Review By: Emma Keturah "Just stay away from her." - Brad |
 |
Title: "Stranded I"
Story by: Cassie & Kristi
Written by: Kristi
Date: January 24-25, 2006; February 6-8, 23, 26, 2006; March 7,9-12, 2006
Air Date: March 13, 2006
Rating: PG
Series: FRVS - Episode #165
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: Brad has just received his pilot's license and flies the gang to a warm climate get away.
FADE IN:
INT. SMALL PRIVATE PLANE – LATE AFTERNOON
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
Most of the seats are empty, but of those that are not they are occupied by Mulder, Krycek, Scully, Doggett, Monica and Knowle. Mulder and Krycek sit near the very back of the plane, and two rows up and over to the left are Doggett and Scully. Monica and Knowle sit near the front, where we see the cockpit door is open and Brad is flying the plane.
KRYCEK
(complaining)
Why won’t he just let me look?MULDER
(stating the obvious)
We have the tendency to misbehave.KRYCEK
(whatever!)
Oh please. What could I possibly
to do jeopardize this flight? (beat)
Even if I really wanted to – which
I don’t – I wouldn’t because one: Marita.
Two: I’m high up in a small metal tube,
flying above the endless ocean to go
spend the weekend in Florida where women
in bikinis are all over the beaches-MULDER
-Why isn’t Marita here?KRYCEK
(just unbelievable)
Because she didn’t want to take the
time off ice to have fun and party.
She’d rather train for the Olympics.Mulder gives him a look. Gee I wonder why she’d want to do that. Mulder shakes his head at his friend.
Across from them and up two rows, Doggett’s grip on the airplane seat is turning his knuckles white. He stares straight forward.
SCULLY
(soft and caring)
Johnny... we’ve been flying for a
couple hours now. (beat) We’re fine.DOGGETT
How do you know something
won’t go wrong the moment I
let go of my grip on these
armrests? (beat) Mulder and
Krycek are on this flight and
Brad just got his pilot’s license.SCULLY
(smiles)
Brad had a good take off, and
Mulder and Krycek are in the back.
You’re in the aisle seat, so if
they try to misbehave and wander
up front they have to get by you
first. And if that fails, Monica
and Knowle are up front. (beat)
There’s nothing to worry about, Johnny.DOGGETT
(under his breath)
Yeah, and it’s Friday the 13th.Scully smiles at him and takes hold of one of his hands.
SCULLY
See, I’ll show you. An
airplane can be relaxing.Scully starts to unbuckle her seatbelt to show him she’ll still live without wearing it. Doggett quickly grabs hold of her hand and stops her. He looks at her with wide eyes.
DOGGETT
Are you crazy?!He buckles her back up.
DOGGETT
We could hit an air pocket and
you could go flying through the roof.
Or suddenly the sides of the plane
could split and we all get sucked out and die.SCULLY
(laughs)
It’s not like we’re in space, John.She smiles at him and shakes her head.
A paper airplane flies by them and up to the front where Knowle and Monica are. The paper airplane lands in Knowle’s lap.
He looks down at it and sees writing. He unfolds it. Monica leans over from her window seat and looks as well.
The paper reads: I’m better than you, punk!
Knowle rolls his eyes and looks at Monica. He crumbles the paper up in his hand and puts it in the back pocket of the seat in front of him.
KNOWLE
(re: Krycek’s note)
I don’t think I’ll ever understand him.MONICA
No one does.Knowle smiles.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
Can I ask you something?He looks at her.
KNOWLE
Course now I’ve thought it so
you probably already know, huh?Monica smiles and is about to say something, but...
KNOWLE
But I guess you’re going to tell
me to ask you anyway. (beat) Right?Monica smiles.
MONICA
And they say I’m the psychic.KNOWLE
I’m no psychic by any means.He smiles at her.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
You doin’ all right?Monica can sense there’s more his question than the typical “how are you” she gets from everyone else. He sounds sincere and concerned for her.
KNOWLE (CON’T)
I know others don’t like to talk
about your Gift and all, but I
think it’s important to talk about
it. I know it bothers you and that
you wish you could be back to “normal”,
and I’m not sure how you’re really
doing. (beat) I know you have the
tendency to put on the “I’m fine” mask.He looks at her in the eyes, knowing her too well for any fake answer to come out of her mouth.
KNOWLE
(after another beat)
I know you don’t like to talk
about what happened to you, but
in my experience in life, it’s good
to talk about the things that happen
to us. If we talk about it, then
we – being you and everyone else -
we can learn to understand and-MONICA
(finishing his sentence)
-Accept it.Monica smiles at him.
KNOWLE
Yeah.MONICA
I appreciate your concern, Knowle.
I really do. (beat) You’re right,
everyone else kind of treats it like
it’s taboo or something. (beat) I have
my good days and, of course, I have my
bad days. (beat) Today seems to be a
good day. (beat) I’ve been fortunate
enough not to have problems with it
when I’m teaching. Sometimes when I’m
home alone at night I see things.She looks away from him and down at her hands, remembering things she wishes she could never have seen.
MONICA
Things that... I don’t want to see. Ever.KNOWLE
(understanding)
You get scared.MONICA
(nods her head)
I do. (beat) I mean, these
things that I see... they...She doesn’t know how to describe them.
MONICA
(after a beat)
It’s as if whatever they are,
they know I can see them and
they torment me. (beat) I hate
it and I don’t know how to stop it.KNOWLE
Do you know what they are?MONICA
Spirits? Visions? I don’t know for sure.She looks into his eyes with seriousness.
MONICA
There’s this one dream –
or maybe it’s not a dream... it
probably isn’t - I see Luke.KNOWLE
John’s son?MONICA
Yes. I see him many nights. Over and over.
He’s trying to tell me something, but
I can never hear him. He mouths something to me.She lets out a quiet sigh.
Krycek passes by them and enters the lavatory.
MONICA
Then I see horrible things. I’m
not sure what they are, but
I see a man in a leather jacket
smoking a cigarette in the rain
under a lamppost. I can’t make
out his face and then I see these
images of death, and I start to feel...She trails off, becoming distracted by something.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
I’ve read that sometimes souls or spirits will
try to warn or help someone from the
great beyond. Usually, it’s personal
to the soul. Maybe in this case he’s
trying to give you a clue to who killed
him and that’s what the visions are.He looks at her and takes notice that she’s distracted by something.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
Have you talked about this with
that psychic support group?Monica looks up towards the cockpit, her mind distracted.
MONICA
(onto a different topic)
-What is that noise?She didn’t even hear him. Knowle looks at her for a beat, then listens. He doesn’t hear anything.
KNOWLE
I don’t hear anything I’m not
supposed to be hearing. (beat)
Everything all right?MONICA
(sits up straight)
You don’t hear it? It’s a loud (trying to
figure it out) humming noise. (beat)
It’s getting stronger-Suddenly, the plane violently jerks down. Monica grabs onto Knowle’s arm in an attempt to feel safer.
BRAD (FILTERED)
(over the intercom)
We’re hitting some turbulence,
so stay seated and buckled in.Knowle tightens his seatbelt and looks back at John and Dana. John’s eyes are shut in fear, but luckily for him he’s got Dana with him telling him it’s all right. Knowle turns around to face forward again.
The plane shakes some more.
MONICA
(elsewhere)
Oh god...Her eyes are fixated to the front of the plane.
KNOWLE
(assuring her it’s ok)
Turbulence is normal. Don’t worry.
(beat) Stay buckled in and-Monica unbuckles her seatbelt and stands up.
KNOWLE
Mon’, Brad said to stay-She starts to move over him to get out of her window seat. The plane violently jerks down again and she falls. Knowle catches her, preventing her from hurting herself. He keeps his hold on her.
MONICA
(frantic)
Brad! Turn the plane around!Suddenly, the plane starts to loose altitude quickly. Diving down towards the big blue ocean. Oxygen masks fall from above.
Knowle helps Monica get buckled into her seat.
MONICA
(trying to warn Brad)
It’s not safe!KNOWLE
No kidding, Monica.He buckles her in tightly and Monica grabs onto his hand.
MONICA
It’s too late...She shuts her eyes and the pressure pushes her back into her seat. With the sound of an explosion we:
SMASH CUT TO BLACK:
SLOW BLUR FADE IN:
Scully’s eyes slowly open. She’s disoriented, trying to realize what just happened. She sits up and a thin line of blood falls down her face, almost getting into her eye. In a daze, she places the palm of her hand to her head, wiping away the blood. She tries not to allow panic consume her, but her breathing quickens.
It isn’t bad. It isn’t as bad as you think.
She tries to calm herself. Go into doctor-mode, Dana. You have to make sure the others are fine.
She looks around and sees Doggett. He’s unconscious. The worst hits her. Is he dead?
SCULLY
(weak/shaken up)
John?She clears her throat and tries again, this time stronger, more confident... reaching the doctor-mode she needs to be in. The others are more important right now. She’s fine, but what about the others?
SCULLY
(louder/more stern)
John!He doesn’t move and she makes her way over to him.
SCULLY
(soft; worried)
Johnny?She looks him over, taking his pulse. He’s alive. She lets out a sigh of relief and looks around to the back of the plane where Mulder and Krycek were. Her eyes stop scanning the area when she looks ahead of where she and John were seated. The front of the plane is missing. All is quiet outside. Not a sign of the others. They broke apart during the crash.
It’s silent. How long was she out for a crash like that to settle down? She looks down at John and checks his head over. No blood. Thank god.
MULDER (O.S.)
(trying to be loud)
Scully.Scully looks away from Doggett when she hears Mulder’s voice coming from where he was sitting on the plane.
SCULLY
(strong)
Mulder, where are you? Are you hurt?MULDER
I’m over here, in my seat.
(beat) I can’t get out.SCULLY
Ok. I’m coming, Mulder. Don’t move.Scully climbs over rubble and debris and makes her way over to Mulder. As Mulder Luck would have it, he is unharmed. He’s just trapped in his seat, his pant leg caught on something, preventing him from getting out.
SCULLY
You ok?MULDER
(proud)
Not a scratch.He smiles at her and opens his arms for her to see that he’s unharmed. Scully nods her head, relieved he is fine.
SCULLY
Let’s get you out of there.She extends her hand and Mulder grabs onto it. She pulls him out, ripping his pant leg a bit.
SCULLY
John’s unconscious.
He’ll be all right.MULDER
We should get out of here. I don’t
think we’re in water. I’m not wet,
and neither are you.SCULLY
I know.How does she tell Mulder about the others. He’s not going to handle that. For all sense and purposes, they are dead. Gone. No more.
Mulder’s eyes look beyond Scully. He freezes in shock. Scully reads him. She knows he just discovered the inevitable.
SCULLY
(he needs to focus)
Mulder, we have to remain focused,
all right? John needs our help now.MULDER
(worried)
Maybe they’re outside. Maybe the
other half is outside and we just
don’t know it. They can’t be gone.
They can’t be... Super Buddies...Scully looks at him. He’s not all right.
SCULLY
Mulder, I need you to focus.She places both hands on his shoulders and looks him in the eyes.
MULDER
(in shock)
They have to be somewhere, Scully.SCULLY
They probably are. But right now,
we need to get out of here, and I
need your help to move John. It’s
not safe in here, all right? (beat)
I need your help. John needs your help.Mulder nods his head. Scully can see that his body is physically shaking.
SCULLY
Ok. Give me your hand, Mulder,
I’ll help you, ok? You’re all right.Scully takes hold of his hand and they make their way back over to John. Mulder grabs hold of his legs and Scully grabs his upper body.
SCULLY
On the count of three.Mulder nods his head.
SCULLY
One... two... three.Mulder and Scully lift him up and make their way to the opening of the plane, where the front half used to be.
EXT. BEACH – CON’T
They step out into the bright sun, as their feet hit the soft, untouched, sandy beach. They carry John away from what’s left of the small plane and set him down on the sand.
CUT TO:
INT. FRONT HALF OF THE PLANE – SOMEWHAT CONTINUED TIME
The front of the plane is a disaster. Despite the lights flickering, the plane is unusually dark. Knowle looks around, his mind and body realizing what is happening. He looks over at Monica, who appears stunned by what happened. Outside the window, Knowle sees thick green plants, which are blocking out the sunlight.
KNOWLE
Talk to me, Monica.Monica nods her head.
MONICA
I’m all right. (beat) You?KNOWLE
I’m ok.She finally looks over at him and sees that he is all right... well, from what she can see so far.
MONICA
Brad.Knowle nods his head and unbuckles his seatbelt. He stands, almost losing balance from the odd tilt of the plane. He catches himself and holds his hand out to Monica, who takes it and he helps her out of her seat.
KNOWLE
Brad!No answer from Brad in the cockpit.
Monica notices a deep gash on Knowle’s left arm.
MONICA
(worried)
Oh my god, Knowle. Your arm.Knowle looks down at it.
KNOWLE
I’ll live. Come on.He starts to make his way towards the front, moving debris out of his way. Monica stays close to him. He moves fallen luggage and other various objects out of their way.
MONICA
Brad? Can you hear me?Neither one of them stop their movement to wait for an answer.
BRAD (O.S.)
(after a beat)
I hear you.MONICA
Are you all right?BRAD
Hit my head. Other than
that, I think I’m fine.Knowle takes hold of Monica’s hand and helps her over a wall that fell into the aisle.
KNOWLE
(to Brad)
We’re coming to get you.BRAD (O.S.)
The others, are they all right?Knowle stops a brief moment and looks back at where the back of the plane should be. That can’t be good at all. Most likely the others are dead.
KNOWLE
(not sure how to tell him)
Not sure how to answer that.Knowle and Monica get to the cockpit and see Brad is stuck in his chair, having trouble with the seatbelt.
MONICA
(worried)
Are you ok?BRAD
Yeah, yeah. Just stuck.KNOWLE
I can help with that.Knowle pulls out a pocketknife and flips the blade out. He cuts Brad out and helps him to his feet.
BRAD
Where are the others? Are they out?MONICA
(not sure how to tell him)
The back... it...She looks back, not sure how to tell him they lost the others.
Brad looks towards the back and sees what has happened.
BRAD
(disbelief)
Oh god...He makes his way past Monica and out of the cockpit. Monica and Knowle follow him.
BRAD
(disbelief)
What the hell happened?They can’t answer him. They have no idea what happened either.
BRAD
(disbelief)
John, Dana, Mulder, Krycek...
They’re... they’re all gone...KRYCEK (O.S.)
(weak)
Help me.All three of them turn to face the door to the lavatory. Knowle, who happens to be closest to the door, opens the lavatory to find Krycek. He’s as blue as a Smurf and has fallen to the ground. He’s got a pretty nasty gash in his head and several scratches all over him. Knowle holds out his hand to him to help him to his feet. Krycek reluctantly takes it with a sneer.
KNOWLE
(concerned)
Are you ok?KRYCEK
Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?
(beat) I’m perfectly fine.KNOWLE
You’ve got a gash on your-KRYCEK
-I’m fine, punk! Geez!He pushes his way past Knowle. Brad gives a nasty glare to Krycek.
MONICA
(worried)
Alex, your head.Krycek turns to face her. Is he missing something?
KNOWLE
(re: his confusion)
Let me put it to you this way.
(beat) You look as blue as a Smurf,
and we’ll have to start callin’ you
Papa Smurf if you don’t let me take
a look at that gash in your head.Krycek’s eyes widen. He what?
KRYCEK
I what? I’m starting to
look like Papa Smurf?MONICA
He means the blood on your head.
(beat) Papa Smurf had a red hat.Krycek freezes. He can’t die from a head wound. How will he ever get back to his Marita Lynn?
KRYCEK
(scared)
Oh my god! Save me! Help me! Love me!KNOWLE
(trying to keep him calm)
Alex, just calm dow-KRYCEK
-THAT’S EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!
(beat) You’re not the one dying!KNOWLE
(calm)
Let’s get out of here, away from
this plane and I’ll help you, all right?Knowle goes up to Krycek and takes him by the arm. Krycek’s eyes widen in fear. The big guy who hates him is going to help him? No way! There’s got to be a trick!
KRYCEK
(to Monica & Brad)
Don’t let him kill me!Knowle rolls his eyes and gets out of the plane, and sits Krycek down on a rock.
KRYCEK
(pathetic)
I’m feeling woozy.Monica and Brad leave the plane and stand a few feet away from Knowle and Krycek. Monica looks at Brad, who is dabbing his head with the sleeve of his shirt.
MONICA
Let me see it.She goes up to him and he moves his hand so she can see his head wound.
BRAD
It’s not bad.Monica examines his head.
MONICA
Do we have anything to clean it?BRAD
In the plane.Monica nods her head and walks towards the plane, shortly followed by Knowle, looking for the same thing.
Brad glares over at Krycek, who pathetically sits on a rock holding his hand to his head. Krycek notices Brad looking at him.
KRYCEK
(pathetic)
What?Brad walks over to him.
BRAD
(not happy with Krycek)
You were supposed to be
sitting in the back. (beat)
Why were you up front?KRYCEK
(duh)
Nature called. Why?BRAD
It just seems a little convenient
to me that the plane goes down when
you’re up in the front. (beat) What
were you really doing?KRYCEK
(defensive)
Taking a piss.Krycek looks at him. He can’t be hearing what he thinks he’s hearing.
KRYCEK
You’re not blaming me for
the plane going down, are you?BRAD
You heard me. It’s just a
little too convenient.Krycek stands up to be face to face with him.
KRYCEK
It’s not my fault!BRAD
And how can you prove that?
We crashed didn’t we?KRYCEK
Yeah we crashed, but not
because of me!BRAD
(doubtful)
Right.He turns to walk away from Krycek.
KRYCEK
Hey! You just can’t blame
me for everything that goes
wrong in this world!Brad turns to face him again.
BRAD
Come on Krycek. Just admit it.
Somehow you managed to crash the
plane because you have it out against
me because I fired you. Or you can’t
have Monica, or whatever-KRYCEK
(he can be an ass too)
-Actually, no one “has Monica”.Krycek smirks at him. Brad glares at him again, anger boiling to the top.
KRYCEK
(smart ass)
And why is that again?Brad doesn’t say anything.
KRYCEK
(after a short beat; smart ass)
Oh yes, that’s right. You
just couldn’t stand that she’s
not the same Monica you used to
know and you neglected her. (beat)
Even I wouldn’t turn my back
on the woman I love. And I didn’t.
Marita went crazy because of the same
sons-of-a-bitches that hurt Monica,
and I never turned on her.BRAD
And none of that would’ve happened
to Monica if it weren’t for you.KRYCEK
Oh I see... we’re turning this
back on me now. But might I remind
you that it was you flying the plane.
(beat) So how about you tell me how
and why it went down.BRAD
Lost control of everything because
of mechanical problems.KRYCEK
(sarcastic)
And that’s where I came in, right?BRAD
Precisely.Brad and Krycek glare at each other. Brad waiting for Krycek’s next remark.
KRYCEK
(after a beat; serious, smart ass)
And uh... I guess since you aren’t
to blame for anything, that it’s all
Monica’s fault you two split up, right?Brad glares at him. The top is about to blow.
BRAD
You’re a fucking son-of-a-bitch.KRYCEK
Why? Because the truth hurts?CUT TO:
INT. PLANE – CONTINUOUS
Monica has found the first aid kit in a closet on the plane. Knowle stands by as she pulls it out.
MONICA
Come here.Knowle steps towards her.
KNOWLE
Yeah?MONICA
Your arm needs some attention.KNOWLE
It can wait, we’ve got head
injuries out there.MONICA
You don’t need to sacrifice
yourself for the others.She looks into his eyes, knowing how he acts in a crisis. He’ll put himself last to help other people. Knowle holds eye contact with her for a couple beats before he looks away.
MONICA
We don’t want you to get
an infection. We’d have
to amputate your arm.Knowle smiles and looks at her again.
KNOWLE
All right.He takes off his shirt so she can get a better look at his arm. Blood has fallen down his arm and dirt has gotten inside the wound. Monica starts to clean his wound.
MONICA
(worried)
I can’t get it to stop bleeding, Knowle.Knowle looks at his arm and then to the first aid kit. There’s only enough to help those with the more serious head wounds. He can’t stitch up his arm. He lets out a small sigh, his mind thinking.
KNOWLE
Back in the Gulf, I got shot
while out in the desert. No
military bases around. No
medical supplies. (beat) I
could’ve bled to death.He looks down at his arm again. This is going to hurt.
KNOWLE
It’s drastic. It’s painful.
But it will stop the bleeding.MONICA
What is it?KNOWLE
Is there a gun on board?MONICA
I’m not sure.Knowle motions for her to check the closet and she does, pulling out a case with a gun.
MONICA
What do you need with this?KNOWLE
Take out a bullet.She does.
KNOWLE
Do you have a match or a lighter?MONICA
I don’t smoke.KNOWLE
I know you’ve picked it
up a bit to help with stress,
all right? (beat) Do you
have a lighter? Anything?Monica pulls a lighter out from her pocket.
KNOWLE
All right. What I want you
to do is split the bullet
and sprinkle the powder
onto the wound.Monica looks at him. Is he crazy?
KNOWLE
(re: her look)
I told you, it’s drastic.MONICA
(unsure)
Knowle, this...She looks at him. This is going to be painful.
KNOWLE
I know, it’s going to be painful.
(beat) We can’t stop the bleeding
and we need to save all the supplies
we can for Brad and Krycek. They’ve
got the serious wounds.Monica nods her head. She doesn’t want to hurt him, but does as he asks. He knows better than she does about in the field medical training.
She sprinkles the gunpowder onto his wound.
KNOWLE
Now light it.MONICA
(quiet)
Oh god...KNOWLE
You can do this. I need
you to do this, all right?Monica nods her head and gets her lighter out and lights the wound. It catches fire. Knowle grits his teeth and grunts away the pain. A moment later, the fire extinguishes and a scab has formed on his arm, closing up the wound and stopping the bleeding.
MONICA
(worried)
Are you ok?Knowle doesn’t answer her right away. He catches his breath and allows the pain to leave him.
KNOWLE
I’m ok.He looks at her and nods his head.
Outside they start to hear Brad and Krycek yelling at each other. Knowle and Monica look at each other for a moment wondering what the hell is going on out there. Knowle picks up the first aid kit, and they make their way out of the plane to see Brad and Krycek fighting.
KNOWLE
(since when does Brad fight)
What the hell...Suddenly, Brad throws a punch at Krycek. Knowle hands the first aid kit he was carrying to Monica and runs to break up the fight. Monica stands in place as Knowle goes in between Brad and Krycek, stopping Brad’s fist with his own hand from hitting Krycek’s face again.
KNOWLE
(drill sergeant mode)
What the hell is going on?!He looks at Brad intensely.
KRYCEK
(from behind Knowle)
He’s blaming me for the crash.Knowle turns to look at him.
KNOWLE
I’m not talkin’ to you!Knowle is not happy that a fight like this is happening in the situation that they are in. He looks back at Brad.
KNOWLE
(intense quiet)
Since when do you start fights,
and especially in a time like this?
(beat) What’s the matter with you?BRAD
(still mad)
It doesn’t concern you.KNOWLE
I think it does. Especially given
the situation we are in. What’s the
matter with you? (beat) Both of you?He quickly glances back at Krycek, then returns his eye contact to Brad.
KNOWLE
We have a hell of a lot more
important things to do than
fight about who crashed the plane.
(beat) No one crashed the plane.
No one is to blame. You understand?BRAD
Since when are you in charge?KNOWLE
Since I’m the one not starting fights.Brad glares at Knowle.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
Now go sit over there.Brad glares at him for a beat then walks away.
Knowle turns to face Krycek, who is in shock that Knowle just defended him.
KNOWLE
(calmer)
Everything I just said to
him is the same for you.
(beat) Understand?Krycek can only manage to nod his head in agreement.
KNOWLE
Good. (beat) Sit down.Krycek does and Knowle goes over towards Monica to get the first aid kit to continue helping Krycek’s head, the more serious of the head wounds.
Monica looks over at Brad, not understanding why he would act this way.
Off her look...
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH – DAY
Scully and Mulder have managed to move Doggett out of the sun and to the shade of a palm tree at the edge of the jungle. Scully is cleaning the cuts on Doggett, while Mulder is looking out at the empty beach and ocean. He has a pensive look on his face.
MULDER
So where do you think we are?SCULLY
I’m not sure. I’m sure someone
will come along any time now
and find us.MULDER
That’s just it though.Scully looks up at him.
SCULLY
What?MULDER
A plane crashed here. Don’t you
think if someone were on this
beach that they would come to offer
their help? We’ve seen no one.SCULLY
I don’t know, Mulder.Scully returns her attention back to Doggett.
MULDER
Do you know what I think?Scully doesn’t answer, she already guesses it’ll be something about aliens.
MULDER
We were heading towards Florida, right?
(beat) What if we’re in the Bermuda Triangle.Scully can’t help but let out a sigh.
MULDER
I’m serious. Think about it, Scully.
(beat) Our plane crashed. Does anyone
even know why? How do you know we didn’t
get trapped in some mystical phenomenon?
(beat) We’re in the Bermuda Triangle.Scully lets out a sigh. Here we go again.
SCULLY
Mulder, the Bermuda Triangle is not as
“mystical” as you think. The unexplained
disappearances of ships and planes is not
because of some paranormal experience.
It’s all environmental. It’s one of the
few places where a compass will actually
point a navigator towards actual north
instead of magnetic north. Those disappearances
are because of human error. Navigators who
did not put into thought the difference
between actual north and magnetic north.
(beat) It’s not aliens, it’s not...
whatever you think it is.MULDER
(mumbles)
Scientists.SCULLY
(defending her point)
The Devil’s Sea off the east coast
of Japan has the same strange magnetic
characteristics as the Bermuda Triangle.MULDER
Ok, Miss Know-It-All, why then were
none of the sunken ships ever found?He gives her a look of “Ah-ha! I’ve got you now!” Scully lets out a sigh and is about to answer him, when:
DOGGETT
(out of nowhere)
Rough currents. The Bermuda
Triangle has rough currents.Scully and Mulder look down at Doggett. He smiles at them.
DOGGETT
They carry all evidence away.SCULLY
(beat)
Hi, John.DOGGETT
Hi.MULDER
(back to the Bermuda Triangle)
You two have biased opinions.SCULLY
(he’s unbelievable)
They’re based on facts, Mulder.DOGGETT
(anyway...)
Where are we?Scully and Mulder turn their attention back to him.
SCULLY
We don’t know.MULDER
The Bermuda Triangle.SCULLY
No we’re not, Mulder.MULDER
How do you know?SCULLY
I just know.MULDER
(to Doggett)
We’re on Gilligan’s Island.Scully lets out a sigh and rolls her eyes.
SCULLY
What, you have a theory that
Gilligan and the Skipper were
in The Bermuda Triangle?MULDER
They could’ve been.DOGGETT
Where’s everyone else?This question shuts them up and they turn their attention back to him.
SCULLY
We don’t know if they made it.Doggett sits up fast and Scully places a hand on his chest to tell him not to move too quickly.
DOGGETT
What do you mean?SCULLY
The front of the plane
detached during the crash.DOGGETT
(determined)
We have to find them.SCULLY
(realistic)
John, we don’t even know
if they are alive. (beat)
Chances are, they’re not.DOGGETT
(determined)
We made it.SCULLY
John, chances are they crashed
in the jungle. The fall alone
through these thick trees
would’ve killed them.DOGGETT
I don’t leave anyone behind.SCULLY
You’re not. We have to be
rational and realistic here.
(beat) We don’t even know where
we are, or what’s on this island.DOGGETT
So what, we just sit here?SCULLY
It’s the best thing to do
right now. I’m sure someone
is coming to get us. (beat)
They must be coming.MULDER
But what if we live the next
three seasons here, like on
“Gilligan’s Island”?Scully forces herself not to snap at him. He’s relating this too much to television.
DOGGETT
Mulder, please. I know you’re
scared, but this is real.Mulder nods his head.
DOGGETT
The sun’s going to be setting in
a couple hours. We need to find
a safe place to camp out for the
night. Find anything we can use
that’s still on the plane. (beat)
Food, water, blankets.SCULLY
Medical supplies. (beat) If any.Mulder nods his head.
MULDER
What if it’s monsoon season?DOGGETT
Then we’ll deal with that.MULDER
But you’re scared of the ocean.DOGGETT
And flying in planes that crash.
(beat) I’ll be fine, Mulder, all right?MULDER
Just checking.Mulder stands up and salutes Doggett, as if he were a Marine saluting his General, and makes his way over to the plane.
Scully smiles as she watches him go off.
DOGGETT
Is he going to be all right?SCULLY
He’s Mulder. I think he’ll
be all right. (beat) But we
should keep him busy to keep
his mind off of-DOGGETT
-It’s important to talk
about things, Dana. (beat)
We just lost our friends.Scully keeps eye contact with him. He’s right.
SCULLY
I know.DOGGETT
Are you all right?SCULLY
I’ve been in doctor mode.
(beat) I don’t know yet.DOGGETT
Just don’t hold it all in.SCULLY
I know. (beat) You too.She smiles at him. At any other time in her life she would’ve cut him off saying “I’m fine” when she was really a wreck inside.
DOGGETT
You have a bandage on your head.SCULLY
It’s nothing serious, don’t worry.DOGGETT
And Mulder?SCULLY
Not a scratch.Doggett shakes his head. Unbelievable. He looks back at the plane where Mulder is rummaging through the mess trying to find anything he can.
DOGGETT
We should help him.SCULLY
You mean, I should help him.
(beat) You stay here. You
were knocked unconscious and
we don’t want to have to carry
you out again.Doggett nods his head and Scully gets up, making her way over to the plane wreckage.
CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE – LATE DAY
Knowle and Monica are walking through the thick jungle. Knowle leads the way, carrying a backpack with him. The thickness of the jungle makes it darker than it should be.
KNOWLE
I think we have enough to
last all four of us a couple
days. But what we really need
to do is get out into the open.
You know, incase a plane flies
by or a boat sails by.Monica doesn’t say anything and continues to follow him.
KNOWLE
Of course, would being out in
the open be a good thing? We
don’t even know what’s on this
island. (beat) You know?They walk in silence for a couple beats. Knowle looks back at her.
KNOWLE
You all right, Monica?MONICA
(quiet)
I’ve never seen him like that.Knowle stops and turns to face her.
KNOWLE
Brad?MONICA
I’ve never seen him fight at all.
Especially being the one to provoke
it. (beat) It just... I don’t know.
He didn’t really seem like himself.
You know? (beat) You think you
know someone so well... and then...
They go and do something like that...She shakes her head. She’s not sure what to think of it. Knowle listens.
MONICA
(stating her opinion)
It was wrong what he did. Blaming
Alex for this. It wasn’t right.Knowle walks up to her.
KNOWLE
People do things in extreme
circumstances. Things they
normally would never do.He puts his arm around her to comfort her. He knows that must have been scary for her.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
Men fight. It’s the primitive
nature in us. (beat) I think
every man, once in his life,
gets himself into a fist fight.
(beat) I’m not saying it was
right for him to do that, it...She knows he’s trying to comfort her on this topic, but it’s not working, and he knows it.
KNOWLE
(after a short beat)
You’re worried they’re going
to fight again, aren’t you?MONICA
I don’t know. I don’t know
what I’m worried about.KNOWLE
I talked to them. I hope
they understand the circumstances.
(beat) And honestly, I think
they got like that because Brad
blames himself for what happened
and that’s how he’s dealing with this.MONICA
Maybe. (beat) It just... it
scared me when I saw that.Knowle nods his head.
KNOWLE
Came as a shock to me too.MONICA
I’m proud of you.KNOWLE
(not sure what she’s talking about)
What?MONICA
It’s no secret you don’t
like Alex, yet you defended him.KNOWLE
I may not like him, but I
see no right in blaming him
for what happened, or punching
him for it either.Monica smiles at him.
MONICA
You do what’s right...
more often than not.KNOWLE
I have my moments.He smiles at her.
MONICA
Nobody’s perfect.Knowle looks into her eyes as they stand in silence for a moment.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
Speaking of which... Are
we going the right way?Monica lets out a small laugh and smiles at him as he looks around unsure of where he is.
MONICA
Yes. (beat) Remember backyard boot camp?Knowle nods his head, remembering back to when they were kids playing “war” in Texas.
KNOWLE
Which part?MONICA
When you and I got lost in
the woods and were separated
from Shannon and Johnny. (beat)
You said to me that we should’ve
marked out tracks with something.KNOWLE
Looks like I forgot again.MONICA
I didn’t.Monica smiles and points to a tree that has a red marking on it. Knowle turns to see it, then looks back to see Monica holding up a red marker. He smiles.
KNOWLE
I’m glad I didn’t come
out here on my own.MONICA
You’ve been in that desk
job too long I think.Knowle smiles and shakes his head. Perhaps she is right. They walk off following their trail back to where they left Brad and Krycek.
CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE
Brad is gathering items from the plane wreck before it gets dark. Krycek should be helping him but he has found himself a nice perch on a rock. He’s still a tint of blue, but seems to have forgotten how Smurf-like he looks.
KRYCEK
I’m telling you. I have it
all on a videocassette tape.BRAD
Krycek, in my experiences with
you in the past, I can’t take
a single word you say as truth.KRYCEK
I’m serious. That asshole she’s out
looking for food with is trying to
put his cheap moves on her.BRAD
Please refer back to what I
just told you. (beat) Thank you.Krycek looks at him for a beat. Why won’t he believe him?
KRYCEK
He was at Manner’s and I got
into a bar fight with him.
I got his confession all on
tape. I’m trying to help you
here, ok? I’m not trying to be
a pain in the ass.Brad ignores him, knowing all to well that Krycek knows he’s being a pain in the ass.
KRYCEK
(after a beat)
They kissed under the mistletoe
at Christmas time.BRAD
(snapping at him)
I know!Krycek observes him for a beat.
KRYCEK
(suspicious)
You know... as in you know
he’s got these feelings for her?BRAD
Krycek, you’re no better than
women gossiping at a knitting party.Krycek smiles.
KRYCEK
You know I’m right.Brad ignores him.
KRYCEK
You just wait and see. He’ll
take her right from you. (beat)
I heard from the grape vine that
he was the last to talk to her
before she decided to call everything
off with you at what could’ve been your wedding.Brad stops what he’s doing and looks at him. For a moment he doesn’t say a word, considering in his mind what Krycek is telling him.
BRAD
(after a beat)
You weren’t even there.KRYCEK
(singing the California Raisons Song)
I heard it through the grape vine...
Bum-ba-bum-ba baaaa. (gets into it)
Ooooh... I heard it through the grape vine-BRAD
(irritated)
-Stop! For the love of all
things great in this world,
stop! You’re not the next
American Idol for god’s sake.Krycek stops singing. And a pout forms on his face.
KRYCEK
(under his breath)
I could’ve been.Brad continues working and Krycek starts to look around like an impatient, bored child.
KRYCEK
(after a beat)
I’m so bored. All my stuff was
in the back of the plane.BRAD
(annoyed)
How about you help me out here.KRYCEK
Hey buddy, I was tryin’. You
just weren’t listenin’.BRAD
(getting mad again)
With this! Helping me with all
of this bloody work!KRYCEK
Take a chill pill, man.Brad continues working again. Krycek watches him for a beat.
KRYCEK
(amused)
Your British accent came
out when you yelled at me.
(beat) That was cool.Brad ignores him. Footsteps near by catch their attention.
KRYCEK
(immature-like; quite)
Knowle and his girlfriend are back.Brad glares at Krycek, just as Knowle and Monica enter the area.
KNOWLE
We found some fruit.Knowle and Monica walk over to them. Brad stops working to see what they brought.
KNOWLE
Thanks to Monica we have
some food that is safe to
eat. She certainly has a knack
for knowing nature’s mysteries.Monica smiles at him. Brad watches her for a moment, taking note of her reaction to Knowle. Krycek’s words echo through his head.
MONICA
We were also thinking of getting
up early tomorrow to find
the beach incase a plane flies
by or if there’s a boat. (beat)
If we’re going to get rescued,
it’s best that we are seen.Monica looks over at Brad and stops for a short beat, noticing that his mind is elsewhere.
MONICA
(almost lost in thought)
But... we...She stops talking and looks at Brad, trying to figure him out. But she can’t. It’s as if she’s blocked.
BRAD
(impatient)
But what?Monica shakes her head to “clear it.”
MONICA
We need to be careful since
we don’t know what’s on this
island. (beat) Are you all right?She looks at Brad.
BRAD
I’m fine. Why?MONICA
I... I’m getting this vibe.BRAD
Vibe?Brad looks at her as if saying “what the hell are you talking about?” Krycek watches with interest. Could drama unfold before his very eyes?
MONICA
(after a small beat)
Never mind. (beat) We should eat.Disappointment washes over Krycek’s face. So much for the drama he wanted.
TIME CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH - LATER THAT EVENING
The sun is falling into the ocean, allowing a redish-purple sky to be painted over the beach. Doggett is laying down under the palm tree still and has fallen asleep. Scully is busy placing leaves and wood down on the ground in a circular formation. Mulder can be heard splashing in the water to find fish to eat that night.
MULDER (O.S.)
Here fishy, fishy, fishy...Scully looks out to the ocean and watches Mulder for a couple beats before picking up the wooden sticks. She places the two sticks in the circle of wood and leaves and starts to rub them together to get a fire going.
Doggett opens his eyes and watches her for a beat.
DOGGETT
(tired)
What are you doing?Scully looks up at him and smiles.
SCULLY
Working on getting a fire started.DOGGETT
You know how to do that?SCULLY
I'm an honorary boy scout.She smiles at him and looks back down at what she is doing.
DOGGETT
Boy scout?SCULLY
Yep. Mulder snuck me
into their camp outs.She smiles to herself, remembering back to the good ol' days of her childhood.
DOGGETT
Yet you own a tiara.He smiles at her with amusement.
SCULLY
Despite all my girly things,
John, I was a tom boy growing up.DOGGETT
I don't doubt that.A fire starts to form in the pile of wood and leaves. Scully smiles and works the fire to get it bigger.
Mulder comes over. He is covered with fish. Doggett looks at him.
DOGGETT
(re: the amount of fish)
Holy shit!MULDER
I know. I think this has to be
a result of "Mulder Luck".Scully laughs when she sees him. He is literally covered with fish from head to toe.
MULDER
I don't think we'll go hungry.DOGGETT
I'd have to agree. Let's
just hope the fire gets
hot enough to cook it.SCULLY
It'll get there. (beat) Mulder,
give me a fish to clean.Doggett looks over at her.
DOGGETT
And you clean fish?SCULLY
(devilish)
I like to gut 'em too.She gives him a flitatious, devilish smile.
MULDER
We're we talking about boy scouts?SCULLY
Yep. John had no clue I
was this hard core of
a tom boy.MULDER
(to Doggett)
Did you know that Super Buddies
originated in boy scouts?DOGGETT
It did?MULDER
Yep. Well, the essence of it anyway.DOGGETT
No, I did not know that.MULDER
It was my excuse to sneak Scully
onto our camping trips. (beat)
After Samantha was taken by aliens,
I was always scared to camp out
in the woods because I had read
reports about abductees taken
from family camping trips in the woods.SCULLY
(further explaining)
I was his "security" stuffed animal
that children have when they are young.DOGGETT
Like how Luke had a stuffed
dog named Rex he took everywhere?MULDER
Exactly. (beat) Only Scully wasn't
stuffed with fluffy cotton.Doggett smiles.
DOGGETT
You learn something new everyday.MULDER
I guess so.Mulder grins at him, just as Scully guts a fish like it's nothing.
CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE – LATER THAT NIGHT
Krycek is peacefully sleeping, wrapped up in blankets, near the rocks he has been sitting on this whole time. Shadows from a fire dance on his face. Not far from him is Monica. She is also asleep, not peaceful like Krycek, her face is tense. She cannot escape to get a moments peace in her head... even on a deserted island.
Knowle and Brad are awake, sitting in front of the fire Knowle built. Knowle is quietly reading a book, and has a knife close at hand incase he needs to fight off a predator. Brad looks up at him from across the way. He gets up and walks over to stand in front of Knowle.
BRAD
(stern with slight anger)
Back off.Knowle looks up confused.
KNOWLE
Excuse me?BRAD
(quietly not to disturb anyone)
I said back off. (beat) Monica’s
confused enough as it is. She
doesn’t need you to complicate
her life even more. (beat) Don’t
think I haven’t noticed what
you’re trying to do.Knowle sets down his book. He’s really confused now.
KNOWLE
What are you talking about?
I’m not trying to do anything.BRAD
(serious/slightly mad)
Just stay away from her.Brad walks away from him without another word. He goes over to where Monica is sleeping and lies down next to her, leaving Knowle alone with his words.
Knowle watches him for a moment, wondering what just happened. He doesn’t notice, but Krycek has opened his eyes and is watching. Knowle looks away from Brad and Monica and goes to pick up his book again, when he catches Krycek watching him. Krycek quickly closes his eyes hoping Knowle didn’t see him. Knowle picks up his book, trying to get back into it but his mind keeps thinking about what Brad said.
What is going on with Brad anyway? He’s been acting strange ever since they crashed. Knowle glances in Brad and Monica’s direction one more time, remembering that everyone deals with extreme situations differently.
TIME CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE – THE NEXT MORNING
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
Rain drizzles down through the thick jungle as Knowle and Krycek make their way through. Knowle leads the way, his knife is out in the open. Krycek is carrying a bag.
KRYCEK
If you’re going to kill me,
just do it already and end
this unnecessary torture.KNOWLE
What torture do you think
you’re receiving right now?KRYCEK
The intimidation of your knife.Knowle smiles and shakes his head.
KNOWLE
I’m not going to hurt you Pee-Wee.
(beat) Brad told me to take you
with me to find breakfast. That’s
what we’re doing.KRYCEK
(paranoid)
Well, why the knife? And
why have we been out for
almost two hours? (beat)
You’re trying to kill me.KNOWLE
The knife is in case we find some meat.KRYCEK
(shocked)
You mean kill a fluffy animal?KNOWLE
Yes. That’s why we call it hunting.
(beat) Say we never get found, are
we supposed to live off berries?KRYCEK
(quietly)
But Marita loves fluffy animals.Knowle stops and turns to face him. Krycek quickly takes a few steps back, drops the bag and puts his hands in fists, ready to defend himself.
Knowle stops what he’s about to say and just looks at him for a beat.
KNOWLE
You’re a very strange person, Pee-Wee.Krycek doesn’t let his guard down.
KNOWLE
I’m not going to hurt you. I was
going to tell you that you need
to survive, and even survival could
mean eating “fluffy animals”. (beat)
You want to survive don’t you?KRYCEK
(still scared)
More than ever. Please don’t kill me.KNOWLE
I’m not gonna kill you. (beat) But
you need to help me find food so
you can survive and return to Marita.
(beat) I’m sure she misses you.Knowle turns and starts to walk again. Krycek picks up the bag and follows Knowle some more. He will survive. Getting back to his Marita Lynn is the most important thing to him.
Knowle picks up a guitar case that is surrounded with debris from the plane wreck. Krycek doesn’t notice.
KRYCEK
So where are all these animals?KNOWLE
Not sure.KRYCEK
It’s been very quiet.
I don’t even hear birds.Knowle stops and looks up. He listens. Pee-Wee’s right... no birds chirping.
KRYCEK
It’s kind of like we’re at the
end of the world, you know? (beat)
No birds, no civilization, this rain.
(beat) It just seems so odd to me.Knowle looks back at him. That is strange, especially in a place with this much vegetation.
KNOWLE
That is odd.He starts walking again and Krycek follows.
KRYCEK
So where are we heading?KNOWLE
This way.He motions ahead of them.
KRYCEK
That’s obvious. I mean, do you
have a place in your head where
we can find food?KNOWLE
The beach. Maybe we can catch fish.KRYCEK
But we don’t have fishing poles.KNOWLE
Yeah?KRYCEK
Won’t that make it harder?KNOWLE
It can be done.Knowle notices some more debris from the airplane.
KNOWLE
Shouldn’t be too far.They walk for a few more minutes and then step out of the jungle and onto the sandy beach that is being pounded by waves and rain.
KRYCEK
Too bad it’s raining. The
beach would be more useful.Knowle looks at him.
KNOWLE
And those waves will also
make it harder to get fish.Krycek looks out at the ocean. His eyes widen.
KRYCEK
(scared)
We could drown if we do that!KNOWLE
Which is why we won’t.Knowle looks down the beach and sees the backend of the plane. He smiles.
KNOWLE
Just as I suspected.Krycek looks to see what he’s talking about.
KRYCEK
Hey! It’s the plane!KNOWLE
Let’s check it out.They make their way over to the plane, and are about to go in, when Knowle is suddenly knocked hard in the face with a fist, giving him a bloody nose.
KRYCEK
(excited)
YES!Doggett steps into view and sees that he just hit Knowle.
DOGGETT
(surprised)
Knowle?KNOWLE
Hey John. Nice hit.KRYCEK
(excited)
Hit him again!Krycek jumps in excitement. Oh how he hopes to see Knowle get hit again by Doggett. Doggett gives Krycek a look as Scully and Mulder join them.
DOGGETT
Are you guys all right?KNOWLE
Aside from the bloody nose, yes.SCULLY
What about Brad and Monica?KNOWLE
They’re back where we crashed.Scully hands Knowle a tissue... always the prepared doctor.
KNOWLE
Thanks.Mulder looks to Krycek and can’t help but let out a little snort-laugh.
MULDER
(overly amused)
He’s “Blue’s Clues”!Krycek glares at him and doesn’t say a word. He had almost forgotten his blueness.
SCULLY
Have you even tried to get
that stuff off of you, Alex?KRYCEK
And where would I do that?
Besides, it’s kind of stained.SCULLY
When the ocean calms, you
could jump in for a swim.
It could help a little.Krycek nods his head. He can’t wait to become normal again and not look like some sort of Smurf-like-Blue’s-Clues hybrid of a freak of nature. At least the rain is soaking him a bit. That might help.
KNOWLE
Here’s what we were thinking...He gets everyone’s attention again.
KNOWLE
We stay out here on the beach
incase someone passes by. (beat)
If there’s a rescue op, they’re
more likely to find us out here
in the open rather than in there.He signals to the jungle with a small nudge of his head.
DOGGETT
I agree.KNOWLE
I’m going to head back
and get Mon’ and Brad.SCULLY
Well you can’t go alone, you
don’t know what’s out there.MULDER
The truth?KNOWLE
I made it here just fine. (beat)
Didn’t see anything out of place.SCULLY
Still, no one should travel
alone while we’re here.KNOWLE
All right, John and I will-SCULLY
(stern)
-John’s not going anywhere.KNOWLE
Why not?SCULLY
He’s had a bad head injury.KNOWLE
So did Pee-Wee, and he came.KRYCEK
Only because Brad told me to.
He didn’t want Monica to be
with you or something, and
I don’t blame him. You’re a punk.They ignore Krycek.
SCULLY
I’m going with you.KNOWLE
John and I were in the Marin-SCULLY
-And I’m an FBI agent. (beat)
I’m going with you. Come on.She starts to walk off towards the jungle. Knowle watches her, guess he’ll have to go with her.
DOGGETT
(to Knowle; quiet)
Keep an eye on her.Knowle looks at Doggett, but he doesn’t confirm what he said and he leaves, heading in Scully’s direction.
MULDER
She’s so brave.KRYCEK
I know. Willing wanting to
travel through the jungle
with him. He’s an asshole.Doggett rolls his eyes. They better make it back in good time if he’s stuck here with the boys.
TIME CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE – ONE HOUR LATER
The rain has stopped and Knowle and Scully are making their way through the damp jungle. Scully finds herself having a hard time keeping up with Knowle. Her short legs do not match his height and the slippery mud isn’t helping either.
SCULLY
How much further to go?KNOWLE
We’re almost halfway there. I
suspect it took us two hours
to get to the beach. I’d say
it’s been an hour since we left.Scully continues to struggle behind him.
SCULLY
Could you slow down?KNOWLE
Try to keep up.SCULLY
(getting annoyed)
I am trying to keep up, but
my short legs are no match
to you, Knowle.KNOWLE
I guess that’s as nature intended.Scully stops, sensing some coldness coming from him towards her.
SCULLY
What’s your problem?Knowle stops, realizing she has stopped too.
KNOWLE
Now’s not a time to take
a break, Ms. Scully.SCULLY
(re: Ms. Scully)
All right. You don’t like me.She looks at him for a beat.
SCULLY
Why?KNOWLE
Because of what you did to Monica.Scully lets that register for a moment.
SCULLY
I kept her alive. I had
to do what I had to do.
(beat) She knows that.KNOWLE
You think it doesn’t bother her?
(beat) Her child was taken from
her. Forced out of her. She was
tested on. My god, prisoners of
war are treated better than that.Scully listens to him.
SCULLY
She’s never said anything about-KNOWLE
-Maybe because no one is listening.
(beat) How would you feel if you
lost your child because of some
testing project?Tears well up in Scully’s eyes. She knows all too well what that’s like.
KNOWLE
Would you be able to look at the
man or woman who did that to you?Scully looks away from him. If only he knew that what he was saying had truth to her life. She lost her daughter for years, believing that she was dead. Then finding out years later that Jill is alive and placed into The Project by her own father, John Montgomery, who ended her suffering only when Scully found out about the tests on her.
SCULLY
The difference is, I understand
because I have been a head scientist
to that Project several years ago-KNOWLE
-Monica wasn’t. Do you really think
she’s ok with that? (beat) My mind
can’t help but think there’s some
kind of PTSD or Stockholm Syndrome
going on with her.Knowle glares at Scully.
KNOWLE
(after a beat)
She told me that you and
Brad took her back to that
facility. Even though you
know that’s not good for her.Scully starts to walk again. He knows about that?
SCULLY
(defending her decision)
I had to do that. She needed
the medication to help her.Why is she saying this? She knows that medication isn’t helping her. She only does it so Monica can be “stable” to the rest of the world.
KNOWLE
That medication doesn’t help her.
It numbs her. (beat) Why can’t
anyone see that? It’s not helping
her. It only blocks her from
expressing what she feels. (beat)
She doesn’t need that. She needs
people to understand and accept her.
(beat) She’s still the same Monica-SCULLY
-She was being tortured by
what she was hearing, seeing-KNOWLE
-She still is. (beat) She’s
scared but no one seems to want
to see that. No one seems to
want to help her.Scully looks at him. She can tell that he’s angered that everyone treats her the way they do. As if Monica’s some sort of omen. No one wants to bring up her problem because no one understands it. Scully looks down, she’s not proud of her roll in this situation either, but she doesn’t know what else to do.
SCULLY
(after a beat)
Do you really think I don’t
hate what I have to do to her
every morning? Every morning
I have to stop by her place
and inject her with that stuff.KNOWLE
(strong)
You don’t have to.Scully’s expression speaks for itself. She wasn’t expecting him to say that at all. She never even thought of that. Knowle looks at Scully for a moment, looking straight into her eyes.
KNOWLE
In case you’ve missed it,
you are free to do what you
want. Why must you take away
Monica’s freedom? (beat) Stop
being other people’s doormats
and think for yourself.SCULLY
I’m not a doormat.KNOWLE
Then stop acting like
one. You don’t work
for those people any more
yet you continue to do
whatever they tell you to do.
(beat) Believe it or not, I
think you’re better than that.
You shouldn’t let the government
walk all over you. (beat) You
said that you used to be a head
doctor for them once, right?Scully nods her head.
KNOWLE
Then you should know what
is best for Monica. More
so than those who don’t see
her all the time. Am I right?Scully doesn’t say anything. She used to be able to stand up to those in The Project back in the day, but she’s been out of the loop for too long.
KNOWLE
Just because you think it’s
a man’s world, doesn’t mean
that it is.Scully looks up at him. “A man’s world”. That was the phrase her father used when disapproving of her choice to become a FBI agent many years ago.
KNOWLE
The Director of the FBI, though
full of scandal, is a woman. You
were a head doctor for a secret
government. You don’t have to
put up with the shit men throw at
you. (beat) You’re stronger than that.Scully looks at him for a beat. One moment he doesn’t like her and the next he’s lecturing her on how she’s better then the men in the government that run The Project.
KNOWLE
This leads us right back to
whether or not you should give
Monica the medication. If you
know it’s not right, then why
do you continue to give it to her?SCULLY
Because...Scully trails off. Why does she continue to give Monica the medication? He’s right. She doesn’t have to give her the medication. She could do what she knows is right and respect Monica’s wishes. The only reason she doesn’t is because she fears what Monica will be like with out the medicine. It could jeopardize her job, and who knows what else could happen to her.
After a beat, Knowle starts to walk away from her and she follows him.
SCULLY
I do it because I don’t want
to jeopardize her job. (beat)
We don’t know what could happen
to her if she’s out among people.
(beat) She has a strong gift.KNOWLE
And she needs help learning
how to control it and not
being medicated to the gills.Scully doesn’t say anything. She agrees with him, but doesn’t know how to help her.
Knowle stops his lead, and they both stand at the edge of a very high cliff.
SCULLY
Why are we stopping?KNOWLE
We need to get across this.Scully looks down. It’s a long fall down a rocky cliff.
SCULLY
You’re kidding me.KNOWLE
No. There’s just enough
room against this ledge
to safely make it across.
Just stay close to the rocks.SCULLY
(scared)
I can’t do this.She looks down below and then looks at the small rough edge she has to cling to.
KNOWLE
Are you scared of heights?SCULLY
No, but I don’t want
to fall and die.KNOWLE
You won’t fall and die.SCULLY
How do you know?KNOWLE
Because Pee-Wee and I didn’t.Knowle makes his way out onto the ledge and holds his hand out to her.
SCULLY
There’s no other way?KNOWLE
No, there isn’t. Now come on.Scully shuts her eyes. She can’t do this.
SCULLY
Oh god.KNOWLE
Well it won’t make it
easier if you shut your eyes.Scully opens her eyes and takes his hand. He helps lead her onto the ledge.
KNOWLE
Just keep your back up against
the rocks. Don’t look down.
(beat) You’ll be fine.Scully keeps her back up against the wall and they start to inch their way across the edge of the cliff. Scully keeps a tight grip on his hand. Her breathing becomes rapid as fear consumes her mind. She could fall at any moment and there’s nothing Knowle could do to stop it.
Out of pure fear and irrational thinking, Scully looks down. Her eyes widen as she sees how high she is. She loses her balance, lets go of Knowle’s hand and tries to grab onto the rock wall behind her as she loses her footing and slips with a scream.
Knowle quickly moves to grab her wrist.
FLASHBACK CUT TO:
EXT. ICED OVER POND – LAKE PLACID, NEW YORK
JANUARY 14, 1976
A young Dana Scully, age five, stands at the edge of the frozen pond looking out at her old brother, Bill Jr., who is playing hockey with his friends. Snow falls from the gray clouds above and she looks up with a smile on her face. Small flakes fall onto her face.
BILL SCULLY
You want to go out there, Starbuck?Little Scully looks up at her father, who has a smile on his face. Scully smiles at him and shakes her head “no”.
YOUNG SCULLY
I might fall.BILL SCULLY
Your brother is out there.YOUNG SCULLY
I’m scared to go.Bill Scully bends down to be eye to eye with his daughter.
BILL SCULLY
We all do things in our life
that scare us. It’s what makes
us who we are. It builds
strength and courage.Young Scully looks out at the frozen pond. She takes a deep breath and looks to her father again.
YOUNG SCULLY
All right. I can do it.Her father smiles at her.
BILL SCULLY
Let me help you with your skates.They go over to a bench and young Scully sits down as her father ties the skates to her feet.
BILL SCULLY
Are you ready, Starbuck?Young Scully nods her head and her father puts his hand out to her and she takes it. He helps her walk over to the frozen pond and she takes her first step onto the slippery ice. Bill Scully helps her stay up for a little while, holding onto her small hand.
YOUNG SCULLY
I want to do it on my own, daddy.BILL SCULLY
You’re sure?YOUNG SCULLY
Yes.He releases her hand from his and she skates off. Gliding smoothly across the ice. Her upper body stiff in fear of falling and not being able to get up without the help of her father. She stops after a couple minutes and waves to her father, when suddenly the ice cracks beneath her feet and she falls into the cold, icy water.
POV – YOUNG SCULLY
She has fallen through the ice and looks up. She can barely move, her muscles are in shock from the cold water. She lets out a scream and cold water fills her mouth. Fear rushes through her and she flails her arms above her in hopes of being saved.
Time seems to go by slowly as the possibility of death faces her.
Suddenly, a hand reaches down and grabs onto her wrist firmly, pulling her head out of the cold, icy water.
BILL SCULLY
(calm)
I’ve got you.Young Scully doesn’t say anything, her frozen body still in shock. She looks up at her father, putting all her trust and faith into him.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE – BY THE CLIFF – PRESENT DAY
Knowle has a tight grip around Scully’s wrist with one hand, and with the other he grabs onto a crack in the rock wall.
KNOWLE
(serious)
Don’t move. You move and we
both die. (beat) I’ve got you.Scully’s eyes are wide with fear. She doesn’t nod her head, she doesn’t talk, she barely even breathes. She looks into Knowle’s eyes, putting all her trust and faith into him.
Knowle takes a breath.
KNOWLE
(calm)
I’m going to pull you up,
and when I do, I want you to
grab onto this rock wall with
your other hand.Scully is frozen in fear.
KNOWLE
On the count of two, I’m
going to pull you up.He takes a deep breath, and tightens his grip on Scully’s wrist. The fingers of his other hand tighten on the rocks... they are the only things holding them up and keeping them alive.
KNOWLE
One... two.With all his force he pulls Scully up. She uses her legs to help get herself onto the narrow cliff side, and she uses her free hand to grab onto the rock wall just as he told her to do. Knowle doesn’t let go of her wrist once she is up.
KNOWLE
(calm)
Get your balance.Scully remains shocked by what happened. After a moment of catching her breath and finding her balance she looks at him. Words are unable to escape her mouth.