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; 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. means exterior set
Feedback: Please!
"I 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
The Beads upon the Forehead
By Homely Anguish strung." -Emily Dickinson
Look of Agony (Part Four)
FADE IN INT SCHOOL CAFETERIA
Maria and Liz are sitting alone at a big table, both very much lost in their thoughts.
MARIA
This is too weird. Weıve almost lost all of our friends this
week. I canıt even process all this
fear and...anger. I just want to...hit someone. (glancing around)
And, of course, Michael isnıt here.
Liz nods slowly.
LIZ
And we canıt even talk to anyone about it. No one even knows except us...and the psycho. (suddenly looking intently at Maria) Who do you think it is trying to kill them? The FBI? It couldnıt be Valenti, could it?
Maria shakes her head.
MARIA
No, I definitely donıt think so. I think this is something new.
Theyıve never come up against something like this before.
LIZ
Not before Max saved my life. Ever since then, itıs been one
thing after another. Itıs a wonder they
donıt hate me by now. This is all my fault.
Maria stares at her without compassion.
MARIA
Boy, are you and Max perfect for each other or what?
Liz looks at her with hurt expression.
MARIA
Sorry, but you guys take responsibility for everything, even if
it has nothing to do with you. Did you hire this guy to kill
them? No? Then itısnot your fault.
Liz nods quickly.
LIZ
Sorry, Maria, youıre right. We need to figure out what we can do to stop the guy. Itıs just that nothing has come to mind yet.
MARIA
Yeah. Michael and Alex wouldnıt let me go along to search for the car from hell.
LIZ
Is that where they are?
MARIA
Yeah, but Iım wondering about Max and Isabel. Where are they?
LIZ
I called them earlier. Max is pretty worn out and needed to stay
home. Isabel didnıt want to come alone to school. Too many
lonely streets to cross.
MARIA
I donıt blame her. Getting shot must be...and while youıre
kissing someone? Awful.
Liz looks at her, suddenly determined.
LIZ
Theyıre too ragged out to do anything, Maria. Itısup to us to
find this guy.
MARIA
And then do what? Take him on ourselves? Yeah, like, weıd last about....two seconds. Why donıt we just save him the trouble and jump off the roof of the Crashdown?
Liz looks at her with no trace of humor.
LIZ
We find him and then we tell them where to go get him. Very
simple.
Maria raises her eyebrows.
MARIA
Yeah, well, Sherlock, I have to work an afternoon shift today,
which youıve obviously forgotten. I
wonıt be able to go until after 6, so neither will you.
Liz gazes at her blankly.
MARIA
Liz? No going out alone. Promise me?
Liz sighs loudly.
LIZ
Oh, okay. Iıll wait. Now whoıs acting like Max?
Maria just glares at her.
INT. LIZıS ROOM (LATER)
Liz is stretched out on her bed, book bag, books and papers
all beside her. But her thoughts are drifting, a crease of worry
between her eyes. There is a KNOCK at her bedroom door.
Lizıs father opens the door and smiles at her as he dries his
hands off on a hand towel. He wears his usual work uniform, denim
shirt and jeans with a tie.
LIZ
Hi Dad.
DAD
Hi Lizzie. How was school today?
LIZ
Fine. I made an ³A² on my Algebra test.
DAD
Great! Listen, can you do a favor for me? Can you run over to Albritton to pick up some more of those glasses from Hughıs warehouse? Agnes just broke a whole sink load and I let us get low again.
Liz sighs.
DAD
I know youıve got to study, but it will only take an hour to get
there and back. And they should have them ready for us. Hereıs a
ten and you can eat out on the road at Marioıs.
Liz smiles as she stands and takes the money.
LIZ
You donıt have to bribe me, Dad. I wasnıt getting any studying
done, anyway.
As she walks to the door, her Dad grabs her hand.
DAD
I know things havenıt been going your way lately, honey. I
donıt want work or anything else you do for me to be a burden.
Thingsıll get better, Iıd bet my bottom dollar on it.
Liz smiles and gives him a quick hug.
LIZ
Just do me a favor and tell Maria Iıll be back before she gets
off at six. Okay?
DAD You got it.
INT. ALEXıS CAR (LATER)
Michael sighs and watches the cars go by on 285.
MICHAEL
This is ridiculous. If we havenıt been able to find him in town,
how the hell are we going to find him onthe open highway?
Alex stares at him for a moment.
ALEX
Okay, youıre right. Plan ³B²...(has a sudden inspiration) Letıs say the guy is working off of a list. First was Max, then you, then Isabel. So, heıs failed at every try. Wouldnıt he go to the top of the list again?
Michael nods slowly.
MICHAEL
Yeah...unless he just picked the one he thought was the easiest to get to.
ALEX
Like...you?
MICHAEL
Letıs head back to the trailer and see if thereıs any action
there. He might just be waiting for us.
EXT. HANKıS TRAILER
Alex drives off, waving to Michael. He circles slowly around the back part of the trailer park. Michael heads to the trailer door, his senses alert.The trailer is locked. Michael fishes for his keys. Alexıs car appears around the corner, and he points behind the trailer.Michaelıs eyes open wide and he nods shortly. He takes the beaten trail around the left side of the trailer, moving as slowly and silently as possible.Alex continues on to another street to park his car.
EXT. BEHIND TRAILER
Michael peers around the side of the trailer, his eyes searching the shadows cast by the nearby street light. There is no movement, nothing out of place.He ventures forward slowly. There is a CRACK behind him and Michael turns suddenly. He tenses, searching for the source of the noise.
GABRIEL (O.C.)
Hello, there little brother.
Michael freezes at the sound of the voice, then turns slowly to see Gabriel leaning against the small tree. Michael doesnıt relax at all.
MICHAEL
Should have known this trouble had something to do with you.
Michael walks forward menacingly. Gabrielıs smile, flitted briefly over his face. His dark eyes, full of bitterness and sarcasm, mirrored Michaelıs own. They stared at each other, as much alike as different.
GABRIEL
Should have known better than to expect a thank you from you.
Michael took another step forward.
MICHAEL
Cut the crap, Gabriel. If you have anything to do with this
psycho trying to kill us, you had better spill it now.
GABRIEL
(smiling tensely) I have everything to do with it.
Michael reaches for him, but Gabriel is too quick. He dodges Michaelıs hands and slams his fist into Michaelıs side. Michael is surprised by the force of the blow and is driven to his knees.
ALEX (O.C.)
Hey!
Alex has just come around the corner of the trailer and launches himself at Gabriel. Gabriel easily intercepts him and throws him off tothe side like a rag doll. Alex lands hard, the wind knocked out of him. Gabriel pulls Michael off his knees and pushes himback against the trailer.
GABRIEL
I let you hit me once the last time we met. Thatıs all the freebies you get.
Michael is still wincing from the blow, gingerly protecting his midsection.
MICHAEL (threatening)
Gabriel, I swear-
Gabriel walks over to Alex, who is still trying to get his breath back.
MICHAEL
Hey! What are you doing?
Michael pushes himself off of the trailer.
GABRIEL
(to Michael) Hang on. (to Alex) Give us some privacy, would you?
He touches the back of Alexıs head and grunts.Alex immediately passes out.
MICHAEL (walking to him menacingly)
Thatıs it. Itıs you, isnıt it? Youıve been trying to kill us.
Why?
GABRIEL
(turning back to him) If I were trying to kill you, you would
already be dead. Iım here to help you.
Michael glances away.
MICHAEL
Yeah, well youıve done a bang up job so far. Where the hell have
you been while weıve been getting stabbed, run over and shot?
Gabriel stands eye to eye with him.
GABRIEL
If you must know, Iıve been busy. I was first on his list.
Michael blinks at him.
INT. THE PARKERıS CAR (LATER)
Liz is listening to her Foo Fighters CD.
"And I'm looking for the sky to save me..."
She is staring straight ahead as she drives down the narrow,
two-lane road, her thoughts far away.
She glances over at her purse, then away again.
LIZ
No. Iım not going to call.
She looks at her purse again.
Finally, she sighs, picks up her cell phone and dials a number quickly. Putting the phone to her ear, she hears the familiar answering machine message.
ANSWERING MACHINE
Hi. This is Max. Iım not at home right now, so leave a message and Iıll call you back.
Liz hesitates as the phone beeps.
LIZ
Hi, Max. I was just calling to make sure you guys were alright.
Iıll be in the car for a while, so
call me if you...well...if you want to.
She rolls her eyes and closes her phone.
LIZ (to herself)
I am so pathetic. On the other hand, he did almost die three days
ago. (she shudders) God, please watch out for him, and Isabel and
Michael. I just feel so helpless.
A car begins to pass her on the left and she flips her mirror
to get rid of the glare of lights. The car begins to ride along
side her and she looksover in annoyance. She barely has time to
register the big, white pick-upbefore it SLAMS into her. She
screams and jerks the steering wheel as the car
leaves the road and skids on the loose gravel.
Of course, she over corrects and nearly hits the truck as she veers to the left She feels another, lighter BUMP from the truck and glances desperately over at the edge of the road and the darkness waiting beyond. The shoulder of the road is so small...
Liz looks back over to the truck, only to feel another SLAM from the oversized truck on her rear bumper. She gasps as the car skids to the right, directly towards the shoulder. She jams on her brakes, but another SLAM from the truck sends her over the edge, sailing into the darkness beyond.
EXT. QUARRY (SAME)
Max and Isabel pull up in their jeep and immediately walk over
to the group already waiting.
Michael, Gabriel and Alex are standing tensely by Alexıs car.
MAX (to Gabriel)
Alright, start talking.
GABRIEL
No ³thank yous², Max? I did get your ass out ofjail the last
time I was here.
Maxıs jaw works and his eyes hold Gabrielıs intensely.
MICHAEL
Cool it, Max. Heıs here to help us get rid of the assassin.
ISABEL
Assassin? So someone paid this guy to kill us?
Gabriel casually walks toward Isabel.
GABRIEL
You got it. My last report didnıt go over so well with some of
the head honchos. I was supposed to clean up the situation and
make sure the knowledge of who you were was contained.
She pulls back and positions herself behind Max. He just smiles at her, then glances at Max.
GABRIEL
It was nothing personal against your little human girlfriend.
After I gave my report on the follow-up
mission, which was bailing you out of jail, a few of the council
members decided the project was tainted. They asked me to
terminate the project-you.
MAX
Weıre somebodyıs project?
MICHAEL
The hell we are!
Gabriel turns back to him.
GABRIEL
I told you, Michael, you were left here for a reason. To see if
our kind could mix with humans and
be safe. It was going great until Max here screwed it up for one
inconsequential human life. Now itıs unclear as to what the full
consequences will be. Some of the council members would rather
terminate the project than let the truth get out.
ISABEL
So they asked you to kill us? Our own people?
GABRIEL
The council has only a few of our people on it. The majority are
government-appointed.
Max steps forward, his eyes hard.
MAX
Then why didnıt you? Kill us, I mean?
Gabriel meets his gaze with humor in his eyes.
GABRIEL
I donıt know. I was surprised myself. But I turned them down. So
they hired an outsider, a human.
MAX
So, whatıs the plan?
A PHONE rings.
ISABEL
Iıd better get it.
GABRIEL
I think youıll be safe once we get rid of him. The council did
not approve this and those involved will be paying some pretty
big dues.
Isabel walks over to the jeep and pulls out her purse. She answers the phone after the second ring.
ISABEL Yeah?
INT. CRASHDOWN (SAME)
MARIA
Isabel? Itıs Maria. Iz Liz with you guys? She was supposed to meet me, like, an hour ago.
ISABEL
No, sheıs not with us. Thatıs weird. Iıll check with the guys.
(holding the phone under her chin and looking overat the guys)
Does anyone know where Liz is? She was supposed to meet Maria an
hour ago.
Max exchanges glances with Alex and Michael.
MAX
No. We donıt know where she is.
He walks over to Isabel.
ISABEL (to Maria)
No, we havenıt seen her. Should we be worried?
MARIA (taking a deep breath)
I guess Iım just nervous with all this...stuff going on, but Liz
is really late. She was going to
Albritton to pick something up for her dad. If sheıd had car
trouble, she would have called.
Isabel exchanges a tense glance with Max.
ISABEL
I donıt know, Maria. Weıll call you back if we hear anything.
She closes up the phone, concern showing on her face.
GABRIEL
I wouldnıt worry if I were you. If itıs been over an hour, Iım
sure sheıs dead.
MAX (stunned)
What?
ALEX
What the hell are you talking about?
GABRIEL
You are slow, arenıt you? Liz is on his list, too. (he shrugs)
She knows the secret.
Max stares at him, trying to take in the information. Finally he shakes his head.
MAX
She is not dead.
GABRIEL
Well, if she isnıt yet, she will be before we find her.
Max is in Gabrielıs face in three strides, grabbing him by the shirt front.
MAX
If she is, believe me, youıre next.
ALEX
Iıll back him up on that one.
Gabriel is relaxed, almost smiling.
GABRIEL
Max, Iım not the one killing her. She wouldnıt even be in
danger if you hadnıt told her, hadnıt healed her.
Max shoves Gabriel back, stung by his words. Alex searches the shocked faces around him.
ALEX
Yeah, she wouldnıt be in danger. Sheıd be dead. Iıve heard enough. Letıs go find Liz.
Michael gives Gabriel a disgusted look.
ISABEL
She-she was headed to Albritton.
Michael nods.
He and Alex head for their car.
GABRIEL (to Michael)
Do you think he doesnıt know youıll come after her?
Isabel grabs Maxıs arm and pulls him away from Gabriel.They head toward the jeep.
GABRIEL (to Max)
Heıs going to be there waiting for you.
MAX
(glancing at Gabriel) Maybe I should go alone.
MICHAEL
Weıll think of a plan. Weıre going, Max.
Max nods distractedly. Gabriel stands there and watches them for a moment, disgusted.
GABRIEL
(calling out to no one in particular) All right, FINE! Have it
your way.
He holds out his hands, one in the direction of Alexıs car
and one in the direction of Maxıs jeep.
He pauses a moment, closes his eyes and then a shockwave seems to
run through him and out of his hands.
The building CRACKLING sound catches Max and Isabelıs attention and they look over at Gabriel. In front of their eyes, a ripple bends the air, coming towards them. Before they can even react, it slams into them, knocking them both off their feet and to the ground,unconscious. Gabriel sighs and opens his eyes. He glances at Alexıs car, where Michael and Alex have been knocked out as well.
GABRIEL
Well, Liz looks like Iım your date tonight.
He smiles and takes off running...