Review By: Cerasi
J. |
 |
Title: "Rocky Mountain Camping"
Story by: Cassie & Kristi
Written by: Cassie
Date: First Draft - May 2-3, 2003; May 6, 2003. Final Draft - August 17, 2003
Air Date: November 24, 2003
Rating: PG
Series: FRVS - Episode #111
Spoilers: 3x01 "Nosce Te Ipsum", 3x03 "Friends In Low Places", 5x16 "The Vegas Strip". "Gone With The Wind".
Feedback: We love it. Please e-mail us at frvs.feedback@gmail.com (please include the episode name in the subject) Thank you.
Archiving: "Fox & Rat" Virtual Series only!
Disclaimer: We do not own anyone. They belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions, and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting.
Author's Note: We really love Colorado... if you're wondering why the gang is back here again. Actually Kristi and I are heading back there next month with all event tickets for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final :) It's going to be quite exciting. Our figure skating obsession may be as big as our love for The X-Files. Oh and Carlos Reyes was not inspired by our friend Carlos. We met Carlos months after Carlos Reyes was conceived in the universe of "Fox & Rat". Hi Carlos! <--- if you ever read this.
Summary: Monica and John agree on a Super Buddies outing and they take the gang to Colorado for some cold winter camping.
FADE IN:
EXT. FOREST IN COLORADO - 1:23 P.M.
November 26, 2003It's a windy, chilly day in the forests of the Colorado Rockies. Just the perfect weather for the gang to go winter camping in. The sky is crystal clear blue and the gang is making the first imprints on the white snow below them.
John Doggett and Monica Reyes lead the troop of happy Super Buddies. This is their collaborated Super Buddies Adventure idea. Brad is keeping up with their hurried pace.
Directly behind them is Mulder, huffing and puffing away. Quickly he is coming to the realization that he needs to visit the gym more often.
Behind Mulder are Scully and Krycek, walking close together. They have their arms wrapped around one another to keep warm. Their teeth are shattering as they shiver. This is a crazy idea for a Super Buddy outing. John and Mon' are crazy.
Behind them are Marita and Skinner. Marita is having some difficulty walking in the snow due to her expensive Italian-made designer boots. She stops walking and taps Skinner on the shoulder and looks to him for help. Marita innocently bats her eyes at Skinner. He offers her his arm and they continue to walk.
Up front, Monica and Doggett are talking to Brad about how to determine the best possible area to camp in during the winter. Mulder interrupts them.
MULDER
Hey Buddies, did I tell ya that Frohike pulled off
classified data from top secret government satellites
last night that indicated odd electrical activity in the
Colorado skies? Strange electrical occurrences are
often associated with UFO sitings. I'm hoping we'll find
Samantha during our stay.
No one immediately responds to him. He doesn't notice.
MULDER
When Samantha was taken, the power in our house
went off and there was a strange humming noise - which
by the way, is also associated with close encounters.
Anyway, it's too bad there are no electrical outlets in the
tents, if there were, I'd be able to plug in my cell phone to
charge it and we'd be able to tell if there are any electrical occurrences.
Mulder smiles, he's so happy no one is telling him to stop telling the Samantha story. He looks off to his left. There is a frozen pond. He points to it.
MULDER
(sighs)
Look guys... it's so beautiful. This is just
the kind of place Diana and I went on our
honeymoon... well except we had a cabin
and it was late in the summer so the pond
near us wasn't frozen...
Having overheard the words "our honeymoon" come from Mulder's mouth, Doggett turns around to question Mulder.
DOGGETT
Mulder, you keep making references to
having a wife, but I have yet to meet
this mystery woman you speak of. Are
you still married to her?
MULDER
Yeah...
DOGGETT
Did she leave you?
MULDER
She didn't leave me, John. She's
also employed by the Bureau and she got
a top secret position somewhere in
Europe back in 1990 and she took it.
DOGGETT
So you two are separated?
MULDER
It would seem that way, wouldn't it?
(beat) Though we are apart our hearts
continue to beat as one for all eternity.
For our love is pure, true love that shall never die.
With his poetic tone and choice of words, everyone stops and looks at him. Mulder is now holding his right hand over his heart.
MULDER
(dramatic/Oscar award winning)
Unlike Romeo and Juliet, Diana and I are not
star-crossed lovers. We shall be together again
soon and will love as no one has loved before.
He finishes his "speech" and Marita claps, applauding him.
MARITA
Bravo! Bravo Fox! Bravo!
Mulder curtsies and Marita puts her arm around him and they continue to walk. Everyone else watches and share looks with each other. Then continue walking. Brad and Monica walk on, holding hands. Doggett lingers behind now, walking next to Scully (who is still in Krycek's arms). He bends down to speak quietly in her ear.
DOGGETT
Is he for real? Ya know, about bein' married?
SCULLY
(shivering)
Yes. B-but i-it's n-not important.
DOGGETT
Strange. I always thought Mulder was...
ya know... the same sex kinda person.
SCULLY
Well... if you remember a certain story,
you know that he's not. Sad I happened
to have took part in that story...
Krycek giggles.
KRYCEK
I bet Johnny here doesn't know about the one time -
SCULLY
- Alex. Shut it. (beat) And, yes, he does know.
KRYCEK
So I can say how disgusting it was when
I came home that one time and you and
Mulder were on the couch. Messy hair, clothes
undone and Mulder had your lipstick all over him.
Scully's eyes go wide, John didn't know about that incident of foolish drunkenness.
KRYCEK
And I guess that would mean John here knows
that you, Mulder nor myself know if the two of
you had sexual intercourse or not, correct?
Scully is humiliated, she lets go of Alex's arm and picks up her pace. Krycek looks to Doggett, a smirk of pride is all over his face.
DOGGETT
That wasn't nice, Alex.
KRYCEK
Oh, I'm so sorry I hurt your girlfriend's
feelings. But I only speak the truth.
DOGGETT
She's not my girlfriend.
Doggett quickens his pace and attempts to catch up to Scully. He hears her talking to herself.
SCULLY
... if only he would learn to shut that hole
in his head. Geez, John probably thinks I'm
a desperate ho. Great reputation you have
Dana. You should have become a nun or
something like you wanted when you were six.
I mean... ooohhhhh!!!
With that, Scully walks straight into a tree and falls to the ground. She lies there for a few beats. Her arms out to her side, she's in the perfect position to make a snow angel. Her eyes are wide open, not blinking whatsoever. We hear John's footsteps approach her. His shadow covers her face, she blinks. POV SCULLY - DOGGETT
He bends down and helps her to a sitting position.
DOGGETT
(awkward)
Hey... snow angel...
Scully raises her eyebrow, what a strange thing to say.
SCULLY
Snow angel...?
Doggett coughs and then rubs the back of his neck.
SCULLY
You want me to make a snow angel?
Doggett looks at her. No, he doesn't want her to make a snow angel. He was trying to flirt with her by calling her a "cute" name. Scully lies back down in the snow and waves her arms and legs about, creating a snow angel. She sits up when she finishes.
SCULLY
John, look. I made a snow angel for you.
He looks and stops rubbing his neck.
DOGGETT
Cute. (beat) You've probably gone
and made yourself colder than you
were before.
He grabs her hands and lifts her to her feet. He puts his arm over her shoulder, to keep her warm. He turns his head to examine her face as they walk. He runs his fingers over her forehead.
DOGGETT
Looks like you got a little cut on
your forehead from running into that tree.
He pulls a handkerchief out of his jean pocket and dabs it on her forehead.
SCULLY
You carry a handkerchief?
DOGGETT
Just in case I need to come to the
rescue of a beautiful woman...
Skinner passes them, jogging. He overheard Doggett's last line.
SKINNER
(to Doggett)
Flirt.
SCULLY
(to Doggett)
Have you ever seen "Gone With The Wind"?
You know how at the end, Rhett gives
Scarlett his handkerchief because he never
knew her to use one when the situation
called for it?
DOGGETT
Yeah?
SCULLY
I guess I'm sorta like Katie Scarlett then...
DOGGETT
What do you mean?
SCULLY
I've never needed a handkerchief until now.
Monica runs up to them and grabs Doggett's arm and pulls him away from Dana. She drags him to the side of a cliff and makes him look down. Doggett jumps back with a yelp.
DOGGETT
Monica!
MONICA
John, you know I'm only doing
this for your own good. You need
to get over this childhood fear.
DOGGETT
I don't want to.
He crosses his arms across his chest and pouts.
MONICA
Would you look at yourself?
You're regressing. (beat) I'm
surprised you're not sucking your thumb.
DOGGETT
You're mean.
MONICA
Be a man!
DOGGETT
I am.
MONICA
Real men aren't afraid of heights.
DOGGETT
Yes they are. Ask Dana, she's
a scientist, she knows statistics.
Monica pulls Dana over to them.
MONICA
Dana, as a scientist, is there proof
that real men are afraid of heights?
Monica motions to Doggett. Scully takes a beat to watch him.
SCULLY
As a scientist, I can state that a man
can be afraid of heights. What you see
before you is a classic example.
Scully walks to John's side.
SCULLY
This is a real man. A man who also
happens to have a fear of heights. (beat)
It doesn't take a scientist to figure this out, Mon'.
Monica can't believe Dana isn't helping her prove Doggett wrong.
MONICA
You're biased.
Brad comes to her and leads Monica away from Doggett.
BRAD
Monica... now's not the time
or the place to start something with John.
MONICA
I was only trying to help him.
BRAD
Only he can help himself. Plus you're
embarrassing him in front of Dana.
Monica smiles at laughs quietly.
MONICA
That's funny.
BRAD
Not to John. (beat) Look, how would
you feel if you were trying to impress
me or be charming to me and someone
kept finding ways to humiliate you?
MONICA
I'd be angry.
BRAD
Then realize you're doing that to him.
MONICA
No.
Skinner joins them. Thankful to get away from Marita for the time being. Moments later there is commotion behind them.
MARITA
(off screen)
Ahh! Don't touch my tushy!
KRYCEK
(off screen)
I didn't do it.
Skinner excuses himself reluctantly to go stop Marita and Krycek from fighting. He comes in between them just as snowballs from both Marita and Krycek hit him on both sides of his head.
MARITA
(to Krycek)
You're just jealous that I'm
in love with Robbie!
KRYCEK
Jealous? I don't get jealous, baby!
He's only with you to win a bet with
me! Before you know it, he'll be hitting on Dana!
MARITA
You are wrong Alexander! Robbie is a good
man! Just because you always ran to Dana,
doesn't mean he will too!
KRYCEK
Oh yeah?!
MARITA
Yeah!
KRYCEK
You just wait and see!
Krycek goes to Marita and spits on her designer boots and walks off. Marita is appalled.
SKINNER
Don't listen to him, he doesn't
know what he's talking about.
MARITA
Oh what do you know? You're
a Cheater Weener too!
She storms off and goes to Scully and Doggett. She wraps her arms around Doggett's waist and smiles up at him. He is immediately uncomfortable. Scully sneers at Marita. How typical. Marita is moving in on John now.
DOGGETT
(confused)
Why hello there Marita.
MARITA
Why hello to you too my handsome
sexy bundle of man.
She nuzzles up against him and holds him tighter. Doggett looks at Scully for some help, but she has her gaze focused in front of her, she is unhappy with Marita. TIME CUT: 3 P.M.
The gang is standing in the middle of a clearing. They have decided this is where they are going to set up their tents. We notice that Marita is still all over Doggett and has been for almost an hour and a half.
MONICA
Ok, we have two tents and eight people.
How about Brad, myself, Johnny and Dana
in one tent and Mulder, Krycek, Walter and
Marita in the other.
Mulder elbows Krycek and winks at him. Krycek steps back, scared.
KRYCEK
Even better. Myself, Dana, Monica and
Marita in one tent... together... keeping
warm, naked, inside a single sleeping bag...
He winks at Monica. Brad puts his arms around her. He gives Alex a look.
KRYCEK
Ok, I see your point. Mon's idea is
the best. (leans to Mulder) Marita
sleeps next to me, I called her first.
MULDER
Actually, looks to me like Doggett
claimed her first.
Mulder points to Doggett, Marita is still attached to him. Alex's eyes go wide.
KRYCEK
(low)
That son-of-a -
He storms up to Doggett, angry.
KRYCEK
Let go of her man!
DOGGETT
She won't let go of me.
KRYCEK
Marita! This is wrong.
He grabs her arm and peels her off Doggett. Doggett mouths off "thank you". Scully laughs.
SCULLY
Well, looks like you got that growth removed.
No one else laughs at this. They didn't find it funny for some reason.
SCULLY
(bummed)
Party poopers.
She crosses her arms over her chest.
DOGGETT
Mon', we had better get to putting up
the tents before darkness falls.
MULDER
(thoughtful)
Isn't that an episode title for some TV show...?
MONICA
Yes. Mulder, Krycek. You two buddy up and
go find us some fire wood. (beat) Walter, Marita.
Go make a wall of snow around where our
tents are going to be. That'll block some of the wind.
MARITA
Do we make it really high?
MONICA
Two to three feet high should be fine.
SCULLY
What can I do?
MONICA
Help me put up one tent and we'll
see if us girls can get one up
faster than Brad and Johnny.
DOGGETT
Please call me John. (beat)
And I doubt you two will beat
Brad and I.
Suddenly, he runs to a tent and scrambles about to quickly put it up before the girls beat him and Brad. Brad walks to him.
BRAD
John, you do know that you're likely
to make mistakes if you do this fast, right?
DOGGETT
Don't just stand there! Help!
In the background, Scully and Monica are properly putting up their tent.
BRAD
You know you have no chance.
Monica always wins, she's a Reyes.
DOGGETT
Yeah, well. I'm a Doggett.
A couple minutes later, Scully taps Doggett on the shoulder. He is still trying to figure out the tent.
SCULLY
We're done, do you need help?
Doggett doesn't answer. Instead he glares at Monica. She walks to him noticing this.
MONICA
What?
CUT TO: ELSEWHERE IN THE FOREST
The sun is starting to set. Mulder and Krycek walk about, each carrying small sticks. Sticks that wouldn't last long in a camp fire.
KRYCEK
Mulder, can I ask your advice on
something my mind has been
pondering about lately?
MULDER
Sure thing, buddy. You can ask
Doctor Fox anything.
KRYCEK
Doctor Fox?
MULDER
Yeah, like Doctor Phil or Doctor Laura,
except it's me.
Awkward beat.
KRYCEK
Ok, I'll go with that. (beat) You know
that I've loved Marita for much of
my adult life, right?
MULDER
And childhood, yes. Go on.
KRYCEK
Lately... I've been sensing that just
maybe Marita isn't The One.
MULDER
Being that she's with Robert Alfredo now
and was going to marry Brad and before
that she was with Walter and today she
was keeping Doggett all to herself?
KRYCEK
(sad)
Yes... you also know how Dana and I have
had an interesting sort of relationship that
never quite made it to being exclusive, right?
Mulder nods.
KRYCEK
I'm thinking that Dana's been single for a
long time now and I'm looking for a mature
relationship to be in... so... do you think if
I asked Dana to be my girlfriend, exclusively,
that she would?
MULDER
I don't think so, Alex. From what I can tell
she and Doggett are together. I think they are
perfect for each other too. They remind me of
how Diana and I were when we first became
a couple. We made each other happy, had
small yet meaningful flirtations, got all defensive
about the other's reputation, defended one another.
(sighs) I really miss her, Alex. Are you sure you
don't know which country in Europe she was sent
to? Because I know you have connections higher
than our regular government. Maybe you could ask
around and discover the truth of her location -
KRYCEK
- Gummi bears.
MULDER
Gummi bears are so cute. You know we really
should have gone to Germany when we were
in Europe over the summer. Germany has
the best Gummi bears -
KRYCEK
- Paper dolls.
MULDER
I have paper dolls in my desk at work. One
time I cut out a picture of my head and a
picture of Marita's head and pasted them
on Barbie and ken. I made it so myself and
Marita were in love.
KRYCEK
You sick bastard -
MULDER
- No, no, no... I'm not a sick bastard. Some
of the men Scully has been with are sick
bastards, ya know... mean and violent with her.
I'm a Super Buddy. I'm a happy person. You know
Scully never should have gone out with Scott in
high school, I think the way he treated her, scared
her from finding someone who would treat her right.
Have you noticed that Scully has never found a
man that treats her with respect -
KRYCEK
- What about John?
MULDER
Oh yeah! John Doggett is such a gentleman, he's
good for Scully. But I do think that he loses control
of his temper. That's something he should be more
careful of when dealing with Scully's heart.
KRYCEK
Mulder. I hate to break this to you but...
John and Dana aren't together.
Mulder is saddened. He sniffles and continues to search for fire wood.
MULDER
I think we need to find log sized
pieces of wood for a better, longer
lasting fire...
Krycek looks at the sticks in his hands, he thinks they're ok. CUT TO:
THE CAMPSITE
Brad and Doggett are carrying a small part of a tree trunk. They place it in front of some rocks they set up to control a camp fire. It's getting darker out.
Scully stands off to the side, obviously freezing cold. She rubs her hands up and down her arms, trying to create friction to keep herself warm.
Krycek and Mulder return. Krycek sets down all the wood he found and goes over to Scully. He puts his arm over her shoulders, she gives him a strange look.
KRYCEK
Hey.
SCULLY
I'm surprised Mulder didn't get you
lost out there, looking for Samantha.
(beat) Did he tell you Frohike pulled
some data off some satellite?
KRYCEK
Yeah... all that is out of the area now.
Scully gives him a look, she didn't think there really was anything. Krycek moves Scully in front of him so he can wrap both his arms around her. Scully relaxes into him, taking in his warmth. She closes her eyes.
MULDER
Ok everybody! It's hot dog time!
Mulder rushes to the newly started fire with a huge bag of hot dogs.
MULDER
Burr! It sure is cold out here.
All the others join him, sitting on the tree trunk (2 tree trunks actually) that Brad and John got as sitting devices. TIME CUT: 9:33 P.M.
Mulder stands alone by the campfire. His hands are covering his eyes.
MULDER
Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!
Ready or not, here I come!
Mulder skips and climbs over the wall of snow that Marita and Skinner made earlier in the day.
MULDER
Come out, come out wherever you are!
Incase you don't know, Mulder convinced the gang to play Hide-N-Go-Seek. Meanwhile, elsewhere nearby the campsite...
Doggett is walking alone. Then he spots a nice large tree to hide behind. But Monica and Brad are there and quite occupied with one another.
DOGGETT
Guys, cut it out. You don't want to
alert a certain someone to your acts of devotion.
Brad and Monica stop kissing.
BRAD
Acts of devotion?
MONICA
Speaking of devotion... I thought you'd
be with Dana right now.
DOGGETT
You're not suppose to hide with
others, that's not the point of this game.
MONICA
Yes it is and you know it. You and
Stephanie did it all the time in Junior High.
Suddenly, Skinner and Marita join them.
MARITA
This is a regular pow-wow.
SKINNER
This must also be the best tree to
hide behind. Mulder almost found
us, but we made wolf noises and
he got scared and ran off in another direction.
Yes, Mulder is an odd one.
DOGGETT
Where's Dana?
MARITA
Where's Alex?
We go around, everyone shrugs their shoulders, they don't know. Elsewhere, Scully sits alone on the ground, waiting to be found by Mulder.
In the near distance we hear someone approaching her, their footsteps crunching in the snow.
KRYCEK
Hey Dana. Mulder is so stupid. I kept
following him and he said to himself
that the other footsteps were the sounds
that his shadow was making. How dumb is that?
Krycek sits down next to her.
SCULLY
(unhappy)
I don't care. I'm cold and want to go home.
This is a horrible idea for a Super Buddy
outing. Mon' and John are crazy if they
think I'm gonna do this all weekend. Nevermind
the fact tomorrow is Thanksgiving.
Out of nowhere Krycek leans over and kisses her on the lips. Scully places her hands on his chest and gently pushes him away from her.
SCULLY
(serious)
Alex, no.
He gives her a look that asks for an explanation.
SCULLY
What?
KRYCEK
Why not?
He tries to kiss her again, she doesn't let him.
SCULLY
We just can't.
KRYCEK
Go out with me, Dana.
SCULLY
Why, so you can use me to make
Marita jealous? To make her come
after you and leave Robert?
KRYCEK
No. Because we're good together.
(beat) Because I love you.
SCULLY
You love me? You mean you love
what we've done together.
KRYCEK
Well, yeah, I love that too, but that's
only the tip of the iceberg.
Krycek leans in to kiss her again, Scully doesn't move position. We can tell that she is still unsure if she should let this happen.
MULDER
(off screen)
Come out, come out wherever you are!
Relieved to hear Mulder's voice, Scully moves away from Krycek. We see Mulder standing rather close to them. However, he doesn't see them and continues walking.
Once Mulder is out of view, Scully stands up.
SCULLY
I'm guessing everyone has gone back
to the campsite since Mulder is out here still.
KRYCEK
Yeah, Mulder never checks the origin
of this game to see if anyone is hiding there.
They start heading back. Krycek places his hands in his pockets.
KRYCEK
So are you and John a thing?
SCULLY
I wish.
They walk back to the campsite and what do you know, Doggett, Skinner, Marita, Monica and Brad are there. Sitting around the campfire, warming up. Mulder is nowhere to be seen. Skinner is roasting marshmallows on the fire.
DOGGETT
No, that's not the way it happened.
MONICA
Yes, it is. I can't believe you forgot
the incident at Steph's that Halloween.
BRAD
You know, sometimes I'm glad I didn't
know the two of you when you were
growing up. I've been saved a lot of
humiliating stories.
Scully and Krycek join the group around the fire. Krycek sits down away from the others, alone. Scully sits next to Doggett. She puts her arm around his waist, he looks at her and smiles and then returns to his debate with Monica.
DOGGETT
I did not end up dressing like Dorothy
from The Wizard of Oz because I liked
Stephanie, I dressed up like Dorothy
because...
SCULLY
(laughing)
Did you wear a dress with ruby slippers, John?
DOGGETT
Yes. I did that because I was dared to
do so by Monica here, not because
I had a crush on Stephanie.
MONICA
You're such a dork, Johnny.
DOGGETT
Stop calling me Johnny, Monica.
SCULLY
What's wrong with "Johnny"?
BRAD
It's his birth name, his mother always
calls him Johnny Jay, he hates it. So
he makes all his friends call him "John".
SCULLY
Johnny's a cute name, I always
thought it was some kind of nickname.
DOGGETT
I don't like it. It makes me remember
my childhood.
SCULLY
Your childhood was that bad?
DOGGETT
You've never met my parents or
my eldest brother, have you?
SCULLY
No. Maybe someday I might...
DOGGETT
You don't want to. My ma and pa
think I'm a failure and have no problem
discussing it in everyday conversation.
Henry, my older brother... he's... well...
you know the stereotypical "red neck"?
That's him. He breeds like a rabbit too.
MONICA
(winces)
Don't remind me.
SCULLY
Bad memories, Mon'?
MONICA
It smells.
SCULLY
Ok... (to Doggett) Everyone exaggerates
their family, I'm sure I won't think they're
as bad as you remember them to be.
Doggett, Monica and Brad break out laughing.
BRAD
Remember when I told you about my
family and then you met them?
SCULLY
Oh... you underexaggerated them though.
DOGGETT
Anyway, the only family member I
talk to more often than others, is my
little brother, Jason.
MONICA
And even then the communication
in your family is so poor that you had
no idea that he and Chris moved in together.
DOGGETT
What?
MONICA
Oh! You didn't know that yet?
SCULLY
Chris? Is your brother... umm... gay?
DOGGETT
(laughs)
Far from it, Chris is his long-time girlfriend.
SCULLY
Oh.
BRAD
Tell her about the Doggett Men
and their weakness for red-heads.
Monica's eyes light up and she leans in to see Doggett's reaction to this. Doggett has a surprised look on his face. He wasn't expecting that to come into conversation at all. He looks down at Scully and sees that she is interested in hearing this red-head story.
DOGGETT
Chris is a red-head. My ma is
a red-head. Margo, Henry's wife,
she's a red-head. The theory goes...
All Doggett men fall in love with
red-heads and marry them.
SCULLY
Sounds like a curse to me.
Doggett, Monica and Brad are shocked by this statement, they all thought she'd take the opportunity to flirt with Doggett again. They look at her strangely.
MONICA
A curse?
SCULLY
Well... breeding like rabbits,
thinking their son is a failure,
and shacking up before marriage...
Doesn't sound like the most ideal
relationships to me...
BRAD
But your a red-head, and you and
John like one another.
SCULLY
I'm not natural.
Brad pats Doggett on the back, sympathetically.
BRAD
Tough luck, John.
Monica laughs.
SCULLY
What I'm saying is that John
could be happy with a non-red-head.
MONICA
Well... there's always Shannon.
DOGGETT
What is your natural color?
SCULLY
More of a brunette dark reddish brown.
DOGGETT
Good to know. My ma always
treats other red-heads poorly.
(beat) She actually dyes her hair brown.
SCULLY
Interesting.
SKINNER
I know that Dana isn't naturally red.
Skinner smiles and wiggles his eyebrows up and down and bites into his stick of roasted marshmallows.
SCULLY
Walter also has a thing for red-heads.
You know Johnny, you and him should
get together and share stories.
DOGGETT
Nah...
SKINNER
Why not man?
MONICA
(offended)
Johnny?
DOGGETT
I said don't call me that, Mon'.
MONICA
Dana just called you "Johnny".
Why didn't you tell her to call you "John"?
DOGGETT
Anyway... anyone want to put some
money down on Thanksgiving football games?
BRAD
No way. You find ways to screw things
up and I lose out on a lot of money.
DOGGETT
I do not. I have luck, that's all.
MONICA
Surely you remember Vegas and how
you lost all our money that one year.
DOGGETT
That was your fault.
MONICA
What?!
DOGGETT
Don't act like you don't
know what I'm talking about.
SKINNER
Vegas is a fun place.
SCULLY
You know what Walter? Though
we were engaged two times, we
never got married accidentally, don't
you find that strange?
SKINNER
I never thought of it that way.
Yeah, maybe you and I should
go out to Vegas one day and
get married for a day.
SCULLY
That would be funny to do.
MARITA
No! That's stupid! (beat)
Oh wait, you were talking
about marrying Walter, not
John.
SCULLY
Marita, honey, you're not with
John. No reason to get mad.
So how's your relationship with
Robert going?
MARITA
Perfect. I love him so much.
KRYCEK
(bitter/mopey)
Perfect... blah, blah, blah.
MONICA
(to Scully)
What's his problem?
SCULLY
Let's go get the tent ready for the night.
MONICA
Sure.
Scully and Monica go to the tent that they, John and Brad will be sleeping in. They enter and see that the sleeping bags are still rolled up. Scully sits on one.
MONICA
I sense there's more to Krycek's
mood than Marita...
SCULLY
He asked me to be his girlfriend.
MONICA
You're kidding! What did you say?
SCULLY
He told me he loves me.
He was serious. Typically
he says that in a humorous
way, but tonight...
MONICA
You didn't say "yes", did you?
SCULLY
No... but... I almost considered it.
MONICA
Wow.
SCULLY
I mean I love Alex too. That love
could probably grow into the kind
of relationship that I'd like to have, but -
MONICA
- But you're waiting for Johnny to
make a move.
SCULLY
Right.
MONICA
Don't worry, Dana, John will. I know it.
SCULLY
I hope you're right.
MONICA
(coughs)
Anyway... sleeping arrangements.
It's going to be rather cold tonight.
SCULLY
I was thinking we could double-up.
You and Brad in one sleeping bag.
John and I in the other. That way our
body warmth will keep us warm.
MONICA
Sounds like a plan.
Outside they hear Mulder singing the theme song from "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood".
SCULLY
I'll go let them all know that
it's time to call it a night. Mulder
should stop singing if I do that.
Scully smiles at Monica and exits the tent, letting in a gust of cold air. TIME CUT:
INT. MULDER, KRYCEK, SKINNER, MARITA'S TENT
MARITA
I don't care if this is one activity
Monica and John could agree on,
I say we go home.
SKINNER
Usually I'm the good guy in these outings, but
I'm with Marita. I say we all hike back to the
cars and go home. It's too cold to be out in
the Colorado Rockies, camping.
KRYCEK
I'm ready to go if all of you are.
Krycek, Skinner and Marita look at Mulder, The President of Super Buddies. He has a worried expression on his face.
MULDER
I frickin' hate this trip,
it's the worst thing ever. Let's go!
Mulder grabs his backpack and exits the tent.
MARITA
Yes!
She, Walter and Krycek exit as well, and head back to where they parked their cars the previous day... several miles away.
SKINNER
Don't you think we should get Dana?
KRYCEK
No. She'll be fine. She's the one that
didn't want to be in our tent.
MULDER
No. You're just bitter that you asked
her to go out with you and she said "no".
KRYCEK
You heard all that?
SKINNER
(amused)
You did what?
MULDER
That's right Daddy-O. I heard it all.
I was sitting around, giving up on Hide-N-Seek
and I heard your conversation. I decided to speak
up when I sensed Dana needed my help. (beat)
I told you she was with John.
MARITA
John's with Dana. That doesn't seem right, does it?
KRYCEK
What? Are you in love with him now?!
MARITA
What if I am? What would you do?
Krycek bites his lower lip to keep himself from crying. He walks faster, to get ahead of everyone. CUT TO:
INT. MONICA, DOGGETT, SCULLY, BRAD'S TENT - 1:03 A.M.
Monica and Brad have stuffed themselves inside one sleeping bag and are sleeping comfortably.
Scully is lying, awake, her back to Doggett. She and John are in their own sleeping bags. She's freezing. Doggett wasn't comfortable sharing sleeping space with her right now. Scully slowly rolls over and sees that Doggett is awake as well. He's crying actually.
SCULLY
(soft)
Johnny... you ok?
Doggett wipes the tears from his eyes then looks over at her.
DOGGETT
(whisper)
I can't feel my toes...
Scully moves closer to him so they can talk without waking up Monica and Brad.
SCULLY
(whisper)
That's why you were crying?
Doggett nods his head.
SCULLY
I'm cold too. It helps to scrunch
up into a little ball, not lay
straight like you're doing.
Silent beat. Doggett inches closer to her.
DOGGETT
I've come up with two options here.
One, we both get into one sleeping
bag and keep warm much in the same
fashion as Mon' and Brad. (beat) Two,
we both get the hell outta this tent, wake
the others and head back. Leaving Mon'
and Brad behind.
SCULLY
(relieved)
Oh thank God you want to leave too. You know
I was worried I was the only one here not having
a very good time. This time of year is awful for
camping and then you and Mon' chose Colorado
in late November.
DOGGETT
Dana. I was just kiddin' about option number two.
If I did that to Monica, she would call her
brothers up here to torture me -
Scully gets a very worried expression on her face.
DOGGETT
And I'm not mad that you don't like
mine and Monica's Super Adventure outing.
A few beats pass and Scully crawls out of her sleeping bag and tries to get into John's. This, however, isn't as easy as it would seem. She tries to slide smoothly in, but her butt whacks Doggett square in the nose, causing him to make a loud grunting noise. Which causes Scully to quickly turn around to face him and she falls hard to the ground. They both lie still for a moment. Scully covers her mouth to keep herself from laughing out loud.
DOGGETT
Gosh darn gravitational pull doesn't
seem to want to leave you alone lately, huh?
That's enough to do it. Scully bursts out laughing thus waking Brad and Monica.
MONICA
(sleepy)
Can you two please be quiet.
DOGGETT
(trying not to laugh)
Sorry...
Monica turns her back to them and curls up in Brad's arms to go back to sleep. Scully and Doggett share a look, almost laugh and then continue to help Scully into Doggett's sleeping bag where they remain for the rest of the night. Comfortable as possible in a sleeping bag made for one and near almost warm. DISSOLVE OUT:
FADE IN:
EXT. TENT - 8 A.M.
November 27, 2003 - Thanksgiving DayThe tent opening opens and Doggett steps out, stretching his arms over his head. It looks like he had a very restful night of sleep. He hasn't noticed yet, but the other tent is gone as is their cooler of food and water bottles.
Behind him, Monica steps out of the tent.
MONICA
We better wake up the others
so we can start our first full day of fun -
Monica stops abruptly, she sees that the other tent isn't there.
MONICA
Johnny?! Did you pay them to
leave our outing?!
Doggett is about to respond to this.
MONICA
That is just so you. Finding humor
in ruining something I thought up.
You know if we were still in second
grade, I would have told Dana you have
cooties and she would never have slept
that close to you last night!
Scully steps out of the tent.
SCULLY
Yes, I would have. (beat) Brad
isn't waking up yet. (beat) Where's
everyone else?
MONICA
John sent them away.
DOGGETT
No I didn't.
MONICA
Then why aren't they here?
SCULLY
Maybe they thought winter camping
is a crazy idea for people who
want to catch a cold, so they left.
MONICA
That's a stupid thing to think.
SCULLY
Monica, honey, I think that.
Monica doesn't know what to say, she thought Scully would have enjoyed this.
DOGGETT
See. Maybe they left us here for that reason.
SCULLY
So does that mean the trip is
ruined and we get to go home too?
MONICA
(angry)
Yes.
Monica goes back into the tent.
MONICA
(off screen)
Brad. Get up. We're leaving.
BRAD
(off screen)
Geez Mon', you don't have to
tear the sleeping bag out from under me.
MONICA
Yes I do. Otherwise you wouldn't get up.
Monica storms back out of the tent.
MONICA
(angry)
I hate Super Buddies.
Off of Scully and Doggett's looks. TIME CUT: 2 P.M.
Tired, cold, hungry and unhappy, Monica, Brad, Doggett and Scully have finally made it back to where they parked the cars the other day. One car is missing and they are left with Doggett's truck. Scully is limping.
MONICA
Thank God.
BRAD
I'll drive.
SCULLY
My knee still hurts.
DOGGETT
I've got some ace bandages
in the back of the truck.
MONICA
Mr. Prepared. (beat) Johnny? Why do
you happen to have bandages? Were
you anticipating something bad? Because
if so, then wouldn't you have to believe in
premonitions - no matter how vague? Or
are you suddenly a believer in psychic abilities?
Doggett gives her a look.
DOGGETT
Mon'... you know I think that
mumbo jumbo is bullshit.
(beat) Actually I have it in my
truck because I know you'd be
on this trip and knowing you,
someone would end up injured, like Dana here.
He points at Scully, she's limping.
MONICA
It's not my fault that she slipped
on ice while climbing up that hill.
DOGGETT
Yuh-huh.
MONICA
(angered)
How?!
DOGGETT
You were behind her and pushed her.
MONICA
That wasn't when she fell.
DOGGETT
She slipped soon after... you intimidated
her, pressured her into walking faster which
is why she fell. (beat) You can be quite
intimidating sometimes, Mon'.
BRAD
Let's stop regressing and act like
our normal adult selves.
Brad opens up one of the doors to the truck and helps Scully find ace bandage for her to wrap her knee with. All the while, Monica and Doggett continue to bicker with each other.
SCULLY
Don't you ever get sick of their constant
fighting? They make it seem like their
friendship is based on their disagreements.
BRAD
Disagreements aren't always a bad thing.
SCULLY
I know, but it saddens me to always
see them mad at one another.
Finally they find the bandages and much to Brad's surprise, Scully takes off the pants she is wearing in order to wrap her knee. He quickly looks away.
SCULLY
(flirty)
Are you blushing, Bradley?
BRAD
Just giving you privacy.
SCULLY
Brad, this is nothing compared to what
you saw me doing in Vegas a while back.
(beat/laughs) Am I really that revolting?
BRAD
You're not revolting...
SCULLY
Then why are you looking away?
I just took off my jeans. (beat) Look
in my bag, I brought some sweatpants
with me, they'll be more comfortable for
the drive back today and tomorrow.
Brad gets her sweatpants from her bag and gives them to her, he still does not look at her.
SCULLY
(amused)
Brad, it's just underwear. Get over it.
She puts on her sweatpants. Suddenly, Monica is pushed to the ground. Doggett pushed her.
MONICA
Ow!
Brad and Scully look over at them.
MONICA
Why'd you push me?
DOGGETT
Because you pushed Dana.
Monica sits in the snow.
MONICA
It's not like I pushed you!
Doggett bends down and prepares a rather large snowball. Monica is brushing snow dust off of her.
MONICA
You know John, something has
got to be done about your temper.
She looks up at him, just as a gigantic snowball hits her smack in the face, causing her to fall over.
BRAD
John!
Doggett looks at him.
DOGGETT
What?
Brad goes over to Monica and helps her to her feet.
BRAD
You all right?
Monica turns around, so she's not facing Doggett.
BRAD
Monica?
MONICA
(quiet)
No...
She wipes a tear away, that snowball really did hurt her.
DOGGETT
(to Monica)
You big baby.
Brad gives him a glare.
BRAD
It's not like she threw
a snowball at Dana.
He helps Monica back to the truck. Doggett follows and gets in the driver seat. Brad gets in the passenger seat.
DOGGETT
Dana? Are you ok?
SCULLY
Yeah.
BRAD
I thought I was going to drive.
Doggett puts the truck in reverse and turns to look behind him to back up.
DOGGETT
Not anymore.
Doggett sees Monica wipe another tear away.
DOGGETT
(amused)
Are you crying?
Monica says nothing to him and looks out the window.
DOGGETT
Oh yeah, the silent treatment.
That will fix everything.
He puts the truck into drive.
DOGGETT
It's not like I even threw that snowball hard.
BRAD
Yeah, just like when you "lightly tapped"
Monica when you kicked her on the
Eurostar. And when you "lightly tapped"
her arm...
DOGGETT
I did lightly tap her.
BRAD
Yeah, causing how many bruises?
DOGGETT
Reyes' don't bruise. She
told me so herself.
BRAD
John, she tells you a lot of things.
Doggett says nothing.
BRAD
(serious)
Don't hurt her again.
DOGGETT
I don't hurt -
Doggett looks over at Brad, and stops his sentence when he sees his seriousness. All is quiet for a few minutes.
MONICA
Stop!
DOGGETT
What for?
MONICA
It's pretty, I want to enjoy the view.
DOGGETT
(picking on her)
Pretty? You just said pretty?
Monica looks at him. She can't believe he is still picking on her.
MONICA
(mad at him)
Yes, I did.
Doggett pulls off the road. They are on the ledge of a high cliff. The view is beautiful. Monica opens the door and gets out, everyone does the same.
Brad and Monica go close to the edge. Brad puts his arms around Monica, holding her close and keeping her warm.
Doggett goes to Scully, who is limping a bit.
DOGGETT
Need some help?
SCULLY
I'm fine.
They both stand away from the edge.
SCULLY
It's beautiful here.
DOGGETT
Yeah.
SCULLY
(hinting)
And kind of cold...
She looks up at John and for the first time, he gets it! He puts his arm around her shoulders. Suddenly another truck pulls up behind Doggett and Scully. They both turn around to see if maybe it is Mulder, Krycek, Skinner and Marita. However it is not.
DOGGETT
(confused)
Antonio?
This is Antonio Reyes, one of Monica's brothers. He goes up to Doggett.
ANTONIO
Hey John.
They both hug. They seem to be good friends. Another man gets out of the truck, he's not Latino, this is Carlos, another one of Monica's brothers.
CARLOS
Hi.
DOGGETT
What have you guys done?
Off their looks and non-responsiveness, we join Monica and Brad. Monica is still upset.
BRAD
(talking softly)
I told him -
MONICA
I know, but he doesn't listen.
BRAD
Let me know if he does it again.
MONICA
He's always bullied me.
BRAD
I thought you wanted to "enjoy the view"?
He smiles at her and holds her closer, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
MONICA
I love you, Brad.
BRAD
I love you too.
She rests her head on him and they both enjoy the view. Suddenly! This beautiful moment is destroyed by the sudden interruption of Carlos Reyes.
CARLOS
(mad)
Get away from my little sister!
Before Brad and Monica have a chance to react, Brad is pushed over the edge of the cliff by Carlos. Carlos has to hang onto Monica to prevent her from going over with him.
MONICA
Oh my God!
Carlos quickly gets in his and Antonio's truck and he and Antonio speed away. Doggett and Scully run up to Monica. She is looking down the cliff at Brad who is lying still at the bottom.
MONICA
(panic)
Brad?!
No answer. Off their panic and worry for Brad's life, we:
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED...
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