Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews, favorites and follows. I know this format isn't super common in the fanfiction world so I truly appreciate those of you who have given it a chance. This act is my favorite and includes something I really wish the show would have done in one of the earlier undercover episodes. I'll let you guess on that one ;)
ACT I
INT. JEFFERSONIAN - ANGELA'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Angela and Brennan stand before an onscreen 3D
billiards table. Brennan grips the flat computer controller.
A virtual cue stick executes a bank shot that misses.
Brennan scowls.
Angela takes the controller from her and hits a few buttons.
A red guideline appears. Angela hands the controller back.
ANGELA
This should help.
Brennan shoots again, following the lines. She makes it.
BOOTH (O.S.)
Nice shot, Bones!
They turn around to find Booth sauntering in.
BOOTH
But you do know real pool tables don't
come with those little Angela cheaty
lines, don'tcha?
(to Angela)
Unless you can somehow put that
program into some glasses? Hm?
ANGELA
My specialties are software and
simulations. Not wearable tech.
Booth takes the controller. He shoots and misses.
BOOTH
You know what I'd love? A shoe phone.
Angela takes the controller from Booth.
ANGELA
Game's over. I need to dig into
the financials Walt's team sent over.
BOOTH
Perfect time to ditch the simulations
and head out into the real world...
Booth puts an arm around Brennan, leading her to the door.
INT. FOUNDING FATHERS - POOL ROOM - NIGHT
Booth and Brennan stand at a pool table in a back room.
BOOTH
The tournament game is eight-ball...
BRENNAN
In which the objective is to first
sink seven object balls, either solid
or striped, then the eight ball.
Booth racks up the balls, adjusting to make them tight.
BOOTH
If you're breaking, you make sure
you're the one racking up the balls,
all right? They need to be tight. For
a maximum transfer of energy.
Brennan picks up a cue stick. Booth offers her some chalk.
BOOTH
For friction. So the cue won't slip.
She nods, then firmly twists her cue into the small block.
BOOTH
Aw, what are you doing, Bones, huh?
Grinding out a cigarette?
He takes the chalk and cue to demonstrate as he describes:
BOOTH
Like this, okay? Light and steady.
Nice even coat.
She takes back the cue and chalk, then mimics his technique.
BOOTH
That's what I'm talkin' about.
(then)
Now you can break.
She leans on the table, wrapping her finger around the cue.
BOOTH (CONT'D)
Really?
BRENNAN
Is my bridge bad?
BOOTH
Well, I like an open bridge myself,
but you can go closed.
BRENNAN
So my form is fine?
BOOTH
Your hand is fine. Your body's a mess.
Brennan nods him over. A silent "show me." Stepping up
behind her, he puts his left hand on her hip, easing her
to the right while using his right hand to push the cue
toward her.
BOOTH
Your right foot needs to be under the
cue. Forty-five degree angle.
She follows the direction, but turns her foot out too much.
BOOTH
I thought you were good at geometry.
Booth puts his foot on the outside of hers, turning it in.
BOOTH
Now... this loose noodle of an arm?
He grabs Brennan's right elbow which is tucked into her
body. He pulls her elbow up to get her into proper form.
BOOTH (CONT'D)
Why are you tensing up?
BRENNAN
You said my arm was a loose noodle.
BOOTH
It can be loose, but it needs to be
less noodle and more pendulum.
Brennan pulls the cue back, almost hitting Booth who
dodges.
BOOTH (CONT'D)
The more force, the more energy that
transfers to all those pool balls. So
we want lots of Newtons here, okay?
She glances back at him, her look suspiciously intrigued.
BRENNAN
I would have expected you to simply
say "hit the ball hard."
BOOTH
I know my audience.
His grin is charming. She can't help smile back before
turning her attention back to the table.
Brennan pulls back again, then swings into a hard break shot.
BOOTH
Not bad, Bones!
She smiles, proud of herself.
BOOTH
Now. Next lesson. Shooting.
EXT. SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF FOUNDING FATHERS - NIGHT
Booth and Brennan exit the bar together.
BOOTH
You're a good student, Bones.
BRENNAN
Of course I am... though I find I'm
still nervous about tomorrow night.
BOOTH
You do your best. I got your back.
They walk a few steps, but then she stops and turns to him.
BRENNAN
I have something for you.
She hands him a binder from her bag. He's confused.
BRENNAN
Character profiles for Tony and Roxie.
BOOTH
I pretty much created Tony and Roxie.
BRENNAN
Yes, when they were already engaged.
BOOTH
Weren't they more "engaged to be
engaged?"
BRENNAN
This story is their prequel. She's new
money rich. He's her loyal bodyguard.
BOOTH
I'm your bodyguard? That's it?
BRENNAN
Yes, but you want more.
Booth doesn't deny it. Loudly. He peeks in the binder.
BRENNAN
You'll find backstories, desires-
BOOTH
I'll give it a read.
He smiles to himself, then flicks the binder as they walk on.
INT. BOOTH'S VEHICLE - TRAVELING - DAY
Booth drives with SWEETS in the passenger seat.
SWEETS
Can Dr. Brennan really pull this off?
BOOTH
It's Bones. She can do anything.
SWEETS
Good. I'm sure tonight will be
difficult enough for you-
BOOTH
Don't want to talk about that.
SWEETS
What's this?
Sweets pulls out the Tony and Roxie character binder,
shoved between his seat and the center console.
BOOTH
Nope, not talking about that either.
SWEETS
(reading from the binder)
Tony is conflicted between his desire
to keep Roxie safe and... his desire
for Roxie?
Booth grabs the binder and tosses it in the backseat.
SWEETS
Did Dr. Brennan write that?
BOOTH
Bones, you know, she thinks I can't
handle playing a little pool...
SWEETS
You are very lucky to have a support
system that includes Dr. Brennan.
BOOTH
Yeah.
SWEETS
(talking out the side of his mouth)
And you, too, Dr. Sweets.
BOOTH
Can we focus here, huh?
Before Sweets can argue:
BOOTH
Walt's team used a fake traffic stop
to identify this poker pro, Alex
Elias, a few weeks before he just
stopped showing up one day.
SWEETS
Do we really think he just stopped
showing up one day or... ?
EILEEN (V.O.)
He's gone.
INT. ELIAS HOUSE - DAY
Sweets and Booth sit uncomfortably close on a couch
while a woman, EILEEN ELIAS, mid-40s and bitter,
sits in a chair.
SWEETS
Mrs. Elias, do you have any idea where
we could find your husband?
EILEEN
My guess would be at a poker table.
Sweets and Booth exchange a look.
SWEETS
He had a gambling problem?
EILEEN
Every pot he won, he put it right back
into the casinos. I kept us afloat.
SWEETS
You sound a little angry.
EILEEN
He was doing better. He was working on
a business plan. We wanted to open our
own bar and restaurant. In the Keys.
(beat)
But then that Mr. Green got his hooks
in him. Alex was the best at head-to-
head poker. Mr. Green wanted to learn.
SWEETS
Was Mr. Green happy with the results?
EILEEN
I hope so. He was winning. A lot.
BOOTH
Were you aware in-home tournaments
like that are illegal?
EILEEN
Alex wasn't playing in them himself.
BOOTH
Was he paid for his services?
EILEEN
Ten percent. Not that it mattered.
Being around all that, it pushed him
right off the wagon again.
Sweets glances at Booth who looks uncomfortable.
SWEETS
That must have been difficult.
EILEEN
At first, he didn't come home for
a night. Then a few days. Then... he
just didn't come home at all.
SWEETS
Were you aware Mr. Green was switching
up his tournament? To billiards?
EILEEN
Alex tried to convince him poker was
more lucrative, but he was done with
poker and done with Alex. So was I.
She picks up a box from beside her, handing it to Sweets.
EILEEN
Photos, hairbrush... and all the
sketchbooks he used for planning and
designing our restaurant.
SWEETS
Thank you. This should be helpful.
EILEEN
You don't think anything happened to
him, do you? At that mansion?
BOOTH
We're not sure of anything yet, but
we'll keep you posted, okay?
INT. BOOTH'S VEHICLE - TRAVELING - DAY
SWEETS
He has to be the dead guy, right? Mr.
Green decides to switch his tournament
to pool, offs this guy, gets himself a
pool tutor instead...
BOOTH
Check the reconstruction.
Sweets pulls out his phone and opens a file. The man
onscreen is handsome, mid-40s. Sweets grabs a photo
of Alex Elias from the box. Aside from age, they look
nothing alike.
SWEETS
Okay. Definitely not the same guy.
BOOTH
If he's not the victim and he's
nowhere to be found...
SWEETS
Possible suspect. Or witness.
BOOTH
Yep, and I want you to find him.
SWEETS
Me?
BOOTH
After Cam does her DNA thing with
that box, you take a peek and see if you
find any magic shrinky clues in there.
SWEETS
You got it. I'll get you something.
INT. JEFFERSONIAN - MAIN LAB AREA - DAY
Brennan walks through the lab. Hodgins rushes up
to her.
HODGINS
You gotta get me something tonight.
Taken aback, Brennan scowls.
HODGINS
I need swabs and a thorough
examination for particulates.
BRENNAN
I understand, but my priority-
CAM (O.S.)
Is DNA evidence, I hope.
Cam walks up.
BRENNAN
Of course not.
ANGELA
Hey, sweetie, I need lots of pictures.
BRENNAN
I am certain you do, but-
ANGELA
Oh, and I need to fit you for these
glasses which I started making as a
joke, but then I loaded the software
and I think they'll actually work.
Angela slips some red-framed glasses onto Brennan.
HODGINS
About the swabs. I'd also like to-
CAM
No, the DNA is-
ANGELA
So if you can just come with me-
BRENNAN
Stop!
They are all silent. Brennan takes a deep breath.
WENDELL (O.S.)
(rushing up to the group)
Hey, Dr. Brennan, there you are.
I just wanted to remind you that-
Angela puts a hand over Wendell's mouth.
BRENNAN
I will see each of you in my office,
one at a time, so that I may focus on
your individual evidentiary needs.
(then)
These fit.
She hands the glasses back to Angela, then walks off.
ANGELA
I'll just meet you at your place
tonight with the evidence collection
kit I made. And the glasses. And a
little something I made for Booth.
Already near her office, Brennan turns back.
BRENNAN
It's not actually a shoe phone, is it?
Because that seems highly impractical.
Angela smiles mischievously.
INT. BRENNAN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
A knock at the door. A shoeless Brennan rushes to it.
She is dressed in a long red dress with a slit up the side.
Her hair is teased into an exaggerated style. Her makeup
is heavy. She reaches the door and throws it open, then
walks away.
Booth, a Tony kind of handsome in a black suit, black
shirt and no tie, walks in and catches only the back of
her. He has a pool cue carrying case thrown over his
shoulder.
BOOTH
Bones?
She turns back. Head to toe, she's Roxie hot.
BOOTH
You look...
She waits. He doesn't finish.
BRENNAN
If you don't like it, tell me now.
Crickets. Off his complete lack of response:
BRENNAN
Come on, Booth. Yea or nay?
ANGELA (O.S.)
Looks like a "yay" to me.
Booth glances at Angela as she enters from Brennan's
bedroom. His eyes go back to Brennan. He smiles and
nods affirmation.
BRENNAN
Okay, good. Five more minutes...
Booth watches her leave as Angela heads over to a
metal briefcase on the dining room table. Booth
joins Angela.
BOOTH
That dress... she can play pool in it?
ANGELA
Yep. Slit helps with flexibility. Some
carefully placed wardrobe tape helps
with... everything else.
Angela gives him a sly look.
ANGELA
Come on. Time to take out your stick.
Booth shrugs off the comment and the cue case. She
takes it.
Angela opens the case's three latches, finding two
halves of a pool cue inside as well as lots of extra
space. She opens her briefcase. She takes out a watch
and ear piece.
ANGELA
For you. Just push the button on the
side and we'll be on the line.
Booth's smile is impressed. He puts on the items.
Angela pulls out a broken-down cue stick.
ANGELA
These are capped at the ends. Open and
access any tools Brennan should need.
She holds up a few pool balls. She tosses him one.
ANGELA
I'm giving you a bunch of these to
hold scrapings, swabs, particulates,
whatever. Just twist and open.
She demonstrates, opening a ball to show an airtight
storage space inside. She closes it and trades it for
the eight ball.
ANGELA
This is a high-quality digital camera.
I need lots and lots of pictures.
She pulls out the red-framed glasses. Booth's jaw drops.
ANGELA
These are like a prototype of a
prototype, okay? They'll show her the
best trajectory. And this button will
start a video link with the lab.
BOOTH
Oh my God. You're Q.
Angela smiles proudly.
BRENNAN (O.S.)
What's Q?
Brennan rejoins them, now in very high heels.
ANGELA
It doesn't matter, sweetie. Bond here
is all gadget-ed up. And with these,
you'll be able to make every shot.
She puts the glasses on Brennan.
BRENNAN
I don't think I should cheat, Angela.
BOOTH
Oh, no, I do. You should.
Booth steps up next to her, offering her his arm. She
takes it. Standing across from the pair, Angela frowns.
BRENNAN
What?
ANGELA
Nothing. I just feel like I'm sending
my evil step-sisters off to the ball.
BRENNAN
But we're not evil. Or step-sisters.
BOOTH
Come on, Cinderella, we'll drop you
back at the castle on our way.
Brennan doesn't it get it.
BOOTH
(to Angela, aside)
So, about that shoe phone...
Angela chuckles as they exit the apartment.
EXT. POOL PALACE MANSION - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING
Expensive cars are parked all around as well-dressed
people make their way to the mansion.
INT. POOL PALACE MANSION - NIGHT
Booth and Brennan walk in together, in character.
Brennan, as Roxie, manages to smile and smack on
some gum. Booth, as Tony, keeps his look serious
and his eyes on Brennan.
The security guard Bill stops them. He frisks Booth
and then moves to Brennan. Booth puts a hand
against his chest.
BOOTH
Hang on there, pal, all right? No way
you're putting your grubby paws on
Ms. Roxanne here.
Walt walks up.
WALT
If Ms. Roxanne wants in, she gets
patted down by Bill. And I'm going to
search her cue bag while he does it.
Brennan hands Walt her cue bag.
BRENNAN
Here ya go, doll.
Booth stares Bill down.
BRENNAN
Oh, let it go, Tony. You're my
bodyguard, not my man.
(to Bill)
Please excuse him. Frisk away, Bill.
Just don't get frisky, all right?
She gives him a wink. Walt hands the bag back to Booth.
WALT
Pick up your bracket at that table.
Bill finishes with Brennan. They follow Walt's direction.
She moves to a table where a guard hands her a card
with #5 and a bracket showing the lineup of numbered
players.
BRENNAN
Thanks, hon.
Booth and Brennan walk off together.
BOOTH
I was thinking, since you're looking,
you know, how you're looking... maybe
you can flirt, distract your opponent.
Brennan scowls. Off her displeased look:
BOOTH
(loud, as Tony)
Hey, Ms. Roxanne we should find that
practice room so you can... practice.
INT. POOL PALACE - PRACTICE ROOM - NIGHT
Brennan and Booth enter. Booth looks around.
BOOTH
Walt says there are only cameras in
the rooms where the games are played.
Brennan heads straight for the skeleton at the poker table.
Booth closes the doors and drags a heavy table in front of
the inward opening doors. He leans against his blockade.
BRENNAN
Booth! I need you to assist me.
BOOTH
Me?
BRENNAN
Yes. Please come photograph
everything. From the cranium to the
distal phalanges.
BOOTH
(mock annoyance)
Does that mean head to toe?
BRENNAN
Indeed, it does. Very good, Booth.
They work quickly and quietly from here.
Booth pulls out the eight ball "camera" and presses a
barely visible button on top. A lens pops out of the eight.
He smirks. He digs it. Booth starts photographing the skull.
Satisfied with his work, Brennan goes to the bag and
pulls out equipment. She takes off the red-framed
glasses and sets them on the pool table, then puts
on a pair of blue gloves.
She goes back to the skeleton with magnifier glasses,
several evidence collection containers and tweezers.
She sets everything on the poker table and puts on
the magnifiers.
Brennan carefully removes the visor, looking closer.
BRENNAN
Looks like Cam is getting her DNA.
She uses tweezers to remove a small hair from a Velcro
strap, then sets the visor aside to examine the skull.
BRENNAN
Cranial sutures indicate mid-40s.
She leans in to look just below the jaw.
BRENNAN
The hyoid is fractured and barely
hanging on by the stylohyoid ligament.
She uses a scalpel to free the small hyoid from the ligament.
BOOTH
Bones!
BRENNAN
This is key evidence. If Walt wants to
prove murder, we'll need it.
Pulling off her magnification glasses, she holds out
the bone. He opens a fake billiard ball. She places
it inside.
Brennan and Booth swap places around the skeleton.
She gently leans the skeleton forward, then puts the
magnifiers back on.
BRENNAN
There appears to be blunt force trauma
to the T6 vertebra... and similar
injuries to the posterior aspect of
three different vertebrosternal ribs.
BOOTH
Someone hit him in the back a bunch?
BRENNAN
That is one possible scenario.
She holds up a measuring tape to injuries Booth photographs.
INT. JEFFERSONIAN - ANGELA'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Angela is watching the scene from the glasses' POV
where they sit on the pool table. Hodgins enters and
narrows his eyes.
HODGINS
Are you spying?
ANGELA
No... spying would be if I activated
Booth's communications watch.
She presses a few buttons and audio comes through.
BRENNAN (V.O.)
(off a beetle husk she holds up)
Hodgins is going to be very excited.
BOOTH (V.O.)
Who gets excited over a bug skin?
BRENNAN (V.O.)
An entomologist, I imagine.
HODGINS
Dr. B gets me.
BRENNAN (V.O.)
Be sure you get images of every angle
and aspect of each bone for Mr. Bray.
WENDELL (O.S.)
Someone call me?
He jogs in to join the group. Cam is not far behind.
ANGELA
She found a hair in the visor.
CAM
Yes, DNA! Excellent!
HODGINS
Shhhhh. And now back to our program...
INT. POOL PALACE - PRACTICE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Booth photographs the feet. Brennan examines the ribs.
A banging at the door grabs their attention. They
look at one another in a panic. Booth tosses the visor
back on the skeleton. They both quickly shove
everything back in the bag.
The banging continues.
BOOTH
Okay, don't panic; we just need a
plausible excuse for barricading the-
BRENNAN
Lie down.
BOOTH
No. What? No.
Brennan insistently pushes him back against the
pool table. He hops up onto the table and hesitantly
reclines.
BOOTH
Ow, ow, ow...
He slides several stray balls out of the way, then
realizes she is climbing on the table with him. On him.
BOOTH
Whoa, whoa-
INT. JEFFERSONIAN - ANGELA'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
SWEETS (O.S.)
Whoa!
Sweets enters, but no one takes their eyes off the
screen... where Brennan is now completely on top
of Booth.
INT. POOL PALACE - PRACTICE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Nose-to-nose with Booth, Brennan hesitates. More banging.
BOOTH
What are you doing Bones, hm?
BRENNAN
Coming up with a plausible excuse.
At the door, someone starts to push their way in.
Brennan and Booth look at the door. They look at
each other. Back at the door. Back at each other.
Booth looks to the door once more, but this time
Brennan keeps her eyes on him.
When he looks back, the decision is made.
They kiss.
END OF ACT I