CAFE/DAY

KC and TITO continue their chat.

KC
Given any more thought to what you want to major in?

Tito shrugs. He is holding his napkin, absently shredding it into pieces.

TITO
Nope. Still in the dark. I do know that I don't want to be another doctor. And, well, being a cop is *definitely* out. Journalism...well, I was never much of a writer. I'll carve out my own niche, somewhere.

KC
I bet you will. You seem like a go-getter.

TITO
All of this support is gonna give me a swelled head. But don't stop.

KC laughs again. Meanwhile, the door to the cafe opens, and it is REMY. Her eyes immediately dart from Tito to KC, who doesn't see Remy behind her, back to Tito. Pursing her lips, Remy says nothing and goes to sit at a nearby table. As if willing his gaze to hers, Tito spies Remy. Turning away, he shocks KC by reaching over to take her hand.

KC
Uh, Tito...?

TITO
Don't sound so nervous, KC. You know, I meant what I said before. It's nice that someone actually cares enough to listen to me and not think I'm scum.

KC is affected by Tito's thumb stroking the back of her hand.

KC
W...Well, everyone deserves a break, now and then.

Remy takes in the conversation and rolls her eyes, pretending to study a menu.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tito looks to see if Remy is listening; she is.

TITO
You're really sweet. I enjoyed this.

KC gracefully tries to withdraw her hand. Tito lets it go.

KC
Me, too.

TITO
Well, if *that's* the case, how about a movie tonight?

KC's eyes widen.

KC
A d...date?

TITO
Yeah. I mean, I like your company. I think you even like mine. We can go see a movie and have some fun. That is, unless you're afraid of a murderer like me...

KC cringes at the word murderer, but recovers. She's fascinated by Tito's flip attitude and still has no fear.

KC
Do I get to pick the movie?

Tito is pleased by KC's acquiescence, doubly so when he covertly sees Remy's brow furrow and sees her shoot a look at KC.

TITO
You drive a hard bargain, but okay. As long as it's not a really sappy chick flick. Seven-thirty sound good?

KC nods.

KC
Seven-thirty, it is.

Remy glares at KC and Tito.

CUT TO:

JOE AND PAULINA'S/SAME DAY

JOE comes downstairs as PAULINA is moving boxes.

JOE
Hey, gorgeous. Where's Remy?

PAULINA
She had to get to class.

JOE
Oh. So, are we ready to get set up for this party?

PAULINA
First, we need to talk about something.

JOE
I hate when you say that.

PAULINA
It's okay, nothing too bad. Remy is re-establishing a relationship with Tito.

JOE
I hope you set her straight.

PAULINA
No, I told her it was fine.

JOE
Fine? Paulina, are you kidding me?

PAULINA
Just calm down for a minute, okay? Tito's going through a tough time and she's convinced he needs her. You know Remy, she's very loyal - and forgiving.

JOE
He's nothing but another heartbreak just waiting to happen.

PAULINA
Maybe so, but Remy's a big girl. We can't choose her friends. All we can do is be there for her if he hurts her.

JOE
I don't like this, not one bit.

PAULINA
Neither do I, but it'll all work out. Trust me. In the meantime. let's concentrate on the other things we need to worry about.

JOE
Like what?

They hear a loud noise coming from upstairs

PAULINA
(Looking up)
Like that.

JOE
I'm sure it was nothing.

PAULINA
Like you were sure it was nothing when we heard it this morning?

JOE
Something probably just fell.

PAULINA
Impossible, we just moved in.

JOE
Paulina, a box just toppled over, I'm sure.

The painting on the wall bounces off and onto the ground. Paulina jumps back.

PAULINA
That wasn't a toppled box.

JOE
The nail just came loose.

PAULINA
Joe, I'm telling you, there's something weird about this house!

JOE
What are you saying?

PAULINA
Something just isn't right.

JOE
With all of the movers trampling in and out of here all day, things aren't that organized. It's just moving day problems. We'll get it settled.

Paulina looks at him with annoyance.

PAULINA
All right, whatever. Come on, let's go get set up for this party.

She leads him down the hallway.

CUT TO:

THE THAYER GALLERY, 1027 CHARTES STREET, NEW ORLEANS/SAME DAY

The gallery is a small, white stucco building, surrounded by a flower garden. There are small, tasteful stained glass windows decorating the building, and a small wooden sign with "The Thayer Gallery" hanging overhead. AMANDA walks up to the door and gingerly reaches for the doorknob. As she enters, we see inside of the building, which is a very small room, art covering the walls and sculptures lining the floor.

AMANDA
Hello? Is anyone here?

A young woman emerges from the back room. She is around twenty-five or twenty-six, has long, blond hair, and is dressed in a flowing floral skirt and gypsy blouse.

YOUNG WOMAN
Hello. Can I help you?

Amanda walks up to her.

AMANDA
Hi...are you the owner of this gallery?

YOUNG WOMAN
Actually, no. It's my family's gallery. What can I do for you?

AMANDA
This is a bit of a strange request. We're trying to investigage two murders up in Bay City, Illinois. The investigation led us to this gallery.

YOUNG WOMAN
What in the world could my family's gallery have to do with a murder in Illinois?

CHRIS
That's what we're trying to find out. The person who may have committed the murders, who may have been trying to get revenge on someone in Bay City...he may have had some business here thirty years ago.

YOUNG WOMAN
I'm afraid I'm not much help to you there.

AMANDA
Is there anyone who was here thirty years ago and might know something about this person? Please...we really need to see if we can learn this information.

YOUNG WOMAN
My grandmother has been at the gallery since it opened over forty years ago. She might know something. But I've got to warn you, she had a stroke recently, and her memory isn't quite what it used to be.

AMANDA
Whatever she can tell us...whatever she remembers...anything will help.

YOUNG WOMAN
All right. She's in the garden having her afternoon tea. I'll be happy to take you out to her. I'm Antoinette Thayer, by the way. My grandmother is Isabelle Thayer, the proprieter and owner of this gallery.

AMANDA
I'm Amanda Cory, of Cory Publishing in Bay City. This is my friend, Chris Madison.

YOUNG WOMAN
It's nice to meet the both of you. Please, come this way and I'll introduce you to Grandmother.

She begins to lead them through the gallery. Amanda and Chris share a nervous glance.

FADE OUT