ACT SEVEN
FADE IN:
EST. SAM'S CABIN - MORNING
Early morning at the ski village.
CUT TO:
INT. SAM'S CABIN
Krupps is visiting Sam. He has pulled the chair up next to
the sofa, where Sam is still lying, covered by the afghan.
KRUPPS
I don't like this, Sam. Are you
sure I can't convince you to go see
the doctor?
She holds out a hand, and he takes it in both of his.
SAM
I'm sure. I just had a bad
reaction to...something. I'll be
fine, I promise.
KRUPPS
It's a good thing Erick got you
back here and tucked in.
SAM
(grimacing)
I guess I didn't get much fence-
mending done. If you see him,
would you ask him to stop by?
KRUPPS
If you think you're up to it.
SAM
(scoffs weakly)
Stop worrying about me. I plan to
be up and back on the slopes by
noon.
By the way Krupps pats her head, it's clear he doesn't quite
believe her.
KRUPPS
I hope so. But I can't help
worrying about you. You really
should have seen a doctor last
night.
She manages a thin but encouraging smile.
SAM
I'm sorry. I'll be all right, I
swear.
Krupps gets up and places the phone on the endtable next to
Sam's head.
KRUPPS
Just call when you're ready for
breakfast. Light, heavy, whatever
you want. Or if you need anything
at all.
He starts to rise, but Sam holds out a hand to stop him.
SAM
There is something I want to talk
to you about...Mr. Krupps.
KRUPPS
(sitting back down)
"Mr. Krupps"? Uh-oh. What
happened to Calvin?
SAM
It's only Calvin if we're not
talking school business.
KRUPPS
(chuckling)
Here you are, sick in bed, and
you're thinking about the school.
He adopts an attentive posture.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
What's on your mind?
SAM
The Student Body Fund.
KRUPPS
Sam, I know you can handle it—
SAM
No, I can't. I figured that out
just by looking at the reports.
It's too big a job for one person.
I don't know if you know how much
the fund has grown since it was
started. There's something like
ten times the amount of money
flowing through, five times the
number of fundraisers, four times
the number of outings—
Krupps holds up a hand.
KRUPPS
(smiling)
Okay, okay, I see your point.
SAM
I need an Assistant Treasurer.
KRUPPS
I can do that. And, knowing you,
you already have someone in mind.
She cocks an eyebrow at him.
KRUPPS (CONT'D)
Well? Don't keep me in suspense.
And as Sam is telling him—
CUT TO:
INT. RESORT HOTEL LOBBY - LATER
Brooke comes out of one of the elevators, and spots Harrison
walking across the lobby.
BROOKE
Harrison!
As she rushes over to him, he looks around as though he were
considering making a run for it; instead he lets her grab his
arm and pull him into a side corridor.
BROOKE (CONT'D)
Okay, Harrison, what's going on?
HARRISON
(neutrally)
Nothing, Brooke. Why do you ask?
She throws her hands up in frustration.
BROOKE
Why—? Because this is supposed to
be a major opportunity to, you
know, have fun, and you've been
avoiding me ever since we got here!
HARRISON
(still toneless)
We've eaten at the same table.
We've skied down the sam slopes. I
know—I saw you.
BROOKE
We haven't talked, we haven't done
anything together!
HARRISON
What is it you'd like to do?
BROOKE
(stomping her foot)
Why are you being like this?
HARRISON
(turning angry)
Brooke, you LIED to me! Sam—Sam's
in trouble, and you're busy
protecting your turf!
BROOKE
No! It wasn't like that!
HARRISON
It's exactly like that! I can't
believe you kept this from me!
What did you think was going to
happen?
BROOKE
The same thing that happens every
time Sam needs you—you'd run off
and play hero. And she'd use that
to manipulate you right back into
her bed.
HARRISON
(laughs shortly)
You know what hurts, Brooke? That
you think that little of me.
BROOKE
(taken aback)
No, I—
HARRISON
Like I'm some lapdog that's just
suppose to come slobbering over
whenever you or Sam call.
BROOKE
You have a history with Sam, a long
history! I was just trying to
protect our relationship.
HARRISON
How? With lies? With
deception? What kind of
relationship is that?
(pause)
Maybe it's all a lie. Maybe you
don't want to help Sam at all.
Maybe you're just waiting for her
to fall, so you can gloat.
BROOKE
No! I want to help Sam! I just
don't think I should have to
sacrifice my boyfriend, my life—
HARRISON
My, my, my. I see clearer all the
time.
He pokes a finger in her chest.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
There she is—the old Brooke. Vain,
shallow, selfish, win-at-all-
costs...
Brooke can only shake her head in mute denial, her face
twisted up.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
You like to me—you get everyone
else to lie to me—and then you
stand there and tell me SAM'S
manipulative?
He storms past her, out towards the lobby and beyond.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
(passing)
Grow up, Brooke.
After he is gone, Brooke sags against the wall, hugging
herself, silent sobs shaking her. After some moments, Lily
comes up to her, concerned.
LILY
Brooke! Are you okay?
Brooke looks at her through strands of hair, and shakes her
head mutely.
LILY (CONT'D)
Oh, Brooke, what happened?
BROOKE
Harrison.
LILY
(suddenly still)
Oh.
Brooke pushes some of the hair out of her eyes.
BROOKE
Go ahead, kick me while I'm down.
God knows it's the thing to do.
LILY
(reproachfully)
Brooke...
BROOKE
You know you want to tell me how
badly I've screwed up with
Harrison.
LILY
Sorry, Dear Abby is not in today.
Brooke looks at her.
BROOKE
There's a "but" stamped across your
forehead the size of New Jersey.
LILY
(smiling briefly)
BUT, Josh and I learned the hard
way what secrets can do to a
relationship.
BROOKE
I was in the hospital then. Too
bad. If I'd paid closer attention,
maybe I would've learned something.
(sighs)
Probably not.
She turns so she is leaning back against the wall, staring up
at the ceiling.
BROOKE (CONT'D)
Sam McPherson, my eternal blind
spot.
At a loss, Lily tries being cheerful.
LILY
Speaking of Josh, wanna come see
him?
BROOKE
Are they letting him out? Sure,
why not?
CUT TO:
INT. INFIRMARY - LATER
Lily and Brooke are sitting in the waiting room when Josh
comes out, assisted by a nurse. He is on crutches and his
right ankle is in a cast. Lily leaps up and rushes over to
him.
JOSH
(grinning)
Hey, Lil. Good thing I'm not still
playing, huh? Coach'd have my hide.
Brooke gets up and joins them.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Oh, hey, Brooke. You shoulda seen
me. There I was, slaloming down
the dimond slope at like top speed.
I was slaloming left, I was
slaloming right, and then all of a
sudden I see this huge mountain
lion, right in front of me, and—
He catches Brooke trying to stiffle a giggle.
JOSH (CONT'D)
(deflated)
—and Lily's already told you what
happened.
LILY
(patting his hand)
Don't worry, honey, it's not like
I'm telling the whole school that
you...tripped over a fern.
JOSH
Thanks, Lil.
Brooke bursts out laughing; but after only a moment the
laughter turns to tears.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Brooke? What is it?
BROOKE
(wiping her eyes)
I'm sorry. You two are very happy.
LILY
(to Josh)
She and Harrison had a fight.
JOSH
Oh... Look, Brooke, you and
Harrison, you'll work it out. I
mean, I admit at first I didn't get
it—I sorta always saw Harrison
ending up with Sam, y'know?
As Brooke's face falls even farther, Lily nudges Josh—none too
gently—in the ribs.
JOSH (CONT'D)
Ow! What I mean is, I get it now.
The two of you, you just click.
Like me and Lily, we're like,
different sides of the universe.
But together, we're...everything,
you know? You and Harrison,
you're like that, too.
BROOKE
You think so?
LILY
(soothing)
Sure you are, Brooke. Anyone can
see it. Just give it a chance—
it'll all work out. You'll see.
(to Josh)
C'mon, honey. We'll get you back
to the room. Then I have to go
look for Natalie.
At the sound of Natalie's name, Brooke groans again.
LILY
(to Lily)
You haven't seen her either?
BROOKE
Not since last night. Somebody
else I just can't get things right
with.
LILY
We'll find her. We'll talk it out.
I'm sure she's just as anxious to
put this in the past as you are.
BROOKE
I wish I was sure.
LILY
(to Josh)
Let's go, big guy.
Josh, flanked by Lily and Brooke, limps out of the infirmary.
CUT TO:
INT. SAM'S CABIN - LATER
Sam is padding around in an unusual getup—terrycloth robe and
slippers—where there is a subdued knock at the door.
SAM
(calling)
Come in!
The door opens; Mr. Osbourne is standing there.
SAM (CONT'D)
Mr. Osbourne—please, come in.
Osbourne steps inside, closing the door. Sam gestures to an
overstuffed chair; he seats himself.
SAM (CONT'D)
Can I get you something?
OSBOURNE
No, please don't trouble yourself.
How are you feeling this morning?
Sam takes a seat on the sofa.
SAM
Much better, thanks.
OSBOURNE
I'm gratified to hear that. I was
afraid I'd erred in not taking you
to the infirmary.
SAM
Thanks for not doing that. I just
needed sleep.
(pause)
I'm sorry. That wasn't supposed to
happen.
OSBOURNE
I hadn't thought that it was. An
unfamiliar drug, or combination of
drugs?
Sam looks at him suspiciously.
OSBOURNE (CONT'D)
(theatrical sigh)
Must we continue to play games? I
am not "wired", if that is what's
worrying you.
SAM
(slightly abashed)
No...
(long pause)
It was...something I hadn't tried
before.
OSBOURNE
(nods)
You understand I'll have to tell
Principal Krupps.
SAM
(mildly)
You don't have any evidence.
OSBOURNE
I have the evidence of my own eyes.
SAM
Calvin won't take your word over
mine.
OSBOURNE
A drug test—
SAM
You can't make me take one. And
he won't.
There is a lull in the conversation as Osbourne considers all
this.
OSBOURNE
Well. You seem to have your bases
covered, as it were.
SAM
I'm sorry. I wish Brooke hadn't
come to you. I wish she hadn't put
you in this position.
OSBOURNE
Interestingly, at times I find
myself in agreement with that
sentiment. As that may be,
however, I AM in this postion, and
I am duty-bound to report what I
know.
SAM
(intent)
Please drop it, Mr. Osbourne.
Please. You'll only end up hurting
yourself, and...I don't want to see
you get hurt.
OSBOURNE
That sounds very much like a
threat.
SAM
(sincerely)
It's not.
Osbourne nods, and rises.
OSBOURNE
I take you at your word. But it
doesn't alter the course of action
I must take.
SAM
I hope you don't. I really do.
Please think about it.
She gets up and moves with him to the door.
OSBOURNE
I must say, this conversation was
not quite what I expected.
SAM
You got me back here safe last
night. I'm grateful. I wish there
was something I could say to make
you stay out of this.
OSBOURNE
I'm afraid there isn't.
Sam opens the door.
SAM
I'm sorry it has to be this way.
OSBOURNE
(stepping outside)
As am I, Miss McPherson, as am I.
After she closes the door, Sam just leans against it tiredly,
a genuinely sorrowful expression clouding her features.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE SAM'S CABIN - CONTINUOUS
As Osbourne steps off the porch and onto the snowy pathway,
his cell phone rings. Without breaking stride, he fishes it
out of his pocket and puts it to his ear.
OSBOURNE
(into the phone)
Hello?... No, not a bad time at
all... I just finished an
interesting conversation with
her... I'm not sure... She seemed
genuinely concerned... You should
continue as planned... You'll just
have to improvise. You appear to
have a talent for it...
Then, for just two sentences, he switches to German:
OSBOURNE (CONT'D) (SUBTITLE)
I have absolute faith in you...
Goodbye.
He tucks the phone back into his coat, and continues on his
way.
CUT TO:
INT. RESORT HOTEL HALLWAY - LATER
The hallway outside Josh and Lily's room: the door to the
room opens, and Brooke backs out, talking to Lily inside.
BROOKE
...I'm just going to stop by my
room and change.
LILY (O.S.)
Okay, Brooke, I'll meet you down in
the lobby.
Brooke closes the door and walks down a stretch of hallway to
her room. She swipes her keycard in the door and steps
inside.
CUT TO:
INT. BROOKE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Brooke walks into her room—and finds Harrison sitting on her
bed. She quickly looks around.
HARRISON
I bought off your roommate.
Anxiety shows on her face. She goes to him and kneels,
looking up at his face.
BROOKE
(tearing up)
Harrison, I—I know you're mad, and,
God, you have every right to be
and to think the worst of me, and—
I know I deserve it, but...I just
don't know how much more I can
take.
He puts a finger to her lips to quiet her.
HARRISON
I think I went overboard this
morning.
BROOKE
No, you nailed it. Vintage Queen
B.
HARRISON
I shouldn't have said you didn't
want to help Sam. I know you do.
BROOKE
Not enough to get her best bud
involved.
HARRISON
Ex-best bud.
BROOKE
Still.
(pause)
God, I must be the most pathetic
creature on Earth.
HARRISON
Hey don't beat yourself up too
much. Save some for the rest of
us.
She reaches up and bats him on the arm, roused, at least
marginally, from her self-pity. She gets to her feet and
sits on the bed beside him.
BROOKE
I can't believe how stupid I was.
How insecure I was. I was so sure
all Sam had to do was whistle, and
you'd go running off.
HARRISON
I guess I can't blame you for
worrying about Sam, after
everything we've been through...
What I don't understand is how you
can have so little faith in me.
Not to just go running off.
BROOKE
I trust YOU, Harrison. I just...
don't trust US, I guess.
She pats him on the knee, trying to be reassuring.
BROOKE (CONT'D)
It's not you, it's me. I guess I
have some work left to do on
myself.
HARRISON
Oh, great, the "it's not you, it's
me" speech.
BROOKE
Harrison!
HARRISON
Sorry, sorry.
BROOKE
So...where does that leave us?
HARRISON
(grimacing)
I don't know.
Brooke leans in to kiss him, but he turns away, and she ends
up pecking his cheek.
BROOKE
(murmurring)
Dj vu.
HARRISON
But no Sam here between us, this
time.
BROOKE
No.
(pause)
What about Natalie?
HARRISON
(embarrassed)
I don't know— We were— I mean,
we were just talking, and— It was
very strange. Believe me, I have
no romantic feelings towards
Natalie.
BROOKE
You're sure? Because it looked
like there was a little feeling
there.
HARRISON
There's only one woman I want, and
she's sitting right here.
Brooke flushes.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
Just—let's not push, okay? I don't
want to just jump into bed, like
sex is the answer for everything.
BROOKE
(nodding emphatically)
Right. Absolutely. No pressure.
HARRISON
Right.
Brooke leans against him.
BROOKE
As long as you're here. God, I
don't think I even realized how
alone I've felt since New Year's.
She turns and, before Harrison can react, she kisses him long
and soft.
HARRISON
(into Brooke's lips)
Brooke?
BROOKE
Mmm?
HARRISON
You're pushing.
BROOKE
(breaking away)
Oh. Sorry.
However, she then begins to plant quick kisses on his lips.
Finally he holds her at arm's length.
HARRISON
I think I'd better go.
BROOKE
(pouting)
Sure?
HARRISON
(laughing nervously)
Brooke, if you keep this up, your
roommate's going to be in for quite
a surprise.
BROOKE
Harrison...
He takes her face in his hands and plants a smooch on her
lips.
HARRISON
No. Pushing.
BROOKE
Grrr. All right.
HARRISON
(patiently)
I'm not running off to Sam.
Brooke shakes her head obediently.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
You and me, we're going to work on
making this thing between us right.
Brooke nods. Harrison plants one more kiss on her forehead.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
Okay. I'll see you later.
He releases her face, stands up and retreats. After the
sound of the door marks his departure, a dreamy grin covers
Brooke's face. She falls back onto the bed, throwing her
fists into the air.
BROOKE
Yes!
CUT TO:
EXT. SKI LODGE PARKING LOT - LATE AFTERNOON
The yellow school buses are back, being loaded for the trip
home. Ms. Ross is standing near one of the buses, clipboard
in hand, when Mr. Osbourne saunters up, hands in pockets.
OSBOURNE
Good afternoon, Ms. Ross. Ready to
return to the humdrum of city life?
ROSS
I'm just a city girl at heart, Mr.
Osbourne. What about you? You
must be anxious to get back to
civilization.
OSBOURNE
Actually, I've found the entire
experience refreshing.
ROSS
Really? I don't think I saw you on
the slopes.
OSBOURNE
Of course not. I don't ski.
Ms. Ross thinks that over for a moment, and decides not to try
to figure it out.
ROSS
Should we compare notes?
OSBOURNE
Principal Krupps mentioned his
meeting with you.
ROSS
Well, I didn't get anywhere. Told
me he was treating Miss McPherson
like any trusted advisor, and
anyone who didn't like how it
looked could just go shove it.
OSBOURNE
Indeed.
ROSS
He may not have used those exact
words, but that's what he was
saying. And he DID say "trusted
advisor".
OSBOURNE
He said much the same thing to me.
I confess to being puzzled in the
extreme.
Ms. Ross waits for him to expound on that thought.
ROSS
Okay, why?
OSBOURNE
These days, the appearance of
impropriety—even a hint of such an
appearance—is fearsome enough to
cause educators to take sometimes
ludicrous actions. Yet far from
shying away, Mr. Krupps seems to be
inviting such appearances. I would
be very much interested in
discovering WHY our principal is
so doggedly unconcerned.
ROSS
Well, what did he say when you told
him about...you know.
OSBOURNE
I didn't tell him.
ROSS
What? But—
OSBOURNE
It's been pointed out to me that I
have no concrete evidence of Miss
McPherson's wrong-doing. And in
current circumstances, my word
alone is unlikely to carry the day.
Therefore I thought it wiser not
to make the accusation.
ROSS
I guess that makes sense. But then
what do we do?
OSBOURNE
We require proof; we shall simply
have to obtain it.
ROSS
Yeah, right, "simply". Simply HOW?
OSBOURNE
By having patience, Ms. Ross. I am
already employing certain...
measures...towards this end.
ROSS
I'm not asking. I know you love
discretion, and I'm sure whatever
your devious little mind has cooked
up, it'll do the job.
OSBOURNE
Safe trip, then.
And as he walks away:
OSBOURNE (CONT'D)
"Devious little mind"... Really,
Ms. Ross...
Behind him, Ms. Ross' laughter floats on the thin air.
CUT TO:
EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE PARKING LOT
Lily climbs off one of the buses and joins Brooke at curbside.
BROOKE
Did you get Josh squared away?
LILY
Oh, he's fine.
BROOKE
Still spreading the mountain lion
story?
LILY
(rolling her eyes)
Of course. Now—finish telling me
about you and Harrison. You
didn't—did you?
BROOKE
(grins)
No. If it'd been up to me...but
Harrison doesn't want to push. I'm
gonna work on him, though.
LILY
I have to say, Brooke, you sound so
much better.
BROOKE
I FEEL so much better. I realized
I was obsessing over Sam so much, I
wasn't giving any credit to
Harrison. Or myself. We could
have this really wonderful
relationship, something we never
had before. And it just has to be
about US. Not anybody else.
LILY
Wow, Brooke.
BROOKE
I just realized that Sam isn't a
threat, unless I let her be one.
(excited)
I'm telling you, Lily, the way
Harrison and I started to
connect... It's like I've been in
this long, dark tunnel for weeks
now—but I think I finally see a
light.
LILY
I'm so happy for you, Brooke.
BROOKE
Now all I have to do is fix things
with—
LILY
(looking over Brooke's
shoulder)
Natalie.
Brooke turns, and sure enough, Natalie is standing a few yards
away.
BROOKE
(holind out her hands)
Natalie, I know you're probably
pissed as hell, but just hear me
out, okay? I've been really
frazzled for a while now, and I
took it out on you, and it was
wrong. I should've listened to
you, and not said all those things.
And I'm really sorry for yelling at
you last night. That was totally
wrong of me. I know you're as
worried about Sam as the rest of
us, and it was stupid of me to shut
you out. And I hope we can just
put this behind us.
A long silence.
LILY
(uncertainly)
Natalie?
NATALIE
(flat)
Okay.
BROOKE
Okay?
NATALIE
You're right, anyway.
Brooke shakes her head, uncomprehending.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
About being honest.
Brooke and Lily's growing discomfort is clear.
LILY
Natalie, what's going on?
Natalie doesn't seem to hear her, being focused on Brooke.
NATALIE
You know what a friend of mine
said? A friend of mine said, if I
could take Harrison away from you,
more power to me.
(cold)
I think my friend is right.
Horrified expressions spread across the girls' faces.
LILY
Natalie...you can't mean that...
For the first time, Natalie turns her attention to Lily.
NATALIE
I may not be Nicole, but that
doesn't mean I don't know what I
want. Or how to get it.
Her eyes, hard and icy, flick back to Brooke.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
So let's see how long you can hang
onto Harrison. 'Cause I'm betting,
it won't be as long as you think.
Brooke looks as though she's been hit with a stun gun.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
(casually)
You know, I'm glad we got a chance
to talk this out now. I'm going to
be too busy with my new job from
now on to waste time with idle
chit-chat in the halls.
BROOKE
(choking)
New...job...?
Natalie gives her a smug nod.
NATALIE
Assistant Treasurer of the Student
Body General Fund.
As if on cue, even as Brooke and Lily's stunned minds are
processing that last statement, Sam shows up behind Natalie,
putting a hand on her shoulder as though they were life-long
friends.
SAM
Hey, Nat! I asked Calvin, and he
said you riding down with us was
no problem.
(lower)
Told ya.
NATALIE
(chipper)
Okay, then. You ready to take off?
SAM
Yep. You?
Natalie throws Brooke a haughty, dismissive glance.
NATALIE
I'm done here.
SAM
Then let's go.
Sam gives Brooke and Lily her own self-satisfied smirk; then
she and Natalie are off, playfully chattering like sisters.
Brooke and Lily, shell-shocked, and only stand and watch.
LILY
Uh...Brooke? About that light in
your tunnel...?
BROOKE
(nodding absently)
It's a train.
FADE TO BLACK.
END OF ACT SEVEN
THE END