03x10 - Brave New World

[bunniefuu]

FADE IN:

LUCAS: (v.o) Previously on One Tree Hill.

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Dan stands in the middle of the court and bellows into a mic.)

DAN: IS EVERYBODY READY?!

(The camera cuts and pans to the cheering crowd and the previously has suddenly turned into a music video of Fall Out Boy’s – Sugar We’re Going Down. The song starts up.)

DAN: (v.o) Let me here ya!

CUT TO:

[INT. COSTUME SHOP – SHOP FLOOR – DAY]

(Lucas stands in the shops, dressed as Elvis.)

DAN: (v.o) Five!

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE RIVERCOURT – THE COURT – DAY]

(Lucas turns and smiles at somebody off-screen.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE BEACH – SAND – DAY]

(Brooke walks forward smiling. She’s dressed in a black bikini.)

DAN: (v.o) Four!

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Brooke grins.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – DETENTION – DAY]

(Nathan turns his head and smiles at Haley.)

DAN: (v.o) Three!

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – DAY]

(Nathan jumps at the hoop, the basketball in his hands.)

CUT TO:

[INT. COSTUME SHOP – SHOP FLOOR – DAY]

(Haley makes some ridiculous moves while Lucas changes.)

DAN: (v.o) Two!

(She wraps a blue feather scarf around her neck.)

CUT TO:

[INT. GO KARTING – RACE TRACK – EVENING]

(Peyton yells as she zooms around the track in her cart.)

DAN: (v.o) One!

CUT TO:

[INT. TRIC – DANCE FLOOR – EVENING]

(Peyton disco dances on the floor, dressed as the Angel of Death.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Dan continues to yell into the mic.)

DAN: LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!

CUT TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(Deb, covered head to toe in black, flicks a lighter on and drops it onto the alcohol. Dan’s head lolls back.)

DAN: (v.o) When I find out who did this to me,-

(The fire explodes out of the window. Lucas crouches on the ground.)

DAN: (v.o) -the sins I commit then-

(Close-up of Lucas’ face as he stands in the burning building, watching.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DEB’S CAR – EVENING]

(Deb pulls the balaclava off after having just set fire to Dan’s dealership.)

DAN: (v.o) -could turn this place-

CUT TO:

[DAN SCOTT MOTORS – PARKING LOT – EVENING]

(Dan looks ahead evilly, strapped to breathing equipment and in a wheelchair.)

DAN: (v.o) -to rubble(!)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Brooke stands with Lucas and takes her robe off, revealing her yellow clothes.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE RIVERCOURT – THE COURT – EVENING]

(Rachel stands there, topless, with a basketball covering her.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Deb stands at the doorway with alcohol and dressed in skimpy bed clothes as she pretends to be drunk.)

DEB: Can you see my ass through this!

(She looks down. sh*t pans to her legs.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE BEACH – END OF SUMMER PARTY – EVENING]

(Lucas and Brooke talk on the beach.)

LUCAS: But one of these nights you’re gonna realise it – (pause) I’m the guy for you, Brooke Davis.

(Brooke looks at him, astounded.)

LUCAS: You’ll see.

CUT TO:

[EXT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – FLOWERBED – DAY]

(Deb is passed out on the flowerbed. Dan stands over her. He scowls, turns and turns on the sprinklers. Deb jerks slightly and moves.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – BROOKE AND HALEY’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Brooke’s in bed. Chris props himself up as they both look at Lucas who has just caught them in bed together. Brooke is distraught and Chris is triumphant. sh*t closes in on Lucas’ wounded face.)

(Cut back to Chris as he smirks.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. TREE HILL HIGH – PARKING LOT – EVENING]

(Brooke confronts Lucas.)

BROOKE: I wanted you to fight for me!

LUCAS: How was I supposed to know that?

BROOKE: (hurt and disappointed) You just are.

CUT TO:

[INT. KAREN’S CAFÉ – DINING AREA – DAY]

(Ellie confronts Lucas.)

ELLIE: I have cancer.

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE GRAVEYARD – ANNA SAWYER’S GRAVE – DAY]

(Close-up of Anna’s grave.)

AOD PEYTON: (v.o) Your other mom should be dead soon.

(Peyton stands and Angel of Death Peyton is standing behind her, smirking.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Peyton is looking on, tears in her eyes.)

PEYTON: You really are a bitch.

AOD PEYTON: (leans in close) I’m not the one that sent Ellie away.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – BROOKE AND HALEY’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Haley and Brooke are in Brooke’s bed. Haley turns around and Brooke holds her arm out, a big grin on her face.)

CUT TO:

[INT. ROE RESIDENCE – LUCAS’ BEDROOM – DAY]

(Chris is lying behind a sleeping Lucas. He reaches over and puts his arm around Lucas. Lucas opens his eyes and the camera zooms in jerkily on him.)

CUT TO:

[INT. BEVINS’ HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Bevin and Skills are watching The Notebook together.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – BROOKE AND HALEY’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Brooke grins widely as Lucas leans in, over her.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – BROOKE AND HALEY’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Haley turns to Brooke again.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Haley and Nathan kiss.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. ROE RESIDENCE – LAWN – EVENING]

(Lucas and Brooke kiss.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Lucas and Nathan break through the paper covering the entrance to the locker rooms as their fight gets out of control. They push each other forward as they hit each other.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. MIDDLE OF NOWHERE – FOREST – EVENING]

(Nathan punches Chris.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Rachel pulls back and punches Brooke.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – BOYS LOCKER ROOM – EVENING]

(Nathan punches Lucas. Lucas punches him back.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Brooke slaps Rachel.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Peyton knees the Ravens mascot in the crotch.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Nathan throws the ball, Lucas steps aside and it hits Chris in the face. He falls off his seat.)

CUT TO:

[INT. THE TOUR – THE STAGE – EVENING]

(Haley walks off the stage, the light shining on her from behind.)

CHRIS: (v.o) You tell Haley that song is-

CUT TO:

[EXT. MUSIC STUDIO – ENTRANCE – EVENING]

(Chris stands with Nathan.)

CHRIS: -a hit.

(He smiles at Nathan.)

CUT TO:

[INT. KAREN’S CAFÉ – DINING AREA – DAY]

(Karen and Deb stand at the window. They watch Dan who has just gotten out of his vehicle. There is a huge billboard with his campaign poster attached to the back of it. He looks at them, grinning.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – BOYS LOCKER ROOM – EVENING]

(Dan grabs Nathan and shoves him against the lockers.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Peyton is dressed as the Angel of Death. Birds-eye view of her. She looks up.)

CUT TO:

[INT. MOTEL – ELLIE’S ROOM – EVENING]

(Close-up of the picture Ellie is drawing of Peyton – a drawing of her as the Angel of Death.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(The cheerleaders perform their routine.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(The Ravens play their first game of basketball.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(The cheerleaders continue their routine.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(The Ravens’ mascot slides across the floor between the two lines of cheerleaders.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(The cheerleaders are still performing.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE STAGE – DAY]

(Rachel stands before Brooke and Peyton as she tries out to be a cheerleader.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TRIC – DANCE FLOOR – EVENING]

(Mouth is dressed as Tony Manero from ‘Saturday Night Fever’ and disco dances by himself first. He’s soon joined by Peyton.)

CUT TO:

[INT. KAREN’S CAFÉ – COUNTER – DAY]

(Karen stands behind the counter, holding a tray.)

KAREN: What whaaaat! (does some embarrassing moves)

CUT TO:

[INT. TRIC – BACKROOM – EVENING]

(Haley kisses Chris, dressed as Batman, thinking its Nathan.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TRIC – SEATING – EVENING]

(Nathan pulls his Batman mask off.)

CUT TO:

[INT. CHRIS’ APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Close-up of a Batman mask. Cut to Chris standing and looking at it with a huge grin on his face.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. THE BEACH – THE PARTY – EVENING]

(Nathan and Haley are walking on the beach together, away from the party.)

CHRIS: (v.o) How’re things with Nathan?

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT RESIDENCE – BROOKE AND HALEY’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Haley in lying on her bed, looking at her wedding ring.)

LUCAS: (v.o) You think I’m gonna let you mistreat Haley-

PARTIAL FADE TO:

[EXT. THE BEACH – THE WEDDING – DAY]

(Nathan slips the ring onto Haley’s finger. sh*t of them smiling.)

LUCAS: (v.o) -you’re wrong.

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE RIVERCOURT – THE COURT – EVENING]

(Lucas confronts Nathan on the court.)

LUCAS: Coz if you do, I’m gonna hurt you.

CUT TO:

[EXT. KAREN’S CAFÉ – ROOFTOP – EVENING]

(Nathan and Haley are on top of the roof.)

NATHAN: The roots are still there. (she looks at him) It just takes time.

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

NATHAN: Stay with me tonight.

(Haley stands at the doorway and smiles)

HALEY: Oh, I was hoping you would say that.

CUT TO:

[EXT. TREE HILL HIGH – GROUNDS – DAY]

(Rachel kisses Lucas on the neck.)

RACHEL: Yummy.

CUT TO:

[INT. THE MALL – SUBURBAN FILTH – DAY]

(Brooke all but growls at Rachel who has entered the shop with Lucas.)

BROOKE: I think you’re in the wrong store. You’re looking for Slut Barn.

CUT TO:

[INT. TRIC – DANCE FLOOR – EVENING]

(Rachel is dressed as Pamela Anderson and dancing with Lucas who is dressed as Tommy Lee.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – KITCHEN – EVENING]

(Peyton and Brooke stand together.)

PEYTON: So, you two bury the hatchet yet?

BROOKE: (viciously) If anything, I’m about to bury it in her throat(!)

(Walks away.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – CORRIDOR – DAY]

(Bevin has Ashley in a head-lock.)

WHITEY: If I wanted to watch cheerleaders wrestle, I’d turn on pay-per-view!

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – CORRIDOR – EVENING]

(Close-up of Chris’ shocked face.)

CHRIS: Nice(!)

CUT TO:

[INT. RECORDING STUDIO – VIEWING ROOM – EVENING]

(Peyton slaps Chris around the face.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. OUT OF TOWN – THE BILLBOARD – EVENING]

(Deb goes to take her pants off and Karen stops her.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Nathan takes his top off.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – THE GYM – EVENING]

(Mouth and Gigi are sat at the announcer’s table.)

GIGI: This kinda turns me on!

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE RIVERBOAT – EVENING]

(Nathan and Chris jump off from the top of the riverboat.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – CLASSROOM – EVENING]

(Brooke stands at the head of the class.)

BROOKE: Fantasy Boy Draft.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Rachel smirks.)

RACHEL: I pick Lucas.

HALEY: I pick Nathan!

BEVIN: (holds a hand up) I get Skills.

BROOKE: Wait!

CUT TO:

[INT. ROE RESIDENCE – LUCAS’ BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Lucas tips the HCM medication tub and his last pill falls out.)

LUCAS: (v.o) If you tell Whitey… that I have a heart condition-

(Pan up to his face as he looks on worriedly.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – CORRIDOR – DAY]

(Lucas and Haley stand at the lockers, talking in hushed voices.)

LUCAS: -I’m off the team(!)

HALEY: Yeah, and if I don’t tell Whitey about your heart condition,-

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE RIVERCOURT – ROCKS – EVENING]

(Close-up of Lucas wrapping his hand around the medication tub.)

HALEY: (v.o) you’re off the planet!

(He launches it into the river.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE BEACH – THE PARTY – EVENING]

(Haley looks serious but confused.)

HALEY: I love you.

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Nathan is propped up in bed.)

NATHAN: I still do love you.

CUT TO:

[INT. RETIREMENT HOME – MAL’S ROOM – EVENING]

(Mouth stands at the doorway and looks at Mal.)

MOUTH: I love you.

CUT TO:

[EXT. ROE RESIDENCE – LAWN – EVENING]

(Brooke looks on, crying.)

BROOKE: I love you.

(Lucas looks at her, smiling.)

LUCAS: I love you, too.

(The camera zooms out slowly to a birds-eye view as they kiss.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. KAREN’S CAFÉ – THE ROOFTOP – EVENING]

(Nathan and Haley are standing on the rooftop, hugging.)

FADE TO:

[INT. NEW BRUNSWICK COUNTY JAIL – JAIL CELL – DAY]

(Brooke, Haley and Peyton are dressed in garish red jumpsuits as the cell door slams shut. They are seen between the bars.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HIGH – GIRLS CHANGING ROOM – EVENING]

(Brooke looks mad as she fumes.)

BROOKE: OK, what the hell just happened?!

FADE TO BLACK:

END OF PREVIOUSLY ON:

OPENING CREDITS ROLL:

FADE IN:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Nathan takes his t-shirt off and looks down.)

FADE TO:

[INT. ROE RESIDENCE – BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Lucas and Brooke are lying on his bed, kissing. He puts a hand to her face. The camera pans right.)

FADE TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Haley and Nathan continue with what they’re doing.)

LUCAS: (v.o) Ida Scott Taylor once wrote: ‘Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone;-

FADE TO:

[EXT. TREE HILL – STREETS – EVENING]

(Lucas and Brooke are walking down the street, hand in hand.)

LUCAS: (v.o) -and do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. (pause) Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will-

FADE TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Nathan lays in bed, awake and looking at the ceiling. He’s slightly worried. Haley’s asleep beside him.)

LUCAS: (v.o) -be worth remembering.

(His phone rings. It’s on the bedside table closest to Haley. He jerks and looks at it before reaching over and picking it up. He looks at the display before flipping it open and answering.)

NATHAN: Hello?

(He waits and listens.)

NATHAN: Where are you? (pause) OK, OK.

(He looks at the phone again before shutting it and looking at Haley.)

(A phone rings.)

FADE TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – BROOKE AND HALEY’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Lucas and Brooke are still kissing. He waves the hand which is holding his ringing phone and pulls away from her.)

LUCAS: (flips the phone open) Hello?

(Brooke grins giddily.)

(Lucas listens and frowns. He turns his head and looks at Brooke.)

LUCAS: Yeah, no problem. (pause) I’ll be right over.

(He shuts his phone and looks at Brooke uneasily.)

LUCAS: I’m sorry, Brooke. (touches her face) That was Peyton.

BROOKE: Peyton? As in… my best friend and your ex-girlfriend, Peyton?

(He smiles tightly and moves so he’s hovering over her.)

LUCAS: Something’s up… but we’re together now, right? You and me, hm? (kisses her) Means everything to me. We just have to trust each other this time.

BROOKE: (nods) Yeah, I know, you’re right. Besides, I have things to do today. (pause) It’s pretty exciting, actually. Mouth set up a website for me so I can sell my new clothing line and it goes live in about an hour.

(Lucas laughs.)

BROOKE: So I figure I should make some dresses in case anyone wants to buy one.

LUCAS: That’s really great.

BROOKE: Hmmm.

LUCAS: I’m proud of you.

(They kiss again.)

LUCAS: OK, (gets off the bed) see you in a little bit.

BROOKE: OK.

(She turns on her side and watches him.)

BROOKE: See ya later, boyfriend.

(Lucas stops and looks back at her.)

BROOKE: (grinning) What?

LUCAS: Nothing,… just… feels good to hear you call me boyfriend.

BROOKE: (shrugs) Feels good to say it.

(Lucas smiles and exits the room. Brooke turns on her bed and moves around giddily. She finally lays still and smiles widely to herself.)

(sh*t fades to Brooke’s bedside cabinet. She reaches over and pulls her laptop off it. She opens it and starts typing away.)

BROOKE: (to herself) And we are… live.

(sh*t of the screen. Seven orders have been placed. She refreshes the page and there are now ten orders. She shakes her arms giddily and presses refresh again. There are now thirteen orders. Her smile gradually falls. She presses it again to find nineteen orders. She gapes and shuts the laptop. Brooke waits a b*at before getting off her bed and running out of the room.)

FADE TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Haley’s still asleep. She turns and reaches over to the empty pillow beside her.)

HALEY: (half asleep) Hi.

(She opens her eyes and sees he’s not there.)

HALEY: (still incoherent) Oh.

(Dan walks into the room and sees her there. He smirks.)

DAN: Well, well.

(Haley jerks, gasps and holds the covers to her as she turns to face him.)

DAN: Where’s the better half?

HALEY: I don’t know! (pulls the duvet up too)

(Dan circles her like a vulture.)

DAN: Oh,… (reaches down and picks up her bra, looking at it) he always was a love-em-and-leave-em type.

HALEY: Can I help you with something? As far as I know, this house doesn’t even belong to you, anymore.

DAN: Trust me, little girl, (advances on her) this house and everything in it will always belong to me.

HALEY: (b*at) Mr. Scott, can you please leave? You’re really creeping me out.

DAN: (bends lower) You know, at least Peyton was pleasant in the morning.

(Haley glares at him. Dan smiles and discreetly grabs the note that Nathan has left for her; on the bedside table.)

DAN: Oh, by the way, (turns back) I’m still waiting on those annulment papers. I hope you don’t think a one-night-stand’s gonna change that.

(He walks out and Haley turns away from the door.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Peyton’s in her closet, looking through her clothes.)

LUCAS: (o.s) Hey!?

(She turns to look at him. Lucas drops onto her bed and groans.)

PEYTON: Looks like somebody slept in his clothes last night. (smiles)

LUCAS: Yeaaaah. (grins) It’s a long story. So, what’s going on?

PEYTON: Um,… (looks up) look, I hate to ask, OK, but… over the summer, you kinda promised that if I ever wanted to go find Ellie,… you would come with me.

(Lucas props himself up on his elbows.)

LUCAS: Yeah, I remember. Did you find her?

(Peyton nods.)

PEYTON: And I think I wanna go see her.

LUCAS: Today?

(Peyton finishes packing her bag and slings it over her shoulder.)

PEYTON: (walking to him) Um,… right now, actually, coz if I don’t go, I never will and… I need to. (pauses nervously) Will you go?

LUCAS: (smiles and stands) Sure.

(He takes hold of her shoulders and looks steadily at her.)

LUCAS: A promise is a promise.

(Peyton smiles and walks out of her bedroom. Lucas follows her.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – NATHAN’S CAR – DAY]

(sh*t of the bridge from beneath as a phone rings.)

NATHAN: Hello?

(sh*t pans down to Nathan’s car. Cut to the inside as he talks while driving.)

NATHAN: Hey, I’m on my way.

CUT TO:

[INT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – ROOMS – DAY]

(Deb is standing on her lodge room, talking into the phone.)

DEB: OK, good, I can give you directions.

CUT TO:

[INT. THE ROAD – NATHAN’S CAR – DAY]

(The phone buzzes and Nathan looks at it. It’s another incoming call from Haley. He presses busy and returns to talking with his mother.)

NATHAN: OK, where am I going?

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Haley glowers as she shuts the phone. Brooke rushes in with the laptop.)

BROOKE: Where were you last night? (sets the laptop on the counter)

HALEY: Oh, uh,…

(The door opens. Haley stops talking and turns to the door.)

BROOKE: (sighs) To be continued. Mouth, you didn’t exactly break any speed records, driving over here, you know?

MOUTH: You called me seventeen minutes ago and I drive a bicycle, Brooke.

BROOKE: Well, I’m fresh outta medals. Just please come here because I need you to fix this stupid website(!)

(Mouth walks to her.)

MOUTH: It was supposed to go live an hour ago. (looks at the laptop)

BROOKE: (panicking) Oh, it’s live.

MOUTH: So, what’s the problem?

BROOKE: (pacing around the kitchen) Click on ‘orders’(!)

(Mouth does so.)

MOUTH: Thirty-four orders, Brooke, this is great?

(Brooke continues to pace and panic.)

BROOKE: Hold the enthusiasm, click it again! (points)

(Mouth clicks and the orders go up to thirty-six. Mouth smiles, not seeing a problem.)

MOUTH: Make that thirty-six orders.

HALEY: Brooke, thirty-six orders is incredible.

BROOKE: Haley, I can’t make thirty-six dresses that fast. I can’t make six dresses that fast!

HALEY: Wait, (scoffs) what’d you think was gonna happen?

BROOKE: (speaks fast) I don’t know. I didn’t think people were actually gonna order anything and if they did, I just figured they’d order stuff I’d already made!

(She looks at Mouth forlornly.)

BROOKE: I mean, is that a bad plan?

MOUTH: (delighted) Thirty-seven, thirty-eight!

(Brooke sighs and resumes pacing. He clicks again and looks wide-eyed.)

MOUTH: Dude, it just jumped to forty-three!

(Haley gapes.)

BROOKE: Mouth, I did not ask you to come over here to showcase your counting skills. I need you to make it stop! k*ll it; do whatever you have to do. I don’t have forty-three dresses!

MOUTH: How many do you have?

BROOKE: (thinks) Four.

(Haley looks at her in pity. Mouth frowns. Brooke looks at them cautiously.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – PEYTON’S CAR – DAY]

(Lucas and Peyton are sitting in the car as they drive to Ellie.)

LUCAS: So, where’re we headed?

PEYTON: River City. Have you ever been there?

LUCAS: (smiles) No, but it’s on my list.

PEYTON: So, how bout that long story? (looks at him cheekily)

LUCAS: Spent the night with Brooke.

PEYTON: Oh, (laughs) OK. (pause) Never mind.

LUCAS: No, it wasn’t like that. You know, I mean we didn’t… actually sleep together.

PEYTON: I thought you decided not to play her non-exclusive sleeping game.

LUCAS: We’re together now – exclusively.

PEYTON: (lets it sink in) Oh, no! Oh, God, I am an idiot! No, you know what, scratch that, (pokes him) you’re an idiot! I didn’t know any better!

LUCAS: What’re you talking about?

PEYTON: Lucas, you guys have been together, what, just like a couple of hours and you’re in the car with me!? Why didn’t you tell me? I wouldn’t have even asked you to come.

LUCAS: Peyton, I made you a promise. (pause) Besides, you should be able to turn to me for help. I love being that guy for you.

PEYTON: Well, does Brooke love you being that guy for me?

(Lucas looks away.)

PEYTON: No, I didn’t think so, OK, so call her.

(He doesn’t move.)

PEYTON: Call her and tell her we had plans, right now!

(She shoves the phone at him.)

PEYTON: Dial the phone!

(Lucas concedes and calls.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Brooke dumps a sewing machine onto the table. Haley’s right beside her.)

HALEY: I got it.

(Brooke sighs and pulls her phone out.)

BROOKE: (walking away and talking into the phone) Thank god it is you, please tell me you are on your way over here(!)

(She dumps herself into the couch.)

CUT TO:

[INT. PEYTON’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

LUCAS: Well, actually, I was just checking in to see how things are going.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Brooke is at breaking point.)

BROOKE: Like crap! (pause) Are you still with Peyton?

CUT TO:

[INT. PEYTON’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Lucas looks over at Peyton. She looks back at him.)

LUCAS: Yeah, listen, I sorta promised her I’d go with her to see Ellie. (pause) We’re heading out of town right now.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Brooke sits up, annoyed.)

BROOKE: How long are you gonna be gone?

CUT TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – PEYTON’S CAR – DAY]

(sh*t of the back of the car. The back of Peyton and Lucas’ heads are visible.)

LUCAS: (cautiously) I don’t know but I’ll call you when I do.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Brooke thinks for a moment, not convinced and not half-way happy.)

BROOKE: OK.

LUCAS: (through the phone) Look,-

CUT TO:

[INT. PEYTON’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

LUCAS: -Brooke, I made her a promise.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

BROOKE: Luke, its fine. We’re, um,… we’re trusting each other, right? (her expression’s strained) So just call me later.

CUT TO:

[INT. PEYTON’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Lucas smiles.)

BROOKE: (through the phone) OK? (b*at) See ya.

LUCAS: (nods) OK.

(He hangs up, shuts the phone and looks down at it – smiling and shaking his head.)

LUCAS: (looks at Brooke) See? She’s fine with it.

(Peyton nods and looks back at him repeatedly. She doesn’t buy it.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Haley rushes to Brooke as she is sitting there, looking at her own phone.)

HALEY: Hey, (points to the phone) is that Lucas?

(Brooke nods.)

HALEY: Is he coming over? Coz we need all the help we can get.

BROOKE: No, he’s with his other girlfriend.

(Haley walks away and Brooke reminisces.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Peyton, with curly hair, looks at Lucas in her room and smiles.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Lucas and Peyton kiss.)

CUT TO:

[INT. ROE RESIDENCE – LUCAS’ BEDROOM – DAY]

(Lucas kisses Peyton’s stomach.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Brooke looks on morosely as everyone around her gets to work.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

[EXT. ELLIE’S HOUSE (EST) – DAY]

(Peyton pulls up alongside the house and stops.)

PEYTON: (looks at the house) This is it.

(She kills the engine and sits there.)

LUCAS: You OK?

(Peyton smiles at him.)

PEYTON: Yeah. I guess I just didn’t think I’d be this afraid

LUCAS: Of what?

PEYTON: (takes a deep breath) I don’t know, like,… the truth, maybe. (pause) You know,… I think this is probably something I should do alone.

LUCAS: OK. (nods)

(She smiles slightly and gets out of the car. She reaches into the back and grabs her bag.)

PEYTON: Look, I’m-I’m really sorry that you rode out all this way. I guess… (looks at the house) I just needed your help getting here.

LUCAS: You never needed my help.

(He looks at her steadily and she nods once.)

LUCAS: Anyway, I’m gonna… go explore a bit. Just give me a call when you’re ready.

(She nods again and looks at the house.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – FRONT DOOR – EVENING]

(Peyton is standing at the door. It’s open to Ellie.)

ELLIE: My name is Elizabeth.

(The sh*t flashes to a close-up of her.)

ELLIE: I’m your mother.

END OF FLASHBACK:

FLASH TO:

[EXT. ELLIE’S HOUSE – PEYTON’S CAR – DAY]

(Lucas is looking up at her.)

LUCAS: Peyton?

(She looks down at him quickly.)

LUCAS: Good luck.

(She smiles gratefully at him and walks away. Lucas sits there and watches her walk to the front steps of Ellie’s house. She stops and turns to face him.)

PEYTON: Thanks, Luke. (holds a hand up)

(Lucas nods and she turns back around and walks to the door. Lucas starts the car and drives off. The sh*t cuts inside the house. Peyton is seen approaching the front door, through the window.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(Peyton looks on, angrily.)

PEYTON: Just get out, Ellie! Outta my house, outta my town… and outta my life.

END OF FLASHBACK:

FLASH TO:

[INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE – FRONT DOOR – DAY]

(Peyton has stopped at the door and knocks cautiously.)

CUT TO:

[INT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – ROOMS – DAY]

(Deb opens the door to Nathan.)

DEB: Hi(!)

(She reaches up and hugs him. Nathan is eternally confused.)

NATHAN: OK, mom, (looks around) this is… pretty weird.

(Deb shuts the door.)

NATHAN: You leave me a note and sneak away in the middle of the night, (turns to her) and then I get this cryptic phone call. What’s going on?

DEB: (sadly) You know how much I love you.

NATHAN: Mom, y-

DEB: Honey,… sit down.

(Nathan waits a b*at, completely confused.)

NATHAN: OK.

(He turns to find somewhere to sit and finally sits on the bed with a sigh.)

DEB: Over the years,… since I met your father, I’ve changed… and somewhere along the line, I’ve become someone I don’t respect.

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Deb is furious after finding out her son has escaped from the hospital.)

DEB: Pack a bag and get out, or, so-help-me-god, I will s*ab you in your sleep(!)

FLASH TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Deb is standing at the stove, pouring syrup into boiling water.)

DEB: I’m boiling water to throw on you.

DAN: (glaring) And what’s the syrup for?

DEB: Oh, that’s so it sticks to you.

(The sh*t fast-zooms into her eye.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. THE LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

(Nathan sits there, confused.)

NATHAN: Mom, what’re you-

DEB: Let me finish.

(Nathan waits, his eyebrows creased.)

DEB: (walks forward) As far back as I can remember, I’ve had to rely on others. (pause) I’ve never… been able to be alone. I’ve never been very strong. (pause) But now, it’s time for me to try… I have to. (takes a deep breath sadly) I’m not going back to Tree Hill, Nathan.

(Nathan doesn’t answer her.)

CUT TO:

[INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Peyton walks around the room which holds only one couch and a lot of music. She approaches the fireplace which has two large audiotape stands on it. They are completely full. She pulls out a CD from the plastic tub between them. She turns and reads the cover.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – PEYTON’S BEDROOM – DAY]

(An enraged Peyton is standing with Lucas by the door as she yells at her dad and Ellie.)

PEYTON: THIS IS MY WORLD, OK!? That’s my music, (snatches papers away from Ellie) this is my art.

(Larry tries to console her.)

PEYTON: (distraught) Just stay outta my life, OK?!

END OF FLASHBACK:

FLASH TO:

[INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Peyton is still looking at the CD and Ellie steps into the room. She’s grinning.)

ELLIE: That was their first single.

(Peyton looks up. She’s caught and has no way of explaining herself.)

ELLIE: Only a few thousand of those exist.

PEYTON: I’m… I’m sorry. (replaces the CD) Your front door was unlocked.

ELLIE: (shrugs) Hey,… if I’m allowed to go into your room and sneak around, you can do the same here.

(Peyton frowns.)

ELLIE: (sits on an armchair) Oh, wait, (grins unkindly) I wasn’t allowed to do that, was I?

(Peyton looks down.)

ELLIE: What’re you doing here, Peyton?

PEYTON: … Well, I,… I mean I… tried to see you and… I went to your hotel room the night you left but… you were… gone. (laughs nervously) I don’t know, I didn’t know how to find you and I started to think – maybe you didn’t wanna be found.

(Ellie laughs.)

ELLIE: But that doesn’t really answer my question. (shrugs) What’re you doing here?

PEYTON: (shrugs too) I… (thinks quickly) have a business proposition for you, actually, um,… I have this friend, (reaches into her bag and takes out a CD) right, and-and she’s a musician and she’s good, she’s really good, and… (gives the CD to Ellie) I wanna put out a record, I just,… I mean, I don’t know how. (smiles) So, I was thinking… maybe you could help me.

(Peyton waits for the answer nervously. Ellie waits for a b*at before smiling.)

ELLIE: It’s good to see you, Peyton.

(Peyton smiles, relieved.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. RIVER CITY – BASKETBALL COURT – DAY]

(There is a girl sitting on a bench, reading a book. The outdoor basketball court looks a lot like the Rivercourt. The sh*t zooms in slowly from a birds-eye view. Pan around to show Lucas walking up slowly and carefully. Even though she knows someone’s there, she doesn’t move a muscle. Lucas tilts his head, examining the back cover of the book.)

LUCAS: (scoffs) The mockery made him an outsider (sits beside her) and feeling an outsider… made him behave like one.

(She smiles as she listens to him speak.)

LUCAS: I think that’s my book.

(She shuts the book and looks at him.)

LUCAS: How’re you doing, Faith?

(Faith laughs happily.)

FAITH: Oh, my god, Lucas!

(She gets up, reaches over and hugs him.)

FAITH: It’s been like… a long time.

LUCAS: Too long.

FAITH: Wait a minute, what’re you doing here. H-how did you find me?

LUCAS: Faith, if you still lived in Tree Hill, there’s only one place you’d be.

(Faith folds her arms.)

LUCAS: The only difference between here and there is, well,… (looks at the court) our court’s got a river that runs next to it.

(Faith’s expression says that she doesn’t believe him.)

LUCAS: (relenting) OK, your mom told me where you were.

(Faith scoffs.)

LUCAS: But I would’ve found you eventually.

FAITH: Hmm, my mom always did have a soft-spot for you.

(Lucas smiles and looks down.)

FAITH: So,… how’s life as a big-sh*t Ravens superstar.

LUCAS: Here we go.

FAITH: Next thing, you’ll tell me you’re dating some bitchy cheerleader.

(Lucas’ smile is too frozen and it gives him away.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Brooke, carrying a broom, stomps over to Haley who is sewing.)

BROOKE: Move your ass, Haley! You are not setting a very good example! And I noticed you weren’t paying much attention during my tutorial!

HALEY: (peeved) I know how to sew, Brooke!

(Brooke grumbles and stomps off to a girl on the sewing machine. She taps it with the broom. Other girls are working around the room.)

BROOKE: Come on, get the light out, girls, these dresses are not gonna sew themselves and where the hell is Mouth with my extra fabric!?

(She st*lks around some more.)

HALEY: (standing in her way) Hey, HEY! Are you OK? You seem a little edgy.

BROOKE: (forcing calm) I am just focussed.

HALEY: Are you sure this doesn’t have anything to do with Lucas going off with Peyton?

BROOKE: (stubbornly) No. It’s not like they when off on tour together, (Haley closes her eyes) and besides, it’s different this time.

(Haley looks at her exasperatedly.)

BROOKE: It is different, right?

(Her front door opens.)

HALEY: Yes.

(Bevin enters with four children and a metal box.)

BROOKE: Bevin, you’re late! (pause) And what are those?

BEVIN: (grinning and looking at the box) Cookies!

BROOKE: Not those; (looks at the children) those! Little… people thingys!

(Haley grins.)

BEVIN: This is my brother Tommy, my sister Tara and my nieces Jody and Kate.

(Rachel walks into the apartment.)

BEVIN: I promised I’d baby-sit them today. Aren’t they cute?

(Brooke makes a disgusted face and sighs. She spots Rachel and her mouth drops open.)

BROOKE: And what the hell is she doing here?!

BEVIN: Well, I called her. You said to round up the squad.

BROOKE: (furious) I didn’t mean Rachel! (points) You missed the tutorial.

BEVIN: I missed the tutorial.

(Brooke mimes for Bevin to shut up.)

RACHEL: I think I can wing it.

(Mouth walks in with the extra fabric.)

RACHEL: These dresses look pretty simple. (Holds scissors up and opens and closes them.)

BROOKE: (with a hard edge in her voice) Simple? (advances)

HALEY: (holding onto her) Uh, Brooke, it’s actually a really good idea. We need all the help we can get.

(Brooke turns and gasps.)

BROOKE: Haley, you’re a genius.

(She bends down in order to be level with the children.)

BROOKE: Hey, kids, do you like to play dress-up? I bet you do. This is tutorial girl, she’s gonna teach you guys how to make dress-ups. Sound like fun?!

HALEY: (panicked) Uh, Brooke, (turns her away) alright, this doesn’t seem terribly… right.

BROOKE: Haley, you said it yourself; we need all the help we can get.

(She turns to the children and ushers them forward.)

BROOKE: Come on, here you go. We’ll go this way. Oh, this is gonna be so fun!

(Haley smiles at Rachel and follows Brooke. Rachel turns to Bevin who opens the tin of cookies. Mouth is still holding the fabrics.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE (EST) – ROOMS – DAY]

(The camera pans down to show the sign of the lodge.)

NATHAN: (v.o) I don’t get it. You-you finally-

CUT TO:

[INT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

(Deb is sitting on the bed and Nathan’s pacing.)

NATHAN: -got your divorce. That’s what you wanted, mom. Why don’t you just come home?

DEB: I can’t.

NATHAN: Mom, I can’t just drop everything and move away.

DEB: I know, and that’s why I’m not asking you to come with me. You have a wife, Nathan, and whatever it is the two of you are going through right now, that still means something. I-I don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.

(There’s a knock at the door. Deb stands, worried.)

CLEANER: (through the door) Housekeeping!

(Nathan looks at her.)

DEB: (to the cleaner) I’m fine!

NATHAN: Mom, why’re you so spooked?

(Deb looks up at him.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. THE CHURCH – CONFESSIONAL – EVENING]

(There are a series of still images. This one is of Dan glaring in the confessional.)

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Still sh*t of Dan as he demands the ledger back from Deb.)

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(Deb, covered head to toe in black, flicks the lighter on.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

(Deb looks at him sadly.)

DEB: I’m… so sorry, Nathan.

(He shakes his head.)

DEB: I am. (pause) But, the fire at the dealership,… it wasn’t an accident.

(Nathan tilts his head, not believing. Deb touches his hand. She takes both of his.)

DEB: We were going to get out,… remember? But your father wouldn’t have that.

(She waits for a long moment before continuing.)

DEB: It was me. (pause) I tried to k*ll him.

(Nathan gapes and pulls his hands away. She looks up at him tearfully.)

DEB: I was so miserable that day, because of your father.

FALSHBACK TO:

[INT. THE CHURCH – CONFESSIONAL – EVENING]

(Dan fumes in the confessional as flames lick the sh*t.)

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Deb empties pills from the vase on the counter.)

(DEB: (v.o) I hadn’t been out of rehab long, and,…

(The camera zooms in on the pills.)

DEB: it’d been a difficult-

CUT TO:

[INT. THE CHURCH – CONFESSIONAL – EVENING]

(sh*t zooms in on Dan’s furious face.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Deb lies down on the couch.)

DEB: (v.o) -day.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(Realising he’s been drugged, Dan leans forward, struggling. Flames burst up from below.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Deb is still on the sofa, thinking.)

DEB: (v.o) I had to find some strength… some-

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Dan sneers viciously, hate in his eyes.)

DEB: (v.o) -courage,…

CUT TO:

[EXT. TREE HILL HIGH – ENTRANCE – EVENING]

(Dan and Deb are standing at the entrance to the gym. He takes her arm, stopping her from entering.)

DEB: (v.o) -to find a way out.

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Deb looks at the red candles that are lit on the table.)

DEB: And that’s when I found one.

(Focus on the burning candles. She gets off the sofa.)

FLASH TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Deb empties the pills into a mortar and grinds them into powder with the pestle. Pan up to her face as she works on the pills. The sh*t zooms in on her eyes.)

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Dan stands there, grinning.)

FLASH TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Close-up of the scotch as Deb pulls it to her. She pours the ground pills into the bottle. sh*t pans down the length of the bottle. There’s a hard cut to Deb re-capping the bottle.)

FADE TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – DAY]

(Deb holds one of the candles over the tipped bottle and re-seals it with the red wax. Pan up to her face.)

DEB: (v.o) There were just four things left to do:

(Camera zooms in on her face again.)

FLASH TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(The sh*t zooms out of Deb’s face as she sits at the table.)

DEB: (v.o) The first;-

(Zoom in on Dan’s face.)

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – OFFICE – DAY]

(Close-up of the newly printed note.)

DEB: (v.o) -was to type the card.

CUT TO:

[EXT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – OFFICE WINDOW – EVENING]

(The fire rages.)

FLASH TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(There is a negative effect aspect as Deb looks at the card Lucas gives her.)

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – DAY]

(Deb sets the scotch on Dan’s table.)

DEB: (v.o) The second; was to deliver it.

(She puts the newly printed card – inside and envelope – on the table, standing up, in front of the alcohol. It has his name printed on it. She turns and walks away.)

FADE TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(Deb has returned. She’s dressed in black with a hood over her head. She pulls it down.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(There is an unclear sh*t of Dan at his table.)

CUT TO:

[INT. TREE HILL HOSPITAL – WAITING ROOM – DAY]

(Dan looks at Deb after the doctor has informed her that her blood is unusable due to her addiction to prescription dr*gs.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – KITCHEN – EVENING]

(Dan kisses Deb and she slaps him hard across the face.)

CUT TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(Dan is looking down, completely drugged. Close-up of Deb’s hand as she flicks the lighter on and drops it onto the spilt alcohol.)

DEB: (v.o) The third… was to light it.

(Deb watches for a b*at before turning around, pulling the hood back up, and walking out of the dealership. Pan down to the flames as the sh*t focuses out.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

FADE TO:

[INT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

(Deb is still looking up at Nathan.)

DEB: (tears in her eyes) The fourth… was to ask god to take me far away from this person I’ve become.

(Nathan sighs. He looks away.)

DEB: I’m sorry, Nathan. I did it for both of us; (touches his shoulder) to free us.

(Nathan shrugs her off.)

NATHAN: No(!)

(He holds his hands up and walks to the exit.)

DEB: (distraught) Please, Nathan, wait.

NATHAN: (stomping to the door.) No! You didn’t have the courage to leave him but you had the courage to k*ll him?!

(Deb breathes hard and looks down. Nathan opens the door, walks out and slams it. Deb turns away from it, hands to her mouth, as she sobs.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[EXT. RIVER CITY – BASKETBALL COURT – DAY]

(The sh*t pans across the ground and up to where Lucas and Faith have returned to their place on the bench.)

LUCAS: You know how you were kinda joking about me… dating a cheerleader? Well,…

FAITH: No, don’t say it(!)

(Lucas sighs.)

FAITH: Unbelievable. Who is it?

FLASHBACK TO:

[EXT. ROE RESIDENCE – BACK LAWN – EVENING]

(Brooke looks at Lucas tearfully.)

BROOKE: I love you.

LUCAS: (smiling) I love you, too.

END OF FLASHBACK:

FLASH TO:

[EXT. RIVER CITY – BASKETBALL COURT – DAY]

(Faith looks at him disbelievingly.)

FAITH: Brooke Davis?! Lucas, she is horrible!

LUCAS: No, she’s not horrible. Actually, she’s a really amazing person.

FAITH: Have you forgotten our freshman year?

LUCAS: (nods) As much of it as I can, yes.

FAITH: Morgan Finley; senior bitch, captain of the cheerleaders(!)

(Lucas looks down.)

FAITH: You know how much she tortured me and my friends… until, one day; some freshman boy came along and defended me. (smiles at him) Some boy named Lucas Scott.

(Lucas smiles in return.)

FAITH: After that, they tortured you… all year.

LUCAS: Hmm, (nods)

FAITH: But,… you took it. (pause) Cause if they were torturing you,… they wouldn’t pick on any of us.

LUCAS: Oh, yeah, that was a fun year.

FAITH: When I moved away, Brooke Davis was Morgan Finley’s most promising protégé.

(Lucas shakes his head.)

LUCAS: She’s different now.

FAITH: (scoffs and looks away) Maybe you’re different now. (looks back)

(Lucas raises his eyebrows at her.)

FAITH: You said you would never join that club; the elite and the popular. So, tell me something, Luke; now that you’re basically ‘the king’ of that club… who’s looking out for the people like me?

(Two basketball players have walked onto the court; unnoticed by Faith and Lucas. Lucas looks down and then up again.)

FAITH: The ones who are afraid to go to school.

LUCAS: (shakes his head) That’s not how it is, Faith.

(Faith sighs.)

LUCAS: Look, I’m not defending… who Brooke was. I am defending who she is. (nods) And trust me, she never became Morgan Finley.

CUT TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Close-up of Brooke.)

BROOKE: That’s it! No more cookie-breaks for anybody! Do you people wanna be here all night?!

(She flaps around and yells at everyone, completely stressed out. Rachel has hung a dress on the lampshade and looks at Brooke’s retreating form slightly miffed. She spots Mouth sitting there with milk and cookies and sits beside him.)

RACHEL: Hey, you’re Mouth, right?

(He looks at her wordlessly.)

RACHEL: You announce basketball games. I’m Rachel.

MOUTH: Yeah, I know who you are.

RACHEL: I’ve… listened to your interviews; on the school website. You’re really good.

MOUTH: Really?

(She nods.)

MOUTH: Thanks. It’s just practice for,… hopefully, the future.

RACHEL: So, what’s your thing?

(His smile falls.)

MOUTH: My thing?

RACHEL Yeah, you know, every great sports announcer has a thing. Like, Phil Rizzuto has: (fake accent) ‘holy cow!’ and, um, Marv Albert has ‘yessss!’.

(Mouth laughs and nods. Brooke walks up, annoyed.)

BROOKE: Little more work, little less talk(!) (glares at Mouth)

RACHEL: We were just… discussing Mouth’s thing.

MOUTH: Yeah, it’s… (his smile falls) uh, not really what it sounds like, Brooke. (shakes his head)

RACHEL: (grins and touches his arm) Isn’t he the cutest?

BROOKE: (snarkily) Awww, well I hate to interrupt the (pointedly at Rachel) male bonding, but Mouth, I need you to watch the kids.

(She pulls him off the couch.)

MOUTH: I thought Haley was watching them.

BROOKE: (grinning widely) Well, now you’re watching them, chop-chop!

(She pats him on the back and forces him away from Rachel. In the process, she sh**t Rachel a nasty glare. She walks to Haley as Mouth approaches the children.)

BROOKE: (anxiously) Haley, will you please go pick up more fabric?

HALEY: I thought that was Mouth’s job.

BROOKE: Will you please just do what I ask, Haley. My day has been a total crap-fest.

HALEY: Guess Lucas didn’t check in then, huh?

BROOKE: (defensively) So? It’s not like I don’t have problems of my own to worry about, and why are you so concerned with whether or not Lucas calls me? How’s that any of your business?

HALEY: I just wanna know what would make a guy leave you first thing in the morning like that. It just doesn’t seem right.

(She is obviously talking about Nathan now but Brooke doesn’t know that.)

BROOKE: Thanks for rubbing that in, roommate.

(Haley looks up at her as if just realising she’s there. Brooke turns and stomps away. Mouth walks past the sh*t as Bevin’s brother, Tommy, rides on Mouth’s back and slaps him repeatedly on the head.)

MOUTH: Ow. Ow. Ow.

FADE TO:

[INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Ellie’s on the floor, looking at some of her records and vinyls.)

ELLIE: So, I was wondering, (Peyton’s sitting on the couch) this song you wanna produce, what makes you think I could help with it?

PEYTON: Well, I mean, mostly because you know a lot about music and the industry and… I mean, you do have (looks at Ellie’s music) a really nice little collection here.

ELLIE: (looks hard at her) Little?

(Peyton raises her eyebrows. Ellie stands, walks to her closet door and slides them open. Inside is filled, top to bottom, with music – a lot of music. It’s like Peyton’s collection only much larger. Ellie looks back and grins.)

(Peyton’s eyes widen and she stands, walking to it slowly – completely stunned. She laughs.)

PEYTON: (looking up) It’s like heaven.

(There is a couch in the middle of the room.)

PEYTON: Only, it probably sounds better.

(Ellie pulls a record off one of the shelves.)

ELLIE: Cure fan?

PEYTON: (looks at the album) Oh, (takes it) up until this album.

ELLIE: Come on, wish is a great record!

PEYTON: No, ‘Disintegration’ is a great record. ‘Wish’ was pretty much the end.

ELLIE: Oh, really?

PEYTON: Uh-huh.

ELLIE: You’re gonna tell me you don’t get chills every time you hear the violin on ‘To Wish Impossible Things’?

PEYTON: Yeah, every time.

ELLIE: But?

PEYTON: But… I don’t remember the day.

(She gives the record back and Ellie looks at the quizzically.)

ELLIE: ThE day?

(Peyton walks to the records on the opposite wall.)

PEYTON: Yeah, you know, it’s like… like with ‘Disintegration’,… I remember the very first time I heard that record. You know, like, I remember everything about that day; the weather outside, and the smell in the air. I just… I remember all those things and that’s because… that day, I fell in love with something.

ELLIE: (smiles) You fell in love with an album.

PEYTON: No, (pushes a record back in. Ellie looks at her) I fell in love with music.

(Ellie nods.)

PEYTON: So, speaking of The Cure; um,… are you in remission.

(Ellie smiles painfully and turns away to put the record back.)

PEYTON: I’m sorry, I…

(Ellie shakes her head.)

ELLIE: No, no. (pushes the record back in) The truth is,… (turns around) I’m probably gonna be just fine. (smiles)

PEYTON: (relieved) Oh, OK. That’s-that’s great. That’s,… I’m really glad for you, Ellie.

(Ellie nods.)

PEYTON: So, anyway, um,… I was thinking that if you are gonna help me with… Haley’s record,… that… well you could… maybe move into the house with me. (nervous) My dad, you know, he’s out to sea, (Ellie looks away) and, he said it’s OK. So… whaddaya think?

ELLIE: I appreciate the invitation, Peyton. (nods) I just-I… (shrugs) I just really don’t have the time.

PEYTON: (b*at) Yeah. (disappointedly turns back to the records)

ELLIE: But, stay a bit.

(Peyton looks at her sadly.)

ELLIE: There’s gotta be some other albums here that you are dead wrong about.

(Peyton laughs and nods.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. RIVER CITY – BASKETBALL COURT – DAY]

(The camera pans down from the sky. Lucas and Faith are walking.)

FAITH: So, you rolled here with Peyton Sawyer?

(Lucas looks at her. His look confirms it.)

FAITH: (amused) Man, Tree Hill is trippin’ since I left.

LUCAS: (laughs) Yeah, you’re right about that. (pause) So tell me bout your life, Faith – you happy here?

FAITH: I guess so. It took me a little while to get used to it; leaving Tree Hill, changing schools,… but, now it’s basically – same life, different town.

LUCAS: Yeah, your mom sounds good.

FAITH: Yeah, she is; finally got a good coaching job.

(Lucas smiles and nods.)

FAITH: Not too many schools out there are gonna let a woman coach a boys’ basketball team.

LUCAS: Yeah, well,… if anyone can do it, she can.

FAITH: Hmmm, definitely true.

(Lucas looks down as a basketball comes to a stop at his feet. He bends and picks it up. The two guys who walked onto the court earlier walk to Faith and Lucas.)

GUY1: Look what we have here; one of the Tree Hill Ravens.

(Lucas spins the ball in his hands and scoffs.)

FAITH: Fan club?

(Lucas gives her an ‘as if’ look. The second guy snatches the basketball back.)

GUY2: You losers win a game, yet?

FAITH: (eyebrows raised) You losers call next?

GUY1: There’s nobody here.

FAITH: Really? Coz,… (indicates her and Lucas) we’re here. (b*at) Game to eleven by ones, win by two. Winners stay, losers walk.

(The guys laugh.)

GUY2: What, us two against him? (laughs)

FAITH: No, (walks forward) you two (takes the ball) against us.

(Lucas stands there as she throws the ball at the hoop – from the grass – and it goes in. The guys look back slowly and worriedly. Lucas smirks.)

FAITH: Our ball.

LUCAS: Same jump sh*t – different town.

(The four of them walk onto the court. Lucas takes his shirt off. Faith takes her jacket off and ties her hair up. They slap hands and get ready. Faith runs to the other end as the ball is thrown at Lucas.)

FAITH: Go!

(Lucas dribbles the ball a few times before running to the hoop and dunking the ball. Faith dribbles the ball and gets it through the hoop.)

(Guy 2 sh**t and scores. They get the next one too. Lucas gets the next one and so does Faith.)

(Lucas and Faith have a better defence and are getting more baskets than the other team.)

FAITH: (to guy 1) Nine to six.

(She walks to Lucas.)

FAITH: How’s my hair – still sexy?

LUCAS: Um-hm.

GUY2: (shoves his friend) She’s a girl, for god’s sakes, guard her.

GUY1: You guard her. (walks away aggravated)

(Cut back to the game. Faith throws the ball at Lucas. He jumps and throws it through the hoop.)

LUCAS: Game.

FAITH: OK, then, nice to see you guys. (pats them both on the back) Take care, see ya later. (grins) Bye. (walks to Lucas) Nice game, Luke. Brooke Davis would be proud.

(He puts his arm around her and they walk out of the sh*t.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

(Nathan is leaning against his car, looking down and thinking.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[EXT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – ENTRANCE – EVENING]

(The fire is blazing and firemen are there, attacking the flames.)

FASH TO:

[EXT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – PARKING LOT – EVENING]

(Dan is wheeled to face Deb, Nathan and Haley by a fireman. He’s strapped to breathing equipment. He looks at them coldly.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[EXT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

(Nathan is still thinking. Deb walks out to him.)

DEB: (cautiously) Can I sit with you? (Nathan doesn’t answer) Please.

NATHAN: (breathes deeply) How did it come to this, mom?

DEB: (b*at before she sits next to him) I ask myself that question every single day.

NATHAN: (sadly) I’m sitting here, thinking about my thirteenth birthday; dad surprised me with Hawks tickets; front row, on the court. We drove all the way to Atlanta – the three of us. I remember that trip; how much fun we had as a family. I just wanted to replay that memory… just to remember it. (pause) Then I saw your face. It was always right there in front of me and I never saw it.

DEB: (whispering) What?

NATHAN: You were never happy. (looks at her)

(Deb gasps and looks away.)

NATHAN: Dad is a bad guy, mom,… but somewhere, deep down, he still just wants me to be the best that I can be. He doesn’t deserve to die for that!

(Deb doesn’t know what to say. Nathan looks down again.)

DEB: Two years ago, the coach from Oak Lake Academy came to see your father – to recruit you. The number one high school basketball program in the country… and your father sent him away.

NATHAN: (squints and looks away) He wouldn’t do that.

DEB: He did! (pause) And I told him i-it wasn’t his decision to make. You were gonna go to that school whether he liked it or not – and that I was leaving with you.

NATHAN: (reluctantly interested) What’d he say?

DEB: … He looked at me-

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Dan looks ahead, annoyed.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[EXT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

DEB: He spoke calmly. (pause) He said that if I took you away, he would find us-

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Dan is shouting at Deb.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[EXT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

DEB: … And he would k*ll me.

(Nathan looks up, frowning.)

DEB: Don’t you see, Nathan? Your father will always try to control you. He’ll never let you go.

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – DAN’S OFFICE – EVENING]

(The fire bursts through the window and touches the framed family photo in one of the pigeon holes.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

FADE TO:

[EXT. EVAN’S MOTOR LODGE – DEB’S ROOM – DAY]

(Nathan is still frowning.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[EXT. RIVER CITY – BASKETBALL COURT – DAY]

(Birds-eye view of Lucas and Faith walking off the court.)

LUCAS: You know, thanks for reminding me of a few things today.

FAITH: Like what?

LUCAS: Well, how much fun we used to have; hanging out at the Rivercourt all day, playing ball. (laughing) Growing up.

FAITH: Yeah, it was like old times, wasn’t it?

LUCAS: Yeah, it was. No uniforms; no crowds; no cheerleaders – just you and me and the game. I almost forgot what it was like. Playing just to play.

FAITH: (laughs) Speak for yourself. I wanted to crush those guys. (pause) I was right about you, you know? That you’ve changed, but, uh,… I think, maybe, it’s for the best.

LUCAS: (turns to her) OK,… you’ve teased me all day about how much I’ve changed,… what about you, huh?

FAITH: What about me?

LUCAS: Well, for a girl who used to be, ah, afraid to go to school.

FAITH: (nods) Um-hm.

LUCAS: You sure stood up to those guys at the court.

FAITH: (scoffs) Like I said: maybe it’s for the best. (pause) So you said, back there, I reminded you of a few things. What else?

LUCAS: (reluctantly) How much I miss… seeing ya.

FAITH: Ah, yeah, that’s like a no-brainer.

(She laughs and they hug.)

FAITH: Don’t be a stranger, Luke.

LUCAS: Right, well, the phone goes both ways.

FAITH: Yeah, I know, but,… I didn’t say keep in touch. (smiles) I said don’t be a stranger.

LUCAS: (laughs) Alright.

(He dumps his shirt on the front seat of the car and then gets into the drivers side. Faith walks away.)

FADE TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Brooke walks to Bevin who’s sitting on the couch, sewing.)

BROOKE: Bevin, (picks up the dress and looks at it) this is terrible, the stitching is all wrong!

BEVIN: I missed the tutorial.

(Brooke throws the dress back at her and walks away with a sigh. She gets to Rachel and holds her hands out. Rachel hands it over. Brooke examines it.)

BROOKE: (amazed) This… is actually kinda perfect.

RACHEL: I know. (stands) But it’s mine! (snatches it back) I ordered it online this morning.

BROOKE: Wait a second; you came over here to make your own dress?!

RACHEL: Well, I liked the design, I just,… didn’t trust the designer.

(She walks to the door.)

RACHEL: See ya, Mouth. Call me. (opens the door)

MOUTH: (waves) Bye.

(The door slams shut.)

BROOKE: (raging) Well, great, thanks everybody; for wasting my time today!

(She turns towards the bedroom but Haley intercepts her.)

HALEY: Brooke, stop it! Everybody here’s been busting their butt for you and you’ve pretty much been a bitch all day long.

BROOKE: We haven’t gotten anything done! I’ve been dreaming about this for so long! Don’t you understand?

HALEY: No. Not if it changes you, Brooke, trust me. No dream is worth that.

(Brooke straightens and realises that Haley’s right. She looks around the room at all the sad girls and children. Mouth is looking at her disappointedly.)

BROOKE: Shut it down, Mouth – all of it.

HALEY: Brooke, that’s not-

BROOKE: -No, just… stop the orders and… give everybody their money back. (smiles tightly)

MOUTH: We spent most of the money, Brooke. Well, how do you think we bought all the material and supplies?

(Brooke spreads her hands.)

BROOKE: Then I’ll finish it myself. (pause) It’s my problem. Everybody, just go home, please.

(Mouth and Tommy look at each other.)

BROOKE: I’m really sorry for the way that I treated all of you today. I, um,… I haven’t been myself.

(Haley touches her back and Brooke walks forward.)

BROOKE: Hey, kids, (reaches down and picks some CDs up) hey, here, will you take these?

(She hands CDs out to the kids as the walk past. Haley stands in the background.)

BROOKE: Thanks. I’m so sorry.

(Haley urges the kids on before looking at Brooke.)

HALEY: That was a really nice thing to do, Brooke. (takes the last CD) With my CDs. (walks away)

(Brooke doesn’t say anything. She looks at Mouth who is watching her disappointedly. He shakes his head. Brooke looks away sadly.)

FADE TO:

[INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE – CLOSET – EVENING]

(The camera pans up from the records to the table. Peyton grabs a framed concert ticket.)

PEYTON: I can’t believe you saw the first U2 tour in the states! (grins)

ELLIE: (sitting on the couch) Yeah, they opened for the Psychedelic Firs… (sits up) and if you’re lucky, I might even have a t-shirt from that tour somewhere around here.

(Ellie stands and walks away. Peyton watches her before replacing the frame.)

PEYTON: (calling out) Hey, I’m gonna get some water, can I get you some?

(When there’s no answer, Peyton shrugs and walks to the kitchen. She opens a cabinet door and looks in – it’s completely empty. She opens the one next to it and sees that it’s empty too. She walks across the kitchen and opens more. They are all empty. She continues to look through them… panicked.)

(The refrigerator only has a carton of juice inside. Ellie walks in and Peyton shuts the door of the fridge. She turns around and sees Ellie looking at her accusingly.)

PEYTON: (crosses her arms) So this is it?

(She’s trying her best not to cry. Ellie tilts her head wordlessly.)

PEYTON: There’s no food, Ellie! And there’s barely any furniture!

(Ellie laughs to herself.)

PEYTON: Nothing like, what, a bed and a rockin’ soundtrack to die to, right?!

ELLIE: You don’t know what you’re talking about.

PEYTON: (depressed) You came here to die. (nods)

ELLIE: (coldly) Who the hell do you think you are?

PEYTON: Don’t I deserve the truth?

ELLIE: (hurt) The truth? The truth is I don’t have any furniture because I’m always on the road; I don’t keep any food in the house because I eat out! (pause) This is the way I’ve always lived, Peyton, except I usually get the added benefit of being alone.

(Peyton looks at her, unable to believe her hears.)

ELLIE: At least for the last seventeen years I did.

(Peyton looks down; upset and ashamed. Ellie sighs and turns away restlessly.)

ELLIE: You didn’t come here to seek music advice; (pause as Peyton looks at her) you came here out of guilt. (pause) And guess what; I don’t want it, and I don’t need it. In fact, get out!

(Peyton gapes, speechless. She finally moves away towards the exit before turning back.)

PEYTON: You know what, fine. FINE! Fine! You’re right, OK? So I came to see how you are! Is that so bad?! (pause) Am I such a horrible person because I was worried about you? I just,… I thought we could do something really good together, OK? Maybe even something, like,… great!

(Ellie’s eyes are gradually becoming redder.)

PEYTON: I wanted to sell that record so we could raise money for cancer research.

(Ellie is crying, her back’s to Peyton the whole time.)

PEYTON: Sorry I cared.

(Peyton gives up and walks away. Ellie doesn’t look at the empty doorway as she puts a hand to her head and cries.)

FADE TO:

[INT. NATHAN’S CAR – PARKING LOT – DAY]

(Deb and Nathan are sitting in his car, outside the lodge.)

NATHAN: (sighs) So I guess this is goodbye, mom.

(Deb is sitting there, thinking. She finally comes out of it and smiles.)

DEB: Just for a little while. (smiles) I’ll never leave you for good.

NATHAN: … You know, I’m not so good on my own, either.

DEB: (turns to face him fully) The day you emancipated yourself… you broke my heart. (pause) And now, I realise; it was your strongest moment. Hopefully I can find that kind of strength.

NATHAN: (looks at her sadly) I don’t wanna be alone.

DEB: (smiles) You’re not alone. You have Haley. (puts a hand on his shoulder) Go home and deal with your marriage. (pause) Don’t avoid it until it becomes something you have to run from.

(She touches his face and Nathan nods. They reach over and hug.)

NATHAN: (reluctantly) Goodbye, mom.

DEB: (close to tears) Bye.

(She gets out of the car and shuts the door. Nathan starts the car and Deb watches him with tears in her eyes.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. THE ROAD – PEYTON’S CAR – DAY]

(Peyton sits in the passenger seat as Lucas drives home. He spares her a few glances.)

LUCAS: I’m sorry about Ellie.

PEYTON: (looking almost broken) I don’t think I’m ever gonna see her again, Luke.

(He looks at her and then puts his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him. They drive home.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Close-up of a lamp with one of Brooke’s dresses draped haphazardly over it. Bits of fabric, sewing equipment and food have been left all over the apartment. Brooke is lying on the couch, upset and looking at one of her dresses. The phone rings. She looks at the screen, rolls her eyes and answers it.)

BROOKE: Hi, where are you?

LUCAS: (through the phone) Hey, Brooke, I’m really sorry but it’s gonna be a little while; Peyton’s car broke down.

BROOKE: … Great(!) (sits up on the couch) So the two of you are gonna have to spend the night in some seedy motel-

(There’s a knock on the door. She stands and walks to it.)

BROOKE: -Yeah, then one thing will lead to another and-

(She opens the door and her eyes widen. Lucas is standing in the doorway. He shuts his phone.)

BROOKE: (smiles) Pretty risky trick, mister.

LUCAS: You weren’t worried, were you?

(He walks into the apartment.)

BROOKE: Totally, not for a second, worried.

(He makes a distinct sounds of scepticism before kissing her.)

LUCAS: What, bad day?

BROOKE: I just really needed my boyfriend.

LUCAS: Well, he’s here now. (looks hard at her) Put me to work.

BROOKE: I don’t wanna work anymore. (laughs) Can we go do something you wanna do?

LUCAS: (wincing) Actually, I… have something I need to go do.

BROOKE: (nods unhappily) OK.

LUCAS: (grinning) With you.

(He takes her arm and leads her out of the open door)

BROOKE: Wh-

(She looks at him and grins as he shuts the door.)

FADE TO:

[INT. ELLIE’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – EVENING]

(Close-up of the phone on its cradle before the sh*t pans to the CD player. Ellie presses the ‘close’ button and the CD drawer slides in. The answer phone beeps.)

ELECTRONIC FEMALE: You have one message.

(Ellie’s doctor starts to speak.)

DOCTOR: (through the phone) Ms. Harp, this is Dr. Gold calling from East Lake memorial. (she presses play and Haley’s song – Halo, plays) It is… extremely important that you call me back. As I said earlier, we need to talk about your decision to stop treatment. I really, really urge you to reconsider-

(She turns up the volume, drowning out his voice over the machine. She leans back and listens to the song.)

FADE TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – MAYORS OFFICE – DUSK]

(Dan looks at his ‘MAYOR DAN SCOTT’ plaque before turning with a grin and placing it on the desk. He lines it up properly.)

FADE TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – BROOKE AND HALEY’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Haley is sitting on her bed, sad. She looks at her phone, flips it open and scrolls down to ‘Nathan’s cell’. She rethinks and shuts the phone again.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. SAWYER RESIDENCE – FRONT DOOR – EVENING]

(A hand knocks on Peyton’s door. Peyton opens it to Ellie and her expression freezes.)

ELLIE: (smiling) You were right-… the song’s good. (holds up the disc in a blue cover)

(Peyton grins.)

ELLIE: Needs background vocals.

PEYTON: Yeah,… um,… it’s just a demo. (smiles)

ELLIE: It’s a business arrangement.

PEYTON: (nods but doesn’t believe) Of course.

(Peyton steps aside and Ellie walks in. Peyton has a huge grin on her face as she shuts the door.)

FADE TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – FRONT DOOR – EVENING]

(The door opens to Nathan.)

HALEY: (relieved) Hey(!) (smiles and he looks down) What’s up?

NATHAN: (shrugs) Just… wanted to see you. (smiles)

(Haley smiles slowly. Nathan walks in and puts his arm around Haley. He kicks the door shut and they walk to the bedroom.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. THE RIVERCOURT – THE COURT – EVENING]

(The guys Lucas used to play basketball with before he joined the Ravens are there. Pan down to show Lucas standing at the edge of the court with Brooke.)

LUCAS: This is my world, Brooke. (laughs) Or, at least it used to be.

BROOKE: I have been here before, you know?

LUCAS: I know,… I just never told you what this place is to me.

(Brooke smiles and listens.)

LUCAS: It’s not just a court… it’s where I came from, it’s where I belong… it’s my world.

BROOKE: So do I get to be part of this world?

LUCAS: The biggest part.

MOUTH: (o.s) Ladies and gentlemen, what a treat we have tonight – Rivercourt legend, Lucas Scott. (grins)

(Brooke laughs and waves at Mouth.)

MOUTH: It’s been months since Scott’s won a full-court game here, so I guess the big question is… will he play tonight?

(Lucas and Brooke look at each other. She motions with her head.)

BROOKE: Go get em, boyfriend.

(She smiles and they kiss. He walks onto the court and back to where he came from. Brooke walks to Mouth and sits happily next to him. They watch the game. Lucas throws the ball through the hoop.)

MOUTH: (into the mic) Nice sh*t.

(The guys continue to play the game.)

END