ACT FOUR
INT. DILAURENTIS-FIELDS HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING
Emily and Aria sit under a blanket on the couch. They've both changed into t-shirts and sweatpants. Emily's eyes are red-rimmed from crying and her hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun - the exact opposite of the glowing, beautiful bride from earlier in the day.
Aria's flipping through channels. She's trying to act light-hearted and normal for Emily's sake, but her eyes are worried.
ARIA
We need something trashy. Do you want The Bachelor or the Kardashians?
EMILY
Whatever you want.
Her words are dull and void of emotion. Aria sets down the remote with a sigh, then reaches over and hugs Emily's arm tightly.
We PAN OVER to Spencer and Hanna, standing near the doorway to the dining room. They're huddled together, speaking in low voices.
HANNA
So you think it was suicide?
SPENCER
That's what the warden said.
Hanna raises an eyebrow dubiously, tilting her head and giving Spencer a wry smile.
HANNA
That's not what I asked.
Spencer lets out a breath, looking completely exhausted. She moves further into the DINING ROOM and runs her hand along the bridesmaid dresses that are piled on the back of one of the chairs.
SPENCER
I'm not sure what to think. They're doing an autopsy, but it won't be complete for a few days.
Hanna shoots a covert glance into the living room. Aria has pulled out a fashion magazine, and both she and Emily are looking through it.
HANNA
Either way, she was dead this afternoon, right?
Spencer's face turns a shade paler. She looks more disgusted than sad.
SPENCER
This afternoon, maybe this morning...they couldn't say.
Hanna gives Spencer a purposeful look. Spencer frowns and leans against the dining room table.
SPENCER (CONT'D)
What are you getting at?
Hanna steps closer, lowering her voice to practically a whisper.
HANNA
Well, if Alex was already dead, that means she couldn't have...you know, done anything to Ali. Right?
SPENCER
So what? You think Emily's right? That Ali skipped out on the wedding?
Hanna sighs dramatically, shaking her head.
HANNA
I don't know anymore.
She turns her head to gaze over at Emily and Aria. Her mouth turns down.
HANNA (CONT'D)
Poor Em.
SPENCER
If Alison really did run off, I don't know how she's going to deal with this.
Her eyes lock onto a framed picture of Alison, Emily, Lily, and Grace on the wall. The babies are mid-laugh, and Emily and Alison are beaming at each other.
Spencer grimaces and turns away just as the doorbell chimes. She and Hanna look at each other in surprise. Aria and Emily twist around from the couch.
ARIA
Did either of you invite someone over?
Hanna and Spencer both shake their heads.
HANNA
Maybe it's your mom, Em.
EMILY
She's supposed to be keeping the girls overnight.
The doorbell chimes again. The girls all exchange hesitant looks, but finally Spencer cautiously walks over and pulls it open - to reveal Mona standing on the other side. She nods in greeting.
MONA
Spencer.
Spencer's expression registers shock for just a moment before she manages to compose herself.
SPENCER
Yeah, now's really not a good time.
She starts to shut the door, but Mona sticks out her hand, holding it open.
MONA
You don't even know why I'm here.
SPENCER
Knowing you, it's not for anything innocent. Maybe you haven't heard, but Emily's not exactly having the best day.
Mona's expression softens just slightly.
MONA
Yes. I heard. That's why I'm here.
Spencer's mouth twists dubiously.
SPENCER
Look, if you're here to rub salt in the wound -
MONA
I do more than bluesnarf and rock a black hoodie, Spencer. Ever think I might actually want to make sure Emily's okay?
Her eyes are blazing, and her words are so vehement that Spencer doesn't know what to say.
HANNA (O.S.)
Spencer, who is it?
Spencer whips her head around to glance back into the living room. Then she turns back to Mona, looking caught off-guard as well as dubious now. Mona raises her eyebrows, waiting.
Spencer heaves a sigh and steps to the side with some reluctance, gesturing for her to enter. Mona smiles and walks inside. Aria and Hanna, who are standing beside the couch, stare in disbelief. Emily barely reacts. Her eyes are still glassy and faraway. Mona attempts to move toward her, but Aria steps in her way.
ARIA
I really hope you have a damn good explanation for what you're doing here.
Mona gives her a condescending look, like she's dealing with a difficult toddler.
MONA
How many times am I going to have to repeat myself? I'm here to check up on Emily.
Aria looks unconvinced.
ARIA
So we're supposed to believe that out of the goodness of your heart -
HANNA
Aria. Stop.
She walks over and puts her hand on Aria's arm. Aria raises her eyebrows as if to say, "What is wrong with you?" Hanna just shrugs. Aria relents, folding her arms and watching as Mona walks over and sits down on the sofa beside Emily.
MONA
How are you holding up, sweetie?
Her voice is surprisingly gentle. Emily gives a sarcastic but slightly choked laugh.
EMILY
I'm great. Just awesome.
She takes the wine glass from the table and downs the rest of it in one gulp. Spencer immediately grabs the wine bottle from the dining room and goes to pour her another glass. Hanna takes a seat on Emily's other side and Aria perches on the arm of the sofa. Mona looks around at everyone.
MONA
And I'm guessing no one's heard from her?
Spencer sets the wine bottle on the coffee table and folds her arms.
SPENCER
Nope. Not a word.
ARIA
We've tried texting her, calling her...
Hanna throws out her arms.
HANNA
Either Ali's suddenly sworn off technology, or she fell off the face of the earth.
Emily sniffs, running a hand over her face.
EMILY
Or the third option: She left me. She skipped out on our wedding and she's not coming back.
MONA
Maybe.
Emily gives her a hurt glare. Hanna sits back as Spencer and Aria exchange an angry look.
HANNA
Mona!
SPENCER
Are you serious?
Mona doesn't react to their outbursts. She's gazing around the room intently, her eyes slightly narrowed.
MONA
Or maybe not.
She stands and immediately rushes across the room, staring at something close to ground-level. The other girls watch her, startled and suspicious.
ARIA
What are you doing?
Mona kneels down beside a vent in the wall. She runs her hand along it with a hint of a smile.
MONA
Didn't any of you notice? There's a bolt missing from the vent cover.
Aria and Hanna exchange a freaked-out look - why would they notice? Spencer furrows her brow and moves closer as Emily grabs a pillow and hugs it to her chest.
EMILY
Why do you care about a stupid air vent?
MONA
Because it's not just being used as an air vent. I think there's something in there.
She feels around the edges of the vent cover, then smiles triumphantly.
MONA (CONT'D)
This bolt's loose, too.
She carefully removes another screw from the vent and sets it down. Then she lifts the vent cover and reaches inside, feeling around blindly as the others watch.
SPENCER
What does this have to do with anything?
HANNA
Yeah, Mona, even if there is something in there, who cares? It's probably just some piece of trash.
But Emily sits up slowly, tossing the pillow aside. Her eyes have grown wide with realization, and she lets out a gasp as Mona pulls a small, ornate brown box from inside the vent.
EMILY
Ali used to use the vent in her room as a hiding place.
ARIA
A hiding place for what?
EMILY
Come on. We all know that Ali used to collect secrets like most people collect stamps.
HANNA
Okay, but why is she still stashing secrets around your house?
Emily shakes her head helplessly. Her eyes start to fill with tears again. The entire Alison that she knows has started to crumble around her.
EMILY
I don't know.
Spencer moves to stand beside Mona, staring down at the box. She runs her finger along the top.
SPENCER
There's no dust. She had this out recently.
HANNA
Can somebody just open the stupid thing already?
Mona digs her nails under the box's lid and attempts to pry it open, but it's shut tight.
MONA
Hold on.
She carefully slides a bobby pin out of her hair, straightens it, and begins picking the lock on the front side of the box. Emily rises to her feet, her face paling.
EMILY
Wait. I don't know if I want to see this.
Aria wraps an arm around her shoulders.
ARIA
Em, we have to know what this is about. We're right here with you.
MONA
Got it.
She drops the bobby pin and starts to open the lid of the box, then stops and raises her eyebrows at Emily as if to say, "Should I?" Emily swallows hard and and gives a short nod. Hanna grabs her hand as Mona and Spencer peer into the now-open box.
SPENCER
Oh my God.
MONA
This is not what I was expecting.
EMILY
What is it?
She breaks away from Aria and Hanna and rushes over to them. Everyone gathers around the box and peers inside to see the five figurines from A.D.'s board game, slightly chipped but mostly intact.
The CAMERA PANS AROUND the girls as they exchange looks of shock and confusion. Then we PAN IN once more on the figurines before we -
FADE TO BLACK
INT. DILAURENTIS-FIELDS HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Emily and Hanna lie side-by-side in bed, asleep. Emily is curled on her side. Her eyes are still puffy from crying. Hanna rolls onto her back as we PAN ACROSS THE ROOM.
INT. DILAURENTIS-FIELDS HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Spencer, Aria, and Mona are gathered around the kitchen island. The five board game figurines are scattered on the counter in front of them, along with the now-empty box. Mona's inspecting the Hanna figurine like she's looking for clues. Spencer is watching her with folded arms. Aria is biting her thumbnail, looking sick to her stomach.
ARIA
There has to be an explanation for this, right?
SPENCER
There's an explanation for everything. It just might not be one we want to hear.
Mona sets down the figurine and gives them both a crazy look.
MONA
You two don't really think there's more than one possible story behind this, do you?
ARIA
What do you mean?
MONA
Come on. Alison has the pieces from A.D.'s twisted boardgame locked up in one of her old secret hideaways, and Emily doesn't know a thing about them? It's not rocket science.
Spencer and Aria exchange a look. They both know what she's getting at, but neither one of them wants to entertain the possibility.
SPENCER
We shouldn't jump to any conclusions.
Aria hesitates, running her finger along the figurine of herself.
ARIA
Look, Spence, I know you and Ali have gotten really close, but...this doesn't exactly look good.
MONA
No, Spencer's right. Let's not make any assumptions just yet.
She slides her laptop out of her bag, which is sitting on one of the stools at the island.
MONA (CONT'D)
Let me see if I can trace Alison's phone. We can't figure out anything until we know where she is.
SPENCER
Oh, so your bluesnarfing days aren't behind you, after all.
MONA
Tracking is not thieving.
She smiles slightly as she begins typing on the computer. Aria and Spencer are just gathering around to watch when the doorbell RINGS. They all jump, startled.
ARIA
It's after midnight.
Exchanging cautious looks, they move into the LIVING ROOM and toward the door. Emily and Hanna emerge in the doorway across the room, bleary-eyed.
EMILY
Was that the doorbell?
HANNA
God, what now?
Emily rubs her eyes, pushes back her hair, and crosses the room. She pulls open the door to reveal JASON DILAURENTIS standing on the other side. Emily looks at him in surprise.
EMILY
Jason?
JASON
Hey. Mind if I come in?
EMILY
Um, no. Go ahead.
She steps aside and watches in obvious confusion as Jason walks inside. Spencer steps forward.
SPENCER
Jason, what are you doing here?
Jason's brow furrows as he looks around at the five girls. His eyes are bloodshot and lined with worry.
JASON
Alison's not here?
Emily lets out a breath and turns away. Hanna sighs and rubs her arm.
SPENCER
No. Didn't Emily's mom explain that she didn't show up to the wedding?
JASON
Yeah, something like that. I called her ten times today but she never picked up.
MONA
Seems like Ali really has disappeared off the edge of the universe.
HANNA
Why didn't you come over earlier?
Jason shakes his head. His face pales.
JASON
I didn't think anything was wrong. I figured Ali changed her mind and took off, and it didn't really surprise me.
The girls shift uncomfortably, trying not to look at Emily. Aria takes a few steps toward Jason.
ARIA
So what changed?
JASON
A blocked number called my phone when I was in the shower.
He pulls out his phone and presses the screen. He holds it out in front of him as the voicemail begins to blare -
ALISON (V.O.)
Help me, please! I need - no! Please, you can't do this! You can't do this! Stop -
Her voice is desperate and hysterical, and the message comes to an abrupt end. The girls stare at the phone, their expressions horrified. Hanna's hands are covering her mouth. Emily lets out a weak groan.
EMILY
Oh my God.
SPENCER
What the hell?
HANNA
Where is she?
JASON
I have no idea. Like I said, the number was blocked.
Mona walks toward him with her hand outstretched.
MONA
Give it here. I'll crack it.
ARIA
Wait, I thought you were going to trace Ali's phone?
MONA
If Alison's really chained in a basement somewhere, do you really think she'd have her cell on her?
Emily lets out a frightened squeak. Spencer wraps an arm around her and squeezes her shoulder.
SPENCER
It's gonna be okay. We'll find her.
Jason holds tight to the phone. He narrows his eyes at Mona.
JASON
You think my sister was kidnapped?
Hanna folds her arms and rolls her eyes.
HANNA
Wouldn't be the first time.
MONA
Well, she doesn't exactly sound like she's at a luxury resort.
With some reluctance, Jason hands her the phone. She smiles satisfactorily.
MONA (CONT'D)
Give me until tomorrow and I'll have the location of that call pin-pointed.
Emily whirls around to face her, her face twisting in agony.
EMILY
Tomorrow?! We can't wait that long! Tomorrow might be too late!
ARIA
Em, listen, I know you're really scared right now, okay, but there's really nothing else we can do tonight.
SPENCER
You're right. If we're going to find Ali, we need to make sure we're well-rested and at the top of our game.
Emily's hands have started to shake uncontrollably.
EMILY
There's no way I'm going to be able to get any sleep tonight.
Jason runs a hand through his hair.
JASON
Yeah, you're not the only one.
Hanna touches Emily's arm gently.
HANNA
I'll stay here with you tonight. Caleb will understand.
Spencer turns to Jason.
SPENCER
And you can crash on the couch in the barn if you want.
JASON
Sounds good.
Emily nods in agreement, giving an unsuccessful attempt at a smile. Her face is so pale that she looks sick. Mona claps her hands together and moves toward the door.
MONA
Now that we've got that all squared away, I think it's time we all turn in. I have a feeling tomorrow's going to be a long day.
She and Jason EXIT through the front door, but Spencer, Aria, Emily, and Hanna linger, sharing one last apprehensive look as we reach the -
End of Act Four.