INT. HARRISON JOHN'S ROOM - NIGHT
HARRISON'S HAND lights the last candle in his candle-filled room, and he joins NICOLE as she sits at the edge of the bed. She's pulled her silver trenchcoat tightly around her as she stares at the floor. Harrison clears his throat. She snaps out of thought and turns to him.
NICOLE
Welp, let's get to it.
She stands up and unfastens the belt to her trench -- she's wearing nothing but a subduedly-styled black ensemble (camisole and panties), complete with hose and garters underneath it.
NICOLE
What d'you think of my
outfit?
HARRISON
It's uh...it's uh...it's v...very
sexy...a...as usual.
NICOLE
I know.
She starts towards him, but he stands up.
HARRISON
Nicole, wait.
NICOLE
Already? Well, I kinda knew you'd chicken
out --
HARRISON
It's not that at all, Nicole.
(pauses)
It's just that I don't want this to be like some
cheesy quarter-reel porn where "the woman"
gets to take complete control over "the virgin",
you know?
(pauses)
I want it to mean something...I want it...
I want it to be special for you, too.
Nicole's a little puzzled (and a little touched), but self-assuredly cocks her head.
NICOLE
Okay, I'll play.
Harrison hesitates. He then takes his shirt off over his head.
HARRISON
I...I know I don't look like --
NICOLE
Please. I've seen alot worse.
She waits for his next move; he hesitates again.
NICOLE
Well come on now, crouching tiger. Show
me your hidden dragon.
Harrison swallows deeply and looks away from her as he drops his pants. She stares at his "features" below the belt for a moment and then snaps out of it.
NICOLE
You'll do just fine.
She starts towards him again and starts to get on her knees, but she's stopped by his hands on her shoulders.
HARRISON
Nicole...I told you. No porno.
He hooks his fingers gently underneath the spaghetti straps of her camisole and caresses her shoulders, caressing rather sensually all the way up her neck. His eyes follow his fingers until they stop at her chin, where he looks soulfully into her eyes.
She lifts her arms and he takes off her camisole. She meets his stare.
NICOLE
(somewhat quiet)
Well...then...get to it.
He leans in and kisses her gently on the edge of her slightly parted mouth, then concentrates on trailing the kisses down the path where his fingers went.
FOCUS on Nicole's face as Harrison kisses further down her body; she closes her eyes and gasps gently.
NICOLE
(typical Nicole, but muted delivery)
Thank you....
INT. McQUEEN/McPHERSON HOUSE - BROOKE'S ROOM - SAME
CARMEN sits Indian-style on the floor, furiously scribbling in her notebook as BROOKE sits on her bed with a laptop.
CARMEN
You know, I think April's idea of the
split after the cabbage patch is a little
over the top, don't you?
She looks to Brooke, who's busy with her laptop.
CARMEN
Brooke? Hello, earth to Brooke.
BROOKE
Huh? Oh, sorry, Carm. I was just looking
something up online.
CARMEN
Hm, I see. While you're at it could you
please look up attention deficit disorder
and see if it's caused by constant
preoccupation?
Brooke shuts the laptop.
BROOKE
I'm really sorry, Carm. You probably think
I'm being a major drag with this Nicole thing,
huh.
She goes and sits at her mirror.
CARMEN
No, I understand. She's your best friend --
well, ex-best friend -- but I also understand
how hard it is to see even your ex-best
friend do something you don't approve of or
can't understand.
Just then, they are startled by a loud noise coming from outside the window across the ways -- Harrison's house. They stop talking and listen for a moment -- they hear the muffled screams of a woman's complete ecstasy. Their mouths drop and they chuckle.
BROOKE
Oh...my God...is that what I
think it is?
CARMEN
I think it is...but, where is it coming from?
BROOKE
Oh no...that'd be wrong.
They look at eachother for a split second, then rush to the window. They listen -- they hear more sounds of ecstasy. They look out the window for a few moments, trying to follow the sound with their hearing -- they follow it to Harrison's window, which is blocked by curtains but fully open. Their mouths drop wide open.
BROOKE
No way!
CARMEN
Yes way, and as far as I can hear he's
having a GRAND ol' time over there.
BROOKE
With who???
Just then, SAM comes by Brooke's door.
SAM
Hey guys -- um, what are you doing?
The girls, in shock, swing around and Brooke clumsily shuts the window behind her.
CARMEN & BROOKE
We were just -- well, you see --
BROOKE
You know how it gets stuffy in here sometimes --
CARMEN
-- and I just wanted to get some fresh meat --
air. Yeah, whew! Boy is it stuffy in here.
SAM
I see.
The doorbell rings. Sam & Brooke moan.
BROOKE
You know, I'll get that --
SAM
No, that's O.K....I'll get it. But I do need
to talk to you after, if it's all right with Carmen.
CARMEN
Sure, no problem.
As Sam leaves, Brooke and Carmen stare at eachother in semi-shock...and relief.
CUT TO
INT. McQUEEN/McPHERSON HOUSE - FRONT DOOR
Sam opens the front door -- it's EMORY, dressed in an all-black cat burgler suit.
SAM
Emory -- what're you doing here? And why
are you dressed like a ninja?
EMORY
Forgive me for bothering you, Miss McPherson,
but I happen to be in dire need of your
assistance.
SAM
(exasperated)
What do you need, Emory?
EMORY
I need access to your roof.
SAM
Excuse me?
EMORY
You see, I'm doing a...geological survey
of the properties in this neighborhood...for
extra credit.
SAM
Really. Aren't geological surverys done
on the ground?
Emory hesitates.
EMORY
This is a particularly special one...one
that's never been done before off ground.
That's why it's guaranteed extra credit.
SAM
Look, Emory -- you've come at a bad
time and I don't know nor do I care
what you're *really* up to. Just please...
leave.
EMORY
But I really need --
SAM
Good BYE, Emory.
She shuts the door in his face.
EMORY
-- your help.
(to himself)
Not to worry. Plan B in effect as of
this moment.
BACK to BROOKE'S ROOM
Brooke and Carmen are still standing by the window.
BROOKE
Are you sure you don't have any clue who Harrison
is with right now?
Carmen hedges.
BROOKE
Come on, Carm -- spill.
CARMEN
Well, I uh --
Sam appears at the doorway.
SAM
Hey.
CARMEN
Oh my, time goes by REAL fast when
you're having sex -- fun. I mean fun.
SAM
What's going on here?
BROOKE
It's nothing. Who was that downstairs?
SAM
God, you won't believe this...Emory
Dick just asked me if he could get
onto our roof for some bogus extra credit
assignment.
BROOKE
That's over the top, even for Emory.
SAM
What's going on with him?
CARMEN
Well, it'd make sense since he's been
like, soooo psycho jealous of Harrison.
Sam and Brooke look to a now regretful Carmen.
SAM
Why would he be jealous of Harrison?
CARMEN
Well, look at that, you know, I really, REALLY
have GOT to get going.
BROOKE
Carm -- don't do this. If you know something
we don't know, please.
CARMEN
Hey, I don't know anything, no, nothing, I...
(sensing their skepticism)
Okay...well, there've been...some rumors.
(sighs nervously)
BROOKE
Rumors to what?
CARMEN
(swallows)
To an affair between him and...and....
BROOKE
And who?
CARMEN
(again, regretfully)
April Tuna.
Both Sam and Brooke gasp, but then start to laugh.
BROOKE
You're not serious.
(pauses)
Oh my God, you *are* serious.
Brooke and Carmen look to Sam, who's slightly amused but shaking her head.
CARMEN
(turns to Sam)
Oh, come on, Sam...they're only rumors. I mean,
come on...it's April Tuna.
SAM
You're right, Carm. But if the rumors were true...
and I highly doubt that they are...I would be
happy for him.
CARMEN
Well, I guess that'd explain why Emory came over --
Brooke kicks her heel.
CARMEN
-- yeah, I think it's time for me to go now. See
you later, Brooke?
BROOKE
Yeah...sorry about my ditzyness.
CARMEN
(nervous)
N...no problem, really, I can do most of this
stuff myself anyway.
She rushes out.
Sam shakes her head and laughs self-consciously.
EXT. McQUEEN/McPHERSON HOUSE - SAME
Carmen makes it down the walkway towards her car, but can still hear the sounds of sex coming from Harrison's window. She gets to her car, gets out her keys and is STARTLED by APRIL TUNA as she POPS out from nowhere.
TUNA
Greetings, Carmen Ferrara!
CARMEN
April...you scared the pants off
of me.
TUNA
I apologize for the sudden wake-up
call to arms.
CARMEN
April, if this is yet another request for me
to join you in whatever it is you've got
going on, you can just forget it.
TUNA
It most certainly is. I must insist, considering
that my partner in crime is taking a much
needed break from the rigorous workouts
I've been giving him.
Carmen gags.
TUNA
You must understand -- I truly need an extra hand
tonight to help me execute my plans on schedule.
April is stopped momentarily by the sounds of loud groaning coming from Harrison's window. She smiles slyly at Carmen.
Carmen reaches an epiphany.
CARMEN
Wait a sec...if you're here --
who's with Harrison?
TUNA
Wouldn't *I* like to know!
EXT. HARRISON JOHN'S HOUSE - TREE LIMB - SAME
Emory unsteadily holds a camcorder toward's Harrison's window with one hand as he holds onto a limb with another hand. He can't see completely inside, as the curtains block his view -- all he can see is limbs moving. The tape is also picking up all of the audio from the room.
EMORY
(muttering)
Damn those curtains. Perhaps...
perhaps I should get closer...I must
get their faces on tape as the final
evidence of my beloved's betrayal.
Emory uses both hands to maneuver around the tree. He swings, dangles, and just barely keeps his balance as he brings the camera back to his eye.
The camera sees a better view of the action inside -- it sees Harrison's worked-up expression.
EMORY
Eureka...now if I could just...get...
April's face --
Harrison's head moves out of the way and the camera has a full-on shot of Nicole's face.
EMORY
(at the revelation)
Oh...good God!
(at the prospect of falling)
Oh my God...oh my God...oh my --
Emory's flimsy tree branch breaks and he falls, crashing into the bushes below.
CUT TO
INT. HARRISON'S ROOM
Harrison lifts his head from Nicole's shoulder as he lies on top of her, sweaty.
HARRISON
What was that?
NICOLE
(oblivious)
What?
HARRISON
It sounded like someone saying "Oh my God".
Nicole kisses his collarbone.
NICOLE
That was you, stud.
HARRISON
No, I swear, it sounded like it came from outside.
Nicole shrugs.
NICOLE
I didn't hear anything but the sound of satisfaction.
She reaches down and squeezes his behind -- he smiles.
NICOLE
Hm. Looks like my randy little choir boy's not quite
finished with his aria. Ready for round two?
Harrison smiles.
HARRISON
Ready if you are.
NICOLE
Bring...it...on.
Harrison swings the covers over their heads as he smiles and Nicole squeals playfully. The covers rustle and she gets serious again, moaning.
CUT BACK TO
BROOKE'S ROOM
where Brooke sits Sam on the edge of the bed.
SAM
I am soooo sorry I interrupted whatever it was
you and Carmen were doing. I should just go --
BROOKE
Sam, wait. You're obviously ready to talk.
So
talk.
SAM
I dunno, Brooke. What is there to say? I...
I think I screwed up.
BROOKE
With Harrison?
SAM
With GEORGE, Brooke -- God, why does everything
seem to revolve around Harrison all of a sudden?
BROOKE
Maybe because it does.
SAM
What?
BROOKE
Sam, come on -- get over your avoidance of the
situation. You need to deal with this. Now.
SAM
I don't know what to say, Brooke. He's out of
my life.
BROOKE
That's bull and you know it. You can't just cut
Harrison out of your life. It's not that simple.
SAM
Well, I have to try.
BROOKE
No, you don't. He's your *friend*. He's your
*best friend*.
SAM
Friends come and go, Brooke. Yours and Nicole's
friendship is proof positive that best friendships
don't always last.
BROOKE
That may be, but I do still care about what happens
to Nicole. Just like you care about Harrison.
It's
not the same thing --
SAM
It isn't?
BROOKE
No, it isn't. And I'm at least trying to look out
for her,
*trying* to talk to her...I'm doing everything I can.
SAM
What am I supposed to do, Brooke? *He* was the one
who said he never wanted to talk to me again.
BROOKE
I think...I think you should. At least talk to him.
Clear
the air between you, so that nothing's left hanging.
SAM
Nothing IS left hanging, Brooke.
BROOKE
Oh really?
Sam shakes her head.
BROOKE
(a little angry)
Well you could've fooled me.
Brooke gets up and grabs her coat and bag.
SAM
Where are you going?
BROOKE
I'm going to continue my own efforts to help
save someone I care about from certain heartbreak.
You might want to try, too.
She starts to leave, but stops. She moves to the window.
BROOKE
Oh, and if you *do* decide to do something about
your obvious feelings towards Harrison, I suggest you
*wait* a little while.
She opens the window.
BROOKE
He's a little busy at the moment.
Brooke storms off and leaves Sam in her room. The continued moans of pleasure spill from Harrison's window as Sam approaches Brooke's window. She realizes what's going on and quickly turns from the window, failing to choke back the horrible surprise and tears.
END OF ACT 4