ACT TWO (Later that evening at the Crashdown)

(It's really busy and Liz and Maria are visibly worn out. Liz heads to the back room leaving a stressed Maria to serve group of rude customers. )

MARIA: Here's your food. Can I get you anything else?

CUSTOMER: How about our real orders? You know I'm getting sick and tired of putting up with poor service.

MARIA: Look I can't help that there are about fifty other people in this cafe right now.

CUSTOMER: I don't care. Give me my damned food!!!

MARIA: That's it pal. One more outburst and your going to officially force me to put my cranky hat on!!! You got a problem with your damn Will Smith Burger you ordered (she hands the order to the man to see that this in fact was his order) then go and find another restaurant to go to!

(Liz emerges in the middle of Maria yelling at the man)

LIZ: Ahem! Is there a problem sir?

(Max walks in with the destiny book translation in his hand. He sits down and tries to hide himself behind his menu)

CUSTOMER: I'm sorry ma'am...um, no there's no problem.

MARIA: Hmph.

BEAT

MARIA: Hey Liz will you get that 007 wannabe that's hiding behind his menu over on table 5?

LIZ: Sure.

(LIZ heads over and begins to introduce herself as his waitress, until she realizes it's MAX. He's reading a packet she can't see because it's hidden under the menu)

LIZ keeping her cool: Hey Max. What can I get you?

MAX: Oh, just a Cherry Coke. Thanks Liz.

(During this MAX hasn't even looked at LIZ, eyes glued to the translation in his hands)

LIZ visibly uneasy: Right. One Cherry Coke. Be right back.

CUT TO:

(MARIA watching this exchange from the cash register. She notices LIZ's pained face, and heads over to MAX)

MARIA: Max.

(No response. He is still reading. )

MARIA: Are you there?

(Still no response. )

MARIA shouting: MAX!!!

(MAX looks up as if he has just been waking up from a night's sleep. )

MAX: Oh, hi Maria.

MARIA ticked off: I don't mean to sound rude here, but what is your problem?

MAX confused: Excuse me?

MARIA: Problem. Yours. What is it? Liz just came over here, and you bearly paid attention to her. I swear, frustration was coming off of her in waves.

MAX: She was? Oh. (MAX looks back down at the peices of paper) Tell her...I didn't realize she was there. Sorry.

MARIA: Hey, am I wearing my Postman's uniform today? No. Go tell her yourself.

MAX: I can't. She hates me.

(MARIA sighs and sits down in the seat opposite MAX)

MARIA: Max, look. She doesn't hate you. She will never hate you, but she has had a lot on her mind right now. Yeah, probably all of it is caused by you, and no, it won't go away anytime soon-if ever. I know this isn't my business to say so, but you took away your virginity with Tess, while Liz was saving hers for you. And of course there's that whole "baby" thing.

MAX: Yeah, I know...I just-

MARIA: Hold on. I'm on a roll here.The point is, that I don't think she trusts you very much right now. She may love you, but I think that's what's missing.

MAX: I just feel so bad...ever since Tess was pregnant, and even before that, when we first kissed, I had a strong feeling inside me to protect her.

MARIA: I'll assume your talking about Tess, but I wouldn't use the word "Protect". More like "stalk' and "overrule". You spent more time with her then you did with Liz. And that's saying something.

(MARIA gets up, MAX then spots LIZ coming over with his drink. He keeps his eyes locked on her, as she heads over to him. MAX braces himself. )

MAX: Hi Liz.

INT. THE EVAN'S HOUSE

(KYLE is standing outside the front door. He is hesitating a bit - reluctant to knock. Finally he does. ISABEL answers. )

ISABEL: Hey Kyle.

KYLE: Hey.

BEAT

KYLE: Can I come in?

INT. EVANS HOUSE - LOUNGE ROOM

(KYLE and ISABEL are both sitting on the couch. )

KYLE: Sorry for coming over. I just felt I had to talk...to someone.

ISABEL: No, it's okay. Everyone is still a little shaken up over...everything. Are you and your dad okay?

KYLE: Were...dealing. To think that we cared for her and put a roof over her head for nothing...

ISABEL: Kyle, it's going to be fine. I think it's time to move on though...it was months ago.

KYLE sighing: Yeah. But look who's talking. How can you get over losing Alex so fast? I mean don't you hate her? Dont you just wanna rip her savage brain out of her skull?

ISABEL: You know for a Buddhist, Kyle, you're pretty violent.

They laugh and start to idly talk.

CUT TO: INT. CRASHDOWN

continued with Max and Liz in the diner

MAX: Can I talk to you?

LIZ sits down, hesitant: Um, Sure.

MAX: I want us to be friends I want to make you understand but I just don't know how.

LIZ: Understand what, Max? You did what you did and now she's gone. (Referring to Tess)

MAX: Just let me explain.

LIZ nods slightly: Fine

BEAT

MAX: When..when you insisted that an alien killed Alex I didn't want to believe you, but I knew in my heart that it was probally the truth. I just didn't want it to be. I was losing everyone. Isabel, you...Tess was the only one who stayed. I know it was a mistake. But...I can't take it back. Liz, I'm sorry.

LIZ: Yeah, me too.

MAX: I know it's hard on you. I just wish...

LIZ gently: You wish it could have been different, I know.

MAX: I know you wish it too Liz. I know we both want it to back to the way it was before you faked sleeping w-

LIZ (cutting in): Oh don't start that again Max! Look what's done is done. Forgive and forget....

MAX: That's what I'm asking you to do.

PAUSE

LIZ: I have to get back to helping Maria

FADE OUT ON MAX'S FACE.

END OF ACT TWO