Veronica Mars- The Unofficial Movie- Act 1

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.

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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)

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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

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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?

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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)

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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.

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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?

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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..

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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?

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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.

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21. VERONICA Are you spying on me? VINNIE I am working on the Jake Kane murder case. Maybe we can compare notes. Who hired

VERONICA 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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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