Footprints: Episode #13

TEASER
INT. FISHER HOME - KITCHEN LATE MORNING
JASON IS READING A NEWSPAPER DISTRACTEDLY WHEN THE TELEPHONE RINGS. HE GETS UP AND ANSWERS IT. TWO-WAY CONVERSATION.
JASON: Hello?
COURTNEY: Hey, Jason, it’s me.
JASON: Oh, hi, Courtney! How’s it going?
COURTNEY: Pretty well. (BEAT) My physical therapy is moving
along very quickly, and I’ll be able to walk without the
crutches pretty soon.
JASON: Are you serious? This is great!
COURTNEY: You almost sound more excited than I am!
JASON: I probably am!
THEY SHARE A SHORT LAUGH.
JASON: (CONT’D) After all, this means that you’re well on your
way to being recovered. And that means we’ll be able to get back
to skating together!
COURTNEY: What about Shannon?
JASON: Shannon is well aware that she’s only a temporary partner.
When you’re ready to return, I’m yours.
COURTNEY: I can’t wait, then! (LONG BEAT) How’s Tim?
JASON: Thanks for asking. The strangest thing happened yesterday.
COURTNEY: What?
JASON: He had a dream about Claire and their apartment, but then...
COURTNEY: What? What happened?
INT. CLAIRE’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM SAME
CLAIRE IS FILLING OUT FORMS AT THE DESK WHEN THERE IS A KNOCK
ON THE DOOR. SHE RISES AND ANSWERS THE DOOR.
CLAIRE: Oh, hi, Diane.
DIANE: Hi, Claire. (BEAT) I wanted to see how Tim was doing. I—I
went to visit him last night—
CLAIRE: I know you did.
DIANE: (THINKING) She knows? Does she know that I told Tim I was
his wife? Oh no …
HOLD ON DIANE’S DREAD.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM SAME
TIM IS SLEEPING IN THE BED. DISSOLVE INTO HIS HEAD.
DREAM:
SHORT CLIPS OF DIANE AND CLAIRE FLASH ON THE SCREEN. A LONGER SHOT OF
THE APARTMENT HOLDS AS BOTH DIANE AND CLAIRE MATERIALIZE IN IT. FADE
SLOWLY BACK TO REALITY.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM SAME
OUT ON TIM AS HE SLEEPS.
ACT ONE
INT. FISHER HOME - KITCHEN LATE MORNING
TWO-WAY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION IN PROGRESS.
COURTNEY: So then he fell asleep?
JASON: Yeah. We went back up to see him, but he was still out, so we just left.
COURTNEY: When is Claire gonna tell him the truth?
JASON: I don’t know. I hope it’s soon. I hate to see them like this – especially
with the baby so close to being due.
COURTNEY: It’s awful. (BEAT) I’ve gotta go. There’s a call on the other line.
JASON: Oh, okay. (LONG BEAT) I’ll talk to you later, okay?
COURTNEY: I’ll be waiting. Bye.
JASON: Bye.
THEY HANG UP. JASON GOES TO SIT BACK DOWN, AND JUST AS HE BEGINS
TO THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN. HE PICKS IT UP. TWO-WAY CONVERSATION.
JASON: Hello?
SHANNON: Jason? It’s Shannon.
JASON: Oh, hi! What’s up?
SHANNON: I just wanted to check our practice times for the rest of the week.
Tonight, and then tomorrow afternoon, and Saturday morning?
JASON: Yep. You’ve got ‘em all.
SHANNON: Okay, good. I just wasn’t sure. (BEAT) I was trying to get through
for a while. Were you on the phone?
JASON: Yeah … I was talking to Courtney.
SHANNON: (THINKING) That bitch.
SHANNON: Oh, really? How’s she doing?
JASON: Pretty well. Her physical therapy is coming along really great.
SHANNON: That’s nice to hear. (BEAT) Well, I’ve gotta run. See you tonight!
JASON: Bye.
THEY HANG UP.
INT. SHANNON’S ROOM SAME
SHANNON: Of course he was on the phone with Courtney! Damn her!
SHE THROWS A BOOK ACROSS THE ROOM.
SHANNON: I have been trying to get him to notice me for so long. (LONG
BEAT) If she screws up my chances with him …
INT. CLAIRE’S APARTMENT SAME
DIANE IS STANDING NERVOUSLY IN THE DOORWAY. CLAIRE IS FACING HER WITH THE DOOR OPEN.

DIANE: How— How’d you know I went to visit Tim last night?
CLAIRE: When we went to see him – his brother, his mom, and I – the nurse
said he was sound asleep, and she asked who the woman who had been there
earlier was. She described you, so I just put two and two together.
DIANE: I wanted to see how he was. We had a really short talk, and then he
started acting weird. (BEAT) That’s why I came to see you.
CLAIRE: What do you mean, weird?
DIANE: He kept talking about his wife, but he seemed to think it was me.
CLAIRE: Why—?
DIANE: I have no idea.
CLAIRE: The painkillers were probably making him drowsy. He was probably
having a really light hallucination ... I guess.
DIANE: That could be. (BEAT) Isn’t he physically okay, though?
CLAIRE: Oh, he’s fine. The gunshot wound still gives him a lot of pain, so he’s
on painkillers.
DIANE: Oh. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you about that. I should probably
get going.
CLAIRE: No, no. Have a seat. Relax. I’ll get some coffee.
DIANE: Oh, thanks. That would be nice.
EXIT CLAIRE. DIANE CLOSES THE DOOR AND SITS ON THE SOFA.
DIANE: (SOTTO VOCE) That was a little too close. But I did manage to recover it
nicely … now all I need is a new plan.
ACT TWO
INT. CHASE HOME - LIVING ROOM EARLY AFTERNOON
COURTNEY IS WATCHING TELEVISION WHEN THE TELEPHONE RINGS. SHE
REACHES OVER AND ANSWERS IT. TWO-WAY CONVERSATION.
COURTNEY: Hello?
SHANNON: Why, Courtney, how nice to hear your conniving little voice. I tell
you, if you try to undermine me—
COURTNEY: Shannon? What are you talking about?
SHANNON: You know damn well what I’m talking about. Jason’s line was busy
forever earlier, and I know he was talking to you. Listen to me: He’s mine! You
had your chance—
COURTNEY: Calm down, Shannon. (BEAT) First of all, he’s your skating partner;
he’s my best friend. There’s a huge difference. And secondly, I will talk to him,
see him, and do whatever I want with him whenever I want, okay?
SHANNON: No, you listen to me. I know you’ve got the hots for Jason, and I
won’t let you screw this up, okay? I have spent so long trying to get him to notice
me, and now that I’m this close, I won’t let some idiot with a little-girl crush get
in my way.
COURTNEY: I don’t have to take this, Shannon. Good-bye—
SHANNON: Wait a second.
COURTNEY: What is it?
SHANNON: Let me just warn you: One false move and I’ll make sure you never
skate again, let alone with Jason, okay?
COURTNEY: Fine, whatever …
SHANNON: No, I don’t think you understand.
COURTNEY: I understand perfectly. You’re completely off your rocker.
COURTNEY HANGS UP.
INT. SHANNON’S BEDROOM SAME
SHANNON: (SOTTO VOCE) I am warning you, Courtney – don’t screw with me.
INT. CLAIRE’S APARTMENT SAME
CLAIRE AND DIANE ARE SITTING ON THE SOFA, FINISHING OFF THEIR COFFEE.
DIANE: So you have no idea who shot him?
CLAIRE: None whatsoever. (BEAT) You don’t happen to know of any feuds or
anything that Tim was involved in at work, do you?
DIANE: I honestly don’t have a clue. (LONG BEAT) Well, I should get into the
office. I’ve got a lot to do.
CLAIRE: Oh, sure. It was nice of you to come visit – it’s nice to know Tim and I
have a friend like you.
DIANE: Don’t mention it. It’s my pleasure.
DIANE RISES AND WALKS TO THE DOOR. SHE OPENS IT AND STEPS OUT.
CLAIRE: Thanks again!
DIANE: Bye!
DIANE CLOSES THE DOOR FULLY.
CLAIRE: I have got to get to the bottom of this. There’s something to this whole
thing that we’re all overlooking …
INT. CAR EARLY AFTERNOON
JAMES ROBBINS IS DRIVING ALONE.
JAMES: It’s about time I paid you a visit, Claire. I’ve gotta make sure that no one
uncovers my involvement in Tim’s shooting.
HOLD ON JAMES’S ANXIETY.
ACT THREE
INT. CHASE HOME - LIVING ROOM EARLY AFTERNOON
COURTNEY IS AGAIN WATCHING TELEVISION WHEN THE TELEPHONE RINGS.
SHE ANSWERS IT. ONE-WAY CONVERSATION.
COURTNEY: Hello? (BEAT) Hello? There’s no one there …
SHE HANGS THE PHONE UP.
COURTNEY: Probably a wrong number.
THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN. SHE REACHES OVER AND PICKS IT UP. ONE-WAY CONVERSATION.
COURTNEY: Hello? (BEAT) Hello? (LONG BEAT) Is anybody there?
SHE HANGS UP, ANNOYED.
COURTNEY: Stupid kids … probably a bunch of kids making prank calls or
something.
ONCE AGAIN, THE PHONE RINGS. COURTNEY HESITATES FOR A MOMENT
BEFORE PICKING IT UP.
COURTNEY: Hello? (BEAT) Who’s there? What’s going on? (BEAT) Who is
this?
SHE HANGS UP AGAIN, AND AFTER A MOMENT OF CONSIDERATION TAKES
THE PHONE OFF THE HOOK.
INT. SHANNON’S BEDROOM SAME
SHANNON HAS THE PHONE PRESSED TO HER EAR. A DIAL TONE CAN BE HEARD.
SHANNON: Courtney, Courtney, Courtney …
SHE UTTERS A MAD LAUGH AS SHE HANGS UP.
INT. CLAIRE’S APARTMENT EARLY AFTERNOON
CLAIRE IS SITTING ON THE COUCH READING WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER
KNOCK AT THE DOOR. SHE RISES AND CROSSES THE ROOM TO ANSWER IT.
JAMES: Claire!
HE ENTERS AND HUGS HER.
CLAIRE: Dad …
JAMES: How’s Tim doing?
CLAIRE: Well, he woke up, finally. (BEAT) But he doesn’t seem to remember
anything about his life.
JAMES: You mean—
CLAIRE: He has amnesia. Yeah. (BEAT) His brother told me that Tim described
a dream where he was here, in the apartment, and so was I. So that gives me
some hope …
JAMES: Don’t worry, Claire. I’m sure he’ll come around. (BEAT) Any news on
who did this to him? I mean, have the police made any progress?
CLAIRE: None at all. Our only hope of figuring it out is if Tim snaps out of the
amnesia and remembers.
JAMES: (THINKING) I can’t let that happen. If Tim tells everyone that I ordered
the hit on him, Claire will hate me – she’ll never talk to me again. I can’t let
her – or anyone else – figure this out.
HOLD ON JAMES’S PREOCCUPATION.


ACT FOUR

INT.	ICE SKATING RINK	EARLY EVENING

SHANNON IS TALKING TO SANDY. ENTER JASON.

SHANNON: Hi, Jason!

JASON: Hi, Shannon.

SHANNON: What’s wrong? You look a little down in the dumps.

JASON: Nothing, really … Courtney was just telling me that she was getting 
prank calls all afternoon. I just hope nothing comes of it.

SHANNON: Oh, I’m sure she’ll be fine, Jason.

SHE PUTS HER ARM AROUND HIM.

SHANNON: (THINKING) She will be fine, as long as she stays out of my way.

INT.	CLAIRE’S APARTMENT - KITCHEN	SAME

CLAIRE AND JAMES ARE COOKING AND APPEAR TO BE HAVING A GOOD TIME.

JAMES: You know, we haven’t had quality time together like this for so long.

CLAIRE: You’re right. Since I went to college, if you think about it. There just 
hasn’t been time for it.

JAMES: We should’ve made time, honey. (BEAT) It’s my fault, I guess.

CLAIRE: Why do you say that?

JAMES: Well, I was always so busy with work and everything, even when you 
were at home, that we never got to enjoy ourselves like this.

CLAIRE: It’s just natural. Parents and kids grow apart. As a matter of fact, I 
was having a discussion with Tim’s mom about this sort of thing the other day.

JAMES: You’ve gotten awfully close to his family, haven’t you?

CLAIRE: Yeah, I have. They’ve really made me feel like part of the family.

JAMES: I’m just glad we’re getting some time to bond now.

CLAIRE: Hang on – I’ve got a great idea! Why don’t you come to the hospital 
with me to visit Tim?

JAMES: Uh … why don’t we eat first?

CLAIRE: Fine. You’ll come, then?

HOLD ON JAMES’S DELIBERATING.

ACT FIVE

INT.	HOSPITAL HALLWAY			SAME

CLAIRE AND JAMES STAND WAITING FOR THE ELEVATOR.

JAMES: (THINKING) I cannot believe I’m doing this. But it’s the only way to 
not let on to Claire that I was involved in shooting Tim.

CLAIRE: I’m so excited. (BEAT) Dad, when we go up there, I’m gonna tell 
Tim the truth!

HOLD ON JAMES’S ALARM.

INT.	CHASE HOME - LIVING ROOM		EVENING

COURTNEY IS DOING MINOR EXERCISE ON THE FLOOR. HER CRUTCHES ARE 
SET ASIDE.

COURTNEY: (THINKING) I have got to get better – quick. It’s the only way that 
I can keep Shannon from ruining both Jason’s and my life.

INT.	HOSPITAL HALLWAY (2nd FLOOR)	SAME

CLAIRE AND JAMES ARE WALKING DOWN THE NEARLY DESERTED CORRIDOR 
TO TIM’S ROOM.

CLAIRE: You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this, Dad … it’s only 
been a few weeks since Tim was shot, but it seems like an eternity.

JAMES: I can imagine.

FADE INTO:

FLASHBACK:

EXT.	STORE		LATE NIGHT

ALAN: I have a message for you from James Robbins.

TIM: My father-in-law?

ALAN: Yep. He says you better watch what you say and what you do. If his 
daughter doesn’t wanna move to Chicago, then don’t make her.

TIM: Fine.

ALAN: And you will not, under any circumstances, tell her about this little 
encounter. He doesn’t want her to know what he does to make life good 
for her.

TIM: He’s even more of a scum than I thought.

ALAN: Oh yeah?


TIM: Yeah. And as for you—

ALAN PULLS OUT A GUN AND POINTS IT AT TIM.

FADE BACK TO:

INT.	HOSPITAL HALLWAY (2nd FLOOR)	EVENING

CLAIRE: Dad?

JAMES: Oh … uh, yeah.

CLAIRE: I’m so excited! Once I tell him that I’m his wife, he’ll be able to come 
home, and then ... maybe we’ll finally be able to live "happily ever after."

JAMES: I hope you can do that, too, honey.

JAMES LOOKS UPWARD IN A PRAYING MOTION.

JAMES: (CONT’D) By the way, is he still gonna take that job in Chicago?

CLAIRE: I, uh … Wow, I forgot all about it. There’s been so much going on. 
(LONG BEAT) But no, I don’t so. We had a talk before he was shot—

JAMES: About the move?

CLAIRE: Yeah. He said if it really made me unhappy, I certainly didn’t have to 
go, and he wouldn’t take the job.

JAMES: Good … good.

JAMES: (THINKING) He better not do anything to upset you, Claire. Look where 
this got him …

THEY WALK INTO THE ENTRYWAY OF TIM’S ROOM. AWAKE, TIM LOOKS AT THEM 
IN ABSOLUTE SHOCK.

TIM: You!

OUT ON JAMES’S SHOCK.


END OF EPISODE #13




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