"Footprints"
Episode #07
Immediately After and then the Morning Following #06
TEASER
IN COURTNEYS HOSPITAL ROOM:
Courtney is lying in the bed and Jason is sitting in a chair nearby. Conversation in progress.
JASON: Well, the important thing is that youre getting out of here tomorrow morning. Youll be back on the ice in no time.
COURTNEY: I hope so. (beat) Hey, have you talked to your mom much in the last few days?
JASON: Not too much. Whenever Im home, shes out, and vice versa. Why?
COURTNEY: Oh, no reason.
JASON: No, really. Is there something shes supposed to tell me?
Hold on Courtneys deliberating.
IN CLAIRES APARTMENT:
Claire is sitting on the couch, watching TV.
CLAIRE: (THINKING) My entire life is falling apart. My dad comes back, Tim gets shot I hope he wakes up before this baby is born. He just has to. (beat) Now, if they could only find out who shot him
Knock on front door. Claire opens up the door.
CLAIRE: What are you doing here?
Hold on Claires shock.
IN MOLLYS BEDROOM:
Molly is screaming, Kristen is on the floor, the window is smashed, and the door opens.
MOLLY: Whos there??
Door opens fully. Enter Paula.
PAULA: Whats going on up here?
She looks around.
PAULA: Oh my God!
MOLLY: Something flew I dont Kristen got hit
PAULA: Honey, youre not making sense!
MOLLY: Call 911, quick I think Kristens really hurt!
PAULA: Just keep an eye on her and Ill go call.
Exit Paula.
MOLLY: Oh, Kristen, youve gotta wake up please
Out on Mollys face, quivering.
ACT I
IN COURTNEYS HOSPITAL ROOM:
Conversation in progress.
JASON: Is there something shes supposed to tell me?
COURTNEY: No, its nothing. I was just wondering.
JASON: Whatever you say. (long beat) Well, I should go. Ive gotta get up early to go to the rink, and then I have classes later in the day.
COURTNEY: Go ahead. Im gonna try to get some rest.
JASON: Ill come visit you tomorrow at home, of course.
COURTNEY: Ill be waiting.
JASON: OK, bye.
COURTNEY: Bye.
Exit Jason.
COURTNEY: (SOTTO VOCE) Jason, if you only knew how I felt about you
Hold on Courtneys determination.
IN CLAIRES APARTMENT:
Claire is standing, facing James at the front door.
CLAIRE: WhatWhy are you here?!?
JAMES: I just wanted to come pay my little girl a visit. Nothing wrong with that, I hope?
CLAIRE: Oh oh, no, of course not. Sit down.
JAMES: So, hows that idiot husband of yours doing?
CLAIRE: Tim is not an idiot. (beat) But a couple of nights ago, he was shot, and hes at the hospital unconscious right now.
JAMES: Too bad.
CLAIRE: I hope he wakes up before the baby is born. Otherwise Im gonna have some difficulties, to say the least.
JAMES: Ill tell you what. Leave him right there, move to New York with me, and never worry about him again.
CLAIRE: How can you say something like that?!?
JAMES: Its not too hard. (long beat) I never understood why you didnt stay with Ryan. He wouldve been a husband Id approve of.
CLAIRE: I couldnt spend my life with Ryan
Claire starts to cry.
JAMES: Why? Give me one good reason.
CLAIRE: No I cant
JAMES: Give me one reason why you couldnt.
CLAIRE: He he he raped me!
Hold on Jamess shock.
IN MOLLYS BEDROOM:
Paula rushes back into the room.
MOLLY: Come on, Kristen, wake up.
Kristen groggily picks her head up off the floor.
MOLLY: Kristen! Kristen youre awake!
PAULA: Kristen, are you okay?
KRISTEN: Yeah, I think so. (long beat) What happened?
MOLLY: Im not really sure. Someone threw a rock through the window or something. It hit you
KRISTEN: Is everyone else okay?
MOLLY: Im fine just a little shaken up.
PAULA: Should I stop the paramedics from coming over?
KRISTEN: Yeah, Im okay. Just a headache and a sore arm.
PAULA: Okay. Ill be right back, then.
Exit Paula.
KRISTEN: How did that happen? Do you think it was just some juvenile delinquents or something?
MOLLY: Yeah. Its probably
She stops and stares at the rock.
MOLLY: Oh no.
KRISTEN: Molly, whats wrong?!?
MOLLY: Look look at the rock oh
Hold on rock, which has Mollys name written all over it.
ACT II
IN COURTNEYS HOSPITAL ROOM:
Courtney is in the bed, sitting up.
COURTNEY: I wish I could tell Jason how I really feel about him. But it would probably just complicate everything even more.
IN CLAIRES APARTMENT:
Conversation in progress.
JAMES: What do you mean, he raped you? How could he you never That bastard! Ill kill him!
CLAIRE: No, Daddy, please. It was too painful Ive never really told anyone
JAMES: Not even your mother?
CLAIRE: Well, no.
JAMES: What about Tim?
CLAIRE: Um (beat) I did tell him. That was the reason I didnt want to move to Chicago.
JAMES: Then why was he forcing you to move, if he knew all about it?
CLAIRE: He wasnt. Just before he was shot he told me that we could stay here, that my happiness was more important than his career.
JAMES: Oh, no.
CLAIRE: What? Whats wrong?
JAMES: Oh, nothing. (long beat) Wow. Are you sure youll be okay?
CLAIRE: Positive. Ive lived with this for years.
JAMES: Okay. Well, I have to go take care of some business now, but if you need me
CLAIRE: Ill call. Dont worry.
He hugs her.
JAMES: I love you. Ill be back later. Bye.
CLAIRE: Bye.
James leaves the apartment.
CLAIRE: (SOTTO VOCE) Why was my dad in such a hurry to get out of here all of a sudden?
IN THE HALLWAY:
James is standing just outside the door.
JAMES: (SOTTO VOCE) Ive gotta make sure that Claire doesnt find out it was me who ordered the hit on Tim!
IN MOLLYS BEDROOM:
KRISTEN: It has your name all over it!
MOLLY: Oh, no! This must mean hes after me again!
KRISTEN: How do you know its a guy?
MOLLY: The evidence that the police took pointed to it being a guy Mom! Mom!
Enter Paula.
PAULA: What is it? What
MOLLY: The rock It has my name written all over it That means this guy is
PAULA: Dont worry, honey. Youre safe here.
MOLLY: But Mom, Im not. He could be anywhere. What if hes at my office tomorrow and he gets me there?
PAULA: Dont even think about things like that. Just try to relax.
MOLLY: Mom, I cant relax. This guy is after me, and he wont stop until he gets me.
PAULA: Well keep him away, Molly. Sarah and Brent will get you full-time protection.
The door creaks open slowly.
MOLLY: (THINKING) Oh no, its him
Out on the door.
ACT III
THE NEXT MORNING
AT THE ICE RINK:
Jason, Sandy, and Shannon are talking near the ice.
SHANNON: So Jason, hows Courtney doing?
JASON: Her mom is gonna bring her home from the hospital later today.
SHANNON: Oh I should go visit her, just as a kind gesture. You know
JASON: Shed love that. The hospital is just such a lonely place shes been getting really down on herself.
SANDY: Well, just keep reminding her that as soon as that thing heals she can get back out on the ice. That should be some kind of incentive to recuperate quickly.
JASON: I think its all she has right now.
SHANNON: That reminds me, Sandy, I have to leave early today.
SANDY: Sure. Why dont we get started now, then?
They step onto the ice.
IN THE FISHER KITCHEN:
Bill and Paula are sitting at the table.
BILL: So hows Molly doing after what happened last night?
PAULA: Terribly. Shes not taking it well at all. And she had made such progress. (beat) Ill tell you, when Jason came into the bedroom last night she was convinced it was this stalker. She thinks hes everywhere.
BILL: Poor girl. I just hope this guy doesnt try to get into our house.
PAULA: Sarah said that Brent is arranging for full protection.
BILL: Okay, good. She should be safe all day at work, as long as shes always around people.
PAULA: Yeah, thats a good point.
BILL: What are we gonna do, Paula? What are we gonna do? Our children are all having such difficult times lately
PAULA: Not Sarah. She and Brent are doing very well together. And Jason
BILL: What about Jason?
PAULA: Well, you cant tell him this, but Courtney said something that Ive been dying to tell him. Only shes sworn me to secrecy.
BILL: Well, what is it? I promise I wont tell Jason!
PAULA: Courtney told me that she well, she likes Jason as much more than a friend. Shes just afraid to tell him because she thinks it might make things very awkward.
Hold on Bills surprise as he cracks a grin.
IN TIMS HOSPITAL ROOM:
Tim is laying in the bed, alone in the room. Fade into a dream: Tim is alone.
TIM: Claire, Claire, where are you? Claire!
CLAIRE: Im right here, honey. Im right here. (beat) But I have to tell you something.
TIM: What is it?
CLAIRE: Im leaving you, Tim. Youve disappointed me so much lately. Good-bye.
TIM: No, Claire Claire! What about our baby? What about our future? What about us?
CLAIRE: Good-bye, Tim
Fade back into the hospital room. Enter James.
JAMES: (SOTTO VOCE) Well, well, if it isnt my son-in-law. Its time to put an end to this mess.
ACT IV
IN COURTNEYS HOSPITAL ROOM:
COURTNEY: (THINKING) Mom, where are you? I cant wait to get out of this place and get home.
Enter Shannon.
SHANNON: Courtney? Hi.
COURTNEY: Shannon? Whatre you doing here?
SHANNON: I thought Id better pay you a visit before you went home.
COURTNEY: Oh, you really didnt have to
SHANNON: Cut the crap. I know you want Jason, and let me just tell you that I want him too. (beat) I will not let anything come between he and I, so youd better back off
COURTNEY: You have some nerve, coming in here like this
SHANNON: Oh, go to hell. And dont even think for one moment that hell ever skate with you again!
COURTNEY: You bitch! Get out of my room now!
Enter Courtneys mom.
HELEN: Hi, Courtney. (beat) Oh, I see you have company.
SHANNON: Hi, Im Shannon Parish, Jasons new partner. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Chase.
COURTNEY: Well, Shannon, if youll excuse us, my mom and I have a lot to take care of before I can go home.
SHANNON: Well, Ill just be on my way. See you later, Courtney.
Exit Shannon. Hold on Courtneys disgust.
IN THE FISHER KITCHEN:
Bill and Paula are speaking when Molly walks in, just awake.
PAULA: How are you doing, honey? Did you sleep well?
MOLLY: I didnt sleep at all. (long beat) I couldnt stop thinking about ...
BILL: Dont even bother with it. Now why dont you call in sick today and spend the day at home? Im going to take the day off anyway.
MOLLY: Actually, Id really like to go to work and see Craig. Thatll cheer me up and get my mind off this.
BILL: Go ahead. Whatever makes you feel comfortable.
PAULA: Dont worry, Molly the police have this under control. No one will get hurt.
MOLLY: Im just thankful that Kristen wasnt injured. I never would have forgiven myself if one of my best friends was hurt by something intended for me.
PAULA: Yes, it is fortunate that no one was hurt. And no one will be hurt. This mess will be cleared up in no time.
MOLLY: I sure hope so.
IN TIMS HOSPITAL ROOM:
James is standing over Tims bed.
JAMES: Come on, Tim, youve gotta wake up. If I hadnt thought you were putting my daughter in danger, I never would have ordered a hit on you. But I guess its too late for "ifs" now. Please wake up. Its the only way I can make my little girl happy.
Tim begins to stir slightly. His machines begin to beep. Enter a nurse.
NURSE: Dr. Smith, come quickly! Tim Fisher is coming to!
Enter Dr. Smith. Both he and the nurse take notice of James.
DR. SMITH: And just what do you think you are doing here, sir?
Out on Jamess hesitation.
END OF EPISODE #07