PUSHING DAISIES

"À LA MODE"

Written by

Diane Carol Harder

Liliath & Penumbra(323) 647-5327Dch@liliathandpenumbra.com

“À La Mode”

ACT ONE

EXT. LONGBOROUGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS - DAY (PAST)

It’s Outdoor Games Day, and numerous different game stations are set up around the school. All the BOYS and TEACHERS are outside, dressed in their gym clothes and divided into teams. They are laughing and cheering and playing silly games like Egg on a Spoon, Wheelbarrow Race, etc.

NARRATOR (V.O.)At this very moment at the Longborough School For Boys, young Ned was 9 years, 42 weeks, 15 hours and 2 minutes old - and very lonely.

While the rest of his team stands cheering, YOUNG NED (9) sits to the side, dejected, watching two of his TEAMMATES compete in a three-legged race.

These boys have their arms wrapped tightly around each other and move as a unit, laughing with glee as they cross the finish line in first place. They high-five each other as the rest of the team surrounds them to congratulate them.

NARRATOR (V.O.)For despite all his efforts assuring himself that he didn’t care whether or not his classmates accepted him, he was still jealous of their friendships with each other.

Ned quietly walks away, his head down and his hands in his pockets.

NARRATOR (V.O.) (CONT'D)And he couldn’t help remembering his own best friend - the girl named Chuck.

CUT TO:

EXT. NED’S HOME/CHUCK’S HOME - DAY (PAST)

It’s summertime and very hot. Ned sits, sweating, on his front porch. DIGBY lies beside him. They both look very bored.

Just then, he looks over to CHUCK’S HOME to see YOUNG CHUCK (9), as she emerges from her front door, dressed in a flowery bathing suit and dragging a sprinkler behind her.

She looks up. Ned grins.

EXT. NED’S HOME/CHUCK’S HOME - LATER (PAST)

Ned, Chuck, and Digby run through the sprinkler, squealing (and barking) with glee.

EXT. NED’S CHILDHOOD HOME - LATER (PAST)

Ned and Chuck are toweling off on Ned’s front porch.

NED’S MOTHER emerges with an ice cream cone for each of them.

They both smile and reach for them - but the ice cream falls off of Chuck’s cone.

She frowns, looking at it, until Ned offers her his cone. She smiles up at him.

EXT. NED’S CHILDHOOD HOME - LATER (PAST)

Ned and Chuck sit on the porch, sharing the ice cream cone.

CLOSE UP on their hands, their pinkies touching on the step between them.

CUT TO:

EXT. LONGBOROUGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS - DAY (PAST)

Activities have finished. All the boys sit scattered around the lawn in groups of twos and threes, enjoying a special treat of ice cream cones after a hard day of activity. Bursts of laughter erupt now and then.

Ned sits alone by the tree, holding his untouched ice cream.

NARRATOR (V.O.)He couldn’t help but miss her. She had been his first love and only friend-

Suddenly, there’s a small BARK and Ned looks up to see--

--Digby standing in front of him, wagging his tail and waiting for his attention.

Ned smiles and offers Digby his ice cream cone.

2.

NARRATOR (V.O.)-aside from Digby, that is.

CUT TO:

INT. PIE HOLE - DAY (PRESENT)

NED (28) sits across from CHUCK (27) in a booth, with EMERSON beside him. They are eating bowls of ice cream and discussing possible new cases. It is insanely hot.

Ned turns to Emerson, who is fanning himself.

NEDYou mean there’s nothing? No crime?

Emerson shakes his head.

EMERSONToo hot.

CHUCKDoesn’t extreme heat usually cause a surge of crime?

Ned looks at her, surprised.

CHUCK (CONT'D)I mean, I heard it somewhere. People go nuts, can’t take it anymore, and take it out on that person that always annoyed them.

Emerson shakes his head.

EMERSONToo hot.

NEDHuh.

Just then, Chuck finishes her ice cream. She sighs.

CHUCKThat was good. Hit the spot.

(hinting)Could’ve used one spoonful more, though.

NEDBe my guest.

3.

Smiling, she reaches across the table and takes a spoonful of Ned’s ice cream. She lets her spoon graze his spoon, lingering meaningfully for a moment.

Ned looks up, swallowing hard.

They both smile at each other - first sweetly, but then a little sadly. They know they can’t touch.

Watching them is OLIVE, sitting on a stool by the counter and eating her own dish of ice cream, her face filled with longing for Ned. Digby lies at her feet.

NARRATOR (V.O.) Now, Olive Snook was also in love with Ned the Pie Maker.

Olive swings her feet back and forth and sighs.

NARRATOR (V.O.)And being around him and watching his and Chuck’s love for each other grow had proven to be a difficult situation for her heart to navigate.

Emerson rolls his eyes at Ned and Chuck.

EMERSONWill you two cut it out?! It’s too hot! This heat alone is enough to make a man sick - I definitely don’t need the two of you on top of it.

Olive frowns.

NARRATOR (V.O.) But love had not always been this complicated for Olive Snook.

Olive sadly eats another spoonful of ice cream, while Digby whines.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHERRY TOP HIGH SCHOOL - DAY (FLASHBACK)

Sitting atop a tall, round hill is a bright and shiny red brick structure. This is Cherry Top High.

The BELL RINGS, signalling the end of the day, and STUDENTS burst out of its doors and down the hill, creating an overflow of colors.

4.

Among these students is TEENAGE OLIVE SNOOK (17), with cutesy pigtails and shining eyes. With her arms full of books and her horseback riding helmet tied to her backpack, she meanders with ROCKY RHODES (18), her high school sweetheart.

They are followed, unnoticed, by CANDY SUCRAY (18), a girl who seems to be the dark doppelganger of Olive in every way.

Olive gazes adoringly at Rocky.

NARRATOR (V.O.)Back in the days when Olive attended Cherry Top High School, she was in love with a sweet boy named Rocky Rhodes.

OLIVEI love you, Rocky!

He smiles back at her.

NARRATOR (V.O.) The feeling was mutual.

ROCKYI love you, too, Olive.

Candy looks disgusted at them.

CANDY(to herself)

Barf.

Rocky gallantly takes Olive’s books with one arm, then uses his free hand to hold one of hers. She beams at him. They keep walking.

NARRATOR (V.O.) Then one day, when Olive was 17 years, 18 weeks, 3 days, and 16 hours old, something special happened.

Rocky suddenly stops and grins at Olive, as if he’s suddenly got an idea. Olive looks back at him questioningly.

He lets go of her hand and pries his CLASS RING off his finger, handing it to her.

NARRATOR (V.O.)Rocky gave Olive his class ring.

5.

ROCKYHere Olive - I want you to have my class ring.

Olive gasps. So does Candy.

Olive gives Rocky a big hug, then tries on the ring. It’s so big, it’ll only fit on her thumb - loosely.

Candy narrows her eyes.

CUT TO:

EXT. RIDING CLUB - LATER (FLASHBACK)

Olive, dressed in a riding habit, rides her horse slowly around the track, not noticing the other riders who are zooming past her left and right. She gazes dreamily at the ring, now draped on a chain around her neck.

NARRATOR (V.O.)At riding practice that day, Olive could barely concentrate - because, as any young girl knows, when a boy offers you his ring, it means he will love you forever.

She gently kisses the ring.

CUT TO:

EXT. SENOR SORBET’S ICE CREAM PARLOR - LATER (FLASHBACK)

A surreal Mexican-styled ice cream parlor. A large sombrero sits atop the building, with bright scoops of pastel-colored sorbet surrounding its brim. A sign reads: Señor Sorbet’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Olive approaches, carrying her helmet. She sees Rocky through the window, and smiles and waves--

--until she realizes that he is already sitting with someone.

NARRATOR (V.O.)So suffice it to say, Olive was shocked when she went to meet Rocky at Señor Sorbet’s Ice Cream Parlor later that afternoon and found him there with another girl.

Olive’s smile drops.

6.

INT. SENOR SORBET’S ICE CREAM PARLOR - BOOTH - MOMENTS LATER (FLASHBACK)

Olive stands, her hands on her hips, in front of Rocky. They are in the midst of a heated argument (MOS.).

Sitting across from Rocky is none other than Candy Sucray, smugly enjoying the scene - and her ice cream.

NARRATOR (V.O.)Apparently, noticing that Rocky was sitting alone that afternoon, Candy had asked if she could join him. One thing led to another, and before he knew it, Rocky was sharing his usual triple fudge marshmallow macadamia nut sundae with her.

ROCKYOlive - I swear! It didn’t mean anything!

Olive tears the chain holding Rocky’s ring from her neck and throws it on the table.

NARRATOR (V.O.) Before that day, he had only ever shared it with Olive.

OLIVENo - I’m sure it didn’t.

Olive stalks off, wiping the now free-flowing tears from her eyes.

Rocky watches her sadly. Seizing the opportunity, Candy moves to his side of the booth and puts her arm around him, in a comforting gesture.

I/E. SENOR SORBET’S ICE CREAM PARLOR - CONTINUOUS (FLASHBACK)

Olive looks back one last time, only to see Candy with her arm around Rocky. Candy notices.

CLOSE UP OF CANDY SENSUOUSLY ENJOYING A SPOONFUL OF ICE CREAM

She smiles triumphantly at Olive.

CAMERA FOLLOWS HER GAZE as Olive bursts into fresh tears and runs away.

CUT TO:

7.

INT. PIE HOLE - DINING AREA - DAY (PRESENT)

Olive dreamily wipes a tear from her cheek, still gazing at Ned.

NARRATOR (V.O.)The last Olive had heard, Rocky and Candy had gotten married.

The bell from the front door JINGLES as someone enters.

ROCKY (O.C.)Olive?

Olive turns to the door, only to see--

--GROWN-UP ROCKY (30’s), handsome, well-dressed, and obviously wealthy, with a big bouquet of flowers.

NARRATOR (V.O.)So she was obviously very surprised the day he turned up at The Pie Hole, looking just for her.

OLIVERocky?

He holds out the flowers to her.

ROCKYYou always have been and always will be my 31 flavors, Olive Snook.

Olive FAINTS.

FADE TO:

INT. PIE HOLE - MOMENTS LATER

Olive comes to, and finds Ned, Chuck, Emerson, Digby – and Rocky all crowding around her in concern.

Chuck and Ned help her up. She has a nasty bump on her forehead. Reaching for something cold to put on it, Olive uses the quart of ice cream she was just eating.

Everyone stares at Rocky, who fidgets awkwardly.

CHUCKOlive, who is this man?

They look at Olive, who just smiles stupidly--

--so they turn back to Rocky.

8.

ROCKYUm, my name is Rocky Rhodes.

Emerson reacts with shock.

EMERSONTHE Rocky Rhodes? As in the ice cream magnate with the billion dollar empire, Rocky Rhodes?

Rocky smiles shyly and nods.

OLIVE(dreamily)

We dated in high school.

Ned jumps in shock. Emerson almost swoons. He vigorously shakes hands with Rocky, while handing him his business card.

EMERSONPleasure to meet you, Mr. Rhodes. The name is Emerson Cod, Private Detective - at your service.

Rocky nods distractedly, not listening. He points to the quart of ice cream Olive is holding to her forehead and chuckles.

ROCKYTriple fudge marshmallow macadamia nut sundae.

Olive blushes and quickly puts the quart back on the counter.

NED(coldly)

So what brings you here to The Pie Hole today, Mr. Rhodes?

Chuck looks at Ned, surprised at his tone.

Olive, on the other hand, shakes her head, as if coming out of a stupor. She becomes stern.

OLIVEWait a minute - yeah! What are you doing here, Rocky?

Rocky moves closer to her.

ROCKY

9.

I’ve come here today, Olive, because I have finally freed myself from Candy and needed you to be the first to know.

Olive narrows her eyes.

OLIVEReally?

Rocky nods.

Olive tilts her head and looks deep into his eyes. Without flinching, he returns her stare.

After a moment, she takes a deep breath and offers a tentative smile. He smiles back.

CHUCKWhat do you mean you freed yourself from candy? Are you diabetic?

Olive glares at Chuck.

OLIVENo - Candy was his wife.

NEDSo you freed yourself from your wife? How exactly did you do that?

Rocky doesn’t take his eyes off of Olive.

ROCKYI divorced her.

NEDBut why? Why did you divorce her?

Chuck moves to put a warning hand on Ned’s arm, but stops herself just in time.

ROCKYBecause I still love Olive. Always have and always will.

Olive giggles like a schoolgirl.

NEDSo, if you always loved Olive, why did you marry Candy in the first place?

Emerson gives Ned an odd look.

10.

Rocky gets down on his knees in front of Olive.

ROCKYOlive, I have come to prove my undying love for you. Candy was just a shadow of you all along. Will you let me prove to you that it was always you that I loved? I will do everything I can...

He takes her hand and kisses it. Olive visibly melts.

Chuck can’t help but sigh. Now it’s Ned’s turn to look at her.

Meanwhile, Olive hasn’t noticed any of this.

OLIVEBut how can I trust you, Rocky?

ROCKYAll I ask is that you try.

She thinks for a moment.

OLIVE Okay.

Ned storms into the kitchen. Chuck follows him.

INT. PIE HOLE - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Ned noisily begins washing dishes.

CHUCKWhat’s wrong with you?

NEDNothing. I just remembered these dishes needed to be washed. I told Olive to do them but she didn’t do them, so I need to do them.

Chuck watches Ned with disbelief.

CHUCKAre you jealous?

NEDIt’s just Olive’s such a sweet girl, and I don’t want to see her get hurt-

11.

CHUCKYou ARE jealous!

Ned squirms and shrugs. He throws up his hands.

NEDMaybe a little bit! But I don’t know why! You’re my girlfriend! And I’m very happy that you’re my girlfriend. Extremely happy.

Chuck shakes her head.

CHUCKYou should want her to be happy.

(to herself)I should want her to be happy.

Suddenly, they hear a load SQUEAL from Olive in the other room. They both run back out to see -

INT. PIE HOLE - DINING AREA - CONTINUOUS

Olive looks up when they enter, smiling brilliantly. Emerson, meanwhile, is energetically shaking Rocky’s hand again.

Olive holds up something that’s hanging around her neck.

OLIVELook! Rocky gave me his class ring again!

Ned and Chuck both scowl.

END OF ACT ONE.

12.

ACT TWO

INT. PIE HOLE - DINING AREA - DAY

Ned sits on the floor by one of the booths, a small pot of paint and paintbrush in his hands. He dabs at the booth, with a stern look of concentration and sweat beading on his brow.

THE CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL a fresh and beautiful BOUQUET OF FLOWERS--

--on EVERY table.

Olive flounces back and forth in the background, grinning from ear to ear and humming.

Emerson enters, wearing hideous shorts and a Hawaiian shirt with a blazer over it. These are obviously his only summer clothes.

He comes and stands at the booth Ned is working on, looking over his shoulder.

EMERSONWhat are you doing?

NEDI’m touching up the booths. It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time, but haven’t had the time because we were so busy before, what with all the murder cases we had to solve. Now I have more time than I want.

Beat. Ned refuses to look up.

NED (CONT'D)Did you know that Rocky Rhodes used to buy Olive a different flower for every day they were together back in high school?

Emerson looks around at all the tables. He nods at the bouquets.

EMERSONIs that where all these came from?

NEDHe’s buying her bouquets now to make up for all the days he’s missed.

13.

He looks up at Emerson, the frustration clear on his face.

NED (CONT'D)Do you really not have ANY new cases to solve?

Emerson scowls and sits down at the booth.

EMERSONNot one damn thing. This lack of crime is going to make me a poor man. I wish our Mr. Rhodes would share a little of his wealth.

He pulls out some knitting he’s been working on.

EMERSON (CONT'D)I had nothing to do in my office, so I thought I may as well come and see what you fools were up to.

Ned shrugs.

Just then, Olive skips up to them and holds out a flower to Emerson. He gives her a look like she’s crazy, so she just puts it in his lapel. Then she takes another flower and puts it in Ned’s hair. She giggles and skips away.

Ned and Emerson give each other a look.

EMERSON (CONT'D)Is she for real?

NEDShe’s been like this all day.

Suddenly, a DELIVERY MAN enters, carrying a package. He walks up to Ned and Emerson.

DELIVERY MANIs there an Olive Snook here?

OLIVE (O.C.)That’s me!!!

She runs up to him and signs for the package. The Delivery Man leaves.

Chuck emerges from the kitchen.

CHUCKOoh! A package?! What is it?

14.

Olive looks up at her and shrugs, smiling. She eagerly tears the package open.

Inside is a very fancy, engraved silver spoon. Olive reads it aloud.

OLIVE “For all of our future sundaes.”

She sighs with happiness.

CHUCKThat’s so sweet!

Ned and Emerson snort with derision.

EMERSON(under his breath)

That’s so cheesy, is what that is.

Ned suppresses a laugh.

Olive dances past them, holding the spoon to her heart, without noticing.

All at once, she has a thought.

OLIVEI should get him something! For when I go meet him later!

She rushes to Chuck, a pleading look on her face.

OLIVE (CONT'D)Will you help me?

CHUCKMe?

OLIVESure!

She grabs Chuck by the arm.

OLIVE (CONT'D)We can go shopping - it’ll be fun! A girl’s thing. You know - two girlfriends shopping for their boyfriends.

Before she knows it, Chuck is being pulled halfway out the front door. She looks at Ned.

15.

CHUCKI guess I’ll be back later?

Olive pulls her outside, impatiently.

EXT. PIE HOLE - CONTINUOUS

Olive tugs Chuck’s arm.

OLIVECome on! I know just where to go!

Both women turn and bump into--

--ALFREDO ALDARISO, who was just about to enter The Pie Hole. He’s carrying a suitcase and a bouquet of flowers.

He quickly puts the bouquet under one arm so he can remove his hat.

ALFREDOOlive! Hello!

(noticing Chuck)And hello Ms. Charles.

But, as usual, Olive isn’t paying attention to him. She’s already halfway down the sidewalk.

Chuck shrugs apologetically.

CHUCKBye Alfredo! Can’t talk now! See you later!

And the women disappear around a corner.

Alfredo sighs and turns back to The Pie Hole. He’s a patient man and is used to waiting. He opens the door --

INT. PIE HOLE - DINING AREA - CONTINUOUS

--and FREEZES when he sees all the flowers. His poor little bouquet is tiny in comparison.

Ned and Emerson look up.

NEDOh, hi Alfredo!

ALFREDO What’s all this?

Emerson just shakes his head with disdain.

16.

NEDRocky Rhodes.

ALFREDOWhat?

Ned turns back to his painting.

NEDThe ice cream guru. He’s in love with Olive. He sent her all these flowers.

Emerson clucks his tongue like an old woman while he continues his knitting.

EMERSONIf you ask me, it’s shameful the way a woman can make a powerful man stoop so low. He’s losing all respect in my eyes.

Beat. When neither Ned nor Emerson hear a response from Alfredo, they look up.

He’s gone.

CUT TO:

INT. TOP TOPPINGS SHOP - LATER

Aisles and aisles of sprinkles, nuts, and candied fruit. It’s like Willy Wonka in here. Olive and Chuck are in the aisle marked “NUTS”, and Olive is looking for something in particular.

Suddenly, she shouts triumphantly and holds up a can.

OLIVEAha!

CHUCKWhat? What is that?

Olive smiles.

OLIVE(reminiscing)

Well, Rocky was always a big fan of his triple fudge marshmallow macadamia nut sundae.

17.

CHUCKHence the special flavor for his ice cream line.

OLIVERight. It was the nuts. He was nuts for ‘em, you know? But I actually always preferred pistachios. It actually caused quite a bit of tension between us. We almost broke up over it once.

(shudders)It was horrid.

Beat. She smiles again, dreamily.

OLIVE (CONT'D)Then after we made up, he went out and hunted down this special mix of nuts for us to share.

CHUCK(reading the label)

“Benny’s Mixed Macadamia Pistachio Special.”

OLIVEIt was so sweet. We would sit there, and he’d feed me pistachios, while I fed him macadamia nuts.

She sighs. So does Chuck. She looks like she might cry.

CHUCKYou’re right - this is perfect. I’m sure he’ll love it.

OLIVEWhat are you going to get Ned?

CHUCK(shrugging)

I’ll find something.

CUT TO:

INT. PIE HOLE - DINING AREA - LATER

Olive and Chuck enter, Olive carrying the nuts while Chuck carries a small package, only to find--

--a very nonplussed Ned and Emerson immersed in packages of candy.

18.

Chuck picks up one of the packages and reads the card.

CHUCK“Saccharine confectioneries for my saccharine confectionery.”

Olive squeals and runs back toward the door.

OLIVE(over her shoulder)

I can’t wait anymore! I have to go thank him right now!

The bell jingles behind her.

CHUCKOkay, now I really am jealous.

NEDReally? You don’t think he’s going a little overboard?

Chuck puts the package she was carrying into her pocket.

CHUCKI like flowers. I like candy.

NEDBut I gave you flowers - for your bees, remember?

Emerson shakes his head at him, warning him.

Chuck gives him a look.

CHUCKThis is different.

NEDOkay. Duly noted.

There’s a moment of awkward silence.

Emerson clears his throat.

EMERSONIf you ask me - and nobody did - it all seems a little suspicious to me.

CHUCKWhat do you mean?

19.

Emerson motions toward the excess of flowers and candy piled around them.

EMERSONAll of this? Sweet way of overcompensating, don’t you think?

Ned nods, getting his drift.

NEDYeah - you think he’s hiding something?

Chuck throws up her hands and lets out a frustrated sigh.

CHUCKJust because the man is romantic doesn’t make him a criminal! I LIKE HIM!

(beat)And maybe the two of you should actually take a few notes from him instead of criticizing him!

She storms out of the room.

Ned and Emerson look at each other and shrug.

NEDI still don’t trust the man.

Just then, the door JINGLES again.

It’s Alfredo, and he’s wading through Olive’s gifts toward them, waving a newspaper article in the air.

ALFREDOWhere’s Olive?

NEDWhere else? With Rocky Rhodes.

Alfredo’s eyes widen.

ALFREDO Where specifically?

NEDAt his factory, I guess.

Alfredo slams his newspaper article down on the table.

20.

ALFREDOWe have to go save her!

CUT TO:

INT. ROCKY RHODES’ ICE CREAM FACTORY - SIMULTANEOUS

Olive eagerly walks down a long corridor of ice cream freezers displaying Rocky’s ice cream. She is carrying the can of nuts she bought him, and his office can be seen in the distance at the end of the hallway.

ALFREDO (V.O.)Rocky Rhodes’ wife went missing and there are rumors that she’s been murdered!

Olive begins to notice some of the names of the different flavors of ice cream and smiles, reminiscing.

Then, seeing a freezer full of triple fudge marshmallow macadamia nut sundae, she just has to stop and take a look.

She pulls open the door.

Taking out a quart, she smiles at it--

--but then notices a bluish something that looks like a HUMAN HAND peeking out from behind the rows of ice cream.

She quickly shifts some of the quarts, only to discover--

--THE FROZEN CORPSE OF CANDY SUCRAY.

Olive GASPS.

Suddenly, two LEATHER-GLOVED HANDS appear from behind her, covering her face with a cloth.

She faints, dropping her can of nuts to the floor. They scatter everywhere.

END OF ACT TWO.

21.

ACT THREE

EXT. ROCKY RHODES’ ICE CREAM FACTORY - DAY

A huge, candy-colored building. Ned, Chuck, Emerson, and Alfredo arrive on the scene to discover a gaggle of POLICE and REPORTERS.

Ned turns to Emerson.

NEDI thought you said there weren’t any cases.

Emerson looks at him with disdain.

EMERSONThis is a missing persons case. I don’t do missing persons. It’s not my area of expertise.

Rocky, wearing leather gloves and sunglasses, shyly addresses the crowd.

ROCKYI’m s-s-sorry, but I have n-n-no information for you at this t-t-time.

Emerson approaches a nearby REPORTER.

EMERSONWhat’s going on?

REPORTERCandy Sucray’s body has been found.

Emerson raises an eyebrow.

EMERSONOkay. Now it really is my area of expertise.

Just then, Rocky notices Olive’s friends and motions them aside.

ROCKY(to reporters)

Excuse me, p-p-please.

The police push the reporters away.

Ned, Emerson, Chuck, and Alfredo join Rocky away from the crowd.

22.

Rocky removes his sunglasses. His eyes are brimming with tears.

ROCKY (CONT'D)Where’s Olive?

EMERSONWe were just about to ask you the same question.

ROCKYShe was supposed to meet me at my office, but never showed up. I’m concerned about her.

The men all look at him suspiciously.

NEDAren’t you upset about Candy?

Rocky reacts with shock.

ROCKYOf course I am!

CUT TO:

INT. DARK ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Olive sits, bound, blindfolded, and gagged, struggling to get loose.

ROCKY (V.O.)But I’m also worried that whatever happened to Candy is going to happen to Olive.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROCKY RHODES’ ICE CREAM FACTORY - CONTINUOUS

Chuck looks at Rocky, who looks genuinely upset. She pats him on the shoulder.

CHUCKDon’t worry, Rocky. We’ll find Olive.

Rocky has to fight to hold back his tears.

ROCKYThank you. I just found her - I can’t lose her again.

23.

He can’t bear it anymore - he retreats into his factory.

Emerson turns to Ned.

EMERSONI guess we have to make a visit to our friendly neighborhood coroner.

Ned and Chuck nod - then the three of them look at Alfredo.

Alfredo’s still looking at the door Rocky used to enter his factory.

ALFREDO(suspicious)

You guys go ahead. I’ll stay here with Rocky.

CUT TO:

INT. MORGUE - LATER

Ned, Chuck and Emerson stand staring at the frozen corpse of Candy Sucray. Ned is just about to touch her, when he has a question.

NED(to Chuck)

Why’d you comfort the bad guy?

CHUCKWhat?

NEDThe bad guy. Rocky Rhodes. Why’d you pat him on the shoulder to make him feel better?

CHUCKTo make him feel better.

NEDWhy?

CHUCKI don’t think he did it.

Emerson is getting impatient.

EMERSONCan we just get on with this, please?

24.

NED(ignoring him)

Why not?

CHUCK(shrugging)

I can just tell.

Ned raises an eyebrow.

NEDHow?

CHUCKHe was really sad.

Emerson snorts.

EMERSONPlease.

CHUCKHe was!

EMERSONAw hell! Enough with the lovers’ bickering! How about we find out from someone who actually knows?

He grabs Ned’s hand and forces him to touch Candy’s blue nose. She gasps to life.

NEDHey! I feel violated!

EMERSONJust start your stopwatch, you fool.

Ned meekly obeys.

Candy looks at them.

CANDYHello?

CHUCKCandy?

CANDYNo thanks. I’m diabetic.

She snorts at her own joke.

25.

EMERSONShe means you’re Candy Sucray, right?

CANDYNo, officer, I’m not - except from 9 to 5.

Candy laughs a brittle laugh that sounds as if it’s frozen.

EMERSONFirstly, I’m not a cop. And secondly, what do you mean?

CANDY2Well, I’m Ms. Sucray’s publicity double. I make public appearances on her behalf.

They all stare at her. Emerson holds a picture of Candy next to her face.

CHUCKWow! You sure look just like her!

Candy2 smiles.

CANDY2Well, that is my job.

(proudly)It took several good plastic surgeons, but now you can’t even tell that I’m not her. Even her husband keeps getting us confused.

Ned checks his watch, and Candy2 glances around.

CANDY2 (CONT'D)Wait a minute - where am I? This doesn’t look like a celebrity birthday party-

Just then, Ned touches her and she returns to being dead.

EMERSONSo where the hell is the real Candy Sucray?

CUT TO:

INT. DARK ROOM

A DARK, FEMININE FIGURE approaches Olive and removes her blindfold.

26.

Olive’s eyes widen. She gasps something that is indecipherable because of her gag.

The figure laughs. It’s Candy.

CANDYI’m assuming that was my name.

Olive nods.

CANDY (CONT'D)I’d hoped the next time we met would’ve been a better opportunity for me to gloat over you about my success, but I guess this’ll have to do instead.

Olive mutters something else indecipherable that sounds like a question.

CANDY (CONT'D)No, I’m not going to kill you - yet. Even though you deserve it. I need to find something out first.

Candy throws a crude LETTER written with CUTOUT LETTERS on the table in front of Olive and watches her reaction.

Olive is puzzled, and the letter’s far too long to be a good threatening letter so it takes her a minute to read it. But when she finishes, she reacts with shock.

Candy looks her closely in the eye.

CANDY (CONT'D)I don’t trust you. I can’t read your reaction. I can’t tell whether or not you actually had anything to do with this death threat.

Candy looks down and notices Rocky’s ring on the chain around Olive’s neck.

She touches it gently, and her eyes harden.

CANDY (CONT'D)He always did love you, you know. He wouldn’t shut up about you. How much he missed you. How much he regretted what he’d done. And he always wore this ring. “As a reminder,” he said. So if he ever got a second chance, he wouldn’t mess it up again.

27.

Candy looks like she might cry. But she laughs instead.

CANDY (CONT'D)It’s enough to drive any wife nuts-

She pulls out a HYPODERMIC NEEDLE and injects Olive with it.

CANDY (CONT'D)-don’t you think?

She re-blindfolds Olive and leaves, slamming the door behind her.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROCKY RHODES’ ICE CREAM FACTORY - ROCKY’S OFFICE - DAY

Big and imposing. Alfredo sits in a chair, watching Rocky carefully and with distrust. Rocky goes on with his work.

Ned, Chuck, and Emerson enter. Rocky stands.

ROCKYHave you found anything?

EMERSONHow about you tell us about Candy.

ROCKY(surprised)

Okay.

CUT TO:

INT. SENOR SORBET’S ICE CREAM PARLOR - DAY (PAST)

It is again that fateful afternoon, but Olive has not yet arrived. In fact, Rocky is still sitting alone, waiting for her and eating his sundae.

Candy approaches him and sits down.

ROCKY (V.O.)I’d always kind of known Candy from school. Then one day while I was waiting for Olive to finish riding practice, she joined me at Señor Sorbet’s.

Candy looks at Rocky, ever-so-innocently.

CANDYWhy, hello there, Mr. Rocky. How come you’re all alone?

28.

ROCKYHey Candy. Olive’s meeting me after she’s done riding practice.

Candy draws with her finger on the table.

CANDYWhat’s that you’re eating?

ROCKYThis? It’s my usual triple fudge marshmallow macadamia nut sundae.

Candy licks her lips, seductively.

CANDYMmm! Sounds yummy! Can I try?

Rocky blushes.

ROCKYUh - I d-d-don’t think that’s such a g-g-good idea, Candy.

Candy widens her eyes.

CANDYWhy not? Just a teensy weensy taste won’t hurt anybody, will it?

ROCKYWell, it’s j-j-just that I’ve never shared it with anybody-

-but before he can finish, she has taken a spoon and dipped it into the ice cream. She relishes it with genuine and almost orgasmic glee.

ROCKY (CONT'D)(to himself)

-b-b-but Olive.

CANDYThis is fantastic!

Rocky smiles, relaxing.

ROCKYReally? It’s my special combination.

CANDYYou came up with this yourself?

29.

ROCKY(shrugging)

I like to experiment with flavors.(beat)

One day I hope to make my own ice cream.

Candy leans her elbows - and her chest - on the table, placing her chin in her hands.

CANDYWell, you know, my father is the richest man in town - he could finance your business-

(beat, she leans forward and whispers)

-if I asked him to.

Rocky looks into her eyes, considering the offer.

At that moment, Olive enters the restaurant and catches them together. She and Rocky begin fighting (MOS.)

ROCKY (V.O.)And that’s how Olive found us. In that stupid, incriminating tête-à-tête. She had every right to be angry.

Olive throws down Rocky’s ring and storms out.

Rocky looks like he’s about to cry.

Candy maneuvers herself into his side of the booth and puts her arm around him.

CANDYI’m serious. My father will finance your business if I ask him to. My daddy likes whoever I like.

Rocky looks at her.

ROCKYWhat are you asking me to do?

Candy just smiles at him. Then she notices Olive watching them and takes a big, sensuous spoonful of ice cream.

CUT TO:

30.

INT. ROCKY’S OFFICE - DAY (PRESENT)

Emerson, Ned, and Alfredo are all pacing, while Chuck stands still, rapt with Rocky’s story.

ROCKYIt didn’t take long for Candy to put me in a position where I had to marry her in order for my dream to come true.

He looks at Chuck, pleading.

ROCKY (CONT'D)And Olive had left - I knew she’d never come back.

(beat)But I’ve regretted it ever since.

The men are still pacing. Rocky finally turns to them.

ROCKY (CONT'D)Why? What’s going on?

EMERSONWould Candy have any reason to hurt Olive?

ROCKY(confused)

Well, she always knew I loved Olive and not her - but what does that matter?

Ned can’t keep it in any longer.

NEDCandy’s still alive!

Rocky turns very, very pale.

ROCKYB-b-but she’s been g-g-gone for more than three d-d-days already anyway...

Emerson looks at him suspiciously.

EMERSONDoes Candy have any secret hideouts?

31.

ROCKY(nodding)

Follow me.

END OF ACT THREE.

32.

ACT FOUR

EXT. DARK ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Rocky leads them to a big door and pulls out a key.

ROCKYCandy had this room built for storage of all her private papers. She wouldn’t let me have a key - every wife has her secrets, she said - but I made a copy one day anyway.

He unlocks the door.

ROCKY (CONT'D)Just in case.

He opens the door and turns on the lights to discover--

INT. DARK ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Candy, passed out and tied up in a chair. Olive holds her captive.

OLIVEThank goodness you’re here! I’ve had a lot of trouble keeping her still.

Now that the lights are on, the walls are visible - and they’re covered with surveillance photos of Olive.

Chuck looks around.

CHUCKWow. She sure was obsessed with you.

OLIVEI know - right?

Rocky runs to Olive and takes her in his arms.

ROCKYI was so scared! I had no idea about all this - I’m sorry.

Olive looks up at him and smiles.

OLIVEIt’s not your fault. And I’m safe now.

33.

They kiss.

Alfredo looks away. So do Ned, Chuck, and Emerson.

Emerson notices something and moves to a corner of the room. He picks up a business card.

EMERSONOh no she did not - she actually hired Thomas Fish as her P.I.?

Ned and Chuck give him a look.

EMERSON (CONT'D)That man is the bane of my existence. He steals all my best customers.

Olive and Rocky pull away from their kiss. She looks up to him and smiles seductively.

OLIVE Now we can follow through with our plan.

Rocky tenses.

Emerson turns back, his curiosity piqued.

EMERSONWhat plan?

No one listens.

Instead, Rocky narrows his eyes and peers closely at Olive. Then he pulls away.

ROCKYYou’re not Olive.

Alfredo turns back to her, now also curious. So do Ned and Chuck.

CHUCKWhat’s going on Rocky?

OLIVE(laughing, to Rocky)

What do you mean?

But Rocky just walks to the others, pleading with them.

ROCKYThat’s not Olive!

34.

OLIVERocky?

He turns back to her, frustrated.

ROCKYOlive didn’t know anything about the plan.

Emerson’s getting frustrated.

EMERSONWhat plan?

Alfredo, Ned, and Chuck look back and forth from Olive to Rocky, awaiting an answer.

There’s a long beat.

Finally, Olive’s expression changes to one of contempt.

She reaches up -

- and pulls off her WIG.

She is actually Candy!

Alfredo, realizing that it’s Olive tied up in the chair, runs to her and begins untying her.

CANDY(to Rocky)

So you wrote that death threat all by yourself?

Alfredo, Chuck, and Ned all gasp and look at Rocky.

He gives in and nods.

ROCKYHow’d you know it was me?

Candy slowly approaches him and plants a big, unwanted kiss on his cheek.

She chuckles.

CANDYThe cut-out letters all came from labels of your ice cream.

He shrugs, sheepish.

35.

ROCKYI guess it wasn’t a very well-thought-out plan.

Candy’s eyes flash, and she grins.

CANDY You know, I think I’m actually proud of you.

Rocky hangs his head, ashamed.

CUT TO:

EXT. ROCKY RHODES’ ICE CREAM FACTORY - LATER

Ned, Chuck, Emerson, Alfredo, and Olive stand and watch as the police take both Rocky and Candy away in handcuffs.

Olive is a little woozy, so Alfredo puts his arm around her to steady her.

Chuck shakes her head.

CHUCKI can’t believe that, this whole time, Rocky actually was a murderer.

EMERSONA man can only handle so much manipulation before he cracks. This one just cracked on the wrong girl.

Olive fights back tears.

OLIVERocky didn’t actually KILL anybody.

(quieter)He just had the INTENT to kill somebody.

Chuck puts her hand on Olive’s shoulder.

CHUCK(gently)

Actually, he DID kill Candy’s publicity double, thinking it was her.

Olive breaks down.

36.

OLIVE That bastard! I can’t believe I’m losing him all over again!

Alfredo takes her into his arms to comfort her. She hardly notices.

Ned is oddly quiet. Chuck notices this, and moves beside him.

CHUCK(quietly, to Ned)

What’s wrong?

Ned glances at Olive.

NEDI feel bad for her. I can’t help but be sorry that her heart has been broken, you know?

He looks directly into Chuck’s eyes. There’s a deeper meaning to what he’s saying, and she knows it.

Chuck looks away, hiding that she’s wiping a tear from her own eye.

They walk in silence for a moment. Then Chuck leans closer to Ned and points at Alfredo, who’s tenderly guiding Olive along.

CHUCKI think Olive will be OK.

Ned looks at Chuck, seeing the pain on her face. She feels guilty too.

He just smiles and nods.

INT. PIE HOLE - DINING AREA - LATER

All of the bouquets and packages are gone. Ned sits at a booth, quietly eating a slice of pie. He is very contemplative.

Suddenly, Chuck emerges from the kitchen, smiling shyly. She sits down across from him and just watches him eat for a moment.

Ned smiles back.

Chuck pulls a small package out of hiding and puts it on the table.

37.

CHUCKI got you something.

Ned looks at her quizzically.

CHUCK (CONT'D)Open it!

Ned carefully puts down his fork and picks up the package.

He slowly tears off the paper.

Inside is a box of COOKIES.

NEDLadyfingers?

He looks up at Chuck, puzzled.

CHUCK I know it’s not much, but when Olive and I went shopping, I was trying to think of what to get you, and so I tried to think of what it is you most might want.

(she takes a deep breath)But all I could think of is what I most want-

She looks up at him, smiling, with tears in her eyes.

CHUCK (CONT'D)-and what I most want more than anything is to be able to touch you. For you to be able to hold my hand. REALLY hold my hand - with our skin touching and everything.

He looks back down at the box. Understanding dawns on his face.

NEDSo these Ladyfingers are supposed to stand in for YOUR “lady fingers”?

She nods. Tears are slowly trickling down her face.

CHUCKIt’s cheesy, I know. But it was just supposed to be a silly gift from a girlfriend to her boyfriend.

He smiles.

38.

NEDI like them. Thank you.

Chuck begins to cry harder. Ned becomes concerned.

NED (CONT'D)What’s wrong?

CHUCKI love you.

NEDI love you, too.

Chuck hiccups a little, trying to regain composure.

CHUCKSo I understand if it’s too much for you. With someone like Olive, you could do all those things you can’t do with me.

She looks at him. She can’t make herself say any more.

Ned sighs.

NEDThe same goes for you, you know.

Chuck stops crying. She hadn’t thought of this.

NED (CONT'D)You could always leave me for someone else. It goes both ways.

Chuck looks down.

NED (CONT'D)But you don’t. And I don’t.

Ned pulls a TOWEL off of the string of his apron and drapes it over Chuck’s hand. Then he puts his hand on top of hers.

He smiles reassuringly.

NED (CONT'D)And I won’t.

Chuck smiles back. Then she sniffles and dabs her tears away with a hankie.

39.

I/E. PIE HOLE - CONTINUOUS

From outside the window, Olive watches Ned and Chuck as they share their tender moment.

EXT. PIE HOLE - CONTINUOUS

She frowns and turns away.

OLIVE(singing)

I'm through with loveI'll never fall again.Said adieu to loveDon't ever call again.For I must have you or no oneAnd so I'm through with love.I've locked my heartI'll keep my feelings there.I have stocked my heart with icy, frigid air.And I mean to care for no oneBecause I'm through with love.

She walks away, sadly.

Meanwhile, from around the corner, Alfredo stands watching her as she leaves, again holding a bouquet of flowers.

ALFREDO(singing)

Goodbye to spring and all it meant to meIt can never bring the thing that used to be.For I must have you or no oneAnd so I'm through with love.

He throws the bouquet in the trash and walks away in the opposite direction that Olive just went.

Chuck and Ned continue on in their tender moment, oblivious to anything going on outside.

END OF ACT FOUR.

40.