Review By: Gothic Spook "Sweetie, I’m going to have one last fling with Knowle. Is that all right?" - Monica Reyes I wouldn't mind a fling with Knowle! Is she serious? Joking? What's Brad's reaction? So the time EVERY has been waiting for. Only a day left till the wedding and the Reyes family is holding a big fiesta! *puts on party hat* Does everything go according to plan? ... Of course not ... that would make life boring. Read and find out what happens when Scully finally meets Doggett's mom for the first time. |
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Title: "What We Used To Know"
Written by: Kristi
Date: July 25-26, 2005; July 28, 2005; August 11-12, 2005; August 20, 2005; October 26, 2005, October 29, 2005, November 2, 2005, November 10, 2005
Air Date: November 21, 2005
Rating: PG
Series: FRVS - Episode #159
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: It's the day before Monica and Brad are to be married, and the Reyes family is throwing a fiesta to celebrate.
FADE IN:
EXT. REYES ESTATE – CENTRAL MEXICO – DAY
NOVEMBER 11, 2005
FRIDAYMonica and Scully are sitting by the outdoor pool, catching a little sun. There is a man in the pool swimming laps as Monica and Scully talk.
MONICA
I just hope my brother’s behave.
(beat) I’ve heard Juan and José
saying how they want to crash the wedding.SCULLY
They won’t, don’t worry. (beat)
Besides, they seem like they are
all talk anyway.MONICA
They are. (beat) But they are a
little like Mulder and Krycek
when it comes to being unpredictable.SCULLY
That bad?MONICA
They have their moments.Monica picks up her Agua de Jamaica drink from a table that is between her and Scully. She takes a sip. Scully sighs and looks around. It’s November and it is beautiful here. This is the prefect weather for winter.
SCULLY
It’s beautiful here. Why don’t
you come down here more often?MONICA
Because I live in Virginia.Monica smiles at Scully.
SCULLY
I know... but a nice vacation with
a red-headed friend every once in
a while wouldn’t hurt...Scully looks over and smiles at Monica.
MONICA
Maybe I can think something up to
get us away from the cold winter
a little ways down the road.SCULLY
Of course it really hasn’t been
that cold up in Virginia this winter...Monica nods her head.
MONICA
(vague)
We’ve already lost and don’t know it.SCULLY
Lost what?Monica looks over at her with a puzzled expression.
MONICA
What?SCULLY
What have we lost?MONICA
(confused)
What are you talking about?Scully shakes her head after a beat. Maybe she heard Monica wrong.
SCULLY
So... are Brad’s parents coming?Monica lets out a sigh.
MONICA
No. (beat) They didn’t want to
step foot in a “slave country”.Scully winces.
SCULLY
They said that?MONICA
Yes, they did.SCULLY
Well, on the bright side, you
won’t have to deal with them
trying to ruin the wedding.Monica smiles. Scully is always so optimistic.
MONICA
True. (beat) I still can’t believe
they are the way they are, you know? I
mean, Brad is their only child.SCULLY
How is Brad taking it?MONICA
Better than me. (beat) I guess
that’s because he’s used to them
being this way. I think he gave
up on them a while ago.Scully nods her head.
MONICA (CON’T)
They’ve never really been supportive
of him. Why should they change now?Scully nods her head, but still senses the disappointment in Monica. They sit quietly for a moment, watching the man swim.
SCULLY
So, if you could have one last
fling before you get married,
who would it be with?Monica looks pensive.
MONICA
I don’t know... I’m not the
kind of person who would do
such a thing...Their conversation suddenly gets distracted when the man in the pool, Knowle Rohrer, swims up to the side of the pool and boosts himself up and out of the water with his muscular arms.
Monica and Scully look over at him and tilt their heads.
The water slowly drips off of Knowle’s muscular body. He gets out of the pool and walks over to his towel to dry himself off. The sun shines down on him, and the water allows his toned body to shimmer... as if Heaven sent.
Monica lifts an eyebrow. This is nice to look at.
SCULLY
(eyes can’t leave Knowle)
Now that is a toned body.Monica looks Knowle over with her eyes.
MONICA
Yeah... it is, isn’t it?
I mean, look at his arms.SCULLY
I’m a sucker for arms. Especially
the bicep area...MONICA
(under his spell)
His back...Knowle sits down on a chair a little ways away from them... seemingly out of ear range...
MONICA
Do you think he knows
how gorgeous he is?Scully looks over at Monica and lifts her eyebrow.
SCULLY
(curious)
Who’s your what-if guy?Monica looks over at her.
MONICA
My what-if guy? I don’t
believe I need one. I’m
getting married tomorrow.Monica laughs.
SCULLY
Everyone has a what-if guy or
gal, so who is your what-if guy?
(beat) I’ll tell you mine.Monica looks at Scully for a moment.
MONICA
(reading into Scully’s mind)
Mulder. He’s your what-if guy.SCULLY
Now that’s not fair. You
cheated, so you have to
tell me yours.Monica smiles.
SCULLY
Is it John?Monica bursts out laughing.
MONICA
(humored)
Oh please! John’s like one of
my brothers. He could never
be a what-if guy for me.SCULLY
What about that pact you two
made, how if you two weren’t
married by thirty-five...MONICA
Yeah, and how young were
we when we came up with that?
It was written in crayon. (beat)
We thought thirty-five was like ninety.Monica smiles.
SCULLY
What about the guy from New Orleans?MONICA
Robert Comer?Monica shakes her head “no”.
MONICA
No. Robert and I were just
something that happened
along the path of life.SCULLY
Then who?Monica turns to face her.
MONICA
(giving in)
Ok, but you have to promise
not to tell John because he’ll
be crushed since I’m his what-if girl.Scully gives her a strange look.
SCULLY
I promise...Monica smiles.
MONICA
Knowle Justin Rohrer.SCULLY
(fast)
I knew it!Scully smiles at Monica, and Monica gives her a look.
MONICA
What do you mean “you knew it”?SCULLY
C’mon... I can tell you
find him attractive.MONICA
Well he is...Monica turns away from her and looks across the way at Knowle, who is putting sun lotion on his nose.
MONICA
I mean, look at him.Scully does.
MONICA
He is very attractive. Very
protective. Charming – at times.
(beat) And he’s great in bed.Monica smiles, knowing how wide Scully’s eyes just became. Scully looks at Monica with bug-eyes. Knowle looks in their direction with a small smile on his face, trying to hide the fact that he heard that last comment.
SCULLY
(hushed, scolding)
Monica Isabella Reyes. You’re
not saying that you’ve...Monica looks at her.
SCULLY
(lowers her voice)
... had an affair with him?Monica looks offended.
MONICA
(offended)
Oh my god! No!SCULLY
But you said you’ve-MONICA
-In the past, Dana! (beat) Knowle
and I went to college and shared
an apartment... things... happened.Scully leans back in her chair and lets out a sigh.
SCULLY
(relieved)
Oh thank god. (beat) I was afraid
I’d have a difficult duty
as the Maid of Honor.Monica smiles.
SCULLY
(after a beat)
By the way, you never
answered me before...Scully looks at Monica.
SCULLY (CON’T)
If you could have one last
fling before tying the knot,
who would it be with?Monica smiles.
MONICA
And like I said before-SCULLY
-I know, you’re not that kind of
girl. (beat) Forget about that for
just one moment and go with it.MONICA
Ok... If I could have one last
fling, I’d probably ask Knowle
because he wouldn’t let me do
something that stupid.Monica smiles at Scully.
MONICA
He may be a very flirtatious man,
but he has a lot of respect for
me and wouldn’t let me do something
that would compromise my relationship
with Brad. (beat) He’s like that.Scully sighs, suddenly in a world of her own thought.
SCULLY
(thoughtful)
You know... I don’t have anyone
in my life like that, other than
John of course. (beat) If I were
to ask any of my long time friends
for one last fling, they all would.
(beat) Alex and Walter especially.MONICA
Mulder wouldn’t.SCULLY
True. He’d be too shy.Knowle stands up and makes his way over to Monica and Scully.
Monica smiles at him.
MONICA
(to Knowle)
Hey.Knowle sits down next to Monica.
KNOWLE
Hey. (beat) So what are you lovely
ladies talking about?MONICA
One last flings.Knowle lifts an eyebrow.
KNOWLE
Mon’, you aren’t thinkin’ of...
because that’s not right.Monica looks over and smiles at Scully.
MONICA
See. I told you.SCULLY
Who would’ve known...KNOWLE
Known what?MONICA
I told Dana that I’d choose
you to have my last fling
with before I tied the knot.
(beat) That is, if I were to
be that stupid.Knowle freezes.
KNOWLE
Me?MONICA
Yes.She smiles at him.
MONICA
Because you wouldn’t let me
do something that I’d regret.Knowle smiles at her.
KNOWLE
You know me better than anyone.Knowle kisses Monica on the cheek and stands up to leave. Scully gives him a look, and is completely on to his feelings for Monica. She smiles a little.
BRAD (O.S.)
Knowle, are you hitting on my fiancé?Knowle stops mid-stand for a second and looks up at Brad, who is accompanied by Doggett.
KNOWLE
I’m not hittin’ on her.MONICA
(to Brad)
Sweetie, I’m going to have one
last fling with Knowle. (beat)
Is that all right?Monica smiles innocently. Brad stops in his tracks. Did he hear her right? Everyone looks at him with amusement.
BRAD
(after a beat)
I’m sorry, what?Monica stands up and goes up to Brad, wrapping her arms around his neck. She plays flirtatiously with his hair.
MONICA
I said, darling, that I’m going
to have one last fling with Knowle.
(beat) That’s all right with you, right?Monica smiles at him.
BRAD
No... that’s not all right...MONICA
(after a beat)
I’m joking.She smiles at him and kisses him. Brad smiles at her.
BRAD
And here I thought you
had lost your mind.Doggett laughs, but quickly stops himself. Monica looks at him with knowing eyes.
MONICA
Thank you, John, for not saying what
you were thinking. (beat) But need
I remind you that I can still hear you?DOGGETT
(uncomfortable)
Sorry.Doggett coughs uncomfortably and rubs the back of his neck.
BRAD
Anyway... I came out here to let
you know that there are a lot of
people already arriving.MONICA
Already? That’s unusual for my family.Monica suddenly realizes...
MONICA (CON’T)
Oh... Mama is having
a surprise fiesta tonight.BRAD
Well, now it won’t be a
surprise, now will it?Brad smiles at her. Monica looks down and shuts her eyes. Why did she have to ruin the surprise for the others.
Knowle looks at her and senses she feels bad about ruining it.
KNOWLE
Ah, it would’ve come out sooner
rather than later. (beat) What, with
the twins around and how much they
talk... we would’ve found out even
without how special Monica is.Knowle smiles at Monica and Brad as he tosses his towel over his shoulder and heads into the house. He turns and winks at Monica as he goes in. Monica smiles. Knowle is right. The twins would’ve eventually ruined the surprise.
DOGGETT
He’s right.Scully comes over to them.
SCULLY
A fiesta? What’s a Reyes Fiesta like anyway?MONICA
Lot’s of food. Lot’s of music.
Lot’s of people. Lot’s of dancing.DOGGETT
Lot’s of everything.Scully smiles.
SCULLY
Sounds like fun.Off of Scully’s smile...
TIME CUT TO:
INT. REYES HOUSE - FOYER – THAT AFTERNOON
Brad walks by the foyer, but is stopped by Monica’s brother, Juan.
JUAN
Hey Brado, we need to speak with you.Brad stops walking, and makes his way over to Juan, José, Antonio, and Roberto (Monica’s oldest brother).
ANTONIO
Yeah, it’s nothing serious though.JOSÉ
So he says...José smiles deviously.
BRAD
All right... what’s going on?ROBERTO
You’re marrying our little sister.
(beat) We need to make sure you
are a decent man before you can
be a part of this family.JUAN
(menacing)
Yeah. When we first met you, we
were too nice...JOSÉ
(menacing)
Now is the time for the
real Reyes Brother initiation.They all give Brad a menacing look, as we...
CUT TO:
INT. KITCHEN – CON’T
Isabella, Monica’s mother, is busy making hundreds of tortillas. Grandmama Reyes is helping, but does not look happy with all the kitchen utensils. Doggett and Knowle have been put to work chopping vegetables.
GRANDMAMA REYES
(looking at Isabella)
You are doing this all wrong.ISABELLA REYES
No I’m not. This is how
we do it the fast way.GRANDMAMA REYES
My way is better.Isabella sighs.
ISABELLA
Not when you only have a
few hours to make five
hundred tortillas.Grandmama shakes her head at all the kitchen appliances.
GRANDMAMA REYES
I don’t get all this machinery.Grandmama looks closely at a blender with confusion.
KNOWLE
Sometimes we need to make
sacrifices for time, Grandmama.GRANDMAMA REYES
(looking up at Knowle)
Doesn’t mean I like it.Isabella walks over to Doggett and Knowle to check to make sure they are not messing anything up.
ISABELLA REYES
(to Doggett)
Make them smaller, Johnny.GRANDMAMA REYES
Let them do it. They are big boys now.ISABELLA
(to Grandmama)
Carmen, I don’t have time for mistakes.GRANDMAMA REYES
They aren’t making mistakes.
They’re chopping vegetables.KNOWLE
Don’t worry, everything will get
done on time. (beat) We’ve cut
vegetables before, you know.Knowle looks up and smiles at Isabella.
ISABELLA REYES
I wouldn’t be this worried if
the twins didn’t eat half of
what I made this morning.Doggett looks up from chopping.
DOGGETT
They certainly don’t age like wine...ISABELLA REYES
You don’t even know...DOGGETT
Hey Knowle, isn’t your ma here?KNOWLE
Yes, she is. She’s resting from
the long drive this morning. (beat)
You know, I told her I would pick
her up so she didn’t have to drive
all that way, but she insisted. (beat)
When I got to McAllen, there was a note
saying she had already left.GRANDMAMA REYES
(to Knowle)
You are a good boy.Knowle smiles at Grandmama. He tries his best.
KNOWLE
(to Doggett)
What about your folks?Doggett stops chopping and lets out a sigh.
DOGGETT
(worried)
They’re comin’.Knowle looks at him.
KNOWLE
You sound worried.DOGGETT
My Ma’s going to meet Dana.Knowle nods his head.
KNOWLE
Well yeah, after all Dana is
responsible for what happened to Monica-DOGGETT
-Stop it.Doggett gives him a stern look.
Everyone stops what they are doing and watch them.
KNOWLE
(knowing he’s starting something)
What? You know I’m right. That’s
why you are so worried.GRANDMAMA REYES
(scolding)
Knowle...KNOWLE
Well you all know I’m right.
His Ma’s gonna see her as the
true bi-GRANDMAMA REYES
(calm, knowing)
-Stop your tough act Knowle Justin,
and just admit you like her. (beat)
There is no need for you to be
mean to her and you know it.Grandmama gives Knowle a stern look.
GRANDMAMA REYES
Besides, I know you don’t
want to upset Monica.Grandmama gives him a knowing look, and Knowle looks away and back down at his vegetables.
Doggett watches him. He looks really nervous.
DOGGETT
Nervous about something?KNOWLE
(quick)
I’m not nervous. I just don’t
like a psychic knowin’ my thoughts.DOGGETT
(amused)
Well I’m sure she doesn’t
like knowing them.Knowle gives him a glare. Doggett holds back a laugh and smirks at Knowle.
Grandmama smiles.
GRANDMAMA REYES
He’s just afraid I’m going
to tell everyone his big secret.Knowle looks at her, and Grandmama smiles at him.
DOGGETT
Big secret? (beat) Do tell.It’s rare when he’s not the one being picked on. It’s a nice change to see Knowle getting it.
KNOWLE
(quick)
I don’t have a secret.DOGGETT
Everyone has secrets.KNOWLE
Well I don’t.DOGGETT
Well, you’re makin’ it pretty
darn obvious that you do.Doggett smirks at him and Knowle continues to chop the vegetables, ignoring him.
DOGGETT
C’mon, what big secret
does The Roar have?KNOWLE
(getting annoyed)
I don’t have any, all right?DOGGETT
(persistent)
Yeah you-GRANDMAMA REYES
(calming)
-Now, now... We all have secrets, and
all secrets come out at the right time
and with the right person. (beat)
There is no need to pressure anyone.Doggett returns back to chopping vegetables. He randomly eyes Knowle, trying to figure out his big secret.
CUT TO:
INT. FOYER
Scully and Monica are walking through the foyer. They walk right by Mulder, who has just arrived and looks lost. Scully notices him and stops, as does Monica.
SCULLY
Hey Mulder.Mulder looks at her with lost eyes.
MULDER
(overwhelmed)
This place... is... huge...MONICA
It comes off rather intimidating at
first, but it’s simple once you
familiarize yourself with it. (beat)
I can show you around if you like?Mulder nods his head. His jaw is dropped in awe. He had no idea Monica had a rich family.
MULDER
Yeah...MONICA
Where should we start... one
of the wings, the stables, the
kitchen... the-MULDER
(interested)
-Stables? You have stables? Like horses?MONICA
Yeah.SCULLY
I love horses.MULDER
Me too!MONICA
Ok. I guess we could start there.MULDER
Oh goodie!MONICA
Besides, we should get out
of the house since everyone
will be preparing for a ...
shh... surprise party.Mulder’s eyes widen.
MULDER
(excited)
I love surprises!MONICA
Me too. But I already know about
it because I’m psychic, and Juan
and José passed Dana and I
and told us. (beat) It’s hard to
keep secrets in this family.MULDER
Well, I’ve got one for you, but it’s
a surprise and you’ll find out soon enough.Mulder smiles happily. Scully and Monica look at him curiously. What surprise could Mulder have in store for her...
TIME CUT TO:
EXT. REYES STABLES – TEN MINUTES LATER
Monica, Scully and Mulder are walking across the spacious land, heading towards a row of horse stables.
MULDER
(in awe)
Wow... all this spacious land
makes me think of being a country boy.SCULLY
A country boy?MULDER
Yep. All I need are the overalls,
hat, and a piece of straw to chew
on. (beat) Can I ride a horse?MONICA
I don’t see why not.They enter the stables.
MONICA
I’ll get my horse ready
for you to ride.Monica takes Scully and Mulder to a light brown horse with a white star on it’s forehead.
MONICA
This is my horse, Spirit.
She is the gentlest horse here.Mulder and Scully pet the horse on the nose.
SCULLY
She’s very pretty.Monica opens the stall and enters, followed by Scully.
MONICA
She is, isn’t she?SCULLY
I didn’t know you knew
how to ride?MONICA
I’ve been riding since
I was a kid. (beat) Papa
was always good with horses.A horse near the end of the row makes a noise and catches Mulder’s attention. He wanders off, unbeknownst to Monica and Scully.
Mulder makes his way to the end of the stables and finds himself face to face with a huge black stallion. “Diablo” is carved into a wooden block that has been nailed above the horse’s stall. Mulder looks back to where Monica and Scully are – they are still in the stall with Spirit and cannot see him. He looks back at the horse, who lets air out of his nose loudly.
MULDER
(quiet, devious)
Horsie...Mulder quietly unlocks the stall door and enters.
Back with Monica and Scully...
Scully is helping Monica put the saddle on Spirit.
SCULLY
I used to ride a bit
when I was younger.MONICA
Really?Scully nods her head.
SCULLY
I miss riding now that I
live in the city and work
all the time. I just don’t
have the amount of free time
anymore that I had growing up.MONICA
I know what you mean. (beat) What
I wouldn’t give to leave the city,
live on a ranch, and be able to ride again.SCULLY
It’d be quieter too.MONICA
You don’t even know.Monica smiles at Scully, who truly has no idea how peaceful it would be to live in the country away from the busy life of the people in the city... all of which Monica can hear because of her gift.
Scully smiles back, and pets Spirit.
SCULLY
(after a beat)
Spirit seems very well trained.Monica smiles.
MONICA
My Papa is good with animals.
He trained her well and keeps
her in good health while I’m
gone. (beat) The only horse no
one has been able to train is Diablo.SCULLY
Diablo?MONICA
Carlos’s un-trainable black
stallion. (beat) Only Carlos
has been able to ride him.Suddenly, they hear a loud “WHOOP!” sound come out of Mulder’s mouth and the sound of loud galloping hoofs coming from Diablo on the way out of the stables.
Monica and Scully share a confused look and leave Spirit’s stall, just in time to see Mulder riding off bareback on Diablo.
Scully and Monica’s eyes go wide.
SCULLY
(already knowing the answer)
Is that Diablo?MONICA
Yep... and there goes Mulder.They leave the stable to go watch the inevitable demise of Mulder as he rides Diablo into a rectangular jumping pen.
MONICA
(worried)
Does he know how to ride?SCULLY
Only the Merry-Go-Round.MONICA
You know... I don’t get it. I’m
psychic, but I couldn’t see this
coming? (beat) That doesn’t make sense.SCULLY
Maybe it’s because of his
random acts of unpredictability.MONICA
Could be...At a loss as to what to do, they watch Mulder ride Diablo. He jumps, gallops, and surprisingly, Mulder manages to stay on despite riding bareback with zero experience.
After ten minutes, Mulder somehow manages to control Diablo, and rides him over to Scully and Monica.
MULDER
(acting like a country boy)
Howdy pard’ners!Mulder smiles like a doof.
MONICA
Oh my god. You just
survived Diablo. Carlos
is going to freak out.
No one has ever done that.SCULLY
Yeah, and this horse is
supposed to be unbreakable.Mulder smiles and gets off Diablo.
MULDER
Well, I guess love and friendship
goes over well with animals too.Mulder grins and leads Diablo back to his stall. Monica and Scully share a look... how Mulder-like was that? Only Mulder, of all people, could ride Diablo other than Carlos. Mulder Luck shines again...
CUT TO:
INT. REYES HOUSE – HALLWAY
Scully, Mulder and Monica are walking down one of the hallways to show Mulder where his room is. He keeps getting confused here...
MULDER
It’s like a maze, you know?
I feel like a mouse trying
to find the cheese that is
my bedroom.Monica laughs.
SCULLY
I like it because I feel rich.MONICA
It’s just a house.Monica smiles.
SCULLY
It’s a mansion, Monica. Just say it.MULDER
How did your family afford it?MONICA
Well, once Papa left the mortician
profession, he decided to sell some
of the family wine.MULDER
You have a vineyard? Here?MONICA
One of my uncles is very intelligent
when it comes to land. (beat) If
he were in Antarctica, he could
find a way to make a vineyard.MULDER
(amazed)
Wow.SCULLY
He sounds like a scientist. (beat) Your
family own a lot of land. I mean
the horse stables and riding land
is huge. (beat) I’m half expecting
a landing strip...Mulder laughs.
MULDER
Yeah with a Reyes Jet
or concord or something.Monica smiles.
MONICA
(quiet; after a beat)
We do.Scully and Mulder look at her.
SCULLY
(surprised)
You do?MONICA
Yeah... but we don’t have
a concord. Just a small jet.MULDER
(eager)
For sky diving?SCULLY
No, Mulder. No sky diving.Mulder looks down disappointed.
Panicked running is heard coming down the hallway, but no one really takes notice of it... yet.
MULDER
Why do you and Brad live
in such a small apartment?
You both come from rich families.MONICA
We don’t take charity from our
families, and money isn’t the
key to happiness in life.SCULLY
Sometimes it can’t hurt...Scully smiles, just as Doggett runs up to her.
DOGGETT
(panic)
You have to hide.SCULLY
(concerned)
What?DOGGETT
You just gotta.He quickly starts to drag Scully off.
SCULLY
(worried)
John, what’s wrong?DOGGETT
My Ma’s here.Scully’s eyes light up.
SCULLY
(happy)
Really? Can I meet her?DOGGETT
No. She’ll call you a
devil spawn. She’s evil.Mulder and Monica follow them.
SCULLY
Now that can’t be true...
You’re too honorable and
sweet to have come from
something evil.Scully smiles as Doggett leads her into her room she’s staying in.
DOGGETT
I don’t want her to yell and
ruin everything. So just
hide in here.SCULLY
Until when? She leaves?DOGGETT
Yeah.SCULLY
But then I’d miss Mon and
Brad’s wedding.Scully is amused with him, but puts on a “cute” pout.
DOGGETT
But she’s evil.SCULLY
Ok, Johnny. I will hide for you.Scully smiles with amusement and kisses John on the lips.
DOGGETT
Ok. Good.He smiles, then hurries himself out of the room.
Monica and Mulder look at her after he leaves.
MULDER
What was that about?SCULLY
His mother. He’s scared she’s going
to yell at me or something.MONICA
Oh, she will. There’s no doubt
about that. (beat) She always yells.Monica sits down on the bed next to Scully.
SCULLY
He’s funny, isn’t he?MONICA
How do you mean?SCULLY
Thinking I’m going to miss
a Reyes Fiesta so I can hide
from his mommy.Scully smiles deviously. John only thinks he has won.
CUT TO:
INT. DARK WINDOWLESS ROOM – REYES HOUSE
Brad, Antonio, Roberto, Juan and José are sitting around a circular table with a single light above them. Poker chips are in the center of the table. Antonio, Roberto and José are leaning back in their chairs, watching Brad and Juan battle out the end of the poker game.
JUAN
So... you’re saying that if I
win this... not only do I get
the whole pot, but you don’t
marry my sister and I get to
throw you over the cliff to
make you scared of heights like
we did to John Doggett?BRAD
Yeah. Why not?Juan smiles deviously.
JUAN
Dude! I’m totally going to kick your butt!Brad doesn’t show emotion.
JUAN
Ready to read ‘em and weep?BRAD
Go ahead.The others watch on as Juan lays down his cards.
JUAN
Full house, baby! Whoo!Brad looks down at his cards. He lets out a sigh and winces.
BRAD
Well... Juan...Juan smiles.
BRAD
It looks like you better go
on upstairs and help your Mama
in the kitchen because that
surprise fiesta for Mon’ and I...
Well... that’s still going to happen.Brad smiles and lays down his hand... a Royal Flush.
Juan looks down and sees his hand.
JUAN
Dammit! You kicked my ass!Brad smiles and the other brothers clap.
ANTONIO
Good game, guys.ROBERTO
Yeah. I think he can marry
Monica. You can always
tell how good a person is
by the way he plays poker.JOSÉ
Yeah, I can’t not like him
because of how badly he
beat Juan.José laughs and Juan glares at him.
JUAN
Well, I better go back up
stairs and help Mama with
the cooking since I ate
a lot of it earlier...Juan gets up from the table and quickly leaves the room.
BRAD
He’s not going to pay up, is he?ANTONIO
Not a chance in hell.Antonio laughs, and Brad nods his head.
BRAD
Thought so.He smiles, knowing that’s how this game would end anyway.
CUT TO:
INT. REYES HOUSE – HALLWAYS – LATER THAT DAY
Did we really think Scully would sit and wait in her room and hide from John’s mother all day? Didn’t think so.
Scully aimlessly wanders through the hallway, looking at family portraits on the walls, paintings, and other artwork the Reyes family has collected that is on display in the hallway. She stops in front of a painting of a canyon somewhere in Mexico – must be Grandmama Reyes’s home from how she’s heard it described.
A door to a room opens and a short old woman walks out. She’s wearing a light blue dress, a white sweater over her shoulders, and her silver hair is pulled back into a bun. The old woman smiles when she makes eye contact with Scully.
SCULLY
Hi.The old woman quietly shuts the door to the room she was just in.
OLD WOMAN
You must be Dana.Scully smiles, could this gentle old woman be John’s “evil” mother?
SCULLY
Yes, I am.OLD WOMAN
I’m Naomi Rohrer, Knowle’s mama.
Have you met my boy?SCULLY
Nice to meet you. (beat) Yes, I’ve
met him, but I don’t think he likes me.Naomi smiles and shakes her head.
NAOMI
You’re John’s girl, right?SCULLY
I am.NAOMI
Then he likes you. He may not
admit it, but he does. (beat)
May I ask... why do you think
he doesn’t like you?Scully sighs quietly.
SCULLY
It’s a long, complicated story.NAOMI
I may look old, but I’m not
planning on going anywhere soon.Naomi smiles at her joke. Scully can’t help but smile... for many reasons, but mainly because this small little woman is Knowle Rohrer’s mother. He’s so big and tough, and she’s so small and sweet.
SCULLY
All right. (beat) I assume you’ve
heard about when Monica went missing
last year, right?Naomi nods her head. They start to walk down the hall together.
NAOMI
I did. Just horrible what happened.SCULLY
I was also missing with her. (beat)
She was hurt and Knowle blames me
for all of it.NAOMI
Well certainly it can’t be
your fault, sweetie.SCULLY
I had to do things to her that were
against her will. But I had to so
she could survive. (beat) But Knowle
refuses to see that. He refuses to
see that I was also a victim of the
place where we were held.Naomi nods her head.
NAOMI
He’s very protective of the people
he loves. (beat) He blames you
because he’s unable to blame those
who are actually responsible. (beat)
It may not be the best way to deal with
a situation, but that is how he deals.
I’m certain he doesn’t hate you, he’s
just having a hard time accepting
what has happened.Scully shakes her head in disagreement.
SCULLY
I don’t think he has a hard time
accepting what happened. He seems
more understanding than other people.
(beat) Especially towards Monica.Scully and Naomi find a doorway that leads to the backyard of the Reyes house.
EXT. REYES HOUSE – CON’T
They find a quiet bench in the garden and sit down.
NAOMI
All growing up, Knowle has been
close to Monica. (beat) I think
he understands her more than Johnny
ever will.Naomi smiles, having seen with her own eyes how opposite John and Monica were – and still are – to each other.
SCULLY
Do you know about Monica’s condition?NAOMI
I’ve heard people say she can
read minds, but I don’t know
any details about it. (beat)
She probably doesn’t like how
people talk about her and her
ability. (beat) She’s been
special her whole life. (beat)
When she was a child, I could
just tell she knew things she
shouldn’t. (beat) Maybe not knew,
but she could feel when I was hurt.Naomi pauses her thoughts to explain.
NAOMI
My ex-husband was abusive to
Knowle and I. And I could just
tell that Monica could feel it
sometimes. (beat) She’s always
been a sweetheart.SCULLY
You mean... even as a child she
had this ability?NAOMI
You should sit and talk with
her Grandmama. She’ll tell you
stories you’ve never heard before.Naomi smiles at Scully.
SCULLY
(after a beat)
You were married to an abusive man?Naomi nods her head.
SCULLY
How did you get away from him?NAOMI
Knowle helped me get away from
him once he got strong enough.
It’s why he went to the Marines.SCULLY
Where is your ex husband now?NAOMI
Prison.Scully cocks her eyebrow.
SCULLY
How long has he been there?NAOMI
Since the late 1980s.Scully nods her head.
SCULLY
I had an abusive boyfriend in
high school. Kind of wish I had
met John back then... had that
happened, I know everything I went
through with Scott never would’ve
happened. You know?NAOMI
It’s a good thing you found John.
He’s a good boy. Though I’m sure
you already know that.Naomi smiles at Scully.
SCULLY
He definitely is. He makes me
so happy. (beat) His mother is
here and he’s afraid to have me
meet her because he thinks she’ll
yell and hate me or something.Scully laughs.
NAOMI
Liza is a very sweet woman. She’s
just tough on her boys. (beat)
She has three, you know.SCULLY
I can imagine that would be tough.Scully laughs to herself.
SCULLY
I have two baby boys myself.Scully holds in her outburst of a laugh as she thinks of how Mulder and Krycek look to her as their ‘mommy’.
NAOMI
(thinking she’s serious)
You do? How old are they?SCULLY
Well...Scully pulls gets out her wallet and pulls out a picture of Mulder and Krycek (from recent days).
SCULLY
This is Fox, he goes by Mulder. He
just turned thirty-six. (beat) And
this is Alex, he’ll be thirty-seven
in January.Scully smiles and laughs.
NAOMI
I see...Naomi smiles and Scully puts the photos away.
SCULLY
Anyway... I can’t wait to meet
John’s mother. (beat) He thinks
I’m going to hide all night from her.Scully laughs.
SCULLY
He knows better.NAOMI
He likes to exaggerate situations.
You’ll learn that over time.SCULLY
I already have.Scully smiles.
CUT TO:
INT. REYES HOUSE – THAT EVENING/NIGHT – 8:00 PM
The entire house is alive with the Reyes Fiesta! Even if they had actually tried to keep is a secret, there would be no way of holding it.
Doggett, Knowle, Mulder, Brad, and some members of the Reyes family are around a table. They seem to be engrossed in some sort of competition that involves a challenge of who can drink alcohol the fastest.
MULDER
(shy)
I don’t know if I should
drink this so fast. I can
barely hold the watered down
stuff at Manners Bar.JUAN
Oh sure you can! It’s a Reyes mix.
Everyone should be able to hold it.Mulder looks to Doggett, who shakes his head “no”.
MULDER
(to Juan)
No... I’ll pass. Thank you.JUAN
What about you, Knowle. Is
The Roar up to becoming the
fastest beer drinking in all
of Mexico and South America?Knowle smiles.
KNOWLE
You know... a year ago I would’ve
been gung-ho about this, but I’m
trying to break the habit.Juan sneers at him. That’s no fun at all... for Juan that is.
BRAD
(to Knowle)
Good for you Knowle. What
brought that on?KNOWLE
Well, it took me a while, but
I realized that life is more
important than boozing it away.DOGGETT
That’s good to hear, man.Doggett pats Knowle on the back.
JUAN
So... let me get this straight,
I’m trying to have a “fastest
alcohol drinking” contest with a
bunch of people who don’t drink?BRAD
Apparently, yes.JUAN
That defeats the purpose.Disappointed, Juan walks away from them.
KNOWLE
Think he’ll ever grow up?DOGGETT
If he hasn’t yet... I’m
afraid we’re out of luck.MULDER
Yeah, it’d be like asking
Alex to grow up. (beat) And
sometimes me...Mulder gives them a sheepish smile and walks off.
BRAD
At least he knows he can
be immature at times.DOGGETT
Surprisingly not at work anymore.BRAD
We’ll he’s an A.D. now.DOGGETT
Good thing for that. He’s done a
great job. I can’t complain. (beat)
Well... except for that time where
he was “remodeling’ the basement or
something... it was really loud, and
nothing changed, but he claims he did
big changes.BRAD
I heard about that, never knew
the full details of it either.LIZA DOGGETT (O.S.)
(LOUD!)
JOHNNY JAY!Doggett’s eyes widen and he freezes. Brad and Knowle look behind Doggett to see his mother and his father enter the room they are in.
KNOWLE
You’re ma’s here, John.BRAD
And she’s coming up behind you.Doggett doesn’t react... he had put her up for the night so she wouldn’t come to the fiesta because he knew there would be no stopping Scully from coming.
DOGGETT
What do I do?KNOWLE
I don’t know. Be a man.Knowle smiles at him.
BRAD
It’s just your mother.DOGGETT
Did you hear her tone?
She seems pissed.BRAD
Well maybe that’s because you
told her not to come tonight.KNOWLE
She’s got to be suspicious of
your reasons behind that move.Ma Doggett comes up behind Doggett. Knowle and Brad smile at her.
KNOWLE
Ma, it’s nice to see you here.BRAD
So glad you could join us.MA DOGGETT
I would’ve been here sooner
if Johnny here didn’t lie to me!BRAD
He lied to you? Now, what
kind of son would do that?KNOWLE
A-DOGGETT
-Don’t answer that!MA DOGGETT
(yelling)
Johnny Jay, why don’t you
want me to be here tonight?
Are you hidin’ something from me?DOGGETT
(overly bad lying)
No, of course not.Brad and Knowle wince. Doggett never could lie well.
And as if on cue, Scully comes up to join their conversation. She gives John a kiss on the cheek. Ma Doggett looks at her unimpressed.
SCULLY
(cheerful)
Hey Johnny.MA DOGGETT
Who’s this devil spawn?!Doggett freezes. Scully looks at Ma Doggett.
SCULLY
(did she hear her right?)
Excuse me?MA DOGGETT
What kind of red-headed
skank are you to be hangin’
all over my Johnny Jay?SCULLY
(offended)
Skank?Scully can’t be hearing this woman right, can she?
MA DOGGETT
(scolding)
Johnny Jay, I thought you’d have
more class than to get mixed up
with this kind of whore. (beat) Is
this because of the holidays and
you are feelin’ lonely? How much
are you paying for a piece of –SCULLY
(mad)
-HEY! You have no right to
call me names. You don’t even
know me. And that is certainly
no way to talk to John. (beat)
What kind of bitch are you-Doggett’s eyes widen. Did Scully just call his mother a “bitch”?
MA DOGGETT
-BITCH? You’re calling me a
bitch? What kind of uncivilized
devil spawn are you? You’re mother
certainly never taught you manners!SCULLY
Oh! Like you have manners?! You
come in here and just go off on John for
no reason. Call me a whore, skank, and
a devil spawn! What the hell do
you have against me?MA DOGGETT
I don’t like red-heads. They are
nothing more than spawns of the devil!
(beat) Now get your money-robbing hands
off of my Johnny Jay before I pop you
one in the face!Ma Doggett gives Scully a mean look. Scully lets go of John and takes a step towards Ma Doggett. They are the same height and are at eye level. Scully narrows her eyes as she looks at Ma Doggett.
SCULLY
Are you threatening me?MA DOGGETT
Yes I am.SCULLY
Go ahead! I dare you, you
old miserable bitter hag!Scully and Ma Doggett stare each other down.
DOGGETT
(squeaking)
Dana... what are you doing?
That’s my mother.A sly smile forms on Scully’s face, and she quickly tries to recover back to her glare.
MA DOGGETT
Johnny Jay, I forbid you to see
this devil spawn.DOGGETT
(squeaking)
You can’t do that!MA DOGGETT
Yes I can. I’m your Ma. If
you stay with her, you’ll
no longer be part of the family.Scully turns to John. She’s mad.
SCULLY
(pissed)
Make your choice Johnny. Me or
this bitter old hag!Doggett freezes and has no clue what to do. He can’t believe this is happening. This isn’t how he wanted any of this to go. They were both supposed to not come so they couldn’t run into each other.
By this time, Scully and Ma Doggett have caught the attention of everyone in the room. No one has ever told Ma Doggett off.
DOGGETT
You can’t do this to me. It’s
impossible to choose between
you and family.SCULLY
Brad did it.MA DOGGETT
What, you don’t love her enough? Is
that what you’re saying? So I guess
that means you won’t be with this skank
any more then, huh?DOGGETT
(squeaking)
She’s not a skank!MA DOGGETT
Well she certainly dresses like one.Scully turns and looks at Ma Doggett.
SCULLY
What’s wrong with my dress?! (beat)
It’s better than the red-neck cloth
you’re wearing, bitch!Scully bitch-slaps Ma Doggett. She lets out a giggle.
MA DOGGETT
You find that funny? Were you
raised by wolves? You show your
elders respect, devil spawn!SCULLY
Respect like you’re showing me?!DOGGETT
(worried)
Dana...SCULLY
Oh hush up, Mr. Grumpy Bum!Doggett steps back. Did she just call him “Mr. Grumpy Bum”?
Ma Doggett smiles at Scully, then looks to Doggett.
MA DOGGETT
(to Doggett)
Well, I like her, Johnny!Doggett’s eyes go wide. He doesn’t get it. One moment they are tossing insults back and forth, and the next, his Ma likes Dana... after she calls him... “Mr. Grumpy Bum”? This doesn’t make sense to him at all.
DOGGETT
(confused)
Wh- when? How? Huh?MA DOGGETT
Johnny Jay, I raised you better
than this. Start formin’ full sentences.DOGGETT
She hit you! You called her
a “devil spawn”. I-I... I don’t get it.Ma and Scully smile at him.
SCULLY
(to Ma Doggett)
I’m sorry I slapped you.MA DOGGETT
Oh don’t be, it worked.DOGGETT
(lost)
“It worked”? What “worked”?SCULLY
We were pulling your
leg, Mr. Grumpy Bum.Scully goes up to him and kisses him on the cheek.
DOGGETT
So wait... does that mean she...MA DOGGETT
Why yes, Johnny. I like Dana.
She’s a very nice lady. (beat)
I can tell she’ll keep you in line.Off Doggett’s confused look...
TIME CUT TO:
INT. REYES HOUSE – DEN – 9:30 PM
The muffled sound of the fiesta can be heard in the quiet, dimly lit den. Monica sits on a couch flipping through an old photo album she found on one of the bookshelves. She smiles as she sees a photo of her and all her brothers and her sister, Carmen, when they were younger and living in McAllen, Texas. In recent years, Monica feels she has become disconnected from her family because of the year she lost when she was held at the facility in New York. She never came down right away to see her family. Instead, she got right back to work at the FBI. In retrospect, that decision was something of a mistake.
The door to the den quietly opens, catching the attention of Monica. She turns her head to see who is at the door, and is surprised to see Robert Comer. He smiles a little smile at her and enters the room, shutting the door behind him.
MONICA
Robert?She sets the photo album down on the table in front of her and stands up to greet him.
COMER
Hey.He goes up to her and gives her a hug.
MONICA
Did you just get in?COMER
Yeah. Had to catch a
late flight out of D.C.Comer looks her over and smiles.
COMER
You look beautiful.MONICA
(smiles nervously)
You’re supposed to tell me that
tomorrow when I’m in my dress.COMER
I know you’ll look even more
stunning tomorrow.Monica smiles.
COMER
(after a beat)
Why aren’t you with the
life of the party?MONICA
Just needed a quiet place
for a little while.Comer nods his head.
COMER
(rather blunt)
Having doubts about tomorrow?Monica looks at him in shock. Even with her Gift, she wasn’t expecting him to say that.
MONICA
(a bit offended)
Excuse me?COMER
Are you having any second
thoughts about marrying him?MONICA
Why are you asking me this?COMER
Well, you never have been one
to go all the way through. (beat)
You left New Orleans two weeks
before we were to be married.MONICA
I told you already, Robert. I
had a bad feeling about us.COMER
Monica...He moves in closer to her, looking her deep in the eyes.
COMER
I only want you to be happy.He places a hand somewhat firmly on her upper arm.
COMER
I don’t want to see you get
hurt by him again.Monica looks into his eyes. She knows what he’s thinking, what he’s trying to do.
MONICA
(not happy)
I am happy with him, Robert. (beat)
And I know what you’re trying to do.COMER
I’m not trying to do anything, Moni-MONICA
-You’re here, right now, so you
can try to get me back in your
life... how we were in New Orleans.
(beat) If you really want me happy,
then you’ll realize that Brad makes
me happy.Comer lets out a frustrated sigh.
COMER
It won’t work out with him, Monica.
And you know it. He puts his work
before you. He always has. Remember,
that’s why you left him in New York.
(beat) He’ll only end up hurting you
again, and I don’t want to see that.MONICA
You don’t even know the first
thing about our relationship.COMER
Then why did you invite me here?
(beat) Way I see it, you wanted me
to come here so you’d have an
excuse to leave Brad.MONICA
(disbelief)
Oh my god, I can’t believe I’m
hearing this. (beat) I invited
you because I hoped we could still
be friends. I guess I was wrong.She gives him a glare.
MONICA
(after a beat)
Is this all you came here for?COMER
I don’t want to see you unhappy,
Monica. And furthermore, I don’t
want to see the woman I love marry
a man who isn’t going to treat-MONICA
-What, are you saying that you
could treat me right?COMER
You know I could.Monica moves away from him, not wanting him to invade her personal space again.
MONICA
How many times have you been
hospitalized these past few
months because of your job?She looks him in the eyes. Does he really think he’d be good for her?
MONICA
You say Brad puts his job before
me, Robert, but he doesn’t try to
get himself killed on the job because
it gives him a “rush”. (beat) That’s
why you and I didn’t work out. You
loved going to that dark side to
catch criminals. (beat) Things were
fine while we both worked in homicide,
but you in undercover assignments isn’t
what I need. (beat) You don’t know
me like you used to, Robert.COMER
I think I know you well enough
to know when you are unhappy.
(beat) I can see you are hiding
it. You don’t have to stay with
him, Monica. You’re not obligated-MONICA
(offended)
-Obligated? You think I feel
obligated to marry him?COMER
After all these years of being
on and off with him. Of course you are.MONICA
I want you to leave, Robert.
I don’t want you here anymore.COMER
Just do yourself a favor and
look deep inside. You’ll see
I’m right. (beat) You don’t
need to get hurt again by him.MONICA
The only man I get hurt by
is you. The guilt you put
on me for making decisions in
my life, and...She lets out a frustrated breath and turns away from him so he can’t see that she is upset.
MONICA
(upset)
Just leave.Comer watches her for a moment and starts to head to the door. Just as he’s about to leave the room, he turns to say one last thing to her:
COMER
The only guilt you have is
what you put on your own
shoulders, Monica. (beat) I
only hope you can see that
before you marry this guy.
(beat) Live life how you want
to, not because you are
obligated to.Not even waiting a moment for her reaction, he leaves her with his last words, shutting the door behind him.
Monica turns to see the door shut. She has tears in her eyes. This is the last thing she wanted to have happen the night before she gets married. Comer’s last words hurt her, and leave her feeling as if she has been punched hard in the stomach.
Maybe he’s right. Maybe she shouldn’t marry Brad. So much has happened between them recently. The loss of their daughter has affected her, and she can’t even tell how Brad feels about it. They never talk about it. How can she marry someone she can’t open up to? How can she marry him if he still doesn’t understand her? Perhaps she is making a mistake. Perhaps this whole wedding is a mistake. When they decided on a date, she ignored the fact that is would take place around the time that their daughter would be turning one years old had she been born. Did Brad not know? Or did he ignore it too?
Off Monica’s doubts of marriage, we...
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED...
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