Higher Ground

Episode 11: Best Behavior

Original Airdate: 31-MAR-2000
Written by John Mandel, Directed by Alan Simmonds
© Transcribed by: Amy for Safe On Higher Ground.
Posted on http://twiztv.com.

Summary: Juliette is devastated that she isn't invited to her mother's wedding, which leads to self-mutilation. Ezra finds out his parents really aren't getting back together, as he thought they were, which leads him to a suicide attempt.


OPENING. CLIFFHANGER GIRL'S DORM ROOM

KATHERINE'S VOICE: Mail call!
(A package of letters is dropped on the floor and hands grab for them.)
Sanitized for your protection.
(An aerial view shows them sitting back on their beds with their letters from home.)
DAISY: Ugh!
KATHERINE: What's the matter?
DAISY: They always shred my copy of Mortuary Sciences Monthly. Apparently we're not supposed to think about a career.
SHELBY: (Laughs sarcastically.) It's from Leo.
KATHERINE: The delivery guy? The one you...?
SHELBY: Bingo.
KATHERINE: Behind his truck? (Daisy looks at them strangely.)
SHELBY: Yep.
KATHERINE: For a carton of -
SHELBY: (Irritated and cuts KATHERINE off.) Yes. (KATHERINE throws up hands.) Okay? (A beat.) He loves me. We dated for, like, 10 minutes, and he's in love.
JULIETTE: (Reads letter and jumps up, excited.) Oh my God! Oh my God! (KATHERINE puts hand on heart, startled.)
SHELBY: What!?
JULIETTE: My mother's getting married!
KATHERINE: (Confused.) I thought she was already married.
JULIETTE: (Her spirit dampens just a little.) She was. Four times. (She sits back down on her bed.) But this is number five. You know what they always say about number five... (SHELBY gives her an annoyed/amused look.) Five...is the lucky one! (JULIETTE falls back on her bed.)
END SCENE.

OUTSIDE LODGE. EZRA is sitting on the steps, throwing rocks. PETER sits down next to him.
PETER: (Almost excited.) You ready?
EZRA: No.
PETER: We made a deal... (EZRA throws another rock.)
EZRA: (A beat.) Yes.
PETER: Good. Remember what we talked about? (A beat.) Their anger belongs to them. (PETER joins EZRA in throwing rocks at a larger rock in front of them.) You don't need for you to be in the middle of it anymore. You recall that they love you very much.
EZRA: Did I ever tell you what they paid for me?
PETER: Uh-uh.
EZRA: I looked at my dad's files once. Twenty-one THOUSAND dollars. Worked out to be about three thousand dollars a pound at the time. Not bad.
PETER: (Not amused.) Their goal was to have a child, Ezra. Just someone to love.
EZRA: I still don't know which one I'm going to live with once I get outta here. Judge hasn't ruled yet.
PETER: Well, one step at a time. Let's get through this visit first, all right?
EZRA: Watch. Probably have a footrace up here just to say "I got there first."
SHOOT to EZRA'S PARENTS coming down the path, led by a worker. DAD points at EZRA and waves, as does MOM.
MOM: Ezra! (PETER and EZRA stand up slowly.)
EZRA: What is wrong with this picture?
MOM'S VOICE: Hi, honey! (MOM and DAD are walking, arms linked. They are laughing and smiling, happy to see their son. EZRA goes to them and they give him a hug.)
DAD: Ezra! You look terrific, son! Oh, its good to see you! (EZRA shoots PETER a hopeful and happy glance. PETER shrugs.)
END SCENE.
OPENING CREDITS.

QUTOE: "False face must hide what false heart doth know."
-William Shakespeare

GIRL'S DORM
KATHERINE is lying on her stomach on the bed, head in her hands, staring wistfully at JULIETTE. SHELBY and DAISY are sitting above her, "what the heck is she doing"/disgusted looks on both their faces. We see (and hear) a camera flash. JULIETTE is taking pictures of herself with a Polaroid camera. After a few pictures, she gasps-
JULIETTE: I don't even know what the color scheme is!
(She picks up a picture and begins to flap it to make it develop.)
I've gotta call my mom.
SHELBY: (Partially sarcastic.) I wish I lived in Juliette world. (A beat.) A land of wide green lawns rolling up to great mansions (camera on JULIETTE) where ladies sip tea and chose bridal gowns. (camera on KATHERINE and DAISY) And money just comes...from nowhere.
JULIETTE: (Sighs happily.) It' a beautiful place. (Pins her pictures on a cork board, which already has her face pinned to paper doll models.)
DAISY: What ultimately frightens me the most is she's apparently NOT delusional.
JULIETTE continues to take pictures of herself.
END SCENE.

PETER'S OFFICE. (EZRA sits in a chair and looks happily at his parents, who sit on the couch.)
MOM: Richard and I are so proud of how well Ezra is doing. We are very grateful for your help, Mr. Scarbrow.
PETER: Peter, please.
RICHARD: Well, as you know, Peter, Liz and I have had to struggle with many of our, well, our own problems. And Ezra was a casualty to that. Something we'll never live down.
LIZ: Thankfully we discovered Horizon. Ezra's progress has helped us see ourselves more clearly.
PETER: Thats good. I'm glad. Now I think it would be a good time for both of you to participate in group with Ezra and the other kids. (A beat. EZRA'S parents look at each other, slightly uncomfortably.) Listen, there's nothing to worry about. You can talk or listen as much or as little as you like.
LIZ: Ezra?
EZRA: (1/2 shrugs and smiles.) Why not? Can't wait to see the looks on everyone's face.
RICHARD: (Looks at LIZ, surprised.) Everyone?
EZRA: (Nods.)
RICHARD: Everyone knows about our-
PETER: The kids here are encouraged to speak openly. And Ezra has been very honest about the divorce and his drug use. I think you'll find your not alone having problems and that can be a good feeling. (RICHARD looks at LIZ and then at EZRA.)
END SCENE.

IN FRONT OF BULLITEN BOARD.
AUGGIE: Hey, Jules. What's up?
JULIETTE: Oh, my mother's getting married!
AUGGIE: Ah, yeah. I heard about that. Its number five, right? Supposed to be the lucky one, or something like that.
JULIETTE: Yeah, how'd you know?
AUGGIE: Everybody knows that. (A beat.) So, when are we going? (JULIETTE looks surprised.) I'm just kidding, Jules.
JULIETTE: Um. I mean. I'd like to...
AUGGIE: Like I said, Jules - I'm just kidding. (A beat.) Besides, I'm busy that week. (JULIETTE gives a slightly uncomfortable laugh, and AUGGIE laughs with her.)
JULIETTE: Uh, anyway...I should...go call my mom.
AUGGIE: Yeah. (JULIETTE leaves, and they both laugh at themselves. AUGGIE turns to watch JULIETTE leave, who is running off to the lodge, noticeably happy.)
END SCENE.

IN LODGE.
(JULIETTE is waiting impatiently on the phone, tapping her fingers on the counter. Sophie is watching.)
JULIETTE: Hi! (A beat.) Oh, okay. Um, I'll try again later.
SOPHIE: (Stands and walks over to her.) Still can't get her?
JULIETTE: No. Her secretary says she's busy with *arrangements.*
SOPHIE: Ahh. Oh well, you'll get her. Oh, and I got your pass okayed so you're all set.
JULIETTE: Perfect! (A beat. She sighs.) Isn't it great? Its like, even Ezra's divorced parents are crushing. I mean, how Roswell is that, right? I think there's something in the air. (JULIETTE can't stop smiling, SOPHIE gives her an "o--kay" look.)
END SCENE.

IN LODGE, IN FRONT OF FIREPLACE. (EZRA'S parents are watching a group session and it just ends. They get up, along with the group that was sitting in a circle in front of the fire.)
EZRA: (To Daisy.) So......
DAISY: Yes?
EZRA: So. You want to meet my parents.
DAISY: (Not knowing what to say.) Okay...
EZRA: (Leads DAISY to his parents.) Mom, dad. This is Daisy. My friend.
RICHARD: (Extending his hand.) Daisy. It's a pleasure to meet you.
LIZ: And I'm Elizabeth. (A beat.) Love your piercings. How many?
DAISY: Um...six in the left, six in the right, and one right here (points to her chin. EZRA'S mom is shocked but doesn't let it show.) Did 'em myself.
LIZ: Thirteen. I can see you're into numerology.
EZRA: Um, yeah. Daisy...is kind of Goth.
RICHARD: I once taught a course in medieval cultism. Did you know that historically, the number thirteen was in fact considered...lucky!
DAISY: (Smiles politely and sort of bashfully.) Yeah, I knew that. (EZRA is happy to see his parents and Daisy are getting along.)
RICHARD: We should talk more sometime.
DAISY: (A little hesitant.) Sure. Okay.
PETER: Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Freidkin. I'd like to introduce you to another counselor, quickly.
RICHARD: Oh, yeah!
PETER: Excuse us, guys. (EZRA'S PARENTS leave.)
EZRA: I cannot believe that just happened! (EZRA and DAISY laugh.)
END SCENE.

IN KITCHEN. (People are moving things around. SOPHIE is in charge, holding a clipboard and telling people where to go. SHELBY walks up.)
SOPHIE: Shelby. You're on...pots and pans. Over there. (SHELBY is stationed with SCOTT. She looks around uncomfortably.) Problem with Scott?
SHELBY: No. No, we're cool. (Gets an apron.)
SOPHIE: (Not buying that.) He was abused, Shelby. He doesn't have the plague.
SHELBY: It's not him.
SOPHIE: Yeah. This is when being a true friend really bites. (A beat, to see SHELBY'S reaction.) Doesn't it?
(SHELBY doesn't answer, but goes over to Scott. Tries to hide a smile.)
SCOTT: Hey.
SHELBY: Hey.
SCOTT: So, what about Ezra's folks?
SHELBY: You mean the Stafford parents?
SCOTT: I heard they used to be like, totally Springer.
SHELBY: They all but trashed the place last time they visited.
SCOTT: Yeah, well, at least they didn't do anything to him. You know?
SHELBY: Yeah.
SCOTT: What are your parents like?
SHELBY: (Not wanting to discuss it.) Probably like... I dunno.
SCOTT: Probably like what? The Brady Bunch?
SHELBY: No. (Obviously uncomfortable.)
SCOTT: You doing anything tonight? (SHELBY smiles.) We could uh, get together and hang out. Talk, maybe.
SHELBY: I can't. I got homework.
SCOTT: Maybe tomorrow night?
SHELBY: Yeah. I'd like that. (SCOTT pulls the plug in the sink.)
END SCENE.

PETER'S OFFICE. PETER rolls from his desk over to SOPHIE'S on a rolling chair.
PETER: I got an idea. (A beat. Sounding mysterious.) Something we have never done before.
SOPHIE: (Looks at him, shocked and surprised, and a little embarrassed.) Um...is this from the book or something?
PETER: N-no. No...no. We've never done THIS, ever.
SOPHIE: Does IT have a name?
PETER: Yes...Dating.
SOPHIE: What? We've dated!
PETER: No, no, no, Soph. We've done everything BUT. (Looks around.) We went from zero to sixty.
SOPHIE: Peter, we are WAY past dating.
PETER: This is about the ritual, Soph. You know. You said you wanted to learn more about each other, right?
SOPHIE: Mmm-hmm.
PETER: Well, then we should start at square one. The mating ritual. You know, that wonderful time in which two people learn about each other. What your favorite flavor is, what your favorite color is...
SOPHIE: (Playing hard-to-get.) Green.
PETER: No, not NOW, Soph. The ritual...you and I...we've never had it.
SOPHIE: Well...maybe you're right.
PETER: I know I'm right. I'm telling you, there's something in the air around here.
SOPHIE: (Looks at PETER strangely. That is what JULIETTE said earlier.) Yeah...something in the air. All right. Go ahead. Ask.
PETER: (Baffled.) Well, I was, um, I was thinking, maybe, sometime, you know, we could go get some dinner somewhere.
SOPHIE: Hmm. (Acts like it sounds good and she'll agree.) I'll think about it. (Goes back to her desk.)
END SCENE.

IN LODGE. JULIETTE runs into the lodge and starts up the stairs.
AUGGIE: Hey, Jules. Your mom's on the phone.
JULIETTE: I know! (Runs up the stairs and picks up the phone) Hi mommy! (AUGGIE watches her conversation. JULIETTE hangs up the phone, looking dejected but tries to cover it up by acting happy.)
AUGGIE: So, what's the color for the wedding?
JULIETTE: (Sighs.) Periwinkle.
AUGGIE: Periwinkle?
JULIETTE: Light blue.
AUGGIE: Oh. (A beat.) So, when you packing up?
JULIETTE: Um, actually, I'm not. See, I thought I got an invitation but if you look closely, its just an announcement. Turns out it's just a small affair for close friends and business associates. Apparently, Hal - his name's Hal - is a big shot in Hollywood, and Mother thinks its best if I just stay here and keep improving before meeting him.
AUGGIE: (Surprised.) Gee, Jules. I'm sorry 'bout that.
JULIETTE: Well, its my fault. I misread the announcement. I flaked. (Walks off, trying hard to hide her disappointment.)
END SCENE.

THE NEXT DAY, BREAKFAST. The CLIFFHANGERS are at a table together eating breakfast.
EZRA: (Slyly.) So, Katherine, are you going on the rappelling trip today or are you still on shuns?
KATHERINE: Yes, I'm coming, no thanks to you.
SCOTT: It's not his fault. You told the joke.
SHELBY: Katherine told a joke? I'll bet it was funny.
SCOTT: Actually, it was. Only problem was, Peter overheard her.
EZRA: Yeah. I tried to warn you. I went like this with my eyebrows. (Raises eyebrows.)
KATHERINE: You always do that with your eyebrows!
SHELBY: So, what was the joke. (PETER walks up behind KATHERINE.)
KATHERINE: How many Peters does it take to screw in a light bulb? (EZRA, not looking at her, raises his eyebrows a couple of times.) Oh, shut up, Ezra! (PETER puts his hand on KATHERINE'S shoulder and she knows she's in trouble.)
PETER: Like I told you before, we don't tell jokes at other people's expense, especially mine. (A beat.) Laundry duty, sweetheart, you're on it. (To JULIETTE) And you need to give me the exact date on that pass, okay?
JULIETTE: Okay.
AUGGIE: Jules, you didn't tell him?
JULIETTE: No biggie, I'll tell him later. (A beat.) Hey, I have a joke. Um...a penguin, an astronaut, and a 12-inch man...no...a duck, an astronaut, and a 6-inch man...(obviously got it wrong and laughs embarrassedly) anyway... (Takes her butter knife from her plate and taps it against her hand.)
END SCENE.

OUTSIDE, RAPPELLING.
PETER: (On the tower with the rest of the group.) All right, everybody. Even though I've checked your equipment, I want you to check your equipment with your own eyes. You need to believe that its good. You need to trust it more than I do. It's only 25 feet down...you all know how to use your equipment...there's no need to be scared. (JULIETTE isn't paying attention.)
AUGGIE: (PETER'S voice is giving more instructions in the background.) Yo, Jules. Mira. (Helps her fasten her belts.) Get with the program, Stick.
JULIETTE: Right. The program.
PETER: No fear. Good news is, you can only fall a few feet, even if you tried. But lets not try it, all right? Okay, Cliffhangers...lets play. (They begin to rappel down the wall. EZRA'S parents watch, a little worried. The boys are obviously more daring than the girls, and hop down the wall. When SHELBY and JULIETTE become even:)
SHELBY: What are you smiling about? The wedding that never was?
JULIETTE: That's history. I'm smiling because of the future. Of which, you, do not, play a part. (Smiles sweetly and continues down to SCOTT'S level) Hey.
SCOTT: Hey.
JULIETTE: Feels good to sweat, doesn't it?
SCOTT: No.
JULIETTE: I can make you sweat and like it.
SCOTT: What? You dumped me, remember?
JULIETTE: That was before. Now the answer's yes - to anything.
SCOTT: Now you're just making me glad you dumped me.
JULIETTE: You'd rather be with the skank!?
SCOTT: She's not a skank. She's a woman, and she's my friend...Three things I can no longer say about you. (He jumps on down. AUGGIE comes down to JULIETTE'S level.)
JULIETTE: You drop by here often?
AUGGIE: That's funny, Jules.
JULIETTE: So...
AUGGIE: So...what?
JULIETTE: Let's run away together. Get out of Horizon.
AUGGIE: Whoa, Jules? What's up with this? What are you talking about?
JULIETTE: Wrap your brain around it, Auggie - you, me, outta here -together.
AUGGIE: Jules -
JULIETTE: I'll make it worth your while.
AUGGIE: Hey, come on, this isn't like you.
JULIETTE: (Snaps.) You don't know what's me! (Rappels down.)
EZRA is going down, then slips and falls against the wall.
LIZ: Ezra! Honey, are you okay?
PETER: Ezra, talk to me.
EZRA: Yeah. I'm okay.
PETER: All right. Take a breather, get your grip. Keep moving. Come on!
EZRA: (to DAISY) I'm so glad I can share moments like this with my parents.
DAISY: (laughs, but thinks better of it and stops.)
EZRA: It is okay to laugh sometimes, you know.
AT BOTTOM OF WALL. Everyone has gotten down and are putting their equipment up. SCOTT and SHELBY pick up their bags and start walking together.
SHELBY: So what was Skinny's wrath all about?
SCOTT: I don't know. She's clueless. The entire time we were together she never told me one thing about herself. I don't even know a land area. Except for that whole barfing thing.
SHELBY: She killed a guy in prision.
SCOTT: So are we getting together tonight?
SHELBY: Uh, tonight's not good.
SCOTT: All right. How about tomorrow night?
SHELBY: Yeah.
SCOTT: Down by the docks. After last light?
SHELBY: Cool. The docks.
SCOTT: Don't forget. (Walks off) You promised. (SCOTT walks off. SHELBY sees DAISY just standing there.)
SHELBY: Well, if it isn't the bride of Friekin-stine.
DAISY: (Smiles sweetly and starts to walk over to SHELBY.) You're wearing a mask.
SHELBY: That's a good one, coming from Goth-girl.
DAISY: My mask was an honest one for all the world to see. Yours is invisible.
SHELBY: You are so way creepy. (Getting a little uncomfortable.)
DAISY: You're hiding something. And its taking all your energy. Using it up. There's less and less left. Soon there'll be none. (DAISY walks off and SHELBY rolls her eyes.)
END SCENE.

HORIZON GROUNDS. EZRA is walking back with his PARENTS after rappelling.
RICHARD: No, really, Ezra. You did fine work on that wall today. We're very proud.
EZRA: Well, believe it or not, it wasn't one of my better days.
LIZ: Well, we're proud about everything. You're doing so well it won't be long before you come home soon.
RICHARD: I cannot wait.
LIZ: Neither can I.
RICHARD: Hey, tomorrow's our last day. Do you think they'll let you out for a dinner on the town?
EZRA: I'll ask Peter. We can go to Rusty's.
LIZ: Wherever.
EZRA: No, that is wherever. It's a small town. (EZRA'S parents laugh.)
RICHARD: All right. See you later kid. (EZRA starts to leave.)
LIZ: Bye, Ez.
RICHARD: Hey, maybe you want to bring Daisy?
EZRA: (Smiles happily.) Yeah, I'd like that.
LIZ: (PARENT'S happy facade fades after EZRA is out of earshot.) Why, on earth, did you invite that little creature?
RICHARD: (Tries to remain calm.) Because he likes her. What can it hurt?
LIZ: Those are the kinds of friends he's making here? You should pull him.
RICHARD: Stop! Okay, stop. This is about Ezra, remember? All of this.
LIZ: You don't need to tell me what this is about - you, of all people!
RICHARD: Every second you remind me of why I hate you.
LIZ: Good. 'Cause I wouldn't want you to forget.
END SCENE.

LAUNDRY ROOM. KATHERINE is putting detergent in one of the machines and starts it.
KATHERINE: Shelby... (Goes to JULIETTE'S laundry bag and starts to pull out clothes.) Juliette... (Pulls out a shirt that has bloodstains on it. She turns it inside out to make sure it is blood.)
END SCENE.

GIRL'S DORM. KATHERINE walks in and purposefully heads to JULIETTE. JULIETTE is sitting on her bed, reading a magazine.
JULIETTE: What? (KATHERINE takes JULIETTE'S arm and tries to pull away the sleeve to see if she cut herself.) Stop it!
KATHERINE: Let me see. (After a few tries, she rips the sleeve off to reveal a cut on JULIETTE'S upper arm, still bleeding. KATHERINE backs away and puts her hands over her mouth. Then she kneels down in front of JULIETTE, worried.) What's wrong with you?
JULIETTE: Nothing.
KATHERINE: You're cutting yourself, Jules!
JULIETTE: Nothings wrong!
KATHERINE: You're cutting again! (JULIETTE starts to cry.)
END SCENE.

KATHERINE runs down the stairs to find PETER and SOPHIE.
PETER'S VOICE: Cutting is a disassociative action, like chopping off your foot to take your mind off a headache. Kids who suffer physical and mental abuse from a parent often begin to dissociate pain with security. Thus expressing her anger gives rise to separation anxiety. So the kid takes their anger out on themselves. (During this, the camera shows PETER and SOPHIE running in, CURTIS taking apart JULIETTE'S bed to find what she used. SOPHIE checks JULIETTE'S arm and holds her hand. CURTIS can't find anything.)
PETER: What did you use, Juliette?
JULIETTE: Nothing.
PETER: We need to know what you used. (JULIETTE stares ahead and doesn't say anything. ) All right. We need to get you to the nurse. (Tries to take JULIETTE'S hand, but she pulls it away.)
JULIETTE: I'm fine.
PETER: (Kneels in front of her.) You're not fine, Juliette. (A few seconds pass.) Come on. (A beat.) Talk to me. Why, Juliette? (JULIETTE loses her tough front.)
JULIETTE: It makes the pain inside of me go away. So that I don't have to think about it. It doesn't leak out. Where everyone else can see it.
PETER: Come on, let's go. (SOPHIE puts a coat around JULIETTE and then takes her hand. PETER takes her other hand and they leave.)
PETER'S VOICE: Juliette will spend today in the infirmary. After that she'll be on 24-hour watch. She will sleep alone in the middle of the lodge, watched by a senior, female student at all times. I'll give a call to the therapist. Maybe begin some intervention therapy.
SOPHIE'S VOICE: What about her mother and father?
PETER'S VOICE: Her mother has custody. I'll call her tomorrow and suggest she consider taking Juliette out of Horizon. (During this, PETER and SOPHIE lead JULIETTE towards the lodge.)
PETER'S OFFICE.
SOPHIE: Out?
PETER: Cutting is sometimes a ticket out of here. Maybe one reason why Juliette did it. She wants to go home to her mother.
SOPHIE: But looking over Juliette's records, it sounds like her mother is responsible in the first place. I mean, "be perfect or else!"
PETER: Let's not forget, its her mother that sent her here. She loves her daughter.
SOPHIE: Nice combination.
PETER: Depending on the psych evaluation and her mother's decision, we'll see if Juliette should stay.
SOPHIE: It all seems so...clinical.
PETER: Rule number one, Soph: first take appropriate action for the child's immediate welfare. Then use your heart. Always in that order. Omitting neither.
END SCENE.

RUSTY'S RESTAURANT. DAISY dips her finger in her catsup and licks it off seductively. DAISY, EZRA, and his PARENTS are eating dinner there. DAISY laughs. LIZ doesn't look amused.
LIZ: So, Daisy, what's your story?
DAISY: Well! My parents are alcoholics and I received inadequate nurturing, resulting in hyper-mature-ness and social maladjustment. When my father became abusive, I vented my anger on him with a golf club.
EZRA: We tell it like it is at Horizon.
RICHARD: Well, you are an exceptionally articulate young lady, however. What are your plans for the future?
DAISY: I'm considering the field of mortuary cosmetology.
EZRA: Hair and makeup for the dearly departed.
DAISY: I consider it a humanitarian act to beautify someone who can't do it for themselves. Death...can be beautiful.
LIZ: I can see your shocked, Richard.
RICHARD: Well, whats good for our little boy is good for us.
EZRA: (Embarrassed.) Dad...
LIZ: He's not a little boy.
RICHARD: I know what he is. I raised him.
EZRA: (Wanting to change the subject.) So, mom, dad...
RICHARD: You were never there, I WAS.
LIZ: What, honey?
EZRA: I was, uh, just wondering what you guys' plan was.
LIZ: Well, uh, Daddy and I have given some thought to things...
EZRA: Like getting back together?
RICHARD: (Laughs, then stops.) Well, we're thinking about it. That is, if your mother could find the time...
LIZ: I was always there. Not you, me.
RICHARD: Oh, please! It was the minute you got tenure from the university you were - what Ezra? (DAISY stands up, not wanting to hear anymore.)
EZRA: Daisy...
DAISY: Let's go, Ezra.
LIZ: (After DAISY leaves.) Witch.
RICHARD: Oh, I knew this whole thing wasn't going to work.
EZRA: What do you mean, this is a hocus-pocus? (A beat. EZRA'S parents look defeated.) You guys getting back together and everything?
LIZ: We did it for you, Ezie. To make you feel better... (EZRA gets up angrily and goes after DAISY.) Ez! Oh!
END SCENE.

LODGE. JULIETTE is lying on a mattress in front of the fireplace. KATHERINE is sitting in a chair off to the side. SOPHIE walks in.
SOPHIE: (to KATHERINE) Take ten. (Goes over to JULIETTE and sits on the mattress next to her.) You okay?
JULIETTE: No.
SOPHIE: You should have told me, honey.
JULIETTE: I was too embarrassed.
SOPHIE: Hey, embarrassment doesn't exist here. Everyone's embarrassed. It cancels out.
JULIETTE: Every moment of my life is embarrassing.
SOPHIE: Yeah, well, when I was your age, I was embarrassed, too. I admit it. My mother wanted me to be a perfect girl. I know yours does, too. So, you see, I know you better than you think.
JULIETTE: What happened?
SOPHIE: I did the opposite. I was determined to become the least-girl-like-girl that ever lived. Anything I could do to scare her.
JULIETTE: Like jumping off cliffs?
SOPHIE: Well, that came later, but...Oh, maybe its still in me. Fighting everything that other people think I should be.
JULIETTE: What else did you do?
SOPHIE: I don't know. Traveled, mostly. I got every airline schedule in the world, and I figured out every place they did not go, and that's where I went. (Takes JULIETTE'S hand.) I was searching for the real Sophie Becker. And I knew I'd never find her where other people had already looked.
JULIETTE: I like Sophie Becker. (Closes eyes. Camera is on SOPHIE for her reaction.)
END SCENE.

PORCH OF LODGE. PETER is talking to EZRA, who seems to be in a daze.
PETER: I'm sorry, Ezra.
EZRA: Its okay. I knew they weren't for real.
PETER: Talk to me, man.
EZRA: Peter, I'm fine. Does it hurt? Yeah. Can I be responsible for their anger? No. You taught me that. I'm a separate person and I'm okay. (PETER gives EZRA a hug.)
PETER: Good night, kiddo.
END SCENE.

OUTSIDE. Camera shows the sky.
PETER'S VOICE: You know, that one time,
PETER: (PETER and SOPHIE are laying on blankets in a field, looking at the stars, their heads together.) There were many more stars, planets, and moons than there are now.
SOPHIE: Really?
PETER: Uh-huh. You see, there was once this goddess named Sophiclies. She was the most beautiful goddess of all the heavens. She was loved by many. And they brought her many gifts. But no one loved her more than Petroclies.
SOPHIE: Petroclies?
PETER: Mmm-hmm. But despite his great strength and speed, she would not have him. So he went out into the heavens and gathered up as many moons as he could, and brought them to her as a token of his love. But still, she would not love him. So, again, Petroclies went out into the heavens. He gathered up many stars for her.
SOPHIE: And still...
PETER: She would not love him. So he went out and gathered many planets. He brought them all to her, and she would have none. (PETER sits up, then SOPHIE does and they lay on their elbows, facing each other.) So, weak and defeated, Petroclies pleaded, "But I have nothing more to offer you." And only then did Sophiclies say to him: "I love only you. Only you." (SOPHIE starts to laugh. PETER is slightly embarrassed.) You know...you are so...so...
SOPHIE: So what?
PETER: So Sophie.
END SCENE.

EZRA sneaks into the KITCHEN and goes to the chemical closet and tries to pick the lock. JEFF comes in and EZRA ducks behind the counter unill he leaves, then picks the lock. Once he gets inside, he picks at the bottles and then picks one, he takes the cover off and pulls socks from his pocket and unrolls them.
AT THE HOSPITAL. PETER and SOPHIE are waiting along with RICHARD and LIZ.
RICHARD: How could you let this happen? (PETER looks at SOHPIE, clearly upset.) I asked you a direct question!
PETER: If you wanna ask me a direct question Mr. Freidken, look directly at me. (RICHARD barely looks at PETER.) You can’t. You know why.
LIZ: How dare you!
SOPHIE: (Angry and upset.) No! How dare you!
PETER: (Grabs her arm.) Soph,
SOPHIE: No! How dare you adopt a child to save your marriage!
PETER: Soph come on.
SOPHIE: And then use that kid as a bargining chip in your divorce! How dare you be so weak! That you can’t even tell a boy the truth! So that maybe, just maybe, he won’t blame himself!
(LIZ looks upset and PETER tries to sit SOPHIE down.)
DOCTOR: He's gonna be okay.
RICHARD: Can we see him now?
(DOCTOR moves out of the way as LIZ and RICHARD push past.)
DOCTOR: So...there’s no permanent damage to his lungs, just a little bit more though and he would have gone into cardiac arrest. He either got lucky, or he knew exactly what he wanted.
PETER: Yeah, I think he did.
DOCTOR: Well, we’ll watch him overnight and release him.
PETER: Thank You. (PETER and SOPHIE shake the DOCTOR'S hand)
PETER: (sighs) I’m going to call the school, the I’m going to try Juliettes mother again.

AT THE LODGE.
JEFF: Hey guys, Ezras okay, he’ll be back in a couple of days. It’s late, back to bed.
JULIETTE: Auggie?? Don’t be mad at me for what I did.
AUGGIE: Hey it’s not for me to be mad about, Jules. I worry about you.
JULIETTE: I know you do.
As the group leaves the lodge.
SCOTT: Tonight at the docks, around one?
SHELBY: Don’t be late.

Back at the hospital. PETER: Sometimes I don’t know how these kids make it through. Some days I donno how we make it through.
SOPHIE: We’ve got them, (beat) and they’ve got us.
PETER: It’s not enough.
SOPHIE: No it’s never enough Peter, but it’s more than they had before. And you’ve got over 100 kids back at school who are safe and sound.
PETER: (sighs) You know Soph, I think I could use that date right about now. Something normal and simple, even for a few hours.
SOPHIE: I’d be happy to go on a date with you.

Back in the LODGE. JULIETTE, in the lodge, watches KAT fall asleep and quietly sneaks off. She goes to the boy's dorm, gives AUGGIE a kiss good-bye then leaves.
IN THE KITCHEN. SHELBY comes in and hides behind the counter. DAISY pops out around the side, in her Gothic makeup.
SHELBY: Geesh! You scared me!
DAISY: Sorry.
SHELBY: Where’d ya get the makeup?
DAISY: From around. Used a laundry marker, baking powder, charcoal, blueberries, paint...
OUTSIDE. JULIETTE leaving the grounds. AUGGIE tries to stop her.
AUGGIE: Don’t run, Jules. There’s nothin, nothin out there that’s better for you.
JULIETTE: Don’t worry about me.
KITCHEN. SHELBY: What are you doing in here?
DAISY: Hiding.
SHELBY: From what?
DAISY: Life. What are you doin in here?
SHELBY: Hiding.
DAISY: From what?
SHELBY: Life...Scott told me about his life, now he wants to talk about my life.
DAISY: A reasonable desire from someone in a vulnerable condition, but not something your ready for.
SHELBY: Nope.
DAISY: So you try to be a friend, and you smile, and run the other way.
SHELBY: Yup... By the way...you look really stupid.
DAISY: Good. I look the way I feel.

SCOTT is left by the docks, waiting for SHELBY. DAISY and SHELBY are in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, their heads together. EZRA is in the hospital, his PARENTS at his side. AUGGIE and JULIETTE are trying to hitch a ride.

END EPISODE.