TV FoxFamily, Fri Mar 31, 2000, "Best Behavior."
Written by John Mandel, Directed by Alan Simmonds.

Mail call! Sanitized for your protection.

Oh...

What's the matter?

They always shred my copy of Mortuary Sciences Monthly. Apparently, we're not supposed to think about a career.

It's from Leo... The delivery guy. The one you-- bingo. Behind his truck-- yeah. For a carton of-- yes, okay? He loves me. We dated for, like, 10 minutes, and he's in love.

Oh, my god! Oh, my god! What? My mother's getting married! I thought she was already married. She was. Four times. But this is number five, and you know what they say about number five. Five is the lucky one.

You ready? No. Can you deal? Yes. Good. Remember what we talked about? Their anger belongs to them. No need for you to be in the middle of it anymore. Underneath all that, they love you very much. Did I ever tell you what they paid for me? No. I looked at my dad's files once. $21,000. Came out to about $3,000 a pound at the time. Not bad. Their goal was to have a cild, ezra... Just someone to love. I still don't know which one I'm going to live with once I get out of here. Judge hasn't ruled yet. Well, one step at a time. Let's get through this visit first, all right? Watch. They'll probably have a foot race up here, just to say "see, I got there first."

There he is. Hey! Ezra! Hi, honey. What is wrong with this picture? Ezra, you look terrific, son. Just terrific. Oh... It's good to see you.

[ Camera snapping pictures ] oh...I don't even know what the color scheme is. I've got to call my mom.

I wish I lived in Juliette world-- a land of wide green lawns rolling up to great mansions, where ladies sip tea and choose bridal gowns, and the money just comes from nowhere.

It's a beautiful place...

What ultimately frightens me, I suppose, is that she's apparently not delusional.

Richard and I are so proud of how well Ezra's doing, and very grateful for your help, Mr. Scarbrow. Peter, please. Well, as you know, Peter, Liz and I have had to struggle with many of our... Well, our own problems... And Ezra was a casualty to that, which is something we'll never live down. Thankfully, we discovered Horizon. Now, seeing Ezra's progress has helped us see ourselves more clearly.

That's great, I'm glad, and now I think it would be a good time for both of you to participate in group with Ezra and the other kids. Listen, there's nothing to worry about. You can talk or listen as much or as little as you like.

Ezra? Why not? I can't wait to see the looks on everyone's face. Everyone? Everyone knows about our -- the kids here are encouraged to speak openly, and Ezra's been very honest about your divorce and his drug use. I think you'll find you're not alone in having problems and that could be a good feeling.

Hey, Jules, what's up? Oh, um, my mother's getting married. Oh, yeah, I heard about that. Number five, right? Isn't that supposed to be the lucky one or somethin'? Yeah, how'd you know? Everybody knows that. So...When are we going? I'm just kidding, Jules. Um...I mean, I'd like to, but it's... Like I said, Jules, I was just kidding. Besides, I'm busy that week. Um, anyway... I should go call my mom. Yeah.

Hi! Oh, okay, um, I'll try her again later. Still can't get her? No. Her secretary says she's busy with arrangements. Ah. Oh, well, you'll get her. Oh, in any case, I got your pass okayed, so you're all set. Perfect. Isn't it great? It's like... Even Ezra's divorced parents are crushing. I mean, how Roswell is that, right? It's like there's something in the air.

So... Yes? So, you want to meet my parents? Okay. Mom, Dad... This is Daisy, my friend. Daisy. It's a pleasure to meet you. And I'm Elizabeth. Love your piercings. How many? Uh...Six in the left and six in the right, and one right here. Did them myself. 13 -- I can see you're into numerology. Uh, yeah. Daisy's...Kind of goth. I once taught a course on medieval occultism. Did you know that, historically, the number 13 was, in fact, considered lucky? Yeah, I knew that. We should talk more some time. Sure. Okay.

Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Friedkin. I'd like to introduce you to another counselor, if I could, please. Yeah, okay. Excuse us, guys.

I cannot believe that just happened.

Over there. Shelby, you're on pots and pans. Problem with Scott? No, no, we're cool. He was abused, Shelby. He doesn't have the plague. It's not him. Yeah... This is when being a true friend really bites, doesn't it?

Hey. Hey. So what about Ezra's folks? You mean the Stepford parents? I heard they used to be, like, totally Springer. They all but trashed the place last time they visited. Yeah, well, at least they didn't do anything to him... Anything physical, you know? Yeah.

So what are your parents like? Probably like, what? The brady bunch? No. You doing anything tonight? Maybe we, uh... Could get together and hang out... Talk, maybe. I can't. Got homework. Maybe tomorrow night? Yeah. I'd like that.

I've got an idea... Something we have never done before. Um, is this from a book or something? No, no. No, we've... We've never done this, ever. Well, does "this" have a name? Yes. Dating. What? We've dated. No, no, no, Soph. We've done everything but. Went from zero to 60, on an on-ramp, if you know what I mean. Peter, we are way past dating. This is about the ritual, Soph, you know? You -- you said you wanted to learn more about each other, right? Mm-hmm. Well, then we should start at square one, the mating ritual-- you know, that wonderful time in which two people learn about each other, what your favorite flavor is, your favorite color -- green. Not now, Soph. The ritual. You and I, we've never had it. Well... Maybe you're right. I know I'm right. I'm telling you, there's something in the air around here. Yeah... Something in the air. All right. Go ahead, ask. Well, I was, um... I was thinking that maybe some time... You know, we'd go have some dinner or something? Mm... I'll think about it.

Hey, Jules, your mom's on the phone. I know! Hi, Mommy!

So, what's the color for the wedding? Periwinkle. Periwinkle? Light blue. Oh. So, when you packing up? Um, actually, I'm not. See, I thought I got an invitation, but if you look closely, it's just an announcement. Turns out it's just a small affair for close friends and business associates. Apparently Hal -- his name's Hal-- is a big shot in Hollywood, and mother thinks it's best if I stay here and keep improving before meeting him. Gee, Jules... Sorry about that. Well, it's my fault. I misread the announcement. I flaked.

So, Katherine... You going on that rappelling trip today, or are you still on shuns? Yes, I'm coming, no thanks to you. It's not his fault. You told the joke. Katherine told a joke? I'll bet it was funny. Actually, it was. Only problem was Peter overheard her. I tried to warn you. I went like this with my eyebrows. You always do that with your eyebrows. So what was the joke? Umm, how many Peters does it take to screw in a light bulb? Oh shut up, Ezra!

Like I told you before, we don't tell jokes at other people's expense, especially mine. Laundry duty, sweetheart, you're on it, and you need to give me an exact date on that pass, okay? Okay.

Jules, you didn't tell him? No biggie. I'll tell him later. Hey, I have a joke. Um, a penguin, an astronaut and a 12-inch man go -- no. Uh, a duck, an astronaut and a six-inch man... Anyway...

All right, everybody, and though I checked your equipment, I want you to check your equipment with your own eyes. You need to believe that it's good. You need to trust it more than I do. It's only 25 feet down. You all know how to use your equipment, so there's no need to be scared.

Hey, Jules? Mira.

Go down and back up. Keep doing this until it's second nature to you.

Get with the program, stick.

Got it?

Right. The program.

Be safe, no fear. The good news is... You can only fall a few feet, even if you try. Let's not try, all right? Okay, Cliffhangers... Let's play.

All right, good steps. Keep going. Good job.

What are you smiling about? The wedding that never was? That's history. I'm smiling about the future, in which you do not play a part.

Hey. Hey. Feels good to sweat, doesn't it? No. I could make you sweat and like it. What? You dumped me, remember? That was before. Now the answer is yes, for anything. Now you're just making me glad that you dumped me. You'd rather be with the skank? She's not a skank. She's a woman, and she's my friend -- three things I can no longer say about you.

Drop by here often? That's funny, Jules. So... So what? Let's run away together, get out of Horizon. Jules, what's up with this? What are you talking about? Wrap your brain around it, Auggie. You, me...Out of here. Together. Jules... I'd make it worth your while. Hey, come on, this isn't you. You don't know what's me.

Ezra, honey, are you okay? Ezra, talk to me. Yeah. I'm...I'm okay. All right, take a breather, get your grips, keep moving. Come on.

I'm so glad I can share moments like this with my parents. It is okay to laugh sometimes, you know?

So what was skinny's rap all about? I don't know. She's clueless. The entire time we were together, she never told me one thing about herself. I don't even know what landed her here... Except for that whole barfing thing. She killed a guy in prison.

So, we getting together tonight? Um...Tonight's not good. All right, how about tomorrow night? Yeah. Down by the docks, after last light? Cool. The docks. Don't forget. You promised.

Well, if it isn't the bride of freakin'stein. You're wearing a mask. That's a good one, coming from goth girl. My mask was an honest one, for all the world to see. Yours is invisible. You are so way creepy. You're hiding something, and it's taking all your energy, using it up. There's less and less left. Soon. There'll be none.

No, really, Ezra, you did fine work on that wall today. We're very proud. Well, believe it or not, it wasn't one of my better days. Well, we're proud about everything. You're doing so well, it won't be long before you come home. I can't wait. Neither can I.

Hey, tomorrow's our last day. Do you think they'll let you out for a dinner in town? I'll ask Peter. We can go to Rusty's. Wherever. No, that is wherever. It's a small town. All right. See you later, kid. Bye, Ez. Hey... Maybe you want to bring Daisy? Yeah, I'd like that.

Why on earth did you invite that little creature? Because he likes her. What can it hurt? If those are the friends he's making here, we should pull him. Stop, okay? Stop. This is about Ezra, remember? All of this. You don't need to tell me what this is about. You of all people... Oh, every second, you remind me of why I hate you. Good, because I wouldn't want you to forget.

Shelby... Juliette...

What? Stop it. Let me see. Stop it! Oh... What's wrong with you? Nothing! You're cutting yourself, Jules. Nothing's wrong! You're cutting again.

Cutting is a dissociative action, like chopping off your foot to take your mind off a headache. Kids who have suffered physical or mental abuse from a parent





begin to associate pain with security. Thus, expressing their anger gives rise to separation anxiety... So the kid takes their anger out on themselves.

What did you use, Juliette? Nothing. We need to know what you used.

All right... We need to get you to the nurse. I'm fine. You're not fine, Juliette. Come on. Talk to me. Why, Juliette? Come on. It makes the pain inside of me go away... So that I don't have to think about it. It lets it leak out... Where everyone else can see it. Come on, let's go. Come on, let's go.

Juliette will spend today in the infirmary. After that, she's on 24-hour watch. She'll sleep alone in the middle of the lodge, watched by a senior female student at all times. I'll give a call to the therapist, who can begin some



intervention therapy.

What about her mother and father? Her mother has custody. I'll call her tomorrow and suggest she consider taking Juliette out of Horizon. Out? Cutting is sometimes a ticket out of here. It may be one reason Juliette did it. She wants to go home to her mother. But looking over Juliette's record, it sounds like her mother's responsible in the first place-- be perfect or else. Let's not forget it's her mother that sent her here. She loves her daughter. Nice combination. Depending on the psych evaluation and her mother's decision, we'll see if Juliette should stay. It all seems so... Clinical.

Rule number one, Soph-- first, take appropriate action for the child's immediate welfare, then use your heart... Always in that order, omitting neither.

So, Daisy, what's your story? Well... My parents are alcoholics and I received inadequate nurturing, resulting in hyper-matureness and social maladjustment. When my father became abusive, I vented my anger on him with a golf club. We tell it like it is at Horizon. Well, you're an exceptionally articulate young lady, however. What are your plans for the future? I'm considering the field of mortuarial cosmetology. Hair and makeup for the dearly departed. I consider it a humanitarian act to beautify someone who can't do it for themselves. Death can be beautiful. I can see you're a shocker, too. Well, what's good for our little boy is good for us.

Dad... He's not a little boy. I know what he is. I raised him. Right. So, mom, dad... You were never there, I was. What, honey? Um, I was just wondering what your guys' plan is. Well, daddy and I have given some thought to things. Like getting back together? Well... We're thinking about it. That is, if your mother can find the the time. I was always there. Not you, me. Oh, please. The minute you got tenure from the university you were off -- dad -- quiet, Ezra.

Daisy... Let's go, Ezra.

Let her go. Little witch. I knew this whole thing wasn't gonna work. What, you mean this is all bogus? You guys getting back together and everything? We did it for you, Ezzy, to make you feel better. Ez...oh....

Hey, Kat.

Are you okay? Can't sleep? No. You should've told me, honey. I was too embarrassed. Hey, embarrassment doesn't exist here. Everyone's embarrassed. It cancels out. Every moment of my life's embarrassing. Yeah, well... When I was your age, I was embarrassed, too. I admit it. My mother wanted me to be a perfect girl. I know yours does, too. So you see, I know you better than you think. What happened? I did the opposite. I was determined to become the least girl-like girl that ever lived. Anything I could do to scare her... Like jumping off cliffs? Well, that came later, but... Oh, well, maybe it's still in me, fighting everything that other people think I should be.

What else did you do? I don't know. Traveled, mostly. I got every airline schedule in the world, and I figured out every place they did not go, and that's where I went. I was searching for the real Sophie Becker, and I knew I'd never find her where other people had already looked. I like Sophie Becker.

I'm sorry, Ezra. It's okay. I knew they weren't for real. Talk to me, man. Come on. Peter, I'm fine. Does it hurt? Yeah. Can I be responsible for their anger? No. You taught me that. I'm a separate person, and I'm okay. Goodnight, kiddo.

You know, at one time, there were many more stars and planets and moons than there are now. Really? Uh-huh. You see, there was once this goddess named Sophicleous, and she was the most beautiful goddess in all the heavens. She was loved by many, and they brought her many gifts, but no one loved her more than Petrocles. Petrocles? Mm-hmm. But despite his great strength and speed, she would not have him. So he went out into the heavens and he gathered up as many moons as he could, and brought them to her as a token of his love, but still she would not love him.

So again Petrocles went out into the heavens and he gathered up many stars for her. And still... She would not love him.

So he went out and he gathered many planets and he brought them all to her, yet she would have none.

So, weakened and defeated, Petrocles pleaded, "But I have nothing more to offer you," and only then did Sophicleous say to him, "I love only you." Only you."

[Sophie breaks out in laughter]

You know... You are... Just so...So... So what? So Sophie.

[ Door opening ]

How could you let this happen to him? I asked you a direct question. If you want to ask me a direct question, Mr. Friedkin, look directly at me. You can't. You know why. How dare you?

No. How dare you? Sophie. No. How dare you adopt a child to save your marriage... Sohpie, come on. ...and then use that child as a bargaining chip in your divorce? How dare you be so weak that you can't even tell the boy the truth, so that maybe, just maybe, he won't blame himself!

He's going to be okay. Can we see him now?

So there's no permanent damage to his lungs. Just a little bit more, though, he would've gone into cardiac arrest. He either got lucky, or he knew exactly what he wanted. Yeah, I think he did. Well, we'll watch him overnight and release him. Thank you. All right. Thank you.

I'm going to call the school, and then I"mm going to try Juliette's mother again.

Hey, guys, Ezra's okay. He'll be back in a couple of days. It's late. Back to bed.

Auggie? Don't be mad at me for what I did. Hey, it's not for me to be mad about, Jules. I worry about you. I worry about you. I know you do.

Tonight at the docks? Around one? Don't be late.

Sometimes, I don't know how these kids make it through. Some days, I don't know how we make it through. We've got them, and they've got us. Is it enough? No. It's never enough, Peter. But it's more than they had before, and you've got over a hundred other kids back at school who are safe and sound.

You know, Soph, I think I could use that date right about now... Something normal, something simple. Even for a few hours? I'd be happy to go on a date with you.

Jeez! You scared me. Sorry. Where'd you get the makeup? Around. Used a laundry marker, baking powder, charcoal, blueberries, paint...

Don't run, Jules. There's nothing... Nothing out there that's better for you. Don't worry about me. What are you doing in here? Hiding. From what? Life. What are you doing in here? Hiding. From what? Life.

Scott told me about his life. Now he wants to talk... About my life. A reasonable desire from someone in a vulnerable condition, but not something you're ready for. Nope. So you try to be a friend, and you smile... And run the other way. Yep.

By the way... You look really stupid. Good. I look the way I feel.

[singing] Begrudgery, contented ease, hypothetically deceived. Can you come to me in the morning? And fill my wholeness complete and peel my smile back off the street.

And we say, I'm not changing, we've given up, strangers. I'm not alone as you are free to hide. I'm sick of the pain as we're over and dated. too many simple pleasures left far behind.

selfishly, independently, knowingly naive. Will you brush my hair at bedtime and bare my soul in your trust? Better to love and to have lost....

[fade to black]

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