INT. HARRISON JOHN'S ROOM - NIGHT
HARRISON and NICOLE lie under the sheets in his bed. Nicole rests peacefully, her arm around Harrison, eyes closed. Harrison's eyes, however, are wide open, a BIG grin on his face -- a massive pile of condom wrappers litter the dresser next to his bed. He looks down at Nicole and kisses the top of her head. She stirs.
HARRISON
Nicole? You asleep?
NICOLE
(wearily)
Mmm, yes, Mr. Affleck, it's o.k. for
a guy to wear pink....
HARRISON
(gently shakes her)
Nicole?
She stirs and opens her eyes.
HARRISON
I think I wore you out.
NICOLE
Nonsense...Clinique can get heavy on
the eyelids. I was just resting them.
HARRISON
Sure you were.
Nicole runs her hands over his skin and starts to kiss his chest, but he stops her. He tilts her chin up and looks into her eyes.
HARRISON
Wait. I...I want to thank you.
NICOLE
No need.
HARRISON
No, I really do...want to thank
you. Tonight...was perhaps the
best night of my life. No, correction --
it truly was the best night of my life.
Nicole stares into his eyes and then replaces her head on his chest.
NICOLE
You're a really...sweet and loving
guy, Harrison.
Harrison sits up.
HARRISON
No, I really mean it, Nicole. I mean --
tonight I discovered things about you
that I didn't even know existed. Your
own sweetness. Your own...tenderness.
(pauses)
Everyone knows you're beautiful. But
that's just superficial crap that they see
every day. But tonight...I feel like you shared
with me a piece of you that you strive so
hard every day to keep hidden from the
world. And you shared it with *me*, Harrison
John, the perpetual dateless geekboy who's
never gotten sofar as a peck on the cheek from
*any* of the women in his life.
(pauses)
I know, you're probably thinking that this
is a load of kiss-ass afterglow rambling that
won't mean a thing tomorrow, but I can
assure you, it's not. I think...I think I'm f --
NICOLE
Don't say another word, Harrison.
HARRISON
Did I say something wrong?
NICOLE
No...I think you said it all.
(pauses)
Like you said...I hide it well. I'm really not
the big ice queen everybody thinks I am.
Harrison's expression fades.
HARRISON
Oh, wait!
(happily)
You just reminded me of something.
(grabs his bathrobe)
Stay.
NICOLE
What?
HARRISON
No, you just stay put -- I'll be right back.
Harrison rushes out of the room as Nicole lies back in the bed.
She turns to the stand and sees the two identical horseshoe pins glimmering
in the candlelight.
EXT. SHAGGY'S APARTMENT - FRONT DOOR - SAME
BROOKE rings the tinny-sounding buzzer. No answer. She rings it again. No answer. She prepares to knock when TERRI GLASS opens the door with a grunt, startling Brooke, who's now in shock.
TERRI GLASS
We don't want no crack! If yuh got cookehs,
maybe we kin talk.
BROOKE
I'm not a Girl Scout -- M...Miss Glass?
TERRI GLASS
D'I know you?
BROOKE
I'm sorry...you just look like someone I
know. I'm looking for someone...her name's
Nicole?
TERRI GLASS
Oh, Nikkeh's bin out ferwhile. Gotta big date
'er sumthin'. She yerfriend?
BROOKE
Um...yeah. Do you know when she'll be back?
TERRI GLASS
Dunno. She be gone ferlongtime. Oh,
whutumIsa doin'. Come on in, Goldie.
Itsa bad place out there.
BROOKE
You know, maybe it's a bad time. It's late
and I should just go --
TERRI GLASS
Heynow. Come on in, baby. I won't bite.
Brooke enters the apartment.
INSIDE
Terri's got the TV on. The place is a literal STY.
TERRI GLASS
Sorreh 'bout th'mess. Gits this way when Shaggeh
gots to worker other job.
BROOKE
She ain't -- um, she's not home, either?
TERRI GLASS
Naw. She'sa gotta work two jobs. I can't workuzuhmah
'thritis.
BROOKE
Well...maybe you can help me out.
TERRI GLASS
Sure thing, uh...what'd yasayer name was?
BROOKE
Oh, sorry -- I'm so rude -- Brooke. Brooke McQueen.
Terri Glass extends her hand for a shake.
TERRI GLASS
Terreh. Terreh Glass.
They shake hands.
TERRI GLASS
Sit down, mehbeh I kin helpyuh, Miss MickQueeeeen.
BROOKE
So...you're --
TERRI GLASS
Shaggeh's aunteh.
BROOKE
And that'd make you --
TERRI GLASS
Nikkeh's aunteh. Bah, I don't bother with no "great"
er
"grand", 'cuz yuhkin see...I ain't great and I ain't grand.
So...Miss Brookeh...what kinI do feryuh?
BROOKE
Well, I really wanted to talk to Nicole. She's been
avoiding me alot lately when I think she needs me
the most.
TERRI GLASS
Y'think she madea mistake movin' in here, huh.
BROOKE
Well -- yes and no.
TERRI GLASS
I hear yuh. T'tell yuh th'truth, I think she'll
realize it
soonuh thin latuh.
BROOKE
You think she made a mistake too?
TERRI GLASS
Gurl, please. That princess belongs inna castle.
This
ain't no castle. We gitlong, yeah...but she needs
mo'
thin this. Don't git me wrong, we lovuh...but we
luvuh
'nuff to understand that she needs mo' than her birth
muthuh to git through.
Brooke nods her head in understanding.
BROOKE
What about her father? I mean, she told me briefly
that Shaggy doesn't remember who he is.
TERRI GLASS
Awwww, she 'membuhs. She 'membuhs real good
t'this day. You stay right here, I'ma gonna git
sumthin'.
Brooke nods and waits, looking around the room. In between the ugly decorative wall hangings, she notices tons of pictures of people she doesn't recognize -- most of the pics are black and white and very, very old.
Terri Glass comes back with a large book in her hands. She sits next to Brooke on the couch. She hands the book to Brooke and she opens it.
TERRI GLASS
AsI said to little Nikkeh...people make
mistakes.
Brooke pages through the book carefully -- it's a scrapbook full of newspaper articles -- local and Zapruder -- about Nicole. In between the articles are some pictures...a few of Nicole as a baby.
TERRI GLASS
Shaggeh was waaaaay too young t'be
raisin' a youngin'. Prolly younguh thin
you. She wuz also scared...scared that
her momma'd find out...and terrified
that he'd find out.
Terri Glass reaches over the book and turns a few pages. Near the back is a loose picture of a man -- a very handsome man with brown hair and brown eyes.
TERRI GLASS
She wuz so in love with th'man, but he
wuz married n' already had his own babeh
on his way...or had wun alreadeh, don't
'member.
Brooke picks up the picture and looks at the man's face -- so familiar, for some reason.
BROOKE
Does Nicole know about this?
TERRI GLASS
Hell, nobody knows Shaggeh still has that,
'cept fer me.
BROOKE
Who is he...what's his name?
TERRI GLASS
It's bin so long...Shaggeh neveh much mentions
it anymore. Johnson 'er somethin'...'er John.
(thinks hard for a moment)
Wait, no, 'sall comin' back t'me now. Bobby John.
That wuz it.
BROOKE
Bobby John...? Bobby John what?
TERRI GLASS
That wuz it. I 'member it wuz strange, this guy...
'slike he had a first name fer a last name.
A look of shock washes over Brooke's face.
TERRI GLASS
What'sa mattuh, babeh?
BROOKE
Miss Glass...can I use your phone?
INT. HARRISON'S ROOM - SAME
Harrison's phone RINGS. Groans ensue. The phone continues to ring and HARRISON sticks his hand out from under the sheets and shoves the phone off the stand, knocking it to the ground. Harrison fumbles for an ice cube out of the BIG bowl of ice cubes on his dresser as he and NICOLE continue their business under the sheets.
PAN UP to his WINDOW where, through the curtain slit, SAM is visible in Brooke's window, holding a phone.
CUT TO
BROOKE'S ROOM where Sam stands with the receiver in her hand, tears streaked down her face as she gets the busy dialtone from Harrison's line.
Sam clicks off the phone when it RINGS.
SAM
Hello?
GEORGE'S VOICE
Sammie, I just tried callin' you...what
happened to your call waiting?
SAM
(sniffling)
Oh, nothing...I guess I just wasn't paying
attention. So what's up?
GEORGE'S VOICE
Have you been crying?
SAM
No, of course not. It's...allergies.
GEORGE'S VOICE
I see...well, then, maybe comin' to pick
you up wouldn't be a great idea.
SAM
No, that'd be fine, but...where are we going?
George sighs.
SAM
What?
GEORGE'S VOICE
You remember that secret I told you about?
The one I said I was keeping?
SAM
Yeah...?
GEORGE'S VOICE
Well, it so happens that I really don't have to
keep it...from you, at least.
SAM
Oh...well, o.k. What is it about?
GEORGE'S VOICE
Lemme just come pick you up. We'll
talk then, o.k.?
SAM
Sure. Whatever.
GEORGE'S VOICE
Great. I'll be there in ten.
SAM
'Kay.
She hangs up the phone, then glances at Harrison's window.
CUT TO
INT. HARRISON'S ROOM
The phone is still on the floor, the annoying dialtone still beeping. NICOLE comes out from under the covers.
NICOLE
Okay, that's starting to annoy me now.
HARRISON gets out from under the covers.
HARRISON
I'm sorry, I thought you liked the ice --
NICOLE
Not you, the phone.
Harrison rolls his eyes and reaches over and replaces the phone. It starts to ring again.
NICOLE
Maybe you should get that.
HARRISON
Maybe I shouldn't.
NICOLE
I could use a breather...I'm getting...
well, even I need to take ten every
once in a while.
HARRISON
(annoyed at the phone)
Okay...
(picks up the phone)
...hello?
BROOKE'S VOICE
Harrison. God, don't hang up.
INTERCUT between HARRISON/BROOKE at Shaggy's.
HARRISON
Brooke? I'm *kinda* busy right now.
Nicole's expression turns, and she becomes more active with him.
BROOKE
I know you're busy, but it'll only take a minute.
Please, it's really important.
HARRISON
Hurry up, I don't have time for this now.
Nicole dips under the covers.
BROOKE
Okay, I know -- Harrison, what's your father's
name?
HARRISON
Wha? Why do you want to know that?
BROOKE
I just need to know. Trust me, it really *is*
important.
HARRISON
Robert. It's --
Nicole obviously does something to distract Harrison.
HARRISON
-- Robert.
BROOKE
Robert -- as is Rob or Bob?
HARRISON
Yeah, why?
Brooke is silent. Harrison becomes REALLY distracted by what Nicole seems to be doing under the covers.
HARRISON
Brooke -- I need to...I need to go. I'm
really sorry, but...yeah, I've gotta go.
BROOKE
No problem --
Harrison hangs up on her and shuts off the ringer.
Nicole pops out from under the covers.
NICOLE
What'd Brookie want?
HARRISON
Something stupid...
(Nicole teases him under the covers)
...oh God...I don't even remember now.
Nicole grins evilly and dips back under the covers.
HARRISON
(giant smile on his face)
Oh God...oh my...oh God...this is just too good
to be true...this is NOT happening.
ROBIN JOHN (O.S.)
Harrison?
Nicole pops out from under the covers as hers and Harrison's eyes just about pop out of their heads when they hear ROBIN JOHN'S VOICE calling to him.
ROBIN (O.S.)
Harrison? I'm home.
HARRISON
No...THIS is NOT happening!
NICOLE
(hissing whisper)
I thought you said she'd be gone for
the night!
Harrison nervously shrugs, shaking his head in question. They hear his mother's footsteps getting closer.
ROBIN (O.S.)
Harrison, are you here?
Harrison has a look of sheer terror on his face.
CUT TO
HALLWAY where ROBIN JOHN approaches Harrison's door.
ROBIN (O.S.)
(reaches for his doorknob)
Harrison?
BACK TO
Harrison's horrified expression.
BACK TO
Robin's hand twisting the doorknob. It's locked.
ROBIN (O.S.)
Harrison, it's locked...are you okay?
Harrison and Nicole start to breathe again.
HARRISON
(from inside the room)
I'm...I'm O.K., Mom.
ROBIN
I just tried calling you.
HARRISON
Oh...I uh...just a minute.
Robin waits outside the door until Harrison comes out in his striped bathrobe and closes the door behind him.
HARRISON
I thought you were supposed to be out on a date.
ROBIN
I was, but it went bust --
(touches his cheek)
-- my God, honey, you're warm...and flushed.
Are you sure you're all right?
HARRISON
I'm fine, Mom, I was...I was just cleaning
my room.
Robin looks at him quizzically.
HARRISON
You know, hauling all that trash that's in
my room can really work up a good sweat.
ROBIN
I see. Well...I guess I have no reason to
worry then.
HARRISON
No reason. Definitely no reason at all.
ROBIN
I...I was trying to call you to ask you if you
wanted to go out to eat, since I'm now
dateless.
HARRISON
You know...Mom...I'm really not all that hungry.
ROBIN
You gotta eat something --
HARRISON
Food is the last thing on my mind right now,
Mom. I'd uh...I'd just like to get my room
done before bed.
ROBIN
Mm. Well, o.k. I guess your ol' mom here is
too square to be seen with out in public --
HARRISON
It's not that at all --
ROBIN
I understand, Harrison. I'm o.k. with it.
I've
been meaning to check out a new bar in
town anyway.
(inhales)
Is that sandalwood?
HARRISON
Um...yeah, yeah, I found some old candles and I uh...
I thought they would smell nice, you know --
freshen up the room a bit, get the stanky sock smell out.
She smiles and kisses him on the cheek and starts down the hall, but turns around just as Harrison is about to enter back into his room.
ROBIN
Oh, and Harrison --
HARRISON
Wha?
ROBIN
Be sure to be gentleman...and take her
home afterwards.
Harrison turns beet red as his mother smiles knowingly.
HARRISON
(quiet)
Yeah...sure.
INSIDE HARRISON'S ROOM Nicole is putting her nylons back on.
HARRISON
W -- wait, what're you doing?
NICOLE
It's time for me to go.
HARRISON
Nonononono, wait -- please, no, just
stay. My mom -- she's...she'll be gone!
I mean, once she checks out a new
lesbian bar -- whoo, she's gone for the
night.
NICOLE
I can't stay...if I do, I won't --
Nicole stops herself. Harrison sits next to her and folds his hands.
HARRISON
You won't wanna leave.
Nicole answers him with silence as he looks at her.
NICOLE
Harrison...you said yourself that you wanted to make
this special for me.
HARRISON
Did I succeed?
NICOLE
Let's just say that you exceeded my expectations.
She places her hand on his face.
NICOLE
Harrison...
(pauses)
...you really don't know what you did for me.
(pauses, takes hand away)
But...I really should be getting back to Shaggy's...
I'm sure my Aunt Tee's pretty worried about me by
now.
Harrison pauses in thought for a moment.
HARRISON
Okay.
He gets up and starts to dress; she watches him. He turns back to her and she looks away.
HARRISON
(sits down next to her again)
There's one thing, though -- before I take you
back -- that I'd really like to know.
NICOLE
Mmm?
HARRISON
Is there...is there *any* chance that...that this
could ever...if we could...do this again?
NICOLE
Why Harrison. Are you asking for seconds?
HARRISON
Eeeyeah, but aren't I more like on my 9th
helping by now?
Nicole smiles.
NICOLE
Well, the scores aren't in yet, but judging by your
performance -- I'd say you have a pretty good chance.
HARRISON
Yes!
NICOLE
Don't get too excited. I doubt that either of
us could keep this under wraps if we were constantly
jumping eachothers' bones in chem class.
HARRISON
Got it.
They start out of his room, but Harrison suddenly turns and grabs her,
kissing her full on the lips. The kiss surprises her and he pulls
away, smiles, and heads out. After a moment, she follows.
INT. KENNEDY HIGH - HALLWAY - SAME
SAM walks down the darkened hall with GEORGE.
SAM
Why are we here? I see enough of this
place during the day.
GEORGE
Trust me. It's all part of that secret I was telling
you about.
SAM
Okaaaay.
There is a short silence.
GEORGE
So...since you're about to find out my secret,
how 'bout you tell me yours?
SAM
George, I told you -- there is no secret.
GEORGE
Well, I can tell you that it's no secret that
something's bothering you. When I called
you, you sounded like you'd been crying.
SAM
Can we just drop this? I swear to God --
nothing is wrong. Where are we going?
Just then, APRIL TUNA pops out from the corner.
TUNA
I see you succeeded! I knew I could count on
you, George Austin!
GEORGE
Anything to help a friend, April.
MARY CHERRY comes by them -- behind her are JOSH and SUGAR DADDY hauling a HUGE disco ball.
MARY CHERRY
(to Josh and Sugar)
Come on now, let's haul some ASS here, boys!
(turns to Sam and George)
Hi y'all!
They round the corner as April grins.
SAM
April -- what's going on here?
TUNA
Seek and ye shall find, Sam McPherson, for
behind these very walls is an orgy of
friendship and love!
SAM
Um, I think I'll be going now --
CARMEN and LILY pass by, carrying some buckets full of brown stuff.
CARMEN
Hey Sam.
SAM
Oh...my GOD, is that mud???
George laughs.
GEORGE
Come on, Sam. It's cool.
TUNA
What's your favorite color, Sam -- lipstick red or
Trojan blue?
Sam looks very worried at this point.
April smiles wildly.
INT. SHAGGY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Nicole quietly enters the apartment. No one seems to be awake -- she steps into the livingroom and sits on the couch. The LAMP switches on -- it's TERRI GLASS.
NICOLE
Oh, I'm sorry -- I didn't realize you were
still awake.
TERRI GLASS
No problem here, Nikkeh. Jest wanted
t'make sure yousawlright.
Nicole cracks a slight smile.
TERRI GLASS
You are...awlright, hun?
NICOLE
Yeah...I'm fine.
TERRI GLASS
Yous don't look fine.
NICOLE
I...guess I just realized something rather
horrifying about myself tonight, that's all.
TERRI GLASS
Whazzat?
Nicole hesitates.
TERRI GLASS
Aww, comeon now...you kin tell yer
Tee.
NICOLE
I'm not sure that I can...only because I
don't know how to put it into words.
(pauses)
I've...gone through my whole life...never
feeling loved...or wanted. But now --
tonight -- it's changed. And...I'm
scared because I'm not sure what to do.
TERRI GLASS
Ah, I unnerstand.
NICOLE
Do you?
TERRI GLASS
Yeah, hun...I do.
She gets up to leave.
TERRI GLASS
You'll figger it out. Yousa smart girl.
(leaving)
Don't furget t'turn off the light. Oh, anna
nutterthing...yer friend came lookin' fer yuh.
NICOLE
Who?
TERRI GLASS
Some purty yung thang...blond...King...no,
Queen.
NICOLE
Oh, Brooke. Yeah, I know, she's been trying
to earn her merit badge in friendship.
TERRI GLASS
Damn it, I KNEW I smelt cookehs on her!
(pauses)
Look, Nicole. You may have felt like nobuddeh
loves yuh...but maybe y'jist gotta open up those
purty blue eyes of yours and take a look 'round.
You may find out that love wuz right there in yer
face awl'long. Buh jist be careful...sometimes we
act
'pon sumthin' b'fore we know everthang we need
t'know. G'night, baybeh.
NICOLE
'Night.
Nicole leaves the light on when Tee leaves. Without removing her
trench or changing her clothes, she lies down on the couch. She reaches
into her pocket and pulls out her horsehoe pin and squeezes it in her hand
as she continues to lie awake in thought.
END OF ACT 5