Wednesday, 25 October 2000
Isabel, wearing a red strapless evening gown, is searching an abandoned electric power facility with a flashlight. She kicks open a door and sees Tess lying on the floor, her body covered with cuts and bruises. Isabel runs to her, helps her up and half carries her down a flight of stairs. Isabel hears/feels a presence, ducks into a room, settles Tess on the floor and locks the door behind her. She goes to Tess saying "Tess, stay with me... don't die on me now". She hears a strange noise and turns towards the door. There is a bright light shining from underneath the door, then the bars locking the door slowly slide back. Isabel stands to face the intruder. The door swings open and we see a bright light. Isabel says "It's you!".
Two hours earlier in the evening at the Crashdown, Isabel, wearing the same dress approaches the doors of the Crashdown. The lights inside are off and you can hear voices whispering "Shhh, here she comes". Isabel walks in, the lights come on and everyone yells "Surprise!" Max has thrown her a surprise birthday party; many of her school friends are there. She hugs, Maria, her mom, Michael and Max as she comes in.
In the back room, Courtney uses her powers to change clear coloured drinks to colas. She carries the tray of drinks out front and offers one of them to Isabel, who takes it. Maria asks Isabel if she was really surprised and she insists she knew nothing about it so they ask why she is so dressed up if she bought Alex's story about needing to return a book to her. Just then Grant Sorenson, the twenty-something geologist she met a while back, walks in carrying a dozen purple roses; rare, expensive and her favourite. He hands them to her apologising for being late and saying he didn't realise there was a party. She explains that she didn't either. Grant says he never had a surprise party and Diane, asks him when his birthday is. When he replies December 7th she says "And, what year might that be?" Embarrassed, Isabel says "Mom". Just then Isabel notices a cut on his neck and mentions it to him. He says it must of happened when he slipped down a ravine earlier that day. Isabel takes his handkerchief and blots at the cut. She looks at the blood on the handkerchief and gets a brief flash of a red light. Feeling uncomfortable, due to the lack of a warm reception from Isabel's friends and family, Grant suggests this is not a good time for their date and leaves. Isabel is disappointed. Diane tells her they will discuss this later and Max whispers "Ditto". She notices Courtney watching her, then gets another brief flash of the red light and Tess in a car with a cracked windshield. Isabel drops her drink and Courtney rushes over to clean it up.
Liz is in Congresswoman Whitaker's office, listening to a CD of Run, Lola, Run while putting away files. Whitaker comes in and, hearing the CD, asks in a concerned tone "Where did you get that?" Liz says she found it on Whitaker's desk. Whitaker tries to surreptitiously lock a file drawer but Liz catches it out of the corner of her eye. Whitaker tells Liz she loves the movie the CD is from, it's the story of her life. She encourages Liz to call it a night and go home. Liz mentions that she wants to get to a party at the Crashdown and Whitaker invites herself, saying she'd like to meet some of her constituents. She excuses herself to go to the restroom to freshen her lipstick and Liz uses the opportunity to jimmy the lock on the file drawer to see what Whitaker is hiding. She finds a CD with her name on it and listens to it with headphones. It is a recording of a telephone conversation she had with Maria about not wanting to go places where she might run into Max and that she misses kissing him. Whitaker comes out of the restroom and Liz removes the headphones.
Back at the Crashdown, Isabel comes out of the restroom to find that Max was standing outside the door, listening to her calling Grant. She's annoyed by the invasion of her privacy. He's annoyed that she might be letting someone new in and forbids her to see him. She tells him that, unlike him, she can date someone without telling them their secret. He tells her that was the past and they have to think about the future, the one their mother told them about in the message from home. Isabel replies "Right, right... the king. I'm sorry, how could I forget. All I know is Max, you may be king but I am not bowing down to you; not in this lifetime". She gets a strong flash of a red electric sign with the letters R E D and a corridor in the electric power facility. She grabs her head from the pain that came with the flash. Concerned, Max asks "What is it?" and she replies that she's had a headache on and off all day. She assures him she's fine. Maria comes into the back room and tells Isabel there is a policeman here to see her. Isabel is puzzled and Max says "You'd better go". They all walk out to the front. The party guests step aside to reveal Alex in a policeman's uniform. He swaggers up to a CD player, hits the play button and begins his outrageously funny/sexy strip tease dance. Isabel and the others are loving it. Diane, however, is shocked. Alex, unaware that Diane is there, freezes when he sees her and says sheepishly "Hi, Mrs Evans. Great party".
In the kitchen, Michael is trying to stick a large candle in a lopsided cake. It falls over. Courtney comes in and tells him he should have used eggs. He says it's his first cake. She is amused to discover that he put Tabasco sauce in the cake and says "I like that". Continuing to flirt with him, she asks what a girl has to do to get him to bake her a cake. He replies "Nothing you can handle". Maria interrupts asking how the cake is coming. Michael asks Courtney to finish icing it and leaves for the front room. Maria tells Courtney to stay away from Michael, he belongs to her. Courtney isn't buying it. Alex comes in lamenting his embarrassment at having done a strip tease in front of Isabel's mom and wanting to know why no one told him she would be there. Courtney and Maria are ignoring him as they continue to "discuss" ownership rights to Michael. He interrupts them saying "Are you listening to me?" and continues to explain that he spent $150 to rent the uniform then asks them "And do you have an idea how it feels to walk around all day with a thong up your ass?" They simultaneously reply "Yes!"
In the front room, Kyle is sitting with Michael and some school friends telling them about Tess leaving her lingerie, etc hanging in the bathroom and how it's like walking into Victoria's Secret. Michael asks "So, what's not to like?" Isabel comes up and asks where Tess is. Kyle replies "She went to Jensen's to get your present". Isabel leaves them and he continues with how Tess is using all his stuff and "if some chick's gonna be yelling at me about keeping the toilet seat down she better at least be doing me". Michael hits him to let him know that Diane is standing right behind him and he "clarifies" by saying "doing me... a favour". Diane introduces herself to Kyle and Max comes up and tells Michael he needs him to back him up on something. Since Max has not been including him on decisions lately, Michael is reluctant, until he learns it's about Isabel's involvement with Grant.
Michael and Isabel are sitting in a booth and Michael is saying "He gave you an order". She says she doesn't take orders from Max and he reminds her Max is their leader. She reminds him that he and Max are barely speaking and when they do they don't agree. He says "Well, we agree on this". Isabel says "Oh, I bet you do". She asks if he expects her to be alone for the rest of her life and not even talk to other guys. Michael says it works for him, that she doesn't belong with Grant. She says that no, she belongs with him but neither one of them wants to think about that. Isabel stands and is about to walk away when she gets another flash of the sign, the power plant and Tess in the car. She grabs her head in pain and Michael asks what's wrong. She's says it's just a headache.
Max brings the cake over, with lit candles, and everyone starts singing Happy Birthday. While they are singing, Isabel sees Tess coming into the Crashdown, fighting to get through the guests, screaming for Isabel to help her. Isabel realises it was a flash when the vision is broken by everyone clapping. In the back room, Isabel tells Max and Michael about this last flash. Max asks who was the last to see her and Michael tells him Kyle said she went to Jensen's to get Isabel's gift. Isabel thinks she is in danger and Michael agrees, saying Nasedo's killer is "after Tess". Courtney comes in hearing this last part and says "Trust me, nobody's after Tess. All that blonde hair and eye shadow? She's like Dolly Parton without the jugs". Michael tells her to refill the ketchup bottles and she leaves. Max wants to check out Grant, saying the cut on his neck may mean he's involved. Isabel is irritated and says Grant is not involved. Max says "I'll be the judge of that". Maria and Liz come in and Liz says we have a problem. Max tells them Tess is missing; Maria is not sympathetic. Michael tells them that Isabel had a vision that she was in trouble. Liz says they have another problem and explains about Whitaker recording her phone call and tells them she is there at the party. Courtney comes back in and says "So, the real party's in here". Maria tells her to refill the sugars and she leaves. Max tells Michael to check out Whitaker's office, he'll go get Valenti and check out Grant and Isabel should stay there and make sure Whitaker does not go back to her office. Isabel says she's the one who had the visions and she wants to go help. Max insists that she let him handle it.
He and Michael leave and Isabel, Liz and Maria go out front. Liz introduces her to Whitaker. Diane comes over, introduces herself and tells Whitaker it's an honour to have her at the party. She tells Isabel it's time for her to open her gifts. They walk over to the table and Diane hands her an unmarked box. Isabel opens it and it's a green plastic alien figure. Diane asks "Who's the comedian" who gave Isabel the gift but no one confesses. Diane hands her another box and, as she is opening it, she gets another flash. This one is much clearer; she sees the RED'S sign and Tess in a car accident nearby. Diane asks her what's wrong and Isabel says it's just a headache and that she's going into the back to get an aspirin. Liz and Maria follow her and ask if she got another flash. She says yes and wants to borrow Maria's car. Maria is reluctant since the last time someone borrowed it the rear window was shot out. Isabel tells them about the Red's sign and Liz says there is no Red's in Roswell. Maria says she thinks she knows where it is and offers to drive her. Liz wants to go too but Isabel says she needs to cover for her.
Max is at Valenti's home, checking through Tess's things. Valenti, going through Tess's address book, comments that she has few friends. Max agrees that the only one she got close to was Isabel. Valenti asks what about him and he says it's complicated. Valenti says "She wanted to jump your bones, huh?" Max replies "Something like that". Valenti says that screws things up every time and Max asks if it happened to him. Valenti replies "Yeah, in my dreams" and they both chuckle. Valenti finds Tess's cell phone. Max takes it, hits one of the buttons, it rings at the other end, a man answers and Max pretends he's checking the service. He reads off the phone number and asks who it is billed to. The man identifies himself as Grant Sorenson.
In Whitaker's office Michael finds a file with pictures of Courtney in it and takes one of the pictures. Whitaker arrives at the front door and Michael slips out the back.
Maria and Isabel are standing by an electric road sign that says FRED'S Diner 5 Miles, with the F burned out. They see Tess' abandoned car and run to it. There is a piece of skin on it, which disintegrates when Isabel picks it up. Maria tries using her cell phone but is unable to pick up a signal. Isabel finds tyre tracks and suggests they follow them. They lead to an abandoned Chavez County electric power facility. Isabel senses that Tess is there. Maria does not want her to go in alone but Isabel insists that Maria has to go back for Michael and she needs to help Tess now.
She takes the flashlight and climbs through an opening in the fence that surrounds the complex, tearing her dress in the process.
Valenti and Max break into Grant's motel room and are just starting to go through his things when Grant arrives. Valenti draws his gun and shouts "Stop right there!" Startled, Grant puts his hands up and asks what they are doing there. Valenti asks when was the last time he saw Tess and warns him not to lie. He says he barely knows her so Max asks why he called her cell phone. He says to get gift suggestions for Isabel's birthday. He tells them that Tess said she was going to Jensen's but, since he was going to be on a dig all day she suggested he get flowers and that purple roses were Isabel's favourite. He demands to know what this is about and Valenti tells him Tess is missing. He suggests Valenti and "Deputy Dog" should be out looking for her instead of harassing innocent people and he doesn't appreciate their accusations. He orders them to get out, since they don't have a search warrant. Leaving, Valenti tells Grant to call him if he hears anything.
In the alley outside the Crashdown, Michael confronts Courtney. He shows her the picture and demands to know if she's working with Whitaker and spying on them. She says she doesn't have to tell him anything and tries to leave. He grabs her arm and says if she's not working for Whitaker than why would a US Congresswoman be interested in a waitress from Roswell. She angrily replies "Because I was sleeping with her stepson, that's why! He screwed his life up with drugs and I screwed my life up with him. When we got busted, do you know who went down for that? I spent two years in Buckman and the only reason why I got out of there was because I promised that bitch that I would never see him again. So, I guess that she is just making sure that I keep that promise". Satisfied with her answer, Michael calms down and says "All right. Thanks". Still mad, Courtney says "Thanks!" slaps his face and calls him a jerk. Angry again Michael grabs both her arms just as Maria pulls up in the Jetta. She leans out the window and says "Michael, we got to go. Isabel's in trouble". As Michael gets in the car, Maria looks at Courtney, concerned.
At the electric power facility, Isabel is searching the premises. She uses her powers to melt a hole in a metal door, then reaches in to release the lock. She hears Tess whimpering and heads towards the sound. She comes to a closed door and kicks it open. She sees Tess lying on the floor, covered with cuts and bruises and rushes to her.
Maria is telling Michael that Isabel gave her no choice but to leave her. He uses the cell phone to call Max and Valenti.
At the power plant, Isabel helps Tess up and half carries her down some stairs. She hears a strange noise. They come to a room and Isabel brings Tess in, settles her on the floor and locks the door behind them. She goes to Tess saying "Tess, stay with me... don't die on me now". She hears a strange noise and turns towards the door. There is a bright light shining from underneath the door, then the bars locking the door slowly slide back. Isabel stands to face the intruder. The door swings open, there is a bright light which fades and Congresswoman Whitaker steps forward. Isabel says "It's you". Whitaker says "Impressive". Isabel asks "What?" and Whitaker replies "You, coming here like this. I see my mistake, it wasn't her (indicating Tess) I was looking for". Isabel asks "Then why did you take her?" Whitaker says "I thought she was you. But neither of you looks like you did in the other life. I knew I needed one of the female hybrids; it was a 50-50 chance". Isabel asks what she wants from them and Whitaker asks "Where's the Granilith?" Isabel says "The what?" Agitated, Whitaker replies "The Granilith. Don't pretend you don't know. We've been looking for it. We can't exist here like you. Not in our natural state; we don't have the DNA. All we have are these skins. Our limit is 50 years. My time is almost up. I need to find the Granilith if it's the last thing I do". Isabel doesn't know what she is talking about. Not believing her, Whitaker says "You're hiding it. The four of you. The royalty they tried to save by sending you here. You're gonna help us". Isabel says "Never!" Whitaker says "You did before, you will again". Isabel says "You killed Nasedo, didn't you?" Whitaker replies "To save you". Isabel asks "From what?" Whitaker tells her "The other three. You belong with us, our race. We're in charge now. Your kind doesn't rule anymore". Disgusted, Isabel tells her "I'm not one of you". Realisation dawns on Whitaker and she says "You don't remember, do you? Let me give you a piece of history, about your planet. Your name was Vilandra and you were beautiful. Even more beautiful than you are now. You had a great love. And for him, for us, you betrayed your brother, your race". Shocked and not wanting to believe what she is hearing, Isabel says "No!" Whitaker continues "You sacrificed him. You sacrificed everyone, even yourself, and history my dear (she reaches out to brush a strand of hair from Isabel's face), always repeats itself". Isabel pushes her hand aside and says "God, you liar! We're leaving" and picks up Tess. Whitaker uses her powers to thrust Tess out of her arms and onto a platform near the window. Isabel tells her to stop hurting Tess and goes to pick her up. Whitaker says "I'll stop when you tell me what I want to know" and does it again. Again, Isabel picks her up and, feeling trapped, jumps through the window, taking Tess with her. They land in another room about a half story beneath the one they jumped from. Whitaker looks at them from the broken window.
Isabel picks up Tess and they take off. Whitaker takes a different route and cuts them off outside the facility near the fence. She grabs an electric cable and uses her powers to send a stream of sparks from it, pointing it at Isabel. Max has arrived and calls out to Isabel. Whitaker threatens to destroy them all. Isabel uses her powers to send the stream back to Whitaker. Whitaker is surprised at Isabel's strength and is unable to reverse it. The stream hits her and she explodes. There is a shower of sparks and when they die out you can see thousands of little bits of skin floating down like confetti. Max, Michael, Valenti and Maria come running towards Isabel and Tess but stop when they see the skin. They all stand there, momentarily mesmerised.
Walking out of the compound with Valenti carrying Tess to his patrol car, Max asks "What happened?" Stunned by all that has happened, Isabel replies "It was Whitaker. She killed Nasedo." Max tells her "It's OK" and she says "No, it's not. It's not OK" and hugs him for comfort. He tells her she was right about Grant and he'll have to trust her instincts. Deeply distressed she says "I didn't know I was capable of this". Max tells her she's getting stronger, they all are. That they have to protect each other. "What you did for Tess, I know you would do for me. (Isabel looks unsure, doubts clouding her mind) And I would do for you. No one can come between us". Isabel says "Max, she said things". He asks "What kind of things?" She hesitates then says "Something about a Granilith". Michael comes over and lets her know he's there for her, as someone who has been through what she has, if she wants to talk. She says she needs to be alone and walks away from them.
Alone at the pod chamber, Isabel, who seems totally drained, wearily says out loud "Happy Birthday, Isabel. I'm 18 today, Mother... October 25th. At least, that's the day we've always celebrated as my birthday. But you're the only one who knows the real day. I guess that's why I came to... to the place, the... only place, I've ever seen you". She is close to tears "I hold... I hold on to that day but... but you disappeared, and... the picture of you is already fading, and it's all I had". She sighs "I was so happy because you were beautiful and warm and I even thought I looked like you. But it wasn't you. Not really. Oh, God, I don't know what you look like. Maybe I'll never know. It isn't fair. God, It isn't fair, I need you. I need you". Letting her frustration and anger come out she starts yelling "Where are you? Oh God, it's my birthday. We should be together. Why, how could you leave us? How could you tell us all this important information about destinies and saving the world and then just, disappear. She starts to cry as she says "I... killed... a person. A... an enemy... an alien. Does that make it OK?" Frantic she asks "Oh God, what... what was she talking about? What was she talking about? She said I be... I betrayed my family. Is it true? Oh, is it true?" Distraught, Isabel whispers "Am I a terrible person? Answer me... (getting angry again her voice gets louder) answer me... come on (shouting) answer me!" To release her frustration she picks up a rock and throws it at one of the pods. It goes through the back and a light comes on. Isabel crawls through the opening she created in the back of the pod and sees a metal door. She stands up and walks towards the door. It slides open like an elevator door and behind it is a very large, metal, cone shaped object in a small decagon shaped room with a high ceiling. The power is on. Isabel stares at it in amazement and says "The Granilith".