#1 & #2 "Guasti Cose, Pt. 1 & 2"GUASTI COSE "Guasti Cose" (Part 1 & 2)
Season One | Episodes One & Two (Originally published as two parts)
October 14, 2002
MARQUETTE COVE HIGH SCHOOL
The building was silent at night. That's usually how most things were in Marquette Cove. It wasn't wise to draw attention to yourself in the dead of night, especially when you could never be sure of what was lurking in the
shadows.
"Where the hell is he?" Nicholas Brennan demanded, storming into the high school.
Nicholas's eyes darted back and forth wildly as he searched for the man that owed him several hundred dollars.
"Just calm down, baby," Alicia Reeves said, patting her boyfriend's shoulder. "I told him to meet us here. We
can talk about this when he --"
"I'm through talking," Nicholas snapped. "If he doesn't have my money, I'm going to break his goddamn neck."
"Stop it. Just stop it," Alicia said, rolling her eyes. "You know what your parole officer told you."
"She can suck my --" Nicholas caught himself. "-- fingers."
Alicia sighed, zipping up her jacket and peering down the hallway.
The lights in the school were dimmed, as they usually were at night. The administration believed that dimming the lights would deter vandals from breaking into the school. When in actuality, it was the high death and crime rate at the school that kept most people out during the night.
"Stop being so difficult," Alicia said. "We don't have time for you to cause any trouble."
"Me cause trouble?" Nicholas scoffed. "If he would have just given me my --"
Dale Fisk finished mopping the hallway on the second floor and placed his mop back into its pail. Dale checked the clock on the nearby wall and sighed. It was after eleven -- he was going to be late again, and his wife was not going to be happy.
Dale pushed his mopping pail over to the elevator and put his key into the lock on it. He turned the key and pressed the button for the elevator to come. After a few seconds, Dale walked onto the elevator with his pail and pressed the button for the first floor.
"Just one more hour," Dale muttered.
Nicholas impatiently tapped his foot on the floor, folding his arms and glaring down the hallway. He was tired of waiting. If his money wasn't here tonight, then someone was going to die.
Alicia glanced over at her boyfriend and bit her lip. She wasn't just worried about what might happen if he didn't get his money this evening, she was downright frightened.
Dale stepped off the elevator, pulling his mop pail with him. As he prepared to lock the elevator, Dale heard something click in his ear. He turned around, coming face to face with Nicholas and Alicia.
Nicholas was pointing a gun at Dale's head.
"Where's my money?" Nicholas demanded.
"I told you I'd get it to you man," Dale said. "I just need more time."
Dale turned to face Nicholas.
"Stop waving that gun around," Alicia said.
"Shut up," Nicholas snapped.
He turned back to Dale. "I'm tired of playing your games."
"Baby, don't," Alicia repeated.
"Shut up," Nicholas sneered.
Alicia took that in, and backed away from Nicholas.
"Look, man, I told you that I just —" Dale was cut short when Nicholas smacked him across the face with his gun.
"Please, just stop it!" Alicia cried.
"Baby, stay out of this," Dale whispered.
Nicholas's eyes widened when he heard Dale's words.
"Baby?" Nicholas repeated, turning to face Alicia.
"Honey, I can — I can explain," Alicia reassured him.
"Save it for someone who cares," Nicholas said, punching Alicia in the face and knocking her to the floor.
While Alicia cried out and tried to stop the bleeding in her face, Nicholas whirled back around and pointed his gun at Dale's chest.
"Goodnight," Nicholas whispered, pulling the trigger.
Love is eternal. Life is forever.
Yet things shall always remain...guasti cose.
MARQUETTE COVE HIGH SCHOOL THE NEXT DAY
Alec Bale shoved his hands into his jacket pocket and stared at the crime scene located less than ten feet away from him. Alec's best friend, Vincent Moore, walked up behind him touched him on the shoulder.
"Hey, what's up?" Vince asked.
"Two people dead," Alec replied. "The night janitor. And Alicia Reeves — she sat next to you in English last year."
"Harsh," Vince said.
"Yeah," Alec agreed.
They stood there for a moment and watched as the police photographer took pictures of the bodies.
"So, where were you headed?" Vince asked.
"Downstairs," Alec said. "You wanna come with?"
"Sure," Vince said.
"You'd think that school would be cancelled," Alec said, struggling to open a can of paint.
"Why start now?" Vince asked. "Besides — school won't even be open for another hour and a half. They'll have the bodies out by then."
"It's still morbid," Alec insisted. "I mean, you think you get used to all the people disappearing. And the strange occurrences. But that? I'll never get used to. Those are two dead people. And I know them."
"You knew the night janitor?"
"In passing."
Vince raised an eyebrow at Alec.
"He said 'good night' to me once," Alec admitted.
"Uh huh," Vince smirked.
"This isn't funny, Vince."
"You're right," Vince agreed. "It's not funny at all. Which is why I'll be going right about now."
"Ball practice?"
"Yeah, I'll see you later," Vince picked up his backpack from the woorkroom floor and slung it over his shoulder. "You'll be over tonight, right?"
"Will do."
When Vince left the room, Alec closed the door behind his friend and waited for a few seconds before opening the door to the tool closet. Standing behind the door was Jessica Reyes, a beautiful Hispanic girl.
"You can come out now," Alec announced.
Jessica smiled. "I thought he'd never leave."
Jessica stepped forward and gently kissed Alec on the lips.
"We're going to have to tell him," Alec said. "This is getting awkward."
"I don't see why," Jessica said. "I'm his ex, remember? I can date whoever I want."
"Whomever," Alec corrected her.
Jessica rolled her eyes.
"Sorry," Alec apologized. "I was being me, wasn't I?"
"That's okay. I like you."
"Yeah, well 'me' is Vince's best friend. And 'me' shouldn't be dating his girlfriend. Not even his ex."
"Are you going to stop seeing me then?"
Alec grinned. "You know me better than that."
He pulled Jessica closer and began to kiss her again.
Preoccupied with each other, Jessica and Alec didn't notice the stranger in the corner. The stranger that was
watching them — memorizing their every move.
When Alec and Jessica began to kiss once more, the stranger frowned and faded out of the room — the same
way he'd entered.
MOORE HOME
Matthew Holden's blazer pulled up to Vince's house and parked in the driveway. He didn't turn off the car though,
since he was only dropping Vince off.
"Thanks for the ride, man," Vince said.
"No problem," Matt replied. "You're the team captain. You shouldn't have to walk home."
Vince frowned. "Yeah, about the whole team captain thing...I'm really sorry you didn't make captain."
"Water under the proverbial bridge," Matt responded. "Besides, I'd only screw it up anyway."
"No, you wouldn't," Vince reassured him. "You'd make a great captain."
"Sure, whatever," Matt said, brushing off Vince's comment. "Hey, do you wanna go over Damon's? It's not that
late, and I could drop you back off here when —"
"Thanks, but no thanks," Vince said. "Damon and I aren't exactly on any...well, terms of any kind lately. Besides,
I know why you're going over there. And I don't do that anymore."
"Yeah, sure."
"Thanks for the ride, man," Vince said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Vince climbed out of Matt's blazer and started towards his house. The stranger who had been watching Alec
earlier climbed out of Matt's blazer as well, and shut the door.
"Whatever," Matt muttered.
Matt didn't blink at the thought of someone he didn't know riding in his backseat, and peeled out of the
driveway — already forgetting about it.
Akilah Moore took another handful of popcorn from the bowl sitting in her friend's lap and shoveled it into her mouth.
"This movie is horrible," Akilah commented, rolling her eyes. "Why did I agree to watch this?"
"Because Heath Ledger is cute," Julia Mitchell reminded her.
"Oh yeah," Akilah said. "But he's not in this part. Can we fast-forward it?"
"No," Julia said. "That other guy is cute too."
"You know what? This is my —"
Akilah was interrupted as the front door opened and up and Vince stepped into the living room.
"Hey Julia," Vince said.
Julia smiled. "Hey Vince."
"You're late," Akilah said.
"Mom's not home," Vince replied.
"You're still late."
Vince rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Akilah."
"I'm telling mom you were late."
"You'd better not."
"You deserve it," Akilah whined. "She let you slide with that C- in Geometry."
"Nobody likes a math geek, Akilah."
"Oh, is that another quote from one of your stupid shows?"
"Guys, breathe," Julia said, cutting into the argument.
Vince sighed and closed the front door. "Let me know when Alec gets here."
Akilah's eyes widened. "Alec's coming over?"
"What, you got a problem with that too?" Vince demanded.
"No," Akilah said quickly. "Just go upstairs. You're interrupting our movie."
Vince glanced at the TV screen, recognizing the film.
"Heath Ledger dies," Vince said before heading up the stairs.
"He is such a jerk," Akilah muttered.
Once she was sure that Vince was gone, Akilah stood up and started toward the bathroom.
"Where are you going?" Julia demanded.
"Alec is coming over," Akilah said. "I have to change."
Akilah hurried off to the bathroom, while Julia sighed and followed her friend.
"Hey Kel," Vince said, speaking into the telephone in his room. "What's up?"
"I was just talking to Blake, that's all," Vince's girlfriend, Kelli Anderson replied.
"How is he?" Vince asked.
"He's doing okay," Kelli said. "I mean, he's getting better."
"That's good," Vince said. "He was falling apart there for a while."
"Almost didn't make it," Kelli agreed. "Was there something you wanted?"
"Just calling to say hey."
"Oh. That's sweet."
"You don't sound sweeted."
"Huh?"
"Never mind," Vince said, changing the subject. "I should probably go anyway. Alec is on his way over."
"Tell him I said hi," Kelli said, hanging up the phone.
"Alec is not interested in you," Julia said. "He's probably already got a girlfriend."
"No, he doesn't," Akilah insisted. "I would know."
"Oh, did he tell you that he's single during one of the deep and meaningful conversations you never
had?" Julia asked sarcastically.
"You're always being negative, Julia," Akilah shook her head. "It's kind of pesky."
"And you're always being delusional," Julia said. "Alec is a sophomore. You are a freshman. Ergo,
he's not interested."
"Ergo, shut up," Akilah said.
Vince stared at the picture frame on his desk. It was an old picture of Vince and his ex-girlfriend,
Jessica Reyes. Despite the fact that they'd broken up because Vince didn't feel he was ready to
make a commitment to her, Vince still loved Jessica. He still hoped that they would eventually
get back together.
Vince's train of thought was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing downstairs. He headed
for his bedroom door.
"Akliah, what are you —" Julia was cut off by the sound of the doorbell ringing.
"He's here," Akilah announced.
Akilah handed her lipstick to Julia and rushed out of the bathroom. Julia tossed the lipstick into the
garbage and followed Akilah into the living room. Akilah opened the front door and smiled when
she saw Alec standing there.
Akilah batted her eyes. "Hey Alec. What's up?"
"Hey Akilah," Alec said. "Vince here?"
"He's around," Akilah said. "Why don't you come on in?"
Alec entered the house and Akilah closed the door behind him.
"You want something to drink?" Akilah asked. "Water? Soda?"
"A roofie?" Julia suggested.
Akilah shot Julia a dirty look. Julia shrugged.
"Akilah?" Vince appeared at the stairs. "Leave the nice man alone."
"Hey Vince," Alec said. "I've got the thing you wanted."
"What thing?" Akilah demanded.
"Your business it isn't," Vince said. "So why don't you just —"
"Just what?"
"Who the — who the hell are you?" Vince cried, staring at the stranger standing next to Alec.
The stranger glanced nervously around the room, confused as to whether or not Vince was actually
talking to him.
"Answer me!" Vince shouted.
Antonio blinked and stared at Vincent Moore, nervously wondering if Vince was actually talking to him.
"You can see me?" Antonio gasped. "You're not supposed to be able to see me!"
"Like hell I can't!" Vince shouted.
"Vince, who are you talking to?"
Vince paused and turned to his left, where his sister, Akilah Moore was standing. Next to her was her
best friend, Julia Mitchell, and Vince's best friend, Alec Bale.
"Don't you see him?" Vince demanded frantically. "He's standing right there!"
Vince turned back to where the stranger had been standing, but there was no one there now.
"I don't see anybody," Julia said softly.
"Neither do I," Alec agreed. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I don't..." Vince's voice trailed off as he continued to stare at the spot where the stranger had been standing. "I don't know."
BALE HOME THE NEXT DAY
Vince rang the doorbell outside Alec's house and waited for someone to come to the door. After a
few seconds, Alec's mother answered the door.
"Good morning, Vincent," Felicia Bale greeted him.
"Good morning, Mrs. Bale," Vince said.
"Alec is up in his room," Felicia said. "As usual, he's not dressed."
Vince grinned. "That's okay, I'm early."
Vince stepped into the house and closed the door. Alec's house looked much cleaner than his
did, so Vince assumed that Alec's father was back from his business trip.
Vince climbed the stairs to the second floor and walked down the hall to Alec's bedroom. As he
walked into the room, Alec was buttoning the pair of jeans he was wearing.
"You're not dressed," Vince remarked.
"You're early," Alec countered.
"Fair enough," Vince said. "We've got to hurry, though. We're stopping by Kelli's house."
"Doesn't she have a car?"
"It's in the shop," Vince said.
"You know, I didn't get a car so I could cart your women around," Alec said.
"No, of course not," Vince said. "Now hurry up."
Alec finished getting dressed.
MOORE HOME
"We're going to be late, Akilah," Julia groaned, checking her watch.
"I'm trying to find my leather pants," Akilah said, sifting through the pile of clothes on the bottom
of her closet.
"We're not going to a club," Julia said. "We're going to school. You know, where you sit down,
listen to your teachers, and occasionally learn stuff?"
"Alec is going to be there," Akilah insisted. "I have to look good."
"Okay, you do realize that he's there every day, right?"
Akilah rolled her eyes as Julia sighed and plopped down onto Akilah's bed.
"This should take a couple of hours," Julia muttered.
EMERALD CEMETERY
As Alec drove his car, he found himself near the Emerald Cemetery. It was a place you always
had to pass by to get anywhere in the town, since it was located directly in the center of
Marquette Cove.
It was quicker to just pass through the cemetery, but it was also more dangerous. The cemetery
was scary at night, as well as during the day. More often than not, people drove around the
cemetery, although due to it's size, that usually took longer.
"Past or through?" Alec asked.
"Through," Vince said.
"I don't think so," Kelli Anderson said. "It's too...Thomas' body is buried there."
"So is my dad's," Vince said. "It's just a cemetery. Besides, I need to get to school on time. And
we're already late as it is."
"So what's fifteen more minutes?"
Vince shot Kelli an annoyed look.
"Fine," Kelli said, giving up. "Whatever."
"Thank you," Vince said, turning to Alec. "Through."
"Alright then," Alec said, turning right and headeding straight into the cemetery. They weren't but
two feet in, when Alec noticed someone leaning over a grave.
"Hey, there's someone out there," Alec noted.
Kelli glanced out the window. "Oh my God. It's Blake."
"Huh?" Vince looked out the window and noticed Blake as well. "Wow, he really did go crazy."
Kelli hit Vince in the back of his head.
"Ow, what'd you do that for?" Vince demanded.
"Stop the car, Alec," Kelli said.
"We're late," Alec argued.
"Stop the damn car," Kelli snapped.
Alec sighed and reluctantly stopped the car. Kelli climbed out of car and started towards
Blake. Vince groaned in the passenger's seat.
"You know, you're on to talk about crazy, Mr. Talk-to-the-Walls," Alec told Vince.
"Shut up."
"Are we getting out?"
Vince shrugged.
"I'm getting out."
Alec climbed out of the car and followed Kelli.
Vince folded his arms.
Antonio stood in the entrance of the Thames Crypt, watching as Kelli and Alec walked
towards Blake. He nervously ran his fingers through his hair and began to talk under
his breath.
"This is bad," Antonio continued. "Really bad."
Blake Thomas whirled around and saw Alec and Kelli approaching him. He forced a smile,
and greeted them. "Hey."
"Blake, what are you doing out here?" Kelli demanded.
"I was just..." Blake glanced back at his brother's grave. "I miss him so much."
"I know," Kelli said. "But you...you can't keep coming here. It's not healthy."
"You should listen to her," Alec insisted. "I mean, you don't want to end up crazy like when I
stop talking."
"I was just passing by," Blake said.
"Do you want a ride?" Alec asked. "I've got my car over there."
Blake looked up at Alec's car, but he didn't respond.
Kelli frowned. "Blake?"
Blake folded his arms and glared at Alec intently.
"Blake, do you want a ride from Alec or not?" Kelli demanded.
"This is ridiculous," Vince spoke to himself. "Kelli's always spending her time running around
after Blake. So his brother died. Big whop. My dad died too. There are people in Marquette Cove
with bigger problems than him."
"No, there aren't."
"What?" Vince turned around and saw someone standing outside Alec's car.
Vince recognized the stranger as the same person he thought he had seen in his house the
previous night.
"Who the hell are you?"
"That's not important," the stranger said. "What's important is that you keep Blake away from his
brother's grave. His life, and the lives of everyone in Marquette Cove depend on it."
