Higher Ground
Episode 6: Crossroads
Original Airdate: 18-FEB-2000
Written by Denitria Harris-Lawrence, Directed by Peter DeLuise
© Transcribed by: Amy for Safe On Higher Ground.
Posted on http://twiztv.com.
SUMMARY: Sophie gives the kids a parenting assignment - which, most of them aren't happy with - and Kat's visiting parents bring back painful memories on the anniversary of her sister's death.
OPENING SCENE: MEMORY: We see an underwater shot, then the camera comes above the water and we hear a younger voice saying "Katie!" KATHERINE is in her bed. KATHERINE remembers what happened earlier that day and compares it to a drowning incident. At the river, HANK and KATHERINE are looking for something.
HANK: You know, she's close.
KATHERINE: How do you know? At this end?
HANK: No, there's paw prints by that tree over there...
KATHERINE: Oh, you faker! (KATHERINE pushes HANK into the river and laughs at him.)
Shot of a blonde girl, SHANNON, struggling to stay above water. KATHERINE sits up, the scenes still playing in her head.
HANK: I'm not going to blow a fuse by falling backwards. KATHERINE gets a serious look on her face. HANK kisses her cheek then they kiss.
MEMORY: Another shot of SHANNON trying to stay afloat.
Back at Horizon: HANK just dropped KATHERINE off and PETER isn't too happy about it.
PETER: In the future, I'd appreciate it if you'd drop my students off before you go tracking through the mud. (PETER opens the truck door for HANK)
HANK: Yeah, I'll do that.
WOODS: KATHERINE and HANK are kissing.
MEMORY: KATHERINE and her sister, SHANNON, are at the beach.
KATHERINE: You keep forgetting something...I always win.
SHANNON: What's your problem?
KATHERINE: First one to the buoy and back...
SHANNON: Wait, Katie!
WOODS: KATHERINE and HANK are kissing, but KATHERINE stops. HANK drops her off at Horizon. KATHERINE is obviously upset about something. KATHERINE gets out of the car, and HANK follows her.
HANK: Kat, Will you talk to me? Kate...Kate, what's up? (He pauses.) One minute we're having a good time and the next you want to be taken home. (Pauses again.) It couldn't have been that bad of a kiss.
MEMORY: KATHERINE is swimming, unaware that her sister is crying for help.
KATHERINE: Why do you want me? I go to a high school for freaks!
HANK: You're not a freak, Kat.
KATHERINE: Believe me, Hank. Your life will be a whole lot easier without me. (Starts to walk away but HANK grabs her arm.)
HANK: No...no. Don't just blow me off.
MEMORY: Again, SHANNON is shown drowning, and KATHERINE is sitting up in her bed.
END SCENE. OPENING CREDITS
THE CLIFFHANGERS ARE OUTSIDE FOR CLASS
SCOTT: Been checking you out lately.
SHELBY: About time.
SCOTT: So I was thinking, uh, you and I could hook up later.
SHELBY: You mean, like, sex?
SCOTT: Yeah, maybe.
SHELBY: Sounds good to me. (Sounds of whistling are heard. AUGGIE claps and EZRA raises his eyebrows.)
SCOTT: (not amused) If she's going to keep on doing this you can count me out of your little experiment, Jeff.
JEFF: All right, all right. You two can come down now. (Camera pulls back to show SCOTT and SHELBY had been in the gazebo. They get up and sit down with the rest of the group - JULIETTE, SCOTT, AUGGIE, SHELBY, EZRA, DAISY. Jeff gets up and stands in front of the group.) Very nice, uh, authenticity, Scott, Shelby.
AUGGIE: (as SHELBY sits down) You can't keep your hormones in check, not even for a class project, huh.
SHELBY: I can't help it if they have a mind of their own. (JULIETTE doesn't look very happy about SHELBY talking to AUGGIE.)
JEFF: That wasn't exactly what I was trying to accomplish, here, but you get the general idea. Sex is a very powerful thing. But sex also has consequences.
AUGGIE: Blah, blah, blah. If God really wanted us to "just say no," I mean, why did He make it feel so good?
JULIETTE: Well, I for one am for total abstinence.
DAISY: Abstinence is good. There is already too many hungry children in the world.
JEFF: You are all missing the point.
PETER: (PETER comes in and clears his throat.) Maybe they should experience it first hand? (he is holding a few small cartons of eggs.) You mind?
JEFF: No, no. Not at all. I was just about to suggest the same.
SHELBY: Eggs are a little...kinky, don't you think, Peter?
PETER: Not the way you're going to be using them, Shelby. These little guys here are going to represent the kids.
JULIETTE: Hello, abstinence girl, here. This won't work with my lifestyle.
PETER: Well, your new lifestyle includes a one-night stand, with a five year old, struggling on 20 thousand dollars a year.
JULIETTE: Ew, only twenty thousand?
PETER: Yep. And Scott...you and Auggie are a high powered gay couple desperately wanting to adopt a child.
AUGGIE: Yo, wait a minute...that ain't gonna work, man.
SCOTT: You've got to be kidding.
PETER: No, I'm not kidding. We're going to meet in a day or two and you two are going to tell me why you deserve a child. Just think...your grade depends on it! That's usually a good motivator. (SHELBY laughs at them.) And Miss Merrick...
SHELBY: (Still laughing) Yeah...
PETER: You and Mr. Friedkin are a newly married yuppie couple with the appearance of newborn twins. (SHELBY looks at him, clearly not amused. EZRA snatches the eggs from PETER.)
SHELBY: Oh, no. See, what happened to the old fashioned drawing a name from the hat?
EZRA: Yes, there is a God! Thank you, thank you!
PETER: You both full time career people with approximately combined incomes of 60 thousand dollars a year.
SHELBY: That's not enough money to flee the country.
PETER: I'm sure we can make it work.
EZRA: They look just like their mother. (SHELBY gives him a weird look.)
PETER: Daisy...(he looks at the eggs then closes it and kneels down.) You are, uh...
DAISY: You can say it.
PETER: You're childless.
DAISY: I'm barren.
PETER: I'm very sorry about that. I want to know your feelings on the subject, two pages by Friday. The rest of you, I gave you your children. Never leave them more than an arm's reach away for a moment. You must keep them warm, safe, and if you crack the child, your grade will suffer. (Puts carton up and gets a portfolio and starts handing out sheets.) Got it? Get these family budgets and child-care plans filled out by Friday...Shelby? (SHELBY shakes her head.) And, anything else? (They shake their heads.) Good luck. (They start to get up, except for DAISY, who is clearly upset with her assignment.)
END SCENE
THE BARN.
SOPHIE is in workout clothes, punching a bag with gloves. PETER walks up to her.
PETER: I thought we were supposed to meet in my office.
SOPHIE: Oh, I wanted to get a workout in. Is this your bag?
PETER: Yeah. How was Africa?
SOPHIE: I got bored. There are only so many wild animals I can take. I go through them one at a time. Climbed that piece of rock yet?
PETER: Let me get this straight. You left Africa to come here to Agnes.
SOPHIE: Unless you can think of a better reason not to go up that hill.
PETER: Is that really it or did you reconsider my offer?
SOPHIE: (Nods.) Its been a long time since I've worked with kids, Peter.
PETER: You've got to stop running, here is as good of a place as any.
SOPHIE: Yeah, well I haven't run from anything for a very long time!
PETER: Soph, with your credentials, you could go anywhere.
SOPHIE: What can I say? I like the fresh air. And, there is a certain rock to conquer.
PETER: I can't have you changing your mind at the last moment, Sophie.
SOPHIE: Thanks for having so much faith in me.
PETER: I'll run a pass to Frank, okay?
SOPHIE: What you mean is you need time to figure out if this can really work, given our history.
PETER: I just want to make sure history doesn't repeat itself, that's all.
(SOPHIE, jokingly shocked he said that, punches PETER instead of the bag.)
END SCENE
PETER'S OFFICE. SOPHIE is sitting on the desk, KATHERINE is sitting in the chair, PETER is standing up.
KATHERINE: This is so unfair!
PETER: End of discussion. You two are spending way too much time together.
KATHERINE: We're just friends, he listens.
PETER: I don't care. He's not the kind of friend you need right now.
KATHERINE: So? What makes you always right?
SOPHIE: What's the harm Peter? A little flirting never hurt anybody.
KATHERINE: Thanks, but I don't remember asking for your opinion.
PETER: I asked Sophie to be here, all right? She might even be taking Hannah's place.
KATHERINE: No one can take Hannah's place.
SOPHIE: I don't intend to try.
KATHERINE: Hank's the best thing that ever happened to me here.
PETER: Before Hank came around you were doing great. Your parents said you were sounding like your old self again.
KATHERINE: Of course they were. They want their perfect little girl back.
PETER: Hey, not they don't. They just want to make sure that you're okay. Besides, its time for them to come visit.
KATHERINE: (standing up) I'm not ready.
PETER: You cannot fight the inevitable.
KATHERINE: I can delay it. At least I have a say in that. (she leaves.)
PETER: Not for much longer.
END SCENE
GIRLS DORM
JULIETTE: (working on her bed, with the eggs next to her) Peter finally catch onto you and Hank? (KATHERINE sits down on her bed and rubs her face.) Come on, you can tell me.
KATHERINE: (Softly) Yeah. How'd you know.
JULIETTE: Besides being majorly obvious?
KATHERINE: That much, huh?
JULIETTE: You don't wear subtle too well.
KATHERINE: What's up with the yearbooks?
JULIETTE: I'm looking for a father for my kid.
KATHERINE: Translation?
JULIETTE: Jeff tried to teach us sex education again and Peter bailed him out by assigning us lives so we'd understand the reality of life with kids, which boils down to sex ed consequences.
KATHERINE: And the egg?
JULIETTE: My five year old.
END SCENE
IN THE LODGE. SOPHIE is on her cell phone and tying her shoe.
SOPHIE: So what you're telling me is I can't see the place tonight...You do understand that I have no where to go...You know, if anything happens to me it'll be on your head...(closes phone and gets up.) I can see that made an impression on you. (walks over to PETER) Ugh! People in this town can be so irritating! Codes, rules, more rules...
PETER: Not everyone is as free based as you, Sophie. You can stay at my place for as long as you need. The keys are under the rock in the front yard, just like always.
SOPHIE: I don't think that's such a good idea.
PETER: It wasn't such a bad idea last time you were here.
SOPHIE: You weren't my potential boss last time.
PETER: Still not. At least not yet.
SOPHIE: You won't be. I have a feeling the kids won't exactly welcome me with open arms.
PETER: Katherine and Hannah were pretty close. This is just going to take time, that's all.
SOPHIE: I don't think even time can bridge that gap. You miss Hannah?
PETER: Tough decisions are made everyday. It was something she had to do.
SOPHIE: And now you're stuck with me.
PETER: I can think of worse things.
SOPHIE: What did Frank say about hiring me?
PETER: I'm not going to lie, you know. He had some reservations knowing you - knowing our history. And he's not sure if the kids can handle bonding with someone who has the potential to leave at the drop of a hat.
SOPHIE: Ooouch! (moves closer) Peter, are those Frank's thoughts or yours?
(PETER tries to hide a smile.)
END SCENE
GIRLS DORM
EZRA is following SHELBY into the dorm, SHELBY is clearly frustrated with him.
SHELBY: You are on deck. Ugh! Look, (turns and grabs EZRA by the front of his shirt) I told you, I'm going through this whole post-mort-mummy thing, so unless you want me to scramble them up right here I suggest you take them for the night! (Slams the door in his face)
EZRA: Honey, we still need to discuss the sleeping arrangements!
SHELBY: (inside) Ugh! Go. Away, Friekin!
EZRA: You're going to have to learn how to spell our last name sooner or later!
SHELBY: Go away!
INSIDE DORM
SHELBY sits on her bed.
DAISY: At least you know the joy of having kids. Try being childless.
SHELBY: I am trying. (KATHERINE gets up and gets her jacket.) Where are you headed?
KATHERINE: The center.
SHELBY: Gee, Kat, you've brown-nosed so much you just get to come and go as you please. Guess I need to learn to suck up more.
KATHERINE: Really? 'Cause I thought you had the whole kissing thing down. (SHELBY makes a face.) See ya Jules.
JULIETTE: What are you going to do about Hank?
KATHERINE: I'll come up with something.
END SCENE
PETER'S HOUSE
KATHERINE and HANK are walking up the walkway.
HANK: I didn't know you had any friends in town.
KATHERINE: Yvette work together at the home. This'll only take a minute. (KATHERINE picks up a rock from the garden and under it are the keys to PETER'S hosue.) Under the rock...here. (She replaces the rock.) I promised Yvette I would water her plants while she was out of town.
HANK: You know, I'm kinda surprised you called. Especially after yesterday.
KATHERINE: Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Just a momentary lapse of insanity. (HANK doesn?espond.) It was a joke.
HANK: Oh...ha ha...You know, you're worse than I am?
KATHERINE: Its been awhile. Especially the laughing part. (KATHERINE tugs on his jacket)
HANK: Well, we're going to have to do something about that. (They kiss.)
END SCENE, COMMERCIAL BREAK.
THE LODGE. The CLIFFHANGERS are all lounging around. AUGGIE is in a chair, DAISY in the one next to him, reading. JULIETTE and SCOTT are sitting farther back.
JULIETTE: I can't believe you made me a statistic.
SCOTT: He couldn't have just paired the two of us up together. He's always got to make a point, you know, it can never be about the project.
JULIETTE: Then stop being so obvious. Just call Auggie over and don't make it a big deal.
SCOTT: Excuse me if I got a problem with someone who lip-locked with my girl.
JULIETTE: You know, maybe we should try to get past this one day.
SCOTT: Is that what its going to take to get the two of you to stop being so friendly? (AUGGIE gets up) Me getting "past this?"
JULIETTE: It'll be less cliche.
AUGGIE: All right, look, Barringer, I hate this just as much as you do, all right? But I need to score big-time on this project.
SCOTT: Don't stand too close to me...like that.
AUGGIE: You're loco, you know that? (He leaves.)
JULIETTE: I guess this wasn't your day to get past it, huh? (Stands up and leaves as well and walks past EZRA and SHELBY, who is also leaving. Scene shifts to them.)
EZRA: I can't care for both of them myself.
SHELBY: (turning around.) Well, I don't know what to tell you, Friekin. The possibility of the two of us, sitting down, hashing this out...its not gonna happen.
EZRA: Well, I could...I could try to care for them. But you have that whole breast-feeding mechanism. I just don't think I can compete.
SHELBY: Do you see know why I'm willing to fail this project? (She leaves and EZRA follows.)
END SCENE
INSIDE PETER'S HOUSE
KATHERINE and HANK are kissing in the dark house. Finally HANK stops.
HANK: Katherine, I need to get you back to school.
KATHERINE: What's the matter? I'm okay with this. (They go back to kissing but HANK pulls away again.)
HANK: Okay, is this really you? 'Cause I get the feeling this is some kind of game.
KATHERINE: No games.
HANK: What's the rush?
KATHERINE: I thought this is what you wanted.
HANK: I don't know...sneaking around someone's house? You know, your friend is into a lot of guy stuff.
KATHERINE: She has a boyfriend. Lets try to forget about her for now. (They go back to kissing.)
END SCENE
BOYS DORM
AUGGIE goes over to SCOTT, who is sitting on his bed.
AUGGIE: Okay, so how do you want to play this?
SCOTT: I don't.
AUGGIE: We ain't got no choice. All right, so I suggest you play catch-up.
SCOTT: Oh, okay... Right on, then.
AUGGIE: What's your problem now, Meat?
SCOTT: My problem is that this school is never about any normal stuff. Instead of watching bees pollinating a flower, you know, we're a bunch of homos trying to score an egg.
AUGGIE: Don't diss, man. Its either gay or homosexual. See, you would know that stuff if you would check it out.
SCOTT: Whatever, all right? Who in their right mind would give a kid to a couple of fags? Oooo, I mean "homosexuals?"
AUGGIE: That's what we got to figure out. Its all about choices.
SCOTT: If it was I wouldn?e stuck with you.
AUGGIE: If you're so happy, why don't you do us all a favor, and leave for good?
SCOTT: Why? So you can have open field on Juliette?
AUGGIE: That's your fancy, all right. Not mine. You're the one stuck on re-play. (He goes to his bed and sets his stuff down.)
SCOTT: You keep telling yourself that.
AUGGIE: You're like a broken record, you know that? What's the matter with you? You scared she's going to wise up and leave you for better?
SCOTT: (Getting face to face with AUGGIE) Know this: she'll never be for you. (He leaves)
END SCENE
INSIDE PETER'S HOUSE
HANK picks up KATHERINE'S jacket and helps her into it.
HANK: You know, it was the right thing, to wait.
KATHERINE: I was ready.
HANK: No you weren't. Your not even close to ready and you know it.
(OUTSIDE, a car pulls up to the house.)
Tell me what's going on, Kat.
MEMORY: SHANNON calls for KATHERINE.
(OUSIDE, a hand picks up the rock, but there aren't any keys under it.)
What's on your mind?
KATHERINE: We really need to be getting out of here.
HANK: Kat...I wasn't trying to back you into a corner.
KATHERINE: (turning away from a picture of the group and HANNAH) You didn't. I'm just trying to deal with all these changes.
HANK: Am I one of them?
KATHERINE: Sort of.
HANK: Then I'll back off. Give you the space that you need.
(OUTSIDE, the person is trying to open the door with a pocketknife. Its SOPHIE. She comes in and sees HANK and KATHERINE and is shocked.)
SOPHIE: What is this?
KATHERINE: (Rudely.) What are you doing here?
SOPHIE: From where I'm standing I'm definitely the one that gets to ask the questions.
HANK: (Oblivious, goes to SOPHIE to shake her hand.) You must be Yvette. Hi, my name is -
SOPHIE: Obviously, you don't know whose house your standing in or you'd be real scared right about now.
HANK: Kat, what is she talking -?
KATHERINE: This is Peter's house.
HANK: What?
SOPHIE: My guess is that this is Hank, and you're in a hell of a lot of trouble. Did you think that it was a joke when Peter said you couldn't see him anymore?
KATHERINE: No, but...
HANK: No, wait. He's trying to keep us from seeing each other?
SOPHIE: It was pretty much a done decision.
HANK: Okay, don't take this out on Kat, I can explain.
KATHERINE: Don't waste your breath. She's already come to her conclusions.
SOPHIE: Hank, I think you better leave before Peter gets here. I don't think he'd appreciate you being in his house alone with one of his students.
HANK looks at KATHERINE, who looks guilty, and leaves.
KATHERINE: Are you going to tell Peter?
SOPHIE: Yes. I have to tell him.
END SCENE
BARN. PETER is punching the bag, very angry. SOPHIE is behind him, watching.
PETER: Where are they now?
SOPHIE: Calm down, I brought Katherine back here and pretty much told Hank to buy a plane ticket. From what I can tell nothing happened.
PETER: I never thought that Hannah leaving would affect her like this.
SOPHIE: She's also falling in love for the first time.
PETER: You know, I really don't need to hear about that right now.
SOPHIE: What did you expect, Peter. You've got these kids stuck up on this hill with hormones raging and you're telling them to keep their hands to themselves.
PETER: Its so they can concentrate on what's most important.
SOPHIE: You can't stop puberty, I mean, you can only try to teach them to make responsible choices.
PETER: Soph, I've been doing this a long time. Don't tell me how to deal with my kids, all right?
SOPHIE: Then deal with the fact that Katherine wanted to get caught. Why else would she intentionally bring Hank to your house? (long pause)
PETER: She wanted to get caught so that she would be put on restrictions so her parents wouldn't visit. That's why.
SOPHIE: Well, why wouldn't she want them to visit?
PETER: Tomorrow is the anniversary of her sister's death. She drowned three years ago. (pause) I gotta go shower.
END SCENE
OUTSIDE. JULIETTE is posting on the board a want ad for a father for her baby.
DAISY: You really want to put it up there? You're that desperate?
JULIETTE: Well, I gotta start some where.
DAISY: Or you could go it alone.
JULIETTE: Ha ha. I always knew you had a sense of humor. (Leaves.)
DAISY: I can babysit!
EZRA and SHELBY come in.
EZRA: Honey, the kids don't even know your name!
SHELBY: If you call me honey one more time...
EZRA: Shhh. Not in front of the twins. (SHELBY doesn't answer but looks around for an excuse to get rid of EZRA. She sees a couple (KATHERINE'S PARENTS))
SHELBY: Excuse me, can I help you?
MR. CABOTT: Um, yes. Could you tell me where we might find Peter Scarbrow's office?
SHELBY: Yeah, its over that way. (Turns back to EZRA.) I'd be happy to show you. (She leaves, smiling.)
DAISY: I could help you raise them.
EZRA: Uhh, thanks, but Shelby and I are trying to work things out. (He leaves.)
END SCENE
INSIDE LODGE. SHELBY is showing the CABOTTS PETER'S office. She knocks on the door.
SHELBY: Hey Peter, you got company. (We see KATHERINE sitting on a couch in PETER'S office.)
KATHERINE: Mom. Dad. (SHELBY looks at them, shocked but tries to hide it.)
PETER: Mr. and Mrs. Cabot.
MRS. CABOT: Thank you.
PETER: (Seems to know what SHELBY is thinking.) I'm sure you have something better to do. (Closes the door.)
SHELBY: (Amused.) Mom, dad...Okay...
INSIDE PETER'S OFFICE
MR. CABOT: She waits just months before graduation to pull a stunt like this? And in a stranger's house? With some young man?
KATHERINE: It was Peter's house and we didn't do anything.
MRS. CABOT: Katherine has been here for two years. Shouldn't we be past all this obstinate behavior?
PETER: Your daughter has done extremely well since she's been here. Its not uncommon for a student to slip. Its usually triggered by an event. Someone very close to Katherine recently left the school. Also, your daughter's death, it could be anther trigger.
MRS. CABOT: Shannon has been dead for three years.
PETER: Three years today.
MR. CABOT: Is that what this is about?
KATHERINE: No. I did it because they wouldn't let me see Hank.
MR. CABOT: All this over a boy.
PETER: Now is a perfect opportunity to say how you feel.
KATHERINE: I feel like this meeting should be over.
MRS. CABOT: We have already dealt with all of that pain. All is forgiven.
KATHERINE: What am I being forgiven for? (Beat.) Look at you two. You can't even say it.
MRS. CABOT: I just meant that the past is the past and I think we should just leave it there. (To PETER.) Right?
END SCENE.
KITCHEN. AUGGIE and SCOTT are sitting at a table, and SOPHIE come in and sits down with them.
SOPHIE: Thank you for coming, gentlemen. Mr. Scarbrow asked me to sit in for him and hear your case. He had to deal with an emergency situation. Well, I guess we should just jump right in. So, you're gay?
AUGGIE and SCOTT: What? No, no.
SOPHIE: Well, that's what you said here.
SCOTT: Oh, yeah, yeah. On the paper.
SOPHIE: So sell me guys. Why should I give you two a baby? Your not even married.
AUGGIE: Well, we uh, had a ceremony.
SOPHIE: That still doesn't make you married in the eyes of the law. What exactly makes you two fit to be adoptive parents?
SCOTT: Well, we made a lot of money to take care of him.
SOPHIE: It takes more than money. Do you have any experience with kids?
AUGGIE: Well, we're part of a Big Brother's group. You know, we take a couple of kids out every week or so.
SOPHIE: Okay. And who's going to stay home with the baby?
SCOTT: Not me.
AUGGIE: Well, you ain't sticking me with it!
SOPHIE: All right. Stop now, you two need to work out your story some more.
SCOTT: Peter would have given us the egg by now.
SOPHIE: Well, too bad for you. I'm not Peter.
SCOTT: Well, hey. So we don't get the egg?
SOPHIE: No. You two aren't ready. Next time, show me how responsible you can be and we'll see. (She leaves.)
END SCENE.
PETER'S OFFICE.
MR. CABOT: Your mother and I have tried to make life as normal as possible, which you continuously made very difficult!
KATHERINE: Your blaming me for that too.
PETER: Its not what they're saying Kat, just listen.
MRS. CABOT: We're not blaming you. It just happened.
KATHERINE: Listen to what!? Their "polite conversation?" I took their daughter away from them!
MRS. CABOT: Don't say that, Katie!
PETER: Why do you feel that way?
KATHERINE: Because its true. They just won't admit it.
MRS. CABOT: We don't think that. Your our daughter too.
KATHERINE: By default.
MR. CABOT: Great, now she won't claim us as her parents!
KATHERINE: If you were really my parents you would tell me the truth!
MR. CABOT: Then, I guess its good that we're really not! How's that, Katie. You got your wish!
MRS. CABOT: John, no!
MR. CABOT: You have no parents!
PETER: Mr. Cabot, that's not -
MR. CABOT: Its what she wants to hear! Are you happy now? (KATHERINE gets up and leaves.)
PETER: I think that'll be it for the day.
END SCENE.
OUTSIDE. Some kids are playing basketball, SHELBY included. EZRA is still following her around. SHELBY shoots a hoop and it goes in.
SHELBY: Nothin' but net! I got one minute. (She goes to get another ball.)
EZRA: You agree Peter is pretty serious about this project.
SHELBY: Yeah, so what?
EZRA: So why don't we go ahead and do it. Surprise him.
SHELBY: By what? Having a family with you?
EZRA: Yeah. Maybe we could score some major brownie points and maybe we could accumulate enough to get up to Sippet Hill. I know you're determined.
SHELBY: You mean, get status minus the soap opera?
EZRA: That's what I'm saying.
SHELBY: (Takes the eggs.) So, uh, where do we want these kids to go to school?
(They leave. SCOTT comes in and walks over to JULIETTE, who is sitting on a picnic bench.)
SCOTT: Any luck?
JULIETTE: None. There's a lot of commitment-phobia at this school. You?
SCOTT: Struck out.
JULIETTE: Until you and Auggie can get beyond that we held hands, you'll never finish this project.
SCOTT: Yeah, like that's going to happen.
JULIETTE: Hello. Like keep in mind that your grade depends on Auggie's, so I'd get over it, and pick a better time to go Jerry Springer. (She leaves.)
END SCENE.
SCOTT: Auggie.
AUGGIE: Yeah.
SCOTT: I went over the research and I think we approached it all wrong. You see the focus should be shown that there's no difference between us, you know - in being gay, and all - and everybody else. What do you think?
AUGGIE: That, we show them that as long as the kids in a loving environment, it doesn't matter.
SCOTT: Exactly.
END SCENE.
GIRL'S DORM. KATHERINE is lying on her bed. JULIETTE looks out at her from the bathroom, then goes back in. SHELBY is washing up in front of the mirror.
JULIETTE: She had a big blow with her parents. They didn't go out to dinner.
SHELBY: Well, I heard she got busted with Hank in Peter's house.
JULIETTE: No way! Peter must have lost it.
SHELBY: Of course he did. She may not even graduate.
JULIETTE: Maybe we should go talk to her.
SHELBY: And say what? That she should have waited until after graduation to screw up?
JULIETTE: You could at least pretend to be human sometimes. We have to do something, she's totally shutting down in there.
SHELBY: Its what Peter lives for. Let him deal with it.
JULIETTE: (Sitting down next to KATHERINE on the bed.) Katherine, do you want to talk about it?
DAISY: Just give her some space.
JULIETTE: We can get a message to Hank if you want us to.
SHELBY: Lame-o attempt, Princess. Kat, you brought this on yourself. But your smart enough to know that so why'd you really do it?
KATHERINE: (Doesn't answer but turns off her bedlamp.)
SHELBY: All right. I don't need to be told twice. (DAISY turns off the lights and everyone gets in bed.)
MEMORY: SHANNON is still calling for help, and there is a body floating on top of the water.
END SCENE.
GIRLS DORM. KATHERINE is still lying in bed. SHELBY is in the doorway, packing, and PETER just walked in.
PETER: Is the coast clear?
SHELBY: Yeah. Maybe you can get her to move.
PETER: What's going on?
JULIETTE: She won't get up.
PETER: Katherine. Kat. I can't help you if you don't talk to me, Kat.
SHELBY: Well, looks like you've got everything under control. We're outta here.
PETER: Hold on, you know the rules. One down, you're all down.
SHELBY: You've got to be kidding me. We had nothing to do with this. Daisy's already gone.
PETER: It doesn't matter, you're a team. Katherine has to remember that her actions affect everyone.
SHELBY: Thanks a lot, Kat. Your popularity is really starting to bite. (She flops down on her bed.)
PETER: (To JULIETTE) Come and get me if she starts to talk. (JULIETTE sits down next to KATHERINE.)
END SCENE.
OUTSIDE. PETER and SOPHIE are walking up the stairs towards the dorms.
SOPHIE: Hey, Peter. Why don't you let me talk to her?
PETER: Bad idea. She already sees you as the enemy.
SOPHIE: So I can use that as ammunition. I can use all that anger against her.
PETER: Its special. I don't want to take that chance.
SOPHIE: You gotta let me try, Peter.
PETER: Five minutes.
GIRLS DORM. JULIETTE is filing her nails, SHELBY is on her bed reading, and DAISY is in a chair reading. SOPHIE gives them a motion to leave.
SOPHIE: Hey, Kat, lets take a walk.
KATHERINE: (Back in bed.) Nope. Go away.
SOPHIE: I wasn't asking. Come on, lets go. (Pulls the covers away.)
KATHERINE: Didn't you hear me? I said I wasn't going anywhere.
SOPHIE: You're mistaking me for someone who'll put up with this. (KATHERINE closes her eyes. SOPHIE hits her butt and KATHERINE looks up at her.) Put your shoes on. Now. (KATHERINE reluctantly gets up.)
END SCENE.
BARN. SOPHIE leads KATHERINE to the punching bag.
SOPHIE: Okay. Hit it.
KATHERINE: What.
SOPHIE: I said hit it! It'll make you feel better.
KATHERINE: I know what'll make me feel better.
SOPHIE: If there were an extra set of boxing gloves you'd get your wish but for now, I want you to concentrate on the bag. Come on, lets go. (KATHERINE hits the bag half-heartedly.) Harder! (KATHERINE hits it a little harder.) Kat, hit it! (KATHERINE remembers her sister drowning again and hits it harder.) Now, tell me about your sister.
KATHERINE: There's nothing to tell. She drowned. End of story.
SOPHIE: Accidents happen but it doesn't make it your fault.
KATHERINE: Then whose fault was it? God's? I tried blaming Him and He blamed me right back.
SOPHIE: Oh, so you're just going to let Him.
KATHERINE: Why do we have to talk about this?
SOPHIE: Because obviously not talking about it hasn't helped you. So what's it going to be?
KATHERINE: What do you want from me?
SOPHIE: I want you to feel something other than pain and guilt!
KATHERINE: It hurts to feel anything else! Every time I laugh, every time I smile, it reminds me that I'm alive and Shannon - (she hits the bag harder.)
SOPHIE: (A little stunned.) Okay.
KATHERINE: You finally got something out of me. Are you happy?
SOPHIE: I'll be happy when you are.
KATHERINE: Then you don't plan on smiling a lot.
SOPHIE: Hank could make you smile.
KATHERINE: That was the problem.
SOPHIE: Playing the martyr is not going to bring Shannon back. And she'd want you to live.
KATHERINE: I don't have the right to live. Dont you get it?
SOPHIE: I get that you want to be punished for something you had no control over.
KATHERINE: (Trying to stay calm) Tell that to my parents.
END SCENE.
LODGE: SHELBY sits down next to EZRA.
SHELBY: So what's wrong with sending the kids to boarding school?
EZRA: Can't afford it. And anyway, that would be like sending them to camp. And you remember how miserable camp was.
SHELBY: Come on. Me? Camp?
EZRA: Yeah, your right. Well, trust me. The kids are better off at home listening to us argue all day.
SHELBY: I still vote for shipping them out.
EZRA: Why are you so ready to get rid of them so fast?
SHELBY: Because I'm not exactly going to be getting any mother of the year awards.
EZRA: Your selling yourself short. I pray that our kids have only an ounce of your strength.
SHELBY: Well, don't waste your prayers. It'll save a lot of money on therapy sessions.
EZRA: (Takes the eggs.) That's it. I'm not going to have the kids around your negative attitude! This just isn't going to work.
SHELBY: You can't just take them and go! Ezra!
END SCENE.
OUTSIDE in front of GAZEBO. The group is sitting on the ground. SCOTT and AUGGIE are standing in front of them, and JEFF and PETER are on a bench.
PETER: All right guys, lets hear your report.
AUGGIE: All right. Nobody gets a handbook on raising kids. Be it straight or gay. So, what makes them better than us? Well, I can't seem to think up nothing.
SCOTT: The only guarantee is that there will always be unwanted children who desperately need homes. Well, if we're willing to provide them with a stable living environment, we don't see a problem
PETER and JEFF lean together, and SCOTT and AUGGIE look at each other.
PETER: Congratulations, gentlemen. You've adopted your first child. (JEFF throws them an egg.)
AUGGIE: Yeah! (He and SCOTT laugh and act like they're about to hug, but think better of it.)
JEFF: Juliette.
JULIETTE: Well, the bad news is, I didn't find a father for my child. But the good news is I don't need one. At least in the sense of taking care of my child. Hey, I've had a lot of fathers, so I guess I'll just look for a second job, or pray for a trust fund from one of my dads.
JEFF: Okay.
PETER: Good.
JEFF: And I'd appriciate it if you'll take your fliers down now.
JULIETTE: Okay. (She takes the one down off the gazebo.)
PETER: Shelby. (SHELBY gets up.) You seem to be minus a family.
SHELBY: Uh, well, um, I...
EZRA: (Walks up behind PETER and JEFF.) Honey, I'm home! Car trouble.
PETER: I was beginning to think you were having problems.
EZRA: (Ducks under SHELBY'S arm. Instead of pushing him away, she plays along with him.) Problems? No, the kids were a little cranky this morning so we had to change their diapers. Twice.
PETER: So how'd you do?
EZRA: Well, since we're a career family, we decided to budget for a nanny. (He slaps SHELBY on the hip.)
SHELBY: This way, we'd be able to spend some quality time with the kids and we won't have to send them to a boarding school.
PETER: Very good, Shelby. Good work. (SHELBY smiles, then pushes EZRA away and sits down. PETER gets up.) Well, I think a few good points were made. The kids will come back to roost.
DAISY: (Walking up.) Here. My observations of being childless.
PETER: Daisy, these pages are empty.
DAISY: So am I.
JEFF: (Behind them) Daisy. We got second opinion.
DAISY: I'm not barren?
JEFF: As many as you want. (Hand her a small carton of eggs. She takes the whole thing and walks off. PETER sees the CABOTS walking over and he meets up with them.)
PETER: Mr. and Mrs. Cabot. We've been working with Katherine, and -
MRS. CABOT: She's coming home. Today.
PETER: I really don't think that's the answer.
MRS. CABOT: It's the only answer that we have right now. She's not getting any better. She's getting worse. If she's still having a problem with Shannon's death then we'll deal with it at home. As a family.
SOPHIE: (Coming up behind them.) You'd have a better chance of dealing with it here, if you want to stay a family.
MR. CABOT: Is she talking now?
SOPHIE: Yeah. But be honest with her about Shannon's death.
MR. CABOT: It was an accident.
PETER: I think what Sophie is trying to tell you is that she needs to hear that, and know it, and believe it.
END SCENE.
GIRLS DORM. SOPHIE is leaning against a wall. KATHERINE is sitting on her bed, away from her parents.
KATHERINE: You acted like it never even happened. Like she was still -
MRS. CABOT: We were only thinking of your feelings. We didn't want you reminded of it.
KATHERINE: I could have dealt with it, but the silence? You never even cried.
MRS. CABOT: Oh, I cried. Believe me, Katie. Your father and I, we both cried.
KATHERINE: Not in front of me.
MRS. CABOT: How could we? You were always running around, shoplifting.
KATHERINE: And even then you didn't even get angry.
MRS. CABOT: We thought it would be for your own good. But we wanted you better.
KATHERINE: You wanted me gone.
MRS. CABOT: That's n ot true.
KATHERINE: You couldn't look at me without thinking of her. You knew she always followed me.
MEMORY:
SHANNON: Katie, wait up!
KATHERINE: I'm not in the mood, Shay.
SHANNON: It'll only take five minutes.
REALITY:
KATHERINE: You knew I'd led her into the water. You knew. You knew I'd let her drown.
MEMORY:
KATHERINE: Just go away.
SHANNON: You think I'm gonna beat ya?
KATHERINE: Yeah. I could beat you blindfolded.
SHANNON: Not this summer.
KATHERINE: You keep forgetting something. I always win.
SHANNON: Then what's the problem?
KATHERINE: Are you sure you want to do this?
SHANNON: Did I stutter?
KATHERINE: First one to the buoy and back!
SHANNON: Wait, Katie! (They start swimming, and after a few strokes SHANNON stops and tries to stay above water.
RELAITY:
KATHERINE: And you hated me.
MRS. CABOT: No. We didn't.
MR. CABOT: Yes. I hated you.
MRS. CABOT: John!
MR. CABOT: She was my baby, my little girl. She wanted so much to be like you. But she couldn't. And after I'd stand still in the house, I swear I could hear the two of you, and for a moment I'd forget. I'd forget she was gone. It would be just you, just you, Katie. Alone. And I hated that. How could I have ever said that I hated you? For even a moment?
KATHERINE: You could have?
MR. CABOT: No. Because then I would have lost my other little girl, too. And the hole in my heart would have been twice as big.
MRS. CABOT: Parents aren't always perfect. That's what we never knew how to say. We love you, Katie, and that will never change. Can you forgive us?
KATHERINE: Only if you help me forgive myself. (They hug, and SOPHIE leaves.)
OUTSIDE: PETER jumps off the balcony when SOPHIE comes out.
PETER: How'd it go?
SOPHIE: First steps were made.
PETER: Impressed.
SOPHIE: Oh, don't be. Kat's strong.
PETER: Hey, Frank's on board with you staying here. Now its up to you. (SOPHIE looks around.) What?
SOPHIE: Well, there? few hours of light left. Want to climb a rock?
END SCENE.
GAZEBO. KATHERINE is sitting on the gazebo, going through a box of things, and starts to write in a journal.
KATHERINE'S VOICE: Dear Shannon, sorry I've been away for so long. It was just getting harder and harder to write to you. Because I missed you so much. (Pauses.) I met this guy named Hank, who I really like...
END EPISODE.