phone, worried) Maggie’s not answering. (But thinking positively) They’re fine. He’s gonna walk through that door any minute. (She sits on a stool at the side of the island.)
Ben: You better hope he doesn’t.
Em: It’s our fault. We’re the ones who invited Maggie and kept Max out.
Ben: That doesn’t explain why he didn’t show up for his job or pick up a damn telephone!
Charlotte: Ben, calm down. I just got my son back.
Cut to:
Establishing shot, City, Day. Probably Maggie’s apartment building.
Cut to:
Interior, Maggie’s bedroom, Morning:
Maggie is just getting in from her night out, and she’s very happy, content. Smiling widely to herself. She flops down on her bed.
Cut to:
Interior, Morgan kitchen, Day:
The family is all pensive and worried. There’s a knock at the door. Charlotte goes to answer it. It’s Jonathan, who asks that she just hear him out.
Cut to:
Exterior, Morgan patio, Day.
Charlotte leads Jon onto the patio so they can talk in private. They each want to talk, but Charlotte insists on speaking first. “While your method was horrible and insensitive, you made your point,” she says. “I am who I am because of what happened to Jake.” She rehires Jonathan.
Which is actually what he came to tell her—Owen gave him his job back. But before Charlotte blows a fuse, Jonathan says she’s amazing, not because she’s a Foster or has a dead son and can continue to function, but because she’s smart, capable, and sane, and she really should be in office. But most people who should be in office are too smart to run for office, which makes his job mostly depressing. “You are a rare find, Charlotte,” he says. “And I want to make you mayor.”
Cut to:
Interior, Kitchen, Day:
Charlotte re-enters, and just as Ben is asking her what that was all about, Max comes in.
Max tries for a pre-emptive strike of sorts, confessing before he can be accused.
Max: Dad, I know, I wanted to make it, I did, and I’ll call, I’ll apologize, whatever it takes, but there was a friend in trouble.
Ben: Maggie.
Max has that “busted” look on his face.
Max: (firmly, unapologetic, he’s just nervously confirming the facts) Yes.
He knows he’s in for a reprimand. He closes up, waiting for what is to come.
Instead, Ben takes hold of Max’s chin, angling his face to look at the scrape. Then Ben turns toward the fridge and opens it.
Ben: We held breakfast for you. How do you want your eggs?
The ladies are happy with this turn of events: Em smiles, Daisy looks nonplussed, Charlotte is relieved.
Max: Got any waffles?
Ben: Don’t push it.
(pause) The kids (particularly the girls) starts talking over each other.
Em: So? You gonna tell us what happened?
Daisy: What happened?
Max: Those guys came after us and we hid in the bushes all night.
Em: Nooo!
Daisy: Are you kidding?
The girls start laughing.
Max: They wouldn’t leave. They just kept driving and driving. (He starts to smile at the story, too.)
At the counter, Ben and Charlotte are smiling at the story, too. Charlotte rubs Ben on the shoulder fondly. Their family is together and safe.
Daisy: We thought you were---[the next part of the line is too low to hear]. You had bushes in your butt?
Max: (growing serious again) Don’t laugh. It’s not funny. What were you guys thinking?
Em shrugs.
Em: Just that there was unfinished business.
The girls burst out laughing again, and Max smiles, looks to his parents, shaking his head like he can’t believe he’s related to these two nutjobs.
Wipe to:
Exterior, Pier, Day:
Gid and Em taking a walk at the pier. Gid says he’s glad Em called. Getting the brush-off over a cell phone lacks closure.
Em apologizes and tells him that she has a strong impulse to destroy anything that might be good for her. Gid makes note. “You think I might be good for you?” he asks. “I’m willing to explore the possibility,” she says. “If you don’t mind being my first post-traumatic guinea pig.” Gid doesn’t want to push her, but Em says it’s time for her to start living. They kiss tenderly.
Cut to:
Interior, Max’s bedroom, Day:
He’s wearing another button-down shirt—this one actually buttoned—that has a strong, almost cabernet/magenta red stripe pattern to it. He’s calling Maggie.
Max: Hey! It’s me. I’m just calling to see if we’re still on for tonight.
Cut to Maggie lying on her bed, phone to her ear.
Maggie: As long as we stay out of bars.
Max: Done. I’ll meet you at six. (He’s smiling, definitely looking forward to the evening.)
Maggie hangs up, sighs contentedly, and closes her eyes. She then gets up and goes to her dresser, pulling out a sweater. When she turns around, Jake swoops her into his arms.
Jake: I got off early.
Maggie: I can see that.
He teases her about her taste in clothes, calling the sweater ugly. She’s giggling, and he maneuvers her onto the bed.
Maggie: Alright, smart ass, what would you have me wear?
Jake: (considers) Pearls.
Maggie: And?
Jake: And that’s it.
Maggie laughs.
Maggie: You really hate my clothes?
Jake: As obstacles, yes.
Maggie: Let me help you then. (And she starts to unzip the sweater top she’s wearing.)
Jake: I would do anything for you.
Maggie: I know.
Jake: I love you so much.
He leans in for a passionate kiss.
Jake: Tell me you love me—
—Maggie startles awake. It was a dream. She sits up, upset, and goes to her dresser. The ring is sitting out on top of its box in front of the pic of her and Jake.
VOJ: Don’t put that ring away, Maggie. I’m still here.
Dissolve to:
Exterior, Movie house, Night:
Establishing shot of the theater blade and marquee, then the camera cranes down to find Max, wearing his brown suede jacket, waiting outside the theater, checking his watch. It is raining.
VOJ: She’s not coming, Max.
Max sighs. Waiting, but not hopeful.
Final long shot of the front of the theater, no one on the sidewalk out front except one lone figure—Max, waiting.
VOJ: She’s still my girl.
BLACK
End credits
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Jensen dancing? I would love to see that scene!
Final long shot of the front of the theater, no one on the sidewalk out front except one lone figure—Max, waiting.
Oh, how sad.
Thank you for these transcripts. They are very much appreciated.
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Thanks again. :-)
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In my house, Daisy would be so dead.
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Yes, of the siblings, Daisy is my least favorite. That could be because they never got the chance to really flesh out her relationships with her sibs--particularly Max--but she does seem to need a firm hand from someone.
It's no secret that of the siblings, I like the Max/Emily dynamic the best. Jensen and Audrey just play really well together.
ETA: (I can't believe I forgot) Thank you for commenting. I really appreciate confirmation that people are reading and enjoying. :-) )
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I knew this was going to take a lot of time, which is why I wanted to break it up into three sessions this week, alas. But you're very welcome. I'm glad you're still enjoying it (and that you're continuing to give me feedback).
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Probably won't get one posted this week, but I'll definitely work toward posting next week.