Kevin - You didnt wake me up. Im going to be late.

Helen - You dont have anywhere to be.

Kevin - What do you mean? Im late for school.

Joan - Youre not in school.

Luke - By some mathematical miracle or error you graduated.

Will - Is it just me or did any one else notice Kevins legs?

Helen - What about his legs?

Will - Theyre on fire.

Quick shot to Kevin standing in the kitchen with his legs on fire. Then we are back upstairs with Kevin yelling for help.

Kevin - Help, Help! Let me out. Let me out.

Helen and Will run to his room. Joan and Luke are standing at their doorways.

Will - Its fine. Its nothing.

Helen - Its fine. It was just a dream.

Kevin- I was on fire.

Will - Ill get you some water.

Kevin - Dad, Im not really on fire.

Will - Well, Ill get you some anyway.

Kevin - It was so real Mom.

Helen - I know its been a year and a half, but the doctors did say youd have dreams like this for a while.

Kevin - It was my legs that were on fire.

Helen - Do you want something to help you sleep.

Kevin- No.

Helen - Drink the water any way. Itll make your father happy.

Kevin - Mom. When I woke up my legs hurt.

Helen - In your dream?

Kevin - No, when I woke up. They were hurting.

Will - Here you go buddy (hands him the glass.)

Kevin - Thanks. Ill, Ill be fine now.

Helen - (after Will leaves the room) Hurting how?

Kevin - I dont remember. I guess I was still dreaming.

Helen gives him a kiss and turns off the light. Kevin roles over and tries to go back to sleep. Re role into opening credits and commercial break. We return the next morning. In the kitchen everyone is getting breakfast.

Joan - Theres nothing to eat.

Helen - Keep looking. There might be something hidden behind all that food.

Will - (On the phone) Yes sir. I understand, but I assure you, my guys are on it.

Joan - Sir? Who does he call Sir?

Luke - His boss.

Joan - He doesnt have a boss.

Luke - Sure he does. The Commissioner, the Mayor, the Attorney General, Mom.

Will - (still on phone) The FBI has no jurisdiction. There is no evidence that the kid was transported across the state line.

Helen - Joan!

Joan - (eating cheese puffs) What? Its just cheese and bread.

Will - (On phone) Yes, sir. Ill keep you informed. Good-bye. (off the phone) No, I

cant eat. Half an hour Im talking to the mayor. Its like swimming..

Luke - Actually, thats reverse logic.

Helen - Is that the Reinneman case?

Joan - Oh is that the 3-year-old kid who got kidnapped.

Will - Missing.

Joan - Ok, Got Missing. I read it in the Newspaper. It said you guys have no leads and its been like 6 weeks. .

Will - 4 Days, We have leads, and when did you start reading the paper?

Joan - Actually, I saw it on TV. It didnt make you guys look very good.

Will - Thats a surprise. Wheres Kevin?

Helen - Left early to go job hunting.

Will - Oh really. Um. Was everything ok?

Luke - You mean after his screaming nightmare? You guys are completely inept at subterfuge.

The doorbell rings and both Joan and Luke jump up to get it.

Joan - This ones mine. You got the Jones witness.

Luke sits down and Joan goes to the door. A delivery woman is standing at the door.

Woman - Joan Girardi? Sign Here.

Joan - Oh. I never get anything in the mail.

Woman - You owe 6 dollars and 50 cents.

Joan turns around to call her mom for the money.

Woman - Un uh. You have 12 dollars in you pocket you were going to use to buy a Frappucino and a muffin when you skip history class after lunch. Which by the way. Do not do that.

Joan - Oh God. Youre just a three ring circus arent you?

God - Ok, price went up. Give me the whole 12.

Joan - What are you going to do with money?

God - Its not what Im going to do with it. Its what youre going to do without it.

Joan - Ah. Any guess as to when this is going to end? First a job at a book store then AP chemistry. How do you top that?

God - You dont have to accept the package you know.

Joan - Oh yeah. And I could also take the little blue pill. Hand it over.

God - (looking at the money) In me you trust. Not entirely true.

God walks away and Joan opens the package. Its a book about how to play chess. She calls after God.

Joan - Chess. Hey, I do not play chess.

To Wills office at the police station. Will is just walking in for the morning and Jeannie and another woman are sitting in his office.

Jeannie- You dont want to know.

Lt. Daghilan - Shes psychic

Will - Not in my office shes not.

Jeannie - She wants herbal tea. Maybe shell read the leaves later.

Lt. Daghilan - Reinneman Case. Parents asked for it and we have to try everything there is being exposed legally.

Will - I dont work with psychics.

Lt. Daghilan - Also the mayors on board. Said shes had some success with other squads.

Will - Fine you talk to her, Its your case.

Lt. Daghilan - Yeah but shes in your office.

Lt. Daghilan leaves and Jeannie hands Will the tea. He goes into the office.

Will - Hi.

Bloome - Hi, Thanks (Accepting the Tea)

Will - Im Chief Girardi, but you probably already know that.

Bloome - Ah gee. Ive never heard that before.

Will - I didnt mean it quite that way, but since were on the subject, Im not on bored with this Im being forced into this by my superiors.

Bloome - My name is Charlotte Bloome since you neglected to ask. And here again Im shocked to find a cop whos skeptical about my profession.

Will - Well now that were in this might as well make it work. How does it work?

Bloome - Well. You could start by getting me up to date on the file. And no, I dont know whats in it.

Now we are in the High School hallway. Joan is getting her books from her locker. Grace comes along and slams it shut.

Grace - Tell your brother to stop with the after-shave. First, he has nothing to shave. Second, it smells like picked eggs. And third, he sits behind me and Im allergic. I have like, one working sinus left.

Joan - Why dont you do it yourself?

Grace - Just take care of it will you.

Grace walks away and two snooty girls walk up to Joan. Youll remember them from the Pilot.

Girl 2 - Oh my god you know her?

Joan - Not really, shes in my AP Chemistry class.

Girl 1 - Your in AP Chem.? I thought your brother was the geek.

Joan - Well, He is its just (She is interrupted when she drops her Chess book)

Girl 2- Chess?

Joan - Its not mine. Give it to me (she rips it out of the girls hand and walks away, the other girls catch up)

Girl 2 - So is it true?

Joan - What?

Girl 2 - That shes a big lesbo?

Joan - Grace? I have no idea. I dont even know her.

Girl 2 - Well theres a big pool going in gym class.

Girl 1 - So could you find out?

Joan - What? Like ask her?

Girl 1 - No, you give her the fingernail test? Ask her to look at them. (She holds her hand flat) Not gay. (She curls her fingers up) Gay.

Girl 2 - That test is so unreliable. You just start talking about, you know, some hot guy and see how she reacts.

Girl 1 - Dax Hibbing.

Joan - Wait wait. What is that?

Girl 2 - Dax Hibbing. The Captain of the wrestling team. Anyone who doesnt get him is definitely gay.

Joan - I dont know who he is? But I mean, if I knew him, Id totally get him.

Girl 1 - So youll find out?

Joan - Is it anybodies business?

Girl 1- Ok like chill. (the girls start walking away)

Girl 2 - They like, protect each other. Its another sign.

Girl 1- Like shoes.

To the hospital or doctors office now. Helen is there looking at the model of a spine. The doctor comes in.

Helen - Fine.

Dr. Hughes - Oh yeah thats convincing. Want some coffee?

Helen - No thank you. I probably could have just talked to you on the phone.

Dr. Hughes - Whats wrong.

Helen - Nothing really. Its just the other night Kevin had this dream about his legs.

Dr. Hughes - Not uncommon.

Helen - Right, I know, But when he woke up they were hurting.

Dr. Hughes - Neurppathic pain. This is all pretty textbook.

Helen - I know, but this one thing, its never come up. After the accident, after all the tests had come back, Dr.. Slater told us that Kevin would be paralyzed from the waist down because of the spinal cord injury. He said its the saddest thing in the world to tell someone their son wont walk again.

Dr. Hughes - Theres no good way to say it.

Helen - And I remember thinking, He didnt actually said Kevin would never walk again.

Dr. Hughes - Helen, Kevins back was broken in three places. When the vertebra collapsed the nerves were damaged, the cord itself was compressed. Circulation was denied to that area which rendered that part of his spinal cord essentially dead. He will never walk again. Ever.

Helen - I guess I just needed to hear it.

Dr. Hughes - I understand.

Helen - Thank you. (She starts to leave) Essentially. You said essentially dead.

Dr. Hughes - You want a number dont you. I strongly advise against it. Two percent chance that hell walk again.

Helen - Thank you.

In the AP Chem. class. The teacher is giving a lesson.

Teacher -Now remember, you need to be recording which are the cat ions and which are the anions

Grace - You smell that? Its like essence of pimp.

Joan - Yeah, Its pretty bad. Its really girly. Hard to believe hes straight.

Grace - Hard to believe and hard to care.

Joan - You know, I know hes not your type, I know he isnt mine. (Grace gives her a look) If he werent my brother. Im more into athlete type. You know thats my thing. Football players, Wrestlers. Abs. Big forearms. .

Grace - Small cerebral cortex.

Adam - (in a whisper) Wrestlers?

Joan - Mind your own business.

Back to the police station. Lt. Daghilan and Will are talking with Ms. Bloome.

Lt. Daghilan - Its like he vanished. They were at the park. He was playing in the sand box. His mother goes to get lemonade from the truck. Turns around and hes gone.

Bloome - Nobody saw anything?

Will - Witness statements are all over the place. Were still in the processing of following up.

Bloome - That wasnt a question.

Will - Oh, my mistake.

Bloome - Id like to go to the scene of the crime. It would be helpful to have something that belonged to the boys. It would be helpful if the parents were there.

Will - I dont think thats a good Idea. Theyve been over the area with us a thousand times.

Bloome - The parents energy is very conducive to the process.

Will - Its wrong to put the Reinnemans through that again.

Lt. Daghilan - Chief, how about we let them make the call.

Joan is back in the science class after the rest of the class has left. She left her coat there. She turns around and cute guy god is there.

Joan - What are you doing? You cant be here.

God - Hum and yet I am. Walk with me.

Joan - No, people are gonna to see me.

God - Yes they will, that optic nerve was an inspired idea, wasnt it.

Joan - I meant that theyll see you.

God - Yeah, Ive noticed that this look turn a lot of heads.

Joan - Its called being hot.

God - Oh. You didnt read the book, did you?

Joan - Like you dont know. Cain, wheres your brother? Ha. Very passive aggressive. Some of it. I couldnt really follow it. Im not that bright, you know. My brother would be much better for this, if I could recommend someone to take my place?

God - OH Joan, Would have been so much easier if you just read the book. Now Im gonna have to send you to the basement.

Joan - You mean like, Hell?

God - No, I mean, like, the basement. Theres one in the school. Check it out.

Joan goes down into the basement and finds a class full of students sitting in a dimly lit room playing chess.

Teacher - Are you looking for the Chess Club?

Joan - I suppose.

Teacher - OH, please. Please. We could always use another wood pusher.

He motions to her to join them in the room and we cut too commercial.

After commercial break we are starting the scene in the cafeteria. The two other girls and Joan are in line for their lunch.

Joan - Hey, can I sit with you guys?

Girl 1 - I dont know. Is it any bodies business?

Joan - I tried ok but I got nothing. The girls not talking.

Girl 2- Ok, whatever.

Lynnie - Joan Girardi? Do you know me? Im Lynnie Carmichael

Joan - I guess I do now.

Lynnie - I am going to cut you off at the knees. I will rip your hair out one root at a time.

Joan - Wow. It seems like we just met.

Lynnie - Do not mess with my boyfriend.

Joan - Ok, um who is he so I dont mess with him.

Lynnie - Nice try, consider yourself warned.

Joan - Who is her boyfriend?

Girl 1 - Dax Hibbing.

Girl 2 - You hit on Dax Hibbing?

Joan - I dont know Dax Hibbing.

Girl 2 - Are you insane? They are like, such a unit. You cant get in there.

Joan - I dont KNOW Dax Hibbing.

Girl 2 - Youre either a complete freak or my hero.

The next scene begins with Lt. Daghilan and will walking down a path in a park to meet up with Ms. Bloome and the Reinnemans who are already there.

Will - Your tax dollars, ladies and gentlemen, paying for this sideshow.

Lt. Daghilan - Why does it bug you so much? Its just an exercise.

Will - Because shes wasting our time and exploiting those peoples pain.

Mrs. Reinneman - Hes alive. Charlotte says hes alive.

Will - Really?

Mrs. Reinneman - but we dont have much time.

Mr. Reinneman - She got the image of a car. (To Charlotte) Tell them

Ms. Bloome - Yeah, its a white car. Its small. Its beat up. I got two numbers in the license plate. A 2 and a 4. You might want to write that down.

Will - You didnt happen to zone in on an address?

Ms. Bloome - No, it doesnt work that way.

Mr. Reinneman - It was a man, she said, and he used a puppy to get Eric to come to him.

Mrs. Reinneman - Tell them about the barn.

Will - Barn?

Ms. Bloome - Uh, it was just a flash. Its red. Its in the country.

Will - Red barn in the country (we get the sense he is being sarcastic)

Ms. Bloome - And theres a farm and hay.

Will - That would fit with the barn.

Ms. Bloome - Can I speak with you for a moment, alone? What is your problem? Huh?

Will - Well, Im glad you asked. My problem is every minute were spending here is a minute were not spending in a constructive process which might actually yield results.

Ms. Bloome - You have a better idea?

Will - Yes I do . Lets go back to the station where we do these wacky procedures where we follow up on witnesses and evidence and wade through about a hundred calls a day on the tip hotline. And if any of those tips are good, we bring the person in and we interview em. Weve actually found missing kids that way.

Ms. Bloome - You havent found this one.

Will - Are we done here?

Ms. Bloome - Um.

She walks away without saying another word. Back at school, it is between classes and Joan is walking the halls. She sees Grace.

Joan - Hey, Thanks a lot.

Grace - Youre welcome. However Im picking up a lack of sincerity.

Joan - You know what. Thats a nice act. Pretending youre disenfranchised and o-so not a part of the high school antics.

Grace - Look, I just wanted you to get your brother to nicks the after-shave. Forget I mentioned it.

Joan - You told every body that was I am in love with Dax Hibbing, just because I said his name in passing. I dont even know the guy. Now his girlfriend is threatening to rip my hair out.

Grace - This may come as a shock to you, but you and your sexual fantasies do not take up any space in my brain.

Joan - Whatever, just stop spreading rumors about me.

Adam - (who was just standing in the hall) Did she say?

Luke - (who was just talking to Adam) Yeah

Grace - Hey! Streaky! I dont think about you, one way or the other. But while were on the subject of puerile high school behavior, do you think Im not on to your stupid sexual preference quiz. I didnt take the Dax Hibbing bait, so that means Im singing in the other choir. The only thing more obvious is the fingernail test. My sexuality is my business.

Grace runs out and that is the end of the scene. The next one takes place in the dark chess room in the basement. Students are sitting around chessboards and the teacher is walking around the room.

Teacher - Finally, we learn from chess the greatest maxim in life. That even when everything seems going badly for us we should not loose heart and steadfastly continue searching for solutions to our problems. Who said that?

Joans chess partner -Benjamin Franklin. (Joan clicks her timer) Interesting. Fianachetto.

Joan - I have no idea what Im doing.

Joans chess partner - Yeah, like Im falling for that.

Joan - A horse can jump people right?

Joans chess partner - Thats funny.

Teacher - Hows it going?

Joans chess partner - Shes bold. Kudos for the Dresden variation, but Im about take her queen.

Joan - Which one is the Queen? This one?

Joans chess partner - Oh yeah, your psyching me out.

Joan - (makes a move) Can I do that?

Joans chess partner - Wow. I should have seen that. I should have seen it. Crap.

In six moves, by a girl.

Joan - (To the teacher who is looking shocked) What happened? Did I win?

Teacher - Who do you study with?

Joan - Um, I dont study. I tried to read the book.

Teacher - (Laughs) where have you been Miss Girardi?

To the station in Wills office. He is listening to the tip hotline when Ms. Bloome comes in.

Ms. Bloome - Mozart?

Will - Tip hotline. Its not sexy work, but somebody has to do it.

Ms. Bloome - Can we talk. I mean, off the record?

Will - Im not a reporter.

Ms. Bloome - When I was 29 I was in a car accident and I died. And no I dont remember a tunnel. I didnt see any dead loved ones, no angles. Nothing like that. Its just that when I woke up everything was different. I was different. I asked the doctor, and he said this was not uncommon among near death survivors. And then shortly after that I began having dreams that came true. And weird visions. It was like I could hear peoples thoughts. I dont know the why of it, but I made the decisions that as long as I had this bizarre ability, I might as well use it to help people.

Will - and get paid for it. Help people for a price.

Ms. Bloome - Yeah, like you. Is it because of the tragedy? I mean that this makes you so angry and unwilling. Youve had a tragedy.

Will - Who hasnt?

Jeannie - Chief, youre familys here.

Will - Excuse me, its restaurant night.

Will goes out into the lobby and meets the rest of his family.

Helen - (giving him a hug) Hey, Im sorry. I didnt mean to interrupt.

Will - Not a problem, I was winding down. (To Kevin) Hey slugger, howd the job search go?

Kevin - Well, the drycleaners really seem to recognize my particular talent, but I dont want to get my hopes up.

Will - (as Ms. Bloome walks in) this is Ms. Bloome. Shes working with us on a case. My family.

Helen - (shakes her hand) Im Helen.

Ms. Bloom - Charlotte. Nice to meet you.

Helen - Nice to meet you. This is Kevin, Luke and Joan.

Joan - Dad, Can I put a word in for sushi?

Everyone else - No

Will - Were going for spaghetti, end of discussion. Forgot my pager, excuse me.

Helen - (To Charlotte) So, are you a detective?

Ms. Bloome - No Actually Im a Psychic. .

Helen - A psychic, thats interesting.

Ms. Bloome - Your daughter has a very special connection to the universe.

Joan - No I dont.

Luke - No, its true. She is from another planet.

Ms Bloome walks over to Kevin and whispers something in his ear that leaves him shocked.

Ms. Bloome - (TO Helen) it was nice to meet you. You have a lovely family.

Helen - Nice to meet you.

Will - (To Kevin) what did she say to you?

Kevin - Nothing

Will - Dont tell me nothing.

Kevin - Well it was nothing, Dad, lets go, Im starving.

Kevin Roles away and we cut to a commercial. When we come back we are with

Helen at the DMV again. She was looking for the Priest.

Helen - Hi, I dont know if you remember me?

Priest - Yes.

Helen - Oh good. Im late for work. I just have a quick question.

Priest - I actually have a parish you know, and an office, and an assistant.

Helen- Im sure, but uh, this will only take a second.

Priest - the question of suffering goes all the way back to the fall from grace. There isnt a parking lot version.

Helen - NO. This is a whole other subject. This is about miracles.

Priest - Oh no.

Helen - Is it wrong to pray for them? Personal miracles. I mean, not world peace, or... or save the planet or nothing altruistic. Just plain old shopping list, God is Santa, give me this one thing and I'll stop smoking kinda thing.

Priest - Well I think you should stop smoking for your own sake...

Helen - No, I don't smoke.

Priest - This would work out better in my office. I promise you could sit down with me, we could have tea.

Helen - It's just... I was raised Catholic and I was taught that you don't ask God for specific things, but there is this one miracle that I would really, really like to have. Like something you see in a store and you can't stop thinking about it, and you start to believe that it already belongs to you, and it's just misplaced, but is it wrong? Can it actually do harm to pray for something you want?

Priest - I think prayer can never hurt. As long as you understand you might not

recognize the answer right away. Most miracles occur in hindsight.

Helen - Why don't I ever feel better after I talk to you?

Priest - I don't know.

She runs off and we cut to the next scene. A shot of a red barn and then to the inside where Lt. Daghilan and Will are walking.

Lt. Daghilan - You got to admit, its weird. Were driving around for 5 minutes and theres this barn.

Will - And Madame Bolletzki gets a hit, what are the odds.

Lt. Daghilan - Yeah and it is red, too.

Will - You know as well as I do that the longer this takes the more likely it is were looking for a body.

A scream of Oh My God! comes from outside and Will and Lt. Daghilan run to find out what is going on.

Will - What happened?

Ms. Bloome - No its good. Everythings fine.

Ms. Reinneman - .Look, Look what she found.

Will - Is that your Sons toy, Mrs. Reinneman?

Ms. Reieman - Yes, Yes its Toby. He calls him Toby, He calls him Toby.

Will - (To Lt. Daghilan) you got an evidence bag?

Lt. Daghilan - In the truck.

Will - Im going to call for a unit

Ms. Bloome - Chief, you should get your guys to comb the area.

Will - Is that how its done?

To school, once again, between classes, Joan is walking the halls.

Dax - Hey, come here a minute.

Joan - Im going to be late for class.

Dax - Thisll be quick. Give me your phone number. Ill call you tonight.

Joan - Who are you?

Dax - Look, dont let Lynnie scare you. Its good for her to be jealous. Keeps her on her toes.

Joan - OH youre Dax.

Dax - Too late to play it cool. Its all over town.

Principal Chadwick - Ms. Girardi, your presence is requested in my office. Mr. Hibbing, yours will be too, if you miss the bell.

Joan walks into his office. Helen as and Mr. Poplin are already there.

Joan - Oh, Ok Hi. Um, I didnt do it.

Principal Chadwick - Youre not in trouble Joan.

Joan - Im not.

Principal Chadwick - Mr Poplin just gave us the exciting news and I have a proposition for you. Sit down. Joan, I have to admit. I was concerned when you wanted to take AP chem. But recent events prove that you have some scientific talent of which only you were aware, and were happy youre finding a way to express it.

Joan - What are you talking about?

Mr. Poplin - Your abilities in the game of chess border on genius

Helen - Why didnt you tell anyone? Did Luke teach you/?

Joan - No body taught me. It was an accident.

Mr. Poplin - You beat our highest ranked player in six moves.

Joan - I didnt mean to

Helen- Joan, thats incredible.

Principal Chadwick - We want you to represent the school in a regional chess tournament. Now, I know its only a few months away so youre going to have to put in some extra time after school.

Joan - Wow! Wow listen, I dont know how to play chess

The others laugh and we go back to the barn. A whole team of police are searching the area.

Will - (Oh the phone) yes sir, Were doing everything we can. Ive got S.I.D here,

Ive got SWAT on stand by. Im trying to keep the press at bay but that wont last long. Uh, Ill get back to you Mr. Mayor. What is it, Mr. Reinnemann?

Mr. Reinneman - I dont know how to say this.

Will - Just tell me.

Mr. Reinneman - Thats not Toby. I just found Toby in the trunk of my car. Ive never scene that toy before. I dont think its his.

Mr. Reinneman walks away and Will walks in the opposite direction. We leave them there to go back to the school. Joan is standing in the doorway of the chess room. A stranger is sitting a table playing.

Joan - Uh, Hi. Im here for the chess club?

Stranger - They all went home. Ill be working with you today.

Joan - Ok um, well, before anything happens, I should just let you know up front. I dont know how to play chess. God, Y'know, I'm actually, uh, for once very glad to see you.

God - And why is that, Joan?

Joan- Because my life is completely unraveling. I'm up to my eyeballs in the drama of the high school mating ritual, and now, thanks to you, I've been mistaken as the school chess champion. How did this happen to me?

God - Which part?

Joan - How did I beat that kid at chess?

God - He was using logic. You weren't. It's impossible to guard against chaos. It's rare, but it happens. Blacks move.

Joan - I don't want to... I don't know how to play this game.

God - And yet you play the game.

Joan - Because I'm forced to.

God - Forced to? Your friends make a suggestion, which you follow up on, and then you're surprised at the outcome? It's a causal universe. Move.

Joan - Wait a minute, I'm being punished because I made a tiny little effort to fit in?

God - It's not about punishment. It's that actions have consequences, and to be in denial of that is to be disengaged from the laws of the universe, which renders you powerless and vulnerable to an inordinate amount of pain. Other than that, it's no big deal... move.... (She touches one of the pieces and then changes her mind)No....

Joan - No?

God - It's a rule called "touch move." Once you touch a piece, you have to move that piece.

Joan - I'm not allowed to change my mind? What kind of universe is that?

God - Oh, you can change your mind, but you still have to play that piece. So you should think before you move.

Joan - Wait a minute, this is a metaphor... Yeah, I looked up "metaphor" and that's definitely an example... Yep... took the bait. So now I'm in the game. How do I get out?

God - There are many ways to get out; surrender is one, losing is another. Winning, cheating, which I don't recommend, but you have to do something. You have to have a strategy. See the number one rule in chess is this; whatever you do, don't play the other person's game. Play your own... Your move.

We cut then to a commercial. We come back to the show on a shot of Joans bedroom door and the mess that is her room. Kevin wheels in.

Kevin - Joan, can I borrow your hair dryer so I can look extra handsome for my job interview at Wiener World? Joan?

Joan - (springing up from under her blanket) WHAT?

Kevin - (jumps) Dont scare the cripple, my fight or flight impulse is very confused. What were you doing?

Joan - Imagining I was in a coma. Its not so bad. I hate school. I have no friends, I cant fit in. I dont know who I like. Im miserable. And, and, and I got this, this zit in my ear. Ouch.

Kevin - ok , well, I didnt need to know that last part, but I have to concur, High school sucks.

Joan - Didnt suck for you? You were like, the star.

Kevin - So, I was in the in crowd. I just got to see the jerks closer up. Why do you think I spent so much time playing sports? I didnt like that social thing so much. People were mean, it was boring. I wanted to play my own game.

Joan - OH my god. Somebody just said that to me yesterday. About chess.

Kevin - Well, its the basic rule of any sport. Otherwise youre always on the defensive posture, always reacting to the other guy.

Joan - you really werent happy in high school? You really felt like a reject sometimes?

Kevin - everybody does. Even the ones who claim they dont. You, You are going to find some people who totally get what a non-repulsive, sub-defective you are. Trust in yourself a little bit, youll figure it out. And if you need me to role over anyone, let me know.

Joan - Sub-defective.

Downstairs to the breakfast table. Helen is reading the paper. Will walks in and pours himself a cup of coffee.

Will - Youre up early?

Helen - So are you.

Will - Its that damn psychic woman. Do you know how much she cost the city in dollars and man-hours combing the countryside because she found a 10-year-old toy in a barn?

Helen - You have to admit, it was an interesting coincidence.

Will - Coincidences are interesting. Theyre common, they happen to the average person 10 times a day, but no body puts the SWAT team on alert.

Helen- Ok, well, Im not the bad guy.

Will - Im sorry.

Helen - Will, Its nothing.

Will - Holistic healing, chakra energy, Lourdes?

Helen - Im not taking him to Lourdes. I was just curious about alternative medicine.

Will - No.

Helen - What do you mean no?

Will - You cant do this. you cant let yourself go down this path of magical thinking Helen.

Helen - I am just contemplating all the possibilities. What harm can that do?

Will - Plenty, You think this is good for Kevin? Dragging him around to Quacks instead of letting him get on with his life, the way it is? Hes driving now. Hes looking for a job. This is what we wanted. What you wanted.

Helen - Im not looking for magic. Its more like

Will - What, miracles?

Helen - I was raised to believe in them.

Will - So was I. I was an alter boy for Gods sake. And then I grew up.

Helen - I will tell you something Will, I was happier when I believed it

Will - Helen, Our boy is paralyzed. His spine is irreparably damaged. There is no miracle. There is no magic. God is not coming down to fix it. And nothing is going to change. Please, dont leave me alone knowing that.

Joan walks in.

Joan - Sorry.

Helen - No its ok. Are you hungry? Ill make you some breakfast.

Joan - No

She leaves again and we end the scene. Off to the Police station again

Lt. Daghilan - We got something on the Tip line. One of the guys you flagged.

Will - Oh yeah?

Lt. Daghilan -Brought him in for questioning and I like his story. What to hear it?

Will - I dont know, sounds awfully scientific.

Lt. Daghilan - Hey, I wasnt on board for the physic stuff, just, you know, wanted to be open.

Witness - The lady who lives next door to me has always been weird. Keeps to herself, doesnt seem to have a job. I think she lives on disability. One day I saw her walking around with a little kid. She says its an orphan nephew shes adopting.

Will - Can you describe the child?

Witness - Few days later I see a picture of the missing kid on television. Looked a lot like the little boy. (Lt. Daghilan drops a picture of the boy on the table) Yeah, I think thats him.

Next scene is in the school. Luke and Joan are walking.

Luke - They always have fights, its no big deal.

Joan - This was different. They were fighting about God.

Luke - They always have. Since forever. I mean, mom wanted

Luke - They always have. Since forever. I mean, mom wanted to get married in a church, dad didnt. Blah blah blah. God and money, thats basically what grownups talk about.

Girl 2 - We need to talk.

Joan - About what?

Girl 1 - Your behavior.

Girl 2 - Its so not cool. Flirting with Dax in the hall for everyone to see. Lynnie cried all through world geography.

Girl 1 - Stealing someones boyfriend does not look good on the social resume.

Joan - I did not flirt with him He came up to me. You know what. Bite Me.

Girl 1 - Oh thats charming.

Luke - Can you just leave my sister alone?

Girl 2 - Back off Pin Head.

Luke - Thats Mister Pin Head to you.

Joan - You know what? I dont care about Dax Hibbing or Lynnie Charmichael, or my social resume, or whos gay or whos not. I cant spend my time on this plant worrying about that stuff. Theres other things to do.

Girl 1 - Like what? Chemistry and chess?

Joan - Yeah, Like that. Now those guys might be nerds but at least they know

what theyre here for.

Luke - (after the girls walk away) You called me a nerd.

Joan - It was a metaphor.

We rejoin Will and Lt. Daghilan in the old womans apartment. She is chopping up veggies. Not looking at the police officers at all.

Woman - Yes, Ive been reading about that little boy. Its very sad. Tea, Coffee, anything?

Will - No thank you.

Woman - Thats Percy (showing them the little poodle dog) Shes very friendly. (the dog runs off)

Will - The thing is some of your neighbors reported seeing the little boy in this apartment building. . We were wondering if you knew anything about that.

Woman - No, Im afraid I dont.

Will - I understand, you have a son or a nephew.

Woman - No, I live alone.

Will - Oh, because your neighbors were pretty certain about a little boy living here.

Woman - I baby sit some of the children in the neighborhood for extra money.

Will - Oh, well thats probably it.

Lt. Daghilan -Do you mind if we have a look around while were here?

Woman - Yes, I do mind. I dont mean to be rude, but I know you need a warrant for that.

Lt. Daghilan - Thats true.

Will - We could get one and come back.

Lt. Daghilan - Yeah yeah, Why dont we do that.

Will - OH, do you mind if I use your bathroom?

Woman - (turns around and puts the knife at his breast bone) No you cant use the bathroom (Lt. Daghilan pulls his gun) You cant look around. Leave me alone.

Lt. Daghilan - Put the knife down.

Woman - This is harassment. You cant just come in here and harass me.

Lt. Daghilan - Put it down!

Woman - I know about this. I know my rights, you need a warrant. What? You gonna shoot me?

Lt. Daghilan - You just pulled a knife on the chief of police, Defiantly a shoot-able offense. Put it down.

The woman lets Will take the knife out of her hand. Lt. Daghilan puts his gun away and then puts the woman in hand cuffs. Will leaves the room to investigate the rest of the house and finds the little dog scratching a door. The door is locked though.

Will - (to the woman) Where is the key to this door?

Woman - Up my ass!

Will breaks it down. Inside the little boy is playing with his toys. Will smiles at the boy, who smiles back.

To Joan now, who is sitting on a bench in the park at school eating lunch. Grace comes up behind her.

Grace - You gonna eat all that?

Joan - No, Do you what some?

Grace - What is it?

Joan - Salami and stuff. My dads Italian. To him a sandwich is like an opera.

Look Grace, Im really sorry.

Grace - Yeah, the taking of the sandwich is a symbolic act designed to avoid direct confrontation. Dont worry.

Joan - Ok.

Cut to Dinner at the Girardi house and what will be our final scene of Touch Move. Everyone is sitting around the dinner table.

Will - So, Daghilan says to me the woman had a white car. The physic gets every other detail wrong and Im suppose to be impressed because she had a white car.

Helen - She didnt get anything else right?

Will - Well, there was a dog.

Helen - Well, thats something.

Will - She said a man with a puppy, and can I remind everyone there was no barn involved, at all.

Joan - Dont fight.

Will - Im not fighting. Im just saying after wasting all this time with her, in the end we ended up finding this kid through standard police work.

Helen - Its a miracle you found him alive. I dont mean a miracle.

Joan - Can I interrupt this moment of family tension to say that I will not be representing the school in the chess tournament.

Luke - Was that ever a possibility?

Joan - There was a brief moment of insanity.

Helen - Joan, that is such an honor. Why would you turn that down?

Joan - because I dont know how to play chess. I keep telling everybody that but no one believes it.

Luke - I believe you.

Joan - Thank you. I dont understand it.

Luke - Its just strategy and a little bit of living in the future.

Will - Please, no more talk about the future.

Luke - Thats how it works Dad. I mean, you see four moves ahead, its empirical. You see five moves ahead, its still grounded in science. I mean, who knows where the demarcation is. Now if you see twelve moves ahead, maybe youre crossing over into psychic phenomenon. And maybe thats what a psychic does. She just sees the board of life better then we do.

Will - There are a million people with white cars and dogs.

Kevin - (interrupting to make a point) She said Id dance at my wedding. Thats what she told me. Then again, she said Joan has a special connection to the universe, so go figure.

Music plays us to a wide shot of the table and then fade to black on Episode Three Touch Move