by Robb House
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - MIDDAY
FRANK stands behind the bar, wiping its surface with a damp
rag. LON sits on his usual stool looking at a manila folder,
studying it's contents with a furrowed brow.
Frank looks up as the bell over the door CHIMES. In walk
CALLIE, VI, MIKE, TYLER, and TAMSIN. They are dressed
formally as if they have just returned from either a wedding
or a funeral. Their dark clothing and somber attitude would
suggest the latter.
Tyler looks to the bar, catching Frank's eye. Frank gives him
a supportive nod. The young people move to a booth and sit
down.
TYLER
(huffing)
I can't believe he's gone. It's
just so--
MIKE
(flatly)
Weird.
Everyone shoots Mike a look. Tyler gives him a hard punch in
the arm.
TYLER
(annoyed)
I was going to go with "sudden"
there.
Mike rubs his arm gingerly.
MIKE
Hey, the guy takes a late-night
swim, fully clothed, and gets stung
by a jellyfish. Sorry if the word
"weird" comes to mind!
Tamsin shakes her head.
TAMSIN
It's tragic. So rarely are
jellyfish stings fatal.
TYLER
They said he must have been
allergic.
Frank approaches the table carrying a TRAY FULL OF MUGS. The
gang looks up.
FRANK
Thought you kids might could use
some coffee.
The gang nods appreciatively as Frank sets the cups down on
the table. He turns and walks away as everyone grabs a mug.
No one drinks. Instead, they all look quietly at their
individual mugs for a moment. Vi breaks the silence.
VI
Do they know why he was there? At
the beach?
TYLER
(shaking his head)
Total mystery.
CALLIE
No telling with Chad. Remember that
time he went on that weekend
bender, hooked up with that skanky
chick from the bar, and woke up in
Saskatchewan?
Tyler gives a small, wistfully chuckle.
TYLER
Chad was one of a kind.
An annoyed look crosses Mike's face.
MIKE
(to Tyler)
That's it?
Tyler shrugs, confused as to what Mike is referring to.
MIKE (CONT'D)
(annoyed)
I mention the peculiarness of the
man's midnight dip in the Pacific
and get a goose-egg on my arm the
size of a soft-ball. She mentions
his fondness for loose women and
binge drinking and nothin'.
TYLER
She's prettier than you.
Mike crosses his arms and gives Tyler a hard look indicating
he thinks otherwise.
Callie's mouth drops open at Mike's arrogance. But seconds
later it drops open even further as Tyler shrugs and nods
agreeingly.
TYLER (CONT'D)
Well, she's nicer than you.
Now its Mike's turn to agree.
CALLIE
(offended)
If you two want to be alone, the
ugly nice girl can leave.
Tyler moves to comfort Callie as we PAN back to the bar where
Frank is watching the gang. He turns to Lon who is still
looking at the case folder and nods toward the table.
FRANK
(quietly)
This something we need to get
involved in?
Lon looks up from his reading.
LON
(also quietly)
Well... the coroner's report would
seem to support the lab's findings-
Death by acute onset anaphylaxis
due to probable jellyfish toxicity.
Lon pushes the folder over to Frank pointing to the top page.
Frank picks it up and eyes it for a second. He looks back to
Lon, his eyebrow cocked.
FRANK
You're using your "doubtful" voice.
What 'cha got?
Lon shifts in his seat.
LON
Nothing really. Just some random
thoughts.
FRANK
Such as?
Lon leans in closer.
LON
There was no water in the boy's
lungs.
Frank looks as if he is about to ask a question, but Lon cuts
him off.
LON (CONT'D)
(in full-on lecture mode)
Which means that he must have died
instantly, therefore preventing him
from aspirating seawater. No
jellyfish is capable of that,
allergic or not. Not even the
would's most toxic, the Chironex
fleckeri, or "Sea Wasp" as it is
more commonly known, is capable of
causing instantaneous death.
(beat)
And all of this is moot anyway
because jellyfish aren't even
indigenous to this area.
Frank stares blankly at Lon as he continues.
LON (CONT'D)
I believe it to be much more likely
that our Mr. Warchuck fell victim
to foul play and was then dumped in
the ocean as a cover.
Frank cocks his eyebrow, amused.
FRANK
Those are your "random" thoughts?
Lon gives an embarrassed smirk.
LON
Yes, well, the local authorities
seem content enough to chalk the
whole matter up to a random fluke,
perhaps some exotic specimen washed
in by last week's storm.
FRANK
(nodding)
Keep on it, just in case.
Lon nods as the young people get up from their booth and head
toward Tyler's room. As they get close to the bar, they pause
briefly. All of them, except Tyler and Callie, have pained
looks on their faces.
TYLER
(to Frank)
In Chad's honor, we're going to go
watch an episode of "Battlestar
Galactica" featuring the oft
scantily clad Tricia Helfer.
They continue on their way. Mike rolls his eyes.
MIKE
(sarcastically)
Great. Sci-fi and half-naked women.
Two of my favorite things.
Frank and Lon chuckle. Frank nods to Vi.
FRANK
Flip the sign, would ya? Got some
work to do.
Vi nods and moves quickly to the door, flipping the sign to
"closed". She then follows the group as they exit into
Tyler's room. Lon takes the folder off the counter and closes
it.
LON
I'm going to run some more test on
the toxin sample Detective Jamison
provided for us.
(beat)
By the way, you never said how your
evening with the comely constable
went.
Frank blushes slightly, obviously embarrassed.
FRANK
Didn't you just say you had some
test to do?
Lon stifles a smile.
LON
Yes. But it will have to wait for a
bit. I've got the computer tied up
running portal simulations.
FRANK
Still trying to track down the
source of those anomalies?
Lon nods and downs the rest of his coffee.
LON
I'm using a new algorithm. It
should allow us to trace them back
to the source so that we can
hopefully shut it down.
He points to his empty cup. Frank grabs the carafe from the
machine. It's empty. He reaches under the counter and pulls
out a can. He opens it. Empty.
FRANK
Sorry, Lonny-boy. All out of java.
LON
(deadpan)
How is a man expected to work under
such harsh conditions?
Frank chuckles.
FRANK
I think there's a can on the top
shelf in the kitchen.
Lon nods. Frank grabs the empty pot and turns to the small
sink to fill it with water. Lon stands and walks behind the
bar, exiting into the kitchen.
The bell over the door CHIMES. Frank cocks his eyebrow
curiously.
He turns to see a YOUNG MAN (30) enter. He is attractive in a
scruffy way, wearing a cheap suit and shoes that look like
they've seen better days. He approaches the bar.
YOUNG MAN
(in a thick Cockney
accent)
'Scuse me, mate. You know where I
might find a gentl'man goes by the
name of Lon Travers?
Lon exits the kitchen staring intently at the can of coffee
he is holding.
LON
All I could find was this
decaffeinated that expired in...
1997?
He looks up. Startled by the young man's presence, he drops
the can. Recovering his composure, he address the young man.
LON (CONT'D)
(to the man; flatly)
Simon.
SIMON
Hello, bruv.
Frank looks from Lon to the man, SIMON TRAVERS, and back
again.
Lon stares coolly. Simon gives him a cheeky grin as we:
BLACKOUT.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - AFTERNOON
Tamsin, Mike, and Vi are sitting at a table with Simon. The
three funeral go-ers have changed back into their normal
attire. Frank leans on a nearby booth listening to the
conversation.
Lon sits at the bar eyeing his brother neutrally while back
at the table, Simon is in the middle of an exciting story.
SIMON
(leaning in to the group)
So there I was... five hundred feet
off the ground hanging upsidedown
from the side of this ancient
pyramid, when it hits me-- the
nausea, the cramps. Now, I know a
repulsion spell when I feel one--
(nodding toward the door)
--like the one on your closed sign
there... so I feel around for an
opening and "Bob's you're uncle"!
Two weeks later, I'm in Berlin
selling a map to the Fountain of
bloody Youth at auction for four
hundred-thousand quid!
Everyone at the table "oohs and ahhs" at Simon. At the bar,
Lon rolls his eyes.
SIMON (CONT'D)
'Course, I lost it all a week later
at the tables in Cabo.
(shrugging)
Easy come, easy go.
MIKE
Wow, dude! You're just like Indiana
Jones!
(beat)
You know, young, hot "Raiders"
Indy, not wrinkled, Medicare
"Crystal Skull" Indy.
Simon gives Mike a playful pat on the arm. When he does, the
sleeve of his coat inches up, exposing an odd tattoo on the
inside of his wrist. It looks like a triangle sitting on top
of a square with a circle inside it. It catches Mike's eye.
Noticing his tattoo exposed, Simon quickly pull his cuff back
down.
Tamsin scoots closer and slides her arm around her brother.
Lon continues to look annoyed.
TAMSIN
Simon's always been the adventurer
of the family.
SIMON
(wistfully)
Adventurer? Adventurer. Like the
sound of that. So much nicer than
"screw up", "black sheep",
(chuckle)
"ungrateful little bastard".
Tamsin chuckles lightly and snuggles in closer to her
brother.
TAMSIN
Oh, you never let what Father
thought bother you.
SIMON
Didn't have to. Lon was bothered
enough for the both of us.
Simon looks to Lon and gives him a wink. Lon clenches his
jaw.
TAMSIN
And speaking of Father, he'd be
appalled with your diction. It's
dreadful!
SIMON
Well, I couldn't keep me street
cred sounding all posh now, could
I?
(beat)
Besides the thought of the old man
rolling over in his grave every
time I open me mouth gives me
thrills.
Tamsin gasps in mock surprise and slaps her brother playfully
on the arm. Simon gives Tamsin a warm, cheeky grin in return.
At the bar, Lon looks even more annoyed.
Tyler enters from his room behind the stairs. He is now
dressed in his normal attire. He approaches the group, his
head hung low.
TYLER
I'm off to... you know.
Mike, Tamsin, Vi, and Frank give him a sympathetic look.
VI
I can't believe they're making you
clean out his desk. His memorial
service was only this morning!
TYLER
I volunteered. I didn't want them
to just throw his stuff out.
Thought I'd send it home to his
family.
MIKE
Why weren't they at the service?
TYLER
(shrugging)
Guess they'll have their own
service for him back in Boston. I
think it's just his mom and little
brother. Didn't really talk much
about them.
(beat)
Well... I better go.
As Tyler turns to leave, Mike stands.
MIKE
You want me to come with?
Tyler turns back to Mike.
TYLER
Thanks. But you can't. You need
clearance to get into R & D.
Besides, I kind of want to do this
on my own.
Understanding, Mike nods and sits back down. Tyler gives the
table a small nod and turns back to the door. The gang all
utter a small goodbye as Tyler exits the diner.
SIMON
Poor, kid. That's a rough bit of
luck.
Everyone nods. Frank moves to in front of the table and claps
his hands together.
FRANK
I hate to break up the party, but
some of us have work to do.
Frank turns to move toward the kitchen. No one at the table
moves. He turns back.
FRANK (CONT'D)
(indicating to Mike and
Vi)
I meant you two.
(to Vi)
You've got training...
(to Mike)
...and you haven't logged any orb
time all week.
Mike and Vi proceed to put on pitiful faces and whine like
children.
SIMON
'Sokay, kiddies. Uncle Simon's
gonna be here when you get back.
The two perk up. With cheerier attitudes they stand and join
Frank as he moves toward the kitchen. Simon watches Vi as she
exits.
Noticing her brother's appraisal of Vi, Tamsin slaps him on
the arm. Lon continues to study his brother.
TAMSIN
Don't you get any ideas! You dirty
ole sod!
Simon gives an innocent chuckle.
SIMON
(innocently)
What? I was just thinking how I
can't believe that little slip of a
thing's a Slayer.
TAMSIN
(unconvinced)
Sure you were. Just remember, she
could break you in half.
SIMON
(smiling)
Oh, but what a way to go.
The two laugh. Lon stands and moves to the table where his
younger siblings are seated. Lon gives Simon a stern look.
Simon notices his brother's expression. He turns to Tamsin.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Tamsin, would you be a love and
make us some tea? Been ages since I
had a proper cuppa.
TAMSIN
Of course, brother dear.
She touches him lightly on the arm as she stands.
SIMON
(jokingly)
And don't over-steep it like you
always do.
TAMSIN
Do not!
Tamsin laughs lightly as she moves behind Lon. She puts her
hands on his shoulders as she leans in close.
TAMSIN (CONT'D)
(to Lon; firmly)
Be nice.
She pats him on the shoulders, turns toward the kitchen, and
walks across the room. She exits into the kitchen.
Simon's smile leaves his face. He leans in closer to Lon.
SIMON
Alright, bruv, let's hear it.
CUT TO:
EXT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
ANGLE ON Simon and Lon through the window as they continue
their conversation. A figure peers in the window. A cloak
obscures its face. It raises a clawed hand, resting it on the
side of the building. Whatever it is, it's clearly not human.
SIMON
(filtered; though window)
You've been sitting over there
stewing all afternoon.
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
SIMON
I'd think you were scared of me
airing the Travers family's dirty
laundry out in front of your
mates... if you had any mates.
Lon clenches his jaw.
LON
(coolly)
Pardon me for not wanting to cause
a scene.
SIMON
Don't make a scene. Just like dear
ole dad aren't you? Well...
(Simon gives Lon a knowing
look)
...almost.
Lon flinches, not understanding Simon's comment.
SIMON (CONT'D)
Truth is, you'll never be "dad".
Least if those rumors when we was
back at school are true.
Lon is clearly more agitated, but manages to keep his cool.
LON
(firmly)
What are you doing here, Simon?
CUT TO:
EXT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
The cloaked FIGURE continues watching. It's raspy breath
audible.
SIMON
(filtered; through window)
What? A bloke can't just drop in to
visit his family?
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
Lon glares angrily at Simon.
LON
You didn't "drop in" when your
sister's husband died! You didn't
"drop in" for your own father's
funeral! You never "drop in" unless
you want something!
SIMON
(defensively)
I was out of the country both them
times! Tamsin understands!
LON
I don't understand! How she puts up
with your antics is beyond me.
Flunking out of the Watcher's
Academy, gallivanting all over the
world doing who knows what with God
knows whom!
CUT TO:
EXT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
The figure continues to watch the interaction between the
men. CU on Simon through the window.
SIMON
(filtered; through window)
I know! And I'm sorry!
CUT TO:
INT. FRANK'S DINER - CONTINUOUS
Lon looks at Simon, unsure he just heard what Simon just
said.
SIMON
(sincerely)
I'm sorry.
(beat)
Look, Lon. I don't wanna fight. I
know I've been a screw up. But I'm
here to tell ya' them days is
behind me. I want to settle down,
with my family around.
Lon sees the sincerity in his younger brother's eyes. His own
face softens.
LON
(softly)
What's happened?
Simon takes a deep breath and looks down at the table,
avoiding his brother's gaze.
SIMON
A few weeks ago, I was down in the
Congo trying to track down this gem
for a client of mine. I needed an
interpreter, someone who could read
the ancient text, so I hooked up
with this bird called Alexa. Sweet
young thing, just married, baby on
the way.
(beat)
We was twenty feet under ground,
when the earthquake hit. The whole
cave fell in on us.
(beat)
She was crushed. I made out without
even a scratch.
Simon raises his head to look at Lon, tears in his eyes.
SIMON (CONT'D)
There she is lyin' there and I
think, "Why her? Why not me?" I'm
the one who's wasted his life. She
was just an innocent girl trying to
save some money for her family. Now
she's dead 'cause of me.
Lon scoots closer to his brother and slides a comforting arm
over his shoulders.
LON
If I allow you to stay, you promise
no more schemes?
SIMON
(nodding lightly)
Yeah. I'm done.
Simon dries up his tears as Tamsin enters from the kitchen
carrying a tea set. Seeing Lon and Simon's close proximity,
she freezes.
TAMSIN
(anxiously)
What's wrong.
Lon and Simon look to her.
LON
Nothing. Simon's going to be
staying with us for a while.
Tamsin gives Lon a bemused look and then smiles. Her
expression beaming with joy. She sets the service on the
table.
TAMSIN
I don't know what I missed, but I
must say I'm happy with the
outcome.
SIMON
Don't just stand there woman. There
are thirsty men here.
Tamsin smirks as she joins her brothers at the table.
TAMSIN
I'll be mother then, shall I?
The men nod as Tamsin takes the kettle and begins to pour the
tea into cups. Simon eyes the dark liquid.
SIMON
What did I tell ya? Black as bloody
road tar.
Tamsin gives him a pretend scornful look as Simon take a sip
of his brew.
SIMON (CONT'D)
And taste like Heaven.
Her look turns into a warm smile as the three Travers
siblings celebrate a family moment.
CUT TO:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.