The following is
not a
novelization or an actual script but a dry transcript of the aired
episode that includes accurate word-to-word dialogues, settings descriptions,
action scenes and/or camera movements where the transcriber felt they were necessary. This transcript is archived at "
TWIZ TV.COM - FREE TV SCRIPTS DATABASE" courtesy of SIMONSPHERE. "THE GUARDIAN" and other related entities are owned, (TM) and © by DAVID HOLLANDER PRODUCTIONS and ROSECRANS PRODUCTIONS, INC. in association with SONY PICTURES TELEVISION and CBS PRODUCTIONS. This transcript is posted here without their permission, approval, authorization or endorsement. Any reproduction, duplication, distribution or display of this material in any form or by any means is expressly prohibited. It is absolutely forbidden to use it for commercial gain. For entertainment and educational purposes only. No infringement intended.
==========================
TRANSCRIPT:
==========================
Scene: Burton's residence—family room (continued from last episode)
Burton sits on one sofa with a drink in one hand and cell phone in the other while Nick sits on the other sofa.
Burton: It's my fault. (Voice cracking) If I don't hear something by tomorrow…
Nick: She'll be back.
Doorbell rings.
Burton: Oh… it's Laurie Solt. (Starts to rise)
Nick: No, Dad. (Gets up and puts his hand on Burton's shoulder) I'll… I'll talk to her. (Burton sits back down) I'll talk to her. (Heads for the door with a backward glance at Burton)
Burton puts his head in his hands and sighs.
Scene: Entry foyer
Nick: Shannon's missing. She… ran away.
Laurie: When?
Nick: Sometime this afternoon.
Laurie: Why didn't you call me?
Nick: Well, we called the police and…
Laurie: I'll go to the office and get an attachment order. The Sheriff's Department can start looking for her before she becomes a missing person. (Starts to leave)
Nick: Great. Thanks, Laurie.
Laurie: Okay. Bye.
Nick: Appreciate at.
He shuts the door and pauses for a moment then loosens his tie as he walks back to the family room. He removes his tie and lays it on the breakfast bar where Burton is counting out large amounts of cash; stacking hundred dollar bills in thousand dollar stacks.
Burton: (Looks up as Nick walks in then keeps on counting) Hey.
Nick: (Sighs) What're you doing?
Burton: (Dizzy—blurred vision—he steadies himself)
Nick: (Worried) You all right?
Burton: (Keeps counting) A little dizzy.
Nick: Well, why don't you sit down?
Burton: I gotta talk to Roy.
Nick: What?
Burton: I'm gonna need a ride. (Stuffs the stacks of bills in his inside coat pockets.)
Nick: (Emphatic) You're not giving him this money.
Burton: I'm gonna do whatever I have to. Okay? Let's go. (Starts for the door—Nick pauses then follows, reluctantly)
Scene: Roy's place—night—later
Roy's old car sits at the curb with the trunk open. He exits the building carrying a crate of things just as Nick pulls up and parks behind his car. Nick and Burton get out of the car.
Roy: Hey, guys. I was actually just gonna call ya… see if you heard anything.
Burton: What're you doin', Roy?
Roy: Oh, I'm just takin' some ole crap to Goodwill. (Puts the crate of stuff in the trunk)
Burton: This time of night?
Roy: Ah… they got a drop-off box in the back.
Burton: Where're you goin', Roy?
Nick walks around the car towards them—menacingly. Roy looks his way.
Roy: Those guys I owe, they keep threatening me. Now that they can't find Malcolm, it's on… my ass. (Looks around cautiously)
Burton: You leavin' town?
Roy: I'm runnin' outta time here and I can't find the money.
Burton: Well, I want you to take me to 'em.
Roy: No way. I show up there without that money, those guys're gonna break my…
Burton: I'll pay. I'll pay.
Roy: (Looks at Nick) All right.
Scene: Pool Hall/Bar—moments later
Roy, Burton and Nick walk in.
Roy: Stay here. I'll go find him.
Nick watches as Roy walks towards the back and stops to talk to a man at the bar. Nick sits on a bar stool. Burton gets dizzy and steadies himself with a hand on the bar.
Nick: You okay?
Burton: Yeah. (Sits on a stool—watches Roy conversing with the man at the bar—then looks at a dancer on stage. Vision blurs) I used to play pool when I was younger. You?
Nick: College. Yeah.
Burton: We oughta play sometime.
Roy walks back to them. Burton stands, expectantly.
Roy: Malcolm already paid.
Burton: What?
Roy: He already paid. I don't know how the hell he got the money.
Burton: (Pause) Yeah ya do.
Roy scowls and walks out. Burton takes a long look towards the back of the bar, then follows Roy.
Burton: Hey.
Nick then follows.
Scene: Pittsburgh Police Department—Precinct 43
Roy and Nick sit waiting. Burton stands nearby.
Detective Jonas: (Emerges from a room carrying a folder) Sorry to keep you waiting.
Burton: Officer…
Jonas: Why don't you come with me? (Starts walking)
Burton: (Follows along with Roy and Nick) We have some information about Malcolm Reeves…
Jonas: We arrested Malcolm Reeves an hour ago.
Burton: Was Shannon with him?
Jonas: Malcolm says Shannon showed up at his house this afternoon… and he told her she wasn't allowed to be around him. And he called a cab… sent her on her way.
Burton: Does he know where she is?
Jonas: He's got a lawyer now. He's not talking any more.
Scene: Police meeting room
Opens the door and walks into a meeting room where FBI Agent Alison Scanlon sits—a file spread out on the table before her.
Jonas: This is Alison Scanlon.
Burton: Hi. (They shake hands)
Jonas: She's a Federal Agent that works with SAFE.
Roy: What's that?
Jonas: Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement. Alison came to town on the Candace Bleier case.
Burton: Who? (Scanlon places a Missing Persons flyer of the Bleier girl in front of Burton)
Jonas: Candace Bleier. The girl in the photos found in Malcolm Reeves' studio.
Alison: I've been trying to find Candace for over a year. Up until today, all that's surfaced is a few videos.
Burton: You think Shannon might be with this girl?
Alison: If Candace is still alive, it's a possibility.
Burton experiences dizziness, blurred vision as Scanlon continues to talk.
Alison: Mr. Fallin, just because Malcolm Reeves was in possession of photographs of Candace… doesn't mean he took them and doesn't mean he's done anything to your foster child.
Burton: The man's a pornographer. He came up with ten thousand dollars in one day. Now where do you think he got that money?
They all look at each other.
Nick: Can you help us find Shannon?
Alison: It's very hard. These people move around a lot. Operate out of warehouses and motels and homes. Sometimes for days; sometimes just for hours.
Burton: Well, can you tell me it's not impossible to find her.
Alison: They do have to sell their product. That's one way to track 'em. Through encrypted codes they post on the Internet or in the back of local papers…
Burton experiences blurred vision, dizziness. Rubs his forehead then slowly begins to fall from the chair.
Alison: Wherever there are personal, escort, or massage ads, there may be leads.
Nick quickly catches Burton.
Nick: Dad. Dad. Dad. (Tries to rouse him)
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital—waiting room—later
Nick sits reading the Personals in the Pittsburgh Weekly newspaper. He sighs and sets the paper aside then notices a 'House for Sale' ad on the back page. He takes a closer look and recognizes Penny, the real estate agent, and the house that Lulu wanted at 4530 Amberson Place, Shady Side, Pittsburgh.
Dr. Levy: (Walks up) Mr. Fallin.
Nick: (Stands) Dr. Levy.
Dr. Levy: Your father has an abnormal opening between his middle and inner ear. It's a result of the head injury he received a few days ago.
Nick: Okay.
Dr. Levy: It, uh… has a fancy name—Perilymph Fistula—but all that means is that he has a balance disorder. Vertigo.
Nick: Okay.
Dr. Levy: Now… we've admitted him for the night but he'll need strict bed rest for at least a week.
Nick: Right.
Dr. Levy: All right? No driving. No straining or heavy lifting. No sudden changes in air pressure.
Sound of a cell phone ringing.
Burton: (Walks by them—his cell phone to his ear) Nick.
Nick: Dad.
Burton: They may have found her. (Leaving)
Dr. Levy: Mr. Fallin, you need to stay in bed.
Nick hesitates then starts running after Burton.
Nick: Wait a second.
Scene: Star-Lite Motel—parking lot—night
Nick and Burton stand beside the BMW while the police conduct their search.
Detective Jonas: (Walks up—makes a note on his notepad) (To Burton) Nothing.
Burton: No?
Jonas: No one saw anything.
Burton: Somebody called.
Jonas: It's anonymous. Coulda been a prank. Amber alert's all over the place. (Sighs) We'll do everything we can to find her, sir.
Burton: All right. Thank you.
Jonas walks off.
Alison: (Hands something to Jonas as she passes) You might wanna take a look at this. (Walks up to Nick and Burton)
Burton: So whadda you think, Miss Scanlon?
Alison: Well, it fits their M.O. Check into a cheap motel. Make a… (Stops—glances at Nick)
Burton: What?
Alison: Make a video. Take photographs.
Burton: Right.
Alison: And then they move on. They don't leave much behind. So… I'll call you when we hear something.
Burton: Thank you.
Nick: Thank you. (Sighs) What are you doin' here, Dad. Let's get you home.
Burton: No-no. (Takes a 4X6 photo of Shannon from his pocket) I'm gonna talk to everyone here.
Knocks on Room 32.
Time elapsed… Later.
Burton: (To motel guest—off camera) Thank you. Sorry.
Nick: Dad, let's go.
Burton: This is the last one. (Knocks—door opens) Hi.
Dina: Yeah? (Takes in Burton and Nick—suspiciously)
Burton: (Holds up the photo) I'm, uh… looking for my daughter. She's thirteen years old and she's disappeared. Somebody from this motel called and said they'd seen her.
Dina: Sorry. (Shuts the door)
Burton, dejected, turns and leans on the railing.
Nick: Come on, Dad. It's time to go home.
Burton: No.
Nick: (Softly) You… you heard the man. He said it was probably a prank.
Burton: Somebody made that call from here.
Nick: (Soothingly) Right. Well… we'll look into it tomorrow. Let's just…
Door opens—Dina stands in the doorway.
Dina: I did it. I made the call.
Scene: Inside Dina's room—seconds later
Dina sits on the bed while her young daughter, Violet, sleeps. Nick and Burton stand near the door.
Burton: Why didn't you talk to the police?
Dina: 'Cause I got my daughter and I got priors and the cops are gonna take her away again… they see me living like this.
Burton: Do you know… who took my daughter away?
Dina: (Looks away)
Burton: Do you know where they took her?
Dina: Maybe. I only called the cops 'cause I was worried about that little blonde girl. She looked nice. It's the only reason I called.
Burton: (Forcefully) Look… you've got to talk to the police.
Dina: No way.
Burton: Well, then tell me. (No response) Whadda you want? You want money? I'll give you money. (Reaches in his pocket) I'll give you a thousand dollars. Take it.
Nick: (To Burton) Hey. Hey. Hey.
Burton glances at Nick.
Dina: You call the cops, I ain't tellin' you nuthin'.
Burton: You'll take me to her?
Dina: Can't just leave my girl.
Burton: My son'll take care of her.
Nick: (To Burton—tersely—under his breath) Hey, will you slow down.
Burton: She'll take me to her.
Nick: (Whispers) She's a prostitute, Dad. She'll do anything for a thousand dollars. I'll go. (Takes the money and stuffs it in his inside coat pocket) (To Dina) I'll go. (Hands her a thousand)
Dina: (Takes the money and grabs her coat) No cops. Just need a newspaper. They got codes in the back.
Dina exits.
Nick: (To Burton) Just sit tight. (Exits)
Burton gazes at the sleeping girl.
Scene: Exterior—motel—staircase
Nick and Dina walk to his car.
Nick: There's a paper in the car.
Unlocks the door by remote and they get in.
Scene: Interior—BMW—motel parking lot
Dina takes the paper—open to the Personals.
Dina: I need a pen and a phone. (Nick obliges)
Dina looks carefully for the codes and marks the ads.
Dina: Just give me a second. They spread the phone number over a couple ads. (Makes a mark) Hmm. Eight. 'Kay. Got it.
Nick starts the car engine.
Scene: Inside Dina's room
Burton sits in a chair, quietly thinking. Violet wakes up.
Burton: Hey.
Violet: Hi.
Burton: What's your name?
Violet: Violet. Who are you?
Burton: I'm Burton. Friend of your mom's.
Violet climbs out of bed and walks to the closet.
Burton: Where are you going?
Violet: I'll be quiet, mister.
Burton: (Pause) You don't have to sit in a closet, honey.
She climbs back up in bed.
Violet: You have any food?
Burton: (Pause) No.
She reaches for the TV remote and turns the TV on. Burton glances at his watch.
Scene: Abandoned warehouse in the middle of nowhere—later
Nick drives up.
Dina: Stop here. This is the place. Just go in that door there and ask for Damon. Tell him you're… a friend.
Nick: And what're you gonna do?
Dina: Can't go in there with you.
Nick: Okay. Why not?
Dina: Just tell 'im you're a john. You need a young girl to get off. Have your money ready.
Nick shakes his head. Can't believe he's doing this.
Dina: Just tell him you're a watcher so you don't gotta do nuthin' with her. I'm goin' home. (Exits the car—then sticks her head back in) Just tell him you're a watcher. (Shuts the door and is gone)
Nick sits in the car a minute—takes a breath. He puts his cell phone in the glove box and gets out of the car. He pulls his coat around him and crosses his arms then walks slowly to the door—looking around cautiously. Music can be heard coming from inside. He reaches for the door just as a well-heeled, gray-haired man exits, pulling his coat collar up around his face to avoid recognition. Nick steps back a step to let him pass then enters.
Scene: Inside the warehouse
A large man shows Nick into an interior room.
Damon: Never seen you before.
Nick: (Arms folded—barely a whisper) Yeah, well, you know…
Damon: How'd you get here?
Nick: Friend of Dina's.
Damon: Okay. Whadda you want?
Nick: Uh…
Damon: I got girls, boys. Kid on kid, adult on kid, hard core, Asian, S&M, S&M Lite, gonzo style, whatever product you want.
Nick: I'm just looking for a girl.
Damon: 'kay. What kind?
Nick: Blonde. Young.
Damon: Teen? Pre-teen?
Nick: I don't know. I don't know. I'm a watcher. I just … I like to watch.
Damon: Okay. Well, I got a young blonde upstairs… pretty new. (Nick just looks at him) Be two grand. (Nick just continues to look at him) Yeah. It's two thousand dollars for half an hour.
Nick rolls his head but finally reaches for the money in his inside coat pocket.
Damon: (Takes the money and points to a waiting area) Take a seat.
Nick: Right.
Nick looks around at the makeshift rooms which are divided by curtains with camera equipment everywhere. He takes a seat to wait. He watches as Damon climbs the wooden staircase then appears in an open loft-like room above. Nick wipes his upper lip with the back of his hand. He continues to wait, nervously wringing his hands. Damon appears in the loft above with a young blonde (not Shannon). He nods at Nick. Nick just stares and waits nervously.
Damon: (Pulls back a curtain at the top of the stairs and motions to Nick) Come on up.
Nick sits motionless—scared. He swallows hard.
Scene: Exterior—warehouse—moments later
Nick walks to his car, breathing heavily. Gets in the car and takes several deep breaths. Reaches for his cell phone in the glove box and dials.
Nick: (Into the phone) Yeah. Yeah. Can I have Alison… Scanlon, please?
Scene: Police Station—next day
Detective Jonas & Alison lead Nick and Burton down the hallway.
Jonas: We arrested everybody in the place. Five girls in there. Confiscated two dozen tapes. Spent the better part of the night going over the evidence.
Alison: The reason we called you in, there's a tape. The quality on it isn't very good and the girl in it is drugged but we're concerned it might be Shannon.
Jonas: We need one of you to take a look.
Nick: You know, Dad, you should just let me do this.
Burton: If it's Shannon, I need to know what she's been through.
They both follow the officers into a room where Jonas pulls the blinds. They sit down and Jonas starts the tape. It shows the back of a young blonde girl and the front of a man, in a mask, wearing a T-shirt. He removes his belt.
Man on the video: Yeah. I like your hair. (Starts to pull up his T-shirt)
Burton watches intently… then looks away.
Burton: Good Lord. (He finally gets up and exits the room)
Scene: Immediately outside the room
Burton ponders what he's seen.
Scene: Inside the room
Nick starts to follow Burton out of the room—notices something on the video.
Nick: Hey… stop.
Jonas: What?
Nick: Can you rewind it? (Tape rewinds) Press Play. Pause it.
Nick recognizes Dina's image captured in the mirror.
Scene: Star-Lite Motel—parking lot—night
Nick pulls up, parks. He gets out of the car and looks up at Room 41.
Scene: Inside Room 41
Dina stands at the mirror applying lip gloss, preparing for a 'date', wearing a bandeau top and tight fitting pants. Violet sits watching TV eating what appears to be Jell-O.
A knock at the door.
Dina: Okay, Violet.
Violet obediently, on cue, goes into the closet and shuts the door. Dina tugs at her top then opens the door to find Nick standing there. He walks in without an invitation.
Dina: What the hell are you doin'?
Nick: (Arms folded) Saw the tape.
Dina: What are you talking about?
Nick: Police Station—Downtown—there's a video tape of Shannon. You're in it.
Dina: I'm not in a tape.
Nick: I saw your reflection. I saw you. Sexual abuse of children's a second degree felony. Looking at four years minimum. And Violet… she becomes a ward of the State.
Dina: I know. I know.
Nick: Where's Violet?
Violet: (From inside the closet) In here.
Dina: It's okay, Violet. You can come out.
Violet comes out of the closet and sits down to watch TV. She is still eating from the small container of Jell-O.
Dina: I didn't touch your sister. (Nick glances at the TV and notices the violent content of the TV show) I didn't do nuthin' but sit with her and keep her calm.
Nick: You know where she is?
Dina: I could try again. If you promise not to call the cops, I could try again.
Nick: Is this gonna be like last time?
Dina: I took you some place real, didn't I? I am not trying to play you.
Nick: Yeah, I think you're gonna try again. Or… I can talk to the police about the tape.
Scene: Rundown neighborhood—large house—night
Nick pulls up and double parks outside. Music is heard coming from the house.
Dina: I can't promise you she's in there.
Nick: Just go in there and check.
Dina: These guys don't always want me around. It's just… sometimes… they know I can help them calm down the new girls. 'Cause I know how to talk to 'em 'cause… I was a new girl once.
Nick: Tell me if she's inside.
Dina: I wasn't playing you. I felt bad for your sister 'cause I been there myself. (Exits the car and runs up the steps—knocks on the door) Hi. Where's… (Inaudible) (Disappears inside)
Nick waits in the car. Violet, sitting in the back seat, removes her seatbelt and stands between the front seats—looks at Nick.
Violet: What's your favorite color?
Nick: Uh… (Shakes his head) I—I… I don't really have one.
Violet: I like green.
Nick: That's good. That's nice. (Keeps glancing out the window)
Violet: Yeah.
Nick: (Looks at her) Why is that?
Violet: I just… really like it.
Nick: (Nods) Right. (They keep looking at each other)
Dina reappears. Nick lowers the passenger window.
Dina: She's in there.
Nick: Thank you. (Exits the car—a last look at the house—then he gives a signal)
Police cars close in from all angles.
Police: (Off Camera) Hurry up. Go around back.
They all converge on the house. Dina glares across the top of the car at Nick. He glares back.
Alison: (Kicks open the front door and brandishing her gun…) Police! Everybody get down! Jonas, get the back room!
Yelling can be heard as everyone is rounded up.
Scene: Pittsburgh County Hospital—private meeting room—later that night
Laurie: She's in pretty good shape, physically. But she's taken or been given drugs so she's still a little bit out of it.
Burton: Right.
Laurie: The police'll want to see her first thing in the morning.
Burton: Okay. (Long pause) Was, uh…
Laurie: No, it's okay. (Pats his hand) She wasn't raped.
Burton: Thank, God.
Laurie: Burton, you're gonna need some help dealing with her.
Burton: Yeah.
Laurie: In the short term, I'd just tell her you don't blame her for anything that happened. Don't ask her too many questions. And don't punish her for disobeying you in the first place. I've got a list of therapists for Shannon… and one for you, if you wanna talk to anybody.
Burton: (Chuckles) Oh, no. I'm fine. But, thank you. Thank you.
Laurie: Okay. I'll go see if they're ready to release her.
Burton: Okay. Good.
They exit the room together.
Burton: (To Laurie) Thank you very much. (She walks off)
Burton sees Nick… and Roy waiting. He walks over and sits down beside Nick.
Burton: When'd he get here?
Nick: About ten minutes ago.
Roy: I'm glad they found her, huh. (Burton glares at him) Mr. Fallin, I, uh…
Burton: You should've stayed away.
Roy: She's my kid.
Burton: You should've stayed away.
Roy: I never meant for anything to happen to her, sir.
Laurie walks up—her arm around Shannon. Roy and Burton stand.
Burton: Shannon.
Shannon runs into her father's arms.
Roy: Hey. It's okay, Shannon. It's gonna be all right.
Burton glances at Laurie—she looks away.
Roy: Uhm… (He holds her hands and looks her in the eyes) You gotta go with Burton. Okay? I'm sorry. (He exits)
Shannon slowly walks over to Burton, head down. He puts his arm around her. Nick stands and grabs his overcoat. They walk out together. Laurie watches them go.
Scene: The House for Sale on Amberson Place—day
Nick pulls up and parks. Gets out of the car and walks to the door and rings the doorbell.
Scene: Police Station—meeting room—day
Burton and Laurie sit with Shannon as Agent Scanlon questions her. Detective Jonas takes notes.
Alison: Shannon, can you tell us about your relationship with Malcolm Reeves?
Shannon: Malcolm is a photographer.
Alison: Okay.
Shannon: He… said I could be a model.
Alison: Did Malcolm ever touch you?
Shannon: (Shakes her head)
Alison: Did he ever ask you to take your clothes off?
Shannon: No.
Alison: Your father said you called and said you were going to Malcolm's studio.
Shannon: I did… and he told me to go home. He called me a cab and told me to go.
Alison: Did you get into a cab?
Shannon: It was like a van. I think I just… I fell asleep in the back.
Alison: Was Malcolm in the van with you?
Shannon: No.
Alison: What else do you remember?
Shannon: I don't know. It was like I slept for a long time. I remember watching television somewhere in this house and then I remember the police coming in.
Alison: Do you remember anything about the last two days?
Shannon: (Long pause)
Burton experiences dizziness, blurred vision, echoes…
Shannon: (Shakes her head) No.
Alison: Shannon... there's a tape.
Shannon: I don't really remember… okay?
Alison: You don't remember being taken to a motel room…
Shannon: (Testily) I said I don't remember anything.
Burton: Shannon… honey. (Reaches out to her—she withdraws her hand) You… tell Miss Scanlon the truth.
Shannon: (Curtly) I am. I am telling her the truth.
Laurie: (To Alison) Maybe we should talk again tomorrow.
Alison: That's fine. Thank you, Shannon.
Shannon gets up and grabs her coat. Laurie stands.
Burton: Laurie, uh… give me a minute, will ya? I—I'll be right out.
Laurie and Shannon exit.
Alison: She's clearly drugged on the tape. Could be she was sedated for the last few days or she just might not wanna talk about it.
Burton: So, what're you gonna do?
Jonas: Dina, the prostitute we arrested, isn't talking. If Shannon doesn't cooperate, we can't do much.
Burton: And Malcolm?
Jonas: He made bail this morning. We've got him on a possession of child pornography charge. That's all we can do for now.
Burton: (Chuffs—sighs)
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Lulu's office—day
Lulu is working at her desk when Nick walks in without knocking.
Nick: Hey.
Lulu: Hey. How's Shannon?
Nick: Uh… I don't know, she's…
Lulu: What about Burton?
Nick: He's fine.
Lulu: (Sighs) Well, you know, I, uh… I put together some information. When—when you think it's appropriate, I can send it over to him.
Nick: Great. Thanks. I'll—I'll pass it on to him.
Lulu: Uh… okay.
Nick: You busy tonight?
Lulu: I don't have any plans, no.
Nick: Great, 'cause I'd like to take you someplace.
Lulu: Where?
Nick: (Hesitates) It's a surprise.
Lulu: (Smiles) Whadaya mean?
Nick: I—I'll pick you up later… here. (Makes a quick exit)
Lulu: Nick… (She looks at the closed door, puzzled)
Scene: Children's play area
Nick walks over.
Nick: How's Violet doing?
Alvin: She doesn't seem to like talking much. But, from what I can tell she never went to kindergarten, preschool, nothing. She just, uh… sat around in her motel room all day.
Nick: That's right.
Nick walks over and stoops to her level. Violet sits with her social worker and colors, using a green crayon.
Nick: Hey, Violet. D'you remember me? (She doesn't look up) I'm gonna help to find you a nice place to stay for awhile, okay?
Violet: How come you don't have a favorite color?
Nick: Uh… I… I don't know.
Violet: Everyone has a favorite color.
Nick: (Glances down at all the crayons lying on the table—he picks up a crayon) Violet.
Violet: What?
Nick: (Indicates the crayon) Violet… seems like a nice color. (Smiles)
Violet: (Grins) Shut up.
Nick smiles, glances at the social worker.
Scene: Burton's residence—kitchen—day
Shannon enters followed by Burton.
Burton: Honey, listen…
Shannon: I'm gonna watch television. (Walks away)
Burton: Shannon, look… listen, uh… (Shannon stops and turns) I talked to some people about getting you some help. There's this one lady who evidently is very good. She's done a lotta work with kids who've… been through what you've been through and… so I, uh… asked Laurie to… to bring her over here.
Shannon: When?
Burton: About, uh… (Checks his watch) About an hour.
Shannon: I'm fine, Burton. I don't have to talk to anybody.
Burton: Honey, look…
Shannon: I'm fine, Burton, okay?
Burton: Shannon… fact is I, uh… I probably need a little help myself.
Shannon: Whatever. (Walks off)
Burton experiences another bout of dizziness.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office
He works while Violet sits across from him, coloring.
Violet: I'm bored.
Nick: Your social worker just has to finish up some paperwork with Alvin.
Violet: (Shows him her picture—a green stick figure with lots of curly hair carrying a briefcase)
Nick: Now that's good.
Violet: It's you.
Nick: (Slight smile) That's very nice.
Violet: Thank you. You got a TV?
Nick: No, not here. (Phone rings) Nick Fallin.
Scene: Burton's residence—family room—night
Burton pours a drink.
Burton: You know, Laurie Solt came over to talk to us with a… a counselor.
Nick: Right.
Burton: Shannon says she'd be up in her room watching TV. They got here and I go upstairs. She's not there.
Nick: She's gone?
Burton: I didn't hear her leave.
Nick: Did you call the police?
Burton: No, I didn't have to. Laurie saw to it. And she was angry. Told me she didn't think I could handle Shannon any more. (Takes a drink) Maybe she's right. Maybe I can't handle all this…
Phone rings.
Nick: That's crap. You can't blame yourself. (Answers the phone) Hello. (Listens) Yeah… Roy. (Listens) Yeah. Okay. (Listens) Sure. (Hangs up) Roy's with Shannon at Malcolm's studio.
Scene: Malcolm's studio—exterior—night
Nick pulls up and parks at the curb behind Roy's car. They get out of the car and join Roy and Shannon on the sidewalk.
Burton: Honey, you all right?
Roy: I—I need your help.
Burton: What's going on?
Roy: I need to talk to you inside.
Burton: What's going on here?
Nick: I'll stay with her.
Burton follows Roy inside.
Nick: You wanna sit in the car?
Shannon nods. Nick opens the rear door for her.
Scene: Interior of studio
A popping sound followed by a flash is heard/seen over and over again as they walk towards the back of the studio.
Roy: So, I get this call from Malcolm and he says that Shannon's back here and he… wants her out because all the trouble she causes him. I drive over whole time thinking 'the trouble she caused him'. So I come in here. I tell her to wait outside. Asked him what he did it for. He just lied. I asked him where he got the money. He lied.
Burton is startled to see Malcolm's lifeless body sprawled amongst the photograph equipment.
Roy: (Pulls a gun from his pocket) So I shot him. Twice. (Lays the gun on a table) After what he did… what I let him do, I… just couldn't have it, sir. I just couldn't have it.
Scene: Burton's residence—family room—later
Burton pours himself a drink.
Shannon: What's gonna happen to Roy?
Burton: I don't know, honey.
Shannon: He's going to jail?
Burton: For the time being, yeah.
Shannon: Malcolm told me he'd marry me when I got old enough.
Burton: Really.
Shannon: He said we could move somewhere like… New York or Los Angeles… or Paris.
Burton: Right.
Shannon: He said he loved me… all the time. He would say that all the time. But then… when I got over there… he yelled at me. Called me names. Told me I got him into trouble. But, he's… he's the one who wanted me to do all that stuff.
Burton: Yeah.
Shannon: The pictures he took and the tape at the motel… I remember it, Burton. I just… I remember all of it. I just promised Malcolm I'd never tell.
Burton sighs—takes a drink.
Scene: Legal Services of Pittsburgh—Nick's office—day
Nick sits working—Violet sits across the desk from him. Alvin walks in.
Alvin: Violet's foster parents are here to pick her up.
Nick: Thanks. (Recaps his pen and closes his portfolio) You ready? (She shrugs) Little bit scared? (She nods) That's okay. If you need anything… anything at all, you just call me, okay? (Hands her a small sack) It's for your new house.
Violet: (Pulls a large box of crayons from the sack) Oh…
Nick: It's every color in the world.
Violet: Oh… thanks.
Scene: Elevator
Violet stands on the elevator with her new foster parents. Nick waves goodbye. Turns to walk back to his office and sees Lulu.
Nick: Hey, uh… Look, I'm sorry about last night.
Lulu: I understand. You don't have to apologize. It's okay.
Nick: What're you doing right now?
Lulu: You know… usuals.
Nick: Grab your coat. I wanna show you something.
She gives him a wary smile.
Scene: The House on Amberson Place—day
Nick drives up—stops. The FOR SALE sign has been replaced by a SOLD sign.
Lulu: You bought the house?
Nick: Well, I just… put down a deposit. (Smiles broadly)
Lulu: Nick…
Nick: No. It's just… you know, there's so much… that's just not safe and, uh… you know, so much that doesn't work and…
Lulu: Yeah, but, Nick…
Nick: I wanna know that you live somewhere good. Somewhere… safe. Both you and the baby. So, uh… I want you to have it. With or without me, I… I want you to have it.
Lulu: With you… But not like this.
Nick: (Chuckles) Then however you want.
Lulu: I mean, I… Thank you so much… for doing this. But, I… I don't know, I think that, you know, for now we should probably just work on the little things.
Nick: The little things.
Lulu: Right. The little things.
He looks away. She touches his chin and turns his face towards her and they kiss tenderly.
Scene: Police Station—day
Burton, Shannon and Laurie wait.
Burton: (Sighs) Honey… everything's gonna work out just fine, honey. They got the best people to help you. Everything's gonna be just fine. Now when you go in there just… take your time. Slow and easy. Tell 'em whatever you can. If you wanna stop… you just let me know, okay? When this is all over and everything gets back to normal we'll… get the adoption going again.
Shannon: I feel bad for Roy.
Burton: Well, Roy understands.
Shannon: He's my dad, Burton. I just feel bad for him.
Detective Jonas walks up.
Burton: Well… look, we'll talk about this later, okay?
Shannon: Right.
Jonas: Ready?
Burton: Yeah.
Detective Jonas escorts them down the hall.
Scene: Burton's residence—Shannon's room—night
Shannon sleeps—Burton looks at her for a long time then exits and returns to the dining room where Nick sits at the table, waiting.
Nick: How is she?
Burton: Sleeping.
Nick: Did she tell the police everything?
Burton: Oh… yeah. You know if I were Roy… I would've done the same thing. If I'd gotten over there first, I'd have done the same thing. (Sits down with a heavy heart) She, uh… (Sighs) …she doesn't want me to adopt her anymore.
Nick: Why is that?
Burton: She's worried about Roy and she says she doesn't belong here. Maybe she's right. Maybe I… just tried too damn hard to be… be something that I really am not. (Takes a drink) What you did, son… Thank you for what you did.
Nick: Dad, I… I didn't do anything.
Burton: You're a good man, Nicholas. (Takes a sip of his drink) It's gettin' late.
Nick: (Glances at his watch)
Burton: You don't have to stay here on my account. I'll be all right.
Nick does not budge. FADE OUT…
END OF EPISODE
==========================
TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY "TWIZ TV.COM - FREE TV SCRIPTS DATABASE"
COURTESY OF/PERMISSION FROM SIMONSPHERE
==========================