INT. WINNEBAGO – EVENING
DJ is frantically dialing on his cell phone.
DJ: C'mon, c'mon pick up!
It goes to Tatum's ringtone. He leaves her a voicemail.
DJ: Hey Aunt Tatum, it's DJ. Please pick up. It's not an emergency or anything but YOU'RE IN SERIOUS FREAKING DANGER AND WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE! Love you!
He hangs up. Amber snorts at him.
AMBER: Subtle. You know, you really shouldn't dial and drive -.
DJ: SSssh. Let me call Uncle Billy.
The ringtone comes through. We hear Billy's voice.
BILLY: Hello?
DJ: Uncle Billy, it's me! I can't get ahold of my parents -.
BILLY: They're sightseeing in New York today.
DJ: We were just attacked!
Beat.
BILLY: What?
DJ: Me and Amber. We went sleuthing -.
BILLY: You didn't -.
DJ: Don't blame me, I'm Gale Weathers' son! I don't know why I did it, it's those blasted genes of hers. Anyway – the killer is coming after you and Aunt Tatum!
BILLY: Figures. Where are you?
DJ: We're on our way to get Aunt Tatum -.
BILLY: I already tried. Joni's house is locked down -.
DJ: They're not there. They're at some bar.
BILLY: What? What is wrong with Tatum? Joni I can believe, but Tatum would never be stupid enough to run around with a killer on the loose!
DJ: Three words – San Martin Inlet.
BILLY: Yeah, but she was under James' influence -.
DJ: And now she's under Joni's!
BILLY: Well, what do you want me to do about it? She won't listen to me!
DJ: She will if you and I go together. Show her the cuts and bruises I've got. Besides, apparently Aunt Joni's got some date lined up for Tatum.
BILLY: (dead serious now) … What?
DJ: Yeah, Uncle Frank said something about Joni fixing her up with one of her friends. Very attractive man. Wealthy too.
BILLY: What's the name of the club?
DJ looks down at the business card given to him by Uncle Frank.
DJ: The Red Velvet Inn.
BILLY: I'm on my way.
He hangs up instantly. Amber stares at DJ.
AMBER: Why did you tell him that?
DJ: It's not a lie. Aunt Joni really is -.
AMBER: You do realize he's gonna storm the club and drag Tatum out of there by her hair, right?
DJ: (grinning) I'm counting on it.
INT. NEW YORK CITY RESTAURANT – EVENING
Kirby returns to a table with a round of shots. Sitting at the table are Ace, Chris, Brian, Lucy and Nicholette.
CHRIS: Shame Chantelle wouldn't join us.
BRIAN: You know Miss Contessa – our crowd is beneath her. Never mind that I have the lead role as the Phantom to her Christine, oh no forget it.
ACE: We don't need her. Not when you've got the real superstar right here.
KIRBY: Guess that rules you out, Ace. (Beat) Say, Nicholette, where'd Danny go?
NICHOLETTE: (shrugging) Who knows? He'll take some time to cool off.
ACE: Or kill someone else is more like it.
KIRBY: Ace!
ACE: Just saying. I mean he's gorgeous to look at – I bet you could grate cheese on those abs, right Nicky? – but the dude is a psycho.
NICHOLETTE: Can we – can we talk about something else? Preferably something that doesn't bash my boyfriend?
She rolls down her sleeves even more, an action that doesn't go unmissed by Kirby or Brian. A solemn look crosses Brian's face, and he leans back in his chair.
LUCY: We're real glad you joined the cast, Nicky. Granted, I'm still only an understudy to Chantelle, but -.
CHRIS: Maybe you'll luck out and the killer'll finish her off for you.
LUCY: Chris! That's not funny!
CHRIS: Don't pretend the thought hasn't crossed your mind. Speaking of which – Kirby, is it really safe for us to be out and about? You know -?
KIRBY: Relax. He's going to pick off the periphery characters first. (Beat) Then he'll come after us.
CHRIS: Great! I feel so reassured.
BRIAN: So then … it's safe … for us to go out and about tonight?
KIRBY: Sure. Granted the killer is probably among us, sitting at this table right now. But he knows – and I know – that he's not gonna make a move against us. Not tonight at least. So Mr. Killer, whoever you are (she raises a shot glass) here's a toast to not killing us tonight!
The rest of the cast awkwardly and nervously raise their glasses.
CUT TO:
The cast party has gotten pretty raucous. Ace and Chris have their arms around each other and are singing love songs. They also drunkenly argue about movies with Lucy who is also tipsy.
ACE: … there was plenty of room on that door, I'm just saying …
LUCY: It wasn't a matter of room, it was buoyancy! If Jack got on there with Rose, sure – they could've both fit, but the door woulda sunk! They would've both froze!
Brian looks awkwardly over at Nicholette.
BRIAN: Ah, Titanic. Too bad we didn't grow up in the 90's. We missed out on Leo-Mania.
NICHOLETTE: Hey, I still fangirl over Leo. I used to watch it in middle school with my friends. That movie turned me from a girl to a woman.
BRIAN: And what a woman …
He stops himself. He and Nicholette look away awkwardly. Kirby, meanwhile has inserted herself into the movie debate.
KIRBY: I still say Rose was dreaming at the end.
LUCY: No way, Kirbz. She was dead. She went to heaven and was forever reunited with Jack.
KIRBY: Nope. The ending was a dream. James Cameron was showing us a dream – a dream Rose had every night for her entire life. Every night for 84 years. Don't you remember the lyrics? "Every night in my dreams …"
LUCY: No way. She died and was forever reunited with Leo and that's that.
KIRBY: Life doesn't work that way, sweetie. Sometimes you can spend your entire life dreaming about the person you love and you'll never see them again.
LUCY: When did you become so cynical?
KIRBY: (chugging a beer) When my last crush turned out to be a psycho killer.
CUT TO:
EXT. NYC RESTAURANT – EVENING
The cast members file out the door, the only sober ones being Brian and Nicholette.
LUCY: She was in Heaven!
KIRBY: She was dreaming!
ACE: If it was a dream, I'd like to have it every night too thanks.
KIRBY: Alright everyone, big rehearsal day tomorrow. We'll discuss our plans to catch the killer and go over safety measures later. We should really do a buddy system …
She staggers off with Ace as the others follow. Brian turns to Nicholette, awkwardly rubbing the back of his head.
BRIAN: So … it's just us left.
NICHOLETTE: Guess so …
BRIAN: So … you want to hang out? Catch up on everything we've accomplished since Woodsboro High?
NICHOLETTE: I'd like that.
BRIAN: Sure Danny won't mind?
NICHOLETTE: Of course he'll mind … but he's acting like a jerk and therefore I don't really care how he feels right now.
BRIAN: Well … you know, there is a special place I know. I go there sometimes to think things over. About life and stuff. I think you'd like it.
NICHOLETTE: A thinking place? I knew you were sensitive -.
BRIAN: Oh, you have no idea.
She slips her arm into his and they make their way down the street.
EXT. NJ CLUB – EVENING
DJ pulls his Winnebago up to a New Jersey club. He parks in the lot and walks up to the entrance with Amber.
DJ: (nose wrinkled) This place? This is where Joni takes Aunt Tatum to meet guys? Yikes.
INT. CLUB – EVENING
The inside is somewhat nicer than the outside. There's a typical bar area, as well as dining section. A dance floor which is filled with middle-aged singles trying to mingle and dance. Many of them well past their prime.
DJ wriggles past a middle-aged woman with too much makeup. He wrinkles his nose.
DJ: Aunt Tatum has to be here somewhere.
Aunt Joni swims into his view, wine glass in hand.
AUNT JONI: DJ? What the hell are you doing here? This is for a sophisticated crowd.
DJ: Then what are you doing here?
AUNT JONI: (singsong) I am here to help your Aunt Tatum put her life back together.
DJ: Where is she?
AUNT JONI: Over there, with Charles.
DJ spins around – sure enough, Tatum is there, slow dancing with a very attractive, middle-aged man. Even DJ can't keep his composure.
DJ: Oh my gosh he's gorgeous!
AUNT JONI: And wealthy. And very interested in your aunt.
DJ: How can Uncle Billy compete with that?
AUNT JONI: He can't.
DJ: Welp, he's gonna flip when he sees this.
AUNT JONI: What do you mean?
DJ: He's on his way.
AUNT JONI: What?!
DJ: Aunt Joni – I know you're full of liquor, but I need you to listen to me very carefully. The killer is after Aunt Tatum and Uncle Billy. We have to get Aunt Tatum out of here and somewhere safe.
AUNT JONI: Bullshit. Did Billy put you up to this?
DJ: Okay, I can see you're beyond reason. Amber, let's go get Aunt Tatum and -.
Joni's hand grabs his shoulder.
AUNT JONI: You're doing no such thing! Your aunt deserves happiness and Charles can give it to her.
DJ: (removing Joni's hand) Let me say this slowly so you can understand. Aunt. Tatum. Is. In. Danger.
AUNT JONI: She's perfectly safe. With me.
Before DJ can respond, Billy appears behind Joni.
BILLY: There you are! Where is she?
AUNT JONI: Ah, look what you did, DJ. You have shit trailing you.
BILLY: Better than the pile standing in front of him.
DJ sidles between Joni and Billy. He tries to stand in such a way as to obstruct Billy's view of the dance floor.
DJ: You know what, Uncle Billy – Aunt Tatum's not here. Why don't you go home, get some sleep -.
BILLY: Cut the crap. Where is she?
He tries to cut around DJ, who keeps trying to jump in front of him, obscuring his view. Aunt Joni shoves DJ aside, grabs Billy under his chin and forces him to stare at the dance floor.
AUNT JONI: Right there, Billy-boy. Look at the chops on him. He's handsome, intelligent, rich, everything you're not.
BILLY: Okay, I'm putting an end to this.
He moves for the floor – Joni grabs his arm.
BILLY: Let go, Joni!
AUNT JONI: You're not spoiling this for her! She needs this! She needs a man her life – one who's not you!
BILLY: I am not letting my wife be -.
AUNT JONI: If you love her, you'll realize I'm right.
Billy stares at Tatum. She's nestled in this Charles guy's arms. She does seem relaxed … at peace. Could Joni be right?
BILLY: Fuck no.
He storms onto the dance floor and grabs Charles by the shoulder.
BILLY: Get your hands off my wife!
CHARLES: Wife? Who are you?
TATUM: Billy!
Billy shoves Charles. Charles staggers back, catches his balance, and clenches his fist, ready to strike back. Tatum gets in between both of them.
TATUM: Billy – go home!
BILLY: Like hell!
TATUM: Billy – I filed the divorce papers this morning. With Joni.
Billy lowers his fists. His eyes soften.
BILLY: You … what?
TATUM: You'll be served tomorrow. Billy, it's over.
Aunt Joni sidles over, followed by DJ and Amber.
AUNT JONI: You hear that?! It's official!
BILLY: Stay the fuck out of this Joni, will 'ya?!
TATUM: Don't talk to her like that! She's been my rock – something you haven't been for a very long time!
BILLY: After everything – after all the times I saved your life -.
TATUM: I saved yours plenty too.
An audience is growing them, but Billy doesn't care.
BILLY: So it was all bullshit then?
TATUM: What was?
BILLY: What we said to each other all those years ago. In the amusement park when we were trapped on that ride.
TATUM: That was so long ago -.
BILLY: It's fresh to me! It meant nothing, then? You didn't mean it?
AUNT JONI: I think it's time for you to go, Billy -.
Billy holds a hand up to Joni's face, still staring at Tatum.
BILLY: (quoting Tatum) "Because maybe I still fucking love you!" Your words. Do you remember what I said Tatum?
TATUM: Billy -.
BILLY: I told you that I loved you too. That I always have and always will. I meant it. Every. Word. I will always love you.
A security guard grabs Billy under the arm.
SECURITY GUARD: Alright buddy, it's time for you to go.
Billy doesn't move. He stares at Tatum. She looks down at the floor, eyes beginning to glisten with tears.
BILLY: You never did say that you didn't love me anymore.
TATUM: (looking up) No. I do love you. But sometimes that's not enough, Billy. Sometimes some hurts go too deep, that not even love can sustain two people.
BILLY: It can!
Tatum turns her back on him. She can't face him.
TATUM: You'll get the divorce papers tomorrow. My lawyer will contact yours.
She walks away, going to Charles.
TATUM: Goodbye Billy.
Billy stands there, dumbstruck. He stares as Tatum vanishes into the crowd with Charles. He looks over at DJ and Amber, both appearing devastated at what's happened. He sees Joni grinning maliciously. He turns – he can't see Tatum anymore. He nods and shakes the guard off.
BILLY: I can see myself out, thanks.
He turns, walks the other way through the crowd. DJ tries to go after him – Amber puts a hand on his shoulder.
AMBER: Don't.
DJ stands there, helpless, watching his family get torn apart.
CUT TO:
EXT. NJ BAR – EVENING
Billy sits on a stoop outside the bar. He opens his phone again, stares down at a picture. It's a picture of him and Tatum, when they were young and out of college, getting ready to start their new life together. He closes his eyes, looking away. His finger presses the DELETE button. He tosses the phone aside and buries his face in his hands.
A shadow falls over him. A woman.
WOMAN: Is there room on that curb for someone else?
Billy stares up.
BILLY: Karen?
Karen Kolchec smiles down at him. She's still dressed professionally but she doesn't mind getting down and dirty. She sits down on the stoop next to Billy.
BILLY: What are you doing here?
KAREN: I was in town for Aunt Nessa's funeral, remember? She was my inspiration to go into clinical psychology along with Martha Meeks. Martha and I are staying in town for a while – for a convention. You do still have my card, right?
Billy digs into his pocket and pulls out the business card Karen had given him at Aunt Nessa's funeral. He crumples it up.
BILLY: I don't need a shrink.
KAREN: How about a friend?
Billy doesn't answer. He stares off into the evening sky. Karen stares with him.
KAREN: You know what the hardest part about getting over someone is? The emptiness …
Billy looks over at her, confused.
KAREN: You feel like you were punched in the gut. It hurts, I mean physically hurts. You dream about them every night. You expect to see them in all the places you used to visit together, and you find yourself there alone. And the worst part – everyone tells you "you'll get through it." You'll get through it, but they don't you how. Have I sized your situation up?
BILLY: Yeah, I guess your psychoanalysis is on point. Whoopdie-doo.
KAREN: Oh no – not psychoanalysis. My professional training has nothing to do with this. I'm speaking from experience.
BILLY: (realizing) … Randy?
KAREN: (nodding) Randy.
BILLY: After all this time?
KAREN: To quote Severus Snape – "always." You think you and Tatum were the only ones with teen drama and angst? We went to Woodsboro High – that place oozed drama from every corridor.
BILLY: I mean, I knew you and Randy had hooked up, but -.
KAREN: Oh, we did more than that. But Randy was too hung-up on Sidney – ironic, since she and Cotton were the ones who later killed him. But I had hopes that he would see what I could give him. Unfortunately, Sidney never gave him that chance. I went to therapy – Nessa was my therapist – to deal with the pain of losing Randy. He was one of my best friends. And Nessa was such a blessing to my life, such an inspiration – I wanted to pass that on. To treat other teens in need.
BILLY: So you took your pain -.
KAREN: And channeled it into something positive. (Beat) You're gonna get through this Billy. And I'm not just saying that to say that. And I'll tell you how.
She stands up, holds out her hand.
KAREN: C'mon, I know a restaurant down the road. I'll buy you dinner.
BILLY: (eyebrow raised) Are you asking me on a date?
KAREN: Make of it what you will. But would you rather be sitting here on the cold hard ground pining over your ex, or would you rather be having a fine steak dinner with a – might I say – gorgeous, intelligent, articulate and successful woman?
Billy hesitates.
KAREN: It doesn't have to be a date if you're not comfortable. It could just be two friends from high school catching up.
Billy turns back to look at the bar. Tatum seemingly had moved on. Perhaps he should try too. And Karen is no longer Creepy Karen – she had completely remade himself. Perhaps Billy should try it too. He takes her hand.
BILLY: You know what – let's call it a "date" and see what happens. I'm in!
EXT. NEW YORK CITY – EVENING
Brian and Nicholette walk down the streets of the city, arm-in-arm, laughing and reminiscing.
NICHOLETTE: You did not!
BRIAN: Chantelle never figured out it was vagisil. She had it stuck on her teeth -.
NICHOLETTE: You've changed so much since high school.
BRIAN: You have too. You've matured.
NICHOLETTE: You haven't it seems! Still the prankster!
She jokingly punches him in the arm.
BRIAN: I had to find humor in things … after my brother -.
NICHOLETTE: Trevor.
BRIAN: But I moved past it. Therapy helped. And humor! (Beat) And here we are!
He gestures widely with his hands. Nicholette stares up at the skyscraper.
NICHOLETTE: The Empire State Building?
BRIAN: Sure. What, you think I pay these crazy city rents by just being an actor? I've had several jobs. I worked at different theaters doing set designs, museums, construction – heck, I even worked as a security guard here at the grand ol' Empire State Building! I know this place by heart – and all the secret passages – c'mon!
He grabs Nicholette's hand and ushers her through a side door.
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ROOFTOP – EVENING
Brian helps Nicholette onto the rooftop. They have their own private section. She stares at the evening sky, at the New York skyline. The Chrysler Building. The Freedom Tower. The view is breathtaking.
NICHOLETTE: This is incredible!
BRIAN: Yup. My own little private thinking place. Well, not so private. I used to hang out sometimes up here with Chris and Luna … they were more interested in a spot to smoke weed. Chantelle hung out with us once too – she wasn't impressed by the view.
NICHOLETTE: No, the only thing that can impress her is herself.
Brian leans back against a wall while Nicholette holds the railing, staring at the view.
NICHOLETTE: This is amazing. Danny would have a heart attack – he's afraid of heights.
BRIAN: Why are you with him?
NICHOLETTE: Excuse me?
BRIAN: I'm sorry, it's just – I've seen the way he talks to you. The way you clutch your sleeves, trying to hide what I'm guessing are bruises. Don't try to deny it, you haven't changed all that much from high school.
Nicholette lowers her head.
NICHOLETTE: You've got to understand, he's under a lot of stress. He sometimes -.
BRIAN: No! I don't want to hear it! No excuses! There is no justification for that. Ever.
Brian slides up next to her.
BRIAN: You're worth more than that, Nicky. Far more. I know you've always suffered from confidence issues, but you don't need to. You're beautiful, intelligent, funny and brave! You faced down Jenny and Craig head-on! You helped avenge my brother's killers! You don't need to settle!
NICHOLETTE: It's not that easy.
BRIAN: It is. You just have to decide to say "no." No to abuse, no to users and "yes" to yourself. You have to ask yourself – what is it you want?
Nicholette turns to stare at Brian. The passion in his voice, in his eyes – she bites her lip and looks away.
NICHOLETTE: What I want – is something I can't have …
BRIAN: Because you won't let yourself! For whatever reason, you got it into your head that you're not worth having a loving relationship with a man that actually gives a damn about you! Why? Why do you feel you're not worth anything to a good man?
NICHOLETTE: Because I blame myself …
BRIAN: For what? Jill? For Jenny and Craig?
NICHOLETTE: Not just that … there's something else …
BRIAN: You can tell me …
NICHOLETTE: I can't tell anyone …
Brian takes her hands, stares into her eyes.
BRIAN: It's just you and me.
Nicholette's eyes fill with tears.
NICHOLETTE: My parents are getting split up – and it's all my fault …
BRIAN: Nicky?
NICHOLETTE: They always had problems. My dad worked late, my mom resented it. He'd stop off and get a drink at the bar to deal with all their issues rather than deal with them with Mom. I mean, I can't blame him for the drinking, after four massacres –
She wipes her eyes.
NICHOLETTE: Then she found a pair of women's underwear – a thong – in his car and that set her off and they separated …
BRIAN: What are you saying?
NICHOLETTE: It was senior year of high school. My first boyfriend. We were getting serious and hot and heavy … but he wanted more than I was willing to give. He … he …
BRIAN: My God, Nicky …
NICHOLETTE: He took what he wanted.
BRIAN: He raped you?
NICHOLETTE: I was ashamed. I blamed myself and I wanted to hide it. I just wanted it to disappear, to pretend it never happened. The evidence – my thong – he got some semen on it. I panicked, didn't know where to throw it. I wanted to take it out to burn it in the woods somewhere, but then my Dad came home and saw me and I didn't know what else to do. I chucked the thong into his backseat – I was gonna go get it a few minutes later, but then my Mom and him got into argument because he had been drinking and he denied it and she went to go look in his car for evidence of alcohol … and she found it.
BRIAN: And you never told them?
NICHOLETTE: You must think I'm a terrible person …
BRIAN: No. No, Nicky you experienced something horrendous. But your mistake was thinking that no one would care. Your parents would have -.
NICHOLETTE: I didn't – I just wanted to pretend it never happened. I tried telling my parents once, to try to get them to patch things up. I told my Mom the thong was mine. She wouldn't believe me. She thought I was trying to protect Dad and she and I had a big argument and she accused me of loving my Dad more than her. And now they're split up and it's all my fault -.
BRIAN: No. It's the guy who raped you – it's his fault. (Beat) This must have been very hard for you tell me. Thank you, Nicky.
She stares up at him and he's looking at her, completely nonjudgmental, accepting her, accepting her faults and her past. In this light, with the sunset, she becomes completely filled with emotion. She leans forward – he does too – their lips meet. It becomes more passionate as their emotions finally give way, years of pent-up attraction to each other in high school finally playing out.
Brian puts his arms around her, deepening the kiss with the sunset in the background -.
No! Nicholette breaks the kiss, eyes filled with tears.
NICHOLETTE: No! We can't! Brian – I, I shouldn't have, it was wrong -.
BRIAN: It didn't feel wrong to me …
NICHOLETTE: I have a boyfriend! Danny! I … I gotta talk to him!
BRIAN: Nicky -.
NICHOLETTE: (not looking at him) I – I'll see you tomorrow!
She opens the door – the hidden entrance hatch – and goes down it. Brian takes a step to follow, wanting to stop her, to keep her here with him. He stops. He let her go once in high school.
He's making the same mistake again.
He turns as the sun fully sets, leans against the railing, and lowers his head.
CUT TO:
EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING ROOFTOP – OTHER SIDE
Hidden along the other side of the rooftop, Chantelle leans against a wall, hidden from view of Brian. She thumbs through her phone, grinning maliciously.
CHANTELLE: I knew it was a good idea to tail them! And the bitch is officially out of the show!
She thumbs through her pictures – pictures of Nicholette passionately kissing Brian. She looks up, her eyes filled with pure malice as we FADE OUT.