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TRANSCRIPT:
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Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—after hours
Alvin steps off the elevator, walks to his office—in the dark—to retrieve his briefcase. As he is leaving, he hears the scuff of a piece of furniture on the floor and halts, listening, then grabs the metal beaker from his espresso machine and starts for the meeting room, cautiously. As he nears the room, he hears an erotic moan and the table squeaking. He opens the door, flicks on the light, and stares for a second.
Lulu: (Off camera) Oh, my God!
Nick: (Off camera) Hey, Alvin.
Alvin flicks off the light and then quickly back-peddles.
Alvin: Sorry. Sorry. I, uh… I didn't see anything. Uhm… when you're done, just, uh… lock the door and, uh… set the alarm.
Alvin calls for the elevator and when he gets on it, realizes he's still holding the beaker. Nick comes to the door of the meeting room and peeks out, zipping his pants—his shirt, untucked and partially open.
Nick: He's gone.
Lulu comes to the door—smoothing her skirt down—sighs.
Lulu: I can't believe I let you talk me into this.
She turns away—Nick grins mischievously.
Scene: Finster residence
Jake: (Looking at a picture of a run-down cabin.) The inspection report is pretty grim. You need a new roof; the septic tank is 40 years old, dock needs to be rebuilt.
Mr. Finster: So then you're not buying our cabin?
Jake: Well, take off 5 for the roof, 7 for the septic tank and 6 for the dock—6 is cheap for the dock. 41,000.
Mr. Finster: 41?! Hell, we're asking 59!
Jake: Mr. Finster, this cabin is a huge liability. If a building inspector were to see it, you'd have to pay to tear it down.
Mr. Finster: 41,000?
Mrs. Finster: We were hoping to buy a Winnebago with that money.
Jake: But you're getting rid of a public hazard. You can walk away from this with no worries.
Mr. Finster: (Sighs) Edna? (She nods—he looks at Jake and nods, then stands)
Jake: (Stands and shakes hands) Okay. Glad I could help you out, Mr. Finster.
Mrs. Finster: (As Jake leaves) Always hated that place.
Scene: Hetherington residence—evening—classical music plays in the background
Liz: (Calls out) Jeremy? Shannon? Dinner. (To Burton) Her mother was, you were saying, some kind of a go-go dancer?
Burton: Uh, she was a stripper.
Liz: And what happened to her?
Burton: She died. Cocaine overdose.
Liz: And her father?
Burton: Father doesn't seem to be interested in her.
Liz: That's sad. So sad.
Burton: And God knows what she's been through.
Liz: I think what you're doing—becoming a foster parent—I think it's pretty remarkable, Burton.
Burton: I think it's important she have some sense of family and… might be good if you and Jeremy could spend some time with her.
Liz: 'Course.
Burton: Be good.
Liz: It'll be nice for Jeremy to have a friend.
Shannon appears on the stairs—smiling.
Shannon: Burton. Jeremy wants to show you guys something.
Liz: What?
Shannon: He just wants to show you something.
Burton and Liz look at each other then follow Shannon upstairs to Jeremy's room. Door has a sign on it: KEEP OUT Authorized personnel only.
Shannon: Ready?
With fanfare, she opens the door and flicks on the lights—laughs. Jeremy is hanging, by his neck, from the ceiling.
Liz: That's not funny, Jeremy! Get down from there! Damn it! I'm getting tired of this!
Burton is aghast—finally realizes the seriousness of it.
Burton: Liz. Get a knife, Liz. (Rushes to Jeremy) Get a knife! Go! Go! Go! (Grabs Jeremy around the legs to loosen the tension on the rope) Go! Go! Get a knife! Shannon, pull that chair up. Put it under his feet.
Scene: Pittsburgh General Hospital—waiting area
Liz: He's constantly challenging my authority. It's like we're at war.
Burton: Well, he's 15.
Liz: He won't talk to me at all, most of the time. I mean, he keeps accusing me of spying on him.
Burton: He's 15, Liz.
Liz: It's not the first time he's done this kind of thing, either. And, he's obsessed with the Appalachian Trail. I mean, every wall in his room is covered with maps and photos. And he keeps asking me if he can walk it—alone. This summer—alone. Don't you find that strange?
Burton: Maybe you ought to sign him up for that, uh, Outward Bound.
Liz: He doesn't like groups.
Doctor: (Appears) Liz Hetherington?
Liz: Right here.
Doctor: May I have a moment?
Burton: Liz. (Turns aside and whispers to her) This doctor's gonna ask you if he's ever done anything like this before.
Liz: So?
Burton: So, if you tell her this was a suicide attempt as opposed to a prank, she's gonna commit him for psychiatric testing. D'you understand?
Liz: Yeah. Thank you. (Goes with doctor)
Burton: Shannon?
Shannon: Yeah?
Burton: This was a 'joke', right?
Shannon: That's what he said. He was just showing off. I think he kinda likes me, is all.
Burton: What?
Shannon: He was just showing off. Okay?
Burton: Well, that's a helluva way to impress a girl.
Scene: The Incline
Nick and Lulu having dinner.
Lulu: (Sighs) I can't believe that Alvin saw us. I mean, I just… I really can't believe it. He's gonna use it against me for the rest of my life.
Nick: Maybe.
Lulu: Damn it! You know what?
Nick: Mm. Lulu. Lulu. Alvin's all right.
Lulu: No, he's not.
Nick: Listen, the guy got busted getting a happy ending at a massage parlor. You were understanding.
Lulu: No, I wasn't. And, this doesn't even compare to that, Nick. (Shakes his head and grins) You're enjoying this, aren't you?
Nick: (Sobers—shakes his head) No.
Lulu: Yeah, 'cause now you're like the guy that gets laid at LSP, right? (Smiles)
Nick: Am I? (Grinning)
Lulu: Oh, shut up. You know how people talk. That's what I'm saying.
Nick: Well, I'm not gonna say anything to anyone.
Lulu: No, Alvin will. (Worried)
Nick: (Seriously—shakes his head) Alvin won't talk.
Lulu: Really? You don't think?
Nick: (Shakes his head) Uh-uh.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital
Burton and Shannon are in the waiting room. Liz and Jeremy round the corner and approach.
Burton: Ah, Jeremy. So, how ya doin'?
Jeremy: Sorry the illusion turned macabre, Burt, uh, I got the instructions how to do it off the Internet.
Burton: The Internet?
Jeremy: Yes. Apparently they were wrong, so…
Burton: Apparently. (Chuckles)
Jeremy: D'you ever see that movie, Harold and Maude?
Burton: I don't think so.
Jeremy: Well, it's about this teenage kid who sleeps with an 80-year-old woman.
Burton: What kinda movie's that?
Jeremy: Well, I mean, but before that, he does all this hilarious stuff to his mother. He, like, he pretends to kill himself… and she's so used to it that half the time she doesn't even notice.
Burton: (Not amused) That's hilarious.
Jeremy: Well, it's called black humor, Burt. But, look, what I'm saying is that, uh… I'm sorry for ruining the dinner party and I would like to buy everyone pizza tomorrow night—my treat.
Shannon: Can we?
Liz: You should bring Nick.
Burton: Well, what time?
Jeremy: Six… six and, uh… I promise I won't… I won't hang myself or set myself on fire.
Shannon laughs—Liz smiles.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—hallway
Nick exits his office—on his way out. Jake falls in step with him.
Jake: Nick, hey, look. I just bought this cabin. (Pulls a photo out of his inside coat pocket which he hands to Nick)
Nick: That's it?
Jake: Well, you can't see in the photo but it's on a lake. (Takes the photo and points at it) See, if you squint you can sorta see it from…
Nick: Good for you, Jake. (Keeps walking)
Jake: It's Preston County, West Virginia. (They stop in the reception area) I'm gonna fix it up. If you're interested, I'm headed down there this weekend.
Nick: Oh, no thanks but, uh… have fun. (Exits)
Gretchen: Preston County? (From behind the reception counter)
Jake: You know the area?
Gretchen: My dad was a bass fisherman. Took me down there all the time, when I was a girl.
Jake: (Eagerly) Really?
Gretchen: I still have all the gear.
Jake: Wow! (Chuckles) That's cool.
Gretchen: (Answers the phone) Fallin & Fallin.
Jake: Gretchen.
Gretchen: (Into the phone) He's out of the office. May I take a message? (Listens) Of course. (Listens) I'll let him know right now. Thank you, Mr. Sabeson.
Jake: (Haltingly) Do you wanna maybe… come down there… with me… this weekend?
Gretchen: (Without hesitation) Okay.
Jake: (Surprised) What?
Gretchen: Sure. Love to. (Whispered) You don't drink alcohol, do you?
Jake: (Stammers) Uh… well, beer, sometimes… wine. Uh, yeah. Is that a problem?
Gretchen: No. But it'd be a problem if you didn't.
Jake: (Laughs)
Gretchen: (Answers the phone) Good morning. Fallin & Fallin. (Listens) I'm sorry, Mr. Fallin isn't in yet. Can I take a message?
Jake walks away.
Scene: Burton Fallin's residence
Burton sits reading Shannon's schoolwork in the kitchen area. She walks in the room.
Burton: Hey, sweetheart. How ya doin'?
Shannon: Fine.
Burton: (Sighs)
Shannon: What?
Burton: Oh, I was just wondering if you'd like to talk about what happened last night.
Shannon: Why?
Burton: Oh, sometimes when you see something like that it's just very disturbing.
Shannon: It was just a joke.
Burton: (Pause) Got a chance to look at your Gettysburg paper.
Shannon: I worked real hard on that.
Burton: 'Really' hard.
Shannon: Right. That's what I said.
Burton: Well, you've got some great ideas in there. But, uh… your spelling—your syntax—is all over the map.
Shannon: My teacher says spelling doesn't count.
Burton: It counts, honey.
Shannon: She says we should be free to express ourselves.
Burton: (Chuckles) Right. Well, that's a lotta crap.
Shannon: What?
Burton: Spelling counts, honey. It's important. D'you ever see a clown at an ice show, looks like he can't skate at all but he's very funny?
Shannon: Yeah.
Burton: Well, the reason he can do that is not because he's a bad skater—it's because he's a very good skater.
Shannon: I don't get it.
Burton: Well, if you wanna spell badly, first learn to spell well. Okay? (She gives him a weird look)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Alvin's office
Nick and Lulu walk into the office.
Alvin: (Sighs) Nick… door?
Nick closes the door and they sit down.
Lulu: Alvin, before you say anything, I just wanna say I'm so sorry about what happened last night. It was really just… It was totally inappropriate and…
Alvin: No need to apologize. I'm a child of the '60s. I understand. I know more about the, uh… pleasures of transgression than you would think. For 6 months I lived on a commune in Oregon. There were 5 of us there—2 Europeans. We experimented freely.
Lulu: Oh, well, you don't have to tell us about that.
Alvin: (Smiling) No, I'm just saying, I'm not being judgmental. But we do need to be a little cautious. Our funding comes from many sources, as you know—some of them more conservative than others.
Lulu: Yes.
Alvin: So, our reputation is everything. What if I had dinner with a major donor and brought them here?
Lulu: Oh, I know. I know.
Alvin: (Enjoying this whole thing) I'm just saying, if you dig having sex in the office, please, be my guest. But keep the meeting room door locked. (Opens a drawer and pulls out a key attached to a sizeable block of wood and lays it on the desk) Here's the key.
Lulu: Well, that's not necessary. I mean, we won't, you know… (Looks at Nick)
Alvin: Go ahead. Take it.
Lulu: Alvin, we're not gonna… do that. And I… we… we don't need a key.
Alvin: Just in case.
Lulu takes the key, reluctantly, and they exit. Immediately outside Alvin's office they encounter James who has a sheepish grin on his face. Nick starts towards his office.
Lulu: What? (James raises his eyebrows and shrugs) Alvin told you, didn't he?
James: Told me what? (Starts to walk away then turns) Oh, I was thinking about using the, uh… meeting room, if that's okay with you two.
James laughs and walks away. Nick smiles, then stifles the grin when Lulu gives him a look.
Laurie: Ah, Nick. Lulu. I think it's wonderful.
Lulu: What is?
Laurie: Love. Happens when it happens. Alvin said it was a beautiful thing. I'm very happy for both of you. (Walks away smiling)
Lulu: (Through clenched teeth—a loud whisper) Nick. Nick. C'mere. (He follows her dutifully to her office—where she tucks the key away. Nick starts to shut the door.) Leave the door open, please. I need you to do some things for me.
Nick: Sure.
Lulu: I want you to send flowers, here, to my office.
Nick: Okay, I'll pick some up.
Lulu: Just a nice spring bouquet. You can spend, uh, $50 or something.
Nick: Sure.
Lulu: And I'd like to go on a date.
Nick: We go on dates.
Lulu: No, I mean a real date, where I can get dressed up and you can get dressed up and we go somewhere that we look forward to going all day.
Nick: Okay, like what?
Lulu: Surprise me.
Nick: Okay, fine. That's it?
Lulu: No, I actually think that we should have a dinner party for Laurie and Alvin and James on Saturday night.
Nick: Why?
Lulu: Because I just had to endure getting a sex key from Alvin.
Nick: Yeah. Yeah, of course. (Chuffs) Okay. (Exits)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Shannon knocks.
Burton: Yeah.
Shannon: (Enters) Hey, Burton.
Burton: Hey. How's school?
Shannon: Fun. This boy, Johnny Cork, he was being real mean to this girl I like…
Burton: Yeah?
Shannon: …Nicole, in study hall, so… I just walked on over and leveled his ass.
Burton: Excuse me? (Amused)
Shannon: Yeah. So, Nicole wants to have a sleepover now. Can we?
Burton: Well, we'll see about that. Meanwhile, I'm thinking about taking you outta that school.
Shannon: What?
Burton: Yeah, I talked to the Headmaster over at Thurmond. He says he's got a place for you.
Shannon: But, it's the end of the year.
Burton: Oh, that's no problem. They said you could finish the year at Thurmond and then take a session of summer school.
Shannon: Summer school?
Burton: Uh-huh.
Shannon: Summer school?!
Burton: Yeah.
Shannon: I'll be a freak.
Burton: (Laughs) You won't be a freak, honey.
Shannon: Burton!
Burton: Now, honey, you just think about it, okay? I think it's the best thing for ya. Just think about it. All right?
Scene: Hetherington residence—pizza dinner
Jeremy: I hope you guys liked the pizza.
Burton: Hmm. (Nick bobs his head)
Jeremy: So I, uh… think we fulfilled our obligation. My mom's happy, so you can go now.
Liz: Jeremy!
Jeremy: Sorry. (Gets up from the table) Uncle Burt. Cousin Ernie.
Liz: Jeremy!
Jeremy: I'm going upstairs now. (Walks away)
Liz: Jeremy! Shannon is your guest.
Jeremy: I'm going to work on my maps.
Liz: Why not show them to her? (To Shannon) It's okay, sweetheart. You can go up with him if you want.
Shannon looks to Burton.
Burton: Uh-huh. (Nods) Go ahead.
Shannon: Okay.
Liz: Well, this is fun.
Burton: Hmm. (Nick gives her a look)
Scene: Hetherington residence—later—living room for after-dinner coffee
Liz: And after the divorce settlement it comes out that she's 10 years older than she had said and, I mean, we had all been at her 50th birthday party.
Nick: Hmm. (Utterly bored to death)
Loud music comes from Jeremy's room.
Burton: (Sighs) What the hell is that?
Liz: Oh, something called Icelandic Speed Metal.
Nick: (Clears throat—stands) Well, Aunt Liz, I, uh… I should get going.
Liz: Oh, it's lovely to see you.
Nick: You, too. You, too. (Gives her a hug and kiss on the cheek)
Burton: (Looks at his watch) I'm gonna take off, too.
Nick: (To Burton) I'll see ya. (Quick hand shake with Burton as he exits)
Burton: (To Nick) I'll see ya tomorrow, okay? (To Liz) I'll go get, uh, Shannon.
Outside Jeremy's room—music blares.
Burton: (Knocks) Shannon?
Shannon: (Off camera) Stop it! I can't breathe!
Burton: Shannon?! (Tries the door—locked)
Shannon: I can't breathe!
Burton: (Keeps trying the door) What…!
Shannon: Jeremy!
Burton: (Frantic) Jeremy! Open the door!
Shannon: Stop it!
Burton: Open it! (Kicks in the door—pulls Jeremy off Shannon and tosses him onto the bed) Get away! (To Shannon) You all right? Are you okay? (To Jeremy) Put your clothes on!
Liz: (Appears in the doorway) What happened?
Burton: He was trying to rape her.
Liz: What?!
Burton: (Dials cordless phone) (To Jeremy) Hey. Stay there! Don't make a move!
Shannon is still on the floor, sobbing and shaking—a cut on her mouth.
Scene: Police interrogation room
Laurie: Shannon. Anything you say stays in this room.
Shannon: Right.
Laurie: So you can tell me anything you want. (Shannon looks to Burton)
Burton: It's okay. It's okay. This is, uh… private.
Shannon: You gonna kick me out now?
Burton: 'Course not.
Shannon: 'Cause it wasn't my fault. I didn't do anything.
Burton: I know.
Shannon: I was just sitting up there, looking at all his hiking maps, and Jeremy pulls down his pants. Said he was gonna… you know. And I told him he was gross. Then, he pulled me off the chair, choked me and stuck his hand up my skirt.
Burton: (Uncomfortable) Honey, uhm, would you feel better if I just left you and Laurie alone?
Shannon: It's okay. (Pause) He kept saying weird stuff.
Laurie: Like what?
Shannon: He kept telling me to leave him alone, and then when I did, he attacked me.
Laurie: Shannon, do you wanna talk to the police about this?
Shannon: (Looks to Burton) Is that what you want me to do?
Immediately outside the interrogation room.
Burton: (To female police officer) So, Shannon will talk to you in a few minutes, okay?
Officer: Mm-hmm. [Inaudible]
Laurie: Burton, I've gotta go. Bring Shannon to my office tomorrow afternoon.
Burton: Oh, okay. Thank you.
Laurie: You're welcome.
Liz: (Rushes up to Burton) Hey! You didn't need to call the police. What the hell are you thinking?
Burton: (Sighs) Your son was outta control.
Liz: They're kids. They're kids! They're just kids, whatever it is they were up to. (Upset) This is gonna follow him…
Burton: You didn't see what I saw.
Liz: …for the rest of his life, Burton. This is gonna follow him for the rest of his life!
Burton: (Hushed tone) I'm not gonna talk about this now.
Liz: You didn't need to call the police.
Burton: I'm not gonna talk about it now. Not here. When I finish in there, I'll drive you home. Then we'll talk.
Liz: No. I don't wanna be around you. (Stalks off)
Burton: (To the officer standing nearby) Yeah. We're ready.
Scene: Juvenile Detention Lock-up
Guard buzzes Nick into the interview room.
Nick: I spoke to your lawyer. They're gonna keep you in here tonight.
Jeremy: I didn't DO anything! Your dad just freaked out for no reason. This…
Nick: Jeremy, you're being charged with a delinquent act. Tomorrow afternoon you will go before a judge to determine if there is probable cause to believe that you sexually assaulted Shannon Gressler. If there is, there'll be a hearing.
Jeremy: Look, why… why are you being so formal, man?
Nick: I'm trying to explain the process to you.
Jeremy: My mom was planning this all along with Uncle Burt, 'cause she wants control. She wants control of me. So look… look, what you can do is you can talk to my mom and tell her that I'm on to her. Okay? And that she should deal with me directly. Okay?
Nick: What are you talking about?
Jeremy: (Shouts) Just tell her! Okay?! She'll know. She'll… she'll know.
Scene: Burton Fallin's residence—morning
Shannon is preparing breakfast in her new prep school uniform. Burton enters the kitchen tying his tie.
Burton: Hey.
Shannon: Hey.
Burton: How you doin'?
Shannon: Good. I made breakfast.
Burton: Yeah. That's good. (Starts to pour a cup of coffee)
Shannon: No-no-no. You sit down.
Burton: Okay.
Shannon: (Pours the coffee) So, you like my new uniform? I thought I'd try it on.
Burton: (Nods) Nice. (Unenthusiastic)
Shannon: Nice?
Burton: Oh, great. Great. (Chuckles)
Shannon: I thought about the new school and all, Burton, and you know what? I think it's a great idea for me to get a better education and all that.
Burton: (Sighs) Well, as a matter of fact, honey, I've been thinking maybe it's a little too soon to start this new school.
Shannon: Why? I'm ready. Why?
Burton: Just thought maybe you could spend the day with me today at the, uh, at the office. Maybe we have lunch and later on go see Ms. Solt.
Shannon: Can we go to Primanti's?
Burton: Yeah. (Chuckles)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—reception area
Gretchen accepts delivery of a large package. Jake stands near the reception desk. Sirens in the background.
Jake: You hear that?
Gretchen: What?
Jake: The sounds.
Gretchen: Of…?
Jake: It's madness out there, Gretchen—ambulances, horns honking, city life.
Gretchen: I know.
Jake: What a cesspool. Hey, you're not a vegetarian, are you?
Gretchen: Nope.
Jake: I was thinking about going down to The Strip District a little later and picking up some steaks and produce—stuff like that.
Gretchen: Sounds good. (Starts walking away with the package)
Jake: Also, I got an air mattress… for you.
Gretchen: Okay.
Jake: And, you're gonna bring the fishing gear, right?
Gretchen: That's what I said.
Jake: (Laughs) Right. Great. (She turns to walk away again—he follows) By the way, you know, I'm a terrible fisherman so don't hold it against me. I mean, I say I'm not good but then again I never really fished before so maybe I'm terrific. Or bad.
Gretchen: (Drops off the package) Jake, it's not rocket science. (Walks back to the reception desk)
Jake: Okay, then. (Follows her) Oh, also… do you like the color red?
Gretchen: Sometimes. I guess. (Puts her headphones on—phone rings)
Jake: Thanks for the advice. (Turns to walk away) It's gonna be so nice and quiet out there.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Burton's office
Shannon sits at the table working on her homework while Burton sits at his desk. He looks over at her.
Shannon: I'm fine, Burton.
Burton: What?
Shannon: You've been looking at me funny ever since we got back from that lady's office.
Burton: Really?
Shannon: I'm fine, okay? I'm fine.
Burton: Okay. (Knock at the door) Yeah?
Liz: (Walks in with a scowl on her face) The Judge just set Jeremy's hearing. They'll send him home later today.
Burton: All right.
Liz: He'll be under house arrest. His lawyer told me that if the Judge believes he did what 'that' girl said he did, Jeremy will be sent to an institution for sexual offenders for a year—maybe two.
Burton: Shannon, could you give us a minute alone, please?
Shannon: Yeah. (Starts to leave)
Liz: (Angrily) Tell her to recant. (To Shannon) Do you have any idea what this will do to my son?
Shannon: (Frightened) I'm sorry. I can tell them it didn't happen.
Burton: Wait a minute, wait, Liz, you shouldn't even be here. (Walks over and puts his arm around Shannon)
Liz: Burton, you are letting a girl who was raised by a drug-addicted stripper…
Burton: Liz. (Walks towards Liz)
Liz: …take my son away from me. (Emotionally) And how do you know it wasn't her doing? I mean, with what she's seen, you hardly know who she is, Burton! You brought her to my house!
Burton: All right, that's enough. (Takes her arm to escort her out)
Liz: You… Get your hands off me. (Burton opens the door and guides her out) You said that 'God only knows what this girl has been through'! You said it yourself! How could you do this to your own family?!
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—Nick's office
Door is open. Shannon knocks and walks in. Nick gives her a curious look.
Nick: Hey.
Shannon: Hey. (Sighs—sits down—placing her bag and notebook on his desk) Burton's being a bummer.
Nick: (Smiles and returns to his work)
Shannon: (Looking through her notebook) I don't get any of this.
Nick: What is it?
Shannon: It's this math skills assessment for Thurmond Academy.
Nick: You going to Thurmond?
Shannon: Burton wants me to. But the kids my age at Thurmond are in pre-calculus. Where I go, that's for seniors.
Nick: Okay.
Shannon: I just finished long division and multiplication. How much stuff is in between that and pre-calculus?
Nick: (Takes a deep breath) A lot.
Shannon: (Sighs) I'm so screwed. Can you do it for me?
Nick: (Little laugh and head shake) No.
Shannon: Why not? (Nick goes back to his work without a response) (Sigh—pause) Did you used to date my mom?
Nick: No.
Shannon: I thought you did.
Nick: Your mother? I hardly knew her.
Shannon: That Jeremy kid—is he going to jail?
Nick: Well, he might have to, uh, go to a juvenile detention center for a while.
Shannon: His mom says it's my fault.
Nick: Well, she was upset.
Shannon: You know, I kinda liked him, before he did that thing. Maybe I shouldn't talk to the police.
Nick: I don't know.
Shannon: (Sighs) Well, see ya, Nick.
Nick: Yeah. See ya, Shannon. (She exits)
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—reception area
Shannon: (Hands Gretchen a piece of paper) Can you give this to Burton?
Gretchen: Sure, what is it?
Shannon: A surprise.
Jake: (Walks up—interrupts) Can I ask you somethin'?
Gretchen: What's that?
Jake: (Lays out fabric samples on the counter) Okay, periwinkle for the kitchen, aubergine for the guest bedroom and then, uh, winter apple for the main room?
Shannon listens a minute then exits.
Gretchen: Oh, that's very nice.
Jake: Okay, and then for the draperies, I… Wait… you know what? Whadaya say we go to lunch and talk about this?
Gretchen: Lunch?
Jake: Yeah. There's this great new furniture store just opened on Liberty and I was thinking about buying a couch and maybe we can just stop in there and…
Gretchen: You want me to help you buy a couch?
Jake: What… it's not… it's no big deal.
Gretchen: Jake, uhm… I thought we were just going to go down to your cabin, have some drinks, hike, maybe fool around, fish. Uhm… I wasn't thinking about, like, marrying you.
Jake: Wait. Wait. Wait. Why would you say that?
Gretchen: Why?
Jake: Well, no, I mean it's some… It's just a couch.
Gretchen: And a cabin, home furnishings. This is getting way too complicated. (Takes a message across the lobby—Jake follows)
Jake: Gretchen. I mean, it's just really…
Gretchen: You know, I forgot that my mom's church is having a rummage sale this weekend and I promised I'd mind the cash box.
Jake: Mind the cash box.
Gretchen: Yeah, for the rummage sale, so… Rain check?
Jake: Yeah. Sure. Okay. Okay. (Grabs his samples and leaves)
Gretchen: (Answers phone) Fallin & Fallin.
Scene: Poetry reading
Small audience of weirdly dressed people with body piercings… and Nick and Lulu.
Speaker: “Behold your hundred, hundred secret names. Your lady's mantel, your leopard's bane, your unicorn root and blood of Hephaestus. I'm your Georgia O'Keefe, to memorize and memorialize your anthers and filaments.”
Nick's cell phone rings.
Nick: (On phone) Yeah?
Speaker: (Glares at Nick) “You're my Stieglitz or his anima. My…”
Nick: (On phone) All right. Yeah, yeah, sure. I'll be right there.
Speaker: “…Desert Flower…”
Nick: (To Lulu) Listen, I'm sorry.
Lulu: Oh, no. No. [Inaudible—from CC]
Nick: I'm really loving this but I have a family emergency. Can I call you later?
Lulu: What? Yeah. [Inaudible—from CC] (Nick exits—Lulu slumps in her chair)
Speaker: “…asleep… asleep… asleep.”
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—reception area—after dark
Burton: Oh, Gretchen, have you seen Shannon?
Gretchen: She left something for you. She was here a couple of hours ago, just after you went into that meeting with Mr. Kison. (Hands him the piece of paper)
Burton: (Reads the note, starts to leave, then angrily) Why didn't you give me this before? (She stands mute—he hurriedly exits)
Scene: Hetherington residence
Garage door is open. Nick drives up, screeches to a halt and leaps out of the car.
Liz: (Runs down driveway in her robe—frantic) Nick, he's locked himself inside the car! He's trying to kill himself! I wanna take him to the hospital but I can't handle it myself.
Nick races up the driveway and tries to open the car door. Yanks the garden hose out of the back window and pounds on the door.
Liz: Jeremy!
Nick: Open up!
Liz: Jeremy!
Jeremy: Stop!
Liz: I can't handle it myself!
Nick: (To Liz) Do you have a spare key?
Liz: The key? The key? Here. (Hands it to him)
Jeremy: (Out of control) Stop! No! Don't! (Nick unlocks the car and hands the key back to Liz) I'm trying to do something, man!
Jeremy kicks at him but Nick wrestles him into the back seat.
Nick: Come here.
Jeremy: Stop! Get off me! Lock the door! Stupid freak!
Nick: I got him. You drive.
Liz quickly backs out of the garage.
Scene: Tory Metzger's residence
Burton knocks.
Ms. Metzger: (Opens the door) Yeah, what?
Burton: Are you Tory Metzger?
Ms. Metzger: (Chuffs) I'm taking today off. (Tries to shut the door but Burton blocks it with his foot)
Burton: My name is Burton Fallin.
Ms. Metzger: So?
Burton: So, would you bring Shannon out, please?
Ms. Metzger: No.
Burton: Ms. Metzger, you know what you're doing is illegal, right?
Ms. Metzger: I've known that little girl since she was a baby.
Burton: You know, I could have the Sheriff out here in a matter of minutes.
Ms. Metzger: She doesn't need some old perv like you.
Burton: Excuse me?
Ms. Metzger: (Chuffs) You heard me.
Burton: Look, I know it's illegal for me to come into your home…
Ms. Metzger: Damn straight!
Burton: But if you don't bring her out right now, I will come into your home and I'll bring her out myself. D'you understand that?
Ms. Metzger: I'm not bringing Shannon out to you.
Burton: All right. (Shoulders past her) Shannon, where are you?
Ms. Metzger: I'll call the cops.
Burton: Yeah, you do that. I'd love to see the cops out here. Shannon? Come here, young lady. (Takes her by the arm) Let's go. Is this all you have? (Refers to her bag) Is this all you have?!
Shannon: Yeah.
Burton: Let's get outta here.
Scene: Jake's cabin on the lake—after dark
Jake, carrying a sack of groceries, pushes open the door. With a lantern, he enters and finds the place in a seriously run-down condition—trash and debris everywhere—sound of rats scurrying about. He plops down on an old sofa, dejected.
Scene: Jake's cabin on the lake—next morning
After spending the night on the old sofa, he awakens to find the place in no better condition than the night before. Picks up his sack of groceries and leaves.
Scene: Hospital facility—communal room
Two kids play cards at a table while Nick talks with Jeremy.
Nick: So you understand what the doctors are saying about the schizophrenia?
Jeremy: They say a lot of things.
Nick: The doctors wanna keep you in here for the next 30 days.
Jeremy: They told me for observation, but I'm the only one who can observe anything. You know, sometimes I feel myself… slipping. That… is the worst part when, you know, you still feel okay but you know in a little while you won't.
Nick: Your attorney's scheduled a hearing for tomorrow. He's going to argue that you're not competent to face charges.
Jeremy: Is this good news, or…?
Nick: It's better than the alternative.
Jeremy: Well, it gives everyone a reason, right? For what's happening. For what I did. For why I am, like I am.
Nick: We're hoping to get you into a treatment facility. (Stands—ready to leave)
Jeremy: Do I have a choice?
Nick: No.
Jeremy: Will you tell Uncle Burt I said I'm sorry?
Nick: Sure.
Jeremy: My mom didn't even bring me my trail maps. 'Cause, you know if I… if I'm gonna be stuck somewhere, at least I… at least I can work on my hike for when I get out, right?
Nick: Right.
Jeremy: (Laughs) Burt and Ernie, they're sold to small children as best friends but they're really just closeted homosexuals. (Nick starts to leave) Hey, Ernie…? (Nick turns around) You think maybe you could stay a little longer? That was a joke about the whole Burt and Ernie thing. That wasn't me being crazy.
Nick: Right. (Sits back down)
Jeremy: I'm not.
Nick: Right.
Scene: Fallin & Fallin—lobby
Nick enters and finds Liz waiting.
Liz: You met with Jeremy?
Nick: Yes.
Liz: And spoke with his attorney?
Nick: That's right. The DA has offered to delay Jeremy's rape hearing if he seeks mental health treatment.
Liz: If the Judge agrees?
Nick: Well, he'll be sent to a residential treatment facility.
Liz: Will they drop the charges?
Nick: Liz, we'll just have to wait and see.
Burton: (Walks up) Nick. I gotta pick up somethin' for the hearing. Come on back a second, okay? (Liz and Nick walk with him to his office)
Liz: Burton, I was pretty upset about what happened and I just wanna say I'm sorry if I flew off the handle, said some things…
Burton: Yeah, well, you were very upset.
Liz: I was up all night reading, about the disease. They have… they have more ways to treat schizophrenia now than they used to. I was always worried that something like this was possible.
Nick: Why?
Liz: Well, it's in the family.
Nick: What?
Liz: Mental illness. You know about your Great Aunt Donna?
Nick: No.
Liz: She jumped off her apartment building and then there's one of my cousins, you know my same age, who's institutionalized, up in Erie.
Nick: I didn't know.
Liz: Your mother had incredible mood swings…
Burton: (Interrupts) Better get goin'.
Liz exits the room. Burton stops Nick with his hand and lowers his voice.
Burton: Just don't worry about this mental illness crap, okay? (Burton exits—Nick stares, then follows)
Scene: Allegheny County Courthouse—corridor
Nick, Jeremy, Liz and Burton walk the corridor.
Nick: I brought you your maps and some books and things. (Refers to the book bag)
Jeremy: What's it mean that I'm being remanded?
Nick: Well, the Judge transferred you to a treatment center for the next 30 days. After that, depending on what your doctor says, you still may have to face the assault charge.
Jeremy: You know the Judge, right?
Nick: Well, I've been in front of her before.
Jeremy: And the other lawyer, you're familiar with him, too?
Nick: Familiar?
Jeremy: Well, you know each other, and my lawyer and my mom hired you all. (Becoming increasingly agitated)
Liz: I didn't hire Nick, honey. And your lawyer's just trying to help you.
Jeremy: My mom hired you. And you know the Judge, and you know my lawyer, and you know the other lawyer and everyone's walking out. I'm the only one left for the experiments.
Liz: They're not gonna do experiments on you…
Jeremy: Mom, look… right, right. They call it treatment. Right! (To Nick) You know, I've noticed that you're losing your hair, Nick, lately.
Liz: Jeremy!
Jeremy: Like your dad. You act like you're hip, but you're just another old guy. I mean, what the hell do you wanna do with yourself other than kiss your father's ass and hang around my mom, huh? (Liz and Burton listen with concern—Nick gives him an icy stare) Why don't you think about that? Think about that. The next time I buy you pizza, you think about that! Hold this. (Hands Nick a pen—then turns and runs down the corridor)
Liz: Jeremy!
Officer/bailiff pursues Jeremy and grabs him at the end of the corridor.
Jeremy: (Yelling) See? Nick, this is what I'm talking about! You see?! Are you happy now, Nick?! Nick?! Huh? You see? You…
Scene: Lulu's residence
Lulu is putting the place cards around the table, already set for dinner.
Lulu: (Calling to Nick—in the kitchen) Nick, should I seat Laurie and Alvin next to each other?
Nick: (Off camera) What?
Lulu: (Louder) Should Laurie and Alvin sit together?
Nick: Ah, what are you talking about?
Lulu: Because I think they dated a couple a times.
Nick: Ah, look, who cares?
Lulu: Okay. (Looks over the table with satisfaction) Oh, Nick?
Nick: Yes? (Irritated)
Lulu: Could you come here for a second, please?
Nick: Yeah, I'm coming. I'm coming. (Walks in from the kitchen carrying a cheese platter) Just had to get the cheese.
Lulu: Well, you left the plastic off.
Nick: Yeah, I took the plastic off this one. It smelled a little funky.
Lulu: Oh, it's supposed to smell that way. Could you grab that blue plate for me? I can't reach it. (Points to the top of a tall cabinet)
Nick: Okay. Sure. There you go. It's very nice. (Hands it to her)
Lulu: Uh-huh. Oh, you have a spot. (Points to a spot in the middle of his chest)
Nick: What? (He pinches up a piece of his sweater and looks)
Lulu: Yeah. See it?
Nick: No.
Lulu: Hang on. Wait here. (Walks off) I'll get something.
Nick: (Big sigh—looks at the table)
Lulu: (Returns carrying a floral patterned apron) Okay. Here. Put this on.
Nick: (Chuckles) No. (Shakes his head and smiles)
Lulu: Well, if you're gonna grill, you should wear it. You'll ruin your shirt.
Nick: That's all right. I don't need to wear an apron.
Lulu: Oh, come on. Put it on. It's cute.
Nick: I know what you're doing.
Lulu: Really?
Nick: Yeah. (Takes the apron)
Lulu: You do?
Nick: Oh, yeah. I do.
Lulu: (Chuckles) Okay.
Nick: I'll put it on.
Lulu: See? What's the big deal? It's sexy.
Nick: Right. (Door bell rings)
Lulu: (Little laugh) Can you get the door?
Nick: This is your house.
Lulu: I know, but you can get it.
Nick: (Pause) Okay.
Lulu: Thank you.
Nick, now clad in a floral apron—answers the door to Alvin, Laurie and James, with a big grin.
Nick: Good evening.
Alvin: Hey. (Grins—hands him a flower arrangement)
Nick: Huh. (Shrugs) How ya doin'?
Alvin: Good.
Laurie: Hi. (Smiles—hands him a bottle of wine)
Nick: Nice to see ya.
James: How ya doin'? I… (Starts to hand him a bottle of wine) Pretty, pretty apron. (Big grin)
Nick: Yeah, I know. It's very nice. (Shuts the door and follows them in)
Immediately—someone else at the door. Nick opens it. Jake stands holding a bag of groceries.
Jake: Hey. I heard you were having a dinner party.
Nick: I thought you were in the woods. I…
Jake: Have you ever been out in the woods alone? I mean, you think you want it, right? And then you get out there and suddenly you think you're going insane. I mean, people who do that, I…
Nick: Come in.
Jake: Thanks. Nice apron.
Nick: Sexy.
Scene: Burton Fallin's residence—Shannon's room
Shannon is packing a bag. Burton knocks then peeks in.
Burton: 'Night, sweetheart. (Sees her packing) What are you doing?
Shannon: I don't wanna live with you anymore. I don't wanna go to some private school where everyone says I'm stupid.
Burton: Honey, it wasn't easy gettin' you into that school.
Shannon: I don't wanna be around your son who looks down on me. Or that woman Liz.
Burton: I guess we could talk to Ms. Solt. Have her set up a hearing. Have you placed somewhere else, if that's what you want?
Shannon: You said this was supposed to be different from before. You said!
Burton: Shannon, if you stay, you'll be safe here with me.
Shannon: (Sighs) No. No, I'm not.
Burton: Yes, you are, honey. I promise you I'll never let anything like that happen to you again.
Shannon: It already did, Burton! And then everyone blamed me. So I can leave. I won't testify. Everything can be like it was.
Burton: Oh, Shannon. (Sighs—sits on the bed)
Shannon: I can handle it, not living here. I can handle it. (Starts to leave)
Burton: Shannon. Please stay. (Pause) Please.
She sits on the bed beside him.
Scene: Lulu's residence—living room
Nick and Lulu are seated on the sofa; Alvin on an ottoman in front of the fireplace; Jake, Laurie and James seated across from Nick and Lulu.
Laurie: Delicious meal. I'll have to get the recipe from you.
Alvin: That was fantastic, the food. (Stands, ready to leave) Hope I didn't bore you all with my political talk but I think we all made some progress on that and we can, at least, agree to disagree.
Lulu: Well, thanks for coming.
Laurie: We should do this more often.
Lulu: Yeah, we should.
Jake: Thanks for, uh, squeezing me in.
Lulu: No problem.
Laurie: Good night.
Jake: Good night.
Lulu: See ya later.
Alvin: Bye. (Kisses her on the cheek)
Lulu: Bye.
James: (To Nick—whispered) Whipped, whipped, whipped. Good night. (To Lulu) Good night.
Lulu: Good night. (Shuts the door) What was James just saying to you?
Nick: Uh, he just said he had a lovely time.
Lulu: Mm.
Nick: I guess I should clean up. (Turns to walk away)
Lulu: Wait. Wait a minute. Um, do you think that, uh… you could maybe handle the upstairs now?
Nick: Uh, I think I can handle it.
Lulu: I bet you can.
Nick: I'm sure I can.
Lulu: (Giggles)
Nick: Unless you want to use the key that Alvin gave you?
Lulu: No. (Laughs)
Nick: Should I bring the apron? (She giggles—they start up the stairs) I think you'd look very nice in the apron.
Lulu: No, I think you should wear it.
Nick: Come on, let's go.
END OF EPISODE
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