Veronica Mars: The Unofficial Movie

EXT. SMALL AIRPLANE-DAY

A small airplane flies over Neptune. Close up on VERONICA

MARS, a twenty-two year old intelligent girl and Hearst

College Senior. Her hands are on the steering wheel and she

is moving it side to side making "flying" noises. It appears

as though she is flying the plane. Zoom out and we see she

is in the passenger’s seat and WALLACE FENNEL, Veronica’s

best friend since High School, is the pilot.

VERONICA

Oh c’mon Wallace. When are you

going to turn my controls on?

WALLACE

When you pass the pilot’s exam like

everyone else.

VERONICA

How many hours do you need to

finally get your pilot’s license?

WALLACE

Just 10 more then I get my own pair

of wings.

VERONICA

Welcome to the danger zone. Hey

Maverick, am I the first girl

you’ve shared the skies with?

WALLACE

You and Lisa.

VERONICA

How is your girlfriend?

WALLACE

She’s great. We just celebrated our

two year anniversary. Aviation is a

heck of a lot easier in practice

than studying it.

VERONICA

Aeronautical engineering still

giving you grief?

WALLACE

Since freshman year, but just two

more semesters to go then bam I’m

out of there- out of Hearst and out

of Neptune.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

Veronica looks outside of the plane’s window overlooking

Neptune, a town filled with more lies and deception than

garbage cans to dispose of them in.

VERONICA (V.O.)

Neptune, a town separated by haves

and have nots. There is no middle

class here. The rich get richer and

the poor get overlooked. Yes, this

is Neptune where nothing is what it

appears to be. Beneath the surface

of expensive cars and mansions lies

the grave of the American Dream,

buried six feet under the dirt and

sordidness of California’s

corruption capital. Welcome.

WALLACE

It’s 4:33. We should head back.

VERONICA

(excited)

Can we do a nose dive?

INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT-DAY

KEITH MARS, Veronica’s father and former private detective,

is at the kitchen table reading a newspaper. He is in his

sheriff’s uniform. Veronica is in her room looking at the

mirror and fixing her hair. She exits her room and enters

the kitchen.

KEITH

There she is. The girl of the hour.

VERONICA

Lay the headlines on me pop.

KEITH

Crime down three percent and hey

look there’s a picture of the

handsome man responsible for it.

Keith shows Veronica the front page of the newspaper. Below

the headline, "Crime continues to fall another Three

Percent," is Keith’s picture.

VERONICA

Why yes who is this dashing crime

fighter scaring the scum off the

streets of Neptune? Now remember:

when arresting felons, be sure to

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

VERONICA (cont’d)

angle your shoulders towards the

cameras while you Mirandize them,

so the photographers can get your

good side. Throw in a thumbs up to

give ’em a good dose of the ol’

Mars charm.

Veronica winks.

KEITH

Veronica, I packed you a lunch.

VERONICA

Aw, dad, you know how the other

kids at school make fun of me when

I bring a bag lunch. Did you at

least cut the crust off my PB&J?

KEITH

Would I have earned this World’s

Greatest Dad mug if I didn’t? We

were out of juice boxes, so I just

threw in a beer. Maybe you can

trade with one of the other kids

for a pudding or something.

Veronica kisses her dad on the cheek.

KEITH

Knock ’em dead kid.

EXT. HEARST COLLEGE-DAY

Veronica stands in front of Hearst College. She is finally a

senior and almost out of Neptune.

WALLACE

Veronica.

Wallace and his girlfriend, Lisa, walk towards Veronica.

LISA

Hey Veronica.

VERONICA

Hey Lisa. How was your summer?

LISA

Spent most of the time working -

trying to pay off student loans

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

VERONICA

Ah, yes. One of the many perks of

attending such an esteemed

institution of learning, partying,

and date rape. (to Wallace) You

have everything you need for the

first day of senior year?

WALLACE

Absolutely. I’ve got the sharpened

number two pencils, paper on which

to write insightful comments, and

the old school trapper keeper.

VERONICA

You are forgetting one thing my

friend.

WALLACE

What’s that?

VERONICA

Where is your brain?

WALLACE

Oh, that old thing? I left that at

home. Didn’t know we would need

that.

Wallace and Lisa laugh.

LISA

C’mon we should go to class.

They exit.

INT. CAFETERIA

Veronica has a tray with food. She looks for an open table

to sit at. She is by herself and then sees LOGAN ECHOLLS, a

former boyfriend and son of movie star/murderer Aaron

Echolls, sitting by himself at a table. Logan sees her and

slightly waves in his Logan way. Veronica acknowledges the

gesture but ponders whether to sit with him or not.

She hesitates but then walks towards his table to sit

across from him.

LOGAN

Of all the gin joints in all the

towns in all the world, she walks

into mine. How are you Veronica?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

VERONICA

I’m good. And yourself? Anything

new this summer?

LOGAN

The usual- public scandal, wrongly

accused of 1st degree murder, and

turning the town against me.

VERONICA

You never do change Logan.

Logan looks at Veronica with a slight smile. He is going to

respond to her comment but is interrupted. DICK

CASABLANCAS,Logan’s friend since High School, enters and

sits at the table.

DICK

(to Logan)

Dude, you totally bailed on me and

the surfing weekend in TJ. (to

Veronica) Hey Ronnie.

VERONICA

Hi Dick.

DICK

I wasn’t interrupting a depressing

girl moment here? (he doesn’t let

anyone answer)So I got up

especially early today to go to my

first class at one o’clock.

VERONICA

Wow, Dick. You’ve really turned

into the hominid seeking membership

in the world of academia.

DICK

Hey I don’t insult your religious

views. So the class was anatomy,

but it turned out it’s all about,

like, bones and muscles and stuff.

Major letdown.

Logan and Veronica make eye contact. It’s typical Dick.

LOGAN

What were you expecting, Dick?

DICK

I thought we would be studying the

anatomy of naked chicks, which just

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

DICK (cont’d)

happens to be my specialty. It was

a guaranteed A. The TA’s pretty

hot, too. She’s got that sexy,

smart chick thing going. You know,

the glasses, lab coat, clipboard.

I’d like to examine her glands, if

you know what I mean.

VERONICA

Well, I’ve certainly lost my

appetite now. Dick, I would say see

you at graduation but I just doubt

that will happen.

DICK

Hey, they’ve got to keep some of us

underachievers around to make you

honor students look good. Who do

you think is down there at the

other end of the curve, missy?

Veronica exits.

DICK

(Shouts at Veronica)You’re welcome!

DICK

Dude, where were you last weekend?

You missed some killer waves.

LOGAN

I had some stuff to take care of.

Someone is walking around the cafeteria handing out fliers

about a guest lecturer, JAKE KANE, at Hearst College.

INT. CLASSROOM

A class on computer technology just ended. Veronica enters

walking against the crowd of students leaving. MAC, one of

Veronica’s best friend and a computer whiz, is at the front

of the classroom putting papers away.

VERONICA

Macaroon!

MAC

How many times do I have to tell

you, no ridiculous nicknames. Mac

already is a nickname. You can’t

nick a nickname.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

VERONICA

O c’mon..Mac Attack? Macalicious?

Mactastic? I guess that’s more of

an adjective....

MAC

What’s that Ronnie?

VERONICA

Touche.

Veronica pulls out an apple from her bag.

VERONICA

An apple for the TA?

MAC

Bribery?

VERONICA

I prefer to think of it as a

morally questionable form of

persuasion.

MAC

Are your morals ever anything but

questionable?

Veronica gasps.

VERONICA

(with a breathy southern drawl) Why

I do declare! Are you implying that

I am not a woman of virtue?

MAC

Alright, Scarlet. Don’t get your

hoop skirt in a ruffle, what do you

need me to do?

VERONICA

Hack into the school database. I

want to see the letter of

recommendation one of my professors

wrote for a position as a Crime

Investigator in Virginia?

MAC

Veronica, we’ve got to stop meeting

like this. Hey, when you bake the

nail file in the cake to smuggle it

into prison, could you make it a

carrot cake?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 8.

VERONICA

Don’t worry. I’ve got an in with

the sheriff. If things go your way,

you could be looking at a corner

cell.

INT. AUDITORIUM

ELI "Weevil" NAVARRO, a maintenance worker for Hearst

College Veronica’s former high school classmate, is at the

stage fixing the audio connected to the podium. Weevil

finishes his work and exits the stage.

Wallace and Lisa enter a packed auditorium. The students are

there to hear the College’s first guest lecturer of the

school year, JAKE KANE, founder and CEO of Kane Software.

HEARST PRESIDENT

It is a great privilege for Hearst

to receive such an honored and

respected man in Neptune. A self

made businessman and

philanthropist. Please join me in

welcoming Jake Kane.

Jake Kane comes out greeted by applause from the student

body.

JAKE KANE

Greetings and a special welcome to

the senior class. As you embark on

your last year- do not look at it

as the end but the beginning of a

great journey.

cut to:

Veronica is in the Hallway outside of the Auditorium. She is

trying to enter. Weevil spots Veronica.

WEEVIL

Veronica.

VERONICA

Weevil.

WEEVIL

Well, look at you- trying to get

inside for what....Jake Kane. Hey,

V- Do yourself a favor and go get a

manicure or a facial or something.

Don’t waste your time with the

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

WEEVIL (cont’d)

Emperor of Neptune’s little ego

trip.

VERONICA

(sarcastically)

What? And miss the opportunity to

hear the fabulous Jake Kane talk

about his glamorous life as a

professional rich person? Maybe

he’ll reveal the secret to his

success: How To Become a

Multimillionaire in 5 Easy Steps.

WEEVIL

Yeah, cause I’m sure you haven’t

heard enough from Jake Kane in all

the years you’ve known the Kane

family.

Veronica’s face turns more serious.

WEEVIL

I’m just saying, there are much

better ways to spend your

afternoon. I’ll see you around,

Veronica.

cut to:

JAKE KANE

...I entered into my second year of

college having no idea what I

wanted to do. I hadn’t declared a

major, but I was captivated by the

latest addition to our university’s

science department: a machine they

called a computer. I remember

thinking

There is an explosion at the podium. Chaos erupts. Students

run towards the exits. Jake Kane cannot be seen through the

large cloud of smoke caused by the explosion. The stage

curtains catch on fire. Part of the ceiling collapses.

Wallace pushes Lisa out of harm’s way and several pieces of

the debris fall on him.

10.

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Wallace is on a hospital bed observed by doctors and nurses.

Lisa is by his side and Veronica is to the side intently

watching Wallace. Veronica exits.

cut to:

Veronica is in the hallway outside of Wallace’s hospital

room. She sees Logan walking towards her. They look at each

other. Logan is concerned and quiet. He simply wants to help

Veronica anyway he can and she will allow.

LOGAN

Your dad told me I could find you

here.

Veronica’s eyes fill with tears. She stands in front of

Logan trying not to cry. She cannot compose herself and

breaks down in Logan’s arms. He holds Veronica to comfort

her. The local news is overheard coming from the television

in the hallway. Veronica looks up from Logan’s shoulder at

the TV.

NEWS (V.O)

(the newscaster is distraught)

Breaking news. After immediate

surgery, Jake Kane, founder of

streaming video and Kane Software,

has died.

Veronica lowers her head down and buries it in Logan’s

shoulder.

INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Veronica is in her room watching the news.

NEWS (V.O.)

Only hours after Jake Kane’s death,

Sheriff Mars and five other

officers arrested Anthony Torres in

connection with Jake Kane’s death.

The sheriff’s office has yet to

release a statement saying whether

or not Kane’s death will be ruled a

homicide. Anthony Torres is a

former employee of Kane Software

fired three weeks ago. Kane

Software had no comment.

Keith walks in.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 11.

VERONICA

Dad?

KEITH

Honey, it’s me.

Veronica hugs her dad.

KEITH

Hey there honey, how are you

holding up? How is Wallace?

VERONICA

Wallace is conscious. The doctor

says he can make a full recovery,

but he wants to keep him in

observation for a couple of days.

Keith kisses Veronica’s forehead.

VERONICA

Dad, what’s going on?

KEITH

Veronica, it’s nothing substantial.

His name is Anthony Torres. He was

a Senior Consultant and then had a

dispute with Kane Software.

VERONICA

Do you think he killed Jake?

KEITH

I’m not sure. There is no evidence

Jake’s death is a homicide.

VERONICA

Then why did you arrest him?

KEITH

We’re just taking precautions. Can

we talk about something other than

murder? The Padres, sunsets? Gloria

Estefan? You know, if you’re not

careful the rhythm really is going

to get you.

VERONICA

We do live in Neptune.

The television is on. The news comes on talking about the

murder. Keith takes the remote control and turns it off.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

KEITH

It’s been a long day. Let’s get

some sleep.

Keith kisses Veronica on the head and enters his bedroom.

EXT. HEARST COLLEGE - DAY

Veronica and Mac are outside watching Neptune deputy

sheriffs exit and enter the auditorium where Jake Kane died.

She along with a crowd of students and Neptune residents

have gathered in the parking lot to the sheriffs work. The

crowd has their eye on the police but one girl is not

looking at the scene. She is looking at Veronica. Veronica

looks around and makes eye contact with the girl, JOANNA.

Veronica turns to Mac.

VERONICA

Do I have some kind of facial

deformity today that you haven’t

mentioned?

MAC

Well I have always wanted to tell

you your left ear is bigger than

your right.

VERONICA

Why is that girl staring at me?

Mac looks in the direction Veronica is looking. She sees a

young teenage girl intently watching Veronica.

MAC

Looks as though you have a fan

club.

VERONICA

That’s certainly something I’m not

used to. She must not have gotten

the memo: Veronica Mars is a social

leper. Tell your friends.

All of a sudden, sirens are heard. Everyone looks towards

the noise. Black cars and SUVS come in at high speeds. Men

and women in black suits and guns come out of the vehicles.

One woman approaches the guard of the crime scene. There is

some exchange. Keith walks over to the federal investigator.

BROWN

Sheriff Mars, I’m agent Brown with

the National Crime Scene

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 13.

BROWN (cont’d)

Investigation Unit and I am here to

take over this case.

Before Sheriff Mars can say anything, the agent Brown

signals for her team to enter the crime scene. They walk all

over Neptune deputy sheriffs.

KEITH

Excuse me agent Brown. This is

Neptune County. It falls under my

jurisdiction.

BROWN

Sheriff Mars, this is a very high

profile case, too big of a case for

your tiny sheriff’s office. This is

no traffic violation. You are out

of your league here.

MAC

Veronica, what’s happening?

Veronica does not answer.

INT. HEARST COLLEGE

Veronica is in the cafeteria. She has a tray of food and

sits down to eat. The television screens in the cafeteria

are covering the latest news. A special report comes on. The

National Crime Scene Investigation Unit has called for a

press conference to release the latest news on the Jake Kane

case. Several students are gathered around the screens.

BROWN

The coroner has finished

its autopsy of Jake Kane and

released the records to us. Autopsy

reports indicate that Jake Kane did

not die of burns resulting from the

explosion. Although he suffered

extensive third and second degree

burns, they did not lead to his

demise. The cause of death was a

ruptured coronary artery caused by

a .45 mm bullet. This new

information leads us to conclude

that Jake Kane was murdered.

There is huge commotion in the cafeteria. Audible gasps.

Everyone is in disbelief and Veronica watches everyone’s

reactions. She realizes Neptune has changed in the matter of

a couple of minutes.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 14.

VERONICA (V.O.)

What’s a girl to do when the town’s

most beloved billionaire, who also

happens to be the father of her

dead best friend and her MIA

ex-boyfriend, is found murdered?

She solves the case.

cut to:

Veronica is in the parking lot walking to her car. Joanna is

standing near the Saturn vehicle.

VERONICA

Can I help you?

Joanna turns around and faces Veronica.

JOANNA

Veronica Mars.

VERONICA

I’ve seen you before.

JOANNA

Yeah, at the crime scene.

VERONICA

It’s not really a crime scene until

the Sheriff’s Department says so.

JOANNA

The National Crime Scene

Investigation Unit just did on the

news.

VERONICA

Someone has been watching CSI.

JOANNA

Do you always use wit when speaking

to strangers? I know you’re working

on the Jake Kane case and I want to

help.

VERONICA

No thanks. I’m actually more of a

lone wolf. Why don’t you try Scooby

Doo? I hear he and Shaggy had a

falling out.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 15.

JOANNA

Listen, Veronica you’re the best.

VERONICA

You got that right.

JOANNA

My name is Joanna Cruz and I can

help you solve the case. (pause) I

placed a bug in the interrogation

room.

VERONICA

How did you do that?

JOANNA

Let’s just say I have an inside

source.

VERONICA

I have an inside in the

investigation as well.

Veronica enters her car.

JOANNA

The sheriff’s department has no

control in this case anymore.

Veronica, I’ve got invaluable

information. You can’t turn me

down. I work at the boutique on 6th

Street.

Veronica drives away.

INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT

Veronica enters and finds her dad in the kitchen cooking.

KEITH

Hey sweetheart.

VERONICA

Dad, the news is reporting that the

National Crime Scene Investigation

Unit is taking charge of the case.

What’s going on? Isn’t the

sheriff’s office in charge?.

KEITH

It’s a high profile case and they

don’t seem to believe a local

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 16.

KEITH (cont’d)

Sheriff’s office can handle it.The

crime scene unit is doing

everything and will not any release

any evidence to us. I think they

have forgotten the man who solved

the high profile case involving

Lily Kane and Aaron Echolls.

Keith is noticeably upset.

KEITH

How’s Wallace?

VERONICA

He has three broken ribs and the

doctor says there still may be

possibility of internal bleeding.

KEITH

I’m sorry baby.

VERONICA

Is there any way you can get

information?

KEITH

I’m locked out.

Veronica thinks of Wallace. She needs to solve the case.

VERONICA

I have to go.

KEITH

Dinner is in an hour.

Veronica leaves.

INT. BOUTIQUE ON 6TH STREET

Joanna is stacking shelves. Veronica approaches her.

VERONICA

Joanna.

Joanna turns around and sees Veronica. She is pleasantly

surprised.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 17.

JOANNA

Call me Jo.

INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Mac enters Veronica’s room where Jo is already inside. Jo

gives Veronica the disk with interrogation recordings.

VERONICA

Mac, Jo. Jo, Mac.

MAC

Hi.

JOANNA

Hey.

MAC

Do you go to Hearst?

JOANNA

No. I’m a junior at Neptune High

School.

VERONICA

It’s ready.

MAC

What are we listening to?

JOANNA

Recordings from the interrogation

room.

Veronica, Mac, and Joanna crowd around the computer to

listen.

BROWN

State your name.

WEEVIL

Eli Navarro.

Joanna and Mac look at Veronica.

Flashback:

Veronica and Weevil are in the hallway outside of the

auditorium.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 18.

WEEVIL

(to Veronica)

Hey, V- do yourself a favor and go

get a manicure or a facial or

something.

VERONICA (V.O.)

Did Weevil know about the

explosives?

INT. NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL

Joanna is sitting in class. The teacher receives a note.

TEACHER

Joanna Torres, you have to report

to the guidance counselor.

Joanna exits.

cut to:

Guidance Counselor’s office

REBECCA JAMES, Neptune High’s guidance counselor, hears a

knock at the door.

REBECCA

Come in.

Joanna enters.

REBECCA

Joanna, sit.

Joanna sits but stays quiet.

REBECCA

Joanna, do you know why I called

you.

JOANNA

I’m not stupid.

REBECCA

You must be going through a lot and

I want you to know this is an open

forum. Do not be afraid to

express..

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 19.

JOANNA

Cut to the chase already. My dad is

accused of killing Jake Kane. And

guess what- I am fine because I

know he didn’t do it. I will find

out who the murderer is and turn

him over to the police. I’m fine.

(long pause) You’ve been a guidance

counselor at Neptune for several

years, right?

REBECCA

Yes. Why do you ask?

JOANNA

I want you tell me everything you

know about Veronica Mars.

cut to:

Neptune High School Parking Lot

Joanna is outside waiting for Veronica and Mac to pick her

up. Rebecca sees Joanna enter a car and sees Veronica at the

wheel.

EXT. HEARST COLLEGE - DAY

Veronica, Joanna, and Mac are in Veronica’s car driving

through Hearst College. Veronica sees Logan and pulls over.

She rolls down the window to receive a packet from him.

LOGAN

I picked up the movies Wallace

asked about.

VERONICA

Thanks Logan.

Logan exits.

JOANNA

Whoa, did anyone just see that?

Logan Echolls, son of mega star

Aaron Echolls, was just here.

VERONICA

O.M.G. Was that him? A real live

movie star?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 20.

MAC

Do you think he can sign my

t-shirt?

Veronica is quiet.

JOANNA

Veronica do you know him?

VERONICA

He used to be my boyfriend.

Joanna is waiting for Veronica to keep talking but she

stopped.

JOANNA

Have you ever dated Zac Efron?

cut to:

Veronica, Mac and Joanna are seen walking towards the Hearst

Library. Veronica sees Vinnie Van Lowe in the distance

watching her.

VERONICA

(to Mac)

I’ll be there in a minute.

Veronica approaches Vinnie, but he pretends not have been

spotted.

VERONICA

Weren’t you incarcerated for

casting fraudulent ballots in the

sheriff’s election?

VINNIE

I’m out on good behavior.

Vinnie smiles.

VERONICA

What are you doing here?

VINNIE

You know Veronica it’s never a good

idea to start with the questions if

you are the one who is considered a

suspect.

Veronica is confused.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 21.

VERONICA

Are you spying on me?

VINNIE

I am working on the Jake Kane

murder case. Maybe we can compare

notes.

VERONICA

Who hired you?

VINNIE

Celeste Kane (pause)and who are you

working for? I asked myself- what

is Veronica Mars doing hanging out

with the daughter of the number one

suspect in the Jake Kane murder? Is

it cute boy gossip? Is it pimple

advice?

VERONICA

What do you want?

VINNIE

What are you doing with Anthony

Torres’ daughter- Joanna?

Vinnie hands her a photo proving Joanna is related to the

number one suspect in the murder case.

VERONICA

(to herself)

Jo is his daughter.

VINNIE

Don’t tell me you did not know...oh

Veronica Mars know it all DID NOT

know.

Vinnie is clearly happy.

VINNIE

Tootles.

cut to:

Veronica enters to find Mac and Joanna researching.

JOANNA

Hey Veronica, Mac is going to hack

into Kane Software website- see if

we can dig up some dirt. What do

you know of that guy from the

recordings- Eli Navarro?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 22.

VERONICA

I’m not sure. Why don’t you compile

any info you can on Eli.

JOANNA

Sure.

VERONICA

You know what, you can do that at

home, so I’ll see you tomorrow and

you can fill me in.

JOANNA

Ok.

Joanna leaves.

VERONICA

Mac, find me everything you can

about Joanna.

INT. HOSPITAL

Veronica, Mac, Lisa, and Wallace’s mom are in Wallace’s

hospital room.

VERONICA

How are you hanging in there

Wallace?

WALLACE

Worried if I’ll ever get back on

the court.

LISA

Wallace, don’t say that.

VERONICA

Are you kidding? You’re gonna be

slammin dunks, laying ups, and

alleyin oops out there in no time.

A couple bumps and bruises can’t

stop Wallace Fennel and his mad

ups.

WALLACE

I don’t know how they expect me to

get any better eating nothing but

hospital food for days. How am I

supposed to get my strength up when

the only food I actually recognize

is the Jell-O? And even that’s

pretty sketchy.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 23.

MAC

Are the fruit chunks in it supposed

to be brown?

ALICIA

The doctor said you should take it

easy on your stomach for a few days

while your body starts to heal.

Veronica pulls out a box of snickerdoodles.

VERONICA

Lucky for you, I have penchant for

stress-baking and an extreme

disregard for hospital policy.

Wallace eagerly takes the box and eats a cookie.

WALLACE

Mmmmm. The girl can bake! Keep

those snickerdoodles coming and

I’ll be good as new.

The Doctor enters.

DOCTOR

Hello Wallace. My, you have many

friends. Wallace, may I speak to

you and your mother?

Wallace nods his head. Veronica, Mac, and Lisa step outside.

cut to:

Veronica, Mac, and Lisa step out into the hallway. Veronica

is furious to see Joanna walking towards her. The girl has

lied and betrayed Veronica, but it is worse to encounter her

at the Hospital where Wallace is staying.

JOANNA

Veronica, I was hoping I could find

you here. I have some amazing info

that can really help us.

VERONICA

Leave.

JOANNA

What?

VERONICA

Get out.

Joanna is quiet. She believes Veronica has found out.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 24.

JOANNA

Is this about my dad?

VERONICA

You lied to me and you used me!

What is your role in this case?

JOANNA

You and I are on the same side. I

am trying to figure out who

murdered Jake. Solve the case! That

is all I want.

VERONICA

Your father is in custody as the

number one suspect in the murder.

JOANNA

It’s not him!(beat) He was wrongly

accused. My dad worked with Jake

Kane and was fired a month ago but

he didn’t..

VERONICA

I’ve heard the story on the news.

JOANNA

My dad was cheated! My dad is the

creator of the marketing campaign

that launched the company

Luminescence to Fortune 500 status.

Jake hired him to create a

marketing campaign for Kane

software but after three weeks of

meetings, sketches, and mock ups,

Jake fired my dad telling him the

company was going a different

direction. Three days later, Kane

software launches a huge

promotional campaign involving

commercials, print ads, and

internet applications - all created

by my father! Jake stole my dad’s

ideas and threw him out on the

street while he sat back making

millions of dollars. My dad has a

right to be angry BUT HE DID NOT

KILL JAKE KANE. My father is not a

killer.

VERONICA

I have no reason to believe your

father is innocent. You lied to me,

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 25.

VERONICA (cont’d)

and I made a mistake in trusting

you. Now, get out. My best friend

is lying in a hospital bed, and you

have no right to be near him.

MAC

Veronica.

JOANNA

Veronica, you have to believe me.

VERONICA

I have spent my entire life

building walls to keep people like

you out.

JOANNA

Can you relate at all?! I thought

you of all people would understand.

My dad is wrongly accused. The town

hates him. My mom can’t go to the

grocery store without getting

glares and insults. My life is

falling apart.

VERONICA

Then do something about it.

The doctor exits Wallace’s room.

DOCTOR

You can come back in now.

Veronica and Lisa exit. Joanna tries to hold back tears. Mac

is still in the hallway not knowing what to say to Joanna.

JOANNA

(whispers to herself)

I am.

Joanna exits.

cut to:

INT. Veronica’s Apartment

Keith is reviewing papers when he hears a knock on the door.

He opens it and encounters a former girlfriend, Rebecca

James.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 26.

KEITH

Rebecca.

REBECCA

Keith, how are you?

KEITH

Doing well. Sheriff now.

REBECCA

I voted for you.

They stand at the door awkwardly.

REBECCA

May I come in?

KEITH

Of course. Right.

cut to:

Veronica is opening the door to her apartment but someone on

the other side is opening it as well. She encounters Rebecca

leaving.

VERONICA

Ms. James?

Veronica is astonished to see her. She hasn’t seen Rebecca

since she was a student at Neptune High School.

REBECCA

Hello Veronica. How are you? Your

dad tells me you have excelled in

all your classes at Hearst. No

surprise. You were a top student at

Neptune.

VERONICA

How is Neptune? Wait, I take that

back. I really don’t care about my

alma mater. (sarcastically) Go

Pirates!

Awkward silence.

REBECCA

Well, it was great seeing you

Veronica. Keith, I look forward to

seeing you again and catching up.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 27.

KEITH

Rebecca, take this umbrella. It

looks like it is going to rain.

Rebecca accepts the umbrella and exits.

cut to:

Veronica enters and stands in the kitchen with her dad.

VERONICA

Dad, what was Rebecca James doing

here?

KEITH

She was concerned.

VERONICA

Dad, don’t fall for the vulnerable

act girls do to get guys.

KEITH

She was concerned for YOUR safety.

Veronica still has some reservations about Keith dating and

she still is the same Veronica- unable to fully trust

others.

VERONICA

Why?

KEITH

She saw Joanna Torres enter your

car in the Neptune High School

parking lot.

VERONICA

Rebecca doesn’t have to worry about

that. How come you didn’t know the

murderer had a daughter at Neptune

High?

KEITH

I knew. Veronica, I’m the sheriff.

It’s my job to know.

VERONICA

Why didn’t you tell me?

KEITH

I figured you would find out on

your own or she would tell

you.(pause) I figured she would

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 28.

KEITH (cont’d)

contact you eventually. Her

intentions are good.

VERONICA

Dad, she lied to me. She is the

daughter of Jake Kane’s number one

murder suspect.

KEITH

And? Veronica, let me remind you of

another murderer’s child you have

befriended - Logan. You’re an adult

Veronica, and I can’t tell you who

to accept or not, but I have taught

you to be respectful. (pause)

Veronica, her father didn’t do it.

VERONICA

Then why is he still in custody?

KEITH

We have no other leads.

VERONICA

So, you don’t think he did it?

KEITH

No.

Storm outside erupts. Veronica believes her dad. She is

starting to believe Joanna did have good intentions. Thunder

is heard.

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM

BROWN

Liam Fitzpatrick, what is your

connection with Jake Kane?

LIAM

Well, the man did invent streaming

video, and I’m a frequent user of

streaming video for various

recreational purposes.

BROWN

This is not a place for games. Now,

you will answer my questions with

no nonsense. If I were you Liam, I

would be scared. You are a suspect

in the murder of Jake Kane. The

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 29.

BROWN (cont’d)

explosives found at the crime scene

were traced back to a purchase you

made one month ago for the

construction site you and your

cousin, Danny Boyd, work at. Now,

what is your relation to Jake Kane?

LIAM

I want a lawyer.

cut to:

It is raining and passengers are exiting an airplane on the

tarmac.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT (V.O.)

On behalf of the pilot and crew on

board 236, welcome to Neptune, CA.

We hope you enjoy your stay and if

you returning home, welcome back.

We see a pair of feet step off the stairs. The camera pans

up to see the person’s face. It is DUNCAN KANE.

END OF ACT 1