EMERALD SQUARE

Paparazzi cameras flash as Akilah Moore and Julia Mitchell head toward the audition line near the Sasha Fierce hair salon. Almost like a child on Christmas, Akilah is ecstatic to be surrounded by so much glamour, celebrities, and flashing lights.

"This is the best day ever!" Akilah says, taking a picture of a passing limousine with her camera phone. "I wonder who was in the back! Maybe it was Jason Cook!"

"Jason Cook?"

"He plays Stormy Blackthorne," Akilah says. "He's so hot!"

"Oh! You mean the one who looks like Alec?"

Akilah rolls her eyes. "Please. He's the reason I got over Alec in the first place."

"Really? Because I thought the reason you got over Alec was Matt —"

"I think I liked you better when you were under Quentin Blood's thrall, missy."

"Sorry," Julia says. "Let's go ahead and find this line so you can audition to be on The Blackthornes."

"I can't wait!" Akilah cries. "I've been practicing a monologue from Mean Girls, and it is out of control."

"Well let's hurry up. I still want to make it to Kelli's wake."

Disappointment appears on Akilah's face for a brief moment. "Yeah. We'll get there, don't...what the hell?"

As the girls round the corner, all they see is a line stretching for what seems like miles. She places her hands on her hips and stares out at the line, her eyes narrowing at all of the made-up girls.

"Shit," Akilah grumbles.



HANLEY HOME

Denise Price descends the large stairwell in the mansion, slowly approaching the foyer where she was called to by Riley Schaefer, the house's valet. Instead, she finds a large crate near the front door. Surprised, she quickly scans it for any type of identification.

"It's for you."

Denise is startled as Riley pops up from the other side of the crate, having been obscured from her vision. "For me? From whom?"

"It's from New Orleans."

Denise smiles. "My father? I told him where I was staying, and he said that he would send me a gift. Sean and me."

"Then tell your father that my husband doesn't want your gift," Leslie Hanley says, striding into the foyer. "And send whatever the hell it is out of my home."

"How about you mind your own business?"

"This is my business," Leslie snaps. "What's in that crate?"

"It's personal."

"What does it have to do with Sean?"

Leslie inspects the large crate, attempting to figure out what it holds, but Denise pushes her away from it.

"Stop badgering me, you crazy ass bitch!" Denise cries. "What's in this crate is my business!"

"Riley, do you know what's in the crate?" Leslie asks.

"No, I'm afraid I don't," Riley says. "If you'll excuse me."

Leslie cranes her neck to watch Riley leave, then she turns back to Denise and points an accusatory finger at him. "If this is one of your tricks, then I am not going to fall for it. And neither is Sean. I heard about your failed attempts to seduce him while I was gone!"

"Get the hell out of my face!" Denise shouts. "Now!"

"I'm going to find out what you're up to," Leslie insists, storming out of the foyer.

Denise rolls her eyes at Leslie's tantrum, then reaches for the latch on the crate. As she tries to open it, the crate shakes slightly. "What the hell?"

She finally manages the pull the crate open. Denise peers inside, finally catching glimpse of the crate's contents. And when she does, she starts screaming wildly, her cries echoing throughout the entire mansion.

HART FUNERAL HOME

"The wake for Sara Reynolds is in the far right room," Scott Hart announces to the arriving visitors. He gestures toward the room, then takes his place at the door.

He glances back and notices Blake Thomas approaching with Eric Hanley at his side.

"You guys all done?"

"Yeah," Blake says. "It's good to see you, Scott. How've you been?"

"Well, my family lost most of their money they had invested in Lehman Brothers, so...we're pretty much broke," Scott says. "But my mom inherited this place, and we just kept it instead of selling it."

"Good for you," Blake says. "So are you up at Fordham Bay —"

Blake stops speaking when he sees Alec Bale enter the building. He waves half-heartedly at Alec when out of the corner of his eye, he sees Jessica emerge from the direction of Kelli's wake.

"We'd better get the hell out of here," Blake whispers.

"I thought you wanted to visit Chris?" Eric reminds him. "And anyway, this looks like the battle of the century. I don't want to miss a single round."

Blake rolls his eyes. "Go. I'll catch up with you later."

"Fine," Eric grouses. "Call me."

He kisses Blake before heading out of the room, prompting Blake to slide out of the foyer as well. Scott stands awkwardly, unsure of what to say to either Alec or Jessica. He is well aware of the gossip that's circulated Marquette Cove about their relationship.

Jessica makes the first move, advancing on Alec and shoving him against the wall. "Where the hell have you been?"



MARQUETTE COVE COUNTY PRISON

Valerie Holden sits across from Robert Bale with more than slight annoyance registered on her face. She wearily brushes her hair out of her face and glares at him. "This had better be some good news. Do you realize how long I've been in prison? A year? A whole fucking year you son of a bitch!"

"They teach you to talk like that in prison?" Robert asks, forcing a smile.

"Don't start with me, Robert."

"Don't act so surprised, Valerie," Robert snaps. "Not when you set me up!"

"Set you up? What do you mean?"

"I've lost my license to practice law. I was disbarred."

"What? That's...that's impossible."

"Is it?" Robert hisses. "How else would your brother know that I helped you alter your father's will? Answer me that!"

Valerie appears genuinely shocked. "Michael found out? Why the hell would I tell him? I need you to get me out of here!"

"Stop lying to me."

"I'm not lying!" Valerie demands. "There has to be some way else he found out! I mean, maybe you're stupid enough to leave things lying around!"

"I did not leave..." Robert stops, searching his mind for a brief moment. "My safe. But there's no way that... Darren. He's the only other one there. With Melissa gone, he's the only one."

Valerie rolls her eyes. "Now you know what it's like to have your family turn against you.

Robert angrily slams his fist against the table. "Goddamn your brother to hell! I could kill Michael Hanley!"

"Try not to say that in here."

"I don't care," Robert insists. "Michael is going to pay for this."

"You're absolutely right," Valerie says. "He helped put me in prison, and now he's keeping me here. Michael deserves to have his life turned upside down for once."

"So what are you saying?" Robert demands.

Valerie leans forward, not even to whisper, but to make sure her words are clear and concise. "I'm saying we join forces and knock my brother off his pedestal."



HART FUNERAL HOME

Blake rests his hands on the guestbook near the entrance to Chris Server's viewing room. He frowns at the sight of only two guests' names scribbled at the top — Marcus and Diana Server, Chris' parents.

Though Blake supposes it's to be expected. Chris didn't have that many friends. Not any more. It had almost been the opposite of that in high school, when Chris was on the football team and incredibly popular. That is, until he fell in love with Blake.

Blake knows that loving Chris cost him the love of his parents, cost him a lot of his friends...but they were content having one another. Until Blake made one stupid mistake.

When he killed Damon Johnson to bring his brother back to life, Blake had no idea he was being manipulated. No idea that what he was doing was unnatural and evil. It's something Blake has had to life with for the rest of his life, and he knows it's the true reason he and Chris began to drift apart.

Even amidst everything Chris did in the wake of their relationship, Blake knows most of the blame belongs on him.

"I'm sorry, Chris," Blake says softly, unable to approach the casket. "I'm still really sorry."

He turns and hurries out of the room.

But if he'd stayed longer, he might have noticed one more name scribbled at the bottom of the guest book, in the tiniest of font...

...Damon Johnson.



FOYER

"Ow!" Alec cries, darting out of Jessica's way. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I gave you divorce papers and you skipped town?" Jessica demands. "You're such a pathetic jerk, Alec."

"I'm sorry, Jessica. I didn't mean for..."

"Well it's all your fault for what's happened now."

"What do you mean? What are you talking about?"

"Darren told me that when you skipped town for the entire summer, just leaving me and Phillip behind...it would be grounds to sue you for full custody."

Alec's face falls. "What? You can't do that!"

"Yes I can," Jessica snaps. "You're a lame excuse for a father. I can't believe I ever married a loser like —"

"Shut the hell up!" Alec says, grabbing Jessica by her shoulders and gripping them tightly. "You are not taking away our son!"

"Phillip is my son," Jessica continues, struggling to break free. "You're just a sperm donor!"

Alec tosses Jessica into the wall, slamming her head against it. She cries out in pain, sliding down the floor, huddled in a ball and cowering in fear. "I'll fucking kill you. Do you hear me, bitch? I'll kill you!"

He storms out of the funeral home, leaving Jessica alone with her tears. She lowers her head as her entire body shakes, hoping that every single memory she has of Alec will disappear altogether.



HANLEY HOME

"Someone help me!"

Sean Moore rushes down the stairs, running straight into Leslie as she runs from the kitchen at the sound of hearing Denise scream. Michael Hanley follows behind Leslie, finding Leslie and Sean attempting to recover their balance.

"What in the hell is going on in here?" Michael demands.

"I don't know, but that irritating woman is screaming in the foyer," Sean says, leaning in toward Michael. "Why don't we have Leslie go and see what's wrong with her?"

"I don't give a damn about that woman," Leslie snaps. "Michael, you invited her into our home! Get her out of here and make her shut up!"

"Michael! Leslie! Someone help!"

Recognizing Riley's voice, the three adults finally hurrying into the foyer, finding Denise sprawled across the floor screaming. They are equally shocked to find a large, over 20-foot python writhing atop her. Only part of the snake is visible, but the rest is still within the wooden crate near the door.

"It's a snake!" Leslie shrieks. "Michael, there's a snake!"

"I can see that!" Michael exclaims. "How did a...what in the hell is going on in here?!"

Sean hurries into the living room as Riley, Leslie, and Michael stand over a screaming Denise, trying to figure out how to help her. Unsure as to whether the snake is dangerous to humans or not, they want to approach with caution.

"Someone get this fucking thing off me!" Denise cries. "Please! Oh my God, someone help me! Oh Lord!"

In a flash, Sean reappears in the foyer, aiming a shotgun at the python. He aims and fires at the reptile's head, blasting it off in one clean shot. The snake's blood and pieces of its head fly across the foyer, landing on everyone's clothing.

Sean lowers the gun, sighing.

"You have a shotgun?" Leslie demands.

"Of course we do, we're Republicans," Sean says, turning to Michael. "I see you still keep it in the same place."

Outside the house, Eric leans against the window, watching with a mix of amusement and disappointment. He presses his fingers on the glass and breathes heavily, reading everyone's facial reactions.

"Oh well," Eric mumbles. "Maybe I'll have better luck next time."



SASHA FIERCE HAIR SALON

"Stop trying to make fetch happen! It is not going to happen!"

Akilah stands frozen for a moment, then she bows for the table of producers standing before her.

"Thank you, Ms. Moore," a blonde producer says. "If you'll excuse us." She leans in to a scarf-clad producer next to her as he furiously types something into his Blackberry. "That was the worst fucking auditon I've seen all day."

"I know," he whispers. "But her look is so fierce."

"Oh, the irony."

"I know, right? But we can't use her in the role. Maybe something background?"

They're interrupted as Yolanda Holland, beautiful and powerful and only in her 40s, enters the room, carrying a large latte. Behind her, a young man trails. He makes eye contact with Akilah, obviously recognizing her.

"Andy found this kid outside," Yolanda says. "He said it's imperative that he be cast. He's got the look."

"He does have a good look," the blonde producer says.

"Are you kidding me?" Akilah demands. "I'm standing right here! And Blake can't even act!"

"I'm sorry, Akilah," Blake whispers. "I had no idea what this was about until this woman dragged me in here. I was just heading home from the wake."

"Well, you tell this woman that she needs to get her act together," Akilah insists, storming over to Yolanda. "Listen, I know that you might play Renee DeWitt, and you're an executive producer on the show, and you recently directed the last season finale, 'Killer Blondes From Les Deux,' but this is ridiculous! There are tons of people auditioning! And I'm already the best!"

Yolanda laughs derisively, narrowing her eyes at Akilah. "Who in the hell is this little bitch?"

"My name is Akilah Moore. And you're gonna be hearing my name a lot more, because I am obviously the only one the role was made for!"

Yolanda's mouth drops open. She stares at Akilah, unable to speak at first, but then she reaches out and touches Akilah's face. "Akilah...Akilah Moore? Leslie Moore's daughter?"

"Yes…" Akilah's voice trails off as she uncomfortably takes a step back. "Do you know my mother or something?"

"Yes," Yolanda says, nodding. A huge smile forms on her face as she continues to stare at Akilah. "I know your mother very well, Akilah. She's my sister."