Woman with the Red Lipstick (2024)

[bunniefuu]

(distant giggling)

(foreboding music)

(birds chirping)

(ominous music)

(music turns sinister)

(woman gasping)

(gasping continues)

- Help!

(sobbing)

No...

No...

(gentle jazzy music)

(Roy): So, he said that booking

out the entire event room

was too much,

but it is the oldest social club

in Chicago.

Could be one of our

biggest clients.

- That's great.

- Luce? Are you listening, Luce?

(Lucy): Yeah.

Hey, are you still planning

on meeting me

at the office tonight?

- Uh, yeah,

reservation's at 7,

so I'll meet you there

around 6, 6:30?

- Oh, reservation? What's wrong

with our usual place?

- Well, I think getting

your first cover story

deserves a little better

than loaded French fries

at the All-Nighter.

And oh, you might wanna take

a change of clothes.

- Really? Like, do I have to?

- Yeah, well, you said

you wanna be taken

seriously as a journalist.

- Well, yeah I know but--

(phone pings)

(sighs)

Yep, that's Odette

telling me how late I am. Okay.

I will see you tonight, okay?

- Okay, oh...

See you later, Luce!

- I almost forgot.

Okay.

- Okay, go see Odette.

- All right.

- Thank you. Thank you.

- Okay. Bye.

(intriguing music)

(Odette): Lucy, it's 7:00.

Get outta my bullpen.

- Odette, I mean,

it's technically

the publisher's bullpen.

- Well, technically

I'm still your boss,

so I can say and do

whatever I want. Like this.

(slurps coffee)

- Uh, that's from this morning.

(spits coffee)

- Oh. What are you still

doing here? Go home!

- Roy is supposed to be

taking me out to dinner.

- Ah.

- Uh, what ah?

No, ah. It's a nice thing.

- Yes, very nice.

Definitely nice.

You try calling him?

- Yeah, he probably uh,

forgot to turn his phone

back on after the gym.

He does it all the time.

- Look, if he doesn't

show in ten,

why don't we go get

a slice of pizza? On me!

- Luce? Oh, good,

you're still here.

(Lucy): Hey, I thought

you said--

- I know, I'm sorry,

it's just, I got held up

getting these.

- They're beautiful.

Raincheck on pizza?

- Mm, mm-hmm.

(train whirring)

(gentle classical music plays)

- I guess you were right

about dressing up.

- Oh, hey, you look great.

Um...

- So, how was...

- I--

- Oh, sorry, go ahead.

- Oh, no, I was just gonna say,

what are you thinking

about ordering?

- Oh, yeah.

Uh, I don't know,

I guess anything

but the deep dish, right?

- Do they have pizza here?

(laughs)

- No, because of my article,

the restaurant owners

were smuggling

the cocaine in the...

- Oh, the pizza crust, right.

Yeah, that was a crazy twist.

(Roy's phone pings)

Oh.

So, did your mom

read the article?

- Uh, no, I...

- No.

- I wouldn't expect her to...

Oh, great, wine.

- Thank you.

To the smartest woman I know.

And my heart aches

to whoever thinks

they can shake you off

the next story you sniff out.

(glasses clink)

- Cheers to that.

- Cheers.

Hmm.

- Thank you again.

- Oh, thank you for coming.

That was very lovely.

- That was great. Hmm.

I was happy you did.

- Are you gonna come

back to my place?

(sighs)

- I gotta get back to work,

so good night, you.

- Um, listen,

is everything okay?

- Uh, yeah, it's just a lot

of late nights

with this new account.

That's it.

- I meant, is everything

okay with us?

- Of course! Yeah.

Everything's...

(stammers, sighs)

- Roy...

I can tell when you're lying.

Just tell me, what's up?

- It's not a big deal.

It's just now that I've been

thinking about it,

things have gotten

a little routine

and, and maybe we could do

something to spice it up.

- Oh, yeah! Yeah, I get that.

Maybe, maybe I can finally come

on one of your camping trips.

- Well, actually,

I was thinking something

a little spicier than camping.

- Okay, what did you

have in mind?

- You could be sitting at a bar

and then looking all gorgeous.

I could come up to you and say,

"Oh, hey, stranger,

what's your name?"

- Okay, so like, role-playing.

Yeah, yeah, that's...

that's definitely spicy.

- You think you can handle it?

- Don't insult me.

- I gotta get back to work.

- Seriously?

- 'K, I will make it

up to you. Promise.

- 'K.

- Good night.

- Good night.

(crickets chirping)

- What am I having to drink?

Well, I'll have whatever

you're having, stranger.

I'll have vodka with...

just vodka.

(inhales)

Oh, my God.

(huffs)

(footsteps thudding quickly)

(Lucy muttering)

(phone rings)

Oh yes, yes, I know,

I'm late. Okay. Um...

Yes, I'm sorry, I'm on my way.

I just had a little bit

of a late start this morning.

Uh-huh.

Yeah, I've got all that stuff,

I'm bringing it in.

Mm-hmm.

Right, yeah, that sounds good.

(paper crinkles)

Uh, yeah, yeah. I-I will um,

I'll be there soon.

(Roy): By day,

you're a well-behaved socialite,

but by night,

you're a very bad, bad girl.

You show up at the Lakeview Bar

at 8 p.m. on Friday

to drink alone.

And the name you answer to

for this evening is Maggie.

(vehicles honking)

(indistinct chatter)

(sighs)

(breathes deeply)

- Oh!

- Heads up. Little birdy told me

the boss is gonna ask

for your next story pitch

at the Monday review meeting,

so...

- Wait, aren't you the boss?

- Exactly. You're welcome for

the inside scoop, by the way.

- Thanks.

- You okay?

- Yeah.

- You seem weird.

- No, I'm just...

I mean...

(sighs)

Would it be a little

bit inappropriate

if I asked you for some um,

personal advice?

- Oh, my God! Yes.

It's getting so boring in here.

Follow me.

So, what's the story?

(sighs)

- So, you know how Roy

took me out to dinner

last night?

- Uh-huh. Yeah, of course.

- Don't do that.

- What?

- That thing you do

whenever I talk about Roy

and your answers get all like...

like, clipped.

Yeah, uh-huh, sure.

- Point taken.

- Long story short,

Roy wants to role-play.

And at first I thought

he meant like, a sexy librarian

kinda thing.

But then, this morning,

I get this package

with a note that says,

"Show up at this bar,

wear this wig...

And call yourself Maggie."

- Well, well, well.

Looks like Mr. Ironed Shirts

isn't so tucked in after all.

(laughs)

Good for him.

- So, I should just do it,

right?

This isn't, this isn't weird?

- Is his mom's name Maggie?

- No.

- Sister?

- He doesn't have a sister.

- Grandma?

- There are no family members,

there's no exes,

or coworkers that I know of.

I think it's a random name.

- I say it's fine.

- Thank you.

I guess I just needed

to hear that

from someone who...

signs my paychecks, apparently.

(sighs)

Okay.

(crickets chirping)

(Lucy exhales heavily)

Hmm.

I'm good to go.

(easy jazz music)

(indistinct chatter)

- Sorry to interrupt,

I saw you from across the bar

and I thought to myself,

this is a woman with taste.

- So, you thought you'd throw me

into the back of your

hot-rod convertible and we'd

speed off into the night?

- Hmm, maybe after a drink.

- I'm Maggie.

- Call me Jimmy.

- Uh, vodka.

- Uh, the lady will have

an old-fashioned

and I will have a dry martini,

top shelf, with a twist, please.

- Do you always make a woman's

decisions for her, Jimmy?

- Only when I know

what's best.

Hmm.

- You're staring at me.

- I am.

- Do I remind you of someone?

- Uh, the...

wipe your mouth, Luce.

- What?

- The lipstick, it's off.

It just isn't right, Luce.

- Oh.

- Here.

There, much better.

How is it?

- I've had better.

- Well, I promise you,

if you give me another chance,

it will be the best

you've ever had.

- Okay.

- Good.

(Lucy giggles)

(sultry music)

(both breathing heavily)

(Lucy exhales)

- So, do I take the wig off?

- No, leave it on.

- All right everyone,

weekly review meeting

in the conference room in five.

Have your pitches ready.

(newscast theme music)

(news anchor): For those of you

just turning in,

Magnolia was last seen

leaving a fundraising gala

for the Lyric Opera

on Saturday night.

Her mother, prominent political

campaign manager, Zelda Maines,

reported her missing

late Sunday

and has not responded

to requests for comment.

- Hey, does that woman

look familiar to you?

- Not really.

(reporter): Can you comment

on Magnolia Maines'

disappearance?

- Look, Maggie's more than

just the daughter

of my father's campaign manager.

She's a friend.

My sincerest hope

is that she gets home

safe and sound. Thank you.

- Ready to hit

the conference room?

- Yeah, I'll-I'll

be there in a sec.

(phone keys clicking)

(phone buzzes)

- Oh hey, what's up?

I was just about to uh--

- Hey, uh, super quick,

have you ever heard of a woman

named Magnolia Maines?

- Uh, no. Why?

- Uh, it's nothing really,

it's just she's on the news,

she's gone missing,

and she's got the hair

and someone they just

interviewed called her Maggie.

- Okay, what exactly are you

asking me here, Luce?

- Well, apparently

she's this big, fancy socialite,

so I guess I thought,

I don't know,

maybe you'd met her

at the firm or something?

- You're a crime reporter, hon.

You're seeing scandal

everywhere,

but everything is all right.

There's lots of people

in this world named Maggie.

- Uh, true, but I guess

I'm just wondering--

- Uh, I'm just getting

another call,

but I'll see you at your place

for dinner tonight,

all right?

- Yeah.

- Okay. 'K, love you, hon.

- Great. Have it in by Friday.

Lucy, you with us?

- For my next story,

I would like to do a deep dive

into the disappearance

of Magnolia Maines.

- The socialite?

The one who just went missing

last night?

Is there really a story there?

- Well, everyone loves

a pretty girl in distress story,

and her mother hasn't spoken

with the press yet.

I bet I could get her

on the record.

- Look, no offense to this

young woman's loved ones,

but why should the rest of us

care about this story?

What's your angle, Lucy?

- I will find it.

I know that it's in there.

- Okay, well,

we're gonna have to move on.

If I can't even tell

why you're interested--

- Odette, when you broke

the city council scandal in '95,

you dove in on a hunch,

didn't you?

You trusted your gut.

That's what you've taught

all of us to do, isn't it?

- I hate when you use

my own brilliance against me.

Fine, run with it,

but I'll be keeping tabs.

Okay, Ben, hit me.

(Odette): About your story...

- Yes. Thank you so much

for the green light. I'm gonna

go get started on it right now.

- I noticed in the news someone

called the missing girl Maggie.

- Uh yeah, short for Magnolia.

- It's also the name Roy wanted.

- Oh yeah, right.

I'm sure it's just

a coincidence.

- So, it's not the reason

you're chasing this story then.

Right? Because looking

for m*rder and mayhem

in your relationships,

that's a slippery slope.

- I'm just doing my job.

(sighs)

(distant sirens wailing)

- You better not be here to ask

me about one of the nasty cases

'cause I am thoroughly

enjoying my lunch.

- Magnolia Maines,

whatever you have.

- The Maines case?

- Mm-hmm.

- Will be closed

by the end of the week.

- Is that on the record?

- Well, that's just

common sense.

When you've got a third

generation rich lady,

history of depression, spends

most of her time partying.

Big sh*t mom rings

the alarm bell

and the department

comes running.

If it were anyone else,

we'd be telling them

to sit tight and wait

for her to crawl back home

once her credit cards max out.

- So, you don't

suspect foul play?

- Well, crime scene techs

are processing the apartment now

but I was in there

this morning, I gotta tell ya,

there's nothing in that place

that was screaming tragedy.

At least not to me.

- Okay, but have

you considered--

- Lucy, Lucy,

you really helped out

my youngest

with that career day project.

I mean, now all she talks about

is becoming some kind

of foreign correspondent.

- Yeah, I'm sorry about that.

- So, trust me,

I'm not shaking you off a story.

I'm telling you

there is no story here. Got it?

- Got it. Thank you, Detective.

- Yeah, you bet.

- 'Til next time.

Enjoy that sandwich.

- Hey, and you're not gonna

go trying to make it a story

either, right?

Lucy?

(door clunks shut)

(pots clanging)

- Hello?

Roy?

(clattering continues)

Whoever you are...

just leave through

the back door

and I, I won't call 911.

(Lucy gasps)

- Whoa. Oh, baby,

I'm sorry, I didn't

hear you come in.

I'm listening to my

mindfulness app.

- Oh, my God, you scared me.

I thought someone had broken in.

- No, I just used the code

on the front door. Is that mace?

- Yeah, I keep it

in all my purses.

- Oh.

- What's for dinner?

- I'm making salad and pasta.

(TV audience cheering)

(Roy laughs)

Look at the actor.

Uh, Lucy, are even watching?

Did you see that?

- Hmm? Yeah.

- Okay, what are you working on?

- It's a news story. It's um...

Magnolia Maines.

(TV clicks off)

No, no, no, I was watching it.

- I told you, I have no idea

who Magnolia Maines is.

- I know. It's not about that.

- Okay, then what's it about?

- Well, there's something

else here.

See, look at all

of these pictures.

Magnolia is beautiful,

and fabulous, and sophisticated.

But she's never happy.

And now, look at this one,

this is supposed to be

the happiest day

in a parent's life,

and Magnolia's mom

looks like she'd rather be

anywhere else.

It's k*lling Magnolia.

I can just see it on her face.

- I'm not really

seeing it, Lucy.

- Well, I see it.

Maybe they got in a fight,

or her mom cut her off.

Oh...

- What?

- Does that look like

the library tower

at Duran University to you?

- It's hard to tell.

- Well, you were just there

for your reunion.

What do you think?

- I guess so, yeah.

- Graduation was 2010 so,

she would've been there

at the same time as you.

- Yeah, but a lot of people

around here

went to Duran University

in 2010.

(keys clacking)

Okay, I'm gonna

get back to work.

- What, you're going

back to the office?

- Yep.

Uh, the new clients?

Remember, I told you.

Gotta be there.

- Yeah right, I remember.

- Good night, Lucy.

- Good night.

(crickets chirping)

(Lucy exhales)

(breathes deeply)

(Lucy spits)

(Lucy gasps)

(eerie music)

(lid pops off)

- Help me, Lucy!

(gasps)

(screams)

(gasps)

(crickets chirping)

(spits)

(eerie music)

(dark music)

(Lucy exhales)

(sentimental music)

(sighs)

(music turns ominous)

- It's me.

Listen, I'm sorry things

got so weird last night.

I think I'm overidentifying

with this Magnolia stuff.

And uh, you're right,

I need to do a better job

of separating my work

from my life,

so as soon as Odette gets

in this morning,

I'm telling her I'm just

gonna drop the story.

(sighs)

(Odette): So, what's up?

- It's uh, about

the Magnolia story.

- Oh, great call on that one.

- Sorry?

- You didn't hear

about the case development?

- What happened?

- Crime scene techs came back

with trace blood evidence

and other signs of a struggle.

Looks like they're treating

the investigation

as a probable abduction now.

- Oh, wow.

- So, if you want to publish

your piece on the blog,

you can probably break the lede

before the nightly news.

- I should probably

check with my contacts

at the local precinct first.

- Oh, good call. We don't want

law enforcement blaming us

for leaking anything privileged.

If you didn't know

about the case development,

what did you come

in here to tell me?

- Just that the background

research is going really great.

So, yeah.

- Terrible liar.

(distant sirens wailing)

(phone rings)

- Webb, Homicide.

- Detective, it's Lucy Carver.

- Lucy, I was gonna call you.

- You're thinking abduction?

- That would be a best

case scenario, yeah.

- So m*rder's on the table, too?

- Look, I've already said more

than I should,

so you just sit tight

and I'll let you know

the minute I have anything

I can share, okay?

- Okay. Detective,

what are the odds that she's...

you know, still alive?

- It's hard to say.

The blood at the scene

wasn't a lethal amount,

but there's no sign the abductor

took life-giving items.

- Sorry, sorry,

life-giving items?

- Yeah, sometimes

when an abductor

plans to keep their vic alive,

they'll let them take

certain items from the scene,

you know, medicine,

wedding bands, but Magnolia

doesn't have anything like that,

as far as we know, so...

- What about lipstick?

Uh, Magnolia always wears

the same shade.

It would definitely be

in her apartment somewhere.

- Well, I'm not sure

the lipstick qualifies

as life-giving, but hold on.

(tense music)

No, there's, there's no mention

of lipstick at the scene,

but that doesn't mean that...

- You know what, Detective?

Thank you.

Uh, this is, this is all I need

for now. I'll be in touch.

- Okay, wait, Lucy, look, now

that this is an abduction case,

the stakes are...

Just be careful. You know?

- I always am.

(exhales)

(intriguing music)

(keys clacking)

(mouse clicking)

(birds chirping)

(phone keys clacking)

Hi, your business

overlooks the river, right?

Yeah, and have you ever had

a mural painted on the back

of your building by any chance?

No?

'K, thanks.

(curious music)

(mouse clicking)

(inhales and exhales deeply)

(birds chirping)

(ominous swell)

(footsteps thud away quickly)

(tense music builds)

(tense music)

Oh, oh my good--

I'm sorry about that.

- It's all right, Miss. No harm.

(sighs)

Um, are you a guest

of a resident here, ma'am?

- Uh, no, I'm not.

Um, but I-I am just

gonna go inside.

- Due to recent events, ma'am,

building management

is only allowing the residents

and pre-approved guests

to enter the premises.

- Oh, well, um, actually,

I'm a little bit worried

that I'm being followed,

so I just need some place safe

to duck into.

- I'm sorry, miss,

no exceptions.

- Seriously?

- Jen!

Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.

Gary, this is my old friend,

Jen.

She's gonna join me

upstairs for a few drinks.

- Mr. Brooksbank--

- I know. I know,

I didn't put her on the list,

okay?

But she'll be up and down

in a flash, okay?

Sorry about that.

I uh, heard you talking about

being followed and uh, well,

Gary takes his job

very seriously,

so I thought you could

use some help.

- Thank you, I...

I appreciate it.

That was some quick thinking.

- Anyway, you can hang out here

as long as you'd like.

The front desk

can call you a cab

if that's a safer way

to get home. Good luck.

- Hey, um,

did you know her,

the girl that went missing?

- Why?

- My name is Lucy Carver.

I'm a journalist with

The Chronicle.

- So, you're a reporter.

You weren't really

being followed, you just...

You know what? What don't you

mind your own business?

- Wait. You're right,

you are right.

I absolutely should be

minding my own business.

But everyone, the news,

the cops, my editor,

is saying that Magnolia

is this vapid party girl,

and I know that

that can't be true. I know it.

Could you help me

set the record straight?

- Maggie's mom has been

my dad's campaign manager

since his first

city council run.

At fundraisers, it was always

the two of us sneaking off

with some bottle of champagne

that we didn't even know

how to open

and stirring up trouble.

Same prep schools, same college.

Now we live

in the same building.

Our whole lives, we've been

two sides of the same coin.

- And you've always

just been friends?

- Friends and occasionally more.

- Full benefits package?

(chuckles)

- Something like that.

But I actually

cooled that part of

the relationship off last year.

- How come?

- I thought she was getting

too invested.

But one minute

you're telling the woman

things you've never

told anybody before,

and then the next,

you're running for the hills

saying that she's too emotional.

I hate to be a clich, but...

- Is there anything

that you want people to know

about Magnolia, or Maggie,

that the news isn't saying?

- That she's kind.

She's a loyal friend.

And that she calls her mother

every Sunday night,

no matter what she's doing.

That's how we knew something

was really wrong,

when she didn't have that call.

Kind of ironic, actually.

- What do you mean by that?

- Well, a few years ago,

Maggie's mom would've been

the last person to know

whether she went missing or not.

They had a falling out

when Maggie didn't wanna go

into politics after college.

Can you imagine how rough

that was for Maggie,

to strike out on her own,

try to create a life

for herself,

and then,

to lose the one person

who's supposed to stand by her,

no matter what?

- I guess they

patched things up?

- Yeah.

They were working it out.

Zelda was actually the one

that insisted Maggie

move into a doorman building,

when she was getting nervous

about the anonymous messages

she was getting online.

Actually, that was getting

a lot worse

right before she disappeared.

- Can you say anything

more about that?

- Yeah, she said she was being

followed, in-in real life.

Someone was ducking

around corners

and hiding behind trees.

She could never catch

a good glimpse of them.

But she said she could feel it.

- Did she call the police?

- I don't know.

When she told me,

we had just broken up.

I thought she was just

looking for attention.

She's my best friend.

I can't believe I didn't...

- Do you have any pictures

of Magnolia

that I could use

in my article?

Maybe one where she's happy?

I can't find anything

like that online.

- Yeah, she's...

she's always doing that

Mona Lisa thing

in front of the cameras.

Um, I think I should

have something.

Here.

- Where was this taken?

- The Rose Bar downtown.

- Weird question,

do you know where

she got this scarf?

I've just seen it

in a couple of photos.

- Uh, yeah, I think

it was a gift from college,

maybe an ex-boyfriend.

Lucy, you okay?

- Detective, I'm saying

Magnolia had a stalker,

and I-I have a theory

of who it could be.

Look, I think I should come

down to the station.

(soft eerie music)

Actually, Detective...

I think you should come to me.

(Detective): You said the door

was locked when you got home?

- Yes. And I checked

the back door, the windows,

they're all locked,

just like I left them.

- You feeling okay?

Maybe you should sit down.

- Yeah, no, no, yes. I'm fine.

- All right.

- God, he's getting bolder.

- You said you had a theory

about who it might be.

- Yeah. Um...

Yeah, I mean, obviously,

it's just an idea but...

his name is Roy Kirkpatrick.

- And who is this guy?

- He's my boyfriend.

- Uh, why don't you, uh,

go sweep the rooms upstairs,

all right?

Let's talk.

(Lucy sighs heavily)

- I sound crazy. I sound like...

like I'm losing it.

- No one is going there,

but we need proof.

Can you think of anything,

anything at all that connects

Roy to Magnolia?

Or to this break-in?

Tube of lipstick?

- This is the lipstick I wore

the night Roy had me dress up.

And he made me take it off

halfway through the date

because he said it didn't

feel right.

That lipstick lives

in a pile of pens and bobby pins

upstairs in my bedroom.

So, if you're breaking

into my house

and you're looking around

for something to write me

a threatening message with,

why would you go looking

for that lipstick unless

it's part of the message?

- Okay. Uh...

I hear you but I just--

- And I know, I know,

I know it's not enough,

and I understand

that I-I sound paranoid.

I mean, maybe I am paranoid.

- Okay, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Hold on. Hold on now.

Lucy...

Look, you and I, we've worked

together quite a bit, right?

Now, I've always known you

to have a good gut,

and what's more, I've always

known you to trust that gut.

- It's just, what if I'm wrong?

This case is just...

this isn't...

it's not like other cases.

- But if this case

were following me home,

if you were one of my daughters,

I would run this lead down

to be safe.

- Yeah.

(inhales and exhales deeply)

Let's run it down.

- Yeah?

- Let's run it.

- Okay, good.

Now look, you are smart,

you are way smarter

than whoever's doing this,

so what did they miss?

I mean what... what mistake

did this guy make?

- The code.

- What code?

- Well, whoever broke

into my house

had to have the code

to my front door,

and the only other person

who has it is Roy.

- Well, it looks like

we've got a suspect to vet.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait,

Detective, just...

While you're looking into it,

can you just try

and be discreet?

You know, just in case?

- You got it.

(exhales deeply)

(birds chirping)

(car horn honking)

(door opens)

- Roy, what are you doing?

- Did you sic the police on me?

(exhales)

- They said they

would be discreet.

- They came to my office, Luce.

- Oh.

- Yeah.

Do you seriously think that

I kidnapped Magnolia Maines?

Honestly, tell me the truth,

because I would

really like to know.

- Well, Roy, frankly,

it's a lot of coincidences.

The name, the wig, the scarf.

- I was at work

the night Magnolia disappeared.

Something my coworkers

had to confirm with the police

multiple times,

so it is not possible

that I abducted her, okay?

- Okay. You never told me that.

- I didn't think I had to.

- Well, I mean, this is good,

obviously I didn't

want you to--

- Yeah, okay, 'k, 'k, 'k.

No. This is over.

- What?

- This is happening.

- No, Roy, I'm sorry.

This case has gotten

so out of hand.

- It's not just the case.

You live inside your work

and you don't care

about anything else.

- That's not true.

- Look at yourself.

You-you, like,

how are you supposed to care

about a relationship, like...

- Roy. Roy, no.

- Luce, no.

- I'm not gonna let you...

I'm not gonna let you leave!

This is not how you

end a relationship!

- You can't thr*aten me

just because you don't

want me to leave.

- I'm not threatening you,

I am trying to have

a conversation with you.

- You can't have a conversation

when you're blowing up.

- I'm not blowing up!

- Just stop, Luce, okay? Stop.

Are you gonna let me leave?

(sighs)

(engine starts)

- Yeah, Zelda Maines, please.

Oh, really?

She just stepped out... again?

Okay.

Hey, listen, I know

that she's there, okay?

So, why don't you just

hand her the phone

for 30 seconds and then you can

go back to doing whatever

it is that you do. I don't...

Hello? Hello?

Nice.

- Something interesting

going on over here?

- Yeah, Zelda Maines' office

is just giving me

the runaround again.

Uh, but it-it's okay,

I've got some family members

I can contact, so all good.

- Tell me what's going on

with you, or you're fired.

- That's illegal.

- I don't care.

So, he actually said the words,

"This is happening"?

- It's kinda hard to forget.

- That's... I mean,

Lucy, that's...

- Odette, I know

what you're gonna say.

I did exactly what you told me

not to do.

I went looking for a story

in my own life,

and in the process, I torpedoed

the only real relationship

I've ever had. You know what?

I'm just gonna call him.

I think I just--

- No, no, no. Lucy Carver,

do not.

Oh, my God.

Roy sucks.

I'm sorry, but it's true.

Forget Magnolia,

forget this job.

You did what you needed to do

to keep yourself safe, right?

And he couldn't

understand that?

Honestly. And after all

the times he cancelled plans,

made you feel like your time

wasn't as important as his,

that your passions

weren't good enough?

And now this?

Why on earth would

you ever want him back?

- Guess I did kind of always

feel like he never

really got me.

- Yes, yes, exactly.

- I always assumed that was

because I'm not cool enough.

- Oh, ridiculous.

- Or sexy enough or--

- Absurd!

- And then,

there's all

of the Magnolia stuff.

- Oh, so that's actually

another thing.

You're off the Magnolia story.

- What? Why?

- You've got enough

on your plate

with this whole Roy mess,

and don't think I didn't notice

the part of the story

where you're being targeted

by Magnolia's stalker?

- Yes!

Because he's afraid

that I'm getting close.

- It's too dangerous.

- No!

If her stalker is following me

and I can flush him out,

then that could be

our only chance

to find Magnolia alive!

- Lucy, this isn't you.

This isn't smart.

You've generated a lot

of interest in this case.

Why do you need to put your life

on the line for it, too?

What's going on here? Really.

(sentimental music plays)

- Couple weeks ago,

I sent my article to my mom

and I never heard back from her.

And...

And I know that she

is still angry with me

because I left her

for a career

after she gave up

everything for me.

- And you think you can

get her attention

by finding a missing girl?

- No.

I may never speak

with my mom again.

But Magnolia and her mother,

they had just started

to patch things up

with each other

when she disappeared.

And... I can't let

their story end like that.

I just can't!

I have to find her

and I think

I'm the only one that can.

- So, how exactly

would you plan

on flushing out this stalker?

- I'm glad you asked.

(crickets chirping)

(sighs)

(sighs heavily)

(curious music)

(sighs)

(upbeat jazz music plays)

(distant sirens wailing)

(indistinct chatter)

Hey.

- Hey.

- I uh, I forgot my membership

card at home.

Could you...

- Don't sweat it.

I'll take care of you.

But that's what most people

don't understand

about cryptocurrency, you have

to bet big if you wanna win big.

- And you've been a member here

for how long again?

- Pfft, pretty much

my whole life.

I mean, the old man sorta

keeps the place running,

you know what I mean?

That's uh, actually how I know

all the best dark corners.

- You probably know

all the best gossip, too.

- Oh, yeah. Half the posers

in this place are secretly like,

ten seconds from bankruptcy.

- Right.

Wasn't that girl

who went missing

a member here? Margaret or--

- Oh, Maggie?

Man, she knows how to party.

Or she knew.

We used to date, you know?

- Really?

- Well, she wanted to date.

I had to let her down easy.

I just don't go for those

party girl types, you know?

I like my women

to have a bit of a brain.

- Good for you.

So, tell me more

about your relationship

with Maggie.

- Lucy...

- Roy.

(man): Hey, we're having

a conversation.

What the hell?

- What're you doin' here?

- It's none of your business

what I'm doing here.

- Are you following me?

- What? No, of course not.

- Why do you look like this?

- Like what?

- Are you so obsessed

with Magnolia Maines now

that you're dressing like her?

- What? I'm...

I'm not dressed like her.

- Okay then, what is this?

- Don't... don't touch me!

- Okay.

- And you gave me this scarf,

Roy, so unless it has

something to do with Magnolia

that I just don't know about...

- Please, listen to yourself.

- And what are you doing here?

How do I know that you're not

following me?

- Uh, the Rose Bar

is the big client

that my firm's been

pitching to, remember?

- Oh, right.

- Yeah, and those guys

are in charge of all

the club's legal financing.

And if you paid attention

to anyone other than yourself,

maybe you'd remember that

that's what I was working

like crazy on

for the last few weeks.

- Okay, Roy,

I'm-I'm sorry. I forgot. I...

- You know what? Whatever.

Now, I'm not gonna blow

this meeting standing here

arguing with you.

And don't forget

to send my stuff.

She's having a hard

time moving on.

(Dan): Maggie? Maggie!

- Get back!

- Hey!

Lucy?

- Dan!

- What are you...

Why do you...

Your scarf. I-I thought...

- You thought that I was her.

Oh, Dan, I am so sorry. I di...

I wasn't trying

to confuse anybody, I just...

You know what? Can you please

just forget I was here?

I'm-I'm leaving anyway.

I'm-I'm really, really sorry.

- No, it's okay.

Look, ever since

Maggie disappeared,

I can't explain half

the things I've been doing

to keep my head above water.

Whatever you're doing here,

I'm sure it's for good reasons.

- I can't give up on her.

- I know the feeling.

So, get any good leads tonight?

- This was technically

my last lead

and it was a bit of a bust.

- Have you been able to talk

to Maggie's mom yet?

- Zelda?

No.

She won't even return my calls.

- Okay. Well, look,

I-I would never go against

the wishes

of the great Zelda Maines,

but let's just say,

if I happen to accidentally

put your name

on my building's guest list

for tomorrow at around 2 p.m.,

I wouldn't be able to control

who you might bump into

in the lobby,

if they're there to, say,

visit their daughter's

apartment?

- I mean, if you were

to accidentally do that,

I would be very grateful.

- Hmm.

- You know, you don't have

to keep helping me like this.

- I need to know what happened.

I don't know, maybe there's

just something about you

I find... trustworthy.

Look, can I give you a lift?

- Um, no, no, I parked

just a couple blocks away,

but thanks anyway.

- Yeah.

- Thank you for everything.

(crickets chirping)

(distant dog barking)

(suspenseful music building)

(owl hooting)

- Oh my!

(screams)

(Lucy grunts)

Get off! Stop!

(scratchy voice): Back off!

(Lucy screams)

(attacker groans)

(screams)

(panting)

- So, it wasn't

someone you know?

- I don't know.

(distant sirens wailing)

I mean, if he was afraid

that I might recognize him,

he could have been trying

to disguise his voice.

- You sure you don't

wanna go to the hospital?

We can give you a ride.

- No. No, no, I'm okay.

- Maybe someone nearby

saw something.

Lucy, what...

- Detective, I know

what you're gonna say.

- What possessed you to chase

after a violent stalker?

- What was I supposed to do?

He was on me. I wasn't just

gonna let him get away. Ugh.

Honestly...

I don't know.

I've been feeling...

differently lately.

- Different how?

- I'm angry.

This guy invaded

Magnolia's life

and all anyone cares about

is whether she was pretty enough

to, to be a tragedy

or messy enough

to have had it coming.

And now he thinks he can

do the same thing to me!

Like, just because I've got

no one else fighting for me,

I'm gonna...

well, lie down and take it.

Well, I'm not!

I'll fight for myself!

And I will fight

for Magnolia too,

even if I'm the only

one doing it.

- You know you're not

the only one fighting for you.

And just having the moral

high ground

doesn't keep you safe,

so stop being stupid,

or the next time,

you'll end up with more

than a few scrapes and bruises.

(Detective sighs)

(crickets chirping)

(tense music)

(birds chirping)

(phone rings)

- This is Lucy Carver.

(scoffs)

- That's how you answer

the phone? So impersonal.

- That's how I answer my phone

when I don't recognize

the caller,

Mr. Brooksbank.

How did you get this number?

- Oh, you know,

connections, strings.

Anyway, I just wanted to call

to see if you were okay.

They're saying someone

got att*cked near the club

just after I saw you.

- Yeah. Uh, yeah, I'm okay.

I mean, my ultramarathon

career is over

but that's just

a silver lining.

- So, it was you. What happened?

- It's a long story,

and uh, I'm actually kinda busy

at the moment.

I'm just chasing

down this lead

that you definitely

don't know anything about

and didn't assist with

in any way.

(chuckles)

- Okay. Well, then,

that means we have

to go for coffee sometime

and you can fill me in

on all the sordid details.

- Sounds good. I'll call you.

(door clicks open)

(soft music)

- Ms. Maines? Ms. Maines,

I'm sorry to bother you.

My name is Lucy Carver.

I'm a journalist

with The Chronicle.

- No comment.

- Your daughter's stalker

att*cked me last night.

- How do you know about that?

- Maybe we should talk upstairs.

(elevator dings)

- Don't touch anything inside.

- Is it still

an active crime scene?

- No.

But I wouldn't want you

making a mess for Magnolia

to come home to

once she returns.

(ominous music)

Those crime scene analysts

really did a number

on this place.

The mattress and the couch

had to be replaced completely.

- Why?

- They test for fluids.

I hope you don't need me

to spell out the details

of a sexually

motivated abduction

more clearly than that.

- No, that's... that's fine,

I understand.

Did they find anything?

- No.

You can tell me how you know

about my family's private

affairs now.

- Uh, right. Well...

I have been investigating

your daughter's disappearance

ever since the news broke,

although I don't know

if investigating

is quite the right word.

Frankly, Zelda, or ma'am,

I haven't been able to think

about anything else.

I believe that her stalker

is afraid that I'm getting close

to cracking the case.

Tried to att*ck me last night.

And I sort of chased him,

or I... I tried to.

- Good for you.

(Lucy chuckles lightly)

Magnolia would have done

the same thing.

She wouldn't have

injured herself, though.

She's a wonderful athlete.

- Can you tell me more

about your daughter?

What was she like growing up?

- I'm not speaking

on the record.

- Okay, but this--

- Do you have any idea

how much my daughter suffered

before her abduction, Lucy?

Her privacy was invaded.

Her peace of mind shattered.

And then, her home,

where she should feel safe.

- It's terrifying.

To be violated like that...

is terrifying.

I know.

- Then you should understand

why I have no desire

in helping turning her nightmare

into a media circus.

- Well, what if I don't

quote you in the article?

You know what?

My editor's going to k*ll me

for saying this,

but let's just...

We'll-we'll forget about

the story, all right?

I want to find Magnolia.

I need your help to do it.

- What do you need to know?

- I'm just gonna take

some notes.

Was the last few months

the first time

one of Magnolia's admirers

took things too far?

- No.

There was a boy in college

that had to be removed

from her dorm and her classes.

I don't think things escalated

past that, though.

- And do you remember

anything else about that?

Did Magnolia make

an official report, maybe?

Anything that I could look up?

- I don't.

Honestly, I suspected

she wasn't giving me

all the details at the time.

We weren't close back then.

(sighs heavily)

Those years we lost.

If I could do it over,

I would. I...

I would behave differently.

- You should tell her that.

When she's back home.

- You know,

Magnolia used to keep

her diaries under her bed.

All of them, back to when

she was a child.

She might have written

about the trouble

with the boy in college,

if it mattered at the time.

- Thank you.

(page rustles)

(tense music building)

(tense music)

- Have you found what

you're looking for yet?

I have meetings.

- Yeah. I-I mean, um...

I'm not sure.

In this diary

from Magnolia's sophomore year,

she mentions someone named JD.

Does that sound familiar?

- Right. Yes.

That's the boy

she had problems with.

I remember now.

- Uh, and do you think

JD is a-a nickname?

- It was so long ago. I...

I think the D stood for

Dave or Dean or...

(sighs)

It's no use trying to remember

now, really. I need to--

- Right, yeah, it's no problem.

I'll take this with me.

Or, or I will take some pictures

of some of the pages.

- I'll be waiting

for you outside.

- Zelda?

Zelda?

Thank you for speaking

with me today.

You won't regret it.

- I certainly hope not.

- I'm gonna give you my card,

just in case you remember

something or if you wanna talk.

- I won't. But it's always

important to leave your card.

That's just good politics.

Nice font.

You know the way out.

(phone pings)

- That better be the sweet sound

of a source

blowing up your phone.

- Kind of a source.

Kind of also a date, maybe.

- Oh, yes.

Tell me absolutely everything.

I love a good rebound.

- Oh, he's not a rebound.

He's Brooksbank.

But that's not even

the biggest news of the day.

Guess who tracked down

Zelda Maines?

- Wait, wait, wait,

Brooksbank like the Midwest

political dynasty Brooksbanks?

The ones who employ

Magnolia's mother?

- Yes. But don't worry,

I'm not gonna go out with him

until I'm done my story.

And even then, I don't know,

I... I don't know.

I haven't decided yet.

- Oh, you will go out with him.

Is it the senator himself

or good old junior?

- No, nobody calls him that.

- When I started on

the city hall b*at,

he was just a teen getting

busted with fireworks

on the campaign trail.

We all called him that.

Easier to tell him apart

from the elder

Joshua Brooksbank.

But I guess since he grew up,

he started going

by his middle name.

- Daniel.

- Yeah, that's it.

Hey, are you okay over there?

- Dan's full name

is Joshua Daniel Brooksbank.

Oh, how did I not realize that?

- It's not a big deal.

You would've caught it

in fact checking.

- No, you don't understand.

Listen to this.

"JD came by my room again today

while I was in class.

This time he let himself in.

I wouldn't have even known

if I hadn't noticed

my underwear drawer was open."

(Odette): Yikes! What is that?

(sighs)

- This is Magnolia's diary

from college, the year

that she had to have a boy

removed from her dorms

and classes for harassment.

And there's more, there's more.

Um, "I've tried being polite

and I think that's only

making it worse.

But how will JD respond

if I tell him

just how gross I find him?"

- And you think the JD

she's referring to is...

(phone pings)

- Oh, my God!

- Okay, okay, my office, now!

- Oh, my God!

This is why he wants

to go out with me.

Dan is Magnolia's stalker.

The only reason he wants

to see me is to finish me off.

- Let's not panic. I've been

reading your story notes

and you said Dan and Magnolia

had a relationship.

Why would she date someone

who stalked her in college?

- They only had a relationship,

according to him.

No one else

has corroborated that.

I mean, I just assumed

that it was private,

but clearly, it was a lie

to throw me off track.

"I don't mean to be a clich,

but one minute I'm into her,

and the next minute,

I'm running for the hills."

(scoffs)

Like, what man talks like that?

- There could still be

another explanation.

- I bet he moved into that

building to be closer to her.

And she's been

afraid of him for years,

but she was too terrified

to come forward

with his identity

because it might jeopardize

her mother's career!

Why did I fall for him? I...

- Lucy, hold on.

You need to call the police.

- Yes. But first, I'm gonna--

- No, no!

The time for Nancy Drew

shenanigans is over.

If what you're saying

is true,

then this man is not only

a stalker

and a possible m*rder*r,

he's also a charming sociopath

with money and political clout,

and he knows

you're a thr*at to him.

So, what you're gonna do

is you're gonna

call your police contact,

you're gonna tell them

everything you know, and then,

you're gonna go lock yourself

in at home until

we know you're safe.

Ah! If you don't

wanna be alone,

you can come stay with me.

But those are your

only two options.

- You're right.

Yeah, okay.

(crickets chirping)

(door creaks open)

(sighs)

And you're sure this okay?

Okay, thanks.

Hey, listen,

I know what I said, but...

I really don't wanna be alone.

All right, I'm leaving now,

so I'll see you soon.

(voicemail): You've reached

Lucy Carver's voicemail.

Please leave a message.

(beep)

(Detective): Lucy,

it's Detective Webb.

Good news.

We arrested Dan Brooksbank

an hour ago.

My guys found a diamond earring

belonging to Magnolia

in Dan's apartment.

He says it must have been there

since they've dated,

but we've got him

in interrogation now so,

the real story

should come out soon.

Anyway, it's not over yet,

but I just wanted to let

you know.

You're safe now, Lucy.

- Hey.

- Hey.

(sighs)

Thank you for agreeing

to see me.

I know our last conversation

wasn't... um...

Anyway, I brought

some of your stuff.

- Come on in.

- You shouldn't be alone until

that psychopath's behind bars.

- Yeah.

- Mm-hmm.

- I just hope he admits

to what he did to Magnolia.

You know, even if she is...

I just hope we get some answers.

- Yeah, it would be nice

to get some closure.

(tense music)

- So, now that the case

is wrapping up,

I figured that we should talk.

- Uh, Lucy, just to be clear,

I care about you,

but I don't think

we should get back together.

- Good, me neither.

You were right when you said

that I'm too involved

with my work

and I can't take care of you.

(scoffs)

But the thing is,

you don't need me

to take care of you, do you?

- Yeah, no, I guess not.

- But Magnolia, she needed me.

And if I hadn't kept going

with the case

after you told me to drop it,

then who knows,

Dan would still be out there

sipping drinks at the Rose Bar

and doing God knows what

to women in the future.

So...

I'm sorry that things ended

the way they did between us,

but... I have to thank you.

You helped me set

my priorities straight.

- Good. Um, well,

our teas are getting cold,

so I'll go boil some more.

- Okay.

- Hey, I am surprised

that Dan had the brains

to pull that whole thing off,

though.

(ominous music)

- What do you mean surprised?

Do you know Dan?

- Uh yeah, we took some

pre-law classes together,

but he was never like,

the top of the class,

if you know what I mean.

It's a classic case of nepotism.

- Okay, but Dan would have been

running around a lot

with Magnolia back then.

Are you sure that you never

crossed paths with her?

(water rushing)

- I-I can't hear you.

- Well, I was just, or--

(phone ringing)

(sighs)

This is Lucy Carver.

(Zelda): I assume

you've already heard

they've arrested Dan Brooksbank.

- Yeah, Zelda, hi.

Yes, I've heard.

- Oh, Zelda. Is that

Magnolia's mother?

- Yeah. Zelda, uh, one second,

I'm just gonna go

some place quieter.

- Um, Luce, wait!

- Go ahead, Zelda.

Has Dan confessed?

(Zelda): Not yet.

I can't believe I didn't

suspect him sooner.

I've known him almost

his entire life.

- No one could tell.

That's what made him

so dangerous.

- Luce, that room actually

has really bad reception,

you should come back over here.

- No, no, it seems fine.

(Zelda): I suppose

it doesn't matter now,

but I did manage

to remember

what JD stood for

in Magnolia's diaries.

- Yeah, Joshua Daniel.

- It stood for James Dean,

which was a nickname,

of course. I seem to remember

that the young man in question

was always wearing

some gaudy red jacket,

just like the actor did

in that film,

I don't remember which one.

Anyway, I suppose

I had trouble remembering

because Magnolia referred

to him by a different name

when we talked. I--

- Zelda, what was his name?

- Jimmy.

(ominous music)

Lucy?

Are you well?

(threatening music)

- Everything okay?

- Yeah. Yeah, everything's okay.

Um, I'm just not feeling

very well.

So, I-I think

I'm gonna go home.

- You're not leaving because of

something

Zelda said, are you?

- No. No, she just wanted

to chat.

You know Zelda.

- Do I?

(intense music)

- If you had just

dropped the whole case,

like I told you!

(mace hisses)

(screaming)

Dammit this stuff

really hurts.

- Yeah, it's supposed to,

sicko!

Just tell me everything!

- Or what, you're gonna k*ll me

with that stupid pepper-spray?

(foot thuds, Roy groans)

(panting)

(grunting)

- Just tell me

what you did to her!

(panting)

- Fine, I met Maggie in college.

- Okay. Go, talk!

- Oh! We were perfect

for each other.

We both hated all those rich,

entitled trust fund babies.

- What?

Magnolia was a trust fund baby!

- She wasn't like that! Okay?!

You should have seen how hard

she worked every day of her life

to put a smile on her face

and all on her mom's face,

and every day!

And nobody saw it but me.

Nobody.

- Okay, so-so what did you?

You asked her out?

And she,

and she turned you down?

- She didn't know

what she wanted.

What don't you get?!

- So you stalked her, Roy?

What, you couldn't just

let it go?

Why didn't you just let it go?

- No, I tried to get over her

and it didn't work, so I...

Then I saw her at the reunion

and it was all...

- The college reunion.

(exhales)

She was there. She was there!

And that's where she saw you,

wasn't it?

- I saw her and she looked

right through me

like I was nothing,

and everything that we had

was nothing!

And I tried to get it

out of my system.

I even pitched that stupid,

little role-play game with you

and maybe it would've worked,

if you hadn't worn

that lipstick!

- Oh, my God!

Get over the lipstick, Roy!

- It was your fault!

When you weren't enough,

I went for what I deserved.

(Lucy gasping)

What me and Maggie deserved.

So I made a plan.

It was easy to sneak

in and out of the office

on all those late nights,

and no one would think

that a man in his $3,000 suit...

- I can't--

- ...would ever crawl down

the fire escape.

- I can't breathe, Roy!

- I don't care!

(Lucy panting)

- I was in and out

of her apartment

and back at the office before

everyone knew that I was gone.

And it was brilliant

and it would've worked

if it hadn't been for you!

(panting)

- Did you k*ll her?

(whispers): That's between

Maggie and me.

(Roy groans)

- Magnolia!!

Magnolia!

Magnolia!

(Roy groans)

She's here!

(feet thudding quickly)

Magnolia? Oh, my God!

(groans)

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

(groans)

Oh, my God.

Okay, okay, hold on, hold on.

Okay. Are you okay?

- Yeah, I'm okay.

I'm okay, please help me.

- Okay, okay.

- He... he came to my house.

(Lucy): Shh, just be careful.

- Maggie, Maggie, I can explain.

This woman means

nothing to me.

- Roy! Roy!

- Hey, hey, hey,

calm down. Your lipstick.

(Magnolia groans)

Don't, don't, don't.

(Lucy): Are you kidding me

right now?

- Please hurry, he's crazy.

- Shh! Shh! Shh...

- Roy, Roy.

- You will not ruin this for me!

Not when she's so close

to loving me!

- I am not!

- Roy, just get off her!

- Get!

(Magnolia groans)

Stop fighting your restraints.

Your skin is so delicate.

Stop, stop.

- Stop! You are so pathetic.

- Shut up.

- What makes you think

that a woman like

Magnolia Maines

would ever love you?

- Shut up.

- Oh, my God,

you are nothing, Roy!

- Shut up!

- You're the nothing here.

(gasps)

(panting)

- Okay, okay.

(panting)

Okay...

(choking)

Ah!

(Roy grunts)

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

(Lucy panting)

- I loved you.

- Yeah? So what?

Come on.

- Okay.

(Roy groans)

(women panting)

(Roy): Get back here!

(women scream)

(Lucy): Go, Magnolia!

(foot thuds)

(women panting)

(soft music)

(birds chirping)

(gurney rattles in distance)

- EMTs are sending

a second ambulance

to take you both

to the hospital.

Should be here in a few.

How are you holding up?

- I'm... I'm okay, yeah.

- All right, well,

I'm just gonna...

finish up around here.

I'll be back.

Lucy...

- Yeah, Detective,

I know that

I should've called you.

- We would've never found her

without you.

Good job.

(police radio chatter)

- Hey.

- Hey.

Can I ask you something?

- Yeah.

Yeah, of course, anything.

- Who are you?

- Yeah. Right.

(chuckles)

Um... my name is Lucy,

and I'm a journalist.

I've been writing a story

about your disappearance,

or investigating.

- Yeah, I guess

I'm a good story.

- You're a great story.

(sniffles)

- Um...

Who noticed

that I was gone?

- Your mom.

Sunday night, you missed a call.

- Sunday night, that fast?

He said no one

was looking for me.

- He lied.

People were looking for you.

People who love you.

They never lost hope.

They're the reason

that I found you here, okay?

- I guess you're gonna wanna

interview me now, right?

- Why don't you just

think about it. But...

(footsteps clunk, approaching)

- I'll see her right now

unless you want a lawsuit.

- Mom?

- Oh!

(distant sirens wailing)

(sobs)

(inaudible)

- The ambulance is ready for ya.

- Okay.

- You got anyone meeting

you at the hospital?

- Uh no. But that's okay.

I'm... I'm fine on my own.

(sirens wailing)

(phone keys clicking)

Hi, Mom.

Uh... it's me.

Call me.

- Well... you look terrible.

- What are you doing?

- Detective Webb called.

He thought someone

should be here to keep you

out of trouble while they finish

clearing everything up.

Oh Lucy, I'm so glad

you're okay.

- Me too.

Thank you.

- Come on, I owe you

a slice of pizza.

- I think I'm supposed

to go to the hospital.

- They don't deliver

to hospital rooms?

We'll see about that. Let's go.

(Magnolia): Lucy! Lucy, wait!

This is my phone number.

It's so we can do the interview.

It's my way of saying thank you.

- Sounds good.

(indistinct radio chatter)

- You ready?

- Yeah, let's go.

(soft music)