“The Lies That Bind”
Air Date: Monday, July 10, 2006
Written By: Curtis Kheel
THE TRAGER HOUSE ♫1
Early Morning
[Lori is upstairs banging on the bathroom door. Kyle has locked himself in during the night and hasn’t come out.]
LORI
Mom, dad – help!
Kyle, come on already.
Kyle, get out! [bangs on the door again]
STEPHEN [walking up to check out the racket]
What’s goin’ on?
LORI
I have to take a shower.
JOSH [from his bedroom door]
And brainiac is still asleep in the tub.
STEPHEN [jiggling the doorknob]
Kyle! Time to get up.
LORI [disgusted]
It’s so gross that he sleeps in there.
JOSH
It must remind him of his pod.
LORI [watching her dad going through his wallet]
What are ya gonna do, lure him out with your credit card?
STEPHEN
Ah, no sweetie, that’s how I would lure you out.
[Stephen uses one of his credit cards to jiggle the lock and opens the bathroom door]
JOSH [totally impressed]
Whoa! Teach me!
STEPHEN
Not a chance.
LORI
Me first.
JOSH
Hey, no – I’m bursting here.
STEPHEN [to Josh]
Al’right, use my bathroom. You take a shower and use soap and shampoo and don’t just get your hair wet.
JOSH [sighs and walks away]
Al’right.
[Lori goes into the bathroom and heads for the tub. Kyle is fast asleep. She shakes his arm to try and wake him up – without success.]
LORI
Kyle, come on. I have to go to work.
STEPHEN
First he couldn’t sleep, now he’s Rip Van Winkle.
Kyle! Kyle!
LORI
Dad, this isn’t right. I have to take a shower before I go to work.
STEPHEN
Okay, but Kyle first.
[Stephen leans over the tub and turns the shower on Kyle. He wakes up immediately and gets his head soaked.]
STEPHEN [laughs and raises his hands into the air]
Next –
Kitchen
[Kyle is just standing at the kitchen counter watching everyone getting ready to go somewhere. Lori is digging around in the refrigerator and Stephen is packing his briefcase.]
VOICEOVER
Everyone had something to do and some place to be.
NICOLE [walking quickly into the kitchen holding a knapsack]
Hon’, would you mind dropping off Josh?
STEPHEN
No, but we gotta get goin’.
JOSH
Not until I find my notebook.
LORI [leans around refrigerator door and hands him his notebook]
Here dork.
JOSH
Oh yeah. I must’ve left it there last night when I went for that pudding.
NICOLE [packing Kyle’s knapsack] 
Okay Kyle, you’ve got plenty of paper and markers, Sour Patch Kids.
LORI [to dad]
I cannot believe that you’re taking Kyle to your office with you.
STEPHEN
Well, your mom’s got a lot of cases to catch up on, no big deal.
JOSH
Besides, it’s take your alien to work day.
NICOLE [gives Josh a look, then kisses Stephen on cheek]
Thank you, hon’. Call if you need anything.
STEPHEN
Al’right, well, we’ll be fine.
Ready men?
KYLE
Ready.
JOSH
Oh joy, summer school.
[The three men start to head out the door]
LORI
See you later.
NICOLE
Oh Lori, you’re on my way. I can drop you at work.
LORI
That’s okay. I’m meeting Hillary. [turns to leave]
[Nicole looks like she doesn’t believe her, but before she can say anything, her cell phone rings.]
NICOLE
Hello?
DETECTIVE BREEN
Mrs. Trager, Detective Breen.
NICOLE
Oh good morning.
DETECTIVE BREEN
I need to come see you today.
NICOLE
Did you find something out about Kyle?
DETECTIVE BREEN
It looks like it. I think Kyle may be connected to a murder.
[The Detective is calling from a police forensics lab. On the examining table in front of him are the partial remains of a bleached skeleton. It is being photographed from every angle. A close-up shot reveals that the skull is missing two front teeth.]
I’ll give you the details when I see you.
[Opening Score]
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ♫2
LWK Software
[Kyle and Stephen are riding in an elevator in one of the office buildings downtown. Kyle is turning around and looking at everyone.]
VOICEOVER
The elevator was this little room that gave me the strange sensation of rising. Everyone was careful not to look at each other or touch.
STEPHEN [pats Kyle on the shoulder to get him to turn around; his cell phone rings]
Hello? Yeah, we’re in the elevator. You just tell Brad we got stuck in traffic. Yeah. [hangs up]
KYLE [to Stephen]
We didn’t get stuck.
STEPHEN
Just a little white lie.
KYLE
You lied?
STEPHEN
Ah, yes, but you shouldn’t. Always tell the truth, Kyle, okay?
[People in the elevator smiling knowingly and a few snicker. Stephen gets off of the elevator and walks quickly through a busy office with Kyle following him.]
STEPHEN
Here we are, first day on the job.
KYLE
I have a job?
STEPHEN
Just kidding.
KYLE
But I wanna help.
STEPHEN
I’ll find you something to do. Right now I’m late for a meeting with Brad.
[He stops in front of the receptionist’s desk]
ALLISON [talking on a headset; she is frustrated]
LWK Software, please hold.
Yes…sir, they’re sending somebody. Yes, I did call – I just – I – sir?
STEPHEN
Rough morning?
ALLISON
Yeah, our server’s down.
STEPHEN
Again?
ALLISON
Yeah, it crashed this morning. [puts on a cheerful face]
But can I help you?
STEPHEN
I’m Stephen Trager, the V.P.
ALLISON [laughs]
Oh I’m sorry, I’m Allison. I’m…I’m a temp.
KYLE
A temp?
STEPHEN
Yeah, it means she’s not here all the time.
She’s not permanent.
[to Allison] Listen, I have to go in and talk to Brad.
ALLISON
Uh, Brad?
STEPHEN
The C.O.
ALLISON
Oh.
STEPHEN
I need you to watch Kyle here. He’s not used to being around so many people. And don’t worry, he’s just gonna sit here and draw.
Uh Kyle, I need you to stay here with Allison. I’ll be right back as soon as I can.
[Kyle smiles at Allison, but she points him over to a chair]
ALLISON
Why don’t you wait for your dad just over there.
KYLE
Stephen’s not my dad. I’m a temp, too.
[Allison just smiles at him and keeps pointing at the chair.]
THE TRAGER HOUSE
Living Room
DETECTIVE BREEN [sitting on the couch with Nicole]
The victim was shot. Some hikers found it near Victor Falls.
NICOLE [looking at photographs of the skeleton in the woods]
Detective, I know Kyle was first seen there, but that was a few weeks ago. This person was killed way before.
DETECTIVE BREEN
Not necessarily. The bones are bleached clean. We know that quick lime was poured on the body.
NICOLE
Quick lime…?
DETECTIVE BREEN
It’s used to decompose a corpse quickly. Makes it hard to identify. Probably the same reason why the teeth are smashed in.
NICOLE
Kyle could never do anything like this.
DETECTIVE BREEN
I’m not saying he did.
NICOLE
Then he’s not a suspect.
DETECTIVE BREEN
Well, we can’t completely discount the possibility. But I will tell you that some flesh remained beneath the victim’s fingernails, indicating a struggle. And according to our records, Kyle didn’t have a scratch on him when he was found.
NICOLE
For Kyle to be involved in any way…
DETECTIVE BREEN
Well, you yourself said that trauma may have caused his amnesia.
NICOLE
Well yes, it’s possible he witnessed the attack or stumbled upon the skeleton.
DETECTIVE BREEN
Has he started to remember anything?
NICOLE
No, I’m still working with him.
DETECTIVE BREEN
Al’right, well, once he sees these photographs –
NICOLE
No – Detective, we can’t do that. Exposing Kyle to something like this could further traumatize him.
DETECTIVE BREEN
This is a murder investigation. If Kyle is a witness or in some way involved, I need to find out.
NICOLE
If you could find a less disturbing trigger to help him remember.
DETECTIVE BREEN [pulls another photograph out of an envelope and hands it to her]
This symbol was on some sorta security keycard we found near the remains in the woods. Now either the victim or the killer may have dropped it, and we’ve run it through our database but haven’t been able to trace it. Now if Kyle were to identify it, he might give us a lead.
DECLAN’S HOUSE ♫3
[Lori and Declan are making out in a jacuzzi behind his house]
LORI
This so beats making out at night.
DECLAN
Except it cost you your job.
LORI
Who knew missing one shift was that big a deal.
DECLAN
Your parents must be proud.
LORI [laughs]
They still think I’m going to work.
DECLAN
Trager, you’re a bad girl.
[They start to kiss each other again.]
LORI [pulling away]
Declan, it’s not happening.
[sighs] There’s always tomorrow.
DECLAN
I…I can’t tomorrow. I’ve got golf with my dad.
LORI [laughs]
Your dad?
DECLAN
Yeah, we’ll be doing guy stuff all day.
LORI
When do you like hanging out with your dad?
DECLAN
Who said I liked it?
I like this though.
[He starts to kiss her again; Lori looks a little unsure]
LWK SOFTWARE
[Kyle is sitting in a chair across from the reception area drawing another picture. He is listening to Allison talk on the phone.]
ALLISON [on headset]
LWK Software. No, no, no, no – I’ve called three times already, you need to get somebody up here. We need our server fixed – now.
LWK Software, please hold.
[She is so busy that she doesn’t notice Kyle get up and leave and start to wander around the office. He watches how busy everyone is and how they all seem to be in a hurry. One man is walking so fast, he bumps into Kyle.]
VOICEOVER
Everyone had a place to be and something to do – just like at home.
I felt in the way here, too.
MARK [walks up]
You must be Kyle. Hey, I’m Mark. Friend of Stephen’s. He’s told me all about you.
KYLE
He has?
MARK
Absolutely! So, uh…what do you make of this joint?
[Kyle looks around for a second then back at Mark]
The office?
KYLE
Everyone has a job.
MARK
This is true. Anyways, uh…Stephen’s the best. The way he works – one big family.
[his cell phone rings]
I’ve gotta take this Kyle – but hang on. [he walks away talking on his phone]
[Kyle doesn’t hang on. He walks over to a door that says Server Room and goes inside. There is a display screen that shows nothing but snow.]
VOICEOVER
It was as if it were calling out to me. The server was something I understood. A chance for me to be useful.
[Looking around the room, he notices the server manuals on a shelf and picks one up.]
[Stephen is meeting with Brad in a private office.]
STEPHEN
I told you when we first started. It’s not just me you’re getting. You’re getting my whole team. We’re a package.
BRAD
Well, that package got too expensive, okay? We had a terrible quarter, a terrible year. Now if we outsource the research, dump the division --
STEPHEN
Dump the division? These are people, Brad, with lives and families. Mark Crenshaw’s wife just had a baby.
BRAD
You’re not working out of your garage anymore. You have an obligation now to your shareholders --
STEPHEN
And my friends.
BRAD
They’re employees first. You knew this day was coming. We have cuts to make, you know that we do.
STEPHEN [concedes, but not happily]
Al’right. I’ll tell them.
BRAD
No, you can’t. You have to – just wait ‘til next month, okay? After this quarter.
STEPHEN
They have to make plans.
BRAD
If our shareholders hear that we’re laying people off, they’ll smell trouble. Our stock could tank. Now you have a loyalty to this company. You can’t say a word. [leaves]
[Stephen is walking through the office and Allison runs to catch up with him.]
ALLISON [clears her throat]
Oh, uh, excuse me, Stephen? Um, I uh -- I kinda lost track of Kyle.
STEPHEN
What? I told you to watch him.
ALLISON
Well, I’m just supposed to answer the phones. I don’t --
STEPHEN [goes to the Server Room]
Oh no…
[Kyle is sitting on the floor with manuals spread out in front of him. He has taken apart the server and it is laying in pieces around him. He looks up at Stephen.]
STEPHEN [upset]
Kyle – what did you do?
[Stephen is walking as fast as he can towards a telephone. Allison is following right behind him.]
STEPHEN [to Allison]
We need I.T. up here now.
ALLISON
I’ve been calling – there’s some kind of a design flaw. They need to call a specialist in.
[Kyle is quickly working on the pieces of the server while they are gone.]
[Stephen is trying to get someone on the telephone when Brad comes out. Allison notices him and taps Stephen on the arm to warn him.]
BRAD [heading towards Server Room]
What the hell is going on around here?
STEPHEN [hanging up the phone and running after Brad]
Whoa! Brad – where ya goin’?
BRAD
My damn e-mail’s still not working.
STEPHEN
Whoa – wait.
[Just as they reach the Server Room, Kyle has finished all his repairs and closing the server door. The LWK Software logo is displayed on the screen and the server is humming smoothly.]
BRAD
Hmmm – it’s about time. [leaves]
ALLISON
We just left him a few minutes ago.
STEPHEN [smiling, to Kyle]
Good job.
[Kyle smiles happily at him.]
THE TRAGER HOUSE
Early evening
[Kyle is upstairs sitting cross-legged in the bathtub. He is drawing one of his pictures when Nicole finds him.]
NICOLE [laughs]
Kyle – you don’t have to draw there, you can use my desk.
KYLE
I don’t mind.
NICOLE
You know, now that you’re sleeping better, let’s put the second bed back into Josh’s room.
KYLE
But that’s Josh’s place in the house. I’ll just sleep here and I’ll wake up earlier so Lori can take a shower.
NICOLE
But it can’t be comfortable.
KYLE
It is for me.
NICOLE
But it’s so cold and…hard, and Lori’s hair products all over the place.
KYLE
They smell good.
NICOLE
I really think it’s time you transitioned back into a bed.
KYLE
But I like the tub. There’s something about it. It feels…
NICOLE
Safe?
KYLE [trying to figure it out]
Yes, but…it’s more than that -- I don’t know.
NICOLE
Al’right. We won’t push it.
Sleep in the tub – for now. [she smiles at him and looks down at his picture]
May I see? [Kyle hands her his drawing]
[sighs] More of the woods.
KYLE
That’s all that comes out.
NICOLE
Because these images are very…vivid for you and we’ll find out why, in time. Meanwhile there’s – there’s something I need to show you. Come on.
[Nicole takes his hand and helps him out of the bathtub. Downstairs in the living room, she gives him the photograph of the security keycard with the unidentified symbol.]
Think carefully, Kyle. Does this mean anything to you?
KYLE [looks at photo]
No.
NICOLE
Take your time. Do you recognize it at all?
KYLE
Should I?
NICOLE
I don’t know. Do you think you’ve ever seen it before?
KYLE [concentrates on photo, but then looks back at Nicole.]
No.
[She nods at him as if to say “okay.”]
Kitchen
[Stephen is in the kitchen chopping tomatoes for a salad. Josh bounces in and heads to a cabinet to get a pre-dinner snack.]
JOSH
Dad, I was on fire at summer school today. Aced every problem.
STEPHEN
So – algebra’s making more sense to you now?
JOSH
Yeah, but I need to chill out for a while.
STEPHEN
Lemme guess – with video games?
JOSH
Great idea.
STEPHEN
Josh – we told you not until your grades improve.
JOSH
Dad, I’m going through some serious withdrawal here.
STEPHEN [Nicole walks in]
Listen – if you don’t pass summer school, you’re not gonna go to high school next year with your friends. Is that what you want?
JOSH
No!
STEPHEN
Then get upstairs and finish that test you brought home. [Josh leaves]
NICOLE
Wow – I thought I could be tough.
STEPHEN
The kid’s smart, he just needs to focus. You through working with Kyle?
NICOLE
Yeah…listen – I have to tell you something. Just try not to get alarmed. I saw Detective Breen this morning. The police found – [Right at this moment, Lori comes into the kitchen for her pre-dinner snack.]
LORI
What?
NICOLE
Nothing, we’re just talking.
LORI
About Kyle? [Nicole just looks at her]
Fine, be that way. [starts to leave]
STEPHEN
Oh, hang on Lori. Listen, I can’t bring Kyle to the office anymore and mom has to work. We really need you to watch him tomorrow.
LORI
Uh, like I have to work, too, remember?
STEPHEN
He can sit at a table near the counter.
LORI
Some weird mutant scaring off customers?
NICOLE
Lori, it’s just for a couple of hours. I really need your help.
LORI
You brought him here, it’s not my job to watch him.
NICOLE
Come on, he’s part of the family.
LORI [Kyle walks into the kitchen]
I know you like to think that, but he’s not.
[Nicole and Stephen are horrified that Kyle overheard this. Lori realizes that Kyle has been standing behind her.]
Sorry… [and she walks out]
Josh’s Bedroom ♫4
[Kyle walks into the room where Josh is working at his desk. He looks over Josh’s shoulder and watches him.]
KYLE
What are you doing?
JOSH
Homework.
KYLE
Homework? Is that your job?
JOSH
It’s my hell.
KYLE [looking at Josh trying to figure out a problem on his test]
x=49
JOSH
Hey, that’s right.
You like math, don’t you Kyle?
[He smiles and fills in the correct answer on the test sheet.]
Stephen’s Workshop
STEPHEN
He’s linked to a murder?
NICOLE
Sshh – the kids will hear.
STEPHEN
What else did Detective Breen say?
NICOLE
Well, he’s not sure Kyle is connected.
STEPHEN [looking at photograph of keycard]
And Kyle didn’t recognize this?
[They are unaware that the house has been bugged. The mysterious man in the pickup truck is parked outside and listening to their conversation.]
NICOLE
No – not yet anyway.
STEPHEN
It’s a big coincidence, him being out there in the same area.
NICOLE
Well, it doesn’t mean he’s guilty of anything. I mean, maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
STEPHEN
Do they have any suspects?
NICOLE
No, not yet. The only thing he said was that the killer would probably have scratches on him.
[The mysterious man turns over his right hand and looks at it. There are half-healed scratches on the back of his hand.]
STEPHEN
So if Kyle was a witness and once his memory comes back, he can identify him?
NICOLE
It’s possible.
STEPHEN
Meanwhile, he’s living here with us and some murderer could be looking for him.
NICOLE
Or he’s just a lost boy who needs a temporary home.
Josh’s Bedroom ♫5
JOSH [comes into his room; Kyle is working at Josh’s desk]
You still at it?
KYLE
Done.
JOSH
Excellent. Here ya go.
[He exchanges a bag of SPKs for the test paper. Kyle munches on them and spins around in the chair.]
Not bad, not bad. But I’ll have to change a few answers though.
KYLE
Change ‘em?
JOSH
Well I can’t get them all right. They’d know somebody helped me.
KYLE
I thought it was good to help.
JOSH
It is, but – it has to be a secret.
KYLE
A secret? Is that lying?
JOSH
How could it be lying if we’re not saying anything?
[Kyle continues to munch and spin as he considers this angle.]
Early the Next Morning ♫5
JOSH [comes into his room; Kyle is working at Josh’s desk]
You still at it?
KYLE
Done.
JOSH
Excellent. Here ya go.
[He exchanges a bag of SPKs for the test paper. Kyle munches on them and spins around in the chair.]
Not bad, not bad. But I’ll have to change a few answers though.
KYLE
Change ‘em?
JOSH
Well I can’t get them all right. They’d know somebody helped me.
KYLE
I thought it was good to help.
JOSH
It is, but – it has to be a secret.
KYLE
A secret? Is that lying?
JOSH
How could it be lying if we’re not saying anything?
[Kyle continues to munch and spin as he considers this angle.]
[Josh is in the bathroom not taking a shower. He only wets his hair in the sink. After smelling his armpit, he decides he better use some deodorant.]
NICOLE [meeting Josh coming out of the bathroom, points and stops him]
Bup, bup!
JOSH
Yes, I showered. I’ll be ready in a second.
NICOLE
Did you finish your test?
JOSH
I did it last night. No sweat.
STEPHEN [comes out of kitchen, meeting Nicole at bottom of the staircase]
Made the papers. The other night we found Kyle sitting right next to this spot.
[He shows her the article in the paper: “Hikers Find Unidentified Remains”]
NICOLE
It’s so hard to imagine he’s involved.
STEPHEN
Even if he’s not, we still don’t know why he was wandering around the woods in the first place.
JOSH [coming downstairs]
Vámanos.
NICOLE
Okay, first you take a shower with no complaint and now you’re eager to go to summer school?
JOSH
I could stay home all day.
STEPHEN
Oh, nice try. Where’s Kyle?
JOSH
Must’ve left with Lori. [he leaves]
STEPHEN
Wow. She actually did something we asked her to.
[Behind the locked bathroom door, Kyle is still fast asleep in the bathtub]
DECLAN’S HOUSE ♫6
[Lori and Hillary are parked on the street watching Declan’s house]
HILLARY
You ditched out on watching Kyle?
LORI
Well, my parents told me to take him to work and -- I lost my job, remember?
HILLARY
But your parents will be so pissed when they find out.
LORI
They’re probably talking right now about how irresponsible I am and I can never be trusted to watch Kyle again, which is fine by me.
HILLARY
I’ll watch him for you.
LORI [laughs at her]
Where’s Declan already? [watching the driveway]
HILLARY
It’s so cool that we’re stalking him.
LORI
We are not stalking him. We are confirming.
HILLARY
Somehow I can’t see him playing nine holes of golf with his father.
LORI
Look, I don’t care if he sees other girls. I just…want him to be honest with me.
HILLARY
You are so full of it.
LORI
I can see other guys, too. That’s our arrangement.
HILLARY
Quite the open door policy.
LORI
Listen to you, slut central.
HILLARY [laughs]
Come on, we both know you like him more than you let on.
LORI
That doesn’t mean I expect this big commitment.
[They both duck down when a car pulls up in front of Declan’s house and the driver honks the horn. Declan walks out with a young woman. They both get into the car and it drives off.]
Just the truth. [watching the car go past them]
THE TRAGER HOUSE
[Kyle has finally woken up and is walking downstairs in a very quiet house. He starts looking around for everyone.]
KYLE
Hello?
Stephen? Nicole?
Where are you?
[He goes into the living room and sits down on the sofa]
VOICEOVER
In the family, everyone had a place. A purpose. Something to contribute. Everyone mattered – but me.
They didn’t even notice they left me behind.
[He turns on the TV, but the satellite dish is out.]
But then I stumbled on a way to help them. To show them I was useful.
[He picks up the user’s guide for the satellite dish and starts to flip through the pages very quickly.
Kyle goes outside and looks up at the roof to see where the satellite dish is. He starts to climb up the porch to the roof where he saw the dish. A connection is loose and Kyle plugs it back in. As he is walking along the edge of the roof to find a place to get down, he sees Amanda drive by in her car. She spots Kyle on the roof and when he jumps off and lands on the grass, she is so shocked, she crashes her car into some garbage cans on the curb.]
AMANDA [getting out of her car as Kyle comes over]
How did you do that?
KYLE [looks at her weirdly as he starts picking up the scattered trash bags]
What?
AMANDA [pointing]
You jumped off the roof!
KYLE
I had to get down.
AMANDA
People don’t do that, they use ladders.
I don’t get you at all.
[looking at damage to her car] I am so grounded.
KYLE
Your mother will understand.
AMANDA [starts to help Kyle pick up the garbage]
Have you met my mom?
KYLE
Yes.
AMANDA
Kyle, obviously she’s going to punish me.
KYLE
You just need to explain.
AMANDA
That I saw you jump off the roof? Even I don’t believe it.
KYLE
But it’s the truth.
AMANDA
Doesn’t matter.
KYLE
I thought the truth always matters.
LORI [running outside]
What’s happening here?
[to Amanda] Are you okay?
AMANDA
Yeah, just a little fender bender with the trash.
LORI [to Kyle]
How much trouble am I in? [he just looks at her]
For leaving you behind?
KYLE [smiles]
Oh, they don’t know.
LORI
Come on. We gotta get you inside.
[Amanda and Kyle smile at each other for a moment, then he follows Lori back inside the house.]
LWK SOFTWARE
MARK [walking through the office with Stephen]
Two-thousand square feet, great yard, great schools, beautiful nursery for Zach, plus a third bedroom for another kid if we wanna have one, which I want to, but Chloe’s already so tired, she can’t even imagine -
STEPHEN [stops and turns to him]
Mark…I know you’re excited.
MARK
I can’t believe they accepted our offer.
STEPHEN
Are you sure this is the right time to buy a house?
MARK
I know. The market is high. It’ll be a bit of a stretch –
[Stephen starts looking over Mark’s shoulder at Brad who just came out of his office]
What? What’s going on?
STEPHEN
Well, uh – well, I was just thinking – because of the baby and all – to pack up and move now –
MARK
Stephen – we can’t breathe in our place anymore, it’s so tight. Now’s the perfect time to move.
STEPHEN
Yeah…
THE TRAGER HOUSE
[Lori and Kyle are the only ones home. While he is in the shower, she sits down at the computer in the living room. She notices the police photograph of the unidentified keycard on the desk and picks it up to look at it…]
MEANWHILE, SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE
[The mysterious man is walking quickly to his parked truck and talking to someone on his cell phone]
MAN ON PHONE
Yes…
MYSTERIOUS MAN
They found Kern – in the woods, along with his card.
MAN ON PHONE
You were sloppy.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
I was rushed.
MAN ON PHONE
Have they identified him yet?
MYSTERIOUS MAN
I’ve made that difficult.
MAN ON PHONE
Well, it’s a matter of time.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
Time is what I need to cover my tracks.
MAN ON PHONE
Do a better job of it.
BACK AT THE HOUSE
KYLE [calling from upstairs bathroom]
Lori – I need clothes!
[Kyle is standing naked in the shower and drying off. He turns around to face the door just as Lori walks in with his clothes. She suppresses a laugh and quickly backs out of the room.]
LORI [talking to him through the door]
Kyle, it’s time for you to learn about modesty.
KYLE
I’m not modest?
LORI
No. [sighs] Not Jewish either apparently.
So put on your clothes and come out here; we need a cover story.
KYLE
Cover story?
LORI
What we tell my parents when they ask what we did today so they don’t know that I lost my job?
KYLE [opens bathroom door; he is dressed this time]
You want me to lie?
LORI
You could put it that way.
[Kyle follows her downstairs]
Come on, Kyle, you’re a guy. Lying should come naturally to you.
KYLE
It should?
LORI
Lying’s part of your make-up.
KYLE
Doesn’t feel like it.
LORI [stops and turns around to talk to him]
Believe me, men lie, it’s a fact.
KYLE
A fact?
LORI
And what’s even worse -- ?
KYLE
Something worse?
LORI
Men want women to lie to them, too.
KYLE
We do?
LORI
Yes! Because if we dare tell you the truth – if we tried to express how we were truly feeling – men freak out! You’d rather we just keep on lying to you so you don’t have to, I don’t know, like commit!
KYLE [shakes his head, totally confused]
I don’t understand…
LORI
Well that makes two of us. [sighs heavily and walks away]
[Kyle goes to answer the doorbell]
AMANDA
Hey Kyle, is Mr. Trager home?
KYLE
No.
AMANDA [coming into the house]
Um, you don’t happen to know if he has any touch-up paint? – for my car – for the fender – uh, not that he’d have any that could match, I mean why would he?, but I figured, hey – it’s worth a shot.
KYLE
You’re talking really fast.
AMANDA
I’m in full-on freak-out mode.
I just need something to hide the damage.
KYLE
You wanna hide it?
AMANDA
Till I can fix it.
LORI [meeting up with them in the foyer]
What’s up?
AMANDA
I need to camouflage my car.
LORI
Just tell her it was parked and someone nailed it.
AMANDA
You think?
[Kyle is carefully watching Lori spin her advice to Amanda]
LORI
Well, yeah. If you tell her what really happened, you’re screwed.
It’s a no-win situation.
“Mom, I’m so sorry, I…I don’t know what happened, I’ve been so careful.” Just like that. She’ll forget all about being mad.
KYLE
I thought you said men were the liars.
[Lori gives him a “look”]
AMANDA
I don’t know…I’m a terrible liar.
KYLE [to Amanda]
Why don’t we see if we can find something to fix it. [they walk off together]
LORI
My way was better.
Workshop
AMANDA [she is frantically looking around for anything that can help her]
God, what am I doing? I don’t even know what I’m looking for. My mom’s gonna have a coronary.
KYLE
Maybe you can just wait ‘til Stephen gets home.
AMANDA
I don’t have time. My mom’s gonna be home in an hour.
Maybe I can just park really close to the hedge and then she won’t notice.
KYLE
Maybe she won’t be that angry.
AMANDA
Kyle, she got me that car so I could be responsible. What’s she gonna say after I crashed it in one week?
KYLE
What will happen when she finds out?
AMANDA
Oh, well, she’ll take away my car, my social life; besides that, nothing, you know, except for a long exile to my room.
KYLE
I think you should tell her. Not telling her is making you feel worse.
AMANDA [sighs]
Wish me luck.
KYLE
How do I do that?
AMANDA
You just say “good luck.”
KYLE [smiles]
Good luck.
[She chuckles at him and they leave the workshop together]
Dinner Time
[Seated around the table, the Tragers and Kyle are passing around food and talking about their day]
STEPHEN
So Kyle got to go to the coffee shop today. How’d it go, Lori, any problems?
LORI
No, it was great. He just sat there near the counter and drew the whole time, just like you said he would. [Kyle is uncomfortable watching Lori lie to her father]
NICOLE
How’d you like it there, Kyle?
VOICEOVER
It was so hard to look Nicole in the eye.
LORI
I think he was lonely. It’s probably not the best place for him.
JOSH
I can take Kyle to school with me. He’ll sit right by me and read along. It’ll be fun, right Kyle?
VOICEOVER [picks up his water and begins to drink it]
My mouth began to feel dry.
STEPHEN
It’s not supposed to be fun, Josh. By the way, how’d your test go?
JOSH [Kyle is watching him take his turn lying]
I passed. Yeah, all that, uh, hard work really paid off.
VOICEOVER
They spun their stories with ease and conviction. By staying silent, was I lying too?
LORI
You sure you didn’t cheat?
VOICEOVER
I could feel my heart pound.
NICOLE
Lori, just be happy Josh is doing well.
JOSH
Hey mom, you think maybe I could, uh, play some video games tonight?
[Kyle’s heart is pounding louder and faster in his head]
NICOLE
Yeah, I think you’ve earned a reward.
VOICEOVER
Until finally I couldn’t take it anymore.
KYLE [blurting out]
I took the test for Josh!
[Nicole and Stephen look aghast at Josh]
LORI
I knew it!
JOSH
He’s lying!!
KYLE
It’s the truth. And I wasn’t at the coffee bar. I was here all by myself.
LORI
Shut-up, Kyle!
NICOLE [angrily to Lori]
Why didn’t you take him?
LORI
I got fired, okay? Thanks a lot.
JOSH
Yeah Kyle, I thought you were my friend.
LORI
I never wanted you here to begin with.
[Kyle looks at her with a hurt expression on his face]
NICOLE
Kyle, they don’t mean that.
STEPHEN
No, you did the right thing.
KYLE [standing up and staring straight at Lori]
Then why does it feel so wrong?
[He leaves the dining room. Nicole glares at both of her children. Lori and Josh sit staring down at the table with their arms crossed, in BIG trouble.
[Kyle is sitting on the roof dangling his legs over the edge, looking up at the stars. Stephen props a ladder up against the side of the house and climbs up to sit next to him.]
STEPHEN
How’d you get up here?
KYLE
Climbed.
STEPHEN
Climbed? How? [Kyle doesn’t answer, so he looks around]
Nice up here. Private. Out-of-the way.
KYLE
I’m in the way.
STEPHEN
No, that’s not true.
KYLE
Yes.
STEPHEN
No, Lori and Josh didn’t mean what they said.
KYLE
All I wanted to do was help them.
STEPHEN
But lying’s not the way. Like I told you, tell the truth – no matter what.
KYLE
Telling the truth can hurt.
STEPHEN
Yeah, sometimes. But you still shouldn’t lie just to protect people.
KYLE
But allowing people to be hurt? Is that all right?
[Stephen sighs and they both sit quietly pondering their own thoughts.]
Lori’s Bedroom ♫7
[Lori is lying on her side on her bed]
NICOLE [knocks on the open door and comes in]
Hey.
LORI [sits up]
I’m sorry I didn’t watch Kyle. I guess I was afraid to tell you guys I got fired.
NICOLE
Why?
LORI
Why did I get fired or why was I afraid to tell you?
NICOLE
Well take your pick.
LORI
I blew off a shift and I know it was wrong, so please mom, spare the lecture.
NICOLE [pulls up a chair and sits next to the bed]
Lori – I hope you know you can tell me anything. Now I’m not just saying that. Just…whatever you’re going through, I have a feeling I’ve been there, too.
LORI
If this is one of those “when I was your age” speeches…
NICOLE
Well, the fact is, I was your age once. Not that long ago. Some styles may have changed, but the basics…I think I still have a pretty good handle on it.
LORI
Did you ever wish that somebody felt the way that you did?
NICOLE
Which time?
One thing I’ve learned – you can’t make anybody feel the way you’d like them to. If they do, it’s wonderful. And if they don’t – you move on.
[Lori nods and Nicole gently rubs her knee]
[Back inside the house, Stephen calls Brad who’s still at the office]
STEPHEN
Brad? Stephen.
BRAD
What’s up?
STEPHEN
First thing in the morning, I’m telling the staff about the layoffs.
BRAD
You can’t do that.
STEPHEN
Well, they deserve to know the truth.
BRAD
If you say anything, Trager --
STEPHEN
What? You’ll fire me, too? You won’t have to; I’ll quit. And I’ll take all my software and my patents with me.
BRAD
Al’right, don’t get carried away. Come in tomorrow and you can break the bad news to them.
STEPHEN
Bye.
OUTSIDE AMANDA’S HOUSE
AMANDA [following her mother to the driveway where her car is parked]
I can explain --
MRS. BLOOM
I trusted you with this car, Amanda. You promised to be careful.
AMANDA
It was an accident, I’m sorry.
MRS. BLOOM [looking at damage to car]
Hh! What happened?
AMANDA
I was, I was…
[Kyle is suddenly standing there and breaks into their conversation. They both turn around at the sound of his voice.]
KYLE
I did it. I broke the car.
AMANDA [to Kyle]
What are you doing?
That’s not what happened.
MRS. BLOOM [glaring at Kyle]
Do not cover for him, Amanda.
AMANDA
I’m not, he’s lying!
KYLE
It’s the truth.
MRS. BLOOM [walks over to stand directly in front of Kyle]
Okay, you listen to me very carefully. I want you to stay away from my property and my daughter.
Come on Amanda. [starts to walk away but Amanda is still looking at Kyle]
Now. [she glares at Kyle one last time, but Amanda gives him a little smile]
VOICEOVER [watching them walk away]
This lie was easy – because I knew it was the right thing to do.
THE TRAGER HOUSE
Living Room
[Lori walks into the living room where Josh is sitting at the desk in front of the computer]
LORI
Surfing for porn?
JOSH
I wish. No internet and no Xbox for a week. You?
LORI
I got the “mature” discussion.
JOSH
So not fair.
[Kyle walks in the front door. He stops in the foyer and looks through at them. They all stare at each other for a few seconds, then he starts to walk off.]
LORI
Kyle – I completely suck. I didn’t mean what I said, and I should never have asked you to cover for me.
[Kyle walks into the living room. He forgives quickly and starts to smile at them.]
JOSH
Lie for you.
LORI
Zip it, cheater.
JOSH
Hey, if you’re gonna apologize, make it accurate.
LORI
At least I’m apologizing.
JOSH [to Kyle]
I’m sorry.
We got busted.
LORI
Josh!
JOSH
And, uh, you can still be my friend.
LORI
You are so unbelievably lame.
KYLE [smiling]
It’s okay. I think I understand about lying now.
LORI
We will never ask you to lie for us again, but – can we trust you not to narc?
[He doesn’t know what this means]
To keep things just between us.
KYLE
You can trust me.
JOSH
I think we all learned a very valuable lesson today.
[Lori and Kyle exchange smiles over this]
The Next Morning
Nicole and Stephen’s Bedroom
STEPHEN
All set.
NICOLE
You’re sure about this? You don’t mind giving it up?
STEPHEN
Why I hardly ever use it anymore.
Besides, it’s important for Kyle.
LORI [calling from the hallway]
Mom! Dad! I need you!
Kyle, come on already! [Bangs on the bathroom door. Josh is trying to pick the lock with one of his dad’s credit cards.]
STEPHEN [coming over with Nicole]
Kyle lock the door again?
JOSH
Not for long.
Ta da!! [opens the bathroom door]
NICOLE
Too bad they don’t give A’s for breaking and entering.
STEPHEN [reaching his hand out]
And theft!!
JOSH [gives his dad the card]
I didn’t charge anything on it.
NICOLE
Shouldn’t you be studying?
JOSH
I will.
NICOLE
If you don’t pass that test on your own this time, I’ll tell the school you cheated.
JOSH
My own mother? [looks horrified and walks off]
LORI
I can’t wait for Kyle to wake up every morning so I can take a shower.
STEPHEN
Well, you’re not gonna have to worry about that anymore.
LORI
Why?
NICOLE
Just use our shower today. I’ll tell you later.
STEPHEN
And when you’re done, you’re on the clock.
LORI [sighs]
When’s my first break? [leaves]
NICOLE
You sure paying her to watch Kyle is a good idea?
STEPHEN
She needs a job, he needs supervision.
[They go into the bathroom. Nicole sits on the edge of the tub and nudge’s Kyle’s arm to wake him up]
NICOLE
Kyle. Time to get up.
[Kyle wakes up and rubs his eyes. He lies on his back in the tub looking up at them.]
STEPHEN [smiling]
Gotta surprise for ya.
Kyle’s Bedroom♫8
[Nicole is leading Kyle by the shoulders into what was Stephen’s workshop. His eyes are closed.]
NICOLE
Okay. Open them. [He opens his eyes]
What do you think?
[Kyle starts to look around the room. It has completely changed. All of his things are in this room – his art supplies are on a desk; his knapsack is hanging from a hook on the wall. There are posters and basketballs scattered throughout the room. There is even a bathtub with a blanket and pillow.]
KYLE [turning to them]
What happened to the workshop?
STEPHEN
It’s not my workshop anymore. It’s your room.
KYLE
Mine?
NICOLE
All yours.
STEPHEN
Do you like it?
[Kyle looks down and runs his hand along the edge of the bathtub.]
VOICEOVER
In that moment, I felt I finally had a place here. I belonged.
KYLE [he looks at Nicole and Stephen with sweet gratitude]
Thank you.
STEPHEN
You’re welcome.
[Nicole comes over to Kyle and kisses him on the cheek. He keeps looking down at his bathtub.]
So, let’s go get some breakfast.
NICOLE
Oh, you guys go on. I’m gonna set up a little.
[Stephen and Kyle start to leave, but Kyle turns back to look at Nicole a moment longer. They smile at one another and he leaves.
Nicole picks up the drawings that Kyle made of the woods and starts to hang them on his bulletin board. Suddenly the strange black lines start to stand out. Gathering up the drawings, she lays them on the floor one by one trying to match up the lines. They start to form a pattern. When she has finished, she is staring at the same strange symbol on the keycard that was found next to the skeleton in the woods - where Kyle was first seen.]
THE END
♫1
♫2
♫3 In-Flight Safety “Surround”
♫4 Wolf Colonel “Citizen’s Arrest”
♫5 Summerlad “Vallée of Cobras”
♫6 Aidan Hawkin “Crush”
♫7
♫8 In-Flight Safety “Lost (The March Song)”