ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EST. THE DINER - MORNING
SUPER: "SATURDAY"
CUT TO:
INT. THE DINER
Harrison is sitting in a window booth, nursing a soft drink.
He checks his wristwatch.
INSERT: HARRISON'S WATCH
which reads 10:02.
When he looks back up, Sam is standing there.
SAM
(subdued)
Hey.
HARRISON
Uh...hey.
Sam takes a seat across from Harrison. For a long few
moments, there is nothing but silence between them.
HARRISON (CONT'D)
I'm um... I'm not sure...
I don't know if this is a
good idea.
SAM
Probably not.
Sam refuses to make eye contact with him, instead focusing
on the tabletop.
HARRISON
I mean, I don't even really
know what I'm doing here.
SAM
Makes two of us.
HARRISON
(pointedly)
This was YOUR idea.
SAM
(still looking
down)
True.
Sam looks up as a waitress approaches the table.
SAM (CONT'D)
(to the waitress)
Coffee.
When the waitress withdraws, Sam turns to staring out the
window. Harrison looks at her helplessly.
HARRISON
Sam...you gotta give me a
little help here. What do
you want?
SAM
(scornful)
What do I want?
She tears herself away from the window and focuses on him.
SAM (CONT'D)
What do I WANT? I want to
turn the clock back to last
summer and get my life back.
That's what I want.
HARRISON
Sam—
SAM
I was happy, you know. I
didn't need a job, or...
other stuff. I had
YOU.
HARRISON
I know. But—
Sam laughs—an extremely unpleasant sound.
SAM
But.
(pause)
There's Brooke. You love
Brooke. Brooke, Brooke,
Brooke.
She slams her palm down on the table, making him jump.
SAM (CONT'D)
All that time... There I
was, being the supportive
sister, and all that time
the two of you were getting
it on behind my back—!
She breaks off as the waitress approaches and sets a coffee
cup down in front of her. After she is gone, Sam takes a
sip, then stares at Harrison again.
SAM (CONT'D)
How long did it take after
she came home from the
hospital for her to jump
you?
HARRISON
(sighs)
It didn't happen that way.
SAM
(cold)
Let me rephrase: how long
did it take for YOU to jump
HER?
HARRISON
Sam, I wish you wouldn't
talk like that...
SAM
Why not?
HARRISON
You make it sound...
SAM
What? Dirty? It IS dirty!
I FEEL dirty thinking about
it! My boyfriend and my
step-sister sleeping
together under my nose!
How's it SUPPOSED to sound?
She pulls a bottle out of her bag, uncaps it, and shakes out
a couple of pills. Harrison reaches out to stop her, but
she shrugs him off.
HARRISON
Don't.
SAM
Like you care.
Sam pops the pills into her mouth, and washes them down with
her coffee.
HARRISON
I don't understand, Sam...
How can you do this to
yourself?
SAM
It doesn't hurt anything.
HARRISON
The hell it doesn't! And
don't you dare say I don't
care! I wouldn't be here if
I didn't!
SAM
Stop it! Just stop lying to
me!
HARRISON
Sam, I swear to God... I
have never stopped caring
about you.
Sam now seems slightly unfocused, partially retreated into a
private space.
SAM
(distant)
...why...?
HARRISON
(puzzled)
Why do I care about you? I
just...do.
SAM
...why did...was I...?
She looks up at him, teary-eyed.
SAM (CONT'D)
What did I do wrong?
Harrison slumps as he figures out what she's talking about.
HARRISON
Nothing, Sam! You didn't do
anything wrong.
SAM
I must have done SOMETHING!
Harrison gets up and moves around the table to sit next to
Sam.
HARRISON
Sam, it just... It's got
nothing to do with you.
SAM
It's okay. I just want to
know, you know? Why you...
why you stopped loving me.
Harrison looks positively crushed as he realizes that
there's nothing he can say to make Sam feel better. He
settles for just wrapping an arm around her and letting her
lean against him.
CUT TO:
INT. A LINGERIE SHOP - LATER
Natalie is lingerie shopping, pulling various outfits off
the racks and holding them up critically. Suddenly she
comes face-to-face with Lily, and they both jump.
NATALIE
Lily! What are you doing
here?
She recognizes how that sounds even before Lily turns an
insulted expression on her.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
I mean... I just meant, you
don't seem—
LILY
Look, Natalie, I know that
my body type isn't the
stereotypical six-foot
supermodel—
NATALIE
No, no, I mean...you're
married, right? You don't
need sexy lingerie and all
that stuff.
LILY
(sagely)
Maintaining a romantic
atmosphere is essential to a
healthy marriage.
NATALIE
Oh. Okay.
Natalie takes a sheer camisole and models it for herself in
front of a mirror.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
(off-handedly)
You think Harrison would
like this?
LILY
Any man with a pulse would
like THAT. But, Natalie...
Natalie turns to face Lily.
LILY (CONT'D)
I know you have a date with
Harrison tonight.
NATALIE
(coy)
Mm-hmm.
LILY
He said you were going to
the movies.
NATALIE
Kinda.
LILY
Are you looking for
something to wear?
NATALIE
(still coy)
Maybe.
LILY
(doubtful)
To the movies?
Natalie waggles her eyebrows at her; Lily stops and
considers for a moment.
LILY (CONT'D)
(to herself)
I'm gonna regret getting
involved...
(to Natalie)
Natalie, do you really hate
Brooke that much?
Natalie's kittenish veneer vanishes instantly; she turns to
Lily, completely sober-faced.
NATALIE
This isn't about Brooke.
That takes Lily aback.
LILY
But...before, you said...
NATALIE
I know, when I first got
acquainted with the bitchy
side of Brooke McQueen, I
was a little pissed—okay, I
was a LOT pissed—and I said
some things, and Sam said
some things... But, Lily,
I'm not dating Harrison to
get back at Brooke, or
because Sam wants me to.
I'm dating Harrison because
I want to. Because he's
funny, and smart, and he
gets the cutest lost-dog
look on his face when he's
embarrassed, and—
LILY
—and you really like him.
NATALIE
Yeah.
Lily looks away, resigned.
LILY
This is an apocalypse
waiting to happen.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE DINER - LATER
Harrison and Sam are leaving the diner; Sam is leaning on
Harrison just a bit.
SAM
It's okay. You don't have
to tell me.
HARRISON
Sam, I'm serious. It has
nothing to do with you.
It's...I can't explain it,
but it's not you.
SAM
(playing along)
Okay.
Harrison sighs, knowing he hasn't convinced her. They stop,
face to face, on the sidewalk.
At that moment, Brooke comes walking down the other side of
the street. She stops cold and her jaw drops when she spots
them. Harrison and Sam, occupied with each other, don't
notice her. Before Brooke can either advance or retreat,
she is grabbed by the arm and pulled into the shelter of a
doorway by—Carmen.
CARMEN
Brooke, what are you doing
here? Are you checking up
on me?
BROOKE
(rattled)
What?
CARMEN
I have to tell you, I'm
really uncomfortable doing
this.
Brooke is looking over Carmen's shoulder at Harrison and
Sam.
CARMEN (CONT'D)
Brooke? Brooke, are you
listening to me?
BROOKE
(distracted)
Yeah...
Carmen twists around to see what Brooke is looking at.
CARMEN
Oh...yeah.
Meanwhile, in front of the diner:
SAM
I gotta go.
She starts to move past Harrison, but he puts his hands on
her shoulders to stop her.
HARRISON
Whoa, Sam. I don't think
you should be driving.
SAM
Why not?
Harrison gives her a "you know" look.
SAM (CONT'D)
Oh, come on! It was a
couple of pills! I do it
all the time.
HARRISON
Sam, are you even listening
to yourself?
SAM
I'm NOT high—it's just a
little buzz.
Harrison holds out his hand stubbornly.
HARRISON
Give me the keys. I'll
drive you home.
SAM
I told you—you don't have
to act like you care.
HARRISON
(intently)
Sam—I DO care. I will
ALWAYS care.
She looks at him curiously.
SAM
You really mean that, don't
you?
HARRISON
Yes, Sam, I really mean it.
I swear.
Suddenly she leans in and gives him a kiss on the lips—a
chaste kiss, but one which, just for an instant, threatens
to become something more. But before Harrison can react,
she pulls away. Then she drops her keys into his hand.
From across the street, Brooke watches them. Carmen waves a
hand in front of her face worriedly.
CARMEN
Brooke? Are you okay?
Brooke shifts her gaze to Carmen long enough to take her
hands and smile reassuringly.
BROOKE
Carmen, I'm fine. I can
handle it.
But then she looks back across the street, and sees Harrison
and Sam walking to her car, with Harrison getting behind the
wheel. She grits her teeth and clenches her hands—which,
unfortunately, are still holding Carmen's.
CARMEN
Uh, Brooke...my hands,
you're—ow! Brooke! Let go
of my—ow, ow!
CUT TO:
INT. OUTSIDE SAM'S APARTMENT - LATER
Sam walks down the hallway. She stops at her door, but
notices that Jaycee's door is slightly ajar. She steps over
quietly and peeks inside.
CUT TO:
INT. JAYCEE'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Jaycee is on the phone, fidgeting and pacing.
JAYCEE
(into the phone)
...yes, Mr. Manzetti, I...
No, I understand, but...if
you could just give me...
but, I can't... Please,
Mr. Manzetti, I just
need...no...yes, I know
that, but...
The conversation abruptly ends; Jaycee, shaking, hangs up
the phone and collapses on the couch. Sam comes in and
rushes over to her.
SAM
(hugging Jaycee)
Don't worry. We'll figure
out how to deal with this.
JAYCEE
(sobbing)
How? I don't have any
money!
Sam hesitates.
SAM
I hate to ask, but... Is
there any way your family
could...?
Jaycee shakes her head miserably.
JAYCEE
They're...we don't... My
family's worse than yours.
Believe it or not.
SAM
I'm sorry for asking. If
we're on our own, so be it.
We're not giving up.
Jaycee manages a tiny smile through her sniffles as she
curls up against Sam. Sam, looking over Jaycee's head,
spies a scrap of paper on the arm of the couch.
INSERT: THE PAPER
on which is written "M" and a phone number.
Sam reaches out and deftly snatches up the paper without
Jaycee noticing.
CUT TO:
EXT. KRUPPS' HOUSE - LATER
Sam walks up to the front doors, laptop under her arm, and
lets herself in.
CUT TO:
INT. SAM'S ROOM - LATER
The room Sam is staying in is obviously a guest room,
although a few personal touches have been added. Sam is
sitting at a small, functional desk, tapping away at her
laptop intently.
INSERT: THE LAPTOP SCREEN
A bank's website, showing the school's accounts.
While studying the screen, Sam picks up her cell phone and
makes a call.
SAM
(into the phone)
Hey, it's Sam. Are you
busy?... Great. Want to
get together?... No, I was
thinking more about work...
Come over to Mr. Krupps'
place, and I'll show you
some things.
CUT TO:
EXT. A STREET - LATER
Harrison is strolling down the street when his cell phone
rings. He digs it out and puts it to his ear.
HARRISON
(into the phone)
Hello?
CUT TO:
INT. BROOKE'S ROOM
Brooke is sitting cross-legged on her bed, holding her
phone.
BROOKE
(into the phone)
Harrison! It's Brooke.
INTERCUT BETWEEN HARRISON AND BROOKE
HARRISON
(a bit flustered)
Oh, hey, Brooke.
BROOKE
So—how was your morning?
HARRISON
Uh...uneventful.
Wrong answer; Brooke's face darkens. But her voice remains
casual.
BROOKE
Nothing interesting
happened?
HARRISON
Nope, um, nothing worth
talking about.
Brooke lowers the phone for a moment and takes a deep
breath, trying to control her anger.
BROOKE
Look, Harrison... I really
don't feel like doing
anything today. Maybe I'll
just see you at school
Monday, okay?
HARRISON
Oh, well, uh, okay.
Brooke hangs up without saying goodbye. Harrison stares at
his phone for a moment, then places a call of his own.
CUT TO:
INT. KRUPPS' DINING ROOM
Sam is sitting at the table in this bright, airy room. Next
to her is Natalie. The laptop is open between them.
SAM
...and after you make the
vendor payment, you have to
remember to update this
spreadsheet. Otherwise
everything gets out of
whack.
Krupps walks in.
KRUPPS
How are you girls doing?
SAM
I'm showing her all the
boring stuff.
Krupps fingers Natalie's brightly multi-colored scarf, which
is draped over a nearby chair.
KRUPPS
That's a nice scarf.
Cashmere?
NATALIE
(nods)
Found it in a little shop in
Bern.
KRUPPS
I didn't know you'd been to
Switzerland.
NATALIE
(embarrassed)
Just once.
Natalie points at the laptop screen.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
What's that?
INSERT: THE LAPTOP SCREEN
The password box has popped up again.
SAM
New security system.
She reaches out and types in the password.
SAM (CONT'D)
If you ever need the
password, Mr. Krupps keeps
it in his desk.
(glancing at
Krupps)
Don't tell anyone.
KRUPPS
Well, I'm going to fix iced
tea. Would you like some?
NATALIE
Sure. Thanks.
SAM
Thanks.
After Krupps goes into the kitchen, Sam turns to Natalie.
SAM (CONT'D)
Nat, there's something else
I wanted to talk to you
about.
NATALIE
What?
SAM
Harrison.
Natalie's face scrunches up.
NATALIE
What about Harrison?
SAM
You know what I said about
going after Harrison to
spite Brooke?
NATALIE
Yeah?
SAM
Well... I've been thinking
about it—and I don't really
think it's a good idea
anymore.
NATALIE
(neutrally)
You don't.
SAM
(casual)
It's just, Brooke isn't
worth the trouble, you know?
You shouldn't be dating
Harrison just for spite.
NATALIE
So...you think I shouldn't
try to get Harrison to go
out with me.
SAM
Right. Don't even worry
about it.
NATALIE
(shrugging)
Okay.
SAM
(relieved)
Great.
There is a loud crash from the kitchen, making both girls
turn in their chairs.
KRUPPS (O.S.)
Sam? Could you give me a
hand for a minute?
SAM
Coming!
Sam gets up and trots into the kitchen. Natalie turns back
to the laptop—but then her cell phone rings. She pulls it
out and flips it open.
NATALIE
(into the phone)
Hello?
HARRISON (V.O.)
(on the phone)
Hi, Natalie.
Natalie jumps up, grinning.
NATALIE
Harrison!
HARRISON (V.O.)
Hey. Can we, uh, get
together and talk?
NATALIE
Ah, sure.
(frowning)
Harrison, you're not trying
to get out of our date
tonight, are you?
HARRISON (V.O.)
Well—
NATALIE
Oh, please don't. I've been
really looking forward to
it.
HARRISON (V.O.)
I just think we should talk.
NATALIE
I don't know if this is a
good idea...but okay.
HARRISON (V.O.)
Meet me in front of the food
court at the mall.
NATALIE
I'll be there. Just—
promise me that you're not
going to back out of our
date, okay, Harrison?
There's a measurable pause on the other end.
HARRISON (V.O.)
Yeah. I promise.
NATALIE
All right, good. I'm on my
way.
Natalie closes her phone, happy again. She doesn't see Sam
standing in the doorway behind her, looking seriously pissed
off. After waiting a couple of moments, Sam puts a pleasant
expression on her face and noisily walks in, carrying two
glasses of iced tea. Natalie turns when she hears her.
SAM
(innocent)
Did I hear your phone?
Natalie looks a bit guilty, but covers it quickly.
NATALIE
Oh, yeah, uh, that was my
mom. She wants me to meet
her. I hope you don't mind
me skipping out on you.
SAM
No, no, it's fine, go.
(pause)
Hey, you understand, right?
About Harrison.
NATALIE
Oh—yeah. I understand
perfectly.
Natalie beats a hasty retreat from the room. Sam smiles
after her as she leaves—her expression turning cold after
Natalie is gone. Turning back to the table, she sees that
Natalie has forgotten her scarf, which is still draped over
the chair. Sam picks it up and winds it around her hands
tightly, steaming.
Krupps walks up behind her.
KRUPPS
Did Natalie leave?
Sam glances back at him for a moment, betraying no sign of
her rage.
SAM
(casual)
Yeah. She had places to go.
She turns away, and her face clouds over again.
SAM (CONT'D)
(to herself)
...people to stab in the
back.
DISSOLVE TO:
EST. THE MALL - AFTERNOON
A stock exterior shot of the local Galleria.
CUT TO:
INT. THE FOOD COURT
Natalie and Harrison are sitting at a table by the entrance,
with a couple of soft drinks and a basket of fries between
them. Very 50's.
NATALIE
I was surprised you called.
Usually I have to chase you
down.
HARRISON
I don't want you to get the
wrong idea.
NATALIE
What idea would that be?
HARRISON
Well...that...you know, that
we're, that I'm—
NATALIE
Interested?
HARRISON
Yes! I mean, no! I mean—
look, I like you, okay?
And, I don't know, if there
wasn't anyone else, then,
maybe...
NATALIE
(prompting)
Maybe?
HARRISON
(shaking his head)
It doesn't matter. It's
just not—there are so many
reasons why this thing with
us won't work.
NATALIE
Okay, stop. It's not a
"thing," okay? It's just a
movie.
HARRISON
It's more than just a movie.
NATALIE
(sighs)
Okay, but for today it's
just a movie. So, it can
work today, right?
Harrison looks indecisive.
NATALIE (CONT'D)
Please?
Finally, Harrison sighs a surrender.
HARRISON
Fine. It's just a movie.
NATALIE
Great! Remember, my place,
eleven-forty-five.
HARRISON
Isn't that cutting it a
little close?
NATALIE
It'll be fine.
CUT TO:
EST. SAM'S APARTMENT BUILDING - LATER
Sam's car is parked out front.
CUT TO:
INT. JAYCEE'S APARTMENT
Reyanna opens the door and lets Sam in.
SAM
Where's Jaycee?
Reyanna nods towards the bathroom door. She looks haggard
and drawn.
REYANNA
I'm scared, Sam. She's
really...
She pulls Sam's pill bottle out of her pocket, and presses
it into Sam's hand.
REYANNA (CONT'D)
Here, take these.
SAM
Why?
REYANNA
She's...one minute she's
talking about leaving town,
and... I don't know what
she's gonna do.
SAM
It's that bad?
Reyanna nods solemnly. Sam walks over to the bathroom door
and knocks.
JAYCEE (O.S.)
(from behind the
door)
Go away!
SAM
Jaycee, it's Sam!
JAYCEE (O.S.)
Go away!
SAM
Come on, Jaycee! Just open
the door and let me in,
okay?
JAYCEE (O.S.)
No! I don't want you here!
SAM
(reasonably)
You don't mean that.
The door flies open and Jaycee comes storming out, making
Sam back up. Jaycee looks like a complete wreck.
JAYCEE
Yes I do! I want you to get
out and never come back!
SAM
Jaycee—
Without warning, Jaycee goes completely psycho, wailing on
Sam with her fists.
JAYCEE
No! Get out! OUT! OUT,
OUT, OUT!
Stunned by Jaycee's hysterics, Sam allows herself to be
pushed out of the apartment.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Sam is pressed up against the hallway wall, collecting
herself, when the door to Jaycee's apartment opens and
Reyanna peeks out. She spots Sam and slips through the
doorway, closing the door quietly behind her.
REYANNA
She doesn't mean it. She's
just scared. And she
doesn't want anything to
happen to you.
Sam doesn't answer, but she does touch Reyanna's arm before
walking away.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SAM'S CAR - LATER
Sam is sitting in the driver's seat of her car, which isn't
moving. Lying on the passenger seat are her laptop and
Natalie's scarf. She gives them both a long, hard look.
Then she reaches over and flips open the laptop, punching a
few keys.
INSERT: THE LAPTOP SCREEN
Again showing account lists and balance sheets, but focusing
in on a bold total figure, which is something over $20,000.
Sam pulls out her cell phone and the slip of paper from
Jaycee's, and dials.
SAM
(into the phone)
This is Sam McPherson...
Yes, Jaycee's friend...
Nevermind with the friendly
warnings. Just tell your
employer that I can get him
his money.
BLACK OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
