TV Channel 50 Fox Family, Sat Jun 03, 2000, "Falling Up."
Written By Craig Volk, Directed By Michael Robison.

[ Peter ]: It just hurts worse than usual.

[ Doctor ]: You're pushing this knee too hard. Don't do this to me. Don't do this to me! One, one thousand, two, one thousand...

Computer problem? Crashed again. Ooh, not good. How far did you get? I'm into the philosophy statement. Well, you made a backup, didn't you? No. - Ooh. When's it due? Yesterday. So you were up all night? What is this, soph, 20 questions?

How's your flu? Oh, make that 21. I have a cold. I also have a deadline. I also have a frozen computer. Does that bring us up to speed now? Yes, it does. How's your knee? I am concerned about you. Does that make me a terrible person? How am I supposed to answer that? Let's try this again.

Good morning. Good morning. I want you to take one of these. What is it? It's an antihistamine. I don't need anything. Yes, you do. They work for me. They'll work for you. Sophie. Wait.

Okay, you do not intend to drink, drive, or operate heavy machinery, do you? And you are not currently taking tranquilizers or prescription painkillers, are you? Soph... Peter. Open up. Uh-uh. Open up. Uh-uh. Don't be a little boy. Open. Okay, orange juice. I squeezed it myself. Peter...

Sophie, I need to be left alone today. Can you cover for me? Already done. Even your hallway is completely off-limits to everyone. Thank you.

Oh, look. Good, I didn't lose anything. Oh, good. Hey, oatmeal. Eat every bite. Okay, mom. Bye. Thank you. Welcome.

[Sophie's voice] You are not currently taking tranquilizers... [end of Sophie's voice] Soph?

[Sophie's voice] ...You do not intend to drink, drive or operate heavy machinery... You are not currently taking tranquilizers... You are not currently taking tranquilizers or prescription painkillers.

You do not intend to drink, drive or operate heavy machinery, do you?

You are not currently taking tranquilizers... [end of Sophie's voice] Sophie--

This omelette is way too chewy. Maybe it's not made with chicken eggs. What if they're snake eggs? Yuck. I have enough trouble eating without your gross-outs. Just eat it, jules. Look, I'm eating it. Yum. Though i do feel as though I might start flicking my tongue. Don't even think about it.

Here comes mr. Fun. What do you want to bet he doesn't sit with us again today? He misses shelby. Misses her bad, huh? Peter being scarce doesn't help. You have to find your strength within yourself. Well, thank you, oh sage and wise one.

The group's beginning to think you don't like them anymore. Like i really care what they think. Not exactly the vibe you should be advertising. You still have to live with them. Wasn't my choice. I assume this dark funk you're in means you still haven't heard from her. A letter? A lousy card? I said "no."

Mind if I eat alone? Oh, sure. Alone it is, then. By the way, she called me. What'd she say? On the phone-- what'd she say? She hates it at home. You hurt her. You weren't there for her. She got over it. Now it's your turn. You know, the phone lines run both ways.

Calm down. Calm down.

[Doctor}: Peter, I understand your addiction. This pain is just gonna get worse.

...Just gonna get worse.

[flashback] Peter! In all this mess, how do you find anything? Something more important than your mother, peter? I don't want to talk about it, mom. Your father didn't mean what he said. He was just tired. He's always tired. Maybe it would be a good idea to clean all this all up before he sees it. He never comes in here. Then do it for me? Please? Okay, mom.

A little advice? Don't be alone. Not in your head or your heart. It's too easy to get lost. But what if you want to get lost? What then? Your father thinks you're taking drugs. Peter, are you taking drugs? [end of flashback]

What do you say, meat? Little one-on-one? It's gonna rain. Come on, what, you can't play wet? Do i want to? No, I don't want to. Man, you're turning back to the old meat, you know that? Come on, what do you say? I say give it a rest. Yo, whatever you want, man.

[voices] You are not currently taking tranquilizers... ...Tranquilizers...

[flashback] Don't get caught. Hide them. [end of flashback]

I love it when you play. You're getting mean, you know that? I'm trying to work through my own thing here. This is the way I do it. You can like it or not. I don't. Well, there's not much I can do about that. That's not true and we both know it.

Just tell me one thing-- is this about your stepmother or is it about Shelby? Jules, just go away. I'm going to make you talk about this in group. Yeah, you do that.

Hello, scott. Scott? Mom, what are you doing here?

[ Don scarbrow ]:

Peter...Get up.

Peter!

What are you doing to yourself? Dad? Dad? Oh, what's the matter with me? My father's dead.

Yes. And is that what you want to be? I'm okay. You're delusional. You're not okay. I will be. If you would just leave me alone, I'd be fine. How many times have you told me that, huh, how many times? And then they scrape you up from that gutter in seattle.

Don't start with me again!

And then i get that call in the dead of night, that nightmare. This is the police. It's about your son!

[Daisy & Ezra ]: It's just... Us. Were you two outside earlier? Outside? Now, there's a dimensional question worthy of pondering. Death is the only outside, if you ask me. Oh, other passages can be booked.

My office is off-limits today. Off-limits-- now, there's another interesting term. I'm busy. What do you need? What are you doing in here? I'm working.

My tarot cards your one-card reading... The tower. Note the plunging figure. Sudden change. Downfall.

You're not supposed to be in here today. Where are you hiding it? Come on, we'll never... tell You need to leave, now. Not so fast. Ezra?

Painkillers. Give you a heck of a ride, especially if you cocktail them with some antihistamines. What pain are you trying to kill, peter? My knee. I re-injured my knee. And what else do you intend on killing? I don't know what the two of you are talking about. Liar! Hypocrite! User! User! I want you to leave now, please.

Rule number one-- always take appropriate action for the child. Rule number two-- use your heart. Which rule are you following, peter? Have fun. Oh, and you really should... Practice what you preach. Ezra! Daisy!

He won a baby contest? I took his picture and sent it in. Got the slant of the afternoon sun just right. He was sitting on a rug, sitting there pointing up with all those curls. He was just so cute. I bet he was adorable. The light just seemed to come right from his face. It still does... Sometimes, when he's not clouding it up. Sounds like you know him well.

Hey, guys. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. She came a long way. New mexico. I didn't know your mother was a painter. You must have gotten your artistic side from her. Why'd she come? Scott, she's been notified by child protective services about your charges against your stepmother. Oh, you mean my lies against my stepmother. I think you forgot they decided to believe her instead of me. You know, it might help if you at least talk with her. First, i want to talk to Peter about this. That's not an option. Why? Because he's sick, and because you should know enough to do the right thing and talk with her.

I don't mean to be nosy, but you and scott, are you-- no, no, no, no, no. We could've before, but he wasn't-- I guess we both really weren't... Ready? Yeah.

Are you feeling better, scott? Yeah. Could we make this quick? Don't speak to your mother that way. Coming from a real expert on moms, such as yourself, that...Yeah, that says a lot.

Sophie, I'm calling a cliffhangers meeting now. Sounds good to me. Now what? Do i group, or do I spend quality time with mom? Scott, if you really don't want to see me... No, he will... But group first. This will be good for both of you.

[flashbacks and hallucinations] This pain is just gonna get a lot worse

...A lot worse... How did you get in here?

[Kat]: It doesn't matter. You're drowning, peter. I let my sister drown. I can't let you do the same. I'm all right. I can swim as far as it takes. I can. You taught me that. I don't need your help. When the drowning man fights his rescuer, they often both go down. Who are you going to pull down with you, peter? I'm all right, katherine. I'm fine, I am. First step is to admit that you're not all right. You taught me that, too. You can make it, peter. It's going to take guts, but I know you can make it.

So somebody gonna say something or what? Juliette? You called the group. Okay. Scott refuses to be a part of us. Scott? Gee, i've broken the buddy code. I've been a bad, bad cliffhanger. We all have setbacks. Setbacks? Your whole life is a setback. Life goes on, mano. Right. One day at a time, huh, muchacho -- I'm just crossing each one off. Until when? Till i get to walk out of this place. Looks, talent, all your blessings, and you still feel cursed. Cursed? Are you all brain-dead? I mean, take a look around, take a look in the mirror. You got a better word for us?

I mark the days, too. Each new day, I keep thinking it's gonna get better. It is, jules.

And yo, man, you're forgetting something -- she is still your mother. So, what, I'm supposed to pull all this stuff up again? Man... What? I'm supposed to go through that hell because she's my mother? Nah.

Mothers go through their own hell bringing us into the world. That's supposed to bond them to us or something. Yeah, right. She came because she cares, scott. That's the only reason, she cares. Okay. Well, let's just get it over with, then.

The belief... Belief... Belief.

[voices and hallucinations] Don't do it. You can't do it.

Remember, never admit it... Never.

Peter? I'll be right out.

[voices and hallucinations] Remember, never admit. Never.

Oh, I'm sorry, I've got to interrupt you for a minute. I'm working, soph. I know, but scott's mother is here. She really wants to meet you. I've met scott's mother before. I've met her twice before. I'm not interested in meeting her again. Not his stepmother, his biological mother-- and I'd appreciate your not snapping at me.

You don't look good. Look, maybe we should call Dr. Burke -- No. I can get through this. I know my limitations and my expectations, soph. What are you talking about? I'm all right, I'm all right. Just go bring them in. Okay.

Come on in. Mrs. Boyd, peter scarbrow. "Susan," please. Very nice to meet you, mr. Scarbrow. "Peter." It's nice to meet you. I'm very impressed with your school. Thank you. We try very hard. Sometimes he tries a little too hard. you okay, man? No, he's under the weather, and refuses to slow down. Wouldn't you know it, our annual report is due. Well, we won't keep you.

Would it be all right if i took scott to lunch? If it's all right with scott. Yeah. Sure, okay. Thank you. Nice meeting you. It's nice to meet you.

Peter... This isn't you. Yes, it is. I know you. Then just trust me, all right? Just do. You gave me today to get through this, remember?

[voices and hallucinations] Peter... Mom? I don't know what to do. Peter, don't be alone, not in your head or your heart. It's too easy to get lost.

Never admit it.

Your father thinks you're taking drugs. Peter, are you taking drugs?

Never admit it.

What? Nothing. Just looking at you. You've gotten taller. You look really healthy. I like your hair a little longer. It makes it more curly. Yeah. So, uh... Have you eaten here before? Yeah. With dad and... Elayne? Want to talk about it? No. Okay. I bet I know what you're gonna order. What? bacon cheeseburger. How about a double bacon cheeseburger? With onion rings and a milk shake-- chocolate and cherry mixed. Yeah. You remembered. Of course I remember.

Why'd you come here, mom? I wanted to see you, talk to you. We've always been able to talk, so... Here i am.

The heart of mt. Horizon... The heart of mt. Horizon philosophy resides in the belief... Resides in the belief... [hallucinations] You want to blame someone, blame yourself.

Hi. I'm peter. I'm an alcoholic.

Just threw it all away-- up your nose, in your veins, down your throat.

Dad? Dad? Could you get me some water, son? Sure. Sure, dad. I have... I have tea, and I have orange juice. Are those water? Here, dad. Here...Take these. Where'd you find those? Whose are they? I don't know. Tell that to your mother. Go ahead, tell her. What? Tell her what? You know what i'm talking about. No, you're dead. Tell her.

Don. Don't make the boy have to -- Tell her!

Nice shot. Rack 'em. Loser racks. I remember when I first taught you to play eight-ball. It's the only sport i could offer. I don't know if i'd exactly call pool a sport. mom.

They have many sports for you here, I mean at the school? Not unless it involves dirt or rocks. That's what we do here-- walk or climb. Well, it looks good on you. And you met some new friends. I had a nice talk with your friend juliette. She seems like a very sweet girl. I suppose. But not close friends, huh? What's a close friend anyways, right, mom? A famous greek philosopher once said a friend is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. When you meet that special friend, you'll know it, and you'll cherish that friendship forever. It'll change your life.

Yeah, well, I thought that's what you and dad were supposed to be -- best friends. Me too... I guess we were never truly able to share a single soul.

I had to make a very hard choice, to pursue my art, my life find a man that does share my soul. You made choices, too -- live with your dad, stay at your school, play football there. Our home...My home -- it was and it is always there for you, scott, always.

I don't know, I keep thinking that maybe if you lived with us in taos instead... Hey, i'm not blaming you for any of this, okay? Maybe not consciously. What's that supposed to mean? I just think that you might feel that if I hadn't left, your dad wouldn't have met elayne, and then... You know. But you did leave. I told you, that was a very hard choice. What, that's supposed to make it better? Is that supposed to make it all okay, Mom? No.

Is that why you turned to her? Your stepmother? Elayne? No, it wasn't anything like that. But you wrote those letters, the love letters. They showed them to me, the child protection investigators.

[hallucinations] This is the police. It's about your son.

Never admit it. Don't get caught.

I wish I had a son I could be proud of.

She's so wacked. She's messed up, mom. She would come into my room, and when she -- when she was in my room with me, she would ask me to say things... Like things that-- that dad would say to her, and I couldn't, so I wrote them down. But I don't know why I did but I did.

Do you know why she kept those letters? I don't know. She gets off on it or something. No, sweetie, so she could deny it. So she could make you the... What's the word I want -- you the villain and her the victim. You believe me? Why do you think i'm here?

[hallucinations] Curtis! Something happen to one of the kids? Get your coat. No, I'm not going anywhere -- get up. I said get up! I can't. I think I'm going to be sick. Get it over with, quick...

You throw up that evidence, you're going to scoop it up and bag it. Curtis, we're friends. Why do you think I want -- you're saying I'm wrong about this? No! Denying it? Are you?

Never admit it.

I don't know what you're talking about. Give it up.

Never admit it.

I don't know What you want. Hand it over. Never!

You're holding. Don't make me take it from you. Just give it up. I said empty your pockets. Empty them!

Never admit it.

Drug addict for a son. Knew i'd get the call!

Never admit it.

I'm going to take you outside and haul you across the campus. You want that? Huh?

Drug addict... I knew I'd get the call... Drug addict... I knew I'd get the call...

Never...

I knew I'd get the call...

Never... Never...

I knew I'd get the call...

Never... Never...

I knew I'd get the call...

Never...

Help me!

Thanks, Aug. Yeah, cool.

Don't you just hate a happy ending? No. Like 'em sappy, huh? I didn't say "sappy." I just don't see anything wrong with happy. Why's everything have to be so heavy with you all the time? You go, jules, you tell her.

Don't you wish that sometimes you could just float? With or without the use of pharmaceutical aids? Without.

You know, I think that's all i really want to do, is just float. A juliette float. How ambitious.

Has anyone seen peter lately? He's still holed up in his office on some kind of assignment deadline -- even made the ad building off limits til he's finished.

I'm hungry. Floating will do that to a girl. Give her some air, here. What do you feel like? Hmm... Popcorn. For you, jules... It's popped.

So? How did it go? I had a bacon cheeseburger. Ooh, could you gloat any more about it? Auggie...Popcorn. Oh, yeah, yeah. I got it, I got it.

Hey, man. Good to see your face back in the circle. All right, meat?

Hey. Shelby? So is there still a place here for me? Oh, yeah. Right here. Ow. Oh, you're squeezing kind of hard. I know. Isn't it great? You want all the gory details? Definitely, but not right this second. Let's wait for peter. Let's get you settled in.

Whoo! Hey, is that one of yours? Oh... My mom said I could play "louie louie" when i was five. Louie who? You know, rock 'n' roll? I don't know, I don't want to play that stuff anymore.

I don't believe it! Shelby? Shelby. Hey. Hey. WEll, wouldn't you know it, the cat came back. Right.

[hallucinations] Look at you. You're pathetic. Get out of here, you punk. No. You get out of here. You don't deserve to be here. You're a fake, a phony, a loser. And you're not real. You want something real? Here's something real. That hurt. That hurt. I want you to get out of here. You...You loser. It's all gone now, all of this. You blew it, man. They all know. Everyone knows.

Where is everybody? [ Pounds on counter ] I'm back! Hey! I'm fine. Listen. Look! Soph? Hey, look! I'm fine. I've been through much worse, you know. Believe me, I have been through much worse!

Get up. Get up. You can't let them see you this way.

Don't be alone, not in your head or your heart. It's too easy to get lost.

Never admit it.

What is it, mom? Your father thinks you're taking drugs. Peter, are you taking drugs? Yes.

[S] Peter, are you all right? [P] No. No. I need help, soph. I can't do this alone. I need you to help me, okay? [S] I'm here, Peter. I'm always here for you. [P] I need you, sophie, I really do need you. [S] I need you, too. [P] I need you, soph. I need you.

[fade to black]

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