Title: The Science of Chocolate
Written by: Cassie
Date Written: (first draft) December 8 – 10, 2001, (second draft) March 9, 2002
Final Draft: July 2, 2002
Summary: Monica discovers what chocolate means to these people, and then Scully discovers what Skinner has been doing behind her back.
Spoilers: None.
Disclaimer: I do not own John Doggett, Monica Reyes, Fox Mulder, Alex Krycek, Dana Scully, Walter Skinner, or Marita Covarrubias. They belong to Chris Carter, Ten-Thirteen Productions, and 20th Century FOX Broadcasting. Robert Alfredo belongs to me and my partner in crime, Kristi.
FADE IN:
INT. MULDER/KRYCEK APARTMENT – DAY
We see a few construction workers rebuilding the wall that is supposed to be between the two apartments. Mulder and Krycek’s landlord is standing there, overseeing the rebuilding process. He is not happy.
We will take notice that all of the furniture from Krycek’s side of the apartment, has been brought over to Mulder’s side. A man is changing the lock on Krycek’s apartment door. It seems as if their landlord is going to make the boys live together in a single small apartment.
CUT TO:
INT. FBI CAFETERIA – DAY
Mulder and Scully are seated by themselves at a long table. Mulder seems worried as he eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Scully munches on a small salad while flipping through some home/garden/cooking magazine.
MULDER Scully doesn’t even look up as she responds to this.
Scully. I think something
suspicious is going on.
SCULLY She turns a page in the magazine.
Mulder, you always think something
suspicious is going on.
MULDER Suddenly Robert Alfredo sits down next to Scully.
Krycek and Doggett aren’t here
yet, and they should have been
here before us.SCULLY
(looks up)
Well, if it helps your paranoia,
Skinner isn’t here either.
(takes a bite of her salad)
Maybe he called them in for a meeting.MULDER
You mean they’re getting assigned
an x-file and we’re not?SCULLY
(under breath)
Hopefully…MULDER
(offended)
What’s that supposed to mean?SCULLY
Nothing… I was just thinking out loud.
ALFREDO Scully gives him a look, that lounge is never crowded.
Mind if I join you?
Janitor’s Lounge was crowded.
MULDER Alfredo nods his head “yes” and picks up his slice of pepperoni pizza. He scarfs it down. Scully watches on, disgusted. Then Alfredo finishes off his can of Pepsi in one long gulp. He pauses, holding back what could have been a loud belch. Alfredo picks up a white plastic fork and digs into the chocolate cake he has as desert.
(jealous)
You get to hang out in the Janitor’s Lounge?
Upon seeing the chocolate cake, Scully’s eyes go wide in shock. Alfredo is eating chocolate… alone.
Mulder swiftly kicks Scully under the table, in reaction to seeing Alfredo eat chocolate. Mulder is excited in that shocked kind of a way. Alfredo continues eating, oblivious to Scully and Mulder’s strange behavior.
Mulder kicks Scully again, trying to get her to look at him.
SCULLY Alfredo waves his hand to greet Doggett and Krycek. He doesn’t attempt to speak since his mouth is shoved full of food.
(in pain)
Ow! Mulder!DOGGETT
(off screen)
What’d Agent Mulder do now?
Doggett sits down across from Scully, next to Mulder. Krycek takes a seat next to Alfredo.
SCULLY Doggett takes the bun off of his hamburger and starts to place pickles and lettuce on it.
(trying not to whine/ to Doggett)
He kicked me.
Krycek has begun to laugh to himself. We don’t know why. Krycek turns his head toward Alfredo, he sees the chocolate cake. He jumps straight out of his seat, scared.
KRYCEK Doggett and Alfredo sit there, not quite sure of what is going on.
(scared/surprised)
Oh my God! (beat) Robert
ate chocolate cake!MULDER
(outbursts/to Scully)
That’s why I kicked you Scully!SCULLY
(duh)
I know!
KRYCEK Scully’s face is bright red, she’s embarrassed about the topic of conversation.
(to Alfredo/teasing)
Dude… Man, we didn’t need to know that.DOGGETT
(dead pan)
Do we even want to know?
SCULLY Alfredo stands up with his empty tray.
It’s not really meal time
conversation, John.
ALFREDO Alfredo leaves. Mulder, Krycek and Scully snigger amongst themselves. Doggett looks on unamused.
Well since I’m once again the foolish
subject of your child-like humor,
I’ll be getting back to work… on the
fifth floor.
DOGGETT Krycek snort-laughs.
Robert’s a good agent and I think you
three need to show him a little more
respect. Don’t use him for your non-existent jokes.
KRYCEK Aggravated, Doggett leaves as well. After Doggett is out of earshot, Mulder and Krycek laugh hysterically, however Scully is not. Infact, she’s glaring at them in a sweet kind of disbelief way.
(perverted chuckling)
You just don’t get it man…
SCULLY Mulder and Krycek give her their best “oh poor Scully” look and then continue to hold back their giggles.
(disappointed)
Way to go guys, you made John leave.
CUT TO:
INT. SRSG OFFICE – U.N. – DAY
Marita is working out on a walking exercise machine. She’s wearing her nice work clothes and running shoes. She is blaring a stereo. Techno music. She hums along with the beat and sporadically bobs her head ferociously to the music.
There is a knock on her door, she quickly grabs the stereo remote control and turns the music off.
MARITA She runs to her desk and sits down, and picks up the phone as some man enters the room.
(yells)
Just a moment please!
MARITA Marita hangs up the phone and stands up to greet the man.
(into the phone)
Yes, I’ll have that out to you
first thing tomorrow morning.
(beat) Goodbye.
MARITA Marita smiles, she wonders who could have been so thoughtful.
How may I help you?MAN
Just informing you that a bouquet
of flowers was delivered for you.
MARITA The man nods his head and exits. A beat later he brings in the bouquet. Red roses and a box of chocolates. Marita’s eyes brighten, someone must really love her to do this! In her mind, she bets $10 dollars Monopoly money that the flowers and chocolate are from Krycek. For only he would dare send her dark chocolate at the office.
Oh, just bring them in and place
it on my desk.
The man heads to the door.
MARITA The door shuts.
(to man)
Thank you.
Marita spots a note card attached to one of the flowers, she picks it up and reads it. A mischievous smile crosses her face. She sits down in her chair and holds the note over her heart, with a look of love in her eyes.
CUT TO:
INT. MULDER/KRYCEK’S APARTMENT – EARLY EVENING
The construction workers are gone and the apartment is empty of people. The wall has been rebuilt. The boys don’t yet know…
CUT TO:
INT. DOGGETT/REYES OFFICE – EARLY EVENING
Doggett and Krycek have many files out, having to do with a single case. At the moment, they are scanning through some surveillance videos, making notes every now and then.
SCULLY Mulder pokes his head into their office. Doggett and Krycek look over at him.
(in background/off screen)
Mulder, don’t do-
MULDER Doggett switches off the video.
Hey buddies.
MULDER Mulder’s eyes have already picked out certain parts of the papers and photos that are lying around the office. If this were filmed, we’d catch glimpses of Scully’s “deceased” husband (John Montgomery) and her daughter (Jill Lynn McLeod – adopted by Ally and Adrian McLeod, first seen in 4x14 “The Project”).
I don’t mind if you ask for my
expertise if you are working
on an x-file…
KRYCEK Doggett is closing some of the scattered files.
Mulder, if this case needed your
help, Skinner would have assigned
you to it. That’s not the case.
DOGGETT Scully steps into frame, a sympathetic grin on her face.
The Assistant Director needed my detective
skills and Krycek’s “history” as he put it, for the case.MULDER
(eager)
I’ve got connections. I could gain
access to information that may not
be available to you. All I have to do is
call up Frohike, Langly and Byers-
SCULLY Scully pulls Mulder out of their office and back to their own, she pulls him by the ear.
I’m sorry guys, sometimes he
just gets loose.
INT. SCULLY/MULDER/KRYCEK’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
MULDER Mulder pouts. He doesn’t think this is fair. Then he looks confused.
Skinner put them on a case that
he doesn’t want us to know about.
(beat) Did you see the way Agent
Doggett was keeping me from seeing
their files?SCULLY
Mulder… you’ve got to start to accept
the fact that we’re not the only agents
assigned to this division. I’m sure Skinner
has his reasons for not giving us their assignment.
MULDER Scully shrugs her shoulders, how the heck is she supposed to know.
That reminds me… where have
Agent Spender and his chick-a-dee
disappeared to?
CUT TO:
INT. SKINNER’S OFFICE
Skinner is seated at his desk, looking thoughtful. His eyes move to look at his phone. He picks it up and dials.
INT. MULDER/SCULLY/KRYCEK’S OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
Their phone rings, Mulder eagerly picks it up, hoping it’s either Krycek, Doggett or Skinner, calling to ask him to help on this mysterious new case.
MULDER Mulder’s end of the phone goes dead. He pouts out his lower lip more than he should.
(answers phone)
Agent Mulder speaking.SKINNER
(voice over)
Is Dana there?MULDER
No sir, she’s in the little girls room.SKINNER
Could you tell her I need to call
off our date tonight?MULDER
(not really listening)
Sure buddy! (beat) Um… sir…
have there been any new and
interesting x-file cases
you may like me to help with?SKINNER
No. (beat) Make sure to give
my message to Dana.
Scully enters the office.
SCULLY Scully doesn’t even respond to that. She takes her coat off the coat rack and walks out. Mulder looks sadly at the door.
Mulder, I’m gonna head out early.
I’ve got some things to do before
Walter and I go out, and since we
have nothing to do…MULDER
(upset)
Do you know even Skinner isn’t
letting me in on their case?
SCULLY INT. DOGGETT/REYES OFFICE – CONTINUOUS
(in hallway/to Krycek and Doggett)
See you guys later!DOGGETT
(off screen)
Goodbye Agent Scully.
Krycek is smirking at Doggett. Doggett gives him an odd look.
KRYCEK Doggett rolls his eyes, Marita has never stated that she and Krycek are a “thing”. Doggett goes back to getting familiar with the case. Krycek watches him, something important on his mind.
There’s no way you’re gonna
get her, man. She and da Skin Man-DOGGETT
Why must you keep pestering
me about that? She’s a friend.KRYCEK
Marita’s my friend and you
know how we are…
KRYCEK Doggett turns to face him.
John…
KRYCEK Off Doggett’s concerned look:
There are some things you need to know
about this case that you won’t find in
those files.DOGGETT
(skeptical)
How do you know?KRYCEK
I think you’re gonna have to sit down.
CUT TO:
INT. SCULLY/MARITA/MONICA’S APARTMENT – 6 PM
Monica is ironing some of her clothes, while watching the local news on TV. We can tell she’s been unpacking her belongings all day. There are a few cardboard boxes stacked neatly against the wall and some broken down boxes lying in the middle of the living room.
Scully enters and shuts the apartment door behind her.
MONICA Scully sets a few grocery bags down on the dining room table and goes to join Monica in the living room.
(cheerful)
Hi Dana. Did you have a good
day at work without me?
SCULLY There’s a beat as Scully hesitates to let her in on the thing about chocolate.
It wasn’t bad. (beat) Well, Robert Alfredo
ate chocolate cake by himself. Oh and
Mulder is upset that John and Krycek have
a case we haven’t been told about…MONICA
(intrigued at the mention of Alfredo)
What’s bad about chocolate cake?
Is it mushier up here than it is in New Orleans?
SCULLY Monica shakes her head “no”. Scully gets really uncomfortable. How to explain this one…?
You mean you don’t know?
SCULLY Monica looks confused, she doesn’t understand.
Um… well… ever since myself, Krycek
Marita and Mulder were young, we’ve
thought that when people eat chocolate
either with another person of the same sex
or opposite sex, or alone, that it meant they
had sexual relations. Alfredo was eating it
alone…
SCULLY Monica gets up off the floor and joins Scully on the couch.
(embarrassed to talk about this)
If a person eats it alone… um…
let’s just say they are “self-involved”.
If you know what I mean.
MONICA Monica stands up and rubs her hands together.
How intriguing.SCULLY
It gets deeper than that, it takes
time to completely understand the
“science” of it all.MONICA
Science?SCULLY
Ya know, the different kinds of chocolate,
and what they mean. For example, if it’s
dark chocolate with nuts, one may say the
couple is master of the Kama Sutra.
MONICA Monica gives her a look, she had no clue how weird this group of people can be.
Is ice cream returnable?SCULLY
Why?MONICA
I bought chocolate ice cream.SCULLY
(laughs)
We don’t live in a convent, Mon’.
Keep it just in case one of us brings
a man back. You know… one we
would like to get more intimate with…
SCULLY Scully heads to her bedroom.
Isn’t Marita home yet?MONICA
Oh yeah, she left just a few minutes ago.
I think she has a date.SCULLY
Uh oh. Don’t let Krycek know.
SCULLY Scully disappears into her room to get ready. Monica mischeviously glances over to a corner, where her boxing bag leans against the wall.
I’ve got a date with Skinner tonight.
I’m not sure if I’ll be back before
morning. Feel free to do whatever you like.
CUT TO:
INT. DOGGETT/REYES OFFICE – 6:20 PM
Doggett did indeed take a seat to hear Krycek explain some of the missing information.
KRYCEK Doggett looks dumbfounded.
(finishing)
… and that is why Scully and Mulder
can’t be in on this case.
DOGGETT Krycek shakes his head as he laughs at himself.
Let me get this straight. You aren’t really
a federal agent, but rather an assassin for
some supposed “shadowy” government
group. The people we were assigned to investigate,
Ally and Adrian McLeod, are the adoptive parents
of Scully’s daughter, with whom she had with a
man who is now deceased, John Montgomery.
And on top of that he was her husband. Then to
top it all off, Scully doesn’t even remember all
this because she wanted to have her memory of
it erased so she could have a normal life?KRYCEK
(proud)
That’s what I was told and shown
by the Smoking Man himself.DOGGETT
Alex? Did it ever occur to you that
you may have been lied to?KRYCEK
Hey! It’s all in the paperwork I
was shown- (realizing) oh…DOGGETT
Uh huh.KRYCEK
Dude! If I’ve been lied to, there
may very well be something else
going on!DOGGETT
Exactly! And that is why we need
to find out the truth to what you
were told, before we can even think
about questioning our guys.
KRYCEK
I can be so gullible sometimes.
(beat) Think we can convince
Scully to be put into regression hypnosis?
Off Doggett’s look
CUT TO:
INT. SCULLY’S CAR – 7:20 PM
Scully pulls up into a parking lot of an expensive Italian restaurant, “Bella Flora”. She steps out, wearing a nice black dress, that exposes her bare shoulders.
Scully enters the restaurant and is greeted by the host.
HOST The Host checks his reservation list and approves. He leads her to her table. But wait! Scully spots Skinner before they get there and is shocked to see that he is already eating desert (chocolate ice cream with French Silk pie!). Worse than that, he’s not alone! Scully freezes in her tracks. Skinner is sharing this desert with another woman. A blond, dressed in dark navy blue. This blond brushes a strand of hair behind her ear. We see that she is Marita Covarrubias.
Last name please.SCULLY
Skinner.
Scully lets out a pained squeak and covers her mouth. She quickly turns around and leaves the restaurant, tears welling up in her eyes. As she exits, Marita seductively feeds Skinner a small bit of chocolate ice cream from her spoon.
CUT TO:
INT. SCULLY/MARITA/MONICA’S APARTMENT – 8 PM
Monica invited Mulder over to play some race car video games. They are racing each other, sitting side-by-side, indian-style in front of the TV.
MULDER Monica body checks him with her shoulder, causing Mulder’s car to fly right off the road, Monica wins the game.
(excited)
Woosh! HAHA! I passed you Mon’!
MULDER Monica bounces in place, agreeing to play. Mulder resets the game. However, before they can get started, they hear a strange noise outside the apartment door. Someone is trying to pick the lock to get in. Monica hushes Mulder, he grabs his gun, they turn off the lights and approach the door carefully.
What was that for?MONICA
I just thought it’d be fun
to win at least once.MULDER
I told you, I’m the best at this
game. (beat) Again?
MONICA Mulder nods his head and stands at the side of the door.
(whispers)
I don’t have my weapon. I’ll
open the door and you pin whoever
is out there onto the ground. Okay?
MONICA Monica swings the door open and Mulder grabs the person by the shoulders and forces her/him to the ground.
(whispers)
One. Two. Three!
MULDER Monica turns on the light and sees that Mulder has his gun pointed at Scully’s head, not some evil intruder. Oh the paranoia shared between Fox and Mon’.
FBI! You’re trespassing on my friend’s property!
MONICA Mulder looks up from the ground, where he’s stradled himself on top of Scully, holding his gun to her head.
(calm)
Fox, it’s all right, it’s only Dana.
MULDER Scully calmly rolls over and they see that she’s been crying. Monica rushes to her side.
(getting up)
Oh hey, sorry Scully.
MONICA Monica helps Scully to her feet, and to the couch, they sit.
(worried/ feels bad)
Oh my, Dana, we didn’t mean to
scare you, we really thought you
were some intruder.
SCULLY Suddenly, Mulder’s eyes bug out and he covers his mouth with a loud SMACK.
It’s not that… I just uh…
dropped my keys into the
sewer while walking up to
the building.MONICA
You could have knocked.SCULLY
(about to cry again)
I forgot you moved in with us…
MULDER Anger grows in Scully’s eyes.
(oopsie)
Oh man! Scully I forgot to tell you!
Skinner told me to tell you that he
couldn’t go out tonight. Don’t be mad
at him for not showing up, be mad at me
for not letting you know.
SCULLY She breaks down into tears, it’s now that Monica completely realizes that Scully was serious about that chocolate discussion earlier that day.
(getting angrier)
Oh, he showed. With another woman.
And… and… (hopeless) They
were eating chocolate pie with
chocolate ice cream!
MULDER Scully shakes her head “no” , and then she curls over, covering the back of her head with her hands. She continues crying. Mulder sits down and wraps his arm over her shoulder, to comfort her the best he can. Monica gets up and puts in some kind of weird soothing music.
(pissed)
Scully, you tell me what that bitch
looked like and I’ll have Krycek take
care of her for you.
MULDER
(to Scully/ patting her head)
There, there…CUT TO:
INT. BELLA FLORA – 8 PM
Skinner and Marita are done with their desert and are just talking over candle light. Soft romantic music plays in the background.
SKINNER Marita agrees and takes a sip from her wine glass.
Marita. I’ve decided that I’m going
to tell Dana about us. I don’t think
I can keep my feelings for you a secret
any longer.MARITA
Do you want me to be there with you
when you tell her?SKINNER
I think it’s best she finds out from me,
you know since we have a long history together.
MARITA They laugh, it’s probably not safe to tell Krycek about this, he’s thought Marita and him have been together since he first laid eyes on her.
What about Krycek?
SKINNER Marita lets out a love lorn sigh and gazes into Skinner’s adoring eyes.
I think he’ll learn to get over it,
and we will be together.
MARITA Skinner pulls out his wallet and sets down $20 for a tip. He and Marita walk arm and arm out of the restaurant.
(cute/suggestive)
How about we go to your place, hmm?
CUT TO:
INT. MULDER/KRYCEK APARTMENT HALLWAY – 10 PM
Krycek exits the elevator and walks down the hall toward his apartment. He puts his key in the lock and attempts to turn it. It doesn’t work anymore.
KRYCEK He gives up and goes to Mulder’s apartment door and pulls out his extra key for that apartment and he enters. It’s dark, he can’t see anything.
What the…?
KRYCEK Krycek has rammed his knee into something. He fumbles himself over to a light switch and flips it on. Now he sees that all his belongings are there and that the wall has been rebuilt.
Hey Mulder, me and Doggett
may need your help on our case
afterall – OW!
KRYCEK CUT TO:
(gains in volume)
No… No. No. NO! NO!
NO! NO! NO-OOOOOO!
INT. SKINNER’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – 10 PM
Skinner and Marita have been there for some time now. They lie covered by sheets in the bed. Marita is resting her head on Skinner’s bare chest.
MARITA Marita sits up, holding the sheet against herself, so not to reveal anything at this moment.
(soft/ exhausted)
I should probably be goin…SKINNER
(hopeful)
Why don’t you stay…
MARITA Skinner reaches over and grabs some of Marita’s clothes from the floor. He hands them to her. She leans over and kisses him gently on the lips. Skinner takes this opportunity to have her stay just a little bit longer and they fall back down on the bed.
If I did that, I’d have to explain
myself to Dana and Monica. That’s
now what I would like to do.
CUT TO:
INT. DOGGETT’S HOUSE – 10:11 PM
Doggett’s been home for a few minutes now and is pouring Puppy Chow into Buddy’s bowl. He notices the red light flashing on his answering machine.
He walks over to it and pushes “play”.
MONICA Doggett checks his watch. 10:11 PM. What the heck! He grabs his jacket and puts it on. Buddy stand before him, looking at him with sad puppy dog eyes.
(voice over)
Hey John, it’s Mon’. I’ve invited
Mulder over and we’re playing that
Nascar game you sent me last Christmas.
And if you’re not cleaning your gun and
watching Nascar rerun video tapes, come
on over when you hear this.
DOGGETT Buddy whimpers.
(to dog)
I’ll be back in a few.
DOGGETT He picks up Buddy.
Oh all right, I guess you can come too.
DOGGETT He heads out the door.
But remember, no barking. We
don’t want Dana’s landlord to know you’re there.
CUT TO:
INT. SCULLY/MARITA/MONICA’S APARTMENT – 10:20 PM
Scully has become frantic. Monica and Mulder sit, listening to her.
SCULLY Pained expressions cross Monica and Mulder’s faces. They don’t move.
You know what, I’m gonna go over
to Skinner’s and confront him. I bet
she’s there with him too! (beat) Dammit!
I don’t have my car keys! One of you
has got to take me!
SCULLY Scully (still in her nice dress), heads toward the door and opens it and leaves. Monica and Mulder go back to playing video games on the floor. Scully should realize soon that this is a stupid thing of her to do.
Ok then. I guess I’ll have to walk.
Taking the chance I could get
raped, mugged or murdered.
INT. STAIRWELL OF APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS
Scully rounds a corner and loses balance because of her shoes. She falls right into Doggett, who is on his way up to her apartment. He balances her in his arms and keeps her from falling flat on her face.
DOGGETT Doggett checks out her outfit and her tear-stained make-up job. He holds her by her shoulders and looks her in the eyes.
Whoa! Where you goin’ so fast?SCULLY
(frantic)
Skinner’s. I have a confrontation to make.
DOGGETT Scully nods her head “no” and then Buddy takes off up the stairs. Scully is about to say something to Doggett, but instead gives him a strange look and continues on her way.
(concerned)
Dana? Is everything all right?
Doggett is about to chase after her, but decides not to when he hears Buddy barking in the hallway above.
DOGGETT He heads up the stairs and knocks on Scully, Marita and Monica’s door. Monica answers.
Buddy. No!
MONICA She hugs him and Buddy runs in and attacks Mulder. Interrupting Mulder’s game “Mario Cart”.
Johnny! You got my message!
And you actually came instead
of cleaning your gun…
MONCIA Monica and Doggett enter the living room and sit on the couch and watch Mulder play his video game.
(shuts door)
You have to save me.
Fox is playing Mario Cart.
DOGGETT Monica stands up and heads to the kitchen. Mulder whoops like a little boy.
Mon’. Is everything okay with Dana?MONICA
You don’t want to know. (beat)
Can I get you a beer or something?
DOGGETT Mulder is obsessed with the game.
A beer would be fine.MONICA
Fox?
MULDER Doggett laughs and Buddy runs into the kitchen to be with Monica.
Apple juice!
DOGGETT Off Doggett’s scared look and Mulder being oblivious to what he just said:
(to Mulder)
So Mulder. Why Mario Cart?MULDER
I told Monica that I suck at it, so
she could have a chance to beat me…
I lied. (beat) So me and Krycek have to be
in my apartment, they rebuilt the wall, wanna
come over and help us build the bunk bed?
Or maybe we could push the two beds together…
TIME CUT TO:
EXT. SKINNER’S HOUSE – 12:23 AM
Scully, exhausted, is walking barefoot up the driveway. Her hair is a mess from the light rain they are currently getting. Forgetting she is wearing a dress and that all her keys are gone, she attempts to check her pockets for her spare key to Skinner’s house. Once she realizes she doesn’t have them, she knocks on the front door.
No lights come on.
She knocks on the door again. After a beat, the light in the stairway comes on and we see Skinner coming down the stairs in sweatpants. He peeks out the window to see who is there at this time of night. He opens the door and sees Scully, who resembles more of a dead drowned rat than anything else.
SKINNER He lets her in.
(concerned)
Oh my God… Dana?
SCULLY Skinner is a little surprised, and is about to say something, but Scully walks into the living room and sits on the couch and opens her mouth before he has a chance.
(tired)
Walter… Mulder forgot to tell me
the message you left and I saw you
with Marita at Bella Flora.
SCULLY Skinner really isn’t sure what to say. He doesn’t know why he didn’t come clean with her when he and Marita began seeing each other in secret.
No. Don’t say anything. (beat) When
I left to come here, I swear I was angry
enough to come in here and kick your ass.
But after walking, I don’t have the energy to
do so. So for once, I’ll talk to you instead
of overreacting.SKINNER
(truthful)
I’m so sorry, Dana. I didn’t
mean to lie to you-SCULLY
- Why did you? After all these years?
SKINNER Skinner hesitates.
I don’t know. Maybe it was some
strange insecurity of mine, maybe
it was Marita’s fear of what Alex might do-SCULLY
- How long has it been going on?
SCULLY Scully takes this in. It’s been going on that long and she hadn’t even suspected. Heck, even in the Afterlife, Skinner and Marita kept it to themselves. Tears well up in her eyes again and she looks down at her feet. Hanging her head, ashamed that she let herself stay in this relationship as long as she has.
What? You can’t tell me that?
I know what I saw, and it takes
time to develop a relationship like that.SKINNER
Since I called off our first engagement
a little over a year ago, when Marita and
I moved in across from Mulder and Krycek
when you were living with them.
MARITA Marita steps into the living room and sees that Scully is there. Marita is wearing one of Skinner’s long t-shirts. Marita is freaked out that Scully sees her dressed like this, and that she’s dressed like this at Skinner’s house.
(off screen)
Walter, hon’? Who was at the door?
SKINNER Of course she isn’t all right with this, her best friend and her fiance were lying to her and betrayed her. Afraid to get into a huge argument about this, she shrugs her shoulders in reply to Skinner’s question.
It’s ok, Marita. She knows about us.
She seems ok about it. (to Scully/ beat)
Right?
Marita decides it is best not to intrude on their discussion and she goes back upstairs. After she is out of earshot:
SCULLY It’s quiet for a moment. Each of them lost in their own thoughts.
(wipes tear from face)
So, I guess this means we’re through, huh?SKINNER
I think that’s obvious.
SCULLY They sit in silence again. It’s awkward for them now. Hopefully their friendship won’t be ruined by this event. Marita pokes her head in the room and asks if she can join them and talk things through. Scully invites her in. And they stay up most of the early morning, talking.
You know, I don’t think I’m as upset
about this as I should be. I think deep down,
I knew that what we had together wasn’t real.
Infact, I’ve been trying to find the perfect
opportunity to leave you, and it happened tonight.SKINNER
Really?SCULLY
Well, our relationship really ended a while
ago. I mean, we never really acted as a couple,
when we went out it was with our friends.
We haven’t slept together in ages. (beat)
And you know what else?SKINNER
Hmm?SCULLY
We don’t even have a song.
After so many years, that right
there should have clued us in that
we aren’t meant to be. Like a sign
or something...SKINNER
(shrugs shoulders)
You’ve got a point there.
CUT TO:
INT. SCULLY/MARITA/MONICA’S APARTMENT – 1:13 AM
The lights are out, but we see that blankets and pillows are all over the place. Monica is curled up in a chair, wrapped in a blanket, sleeping. Doggett is on the floor sleeping, using two pillows and a larger, warmer blanket. Mulder is sleeping on the couch, no pillow, no blanket.
On the coffee table, there are several cans of beer. Monica must have made Doggett stay instead of drink and drive (what a good friend she is!).
As time passes, the sun rises and before we know it, it is 9 am.
The door to the apartment opens and Scully (now dressed in Skinner’s sweatpants and sweatshirt and her high heels) and Marita enter. They haven’t slept much. Marita is carrying a box of donuts. Buddy comes running out of Scully’s bedroom upon hearing them arrive.
SCULLY She bends down and picks up the puppy.
Hey Buddy, what’re you doin’ here?
SCULLY Marita has walked right through the living room, not noticing everyone sleeping.
I bet you need to go for a walk, huh?
Doggett wakes up, hearing Marita stumble into the kitchen. He turns over when he hears Scully ask Buddy where his leash is. Doggett gets up, his hair very messy and sticking every which way.
DOGGETT Marita’s head pokes out from the kitchen, having heard Doggett’s voice.
Dana… the leash is in my truck.
I’ll take ‘im out, you don’t have to.
SCULLY She smiles at him.
(to Doggett)
Oh, I’ll go with you.
I need a good walk anyway.
DOGGETT Buddy makes a cute puppy face and lets out a quiet bark.
Mon’ said you walked all the way to
Skinner’s last night. I’m sure you’ve
done plenty of walkin’ for the both of
us-SCULLY
- Yeah… but ya know, Buddy’s too
adorable to resist.
DOGGETT Scully and Doggett leave, shutting the door behind them. Marita smiles… is it a devious smile?
If you insist…SCULLY
Plus, I feel I need to talk
with a friend. Last night
was so exhausting...
Her expression changes when she notices Mulder sleeping on the couch. She opens a drawer and takes out a whistle and blows on it as hard as she can. This startles Mulder and he falls to the ground.
MONICA She puts her hand to her forehead, she’s obviously has a hangover.
What is that noise?
Marita comes into the living room. A smile on her face.
MARITA Monica goes to get some breakfast.
Dana and I bought a
bunch of donuts.MULDER
(sits straight up at mention of food)
Oh goodie! Sugar!
MONICA Monica nods her head. In the background, we see Mulder putting in Mario Cart.
Is Dana still discussing things with Walter?MARITA
(innocent and sweet)
You know about that?
MARITA Monica rolls her eyes… she’s so sick of Mario Cart. She and Marita join Mulder in the living room with a plate full of glazed donuts.
Everything is ok now, I guess.
Dana and John took Buddy out
for a walk. I think she needs sleep.MULDER
(off screen)
Come on Mon’! Mario Cart
Round three hundred and sixty-three!
FADE OUT:
THE END