Fade in
INT. Rivette residence- Kitchen- morning
Steve, Kirby, Brian, Meghan and Bill sit in the kitchen of Steve's house.
Steve: How did this happen?
Meghan: It doesn't matter how it happened. Jessica is in jail. We need to think of something.
Bill: Look. I'm a lawyer a good one at that but it's going to be tough for me to get her out of this.
The front door opens and in comes Jessica. Everybody eyes her nervously as they can't take her eyes off of her. Jessica sighs.
Jessica: I know I screwed up.
Bill: It could have happened to anybody.
Steve: But it didn't it happened anybody it happened to Jessica.
Steve is clearly frustrated as he slams his fist on the desk.
Steve: WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!
Jessica: The guy was an asshole. He had it coming.
Steve: What?
Bill: Look. No matter what. We need to figure out what it is we're going to. We need all the help we can get.
Jessica looks up at Kirby with her pleading eyes.
Jessica: Kirby.
Everybody eyes Kirby.
Kirby: Look. It's my fault Jessica is in trouble.
Steve's Meghan's and Bill's face go wide in shock.
Meghan: What?
Brian buts in.
Brian: Look Steve. Jill's been having trouble with this guy. This Charlie guy has been giving her problems for a while. Ever since Thanksgiving break.
Bill: Is that why you were drunk?
Kirby nods.
Kirby: He got me drunk and…raped me.
Steve slams his fist on the table again.
Steve: Why didn't anybody tell me?
Meghan: Well this changes everything.
Bill shakes his head.
Bill: Unfortunately not. What happened is no excuse for what Jessica did. A jury will say that she should have gone to the cops.
Steve is thinking something over in his head.
Steve: I'm curious about something.
Everybody looks at Steve.
Steve: Delaney said there's been aguy bothering her and she told Kirby. Is Charlie that same guy that's been troubling Delaney?
Kirby nods.
Kirby: I'm sorry. I can't do this.
Kirby get's up and heads t the front door slamming it shut. Steve comes out right behind her.
Steve: Why didn't you tell me?
Kirby: Like it makes a difference?
Steve: What?
Kirby: There's no point anymore. The law is messed up. A good person like Jessica would go to jail and somebody like Charlie would get out after 2 years.
Steve: Do you hear yourself? You need to talk to Delaney about testifying. Jessica shouldn't go to jail for your mistake.
Kirby: Yes. I tell somebody and Charlie goes away for a year. Then he comes out and tries to kill me.
Steve: It wouldn't be a year.
Kirby: That's what they all say. They'll get out soon even people YOU put away.
Steve shakes his head. He can't believe what Kirby is saying.
Kirby: You know what? I wish Jill was here. I could always talk to her about my problems even if she did want me dead.
Steve: You want Jill here?
Tears begin to fall from Kirby's face.
Kirby: I miss her. I need her. In a situation like this I need her not even you can help.
Kirby walks away. Steve takes out his phone. He dials a number.
Michelle: Hello?
Steve: Hey.
Michelle: Steve. Hi.
Steve: You got a minute?
Michelle: Sure.
Steve goes and takes a seat at the table.
Steve: What you doing?
Michelle: Just painting some signs. Is everything okay?
Steve Yes. Maybe. No.
We cut to Michelle and see that she is filled with worry now.
Michelle: Steve's what's wrong.
Steve: Everything. Jessica's going to Jail. I think Kirby is depressed.
Michelle: Jessica's going to jail? For what?
Steve: Assault.
Michelle: That's ridiculous Jessica wouldn't hurt anybody.
Steve: She did hurt somebody. She just did it to protect Kirby. Jill. I'm worried. I've never seen Kirby like this. I can't calm her down.
Michelle paces back and forth.
Michelle: She'll be okay.
Steve: Jill. If she's not Jessica is going to go to jail for a very long time. I've never seen Kirby like this.
Michelle: What do you want me to do? Kirby thinks I'm dead. Not that she'd want my help anyway.
Steve: I don't know really. I guess I was just calling you for comfort.
Michelle: Look. Just keep at her. Talk to her I'm sure that will help.
Steve: I don't know if it'll work.
Michelle's face goes sour.
Michelle: Where are Brian and Alicia?
Steve: Brian's here. Alicia has been very busy.
Michelle: Look all 3 of you together should be able to help Kirby and Jessica. You've been in worse situations before.
Steve: Okay.
Michelle: Steve.
Steve: Yes?
Michelle: Do you want me to come back there?
Back on Steve and Michelle's faces.
Steve: No, you don't have to come back here.
Michelle: Okay.
Steve: Bye Jill.
Michelle: Bye Steve.
Steve and Jill both hang up.
Bill and Meghan both come out.
Bill: Okay tomorrow's the trial. We've got a plan.
Steve: I hope it's a good one.
Meghan: I'm going to check on Kirby.
Meghan walks ahead leaving Bill and Steve.
Steve: Bill. Lawman to Lawman. What are her chances?
Bill: Not good. It's a pretty solid case. The fact she didn't go to the cops makes her word not very good.
Steve: What should I do?
Bill: Support her. Try and talk to Kirby.
Steve: I'll talk to Delaney.
Bill: That could help too.
Cut to
INT. Mitchell residence- night
Valerie and Steve sit at a table drinking coffee. Both seem to be very uneasy.
Steve: Thanks so much for the coffee.
Valerie: Your welcome.
Steve: I know it's a lot to ask for. It might be Jessica's only hope.
Valerie: I don't know. She's just a ltitle girl. I don't want her to go through that.
Steve: Look. I know you want to protect your daughter but this might be my friends only hope.
Valerie: What happens if he tries to hurt her after she testifies against him?
Steve: What happens if he realizes what's going on and he tries to hurt her anyway? Look. Believe it or not the only way to make sure you daughter to be safe is to have her testify. She can tell the judge what happened.
Valerie: Are you sure this will work?
Steve: No. But it's the only chance we've got.
Valerie: I'll talk to her. I don't know if she can survive it mentally though.
Steve: The trial is tomorrow. I'm going to need an answer.
They both see Delaney come into the room.
Delaney: I'll do it.
Valerie: Delaney you don't have to if you don't want to.
Delaney: Is it the only way to help Jessica?
Steve nods.
Delaney: Then I have to do this.
Steve smiles.
Steve: You're a very brave little girl.
Delaney: Thank you.
Cut to
INT. Courtroom- morning
There is a lot of commotion in the courtroom. Up front Jessica sits next to Bill. She turns around to see Meghan and Alicia and Brian in the back. Steve and Kirby are no where to be found.
Jessica: Where are Steve and Kirby?
Bill: I have no idea.
Jessica: Delaney is going to testify for me?
Bill nods.
Bill: I really hope this works.
Jessica: Me too. Me too.
Bailiff: Everybody PLEASE RISE!
Everybody stands up as the Honorary Judge Hawthorne late 50's to early 60's enters the courtroom and takes a seat on the bench.
Hawthorne: You may all take your seat.
Everybody takes their seats.
Hawthorne: We will now here the case of the County of Woodsboro vs. Jessica Pierce On the charge of Assault in the first degree. Representing the county will be Prosecutor Mike Bradley. Representing the defendant will me Mr. Bill Pompei. Mr. Bradley you may call your first witness.
Mr. Bradley stands up.
Bradley: Thank you your honor. I would like to call Officer Jensen to the stand.
Officer Jensen comes out of the stands. He takes his oath and enters the stand.
Bradley: Officer Jensen I understand you were first on the scene of the day that young Charlie had been attacked. Is this correct?
At the back of the room Brian and Steve both enter along with Delaney. Delaney sees Charlie in the courtroom and immediately gets freaked out.
Jensen: I was first on the scene.
Bradley: Can you tell us what happened?
Jensen: I got there to see that he had gotten hit over the head with a wrench.
Bradley: Did Mr. Charlie say anything to you?
Jensen: The only thing he was able to tell me was that the girl who hit him was an aquaitance of Kirby Reed. He did not know her name.
Bradley: How did you find out that the defendant was the one who hit Mr. Charlie?
Jensen: We new of a friend that hangs out with Kirby Reed a lot. We picked her up and Charlie picked her out of a line up.
Jensen: Was there any hesitation that Jessica had attacked him?
Jensen: No. The victim without any hesitation picked out the defendant as the person who attacked her.
Bradley: Thank you for your time officer. No further questions your honor.
Mr. Bradley takes a seat at the prosecution table.
Hawthorne: Your witness Mr. Pompei.
Bill: Thank you your honor.
Bill stands up. He walks over to the jury table and doesn't even look at Officer Jensen.
Bill: Your saying that the victim was certain that my client was the one who attacked her?
Bradley: Yes.
Bill: He was hit on the head right? Could it be possible that he could have made a mistake?
In the back of the room Jill enters. She takes a seat in the back on the bench.
Jensen: That is possible. However, after further results we determined that the defendant's finger prints were on the weapon.
Jessica puts her head down realizing she got herself into a pickle. Jill looks around and is surprised to not see Kirby around.
Cut to
EXT. Court house- afternoon
It is a brief intermission of the court case. Jill has exited the courtroom and sees Kirby off to the side smoking a cigarette. Jill takes a deep breathe and walks over to her.
Michelle: Hi.
Kirby turns around and sees Michelle not realizing it is Jill.
Kirby: Hi. Did you just come out of the courthouse?
Michelle: Yes. Yes I did.
Kirby: How's it going?
Michelle: It isn't looking good for the girl. They have a lot of evidence.
Kirby looks down with a bit of sadness.
Kirby: She's not a bad person. She's really the sweetest person in the world.
Michelle: Really?
Kirby: Yes. However, I'm sure you don't want to hear it.
Michelle: Actually I would like to hear it.
Kirby looks at her curiously.
Kirby: Really?
Michelle: That a surprise?
Kirby: Well, Yes you barely even know me.
Michelle: Well. It seems you want somebody to talk to and considering your loved ones are in there and you're out here I think you want to talk to a complete stranger instead of somebody you know.
Kirby smiles at her.
Kirby: Your good. I'm Kirby by the way. Kirby Reed.
Michelle: Michelle Edwards.
Kirby: Since you have to sit here and listen to my gossip let me buy you a coffee.
Michelle: Sure thank you.
Kirby and Michelle walk over to the coffee guy.
Kirby: Two large coffees please. One with two sugars and Milk.
Kirby looks over at Michelle.
Kirby: How do you take your coffee?
Michelle: Just with cream thank you.
Kirby stares at her awkwardly.
Michelle: Everything okay?
Kirby: No it's just I new somebody who took their coffee the exact same way.
Michelle nods.
Cut to
INT. Judge's chambers- afternoon
The prosectutorMr. Bradley, Bill and Steve sit in Judge Hawthrone's chambers. They are having a discussion on whether or not Delaney can testify.
Bradley: Your honor this has nothing to do with one case or the other.
Steve: But if Jessica was protecting the young girl then she was doing it in self defense even if it wasn't her defense.
Bill: We should be trying to get to the truth here your honor.
Bradley: Yes I believe that too. We should get it with in the law. The law applies to everybody.
Bill: Your honor if there is evidence to suggest that my client is innocent then that would be a violation of her right to a fair trial.
Hawthorne: Yes but the girl does not even know the victim's name. For all we know she could have been mistaken. I'm sorry Delaney's testimony is out
Faces fill with anger are on Bill's and Steve's face. Steve thinks and decides to whisper something into Bill's ear.
Bill: Your honor my daughter Kirby Reed new the victim she should be allowed to testify.
Bradley: Your honor…
Steve interrupts him.
Steve: Look, Kirby Reed new Charlie. Very well. Let her testify. I guarantee there is a perfectly good explanation for it.
Hawthorne: Hold on are we getting to something bigger then assault?
Steve: I gauarantee we will unravel something bigger then assault. Look, what Jessica did was wrong. She deserves to be punished for it but letting Charlie get away with what he did to Kirby.
Hawthorne turns to Bradley.
Bradley: She pleads guilty to assault and we will give her probation. However we need Kirby's testimony to put away Charlie.
Steve: I'll talk to her.
Cut to
EXT. Coruthouse- morning
Michelle and Kirby are sitting at the table outside the courthouse. Kirby has told her everything regarding Charlie.
Michelle: Sounds like you've been through hell.
Kirby: You know it. By the way I've never seen you around here before are you new?
Michelle: I used to live here along time ago.
Kirby: Did you just move back here?
Michelle: Temporarily. Anyway your in a pretty terrible situation.
Kirby: What do you think I should do?
Michelle: I think you should listen to your heart. You're very strong Kirby. Very strong.
Kirby: Thanks.
Michelle: You know. It's sad.
Kirby: What is?
Michelle: You spend years of your life taking everything for granted. You take drastic action. You hurt people ruin lives only to get a second chance.
Kirby: A second chance?
Michelle: I'm sorry Kirby.
Kirby: Why are you sorry?
Michelle: Because this is all my fault. Everything your life has been for these last two years.
Kirby: You talk to me like you know me.
Michelle: Kirby. It's me. Jill. Your best friend former best friend.
Kirby is shocked and think this is a joke. She stands up from the table wanting to leave.
Kirby: I don't know who you are but that is not funny.
Jill stops her.
Steve comes out of the courthouse looking around for Kirby. He spots Kirby and Michelle talking.
Steve: WHAT THE FUCK IS SHE DOING HERE!
Steve sprints towards the two. Michelle sees Steve running towards them.
Michelle: Here comes Steve.
Kirby turns and sees Steve. He gets to the two of them.
Michelle: Hi Steve.
Kirby: Steve. This girl is telling me she's our friend Jill.
Steve: Kirby I…..
Michelle cuts her off.
Michelle: Kirby. Listen to me.
Michelle puts her hands on Kirby's cheeks.
Michelle: It's me. I've been alive the whole time. I wasd the girl who called and apologized to you.
Kirby: Don't play me for a fool. If you were Jill Roberts tell me something only she would know.
Michele: When we thought Steve was dead you came over to my house to try and comfort me. We went up to your room and spent the whole night crying until we decided to look at pictures the whole night
Kirby's face turns to one of shock and disbelief.
Kirby: Jill? It's you?
Jill: It's me Kirby. It's me. I'm so so sorry for what I did to you and the others.
Kirby nods taking this in.
Jill: I know there's nothing I can say that I can do to show you how sorry I am. What do I have to do to make things right.
Kirby: Come home. Come back to your friends. I need you.
Jill nods and they both hug as tears scream down both their faces.