FADE IN:
INT.MIDAS GRAND HOTEL – KITCHEN – NIGHT
A sharp knife slices through fresh vegetables. The rhythmic chopping is crisp, clean, and practiced. A hand expertly tosses diced onions into a sizzling pan.
The camera pulls back, revealing a sprawling, high-end kitchen. Stainless steel countertops gleam under bright lights. Chefs and line cooks move with precision, plating dishes, adjusting sauces, shouting orders.
CHEF 1
Watch the sear on that filet!
CHEF 2
Where’s mytruffle reduction?
A platter is carefully arranged a meal fit for royalty.
We continue pulling back, past the chefs, past the sous chefs, to a line of uniformed hotel staff preparing covered plates on trays.
One waiter checks the list in his hand.
WAITER (sotto)
Five covers for the board.
The other staff members exchange brief glances.
WAITER 2 (grumbling)
Luckybastards.
WAITER 3
Yeah, well, let’s keep it moving. You know how this goes careful, precise, no mistakes.
Theyfinish assembling the trays. A final sweep is done presentation is flawless. One staff member carefully lifts a tray, nodding.
WAITER
Alright. Let’s go.
INT.MIDAS GRAND HOTEL– PRIVATE MEETINGROOM – NIGHT
FRANKIE (CONT’D)
That’s erratic. Sloppy.
ARTIE
Sloppy’s one thing. Stupid’s another.
Vinnyfinallylooks up, resting his fork on his plate.
VINNY
We need to be clear on something Montgomeryis not stupid. A beat.
JohnnyCallas leans in, smirking.
JOHNNY
No, but he’s pissed off. Man’s got an empire to run, but he’s playing fast and loose. And fast and loose makes people nervous.
Vinnytaps his glass with his ring finger.
VINNY
You nervous, Johnny?
Johnnylaughs, holding up a hand.
JOHNNY
Me? Hell no. Ikeep myhead on straight, and Idon’t put mymoneyanywhere I ain’t willing to lose it.
Frankie raises an eyebrow.
FRANKIE
Thenwhatarewetalking abouthere?
Vinny leans back in his chair.
VINNY
We’re talking about the fact that this place? The Midas Grand? (gestures around) It doesn’t exist without the right money moving through it.
A pause. That lands.
Luther Ross nods slightly, understanding.
The Midas Grand Casino. Named after a dog. Built on moneythat never sleeps.
INT.MINDY’S HOUSE– LIVINGROOM – DAY
Suitcases half-packed. Boxes stacked near the door. The energyin the house is different today. Lighter. Optimistic.
MINDY tapes up a box, flashing a small, satisfied smile.
LAURA, kneeling near a duffel bag, folds clothes, shaking her head.
LAURA (smirking)
Istill can’t believe you got meajob interview.
Mindy shrugs, hands on her hips.
MINDY
It’s not a job yet. But it’s a start.
Laura laughs, tossing a shirt into the bag.
LAURA
Areceptionistatadoctor’soffice.
Mindy tilts her head.
MINDY
Hey, it’s an easy gig. Answer phones, schedule appointments, deal with old people yelling about their prescriptions what’s not to love?
Laura makes a mock thoughtful face.
LAURA
Mm.Maybe I’ll just fake myowndeath instead.
Mindy laughs.
MINDY
Oh, shut up. It’s a paycheck.
Laura pauses for a moment, exhaling.
LAURA
Yeah. It is.
MINDY (scoffs)
Theuniversereallylikes interruptingus, huh?
She picks up the receiver.
MINDY (CONT’D)
Hello? A beat.
Her expression changes slightly. She covers the mouthpiece, looking at Laura.
MINDY (CONT’D)
It’s for you.
Laura raises an eyebrow.
LAURA
Who the hell’s calling me here?
Mindyshrugs,holdingoutthephone.
MINDY
It’s that bank guy. Henderson. Says it’s urgent.
INT.MINDY’S HOUSE– HALLWAY –CONTINUOUS
Laura steps into the hallway, phone pressed to her ear.
LAURA (into phone)
Mr.Henderson?
A pause. She listens, her expression shifting.
LAURA (CONT’D)
Wait, wait what?
A longer pause. Laura leans against the wall, gripping the phone tighter.
LAURA (CONT’D)
No,thatdoesn’tmakeanysense.
A beat.
Laura nods.
LAURA
Just for a little bit.
Mindynods back. Laura pauses like she wants to saysomething. Instead, she shakes her head, exhaling.
LAURA
I’ll call you soon.
She heads for the door. Mindywatches her go, a nagging thought pulling at her. She turns back to Billy, watching him laugh as Tommyplays with the action figure. She doesn’t say anything.
INT. LATTIMER HOUSE – NIGHT
The house isn’t empty anymore. The bedroom light is on. The bed is slept in. Fast food containers pile up on a nightstand. The place has been cleaned no longer abandoned, no longer frozen in time.
Chris has been living here. Haunting his old house.
INT. LATTIMER HOUSE – BEDROOM– NIGHT
CHRIS paces the room, shirt sleeves pushed up, wearing cargo pants his usual uniform of gloves, trenchcoat, and hat nowhere in sight. He’s fully visible for the first time this season.
Same face.
Differentman.
The speakerphone on his cell is on. A voice crackles through the room.
ZARTAN (V.O.)
Iam failingtounderstand your frustration.
Chris stops pacing, gritting his teeth.
CHRIS
The frustration is that your goons just gutted Wainwright in the middle of a parking lot like goddamn animals.
Zartan remains silent for a moment. Then
ZARTAN (V.O.)
Wainwright was useless.
Chris stares at the phone for a moment, jaw tight, breathinghard. His hands tremble slightly. Not with fear. With rage. Then he exhales sharply, steadies himself.
He doesn’t need Wainwright. He never needed him. His next move will bemuch more satisfying.
INT. LATTIMER HOUSE – OFFICE – NIGHT
Chris moves through the house, steppinginto a small office where the desktop monitor still glows softly.
Still on.Still active. He sits down, draggingthe mouse slightly. A cursor blinks on an open browser tab. Just for a second, we catch glimpses of what’s there: A news article on The Midas Grand; A mention of offshore accounts; A familiar face from the opening scene.
Chris leans backin his chair, absorbingit.
A long, quiet beat.
Then, a slow, knowing smirk.
CHRIS
(smirking,tohimself)
My, my, Richard…
EXT.THE CRESCENTROOM – SPRINGVILLE – EARLYEVENING
The Crescent Room sits nestled in the heart of Springville’s upscale district, an elegant blend of modern minimalism and old-money class. Dark wood paneling, warm candlelight flickering from pristine glass sconces. White tablecloths, silver service, an air of quiet exclusivity. A place for Springville’s elite not to flaunt their wealth, but to exist within it.
A sommelier glides past with a bottle of vintage wine. A soft quartet plays in the corner, their music woven into the low hum of conversation.
At a window-side table, RICHARD and BARBARA MONTGOMERY sit across from one another. The table is set for two.
A space that used to belong to their son is now just empty air.
INT.THECRESCENT ROOM– MONTGOMERY TABLE–CONTINUOUS
Barbara gazes down at her untouched meal, absently moving a fork across the plate. Richard, ever composed, cuts into his steak with clinical precision. For a moment, it’s just the sounds of the restaurant.
Then
BARBARA (low, careful)
Richard, Idon’t want to livelikethis.
Richard doesn’t look up.
RICHARD
We’rehavingdinner, Barbara. That’snormal, isn’t it?
Barbara breathes in, steadying herself.
BARBARA
This isn’t normal.
Sheglancesaround.
BARBARA (CONT’D)
We used to come here all the time. Iused to feel… something here. Now Ifeel like I’m sitting across from a man plotting a war.
Richard finallylooks up, fork midair. He smiles.
RICHARD
That’s dramatic.
Barbarastudieshim.
BARBARA Is it?
Richard doesn’t answer. Just cuts another piece of steak. Barbara leans in slightly, voice lowering.
BARBARA (CONT’D)
If Lattimer is alive, then the police need to handle it.
Richard raises an eyebrow, amused.
RICHARD
You have a lot of faith in the police.
BARBARA
I have faith in closing this chapter of our lives.
Richard rests his knife down, lacing his fingers together.
RICHARD
And what would you have me do?
Barbarameetshisgaze,unwavering.
BARBARA
Let it go. We have lost enough to a meaningless little man.
Richard studies her for a long moment.
Then, to her surprise he exhales softly and nods.
RICHARD
You’re right.
Barbara blinks. That was too easy. Richard reaches for his glass of wine, swirling it slowly.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
Ihave spent enough energy on Lattimer. He isn’t worth another second of mytime.
He takes a sip. Barbara relaxes slightly, shoulders lowering. Maybe, for once, he actuallymeans it.
BARBARA
I alreadycalled the detective.
Richard’s wine glass stills. His expression doesn’t change, but his grip on the stem tightens.
RICHARD
You did what?
Barbara keeps her voice even.
BARBARA
Those people at the funeral Marcus…the one who suggested we were being watched? I called him.
Richard slowlysets his glass down.
BARBARA (CONT’D)
Itold him about Lattimer’s phone call.
RICHARD
TheyfoundWainwright’sbody.
Barbara blinks.
RICHARD (CONT’D)
At Lattimer Motors.
Barbara doesn’t breathe for a second. Richard turns, alreadymaking for the exit. Barbara watches him go, her stomach sinking.
INT.MINDY’S HOUSE– LIVINGROOM – NIGHT
MINDY sits on the couch, arms folded, watching BILLY as he lines up his army men on the coffee table. The General Savage figure stands front and center unwavering, unshaken. Billy hums to himself, lost in his own world.
Mindytilts her head slightly, then leans in.
MINDY
Hey, kiddo.
Billybarelylooks up, still adjusting the positioning of one of the green soldiers.
BILLY
Yeah?
Mindychooses her words carefully.
MINDY
Yousaid earlierthat your daddygave you General Savage.
Billy nods, still distracted.
MINDY (CONT’D)
And when did you see him?
Billypauses, thinking. Then he picks up General Savage, marchinghim in small circles across the table.
BILLY
I dunno.
Mindyleans in a little more.
MINDY
Billy, honey… did your daddytell you not to talk about it?
Billy shrugs, nonchalant.
BILLY
We just talk sometimes. But it’s a secret.
Mindyforces a smile, but her stomach turns.
MINDY
Oh, yeah?
Billynods, now making “pew pew” sounds with the figure.
BILLY
Uh-huh.
Mindywatches him carefully. She’s about to press just a little more
Then
THE SOUND OF A CAR PULLING UP.
A moment later, the front door opens.
INT.MINDY’S HOUSE
– ENTRYWAY– NIGHT
LAURA steps inside, carrying a plastic bag in one hand, a rectangular box tucked under her arm. She looks different. Lighter. Shaken, but not in a bad way.
Mindyleans over the couch, eyebrow raised.
MINDY
What’s this?
Laura grins, lifting the bag.
LAURA Dinner.
Mindystares.
MINDY
No. No way. Who are you and what did you do with Laura?
Laura chuckles, stepping further inside.
LAURA
What? We gotta eat.
She sets the bag on the coffee table white cartons inside, stacked neatly. Chinese takeout. Billy beams.
BILLY
Egg rolls?!
Laura ruffles his hair.
LAURA
Yeah, buddy.
Mindyeyes her suspiciously.
MINDY
Laura.
Laura glances at her.
MINDY (CONT’D) Where’d this come from?
Laurahesitates.Mindyseesit.
MINDY (CONT’D)
Youhad, like, fifteen bucks to your name this morning.
Laura lets out a small laugh.
LAURA
Yeah. About that.
She grabs the rectangular box under her arm and tosses it to Tommy. He catches it, eyes widening.
TOMMY
Whoa!
He turns it over another Battle Corps figure. A different one from Billy’s CODE NAME: BARRICADE. Tommy grins.
TOMMY (CONT’D)
Thanks, Miss Laura!
He disappears down the hall, into his office. She watches him go, a shadow of unease crossing her face.
INT.MONTGOMERY ESTATE – OFFICE – NIGHT
The door opens.
Richard steps inside onlyto stop.
Themassive fish tank glows softlyin the darkened room.
The office is occupied.
Chris is alreadyseated at the desk. Hat on. Coat buttoned. Gloved hands folded neatly. Behind him, standing like statues, are Buzzer, Torch, and Ripper.
Chris meets Richard’s eyes.
CHRIS
Mr. Montgomery.
A moment of perfect stillness. Then Chris slowly leans back in the chair, as if he owns it. His posture is controlled. His voice is smooth. This is our first glimpse at the man Chris will become.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
Have a seat.
Richard steps forward slowly.
RICHARD
I think you’re confused.
Christiltshisheadslightly.
CHRIS Oh?
Richard keeps walking, measured steps, moving around the desk.
RICHARD
Youthinkthisis yourmoment.
Chris smiles faintly.
CHRIS Isn’t it?
Richard glances at the Dreadnoks Buzzer standingtoo close, Torch grinning, Ripper adjusting his knife handle. He exhales slowly. Then, finally, he picks up the pen. And signs. It’s done. Richard sets the pen down. Hebreathes in, shoulders rising, fingers flexing.
Then, as he turns toward Chris, the insult is already forming
RICHARD
You miserable little BANG.
The gunshot echoes like a bomb. Everythingelsefadesinto silence.
Richard’s bodyslumps to the ground, mid-turn, the last word never finished.
Even Torch and Ripper look surprised.
The camera holds on Chris, gripping the pistol, face cold. His eyes, hard and unrecognizable.
A long, perfect stillness.
FADE TO BLACK
END OF EPISODE