Veronica Mars- The Unofficial Movie Act 3

Veronica Mars: The Unofficial Movie Act 3 By Mary and Louise

INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT - DAY Veronica, Logan, Mac, Wallace, and Joanna are in Veronica’s living. VERONICA Mac, can you hack into the Neptune High student records? Keith walks in when he hears this and immediately covers his ears and hums. KEITH Honey, you know that I am an officer of the law and I do not condone unlawful actions in my house. MAC I’m in. VERONICA Get the list of Neptune students from our class. MAC These names certainly bring back fond memories. JOANNA Veronica, I asked Neptune’s guidance counselor to stop by. She’s been at Neptune for years and I thought she could help us narrow down the search. VERONICA I think we can do this on our own... Doorbell rings. JOANNA There she is. Veronica opens the door, and sees Rebecca James. REBECCA Veronica. JOANNA Ms. James.

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2. REBECCA Joanna, how are you? JOANNA I’m glad you found the place all right. I was worried you wouldn’t. VERONICA Come in.

Rebecca walks into the living room and sees all of the Neptune High alums. She also eyes Keith in the kitchen. They exchange glances, and Keith exits for his room. JOANNA Ms. James, is there a Neptune student from the class of 2006 that could potentially be a murderer? LOGAN Besides me. Veronica cuts in and does not allow Rebecca to answer. She hands Logan and Wallace a list of names from the Class of 2006, as well as a list of Neptune High’s notorious students with criminal records from the past fifteen years. WALLACE There are a lot of names here, V. VERONICA Wallace, you and Logan get the last names N through Z. Mac, Jo, and I will get the first half. Joanna reads the list and finds a familiar one. JOANNA (to Mac) Who is Padraig Fitzpatrick? He was expelled and repeated the 12th grade three times. MAC He’s Liam’s younger cousin. He stuck around Neptune for the drug trade. Joanna remembers going to the construction site with Veronica. VERONICA (to Logan and Wallace) Talk to them. Find out where they were on the day of Jake’s murder. (CONTINUED)

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3.

Wallace and Logan exit. JOANNA Hey, Veronica. I’m going to sit this one out. I promised my dad I would visit him today. VERONICA O.K., we’ll tell you how it goes. JOANNA Ms. James, thanks for coming by. Joanna exits. Veronica and Mac exit. Rebecca is left in the living room when Keith pops his head in. KEITH Are they gone? Rebecca smiles. KEITH Do you have any plans tonight? REBECCA I was planning on staying in and watching a reality show of two catering services battling it out to see who can throw the best party. KEITH Would you be opposed to a quiet, romantic dinner at the Neptune Grand with the county’s highest rated sheriff? EXT. COLLEGE -DAY Logan and Wallace have found MADISON SINCLAIR. MADISON SINCLAIR Logan. You’re a few years late for a second date. You know, when you didn’t call it really hurt my feelings. LOGAN Oh, there’s a concept. I didn’t know Satan’s minions were capable of human emotion.

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4.

WALLACE As fun as this is, this little scornful banter, remembering-the-good-ol’-times thing you guys have going here, can we get down to business? Look, Madison- we’re here because we think Jake Kane’s assassin was a student from Neptune. Any ideas on who might have wanted to kill him? MADISON SINCLAIR You mean other than the psychotic whore Veronica Mars? No. WALLACE Alright then. We’ll just be on our way and you can get back to ... I really don’t know what you do Madison. Logan waves and they both walk away. MADISON SINCLAIR (to Logan) Call me! Wallace notices Madison’s obvious interest in Logan. WALLACE Is there something between you two? LOGAN It was a long time ago. WALLACE You slept with her didn’t you? LOGAN It was a long time ago. WALLACE Were you with Veronica at the time? Cause let me know if I should whoop your ass now or in the car. LOGAN Veronica knows. She was hurt BUT we were broken up! CUT TO:

5.

INT. RESTAURANT - DAY Veronica and Mac are seated in a restaurant across from CORNY, wearing an ill-fitting suit, with his hair slicked back and a serious face. CORNY It’s good to see you, Veronica. I hope you’ve been well since our days together at Neptune High. VERONICA Uh...Well enough, thanks. You look...different since I last saw you, Corny. CORNY Since graduation I’ve started my own business and am now a successful Internet.... Corny looks down at his hand where he has written the word "entrepreneur." CORNY (mispronounced) Entrepreneur. Veronica is confused, but also thinks Corny’s newfound Internet success might connect him in some way with Jake Kane’s death. VERONICA Really? Corny grins and starts laughing. CORNY No! I’m a busboy here. But didn’t I totally fool you? I’m practicing for our five year high school reunion. It’s gonna be so Romy and Michelle. I thought I’d practice on you. Keep it on the DL, though, okay V? VERONICA Your secret is safe with us.

6.

INT. HEARST COLLEGE - CAFETERIA - DAY Veronica and Mac are sitting at a table when Dick walks by. VERONICA Dick. sit. DICK Yes, ma’am. You know, Veronica, some people think you’re just cold and bossy, but I find your assertiveness incredibly hot. So are you ladies looking for a player number three in your little menagerie twa? I’m in. But no cuddling after. My room or yours? Veronica is angry and annoyed. MAC Do you mean ménage à trois? DICK I flunked French, okay? God. Sorry, grammar police. VERONICA Really, Dick? You honestly think I would proposition you for a three-way? DICK Why else would you and Ghost World wanna talk to me? MAC I can’t decide if you’re superbly narcissistic or just a complete idiot. DICK I like to keep you guessing. My mysteriousness is part of my charm. MAC You have no charm. VERONICA Where were you on the day of Jake Kane’s death?

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7.

DICK What was that, a Thursday? I was with Alexis, my Art History tutor. Yeah, we were up in my room for the whole afternoon if you know what I mean. MAC How are there still women in the tri-county area who are willing to sleep with you? VERONICA Can you think of anyone from our class at Neptune who would have wanted to kill Jake Kane? DICK I’m no good at this whole detective thing. That’s your forte. I’m just here for my dashing good looks. VERONICA As usual, thank you for this complete waste of my time. Veronica and Mac get up and leave the table. DICK Aren’t you at least going to buy me a burrito? You’re such a tease, Veronica! INT. RIVER STYX - DAY Joanna sneaks into River Styx through the back entrance. She crawls behind a pool table where the Fitzpatricks are talking to a drug dealer. She peeps her head up and recognizes two faces, Liam Fitzpatrick and Danny Boyd. LIAM That’s it?! You’re $500 short of what you brought in last month. DEALER That’s all I could unload. Liam, there’s talk that someone is out there taking the market. He’s cleaning us out. Liam laughs.

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8.

LIAM Danny, you believe this kid? Danny gets real close to the dealer’s face and moves his lips and facial features. Danny laughs at the funny faces he is making with the dealer’s face. The phone rings at River Styx, and Liam answers it. DANNY (mockingly) Are you telling the truth? LIAM (on the phone) Yeah. You can have it Wednesday. Joanna sees Liam writing on a small notebook while he is on the phone. He finishes his phone conversation and hides the notebook somewhere behind the bar. LIAM Now, where were we? Liam walks back to where Danny and the dealer are. Joanna crawls to behind the bar counter. She is looking for the notebook when she hears a yelp. She pokes her head up to see Liam choke-holding the dealer. She continues searching for the notebook and finally finds it. LIAM Now, repeat after me. I will not come up short of my month’s target. Joanna begins to crawl towards the door. She desperately needs to get out. She looks to her left and moves her right hand forward. She doesn’t realize the mouse trap in front of her and her hand gets caught. She immediately retracts hitting the wall lined with alcohol, knocking a few over. Liam and Danny direct their attention to the noise. They walk behind the counter and find Joanna freeing her hand from the mouse trap. LIAM Well, lookey here. We’ve caught ourselves a mouse. DANNY Hey, it’s Veronica’s friend. Joanna has been discovered. She frantically slings the mouse trap at the Fitzpatricks and runs out the front door of River Styx. She runs down the street, but the Fitzpatricks are right behind her. She turns into another street and (CONTINUED)

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9.

climbs up a fire escape, above the line of sight of the Fitzpatricks. They continue to run down the street as Joanna looks down from above. INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT

- NIGHT

Veronica, Mac, and Wallace are in Veronica’s room trying to piece together the clues. WALLACE We’ve got nothing. MAC And we couldn’t reach everyone. Veronica, what are we going to do? WALLACE There’s gotta be something else in those emails. MAC They mention thirteen. Betting and stealing thirteen. WALLACE But we know that. Jack’s number was 13 in high school but that didn’t take us very far. VERONICA What if thirteen meant something else? He accuses Jake Kane of stealing. There is a knock at the door. Veronica answers and finds a frightened Joanna. JOANNA Veronica, I need your help. CUT TO: Veronica is yelling at Joanna while Mac and Wallace are present. VERONICA The Fitzpatricks?! Were you born stupid, or did you have to work to become this thick?!

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10.

WALLACE Whoa, V. Calm down. VERONICA No, Wallace. (to Joanna) You don’t just decide to go to River Styx by yourself. WALLACE Veronica. Ease up. You’ve done it too. JOANNA Veronica, I got this. Joanna holds up the Fitzpatricks’ notebook. MAC What’s that? JOANNA It’s a notebook with all of the merchandise the Fitzpatricks have sold this year. If they did sell explosives to Jake’s murderer then maybe we can get a name. VERONICA Do you have any idea what you have done? JOANNA Solved the case. VERONICA The Fitzpatricks are looking for you right now, and they’re not going to stop. They would KILL you to have that book back. Joanna is terrified now. VERONICA C’mon. JOANNA Where are we going? VERONICA The safest place I know.

11. INT. LOGAN’S SUITE-NEPTUNE GRAND - NIGHT Logan is sitting on his couch when he hears the doorbell ring. He opens the door and finds Veronica and Joanna on the other side. Logan is surprised. LOGAN Veronica. CUT TO: Veronica and Logan are in his bedroom alone. VERONICA The Fitzpatricks are probably out there looking for her. LOGAN She can stay here as long as she needs to. She’ll be safe. Veronica and Logan make eye contact. She is quiet. Being in this room brings back old feelings. VERONICA I should go. Veronica exits Logan’s room and enters the living room where Joanna is seated watching the news. NEWS (V.O.) A strong thunderstorm with torrential rain is expected to hit Neptune. We urge everyone to stay inside. Logan looks at Veronica with a desire to protect her, and keep her inside from harm’s way. INT. RESTAURANT- NEPTUNE GRAND - NIGHT Keith and Rebecca are seated at a table near the window. They hear the news on the television near the bar and look outside the window. It begins raining. They smile at the unforeseen circumstance. The waiter comes. WAITER May I take your plate sir? KEITH Yes. Can you bring the check please?

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12.

WAITER Of course. The waiter exits with the plates. Rebecca and Keith raise their champagne glasses and kiss. INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT Mac and Wallace are in Veronica’s room. Mac is typing "thirteen" in the search engine, and scrolls down the results. MAC (to Wallace) Interested in the perfect gift for a thirteen-year-old? Wallace is reading the Fitzpatricks’ notebook. WALLACE Check this out. Liam sold two packs of C-4 to a website account. INT. LOGAN’S SUITE-NEPTUNE GRAND - NIGHT Logan and Veronica are seated on the couch, while Joanna is asleep in a chair nearby. LOGAN It seems like just yesterday it was you that had the Fitzpatricks getting their fighting Irish on. Looks like you’ve passed on your legacy. VERONICA I know it looks like I’m straddling the line between concern and hypocrisy here, but I admit I was only slightly less idiotic than Jo when I decided to confront the Fitzpatricks on my own, and I at least had a Tazer on me. You may recall that little reconnaissance mission almost ended with me getting a shamrock tattooed on my face by Liam. Not to mention you pulling a gun on him.

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13. LOGAN We’ve both changed a lot since those days.

There is awkward silence. They both question how they have changed. VERONICA So how’s Trina doing these days? I haven’t seen her in the tabloids lately. LOGAN Yeah, well, after milking the whole Aaron Echolls scandal for all it was worth I think the paparazzi got tired of her. Now she’s back to playing supporting roles in Lifetime movies and trying to get her autobiography published. VERONICA You’re kidding. LOGAN If only. I suggested she call it "Exploiting Your Circumstances and Family Fame to Compensate for a Lack of Talent: The Trina Echolls Story," but I think she decided on a title that was on the shorter side. And with fewer words she doesn’t know. (pause) So how are your classes going this semester? Are you still working as a TA? VERONICA Yeah, I’ve been taking a couple grad level courses that are taking their toll on my sleep schedule, but that’s why God invented Red Bull. What about you? Got all your requirements for your Economics major? JOANNA (to Veronica) Just kiss him already. Joanna continues to have her eyes closed. She is faking sleep. To break the awkward situation, Veronica moves to the balcony. The rain has settled down, and Logan joins Veronica on the balcony. (CONTINUED)

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14.

VERONICA Four years. LOGAN Ready to get out of Neptune? VERONICA Oh yeah. LOGAN Veronica, there’s something that I need you to hear. (pause) I am sorry for the harm that I’ve caused you. I am so sorry for any pain I brought into your life. VERONICA Logan, now is not the... LOGAN (the most sincere we’ve ever seen Logan) Veronica, I am sorry. I understand if you can’t forgive me, but the only thing that I want is for you to be happy. If that means being with someone else then I’ll be the first to support it. I love you, Veronica, and I just want to see you smile again. VERONICA Logan...I’d be lying if I said I didn’t sometimes think about how things used to be between us and if we could have that again, but it would never work. This is it. I’m leaving Neptune. In a few months I’ll be long gone, and you’ll move on, too. LOGAN Come on, Veronica. There’s nothing here for me. I’m not asking if you want to move in together and go sofa shopping at Ikea and get matching jogging suits, I’m just saying I’ll be around as long as you want me, and however you want me. VERONICA I can’t do this right now Logan. It’s always been like this between (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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15.

VERONICA (cont’d) us. We get into some huge crisis and all these feelings resurface, but when the storm passes all that’s left are memories and the sickening realization that you and I just don’t work together. Maybe I do need to work out how I really feel about you, but that’s something that can wait until after we’ve gotten through our current disaster. Logan is disappointed, but accepts Veronica’s response and tries to hide his sadness. LOGAN I get it, Veronica. Whatever you need. (pause) You should get some rest. I’ll get some blankets. Logan exits and leaves Veronica to contemplate their conversation. FADE OUT INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT - DAY Mac is on the computer. She is looking at software development forums and reading discussions between two users about a software written by username, "Polly13." Wallace is seen at the whiteboard writing various facts. CUT TO: Mac is still at the computer. Her head is down. The screen has a message, "Restoring Deleted Files." Sunlight is starting to shine through the closed blinds. The computer beeps waking Mac. She lifts her head and clicks on the button "open page." On the screen, there is a website titled "Software Thirteen." She scrolls down to the end of the webpage, and finds the website’s creator. It’s a familiar name: SEAN FRIEDRICH. INT. LOGAN’S SUITE-NEPTUNE GRAND - DAY Veronica is asleep on the couch. Logan is on the other end asleep as well. Veronica’s cell phone rings.

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16.

VERONICA Mornin’ Mac. MAC Veronica, "Thirteen" is a softwareA revolutionary one. I’m looking through it right now and it looks a lot like THOMAS- the software Jake Kane released. It’s amazing. (pause) Veronica, the software’s creator is Sean Friedrich. Veronica hangs up the phone and looks up at Logan. VERONICA I know what happened. CUT TO: EXT. APARTMENT - DAY Logan, Veronica, and Joanna pull up to a broken down apartment building. VERONICA This is the address his dad’s employer gave. LOGAN Well, let’s go. All three exit the car and enter the building. CUT TO: They are in front of Sean’s door. JOANNA So, do we kick the door down? Veronica knocks, and SEAN FRIEDRICH, former Neptune HS classmate and son of a butler, answers the door. SEAN Veronica Mars. I knew you would show up. I’m surprised it took you this long. Veronica pushes the door open, and the three enter.

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17.

SEAN (sarcastically) Please, by all means, come in. VERONICA (to Sean) How much did he steal from you? SEAN Who? Sean walks away from Veronica and approaches the kitchen counter. VERONICA I know Jake Kane stole the software that was going to make you millions. You bought the explosives from the Fitzpatricks and found Clint. You knew Jake Kane was sleeping with his assistant, Clint’s fiancée. Clint wanted to get back at Jake. He just wanted to scare Jake not murder anyone. You had him set the explosives, but Jake Kane died of a bullet wound. You shot Jake! Where were you? SEAN I was on the balcony. The explosives were just a distraction. They covered up the noise of the rifle and no one saw Jake hit the floor. I finished the job. VERONICA You killed Jake Kane and put my best friend in the hospital! SEAN Oh, Veronica. Sean turns around and points a gun at the three of them. SEAN Veronica, no one cares what you do as long as you’re the last man standing. This is Neptune! I’m not the bad guy here Veronica. I emailed Kane Software hoping that they could serve as a major distributor for MY software. I thought they could back me up with (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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18.

SEAN (cont’d) more funding, so I sent them a demo- mailed to "the suite." Three weeks later they announce a multi-million dollar campaign for the software I developed! Where was my cut?! SEAN It doesn’t matter. Come midnight tonight, six million dollars from the Kane Software account will be transferred to an untraceable account in Canada, and you’ll never see me again. JOANNA You really think that’s it? Veronica will find you. SEAN Let me tell you a little bit about Veronica Mars. NO ONE likes her. Veronica accused Aaron Echolls of murder. She ran our class president and heir to the Kane empire out of the country. Her nosey detective work caused Mayor Woody’s death. The Mars name has caused uproar and ruined lives. (to Veronica) Neptune would be a better place without you. Logan moves a little to the left distancing himself from Veronica to get a better angle of Sean. SEAN I should just shoot you right now. Everyone would thank me. Logan lunges at Sean from the side. A shot is fired. Veronica pushes Joanna down. Jo clutches her arm. They are both on the floor when the gun escapes Sean’s hand. Logan and Sean struggle. Sean sees Veronica reaching for the gun, so he pulls the rug causing the gun to go up in the air and land farther away. Sean then pushes Logan off of him hitting Veronica in the process. He looks for the gun but realizes it is in Joanna’s possession. She has it pointed at him. JOANNA Because of you, my father is in jail! He was accused of murder and lost his job. (CONTINUED)

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19.

Joanna looks at Sean with anger and disdain. After a pause, she hands the gun over to Veronica. VERONICA Jo, call the police. Logan, tie him up. FADE OUT Neptune police and paramedics are outside the apartment building. Veronica is the phone with Clarence Wiedman. VERONICA Clarence, it was Sean Friedrich. He has scheduled a 6 million dollar transfer from the company’s account to his tonight. I’m sending his computer over to you to stop the transfer. Veronica hangs up. She sees Joanna sitting in the back of an ambulance VERONICA You O.K.? JOANNA Yeah, it just grazed me. VERONICA You are not officially in Neptune until you’ve been shot at or roofied. JOANNA Sean was going to make millions, but someone else beat him to it. Is it always about the money? VERONICA Yeah. JOANNA Do originality and ideas have a place any more? Veronica remembers something. VERONICA Jake Kane did not initiate the development of their new software.

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20.

Veronica remembers when she visited Kane Software and Clarence introduced her to Caleb Fox. CLARENCE (V.O.) Everyone, this is Caleb Fox, the senior VP of Kane Software and the initial designer of the software, THOMAS. He’s the one who had the idea for it. CALEB FOX (V.O.) I couldn’t have done it without Jake. Veronica remembers Caleb entered his office, "Suite 4." She grabs her phone to call Clarence Wiedman again. INT. NEPTUNE SHERIFF’S OFFICE - DAY Veronica is right behind Keith as he locks up Sean Friedrich. SEAN (to Veronica) You know I was right. It was my turn to be a real 09er. VERONICA You killed the wrong guy Sean. Sean is confused. VERONICA You killed Jake Kane thinking he stole your idea. He didn’t. His VP did. You killed the wrong man. SEAN Yeah, well that still doesn’t change anything. Someone had to pay. Someone always has to pay. Veronica walks away with Logan at her side. As they pass the counter, two FBI agents that were on the Jake Kane murder case watch her and give a nod of approval. AGENT #1 Impressive work.

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21.

AGENT #2 Ms. Mars, we could use someone like you. In the hallway, Veronica and Logan meet up with private detective, VINNIE VAN LOWE. VERONICA Vinnie. VINNIE VAN LOWE Veronica Mars did it again. You beat me to it. I really wanted that million dollar photo of me handing the perp over to the feds, but you, (points exaggeratedly) you’re a sharp one, V. VERONICA Don’t let the hair color fool you. I’m still much, much smarter than you. And I bet I have fewer communicative diseases. VINNIE VAN LOWE Hey, have you been reading my medical records again? I got it from a public toilet seat, okay? Yeesh. VERONICA Honestly, it’s a miracle you’re still employed. None of these harassment lawsuits stuck, huh? Shame. VINNIE VAN LOWE You sassy thing, you. So tell me Veronica, what’s your secret? Pixie dust? Do you have an inside man? Is it true? VERONICA No. Veronica slams her hand against the wall nearby. VERONICA Don’t ask me about my business, Vinnie.

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22.

VINNIE VAN LOWE Oh, I see. Going all Godfather style. VERONICA O.K. this one time. This one time I’ll let you ask about my affairs. VINNIE VAN LOWE You’re slick. (He leans in)You always have to bring the party down, huh? Veronica and Logan walk away. VINNIE VAN LOWE You got this one Veronica, but the next one’s all me, baby. Veronica reaches into her bag and turns around to face Vinnie. She holds up a pen with a microphone inside which Vinnie dropped in her bag. VERONICA Really, Vinnie?! Really?! She throws the pen at him. Logan leads Veronica out the door. They exit the Sheriff’s office and are greeted by a group of reporters and Neptune citizens. She walks out with Logan, expecting the worst from the town she’s uncovered so many secrets. Instead, she is greeted with cheers and applause as the pair walk down the steps into a waiting car. INT. KANE SOFTWARE - DAY We see Jake’s VP, Caleb Fox, walking the halls of Kane Software. He enters his office and finds Clarence Wiedman waiting for him. Clarence dramatically closes the door. INT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT - NIGHT Veronica, Mac, Wallace, and Keith are in the kitchen talking about the Kane murder case. Keith is reading an article in tomorrow’s edition of the Neptune Daily about Veronica’s involvement in the Kane case.

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23.

KEITH Well, you did it again, sweetheart. Another news clipping for the Mars family scrap book. You know, for someone who says she hates Neptune so much, you do them a lot of favors by putting away their vicious criminals for them. VERONICA Yes, well, I’ve always had that overdeveloped sense of justice. Combine that with my somewhat obsessive tendencies and you get an almost fully functional human being slash crime fighting machine. WALLACE You’re like the Terminator and Nancy Drew all rolled into one. MAC Now there’s a juxtaposition for you. Nancy Drew’s impeccable hair and quick wit combined with the well-engineered killing power and bilingual catch phrases of the Terminator. WALLACE (impersonating the Terminator) I’ll be back....to obtain legal evidence of your sneaky but poorly-thought-out crimes. VERONICA (motioning to Wallace) Ladies and gentleman, our state governor. KEITH You know honey, it’s a shame you’re running off to become a big-shot FBI agent, because you would make a fabulous sheriff. I would love to pass on my legacy. MAC Wait, you got the job at the FBI? VERONICA Got the letter today.

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24.

WALLACE Alright V! Mac hugs Veronica. MAC Veronica, that’s amazing VERONICA There’s a position for me as soon as I graduate. Mac and Wallace are ecstatic. VERONICA When you finally get your pilot’s license I expect regular visits from you, Captain Fennel. MAC (to Wallace) I’m going to be bumming rides off you until teleportation is perfected, FYI. VERONICA Maybe the feds will hire you, too, Mac Daddy, so you an be the Q to my Bond. I’m sure they’d want to hire anyone who’s gotten as far as you in hacking into various networks. Keith puts his hands over his ears. KEITH La la la! Not listening....to any possible felonies of which you are speaking. (Pause) Okay, that’s it. I declare it to be time for celebratory cake! Who wants ice cream with theirs? INT. KANE HOUSE - DREAM Veronica is in the Kane house, and does not understand what is going on. She turns around and sees a portrait of the Kane family. She hears her name in the distance. LILY Veronica, can you hand me that remote?

(CONTINUED)

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25.

Veronica turns around and sees Lily in her Neptune cheerleading uniform. VERONICA Lily? LILY Um, duh? Is there another dead best friend you talk to in your dreams? VERONICA I thought you’d be at peace now. Aaron got what he deserved. LILY I am at peace, silly. It’s you that hasn’t found peace yet. VERONICA What do you mean? LILY (sigh) Veronica, are you happy? VERONICA (faking it and unsure) Yeah. I mean, as happy as anyone else, I guess. LILY Come on Veronica, are you really happy? VERONICA No one is ever truly happy, Lily. LILY Veronica, you’re graduating today and you’re joining the FBI- you’re life is just beginning. I remember when I had a future. VERONICA I miss you. LILY It’s not just me. Duncan enters with a movie in each hand. He has Rebel Without A Cause and The Big Lebowski.

(CONTINUED)

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26.

DUNCAN Veronica, I got the films. Pick one. Duncan fades away. LILY Come on Veronica. You have a choice to be happy. There’s no mystery. You loved him then and you still love him now. Lily is standing in front of a mirror. She fades away. Veronica sees her own reflection and then sees Logan in the mirror. Lily reappears behind Veronica. LILY You’ve made me proud Veronica, I mean look at you. You’re a celebrity in Neptune. Don’t forget me Veronica. VERONICA Lily, I could never. LILY Veronica, I smell pancakes. KEITH (V.O.) Veronica. Veronica, time to get up. Big day. Keith walks into Veronica’s room. She wakes up and finds herself in her own house. She was dreaming. KEITH Graduation day and the famous Chef Mars is cooking breakfast. EXT. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT - DAY Veronica is in her graduation dress standing adjacent to her car. She watches Joanna exit the Sheriff’s Department with her mother and newly liberated father. Veronica smiles at the happy family. Joanna tells her parents to continue towards the car as she goes off to speak with Veronica. JOANNA Hey Veronica.

(CONTINUED)

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27. VERONICA Hey. JOANNA I didn’t pin you for the kind of girl who sticks around to awww at the happy ending. VERONICA In this business, happy endings don’t come around that often. It’s usually quite the opposite. Divorce. Betrayal. Engagement rings down sewers. Corruption. Theft. JOANNA I get it. VERONICA (pointing to Jo’s parents) This is nice. JOANNA Thank you Veronica. It means the world to me to be able to hug my dad without having bars in the way. My mom feels the same way. VERONICA Hey, I went out to solve the case, not reunite your family.

Joanna smiles. She is still learning about Veronica. Jo looks in the direction of her car and sees her parents inside waiting. JOANNA I should go. It was a pleasure working with you Veronica Mars. (pause) Will I ever see you again? VERONICA Stay cool, kid. Jo begins to walk away, but then turns around. JOANNA You know you’re not such a tough private eye as you try to come off as. You have a soft side Veronica Mars- like a choco donut or a marshmallow. Joanna walks away.

28.

INT. HEARST COLLEGE - DAY It’s Graduation day, and Veronica is in full gown. DEAN Graduates, as you move onward and forward, remember your times at Hearst College. Remember the good and the bad. Hearst has prepared you well as you transition out into the world. Class of 2010, Congratulations. Veronica leans forward and looks to her right. She sees her friend Mac and they exchange smiles of excitement. Everyone throws their cap into the air. CUT TO: Veronica is trying to make her way through the large crowd of students and parents when she runs into PIZ. VERONICA Hey. PIZ Hey there. There is awkward silence. PIZ Congratulations. VERONICA (smiles) You too. Plans? PIZ Moving to New York. I got a job offer with a radio station. VERONICA (genuinely happy) Piz, that’s amazing. PIZ Yeah, I’m stoked. You? VERONICA Heading to Quantico.

(CONTINUED)

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29.

PIZ Congrats. They’re lucky to have you. I feel safe already. Well, take care Veronica. I hope everything turns out they way you wanted it to. VERONICA Thanks. Best wishes to you Piz. That radio station has no idea how lucky they are to have you. They hug. After walking through the crowd, Veronica finally reunites with her father. KEITH Look at my little college graduate. It seems like not long ago you were graduating from elementary school. You had such grand ambitions for middle school. I didn’t have the heart to tell you that middle school is actually horrible. VERONICA I seem to remember my last graduation involved you standing me up at the airport and me having to explore the Big Apple all by my lonesome for a couple days. KEITH Clearly, I was trying to teach you how to be independent. VERONICA (sarcastically) Yes, that’s always been something I’ve struggled with. I just cannot shake my inherently clingy and codependent nature. KEITH Well that’s a relief, because for your college graduation I’m hoping we can try that again. Keith dramatically rips open his button-down shirt to reveal a "I (heart) New York" t-shirt. Veronica gasps excitedly and throws her arms around Keith’s neck.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

30.

VERONICA I hope this means you’re saving the pony for when I get my doctorate. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You know I couldn’t have done this without you, right? KEITH Yup. I know, I’m awesome. It’s genetic. You’re welcome. Of course it helps that you’re the smartest, most hardworking twenty-one-year-old in the world. (pause) I’m so proud of you, honey. VERONICA (smiling affectionately) We done good, Pops. KEITH I’ll go get the car so we can get you home and start packing for NYC. East coast, here we come baby! Keith exits and Wallace approaches Veronica. WALLACE Veronica! Bam! Wallace pulls out his pilot’s license. VERONICA Very sexy Maverick. WALLACE What do you say? You in for a joyride with me and Lisa? Where’s Mac? VERONICA Oh, she left early. Family celebration. Wallace sees Logan in the crowd. He smiles. He knows Logan’s feelings for Veronica and this could be a perfect opportunity for him. WALLACE Hey Logan. You free?

31.

EXT. PLANE - DAY Veronica and Logan are sitting in the back. Their hands touch and then clasp together. They look out their windows over Neptune. VERONICA (V.O.) If there’s something I learned in this business, the people you love let you down. It’s the one you love who causes the most destruction. Heartbreak strikes and blows through your life like a tornado, uprooting everything. Keith Mars is in his car. He looks at himself in the rear view mirror, and then grabs a bouquet of flowers on the seat next to him. You do the standard checks to make sure you survived and then you crawl through the rubble and rebuild. Keith exits his car, and approaches a specific house to knock on the door. Once you think you’re O.K.; the storm hits again. It’s important to move on, but if you’re like me, you just keep chasing the storm. Rebecca James answers the door. She smiles at the pleasant surprise and invites Keith in. The problem with chasing the storm is that it tears you down, breaks your spirit. And the longer the chase, the more you find yourself pulling over asking, is it worth it? CUT TO: INT. LOGAN’S SUITE-NEPTUNE GRAND - NIGHT Logan is on the balcony, but turns around when he hears the doorbell. He opens the door to find Veronica. VERONICA Relationships are not supposed to be epic. They are hard work but some component is supposed to come naturally. We are two different people, Logan. Wired differently. (MORE) (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

32.

VERONICA (cont’d) We can’t change who we are no matter how hard we try. I don’t know how we made it as long as we did when we were together. I can’t think of a single reason I should be with you. (pause) But I also know that I don’t want to live without you. Veronica runs forward to kiss Logan. They embrace. FADE OUT EXT. VERONICA’S APARTMENT - DAY Veronica, Mac, Wallace, Rebecca, and Keith are gathered in the parking lot outside of the apartment complex. Logan enters. LOGAN Is this the last bag? VERONICA Yep. Logan lifts the last luggage and loads it into the car. Veronica turns to her father to say goodbye. KEITH We’re really gonna miss you around here, sweetheart. VERONICA I’m going to miss you, too, Dad. (to Backup) Backup, you’re in charge while I’m gone. Keep Dad out of trouble, okay? KEITH You better visit soon. VERONICA I will. KEITH Say, next week? I’m serious. I’ll fire up the hibachi. Veronica and Keith embrace.

(CONTINUED)

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33.

VERONICA I love you, Dad. KEITH I love you, too, honey. I guess it’s just like the Dixie Chicks said: You need "Wide Open Spaces," new faces, big places, and all that. VERONICA What have I told you about the Dixie Chicks? KEITH What can I say? They speak to me. WALLACE I hear you, Mr. Mars. I listened to that song on my way over here. VERONICA Don’t you go getting all misty-eyed on me, Fennel. WALLACE Yeah, yeah. I know, I’ll be seeing you before I know it. And when you’re a famous FBI bigwig I’ll see you on TV and say, "Veronica Mars. I knew her when." VERONICA Wrong. You can’t get rid of me that easily. I’ll be sitting next to you in the Benigan’s watching myself on TV being interviewed by baby blue eyes- Anderson Cooper. MAC Ooh, dibs on A.C. Give him my phone number when you see him, okay, Veronica? VERONICA You guys act like you aren’t going to see me in a matter of weeks. WALLACE Yeah, as soon as I can, you know, I’m going to come visit you at your new place.

(CONTINUED)

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34.

MAC And I, naturally, will stow away with him and possibly chip in for gas money. VERONICA So instead of goodbye, I’m choosing to go the optimistic farewell route and say, see you both soon. WALLACE That’s it? VERONICA Um...May the wind always be at your back? Paint with all the colors of the wind? Never trust a dog with a limp? MAC See you soon, Veronica. Thanks for being you. They all hug. VERONICA You guys are better friends than I ever thought I’d have. Thanks for putting up with me. WALLACE See you on the other side, Mars. VERONICA Take good care of my dad, Rebecca. I won’t be around to check up on him. REBECCA I’ll send you updates. (smiling) Take care Veronica. Veronica has eased up on Rebecca. She sees how happy her dad is around Rebecca, and he needs that. LOGAN Mr. Mars. They shake hands. KEITH Drive safely.

(CONTINUED)

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35.

LOGAN We will. Logan and Veronica enter the car and drive away. As Logan is driving, Veronica turns to look at him. She admires him in the glistening sun. VERONICA (V.O.) Logan and I decided to take it slow. He offered to drive me down to the FBI LA office for orientation. I would be there a week and then I’m off to Quantico for training at the Academy. Logan wasn’t going to join me in Quantico. He said he needed to put his feet on the ground first. Veronica looks around as they drive past the town she’s lived in for most of her life. VERONICA (V.O.) Ah, Neptune. Murder, betrayal, corruption. Yes, Neptune is a magnificent place to raise the kids. Is it possible to find that comfort item in the rubble, that teddy bear, or blanket, after the storm? I say yes. Even after collisions, smudges, and slight alteration in appearance, it still provides that feeling of security and love. Everyone wants that. I’m sorry is that mushy? Well, you know what they say Veronica Mars, she’s a marshmallow. Veronica leans in and turns on the radio. "We Used to be Friends" by The Dandy Warhols plays. Logan wraps his arm around Veronica. They pass a sign, "You Are Now Leaving Neptune, Come Back Soon." The End.