03x09 - How a Resurrection Really Feels

[bunniefuu]

FADE IN:

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

[EXT. GRAVEYARD – ANNA SAYWER’S GRAVE – DAY]

(Close-up of Anna’s gravestone. Peyton lays a rose on the ground beneath it. The camera pans up to her sad face. She stands up slowly and we see two Peyton’s in the sh*t; Peyton in her red jacket and another one standing behind, dressed as the angel of death again. She’s wearing a smirk.)

ANGEL OF DEATH (AOD) PEYTON: Better make room.

(Peyton whirls around and faces herself.)

AOD PEYTON: (b*at) Your other mom should be dead soon.

CUT TO:

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

(There’s a knock on the door and Peyton jerks awake with a gasp. The knocking continues. It turns into bangs.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – FRONT DOOR – DAY]

(Haley opens the door tiredly.)

HALEY: (confused) Hi, can I help you?

(Cut to the people in the doorway. The manager from Suburban Filth and two cops stand there.)

MANAGER: That’s one of our shirts.

(Cut back to Haley who’s wearing a blue t*nk top with ‘TEAM FILTH’ scrawled across the front. She looks down at the shirt.)

COP: Young lady, you’re under arrest for the possession of stolen property. (walks into the apartment)

HALEY: What?!

COP: Yes.

(He turns Haley around so that he can cuff her.)

HALEY: No, no, no! I just needed something to sleep in! Brooke- (suddenly realises) BROOOOKE!

END OF TEASER:

CUT TO:

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

(A guard slams the door shut. Brooke, Haley and Peyton are seen through the bars.)

BROOKE: (shakes head) This is so Broke Down Palace.

HALEY: I can’t believe I got arrested for wearing a stupid t*nk top!

BROOKE: Well I told you you shoulda done your laundry.

HALEY: (lowers her legs and faces Brooke) I got arrested for wearing one of your stupid t*nk tops; that you stole!

BROOKE: Well, sheesh! (to Peyton) I guess we know who the cell-block tough’s gonna be.

HALEY: Brooke! This isn’t funny, this is going on my permanent record on my college transcript and I am (raises her hand) this close to b*ating your ass right now.

(Peyton grabs Haley and pulls her away, off the bench.)

PEYTON: OK, alright, calm down.

(Peyton drags her to a part of the cell where another woman is sitting.)

WOMAN: (warningly) Uh-uh!

PEYTON: (lets go of Haley and they move away) Sorry.

(They walk to the other end of the cell.)

PEYTON: Look, I talked to them, I told them that the store ripped off Brooke’s designs so… all we have to do is pay them back for the clothes and we can go… so.

(Brooke smiles and makes a face.)

PEYTON: Whaddaya wanna do?

HALEY: Well we should call somebody, like, our parents.

BROOKE: Mine are in California. (rolls her eyes)

HALEY: Mine are in an RV, somewhere. (sighs and paces)

PEYTON: Mine’s out to sea… or… dead or… vanished.

(Haley picks up the receiver.)

OPERATOR: (through the phone) Operator.

HALEY: Hi, collect call, please.

(Brooke and Peyton watch her expectantly.)

OPERATOR: (through the phone) Party’s name?

HALEY: Nathan Scott.

CUT TO:

[INT. RECORDING STUDIO – VIEWING ROOM – DAY]

(Nathan is talking on the phone.)

NATHAN: Whaddaya mean you need money? (frowns and listens) You know what, you’re gonna rot in jail then… coz you’re not getting another dime outta me. (pause) Aren’t you supposed to be in the studio right now?

(Chris leans over and knocks on the window.)

CHRIS: (talks into his phone) I am.

(Nathan turns to him.)

CHRIS: I just figured it’d be better if I told you on the phone.

(He holds his hands up.)

CHRIS: Now, just relax, I’m coming in.

(Nathan glares and shuts his phone. Chris walks in and does the same.)

CHRIS: OK, here’s the deal; you gave me the money, I had the money… then I lost the money… playing poker.

NATHAN: (turns away and groans) Forget jail, call the morgue! I gave you two-thousand dollars!

CHRIS: I can get it back. I talked to the guy I lost it to. I just need a ride. It’s about… eighty miles from here.

NATHAN: No way.

CHRIS: OK, I figured you’d say that too and I guess it’s cool… it’s just that without the money, the studio won’t release Haley’s masters.

(Nathan closes his eyes and sighs.)

CHRIS: That’s the not-so-cool part. But listen, you give me a ride; I’ll get the money back. I promise.

NATHAN: (sighs) Eighty miles… you don’t speak.

(Chris grins widely.)

NATHAN: Let’s go.

CHRIS: Sweet! (raises his hand and follows Nathan to the door) Road trip, Nate. (pause) Right, road trip?

CUT TO:

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

(Peyton is sitting, Brooke is pacing and Haley’s still on the phone.)

HALEY: OK, thank you, oh, and Brooke keeps some extra cash under her bed in the drawer. (pause) OK, hurry, please! Thank you.

(She hangs up. Brooke grins.)

BROOKE: Great! So Nathan’s coming.

HALEY: Um, yeah, I-I couldn’t get a hold of Nathan. I had to… call Lucas. (smiles and sits beside Peyton)

BROOKE: Haley, if he goes in that drawer, he’s gonna find all the letters I wrote him last summer!

PEYTON: (tired) Good.

(Brooke glares.)

PEYTON: It could be the best thing for you.

BROOKE: It could be the worst thing for me!

PEYTON: (shrugs and grins) One or the other.

(Brooke sighs and turns away.)

CUT TO:

[INT. SCOTT RESIDENCE – LIVING ROOM – DAY]

(Close-up of a stack of tapes. The camera pans down to the TV where one of the tapes is being played. It is of an off-licence counter as people buy alcohol. The tape fast-forwards and the camera pans to show Dan standing at the TV. He pauses the tape and stares. The camera zooms in on him slowly.)

DAN: (to himself) Well, well. So that’s who tried to k*ll me.

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

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

(The guard opens the door again.)

GUARD: OK, girls, lets go(!)

(Haley and Peyton exit. As Brooke tries to, the guard slams her arm between the exit, stopping Brooke.)

GUARD: Not you, Martha Stewart.

BROOKE: What? Why?

GUARD: The kid with the cash; (shuts the door again) only paid for the other two.

(She locks the door and walks away.)

BROOKE: Wait!

CUT TO:

[EXT. NEW BRUNSWICK COUNTY JAIL – ENTRANCE – DAY]

(Lucas walks forward when Haley and Peyton exit.)

LUCAS: You guys alright?

HALEY: (looking behind distractedly) Yeah, um, Lucas, did you not pay for Brooke?

LUCAS: I paid for her; I just had them wait an extra ten minutes before they let her go.

(Both girls gape at him.)

PEYTON: (follows him) So, you’re just screwing with her?

LUCAS: And you don’t think she’s screwed with me?! Non-exclusive dating, the costume for the masquerade party… that Fantasy Boy Draft (makes air quotes) misunderstanding. Look, I’ve done everything she’s asked me to do since she got back and what do I get? Oo, front row seat to her and Keller in bed together.

HALEY: Well, (sighs) Luke, wait, just stop! OK? (he turns to her) It’s not like you don’t have a right to be upset but… at least wait five minutes and talk to her and then give her a ride home.

LUCAS: Can’t do. Are you guys coming?

HALEY: I-I gotta be at the studio right now and I can’t wait for her.

PEYTON: It’s OK. I’ll wait for her.

HALEY: (grateful) OK, thank you. (sh**t Lucas a nasty side-eye as she walks past)

PEYTON: Lucas, what am I supposed to tell Brooke?

LUCAS: (pause) Tell her to call Chris Keller.

CUT TO:

[EXT. NATHAN’S CAR – THE ROAD – DAY]

(Chris and Nathan are sitting there in silence.)

CHRIS: Dude, we seriously need some tunes.

(Chris pushes the tape in.)

NATHAN: No, don’t!

(Too late. The tape’s already playing and the same song that played when Nathan and Lucas took the trip to Charlotte plays.)

NATHAN: (groans) It’s jammed!

CHRIS: (uncaring) Oh, come on, man, what’s a road trip without some road tunes!

(Nathan brakes hard and the car squeals to a stop. He turns the radio off.)

NATHAN: Listen to me; this is not a road trip. This is a business trip to fix your screw-up. Now we get the money, we get Haley’s song and if you’re lucky… I don’t rearrange your face.

CHRIS: (sourly) Fine.

(Nathan puts the car into gear again.)

CHRIS: (groaning) Jeez(!) (turns the radio back on and the song continues)

(Nathan continues to drive in silence.)

CHRIS: By the way, how’s your poker game?

NATHAN: Why?

CHRIS: Just, that’s how we’re gonna get the money back. (pause) Playing poker.

(Nathan waits a b*at before braking again, harder. The car stops, Chris flies forward and then backward.)

CHRIS: Oh, ow!

(The tape flies out of the deck.)

CHRIS: (distracted) Hey, I fixed it.

NATHAN: All you had to do was keep your word and you couldn’t do it; take the money, pay the studio and help Haley!

CHRIS: I am trying to help! (shows some money) Its a hundred dollar buy-in, I got about five-hundred bucks.

(Nathan sighs and shakes his head.)

CHRIS: OK, it either this or you can say goodbye to Haley’s demo.

(They wait for a moment. Nathan angrily shoves the car into gear and starts driving again.)

NATHAN: (confused) I though you said you lost all the money.

CHRIS: Oh, I did. (nods) This is the money your dad paid me last week to seduce Haley.

(Nathan hits the brakes again. Chris flies forward and backward harshly.)

CHRIS: OW! Man, my head! I wasn’t gonna do it!

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – MAYORAL OFFICE – DAY]

(Close-up of the TV as Dan’s face shows up on it.)

MAN: (v.o) Dan Scott would have you believe that he’s the ‘family first’ candidate for Tree Hill mayor.

(The clip of Dan shoving Nathan against the locker plays.)

MAN: It’s a good thing his son can’t vote.

(The add cuts to a picture of Karen shaking someone off-screen’s hand.)

MAN: Karen Roe, the smart choice.

(Karen walks into the room whilst putting her earring on.)

MAN: The caring choice.

(She stops when she sees Dan watching the ad. She walks to him.)

DAN: You must be pleased with yourself.

(Cut back to the TV as Karen shakes more hands. It finally fades to a picture of herself.)

MAN: Brought to you by the people of Karen Roe.

DAN: I guess I should thank you. I mean this… little commercial of yours; this could bring me a whole new batch of viewers – wife beaters, S&M freaks.

KAREN: Who’re you kidding? You’re in trouble and you know it.

(Dan smirks and waves a tape at her.)

DAN: I wouldn’t be so sure.

(He walks towards the TV.)

DAN: This afternoon, when the polls open and we give our final speeches, you’re gonna concede.

KAREN: Really? Or what?

DAN: Or I’m gonna show the public who tried to k*ll me.

(He bends down and inserts the tape into the VCR. He walks to her and plays the tape.)

DAN: Notice the time and date stamp. Day of the fire, a few hours before.

(He fast-forwards.)

DAN: And wait for it, this is the good part.

(Karen’s eyes widen and Dan smirks.)

DAN: Gentlemen, we have a winner.

(Karen is shocked as Dan continues.)

DAN: I believe that’s the same brand of booze used to poison me. (pause) And I believe that’s someone you care about buying it – someone with motive.

(Karen doesn’t say anything. Dan stops the tape and walks back to the TV.)

DAN: Ah, the tangled web we weave.

(He ejects the tape and takes it back. Dan walks back to her.)

DAN: Oh, when you concede today,… make sure you say nice things about me.

(Karen remains motionless as Dan exits.)

CUT TO:

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

(Brooke runs into her bedroom and throws the covers of her bed up.)

BROOKE: (frantic) Oh, please be there, come on.

(She pulls the drawer opens and takes the box out.)

BROOKE: (sighs in relief) Oh, thank god(!)

(She flips through them to make sure that they’re all still there. She finds what she’s looking for and sighs in relief again, thinking.)

CUT TO:

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

(Close-up of Lucas’ phone. He’s brought up Brooke’s contact and presses the button to delete it. It asks him whether he wants to and he clicks yes. He shuts the phone. There’s a knock on the door and he looks at it.)

(It opens and Brooke walks it uncertainly.)

BROOKE: Hi.

(Lucas looks away.)

BROOKE: How are you?

(He doesn’t answer.)

BROOKE: … Right, OK.

(She closes the door behind her and walks in.)

BROOKE: I don’t know what to say other than I’m so sorry.

LUCAS: (standing) You have nothing to apologise for. We weren’t together.

BROOKE: Luke-

LUCAS: I just didn’t know non-exclusive meant; hell,… I’m gonna sleep with Chris Keller. (laughs) Pretty skanky move, Brooke.

BROOKE: (pause) I am sorry. I am sorry that I did it and I am sorry that you had to see it.

(His expression says that he doesn’t believe her.)

BROOKE: But you are looking at me, right now, like I am so much worse than you and you were with Peyton while we were dating!

LUCAS: I didn’t sleep with Peyton.

BROOKE: (hurt) No, but you slept with Nikki.

LUCAS: (shrugs) I didn’t have feelings for you then. I guess that’s my answer.

BROOKE: (tearfully) No, it’s not, Lucas. I care about you so much!

LUCAS: Well, you have a hell of a way of showing it. (crosses arms)

BROOKE: I don’t know why I did it, OK? I, um,… I mean, yeah, I-I was drinking and I was jealous that you were with Rachel but I think… it was really just because I was really afraid to get close to you again.

LUCAS: (coldly) Well, you don’t have to worry about that now.

(Brooke gapes.)

LUCAS: Do you?

BROOKE: I didn’t expect you to be kind about this but seeing you this way… it’s even worse than I thought it would be.

LUCAS: … Good.

(He turns his back to her. Brooke waits for a few seconds before turning and leaving his bedroom.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[INT. RECORDING STUDIO – RECORDING ROOM – DAY]

(Haley is at a piano, playing. The phone rings and a guy walks in, holding it.)

GUY: Haley, there’s a call for Chris. Is he coming in today?

HALEY: (keeps playing) Uh, he’s supposed to be here right now.

GUY: (waits a b*at before speaking to the person on the phone) Yeah, can I take a message for Chris?

(The guy listens.)

GUY: Uh-huh. (pause) Yeah, well you’re gonna have to get in line coz he owes me money too. And trust me, I guarantee it’s a lot more than he owes you for some… batman costume rental.

(Haley jerks and stops playing.)

FLASHBACK TO:

[INT. TRIC – BACKROOM – EVENING]

(Haley kisses the person in the batman costume before he walks out. She looks on in wonder.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[INT. RECORDING STUDIO – RECORDING ROOM – DAY]

(Haley looks down nervously as she realises what it means.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. RIVERBOAT (EST) – THE RIVER – DAY]

(sh*t of the boat lit with lights.)

NATHAN: (v.o) Great, riverboat gambling. Nice move, Tom Sawyer.

CUT TO:

[INT. THE RIVERBOAT – CASINO – DAY]

(Nathan looks down at the guitar case Chris is carrying.)

NATHAN: Let me guess, you got a g*n in there or we’re gonna rob the place.

CHRIS: Actually, that was plan B.

(Nathan just looks at him.)

CHRIS: Dude, this is a 1967 Gibson double. I wasn’t gonna leave it in that junk of a car of yours. (pause) Plus, I look cool carrying a guitar. Let’s go.

(They walk forward.)

CHRIS: Oh, uh, the guy I lost the money to – Marty – well,… he kinda scares me.

NATHAN: Poker playing psycho named Marty, that’s perfect.

CHRIS: Well, well, g*ng’s all here. Nate, this is Dexter-

(Cut to a guy in sunglasses, a Stetson and long blond hair.)

CHRIS: This is Emmanuelle-

(Emmanuelle nods, heavily made up.)

CHRIS: These are the cops-

(The cops nod.)

CHRIS: Hey guys. And this is… (nervously) Marty.

NATHAN: (surprised) You’re Marty?

(Cut to a sh*t of a little person.)

MARTY: Yeah, that’s right. (pause) Who the hell are you?

CHRIS: Oh, this is Nate. Big poker player.

MARTY: Whaddaya mean ‘big’? Is that supposed to be some kinda joke?

CHRIS: (caught off-guard) No, no. I just mean he… he-hey, can we play or what, right? (laughs nervously)

MARTY: I don’t know, can you? You got your buy-in, Keller, or are you a little, uh,… (looks at his pants) short?

(Marty laughs. Emmanuelle smiles and everyone else joins in. Chris dumps a hundred onto the table.)

MARTY: Chris Keller, the human ATM.

(Chris takes his seat. Nathan is sitting next to Dexter.)

MARTY: It’s your loss. (grins)

CUT TO:

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

(sh*t of the TV as a soap airs. It’s in a different language. Haley walks into the apartment and shuts the door.)

HALEY: (puzzled) What are you watching? (laughs and dumps her bag)

BROOKE: (shrugs) I don’t know but it seems sad.

(She’s lying across the couch, watching.)

HALEY: Did you talk to Lucas.

(Brooke nods.)

HALEY: (leans in close) Sorry. (sighs) Oh, where’d we go so wrong?

BROOKE: Well, (turns the TV off) I slept with Chris Keller and you went on tour with him.

HALEY: No, I mean… OK, yeah. But,… when did we start letting boys dictate our happiness?

BROOKE: I was nine.

(Haley laughs.)

HALEY: Well, I-I don’t care, it has to stop. You’ve got too much talent with your fashion line.

BROOKE: Not anymore.

HALEY: Oh, so what, so they stole a couple of designs, they didn’t steal your talent! (smiles) I’m sure you’ve got more.

BROOKE: (shrugs) Coupl’a unfinished dressed.

HALEY: So finish em. (pause) Listen, we’ll, um,… we’ll put together a website and… we’ll sell them ourselves.

BROOKE: (smiles) And you’d help me?

HALEY: (kindly) Yeah, I’d help you. (nods) You have to help yourself first though, missy.

(Brooke considers, smiles and holds her fist out to Haley.)

BROOKE: Clothes over bros?

(Haley laughs and knocks fists with her.)

HALEY: (nods) Clothes over bros.

(Brooke smiles and thinks to herself.)

CUT TO:

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

(Pan up Peyton’s bed. She is asleep on it. She shifts slightly, opens her eyes and sighs.)

PEYTON: OK, this is crap. (props up on one arm)

(Angel of Death Peyton is at Peyton’s desk, eating ice-cream.)

AOD PEYTON: What’s that?

PEYTON: You, being here. It’s one thing for you to haunt my dreams but I’m awake now. (sits up)

AOD PEYTON: (amused) You sure about that? (sets the bowl aside) Besides, (waves her off) guilt never sleeps.

PEYTON: Guilt? Oh. Oh, OK, so that’s it, you’re what, my subconscious?

AOD PEYTON: No, no. (looks up from the picture she’s drawing) I’m just like… the little voice inside your head. (pause) Only, I’m not so much on the inside now. (grins)

PEYTON: Fine. I’m talking to myself. I’ll play along; hey, what’re you doing here?

AOD PEYTON: (smiling) Hmmm, I’m having a snack see, it’s pretty great actually; (Peyton nods) I eat and you get fat! (laughs fakely)

(Peyton’s smile drops.)

AOD PEYTON: Oh, hey, I fixed this for you.

(AOD Peyton picks up the picture and walks over to show Peyton. Peyton stands and looks at it. It’s her picture of the traffic lights with the caption: PEOPLE ALWAYS LEAVE, only it doesn’t say that anymore.)

PEYTON: (snatches it) People always grieve? (turns it around to show her) you spelt it wrong. (smirks)

(AOD Peyton has spelt it GREAVE.)

AOD PEYTON: Well, if I spelt it wrong then so did you.

PEYTON: Who knew my subconscious could be such a bitch!

AOD PEYTON: No, no, we’re a bitch. Try to keep up, OK? (pause) Oh, hey, check it out.

(AOD Peyton walks to Peyton’s closet and stands in the doorway, hands against the doorframe.)

AOD PEYTON: Closet full of anxiety! Get it?

PEYTON: Look, ghost of Christmas Goth, what do I have to do or say to get rid of you?

AOD PEYTON: That’s easy; where’s your bracelet?

(A door shuts off-screen.)

CUT TO:

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

(Peyton’s asleep in bed.)

BROOKE: (o.s) P. Sawyer!

(Peyton jerks awake.)

BROOKE: (walking into the room) Oh, sorry, were you sleeping?

PEYTON: I think so. (searches around her bed) I guess I lost Ellie’s cancer bracelet.

BROOKE: (turns to her) Hmm?

PEYTON: (shakes her head) Nothing, what’s up?

(Brooke flicks through Peyton’s drawings.)

BROOKE: I need some art work for my new fashion line.

PEYTON: You mean the fashion line that Suburban Filth owns?

BROOKE: No, I mean my new fashion line. Haley helped me see the light. Instead of making out, I should be making clothes.

(Peyton nods, kindly.)

BROOKE: Although clothes make you look hot and then boys wanna make out with you. (b*at) Not the point; I’m moving on and I’m doing my own thing(!)

(She shrugs and looks down at the pictures.)

BROOKE: These are perfect, so sleep it up, come over tonight coz my stuff is gonna rock your socks.

(Brooke walks out and Peyton resumes searching for the bracelet. She stops and sighs.)

CUT TO:

[INT. RIVERBOAT – CASINO – DAY]

(Chris smirks.)

CHRIS: (to Marty) You’re bluffing.

MARTY: Then call me and find out.

CHRIS: I’ll do more than that; I’ll raise you, Marty. (pushes more money towards the middle) All in.

NATHAN: Dude, maybe you shouldn’t do that.

CHRIS: Dude, he’s bluffing.

(Marty sighs, nods and turns his cards over. He’s holding three red kings and two black queens.)

MARTY: (eyes Chris) Read em and weep.

(Chris’ smile has vanished.)

MARTY: (giddy) It’s practically an orgy!

(Chris flips his over and shows a red nine, three and seven and a black four and three. Marty laughs and claps.)

NATHAN: A pair of threes?! You lost everything on a pair of threes?! (angrily) You suck at this, Chris.

MARTY: Keller, you look like a toilet at the airport; broke and full of crap.

(Chris lunges and grabs Nathan’s keys.)

CHRIS: How bout these? (waves them in the air) This car’s worth at least two grand.

(Smacks it on the table.)

NATHAN: (reaches for the keys) Hold on.

(Marty snatches them away first.)

MARTY: I’ll give you fifty bucks for it.

CHRIS: Done.

NATHAN: (outraged) No way in hell. Dude, let’s just get outta here.

CHRIS: You wanna get Haley’s tape back or what?

(Nathan sighs and stops complaining.)

MARTY: I’ll tell ya what; here’s fifty bucks, (puts a note on the table) and a condom. (puts it on the table too)

(Chris leans back.)

MARTY: You two can get a room. We’re playing poker.

(The rest of the players laugh and put their money on the table. Chris gives Nathan a very discreet nod. Nathan shakes his head very slightly.)

FADE TO:

[INT. DAVIS SCOTT APARTMENT – COUNTER – EVENING]

(Brooke is cutting out the flaming heart in Peyton’s picture.)

FADE TO:

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

(Close-up of the charred piece of paper with the words ‘For everything you’ve done’ typed across it. Lucas looks up, thinking.)

FADE TO:

[INT. RIVERBOAT – CASINO – EVENING]

(Close-up of the table with the money and cards on it. Another card falls across the money.)

FADE TO:

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

(Brooke stitches the Clothes over Bro’s sign onto one of her dresses. She pulls the thread tight and smiles.)

FADE TO:

[INT. RIVERBOAT – CASINO – EVENING]

(There are a series of fades as more money and cards are thrown onto the table.)

KAREN: (v.o) Hi,-

FADE TO:

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

(The café is deserted except for Karen who is on the phone.)

KAREN: -it’s me. I, uh,… I need to ask you something. (pause) Did you try to k*ll Dan?

(She waits and listens.)

KAREN: Because, I, uh,… I need to know the truth.

(Karen’s face remains sad as she listens to whoever is on the other end.)

CUT TO:

[INT. RIVERBOAT – CASINO – EVENING]

(Nathan gathers all of the money he’s won.)

MARTY: (glaring) Been on a hell of a roll, kid. (shakes his head) Nobody’s that lucky.

NATHAN: (grinning) What’s the matter, Marty? Short temper?

CHRIS: Oooo.

DEXTER: No, something’s messed up.

CHRIS: Yeah, your teeth.

(Nobody laughs at that.)

MARTY: He’s right. For the last two hours, every time you deal, he (points to Nathan) wins!

NATHAN: No, not every time.

(Marty bangs the table angrily.)

MARTY: BUT FOR THE LAST TWO HOURS!

CHRIS: Whoa, a-what’re you saying, Marty?

MARTY: What I’m trying to say is this; if we turn over those cards and he has a pair of anything… your ass is as good as dead.

CHRIS: Man, you know what, this is crap. Nathan, let’s go.

(Chris stands and so does one of the cops. Chris stops short.)

NATHAN: Alright, hold on, hold on. I’ve lost a lot tonight.

MARTY: Not lately.

(A guy walks up to the table.)

GUY: We got a problem here?

MARTY: No problem.

CHRIS: Yeah, no problem here. (smiles nervously)

(Marty turns one card over and it’s a jack of spades.)

MARTY: (points) So long as that card’s not a jack.

(The guy turns the card over to show that it’s a jack of clubs. Chris reaches down to stop him but is too late.)

CHRIS: OK, look, Marty, I don’t wanna hit you because you’re- (mimes small)

MARTY: YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SAY, YOU SAY IT, KELLER!

CHRIS: (groans) Ah, hell. (swings and punches Marty)

(A fight breaks out. Nathan punches some random guy. Chris shoves the cops and grabs the money. He swings his guitar case around and knocks the cop out.)

CHRIS: (to Nathan) RUNNING!

(Nathan complies and they run out of the casino, knocking tables and chairs as they go. They burst out of the door, run up the stairs to the top of the boat. Dexter, the cops and Marty follow. Nathan and Chris come up to the end of the boat.)

NATHAN: Dude, we gotta jump!

CHRIS: No way, man, Chris Keller can’t swim.

NATHAN: It’s either jumps or die!

(Marty runs for them.)

CHRIS: (drops the guitar case) You’re not hearing me, I can’t swim!

NATHAN: Do you have the money?

CHRIS: (distracted) Yeah, I got it right here but-

NATHAN: OK, good. (grabs Chris’ guitar case and hauls it overboard)

CHRIS: (outraged) WHAT THE HELL!

NATHAN: GO!

(Chris and Nathan jump overboard.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[EXT. THE RIVER – EVENING]

(Nathan and Chris trudge out of the river – Chris holding his guitar case. He sits on the bank, opens the case and takes his guitar out.)

CHRIS: (coughs) Oh!

(Nathan checks his phone but it’s waterlogged. Chris breathes heavily and empties the guitar of water. He plays it and it sounds fine.)

CHRIS: (laughs relieved) Oh right, not bad.

NATHAN: (annoyed) Are you serious?! My cell phone’s sh*t, we’re in the middle of nowhere and you check your guitar?! How ‘bout a thank you for not letting you drown?

CHRIS: Whoa, Chris Keller was dog paddling just fine(!)

NATHAN: Chris Keller was sinking just fine. (throws his phone into the river and stands) Give me the money.

CHRIS: (replaces the guitar) Uh, (holds up a sodden note) oh, I must have lost it all in the river. (smiles at Nathan)

NATHAN: I shoulda let you drown. (turns and walks away, leaving Chris alone)

(Chris hurries and stands.)

CHRIS: Wait up, man,… (follows) it’s spooky out here.

(Chris runs up and walks with Nathan. Nathan looks at him for a b*at before shoving him hard. Chris falls sideways.)

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Karen stands outside the room, nervous. Lucas walks up to her.)

LUCAS: You OK?

(Karen turns to him.)

KAREN: Oh, just a little nervous. You know, polls are open in, uh, (checks her watch) in a few minutes. I give my final address.

LUCAS: Mom, Dan just told me he thinks someone tried to k*ll him.

KAREN: (stubbornly) The fire was ruled an accident.

(Lucas sighs and looks away.)

LUCAS: But what if it wasn’t? You know, and what if he does have proof?

(Karen’s eyes are unfocussed as she thinks.)

LUCAS: Is winning this election worth the risk… ? You know, maybe you should… concede, mom.

(Karen looks at him, bewildered.)

DEB: (walks up) Final statements, Karen.

(She’s holding a bouquet of flowers. Karen turns to her. Deb holds them out.)

DEB: These came for you.

(Lucas looks down and crosses his arms.)

DEB: And you know I have to stand by Dan tonight I-I just… (sighs) good luck.

(Deb walks away. Karen reads the card accompanying the flowers.)

KAREN: They’re from Andy.

(Lucas smiles.)

(Cut to the hall where Dan is standing on the stage. Karen walks up.)

DAN: (quietly to Karen) Whatever you say, be sure not to stumble on the word concede.

(Karen gives him a side-eye before walking to her place on the stage. She waves before stepping onto the podium and the various microphones.)

KAREN: Thank you. (pause as cameras flash) A few minutes ago, my son asked me how important this election was to me… and my answer to him is that it’s very important.

(Lucas smiles and nods.)

KAREN: But what’s more important – believing in your fellow man; having faith in a persons character; trusting that a person is who we think they are and… defending that trust until we’re given proof beyond a reasonable doubt that we should no longer do so. (pause) With that said,… I wish to concede.

(Dan grins delightedly.)

KAREN: But not the election. I wish to concede that when I decided to run for mayor, I underestimated my opponent… and the depths to which he will go to hurt and to humiliate others.

(Dan’s smile has vanished.)

KAREN: You have seen the commercials… you have seen the real Dan Scott. Now do the right thing… and vote for Karen Roe.

(The crowd claps; so do Lucas and Deb. Dan steps up to the podium. He holds up a hand and the clapping stops.)

DAN: My opponent’s decided to write me off… based on a recent video that I’m sure you’ve all seen. (pause) Well, I’d like to tell you that that video is a fabrication – a fake.

(Lucas looks away, disgusted.)

DAN: I’d like to tell you that… but I’m afraid that would be a lie. It’s an accurate depiction of a man at his worst… and I’m not proud of it. And so, today, I ask for understanding; for forgiveness. (nods) For a second chance.

(He flips to the next flashcard and at the top there is PAUSE TO CHOKE UP written in bold capitals.)

DAN: (avoids the camera as he fakes choking up) I’m sorry. (pause) They say identification is the first step to recovery. I stand before you, a man who woke up. I am not perfect. I’m just a guy trying to be a good husband, and a father who sometimes comes up short… and if you elect me, you’ll be electing a work in progress… but you’ll also be electing a man who’ll never put himself above any of you! Or above the town that I love. (smiles) I woke up to be your mayor… and I promise never to sleep on the job again.

(The crowd claps. Deb looks at him expressionlessly, Karen doesn’t move. Dan grins and nods.)

DAN: Thank you.

CUT TO:

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

(Haley and Peyton are sitting on the couch, laughing.)

PEYTON: Brooke, come on, just show us what you have so far!

HALEY: Come on.

(Brooke walks in with a box and a CD player.)

BROOKE: OK, so these are just prototypes… but, I introduce you to my new line; (holds a top up which has Peyton’s heart embroidered on the front) Clothes over Bro’s.

HALEY: Ooo.

PEYTON: Brooke, that’s awesome!

BROOKE: Thanks, but there’s more. (tosses the top at them) We’ve got the flaming heart ring-t.

(She holds up a red t-shirt.)

BROOKE: We have… C over B sweats.

(Holds up a light blue sweatshirt. Peyton likes that one.)

HALEY: I like that.

BROOKE: And the tutor girl, P. Sawyer inspired, Clothes over Bro’s concert jerseys.

(Throws it at them too.)

HALEY: These are awesome, Brooke. These rock.

BROOKE: I know. But, every designer needs her couture line, (throws some more tops) so I am now introducing you to Clothes over Bro’s; upscale.

(She plays the CD in the player and Haley and Peyton exchange confused looks. Bevin walks out of the bedroom, wearing a dress.)

PEYTON: Whoa!

HALEY: Oh my gosh! Brooke!

(Bevin spins.)

PEYTON: You made that?

BROOKE: Um-hm.

HALEY: Brooke!

BROOKE: I made that.

HALEY: Brooke, that’s gorgeous.

(Another girl walks in wearing dark form-fitting clothes.)

BROOKE: It’s so cute, right?

(She spins.)

PEYTON: Oh, see, that’s more me.

(Another girl walks in with a black dress.)

HALEY: (longingly) Ohh… that’s so pretty.

(Another girl walks in wearing a deep red dress.)

PEYTON: Oooh, oh my(!) That dress equals danger!

(Brooke nods.)

BROOKE: Trouble.

(Haley and Bevin laugh. Brooke turns the music off.)

BROOKE: And they’re all available at Clothes over Bro’s dot com.

(There a b*at before they start clapping.)

PEYTON: Good work, dude.

HALEY: Yay!

(Brooke smiles and curtsies delightedly.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. WOODS – EVENING]

(Chris and Nathan are still walking through the woods in the middle of nowhere. Nathan’s trying his best to lose Chris.)

CHRIS: Come on, man, slow down.

(Nathan looks back briefly.)

CHRIS: I’m not in shape like you – I’m weak.

NATHAN: Dude, we’re eighty miles from home and you gambled my damn car away.

CHRIS: (reaches into his pocket) No, not exactly. (pulls Nathan’s car keys out) Actually, I grabbed your keys right before Marty punched me in the crotch.

(Nathan takes them back and pockets them.)

CHRIS: In other news – um, I actually have about five hundred dollars left on me so… basically, we broke even.

NATHAN: (annoyed) What, you call this breaking even? I thought we were actually winning!

(They stop.)

NATHAN: I shoulda known, you can’t be honest.

CHRIS: (hurt) I can be honest.

NATHAN: No, you can’t.

CHRIS: … I kissed Haley. (pause) At the masquerade party.

(Nathan punches him hard. Chris backs up in pain.)

CHRIS: Ow. (Nathan looks down at him) Whoa, man, I was trying to help you!

NATHAN: Wh- (punches him again)

CHRIS: Argh! (straightens) See, this is why I’m never honest. And stop hitting me.

NATHAN: STOP KISSING MY WIFE!

CHRIS: I will, when you start kissing her.

(Nathan punches him again and Chris goes down this time. Nathan groans in anger.)

NATHAN: What the hell is wrong with you?

CHRIS: (on the floor) Listen, the night you called me to come to town was the night of the masquerade party. I thought it’d be funny if we both went in the same costume; so I bribed the guy at the costume shop to tell me what you rented. (stands) But then I got there… and I saw you and Haley weren’t getting along… so I thought if I just kissed her, (Nathan advances, Chris backs up) and OK, it was stupid, alright? (pause) But I did it for you; I didn’t do it for me.

(Nathan steps back.)

CHRIS: So, we even?

NATHAN: Even? (scoffs) You kissed my wife, you lost all my money, (Chris turns away) you lied to me about a poker game and you got me att*cked by a munchkin and a tr*nsv*stite.

CHRIS: Whoa, whoa, (pause) you think Emmanuelle’s a dude?

NATHAN: Emmanuelle has an Adam’s apple.

CHRIS: (shocked) Oops.

NATHAN: (disappointed) You wanna know the worst part? Haley’s the one that suffers the most. (shakes his head) She put her heart and soul into that song and you screwed her over. (pause) That’s nice work. You should be proud of that.

(Nathan walks past Chris, leaving him standing there miserably.)

FACE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

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

(Pan across to Brooke who is leaning against the sofa, looking at her top. Haley is sitting beside her.)

BROOKE: Pretty great, huh?

HALEY: (looking at a top too) Yeah. Hey, I don’t think you need the apostrophe though, in Bro’s. It’s not really very grammatically correct.

BROOKE: (smiles and pulls the top back) It’s my fashion line and I’m keeping the apostrophe.

HALEY: OK, well, good for you. You did it all yourself anyway.

BROOKE: Not really, you got me there.

HALEY: (scoffs) Yeah, I kinda feel like a big fraud.

BROOKE: What!? Why?

HALEY: Because I told you to put yourself before boys and I secretly spent the whole day thinking about Nathan.

BROOKE: Why, did something happen? (grins cheekily)

HALEY: (sighs) You know I told you that… Nathan kissed me at the masquerade party?

BROOKE: Yeah.

HALEY: It might not have been Nathan. (pause) I think it might have been Chris.

BROOKE: Cringle?

(Haley rolls her eyes.)

BROOKE: No, I didn’t think so. (pause) Wow… how could you kiss Chris Keller and then think that Chris was Nathan? I-

HALEY: Maybe I just wanted to believe that it was Nathan so bad that… (shakes her head) what if I was wrong, though?

(Brooke doesn’t know what to say.)

HALEY: He could just be trying to keep things pleasant until the divorce is final.

BROOKE: I do not believe that. (Haley does) I don’t!

(Only Haley’s eyes move.)

BROOKE: But it’s hard, isn’t it? I mean, I… I love my clothes… but there is an ache in my heart where Lucas used to be and… I don’t think covering it up with a… stylish and smartly priced sweat top’s gonna make it go away.

(Haley zips it up.)

HALEY: It is stylish, though.

(Brooke puts a hand on Haley’s shoulder and they smile sadly.)

CUT TO:

[EXT. MUSIC STUDIO – ENTRANCE – EVENING]

(Nathan is leaning against his car when Chris walks out of the studio.)

NATHAN: (walks to him) Well?

CHRIS: (throws a bundle at him) Whaddaya know, I got em.

(Nathan catches it carefully.)

NATHAN: (stunned as he looks through them) Get outta here(!)

CHRIS: No, that’s everything. That’s the masters, demo… bought and paid for.

NATHAN: You only had five hundred bucks.

CHRIS: (evasively) I got a way with people, I guess.

(Nathan frowns and looks down.)

CHRIS: (uncomfortable) Listen, I’m… gonna be taking off.

(Nathan nods.)

CHRIS: I may not see you for a while, so, uh,… (catches himself) whoa, whatever.

(He bends to pick up his guitar case. It opens and Nathan sees that it’s empty.)

NATHAN: (confused) You sold your guitar?

CHRIS: (covering as he snaps the case shut) The thing was waterlogged anyway.

NATHAN: You love that guitar.

(Chris stands and sighs, completely miserable.)

NATHAN: Well hey, (pause) I guess this makes us even. (holds a hand out)

(Chris shakes it.)

CHRIS: Maybe so, but that’s not why I did it. (Nathan waits) You tell Haley that song’s a hit. (smiles) Or maybe don’t, unless you wanna lose her again.

(Chris nods and walks away. Nathan lets him get a few steps before calling out to him.)

NATHAN: Hey?

(Chris stops and looks at him.)

NATHAN: Where’re you going?

CHRIS: (smiles) Chris Keller’s work here is done.

(Chris continues walking. Nathan looks down at the tapes.)

CUT TO:

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

(Peyton turns the lamp off and lies back in bed with a sigh.)

AOD PEYTON: (o.s) You find it yet?

PEYTON: (annoyed) DAMN IT!

(She turns the lamp back on and sits up in bed with a fake smile.)

PEYTON: Let me ask you something: if I have a heart att*ck, do you die too?!

AOD PEYTON: That’s… (nods) that’s really sweet.

PEYTON: OK, I’m not (turns away) arguing with you.

AOD PEYTON: Oh, come on, Peyton, (walks forward) that’s what we do, OK? We have these inner conversations daily. (mocks) Am I gonna look stupid? Am I pretty enough? (Peyton glares at her) Did Jake just wanna get in my pants? (pause) Should Lucas be with me instead of Brooke?

PEYTON: No, OK, you’re wrong; Lucas and I are just friends… and Jake loved me. (her smile falls)

AOD PEYTON: Whatever you say,… cheerleader. (smirks and advances) Poor me, whine, whine, mope, mope (puts her arms either side of Peyton on the bed and leans down) always the victim! My mum d*ed; Jake left; Ellie lied, boo-hoo. (grins)

PEYTON: (tears in her eyes) You really are a bitch.

AOD PEYTON: I’m not the one that sent Ellie away.

(She straightens and looks at Peyton’s traffic light sketch.)

AOD PEYTON: People always leave… or Peyton always drives them away?

(Peyton’s mouth opens but no sound escapes.)

AOD PEYTON: Where’s the bracelet, Peyton?

(Peyton still doesn’t answer. She doesn’t know.)

CUT TO:

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

(Close-up of a reporter on TV.)

REPORTER: And it looks as though Dan Scott’s narrow lead will hold in one of the closest decisions we’ve ever seen. (smiles) Now back to you, Bill.

(Karen turns the TV off. Lucas is standing right behind her.)

LUCAS: (sighs) It’s still close, you never know.

KAREN: (nods) I’m afraid I do.

(They turn and walk to the counter.)

KAREN: Dan Scott’s the frickin mayor.

LUCAS: You did your best, mom. Don’t be sad.

(Karen sighs.)

KAREN: It’s not that, it’s Dan. (pause) And even though he might be wrong about the fire, if he thinks it’s intentional, he won’t stop until he finds someone to blame.

(Lucas listens intently.)

KAREN: I worry for that person, Lucas. (pause) I really do.

SPEAKER: (v.o) Ladies and gentlemen, the soon to be-

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(sh*t of Dan at the top of the stairs, grinning. Deb is standing a few feet away, looking on uncaringly. He grins and walks forward.)

SPEAKER: -mayor of Tree Hill, North Carolina, Dan Scott!

(Dan holds his arms up in victory as he descends. The crowd cheer and clap.)

DAN: Wow.

(He grins stupidly, points at a person and shakes his hand.)

DAN: (to the crowd) Hey, thank you, so much.

(The camera pans across to Deb who hasn’t moved an inch. She watches from her solitary place. Lucas comes up behind her, crosses his arms and leans against the wall.)

LUCAS: Make you wonder, huh?

(Deb turns her head to looks at him.)

LUCAS: Do the wicked never lose?

DEB: Hi, Lucas. (smiles tightly) How’s your mom doing?

LUCAS: … She’s worried about you. (pause) She just doesn’t know it. (looks at her)

DEB: (b*at) Whaddaya mean?

(Lucas looks around, making sure nobody’s there, before handing her the charred slip of paper with: ‘For everything you’ve done’ written on it. Deb takes it and looks at it.)

DEB: (reading) ‘For everything you’ve done’? (pause) I-I don’t understand.

LUCAS: I think you do.

(He looks at her steadily and Deb panics.)

FLASHBACK TO:

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

(There’s a flash of flames before the camera focuses on the paper again – before it b*rned. Close-up of Dan’s face as he realises he’s been poisoned. The telephone and alcohol fall to the floor.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

FLASH TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Deb is staring off as Lucas waits.)

LUCAS: That’s the last shred of evidence.

FLASHBACK TO:

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

(sh*t of legs as somebody walks into the office. Dan struggles at his desk.)

LUCAS: (v.o) As far as I know,… there’s nothing else to tie you to this, Deb.

(Dan looks up as the person stops.)

(Close-up of a hand as a lighter is flicked on.)

DAN: (v.o) Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please.

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Deb avoids eye contact with Lucas but her face shows that he’s got it right.)

DAN: I have just received word that in a matter of minutes, the votes will be in, and VICTORY WILL BE OURS!

(The crowd cheers again.)

LUCAS: He knows it wasn’t an accident.

(Deb’s eyes are red as she looks at him.)

FLASHBACK TO:

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

(Dan pulls at his tie as he chokes. The lighter is dropped onto the spilt alcohol and the flames race along.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

LUCAS: But he doesn’t have proof.

DAN: (o.s) They said we were beaten!

FLASHBACK TO:

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

(Dan lies back in his chair and loses consciousness. The flames travel quickly up the cupboards.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Dan stands at the podium, all but ecstatic.)

DAN: They said we were dead!

CUT TO:

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

(The person turns their back and walks out of the building, pulling the balaclava of as they go.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

HARD CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

LUCAS: Maybe this can finally set you free.

(Deb doesn’t say a word.)

DAN: (v.o) But they should know by now;-

FLASHBACK TO:

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

(sh*t of a framed picture of Dan, Deb and Nathan burning.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Dan continues to give his speech.)

DAN: You can’t k*ll Dan Scott!

FLASHBACK TO:

[EXT. DAN SCOTT MOTORS – STREET – EVENING]

(The flame bursts through the windows and carries on up into the sky. Lucas gasps and backs away from it.)

END OF FLASHBACK:

CUT TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Dan grins and raises his arms again. The crowd cheers and Dan turns to look for Deb. She’s standing there, alone.)

FLASHBACK TO:

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

(The camera follows as the person opens the car door and gets inside. Lucas moves around and watches. The door slams and Deb pulls off the balaclava. She sighs and leans her head back. The frame freezes.)

DAN: (v.o) I didn’t do this alone-

END OF FLASHBACK:

FADE TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Dan stands at a podium and smiles.)

DAN: (nods) -and to that end, I’d like to bring out my beautiful and supportive wife, Deb, to enjoy the moment with me.

(He smiles and holds his arm out. He turns to look and his smile drops. The space where she stood is empty. He turns back around, empty handed.)

DAN: I guess it’s true what they say; it’s lonely at the top. (grins annoyingly)

(The crowd yells and cheers as streamers and balloons fall from the ceiling.)

FADE TO BLACK:

COMMERCIAL SET:

FADE IN:

[SCOTT RESIDENCE – NATHAN’S BEDROOM – EVENING]

(Close-up of the CD player that hangs on Nathan’s wall as he puts Haley’s song – Halo in. The players shuts, the CD spins and begins playing.)

(Nathan steps back and listens. He walks to his chest of drawers and picks up a piece of card. He reads it and looks up, upset. He walks out of the sh*t.)

CUT TO:

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

(Peyton looks frantically through her CDs. She sighs wretchedly and turns around, leaning against them.)

PEYTON: I can’t find it.

(AOD Peyton walks out of the bathroom and advances on her, accusingly.)

AOD PEYTON: Why do you think Ellie came to see us, Peyton?

(Peyton refuses to look at her.)

AOD PEYTON: She has cancer, she has regrets, She’s closing up shop(!)

PEYTON: She’s in remission.

AOD PEYTON: You know that’s a lie! She’s dieing!

PEYTON: (in denial) No, she’s not!

AOD PEYTON: Where is the bracelet, Peyton?!

PEYTON: (almost crying) I LOST IT! OK?

(She bangs through the pencil drawers and still doesn’t find it. She stops, extremely close to tears. AOD Peyton walks up close behind her.)

AOD PEYTON: The last thing she wanted in this world was to get to know you… (leans in closer) and you sent her away.

(Peyton sighs.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. EXITING TREE HILL – DEB’S CAR – EVENING]

(Deb pulls out her phone and dials. There’s one ring before the phone is picked up on the other end.)

DEB: Hi, it’s me. (pause) Lucas knows.

(The sh*t zooms in.)

FADE TO:

[INT. COUNCIL BUILDING – ELECTIONS – EVENING]

(Dan’s holding his arms up again as he wins the election. The balloons continue to fall and Dan claps. His smile slowly vanishes.)

FADE TO:

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

(Nathan is sitting on his bed. Haley walks in.)

HALEY: Hi.

(She waves as she enters further.)

NATHAN: Hey, thanks for coming.

HALEY: Yeah, thanks for calling me.

(They’re walking on eggshells.)

HALEY: (smiles and walks to him) What’s wrong?

NATHAN: (b*at) Your song is great, Haley. (pause) Chris played it from me. It’s a… it’s a long story but, uh,… it’s really great. (smiles) I just wanted you to know that.

HALEY: Oh, OK.

(She’s still confused as to why he called.)

NATHAN: My mom left… for good, I think.

(That shocks Haley and she walks closer to him.)

NATHAN: Oh, and, apparently, my dad’s the mayor now. (scoffs) So,… yeah, today’s really sucked ass.

HALEY: (compassionately) Oh, Nathan, (climbs onto the bed) I’m so sorry.

(He shakes his head and they look at each other for a while.)

NATHAN: You know, for most of my life, I would have gone through all this alone. (smiles) Then I met you, and I finally found someone I could depend on when life got like this… so I guess I called you… coz I wanted to know… if that was still there.

HALEY: (heartfelt) Nathan, you can always call me. (pause) Always and forever. (grins)

(They sigh.)

HALEY: I wanna ask you something, um,… the night of the masquerade party, d-did we… did you kiss me?

(Nathan doesn’t reply for a b*at. He thinks.)

NATHAN: (kindly) Of course I did.

(Haley smiles, relieved and they kiss.)

HALEY: (realising) Oh, no you didn’t.

(Nathan laughs, bemused.)

HALEY: That kiss wasn’t half as good as this one. (laughs and touches his face) But I love you for lying to me!

(They smile.)

HALEY: (whispering) Thanks for calling.

(She kisses him on the cheek, gets off the bed and walks to his door.)

NATHAN: Haley!

(She stops and turns, smiling.)

HALEY: (leaning on the doorframe) Yeah?

NATHAN: Stay with me tonight.

HALEY: (smiles relived) Oh, I was hoping you would say that.

(They grin and Haley closes the door.)

FADE TO:

[EXT. EXITING TREE HILL – THE ROAD – EVENING]

(Chris walks down the road, carrying his guitar case.)

FADE TO:

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

(Brooke stands in the room, not moving. She looks on, tears in her eyes. She takes down the last picture on the vacation wall; the one of her and Lucas. She looks at it.)

FADE TO:

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

(There’s a knock on Lucas’ door. The camera pans to it. Lucas opens his door and sees Brooke standing there. She’s holding the box of letters and walks just inside the door.)

BROOKE: There are eighty-two letters in here… and they’re all addressed to you.

(Lucas takes the box and frowns at her.)

BROOKE: I wrote them all this summer. (choked) One a day, but… I never sent them because I was afraid…

(Lucas looks down at them, not knowing what to say.)

LUCAS: Brooke-

BROOKE: I was afraid of getting my heart broken again. (cries) Like before. (pause) Coz you hurt me so bad and… I was afraid to be vulnerable and I was afraid of you and the way that you make me feel (looks up) and I know that doesn’t matter now, after what I did… but I just thought that you should know.

(She looks down and cries some more.)

BROOKE: This is how I spent my summer, Luke; (pause) wanting you.

(Lucas has tears in his own eyes.)

BROOKE: I was just too scared to admit it.

(She turns and walks away. Lucas waits for a moment before dumping the box on his bed and following her out.)

LUCAS: Brooke!

(She stops and turns.)

LUCAS: I’m sorry.

(There’s a pause as she looks at him, tearfully stunned.)

LUCAS: What you did with Chris; (pause) It’s OK.

BROOKE: It’s not. It can’t be. It’s too much to forgive!

LUCAS: (is in visible emotional pain) Well that’s too bad, because I forgive you.

BROOKE: You can’t!

LUCAS: I just did. (smiles) So you’re gonna just have to deal with it.

(Brooke is still crying.)

LUCAS: I’m the guy for you, Brooke Davis… and I know I hurt you last time we were together but-

BROOKE: I love you. (laughs and sobs)

LUCAS: (b*at) I love you too.

(Brooke smile and Lucas touches her face.)

LUCAS: Pretty girl.

(She walks forward and they kiss. The sh*t zooms out on them.)

FADE TO:

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

(Peyton is on her computer, looking through EnterSearchFind411.com for Ellie’s name. It comes up with one address. Ellie lives at 408 Kenosha Club Road, River City, North Carolina.)

(Cut to Peyton sitting at the computer, smiling.)

PEYTON: I found her. (uncertainly) Are you happy now?

(AOD Peyton walks into the room and leans on the doorway.)

AOD PEYTON: No,… but you are. (pause) You can wake up now.

(Peyton doesn’t move, she just stares at the computer. AOD Peyton turns and walks away but fades out before she gets past the doorway. The camera pans up from the computer screen to the taped-together article that Ellie wrote. It now hangs on her wall.)

FADE TO:

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

(Lucas and Brooke are on Lucas’ bed, kissing. He puts a hand on her face.)

FADE TO:

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

(Nathan and Haley are on Nathan’s bed, doing the same thing… only a little more. Nathan pulls away and takes his t-shirt off. He’s wearing his wedding ring around his neck. Haley sees it and smiles. She pulls him back down by the ring and kisses him again. They interlock fingers.)

THE END