INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - THE NOVAK - SAME
FOCUS on NICOLE'S hands as she smooths them over her still somewhat
flat abdomen. CUT TO a shot of her image in the mirror as she takes
a deep breath, looking over her appearance. She turns to her side...and
worries about the slight bulge, even though it's not even there.
BROOKE
enters.
NICOLE
Brookie. Shouldn't you be out there
impressing your college boy with those
grinding sexual Glamazon moves I
taught you?
BROOKE
I was just wondering if you're o.k.
NICOLE
I'm fine. Just a little nauseated by
Mary Cherry's idea of Parisian style.
Brooke continues to stare at her.
NICOLE (cont'd)
There's no reason to worry about me,
Brookie. Go spend some time with
your date.
BROOKE
He's...he's not here, he left.
NICOLE
Mm, I guess he couldn't take the
lame decor either.
BROOKE
It's probably my fault, I've been a little --
NICOLE
Preoccupied?
(pauses)
Don't think I haven't noticed your big,
soulful eyes staring at me and Harrison.
BROOKE
It's not that, it's...it's a long story.
NICOLE
Sure Brookie -- you keep telling yourself
whatever you can to excuse your
neglectful behavior. I'm sure Jamie will
forgive you...eventually.
She starts to leave.
NICOLE (cont'd)
As for me, I've got to get back to my
sofar uneventful evening of bad brie and
common bondage.
BROOKE
I just want to know when you're going to
tell Harrison, that's all.
SAM
Tell Harrison what?
Sam says as she enters.
BROOKE
Sam --
NICOLE
Spam. Brookie was just wondering when
I was gonna tell your best friend -- up,
ex-best friend -- exactly how I feel about
his sofar miserable tenure as President.
(pauses)
Yeah, I haven't been very forthcoming
with my brother lately and your step-sib
was just giving me some really good pointers
about how to deal with men, seeing that
she's reeled herself a trophy winner.
(pauses)
Then again, I think the old gal may be a
little lost at sea, seeing that he's not even
here anymore.
She leaves.
SAM
Wait, what? Did she just say that
Jamie left?
BROOKE
Yeah, he did.
SAM
Why? Was he sick?
BROOKE
No, but I'm beginning to think I am.
(pauses)
It's really nothing...I've just been...out of
my mind recently.
SAM
Recently?
BROOKE
This is serious.
(pauses)
Sam -- have you ever found out something
about someone and had to keep it a secret
then end up feeling totally miserable because
this secret effects someone else you care a
whole lot about?
SAM
I'm not following you, Brooke -- is this
about Jamie?
BROOKE
No, it's..it's about Harrison.
SAM
Ohmy...the cancer hasn't come back, has it?
BROOKE
Oh no, no...not at all.
SAM
Then what?
BROOKE
It's also about Nicole.
SAM
Mm, I didn't buy that story about Nicole not
being forthcoming anyway, at least not
about his presidency. What gives?
BROOKE
You have to promise that you won't say a
word to anyone about this.
SAM
O.k., now you're starting to scare me --
BROOKE
Swear to me, Sam. It's really important.
SAM
O.k., o.k., I swear. What's this big secret?
Brooke hesitates.
BROOKE
Harrison...isn't really Nicole's brother.
Sam stands, shocked for a moment.
SAM
Excuse me?
BROOKE
It was all a big misunderstanding. He's
not her brother.
SAM
Okay, then why does he still believe
that he is?
BROOKE
Because, Sam, I don't know, she --
she's Nicole. She has her reasons for
not telling him...yet.
SAM
N-nothing's a good reason to be keeping
that kind of information from someone!
(pauses)
Brooke, how could you do this?
BROOKE
I don't --
SAM
How could you keep a lie like this knowing
how Harrison feels about this whole mess?
(pauses)
Well, if you and Nicole aren't going to tell
him, somebody's got to --
She starts to leave but Brooke stops her.
SAM
Out of my way, RoboBarbie --
BROOKE
No, Sam, wait, please -- hear me out. Nicole
promised that she'd tell him --
SAM
When, Brooke? After he's done doting on her like
the sister he's always wanted? And...and since when
have you started taking Nicole's promises seriously?
BROOKE
Sam, you swore you wouldn't say anything --
SAM
That was before I knew what it was --
BROOKE
Look. I already feel bad because I feel like
a whole lot of this was my fault to begin with
because I was the one who erroneously
concluded that Harrison's dad and Nicole's
dad were one in the same. If it weren't for
me, Nicole and Harrison probably wouldn't
be as humiliated from that video at the awards
banquet as they had been, o.k.?
SAM
Then how do you know that they're really
not brother and sister?
BROOKE
I didn't conduct a DNA test or anything, I
just know.
(pauses)
And I just now realized why they say it's
better to quit while you're behind.
(pauses)
I don't want to regret having told you something
that I had promised someone I wouldn't tell.
Please, don't say anything.
FOCUS on Sam's expression.
INT. BROOKE & SAM'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - SAME
JANE (O.S.)
Promise you'll say something if
it looks bad?
Mike sits at the kitchen table.
MIKE
I promise.
Jane comes out in a rather large, tent-like negligee. Mike's eyebrows curl as Jane poses.
JANE
How do I look?
MIKE
It looks...great, honey.
Jane's smile disappears. She slumps down on a chair.
JANE
Your hesistation says everything. Who am I kidding,
I look horrible in this thing.
MIKE
No, no...you don't...not at all.
JANE
Mike, I feel like an elephant in drag.
Mike gets up and goes to her, beding and placing his arms around her from behind.
MIKE
I wouldn't say that...I think you look sexy.
JANE
Sexy went down the toilet seven months ago
along with my breakfast.
(pauses)
I'd forgotten how rotten I felt about my
body when I was carrying Sam.
(pauses)
I mean, most of the memories are great...Joe
really doted on me during that time. I'm
not saying that you don't, it's...it's just getting
harder to remember the better parts of being
pregnant when I feel like this.
MIKE
Memories are strange like that...they say
that they fade, but...sometimes they come
back when you think they're almost gone.
Jane smiles but then winces, doubled over in pain.
JANE
OW.
She holds her bloated abdomen.
JANE
Oh, ow!
MIKE
What is it?
JANE
I...I'm think I'm having a flashback!
MIKE
Of what? Honey, do you need --
JANE
Judging from the puddle beneath my feet,
I'm having a 17 year old flashback!!!
Mike stares at her blankly -- the look of revelation washes across his face.
MIKE
B...but you're not due for another
two weeks!
JANE
I don't think it wants to wait that long!!!
Mike helps her up.
MIKE
O.k., o.k., o.k., I'll get...I'll get the bags --
JANE
Hurry!
EXT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - AUDITORIUM - SAME
CALVIN KRUPPS walks with MARY CHERRY down the main hall. JEREMY waits around the corner, semi in hand.
KRUPPS
I don't see why you have to trail
me like this, Ms. Cherry. I do,
afterall, still have your unremovable
tracking and behavior device on.
MARY CHERRY
I'm jest makin' sure that the batteries
that I loaded into this thing are workin'.
(pauses)
You understand, don't you?
KRUPPS
Yes.
MARY CHERRY
(maniacal, hand poised to press the remote)
Yes, WHAT, Calvin Kruppke?
They round the corner.
KRUPPS
Yes, Ms. Cherry --
BLAM.
FOCUS on Mary Cherry's horrified expression as some blood splatters on her face -- Krupps falls with a thud to the ground (out of view). Jeremy turns his heel to reveal himself and turns the end of the guns towards Mary Cherry's shocked expression.
JEREMY
You're Mary Cherry, right?
Mary Cherry's started to hyperventilate.
JEREMY
The one who bought the school?
Mary Cherry manages to nod as her body trembles with fear. Jeremy grins, the gun's nose just under Mary Cherry's chin.
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - AUDITORIUM - SAME
POV: EMORY'S CAMERA: The screen blocks in Sam, Brooke, and Lily's forms as they sit at their table.
LILY
Where did you guys go?
BROOKE
Nowhere.
SAM
Emory, get that thing out of
our faces, please?
APRIL smiles wildly.
TUNA
It's my fault, Sam McPherson --
you just look so ravishingly 20th
century goth that I had to have
my junior Fellini here capture the image
of your hot, solitary bod on tape!
SAM
Nice to see you too, April.
TUNA
To the dance floor, Dick!
EMORY
It will be my pleasure.
They leave and the girls laugh -- Sam and Brooke look over to see Harrison taking Nicole's hand and leading her to the dance floor as Michael Feinstein's "Wonder Why" begins.
LILY
Okaaaaay, that was just a little weird.
(pauses)
Back on point. What's going on? Sam?
Sam shrugs.
BROOKE
It's...Jamie. He left.
LILY
What? Why?
BROOKE
I kinda ran him off with my own stupidity,
so...I guess I'm just stuck here by myself
until you guys decide to take off.
(pauses)
Wait, did Josh take off already?
LILY
No, he's been playing Bocce with S.D.
ever since we got here.
BROOKE
I thought you said you guys would be
o.k.
LILY
That's what I thought.
BROOKE
Look, I know he'll come around, just
give it a little time, o.k.?
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - HALLWAY - SAME
FOCUS: Jeremy's feet coming around a darkened corner, trailing a blood stain across the tiles.
INT. L.A. GENERAL HOSPITAL - BIRTHING ROOM - SAME
Jane's in the throes of labor as she squeezes Mike's hand.
DOCTOR
It's comin' around...it's coming, Jane,
just keep goin'.
MIKE
Breathe...breathe --
JANE
I AM breathing, I AM going --
GOD, just get a friggin' crowbar or
something, just get it out!!!
She roars as she pushes.
DOCTOR
Good, good, it's goin' like lightning,
this is the fastest delivery in the west,
just keep going --
JANE
WHY did I decide to do this again --
WHY???
Jane breathes before she pushes again.
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - AUDITORIUM - SAME
NICOLE
Why did you do this?
Harrison looks down at her as they dance. Her question seems to've come out of the blue.
HARRISON
Do what?
NICOLE
You know...ask me.
HARRISON
Well, I'm certain I would've
ended up alone otherwise.
NICOLE
Please. With your presidential
status as well as your sympathetic
cancer points, I know for a fact
that getting a date for the prom
wouldn't have been a problem.
HARRISON
Maybe so, but...I wanted to be
here with you.
(pauses)
I wanted to show everybody
that I'm not ashamed of my sister.
NICOLE
That's pretty noble, considering
my own shameful status.
HARRISON
Hey. There is nothing shameful
about you. Despite what people
think about you or me or what we
did -- I know that I can still be
proud to know that I've got a sister
whose will is as strong as her sense
of style...her sense of perfection.
NICOLE
Mm. Even I have to admit that I'm not
perfect.
HARRISON
Well, no one is. But you...you come
close.
Nicole looks away. He holds her a little closer.
HARRISON (cont'd)
Remember when I said that I saw
the real you, Nicole? The part of
you that you try so hard to hide?
(pauses)
It's not like that went anywhere. It's
still there, right?
NICOLE
It's still there.
HARRISON
Well, that's it -- I...I can still see it,
even if I have to look at it from a
different perspective.
(pauses)
If you weren't my sister...I could
totally see why any guy would fall
for you.
Nicole's eyes are nearly welled, but she leans her head on his shoulder. OVER TO the BROOKE & SAM'S TABLE...
SAM
God, how can he fall for her crap?
BROOKE
Sam.
LILY
Whatever my feelings for that little
witch, I do think it's kinda sweet
that they're getting to know eachother --
and not in the Biblical sense. Harrison's
been like a brother to us all this time...
maybe some of his goodness will
rub off on her.
SAM
With the kind of rubbing they've done
you'd think that she'd be on her way to
sainthood.
JOSH comes by the table and stands by Lily.
LILY
Did you have fun playing with your balls?
JOSH
I didn't come over here to fight.
(kneels)
I came over to apologize.
Lily listens.
JOSH (cont'd)
I mean...I did alot of thinkin' through
my Bocce game. I'm sorry I've been so
stubborn about this gun thing with you, but...
sometimes you do things a little fast and
it just takes me a while to get into the
same mindset, you know? I'm just angry
at myself for not being as smart as you or...
or any of you guys.
LILY
That's not true, Josh.
JOSH
Sometimes it feels that way, and I'm just
sorry that I took it out on you.
(pauses)
Look, if Harrison and Nicole can get over
their bad blood, we can, right?
(holds out his hand)
Come on...let's dance.
Sam nods and smiles at Lily. Lily gets up and joins Josh for the slow dance.
Nicole holds onto Harrison, her head against his shoulder as they sway. Harrison swallows as he feels her against his body.
HARRISON
Am I really that bad?
NICOLE
(closes her eyes)
Mm, maybe you should've won the
dance contest...not.
Harrison chuckles. Nicole opens her eyes and lifts her head. She looks into his eyes.
NICOLE
But I think I can stand having you as
a dance partner...for now.
HARRISON
I know I wouldn't want anyone else
at this moment.
NICOLE
Mm, watch the undertone. We wouldn't
want to go down that incestual road again,
would we?
HARRISON
Nah, not at all --
POV: EMORY'S CAMERA: The screen blocks in Nicole and Harrison's forms as they dance.
EMORY
And there they are, the siblings-once-lovers
joined forever through blood, sweat, and
bone marrow. A pleasant addendum to
the lengthy marathon of forbidden pleasure
caught on tape not too long ago --
Harrison and Nicole startle to Emory's camera.
NICOLE
What the hell are you doing?
Emory pulls the camera down.
HARRISON
Haven't you caused enough trouble with that
thing?
EMORY
I told you. I mean to document these momentus
times.
HARRISON
O.k., you've got us, just let it go --
EMORY
But you two looked so at reconciliatory
peace with eachother's presence that it was
definitely worth preserving.
NICOLE
You want something to film, Dick? I'll
give you something to film!
Nicole yanks Harrison down for a full-on french kiss as everyone's mouths drop -- Harrison's eyes widen as he pushes her away and she directs her anger at Emory.
NICOLE (cont'd)
There, you happy? Now get that stupid
camera out of my face!
Across the floor, Sam's eyes have widened and she shakes her head.
SAM
That's it...I'm not going to let this farce
go on any further.
BROOKE
Sam, wait --
Sam gets up and starts towards Harrison and Nicole as Brooke rushes to follow.
Back to Harrison and Nicole.
HARRISON
What the hell was that ?
NICOLE
Harrison --
HARRISON
You know, you could've just told
him to go away --
NICOLE
That wasn't an option for me.
(pauses)
You see...I...I have something that
I need to tell you --
SAM
Harrison --
Sam pulls Harrison's arm.
HARRISON
Sam, I'm kinda in the middle of something
here --
SAM
Yes, but this can't wait --
BROOKE
Sam, don't.
SAM
Why, Brooke? So this little hussy can keep
on playing one of my closest friends? No,
I'm not gonna let it go on anymore.
INT. L.A. GENERAL HOSPITAL - BIRTHING ROOM - SAME
JANE
Aaaaaaaargh, I can't do it, please, I can't
let this pain go on anymore!!!
DOCTOR
At this rate you won't have to, Jane, just
one more push --
Jane screams as she squeezes Mike's hand.
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - BOY'S ROOM - SAME
Carmen sits, amused at her P2 game as she's startled by someone BURSTING into the boy's room -- Mary Cherry uncontrollably sobs and BURSTS into a stall.
CARMEN
Uh -- hello?
MARY CHERRY
(whispers through her sobs)
Hushhhhhh!!!
CARMEN
Mary Cherry? what's --
Mary Cherry peeks under the stall.
MARY CHERRY
I said HUSH your mouth, Carm, 'nless you
wanna be the next statistic!
CARMEN
(visibly concerned)
Whuh...well, what's wrong?
MARY CHERRY
Th...there's a maniac out there -- he's got a
gun, Carmen, and he jest SHOT Calvin
Krupps right in front of me!
Carmen's expression drops.
MARY CHERRY (cont'd)
I narrowly escaped with my life!
CARMEN
(panicked)
OhmyGod...ohmyGod...w-w-w-well,
shouldn't we do something??? Like
call the police?
Mary Cherry reaches into her bag and fumbles for her cellphone -- it drops.
MARY CHERRY
Ah can't...m...my hands 'er shakin'
so b-b-b-b-badly --
THE DOOR to the boy's room opens and both Mary Cherry and Carmen freeze as they listen. The steps come closer to the stalls.
GEORGE
Hello? Anybody in here?
The two girls burst out of their stalls and Mary Cherry clings to George for dear life.
GEORGE
Hey, whoa, what up, Mary Cherry --
what's going on?
Carmen starts to cry.
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - AUDITORIUM - SAME
HARRISON
What?
He turns to Nicole.
HARRISON (cont'd)
What is she talking about?
SHOT: JEREMY'S FEET as he enters the auditorium.
INT. L.A. GENERAL HOSPITAL - BIRTHING ROOM - SAME
Jane pants and puffs as she squeezes Mike's hand.
DOCTOR
Alllmost there --
JANE
I thought you said one more!
DOCTOR
I lied. Come on, Jane, you can do it --
MIKE
Come on, honey, just one one more,
you can do it....
Jane roars as she pushes with verve...
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - AUDITORIUM - SAME
NICOLE
Harrison...I --
SOUNDTRACK SILENCE as she's stopped and jarred by something. FOCUS on HARRISON'S EYES -- CUT TO NICOLE'S EYES, where a definite light has flickered. SLO MO: Her CORSAGE drops silently to the floor.
INT. L.A. GENERAL HOSPITAL - BIRTHING ROOM - SAME
...Jane's last push results in success -- a baby's scream fills the air and Mike's eyes are welled with tears.
DOCTOR
(out of view)
It's a girl!
MIKE
It's...it's a girl, honey! It's a girl!
Jane smiles widely, gasping for air through her fatigue and happiness...
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - AUDITORIUM - SAME
THE SLO MO CONTINUES as the look of PANIC washes over Harrison's face as he grabs NICOLE and swings her around, dropping to the floor as he sees JEREMY with his semi. SERIES OF SLO MO CUTS:
The SECURITY GUARD is felled by a slew of bullets as she reaches for her own gun.
BOBBI GLASS'S eyes widen as her collegues topple the table and duck under.
BROOKE and SAM panic and drop to the floor.
JOSH swings LILY out of the gunfire but is jarred by something as he falls onto her.
EMORY'S HEAD jerks to the side -- his BROKEN CAMERA flies out of his hands and onto the floor as APRIL yanks him to the ground.
JEREMY waves his semi Rambo style, spraying bullets into the panicking crowd.
SHOT of several students TOPPLING tables and DUCKING for cover, some falling where they were standing.
INT. L.A. GENERAL HOSPITAL - BIRTHING ROOM - SAME
The baby is passed over to Jane's waiting arms.
JANE
It's a girl...oh my...she's so...she's
so beautiful...oh...this...this is the
happiest day of our lives...Dad.
Mike kisses Jane as they marvel at their new arrival.
INT. KENNEDY CHERRY HIGH - AUDITORIUM - SAME
GEORGE makes it into the auditorium.
BACK TO JOSH, obviously swearing as he looks over to JEREMY. JEREMY's semi clicks -- CLICK CLICK CLICK -- the sign of an empty cartridge. LILY panics as JOSH moves to get up, an insanely angry look in his eye. She knows that he's hit...and then realizes that she's hit. She looks across the floor to SAM and BROOKE, who are huddled behind a toppled table, a pool of blood seeping from the underside of their dresses...them seem to be conscious and moving.
GEORGE charges towards JEREMY as he attempts to reload and TACKLES him to the ground -- but not without suffering a cut from JEREMY'S hunting knife. JOSH, SUGAR DADDY, and a bunch of other male students rush to help George restrain him, holding him down and kicking him. Josh stomps on Jeremy's hand and KICKS his semi away...
...it slides towards Nicole's CORSAGE and rests next to it.
END OF ACT 4