Episode #33
The Morning After #32

TEASER

INT: HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM

MORNING

TIM and CLAIRE are sitting in the waiting room.

CLAIRE: I hope Diane’s all right.

TIM: I know, me too. I can’t believe they had to hold her overnight.

CLAIRE: I think it was partially because she was really tired, but they had a bunch of tests to run on her.

TIM: Hopefully she’s okay. Thanks for being here with me.

CLAIRE: She’s been just as much of a friend to me as she has to you. We owe it to her to be here.

TIM: You’re right. At least my parents could watch Travis … it would’ve been a pain to lug him here.

Enter DR. SMITH.

CLAIRE: Dr. Smith, how’s Diane?

DR. SMITH: She’s fine, Nurse.

TIM: When can she be released?

DR. SMITH: She plans to leave in a few minutes.

TIM: Oh, good … so what’s wrong with her?

DR. SMITH: I think she wants to tell you herself.

DIANE enters the waiting room.

CLAIRE: Diane, what is it? What’s wrong with you?

Diane takes a deep breath.

DIANE: Tim, Claire … I’m pregnant.

ACT ONE

INT: HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM

MORNING

TIM, CLAIRE, DIANE, and DR. SMITH are all present.

TIM: You’re what?!

DIANE: I’m pregnant.

CLAIRE: Wow … I – I don’t know what to say.

DIANE: Don’t say anything. There’s no need—

TIM: Congratulations.

DIANE: Thank you. Thanks a lot, Tim.

She clasps Tim’s hand tightly as Claire looks on.

INT: CHASE HOME (LIVING ROOM)

MORNING

COURTNEY is sitting on the couch watching TV. The doorbell rings. Courtney rises and opens it, revealing LAUREN.

COURTNEY: Hey! Come on in.

LAUREN: Okay, I’m here, bright and early. So why’d you want me to come over?

Courtney closes the door and they step back into the room.

COURTNEY: Well … I was hoping you’d go with me to follow Dave again today. You up for it?

LAUREN: Chasing a hitman around the city?

She considers it for a moment.

LAUREN (CONT’D): Sure, why not? I just hope we actually get somewhere this time.

COURTNEY: I know what you mean. We’ve been out a couple of times and seen nothing. But at least we know he hasn’t moved -- his car is still there.

LAUREN: Good point. Okay, let’s hit the road.

They both exit the house, closing the door behind them.

ACT TWO

INT: TIM & CLAIRE’S APT. (LIVING ROOM)

MIDDAY

CLAIRE is giving TRAVIS a bottle when TIM walks into the room dressed in a suit.

CLAIRE: Well, well, well ... don’t we look handsome?

TIM: Can’t argue with that, can I?

He leans in and kisses her.

CLAIRE: You gonna go into the office?

TIM: Yeah, I probably should, seeing as how I took off a few weeks to go gallivanting around a jungle.

CLAIRE: It wasn’t exactly a safari, you know.

TIM: And how are you feeling now? A little bit better?

CLAIRE: I’m beginning to accept that my father really deserved what he got. It could have been any of us who did it -- it just turned out to be me.

TIM: That’s right.

CLAIRE: So the hospital said to take off a few more days to recuperate and then I can go back to work too.

TIM: Won’t that be nice?

CLAIRE: It’ll really help take my mind off everything ... Your mom said she wouldn’t mind watching the baby during the day, either.

TIM: Oh, good. That’ll make things a lot easier. (beat) Speaking of babies, what do you think of this thing with Diane?

CLAIRE: It’s weird! Has she been seeing anyone, do you know?

TIM: Not that I know of.

CLAIRE: I wonder who the father could be.

TIM: I know ... I’m curious to find out. But it’s really none of our business, is it?

CLAIRE: No, I guess not.

TIM: And I should definitely be going right about now.

CLAIRE: Yeah, that might be a good idea.

TIM: Okay, hon, I’ll see you later.

He kisses her again.

TIM (CONT’D): Bye! Bye, Travis!

CLAIRE: See you later, Tim!

He leaves and closes the door behind him.

Claire is left sitting with the baby. She sighs heavily.

EXT: APARTMENT BUILDING

MIDDAY

Establishing shot. Several CARS are parked outside.

INT: CAR

MIDDAY

COURTNEY and LAUREN are sitting in the car, looking bored.

LAUREN: Okay, Courtney, I think we’ve had enough.

COURTNEY: Hold on ... he’s gotta be coming. He has to leave eventually.

LAUREN: "Eventually" is the operative word! When could that be? Next week? You’re obsessed with catching him.

COURTNEY: No, I could catch him if I wanted to. But he’ll never admit that Shannon hired him; I need to prove that.

LAUREN: I understand that, Courtney. But we’ve been sitting here forever already. Enough is enough. Why don’t we give up and try again another day?

COURTNEY: Maybe you’re right. Nothing exciting seems to be happening.

She starts the car.

LAUREN: Wait! Look!

She points out the window.

COURTNEY: It’s him!

EXT: APARTMENT BUILDING

MIDDAY

DAVE is unlocking the door to his car. He opens it and gets inside.

INT: CAR

MIDDAY

COURTNEY and LAUREN now both look very excited.

COURTNEY: This could be it, Lauren!

LAUREN: I’m sure I won’t be able to talk you out of this, so ... okay. Let’s go.

COURTNEY: This could be big. I can feel it.

LAUREN: Like you’ve felt it the other four or five times?

COURTNEY: Haha. (beat) I swear, we’re gonna nail both Dave and Shannon -- today.

LAUREN: If you say so ...

The car pulls away.

ACT THREE

EXT: LARGE HOUSE

MIDDAY

Dave’s CAR pulls into the large circular driveway. DAVE steps out and goes up the front door.

Shortly after, Courtney’s CAR pulls up outside the driveway. No one gets out.

INT: CAR

MIDDAY

COURTNEY and LAUREN sit in the car.

LAUREN: Nice house.

COURTNEY: I have a feeling this could wind up being pointless.

LAUREN: I know. (beat) But this place is really nice ... and really big.

COURTNEY: I wonder who lives here.

LAUREN: Probably another one of his "clients."

COURTNEY: You ever wonder what it’s like to be a hitman?

LAUREN: Not particularly.

COURTNEY: It just seems kinda weird, though, doesn’t it?

LAUREN: You can’t exactly major in it or anything.

COURTNEY: I wonder how you wind up picking it as a career. "Oh, son, why don’t you study to become a doctor?" "Oh no, Mom, I think I’ll just be a hitman."

LAUREN: Certainly seems like good money. He’s got a nice car.

COURTNEY: Can you imagine doing that to people, though? Day after day?

LAUREN: It seems a little cruel.

COURTNEY: After what happened to me, I wonder what kind of person he is.

LAUREN: Obviously not too nice.

COURTNEY: Ya think? It must be kinda difficult to make your living ruining people’s lives.

LAUREN: I see your point.

She looks back over at the house.

LAUREN (CONT’D): He’s been ringing that doorbell for like 2 minutes. Is anyone gonna answer?

They watch for a few more seconds.

LAUREN (CONT’D): (half-laughing) Answer the damn door!

EXT: LARGE HOUSE

MIDDAY

DAVE rings the doorbell once more. The door begins to open. Finally it pulls fully open, revealing ... SHANNON.

INT: CAR

MIDDAY

COURTNEY and LAUREN watch the scene out the window.

COURTNEY: Oh my God.

LAUREN: What? What is it?

COURTNEY: That’s Shannon.

INT: DIANE’S OFFICE

MIDDAY

DIANE is sitting alone.

DIANE: (sotto voce) This really is it, isn’t it? I already told Tim -- and Claire -- that I’m pregnant. Now the trick is gonna be telling Tim that he’s the father without making myself look like the bad guy. Well, here goes nothing.

She picks up her phone and dials.

DIANE: (into phone) Hey, Brian. Come on in here.

She hangs up the phone. A few moments later, BRIAN enters.

BRIAN: What’s up?

DIANE: I’m ready to go.

BRIAN: You sure?

DIANE: I’m positive.

BRIAN: Okay, then. (beat) You’re sure you’re ready?

DIANE: Ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s do this.

BRIAN: Okay ...

He leaves the office. Diane is left sitting alone. She makes the Sign of the Cross and looks upward desperately.

ACT FOUR

INT: TIM & CLAIRE’S APT. (LIVING ROOM)

MIDDAY

CLAIRE is watching TV alone. The phone rings and she answers it.

CLAIRE: (on phone) Hello?

TWO-WAY PHONE CONVERSATION: SCENE ALTERNATES BETWEEN CLAIRE AND BRIAN IN HIS CUBICLE

BRIAN: Mrs. Fisher?

CLAIRE: Yes?

BRIAN: I’m calling from your husband’s office. He would like to meet with you in the conference room here in about half-an-hour. Is that all right?

CLAIRE: Yeah, I guess.

BRIAN: Okay, then, I’ll pass the message along.

CLAIRE: Okay, thanks. Bye.

INT: TIM & CLAIRE’S APT. (LIVING ROOM)

MIDDAY

CLAIRE hangs up the phone.

CLAIRE: (sotto voce) I wonder why Tim wants to see me ...

INT: BRIAN’S CUBICLE

MIDDAY

BRIAN hangs up the phone and leans back in his chair.

BRIAN: (sotto voce) Phase One completed. Now it’s up to Diane to pull this thing off.

EXT: LARGE HOUSE

MIDDAY

DAVE is standing in front of the front door. SHANNON has just opened the door.

SHANNON: What are you doing here?

DAVE: You still owe me.

SHANNON: You’ll get your money, calm down. You know I’m not exactly strapped for cash.

DAVE: I can tell.

INT: CAR

MIDDAY

LAUREN and COURTNEY stare outside.

LAUREN: That’s Shannon?

COURTNEY: Yep.

LAUREN: Oh, boy.

COURTNEY: This is it, Lauren. I’m finally--

She is interrupted by the sound of a beeper.

LAUREN: That’s my beeper.

She looks at it.

LAUREN (CONT’D): It’s the restaurant. I’ve gotta go to work and fill in for someone.

COURTNEY: Now?

LAUREN: Yeah. Don’t worry -- I can walk. It’s just a few blocks.

COURTNEY: You sure?

LAUREN: Yeah.

COURTNEY: Okay, cool. I wanna hang around for a few minutes and see what’s going on here.

LAUREN: Fine, but promise me you won’t get yourself into trouble.

COURTNEY: I promise.

LAUREN: You sure?

COURTNEY: Pinky swear.

She grabs Lauren’s pinky finger and wraps her own around it.

COURTNEY (CONT’D): That good enough for you?

LAUREN: (sarcastic) Oh, plenty. A pinky swear carries a lot of weight around here.

COURTNEY: Just get going.

LAUREN: Fine ... Can I trust you?

COURTNEY: Yes.

LAUREN: Okay, then.

Lauren gets out of the car and is gone.

COURTNEY: Or maybe not ...

She opens the glove compartment and pulls out a disposable camera. She begins to open the car door.

EXT: SHANNON’S HOUSE

MIDDAY

SHANNON and DAVE stand in the doorway.

SHANNON: You can’t keep coming over. If anyone saw you--

DAVE: No one saw me.

SHANNON: Good. You’d better keep it that way.

Hiding behind some hedges, COURTNEY has settled. Her crutches are laid beside her. She raises the camera and moves to get the right angle. Finally she snaps the button.

COURTNEY: And that is all the proof I need. But I should take a few more just to be sure.

Meanwhile, Shannon is aware that someone is lurking.

SHANNON: Dave, is it just me or is that bush rustling all by itself?

Dave looks.

DAVE: No, I think you’re right.

A light is seen as the camera flashes.

SHANNON: What the hell was that? Dave, go get whoever’s there!

DAVE: You’re just gonna owe me more ...

SHANNON: Just go do it!

He runs off in the direction of the hedge.

Courtney notices that he is heading for her and tries to get up. Needing crutches, however, she struggles to rise.

INT: OFFICE (CONFERENCE ROOM)

MIDDAY

DIANE is standing by the conference room door, peeping outside. Papers are spread over the table. Several PEOPLE walk by and she begins to look annoyed. Finally TIM walks by.

DIANE: Hey, Tim!

TIM: What’s up?

DIANE: Could you come in here for a second? I’ve got some stuff I need you to help me look over.

TIM: Yeah, sure.

Tim enters the room.

TIM (CONT’D): Why are you doing this in the conference room?

DIANE: My office is way, way too hot. The AC must be busted or something.

Tim scans over some of the papers.

TIM: You know, I think--

Diane groans.

TIM (CONT’D): What was that?

DIANE: My stomach ... ow.

TIM: Are you okay?

DIANE: I’m fine. We’re fine, I guess I should say now. I still can’t believe there’s a little person in there.

She points to her stomach.

TIM: It’s amazing, isn’t it?

DIANE: Yeah, it really is. (beat) Look, Tim, there’s something we really need to talk about.

ACT FIVE

EXT: SHANNON’S HOUSE

MIDDAY

COURTNEY is scrambling to get up as she reaches for her crutches. She clutches the CAMERA tightly in her hand. DAVE looms over her and finally swoops down, taking the camera.

COURTNEY: Hey!

DAVE: Get out of here!

COURTNEY: No! Give me--

DAVE: Get the hell out of here, before-- Before we -- I --- before I call the cops.

COURTNEY: What?

DAVE: Go! Now!

Courtney stands up on her crutches and gets back into her car.

INT: CAR

MIDDAY

COURTNEY gets in, looking dejected.

COURTNEY: (sotto voce, almost crying) I don’t believe it. That was the proof I needed. But I blew it. And now they know I’m watching them. I’ll never be able to get anything now. Shannon’ll never be punished for what she did to me.

She starts the car and drives away.

EXT: SHANNON’S HOUSE

MIDDAY

SHANNON waits inside the doorway. DAVE approaches, holding the CAMERA victoriously.

SHANNON: Was it who I think it was?

DAVE: That Courtney chick? Yeah.

SHANNON: Damn her! Why does she always have to get in the way?

DAVE: Don’t worry about her.

SHANNON: I knew this whole thing was a bad idea. Promise me, if the cops arrest you--

DAVE: They can’t arrest me. All they have are suspicions.

SHANNON: If they take you in for any reason, don’t mention my name, please.

DAVE: Don’t worry. I won’t.

SHANNON: (sighs heavily) I just wish she’d butt out already.

DAVE: She doesn’t have much proof without this.

He waves the camera in front of her face and she takes it.

SHANNON: Good job, Dave. (beat) Without this, Courtney will never be able to prove anything. She’ll never be able to convince Jason that I’m up to no good.

INT: OFFICE (CONFERENCE ROOM)

MIDDAY

The door is open. TIM and DIANE stand by the table, which is covered in papers.

TIM: What’d you need to talk to me about?

DIANE: It’s about my baby.

TIM: Everything’s okay, isn’t it? Dr. Smith said--

DIANE: The baby is fine, Tim. It’s where the baby came from that I need to talk about with you.

INT: OFFICE (HALLWAY)

MIDDAY

An elevator rings and opens. CLAIRE steps out.

CLAIRE (THINKING): I wonder why Tim wanted to see me so much. Anyway, where’s the conference room?

She scans the area for a moment and sees a sign on one wall that reads "Conference Room" and has an arrow pointing in its direction. Claire follows that sign.

INT: CONFERENCE ROOM

MIDDAY

TIM and DIANE are talking. The door is open.

TIM: I still don’t get what you’re talking about, Diane.

DIANE: I need to talk to you about the father of my baby, Tim.

TIM: Diane, I don’t know if this is any of my business

DIANE: Oh, it is. It definitely is.

TIM: Then what is it you need to tell me about the father of your baby?

DIANE: He-- he’s you, Tim. You’re him.

TIM: What?

INT: HALLWAY

MIDDAY

CLAIRE spies the conference room and approaches it, but peeks in the open door and sees TIM and DIANE talking. She pauses.

INT: CONFERENCE ROOM

MIDDAY

TIM and DIANE are talking. CLAIRE stands outside the door, unseen.

TIM: What?

DIANE: You’re the father of my baby, Tim.

Tim appears completely stunned by this revelation.

Out on Claire, looking as if she’s had the wind knocked out of her.

END OF EPISODE #33

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