Story Notes:
I tried to stick to what JessicaRae started with her transcript for the pilot : ***denotes the flashes of what Shawn sees***. Stage directions are in italics. Thanks a lot to Hannah who helped fill in the blanks of what I didn't understand. If you still find something missing or wrong, let me know and I'll fix it.
I keep missing the first thing Shawn ***sees*** when he looks into Juliet's purse. My own version of the episode is slightly blurry, I just don't recognize the first highlighted item. If anybody can point it out to me, I'll go fix it. Same of course goes for every mistake I might have made. I just needed to transcribe the episode in which Gus uses all the big words...
The Spellingg Bee
Outside a café. Day. We see SHAWN take a newspaper out of newspaper box. He goes back inside.
Shot inside the café a YOUNG WOMAN is sitting at the bar, reading a newspaper. SHAWN stops and stares at her, then walks over towards her.
SHAWN: Erm…excuse me you're – you're in my seat.
YOUNG WOMAN: Am I?
SHAWN: Actually, yes you are.
YOUNG WOMAN: You one of those weirdo compulsives who come to the same restaurant, sit in the same chair and eat the same food every day?
SHAWN: Ah no, no, no. I was sitting right there three minutes ago and then I went outside to get myself a paper (holds paper up towards young woman) I ordered a juice and look! I made a crawling snake with the straw-wrapper. (picks up straw-wrapper and holds it out to young woman) You can finish it if you think you're up to the job.
YOUNG WOMAN: I'm sorry. You want me to move?
(Shawn drops straw-wrapper with a smile)
SHAWN: Not anymore. (Shawn sits down in the seat beside the YOUNG WOMAN) So, what's up?
YOUNG WOMAN: I don't have time to talk.
SHAWN: But you haven't heard what I'm going to say
YOUNG WOMAN: See, now we've already talked more than I wanted to.
She bends down to pick her purse from the ground. Shawn ***sees (???), cat hair on her shoe, the picture of an elderly couple in her purse, more cat hair on her sleeve***
SHAWN: Well, I did give you my seat, you know. I think that gets me one question.
YOUNG WOMAN: Listen, diner-guy…
SHAWN: Shawn
YOUNG WOMAN: Shawn. Flattered really. Very often I am happy to meet new people. But today, right here, right now, I can't talk.
SHAWN: I understand. I do. What if I do the talking for both of us?
YOUNG WOMAN: How about it? Do you mind if I read the paper and stare aimlessly out the window while you two talk?
SHAWN: (grins) No. Can I get a name to work with?
YOUNG WOMAN: Juliet.
SHAWN: (drinks a bit of juice and puts the glass down) Well it's very nice to meet you Juliet.
(with fake high pitched voice): It's nice to meet you too Shawn. And I'm sorry about your seat. So, lunch is on me. So what do you do for a living?
(in his normal voice) A little bit of everything.
(in fake, high pitched voice): Oh that's interesting. And maybe a little bit dangerous. Oh, I like your jacket, I like it, I like it…
JULIET: (interrupts) Okay, can I stop here? First off, in your portrayal of me, I sound like I'm in 8th grade.
SHAWN: Well, in my portrayal of you, you only have an 8th grade education.
JULIET: laughs
SHAWN: All right. I'll smarten you up. Eh, college, yeah? Top of your class, graduated early, got it.
(high voice again, not as extremely pitched as earlier) I'm new to town and I don't know many people.(***cat hair on Juliet's shoes***) But I do know my cats. Two of them. The grey one is very affectionate, the white one makes me work much, much harder for the attention.
(normal voice) And what about your family? (***picture of elderly couple***)
(high voice) My family is amazing. My parents have been together for over, what is it, thirty years now?
JULIET: (interrupts) Okay, do we know each other?
SHAWN: Yes. You are the girl who stole my seat.
JULIET looks past SHAWN out the front window of the café. SHAWN follows her gaze as a YOUNG MAN wearing a long sleeved shirt and a baseball cap comes in. JULIET puts her purse on the bar and reaches in as the YOUNG MAN comes towards them.
SHAWN: (with hand in front of his mouth) Oh my gosh, you're a cop.
JULIET (frowns) I'm not a cop.
SHAWN: The paper, the vantage point, the layout. Of course, you've got defensive when scary guy walked in, you're totally a cop.
JULIET: Okay Shawn, I may need you to do me a favor.
SHAWN: Name it.
JULIET: Duck!
SHAWN puts his head down on the bar as JULIET pulls a gun and aims it at the YOUNG MAN who came into the café just a moment ago
Yells: Police! Don't move!
Two POLICE OFFICERS posing as diner guests overwhelm the YOUNG MAN, the front door opens and DET. LASSITER comes in with his gun drawn, another officer behind him.
Cut to JULIET, her hand is shaking holding her pistol at the suspect.
LASSITER: Get him up!
JULIET lowers her gun.
The YOUNG MAN is brought out of the café, LASSITER looks up to see SHAWN on the barstool. SHAWN waves at the detective. LASSITER'S eyes widen, then he leaves.
JULIET puts her gun away and sits back down.
SHAWN: First time pulling your gun?
JULIET: Maybe.
JULIET closes her purse and gets up, walks out of the café, SHAWN looks after her as she leaves with a smile
[TITLE CREDITS]
Flashback 1989:
YOUNG GUS is standing on a stage, participating in a spelling competition.
SPELLMASTER: 30 seconds, Mr. Guster
YOUNG GUS: a – g –
(cut to YOUNG SHAWN in the audience, trying to help GUS by forming the letters with his mouth)
YOUNG GUS: - g …
(GUS gets stuck on the next letter, cut to the audience where SHAWN is repeatedly forming the letter –o- with his lips)
YOUNG GUS: Let me start over. Aggiornamento. a-g-g-
(close up on SHAWN'S lips forming the letter –o- repeatedly)
YOUNG GUS: -o
SPELLMASTER hits a buzzer, gasps and calls of "oh" from the audience, GUS raises his hands in disappointment and leaves the stage.
[Cut]
Present Day, GUS in the Psych office, daytime. GUS is watching TV.
VOICE OVER (FROM TV): Beautiful Santa Barbara, California is the backdrop in this afternoon's coverage of the American Spelling Bee being held at the downtown Gabrio Theater. Champions from all over these Western United States have made the trek to tes…"
Sound of a door opening, GUS quickly switches off the TV as SHAWN enters the office, sitting on the saddle of a bicycle.
SHAWN: What are you watching?
GUS: Nothing.
SHAWN: Dude, is…is that Korean porn? Come on, man.
SHAWN parks the bike against the wall below the window. GUS sits down at his desk.
GUS: It's the regional finals of the American (hesitates) Spelling Bee.
SHAWN: What?
GUS: (raises index finger) Don't mock me. It's a huge event.
SHAWN: Oh, I'm just…I'm shocked that you didn't take a whole day off. (laughs)
GUS: It's on SportsCal2, for your information. And it's hosted by Bud Collins.
SHAWN: (turns towards TV) Really? Did they…Did they bump the car washing championships for this? And is it over soon because, I'd like to get back to the wood carving finals.
GUS gets up and walks over towards the TV, turning it back on.
COMMENTATOR#1 ON TV: Let's recap this morning's unexpected…
GUS: It's being held in Santa Barbara this year. Down at the Gabrio. It's huge, sold out. I tried to get tickets, but you gotta know somebody.
SHAWN: Somebody lame. You know I can't believe you're watching this.
GUS: I'm taping it. And I don't care what you think Shawn, I watch the Bee semis every year.
SHAWN: Okay, for your sake and mine, stop giving the Spelling Bee hip little nicknames.
GUS shushes SHAWN.
COMMENTATOR#1 ON TV: For those of you who have just joined, well (laughs) a bit of a shock. And a little sad, too. The heavy favorite has had a bad spell and Brandon Vu is out!
GUS: (with wide-eyed stare) What?
COMMENTATOR#2 ON TV: Bohoo for Vu, but…
GUS:. No way. Brandon Vu is out? Already?
SHAWN: Okay, now you're just scaring me.
GUS: Come on Shawn, he took second last year. Everybody knows that.
SHAWN: No, no Gus. Nobody knows that. Except for Brandon and his mother.
GUS: Okay.
COMMENTATOR#1: We're going to show this again. It looks like young Mr. Wu maybe having trouble breathing.
COMMENTATOR#2: He does look under some sort of duress Bud.
The screen shows an ASIAN BOY with an inhaler. The boy has the #104 on his shirt.
COMMENTATOR#2: His inhaler did not appear to help and Wu tumbles
BRANDON VU falls to the floor. SHAWN turns towards the TV with interest
GUS: Dang
SHAWN: Wait a second. (takes remote from GUS) Did you see that? (Focus on the screen with BRANDON VU on it, SHAWN sees ***the inhaler in BRANDON'S right hand***)
GUS: What?
SHAWN: This is no accident. There's something wrong with that inhaler.
GUS: Shawn, get out of here (takes remote back)
The phone rings, SHAWN answers
SHAWN: Psych. (He listens, then turns to GUS, hand over receiver) It's the chief. (speaks into the phone) Well I'll…I'll…I'll have to check with Gus. (hand over receiver again) Are we available?
GUS stares.
SHAWN: Appears we are. We'll be right there. (disconnects)
GUS: What?
SHAWN: I can get us into the Spelling Bee.
GUS: Really?
SHAWN: Guess I was right about the whole Banden Wuns thing.
GUS: Brandon Vu.
SHAWN: Sure
GUS: They need a psychic detective for that?
SHAWN: They don't, (he takes a step back and points at Gus) unless it was sabotaged. Kid said his inhaler felt funny. When he used it his hand stung. When the paramedics get there, there's no inhaler. Apparently the thing just vanished into thin air.
GUS grabs his jacket and hurries towards the door.
GUS: Shawn, we are so taking this. Let's go.
GUS runs out of the room.
SHAWN: How come I can't get you this excited about girls?
GUS: (from the other room) Let's go!
SHAWN: Or Mexico!
[Cut]
Outside the theater where the Spelling Bee is held. SHAWN and GUS walk across the lawn towards the entrance.
SHAWN: We're here.
CHIEF VICK is coming towards them with an older MAN walking beside her.
CHIEF VICK: Good morning Mr. Spencer. I've arranged everything you need inside.
CHIEF VICK leaves with the MAN, they walk towards a car at the curb.
SHAWN: You're leaving?
CHIEF VICK: Oh, I was only here for the mayor's presentation, and we have a robbery standoff across town.
SHAWN: Oh-oh-oh, shouldn't I go to the hospital, meet the victim, get a statement?
CHIEF VICK: Mr. Spencer, the case is sabotage. There are 43 remaining contestants all presumably with a motive. Now, you can read guilt just by talking with someone, right? Do it.
SHAWN: You want us to talk to all of them?
CHIEF VICK: And their parents.
GUS: Today?
CHIEF VICK: (laughs) By five. In two days, this whole thing is over. At that time, all the witnesses will be in a hundred different cities all over the western United States. So it's now or never. Good luck.
CHIEF VICK leaves. GUS clasps Shawn on the back and sprints off towards the entrance, SHAWN turns slowly with a less than happy expression on his face.
[CUT]
Inside the theater, in the auditorium.
COMMENTATOR#1 (BUD): Spellmaster Alvin Cavanaugh is a secretive guy. And yet, he has called for a press conference after this round.
Cut to YOUNG GIRL on the stage, the #46 on her chest.
CONTESTANT#46: Can you repeat that please?
SPELLMASTER: (barely seen on the balcony of the theater) Butyraceous.
CONTESTANT#46: Definition, please?
SPELLMASTER: Adjective. Having the characteristics of butter.
GUS and SHAWN walk into the audience to find seats.
GUS: This thing has been sold out for weeks.
SHAWN: I can see why. It moves so fast, it's like hockey with words.
GUS: (looks at balcony) There's Alvin Cavanaugh. The greatest spell champion ever. He's been the spellmaster for 14 years. He's a legend.
SHAWN: (bored voice) Wow.
SHAWN and GUS sit down.
SPELLMASTER: Butyraceous.
SHAWN: He sits up there all by himself in that fancy box.
CONTESTANT#46: Language of origin?
SHAWN: What is he? A fan of the Opera?
GUS: He's a huge celebrity. He can't just sit in the crowd.
CONTESTANT#46: Can you repeat the word please?
SPELLMASTER: Butyraceous.
SHAWN: Oh come on, Dude. You're not bored at all?
GUS: So you know how to spell any of these words?
SHAWN: Proudly, I have never heard of any of these words. I file these words under 'things to say when I want to be ridiculed or kicked out of bed'.
GUS: (points at stage) See, the problem is that butyraceous is clearly a round one word.
SHAWN: Oh god, stop talking. I'd like to pretend we still have things in common, Gus.
GUS: Well, instead of sitting here, maybe we should get to work.
GUS gets up and leaves towards a side exit, SHAWN follows.
[CUT]
Backstage room, an ELDERLY LADY is leading SHAWN and GUS through the dressing room. Her nametag reads FOOTE.
MISS FOOTE: Try not to break anything.
GUS: (looking around the backstage area) Wow. So this is what it looks like.
SHAWN: What?
GUS: The comfort room. This is where you go to deal with missing a word.
SHAWN: Oh yeah? Where do they take you to deal with missing your entire childhood?
GUS: Shawn, this misplaced malevolence you have with the Spelling Bee is getting monotonous. Stop hating on the Bee. (turns towards MISS FOOTE) I'm sorry ma'am. I do apologize for his inappropriate virulence.
SHAWN: Why are you using all these big-ass words all of a sudden?
GUS: I'm not doing that. (laughs, turns back to MISS FOOTE) I was in the Spelling Bee myself. I almost won.
SHAWN: Dude, are you still on that?
GUS: Of course I'm still on it. I know it was an 'o'!
MISS FOOTE: You may have five minutes with each contestant, no more. If the room is needed you'll be asked to vacate. I'll begin with the eliminated contestants.
SHAWN: Erm, actually we'd only like to speak with the ones that were still in the competition when the accident occurred, Miss…(glances at nametag)…Foote. And eh, let's start with the shifty-eyed ones, shall we?
GUS nods, MISS FOOTE leaves with an eye-roll.
[Cut]
SHAWN and GUS sit around a table with a MOTHER #1 with her son, CONTESTANT#22, both of which are sitting extremely straight-backed.
SHAWN: And you were there the whole time?
CONTESTANT#22: I was.
Mother #1: Assimilation.
CONTESTANT#22: a-s-s-i-m-i-l-a-t-i-o-n. Assimilation.
[Cut]
Now SHAWN and GUS sit at the table with FATHER #1 and SON, CONTESTANT#56. The SON is holding an inhalator in his hands.
FATHER #1: (in heavily accented English) My son, no one expect him to come this far but, he surprise every one. You watch Jiri.
SHAWN: Oh, I don't know. Are they running odds on this thing now? Cause I got some cash I'd like to lay down on the eh, really, really tall girl with the bulldog under bite. (laughs). What is she, on stilts?
FATHER #1: You do not understand. This contest, it is money for scholarship, it is, it is entry into any school in the future.
GUS: Yeah Shawn. The winner of this competitions can just about chose his university.
FATHER #1: Your friend is right.
GUS: And it teaches grace under pressure. Poise. Dignity.
SHAWN: All things you can get at a hot dog eating competition. Plus (pauses) hot dogs!
[Cut]
SHAWN and GUS with MOTHER#2 and DAUGHTER, contestant#12. DAUGHTER reads in the dictionary.
SHAWN: Still studying, he?
MOTHER#2: (pats her daughter's leg) Oh, she loves it. She won't put that thing down.
SHAWN: Well, kudos on the child rearing. Let me know how the therapy goes.
MOTHER#2: (smiles) He?
[Cut]
Back in the autidorium.
BUD: We're gonna keep rolling because of the exceptional request by Alvin Cavenaugh, a behind the scenes guy, to give a press conference, right here at this stage of the competition. What's that all about?
(shift to view of the commentators on TV in the auditorium)
COMMENTATOR#2: Well, I mean it must be something big because this year's competition has just been peppered with controversy.
GUS comes out of the stage door and walks towards the TV-screen, SHAWN behind him.
BUD: Certainly has been. Well, he's been watching from a private box, on the balcony, but now, he's going to come out so that we can see him.
Shot of SPELLMASTER on the balcony, stumbling towards the railing, holding his chest.
COMMENTATOR2: This could be something big, Bud.
BUD: I think he's having difficulty breathing!
COMMENTATOR2: He does look under duress.
SPELLMASTER tumbles over the railing and falls onto the tows of seats below.
Shocked cries, yells of 'Oh my God', people fun towards the fallen SPELLMASTER. SHAWN and GUS stare at the scene.
SHAWN: Okay. Not to belittle this guy's life, but this case just got more interesting than the woodcarving finals.
[Cut]
SPELLMASTER gets put in a body bag.
JULIET watches with a queasy expression on her face, then turns away and walks over to LASSITER as the coroner takes the body away. LASSITER is eating popcorn.
JULIET: When do we decide if we should cancel this event?
LASSITER: (with his mouth full) Why would we cancel?
JULIET: Well, a body did just tumble into the crowd.
LASSITER: Didn't land on anybody.
JULIET: It might be traumatic.
LASSITER: For who? The mayor when he realizes all the hotels are now empty?
JULIET: We could postpone at least a day, I'm sure that's allowed.
LASSITER: Gee, do you have any idea how important this even is to the city? Now, unhealthy guy has a heart attack, falls over railing. Case closed. I'm certainly not declaring it a crime scene. Come on, you can introduce me to the press.
JULIET: Okay. Just be sensitive.
LASSITER: How about we don't sell the seat the guy landed on?
[Cut]
On the balcony. A GUARD is watching the entrance to the spellmaster's box. SHAWN and GUS enter.
GUARD: Can I help you?
SHAWN: Has anyone come out of there? (points at spellmaster's box)
GUARD: Just the cops, I've been here the whole time.
SHAWN: Did you hear anything from in there?
GUARD: I'm sorry, eh, who are you?
SHAWN: Eh, I'm Shawn Spencer. I'm a psychic with the police department.
GUARD: Sorry Mr. Spencer. Look, I don't doubt your abilities. Actually, I have an aunt who could see apparitions and some hooky spooky stuff. Eh, but they told me not to let anybody in here without a badge, so…
SHAWN: I see. (shrugs and looks at GUS) Okay. As long as you feel safe. (Turns away)
GUARD: Eh, safe?
SHAWN: Oh, what with the dead guy's spirit being here, and him being so angry.
GUARD: How angry?
SHAWN: Well, considering he might have just been murdered, that's…that's definitely a negative.
SHAWN and GUS laugh.
SHAWN: You know, I wouldn't be happy.
SHAWN and GUS continue to laugh, GUARD joins in.
SHAWN suddenly screams, lifts his left arm and presses himself against the wall.
SHAWN: (yells) No, please! Spare me! I'm here to help you! Gus! Back me up here!
SHAWN reaches for his throat and makes choking sounds, mumbles unintelligible stuff, falls to his knees and rolls down the stairs to the balcony railing. Spooky music is playing in the background.
GUARD: Y…Ye…You guys just take a quick little look, okay? I'll be downstairs.
GUARD hurries off the balcony, GUS walks over to SHAWN.
GUS: Come on, get up.
SHAWN gets up and they enter the spellmaster's box. All kinds of food and food wrappers lie around on the spellmaster's desk.
SHAWN picks up a donut.
SHAWN: Wow. I certainly know what his vice was.
GUS: He was a heavy eater, so what?
SHAWN: Nothing. I'm just thinking Lassiter's heart attack theory might not be so far off.
SHAWN looks around the papers on the spellmaster's desk, sees ***the number 1953*** written down.
SHAWN: Who's contestant 1953?
GUS: It only goes up to two hundred something.
SHAWN: What does 1953 mean?
GUS: Nothing. Is it a rule?
SHAWN: No, they don't really number the rules like that.
GUS: Think there was an altercation?
SHAWN: No, something else. He was all by himself up here.
GUS: (smells) You smell that?
SHAWN: Dude, don't look at me.
GUS: It's sulphuric.
SHAWN: Gus, I am not the one who had the egg salad.
GUS: No, no, no. We manufactured something last year. Heavy stuff. When it starts to go bad, it smells the same. You could pick out a bottle across the warehouse.
SHAWN: I can't smell anything.
GUS: Well, you don't have the Super Smeller.
GUS gets down on his knees and starts searching underneath the spellmaster's desk.
SHAWN: Gus, you have to stop calling your nose the Super Smeller. You wanna nickname a body part? Nickname your butt, man. Call it the tight bouncer. Or the Hexagon. Ladies are gonna dig that, I'm telling you.
GUS: It's there. It's right there. It's...subtle, but it's right there.
GUS points at a box of Chinese takeout.
SHAWN: What is it?
GUS: I don't know. Smells like the stuff that we manufactured.
SHAWN: Aren't you supposed to know this kind of stuff?
GUS: Shawn, I sell pharmaceutical supplies, I'm not a scientist.
SHAWN: But you say it is something.
GUS: Yes, I'm pretty sure.
SHAWN uses the chopsticks to pick up some of the Chinese food.
GUS: Don't eat it!
SHAWN: Dude, do I look like an idiot?
GUS: What…what are you doing?
SHAWN is putting some of the food into a plastic baggie.
GUS: We're taking something to go?
SHAWN: Yes. For the road in case later on I get hungry enough to eat something that might be poisoned.
Over the railing of the balcony, we see the GUARD talking to LASSITER. They both look up at the balcony.
LASSITER: What, up there?
JULIET walks up to them
JULIET: Excuse me. Hi. It's time, the press are ready.
LASSITER: Thank you.
GUARD: All right.
On the balcony.
SHAWN: Man, we gotta go.
[Cut]
Down in the auditorium, LASSITER is talking to the press.
LASSITER: Sorry, can I just try that again, I kinda fumbled the safe and secure-part.
REPORTER#1: Sure.
JULIET: Be sensitive.
LASSITER: The finals will continue tomorrow, as scheduled. As of this point, all indications are that Mr. Cavanaugh was having a heart attack, stumbled forward, falling over the railing to his death, but we want to assure everybody that this building is both safe and…
JULIET: (interrupts) Our sympathies go out to Mr. Cavanaugh's family and we would like to offer counseling to anyone who feels they might need it.
GUS: Who's the blonde?
SHAWN: Lassiter's new partner. They transferred his girlfriend.
LASSITER: Again, we want to assure everyone coming out for this fantastic even that it is entirely safe.
GUS: Shawn, they won't start investigating. Do something!
SHAWN: (yells) Moo Goo Gai Pan! Lo Mein Gai Poo!
Everybody turns towards him.
SHAWN: Check the food! It was murder! (with an astonished expression, no longer yelling) Oh. Did I just say all of that out loud?
[Cut]
Outside the theater, SHAWN and GUS leave.
GUS: SHAWN, you'll never find out what that is without a lab.
SHAWN: I'll get a lab.
GUS: A high-tech lab? Right now?
SHAWN: Maybe. I might have a connection.
[Cut]
Outside Henry's house. HENRY is on the porch, walking towards the open sliding glass doors with a fishing rod in his hand asSHAWN arrives.
SHAWN: Yo!
HENRY: Shawn.
SHAWN: Great shirt!
HENRY: (stops in the doorway) You want something.
SHAWN: Why do you always think I want something?
HENRY: Oh, you don't want something. What a pleasant surprise. (goes into the house)
SHAWN: Okay, you got me. I want something.
HENRY: (comes back out) I got a poker game in forty-five minutes.
SHAWN: You still talk to Jim Sicklin?
HENRY: Sicklin? Sometimes. Why? What's he to you?
SHAWN: Is he still working at the regional crime lab out here?
HENRY: Last I checked. Why?
SHAWN: I need to know what this is. (holds up bag with Chinese food)
HENRY: Looks like the number 15 with chicken.
SHAWN: Dad, you made a joke. I think there's poison in it.
HENRY: Goodbye Shawn. (Closes sliding glass door between them)
SHAWN: Ah. It's just one time. Once.
HENRY: (through the closed window) No cases Shawn. I was painfully clear about that.
SHAWN: Oh no, this isn't for a case, this…this is for a friend.
HENRY: Oh, a friend. Different. No. (closes curtains)
SHAWN: Look, I'll do anything. Whatever you want. (HENRY comes out the sliding glass door again) Just one favor. Anything, you can tell me about this would be very helpful. It's serious.
HENRY: Shawn, this is really important to you.
SHAWN: Extremely.
HENRY: And you'll do anything?
SHAWN: Name it.
[Cut]
Outside Henry's house, in the back. HENRY chuckles and gets something bulky covered by a tarp out of the garage. SHAWN is watching.
HENRY: Grab a saw.
SHAWN: What, now?
HENRY: Well, you said you'd do anything, right?
SHAWN goes into the garage to get a saw.
SHAWN: You know, most people will wait five, six whole minutes before they cash in a favor. (points at tarp) I will not saw through bone for you.
HENRY laughs and pulls back the tarp to reveal an unfinished hut-like construction of wooden boards.
SHAWN: The dog house? From 8th grade?
HENRY: Well, it's not really a dog house. (Gives it a kick) Not yet.
SHAWN: So what do you want me to do?
HENRY: Finish it.
SHAWN: (laughs) What, now?
HENRY: Or whenever you want your information (turns towards his truck which is parked behind the garage) You have more wood out back, nails on the workbench, home depot's open 'till nine. Don't cut any corners! (gets into the truck)
SHAWN: You're insane!
HENRY: You're losing light. Make sure you lock up. (starts engine and drives off with a wave)
SHAWN: (yelling after HENRY) It's creepy that you kept this!
SHAWN stares down at the doghouse.
[Cut]
Flashback, 1989. Scene at a lake, a boy plays with his dog.
HENRY: Shawn, you've done absolutely nothing to convince me that you're responsible enough for a dog.
YOUNG SHAWN: You never gave me a chance!
HENRY: Chances are earned, Shawn.
YOUNG SHAWN: You never let me earn it!
HENRY: Fair enough. You're gonna need a doghouse.
YOUNG SHAWN: I saw one at the hardware store…
HENRY: No, no, no, no, you're gonna make it.
YOUNG SHAWN: I can't.
HENRY: Well, it seems to me that somebody who thinks they're responsible enough for the life of an animal should certainly be able to construct a roof for the ratty little…thing.
YOUNG SHAWN: All right. I'll make it. I'll make it right now.
YOUNG SHAWN walks off.
[Cut]
Present day, behind Henry's house, night. Henry gets out of his car. Shawn is standing behind the half-finished dog house and wipes the sweat off his face. Henry looks at the dog house critically.
HENRY: What is that?
SHAWN: What is that? It's a dog house.
HENRY: No, it's not.
SHAWN: What are you talking about?
HENRY: I gave you specification.
SHAWN: When?
HENRY: When I gave you the job.
SHAWN: (incredulous) In 1989?
HENRY: Shawn, you know as well as I do this is not what I asked for. Keep working. And don't be too loud. Neighbors are trying to sleep.
HENRY goes into the house. SHAWN draws a breath to say something, hammer raised in his left hand, but he exhales without saying anything. He gives the dog house a kick, it collapses. SHAWN angrily throws the hammer to the ground, it bounces off the truck.
[Cut]
SHAWN driving his motorcycle down a road at night. Close-up to his face as he remembers.
[Cut]
Flashback 1989. YOUNG SHAWN is building the dog house in the back garden. HENRY comes in from the road behind the house.
HENRY: (laughs) You expect me to be okay with this?
YOUNG SHAWN: I worked hard on it.
HENRY: Shawn, you've been at this for hours now. The nails aren't pounded in all the way, the base…it's gotta be above the ground. If it rains, the rain's gonna flow right in. And who's gonna fit through that door? That door's not high enough.
YOUNG SHAWN: I built it Dad, what do you want me to do?
HENRY: I want you to do it right.
HENRY walks past SHAWN into the house.
[Cut]
SHAWN on the motorcycle. A van approaches SHAWN. He's blinded by the headlights, raises a hand to shield his eyes. The van veers out of its lane towards SHAWN.
Sound of brakes squealing, SHAWN swerves to avoid collision and ends up in the ditch beside the road. The van drives off. SHAWN sits up, breathing hard and opens the visor of his helmet with a pained expression on his face.
[Cut]
GUS in a diner, day. GUS is talking on his cell phone.
GUS: Listen doctor Sloan, if I can get you this product this afternoon, would it be possible to sit down to discuss the eh…(gets distracted by a report about the Spelling Bee on the TV in the diner. On TV, a boy, contestant #56, JIRI is standing on the stage, an inhaler in his hand)
GUS: …the unbelievable results we've been…having (cut to the inhaler in JIRI'S hand, the name Dr. Zavin is clearly readable) I'm sorry, can I call you back? Thanks.
GUS disconnects and writes the name Dr. Zavin down.
His cell phone rings again, GUS answers it.
GUS: Burton Guster. (Pause) Shawn? You're in the hospital? What happened?
GUS gestures for waitress that he wants the check.
[Cut]
In the hospital, a corridor. SHAWN and GUS round a corner. SHAWN is wearing the same clothes as the previous day, a knee brace around his right leg and a bandage around his right wrist. He is in the process of unwrapping the bandage.
SHAWN gives a pained sigh.
GUS: Did you call your Dad?
SHAWN: I'm fine, they're releasing me.
GUS: Did you call him?
SHAWN looks into a room they pass along the corridor.
SHAWN: Gus, I'm not going to talk to my Dad.
GUS: He'll want to know you're okay.
SHAWN: (tosses away the bandage) All he cares about are results. Just like those possessed Spelling Bee parents. (looks into another room) You know what's wrong with this? All of this.
GUS: Shawn, you're delirious. You're upset. You lost control of your bike last night.
SHAWN stops walking.
SHAWN: Gus, I didn't lose control of anything. Someone tried to kill me, or send a very serious message.
SHAWN walks off.
[Cut]
BRANDON VU'S hospital room. BRANDON is lying in the bed, MRS. VU beside it. An ELDERLY LADY is sitting on a chair behind them. SHAWN and GUS are standing beside the bed.
MRS VU: Brandon appreciates that you check in on him.
SHAWN: Well, we were in the neighborhood. And eh, Gus here is a huge fan. He almost won the Spelling Bee himself.
GUS: I took some bad advice (glances over at Shawn)
SHAWN sees ***Brandon's inhaler on the bedside table, the name Dr. Seymour clearly readable on it***
MRS VU: Well, Brandon's going home tomorrow. He's fine. He's more upset about missing the Spelling Bee.
Gus laughs sympathetically.
SHAWN: Well, maybe they'll decide to redo the whole thing.
BRANDON: Why would they do that?
[Cut]
Cut, corridor outside hospital room.
SHAWN limps out, hand on his injured leg, with a sigh of pain.
SHAWN: Did you see the inhaler?
GUS: The same one as that little Czech kid?
SHAWN: Get me a seating chart, let's find out who Brandon was sitting next to on day one.
GUS: Already checked it out.
SHAWN: Nice.
GUS: Shawn, something's going on with that Czech kid.
SHAWN: Talk to me.
GUS: The doctor on his inhaler, Dr. Zavin, in Ventura – he doesn't exist. I do trading on that route. The last doctor in the book is Youngerman. I double-checked it today.
SHAWN: You're saying that inhaler…
GUS: Is a fake.
SHAWN laughs and walks off.
GUS: Where are you going?
SHAWN: I (pauses) am going to build a dog-house! (turns around and nearly stumbles because of his leg-brace)
[Cut]
Outside Henry's house. Day. SHAWN is working on the dog house, crouching in front of it with his braced right leg sticking out.
HENRY walks towards him from his truck, a takeout coffee in his hand.
HENRY: I thought you gave up.
SHAWN: Yeah well, it doesn't appear so, he?
HENRY: (looks down) What happened to your leg?
SHAWN: Absolutely nothing.
HENRY: You're running your roofing vertical there, he?
SHAWN: (looks up from his work with an annoyed expression on his face) Yeah.
HENRY: Yeah, you might wanna pop a ridge beam in first.
SHAWN: Well…(gestures at roof) yeah. That's a given.
HENRY smiles, shakes his head and walks off. SHAWN looks after him, then tosses away the board he was trying to fix to the roof. HENRY reappears with a beam in his hands. He fits the beam into the roof.
SHAWN: What the hell are you doing?
HENRY: I'm gonna help you.
SHAWN: You've never helped me before, ever.
HENRY: You never asked.
SHAWN stares at HENRY.
HENRY: (fits in the beam and points at part of the construction) Put a nail in there.
SHAWN: All right. This is weird.
SHAWN hammers the nail in while HENRY is holding the beam.
[Cut]
Inside Henry's house, in the kitchen. HENRY is looking into the fridge, holding up a beer towards SHAWN who is standing at the sink, looking out the window. SHAWN looks over.
SHAWN: No, thanks.
HENRY puts the second beer back in the fridge, walks over towards SHAWN.
view from the outside. SHAWN is looking out the window, HENRY stepping up beside him, looking at:
the finished doghouse standing in the back yard.
HENRY: Not bad. (Slaps Shawn's back and steps away from the window)
SHAWN: Not bad? It's like the Park Hyatt for poodles. (limps after HENRY). Now will you call Jack Sicklin?
HENRY picks up a folder from the kitchen counter, holds it out to SHAWN.
SHAWN: What is this?
HENRY: Your results. We had an agreement.
SHAWN reaches for the folder, but HENRY pulls it away.
HENRY: This is a derivative of methyl parathion, high grade stuff. Whatever you're into, I want you to get out quick. I'm not kidding.
HENRY hands SHAWN the folder and sits down at the kitchen table. SHAWN opens the folder and reads.
SHAWN: Wait a second. How did you get this so quickly?
HENRY: Hmm? Oh, Sicklin's a part of my poker game.
SHAWN: So you didn't even have to call him?
HENRY: (shrugs) The game was at his house (opens beer)
SHAWN: And I did all of that (points finger over his shoulder towards the back yard) for nothing?
HENRY: Nothing? Shawn, you've never completed a thing in your life. (points towards back yard) Now you have.
SHAWN points at HENRY with his hand, repeatedly draws breath to say something, but words seem to fail him. Finally SHAWN turns around and wordlessly limps out of the room
[Cut]
Police station, day. Chief Vick's office. SHAWN is sitting in a chair in front of the Chief's desk, CHIEF VICK is standing behind the desk. GUS is standing beside SHAWN.
CHIEF VICK: Poisoned?
SHAWN: (with fingers of his right hand on his temple) I feel somebody poisoned his food. (gestures with left hand) There is a…(camera pans to reveal LASSITER and JULIET standing behind SHAWN, JULIET looks at SHAWN with interest, LASSITER looks down at his shoes)…Styrofoam container, yes, and…and a (gestures with both hands) eh…eh, happiness is a golden plum – what? – (makes a breaking motion with both hands) – fortune cookie!
LASSITER: This is ridiculous.
JULIET: Is it?
CHIEF VICK: Mr. Spencer, what we have now points to a medical condition, not murder. All appearances show Mr. Cavanaugh having an anaphylactic reaction.
GUS: Not to be out of line, but that could be triggered by several types of poisons. Or altered medications.
LASSITER: Or shellfish, which he was allergic to.
CHIEF VICK: Those results will show up in the toxicology report which we will have a copy of in approximately two weeks.
SHAWN: No, no, no, that'll be too late! (gets up) All the contestants will be gone… (puts weight on his injured leg, crumbles, shifts around to relieve strain on his leg with a pained expression on his face)…home. You won't be able to finish a real investigation. Chief, I…I sense this. I guess something got out of control and the perpetrator was willing to kill to cover it up.
CHIEF VICK: What proof do you have?
SHAWN: (draws breath but doesn't say anything, looks at GUS who looks back silently) Only what I feel.
LASSITER: Are you still listening to this crap?
SHAWN: Dude, what is your glitch?
LASSITER: You. You're my glitch. Look, he got nowhere with his little inhaler assignment and then he tells us immediately that we had a murder scene. Cut him loose, Karen!
CHIEF VICK looks at LASSITER sternly.
LASSITER: I mean, do whatever you think is best, Chief.
GUS: Mr. Cavanaugh was going to make an announcement. What about that?
JULIET: The director said he had recently spoken of retiring.
SHAWN: That's not what he was gonna say.
LASSITER: Oh, you know?
SHAWN: I know.
CHIEF VICK: Mr. Spencer, I asked you to check in about the inhaler incident. If you or your partner have anything on that, I'd be happy to hear it. (SHAWN and GUS remain silent) Otherwise…
SHAWN looks at GUS
[Cut]
Corridor in the police station, SHAWN and GUS walk towards the entrance.
SHAWN: We've got to go back into the spellmaster's room.
GUS: Are you serious?
SHAWN: Gus, the killer was there. There's gotta be some other piece of evidence inside.
SHAWN and GUS leave the station.
[Cut]
Theater behind the scenes. SHAWN and GUS walk along a corridor.
GUS: We're not gonna have time to get in there. Besides, it's locked.
SHAWN: We'll make it work. Whohoho (stops facing an open door marked 'Exit') How hard is it to get into his building without a ticket?
GUS: Impossible.
Shawn ***sees a jacket with an ID tag reading 'Bill Fineman, Spellmaster' hanging inside the door.*** The spellmaster is outside, smoking a cigarette.
SHAWN: Check it out. Exactly what I was hoping you'd say.
SHAWN leans out the door, grabs the handle and closes it.
SPELLMASTER: Hey!
SHAWN grabs the spellmaster's jacket.
GUS: You can't do that to him.
SHAWN: Gus, he has to learn sometime that smoking is bad for him.
SHAWN walks off, Gus follows.
[Cut]
In auditorium of the theater. The contestants are sitting on the stage.
COMMENTATOR#2: We're picking it up as the new round commences. A lot of excitement in the air. The tension is becoming butyracious, Bud.
On the balcony, SHAWN in the spellmaster's jacket and GUS walk towards the spellmaster's box. SHAWN unlocks it and they go in. Inside, SHAWN hits his injured leg on a table and falls to his knees with a pained cry.
GUS: Shush!
SHAWN: I'm so sorry if my agonizing pain is inconveniencing you. ***sees three round indentations in the carpet*** What's this?
GUS: It's a mark on the carpet. Let's go. Someone must have heard that.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: 30 seconds live to air. Positions please.
GUS: Time's up Shawn.
SHAWN limps over to the other side of the room.
GUS: Did you hear me, Shawn?
SHAWN: (opens a cupboard and takes out a camera on a tripod) Got something.
GUS looks out the door of the box to the balcony, SHAWN sets up the tripod. The tripod's feet match the indentations in the carpet.
SHAWN: Yes!
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: 10 seconds. Prepare the next word.
SHAWN checks the tripod's position through the camera – it points to the back of the box.
SHAWN: That can't be right.
GUS: It doesn't mean anything, Shawn. Let's go.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: Broadcast in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
SHAWN: (moves the tripod into another position) Maybe in this direction (looks through camera)
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: Hello, we need the word now.
View through the camera – we see a wall.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: Is everything okay?
A girl, CONTESTANT #118 is standing on the stage, looking at the balcony. Murmurs in the audience, people look up.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: Liam, something's wrong. Send security.
SHAWN hurries to the desk.
SHAWN: (speaks into microphone in fake deep voice) No. Sorry for the delay. (to GUS) Give me a word.
GUS: A word?
SHAWN: Yeah, something hard, but something you can spell.
GUS: I can spell anything.
SHAWN: Except for aggiornamento. Give me a word.
GUS: No. You're not going to be spellmaster.
SHAWN: (harsh whispering) Just give me a word so that we can get out of here. We're so close!
GUS remains deliberately silent.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: Is everything okay up there?
SHAWN: It's fine. Banana.
CONTESTANT #118: (stares. More murmurs in the audience) Can you repeat that?
SHAWN: Yes. (emphasizes each syllable) Ba-na-na.
More murmurs, people look up to the balcony.
GUS: Banana, Shawn? It's the third round!
SHAWN: You could have helped me.
GUS: It's a dead end. We'll walk, let's go.
GUS gets up, SHAWN reaches for the tripod again.
CONTESTANT #118: Definition, please?
SHAWN: (behind tripod) What? (lets go off the tripod and goes back to the desk) A yellow fruit. Also, a kind of pudding. A delicious pudding.
SHAWN gets up and goes towards the tripod again.
CONTESTANT #118: Sentence, please?
SHAWN gestures at the stage with a frustrated expression, then goes back to the desk.
SHAWN: Anna Banana would like to hear Venus by Bananarama…banana.
Laughter in the audience.
CONTESTANT #118: b-a-n-a-n-a. Banana.
Applause, CONTESTANT #118 goes back to her seat. Another girl, CONTESTANT #46 steps up to the microphone.
SHAWN is looking through the camera in the tripod's third possible position.
SHAWN: Oh, wait a second. I've got something.
View through camera, we see it directed at JIRI'S FATHER sitting in the audience, a dictionary in his hand.
SHAWN: Dude, we got it. He was watching the Czech.
GUS: Let me see.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: We need to get the next word.
SHAWN: (sighs) Give me a word.
GUS: No, you ruined the whole event.
SHAWN: Suit yourself. (looks at list on the desk) Onion.
GUS: Onion?
CONTESTANT #46: Onion?
BUD: Onion? Even Dan Quale could spell that.
CONTESTANT #46: o-n-i-o-n. Onion.
Applause, CONTESTANT #46 goes back to her seat. On the balcony, SHAWN applauds.
VOICE FROM SPEAKER: Are we off the list, Bill?
SHAWN: No, everything's fine.
GUS looks at the list.
GUS: You're using his grocery list!
SHAWN: You refused to help me. Now, I've gotta give them something else. (looks at list) Mitchum.
On the stage a boy, CONTESTANT #15, is staring up at the balcony.
CONTESTANT #15: Mitchum?
SHAWN: Yes. When I go to Albertsen's, I need to buy some Mitchum Iceblast. (murmurs in audience. GUS shakes his head). And Bananas.
[Cut]
Forum of the theater. SPELLMASTER walking towards the stairs, talking to a MAN
SPELLMASTER: That wasn't me. I was locked outside. I have a reputation to uphold.
SPELLMASTER walks up the stairs past SHAWN and GUS who are standing there, deliberately trying to look inconspicuous. As the SPELLMASTER and the MAN pass them, SHAWN and GUS walk down the stairs, SHAWN with an obvious limp and a wince.
GUS: So what if he was watching the Czech? We have no proof, there was no film in the camera.
SHAWN: He was using that lens for something else besides taking pictures. Now what?
GUS: Cavanaugh was known for ferreting out rule breakers. He once caught a kid stealing the advanced word list. Everything he did had a purpose.
SHAWN spots a couple of brochures lying on a table they pass. SHAWN picks one up, looks in and silently holds it out to GUS.
Shot of brochure, inside saying 'winning words round 2' followed by a list of words.
SHAWN: You couldn't have grabbed one of these five minutes ago?
GUS looks at him, then goes back to reading the brochure.
[Cut]
Back in auditorium, SHAWN and GUS take seats.
COMMENTATOR#2: We're down to the final two spellers. This has been a hard-fought battle right form the start. We've had tragedy, controversy, but when it really mattered these kids put together a fantastic display of the power of learning.
SHAWN looks to the right at JIRI'S FATHER. GUS reads in the brochure, snorts.
GUS: Look at this: Brandon Vu went down on gladiolus.
SHAWN: (whispers) So?
GUS: So, if I'd been able to see any of the competition, I could have told you that was the winning word from the first Spelling Bee 1929.
SHAWN: Okay, you're scaring me again.
GUS: (still reading the brochure) All these words from that round were winning words. They do that once in a while, they make it a theme round. (points) This one won the 1985 Bee, this one from 1943.
SHAWN: Gus, what do you want to say?
GUS: Guess which kid got the winning word from 1953?
SHAWN: (mouths) I don't know.
GUS: (looks to the right) You're staring at his father.
Cut to stage, JIRI is standing behind the microphone, a GIRL with the #24 is sitting in the background.
SHAWN: Gus, that's who Cavanaugh was going to disqualify. That's what he was writing in the rule book. 1-9-5-3 was 1953.
GUS: That's what I'm saying.
SPELLMASTER: Jiri Prochazka, you have the next word. Masto-parietal.
JIRI'S FATHER is looking the word up in the dictionary.
JIRI: P-part of speech?
SPELLMASTER: It is an adjective.
JRIR: C-c-could I have…the definition?
SPELLMASTER: Yes. Relating to the mastoid portion of the temporal bone, and to the parietal lobe.
SHAWN is watching JIRI'S FATHER the whole time. JIRI'S FATHER finds the word in the book, starts tapping his fingers.
JIRI: (haltingly) m-a-s-t (camera pans to inhaler in his hand) o-p-
SHAWN ***sees JURI'S FATHER tapping the palm of his left hand rhythmically with the fingers of his right, we see a wire going into his sleeve***
SHAWN grins and shakes his head.
SHAWN: I got it!
GUS: Let's call the Chief!
They get up.
[Cut]
MISS FOOTE: (onstage with contestants, JIRI and JIRI'S FATHER, holding out a large check) And this year's winner of the Central California Regionals is Jiri Prochazka!
Applause, JIRI'S FATHER pats JIRI on the back, MISS FOOTE hands over the check.
GUS, JULIET, LASSITER and CHIEF VICK enter through a side door, SHAWN enters the stage hooting and clapping.
SHAWN: Wohoo! Move it up people. This is what you came to see, right here! This is it! Yeah!
SHAWN reaches for both JIRI'S and JIRI'S FATHER'S hands and raises them up in the air. On the balcony, cops are entering through every door.
SHAWN: This competition meant everything to Miklos. Oooooh! (starts twitching with his hands) Oh boy! Gus! Gus, here we go! Gus, it's happening! (SHAWN stumbles across the stage, doubles over, straightens up again and raises a hand) I know who killed Alvin Cavanaugh!
Cut to CHIEF VICK, LASSITER and JULIET standing by the side of the stage.
CHIEF VICK: Can't he ever just tell us to arrest someone?
JULIET: He does this a lot?
CHIEF VICK and LASSITER: (unison) Yes.
SHAWN: (panting) I'm sorry. I'm kind of slave to my visions. I'm a slave.
LASSITER: Do you want me to cuff him?
CHIEF VICK: Why? Why would I want that?
LASSITER: Just a suggestion.
SHAWN: They sort of come when they wanna come and – Jiri (looks at JIRI)…spell 'soubrette'.
JIRI turns away, silent.
JIRI'S FATHER: Why is this man speaking?
SHAWN: You can't, can you? Not without help from your Dad. And that's not a real inhaler, is it?
JIRI'S FATHER: He's crazy. This…this…
SHAWN: (pretends to have another vision) Cheating was Cavanaugh's obsession. He was going to expose you as a cheater (***sees father looking the words up and tapping the right spelling out for his son, Cavanaugh watching***). He was going to disqualify Jiri and you knew it and you couldn't let that happen. You had way too much to lose.
We see ***JIRI'S FATHER in the spellmaster's box***
SHAWN: You slipped into the box. You knew his comfort was food, it was dangerously unhealthy(***JIRI'S FATHER putting something into the box with Chinese food***, Shawn stretches out a hand towards the balcony) OH! (***spellmaster eating poisoned food***) He was starting to go into shock.(***Spellmaster stumbling on balcony***) You knew he wouldn't stop the Bee. He never stops the Bee. By the end of the round it was too late, he…too dizzy to walk he stumbles (***spellmaster stumbling, falling over the balcony rail***) He tumbles over the rail, crashes into the chairs below. And there goes the evidence. Except for one thing. That inhaler!
JIRI hides inhaler in his pocket.
SHAWN: It sends electronic signals. The transmitter is in your jacket. You sent the signals from the audience to the stage and I bet at your home we'll find the van that ran me off the road (***van driving towards Shawn on his motorcycle, JIRI'S FATHER clearly visible behind the steering wheel***) when I alerted the police. And a dangerous cocktail of unforgiving poisons!
JULIET: You don't need it. (steps up to the stage) I took your advice. I ran the Chinese food through the lab. Nothing is definite. (to CHIEF VICK) I'm sorry. He just seemed sure, I took a shot.
SHAWN: (mouths) Thank you.
CHIEF VICK: I'll take it from here.
MISS FOOTE snatches check out of JIRI'S hands again.
[Cut]
Outside the theater, JIRI and JIRI'S FATHER are being led into a black and white by JULIET andLASSITER. SHAWN and GUS stand on the lawn at the curb, watching.
GUS: I could have won that thing.
SHAWN: Yeah, you could. Thank the Lord you didn't.
GUS: What's that supposed to mean?
Police car drives off, SHAWN and GUS turn and walk across the lawn.
SHAWN: Gus, the guy who wins… is settled, forever. He's, you know – the dude who won the Spelling Bee. I'm sure you would have dealt with it later, but kids? High-school kids especially, they're just ruthless. Judgmental. Horrible little bastards. And you wouldn't have been able to date a cheerleader, they wouldn't have invited you to any parties, you'd have been the object of ridicule. I mean this way you got to be the smart kid and the cool kid. The best of both worlds.
GUS: That's true. I appreciate that, Shawn.
SHAWN: Yeah, it was a nice balance. That's why I had to give you the wrong letter.
GUS stops walking.
GUS: You knew that was wrong?
SHAWN: Oh come on, Gus. Aggiornamento? Everybody knew it was an –i.
GUS chews on his lower lip, stares at SHAWN aggressively.
SHAWN: All right, you hold on. (stretches out a hand and starts walking backwards) You were happy one second ago.
GUS: I was about to win. I studied for three months.
SHAWN: And you would have kept studying…forever. (walks backwards) And ever. All the way to Nationals.
GUS starts walking after him.
SHAWN: You're upset now, I can see that. But you'll be fine with it later.
GUS: You know what that did to me?
SHAWN: Yes. Yes, I do. We went out the next night, and…and you were so flustered that you threw caution in the wind and you hooked up with Melinda Kesselburg, it was night…
GUS: Come here, Shawn!
SHAWN starts running away, GUS after him.
GUS: Come here!
GUS chases SHAWN over the lawn and around the trees.
[Cut]
Henry's house, day. HENRY is sitting inside, reading the paper.
SHAWN steps up on the porch and knocks on the sliding glass door. HERNY opens the door, reading glasses still on his nose.
HENRY: Ah, Shawn. What a coincidence. I was just reading the newspaper (cut to folded paper in HENRY'S hand, the words 'poisoned' and '-olves murder' can be made out above a picture of SHAWN and GUS) a little article that sounded very familiar about the Spelling Bee.
SHAWN: Thanks for the help, Dad.
HENRY: (takes off his glasses) The police ever get that evidence?
SHAWN: Yeah, a funny little bird tipped them off.
HENRY: (smiles and puts his glasses in his breast pocket) Leg doing better?
SHAWN: It's getting there. Doesn't hurt so bad. (breathes deeply) Listen Dad. The thing about the house…the dog, it was kind of a big deal. And I…and I know I held a grudge about it for a while, but…I think you were right. (HENRY nods, surprised). A dog needs a house, and a dog house needs an occupant. So, (puts hands over his heart) as a token of my appreciation, I left you a little something. Sincerely. Thanks.
SHAWN bites his lip, turns around and walks off the porch to the road behind the garden.
End credit music starts.
HENRY steps out of the house and walks down the porch steps. Beside the porch, the dog house is standing on the lawn, a young Labrador tied up in front of it.
HENRY: Shawn! Shawn! No. No way!
SHAWN: Enjoy it, Dad.
HENRY: Shawn, you gotta take this thing with you!
SHAWN: (closes garden fence door behind himself) You kidding? There's no pets allowed in my apartment!
SHAWN sprints over to Gus waiting for him.
HENRY: I…I'm gonna stick it out in the street, Shawn. I swear I'm gonna stick…SHAWN!
SHAWN and GUS walk off.
SHAWN laughs.
GUS: He's not gonna keep that thing, you know?
SHAWN: Yeah, it's my neighbor's dog. Let's take a lap around the block, let him stew a little bit.
HENRY: (with dog in his hands, yelling) I'm gonna stick it out in the street! Shawn! SHAWN!
[End credits]
END OF EPISODE
