Author: Ash
Email: [email protected]
Disclaimer: I donıt own Roswell or the characters, Iım just
borrowing them because theyıre sooooo much better than what I
could come up with!!
Rated R for violence, intensity andlanguage
Summary: Thriller all the way; part three of a trilogy (³Blood
is Thicker than Water² and ³After Effects²); takes place after
³Balance²; everyoneıs involved
Spoilers: possible shows up to ³Balance²
Script format: INT. means interior set, EXT. meansexterior set
Feedback: Please!
³I like a look of Agony,
Because I know itıs true-
Men do not sham Convulsion,
Nor simulate a Throe-
The Eyes glaze once-
and that is Death
Impossible to Feign...²
-Emily Dickinson
Look of Agony (Part Three)
FADE IN: INT. MALL SHOE STORE
Inside, Isabel, Michael and Maria sit with boxes strewn around them. The salesman handing them two bags and a charge card looks exhausted.
So does Michael as he lays out on the floor of thestore, eyes closed. Maria walks by and kicks at him to let him know theyıre leaving.
Outside the window, Alex and Max stand casually,waiting.
ALEX
Maria enjoyed that. (turning to Max) So, how many pairs of shoes
does Isabel actually own?
Max smiles.
ALEX
Now, see, this is good. You smiled. Smiling- good.Brooding-bad.
MAX
(rubbing his face wearily) Iıd smile more if I had a plan to
catch this guy. But the fact is, we donıt know anything about
him. Heıs changed his M.O. every time heıs tried to kill one of
us. And he hasnıt left any clues. Even that sedan has
disappeared.
Isabel and Maria come out of the store, Michael in tow.
MARIA
I am totally in awe. Max, you never told me that she could shop
like that.
ALEX
I donıt think that ranks high on his list of important facts about Isabel. Iım just glad youıre done. I think Michael has been clinically braindead for about 3 minutes now.
Everyone stares at him. Michael scratches at his hair roughly.
ALEX
Sorry. Bad joke. Uh...I wanted to ask, how do we divide the alien
spoils for tonight? I was hoping to put in a bid to watch Isabel
for a few hours. Dinner, a movie?
Isabel smiles at him.
ISABEL
So you want to hang out? Me and you?
ALEX
Yeah, you know, itıs like a stockbroker sort of
thing...protecting my investment.
Max was watching them, a worried crease in his forehead.
MAX
Maybe you should just stay home, Isabel...
She gives him a glare.
ISABEL
Iım not going to let this guy ruin my life.
Michael grins as Isabel and Max have a staring match.
MICHAEL
Alex, youıre good for her. Last night she swore she wouldnıt
leave the house for a month.
Isabel blushes.
ALEX
Max,...relax. Sheıll be in good hands. And Iıll have her home
early. You know, you could do with a little nighttime relaxation
yourself. Why donıt youcall-
Max pulls Alex aside and gives him an intense look.
MAX
This guy is not done yet. Isabel may be his next target. Youıve
got to take this more seriously,Alex.
ALEX (bowing his head)
Right. I was...just trying to lighten the mood a little. (looking
directly at Max) You know Iıd do anything to keep her safe, but
I guess youıre right.
Max nods and they head back to the group.
ISABEL(glaring)
Max...
He shrugs.
ALEX
Change in plans. How about a video date at your house? Safety plus the added bonus of having a couchto snuggle on.
ISABEL
(whining slightly) Max!!
MAX
Iıll stay out of the way. I promise.
Isabel glares Michael.
MICHAEL
What? Iıll stay out of the way, too.
Max and Michael exchange smiles.Isabel tilts her head to the side thoughtfully.
ISABEL
Oh, youıll stay away alright...
INT. EVANS HOUSE
Max is holding a video with a bemused look as Isabel and Alex share a conspiratorial grin.
MAX
³Steel Magnolias²? Sorry, Alex, youıre on your own.
ALEX (grinning)
Darn. You mean you guys donıt want to watch a good,
old-fashioned chick flick? (to Isabel) How have you survived
living around such insensitive jerks?
Mrs. Evans walks through from the kitchen on her way to the stairs.
MRS. EVANS
(laughing) Sheıs had me to fall back on. Well, Iım heading
upstairs to read. Isabel, you know where the popcorn and cokes
are. Alex, you are welcome to have whatever you want.
ALEX
Thanks, Mrs. Evans.
MRS. EVANS
And, Max, Michael, stop prowling around and let Isabel have some
privacy. You two are acting like her bodyguards lately.
She exits to the stairs.
ISABEL (smugly)
Now, letıs see what your definition of privacy is, Max.
ALEX
Just remember, if itıs not private enough, when you eventually
come to your senses and want to spend time with Liz, itıll be
payback time.
Max and Michael head upstairs. Alex grins at Isabel and makes a little bow, waving his arm toward the couch.
ALEX
After you.
Isabel smiles.
EXT. EVANS HOUSE (LATER)
Isabel is walking Alex out to his car.
ALEX
Well, okay, this wasnıt exactly a date, but it is a
foreshadowing of greater things to come, if you ever do want
to...uh..
Isabel links her arm through his.
ISABEL Want to what?
ALEX
Well, go out...date. Be seen with me in public.
Isabel looks uncomfortable for a moment, then stops and looks directly into his eyes.
ISABEL
Alex, I donıt think you realize how wonderful this is for
me...to be able to be around someone who
knows the real me. And someone who still accepts me, even though
Iım...
As she struggles to find the right word, Alex gazes ather with warm eyes.
ALEX
Beautiful? Wonderful? Special?
Isabel blushes, but doesnıt take her eyes off his face.Alex leans in slowly, his eyes on her shy smile.
LIZ (V.O.) (brightly)
Hi guys!
They break away and turn to Liz as she walks up the driveway.
ALEX
Great timing, Liz. What, did Max call you to come over just so he
could make sure we didnıt kiss?
LIZ
No, I just came up with that idea on my own.
Alex rolls his eyes.
ISABEL
Liz. You can go on inside. Max and Michael are downstairs
watching t.v.
Liz waves and smiles as she heads for the door.
LIZ
Bye guys!!
Alex and Isabel walk over to Alexıs car holding hands. Isabel steps in front of Alex and blocks him from touching the door handle.
ALEX
What?
Isabel leans in and gently touches her lips to his, effectively shutting him up. Almost immediately, there is a soft PPPFFFFT sound and the two fall against the car.Liz, her hand on the door handle, turns back. Another PPPFFFFTTT sounds and the passenger side window SHATTERS. Alex is still holding Isabel as they slide down to the ground still holding each other, leaving a trail ofblood on the car. Liz is horrified but hesitates only a moment before throwing the door open and running toward the living room.
Max is already heading to the door.
MAX
Liz? What was that?
LIZ
(keeping her voice low) I think theyıve been shot.
Max pushes past her, Michael right behind him.
Mrs. Evans is coming down the stairs.
MRS. EVANS
Max? What was that noise?
Liz goes up to meet her.
LIZ
Hi, Mrs. Evans. I think everythingıs fine. Alex accidentally broke a window in his car.
MRS. EVANS
How?
LIZ
Iım not sure. But Max will take care of it.
MRS. EVANS (hesitates) Where is Isabel?
LIZ (forcing herself to speak)
Sheıs out there cleaning up glass. Donıt worry,theyıll....
(takes a deep breath) clean it up. So, what are you reading
there?
Mrs. Evans looks down at the book in her hands.
EXT. EVANS HOUSE
Max is blocking the view from the house, crouching over Isabel.
His hands rest on her collarbone, where the blood is gathering
quickly. Her eyes are wide in fear and pain, her breath coming in
gasps. Max has his eyes closed, concentrating on healing her.
Beside them, Alex is stretched out on his side, face contorted in
pain.
Michael has one hand on his back, trying to heal the bullet hole that was left when the shot pierced through him and hit Isabel. Finally Max finishes with Isabel and sits back against the car, grimacing. There are tears in his eyes as he reaches out and helps Isabel sit up.
She throws her arms around Max and hugs him fiercely, tears flowing down her cheeks.
MAX
Iım so sorry...Iım so sorry....
Isabel wipes away her tears and kisses Max on the cheek.
ISABEL
Iım okay. Thank you.
She pulls away and moves to Alex, leaving Max to bury his face in his hands.Isabel watches Michaelıs face with concern as he struggles to heal Alex.
ISABEL
Michael?
MICHAEL
(concentrating) Hang on...
Alex is struggling not to cry out. And then, finally, his face relaxes. Michael sits back and takes a deep breath.
ISABEL
Alex?
Alex rolls over on his back, blinking several times.
ALEX
Yeah. Iım here.
ISABEL
Michael, you did it.
Michael nods wearily.
ISABEL
Alex, are you okay? I think you saved my life.
Alex sits up. Isabel waves her hand over his shirt, patching it upand removing the blood.
ALEX No, I just gave the guy some target practice.
Isabel sits beside him, sliding her arm up under his.
ISABEL (whispering)
I am so sorry.
ALEX (faking an Aussie accent)
No worries mate, sheıll be alright.
He takes a deep, shuddering breath.Michael claps him on the back and then stands to walk over to Max. Max still has his head in his hands.
MICHAEL
Weıd better clean this up and get inside.
Max looks up at him.
MAX
What are we going to do, Michael? We canıt keep this up...just
patching the holes and broken bones.
Michael squats in front of Max, his face stony.
MICHAEL
Weıre going to get this son-of-a-bitch, thatıs what weıre
going to do. But not tonight. (looking around the deserted
street) Weıre done in for now.
Max nods wearily. He looks up at the house, where Liz is standing in the window watching with his Mom. Isabel follows his glance and stands, pulling Alex up. She waves to her Mom and moves to stand in front of the blood trail on the car, cleaning it with a motion of her hand. Max slowly gets up and walks over to the door, which Mrs. Evans opens right away.
MRS. EVANS
Max? Is everything okay?
Max looks at Liz briefly, wondering how much his mother had seen. Liz shakes her head quickly and Max gives her a nod.
MAX
Just some punk throwing rocks broke Alexıs window. He got away.
I think it scared Isabel, but sheıs fine. Sheıll be in after
theyıve cleaned it up.
MRS. EVANS
Sheıs fine? And Alex, too?
MAX
Yeah. Theyıre fine.
Liz pulls on his arm, looking concerned.
LIZ
You need to come inside. Iıll go help clean up the glass.
She propels Max to a chair and he sits gratefully.
MRS. EVANS
Yes, you look wiped out, Max. Sit down and rest. Iıll get you
something to drink.
Mrs. Evans exits. Liz smiles at Max, and he gently grabs her arm. He pulls her down until her face in on level with his.
MAX
Thank you.
Liz gives him a little smile, then kisses him lightly on the forehead.
LIZ
Told you I wasnıt staying away.
Max watches her leave, then rests his head back against the chair.
FADE TO BLACK