Episode #101
A Few Hours After #100
TEASER
INT: KING’S BAY MALL
EVENING
Amid torrents of laughter, JASON, COURTNEY, LAUREN, and ALEX step out of
the movie theatre. They break away from the crowd of exiting moviegoers as
they begin walking through the mall.
LAUREN: That was horrible!
JASON: Are you nuts? It was hilarious!
LAUREN: Uh-uh. Alex, what do you think?
ALEX: All I know is that I’m still laughing. I don’t know if it’s
because the movie was so funny or so cheesy.
JASON: What do you think, Court?
COURTNEY: Totally sucked. Sorry, hon.
She throws her arms around Jason, clinging to him as they walk.
JASON: Fine, fine, I lose. What do you guys wanna do?
LAUREN: I’m starving!
ALEX: Me too.
COURTNEY: Let’s go get some food.
Courtney begins leading the way through the throng of shoppers toward the
food court. She is stopped by a large WOMAN with hair that fits over her
head like a helmet. The other three come to a halt behind Courtney.
WOMAN: Excuse me, miss. There are a few questions I’d like to ask you.
***
NEW YORK
INT: RESTAURANT
EVENING
It is late enough so that the dinner crowd has mostly cleared out, but the
diners who have dropped by for a late meal are plentiful enough to create
a warm buzz of conversation throughout the restaurant. SARAH and MATT are
seated across from each other at one particular table. Though their entrees
were served nearly fifteen minutes ago, Sarah has hardly touched hers. This
fact is not lost on her dining companion.
MATT: Got something on your mind?
SARAH: As usual, yes.
MATT: Could it be ...
He presses his fingers to his temples and makes a buzzing noise, pretending
to wrack his brain.
MATT: ... Oh, I don’t know, Brent?
SARAH: But of course.
She puts down her fork, dropping all pretenses of eating.
SARAH: Answer me one question: Am I a moron?
MATT: Why do you say that?
SARAH: Because ... When we spoke the other day, he was trying to clear things
up, and all I did was antagonize him.
MATT: You can’t go on like this. It’s time you did something about
this mess, Sarah.
***
INT: HOTEL BALLROOM
EVENING
The room is already packed with police officials, their significant others,
and other high-ranking locals when BRENT enters the room with MOLLY by his
side.
MOLLY: This is quite the crowd, huh?
BRENT: You nervous?
MOLLY: Nah ...
She catches the smile on his face, urging her to tell the truth.
MOLLY: Maybe just a little.
BRENT: Relax. Come on, let’s go mingle.
He takes her by the arm and they enter a ring of people fraternizing nearby.
A portly, bald man, HAROLD, seems thrilled to see Brent, and he immediately
interrupts the conversation to acknowledge him.
HAROLD: Hey, Brent! It’s nice to have you around at these things again!
BRENT: I’m glad to be back.
Seemingly at once, all the people seem to notice Molly’s presence.
HAROLD: So, uh, where’s the missus, Taylor?
ACT ONE
INT: MALL
EVENING
COURTNEY looks at the WOMAN in confusion for a few seconds before noticing
the clipboard in her hands and the nametag pinned to her shirt which reads
"Bertha." JASON, LAUREN, and ALEX all exchange looks of slight annoyance
at this holdup in getting their dinner.
BERTHA: If you’ll just answer a few questions for a survey, we’ll
give you five dollars.
COURTNEY: Yeah, sure.
BERTHA: All right, follow me.
She leads them into a nearby door, and Courtney falls back into the pack
of her friends as they walk.
LAUREN: You had to agree to take a survey, didn’t you, Court?
She says this in a whispered voice, not wanting to agitate the large woman.
COURTNEY: Hey, I’m getting five bucks for this!
Lauren makes a crazy face at her friend, shaking her hands as if to sarcastically
say, "Big deal!"
Following Bertha, they stop at another door.
BERTHA: Please wait here for a moment.
She steps inside the door and pulls it closed before any of the four can
get a look inside.
ALEX: This is kinda spooky.
JASON: So is that woman. She’s like a damn drill sergeant.
COURTNEY: Will the two of you shut up? This could be fun.
Jason and Alex each raise an eyebrow at her.
***
INT: HOTEL BALLROOM
EVENING
As the crowd of people, including HAROLD, await his explanation, BRENT tries
to remember all the ways he’d explained this in his mind throughout
the day, preparing for this moment. Still, he is so tongue-tied that MOLLY
jumps in for him.
MOLLY: She’s out of town. I’m her sister, Molly.
HAROLD: Nice to meet you, Molly.
She shakes hands with a number of people. Side conversations take over, and
the circle breaks up, leaving Molly, Brent, and Harold alone.
HAROLD: So you were kind enough to escort this big lug tonight, Molly?
BRENT: She’s doing me a huge favor. You know how much I hate these events.
HAROLD: Don’t let anyone hear you say that! You’re gonna be the
hero of the night once they announce you’re taking your old job back
... That idiot Warner nearly ruined the department inside of a few months.
BRENT: I’m not surprised. Hey, why don’t we find our seats?
HAROLD: You guys are up with the mayor and that crowd. Have fun!
The jokingly taunting nature of this statement isn’t lost on Brent,
who sneers back at his friend. He takes Molly by the arm and escorts her
to the empty table. Once they are seated, they begin talking again.
BRENT: Thanks for bailing me out back there. I guess it doesn’t look
too great if I just show up with a woman other than my wife without any
explanation.
MOLLY: No problem. And you’re right ... it wasn’t that hard to
just speak up.
BRENT: I told you
They share warm smiles.
***
NEW YORK
INT: RESTAURANT
EVENING
SARAH sighs, dropping her chin into her hand. MATT reaches across the table
and takes her other hand.
MATT: You don’t need to be going through all of this.
SARAH: Then why am I? I mean, it feels like nothing could possibly go the
way I want.
MATT: Life’s a bitch, right?
This forces a short laugh out of her.
MATT: Look, why don’t you just get Brent on the phone and apologize
to him?
SARAH: Because ...
MATT: Because what?
SARAH: ... nothing.
MATT: Exactly. There’s no reason you should be agonizing over your marriage
when one phone call could turn everything around.
SARAH: You know, you’re right. I’ve got to take care of this right
now.
She stands and quickly exits the restaurant. An amused Matt watches her departure
before signaling for the check.
ACT TWO
INT: MALL
EVENING
JASON, LAUREN, and ALEX are all seated on plastic chairs squished together
against a short section of wall on one side of the small room. COURTNEY leans
against the wall across from them, awaiting whatever it is she has agreed
to do. At present, they are the only people in the room.
LAUREN: This room is making me sick.
She gestures up at the blank walls, coated in a shade of white that has somehow
acquired a grayish tint.
JASON: What exactly are we waiting for, Court?
COURTNEY: I don’t know. I presume somebody’s gonna ask me some
questions.
JASON: About what?
Courtney responds with a shrug.
LAUREN: Hopefully it’ll be quick, whatever it is.
ALEX: As long as I can get out of this chiropractic torture chair soon,
I’ll be happy.
He shifts around, trying unsuccessfully to get comfortable in the rigid plastic
chair.
COURTNEY: Just hold your horses, all of you.
Just then, a small MAN enters. His tiny spectacles are perched on the edge
of his nose, and the cheap fluorescent lighting creates a gleam on the top
of his bald head. His nametag identifies him as Martin.
MARTIN: All right, miss. I just have a few questions to ask you.
Jason, Lauren, and Alex all turn to each other, trying to suppress their
laughter at the nerdy drone that is his voice.
***
NEW YORK
INT: HOTEL ROOM
EVENING
The door bursts open and SARAH enters. MATT follows behind her tentatively.
MATT: Are you sure you wanna do this?
SARAH: I’m ready.
MATT: I’ll be in my room, okay?
SARAH: Okay.
She picks up her cellular phone and begins dialing.
MATT: Why are you calling home on that?
SARAH: I get the best long-distance coverage with this thing. You wouldn’t
believe it.
She listens to the phone as Matt waves and leaves the room. Unfortunately,
after four rings the answering machine picks up. Sarah ends the call with
the press of a button.
SARAH: I don’t believe it ... Where could he be?
She dials another number, a determined expression on her face.
ACT THREE
INT: HOTEL BALLROOM
EVENING
Dinner is now in full swing. BRENT and MOLLY are seated beside each other
at the head table; the MAYOR is on-stage, beginning his speech.
MAYOR: On behalf of the King’s Bay Police Department and City Hall,
I’d like to thank you all for being here. The proceeds from this dinner
...
He continues speaking, but at the table, Brent is barely focusing on what
is being said. His mind has wandered, as usual, to his wife. Annoyed as he
is at her for not being here with him tonight, he finds himself almost relieved.
After all, if she hadn’t wanted to be here, it would have been a miserable
evening for them both. He glances over at Molly, who appears to be paying
full attention to the mayor’s speech. They’ve been having a wonderful
evening so far, Brent realizes happily.
Molly, meanwhile, is not as pleasantly focused on the speaker as she appears
to be. In fact, she is a bit disgusted by her ability to completely fake
interest in things as of late. She has to admit to herself, the whole
relationship with Brian had been one enormous tug-of-war within herself;
she was constantly trying to keep herself focused on it, while knowing full
well that she cared for Brian only as a friend. She recognizes what a great
time she is having, but is just as aware that it is for one night only ...
Her mind returns to the room as she hears the mayor announce Brent’s
name. Brent rises and makes his way up onto the stage, where the mayor greets
him with a handshake.
MAYOR: We’re glad to have you back on top of the force, Brent.
As applause fills the room, Brent looks out over all the crowd -- but strangely,
he sees only one face: that of his dinner date.
Moments later, when Brent has returned to the table, the applause has died
down. Molly stands and gives him a hug.
MOLLY: I’m so proud of you, Brent.
He returns the hug, but his face reverts to its previous weariness.
BRENT: I’m glad somebody is ...
***
NEW YORK
INT: HOTEL ROOM
EVENING
MATT tosses his jeans into a drawer and, after closing it, pulls the drawstring
on his sweatpants a little tighter. He finds himself wishing that the dinner
hadn’t been interrupted ... He’d been looking forward to some relaxing
time with Sarah. All they’ve done lately is chase dead-end clues, it
seems. At least Sarah would get a chance to clear her mind regarding Brent,
though—
His thoughts are interrupted as someone knocks on the door.
MATT: Come in!
SARAH enters the room, her prior eagerness replaced by anger.
SARAH: Damn him!
She slams the door shut.
MATT: What?
SARAH: Brent! I can’t believe I even considered trying to meet him in
the middle. He doesn’t even care!
MATT: What do you mean?
SARAH: That bastard!
MATT: Slow down ... Start at the beginning.
He puts his hands on his shoulders to steady her.
SARAH: He wasn’t at the apartment, so I called his sister. She said
he’s at that stupid police dinner ...
MATT: Big deal. You’re not still mad about him going back to the police
force, are you?
SARAH: No, it’s not that.
MATT: Then what is it?
SARAH: He’s there with my sister!
ACT FOUR
INT: MALL
EVENING
MARTIN is busily reading questions off a clipboard, maintaining a steady
monotone the entire time. COURTNEY tries to sound polite while answering,
but privately finds this hilarious. LAUREN, JASON, and ALEX are now actively
attempting to conceal their laughter, as Martin asks his next question.
MARTIN: All right, then ... Do you have dry skin?
COURTNEY: Uh, not really, no.
MARTIN: Hmm. Well, if you did, what products would you use to treat it?
This question strikes Jason, Lauren, and Alex as so hilarious that it sends
them rushing for the door.
COURTNEY: Where are you guys going?
JASON: We’re, uh, gonna go wait outside.
Before she can even respond, they are gone. Martin continues his inquiry.
Out in the hallway, Jason, Lauren, and Alex pull the door shut before bursting
out into unbridled laughter.
LAUREN: What a dork! How was Courtney keeping a straight face?
JASON: I don’t know, but I couldn’t take it anymore.
The laughter swells up again and lasts for quite a while longer. Once it
has subsided, they move towards another door at the end of the hallway.
JASON: Let’s just wait for her right outside. I—
Before he can get another word out, he finds that BERTHA has jumped in front
of the door to block them, her face gnarled into a devious-looking knot.
***
INT: HOTEL BALLROOM
EVENING
With dinner now concluded, much of the crowd has settled into conversation.
A number of couples have taken the dance floor, BRENT and MOLLY among them.
BRENT: I can’t thank you enough for coming with me tonight.
MOLLY: It’s my pleasure. Can’t do me any harm to get out a little,
right?
They continue swaying to the music silently, holding each other tighter than
either may be conscious of, until another man comes up to them. A handsome
man in his mid-30’s, RANDY’s reputation as the Lothario of the
KBPD is not at all lost on Brent.
RANDY: Hey, Taylor, mind if I cut in?
Brent looks immediately hesitant, but Molly flashes him a look telling him
it’s fine. She’d been speaking to Randy a little earlier in the
evening.
BRENT: Yeah, go ahead.
He steps away, and Randy puts his arms around Molly as they begin dancing.
Brent watches them from the side of the room, not hearing their conversation
as his mind swirls in thought. Suddenly, however, he is all too aware of
what Randy is saying.
RANDY: So, what’s a pretty lady like you doing here with her brother-in-law,
anyway?
Molly glances over at Brent, as she has been doing throughout the dance with
Randy, and is sure that she sees something gleam in his eye as he watches
them. Could it actually be jealousy?
ACT FIVE
INT: MALL
EVENING
The gruff BERTHA stands between JASON, LAUREN, and ALEX and the exit.
BERTHA: Where exactly do you three think you’re going?
LAUREN: Outside. We were just—
BERTHA: I’m afraid I can’t allow that. Not now.
The three young adults exchange baffled looks. The sheer ridiculousness of
this statement has lulled them into silence.
BERTHA: Please, just wait here.
She heads to the other end of the hallway and turns into a side room. The
three wait several seconds before speaking to be sure she is well out of
earshot.
ALEX: This is just getting weirder and weirder …
JASON: Should we make a break for it?
LAUREN: No, I’m sure she’s got men stationed all over the place.
They share a giggle, but don’t allow it to become anything louder than
that. Soon Bertha returns – with COURTNEY in tow.
BERTHA: Your friend here is all finished.
Courtney waves her five dollar gift certificate in front of her.
BERTHA: And I’d like you all to have a free sample.
She hands them all small packets of skin cream.
BERTHA: Now have a nice evening.
The quartet rushes for the door without even a goodbye.
***
INT: HOTEL BALLROOM
EVENING
After what has seemed like several unbearable hours, the song draws to an
end. BRENT immediately makes his way over to MOLLY and RANDY. Molly is surprised
that she instinctively pulls away from Randy with Brent nearby.
RANDY: Thanks, Molly. I’ll be looking forward to talking to you later,
okay?
Molly nods, smiling. She keeps this up until Randy is gone.
BRENT: You’re not really falling for that crap, are you?
MOLLY: What’s so bad about him?
BRENT: He’s a slut!
A laugh escapes Molly’s lips.
MOLLY: Really?
BRENT: Totally. That guy has wormed practically every woman on the force
into bed.
His voice has escalated considerably as he explains this.
MOLLY: Just so you know, no, I’m not interested in him. Calm down.
BRENT: I’m calm.
MOLLY: Sure you are. So are you gonna dance with me or what?
BRENT: Let’s do it.
He again wraps his arms around her and pulls her tight. They move in rhythm
to the powerful ballad, but also in rhythm with one another.
Brent is again surprised by how tightly he is holding her. This feels so
right ... No, it doesn’t. It can’t, he reminds himself. He allows
himself to hear nothing but the music -- not his conscience, not his heart
-- for the rest of the dance, instead just falling into the music.
However, when the song comes to an end, a more upbeat piece comes on. Molly
begins swinging him around immediately, and he again feels something jump
inside of him. Just as quickly, though, he silences it.
That can’t happen, he scolds himself. It just can’t.
***
NEW YORK
INT: HOTEL ROOM
EVENING
SARAH practically falls into MATT’s arms.
SARAH: How can he do this, Matt?
MATT: Do what? He probably just took Molly because you’re not there!
SARAH: Dammit! This always happens!
MATT: What always happens?
SARAH: Just— nothing.
That long-ago memory of Brent and Molly’s kiss burns at her brain, and
suddenly it feels as though it was just a few moments ago.
SARAH: Damn them! Both of them!
She presses herself against Matt again.
SARAH: I don’t believe he would do this to me!
BRENT: He hasn’t done anything wrong, Sarah.
SARAH: He’s done plenty wrong! As far as I’m concerned, this marriage
is over.
She stares up at Matt with rage in her eyes, as he struggles to figure out
exactly what is going on. He is certain that there’s more to this than
meets the eye.
END OF EPISODE #101
Next Episode
Main Page .
Current Episode .
Episode Archives .
Story Recap .
Characters .
Making Prints .
Interact .
Around King's Bay .
Links
