This is the follow-up to "The Tie That Chokes," taking place a little more than a week later. It's also the third fic in my chronology, behind "Rose-Colored Lenses" and "The Tie That Chokes."
I'd give this fic a 1.5S rating. RCL was a one-sitting, TTTC a two-sitting... this is right smack in between length-wise, but because of its more serious subject matter, some may feel the need to do it in two....
You'll notice a few modifications in the way my scenes are laid out. Because some people complained, and because it gets to be a major pain-in-the-ass to write "cut to close-up" over and over again, I've removed many of the camera angles. So for this fic, you'll just have to imagine for yourselves whether there are close-ups, pans, etc! I've also taken the liberty of shortening "Beat" to "Bt" -- hopefully all of these changes will make for easier reading. Be sure to tell me what you think.....
If you're the sentimental type, grab a hanky, or something. Naw, actually, it's not that bad -- I went out of my way to try to avoid schmaltz in this fic............. Anyway, enjoy!
[intro theme music...................]
SCENE 1 (Morgendorffer house, evening -- presumably after dinner)
(Shot of the living room. Daria, Quinn, and Jake sit in the foreground, while Helen paces around in the background. Jake's sitting on the left hand couch, reading the newspaper. Daria and Quinn sit on the center couch. Daria's scribbling on a notepad, every so often tearing out pages, crumpling them up, and flinging them aside. To her left, Quinn pores through an issue of Glasses World. cut to close-up Helen. She's holding the cell phone in her hand and glaring at it menacingly.)
HELEN: Dammit you bastard, why won't you call?!! (shakes the phone)
(resume wide shot. Daria and Jake glance up from what they're doing, both wearing "Uh-oh, she's at it again" expressions. Quinn continues to look through Glasses World, oblivious. cut to close-up Helen)
HELEN: (continuing) I mean how long does it take to draft a counter-offer?!! Dammit, is he just gonna keep me by the phone --?!
(resume wide shot. Daria leans down, scribbles on her notepad.)
DARIA: (to herself) "Her shrieking pierced the air, like that of a demon from the depths of hell. She stalked the unsuspecting prey, waiting for that opportune moment when she could bite his head off." (Pause. looks up. reflects) Or maybe "when she could tear his throat out"? Yeah, that has more zing to it. (writes it down)
(Quinn glances over at what Daria's doing, cringes.)
QUINN: Ewww, Daria! What're you writing???
DARIA: Just some poetry for O'Neill's class. We're doing a segment on poems that capture the essence of life.
QUINN: Well your stuff sounds gross!
DARIA: (deadpan) As does life.
(We suddenly see Helen coming up behind Daria. She's overheard this last bit.)
HELEN: (sarcastic) Oh my, what an unusual response from you, Daria.
DARIA: ("O-kaay". humoring her. deadpan) Ha-ha, Mom.
(Helen shakes the phone again.)
HELEN: Dammit, dammit, dammit! Does he have any idea how much time I put into this?!! After I flubbed the deposition last week -- (interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing. clicks it on, puts it against her ear. none of her crooning this time -- curt) Yes, hello??
(She walks off screen, her voice fading into the background. Quinn holds out her magazine to Jake.)
QUINN: Daddy, can we subscribe to Glasses World?
JAKE: What for, sweetie?
(Quinn tosses her hands in the air, looks exasperated.)
QUINN: ("duh" tone) So I can keep up with what's going on in the vision-impaired community!
DARIA: Why waste the money? You and I could just have a conversation for a change.
QUINN: (like she'd even consider it) You're too funny, Daria.
(cut to close-up Helen)
HELEN: (snapping into the receiver) No I will not buy your goddamn long distance phone cards! And don't you ever call here again!! (hangs up the phone, mutters to herself)
(resume wide shot. Daria, Quinn, and Jake glance at each other briefly, cringe.)
QUINN: (continuing) Besides, Glasses World stays in touch with the latest breakthroughs in contact lens technology.
DARIA: Ah-ha, the truth comes out.
(Pause)
JAKE: (hesitant) Well, sweetie, I don't know...
(cut to close-up Helen)
HELEN: (to herself, but loud enough for everyone to hear) Dammit, people should call when they say they're going to. (Bt) Is it really so hard to pick up the damn phone and make a simple call?! Is it??!! (she says this last bit with such vehemence, it's obvious she's not just upset at the other lawyer)
(resume wide shot. Jake is now really hesitant.)
JAKE: Um, I'm usually pretty bad with these decisions, hon. Maybe you'd better ask your mother after she's... (lowers his hand in a "calmed down" motion)
(Quinn glances toward Helen, looks at Jake with a "God, are you nuts???" expression. Pause. Finally she shrugs a "what the hell," and turns to Helen.)
QUINN: Mo-om???
(Helen storms over and stands behind Quinn, hands on her hips, glaring.)
HELEN: (cutting her off) No, Quinn, you cannot order a subscription to Glasses World! Not when you don't even wear your glasses half the time!
QUINN: (pleading. whiny) But Mo-om, those things pinch my ears and leave icky dents on the sides of my nose!
(Helen throws her hands up in the air.)
HELEN: (not buying it. dripping with irritation) Honestly, Quinn, sometimes I wonder just how much I have to pay you to wear your glasses! [*] she's been paying Quinn five bucks a day since "Rose-Colored Lenses"
(Daria suddenly gets a mysterious smirk on her face, glances at Quinn. Quinn eyes her with some irritation.)
QUINN: (to Helen. hesitant) Oh, not much. (Bt) Just, um, ten dollars a day.
(cut to shot of Helen from Quinn's POV. She barrels down over her.)
HELEN: (bristling) What?!! Oh it's ten dollars now, is it??!! Well forget it -- I won't pay another damn cent!
(She stalks away from the couch. Daria looks at Quinn, wiggles her eyelids mysteriously. Quinn purses her lips and glares at her, then tries again.)
QUINN: (super-whiny) But Mo-ooom --!
(Big mistake. Helen now comes over to Quinn, wears a menacing expression.)
HELEN: Quinn, it's Mom, not Mo-om -- Mom! One syllable!!! Now I want to hear you say it right, so say it with me now. Go on -- say it!!!
(Pause)
HELEN & QUINN: Moooom... Moooom... (Helen stops. Quinn says one last time, meekly) M-mom.
(Helen stalks away, having let off a little steam. Daria and Quinn watch her go, while Jake hides behind his newspaper. Pause.)
DARIA: (to Quinn. hushed) Boy, our psycho-mother eagle's really on the warpath, tonight. [*] see Act II, Scene 3 "The Tie That Chokes"
QUINN: (not getting the reference, but: ) She's psycho-something. God, what is with her, lately???
DARIA: I don't know for sure, but I'd say it has something to do with Aunt Amy. (Bt) Mom's been like this since she left.
(As she says this, Jake lowers his newspaper a little, looks at the Glasses World issue, which lies next to Quinn.)
QUINN: (to Daria. hushed) They're not still mad at each other, are they???
DARIA: Well, judging from all the percentage signs and exclamation points I got when I mentioned Mom to Amy in an e-mail, I'd say it's a distinct possibility.
(Meanwhile, Jake has flipped to the back page of Glasses World and is looking at a list of different issues, wearing a curious expression. The phone rings off screen. cut to close-up Helen)
HELEN: Finally we can get down to business! (clicks on the phone. into the receiver, curt) Hello??
(resume wide shot. Jake has picked up the Glasses World issue and now looks though it with obvious delight. Helen stalks back toward the couches, silent for a few seconds, then: )
HELEN: Wrong number, jerk! Do I sound like a psychic friend to you??!
DARIA: (thought voice-over) On that one I'd go with a definite no.
(Helen shakes her head and groans. Jake is oblivious -- he's really into the magazine.)
JAKE: (to himself, but just loud enough for everyone to hear) Ooh la la! It's got an Erotic Eyewear issue!
(Pause. Suddenly Jake feels an unkind presence hovering nearby. He looks up. cut to his POV -- Helen stands over him, glaring. cut to close-up Daria)
DARIA: (thought voice-over) "And so, she tears out his throat, pecks out his eyes, and leaves him to die a slow, painful death."
(fade-out. fade-in to: )
SCENE 2 (Morgendorffer house, later that evening)
(Shot of the stairs. Daria starts to walk down them, glances outward, stops. cut to wider shot. Helen's sitting on the center couch of the living room in the foreground, going through papers. She wears a cross expression. resume close-up stairs. Daria starts to tiptoe down them very softly. resume wider shot. Daria reaches the bottom of the stairs, starts tiptoeing toward the kitchen.)
HELEN: (irritated) You don't have to sneak around, Daria. I know you're there.
DARIA: Oh. (Pause. straightens up and walks toward the center couch, stands behind Helen) So, is everything all taken care of? (doesn't want to refer to the phone call directly for fear of being lashed out at)
HELEN: (unusually quiet and weary) Yes, yes, everything's fine. (holds up a paper and studies it)
DARIA: Oh... that's good. (turns and starts to head toward kitchen) Guess I'll -- (stops, looks at the paper Helen's holding. tries to act nonchalant) Oh. I see you found one of my poems.
HELEN: (quiet. sarcastic) Yes, well, it wasn't hard, considering they were all over the place.
DARIA: (trying to make light of it) Whoops -- guess my housekeeping skills leave something to be desired.
(Pause. Daria looks a tad uncomfortable at mom's strange demeanor. She's used to her freaking out like she was earlier, but not this.)
HELEN: (quiet) Daria, is this what you think of me?
DARIA: What d' you mean?
HELEN: (reads from the sheet) "She stalked the unsuspecting prey, waiting for that opportune moment when she could tear his throat out"???
DARIA: (again, trying to lighten the situation) Oh that. (Bt) Mom, don't take it personally: I was just as rough on Dad and Quinn.
(Helen flings the sheet down.)
HELEN: You're quite the joker, aren't you?? (Bt) Well I do take it personally. How do you think it makes me feel to be described like that?!
DARIA: (now really uncomfortable) Um... not too good?
HELEN: Yes, exactly -- not too good. Not good at all. (bursts out: ) You know, sometimes I wonder if you even love me!
(Pause. Daria's super-uncomfortable, thinking, "Okay Mom, you've gone way over the line, here.")
DARIA: (hesitant. reasonable) Mom, you know what the answer to that is.
HELEN: Oh really, do I? Well then why don't I feel confident enough to trust my instincts?? (Bt) You're a real mystery to me sometimes, Daria, you really are. I don't know what you believe.
(Pause. Now Daria looks guilty, as well as uncomfortable.)
DARIA: Look Mom, just tr-- (realizes that won't get her anywhere. slumps forward a bit. Pause. can't come up with a magic one-liner this time) Look... um, why don't I just leave you alone, and we can discuss this after you've had the chance to unwind a little. Okay?
(Silence. Helen's already turned away from Daria and is looking through her legal papers. She wears a cross, hurt expression. cut to close-up Daria)
DARIA: (to herself, feeling like she has to break the silence) Okay, then.
(cut to: )
SCENE 3 (Quinn's room)
(Shot of Quinn's door as seen from the inside. sound of knocking. cut to shot of Quinn posing in front of her full-length mirror.)
QUINN: (sing-songy) Come in.
(cut to shot of the door. Daria opens it, pokes her head through.)
DARIA: Quinn, can we talk?
(cut to shot of Quinn. She turns around, a look of alarm on her face. Immediately assumes a melodramatic pose.)
QUINN: Why?! So you can gouge me for more money, bleed me dry an' leave me like a withered old icky prune so you can buy another one of your stupid books and some pizza with your dumb friend??! I can't take this anymore, Daria! It's bad enough I'm paying you to keep your mouth shut about the glasses thing, but what more do you want from me, Daria, what more??!! (slumps forward dramatically)
(Meanwhile, Daria's walked into the room and is standing next to Quinn. She rolls her eyes.)
DARIA: Hey coz -- save the Oscar-winning performance for someone who gives a damn, all right? (Bt) Besides, the reason I'm here's not about me. It's about Mom.
(Quinn lifts her head. Her expression quickly changes from alarm to interest.)
QUINN: Mom? What f-- ? (stops. smirks delightedly) You got in trouble with her, didn't you?? (Bt. sing-songy) What'd you do, Daria??
(Pause. Daria looks down briefly, uncomfortable.)
DARIA: I'm not sure, exactly. (Bt) But what I do know is that there's only one way out of it. (Bt) I gotta... (looks down again, embarrassed) say something to her...
(Quinn leans closer.)
QUINN: Like what?
DARIA: Something. (Pause. sighs) You know that thing you say to someone when you want to show you care... a lot?
(Bt. Quinn has a thoughtful look on her face -- she's never really been in that position before.)
QUINN: What thing? (Pause. then realizes, wrinkles her nose) Oh that???
DARIA: (nodding) Yeah.
(Quinn rolls her eyes, flings a hand at Daria. laughs)
QUINN: Oh ho-ho, I feel sorry for you, Daria. (Bt) But good luck, though -- you're gonna need it. (turns back toward the mirror)
DARIA: Actually, we're gonna need it.
QUINN: What?! (spins around and looks at her with alarm)
DARIA: I'm not doing this alone.
QUINN: ("don't drag me into this") But hey, wait! Mom's mad at you!
DARIA: (cocking an eyelid) So? I'm not the only culprit here. (Bt) You haven't exactly been in Mom's good graces, either.
(Pause. Quinn reflects, then wilts, realizing this is true.)
DARIA: (blackmail approach) Or would you rather I tell her you still call me cousin at school?
(Quinn gives in, rolls her eyes.)
QUINN: (exasperated) Okay, okay. So what d' we do, then?
(Daria pauses briefly to think.)
DARIA: Well, considering what I know about you, I'd say you've got as little experience with saying it as I do. So I suggest we practice. (Bt) And for that, we're gonna need a bigger mirror.
(With that, Daria turns and walks out of Quinn's room. Quinn remains behind for a few moments, turns toward her mirror.)
QUINN: (to herself) I never thought I'd hear her say that. (to her reflection) Did you???
(fade-out. fade-in to: )
SCENE 4 (bathroom)
(Shot of the sinks and the mirror. Daria's already standing in front of the mirror, on the left. Quinn comes in and stands on the right.)
DARIA: Okay, I've been going over some wordplay exercises in my head, and I think I've figured out the best way we can do this.
QUINN: Great. So what is it?
DARIA: Hmm, where to start? (Pause) Okay, here goes. (voice goes into extreme deadpan, the way it did when she explained one-point perspective to Brittany in "The Invitation.") Now we've all got stuff we love, right?
QUINN: (nodding) Uh-huh.
DARIA: Good. (Bt) Now think of something you really love, like... shopping. And say to yourself over and over, "I love shopping."
(Quinn looks at her a bit scornfully.)
QUINN: Sure, that's easy. (Bt) I love shopping.
DARIA: Put on an expression that makes you look like you mean it.
QUINN: (still scornful) 'Course I mean it. (spreads her arms out. cheery) I love shopping!
(Pause. Daria observes her, then nods, satisfied with what she sees.)
DARIA: All right, I see you've firmly mastered the basics. Now let's move on to the advanced level. (Bt) Say "I love shopping" again. Only this time, replace the word "shopping" with "you."
(Quinn eyes Daria with an expression that shows she still thinks she's off-her-rocker.)
QUINN: Fine, whatever. (Pause) I love y-- (can't get the word out. repositions her mouth, tries again.) y-- (Pause) I love y-- y--... (stops. sighs. wears an "I can't believe this" expression.)
(Daria's watching her, smirking with some sympathy and lack of surprise.)
DARIA: (gently amused) Not so easy, is it?
(Quinn glares at her.)
QUINN: Okay Miss Perfect, why don't you try, now??
(Daria suddenly looks a bit nervous.)
DARIA: Um right. sure. okay. (opens her mouth as if to speak. long pause. nothing comes out)
QUINN: Well spit it out, already!
(Pause. Daria looks at herself in the mirror. She wears a slightly stunned expression. finally, slowly: )
DARIA: I don't... think I... can.
QUINN: What're you talking about?!
(Pause. Daria looks at herself searchingly in the mirror.)
DARIA: (quiet) I mean, I don't think I can say... it.
(Quinn rolls her eyes, tosses her hands in the air.)
QUINN: That's crazy -- you just said it to me a few minutes ago!
DARIA: Yeah, but that was in a theoretical context. Any attachment to the emotional.... (looks at herself hard in the mirror.)
(Pause)
QUINN: (still some exasperation. not believing her) Oh come on, even you must love something.
(Pause. Daria wilts a little. Quinn gazes at her, expression changing to sympathy and some pity.)
QUINN: You really can't say it, can you?
(Pause. Daria sighs.)
DARIA: (more to herself than to Quinn) Nope. But I guess for Mom's sake, I'll have to try.
(fade-out. fade-in to: )
SCENE 5 (Morgendorffer house, next morning)
(Shot of outside. cut to shot of inside Helen and Jake's room. Helen's dashing around, getting ready for work. cut to shot of the door to the room, as seen from the hallway. Daria and Quinn stand beside it.)
DARIA: (to Quinn) You go first.
QUINN: No way! It was your idea!
DARIA: (smirking) Yeah, but who's better at buttering up Mom with her perky smile?
(Quinn pauses to weigh Daria's compliment of her cuteness.)
DARIA: (for insurance) Coz.
(Quinn glares at her.)
QUINN: Okay, fine! (hesitates, then knocks on the door) Mom?
HELEN: (from inside) Yes?
QUINN: Um, could I talk to you for a minute? (opens the door as she says this.)
(cut to shot of Helen in the foreground, getting ready, and Quinn in the background.)
HELEN: (somewhat rushed) What is it, Quinn? I'm late.
(Quinn comes over to her, hesitates. Shifts her weight from side to side, bobs her head around. Helen eyes her impatiently.)
QUINN: Um, I just wanted to say that I think you're a really great and cool mom an' all that, and I --
(Helen rolls her eyes in an amused manner. thinks Quinn wants something.)
HELEN: Quinn, we talked about this last night, and I've already said --
(Quinn makes "Ix-nay" gestures.)
QUINN: Oh no-no-no, no! This isn't about the magazine subscription! This is totally different. (pause. glances briefly toward the door with some resentment) Um... I just wanted to say that I... I love (has to twist her mouth really hard to get out a barely audible) you.
(Helen's face takes on a stunned expression.)
QUINN: (once she's started, she can't stop) ... love you... I... I-I love you... Mom. (looks uncomfortable, yet satisfied.)
(Helen's expression changes from stunned to genuinely moved.)
HELEN: Oh, Quinn, what a wonderful thing to hear you say. Thank you, sweetie!
QUINN: Uh, you're welcome. (thought voice-over. peevish) Please don't make me say it again.
(Helen leans forward and hugs Quinn. Quinn -- who, as we know, doesn't like to be touched -- cringes a little. Helen draws back and musses Quinn's hair.)
HELEN: And Mom loves you, too.
QUINN: (peeved) Mom! My hair!
HELEN: (chuckles) Oops! Sorry, sorry...
(Quinn sighs.)
QUINN: (chastened. resigned) It's okay. (Bt) But I'd better redo it before I leave. So I... guess I'll see you later. (heads toward the door)
HELEN: Bye. (does a little wave)
(Quinn's at the door, opening it wider.)
QUINN: Yeah, bye. (Pause. shrugs her shoulders in a "that wasn't so bad" manner, and leaves)
(Pause. Daria glances through the open doorway. Helen has turned aside, is wearing a misty-eyed parent expression.)
DARIA: Mom?
(Helen looks toward the door.)
HELEN: (neutral tone -- none of the anger she expressed last night lingering) Yes, Daria?
(Daria opens the door wider and walks into the room. stands where Quinn stood. shuffles around like she did.)
DARIA: (uncomfortable) Um... I've been thinking about what you said last night...
(Helen's face brightens a bit.)
HELEN: (gentle coaxing) Yes?
DARIA: (continuing) And I just, um, wanted to show you... (Pause. closes her eyes briefly, inhales and exhales in an act of Zen meditation. Then she quickly signs an "I love you.")
(Pause. Helen looks at her with a slightly confused expression. then frowns.)
DARIA: You got what that meant, right?
(Helen nods slowly, her expression now unreadable.)
HELEN: (subdued) Yes, I did. (Bt) Thanks.
(She turns around to resume the getting-ready stuff she was doing before. Daria watches her, confused and frowning.)
DARIA: Mom?
HELEN: (distant. subdued) Uh-huh?
DARIA: What's wrong? (Bt) I sort of thought you'd act differently -- like the way you did when Quinn talked to you.
(long Pause)
HELEN: Yes, well Quinn actually told me she loved me.
(Pause)
DARIA: (a tad annoyed) I did, too.
(Helen turns around and faces her.)
HELEN: (exasperated) Oh really? With that?! (gestures at Daria's arms)
DARIA: (a bit defensive) Hey, American Sign Language is a perfectly legitimate form of communication.
HELEN: For the deaf! (Bt) Are you deaf, Daria?!
(Daria turns away, looks uncomfortable.)
DARIA: Um, no... but I mean... (stops. suddenly has a realization. speaks in her normal assertive tone.) Now hold on. You said you didn't think I cared about you or anything, and I just proved I did. Isn't that enough?
(Helen throws her hands up in the air, glaring.)
HELEN: (irritated) I guess it's enough for you.
DARIA: (defensive. frowning) What do you mean, exactly??
HELEN: I mean, if that (exasperated gesture at Daria's arms) is all I can expect from you, then I guess I'll just have to accept it.
DARIA: (completely ticked-off) Now wait a minute --!
(cut to: )
SCENE 6 (the kitchen)
(Shot of Quinn walking down the stairs, her hair back in perfect condition. cut to shot of Jake standing in the kitchen, gulping down coffee, looking about ready to leave. Quinn comes up to the counter, wearing a mischievous expression -- if Mom fawned all over her for saying "I love you," what would Dad do??? leans toward Jake.)
QUINN: Daddy?
(Jake gulps, briefly lowers mug from his lips.)
JAKE: Yeah, honey? (takes another swig)
QUINN: (pauses briefly, gears up) Um, I just wanted to say how much I (screws mouth to get out the words) love, um, you.
(Jake almost spits out the coffee. He swallows hard.)
JAKE: You what?!
(Quinn rolls her eyes.)
QUINN: (peevish) I said I love you, Daddy.
(Jake's eyes bulge. He lays down the mug, clasps his hands together.)
JAKE: Aw gee, Quinn, do you really mean it?! You really love me?!!
(Quinn pauses to consider.)
QUINN: Uh... yes!
(Jake's overcome, misty-eyed.)
JAKE: Aw gee, sweetie... (reaches toward Quinn)
(Quinn pulls away.)
QUINN: Dad, don't touch the hair.
(Jake pulls back quickly.)
JAKE: Oh of course, of course. But -- oh geez, I'm so happy, I just gotta do something to show you how --
(He reaches into his coat. Quinn smirks expectantly as he pulls out his wallet and looks inside.)
JAKE: Here, take my gold card for the day! (holds it out to Quinn)
(Quinn reaches for it.)
QUINN: Thanks!!!
(Before she can get it, Jake grabs it back, puts it back in his wallet. Quinn watches, disappointed. Jake fiddles around in his wallet some more.)
JAKE: On second thought... (takes another card, holds it out to Quinn. her eyes practically pop out.) here's my platinum! Buy that magazine subscription you wanted!(Quinn takes the card, stares at it worshipfully.)
QUINN: Thanks, Daddy!!! (to the card) Ooh, I love you....
(Jake wipes away an imaginary tear.)
JAKE: Aw gee, what a great way to start the morning! What a great day it's gonna be! (as he says this, the sound of heavy thudding down the stairs. looks off screen) Hey, Helen! (sound of the front door slamming)
(Jake and Quinn look at each other with stunned expressions. They then look toward the stairs. cut to close-up of stairs. Daria slowly walks down them, then stops. She looks at the front door with a wilted expression.)
[Daria and Quinn practice in front of the bathroom mirror.]
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