Shawn

Previously on The 4400.

(opening scene: 4400 Center, Richard’s apartment; he and Isabelle have dinner)

Isabelle

I need you to talk to Shawn.  Tell him he can’t break up with me.  It would be a mistake.

Richard

(in Shawn’s apartment)  Isabelle's not giving up, not without a fight.

Isabelle

(to Shawn in a foyer)  I don’t want this relationship to end.  So, it’s not going to.

Tom

(to Kyle, in his room)  I know I haven’t always been there for you, Kyle.  But I thought we had a pretty good relationship.

Kyle

We do.  It’s just: growing up with a dad who works for the FBI, NTAC, it can be pretty intense, you know?

Marco

(in Diana's apartment)  You’re supposed to say: I wanted to.

Diana

Don’t push your luck.  (she kisses him)

Tom

(to Alana, on a roadway)  I told you what we were doing, and you used it to betray me.

Alana

Ryland is responsible for the death of twenty-eight 4400s.  (scene of Alana’s incarceration)  Twenty-eight people that might’ve changed the world for the better, were they allowed to live.

Ryland

Alana will be prosecuted like any other member of the Nova group.

Alana

(to Tom)  You’re one of the only good men left in this fight.

Tom

(to Alana)  I’ll find a way to bring you back.  I promise.  (he watches Alana and Gary leave for Canada in a car)

(begin episode: in a multi-storied house; Erika runs up several flights of stairs to the roof, running away from someone)

Patrick

Hi, Erika.

Erika

(panicking)  Stay away.  (she backpedals across the roof)

Patrick

I’m not going to hurt you, Erika.  I just want to talk.

Erika

No.  That’s what you always said.  That’s how you used to get me up into your room.

Patrick

I mean it now.  I swear.  This time, I’m for real.

Erika

I’m not going to let you touch me!  (she steps onto the edge of the roof, looks down)

Patrick

It’s okay.  Uncle Patrick’s here.  (he extends a hand; but Erika leaps to her death)

(scene change: Tom’s house; he picks up newspapers, check’s his mail; several pieces are for Alana; a car pulls up, and a man carrying a basket of cookies get out)

Randy

Tom Baldwin?  (Tom turns)  I need your initial by the X.

Tom

What is it?

Randy

Sorry, man.  Not a psychic.  (Tom smiles as he signs; enters his house with the basket)

Tom

(reading a card)  These are not dinner.  Hang in there.  Diana.  (the phone rings)  Baldwin.  (he bites into a cookie)

(scene change: on the street where Erika jumped)

Diana

Jarvis said, this is not a suicide.  Any idea why we got called?

Tom

Not really.  She said, there’s a DEA agent at the scene.  Apparently, he requested an NTAC presence.  (as they walk)  Hey, by the way, thanks for the cookies.  That was really thoughtful.

Diana

Cookies?

Tom

Yeah.  The basket full of cookies, the ones you sent.  Why are you looking at me like that?

Diana

I didn’t send you anything, Tom.  In fact, I was going to thank you.

Tom

Thank me?  For what?

Diana

I got a basket of cookies, too.  Maybe an hour ago from you.  At least, that’s what the card said.

Tom

I didn’t send you anything, either.

Matt

You two from NTAC?

Diana

Yes.

Matt

Matt Ruddy.  I’m with the DEA.  (he moves a barrier)  Come on in.  I guarantee, you’ll find this interesting.  (referring to the deceased)  Her name’s Erika Lundgren.  She’s our third suicide in the past two weeks.

Tom

Why is the DEA investigating suicides?

Matt

Because we think they’re all connected.  For the past six weeks or so, we’ve been hearing about a new recreational drug hitting the streets.  It’s called Blink.  We got a small sample off a dealer we arrested.

Diana

But why call us?  It’s hardly our area of expertise.

Matt

We had the sample analyzed.  One of the components our laboratory guys isolated was like nothing he’d even seen before.  So, they did some more checking.  It’s similar to what they found in the 4400s.  What do you call it?  Promicin?

Diana

What?  So this drug Blink: you think a 4400 is synthesizing it?

Matt

That’s why I called you guys.  If there’s a 4400 involved in this, I figure you could help track him down.

Tom

(looking at Erika’s body)  Absolutely.  It’d help if we knew more about this drug.

Matt

We don’t know much about it, except it seems to be a powerful hallucinogen.

Tom

Well, how do you know Erika Lundgren was on Blink when she jumped?

Matt

Her roommate told us.  (he points to a woman)

Roommate

Erika took Blink this morning.  Pretty soon after that, she started telling me she was seeing her uncle.  She was really freaked out.  I mean, the guy’s in some prison for twelve or more years.

Tom

Do you know where she got the drug?

Roommate

When Erika wanted to get high, she’d go see this guy she went to school with.  I guess he deals now.  I mean, I don’t know if that’s where she got it from, but his name’s Greg.  He usually hangs out in Cowen Park.  He always wears this old high school varsity jacket.  Erika said, he used to be a track star or something.

Tom

(to a policeman)  Tony.  Take care of her.  Thank you.

Diana

We should probably head to Cowen Park, find out where this guy Greg gets his Blink.

Dad

(passes Tom on the street)  Hello, Tommy.

Tom

(turning around in amazement)  Dad?

Dad

Hey, Tommy.  You’re standing in the middle of the street.  Better be careful.

Diana

Tom?  (car honks at Tom)  Tom, what are you doing?  (she pulls on his arm)  Come on.  Off the road.  What’s going on?

Tom

Diana, that DEA guy: he said, Blink causes hallucinations, right?

Diana

Of course.  Why?

Tom

Because I think I just saw my father.  He was right over there.

Diana

Tom, you father’s been dead nine years.

Tom

Exactly.

Diana

(walking quickly to keep up)  Tom, slow down.  Why would anyone want to slip you Blink?

Tom

I don’t know.  Maybe it’s some bitter 4400.  Someone who hates NTAC.

Diana

Yeah, maybe.  But I ate a cookie, too.  I’m not seeing a dead relative.  I feel fine.  Listen, Tom, you’ve been under a lot of stress lately.  All this talk of hallucinations: your mind just decided to play tricks on you.

Tom

(not convinced)  Yeah, maybe.

Diana

Still though, I think I should probably drive.  (Tom hands her the keys)

Dad

(in the backseat of the car)  Well, what do you want to talk about?

Tom

Diana, do you see him?

Diana

See who?

Tom

My Father.  He’s right there.  (pointing)

Diana

Tom, I don’t see anything.

Dad

Nobody else can see me, pal.  I’m just here for you.

Tom

Just be quiet!  You’re not real!

Diana

Listen to me, Tom.  There’s no one there.

Dad

Real or not real, I’m here, and you’re going to have to deal with me.

Tom

What do you want, Dad?

Dad

It’s not what I want.  It’s what you want.  You’re the one who brought me here.  Must be something you want to say to me.

Tom

I’ve got nothing to say to you.

Diana

Tom, listen to me.  There is no one back there.  You just have to try and calm down.

Tom

Yes, there is, Diana.  He’s right—he’s gone.  He was right there, Diana.  I swear.

Diana

Tom, I’m going to take you into NTAC Medical, all right?  (Tom nods)  It’s going to be fine.

(scene change: Shawn’s bedroom; he and Isabelle are in bed; he begins to dress)

Isabelle

That was nice.  See?  It all still works between us.  I’m glad you came back.  (she hugs him)

Shawn

Isabelle, not right now, okay?  (rises)  I’ve got stuff I should do.

Isabelle

(holds him back)  Let it wait.

Shawn

Isabelle.

Isabelle

This time—if you want—I could make you think I’m someone else.  Anyone you’ve ever had a fantasy about?  I can make the Earth move for us.  Literally.

Shawn

Isabelle, you don’t need to use your abilities to tempt me.  Believe me: you’re just fine on your own.  (continues dressing)  I’ve just got to go.

Isabelle

You never used to leave right after.  We’ve lost something, haven’t we?  I mean, we still fit together and everything, but it’s not the same, is it?

Shawn

No, it’s not.

Isabelle

And, we keep pretending everything’s the same way it used to be.  I still keep pretending.

Shawn

How’s it working for you?

Isabelle

(irritated)  Not well.  (sighs)  I think I know what we need to do.

Shawn

(misunderstanding)  Good.  I’m glad you realize it, too.

Isabelle

We have to get married.  It’s the only way we can be sure we’ll never lose each other.  (she kisses him)

Shawn

Isabelle!

Isabelle

You go do your stuff.  I’ll start thinking about a guest list.

(scene change: NTAC Medical; Diana and Nina look on)

Doctor

Your CAT scan came back fine, but your blood pressure is still a little elevated.  Aside from that, your vitals are holding steady.

Nina

What about his labs?  Any drugs in his system?

Doctor

The toxscreen is negative, but that’s not surprising, because we don’t know a lot about testing Blink.  We’ve given you a mild sedative, but that’s all we can do for the moment.

Tom

So, I can go home, right?  I haven’t seen my Dad in—what?—six hours.

Doctor

Well, typically, it takes about forty-eight hours for a psychotropic drug to leave your system.  We don’t know much about Blink. 

Diana

So, it’s impossible to say how long the effects will last.  Or, how severe they will be.

Doctor

Hallucinogens tend to affect everyone differently.  It depends on what kind of issues you’re carrying in your subconscious.

Nina

All right.  I’ll have Garrity give you both a ride home.  You two are taking a couple of days off.

Diana

I don’t need a couple of days.  I feel fine.

Nina

Yeah.  But you ate the cookies, too.  And until we’re sure the drugs are out of your system, you’re both on medical leave.

(scene change: 4400 Center; Richard’s apartment)

Shawn

(to Isabelle)  I spoke to your dad about our conversation.  We wanted to talk to you together.  I don’t know if you’re serious about this whole proposal thing, but we need to nip it in the bud right now.  You and me getting married is not a good idea.

Richard

You’re both too young, and neither of you are ready for that kind of commitment.  I can’t allow it.  I’m your father, and I’m telling you this is not going to happen.

Shawn

Your father speaks for both of us.  I’m not going along with this.

Isabelle

I get what the both of you are saying.  There are millions of reasons why we shouldn’t get married.  There are just more reason why we should.  Did either of you ever think that maybe this relationship was meant to happen?  That Shawn and I were set up to meet, fall in love?

Shawn

Isabelle, I don’t love you.

Isabelle

Shawn, you and I are the two most powerful people on the planet.  We’re supposed to be together.  Who else is good enough for you?

Richard

Isabelle, the man just told you straight up.  He doesn’t want to marry you.  How much clearer does he have to be?  You have to accept that.

Isabelle

(rising)  No.  I don’t.  Actually, you two need to change the way you’re thinking.  Maybe it would help if you thought about it like an arranged marriage.  (she sits on the coffee table in front of Shawn)  The future wants us to be together.  (Shawn looks sidewise at Richard)  We’re going to be together.  I’ll make sure of it.

(scene change: Tom’s house, outside)

Diana

Are you sure you’re going to be okay alone?  Because, I can stay with you if you’d like.

Tom

No.  I’m fine.  With any luck, that stuff’s worn off already.

Diana

Well, call if you need anything.

Tom

I will.  Good night.  (he ascends the step into his house)

Diana

Good night.  (she walks to the car)  Okay, Garrity.  You can take me home now.

Josh

(turning around)  Hey, Diana!

Diana

(surprised)  Josh?

Josh

It’s good to see you.  You look—(pause)—different.

Diana

You look exactly the same.  What are you doing here?

Josh

There’s some stuff that we need to talk about.

Diana

I don’t think so.  I mean, we haven’t spoken in—what?—eleven years?  I don’t see any reason to change that.

Josh

That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?  (Garrity approaches)  We’ve been through a lot together.

Diana

No.  You put me through a lot.  There’s a difference.

Garrity

(touches Diana)  You all right?  It looked like you were just talking to yourself.

Diana

No.  I’m not okay.  I think I got slipped a dose of Blink, too.

Garrity

Really.  Who’d you see?

Diana

No one.  Just some guy I used to know.

(scene change: Diana's apartment; she and Marco talk)

Marco

You were engaged?

Diana

Yeah.  In grad school.  I had to take a physics course.  Josh Sandler was the teaching assistant, and we dated for three years.  I’m sorry.  I know it’s a lot to spring on you.

Marco

Yeah.  Well, you never said anything.

Diana

Well, it’s not something I particularly like to take about.

Marco

Uh, I don’t want to sound jealous of a hallucination, but—uh—you must think about his guy a lot, huh?  Hey, Tom’s seeing his dad.  You know, that makes sense.  Every kid’s father is buried deep in their psyche.  Erika Lundgren saw her uncle.  I mean, who knows what kind of history they had.

Diana

Look.  I can’t answer for her, but I can tell you that Josh and I have plenty of our own history and most of it bad.  We had a fight about ten days before the wedding, broke the engagement.  It was ugly.

Marco

Do you want to talk about it?

Diana

No.  The last thing I want to do is talk about Josh Sandler.  Listen.  I’m exhausted, and I just want to take a shower and get into bed.

Marco

You want some company?

Diana

No.  Not tonight.  I’ll call you in the morning.  (kisses him)

Marco

Okay.  (exits)

(scene change: Tom’s house)

Dad

You got the place to yourself now, huh?  A lot of room for one guy.  You know, now that Alana’s gone, you ought to think about selling the place.  Get some kind of an apartment.

Tom

Thanks for the suggestion, Dad.  I like it fine here.

Dad

Still holding out for your son to come home, huh?  I’ve got to tell you, buddy, I don’t think that’s going to happen.  Hey, don’t get mad.  Trying to have a conversation here, except you’re not saying anything.

Tom

I wouldn’t even know were to start.

Dad

(sits down)  Uh, pick a topic.

Tom

(exasperated)  Fine.  Let’s talk about when I was a kid.  I used to hate coming home when I knew you were going to be there.  I mean, you were nasty to Mom.  You drank.  You hated being a beat cop so much that you did everything you could to keep me out of law enforcement.  When I did get into the FBI, you never called.  You never said congratulations.  Too busy being jealous of your own damn kid.  (Dad disappears)  Okay.  I’m officially talking to myself now.

Dad

(later)  Feeling better?  Come on, Tommy.  You’re a grownup.  I never figured you’d still be carrying so much anger towards me.  Being a father—you know how complicated it gets.  Look at you and Kyle.  The kid’s in jail.  He won’t even talk to you, let alone see you.

Tom

Kyle needs some time, and I’m giving it to him.  That’s called respect.  I have always been there for him, good times and bad.  I didn’t learn that from you.

Dad

I know I wasn’t much of a father.  I tried to be there for you and Susan.

Tom

Look for understanding someplace else.  In fact, why don’t you do us a favor and just go away?

Dad

That’s not going to happen.

Tom

Fine.  Then I will.  (he leaves the house to find his Dad outside)

Dad

You can’t just walk away, pal.  It ain’t going to be that easy to get rid of me.

Tom

If you won’t go away, I’ll make you go away.  I’m going to find the 4400 who’s doing this to me, and I’m going to force him to stop it.

Dad

You’re going back on the case?  I’ll come with you.

Tom

No.  No.  I’m not working an investigation with my dead Father.

Dad

I don’t think you’ve got much of a choice, Tom.  Either I come along for the ride, or you and me go back inside and talk some more.

Tom

(frustrated)  Fine.  Just don’t show up when I’m in the middle of talking to somebody, okay?

Dad

No problem.  It’s been a long time since I worked a case.  It’s going to be fun.

(scene change: Diana’s apartment)

Josh

(sitting at the kitchen table)  You still make those late night bowls of Ben & Jerry’s, huh?

Diana

Josh, I want you to go away.  Just stop showing up in my life.

Josh

You know, it’s funny.  But you’d only make yourself ice cream after everybody else had gone to bed.  I used to wonder what that said about you.  (they sit in the living room)  You know, you’re going to have to talk to me eventually.

Diana

No.  You see, you’re a hallucination.  So, I just have to make a conscious choice to ignore you, and eventually, you’ll be gone.

Josh

That’s a good plan.  I just don’t think it’s going to work.  See, there’s a reason I’m here, Diana.  There has to be.

Diana

You’re random, just a mental hiccup.  Josh Sandler isn’t even dead.  I Googled him tonight.  He teaches astronomy at Pomona College.

Josh

So?  That’s the present day Josh Sandler.  Your issues are with me, the guy you were engaged to.

Diana

(angry)  I don’t have any issues!

Maia

(opening her door)  Mommy?  Are you okay?

Diana

I’m fine, Sweetie.  I’m just practicing something for work.  Come on.  Let’s get you to bed.

(scene change: on a rooftop)

Tom

You were engaged?

Diana

Why does everyone have such a hard time believing that?

Tom

Well, it’s not a hard time believing it.  Just—well, you never told me.

Diana

It was a long time ago.  It didn’t work out.  Listen.  I’m glad you called.  I don’t like the idea of a drug in my system that caused three suicides.

Tom

These hallucinations we’re having: so far, it doesn’t seem like the same thing Erika Lundgren went through.  All my Dad wants to do is talk.

Diana

I know.  Josh hasn’t threatened me, either.

Tom

As long as it stays that way, there’s no reason we can’t use our free time to look into this case.

Diana

There’s that delivery service.  If we can track down the source of those cookies, maybe we can find the 4400 who’s behind all of this.

Tom

And, there’s Cowen Park.  That dealer doesn’t know anyone’s looking for him.  I’ll take the park.  You take the delivery service.

Diana

Sounds good.  Anything but waiting around for my ex to show up.

(scene change: 4400 Center)

Shawn

Devon, all of these messages are from this morning?

Devon

Yeah.  Well, everyone wants to congratulate you on your engagement.  Don’t you want to start returning?

Shawn

No.  I don’t want to talk to anyone.

Devon

Not even your mother?  I have her on hold.

Shawn

Yeah.  Thank you, Devon.  (he picks up the phone)  Mom.  Hey.  No.  Mom.  Mom, who told you I got engaged?  No.  I’m coming right over.  (he hangs up; in a courtyard)  Mom, where are you?

Isabelle

(to Susan, sitting on a porch looking at family pictures)  A little mischievous one, wasn’t he?  So cute.  Look at those eyes.  Look at that little butt!

Shawn

Somebody tell me what’s going on here?

Susan

If it isn’t Mr. Secretive.  I’m just showing your fiancée your baby pictures.  (Shawn kisses her)  Consider it punishment of not making me the first phone call.  Come on.  Sit.

Shawn

I’d love to, but Isabelle and I have to actually get going.  We have a lot to talk about.

Susan

You bet we do.  My oldest boy is getting married, and I’m going to help plan the wedding.

Shawn

I promise we won’t make any decisions without you.  But, Isabelle, we need to go now.

Isabelle

Shawn, you’re being rude.

Shawn

I don’t mean to be, but we really need to go.  Now.

Isabelle

(to Susan)  It was really nice seeing you again.

Susan

You, too.

Isabelle

I love your son very much.  (she exits with Shawn)

(scene change: in a taxi)

Josh

We should probably be heading in the other direction.

Diana

Great.  You’re back.

Josh

We’re going to Covington, right?

Diana

You shouldn’t backseat drive, Josh.  You know it was always one of your least flattering qualities.

Driver

Could you speak up a bit, ma’am?  I didn’t catch that.

Diana

I wasn’t talking to you.  I was just—(she closes the window between the front and back seats)

Josh

Sorry.  I don’t mean to be annoying.  I’m sorry for everything, actually.  The way things worked out with us.  I just had to say that out loud.

Diana

Apology not accepted.  Do you mind just being quiet?

Josh

You know, I have to admit: this is not how I pictured you at all.  I mean, working for the government.  You’re carrying a gun.  The whole thing with us: the wedding.  It really must have changed you.

Diana

As usual, Josh, you’re placing yourself at the center of everything.  Maybe I have changed, but it’s got nothing to do with you.  In fact, until you showed up yesterday, I hadn’t even thought about you in five years.  (Josh smiles)  What?

Josh

It’s just that your left eye still does that little twitching thing when you lie.

(scene change: delivery place)

Randy

Yeah.  I remember you.  The gift basket.

Diana

Right.  Well, there were cookies inside, and we have reason to believe that they were laced with an illegal drug.

Randy

Hey.  I don’t know anything about that   I just pick stuff up and deliver it.

Diana

Well, you delivered it to me.  Where’d you pick it up?

Randy

That’s supposed to be confidential.  I guess it’s okay this one time.  (he reaches into his car)  Uh, it was an old building downtown.  (he reads from a sheet)  Here it is: 156 Liberty Avenue.

(scene change: Cowen Park)

Dad

Look at these people.  They don’t even try to hide what they’re doing.  I tell you, things have changed since I was walking the beat.

Tom

Yeah.  I know.  You would have won the war on drugs single-handed.

Dad

You’ve become a really angry guy, you know that?  I’m not trying to pick a fight here.  I know I’m not perfect.

Tom

You’re not even alive.

Dad

All right.  Fair enough.  I wasn’t perfect.  I blame most of that on the job.  You get burned out, dealing with this crap: violence, ugliness.  It got inside my head.  I couldn’t switch it off when I got home.  That’s why I drank.  That’s why I got nasty sometimes with you and your mother.  I’m not making excuses for myself.  You seem to need some kind of an explanation for what I did.  That’s the best one I can give you.

Tom

(not happy)  Okay.  It’s not anything I didn’t already know, but okay.

Dad

That dealer we’re looking for: didn’t you say he wears some kind of a high school varsity jacket?

Tom

Yeah.  Why?  (Dad points the kid out; Tom moves)

Greg

(being manhandled by Tom)  I don’t know what you’re so worked up about.  You won’t find anything.  (Tom extracts a bag of white powder)

Tom

This wouldn’t happen to be Blink, would it?

Greg

So what if it is?  Blink’s brand new, man.  Feds haven’t even had time to make it illegal, yet.

Tom

(handcuffing Greg)  Yeah.  We’ll find time.  That’s what we do when people start dying.  So, who’s supplying you with this?

Greg

You think I’d tell you that?

Tom

(answer his cell)  Baldwin.

(scene change: NTAC)

Tom

(to Diana)  Did Jarvis say what this is about?

Diana

No.  Just that there’d been some break in the case.

Naomi

(enters with Nina [Naomi Bonderman: disappeared February 2, 1992])  These are the agents that were affected?

Nina

Huh-huh.  This is Tom Baldwin, Diana Skouris.  They were compromised yesterday.

Naomi

I am so sorry about all of this.  You were drugged against your will, and those young people committing suicide.  It’s all so terrible.

Tom

Uh, ma’am, who are you?

Naomi

My name is Naomi Bonderman.  It’s my ability that did this to you.  I caused all of this.  One day, about three months ago, I woke up with what I thought were sweaty palms.  (she looks at her gloved hands)  Then, I realized it wasn’t sweat.  It was some kind of oil, I suppose you’d call it.  And, that’s when I first saw my sister.

Tom

This sister of yours: you hadn’t seen her for a while?

Naomi

Ruth’s been dead for thirty years.  And, there she was, standing at the foot of my bed.  We were never close.  But once I realized I hadn’t gone completely batty, we had a very nice visit.  Finally, after all these years, we worked things out between us.  In the morning, she was gone.  And, then, I touched Gordon’s hand.

Nina

Gordon?  Is that your husband?

Naomi

No.  My mailman.  And, that night, he was visited by some Army buddy of his who was wounded in the First Gulf War.  That’s when I started wearing my gloves.

Diana

Mrs. Bonderman, have you any idea how your ability came to be sold on the streets?

Naomi

At first, I had no idea.  But now I think it had something to do with my fried chicken.  I use a lot of herbs in my cooking.  I grow them myself.  That’s the only place I don’t wear my gloves: when I’m working in the garden.

Diana

And the herbs absorbed the oil from your hands.

Naomi

My family had come over for Sunday dinner.  And, that night, they all started having their own encounters.  It was very emotional for everyone.  But, it all seemed to work out for the best.  No one died or anything.

Tom

Could someone have gotten a hold of these herbs?  Used them to make this drug?

Naomi

Well, that must have been what happened.  The Tuesday after the dinner, I went out to water, and all my plants were gone.  Pulled out!

Tom

Someone stole the herbs from your garden.  Someone who knew the effect they could have.

Naomi

I had hoped one day my ability might be used as a kind of therapy to help people.  But now it’s being sold on the street, and people are dying.  It’s just horrible.

Diana

Mrs. Bonderman, have you any sense of how long these visions usually last?

Naomi

Sometimes, the visitors stay for days—weeks even.  I know one thing, though.  The more you ignore them, the longer they stay, and the more insistent they become.

Diana

(entering the elevator with Tom)  I know we’re officially on medical leave, but I thought I might check out that address we got from the delivery company.  Try and find who sent the cookies.  You want to come along?

Tom

Actually, I was going to stop by Mrs. Bonderman’s house, go over the guest list from that dinner one more time.  She seemed a little vague about who was there.

Diana

You think one of them might’ve gone into business with grandma’s recipe?

Tom

It’s a place to start.

(scene change: 4400 Center; Shawn’s apartment)

Shawn

Isabelle, this has to stop.  You can’t force me to marry you.

Isabelle

You’ve got cold feet.  I’ve read about this.

Shawn

No.  It’s not cold feet.  I want you to understand: this is not going to happen.  I’m not going to marry you.  And, if you can’t accept that, if you want to hurt me for rejecting you, you go ahead and do it.  I’m right here.  Let’s get it over with.

Isabelle

I would never hurt you, Shawn.

Shawn

That’s good to hear.  Okay.  We’re clear, right?  It’s over between the two of us?

Isabelle

You once told me that good and evil was a choice: one you get to make.  Well, right now, I’m at a place where I have to make that choice, and I’m afraid if I lose you, I’m going to make the wrong one.

Shawn

Who will you threaten this time?  My Mom?

Isabelle

Shawn, I’m not threatening anyone.  I’m asking for your help.

Shawn

My help?

Isabelle

There are things I was sent here to do: brutal things.  Your mother and millions of other people could die because of me.

Shawn

I don’t know how you could know that, but it doesn’t have to happen that way.  You can fight it.

Isabelle

That’s what I’m trying to do.  That’s why you and me: we need to be together.  Because, I think you’re the only one who can stop me.

(scene change: the address Randy gave Diana; Diana and Randy exit)

Diana

You sure this is the place?

Randy

Yeah.  I stood right here.  Guy came out from the back, handed me the cookies; that was it.

Diana

‘Cause the management company said this office has been vacant for eight months.

Randy

You said, these guys are drug dealers, right?  I mean, maybe they move around a lot.  Maybe they operate out of a whole bunch of different places.

Diana

And the man who gave you the cookies, you don’t remember anything about him?

Randy

I wasn’t really paying attention.  If I saw him again—maybe.  Look.  Since no one’s here, can I go?  I’ve got to get back to work.

Diana

Yeah.  Sure.  Thanks for trying.  Call me if something comes to you.

Randy

Sure.  (exits)

Josh

(while Diana looks around)  Is that a clue?

Diana

I’m trying to work here.

Josh

You know what?  This isn’t fun for me, either.  I’ve got my job, too.  There must be something you want to say to me, talk about old times.

Diana

Old times?  You cheated on me two weeks before the wedding.  Who does something like that?

Josh

I figured you’d still be mad about that. 

Diana

It took me forever to get over what you did.  The hurt, the betrayal: but I did it.  I put you behind me.  I moved on.  And, I’m not interested in a single thing you have to say.  (he disappeared)  Josh?  Are we done?

(scene change: Tom investigates Mrs. Bonderman’s garden)

Dad

Anybody could get over that fence.

Tom

Thanks for pointing that out.

Dad

Remember when you were a kid?  You used to help me mow the lawn.

Tom

I remember you yelling at me for missing spots.

Dad

I wanted you to do a good job.  Take pride in your work.  Be a man.

Tom

Yeah.  Well, it worked.  No matter what the situation, I just think about what you would do, and I do the opposite.  Never failed.

Dad

That’s my Tommy.  He’s got all the answers, huh?

Tom

(still looking around)  When it comes to you, I do.

Dad

All right.  Then answer me this.  The last time I went in the hospital, the time I didn’t make it out, why didn’t you come see me?  (when Tom doesn’t immediately answer)  It’s a simple question, Tom.

Naomi

(exits from her house)  Agent Baldwin?  Would you like some iced tea?  (he nods and enters the house)  Let’s see.  There were Barry, Kathleen, and the twins.  Oh, they cried all through dinner.  Uh, Philip and his new girlfriend.  I’m afraid I don’t remember her name.  Uh, Roger and Julie.  Oh—uh—I’m sorry.  Julie was sick that day.  (Tom looks at Randy’s picture)  A sinus headache.  She gets them all the time.  That’s my grandson, Randy.

Tom

He works for door-to-door delivery?

Naomi

(shrugs)  He’s still finding himself.

Tom

Does he know about your ability?

Naomi

Oh, of course he does.  He was here at that dinner.  He had two helpings of chicken.

(scene change: Randy’s house)

Diana

Neighbor says, Randy left a few hours ago.  No idea where he went.

Tom

We know he’s not at work.

Diana

I’ll go check the bedroom, see if I can find an address book.  (she goes upstairs)

Josh

Don’t you guys ever stop for lunch?

Diana

I thought I’d gotten rid of you.

Josh

(laughs)  No.  No.  We still have some ground to cover.  You know that thing that you said about how you moved on, that you put me behind you?  I’m not really sure I’m buying it.

Diana

Fine.  I don’t care.

Josh

Well, maybe not.  But if you’re so over me, how come you haven’t had a single serious relationship since we broke up?

Diana

I have had plenty of serious relationships, ones that were a lot more respectful and successful than the one I had with you.

Josh

You want to name one?

Diana

What do you call Marco?

Josh

I’d call him a very sweet guy who would do anything for you.

Diana

You could learn something from him.

Josh

Still, it’s a relationship with no future, and you know it.  That’s why you’re with him.

Diana

I have no idea what kind of future I’ve got with Marco.  We haven’t been going out that long.

Josh

You’ll go out for a couple of months, and then when he pushes you for a commitment, you’re gong to finally tell him the truth: that there isn’t any chemistry, that you’re really not right for each other.  All things you already know.

Diana

Is that really the way I treat the guys I date?

Josh

Di, you’re an amazing woman, and I blew it.  What I did to you was cruel, but you can’t keep protecting yourself forever.  It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to Marco.

(scene change: in the kitchen; Tom picks up a baking pan)

Dad

Offhand, I’d say somebody’s been doing some baking.

Tom

Yeah.  But where did all the cookies go?

Dad

Look, buddy.  I know you’re busy, but you never answered my question.  Why didn’t you come see me when I was dying?

Tom

Dad.  I really can’t talk about this now.

Dad

Hey.  It’s not my favorite memory, either.  So, let’s get it over and done with.  Then, I’ll leave you alone.

Tom

You mean, if I tell you, that’s it?  We’re done.  You’re gone.

Dad

It would be a step in the right direction.

Tom

I was in Baltimore, working on a case for the Bureau.  When I got the call from Mom, I booked a flight home.  I was all set to go, but then the case heated up, and I missed my plane.  By the time I could get another one, it was too late.

Dad

I asked you for the truth, Tommy.  You’re just giving me excuses.

Tom

You want the truth?  I stayed away as a favor to you.  You didn’t want me there, Dad.  Whatever I’d say, whatever I’d do: it would only piss you off like always.  I figured my not being there would make it easier for you.  I let you die in peace.

Dad

I wanted to see you one last time.  You’re my son, Tommy.  I love you.

Tom

Well, that’s nice to hear, but it’s a little too late.

Dad

I know.  That was my fault.  I’m sorry.  But I did want you there, Tommy.  You were wrong about me, about how I felt.  Maybe you’re wrong about some other things.

Diana

I hope you’re going to show me a kitchen filled with cookies.

Tom

I wish.  I think he took them with him.

Diana

Look at that.  I found it wedged behind the dresser.

Tom

(looking at the book)  It’s like he kept a record of everyone he dosed.

Diana

You think it’s some kind of enemies list?  He’s trying to get back at all these people?

Tom

(finding something)  Diana. 

Diana

That’s the food fair.  It starts today.

Tom

Now we know where he took the cookies.

(scene change: an open-air fair)

Diana

(spying Randy manning a booth called “Wonderland Cookies”)  Tom.

Tom

(as Randy bolts)  Stop!  (tackles Randy and wipes out a bread booth)  Get up!  Where are the rest of the cookies?

Randy

There aren’t any more.  I swear.

Diana

He just opened the box.  Looks like we made it just in time.

Tom

Look again.  (people are eating the cookies)  Let’s go.

Nina

(later, after EMS arrives)  Nice work, you two.

Diana

Looks like NTAC Medical is gonna be busy for some time.

Nina

Yeah.  We’ll keep them under observation.  Get them counseling.  I take it you both have been too busy ignoring your medical leave to deal with your own situations.

Tom

We figured: first things first.

Nina

Yeah.  I know.  If my Dad showed up, I’d be spending a lot of time at work, too.  But now I want you both to go home and deal with this thing.  If you feel you can’t, we’ll book you adjoining suites at NTAC Medical.  Okay?

Randy

(being escorted)  I just want you to know: I never meant to hurt anyone.

Tom

Well, tell that to Erika Lundgren and the others who died.

Randy

I’m really sorry about that.  Honestly.  But all I did was give them a chance to deal with their problems.  You know?  Face-to-face.  I just wanted to share the enlightenment.  I guess they couldn’t handle it.

Diana

Well, I don’t get the connection.  Why send the cookies to us?

Randy

What are you talking about?  You guys exposed the promicin scandal.  You saved my grandmother’s life.  It was a gift, my way of saying “thank you.”  (he is placed in a squad car)

Diana

(to Tom)  Thank you?

Tom

I guess no good deed ever goes unpunished, huh?  Come on.  (they exit)

(scene change: 4400 Center; Richard’s apartment)

Richard

(to Shawn)  All this stuff Isabelle told you: you sure she wasn’t making it up, scaring you, trying to keep you close?  Because, I’m telling you, Shawn, this sounds crazy.

Shawn

I can heal people.  You can move things with your mind.  We live in a crazy world.

Richard

When she was a baby—even younger—when she was in her mother’s womb, I knew she was different—dangerous.

Shawn

Richard, if I believed that staying with Isabelle would save all those lives, I would marry her tomorrow.  But what happens a month from now—or a year?  What happens if she gets tired of me, or I make her angry?

Richard

I get it.  Marrying her is not the answer.

Shawn

We’ve got to find another way to stop her.

Richard

She’s my daughter, Shawn.  What would you have me do?  (they share a look, not really wanting to voice their thoughts)

(scene change: Diana’s apartment)

Marco

(as Diana opens the door)  Hey.  I was out with some of the guys.  I came right over as soon as I got your voice-mail.  (he kisses her cheek)  You okay?  I picked up some Italian on the way here.

Diana

Don’t be nice to me.

Marco

Uh, I don’t like the sound of that.  (he walks towards the kitchen with the pizza)

Josh

I know this isn’t pleasant, but you’re doing the right thing.

Diana

Does this mean we can say goodbye?

Josh

(smiles)  As a matter of fact, it does.  Try not to miss me, Di.

Diana

I won’t.  (Josh is gone)

(scene change: Tom’s kitchen)

Tom

Goodbye?  You mean you’re leaving?

Dad

All I’ve been doing is making you miserable.  I figure I did enough of that when you were a kid growing up.  Yeah.  We’re done here.  We’ve made about as much progress as we can make, huh?  You take care.  I’d shake your hand, but it doesn’t work that way.  (he walks towards the front door)

Tom

Dad?  You know what I said before?  About my missing that flight home as a favor to you?  That wasn’t true.

Dad

I never thought it was.

Tom

I did it for me.  It was just the idea of standing around that hospital room, watching you die, with all that anger still between us, knowing that we’d never work it out, that we’d—we’d never be as close as I wanted us to be.  I couldn’t do it.

Dad

It’s okay, Tommy.  I—I didn’t deserve to have you there.

Tom

I should’ve been there anyway.  I’m sorry.

Dad

The clock just ran out on us, huh?

Tom

Well, I guess there’s no clock now, is there?

Dad

I’ve got all the time in the world, not that we have to use it.

Tom

Why don’t you come and sit down?

Dad

Tommy, we don’t have to do this.

Tom

I know.  Why don’t you—uh—why don’t you just come back in the kitchen and park it, okay?  I never liked eating alone.

Dad

(shrugging)  Nothing worse.  So, what do you want to talk about?

(scene change: 4400 Center; Isabelle lies asleep in her bed; Shawn enters and attempts to kill her)

Isabelle

(waking)  Happy now?  You tried.  It didn’t work.  You can’t kill me, Shawn.  I guess we’re going to get married, after all.

(to be continued)