so this is for anyone who hasn't taken a peek over at the work by author board...and for all of you who did, I hope you liked it.

at one point this was going to be the end of my series, I guess I just couldn't help myself and I had to keep writing.

thanks to everyone for the feedback, I totally appreciate it!

Title: “…and The End is linked to The Beginning” (a cliffhanger)
Author: N/A
Email: ajrocchio⊕hotmail.com
Rating: PG-13 for language
Category: Other Stories
Disclaimers: The characters of Roswell belong to the WB, among others, but apparently I need to keep borrowing them.
Summary: It can’t get any worse than this…can it?
Author’s note/soapbox: The title of this fic is taken from a quote by Marcus Manilius, a Latin astrologer and poet born sometime around/before 1 AD. The whole quote would sort of give it away, so you’ll have to wait ‘til the end for it. At one point, this was the end of my universe, unfortunately I couldn't get the characters out of my head so I had to continue.


(Scene: Various Scenes of Max, Michael and Isabel making their way to the cave. Starting with them driving along on 285 North and turning on the exit for Highway 247. Parking the jeep along the side of the road next to a large radio tower. Walking along in the desert, in silence, with Michael leading the way followed by Max and Isabel trailing behind. Reaching the cave and Max using his powers to move the boulder blocking the entrance. And finally with Michael, Isabel, and Max standing in the cave looking at the pods.)

Voice over (Liz, as we see the scenes above): There’s a part of Max that I’ll never know…I mean, he doesn’t even know it to be able to share it with me. But once he does…once the…‘dictionary’ is discovered that can translate the language of those symbols…I still won’t know that part of him. I can’t ever know it…because it isn’t a part of me. Michael and Isabel are always so quick to point that out. That we’re different…that we’re not (she pauses) not the same…Max does it too sometimes, when his insecurities and fears come out. But the thing is…we’re not that different…Cuz as much as they’re ‘alien’ – they forget that they’re ‘human’ too.

Michael (pulling out a sketchbook from his backpack): I don’t understand it. (He flips through pages and pages of sketches of the symbols from the cave to find a blank page.) Why show us this and not explain it?

Max (touching some of the symbols): I don’t know. Nothing he’s done makes sense.

Michael: And why the hell did he show this to Liz.

Max (looking at Michael questioningly): I don’t know.

Isabel (touching the pods): The question is why do we keep coming here? How many times do we have to touch this stuff to convince ourselves that we aren’t going to see anything?

Michael (disgusted): You don’t want to see anything.

Isabel (whipping around to look at Michael with a very ‘Isabel’ look on her face): Go to hell Michael. I want to know just like you do…but this is a waste of time…how many weekends are we gonna spend staring at nothing?

Michael (seriously pissed): Nothing!

Isabel (pointing to a series of symbols on the cave wall): Do you know what the hell this says?

Michael (looking back down at one of the drawings in his sketchbook and with a determined voice): Not yet.

Max (opening up his backpack and pulling out River Dog’s stones): Isabel, we have to keep coming. He could leave us…clues.

Isabel: Whatever Max…don’t you think he would have done that by now.

Michael: What’s your problem?

Isabel (sounding defeated): I’m just tired…of getting my hopes up.

Max (looking over at her): Isabel…he’s not gonna show this to us and then not explain it…why show it to us in the first place?

Isabel: He hasn’t been exactly forthcoming with us has he Max?

Max (letting out a sigh): I don’t know Isabel…it must be part of some plan he has…

Isabel (gently stroking one of pods): Maybe he wants us to find them first…(she stops and Max and Michael both look over at her)…I can’t believe there’s another one of us out there… somewhere...


(Scene: The Spot – if you don’t remember what this is it’s from “Lost Treasures”, a special spot for Alex, Maria, and Liz. Liz is lying down, Maria is sitting on a rock trying to weave together pine needles, and Alex is sitting on the ground admiring the view)

Liz: I miss this…We haven’t been here in a long time.

Maria (absentmindedly): We haven’t.

Liz (furrowing her brow at Maria and sitting up): What? (Maria looks up at her and then over at Alex who has a “shut up” look on his face. Liz follows Maria’s gaze and frowns) Did you two come here without me?

Maria: N-o. (Liz looks from to Maria to Alex – who has a guilty look on his face – and she gives him a raised eyebrow glare)

Alex: See I was gonna tell you…

Liz (playfully): Uh uh…(looking at Maria) and you knew about this?

Maria: I told him to ask you before bringing her here.

Liz (shocked): Her! Wait, you brought a girl here. (Looking at Maria surprised) He brought a girl here?

Alex (looking at Maria): Thanks…got anything more you’d like to tell her...how ‘bout what I’m getting her for her birthday…or maybe that it was me in sixth grade who stole her ‘Teddy’ dunked him in the toilet and then stuck him in the freezer…

Liz: I knew that was you! And don’t try and get out of explaining yourself.

Alex (after a pause and looking at Maria with a scowl): I brought Isabel here.

Liz (surprised): Isabel?

Alex: I just wanted to show her something personal…(Liz looks over at Maria)

Maria: He was going for the ‘sensitive guy’ approach.

Alex: You haven’t brought Max here yet?

Liz: Max? No. I haven’t even thought about it…okay, maybe I’ve thought about it. But still I would have asked first…Isabel?

Alex (holds up his hands, innocently): Strictly friendly…(Liz smiles and looks over at Maria)

Liz: You think he’s a goner?

Maria: Do birds fly?

Alex: Hey, third party still here…and taking offense…Isabel needs some sort of…clueless-rebel-type to keep up her social front…I’m just the guy she can talk to…which is better than being a James Dean poser ‘cause I get to see the Isabel that nobody sees.

Maria: Alex, my friend…welcome to the Darkside. (Liz laughs)

Alex (looking at Liz): Well, at least I’m not as bad as you.

Liz (innocently): Me?

Alex: Oh, please…(he looks at Maria and they both smile and then start imitating Max and Liz with overly mockingly dreamy looks.)

Liz (throwing pinecones at both of them): Hey! (They have a good laugh and then she stops smiling and her tone changes) I miss him. (Alex and Maria stop and the air becomes a little tense) I mean I see him every night but it’s different, he’s just so sad – especially when he comes back from visiting the cave. I don’t understand Nasedo…it’s been weeks…he gives them everything and nothing at the same time.

Maria: All Michael does is look at that sketchbook. I could be naked and he wouldn’t even notice. (Liz and Alex look at her) Not that I’ve tried or would try that.

Alex (after a pause): I can’t believe there’s another one of them. (Liz and Maria just look at him) I wonder if it’s somebody we know.

Liz: I’ve been looking through old newspaper articles and can’t find anything.

Maria: What are you looking for?

Liz: Well I thought maybe it would have been reported…you know, finding a naked kid in the middle of nowhere is pretty news worthy. Max, Michael and Isabel came out of their pods in 1989 so I’ve been looking but I can’t find anything about another child. Not even in the Corona community paper.

Alex: Maybe it was before then…

Maria: Or after.

Liz: I’ve done a five-year buffer 1984 to 1994. (Letting out a sigh) The next step is legal records – but adoptions are mostly closed records.

Alex: You need to go to the source.

Liz: Nasedo, (shaking her head) try again Alex.

Alex: No, the adoption agencies. They’ve gotta have computerized records. (Liz looks at Alex and mentally slaps herself for not thinking of that sooner.)

Liz: Next weekend?

Alex (nods): Sure. That gives us enough time to get the names of the orphanages and adoption agencies. We should try Albuquerque too.

Liz: Thanks Alex.

Alex (smiles and gives her one of those mockingly dreamy looks and with a playful dreamy voice): Anything for you Liz.

Liz: That’s it! (And she jumps up and heads for Alex)


(Scene: Outside the Crashdown, late that night. A man stands in the shadows across from the Crashdown looking up at the roof. He smiles as Liz comes into view on the roof. She walks to the edge and looks down – no Max yet, her shoulders sink a little and she turns and sits down against the ledge. The man turns his head to see Max walking down the street toward the Café. As Max reaches the ladder he calls out Liz’s name and she stands up and looks over the edge. He climbs to the top and they stand there for a moment. Max hangs his head down, giving away his sadness. Liz reaches up and caresses the side of his face and then pulls Max into a hug. The man in the shadows turns to walk away and then notices a man sitting in a dark car watching Max and Liz with binoculars. Nasedo – recognized as the man watching Max and Liz kiss in the desert – looks at the man in the car intently, very suspiciously/menacingly.)


(Scene: School Quad. Michael is sitting at a table looking at the sketchbook. Isabel walks up to the table)

Isabel: Do really think you should be looking at that here?

Michael: No one’s around.

Isabel: It’s risky Michael.

Michael: Enough Isabel.

Isabel: What’s your problem Michael?

Michael (looking up at her): What’s yours?

Isabel: I just can’t take it Michael. It’s been weeks. We know nothing more than we did then – except there’s another one of us out there…who’s probably impossible to find.

Michael: We’re so close.

Isabel: To what? To what Michael?

Michael (passionately): To everything we’ve been looking for – don’t you get that?

Isabel (shaking her head): It doesn’t mean anything if we can’t understand it.

Michael (looking back at the drawings): Soon. (Isabel looks at Michael and then up at Max who walks in the direction of the table. He sits down and Michael immediately starts) I think we should stay this weekend at the cave. Leave Friday come back Sunday. Maybe we’ll catch him there.

Max: Can’t Friday.

Michael (questioningly): What do you mean can’t?

Max: I can’t I promised Liz that we’d do something this Friday.

Michael (completely disgusted): This is more important than dating Maxwell.

Max: Well right now I think it’s pretty important to spend some time with Liz, we can go on Saturday.

Michael (looking between Isabel and Max and angrily): You two don’t want to find out anything – you’re happy with your artificial ‘human’ lives.

Max: If I were you Michael I’d think about your attitude and consider doing something with Maria this Friday…with Liz and I.

Michael: I have more important things to do with my time than dinner and a movie.

Max: We could spend a week there Michael…don’t you think he’d sense us. We can’t…sneak up on him. He’s got his own agenda…and clearly it doesn’t include revealing anything to us anytime soon. I just think we all need to take a step back from it…and maybe we’ll be able to see something we missed when we look at it again. And besides, maybe he showed us this to keep us away from them – we’ve been spending a lot of time out there. (Michael looks up at Max; that thought never having crossed his mind.)


(Scene: Crashdown, early evening. Maria and Liz are both working, it’s semi-busy. Agent Cooper is sitting at a table finishing up his meal – a cup of coffee and a nice piece of pie - and every now and then following Liz around the café with his eyes. Unbeknownst to him Nasedo is sitting at a booth watching him, watch Liz. Liz approaches Agent Cooper’s table.)
Music: Paperboys – I’ve Just Seen A Face (Beatles Cover)

Liz: How was everything?

Cooper: Just fine thank you.

Liz: Anything else I can get you?

Cooper: Not at the moment.

Liz (she puts his bill on the table): I can ring you up whenever you’re ready. (She leaves and heads over to Nasedo and notices his empty drink) Can I get you a refill?

Nasedo: Ah, no thanks.

Liz (smiling at him): It’s free.

Nasedo (smiling at her): Sure.

Liz (taking the cup): Cosmic Cherry Cola coming right up. (Liz heads to the drink machine and meets Maria there)

Maria: What are all these people doing here at 5 o’clock…Don’t they have jobs?

Liz (sarcastically): Not everyone is so lucky.

Maria (looking over at Liz): And I definitely don’t like that guy.

Liz: What guy?

Maria (inconspicuously nodding to Agent Cooper): That one…don’t like him.

Liz: Maria, what are you talking about?

Maria (as she grabs her drinks she was filling): Vibes…the un-fuzzy kind. (She looks at Liz and then leaves to deliver the drinks. As she fills up Nasedo’s drink, Agent Cooper gets up and leaves the Crashdown. Liz brings the drink over to Nasedo who is now standing.)

Nasedo: Looks like I’ve gotta be going.

Liz (smiling at him): Well you’re lucky it’s free.

Nasedo (going through his wallet and pulling out a twenty): I think this will cover it.

Liz (sets down the drink on the table): Here, let me get you change.

Nasedo (holding out the twenty to her): Don’t need any.

Liz (surprised at the over $10 tip): Um, thanks. (She reaches out to take the twenty and their hands touch. She immediately freezes, stops breathing and just stares at him. He turns and leaves. Liz just stands there completely frozen. Maria notices her and walks over.)

Maria: Liz?

Liz (shakily): That was him.

Maria: What?

Liz: Nasedo…he was here, that was him.

Maria (looking over to the door): How do you know?

Liz: I know.

(Meanwhile, outside of the café. Agent Cooper gets into his black sedan and drives off with Nasedo watching him go, and walking after him.)


(Scene: Maria’s Bedroom, later that night. Michael and Maria are standing in the middle of it having a hushed argument)

Michael: I’m asking you to come with me.

Maria (angrily): No you’re not.

Michael (about to explode with frustration): What about “will you come with me” don’t you understand?

Maria: Michael, I’ve wanted you to ask me to come with you for over a week. But you don’t even share the sketches in your book with me. The only reason you’re doing this now is because of what happened today.

Michael: I can’t do anything right, can I?

Maria: You want it both ways. Well guess what…doesn’t work that way.

Michael: You’re driving me insane.

Maria (getting watery eyes): You don’t want to share what’s in that cave with me. You’re just asking me so you can ‘watch’ me while doing what you want.

Michael: You’re impossible!

Maria: Ya and you’re a bed of roses! I’m going to the movies with Liz and Max tomorrow night.

Michael: Don’t you understand how important this is to me?

Maria: Yes Michael it’s the only thing that’s important to you.

Michael: You’re trying to make me choose.

Maria: No Michael, this isn’t a choice…don’t you get that in that…misguided alien head of yours?

Michael: You don’t understand.

Maria: Because you don’t let me. You don’t let me in because things get all ‘intense’ and it scares you. It scares the crap out of you because you actually like it…but instead of admitting it you sit outside my window ‘protecting’ me and pretending that it has nothing to do with the fact that you care about me. Just save us all the trouble, admit that you like being with me, let me in, and I’ll let you be whatever…alien you want to be.

Michael (heading toward the window): You infuriate me.

Maria: Ditto! Run...typical!

Michael (as he’s exiting the window): Go to hell. (He walks away from the house a couple of steps and then furious at himself goes back to the window and stands off to the side of it leaning against the house – out of sight from Maria. Music starts: Ani DiFranco – Falling is Like This)

Maria (lets out a frustrated sigh and then softly but loud enough for it to float out the open window): I love you too.

(Michael, hearing her, just sinks down to the ground against the house and hangs his head in his hands. After a few moments Maria comes to the window and as she’s shutting it Michael pulls his head up out of his hands and his eyes are watery. He stands up and goes over to the window. Maria looks at him and he puts his hand up to the window. Maria matches his hand and after a moment opens the window and Michael climbs back through. He stands there in silence with Maria looking at him and then she steps to him and cradles his face with her hands.)

Maria (very affectionately): What am I gonna do with you spaceboy?

Michael (softly): I’m sorry.

Maria (whispering): I know. (She pulls him to her and gives him a hug)


(Scene: Ramada Inn, roughly same time. Nasedo is hidden from view behind a tree near the edge of the parking lot. He’s staring at the familiar black sedan. Agent Cooper walks toward the car with a cup of coffee and a small bag. Nasedo evilly watches him as he gets into the car and drives off toward the Crashdown.)


(Scene: Liz’s Bedroom, really late that night. Liz and Max are sitting on her bed.)

Max: I’m not leaving you tonight.

Liz (smiling at him): Max, you never leave, remember I’m the one who wakes you up out there every morning.

Max: No I mean I’m not leaving your side tonight.

Liz: Max.

Max: Liz, I’m not leaving.

Liz: And if my parents find you in here?

Max: I’m watching you sleep – I’ll hear them if they’re coming in.

Liz (gently touching his face): Max.

Max (looking deeply into her eyes): I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.

Liz: Max, nothing’s going to happen.

Max: It felt like I was dying when you were shot.

Liz: Is that why you saved me?

Max: I was saving myself…A part of me would have died if you had…died.

Liz (softly): Max. (Max leans in for a kiss and when they finally break apart…)

Max (resting his forehead against hers, softly): Don’t ever leave.

Liz (smiling up at him): I’m not planning to.


(Scene: Roswell Police Station. The Sheriff enters the station. Okay, since I’m borrowing the name “Agent Cooper” from the television show Twin Peaks, I figure I might as well borrow “Hawk”…which for those of you who missed the brilliant show Twin Peaks was the name of the character Michael Horse – the actor playing Deputy Blackwood – played. And a note here: my Agent Cooper is the antithesis of the Agent Cooper from Twin Peaks.)

Deputy (from behind the counter): Morning Sheriff.

Sheriff: Morning Hawk. Anything new?

Deputy: Pretty quite night last night.

Sheriff: That’s what I like to hear. (He continues walking to his office. He opens the door, enters, hangs up his coat and hat and then sits down at his desk. He picks up the phone to check messages and scanning over his desk notices an envelope addressed to him lying in the middle of the desk. He looks at it curiously and sets down the phone. Picking up the envelope he turns it over and opens it. What he pulls out is a single piece of paper with “Liz Parker’s life is endanger” written neatly on it. He stares at if for a moment and then quickly exits his office carrying the note and envelope) Have I had any visitors?

Deputy (shaking his head): No. Not since I’ve been here. Harry didn’t mention any from last night.

Sheriff (handing the envelope to Deputy Blackwood): I want this dusted for fingerprints. Along with my office. Immediately.

Deputy (looking at him questioningly): Sheriff?

Sheriff: Someone was in my office last night and I want to know who the hell it was!


(Scene: Liz’s Bedroom. Liz is finishing getting ready and Maria is sitting on the bed.)

Liz: So is he coming?

Maria: Yea, I think so. (Letting out an exasperated sigh) He can be so infuriating…sometimes I just want to give him a time-out.

Liz (looking at Maria in the mirror): Time-out?

Maria: You know, make him sit and stare at the wall for awhile and think about his behavior.

Liz (laughing): That I’d like to see.

Maria: It’s like babysitting my cousin. When I put him to sleep he gives me the most frightened look because he’s afraid of the dark. Michael gives me the same look sometimes. And then when I try and comfort him and tell him it’s gonna be okay he throws a tantrum and tells me it’s my fault because I put him to bed – (raising her eyebrow to Liz, who’s looking at her in the mirror) sound like anybody we know?

Liz (smiling and shaking her head): He just lost.

Maria: So lost he doesn’t know how to recognize being found.

Liz (looking at Maria in the mirror again and turning around): How do I look?

Maria: Well, if you’d stop fussing…why are you so nervous?

Liz: It’s…it’s our first ‘date.’

Maria: What? What about ‘going out for some Chinese?’

Liz: When Michael got sick? Doesn’t count.

Maria: Doesn’t count? Babe, take what you can get.

Liz: It’s null and void...When the goodnight kiss is replaced with a good…heart stomping – it doesn’t count.

Maria: They should come with warning labels. (Liz looks at her and sits down next to her on the bed) I’m totally serious like little business cards to hand out to unsuspecting people. (She playfully changes her tone) “Hi. Not only am I a total flight risk and suffering from the most sever case of fear of intimacy you’ll ever know, I’m also possibly hazardous to your health, (looking at Liz with raised eyebrows) in multiple ways…”

Liz (interrupting her): Maria!

Maria: What you haven’t thought about it. If the kissing’s explosive can you even imagine what…

Liz (blushing): MARIA!

Maria: It’d probably be “Like Water for Chocolate” all over again. You know combusting into billions of little specks of light.

Liz (totally embarrassed and bringing her hands to her face): We are not having this conversation. (Before Maria can respond Liz is saved by a knock at her door)

Mrs. Parker (from behind the door): Liz, honey, Max and Michael are here.

Liz (gathering herself): We’ll be right out. (They get off the bed and grab their coats.)

Maria (as they exit the bedroom and pretending to hold up the ‘business card’ and in the same playful tone): “And did I mention that I can seriously mess with your head. Still interested, call me.”

Liz (hitting her from behind): Stop it!


(Scene: A Local Pizza Joint. Michael, Max, Liz, and Maria are sitting around a table – semi-awkward silence. Random music playing in the background.)

Michael: So what movie are we seeing?

Liz: Cider House Rules.

Michael (looking at Max): Chick flick?

Maria: Hey, you missed the boat on voting buddy.

Max (looking at Michael): Yea.

Liz (looking at Max): I thought you wanted to see it.

Max: I do, I do…it just wasn’t my first choice. (Michael grunts with disgust) I still haven’t seen The Green Mile and it’s playing at the $2 theater...

Maria: Didn’t want to pay the $6.75 for Liz, huh?

Liz (looking between Max and Maria): Who says he’s paying? (They both look at her) Just thought I might have missed the conversation that was discussed in.

Restaurant loudspeaker: Max, pizza for Max.

Max: I’ll get it.

Maria (grabbing everybody’s drinks): I’ll get refills. (Max and Maria leave the table and Michael and Liz just look at each other)

Liz: I’m glad you came.

Michael: The evenings just beginning better wait on that.

Liz (after a pause): I’m sorry.

Michael (looking at her curiously): For what?

Liz: That he gave me the vision and not you.

Michael (after a pause): Better you than me – kissing guys…ain’t my thing.

(Scene switches to Max and Maria. Maria is filling the drinks and Max, with pizza in hand is reaching next to Maria to grab a handful of napkins from the container next to the drink machine.)

Maria (not looking at Max): You break her heart again and I’ll personally rip yours from your chest.

Max (caught off guard): Huh? (He looks over at Maria and she looks back at him with a pretty serious look. He smiles to himself) I can see why Michael likes you. (Maria raises her eyebrow at him) I have no intention of doing anything to Liz’s heart except love it.

Maria (returning her attention to the drinks): Smooth talkin’ spaceboy…I can see why she likes you.

Max: You’re good for Michael, don’t let him push you away.

Maria (looking up at Max): Thank you.

Max (turning to head back to the table): And if you break his heart I’ll rip yours from your chest (leaning into her) and I might actually be able to do it. (He smiles innocently down at her and walks to the table. Maria looks after him smiling.)


(Scene: Fast-forward a half hour or so. They’re just sitting around the table finishing up the pizza. Liz looks over and notices that the pool table is finally free)

Liz (to Max): What time is it?

Max (looking at his watch): Um, eight.

Liz: The movies at nine, right?

Max: Yea, why?

Liz: Enough time to see who’s paying for the movie tonight…(she grabs Max’s hand from the table and looks at Michael as she’s getting up from the table) Up for a little wager?

Michael (suspicious): Depends.

Liz (looking and motioning to Maria): Us verses you two (she motions between Michael and Max)…losers pay for the movie.

Michael: Loser at what?

Liz (pointing to the pool table): Pool.

Michael (clueless to Liz’s talent): You’re on. (He gets up from the table grabs Max and walks over to the pool table.)

Maria (quietly to Liz as they walk over to the table): You better know what you’re doing because I didn’t bring any money.

Liz (smiling and looking at Maria): Max can’t play to save his life and Michael…(she looks over at Michael) doesn’t even know what the chalk is for. (Her and Maria turn to look at Michael who is examining the little cube of blue chalk and holding it up to Max asking what it is.) Not a problem.

Max (to Michael): It’s for the stick, you rub it on the end to help with hitting the ball. We’re going to lose…you know that right?

Michael: What? Those two (nodding to Liz and Maria picking out cues.) No way.

Max (shaking his head at Michael): Man you’re in for it. (Michael just looks at Max confused)

Liz (racking up the balls): Alright. First ball pocketed indicates who’s stripes and who’s solids, one foot on the ground at all times, and gentlemen (looking between Michael and Max) no funny stuff. (They look back at her innocently) We’ll let you break.

Michael: Oh, don’t do us any favors, please (motioning to the table with his cue) show us how it’s done.

(Liz looks at Maria who nods her on and then goes around to the table and sets the cue ball down. She bends over the table. She looks over at Michael’s ignorantly confident face and then up at Max giving him a wink she shoots. The balls fly across the table with two of them going into pockets. Michael looks a little stunned)

Liz (examining the balls in the two pockets): Looks like we’re stripes. (Liz stakes out her next shot and makes it. Michael looks at Max who gives him an “I told you so” look. She walks around the table for another shot and makes it but misses her next one.) Your turn.

Maria (trying not to laugh): Please, show us how it’s done. (Michael looks at her and curses under his breath. He looks at Max and nods for him to go.)

Max (approaching the table): We’re solids right?

Liz: Yep. (Max just looks at her and then bends down to take a shot…missing. He looks at her and she smiles at him.)

Maria (stepping up to the table): Okay babe, which one should I go for.

Liz: The ten ball. (Maria leans over the table and Liz helps her adjust and aim.)

Michael: Hey no cheating.

Liz (looking up at him): Fine. (She backs off. Maria shoots and makes the shot. She looks up at Michael and gives him a smile and then readjusts for another shot but misses.)

Maria: Your turn wonder boy.

Michael (fighting it): Shut up! (He leans over the table for a shot and misses – badly.)

Liz (playfully): Try some chalk. (Michael just gives her a glare as she bends down for another shot. She makes the shot and readjusts for another one)

Michael: Pool-shark Parker – who would have known.

Liz (aiming for her shot): Just because you’ve read my journal doesn’t mean you know everything about me. (Michael completely freezes. As does Liz realizing what she just said. Max and Maria just look over at Michael dumbfounded)

Max: It was you.

Maria (looking at Liz): How could you not tell me it was him!

Liz (finishing the shot and making it): It didn’t matter, I got it back that’s…

Max (still looking at Michael): You stole her journal…her journal…you…

Michael: Maxwell…

Liz: Max it’s no big deal…

Maria (under her breath): No big deal.

Liz: Look an understanding was reached. (Trying to move on) Eight ball in the corner pocket...I just wanted my journal back and I got it back. (She leans down for the shot and makes it) Another game? (Everybody stares at her.)

Max (still stunned): I think it’s time for the movie. (Liz moves to put her cue stick back on the rack)

Maria (to Liz): You have some serious explaining to do.

Max (to Michael): You too. (Liz looks to Michael and mouths the word “sorry”, He nods and puts is stick on the rack. The girls head back into the other room where their coats are still on their chairs. And as they get to the table a new song comes on in the background. Music: 10,000 Maniacs – These Are Days)

Maria (looking at Liz, waiting for her to recognize the song. It takes Liz a second and then she shots a look to Maria): Fifth grade end of the year slumber party!

Liz: Johnny Depp, Alex Baldwin lovefest.

(Michael and Max, standing off to the side, share a glance. Maria and Liz start dancing around and singing to the song.)

Michael: You ever get the feeling they know more about us than we do about them?

Max (looking at Michael): Apparently you know more than any of us.

Michael (looking at Max): You know what she wrote in there (He pats him on the chest and then walks to the table, leaving Max to look at Liz.)

(And over in the corner of the pizza joint is a man talking on a cellular phone)

Man: They’re leaving. No. The movie starts at 9. We’ll get them when they leave the theater.


(Scene: The Spot, late that night. Isabel and Alex are lying down next to each other looking up at the stars.)

Isabel (pointing to the sky): Did you see that one?

Alex (disappointed): Again…what the hell am I looking at up there? That’s your fourth one…you’re either lying or cheating.

Isabel (laughing): Cheating?

Alex: You’ve got like an ‘in’ with the shooting stars don’t you? They tell you where they’re gonna fall, don’t they?

Isabel (laughing and turning her head to look at him): Sometimes.

Alex (sitting up and looking at her): Really?

Isabel: If I’m really focused…like meditating, I guess. I can sense them.

Alex (disbelief): Really?

Isabel (pulling him back down to lie next to her): I’ll show you. (She looks up at the stars focusing on the familiar ‘V’ shaped constellation and starts breathing deeply and evenly. Alex stares at her) It won’t work with you staring at me…and besides you won’t believe me if you don’t see it for yourself.

Alex: Sorry. (He turns his head away from her to look up at the stars. They lay like that for awhile.)

Isabel (softly): The Big Dipper.

Alex: What? (And then looking over at the Big Dipper constellation he sees a shooting star, under his breath) No way.

Isabel (turning on her side to look at Alex): Told you.

Alex (still staring at the Big Dipper): I think that’s either the coolest thing I’ve ever seen…or ever imagined seeing. (He looks over to her) What other…things can you….sense?

Isabel (lying back down): Mostly Max…Michael too.

Alex: What do you mean?

Isabel: Their presence, their feelings sometimes.

Alex (more to himself than her): Feelings.

Isabel: They have to be really strong though – it doesn’t happen very often.

Alex (sort of inching his way away from Isabel): Strong huh? (Isabel is staring up at the constellation again and doesn’t hear Alex. She’s focusing intently on it but is ripped out of her meditative state.)

Isabel (sitting up and in unbelievable pain): AAAAH!

Alex (sitting up quickly and panicking): Isabel, what is it?


(Scene: Outside the Del Norte Twin Theater, late that night – same time as the previous scene with Alex and Isabel. The Sheriff sits in his car, parked off to the side towards the back of the lot. He surveys the parking lot and entrance to the theater. There is a couple kissing and talking leaning against their car, parked close to the entrance. A guy, same one from the pizza joint, is sitting on a bench out front appearing to wait for someone. A man appearing to talk on the payphone turns around with a sweeping gaze over the parking lot. He makes eye contact with a man sitting in a familiar black sedan. Agent Cooper nods to the man on the pay phone and turns his head to the left toward another car. Inside that car a man sits in the passenger seat with a high-powered video camera pointed toward the entrance and lobby of the theater. As the man focuses the camera what comes into view is the movie crowd – pretty small – coming into the lobby…trailing behind everyone is Liz, Max, Michael and Maria)

Maria (wiping at her eyes): I can’t believe he just left…that she’s just gonna go back to that guy…

Michael: You’re the one who wanted to see the movie.

Maria (hitting Michael): It was a good movie, the ending just…sucked.

Liz (looking up at Max): And what did you think?

Max (looking between Michael and Liz and reluctantly): It was good.

Michael (under his breath): Whipped. (Everybody looks at him)

Maria: Shit! (Reaching at her sides) My purse! (Everybody stops walking) I’ll be back. (She turns around and heads back into the theater)

Liz (looking at Max): I’m gonna wait outside. (Max looks at Michael, who nods at him)

Max: I’ll come with. (Michael, shakes his head as Liz and Max make for the exit and he turns back in the direction where Maria went.)

(As Max opens the door for Liz the man at the payphone hangs up the phone and the black sedan starts it’s engine. Liz looks up at Max out of the corner of her eye. Music starts: Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan background vocals, – What Is This Love)

Liz: So were you just humoring me in there?

Max: What? No, it was good…slow…but good.

Liz (smiling at him): Well, you can pick the next one. (They share one of their “connecting” gazes and neither of them notices the car slowly driving by…)

--A shot rings out--- (the black sedan tears out of the parking lot and passes a very menacing/evil Nasedo who follows the car with his eyes.)

Sheriff (hearing the shot and yelling into his police radio): “Shots fired I need an ambulance at 2800 N. Main Street NOW!”

Michael (turning to look in the direction of the shot he sees Liz falling to the ground and hears Max yell out “LIZ!”): Shit!

(The man with the video camera refocuses and what comes into view is a close up of Max opening up Liz’s shirt on the ground.)

Max (shakily fumbling with Liz’s shirt): Oh god, oh god, oh god…. (He looks up at Liz’s face and she looks back at him with a terrified look)

Liz (weakly): No Max…you can’t…

Max: Stay with me Liz…this is not happening…

(He feels a hand on his shoulder and then finds himself being pulled away from Liz. He looks over his shoulder angrily at Michael and jerks himself free from Michael but as he turns around to Liz the Sheriff is there holding his shirt over the wound and pressing down to stop the bleeding. Max, in total despair at the sight of the Sheriff looks down at Liz and lets the tears fall – knowing that he can’t do anything to help her now. An ambulance siren can be heard in the distance.)

Liz (very weakly): Max.

Max (completely lost he cradles her head trying to comfort her): Liz, I’m here, I’m here, stay with me Liz…oh god…stay with me…please. (The Sheriff looks from Liz to Max and then surveys the scene. Oddly, there isn’t anyone around anymore in the parking lot – no one who would be a witness. Liz, with fluttering eyelids, looks up at Max’s face. Her peripheral vision slowly starts to turn white gradually closing in around Max’s face.)

Liz (as she loses the sight of Max’s face to a blanket of white): Max.

(The thick blanket of white that Liz sees slowly turns to a mist and as it begins to clear in front of her she can see a warm light in the middle of darkness. As more mist fades away she notices a man sitting on a rock in front of the light, which coming into view is a fire. He turns to her and motioning with his hand to a rock across the way from him.)

River Dog: Come.

(Liz looks from the rock back to River Dog and then down at her body, realizing she’s standing. She looks back up to River Dog and takes a step forward.)


“We begin to die as soon as we are born, and the end is linked to the beginning.” Manilius