Season 2; Episode 7 – Ghosts
The screen is black.
Wehear the explosion of sludgy grunge guitars along and guttural screaming:
“I like it, I’m not gonna crack…I miss you, I’m not gonna crack, I love you, I’m not gonna crack, I killed you, I’m not gonna crack……”
Nirvana’s “Lithium” plays Cobain’s wounded howling continues.
EXT. SPRINGVILLE– NIGHT – (FLASHBACK)
FADE IN on the dashboard of a dusty red Ford pickup, glowing faintly from the radio display. We're in motion. The windshield reflects neon signs and streetlights as we coast through a quiet town.
A female hand, freshlymanicured, lands on the knob and turns the music down to a whisper.
LAURA(O.S.)
Sorry. Myroommate’s played this album to death. I’m beyond over it.
DAN (O.S.) (chuckling)
That’ssacrilege.
INT. TRUCK – NIGHT
DAN LATTIMER, on the edge of his mid 20s, buzzed hair, flannel shirt, leans back behind the wheel. He’s casual, polite, but his body language says “I’m ready to go.”
LAURA, 20ish, fresh-faced, abit bookish, sits inthepassenger seat, legs crossed at theankle, clutching a light jacket in her lap.
LAURA
Thanks for tonight. Ihad fun.
DAN
Yeah. Me too.
That silence hits, the kind that signals a date that’s already winding down. Laura looks at him for a beat, waiting to see if he’s going to say more. He doesn’t.
LAURA
Well, this is me.
He nods toward the apartment building.
DAN
Right. Yeah. You good getting in?
LAURA (nods)
Yep. No problem.
She opens the door and starts to step out.
DAN
Hey (sheturns) Ihad fun. You’re pretty cool.
LAURA You too.
DAN
Andhey, you go to the college, right? Mykid brother just moved into aplace nearby. Maybe you’ll run into him. He’s more your speed anyway. Bit of a dork, but he’s decent.
LAURA (smiles)
So dorks are more myspeed, huh?
DAN
Oh Ididn’t mean he was a dork. Just… talks too much. Always reading. Waybetter in class than I ever was. He’ll probably stick with it.
LAURA
Yeah (shesmiles) Havea good night, Dan.
Dan shrugs with a polite smile and waves her off as she shuts the door. He drives off. She watches the taillights for a moment, then heads inside.
CUT TO:
INT.CHRIS’S COLLEGE APARTMENT – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
A small, cluttered place books stacked beside a worn-out futon, a pizza box on the counter. CHRIS, probably just old enough to go in the liquor store without a fake ID, is kneeling by a half-unpacked box when the front door opens.
DAN
Guess whojust went on themost lukewarmdateofall time?
Chris grins without looking up.
CHRIS You did?
DAN
(nods, flopping onto the futon)
Nice girl. But not for me. But hey, you might like her. She’s taking classes here
CHRIS (teasing)
So you’re setting me up now?
DAN
Just saying. She was way more interested in college talk than tales from the garage.
CHRIS
What’s her name?
DAN Laura.
Chris pauses, his hands still buried in the box.
CHRIS
Laura.
Hetries the name out, says it again silently. Something about it sticks.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. MINDY’S HOUSE – TOMMY’S ROOM – NIGHT (PRESENT)
Thesoft glow of a nightlight fills the room. TOMMY and BILLY sit cross-legged on the floor in pajamas, a tangle of toy accessories and mismatched action figures scattered between them.
TOMMY
(quietly, almost rehearsed)
So… uh,mymom sai I…I’m sorry. Forbreaking your toy. Andnot always beingnice. And stuff.
BILLY (stilllookingdown)
It’s okay.
TOMMY
Idon’t reallythink General Savage sucks. Ijust didn’t know he was special.
BILLY
He is.
A pause.
TOMMY
He came from your dad, right?
Billystiffens.Hehugs his knees.
BILLY
You’re not supposed to tell anyone.
TOMMY
Youalreadytoldme. (beat)
Besides,everyone already knows.
Billystarts to well up. He fights it hard but his voice trembles.
BILLY
He’s not bad. My daddy’s not bad.
Tommy doesn’t know what to say.
DISSOLVE INTO
INT. LARRY LATTIMER’S HOUSE – DINING ROOM – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
The house has that warm, lived-in buzz. The kitchen smells like butter and seared meat. CHRIS (a little older, still trying to grow into his confidence) is nervously setting the table. He glances at the front door like it’s a finish line.
LAURAis standingnear the counterwith asmall bouquet nothingfancy, just something respectful. This is the first time she’s meeting the father.
LARRYLATTIMER bursts into theroom with a handshake alreadyhalf-extended and abig salesman grin.
LARRY
And this must be Laura! Look at you, huh? You made him tuck in his shirt and everything. Come on in, you’re family already.
He gives Chris a wink and waves them both toward the table. Chris is smiling… but not relaxed.
LARRY
Chris tells me you’redoingcommunications. That’ssmart. He’s gonna need someoneto handle PR if he ever stops reading those weird detective books and comes to work for me.
LAURA
He has a whole shelf of them.
CHRIS
They’re classics.
LARRY
So’s steak. But I don’t write essays about it.
Theyallchuckle.It’smostlyharmless.Mostly.
Larry launches into one of his Larry-stories something about trying to sell a lemon to a guy who turned out to bethe mayor’s cousin and while everyone laughs, we hear the familiar sound of a truck pulling up outside.
LARRY
Therehe is. Dan’s probablyjust stopping in to grab dinner before he disappears again.
Thefront door opens, and in steps DAN. He’s casual but magnetic. He can’t help but own any room he walks into. Dan wipes his boots on the mat.
DAN
Hey. Smells like civilization in here.
Hestrolls into the diningroom and gives a nod to everyone until his eyes land on Laura.
A pause. He tilts his head slightly.
DAN
Hey…. don’t Iknow you?
LAURA
(laughs, surprised)
Ithink so? I yeah, we went out once, didn’t we?
DAN
That pizza place near campus. Right. You had that roommate who played Nirvana on a loop.
LAURA
She still does. But yeah, that was… wow. That was a long time ago.
CHRIS (confused)
Wait,seriously?
Dan shrugs like it’s no big deal.
DAN
Total fluke. Years ago. We onlywent out once.
LAURA
Ididn’t even realize you were brothers.
DAN
Guess I’m the better-looking one.
LARRY
That’s just because you got the jawline and none of the tuition bills.
Everyone chuckles everyone but Chris.Hesmiles, polite, butbehind his eyes, something’s fraying.
CHRIS
Well.Tosmalltowns.
He lifts his glass.
CHRIS (CONT'D)
And even smaller dating pools.
Theclink of glassware, but thecameralingers on Chris. Theconversation goes on without him. He laughs at the right moments. But we see it… the shadow just behind his smile.
INT.LATTIMERHOUSE–NURSERY– LATEAFTERNOON (FLASHBACK)
Soft golden light spills through the window. A pastel blue nursery-in-progress glows in that late-afternoon warmth. The space is sweet but half-finished. CHRIS is on the floor, sleeves rolled, sweat on his forehead, frowning at ababyswingthat does not resemble the picture on the box.
He adjusts a bolt, stands, then
CLANK The whole thing wobbles and collapses into a heap.
CHRIS (softly, to himself)
Yeah. That feels about right.
Hewipes his hands on his jeans, picksup amobileinstead bright littleairplanes and heads toward the crib.
Behind him, LAURAenters. She’sin comfyclothes, postpartum tired. Abottle in onehand, burping rag over her shoulder.
She pauses, just watching him.
LAURA
That mobile better not land on mykid’s face in the middle of the night.
CHRIS
(nods seriously)
If it does, I’ll suethe company. Emotional damages. Lifelongfearofflight.
Laura cracks a smile as she moves to set the bottle on a shelf.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
(quietly,tryingtogetthemobilestraight)
He deserves better than this wonky crap.
LAURA
He’s a baby, Chris. His bar’s prettylow.
Hesnorts. The mobile turns a little too fast, one of the planes spinning off-axis. Chris groans.
CHRIS
This stuff used to be easy for Dan.
Laurapicksupatinyonesieandfoldsit.
LAURA
Dan works on cars, not cribs.
Shesays it casually, but it hangs there for a second too long. Chris doesn’t answer right away.
CHRIS
Yeah,well… Iwishdadcouldhelp.
Laura looks at him, softer now.
LAURA
He’sstill recovering. He shouldn’t have even been at the lot last week.
CHRIS
Ididn’t ask him to come down. Heshowed up, barked at me for an hour, then left while Iwas getting lunch.
Laura crosses the room, rests a hand gentlyon Chris’s back.
LAURA
He didn’t mean it.
CHRIS
He never means it.
Theystandin silence. The room still and warm, filled with possibilityand exhaustion. Laura leans her head on his shoulder.
LAURA
He’s luckyto have you, you know.
Chris almost believes it. He sighs, reaching for the fallen airplane and reattaching it.
CHRIS
We should’ve waited.
LAURA
Chris.
CHRIS
No, Imean. Really. I’m glad. I am. Ijust… Idon’t know how to do this.
LAURA
Neither do I.
She smiles. He smiles back. The kind of moment that could be the start of something solid.
CHRIS
If Ican just keep the ceiling from falling on him… maybe I’ll be alright.
Heturns the mobile byhand. Theplanes dance lazilyoverhead. Billystirs offscreen, fussing lightly.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
You go get him. I’ll finish this up.
LAURA
You sure?
CHRIS
Howhard can it be?
CLANK. The mobile slips offits hook again and hits him squarein the head.
Laura laughs. So does Chris.
Wehold on them this version of them before it’s all gone.
INT.LATTIMERHOUSE– LIVINGROOM– AFTERNOON (FLASHBACK)
Chris and Laura’s house. Mid-afternoon. Post-lunch dishes clink in the kitchen. Light pours into the cozy living room, where Larry Lattimer bounces baby Billy on his knee. Billy giggles. The TV is off. There’s a rare calm in the house.
INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS
Laura and Chris clean up lunch. Asoft clatterofdishes, murmursof casual conversation... until it shifts.
LAURA (softly)
I’mjust saying... he’s your dad. If you come down too hard
CHRIS (firm)
It’snot about beinghard. It’s about being done.
LAURA
He’s not going to take it well.
CHRIS
Payroll won’t take it well either.
Laura glances toward the living room, where Larry is still entertaining Billy.
LAURA (sighs)
Alright. I’ll get Billyout of the way.
She dries her hands and exits the kitchen.
INT. LIVING ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
Larryis still mid-peekaboo when Laura enters.
LAURA (smiling, gently)
Okay, Grandpa, fun’s over. I’m stealing your audience.
She lifts Billyfrom Larry’s lap. Billy coos and pouts as he’s carried off.
LARRY
(to Billy, playfully)
We’ll stage a jailbreak later, buddy.
Laura exits down the hallway. Chris enters from the kitchen, serious.
CHRIS
Dad? We need to talk.
LARRY (eyes narrowing)
Let me guess. The books again. You always had a knack for
CHRIS
It’s about Dan.
Larry pauses.
LARRY (sighs)
What about him?
CHRIS
Ten grand, Dad. Really?
LARRY (hesitating)
He’s your brother, Chris.
CHRIS
He’s a grown man who owes everyparts supplierin the tri-countyarea and God onlyknows who else. And he’s already gotten more than his share.
LARRY
You weren’t over there. You don’t know what it did to him.
CHRIS
And youdon’t know what he’sdoingto us. To the lot. To me
There’s a beat of knowing silence between father and son.
CHRIS
I’vekept him employed. I’vecovered his screwups. But if you give him that money? (pause)
I’ll fire him. For good.
Larrydoesn’t argue. Hejust absorbs it… quiet, angry, deeplyhurt. Not just at Chris, but at the world.
CHRIS
Let him fall. You’ve caught him enough.
Chris walks away. Larry stays in his chair. Alone.
FADE OUT.
INT. MINDY’S KITCHEN – NIGHT (PRESENT)
Thekitchen is warm and glowing cozy in a waythat onlyMindyknows how to do, even when she’s pretending she didn’t throw this whole dinner together in under 45 minutes.
MINDY, dressed in aflatteringsweater and lipstick shehasn’t worn in months, is twirling linguine in a deep saucepan with more flair than strictly necessary.
Across from her,her boyfriend CAL leans against thecounterwith two wine glasses inhand. CAL is clean-cut but not uptight. Friendly eyes, slight beard, salt-and-pepper hair that he’s finally stopped trying to dye. Good with kids. The kind of guy who brings his own cutting board to barbecues.
CAL
You sure I can’t help with something?
MINDY
You can stop trying to stir the sauce like it owes you money. That would be a huge help.
CAL (grinning)
I like to be useful.
Hesets the wine glasses down and watches her for a second. There’s a beat of quiet.
CAL (CONT’D)
Youknow, Iwas hoping once things settled down… we could actuallyhave anormal night again.
Mindykeeps stirring.
MINDY
Me too. But Billy’s not a bad kid. He’s been through a lot. Itold Tommyto take it easyon him.
CAL
So is all this with your friend…. finallysettled?
Mindyhesitates. Shrugs. Pours herself another sip of wine.
MINDY
Idon’tknow.Ithoughtitwas (beat)
But...the husband’s back in town.
CAL (confused)
But Ithought he died?
MINDY
Yeah. (quiet)
I guess assholes like that don’t staydead.
Cal’s about to saysomething, but the sound of Billy laughing with Tommyechoes from upstairs.
Mindydoesn’t smile. She just stares into her glass like it’s holding secrets.
DISSOLVE TO
INT. KITCHEN – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
It’s dim, lit mostlybya single overhead light. A leftover casserolesits untouched on the counter. Billy’s toys are scattered in the living room just visible from the hallway. Laura is sitting at the kitchen table, clearly having waited.
Front door opens. Chris enters, drops his keys with a loud clatter on the counter. He looks worn out, his shirt still has aname badgeon it: “CHRIS – ASSISTANT MANAGER.” He’s carrying a bag from a fast-food place. Laura looks up from the table. He doesn’t acknowledge her right away.
LAURA
That late night gourmet?
CHRIS (sarcastic)
Only the best for the guy Springville PD almost got fired three weeks into his new job.
LAURA
They showed up again?
CHRIS (still standing)
Yeah. A detective this time. Name was Marcus or something. Parked right outside the sliding doors like he was gonna buy a garden hose. (beat)
Hewants toknow if I’ve suddenly remembered anythingabout what happened at the lot. Or about Mike.
He drops into a chair, exhausted.
LAURA
Bad enough that theyinsist puttingit on Dan. They’re still tryingto connect this to you?
Chris doesn’t answer.
LAURA
I’m just saying whatever Dan did or didn’t do... he wouldn't have hurt Mike.
CHRIS (firm, cold)
Dan’sdead, Laura.
LAURA
I know that. But Mike was his friend. Your friend.
CHRIS (staring at her now)
And I’m the oneleft to be followed bypolice through parkinglots. (beat)
I lost the business. I buried the body. And everytime a cop knocks on our door, you look at me like I might’ve done it.
LAURA
That’s not fair.
CHRIS
It’s not fair that I’mscraping gunk off pricetags at S-Mart whileDan gets to bethe victim. The family’s tragic hero.
LAURA
That’s not what Ithink
CHRIS
Youdon’t haveto sayit. Isee it in your face. (beat)
Everytime Icome home late. Everytime Imiss a call. You’re not wondering if I’m hiding something. You’re just waiting to find out what.
LAURA (quiet)
Chris...
CHRIS
Get some sleep. I’ve gotta be up at six to stock cat litter.
He grabs his food bag and walks off down the hall. We hear the bedroom door click shut.
INT. HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
There’s silence for a few seconds. Laura remains at the table, quietlypicking at the edge of a napkin. Then
BILLY (O.S.)
(fromdownthehall,cryingout) Mommy!
Laura immediatelystands. Wefollow her down the hallway. We hear Chris’s door open too. They both end up outside Billy’s door at the same time. Laura opens it gently.
INT. BILLY’S BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS
Billy’ssitting up in bed, tear-streaked, shaken from a nightmare.
LAURA
Hey, hey… it’s okay, baby. It was just a dream.
Chris hovers at thedoor, watching. Laura glances at him thengestures slightlywith her head. He comes in, kneels by the bed beside her.
Billy leans forward, still whimpering. Laura pulls him into a hug.
CHRIS
It’s alright, bud.You’resafe. You’resafewith us.
There’s a beat of silence. Chris rubs Billy’s back.
CHRIS (softly)
Ijustdon’twannalose youtwo.
Laura looks up at him.
LAURA
Then don’t.
Chris holds her gaze for a long moment. Wedon’t know if he hears her. Or if he’s alreadytoo far gone.
INT. S-MART – BACK OFFICE – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Dark. Quiet. The low hum of a cheap desktop monitor.
ONSCREEN:
The LattimerJoint Checking account. Cursorhovering. Thenumber’s good. Almost enoughto clear it all.
Wedon’tseeChris yet. Just hearhis voice sharp, strained from aphone call midconversation.
CHRIS (O.S.)
No. Isaid not the card on file. I’m paying it off now. Tonight.
Click.
Routingnumber entered. A red “TRANSFER SUCCESSFUL” stamp blinks across the screen.
FLASH IMAGE:
Quickcut a laughing baby BILLY in Chris’s arms, nursery wall behind him half-painted.
BACK TO SCREEN:
Thecursor now hovers over EVAN MONTGOMERY TRUST.
CHRIS (O.S.) (pause, quieter) Nolookingback. He clicks.
FLASH IMAGE:
INT. BILLY’S ROOM – NIGHT
Chris kneeling beside the bed. Billysniffling. Laura beside him, tired and tender.
CHRIS (V.O.)
Ijust don’t wanna lose you two.
LAURA (V.O.)
Then don’t.
BACK TO CHRIS:
Weseehim now,just hisfaceinthedim light. Eyes dead.
He types a larger number. Stares. Frozen.
Fromthehallway, wehearadoor.FOOTSTEPS. Chris looks up, stiffens.
EVAN (O.S.)
Chris?
Wedon’t hear the rest. We don’t need to. We know what’s coming.
INT. MINDY’S HOUSE – TOMMY’S BEDROOM – NIGHT (PRESENT)
A warm nightlight glows softly in the corner. MINDY is kneeling between the twin beds tucking TOMMY in on one side, BILLY on the other. Tommy’s already half-asleep, arms wrapped around a squishystuffed shark. Billy, on the otherhand, is still staring at the ceiling.
BILLY (sleepy)
Ileft General Savage at home...
MINDY (whispering)
That’s alright. We’ll grab him tomorrow. He’ll be waiting for you.
BILLY (murmuring)
Do you think mydaddy will be there?
Mindyfreezes for a moment. Just a moment. Then gentlyleans in and kisses Tommy’s forehead.
MINDY
Goodnight, babies.
She clicks off the lamp. Just the nightlight remains.
INT. HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS
Mindyclosesthe bedroom door quietlybehind her. CALis waiting in the hallway, arms crossed, concern plain on his face.
CAL
Poor kid.
Mindydoesn’t answer. Just walks past him slowly.
CUT TO:
INT. LATTIMER HOUSE – NIGHT (PRESENT)
Thehouseis dim. Quiet. Tidy, but soulless. Ahomehalfwaycleaned but still scarred.
The front door unlocks. Opens.
LAURAsteps inside. Purseover her shoulder, coat still on. Shedoesn’tfreeze. Doesn’t gasp.
She closes the door behind her.
A lamp clicks on in the living room. After a mockingsalute, CHRIS sits in his old chair. Hair slicked back. Ice clinking in a glass. Calm. Settled. Like he never left. Like he belongs there.
GENERALSAVAGE, newly repaired, stands tall on the counter.
CHRIS
Make yourself at home.
Laura steps forward slowly. No rush. No fear.
LAURA
Iknew you’d be here.
Chris swirls the ice in his glass.
CHRIS
That whyBilly’s withMindy? Again?
She doesn’t answer.
LAURA
He hates it over there. The house. Tommy. All of it. Because of you.
Chris raises an eyebrow.
CHRIS
You made your choices. So did I.
LAURA
When Ithought you were dead...there was still achance. A chance. That you and Dan both got in too deep for the same reasons. Trying to fix things. To make things right. I wanted so badly to believethatmaybe just maybe you weren’t the onewho emptied the accounts, that you didn’t walk, and leave us drowning
Her voice catches. Then hardens.
LAURA (CONT’D)
But you’re nothinglike yourbrotherare you? Becausedeep down, Dan was agood man. And deep down
Thelook on Laura’s face changes. Sheer hatred.
LAURA (CONT’D)
You’re not.
Chris doesn’t blink.
CHRIS (quietly, deadly)
Dan was a fool.
Chris sets the glass down. Leans forward.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
You’re right about him. He was onlytryingto do what he thought was the right thing. I’m not here for “right.” A beat.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
I’m here to take back what’s mine.
LAURA
You’re not taking Billy.
Chris grins. Not angry. Not unhinged.
CHRIS
Oh,it’s too late for that.
He gestures to GENERAL SAVAGE on the counter.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
Ialready have him.
Laura flinches.
LAURA
You sick…twisted son of a
Chris stands. Picks up General Savage. Offers it to her.
CHRIS
Givethis tohim, will you? He’dbe heartbroken if helost it.
Laura doesn’t move.
Chris smirks.
CHRIS (CONT’D)
Ormaybe I’ll give it to him myself.
Laura doesn’t blink. Doesn’t flinch.
LAURA
Youwerealways goingto dothis... weren’t you? Even beforethe bikers. Before the fire. It wasn’t enough for you to just…leave. You wanted to burn it all down.
Chris doesn’t denyit. Doesn’t explain.
CHRIS
It had to end one wayor another.
A long, bitter silence. Laura steps forward. Face pale. Steady.
LAURA
If you come near myson again… Iwill kill you.
Chris says nothing. Heplaces General Savage gentlyon the counter. Walks past her.Outthe door.
Laurastandsaloneinherwreckofahome.
She looks at General Savage.
CUT TO BLACK.
ENDOFEPISODE