<The Tates
and the Campbells are in the living room. Scotty
and Burt walk in.> Jessica: Oh, Scotty, thank god. We
were so worried.
Scotty: I was
just outside taking a breath of fresh air.
<Scotty looks
around.>
Scotty: Why is
everyone so glum? You guys look like someone's
been shot or something.
Jessica: That's
what happened. Leslie was shot.
Scotty: Really?
How did that happen?
Jessica: Billy
did it.
Scotty: Billy
shot Leslie??
Jessica: Yes.
Scotty (to Burt):
Is this some sort of family custom? Do we always
shoot our girlfriends?
Burt: No, no,
it's a long story.
Scotty:
Everything with this family seems to be.
Burt: Well,
that's true. Anyway, Jess, we all need to get
going. But we'll be back next week for election
night.
Chester: Oh,
perfect. Just what we need.
Burt: Ha ha.
Good one, Chester.
<Burt slaps
Chester on the back, and he almost falls down.>
Mike: Thanks for
having me tonight.
Jessica: It was
a pleasure. Come back soon.
Mike: I will.
Thanks.
<The
Campbells leave the house. Only Jessica, Chester,
and Mallu remain in the living room.>
Jessica: Well,
this was one great party, wasn't it?
Mallu: It sure
was.
Chester: Yes, I
suppose. Except for Leslie's shooting, everything
went great....well, that and the fact that I blew
things up.
Mallu: Doesn't
surprise me.
Chester: Put a
sock in it, Mallu.
Mallu: Oh shut
up, Tate.
Chester: The
party's over. Why don't you just get out of here?
You don't live here.
Mallu: Neither
do you.
Chester: Oh yeah....Well,
we'll both leave then.
Mallu: Not a
chance in hell.
Jessica: Boys,
boys, please stop it. Now, sit down. I need to
talk to you both.
<Mallu and
Chester sit down. Jessica is about to open her
mouth and speak, but the doorbell rings.>
Jessica: Benson....
Chester: Benson
left, Jess. Remember? He went to the hospital
with Billy.
Jessica: Oh,
that means I have to get the door then.
<Jessica
opens the door. It's Saunders.>
Jessica: Hello,
Saunders.
Saunders: Happy
New Year, Mrs. Tate. Is Benson home?
Jessica: Oh no,
Saunders. Benson is in the hospital.
<A smile
spreads across Saunders' face.>
Saunders: What
happened?
Jessica: Oh,
there was a shooting here tonight.
<Saunders'
smile widens.>
Saunders: Is
Benson dead?
Jessica: Benson?
No, he's not.
Saunders: Is he
fatally wounded?
Jessica: No.
Benson wasn't shot. Leslie was shot.
Saunders: What??
How?
Jessica: Billy
shot her when she tried to kill him.
Saunders: What
about the gun in the vase?
Jessica: Oh, is
that yours?
Saunders: Yes,
it is.
<Jessica
picks up the gun and gives it Saunders.>
Jessica: You
must've left this gun when you moved out of here.
Saunders: Well,
didn't it go off tonight?
Jessica: Oh no,
there were no bullets in it.
Saunders: Oh no!!!
<Saunders
takes the gun and leaves.>
Jessica: Have a
happy new year, Saunders!
<Jessica
closes the door and returns to Chester and Mallu.>
Chester:
Alright, Jess, what did you want to talk to us
about?
Jessica: Well, I
just wanted to let you both know, that I'm sorry
for playing with your feelings. I've been having
so much fun that I've forgotten that you two are
getting hurt in the process.
Chester: What
are you saying, Jess?
Jessica:
Remember when I died 20 years ago?
Mallu: Of course.
Was the saddest day of my life.
Chester: Oh, and
it wasn't the saddest day of mine, is that what
you're saying?
Mallu: I didn't
say that, Tate.
Chester: Yes you
did. That's exactly what you said.
Mallu: Don't put
words into my mouth!
Chester: I
couldn't put anything in your mouth. It's too big.
Mallu: Alright
I've had it!
<Mallu and
Chester start fighting.>
Jessica: Now,
boys, please stop.
<Mallu and
Chester stop.>
Chester: Sorry,
I overreacted.
Mallu: Yeah, me
too. Please go on, Jessica.
Jessica: As I
was saying, when I died 20 years ago, I promised
myself that I'd live my life to the fullest, and
never marry again.
Mallu: You don't
have to marry me. We can just live together. It'd
be a heck of a lot more fun.
Jessica: E.
Ronald, please...
Mallu: Sorry.
Jessica: As I
was saying, I was going to live life to the
fullest, but then when I was kidnapped by the
revolutionaries it all got shattered. And when I
was in a coma all those years, I told god that if
he gave me another chance, I'd live life to the
fullest again.
Chester: So,
what are you saying, Jess?
Jessica: I don't
want to get married again. I don't want to get
tied down.
Mallu: That's
understandable.
Jessica: But I
don't want to hurt the two of you, either. So
that means I have to choose one of you.
Mallu: Oh for
heaven's sake. He works at a construction
company, I'm a lawyer. There's no competition.
Chester: Yes,
but I have real hair.
Mallu: OK, I've
had enough of you.
<Chester and
Mallu begin shouting at each other.>
Jessica: No, no,
please stop.
Mallu: Sorry. I
lost my head.
Chester: Not yet.
Just your hair for now.
<Mallu tries
to attack Chester, but Jessica stops him.>
Jessica: Like I
said, I have to choose between the two of you.
And it won't be easy. But I'm not looking for
money or wealth, or looks. I'm looking for real
happiness. And the two of you will have to prove
yourselves, so that I'll be able to choose.
Chester: I'll do
anything, Jess.
Mallu: Me too.
Jessica: Good.
We can start tomorrow.
Mallu: How about
right now? Just show me the bedroom and I'll
prove to you that I'm worthy.
Jessica: E.
Ronald...
Mallu: Well, I
tried.
Jessica: Now,
the two of you know where the door is. I'll see
you both soon.
<Jessica gets
up and starts to go upstairs.>
Mallu: It's all
your fault.
Chester: No,
it's not. It's yours.
<Chester and
Mallu start hitting each other. Jessica turns
around.>
Jessica: Boys...
Chester: Sorry.
<Chester and
Mallu leave. Jessica sighs and goes upstairs.>
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