Review By: Gothic Spook "Monica! Dana!" - Brad He see's Dana and Monica?! I bet you're wondering how that happens! And since Brad is busy, John is out of town and Skinner's throwing the party, who will play Santa this year for Mulder? Will John be able to survive the holidays with his family? Read on for a real adventure! |
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Title: "Home For Christmas"
Written by: Cassie & Kristi
Date: October 22-25, 2004; November 23, 2004, December 1-2, 2004.
Air Date: December 13, 2004
Rating: PG
Series: FRVS - Episode #137
Spoilers: Past episodes of FRVS may be spoiled.
Feedback: We love it. There is a form at the bottom of this story that you can use to send us feedback. 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: The personalities of the characters within the world of "Fox & Rat" are not those you know from "The X-Files" television series. We have warped them and given them a common past, immature behavior and a sense of humor. Any horrid behavior should not be mimicked in your every day life.
Summary: Scully and Monica have plans to escape the facility, with a little help from their friends. Meanwhile Doggett visits his family for Christmas.
FADE IN:
INT. BRAD FOLLMER’S BEDROOM – EARLY MORNING
DECEMBER 23, 2004, THURSDAY
Brad sleeps peacefully in his bed, finally able to sleep now that he doesn’t have to be in to work for the holidays. Suddenly, two shadows fall over him.
KRYCEK
(loud whisper)
Wake him up.MULDER
No, I don’t want to be in
trouble. You wake him up.KRYCEK
No, you wake him up.MULDER
No, you wake him up.KRYCEK
Just wake him up.MULDER
No, he’ll be mad.BRAD
Shut up.Mulder and Krycek look down at Brad with wide eyes.
MULDER
Good morning, happy Elf.BRAD
What the hell do you want? No,
scratch that. What the hell are
you doing at my apartment, and
how did you get in?Krycek pushes Mulder out of the bedroom and shuts the door.
KRYCEK
(serious)
We need to talk.BRAD
What ever it is you need to
talk about, I’m sure I don’t care. Leave.
Krycek approaches him with dead seriousness. KRYCEK
You have to be Santa Claus this year.BRAD
(what the fuck?)
I beg your pardon?KRYCEK
Every year someone has to
be Santa for Mulder and
Marita. It’s tradition.Brad gets out of bed. His hair is a mess as he tiredly pushes Krycek to the door.
BRAD
No. (beat) Tradition is not dressing
up as Santa Claus to help feed the
childish delusions of adult friends.
(beat) Tradition is being with family
and wishing you were elsewhere instead
of tolerating your parents bitching
about how they need to out give someone
else who cave to charity just so they
look better. (beat) Get out.Brad opens the door and pushes Krycek out.
KRYCEK
But you gotta!BRAD
I can’t. I’m watching Buddy
for John while he’s in Texas.KRYCEK
So. Buddy can be Rudolph.BRAD
Grow up.KRYCEK
No!BRAD
Get out.He looks to Mulder, who is patiently sitting on the couch.
BRAD
Both of you.Mulder gets up off the couch. Brad pushes Krycek out of the apartment.
MULDER
I’m sorry, but he made me break in.BRAD
Goodbye.He pushes Mulder out of the door and shuts it, making sure to put the chain on the door this time. Brad glares at the clock in the living room: 4:15 in the morning.
Frustrated with the latest Krycek issue, Brad heads back to his bedroom and falls back into bed. He’s asleep in no time.
CUT TO:
INT. DOGGETT’S TRUCK – SOUTH TEXAS – 10:30 A.M.
John Doggett is driving down a dirt road several miles outside of McAllen, TX. He’s wearing a gray T-shirt, jeans and a white cowboy hat. His Texas Gear. The windows are rolled down and he’s listening to a local country music station. Garth Brooks’s “Papa Loved Mama” is blaring through the speakers and John is tapping his hands on the steering wheel to the beat of the music.
His truck speeds by a mailbox with the last name “Doggett” written on it. He keeps on truckin’, not stopping to turn into the long driveway that leads up to a farm house. A minute later, John stops his truck and turns off the radio. He lets out a sigh.
DOGGETT
Ok, Johnny. Just turn around and head
home for Christmas. You don’t need Monica
here to help deal with Ma. She’s gonna
bitch with or without Mon’ here. Just
turn around and it’ll be over before you know it.
And with that, he turns the around and drives back to the home he grew up in. He slowly turns his truck into the driveway and parks in the yard, scarring some chickens that are wandering about freely. Doggett gets out of his truck and puts his keys in his pocket. He looks at the pale gray-blue two story house ahead of him. Despite how he doesn’t get along well with his parents and older brother, he smiles. He can already smell Ma’s homemade cherry pie backing. The old wooden screen door to the house opens and John’s younger brother, Jason, steps outside. Jason’s thumbs are hooked in his belt loops of his jeans and he’s wearing a San Antonio Spurs T-shirt.
JASON
You finally got the cajones to
come down this year, huh?Suddenly, a seven year old boy runs out of the house, wearing a Cowboy’s football helmet.
BOY
(shouting)
Uncle Johnny!The boy runs up to Doggett and attaches himself to Doggett’s leg. Doggett looks at Jason.
DOGGETT
Who’s this? He doesn’t look like
one of Henry’s little monsters.JASON
Your nephew, Jay, my son. (beat) Surprise.Jason walks up to John and gives him a big hug and they pat each other on the back all manly-like.
DOGGETT
He’s how old?JASON
I was hoping you wouldn’t notice
that. (beat; quiet) Chris and I
tell Ma he’s five, but he’s seven.DOGGETT
Jason...JASON
Look, Chris and I got married
six years ago and I don’t
think Ma figured it out.JAY
I love Dallas Cowboys and
the New York Knicks suck ass.Jay smiles and Jason smiles at Doggett.
JASON
Don’t tell Chris he said that.
(beat) Now, Jay, remember you
can’t say “ass” again.JAY
Ass!DOGGETT
(sarcastic)
Oh, your discipline is wonderful
Jason, really it is.JAY
Ass! Ass! Ass! Ass! Ass!Behind Jason, his wife, Chris, exits the house. She’s a short, thin, young red-head and is wearing jeans and a pink T-shirt. She stands behind Jason, hearing what Jay is saying over and over again. She puts her hands on her hips and looks at Jason.
CHRIS
Jason.Jason turns with wide eyes to face her. Jay quickly turns around too.
JAY
He made me say it!Jay points up at his dad with an accusing finger. Chris rubs Jay’s head.
CHRIS
Jay, why don’t you go back inside
and help your grandpa put ornaments
on the Christmas tree.JAY
Ok, mom!Jay runs back to the door and rams his head into it before entering the house. Chris gives Jason a look that says he’s in trouble for teaching Jay such foul words. She looks over at John and smiles.
CHRIS
Johnny Jay...She gives him a big welcoming hug.
DOGGETT
John will be just fine.CHRIS
I know, but I like
calling you Johnny Jay.
Chris gives him a kiss on the cheek. DOGGETT
I hear you and Jase got
hitched six years ago.
Why wasn’t I informed?JASON
(scratches back of neck)
It was a spur of the moment
thing in Las Vegas.CHRIS
He thought you’d tell Ma
on him for marrying a redhead,
but Ma understands that Doggett
men like redheads. Ma’s a redhead
herself. Caroline is a redhead, and
I’m a redhead.(beat) Where’s your redhead?DOGGETT
Caroline is still with Henry?JASON
She sure is. She’s pregnant
again too.DOGGETT
Jesus, how many will that be now?CHRIS
Eight.DOGGETT
I thought they only had six.
Billy, Bobby, Ted, Susie, J.J.,
and Emmy.JASON
Caroline and Henry are
expecting twins.DOGGETT
Oh.
The screen door flies open and an older woman comes out onto the porch, a rolling pin in her hand and a hairnet covers her aged red hair. This is Ma Doggett (Liza). MA DOGGETT
(yelling)
Johnny Jay! I saw you pullin’
up here like a crazy New York
cabbie! You’ve gone and scared
the chickens and such!DOGGETT
Hi Ma.MA DOGGETT
We don’t like your big
city drivin’ down here!DOGGETT
Sorry, I’m not used to
chickens being in driveways.MA DOGGETT
Why don’t you hurry and
get inside. A cold front
is comin’ through.DOGGETT
Ma, it’s only 75 degrees
out right now. That’s like a
Virginia spring or summer.
Ma walks up to John and gives him a hug and places her hand on his back so she leads him inside. Doggett looks around, Ma and Pa still haven’t carpeted the floors like they used to talk about doing. It’s still a nicely varnished hardwood floor that creaks lightly as you walk on it. A fire is in the fireplace – signifying the fact that a cold front is passing through. Christmas stockings are hanging from the mantel above the fireplace: Henry Jr., Johnny Jay, Jason Patrick, Christine, Jay, Liza, Henry, Caroline, Billy, Bobby, Ted, Susie, J.J., and Emmy. Doggett looks at Jason.
DOGGETT
Stockings are getting to
be a fire hazard, aren’t they?
Doggett sees his father helping Jay place an angel at the top of the family Christmas tree. His smile fades away. He hasn’t spoken to his father in years and by the looks of it, Pa isn’t going to do anything to change that this year and John is too stubborn to say anything himself.
MA DOGGETT
Ok, Johnny Jay, you and Jason
will be sleepin’ up in your
old room. Since Henry lives a
few miles away, he and Caroline
have decided they won’t sleep here
this year so Christine and Jay
can have his old room.
Ma and Doggett enter the kitchen. MA DOGGETT
So where’s Monica, she always
comes down here with you?DOGGETT
She uh… couldn’t make it
this year. Something else came up.MA DOGGETT
You going to marry her some
day? You know for years I’ve
been hoping you and Mon’ would
tie the knot. You could have
the wedding right here on the farm.DOGGETT
Ma, Mon’ and I aren’t together.
We haven’t been since that one
summer when we were in high school.
Ma hands him a white lacey apron.
MA DOGGETT
Put this on, you can help
me bake the third cherry
pie. You know those kids of
Henry’s are quite the eaters.
Doggett ties the apron around him.
DOGGETT
So what’s the plan for
Christmas Eve?
For a brief moment Doggett remembers back on last year’s Christmas Eve. He spent it with Scully, driving around looking at Christmas lights, and talking about her father. He looks back over his shoulder at his own father and wonders what it would be like if his father died before their issue was resolved. MA DOGGETT
Traditional family dinner,
watch “Rudolph The Red-Nosed
Reindeer” on the television.DOGGETT
You and Pa finally get
a color TV?MA DOGGETT
Why do you boys insist on
abbreviating words, it’s called
a television, not a T.V. (beat)
Why would your Pa and I want a
color television anyway? The old
black and white one we bought when
you were seven still works.
What can Doggett say to that? Don’t argue with Ma, you’ll never win.
DOGGETT
So no cable either?
Shit! He’s going to regret that comment.
MA DOGGETT
Heck no! We don’t need to
be poisoning our minds. There’s
so much more to life than the
television. (beat) Pa wanted to
have all the grandchildren over
so he could read “The Night Before
Christmas” to them. It’s not usual
that all my boys are here with their
own children you know.Doggett doesn’t say anything. His son, Luke, died a long time ago and after a few years his mother began pressing him to remarry and give her some more fine grandchildren. He has not. He senses that she’s going to bring the topic up again.
MA DOGGETT
Have you found any new
leads in your son’s case?DOGGETT
(aggravated)
No, I haven’t, and just
because I don’t look into
the case as often as I have
done in the past, does not
mean I don’t care about family.MA DOGGETT
Well, I think you owe it to
Barbara to solve the case. Help
bring her closure. Or are you too
selfish in your own suffering to
do that much for her?DOGGETT
(angry)
Goddammit, Ma! Why can’t you
for once try to go the first
fifteen minutes of my visit
without starting something with me?MA DOGGETT
That is no way to talk
to your mother, Johnny Jay,
apologize.DOGGETT
I have nothing to apologize for.MA DOGGETT
You used the Lord’s name
in vain. If you won’t apologize
to me, apologize to your Lord!DOGGETT
Have you forgotten that I
gave up on your Lord many
years ago when he saw fit to
take my son’s life in such
a horrid manner?MA DOGGETT
(stern)
Stop blaming Him for all the
pain in your life, Johnny. There
is only one person you can blame
for your unhappiness in life, and
that person is you. (beat) You
wonder why you’re not married yet,
you’re unpleasant to be around. You
have faith in nobody, not even our
Creator, or yourself.
Ma pushes a bowl of cherries toward John.
MA DOGGETT
Now pit those cherries and
smush them up to get them
ready for the pie, and don’t
even think of standing up
and stormin’ out of here.
Doggett shuts up and starts pitting the cherries. He glares down into the bowl, wondering why he decided to put himself through his family this year for Christmas. Joy to the world indeed. He’d probably have better luck in life if he risked his life to search for Scully this holiday season than he will being here with his family. CUT TO:
INT. THE FACILITY – CELL RT-7915-3
3:47 P.M.Monica is lying in her bed, covering herself with a thin white sheet. She has a feeling that soon she will be breathing the cold, fresh outside air – the feeling is so strong that she can almost smell the scent of winter around her right now. She closes her eyes and can envision Brad standing at the end of a bridge, waiting for her to return to him.
Monica rolls over when she hears her cell door unlock. She sees Scully enter, carrying a warm blanket. She senses that Scully is still uneasy being around her. Monica sits up.
MONICA
Hi.
Scully smiles at her. Monica can see that she’s been crying.
SCULLY
I brought you this warm
blanket from my room. There’s
no need for you to be cold now
that we know your body killed
off the virus. Unfortunately,
the temperature of all the cells
is regulated with one control panel.
Scully wraps the blanket around Monica’s shoulders and sits next to her. Monica knows what is on Scully’s mind.
MONICA
(soft)
Don’t worry about it, Dana.
You’re not pregnant. Your
body is still getting used
to the changes, that’s
why you’re late.
Scully sniffles and a tear falls down her cheek. SCULLY
(whisper)
How did you know?MONICA
I just know.
Scully gets off the bed and starts looking Monica over to see how well she is getting.
SCULLY
I have a Christmas gift for
you for tomorrow.
Monica nods her head. MONICA
We’ll need to be careful
if we don’t want to get caught.SCULLY
How good are you in a wheelchair?MONICA
Last time John and I were in
a wheelchair race was after
“Days of Thunder” was in theatres.
I won that race so I guess I’m not too bad.SCULLY
I’ll have to get you into
physical therapy soon so you
can work on building up
your strength again.
Scully finishes looking her over. SCULLY
I’m amazed with how much
better you’ve gotten since
last month. You’re not 100% yet,
more around 65%, but that’s good.MONICA
I know.SCULLY
Is there anything you’d like
for dinner tonight. I haven’t
been hungry very much lately.
I can order my dinner and then
bring it down to you.MONICA
Water, maybe a light
salad, soup and grapes.
Scully nods her head. SCULLY
I need to go take care
of a few things for
tomorrow. Make sure to
get well rested.MONICA
I know.
Monica lies back down, covering her body with Scully’s blanket. Scully exits the cell. CUT TO:
EXT. CIGARETTE-SMOKING MAN’S OFFICE – 3:58 P.M.
Scully walks up to the door and knocks on it three times. No one answers from inside. She tries to turn the doorknob, it’s locked. Scully looks both ways down the empty hallway to make sure no one is coming. She kneels down and pulls something out of her pocket and she picks the lock. The door opens and she enters the office.
She quietly shuts the door behind her and hurries to the desk. Scully sits down in the black leather chair and picks up the phone and dials outside the facility.
INTERCUT – INT. DOGGETT’S HOUSE IN FALLS CHURCH
Brad Follmer is walking to the door to leave. Buddy is following him.
BRAD
No, no, Bud’. John wants
you to stay here to guard the place.
The telephone rings.
BRAD
Hey, Buddy. The phone is for you.
Buddy barks happily and runs toward the phone. Brad opens the front door to the house and leaves, locking John’s house up behind him. Buddy stands next to the phone, barking at it. The answering machine picks up.
DOGGETT
(recorded on machine)
This is John Doggett. I’m not
home, leave a message.
The machine beeps.
SCULLY
(on machine)
John, it’s Dana. I can’t say
much, but Mon’ and I will meet
you at the Brooklyn Bridge
tomorrow night, Christmas Eve.
Pack what you need to start a
new life because we won’t be able
to return to D.C., it’ll be too
dangerous. Tell Brad. Goodbye.
Buddy howls and looks toward the door where Brad had been standing previously. Buddy runs to the door and howls again, but it is too late. Brad has left and no one is home to hear Scully’s message. CUT TO:
INT. CIGARETTE-SMOKING MAN’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Scully hangs up the phone. She hopes that John will receive her message and be there in New York to pick her and Monica up tomorrow night.
Scully has figured out a way to get them both out of the Facility. The only drawback is that they cannot return to the lives they had in D.C. They will have to move far away, maybe even to a different country. Take on new identities, jobs and even then they will always have to live with the worry that the Cigarette-Smoking Man will find them and bring them back. That is of course unless alien colonization changes all that.
Scully does her best to make the office look undisturbed and then she leaves.
She exits the Research Building and walks outside through the foot of snow they received last night. She heads back to her room to pack some clothes and personal items. She hopes that the Cigarette-Smoking Man or Montgomery do not find out what her Christmas plans are before she and Monica have the chance to escape.
CUT TO:
INT. MULDER/KRYCEK’S APARTMENT – 8:03 P.M.
Diana is lying down on the couch, watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” on TV.
Krycek storms into the living room from the kitchen. He plops down on the floor in front of the TV.
DIANA
Alex, you make a better
door than a window.KRYCEK
Consider this payback.DIANA
For what?KRYCEK
I have to dress up as Santa
so Christmas isn’t ruined for Mulder.DIANA
How is that my fault?KRYCEK
You never told Mulder that
Santa isn’t real.DIANA
You could always tell him.KRYCEK
Oh yea, like I want to be to
blame for all his crying and
miserable Christmas when he
finds out Santa is B.S.DIANA
Then it’s your own fault
you have to play Santa.
Diana gets up off of the couch and sits down next to Krycek on the floor. KRYCEK
I hate Brad. This is his year
to play Santa and he uses
the excuse of babysitting Buddy
to get out of it. I should
poison dog biscuits so Brad
doesn’t have that excuse anymore.DIANA
I don’t think that would be good.KRYCEK
I know, I love that little mutt.DIANA
I thought you hated dogs because
of the time you peed your pants
because a big ol’ dangerous
golden retriever charged at you.KRYCEK
Shut up. I was young then.DIANA
Twenty-one years old is a
little old to be peeing
your pants because a friendly,
human-loving breed of dog
wants to play with you.KRYCEK
Shut up. I was not twenty-one.
I was four.DIANA
We can ask Mulder how old
you were. He remembers things like that.
Krycek scowls and pouts just as the apartment door opens and Mulder enters. MULDER
Merry Christmas you two!DIANA
Fox, do you remember how old
Alex was when that dog made
him pee his pants?MULDER
Nineteen or twenty, I think.KRYCEK
(unhappy)
Thanks a lot man.
Krycek stands up and stomps into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind him. MULDER
What’s got his undies in a bundle?DIANA
Something about Santa Claus.MULDER
Are you going to come to
Skinner’s Super Buddies
Christmas Spectacular Bash
tomorrow night?DIANA
I wish I could, but I made
plans with some girlfriends.
From the bedroom they hear Krycek laugh – he’s listening in on their conversation. MULDER
Oh. You wouldn’t be mad if
I asked Kim to be my date,
would you? If I can get her
to go, I can begin Operation
Mistletoe.DIANA
Operation Mistletoe?MULDER
My ultimate plan to get
Skinner and Kim back together
by having them under the same
mistletoe at the same time.
I’ve put up thirty mistletoes
in Skinner’s house in preparation
for Operation Mistletoe.DIANA
I have no problem with you
going with Kim, she’s a nice
girl. I only hope that Walter
knows that too.
Krycek rejoins them in the living room.
KRYCEK
Say… do you think since you
invited Santa to the Christmas
Bash that we can order in some
strippers for him? I mean, the old
man must get bored with Mrs. Claus
being the only woman up there in
the North Pole, you know?
Mulder looks at Krycek in disbelief. MULDER
No! Santa is a loyal and
honorable man. He wouldn’t
disrespect his marriage to
watch strippers that may be
on his naughty or nice list.KRYCEK
Dammit!MULDER
Using that word is bound
to put you on the naughty list.KRYCEK
Say, if you’re into hooking
up couples… tell Marita to
flirt with Santa to make me jealous.MULDER
But you said you couldn’t make
it. How would you know if she did that?KRYCEK
You’re my buddy, you’d tell me.MULDER
I don’t think she’d do it.
Not even to make you jealous.KRYCEK
Well… we’ll see how that goes.
Krycek walks into the kitchen, he’s very unhappy. Mulder rolls his eyes at his friend. CUT TO:
INT. SCULLY’S ROOM – FACILITY – 9:10 P.M.
Scully is sitting in a chair, reading a book. There’s a soft knock at her door. Her heart skips a beat. She thinks it is the Cigarette-Smoking Man, coming to punish her for making an outside call from his office.
Scully gets out of her chair and goes to open the door. She is surprised to see Marita.
MARITA
Hi Dana. I hope it’s not
too late to be making
a visit. May I come in?
Scully raises an eyebrow, what does she want? Hopefully not help dying her hair red. Scully steps aside to let her in. She sees that Marita is carrying a wrapped Christmas gift. SCULLY
I’m sorry. I don’t know what
to say to you, Marita. Last
we spoke you weren’t exactly
kind to me or Monica.MARITA
I’m sorry about that. I haven’t
been myself lately, but I promise
I’m 100% better than the last time
you saw me.
Marita looks around her room, it’s very sparse. MARITA
Are they treating you well here?SCULLY
(lying)
Of course. I’m important to them.MARITA
You’ve lost weight. Are
you eating properly?SCULLY
It’s hard to digest your
meals after hurting innocent
people. No, I don’t eat well.
Marita holds out her present.
MARITA
I got you something for Christmas.
I thought I’d bring it by tonight
since I’m going to Mulder and
Skinner’s Christmas Bash tomorrow night.
Scully takes the present and unwraps it. It’s a CD of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”. Her favorite piece of classical music associated with the holiday season. MARITA
I figured Christmas isn’t such
a big thing around here and I know
how much you love The Nutcracker.SCULLY
Thank you, Marita.
Scully walks across the room to put the CD in the CD player. Marita spots a bag full of clothes resting up against the side of a chair.
MARITA
(quietly)
Are you planning on going somewhere?
Scully turns to face her. Can she trust Marita? Could she get help from Marita if she told her her plans? Scully nods her head “yes”.
MARITA
That’s a good answer, Dana.
I’ll make sure to have someone
posted by the exit incase you
try something stupid.
Marita winks at her. At least she’s being careful incase the room is bugged.
MARITA
I should be going now.
Marita hugs Scully and whispers into her ear. MARITA
What exit do you plan on using?SCULLY
(tears in her eyes)
The underground northern exit.MARITA
I’ll send someone to make
sure you get out of this area safely.
Scully nods her head.
MARITA
I’ll purchase two plane
tickets for you and Monica
so you can leave the country.
I’ll send John and Brad later, ok?
Scully nods her head again and begins crying hard. It’s relieving to know that Marita is on her side and wants to help her and Monica escape this place. Marita holds onto the back of Scully’s head.
MARITA
Shh… everything is
going to be all right…
Scully tightens her hold on Marita. SCULLY
Thank you.MARITA
(whisper)
You’ll meet my contact at
the exit at 8 p.m., ok?
Scully nods her head, and pulls away from Marita.
MARITA
Smile, Dana, you’re very
pretty when you do. Every
girl deserves to be happy on Christmas.
Marita walks to the door.
MARITA
I guess I’ll see you next
time I drop by.
Scully waves goodbye to Marita and closes the door to her room. CUT TO:
INT. KNOWLE/SHANNON’S APARTMENT – 11:11 P.M.
Knowle and Shannon are lying in bed together. A mistletoe hangs directly above them. Shannon’s head rests on Knowle’s chest. Her fingers trace the USMC symbol that is on his T-shirt.
SHANNON
Do you ever think about
where you’ll be in ten years from now?KNOWLE
I figure, I’ll be ten years
older than I am now, and you’ll
be right here in my arms.SHANNON
What about marriage or children?
Knowle laughs. KNOWLE
C’mon, Shan’, you know
me better than that.SHANNON
I know. That’s why I asked
you if you’ve ever thought
about marriage or children.KNOWLE
I’m perfectly happy exactly
how we are right now.
Shannon is quiet for about a minute. She loves this big doof, but despite that, she questions herself as to why she is still with him when she wants so much more than he does. But like he said, she knows him well and knows that he wants to be with her for life.
SHANNON
Marriage won’t make you turn
into your father, Knowle.
You’re nothing like him.
Now it is Knowle’s time to be silent. Shannon understands him so well. She knows without him having to say it, that his biggest fear is that having a wife and children will turn him into an abusive alcoholic husband and father – just how his father was. Thankfully for Knowle, there is a knock on their apartment door.
KNOWLE
I’ll get that.
Knowle gets out of bed and heads out into the living room. He looks out the peephole and sees Marita. He opens the door. KNOWLE
Marita, now’s not really
a good time-MARITA
- This is about Monica Reyes.
Knowle lets her in. She sits down on the couch and hands him two airplane tickets. He looks at them. KNOWLE
Moscow?MARITA
Do you remember the north
underground exit at the
Strughold Facility?KNOWLE
Yeah.MARITA
You need to be there tomorrow
night at eight to help Monica
and Dana escape. Take them to
JFK in New York, their flight
leaves the next morning at 12:05 a.m.
Marita pulls out two passports that look well-worn. She hands them to Knowle. MARITA
I had fake passports made.
Fake only in their personal
information. Official in every other way.KNOWLE
What about John and Brad?MARITA
I’ll make sure they get a case
in which they have to make a trip
to Moscow in a couple months. I’ll
make sure they have Dana and Monica’s
new names with them, that way they
can find them and be with them. Make
sure to tell Dana that when they show
up they must leave Moscow and that
John and Brad have to get new identities too.
Knowle nods his head.
MARITA
Do not tell anyone about what
you have to do tomorrow. Not
even Shannon. The least amount
of people who know, the better.
Knowle is silent, he’s going to have to lie to Shannon and not be with her on Christmas Eve in order to help Monica. KNOWLE
Marita… about us… I don’t
think we should see each
other anymore.MARITA
I know. I’m working on
fixing my life too.
Knowle smiles. MARITA
I do hope the end of a
physical relationship isn’t
the end of a friendship.KNOWLE
Of course not.
Knowle hugs her. In the background, we see Shannon poke her head out of the bedroom – she sees Knowle hugging some blond woman and then kiss her on top of the head. Sadness overcomes her, apparently it doesn’t seem he loves her as much as she loves him. She returns to bed and curls up under the blankets. Why does she stay with Knowle when it’s obvious he is still quite the player? She hears the front door close and then Knowle returns to bed. SHANNON
Who was that?KNOWLE
Nobody important. (beat)
Actually, something at work
came up. I’m not going to be
able to spend Christmas Eve
with you and your family. I’m sorry.SHANNON
It’s ok, obviously work
is important enough to call
you away on Christmas. I understand.
Her heart is aching inside. Shannon places a soft kiss on Knowle’s mouth then she turns away from him to fall asleep. Knowle watches her, he sees that she is upset.
KNOWLE
(hesitant, quiet)
Shannon… I lo-
He trails off, unable to say what his heart feels.
SHANNON
I know. I love you too.
Knowle lies down and spoons up behind her. He kisses the back of her neck. CUT TO:
INT. DOGGETT HOUSE – MCALLEN, TX – 1:30 A.M.
DECEMBER 24, 2004Doggett is lying awake on the bottom half of the bunk bed in his and Jason’s bedroom. He hasn’t been able to sleep because Jason keeps tossing and turning above him.
JASON
(whisper)
Hey John, you awake?DOGGETT
I’m trying not to be.JASON
I can’t sleep in these
long-johns Ma gave us.
Makes my skin itch.DOGGETT
Sit still and the itch
will go away.JASON
Why does Ma do this to us?DOGGETT
We’re her little boys, I’m
sure she just likes to mother
us despite the fact we are
grown men.JASON
Then why did you tell me
not to argue against these
damn long-johns when she
gave them to us? Grown men
would stand up and say their
boxer shorts were just fine.DOGGETT
Did you want to hear her
bitch about how horrible
we are to have as sons?JASON
No.DOGGETT
That’s why.
Jason is quiet. He knows that his brother is right. JASON
So what do you want
for Christmas?DOGGETT
Other than some hard alcohol
and a pack of cigarettes?JASON
Yeah.DOGGETT
Well for starters, don’t let
me have any alcohol. I’m
trying not to fall back into bad habits.JASON
Ok.DOGGETT
I want Dana back.JASON
An ex-girlfriend?DOGGETT
No. She’s the woman
I’m going to marry.JASON
She left you?DOGGETT
Not by her own will. It’s a
complicated story, I don’t
feel like explaining it. (beat)
Remember when I was nine, how
Grandmama Reyes told me the
woman I’d spend my life with
would be named Dana Katherine Scully?JASON
That’s this Dana?DOGGETT
Yeah.
Jason leans over the top of the bunk and looks down at Doggett. JASON
Well shit man, Grandmama was right?DOGGETT
I know, Dana was special
the first time I really
got to talk to her.JASON
Redhead?DOGGETT
Yes, but I don’t think
she’s a natural.JASON
Well when she gets back,
make sure I meet her before
you get hitched.DOGGETT
I’m not sure I’ll ever
see her again, Jase.JASON
It’s better to have loved
and lost than to have
never loved at all.DOGGETT
You sound like a frickin’
Hallmark card.JASON
Probably where I
first heard it.
They laugh. JASON
Seriously though, if you’re
not sure you’ll ever see her
again, don’t stop looking
for happiness with someone else.DOGGETT
I know… but at the moment
that’s not something I want
to consider.JASON
Maybe New Years we can take
Jay out and show him what
night life is all about and
hook you up with some Texas beauty.DOGGETT
I hope you’re kidding about
taking your son out like
that, and no, I do not want
a Texas beauty right now.JASON
Party-pooper.DOGGETT
Goodnight.JASON
Think Ma will yell if I
open the window to let
some cool air in here?
I’m sweatin’ up a monsoon.
Doggett laughs. This full-body long-johns thing is ridiculous. The low tonight is 63 degrees – perfect open window weather.
DOGGETT
If you open it, I will
not be held part of the
responsible party if she
gets angry, all right?
Jason hops out of the top bunk and opens the window.
JASON
Thank God for natural
air conditioning.
He hops back up into his bed. JASON
Goonight, John.DOGGETT
Night.
FADE OUT: FADE IN:
INT. SKINNER’S HOUSE – 9:05 A.M.
Skinner is busy in his kitchen, placing bakery baked Christmas cookies on a plate. He tosses the plastic container into the garbage can – it lands on a dozen other plastic containers. Skinner happily whistles “Jingle Bells”.
There is a knock on his door. Skinner stops whistling and looks at his watch. Who could be at his door this early? Probably Mulder coming to help with the Christmas Bash.
The knock comes again.
Skinner covers his plate of cookies with plastic wrap and goes to answer his door. To his surprise, Alvin Kersh stands on his doorstep with several wrapped items.
SKINNER
Hey, Alvin. What are
you doing here?KERSH
Just coming to help
with the Christmas
Bash. (beat) I’ve brought
some presents.
Kersh walks in, carrying several wrapped items. SKINNER
Make yourself at home.
I’m just finishing putting
the frosting on my homemade
Christmas cookies.KERSH
All right.
Skinner goes back into the kitchen, leaving Kersh alone in the living room. Kersh carefully watches Skinner go into the kitchen to put more store bought cookies on plates. Once Skinner is in the kitchen, Kersh quickly runs to Skinner’s guest bedroom with the wrapped items he carried in, and hides them. Kersh leaves the bedroom.
KERSH
Hey, Walter?SKINNER
(Off Screen)
Yeah?KERSH
I’ll be back soon.
I need to get more
of my presents.SKINNER
(Off Screen)
All right.
Kersh darts out the door and gets into his car and drives off. CUT TO:
INT. MULDER & KRYCEK’S APARTMENT – 10:17 A.M.
Marita and Mulder are whispering to one another in the kitchen. Marita quietly laughs at what Mulder has just told her. Krycek enters, shuffling his feet. His T-shirt is all twisted, boxer shorts uneven and his hair is a monster of a mess. He stands in the doorway and yawns. His eyes are still half shut. Mulder and Marita watch him as he sits down.
KRYCEK
(sleepy)
What smells good?MARITA
(cheerful)
I’m making you boys
your favorite breakfast.KRYCEK
Cheerios?
He looks up at her with one eye open, and the other eye still half asleep. Marita smiles at him.
MARITA
No, apple turnovers.
Krycek’s other eye opens in happy surprise.
KRYCEK
You haven’t made those
in a couple of years.
Marita goes over to Krycek, stands behind him and wraps her arms around him. She gives him a kiss on the top of his head. MARITA
Well, today is a special
day, Sasha.KRYCEK
It is?MARITA
Yes, Mulder tells me Santa
Claus is coming to Skinner’s
Bash. It’s so exciting. I’ve
never been able to spend a lot
of time with my favorite jolly
fat man.
Marita smiles and kisses Krycek on the cheek. MARITA
Mulder tells me you won’t
be going to the party. Why?KRYCEK
It’s a surprise for you.
Krycek reluctantly smiles at Marita, wishing he didn’t have to “play” Santa at Skinner’s Christmas Bash. Mulder smiles at Krycek.
MULDER
You’ll be happy to know, Alex,
that Diana left to meet with
her friends early this morning.KRYCEK
Good. Tell her not to come back.
Marita turns to him with disappointment. MARITA
Now, Sasha, don’t be so
jealous of Diana.KRYCEK
Jealous of Diana?!MARITA
I know you must feel
like you are competing
for Mulder’s love-KRYCEK
- What?!
Marita smiles.
MARITA
Sasha, I’m just picking
on you.
She places a plate in front of him with a hot apple turnover on it.
MARITA
Enjoy.
Krycek smiles, forgetting how he has to be Santa for an entire day. CUT TO:
INT. SKINNER’S HOUSE – 4:37 P.M.
“We Wish You A Merry Christmas” is playing softly in Skinner’s living room. Brad, Mulder, Marita and Kim are standing by the refreshment table that’s set up in the room.
KIM
Wait, let me get this
straight. You pretend
you believe in Santa
Claus just to see how far
your friends will go?MULDER
It’s hilarious.BRAD
And you truly got Krycek
to dress up all day?MARITA
He doesn’t want me
to become “upset”.
Marita smiles and takes a sip of her fruit punch.
KIM
How long has this
been going on?
Mulder and Marita look at one another, thinking for a long, long time. Brad and Kim watch them, waiting for an answer. MULDER
Um…BRAD
That long?
Marita and Mulder look at each other and laugh. MARITA
I guess so.KIM
Should be interesting to
see Krycek dressed up and
oblivious to the truth.MULDER
Skinner knows now too.
(beat) He used to dress
up as Santa as well.
Mulder watches Kim for a reaction to Skinner’s name.
KIM
(sneering)
That must have been
during a time when he was loyal.
Suddenly there is a loud pounding on Skinner’s front door.
MARITA
Sounds like Alex.
Marita happily goes and opens the door. Krycek is dressed as Santa and has a bag of presents slung over his shoulder.
MARITA
(overly happy)
Oh my gosh! Santa!
Mulder pulls Krycek into the house.
KRYCEK
(enthousiastic)
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Mulder comes running towards Krycek.
MULDER
Oh goodie! Oh boy!
He hugs Krycek. Skinner comes out of the kitchen with a bowl of potatoe chips. SKINNER
Oh wow! It’s Santa!KRYCEK
Merry Christmas!
Brad and Kim share a look. Neither one of them can believe Krycek would do this, especially this enthousiastically. The front door opens quietly and Kersh sneaks in with many bags hanging on him, and a large suitcase wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. Kersh hopes to go unnoticed, but his suspicious activity catches Brad’s eye.
Brad turns to Kim.
BRAD
Excuse me.
He goes off, following Kersh, leaving Kim near Skinner.
SKINNER
(quiet, somewhat shy)
Merry Christmas, Kim.
Kim smiles politely and walks away to join Mulder and Marita with “Santa”. CUT TO:
INT. GUEST BEDROOM – SKINNER’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Brad enters the bedroom and sees Kersh unwrapping a suitcase.
BRAD
Knock, knock.
Kersh looks up – caught like a deer in headlights.
KERSH
(guilty)
Hey.
He quickly stands up, trying to cover up what he’s up to. BRAD
What are you doing?KERSH
I uh…
Brad looks around and sees a lot of Kersh’s belongings. BRAD
(suspicious)
How’s Linda?KERSH
In Cleveland with her family.
Brad nods his head. He’s pretty sure he knows what’s happening on Kersh’s homefront. BRAD
You’re not there?KERSH
Nah. I’ve got work to do.BRAD
(to the point)
She kicked you out?
Kersh sighs. KERSH
Yeah. (beat) She asked me
to stop making buttons and
she found my newest creations.BRAD
She just kicked you out?
Nothing else?
Kersh looks down. KERSH
She said she wants a
divorce. I don’t want that.BRAD
So go to Cleveland, and
stop secretly moving in
on Skinner.
Kersh nods his head and he and Brad leave the guest bedroom. INT. LIVING ROOM
Mulder and Marita are laughing on the couch. Krycek is no where to be seen until he comes out of the kitchen.
KRYCEK
(in Santa voice)
Santa’s called a special
friend over to entertain us.
Brad and Kersh re-join everyone in the living room. KERSH
Everyone, I need to leave
the party. I’ve got some
important family business
to take care of.MULDER
All right!SKINNER
Tell your family I say
Merry Christmas.KERSH
I will.
Kersh leaves the house. Skinner looks over at Santa Krycek, who is smirking. SKINNER
Santa, may I have a word
with you in the kitchen please?KRYCEK
Sure thing, Wally.
Krycek and Skinner head into the kitchen. INT. KITCHEN
Krycek grabs a cookie from a plate on the counter.
SKINNER
Who did you call?KRYCEK
The Peppermint Elves.SKINNER
Who are the Peppermint Elves?KRYCEK
The hottest stripping team
in the city.
Skinner sighs with disapproval. SKINNER
Do you want to be responsible
for Mulder and Marita being upset?KRYCEK
What about me? I’m stuck
in this frickin’ Santa suit
all day, I wanna have some fun!
Krycek turns and leaves the kitchen. Skinner follows. There is no stopping Krycek. INT. LIVING ROOM
Krycek sits down on the couch and Marita sits on his lap. Skinner looks around. He’s just now noticing all the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling and over entrances to rooms. He wonders who did all that and when.
He shakes his head of the thought.
SKINNER
Where’s Brad?MULDER
He went to feed Buddy.
He’ll be back later.
Skinner nods his head and sits next to Kim, who shifts away from him slightly. CUT TO:
INT. DOGGETT’S HOUSE – 5:08 P.M.
Buddy is laying on the floor next to the table that has the answering machine on it. His head pops up when he hears keys in the front door of the house. The door opens and he quickly stands up.
BRAD
Buddy?
He shuts the door behind him – it’s turning out to be a rather cold day outside.
BRAD
Buddy?
Buddy barks from the living room and jumps up on the couch so he can go to the answering machine and play the message from Scully to Brad. Brad walks over to Buddy.
BRAD
I don’t think John would
want you to be on his furniture.
Brad goes into the kitchen and puts Buddy’s food into a bowl and gives him new water to drink. In the living room, Buddy figures out how to hit the play button on the machine. Brad comes into the living room having heard the electronic voice saying there is one new message.
BRAD
Buddy-SCULLY
(on machine)
John, it’s Dana. I can’t say
much, but Mon’ and I will meet
you at the Brooklyn Bridge
tomorrow night, Christmas Eve.
Pack what you need to start a
new life because we won’t be able
to return to D.C., it’ll be too
dangerous. Tell Brad. Goodbye.
Buddy howls. Brad is temporarily frozen by what he’s heard. Could this really be happening? Buddy barks at him again and tries to play the message again, but he accidentally deletes it with his paw.
BRAD
(shocked)
I have to go.
Brad leaves the house, locking the door behind him. He immediately gets on his cell phone and dials a New York number. CUT TO:
INT. NEW YORK FBI FIELD OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
VIOLENT CRIMES DIVISION – MISSING PERSONSSpecial Agent Danny Taylor turns the lamp off at his desk and grabs his briefcase. The phone at his desk rings. He picks it up.
DANNY TAYLOR
Danny Taylor.INTERCUT TO:
EXT. DOGGETT’S HOUSE
Brad is walking to his car.
BRAD
Agent Taylor, it’s Brad Follmer.
Brad gets into his car. DANNY TAYLOR
Hey, Merry Christmas, sir.BRAD
Has Fitzgerald been keeping
you up to date with the case
involving my fiancee?INTERCUT TO:
INT. NEW YORK FBI FIELD OFFICE
Danny sits down at his desk, realizing this isn’t just a friendly call.
DANNY TAYLOR
Yeah, do you have a new lead?BRAD
A big one. I’m on my way
up to New York now.DANNY TAYLOR
What’s the lead?BRAD
Dana Scully called saying
she and Monica will be on
the Brooklyn Bridge tonight.
From the sound of it, I might
need help getting them safely home.
Danny writes down what Brad tells him. DANNY TAYLOR
She didn’t say what time?BRAD
No.DANNY TAYLOR
All right, agent Johnson
and I will get out there incase
they show up before you get here.BRAD
Thanks. I’ll call you
when I arrive.DANNY TAYLOR
And I’ll call you if we get them.
Danny hangs up his phone and looks over at Vivian Johnson who is across the room from him, time to let her know she won’t be heading home too soon to be with her family on Christmas Eve. CUT TO:
INT. FACILITY – 7:48 P.M.
Scully quietly makes her way down to the laboratory. She’s dressed in a warm winter jacket. She carries a jacket for Monica, and holds a bag of her personal items in a bag in her other hand. She carefully makes her way down the hall to Monica’s cell.
Scully’s heart races as she can almost taste her freedom. She enters the access code to get into Monica’s cell.
“ACCESS DENIED” flashes on the screen. A wave of panic washes over Scully.
MONTGOMERY
(Off Screen)
He’s onto your plans, Dana.
Startled, Scully turns around to face him. She swallows hard. Montgomery approaches Scully. Her eyes are filled with fear. Has he turned against her? Or has he always been against her?
MONTGOMERY
He’s changed all of your
access codes so I have
complete control.
Shit. Scully looks down. She was so close to freedom. Montgomery moves Scully out of his way and punches the new access code in. “ACCESS GRANTED”
Monica’s cell door opens. Scully looks at Montgomery, surprised that he’s helping her, but not entirely shocked.
MONTGOMERY
Go now.
Scully goes into Monica’s cell and helps her to her feet.
SCULLY
She can’t walk well.
Montgomery looks down the hall and sees a wheelchair. He goes to get it for her.
MONTGOMERY
Don’t stop for any reason.
Scully hugs Montgomery. This is the last time she will ever see him. Tears well up in her eyes.
SCULLY
Thank you, John.
They part.
MONTGOMERY
Be careful.
Scully nods her head and she and Monica get on the move. Montgomery watches them, hoping they can make it out. Neither one of them deserve more pain from this place.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE FACILITY – NORTHERN EXIT – 7:58 P.M.
The door to the underground tunnel opens and Scully cautiously peers out to the empty land. There is not a cloud in the sky and the only light is from the moonlight above. Scully opens the door wider and pushes Monica through the door and out into the cold Christmas Eve air.
A small smile forms on Monica’s face as she breathes in her first breath of fresh air in nine months.
SCULLY
It won’t be long now.
Monica smiles and looks up to the starry sky. It’s never looked so beautiful. Scully looks off in the near distance and sees a big man dressed in camouflage. He’s headed right towards them. Panic washes over her. Montgomery said the Cigarette-Smoking Man was onto her plans and now it looks as if he’s sent on of his guards to get them.
SCULLY
(under breath)
No…
The man gets closer and Monica looks in his direction and smiles.
MONICA
Knowle…
Scully looks down at Monica, wondering how she seems to know for sure who this man is.
MONICA
It’s Knowle, Dana. Let’s go.
He’s all right.
Monica senses Scully’s fear of Knowle Rohrer. The first time they met, Knowle wasn’t very nice to her. Monica starts to attempt to wheel herself over to Knowle.
SCULLY
How do you know it’s him?MONICA
I just know.
Scully follows her. Knowle reaches them. KNOWLE
I was sent by Marita Covarrubias.SCULLY
Where are we going?KNOWLE
The airport. Marita gave
me these to give to you.
He hands Scully the passports and tickets.
SCULLY
Thank you.
Knowle doesn’t acknowledge Scully’s comment. He’s still bitter towards the fact that she’s partially responsible for Monica’s condition. He kneels down in front of Monica, he smiles at her. KNOWLE
You all right?MONICA
I am now.
She smiles at him and pulls him into a hug and kisses him on the cheek. MONICA
(whisper)
Thank you.KNOWLE
We should get going.
(beat) You hang in there
like a true soldier.
He pulls away from her and smiles. He stands up and goes behind Monica to wheel her out of this place. Scully follows them to Knowle’s black Hummer. CUT TO:
INT. KNOWLE’S HUMMER – 30 MINUTES LATER
Knowle is driving them into the city. Scully is in the front passenger seat and Monica is in the back. Monica watches Knowle, sensing he’s not very happy with Scully. Infact, the more Knowle thinks about Monica and the condition she is in, the more it angers him.
MONICA
Don’t be mad at her, Knowle.
Knowle looks back at her through the rearview mirror.
MONICA
She’s done her best to
help me. (beat) She’s a
victim of that place too.
Knowle doesn’t say anything. He’d like to yell at Scully for not trying harder, but he doesn’t want to upset Monica. MONICA
It’s not her fault, Knowle.
(beat) We’re out of there now,
and that’s all that matters.KNOWLE
(angry)
None of this should have
happened to you.MONICA
There’s nothing we can
do to turn back time.
Knowle quickly wipes a tear away from his eye. He doesn’t like to see bad things happen to his friends. He hates seeing Monica so broken down from what she had to endure from that place. Every last one of those bastards deserves to die.
MONICA
Yes, they do, Knowle.
Horrible things happen
to innocent people there.
Knowle looks back at her. Is she reading his thoughts? MONICA
(re: his thoughts)
Yes, I am.KNOWLE
How?MONICA
I have a gift. That’s why
I was stuck there against
my will. They couldn’t erase
my memory. It’s not Dana’s
fault, so don’t put blame
on her, ok? (beat) One day
she’ll be married to John,
meaning she’ll be a Marine too.
Knowle doesn’t say anything. He knows how much Dana means to John, but he can’t help but be angry at someone for this situation. Dana is the easiest to blame because of the time he first met her at the Facility. Dana had ordered guards to send Monica back to her cell. He could have snapped her neck for that. Knowle pulls up to JFK International Airport and parks his hummer in short term parking. They get out and go inside the airport.
INT. AIRPORT
Knowle walks with Monica and Scully as far as he can go without having a boarding pass.
KNOWLE
I guess this is the end
of the line for me.
They stop walking.
KNOWLE
Marita said she’ll tell
Brad and John where
you guys will be.
Knowle kneels down to look at Monica in the eyes.
KNOWLE
I’ll probably never
see you again, Monica.
Tears sting Monica’s eyes. KNOWLE
I want you to take good
care of yourself and
not take any shit from anyone.MONICA
I know. I will.
Knowle hugs her, and quickly wipes tears from his eyes – he’s too tough to cry. KNOWLE
I just want you to know
that you’ve been one of my
greatest friends. You’ve
helped me through a lot
of hard times.MONICA
You too, big guy.
Knowle pulls away and Monica smiles at him. MONICA
Till we meet again.KNOWLE
Semper Fi – remember that.
He kisses the top of Monica’s head. Scully watches on, taking note of how significant the Marines motto – Semper Fi - is to Knowle and Monica. It’s almost as if it’s another way for them to say “I love you” to each other.
KNOWLE
You should get going.
Scully goes behind Monica to push her to their departure gate.
SCULLY
Thank you, Knowle.
Knowle nods his head.
KNOWLE
You’re welcome.
Scully and Monica head off to their gate. Knowle watches them for a few moments then turns and leaves. He hopes they will make it all right. Scully and Monica approach their gate. Scully’s mind can’t help but think about her message on John’s answering machine about the Brooklyn Bridge. What if John and Brad are there now? They’re probably worried sick that she and Monica aren’t there. How does she know for sure that she can trust this plan of Marita’s? What if Marita was having another episode and has set them up?
Scully stops walking. Monica looks up at her.
MONICA
I don’t think Marita has
bad intentions.SCULLY
I called John and left
a message saying we’d
meet him and Brad at-MONICA
- You want to go there?SCULLY
I think we should.
Scully looks down at Monica wanting to know her opinion. CUT TO:
EXT. BROOKLYN BRIDGE – NEW YORK CITY – 9:35 P.M.
Brad eagerly watches the light traffic go by on the bridge. He is accompanied by Agents Danny Taylor and Vivian Johnson of the New York Field Office. Danny and Vivian are standing next to each other, bundled up in their winter coats and hats. Brad stands a few feet away from them. Vivian and Danny speak quietly to each other.
VIVIAN JOHNSON
Has it really been nine
months that they’ve been missing?DANNY TAYLOR
Yeah. Talk about being determined.VIVIAN JOHNSON
Martin said that this was
because of some secret government.DANNY TAYLOR
I didn’t believe him at
first until I spoke with
Brad myself.
Vivian nods her head and brings her gloved hands up to her mouth, she exhales her warm breath on her hands.
DANNY TAYLOR
Our former ADIC wouldn’t
make up government conspiracy stories.
Danny smiles. Vivian nods in agreement. She didn’t know Brad well, on a personal level, when he was the Assistant Director In Charge in the past, but she knows his reputation enough to know that far off stories don’t come easily to him. A.D. Follmer is too serious and by the book to do that.
VIVIAN JOHNSON
Never would have thought
he and Agent Reyes would’ve
gotten together though.
Danny gives her a look of disbelief.
DANNY TAYLOR
You’re kidding. (beat) Maybe
it was just me, but they
were obvious. (beat) At least
on Reyes’s part. I spoke with
her more. What really gave them
away was when she transferred
to New Orleans.
Vivian looks at him.
VIVIAN JOHNSON
How was that a give away?
Danny smiles. DANNY TAYLOR
Well, you know. She wanted
to break the “bad habit”.VIVIAN JOHNSON
Looks like she’s marrying
the “bad habit”.
Brad looks back slightly at them. He’s been listening in on their conversation. He had no clue anyone in the FBI knew about his and Monica’s secret love affair when they were working in New York.
DANNY TAYLOR
No, no, the “bad habit” wasn’t
Brad himself, it was mixing
pleasure with work.
Danny smirks with amusement.
BRAD
Monica told you that?
Brad turns to face them.
DANNY TAYLOR
We talked a lot, sir.
Danny smiles. Brad shakes his head with amusement. How “Monica” is that to tell a co-worker about a “secret” love affair with her superior?
BRAD
I can honestly say that
I’m not surprised.
Brad smiles and leans up against the bridge. He continues to watch the traffic. On the other end of the bridge, a cab stops and Scully gets out and helps Monica out and into her wheelchair. The cab drives off.
SCULLY
They’re not here…MONICA
Maybe they’re at the other
end, thinking we came from
the other direction.
Scully looks to the other end. It’s not an impossible idea. She pushes Monica towards the other end of the bridge. A few minutes later, Scully and Monica reach the other end of the bridge. However, they are on the other side, opposite of where Brad, Danny and Vivian are located.
Brad looks up and sees Scully and Monica. He stands up straighter.
BRAD
Monica! Dana!
Scully’s heart skips a beat. Holy shit, they’re here! This is actually happening. Monica smiles when she sees Brad crossing the street to make his way to them. Suddenly! A black car speeds up to Scully and Monica. The tires screech to a halt, blocking Brad from Monica and Scully.
The Cigarette-Smoking Man and John Montgomery step out of the front of the car.
Brad pulls out his gun. Danny and Vivian come running to his side to help.
BRAD
FBI!
The Cigarette-Smoking Man grabs Scully who tries to elbow him as hard as she can, she’s not successful. Montgomery grabs Monica.
BRAD
Let her go!
He cocks his gun ready to kill these bastards.
MONICA
(watching out for him)
Brad, no! Don’t!
She gives him a look of warning before Montgomery pushes her into the back of the black car and slams the door shut, locking it automatically. Montgomery looks at Brad, giving him a menacing glare of warning. Brad freezes, uncertain as to why Monica told him “no”. The black car speeds away. Brad watches the unmarked car quickly drive away, fading into the night.
They were so close, and now so far away.
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED...
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