We open on Max sitting at a booth with Isabel, and Tess at the Crash Down. Max has one side of the booth, while the girl’s share the other side.
Isabel is pouring hot sauce on her food; Tess and her are talking. Max seems very distant; he’s watching Liz serve food intently.
Suddenly we get flashes of bright white lights.
Michael
Coming over with a plate. To Max
Maxwell, you okay?
Max snaps out of these visions and inhales sharply.
Michael
Reaching a hand out as Max almost falls out of the booth.
Whoa.
The girl’s stop talking.
Liz
Coming over to see if he’s okay.
Oh my god, Max are you okay?
Max
Looks up at her-he sees another white flash with only her head floating in the void, her voice is echoing. He gets up and rushes past her out of
the Crash Down.
Isabel
Looking at Michael.
I’m going to go see if he’s okay.
Michael
I’ll check on him.
She nods and he follows Max out of the Crash Down. Max is walking fast with his head down and hands in his pockets.
Maxwell!
He walks to him.
What happened in there?
Max
Nothing, I’m fine.
He looks back at the Crash Down.
Michael
What is it, Liz?
Max
Quickly
No, she has nothing to do with it.
Michael
Come on.
Max
Yelling and then speaking quieter.
It’s nothing; I just need some rest.
Michael
Fine.
He shrugs and then walks back to the Crash Down.
Isabel, Tess, and Liz are all looking at him expectedly.
Michael
He’s going home to rest.
Isabel
Is he okay?
Michael
How should I know?
CUT
We re-open on Max looking at a picture of Liz in his room. He puts it down and walks to his computer and starts typing rapidly. There is a knock
on his door, he jumps knocking something over but reluctantly answers.
Max
Yea.
His mom sticks her head in.
Mom
You doing homework?
Max
Yea.
Mom
Brody called; he wanted to know if you could come in for a while today.
Max
Oh.
Mom
Honey, are you okay?
Max
I’m fine.
Mom
Are you sure you look...
Max
He says this with controlled temper in his voice.
I’m fine.
Mom
Okay.
She shuts the door, Max stands up and walks away from the computer and flops back down onto his bed.
CUT
We are back at the Crash down; Liz is busy doing the final wipe down of the tables, Maria steps into the room from the kitchen.
MARIA steps out of the kitchen she stretches then Yawns.
Thank god, I’m so tired.
Patting Liz on the shoulder.
Well, see you tomorrow.
Liz
Yea, bye.
Maria leaves as Sean is entering; she stops him at the door.
Maria
We’re closed.
Sean
I know that.
Maria
Smartly
Oh, then why are you here?
Liz
From behind them.
Come on in Sean.
Maria
Looking from Liz to Sean.
You’re here to see Liz? Charming.
Sean
Stepping around her and into the restaurant.
Relax, we’re just friends.
Maria
Nodding.
Oh right.
Liz
Smiling.
Maria.
Maria
Fine, I’m going. But…
She turns to Sean and lowers her voice.
If I find out this goes further then friends…
She looks back at Liz and then to Sean.
Well, just don’t let me find out. Got it.
She leaves and Sean takes a seat at the counter. Liz pours him a cup of coffee and continues rubbing down the counter.
CUT
Max is still in his room, he is lying flat on his back on the bed, sweat is shining on his skin, and he is staring at the ceiling.
We see more flashes as before, there is a knock on the door and after he doesn’t respond Isabel pokes her head in. When she sees Max’s
condition she runs to his bed.
Isabel
Max.
She kneels beside him. And touches his shoulders.
Max?
Max snaps out of his daze and sits up breathing heavy, Isabel stands.
Are you okay?
Max
I…I…
He sees another flash.
I just need some fresh air.
He grabs a coat from his desk chair and leaves Isabel standing confused.
He walks down through the kitchen and heads for the door.
Mom
Max, honey it’s almost time for dinner.
Max
Flatly, as Isabel comes in.
I’m not hungry.
His mom looks at Isabel and she shrugs. He leaves the house.
Mom
To Isabel
What was that about?
Isabel shakes her head and sits at the table.
Max is walking down the street that the Crash Down is on; as he passes the window in the front he sees Liz and Sean laughing. Suddenly he
crosses the street and bangs on the door. Liz looks and sees him; she says something to Sean and then goes to open the door.
Liz
Max,
He looks past her at Sean.
Max what’s…
She doesn’t finish he shoves passed her and punches Sean off of the stool he was sitting on.
Max!
Liz races forward and tries to pull them apart, but Max is to engrossed to notice her.
Max stop it!
Max!
Sean is trying to defend himself.
Max!
Finally he stops, but suddenly, he looks down at Sean blocking his face, then back to Liz. He gets up…
Max shakes his head and leaves the Crash Down; Liz bends and helps Sean up.
Liz
Audio fading out…
I’m sorry Sean I don’t know what got into him.
FADE INTO
Michael’s trailer from a distance, we see Max stumbling forward, he opens the door. Maria and Michael turn to him surprised. And then they
notice his condition.
Maria
What’s wrong?
Max steps in and collapses onto the floor.
Michael
Walking to him.
Maxwell?
Maria
To Michael.
What’s wrong with him?
Michael
Do I look like I know? Help me get him to the couch.
She nods and together they sit him on the couch.
To Maria
Go get some water.
She nods and goes into the kitchen.
Michael
What’s wrong?
Max
I…I don’t know.
Michael
Well, what happened?
Maria hands Michael the glass of water.
Drink this.
Max nods and takes the cup, he takes a drink.
Max
Something is happening to me.
Michael
What?
Max
I don’t know.
Michael
Well, what just happened, why did you come here?
Max
I was walking passed the Crash Down and I saw Liz…
She was with Sean, I don’t know what came over me, I punched Sean…
Maria
Smiling
Well, at least I didn’t have to.
Michael looks at her annoyed.
What, even you must admit he needed it.
Michael
Nodding in agreement.
Go see if Liz is all right.
Max
Tell her I’m sorry.
Maria
Sure thing.
She kisses Michael on the cheek and then leaves the trailer.
Michael
To Max
Tell me what’s been going on.
CUT
Maria rushes into the Crash Down-it is still the same night, Sean is holding a napkin to his nose to stop it from bleeding. Maria ignores him.
Maria
To Liz
I heard what happened, are you okay?
Liz
I’m fine.
Sean
To Maria
Hey what about me?
Maria
Ignoring him and speaking to Liz.
So tell me what happened, I want all the details.
She and Liz sit down.
Liz
Well he…how did you find out?
Maria
Quickly
He showed up at Michael’s…go on.
Liz
I don’t know he knocked on the door so I let him in and he just starting pounding on Sean.
Maria
Sarcastically, frowning.
Poor Sean.
Liz
Maria.
Maria
Sorry.
Liz
It's just, it was almost like he didn’t know what he’d done.
How was he when he showed up at Michael’s?
Maria
I think he was like in shock or something.
He seemed really out of it…
FADE INTO
Michael’s trailer, Max has just finished explaining what’s been happening. He looks a little better.
Michael
How long has this been going on?
Max
I don’t know maybe a week.
He stands up and walks around.
Michael
Do you think these flashes are the reason you attacked Sean?
Max
I don’t know.
Michael
Why didn’t you tell anyone?
Max
I guess I figured it would pass.
Michael
Scratching his eyebrow and standing up.
Well, it didn’t.
Max
Stops walking and looks at him.
I know that.
Michael
Shrugging.
Maybe you should stay away from Liz for a while.
Max
Maybe I should stay away from everyone.
Michael
Come on Maxwell, what are you going to do go hide in your room for a week?
Max
I was thinking of staying in the cave for a while, just till things blow over.
Michael
We have to tell Isabel and Tess.
Max
No, this stays between you and me.
He begins pacing again.
I don’t want them to know.
Michael
Maybe they can help-we could talk to Isabel. We can find out what this thing is.
MAX sees flashes again, this time they are just white he starts to fall but Michael catches him.
Michael
We have to get you help.
Max
Angrily
No.
He shoves Michael out of the way and leaves the trailer. Michael falls back against the wall and a picture falls off, he rubs his chest and watches
Max go. |