BROOKE'S HOUSE, ROOF.
(Peyton and Brooke are sitting in chairs on the roof.)
Peyton: Look at the view. Brooke, this place is beautiful, but…
Brooke: But?
Peyton: I just worry I'm keeping you from your life, I know you came down here for me.
Brooke: You know in New York I had everything I thought I wanted. Money, celebrity, success. But, you know what I didn't have? Sunrise with my best friend.
Victoria: Well isn't that sweet?
Brooke: What are you doing here?
Victoria: Well, when you stupidly charge a house to the company, we have to confirm the address. Vacation's over, it's time to get back to work.
Brooke: Forget it, I'm staying here.
Victoria: Stop being a spoiled brat. There's a flight in a few hours, I will be on it, and you will be sitting next to me.
Brooke: No, I'm not going back.
Victoria: Brooke!
Brooke: Mother!
(Victoria picks up the wine bottle and puts the ticket underneath it.)
Victoria: I'll see you on the plane, my dutiful daughter. Goodbye Peyton.
Peyton: Goodbye, Mrs. Davis.
(Victoria leaves.)
Peyton: Well, you're mom's still a bitch. What are you gonna do?
(Brooke shrugs.)
BROOKE'S HOUSE
(Brooke is in the kitchen cleaning a glass, looking out the window. Peyton and Julian walk in.)
Peyton: So you will call me as soon as you land?
Julian: Yes. I promise.
(Julian kisses Peyton passionately and Peyton giggles.)
Julian: Brooke can you make sure she stays out of trouble.
Brooke: I will try my best.
Julian: Bye
(Julian blows Peyton a kiss and leaves. Peyton smiles.)
Brooke: Ok you two totally need to get a room.
Peyton: Well we kind of did. You see my best friend gave me a room in her gorgeous house. Roomie! So, I've got a plan on how we deal with Victoria.
Brooke: Really?
Peyton: Ready? I'll get a shovel and you get a ten foot rope. Too much?
Brooke: Maybe… What about you? Don't you have a band to turn into rock stars or something?
Peyton: Yes, today is our first day in the studio. I've gotta do some other stuff beforehand though.
Brooke: Okay. Good luck.
Peyton: Brooke, you're doing great.
(Peyton smiles and leaves.)
LUCAS' HOUSE
(Lucas comes in with a stack of mail and sees a postcard from Karen. It reads: Lucas, your sister misses you and so do I. love, mom.)
Lucas (voiceover): As much as some of us fight it, our parents have a mystical hold over us. The power to affect our thoughts, emotions, the way only they can. It's a bond that changes over time, but doesn't diminish. Even if they're half a world away. Or in another world entirely. It's a power we never fully understand.
GRAVEYARD
(Peyton puts flowers on her mothers grave.)
Lucas (voiceover): We're left only to wonder, that when our time comes, what kind of hold will we have on our children?
HALEY AND NATHAN'S HOUSE
(Haley is standing eating and Nathan & Jamie are arm wresling.)
Jamie: Daddy, can we play ball again? Now?
Haley: Oh, not right now sweetie, maybe later. Thank you.
Jamie: I wanna play everyday. He shoots, he scores, straight to the home players!
(Jamie dunks an orange into his cereal making a mess.)
Haley: Okay, guess we gotta stop leaving him with Skills.
Carrie: Come on champ, there's a bath with your name on it.
(Carrie picks Jamie up and takes him out of the room while Haley cleans up the mess.)
Haley: So how you doing?
Nathan: I'm trying. There's good days and bad days right? You know, it's a really good thing we don't have to worry about money, but uh, I gotta figure out what I'm going to do. Not all of us can have it together all the time.
Haley: Please, if you only knew.
Nathan: I thought you had those kids in line.
Haley: You remember that kid Quentin? The one that walked out after I threatened to fail him? Well, next thing I know he got cut from the basketball team and he stopped showing up at school.
Nathan: Haley, that's not your fault.
Haley: Yeah, but I'm a teacher, I'm supposed to be saving these kids, not running them off. I tried to talk with him but he wouldn't listen to me. Oh… maybe if he had somebody that he could relate to…
Nathan: Whatever you're thinking… stop.
Haley: Oh, come on!
Nathan: Haley, I'm the last person that should be giving anybody a talk.
Haley: You're like a basketball god or something to these guys and you're not a teacher which will really help. I think he might listen to you.
Nathan: Alright, I'll think about it.
Haley: Thank you. For what it's worth, I think it might give you another good day.
Nathan: really?
Haley: So, are you bringing back the mullet or what?
(he laughs and runs his fingers through his hair.)
CLOTHES OVA BROS
(Brooke is flicking a light switch and construction workers are working.)
Brooke: Okay guys, we open in like a day. So how is it possible that the light panel doesn't work?
(Victoria walks in.)
Victoria: I don't see luggage. So, this is why you disappeared. From your work, and your life, and your family. For a half built shop in the middle of a half dead town.
Brooke: Don't say that. Tree Hill's home.
Victoria: Not anymore. Get in the car.
Brooke: No.
Victoria: Brooke.
Brooke: Just listen to me please. For the last couple of years, you have told me what to do, who to date, what to say and I've let you because you are the brains behind this whole operation.
Victoria: And the company didn't seem to suffer.
Brooke: I agree and I am grateful but I've learned a lot and I know that I can do this, just give me a chance to prove it to you.
Victoria: Alright. Alright. I can't force you to go back to New York. If this is what you really want, then I'll respect your decision.
Brooke: thank you.
Victoria: I should commend you for opening a shop yourself. Just dealing with the inventory, the catering, publicity, but I'm sure you've taken care of all that by now.
Brooke: Of course.
(Victoria leaves and Brooke frantically dials on her cell phone.)
Brooke: Millicent, hi, it's me. I, I need your help.
THE RIVER COURT
(Quentin is playing basketball and Nathan hobbles up.)
Q: What brings the great Nathan Scott around here? Checkin out the next big thing?
Nathan: You know that crossover wouldn't work in the NBA or College but hey, it's not bad.
Q: Yeah, you got any suggestions?
Nathan: You could try the fade away.
Q: Man, the fade away is weak. So, I heard you mixed it up back in your day, huh? You know, girls, bookies, a little point shaving.
Nathan: That was a long time ago Quentin.
Q: Oh, you don't gotta explain nothing to me playa. People like you and me man, we just misunderstood.
Nathan: Is that why you dropped out of school? Teachers didn't get you?
Q: You should be thankful. One more year and I would have broke your scoring record.
Nathan: Maybe there's something that we can do about that.
LUCAS' HOUSE
(Peyton knocks on the door. Lucas answers shirtless.)
Peyton: Hi.
(Peyton stares at Lucas' body.)
Peyton: Um. I'll come back later.
(Peyton leaves. Lucas quickly puts on a shirt and runs after her.)
Lucas: Wait. Peyton.
(Peyton stops and Lucas is behind her.)
Lucas: You ok?
Peyton: Yea. Um Brooke is having her store opening tomorrow and I was wondering if you wanted to go together. Just as friends.
Lucas: I don't know Peyton. Why aren't you going with Julian?
Peyton: Julian is in New York and I hate going to these things alone. Please. It will be fun. I promise.
Lucas: Ok.
Peyton: Ok. Come on sound a little more enthusiastic.
(Lucas laughs and Peyton smiles at him.)
Lucas: Fine. I will pick you up at 8.
THHS THE GYM
(The players are playing and Nathan comes up to Skills on crutches.)
Skills: Nathan Scott. Standing up and looking good.
Nathan: How's it going?
Skills: You know. Everybody expecting us to turn this around this season, so you know, the pressures on.
Nathan: Well if anybody can do it, it's you and Lucas.
Skills: True that. But we ain't miracle workers.
(Lucas walks in.)
Lucas: Hey little bro. You look great.
Nathan: I feel terrible. Listen, I just wanted to thank you for being there for Haley and Jamie.
Lucas: Don't worry about it. So, you here to teach this kids how to win a championship?
Nathan: I have an idea on where to start. Put Quentin back on the team.
Lucas: Haley put you up to this.
Nathan: She's got a thing for lost causes, and I watched the kid play, he's really good.
Lucas: I'm not saying the kid doesn't have talent. The fact is, I don't have time to coach him, or deal with his crap, or teach him how to play an unselfish game.
Nathan: Okay, what if I did?
Lucas: You're going to come to practice? Every practice? Everyday, five days a week?
Nathan: If that's what it takes.
Lucas: Alright. I'll do it for you, but not for him. Welcome back Nate.
Nathan: Thanks man.
RECORDING STUDIO
Peyton: Hey guys, guys. That's great. That sounds really good, um. Jason, maybe this time lets play a little bit slower. I think it'll make it more intense ya know.
Jason: Sure thing.
Peyton: Cool. Hey guys, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I think that's the same tempo.
Jason: Yeah, it is.
Peyton: Alright, well maybe I wasn't clear.
Jason: Look, these are my songs Peyton. We play them my way. Nobody's going to change that.
HALEY AND NATHAN'S HOUSE
(Peyton and Haley are by the pool talking and Nathan and Jamie are swimming.)
Peyton: I just don't understand how someone who writes such soulful songs can be such a dick, ya know?! (She looks down as she takes a bite of a brownie.) These are awesome!
Haley: Well, at least the band sounds good, ya know?
Peyton: Yeah, but something's not right, ya know? I mean they have magic, but… anyway I know you're like super swamped but if I could like borrow you for two hours…
Nathan: Hales, you should do it.
Haley: I dunno, I mean, got the house work and Jamie and…
Nathan: Oh yeah, it's too bad we don't have someone to take care of that for us like I dunno, maybe a nanny. Just go.
Haley: Okay.
Peyton: Cool.
THE RECORDING STUDIO
(Jason and his band are playing and Haley & Peyton are in the sound booth.)
Haley: Yeah. You're right, I mean they're definitely raw but there's, there's something there.
Peyton: Yeah.
Haley: Do you mind…?
Peyton: No, be my guest. Just watch out for Jason, he's… ugh. He's Jason.
(Haley walks into the studio with the band and sits at the piano.)
Haley: You guys sound amazing. The hook is really great, um. I think this might be a little repetitive just… (She plays a quick tune.) Kind of over and over and if you try and alternate the verses with something just even as simple as…
(Mia plays a tune.)
Haley: Yeah, yeah exactly.
Jason: That's great, but if it's all the same to you, I think we'll do it my way.
Peyton: Well, I'm really liking this.
Jason: Oh, you're talking now? I thought your lesbian girlfriend was calling the shots.
Peyton: Hey, don't…
Haley: Look, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to step on you creatively I just have some experience I thought…
Jason: What, playing the church organ?
Peyton: Actually, she's had a major record deal and a billboard hit, and a sold out national tour, whereas you are the lead singer of a band that plays for free beer in dive bars, so yes, you could benefit from her.
Jason: Whatever. I'm taking my smoke break.
Peyton: No, Jason, you have one hour left in the studio.
(Jason walks out.)
THE RECORDING STUDIO
(Haley is playing the piano and Peyton is sitting beside her.)
Peyton: I'm really sorry about Jason.
Haley: It's okay. I've worked with self-centered musicians before. Chris Keller ring a bell?
Peyton: Only his own.
(They laugh.)
Haley: You know, um, if you're open to it, I'd really like to work with them.
Peyton: What? Produce the record? Well aren't you kinda busy?
Haley: Yeah, well a few days ago I was, but then Carrie came around and I actually have time to think. You know what I realized? I'm 21 years old, Nathan and I got married and had Jamie so young, that it feels like we already lived our lives, but the truth is, we're just starting out like everybody else is and just because I'm a wife, and a mother, and a teacher it doesn't mean that I can't achieve some kind of self ya know transcendence by doing something else that I love.
Peyton: Well guess what, the jobs yours, so calm down.
Haley: Okay. Thank you, very much.
CLOTHES OVA BROS
(Millicent walks in with Brooke carrying pizzas. Everyone else had been working on the store.)
Brooke: Okay guys, come and get it. Now, words cannot express how much I appreciate you all being here on a Friday night doing manual labor so I'm just going to say this: Do not get food on the clothes, Millicent will be distributing Handy Wipes, use them, breaks over in twenty minutes and I love you all.
(Millicent and Brooke walk away.)
Lucas: It's good to see that success and fame haven't changed her.
Peyton: No, it really hasn't. You should have seen her at cheer camp.
(They laugh.)
Lucas: Oh, hey. How's the new band coming?
Peyton: Oh, I thought it was gonna be all good times and groovy tunes, but nobody warned me about obnoxious self righteous musicians.
Lucas: Look, you've always been capable of a lot more than you give yourself credit for.
(He walks away. Brooke walks up to Victoria.)
Brooke: So what do you think?
Victoria: Truthfully, this afternoon I didn't think it could be done, but somehow you have pulled it off. You should feel very proud.
Brooke: I'm glad you're here for this.
Victoria: Me too.
(Brooke walks away and Peyton walks up to Victoria.)
Peyton: Hi, Mrs. Davis. I just wanted to tell you that I think it's really great that you're supporting Brooke's decision to stay. I know that it means so much to her.
Victoria: Of course I support my daughter, but let's be clear, the only reason that Brooke returned to this backwater town is because her loser friend couldn't cut it in Los Angeles. That's why I'm here; to make sure that my daughter is not exploited by her parasitic so called friends, so you get your little act together before you ruin her life too.
(Victoria walks away and Peyton looks dumbfounded.)
THE RECORDING STUDIO
(Mia is singing and playing Piano.)
(Kindly Unspoken)
Mia (singing): Kindly unspoken, you show your emotions, and silence speaks louder than words. It's lucky I'm clever cause if I didn't know better, I'd believe only that which I heard…
Haley: Wow Mia, that's really great, did you write it?
Mia: Oh, um, it doesn't matter, Jason writes all our songs.
Haley: Oh, well has the band ever played it?
Mia: Um, really, it's nothing. Jason writes all our stuff, so…
(She leaves the room.)
CLOTHES OVA BROS
Millicent: The store looks really great Brooke! I can't believe your friends pulled an all-nighter.
Brooke: I know, they're pretty wonderful. I bet you have friends who'd do the same for you.
Millicent: I don't have a lot of real friends in New York.
Brooke: Yeah, well, neither do I. Now I have a question, there's a lot more high end stuff in the store than I remember ordering, did we…
Millicent: Actually, Victoria asked me…
(Victoria appears and interrupts Millicent.)
Victoria: Victoria asked you to fix the window display yesterday. Little less chit chat, little more work, yes? (Millie walks away.) She's very frumpy, we should fire her.
Brooke: Stop!
THE RECORDING STUDIO
(The band is there and Jason walks in late.)
Haley: Jason, you can't keep doing this man.
Jason: Doing what?
Haley: Showing up late. Studio time costs money and it's by the hour.
Jason: So, it's not my money.
Haley: Okay, you're not going to become a rock star by having a few good melodies. You actually have to have hard work and dedication.
Jason: Whatever.
Haley: Alright, you know what, you can go.
Jason: I can go?
Haley: Yes. I am dismissing you from the band. You are not needed any longer.
Jason: You're dismissing me from my own band?
Haley: Yes, only it's not your band anymore, I just kicked you out.
Jason: We'll see about that.
(Jason walks out of the room.)
SOUND BOOTH
(Peyton and Haley are talking.)
Peyton: You cannot kick him out of the band, he is the band. Haley, Brooke put up a lot of money for this okay? I quit my job. I asked you to produce the band, not break them up, and without Jason, I have no band.
(Jason laughs through the glass and Haley turns off the intercom.)
Haley: Just hear me out because you said that there was something magical about their sound and you couldn't figure out what it was right? It's Mia.
Peyton: Who?
Haley: Mia, she's the keyboard player. She's the magic Peyton, and I'm telling you, her spark is getting squashed by this ass of a singer.
(Jason bangs on the window.)
Jason: I knew we shouldn't have signed with your crap label.
Haley: Peyton. I know how important this is to you. I promise you. I am not wrong.
(Peyton turns the intercom on.)
Peyton: Jason, you're fired.
Jason: What the…
(Peyton turns the intercom back off.)
(Jason grabs his things and Haley & Peyton come in.)
Jason: You know what, you can come with me, or you can stay and suck.
(the guys follow him out but Mia sits.)
Jason: Thanks dog, that's what I thought. Mia, let's go.
Haley: Mia, if you stay, you're going to make a great record. I'll help you.
Jason: Mia, now.
Mia: I think I'm going to stay.
Jason: You're an idiot.
Mia: Don't call me an idiot! And stop playing the ballads, those are mine.
Jason: You know what, you just made a big mistake. All of you. Later bitches.
(he walks out.)
Haley: Everything's going to be okay, I promise.
BROOKE'S HOUSE
(Lucas and Peyton are walking.)
Lucas: You look amazing. Okay, I'm sorry. Is this weird because it feels really weird.
Peyton: Okay, look. We had a relationship, okay, we can't pretend that we didn't, but before that, we were really close friends. There's no reason we can't have that again. Right?
Lucas: Right.
THE OPENING
(Everyone is arriving.)
Peyton: Brooke, how awesome is this?!
Brooke: I know! I think that the whole town showed up you guys!
Lucas: I can't blame em. There hasn't been a party here since well ever. Can't believe I got in looking like this.
Brooke: Oh stop. So Luke no date tonight?
Lucas: I came with Peyton.
Brooke: Oh…
(Nathan walks up to Haley.)
Nathan: That is some dress.
Haley: Oh, I dunno. You don't think it's too sexy?
Nathan: Well, it's not something a respectable wife and mother would wear, you should definitely get it.
Brooke: The dress is on me.
Haley: No, I can't let you do that.
Brooke: I can do anything I want, it's my party. Think of it as a present for taking such good care of my godson. Sorry I don't have anything for you Nate.
Nathan: Oh, that's okay, it's a present for me too.
Brooke: Well.
(Mouth walks up and overhears Victoria yelling at Millie.)
Victoria: And these press kits look just pathetic, and coming from you I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
(She rips up some papers, shoves them at Millie and walks away.)
Mouth: Hey, uh, don't let it get to you. I have a bitchy boss too. On my first day of work she told me she hated my face.
Millie: Victoria threw a snake skin purse at me.
Mouth: Mine threw me against the wall.
Millie: Oh, you must hate her.
Mouth: Yeah, kind of.
(Victoria sees Lucas.)
Victoria: Oh, I know you. You're one of my daughters ill chosen love interests.
Lucas: You must be very proud of Brooke. I mean I can't believe all she's accomplished.
Victoria: Yes, and her taste has greatly improved. Thank god. You'll excuse me.
(She walks away and Peyton walks up.)
Peyton: Oh, don't take it personally.
Lucas: She just…
Peyton: Verbally punched you in the goodies. Yeah, that's how she says hi.
Lucas: And I thought Brooke was being dramatic when she talked about her mom.
Peyton: Nope, all true.
(Brooke walks up.)
Brooke: Hey P. Sawyer, I need you.
(She pulls her towards the counter.)
Peyton: What's up?
Brooke: I have a little something for you. It's a present to say thanks for helping me with everything.
(She hands her a dress.)
Peyton: Brooke, I, I love it, but you did not have to do this. You've already done so much for me.
(Brooke and Peyton hug.)
(Brooke walks over to Lucas.)
Brooke: So how are things with Peyton?
Lucas: What do you mean?
Brooke: Peyton seems really happy right now and we like Julian right?…
Lucas: Brooke. What am I supposed to do?
Brooke: Do whatever it takes. But don't tell anyone I told you that.
(Brooke smiles and walks away from Lucas.)
THE BAR – C/B
(Peyton is leaning against the counter sipping on a glass of champagne. Julian sneaks up behind her and wraps his arms around her.)
Julian: Hey Beautiful
Peyton: Hey. Your home.
(Peyton hugs Julian. Lucas stands in the corner watching.)
Julian: I just wanted to say you look beautiful. Sorry I can't stay though. Will I see you tonight?
Peyton: I promised Brooke I would help her tidy up, but after that I'm all yours.
Julian: Mm can't wait. Bye.
(Julian kisses her then leaves. Lucas waits till Julian has left then approaches Peyton.)
Lucas (whispering in her ear): He's not good enough for you.
(He looks at her again and then walks out the door.)
FRONT OF C/B
(Lucas is about to leave and Peyton comes out.)
Peyton: Hey! Don't do that!
Lucas: Do what?
Peyton: "He's not good enough for you."? I don't want you saying things like that to me Lucas! That's not fair to me! It's not fair to Julian either!
(She turns and walks up the stairs leaving Lucas alone. He stares off and puts his hands on his hips.)
CLOTHES OVA BROS
(The opening is through and Brooke closes the door.)
Victoria: How does it feel?
Brooke: Ya know, before we opened, I could only think about the displays and the catering and then the crowd came in and I got to share what I do with the people I love and it was amazing.
Victoria: Well here is to a job well done.
Brooke: thank you.
Victoria: So, how did the store do?
Brooke: Lets find out.
(She walks over to the computer.)
Brooke: Well, we sold a couple scarves, some handbags…
Victoria: No gowns?
Brooke: Um.
Victoria: A suit? Not even a dress?
Brooke: Well…
Victoria: Nope. I don't think you sold one high dollar piece all night. In fact, if you factor in the party expenses and all the pieces you gave away, I believe your store has run the biggest opening day deficit in our company's history. At least it wasn't a complete disaster… where is she? You! Whatever your name is, pack up the inventory and send it to our Houston store, they're expecting it.
Brooke: They're expecting it? You knew this was going to happen?
Victoria: Darling, you've never had a head for business, that's why I've tried to protect you from it. High end lines don't do well in sleepy little towns. Beautiful things die in Tree Hill. Why do you think we left?
Brooke: I don't believe this.
Victoria: I know how much this meant to you and if you had sold just one couture piece, I'd consider letting you keep the store, but you didn't.
Millie: Um. Brooke. I'd like to buy this dress.
Brooke: No, it's too much.
Millie: I think it's worth every cent, and I wanna pay for it.
Victoria: Oh, my goodness.
Millie: I believe in you Brooke. So you see, I'm not just buying a dress, what I'm buying is a whole lot more.
Victoria: This changes nothing.
(She walks out.)
(Millie hands Brooke the check.)
Brooke: Our first real check. I'm gonna have to frame this…
Millie: But if you frame it you can't cash it… oh… oh good, because it definitely would have bounced.
Brooke: Thank you.
BROOKE'S HOUSE
(Brooke is eating ice cream in a robe and Peyton walks in.)
Peyton: Hi. Brooke, what's wrong?
Brooke: The store is a total failure.
Peyton: What are you talking about?
Brooke: I didn't sell one real piece tonight, well I sold a dress, but it was a pity purchase and it doesn't count. The worst part is that Victoria saw this all coming. My mother's right, when I'm left up to my own devices, I'm a failure.
Peyton: No, hey, listen to me. You are never a failure okay? I mean you won three cheerleading competitions, and what did Victoria have to say about that? Oh wait, nothing, because she wasn't there. She also wasn't there when you won the Miss June bug title at the county fair now was she? Or when you were elected student body president. Brooke, if you're a failure, what does that make me?
Brooke: Pretty lame I guess.
Peyton: Mhm. Now come on let me help you eat this ice cream.
Brooke: What about your plans with Julian?
Peyton: I'm not really feeling it tonight. I just want a night in with my best friend.