(The episode starts with upbeat Christmas music)
Shot of Tru’s apartment block
Inside Tru’s apartment, the Christmas tree is up, and it looks very Christmassy
Tru sits up in bed, then gets up and walks past the calendar
24th December is marked with “Christmas Eve Dinner With Harrison”
1. INT. Richard’s Office reception. DAY.
(Harrison walks towards his father’s office)
RICHARD (off-screen, on the telephone)
As long as she doesn’t find out about us. I have other responsibilities. A wife, my job. I shouldn’t have to worry about you…
Cut to Richard, who notices Harrison’s foot outside the door, and breaks off
I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later. (he hangs up) Can I help you?
(Harrison enters)
HARRISON
Hey, Dad. I didn’t want to interrupt your phone conversation
RICHARD
It’s just somebody about a case I’ve been working on. What can I do for you?
HARRISON
Well, I’ve been thinking. I’ve been putting in some long hours, and some extra work, and I was wondering if…if I could have a raise. Also, they raised my rent, and I’ve been kind of…well, I’ve grown fond of living indoors
RICHARD
I wish I could help you Harrison, but…such a quick pay bump, and for my son? You understand how that would look
HARRISON
Yeah, yeah, I figured. You can’t blame a guy for trying, huh?
(Richard’s receptionist walks in, past Harrison, who realises he’s being dismissed)
HARRISON (cont’d)
Right…
2. Coffee Bar. DAY.
TYLER
Okay, so you get eight days of Christmas?
AVERY
Tyler look, for the last time it’s called Hanukkah, all right? If you call it Christmas one more time, I swear I’m gonna shove a menorah up your…
JENSEN
Secret Santas! I think that we should open up our nondenominational gifts
TRU
Great idea. Um, Ave – you go first
AVERY
Yes, ma’am
JENSEN
Drum roll (he bangs on the table)
AVERY
All right, I got…a comb. And I’m gonna guess that it’s from Tyler
TYLER
Hey, what happened to the secret part?
AVERY
FYI buddy, the under ten dollar rule? That’s actually not a contest to see how far under ten you can keep it
JENSEN
So I know these two are going home for their vacation, that is if they survive the ride to the airport together. What about you, what are the Davies up to tonight?
TRU
Well, it looks like as usual, my family Christmas Eve will consist of me, my brother Harry and a toast to the rest of the family who couldn’t make it
JENSEN
Well, on the bright side, at least there’s less clean up
AVERY
But more therapy
JENSEN
Okay, you know what? Coal for you in your stocking. Just a big thing of coal!
AVERY
My people, we don’t do the stockings. None of that!
(the other three crease up laughing)
AVERY (cont’d, to Jensen)
What is going on with you? Normally you’re all “bah humbug” and Grinchy
JENSEN
Not this year. This year I’m all about the holiday spirit. I’m about the tree trimming, the church. Hell, I might even sit on Santa’s lap
TRU
Lucky Santa!
JENSEN
Lucky me. I mean, I shouldn’t even be here. But you saved me. And I know it sounds dumb, but every day is a gift. Even a day like Christmas
Cut to: Shot of the City and busy streets
3. EXT. Street. DAY.
HARRISON
Dad’s doing it again
TRU
It?
HARRISON
It. It. He’s having an affair.
TRU
What? Why?
HARRISON
I don’t know. I guess he’s not getting everything he needs out of his relationship with Jordan
TRU
Eww, no, I mean, what makes you think that’s he’s messing around?
HARRISON
Ohhh. Well, there’s the secret phone calls. There’s the long lunches that are not on the calendar. And then there’s the apartment
TRU
What apartment?
HARRISON
Okay, ever since Dad started acting all suspicious, I started following him
TRU
Harry!
HARRISON
What? Look, three times a week he goes to this place. He spends like half an hour, 45 minutes. Then he leaves
TRU
All right look, I know Dad’s got a less-than-stellar track record when it comes to the fidelity department, but I don’t think we should jump to any conclusions until we have proof
HARRISON
I know, I know. You’re right. Ooh, I know what I’m bringing home for the Christmas dinner
TRU
What’s that?
HARRISON
Proof
Cut to: Shot of the City Morgue
4. INT. Morgue. DAY.
(An old guy in a Santa suit is lying on the morgue trolley. Tru enters)
TRU
You’ve gotta be kidding me. Someone killed Santa?
DAVIS
I know. It’s pretty creepy, huh? But I think he died of natural causes. He must be one of those gentlemen from the mall or something
TRU
I just came by to grab something, but do you need me to bag personals?
DAVIS
No, all he has is a black bag of presents that’s already been processed. Hey we’re lucky, typically the holidays is one of the most violent times of the year, but he’s our only fatality brought in
TRU
Well, if he’s the only dead guy in town, what are the odds Saint Nick’s gonna open his eyes and whisper a “ho ho help me”?
(Davis laughs. The telephone rings. He goes over to it and switches it onto speaker)
DAVIS
City Morgue
Cut to: CARRIE at the Youth Center
Hey Davis, it’s me. I’m sorry, I’m gonna be a little bit late for our dinner tonight
Cut to: DAVIS
Is everything okay?
Cut to: CARRIE
Yeah, um, I’m at the Youth Center, for our Department’s Community Relations Program…(she kneels to help a small boy with something) There you go… (to Davis) and um, we’ve hired a Santa to bring some presents to the underprivileged kids…and the guy hasn’t shown up yet
Cut to: Davis and Tru, listening
CARRIE (v.o.)
And the kids are gonna be so disappointed
Cut to: CARRIE
You know, he’s just gonna be another person in their lives who’s let them down
Cut to: DAVIS
Uh, Carrie – I think I might know what happened to him
Cut to: CARRIE
Really? What?
Cut to: DAVIS
Um…he’s probably stuck in holiday traffic
Cut to: CARRIE
Yeah, you’re probably right. Anyway, I’ll get there as soon as I can
Cut to: DAVIS
I’ll see you later
(he clicks it off and turns to Tru)
TRU
Well hey, if it makes you feel any better, you’re always welcome to join me and Harry tonight
DAVIS
No that’s okay, it’s been a while since I spent the holidays with a…with a woman. So I think I’ll just wait for her
TRU
All right. I’ll see you tomorrow
DAVIS
Okay
TRU
Merry Christmas
DAVIS
Merry Christmas
5. EXT. Apartment Block. DAY.
(Richard gets out of a car, and speaks to his driver. Then he walks into the apartment block)
Camera cuts across the street to show Harrison, ducked down by his car, watching. As Richard disappears into the building, Harrison follows
Richard goes up in the glass elevator
As he comes out at the top, Harrison starts to climb the stairs
Harrison walks over to the apartment Richard entered, the door is slightly open
RICHARD (off-screen)
I wish I could make her understand, but you know that’s not possible. If she finds out about us, there’s no telling what it’ll do to her. So, the most important thing for right now is that she trust me
HARRISON
Hi, Dad
(Richard looks at Harrison. The camera pans over to show who Richard is talking to – Jack)
(Harrison looks shocked)
[Fade to Black]
[OPENING CREDITS]
6. INT. Tru’s apartment. DAY.
(Tru is leaning over a laid table, on her cellphone)
TRU
Harrison. You’re late again, and frankly I’m running out of expletives. So, here’s the deal. I have the night off, and I’m not spending it waiting for you. So, as un-festive as it sounds, you can find me at the lab, catching up on work. I’ll be the one cutting out a spleen and pretending its yours. Next time I talk to you, you’d better have a damn good reason for standing me up on Christmas Eve
7. EXT. Jack’s apartment. DAY.
(Harrison stumbles against the railing outside Jack’s apartment, trying to get away from Richard)
RICHARD
Harrison, will you let me explain?
HARRISON
It’s Jack…Jack…you’re working with Jack Harper! I thought you were having an affair!
RICHARD
What are you talking about?
HARRISON
Those calls! Those calls weren’t about your wife, they were about Tru!
(he starts down the stairs, but Richard grabs his arm)
RICHARD
Look! I heard Tru mention this guy Jack was harassing her, so I’m trying to protect my daughter. Since when is that a crime?
HARRISON (pulling his arm away)
How about when it’s a damn lie!
RICHARD
All right! You want the truth?
HARRISON
Well, it’d be a nice change of pace
RICHARD
Jack Harper contacted me with some very strange stories about your sister. He told me she had this gift. And then he told me if I wanted to hear more, I had to meet him here today and that’s what I was doing when you walked in
HARRISON
So that was the first time that you’ve ever met him?
RICHARD
Yes!
HARRISON
I’ve seen you go to that apartment three times this week (contemptuously) Dad
RICHARD
I always knew you were smart, son. Tru was better with the books, but you – you know people
(Harrison dials on his cellphone. It starts to ring. Richard suddenly smashes it out of his hand and grabs him with both fists, pushing him up against the wall)
RICHARD
You have no idea what you are dealing with!
HARRISON
Well then, tell me, tell me, what am I dealing with?
RICHARD
I wanna be honest with you, son. And I want you to understand what is at stake, here. But you gotta promise me one thing
HARRISON
What? What is that?
RICHARD
That you will not mention to Tru what I am about to discuss with you
HARRISON
It’ll be a cold day in hell before I promise you that!
RICHARD
I am so sorry to hear that
(he starts to strangle him, Harrison coughs, trying to get Richard off him)
HARRISON
Hey… (he chokes, his face turning red)… Dad …
(Richard drops him to the floor, unable to carry it out)
RICHARD
Harrison, I’m so sorry
(Harrison gets up and runs away from him)
8. INT. Lab. NIGHT.
(Tru stands over one of the cadavers. There is a sudden movement in the darkness and she jumps)
TRU
Whoa! You scared me
JENSEN
A room full of corpses, and I’m the one who scares you
TRU
Sorry, it’s just, what are you doing here? I thought you were out decking the halls and whatnot
JENSEN
I was, and then it dawned on me. Nobody should be alone on Christmas Eve, not even our friend here
TRU
You know, we haven’t had a chance to talk…about how you’re feeling
JENSEN
About?
TRU
I just mean, sometimes a near-death experience can have a strange effect on people
JENSEN
Honestly…I feel great. You know, I feel better than great. It’s just like it’s this huge wake-up call for me, you know, a chance to re-evaluate my priorities
TRU
In what way?
JENSEN
Well, having them, for instance. I’m not gonna have priorities anymore, I’m just gonna do everything. You know? Do whatever I want. Devil may care
TRU
I like this new Jensen, but I gotta tell you, I never really saw you as the “Devil may care” kinda guy
JENSEN
Well maybe not everybody’s as they seem
9. EXT. Street. NIGHT.
(Harrison reaches a payphone, searches for change and dials)
HARRISON
Come on Tru, come on Tru, answer the phone, come on
10. INT. Lab. NIGHT.
(Jensen’s phone bleeps)
JENSEN
On, I just got a text from Avery and Tyler, their flights are cancelled. Looks like they’re spending Christmas Eve at the Airport
(Tru’s cellphone rings)
TRU
Oh, and that’s probably my brother, with some lame excuse on why he bailed on me
(she picks up her cellphone and clicks to answer it. A female cadaver opens her eyes)
CADAVER
Help me
[Flashes of the day’s images as it rewinds]
11. INT. Tru’s bedroom. DAY.
(Tru sits up in bed)
TRU
‘Twas the night before Christmas…again
12. EXT. Street. DAY.
(Tru is on her cellphone)
TRU
Avery, it’s Tru
Cut to: AVERY
Hola Chica, what’s up?
Cut to: TRU
I’m not gonna make it to breakfast
TRU/AVERY
Work emergency
AVERY
Right. You know, you’re gonna either need to get a better job, or a better excuse
Cut to: TRU
Right, but hey, I was just thinking, you and Tyler should call the airline, you know, before you go. In case they cancel your flights or something, no one wants to spend Christmas Eve in an airport
Cut to: AVERY
Yes. Thank you. Happy Holidays, Tru
Cut to: TRU
You too
13. INT. Jack’s apartment. DAY.
(Jack is asleep on the settee, his cellphone rings. He answers it)
JACK
You woke me up yesterday too
Cut to: RICHARD in his office
Rough night?
Cut to: JACK
No. But unless we’re careful, it’s gonna be a rough day. Harrison followed you to my apartment
Cut to: RICHARD
Thank God it’s a new day
Cut to: JACK
The point is, just be careful around your son today. Be nice to him. Find out what he knows. You know how this works, Richard. We’re not gonna get another chance
(Richard hangs up, as Harrison comes round the corner into his office)
HARRISON
Hey, Boss
RICHARD
Harrison. What can I do for my boy?
HARRISON
Well…I’ve been thinking. I’ve put in a lot of work, some extra hours around the office, and…I was wondering if I could get a raise
RICHARD
A raise?
HARRISON
I really think…
RICHARD
Well, you certainly deserve it. Let me take it to the partners and see what they say
HARRISON
Wow!
Cut to: Shot of the City Morgue
14. INT. Morgue. DAY.
(Davis enters, to see Santa lying on a morgue trolley)
DAVIS
Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. Who killed Santa Claus?
TRU
Natural causes
DAVIS
Well, knowing your luck he’s probably gonna open his eyes and ask for…
TRU
I told that joke yesterday. But he was supposed to deliver toys to the kids down at the Youth Center
DAVIS
That’s where Carrie is
TRU
I know. She’s gonna miss dinner trying to find a way to keep from disappointing them
DAVIS
Well, if he didn’t ask for help, then who did?
TRU
A cadaver
DAVIS
Which drawer?
TRU
Not here. At school
DAVIS
At school? Those bodies have been dead for…
TRU
Six months, I know. That’s why I wanted to come here and talk to you first. I mean, it’s pretty clear I didn’t rewind to six months ago, so why would a body that’s still dead ask for my help?
DAVIS
Well, there is an advantage to your predicament
TRU
And what’s that?
DAVIS
Well, the clues are always on the body, and for the first time, you have a body to work with
Cut to: Shot of Campus
15. INT. Lab. DAY.
JACK
For the record, she was dead when I got here
TRU
Duly noted. Now get out
JACK
Already on my way. Looks like I got the day off, cause you’re good Davies, but you’re not that good. Stale corpse, no clues. Hey, what if I was to offer to help you with your job today?
TRU
What if I was to offer to help you kiss my ass?
JACK
That’s funny. No, but really, think of it as a holiday truce. What harm could I do? There was only one fatality in the city yesterday, and that one already ho-ho-happened, am I right? Come on, there’s no-one to save, there’s no-one to fight over. I might even be helpful
TRU
Jack, there is no way I would ever accept your help
JACK
You try and be a nice guy… (he sighs) … Merry Christmas to all, and to all good luck
[Fade to Black]
[Flashes of the day’s images in sequence]
16. INT. Lab. DAY.
(Tru doesn’t notice Jensen walking up behind her)
TRU (to the Cadaver)
So you asked for my help. Who are you and what do you want from me?
JENSEN
So you talk to them too?
TRU
Oh, you have this way of catching me off-guard
JENSEN
Wow, so you blew off breakfast for school work. When you said work emergency, I just assumed that you meant…
TRU
Yeah, I just feel like I’ve been getting behind, you know with all the classes I’ve missed
JENSEN
Oh right, right, right, right. Well then, uh…why is it that you’re working on another group’s cadaver instead of ours?
TRU
Checking up on their work
JENSEN
I do the same thing. You picked a good one, too (he places Tru’s fingers on the cadaver’s head) You feel that?
TRU
It’s like her skull is cracked
JENSEN
Exactly. And you see the small pinpoint blotches around her eyes?
TRU
Petechial haemorrhage
JENSEN
And you said you were falling behind
TRU
So this woman died from asphyxiation
JENSEN
She was murdered by it. Probably fell post-mortem, led to the cranium fracture
(Tru glances at him questioningly)
A lecture the professor gave one of the days you were gone. He said it was pretty rare to find a body that met an unnatural demise
TRU
Not in my line of work. Anyway, um, I’ve got some last minute shopping to do, but thanks for your help
JENSEN
Anytime
TRU
Later
17. EXT. Street. DAY.
(Tru is on her cellphone)
TRU
Harrison, let me guess. You think Dad’s having an affair
Cut to: HARRISON
I still hate it when you do that
Cut to: TRU
Yeah well, I hate it when you stand me up. You didn’t show up for dinner last night, what happened?
Cut to: HARRISON
Oh well, it’s hard to say without me reliving the day and all. So, I guess we already talked about Dad’s phone calls, and this thing with the apartment?
Cut to: TRU
Yep
Cut to: HARRISON
I think he knows I’m on to him, ‘cause he’s been way too nice. Like…like he’s hiding something
Cut to: TRU
Relax, Harry, not everyone lives a secret life
Cut to: HARRISON
Right, just you
TRU (v.o.)
Goodbye, Harr
18. INT. Morgue. DAY.
(Tru is looking up Hudson University “Anatomical gifts archive” on the computer. She types in “list donations for past year”)
TRU
Come on…
(A message pops up: Access Denied)
(she sighs, frustrated)
DAVIS (walking in, on his cellphone)
It’s a black sack with presents in it. Yes, I understand the irony. Yes, can you just tell me when it’s gonna be released from processing, please? (he sighs) Okay, thank you… (he hangs up) God!
TRU
No luck?
DAVIS
You would think being the Medical Examiner that I would have some pull around here
TRU
You know, I know you wanna help Carrie and all, but technically those gifts were his possessions
DAVIS
Yeah, which he was gonna give to the kids. I just think it would be easier if I told Carrie how I know it’s gonna happen
(Tru gives him a look)
Okay. Sorry. Any word on that cadaver?
TRU
All I know is that the woman who asked for help was murdered. I mean, I don’t even have a name. Not to mention that the identity of all anatomical gifts are confidential. So to make a long story suck, I got nothing
DAVIS
Well you know, there is one person what would be able to help. Someone who saw what the victim saw the night she died
TRU
No. No! I mean, are you crazy? I can’t trust him after what he’s done
DAVIS
Well you just said it yourself, you have nothing to go on. Beggars can’t be choosers
TRU
Yeah but we can be smart enough to not buddy up with the Reaper
DAVIS
Ordinarily, I would agree with you. But since no-one’s gonna die today, what harm can he do?
19. EXT. Street. DAY.
(Tru and Jack are walking along together)
JACK
I’m sorry Tru, I’d love to help you, really I would. But I’m afraid I’m gonna have to hear you say those two magic words
TRU
Please, Jack
JACK
Ooh, sorry, those weren’t the magic words we were looking for
TRU
I knew this was a bad idea
JACK
Oh come on, Tru. I just wanna hear you say it one time…(whispers) “Help me”
TRU
Would you settle for “bite me”?
JACK
Ooh, not if you want what’s in here (points to his head)
TRU (smiling slightly)
Help me
JACK
I thought you’d never ask! Come on
20. EXT. Roadside. DAY.
(Tru and Jack get out of their cars)
JACK
I don’t see why we couldn’t carpool. For someone who’s dedicated to saving lives, you should really take better care of the environment, Tru
TRU
Well, I’ve got this thing about not getting into a car with a guy who kills people for a living (Jack chuckles) So what are we doing here?
JACK
You wanted to know what I saw on the victim’s last day, right? It’s time for a little show and tell. Most of it was pretty mundane… uh, a sunrise through a window
[Flashback of the sunrise over the city]
… a taxi meter …
[Flashback of a taxi meter, reading 21.40]
… a young girl with pig-tails …
[Flashback of a young girl wearing a striped top and pig-tails]
… something that looked like curtains with red flowers on them blowing in the wind
[Flashback of some white fabric covered in red flowers, blowing]
and then, this broken fence
(he points to the fence behind him)
I figured what better place to begin than with the end. The last thing I saw was falling off here
[Flashback of rocks and grass below, then the broken fence up above]
TRU
Looks like we weren’t the first ones here today
(she stoops and picks up a small bunch of flowers from the ground)
JACK
What’s your money on, coincidence or connection?
TRU (holding up the florist card)
Only one way to find out
(she takes out her cellphone and dials)
Yes, hi. I just received the most beautiful daisies, but the card fell off so I have no idea who they’re from. I don’t want the person to think that I’m being rude by not saying thank you, so…yes. Ann Moore is the only person who bought daisies so far today? Thank you so much. Okay, bye-bye
JACK
Impressive
TRU
Thanks for your help, Jack
JACK
That’s it?
TRU
I needed a place to start. Now I’ve got one. It’s nothing personal. Actually, it’s completely personal
JACK (quietly)
Yeah
21. EXT. Ann Moore’s House. DAY.
(Tru walks up to the front door and knocks. A lady answers it)
TRU
Hi, Ann Moore?
ANN
Yes?
TRU
I’m from Hudson Medical School, and we’re doing a survey of people who have donated the body of a loved one to science?
ANN
Now’s not really a good time
TRU
Yeah, my questions will only take a few minutes. I just need to identify a cadaver that was recently…
ANN
Honestly, this isn’t something I wanna spend Christmas Eve talking about, so if you’ll excuse me
TRU
Yeah…
JACK (appearing beside Tru)
Uh, what my colleague failed to mention is that we pay for this information
ANN
Come in
22. INT. Ann’s House. DAY.
ANN
This money couldn’t have come at a better time. Things have been awful tight
JACK
We’re just glad to be able to help
ANN
So you’re here to ask me about my sister, Allison?
JACK
Yeah
ANN
This is her (she shows them a framed picture)
TRU
Do you mind if we ask what happened to her?
ANN
She was murdered. Six months ago, by a man named Russell Marks. They worked together and were having a relationship on the side. That is until Allison found out he was married. That night, she went over to tell him it was over, it was the last time anyone saw her alive
(a young girl with pig-tails enters the room)
CAMBRIA
I finished cleaning my room
ANN
Okay, hon. Go get ready for Church
JACK (whispering to Tru)
That’s the girl I saw in the cadaver’s memory
TRU
Pretty girl
ANN
Allison’s. My sister was a single mom, so…now I am too
JACK
Miss Moore, if it’s not too much… do you know what happened to Russell Marks?
ANN
Well, he was arrested. But the jury felt that there was a lack of evidence. Reasonable doubt, they said. I can’t believe that he… he gets to have a life. Shop for presents, trim the tree with his wife, while Allison’s body lies in some dark, cold room somewhere. Where’s the justice in that? I’m sorry…is…is there anything else? Cambria and I have to go to Church. Saint Matthew’s is always so crowded on Christmas Eve
TRU
No, that’s it. Thank you very much
23. INT. Morgue. DAY.
(Tru looks up Russell Marks on the morgue computer)
JACK
I don’t even get a Thanks? I was brilliant back there
TRU
Does the fourth horseman at the Apocalypse need a pat on the back?
JACK
Whatever. The fact that I’m still here means that you need me and that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside
TRU
Be careful. You wouldn’t want the ice around your heart to melt
JACK
Cute. But seriously, what’s next? Since no-one’s life has to be saved, how are we supposed to help Allison Moore?
TRU
Well, there are a lot of ways to save someone’s life, Jack. Stopping their death is only one of them
JACK
That sister of hers seemed to have a pretty significant axe to grind with Russell Marks, maybe she was looking for a little payback
TRU
But no-one dies, remember
JACK
No-one has to
TRU
So you’re saying attempted murder, because if she got caught…
JACK
Then Allison’s daughter would be left alone again
TRU
Thus, the “help me”
JACK
Maybe we should find out where this Russell Marks is today and get there before Ann Moore does
HARRISON (appearing in the doorway)
Hey Tru I gotta talk to about, uh…what the hell is he doing here?
JACK
Nice to see you, Harrison
TRU
Harry, it’s okay. I got it under control. What’s up?
HARRISON
Come here a second
(they walk over to the other room, Harrison not taking his eyes off Jack until they get there)
Okay. I had a talk with Dad, asked him point blank “are you having an affair”
TRU
And?
HARRISON
He had an answer for everything
TRU
Yeah. What’d I tell you?
HARRISON
But then he said that that apartment is where he meets his LA partners. But get this, I got an old poker buddy of mine, he works for this car service that handles the firm. Those LA guys aren’t due till next week. See, something is going on, Tru. I can feel it
JACK
I’m gonna give you two a little privacy
HARRISON
You know, that would be just perfect
(to Tru) What, are you crazy? Why are you all sleeping with the enemy?
TRU
There’s no “sleeping”. He’s helping me
HARRISON
Bottom line, you can’t trust him, Tru. He’s probably screwing you right now
Cut to: Jack in the next room, on his cellphone
JACK
Richard, I hope you’re getting this message. Your son is still suspicious. You’d better get on this, or… (he glances over to where Harrison and Tru are still talking; Tru looks over at him) … we’re both screwed
[Fade to Black]
[Flashes of the day’s images in sequence]
24. EXT. Marks’ House. DAY.
(Tru and Jack walk up the driveway)
JACK
Your brother was a tad frosty to me back there, is everything okay with him?
TRU
You tried to kill him a few months back. Were you expecting a hug?
JACK (knocking on the door)
A short memory. The key to a happy life
TRU
Ah
(A woman answers the door)
VANESSA
Can I help you?
JACK
Hi, Mrs Marks. My name’s Jack Harper. We’re actually looking for your husband. Is he at home?
VANESSA
Russell isn’t speaking to the Press, I think he’s made that perfectly clear
TRU
Oh, we’re not from the Media. We’re with the Neighbourhood Watch Program, and we’re actually just looking for volunteers
VANESSA
Oh, I’m so sorry
JACK (throwing his arm around Tru)
We’re newly-weds. We just moved in down the block
VANESSA
Oh I’m sure Russell would love to help out, but he’s out doing some last minute shopping. But then I’m meeting him at Saint Matthews. You know, if you’re looking for volunteers, Church is always a good place to find people
JACK
She’s right
TRU
Thanks for your advice, maybe we’ll see you there
VANESSA
Okay. Good luck
(she smiles, and closes the door. Tru shakes Jack’s arm off immediately)
TRU
Guess who else is gonna be at Church tonight
JACK
Something tells me we should be there too
25. INT. Youth Center. DAY.
(Carrie is kneeling beside a little girl, making decorations)
CARRIE
Oh, that’s kinda cute. That’s nice, I like it. Are those the arms?
(A little boy walks up to her)
BOY
Santa’s not coming, is he?
CARRIE
Yes, he is. He is. It’s just, you know how those reindeer can be (she sticks a star onto his nose) That’s very nice
GIRL
Miss Allen, you promised us
CARRIE
I know. I did. Um, it’s just that sometimes…things can happen…even to Santa
SANTA/DAVIS
Ho, ho, ho
CHILDREN
Santa!
CARRIE (excitedly)
Who do you think that is?
BOY
Santa’s here!
DAVIS
Ho, ho, ho!
CARRIE (surprised)
Davis?
DAVIS
No, it’s Santa!
CARRIE (whispering)
What are you doing?
DAVIS
Explain later. Ho, ho, ho!
CARRIE
Come on, who wants to sit on Santa’s lap!
(a queue of children start to form in front of Davis)
DAVIS
Okay! Santa wants to make sure that everyone’s gone to the bathroom recently. Yes?
CHILDREN
Yes
DAVIS
Really? Really?
(they all nod)
Ho, ho, ho, ho!
26. INT. Church. DAY.
(Tru is looking at the photograph she printed out from the computer, the report on Russell Marks)
TRU
Hey, are you even allowed in here?
JACK
Hey, I’m not the one screwing with the Big Guy’s plans. If anyone’s getting struck by lightning in here, my money’s on you
TRU
Okay, so tell me the truth, why are you really helping me today?
JACK
As far as I’m concerned, as long as the dead stay dead, there’s no harm in giving a little help to the living. Or maybe I just didn’t wanna spend Christmas Eve by myself
(A man matching the photograph enters the Church)
There’s our man. Mr Marks? We don’t wanna cause any trouble, but we’re friends of the Moores and we just thought you should know that Ann and Cambria are gonna be here today
TRU
Look, Ann is still very angry about her sister’s death. Rather than disrupt the services in any way, we thought we’d forewarn you
RUSSELL
Look, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’m an innocent man, and I need to be allowed to move on with my life
TRU
And what about Allison Moore’s life?
RUSSELL
Thank you for your concern
VANESSA
Russell?
RUSSELL
I’m gonna go enjoy the services with my wife now. Excuse me
TRU
Well, that went well
JACK
I’m starting to think that the Jury was right about Marks
TRU
What makes you say that?
JACK
If there’s one thing I know, its killers. And once you take a human life, it’s like a smell that you can’t wash off, no matter how hard you try. And that guy? He ain’t got the funk
27. INT. Youth Center. DAY.
DAVIS
Ho, ho, ho! What would you like for Christmas?
BOY
A ferret!
DAVIS
A ferret. Okay, I don’t think I have any of those, but have you ever considered….a bone saw!
(he hands the boy a bone saw with a large ribbon attached to it. The boy looks at it questioningly)
To, uh, cut wood for a really neat tree house
BOY
Whoa! Thanks, Santa!
DAVIS
Ho, ho! And what about you, what would you like for Christmas?
GIRL
A bone saw!
DAVIS
Uh, I think I’m all out of those, but how about a splatter guard! To keep, um, blood from splattering on your face
GIRL
Whoa…you’re the coolest Santa ever!
DAVIS
Thank you. Ho, ho, ho….and for you, there’s a rib separator…and how about some forceps…
28. INT. Church. DAY.
TRU
I guess all I can do now is keep Ann Moore away from him
JACK
Yeah well if that’s the case then…showtime. There she is
(Ann and Cambria walk into the Church and see Russell and Vanessa sitting in the front row. Ann glares at Russell, but nobody speaks. Then Ann takes Cambria’s arm)
ANN
Come on. We’re going home
TRU
That’s it?
JACK
Nothing happened
TRU
Maybe it just hasn’t happened yet
JACK
All right, we gotta split up. One of us has gotta follow Ann, and the other one stay with Russell
TRU
Okay. I’ll stay with Russell, you follow Ann. But if anything happens to her so help me, Jack
JACK
Helping you is what I’m doing, Tru
29. EXT. Apartment block. DAY.
(Richard gets out of his car; Harrison is hiding behind his own car on the opposite side of the road, watching. As Richard enters the building, Harrison follows)
Richard gets out of the elevator at the top, Harrison watches him and then goes up the stairs
Harrison walks down floor 7 to apartment 711, where Richard can be heard talking
RICHARD
What do you mean you can’t stay? Don’t we have other things to talk about?
HARRISON
Hi, Dad
(the camera pans across from Richard to show a smartly dressed black man)
RICHARD
Harrison, what are you doing here?
HARRISON
I could ask you the same thing
RICHARD
Well, I guess you’ve already spoiled the surprise
HARRISON
Surprise?
RICHARD
I just signed the lease (he throws Harrison a set of keys) Merry Christmas, son. It’s all yours
HARRISON
This place? What’d you… what is…
RICHARD
I may not be able to give my new employee a raise but the partners can’t say anything about a father giving a present to his son. I’ve been working on this for weeks, but you, with all your questions, you almost blew the whole thing
HARRISON
I’m sorry, I was thinking that it was…
RICHARD
Forget it, forget it. It all worked out
(Harrison hugs him, delighted)
HARRISON
Oh, wow. Merry Christmas, Dad
RICHARD
You, too
30. INT. Church. DAY.
(A woman is on the pulpit singing “O Holy Night” acapella. Tru is standing watching when she notices Jensen walking towards her)
TRU
Jensen? Hey, stranger. What are you doing here?
JENSEN
I guess I just wanted to see what it is I’ve been missing out on all these years. And pay my respects
(he lights one of the candles)
TRU
Who’s that for?
JENSEN
That’s for my uncle. He died of a heart attack last year. And that’s for my cousin, who passed away when we were little kids. You know, think about this, if things had gone differently last week, you might have been lighting one of these for me
TRU
But things didn’t go differently
JENSEN
There but for the grace of Tru go I
(he lights a third candle)
TRU
So…who’s that one for?
(Jensen picks up the candle, looks at it, then blows out the flame)
JENSEN
Nobody
(he replaces it. Tru looks a bit confused)
I gotta get back to the lab, so I’ll, uh…I’ll see you later
TRU
Hey, Jensen…Mr. Gorenstein doesn’t need the company tonight. So I say you ditch the lab, and you join me and my brother for Christmas Eve dinner. You know, in the spirit of doing something new each day
JENSEN
Okay, I’ll try
31. EXT. Church. DAY.
(As everyone files outside, Tru’s cellphone rings)
TRU
Hello?
Cut to: JACK
All right, I followed Ann home, but she’s not doing much except the crossword puzzle. How’s Marks?
Cut to: TRU
On his way home. We must have missed something. Maybe Allison Moore’s “help me” had nothing to do with revenge
Cut to Jack, who is looking into Ann’s window. Ann suddenly jumps up and rushes into the next room
JACK
Hold on…
(Ann opens the front door and stands on the step)
ANN
Cambria! Cambria!
JACK
Tru, I think I know who Allison wanted us to stop. It wasn’t Ann, it was her daughter
32. EXT. Marks House. NIGHT.
(Russell takes some bags from the trunk of his car, and turns to see Cambria standing near his front door)
CAMBRIA
Do you know who I am?
RUSSELL
Of course
CAMBRIA
From the trial, right? That’s how you know?
RUSSELL
Is there anything I can do for you?
CAMBRIA
You can admit what you did to my mom
RUSSELL
Look Cambria, I think you should…
(Cambria pulls a gun out of her pocket and points it at him. Russell raises his hands)
CAMBRIA
You think I should what? Forgive you? Or make you pay for what you did, before you have a chance to do it to someone else?
[Fade to Black]
[Flashes of the day’s images in sequence]
33. EXT. Marks House. NIGHT.
RUSSELL
Please, honey. I loved your mother. I would never have done anything to hurt her
CAMBRIA
No, that’s not true!
RUSSELL
I was ready to give up everything. My job, my marriage. Just for a chance to be with her
JACK
Cambria? Do you remember me? I’m a friend of your aunt’s. This isn’t what she wants. She’s angry, she misses your mom, just like you do. But this isn’t the answer
(Tru walks into view, behind Jack)
We don’t get to decide who lives and who dies, who’s guilty and who’s not. That’s not the way it works. It’s out of our hands
CAMBRIA
You don’t understand! He killed her and got away with it!
TRU
And nothing you do here is gonna change that. Look, it won’t bring your mom back, and it won’t bring your aunt any more peace. No-one’s gonna die tonight, you’re not even gonna hurt him. You’ll miss and then the only one who will pay is you
(Vanessa Marks comes out of the house)
VANESSA (putting a shawl around her neck)
What’s going on out here? My God, what is this?
RUSSELL
Honey, go back inside
(Tru looks closely at Vanessa’s shawl…it’s white with red flowers on)
[Flashback: JACK “Something that looked like curtains with red flowers on them, blowing in the wind”]
TRU (quietly, to Jack)
Maybe it wasn’t curtains
CAMBRIA
You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not gonna miss
TRU
Okay, and if you don’t, then you’ve just killed someone. And that’s something you’re gonna have to live with every day for the rest of your life. Isn’t that right, Mrs Marks?
RUSSELL
What’s she talking about?
VANESSA
I…I have no idea
TRU
Cambria, don’t make an innocent man pay for someone else’s crime
(Cambria starts to cry, and drops the gun, which Jack retrieves. Tru goes to hug Cambria)
JACK
I know it’s a lot to ask, but hopefully you won’t feel the need to press charges?
RUSSELL
No. I think she’s been through enough already
VANESSA
You’re just gonna let her go? What about us? Haven’t we been through enough?
TRU
So you’re saying that she should pay for trying to take your husband away from you?
VANESSA
Exactly
TRU
Hmm. Just like Allison Moore, right?
JACK
You need to talk to your wife
(Russell is staring at Vanessa, the truth dawning on him. She turns and walks back into the house)
34. INT. Marks House. NIGHT.
(Russell is looking at a picture of Allison)
VANESSA
Russell. I did it for us
(a police siren sounds in the distance)
RUSSELL
Don’t tell me. Tell them
(two police cars drive up outside, their lights flashing. Tru and Jack watch for a second, and then walk away)
35. INT. Youth Center. NIGHT.
CARRIE
Thank you for everything you did today. Of course, I would be more thankful if I understood how you knew to actually do it, but… Davis
DAVIS
I’ve been thinking about what the best thing is to give you for Christmas, I think the best gift I can give you is…um, is the truth…about my life
CARRIE
What do you mean?
DAVIS
You know how you were asking me how I knew that Santa wasn’t going to show up today?
CARRIE
Yeah
DAVIS
It’s an interesting story, really. It’s one that I’m not supposed to talk about
CARRIE
Davis… you know that you can tell me anything
DAVIS
Yeah, I know that. This is about Tru
36. EXT. Street. NIGHT.
JACK
I gotta ask. Why call the cops about Mrs Marks? The case was closed. Why put the family though that again?
TRU
You know how you said that if there’s one thing you know, it’s a killer?
JACK
Uh-huh
TRU
Well, I know victims. I know what it’s like to lose someone and not know who took them from you. And I guess I owed a girl who lost her mom
JACK
I gotta tell you, it was kind of cool to wear the white hat for a change
TRU
Oh, so you’re admitting that I’m the good guy?
JACK
Do you know why they gave the white hat to the hero in the Old West movies? It made them easier to light for the camera. The color of the hat is not about right or wrong, it’s about what you choose to see
TRU (pointing left)
Well, I’m this way
JACK (pointing right)
And I’m this way. So I guess I’ll be seeing you
TRU
Until the day you quit
JACK
Or you do. Well it was fun while it lasted
TRU
It was
JACK
Merry Christmas, Tru
(he walks away, and Tru stops)
[Flashback: JACK: “or maybe I just didn’t wanna spend Christmas Eve by myself”]
TRU
Hey, Jack
(he turns around)
Okay, this doesn’t mean that I’ve forgiven you. And this changes absolutely nothing between us, but I’ve always had this feeling that no-one should be alone on Christmas Eve
37. INT. Tru’s apartment. NIGHT.
(Tru and Jack enter to find the place crowded)
HARRISON
Oh, look who finally showed up!
TRU
Hey
HARRISON (to Jack, insincerely)
Twice in one day, what a treat
TRU
Relax, Harry, okay? Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea
JACK
What, pass up the chance to meet all your friends? I wouldn’t miss this for the world
(he walks into the room, Tru closes the door)
HARRISON
What the hell was that? It’s uncalled for, Tru, it’s crazy…
TRU
Look (she kisses his forehead) just…Merry Christmas. For now. Okay?
(she walks over to the breakfast bar where Jensen, Avery and Tyler are sitting)
TRU
Hey!
AVERY
Hey
JENSEN
I hope you don’t mind, I brought Moe and Curly
AVERY
Yes, we took your advice and we called the airlines beforehand and our flights were cancelled, so…
TYLER
If it weren’t for you, we’d be spending Christmas Eve in an airport
AVERY
Mm-hmm. So Jensen is not the only one who owes you one
TRU
It was just a hunch
AVERY
Yes
(Tru moves over to Davis and Carrie)
TRU
Hey Davis I thought you guys were having your own holiday dinner?
CARRIE
Well, we did. But then Davis said that Harrison has a habit of standing you up, and we didn’t want you to be alone
TRU (to Davis)
Are you okay? I mean, you never even called me to see how things were going with Jack?
DAVIS
Oh right, yeah. How’d that go?
TRU
Fine. Are you sure you’re okay?
DAVIS
Yeah, it’s probably just the eggnog
TRU
Oh. We’ll talk later, okay?
(Tru walks away)
CARRIE
When are you gonna tell her that I know the secret?
(Davis is silent. The camera moves over to Harrison, who is talking with Richard and Tru)
HARRISON
No, seriously, it’s got cuffs. Right here. Hey…we have the best dad in the freaking world. He got me an apartment. He got it pimped out, everything
TRU
That’s mighty generous
RICHARD
No, not generous. Well earned
JACK (walking up behind Harrison)
Hey
(Harrison deliberately turns his back on Jack and walks away)
JACK (to Richard)
Jack Harper
RICHARD
Hi
TRU
Yeah, this is my dad Richard. Richard, Jack
JACK
Nice to meet you
RICHARD
Nice to meet you. You work with my daughter?
TRU
For a competitor, actually
RICHARD
Oh
TRU
Excuse me
(she leaves them together and moves over to Jensen)
JENSEN
Long day?
TRU
Aren’t they all?
JENSEN
You know, in my endless pursuit of the holiday spirit, there’s actually one thing that I haven’t done yet
TRU
Oh, what’s that?
(Jensen holds some mistletoe above her, and they kiss)
RICHARD
Wasn’t he supposed to be one of yours?
JACK
Give it time
(they look over at Carrie)
RICHARD
And what about the mole?
JACK
She’s got him
(Carrie, talking to Davis, gives Jack and Richard a very discreet nod)
JACK (to Richard, raising his drink)
Merry Christmas
(Jensen and Tru break apart, embarrassed)
JENSEN
I’m gonna go
TRU
They can see us
(Tru looks around the room, first at Jack and Richard talking, then Davis and Carrie, then Harrison with Avery, Tyler and Jensen)
HARRISON
Oh, there’s the guy making out with my sister
(Tru walks over to join her friends)
TRU
Come on guys, it’s time for a toast
(everyone walks over to the table and raises their glasses)
[Fade to Black]
[END CREDITS]