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VERONICA VOICEOVER: Previously on Veronica Mars…
LILLY: [At the carwash] I've got a secret.
Cut to Veronica running to Lilly's body.
LILLY: [Offscreen] A good one.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: It's been a year since my best friend Lilly Kane was murdered.
Cut to Neptune High.
LOGAN: That's my girlfriend. Your friend. Duncan's sister.
Cut to the car wash, then to Veronica and Troy in the school hall .
VERONICA: My dad wants to meet you.
TROY: Don't worry, I give good parent.
KEITH: [Offscreen] Actually...
Veronica and Troy kiss. Cut to the Mars' apartment. Troy is sitting on the couch. Keith is on the chair next to it.
KEITH: ...she hasn't told me anything about you.
TROY: Well I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
KEITH: Neither do I.
Cut to Keith and Veronica having dinner at the apartment.
KEITH: So I got a call from your guidance counsellor today. Any idea what for?
VERONICA: Nope.
MISS JAMES: [Offscreen] She's been late...
Cut to Miss James' office with Keith standing in front of the desk.
MISS JAMES: She has attitude with certain teachers.
Cut to Veronica standing in the school hallway as other students fast forward around her.
MISS JAMES: [Offscreen] …and socially she seems to be a bit isolated.
Cut to Keith poking his head round the door of Veronica's room.
KEITH: I never want you to think your mom's the villain in all this.
VERONICA: The hero is the one that stays and the villain is the one that splits.
End previously. Scene opens in Tijuana, Mexico. It is night. A boy, who will prove to be called Luke, is carrying a piñata and is creeping about a dumpster. He exchanges an envelope hidden inside the piñata for something from a dumpster and looks about nervously. He walks away from the dumpster to a parked car, knocks on the window and laughs at the sound of a groan coming from inside. He climbs into the back seat and joins driver Troy and a badly hung-over Logan, sitting in the front.
LUKE: Wake up!
TROY: I've spent the past forty minutes listening to Logan dry-heave so you could buy a deformed piñata?
LUKE: [Laughing] Dude, everything was closed. It was the cheapest souvenir I could find.
LOGAN: [Struggling] I'll say it one more time. [Pause] Juanita from the Hot Tamale? Aye-yi-yi-yi. [Laughs then gags]
TROY: Whoa! What'd I tell you about drool on the leather. Dad's very strict about the car. [As the boy in the backseat laughs and Logan groans] He's the only one allowed to dry-heave in it. [Sniggers] All right. Have we had our fill of Tijuana?
LOGAN: No
LUKE: [Simultaneously] Yes.
Troy starts up the car. Cut to the United States Border Inspection Station where cars queue to pass through. Vendors sell souvenir flags and goods.
TROY: [Waving away a vendor as he moves the car forward] No, no, thank you.
They pull forward.
LUKE: These border checkpoints, man, they always freak me out.
LOGAN: Maybe we shouldn't volunteer for the full cavity search.
They reach the checkpoint. Luke is very nervous. A customs officer leans into the driver's side window with a torch.
OFFICER: Morning.
TROY: Morning, sir.
Troy and Logan are grinning at the Officer.
OFFICER: You, uh, fellas have a good time in Mexico.
TROY/LOGAN: [Simultaneously] Yes, Sir.
OFFICER: Wanna go ahead and hand over your contraband.
Long beat. Troys eyes widen as he looks at Logan then back at the officer.
OFFICER: [Smiles] It works sometimes. Pop the trunk.
Luke breathes a sigh of relief as the officer checks the boot.
TROY: Anybody else hungry?
LUKE: Sure.
TROY: Yeah.
Cut to a diner. Logan and Luke are seated at the counter. The remains of a meal are before them.
LUKE: I can't believe you're calling me a wuss.
LOGAN: Mmm
LUKE: I'm serious. You're the guy that can't close the deals
TROY: Dude, what are you talking about?
LUKE: I'm talking about that girl, that g-girl. Esmerelda?
Troy returns to the counter.
LOGAN: The deal was closed back in VIP, my brother, make no mistake.
Troy puts some money on the counter.
LUKE: No way.
LOGAN: [To Troy] Did you wash your hands?
Troy smiles and wipes his hands on Logan's shoulder.
LOGAN: Thank you.
TROY: I got this boys, let's roll.
Troy punches Logan on the arm. Logan groans. Cut to them coming out of the USA Border Grille & Diner - Troy leads while Logan and Luke continue their debate.
LOGAN: [To Troy] All right, settle something for us, partner. Didn't Luke look kind of scared last night when that senorita started working her milkshakes on him.
LUKE: That's great. That's adorable. You're a good man, you're a good man. Thank you. I wasn't, uh, I wasn't scared, I was concerned.
Troy, looking forward, looks concerned himself.
LOGAN: Oh yeah. You've never seen a girl pick up a shot glass like that before.
The boys are standing in front of an empty car parking space.
TROY: Isn't this where we parked? Tell me that this isn't where we parked. Please, someone tell me that you can see my father's car and this heart attack that I'm having right now is for nothing.
LOGAN: Well maybe it's like Brigadoon. If you come back in a hundred years, it'll be right back in this spot.
LUKE: [Panicked] Troy, did you lock it?
TROY: [With a laugh close to hysterical] Did I lock it?
Logan lies down in the space. Cut to Luke with his head buried beneath his hands as they wait outside the diner.
TROY: [To Luke] What's your problem? It's not even your a** on the line.
LUKE: Yeah, I know. This just… really sucks, man.
LOGAN: Wow man, that's profound.
TROY: My parents come home in five days. If the car's not back before my dad is, I'm going to be singing hymns and doing rosary beads before you can say 'The Passion'.
Veronica pulls up.
VERONICA: Dude, where's your car?
Troy frowns and shakes his head.
VERONICA: Sorry.
Troy heads for the car.
VERONICA: Ah, [indicating Logan] your monkey's gonna have to ride in the back.
LOGAN: Ha-ha. Nice car. [Climbing into the back seat] God, it must have been a huge cereal box.
Veronica is ready to bite back at Logan as Luke gets in the back.
TROY: Now let's let that go. Cherish these moments. Because they will probably be the last ones we spend together. [Gets in the front seat]
VERONICA: Hey, I don't mind dating a guy that rides a bike.
TROY: How do you feel about a guy who's being sent to Catholic school in Albuquerque?
Veronica's face indicates that that would not be so cool. Opening credits. Cut to them pulling up outside a large house. Luke and Logan climb out.
LOGAN: Thanks for the ride. Does this mean you're gonna play nice now?
VERONICA: Walk in front of the car, we'll see.
Luke laughs. As he and Logan cross the front of the car, Veronica revs the engine. Logan, smiling, slaps the bonnet with the jacket he's carrying.
LUKE: [To Logan] Can I stay in your guest house. [Pointing back to the house] I just don't want to wake my parents up this early.
Logan and Luke get into Logan's yellow SUV and drive off.
VERONICA: I have a brilliant idea.
TROY: Does it involve a time machine?
VERONICA: Why don't I make some phone calls and see if I can track down the car.
TROY: I appreciate it but I think this is even beyond your super powers.
VERONICA: Haven't you heard? I've got friends in low places.
TROY: Look, I can't report the car stolen 'cause my dad thinks it's still safely tucked in the garage. Which means I can't get the anti-theft homing device activated. It's-it's probably on a cargo ship to Jamaica. You know, my dad is going to send me away, he's going to track me down and he's going to kill me.
VERONICA: Not if he doesn't find out. Let's go back to your house.
TROY: And take my mind off my problems? [Giving a lecherous grin]
VERONICA: And get the details on the car. Model. Licence number. VIN.
TROY: How do you make VIN sound so hot?
Veronica laughs. Cut to the front office of Mars Investigations. Wallace is heading for the desk at which Veronica is seated, carrying refreshments.
WALLACE: You're going to find Troy's stolen car over the internet?
VERONICA: You'd be surprised what one can find with a few nimble keystrokes.
WALLACE: All right, then, Velma. Why don't you see what you can find on, say, me.
VERONICA: It's Daphne, thank you very much.
Prying Eyez Dotcom, with login and password, fills Veronica's laptop screen.
WALLACE: [Looking over her shoulder] What's that?
VERONICA: If you're a PI with a password, this is the gateway to many a skeleton filled closet. Arrests, divorces, bankruptcies. [Gasps, then in Scooby voice] Rut-roh! Somebody got their licence suspended last year.
WALLACE: I got it back. Bet you it doesn't say that.
Wallace heads back around the desk.
VERONICA: Wait, if I'm Daphne, what does that make you? Fred?
WALLACE: [Sitting] Oh no. If I gotta be any of those white boys, I gotta be Shaggy all the way baby. Shaggy's got mad flavour.
VERONICA: Awwww, you still have a subscription to Mad Magazine. You're all about the flavour.
Veronica closes her laptop as Keith comes in from his office heading for the kitchen area.
KEITH: Hey guys.
VERONICA: Hi. [In a whisper to Wallace] Hey, help me out. So, for my dad's birthday, I'm thinking… rock climbing?
WALLACE: Because he loves heights?
KEITH: [From the kitchen area] Not so much but keep thinking outside the box, I like it. And don't wait on me for dinner, I'll probably get take-out from the Italian place.
VERONICA: Luigi's? Will you get me some lasagne?
KEITH: Some lasagne? I'm just saying last time we went to Luigi's you ate your weight in manicotti.
VERONICA: And now your birthday will be spent sky-diving. [Keith laughs aloud] Alone.
Cut to the Mars' apartment. Veronica comes in and greets the dog (note that this is not the same dog as in 1.01 Pilot).
VERONICA: Hi buddy, hi. We'll go out in a minute.
Veronica drops her keys and hits the play button on the answer machine to listen while she takes off her coat.
FEMALE VOICE: Hi Keith, it's me. I might be a little late to dinner since I came into work- Oh, wait a minute. Um, I'm sorry. I'm just going to call your cell.
Veronica looks suspiciously at the phone as she gets herself a drink. She heads back to the phone and punches in the code to ring the last caller.
FEMALE VOICE: Hi, you've reached Rebecca James in the Counselling Office at Neptune High School. I'm away-
Veronica cuts off the call.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: You know those people who can predict when change is coming in their life? I'm not one of them. Change has a way of just walking up and punching me in the face.
Cut to Luke's face. He is straining with something.
HANK: [Offscreen] I love the effort. I mean, look at this guy, he's really working. You're pushing through the pain, man.
The camera pulls back to show a gym. Luke is lying on his back struggling to hold a heavy barbell just clear of his chest. A burly blonde man, Hank, is standing at his head.
HANK: Nobody's kicking sand in your face. But, uh, you look a little tired there, tiger, so I'll tell you what. Tell me where my package is and I'll help you lighten that load.
LUKE: [With effort] It's in a friend's car. I'll have it for you tomorrow.
HANK: [Kneeling down] OK, I'll tell you what. You got until 9am otherwise I'm gonna hunt you down and the closest thing you're gonna come to playing baseball is me shoving a bat right up your a**.
Hank pats Luke on the cheek and then removes the barbell. Cut to the Mars' apartment. Keith is putting some things in a box as Veronica enters from her bedroom.
KEITH: Morning honey.
VERONICA: What'cha doing?
KEITH: Nyah, I figured I'd put the rest of your mom's stuff in storage. I don't think we need the reminders anymore, you know?
VERONICA: [Getting cereal] Yeah.
KEITH: You wanna take a look?
VERONICA: Not so much, no.
KEITH: Well, I'm gonna leave it here for now. I've got an eight o'clock.
VERONICA: So, you and Miss James, huh? I wouldn't have pegged that one.
KEITH: Yeah, well, we only went out a couple of times. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it.
VERONICA: So don't. I get it. Companionship, needs, yada, yada, yada. It's fine.
KEITH: I'm sorry you didn't hear about it from me first.
VERONICA: Don't sweat it. You know how many things I don't tell you? [Off Keith's look] I'm kidding. It's cool. Just next time, could you shoot for an actual teacher? Because this has no potential benefit to my grade point average.
KEITH: You sure you feel okay about this?
VERONICA: Yes.
KEITH: Good. I like her.
VERONICA: Cool.
KEITH: Have a nice day.
VERONICA: [Holding up the V sign] Peace.
Keith leaves. Veronica puts down her cereal bowl and walks slowly over to the box. She picks up a framed picture of Keith, Lianne and herself.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: The best way to dull the pain of your best friend's murder is to have your mother abandon you as soon as possible. It's like hitting your thumb with a hammer, then when it's throbbing so badly you don't think you'll survive, you cut the damn thing off. [Picking up a small pile of unframed pictures] When my dad implicated the much beloved Kane family in Lilly's death, [Opening a small red jewellery box] I was willing to stand by him and lose everything else. Mom? Wasn't.
There is a small envelope in the jewellery box. Veronica opens it.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: A safety deposit box key?
Cut to a computer screen showing Lianne Mars' death certificate. Veronica is working at one of the screens in the school publications room. It looks like the class is wrapping up.
MS DENT: Thanks everybody. Don't forget, interviewing exercise tomorrow.
As Ms Dent leaves the room, Luke rushes in and over to Veronica.
LUKE: [Out of breath] Hey. You're helping Troy find his dad's car, right?
VERONICA: You're sweating on me.
LUKE: [Taking a breath] Look, I need your help. There's kind of more to this car thing than the-the car. [Veronica looks at him] There was a piñata full of steroids in the back seat. I-I did a run for Hank Zigmund. He owns the Zig-Zag Sports Club. I wanted to get pumped for Varsity baseball. I was… pretty much down for whatever.
VERONICA: Including shrunken testicles and acne scars. Well, speaking for the women of America - Good plan! Wait. What did Troy and Logan know about this?
LUKE: Nothing. I swear. [Off Veronica's disbelieving look] Yeah, all right, Logan knew but he wasn't-he wasn't in on anything.
VERONICA: It doesn't matter anyway. I don't help dealers find their lost products.
LUKE: [Desperately] Look, don't think of it like that, all right? Think of it like you're saving my life, I mean the guy's built like a truck. He will-he will break one of my limbs.
VERONICA: [Sighs] If I were to help you, you would have to return the steroids and get your money back and then return the cash, not the drugs.
LUKE: Yeah, I'll do whatever.
VERONICA: I'll figure something out. Until then just lay low.
Veronica grabs the death certificate as it rolls off the printer. Cut to the bank. Veronica approaches a booth.
BANK TELLER: Hi. May I help you?
VERONICA: Hi. My mom died last year and I just found this.
Veronica pulls out the safety deposit key. Cut to her in the vault then at the safety deposit box. She pulls out some files and some photographs.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: All this time, I've been thinking Mom bolted because she couldn't handle losing everything. Maybe she just couldn't handle losing me.
The photographs are candid shots of Veronica against whose face the crosshairs of a target are drawn on each. Veronica is shocked. The scene shifts but is still on the pictures.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: Looks like they used a 300mm on this one.
The camera pulls back to reveal Veronica sitting at her desk at Mars Investigations.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: Not bad. Definitely the work of a pro. A pro who knew my schedule quite well last year. Judging by my lack of an eight man, 24 hour security detail, I'm guessing Dad hasn't had the pleasure of viewing this little slideshow.
Someone bangs on the door to Mars Investigations.
REBECCA: Hi!
VERONICA: [Closing the file] Hello.
Keith comes out of his office.
KEITH: [Nervously] Hey
REBECCA: Hi.
KEITH: I thought, uh-
REBECCA: I'm guessing I'm early, right?
KEITH: No, no, it's fine. It's fine.
REBECCA: I'm sorry. I'm just-I was anxious. Hi.
KEITH: Hi.
REBECCA: Hi.
KEITH: Hi.
They kiss briefly as Veronica looks on bemusedly.
KEITH: Uh, Veronica, Rebecca wanted to stop by and uh…
REBECCA: And, uh, just say hello. Outside of school. I'm sure this is a little weird for you so…
VERONICA: Well, this [indicating the here and now] is a little weird, but… you two dating isn't. Um, I'm fine. No worries.
KEITH: Well, I thought, um…
REBECCA: And-and I agree.
KEITH: …that if you had the chance to talk… things would seem a little less awkward.
VERONICA: And are you starting to see the catch-22 inherent in the plan?
REBECCA: As a matter of fact, I am. [Laughs] OK, well, um, is there anything I can do that would… make things easier for you?
VERONICA: Can you get me out of fifth period bio?
Cut to Veronica and Troy in her car. The music for "Such Great Heights" by Postal Service starts up.
VERONICA: So far it's been a whole lot of brick walls, but I talked to my buddy, Earl yesterday, at the impound yard.
TROY: What do I love more? That you have a buddy named Earl or that he works at the impound yard?
VERONICA: I'm guessing both. No sign of the Beemer. But he can get you a great deal on a good times van.
TROY: I'll pass that onto my dad when he gets back. Maybe it'll take him mind off loading his gun.
The lyrics kick in and will play beneath the rest of their conversation.
SONG: I, I'm thinking it's a sign that the freckles In our eyes are mirror images and when We kiss they're perfectly aligned. And I have to speculate that God himself Did make us into corresponding shapes like Puzzle pieces from the clay True, it may seem like a stretch, but Its thoughts like this that catch my troubled Head when you're away when I am missing you to death. When you are out there on the road for Several weeks of shows and when you scan The radio, I hope this song will guide you home. They will see us waving from such great heights Come down now they'll say But everything looks perfect from far away Come down now but we'll stay I…
TROY: I dig this song.
VERONICA: Yeah, me too.
VERONICA: Here's a thought. If Tijuana was Logan's idea then stealing the car could've been the master plan.
TROY: It was more of a meeting of the minds, if you will.
VERONICA: Ah, so… what was on the menu for this night of grand debauchery?
TROY: Let's see. From, uh, eight to nine, we brainstormed on how to overthrow Kim Jong Il. From nine to ten, we deleted the records of the black voters of Florida. After that it was, uh, yeah it was all donkey shows.
VERONICA: So the usual?
TROY: Pretty much,
VERONICA: Anything else?
TROY: If you wanna ask something, you just ask.
VERONICA: OK. Did you meet anyone odd or were you followed? Did you see any suspicious activity?
TROY: How about all of the above and have you ever been to Tijuana?
VERONICA: I'm not looking for DNA samples. It's just the more information I have about the car, the better chances of you finding it.
TROY: I know. Sorry.
Cut to Veronica and Troy entering the offices of Beacon Corporation, providers of tracking recovery. Veronica approaches reception.
TROY: [Quietly] So you think they're going to turn the Beacon system on just 'cause we ask sweetly?
VERONICA: Well, we've tried everything else. Just… watch a master at work, all right? This is what I do.
There is no one attending at reception so Veronica walks behinds towards the office cubicles. She steps round into one staffed by a young man, Roger.
VERONICA: Hi, um, I'm the personal assistant to Lawrence Vandergraff. He's freaking out. He thinks his device is broken and he wants to run a diagnostic on his BMW. Here's the VIN number. Please tell me you can do this. Pretty please? Cherry on top?
ROGER: [Apologetically] I-It's not really procedure.
VERONICA: Well… can it be our little secret? I've worked for the guy for two weeks and he already thinks I'm a ditz.
ROGER: Uh, okay then. [Pointing to himself…] Super Roger to the rescue […then to the computer].
Veronica smiles thankfully then turns and winks at Troy. As she turns back into Roger's cubicle, an older officious woman enters.
BEACON WOMAN: Roger, what are you doing?
ROGER: Um, ahh, a-a simple diagnostic. Uh, this young lady works for-
BEACON WOMAN: Has the car been reported stolen?
VERONICA: Wel-not exactly.
BEACON WOMAN: We never activate Beacon unless the car is reported stolen.
VERONICA: [Silently] Right.
Veronica nods her head and heads back to Troy. He drops his head.
TROY: [Silently and with a hand gesture] Smooth, Veronica.
Cut to Logan's car as it pulls up outside Luke's. Luke exits the car.
LUKE: Ok.
LOGAN: All right.
LUKE: Hey uh, that-that's great. Hey! Can you pick me up tomorrow?
LOGAN: Yeah.
LUKE: Good, good.
Logan drives off as Luke heads up the stairs towards the house. On his left an orange Hummer screeches to a halt.
HANK: Hey!
As Hank races out, Luke bolts. Hank chases him for a while and then gives up at a fence before a long drop.
HANK: You better run you punk b***h!
Cut to the High School. Logan is bent down at his locker, one of the lower ones. Veronica can be seen in the distance heading straight for him.
VERONICA: Time for a chat?
LOGAN: [Standing] Well. Think if hell froze over, maybe it'd be on the news.
VERONICA: I just wanna hear more about the steroids you bought last weekend.
LOGAN: You mean the steroids Luke bought. Wow! You suck at this Nancy Drew stuff. You should get a new hobby.
VERONICA: So you knew he was doing it.
LOGAN: [Smirks] You actually think that I would tell you anything? [On seeing Veronica's look behind him and turning to see that Troy is on his way over, back to Veronica] Hmm [with thumb/finger circle gesture], I guess we're done here, Officer. [Whistles] What's up, T?
Logan walks between them, stares hard at Veronica and then walks away, football in hand.
TROY: Hey, gorgeous. That guy bothering you?
VERONICA: What guy?
They kiss and Troy puts his arm around her with Veronica holding onto his hand and they walk down the corridor together. Cut to the Mars' apartment. Rebecca is looking in the bottom cupboards. Backup is helping.
REBECCA: All right. Where is your sifter?
Veronica has just entered.
VERONICA: I don't think we have one.
REBECCA: [Startled] Oh, hi! Um…
Rebecca extricates herself from the cupboards and stands. Veronica puts her bag on the counter as Rebecca wipes her hands. Backup jumps up on Rebecca. She laughs.
VERONICA: [Abruptly] You didn't give Backup human food, did you?
REBECCA: Oh no, no, no. I just found his happy spot, that's all. So, um, another case of bad timing. Your dad went out for groceries 'cause I'm making dinner for both of you tonight. So, uh, how was your day?
VERONICA: [Coldly] Fine. How was yours?
REBECCA: It was excellent, thank you. I know you guys like Italian food so I am making fettuccine and for desert… guess.
VERONICA: No idea.
REBECCA: Waffles and ice cream. That's your favourite, right? I put this-this sauce on top of vanilla ice cream on the burner…
Rebecca's voice fades as Veronica flashes back to her mother, in pyjamas, in a different kitchen. There is a waffle iron on the counter behind her and an opened carton of eggs.
LIANNE: So. When are we gonna cook for your boy?
VERONICA: We're Mars women. Shouldn't we play to our strengths? And who says there's a new boy?
LIANNE: Don't even try that. No, wait a minute. Let me guess. Um… Garret Fisher? Kenny Houseman?
VERONICA: [Increasingly offended] Have we met?
LIANNE: [Relieved] Thank you. Um… Travis Kittlemeyer.
VERONICA: [Knowingly] Ooh, I think he'd rather be dating Kenny Houseman.
LIANNE: OK. Um, then, Boris-
VERONICA: OK! It's Duncan Kane.
Lianne's cheery moods evaporates abruptly, replaced by one of concern and/or shock, as a warning tone emits from the waffle iron.
VERONICA: [Sensing her mother's reaction] The waffle's burning.
Lianne opens the iron on the charred waffle. A sound of something breaking brings Veronica back to the present.
REBECCA: Oh! [Bending to pick up a broken cup] Oh, god, I'm so sorry. It just slipped out of my hands.
VERONICA: [Joining her] It's all right.
Keith enters with a bag of groceries.
KEITH: Hey, how's it going in here?
REBECCA: Look at this. I'm a klutz.
KEITH: Ah, it was ancient anyway. Don't even worry about it.
VERONICA: I really appreciate you doing this, but I actually can't stay for dinner.
REBECCA: Really?
KEITH: [Sceptical] Why not?
VERONICA: I… told a friend I'd meet him at the Sac-n-Pac. It's a school project.
REBECCA: [Disappointed] Oh well, I-I'll ask first next time. Make sure you're available.
VERONICA: Thanks for cooking. I'll try the pasta when I get home.
KEITH: [Pointedly] Which won't be too late.
VERONICA: Have a good night.
Veronica exits. Cut to a breakers yard. A bike comes into the yard and one of the men heads over to meet it.
WEEVIL: [Offscreen] Angel! How's business?
Veronica and Weevil come into view as Angel and Weevil high five and hug.
ANGEL: [In Spanish, translation by subtitle] Have you found the Lexus that I asked you about?
Weevil nods then turns his head to Veronica.
WEEVIL: This is Veronica. She's the girl that got me out of juvie. I told you about her. Look, she's looking for a car. A green BMW 740i. It should've came through here a couple of days ago.
ANGEL: [In Spanish, translation by subtitle] It came and went. We left it really cool. [Casting a glance at Veronica] Tell her that the client has the receipt and the registration in order, like all my clients. And I don't even remember his name.
WEEVIL: Yeah, I hear you.
ANGEL: [In Spanish, translation by subtitle] And nephew, don't bring people I don't know.
WEEVIL: All right.
They clasp hands and bump chests.
VERONICA: Did you ask him about the piñata?
WEEVIL: Oh, yeah. One more thing, uh. Did you happen to see a piñata?
ANGEL: [In Spanish, translation by subtitle] Mario took it. It's his daughter's birthday.
WEEVIL: Gracias, Tio. [To Veronica as they walk back to Weevil's bike] So the car w-
VERONICA: Was chopped. Your uncle won't say for who, but the papers are in order blah, blah, blah. Please tell me you know where Mario lives, because we need to get that piñata right away.
Weevil is impressed.
WEEVIL: Baby, I'll buy a piñata.
VERONICA: [Sweetly] Will you buy me a piñata full of steroids?
Cut to Weevil and Veronica on his bike, looking for Mario's.
WEEVIL: I've only been here once.
VERONICA: [Pointing] Uh, maybe that one. Where the balloons are?
Weevil heads for it and stops outside a garden where a children's party is in motion. A child is banging on the piñata.
VERONICA: Yeah, this has to be it.
Veronica races off the bike.
VERONICA: Stop, stop.
Just as she reaches the child, the piñata splits and spills its contents to the ground. The children scamper to collect the small sweets in wrappers. Veronica watches, stunned and confused, then leaves as the mothers chatter in Spanish about her behaviour.
VERONICA: [To the mothers as she goes] Sorry, sorry.
Cut to the inside of the girls' restroom. The door crashes open as Veronica forcefully pulls Luke into the room. She flings him to the wall and checks that the cubicles are empty.
LUKE: Gee! Am I in trouble? What? God!
VERONICA: We need to talk.
LUKE: All right. But does it have to be next to the feminine hygiene machine?
VERONICA: Yeah. Get over it. Look, I found the piñata and it is not full of steroids. You're out of options. If you want Ziggy off your back, you're going to have to buy him off.
LUKE: Veronica, you don't understand. If I go to him without any steroids, cash or no cash, he going to hurt me. Bad
VERONICA: Well, you let me worry about that. You worry about getting the money.
LUKE: Yeah, how? What do you think I've got e-eight grand stashed away in my other wallet?
VERONICA: [Angrily] Figure it out!
Veronica storms out of the restroom into the hall, thinking hard. As she looks up, she sees the door to the school administration office. There is a poster on it that says: All visitors must check in inside. She pauses and flashes back to her mother and herself exiting that office. Lianne is gripping Veronica's arm, leading her.
VERONICA: Mom, what are you doing here? Where are we going?
LIANNE: Ooh, I just thought it would be nice to spend some time together. I thought we could go visit Aunt Sheryl.
VERONICA: In Palm Springs? Mom, I can't go to Palm Springs. I have a history test next period and [pulling up to a stop] a Spanish project due.
LIANNE: Honey, please. Don't make this hard. [Whispers] Just come with me, okay?
VERONICA VOICEOVER: [As we return to Veronica in the hall] Three days later she was gone. At the time I thought it was just one more on the growing list of odd things my mom was doing. I chalked her nerves up to the vodka. But now I think she really was scared.
Cut to Veronica's room. The music is Santana's "Put Your Lights On" with Everlast. Veronica is putting cell phones in envelopes.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: People rarely cut all their ties, even when they try. If she's out there and these untraceable, disposable cell phones I'm sending to Mom's closest friends and family reach her, maybe she'll realise it's safe for her to call me. It's my version of a message in a bottle.
Veronica pauses her activity when she hears the front door of the apartment. She walks out slowly towards her father, who has just come in.
SONG: Hey now, all you sinners…
VERONICA: One more hour and this might actually constitute a walk of shame.
SONG: …Put your lights on, put your lights on…
KEITH: Let's say I'm gonna play the dad card and go to bed. That all right?
SONG: …Hey now…
VERONICA: Actually I need your help.
KEITH: What's up?
SONG: …all you lovers Put your lights on, put your lights on…
VERONICA: Troy got his dad's car stolen on his way back from Tijuana and we're trying to find it before his dad gets back so he's not shipped off to boarding school in Albuquerque.
SONG: Hey now, all you killers…
KEITH: Hmm. He's important to you, isn't he?
VERONICA: Yes, he is.
SONG: …Put your lights on, put your lights on…
VERONICA: And I need you to do some of that voodoo that you do so well.
Keith laughs tiredly.
SONG: …Hey now, all you children…
KEITH: I'll be nice to your boyfriend if you be nice to my girlfriend.
SONG: …Leave your lights on…
KEITH: Veronica?
SONG: …you better leave your lights on…
VERONICA: Deal.
KEITH: Good morning.
SONG: …La ill aha, we fade away.
VERONICA: Good night.
Both go to their rooms. Cut to Beacon Corporation. Keith marches into the cubicle of Beacon Woman as she enjoys her salad at her desk.
BEACON WOMAN: Can I help you?
KEITH: James Anderson, head of security for LT Vandergraff.
BEACON WOMAN: Sorry, I'm not sure I-
KEITH: Do you know who Mr Vandergraff is? You will when you're named in the lawsuit he files against your employer. Now, I know you value him as a client. He really values this car, [passing over a card] so we need to run a drill. You look like a smart lady. Do yourself a favour and turn his system on now.
She does. Keith smiles.
LUKE: [Offscreen] This is insane.
Cut to Neptune High School where Luke is sat in front of a computer screen. Veroncia sits next to him leafing through a notebook.
LUKE: I mean, two thousand bucks with four bids? These people have no idea what a Barry Bonds' ball's worth.
VERONICA: No, it's classic bidding strategy. They wait 'til the end of the auction. Try hitting refresh.
LUKE: [Unhappily] Classic bidding.
VERONICA: See, there you go. Twenty-eight hundred. We're almost there.
LUKE: No, we're not almost there. [Snorts with disgust] I-I-I can't do this. I mean, you have no idea what I went through to get this ball. You have no idea what it's going to be worth when he retires,
VERONICA: [Patiently, with gestures] Luke. A ball or your life. You do the math. [Losing her patience] It's a ball!
LUKE: Yeah, it-
Luke slaps his hand on the desk. Cut to Troy and Veronica outside under a tree.
.
TROY: What are you doing after school? Wanna come over and play detective?
VERONICA: How are you so laid back about all this? I mean, if we don't find this car, we're done. This. Over. Does that not scare you?
TROY: Yes, it does. I mean it scares the hell out of me.
VERONICA: Then why do you seem so-
TROY: Let's… Let's just say that you've been told you have 72 hours to live. How do you spend them? You can dig through medical texts looking for a miracle cure or you can make those 72 hours the best three days of your life. And I choose sexy fun time.
VERONICA: Well, I choose a miracle cure.
Wallace wanders over.
WALLACE: I don't get something. Why are your parents sending off to prison school in Albuquerque? Seriously. What's wrong with a good old-fashioned grounding?
TROY: I'll get them to call you. Get some parenting advice.
WALLACE: Happy to help.
Wallace leaves as Troy and Veronica stare at each other.
MS DENT: [Offscreen] Remember.
Cut to the journalism classroom.
MS DENT: Start with light, easy questions first. Let your subject get comfortable.
Veronica and a snooty looking brunette, Ashley Banks, sit facing each other.
ASHLEY: So, Ms Mars. How do you respond to the rumours that your boyfriend hooked up with strippers in Tijuana last weekend?
VERONICA: Ms Banks. Have you decided which parent you're going to live with after the divorce? And if I may, a follow up. Can you believe your father's choice in mistresses?
Ms Banks is stung.
MS DENT: [Offscreen] Veronica, I need to speak with you after class, please.
Cut to later.
MS DENT: You look ready for a fight.
VERONICA: I get that a lot. I guess it's just my usual expression.
MS DENT: [Sighs heavily] How do you think Ashley's going to sleep tonight?
VERONICA: I didn't tell her anything she didn't already know… deep down.
MS DENT: Maybe. But sometimes the lies we let ourselves believe are for our own good. [Getting to her feet as Veronica digests this] You coming?
VERONICA: Uh, in a minute. Research.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: [Heading for the computers] Poor Ms Dent. She can't see the big picture yet. Love is an investment. Information is insurance. With someone whose heart has already been crushed, I say you can't be too careful.
Veronica pulls up Prying Eyez Dotcom. She logs on and goes to the Background Check page. Cut to later at Mars Investigations. Veronica walks into Keith's office with a hint of trepidation. She walks into Keith's office.
KEITH: Hey, there you are. I wanted to ask you a favour. I know you got something planned for my birthday, but I was, you know, hoping that it would be, uh, fine if, you know, before we went to do whatever you got cooked up that we go to Rebecca's house and have her cook us dinner, because she's a great cook.
VERONICA: [Sombrely, placing the file on his desk] I think you should look at that.
Veronica turns away and walks slowly back to the desk in the outer office. Keith opens the file and examines it. Veronica looks over at him.
VERONICA: Did you know she was still married?
KEITH: I did. I'm still married, Veronica.
VERONICA: And that she was arrested for passing bad cheques?
Keith rises from his desk and walks into the outer office.
KEITH: When she was 21. [Holding out the print from Prying Eyez] What were you thinking, Veronica? I'm your father. What made you think you had the right to do something like this?
VERONICA: What are you talking about, have the right? This-this is what we do. This is how we survive. I was trying to protect you.
KEITH: [Angry] Protect me? I'm an adult, Veronica!
Keith drops the printout onto Veronica's desk and heads back into his own office.
VERONICA: You… have let her into our life like it's no big deal!
KEITH: [From behind his desk] Oh, it's a big deal. It's a huge deal. [Heading back towards Veronica] Makes me feel good about myself. Wanted in a way that I haven't in a long time. It makes me wake up with a smile on my face. And we didn't ignore your feelings. We tried to make you feel comfortable but you chose to be snotty.
Keith heads back to his desk again. Veronica follows.
VERONICA: Mom is still out there somewhere. Do you even care if she ever comes back?
KEITH: You didn't care until I started dating. You've been hard on your mom for months.
VERONICA: [With increasingly distress] You can find anybody! If she were a criminal, you'd make a couple grand tracking her down and you'd have her back in a week.
KEITH: Well, maybe I don't care to find her. Have you ever considered that?
Veronica is stunned into silence by that.
KEITH: And here. [Taking out a card and heading towards her desk] I've turned your boyfriend's security system on. [Slapping it down on her desk] There's the code.
Veronica slowly follows him out. Keith spins round and enters his office, closing the door very firmly behind him. Veronica sits at her desk and leans her head into her hands, sobbing quietly. She sniffs, wipes a tear and picks up her pen. But she's still too upset and throws it aside, returning her head to her hands as she cries.
TROY: [Offscreen] Sure you're all right?
Cut to Troy and Veronica, late, in her car. Veronica has a handheld tracker which is beeping.
VERONICA: Would you stop asking me that? I need to concentrate. The signal is weaving all over the place. It's weird.
TROY: You think they know that we're on to them.
VERONICA: Maybe, but… it looks like it's going in between buildings. I don't get it.
The car pulls up in an empty street. They get out of the car.
VERONICA: It says this is the street. Seems like an unlikely place to hide a stolen car, here in mansion land.
TROY: You think it's in a garage?
VERONICA: No, the signal's still moving all around. It's-it's right on top of us.
They look ahead. There is a whine and there appears a yellow lab with the tracking device attached to its collar.
TROY: Please tell me that a dog is not supposed to be the BMW.
VERONICA: You think your dad'll notice?
Troy gives her a look.
TROY: Yeah.
Cut to the Mars' apartment. It is morning. Keith is in the kitchen, pondering. He hears Veronica as she comes into the kitchen.
KEITH: [Softly] You want some breakfast?
VERONICA: No thanks, I'm just going to grab an apple.
Keith is staring at something on the counter behind Veronica. She turns and looks behind her. It is a file marked with Troy's name. She picks it up.
KEITH: That's for you. It's everything you may or may not want to know about Troy. You can open it, you can throw it out. It's your choice.
Keith walks away. Veronica stares after him for a moment, then looks down at the file in her hands. Cut to the coffee shop where Keith first met Rebecca out of school. They are sitting alone on a bench against the window wall. Rebecca has one arm around Keith. Her other hand plays with Keith's on the table. She recognises that Keith is struggling with something and watches him intently. She brings her arm from around his back, leaving her wrist resting on his shoulder.
KEITH: [Sadly] I just don't know how to say this.
Keith sighs heavily. Rebecca looks up, recognising what is coming. She lets go of Keith's hand and clasps her own together, her forearm still resting on his shoulder.
REBECCA: Keith, just pull the band-aid off. [She expels her breath in a nervous and soft laugh] The furrowed brow and the-the pauses are killing me.
KEITH: I can't see you anymore.
REBECCA: [Long pause] OK.
Rebecca backs off a little, taking her arm from his shoulder.
KEITH: I can't do this to Veronica. She's not ready to see me dating yet. I'm… sorry. [Pause] I'm sorry, but she's having a really hard time.
REBECCA: Can you do me a favour?
KEITH: Of course.
REBECCA: Can you just tell me it's a-it's another reason like, like a crappy one? Your being a good father isn't really something I can b***h about to my girlfriends over margaritas.
Keith cups Rebecca's head and draws her to him. Cut to Neptune High. Veronica is waiting outside the lockers in an empty hallway.
TROY: Hey sexy. Give me a kiss, make all my troubles disappear?
VERONICA: All your troubles? That would take a lot of kissing. [As Troy opens his locker] I'm just glad we weren't dating when you were kicked out of those two schools for drug possession and trafficking, my lips would've fallen off.
TROY: A-huh. Well good morning to you, too.
VERONICA: Although, back then, Shauna was doing most of the kissing, wasn't she? You remember Shauna, don't you? You were kicked out of Pembrooke in Connecticut with her for marijuana possession and then out of St. Mary's in Boston. You crazy kids never learn. Yet now I'm supposed to believe that you knew nothing about Luke picking up steroids in TJ?
TROY: What are you talking about, steroids?
VERONICA: [Wagging her finger] Don't even-
TROY: Look, look, I don't know anything about Luke and steroids. Yeah, I got busted in Boston with some dope and big deal.
VERONICA: You got busted for drug possession and trafficking!
TROY: Yeah, so, that was two years before we even met. What does that have to do with us now?
VERONICA: Because you never told me about it!
TROY: Maybe I would've. You ever think of that? Maybe after I'd known you for more than a month, I'd tell you my deep dark secrets. Or is that too much of a character flaw? Waiting for the girl to like you before you tell her the things you're not so proud of? I don't have to tell you that. You're Veronica Mars. You know everything.
Troy shakes his head and turns and walks away. Veronica stares uncertainly after him. From behind her, Luke rounds the corner. He is holding an envelope.
LUKE: Hey. I got it all. Eight grand. And a little slice of my soul.
VERONICA: [Crossly] Woe is you.
Veronica snatches the envelope and trounces off. Luke extends his hands in a 'What did I do?' gesture and follows. Cut to Veronica and Backup climbing some stairs.
HANK: [Offscreen] … about Saturday night…
Veronica reaches the top and enters Zig Zag's Club, the gym where Luke was, uh, worked out. Hank is on his cell.
HANK: …I'm looking forward to seeing you again at Brighton…
VERONICA: Hey.
HANK: [To his caller] I'll, uh, talk to you later, all right.
Hank shuts down the cell and looks up at Veronica.
VERONICA: Is that Hummer downstairs with the Z-Meister plates yours?
HANK: Abso-damn-lutely.
VERONICA: Wow. Cool, I guessed right.
HANK: So, um... you here to get pumped?
VERONICA: Not exactly. I'm here to settle Luke's account.
Hank abruptly changes from flirt to bully as he stands.
HANK: Why don't we step in my office?
Backup barks.
VERONICA: That's okay. I'd rather talk out here.
HANK: Well, I wouldn't.
VERONICA: [On Backup's growl] Wah, he would.
Backup barks a couple times more to reinforce the point.
HANK: You know, darling, unless you're blind, you're gonna have to take your doggie outside.
VERONICA: You can try explaining that to him because he never listens to me.
Veronica's cell rings.
HANK: You don't understand-
VERONICA: Hold on one sec.
Veronica holds out her cell, indicating that she is taking the call. She takes the opportunity to take a picture of Hank before answering.
VERONICA: Yeah? [Listens] Oh, hey Wallace. Not much, you?
Hank glares at Veronica and, on Backup's bark, at the dog.
VERONICA: No, not at all. No. Piece of cake. [Pauses] Yeah, thanks.
She smiles at Hank as she terminates the call. She reaches into the bag and pulls out the envelope she took from Luke.
VERONICA: [Handing Hank the envelope] Here's the eight grand you fronted Luke. You two are square now.
HANK: [Taking the envelope and examining the contents] Well, I'm gonna take the eight grand, but we ain't square, you see, the little b***h let me down and I'm gonna have to make him pay.
Veronica nods.
VERONICA: Remember this moment. 'Cause you're gonna regret it. Toodles.
Veronica heads back to the stairs, dragging Backup behind her. Hank stares after her, malevolently. Cut to Veronica's cell and the picture she has taken of Hank. The cell closes and the camera moves to the picture loading on the laptop screen. Veronica puts down the phone and hits the keyboard. The screen indicates the 12jpg file of the picture is printing. Veronica readies a pen as she waits for the printer to disgorge a black and white print of Hank on Mars Investigations headed paper. She writes something on the space below the photo and then places it in the fax. She punches in a number and it starts to roll through. Cut to a driveway. Troy and an older man walk towards a waiting taxi.
TROY: I can do better, I swear, just give me another chance.
TROY'S DAD: You've used up all your chances. You gotta learn discipline and respect.
TROY: [Plaintively] Dad, please. I'm sorry, I…
TROY'S DAD: [Implacable] It's too late for apologies, Troy. You've made your bed.
He walks away leaving Troy staring after him. Troy sighs in resignation.
TROY: Huh, yeah.
He turns and heads for the taxi. Cut to a lopsided chocolate cake with a single candle in the shape of a question mark in the centre.
KEITH: [Offscreen] Wow, that's some cake.
The camera pulls back to reveal Keith and Veronica sitting at the kitchen counter in their apartment.
VERONICA: Isn't it, though?
KEITH: I love it. Ever notice how everything you make just… tends to lean a little to the left?
VERONICA: [Cocking her head to check, then, confidently] I do that on purpose.
Keith laughs as Veronica hands out the cutlery.
KEITH: What time is Rebecca coming?
KEITH: She's not.
VERONICA: [Surprised] Oh. I-I already cancelled the birthday surprise. I was gonna take you to see Santana at the Bowl.
KEITH: I'm not seeing her anymore.
Keith lets out a big sigh, then picks up his fork.
VERONICA: Dad, you don't have- [Pauses] Sorry. I obviously know nothing about relationships.
KEITH: But you can bake and that's important.
VERONICA: [Guiltily] It's your birthday. You should be happy.
KEITH: And what better way to spend it?
VERONICA: No, I- you should-
KEITH: I should…
VERONICA: …be-
KEITH: [Without pause] be able to do whatever I want because it's my birthday. I just wanna have a piece of cake with my daughter and that's all I want.
VERONICA: [Lighting the candle] Well, happy birthday, Pop.
KEITH: Thanks, kid.
VERONICA: Don't forget to make a wish.
Keith smile, closes his eyes for a moment, seriously contemplates the cake and leans forward to blow out the candle. Veronica mimics him.
VERONICA: [Laughing and picking up the knife to cut the cake] Good one.
To the opening strains of "The New Kid" by Old 97's, cut to the USA Border Grille & Diner. Troy's taxi has already pulled up and as Troy gets out, the driver takes his case from the boot.
SONG: The new kid, he's got money The money I deserve…
TROY: [Getting some cash out of his pocket] Let's, uh, keep this between us, all right?
Troy slaps the money into the driver's hand and takes his case.
SONG: He's got the goods but he's not Good for his word…
Troy enters the restroom of the diner. He removes a package from a vent in the ceiling.
SONG: I should be rolling in it…
Troy gets into the retooled BMW and drives off. He's feeling pretty smug.
SONG: I've been a working stiff As for the justice No one knows where it went. The new kid he's got my girl…
Troy's cell rings. He grabs it as he drives.
SONG: The girl I used to have He's got the looks you know…
TROY: Hello.
SONG: Got them from his dad…
SHAUNA: Hey baby, it's Shauna.
TROY: Can you feel the heat yet?
SONG: I should be kissing that girl…
TROY: I am getting so close, baby, your panties ought to burst into flames any minute now.
SONG: We should be so in love There is no justice…
SHAUNA: Troy, what's with this girl calling me? You gave her my number?
SONG: There's just dark stars above…
TROY: Oh, whoa. What girl?
SHAUNA: Some girl named Veronica.
SONG: I'm gonna toil away Until my judgement day…
TROY: [Disturbed] Uh, Y-you didn't tell her you'd be seeing me soon, did you?
SONG: I will be rewarded for…
SHAUNA: She caught me off guard. What was I sup-
SONG: The good things I did…
Troy cuts Shauna off and grabs and rips open the package in something of a panic.
SONG: Believe me every year… There is another one here
Candies spill out of the package together with a note. Troy grabs the note and sets it against the steering wheel to read it.
SONG: Don't you see, I used to be the new kid.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: Sorry we didn't get a chance to say goodbye, just wanted to wish you good luck at your new school and leave you something to remember me by. It took me a while to figure out where you stashed the steroids, but there was only one place you were alone, right? In case you're wondering, the former contents of the package are somewhere between my toilet and the Pacific Ocean. Say hi to Shauna for me. She sounds like a keeper.
TROY: [Hitting the steering wheel] Damn it! [And again] Damn it! [And again] Damn it!
Troy hangs his head and bangs the steering wheel yet again. Cut to the border customs sign advising declaration of all articles acquired outside the US. The various vendors show off their wares to the waiting vehicles, one of which is Hank's Hummer. The light turns from red to green and Hank pulls forward. He is observed by a customs officer from inside his booth who glances at Veronica's fax of Hank's picture and her message: Hank "Ziggy" Zigman. Orange hummer - license plate: Z-Meister. He rips it from the board and approaches Hank.
OFFICER: Mr Zigman! [Holding up the fax] You wanna go ahead and turn over your contraband?
Hank just stares at the fax and at the officer.
OFFICER: Step out of the car please.
Hank gives a big sigh and drops his head, remembering the moment. Cut to Veronica. She is lying on her bed, eyes closed, listening to "Such Great Heights" by the Postal Service through headphones from a portable player resting on her stomach. She doesn't realise that one of the small phones like the ones she mailed out is vibrating on her desk. It stops vibrating and a voice can be heard.
LIANNE: Hello sweetheart.
Cut to Lianne Mars, now with shorter hair, standing with her back against the wall of what looks like a sports stadium entry area.
LIANNE: First of all, I miss you… so much. More than you could possibly imagine. You know what? I did get one of your letters, but I won't tell you which one because I don't want you to try and find me. Veronica, you listen to me. I know you have a million questions but everything will make sense when the time is right, I promise.
Cut back to the oblivious Veronica, barely nodding her head to the music.
LIANNE: [Offscreen] I'll be in touch soon. Trust me, okay? I love you.
SONG: They will see us waving from such great heights… LIANNE: [Offscreen] And could you tell your father I said happy birthday?
SONG: 'Come down now', they'll say But everything looks perfect from far away 'Come down…
Fade. End.
 marshjazz · Sat Oct 28, 2006 @ 08:48pm · 0 Comments |
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