7x09 THE TALENTED MR. DILAURENTIS
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. THE HASTINGS' HOUSE- LIVING ROOM- PAST MIDNIGHT.
(Flames takeover a few logs as a fire-poker is used to settle the debris inside. We see Wren turn around and place the poker where it belongs before he looks over at Spencer who has a long green blanket wrapped around her. He can tell she looks a little lost and sits down next to her.)
WREN: Spencer...(No response) Spencer…
(She finally seems to snap out of it and she looks to her right at Wren.)
SPENCER: Sorry. I kinda spaced out for a min.
WREN: A minute? You've been spaced out ever since we escaped the woods. Your sister is worried sick about you.
SPENCER: I guess…
WREN: Spencer.
SPENCER (Rolls eyes): What?
WREN: Melissa cares about you. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been helping A all this time.
SPENCER: Exactly. All this time. Why couldn't she tell me about this sooner?
WREN: She's been protecting you…we both have been.
(Spencer just rolls her eyes and shakes her head.)
SPENCER: How have you been protecting me? I thought you were trying to find your cousin.
WREN: I was doing both. I still love-
SPENCER: Love me? You DO realize you're engaged to my sister.
WREN: Yeah, but we're not really engaged.
SPENCER: And you know that sounds crazy, right?
(She sighs before she drops her blanket off her shoulders, gets up, and walks towards the kitchen. Wren quickly stands and follows behind Spencer while she opens the refrigerator.)
WREN: Spencer, please don't be mad.
(She pulls a soda out and closes the refrigerator with a slight SLAM, looking irritated with Wren.)
SPENCER: I'm not mad. I'm furious! You and my sister have been playing me for who knows how long working for the person who has not only been stalking, threatening, and blackmailing me, but also killed one of my best-friends!
WREN: Spencer-
SPENCER: You didn't try to help us stop A or anything. You just had your own motives for doing it. You and Melissa are nothing, but liars. (Pops drink open)
WREN: Liars? (Scoffs) You wanna talk about liars? You and the rest of your friends are nothing, but liars…a bunch of pretty little liars. If I'm going to be completely honest with you, at first I thought one of you killed Bethany.
SPENCER: Really? (Sips) You must be directing that at me then because you knew that I felt like I did something horrible the night Ali went missing. We talked about it and you just shut it down. But deep down, you thought I killed her.
WREN: No…it wasn't you I thought that did it. I thought it was Alison.
(Spencer almost spits her drink right at Wren after that and she struggled to swallow the soda in her mouth. She can't believe-No. She can definitely believe it. Alison used to be very vindictive and almost sociopathic and couple that with the fact that she knew about Bethany, it's understandable Wren thought that. But how could Wren know that Alison knew Bethany?)
SPENCER: What made you think Ali did it?
WREN: I know things, Spencer. Things about your friend that you don't know.
SPENCER: Like what?
WREN: Things that would make you understand why I thought she had killed my sister.
SPENCER: Can I get a straight answer?
WREN: Not here. Remember A is everywhere…
(A knock goes on the patio door to which Spencer and Wren look over in confusion. He makes his way over to the door and when he sees who it is, he quickly opens the door for them.
WREN: Ms. Drake.
(Mary Drake stands at the door with a worried look on her face as Wren steps away to let her inside.)
MARY: Hello Dr. Kingston.
(As he shuts the door behind her, she looks over to see Spencer standing by the kitchen counter looking confused as to why she is there.)
SPENCER: Mary…Hi.
MARY (Grins): Hello Spencer. How are you? I wanted to come by and check on you. I didn't get the chance because Kenneth is determined to make sure Alison is A-Okay.
SPENCER: Besides a few cuts and bruises, I'm fine.
MARY: Hmm…(She seems to instantly notice blood trickling down from a cut on Spencer's cheek and looks a little closer at it) You have a cut that's bleeding.
SPENCER: What? (She touches the cut and looks at the blood on her fingers, not noticing Mary make her way into the kitchen and looking through the drawer where the Hastings' keeps a MED kit.) Uh…
(Mary pulls the kit out and goes around the counter before she places it down and opens it up.)
SPENCER: How did you know where the MED kit was?
(Mary stops and glances over at Wren who seems to share the same knowing look. But before Spencer can question them further, they hear footsteps and look to see Melissa make her way down the stairs in a new outfit.)
MARY: Hello Melissa.
MELISSA: Hi Mary.
SPENCER: Excuse me…what's with the familiarity going on here? I mean, no offence Mary, but we have a lot going on right now and my sister and her fiancé clearly don't understand that.
MELISSA: Relax, Spence. I invited Mary over here. She wanted to come check on you anyways and I asked her to watch over you for the night until noon tomorrow.
SPENCER: Watch over me I'm not in middle school anymore, Melissa.
WREN: Yeah, but after what happened tonight, none of us should be alone.
SPENCER: Fine. I'll just go stay with one of my friends. (Gets up)
MELISSA: No, Spencer. (Steps in front of Spencer with a worried look on her face) I need you to stay here tonight. At least until I come back tomorrow when I know you're safe.
SPENCER: I'll be safe-
MELISSA: Spencer, please.
MARY: Listen. It'll be like I'm not here I'll stay on the couch and you can stay in your old bedroom. I promise I'm only here to make sure you are safe, Spencer.
(Spencer still looks a little hesitant before Melissa gives Spencer an out-of-nowhere hug to which Spencer can't help but give back. As they break apart, Mary looks at them with a longing look.)
MELISSA: I won't continue to put you in danger, Spencer. And believe me, I wouldn't let Mary watch over you if I didn't trust her.
SPENCER: But why do you? You don't even know her.
(Melissa glances at Mary with a nervous frown before she turns around and heads to the patio door. Wren steps up to Spencer and tries to give her a hug, but she steps away from him, giving him the cold shoulder. He looks disappointed and sad, but holds his head up.)
WREN: See you when we get back, Spencer. Lock the door behind us.
(He turns around and goes to the patio door before Melissa opens it and they head out. Spencer goes to the door and shuts it for them before she locks it. She stares at them as they make their way away from the door.)
MARY: So, let's get that cut bandaged.
(Spencer looks a bit nervous as she still has her back turned to Mary.)
CUT TO:
INT. THE RADLEY- SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY- PAST MIDNIGHT.
(Emily KNOCKS at Alison's door and waits for a few seconds. Finally, the door opens, but only slight as Ali looks out the crack of the door. Emily looks at her in confusion.)
EMILY: Uh, Ali?
ALISON: Hey Em. What's up?
EMILY: I just came by to check on you. I wanted to see how you're doing. I feel like we haven't really talked since we met with Noel.
ALISON: That's because we haven't talked since we met with Noel.
EMILY: Yeah, it's just-
ALISON: Emily. I'm really tired right now. Can we just talk tomorrow?
EMILY: Um…yeah, but-
ALISON: Okay. See you then.
(She quickly shuts the door, but doesn't outright slam it in Emily's face. Still, Emily looks taken aback and slightly embarrassed just before she hears the door belonging to the room next to Ali's opens. Emily steps back and looks in shock to see Paige walk out of the room, along with LUCAS. When they see her, both look a little nervous and Emily seems suspicious of them.)
EMILY: Paige…Lucas? What's going on?
LUCAS: It's not what it looks like.
PAIGE: Trust me, it's definitely not what it looks like.
(Just then, Noel walks up behind them wondering who they're talking to and looks a bit thrown off to see Emily there.)
NOEL: Emily. Dog! Wha—what's going on?
EMILY (Folds her arms): I don't know. You tell me, Noel.
PAIGE: I can explain, Emily.
EMILY: Okay…go ahead. Explain.
LUCAS: Uh…not here though.
EMILY: What?
NOEL (Sighs): We can't tell you here. Damnit.
EMILY: Why can't you?
NOEL: Because we're not trying to die, Fields. Damn. Come on.
(He shuts the door behind him and walks down the hall. Lucas gestures for Emily and Paige to follow him as he stays behind them.)
FADE OUT.
OPENING SEQUENCE (Consisting of Mona, Emily, Alison, Aria, and Spencer)
Got a secret
Can you keep it?
Swear this one you'll save
Better lock it in your pocket
Taking this one to the grave
If I show you then I know you won't tell what I said
'Cause two can keep a secret (Emily shushes the viewer) if one of them is dead.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. THE MONTGOMERY'S HOUSE- LIVING ROOM- DAWN.
(Aria sips out of her mug of coffee while she sits at the kitchen table and stares away, seeming lost in her thoughts. Just then, Ella walks in with wonder on her face.)
ELLA: Good morning.
ARIA: Good morning, mom. Ooo, I already made a batch of coffee.
ELLA: Thanks. You've must knew I'd need it. (She pours herself a mug of coffee quickly) You know, I didn't hear you get in last night.
ARIA: Yeah. Sorry, I got home pretty late. I was just out, walking around town.
ELLA: So late? Something on your mind?
ARIA: No, no. Why would you say that? I'm perfectly fine.
(Ella smirks at her and shakes her head, causing Aria to let out a long sigh. She can tell her mother knows something is up.)
ELLA: Listen, I don't know exactly what is going on, but I know that I did the same thing you did just around a year and a half ago.
ARIA: Really?
ELLA: Yeah. It was around the time your father proposed to me again. I…wasn't sure what I wanted. I couldn't give him a "yes" or a "no".
ARIA: So…what did you do?
ELLA: I did what you did. I took a walk around town, though it wasn't late at night. I was searching for a sign, some sign that could tell me what to do…if I should re-marry your dad.
ARIA: And…?
ELLA: I didn't see them. I had to make the decision for myself. I realized that I've always made decisions based on the thoughts and feelings of other people. I admit that when your dad and I married at first, I said yes partly because I knew I was pregnant with you. But this time, I had to make that choice based solely on my own thoughts and feelings.
ARIA: Wow…
ELLA: So I came home and told your father yes and the moment I did, I realized…I made the right choice…so whatever you're going through, I know you'll make the right choice as long as you think about yourself for once.
ARIA: Mom…I have a secret that I've been holding onto for years.
ELLA: Oh God, please tell me you don't have a secret child somewhere.
ARIA (Confused): Wait. What?
ELLA: It's…its nothing. Go on.
ARIA: Okay…I…well, you know Ezra and I broke up shortly after graduation right?
ELLA: Yeah.
ARIA: Well two years after that…Jason and I started dating. Being with him, it felt so…different than with Ezra. I felt carefree…relaxed…like I could do anything in the world. I've…never felt like that with Ezra, you know. I was always on my toes whenever we were walking around town. I always thought somebody would throw a bunch of rotten apples at us for even trying to have a relationship with each other. Then, it felt like everytime we would get into an argument, I'd have to be the one to apologize like I was always in the wrong. I didn't even mention the whole "book ordeal".
ELLA (Confused): "Book ordeal"?
ARIA: Uh…that's a long story. Anyways, I dated Jason for like three years.
ELLA: Three years? And you never told me?
ARIA: I didn't want to complicate things. But I've felt bad for it for so long.
ELLA: No…I know why you never said anything.
ARIA: What do you mean?
ELLA: You knew that if you brought him around the family, well around the family again, things could possibly work out. And you didn't want things to work out between you and Jason. (Stands up)
ARIA: Wait. I'm confused.
ELLA: Aria…your love for Ezra has always been a problem in your other relationships. Like Noel, Jake, Liam…but the bigger problem is that you wanted things to fail because deep down…you knew you were still in love with Ezra.
(Aria sits back against her chair and thinks deeply on her mother's words. Was she right? Did I purposely let those relationships fail because I've always wanted Ezra? Did my love for him cloud my judgment in so many other relationships?)
ARIA: Mom…even if that's true, there's one thing different about this situation compared to all the others.
ELLA (Intrigued): What is it?
(A slow realization comes upon Aria's face. She hasn't been able to admit it…whether because of her refusal to move on or her refusal believe in a different love.)
ARIA: I didn't think I was in love with any of them.
(Ella looks at Aria with sympathy, feeling sorry for her daughter's utter confusion about her love life. She's watched her grow up from a naïve little girl to a brilliant, sophisticated young woman; yet part of her feels that there's a part of Aria that refuses to grow and move on. And while she knows exactly what that part is, she'll save that conversation after her daughter makes her decision.)
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. UNKNOWN TOWN- NOEL'S CAR- EARLY MORNING.
(Noel hums while he drives his SUV down the road. Next to him on the passenger's side is Lucas who continuously taps on his tablet, playing a game of Panda Pop. In the backseats, Emily slowly opens her eyes from a quick nap. She lets out a soft yawn and looks over to see a barely awake Paige who keeps her eyes glued on Noel's driving. Emily puts a hand on one of Paige's, which catches her attention.)
PAIGE: Em. You're awake.
EMILY: Yeah, sorry. I didn't think I would sleep as long as I did.
NOEL: Don't worry. You didn't miss anything, besides Lucas' obsession with playing kid games on his tablet and Paige shooting daggers at me with her eyes.
LUCAS: Panda Pop is not a kid's game. Many adults play it.
NOEL: Yeah, nerdy adults.
PAIGE: I actually enjoy playing a game or two of it.
EMILY: I've played it a few times.
NOEL: Exactly. Nerdy adults…that's why I don't play it.
LUCAS: Oh really? Then, why did I see a notification pop up on your phone not even an hour ago that said "your lives have been refilled" with the name "Panda Pop" over it?
NOEL: Hmm, anybody wanna listen to some music? Let's listen to some music.
(Paige and Emily roll their eyes as Lucas shakes his head and Noel turns on the radio. The song, "A Thousand Miles" starts to play.)
PAIGE: Uh…can we NOT play this?
LUCAS: Seriously. There's a ton of other stations we can listen to that are not pop music from the 00's.
EMILY: Have we made it to where you're taking us, yet?
NOEL: Makin' my way downtown, walkin' fast, faces pass and I'm homebound…Dun dun dun dun dun dun dun!
EMILY: Noel!
NOEL: Starin' blankly ahead, just makin' my way, makin' my way through the cr-o-o-w-w-d-d.
LUCAS: Noel, can you please turn to a different station?
PAIGE: Please!
NOEL: And I need you...and I miss you…and now I wonder…
(The three just give up and lay back against their seats in defeat as Noel continues to sing and tune them out.)
CUT TO:
INT. THE HASTINGS' HOUSE- LIVING ROOM- MORNING.
(A confused Spencer walks down the stairs before she lets out a yawn, one of many since she woke up minutes ago to a smell unfamiliar in the Hastings' home. As she reaches the landing, she stares off to see Mary Drake laying the fried bacons on the sheet, ready for consumption.)
SPENCER: Uh…
(Mary turns around and places the sheet of bacon down next to a plate of fluffy pancakes and cheese eggs and a tall glass of orange juice on the kitchen island. She shoots Spencer a smile as the young woman gets closer into the kitchen.)
MARY: Good morning, Spencer. I decided to cook this morning. I wanted you to get a healthy but hearty breakfast.
SPENCER: Um, thank you…(She sits down at the island and stares down at her food) Wow…this looks delicious.
MARY: I'd hope. I used a special recipe.
(Spencer shoots her eyes up at Mary as if she just said she committed murder before Mary quickly realizes what the young woman is thinking and holds her hands out in defense.)
MARY: It's a family recipe. My mother used to cook this for my sister and I every morning. She always told me that one day, I'd get to use this recipe to cook for my own daughter. I guess she was psychic even before she gave me up.
(By now, Spencer has finally taken a bite of the eggs and seems intrigued by the taste which causes Mary to seem a bit excited.)
MARY: How do you like it?
SPENCER: It's…amazing. I've never had eggs this good, even by Toby.
MARY: Thank you, Spencer. You don't know how much that means to me.
(Spencer takes a bite out of the pancakes and she instantly feels like she's in Heaven. Never has she had pancakes so fluffy and delicious, not even from the diner across the street from the Capitol in DC she used to always visit in the morning.)
MARY: Do you want me to make your bed?
SPENCER (Confused): What?
MARY: Um, you know…make it neat and clean for you?
SPENCER: No, that's okay. You don't have to do that, Mary.
MARY: Spencer. I insist…
SPENCER: Mary, you're my guest, which means I'm supposed to be cooking for you and making sure you slept well and everything. We're being completely opposite here.
MARY: I'm sorry…I'm just so excited.
SPENCER: Excited?
MARY (Looks down): Well, I just like the feeling of being wanted. I never felt that way growing up.
SPENCER: Uh, you don't have to worry about that here. Okay?
(Before Mary can even smile, a knock goes on the patio door, alerting the two. But they relax when they see that it's only one of her Spencer's best-friends, Aria. She gets off her seat and makes her way to the door. She unlocks the door and opens it, right before Aria charges right in.)
ARIA: I don't know what to do, Spence! I'm literally freaking out right now! I'm in love with two totally different guys…well, I'm not sure if I'm actually in love with one of them or if I'm in love with the other anymore and it's one of their birthdays! I just-I—I don't know what to do!
(Spencer looks between Aria and Mary to which Mary simply nods her head and leaves the room while Aria flops down on the sofa.)
SPENCER: Uh, Aria? You do know it's like really early to be ranting, right?
ARIA: I know…but I need some advice from you. We're Team Sparia, remember?
SPENCER: Okay…but first, I have to tell you something. (Sits down next to her)
ARIA: Alright, shoot.
SPENCER: Mary Drake stayed here and watched over me for the night.
(Aria looks at her best-friend in confusion and struggles to make a coherent sentence.)
ARIA: She…she…what?
SPENCER: So much happened yesterday. Like A LOT. We were shot at, Melissa and Wren know A LOT more than we thought…(Sighs) But, go ahead and tell me what you were going to say.
ARIA (Sighs): Well, DAMN Spencer. My relationship problems have nothing on what you've been dealing with.
SPENCER: Hey. Both of our problems are important…it's just mine is life-threatening.
ARIA: Well, are you okay? What happened?
SPENCER: I can't tell you.
ARIA: What?
SPENCER: I can't tell you everything…not until I know as much as I can and then I'll tell the group together.
ARIA: Spencer. If my cousin is in trouble, I need to know.
SPENCER: Cousin? (Scoffs) I forgot Wren is your cousin. Damn. Is everyone related to each other in this town?
ARIA: Ehh…at least we don't have evil twins.
SPENCER: Well, I don't know about evil, but we've definitely met a twin. And to be honest, she isn't half bad.
ARIA: Who…Mary?
SPENCER: Yeah. She's actually pretty nice. She cooked me breakfast this morning…ACTUAL breakfast. Not just orange slices, crossiants, and berries. (Scoffs) I can't believe I'm just now realizing I've never had actual breakfast cooked for me like that.
ARIA: Is that shade to your mom?
SPENCER: That's shade to my FAMILY.
(At the same time, Mary walks back into the room and towards the two young women, catching their attentions.)
MARY: Melissa is outside, Spencer. I'm not sure if you wanted her to know that your friend is here right now.
SPENCER: Thanks, but that's okay, Mary.
ARIA: Yeah, If Wren is with her, I'll be fine.
SPENCER: Yeah, Wren and Aria are cousins.
MARY: Oh…yes, I forgot about that…
(Aria and Spencer glance at each other and then back at Mary in confusion.)
ARIA: Um, how did you already know that we're cousins?
MARY: Because Melissa told me.
ARIA: Oh…
SPENCER: Apparently Mary and Melissa are pretty close.
MARY: Oh, we're not that close, but I do care for her and I hope she cares about me.
(In the same moment, the patio door opens and Melissa and Wren walk in, slightly surprised to see Aria there.)
WREN: Aria. Hey. (Walks over to her)
ARIA: Hey Wren. (Gets up and hugs him) Hey Melissa. How's you guys, morning?
MELISSA: It was…eventful. How about yours?
ARIA: It's not as bad as I thought. (Gets up) I'll just head out. I'll text you, Spence. See you Wren. Melissa.
(She heads towards the patio door before she passes by her cousin and Melissa and out the door.)
MELISSA: Thank you again, Mary. I really appreciate you for watching over Spencer.
SPENCER: Yeah, and thank you for the breakfast. It was delicious
MARY: It's no problem at all, girls. I'll go and get my things prepared to head home.
(She walks out of the room just before Melissa plops down next to Spencer and Wren leans against the sofa. Both let out long, tired sighs.)
SPENCER: Alright. Did you two find what you were looking for?
MELISSA: Yeah. We found some of the answers we were looking for.
SPENCER: Okay. Spill (Folds her arms).
MELISSA: Wren and I took a drive to a hospital in Delaware and we found out that a boy with the last name DiLaurentis spent some time at a mental facility, but they wouldn't tell us the first name.
WREN: But, Melissa put two and two together and figured it was Charles.
MELISSA: But from what we found out, the boy escaped and was never located.
(Spencer looks at them in shock as she starts to slowly understand what they're saying.)
SPENCER: But Charlotte told us that she and Jessica kept in contact.
MELISSA: You're not fully understanding, Spence. Charlotte ever transitioned.
SPENCER: What?
WREN: Spencer, Charles and Charlotte are two completely different people.
(Spencer looks away, completely mind-blown that Charlotte was never Charles and what it means for her and her friends.)
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. THE BREW- NOON.
(A server hands a mocha latte to Alison and she quickly takes it before shooting them a quick smile. As she takes a sip of her frappe and turns around, she spots someone she hasn't seen in a long time, staring right back at her. Ezra Fitz.)
(Alison stares daggers at him, to which he stares right back, both obviously having a deep hatred for the other. While not noticeable by many in the Brew, not too far away sitting at a table are Byron and Ella who seem to both watch the two shoot each other with their eyes before Alison turns around and heads out the door.)
CUT TO:
EXT. ROSEWOOD- THE BREW- NOON.
(Just as Alison exits the shop, Aria steps up to the door and looks at Ali in shock, nervousness quickly creeping upon her as the blonde steps closer to her. Aria keeps her eyes locked everywhere else, but the blonde's eyes.)
ARIA: Ali…
ALISON: Hey stranger. What's going on?
ARIA: Um, I'm good. I'm good. How are you?
ALISON: Things would be better if people would stop coming back to town so much.
(Aria nods her head, not even sharing eye contact with her supposed best-friend.)
ALISON: It's getting a little crowded here, Aria.
ARIA: Yep.
ALISON: But, you know that better than me though, right?
(Aria finally makes eye-contact with Ali who shoots her a devious smile.)
ARIA: Wha-what are you talking about?
ALISON: Look…(she runs a hand through Aria's hair) Love is dangerous, Aria. It can make you do some pretty crazy things. Just…be careful, okay hun?
(Ali rubs the same hand on Aria's shoulder before she struts away with a smirk playing on her face. At the same time, the door to the Brew re-opens and Byron and Ella walk out.)
BYRON: Hey.
ARIA: Hey guys. I thought we were meeting here.
ELLA: Uh, yeah. We were, but something came up. We have to cancel lunch. Sorry about that.
ARIA: Oh, okay…that's alright I guess. I have to be somewhere else soon anyways. I'll just grab my favorite frappe.
(Ella steps in front of Aria, preventing her from grabbing the Brew's door handle.)
ELLA: Yeah, no.
ARIA: No? Mom, what's going on?
BYRON: It's nothing. We just need a favor from you…like now.
ELLA: Right…we do need a favor.
ARIA: Okay. What is it?
ELLA: Um…
BYRON: We were supposed to pick your brother up from Hollis. He's thinking about transferring there and he went to give the campus a look around since it's been awhile.
ELLA: Yep. We were hoping you would pick him up for us.
ARIA: Uh…okay. Um, but after I drop Mike off, I have to head back out. I probably won't be home in time for dinner.
BYRON: Where to?
ARIA: Just out. See you guys later.
(She turns around and walks back the way she came as Ella and Byron watch her from where they stand. While keeping watch on their daughter, they hold a conversation.)
ELLA: Nice save.
BYRON: Thanks. We have to protect Aria at all costs.
ELLA: Especially considering what Archer told Veronica.
BYRON: But how do we know exactly who is close to Aria that is involved in all this? It could be anyone that's close to her.
ELLA: We both know who it most likely is, though.
(As they watch Aria turn a corner to the parking lot, they let out nervous sighs, knowing that they have to protect their baby girl.)
CUT TO:
EXT. DELAWARE- UNKNOWN TOWN- NOON.
(Noel's SUV comes to a halt and he puts it in park. He shoots a smirk at all of his passengers before he opens his door.)
NOEL: We've arrived to our destination.
(They all get out of the SUV and Noel is first to walk towards the building he came to. Emily walks around the SUV and steps up to Paige's side as Lucas is on Noel's. They stare up at the building's sign and Emily looks confused.)
EMILY: The Preserve at Addison-Stevens Mental Wellness and Rehab.
NOEL: I wonder what surprises will be in store for us.
(He heads towards the steps of the institution, leaving the other three. Surprisingly, Lucas gives the young women a reassuring look.)
LUCAS: Don't worry. Everything will be fine. We came here for answers. We'll get them.
(He goes towards the steps as well as Emily and Paige glare at each other.)
PAIGE: I don't know about this, Emily.
EMILY: Me neither, but we didn't travel hours just to give up and turn around because we're scared. I NEED answers, Paige.
PAIGE (Nods): Okay...
(She grabs one of Emily's hands and holds it, causing Emily to let out a small smile. They then make their ways to the steps together.)
CUT TO:
INT. THE PRESERVE AT ADDISON STEVENS- FRONT ROOM- NOON.
(Emily and Paige walk through the double doors to see a few patients roaming around the colorful interior. The patients age from kids range from as young as 8 years old to 18 years old. Emily notices a young, brunette girl hang a drawing on a wall that features many other drawings belonging to current and former child patients at the institution.)
PAIGE: Em. Noel's at the front desk.
(But Emily still watches the young girl try to hang her drawing on the wall next to all the others. She looks over to notice the nurses tending to other patients and can't help but want to help the little girl. So, Emily lets go of Paige's hand and makes her way towards the little girl.)
PAIGE: Em.
(Paige watches as Emily steps up to the girl and place the drawing on the tape already on the wall.)
EMILY: Hey. What's your name?
LITTLE GIRL: Abigail.
EMILY: Okay. Hi Abigail. You need help hanging your drawing?
ABIGAIL: Yeah. I've been trying…but I can't do it.
EMILY: Yes, you can, Abigail. I saw you trying to hang it. You're doing great. You just need a little extra help. Here…place the drawing against the tape right here.
(Abigail places the drawing against the tape where it hangs without falling, causing her to smile brightly at Emily.)
ABIGAIL: Yay! You did it!
EMILY: No, you did it, Abigail.
ABIGAIL: Thank you! I'm gonna go see if I can hang my other drawing up too. Be right back!
(Abigail runs off as Emily lets out a small laugh at the little girl's excitement. She stands up and admires the multiple kids' drawings on the wall as Paige steps up to her side and Lucas not but a few feet from them as he observes the drawings as well.)
PAIGE: You are the nicest woman I've ever known, Emily Fields.
EMILY (Grins): Thanks. I just-(She stops as she notices a drawing that stands out to her and even more so, the name on it) What the-
PAIGE: What is it?
(It's a drawing of a girl's face, showing her blonde hair and blue eyes. One half of her face shows an evil smirk while the other half shows a pearly-white smile. Along with that, the "evil" half has curly hair and the "good" side has wavy hair. Just before Paige and Lucas notice the name too, they hear Noel's voice and the three turn around.)
NOEL: Okay, ladies and gent. We got what we needed.
EMILY: Alright. What is it?
NOEL: Well, we came here because we got news that someone we all know used to stay here. Lucas and I had an idea of who it is, but we wanted confirmation.
LUCAS: We didn't want to just assume and start unnecessary drama.
NOEL: We were gonna just go by ourselves, but our boss wanted Paige involved too.
EMILY: Your boss?
PAIGE: Why did your boss want me?
LUCAS: Well, they know you and Ali have a history.
PAIGE: Listen…I'm nobody's puppet.
NOEL: Are you sure about that?
PAIGE (Confused): What does that mean?
LUCAS: It means someone else has been trying to pull everybody's strings and we think we know who it is…(Glares at Noel) So…is it true?
NOEL (Pulls out a file from his jacket and opens it): Oh yeah.
(Paige and Emily see a picture taken on the day Alison was registered into the institution and her record being there.)
EMILY: Oh my God…it's-
PAIGE: Alison.
NOEL: She was in here when she was a kid. I don't know if it was before or after she moved to Rosewood.
EMILY: This is…wow. But why are you telling me this?
LUCAS: Because Alison may be up to her old tricks.
(He scrolls on his tablet and pulls up a photo before showing it to Emily who views it with Paige. They see a picture of Ali in her Red Coat attire over her Welby patient gown.)
EMILY: When was this?
NOEL: Look at her gown. That was when Ali was in Welby.
LUCAS: But more specifically, it was the night Hanna was kidnapped.
EMILY: Ali was pretending to be Red Coat again? But that's not possible. I saw Red Coat.
(Everyone looks at her in confusion.)
LUCAS: What do you mean, you saw her?
EMILY: After Ali and I met up with you, I saw Red Coat outside the diner.
PAIGE: Couldn't it be Sara Harvey or something?
NOEL: I doubt it. Jenna has had Lucas running facial recognition on traffic cams near Rosewood looking for her. She's nowhere near here.
EMILY: Then, who could it be?
(Lucas looks away nervously before he takes his tablet back.)
NOEL: On top of what Lucas showed you, remember when that report came out about Spencer being in Radley?
EMILY: Yeah, but I thought it was just Ali who posted that.
NOEL: Ali needed a credible source. She blackmailed me into going to Radley and finding Spencer's file myself.
EMILY: I thought you said she didn't have anymore secrets to hold over your head.
NOEL: Well, the only real secret she could hold over me after I came out was that I know who pushed that girl down the stairs.
EMILY: Who was it?
NOEL: It was Ali…she used the fact that if she went down for what happened, then I would too because I knew about it and never said anything.
EMILY (Shocked): She hasn't changed…she'll never change.
PAIGE: Listen, I know you need time to process this Emily, but…we don't have time.
NOEL: Your girlfriend's right. We have to get this done tonight.
EMILY: Why tonight?
NOEL: Because our boss has plans in motion that may end in blood, and as much as we all harbor some anger against Ali for the things she's done to us, our love for you and your friends is stronger.
(Emily looks at them in uncertainty as she tries to understand why one of her best-friends would be the one tormenting them.)
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. ROSEWOOD- THE HASTINGS' HOUSE- NOON.
(Spencer opens her home's gate and looks through to see Mary putting her bag into her trunk. She walks out and heads over to Mary's car.)
SPENCER: Heading out?
MARY: Yeah. I am…
SPENCER: Where have you been staying since the house got broken into?
MARY: I'm staying at a friend's condo for a while just until it's okay to go back to the house. I'm still shocked about what happened to you and your friends. For that car to explode like that…honestly. It doesn't sound like a mechanical failure.
(Spencer looks away, knowing that the fact is...it wasn't a mechanical failure. It was attempted murder. But that's not what Spencer is trying to think about. Right now, she's confused about something else.)
SPENCER: Can I ask you something?
MARY: Of course.
SPENCER: I'm really confused about what's going on with you and my family. Like why you and Melissa are so buddy-buddy and why you're so nice to me, even though I wasn't always the nicest to you.
(Mary comes up close to her and lets out a small grin.)
MARY: Oh, I wish I could tell you, Spencer…but it's not time yet.
(She offers a hand to Spencer who looks at her in wonder, but just decides to shake her hand anyways. Though they're just shaking hands, Spencer can't help but feel a connection with the older woman in front of her. There's a…familiarity to her. As they let go, Mary smiles again before she heads to her car door.)
MARY: Bye Spencer…
SPENCER: Bye Mary…
(Mary gets into her car and cranks it up as Spencer watches her, still in a trance and trying to figure out why she feels so connected to Mary.)
CUT TO:
INT. ROSEWOOD PD- CELL BLOCK- NIGHT.
(Two cops walk up to a jail cell and one unlocks it. One of them goes in and taps their nightstick against Archers' sleeping body.)
OFFICER #1: Wake up!
(Archer slowly wakes up and looks up at the officer in confusion.)
ARCHER: What's going on?
OFFICER #2: Don't talk.
(Archer walks out and the officers escort him down the passageway of the cell block.)
CUT TO:
EXT. ROSEWOOD- ROSEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT- NIGHT.
(The officers shove him out of the department and quickly close the metal door behind him. He looks lost and confused before he turns around and sees Jenna and Sydney Driscoll next to their car, both with sunglasses on and black outfits, almost looking like twins. Someone else gets out of the car and walks over to their side. Archer looks a bit surprised to see her with them.)
ARCHER: Mona?
MONA: Surprise, bitch.
(Jenna tips her glasses and eyes Archer.)
JENNA: Long time, no see…
CUT TO:
EXT. ROSEWOOD- ALLEYWAY- NIGHT.
(Aria's car pulls into a dark alleyway with enough room for another car to come pass. Her slowly comes to a halt and she puts it in park.
CUT TO:
INT. ROSEWOOD- ARIA'S CAR- NIGHT.
(She reaches over to her passenger's seat and fumbles through her purse. She pulls out a small piece of notebook paper and opens it. She stares at the words, "Meet me in the alley of the crazies". She smirks just as she hears a car door close and she looks in her side mirror, but only sees a shadow move behind her vehicle. She looks in the rear view, only to see the person is out of sight. The passenger door opens and the person gets in. She cracks a smirk as she looks at them.)
ARIA: Hey Wren.
(Wren cracks a smirk back at her before he closes the door.)
WREN: Hey. Thanks for meeting me.
ARIA: Well, the note gave it away.
FLASHBACK TO: (EARLIER THAT DAY)
INT. THE HASTINGS' HOUSE- LIVING ROOM- MORNING.
(Aria passes by Wren and towards the patio door. But not before he drops a piece of paper into her purse that goes unnoticed by all the others in the room.)
FLASHBACK TO: (MINUTES LATER)
INT. ROSEWOOD- ARIA'S CAR- MORNING.
(Aria fumbles through her purse for her phone, but manages to grab a piece of paper that intrigues her. She pulls it out in confusion and opens it up to read, "Meet me in the alley of the crazies".
FLASH TO: (PRESENT)
INT. ROSEWOOD- ARIA'S CAR- NIGHT.
(Aria nods her head at Wren before cracking another smirk.)
FADE OUT.
COMMERCIAL BREAK.
ACT FIVE
FADE IN:
INT. ROSEWOOD- ARIA'S CAR- NIGHT.
WREN: I'm just glad you remembered this place.
ARIA: How could I forget? This is the alley you, me and Bethany literally called the 'alley of crazies"…
WREN: Because it's next to the Radley.
ARIA: It was also the alley our taxi was parked the night I helped her escape.
WREN: Well, thanks for showing up.
ARIA: No problem, but…why did you want to meet here?
WREN: Because I needed to talk to you about something I can't talk to you about anywhere else.
ARIA: Alright…
WREN: I think you and your friends are in danger.
(Aria looks at him with slight worry, thinking that he knows about AD and everything they've been going through since they came back to town.)
ARIA: What?
WREN: Melissa and I went searching for answers last night and we found out that CeCe was never Charles. She was Charlotte "CeCe" Drake.
(She sighs and looks away, causing Wren to question her almost nonchalant reaction to what he just said. It's almost as if…she already knows.)
WREN: You know already, don't you?
ARIA: Um, yeah. Yeah, I've known for a few days now. I promised I wouldn't say anything until we knew the truth.
WREN: WE?
ARIA: I was…with someone and together, we found out that Charles and Charlotte were born in the same year, but different months. Charlotte DiLaurentis was born in May, but Charles Drake was born in August.
WREN: Wait. You said Charlotte DiLaurentis and Charles Drake? You do know that's backwards, yeah? Charlotte wasn't always a DiLaurentis. She was originally a Drake.
ARIA: What?
WREN: Yeah, she was Charlotte Drake until Jessica DiLaurentis adopted her.
ARIA: But the files Jas-I mean my friend…and I found had Charlotte's file labeled as DiLaurentis. But maybe Jessica just considered her a DiLaurentis more than a Drake.
WREN: I DO know that Charles was always Charles DiLaurentis.
ARIA: You're kidding. Seems like Mrs. D claimed her niece more than her own son.
WREN: Either way, this is bad news for everyone in this town. That means Charles is still out there. He could be anyone, which is why I want to go looking for answers inside Radley.
ARIA: What? But they got rid of everything "Sanitarium" in there.
WREN: Not everything…Bethany and I never told you, but there's a secret passageway into Radley from this alley. We used to use it all the time when I would sneak her in and out of the place to hang out.
ARIA: Why didn't you two never tell me?
WREN: We wanted to have our own thing.
ARIA: Oh…okay. But I'm still confused. You want to search for answers with me? Why not Melissa or Spencer?
WREN: Besides the fact that you and I are cousins and I know I can protect, I didn't want to put Melissa and Spencer in harm's way. They're…somewhat stronger than me and...Melissa's pregnant.
(Aria looks at him in surprise and quickly gives him a hug.)
ARIA: That's awesome! I'm going to have a cousin to spoil!
(When she lets him go, he lets out a sigh and shakes his head.)
WREN: Um, no. The baby…it's not mines.
ARIA (Confused): Excuse me. What?
WREN (Opens his door): It's a long story.
ARIA (Opens her door): Okay. Well, shorten it.
(They close the doors behind them and head towards the passageway. As they make their way down the alley, Aria stays close to her cousin. After a few moments, they stop by a few bushes, which Wren pushes apart and moves out of the way while he holds it.)
WREN: Go ahead, Aria.
(She slides between the bushes and soon after he throws himself through as well before the bushes pop back into place. Aria looks around her and notices a door not too far from them, causing a sense of déjà vu to hit her. Wren notices her face and wonders what's going on.)
WREN: You good?
ARIA: Um, yeah. It's just…I do remember this a bit. Uh, Spencer and I actually discovered this a year ago.
WREN; Hmm. Well, I'll lead the way still.
CUT TO:
INT. THE RADLEY- BASEMENT- NIGHT.
(Wren and Aria walk in, with both of their flashlights on their phone turned on. They tiptoe down the short passageway that Aria and Spencer once walked down. As they make their way down, they notice a door ajar. The two look at each other and both nod their heads before Wren pushes the door open and they walk in, not knowing what to expect. They're surprised when they see a wide office that looks to have A's ways all over the place)
ARIA: What the-
(Aria sees multiple costumes from her and her friends' past with A, such as the Queen of Hearts, the Gas Mask, Zombie Baby Doll, Red Coat, and a few A-hoodies.)
WREN: Bloody Hell…
(Aria turns around to see Wren on the other side of the room and she makes her way to him where they both see multiple pictures of the PLLs throughout their high school years and even as adults. Aria looks away and notices more pictures of Alison on another wall just before turning her head and seeing as many pictures of her as well. She even spots a picture her sleeping, which sends chills down her spine.)
WREN: Seems someone has a creepy obsession with you and your friends…especially you and Alison.
(As they look around the wide office, the realize that it's been used for a while as some personal items are there.)
ARIA: I can't believe we've stumbled onto AD's Lair.
WREN: Why would they set it up here, though?
ARIA: Easy. Charles wanted to set up his home at his home.
WREN: I see they're into the classics.
ARIA: Why do you say that?
WREN: A typewriter. (Points to it sitting on the counter)
(Aria studies it for a second, which Wren notices.)
WREN: What is it?
ARIA: It's nothing. It's nothing.
(She looks over to see an old voicemail machine as well and figures that seeing what the latest message was would tell her more about what's going on. She clicks it on and the voicemail from the previous episode comes on.)
FEMALE VOICE: Honey…we need to talk…I miss you and…I'm sorry about what I said. You may be adopted, but you're still my child. And I will always love you. Please call me back, son.
(The voicemail cuts off and nothing else plays. Wren and Aria look at each other in wonder.)
ARIA: That voice…I know that voice.
WREN: She does sound a bit familiar, like my old bud's mum.
(Aria turns around and starts to breathe heavily before she places a hand on her stomach.)
ARIA: I feel like I'm going to be sick.
WREN: Uh…(he looks around and notices a trash bin) Here. (He grabs the bin and hands it to Aria)
(When she grabs it though, she sees something inside that blows her mind. She reaches in and goes through the many balled up pieces of paper and pulls out a card. She looks at it and sees that it's a birthday card from A's adoptive mother. When she opens it up, she reads the card. But she quickly drops it back in the trash bin and drops it as well.)
ARIA: No…
(Suddenly, the lights in the office go completely out and the two look around.)
WREN: What happened?
ARIA: I don't know.
(A gun cocks and within moments, the lights cut back on and near the entrance door stands Charles with their hoodie on who points a pistol to Aria and Wren who look at him in shock. They can't believe that he's Charles…it's really him…)
ARIA: Oh my God…it is you.
FADE OUT.
Hello my lovely readers! We're almost ehre to the mid-season finale of this alternate season 7! It will answer many questions throughout the show and this season, including Charles' real identity, Charlotte's role in the A-Game, and why Charles has returned. If you don't know by now, you will find out at the beginning of the mid-season finale. Charles will deliver the truth once and for all! Please leave any theories, comments, questions, or reviews on what you think will happen this season and thank you so much for the support!