Review By: Gothic Spook "Hola." - Carlos Reyes Er ... Hiya ... isnt he meant to be in prison? Will he cause trouble? Has he seriously learnt his lesson? IT'S THE BIG DAY! ... I just realised ... I can't write much otherwise that'll give it ALL away! Monica does get a new job though! You all just have to read to find out what happens! |
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Title: "Moving Forward"
Written by: Kristi
Date: November 10, 2005; November 13, 2005; November 15, 2005
Air Date: November 21, 2005
Rating: PG
Series: FRVS - Episode #160
Spoilers: Past episodes of FRVS may be spoiled.
Feedback: We love it. Please e-mail us at frvs.feedback@gmail.com (please include the episode name in the subject) Thank you.
Archiving: "Fox & Rat" Virtual Series only!
Disclaimer: We do not own anyone. They belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions, and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting.
Author's Note: 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: The continuation of "What We Used To Know".
FADE IN:
INT. MONICA REYES’S BEDROOM – THE REYES HOUSE – MORNING
NOVEMBER 12, 2005
SATURDAYMonica lies in her bed staring up at the ceiling. The morning light shines in through white curtains, creating a soft glow to the room. Monica looks deep in thought and hasn’t slept much the night before. After her conversation with Robert Comer, his words got her thinking that perhaps he is right and she shouldn’t be marrying Brad today. Her mind has been busy juggling options, decisions, but it all ends in confusion, leaving her unsure.
She looks over at her clock. 6:15 in the morning.
Her door quietly opens and Monica turns to look to see who has come in. It’s Dana, and she's already dressed in her pastel coral colored Maid of Honor dress. She’s excited, as if she hasn’t slept much herself. Monica smiles at her.
SCULLY
Good morning, future Mrs. Brad Follmer.Monica smiles and sits up.
MONICA
Good morning.SCULLY
Sleep well?MONICA
I guess.SCULLY
I was so excited, I couldn’t
sleep at all last night. I was
making John throw things as me
so I can catch your bouquet. (beat)
Remember, throw it right at me,
just like we planned. (beat) Right at me.Monica smiles and laughs.
SCULLY
Let’s start getting you
ready for today.Monica nods her head and gets up.
MONICA
How should we do this?SCULLY
Shower first. Then we’ll do
your hair, makeup, and then we’ll
get you into your dress. (beat)
Your dress is done, right?MONICA
Yes. My mama finished it two
days ago. You’ll have to ask
her where she’s kept it.SCULLY
All right. I’ll do that while
you take your shower. (beat)
You probably shouldn’t eat anything
any later than seven. You don’t
want to be too nervous and have
it come back up.Monica laughs.
MONICA
I’ll be all right, Dana.SCULLY
Ok. I know I wouldn’t. I’d
be so nervous. This is a huge
step you are taking in your life.MONICA
I know. (beat) Please don’t
try to make me nervous.SCULLY
Sorry.Monica goes into her bathroom to take her morning shower. Scully leaves to go find Monica’s mother.
TIME CUT TO:
EXT. REYES HOUSE – BY THE BACKYARD POOL – 9:30 A.M.
Brad and Doggett are sitting out by the pool, enjoying the morning and staying calm. Doggett is sipping on an iced tea. He looks over at Brad, who has his eyes shut.
DOGGETT
So, you ready for marriage?BRAD
I’ve been waiting a long
time for this day, John.
(beat) If you’re worried
that I’m nervous, I’m not.Doggett nods his head.
DOGGETT
When I first got married, I
was very nervous. Of course,
I was only eighteen years old.He sips his tea again.
DOGGETT
So Africa, huh?BRAD
Yep. We’ll have a very
warm November, which is
rather nice.DOGGETT
It’s been warm anyway. Not
just here, but up in D.C.BRAD
(sighs)
Global warming.DOGGETT
You’re not about to start
sounding like Knowle and
blame that on our current
President, are you?Brad smiles and laughs a bit.
BRAD
No, I’m not. (beat) But it’s not
like he’s out to help the environment
any time soon. He’s too busy trying
to get Arab oil.Doggett stays quiet to let the comment pass. He’s not one to say anything against the President, though he can’t say he’s agreed with his decisions during either term. He’s just grateful that Knowle isn’t around for this conversation, he’s one to speak his mind about the government. Doggett often wonders how and why Knowle decided to work for the Department of Defense.
DOGGETT
You know, you’re gonna have to
keep a good eye on Monica while
on your African safari honeymoon.BRAD
(smiles)
I know. She’ll want to go right
up to some of those wild animals.DOGGETT
She always claimed to have a
weird connection with animals.
I think she believes she’s an
animal whisperer.BRAD
Haven’t you seen her around animals?DOGGETT
Not recently... well, other than
Buddy, no. Why?BRAD
We were taking a walk last week
and passed a pet store.Doggett nods his head.
BRAD (CON’T)
There was a bird inside that was
just going crazy and the employees
couldn’t get it to settle down at all.
(beat) Monica goes in there and goes
right up to the bird, gets him perched
up on her arm, and the thing just
calms down like there was no problem at all.DOGGETT
So she can calm a crazy bird.
(beat) Maybe the thing just
knew she wasn’t going to cause
trouble or aggravate it like the
employees?BRAD
I don’t know. (beat) I just hope
she doesn’t go running up to the
lion cubs or tigers with her camera.DOGGETT
She always had the most interesting
photographs of nature as a kid.Brad nods his head.
BRAD
Not to mention the most
black mail photographs.Doggett smiles. He can only wonder what Monica has on him.
BRAD
(after a beat)
That was some show between Dana
and your mom last night.Doggett smiles.
DOGGETT
Yeah... they certainly got me.
(beat) I just find it amazing
that my ma likes Dana even though
she’s a red head.BRAD
You’re mother is just hard on
you, John. You know that.DOGGETT
I guess so. I really wonder though,
how they managed to bump into each
other before the fiesta.BRAD
I heard Knowle’s mother
introduced them.Doggett nods his head.
DOGGETT
It would be her to do that.
Probably ran into Dana and
they got to talking or something.Mulder comes running out of the house and goes right up to Brad.
MULDER
Brad, I just got a call from Alex,
and he wants me to ask you if he can
- and I quote - “pretty, pretty pretty
please come down to the wedding”.BRAD
I don’t think that would be
a good idea. (beat) I know he
has good intentions – maybe -
but it just wouldn’t be a good
idea to have him here with Monica’s
family after they all know what
he has done in the past.MULDER
I thought that’s what you’d say.Mulder shrugs his shoulders.
MULDER
Anyway, I need to find Monica,
have you guys seen her today?BRAD
It’d be bad luck for me to
see her before the wedding.Brad smiles.
MULDER
Good. I was checking. (beat)
What about you, John?DOGGETT
(shakes head)
No, I haven’t seen her today.
(beat) I suspect she’s with
Dana getting ready.MULDER
(sighs)
Women... they take such a
long time to get ready.
Anyway... I’ll go find her.
I have a surprise for her!Mulder starts to run off, Brad looks at Doggett with worry. What kind of surprise could Mulder have for Monica... on her wedding day. Doggett reads Brad’s look and goes after him. It’s best to find out all answers before letting Mulder loose. The last thing they all need is a glitter bomb exploding and Monica will be full of glitter for her wedding.
DOGGETT
(going after him)
Hold up, Mulder!INT. REYES HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Doggett runs in after Mulder, and follows him into the kitchen, where to much of Doggett’s surprise, Carlos Reyes sits eating a sandwich. Carlos looks up when both Mulder and Doggett enter.
Doggett stops in his tracks. What is Carlos doing here? Did he escape just to see his sister get married?
CARLOS
Hola.He takes a big bite out of his sandwich.
DOGGETT
Aren’t you supposed to be in prison?MULDER
I pulled strings to get him out.Mulder smiles proudly. Doggett looks at him like he’s crazy. He takes Mulder to the other end of the kitchen, where he thinks Carlos can’t hear him.
DOGGETT
Have you gone beserk?MULDER
No. Why?DOGGETT
Do you know that Carlos was
doing his time in prison?MULDER
Yes.DOGGETT
Do you know why?MULDER
Yes. And I spoke with the
board there and they said it
would be ok for him to come
down here as long as I supervised him.Doggett can’t believe he’s hearing this. Mulder supervising Carlos Reyes? It’s insane! He’ll easily be manipulated by Carlos, and then Carlos will escape and never be found again.
Mulder senses Doggett’s worries.
MULDER
Don’t worry, buddy. I can take
care of him. There’s nothing to
worry about at all.DOGGETT
See, you not worried about
this is what worries me.Carlos comes up to them.
CARLOS
John, don’t worry. I’m only
here to see my sister get
married and then I go back
up to Leavenworth. (beat) I’m
trying to fix myself, ok?DOGGETT
It just worries me because
you are unpredictable.MULDER
(assuring him)
And so am I, so I’ll
be able to predict the
unpredictable.Mulder smiles gleefully.
MULDER
And before you go get your
undies in a bundle, John,
Carlos is my surprise for Monica.
(beat) I know what you were
thinking. You were thinking
I was going to create some kind
of glitter bomb or feathers
and glue, or put pins on a chair.
I’m not. Carlos is the surprise.Mulder pats Doggett on the back and grabs Carlos by the arm and drags him off. Doggett watches them leave. He still can’t believe that Mulder pulled strings to get Carlos out... especially with Carlos’s record and why he’s doing time... Doggett decides to follow. If Mulder is taking Carlos to see Monica, chances are, Dana is there and he doesn’t want Carlos to be “alone” in the same room with her. Having Mulder there doesn’t cut it.
CUT TO:
INT. MONICA’S ROOM – CON’T
Scully and Isabella are helping Monica to get ready for the wedding. Monica is sitting in front of a mirror and Scully is applying makeup. Monica’s mother is doing last minute fix ups on Monica’s dress as Monica wears it.
SCULLY
(to Isabella)
Be sure not to poke her,
it’s a white dress.Scully smiles.
ISABELLA
Yes, I know.An excited knock on the door interrupts them and Mulder enters the room covering his eyes.
MULDER
It’s Mulder, Brad’s not here so
don’t worry. (beat) Is everyone decent?Monica smiles at him.
MONICA
Yes. Did you need something?Mulder uncovers his eyes. His jaw just about falls to the ground when he sees how beautiful Monica looks in her wedding dress.
MULDER
(quiet)
Whoa. (coughs) I-I uh... ISCULLY
Uh-oh, he’s babbling again...MONICA
You what, Mulder?Mulder takes a deep breath to compose himself. He smiles sheepishly at her, then clears his throat.
MULDER
Sorry, you just look so pretty. (beat)
I have a surprise for you.MONICA
(not knowing)
Oh?Mulder sticks his head out into the hallway to tell her “surprise” to come in, and a moment later, Carlos walks in.
Monica’s eyes widen with surprise, which as one can imagine doesn’t happen very often these days.
Monica excitedly gets out of her chair and makes her way over to Carlos. Her month quickly tries to keep up with her so she can continue making the minor fix ups on her dress.
Monica gives Carlos a hug. She’s so surprised to see him here.
MONICA
(surprised)
Oh my god. I can’t believe
you are here.Carlos smiles as she pulls away from him and looks up at him.
MONICA
How did-CARLOS
-Mulder pulled some strings to
get me down here for this. Guess
he knew I didn’t want to miss
the best day of your life.He smiles at her. He’s so happy to see her happy and finally getting her life back on track. Monica smiles weakly and looks down. Carlos senses that something is on her mind, or bothering her.
CARLOS
(concerned)
What is it?Monica looks up at him.
MONICA
(a little quick)
Nothing, why?CARLOS
For a moment there you...
I don’t know... seemed a
bit uneasy.Isabella has stopped working on Monica’s dress, and looks up at her with concern.
ISABELLA
Are you nervous, Moni?MONICA
No, it’s not that, it- it’s nothing.Everyone watches on with doubt of her words.
MONICA
(quick to change subject)
We don’t have time to stand around.Monica starts to walk away from Carlos, but he gently grabs her by the arm to stop her. He senses she’s trying to avoid something.
CARLOS
(quiet)
What’s wrong?She looks at him, afraid to admit out loud what is on her mind. Tears start to form in her eyes. Without any words, Carlos leads her outside of the room and into the hallway.
INT. HALLWAY – CON’T
Carlos shuts the door behind them. He turns to look at Monica. She seems uncomfortable, uncertain. Her arms are wrapped around her, closing herself off to him. She doesn’t look at him as tears well up in her eyes, threatening to fall.
CARLOS
(concerned)
Monica?Monica’s eyes meet his and a tear falls.
MONICA
(after a long beat)
I can’t do this.Carlos listens.
MONICA
(upset)
I’m not ready. So much has
happened to me and we’ve done
absolutely nothing to address
these issues that I have.More tears fall as everything that is on her mind has been exposed in the open.
MONICA
I’m not ready. I don’t know
what to do. How do I tell him?
I’ll break his heart. We’ve waited
so long for this day, Carlos,
but I can’t. I don’t know what to do.She starts to cry and Carlos comes up to her and gives her a hug. She wraps her arms around him. She’s glad he is there for her now, she rarely feels this kind of sincerity.
MONICA
(after a beat; very upset)
He’ll be so angry...Her words make her become more upset. Carlos holds her for as long as she needs. He’s not sure what to say to her. All he knows is that she needs to do what is best for her. And what’s best for her, might not be what she wants to do at this point. But then again, she doesn’t know what she wants.
CARLOS
(after a beat; soft)
You need to do what is right
for you, Monica. If you’re not
ready, you’re not ready.MONICA
But-CARLOS
-You’re not obligated. He
won’t be angry if he loves
you. (beat) He’ll understand.Tears fall down Monica’s cheeks and she shakes her head.
MONICA
He’s waited so long for this
day, Carlos. (beat) I’ll break
his heart. I don’t want to do that.CARLOS
You have to do what is right
for you. (beat) How can you
marry someone who hasn’t helped
you through everything you have
been through. (beat) You two need
to work things out, understand
each other and the situation you
are both in.Monica takes a deep breath trying to compose herself.
MONICA
He won’t know what to do
with me, Carlos. He won’t.CARLOS
What do you mean?Monica starts to cry again. She shakes her head and looks down.
CARLOS
(worried)
Monica? (beat) What do you mean?MONICA
I don’t know. I don’t know
why I said it, I just did.She winces and holds her hands to her head. Tears fall and she shakes her head.
MONICA
Why won’t they stop? Why can’t
it all just stop? I don’t want this.From behind the corner, John Doggett, comes. He’s concerned for her, and he accidentally over heard Monica and Carlos’s conversation. He goes up to her.
DOGGETT
Monica. Look at me.Monica shakes her head and squeezes her eyes shut.
MONICA
I don’t want to look. They’re
everywhere and I can’t stop them!Carlos leads her over to a seat that is in the hallway and sits her down. He takes hold of both her hands and squeezes them in his. Her eyes open and she looks at him intensely.
Scully and Isabella comes out of the room, having heard her. Scully goes up to Doggett.
SCULLY
Is she all right?DOGGETT
I don’t know.They look on as Carlos stares into Monica’s eyes, and vice versa. Monica starts to calm and takes deep breaths.
MONICA
(after a beat)
You know it too.Carlos nods his head.
CARLOS
I have for a long time.He smiles at her and kisses her on her forehead.
MONICA
How do I-CARLOS
You can’t stop it. All
you can do is learn how
to control it.Isabella kneels down to look at Monica. She gently moves a strand of hair off of Monica’s face.
ISABELLA
Everything will be all right, Moni.Isabella smiles at her.
MONICA
(thankful; soft)
You’re all so...She can’t think of the words to express how happy she is that they are there to help her. She just smiles.
ISABELLA
Are you ok now to finish getting
ready for your wedding?Monica freezes and looks at Carlos. He nods his head, assuring her that she should tell them her thoughts and her doubts.
MONICA
(after a beat)
I don’t know... (beat) I
need to talk to Brad.Monica stands up and walks away from them. Scully’s eyes go wide. The groom can’t see the bride before the wedding!
SCULLY
(about to go after her)
Monica!Doggett gently places a hand on her shoulder to stop her. She looks back at him.
SCULLY
What?DOGGETT
(quiet, serious)
I don’t think there’s going
to be a wedding.SCULLY
(worried)
What?She looks back in the direction Monica is and watches her leave. She looks back at John in shock.
CUT TO:
EXT. REYES HOUSE – BY THE BACKYARD POOL
Brad is making his way into the house when Monica comes out right in front of him. His eyes widen and he quickly turns away from her.
BRAD
Monica? What are you doing? You
know I can’t see you before we
get married. It’s bad luck.Monica bites her lower lip. She doesn’t want to break his heart, but she has to tell him.
MONICA
We need to talk, Brad.BRAD
(not getting that something is up)
Monica, I can’t see you like
this. What are you doing?Monica makes her way in front of him and he shields his eyes and turns away from her. She goes around him, trying to look at him in the face, but he keeps turning away from her because he doesn’t want to jinx their wedding.
MONICA
(desperate)
Brad, please. I need to talk to you.She places her hands on his. His eyes remain shut so he doesn’t see her.
MONICA
Brad?BRAD
We can talk like this,
but I can’t see you, ok?Monica looks at him and tears come to her eyes. How can she do this to him? She loves him so much and she doesn’t want to break his heart.
Do what’s best for you. Carlos’s words echo in her head, and he’s right.
MONICA
(on the verge of crying)
Brad, I... I can’t-She can’t finish her sentence and she starts to cry. Brad opens his eyes and looks at her. He’s in shock. Monica looks down as tears fall down her face.
BRAD
(shocked; concerned)
What?Monica shakes her head. Words can’t fight their way through the tears. Brad places a hand on her shoulder.
BRAD
(concerned)
Monica, what is it?MONICA
Me.She manages to get a word out.
BRAD
What do you mean “you”?
What’s going on?MONICA
(wipes tears away)
I’m not ready, Brad. As much
as I want this day to happen,
it can’t. (beat) We’re not ready.Brad doesn’t know what to say to this. This is the last thing he expected to happen today.
BRAD
Let’s sit down and talk, ok?Monica nods her head and they make their way over to a stone bench that is surrounded by beautiful flowers... flowers that would’ve been a part of their beautiful wedding.
MONICA
I’ve been through so much, Brad.
I just... I’m not ready. We’re
not ready. We haven’t even worked
through issues that-BRAD
-What issues?Monica looks at him in disbelief.
MONICA
The issues that come with being
held captive somewhere against
one’s will and held in solitude
for a year, Brad. That’s what
I’m talking about.Brad looks down. She’s right. They haven’t addressed any of these issues.
MONICA
Everything has lead up to this
being a bad idea. (beat) I mean
if we would’ve had our daughter,
we would’ve been celebrating her
one year birthday around this time
of the month. (beat) I mean, neither
one of has addressed that. (beat) I’m
affected by what happened to me, Brad.Brad listens.
MONICA (CON’T)
I’ve been back for eight months,
Brad, and we’ve done nothing about
what has happened to me. (beat) I
mean, aren’t you even curious as to
why I haven’t wanted to have sex?She looks at him. He doesn’t know how to answer her. He’s noticed these things, he’s been aware that she needs help, but he doesn’t know how.
MONICA
(off his silence)
I’m afraid, Brad. I’m afraid I’ll
become pregnant again and the cycle
will continue. Even though I know
that’s not going to happen, but I’m
afraid. (beat) I had a forced abortion
done to me, and it has been ignored.
Do you not care?BRAD
I care, Monica.MONICA
Then show you care, Brad. I can
read minds and feelings, but that
doesn’t mean I sense everything.
I need to know you care. I need
feel that you care, Brad. I know
you don’t know what to do. I know
you’re frustrated that I don’t know
how to help myself, and I know you
get angry with me when I don’t take
my medication... but... Brad, we
need to communicate, or else we’ll
fall apart, and I don’t want that.Monica looks at him again. He lowers his eyes.
MONICA
(after a beat; reading him)
You think I don’t want that too?Brad looks up at her, knowing she just read his thoughts.
MONICA
An easier life would be ideal, I know.Brad’s thoughts hurt her. He wants an easy life, and for him, that would be easy for him to get if he were to leave her. But for her, she’s stuck with life like this without a choice.
BRAD
We can work to getting to that.MONICA
To an easy life? (beat) Brad, I’m
stuck like this.Tears sting her eyes as she thinks of a possibility.
MONICA
Maybe we shouldn’t be together.BRAD
(not wanting that)
Monica, no. I love you.MONICA
(crying)
I know, but... You deserve
the happy life you want. (beat)
I can’t give you that.BRAD
Monica, no. You know I don’t
want that, and I know you
don’t either.MONICA
Then where do we go from here?
(beat) This is how things like
this work, Brad. We’ve come to
a point in our lives where it’s
say ‘I do’ or go our separate ways.BRAD
Monica, this is different.MONICA
Is it? Is it really that different?
(beat) We want different things, Brad.
You want a life that’s easy, a life
you can understand. I can’t give you
that at all. I’m different. Do you
really want to live a life where
your wife can read your mind? Know
your every thoughts? I don’t think
you want that. No one would. (beat)
I love you Brad, but I want you to
be happy, and I can’t do that for you.BRAD
But you do, Monica. You make me happy.MONICA
I made you happy Brad. (beat)
I’m not the same Monica that-BRAD
-Yes you are.MONICA
No, I’m not. I’ve changed
because of all this. Stop
trying to convince yourself
that I make you happy when
all I do is frustrate you.BRAD
You don’t fru-MONICA
-Yes, I do. You get frustrated
when I start to go crazy. You
don’t need that extra stress
in your life.BRAD
Monica-MONICA
-No, Brad. Don’t. Don’t try to
tell me that I don’t add stress
to your life. (beat) I know why
you put work as a higher priority
over me, ok? I know it’s your way
to not be around me incase I flip out!Monica stands up, ready to leave.
BRAD
Monica.MONICA
It’s best we go our separate
ways and move on. You need
happiness, and I can’t give that
to you. Ever. (beat) I’m sorry.Monica quickly runs away from him, leaving him in a state of shock.
CUT TO:
EXT. REYES STABLES
Monica has run off to the stables and has found her horse, Spirit. She’s in tears and her heart is breaking. She goes into Spirit’s stall and pets her horse. She wipes her tears away. Spirit looks at her, and Monica looks into her deep black eyes. She starts to calm and wipes the rest of her tears away.
Monica leads Spirit out of her stall and gets herself on her and starts to ride out into the open field to get away.
A few minutes later she is out of sight of the Reyes house. She brings Spirit to a halt and gets off. Tears have started to fall again and she lays down in the grass, looking up into the late morning sky. She shuts her eyes and listens to the sounds of the Earth. The sounds sooth her as she feels all alone out here, not hearing the voices and thoughts of others. She takes a deep breath and relaxes, allowing her mind to rest and think clearly.
She falls asleep listening to the wind.
FADE OUT:
A gentle breeze blows in the wind and the sound of footsteps can be heard coming through the grass.
KNOWLE (V.O.)
(concerned)
Monica?FADE UP:
Monica’s eyes slowly open to see Knowle Rohrer standing above her. She blinks her eyes and looks around. The sun seems to be at three o’clock.
KNOWLE
Everyone’s looking for you.
(beat) Everything all right?Monica sits up and looks around. She’s all alone.
MONICA
(worried)
Where’s Spirit?KNOWLE
I found her wandering,
so I put her back in her stall.Knowle sits down next to Monica and picks up a few blades of grass and breaks them in his hands. He looks at her.
KNOWLE
I uh... I heard about what
happened between you and Brad.He looks at her, but she doesn’t say anything, nor does she make eye contact with him.
KNOWLE
You ok?MONICA
He wants to have an easy life
and be happy. (beat) I can’t
give him that... Ever.KNOWLE
Don’t say that, Monica. You
make people happy all the time.MONICA
Imagine living with someone
who can read your mind, know
how you feel and that you could
never surprise. Would you want
to live like that? I don’t think
so, and neither does Brad. (beat)
It’s best to end things now before
they get worse.Knowle looks her over carefully.
KNOWLE
You’re convincing yourself.Monica looks at him.
MONICA
What?KNOWLE
You’re trying to be ok with what
what happened, when it’s obvious
your heart is breaking. (beat) You
don’t need to sacrifice your own
happiness for others. Especially
when you know you make Brad happy.MONICA
What’s done is done, Knowle.
(beat) He’s better off without me.KNOWLE
No he’s not, and you know that.MONICA
(angry)
Why? Because I’m psychic? Is
that how I’m supposed to know that?KNOWLE
No. You know because you
know him well. Stop getting
down on yourself because of
your ability. It’s not healthy,
and I don’t want to see you
beating yourself up over something
you can’t control.Knowle looks at her in the eyes.
KNOWLE
Maybe the problem is that you
haven’t accepted what has
happened to you and that’s why
you and Brad haven’t been able to
work things out. You need to
accept it for others to accept it.Monica looks at him. He’s right.
MONICA
But you’ve accepted my ability.Knowle nods his head.
KNOWLE
Yeah.MONICA
I even think John has.Knowle smiles and nods his head.
KNOWLE
Bet ya never thought you’d
see that day, huh?He looks up at her and smiles. Monica smiles back at him.
KNOWLE
Now there’s the smile I love.He puts his arm around her and she leans into him.
MONICA
(after a beat)
You’re too good to me, Knowle.KNOWLE
I just look out for the
people I care about.Monica smiles.
MONICA
You’ll need to look after
Dana. (beat) So you better
start liking her when I’m
not around.Monica looks up at him and smiles. He tries to hide his smile.
KNOWLE
Yeah well...MONICA
Don’t Knowle. Please. I know what
you’re going to say and I know
you don’t mean it, so drop your
“tough guy” act.Knowle nods his head. He can’t hide the truth from her.
MONICA
(after a beat)
Does everyone know?KNOWLE
Yeah, they know. (beat) John thinks
you ran off to a “new” place again.MONICA
(confused)
“New” place?KNOWLE
You know, New Orleans, New Jersey, New York.Monica laughs and they sit in silence for a few moments.
MONICA
Are people mad at me?KNOWLE
No one’s mad at you. (beat)
Brad’s pretty worried for you.He looks down at Monica with his eyes.
KNOWLE
(after a small beat)
He loves you, Monica, and cares
a great deal for you. (beat) Like
I said, you have to accept what’s
happened to you before you can work
things out with him. He needs to
understand you so he can help, which
means you need to open up and tell him things.MONICA
I don’t want to be a burden on him.KNOWLE
He loves you. You’re not a burden
on him. (beat) I don’t want you
to ever think of yourself as a
burden to anyone, ok?MONICA
I have to be to some people.KNOWLE
Now, what did I just tell you?He “scolds” her in a joking tone. Monica smiles and laughs a bit.
MONICA
(after a beat)
I love you, Knowle.Knowle smiles down at her, and after a beat:
KNOWLE
(soft)
I love you too.He gives her a gentle hug as she rests in his arms and kisses the top of her head. She smiles.
They sit in another moment of comfortable silence.
MONICA
I should go talk to Brad, huh?KNOWLE
Yeah, you should.Monica smiles and stands up. Grass is all over her wedding dress. She laughs as she brushes it off of her dress and out of her hair.
MONICA
I hope there are no stains.
(beat) How long have I been
out here. Do you know?KNOWLE
About three and a half hours.MONICA
(nods head)
No wonder they’re worried and
John thinks I ran off.She smiles at Knowle.
MONICA
You coming back too?KNOWLE
Nah, you go on ahead. I’ll
be back later. It’s kind of
nice out here. Quiet.MONICA
All right.She smiles at him.
MONICA
Thank you.Knowle nods his head.
KNOWLE
For what?MONICA
For helping me realize what
I have to do.Knowle nods his head, and Monica leaves.
CUT TO:
INT. REYES HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Brad is sitting on the couch talking with Doggett.
DOGGETT
Maybe we should call the
New York Field Office. She
probably went there, you know?
First she runs away from New
York and now she runs to-BRAD
-John, you’re really not helping.
She didn’t run off, all right?DOGGETT
But that’s what she does. And no
one will know for like... the next
three years when she comes back.MONICA (O.S.)
John, you’re not helping.Brad looks up to the doorway of the living room. He stands.
BRAD
(worried)
Are you ok?MONICA
I’m good.Monica looks at John, who is sitting there watching.
MONICA
John, can you step out please.DOGGETT
Yeah. No problem.He gets up and leaves the room.
Monica looks at Brad and comes into the living room. She smiles at him weakly.
MONICA
Brad, I... I’m sorry.She sits down on the couch, and Brad sits back down next to her.
BRAD
I’m sorry I haven’t been there
for you recently. I just, I-MONICA
-You don’t know how to help
me, I know. (beat) I figured
out what part of our problem is.BRAD
Yeah?MONICA
I haven’t accepted what happened
to me despite how I lead on that
I have. (beat) That makes it hard
for you to accept it too.BRAD
So what do we do?MONICA
We need to break up so I can
find myself. I need to accept
myself and I think I need time
to grow and figure things out
in my life.Brad looks at her in disbelief. Is this really happening?
MONICA
I know, Brad. I know. (beat) This
is what I need. I need to do what’s
best for me right now.Brad nods his head, though his heart is breaking.
MONICA
I need to get my feet back on
the ground. Find myself so I
can be ready for a relationship.BRAD
I understand.MONICA
This doesn’t mean I don’t love
you Brad, because I do. I love
you very much, but I’m just not
ready. I don’t think I ever have
been since I’ve been back.BRAD
So where do we go from here?MONICA
I need to move out on my
own for a while to help
me grow.Brad nods his head. He’s hurt but he knows this is what she needs. He wants what’s best for her.
BRAD
How are you going to make money?MONICA
Honestly, I’m not sure. I
have money saved up-BRAD
-I can help you with that.MONICA
No, that won’t help me, ok? I
know you mean well, Brad, but
I really need to be on my own
for awhile.BRAD
You mentioned teaching. Maybe
you could apply at a school or
something. I know you haven’t
gotten a teaching degree, but...MONICA
It’s an idea. I do have some
good credentials on me. (beat)
I don’t know, but I’ll find something.BRAD
I want you to know that you can
always come to, all right?MONICA
I know.She takes hold of his hand and kisses it.
MONICA
(soft)
I love you, Brad.Brad looks into her eyes and gives her hand a squeeze.
BRAD
(soft)
I love you too.Off them, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. APARTMENT – ALEXANDRIA, VA – DAY
ONE WEEK LATER
NOVEMBER 19, SATURDAYMonica and Scully are unpacking boxes in the living room of Monica’s new apartment in Alexandria. Scully unwraps a few framed black and white photographs of Grandmama Reyes’s home in Chihauhau, Mexico.
SCULLY
(re: photos)
Wow, Monica, these are really
nice photos. Did you take them?Monica comes over to see which photos Dana is referring to. She holds a light yellow curtain in her hands as she looks over Dana’s shoulder.
MONICA
Yeah, I took them when I was in
college. Knowle and I were in a
photography class together and we
decided to make my Grandmama’s home
the center of our final projects.SCULLY
They’re really good. Your Grandmama’s
home looks very peaceful.MONICA
It is. I love visiting her.Monica goes back to the window to hang her curtains, and Scully finds some nails and a hammer to hang the photographs in Monica’s living room.
KNOWLE (O.S.)
(loud)
Come on, John! Use your back!DOGGETT (O.S.)
I am!Scully looks over to the door just as Knowle, John and Brad enter the apartment with Monica’s couch she had when she was living in New Orleans that had been tucked away in storage for the past few years.
BRAD
We’re getting old, Knowle.KNOWLE
Nah, I’ll never be old.They set the couch down and John goes up to him and looks at his hair closely.
DOGGETT
Is that a gray hair?Knowle gives him a look.
DOGGETT
No, I’m serious man. You’re
startin’ to gray.KNOWLE
It’s all part of the
circle of life.MONICA
Knowle, have you been
watching “The Lion King”?KNOWLE
No. Why?MONICA
No reason.She smiles at him and goes into her kitchen.
DOGGETT
(looking around)
This is a really nice place, Mon’.MONICA (O.S.)
Thanks. I like it.SCULLY
And she hangs her pictures
on her walls. Can you imagine?Scully smiles flirtatiously at John, knowing how strange he is about hanging pictures on his walls, they all seem to just sit around, never hang. He gives her a smile.
BRAD
Looks like the place is coming
along nicely.MONICA (O.S.)
You should see the kitchen.BRAD
Oh?Brad makes his way into the kitchen to see what she’s talking about.
INT. KITCHEN – CON’T
Brad enters the kitchen and sees Monica standing in the middle with a big grin. He smiles at her and looks around.
BRAD
Well this is nice.MONICA
Big enough to make a
Reyes Family sized meal.BRAD
Lot’s of counter space.MONICA
And the cupboards are so pretty.Brad looks at the wooden cupboards that have been nicely varnished.
MONICA
I had an interview the other day.BRAD
(smiles)
How’d that go?MONICA
They hired me to teach
Spanish to their students.
It’ll be a half a year thing
right now, but that’s all right.BRAD
Congratulations. When do you start?MONICA
After Thanksgiving break. (beat)
I’ll be teaching in Falls Church at
the elementary school near John’s.BRAD
(surprised)
An elementary school picked you
up as a Spanish teacher?MONICA
(smiles)
Well I sort of stressed the
importance of being bilingual
these days. They said that they
were thinking of including some
sort of program next year, but
already had interest from the
students and parents, so they
hired me on the spot.BRAD
That’s great.Monica smiles.
MONICA
It’s what I’ve always wanted to
do. (beat) I’m a little nervous
though. (beat) I’m worried that
I’ll go crazy on them or something,
you know? I neglected to tell them
about my psychic ability and how it
can sometimes affect me without warning.BRAD
You’ll be fine, Monica. Don’t worry.MONICA
The way I see it, this’ll be a good
way for me to control it, which will
help me understand and accept it.She smiles.
BRAD
Very true.Brad smiles. He’s glad to see her being so optimistic about her ability now. This past week, despite being broken up, has been refreshing and he feels that this was a smart move. Sometimes a little change is all that is needed to help the healing process move in a forward direction.
Off this, we...
FADE OUT:
THE END.
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