more cut scenes
'Original' Pilot
apparently copied from either the original
or this scanned 1998 script (must have Adobe
Reader to view the scanned version of the script)
********
ROSWELL HIGH
PILOT EPISODE
BY
JASON KATIMS
BASED ON THE NOVEL
FIRST DRAFT REVISED OCTOBER 15, 1998
"ROSWELL HIGH"
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. BACK OF LIZ’S HOUSE - NIGHT (MOS)
LIZ ORTECHO (16) sits on the ledge outside her window. She’s
potentially beautiful but she doesn’t realize that yet. She’s
also smart. She realizes that. She writes into a journal.
LIZ’S VOICE
March 22, 1999. Entry one. I’m Liz
Ortecho and five days ago I died. After
that, things got really weird.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO, MAIN DRAG - MORNING (MOS)
Liz rides her bike, through a very sleepy town.
LIZ’S VOICE
I grew up here in the bustling metropolis
of Roswell, New Mexico. You know, where
supposedly the alien spaceship crashed
fifty years ago.
Behind Liz we see a UFO Museum and alien-theme gift shops.
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - BIO LAB - DAY (MOS)
Liz, in her element, leans into a microscope, takes notes.
LIZ’S VOICE
I’m a straight-A student. Ninety-eight
average, Varsity Soccer, and I founded
the Roswell High Society of Future
Scientists. I say this not to brag, but
because I’m about to tell you some pretty
weird stuff and I need you to know that
not a flake.
PULL BACK to discover, MAX EVANS (16) classic good looks. He
is gracious yet shy, an outsider.
LIZ’S VOICE (CONT’D)
This is my lab partner, Max Evans. He’s
what my girlfriend Maria would call a
Roswell Hottie. In lab, we’re a great
Team. Outside of lab, we don’t really
talk.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CRASHDOWN - CAFÉ - DAY
Mostly empty. Liz in a “Star Trek-esque” waitress uniform
carries two burgers from the kitchen toward a table.
LIZ’S VOICE
This is where I work. It’s my father’s
place. Excuse the lame uniforms. But
like I said. It’s Roswell.
As the ambient sound of the café kicks in, Liz slides the
burgers onto a flying saucer shaped booth.
LIZ
One Sigourney Weaver and one Will Smith.
Get you folks anything else? Green Martian
Shake, Blood of Alien smoothie?
LARRY (20s), Lost in Space t-shirt, sits with JENNIFER (20s),
green hair, both obviously UFO tourists, shake their heads.
LARRY
So! Your relatives ever tell you any
stories about, you know, the UFO crash?
Liz just smiles, here we go again. She takes a beat to get
into character, then:
LIZ
I guess it would be okay to show you.
Liz furtively reaches into her uniform and pulls out a photo
ANGLE ON: MARIA DE LUCA (16), Liz's best friend, nervous energy
loyal to the end. She eyes Liz taking out the photo, smiles
knowingly. She approaches another booth where two burly men have
a heated discussion. They appear to be truckers, passing through
town.
MARIA
Refill?
One of the men glares at her and waves her away with his arm.
MARIA (CONT’D)
(walking away; to herself)
Nice attitude.
ANGLE ON: Liz as the tourists study the blurry photo.
LIZ
My grandmother took this picture at the
crash site before the government cleaned
it up.
INSERT SHORT: A worm black and white photo of what seems to
be an alien child. Larry and Jennifer are blown away
JENNIFER
Whoa.
LARRY
This is a stunning piece of evidence.
JENNIFER
Do people know about this photograph?
LIZ
I know about it. And now you know about
it.
JENNIFER
Whoa
LIZ
I’ll be right back. Don’t show that to
anyone.
Liz turns to walk away and smiles to Maria and ALEX WHITMAN
(16) Native American, skinny, talkative, smart. Alex sits at
the counter nursing a coke.
MARIA
Stellar performance.
LIZ
Thanks. I like it myself.
ALEX
So, like, what’s the deal with scamming
the tourists?
LIZ
They get a great story and we get a great
tip.
ALEX
I’ll never understand the white man’s
fascination with aliens.
MARIA
Don’t Native Americans get into aliens?
ALEX
We are aliens. Well, clearly you two are
stuck here and I’m not so, hasta la vista,
baby. Are we lunching tomorrow?
LIZ
Twelve-thirty on the veranda.
Alex exits.
As we hear the sound of a fist slamming down on a table, Liz
and Maria look over at the burly men whose heated discussion
has become a full blown argument.
LIZ
What’s their problem?
MARIA
Neanderthals.
(whispers/sing-song)
Max Evans is staring at you again.
ANGLE ON: MAX, in a booth, looks away when Liz looks over.
He sists with MICHAEL GUEROM (16), unruly hair, leather
jacket, mostly silent -- It's like it hurts for him to talk.
Max and Michael occupy themselves by playing a game of
"Quarter's Football" on the table.
LIZ
That is SO in your imagination. He’s Max Evans.
What would he want with me?
TWO CUSTOMERS get up and leave, Liz goes to clear their table.
As she does she gives Max the slightest curious look.
SUDDENLY
as plates and glasses crash to the floor
the argument between the two burly men
erupts . They are standing, shouting.
LIZ (CONT’D)
(to herself)
Oh, no.
BIG ANGRY MAN
I was told to pick up the money, alright?!
Not tomorrow!
NOW
!
SHORT MUSCULAR MAN
You won’t need any money if you’re dead.
The short muscular man draws a gun.
MARIA
Oh my God! Liz!
LIZ
Dad!
Liz races toward a door that reads “Employees Only.” Before
she gets there a gunshot RINGS out LIZ doubles OVER. She's
been shot. She falls behind the counter.
The burly men run out of the restaurant knocking over Jennifer;
Larry rushes to her aid.
Maria tries not to panic, runs to Liz and places a dish towel
on her stomach. It is immediately soaked in blood.
ANGLE ON: Max and Michael. Max is standing trying to go to
Liz, but Michael has him by the shirt, pulling him back toward
the booth.
MAX
What are you doing? Get off me!
MICHAEL
Max, what are you gonna do?
MAX
I have to do something!
Max pushes Michael away hard and runs to Liz. Grabs Maria.
MAX
Call an ambulance!
In shock, Maria goes to the phone. Max kneels over Liz. He
takes the towel away. Then places his hands on her stomach.
MAX
It’s going to be okay.
JENNIFER
Oh my God.
Larry and Jennifer have walked up, see Liz’s uniform soaking
in blood.
MICHAEL
Get back!
Michael pushes Larry back. Jennifer looks at Michael.
MAX
Liz. LIZ! You have to look at me.
Liz does. Max takes deep breaths, concentrates.
SLOW PUSH IN on Max looking at Liz, then suddenly we see:
A RUSH OF IMAGES:
A stuff dog with a chewed up ear; 5-YEAR-OLD LIZ in a purple
dress covered with cupcakes; 8-YEAR-OLD LIZ and MARIA stand
over a bird with a broken wing; 10-YEAR-OLD LIZ dances with
her hippie mom and dad in their living room; 14-YEAR-OLD LIZ
with her paren ts at a graveyard in the rain.
INSERT SHOT: Liz’s wound heals. The bullet hole closes, and
the blood dries up around her stomach.
Liz open her eyes. She looks at Max. Max exhales relieved,
surprised himself about what just took place.
MAX
You’re alright now. You’re alright.
LIZ
I don’t understand... I...
A distant SIREN is heard.
MICHAEL
We’ve gotta get out of here, man.
Max looks at him, nods. Michael runs out. Max smashes a
ketchup bottle against the floor. He pours the ketchup on
Liz. He looks at her, deadly serious:
MAX
You broke the bottle when you fell. You
spilled ketchup on yourself. Liz? I
need you to help me. Okay? I’ll explain
everything later.
Max exits. Maria and the Tourists look at Liz. Liz watches
as Max and Michael screech away in a banged up Jeep.
MARIA
Liz! Liz! Are you okay?
LIZ
I’m okay.
As she continues to look where Max just was, mesmerized, we
FADE TO BLACK.
END TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. CRASHDOWN CAFE - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
Liz is seated being examined by a PARAMEDIC. JEFF (50s),
long white hair, belly protruding from his Grateful Dead T-
shirt, looks down at Liz. He is very tense.
JEFF
Is she alright?
LIZ
I’m fine, Poppa.
ANGLE ON: SHERIFF VALENTI (50s), mirrored glasses, deliberate,
a bit thrown by an actual crime occurring. He’s questioning
a shaky Maria.
MARIA
...the guy with the gun was sort of like
a muscular Beavis and the other one was
like a beefy Butthead.
VALENTI
I’m assuming they weren’t actually
cartoons.
Maria takes a long sniff from a vial of liquid.
MARIA
Cypress oil. Reduces stress. Want some?
VALENTI
No thanks. Now, let me ask you one more
time. First you were sure Liz was shot.
LIZ
It was ketchup. I told you, Sheriff. I
fell. I broke this bottle of ketchup.
It spilled on me.
Valenti walks over to Liz.
VALENTI
You feeling better?
LIZ
I’m fine. Just a little shaken up.
VALENTI
(to the paramedic)
Make sure that brain of hers is okay.
It’s the most valuable asset in Roswell.
Valenti winks at Liz. Then to Maria:
VALENTI
Did you see what kind of vehicles these
guys took off in?
MARIA
No, I went right to Liz.
A MAN’S VOICE
One of them got into a green Ford pick
up.
Valenti turns to see Larry and Jennifer behind the counter.
Liz and Maria exchange a look.
JENNIFER
Maybe it would help to have his plate
number.
She hands Valenti a sheet of paper. His eyes linger on
Jennifer’s green hair for a beat.
JENNIFER
There were two others. Two boys, about
their age.
Valenti looks to Liz.
LIZ
That’s right. There were. I forgot. I
didn’t recognize them. Must have been
tourists.
LARRY
Sure looked you knew them to me. Sheriff,
can you come here for a minute?
Valenti walks over, obviously irked by this guy.
LARRY (CONT’D)
The gunman was standing there. He fired
the gun in this direction here. Jenn and
I have searched the place up and down.
No bullet hole. Sheriff, I think we both
know what happened here.
Valenti just looks at Larry, bewildered. Larry surreptitiously
hands him the alien photo.
LARRY
Before it happened, the girl gave me this.
Valenti looks at the photo, smiles. Holds it up to Jeff.
Jeff looks at Liz, admonishing:
JEFF
Liz, I told you no more showing fake alien
photos to the tourists.
LIZ
Sorry.
Valenti looks back at Larry, smiles condescendingly.
VALENTI
You folks can go back to your UFO Museums.
I’ll take over the investigation from
here.
Larry exchange a knowing look. Jennifer whispers:
JENNIFER
Typical.
LARRY
This isn’t just going to go away, Sheriff.
Liz looks at Larry, then notices something on her uniform,
alarmed. INSERT SHOT: through the dried-up blood on her
uniform we see a bullet
hole . She pulls her apron up to cover it.
LIZ
I’m gonna go get cleaned up.
The Sheriff looks to the Paramedic, who nods that it’s okay
MARIA
I’ll help you.
Liz and Maria calmly walk toward the bathroom.
INT. RESTROOM - CONTINUOUS
Liz and Maria walk in, their calm demeanor is immediately
gone.
MARIA
Do you want to explain to me why we lied?
LIZ
We didn’t lie.
Maria pulls out a dishtowel from the side pocket of her
uniform. It’s soaked in blood.
MARIA
This isn’t ketchup. It’s blood. You were
dying. I was watching you die. What did
Max do to you?
LIZ
(honest)
I don’t know exactly. It’s like he healed
me or something.
Liz saying this freaks them both out.
MARIA
I just think you should know that I’m
officially freaked.
And we CUT TO:
INT. EVANS HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY
A fridge door slams and ISABEL EVANS (15), Max’s sister,
utterly sexy, utterly cynical, utterly unforgiving about both,
dips a chocolate cookie in a jar of Wasabe mustard and eats
it. She’s very upset. Max tries to calm her. Michael is
also extremely up set. Max tries to cam her. Michael is
also extremely upset, but chooses to brood. He mixes a 50-50
mixture of Coke and Tabasco sauce.
ISABEL
I can’t believe this, I can’t believe
this. Oh my God, Max, why?!
MAX
I’m sorry.
ISABEL
That’s it? “I’m sorry.” You break a sacred
pact and that’s all you have to say?!
MAX
It happened so fast. I didn’t have time
to think about it.
ISABEL
No using our powers. We agreed.
MAX
Come on, you use your powers all the time.
ISABEL
Yeah, recreationally . It’s one thing to
have a little fun, break up the monotony
that
IS
my life and it’s another to go around
healing a human in a public place! Who
are you, Doctor Kildaire?!
MAX
Alright, we are where we are, alright?
Let’s just figure out what to do.
ISABEL
Did anyone else see you?!
Michael and Max exchange a look. Isabel is sick.
ISABEL
Who
MAX
Couple of tourists.
(beat)
And Maria DeLuca.
ISABEL
(hurling a cookie at Max)
MARIA DE LUCA
!
MAX
She’s Liz best friend. It’ll be alright.
Isabel notices Michael nervously fiddling with a display of
plastic fruit on the table.
ISABEL
Don’t
TOUCH
that
!
Michael pulls his hand back, frightened.
ISABEL
My mom spent months arranging it. She’s
like channeling Martha Stewart.
(then with growing panic)
It’s just a matter of time now. They’re
going to find us. And when they do,
they’ll prod us and test us and God knows
what else. You put us in danger Max.
All of us.
MAX
(doesn’t know what else to
say)
It was Liz.
Isabel sighs with disdain. The doorbell rings. They all
look at each other.
ISABEL
@#%$. Is it Valenti? @#%$!
Michael carefully looks through a crack in the window shade.
MICHAEL
It’s Liz.
ISABEL
Great. Miss Science Fair. She’s going
to have a ton of questions. What are you
going to tell her?
MAX
(beat)
The truth.
We see Michael almost stricken by these words. He speaks to
him quiet, intense.
MICHAEL
You can’t, Max. We never tell anyone.
Not your parents. No one. Your rules.
There’s a beat. The doorbell rings again and we CUT TO:
INT./EXT. FRONT ENTRANCE - MOMENTS LATER
Max opens the door. Liz stands there, a total wreck, she
wears an old trenchcoat over her uniform. She self-consciously
adjusts her hair, walks in.
LIZ
You said you’d explain everything later.
It’s later.
MAX
Come in.
LIZ
Hey.
MICHAEL
Hey.
Isabel says nothing. She just stares at Liz, sending chills
down her spine.
MAX
Maybe we should talk in my room.
Isabel looks at Michael.
ISABEL
This isn’t happening. This can’t happen.
As Isabel and Michael exchange a concerned look we, CUT TO:
INT. MAX’S BEDROOM - DAY
They walk in. Max tosses some dirty underwear out of sight.
Liz is clearly nervous.
MAX
Something to drink? Coke, juice? I
probably have other stuff. I could look.
LIZ
No thanks.
(beat)
I lied to everyone. Just like you asked
me to. But I need to know what really
happened.
MAX
There’s no way I could get you to believe
the ketchup story, is there?
LIZ
(tries to smile)
I don’t think so.
Max looks at her.
MAX
I can’t tell you Liz, how much I want to
tell you everything. But I can’t.
LIZ
Why not?
MAX
I just can’t. Liz, I’m going to ask you
to please... I mean, you’re alive right
now, right? Because of me you’re alive.
LIZ
I know. I know that. I mean, I never
even thanked you for--
MAX
That’s not what I meant. Could we just,
I mean, would it be at all possible that
we just, you know, let it go?
LIZ
Maybe we could. You know, if I was someone
else. But I’m sort of obsessed with facts.
Which you know. As my lab partner.
Max nods, considering what to say. Finally:
MAX
Liz, I don’t know how to say this. I’m
different. I’m not like you. That’s why
I can do things. Like heal people.
Liz trembles, tries not to show that she’s trembling. There’s
a long beat.
LIZ
How? How do you heal people?
MAX
I just can.
Liz is totally unsatisfied with this, but the door opens.
Isabel walks in breaking the moment.
ISABEL
We’re supposed to meet Mom and Dad for
dinner. We’re gonna be late.
(to Liz)
See ya.
Liz looks at Max, he can’t meet her gaze, and we CUT TO:
EXT. ROSWELL - NIGHT
Dark. Eerie. Liz rides her bike through the town, pedaling
frantically. She’s completely freaked. She rides past a
storefront window filed with dozens of cartoonish, stuffed
ALIEN DOLLS. It’s unsettling, her gaze lingers on them.
Suddenly, a CAR HORN HONKS, screeches to avoid hitting Liz
who has accidentally veered into the car lane.
Liz snaps to. Continues to ride.
LIZ
Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry.
CUT TO:
INT. MARIA’S KITCHEN - NIGHT
Maria shakily lifts a hot teapot from a burning stove, nearly
spilling the water over the flames. Liz takes the pot from
her, turns off the burner.
LIZ
Okay, we’re both a little too freaked to
be using major appliances.
MARIA
So, different . What does that mean? I
mean, did he at all think to elaborate on
that?
LIZ
Isabel came in before I could get any
other answers.
MARIA
She is so rude.
LIZ
Listen, can I use your shower? I have to
get this stuff off me.
CUT TO:
INT. MARIA’S BATHROOM - NIGHT
Liz walks in. She goes to the sink, washes her face. Maria
appears in the doorway, says nothing.
LIZ
What? You have that look.
MARIA
Nothing.
LIZ
What?
MARIA
So what we’re saying here is that you
were just... healed. Spontaneously. And
we’re supposed to do what? Nothing?!
LIZ
We be scientists. We stay objective. We
observe. We gather evidence. We come to
educated conclusions.
As Liz takes off her uniform, Maria eyes look on Liz’s stomach.
MARIA
I think we just gathered our first piece
of evidence.
Liz follows Maria’s gaze to her stomach. On Liz’s stomach we
see two silver iridescent handprints
ON LIZ looking at herself, stunned, we CUT TO:
EXT. NEW MEXICO DESERT - NIGHT
Valenti approaches a pick-up he has pulled over, his gun drawn.
He steels himself, then knocks on the window.
VALENTI
Can you put your hands on the steering
wheel please? Thank you. Can you step
out of the car please?
One of the burly men from the diner (Butthead) steps out.
VALENTI
Hands above your head, please.
BUTTHEAD
Okay.
VALENTI
Thank you. Very good. Thanks very much.
Valenti turns him around searches him.
VALENTI
You can turn around.
BUTTHEAD
Officer, if I was speeding--
VALENTI
This is about an incident that occurred
in the Crashdown Café this afternoon. A
gun was fired and I have reason to believe
that you were involved.
The burly guy looks at him, frightened.
BUTTHEAD
That wasn’t me, alright? That guy is
crazy. I don’t know if that girl died or
what, but I didn’t shoot her. I swear.
VALENTI
I never said anyone was shot.
MOVE IN on Valenti, taking in this information, and CUT TO:
INT. ISABEL’S ROOM - NIGHT
Isabel paces in her room like a caged animal.
ISABEL
God! I have to stop thinking about this.
I do. I’m clearly obsessing. I mean,
talking to myself? Not a good sign.
What to do? What to do? I’ve got to get
my mind off this.
Isabel notices a torn out magazine page with a photo of Clair
Danes in a sleek blue dress. A smile forms on her face as a
thought comes to her mind.
ISABEL
Oh well. A homecoming queen’s work is
never done.
Isabel lays down in bed, deep in thought.
ISABEL
Who shall I visit tonight?
We MOVE IN on Isabel who closes her eyes, and we DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - HALLWAY - DAY (ALEX'S DREAM)
All in black and white . Alex, in full Indian regalia, rushes
down the hallway dodging students, dressed as cowboys, who
attempt to keep him from his destination.
ALEX
Calculus final! Gotta get to the calculus
final!
Then, ISABEL appear in color wearing the Claire Danes dress.
She watches Alex’s dream, to herself:
ISABEL
What a lame dream.
Alex comes face to face with Isabel. He’s shocked to see
her.
ALEX
What are you doing here?
ISABEL
We’re late.
Isabel leads Alex down the hallway, he’s completely confused.
She pushes open the double doors of the gymnasium.
INT. GYMNASIUM - NIGHT - ALEX'S DREAM
Isabel and Alex walk in. Crowns appear on their heads. A
spotlight hits them. Music plays.
ISABEL
Can you believe we won? We’ve been voted
king and queen of the homecoming dance by
a jury of our peers!
Isabel tilts her head, asking him to kiss her.
ALEX
I have no desire to kiss you. You’re
Isabel Evans.
ISABEL
Prepare to experience life.
Isabel moves in, kisses him. Long and sexy. They break apart,
Alex looks at her, stunned;
ISABEL
Vote for Isabel, homecoming queen.
HARD CUT TO:
INT. ALEX’S ROOM - NIGHT
Alex wakes up in a start, sits up. He is breathing hard,
stunned
and we CUT TO:
INT. LIZ’S ROOM - NIGHT
Liz stands in front of the mirror, looking at the handprints,
concerned and confused. In this otherwise typical adolescent
room, a poster of Einstein hangs prominently. PRELAP:
MS. HARDY
Today we are going to look at the
difference between human cells and other
forms of life.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - BIO LAB - NEXT DAY
Liz sits at her table alone. Max isn’t there. MS HARDY (30s)
hands out lab materials as she lectures.
MS. HARDY
We’ve spent the last week talking about
genus and phylum and no we’re going to
get a little more specific and talk about
the difference between species. Mr. Evans,
so nice to have you join us.
Max walks in, sits down next to Liz. Liz looks at him, but
he just picks up his lab sheet and starts filling it out to
avoid looking at her. He puts his pencil in his mouth as he
reads, an age old habit.
MS. HARDY
Okay, everyone on the left prepare a slide
from a vegetable sampling. Everyone on
the right take a toothpick and get a sample
from your cheek.
Max is one the right. He doesn’t make a move. Liz just looks
at him. Finally, she hands him a toothpick. He takes it in
his hand, considers what to do. Finally, he stands up.
MS. HARDY
Mr. Evans?
The whole class looks at him.
MAX
Can I get a bathroom pass?
MS. HARDY
High maintenance today, aren’t we?
She hands him a pass. Max, takes his toothpick with him,
walks out. Liz watches him go. The other students are doing
the experiment.
MS. HARDY
It’s very easy to look on the outside and
say what differentiates humans from other
species. But what about on the inside?
As she speaks, Ms. Hardy hands Liz a toothpick. Liz takes a
scraping from her own cheek, puts it on a slide.
MS. HARDY
Everyone look at the human cells and
describe everything you see on your lab
sheets.
LIZ’S POV THROUGH THE MICROSCOPE LENS: human cells.
Then Liz lifts her face from the microscope, a thought occurs
to her. She looks at the toothmarks on Max’s pencil. She
lifts the pencil, takes a scraping from it, puts it onto the
slide. She takes a beat then slowly bends over the microscope.
LIZ’S POV THROUGH THE MICROSCOPE LENS: Max’s cells. They look
nothing like human cells. Or anything she’s ever seen.
ON LIZ, lifting her face from the microscope, shocked. She
is startled as Max returns.
MAX
I have a scraping.
Liz looks at Max, terrified.
LIZ
I already got one.
(grave whisper)
Max. What are you?
As Max looks at her, we...
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - HALLWAY - LATER
Jam packed, between periods. Max emerges from bio lab, tries
to disappear into the crowd. Liz chases him down.
LIZ
Max, I really need to talk to you.
MAX
Liz pulls Max through a door for privacy.
They are:
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - MUSIC ROOM - CONTINUOUS
All the orchestra instruments are stored here. Liz and Max
see KYLE VALENTI (16) Sheriff Valenti’s son, identical mirrored
glasses, holding a tuba, about to put it away.
KYLE
Ortecho.
LIZ
I need to talk to Max for a minute.
KYLE
I can’t leave. I’m instrument monitor.
LIZ
Kyle, please.
She takes the tuba from him to put it away. When she does,
her shirt rides up exposing the silver handprints . She pulls
her shirt down, looks to see if Kyle noticed. It’s unclear.
KYLE
So, my father told me about what happened
yesterday. Why do you need to talk to
him? This about the shooting?
LIZ
No. We just need to talk.
Kyle considers this, looks at Max, then back to Liz.
KYLE
So when are you and I going out on another
date?
LIZ
Kyle we never went on a date.
KYLE
Hey, you came to my place, we played
Nintendo, you ate my chips. That’s a
date, Ortecho.
LIZ
Kyle. Please. Give us a minute.
Kyle looks them over. Nods. To Max, as he goes:
KYLE
I have a complete visual memory of every
instrument in this room.
And he walks out. Max looks at Liz, a bit surprised.
MAX
You went out with Kyle Valenti?
LIZ
No, no... Yeah, but no. I was younger.
It was weeks ago. Can we just focus
please?
There’s a beat, then Liz slowly lifts her shirt, revealing
the silver handprints. Max just looks at her.
MAX
Wow.
LIZ
I scrapped some cells from your pencil.
God, this is really weird to say, and I’m
like trying very much to keep from blacking
out here. The cells weren’t human.
(beat)
Max, I don’t want to tell you what I’m
thinking. What I’m holding onto here is
that my experiment was obviously not done
in a very scientific manner. So what I
suggest is that we go to the bio lab now
and I take a sample so that I can see
that what I’m t hinking is wrong. That I
got the wrong cells.
Max just looks at her, in a corner. He conjures everything
he has.
MAX
Those were my cells.
Liz nods, she just looks at him, doesn’t know what to say.
LIZ
So, forgive me for asking a really stupid
question but are you a... an alien?
LONG BEAT, THEN:
MAX
I prefer the term not of this earth.
(off her look)
Sorry, not a time to joke.
(then, simply)
Yeah. I am.
Liz just stands there, motionless, her whole world is
collapsing around her.
MAX
Wow, it’s weird. It’s sort of a relief
to actually finally say it.
Liz looks up at him. She is terrified. She starts to back
out of the room. It’s as though she’s looking at a monster.
MAX
Liz..
LIZ
I have to...
MAX
Liz, it’s okay.
LIZ
I’m going to be late for U.S. Government,
so...
She backs toward the door. Max is alarmed by her terror, her
reaction. He is suddenly frightened, he puts his hand up
against the door so she can’t leave. Liz looks at him, she is
shaking.
LIZ
Please let me go!
MAX
I’m not going to hurt you!
LIZ
(tears well up)
Kyle’s out there!
MAX
Liz, listen to me--
LIZ
Let me
GO
!
She tries to force his hand away from the door. He grabs
her, doesn’t let go. They are inches away.
MAX
Listen to me. Liz, please. If people
find out my life will be taken away from
me forever. I’ll be a circus freak.
Liz. Please don’t tell anyone. Now
MY
life is in your hands.
She just looks at him. Nothing else to do, Max releases her.
She looks at him another beat, then opens the door and runs
out. Through the door we see Kyle watch Liz run away, curious.
Kyle turns to Max.
KYLE
What did you do to her, Evans?
Max is too overwhelmed by what just happened to even respond
and we CUT TO:
EXT. QUAD - DAY
Alex and Maria eat lunch.
MARIA
I can’t believe you had a sex dream about
Isabel Evans. I’m disgusted.
ALEX
I know, she’s the epitome of everything I
feel is wrong with society.
MARIA
Forget society, she has the personality
of a taxidermist.
Maria and Alex as Isabel walks up to them.
ISABEL
(sultry)
Hey, Alex.
Alex cannot even respond, he is so affected by her beauty.
Isabel looks at Maria.
ISABEL
Can I talk to you for a second?
Maria is obviously terrified, tries to put a front that she
isn’t. They walk off a bit, to speak privately.
ISABEL
Look, DeLuca, you and I don’t have a lot
to say to each other, so let’s not even
pretend. I don’t know what you think or
what you don’t think and I don’t even
care. The thing I need to say to you is I
can ruin you. Okay? But if you can keep
your mouth shut, which I know is a big
strain for you, then we’ll never have to
talk again. Which I’m sure would be a
great relief to both of us.
Maria tries to respond but she can’t. That’s how terrified
she is. Isabel smiles.
ISABEL
(to Alex)
See ya, stud.
And she leaves. Alex walks up to Maria holding Maria’s bag
which beeps.
ALEX
What was that about?
MARIA
Nothing.
Maria reaches into her bag and takes out her paper. INSERT
SHOT: Maria’s paper reads “3
RD
floor bathroom. 911!!!”
CUT TO:
INT. GIRLS’ ROOM - DAY
Maria is sniffing oils like a coke head. Liz nervously throws
water on her face.
MARIA
There is no way Max Evans is an alien.
LIZ
Maria, I need you to stay calm here, okay?
It’s very important that we both stay
calm.
MARIA
Okay, I’m not in a very calm mood
especially since I was just basically
threatened by Isabel Evans.
LIZ
What?! What did she say?
MARIA
Something about how she could ruin me.
What does that even mean?!
LIZ
Maria, I’m sorry.
MARIA
So this sample, this blood sample--
LIZ
Cells--
MARIA
Whatever. You’re sure, right? I mean,
you’re certain.
LIZ
Yeah.
Maria processes this. Finally looks up at Liz very serious.
MARIA
So what we’re saying here is Max isn’t
Max.
LIZ
I guess we are.
MARIA
Are there others? What about Isabel,
that would explain some things.
LIZ
I didn’t ask.
MARIA
What planet is he from?
LIZ
I didn’t ask.
MARIA
What did you ask him, Miss Scientist?
LIZ
Excuse me for being a little freaked.
MARIA
You’re freaked; I’ve lost all feeling in
the right side of my body.
(beat)
Liz. We are in way over our heads here.
We have to go to Valenti.
As Liz considers this, we CUT TO:
EXT. ROSWELL, LOW RENT DISTRICT - PRE-DUSK
Max’s jeep pulls to a stop in front of a sad looking tract
house. Max HONKS the horn. Isabel sits in the back, she is
notably silent, angry.
MAX
Isabel, just let
ME
tell Michael, alright? I don’t want him
to lose it.
Before Isabel can respond, Michael emerges through the front
door, carrying a bowling ball bag. He walks out onto the
overgrown lawn. MR. MCELROY (50s) his foster parent, white
trash, follows him out, ranting
MR. MCELROY
Don’t you leave here before you mow the
lawn! Hear me!? You think the whole
world revolves around you, you little
@#%$?! Is that what you think?!
Michael doesn’t turn around, doesn’t respond. Just walks to
the jeep where Max waits in the driver’s seat, and Isabel
waits in the back. He senses a deathly silence in the car.
MICHAEL
What’s going on?
ISABEL
Max told Liz.
Max throws a look to Isabel, thanks a lot. Michael glares at
Max, then angrily throws his bowling bag into the back of the
car and climbs in.
MICHAEL
Let’s bolt.
Max looks at Michael. Michael won’t look back. As Max starts
to pull out we PRELAP the haunting first notes of the
Wallflowers’ “Invisible City”, and CUT TO:
INT. -EXT. MAX’S JEEP/DESERT - SUNSET
The desert is beautiful, start; the sky ominous. The music
continues. Michael stares out the window. Max looks back
and sees Isabel is holding a CD to her ear, listening to it.
MAX
Isabel could you please not do that!
Isabel takes the CD away from her ear and that music stops
ISABEL
Right, like listening to a CD is our
problem!
They go silent as a POLICE CRUISER approaches from the other
direction. It just drives past them. But they are all freaked
by it. Then a silence:
MICHAEL
We should just keep driving. We should
get out of Roswell.
As this thought sits with all of them, especially Max, we CUT
TO:
EXT. DESERT - NIGHT
Two bowling bags are opened. Inside, are archeologist digging
tools, flashlights, hiking shoes, etc. Max and Michael start
getting equipped. Isabel remains in the backseat.
ISABEL
I can’t believe you two are continuing
with this pathetic, pointless search as
if nothing has happened.
Michael has finished getting ready and just walks off without
a word. Max looks at Michael for a beat, then turns back to
Isabel.
MAX
No one said you had to come with us.
ISABEL
Like I’m going to sit at home alone while
the parental units watch Fe lic ity trying
to quote-unquote-understand us and wait
for the feds to show up and turn me into
a national zoo exhibit.
Max, now equipped, is ready to go:
MAX
Coming with?
ISABEL
Yeah, right.
Isabel pulls out a stack of fashion magazines, lays back and
starts leafing through them.
EXT. NEW MEXICO ARROYOS - NIGHT
Wide shot. Max and Michael walk slowly, searching. Two tiny
figures in a huge expanse of desert. Whatever they’re
searching for seems like the most futile thing in the world.
ANGLE ON: Michael seeing something metallic glittering in the
sand. He slowly leans down, picks it up. A bottlecap. Max
walks up.
MAX
Maybe we’re getting too far from the crash
site.
Michael just flips the bottlecap away, and continues walking.
Max looks at Michael for a beat, realizes this isn’t going to
be easy.
MAX (CONT’D)
Michael... look, I’m sorry.
Michael doesn’t respond.
MAX
Michael we have to talk about this.
(off Michaels’ continued
silence)
Michael, come on. We haven’t found
anything in over a year. What are you
even looking for?
Michael swings around faces Max, his face red with emotion:
MICHAEL
I’m looking for scraps of metal in a
desert, Max. A needle in a haystack.
There’s no way we can ever hope to find
where we come from. Is that what you
want me to say?
MAX
I just want to make sure we’re okay here.
MICHAEL
We’re not.
Max looks at Michael, surprised and a bit stung by his anger.
MICHAEL (CONT’D)
Look, I would love to stand around and
chat, but unfortunately my only chance
for survival right now is to put together
a spaceship out of bottlecaps!
Michael starts to continue to search, then in a burst of
frustration takes his flashlight and hurls it into the desert.
He turns back to Max:
MICHAEL
Max. I’m not going to just hang around
and wait to get caught. I’m not going to
let them destroy us.
MAX
No one’s caught yet. Not even close.
And even if they did find us, we don’t
know what would happen. We don’t know
that there even is a “them”.
MICHAEL
Then where’s everyone else from our ship?
Where are our parents? They didn’t just
disappear. They were killed. That’s
what happened.
(beat)
If Valenti gets too close, I swear to
God, I’m going to take him out.
Max just looks at Michael, shakes his head.
MAX
Michael, don’t you see what that will
make them think about us? It’s a good
way to get us all killed.
MICHAEL
Max, you fucked up! Alright?! Big time.
Don’t you see what you did? When you
saved Liz you might as well have killed
the three of us.
MAX
It’s gonna be okay.
MICHAEL
No it won’t! I know you think it’s always
going to be okay. Because that’s your
life. But this is different. If we just
stand around things aren’t going to be
okay. We have to do something Max.
Max looks at Michael, taking this in.
EXT. PRECINCT - NIGHT
Liz and Maria sit in Maria’s Mom’s 80s Volkswagen Jetta.
Rain pounds on the windshield. There’s a long beat, then:
LIZ
This car smells like your Mom.
MARIA
I know, she dates more than my entire
Psych Club.
LIZ
Well, that’s not saying much.
MARIA
She went out the other night looking like
the Lost Spice Girl.
(beat)
So, we’re stalling, right.
LIZ
Yeah.
Liz thinks for another moment then turns to Maria.
LIZ
I can’t do this. I know I should, but I
can’t.
(beat)
He saved my life.
Maria looks at her, nods, not happy.
MARIA
Can we at least tell Alex?
Liz just shakes her head no. Maria nods, depressed and starts
the car. The wipers go on revealing: Valenti standing just
outside the precinct watching them, ominously.
LIZ
Let’s go.
As Maria peels out, we CUT TO:
EXT. CRASHDOWN CAFÉ - NIGHT
Wide shot. Maria’s car pulls to a stop in front of the
Crashdown Café. Liz gets out. Starts walking to the side
entrance, which leads to her family’s apartment above the
store. Max emerges from the shadows.
MAX
Liz.
LIZ screams.
MAX
Sorry, I’m sorry
LIZ
What are you doing!?
MAX
I’m really sorry.
LIZ
Are you following me now!?
MAX
No!
LIZ
No?!
MAX
No! I just, I didn’t want to be seen.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.
LIZ
Well, telling someone you’re an alien
then sneaking up on them in the dark is
kinda scary actually. For future
reference.
MAX
I just really need to talk to you.
Liz breathes, calms herself slightly, then looks at him.
MAX
I can’t imagine how you must feel. I
mean, I’ve thought about telling you a
thousand times.
LIZ
You have. Me?
MAX
Yeah.
She looks at him, considering this.
MAX
But the thing is I never could. I’ve just
always had to keep this secret. Because
I’m so afraid whoever I told would freak
out.
LIZ
Like I did.
Max nods. There’s a long beat. Liz considers this, then:
LIZ
Max, I’m sorry to be so scared of you.
But this is so... I just don’t know if
you’re you. If you’re the person I’ve
known all these years.
Max looks at her, nods. Then he thinks of something that
makes him smile.
LIZ
What? This is funny to you? You’re like
amused?
MAX
I just keep picturing you in that dress
with the capcakes on it. Remember?
Liz looks at him, clueless. Then, remembers.
LIZ
Oh, my God. My cupcake dress! I totally
forgot about that. I can’t believe I
went out in public in that thing.
MAX
It was cute.
LIZ
It was so...
MAX & LIZ
PURPLE
They laugh, the tension momentarily broken. But Liz stops
laughing, as something dawns on her. She grows upset.
LIZ
I had that dress in kindergarten. I didn’t
know you until third grade. How did you
know about it? What do you read minds or
something? Because that’s an incredible
invasion of--
MAX
I don’t read minds. When I healed you, I
made this... I don’t know, this connection
. And I got this rush of images. And
somehow I just knew things. An image of
that dress flashed into my mind and I
knew how you felt about it.
LIZ
How did I feel about it?
MAX
It was the single supreme embarrassment
of your life. But your Mom made it for
you. And she was so proud of it; she
never made a dress before. So you wore
it. For her sake.
Liz just looks at him for a beat. He’s right on.
LIZ
What else did you see?
MAX
I saw you at your sister’s grave. You
didn’t let yourself cry because you mom
and dad were crying. And you though
someone had to hold themselves together.
Liz just nods. Max looks at her, considers something, then:
MAX
I never tried this, but maybe I can make
the connection go the other way. So you
can see, you know, that I’m still me.
Liz looks at him, unsure, finally she nods. Max looks at
her, steels himself then.
MAX
I have to touch you.
Liz nods. Max reaches out and gently pushes her hair behind
her ears. Liz consciously concentrates on not flinching.
Max softly cups her face with his hands. Liz stands there
with her hands hanging by her side.
MAX
Take deep breaths and try to let you mind
blank out.
They breathe together. Look into each other’s eyes.
MOVE IN ON LIZ -- looking at Max. As Liz’s eyes register
something happening, we see:
A seven year old boy and girl break out of a pod.
LIZ’S VOICE
I wanted to know Max was still Max, but
what I found was he was more than I ever
knew Max was.
Find a naked seven-year-old boy and girl walking hand in hand
through the desert. MOVE IN on the young boy, his face, his
eyes. The boy and girl walk onto the highway. A blue sedan
pulls to a stop ahead of them.
LIZ’S VOICE
I could feel everything he was feeling.
His heart was this keep never ending well
of warmth and emotion. For the first
time I was really seeing Max Evans.
Seven-year-old Max walks into the library and stops seeing
seven-year-old Liz. He can’t take his eyes off her.
LIZ’S VOICE
I saw me, as he saw me.
IN SLOW MOTION: 16-YEAR-OLD MAX passes Liz who laughs at
something Maria said, completely unaware that she’s being
watched. She looks beautiful. Max’s eyes linger on her.
LIZ’S VOICE
And the amazing thing was, in his eyes?
I was beautiful.
BACK TO THE SCENE:
Max Takes his hand from her face.
MAX
Did it work? Did you see anything?
Liz looks at Max, can’t speak. She just nods and we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. SHOPPING MALL - CHANGING ROOM - NEXT DAY
Maria stands outside a changing room speaking in an urgent
whisper.
MARIA
I just want to point out that you are
shopping in an emotionally charged state.
Which can be frustrating and potentially
expensive.
INTERCUT: in the changing room Liz sits back aglow in the
memory of Max.
LIZ
Maria, it was so amazing. Max is like so
deep.
MARIA
Liz, okay, you connected with him. I’m
sure it’s a very special thing to look
into a guy’s soul and all that, but I
need to know that you’re not planning on
moving forward with this.
LIZ
Of course I’m not moving forward. What
would that even mean? Like date him? Is
that what you’re suggesting? That I date
Max Evans?
MARIA
Look, I’m divided here because on one
hand I think it’s really great that you’ve
finally got your eyes out of a microscope
and onto a guy, and one the other hand I
don’t think Max is really your type. I
think you’d be much better with someone
else, like a n earthling.
LIZ
Maria, I know . Of course they
DO
say you’re most likely to find a guy where
you least expect it.
MARIA
Yeah, but it’s usually not in a pod.
Look, I just feel it behooves me to point
out that Max Evans is an alien. And
“behoove,” by the way, is a word I never
had to resort to before.
Maria can’t take it anymore, she bursts into the changing
room. Maria looks at Liz sitting back, smiling, not a care in
the world.
MARIA
Oh my God. You’re in love.
LIZ
Really
?
MARIA
This is not a good thing! It’s a bad
thing! Very bad! What happened to “we’re
scientists. Stay objective?!” Liz, you’re
my center, okay? You’re the ying to my
yang. The Captain to my Tenielle. Please.
This is not the moment to start jumping
into bed with aliens.
LIZ
Maria, I don’t know but I’m feeling
something. It’s strange. I’m like happy
but sick.
MARIA
Do you think Max is putting a force on
you?
LIZ
Definitely
Liz rises, her dress falls over her body like a magic gown.
She looks incredible. Transformed from a girl to a woman.
She walks out to
INT. CLOTHING STORE - MIRROR - CONTINUOUS
Liz walks to the mirror where Alex has been waiting. Looks
at herself, unsure. She turns to Alex, who is mesmerized:
LIZ
Well...?
ALEX
(I’m not in love with this girl I’m not
)
I thought we weren’t even going to this
stupid dance.
INT. BOY’S BATHROOM - DAY
Alex is washing his face, Michael walks in. They see each
other, say nothing. Michael goes to the urinal.
ALEX
So, anyway, I know everything about Max.
Michael says nothing but his eyes register concern.
ALEX
Who told you?
ALEX
Are you kidding? It’s all over school.
Michael looks at Alex, his world caving in.
ALEX
Everyone knows about the incident in the
instrument room. And they were seen
together again several times. The point
is if Max and Liz are together or
whatever, I can handle it.
Michael looks at Alex, his eyes register relief.
ALEX
I mean, Liz and I are friends, buddies.
So, there’s no reason for this whole hush
hush thing. So if you can get that message
to Max, I’d appreciate it.
Michael rolls his eyes, realizing. Without even looking at
Alex, he walks out. Alex looks where Michael was.
ALEX
Great. Terrific conversationalist.
CUT TO:
INT. BIO LAB - DAY
Liz walks in. Sits down next to Max. She’s dressed different,
sexier. It’s not her. Max looks at her, surprised. She’s
extremely self-conscious in his presence.
LIZ
Hi!
MAX
Hey.
LIZ
Good to see you again.
Max looks at her, as if she’s alien.
MAX
Good to see you.
Liz searches for something to say, suddenly incredibly awkward
around Max.
LIZ
Nice day! Bright!
The sit down start to work. Liz steals a look at him, Max
looks back, confused by her behavior.
LIZ’S VOICE
Then I wondered was this all in my
imagination? I mean, so what? He had
feelings for me when we were seven. He’d
just broke out of a pod; he’d probably
have feelings for a spatula.
Liz notices Max, his expression grows serious. Someone taps
Liz’s shoulder. She looks up:
MS. HARDY
You’re needed outside.
Liz looks outside the door: Valenti stands there waiting for
her. Maria stands beside Valenti. On Liz’s expression we CUT
TO:
INT. VALENTI’S CRUISER - DAY
Liz and Maria sit in the back seat of the car. Valenti drives.
It’s silent. Liz leans close to Maria, whispers:
LIZ
Did you say anything?
MARIA
Noo Valenti eyes the rear view, they stop
talking. Liz looks up concerned as Valenti
pulls to a stop at the City Morgue.
INT. MORGUE - DAY
Valenti, Maria and Liz walk in. Liz and Maria stand near the
doorway, frightened.
VALENTI
I’m sorry but I need you to look at this.
There’s been a murder.
Valenti walks to a metal drawer in the wall, opens it, nods
to Liz and Maria. Liz and Maria walk slowly to the body
wrapped in a body bag. Tears fill Liz’s eyes as she steels
herself and looks through the plastic bag. Through the plastic
we see a CORPSE , an elderly man.
LIZ
I don’t know this man.
Maria also shakes her head, she doesn’t know him either.
VALENTI
What do you make of these marks?
Valenti pulls down the sheet covering the corpse part way.
Liz sees two silver hand prints on his chest. Liz looks at
them, stunned. Maria is terrified. Maria looks at Liz. Liz
just looks at Valenti.
LIZ
I’ve never seen anything like them before.
MARIA
(takes everything she has)
Me either.
Valenti nods. Looks at Maria.
VALENTI
Could you wait outside?
Maria looks at Liz. Liz nods. Maria walks out. Liz tries
to face Valenti eye to eye.
VALENTI
Liz, my son Kyle thought he saw similar
marks on your stomach.
Liz looks at him, says nothing, then:
LIZ
He was wrong.
VALENTI
Can I see for myself?
LIZ
Sheriff, come on. I mean, what’s going on
here? Has everyone gone crazy? I spilled
ketchup. I said that like a hundred times.
VALENTI
Please.
Liz looks at Valenti, no choice left. She slowly takes her
shirt out of her pants. Lifts her shirt. Looks at her
stomach.
The hand prints are gone . She covers her surprise.
VALENTI
I guess Kyle was wrong.
LIZ
Can I go now?
Valenti nods. She starts to go, then:
VALENTI
Liz, you know about my father, right?
Liz stops. Slowly turns back to him, nods.
LIZ’S VOICE
They called him Sergeant Martian. After
the crash, after every other witness change
their story, Sergeant Martian still claimed
he saw aliens. He sort of became the
town joke.
VALENTI
The thing about it is, my whole life I
thought he was as crazy as everyone else
did. His own son. Now, I’m not so sure.
He looks at her. She tries to stay strong.
VALENTI
I went back to the diner. There is no
bullet hole. Those two from the diner
said that they saw you shot.
LIZ
You’re listening to those two? The
background check on them must read like a
trip to a Star Trek convention.
VALENTI
I also found one of the men who was in
the argument. He confirms their story.
Liz. We’re no longer talking about a
friendly alien who goes around healing
people. We’re talking about a murderer.
Liz, are you telling me everything?
Liz considers for a long beat. She looks at the body again,
the marks. Then finally.
LIZ
I... I don’t believe in aliens.
She’s in a state of utter confusion. As she backs out of the
room we CUT TO:
INT. MORGUE HALLWAY - SECONDS LATER
Maria waits terrified when Liz emerges. Liz takes off down
the hallway. Maria chases after her.
MARIA
Max did that, didn’t he? He killed that
man.
LIZ
I don’t know.
MARIA
Liz, don’t leave me here like that. I’m
like freaking okay?
LIZ
!
Liz heads out the door leaving Maria alone and we CUT TO:
EXT. ROSWELL, MAIN DRAG - DAY
Liz runs. The town is bustling with UFO TOURISTS. Outside
the Crashdown Café, a NEWS CREW is doing a story. We see
Larry and Jennifer being interviewed by a reporter.
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - GYMNASIUM - DAY
Boys gym glass. Liz walks in, the only girl. She stands at
the doorway, intense, upset. All eyes are on her. Max looks
up, sees her. Liz just walks out. Max rises to follow her.
ANGLE ON: KYLE, VERY CURIOUS AND WE CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Max emerges, stops seeing Liz’s expression.
LIZ
I have to talk to you.
She turns to leave. On Max, mystified, we CUT TO:
INT. AV ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Max looks at Liz. Liz is shaking, trying to stay in control.
LIZ
Could you stand further back?
(he steps back)
A little further. Behind that line.
Max steps behind a black line in the tiled floor.
LIZ
Thank you.
Liz puts her hand on a fire alarm, poised to pull it.
LIZ
Step over the line and I’m pulling the
alarm and blowing the whistle okay? On
this entire...
THING
Max just nods, tries to calm her, she’s
ready to blow a fuse.
LIZ
What am I doing ? God. What am I doing
going into a room alone with you? It’s
not logical. You’re making me do things
that aren’t logical. And I hate you for
that, Max. I do. I hate you.
MAX
Liz...
LIZ
Step back please! Thank you!
(she looks at him)
Valenti showed me this body. A corpse.
He had silver handprints on his chest.
He thinks that the man was killed by an
alien.
MAX
(calm, soothing tone)
I was driving before. A man on the street
had a heart attack. I tried to heal him.
But it was too late.
LIZ
I see. So you just heal anyone? I get
shot, you heal me. Old man on the street,
sure, why not? The more the merrier.
When in Rome.
MAX
(calm)
Before I healed you, I didn’t know that I
could do that. I mean, I can manipulate
molecular structures, so I always thought
maybe. And then it was you . So I tried.
Liz tries not to be affected by this, but she is.
MAX
And when I realized I could do something
like that, that I could save someone’s
life, it sort of made me realize that
maybe what I am isn’t just a curse. Maybe
it’s also a gift.
LIZ
I see... I see.
Liz is moved, but holds on to what she has to do. She takes
out a loose leaf page filled with a list of questions. Max
just looks at her.
LIZ
Where do you come from? What planet?
MAX
I don’t know. After the crash someone
brought us--
LIZ
--
US
?
MAX
(beat)
Isabel and I shared a pod.
Liz nods her head, crosses a question off her list.
LIZ
That answers that.
MAX
Anyway, someone brought us to a cave where
we’d be safe. We think maybe our parents.
We broke out of the pod forty years later.
I was seven. Isabel and I Started walking
and we wound up on the road and...
LIZ
And a blue sedan stopped for you.
(off his look)
I saw it. You know, before.
MAX
It was the Evans’ car. And they adopted
us. Which was the luckiest thing that
ever could have happened. Michael wasn’t
as lucky.
Liz looks at him. He nods. Liz checks off another question
off her list.
MAX
He’s been bouncing around from foster
home to foster home. Which basically
sucks.
LIZ
Are there others?
MAX
Not that we know of.
A beat.
MAX
Anything else on your list?
LIZ
Just... Are you in disguise?
MAX
A disguise?
LIZ
You know, are you like three feet tall
and green and rubber? Sorry, it’s Maria’s
question.
MAX
No disguise. As far as I know this is
what I look like.
Liz nods. Puts away her list of questions. Beat, then she
looks right at Max:
LIZ
So when you saved me, you put Isabel and
Michael in danger, didn’t you?
Max just nods, she has hit on an enormous burden Max is
carrying.
MAX
(barely audible)
Yeah.
LIZ
That must have been really, really hard.
Max is silent. Liz takes a breath, then looks at him.
MAX
So.. What did you tell Valenti?
LIZ
I told him I don’t believe in aliens.
MAX
(beat, he looks right at
her)
That must have been really, really hard.
Suddenly, the door opens. Max and Liz duck behind a projector.
They are very close. Footsteps approach. It’s Kyle.
KYLE
My father calls you in for questioning
and you run right to Max. What’s going
on, Ortecho? What’s Max got to do with
all this?
Liz looks at him, not knowing what to say, then:
LIZ
Kyle, we came here to be alone. So, do
you mind?
A stream of rageful jealousy shoots through Kyle.
KYLE
You have Evans. Right. I believe that.
Liz slides her arms around Max’s waist. Max’s eyes register
this.
LIZ
Well, I guess guys don’t notice other
guys’ bodies. Could you like leave us
alone?
Kyle looks at them with building anger, jealousy.
KYLE
Like this will last.
He turns and leaves. We can sort of make out Kyle’s figure
outside the window.
LIZ
I think he’s looking. Maybe you should
kiss me or something. To throw him off.
Do we hear Max swallow?
MAX
If you think it would help.
Max and Liz lean in and kiss. It’s incredibly awkward, yet
somehow sweet. They pull apart. Liz is unable to speak for
a moment, then:
LIZ
I think that worked.
She looks at him, wondering what that just mean and we CUT
TO:
INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
Larry and Jennifer pour through stacks of Roswell High
Yearbooks, school newspapers, etc. There’s a knock on the
door. Larry opens it. It’s Valenti.
VALENTI
I’m ready to listen.
(he walks in)
You said there were two boys in the café.
Did you see them?
JENNIFER
Not the one who healed the girl. His
friend.
Jennifer hands Valenti the Roswell High yearbook. INSERT
SHOT -- A yearbook page. ZOOM IN on a circled face, the one
brooding face in a sea of smiling faces:
MICHAEL
Valenti nods with recognition and we:
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
INT. MARIA’S HOUSE - FRONT DOOR/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Maria opens the door. Liz walks in.
LIZ
Max didn’t kill that man.
MARIA
Liz! Hi!
Alex walks up. By their guilty smiles, Liz just knows.
LIZ
You told Alex.
MARIA
I had to.
LIZ
(to Maria)
I thought I could trust you.
ALEX
We’re going to Valenti.
Liz just looks at them, distraught.
ALEX (CONT’D)
We don’t know what we’re dealing with
here Liz. We don’t know for sure what
powers he has. We don’t know what his
agenda is.
LIZ
Agenda?
ALEX
That man was murdered.
LIZ
He wasn’t. Max tried to save him.
ALEX
That’s what he said. How do you know he
was telling the truth?
LIZ
I trust Max. Completely. Alright?
ALEX
So you’re like falling for Max Evans!
That’s perfect. It really is.
Liz and Alex are both surprised by Alex’s jealousy.
LIZ
I thought you of all people would be on
his side. Aren’t you always saying you
feel like an alien yourself? That everyone
should be treated equally.
ALEX
Yeah. Everyone except real aliens.
LIZ
He’s still Max.
(to Alex)
He’s the same guy who got Stuart Deckler
to stop beating you up in fifth grade.
(to Maria)
He’s the same guy who always picked you
first for softball even though you’re the
most pathetic athlete in Roswell.
(beat)
Please. Just talk to him. If you still
think there’s any possibility that he’s a
threat to anyone then we’ll all go to
Valenti.
Liz looks at both of them pleadingly. As we HOLD ON Maria
and Alex considering we CUT TO:
INT. MAX’S ROOM - NIGHT
Liz walks in. She stops, stricken, seeing Max packing his
back pack. Before he can say anything, Maria and Alex walk
in. We hear Isabel dragging stuff in from the hallway.
ISABEL (V.O.)
Okay, I know this isn’t the traditional
way to make a getaway but I guarantee
these are all essentials.
Isabel comes in struggling with several pieces of luggage.
She stops cold seeing the new arrivals. At that moment, an
old army duffel bag flies in through Max’s window, followed
by Michael. Michael looks at everyone.
MICHAEL
Slumber party?
They all look at each other, silent for a moment.
LIZ
Maria and Alex know.
ISABEL
Terrific! Dorothy and the Scarecrow.
(to Maria)
Boo!
MARIA
(jumping back)
That’s really not funny.
LIZ
Where are you going?
MAX
We’re going to leave.
LIZ
I don’t think that’s such a great idea.
ISABEL
Why, not finished jamming your tongue
down my brother’s throat.
Max rolls his eyes. Alex looks at Liz, she didn’t tell him
that part.
LIZ
It will just show people that you’re
guilty.
MICHAEL
Guilty of what? Saving your life?
LIZ
I didn’t mean that. I’m just saying if
we work together--
ISABEL
But we’re not together. We’re the ones
in danger. We’re the ones giving up
everything.
(fighting emotion)
We can’t even say goodbye to our parents.
LIZ
Look, I can’t tell you how all this makes
me feel. Right now, I wish Max hadn’t
healed me. I do. But I can’t change
that. If you run they’ll know. They’ll
know everything.
Max considers this.
MAX
Maybe Liz is right.
Isabel looks at Max, betrayed.
ISABEL
Word’s already out. Our cover’s blown.
These two already want to go to Valenti,
don’t you.
MARIA
We agreed we wouldn’t.
ISABEL
That fills me wish such confidence.
(to Maria and Alex)
Either of you say one word and you’re
dead. I can do it, okay? You won’t even
know what hit you.
MAX
Isabel! Stop!
Then a voice comes out of nowhere.
ALEX
Maybe you should.
ISABEL
The scarecrow speaks.
ALEX
Maybe you should go to Valenti. If you’re
honest with him and he sees you don’t
mean any harm--
MICHAEL
I’m sure he’ll just roll out the welcome
wagon.
MAX
Michael...
MICHAEL
Why is this guy telling us what to do?
You have no idea what our situation is,
alright? We will be killed. Destroyed.
That’s what’s going to happen. Do you
understand that!?
ALEX
I sort of do. It’s what happened to a
lot of my ancestors. There’s nowhere to
run, Michael. If they want you, they’ll
find you.
ISABEL
Alright. I’ve heard enough. Whitman,
you live in town, your father’s a gas
station mechanic. You’re about as much of
a Native American as I am. We’re wasting
time here! Let’s go, Max.
Isabel and Michael start to gather their things. Max just
stands there.
MICHAEL
We made our decision.
Loaded beat. Everyone looks at Max who is literally caught
in the middle.
LIZ’S VOICE
It was one of those moments when a few
seconds seem like hours.
Finally, Max decides, lifts his back pack. Walks to Liz.
MAX
This is my family.
Liz nods, fighting emotion and we CUT TO:
INT. JEEP - NIGHT
Max drives, fast. Michael rides shotgun. Isabel sits in the
back hugging her luggage. They’re silent.
Michael looks to Max but Max is lost in his own thoughts.
Max’s eyes flit to the rear view. See the red lights of a
police cruiser.
They all exchange a look. What do we do?
MICHAEL
Hit it.
Max floors it. The Cruisers siren goes on and pursues them.
ISABEL
(terrified)
Max, go!
The cruiser is gaining on them. Max suddenly turns off the
road and drives out onto the desert.
EXT. DESERT - NIGHT
Wide shot, the cruiser overtakes them, cuts them off.
JEEP - SAME
Max hits the brakes, the car pulls to a stop. Valenti gets
out of the cruiser. Max, Isabel and Michael look at each
other.
ISABEL
I’m scared.
Michael reaches back, takes her hand. Valenti walks up to
the jeep. Takes a flashlight, flashes it in Max’s face. Then
Isabel’s. Finally, Michael’s.
VALENTI
Mr. Guerin. Can you step out of the car
please?
As Max looks at Michael, dreading what he thinks might happen
we, CUT TO:
INT. VALENTI’S CRUISER - NIGHT
Valenti drives, Michael sits handcuffed in the back seat.
Valenti’s eyes flit to the rearview, then he pulls the car to
a stop. They are in the middle of nowhere. Michael’s eyes
register concern. Valenti turns and looks at Michael through
the metal div ider.
VALENTI
Michael, I don’t want to have to arrest
you. Drag your foster parents into this.
Get the Department of Social services
involved. I don’t want to see you sent
back to Chaves County Juvenile center.
Michael looks at Valenti, this one gets Michael. Valenti
senses it.
VALENTI (CONT’D)
I know, that you were in the café that
day. I know you were with someone. All
I need from you is a name. Otherwise, I
ill make your life a living hell.
Michael looks at Valenti, considers. Michael looks down to
the handcuffs. His eyes focus on them. INSERT SHORT: The
Handcuffs melt off Michael’s wrists and collect in a silver
puddle of liquid on the cruiser floor. Valenti doesn’t see
this, he wants for an answer. As we SLOWLY PUSH IN on Michael,
considering his options, we CUT TO:
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - BIO LAB - NEXT DAY
Liz sits alone at her lab station, sad, completely not there.
Deep in the recesses of Liz’s consciousness we hear MS. HARDY
teach, but her words are a blur, until:
MS. HARDY
Well, another celebrity appearance from
Mr. Evans!
Hearing this, Liz’s eyes widen. She slowly turns and sees
Max walk into the class. An unconscious smile forms on her
face. Max sits next to her, whispers.
MAX
Michael took care of it.
She looks at him, curious, and we CUT TO:
INT. HALLWAY - BETWEEN CLASSES - LATER
Alex gets something from his locker. He closes the door and
looks up. Michael is there.
ALEX
I thought you were in jail.
MICHAEL
Alex, man, I think we better talk.
Alex looks at Michael, concerned and we CUT TO:
INT. BOYS BATHROOM - MINUTES LATER
Alex watches terrified as Michael checks the stalls to make
sure they’re alone. When he’s done Michael takes a snickers
bar, squirts an entire packet of hot sauce over it and pops
it in his mouth.
ALEX
Alien digestive system aside, that can’t
be good for you.
MICHAEL
Well, the good news is Valenti doesn’t
think I’m an alien. The bad news is he
thinks you are.
Alex laughs, then when Michael doesn’t laugh, he looks at
Michael with growing concern.
ALEX
Why would he think that?
MICHAEL
I told him.
Alex just looks at him.
MICHAEL
I had to name someone to get Max off the
hook. Which he’ll be. You know, as long
as you go along with the story.
ALEX
There are forty thousand people in Roswell!
Why ME?
MICHAEL
Well, that gets kinda personal.
(Alex just looks at him)
I figured Liz owes Max, him saving her
life and all, and you’ve got it bad for
Liz so there’s your motive to help us
out.
ALEX
I told you, Liz and I are friends
MICHAEL
Whatever--
ALEX
It’s a totally healthy male-female, non-
sexual, platonic...
MICHAEL
Alex. Drop it. The point is what can
they do? Drag you in, do some tests,
find out you’re human, and let you go. I
mean, you are human right?
ALEX
Yes.
MICHAEL
Right. So you’re home free.
(a thought occurs to him)
Unless of course they decide to bone you
anyway.
(then)
The point is, Alex, and this is the part
that I really don’t enjoy saying, but if
you don’t do this then I’ll have to kill
you.
Michael goes to the urinal starts to take a piss. Alex just
looks at Michael, flooded with too many emotions to list,
fear, anger, and frustration being just a few.
ALEX
Well, what can I say here? Thank you
Michael. Thank you for thinking of me.
Alex leaves slamming the door and we CUT TO:
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - HALLWAY - LATER
Alex slams open his locker door, Liz is all over him.
LIZ
All I’m saying is you’ve gotta look at
the positives of this.
ALEX
Positives?!
LIZ
I mean, you’ve said you want to eventually
be a writer. This could give you something
to write about. Real life experience.
ALEX
I don’t consider being anally probed fodder
for future writing projects, thank you
very much.
LIZ
Alex, their lives depend upon you right
now. They’ll all be taken away if you
don’t do this.
ALEX
Here’s the thing that you’re not getting.
I want them to be taken away. Michael
threatened to kill me. And let’s not
forget that Isabel threatened Maria. So
it seems that our new group of pals have
a little quirk, don’t they?! They like
to threaten our lives! Liz, there is no
way I am going to do this.
Liz looks at him, nods, incredibly serious:
LIZ
Alex, you always said you’d be there for
me when I needed you. Well, I never needed
you more than this.
He turns to her, this brings up a whole different thing.
ALEX
So are you...? Are you in love with him?
Liz doesn’t know what to say. Finally:
LIZ
He saved my life Alex just looks at her,
pained.
A MAN’S VOICE
Alex Whitman?
Alex and Liz turn to see Valenti. Around him are Larry and
Jennifer and a MAN in a black suit, we have not seen yet.
Alex considers for a long beat, then looks at Liz:
ALEX
I hate that I can’t say no to you.
Liz looks at him, stunned by the intensity of Alex’s emotions.
Alex slowly walks to Valenti.
ALEX
I’m the one you’re looking for.
As Valenti begins to handcuff Alex, and PASSING STUDENTS and
TEACHERS watch, gawking, we ANGLE ON LIZ:
LIZ’S VOICE
Even in Roswell, in all its patheticness,
in corners that you’d never think to look,
there were heroes.
Liz watches as Alex is taken away and we
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. SEVEN ELEVEN - NIGHT
Maria turns down the aisle and stops short almost bumping
into Isabel who holds an oversize bag of Doritos in one hand
and a jumbo jar of Fluffernutter in the other.
ISABEL
(seeing Maria)
Oh gross.
Maria just turns to avoid any further interaction.
ISABEL (CONT’D)
So. Sorry for threatening to kill you.
Long beat. Maria begins speaking in an uncharacteristically,
calm confident manner:
MARIA
That’s really not alright. And it’s not
alright that you guys risked Alex’s life
either. So, thanks for the sentiment or
whatever but it doesn’t really go very
far. So, goodnight. Enjoy your...
(re: her groceries)
...whatever that is.
Maria smiles at Isabel and continues down the aisle. After
she turns out of Isabel’s eyesight Maria almost hemorrhages
from the stress of this encounter.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PRECINCT - NEXT DAY
All the NEWS MEDIA is out in droves. The doors open and
Valenti walks out with Alex, who looks haggard and exhausted.
They’re followed by two other OFFICERS and the man in the
black suit we saw earlier.
VALENTI
I know you all have picked up the story
about a young man who was taken in for
questioning about his.. heritage. I just
want to say that there has been a terrible
mistake made.
ANGLE ON: Liz standing with Maria watching. Liz exhales,
relieved.
VALENTI
This young man in question is completely
innocent and was the victim of a false
lead. I apologize to him and his family
for this mistake. Thank you.
Valenti starts down the steps.
REPORTER ONE
Sheriff Valenti, is it true you had reason
to believe there was a paranormal
occurrence here?
VALENTI
Like I said, it was a mistake.
REPORTER TWO
Didn’t your father also have a history of
seeing aliens?
Valenti winces at this.
REPORTER THREE
Were you trying to persecute this young
man to try to clear your father’s name?
VALENTI
No, sir.
Valenti’s eyes flit to Kyle, who watches his father being
humiliated in front of the press.
REPORTER TWO
Sheriff Valenti for the record are we
saying that the Sheriff of Roswell New
Mexico believes in aliens?
REPORTER ONE
Sheriff, do you consider yourself mentally
fit for this office?
VALENTI
A mistake was made. This investigation
isn’t over. I have no further comment.
Valenti is about to get into his cruiser when his eyes lock
with someone across the street. REVERSE ANGLE: Max watches
furtively, away from the crowd across the street. Valenti
glares at Max for a beat, then gets into the cruiser and pulls
away.
The reporters begin to ask Alex questions.
REPORTER ONE
Mr. Whitman, why did they think you were
an alien?
ALEX
(shy, barely audible)
It was a mistake.
REPORTER TWO
Do you plan to press charges?
ALEX
Charges? No.
REPORTER ONE
Do you believe in aliens?
ALEX
No, no I don’t.
But then he stops and considers. He walks back to the mic.
ALEX
Yes, I do. I do believe in aliens.
ON LIZ, terrified of what he is about to say.
ALEX
I believe in aliens because I am one. And
so are you. We all are.
Liz smiles, relived.
ALEX
As long as people are treated differently
because of their skin, or race, or creed,
or religion we are all aliens. When I was
five my Great Grandfather said to me...
And as Alex continues this story, with building self-
righteousness, we ANGLE ON: Liz and Maria, watching Alex.
MARIA
He’s going to be totally impossible.
LIZ
I know.
Max starts to walk away and stops seeing that the man in the
black suit is now standing right next to him. This is JOSH
STEVENS (30s) amiable, mysterious, intellectual.
JOSH
Max Evans?
MAX
Yeah.
JOSH
Hi, how are you?
MAX
Fine. Who are you?
JOSH
Josh Stevens. I’m new in town.
Josh reaches his hand out. Instinctively, Max reaches out
and shakes it. He stops noticing that Josh wears surgical
gloves. He looks up at Josh, mystified, concerned.
MAX
You don’t look like the type of person
who’d live in Roswell.
JOSH
Under normal circumstances I’m not.
(with a smile)
See you around.
Josh walks away peeling the glove from the hand Max shook and
placing it into a plastic evidence bag. As Max watches Josh
walk away, we DISSOLVE TO:
INT. MAX’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Max stands in front of a mirror in a suit. He holds up two
ties, considering. When he hears:
MICHAEL (V.O.)
I’d go with the blue.
Max turns to see Michael climbing through the window. He
wears the same leather jacket/t-shirt combination as always.
MICHAEL
Brings out your eyes.
MAX LOOKS AT MICHAEL, NODS:
MAX
Thanks, Michael. You did good.
Michael just nods. He pauses for a moment, considers how to
get into this, then:
MICHAEL
Max, this whole thing has made me thing.
You and Isabel have your parents,
relatives, you’ve got a whole life here.
I’ve just got you and Isabel.
Max looks at Michael, empathic, is about to say something but
Michael stops him:
MICHAEL
The thing that I realized is in a way
that’s a good thing. Because it’s easier
for me to leave. And we have to be able
to leave, Max. We have to be able to
pack a suitcase at the drop of a hat, go
to some other town. Start over.
Max looks at Michael not sure what he’s getting at:
MICHAEL
Don’t fall in love with Liz. I saw how
hard it was when you thought you had to
leave the other night. If you’re with
Liz, think how much harder it will be.
Everyday that passes it will get harder
and harder.
MAX
Maybe it’s worth the risk. I mean, we’ve
always been so... you know, it’s always
been just us. I mean, think about it.
What Alex did. He saved us.
MICHAEL
He did that for Liz, not for us. He’s
still our enemy Max.
There’s silent beat between them.
MICHAEL
We can’t let ourselves be vulnerable. We
can’t . And I guess the only other thing
I wanted to say was, if you do, you know,
pursue this... I’m not wasting anymore
time here. I’m leaving.
Max and Michael just stand there. Max doesn’t know what to
say. Finally:
MAX
I never knew you could talk so much.
MICHAEL
Me either.
Michael goes to the window and starts to climb out.
MAX
Don’t you need to get dressed for the
dance?
MICHAEL
I am.
Michael hops out, leaving Max thoughtful.
INT. ROSWELL HIGH - GYM - NIGHT
The Homecoming Dance is in full swing. We see Maria and Alex.
ALEX
So. Was my speech to much?
MARIA
The part about “having been to the
mountaintop” might have been pushing it.
So, what did they do to you? I mean, are
you okay?
ALEX
It’ll probably take a decade to replenish
all the bodily fluids they took.
MARIA
Okay, just so you know, there’s an image
in my mind right now I’m afraid my never
go away.
PAN to discover Liz, standing alone in the dress she wore
earlier. Kyle approaches.
KYLE
Hi, Ortecho.
LIZ
Hi.
KYLE
So, I just wanted you to know that I saw
those handprints on your stomach. The
ones one the corpse disappeared too.
That doesn’t mean I didn’t see both of
them.
(beat, then)
It’s Max isn’t it?
LIZ
Kyle, you’ve been spending way too much
time in the UFO museum.
KYLE
You people made my dad look like an idiot
before. I’m going to find out what’s
going on, Liz. Trust me.
Max walks up.
MAX
Hey.
KYLE
Hey.
They all stand there for a loaded beat.
LIZ
Kyle...?
KYLE
I know. You want to be alone.
Kyle glares at max for a beat and then walks off. Liz and
Max look at each other for a beat.
MAX
(re: her dress)
Wow.
LIZ
Oh, I just figured red’s a classic, so...
MAX
Listen, I need to talk to you.
Liz looks at him, nods, serious and they start to walk out.
ANGLE ON THE STAGE where MRS. SHAFFER, the principal, is giving
the speech we’ve been hearing in the b.g.
MRS. SHAFFER
And before I announce this year’s winner
let me just say that you are all winners.
The entire gymnasium boos and hisses.
MRS. SHAFFER
This year’s queen of the homecoming dance
is...
ANGLE ON: Isabel and Michael. Isabel starts to shriek...
ISABEL
Ahhhh! Oh, my God, thank you so--
BUT SHE STOPS HEARING:
MRS. SHAFFER
Stacey Scheinin.
As STACEY screams like she’s been named Miss America, Isabel
watches, stunned and dismayed.
MICHAEL
I did a little dreamwalking last night
myself.
(off her look)
Let’s just say the boys of Roswell must
have found the image of Isabel Evans
jamming her finger up her nose a bit of a
turnoff.
ISABEL
(child-like)
Why?
MICHAEL
No more dreamwalking, Iz. We’ve gotta
stop the madness.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ROSWELL HIGH - NIGHT
Max and Liz out on the quad. The music filters out. There’s
a silent beat. They both look incredible in formal clothes
and bathed in moonlight.
MAX
Liz, I just wanted to say that I realized
something since... You know, since all
this.
Liz nods, prepares herself.
LIZ
Yeah...?
MAX
Just that no matter what happens, I’m
always going to be in danger. There’s
always going to be someone out there
hunting for me. Valenti or someone else.
If you get too close to me, you’re going
to be in danger too.
LIZ
I don’t care. It doesn’t matter to me.
Her saying that makes it even harder for Max to say this:
MAX
And though I really, really would want
things to be...
more , I think we should stay friends. Just friends.
Liz thinks about this, her mind races with thoughts. Finally
she nods, looks at him:
LIZ
I realized I never really thanked you.
You know, for saving my life.
Max just looks at her. A SLOW SONG has begun in the gym.
LIZ’S VOICE
I had never been so utterly confused. The
only thing I really knew for sure was
that I was standing with Max Evans at the
homecoming dance during the slow song.
Liz slowly turns to Max, gathering courage, then:
LIZ
So... Friends can dance right?
There’s a long beat, Max looks at her.
MAX
Yeah.
Max gently takes her in his arms and they begin to dance.
ANGLE ON: THE FRONT ENTRANCE
Where Alex stands at the door watching them, wistful. Michael
emerges, stands a few feet from Alex. They say nothing, just
watch them dance, both upset for their own reasons. As Max
and Liz continue to dance, and we begin to
PULL BACK into the night, we DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. LIZ’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Liz sits writing on the ledge outside her window. It’s where
we found her at the beginning. We BEGIN TO move in on her:
LIZ’S VOICE
It’s March 22, 1999. I’m Liz Ortecho and
five days ago I died. But then the really
amazing thing happened: I came to life.
As we MOVE IN very close on her face, indeed full of life, we
FADE TO BLACK.
THE END
********