Author: Ash
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: I donıt own Roswell or the characters, Iım just
borrowing them Œcause theyıre sooooo much better than what
I could come up with!!
Rated R for violence, intensity and language
Summary: Thriller all the way, everyoneıs involved; part three
of a trilogy (³Blood is Thicker than Water² and ³After Effects²);
takes place after ³Balance²
Spoilers: possible shows up to and including ³Balance²
Script format: INT. means interior set, EXT. means
exterior set
Feedback: Please!
³I like a look of Agony,
Because I know itıs true-
-Emily Dickinson
Look of Agony (Part One)
INT. UFO CENTER (NIGHT)
Max is checking off an inventory list in the back store room.
A KNOCK at the door.
MAX
Yeah?
Milton sticks his head in the door.
MILTON
Hate to do this to you, Max, but we had a slight stomach upset in
the alien autopsy section. Something about scalpels and chili
dogs not mixing. Youıre going to need a mop and a bucket.
Max sighs.
MILTON
Now donıt tell me youıd rather be over there at the Crashdown
with your friends.
Max gives him a sardonic smile.
MAX
Iıve always preferred puke to a blood-of-alien smoothie, anyway.
MILTON
(snorts) Since when? Since that waitress stopped coming around?
Max starts gathering his papers.
MAX
Weıre just friends.
Milton nods.
MILTON
(sarcastically) Uh-huh. And you and I are both aliens. Yeah, thatıs
a good one!
Max looks up at Milton sharply, but heıs already out the door.
INT. CRASHDOWN (SAME)
Liz is bringing out a plate of fries to Michael, who is sitting
at the counter. Over in a booth sit Alex, Isabel and Maria,
downing a piece of pie each.
ISABEL
I canıt believe you talked me into getting this...this... (she
gestures at the mound of chocolate pie on her plate)
Maria rolls her eyes.
MARIA
³Cream of E.T.² pie. Itıs got tons of chocolate in it. Youıll
love it!
ISABEL
(raising one eyebrow) Youıre just trying to sabotage my figure,
arenıt you? You think Iıll gain five pounds and youıll look
better in that new jacket than I do.
Maria just smiles and takes a bite of her strawberry pie.
ALEX
Maria, you do know that strawberries died to make that pie,
right? I mean, shouldnıt you go demonstrate outside the diner?
Isnıt your conscience screaming at you?
Maria raises one eyebrow.
MARIA
Alex, if you want a bite, just ask. And Isabel, I already look
better in that jacket than you do.
Purple is not your color, dear.
ISABEL
Oh! You wish! But I may change it to red, anyway.
ALEX
If Iım allowed a vote- red.
Maria takes one last bite of her pie and grabs her plate and
glass to take it to the kitchen.
MARIA
Donıt make any major decisions without me!
As she walks by Michael, she nods to Liz and ignores him
completely. Liz smiles at Maria, then watches Michael carefully
as Maria walks by. He keeps his face nonchalant.
MICHAEL
Want another fry, Liz?
Liz shakes her head as she refills Michaelıs drink for him.
LIZ
So you know what my Dad bought me for Christmas this year?
Michael shakes his head, his mouth full of fries.
LIZ
He bought me that new Scooby-Doo movie... something about ³Voodoo
Island² or something like that.
Michaelıs eyes light up and he nods.
MICHAEL
Yeah. (trying to choke down his fries)³Scooby-Doo on Voodoo
Island.² I havenıt seen that
one yet.
Maria breezes back by from the kitchen.
MARIA
You *would* like Scooby-Doo. What, do you want to drive that
stupid van, too?
MICHAEL
The ³Mystery Machine²? In a heartbeat!
LIZ
Well, you can watch it with me tonight, if youıve got nothing
better to do. Maria refuses to watch it
on the grounds that Shaggy should have been killed off a long
time ago.
Maria hears and calls out from the booth.
MARIA
Like out of all those villains, not one of them targeted the
skinny kid with the huge appetite? If it had been me, Iıd have
gotten him first.
Michael ignores her.
ALEX
What do you have against skinny guys with big appetites?
MARIA
(eying Michael, who is stuffing his face) Nothing, as long as
they know what they want.
Michael turns to Liz, swallowing his fries quickly.
MICHAEL
Iım game. Do you want me to ask Max?
LIZ
No. (nervously scrubbing the counter)I have the hardest time
relaxing around him. School is hard enough without having to deal
with him during my off hours, too.
MICHAEL
I know exactly how you feel.
MARIA
(snorts) Like youıre ever at school.
He gives Maria a glare, which she returns freely, then leans
forward on the countertop.
MICHAEL
(softly, to Liz) Thanks for the fries.
Liz nods.
Michael walks over to the booth and sits across from Maria. She
promptly gets up and busies herself at the counter beside Liz.
MARIA
So, you and Michael are dating now?
Liz stops cleaning and sighs.
LIZ
Let me just tell you how it all boils down, okay, Maria? First
off, you hate Scooby-Doo with a
passion. Secondly, you donıt want to be in the same room with
Michael, and youıre busy tonight
babysitting, anyway, so that means youıre out and Michael is in.
Now, Max- is just being Max, so heıs out. Isabel-
Isabel calls out from the booth.
ISABEL
Would rather dye her hair green and gain 30 pounds than watch a
Scooby-Doo movie .
Liz nods and continues.
LIZ
Exactly, (under her breath) and Alex would rather be watching her
do anything than be here with us. So, tonight, that leaves
Michael, Scooby and me.
Maria gives her an ³I-donıt-love-Michael-Guerin, anyway² look.
MARIA
Why should I care?
LIZ
Youıre Teflon.
Maria pokes her finger at Liz.
MARIA
Thatıs right! And donıt you forget it!
Liz nods.
INT. UFO CENTER (LATER)
Max is mopping the floor when Milton quietly comes up behind him.
MILTON
Max, I-
Max jumps, startled.
MILTON
Sorry, about that. Didnıt realize this place got to you so bad.
Max looks looks around at the exhibits depicting aliens in
various panoramas of capture and dissection.
MAX
Just too many eyes watching, I guess.
Milton nods.
MILTON
I guess Iım just impervious. But most people arenıt. I mean,
look at what happened with that kid
today. One look and he just spilled his guts! (they both grin)
Max, I need to ask you to do me a favor. Dorothy has left me
after fifteen years.
MAX
(concerned) Oh, Iım very sorry.
Milton looks confused a moment.
MILTON
No, no. Dorothy is my coffee maker. Weıve been through a lot
together, but sheıs gone on to that
appliance junkyard in the sky. I was planning an all-nighter
tonight on the new evidence books that
came in, and I have to have my coffee. Could you watch the shop
while I go pick up another coffeemaker?
Max nods.
MAX
Sure. No problem. Isabel should be here in a minute, but weıll
stay 'til you get back.
Milton heads for the door.
MILTON
Good, just tell anyone who comes in that weıre closed. Iıll put
the sign outside.
Max goes back to mopping. Milton exits. And itıs quiet for a
moment.
Then a WHISPER...
Max stops. He looks around, listening intently. The only sound is
the vaguely extraterrestrial MUSIC that is always playing at the
Center.
Max shakes his head and goes back to mopping.
VOICE (V.O.)
(whispering) MAAAAX!!!
Max freezes and puts the mop in the bucket.
MAX
Hello?
He slowly moves to check behind a few of the screens. Then he
nods and smiles hesitantly.
MAX
Iz? Michael?
The sound of GLASS BREAKING in the main room. Max smile fades. He
hesitates only a moment.
MAX
Hey! Whoıs there?
He strides into the main room and over to the recent discoveries
section, where a display on one side has been broken by a rock.
He bends over to pick up the rock, a disgusted look on his face.
As he straightens, something comes crashing across his head,
stunning him with the pain. Max staggers and barely manages to
stay on his feet, his hand automatically going to his head The
weapon is thrown to the ground with a CLANG.
Max looks around just in time to see a knife in the hand of a
masked figure. Max leans back and raises his arms in defense, but
the knife comes slashing down through his left arm and into his
chest.
He gasps and falls to his knees, his hands clutching at the blood
pouring out of his chest. The intruder leans over him, the mask
of a grinning clown grotesquely concealing his identity.
Max tries to make his eyes focus, but he is losing blood quickly.
INTRUDER
No blue blood, no death rays? I always thought an alien would put
up a better fight. Oh well, maybe the next one.
Max reaches out to grab him.
The knife is raised again and Max is stabbed twice in the right
side. As he falls back and lies there with eyes wide, gasping,
FOOTSTEPS echo in the cavernous room.
Max tries to form words, but nothing comes out. He fights through
the pain to stay conscious. Then he closes his eyes and lays his
hands on the wounds.
He struggles a moment to focus his breathing...
EXT. CRASHDOWN (SAME)
Isabel and Alex exit the closed Crashdown and cross the road.
ALEX
Now, explain to me why you hate Daphne so much? Iıve been in
love with her since the second grade. Those legs, those
almond-shaped eyes....Iıve always thought Fred was an idiot for
ignoring such a verifiable babe.
ISABEL
Okay, first of all, sheıs a cartoon, Alex. Anyone in love with a
cartoon should be committed. Secondly, sheıs supposed to be this
great fashion queen, but whatıs with the tacky scarf?
Alex holds the door open for her and shakes his head over her
reasoning.
ALEX
This is cartoonland. More specifically, Hanna-Barbara
cartoonland. You canıt expect-
As they continue on down the stairs, he is interrupted by Isabelıs
scream.
ISABEL
MAX!
They are at his side in an instant, Alex sliding to his knees on
the bloody floor. Isabel is frantic, touching Maxıs arms, his
chest, his face.
ISABEL
Oh my god...heıs been stabbed..
ALEX
Is he alive?
ISABEL
What!! Of course heıs alive! How can you say that? Max, Max?
She touches his forehead desperately, ignoring the tears on her
cheeks. She forces herself to close her eyes for a moment. Then
she slowly moves her hand down to his chest, laying it on top of
his own.
As Alex watches intently, Isabelıs face strains and she licks
her lips in concentration. She briefly opens her eyes and fixes
them on Alex sharply.
ISABEL
Go get Michael-NOW!
Alex doesnıt hesitate as she resumes her efforts. He scrambles
up the stairs.
INT. CRASHDOWN
Liz is drying off a dinner plate behind the counter, a look of
growing apprehension on her face.
MARIA
Liz, what is it?
She crosses to her, concerned. Suddenly, Alex throws open the
door, causing Liz to nearly drop the plate she was drying.
LIZ
Alex? What-
Alex ignores her and gives Michael a high sign. Michael nods.
MICHAEL
Be right back, Liz.
As Alex exits calmly behind Michael, Liz and Maria exchange
worried looks.
LIZ
(moving slowly toward the window) So, why would Alex want Michael
and not us? I mean, logically, if heıs in trouble, he should
come to us, right?
MARIA
(shrugs, pretending to be disinterested) Maybe itıs not his
problem, maybe itıs Isabelıs....or...
Liz whips around to face Maria.
LIZ
(whispering) Oh my God. Itıs Max.
She runs out the door, leaving Maria to grab the keys and lock up
as quickly as possible.
MARIA
(locking the door) Please be okay, please be okay....
INT. UFO CENTER (MINUTES LATER)
Maria runs in, frantic to see the whole group gathered around a
body on the floor. As she gets closer, she can see it is Max,
covered in blood and unconscious.
Her legs buckle and she falls to her knees.
MARIA
My God...what happened?
When no one answers her, she isnıt surprised.
Michael and Isabel have their hands on Maxıs chest and are
obviously working hard to repair the damage. Alex is standing to
the side, rigid, his hands shoved in his pockets. Maria sees Liz
farther back, a look of horror and helplessness on her face. She
doesnıt look like she is even breathing.
Maria watches her for a moment before turning her gaze back on
the three aliens.
Finally, Maxıs eyes flutter and open.
Isabel looks drained and begins to sway. Alex is there
immediately. He helps to hold her up and hands Michael a
handkerchief.
Michaelıs face is taut with anger, his jaw muscles working as he
wipes his bloody hands on the fabric.
Max looks unsteady as he sits up. No one has said a word yet.
MAX
Iım okay, guys. (rubs his face in his hands) Just...just...
MICHAEL
Donıt do that...here.
Michael hands him the handkerchief.
Max looks down at his hands, which are still bloody. He has wiped
his whole face in it. He tries to smile reassuringly over at
Maria and Liz, but Lizıs look of terror takes his breath away.
When she faints, no one is near enough to catch her, and she hits
the floor hard.
MARIA
LIZ!
Maria jumps up and runs to her.
Max tries to get up and follow. Michael pushes him down and hands
him the handkerchief.
MICHAEL
Wipe your face off, Maxwell or sheıll just faint again.
MAX
(looking at the blood on his hands) Yeah...Milton will be back
soon. Weıve got to clean this up.
He wipes off his face slowly.
Isabel is helped up by Alex. She keeps staring at her hands, at
the blood. Alex takes her to a nearby chair.
ISABEL
Did you see him? How could someone do that to Max?
MAX
Iım fine, Iz.
Alex nods at him as she hides her face in her hands.
Max sighs and sheds his bloody, slashed vest. He quickly reforms
the material of his blue shirt to hide the slash marks and blood.
He looks over at Michael, who is gently trying to revive Liz as
Maria watches tearfully. Max walks over and kneels beside them.
MAX
Is she okay?
MICHAEL
Iım sure sheıs fine. She was just scared as hell. Youıre the
last person she wants to see like that.
Max looks at her inert form.
MAX
It could have been worse. She could have been here when it
happened.
Michael looks up at Max, his body tense.
MICHAEL
Who did this to you, Max?
Maria holds her breath.
MAX
I couldnıt see him. But he knew, Michael. He knew who I was.
They stare at each other for a long moment.