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Felicity Transcripts

Felicity

1X08: Drawing the Line (2)

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 11/17/1998





The following is a teleplay based on the Felicity episode: Drawing the Line Part Two. Originally aired on November 17, 1998. This is a dry teleplay transcibed by Adam Ashby. It is not the original script or a copy of the original used to produce the show. I have used character dialogue, camera angles, and background setting where necessary in accordance to its sequence.



PROLOGUE



INT. CAFETERIA - DAY



Noel sits at a table drinking a coffee.

Noel: I'm thinking about growing a goatee.

Guy: Yeah.

Noel: Yeah. Like, right here.

Guy: Yeah, I know where a goatee goes.

Felicity walks up to Noel and sits down.

Felicity: I need to talk to you.

Noel: You're not gonna draw another line are you?

Felicity: Serious.

Noel: (to guy) You mind?

The guy gets up and slings his backpack over his shoulder.

Guy: And, uh, ixnay on the oteegay, ok?

Noel: Are you ok?

Felicity: Something pretty horrible has happened.

Noel: Are you gonna tell me.

Felicity: You can't tell anyone, ok?

Noel: Ok.

Felicity: I mean, it's really serious.

Noel: Tell me. You're making me crazy.

Felicity: It's Julie.

Noel: Ok, Julie, what?

Felicity: And Zach.

Noel: Julie and Zack, what? I need a verb, otherwise --

Felicity: He raped her.

Noel pauses a beat to let the entire thing process through his mind.

Noel: Is she--is she okay?

Felicity: I don't know. I mean, physically, yeah, I think she is. But...I don't if she going to do anything about it, you know. Like, I know what she should do. I mean....(exhales) I mean, you're an R.A, right. You know how to...you're trained to deal with stuff like this, right?

Noel: 95% of all rape victims don't report their crime.

Felicity: How do you know that?

Noel: My R.A handbook's full of statistics like that. There's actually a section that tells me how deal with things like this. I just....I can't remember the exact procedure.

Felicity: Can I borrow that book? (teary eyed) I mean, on stuff that I should do.

Noel: Yeah.



OPENING SEQUENCE



GUEST STARRING

Devon Gummersall ..... Zach
Ian Gomez .................... Javier
Riley Weston ............... Story
Greg Grunberg ............ Sean
Amanda Foreman ...... Meghan
Brian Klugman ............ Darryl (R.A)

PART ONE



INT. FELICITY'S ROOM



Felicity, deeply bothered, hesitates and then clicks on the recorder.

Felicity: Dear Sally, A few months ago I didn't even know Julie. It's amazing how you can care about someone so much so quickly.

She clicks off the recorder.



INT. JULIE'S ROOM



Julie packs her laundry bag with dirty sheets. There is a knock at the door.

Julie: Yeah.

Felicity opens the door and enters.

Felicity: Hey. You ready?

Julie: So who do you think will play me in the TV movie? Sorry, it's going to the hospital seems so silly, I'm fine..

Felicity: I know, but you gotta get checked out, you know? If you want, I can come in with you for the exam.

Julie: No that's ok.

Julie grabs her stuff. Felicity walks out and Julie follows.

Julie takes on last glance at the bed before closing the door.



INT. EXAM ROOM



Julie, in a hospital gown, sits on the hospital bed. The doctor stands next to her taking notes.

Janine: Why don't you tell me what happened?

Julie: This guy and I were recording music for this movie that he's doing.

Janine: Is he a student at your college.

Julie: Yeah, sorry. He's....um...

Janine: Friend? Boyfriend?

Julie: We've kissed a few times that's it. So after recording we went to a bar for a couple of hours.

Janine: We're you both drinking alcohol?

Julie: Will I get in trouble if I say yes?

Janine: No.

Julie: Yes. But mostly beers. And I wasn't like passing out. I just... a little buzz. Anyway, um....so then we went back to the dorm. And Zach lives on the tenth floor. Zach's his name. So he walked me back to my room, and we went in my room. And we... we started kissing on the bed.

Janine: Was he being forceful? Was...

Julie: Not yet. We were making out for about a half hour something. And he took off his shirt, and then he unbuttoned mine. But my bra was still on. Do you want details like that?

Janine: Yeah, please.

Julie: Ok. After awhile he took off his pants, and that's when I said that I didn't want to rush it. And he said, "That-that it was okay, he was done. And that he just wanted to feel me." Um...I was wearing a skirt. I bet you hear stories like this all the time.

Janine: Unfortunately, it seems like it. Ok, what happened next?

Julie: Uh, and he took off my bra and that's when I said that, "I didn't want to have sex."

Janine: And you used those words?

Julie: Yes and that I wanted to wait.

Janine: And then what happened?

Julie: Then he-- he put his hands inside of my underwear, you know. And then I said, no and I moved his hand away.

Janine: Ok. And uh, what did he do next?

Julie: He was um....he was on top of me and he put his arms around, under me, so it made it really kind of difficult for me to stop him. And, um.....then I-I said no, like five times. Maybe more. Anyway, um, all of a sudden, um, you know....

Janine: You were having sex.

Julie: Yeah. And-and he told me he loved me, which I know guys say that all the time. Listen, I don't want to get like melodramatic with this, because I did not scream. I didn't hit him. And he-he wasn't violent, you know. And he left this morning like nothing had even happened. Nothing's wrong, so.....I mean, I don't even know if he would.....I mean, you wouldn't call this rape, right?

Janine: Yeah, I would. Did he, uh, use a condom?

Julie: Um, no.



EXT HALLWAY OUTSIDE HEALTH SERVICE



Felicity looks out the window down at the end of the hall. Julie opens the door and comes out of the office.

Julie: Hey.

Felicity: How'd it go?



EXT. STAIRWELL



Felicity and Julie walk down a flight of stairs.

Julie: So, I have to take two pills now, and two more tonight. You know, it was really a good idea for you to bring those sheets.

Officer Dennis: Ms. Emrick?

Felicity and Julie look up the stairs as the officers come down them.

Officer Dennis: Officer Dennis, New York Police Department. Can I talk to you for a minute.

Julie: Sure.

Officer Dennis: We can go back to your doctor's office. Uh, I'd like to get your account of what happened last night.

Julie: You know, I just told her everything.

Officer Dennis: Yeah, that was for medical records. This is to file police report.

Felicity: M-Maybe you should talk to them.

Julie: Can I report this later, if I want?

Officer Dennis: Yes, ma'am.

Julie: Ok, then maybe I will, thanks. (to Felicity) I just want to go home.

Felicity: Yeah, sure.

They leave.


EXT. SIDEWALK



Felicity and Julie walk down the street

Felicity: I just keep thinking, if I hadn't come to New York, Julie and I would have never met and.....she might not have told anyone at all.



INT. JULIE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS



Julie takes her pill.



INT FELICITY'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS



Felicity sits on her bed studying when there is a knock on her door. She gets up to answer it. When she opens the door, a young girl stands before her. The girl is carrying overnight stuff.

Story: Are you Felicity?

Felicity: Yeah.

Story: Sorry, I'm late. Um, my train was late. A moving truck or something stalled on the tracks, I went to the snack car and had like three packs of peanut M&M's, the king sized pack, I'm a little wired. Anyways, that's why I'm late, so I'm really sorry.

Felicity: (chuckles) Uh....what are you--what are you late for?

Story: Um...I'm supposed to be staying with you.

Felicity: Oh, my God, you're the perspective student, yeah.

Story: Yeah, from Harrisburg. Did you forget about me?

Felicity: No, I signed up to house a -- How long are you staying again?

Story: Three days.

Felicity: Three days, great.

The sound of a door opening distracts Felicity's attention to Story. Turning to look, Felicity sees Meghan coming back from God knows where.

Felicity: Would you excuse me for just a minute?

Felicity heads over to Meghan.

Felicity: Listen, uh, I, uh, signed us up to house a perspective student.

Meghan: (surprised) You did what!?

Felicity: She's right over there. So, uh. Things are a little hectic right now for me. So I was curious if maybe you could, like, show her around?

Meghan: You invited someone to sleep in our room without even asking me?

Felicity: I am really sorry about that.

Meghan: And now you want me to baby-sit!?

Felicity: Well, sort of, but--

Meghan: Forget it. I'm not going to be responsible for some impressionable high school senior.

Story: Um...I'm a junior.

Meghan: She can sleep in here. If she touches my box....she's dead.

Meghan leaves.

Felicity nervously laughs.



INT. ELENA'S ROOM



Elena sorts through her CDs when there is a knock on her door.

Elena: Hi.

Felicity: There's this perspective student that's supposed to be staying with me for a few days. But something happened. Something really serious, and I need someone who will let this girl stay with them. Can you do it?

Elena: What's happened that's so serious?

Felicity: (a beat) Uh, okay, I have another favor to ask you. Please be satisfied with the answer I can't tell you. But I would never ask you if I didn't need to.

Elena: No problem.

Felicity: Really?

Elena: I've got you covered.

Felicity: (relieved) Thank you.

Story: Excuse me? So, are there any parties we can go to or clubs? Have you guys been doing adreneline?

Elena give a "is this girl serious" look at Felicity.

Felicity: Thank you.

Elena: (to Felicity) I think I'm gonna have to kick your ass.

Felicity: Uh, so....good luck.

Felicity heads off, and Story heads into Elena's room.

Story: I read in ALLURE that gaga's supposed to be fun, too.

Elena watches her in astonishment.



INT. FELICITY'S ROOM



Felicity records to Sally

Felicity: (recording) I went to Julie's room the next day. She didn't want to come go at all. It took me twenty mintues to convince her to come to lunch.



INT. CAFETERIA



At a table, Felicity and Julie eat lunch.

Felicity: You know, I think this is one of my favorite parts about college. The unlimited giant bins of sugar cereal.

Julie: You're trying to cheer me up.

Felicity: Is it working?

Julie: A little bit.

Zach: Hey.

Julie: Hi.

Zach: What's been going on? I've been calling you.

Julie: Yeah. I've been busy.

Zach: Oh, okay. So, are you around later?

Julie: Uh, should be.

Zach: I want you to see the music that you did. It really turned out great.

Julie doesn't answer.

Zack: Okay. See ya.

Zach walks off and leaves.

Felicity can only watch helplessly as Julie tries to control herself. However, she can't keep it in much longer and sheds a few tears, but covers them up quickly.

Julie: My God. What's wrong with me?



PART TWO



INT. UNIVERSITY HEALTH OFFICE



Julie's doctor sits behind her desk debriefing Noel and Felicity about Julie.

Janine: Most victims of rape don't report the crime at all.

Noel: 5% that's --- I read that.

Janine: And even worst, most of those people don't seek counselling.

Felicity: Right, which is why we're here. Uh, our friend, who this happened to, she's just kind of shutting off, you know?

Janine: Well, what I'm going to suggest is really common sense. But you should listen to her friend. Believe her. Make her feel as safe as you can.

Felicity: She keeps saying that she's fine.

Janine: Trust me, she's not. She's got to get some help.

Noel: What if her decides to report this? I mean, what's-what's the protocal for that? Janine: It depends who she wants to report it to? Obviously, if she goes to the police, it's a criminal case. But your friend should know that usually the D.A. won't take aquaintance rape cases where drugs and alcohol were involved. They're just too hard to prosecute.

Felicity: Let's say she reports it to the university.

Janine: Ok, she'd file a complaint, write a detailed description of what happened, then a dean of students would gather all evidence. Hospital reports, police reports, statements by anyone who has knowlege of the event. That would include you.

Noel: Would my friend have to testify?

Janine: First, the dean would meet with the alleged rapist. If he or she feels there's enough evidence to warrant further investigation, the case is passed to the student conduct committee. There's a hearing, that's when your friend would testify. It's an not a pleasant experience, but doing nothing's worse. Reporting is important, but even more important is that your friend talk to someone. Being raped affects our sense of trust, and control. Almost one-third of rape victims comtemplate suicide.



EXT. STREETSIDE - LATER



Julie, lost in her thoughts, takes a walk down the streets of New York. She's late to notice that she almost walked into rushing traffic.



EXT. STREETSIDE - WITH FELICITY - LATER



Felicity: Okay, I'm supposed to bring this up organically in a conversation, but here's the truth. Please don't get mad. I went to the university Health Services office. You know, just to ask some questions.

Julie: You didn't tell them my name?

Felicity: No, no. I was just curious to see what your options are. The woman was *really* nice. Her name's Geena. She's seems cool. Anyway, (reaches in her bag) she gave me these to give to you. Julie: Thank you.

Felicity: So, you should give her a call.

Julie: I would if I felt I really needed it. I swear I would.

Felicity: No, I know. But you know how sometimes you get so close to something you can't even tell what it is anymore. Like, uh, if you keep repeating a word over and over again, it sort of loses it's meaning.

Julie: I have to get to class, but maybe--maybe I'll call her later, all right?

Felicity: That's just what you told the police about, you know, reporting it, so I just think --

Julie: I will call you later. (leaves)

Felicity: Okay.

Close in on TV - Need For Speed for PSX



INT. BEN'S APARTMENT



Ben and Zach sit on the couch playing video games. Sean has four camera vending machines he's working on in the background.

Ben: When's that agent come to your film class?

Zach: I don't know, next week, maybe?

Ben: Yeah, are you happy how the movie turned out?

Zach: Yeah, yeah, It's good. Julie's music helped alot.

Ben: Oh, yeah, Julie. How's that working for you?

Zach: I don't know?

Sean: What's--what's the most you guys would pay for a disposable camera? 20 bucks?

Ben: What if you already have a camera?

Sean: No, no. I'm gonna put these vending machines in prime locations, like maternity ward waiting rooms, restaurants.

Ben: Ooh, yeah, everytime I go to a restaurant, that's what I really wish I had, a camera.

Sean: Well, yeah, you guys are laughing right now, but soon, you'll be working for me. And then I'll fire you.

There's a buzzer.

Ben: You'll get it.

Sean: Disposable Camera Company Incorporated.

Darryl: Yeah, is Zach up there? This is Darryl, his R.A.

Sean: Yeah, come on up.

Sean presses the door opener.

Sean: Zach, uh, your R.A is here.

Zach: Huh? Wh-what do you mean here? Downstairs?

Sean: Yeah, he's coming up.

Zach looks confused.

Zach: Uh...I'll be right back. (leaves)

Ben: All right.



EXT. HALLWAY - SECONDS LATER



Zach: Hey. What's going on?

Darryl: Carla said you where here. You got a minute?

Zach: Yeah, what's up?

Darryl: I want to know what happened on Friday night.

Zach: Excuse me?

Darryl: Friday night. I heard something about you and a girl.

Zach: What?

Darryl: Yeah, you wanna tell me?

Zach: I went out with a girl Friday night. What? What about it?

Darryl: Did you rape that girl?

Zach: What?

Darryl: 'Cause that's what I heard.

Zach: That's impossible. Who told you that?

Darryl: That's what I heard. Now, I came this far to threaten you in person, so listen carefully. If that rumor's for real, I'm gonna make your life ugly. Not just because you deserve it, but on my floor you are my responsibility. Something goes wrong, and threatens my job -- and that threatens my tuition -- and I'm not having that. You got it. I didn't hear you say, "Yes, Darryl."

Zach: Yeah, I got it.

Darryl walks off and leaves. Zach is left stunned and baffled.



INT. KELVIN LAUNDRY ROOM - LATER



Julie stuffs her clothes into the dryer. Zach comes from down the hall and goes forward towards Julie.

Zach: Hey.

Julie: Hey.

Zach: I just had a pretty wild conversation with my R.A.

Julie: Yeah?

Zach: Yeah, he accused me of raping you. So what's that about?

Julie: (timid) I don't know.

Zach: You don't know? Well, did you tell anyone that?

Julie: I don't think so.

Zach: Well, think about it, please. Cause that's a pretty hard thing to forget telling someone.

Julie: I'm just really confused.

Zach: Confused about what? (yells) Is that what you think happened?

Julie: I don't know.

Zach: How could you not know!?

Julie: I just don't.

Zach: I like you -- I mean, maybe it wasn't perfect. But God it wasn't a crime.

Julie: I just -- I don't want to talk about this.

Zach: No, no, wait a minute. You kissed me at the bar.

Julie: I know.

Zach: There were *very* heavy signals going, and you were into it. When we were in your room, we were both having a good time.

Julie: Zach...

Zach: I didn't attack you, I didn't rip your clothes or something.

Julie: Okay, I need to go.

Zach: Wait a minute. Wait a minute. (he grabs her arm) You didn't report this, did you?

Julie: No.

Zach: Are you going to

Julie: I don't know.

Zach: I mean, are you thinking about it?

Julie: I'm--I'm just really confused.

Zach: Just know that if you do, I will probably be expelled, okay.

Julie: Could you let go of my arm?

He looks down and lets her go.

Zach: I didn't rape you!

Julie, upset, leaves the room. Zach sighs.



INT. FELICITY'S ROOM.



The phone rings. Felicity, at the computer, gets up to answer the phone.

Felicity: Hello? Yeah, this is Felicity. Javier, hi. Uh, can I--can I work tomorrow? / Um, the thing is, I asked Larua to cover my shift because I have this big French exam and I'm sort of going through some personal stuff, um... / Laura's go mono? When did she get mono?

The door opens and in walks Julie.

Julie: Who did you tell?

Felicity: (to Julie) I only told Noel.

Julie: You told Noel?

Felicity: (in phone) Javier, I got--I got to call you back / Okay. Yeah. I can work tomorrow. (to Julie) Ok, I thought that Noel would maybe understand or know how to deal with something like this.

Julie: God! You don't have to deal with this, I do!

Felicity: I know, but I just -- I was trying to help you out.

Julie: Giving me those pamplets is not the magic answer. And you keep treating me in this, like, condesending way, like I don't even realize what I am going through. Felicity: Well, you keep telling me how fine you are. You wouldn't believe you either if you were me.

Julie: You can't possibly understand who I am. We are TOTALLY different. And you keep telling me to do the right thing, but it's like you are talking a different language. You haven't even slept with anyone.

Felicity: I don't think I have to have sex to understand when someone's been abused.

Julie: It was my fault what happened with Zach, okay? This is the message I give out to guys. That's my talent. Yours is being genius, mine is giving this message out to guys.

Felicity: Julie listen to what you're saying. Julie: I know what I'm saying and I know what I am. Yeah, I thought maybe I could change it going to college. I could, like, start over. But obviously, I was wrong. So when you sit there and tell me, to go and report what happened with Zach -- it's like so easy for you to do this -- it's like black and white, but this is nott the first time something like this has happened to me -- is that a coincidence?

Felicity: Maybe not. But that doesn't mean it's your fault.

Julie: Will you just -- just give up!?I'm not going to report it. I'm not going to go to the cool girl from the crisis center.I'm not you.

Felicity: I'm not gonna sit here and watch you do nothing.

Julie: I am SO pissed off that you told Noel. I don't know why I ever thought, that you would understand.

Julie storms out of the room. Felicity can't help but helplessly watches.



PART THREE



INT. NOEL'S ROOM



Noel picks up a mirror and looks at his formidable goatee growing. He starts to admire himself and make different faces. There is a knock on the door...

Noel: Come in.

Felicity enters.

Felicity: Did you tell Zach's R.A. about what happened?

Noel: Did I tell Darryl? Um, yes I did.

Felicity: How could you do that?

Noel: Hey, you're forgetting that I'm a Resident Advisor and part of job description is advising residents. And if there's a guy living in this dorm that rapes someone, and he does it again, and I knew about it.

Felicity: Well, Darryl went and told Zach. And Zach freaked out at Julie. Now Julie thinks I betrayed her, which maybe I have. God!

Noel: Is she going to call that lady?

Felicity: No. God the worst part is that she thinks it's her fault.

Noel: The fact is, I mean, statisically, she's probably going to end up doing nothing. Which may drive you nuts, but...I don't know if there's anything you can do about it.

Felicity: (perceptive) What is that?

Noel: What?

Felicity: (gestures at his mouth area) That thing.

Noel: Oh, this. It's nothing.

Felicity: You're not growing a goatee are you?

Noel: Not with that tone in your voice.



INT. ELENA'S ROOM - NIGHT



Elena, in bed, studies her French book. The sounds of magazine pages turning echos through the room. Elena is clearly irriated.

Elena: Story!

Story: Yeah?

Elena: If you don't stop turning those pages loudly, I'm gonna outlaw magazines in this room.

Story: Sorry. Elena?

Elena: Uh-huh.

Story: There's this club called Fox Trot. It's on 17th Street. (gets up) You wanna rally and go? They're open until 4:00. My treat. I took out $200.00 before I can, my parents would kill me, it's my savings account.

Elena: Why do you even want to go to college?

Story: Because...I want to become a cytogeneticist. How--how else am I going to become a cytogeneticist?

Elena: All you talk about are clubs.

Story: That's because I've never been to one. I just keep reading about them.

Elena: Look, if I didn't have so much studying to do, I would go out with you, all right. But I do have so much studying to do, so could you quit talking about clubs, please?

Story: It has six levels.

Elena: Forget it. I'm turing out the light.

Lights out. Story clicks on a light.

Story: I brought my itty-bitty book light. Good night, Elena.

Elena rolls her eyes.



INT. CLASSROOM - NEXT DAY



Felicity sits at her desk reading, when Ben walks through the door. He heads towards Felicity.

Ben: Hey.

Felicity: Hi.

Ben: Is Julie coming?

Felicity: Oh, uh, I don't know? I-I haven't talked to her.

Ben: So, what's going on with her?

Felicity: What do you mean?

Ben: I heard some things this morning. I tried calling her, but she wasn't in her room.

Felicity: Yeah, I don't know. You should ask her.

Ben: Felicity, what's going on? I heard......I heard she was raped.

Felicity looks at him.

Felicity: You should talk to her.

Ben: Does Zach know about this? I mean, should I talk to him.

Felicity scrunches her face into a serious look and glares at him.

Ben: What?

She doesn't answer, but glares.

Ben: It wasn't Zach.

Felicity looks down.

You can see the anger welling up inside of him.



INT. CAFETERTIA - LATER



Ben confronts Zach at the cafeteria bar.

Ben: What happened between you and Julie?

Zach: What?

Ben: Tell me what happened.

Zach: Nothing.

Ben: No, I want you to explain to me exactly what happened. You went out, you went back to her place, then what?

Zach: Nothing. We had sex.

Ben: Yeah, how'd that happen?

Zach: What do you mean, you know how that happens.

Ben: No, I don't. I don't know. And I want you to tell me.

Zach: We were hanging out, you know. We were kissing, and she wanted to.

Ben shoves Zach.

Ben: Did you force her?

Zach: Are you kidding me?

Ben sends Zach's tray flying. Everyone looks up.

Ben: I heard a different story.

Zach: She wanted to. She was psyched. You know what she's like, you were with her, too.

Ben: We didn't sleep together, me and Julie. She didn't want to.

Zach: She wanted to with me.

Ben: If you did this to her --

Ben shoves Zach even more.

Zach: What are you jealous!?

Zach shoves Ben back and turns his back to Ben.

Ben tackles Zach with force and pounces on him. Turning Zach over, he lays numerous right hands on Zach's face. Zach tries to fight him off.

Zach: (pleading) Stop it! Stop it!

Ben gets off Zach.

Ben: You see, the difference is when you said stop... I did.

Ben leaves while everyone looks at Zach on the floor. He gets up and picks up his spilled food from the floor.

Guy: Somebody gonna help this guy up?



INT. FELICITY'S ROOM.



There is a knock on the door.

Felicity: Come in!

The door opens and an irrated Elena comes in.

Elena: Okay, this is ridiculous.

Felicity: What is?

Elena: That kid! That 16-year old club-obsessed punk.

Felicity: Is she driving you crazy?

Elena: Do you know what she did last night at 2am?

Felicity: Do you really want me to guess?

Elena: She got dressed to go out. And she put out an outfit for me. She went through my clothes and selected an outfit for me. Then she woke me up, face all made up, sparkles everywhere. And she says, "Elena, come on, take a risk. You only live once." I'm like, "Go to bed, you 16 year old, freak!"

Felicity: It actually sounds kinda sweet.

Elena: It's not sweet. It's eerie. She's too afraid to go out by herself. She needs a buddy. The problem is, I'm not her buddy.

Felicity: Ok, ok, what do you want me to do?

Elena: I don't care. I'm relinquishing custody of the party animal. She's all yours. I'm sending her back.

Felicity: Thank you for taking her the last couple of days.

Elena: You don't even know how big you owe me.

Elena leaves.



INT. JULIE'S ROOM.



Julie sits in her window box, tuning her guitar. There is a knock on the door. She looks up.

Julie: Who is it?

Ben: It's Ben. Can I come in for a minute?

Julie confused gets up and answers the door.

Ben: Hey.

Julie: Hey.

Ben: How you feeling?

Julie: Pretty good.

Ben: Yeah?

Ben closes the door. Julie notices Ben's right hand is taped up.

Julie: What happened to your hand?

Ben: Uh, nothing. It's stupid. Hey, um... I wanted to tell you something but I didn't want to come in here and preach to you. I bet you've been getting a lot of that lately.

Julie: It's okay.

Ben: Yeah?

Julie: Mm-hmm.

Ben: Ok, um. Well, when I was at home growing up my father had this amazing ability to always let me down at the exact most important moment. I mean, it was incredible, little times, like baseball games. You know, he said, he'd be there and so I tried really hard. But, of course, it turned out that he never went. He forgot. Birthday parties...track meets, my high school graduation. He didn't show up. There were other things too. I mean, he'd get angry sometimes. I must be really dense because it took me forever to realize he's like a raging alcoholic. He'd throw things, and he'd hit things, and he'd hit us. My whole life I spend trying to figure out what I was doing to make him that way. What mistake was I making. How did I somehow hurt him to make him act that way? Is this boring you to death?

Julie: No.

Ben: Anyway, it's weird. Living here, being away, you know. All of a sudden, I have this--this distance from that madness. And the one thing I can see now that I couldn't see before was that it wasn't me. It wasn't me. I am the not reason he'd drink. I am not the reason he'd get mad and hurt me and hurt my mom. It was him. It wasn't me. It was him. I just wanted to tell you that.

Julie starts welling up. Ben embraces Julie to comfort her.



INT BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS



Zach looks at the bruises that Ben gave him earlier



INT JULIE'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS




Julie sits in her lounge chair and slowly gets up. She grabs her pursue and heads out the door.



EXT HEALTH SERVICES OFFICE



Julie sits in the office as Jeana closes the door.

FADE OUT



EPILOGUE



INT. FILM CLASS



A film student shuts off the projector and opens the shades. The light shines into the room. Zach sits in the middle of the class, lost in thought. The teacher stands in the front of the class giving a lecture. A school official comes into the room and discusses something with the teacher. The teacher calls for Zach and motions for him to come forward.



EXT. ADMISSIONS OFFICE.



Story tails behind Felicity like a lap dog.

Story: I think that is so impressive.

Felicity: What is?

Story: That you have two jobs.

Felicity: A lot of people have more then one job. Hey, Noel!

Story: It must really afford you to go out and party.

Felicity: Not really. She went and saw Geena. Julie did.

Noel: Yeah, I know. I just saw her. She said, if it wasn't for you she's still be hiding out in her room, so....

Story: Is that the girl I met at Dean and Deluca?

Noel: Yeah. (to Noel) Uh, this is Story. (to Story) This is Noel.

Story: (to Noel) Want to go out tonight?

Noel is confused. Felicity just looks at Story and Noel looks at Felicity.

Noel: I have plans.

Felicity: Gotta get rid of that.

Noel: You don't -- you don't think it makes me look more sophisticated?

Felicity: True.

Story: I like it.

Noel: See, Story likes it.

Story: I think it makes you looks super sexy, and I wouldn't just say that, I'd be honest. I mean, you don't know me, but that's how I am.

Felicity can only smile.



INT. FELICITY'S ROOM.



Story listens to her walkman on Felicity's bed. Ben, Felicity and Julie study.

Ben: "The summer brought sweet, but the autumn brought division?"

Julie stares blankly out into space. Ben and Felicity look at her. Ben tries to cheer her up.

Ben: I hate poetry. I mean, why don't they say what they mean?

It doesn't work.

Ben and Felicity see and hear Meghan come in and do her quick bag switch.

Story looks at Meghan. Meghan fakely smiles back and wipes it away continuing to dig through her stuff. Meghan pulls out a spray bottle of "I Can't Believe It's not Butter" and shakes it to see how much is left. This arouses Story's interest.

Story: How much does that stuff taste like butter?

The gang all look up.

Meghan: "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter?" So much.

Story: I literally can't believe it's not butter.

Meghan: (curious) Do you like the pump or the spread?

Story: Oh, my God. The spray cause the spread doesn't melt enough.

Meghan: Rips up the bread.

Story: Did you ever try it on Graham crackers?

Meghan: Yeah. How about cereal.

Story: No. I haven't thought of that.

Meghan: You'll thank me. Takes breakfast up a notch.

Story: Wow.

Felicity: Have you guys met before?

Story: Uh-uh.

Meghan: Did you look in my box?

Story: No, why?

Meghan: Forget it. (a beat) See ya.

Story: Wh-where you going? You going out?

Meghan: Yeah. Some new club.

Story: Adrenaline?

Meghan: Yeah, is it any good?

Story: I don't know, but, um, I'm dying to go. Can I come?

Meghan: If you feel like paying.

Story: I was gonna offer. (to Felicity) I'll be home late. (grabs her stuff)

Felicity: Home?

Story: I'll do my eyes in the cab.

Meghan: We're walking.

Story: Taxi it is.

They leave.

Felicity: Did that just happen?

Julie gets up.

Julie: I gotta take a break.

Ben: Where you going?

Julie: Nowhere. I'm going to talk to Zach. Because this is totally driving me crazy. He has no idea what is going on, and I just -- I feel he needs to know that I'm fighting this.

Ben: Do you want us to come?

Julie: No. I can do this by myself.

Julie leaves.



EXT. ZACH'S ROOM.



Julie knocks on the door.

Zach: Yes.

Julie opens the door and sees Zach packing.

Julie: I wanted you to know that I reported what happened. And that I'm going to testify. And I know you don't thing what happened was rape, but it was.

Zach: Julie...

Julie: No, you didn't rip off my clothes, I understand that. But it was still rape.

Zach: I know. I'm going -- going back to Minnesota. I called my parents, I told them that I met with the dean of the university and admitted to, um.....what happened. I told them I was guilty. Anyway, my dad wants me home as you can imagine. (gets up) I was--I was going to leave you this. (hands her a letter) It says all the obvious stuff. How sorry I am. How...horrible that night must have been for you. How I wish things would have happened very differently. I'm probably going to be expelled.

Julie: That wasn't what I wanted. I just....needed you to know what happened.

Zach: I know. This isn't your fault. None of this is your fault. I'd never done that before. Not force someone, but....I've never been with anyone. As if that's any excuse. (sighs)

Zach grabs his bag and comes back.

Zach: Read that. Maybe one day you won't hate me so much. I'm sorry.

Julie: Me too.

Zach walks out.

JEWEL - "ABSENCE OF FEAR" - SPIRIT ALBUM



INT. BEN'S APARTMENT.



Ben sits playing a video game, while Sean works on his cameras.

Lyrics: Inside my skin there is this space / it twists and turns / it bleeds and aches

Sally: Dear Felicity, it's amazing how we blame ourselves. You know when John died, I blamed myself. Certain, that somehow, cosmically, I'd caused that accident.



EXT. ELEVATOR



Meghan and Story return from the club. They talk happily as if they had fun.

Lyrics: Inside my heart / there's an empty room

Sally: It's probably just human nature to try and make sense of things. Random things.



INT. NOEL'S ROOM



Felicity holds a small mirror under her chin while Noel shaves. She indicates he missed a spot.

Lyrics: It's Waiting for lighting / it's waiting for you / And I am wanting

Sally: I think the scariest part is realzing that sometimes just bad things happen...



INT JULIE'S ROOM.



Julie sits on her bed reading Zach's farewell letter.

Lyrics: I am needing here / .inside the absence of fear / Muscle and sinew / Velvet and stone / This vessel is haunted / it creaks and moan

Sally: ...no reason, no purpose. They just occur and we're left to pick up the pieces. I guess that's what we're all doing all the time, just picking up the pieces the best we can.

FADE OUT

Lyrics: My bones call to you / In their seperate skin / I make myself translucent / to let you in, for.



The End