06x12 - Chapter One Hundred and Seven: In the Fog

[bunniefuu]

[Jughead] The weather reports were grim.

But we had a more dire
prognostication to deal with...

The apocalypse.

Brought about by one Percival Pickens.

Maybe unavoidable, but we had to try.

I'm thinking we stage a coup.

Percival manipulated
his way onto the Council,

and he's using it as
a soapbox, platform.

So, why don't we just knock him off it?

And... and what, we take over?

I mean, why not?

What if the council
refuses to step down?

Okay. If we are seriously going
to attempt a "coup de town,"

then we need to get public support.

- Veronica, Reggie, Toni, Fangs, Cheryl...
- [Tabitha sighs]

Kevin, too. I don't think he's gone
over completely to the dark side yet.

Let's reach out to
folks and host a meeting.

[Tabitha] We can do it at Pop's.

Tonight, after nightfall.

They're holding a secret
meeting at the diner tonight.

They're planning on
overthrowing the Council

and appointing themselves
the new town leaders.

[sighs] I'm tired, Alice.

I'm tired of these agitators.

I couldn't agree more.

But I have an idea.

So, the RIVW weather girl is out sick,

and she has been going on and
on about this fog rolling in.

Calling it "The Wrath of God."

Maybe we use it to our advantage.

Stop the meeting from happening and

give you time to make your next move.

[news intro playing on TV]

[Alice on TV] Attention, Riverdale,

this is Alice Cooper, coming to you
with an emergency weather warning.

A large, dense, slow-moving fog

is rolling into Riverdale and the
surrounding areas later today.

Meteorologists are likening
it to the great fog of ,

which enveloped our town years ago.

So, due to imminent power outages
and hazardous driving conditions,

- at sundown tonight...
- [sighs]

...the town council has instituted
a curfew for all of its citizens

to stay home until the fog clears.

Close your windows and vents.

Bring your pets indoors.

And hold your loved ones close.

The fog is coming.

[Veronica] The casino
is a ghost town, Jay.

Where are all my customers?

[Jay on intercom] It's
this fog that's rolling in.

It's keeping people at home.

[sighs] I see.

In that case, let's just close
up shop and send everyone home.

I'll lock up when I leave
for my meeting later.

[Jay] Understood, Ms. Lodge.

Agent Cooper, I just got word.

The Trash Bag k*ller.

There's a woman who escaped
from him just like you.

Okay, I wanna talk to her now.

Hey, Kev. What are you doing tonight?

I guess going to the
meeting that Archie called.

Even though you're Team Percival?

But putting all of that aside,

how about you come
over for dinner tonight

with Fangs and I before the meeting

so we can talk about
Baby Anthony's future?

Just us, no lawyers.

Toni, you and Fangs are Serpents.

I don't think you can provide a
safe environment for Baby Anthony.

What else is there to talk about?

How about your compulsive cruising?

Look, I'm all for sex positivity,
Kev, but you, my friend,

are addicted to putting yourself
in risky sexual situations

that often end in v*olence.

So I'm not really sure you're the
person that should be arbitrating

the future of our son.

: sound good?

[crows cawing]

Mumsie?

- What are you doing here?
- Dear child...

may I come in?

After you banished me from Thornhill,

I traveled the world
searching for sanctuary

and eventually found
myself in the Himalayas.

At the original convent of
the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.

You've got to be kidding me.

I presented myself on their doorstep

with nothing but the clothes on my back.

And now the sisters have decided

that I can pledge
myself fully to Christ.

You're telling me they're
letting an ex-dominatrix,

convicted felon,

serial k*ller join their convent?

The sisters believe
in redemption, Cheryl.

- [scoffs]
- They've given me one weekend

to attend to any unfinished business

before I take my final vows.

You are my unfinished business, Cheryl.

Speak plainly, Mother.

I have a surprise for you.

Something that I would like to give you.

But first, I would love a hot bath.

And a warm, scrumptious meal.

- Mother...
- [glass clinks]

Every time you come back
into my life, you gaslight me.

I understand your skepticism, Cheryl.

But every word that I've said is true.

Yes, fine.

You can stay for supper...

- Sister Blossom.
- Thank you, child.

Bless you.

[Penelope exhales]

[Jughead] Looks like we don't
have to kick people out.

I guess Alice's doom-saying about all

this fog means no one is out and about.

Probably for the best.

Hey, while we're waiting
on everyone, I, uh...

I've been wanting to talk to you about

something I've been kinda obsessed with.

Sure. What's up?

You can time travel now.

In an extremely limited way.

Only alone, and only within
spitting distance of Pop's.

I was thinking that you could

stop that b*mb from going
off at Archie's house.

If it doesn't go off, then I don't
lose my hearing, and I... I really...

I really wanna hear again.

Not thoughts, like a...

like a clock ticking,

- or burgers sizzling.
- Jug, I'm...

I'm sorry, but...

I've tried.

The b*mb is a fixed point in time.

No matter what I do, it always explodes.

Well, can you get me out
of the garage, at least?

It's too risky.

There are too many variables.

Temporal paradoxes, ripple effects.

No, yeah. No, I know. I just...

thought I'd give it
my best sh*t, you know?

[eerie music plays]

[door closes]

Okay.

Well, be safe over there.

Okay, bye.

That was Tabitha.

The whole town's freaking
out about this fog,

so we're gonna postpone the meeting

until it clears up.

Why did you come through the back?

Because there's a creeper
standing outside my house.

- Right now? Should I go out?
- Mmm-hmm. No.

It could be anyone.

Betty, I'm invulnerable.

Well, it could be someone
with palladium, okay?

So, please don't. Let's just...

let's just stay inside
until the fog lifts, okay?

Okay.

Yeah, you're right.
We're good right here.

["Don't Bring Me Down"
by Two Feet playing]

♪ The darkened skyline
Outside my room ♪

♪ A kingdom
That I gave up too soon ♪

♪ To be with you ♪

♪ Won't bring me down ♪

[Betty exhales deeply]

What are we doing, Arch?

Are we dating?

[both chuckle softly]

I mean, I'm not seeing anyone else.

And I love when we're together.

Just feels right, you know?

And I'm glad you feel
that way because, um...

I'm late.

My period is two weeks late,
and I'm never late. Like, ever.

Oh.

I mean, we're always safe. Right?

Well, yeah. Except for
that one time when...

Right.

And you're not on birth control?

No, I stopped taking it when...

TBK had me in that well,

and I just never
started it back up again.

Not to blame this on TBK.

[electrical buzzing]

My God, are you kidding me?

It's okay. I have candles.

[Tabitha chuckles softly]

No, Grandpa, we're fine.

Everything is under control.

Mmm-hmm.

Love you too.

[sighs]

[Tabitha] What am I
gonna do when I lose him?

Hey...

Hey. Don't worry. Pop Tate
is gonna outlive all of us.

What are you...

You just read my mind.

Oh. Yeah.

- Sorry, I caught a stray thought.
- [sighs]

Come on, Jughead.
We've talked about this.

You can't just read my mind.

It's a total invasion of privacy.

No... no, I know.

I don't do it often. I
just occasionally slip up.

Jughead, you read my mind

every time we have a conversation.

It's the only way we're
able to communicate.

- [both sigh]
- [Tabitha] That's odd.

Hold that thought.

- Do we still have the candles in the back?
- Yeah.

How long were you with TBK?

In the well?

Um... two weeks.

How'd you get away?

You never said.

TBK usually went out
every night after dark...

but this one time, it was different.

[TBK] We're at a
crossroads, Pretty Betty.

But you get to decide

how our story ends.

I'm listening.

[TBK] I sense we're kindred spirits.

Don't you?

[hesitating] Yes, I feel the same way.

[TBK exhales]

That's why I'm giving you this choice.

[saw whirring]

Dismember this body.

Prove we're kindred,

and you don't go back in the well. Ever.

Refuse me...

and you're next.

And then what happened?

He put on some classical music.

[classical music playing]

And he came and stood behind me, close.

- And with him behind me like that...
- [whirring]

I did it.

I did what he asked me to do.

I dismembered the body.

[sawing]

And he said I could go.

That's it.

There's no heroic escape.

He told me that he knew then, for sure,

that he and I were the
same, and that I had...

I'd proven myself, and he respected me,

and the world would be more
interesting with me in it.

And that this act of...

dismemberment would be our secret,

binding us forever.

Afterwards, I was just different.

Psychically dismembered.
Which, I guess is...

- That's what he wanted.
- You're not dismembered.

You did what you had to do to survive.

Maybe.

You know, sometimes I wonder...

Why am I still here...

in Riverdale?

After everything that's
happened to us, to this town.

I mean, why not pick
up stakes and go west,

or at least to some
town that's not cursed.

Yeah.

But then, something always reminds me.

The reason I wanna

save the soul of Riverdale,

the reason why I
bought my dad's house...

it's not just because I wanna live here.

I wanna raise a family here.

That's what I'm fighting for.

So what are you saying, Arch?

I'm saying...

when we get that pregnancy test
at the drugstore tomorrow...

whatever it says, I'm all in.

Whatever you wanna do, I'm here for you.

I'm not going anywhere.

[softly] Thank you.

[sighs]

Reggie.

What's going on?

Cleaned out my locker,
gonna clean out my desk.

I'd ask if you want a ride
to Archie's meeting, but...

It got postponed 'cause of the fog.

I know. Tabitha texted me.

Yeah, it's like a Stephen
King movie out there.

Reggie...

can we at least have a drink?

For old times' sake, if nothing else?

I shouldn't drink and drive.

Especially in this fog.

In that case...

why don't you drink...

and stay?

- I don't wanna fight.
- So let's not.

Let's play poker.

I've been playing poker all day
with the wise guys at the car lot.

Well...

what about

strip poker?

Or have you been playing
that with the wise guys too?

[Veronica chuckles softly]

There you go.

- A sign from God.
- [Reggie] Or the Devil.

[Veronica] Either way,

luckily, I have a serious
penchant for DripChic candles.

- Tabs?
- [Tabitha] Yeah?

Do we have any tubing?

What do you need it for?

I need tubes to siphon gas
from our car for the generator.

Well, yeah. We... we have some,

but Jugger, car's at the
edge of the parking lot.

You won't be able to see
three feet in front of you.

And what if...

what if something's out there?

No, no. Come on. I'm
fine. I'll be right back.

Hey. When I was back there,
I saw this old ham radio.

Runs on batteries.

Maybe you fire it up, see what
people are saying about the fog?

- Yeah.
- [softly] Okay.

[eerie music plays]

Oh, hell no. What are the odds?

Give me those boxers, Mantle.

Or if you're feeling shy...

I'd settle for a kiss.

Or better yet...

both.

Let's start with a kiss.

[Veronica sighs]

Can we actually take this party
up to one of the Champagne suites?

Anything you want.

You know, maybe we
were too hasty before.

Breaking up, I mean.

You're the one who ended it.

Yeah, well, you shouldn't have
stolen those slot machines.

But maybe, just maybe...

I overreacted.

[Veronica snickers]

The truth is...

we're a good match, Reggie.

And it might not be
too late to start over.

I kind of like what I'm hearing.

Good, 'cause I kind of
like what I'm saying.

But if we're gonna pick up
where we left off...

Possibly.

You need to get rid of
that painting of your dad.

The one that's been looking
over my shoulder for months.

Reggie, it's just a painting.

Ronnie, we both know it's
more than just a painting.

Okay.

All right, fine. It's gone.

Cool. Let's do it now.

Now?

What's the urgency?

Because I don't believe
you'll do it otherwise.

Come again?

Like I said, Ronnie...

I don't wanna fight.

We're not fighting.

We're having an open, honest dialogue.

What did you mean with
that snarky comment?

Our whole relationship, I've always
felt like second-fiddle to Archie.

- Okay.
- And now...

I'm dealing with your old
man looming over my desk?

The irony.

Okay, so this is the point in
the conversation when I assure you

you're not a consolation prize, right?

Guess what?

I feel the same as you.

If I had my druthers,

I'd be living in New York,
working on Wall Street,

my father would still be alive.

But things didn't pan out that way.

And need I remind you

I gave my own ultimatum to
Archie, once upon a time.

Me or Riverdale. And he chose Riverdale.

So, the reality is...

we're all someone's consolation prize.

Uh-huh.

So, in your ideal world...

who's with you in New York?

Me or Archie?

I broke up with Archie because he
wouldn't move to New York with me.

So the question is moot.

[scoffs] Damn, Ronnie.

All you had to say was, "You, Reggie.

You're the one."

Okay, you know what? Forget
Archie, forget my father.

The way I see it,

we're just a man and a woman
in this town, in this room.

And that is all that matters, Reggie.

Really?

Because the way I see it...

we're recreating your parents' dynamic.

- I am nothing like my mother.
- No, Ronnie.

You're like your dad.

And I'm... I'm recreating
my own parents' dynamic.

My mom chose her career
over my dad every time.

So it's not just on you, Ronnie.

It's on the both of us.

[Veronica scoffs]

[Reggie sighs]

[scoffs]

Sometimes I've wondered if...

the reason we're such
a good match is that...

we're actually bad...

in ways that are...

simpatico.

Yeah.

- That's why we gotta break this screwed up...
- Toxic cycle.

Yeah.

For both our sakes.

Fog notwithstanding?

I'm starting to see...

things crystal clear, finally.

I'm gonna get my stuff and go.

I'll see you.

[door closes]

[inhales deeply]

[sighs]

sh**t. I'm late.

[Moose] Kevin.

I was hoping I'd see you.

Moose, wh... what are you doing here?

Getting re-acclimated to
the old stomping grounds.

I'm Riverdale High's new P.E. teacher.

I had no idea.

Can we catch up?

I'd love to, possibly. But I
can't. I'm... I'm late for dinner.

Well, you can't leave right
now. It's too foggy out.

Maybe we can wait for
it to lift? Together?

Come on, Kev.

We haven't talked, like,
really talked in forever.

Fine. Yeah. Um...

Just for half an hour.

Because of the... the fog.

Before Kevin arrives,

we should probably get on the
same page about the Serpents

and how they're going to evolve.

Or not. In case he asks.

I just want Anthony to be
raised the same way that we were.

You know, old-school Serpent style.

I want him to be able to defend
himself. Fight when he needs to fight.

With the Serpents by his side.

- I don't want him to get k*lled by a Ghoulie.
- Now, first of all,

don't say that out loud.

And second of all, all
the Ghoulies were k*lled...

by cops.

If Baby Anthony was
gonna be a g*ng member,

he'd be in constant danger from cops.

Well, you know he's gonna face

the same kind of harassment
as a political activist.

Or whatever you want the
"Sweetwater" Serpents to be.

Well, less so, I would say.

But clearly we're not gonna
see eye-to-eye on that, so...

Maybe, when Kevin gets here,
we don't focus on the Serpents.

Instead, we appeal to him as
a compassionate human being.

And tell him we want to avoid

an expensive, drawn-out legal battle.

Totally.

[electrical buzzing]

The hell? I just paid this month's bill.

[Toni] It's probably the fog.

I'll go get some candles.

[Kevin] So, I'm... I'm still
teaching here. Obviously.

But I'm also a part-time
deputy working with my dad.

What happened to Broadway?

That was a pipe dream.

And you and Fangs? You two
never got back together?

No.

Full disclosure I'm in the
middle of a custody battle

with him and Toni.

- That's a tough situation.
- [softly] Yeah.

What about you?

- Regale me with stories from the open road.
- [chuckles]

Wish I had some.

I got laid off from the trucking company

when the Lonely Highway shut down.

And my dad recently got out of prison.

So, I've been living with
him, getting him re-acclimated.

And here we are...

back at Riverdale High.

Kevin...

um...

I know I bailed on you

after that horrible night, when
my dad, dressed as the Gargoyle,

- came and tried to scare us while we were...
- Having sex for the first time.

- Yes. I remember that.
- Yeah.

Hard to forget.

[Kevin panting]

Traumatized me for life, to be honest.

Anyways, I've always kind of regretted

the unfinished business between us.

Which unfinished business, specifically?

- Sorry.
- No, no. It's okay. I was...

feeling it, too.

Um, I just need to send
a quick text to someone.

[phone vibrating]

[phone chimes]

"Sorry. Don't think I can make
it tonight because of the fog.

Raincheck."

Raincheck!

Hmm.

You know, I knew.

I knew he would do this.

He bails on people.

He bailed on our marriage, and
now he's bailing on us as a family.

- Fangs.
- And now he's suing us? For custody?

Wait, why are trying
to make nice with him?

For Anthony's sake, Fangs.

What are you doing? Where are you going?

Where do you think I'm going?

I'm gonna handle this
my way, on my terms.

Look, as good as it would
feel b*ating up Kevin,

it's not gonna make
our problems go away.

[sighs]

I want this settled, Toni.

It will be.

Soon.

And if Kevin doesn't wanna
work this out between us,

then we'll battle it out in the court.

And if we need to get
personal and dirty to win,

we will.

But I need you here with me, Fangs.

Not arrested again.

Baby Anthony needs you.

He needs his father.

So please stay here with us?

For me?

[radio static]

Is anyone out there? Hello?

[man, indistinct] ...out of the house...

Hello?

Hello? Is someone there?

[man] ...there's a... under the bed...

Do you need help? Hello?

[snarling]

Jughead.

[shotgun clicks]

[bells chiming]

Sorry that took so long.

Oh, my God!

I got turned around in the fog.

- Were you just coming out to look for me?
- I was worried.

- Did you get the gas?
- Yeah. Filled to the brim.

Let's fire up the generator.

[sighs] Well, that is
one way to catch up.

Yeah, feels like we're
back in sophomore year.

[chuckles]

I'm gonna go wash up,
all right? Be right back.

[eerie music plays]

[breathing heavily]

[breathing heavily]

[gasps] Oh, my God!

You okay?

You fell asleep there after we...

Moose...

Oh, my God, I thought...
Thought I saw the...

What?

[exhales] Nothing. Never
mind. Just a dream, I guess.

[breathing heavily]

I'm here, Kev. I got you.

[eerie music plays]

[Cheryl] Mumsie! Dinner is served.

Mumsie?

Wherefore art thou, Mother?

You evil wretch!

- Cheryl.
- Is this why you're here?

To steal Julian?

I knew it.

Who sent you? Was it Percival?

Or did Abigail herself summon you?

I'm merely re-acquainting
myself with Thornhill.

I can't believe you kept
this old doll all these years.

And I can't believe I let you back
into this house and my life again.

What are you doing?

Something I should have
done a long time ago.

[thuds]

[generator sputtering]

[grunts]

[chugging]

- Wha...
- Okay.

Okay.

- [squeals] Light!
- [chuckles]

[exhales softly]

Oh...

Welcome back, Mumsie.

Tell me, do you feel that?

Do you feel yourself getting hotter?

Cheryl, what are you doing?

I'm making your body temperature rise.

[Penelope exhales]

Right now, you're at about .

[groans]

- .
- [exhales]

.

How are you doing this?

I'm pyrokinetic.

- [Penelope gasps]
- But you...

You couldn't come back and just
be a normal mother, could you?

- [whimpers]
- No.

You're still your usual
gaslighting, manipulative self.

As you'll always be.

- [sobs]
- But...

things have changed.

I have changed.

For the longest time, you were
the dragon and I was the maiden.

Locked away in the tower.

But now I am both.

The maiden and the dragon.

And you are going to
feel my fiery wrath.

[sobbing] Please, Cheryl, don't do this.

I... I have something for you.

A surprise.

- Or did you forget?
- It's too late, Mumsie.

They're letters from Heather.

What do you mean,
"Letters from Heather"?

You remember Heather?

Your best friend from junior high?

After she moved away, she
wrote you almost every day.

Of course I remember Heather.

You caught us in my bedroom
and called us "deviants"

and forbade her from
ever speaking to me again.

Well, she wrote you.

And I intercepted those letters.

And I kept them, all these years.

Please, Cheryl.

The letters are my
peace offering to you.

Proof, I hope,

that I truly have changed.

You must read them.

[scoffs]

So where are they, Mother?

And may Mephistopheles have mercy
on your soul if you're lying to me.

[light buzzing]

- [radio beeps]
- To anyone who can hear me, this is Tabitha Tate,

broadcasting live from
Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe,

exit , off of the Lonely Highway.

If you're lost in the fog, look
for the Pop's sign. We're open.

We have power, food,
heat, running water.

Just look for the light.

[Cheryl sobbing]

[sobbing, sniffling]

Garden rose tea to soothe you.

All these years, I always wondered
why I never heard from Heather.

Did you really hate me that much?

Why?

[crying] Why are you
so cruel to me, Mother?

Oh, my beautiful child.

I suppose I recognized in
you something that I had

tried so very hard
to k*ll within myself.

Because I felt like a monster.

Oh.

I'm so, so sorry.

Tomorrow, when the fog lifts,

I'll also be gone.

But before I go,

please forgive me, Cheryl.

Forgive me my trespasses.

I beg of you.

[Jughead] By morning, the fog
had completely dissipated...

bestowing upon some of
us a sense of clarity.

Hey, Fangs. It's Kev.

Listen, sorry I didn't
make it last night.

I was just calling to say that
after a night of reflection

and taking stock,

if you and Toni wanna
discuss joint custody,

just amongst ourselves,
I'd be open to that.

Oh.

You're open to that?

I am.

The world's a scary place,
and there's safety in numbers.

So, I'd be willing to.

Yes.

Kevin...

whatever epiphany you had last night,

I had one, too.

I don't wanna be half a dad.

And I want my son

to be raised with an integrity
that I'm not sure that you possess.

I mean, the fact that you're
even waffling about Percival...

That's not fair.

I'll see you in court, Kevin.

Until then, watch your back.

[line disconnects]

[pensive music playing]

[sighs]

Jay?

Bring me some butcher paper,
string, and masking tape.

I need to wrap something up.

[sighs]

- [news intro playing on TV]
- [Tabitha] Oh, brother.

Now what?

Welcome to Riverdale Today.
I am your host, Alice Cooper.

Today, I have the pleasure of
chatting with Riverdale's new mayor,

Percival Pickens.

[scoffs]

Alice is saying that Percival
is Riverdale's new mayor.

[Alice] Welcome, Mr. Mayor.

What? How?

[Jughead] Tabitha broke it down
for me after the broadcast.

Apparently, while the rest of us
were waiting for the fog to lift,

The Council of Four, minus
Tabitha, met, dissolved itself,

and appointed Percival mayor...

How the hell did he do this?

[Jughead] ...collecting enough signatures

to ratify the Council's endorsement.

So, Percival wants to
be Mayor. Like Hiram.

God help us all.

Mayor isn't his ultimate goal.
It's just a stepping stone.

To what?

All hail Dictator Pickens.

[Alice] And thank you so much for joining

us and wishing Riverdale a good morning.

Well, so much for our coup.

How did we not see this coming?

How do we stop this guy?

Jughead, when I told you that I
couldn't stop the b*mb from going off

under Archie's bed...

I lied.

I did stop it.

And you didn't lose your hearing.

But you also didn't develop
your ability to read minds.

And because of that, Percival won.

Nuclear winter in every
scenario that I played out.

Every scenario?

How many did you see?

One-thousand-three-hundred-eighty-four.

All of our powers play a
part in the final battle.

But yours is especially
threatening to Percival's,

because it's the closest to his.

He can control minds, you can read them.

You're on the same continuum.

Okay, so we don't go back in
time to stop the b*mb. I...

I get it. I'll accept it.

[inhales]

There's something else.

[sighs] What you overheard
me thinking about last night,

about being afraid to lose someone...

that wasn't about Pop.

That was about me?

In every scenario... [breath shudders]

you die. [exhales shakily]

[Tabitha sobs]

And we... we b*at him?

[swallows]

- Twice.
- Twice?

Out of times?

That's grim.

- [sighs]
- Your death is...

fixed.

I have been wrestling with
whether or not to tell you.

[voice breaking] I have been wrestling...

Hey, hey.

- Come on.
- [sobbing softly]

It's okay. We'll b*at him.

Sadly...

it's not the first time
I've been destined to die.

- [scoffs]
- Just don't give up hope, 'cause that...

that would k*ll me.

- Okay.
- Come on.

[Betty] What a surreal hours.

[Archie chuckles] Yeah,
what a surreal year.

But, Betty, this could finally
be some good news for us.

And no matter what,
like I said, I'm here.

Feeling closer to you than I ever have.

[phone timer rings]

You ready?

Come on.

[sighs]