JOLENE
Let me guess. Waiting for the next book by what’s-his-name.
VICTOR
Rex Christian. It’s not that.
JOLENE
I do something to offend you?
VICTOR
Jolene. . . I know I’m not much of a friend. It’s like I forgot how. So – I made a decision. You deserve better than me.
JOLENE
I’l be the judge of that.
VICTOR
Somebody who’s there for you. . .
JOLENE
(softening) Well, you’re here now. I thought something happened to you. Where have you been eating?
VICTOR
At home.
JOLENE
Since when do you know how to cook?
VICTOR
I’m learning. My mother left all kinds of pots and pans. . .
JOLENE
(with some interest) Did she?
VICTOR
And her old recipes. I’ll get them right one of these days.
SOUND
JOLENE PULLS UP A CHAIR AND SITS.
JOLENE
(low, sincere) Victor – when I think of you alone out there in that big house, I worry. I can’t help it.
VICTOR
Don’t waste your time.
JOLENE
Okay – how’s this. They’ve got a special show at the Alcazar. A horror movie. Your
JOLENE (cont’d)
favorite kind.
VICTOR
Not any more.
JOLENE
Why not?
VICTOR
They’re all the same now.
JOLENE
This one’s supposed to be good.
VICTOR
What’s the name of it?
JOLENE
“Christmas, Bloody Christmas”. Have you seen it?
VICTOR
I hear it’s pretty violent.
JOLENE
So? It’s only fake blood.
VICTOR
I know. That’s the trouble. They just don’t get it.
JOLENE
So – you want to go?
VICTOR
(without enthusiasm) I don’t know. . .
JOLENE
This is the uncut version.
VICTOR
You wouldn’t like it.
JOLENE
I’m a big girl. I think I can take it.
VICTOR
It might give you – dreams.
JOLENE
Well, I wouldn’t exactly want to see it alone, but – hey, I have an idea. What if I drive you home after work? We could pick up some food on the way. I’m a heck of a cook, you know that? And afterwards, we can come back to town for the show!
VICTOR
Sounds like a lot of trouble.
JOLENE
I need to eat too, don’t I? You wouldn’t have to wash dishes, I promise.
VICTOR
You don’t want to be out that late.
JOLENE
I can go all night long. If you can.
SOUND
VICTOR STANDS.
VICTOR
I’ll call you.
JOLENE
(trying hard not to be offended) Okay, be that way. You still have my number?
VICTOR
Yeah.
JOLENE
Well, don’t forget.
VICTOR
I won’t.
SOUND
HE CROSSES TO THE DOOR.
JOLENE
(calling after him) Victor?
VICTOR
Yes?
JOLENE
Do me a favor? Zip your jacket up. It’s cold out there.
SOUND
THE DOOR OPENS WITH A JINGLE AS VICTOR LEAVES.
JOLENE
(low, flat) Happy Christmas Eve to you, too.
SOUND
WALT WALKS OVER TO HER.
WALT
You can lead a horse to water, but. . .
JOLENE
What in the world is wrong with that man?
WALT
Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns.
JOLENE
Horses don’t have horns, Walt.
WALT
You’re too much woman for him is all.
JOLENE
Oh, you. . .
SOUND
THE DINER’S PHONE RINGS.
WALT CROSSES TO ANSWER IT.
WALT
(off) Blue and White. Nope. Hold on.
(calling to Jolene) He comin’ back?
JOLENE
Why?
WALT
Phone call for Victor Rippon. That his name?
JOLENE
Who is it?
WALT
(into phone) Who’s – hello? You still there?
SOUND
THE FAINT HUM OF A DIAL TONE.
WALT
Must notta been important. They hung up.
MUSIC
CHRISTMAS MUSIC.
THRU TO:
EPISODE SCORE.
FADE DOWN.
SOUND
INT. – JAMES’S AND LORI’S HOUSE.
[NOTE: WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN ALTERNATE VERSION OF THE FIRST SCENE IN THIS SCRIPT. THE SAME SETTING AND ACTORS AS BEFORE – BUT THIS TIME THE TONE IS MUCH DARKER AND MORE OMINOUS.] RAIN OUTSIDE + THUNDER (CONTINUING).
SOUND (cont’d)
A KEY IN THE FRONT DOOR. THE DOOR OPENS AND JAMES ENTERS, THE STORM MOMENTARILY LOUDER. HE ALMOST SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT BEHIND HIM.
JAMES
(calling, irritated) Lori?
SOUND
HE CROSSES AND FLINGS HIS KEYS ONTO A TABLE.
JAMES
Where the hell are you?
LORI
James?
SOUND
A PEAL OF THUNDER OUTSIDE.
JAMES
Why’s it so dark in here?
LORI
Is it? I didn’t notice.
JAMES
You don’t notice much, do you? Turn on the lamp. (impatient) Oh, for – I’ll get it.
JAMES
HE CROSSES AND CLICKS A LAMP.
LORI
Did you have another meeting?
JAMES
Don’t give me the third degree. I warned you when we got married. It goes with the territory.
LORI
Well, you’re here now. That’s all that matters. Have you eaten yet?
JAMES
I grabbed some crap on the way.
LORI
You should have called, so I could make dinner. I can whip something up, if you like.
SOUND
(OFF) FROM DOWN THE HALL: THE TWO BOYS IN THE BATHROOM, GIGGLING AND SPLASHING.
JAMES
What are those brats doing now?
LORI
Taking their bath.
JAMES
They take more baths than anybody I’ve ever seen. It’s not natural.
LORI
At least they’re clean. You should be grateful.
JAMES
(dripping sarcasm) Oh, I am. You wouldn’t believe how grateful. Before you came along, I had all the peace and quiet I wanted. Sometimes I wonder. What I did I do to deserve you three?
LORI
You’re the best thing that ever happened to us, James. I knew it the day we met. By the river, remember?
JAMES
You bet I do. I should have drowned the three of you right then and there. I’d be better off.
LORI
(about to cry) Oh, James. . .
SOUND
SHE STARTS TO WALK AWAY.
JAMES
Aren’t you forgetting something?
LORI
I have to see to the boys.
JAMES
Single malt, on the rocks.
LORI
(sighing) Yes, sir.
SOUND
LORI STOPS TO POUR HIM A DRINK, ADDS ICE CUBES AND BRINGS IT TO HIM.
JAMES
(drinking) That’s more like it.
LORI
(with self-control) Anything else?
JAMES
Yeah. A new life.
LORI
(trying) You’ve had a hard day. Why don’t you turn in? I’ll put the boys to bed.
SOUND
SHE STARTS OUT OF THE ROOM AGAIN.
JAMES
Little bastards.
LORI
James, please. You’ve been under a lot of pressure. I understand that. . .
JAMES
Do you?
LORI
I have an idea. Why don’t we – take a vacation? Just the two of us. We could leave the boys at my sister’s. . .
SOUND
THUNDER OUTSIDE.
GIGGLING AND SPLASHING FROM THE BATHROOM.
TAD
(off, sing-song) Ma-ma. . . we’re read-y. . .
RAY
(off) We need you!
JAMES
I have a better idea.
SOUND
JAMES STARTS OUT OF THE ROOM.
LORI
Where are you going?
JAMES
Should have been done long ago.
SOUND
HE MOVES OFF, WALKING AWAY DOWN THE HALL. WE HEAR THE BATHROOM DOOR OPENING.
JAMES
(off) What’s going on in here?
RAY
(off, innocently) Nothing. . .
TAD
(off) We were just playing.
JAMES
(off) Oh, you were, were you?
SOUND
(OFF) THE BATHROOM DOOR CLOSES FIRMLY.
LORI
(calling, close to mic) James?
SOUND
(off) WATER SPLASHING IN THE TUB.
TAD
(off, fearful) Daddy. . .?
RAY
(off, fearful) Daddy, stop!
JAMES
(off) You’re no sons of mine.
SOUND
THE SPLASHING INCREASES.
TAD & RAY
(beginning to scream) No. . . no. . .!
LORI
James!
SOUND
WE FOLLOW HER AS SHE RUNS DOWN THE HALL.
THE SPLASHING AND SCREAMING LOUDER – THEN WEAKER AS SHE OPENS THE BATHROOM DOOR.
INT. – BATHROOM.
LORI BURSTS IN. THE SPLASHES GROW WEAK. THE SCREAMS NOW ONLY GURGLES.
LORI
(horrified) What are you doing?
JAMES
Playing a little game.
LORI
Let go of them!
JAMES
I wanna see how long they can
