Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Episode 4.40
“Return”
by
David Polk
2.
RECAP
TEASER
FADE IN:
IVY
Please, make way. Make way. Move!
She gets through and stops. We don’t see what she does,
but anguish and concern are written on her stern face.
IVY
Oh my God. Achilles...
PORTIA
Now that we have successfully completed
section four of our textbooks, we can
begin section five today.
JEAN-LOUIS
Why that look?
PORTIA
E-mail’s down again.
JEAN-LOUIS
It’s slow but sure. Like many things in
my country.
JEAN-LOUIS
(re: the ring)
Why do you still wear that here? You
risk being attacked for it.
PORTIA
If someone wants to steal it, I’ll give
it to them without a peep. Until then,
I’ll wear it, Jean-Louis.
(looks at him)
Don’t be jealous. I’m with you, aren’t
I?
JEAN-LOUIS
Yes, but do I have the part that
matters most?
4.
Cara “Cat” Trzcinski walks off the jetbridge into the gate
area. She’s got a backpack on her shoulder. Her cell
phone CHIMES and she pulls it from her pocket. She hits
the button to retrieve her VOICE MESSAGE.
ED (V.O.)
Cara, honey, it’s Dad. I’ve got some
bad news... Achilles was in a serious
accident on his motorcycle... It
happened on Bayview.
Cat has stopped in her tracks. OFF her look of fear and
disbelief...
GALE
Hello, Mattie Honey.
MATTIE (V.O.)
Gale, something terrible has happened.
GALE
(reacts)
Oh God! Is it Duncan?!
MATTIE (V.O.)
No. Duncan is fine. And so is J.R.
It’s Achilles. He’s had an accident.
GALE
Oh my. Mattie, what happened? He’s
not –
MATTIE (V.O.)
He’s alive. But he was in a very bad
motorcycle accident. He’s being
airlifted to Virginia Mason now.
5.
GALE
I’m in Seattle now. I’ll go right
there to be with him. Does Billy know?
MATTIE (V.O.)
No one has been able to reach him.
Gale, do you know where he is?
OFF Gale...
GABRIELLE
Merci.
BILLY (O.S.)
(Texas accent)
C’est rien.
END TEASER
6.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
DR. ROCKOV
Doctor, I am Dr. Natalia Rockov, team
physician for the Sea Devils. I’m also
a licensed thoracic surgeon and
Achilles’ personal physician. I would
like to observe the procedure.
RICHARD
(beat, considering)
That’ll be fine, Dr. Rockov.
NURSE
He’s ready, Dr. O’Connell.
Cat paces back and forth, worried sick, her cell phone
stuck to her ear.
CAT
But what if he does, Dallas? What if
he does?
DALLAS
He’s not going to die, Red. Okay.
Just try to calm down, sweetheart. Ed
said he was airlifted to Virginia
Mason. That’s a great hospital.
They’ll do everything they can.
INTERCUT: CAT/DALLAS
CAT
I knew I shouldn’t have left. He was
acting strange. I felt something
wasn’t right with him. I should’ve
stayed this weekend...
DALLAS
It was an accident and it had nothing
to do with you, Red.
CAT
Dallas, it happened at the same
intersection where Cal died... That
night, if I’d just gone home with Cal
instead of staying at that party to get
high and have sex –
DALLAS
Stop it, Cara! There’s no connection
at all between that night and what
happened to Q.B. today.
CAT
No?! Why am I coming to see you,
Dallas?! It’s the same thing all over
again –
8.
DALLAS
Red, please. I know how you feel about
Achilles. I know you’re close. But
it’s not the same, sweetheart.
CAT
You say that but you don’t know,
Dallas! You don’t know!
DALLAS
Just hang tight, Red. I’m coming to
the airport and we can fly back to
Maitland together.
BILLY
I love you, Elle. I want to marry you.
That’s what I came here to tell you.
GABRIELLE
Billy, we’re ruining one another’s
lives, not to mention the lives of
other people. My mother saw it,
Charlotte saw it. Even we saw it. But
we foolishly chose to ignore the signs.
BILLY
(charming smile)
Hadn’t you heard? Love is blind.
GABRIELLE
And, apparently, incredibly stupid.
Look, Billy, I came here to get away
from you, away from us and the
craziness of us. Now you track me down
and say you want to marry me? How’s
that going to work, Billy? Or have you
forgotten that wife is a homicidal
maniac?
9.
BILLY
You told me once that you’re crazy for
me. Well I’m crazy about you too.
Together our crazy trumps her crazy.
GABRIELLE
I love you so much, Billy.
BILLY
(hopeful)
And I love you, Elle.
GABRIELLE
I know you do. Which is why you’re
going to let me go.
(off his reaction)
You have to let me get on with my life,
Billy... And go back to yours.
She pushes a button and the paper TARGET slides toward her
from down range. When it arrives, she examines the
silhouette: three holes in the head.
DESTRY (O.S.)
Not bad, O’Connell. Not bad at all.
VALERIE
Thank you. I’m sure I could do better
at closer range.
DESTRY
The FBI is a gun culture, has been
since the days of J. Edgar Hoover, so
doing well on the range is a
prerequisite for advancement... Hey, I
wonder what that’s all about.
AGENT #1
Hey, O’Connell, isn’t that your
husband?
ON TV
RICHARD (V.O.)
Mr. Addams’ suffered multiple facial
fractures and lacerations to his chest
and arms, as well as relatively minor
injuries to his left shoulder and knees
from impact with the pavement.
RICHARD (V.O.)
All of the fractures were successfully
repaired. Mr. Addams’ brain, spine,
chest and abdomen appear to be without
serious injury...
DESTRY
O’Connell, you okay? O’Connell? Hey,
somebody get her a glass of water...
GALE
Congratulations on a successful
surgery, Dr. O’Connell.
RICHARD
Thank you, Mrs. Donahue. He’s very
fortunate that he was wearing a helmet.
Without it, given the extent of the
facial injuries, I’m sure the accident
would have been fatal.
CHARLOTTE
What about his recovery, Doctor? How
long before he’s back to his normal
self?
RICHARD
That’s hard to say. A broken jaw
typically takes seven weeks to heal.
Therapy for an elite athlete to regain
full motion could take several months.
Reconstructive surgery for his facial
injuries should be routine, but there’s
healing time. A lot really depends on
Achilles and his desire to return.
Beat.
GALE
Thank you, Dr. O’Connell.
CHARLOTTE
Dr. Rockov, would you mind giving Mrs.
Donahue and me a moment?
DR. ROCKOV
Certainly. I’ll go look in on
Achilles.
CHARLOTTE
Achilles’ mother should be landing
within the hour. She’ll have a room at
the Meridian as long as she needs it.
GALE
That’s very good. And Portia, have you
reached her yet?
12.
CHARLOTTE
Not yet. She’s in a village somewhere
in West Africa. I’m sure we’ll hear
from her by morning. We’ll fly her
back as soon as we contact her.
GALE
Yes, Charlotte, what is it?
CHARLOTTE
I finally reached Billy about an hour
ago.
GALE
And is he on his way home?
CHARLOTTE
Yes.
GALE
(beat)
Alone?
OFF Charlotte...
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Can I get you anything, Mr. Donahue?
Mr. Donahue?
BILLY
(finally hearing her)
Sorry. No. No thank you.
FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Well, let me know if you change your
mind.
13.
RICHARD
We have anything to eat?
VALERIE
(softly)
Thank you, Richard.
RICHARD
I’m a doctor. It’s my job.
FADE OUT.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
PORTIA
Oh God, no! No!
PORTIA
Well I need to speak to him!
(listens)
Jesus! He operated on my HUSBAND.
JEAN-LOUIS
Portia, please...
PORTIA
What part of “I’m in a remote part of
Africa and can’t wait to make an
appointment” don’t you understand?!
(listens, then boiling over)
I swear to God if you don’t put
(MORE)
15.
PORTIA (CONT’D.)
somebody on this phone who can tell me
something about my husband right now,
I’m going to sue everybody in that
goddamn hospital, starting with you!
LENA
Momma’s here, baby. Momma’s here.
FRAZZLED NURSE
Good God! I’ve got some crazy woman on
the phone who claims she’s calling from
Africa and that she’s Achilles Addams’
wife and demanding to talk to Dr.
O’Connell. Mrs. Addams is in with
Achilles now, isn’t she?
COWORKER
His mother’s with him now. His wife is
out of the country... Oh, that’s right,
you just moved here. Achilles’ wife,
Portia, is doing missionary work
somewhere in West Africa.
FRAZZLED NURSE
(sinking feeling)
Uh-oh.
DALLAS
Red, why don’t you turn that off?
They’re not saying anything new. He’s
in stable condition. That’s all we
need to know.
CAT
I know everybody at that hospital. I
can’t believe they won’t let me in to
see him.
DALLAS
We’ve been through this before, Red.
Remember what happened with me? You
know the drill; it’s family only.
Achilles is high profile. They can’t
break the rules.
CAT
For Christ’s sake, we live together,
Dallas! Now that Portia’s gone I’m the
closest thing to family he has here!
He puts the soup on the coffee table and sits down, puts an
arm around her.
DALLAS
Red, the worst is over. Achilles
didn’t die. He’s not going to die.
You’re here for him now. Stop beating
yourself up, okay?
CAT
Thanks for coming back home with me,
Dallas. I love you.
DALLAS
(kisses her forehead)
I love you too, Red.
ACHILLES
No. Don’t come.
PORTIA
But Lee, you need me! I’m your wife!
I should be with you now!
INTERCUT: ACHILLES/PORTIA
ACHILLES
Portia. Kids need you.
PORTIA
I’ll come back to the mission when
you’re better. I’m not hearing any
nonsense, Lee. I’ll be on a flight to
New York tonight and –
ACHILLES
No!
PORTIA
I don’t understand, Lee. They say
it’ll be at least three months before
you’re well. Mom can’t stay with you
that long, she has to go back to work.
PORTIA
Lee, what is it?
(beat, apologetic)
I know you must hate me for being with
Jean-Louis –
ACHILLES
No! Don’t hate you. Love you, Portia.
PORTIA
(beat)
Then why don’t you want me to come home
to take care of you?
18.
ACHILLES
(beat)
Marcus.
ACHILLES
Took care of me before, Portia. My
turn now.
PORTIA
It’s not the same, Lee. You know
that...
ACHILLES
(firm)
Live. Your. Life.
ON TV
SANDY (V.O.)
While doctors say Addams’ five-hour
surgery went smoothly, the road to
recovery could he a bumpy ride for the
Heisman finalist. If all goes well
it’ll be at least three months before
he’s cleared for the practice field.
And there is some doubt, given the
injuries to his arm and legs, as to
whether he can return to the form that
has made him one of College Football’s
most exciting players. When camp
begins in late July, Coach Billy
Donahue will put red-shirt Senior Nate
Hughes and true Freshman Ricky Boone to
the test to see which of them will run
the Sea Devils offense until Addams
returns. If he returns...
Billy comes into the room and puts down his travel bag.
Duncan is the first to notice him. The baby squeals
19.
GRACIE
Oh, hi, Coach!
J.R.
Dad! You’re back!
GRACIE
We’ve got to stop doing this, Johnny.
J.R.
Why? Greg’s graduated. He’s not still
calling you is he?
GRACIE
No. He e-mails. But that’s not why.
J.R.
What then? Mom and Dad? Gracie, Mom’s
as crazy about you now as I am. And
Dad doesn’t care if we have sex as long
as long as you don’t get pregnant –
GRACIE
J.R., are you not paying attention?!
J.R.
(pressing)
What, what is it already?! I’m not a
mind reader, Gracie.
GRACIE
We’re just making it harder on
ourselves when you leave for Texas.
J.R.
Is that it? That’s why you’ve been so
moody these last few weeks?
20.
J.R.
Gracie, I’ll be home two or three times
during the school year. We’ll be fine.
GRACIE
We won’t be fine, J.R., and you’re
lying to yourself if you think
otherwise.
He sits up too.
J.R.
Look, Gracie, we’ve been through this.
I told you, I broke up with you because
I wanted to know what it was like to be
with another girl. I did it, I found
out, and now I know you’re the only
girl I want to be with. Doesn’t matter
if I’m here in Maitland or in Texas,
you’re all I want.
GRACIE
And you’re all I want, Johnny. But we
have to be realistic. Long distance
relationships don’t work. Period.
J.R.
So are you saying we should break up –
again – before I leave for college?
Beat.
GRACIE
I don’t know what I’m saying, Johnny.
I just know every time we make love I
feel so... so afraid that after you’re
gone everything will change, and we’ll
never be able to get back what we have.
GALE
Dr. Rockov said that Dr. O’Connell did
an incredible job with Achilles. She
said a lesser surgeon wouldn’t have has
as much success repairing the shoulder
and leg injuries.
GALE
(to bathroom)
Charlotte and Dr. Rockov have already
made a short list of therapists who
will help him recover. If he works
hard, he could be ready for Boise State
in week two. Won’t that be great?
Awkward silence.
GALE
(to bathroom)
Dr. O’Connell is married to that pretty
Korean girl who was Achilles’ tutor
when he was a freshman. Isn’t that a
nice coincidence?
BILLY
I’ve given this a lot of thought, Gale.
And no matter how I game play it in my
head, no matter how I look at things,
it all comes out the same.
GALE
Billy honey, Achilles will be fine.
He’ll have to work hard, but he’s done
it before, when he got knocked out for
four weeks as a freshman. And there
are plenty of people to help him...
BILLY
This isn’t going to work, Gale... We’re
not going to work.
GALE
What do you mean, Billy?
22.
BILLY
Gale, I want a divorce.
BILLY
Did you hear what I said? I want a
divorce, Gale.
GALE
Billy, you can’t truly believe that...
that woman is worth throwing away all
we’ve built together, that you’ll be
truly happy with her.
BILLY
That “woman” sent me packing, Gale.
It’s over between me and Gabrielle.
And the truth is you and I haven’t been
happy – “truly” happy – for years.
GALE
Honey, you’ve had a long, grueling trip
home. You need to rest. We’re all upset
about Achilles. You’re not thinking
clearly, that’s all...
BILLY
My thinking is crystal clear, Gale.
Look, be honest... If we were really
still in love could any of this have
happened? Me and Gabrielle? You and
Phil?
GALE
I want you to stop, Billy... We can
talk about this tomorrow if you like,
but I want you to stop it now.
BILLY
Gale –
She loses it, grabs his shirt, shoves and pounds his chest
with her fists. He holds her shoulders to steady her.
BILLY
Gale, I just don’t have anything left.
I’m sorry... It’s over.
23.
She pulls away from him, her eyes red from tears and anger.
GALE
No! We’re not over, Billy! This
family’s not over!
She goes to the door. When she gets there she turns –
GALE
Don’t bother hiring a lawyer, Billy.
I’m your wife. You’ll never have
another as long as I live. And I’m
going to live for a long, long time.
Count on it.
FADE OUT.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
ACHILLES
Hello?
CAKE
Why do you answer as though you don’t
know it’s me?
INTERCUT: ACHILLES/CAKE
ACHILLES
Because.
CAKE
Because what, Silly?
ACHILLES
Might not be you.
CAKE
Oh, so you’ve been out of the hospital
for a week and already you’re picking
up strange girls?
ACHILLES
Ha-ha! Funny. Not.
CAKE
(sweet laugh)
At least I know you’re not French
kissing anybody.
ACHILLES
Can’t say same about you.
CAKE
That’s right, you can’t. I French kiss
strange girls here all the time.
(MORE)
26.
CAKE (CONT’D.)
French women really are the best
kissers! Maybe I’ll teach you a thing
or two when I get home.
ACHILLES
Brat.
CAKE
Are you feeling better, Achilles?
ACHILLES
Yeah. Still sore as hell.
CAKE
I wish I were there to take care of
you.
ACHILLES
Thanks. I’m fine.
CAKE
Achilles, you’re not alone, you know.
Everybody wants to see you return and
play well next season.
CAKE
So is every part of you sore... or are
certain parts less sore than others?
ACHILLES
(catching her drift)
Some parts less sore.
CAKE
You know, if I were there, I could
massage the parts that are sore... and
caress the parts that aren’t.
ACHILLES
That would be nice.
CAKE
Oh, it would be nice, Achilles... I’d
start by rubbing your neck and
shoulders.
ACHILLES
Yeah?
CAKE
Mmmm-hmmm. Then I’d run the tip of my
tongue along your neck, down to your
chest.
ACHILLES
(becoming aroused)
Yeah. Then what?
As she speaks, she slides her hand between her thigh and
begins masturbating.
CAKE
Then I’d kiss your stomach while I
touched you... Would you like that,
Achilles?
ACHILLES
Yes. I would...
Achilles slips his arm out of the sling and slides his hand
into his sweat pants.
CAKE
So would I. Then I’d keep kissing you –
CAT (O.S.)
Einstein, I’m back!
Achilles quickly jerks his hand out of his sweats and bolts
upright just as Cat opens his bedroom door.
CAT
I’m back.
ACHILLES
I heard you the first time! Ever heard
of knocking?
CAT/CAKE
Who’s that?/What?
28.
ACHILLES
(to Cat)
A friend.
(to Cake)
My roommate’s here.
CAKE
Don’t tell her it’s me, Achilles!
CAT
I wondered where all the tissues were
going. Try not to dislocate your
shoulder again jerking off, Einstein.
ACHILLES
Screw you, Lesbot!
CAT
I bet you do – all the time in your
dreams!
ACHILLES
That’s funny?
CAKE
I’m sorry, baby, but it is.
ACHILLES (V.O.)
How can you be such good friends with
her?
29.
CAKE
You know what they say: opposites
attract. Sort of like you and me.
Besides, you know you love her.
CAKE
Hold on, okay?
INTERCUT: CAT/CAKE/ACHILLES
CAT
Hi, slut!
CAKE
Hey, whore!
CAT
Whatcha doin’?
CAKE
Just finishing up another call. Hold
on a sec, okay?
(switches back to Achilles)
Hi, I have to go now.
ACHILLES
Seriously? Why?
CAKE
Got another call from the States.
ACHILLES
Who?
CAKE
Guess?
ACHILLES
(beat)
No.
CAKE
(smiles)
Yes.
ACHILLES
Come on, Cake!
CAKE
(giggles sweetly)
Sorry. You boys have “Bros before
Hoes.” We girls have “Sisters before
Misters.”
(beat, then heartfelt)
I’ll be thinking about you tonight,
Achilles. Keep thinking about me, okay?
ACHILLES
Okay... Goodnight, Cake.
He clicks off the phone then grudgingly slides his arm back
into the sling.
CAKE
Okay, Cat, I’m back.
Cat kicks off her shoes and lay back on the bed.
CAT
So are you all set to come back next
week? No more delays?
CAKE
I’m all set and I can hardly wait to
get home. Booked my flight and
everything.
CAT
Great. Achilles moves out this
weekend.
CAKE
I feel bad about that, Cat. After all
he’s been through, to have to move out
in his condition. I wouldn’t mind
going back home until he’s recovered.
CAT
Forget it, Cake. With the rehab
program he’ll go through, he’s better
off living in the players’ dorm.
CAKE
He’d be better off training with you
over the summer Cat and you know it.
(MORE)
31.
CAKE (CONT’D.)
He’s stubborn about working out but he
listens to you, ever since you helped
him when you were freshmen.
CAT
Since when do you care whether Einstein
does what he’s told?
CAKE
(a bit too emotional)
Why wouldn’t I care?! He’s my friend
too, Cat!
CAT
What do you mean by that?
CAKE
(covering)
What do you mean, “What do I mean?”
The whole town wants to see him play
again next season, right? So do I.
MATTIE
Is everything alright, Gale?
GALE
No, Mattie. Everything is not alright.
GALE
He means it this time, Mattie. He’s
going to leave me. I know it.
32.
MATTIE
Gale, Billy has been upset before.
Very upset. But he loves you. He
can’t live without you. This will pass,
like the drugs and the alcohol... And
the miscarriage.
GALE
What do I do, Mattie? I can’t lose
him. I just can’t. Oh, I wish I could
just make it all go away!
DONNA
Will you be needing anything before I
leave, Coach?
BILLY
I think we’re all set, Donna. Thanks.
DONNA
Achilles? How about you, dear?
DONNA
Alright. But you have my cell number.
Don’t be afraid to use it. I promised
your mother I’d keep my eye on you
after she leaves.
BILLY
(playful)
I think he’s got enough women looking
after him already, Donna.
DONNA
Excuse me for saying so, Coach, but
they’re all white, and I know what
(MORE)
33.
DONNA (CONT’D.)
their idea of “taking care” of him is.
He needs looking after from a woman who
knows what’s what when it comes to
healing a black man.
BILLY
Thank you, Mrs. Dixon, for helping to
end racial stereotyping on campus.
DONNA
Make fun if you want to, but you know I
know what I’m talking about.
She turns her nose up as she walks out and closes the door.
After she’s gone, Billy turns serious.
BILLY
I know this won’t sound right,
Achilles, but the truth is you’re
probably better off without Portia
here. You’re going to have to work
harder than you ever have to get back
on the field by week two or three.
There won’t be room for distractions,
marital or otherwise.
BILLY
What is it, son?
ACHILLES
Coach, not sure I want it bad enough.
(off Billy’s surprise)
Don’t want to let anybody down – you,
the team, the town – but I didn’t come
back just to play football.
BILLY
Why did you come back, Achilles?
34.
ACHILLES
(beat)
A girl.
BILLY
Tell me about it.
BILLY
Nowhere in that story did you say
anything about you two being in love.
ACHILLES
Don’t know if we’re in love. Just know
we want to find out.
BILLY
But you do love Portia?
ACHILLES
(nods “yes”)
But it’s different. Got married too
soon and for the wrong reasons. Now we
both need to find out what we really
want in life.
BILLY
And winning a national championship,
getting a shot at playing in the NFL,
that’s not what you want in life?
GALE
Billy honey, we’re in here.
35.
J.R.
Hey, Dad.
Billy, who was going to head upstairs, comes into the room.
BILLY
Hi, son.
ROSE
How is Achilles, Billy Boy?
BILLY
He’s doing better, Mom.
GALE
We’ve got your favorite tonight, honey
– rib-eye steak, green beans and
Mexican rice.
BILLY
Thanks, but I’m not hungry. Besides,
it looks like you’ve already eaten.
I’ll just grab a yogurt later.
GALE
Nonsense. Sit down with the family.
Before you know it, J.R. will be off to
College Station, Gracie will be moving
into the dorms and you’ll be consumed
with summer camp. We won’t have many
chances for time like this together.
ROSE
She’s right, Billy Boy. Wolf always
made time to sit down to supper with
Gale and me.
GALE
There you go, honey.
BILLY
Thank you.
36.
VALERIE
How do you like the salmon?
RICHARD
It’s good.
VALERIE
Just good?
RICHARD
Perfect.
VALERIE
Nina and Jabari will be in Seattle for
the Fourth. They’d like to get
together. Maybe go out on the boat.
RICHARD
If I can get away from the hospital,
I’d love to spend time with them.
VALERIE
I can hardly believe Darcy is almost
two years old. I remember the day Nina
told me she was pregnant like it was
yesterday.
RICHARD
(looks at her)
But it wasn’t yesterday, Valerie.
(off her reaction)
You and Nina have both been out of
college for years. Maybe it’s time you
put those days behind you and focus on
the future. Our future.
VALERIE
How do you like the wine? It’s from
that new place on Fifth Street.
37.
DESTRY
Hey, O’Connell, Sikes and me are going
out for a bite. Want to join us?
VALERIE
Thanks but I’ve got a boatload of
casework to finish up.
DESTRY
How’d you get a D6 clearance?
VALERIE
(covering)
It’s temporary. I asked Marshall for
it to help with some work I’m doing on
the De Souza case.
VALERIE
Come to think of it, I am hungry.
FADE OUT.
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
Achilles, Lena and Cat walk down the corridor. He’s using
a crutch and walks with a limp.
LENA
Now you don’t rush anything, Lee. I
don’t care what the doctors say, we
nurses know best and I won’t have you
causing permanent damage because
they’re pushing you too hard to come
back by a certain game.
ACHILLES
Alright, Mom, I’ll take it slow and
easy. Promise.
LENA
Cara, I’m going to count on you to make
sure he means it.
CAT
Don’t worry, Mrs. Addams. I’ll keep
him in line. You heard that, right,
Einstein? I’m in charge.
ACHILLES
Jeez, Mom, why’d you say that?!
ACHILLES
You have a safe flight, Mom. And don’t
worry. I’m going to do just fine.
LENA
I know, baby. I know you will.
them has an affect on her. She smiles and blows them both
a kiss goodbye.
ACHILLES
Thanks for driving mom to the airport.
CAT
No problem. I like your mom. She’s a
great lady.
ACHILLES
Thanks.
CAT
She’d have to be to put up with an
asshole like you.
He smirks. Beat.
ACHILLES
No way! Is that a gorilla there?
CAT
What? Where?
CAT
Dick!
ACHILLES
Dike.
CAT
Shit. I wasn’t doing more than sixty.
CAT
Great. Polly Purebread.
IVY
Hi, Cat. Achilles.
CAT
(hands over license)
Hi, Trooper Sandusky. Was I speeding?
IVY
No, Cat, you weren’t. Your right
taillight is busted.
CAT
(feigns surprise)
Really?! Wow, I’d better get that
fixed.
IVY
That’s what you said when I stopped you
for the same thing two months ago.
CAT
Oh. Well I really mean it this time.
IVY
Well I really mean it this time. Next
time it’s going to cost you seventy-
five bucks plus the cost to fix it.
CAT
Okay. Thanks, Trooper Sandusky.
41.
IVY
Looks like you’re coming along pretty
good there, Achilles.
ACHILLES
Pretty good, Trooper Sandusky.
IVY
That’s nice to hear. Take care, you
two. And drive safe.
CAT
Yes ma’am.
Cat rolls the window and then rolls her eyes as Ivy walks
back to the cruiser.
ACHILLES
What’d you call her? Polly what?
CAT
Polly Purebread. Stuck up, straight-
laced, by the book. Probably born with
a badge in one hand, a gun in the other
and a nightstick stuck up her ass.
ACHILLES
I’m sorry, officer, I should have –
IVY
Been paying closer attention to the
posted speed?
ACHILLES
Yes, ma’am.
(looks at nametag)
Officer Sandusky.
42.
IVY
Trooper Sandusky. License and
registration.
IVY
You play Hawai’i on Saturday, right?
ACHILLES
Yes ma’am.
IVY
(lying)
I’m twenty-seven. Don’t call me ma’am.
ACHILLES
Sorry. You don’t look twenty-seven.
(off her reaction)
I’d guess more like twenty-three,
twenty-four tops.
IVY
Shut the engine off, Mr. Addams.
IVY
I’m going let you off with a warning
this time, Achilles.
ACHILLES
Thank you, Trooper Sandusky.
IVY
Ivy.
ACHILLES
Thank you, Ivy.
IVY
Slow it down, Achilles... Or else.
She walks back to her cruiser, slow enough for him to check
out her ass, nice even in Trooper slacks. Then he unfolds
the paper on his license: “Ivy – 555-1111.”
DOCTOR
The jaw is healing nicely, Achilles.
But you’ll still want to go easy – soft
foods, nothing too hot or cold.
Now that the wiring has been removed,
you’re ready for reconstructive
dentistry and plastic surgery.
ACHILLES
Thanks, Doctor.
DOCTOR
There are quite a few very good
surgeons on the West Coast. You’ll get
those movie star looks back before you
know it.
RICHARD
Achilles. How are you feeling? The arm
and legs doing okay?
ACHILLES
Good. Yeah, everything’s fine. Just
got the wiring out of my jaw.
RICHARD
Is there something I can help you with?
ACHILLES
I wanted to say thank you, Dr.
O’Connell.
RICHARD
You’re welcome. But it’s my job,
Achilles. I’d have performed the
procedures the same for any patient.
ACHILLES
I know.
RICHARD
Good luck with your recovery, Achilles.
ACHILLES
Thanks. It’s going to be tough, I know.
RICHARD
People have come back from worse.
Sometimes it’s a matter of badly you
want something.
They share a look that says they both know there’s more
behind Richard’s words. A nurse comes up.
NURSE
Dr. O’Connell. You’re needed in the
O.R.
RICHARD
On my way.
ACHILLES
I’m not going to sneak around, you know
that right? I did it with Becky and
Valerie when they were here. I won’t
do that again.
CAKE
Who’s talking about us sneaking around?
You told Portia about us, right?
Sofia’s going to have a cow because
you’re technically married, but she’ll
deal with it and so will dad, as long
as I’m happy.
INTERCUT: ACHILLES/CAKE
ACHILLES
You know it’s not them I’m talking
about. Why don’t we just tell her
today? She’s almost done with kiddy
camp, we can do it right here, right
now, together.
CAKE
No! Look, Achilles... I’ll tell Cat as
soon as I get home.
ACHILLES
Don’t you think she’s going to be just
a tad pissed off to learn we’ve been
lying to her all these months?
CAKE
We haven’t lied to her, Achilles...
You just don’t understand. It’s
complicated.
46.
ACHILLES
Oh, I understand, Cake. It’s about you
and her brother Cal and how she didn’t
want you two to be together because it
might hurt your friendship. Well I’m
not Cal and you shouldn’t allow Cara to
decide who you can and can’t be with,
even if she is your best friend.
CAKE
Achilles, just let me handle it my way,
please? I’ll tell her the first chance
I get after I land. Alone. Okay?
ACHILLES
(to Cat)
Nice. Real classy in front of the
kids, Lesbot!
CAKE
Achilles! Don’t call her that in front
of a bunch of little girls!
ACHILLES
Hey, she just flipped me off in front
of them! Which is worse?
CAKE
I can’t wait to see you two. And I
can’t wait to get my hands on you.
CAKE
It’s seven hours to New York then
another six to Seattle and then it’s
just be two hours drive till I’m home!
47.
CAT
And you land in Seattle at what, around
7 o’clock?
INTERCUT: CAKE/CAT
CAKE
Yeah. I’m going to a total zombie but
I want to stay up with you all night
when I get there. I missed you so much!
CAT
Me too! And your room is all ready. I
made Einstein wash all the sheets,
vacuum the floor and clean everything!
CAKE
Cat! He’s in no condition to be your
house slave!
CAT
(laughs)
I know. I’m just kidding. But he did
buy new bed linen for you. It’s the
least he could do after leaving his
cooties everywhere!
CAKE
There’s so much I want to talk to you
about when I get home, Cat.
GABRIELLE
(smiles)
Bonjour.
CAKE
Bonjour.
CAT
What?
48.
CAKE
I just said hello to a woman jogging
by. She looked really familiar. Like
someone from t.v. in the States.
TAXI DRIVER
(in French)
We are ready to go, Mademoiselle.
CAKE
I’m on my way to the airport now. I
love you, Cat.
CAT
(smiles)
I love you too. Whore!
CAKE
(smiles)
Slut!
Cake clicks her phone off and climbs into the taxi. She
takes a last look at the apartment as the taxi pulls away.
GALE
We have a good life together, Billy.
BILLY
(turns to face her)
We did. But I don’t want to live in the
past.
(beat, somberly)
I’m going to move out, Gale... I’ll
wait until J.R. and Gracie have left
for school. After the July barbeque.
(MORE)
49.
BILLY (CONT’D.)
Then I’ll rent a place. I’ll be as
discreet as possible, but eventually it
will get out that we’re separated.
Hopefully we can avoid the press until
the season’s over. Mattie can help you
there.
GALE
If you need time... to clear your head,
I understand. Know that I love you,
Billy, with every fiber of my being.
Know that my arms and my heart will
always be here to welcome you home.
ON TV
ON TV
Cat’s Mustang pulls into a parking space. She gets out and
walks to the service entrance of the restaurant.
CAT
Hey, what’s with all this standing
around? Cake will be here before you
know it.
CAT
Hey, what happened? What’s wrong?
ON TV
UMBERTO
Cara...
CAT
No... No..
CAT
(angry denial)
She got a different! She was on a
different, plane!
UMBERTO
(sadly)
No, bella, she called Sofia from the
plane before –
CAT
All of you stop it! It’s not true!
It’s not true! It’s not true...
FADE OUT.
END OF EPISODE