DIGGING OUR OWN GRAVE

A Pretty Little Liars Episode

Written by
Ashton Trumble

720-840-3754
ashton.trumble@pepperdine.edu

TEASER
FADE IN:
DREAM SEQUENCE - INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU ROOM - DAY
SILENCE save for the steady BEEPING of a HEART MONITOR. EZRA
lies sound asleep, propped up in bed. ARIA sits at his side,
alternating her gaze between various medical machines.
The NURSE enters the room. Aria turns to the door.
NURSE
Im afraid visiting hours are over.
When Aria turns back around, ALISON has taken Ezras place in
the hospital bed. She is deathly pale with leaves and twigs
in her hair.
Ali?

ARIA

ALISON
What have you done?
Aria?

SPENCER (O.S.)
END DREAM
SEQUENCE.

INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Aria is asleep on Ezras hospital bed. Her hair and makeup
are messy. SPENCER nudges her.
Aria?

SPENCER

Aria opens her eyes. Spencer sticks a latte in her face.

SPENCER (CONTD)
You need this more than I do.
ARIA
Terrifying, but true.
Spencer checks her watch.
SPENCER
Come on, lets get you home.

2.
Aria keeps her gaze fixed on Ezra.
ARIA
What if he wakes up while Im gone?
SPENCER
Aria, the two of you will have
matching comas unless you get some
sleep.
ARIA
Then Ill just borrow some of your
speed pills.
Spencer recoils.
ARIA (CONTD)
Im sorry. Im so sorry, Spence.
Spencer helps Aria up and guides her toward the door.
SPENCER
If youre up for diving into the
Philadelphia River to retrieve
them, theyre all yours.
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Nurses and doctors zip across the hallway. Aria squints
against the bright ceiling lights and leans against Spencer.
Elevator.

SPENCER

Aria looks back at Ezra through the window in the door.

ARIA
This is all my fault.
SPENCER
Aria. I told Mindy I was just
running out to grab coffee. If Im
gone longer than five minutes
shell tell my parents Im in a
back alley shooting up.
Spencer grabs Arias arm and drags her across the hallway.
Aria slams straight into WES.
Aria!

WES

He gives her an awkward hug.

3.
ARIA
(mouths to Spencer)
Do something!
Spencer throws her hands in the air.
Aria emerges from the hug and runs her fingers through her
hair. She and Wes stare at each other for a painfully long
second.
So hows--

WESLEY

Have you--

ARIA

SPENCER
Aria. Back alley.
Wess brow furrows.
ARIA
I have to go.
WES
No worries. Ill be here.
ARIA
Oh, you will. Yeah, of course you
will! Well then Ill see you soon!
Arias face falls as soon as she makes it past Wes to the
elevator.
SPENCER
When it rains, it pours.
ARIA
Stop it, Spencer! Thats Ezras
younger brother.
SPENCER
(laughs)
Oh now it makes sense.
Aria shakes her head and pushes the button for the elevator.
END OF TEASER

4.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - DAY
The spotless kitchen is seemingly empty. Spencer slinks
inside. MINDY sneaks behind her.
MINDY
Isnt the coffee shop just down the
street?
SPENCER
(startled)
Yeah.
MINDY
Seems like it shouldnt take an
hour to grab a latte.
SPENCER
I ran into a couple friends. Whats
the big deal?
Mindy grabs a notebook out of her satchel and jots something
down.
MINDY
Well, you promised you would only
be gone ten minutes. Im suspending
your phone and freedom privileges
for the rest of the week.
SPENCER
Thats ridiculous! I was on a
coffee run!
MINDY
I highly doubt that. This is what
your parents hired me to do,
Spencer.
SPENCER
Dean would not be treating me like
this.
MINDY
Dean got caught sleeping on the
job. Literally. I can hardly blame
your mother for firing him.

5.
SPENCER
You have no idea-VERONICA enters the kitchen.
VERONICA
Good afternoon, girls.
MINDY
Good afternoon, Mrs. Hastings.
VERONICA
Its a beautiful day. Spencer, your
sister is thrilled youre doing
better and would like to have lunch
with you this week. Theres
something important she wants to
discuss.
SPENCER
Too bad Im on house arrest.
VERONICA
(to Mindy)
Oh, Im sure Mindy can make an
exception.
MINDY
Absolutely.
SPENCER
Ill be in my room.
(to Mindy)
That is, if Im allowed.
MINDY
Be my guest.
Spencer marches toward the stairs.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - SPENCERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Spencer pulls out the bottom drawer of her dresser and
unhooks the top part of the drawer to reveal a secret cubby.
She shakes a cheap-looking cellphone and a SIM card out of a
pair of socks. She inserts the SIM card into the phone.
Phone screen reads: MISSED CALLS (6): TOBY CAVANAUGH
Spencer rests her head on the dresser and scrolls through her
contacts.
Phone screen reads: CONTACT: TOBY CAVANAUGH: 215-423-6798

6.
Spencers finger hovers over the SEND key. She continues to
scroll.
Phone screen reads: CONTACT: DEAN STAVROS: 215-792-6455
Spencer takes a deep breath and holds the phone to her ear.
EXT. ROSEWOOD - NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY
It is a cold and blustery day in Rosewood. Aria walks along
the sidewalk and rubs her hands up and down her arms. She
yawns and glances at the DiLaurentis house. She pauses on the
sidewalk and walks up toward the house.
EXT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - FRONT WALKWAY - DAY
Leaves clutter the front porch, and the garden is dry. The
house is completely dark.
Aria steps onto the porch. She rings the DOORBELL.
ARIA
Hello? Mrs. DiLaurentis?
Aria tries the DOOR. It opens with a CREEAK.
INT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Every window in the living room is open. Curtains billow in
the breeze. Leaves blow in and rest in heaps on the
DiLaurentiss ornate furniture.
The wind causes the DOOR to SLAM shut behind Aria. She jumps,
startled, and walks toward the kitchen.
INT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
A large pile of dirty dishes pollutes the kitchen sink. Flies
gather around the rotting food. WATER DRIPS from the faucet.
Aria turns off the faucet. A figure in a black hoodie swiftly
crosses the hallway behind her. The FRONT DOOR OPENS. Aria
spins around.
Hello?

ARIA

She makes a beeline for the door.

7.
INT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The front door is open and swinging in the wind. Aria races
onto the porch.
EXT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - FRONT WALKWAY - CONTINUOUS
Aria runs halfway down the front path but stops when she sees
a garden shovel lying across the walkway.
Aria looks around before picking up the shovel. There is a
note wrapped around the handle. Aria unfolds it.
The note reads: All bitches become like their mothers.
Better start digging. --A
Aria turns the note over but its blank on the other side.
She grips the shovel and surveys the barren yard.
INT. MONTGOMERY RESIDENCE - ARIAS BEDROOM - DAY
Aria paces back and forth. HANNA and EMILY enter.
EMILY
Hey, we got your S.O.S. Whats up?
ARIA
Wheres Spencer?
Hanna plops down on Arias bed.
HANNA
Shes on lock-down.
ARIA
Oh, thats my fault. Poor Spencer.
EMILY
How is that your fault?
HANNA
Can we prioritize our problems
here?
(to Aria)
I was on my way towards a bowl of
pasta salad when I got your text.
EMILY
Are you doing okay, Aria?
HANNA
Yeah, you look like a zombie.

8.

Hanna!

EMILY

Aria and Emily join Hanna on the bed.

ARIA
No, shes right. I havent slept in
over 12 hours. I was walking home
from Spencers house-HANNA
You were at Spencers? I cant
believe that bitch Mindy let you
inside but not me!
EMILY
Hanna, let her talk.
ARIA
I didnt go inside. Spencer drove
us to her place because she was
running late. On my way home, I
walked past the DiLaurentis house.
It looked...different. There was no
one inside-HANNA
You went inside?!
Hanna!

EMILY

HANNA
Seriously, Aria?! I wouldnt touch
that place with a ten foot pole!
ARIA
Would you settle for a ten foot
shovel? Cause thats what was on
the walkway after I bolted.
EMILY
You think A put it there?
HANNA
You sure you werent hallucinating?
Sleep deprivation and all?
Aria reaches into her back pocket and hands the note to
Hanna.
ARIA
This was wrapped around the handle.

9.
HANNA
(reads aloud)
All bitches become like their
mothers. Better start digging. A.
EMILY
Do you think Mrs. D is the one who
wrote the note?
EMILY (CONTD)
Whoa, slow down. Ali already told
us her mom isnt A.
ARIA
Well dont you find it odd that she
disappears into thin air
immediately after Ezra gets shot?
EMILY
Maybe she got scared and left, just
like Ali. Maybe thats what A meant
by the note.
HANNA
Where did you put the shovel?
ARIA
I left it there.
HANNA
What? Its a clue!
ARIA
Slow down, Nancy Drew. We dont
even know what were digging for.
Emily straightens.
EMILY
Maybe we should start in the spot
Ali was buried alive.
Aria and Hanna exchange glances.
HANNA
Great. I blew fifty dollars on this
manicure and now Im going to ruin
it digging up soil and God knows
what else.
ARIA
Itll be somewhere in the yard. We
just have to look.

10.
HANNA
Now? My stomach is eating itself!
Emily stands.
EMILY
No, later. Right now Aria needs to
get some sleep.
Arias PHONE DINGS. She fishes it out of her pocket.
Its Wes.
Who?

ARIA
HANNA

ARIA
(looking at her phone)
Oh my God, Ezras awake.
Aria stands and dizzily walks toward the door.
EMILY
Aria, you need rest.
ARIA
No! Not before I see him!
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU HALLWAY - EVENING
Wes stands outside Ezras room. He lights up when he sees
Aria.
WES
Wow, you made it back here fast!
ARIA
How is he? Is he okay?
WES
Hes fine. Hes talking to your
friend.
My friend?

ARIA

WES
She said her name was Shana.
Aria peers into Ezras room. SHANA is inside, talking to
Ezra. Aria bursts through the door.

11.
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU ROOM - CONTINUOUS
ARIA
Listen, Shana, I dont know what
your game is, but you better-SHANA
I was just leaving.
(to Ezra)
Nice talking with you, Ezra.
Shana holds Arias gaze as she walks to the door and exits.
Aria collapses at the side of Ezras hospital bed.
Ezra!

ARIA

Ezra is weak. He shifts his body weight to face Aria.

ARIA (CONTD)
(tearing up)
Ezra, I am so sorry about-Shhhhh.

EZRA

Ezra reaches up to rub Arias cheek, bringing several cords

and tubes with him.
EZRA (CONTD)
Im the one whos sorry, Aria.
The nurse enters.
NURSE
Time to go, sweetie. He needs his
medication.
Aria stands.
ARIA
(to Ezra)
Ill be back.
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Wes stands slumped against the wall, staring at the ceiling.
Aria cocks her head at him.
ARIA
Getting a little bored?
He straightens up.

12.
WES
No way. I love it here. White is my
favorite color.
ARIA
Not exactly the Marine Center in
Halifax.
WES
Hey, look who remembered!
ARIA
(yawning)
Send the baby seals my regards.
Aria rubs her eyes. She looks like she hasnt slept in weeks.
WES
Can I give you a lift home? I was
just about to run some errands.
ARIA
Oh, no, I couldnt ask you to do
that.
Arias eyes close and her knees buckle. She teeters toward
Wes. He grabs her just in time.
WES
Thats it, youre coming with me.
INT. WESS CAR - EVENING
Aria rolls her head against the headrest. She is slightly
delusional. Wes, thoroughly amused, keeps a firm grip on the
steering wheel.
ARIA
(yawning)
Thanks for doing this, Wes.
WES
Hey, no thank-yous necessary. This
is the most exciting thing thats
happened to me all day.
ARIA
Except for the call that your
brother was shot in the stomach.
Aria makes a little shooting motion with her hand.

13.
WES
Technically, that was yesterday.
And its not like that was the
first time.
What?!

ARIA

WES
(beat)
Shoot, never mind. Forget about it.
ARIA
Ha! SHOOT! Get it?
Wes cant help but laugh.
WES
If only your lucid self could see
you right now.
Aria leans into Wess space in the drivers seat. Her head
lolls onto his shoulder.
ARIA
Thats not fair. You cant just...
(yawning)
Drop a bomb like that and then
leave me hanging.
WES
Okay, fine. But only because you
probably wont remember this.
Aria beams at Wes.
WES (CONTD)
I shot Ezra.
Aria gasps, but her gasp turns into a yawn.
WES (CONTD)
We were kids. Our dad used to take
us out hunting. My aim was
terrible.
Obviously.

ARIA

WES
I thought he was a duck!
Aria cackles hysterically. Wes laughs as well. Aria continues
to rest her head on Wess shoulder.

14.

Poor Ezra.

ARIA

The laughter subsides.

WES
Yeah. Poor guy.
Aria lifts her head from Wess shoulder and repositions
herself in the passenger seat. Wes keeps his gaze locked
firmly on the road in front of him.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - SPENCERS ROOM - EVENING
Spencer looks messy and tired. She sits at her desk,
scrolling through articles on her laptop.
Laptop screen reads: The Rosewood Observer: GUNMAN SHOOTS
ENGLISH TEACHER.
Spencer scrolls to another article saved on her computer.
Laptop screen reads: The Rosewood Observer: STILL MISSING.
A picture of Alison is beneath the headline.
There is a KNOCK on Spencers door. MELISSA enters.
MELISSA
Hey, Spencer.
Spencer does not look up from her laptop.
Hi.

SPENCER

Melissa leans against the door frame.

MELISSA
How are you?
Peachy.

SPENCER

MELISSA
I came all the way from London,
Spencer. The least you can do is
look at me.
Spencer turns to face Melissa.
SPENCER
I didnt ask you to come back.

15.
MELISSA
No, Toby did. He was worried sick
about you. So were Mom and Dad.
SPENCER
They have a very funny way of
showing it.
Melissa moves from the door to the chaise lounge.
MELISSA
I wanted to discuss this with you
over a nice meal at Rive Gauche,
but I guess thats not an option
for you this week.
Melissa glances toward the laptop. Spencer snaps it shut.
SPENCER
Discuss what?
MELISSA
Spencer, I had a talk with the
police about the night of Alis
murder.
SPENCER
What? Why would you do that?
MELISSA
Dad asked me to.
SPENCER
Dad? Melissa, what do you know
about that night?
Spencer straightens.
MELISSA
Spencer, I spoke to the police in
order to protect our family.
Spencer looks away. She holds her head in her hands.
SPENCER
Oh, God. I did hurt Ali.
MELISSA
What? No, Spencer-Mindy enters.
MINDY
Oops! Am I interrupting?

16.

No.

MELISSA

(to Spencer)
We can talk later.
Melissa rises and heads for the door.
SPENCER
Wait, no, Melissa-MINDY
Time for bed, Spencer.
SPENCER
Really? Am I a five-year-old?
Mindy remains cheery.
MINDY
A steady sleep schedule is the
first step toward a healthy
lifestyle.
Spencer deflates. Her PHONE DINGS.
MINDY (CONTD)
What was that?
SPENCER
My...alarm clock.
Spencer points to the clock on her bedside table.
SPENCER (CONTD)
It dings when the batterys low.
Mindy narrows her eyes.
MINDY
Sweet dreams. See you tomorrow.
She turns off the light and closes the door behind her.
Spencer heads for the window. She attempts to pull it open,
but it wont budge. She examines the windowpane and sees that
it has been nailed shut.
SPENCER
(under her breath)
Unbelievable.

17.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT
Spencer opens the door and peers inside. The room is dark and
empty. She tiptoes over to the balcony door.
EXT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - MASTER BALCONY - NIGHT
Spencer lifts herself over the railing and climbs over to the
gutter. She shimmies down the gutter and hops onto the
ground.
EXT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - SIDE YARD - NIGHT
Spencer walks along the side yard with the DiLaurentis house
in sight. She stops when she hears TWIGS SNAPPING. The BUSHES
in the woods behind her RUSTLE. As she turns around, a figure
in a black hoodie races through the trees.
Hey!

SPENCER

Spencer chases the figure into the dark forest.

END OF ACT ONE

18.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Aria, Hanna, and Emily walk arm-in-arm toward the DiLaurentis
house.
EMILY
You sure youre up for this, Aria?
ARIA
A few hours of sleep and a few more
Five Hour Energy drinks? Im wired.
HANNA
I find that I need at least eight
hours of sleep before digging up
old grave sites. Just saying.
EMILY
Any news from the hospital?
ARIA
Yeah, Ezras still stable.
HANNA
Wheres Spencer? Should we go get
her?
EMILY
I texted that weird number she gave
us. She should be here soon.
EXT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - FRONT WALKWAY - NIGHT
The yard is eerie in its dryness and lack of flowers. Aria
searches the walkway for the shovel.
ARIA
I swear this is where I found it. I
left it right here.
HANNA
You were tired. Maybe you just--

19.
ARIA
Im not making this up, Hanna. The
shovel was lying right here on the
ground with the creepy note
attached.
EMILY
Maybe someone took it.
HANNA
Who would take a rusty old garden
shovel?
EMILY
Lets just look around. It has to
be here somewhere.
EXT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - BACKYARD - NIGHT
The girls walk cautiously into the dark backyard area.
HANNA
It feels so weird being here
without Ali. Cant we just dont
and say we-Didnt?

ARIA

Emily points to the far side of the yard.

EMILY
What is that?
The girls rush over to a shovel sticking out of a pile of
dirt on the ground.
HANNA
Its a trap! We should leave.
EMILY
Trap or not, dont you want to know
whats under there? It could be the
girl who really died that night,
the one we thought was Ali.
HANNA
Um, no, thank you. Ive already had
my rotting corpse fix for a
lifetime.

20.
ARIA
Im with Hanna. As not exactly in
the habit of dishing out favors.
HANNA
Yeah, and handing us a missing
piece of the puzzle would be a big
one.
THREE PHONES DING. The girls check their phones and gasp.
ARIA
(reading aloud)
I knew I always liked you, Em. But
Spencer is another story. Start
digging this grave or the next one
will be hers. A.
EMILY
Oh my God, A is out here.
ARIA
Watching us.
Hanna holds the phone to her ear.
HANNA
Im calling Spencer.
Aria grabs the shovel.
ARIA
You do that.
She buries the shovel in the ground and chunks a lump of dirt
off to the side.
ARIA (CONTD)
Ill do this.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
Spencer races through the woods, leaping over fallen tree
trunks and dodging sharp branches. The hooded figure remains
several steps ahead of her until she reaches a clearing.
SPENCER
I know youre out there!
The figure races through the woods behind her.
SPENCER (CONTD)
Come out already!

21.
The figure runs around the other side of Spencer. She chases
after it. The figure continues to run ahead of her but she
catches up and grabs the back of the hoodie.
The figure spins around. Its JASON DILAURENTIS. He yanks out
his earphones.
Jason!
Spencer?

SPENCER (CONTD)
JASON

SPENCER
What the hell are you doing out
here?
JASON
I could say the same to you.
SPENCER
I was going for a run.
Jason looks down at his feet. Spencer follows his gaze. He is
wearing running shoes.
JASON
Look, Spencer, Ive got a lot on my
mind, so...
SPENCER
Wait, how have you been? Hows your
grandmas place?
JASON
Its good. Renovations are taking a
bit longer than expected.
Oh.

SPENCER

JASON
Im sorry, Spencer, but I really
need to go.
Jason takes off.
EXT. DILAURENTIS RESIDENCE - BACKYARD - NIGHT
Aria continues to dig. There is a large pile of dirt next to
a decent-sized hole in the yard. Emily jumps at the sound of
RUSTLING BRANCHES in the woods outside the yard.

22.
EMILY
What was that?
Aria stops digging for a moment and looks toward the darkness
of the trees. Hanna takes a few steps backward.
Spencer emerges from the woods.
SPENCER
(out of breath)
Hey, Im so sorry, its a long
story. I thought I saw A, but it
turned out to be Jason-HANNA
Jason? What the hell is he doing
here?
SPENCER
Thats exactly what I said.
EMILY
Guys. Focus. Were on a schedule
here, remember?
Spencer takes in the situation.
SPENCER
What did I miss?
EMILY
You didnt get the text?
No signal.

SPENCER

Arias shovel hits something hard.

ARIA
Guys. Theres something here.
The four girls get down on their hands and knees and dig
through a layer of dirt to reveal a large rock. Spencer
kneels into the hole and picks it up with both hands. She
wipes off the excess dirt to reveal a red stain on the side.
HANNA
Wait, is that...
SPENCER
The murder weapon.
FOUR PHONES DING. The girls reluctantly check their messages.

23.
ARIA
(reading aloud)
I dont have to put you in the
ground to bury you. A.
SIRENS BLARE down the street, along with blue and red
flashing lights. Spencer looks down at the rock in her hands.
ARIA (CONTD)
We have to go now. Spencer, put the
rock back.
SPENCER
No. Im taking it with me.
What?

EMILY

HANNA
It belongs with the police. Lets
go give it to them!
Aria, Spencer, and Emily shoot Hanna looks that question her
sanity.
ARIA
Great plan, Hanna. Oh, we just
stumbled across this while we were
digging a hole in the DiLaurentiss
yard.
CAR DOORS SLAM. Policemen start toward the yard.
EMILY
(whispering)
Come on!
The girls run into the woods, out of sight.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - SPENCERS ROOM - MORNING
Hanna and Emily lie criss-crossed on Spencers bed, sound
asleep. Spencer stands by the window, staring at the
DiLaurentis house. Aria enters quietly through the door, a
tray of lattes in her hand.
ARIA
Okay, its all good now. I have
caffeine.
Spencer does not look away from the window.

24.

Mhm.

SPENCER

Aria hands her a latte.

ARIA
Come on, Spence. We were long gone
by the time the police got to the
yard.
SPENCER
Yeah, but A knew we would leave.
And A always has a plan.
ARIA
How can we be sure A is the one who
called the police in the first
place? Maybe a neighbor heard a
noise, or...
SPENCER
Or someone else saw us digging?
Because that would be even worse.
ARIA
If someone saw us, we would know by
now.
Hanna sloppily rises to a sitting position.
HANNA
Can we not talk about crime scenes
before Ive had my latte?
Aria hands Hanna her coffee.
ARIA
Were on a schedule, Han. I want to
be out of here before Mindy shows
up.
Why?

SPENCER

ARIA
Shes not exactly a ray of
sunshine, Spence.
SPENCER
Well she cant do anything to you
guys.

25.
HANNA
We care about you, Spencer. We
dont want her to take anything
else away from you.
SPENCER
Theres nothing left to take.
ARIA
What about your laptop?
SPENCER
As far as she knows, she already
has it.
Spencer sits at her desk.
HANNA
How many technology decoys do you
own?
SPENCER
Its just a little trick Dean
taught me.
ARIA
Dean? As in former-sponsor Dean?
HANNA
You still talk to him? Does Toby
know?
Emily stretches.
EMILY
Im up. Did I miss anything?
ARIA
(to Spencer)
Where did you hide the rock?
SPENCER
In my dresser.
HANNA
I still say we should be going to
the police.
ARIA
Is this because youve been hanging
out with Holbrook lately?

26.
HANNA
No, Aria. That rock is one more
step in the direction toward
solving what really happened the
night Ali disappeared. Maybe if we
know who tried to kill her, we can
sniff out another member of the A
team and end this.
EMILY
Its not that simple, Han. Even if
we know who A is, that wont stop
them from burying us.
SPENCER
Yeah, and not once has going to the
police ever worked in our favor.
Hanna throws up her hands.
HANNA
Fine, do what you want. I just want
to nip this whole situation in the
butt.
Bud.
Whatever!

SPENCER
HANNA

Veronica enters, talking on the phone.

VERONICA
(on the phone)
All right. Thank you.
She hangs up.
VERONICA (CONTD)
That was the police.
The girls tense and exchange worried glances.
SPENCER
What did they want?
VERONICA
They didnt want anything, Spencer.
They were informing us...Jessica
DiLaurentiss body was found buried
in her yard last night.

27.

What?
Oh my God!

ARIA
EMILY

Veronicas PHONE RINGS.

VERONICA
(to Spencer)
That will be your father. Get
dressed and come downstairs as soon
as possible.
Veronica exits.
HANNA
All bitches become like their
mothers.
EMILY
Is that what we were supposed to be
digging for? Mrs. Ds body?
SPENCER
No. A wanted to frame us for
murder. Thats why we have the
murder weapon.
HANNA
Do you think A killed Mrs. D?
SPENCER
We know she saw whoever tried to
kill Ali last year. If A killed
her, that means A was probably
involved.
ARIA
So whoever killed Mrs. DiLaurentis
did it because she knew too much.
EMILY
Poor Ali. I wonder if she already
knows.
HANNA
Sucks to think shell probably find
out via newspaper headline.
ARIA
What about Jason? You saw him last
night, Spence. How was he?

28.
SPENCER
Weird. Fugacious.
Aria looks to Emily and Hanna for help.
HANNA
Human words, Spence.
SPENCER
It means elusive.
ARIA
Maybe he knows what happened to
Mrs. DiLaurentis. Maybe thats why
hes back.
Spencer shakes her head.
SPENCER
He wasnt half as sad as a guy who
should be mourning the death of his
mom.
EMILY
Maybe we should check on him.
VERONICA (O.S.)
Spencer, can you come down here?
SPENCER
Duty calls.
The girls stand and gather their things.
SPENCER (CONTD)
Dont talk to any cops before we
see each other again on Monday.
Hannna looks at the ground.
SPENCER (CONTD)
Deal, Hanna?
Deal.

HANNA

END OF ACT TWO

29.
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU ROOM - DAY
Ezra is asleep. Aria waits patiently by his side. The nurse
enters with a colorful envelope. She places it on the table
next to Aria.
NURSE
Someone just dropped this Get Well
card off for him. Would you make
sure he gets it?
Of course.

ARIA

Aria glances at the card and does a double-take. She picks it

up.
Front of the card reads: To Dick, Love Nicole
FLASHBACK TO:
INT. PUB - NIGHT
Ezra sits on a couch, engrossed in a book. Alison googles
something on her phone.
Phone screen reads: Tender is the Night: The tragic tale of
Dick and Nicole Diver, a glamorous couple who take a villa in
the South of France.
ALISON
Its tragic, isnt it?
Oh, sorry?

EZRA

ALISON
The book. Its one of my favorites.
EZRA
I read it every summer.
ALISON
Whats better to read than Tender
is the Night while sunning in the
French Riviera?

30.
BACK TO PRESENT
Aria runs her fingers over the cursive letters.

Ali.

ARIA
(under her breath)

She tears open the envelope.

The inside of the card reads in harsh red lettering: Watch
out, Aria. Her distance makes his heart grow fonder. But
dont worry, Im all yours. --A
Aria shoves the card in her purse and bolts from the room.
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Aria searches for the nurse within the sea of people flowing
from one room to the next. She spots her scribbling on her
clipboard and approaches her.
ARIA
Excuse me, hi, um...
(holds up the card)
Can you tell me who dropped this
off?
NURSE
They wanted to remain anonymous.
Aria deflates.
NURSE (CONTD)
Pretty hair, though.
The nurse walks away. Aria watches her go, eyes wide.
INT. THE BREW - DAY
Hanna stands in line to order coffee. DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
walks in. Hanna smiles at first but then turns her back to
the door. Holbrook spies her immediately.
Hanna?

DETECTIVE HOLBROOK

Hanna turns.
HANNA
Detective Holbrook!

31.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
Call me Gabe. Youre just the
person I wanted to see.
Hanna cant help but smile.
I am?

HANNA

DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
Did you hear about what happened
last night?
Hanna gives him a clueless look.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK (CONTD)
We shouldnt talk about this here.
Do you want to take a walk?
Hanna is torn.
Yes.
Great.

HANNA
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK

HANNA
I mean, I want to, but I cant. Not
today.
Holbrook moves closer to Hanna.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
I normally wouldnt ask you, but
its pretty urgent.
HANNA
Okay, ten minutes tops?
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
Not a second more.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Melissa and Veronica sit on the couch and TALK in HUSHED
TONES. PETER stands by the fireplace. Spencer apprehensively
enters from the stairs. She eyes Peter.
PETER
Spencer! You look chipper today.

32.
SPENCER
Is this about Mrs. DiLaurentis?
VERONICA
Take a seat, Spencer. We have a lot
to discuss.
Spencer sits on the edge of the couch. Melissa turns to face
her.
MELISSA
You look better.
(to Peter)
Mindy was a good choice, Dad.
SPENCER
Is that why Im here? So you can
tell me I look slightly less like
an addict than I did last week?
VERONICA
Spencer, dont be rude to your
sister.
MELISSA
Its okay, Mom. Shes been under a
lot of stress.
SPENCER
Well, Im glad we had this talk.
Spencer moves to stand up.
PETER
We received some troubling news
today.
SPENCER
Yeah, Mom told me.
MELISSA
Not Mrs. DiLaurentis. Its about
Jason.
Jason?

SPENCER

VERONICA
At 6:05 am this morning, his car
was found at the bottom of the
Hampton River. Since your father is
now his closest family member, we
were the first to be notified.

33.
SPENCER
Wait, what?
PETER
Jason was driving the car. Hes
gone, Spencer. Jasons dead.
MELISSA
I know how hard this is for you to
hear, especially now.
Spencer leaps up from the couch.
SPENCER
No! Jasons not dead, hes not even
in Virginia!
VERONICA
Spencer, he had his wallet in his
pocket. The photo on his drivers
license was a perfect match.
PETER
Im flying down to Virginia
tomorrow to I.D. the body, just in
case.
SPENCER
Good, because it isnt him. I saw
him last night! I talked to him!
Veronica stands.
VERONICA
Last night? Where were you last
night?
SPENCER
I...thats not the point!
PETER
We want to be here for you,
Spencer. But we cant do that if
you wont tell us the truth.
SPENCER
Me? Youre the one whos lying.
Jason is alive. But I bet you wish
he were gone. Hes a giant crack in
your squeaky clean windshield.
Spencer storms upstairs.

34.
EXT. ROSEWOOD - STREET - DAY
Hanna and Holbrook walk along the sidewalk past various shops
and restaurants, laughing like old friends.
HANNA
The scene after the bank robbery,
when The Mastermind sends that
message that everyone died because
of some crucial mistake? I read it
fives times over and it still gives
me nightmares.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
And yet The Mastermind is your
favorite character. Pretty sure
thats against the rules.
HANNA
Hey, rules dont apply when it
comes to James Patterson.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
Fair enough. If you liked this, you
should read Four Blind Mice.
Hannas PHONE DINGS. She glances at the screen.
Phone screen reads: TO: YOU, ARIA, EMILY. FROM: SPENCER:
Jasons up to something. Talk later.
HANNA
Hey, about Mrs. DiLaurentis, thanks
for telling me in person.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
I know how close you were with that
family.
Holbrook stops and faces Hanna.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK (CONTD)
One more thing.
Okay.

HANNA

DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
We have CeCe Drake in custody. She
claims to know who killed the girl
everyone thought was your friend
Alison.

35.
Holbrook scans Hannas face for a reaction. Hanna tries to
keep her cool.
HANNA
Who does she think did it?
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
CeCes a tricky one. She likes to
play games, kind of like The
Mastermind.
Hanna looks uneasy. She is no longer having a good time.
HANNA
Why are you telling me this?
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
Well, she mentioned your name. She
said you would know something.
Me?

HANNA

Holbrooks PAGER BEEPS.

DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
I have to meet someone. Thank you
for indulging me.
HANNA
Yeah! No problem.
Holbrook starts to walk away but calls out over his shoulder:
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
Always a pleasure!
Hanna smiles, but her smile fades as Holbrook continues
walking.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - SPENCERS ROOM - DAY
Spencer sits on the floor on the far side of the room and
leans against the bed. She talks quietly on the phone.
SPENCER
(on the phone)
She was one step away from tucking
me into bed last night.

36.
EXT. ROSEWOOD - STREET - DAY
Dean walks with a purpose, weaving through shoppers on the
sidewalk.
DEAN
(on the phone)
Thats cute.
INTERCUT - TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN SPENCER AND DEAN
SPENCER
It is not cute. Shes a black widow
and Im a bug caught in her web.
DEAN
Well Im glad to see you havent
lost your knack for generating
gruesome analogies.
SPENCER
I am a gruesome analogy. Spencer
Hastings: ticking time bomb.
DEAN
Only if you dont do what Mindy
tells you.
But--

SPENCER

DEAN
Listen, Spencer. I know you like to
do your own thing, but your current
sponsor knows whats best for you.
The more you play by the rules, the
higher the chances the cravings
will stop.
VERONICA (O.S.)
Spencer, lunch!
SPENCER
I have to go.
DEAN
Give em Hell.
(hangs up)
END INTERCUT

37.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - SPENCERS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Spencer tosses the phone under her comforter.
INT. THE GRILLE - DAY
Dean arrives at a sophisticated restaurant and scans the
room. Holbrook stands from one of the tables nearby.
DETECTIVE HOLBROOK
Dean, thanks for meeting me.
Dean sits across the table from Holbrook.
DEAN
I have the info on Spencer.
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU ROOM - DAY
Aria and Wes sit by Ezras side as he sleeps. Aria alters her
gaze from machine to machine like shes watching a tennis
match.
WES
Aria, hes stabilized.
ARIA
Then why is he still asleep?
WES
Im no doctor, but my guess would
be the painkillers.
ARIA
Right.
(beat)
You would know.
Hm?

WES

ARIA
Well he must have slept like a baby
after being mistaken for wild game.
Wes laughs but is taken aback.
WES
Okay, you dont repeat that story,
and Ill keep quiet about you
running headfirst into a pole and
naming it Dolores.

38.
ARIA
I did that?
WES
Oh, so you remember my embarrassing
stories but not your own.
Aria smiles. She and Wes lock eyes for a long moment.
MACHINES BEEP. Aria is the first to look away. She glances at
the clock, then at the door, then back at the clock.
WES (CONTD)
I know youre worried about Ezra,
but youre one head spin away from
checking in here yourself.
ARIA
Yeah, Ive got a lot on my mind.
(beat)
I should have brought something to
read. It calms my nerves.
Wes reaches into his backpack and pulls out a copy of The
Awakening.
ARIA (CONTD)
You like Kate Chopin?
WES
Kind of girly, I know.
ARIA
No! Thats one of my favorites.
Wes hands the book to Aria. She flips through the pages.
ARIA (CONTD)
You really are a Fitz.
She runs her fingers over a sticky note.
ARIA (CONTD)
Why did you bookmark this page?
Wes peers over Arias shoulders at the book.
WES
Thats when Edna comes back to her
house.
ARIA
And she finds out Robert is gone.
(beat)
(MORE)

39.
ARIA (CONT'D)
That was the only scene deserving
of a sticky note?
Wes gently takes the book back from Aria.
WES
Robert is a pretty motivational
guy. Maybe if he had shaken off his
social ties, his wife would still
be alive.
Moment. A long, silent second is interrupted by the QUICKENED
BEEPING of Ezras HEART MONITOR.
The nurse enters and adjusts a few tubes. Ezra rustles on the
bed. Aria and Wes exchange glances. Ezra slowly opens his
eyes. Aria leans in close to him.
Hey.

ARIA

Ezra opens his mouth to speak but his words are caught in his
throat.
ARIA (CONTD)
You dont have to talk.
(moves to the side)
Wes is here, too.
WES
Hey, brother.
ARIA
Ezra, I am so s-EZRA
(faintly)
Alison.
Arias face falls. Ezra looks directly at her.
Alison.

EZRA (CONTD)

ARIA
Shes gone now. You dont have to
worry about her anymore.
Ezra strokes Arias cheek.
EZRA
Alison. I missed you.

40.
Its like Ezra is pumping ice into Arias veins. All the
color drains from her face. She is in shock.
INT. HASTINGS RESIDENCE - SPENCERS ROOM - DAY
Spencer enters her room and heads straight for the bed. She
runs her hand underneath the comforter. Her brow crinkles as
she lifts up the comforter. No phone. She bends down and
scans under the bed, then checks the comforter again.
As she works herself into a tizzy, something on the far side
of the room catches her eye. The window is half open. As she
moves closer, it is revealed that the nails have been ripped
out of the wooden frame.
Spencer rushes to her dresser and checks the secret cubby.
The rock is gone. In its place is a typed note. Spencer picks
up the note with a shaking hand.
Note reads: You like murder mysteries, Spence. Want to solve
this one? Heres a clue: Next time you dig up the weapon,
wear gloves. --A.
In a fit of anger, Spencer crinkles the paper into a ball and
chucks it at the dresser. She is at her wits end.
INT. ROSEWOOD HOSPITAL - ICU ROOM - DAY
ANONYMOUS FIGURE POV: We see a black-gloved hand open the
door to Ezras hospital room. Ezra is sound asleep. MACHINES
BEEP. The figure moves toward the IV stand next to Ezras
bed.
CLOSE ON: Two gloved hands remove the current tube of
medicine flowing into the IV and replace it with a different,
but seemingly identical tube. Off of the replaced IV
medication we SMASH CUT TO BLACK.
END OF SHOW