TEASER
in the Fisher kitchen:
Molly is sitting at the table and Paula is at the stove cooking. In progress.
Paula: So he told you that he wanted to be "more than friends"?
Molly: Yep. (beat) And then I went to freshen up, and when I got back he had arranged for the band to sing a song especially for me!
Paula: From the first time he came to visit you, I knew you two went well together.
Molly: It’s so strange. I never really thought about Craig that way, but when he said all this, it made so much sense.
Paula: All that matters to me is that you’re happy. And Craig seems like the perfect gentleman.
Molly: He is. He really is.
Paula smiles.
at the mall:
Sarah and Brent are walking hand in hand.
Sarah: I’ve never really been to the mall before without wanting to shop.
Brent: I’ll take that as a compliment, I suppose.
Sarah: Well, good. (beat) Oh, Brent, look at this!
Focus on a teddy bear in the window of a store.
Sarah: Oh, isn’t that just the cutest thing?
Brent: I guess so.
Brent walks into the store.
Sarah: Where are you going?
Brent: Well, you want that teddy bear, don’t you? Come on!
Sarah follows him into the store.
ACT I
in the Fisher kitchen:
Molly is still at the table. Paula is still cooking. In progress.
Molly: He’s so considerate, so sweet. He always puts me ahead of himself. He’s just unlike any guy I’ve ever gone out with.
Paula: That’s what love is, honey—
Molly: Love?! Who said anything about love?
Paula: This may just be my opinion, but it really sounds like Craig has fallen hard for you. And I think that if you both nurture this relationship, it could easily turn into love.
Molly: Yeah, I guess you’re right …
Molly begins to daydream ...
In an otherwise empty ballroom with dim lights and cloud-like smoke all around, Molly and Craig walk towards the center and meet up as "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston plays.
Paula: Molly! Molly?
Molly: Oh, Mom, sorry. I was just daydreaming.
Paula: About Craig, I bet.
Molly: Yep.
in Brent’s car:
Brent is driving & Sarah is in the passenger seat. Conversation in progress.
Sarah: Thank you so much, Brent. I had a great day.
Brent: It was my pleasure, believe me.
Sarah: I have a day off from work, and what do I do? Spend it with my boss!
Brent: Are you implying that I’m not the most fun guy in the world? I’m hurt!
Sarah: Oh, stop whining! (long beat) This day is almost too perfect, isn’t it?
Out on Brent’s shrug.
ACT II
in the Fisher kitchen:
Paula: I’m just so glad that both you and Sarah are so happy lately, and Tim and Claire have this baby on the way. And Jason …
Molly: What about Jason?
Paula shrugs and tries to not hear Molly.
Molly: You’re hiding something, aren’t you? Well, I want to know it, Mom! Please?!?
Telephone rings.
Molly: I’ll get it.
She walks over and picks up the phone. Two-way conversation.
Molly: Hello?
Craig: Hi, Molly, it’s me.
Molly: Hi, Craig!
Paula winks at her.
Craig: I was just wondering if you wanted to get together tonight. My place?
Molly: Oh, I’d love to! (beat) Oh, wait, my friend is coming over. I haven’t seen her in a couple of months.
Craig: Oh, okay. No problem. I’ll call you tomorrow.
Molly: Okay, bye.
Craig: Bye.
Molly hangs up and goes to sit back down.
Paula: What did he want?
Molly: He just wanted to see if we could get together tonight. But I had to say no.
Paula: Why?
Molly: Kristen is coming over tonight. I haven’t seen her in a while and it’s rude to cancel, you know?
Paula: How is she? Jason said he saw her at the rink a week ago or so, but they didn’t talk. What’s she been up to?
Molly: Same old stuff. She’s cut back on her skating, I guess. She realized it’s not gonna be much of a career for her.
Paula: Oh, that’s too bad. (beat) You know, I wonder if she knows Shannon?
Molly: Who’s Shannon?
Paula: Jason’s new partner. I haven’t met her yet.
Molly: I’ll ask her. Speaking of which, how is Courtney taking this thing with Jason skating with someone else?
at Sarah’s apartment:
Sarah and Brent walk in. Brent collapses onto the couch and Sarah goes into the kitchen.
Sarah: Can I get you something to drink?
Brent: No, I’m fine.
Sarah: You sure?
Brent: Yeah. The only thing I need is you here next to me.
Sarah sits on the couch.
Sarah: I can’t help but have this terrible feeling that some awful is about to happen. I don’t know what it is.
Brent: Sounds weird.
Sarah: I can’t seem to shake it. I felt it at the mall, I felt it in the car, and I feel it now. (long beat) I hope nothing happens to Tim.
Brent: I’m sure he’ll be fine. He’s been pretty stable since you guys took him off the medication, hasn’t he?
Sarah: So far, so good, but you can only hope for so much luck, you know?
Brent: Yeah …
ACT III
the Fisher living room, that evening:
Doorbell rings in empty living room. Molly rushes to the door and answers it.
Molly: Hi, Kristen!
Kristen: Hi! How have you been?
Molly: I’ve had an interesting couple of weeks. Come upstairs and I’ll tell you all about it.
Enter Paula.
Paula: Oh, Kristen! How nice to see you!
Kristen: Hi, Mrs. Fisher!
Paula: Molly said you’ve cut back on your skating.
Kristen: Yeah, I have. I’m going back to college for my master’s degree.
Paula: Good for you! (beat) Listen, do you know Shannon Parish?
Kristen: Yeah, I do. She has a reputation for being difficult. Why’d you wanna know?
Paula: Well, you heard about Courtney’s accident, right? (beat) Well, Sandy is going to have Jason skate with Shannon until Courtney recovers.
Kristen: Oh … well, I’m sure it’ll work out fine.
Molly: C’mon, Kristen, let’s go upstairs. I have to tell you all about Craig.
Kristen: I’m right behind you.
Kristen and Molly go up the stairs.
Paula (sotto voce): Jason, please be careful. I don’t like this situation at all, especially knowing how Courtney feels about you.
at Sarah’s apartment:
Sarah: Maybe I should call my mom. Something is wrong. I know it.
Brent: Sarah, you’re getting really worked up over nothing. Just sit down, have a drink, and try to clear your head. I’m sure everything with your brother will be just fine.
Sarah: He’s gonna be in terrible danger, Brent. He is. You have to believe me.
Brent gets up and goes over to the window.
Sarah: Oh, Brent, I’m so sorry. I’m probably driving you crazy. (beat) But you know what I’m talking about, don’t you? It’s that eerie feeling …
Brent: I just wish we could have one conversation that doesn’t turn into something about your family.
Sarah: Okay, I’m sorry. But you have to understand that they are a huge part of my life, and I can’t just forget all about them when I’m with you.
Brent: I understand that, but … you know.
Sarah: Yeah, I do.
Brent: Look, I don’t wanna rush anything. I mean, I’ve had feelings for you ever since I laid eyes on you, ever since the first time we talked. It took me so long to build up the courage to ask you out. I was so scared that you’d say no, that I’d never have a chance with you. Thanks for proving me wrong.
Sarah: It was my pleasure, believe me.
They kiss.
Brent: That’s much better. (beat) You know, I’m starting to feel very comfortable around you.
Sarah: That’s always nice to hear.
Brent: I can think of something nicer than just hearing it …
They kiss again, more deeply.
Brent: Better?
Sarah: Much.
Fade into foreground and focus on a candle burning.
ACT IV
in Molly’s room:
Kristen and Molly are sitting on the floor talking.
Kristen: So, what’ve you been up to?
Molly: You wouldn’t believe it. About two weeks ago, I went home one night and found a dead bird nailed to the landing outside my apartment door!
Kristen gasps.
Kristen: How do you know it was for you? Maybe it was just some kind of sick practical joke.
Molly: The next day, I was here when the car alarm started to go off. We found the car windows smashed and scrawled all over in lipstick was my name.
Kristen: Oh my God … do you know—?
Molly: Sarah took some of the evidence to the station to be tested and analyzed, but they weren’t able to get clear results.
Kristen: But still … how could you tell it was all the same person’s work?
Molly: At both scenes, there were a dozen roses.
Another gasp from Kristen.
Molly: Near the dead bird, they were red. (long beat) But the roses left inside the car were black ones.
Kristen: Is there anyone you know who might be behind this?
Molly: I’ve been through that a thousand times in my mind, and I still can’t think of anyone.
Kristen: And these little … "surprises" – they’ve stopped, haven’t they?
Molly: I hope so. The whole car incident was almost two weeks ago, so…
Kristen: That’s too bad. I just hope you’re safe.
Molly: I feel really safe in this house, actually.
Kristen: Let’s talk about something a little more cheerful. Tell me all about this Craig guy …
Molly: He started visiting me after the stalking incidents. I met him at work. Actually, I beat him for the job that I ended up getting.
Kristen: That sounds like something you would do to a guy …
Molly: Just shut up! (beat) Anyway, we became great friends during these last few weeks.
Kristen: Yeah? Well, where’s all the action?
Molly: A couple of days ago, he arranged this romantic dinner at my dad’s restaurant. It was so sweet. And he told me he thought it was time to move our relationship ahead a step.
Kristen: Oh, good for you!
Molly: We’ve gone out almost every night in the past week. I just love being around him.
Kristen: I’d love to meet him.
Molly: I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time before you do. You’ll love—
Molly is interrupted by a loud smashing noise.
Kristen: Aaaagggghhh!!! What’s going on?
In slow-motion, the window shatters. Kristen falls to the floor while Molly screams. Hold on Molly’s fright as the door begins to open.
END OF EPISODE #06