Underlying Truth

[email protected] (347) 224-3454 EXT. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING - DAY

CHASE (17, superhero costume) stands opposite from KRIS (55 disheveled clothing), on top of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.

The New York City skyline and connected lights twinkle below. Vicious winds swoosh their hair and clothing wildly.

Chase glares across the space at Kris, who's laughing maniacally. Kris' eyes are so black, we can't see his pupils.

Whoever you are, whatever you are, leave my father's mind! Now!

(demonic voice)

Don't you get it? I've been growing inside your father's mind since my inception. He and I are one. We have been for years now.

You stole him!

He never fought it. He knew I was growing, and he didn't stop it.

Kris stands defensively and gestures "come at me," smirking.

You wanna "save him?" Come on, lil' man. Show me what you've got.

Chase shouts a battle cry, and RUNS at Kris, raising a fist.

Chase SWINGS a punch, but Kris catches. The two perform a heavily choreographed, action-packed fight scene, until:

Aaaand, cut. Great, got it.

CUT! That's a cut! We got it. New deal, turning around for Kris.

The two break free, Kris immediately turns around and walks away from Chase, anticlimactic. We're actually in: INT. SOUND STAGE - CONTINUOUS

It's a huge film crew. The New York skyline is just a backdrop with small LEDs attached. Big fans on either end.

Grips move heavy metal bars, CAMERAMAN (40s) carries the camera away from Chase as he watches Kris talk to JAKE (20s).

DIRECTOR and ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (40s) whisper to one another. The latter nods, then approaches Chase with a clipboard.

Great work, buddy. You're wrapped for today. Your call tomorrow's pretty early, so why don't you head on home and get some rest.

(gestures to Kris)

I have to stay until he's wrapped too. He drove us here.

Oh... Alright, well, you're welcome to hangout in your trailer, or at video village with the producers and director.

(whispers)

They really like you, by the way. Play your cards right and you'll have an amazing career real soon.

Assistant Director gives him a friendly pat on the shoulder and walks away, shouting into his surveillance:

Hey props, keep Chase's chair, he's staying with us until wrap.

Chase looks back at Jake and Kris. He hesitantly walks up.

Your call with Mr. Zaslav is in five. You have thirty minutes until they need you again on set, which gives you a perfect out before he starts rambling again.

Great. How are the revisions going?

Chase waits patiently, nervously, for them to notice him. JAKE He's aware of your qualms, and he's already working with a ghost writer to punch it up. They're set to begin production as soon as principle photography wraps here, so that's a good sign I guess.

Or it means he's impatient, which kills a project faster than it can begin.

(stern, to Jake)

By the way, I don't want some coffee-breath PA telling me when it's time to come back to set, alright? I want you.

Jake nods as they walk toward the exit. Chase follows like a lost child.

Yes sir.

Um. What--

(clears throat)

What do you have going on next?

(slightly annoyed)

Another action flick based on some book I have to read now.

Chase chuckles, amused by what he thinks is a joke, as he tries to keep up with them.

Who's that one for?

Kris sighs softly. He's not in the mood to entertain Chase.

Warner. They keep saying it's gonna be like "Bullet Train," but better. Their sales pitches have really gone downhill lately.

What's the book?

Kris stops walking and spins back around, forced smile. KRIS Listen buddy, I really don't have much time to chat right now, but check this out, you're gonna find this really cool. (to Jake) Can we give him the tapes?

Jake's caught entirely off-guard. Worried at the mention of these tapes. Pause.

Uh...

(hushed)

You checked all of them, right? It was just that one?

Yes sir... Um... I... I mean I think so, I haven't double-checked.

Would you like to double-check before we give them away, or...?

Pause. Chase glances between the two, trying to decipher.

Jake uncomfortably shakes his head.

No, it's fine, they're good to go.

What's going on? What tapes?

While we were cleaning out the old storage unit, we found something Liz left for you.

Chase's eyes widen, astonished. Dumbfounded.

An old home-video. Clothing, house designs, the video's graininess, everything shouts early 2000's.

Liz has a soft, wispy, playful, soothing voice throughout.

Ah, there we go. The camera tilts up to reveal a gorgeous home from top to bottom. Wooden floors. Fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows tease us with a stunning lake only a short walk away.

Hiii, Hello from the paaast. Dear future little shnook, and shnook juniors, here's our lovely old family hooome.

We only get a glimpse of the luxurious sight as the camerawoman turns us away from the view, and into a hallway.

She points us at various framed photographs of celebrities and dignitaries from the early aughts as she strolls.

Here's our hallway. Same as always.

The cast of Friends. Will Smith. Sean Penn. Morgan Freeman, all in their youth, with YOUNG KRIS (mid 20s) in the mix.

Until we enter the following doorway, into:

Airplane-bed. Walls painted with a stunning mural of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Mickey Mouse, etc...

The floor is smothered with toys and gadgets. Nerf guns, marbles, but right now, BABY CHASE (3-4) plays with LEGO's.

(sings, upbeat)

Theeere's my liiittle maaaan.

Baby Chase looks up at us and smiles. Liz places the camera down, allowing us to see them both. We finally get to meet:

LIZ (20s) as she smiles at us, then looks down at Baby Chase.

Wow. Look, there she is.

She picks up a couple lego pieces, sticks them together, then offers it to Baby Chase, but he promptly pushes it away.

Dat cannot go wif dis. LIZ What are you making, my love?

Daddy's fay-voh-wit car.

His lego contraption looks nothing like a car.

(slightly upset)

Daddy's favorite car. Looks great.

Is daddy's fay-vo-wit car, dah sporty one.

The sporty one?

Isn-it cool?

We PULL BACK from the home video to reveal we are in:

It's now the current year. The clothing, decorations, and technology around us should tell us so.

This is a home video. In front of it is a box, FILLED with DVD's, all with beautiful, handwritten labels in script.

The DVD case resting on the tv stand says "March 1st, 2005."

Chase and FLO (17) watch from the couch. Well, Chase watches. Flo messes with an old home-video camera from the 2000's.

On the back dining table, DANTE (50s) works on a laptop.

Where'd you find all this?

Dante did. It was hidden in an old storage unit.

Chase shoots him a wave. Dante, without looking away from his laptop, shoots them a "rock n' roll" hand gesture.

Clutch. Your mom must've made these for a reason. CHASE Maybe. I dunno.

Flo puts the camera down. Short pause as they watch.

She was so beautiful.

She was.

Flo observes his expression. Nostalgic, glum, desolate.

Let's go out. We've barely gone out at all this summer break.

She starts typing on her phone.

We're now watching them from VERY FAR AWAY, through binoculars. We can hear someone breathing nearby.

Both Chase and Flo sound very far away, but we can still make out what they're saying.

It's only been two weeks. We have another month and a half. Plus, I thought everyone was busy tonight.

I think I can rally a troop or two.

A troop or two? That's some army you got there.

An army of four is the best army. Well, for hangin' out, not war.

Thanks for clarifying, I wasn't sure which you meant.

Quit your sarcasm and get us a car.

He gets up and walks upstairs as they continue their banter. The binoculars find their way back to the home video of Liz. FLO (O.S.) (CONT'D) And ask for the Maserati!

In your dreams.

I don't know about this anymore.

VIOLET (30s, dyed blonde hair, brown roots showing) drops the binoculars and looks at Jake. They're parked on the BACKSIDE of the Lavish House.

Why not? What's wrong?

I just... They trusted me to keep this quiet. And here I am blabbing about it to...

(gestures to Violet)

Well...

I thought you cared more about justice and what's right than protecting their feelings.

Right, I do, but my career could... It's just... I don't know. They could blackball me if they find out. I'd have to, like, move out to a farm in the country or something.

What you're about to do is more important than your career as an assistant. Or your end goal of whatever you want to do in this shady, screwed-up industry.

Produce. I want to help people tell their stories. Support filmmakers with nothing but a dream. But I can't do that when **the** Kris Cohen blackballs me from the rest of Hollywood. VIOLET When this news breaks, The Cohens will be powerless. Their legacies tainted forever. What you're about to accomplish will make Hollywood history! But if you don't wanna go through with it, take my part.

She holds out the binoculars to him.

I'll get the DVD. If it's as damning as you say, I don't care. They can blackball me, send me to jail, kill me, I don't care. I just want the world to know the truth.

He shakes his head and gives her back the binoculars.

No, it's fine. You're right. I can do it. I know where he's hiding it.

Jake puts on a CAMOUFLAGE MASK.

I should've just snagged it when I had the chance at work. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

It's fine, shoulda-woulda-coulda is the killer of change. Stick to the plan, stay quiet, they won't know.

Violet inserts an EARPIECE into his ear.

Filing cabinet by a window, exercise bar above the entrance.

A fancy cocktail glass on a gold-plated coaster. Real gold.

An original Keith Haring hangs next to an original Rembrandt.

Kris, at a standing desk, types away. Even as we hear three soft knocks, he doesn't turn away from his computer.

What's up, buddy?

Chase creaks the door open and leans against the doorframe, allowing himself to just barely peek in. CHASE Flo n' I are gonna go out tonight, if that's cool with you.

Where to?

Don't know yet. Probably the beach or something.

Pause. Kris continues typing.

Can we take the, um, the dodge?

Kris stops typing, but doesn't look away. Pause.

Sure, buddy.

He grabs a pair of keys from a desk drawer and tosses it in Chase's direction. Then continues typing.

Thanks.

Just as Chase is about to shut the door--

Hey--

He re-opens it. Kris stares at Chase with unblinking eyes.

I don't want anyone other than you driving that car, alright?

(slightly intimidated)

Yes sir. Thank you.

He gently closes the door.

BEGIN MONTAGE: Rock/hype music plays.

From under his bed, Chase pulls out an empty vodka bottle. INT. LAVISH LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Chase (backpack) and Flo walk downstairs. Flo chats up Dante as Chase nonchalantly slips into the kitchen.

Violet talks Jake through their plan, pointing at the house.

Chase opens the liquor cabinet and extracts a vodka bottle, identical to the one from under his bed.

He fills the empty one with water.

Dante proudly shows Flo a book: "Collection of Grimm's Fairytales." As he opens the book to show her something:

Chase rejoins Flo. The two quickly say goodbye and exit, smirking like they completed a heist.

Chase, Flo, and a FEW FRIENDS drink and make s'mores by a campfire. They're all having a blast.

Violet watches Jake as he hops the back fence and crouches on the ground, blending in with the grass.

_Fl_o takes a selfie of herself and Chase, their arms around one another. He kisses her cheek.

Dante, from binocular view, yawns as he gets in his car and drives off.

EXT. TOP OF A MOUNTAINOUS ROAD - MIDNIGHT

We're on a one-lane road, high on a mountain, surrounded by expensive homes. We can see the city below us. Stunning view.

First Friend exits the Dodge car, idling on top of the hill. CHASE (in the distance) See you!

@F ^LO (in the distance) Goodniiiiight!

Chase descends the steep road, albeit a little fast.

Now that wasn't too bad, was it?

Not "too" bad. Just a teensy weensy tiny bit of bad.

They share a smile.

Tiny bit? An inkling, if you will?

Yes! Exactly. I will, as a matter of fact. An inkling of bad.

Violet watches Jake slowly crawl through the grass, toward the backside of the lavish house. Jake whispers throughout.

I'm almost at the wall. Do you see any rooms' lights on?

Violet looks at the various windows. Only one room is lit.

Just Kris' bedroom.

Jake takes a deep, shaky breath as he continues to crawl.

How are you feeling? Want me to drive for a bit? CHASE No, it's okay. I feel good.

At that very moment, the car JUMPS, sending both of them temporarily airborne for a split second.

(slightly panicked)

What was that?

Nothing, I just-

Did we--Did we hit a cat? O-o-or a squirrel? What was that?

Flo, we're fine!

Jake climbs on top of the house's GARAGE, which is just low enough to be scaled.

He BANGS his elbow against the wall.

(hushed)

Ow!

What was that?

Nothing, I'm fine.

Did you kick the wall? Those walls are thin, Kris might've heard you.

I know! I't's fine! It was--

--Just the curb. I cut the wheel a little too weak.

Short pause. Flo seems uneasy. FLO Why don't I drive? I don't mind.

I don't care if you don't mind, I promised my dad I would be the only one behind this wheel.

As they begin to see a stoplight at the bottom of the hill, which is_ r_ed, Chase slows down.

Jake pulls out a WIRE CUTTER, and slowly cuts the SCREEN WINDOW to Kris' Office. The cuts are soft and barely audible.

As he creates a flap out of the screen, he SLIPS INSIDE.

Jake cautiously looks around, still speaking in hushed tones.

Are the cabinet shelves labeled?

No.

He slowly opens the drawer the top desk drawer, in it are over a dozen different key rings, each with two to five keys.

And neither are the keys.

He sighs, and carefully picks one up without it jingling.

Just let me drive, he'll never know. Plus you've been driving all night, and you've been drinking a lot, I really think you should j--

No I haven't! I didn't drink anymore than you did. Drop it Flo, it's not gonna happen.

The light turns _gr_een, he lifts his foot from the break. They quickly regain momentum as their car barrels down the hill. INT. KRIS' OFFICE - MIDNIGHT

Jake pulls out a failed key and carefully tries another.

It UNLOCKS. He slowly opens the cabinet, but as old cabinets naturally do, it CREAKS as he opens it.

He stops opening it out of shock.

What was that!?

The damn cabinet, I can't open it.

Use your flashlight, see if that's the right one before you open it any further.

He turns on his phone's flashlight and shines it into the cabinet. He peeks in.

Chase, I would really prefer it if--

Chase looks to her as he cuts her off.

I don't care what you prefer!

Violet glances around the house with her binoculars, checking the windows. All the lights are off now.

She looks down at the street. **DANTE IS BACK**, on the street, and hides a gun in his jacket pocket as he stealthily sprints back to the house.

Jake! Jake, get out! He's back!

Jake now shines his flashlight into the bottom cabinet, in it we can see a DVD CASE. JAKE Wait, I see it! Just give me a minute to pull it out!

He reaches in, his wrist just barely fits through the crack.

Jake, abort, get out! Forget the DVD!

Iiiii... I got it!

Chase glances back and forth between the road and Flo, irate.

Please, Chase, just let me drive--

This is the last straw, he looks directly at Flo as he says:

Over my dead body you're getting behind this wheel! How many times do I have to tell you? Just stop!

Just as they reach the intersection, at ~35mph, a WOMAN ON A SCOOTER crosses the road, while the light is _G_REEN for us.

(screams)

Chase!

Chase looks back at the road, but it's too late to slow down.

Violet watches the office's cut screen window, but no one's there.

Jake, leave the tape, get out now!

I'm coming.

Jake re-emerges from the window, he victoriously raises the DVD case in a glass holder. As he scales the roof to get out:

\*BAP BAP BAP\* He's been shot! Just as-- INT. DODGE CAR - MIDNIGHT

Chase HITS Scooter Woman. She vanishes from our view, sinking beneath the car's wheels. Flo SHRIEKS.

The car RUMBLES WILDLY as they drive over her.

Jake's body goes limp on the roof.

Dante peeks his head out the window, looks around, then snags the disc and PUSHES Jake off the roof with the gun's barrel.

JAKE!

Jake falls off the roof, tumbling to the ground below, out of our view.

Jake, can you hear me? Jake?!

(weak)

I'm sorry, Vi.

I-I'm calling 9-1-1, stay with me!

Don't, you'll out yourself. Just get away. I'm sorry.

No! I'm not leaving you, please, just hold the wound closed, I'm calling help--

We hear CRUSHING PLASTIC as the background noise/breathing from Jake's side of the phone call abruptly cuts out.

Chase stomps on the break, stopping the car in the middle of the intersection. Not another car or soul in sight.

Long pause. Flo hyperventilates.

Chase opens the car door. FLO (breathy) Chase... No...

He hesitantly steps out.

He shuts the door and stares down in fear.

His wheels and the car's lower-half are spritzed with blood.

Chase trails the car, following the blood splatter. It's more bloody and obscene of a sight as we approach:

The woman. KELLY (20s), lies unconscious in a pool of blood, out cold, doubled-over and hideously contorted.

Missing teeth. Skid marks all across her face and limbs.

Chase, breathing unsteadily, runs back to the car.

BEGIN SEQUENCE OF SHOTS:

- Chase stares at Kelly's lifeless arm via his side mirror.

- Kelly, on a stretcher, is loaded into an ambulance.

- Violet, in the Unmarked Black Car, speeds down the road.

- EMTs check Chase and Flo for pains. He's unresponsive to their questions, looking blankly past them.

- Red and blue lights flash against his face as he stands outside, talking to a police officer with a notepad.

- Violet CRUSHES her earpiece, then lobs it up into a giant grocery store dumpster.

- Flo, in tears, shouts to other officers.

- Chase watches the ambulance drive off.

- Violet gets out of the Unmarked Black Car, at a "24HR. CAR RENTAL" spot. She slips the keys into a dropbox and runs off.

- Cops SHOVE Chase into the back of a police car. Flo runs up to the window, bawling, but she's pulled away by another cop.

- The police car drives off.

INT. VIOLET'S KITCHEN - MORNING

Violet pours fresh coffee into two cups. Then picks one up.

(somber)

Morning.

She clinks the two mugs.

We lost another soldier. But don't worry, Jake was the last. We're not losing anyone else.

She takes a deep breath, composes herself, and walks into:

Violet drinks from her mug, intensely stares at the wall.

It's a full diagram of people's faces. Kris. Dante. Chase. Liv. Herself. RED string connects Kris' picture to Liz's.

Violet's picture is on there too, above hers is ANDREW (50s), with red string connecting him to Kris as well. She rubs her thumb on Andrew's photo.

I'm sorry it's taking me so long.

She then pins a photo of Jake's face to the wall, and wraps red string around the pin, also connecting him to Kris.

\*Ring-ring...\* Sam is calling. She picks up.

Sam, I'm really not in the mood. I'm gonna call out sick today.

(sarcastic)

Morning Vi, I'm well. Thanks for asking.

Get off it, man. Really not in the mood today.

Yeah, well, you'll wanna come in today regardless of how you feel. VIOLET Why, so we can report on another highway crash? Liquor store robbery?

No, you're actually gonna really like this one, you sick sadist. It's about The Cohen's. Didn't you hear what happened last night?

Fear envelops her.

Fancy black car with tinted windows. Dante, silent and stoic, sits with Chase in the back seat.

They're driven down a wealthy street. Too many parked and double-parked cars are making it difficult to navigate.

Thanks again for picking me up.

Glad you're safe.

Pause.

Is he mad?

Short pause.

For... Different reasons.

What other reasons are there?

They turn a corner, revealing a GIANT CROWD of people around a specific property. Picket signs and iPhones high in the air. We hear chanting, which crescendoes as we get closer.

What's going on?

Word got out about the accident.

How? No one saw it. DANTE Besides the cops and paramedics on the scene, yeah. No one saw. A family member betray us overnight as well.

Off of Chase's confused expression --

Jake tried to rob us.

They slowly make their way through the sea of bodies, most of which aren't letting them through.

You trended on social media overnight. People rally fast when they're pissed. Hopefully the next angry news piece will deter them.

Now that we're in the heart of the crowd, we see that it's made up of protestors, news journalists, and paparazzi.

It's a huge mess. The protestors chant on repeat:

You can't hide! Face your crimes! You can't hide! Face your crimes!

Some of them aggressively shout at the vehicle as they realize it's trying to get into the Cohen's property.

Photographers and videographers point their cameras at us.

As they reach the front, a few SECURITY GUARDS behind the gate open it just enough for the vehicle to enter.

Some protestors try to squeeze in, but the Security Guards are able to keep them out.

Details about the accident are still unknown, but the people of Hollywood and the greater Los Angeles County have arrived in droves to express their frustration.

We ZOOM OUT to see Violet (suit) with a microphone, looking directly at us, into the camera. VIOLET (CONT'D) We will be here all day keeping you up to date as the story progresses out here on the ground. Until then, I'll send it back to you, Dave.

Short pause as she looks at us. Until:

Alright, we're out.

SAM (late 30s) lowers the camera he was pointing at Violet. She turns around and admires the crowd behind her.

Isn't this great?

No, it's not. He's just a kid.

He's not a kid anymore, Sam. I wasn't even talking about him. I'm talking about Kris. That psycho is finally getting what he deserves.

(disbelief)

Do you really think anything will change from this?

Well of course, the people are fi--

No, I mean do you really think anything will change? How soon until this rambunctious crowd of yours has to get back to work? Has to pay their bills? Buy groceries? Care for their kids? How long until they get back to their usual lives?

Violet scoffs, but deep down she knows he's right.

I'm gonna get some b-roll for my reel. Text me if the studio calls.

Sam disappears into the crowd. Violet pulls out her phone. She opens up her text conversation with **Chase**. It's empty.

She sends: "Hey, sorry about what happened. Hope you're doing alright. I'm here if you wanna talk." INT. LAVISH LIVING ROOM - DAY

Chase scrolls on a social media site called "GetWithIt," which looks like a cross between Twitter and Instagram.

He gets a text from "Violet." He quickly swipes up and ignores it, going back to his social media scroll.

Every single post on his phone is about him. A news site's social media version of their report:

DAVE (40s, suit) and MARISSA (30s, dress) talk at a stereotypical newsroom desk.

This is so very reminiscent of the late aughts if you catch my drift.

*Careful, *Dave. Anyways. I doubt the Cohens, are all that happy about what's outside their front door.

Or their backyard. What most protestors don't know is the Cohens' own family assistant attempted a robbery that night--

Chase swipes off the video, and onto a new video of COMEDIAN (20s) on a stage with a microphone:

Now listen, my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. But can we talk about how wild it is they murdered two people in one night? They takin' two birds and one stone to an all new level.

Audience's response is split between laughter and concern.

Oh come on, I know it isn't that funny, but it's true, isn't it?! They probably think they're just as invincible as their superhero characters. They actually livin' in a fantasy world or somethin'?!

Chase swipes to a new video, of BOLD TIKTOKER (20s) in a crappy, cheap apartment. He holds his phone like a mic: BOLD TIKTOKER (V.O.) We've heard this story, time and time again. The "one percent gets away with murder," and in this case, it might be literal. I hope, pray even, that both families of the victims will press charges and really look deeper into what happened. I'm guessing the cops will find nothing wrong with the "alleged" murders--

Chase turns the phone off, overwhelmed. Flo, sitting next to him, gently rubs his arm.

Now do you see why we're here? This is a big deal. It's why your father hired us. We know how to get you out of this mess.

Chase and Flo sit at the dining table, across from THEO (50s) with THREE P.R. REPS beside him.

It may not seem like it now, but we're gonna make all this go away. You'll be enjoying your normal life again sooner than you think. Just listen to us, and we'll get you through this. Alright, buddy?

Chase nods meekly.

Any questions so far?

How are you going to stop people from talking about what happened? You can't stop people from using their first amendment right.

Yes yes, the first amendment and all that. They can rant all they want, but they forget that stops when what they're spouting harms the people they're talking about.

How do you mean? INT. BOLD TIKTOKER'S APARTMENT - DAY

Bold Tiktoker opens his front door. Dante stands there with THREE LAWYERS. They hand him a document in a beige folder.

Everyone has a right to say what they want. They also have the right to accept a cease and desist for their actions. As well as facing a lawsuit, if they can afford it. Every action has a reaction.

Dante and the Lawyers walk off.

Anymore questions?

Short pause, Theo smirks.

Good. Let's go over some ground rules.

He pulls out a pen and post-it, then writes some bullet points down as he explains.

No posting on social media without our say. Anything and everything you post can and will be used against you. _T_he public court of _op_inion is just as important as a _co_urt of law, if not more so. Don't give them ammunition. Second, let's talk about your story. Walk us through what happened.

The three P.R. Reps ready their laptops.

We were, um...

All three P.R. Reps rapidly type, then wait for his next word. He watches them, terrified by this. Pause.

We were taking some friends home last night after hanging out at the beach. THEO At what time?

I... I don't know. I think it was just after midnight.

Theo nods, and gestures for Chase to continue.

Um... But as we were going down the hill, the light was red, but turned green as I was still coming to a stop, so I just released the brake pedal and... and just kept driving.

Pause. Chase sniffles as he begins reliving the event.

(emotional/rambling)

I didn't see her. I... I couldn't stop in time, I didn't see her until I was just like a few feet away from the intersection. She came out of nowhere with her scooter, driving too fast, I should've slowed all the way down when I saw her, I-I-I should've--

Hey, hey now. Slow down. It's okay.

Theo offers him a tissue, Chase wipes his eyes. Pause.

She crossed the intersection on her scooter while the light was green?

Chase nods.

Theo, with a wry smile, puts his hand on Chase's wrist.

You have nothing to worry about, buddy. The light was green.

What about the pedestrian's right of way?

If the driver has the ability and time, sure. But you're not all-knowing. You can't stop a moving vehicle at the drop of a hat. Chase, look at me.

He does.

This wasn't your fault. It's hers. SHE drove the scooter on a red pedestrian light. SHE ignored the traffic light laws. SHE hit YOU.

Chase nods. Flo, though, isn't sold. She's fuming.

The nerve of that guy!

Chase watches a home video on his TV as Flo paces, irate.

He's just victim-blaming that poor woman! She had a life, a purpose, and he's using her as media fodder!

The home video ends. Chase retrieves the DVD, its case is labeled "June 7th, 2005." He puts it in the big box full of other DVDs, and takes out a new case, "July 10th, 2005."

He doesn't give a crap about her, and he probably doesn't give a crap about us either!

He slips it into the DVD player and sits back on his bed. He's not listening, too mesmerized by LIZ on the video.

Liz looks at us. She smiles warmly. Kindly. Forgivingly.

Good morning my love. I hope you're doing wonderful today. I want to bring you back to another day of playtime. Today we went grocery--

Flo stands in his view of the television.

You agree with me, right? You agree he's full of crap? Caught off-guard, he nods. Flo relaxes as she sees what he's watching. She sighs, sits next to him, and rubs his shoulder.

Long pause as they watch.

I'm sorry, you don't deserve to be going through all this.

Pause. Chase doesn't respond, he's too absorbed in the video.

He rests his head on Flo's shoulder, she wraps her arm around him. They continue to watch Liz and Baby Chase in silence.

Violet types away on her laptop. On it is "GetWithIt," opened to the profile page "Mr. Hollywood's Serialized Fall."

She types up a new post: "It is day 5 after Adelaide Wood and Jake Holland's murders, and Mr. Hollywood and Baby Hollywood are still free."

She posts it. No traction. She only has 50 followers.

Suddenly, one like comes in from @WhammySammy. Instantly after, she gets a phone call from Sam. She gasps.

(mutters)

Oh, damnit.

She picks up.

Sam, I'm so sorry.

You better have a good excuse.

I don't, I completely spaced it.

Yeah, did you?

Sam talks on the phone, watching over ANNIE (7) as she plays an arcade game.

SAM

(hushed)

She was really excited to see you. I can't believe you're skipping out on us again. On her.

I just got caught up trying to figure out this case, I didn't mean to blow you guys off.

She observes her wall of pictures and red string.

I'm sick of this, Vi. It's not some case. You're not a private investigator. This is an obsession.

Yeah, fine, whatever. I'm okay with being obsessed about this. Why aren't you? Don't you want justice?

(raising his voice)

Maybe sometimes we don't just get that privilege, it's not some, like, granted human right.

Annie, sensing his tone, turns to him.

Is something wrong?

No, sweetheart. Sorry. It cl th

@V ^IOLET (V.O.) 's not a luxury to get osure! How could you say at?

Vi, for the last time, I'm done arguing with you about this. You better show next time.

He hangs up.

Chase lies on his bed, alone, staring at his phone. A home video plays on his television in the background.

On his phone is a news report. Violet, reporting right outside of his house. The crowd's chanting can be heard. The following dialogue plays in the background, throughout the rest of the scene.

The protestors are weening a bit in numbers today, but there is still some firepower out here, they still demand answers from the Cohen residence. They have since put out a statement on the social media site, "Get With It,' although the protestors and users of the site were quick to diminish and pick apart the family's official statement. Most of the critiques and complaints revolved around the lack of heart in their post. One comment from user @ApplesVs.Doctors states, "I would've felt for them more if they accepted what they did was wrong. Why are they claiming to be hurt by this? Where are Chase's scars in the paparazzi photos?" Many other users were quick to agree with this statement, it now has over twenty-five thousand likes on the social media site.

Chase puts his phone down and stands at the side of his window. He peeks through the curtain.

Chase peeks his head out the window.

There he is! Second floor!

Suddenly, an ONSLAUGHT of camera flashes wash over his window. The protestors' chants GROW IN VOLUME.

You can't hide! Face your crimes! You can't hide! Face your crimes!

He quickly closes the curtain, but the damage is done.

The crowd's chants can be heard for the rest of the scene. Chase collapses back onto his bed, covering his face with his hands. He then looks up at the television.

It's another video of Liz and LITTLE CHASE (6). They're roleplaying with action figures, in front of a LEGO castle.

Little Chase bounces a soldier action figure up to an ogre-type figure, held by Liz, guarding a gate.

Where's the princess!

I'll never tell you!

Ha-CHA!

The solider figure strikes the ogre, Liz leans the ogre down.

Ahhhh!

Where's the princess!?

On the fourth floor! Please don't hurt me anymore!

I won't if you join me.

Huh? Even though I'm evil?

Evil can still turn to good if you switch to the right side. Join me in my mission!

Little Chase maneuvers the Soldier so that its hand is offered to the ogre. Liz looks down at Little Chase, admiring him for a beat.

(whispers)

Mama?

Right, sorry. You're just so sweet. LITTLE CHASE

(V.O.)

Mama, not now, we have to save the princess! Join me!

Sweetheart, please promise me you're never gonna change.

Okay okay, I promise, now come on!

Chase, re-invigorated by the scene we just watched, snags his phone and opens up his social media page.

He creates a new post and types: "My heart goes out to the family and the woman I hurt. I hope they are doing well during this terrible time. I'm sorry for causing you pain."

As soon as he submits it to the site, he's BOMBARDED by notifications sliding across the top of his phone, so fast that we can barely make them out:

"@HappyLogger laughed at your pos--" "@WebstoDesign commented, "LMAO, sure you--" "@WebstoDesign laughed at--" "@UrSoDummmboi laughed a--" "@WowzaBoBowza commented, "The rich kid actuall--" "@PublicityPro commented, "LOL ofc it's about you--" "@SebastianSloan laughe--" "@SebastianSloan commented, "you're awful bro--" "@Doggydogworld laughe--"

Over two dozen more notifications all flood his phone screen in the matter of just a few seconds. He DELETES it. Then finds Flo's contact and calls her.

(borderline tears)

Where are you?

What's wrong? Are you okay?

I really need you right now.

I'm on my way.

He answers an incoming call from "Theo - Dad's P.R. Guy."

Hello? THEO

(V.O.)

What the hell did you do!?

Chase breaks down into tears as he exclaims:

I'm sorry. I had to say something. I can't ignore what happened.

I told you to run everything through me before posting! Jesus, you just pushed us five giant steps backwards, you know that, right?

I'm sorry!

Theo sighs.

It's fine. I'll get it handled. Sign out of your account, leave it the hell alone. Got it?

Theo hangs up on him. Chase breaks into tears, all alone.

Flowers everywhere. The desk has a pile of opened letters and an almost empty tissue box. Trash can full of used tissues.

Violet tries to skim the top letter without picking it up.

"Sorry for your loss... Was a great man... Lost an angel..."

I don't have any chamomile, will mint suffice?

Violet spins around and takes a mug from AVERY (50s).

That's perfect, thank you.

Again, I'm really sorry about all this. He was a great guy.

Avery nods uncomfortably, unsure how to answer that. He leads Violet to a pair of couches, they sit across one another. VIOLET (CONT'D) Have you been holding up alright? Or, um, well enough?

Well enough, I guess.

Jake was a good soul. I've known him since college, I don't know if he ever mentioned me.

Avery politely shakes his head.

Sorry.

It's fine... Um... I was... I was hoping to find out what happened. Or I mean, what the police found out about what happened. There's so much misinformation out there, I just want to find out the truth.

So you can use it to get more likes? More views and ad revenue on your broadcast?

What? No, I just don't know what happened. I'm just being told it was a breaking and entering. But I've known Jake for so long, I know he's not that type of person.

Avery gets up and walks over to his desk, where the envelopes and picture frames are. He picks up a frame of Jake.

There has to be something more to this story. To his story. Did they find anything in his hands? Any kind of motive, was he connected with anyone else involved?

No. There's nothing that can be done. He chose this path, and we're reaping the consequences.

Violet stands up. VIOLET Don't give up just like that. Jake fought all throughout his life, don't let his legacy die out just like that, just because he's gone.

Pause.

I just want all of this to be over.

It will be over, real soon, you just need to push a little harder--

You don't get to tell me what to do! I don't want to be constantly reminded that I don't have my son anymore. My love. My life. The reason I quit drinking. the person that gave me a path. The only person on this planet that I loved, that loved me back.

Avery breaks into tears, unable to stop the downfall.

I... I don't know how to go on like this, I don't know how to go on without him. I'm tired of crying every day. Every night. I'm tired of everyone reminding me what I don't have anymore. I'm tired of people like you pushing your agendas on me, on him. You're sick.

(defensive)

I don't have an agenda, I just--

Violet, realizing she _d_oes have an agenda, shamefully hangs her head. Pause. She slowly stands from the couch.

You're right. I'm sorry. But this is different. I understand wanting to move on, letting evil avoid punishment just to keep going, but sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones and stand up for what's right.

Then gently places her business card on the coffee table. VIOLET (CONT'D) Just in case you change your mind. I wish you the best.

Violet quietly exits.

We're back in 2004. Chase, as we just saw him, lies on the couch. Peaceful.

He abruptly wakes up and looks around confused. Then hops up in excitement as he sees someone:

Good morning, sleepy-poo.

Across from him is Liz, smiling, emanating warmth. She rocks in a rocking chair, with BABY CHASE in her arms.

(whispers to Chase)

Look, here you are!

Chase watches Liz, mesmerized. Awestruck.

It's... It's so good to see you, mom. I have so much to tell you.

Liz hums a content, soothing melody.

Look at yourself, weren't you just the cutest little baby boy?

(disappointment)

I... I was.

Liz gets up and puts Baby Chase in a nearby crib, which just appeared out of thin air.

(whispers to Baby Chase)

I'll see you soon, my love.

Chase reaches for her, but she walks out of his range and toward the floor-to-ceiling windows.

He tries to catch up to her, but_ s_he walks through the glass. Chase tries to follow, but he can't walk through it. Chase watches her walk out toward the forest. Then tries to find a seam on the glass, or a way to open it.

Mom?

She doesn't turn around. She walks deeper into the forest.

Chase POUNDS with his fist in a rhythmic THREE KNOCKS.

Mom!

Baby Chase starts CRYING. Chase POUNDS three more times.

Liz continues to walk deeper, until we can barely make out her features.

MOM! Come back!

Now, barely visible in the forest, she faces us. She's at the edge of the lake. She waves to us, smiling warmly.

Chase pounds FIVE MORE TIMES.

(deep, distorted)

CHASE!

Suddenly, an UNKNOWN ASSAILANT comes running through the forest toward her.

He swiftly, almost with an inhuman speed, sprints up to her before we even realize it.

MOM, LOOK OUT!

The Unknown Assailant HITS her on the head with a weapon we cannot see. She falls to the floor.

The man pushes her body into the lake behind her.

MOM!

Chase, tears streaming down his cheeks, POUNDS some more, so hard against the glass that his knuckles begin to bleed, leaving bloodstains on the glass with each strike.

Shhhh, don't cry. Liz is in the room again, with an UGLY BRUISE on her head, blue skin, soaking wet hair. Some foam froths from her mouth.

She kneels at the crib, comforting Baby Chase.

Chase runs up to her and kneels, bawling and sniffling, getting blood on her gown from his open-wound knuckles.

Mom, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

Liz does not acknowledge Chase's presence, but continues to comfort Baby Chase.

(hushed)

Shhhh, it's gonna be okay. You're gonna be a big strong man, like your grandpa. I just know it. You're so beautiful. You're so wonderful. You're so perfect.

He tugs on her arm, but she doesn't budge.

Mom, please come back with me.

I'll see you soon, my love.

In the blink of an eye, Liz VANISHES. Her bloodstained gown drops to the ground. Baby Chase's cries crescendo again.

As does Chase. He grabs the gown, trying to find Liz somewhere beneath it. Until we hear:

THREE MORE DEAFENING POUNDS.

Chase wakes up from the nightmare, trying to catch his breath. His door opens, Kris storms in, pissed.

What the hell is this?

He holds up his phone. On it is his "GetWithIt" post from the day before, as a screenshot.

I, um... KRIS Did you listen to anything Theo said? Are you trying to put yourself in prison? Are you trying to ruin our family name?

No, I was just trying to--

I don't care what you were trying to do, you screwed us. You know that, right? You screwed us.

Pause as he takes a breath to calm down. Kris, exhausted, brushes his hands through his hair, fixing it up.

There's been a lot going on. You realize there's more to lose here than your freedom, don't you?

He shakes his head. Kris sits on the bed.

Our family name is at stake. Our legacy. There are two types of people in this world. Heroes, and civilians. Flo, Theo, every single protestor out on that street is a civilian. You and me? We're heroes. Those people out there need us to be good, responsible, honorable heroes. Because otherwise there's no meaning in this world. They need the Cohen name to look up to, as proof that there is good in this messed-up world. I've been that hero for them over three decades. I've been training you, Chase.

He puts his hand on Chase's shoulder.

I've been training you to take on this legacy with elegance and grace. You're worthy, but the less you listen to Theo and myself, and anyone else on our team for that matter, the more you look like just another civilian. Understand?

Chase nods, although slightly confused. Kris pats his shoulder again and stands. KRIS (CONT'D) Great. First thing's first, we need to fix what you did. Come on down, we scheduled an interview for you.

Kris is about to leave, but stops as Chase asks:

A what? An Interview? Why?

Damage control. Since you chose to apologize, the world thinks you're at fault. That won't do. Put your interview clothes on and be downstairs in ten minutes.

Kris exits. Chase looks back to the TV in his room, which has been playing another home-video DVD.

There's a YOUNG VIOLET (brown hair, 10) playing with Baby Chase. They both hold _**T_OY WALKIE TALKIES**, and communicate from different corners of the house, as Liz records them.

Chase slumps down to the foot of the television, mesmerized by the girl he's playing with.

CU ON YOUNG VIOLET, talking into the walkie talkie. Until:

BZZT - A text. He looks at his phone, it's from Violet:

"Hey, I'm still here when you're ready to talk. I miss you."

He ignores it and heads into his walk-in closet.

Violet chats with Sam, outside a closed office door. There are a dozen cubicles around, where a dozen OFFICE FOLK work.

The door they're in front of opens, out steps MR. JONES (60s, constantly stressed), with some papers in his hand.

Alright Violet, Sam, we've got a new assignment for you.

New assignment? I thought we were going back to the Cohen's residence for another protest update. MR. JONES It's been two weeks, our viewership is sinking,time to move on. Today you're going toooo...

He skims the papers in his hand.

The one-ten freeway. Big crash this morning, it's really backed up.

Violet huffs, unsatisfied.

That's not news, there's a crash on a highway every other day. This protest is big, the American people are finally standing up for themselves. Future generations will thank us for this.

Future generations don't count in this month's viewership numbers.

There's more to our jobs than numbers.

No, there really isn't. Not to our shareholders, at least.

Shareholders don't understand what real news is, highway crashes aren't news!

Few heads peek out from the cubicles as the commotion builds.

(done with her shit)

We don't pay you to talk about the news, we pay you to entertain our audience. What we're making here, this is entertainment. Our audience wasn't entertained last week, so we have to adapt. Got it?

He hands her the papers he's holding. VIOLET That's not why I got into this. I've been going out on your little errand pieces for years, why can't I choose what we report on by now?

Sam nudges her.

(soft)

Chill, let's just get to work.

When whatever you want to report on brings us viewership, but until then, go out there and report on the damn accident.

Violet stomps he way out the office. Sam follows.

Chase walks downstairs, revealing a FILM CREW person in the living room, planting tape on the ground.

Then, as he takes another step, another FILM CREW person is discovered, blocking out the windows with duvetyn.

As he reaches the bottom floor, we see a dozen of them total, all performing their own tasks, chatting amongst themselves.

One sets up a teleprompter. Another writes on a clapper. Another fixes ALEC (50s, suit)'s hairdo.

Chase spots Flo in the back, they share a nod. He makes his way to two empty stools in the center, in front of a camera.

CINEMATOGRAPHER (60s) and Alec chat nearby:

We're ready whenever you are, just say the word and we'll get rolling.

Great. For this one, Mr. Cohen really wants...

(hears Chase sit)

Oh--

Alec spins around and approaches Chase with an extended hand. ALEC (CONT'D) Hello Chase, pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Alec, I'll be hosting this interview with you.

Chase hesitantly shakes.

I didn't prepare anything for this.

That's perfectly fine, we have a script your father approved of that'll be shown--

(gestures to teleprompter)

--right on there. All you have to do is read and emote accordingly. That shouldn't be a problem, right? You're an actor after all.

(ambiguously)

Mhm.

Great. Well we're almost ready, so why don't you take a seat, and we'll begin in just a moment.

Alec gives Cinematographer a thumbs-up, who then presses a button on the camera.

Camera speeding.

Clapper stands in front of Chase with the open clapper.

Apple-one, take one, mark.

He CLAPS it, then sits behind Cinematographer.

(murmurs, to Chase)

Three, two, one...

(normal)

Good morning, Chase. Thanks for meeting with me this morning.

Chase glances at the teleprompter: "Thanks for swinging by."

Tha-thanks for swinging by. ALEC I'm sorry about all this. Truly. You must be in some real mental turmoil over all this.

Teleprompter reads: "Don't be sorry. It's my burden to carry. Which I do. I feel terrible, even though it wasn't my fault."

Don't be sorry. It's my burden to carry. Which I do. I feel terrible. Even though it... It... Um... That, uh, that script isn't right.

How do you mean?

I don't feel right saying what you've got written on it.

Should we cut?

(to Cinematographer)

Yeah, cut, reset for another.

(to Chase)

What do you mean it isn't right?

Cinematographer and Clapper follow orders.

I don't feel right announcing I'm, like, not entirely to blame for all this. I mean, I did hit her. I can't say it like it's written. That's a lie.

This is just the script that's been approved, you can just read it. Doesn't have to be right or wrong. It's just a story. Entertainment.

But this is real life, not some story for social media.

Clapper walks in front of them and announces:

Apple-one, take two, mark. He CLAPS it and jumps back to his seat.

And what's social media? People telling stories. How much of what you see online do you think is true? This isn't the courtroom. All you have to do is say your lines and you'll get to enjoy the rest of your day in peace.

On your mark, Alec.

Short pause, Chase looks uneasy.

(murmurs, to Chase)

In three, two, one...

(clears throat, normal)

Good morning, Chase. Thanks for meeting with me this morning.

(unenthused)

Thanks for swinging by.

I'm sorry about all this. Truly. You must be in some real mental turmoil over all this.

Don't be sorry. It's my burden to carry. Which I do. I feel terrible, even though it... Even though it...

He glances around at the film crew. Flo gives a thumbs-up.

BEHIND HER, though, is Kris, with his arms crossed. He stares at Chase intimidatingly, almost like he's demanding.

Chase looks back at Alec.

You can just take it back to the start of your line. We'll cut around any hiccups.

It's... It's my burden to carry. Which I do. I... I feel terrible, even though it...

(deep breath)

Even though it wasn't my fault.

He glances to Flo, she exudes shock and anger.

Oh? Really? How's that?

He looks at the teleprompter: "Well, you see, I was driving some friends..."

Well, you see, I was um, I was driving some friends out for a night at the beach. We were just having a little campfire, enjoying our summer break off from school...

He looks back at where Flo was standing. She's gone.

Violet drives herself and Sam on the highway.

Violet looks ahead at the traffic in front of her.

I think a mile further until we merge with the 170, around there should be a good spot to set up.

Violet sees a highway exit a few lanes over, and quickly merges over, just in time to get off the highway.

Where are you going?

I have a better idea.

Violet steps up to the door, and rings the doorbell. Sam holds his camera case, nervous and unsure about this.

Mr. Jones won't like this.

Mr. Jones doesn't realize how happy he'll be when we boost his precious viewership numbers with this talk.

Why are you so confident you'll make some crazy break in the story?

Because if it's anyone that'll break this story, it's us. No one else has the experience. The know-how. The right.

The door opens, MR. WOOD and MRS. WOOD (50-60) answer.

Mr. And Mrs. Wood? My name is Violet Harris, and this is Sam Harris. We're with Channel four news. We would like to interview you about your daughter's accident with Chase Cohen last month.

Chase stares down at his phone as he paces around the room. On it is the interview they just shot in his living room. Flo sits quietly on his bed, watching him.

It's only been live for ten minutes, and there's already a thousand dislikes! This is nuts!

Stop letting it get to you.

How can I? They're attacking me! They all think they somehow know me, like I'm Thanos or something, when I didn't even do anything!

Flo stands up, rage slowly building.

What do you mean you didn't do anything?

I mean I couldn't have done anything different. To like, avoid this whole accident thing.

First, don't call this a "little accident thing"--

I didn't say little--

And second, yes, you could've. I offered to drive. If we spent a minute swapping seats, none of this would've happened. Don't tell me you believe all that crap they're feeding you.

What are you talking about, no one's feeding me anything.

Everything you said was from a teleprompter, that your dad wrote. Literally telling you what to say.

For my own good! They know how to get me out of this!

Now. They know how to get you out of this now. But what happened last month is gonna stay with you for the rest of your life if you don't deal with it!

Why are you talking in riddles? What do you mean by "deal with it?"

Therapy! Chase, we killed someone! That doesn't just go away when the protestors go away!

Chase paces around aimlessly. Distraught.

I couldn't... I couldn't have avoided that.

Yes you could've! You need to see the reality of this! It's one thing to pacify the public, but to believe in your own pacifying? I saw that twinge in your eye. You were believing that script as you said it. Please, you're better than that.

Pause. He sits back down, defeated.

What if I'm not? I tried to do the right thing, and it just led to more public outcry. More anger, more insults and name-calling from strangers that don't even know me. Theo, my dad, they care about my well being. Maybe they're right about how to handle this.

Flo sits next to him, and comfortingly holds his hands.

They're not. Theo's getting paid to solve this, he doesn't care about your well being. No one can choose how to properly handle this other than yourself. You choose how you want to handle them. How do you want to handle this? How do you want to heal from this? What's your gut telling you to do?

Short pause as he thinks.

I want to talk to her family.

Then that's what we'll do.

Flo gets up and walks over to the door. Then spins back to him, realizing he hasn't gotten up yet.

He's not gonna let us.

He gestures to a nearby poster of Kris in a superhero outfit.

Violet watches the interview video on her phone.

It's such a tricky situation. She should have dismounted her scooter as soon as she left the sidewalk.

Come on!

Annie comes up to Violet with a hoola hoop.

Auntie Vee-vee?

Violet glances between Annie and her phone as she says:

Just a second sweetheart, I need to get some urgent work done.

(disappointed)

Okay.

Annie patiently sits next to Violet.

She just appeared in front of me out of nowhere, while my light was green. For vehicles. There aren't even any lights for bicycles at that stop, why was she riding her scooter across a red light anyways?

You're right, that's so strange. Why did she make such a dangerous decision?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Some people just don't realize how close death truly is until he's staring you right in the eyes.

Truly.

Violet finally notices Annie beside her, and copies the video link. She opens her anonymous social media page, and types:

"Please don't let their paid interview spot fool you. This is all part of the show. They feel no remorse for their actions.

Don't forget what they've done! Don't let them get away with yet another murder. #FaceYourCrimes."

Then links the interview video below the text.

She posts the statement. It gets one like. Then two. Then five. Then twelve. Then twenty.

Violet can't believe it. Suddenly, it has fifty. One hundred!

I don't understand why people think like this! I didn't do it out of hatred, or some kind of deep seeded disgust for this woman, I don't even know her!

We PULL BACK from the social media post, to see we're in:

Chase looks at Violet's post on his own phone, the post now has ten thousand likes, and growing.

Flo shrugs.

I don't know, my friend just sent it to me too. Whoever made this, they're getting a lot of traction.

People really need an enemy, just like my dad said. They need someone to hate, I just don't understand why that has to be me.

It's because all your statements about it have been manufactured.

(exasperated)

I tried to be genuine, and they still came for me!

Words aren't enough.

Chase gives her a long look, then shoots up and exits.

Violet sits across from Mr. Jones, as they watch an interview on his television of Violet, Mr. Wood, and Mrs. Wood.

I can't air this! What were you thinking straying from your task?

Can't you see how big this is? This is so much better than reporting on some traffic.

I don't care, Vi, I can't air this. You wasted four hours of your work day producing something that is useless to us.

Sir, just give it a chance, those people out there protesting are still free views for everything we make about the Cohen's!

The protestors have been dwindling, Vi. This story is dead.

But sir--

He SLAMS his fist on the table, irate.

Violet! I said stop! It's done.

Pause on Violet, deeply upset.

Chase storms his way downstairs, Flo's just a bit behind him.

At the dining table, Kris, Theo, and five other MEN IN SUITS discuss something in a whispered tone.

Dante stands by the door with a second BODYGUARD. Kris, Dante, and the Bodyguard all watch Chase stomp to the door.

(to Chase)

Where you goin', buddy?

Out.

As Chase reaches the front door, Dante gets in his way.

Move, Dante. I'm going out.

Sorry, little man.

Move!

Chase tries to shove him, but to no avail.

Kris slowly makes his way over, almost like he's approaching a scared wild animal. Cautious, with care.

Where you goin', buddy?

What's it to you?

Your safety. Your livelihood. Your freedom, that's what it is to me. Where are you trying to go?

Pause.

I want to see the people suing us. I want to meet the families we hurt. Hear their side of all this. Tell them I'm sorry.

Kris chuckles, charmed by that.

I respect your sensitivity. It's admirable. It's the Cohen in you that wants to be their hero. But now isn't the right time for that. It's too fresh. We haven't even gone through the arraignment phase. Allow due process to have its way, and we can meet them once the case is settled.

I don't want to meet them in a year from now, I want to meet them now. People out there think I don't feel regret, that I'm not in constant pain about this.

Who's saying all this about you?

Chase shows Kris the anonymous social media post from Violet.

(to Theo)

What do we know about the page, Mr. Hollywood's Serialized Fall?

The five men in suits immediately begin typing rapidly.

Don't take it down!

Buddy. This, right here, is slander. They're making wildly unprovoked accusations about us. The longer we let these lies stay up, the more unknowing civilians will believe it.

Sir, with all due respect, if you get it forcefully taken down, won't they think there's truth to it?

(to Flo)

People will believe whatever gives them an escape from their own shitty lives. Anywhere they can direct their anger away from their own failures. We can't stop them from thinking what they want. All we can do is prove what we know, which is on our arraignment date, where we tell the world that--

(to Chase)

Chase. Is. Innocent. Going out there to give our opposition flowers and a hug? That gives them ammunition. They'll spin that as an attack. Harassment. Don't give them the opportunity to turn your good heart against you. That's exactly what happened when your mother passed. They turned the love of my life passing too soon against me. Do you understand, buddy? We're just looking out for you.

Chase looks to Flo. She's at a loss. He meekly nods to Kris.

Violet sits in the diner with Annie. Violet stares at her phone, watching her social media post take off.

A hundred thousand likes. A hundred and one thousand likes.

Annie, struggling to cut something, drops her knife.

Ah!

The CLATTERING of the knife snaps Violet back to reality.

Are you okay? What happened?

WAITRESS (30s) comes over and picks up the knife from the floor, then shoots Violet a dirty look as she gives Annie a second knife and walks off.

Annie struggles again to cut her food. Violet reaches over the table, takes her silverware, and cuts it for her.

How are the chicken tenders?

I dunno yet. You want one?

As Violet hands Annie her fork back, her phone vibrates. She checks it as one last look before putting it in her purse.

It's a notification from "GetWithIt Admin":

"Your account 'Mr. Hollywood And His Serialized Fall' has been permanently banned for spreading misinformation and..."

Violet YANKS her phone back out of her purse and opens the notification. Annie watches her, disheartened.

Violet doesn't notice. She looks at her page, which has been censored. All of her posts have been hidden, and replaced with the phrase "[deleted by admin]."

She switches profiles, and opens a different account: "Violet Harris - Journalist for Channel 4 News," with her headshot.

She has fifteen thousand followers. All her posts on this account are professional, diplomatic, and family-oriented.

She makes a new post, which she narrates for us:

"I was the owner of the social media account, "Mr. Hollywood And His Serialized Fall." The Cohens have screwed my family beyond repair, and now they're trying to censor me. I won't let that happen, until the day I die. I will see them all go to prison for what they did to **Liz Cohen**, for what they did to **Andrew Harris**.

Chase reads the post on his phone, fuming. Another home video with Liz and Young Chase plays in the background.

For what they did to **Jake Holland**, and for the one that might finally bring them down, **Adelaide Wood**. They know they can get away with murder, please Los Angeles, help me end their reign! Don't let up!"

He aggressively hands Flo his phone, she reads the post.

Why is she trying to ruin my life!?

That's not what she's--

Dad was right, she's pure evil.

I wouldn't call her evil.

Flo! She's calling me a murderer!

(in disbelief)

What?

Flo re-reads the post more carefully.

She wants me to go to prison over this! She said she won't stop until we're all in jail!

I don't think that's what she's saying. She's just saying she wants you to face a type of punishment.

(aggressive)

Like what, prison?

I mean...

She shrugs. Chase pauses, with a look of betrayal.

Do you think I deserve to go to prison?

What? No! I was just saying-

Because that's kind of what it's sounding like.

Chase, I think you should know me better than that.

I thought I did.

Chase. All I want is for you to see the flaws in your dad's thinking. That P.R. guy too, their logic is flawed. It's got merit, sure but, it's inherently flawed. That's all I've been trying to get you to see.

What part of it is flawed? The part where they want all this to end without me going to jail?

The part where they're victim-blaming! They're trying to blame a dead woman for dying! She can't fight back, she can't tell us her side of the story!

She has no side of the story, she crossed the light while it was RED!

That doesn't mean you can just bash her and expect no pushback! That's why those people out there are pissed! You're not taking accountability!

Pause.

(quiet)

Either you're with us, or you're with them. And it sounds like you've chosen your side.

Chase, please, I just want you to see the nuance in all this. Can't you see it's not as black and white as Theo and Kris make it out to be?

No. I can't. Not when my livelihood is at stake. My career. My legacy.

Pause. He takes a deep breath.

I think it's best if you leave.

Your livelihood and your legacy aren't at stake. This is just a sm--

(short burst of anger)

How the hell would you know that!?

He takes a short pause to recollect himself.

See you tomorrow, maybe.

Flo pauses, wanting to say something more, but Chase can't even look at her anymore. He's already made up his mind.

She quickly exits.

YOUNG VIOLET (11) watches ANDREW (50s) peer out through his blinds, suspicious.

There's a commotion at the house next door. Ambulance, too many police cars, news vans, everything.

The commotion is at Chase's Virginia home.

Dad?

Too engaged in the scene outside, he doesn't look at her.

Yes, sweetheart?

What's wrong?

All of that. You see all that out there? A crime was committed, but nothing's gonna come of it.

Young Violet turns to YOUNG SAM (14), he plays a video game from the late 2000's. He's too distracted to see all of this.

Sam, is dad okay?

Shush, I'm concentrating.

Andrew undoes the multiple locks on the front door.

I'm gonna go figure out what's going on.

Young Violet jumps to his side, ready to come with.

No. You stay here.

Andrew stops her back from following.

I'll be right back, alright?

Andrew exits the house, leaving the front door wide open.

As soon as he steps out, one of the police officers standing by Chase's house \*SHOOTS ANDREW IN THE HEAD!\*

Blood spurts out from the back of his head, he collapses to his knees. Young Violet SHRIEKS as Andrew falls to the floor.

Young Violet tries to exit through the open doorway, but an INVISIBLE DOOR blocks her. She POUNDS on the invisible door.

DADDY!

She POUNDS her fists, trying to break through, but with no luck. She runs over to Young Sam and tugs on his arm.

But Young Sam plays his game, as if he didn't hear or see any of what just happened.

Stop, leave me alone. I'm trying to beat the world record, here.

Daddy's hurt! We have to help him! We have to help him! Please help!

Stop it! You're ruining my run!

He yanks his arm away from her, side-eyes her like she's gone crazy, and turns back to his game.

Young Violet runs back to where Andrew bleeds out. Cops walk back to their cars, walking right over Andrew's dead body.

(to various cops)

Help! Please help him!!

None of them hear or see her, nor do they see Andrew's body, as they all nonchalantly walk back to their vehicles.

Vi?

Please help him!!! PLEASE!!!

Vi!

Violet wakes up in the passenger seat, her laptop is open. Sam drives them through traffic.

We'll be there in ten.

Oh... Thanks.

Violet stretches as she wakes herself up.

(sarcastic)

Nice nap? Snooping is really mentally taxing work, huh?

She looks at her laptop, it's on Chase's "GetWithIt" account.

Very.

She scrolls around.

Annie told me you were on your phone for a good bit of your time with her last weekend.

Work never ends.

Except it does when you're off.

She finds _t_he photo Chase posted at the beach with Flo. She clicks on Flo, a link to her PROFILE PAGE appears.

I'm not being ungrateful or anything. Don't take it like that. Thanks for watching her on date-night, but I mean your work can wait for a few hours, can't it?

She clicks on Flo's page, bringing her to the account "Flo On The Go." Most of her posts are of herself, cats, and poetry.

Actually, I don't think I should let you get away with calling this obsession "work."

Whatever. Call it what you want.

Pause.

We're almost there. You'll be done with your obsession in eight?

Violet doesn't respond, she's too engrossed in her snooping.

She clicks a button on top of Flo's page, labeled "Send a Private Message to Florence."

Vi? Eight?

This opened an empty page, no messages have been shared. Violet types: "Good morning Ms. Florence, My name is--"

A DVD is retrieved from the DVD player, and taken back to the storage box. Chase places it in the empty slot, then takes out the next in order. It's labeled "INTERVIEW August 2007."

On the front, there's an incredibly tiny bit of text. So small, we can almost barely tell there's writing on it.

Chase takes out his iPhone, opens the camera, and ZOOMS as far in as he can, until the tiny writing is legible.

"Scrapped take. Never aired. Stole from DIT for you."

Chase puts it into the DVD machine.

The video opens on YOUNG KRIS and LIZ sitting side-by-side, in the spotlight, at the Virginia House.

YOUNG ALEC sits across from them, holding some papers.

Are we rolling?

Rolling.

CAMERA OPERATOR, with a clapper, enters frame.

Interview promo for "Godzilla: Second Course," with the Cohen's, take two.

He CLAPS it, then vanishes behind the camera.

Chase looks behind him at a specific poster in his room. "Godzilla: Second Course." Liz is on it, playing the damsel in distress. Kris, though, is still the headliner.

(to Young Kris)

Alright, you guys ready? I won't ask the question about your home life this time around.

Good.

Young Alec clears his throat.

Good morning, Kris and Liz Cohen! Thanks for joining me this morning.

Thanks for having us. It's been a crazy month, but I'm glad we were able to fit you into our schedule.

That press tour is really putting you two through the ringer, huh?

Young Kris looks to Liz, suggesting that it's her line.

She looks away from them. Long pause.

Liz?

_Yo_u have been busy.

Don't do this. Don't DO THIS.

Young Kris aggressively stands up. Liz doesn't look at him.

I've given you everything you could ever want, and you're still causing issues?

Can we talk about this later?--

I've given you the world, the entire world, and you're still unhappy? What could I possibly do to make this easier for you!

Liz gestures to the camera crew.

Please, not in front of--

I'm churning my life away, working so you and Chase can have a great life, free of worry and pain, but somehow there are still worries in your stupid little head? How does that happen?

Liz stands up and matches his energy.

You're giving us everything except for a family! Chase wants his dad! You're always flying around doing all these stupid nonsensical movies-

Young Kris PUNCHES her near her right eye.

How dare you call my work nonsensical.

Long pause. Liz, appalled, glances to the crew members. Young Kris realizes his mistake and sobers up.

(avoiding eye contact)

Sorry, everyone. I lost my cool. Can we... Can we run it back?

Let's--

(clear throat)

Let's cut the cameras. Reset. Delete that clip.

The camera fumbles around, just before it gets CUT.

Chase stares at the blank television screen. Then whips out his laptop and types: "Godzilla Second Course interview."

He clicks on the first video that pops up. It's the same setting and scenario. There's something different about Liz now, though. She's a lot more reserved and quiet.

Chase zooms into her face, as far in as he can go. There's a discolored spot by her right eye, makeup covering the hit.

Violet impatiently watches Sam switch camera batteries.

You sure about this, Vi?

More sure than anything. Mr. Jones won't listen to reason. He'll thank us afterwards.

You. He'll thank you. Remember, I'm technically not apart of this little stunt of yours.

Right. Fine. Whatever.

Short pause. Violet fidgets uncomfortably, waiting for him.

You got another job lined up or something? Is this your Hail Mary?

I'll throw the Hail Mary when I'm on my death bed.

He laughs, thinking it's a joke, but stops short as he sees her stare. She's dead serious.

He nervously clears his throat and works on the camera.

Ms. Adams?

She spins around and walks toward:

Flo. On the street corner where the accident happened. Flo looks at the infamous spot, fearful and scared.

We're almost ready, Ms. Summers.

I don't know about this anymore, Ms. Adams. I think you're wrong about this opening Chase's eyes.

Why's that?

It... Feels like... There's another way to open his mind. I mean that's what we both want, right?

Of course. The best way is to talk to him, communicate. You tried that, right?

Yes, but--

Remind me how it went?

Pause, Flo looks away.

I know this sucks. I'm sorry, but he's too far gone. Just like Kris.

He's... He's actually not, when you get to know him. He's still sweet and humble and caring.

Was that his sweet, humble, and caring personality in his stupid P.R. interview stunt?

Pause. Flo looks away. Sam approaches with the camera.

Chase walks over to the window with the closed curtain. He peeks out. A dozen protestors outside. They're dwindling.

DAVE, the reporter, speaks at a newscaster desk on Chase's laptop, with a graphic of a wildfire in the corner.

(in the background)

The wildfire in Malibu is still burning, and has left some families without a home last evening. The fire department is currently wor...

While Dave talks in the background on Chase's laptop, his attention is stuck to the home video on his television.

Liz and Young Chase run around outside in their yard, by the lake. Chase doesn't look back at the news report, but we do:

I'm told we have an update on the wildfire with our very own Violet Adams, live on the scene. Violet?

The news channel transitions from the news station, to the _in_tersection with Violet and Flo.

Thanks, Dave. We're not in Malibu by the fire, but actually on the street corner where the fatal car accident, caused by-*allegedly*, allegedly caused by Chase Cohen, occurred only two weeks ago.

Chase glances at his laptop and sighs, what a nuissance.

We're here with a witness of the crash, to give us her detailed account.

(gestures to Flo)

This is Flo Summers, who was IN the vehicle with Chase when the accident occurred.

As soon as he hears the name Flo, he runs to his laptop, staring at it in disbelief. Petrified. Appalled.

Would you like to share your experience with us?

I... I don't know where you want me to begin.

Violet smiles nervously.

Why don't you tell us about that night. Didn't you and Chase start at a beach? That's where we're told the night began, right?

Chase shakes his head.

(murmurs)

No... Flo, please.

Yeah, we did.

Chase rubs his face, getting irritated.

And can you confirm, like one of your friends that night did on social media, that you were all drinking alcohol on the beach?

Well--

(far in the distance)

Bitch!

Chase, alerted, dashes out the room.

Chase runs downstairs where Kris, the full P.R. team, Theo, and Dante all crowd around the living room television. They're watching the same news report.

Get her off that station right fucking now!

Various P.R. members frantically nod, all of which have their phones glued to their ears, in the middle of phone calls.

This fucker is ruining everything! What does she think she's doing!?

Just then he realizes Chase is in the room, and makes him the forefront of his rage. He points at the TV.

What is she doing?

I-I-I don't... I don't know.

Get her off the fucking news before I go down there and do it myself!

Chase quickly pulls out his phone.

We're at the interview, live.

And then we were coming down this hill, and he hit a, um, a bump.

Chase, the tipsy designated driver, hit a bump? A rock? A squirrel?

No, he just, um, got a little too close to the curb I think.

She looks down at her pocket, we can see the outline of a brightened phone screen buzzing away. Chase's call attempt.

Pause, she presses a button on her phone through her pants. The phone screen goes dark.

I, uh, Sorry I lost my train of thought. It's all still so fuzzy.

Chase pulls the phone away from his ear.

(to Chase)

Well?

She ignored the call.

I got him!

Everyone looks at him, he covers his phone's speaker.

I got to the head of the station, he's about to cut their line.

MR. JONES STORMS his way down. Workers follow, all panicking.

Cut to the desk right goddamn now!

Everyone watches the television in anticipation.

So this is all new information to us. We were told Chase was of right mind, but you're confirming, as a witness in the car, that he was in fact still drunk, and even hit the curb a minute before the accident occurred. Please tell us and our audience, do you think that Chase Cohen is actually guilty?

It's... It's all just so--

Abruptly, the video cuts out and we see Dave at the desk again, caught off-guard, holding his ear-piece.

We, um, it seems we lost our connection to Violet, but we'll get her back as soon as--... I'm sorry folks, I misspoke, it appears that we won't be returning to that segment. Next up we have an update on the weather, again, here in Santa Monica. Klaus?

Kris shuts the TV off. The entire room is silent.

Kris sits down and rubs his face, exhausted. Long pause.

He gets up, glares at Chase for a beat, and walks upstairs.

(to Chase, smiling)

Don't worry Chase, we'll spin this. I suggest you politely knock some sense into your friend's head.

(gestures to Kris)

Before he does.

Theo then looks back to his laptop and types away.

BEGIN SEQUENCE OF SHOTS:

\* Protests outside the Cohen residence are PACKED. So many people on the road, cars are unable to drive through.

\* Someone puts up posters on scaffolding, boldly announcing: "Adelaide's death was not in vain, Cohen's are GUILTY!"

\* Graffiti on a busy LA Street Corner announces the same.

\* News Trucks all convene again in front of the Cohen Gate.

\* A BILLBOARD ON SUNSET BLVD HAS A GRAPHIC SHOWING KRIS AND CHASE IN PHOTOSHOPPED CLOWN OUTFITS!

\* Apartments, homes, and businesses have banners/signs hanging out their windows calling the Cohens murderers.

\* A vendor outside MacArthur Park sells banners and signs.

What in the world were you thinking?!

END OF SEQUENCE.

Violet and Mr. Jones stand on either side of his desk, in the heat of an argument.

I was doing my job, telling the news. Flo's a huge part of this story, she refused every interview, except for ours! Don't you see how big that is? We saved this story!

I don't care, Violet! You almost screwed us! You almost screwed our entire station!

How? That clip of me and Flo is all over the internet. It's all anyone's talking about. Look!

She pulls out her phone and opens GetWithIt. Every post on her feed is some variation of the interview. Shortened snippets, heavily edited versions, talking heads reacting.

All these second-hand videos of the interview has like a combined two billion views. And still growing.

And we saw how much of that web traffic? On our cable channel? On our anything? Of those two billion, how much ad revenue did we see?

Pause. She doesn't know how to respond.

A few thousand. That's it. And now our sponsors are pissed at me. My bosses are breathing down my goddamn neck because of your stupid stunt! What were you thinking!?

Who are our sponsors? Let me speak with them.

Why, so you can give your little ethics spiel? No. You've been giving me all this extra work that I didn't want, and never should've had to deal with at all. I'm sick of it. You're making everyone's jobs harder. It's done. Over.

What... What do you mean?

This is your two weeks.

No... Sir, please--

I'll write you a great letter, based on the real you that I've known for four years, not who you've become these last months.

She shakes her head in disbelief.

Please don't do this.

His phone rings, he looks down, visibly distraught by the caller ID. Violet glances at it too: _¨_DANTE C."

I gotta take this.

(answers the phone)

Good afternoon, sir.

Who's Dante C? Is tha--

(hushed, to Violet)

I'm sorry. Really. Best of luck.

(into phone)

Yes, it's been dealt with. It's been handled.

She storms out the office.

Kris stands at his window, which looks out to the back of the house. Protestors are there, too, as well as POLICE OFFICERS standing guard.

This needs to end.

I'm not entirely sure how. Our people are at the top of their fields, they're handling it the best they can.

That's not enough! They're getting too close, this is going to screw us all. You need to "end" this. With the girl. Who knows when she'll open her mouth again.

Dante shakes his head and chuckles in disbelief.

You don't mean Flo...

Kris stares back at him, no lightheartedness in sight.

I can't. Not Flo. She's one of us. She's been in Chase's life, our lives, since we moved to the east coast ten years ago. She's family.

Then why did she out her own family on the goddamn news!?

Pause. Dante looks down. Kris strolls over and puts his hand on Dante's shoulder.

She left this family the moment she agreed to meet with Violet. Who, mind you, did the same thing. When I said this will screw us all, I meant all of us. You're still part of this family. I urge you to stay with us. Don't make me drop you back where I found you. Or worse. With all the work you've done for us, that wouldn't be difficult.

Dante, ashamed, weakly shakes his head.

Aright then.

Kris pats his shoulder, and walks back to the window. Without looking back at Dante, he says:

Text me when it's done.

Dante, with nothing left to say, somberly exits.

Flo sits with two UNSEEN FRIENDS (18). They all hold red solo cups, a bottle of liquor nearby.

Flo stares at her phone as they talk amongst themselves:

It's so bizarre, I've never seen so many people up there in my life.

She has sent MANY texts to Chase, mostly along the lines of:

"I'm sorry," "I had to. You weren't listening to me," and "Please call me, let's talk about it."

He's read all of them, but hasn't responded.

I bet half the city didn't realize they even lived up there.

Yeah exactly, now the whole county knows. Right, Flo?

Pause. She didn't hear.

Helllooooo? Earth to Flo?

She looks up, confused as she returns to reality.

Sorry?

Take her cup, she's had enough.

Chill, she had a tough week. Right?

I... I don't wanna talk about it.

Hey we're not knockin' you for what you did, we're on your side.

For real, what you did out there was killer. Mad respect.

I dunno. I should've just talked to Kris and Chase directly, not broadcast it behind their backs.

Oh come on, do you really think they would've listened to you?

Doubt it. We hear the stories people say about him, too. It's the Cohen way, or the highway.

I could've at least tried!

Pause. Flo looks away. Then picks up her bag.

I gotta go.

She walks off.

Flo drives down a two-lane road, on a mountainside. Not a home in sight. There's one car behind her.

She looks at Chase's contact for a beat, then presses "Call."

Ring-ring-ring...

Ring-ring-ring...

As he picks up, Flo swashes around in her seat, visibly anxious, waiting for him to say something.

Stop texting me, stop calling me, I don't want to talk to you--

Chase, please, I made a mistake. I'm sorry, I'm really--

He scoffs, cutting her off.

You literally made everything worse, and now you say you're sorry? Sure, uh-huh, I bet you are.

I... I didn't mean for this to turn into such a big thing.

Yet here we are, with hundreds of people outside on my door. Again! What did you think was gonna happen, they'd all suddenly understand all this nuance you've been talking about?

I, I didn't mean for this--

I don't care what you meant to happen, your decision to stab us in the back forced us to square one. I'll call you back when everything blows over, or something.

Wait--

He hangs up on her. Pause.

The car behind her suddenly drives into the ONCOMING LANE and matches her speed.

(re: the car)

What are you...

The other car inches into her lane, shoving her off the road and toward the mountainside. Flo slows down and HONKS.

What are you doing!

The other car OVERTAKES her and cuts in front.

Idiot.

The other car slows down even more, causing Flo to slow down, until both come to a full stop in the middle of the road.

Come on, move!

She HONKS a few times. Until TWO SKI-MASK MEN, in all black and gloves, get out of the other car and walk toward her.

(mutters)

No, no-no-no-no-no.

She quickly reverses. Then as she puts the car back into drive, one of the men takes out a PISTOL.

She hits the gas pedal, the engine revs--

\*POP-POP-POP!\*

Flo's car swerves and CRASHES into the mountainside. The two men nonchalantly walk up to her.

One of them pulls off his mask. It's _D_ante.

Sorry, Flo.

He opens the door and kneels, she's out-cold and bleeding.

C'mon, hurry up.

He kisses two fingers, presses them against her forehead. Then the two sprint back to their car.

BEGIN MONTAGE: somber music plays.

Violet stands at her wall of those that are deceased, with red strings connecting them to Kris at the top.

She's in tears, gripping a photo of Flo. She sticks it to the wall and wraps red string around her, connecting her to Kris.

Chase, also in tears, glares at his phone. He's on GetWithIt. Every post is an homage to Flo and her theorized homicide:

"You were an actual angel. I can't believe you're gone. F\*ck the Cohens for #(Allegedly) taking you from us."

"Who could have ever had any beef with Flo? Other than the one person she spoke out about...? Makes you think... F\*ck the Cohens for #(Allegedly) killing an innocent young girl."

"You were the best person. #(Allegedly) F\*ck the Cohens!"

He CHUCKS his phone at the wall and weeps into his pillow.

Violet drives, still in tears, rage burning strong.

Chase goes on a deleting spree, removing every single post on his social media page, BESIDES the photo of him and Flo.

Outside the Cohen gate, the crowd is FUMING! Protestors shouting, raising their signs, making their voices known.

Violet moves from within the crowd, charging toward the gate.

Chase types out a new message:

"I detest what's occurred, and I denounce my last name and its legacy. I'm no longer a Cohen. F\*ck the Cohens."

Violet reaches the gate, at the front of the protestors.

She stands opposite Dante. She glares daggers at him.

He looks away, ashamed. Then whispers into the guard holding the gate's ear.The gate opens, she marches in.

Other protestors try to push their way in too, but Dante and the other Security Guards stop them.

Chase's thumb hovers over the post button. Hesitating.

He presses it.

END OF MONTAGE.

Chase looks at his post only seconds old. Worried, but proud.

The likes start coming in. As do the comments:

@HappyPappy24: "Finally! The man, the myth, the legend takes responsibility! #ScrewTheCohens #ProudOfYou."

@WitchesBeTrippin: "I'm lowkey really surprised, didn't think he had it in him. Good on you, Chase! #ScrewTheCohens."

And plenty more, hundreds turn into a thousand. Two thousand. Three thousand. Four thousand. Skyrocketing.

Chase smiles, triumphant. Until:

(muffled, in the distance)

How dare you!

He gets up.

The protestors' shouting and chanting can be heard in the background throughout the following scene.

Violet stands in the doorway, Dante stops her from entering. She's fuming, glaring at Kris, who's in the living room.

Who do you think you are? You don't get the right to take her life!

Kris shrugs, with an exaggeratedly worried expression. Jesse, his lawyer, whispers in his ear.

I don't know what you're talking about, Ms. Adams. And if you continue to make wildly untrue accusations, we'll have to press charges.

The least you could do is own up to it. Actually, if you can't own up to your own wife, why would you own up to a poor random girl. That's all she was to you, after all.

Jesse whispers in his ear again.

Miss, I think you need to take your crazy behavior elsewhere. You have no business insulting me on my property.

I can't wait to see you behind bars, Kris. And you know what I'm gonna do when I get there? I'm gonna make sure every man, woman, and child on this planet knows how many people you've hurt. Every heart you've broken ever since you were born.

Jesse tries to whisper in his ear, but Kris pushes him back.

Best of luck with that.

Kris makes a gesture to Dante, who then SHOVES her out the house. She barely catches herself from falling.

For a brief moment, she and CHASE, who's high up on the staircase, make prolonged eye contact. The door SLAMS.

Kris sighs, surprisingly satiated by that interaction.

Well that was fun. Can we work on a cease and desist fro her? She'll be a bigger pain in the coming days.

We're on it.

Jesse opens his phone and sends a few texts.

(afraid)

Mr. Jacobs, we have an emergency.

What's that?

Theo's jaw nearly drops as he looks at Short P.R Rep's phone.

He didn't...

(to Short P.R. Rep)

Call Meta, get access to his G.W.I. account right now.

(to Kris)

Um, Mr. Cohen, we're gonna need you to talk with your son about--

(shouts at his phone)

You motherfucker!

Kris looks up the staircase, just in time to see Chase scurrying away. Kris storms after him, Theo follows.

Chase sprints down the hall for his bedroom door. Kris' stomping up the stairs crescendoes, not far behind.

You fucking worthless idiot, what do you think you're doing? Where do you think you're GOING!?

Just as Kris is within arms reach, Chase SLAMS his door shut.

Chase locks the door, Kris aggressively tries to open the doorknob. Then POUNDS RELENTLESSLY.

You fucking idiot, let me in!

Chase runs to the opposite side of the room, aghast.

Suddenly Kris goes quiet for a beat. Soft whispering comes from the other side of the door, but we can't make it out.

(calm)

Hey, buddy. Sorry for yelling. We just wanna talk. Why did you decide to post an outrageously stupid and ridiculous comment?

Pause. Chase is too afraid to respond.

Buddy?

Mr. Cohen, we can't help you if you don't talk to us. We just want to help you get out of all this. You know that, don't you?

I don't know. I don't know who you are, I don't know who anyone in this house is. Leave me alone.

Why don't you open the door and let us in. We can talk it out.

No.

(barely audible)

This little piece of shit.

Suddenly we hear someone running up the stairs.

Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Cohen, I retrieved access to his account. I'm taking the social media post down now.

Chase, in a new panic, whips out his phone and opens the app.

He has access to his GetWithIt account for a brief second, then gets kicked off and put onto the Sign-in page.

No. No! Give it back!

Kris chuckles. Chase desperately tries to reset his password.

Buddy, we tried to let you help, but you're choosing to go AWOL. You've lost your social media privileges until further notice.

Go tell the team to start on an apology post if they haven't yet.

An admin message appears on his phone: "Please check for a temporary code under the email address, "Theo.Jacobs@..."

Yessir.

Short P.R. Rep's footsteps can be heard leaving the hallway.

You know what, buddy? Maybe it's best if you stay in there. We can avoid anymore miscommunications and hurdles you might throw our way. Don't you agree, Theo?

That might be best, Yes. No rush Mr. Cohen, join us downstairs again when you're ready.

Two more pairs of footsteps head downstairs, until we can't hear them anymore. Leaving us in silence.

Once Chase is sure they're gone, he falls to his knees, holding them tight. He sniffles, lost and alone.

The doorbell rings. Violet, coffee mug in-hand, walks over.

She opens the door to Dante, accompanied by Jesse and two more LAWYERS (all in suits).

Ms. Violet Adams?

Violet can barely take her eyes off of Dante.

Yes?

Jesse hands her a beige folder with a packet of papers in it.

You've been served a cease and desist. Not only have you been harassing my clients, the Cohens, for years on your various social media accounts, you showed up to their door unannounced and hurled unfounded insults. I advise you to leave them alone moving forward.

I advise you to suck a dick.

I understand you're irritated, but--

(to Dante)

Is this really what you want to be doing? He's gonna cut you off as soon as you're of no use to him, just like what he did to Flo. You know that, right?

Dante keeps a stoic appearance about him.

If you think you're immune, I "advise" you to think again.

(to Jesse and lawyers)

Can you give us a minute?

(murmurs)

As your lawyer, I don't recommend--

It's fine, I'll just be a second.

(to Violet)

Good day.

Jesse and the posse of Lawyers leave.

I never thought I'd see the day you needed lawyers all around you. How connected are you to all of his--

What do you want, Violet?

Didn't you hear me yesterday? I want justice.

I heard you. I want to know what you really want. What is it deep inside you that yearns to see Kris suffer? He was a second father to you and Sam when Andrew passed.

Violet scoffs.

(rhetorical/suspicious)

And why did he become a second father? What happened to my dad? Should we go down that path?

Dante throws his hands up, defeated.

I don't know what you want me to say, Violet. I won't feed into your whacked-out mental gymnastics. I'm sorry you lost him without any answers, he was a good guy, but you can't blame us for all of your problems.

Pause. Violet is fuming.

Get off my property.

Best of luck to you, Violet.

Chase watches his television. A home video of Liz, Young Chase, and YOUNG DANTE playing catch together.

Young Chase throws a football to Young Dante.

Woah, good throw!

He then throws it to Liz, and so on.

Chase looks at his phone. It's his text chain with Violet. She's sent a message every week, asking how he's doing, and if he'd like to talk. He hasn't responded to any of it.

Until now: "You free tomorrow? I can't leave the house."

\*Knock knock knock\*

Hey little man, I heard what happened. Brought you some dinner. Can I come in?

Pause. Chase gets up and unlocks his bedroom door. Dante enters with a plate of food.

Thought you might be hungry.

They sit together on the bed. Chase nibbles as they chat.

(re: television)

Wow is this what you've been up to?

Young Chase tosses the ball to Young Dante.

That's the kickoff! Can Chase Cohen catch him?

Young Dante pretends to march down a football field. Young Chase tries to tackle him.

Liz picks up the camera and follows them. They chase one another around this beautiful backyard, lake behind them.

Young Dante moves slowly so that Young Chase can keep up. Eventually he's caught, and Young Dante pretends to be tackled to the ground.

Ohhh, he got meee!

The two giggle together. We look back at Chase and Dante, smiling as they reminisce.

Do you remember that day?

Like it was yesterday.

Mom vanished a few months later.

Hm.

Pause.

Did...

Pause.

Did she seem different, at all? In her last few months leading up to her disappearance?

Not that I can recall.

What about dad?

Dante, feigning cluelessness, shakes his head.

Not just dad, everyone. Y'know, I've been watching all these old home videos mom made for me. Something seems off, in... In everyone's attitudes near the end.

(intrigue/worry)

In what way?

I don't know, I can't really put my finger on it.

Did you find any details in them that might hint at what happened to her? Where she might've gone?

(suspicious)

... No.

Well, let me know if anything changes on that front.

Dante pats his shoulder, and gets up. He walks toward the door, until:

Do you remember the day she vanished? When all the cops showed up to look for her? Dad was really friendly with a lot of them. I never understood why.

Dante turns back to the television and nods, politely hearing him out before making his exit.

It's... It's silly, but... I remember the night before she left, she said something I've never forgotten. She had just put me to bed, closed the book we read, shut off the light. Then leaned in, kissed my cheek, and said... "I might be going away for awhile. But it's not because of you. It's daddy's wishes." I've never told anyone that. Not even dad. What do you think she meant by that?

I think you might be misremembering.

Except-... Except I'm not. I can't be. It was so out of the ordinary, I remember it so clearly.

Dante walks back over and sits next to Chase on the bed.

Have you ever heard the story of the Cat and Mouse in Partnership?

Chase shakes his head.

Throughout the story Dante tells, we see beautiful drawings of the story in a 1970's children's book type of style.

A mouse and cat, two unlikely friends, agree one fall evening, that in order to survive the coming winter, they should stockpile a pot of food. So they prepared a pot of delicious food to store somewhere that no-one would find. "How about the church?" said the cat, knowing no one would steal from a church. "We'll keep it beneath the alter, and only take from it when winter comes." So they keep it safe under the alter and agreed to let it be. Well, one day, still during the fall season mind you, the cat felt a little hungry. "Guess what," said the cat, "my cousin has brought a little son into this world. I'm to hold him over the fountain at the christening. Let me go out today, and you look after the home by yourself." And the mouse agrees. The cat, although, had no cousin due for birth. No nephew. Instead, he goes out to the church, and eats off the top of the pot of food. Then returns at night. The next day the cat, still hungry, makes up another excuse. "My cousin has had twins! Glorious day!" He cries. So the mouse sees the cat off. Unbeknownst to the mouse, again the cat has eaten some more food. This goes on, until winter finally arrives. As the cat and mouse have run out of food in their storage, the mouse decides it's time to take from their stockpile in the church. Surprise surprise, the pot's empty. "Alas!" Said the mouse, "Now I see what has happened, you've eaten all our food!" And the cat says, "hold your tongue, Mouse, I don't want to hear another word, or I will eat you too." Before these words rung true in the mouse's ear, he had already begun his next sentence. "I won't be silen--," and before he could get a fourth word out, the cat pounced up, seized him, and devoured the poor mouse whole.

Long pause.

Dante pats Chase's shoulder with an eerie smile.

Goodnight, little man.

Dante walks out.

BZZT - his phone goes off. Text from Violet, "Zoom @ 8am?"

Chase, with earphones in, fidgets in his chair, unable to sit still. The nerves are too overwhelming.

He stares at an email link to a zoom call. He clicks it.He waits in the zoom call, alone. 8:00am.

Suddenly, Violet appears on the other end of the call. She shoots him a nostalgic smile.

Dude, no way. I... Hey!

Her contagious smile has infected Chase.

Hey. Good to see you again.

You too. We... We have to catch up eventually, but I don't think this is the right time.

Yeah.

So um... I... I originally wanted to... Well... I'm... I'm sorry.

Do you feel guilty?

Of course. I regret making her cannon fodder in this fight. I wish I could take it back, but that's a pointless excursion.

Why did you write so many posts about us? I saw your account, you've been active for years.

I'm only combating your dad, he's trying to suppress reality. None of it is about you. It's Kris I want to see taken down. You shouldn't have been in the middle of all this. You deserve so much better.

He looks down, unsure if that's even true.

Maybe.

Pause.

That post that was up on your GetWithIt account. Was that from you? Before they took it down?

He nods.

Ever since the Liz and my dad, and their respective "accidents." I've been working on something.

She turns her camera, showing her wall of photos and string.

Oh...

I know this makes me look crazy, but there's something here. Flo was just another casualty to Kris.

Do you have any proof?

Not... Not on me, but Kris does. He has the proof. You know those DVD's your mom made for you?

How... Do you know about those?

Your dad's hiding one from you.

He leans in, intrigued.

Chase watches a home video on his TV. Liz and Young Chase read a book together, they're on the last page.

They all lived happily ever after.

She closes the book and smiles warmly at Young Chase. She leans in and kisses his cheek.

I love you very much.

I love you too, mom.

Sweetheart, I might be going away for a little while.

Chase perks up and leans toward the television.

And I need you to know it's not because of you. If I could, I would stay until the last moment I could. But daddy has other plans. He hasn't been happy with me, and I him, for a long while.

When will I see you again?

Not until you're much older.

She kisses his cheek once more, then gets up. She picks up the camera, shuts off the light, and lingers in the doorway.

She smiles at him, but looks like she's about to break into tears. Then exits into the hallway.

As soon as the door shuts, she talks in whispers to us.

This is the second to last video I'm making for you. I wish I could make more, but, well... Um... So there's going to be one more.

Chase looks at his storage box of DVDs, this is the last.

(hushed)

It didn't fit in the box, so I'll leave it in our favorite secondary box. I hope you find it, and that you know what to do with it. Finish what I couldn't. I love you.

She blows a kiss to the camera, the video ends.

Chase, frozen by what he just saw, thinks for a beat.

Then SHOOTS up from his seat and runs to his closet.

He scours the messy walk-in closet, throwing anything he doesn't want out of his way. Clothing. Socks. Board games.

Finally, in the far back corner, covered in dust, he finds a plastic box filled with LEGOs. He opens it. No DVD.

He digs around, trying to find something. Nothing.

He picks up the box, and POURS all of his thousands of LEGO pieces onto the floor. They CLATTER to the floor. No DVD.

We hear a soft \*knock knock knock.\*

Hey buddy, you up? Time for your suit fitting.

Chase looks at the door, he clearly forgot.

Chase and Dante sit on the side, as TAILOR (60s) finds Kris' measurements and lengths.

And that's when the fisherman said, "I caught two bass. One in the ocean, one in the bar!"

Dante and Tailor laugh. Chase doesn't.

(to Chase)

Mopey Milly over here doesn't get the joke?

It's not funny.

Not funny? That joke's hysterical.

(to Tailor)

The kid is almost a near perfect clone of me, except for the sense of humor department.

I am nothing like you.

Awkward beat.

Your mannerisms aren't like mine? Your meal planning isn't like mine? Your career isn't looking like mine? the clothes you wear aren't like mine? Those aren't posters of my films lining your bedroom walls?

Chase looks down at his clothes, comparing his and Kris'. They're both wearing tight jeans and a button-down.

Chase takes his button-down off.

I need to change a few things.

Kris breaks away from Tailor and strolls over to Chase.

Like your attitude? I think you need to be reminded how you got here. How lucky you are to have a custom suit fitted for you, without spending a dime. How fortunate you are to have food on your plate, made from a private goddamn chef.

Kris towers over Chase, then leans down, face-to-face.

What's the one thing I haven't heard from you, not even once? A thank you. Before you get pissy, I suggest you say "thank you for the privileges I've been given." Or you can ignore how good you've had it, and denounce the family name you've been trained to honor for the last eighteen fucking years.

All you've offered me is trauma and an empty home, which the country thinks you had something to do with. Did you?

The country is full of imbeciles. Do you want to go out there and be one of them? Might as well, you're already acting like one.

I learned from the best.

Awkward beat.

I don't understand why you're being such a little brat. I've only been trying to save you from yourself for the last three weeks.

Chase defiantly stands, matching Kris' energy, a foot short.

No you don't, you're just trying to protect yourself and your precious "family name." Not once have you asked me what I wanted.

(matching his volume)

I'm so sorry, I should've asked you if you wanted freedom or time in prison, how rude of me!

That's alright, I know you're incapable of thinking about anyone else other than yourself.

Kris is FUMING. He looks like he's about to hit Chase. Chase sees it too, and bolts out the store.

Chase runs up the stairs. On his way toward his bedroom, he passes Kris' office. Then turns back and tries the doorknob.

It's locked. He crouches to the floor and tries to peek in through the bottom of the doorframe.

The front door opens and SLAMS shut.

Chase!

Chase climbs to his feet and bolts for his bedroom door.

Chase swiftly enters, shuts the door, and locks it.

(growing louder)

You got some big fat mouth on you, and now you're trying to run?!

Kris tries the doorknob. He HITS the door with his body.

(under his breath)

Little prick.

We hear keys jingling. Short pause.

The DOORKNOB begins to turn, and click, until it SWINGS open. Kris storms his way in.

He didn't think about what to do once he entered. He sees Chase's laptop on the bed and snatches it. Chase tries to grab it first, but he's too slow.

Hey!

Kris holds his laptop up in the air threateningly, as if he's about to turn it into a weapon. Chase steps back.

Kris Then holds his hand out.

Give me your phone.

Pause. Chase doesn't move.

I swear to God, if you don't give me that goddamn--

Kris lunges forward and reaches for Chase's pocket.

Stop!

Chase tries to push him back, but he's too weak. Kris snatches his phone and storms out the room.

Chase sits for a beat. Then SCREAMS at the top of his lungs. He looks at his wall, a poster of Kris. He rips it down.

Then looks to his left, another poster of Kris. Without thinking, he tears it down from his wall.

Then a third. Fourth. Fifth. Next thing we know, every poster in the room has been torn. Only corner shards remain, but every inkling of Kris is torn to shreds, littering the floor.

Chase heaves, exhausted. Then reaches for his pockets, forgetting he no longer has his phone.

(mutters)

Violet...

He looks around, trying to figure out what technology he has.

Violet sits in her car. She's parked down the road from the protests, they're still loud and rowdy. She's within view of Chase's bedroom window and watches for any signals.

Then texts him: "Hey, did you find it?"

Kris sits at the dining table with his team of people. Chase's phone vibrates, he glances at it. He frowns.

She waits for a beat, until Chase calls her. She picks up.

Hey, are you alright?

INTERCUT PHONE CONVERSATION--

You just don't know when to leave well enough alone, do you?

Violet freezes, visibly shaken up by this.

If a cease and desist won't stop you from trying to ruin our lives, what will?

You ruined your own life.

Pause.

Did you feed your lies into Chase's head? Is that why he made his stupid posts online?

Unlike you, he prioritizes personal dignity, truth, and acceptance.

What does that even mean?

You'll find out soon enough.

Violet hangs up on him, breath shaky.

Chase searches his closet for any kind of solutions.

He looks through his box of books. Notebooks. Schoolwork.

Finally, at the very bottom, covered in dust, he finds a box full of old toys from his childhood.

He opens it and digs around. Finding exactly what he was looking for, he pulls it out like a diamond in the ruff.

The _W_ALKIE TALKIE TOY from the home video with Young Violet.

Violet, bouncing leg, anxious, watches the protestors.

She sees Chase's bedroom curtain shift around, and leans in, trying to see what he's doing.

Chase peeks his head out just a little, and scans the crowd.

Violet gets out of her car.

She waves her arms frantically, trying to help him find her.

He does. He glances down at the walkie talkie in his hands, with just his eyes to avoid drawing unwanted attention.

Violet's eyes go wide. She understands. She hops back in her car and ZOOMS down the road.

Violet sprints in, bee-lining for her closet. Not finding what she's looking for, she sprints for the next room.

The entire apartment is a mess, all hope seems lost, until she gasps. She clutches the dusty walkie-talkie toy.

Chase sits at his desk, staring at his walkie talkie.

BZZZT! Chase picks his head up.

(staticky, and LOUD)

Chase? Do you read me?

Chase panics, the volume is FAR too loud. He quickly grabs it, decreases to the lowest volume and holds it like a phone.

(hushed)

Yeah! He... Kris took my phone.

Figured. Is the plan still on?

Still on. Ready whenever you are.

Violet marches over to join the crowd of protestors.

From within the crowd, she THROWS her walkie talkie into the air, to the LEFT side of the house. Everyone, including Dante and his security guards, watch it fly.

What was that!?

Three security guards run over to where the walkie talkie lands. Violet runs to the RIGHT side of the gate, where security guards and protestors aren't looking.

She hops the gate.

Chase waits anxiously. We hear a commotion in the distance. He sneaks over to his bedroom door and creeks it open.

Chase only opens it enough so that he can barely peek out.

The commotion is louder, it's Violet and Dante's voices, among three others. We can't hear what's being said.

Kris exits his office, IRATE. He swiftly stomps his way down, leaving his office door just barely open.

(grumbling)

So sick of this, these people need to get a goddamn life.

(louder)

Who's harassing us now!?

Once Kris clears the staircase, Chase quietly exits his room and enters the office.

Dante holds Violet back from entering the house. She SHOUTS and HOLLERS at everyone inside.

Kris walks down the stairs and approaches her, over it.

When will you leave us alone?

Never. Don't you get it? You don't deserve to be left alone!

Chase quietly shuts the door. He scans the room. Then sneaks over to the filing cabinet. He tugs - it's locked.

He opens the desk drawer with all of Kris' key rings.

Same situation, Violet is doing her part, causing a ruckus. Jesse, their lawyer, records everything on his phone.

Just wait until the world finally figure out how evil you truly are!

Kris enjoys the banter, arms crossed, grinning.

(egging her on)

Oh yeah? What's gonna happen then?

Your head'll be on a goddamn platter. The only thing stopping those people out there from ending your misery is the guards you're paying off! As soon as they figure out they're on the wrong side of history, you're done for.

(hushed)

Violet, stop. This is getting sad.

(to Dante)

What's sad is how gone you are. You used to be exude heart, and kindness. Now you're just a goon without a soul.

Kris slides over to Jesse.

(whispers)

Can I get my gun now? At what point am I allowed to stand my ground?

(whispers)

Now. Don't shoot, just threaten.

Kris heads upstairs. Violet's eyes go wide, afraid.

(screaming)

DON'T YOU GO **UPSTAIRS**! I'M TALKING TO YOU! COME BACK HERE, DON'T--

Chase separated all the car keys onto one side, leaving five other key rings. He takes one and tries the cabinet. No luck.

He tosses it back into the drawer and pulls out another.

(screaming)

Don't you go **upstairs**, how dare you walk **upstairs** away from me!

Chase perks up, looking for somewhere to hide. He opens the closet, but there's no room to slip in.

Under the desk is too obvious. Then he looks at the window. The window's screen hasn't been replaced yet.

He steps up, opens the window, and sneaks out onto the roof.

Chase closes the window and curves around, so he can't be seen from inside, and lies down.

Just in time, before Kris enters the office. He grumbles to himself as he orients himself.

Chase looks at the protestors from the backside of the house.

None of them see him, they're all shout and aim their anger at the police and security guards right in front of them.

Kris pulls out a PISTOL from under his desk. Just before leaving, he notices the key drawer is open.

He looks around, then out the window, just barely missing Chase. Moving on, he closes the drawer and exits the office.

Chase carefully re-enters the office.

He heads back to the cabinet and tries the key in his hand. \*Click.\* He opens it and sifts through the folders within.

\*Evidence on Chase.\*

\*Evidence on Dante.\*

Chase's curiosity beats him, and he peeks inside the folder.

We don't get to see, but Chase's eyes widen in surprise.

He wakes up from this detour, closes it, and keeps looking through the folder names.

\*Evidence on Theo.\*

\*Evidence on Violet.\*

\*Evidence on Jesse.\*

\*Evidence on Liz.\* He opens it. Inside is a DVD labeled "Chase's last tape," next to a folder called "Love letters."

He snatches the DVD case, hands shaking in disbelief, and bolts out the room.

Chase stares at the DVD in his hands.

He hesitantly puts it into his DVD player, and sits back.

We watch his horrified reactions as the video plays. Disgusted. Ashamed. It's too much for him, he takes it out.

PROTESTS from outside grab his attention, louder than ever before. Chase hops to his window and peers outside to see:

A COP CAR parked inside their gate. FOUR POLICE OFFICERS walk hand-cuffed Violet toward it, she fights the entire way.

They violently shove her into the cop car. The security guards open the gate to let the cop car out, without letting protestors in.

Chase stares down, distraught. This wasn't the plan.

Chase, in a hoodie, looks down at his phone. He's surrounded by lawyers, Kris, and P.R. People.

Kris chats softly with Theo and Jesse, regarding a game-plan.

Chase feels his inner breastplate pocket, we see the _o_utline _of_ the DVD case when he presses down.

On his phone is a social media post about Flo's funeral service. Time, date, etc...

The last of the posts we see discusses the burial service.

Chase defiantly walks up to Kris, Theo, and Jesse. He shows them the social media video.

I'm going to Flo's burial service.

Kris nearly laughs in his face.

Sure you are, buddy.

Theo puts a hand up, in a way that asks for their attention.

May I ask why?

She was my best friend for eight years, and my girlfriend for two. Why wouldn't I?

(to Kris)

This could be beneficial in the public's eye. Yes we're not doing too great at the moment, but this shows you have sympathy and love.

Kris thinks. Then sighs.

Chase sits by the door, squeezed in with Theo and Jesse in the back. Kris sits in the front, Dante drives.

They're in the garage as the car revs up.

Everyone ready? It's gonna get a little crazy out there.

They all mumble agreements. The garage door opens, revealing the protestors on the street. Guards walk them to the gate.

The two dozen security guards open the gate, allowing them to leave. More Security Guards force the protestors back.

That doesn't stop them from crowding around the car.

Chase stares down at the car's lock mechanic.

As they reach the heart of the protesting crowd, he takes a deep breath. Then UNLOCKS the car, opens the door, and DIVES out of the vehicle. All in quick succession.

(feigning scared)

Help!

Then quickly ducks and rolls out of the car.

Oh shit!

Theo tries to grab him, but he's already gone. One of the protestors tries getting in the car, Theo SHUTS the door.

Kris looks back at them.

What happened?

(re: missing Chase)

Where is he?

Theo and Jesse share a terrified glance.

Chase covers his face with his hoodie and looks down at the ground. He glances up occasionally to make sure he knows where he is, then makes a bee-line as soon as he sees:

SAM, with his camera on his shoulder, watches the chaos unfold. Chase approaches him, still keeping his head down.

Sam.

Sam looks at him strangely. Until it clicks.

Oh shit, you're--

Shh! Please, I'm... Yes, I am.

Chase clears his throat and lowers his voice's octave as he searches pocket.

Violet's been arrested. I need you to play this on your news channel.

Chase tries to sneak him the DVD case.

No, man. I... I didn't wanna get involved in any of this. Please don't give this to me.

Sam, please. We need you to put this out for the world to see.

I got a family, man. I can't be getting involved. I can't afford a lawyer, I can't afford to be sued.

Then give it to someone you trust. Someone Violet trusts. It has to go live on Thursday. Please.

Why Thursday?

Less likely my dad and his team can get it taken down when we have the arraignment hearing.

Chase notices a nearby protestor suspiciously staring at him.

Please, please make sure it plays.

Chase ducks and slips through the crowd and down the street.

Chase stands on the corner, hoodie up, making sure he keeps his head down. A car stops in front of him. The escapade.

Chase gets in and sits back in his seat. Pause as everyone in the car suspiciously looks at him.

What?

Wanna explain what just happened?

Nothing, the door wasn't locked. One of the protestors opened it and pulled me out.

Are you alright? Did they do anything to you?

I'm fine, I stayed hidden.

Pause, Kris doesn't buy it.

Are we still going to the burial or did the movie star change his mind?

Kris lets out a snarky huff from his nose, then spins back to the front. He gestures to Dante to drive on. They take off.

Chase stands in front. Kris, Jesse, and Dante behind him.

We watch the scene play out from a distance. Chase gets plenty of unpleasant looks, but none of them bother him.

He wipes his eyes as he approaches the coffin.

He falls to his knees as they lower her in, weeping. No one comes over to comfort him.

Sam sits on his couch, appalled as he watches his television. We know exactly what he's watching.

We SLOW PUSH IN to his face. We hear Liz's voice in the background, but we can't make out what she's saying.

As we reach a CLOSE-UP on Sam, he exclaims:

Damnit, Vi.

He shuts the television off. Pause as he thinks long and hard about what he saw.

You have to! You have to do this!

Sam sits across from Violet (prison jumpsuit), a pane of glass between them. She's ecstatic. He isn't.

Violet, this tape. It's dangerous. He's gonna come after us.

Sam, look at me! I'm behind bars, he can't come after me anymore.

He'll come after me. He'll come after Annie!

Pause.

Post it on my account. I'll give you my social media password, my youtube account. I still have Channel Four's sign-in information.

I can't risk it. He'll still figure out it was me. I can't risk this.

Sam, this is your chance to avenge dad. He spent his life trying to fix Kris' wrongs. Trying to bring truth and justice to light, and we lost him for it. I... I was dumb enough to do the same thing. But you... You have the opportunity to make our sacrifices worth it. Please, think long and hard about what this could do. Not just for our family, for Liz, but for our country. The implications of bringing down a man thought to be too big to fall. You have the chance to kill the invincible.

Pause on Sam's worried expression.

Kris and Jesse whisper to one another. A few meters away, out of ear shot, Chase sits on a bench.

Chase stares up at the television, flipped to Channel Four news. It shows Dave, the reporter at the newsroom desk.

It took the officers about four hours to save the hostages, but eventually--

Suddenly, without any rhyme or reason, Dave is cut away.

Some static plays for a beat, until we can make out LIZ from a home video, on the television. She's in a panicked state.

He's gonna kill me. I can't stop him. I can't convince him otherwise. Chase, honey, I crossed a line. I'm so sorry.

Everyone in the court room looks up at the television, including Jesse, Theo, and Kris. They're all PETRIFIED.

I tried to make it through the mess, but I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Especially not now. Your father, Kris Cohen, is a violent psychopath. If I'm found dead, know that it wasn't by my own hand. He's been hitting me for the past five years behind closed doors. I can't keep quiet anymore.

Liz stands and lifts her shirt, just enough to show the camera CUTS AND BRUISES across her stomach.

Jesse SPRINTS to the television, trying to shut it off, but it's too high up.

Where's the fucking remote!?

Then lifts her sleeves to show bruising on her arms.

Sam is alone in the control room. He watches, heartbroken. The door behind him is being PUSHED AND SHOVED by people trying to get in, but it's locked, a door blocks the handle.

He hits me in places cameras and paparazzi won't see. He makes me wear long sleeves to cover it.

(muffled)

Open this goddamn door! Sam, open this door right now!

None of this bothers Sam. He just watches the clip.

Everyone's frozen, watching the TV besides Kris and his team.

And Kris, if you ever watch this, I want you to know that I forgive you for what you're going to do.

Kris freezes. He looks like he's about to break into tears. The first time we've seen him show anything other than anger.

You're only doing what you think is best. For yourself, yes, but for Chase too. It took me awhile to see that, but I see it now. I hope you can one day understand why you--

Jesse hopped up on the bench to reach the TV's power button, shutting it off.

Kris turns around, as if he'd just awoken from a trance.

Everyone in the lobby, lawyers, defendants, plaintiffs, and security guards all stare at or record him with their phones.

He keeps his head up high and walks back to Chase.

He smiles around at everyone, then GRIPS Chase's shoulder, causing him to grunt in pain, and tugs him toward their team.

(whispers)

What the fuck did you do?

(whispers)

I dunno what you're talking about.

(whispers)

It's time.

Jesse leads them all into the court room.

Everyone in the room is there, besides the Judge. They're all looking down at their phones. From a few, we can barely hear Liz's voice from the same video we just saw.

As they make their way to the defendant's bench, the entire audience looks up at them and glares at Kris.

Kris keeps his head held high, looking straight ahead of him, but we can tell it's getting to him.

They sit at the bench. Kris leans toward Jesse and whispers something. As he does, Jesse glances at Chase. Then nods.

(whispers)

Agreed.

All rise for the honorable Judge Goodwin.

Everyone in the court room stands, as JUDGE GOODWIN (70s) makes his way to his seat.

You may be seated.

Everyone in the court room settles into their seats.

This court proceeding, titled Wood v. Cohen, case number five hundred thousand, six hundred and twenty two, is hereby moving forward with the arraignment. Chase Abraham Cohen, you are being charged with manslaughter to the first degree with a vehicle, due to negligent driving. How do you plead?

Everyone looks at Chase. Pause.

Kris nudges him.

(disrespectful)

This is where you speak.

My defendant pleads--

Chase stands.

Guilty!

GASPS from the audience, the prosecution bench, even Judge Goodwin can't believe it.

I'm sorry, what was that?

I did it. I'm guilty.

Your honor, can we strike that from the record, my client doesn't know what he's talking about.

Prosecution Attorney stands up defiantly.

Yes he does, he just pled guilty!

The crowd grows louder and more restless.

He's not of right mind! I respectfully demand that we have--

Get off it Jesse, he knows what he said, he knows what he wants--

Your honor, please grant me a ten minute recess so that I can talk with my client--

Judge Goodwin SLAMS his gavel.

Order! Order!

The court goes silent. Judge Goodwin leans in.

(to Chase)

Son, do you understand the implications of your statement?

I understand clearly. And I still plead guilty. I was drunk when I hit Adelaide Wood, I'm guilty of manslaughter.

(to audience)

And my father is guilty of killing Elizabeth Cohen, Andrew Adams, and Florence Summers as well.

The court room erupts into CHAOS. But we don't hear any of it, it's all muffled for us as we see Chase, looking around.

He looks at the Witness Stand. In the seat is Liz, smiling at us. She nods with approval.

Chase nods back. A tear strolls down his cheek.

BEGIN MONTAGE: Soothing, yet somber, music plays.

- Chase is handcuffed by the officers in the courtroom.

- Chase empties his pockets, takes off his watch, etc...

- Chase gets his mugshot taken.

- Chase walks down the prison hallway.

- Chase is thrown into a prison cell, alone.

- Chase serves his fellow prisoners food.

- Chase sits alone in the recess yard, reading a book.

- Chase lies in bed. Content with himself.

END OF MONTAGE.

Chase reads his book. The television is on a news channel in the background.

Yo, rich boy, check this out.

Chase glances up at the television. His heart drops as he joins the other prisoners around it.

The news report shows a photo of Violet.

Our old partner Violet Adams was discovered dead in her prison cell this morning, at about seven a.m. She was found with a red string fastened around her neck. Where she obtained the red string is still unknown, but the coroner gave a statement earlier suggesting that this is likely a suicide.

Prisoner nudges Chase.

You really think it was a suicide?

If I pass away in the next week or so, know that it wasn't by me.

He regretfully looks up at the television.

Chase sleeps in his bed. A sudden \*CLANGING\* wakes him up.

DANTE and GOON (black ski-masks) stand outside his cell. Dante hands a giant wad of cash to OFFICER, but we can only see Officer's arm and uniform sleeve.

As the wad of cash is counted, Officer hands Dante a single key. Everyone speaks in whispers for this scene.

Be quick about it, alright?

Officer leaves our sight and walks down a long hallway, until we can no longer hear his footsteps.

Dante unlocks the cell and enters. They whip off their masks.

Good evening.

Pause.

So it comes to this, does it?

You knew how this was gonna end the moment you made that social media post. Don't act surprised.

Goon pulls out a ROPE, and fastens it to the very top of his prison bars. Pause.

I finished my book. Of all the Grimm's Fairytales.

Which is your favorite?

The Juniper Tree. It has a strangely upbeat and just ending, even though it's a haunting tale.

Wish I could read it, but I think I'm out of time.

Funny how things work out. Just the other night I had a dream. We were all there at your college graduation. You, me, Kris... Flo... Um... But, uh... But suddenly they didn't call your name, and Kris sent me up on stage to talk to the dean, or principle, or whoever runs a college, and convinced him to read your name and give you your diploma.

How did you convince him?

Dante gives him a side-eye glance.

What were you thinking of studying?

Chase shrugs.

I was thinking of studying acting. Take a break from making movies, then return once I felt I had earned my success. College letters were supposed to come in this Fall when we went back to school.

Dante sighs heavily.

You would've been a great actor. Everything was lined up for you.

I still can be. I'll move to New York, or England and just lay low.

It's not that simple.

I know. Nothing's ever that simple in this family. Sometimes I wish I was born poor, but I know I wouldn't survive it. I couldn't even survive being given the world.

Dante chuckles.

At least you're going out with style. I gotta say, it's admirable what you pulled off. You're a piece of shit for it, but admirable nonetheless.

Thanks.

Pause. Goon has finished tying the noose. He tugs on it to ensure it's taut.

Do you regret what you did?

Chase shakes.

No. A life bound to lies is not a life worth living. Do you?

Do I what?

Regret all your mistakes?

Some.

Which ones?

I'd rather not--

Killing Flo?

I had nothing to do with that, little man--

How about killing mom?

Again, Chase, I don't know what you're talking abou--

Or was it letting your family die?

Dante freezes. Long pause.

I got into dad's files when I found the tape. I know what happened.

(frazzled)

It's... It's more complicated than you think.

Is it?

It... It was an accident that no one could've stopped. No one could've caught it.

Except you. _Y_ou could've. If you were still clean.

Dante abruptly gets up, and YANKS Chase toward the noose.

Hey!

Shut your mouth.

Dante yanks the bed over and forces Chase up. Then wraps the noose around Chase's neck, he isn't fighting it.

Any last words?

No. I've said my peace. I hope you and dad are lucky enough to say the same on your way out. I doubt it.

Dante smirks.

Tell Liz I said hey.

I'll--

Dante pulls the bed away, making Chase lose his footing, he GASPS as the noose cuts right into his throat. We quickly: