Hidden Palms - 1x01 – Pilot Screener

Written By: Kevin Williamson

Directed By: Scott Winant

Transcribed By: Andrew Pinkerton, Hidden Palms Resort

[Pilot]

[Teaser]

[Nighttime]

Johnny's old room]

[Johnny is sitting at a desk, writing. His father walks in.]

Mr. Miller: Hey there. Whatcha doin'?

Johnny Miller: [sighs] Homework. Trig.

Mr. Miller: Ewwwww. Owwwww. Trig. Ouch. Damn numbers. You're too good at math. [He tries to sit on Johnny's bed and slips.] Ahhh.

Johnny: Somebody's drunk.

Mr. Miller: Come on. You don't need that math crap. You don't wanna be stuck doing numbers your whole life. It's bad on the stomach. Don't be that smart.

Johnny: I'll dumb it down.

Mr. Miller: Exactly. You dumb it down. Be creative. Feed the soul. That's your move. You should play an instrument, or paint something. I always wanted to play the trombone or tuba or the flute. I wanted to be a fluter. [Johnny laughs.] Flutist. Ist. [He starts mumbling and laughs at himself.] I like that. I know.

Johnny: I'll start with the pastels tomorrow.

Mr. Miller: I wanted to be a poet once, too. I wanted to write poems like that Pablo guy...

Johnny: Pablo Neruda?

Mr. Miller: Yah, him. I gave it up, though. It was a little too pansy for me.

Johnny: More than the flute?

Mr. Miller: Yah. [To himself.] Tonight I write the saddest line. To think that I do not have her.

Johnny: Come on. Dad. I love drunk time, but I really need to finish this.

Mr. Miller: Okay. Okay. It's alright, I'm goin'.

Johnny: No, no. No problem, it's just, it's getting late.

Mr. Miller: Yah, it is. [Quietly] Too late. [He gets up and walks out the door of Johnny's room.] Go easy on the numbers, Son. You're too damn accurate. Life shouldn't be so... expected.

Johnny: [Looks up, somewhat annoyed.] Got it. Night, Dad.

[Mr. Miller pulls a gun out of his sports jacket and shoots himself. Blood splatters and he falls against the wall. Johnny looks up with a look of shock on his face.]

[End Teaser]

[Act I]

[One year later]

[Outdoors, Palm Springs]

[Nina Carter is walking down her driveway.]

Old Lady: Good morning, Nina.

Nina Carter: Morning. [She looks across the street and sees movers moving stuff into a house. She looks to the side and rolls her eyes. Helen Witter is putting flag markers up across the yard. She walks over to her.]

Nina Carter: Hi, Helen. What’s all this?

Helen Witter: It appears the property line that we thought was the property line isn't really the property line.

Nina: Really?

Helen: I was shocked too.

[A car pulls into the driveway of the house were the movers are at. Karen Hardy steps out.]

Karen Hardy: Wooooooo. My God, the heat. I can swallow the air, I swear it has texture. [Bob Hardy gets out too.]

Bob Hardy: Well, get used to it, Babe. [Johnny gets out. His hair is now shaggy, unlike before, when it was parted and gelled to the side.]

Karen: What do you think, Johnny?

Johnny: Ah, works for me. [Johnny starts taking pictures.]

Bob: Johnny. [Throws Johnny a bag from the trunk of the car. Johnny catches and walks off towards the house.]

[Michelle Davis is watching from her window across the street.]

Michelle Davis: New family's moving in; there's a boy. He's cute. [She's in the kitchen. She walks over to the fridge. A woman walks in, and her dad is sitting at the counter.]

Blaire: Only one kid, thank God.

Michelle's Father: We should go over.

Blaire: They're not going anywhere.

Michelle: I can't, I have work.

Michelle's Father: I like the way you're embracing this summer job.

Michelle: Yah, great idea. Thanks, Dad. Like I had a choice. I love waiting on rich kids.

Blaire: You are a rich kid.

Michelle: Yah, a rich kid with a name tag. [She's kisses her dad and leaves.]

Michelle's Father: Told you she'd be fun to have around. [Blaire pours a bottle of alcohol into a drink she's making with a not-so-happy face.]

[Nina and Helen are still on the yard.]

Helen: Eighteen inches. So I've marked it with flags starting from the street all the way to the rear of the property.

Nina: Oh, is that it. I don't mind if you don't. I don't see a problem with--

Helen: Yet. But now that we're aware, we'll have to disclose upon recesses--

Nina: So we'll deal with it then. We're talking a few rocks and cactus here, Helen. [She turns to leave.]

Helen: In the front, [Nina turns around, clearly annoyed.] but in the back, there's the matter of your waterfall, pool pump, and heater.

Nina: You want me to move my waterfall?

Helen: We should handle it as soon as possible, don't you think?

Nina: You can own eighteen inches of my waterfall, I don't care. Tom and I aren't planning on moving.

Helen: Yet. But you know how those things can sneak up. We really shouldn't put it off.

[Nina walks away and catches up with her husband, Tom Carter.]

Tom Carter: What have we done now?

Nina: We got up this morning, and started breathing.

[Inside the Hardy's/Johnny's new home.]

[Boxes are laying everywhere. Karen is moving things around and spies Johnny in the backyard, taking pictures. She goes outside, a dog is barking in the background.]

Karen: Oh, we got a yapper. [Laughs] That's gonna get old. [Pauses, the dog is still barking.] It officially did. So, it's just me. What do you really think?

Johnny: No, it's great, Mom. You scored.

Karen: You okay? [Johnny nods.] I want this to work, Honey. I mean, for both of us.

Johnny: Well, you want it to be easy.

Karen: Well, is that so horrible? I-- I'm tired of hard, Johnny.

Johnny: It's not horrible, Mom. It's just... unrealistic.

Karen: Well, okay. I've got a lot of unpacking. [She turns and goes back inside, Johnny walks away.]

[Inside the Hardy's kitchen. Johnny is eating at the counter. Bob and Karen are in there as well.]

Karen: All these cabinets, I will never fill 'em.

Bob: Oh, I think you'll figure out a way to fill 'em up. [He kisses Karen. Karen looks at Johnny, who stares at Bob.] Uh, what's up for you tomorrow, Johnny? You gonna check out your new town?

Johnny: Seems spread out. It's kind of a hike.

Karen: Well, you get your license back in six months. That's not so long.

Bob: Or you can put some air in the tires and my bike is yours.

Johnny: I was thinking about going to a meeting. Dr. Hill gave me the name of a place.

Karen: So soon? We just got here.

Johnny: Well, they suggest I go everyday.

Karen: Doesn't seem very practical.

Johnny: That was the plan, I think we should stick to it.

Bob: Yah, absolutely. If that was the plan, then that's the plan. In fact, you know what? I'll drive you. You know, if you want.

Karen: New town, new home. I thought we were done with all that.

Johnny: It's not how it works, Mom.

Bob: Karen, he should go. I mean, if that's what the farm suggests, th--

Karen: It was a ranch, Bob.

Johnny: It was a drug and alcohol rehab, actually.

Karen: Well, then, we have a plan.

[Nighttime]

[Johnny walks out with a trash bag and puts it in a garbage can at the end of the driveway. He looks across the street and sees someone in chemist gear in their garage. He waves, and the person closes the garage door without waving back. He looks down and sees a dog barking at his feet. The dog runs to the next driveway, where an old lady is standing.]

Old Lady: Get over here, right now. [She smiles at Johnny and goes back inside, as does Johnny.]

[The person from across the street in the chem. garb is looking at Johnny through the garage door window. The person goes back over to a table that has beakers and chemicals all over it. The person mixes a chemical in with another and it starts smoking. The person puts a thermometer in it. The chemicals blow up. The person takes the hat and goggles off and it's just a teenage girl. George Witter runs in.]

Mr. Witter: Liza! Liza!

Liza Witter: I-- I'm fine, Dad.

Mr. Witter: Damnit, Liza. [Helen comes running in.]

Helen: Hush, George. [To Liza] What happened?

Liza: Too much nitrate.

George: What's nitrate?

Helen: Back inside, George. [She pushes George back towards the door.]

George: We're gonna die in our sleep! [He goes back inside.]

Helen: You know I support that brilliant mind of yours, but let's try to find some quieter chemicals to play with, huh?

Liza: Yah.

Helen: Okay.

[Inside Johnny's room]

[Johnny lays his mattress on the floor. The dog is still yapping, so he goes over to close his window. He looks over and sees a woman standing in the window of the other house. He turns off his light and grabs his camera to take a picture. A man walks up to the woman and stabs her with a knife. Johnny falls to his floor. He looks through his window again and something flies through it and smacks his face. He shines his desk light on it and sees it's a rubber hand with a note attached to it. He reads the note. It says "MEET ME OUTSIDE."

[Outside Johnny's home]

Johnny walks out onto the the side walk. He turns around and a boy is holding a fake body.]

Cliff Wiatt: [Falsetto voice] Have you seen my hand? [Giggles. He throws the body down and he is another teenage boy.] Hey, I'm Cliff Wiatt. This is Anita Gray [Hold up the fake body.] She's my friend, confidant, real crowd pleaser at Halloween.

Johnny: [Holding the fake hand out.] Johnny.

Cliff: [Takes the fake hand.] Johnny! I used to be friends with Eddie. He-he lived in your room before you. We played pranks on each other all the time. Keep things hoppin'. Palms Springs isn't exactly the most happening place.

Johnny: Oh, yah. I've been picked up on that.

Cliff: Good. It gets better when school starts. It's just summers tend to suck around here with all this heat. It tends to make people crazy. [Laughs] What grade are you in?

Johnny: Tenth.

Cliff: I'm in eleventh.

Johnny: Yah, I should be, but I'm in tenth.

Cliff: Right. Well, Johnny, the thing about this town is all retired grays, gays, and streets named after dead people. Which means we're in the minority. People come here to die. So it's the short end of the stick for us.

Johnny: Great.

Cliff: But, now you're here, which is good, 'cause we're in desperate need of fresh blood. It's good to meet you Johnny. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other.

Johnny: Yah, cool.

Cliff: [Picks up "Anita" and groans.] Alright, come on Anita, let's go. Okay, let's get out of here. [He walks off.]

Johnny: Later.

Cliff: Bye.

[Johnny hears a noise and looks over and sees someone in a white dress go through a gate. He follows. The girl is running around on the gold course, laughing. Johnny runs after her.]

Johnny: Hey! [The girl, a teen, jumps Johnny and knocks him over. She's sitting on top of him.]

Greta: Who are you?

Johnny: Johnny.

Greta: Why are you following me?

Johnny: I don't know. [Starts laughing.]

Greta: You move in to the Nolan house?

Johnny: Uh-huh. And you are?

Greta: I ask the questions. [She gets off of Johnny and starts running.] Well, come on if you're comin'! [Johnny gets up and chases her again.]

Johnny: Where are we going?

Greta: That sound like a question to me.

Johnny: Is this-- urgh. [They stop running.] So... I gather you lock the golf course at night. [Greta nods her head yes. Water sprinklers come on behind her. They run into the sprinklers, and start chasing, laughing, dancing, and kissing. Greta runs off.]

Johnny: Who are you?! [Smiles]

[End Act I]

[Act II]

[Daytime]

[The Wiatt's home]

[Tess Wiatt is sitting in front of a mirror with a bandage over her nose.]

Tess Wiatt: Cliff, Sugar Baby, I need ya. [Cliff comes at and looks at his mom's reflection.]

Cliff: No, no. It's too soon to take that off.

Tess: Nonsense. I am not sittin' in this house another day.

Cliff: Mom, the doctor should do it.

Tess: You're gonna do it. [She hands Cliff a scalpel-like thing and he sits down.] Now just be careful 'cause the blood is dry. [Cliff puts the thing under Tess's bandage and starts to pull up.]

Cliff: It's stuck. [He keeps lifting.]

Tess: Ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow. Hurry! H-- hurry! [Cliff lifts the bandage off and she screams.] Oh. Alright, how's it look?

Cliff: It's bruised, but it looks like the nose two noses ago.

Tess: Well, that's what we want. [She turns and looks in the mirror.] Awwwww. Ohhhhh. Yes. Alright, a little make-up, and it's good to go.

[Outside. There are a lot of people, and umbrellas and tables are everywhere.]

[Helen and Blaire are walking along the sidewalk.]

Helen: You have any idea what goes on in that house?

Blaire: Peeking through the hedges again?

Helen: I maintain my own yard, you know that.

Blaire: I tried your gardener, he's lazy.

Helen: [Whispering] Oh, look. There's our new neighbor. [She points at Karen and Johnny, who are walking their way on the sidewalk.] Hello! [Johnny heads a different direction.

[A crowded pool area]

[Johnny walks towards the pool area, with his camera, and starts taking pictures. He sees Greta, sitting on a float and sunbathing in the pool, and starts taking pictures of her. Liza is walking on the outside of the pool area, and sees Johnny taking pictures. She watches for a while, sees what he is photographing, rolls her eyes, and keeps on walking.]

[An outdoor juice bar]

[Helen, Blaire, and Karen are sitting under an umbrella, sipping their drinks.]

Helen: We are so happy to have you, Karen. We never thought the house would sell so--

Blaire: Helen is the president of our homeowner's association. Be warned.

Helen: We'll get you involved. It's a great way to meet everybody. We have some wonderful families here.

Blaire: And if they're not, then Madame President here will quickly plan their demise.

Helen: Blaire. Stop. I'm overly protective of our little community. It only takes one wrong element.

Blaire: I'm the mayor's wife. She can't touch me.

Helen: Yes, you are. His third wife. I'm waiting for the fourth.

[Pool area]

[Johnny walks over to a chair by the pool, sits down, and takes his shirt off. Michelle walks up and sits down on a chair beside him.]

Michelle: Hey, new kid. I'm Michelle.

Johnny: Johnny.

Michelle: Well, I just wanna thank you, Johnny. See, your arrival marks my passing - I'm no longer the new kid.

Johnny: Oh, glad to be a help. [He smiles and her and she laughs. Cliff walks up and sits down in between them.]

Cliff: Chellster, Chelley-Chell, how are interest rates?

Michelle: You're funny. Hey, I got my cell phone paid off.

Cliff: Great. Use it, call me.

Michelle: [To Johnny] He's such a flirt.

Cliff: [Pseudo gay voice] Ohhhh. Bye, Chell. [Normal voice] I like that Chell, she's a quality girl. Oh, God. Mmmm. [Greta, in a bikini, walks out of the pool.] That would be Greta. Name doesn't fit, though. She's much more than a Greta, don't you think?

Johnny: You know her?

Cliff: As much as one can know Greta. She's a bit of an enigma. My advice, stay away from her. She can be... well, enigmatic. [Greta walks up beside the two and picks up Johnny's camera. The boys watch her. She looks at a picture of her lying in the pool.]

Greta: Nice shot. You're good. Delete. [She deletes and goes to another picture.] Nice. Delete. Nice. Delete. Nice. Delete. Delete. Delete. She walks away, with Johnny's camera swinging in her hand.]

Johnny: That's my camera

Greta: Nobody likes a stalker. [She keeps going, and Johnny lies back, irritated.]

Cliff: [Without looking over to Johnny; in a nonchalant tone] I see you've met.

[End Act II]

[Act III]

[Outside]

[Johnny is riding his bike on a sidewalk. He pulls into a church.]

[Inside the church]

[Johnny goes into the church and sits down. A "woman", Jesse Jo, is in the front, speaking.]

Jesse Jo: So here I am, in a trailer park in Amarillo, drinkin' wine out of a box with some redneck named Rufus. [The audience laughs.] Or maybe it was Leroy. [The audience laughs again.] Lord, I was a mean drunk. Angry, lonely, sad, not fit for public consumption. I was too weird for the mainstream, and I was too normal for the fringes. Hell, I didn't fit in anywhere. I did not... belong. And you know? All I ever wanted was just... to belong. Well, that an-- and to be Tammy Winent. [She and the audience laughs.] Oh, yes, ma'am.

[John picks up a flyer and walks out of the church building. He looks at an AA schedule in an information window. Jesses Jo walks up to him.]

Jesse Jo: Ain't seen you around here. What's your name?

Johnny: Uh, Johnny.

Jesse Jo: How much time ya got?

Johnny: A little over three months.

Jesse Jo: Oh, you just a baby. Well, it's nice to meet you, Johnny. My name is Jesse Jo. [She shakes Johnny's hand. She laughs and points to herself.] Don't let this outfit scare you. It's bingo night at the Rawhide. I call then numbers, and then I do a little set. Startin' over's a bitch, ain't it? [Johnny nods his head.] You hang in there, Precious. It's gonna get worse before it gets better. [She waves goodbye and then goes on her way. Johnny smiles as she goes.]

[Nighttime]

[A busy street in Palm Springs.]

[Johnny is riding his bike on the rode, and he sees Greta reading a book at an outdoor restaurant. He goes onto the sidewalk and stands beside the small fence in between he and Greta.]

Johnny: Am I ever gonna see my camera again?

Greta: You should ask before you take someone's picture. It's rude.

Johnny: Point taken. I'm sorry. [He goes around the fence and starts to sit in the chair at Greta's table.]

Greta: Hey, hey. Woah. Hey, before you settle in there, Sport, let me just say that last night was a moment. Okay? And moments work really great. Anything beyond that really doesn't. So... let it go.

Johnny: [Sits down in the chair.] Ssshhhooo, so pessimistic.

Greta: See, we're not compatible.

Johnny: You don't even know me.

Greta: Okay, fine. Let's get to know you. Believe in God?

Johnny: Yes, but not in a religious context.

Greta: So evolution over the Bible?

Johnny: Without question.

Greta: Okay, wait. Let's switch gears. You're channel surfing, you find Ti-- [Johnny sighs and puts his hand on his forehead.] You're channel surfing, and you find Titanic, Leo and Kate. It's half over. On the other channel's a Will Ferrel comedy you haven't seen yet. Which do you watch?

Johnny: Leo and Kate.

Greta: I hate romantic saps.

Johnny: Me too, I wanna watch the ship sink.

Greta: You a virgin?

Johnny: Yes.

Greta: Why?

Johnny: Well, the first time is inevitable, which makes it predictable, which makes it boring. [Greta leans back in her chair.] Is that it? How'd I do?

Greta: Not bad. Kay, you're turn

Johnny: No, I pass. I have no questions. Yours were revealing enough.

Greta: How so?

Johnny: My instant analysis: You ask a lot of questions. Which suggests A, you have very few answers of your own; B, it gives you the upper hand, which gives you a false sense of power; and C, you play games. You like testing people to see how far they'll disappoint you. Evolution over the Bible tells me that you have a high IQ, and you prefer logic over the unexplained. You're a tangible girl. You like things that you can feel, touch, I.E. water sprinklers. [He pauses.]

Greta: Well, now don't let me stop you.

Johnny: The virgin question was simply just thrown in there, once again, as a test, to see how honest I answered all the other questions. You can't tolerate deceit. And finally, you are a sap. Because only a hopeless romantic would ever even think of referencing the Titanic. Well, see ya. [He gets up and rides away. Greta has an amused look on her face.]

[End Act III]

[Act IV]

[Daytime]

[Outside the Hardy's house]

[Bob is sitting by the pool in a lawn chair and Karen lays on him and they start kissing. She looks over and sees Johnny has come out and is looking at them. She gaps and gets off of Bob.]

Bob: Uh, hey. Hi. How was the meeting?

Johnny: Okay. You know. [Shrugs] Different. [He clears his throat and exits. Bob and Karen watch as he goes.]

Bob: You gonna really hurt yourself if you keep doin' that.

[The Carter's house]

[Helen peeks through her window and sees a man outside the Carter's home. She closes the blinds. The man walks over to Nina.]

Property Line Worker: Well, Mrs. Carter. It's a classic case of encroachment.

Nina: I am not moving my waterfall. It was like that when we moved in.

PLW: You're also responsible for the wall. They could make you move it, or tear it down.

Nina: Over my dead body. [The PLW takes a long look up Nina's body.]

PLW: I wouldn't want that. [Nina turns and looks at him.] Mmm, uh, property lines. They shift through the years. This kind of thing happens all the time.

Nina: Can you fudge a new report? I'll bribe you.

PLW: I would be happy too, but the second it's disputed and reevaluated; I get fired, you're neighbor wins, we're both screwed.

Nina: Well, I wouldn't want you to get screwed. [She starts to walk away, then turns around. Coyly] Unless you wanted to. [The PLW smiles and looks around.]

PLW: Are we alone? Is there a Mr. Carter I need to worry about? [Nina raises her eyebrow.]

Tom: How bad is it? [The PLW turns around, and sees Tom Carter standing there, dribbling a basketball. Nina shrugs.]

[Outside the Wiatt's house]

[Cliff has a shovel and is digging in the landscaping. Johnny is holding a small bush.]

Cliff: Yah, Greta can be dark. Hot, but dark. She never liked me much. She always liked Eddie more.

Tess: [Standing on the porch] Johnny, you are such a dream for helping out, but that hibiscus is gonna have to go in the shade.

Cliff: Jose can do this, Mom.

Tess: And when I learn to say aesthetics in Espanola he will.

Cliff: [To Johnny] Most people just rearrange their living rooms. [The phone rings.]

Tess: Johnny, would you please tell your mother I can't wait to meet her? [To the phone] Comin'! [She goes back inside. Cliff smiles at Johnny and hits his chest in a fey way. Johnny laughs.]

Johnny: Why are we doing this?

Cliff: We're floating the front yard. My mom likes to rotate the plants.

Johnny: Your mom's got way too much time on her hands.

Cliff: Welcome to Palm Springs. Let's get that thing. [He points to the small bush that Johnny had put on the ground, and Johnny picks it up and puts it in the hole. Cliff starts putting dirt around it.] Yah, Greta runs hot and cold. I never liked the way she treated Eddie. She led him on. Screwed with his head.

Johnny: Why did Eddie move?

Cliff: Uh, he didn't move. His family did, but, uh, Eddie died.

Johnny: How'd he die?

Cliff: Uh, it was an accident. I don't really like talkin' about it, you know? It sucks, I mean, I, uh, still miss the guy. [Johnny walks over to the edge of the landscaping to pick something else up.]

[The Witter's garage]

[Liza is watching Johnny and Cliff through the garage door window. She goes over to a table. She looks in the mirror, at pictures of other women, models, and puts on lipstick. She fixes her hair and squeezes her boobs together. She stops when she hears someone start to open the garage door.]

Liza: Toxic gas! Don't come in! [She grabs the garage door opener, and tries stop it from going up.]

Helen: Honey, I-- I-- I need to get to my car.

Liza: Uh, just a second. [Liza starts shoving all of her make-up into a drawer.]

Helen: What are you working on?

Liza: Some new test trials. [Helen gets the garage door up, and walks in.]

Helen: How's it going?

Liza: [Pulls her goggles over her face and tries to pull up her cover-alls. She fake giggles.] Um, not so good. [Helen looks at her daughter and smiles knowingly as she goes towards her car. Liza tries to cover up her lips, which have lip gloss on them.

[Inside the Carter's home]

[The PLW, shirtless, lies down on a bed.]

PLW: [Sighs] Man, that was hot. [Nina, shirtless, lies down beside him]

Nina: [Laughs] Thank you.

PLW: No, thank you. [Tom, shirtless, lies down beside Nina.]

Tom: No, thank you. [All three laugh.]

PLW: Are you two always this much fun?

Nina: Yah...

Tom: ...pretty much.

Nina: We're big on encroachment.

PLW: [Laughs] I wish I could help with that.

Nina: [Laughs] You took our mind off it. [Tom and Nina smile at each other and hold hands.]

PLW: There is one thing I suggest.

[Outside the Hardy's house]

[Johnny, reading a book, is sitting in a chair beside of the pool. Greta comes up beside him and is holding Johnny's camera to her face. She takes a couple of pictures of him. Johnny looks up at her.]

Johnny: Nobody likes a stalker. [Greta pulls the holds the camera down and rolls her eyes and smiles.]

Greta: Okay, so I'm intrigued.

Johnny: I know. [Greta sits down beside him.]

Greta: Lame. [She offers the camera to Johnny, he reaches up to get it, but she pulls back.] What gives with the camera?

Johnny: Okay, it's important to have a creative outlet.

Greta: Ah. Well, I hope you don't mind, but I got creative with your outlet. [She hands the camera back to Johnny, and he takes it and lays it down. Greta stands up.]

Greta: Wanna swim?

Johnny: You're not wearing a swimsuit.

Greta: Who needs a swimsuit?

Johnny: [Smiling mischievously] We're not alone.

Greta: Get your mind out of the gutter. [She puts her hands up, falls back, screams, and lands in the pool. She swims to the edge near Johnny.] So? [Johnny says something quietly.] What? [Johnny shakes his head, stands up, and walks into the pool. Greta laughs. They swim around and laugh for a little bit.]

Johnny: You are very bizarre. Very bizarre.

Greta: It's the heat. Give it a few weeks, you'll join the club.

Johnny: I don't know. There's definitely something off around here. This place has a severe tonal problem.

Greta: Oh, and you don't? Knock, knock. [She splashes Johnny.]

Johnny: Oh, oh.

Greta: Talk to me. Why're you so sad?

Johnny: Why do you think I'm sad?

Greta: Oh, please. You're text book. Quiet, distracted, overly sensitive. Something's troubling you.

Johnny: [Laughs] Yes, yes. I am very troubled.

Greta: That's a survivor's sense of humor.

Johnny: Ha, ha. Do you just spit this stuff out randomly, hoping something will stick? Is that it? [Greta shakes her head "no."]

Greta: Something's haunting you. It's obvious. Try and hide it, but it's always there, peeking out around the edges, making you seem... sad.

Johnny: [Short silence] My dad killed himself. Blew his brains out right in front of me.

Greta: And you're extremely honest. Which I like, a lot. [Greta swims around and laughs some more. Johnny stays up against the wall and watches.]

[End Act IV]

[Act V]

[Nighttime]

[An outdoor party]

[People and waiters, dressed nicely, are walking around everywhere. Karen and Helen are walking together.]

Karen: This is a lovely party. How often does the country club do this?

Helen: Twice a month. I head the planning committee, if you'd like to join.

Karen: Oh, how sweet.

[The pass Bob, George, and the mayor, who are standing around talking.]

George: Here's to the lousiest golf swing I've ever seen. [Raises his wine glass.]

Bob: I warned you guys, I'm not much of a golfer. [They all laugh.]

[Michelle is talking to Johnny a little ways from the guys.]

Michelle: I know, it's a blue-haired convention, but you'll get used to it. [Cliff walks up, a wine glass in his hand.]

Cliff: Hey, hence the open bar. What's your poison, Big Guy?

Johnny: Oh, no. I'm-- I'm cool. Nothin'.

Cliff: Riiight. [He and Michelle laugh.] Ouch. Come on. [Michelle follows.]

[A short man with blue water bottles on a silver platter walks up. His voice is slightly familiar.]

Jesse Jo: Water, Sir? [He hands Johnny the water bottle, who takes it. He looks at Cliff, and then turns back to Johnny.] You be careful of that boy, he is shifty.

Johnny: Excuse me.

Jesse Jo: It's Jesse Jo. We met yesterday. Nobody recognizes me without my big bar hair.

Johnny: You work here?

Jesse Jo: Six shifts a week.

Johnny: Cool.

Jesse Jo: Yah, real cool. I'd prefer to see you at a meeting. [He walks off as Johnny gives him an odd stare. Johnny takes a sip of his water and walks away. He stops when he sees his mom kiss Bob. He shakes his head. Liza comes around on the other side and accidentally bumps into someone.]

Liza: Oh, sorry. [The lady smiles at Liza. She continues to walk towards Johnny. She's just about to talk to him when Michelle comes up and grabs him.]

Michelle: Okay, New Kid, none of this loner stuff. Party's this way. [She pulls Johnny off and Liza stares at them.]

[Greta is walking around and runs into Cliff.]

Cliff: Well, you certainly made an effort.

Greta: Go away, Cliff. [She tries to walk away, but Cliff grabs a hold of her arm and stops her. She spins around to face him.]

Cliff: Be careful with him. He's no dummy.

Greta: Don't worry, I'm not going to say anything to him.

Cliff: I can't imagine you would, intentionally. But I wouldn't get too close if I were you. [Greta pulls her arm away and steps back. Cliff steps towards her.]

Greta: Stay away from me, Cliff.

Cliff: [Smiles] Of course, that was the deal.

Greta: Screw you. [She walks away, angry, and Cliff grins as she goes.]

[Nina, holding a large paper, and Tom walk through and find George, Helen, Blaire, and the mayor sitting at a table together.]

Nina: Oh, good. The gang's all here.

Tom: Lovely party, isn't it?

Mayor: Yah.

Nina: So. [She pulls out the paper and spreads it across the table. She and Tom sit down with everyone.] I took a look at that nasty property line issue.

Mayor: What issue? [Nina and Tom trade glances.]

[Greta is standing beside the pool. Johnny walks up behind her.]

Johnny: What are you doing out here all by yourself? [Greta turns around.]

Greta: I do best all by myself. [Johnny nods his head. They hear laughing. They turn and see Cliff, surrounded by people.]

Johnny: He's a popular guy.

Greta: And perfect. Don't forget about perfect.

Johnny: Good to know.

Greta: Cliff is a, a great guy. Just don't worship him, okay?

Johnny: Is that what Eddie did?

Greta: What do you know about Eddie?

Johnny: Just that they were friends, and he died.

Greta: Did he say how he died?

Johnny: He mentioned an accident. [Greta doesn't answer, and blinks.] There wasn't?

Greta: Uh, nhh. It's not important. Uh, you know, I'm just not that... in to tonight. I think I'm just gonna head off. [She walks away.] W-- I'm sorry if I said something... [to himself] wrong. Come on. Uh.

[Back to Nina, Tom, and the rest.]

Tom: All the property lines have shifted over the years.

Nina: Our property actually ends here. [Points to a place on the paper.]

Helen: Really, Nina, we-- we can do this another time.

Mayor: [Not so happily] Isn't that my pool?

Nina: Yes. Two feet of your pool is actually our property. The same way our yard encroaches on Helen and George's property.

Blaire: Helen, what the hell is this?

Mayor: You want me to move my pool?

Tom: No. No, no, no. Look, we don't...

Nina: But, since Helen wants us to move our waterfall, we're going to need you to move your pool so we can re-locate it.

George: Good Lord, woman.

Nina: We'll just let you guys mull this over, and get back to us.

Tom: I need a drink, Honey. [Stand up]

Nina: Sounds great. [Stands up with Tom] [To the others] Let us know what you decide. [Helen fake smiles and stares down.]

Mayor: Damnit, Helen, I'm not movin' my pool. [Helen looks at to George, who glares back at her.]

[The Hardy's house]

[Johnny is eating from a bowl at the counter. Karen comes in.]

Karen: You could have at least told us you were leaving. We looked everywhere.

Johnny: [Sardonically] Sorry, I was ready to go. It's not a big deal is it?

Karen: Bob stayed behind. He's still looking for you.

Johnny: He'll figure it out.

Karen: Common courtesy, that's all I ask.

Johnny: That's funny coming from you.

Karen: You gonna blame me forever? I didn't put a gun to his head, Johnny.

Johnny: No, Mom. No, I don't blame you. Dad had a screw loose. He was gonna pull that trigger no matter how many men you slept with. [He gets up from the counter.]

Karen: I was wrong to marry so quickly. I rushed into it, I know, but it's done. Now how can I apologize for it?

Johnny: Why did you marry Bob?

Karen: I was alone. And scared. And you were drugged out of your mind. And I didn't know how to help us.

Johnny: [Angry, with a bit of sadness] You didn't have to marry him, Mom. You didn't have to uproot, and move us to the middle of the desert.

Karen: It was a good decision.

Johnny: Well, the man you marry should be more than a decision.

Karen: I care about him... I love him.

Johnny: You paused. You sure about that?

Karen: Yes, I'm sure. Why else would I marry him?

Johnny: Did you love Dad?

Karen: Of course I did.

Johnny: That's you when you're sure, Mom. [Bob comes in.]

Bob: Hey! Good, you made it home.

Johnny: [Still glaring at Karen] I was just going to bed. [To Karen] Think about it. [He leaves the room.]

Bob: [To Karen] Think about what?

Karen: [Pauses, then shakes her head] Nothing. [She hugs Bob]

[Outside]

[Cliff tries to open a door, but it's locked. He turns around, and the dog starts barking at him. He turns around to look at it.]

Cliff: Come on, I won't bite. Come here, I won't bite. [The dog walks over to Cliff. Cliff stands up again and kicks it away.] Little bitch. [He smiles and goes through the gate.]

[The golf course]

[Greta walks onto the golf course, still in her dress, and falls down and starts crying, sprinklers going off in the back.]

[Inside Johnny’s room]

[Johnny takes off his over shirt and lays down on his bed. He picks up his camera and looks at the pictures Greta took, and smiles.]

[Inside Cliff's room]

[Cliff walks into his room and lies down on his bed. The doorbell rings and he gets up.]

[Inside Johnny's room]

[Johnny, still on his bed, picks up a picture of himself and his dad and looks at it. Karen walks up to his door and watches him. Johnny lays the picture frame on his chest, and Karen walks away, a sad look on her face.]

[Outside the Wiatt's home]

[Cliff opens the door and Greta, tears in her eyes, is standing on the front porch. Greta walks up to him.]

Greta: I hate you.

Cliff: I know. [Greta hugs Cliff, and he hugs back. Liza watches from a little ways off, and then turns around to leave.]

[Inside Johnny's room]

[Johnny grabs a book out of a box and lies down and reads it. It's Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair by Pablo Neruda.

[End Act IV]

[End Pilot]

DISCLAIMER:

TRANSCRIPT BY: ANDREW PINKERTON, HIDDEN PALMS RESORT (http://www.oocities.org/hiddenpalmscw07)

HIDDEN PALMS AIRS ON THE CW IN THE US AND IS PRODUCED BY LIONSGATE TELEVISION IN ASSOCIATION WITH OUTERBROOKS ENT. I DO NOT OWN HIDDEN PALMS, THE SCRIPT, OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS. ALL THINGS COPYRIGHT TO THEIR ORIGINAL OWNERS.

HIDDEN PALMS WAS CREATED AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY KEVIN WILLIAMSON WITH SCOTT WINANT ALSO SERVING AS AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER. THE PILOT WAS WRITTEN BY KEVIN WILLIAMSON AND DIRECTED BY SCOTT WINANT.

Please contact me before posting this to other websites, thank you!