41 Resurrection
Content
GOAL TO GO Episode 4.41 “Resurrection” by David Polk
2. RECAP We Recap events from the Previous episodes, ending on Cat realizing that Cake has died in a plane crash. TEASER FADE IN: EXT. PLAYGROUND – DAY YOUNG CHILDREN play on a beautiful summer day. We FAVOR one of them, a LITTLE GIRL (8), who is on her knees drawing on the pavement with colored chalk. When she looks up, her raven hair, olive skin and angelic face immediately reveal her to be young Catherine “Cake” D’Agostino. CARA (O.S.) Give it! No! CAL (O.S.) You had your turn, Cara!
CARA (O.S.) I said, GIVE IT, Cal! Young Catherine watches the commotion caused by two redheaded kids fighting over a KICKBALL. The girl, Cara (8), has her twin brother Cal in a headlock. He clings to the ball for dear life. Cara WHACKS him in the head. Cal shoves her hard. When he does, he lets go of the ball. It bounces away in the direction of Catherine. Cal and Cara go at each other with a vengeance. getting the better of his ornery sister. CATHERINE (O.S.) Hi. Cal looks at Catherine first – she’s standing there holding the kickball – giving Cara a free shot at her brother. She lands a wicked right to his jaw. CAL (grabs his jaw) Ow! Cara! Cara looks at Catherine, who smiles at her. CATHERINE Is this your ball? He begins
3. Seeing her chance at recovery, Cara takes the ball. CARA Thanks. CAL It’s our ball, Cootie Pants! CARA Well guess what, Booger Face? it now, so there! I’ve got
Cara smirks and sticks out her tongue. This makes Catherine laugh. Cara and Cal both look at her quizzically. CARA Who are you? Catherine. I’m Cara. Hi. CAL Hi. CARA You want to play kickball with me? With us! Okay. Catherine is about to head off with Cara and Cal when her mother, Sofia D’Agostino, not sure she wants her daughter playing with the two ruffian redheads, calls from across the playground. Catherine! Yes, Mommy? SOFIA Catherine! CATHERINE CAL It’s our ball, Cara. CATHERINE CATHERINE What’s your name? CARA That’s my brother, Caleb. CATHERINE
4. SOFIA Just a few more minutes, Cupcake! CATHERINE Okay, Mommy. “Cupcake?” CARA That’s a silly name.
Catherine is embarrassed. I kinda like it. CAL It fits you. OFF MATCH CUT TO: EXT. GRAVESITE – A PORTRAIT OF 21-YEAR-OLD CAKE – DAY Angelic and breathtakingly beautiful. Hundreds are in attendance to bid a final farewell to the youngest member of one of Maitland’s wealthiest and best known families. Among the MOURNERS we FIND many familiar faces: the Donahues, Charlotte Webb and her family, Mathilda Weiss and her husband Darryl Banks, Chancellor Champ Sussman and his wife Kendra, the entire D’Agostino clan – Police Chief Sal, nightclub owner Al, car dealer Santino, CAKE’S BROTHERS AND COUSINS – including Sonny – her father Tony and Sofia. EXT. GRAVESITE – LATER Sofia stands next to the casket and says a final silent goodbye. When she turns she goes directly to Cara “Cat” Trzcinski, who is being comforted by her father Ed, her brothers, Aaron and Neil, and boyfriend Dallas Morales. Cat is barely holding it together. Sofia embraces her. As they walk away from the gravesite, Achilles Addams watches them pass. We know from his expression that he feels utterly lost... and alone. He looks once more at the portrait of the girl he might have loved. Off his forlorn and still bruised face we... SMASH CUT TO MAIN TITLES. END TEASER
Cara rolls her eyes. Catherine smiles at Cal. Catherine’s smile we...
5. ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. DR. SINGH’S OFFICE – DAY DR. RASHI SINGH (40) handsome, smooth manner, removes bandages from a patient’s face, looks down, satisfied. DR. SINGH Very nice, if I must say so myself, Achilles. PULL BACK to REVEAL Achilles post plastic surgery. He takes the mirror handed to him by a NURSE. The Nurse’s subtle yet suggestive smile confirms that Achilles is now handsome as ever. He focuses on the area underneath his left eye. DR. SINGH I took the liberty of removing the scar, Achilles. (off Achilles’ reaction) We were restoring tissue and cartilage in the area and it was a simple matter to repair it. Now there will be nothing to prevent you landing a Gillette endorsement. Dr. Singh smiles. Achilles stares at the area. his mixed emotions about removal of the scar. INT. WAITING ROOM – LATER Achilles comes out of the doctor’s office. Becky Van Helsing is waiting for him. She’s holding their 18-monthold daughter, Angel, in her arms. BECKY (smiles) Hello, Handsome. She caresses his face, turns it from side to side. BECKY (to Angel) See, Sweetie, there’s the face that Mommy couldn’t resist. We sense
6. Achilles takes the baby in his arms. BECKY Thank you, Dr. Singh. I knew any man who could keep my Mommy Dearest looking thirty-five would have no problem with Achilles. DR. SINGH It was my pleasure, Ms. Van Helsing. As always, please give my best to Mrs. Van Helsing. BECKY Of course. Achilles. Thanks. EXT. GOLF COURSE – DAY J.R. Donahue sends a golf ball onto the green with the perfect swing of a nine iron. When it lands 20 feet from the flag, Billy smiles at Charlotte and Champ. CHAMP Great shot, J.R. J.R. Thank you, Chancellor Sussman. CHAMP Your father neglected to tell me just how good you are at this game. BILLY It’s not something Gale and I are particularly proud of, Champ. In fact, it’s a deep, dark family secret. CHARLOTTE (wry smile) I’ve found it’s only a secret when there’s new money on the table, Billy. Billy puts a hand on J.R.’s shoulder as the foursome walk down the green. DR. SINGH Best of luck to you. ACHILLES
7. CHAMP Another big secret seems to be who your choice for offensive coordinator will be, Billy. BILLY That’s no secret, Champ. CHARLOTTE Billy will be calling the plays this season, Champ. CHAMP (unhappy surprise) Really? I know it’s too late to get Wilkerson or Maroni or the guys who were at the top of our list. But there are still a couple of good offensive minds out there. BILLY It could be a while before Achilles is 100 percent. Hughes is going to need a lot of attention. If I’m going to spend that much time with him, I may as well run the offense myself. Champ doesn’t like where this is heading. CHAMP Dr. Rockov still has Achilles on schedule to return by week two or three, right? CHARLOTTE We can hope, Champ, but these things are never written in stone. CHAMP But we’ve got Penn State in week two and LSU at Death Valley in week four. Achilles has to be back by then. BILLY I have to work with what we know, Champ. Right now, I know Nate Hughes is at the top of the depth chart.
8. INT. HUGHES HOME, NATE’S BEDROOM – DAY Nate Hughes is on his cell phone. on the bed. His travel bag is open
NATE Yeah, Coach, I leave for the airport tonight. INT. DONAHUE KITCHEN – DAY Billy is standing in the kitchen, on a cordless phone. BILLY Good. And thank your folks again for letting you off the farm early. We’re going to need as much time as possible before camp starts to get you comfortable with the offense. INTERCUT: NATE/BILLY NATE Whatever it takes, Coach. I know I’ve got big shoes to fill until Achilles is back in top form. BILLY (beat) Safe travels, son. Billy hangs up the phone. He didn’t notice before, but Gale is at the kitchen entrance. They exchange a look. GALE What is it, Billy? Nothing. BILLY It’s nothing.
GALE It’s not nothing. I think I’ve learned a thing or two about what goes on inside a football coach’s head, Billy. Is there a problem with Achilles’ rehab? Is it not going well? Beat. They both realize that her “knowing” the ins and outs of his football world was one of the things that made them special together.
9. BILLY It’s not going well at all.
No.
INT. REHAB CENTER – DAY Achilles sits on a Swedish exercise ball as he pulls weight on a machine. A THERAPIST watches his progress. He’s disappointed with Achilles’ effort. THERAPIST Come on, Achilles, you can do better than that. Achilles stops abruptly and glares at the therapist. ACHILLES How do you know what I can do? THERAPIST Look, Achilles, I know it’s tough. But we’re falling behind schedule. Training camp opens in three weeks and at this pace, Dr. Rockov won’t clear you for wind sprints. Achilles stands and lets the weights fall. ACHILLES Screw you and screw this. the day. He walks toward the door. CLANK!
I’m done for
The therapist is flummoxed.
THERAPIST B-But we just started twenty minutes ago. Achilles. Achilles! Achilles lets the door slam as he stalks out. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, HALLWAY OUTSIDE CAT’S BEDROOM – DAY Ed Trzcinski knocks on the bedroom door. answer. Nothing. ED Cara, honey, you’ve got to eat something. Please... He waits for an
10. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM – SAME TIME Cat is curled up in bed, eyes red from endless days of crying, body emaciated from lack of food and sleep. She’s staring trance-like at a PHOTO in her hand. INSERT – PHOTO It’s of 8-year-old Cara/Cat and Catherine/Cake in their Brownie Girl Scout uniforms. Their arms are around each other’s necks and they’re smiling. RETURN TO SCENE The KNOCK on the door doesn’t get her attention. her father’s voice. ED (O.S.) Alright, honey. I’ll just leave the tray at your door. We hear the sound of a food tray being put down. Beat. Then we hear Ed’s footsteps as he walks away. Cat continues to stare at the photo, oblivious. EXT./INT. PONTIAC CROSSFIRE - MOVING – DAY The nifty little sports car cruises down the expressway with the top down. Bella Milovich is behind the wheel; her lover Jeni Kim rides shotgun. They pass a sign: “Welcome to Maitland, City of Subdued Excitement.” BELLA Do you want to stop off at the Food King first or go straight to the apartment? Jeni shrugs. She’s obviously preoccupied. at her, knows what’s bothering her. Bella glances Nor does
BELLA Jeni, sweetie, we’ve gone over this a thousand times already. What do you want me to do? JENI Seriously? For starters how about you stop turning tricks for a living?
11. BELLA Oh, okay. Let’s see, where will that leave us? Mmmm? Can’t afford Wa Tech, so I’ll just go back to Chicago and enroll at Central City College, where I’ll major in French Fry Salting. And of course, you and me, that’s history. JENI Stop it, Bella! That’s stupid and you know it. You can take out loans, work a part-time job – BELLA (interrupts, angry) Oh get off your high horse, Jennifer. You screwed plenty of guys you didn’t give a shit about before we fell in love... (calmer) Look, Jeni, I don’t have a mommy and daddy paying my way for me. And you’re not a rich surgeon like Valerie’s husband. Everything I get in this world I get on my own. I’ll be damned if I go through life pathetic and poor as dirt like my folks. Jeni reacts, her feelings hurt. She turns her head. caresses her face with her free hand. BELLA Jen, we agreed we’d give it a try just this year. One guy, two nights a week. That’s all. JENI But Sussman! Bella, it’s disgusting! Somebody is bound to find out! OFF Bella... INT. APARTMENT STAIRWELL – DAY Bella and Jeni come in and start up the stairs. A door opens behind them and Gloria Penske-Trzcinski steps out. Hello girls! GLORIA You’re back early. Bella
12. GIRLS Hi, Mrs. Trzcinski. BELLA Delta and Sigma Summer School students have a big Fourth of July party and we didn’t want to miss that. GLORIA (smiles) I might’ve known boys were somewhere in the picture. The girls smile, going along with her “Boy Crazy” theory. GLORIA Well, the rules haven’t changed. wild parties. No
JENI Oh, we wouldn’t think of it, Mrs. T. GLORIA Thanks. Oh, and you’ll have the building to yourself for a few weeks. My stepdaughter has moved back in with us for the summer and Achilles is back in the players’ dorm to recover from his accident. BELLA How is Cat doing? It’s just so awful about her friend. GLORIA It’s been very hard on her. Eddie and I don’t know what to do really. Pray for her, girls. BELLA We will. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Cat lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
13. EXT. NEAR STADIUM BLEACHERS – NIGHT (FLASHBACK) Cat, a 14-year-old cheerleader, watches the football field as the players shake hands at the end of the game. She has her eye on Number 10 – Cal. Their eyes meet and he smiles at her. She smirks and sticks out her tongue. Cake comes up behind her and taps her shoulder. and smiles at her. CAT Hey, Cake! CAKE (urgently) Come with me! She grabs her arm and drags her behind the bleachers. EXT. BEHIND BLEACHERS – MOMENTS LATER Cake finally stops. Okay, what is it?! out there. CAT I’m supposed to be Cat turns
CAKE You’ve got to get Cal to ask me to the homecoming dance tonight. CAT What? CAKE He hasn’t asked anybody, right? I don’t know. CAT I suppose not. But –
CAKE Then he can take me. CAT Don’t tell me nobody asked you, Cake. CAKE Don’t be ridiculous, Cat. Of course I was asked. Four or five guys on the (MORE)
14. CAKE (CONT’D.) varsity football team asked me. Even a couple of band geeks got the nerve... Talk about losers! CAT So why don’t you go with one of them. A varsity guy, not a band geek. CAKE Because... CAT Because what, Cake? CAKE Promise not to laugh. CAT Okay. Unless what you tell me is funny. Then... Cake hits her arm. hits her back. Tramp! CAKE Floosie! CAT Well? CAKE I’m in love with Cal. Beat. Cat looks at her, expressionless. CAKE Did you hear what I said? I love Cal. She reacts, “Ow!”, then immediately CAT
CAT (irritated) You two haven’t done anything have you? CAKE No, Cat, but – CAT Good. Don’t.
15. CAKE What? Why? CAT Because I said so, that’s why. CAKE What’s the matter, Cat? you’d be happy. I thought
CAT Why would I be happy, Cake? You think I want my brother fooling around with you? Jesus, Cake, you’ve already screwed three guys. One of them a college boy! CAKE But, Cat... I love him. I’ve always loved him, since we were little. I just didn’t know how to tell him. But now that we’re old enough – CAT No! (grabs Cake’s arm) Boys are just like tissue to you, Cake, something to blow a few times and throw away. I won’t let you use Cal up and throw him away. Understand? CAKE I wouldn’t do that to Cal and you know it! CAT Wouldn’t you? I know you, Cake. Get this through your head - make a move on Cal and you and me are through. You can’t be my best friend and screw my brother! Ever! CAKE Come on Cat, you’re being silly. Cat squeezes her arm, intending to hurt her. I mean it, Cake. CAT Make up your mind. Cake reacts.
16. CAL (O.S.) Hey, what’s going on? They both turn to face Cal, who’s got his shoulder pads flung over his shoulder like a book bag. He clocks Cake’s distress. CAL Cake, you alright? Cat and Cake exchange a look. CAKE (forces a smile) I’m fine, Cal. CAL Good. I’ve got to shower up. Then do you guys want to all go to the homecoming dance together? I know Cat doesn’t have a date. (grins) Nobody’d be blind or stupid enough to ask her. CAKE I’d love to, Cal... But I already told Jimmy Valducci that I’d go with him. CAL (disappointed) Oh... Okay. Then I guess we’ll see you there. He turns and walks away. Cat and Cake look at each other.
INT. TRZCINSKY HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM – NIGHT (RETURN TO PRESENT) Tears stream down Cat’s face. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE
17. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT Bella and Jeni lay in each other’s arms after making love. JENI (getting up) Want anything from the kitchen? Don’t go, Jen. okay? Jeni relaxes. Beat. BELLA Just stay with me,
BELLA I’ll make it all up to you, Jen. One day I will, I swear. I’ll make you happy, I promise. INT. ACHILLES’ DORM ROOM – NIGHT Achilles lay awake in bed staring at the ceiling. QUICK FLASHBACK In SLOW MOTION, Marcus Gamble, angry and whacked out on drugs, whips a handgun from behind his back and shoots at Achilles. We FOLLOW THE BULLET as it closes in on its target – Achilles’ face. Achilles is aiming a GLOCK 9mm at Marcus. We hear Portia’s screams: No! No! PORTIA (O.S.) Stop it! No! Beat.
Achilles doesn’t flinch when the round from Marcus’ gun grazes his cheek. Achilles fires two shots in return. Marcus’ body jumps with the impact of each round, which hit squarely in his chest. Marcus falls to the ground. Dead. RETURN TO PRESENT Achilles touches his cheek, where the scar from the bullet wound used to be.
18. INT. FILM ROOM – DAY Billy and Nate are going over game film. Billy FREEZES THE FRAME on Achilles throwing a pass. He points out a complex coverage package. BILLY What you look for here is the strong safety. If he’s cheating to the outside, it’s because he’s going to support the corner over the top. You audible to the wide out on the smoke route or a curl to the tight end if you read blitz. NATE I see. But, Coach, this is in the forty-six defense. What if they’re running a four three, or if a stunt blitz is on with the nose tackle? Billy takes a breath to keep from losing his patience. BILLY Good question, Nate. What you have to remember is that your pre-snap read of the LBs and safeties will give you the coverage. Let iPhone worry about the line blocking scheme. Got it? Okay. NATE Got it, Coach.
Charlotte comes into the room. CHARLOTTE How’s it going, Coach? Is Hughes ready to take the reins in camp in a couple of weeks? BILLY (lying) We’re almost there. Nate, we’ve been at this for a couple of hours. What do you say we take a breather? NATE Sure, Coach, if you think so. BILLY I think so.
19. Nate grabs his water bottle and Charlotte gives the backup quarterback a supportive smile as he exits. Then she exchanges a look with Billy. CHARLOTTE Well? Billy looks at Achilles’ frozen image on the television screen. He clicks the “Play” button and we see the rest of the play – an almost effortless touchdown pass. BILLY I think we’ll be running the ball a lot the first few weeks of the season. CHARLOTTE You still don’t think Achilles will have it together in time for LSU? BILLY I don’t know, Charlotte. Dr. Rockov says he should be much further along physically by now, but he’s just not into the rehab mentally. CHARLOTTE He still struggling with Portia leaving for Africa? BILLY (beat) Among other things, I suppose. Charlotte shakes her head thoughtfully. pointedly at Billy. Then she looks
CHARLOTTE You know, Billy, most people would give a right arm to be like you and Gale and Achilles and Portia... If they only knew. OFF Billy... INT. DONAHUE PATIO - DAY Billy and Nate drink Lone Stars and talk zone coverage as Billy flips steaks on the grill. Achilles and J.R. sit at the patio table talking.
20. ACHILLES When do you leave for A&M? J.R. Two weeks. ACHILLES Getting pretty excited? J.R. Yeah, I suppose... I’ve never really been away from home. ACHILLES But you’re going back home aren’t you? To College Station, I mean. J.R. I was born there, yeah. I meant I’ve never been away from Mom and Dad. Achilles gives him an understanding smile. ACHILLES You’ll be alright, J.R. Even if you are there to play golf instead of football, I’m sure Wolf Ryan’s grandson will have plenty of friends, whether you want them or not. They share a laugh. J.R. Achilles, can I ask you something? Yeah, sure. ACHILLES What?
J.R. You and Portia were dating when you came out to Washington, right? ACHILLES Yeah. J.R. How’d you handle a long distance relationship? Beat.
21. ACHILLES Some people would say not too well, and I’m sure Portia would be at the top of that list. J.R. But it’s different now that you’re married, right? Now that you know you’re meant to be together? Achilles tries to read the kid as he tries to cover his own discomfort with the question. Just then, Gale comes out of the house followed by Gracie Wellington. They have appetizers on trays. GALE Here we are. This should keep us from dying of starvation until Coach (louder so Billy can hear) finishes burning the steaks! BILLY Keep your britches on. You can’t rush perfection. Gracie puts a tray of fruit and veggies down in front of Achilles. GRACIE Try the fruit, Achilles. ACHILLES Thanks, Gracie. She smiles at him then steals a glance at J.R. Achilles clocks their dewy-eyed affection for one another. BILLY Alright, people. I hope you’re ready for some serious, serious eatin’! Billy and Nate come over with smoking steak platters. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME – SUNSET Ed and Gloria stand in the living room. ED She’s on her way down, Dallas. He’s on the phone. It’s fresh.
22. He takes the phone from his ear and looks up the staircase. Gloria tugs his arm. GLORIA (whispers) Don’t push Eddie. ED I know, I know. Cat comes down the stairs, stops halfway and stares at her father and stepmother. They eye her with nervous anticipation. She comes the rest of the way down and brusquely takes the phone from Ed. CAT Hello. DALLAS (V.O.) Hey, Red. Hadn’t heard from you in a couple days so I thought I’d check in, see how you’re holding up. Cat looks at Ed and Gloria. into the kitchen. They get the message and go
CAT Dallas, sweetie, I told you, you don’t have to check in on me every day. I’m not going to kill myself or anything like that. DALLAS (V.O.) I know that, Red. And it hasn’t been every day. Look, Red, your dad and Gloria are just worried – CAT (angry) They can stop worrying and so can you! I just want to be left alone, Dallas. Why can’t everybody get that through their heads?! DALLAS Okay, okay. Beat. I’m sorry. CAT I’m sorry, Dallas.
23. DALLAS It’s okay, Red. I understand. I could be there with you.
I wish
CAT No! I won’t be to blame for you not being ready for the Raiders’ rookie camp... I’ll be alright. DALLAS Are you sure? CAT (not sure) I’m sure. (beat) I love you, Dallas. DALLAS I love you too, Red. INT. BILLY’S HOME OFFICE - NIGHT Billy, Achilles and Nate are watching film of Penn State against Illinois. ACHILLES See, Nate right there. There. (Billy freezes the screen) The Sam backer is keying on the tight end. It’s a perfect situation to audible to the slugo – the slant and go – to Jet on the strong side. NATE (not seeing it) Uh-huh. Billy unfreezes the video and the play unfolds at full speed. It’s a slant and go route that the Illinois quarterback completes for a touchdown. ACHILLES Penn State has some of the best cover linebackers in football, but you can read them if you study enough film. NATE (still lost) Uh-huh.
24. EXT. SWIMMING POOL – NIGHT Gracie is sitting on the edge of the pool playing with her dog, Ethel, who is swimming to retrieve a rubber ball. J.R. comes up and sits next to her. Beat. J.R. What if I don’t go to Texas A&M? I could enroll right here at Wa Tech. GRACIE I thought you stopped doing drugs, Johnny. Mrs. Donahue would kill me if she thought you changed schools because of me. (cute grin) Besides, Jock Boy, you don’t have the grades for Wa Tech. J.R. Okay, so what if you came to College Station with me? You’ve got the grades for A&M. Ethel paddles back to Gracie with the ball. Gracie takes it and nuzzles the pooch lovingly. Then she looks at J.R., who waits hopefully. INT. DONAHUE KITCHEN – NIGHT Achilles is looking in the refrigerator when Gale comes in. GALE You boys already ate half a steer. I’m surprised you’ve got room for anything else. ACHILLES I’m just looking for something to help digest the steak, Mrs. D. She looks in the fridge and pulls out a Bosch pear, crosses to the sink and rinses it for him. GALE Does wonders. ACHILLES Thanks, Mrs. D.
Here you go.
25. GALE So how’s Nate doing? ACHILLES Pretty good. I’m sure he’ll be ready when the season starts. GALE And what about you? Will you be ready to come back and lead this team? Beat. She looks at him with caring but probing eyes. ACHILLES I hope so, Mrs. D. I’m trying to. GALE Are you, Achilles? She holds him with her stare. Come with me. EXT. DONAHUE HOME – NIGHT Gale leads Achilles to a secluded spot off the patio. GALE Achilles I know you’re falling way behind in your rehab. (he tries to speak but she interrupts) No, I spoke to your therapist myself and he said that at this rate you won’t be cleared to get on the practice field until the middle of October. ACHILLES (busted, sighs) Mrs. D., I just have a lot on my mind that I can’t get straight yet. GALE I know you do... I know Portia’s not coming back, Achilles. (off his reaction) Don’t get upset with, Coach. I didn’t need him to tell me. After the (MORE) He lowers his eyes.
GALE
26. GALE (CONT’D.) humiliation you caused her – the baby, that episode in San Diego with your old tutor, and goodness knows what else you were up to with women - I’m surprised a girl like Portia put up with it as long as she did. ACHILLES Mrs. Donahue, Portia means the world to me. I never, ever meant to hurt her. We sense Gale’s words are meant for someone else – Billy. GALE You men never do. But you just can’t help yourselves, can you? Beat. GALE Achilles, Billy told me the real reason you came back to Maitland – (he reacts) – and I know how hard it must be for you after all that’s happened. But the loss you feel is nothing compared to what Catherine’s family is going through... I know at times like these it’s easy to get caught up in self pity. You feel lost and alone, I know that... But did you ever stop to think maybe God had a different plan for you when he guided you back to us, Achilles? ACHILLES I don’t want to let the Coach or anybody down, Mrs. D. I want to help the team get to the next level if I can. She reaches up, holds his face gently in her hands and looks deeply into his eyes. Beat. GALE Achilles honey, it’s not the team I’m talking about.
27. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM - DAY Cat is sitting at her desk, doodling aimlessly. the door and she stops. She answers, annoyed. CAT I said I’ll eat when I’m ready, Ed! Just leave me alone! Beat. ACHILLES (O.S.) It’s not Ed. Cat turns to the door. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, HALLWAY OUTSIDE CAT’S BEDROOM – DAY The bedroom door opens. Hey. CAT Hey. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD – NIGHT Achilles and Cat walk slowly, side-by-side. Close. Cat looks up at Achilles. ACHILLES A KNOCK on
ACHILLES Morales will make the team, no doubt about it. He’s the hardest hitting DB I’ve ever seen. And he’s smart as hell. (glances at her) Though sometimes I wonder about that, considering... The meaning finally reaches her. CAT What’s that supposed to mean? He offers a small smile. ACHILLES Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
28. She tries to play along but just doesn’t have it in her. CAT (softly) Asshole. (then) It’s so strange. How is it that she’s gone and everything just keeps moving along? In a month or two, it’ll be like she was never here at all. ACHILLES She was here, Cara. And she’ll be here as long as the people who loved her remember her... And go on living with her in their hearts. Beat. CAT (tearing up) It’s not fair. It’s just not fair. After all the shit Cake lived through, she was finally happy. Really happy. She wasn’t just the pretty rich girl with the nice rack anymore. She found her passion in life and she was really good at it... It’s just not fair. ACHILLES (quietly) It’s not.
I know. They stop walking.
ACHILLES Look, Cara... You know Ed’s been really worried about you since the funeral. CAT Gloria has him convinced I’m going to kill myself. They’ve been on suicide watch for weeks. Jesus. ACHILLES He’s your Dad, Cara. He just wants to know you’re alright. CAT That why he called in the Big Guns, the “Messiah” himself?
29. ACHILLES I guess Moses was all booked up. They smile at one another with their eyes, remembering their first meeting in Murphy’s Gym. ACHILLES Hey, I’ve got an idea. CAT Sorry, fire’s already been discovered. ACHILLES (smirks) No, seriously. I’m sick of doctors and therapists busting my balls about rehab. You’ve been holed up in your room so long that you smell worse than usual, which is pretty damn scary when you think about it. (she smirks at him) Fourth of July weekend is in a couple of days. Why don’t we blow the hell out of town? Just kiss all of our troubles away and spend a few days clearing our heads? We could both use it, Cara. Beat. She considers. CAT What if your head’s already empty? A long, emotion-filled beat as they stand there looking at each other. Then for the first time... they embrace. She holds on to his waist tightly, presses her face to his chest as we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO
30. ACT THREE FADE IN: EXT. WEDDING – DAY Sasha Mendez, the beautiful bride, kisses the GROOM at the altar. Among the applauding guests we FIND Champ and Kendra Sussman. His painted on smile conceals his disgust at seeing his lover happy with another man. EXT. RECEPTION LINE – LATER The newlyweds greet well-wishers. Champ and Kendra step up. Kendra kisses Sasha on both cheeks as Champ gives the Groom a hearty handshake and slap on the shoulder. KENDRA You’re so beautiful, Sasha! so happy together! You’ll be
SASHA (beaming) Thank you! And thank you so much for coming! Both of you! Champ gives Sasha a respectable hug and peck on the cheek. CHAMP (to Groom) You’re a very lucky man! GROOM Thank you, Chancellor Sussman! I am. Call me Champ! CHAMP Everybody does! I know
Champ and Sasha exchange the slightest of looks before Champ and Kendra move on. EXT. DONAHUE DRIVEWAY – DAY J.R. is washing his car, a VOLVO C-30 COUPE. He turns and smiles as Gracie pulls up in her rusted out Hyundai. She gets out of the car with Ethel and gives J.R. a wet one on the lips.
31. J.R. Well, does that mean you did it? GRACIE I talked to the registrar at Wa Tech, who telephoned the registrar at Texas A&M. All of my credits and all of my financial aid transfers. So... I leave with you for College Station next week! J.R. drops the water hose and lifts her in his arms, spinning her around. Whooo-hooo! J.R. Yeah! Then –
He puts her down and they kiss.
GRACIE There’s just one problem, Johnny. All of the underclassman dorms are full. And this close to the start of the semester there aren’t a lot of options off campus. I could have a hard time finding a place to live. J.R. (grinning) You joking, right? We’ll live together, Gracie. GRACIE (hesitant) Johnny, I know that sounds like a nobrainer, but I really think your folks are going to have a problem with that. J.R. Are you kidding? We live together now. They know we’re having sex. GRACIE It’s different, Johnny. J.R. How?! GRACIE Here they know we’re doing it, but they don’t acknowledge that we are. If they (MORE)
32. GRACIE (CONT’D.) agree to let us live together at school, they’d be admitting that they’re permitting us to have sex. What?! J.R. That makes no sense whatsoever.
GRACIE Trust me, J.R., I know your mother. Not Gale Donahue the “mom”, but Gale Donahue the woman. And the woman is not going to be cool with tongues wagging in College Station about Wolf Ryan’s “golf playing” grandson shacking up with some Yankee Girl from Washington. INT. HOME GYM – DAY Billy is finishing up a set on a bench press. Gale comes in and waits until he’s done before moving closer to talk. GALE I’ve asked Jeff Foxworthy to perform at the barbecue. BILLY That sounds good. I like him. GALE I know you do. I didn’t see much point in keeping it a secret this year. BILLY I see. Beat. GALE Have you found a place yet? BILLY Donna’s narrowed it down to two. GALE Donna knows we’re separating? Okay.
33. BILLY Don’t you think she’d be one of the first to figure it out? Besides, I couldn’t find a place on my own. GALE You could have asked Mattie for help, Billy. She’s more discreet. BILLY Nobody’s more discreet than Donna, Gale. And trust me, the last thing she wants is to see you hurt in the media. She worships the ground you walk on. Beat. GALE So you’ll leave after the barbecue? BILLY When summer camp starts, yes. GALE I hope you’ll plan on spending time at the house during the holidays, at least when the kids are home from school. BILLY Sure, of course I will. They exchange a lingering look before Gale leaves. EXT. TRZCINSKI HOME – DAY Achilles and Cat leave the house. She stops and her eyes go wide at what’s in the driveway. REVERSE to REVEAL a bad ass, cobalt blue MUSTANG SHELBY COBRA. ACHILLES Nice, huh? CAT So your Baby Mamma paid for plastic surgery and a new car?
34. ACHILLES First of all, Becky didn’t pay for my surgery, she just recommended the doctor. And the insurance from the motorcycle paid for the Mustang. Excuse me! CAT Touchy, touchy.
She opens the door of the muscle car, tosses her back pack in and sits inside. He climbs in behind the wheel and shuts his door. He turns the ignition and the powerful, throaty engine rumbles to life. He grins. She stares at him with serious eyes. CAT (meaning it) Break the speed limit, I’ll break your face. INT. POLICE CRUISER – DAY We’re looking at the READOUT ON A RADAR GUN: 55 MPH. Then we see Achilles’ Mustang Cobra cruise by. REVERSE to show State Trooper Ivy Sandusky. She smiles to herself. INT. MUSTANG COBRA – MOVING – DAY Achilles glances at his speedometer – 55 MPH – then at a sign on the side of the road: SPEED LIMIT 55 MPH. Cat is trying to find a good radio station. CAT So your Baby Mamma never heard of Sirius or XM Radio? ACHILLES Maybe if this Podunk town of yours wasn’t practically in freakin’ Canada we could get a radio station that wasn’t in Russian. She tunes in an AC-DC SONG sits back and grins. INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT Bella is on her side, Champ on his back beside her. She stares straight ahead. He rolls over and kisses her He frowns.
35. shoulder. He’s ready to go at it again. eyes to avoid cringing. BELLA (suddenly) Charles... CHAMP (pressing against her) Yes, baby... BELLA Do you ever want to talk? CHAMP What? Right now? She turns toward him. BELLA Yes, Charles, now. When you said you wanted to take care of me, that you wanted to have me to yourself, I thought it was because you felt something for me. That sex was only part of our relationship – an important part, I know – but not the most important part. Was I wrong? CHAMP No, Bella, no. I do care for you, baby, you know that. BELLA Well... I’m not feeling it, Charles. He’s taken aback. CHAMP Bella, what are you talking about? Is it the car? You don’t like it? Take it back and pick out another one. BELLA It’s not the car, Charles. CHAMP Well what is it? She closes her
36. BELLA Normally sex with you is so good. tonight, you were... What? CHAMP I was what, Bella?
But
BELLA You were angry, Charles. You were mean. And you hurt me. I understand it’s your money and if that’s how you want spend it, well, that’s what I’m here for. CHAMP (chastised) Oh, Bella, I’m sorry. BELLA I know about Sasha’s wedding, Charles. I know that tonight you took out your anger at her on me... I thought I meant more to you, Charles. But I suppose I was wrong. I’m just your whore. He caresses her face apologetically. CHAMP Please, forgive me Bella. Please.
He takes her in his arms and she rests her head on his chest. In her eyes we read her relief. Her ploy to avoid another round of sex with him has worked. INT. JENI & BELLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Jeni lay awake in bed, staring into the darkness. We hear someone ENTER the apartment. A light flicks on in another room. Then we hear the SHOWER start. INT. SUSSMAN MASTER BEDROOM – NIGHT Champ enters the darkened room, undresses quietly and goes to the bed. He slips in next to Kendra, who is sound asleep.
37. INT. JENI & BELLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT Jeni continues to stare blankly into the darkness. We hear the shower stop. The light in the other room goes out. Bella enters the bedroom, shower fresh in a t-shirt. She slides into bed next to Jeni, sees that Jeni is awake. Beat. Jeni closes her eyes and turns away. EXT. LAKE – DAY Cat and Achilles are treading water near a jetty. CAT This is where Cake learned how to swim. Right off this very same jetty. ACHILLES Really? CAT Ed would bring my brothers and me up here once or twice each summer. That first summer after me and Cake became friends, she came up with us for the day... My brother Aaron threw her in while Neil, Cal and me swam around her to make sure she didn’t drown. Before we knew it, she was fooling around in the water like the rest of us. ACHILLES I’ll bet Mrs. D’Agostino would’ve had a cow if she knew about that, huh? CAT No shit! Sofia would’ve whacked us all. Mafia style. (beat) I think Cake met somebody and was falling in love when she left Paris. ACHILLES What makes you say that? CAT I could tell. Just the way she denied being in a relationship whenever I asked her about it. Like she didn’t want to jinx it or anything.
38. ACHILLES You were her best friend. Why wouldn’t she tell you if she was in love? OFF Cat... EXT. BEHIND BLEACHERS – NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 14-year-old Cake and Cat are talking earnestly. CAKE Did you hear what I said? I love Cal.
CAT (irritated) You two haven’t done anything have you? CAKE No Cat, but – CAT Good. What? Don’t. CAKE Why? CAT Because I said so, that’s why. CAKE What’s the matter, Cat? you’d be happy. I thought
CAT Why would I be happy, Cake? You think I want my brother fooling around with you? Jesus, Cake, you’ve already screwed three guys. One of them a college boy! CAKE But, Cat... I love him. I’ve always loved him, since we were little. I just didn’t know how to tell him. But now that we’re old enough –
39. CAT No! (grabs Cake’s arm) Boys are just like tissue to you, Cake, something to blow a few times and throw away. I won’t let you use Cal up and throw him away. Understand? CAKE I wouldn’t do that to Cal and you know it! CAT Wouldn’t you? I know you, Cake. Get this through your head - make a move on Cal and you and me are through. You can’t be my best friend and screw my brother! Ever! EXT. LAKE – DAY (RETURN TO PRESENT) Cat swims to the jetty, climbs out, picks up a towel and begins drying off. Achilles follows. ACHILLES (from the water) Is something wrong? CAT No. I just felt like getting out of the water. ACHILLES Okay, you want to head back to the cabin, get cleaned up and go grab something to eat? CAT Sure. INT. CABIN – DAY Cat is in cutoffs and an Aerosmith t-shirt, ready to go. Achilles comes out of the bathroom shirtless, in cargo shorts, still wet from the shower. CAT It’s about time. I was about to call the Coast Guard to go in after you.
40. ACHILLES I was waiting for the water to get hot again but it never did. CAT And it never will. Ed didn’t put a hot water heater in the place. ACHILLES Jesus, is your father the cheapest guy in the world or what? CAT Yeah he is. (cuts him off) You make one Jewish joke and I swear I’ll kick you in those tiny balls of yours. He shrugs, goes into a bedroom and comes out wearing a polo shirt. They leave the cabin. INT. DINER – SUNSET Achilles and Cat are finishing dinner. A cute TEENAGE WAITRESS comes to the table. It’s obvious that she’s crushing on Achilles. He’s oblivious. TEENAGE WAITRESS Can I get you two anything else? cherry pie is really good today. ACHILLES (charming smile) Well, if it’s really good – CAT (interrupts) We’ll pass. Just the check, please. Cat and the Waitress exchange a look. She catches Cat’s “back off” vibe. She pulls the check from her apron pocket and puts it face down on the table. TEENAGE WAITRESS Here you go. CAT Thanks. The
41. EXT. SECLUDED ROADSIDE – NIGHT The Mustang Cobra pulls off the road. The car lights go off and Achilles and Cat get out. He smacks his face, pulling away a mosquito. ACHILLES Are you sure this is necessary? CAT This is the best place in the county for watching fireworks. ACHILLES For who, the mosquitoes? CAT Man up! Jeez, you’re such a pussy sometimes. She heads into the woods. EXT. TRAIL – NIGHT Achilles and Cat use lanterns to light their way. CAT She was afraid of how I would react. ACHILLES If you knew she was in love with somebody? CAT (nods) Cake was in love with my brother Cal. She told me when we were freshmen in high school, but she was crazy about him since we were eight years old... I was a total bitch about it when she told me. ACHILLES Why? CAT Basically, I told her it was because she was a slut and I didn’t want her (MORE) He mocks her behind her back.
42. CAT (CONT’D.) hurting my brother, which was sort of true. But the real reason is I didn’t want her to find out that Cal was gay. ACHILLES Oh... Did he know how she felt about her? CAT Cal knew everything about Cake. He was as much in love with her as I was, and that was the problem. He loved her like a sister. He knew it would break her heart to find out about him. So when she told me how she felt, I played the bitch so he wouldn’t have to. ACHILLES Did she ever find out? That Cal was gay? CAT I told her after we moved into the apartment together. ACHILLES What brought that about? CAT (beat) Doesn’t matter. The point is, she was afraid to tell me she was in love because she thought I would ruin it for her again. He looks at her just as they emerge from the woods onto a hilltop clearing. EXT. HILLTOP CLEARING – NIGHT Achilles and Cat are sitting on the grass looking down at the lights of a SMALL TOWN below. ACHILLES Hey, there aren’t any mosquitoes up here. CAT There never are.
43. The lights in the town go out. Achilles looks at his watch. ACHILLES Looks like they’re about to get started. At least they’re on time. Cat gazes into the darkness. Beat.
CAT Cake said she had something to tell me when she got home. Something important. He reacts, looks at her. Beat.
CAT Cake was going to tell me that she’d fallen in love with you, wasn’t she? Their eyes meet. as we... FIREWORKS begin to explode over the town FADE OUT. END ACT THREE
44. ACT FOUR FADE IN: EXT. MAITLAND TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT FIREWORKS explode overhead. PAN down to the town square, abuzz with people reveling in the Fourth of July celebration. In the crowds we FIND many of the people who were at Cake’s funeral. Gale, lovely in a white dress, holds toddler Duncan’s hand and helps him eat an ice cream cone. Nearby, Billy and Charlotte’s husband, Ronald Fraser, talk animatedly about Jazz greats. J.R.’s arm is looped around Gracie’s neck as they enjoy snow cones and watch the sky. Champ and Kendra and their three young children marvel at the fireworks. From the scene of the perfect, happy family, PAN across the square to find Jeni staring at them, a mix of sadness and scorn in her eyes. Jeni! BELLA (O.S.) There you are! With her are frat boys LINC
Bella wades through the crowd. and JOSH.
BELLA Hey, Jen, the guys said the party’s just starting to rock over at Sigma house. Wanna jet over there now? JENI (takes eyes off the Sussmans) Yeah, sure. Let’s go. Bella sees what Jeni was staring at. Champ spies Bella and their eyes briefly connect. Jeni grabs Linc’s arm. JENI Come on Linc, I’ll drive over with you. She leads the pleasantly surprised Linc away. Josh smiles hopefully at Bella. It’s just then that Champ sees them. His eyes cloud.
45. INT. MAITLAND TOWN SQUARE – LATER The Mayor is talking to Billy and Gale. sleepy Duncan in her arms. Gale’s holding a
MAYOR What’s the word on Achilles, Coach? Will he be back in time for Penn State? BILLY Week two would be pushing it, Mayor. We’re already working to get Nate Hughes up to speed. He’ll be ready. MAYOR I don’t have to tell you this is a big year, Coach. Toughest schedule in years – maybe ever – with Penn State, LSU, USC and your old alma mater Texas A&M. With Achilles passing on the draft to play his senior year, some of us Old Timers were hoping for a run at a national championship. BILLY Well you know Mayor, with Achilles out at least until mid-September – GALE (interrupts, smiling pretty) Oh stop sandbagging, Billy Honey. (to Mayor) Listen, Claude, Achilles will be back in top form before you know it, ready and rarin’ to take the boys bowling in January. And if we’re just a little bit lucky, we’ll get a shot at the BCS Championship. MAYOR (big grin) Now that’s what I’m talking about. An AIDE comes up to the Mayor and ushers him away for an announcement. After he’s gone, Billy gives Gale a scathing look. She reacts, unfazed.
46. GALE Oh Billy, you know what Daddy always said: “Tell them what they want to hear before kickoff and save the excuses for after the game.” Billy is about to have a fit but Duncan beats him to it. The toddler begins having a conniption in Gale’s arms. GALE Oh, it’s been a long day, hasn’t it, Sweetheart. Mommy’s baby is tired. (to Billy) Let’s go home, Billy. We’re all getting a little cranky. EXT. SIGMA HOUSE BACKYARD – NIGHT The party is rocking. We FIND Linc laying a serious rap on Jeni, trying to get lucky for the night. She’s leading him on, but it’s all for the benefit of Bella, who watches, unhappily, from across the yard. EXT. FRONT OF SIGMA HOUSE – LATER Bella and Jeni leave the house and walk to Bella’s car. The tension between them is thick. They reach Bella’s Crossfire and get inside. INT. PONTIAC CROSSFIRE – CONTINUOUS Bella starts the engine. straight ahead. She looks at Jeni, who stares
BELLA I know you can get laid anytime you want to, Jeni, so what are you trying to prove? Or is it that you just want to hurt me? JENI You know what I want, Bella. BELLA What if I can’t give you that... at least not now? Beat. Jeni looks at her.
47. INT. NURSERY – NIGHT Gale puts a sleeping Duncan down in his crib, kisses his cheek and leaves the room. INT. HALLWAY – MOMENTS LATER Gale walks down the hallway. Stops at J.R.’s bedroom door. We hear faint sounds of REGGAE MUSIC coming from inside. Gale KNOCKS on the door loudly. GALE (to door) It’s time for everyone to go to bed... Their own. Beat. J.R. (O.S.) Okay, Mom. Gale pauses before continuing down the hall to: INT. DONAHUE MASTER BEDROOM – LATER Gale comes out of the bathroom in silk pajamas and crosses to the king size bed with its covers pulled back. On the other side of the room, Billy is lying on the sofa, which is made up like a bed. Gale slides into bed. GALE Goodnight, Billy Honey. BILLY Goodnight. Gale flicks the lamp switch and the room goes dark. INT. CABIN BEDROOM – BEFORE DAWN Achilles is sound asleep. The bedroom door bangs open and he wakes with a start. Cat is standing in the doorway, wearing Spandex running shorts and a windbreaker. CAT Wake up, Einstein.
48. ACHILLES (groggy) What the f – CAT You said you wanted to get a run in before we leave, so... ACHILLES Yeah, in the daytime... It is daytime. EXT. BACKROAD – DAWN Achilles and Cat are jogging uphill. being out of shape. CAT So she’s not coming back? ACHILLES Not for a while. And when she does come back it won’t be to me. That part of our relationship is over. CAT Sorry. ACHILLES Me too. CAT Yeah, you are. They exchange a look. Hers says she’s disappointed in him for cheating on Portia and carrying on with Cake on the sly; his says he accepts her judgment of him. ACHILLES I know I’ve made mistakes in my relationships, and I’ve made some bad decisions. But I want you to know, I would have tried my best to make Cake happy. I know she deserved that. (long beat) Cara... I need your help to play football again. Will you help me? He’s showing signs of CAT Almost.
49. She stops running and he stops with her. She looks at him a long time. We sense the emotion she feels. The closest she can come to expressing it is – CAT Achilles... promise me you won’t die. ACHILLES I promise. They look into each other’s eyes, sealing what we know is a lifelong commitment to one another. Then she turns and starts down the hill. He falls in next to her. CAT Take it easy on the way down, fatso. If you keel over out here, there’s no way I’m giving you mouth-to-mouth. ACHILLES No? Damn. I was talking to a girl last week who said you’re a really good kisser. She slugs him in the arm. INT. NURSERY – DAY Gale, still in her pajamas, comes into the nursery humming sweetly. Right away her mother’s instinct kicks in and she becomes wary. Duncan’s not awake and playing in his crib the way he usually is. She reaches the crib and her face contorts in terror. The toddler is drenched in sweat. He doesn’t appear to be breathing! GALE Oh my God! Duncan! Duncan! Oh my God! Panic-stricken, Gale takes him from the crib. GALE Duncan, baby! Wake up for Mommy! Oh God, please no. Billy! Billy! BILLY! As Billy enters the room we... FADE OUT. END OF EPISODE
2. RECAP We Recap events from the Previous episodes, ending on Cat realizing that Cake has died in a plane crash. TEASER FADE IN: EXT. PLAYGROUND – DAY YOUNG CHILDREN play on a beautiful summer day. We FAVOR one of them, a LITTLE GIRL (8), who is on her knees drawing on the pavement with colored chalk. When she looks up, her raven hair, olive skin and angelic face immediately reveal her to be young Catherine “Cake” D’Agostino. CARA (O.S.) Give it! No! CAL (O.S.) You had your turn, Cara!
CARA (O.S.) I said, GIVE IT, Cal! Young Catherine watches the commotion caused by two redheaded kids fighting over a KICKBALL. The girl, Cara (8), has her twin brother Cal in a headlock. He clings to the ball for dear life. Cara WHACKS him in the head. Cal shoves her hard. When he does, he lets go of the ball. It bounces away in the direction of Catherine. Cal and Cara go at each other with a vengeance. getting the better of his ornery sister. CATHERINE (O.S.) Hi. Cal looks at Catherine first – she’s standing there holding the kickball – giving Cara a free shot at her brother. She lands a wicked right to his jaw. CAL (grabs his jaw) Ow! Cara! Cara looks at Catherine, who smiles at her. CATHERINE Is this your ball? He begins
3. Seeing her chance at recovery, Cara takes the ball. CARA Thanks. CAL It’s our ball, Cootie Pants! CARA Well guess what, Booger Face? it now, so there! I’ve got
Cara smirks and sticks out her tongue. This makes Catherine laugh. Cara and Cal both look at her quizzically. CARA Who are you? Catherine. I’m Cara. Hi. CAL Hi. CARA You want to play kickball with me? With us! Okay. Catherine is about to head off with Cara and Cal when her mother, Sofia D’Agostino, not sure she wants her daughter playing with the two ruffian redheads, calls from across the playground. Catherine! Yes, Mommy? SOFIA Catherine! CATHERINE CAL It’s our ball, Cara. CATHERINE CATHERINE What’s your name? CARA That’s my brother, Caleb. CATHERINE
4. SOFIA Just a few more minutes, Cupcake! CATHERINE Okay, Mommy. “Cupcake?” CARA That’s a silly name.
Catherine is embarrassed. I kinda like it. CAL It fits you. OFF MATCH CUT TO: EXT. GRAVESITE – A PORTRAIT OF 21-YEAR-OLD CAKE – DAY Angelic and breathtakingly beautiful. Hundreds are in attendance to bid a final farewell to the youngest member of one of Maitland’s wealthiest and best known families. Among the MOURNERS we FIND many familiar faces: the Donahues, Charlotte Webb and her family, Mathilda Weiss and her husband Darryl Banks, Chancellor Champ Sussman and his wife Kendra, the entire D’Agostino clan – Police Chief Sal, nightclub owner Al, car dealer Santino, CAKE’S BROTHERS AND COUSINS – including Sonny – her father Tony and Sofia. EXT. GRAVESITE – LATER Sofia stands next to the casket and says a final silent goodbye. When she turns she goes directly to Cara “Cat” Trzcinski, who is being comforted by her father Ed, her brothers, Aaron and Neil, and boyfriend Dallas Morales. Cat is barely holding it together. Sofia embraces her. As they walk away from the gravesite, Achilles Addams watches them pass. We know from his expression that he feels utterly lost... and alone. He looks once more at the portrait of the girl he might have loved. Off his forlorn and still bruised face we... SMASH CUT TO MAIN TITLES. END TEASER
Cara rolls her eyes. Catherine smiles at Cal. Catherine’s smile we...
5. ACT ONE FADE IN: INT. DR. SINGH’S OFFICE – DAY DR. RASHI SINGH (40) handsome, smooth manner, removes bandages from a patient’s face, looks down, satisfied. DR. SINGH Very nice, if I must say so myself, Achilles. PULL BACK to REVEAL Achilles post plastic surgery. He takes the mirror handed to him by a NURSE. The Nurse’s subtle yet suggestive smile confirms that Achilles is now handsome as ever. He focuses on the area underneath his left eye. DR. SINGH I took the liberty of removing the scar, Achilles. (off Achilles’ reaction) We were restoring tissue and cartilage in the area and it was a simple matter to repair it. Now there will be nothing to prevent you landing a Gillette endorsement. Dr. Singh smiles. Achilles stares at the area. his mixed emotions about removal of the scar. INT. WAITING ROOM – LATER Achilles comes out of the doctor’s office. Becky Van Helsing is waiting for him. She’s holding their 18-monthold daughter, Angel, in her arms. BECKY (smiles) Hello, Handsome. She caresses his face, turns it from side to side. BECKY (to Angel) See, Sweetie, there’s the face that Mommy couldn’t resist. We sense
6. Achilles takes the baby in his arms. BECKY Thank you, Dr. Singh. I knew any man who could keep my Mommy Dearest looking thirty-five would have no problem with Achilles. DR. SINGH It was my pleasure, Ms. Van Helsing. As always, please give my best to Mrs. Van Helsing. BECKY Of course. Achilles. Thanks. EXT. GOLF COURSE – DAY J.R. Donahue sends a golf ball onto the green with the perfect swing of a nine iron. When it lands 20 feet from the flag, Billy smiles at Charlotte and Champ. CHAMP Great shot, J.R. J.R. Thank you, Chancellor Sussman. CHAMP Your father neglected to tell me just how good you are at this game. BILLY It’s not something Gale and I are particularly proud of, Champ. In fact, it’s a deep, dark family secret. CHARLOTTE (wry smile) I’ve found it’s only a secret when there’s new money on the table, Billy. Billy puts a hand on J.R.’s shoulder as the foursome walk down the green. DR. SINGH Best of luck to you. ACHILLES
7. CHAMP Another big secret seems to be who your choice for offensive coordinator will be, Billy. BILLY That’s no secret, Champ. CHARLOTTE Billy will be calling the plays this season, Champ. CHAMP (unhappy surprise) Really? I know it’s too late to get Wilkerson or Maroni or the guys who were at the top of our list. But there are still a couple of good offensive minds out there. BILLY It could be a while before Achilles is 100 percent. Hughes is going to need a lot of attention. If I’m going to spend that much time with him, I may as well run the offense myself. Champ doesn’t like where this is heading. CHAMP Dr. Rockov still has Achilles on schedule to return by week two or three, right? CHARLOTTE We can hope, Champ, but these things are never written in stone. CHAMP But we’ve got Penn State in week two and LSU at Death Valley in week four. Achilles has to be back by then. BILLY I have to work with what we know, Champ. Right now, I know Nate Hughes is at the top of the depth chart.
8. INT. HUGHES HOME, NATE’S BEDROOM – DAY Nate Hughes is on his cell phone. on the bed. His travel bag is open
NATE Yeah, Coach, I leave for the airport tonight. INT. DONAHUE KITCHEN – DAY Billy is standing in the kitchen, on a cordless phone. BILLY Good. And thank your folks again for letting you off the farm early. We’re going to need as much time as possible before camp starts to get you comfortable with the offense. INTERCUT: NATE/BILLY NATE Whatever it takes, Coach. I know I’ve got big shoes to fill until Achilles is back in top form. BILLY (beat) Safe travels, son. Billy hangs up the phone. He didn’t notice before, but Gale is at the kitchen entrance. They exchange a look. GALE What is it, Billy? Nothing. BILLY It’s nothing.
GALE It’s not nothing. I think I’ve learned a thing or two about what goes on inside a football coach’s head, Billy. Is there a problem with Achilles’ rehab? Is it not going well? Beat. They both realize that her “knowing” the ins and outs of his football world was one of the things that made them special together.
9. BILLY It’s not going well at all.
No.
INT. REHAB CENTER – DAY Achilles sits on a Swedish exercise ball as he pulls weight on a machine. A THERAPIST watches his progress. He’s disappointed with Achilles’ effort. THERAPIST Come on, Achilles, you can do better than that. Achilles stops abruptly and glares at the therapist. ACHILLES How do you know what I can do? THERAPIST Look, Achilles, I know it’s tough. But we’re falling behind schedule. Training camp opens in three weeks and at this pace, Dr. Rockov won’t clear you for wind sprints. Achilles stands and lets the weights fall. ACHILLES Screw you and screw this. the day. He walks toward the door. CLANK!
I’m done for
The therapist is flummoxed.
THERAPIST B-But we just started twenty minutes ago. Achilles. Achilles! Achilles lets the door slam as he stalks out. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, HALLWAY OUTSIDE CAT’S BEDROOM – DAY Ed Trzcinski knocks on the bedroom door. answer. Nothing. ED Cara, honey, you’ve got to eat something. Please... He waits for an
10. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM – SAME TIME Cat is curled up in bed, eyes red from endless days of crying, body emaciated from lack of food and sleep. She’s staring trance-like at a PHOTO in her hand. INSERT – PHOTO It’s of 8-year-old Cara/Cat and Catherine/Cake in their Brownie Girl Scout uniforms. Their arms are around each other’s necks and they’re smiling. RETURN TO SCENE The KNOCK on the door doesn’t get her attention. her father’s voice. ED (O.S.) Alright, honey. I’ll just leave the tray at your door. We hear the sound of a food tray being put down. Beat. Then we hear Ed’s footsteps as he walks away. Cat continues to stare at the photo, oblivious. EXT./INT. PONTIAC CROSSFIRE - MOVING – DAY The nifty little sports car cruises down the expressway with the top down. Bella Milovich is behind the wheel; her lover Jeni Kim rides shotgun. They pass a sign: “Welcome to Maitland, City of Subdued Excitement.” BELLA Do you want to stop off at the Food King first or go straight to the apartment? Jeni shrugs. She’s obviously preoccupied. at her, knows what’s bothering her. Bella glances Nor does
BELLA Jeni, sweetie, we’ve gone over this a thousand times already. What do you want me to do? JENI Seriously? For starters how about you stop turning tricks for a living?
11. BELLA Oh, okay. Let’s see, where will that leave us? Mmmm? Can’t afford Wa Tech, so I’ll just go back to Chicago and enroll at Central City College, where I’ll major in French Fry Salting. And of course, you and me, that’s history. JENI Stop it, Bella! That’s stupid and you know it. You can take out loans, work a part-time job – BELLA (interrupts, angry) Oh get off your high horse, Jennifer. You screwed plenty of guys you didn’t give a shit about before we fell in love... (calmer) Look, Jeni, I don’t have a mommy and daddy paying my way for me. And you’re not a rich surgeon like Valerie’s husband. Everything I get in this world I get on my own. I’ll be damned if I go through life pathetic and poor as dirt like my folks. Jeni reacts, her feelings hurt. She turns her head. caresses her face with her free hand. BELLA Jen, we agreed we’d give it a try just this year. One guy, two nights a week. That’s all. JENI But Sussman! Bella, it’s disgusting! Somebody is bound to find out! OFF Bella... INT. APARTMENT STAIRWELL – DAY Bella and Jeni come in and start up the stairs. A door opens behind them and Gloria Penske-Trzcinski steps out. Hello girls! GLORIA You’re back early. Bella
12. GIRLS Hi, Mrs. Trzcinski. BELLA Delta and Sigma Summer School students have a big Fourth of July party and we didn’t want to miss that. GLORIA (smiles) I might’ve known boys were somewhere in the picture. The girls smile, going along with her “Boy Crazy” theory. GLORIA Well, the rules haven’t changed. wild parties. No
JENI Oh, we wouldn’t think of it, Mrs. T. GLORIA Thanks. Oh, and you’ll have the building to yourself for a few weeks. My stepdaughter has moved back in with us for the summer and Achilles is back in the players’ dorm to recover from his accident. BELLA How is Cat doing? It’s just so awful about her friend. GLORIA It’s been very hard on her. Eddie and I don’t know what to do really. Pray for her, girls. BELLA We will. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM - NIGHT Cat lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
13. EXT. NEAR STADIUM BLEACHERS – NIGHT (FLASHBACK) Cat, a 14-year-old cheerleader, watches the football field as the players shake hands at the end of the game. She has her eye on Number 10 – Cal. Their eyes meet and he smiles at her. She smirks and sticks out her tongue. Cake comes up behind her and taps her shoulder. and smiles at her. CAT Hey, Cake! CAKE (urgently) Come with me! She grabs her arm and drags her behind the bleachers. EXT. BEHIND BLEACHERS – MOMENTS LATER Cake finally stops. Okay, what is it?! out there. CAT I’m supposed to be Cat turns
CAKE You’ve got to get Cal to ask me to the homecoming dance tonight. CAT What? CAKE He hasn’t asked anybody, right? I don’t know. CAT I suppose not. But –
CAKE Then he can take me. CAT Don’t tell me nobody asked you, Cake. CAKE Don’t be ridiculous, Cat. Of course I was asked. Four or five guys on the (MORE)
14. CAKE (CONT’D.) varsity football team asked me. Even a couple of band geeks got the nerve... Talk about losers! CAT So why don’t you go with one of them. A varsity guy, not a band geek. CAKE Because... CAT Because what, Cake? CAKE Promise not to laugh. CAT Okay. Unless what you tell me is funny. Then... Cake hits her arm. hits her back. Tramp! CAKE Floosie! CAT Well? CAKE I’m in love with Cal. Beat. Cat looks at her, expressionless. CAKE Did you hear what I said? I love Cal. She reacts, “Ow!”, then immediately CAT
CAT (irritated) You two haven’t done anything have you? CAKE No, Cat, but – CAT Good. Don’t.
15. CAKE What? Why? CAT Because I said so, that’s why. CAKE What’s the matter, Cat? you’d be happy. I thought
CAT Why would I be happy, Cake? You think I want my brother fooling around with you? Jesus, Cake, you’ve already screwed three guys. One of them a college boy! CAKE But, Cat... I love him. I’ve always loved him, since we were little. I just didn’t know how to tell him. But now that we’re old enough – CAT No! (grabs Cake’s arm) Boys are just like tissue to you, Cake, something to blow a few times and throw away. I won’t let you use Cal up and throw him away. Understand? CAKE I wouldn’t do that to Cal and you know it! CAT Wouldn’t you? I know you, Cake. Get this through your head - make a move on Cal and you and me are through. You can’t be my best friend and screw my brother! Ever! CAKE Come on Cat, you’re being silly. Cat squeezes her arm, intending to hurt her. I mean it, Cake. CAT Make up your mind. Cake reacts.
16. CAL (O.S.) Hey, what’s going on? They both turn to face Cal, who’s got his shoulder pads flung over his shoulder like a book bag. He clocks Cake’s distress. CAL Cake, you alright? Cat and Cake exchange a look. CAKE (forces a smile) I’m fine, Cal. CAL Good. I’ve got to shower up. Then do you guys want to all go to the homecoming dance together? I know Cat doesn’t have a date. (grins) Nobody’d be blind or stupid enough to ask her. CAKE I’d love to, Cal... But I already told Jimmy Valducci that I’d go with him. CAL (disappointed) Oh... Okay. Then I guess we’ll see you there. He turns and walks away. Cat and Cake look at each other.
INT. TRZCINSKY HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM – NIGHT (RETURN TO PRESENT) Tears stream down Cat’s face. FADE OUT. END OF ACT ONE
17. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT Bella and Jeni lay in each other’s arms after making love. JENI (getting up) Want anything from the kitchen? Don’t go, Jen. okay? Jeni relaxes. Beat. BELLA Just stay with me,
BELLA I’ll make it all up to you, Jen. One day I will, I swear. I’ll make you happy, I promise. INT. ACHILLES’ DORM ROOM – NIGHT Achilles lay awake in bed staring at the ceiling. QUICK FLASHBACK In SLOW MOTION, Marcus Gamble, angry and whacked out on drugs, whips a handgun from behind his back and shoots at Achilles. We FOLLOW THE BULLET as it closes in on its target – Achilles’ face. Achilles is aiming a GLOCK 9mm at Marcus. We hear Portia’s screams: No! No! PORTIA (O.S.) Stop it! No! Beat.
Achilles doesn’t flinch when the round from Marcus’ gun grazes his cheek. Achilles fires two shots in return. Marcus’ body jumps with the impact of each round, which hit squarely in his chest. Marcus falls to the ground. Dead. RETURN TO PRESENT Achilles touches his cheek, where the scar from the bullet wound used to be.
18. INT. FILM ROOM – DAY Billy and Nate are going over game film. Billy FREEZES THE FRAME on Achilles throwing a pass. He points out a complex coverage package. BILLY What you look for here is the strong safety. If he’s cheating to the outside, it’s because he’s going to support the corner over the top. You audible to the wide out on the smoke route or a curl to the tight end if you read blitz. NATE I see. But, Coach, this is in the forty-six defense. What if they’re running a four three, or if a stunt blitz is on with the nose tackle? Billy takes a breath to keep from losing his patience. BILLY Good question, Nate. What you have to remember is that your pre-snap read of the LBs and safeties will give you the coverage. Let iPhone worry about the line blocking scheme. Got it? Okay. NATE Got it, Coach.
Charlotte comes into the room. CHARLOTTE How’s it going, Coach? Is Hughes ready to take the reins in camp in a couple of weeks? BILLY (lying) We’re almost there. Nate, we’ve been at this for a couple of hours. What do you say we take a breather? NATE Sure, Coach, if you think so. BILLY I think so.
19. Nate grabs his water bottle and Charlotte gives the backup quarterback a supportive smile as he exits. Then she exchanges a look with Billy. CHARLOTTE Well? Billy looks at Achilles’ frozen image on the television screen. He clicks the “Play” button and we see the rest of the play – an almost effortless touchdown pass. BILLY I think we’ll be running the ball a lot the first few weeks of the season. CHARLOTTE You still don’t think Achilles will have it together in time for LSU? BILLY I don’t know, Charlotte. Dr. Rockov says he should be much further along physically by now, but he’s just not into the rehab mentally. CHARLOTTE He still struggling with Portia leaving for Africa? BILLY (beat) Among other things, I suppose. Charlotte shakes her head thoughtfully. pointedly at Billy. Then she looks
CHARLOTTE You know, Billy, most people would give a right arm to be like you and Gale and Achilles and Portia... If they only knew. OFF Billy... INT. DONAHUE PATIO - DAY Billy and Nate drink Lone Stars and talk zone coverage as Billy flips steaks on the grill. Achilles and J.R. sit at the patio table talking.
20. ACHILLES When do you leave for A&M? J.R. Two weeks. ACHILLES Getting pretty excited? J.R. Yeah, I suppose... I’ve never really been away from home. ACHILLES But you’re going back home aren’t you? To College Station, I mean. J.R. I was born there, yeah. I meant I’ve never been away from Mom and Dad. Achilles gives him an understanding smile. ACHILLES You’ll be alright, J.R. Even if you are there to play golf instead of football, I’m sure Wolf Ryan’s grandson will have plenty of friends, whether you want them or not. They share a laugh. J.R. Achilles, can I ask you something? Yeah, sure. ACHILLES What?
J.R. You and Portia were dating when you came out to Washington, right? ACHILLES Yeah. J.R. How’d you handle a long distance relationship? Beat.
21. ACHILLES Some people would say not too well, and I’m sure Portia would be at the top of that list. J.R. But it’s different now that you’re married, right? Now that you know you’re meant to be together? Achilles tries to read the kid as he tries to cover his own discomfort with the question. Just then, Gale comes out of the house followed by Gracie Wellington. They have appetizers on trays. GALE Here we are. This should keep us from dying of starvation until Coach (louder so Billy can hear) finishes burning the steaks! BILLY Keep your britches on. You can’t rush perfection. Gracie puts a tray of fruit and veggies down in front of Achilles. GRACIE Try the fruit, Achilles. ACHILLES Thanks, Gracie. She smiles at him then steals a glance at J.R. Achilles clocks their dewy-eyed affection for one another. BILLY Alright, people. I hope you’re ready for some serious, serious eatin’! Billy and Nate come over with smoking steak platters. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME – SUNSET Ed and Gloria stand in the living room. ED She’s on her way down, Dallas. He’s on the phone. It’s fresh.
22. He takes the phone from his ear and looks up the staircase. Gloria tugs his arm. GLORIA (whispers) Don’t push Eddie. ED I know, I know. Cat comes down the stairs, stops halfway and stares at her father and stepmother. They eye her with nervous anticipation. She comes the rest of the way down and brusquely takes the phone from Ed. CAT Hello. DALLAS (V.O.) Hey, Red. Hadn’t heard from you in a couple days so I thought I’d check in, see how you’re holding up. Cat looks at Ed and Gloria. into the kitchen. They get the message and go
CAT Dallas, sweetie, I told you, you don’t have to check in on me every day. I’m not going to kill myself or anything like that. DALLAS (V.O.) I know that, Red. And it hasn’t been every day. Look, Red, your dad and Gloria are just worried – CAT (angry) They can stop worrying and so can you! I just want to be left alone, Dallas. Why can’t everybody get that through their heads?! DALLAS Okay, okay. Beat. I’m sorry. CAT I’m sorry, Dallas.
23. DALLAS It’s okay, Red. I understand. I could be there with you.
I wish
CAT No! I won’t be to blame for you not being ready for the Raiders’ rookie camp... I’ll be alright. DALLAS Are you sure? CAT (not sure) I’m sure. (beat) I love you, Dallas. DALLAS I love you too, Red. INT. BILLY’S HOME OFFICE - NIGHT Billy, Achilles and Nate are watching film of Penn State against Illinois. ACHILLES See, Nate right there. There. (Billy freezes the screen) The Sam backer is keying on the tight end. It’s a perfect situation to audible to the slugo – the slant and go – to Jet on the strong side. NATE (not seeing it) Uh-huh. Billy unfreezes the video and the play unfolds at full speed. It’s a slant and go route that the Illinois quarterback completes for a touchdown. ACHILLES Penn State has some of the best cover linebackers in football, but you can read them if you study enough film. NATE (still lost) Uh-huh.
24. EXT. SWIMMING POOL – NIGHT Gracie is sitting on the edge of the pool playing with her dog, Ethel, who is swimming to retrieve a rubber ball. J.R. comes up and sits next to her. Beat. J.R. What if I don’t go to Texas A&M? I could enroll right here at Wa Tech. GRACIE I thought you stopped doing drugs, Johnny. Mrs. Donahue would kill me if she thought you changed schools because of me. (cute grin) Besides, Jock Boy, you don’t have the grades for Wa Tech. J.R. Okay, so what if you came to College Station with me? You’ve got the grades for A&M. Ethel paddles back to Gracie with the ball. Gracie takes it and nuzzles the pooch lovingly. Then she looks at J.R., who waits hopefully. INT. DONAHUE KITCHEN – NIGHT Achilles is looking in the refrigerator when Gale comes in. GALE You boys already ate half a steer. I’m surprised you’ve got room for anything else. ACHILLES I’m just looking for something to help digest the steak, Mrs. D. She looks in the fridge and pulls out a Bosch pear, crosses to the sink and rinses it for him. GALE Does wonders. ACHILLES Thanks, Mrs. D.
Here you go.
25. GALE So how’s Nate doing? ACHILLES Pretty good. I’m sure he’ll be ready when the season starts. GALE And what about you? Will you be ready to come back and lead this team? Beat. She looks at him with caring but probing eyes. ACHILLES I hope so, Mrs. D. I’m trying to. GALE Are you, Achilles? She holds him with her stare. Come with me. EXT. DONAHUE HOME – NIGHT Gale leads Achilles to a secluded spot off the patio. GALE Achilles I know you’re falling way behind in your rehab. (he tries to speak but she interrupts) No, I spoke to your therapist myself and he said that at this rate you won’t be cleared to get on the practice field until the middle of October. ACHILLES (busted, sighs) Mrs. D., I just have a lot on my mind that I can’t get straight yet. GALE I know you do... I know Portia’s not coming back, Achilles. (off his reaction) Don’t get upset with, Coach. I didn’t need him to tell me. After the (MORE) He lowers his eyes.
GALE
26. GALE (CONT’D.) humiliation you caused her – the baby, that episode in San Diego with your old tutor, and goodness knows what else you were up to with women - I’m surprised a girl like Portia put up with it as long as she did. ACHILLES Mrs. Donahue, Portia means the world to me. I never, ever meant to hurt her. We sense Gale’s words are meant for someone else – Billy. GALE You men never do. But you just can’t help yourselves, can you? Beat. GALE Achilles, Billy told me the real reason you came back to Maitland – (he reacts) – and I know how hard it must be for you after all that’s happened. But the loss you feel is nothing compared to what Catherine’s family is going through... I know at times like these it’s easy to get caught up in self pity. You feel lost and alone, I know that... But did you ever stop to think maybe God had a different plan for you when he guided you back to us, Achilles? ACHILLES I don’t want to let the Coach or anybody down, Mrs. D. I want to help the team get to the next level if I can. She reaches up, holds his face gently in her hands and looks deeply into his eyes. Beat. GALE Achilles honey, it’s not the team I’m talking about.
27. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, CAT’S BEDROOM - DAY Cat is sitting at her desk, doodling aimlessly. the door and she stops. She answers, annoyed. CAT I said I’ll eat when I’m ready, Ed! Just leave me alone! Beat. ACHILLES (O.S.) It’s not Ed. Cat turns to the door. INT. TRZCINSKI HOME, HALLWAY OUTSIDE CAT’S BEDROOM – DAY The bedroom door opens. Hey. CAT Hey. EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD – NIGHT Achilles and Cat walk slowly, side-by-side. Close. Cat looks up at Achilles. ACHILLES A KNOCK on
ACHILLES Morales will make the team, no doubt about it. He’s the hardest hitting DB I’ve ever seen. And he’s smart as hell. (glances at her) Though sometimes I wonder about that, considering... The meaning finally reaches her. CAT What’s that supposed to mean? He offers a small smile. ACHILLES Just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
28. She tries to play along but just doesn’t have it in her. CAT (softly) Asshole. (then) It’s so strange. How is it that she’s gone and everything just keeps moving along? In a month or two, it’ll be like she was never here at all. ACHILLES She was here, Cara. And she’ll be here as long as the people who loved her remember her... And go on living with her in their hearts. Beat. CAT (tearing up) It’s not fair. It’s just not fair. After all the shit Cake lived through, she was finally happy. Really happy. She wasn’t just the pretty rich girl with the nice rack anymore. She found her passion in life and she was really good at it... It’s just not fair. ACHILLES (quietly) It’s not.
I know. They stop walking.
ACHILLES Look, Cara... You know Ed’s been really worried about you since the funeral. CAT Gloria has him convinced I’m going to kill myself. They’ve been on suicide watch for weeks. Jesus. ACHILLES He’s your Dad, Cara. He just wants to know you’re alright. CAT That why he called in the Big Guns, the “Messiah” himself?
29. ACHILLES I guess Moses was all booked up. They smile at one another with their eyes, remembering their first meeting in Murphy’s Gym. ACHILLES Hey, I’ve got an idea. CAT Sorry, fire’s already been discovered. ACHILLES (smirks) No, seriously. I’m sick of doctors and therapists busting my balls about rehab. You’ve been holed up in your room so long that you smell worse than usual, which is pretty damn scary when you think about it. (she smirks at him) Fourth of July weekend is in a couple of days. Why don’t we blow the hell out of town? Just kiss all of our troubles away and spend a few days clearing our heads? We could both use it, Cara. Beat. She considers. CAT What if your head’s already empty? A long, emotion-filled beat as they stand there looking at each other. Then for the first time... they embrace. She holds on to his waist tightly, presses her face to his chest as we... FADE OUT. END OF ACT TWO
30. ACT THREE FADE IN: EXT. WEDDING – DAY Sasha Mendez, the beautiful bride, kisses the GROOM at the altar. Among the applauding guests we FIND Champ and Kendra Sussman. His painted on smile conceals his disgust at seeing his lover happy with another man. EXT. RECEPTION LINE – LATER The newlyweds greet well-wishers. Champ and Kendra step up. Kendra kisses Sasha on both cheeks as Champ gives the Groom a hearty handshake and slap on the shoulder. KENDRA You’re so beautiful, Sasha! so happy together! You’ll be
SASHA (beaming) Thank you! And thank you so much for coming! Both of you! Champ gives Sasha a respectable hug and peck on the cheek. CHAMP (to Groom) You’re a very lucky man! GROOM Thank you, Chancellor Sussman! I am. Call me Champ! CHAMP Everybody does! I know
Champ and Sasha exchange the slightest of looks before Champ and Kendra move on. EXT. DONAHUE DRIVEWAY – DAY J.R. is washing his car, a VOLVO C-30 COUPE. He turns and smiles as Gracie pulls up in her rusted out Hyundai. She gets out of the car with Ethel and gives J.R. a wet one on the lips.
31. J.R. Well, does that mean you did it? GRACIE I talked to the registrar at Wa Tech, who telephoned the registrar at Texas A&M. All of my credits and all of my financial aid transfers. So... I leave with you for College Station next week! J.R. drops the water hose and lifts her in his arms, spinning her around. Whooo-hooo! J.R. Yeah! Then –
He puts her down and they kiss.
GRACIE There’s just one problem, Johnny. All of the underclassman dorms are full. And this close to the start of the semester there aren’t a lot of options off campus. I could have a hard time finding a place to live. J.R. (grinning) You joking, right? We’ll live together, Gracie. GRACIE (hesitant) Johnny, I know that sounds like a nobrainer, but I really think your folks are going to have a problem with that. J.R. Are you kidding? We live together now. They know we’re having sex. GRACIE It’s different, Johnny. J.R. How?! GRACIE Here they know we’re doing it, but they don’t acknowledge that we are. If they (MORE)
32. GRACIE (CONT’D.) agree to let us live together at school, they’d be admitting that they’re permitting us to have sex. What?! J.R. That makes no sense whatsoever.
GRACIE Trust me, J.R., I know your mother. Not Gale Donahue the “mom”, but Gale Donahue the woman. And the woman is not going to be cool with tongues wagging in College Station about Wolf Ryan’s “golf playing” grandson shacking up with some Yankee Girl from Washington. INT. HOME GYM – DAY Billy is finishing up a set on a bench press. Gale comes in and waits until he’s done before moving closer to talk. GALE I’ve asked Jeff Foxworthy to perform at the barbecue. BILLY That sounds good. I like him. GALE I know you do. I didn’t see much point in keeping it a secret this year. BILLY I see. Beat. GALE Have you found a place yet? BILLY Donna’s narrowed it down to two. GALE Donna knows we’re separating? Okay.
33. BILLY Don’t you think she’d be one of the first to figure it out? Besides, I couldn’t find a place on my own. GALE You could have asked Mattie for help, Billy. She’s more discreet. BILLY Nobody’s more discreet than Donna, Gale. And trust me, the last thing she wants is to see you hurt in the media. She worships the ground you walk on. Beat. GALE So you’ll leave after the barbecue? BILLY When summer camp starts, yes. GALE I hope you’ll plan on spending time at the house during the holidays, at least when the kids are home from school. BILLY Sure, of course I will. They exchange a lingering look before Gale leaves. EXT. TRZCINSKI HOME – DAY Achilles and Cat leave the house. She stops and her eyes go wide at what’s in the driveway. REVERSE to REVEAL a bad ass, cobalt blue MUSTANG SHELBY COBRA. ACHILLES Nice, huh? CAT So your Baby Mamma paid for plastic surgery and a new car?
34. ACHILLES First of all, Becky didn’t pay for my surgery, she just recommended the doctor. And the insurance from the motorcycle paid for the Mustang. Excuse me! CAT Touchy, touchy.
She opens the door of the muscle car, tosses her back pack in and sits inside. He climbs in behind the wheel and shuts his door. He turns the ignition and the powerful, throaty engine rumbles to life. He grins. She stares at him with serious eyes. CAT (meaning it) Break the speed limit, I’ll break your face. INT. POLICE CRUISER – DAY We’re looking at the READOUT ON A RADAR GUN: 55 MPH. Then we see Achilles’ Mustang Cobra cruise by. REVERSE to show State Trooper Ivy Sandusky. She smiles to herself. INT. MUSTANG COBRA – MOVING – DAY Achilles glances at his speedometer – 55 MPH – then at a sign on the side of the road: SPEED LIMIT 55 MPH. Cat is trying to find a good radio station. CAT So your Baby Mamma never heard of Sirius or XM Radio? ACHILLES Maybe if this Podunk town of yours wasn’t practically in freakin’ Canada we could get a radio station that wasn’t in Russian. She tunes in an AC-DC SONG sits back and grins. INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT Bella is on her side, Champ on his back beside her. She stares straight ahead. He rolls over and kisses her He frowns.
35. shoulder. He’s ready to go at it again. eyes to avoid cringing. BELLA (suddenly) Charles... CHAMP (pressing against her) Yes, baby... BELLA Do you ever want to talk? CHAMP What? Right now? She turns toward him. BELLA Yes, Charles, now. When you said you wanted to take care of me, that you wanted to have me to yourself, I thought it was because you felt something for me. That sex was only part of our relationship – an important part, I know – but not the most important part. Was I wrong? CHAMP No, Bella, no. I do care for you, baby, you know that. BELLA Well... I’m not feeling it, Charles. He’s taken aback. CHAMP Bella, what are you talking about? Is it the car? You don’t like it? Take it back and pick out another one. BELLA It’s not the car, Charles. CHAMP Well what is it? She closes her
36. BELLA Normally sex with you is so good. tonight, you were... What? CHAMP I was what, Bella?
But
BELLA You were angry, Charles. You were mean. And you hurt me. I understand it’s your money and if that’s how you want spend it, well, that’s what I’m here for. CHAMP (chastised) Oh, Bella, I’m sorry. BELLA I know about Sasha’s wedding, Charles. I know that tonight you took out your anger at her on me... I thought I meant more to you, Charles. But I suppose I was wrong. I’m just your whore. He caresses her face apologetically. CHAMP Please, forgive me Bella. Please.
He takes her in his arms and she rests her head on his chest. In her eyes we read her relief. Her ploy to avoid another round of sex with him has worked. INT. JENI & BELLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT
Jeni lay awake in bed, staring into the darkness. We hear someone ENTER the apartment. A light flicks on in another room. Then we hear the SHOWER start. INT. SUSSMAN MASTER BEDROOM – NIGHT Champ enters the darkened room, undresses quietly and goes to the bed. He slips in next to Kendra, who is sound asleep.
37. INT. JENI & BELLA’S BEDROOM – NIGHT Jeni continues to stare blankly into the darkness. We hear the shower stop. The light in the other room goes out. Bella enters the bedroom, shower fresh in a t-shirt. She slides into bed next to Jeni, sees that Jeni is awake. Beat. Jeni closes her eyes and turns away. EXT. LAKE – DAY Cat and Achilles are treading water near a jetty. CAT This is where Cake learned how to swim. Right off this very same jetty. ACHILLES Really? CAT Ed would bring my brothers and me up here once or twice each summer. That first summer after me and Cake became friends, she came up with us for the day... My brother Aaron threw her in while Neil, Cal and me swam around her to make sure she didn’t drown. Before we knew it, she was fooling around in the water like the rest of us. ACHILLES I’ll bet Mrs. D’Agostino would’ve had a cow if she knew about that, huh? CAT No shit! Sofia would’ve whacked us all. Mafia style. (beat) I think Cake met somebody and was falling in love when she left Paris. ACHILLES What makes you say that? CAT I could tell. Just the way she denied being in a relationship whenever I asked her about it. Like she didn’t want to jinx it or anything.
38. ACHILLES You were her best friend. Why wouldn’t she tell you if she was in love? OFF Cat... EXT. BEHIND BLEACHERS – NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 14-year-old Cake and Cat are talking earnestly. CAKE Did you hear what I said? I love Cal.
CAT (irritated) You two haven’t done anything have you? CAKE No Cat, but – CAT Good. What? Don’t. CAKE Why? CAT Because I said so, that’s why. CAKE What’s the matter, Cat? you’d be happy. I thought
CAT Why would I be happy, Cake? You think I want my brother fooling around with you? Jesus, Cake, you’ve already screwed three guys. One of them a college boy! CAKE But, Cat... I love him. I’ve always loved him, since we were little. I just didn’t know how to tell him. But now that we’re old enough –
39. CAT No! (grabs Cake’s arm) Boys are just like tissue to you, Cake, something to blow a few times and throw away. I won’t let you use Cal up and throw him away. Understand? CAKE I wouldn’t do that to Cal and you know it! CAT Wouldn’t you? I know you, Cake. Get this through your head - make a move on Cal and you and me are through. You can’t be my best friend and screw my brother! Ever! EXT. LAKE – DAY (RETURN TO PRESENT) Cat swims to the jetty, climbs out, picks up a towel and begins drying off. Achilles follows. ACHILLES (from the water) Is something wrong? CAT No. I just felt like getting out of the water. ACHILLES Okay, you want to head back to the cabin, get cleaned up and go grab something to eat? CAT Sure. INT. CABIN – DAY Cat is in cutoffs and an Aerosmith t-shirt, ready to go. Achilles comes out of the bathroom shirtless, in cargo shorts, still wet from the shower. CAT It’s about time. I was about to call the Coast Guard to go in after you.
40. ACHILLES I was waiting for the water to get hot again but it never did. CAT And it never will. Ed didn’t put a hot water heater in the place. ACHILLES Jesus, is your father the cheapest guy in the world or what? CAT Yeah he is. (cuts him off) You make one Jewish joke and I swear I’ll kick you in those tiny balls of yours. He shrugs, goes into a bedroom and comes out wearing a polo shirt. They leave the cabin. INT. DINER – SUNSET Achilles and Cat are finishing dinner. A cute TEENAGE WAITRESS comes to the table. It’s obvious that she’s crushing on Achilles. He’s oblivious. TEENAGE WAITRESS Can I get you two anything else? cherry pie is really good today. ACHILLES (charming smile) Well, if it’s really good – CAT (interrupts) We’ll pass. Just the check, please. Cat and the Waitress exchange a look. She catches Cat’s “back off” vibe. She pulls the check from her apron pocket and puts it face down on the table. TEENAGE WAITRESS Here you go. CAT Thanks. The
41. EXT. SECLUDED ROADSIDE – NIGHT The Mustang Cobra pulls off the road. The car lights go off and Achilles and Cat get out. He smacks his face, pulling away a mosquito. ACHILLES Are you sure this is necessary? CAT This is the best place in the county for watching fireworks. ACHILLES For who, the mosquitoes? CAT Man up! Jeez, you’re such a pussy sometimes. She heads into the woods. EXT. TRAIL – NIGHT Achilles and Cat use lanterns to light their way. CAT She was afraid of how I would react. ACHILLES If you knew she was in love with somebody? CAT (nods) Cake was in love with my brother Cal. She told me when we were freshmen in high school, but she was crazy about him since we were eight years old... I was a total bitch about it when she told me. ACHILLES Why? CAT Basically, I told her it was because she was a slut and I didn’t want her (MORE) He mocks her behind her back.
42. CAT (CONT’D.) hurting my brother, which was sort of true. But the real reason is I didn’t want her to find out that Cal was gay. ACHILLES Oh... Did he know how she felt about her? CAT Cal knew everything about Cake. He was as much in love with her as I was, and that was the problem. He loved her like a sister. He knew it would break her heart to find out about him. So when she told me how she felt, I played the bitch so he wouldn’t have to. ACHILLES Did she ever find out? That Cal was gay? CAT I told her after we moved into the apartment together. ACHILLES What brought that about? CAT (beat) Doesn’t matter. The point is, she was afraid to tell me she was in love because she thought I would ruin it for her again. He looks at her just as they emerge from the woods onto a hilltop clearing. EXT. HILLTOP CLEARING – NIGHT Achilles and Cat are sitting on the grass looking down at the lights of a SMALL TOWN below. ACHILLES Hey, there aren’t any mosquitoes up here. CAT There never are.
43. The lights in the town go out. Achilles looks at his watch. ACHILLES Looks like they’re about to get started. At least they’re on time. Cat gazes into the darkness. Beat.
CAT Cake said she had something to tell me when she got home. Something important. He reacts, looks at her. Beat.
CAT Cake was going to tell me that she’d fallen in love with you, wasn’t she? Their eyes meet. as we... FIREWORKS begin to explode over the town FADE OUT. END ACT THREE
44. ACT FOUR FADE IN: EXT. MAITLAND TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT FIREWORKS explode overhead. PAN down to the town square, abuzz with people reveling in the Fourth of July celebration. In the crowds we FIND many of the people who were at Cake’s funeral. Gale, lovely in a white dress, holds toddler Duncan’s hand and helps him eat an ice cream cone. Nearby, Billy and Charlotte’s husband, Ronald Fraser, talk animatedly about Jazz greats. J.R.’s arm is looped around Gracie’s neck as they enjoy snow cones and watch the sky. Champ and Kendra and their three young children marvel at the fireworks. From the scene of the perfect, happy family, PAN across the square to find Jeni staring at them, a mix of sadness and scorn in her eyes. Jeni! BELLA (O.S.) There you are! With her are frat boys LINC
Bella wades through the crowd. and JOSH.
BELLA Hey, Jen, the guys said the party’s just starting to rock over at Sigma house. Wanna jet over there now? JENI (takes eyes off the Sussmans) Yeah, sure. Let’s go. Bella sees what Jeni was staring at. Champ spies Bella and their eyes briefly connect. Jeni grabs Linc’s arm. JENI Come on Linc, I’ll drive over with you. She leads the pleasantly surprised Linc away. Josh smiles hopefully at Bella. It’s just then that Champ sees them. His eyes cloud.
45. INT. MAITLAND TOWN SQUARE – LATER The Mayor is talking to Billy and Gale. sleepy Duncan in her arms. Gale’s holding a
MAYOR What’s the word on Achilles, Coach? Will he be back in time for Penn State? BILLY Week two would be pushing it, Mayor. We’re already working to get Nate Hughes up to speed. He’ll be ready. MAYOR I don’t have to tell you this is a big year, Coach. Toughest schedule in years – maybe ever – with Penn State, LSU, USC and your old alma mater Texas A&M. With Achilles passing on the draft to play his senior year, some of us Old Timers were hoping for a run at a national championship. BILLY Well you know Mayor, with Achilles out at least until mid-September – GALE (interrupts, smiling pretty) Oh stop sandbagging, Billy Honey. (to Mayor) Listen, Claude, Achilles will be back in top form before you know it, ready and rarin’ to take the boys bowling in January. And if we’re just a little bit lucky, we’ll get a shot at the BCS Championship. MAYOR (big grin) Now that’s what I’m talking about. An AIDE comes up to the Mayor and ushers him away for an announcement. After he’s gone, Billy gives Gale a scathing look. She reacts, unfazed.
46. GALE Oh Billy, you know what Daddy always said: “Tell them what they want to hear before kickoff and save the excuses for after the game.” Billy is about to have a fit but Duncan beats him to it. The toddler begins having a conniption in Gale’s arms. GALE Oh, it’s been a long day, hasn’t it, Sweetheart. Mommy’s baby is tired. (to Billy) Let’s go home, Billy. We’re all getting a little cranky. EXT. SIGMA HOUSE BACKYARD – NIGHT The party is rocking. We FIND Linc laying a serious rap on Jeni, trying to get lucky for the night. She’s leading him on, but it’s all for the benefit of Bella, who watches, unhappily, from across the yard. EXT. FRONT OF SIGMA HOUSE – LATER Bella and Jeni leave the house and walk to Bella’s car. The tension between them is thick. They reach Bella’s Crossfire and get inside. INT. PONTIAC CROSSFIRE – CONTINUOUS Bella starts the engine. straight ahead. She looks at Jeni, who stares
BELLA I know you can get laid anytime you want to, Jeni, so what are you trying to prove? Or is it that you just want to hurt me? JENI You know what I want, Bella. BELLA What if I can’t give you that... at least not now? Beat. Jeni looks at her.
47. INT. NURSERY – NIGHT Gale puts a sleeping Duncan down in his crib, kisses his cheek and leaves the room. INT. HALLWAY – MOMENTS LATER Gale walks down the hallway. Stops at J.R.’s bedroom door. We hear faint sounds of REGGAE MUSIC coming from inside. Gale KNOCKS on the door loudly. GALE (to door) It’s time for everyone to go to bed... Their own. Beat. J.R. (O.S.) Okay, Mom. Gale pauses before continuing down the hall to: INT. DONAHUE MASTER BEDROOM – LATER Gale comes out of the bathroom in silk pajamas and crosses to the king size bed with its covers pulled back. On the other side of the room, Billy is lying on the sofa, which is made up like a bed. Gale slides into bed. GALE Goodnight, Billy Honey. BILLY Goodnight. Gale flicks the lamp switch and the room goes dark. INT. CABIN BEDROOM – BEFORE DAWN Achilles is sound asleep. The bedroom door bangs open and he wakes with a start. Cat is standing in the doorway, wearing Spandex running shorts and a windbreaker. CAT Wake up, Einstein.
48. ACHILLES (groggy) What the f – CAT You said you wanted to get a run in before we leave, so... ACHILLES Yeah, in the daytime... It is daytime. EXT. BACKROAD – DAWN Achilles and Cat are jogging uphill. being out of shape. CAT So she’s not coming back? ACHILLES Not for a while. And when she does come back it won’t be to me. That part of our relationship is over. CAT Sorry. ACHILLES Me too. CAT Yeah, you are. They exchange a look. Hers says she’s disappointed in him for cheating on Portia and carrying on with Cake on the sly; his says he accepts her judgment of him. ACHILLES I know I’ve made mistakes in my relationships, and I’ve made some bad decisions. But I want you to know, I would have tried my best to make Cake happy. I know she deserved that. (long beat) Cara... I need your help to play football again. Will you help me? He’s showing signs of CAT Almost.
49. She stops running and he stops with her. She looks at him a long time. We sense the emotion she feels. The closest she can come to expressing it is – CAT Achilles... promise me you won’t die. ACHILLES I promise. They look into each other’s eyes, sealing what we know is a lifelong commitment to one another. Then she turns and starts down the hill. He falls in next to her. CAT Take it easy on the way down, fatso. If you keel over out here, there’s no way I’m giving you mouth-to-mouth. ACHILLES No? Damn. I was talking to a girl last week who said you’re a really good kisser. She slugs him in the arm. INT. NURSERY – DAY Gale, still in her pajamas, comes into the nursery humming sweetly. Right away her mother’s instinct kicks in and she becomes wary. Duncan’s not awake and playing in his crib the way he usually is. She reaches the crib and her face contorts in terror. The toddler is drenched in sweat. He doesn’t appear to be breathing! GALE Oh my God! Duncan! Duncan! Oh my God! Panic-stricken, Gale takes him from the crib. GALE Duncan, baby! Wake up for Mommy! Oh God, please no. Billy! Billy! BILLY! As Billy enters the room we... FADE OUT. END OF EPISODE
