LOST
"All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues"
Written by
Javier Grillo-Marxuach
ETHAN
I know you're scared. It's okay.
CHARLIE
What the hell are you talking
about, you git? One more step --
AND SUDDENLY, a NOISE in the DENSE JUNGLE behind them --
MOVEMENT -- NON-DESCRIPT -- Charlie and Claire both turn
towards it -- NOTHING. And the instant they turn back --
Ethan is standing right in front of them --
ETHAN
I'm sorry it's come to this.
And as we CLOSE IN ON ETHAN'S COLD EYES -- wondering who the
hell he is -- what he wants -- and what he is GOING TO DO...
SMASH TO BLACK:
And just as we begin to catch our breath, A FRENETIC ZOOM
through the "O" pushes through the darkness -
HURLEY (O.S.)
He wasn't on the plane.
- and BLASTS OUT OF JACK's opening eye at -
INT. THE VALLEY - DAY
1
- where he dresses SAYID's wound as he lies passed-out. It
is two seconds since we last saw Jack -- surrounded by KATE,
HURLEY and LOCKE.
KATE
Who wasn't on the plane?
HURLEY
That Canadian guy - Ethan - He
isn't in the passenger manifest -
2.
1 (CON T'D) 1
And there is great ENERGY to all this -- OVERLAPPING DIALOGUE
-- CAMERA FLYING AROUND PICKING UP PIECES OF IT -- ALL BOILS
DOWN TO ONE THING -- CONFUSION.
JACK HURLEY
Well where is he?
-- Don't know -- I talked to
him yesterday and --
KATE JACK
Jack -- Sayid... his leg --
-- Anybody seen Ethan?
AS THE CAMERA SPINS, PEOPLE COMING TO CHECK THE COMMOTION,
WORD OF SAYID'S RETURN - MURMURING - JACK, LOUDER NOW, HIS
SENSE OF SOMETHING FUCKING TERRIBLE GROWING --
JACK
Has anyone seen Ethan?
CAMERA finds MICHAEL --
MICHAEL
Yeah... said he was gonna get wood -
took off on the path to the beach.
(re: Sayid)
Is he okay, man? What happened --?
But Jack's mind is going a THOUSAND MILES AN HOUR, LOOKING
AROUND -- suddenly realizing --
JACK KATE
Where's Charlie?
-- What?
JACK
Where's Charlie?
And on that, the CAMERA ABRUPTLY STOPS. A moment. Another
moment. And then, finally we find someone we haven't yet
heard from --
LOCKE
He went after Claire.
And as the implications of this hit Jack full force, we PUSH
IN ON HIM and --
SMASH CUT TO:
3.
EXT. JUNGLE - PATH TO THE BEACH - DAY 2
2
JACK runs down the PATH -- LOCKE at his side.
We're MOVING with them, CLOSE on the two men as this growing
sense of dread FUELS THEIR SPRINT --
-- AND OTHER THAN THE HARDCORE SOUND OF THEIR BREATH, all we
get is the SOUNDS OF THE JUNGLE - birds - trees - the wind -
And LOCKE abruptly STOPS. His head turns to the right as
those preternatural EYES focus on something --
LOCKE
Jack.
And JACK, already ahead, comes to a STOP. Turns towards us --
EYES QUESTIONING what Locke is looking at...
But Locke is already striding through the FOLIAGE. Whatever
it is, now Jack sees it too...
TWENTY YARDS AWAY
And as the two men approach us, CAMERA BOOMS DOWN to reveal --
A BAG.
Just sitting here, surrounded by lush, green JUNGLE. Oddly
out of place. Locke squats down in front of it -- as Jack
makes an awful realization -
JACK
She was moving to the beach.
Locke turns to shoot Jack a quizzical look:
JACK (CONT'D)
(indicating the bag)
Claire. It's hers.
Locke nods, turns back to the bag. Jack is overwhelmed with
guilt -- trying to make sense of this... and NOT --
JACK (CONT'D)
What -- what happened? Where --?
LOCKE
I don't know.
And we're ON LOCKE NOW, an EERIE CALM coming over him as he
examines the GROUND around the bag --
4.
2 (CON T'D) 2
LOCKE (CONT'D)
Footprints - at least three
discrete sets - they're all over
the place - looks like there might
have been a struggle -
But Locke has found something REALLY INTERESTING NOW on the
periphery of the clearing. BENT and BROKEN GRASS. He moves
to it suddenly --
JACK
What? What is it?
LOCKE
Drag marks. Here... and here.
JACK
Charlie -- he came after her. They
were together...
Locke explains what both of them are thinking, and said so
simply it's all the more TERRIFYING --
LOCKE
I think they've been taken.
ON JACK, Locke's words freaking him out because he KNOWS
THEY'RE TRUE -- Looking around the DARK, DENSE JUNGLE. They
could have gone anywhere -- FRANTIC -- SHOUTS --
JACK
CLAIRE! CHARLIE!
(then; in another
direction)
CLAIRE!
LOCKE
Jack.
Jack's head whips around, back on Locke -- And if Jack is
dialed up to TEN, Locke is sitting comfortably at ONE --
And as we PUSH IN, he carefully brings a raised finger to his
lips --
LOCKE (CONT'D)
Shhhhhhhhhhh.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
EXT. JUNGLE - PATH TO THE BEACH - DAY 3
3
ECU on Locke's hand - picking up a twig - WIDER as Locke
examines a break in the wood --
-- Jack steps up behind him, the two men exchange glances.
Locke motions for Jack to follow him - the two move down the
path - checking behind and around, suspicious that someone
may be watching them -
- Locke finally breaks the silence as he examines a footprint
on the soft earth - but their voices stay quiet, furtive -
full of amped-up intensity --
LOCKE
The tracks are still fresh.
JACK
It doesn't make any sense -- How
could one man drag two people --
one of them pregnant...?
LOCKE
You're asking the wrong question.
Not how...
(turns to him)
Why?
Jack absorbs this. And as there is no answer --
JACK
You think it was Ethan?
LOCKE
It certainly feels like it was
Ethan.
ON JACK. Yeah. It does - but the questions still outnumber
the answers -- This is fucking IMPOSSIBLE -- FRUSTRATED --
JACK
By himself? How --?
LOCKE
We can't account for all of our
people --
(beat; then)
And more importantly, who's to say
they're even our people?
This effectively freezes Jack. What the fuck is he...?
3 (CON T'D) 3
LOCKE (CONT'D)
Sayid said there were others.
JACK
(no...)
He said "we are not alone."
A beat, then --
LOCKE
Semantics.
JACK
(refusing to believe this)
Sayid's injured -- we don't know
where he went -- he's delerious...
LOCKE
I'm only telling you what the
ground is telling me.
JACK
(frustration mounting)
So which way is the ground saying
they went?
Locke looks at Jack, his tone cautious, measured:
LOCKE JACK
Jack -- we don't know what's
going on here.
-- We know enough.
LOCKE
We need to prepare -- we can be
back at the caves in ten minutes --
organize a search party, get
weapons --
JACK
Which way did they go, Locke?
Locke stares at Jack - practically vibrating with impatience.
After a moment, Locke simply points into the woods -
- and Jack just takes off in that direction -
AND OFF LOCKE, his expression betraying nothing in spite of
having no intention whatsoever of following...
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 4
4
Jack runs - knocking tree branches aside - propelling himself
as fast as his legs can carry him - and as he does -
JACK'S VOICE (PRE-LAP)
Let's get a clamp on that artery so
I can ligate above the tear -
INT. HOSPITAL - OPERATING ROOM - DAY - F L A S H B A C K
FLASHBACK 5
5
ECU on Jack, mouth and nose covered by a surgical mask, eyes
narrowed into slits as he wages war on a mounting crisis.
JACK
- come on - come on!
WIDEN TO REVEAL a harsh CONTRAST TO THE LUSH JUNGLE -- the
COLD ANTISEPTIC WHITENESS of an OPERATING ROOM.
And we're IN THE SHIT here, folks. CAMERA once again ON THE
MOVE as we find Jack surrounded by several SURGICAL NURSES
and an ANESTHESIOLOGIST gathered around the OPERATING TABLE
as Jack works an incision in the PATIENT's abdomen -
ANESTHESIOLOGIST JACK
B.P.'s falling - she's
bleeding out... -- No - I got the artery -
almost there -
- BLEEEEEEP! That sound. Instantly recognizable as a heart
monitor's way of saying the Grim Reaper's come a-knockin'.
JACK (CONT'D)
Let's start CPR...
ANESTHESIOLOGIST JACK
She's in arrest...
-- 1 milligram epi - Where's
that crash cart!?!
Over the WHIRR of defibrillator paddles CHARGING UP, a Nurse
(ANDREA) performs CPR as Jack redoubles his efforts -
JACK (CONT'D)
Artery's sealed - close her up -
ANDREA
(holding out the paddles)
D-fib!
5 (CON T'D) 5
- and takes his hands out of the incision, grabbing the
paddles without missing a beat -
JACK
CLEAR!
- and pushing them into the patient's chest - KA-THWUM! The
Patient JERKS UPWARDS as...
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE -- Monitor still flat-lining, Jack's
head whipping back to his patient --
ANDREA
We're charged -
JACK
Clear!
KA-THWUM! BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...
Jack passes off the paddles. Instantly begins to administer
CPR himself...
JACK (CONT'D)
- C'mon -- C'mon back --
More COMPRESSIONS. Andrea administering OXYGEN from a
SQUEEZE MASK --
JACK (CONT'D)
C'mon... Let's go... C'mon back...
And that's when we hear an AUTHORITATIVE VOICE -- we've been
on this action so TIGHT, we neglected to register the MAN
standing just five feet behind the table, out of the fray --
MAN
Call it.
Jack doesn't stop. Keeps PRESSING --
MAN (CONT'D)
Call it.
Jack ignores the voice --
MAN (CONT'D)
Jack.
Jack finally turns to face the man --
5 (CON T'D) (2) 5
-- and as the man lowers his mask, for those of us who can
remember back to Episode Three, we instantly recognize
SHEPHARD. Jack's father.
[For those of us who DON'T remember, we'll restate their
relationship soon enough.]
SHEPHARD
Call it.
It's over.
And Jack just LOOKS at his father. A BEAT. ANOTHER beat.
And finally --
Jack slowly removes his hands from the patient's chest.
Reaches over to the MONITOR. FLICKS A SWITCH. The
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE abruptly CUTS OFF.
Jack exchanges a look with Andrea. Her eyes drop.
And now, he pulls off his OWN MASK. Turns back to his
father, eyes burning intensely --
JACK
You call it.
A stand-off. A battle of wills. SO FUCKING MUCH GOING ON
HERE -- and we'll spend the rest of the episode exploring it.
But for now, Shephard holds his son's gaze. And without
batting an eyelash --
SHEPHARD
Time of death is 3:23 PM.
(beat)
Per the Chief of Surgery.
Jack turns from his father to look at this Patient -- His
eyes locked in as he PULLS OFF HIS BLOODY GLOVES - and as we
STAY TIGHT ON HIM --
SMASH CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 6
6
Jack PUSHES HIS WAY THROUGH GIANT JUNGLE LEAVES, continuing
to run - and the silence of the previous scene is overtaken
by the dull ROAR of the jungle - the look on his face
identical to that seen in the operating room -
- and then a SOUND - and it is the kind of sound that could
be anything. The WIND, the RUSTLE of trees, the HOWL of an
animal - but to Jack - it is a sign to push even harder -
6 (CON T'D) 6
- and as Jack picks up the pace, growing smaller and smaller
as the jungle grows larger and larger around him -
CUT TO:
INT. THE VALLEY - ENTRANCE - DAY 7
7
- abuzz with activity - anxiety abounds, and all of the
movement in the valley (including the brief, clipped pace of
the following scenes) indicates growing unease.
KATE enters in mid-argument with Locke -
KATE
You just let him go? Alone?
LOCKE
Couldn't stop him. Don't worry --
I'll catch up.
(then)
What's the word from the beach?
KATE
Nothing. Nobody's seen them.
Locke nods. Of course they haven't. Then --
KATE (CONT'D)
I'm coming with you.
LOCKE
Figured you might.
LOCKE reaches his little area, PULLS OPEN his SUITCASE --
loaded with KNIVES. Selects the biggest and SHARPEST as we
pick up --
SHANNON (O.S.)
- What are you doing? We need to
get our water and go back to the
beach! This isn't our --
BOONE (O.S.)
I heard you're forming a search
party. Can I help?
Locke and Kate look up to see BOONE, SHANNON on his heels --
SHANNON
Search party? This is a deserted
island.
(MOR E)
7 (CON T'D) 7
SHA NNON (CONT'D)
No choppers, no Amber alert - how
exactly are you going to find them?
Locke takes one look at the put-upon expression on Boone's
face and shuts Shannon down -
LOCKE
By following Ethan's trail -
(off Shannon's look)
- no one can walk through
wilderness without leaving signs --
bending blades of grass, breaking
twigs -- especially with captives
in tow.
Locke extends a KNIFE to Boone --
LOCKE (CONT'D)
And yes, I could use another hand
if you're up for it.
Boone takes the knife, grateful for the validation.
BOONE
I'm up for it.
And Locke REGARDS BOONE -- as if for the first time. Really
take this kid in. Odd. Finally:
LOCKE
Then let's get moving.
Locke and Kate step past Shannon toward the cave exit - Boone
follows, gives his sister a look as he PASSES.
And off her DISBELIEF of having been completely FROZEN OUT --
8
8 EXT. THE VALLEY - ENTRANCE - DAY
Michael and WALT walk toward the entrance in mid-argument --
WALT
I could take Vincent, you know, he
could sniff something that belonged
to Charlie and - I can help.
MICHAEL
I said no, man.
Michael reaches Locke as he stuffs ANOTHER knife into his
VEST, falls into step with him as he moves out -- Kate and
Boone lagging behind --
8 (CON T'D) 8
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
A lot of us don't want to just sit
here waiting for news. We're
willing to go out and look too.
Locke barely stops to look at Michael -
LOCKE
Thanks, but we're set. Anyone else
is just going to slow us down.
MICHAEL
Yeah -- Okay -- so maybe I can put
together another party...
LOCKE
Good idea. We're going north. I
suggest you go south.
And with that, Locke STRIDES OFF, leaving Michael alone.
And as Michael looks at Walt, aware that he has just gotten
the same kind of dismissal he was giving his son...
EXT. JUNGLE - CLEARING - DAY 9
9
ECU on Jack's hand, reaching for a twig, then WIDER as he
brings it up to his face, trying to read it, only to crush
and throw it to the ground, frustrated.
Out of breath, Jack continues to walk, looking down - trying
to find ANY SIGN that will tell him where to go -- the sad
truth, however, is that Jack is lost and alone --
-- but that doesn't mean he is beaten or resigned. Jack
looks up at the sky, then, after a beat - he turns back to
the ground, redoubling his effort to find Ethan's trail --
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL - OPERATING ROOM - DAY - F L A S H B A C K
FLASHBACK 10
10
- the equally troubled look on Jack's face as he looks down
at the dead woman on the operating table. This is the quiet
after the storm.
The nurses and assistants file out. Jack places a sheet over
the patient and turns to look at his father and realizes that
the storm is about to begin.
SHEPHARD
Never thought I'd see the day.
10 (CON T'D) 10
Jack says nothing. The Old Man approaches - his anger
building.
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
You barge into my OR to work on my
patient?
Jack's tone is somber - reserved - there is something between
him and his father he does not want to articulate -
JACK
You didn't have to do the
procedure...
SHEPHARD
I don't have to do anything.
JACK
-- Yeah. Of course you don't.
SHEPHARD
I chose to do this procedure --
this emergency procedure -- because
when that girl crashed in the E.R.,
they called me.
JACK
I was upstairs -
SHEPHARD
And you should have stayed there -
How did you even know about...
JACK
One of the nurses came to get me.
This effectively freezes Shephard for a moment. Then --
SHEPHARD
Who?
Jack won't take the bait and put another person in dad's
cross-hairs. Keeps his mouth shut.
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
Well. Thank God I have you and
some anonymous nurse to rescue me -
JACK
She told me your hands were
shaking.
10 (CON T'D) (2) 10
SHEPHARD JACK
My hands weren't...
-- You cut her hepatic
artery, she bled out -
SHEPHARD
She was in a car crash - her
insides were a mess -
But these two aren't even talking anymore - this thing
becomes a street fight in extremely short order -
JACK SHEPHARD
-- You made a mistake. -- They called me. Not you.
-- I don't care whether they -- You're lecturing me?
called you are not, you made
a mistake. -- Tell me -- if you were
upstairs and I was at lunch,
-- Oh. Oh. Okay... then why did they call me?
- And finally, Jack actually RAISES HIS VOICE --
JACK
How many drinks did you have at
lunch, dad?
It just hangs there - OUT LOUD AT LAST... in the shadow of
the death of a patient, there is little else to add.
An interminable moment passes between father and son - the
birth of an unbridgeable gulf. And ON JACK, we HEAR:
LOCKE (V.O.)
Jack.
(then)
Jack.
MATCH CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE - CLEARING - RESUME 11
11
Jack, turning to see Locke, Kate and Boone:
LOCKE (O.S.)
Good thing you've been going in a
circle.
(then)
Not the best search grid, but we
might not have found you otherwise.
11 (CON T'D) 11
ON KATE, happy to see him. And despite the circumstances,
he's happy to see her, too.
KATE
You find anything?
JACK
(ashamed/angry)
No.
Locke approaches, compassionate. Sincere --
LOCKE
You should get back to the caves.
Sayid's leg...
- but Jack shrugs him off, even as Locke continues to try to
be a voice of reason.
JACK
I dressed Sayid's leg. You found
me -- Then we can find Charlie and
Claire. So do we have a trail to
follow or not?
LOCKE
Jack --
(beat)
This is my fault.
JACK
What?
LOCKE
I've been hunting with Ethan.
Spent time with him. Never sensed
anything...
(beat)
Off.
(then; pointed)
For everything I know -- about
hunting? Tracking? Whoever he
is... he knows more. If we catch
up to him -- I don't want anything
to happen to the only trained
physician on the island.
(beat)
Go back and be the doctor - let me
be the hunter.
No malice or threat in any of what Locke said. Just genuine
concern. Jack just looks at him. And after a beat --
11 (CON T'D) (2) 11
JACK
Can we go now?
Beat. Locke shakes his head. If that's the way it's going
to be --
LOCKE
Follow me.
And as Locke turns to go, Jack does indeed follow.
Exchanging a look with Kate. And then... BOONE --
BOONE
Jack.
- and although innocuous enough, given their past history, it
is clear that Boone's greeting is intended to give Jack the
sense that Boone is finally playing with the big dogs.
Off Jack, offering Boone a cursory nod...
INT. THE VALLEY - DAY 12
12
Hurley watches as Michael fills water bottles and puts them
in a backpack. Another five CASTAWAYS work nearby -
MICHAEL
- I'm trying to help and all the
guy can tell me is to "go south."
Like what, I'm gonna get in his way
or something?
HURLEY
Look, man, everyone's tweaked -
Locke's feelin' it just like the
rest of us -
Michael stands and indicates the other five Castaways -
MICHAEL
So what? I got five other guys who
are going out there with me,
putting our necks on the line to
find Charlie and Claire.
(beat)
All I'm saying is I'm getting sick
of being treated like a second-
class citizen around here just
because Mount Baldy knows how to
bag a boar.
12 (CON T'D) 12
Hurley shrugs back his dissent, realizing that Michael needs
to vent - but a third voice comes to Locke's defense -
WALT
He knows a lot more than how to get
a boar.
(off the looks)
Mr. Locke's a warrior. He knows
how to hunt and track and stuff -
and he's the only one who brought
knives. If he told me to stay out
of his way...
- but Walt realizes that his dad is glaring at him.
WALT (CONT'D)
(timidly)
...I'd listen to him.
MICHAEL
(beat, then)
Well I don't want you to.
Y'understand?
A beat. Walt nods. Then:
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
You stay with Hurley. I might not
be a warrior. But I'm going south.
(to the group)
Let's go.
Michael walks off with the others. Walt watches him go,
feeling as guilty as he does righteous. He looks up at
Hurley.
HURLEY
Back home? I'm known as something
of a warrior myself.
Walt just stares -- is this guy fucking with him? A beat.
Then Hurley smiles. Walt reluctantly smiles too --
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 13
13
ECU on a red t-shirt. WIDER TO REVEAL Locke cutting a strip
off the shirt with his knife, then tying the strip to a tree
as Boone watches on -
13 (CON T'D) 13
LOCKE
We keep our progress marked by line
of sight -- we tie these off so we
don't get lost.
BOONE
But you can lead us back to camp,
right?
LOCKE
Unless something happens to me.
Boone doesn't like the sound of that -- but he's not gonna
SHOW IT. Puts out his hand.
BOONE
Then maybe I better take marker
detail.
Locke smiles, appreciatively. Hands over the shirt.
FIND JACK & KATE, the former anxiously coming back towards
them --
JACK
Anything?
LOCKE
Not yet.
Locke takes out a bottle of water. Takes a SWIG.
JACK
If you can't find the --
LOCKE
I'll pick it up again. But we
should rest for a minute. Get our
clarity back.
Locke offers the water bottle to Jack --
JACK
You're taking a break? It's four
o'clock, man -- if the sun sets
there's no way...
LOCKE
It's four twenty-five, and yes --
I'm taking a break.
(then)
Sorry.
13 (CON T'D) (2) 13
Jack can't fucking believe this. Boone looks on, somewhat
intrigued by what's happening here as KATE moves up to Jack--
KATE
(sotto)
Can I talk to you?
And OFF JACK, trying to engage in a staredown with Locke but
not getting his opponent to engage...
UPCUT TO:
14
14 EXT. JUNGLE - A FEW METERS AWAY - MOMENTS LATER
Kate and Jack, alone now.
KATE
Would it kill you to give the guy a
little bit of space?
JACK
It might.
KATE JACK
Stop that.
What?
KATE
That.
He knows exactly what she means. Jack shakes his head in
frustration.
KATE (CONT'D)
What's going on?
A beat. Then --
JACK
I didn't believe her. Claire.
(really fucking angry at
himself)
I gave her a sedative.
KATE
Jack -- You can't...
JACK
She told me someone was coming
after her. That she was
attacked... and she sounded so...
out of it.
(MOR E)
14 (CON T'D) 14
JAC K (CONT'D)
I thought the pregnancy was amping
up her stress. I just --
(stops himself; pained)
I didn't believe her.
Kate just looks at him. Feeling his pain. Not knowing what
to say to make it go away. And that's when --
BOONE (O.S.)
JACK! KATE!
And as Jack and Kate turn to the sound of Boone's VOICE --
UPCUT TO:
15
15 EXT. JUNGLE - DAY - MOMENTS LATER
Kate and Jack rush up to join Boone, standing over a
CROUCHING LOCKE. All their interest focused on what's in
Locke's hand -- He holds it up and opens his palm slowly:
KATE
What is it?
And now we're CLOSE ON IT --
- a piece of gauze bandage with the letter "L" written on it
with magic marker.
And just as we're beginning to connect to what it might be,
let's instantly SHARE with those not as familiar with the
show as we are --
FLASH CUT TO:
16
16 EXT. BEACH - DAY - F L A S H B A C K (FROM EPISODE 101)
FLASHBACK
CHARLIE - as seen at the end of "Tabula Rasa" - sitting by
the fire on the beach, using a Sharpie to write the word
"LATE" on the gauze bandages wrapped around his knuckles.
After lingering on Charlie's knuckles for a moment -
FLASH CUT TO:
EXT. JUNGLE - RESUME 17
17
Locke examines the gauze - turns around and looks to Jack,
his eyes TWINKLING, maybe he'd be smiling if the
circumstances were slightly different --
LOCKE
Look familiar?
17 (CON T'D) 17
JACK
It's Charlie's.
Boone steps up, confused --
BOONE
What? You think it just... came
off?
JACK
No. I think...
(beat; to Locke)
He's leaving us a trail.
Locke nods -- Hell yeah, he is.
And OFF JACK, for the first time since we began, despair
actually replaced by HOPE --
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
EXT. JUNGLE - CLEARING - DAY 18
18
OPEN ON an EXTREME CLOSE UP of the "A" scribbled on a piece
of gauze from Charlie's knuckle. And we RACK FOCUS to find
it in the hand of --
JACK. Crouching at the base of a BANYAN TREE in a beautiful
JUNGLE CLEARING. Beyond the tree, a narrow SWATCH of path
cuts through the DENSE JUNGLE.
JACK
They went this way.
WIDEN to reveal Kate and Boone, a few yards behind Jack. All
of them COVERED IN SWEAT -- BREATHING HARD --
But LOCKE is actually ACROSS THE CLEARING. RUNS his fingers
along the slightly BENT BRANCHES OF A FERN --
LOCKE
I'm not so sure.
(turns to the others)
There's another trail here.
Jack stands, crosses to Locke --
JACK
What do you mean, another --?
LOCKE
(points to the grass)
These are footprints. People moved
off this way.
Jack holds up the "A." Feels he's getting close --
FRUSTRATION MOUNTING --
JACK
Charlie is leaving us these to
follow.
(points back towards the
Banyan)
They're heading that way.
Locke just looks at him. Then --
KATE (O.S.)
What if Charlie isn't the one
leaving them?
Both men turn towards Kate --
LOST "All the Best..." (GOLDENROD) 10/15/04 23.
18 (CON T'D) 18
KATE (CONT'D)
If Ethan knows we're behind him, he
might be setting up a dummy trail.
Take off one way, then double-back
in his own footprints.
And the SURPRISE registers on Jack's face as what he's
thinking is verbalized by --
BOONE
Wait -- Now you're a tracker?
Kate says nothing, playing a LOOK with Jack as Locke turns to
her, AMUSED --
LOCKE
You're just full of surprises.
Locke doesn't know the half of it. Jack shakes off his
surprise, simply doesn't have the time because it's pretty
fucking clear what they've gotta do --
JACK
If there are two trails, we split
up. I'm taking this one --
LOCKE
(shakes his head)
We should stay together, Jack...
JACK
Why? We have two trails...
(pointed; to Kate)
And apparently two trackers.
A moment.
Locke considers this. And since Jack isn't really asking for
permission, he doesn't have much of a choice. Finally --
LOCKE
Be careful.
And as the four exchange a series of LOOKS, the safety of
their number about to be HALVED --
A19
A1 9 INT. THE VALLEY - STREAM - DAY
We find Hurley and Walt playing BACKGAMMON. Hurley ROLLS the
dice -- looks at the results -- FRUSTRATED --
LOST "All the Best..." (SALMON) 11/17/04 23A.
A19 (CON T'D) A19
HURLEY
Crap!
WALT HURLEY
Your blots can't get it.
-- Yeah, I know my blots
can't get in.
WALT
My roll.
HURLEY
Yahoo.
WALT
Okay, I need a four-three...
Walt concentrates, blows on the dice, SHAKES THEM, in his
cupped hands -- for the longest time. Hurley rolls his eyes.
HURLEY
Dude, would you please roll?
Finally Walt rolls. The dice tumble and Hurley watches,
incredulous, as Walt gets a four-three, HITS another of his
pieces, puts it on the bar --
HURLEY (CONT'D)
No!!
WALT
Your turn.
Hurley rolls again. DAMN. And again, he must cede the dice
to Walt. Hurley can barely contain himself.
WALT (CONT'D)
It's okay. I wasn't very good when
I first started playing either.
HURLEY
I didn't just start playing. I
finished 17th at a tournament once!
WALT
17th's not very good.
LOST "All the Best..." (SALMON) 11/17/04 23B.
A19 (CON T'D) (2) A19
HURLEY
No, 17th is very good.
WALT
If you say so.
(does his rolling shtick)
C'mon, double sixes...
Walt rolls. And... DOUBLE SIXES!
HURLEY
You gotta be kidding me.
WALT
(shrugs)
I'm lucky.
Walt wins.
HURLEY
No one is that lucky.
WALT
My Dad said I was the luckiest
person he knew.
HURLEY
Really...
WALT
Not Michael, Brian -- my other
Dad...
Hurley gives him a surprised look -- other Dad...?
WALT (CONT'D)
It's kind of a long story.
Which Walt doesn't want to go into.
Walt picks his pieces off the board (this is what you do in
the endgame of Backgammon) --
LOST "All the Best..." (SALMON) 11/17/04 23C.
A19 (CON T'D) (3) A19
WALT (CONT'D)
C'mon, one more game -- double or
nothing again.
Hurley just shakes his head. Gets up.
HURLEY
I got a meeting.
WALT
A meeting?
HURLEY
Yeah. A meeting.
As in -- "I'm out of here." And as Hurley heads off --
WALT
(calling after him)
You owe me twenty thousand dollars!
Hurley takes a quick glance back. Bastard! And he's gone.
OFF Walt, left alone -- and he's bored.
LOST "All the Best..." (GOLDENROD) 10/15/04 24.
INT. THE VALLEY - FRONT YARD - DAY 19
19
SAWYER
Okay - who got taken by what?
Sawyer puts BOTTLES OF WATER into his backpack, while
listening incredulously as Walt catches him up on current
events -
WALT
Charlie and Claire... they think
Ethan took them.
SAWYER
Ethan took them.
WALT
Yeah.
SAWYER
Took them why?
Walt SHRUGS.
SAWYER (CONT'D)
And who the hell is Ethan?
WALT
Dunno -- but he wasn't on that list
thing. The manifest. People are
saying they don't remember him from
the plane.
SAWYER
You ever think he might've lied
about his name?
And we can't help but notice the following give and take
either makes Sawyer more childlike or Walt more adult. Pick
one.
WALT
Why would he lie?
SAWYER
You serious?
WALT
It's stupid to lie about your name.
ON SAWYER. For loyal viewers, that means something. Then --
LOST "All the Best..." (GOLDENROD) 10/15/04 24A.
19 (CON T'D) 19
SAWYER
Allrighty, so where do you think
Ethan came from, Tattoo?
19 (CON T'D) (2) 19
WALT
Maybe he was already here. On the
island. Before we...
SAWYER
(laughs, shakes his hand)
Got yourself a helluva imagination.
WALT
There could be lots of other people
on the island.
SAWYER
So a tribe of evil natives planted
a ringer in the camp to kidnap a
pregnant girl and a reject from VH1
has-beens-reunited - yeah, that's
fiendishly clever -
(then)
And why am I getting the evening
news from a six year old?
Walt shoots Sawyer an annoyed glare:
WALT
I'm ten.
SAWYER
Okay, then it must be true.
Walt shakes his head. Enough of this guy. As he walks off --
WALT
If you don't believe me, go ask
Sayid. He said we're not alone.
And this news knocks the snark right out of Sawyer.
SAWYER
... Sayid's back?
And as we sit on SAWYER, absorbing this as Walt walks off --
EXT. JUNGLE - LATER 20
20
Locke kneels - studying the ground cover when ZIP! - RACK
FOCUS TO REVEAL Boone, cutting fabric from the RED T-SHIRT,
starts to tie it around a tree...
BOONE
Red shirt.
20 (CON T'D) 20
LOCKE
Hmmm?
BOONE
Red shirt.
(then)
You ever watch Star Trek?
Locke turns to Boone. Smiles --
LOCKE
I don't have a television.
BOONE
Oh.
(then)
You know what it was about?
LOCKE
(back to tracking)
Sure. Big spaceship. Lasers.
Aliens. That sort of thing.
BOONE
(nods)
The crew guys who would come down
to the planets with the main guys,
y'know the Captain and the guy with
the pointy ears?
(holds up the T-shirt)
They always wore red shirts.
(beat)
And they always got killed.
LOCKE
Huh.
(beat)
I'd say that's one piss-poor
Captain.
Boone laughs, likes Locke. Likes the way he makes him feel.
Locke moves around the area, still trying to pick up a sign --
BOONE
So what do you do back in the real
world, Mr. Locke?
LOCKE
It's John.
20 (CON T'D) (2) 20
BOONE
(smiles)
John.
LOCKE
Why don't you guess.
BOONE
Okay...
(thinks; then)
I'm gonna go with taxidermist or
hit man.
LOCKE
I was Regional Collections
Supervisor for a box company.
BOONE
(what?)
A box company?
LOCKE
They made boxes.
Boone stops, perplexed. A beat. Locke turns to him. Offers
that smile. And Boone LAUGHS --
BOONE
Yeah, right.
Locke raises his eyebrows -- yeah, let Boone think he was
kidding. But as he turns back to his work...
The smile falls away.
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 21
21
A large leaf covering the view gives way as Jack SMASHES it
away, pushing through the path with great speed.
KATE
Would you please slow down? Jack?
Jack stops as Kate catches up.
JACK
You said they went this way...
KATE
I think they went this way. I'm
not as good at this as Locke...
21 (CON T'D) 21
JACK
So when'd you pick up the tracking
skills, Kate? Before or after you
were on the run?
And with that, KATE abruptly STOPS.
After a few beats, Jack realizes she's not behind him. Turns
back to her. And we can see that she's HURT --
KATE
I'm trying to help, Jack.
JACK
You know what might help? A little
honesty. Just give me something
real. Anything.
Kate just looks at him. Then, after a moment --
KATE
My dad was in the Army. Ranger
Battalion. We were stationed at
Fort Lewis. Washington State. We
would go hiking together. One day
we spent eight hours tracking
deer... being in the woods, that
was his religion.
And there's something else here. Something DEEPER. But --
KATE (CONT'D)
That was real.
That's all she's gonna give him now. So she just stands
there, watching him. Then, after a moment -
KATE (CONT'D)
Anything you wanna share, Jack?
Jack looks at Kate - what does she mean? About his father?
About his driven need to find Claire? About anything
personal?
No - this is his turn to be mysterious.
JACK
No.
21 (CON T'D) (2) 21
And with that, Kate is on the move again. Striding past
Jack. And as we SETTLE ON HIM, not watching her go, but lost
in the memories brought on by this conversation --
CUT TO:
INT. HOSPITAL - SHEPHARD'S OFFICE - DAY - FLASHBACK 22
22
Shephard sits at his desk paging through a surgical incident
report, doesn't bother to look up as Jack enters.
SHEPHARD
Thanks for coming, Jack. Sit down.
22 (CON T'D) 22
Jack doesn't. Shephard pushes the report across the desk.
JACK
What's it say?
SHEPHARD
The truth...
Jack looks at his father, who stands to meet his gaze:
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
... That a patient was brought to
the ER following a car accident,
rushed into surgery with massive
internal bleeding. You joined me --
and in spite of our most heroic
efforts -- the patient succumbed to
her injuries.
Jack picks up the file, then, with a bitter edge:
JACK
Looks like you fixed everything but
the patient.
Jack expects Shephard to blow, and is ready for the fight.
But Shephard doesn't. He let's Jack's statement hang there.
JACK (CONT'D)
You had no business being in that
operating room.
SHEPHARD
You really think I'd have walked in
there if I couldn't handle it?
JACK
You've done it before.
Shepard doesn't deny this. Almost a sense of pride about it:
he's a great surgeon and he knows it - almost too well.
SHEPHARD
That's right. I have - and I'm
fully capable of making those
decisions --
JACK
How can you say that after
yesterday?
22 (CON T'D) (2) 22
SHEPHARD JACK
The problem was not related
to -- -- You were impaired!
SHEPHARD
I know my limits.
JACK
I won't sign this.
Jack tosses the file back across his father's desk.
22 (CON T'D) (3) 22
SHEPHARD
You were part of the team. I'm not
the only one on the hook for this.
(beat)
You called me off! You were the
surgeon of record when she died!
Jack doesn't reply. He's willing to let the chips fall where
they may and Shephard knows it.
Shepard softens his tone and approach.
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
Accidents happen in surgeries all
the time, Jack. You know that.
That's the truth. But if you
contradict this report -- mention
alcohol -- well, that's the only
fact that will matter. They'll
strip me of my license.
JACK
Yes, they will.
Jack looks up at his father. And he's surprised because
instead of anger he sees something he's never seen in his
father's face before --
His features have gone soft. Into fear, vulnerability.
Shephard RUBS the bridge of his nose, shakes his head
despondently. Let's face it, it freaks Jack out.
SHEPHARD
I know I've been hard on you.
Possibly the greatest understatement of all time.
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
But that's how you make metal into
steel.
(beat)
And that's why you're the most
gifted young surgeon in this city.
Jesus Christ! Did Jack just hear that right?
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
This is a career that's all about
the greater good. I've had to
sacrifice certain aspects of my
relationship with you, so that
hundreds...
(MOR E)
22 (CON T'D) (4) 22
SHE PHARD (CONT'D)
thousands of patients will live,
will thrive, because of your
extraordinary skills.
And, oh my God, tears are welling in Shephard's eyes. This
cracks Jack's own visage of determination, hits him in an
emotional place he's unprepared for. He's getting what he's
always wanted when he very least expected it.
Shephard steps up, puts his hand on Jack's shoulder.
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
Long time coming. I know.
Shephard picks up the file, arranges the papers neatly
inside, to cover his own emotions. Then he turns to Jack
with complete sincerity:
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
What happened today... I promise
you -- it'll never happen again.
Shephard holds out a pen. What he says next -- it goes so
much to Shephard's emotional core he can barely get it out
above a whisper --
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
What I've given... This isn't just
my career, Jack. This is my life.
The pen hovers there in Shephard's hand. An interminable
beat. And then Jack reaches out. And takes it.
Jack makes the toughest choice of his life. He signs the
false surgery report.
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
Thank you, Son.
And OFF JACK, already torn by what he's just done...
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
INT. THE VALLEY - INFIRMARY CAVE - DAY 23
23
ECU on Sayid's opening eye - WIDER to reveal him shooting to
a sitting position from a pile of blankets on the cave floor.
SAWYER (O.S.)
I don't know if you "Islams" have a
concept of karma -
Sayid sees Sawyer, squatting a few meters away.
SAWYER (CONT'D)
- but I get the sense this island
served you up a heaping platter of
cosmic payback.
Sayid backs himself up against the cave wall, facing Sawyer.
SAYID
What do you want?
SAWYER
Doctor do-right don't trust me with
his antibiotics, so I have to hump
here every day to get my meds.
(then)
Apropos of nothing... a less
magnanimous man than I might just
be thinking he could beat the ever-
loving snot out of you without fear
of reprisal.
SAYID
You want a shot, take it... but
know that I left this camp out of
shame for what I did to you. It
was never my intention to return.
SAWYER
You cut me up, put bamboo under my
nails... Sorry, I'm fresh out of
sweet forgiveness.
(leaning in)
So if it wasn't your intention to
return, why did you?
Sayid considers. Then --
SAYID
I was taken prisoner by the French
woman.
LOST "All the Best..." (GREEN) 10/19/04 33.
23 (CON T'D) 23
SAWYER
(what the fuck?)
The one that's been sending out the
distress signal for sixteen years?
(long skeptical beat)
... she's alive?
SAYID
She was on a science expedition...
She said they shipwrecked.
SAWYER SAYID
How? Where?
-- She didn't say.
SAWYER
She alone?
SAYID
She said that there were others on
the island.
SAWYER
(beat, -- what?!)
Her people?
SAYID
No.
(beat -- this is hard)
She murdered her entire team.
(then)
She believed they were... sick.
Okay, this freaks Sawyer out. He tries to cover, stay cool.
SAWYER SAYID
Right. And these "others?" I don't know.
Who the hell are -- (beat)
She's never seen them.
SAWYER
Never seen them. But she knows
they're there.
SAYID
If you believe her.
SAWYER
Do you?
SAYID
Maybe, maybe not.
LOST "All the Best..." (GREEN) 10/19/04 33A.
23 (CON T'D) (2) 23
Sayid looks at him. Doesn't want to share this information.
But knows that he must. As crazy as it sounds...
SAYID (CONT'D)
But on my way back. I heard
something in the jungle.
Surrounding me.
23 (CON T'D) (3) 23
SAWYER
Something like what?
Sayid tilts his head back -- frustrated. He shouldn't have
opened up to him after all:
SAYID
Do you have something to say to me,
Sawyer? Or are you going to
continue to ask me questions you
know I don't have the answers to?
ON SAWYER. Busted. But doesn't want to let Sayid know it...
So he just shakes his head. Gets up. Turns to go --
SAWYER
By the way, the tides are comin' up
the beach. Plane hull's almost in
the water...
(the point)
I kept your signal fire burning.
Sawyer goes. Sayid watches him. Was that an olive branch?
Maybe these two have made a very tentative connection.
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY 24
24
Locke and Boone walk through DENSE JUNGLE, Locke no longer in
tracker mode -- moving through the foliage with PURPOSE --
Boone, a little UNEASY --
BOONE
It's been fifteen minutes since we
found any sign... what are we
following?
LOCKE
My gut.
(then)
So, Boone. What do you do in the
real world?
BOONE
I run a business.
LOCKE
What kind of business.
Boone is actually a little ASHAMED for some reason. Then --
35.
24 (CON T'D) 24
BOONE
It's a... wedding thing.
LOCKE
Huh.
BOONE
My mother -- she has this...
empire. "The Martha Stewart of
Matrimony." I run one of the
subsidiaries.
LOCKE
And who's running it now?
Boone ponders this. Maybe for the first time.
BOONE
Guess it doesn't matter, does it?
LOCKE
There are people who can handle it.
Temporarily.
With that, Locke stops moving. Smiles. Boone stops too.
What is it? Then Locke looks SKYWARD.
LOCKE (CONT'D)
Gonna start raining in one minute.
BOONE
(cynical)
One minute?
LOCKE
Give or take a few seconds.
Locke turns to Boone. A look of CONCERN on his face --
LOCKE (CONT'D)
You should turn around, Boone.
Head back.
BOONE
What?
LOCKE
Trail's been cold for a quarter
mile and there's dangerous terrain
ahead. If you go now, you'll make
it back to camp before dark.
24 (CON T'D) (2) 24
BOONE
What about you --?
LOCKE
I can take care of myself.
BOONE
(beat)
I'm not heading back.
LOCKE BOONE
I admire your bravery, but --
-- I'm not heading back.
Locke sizes up Boone. A beat. Then, he nods.
LOCKE
All right, then.
And it happens in an instant --
DOWNPOUR. RAIN. LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF RAIN. Both Boone
and Locke soaked to the skin within SECONDS. Boone shouts
over the STORM --
BOONE
THEY TEACH YOU HOW TO PREDICT THE
WEATHER AT THE BOX COMPANY?
25
25 EXT. JUNGLE - THE FOOT OF A MUDDY HILL - DAY
The end-of-the-world weather grows even more severe as Jack
and Kate rush to the foot of a hill covered in long grass...
and at the foot of the hill, wedged between two rocks -
- is the "T" from Charlie's hand.
Jack and Kate exchange looks -
JACK
(grimly)
I guess we were right.
(then)
Where to now?
- but before Kate can answer, the two hear that SOUND again -
the one that Jack heard as he first ventured into the jungle -
something between a rustle of trees and a howl -
- something that distinctly conveys a presence -
25 (CON T'D) 25
- only now the sound is followed by something very close to a
SCREAM from the top of the hill!
Or was it a scream? The trees? The wind?
Jack doesn't care. He looks at Kate - and as he stands there
in the rain, girding himself for what he knows he must do --
26
26 INT. HOSPITAL - CORRIDOR - DAY - F L A S H B A C K
FLASHBACK
Jack's face is blurred - as if the lens has been doused -
until a squee-gee crosses the frame to reveal that Jack is
standing in front of a pair of glass doors at the entrance to
the corridor --
-- he is wearing scrubs and a labcoat and reading a chart,
waiting for the JANITOR cleaning the door to step aside so he
can move into the corridor.
We get the sense it's LATE. Not the heavy bustle of peak
hours. Jack steps past the janitor and SEES --
AT THE END OF THE HALLWAY --
SHEPHARD. And he's talking to a VERY SAD LOOKING MAN in his
thirties. Both unaware of Jack.
And Jack is very interested in this conversation -- Jack
standing there, watching his father.
And whatever they're talking about, Shephard's conversation
with the man is intense and COMPASSIONATE --
And just then, ANDREA (we may recognize her as one of the
nurses from the OR earlier) emerges through the DOORS right
next to Jack --
ANDREA
Dr. Shephard.
JACK
Andrea -- do you know who that man
is? That my father's talking to?
Andrea looks down the hallway. Turns back to Jack, SOMBER.
ANDREA
That's her husband.
And Jack knows exactly to whom Andrea is referring. And
maybe she's actually a little ACCUSATORY when she says --
26 (CON T'D) 26
ANDREA (CONT'D)
He's threatening to sue.
And with that, she walks OFF.
BACK ON JACK as he continues to watch the conversation.
26 (CON T'D) (2) 26
DOWN THE HALLWAY
The MAN breaks into a WRACKING SOB. And although this is
Jack's POV, we make sure we get all this because --
Shephard RUBS the bridge of his nose, shakes his head
despondently. And gently places his hand on the man's
shoulder.
And Jack doesn't even need to hear the words to know --
He has just watched his father "handle" another person's
emotional crisis in the exact way he handled his own son.
THE CRASH OF THUNDER BRINGS US BACK TO --
27
EXT. JUNGLE - HILLSIDE - RESUME
27
- Jack - having just heard the SCREAM from the top of the
hill, ready to do what he has to do, he springs into action -
powering himself up the muddy slope!
Kate follows - the hill grows steeper and steeper, Jack drops
to a crawling position - clinging on to the grass as Kate
comes up behind him -
They turn and scramble across the side of the incline.
Grabbing hold of anything to keep them vertical.
KATE
This is -- can't be right -- how
could they have gone this way?!
JACK
Just follow me, keep moving!
Jack presses on into the driving rain.
And in the rain and buffeting wind, another sound seems to
come and go everywhere around them - strange WHISPERS (like
those heard by Sayid in "Solitary"...)
That's when the sodden slope under his feet gives way. Jack
falls. Grabs for something, anything. No luck. Gravity
takes over. He begins to tumble down the slope.
Now that he's got his momentum going, there's no way he's
going to stop himself. He's a one man tumbling human
avalanche, nearly free-falling through the rain down the
steep slope.
27 (CON T'D) 27
CLOSE ON KATE
Grabbing a branch.
27 (CON T'D) (2) 27
KATE
Jack!!
BACK TO JACK
Slipping, sliding, tumbling, he finally rolls to a stop in a
tangle of jungle at the bottom of the slope --
EXT. JUNGLE - FOOT OF A LARGE TREE - RESUMING
Jack reaches for his aching head -- DISORIENTED -- DIZZY --
RAIN pouring down on him --
And this is something he SENSES before he actually looks up
and sees it. And we SENSE it too --
There is someone here.
And as Jack slowly looks up -- standing right in front of him
-- just FIVE FUCKING FEET AWAY --
Is ETHAN.
ETHAN
Hello, Jack.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
Jack looks at him, ragged breath, but EYES BURNING. And he
asks the question that hopefully all of America has been
asking for the past week --
JACK
Who are you?
And we're LOOKING UP at Ethan. SOAKING WET but seemingly
oblivious to the rain. And his EYES. His FUCKING EYES.
ETHAN
Stop. Following. Me.
JACK
Where are they? What did you do
with them? What --
Ethan cuts Jack off by STOMPING down on Jack's CHEST with his
foot, pressing him down into the MUDDY GROUND... Jack
winces, and Ethan makes sure Jack is good and uncomfortable
before reiterating his warning.
LOST "All the Best..." (PINK) 10/15/04 40.
(CON T'D)
ETHAN
You are not understanding... so
listen very closely.
And he PUSHES down with his foot even HARDER. Into Jack's
SOLAR PLEXUS. Cutting off his breathing. Ethan leans in...
And when he says this, it is CHILLING --
ETHAN (CONT'D)
If you do not stop following me,
I will kill one of them.
Yeah. We heard that right. And Ethan fucking means it.
ETHAN (CONT'D)
Do you understand?
TIGHT on Jack's eyes as he ABSORBS THIS. Understands it.
But he doesn't ACCEPT IT.
Jack summons every last bit of his strength to get himself
out from under Ethan's foot -
- REACHES UP, grabs ETHAN'S ANKLE -- PUSHES -- Ethan's LEG
TWISTS -- SPLASH -- HE GOES DOWN IN THE MUD!
Jack ROLLS OVER, GOES for Ethan and --
THIS IS CLOSE QUARTS COMBAT. RAIN FALLING. But it quickly
becomes APPARENT that ETHAN IS ONE BAD MOTHERFUCKER as --
SMASH. HIS OPEN PALM JAMS into JACK'S NECK -- An ELBOW under
his CHIN -- ETHAN IS JUST SO FUCKING FAST AND BRUTAL -- BLOW
AFTER BLOW -- All covered in QUICK AND DEVASTATING CUTS til --
Jack literally FLIES BACK into the MUD. Onto his back.
Completely SPENT. Done.
Defeated.
And as Ethan begins to move towards JACK --
ETHAN (CONT'D)
No more warnings.
And as he cocks his fist back and DRIVES it towards camera...
END OF ACT THREE
LOST "All the Best..." (YELLOW) 10/18/04 41.
ACT FOUR
EXT. JUNGLE - FOOT OF A LARGE TREE - DAY 29
29
Gray sky. Then -
KATE'S VOICE
Jack - Jack - please -
- Jack's eyes snap open to see Kate standing over him,
stroking his head and raising up her hand to see BLOOD -
KATE JACK
You're bleeding - are you -?
-- How... how long was I out?
KATE
Two minutes. You slid away --
Kate reaches for her bag, pulls out a rag -
JACK
Ethan...
KATE
What?
And there is great INTIMACY as Kate dabs at his wound, puts
her other hand on the back of Jack's neck --
JACK
Ethan was here. He...
KATE JACK
You banged your head --
-- He was here.
And Jack GRUNTS, gets to his feet. A little WOBBLY.
Kate immediately GRABS him as he STUMBLES. She's genuinely
CONCERNED. Softly --
KATE
Jack -- you have to stop.
JACK
What?
KATE
The rain's washed the trail away.
Even if you did see him...
(MOR E)
LOST "All the Best..." (YELLOW) 10/18/04 42.
29 (CON T'D) 29
KAT E (CONT'D)
(beat)
They're gone.
Jack just looks at her. And PULLS AWAY.
JACK
No.
(then)
I'm not letting him do this.
Kate looks at Jack - the look on his face is FARAWAY - like
he isn't thinking about Ethan anymore -- Kate's confused --
KATE
Not letting him -- ?
But Jack is already moving for the INCLINE and begins to SLOG
his way back up --
KATE (CONT'D)
JACK!
But he's not listening. And as we CLOSE IN on him, more
INTENSE NOW than we've ever seen --
JACK
(under his breath)
Not again.
And the sounds of the jungle -- and Jack's breathing -- begin
to drop out as --
SHEPHARD (O.S.)
- at which time the patient went
into cardiac arrest -
30
30 INT. HOSPITAL - CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY - F L A S H B A C K
FLASHBACK
The INSANITY of the jungle is replaced by the quiet austerity
of a HOSPITAL CONFERENCE ROOM as we find ---
JACK. Calmly sitting at the POLISHED TABLE as his father
commands the room, addressing a group of FIVE OTHER DOCTORS --
SHEPHARD
- of course, every effort was made
to resuscitate the patient - but
the severity of her injuries and
the amount of internal bleeding
made it impossible.
Shephard looks at the members of the board, clear, decisive.
Shit -- We saw what happened and we believe him.
30 (CON T'D) 30
SHEPHARD (CONT'D)
In my professional opinion -- and
that's all I've got, gentlemen...
(somber, yet responsible)
By the time I was called in, the
damage was irreversible.
On Jack. STOIC. Can't bring himself to look at his dad...
The Board members make their final notes, exchange glances.
Finally, the HEAD DOCTOR speaks up -
HEAD DOCTOR
Thanks, Christian. Sorry about the
formality.
SHEPHARD
(shakes his head)
Of course.
Jack keeps his expression neutral - knowing that he just has
to stay still until this is over and then he can wash his
hands of the entire affair.
And that's when --
HEAD DOCTOR
Just one final detail - you were
aware of the patient's pregnancy
when you went into the procedure?
- pregnancy? Jack looks at his father, who doesn't react -
but as Shephard gives a lucid, convincing response, the look
on Jack's face indicates his distress at this revelation -
SHEPHARD
Absolutely. The patient's husband
informed the attending at the ER.
It was, however, extremely early in
the pregnancy and our primary focus
had to be on the mother.
And while the Board buys the line - we settle on JACK...
Because he DIDN'T know that.
And Jack now realizes it wasn't just a woman's life that was
destroyed. The truth is inescapable: a family's entire
future died that day -- and his eyes swell with tears as it
becomes clear why Jack has been hell bent on saving Claire:
another pregnant woman under his charge.
10/12/04 44.
30 (CON T'D) (2) 30
HEAD DOCTOR
Okay, then. I think we're done and
the final report will be filed --
JACK (O.S.)
I need to revise my statement.
And that's when everyone turns to --
JACK. And now -- as he speaks -- he IS looking at his
father. RIGHT at him.
JACK (CONT'D)
I didn't come into the OR until
well into the procedure.
SHEPHARD
Jack.
JACK
(ignores him)
I was warned by one of the nurses
that my father was operating under
the influence -
SHEPHARD
Jack. This is not--
JACK
(louder now)
By the time I got there it was
clear that my father was not only
incapacitated, but that he severed
the patient's hepatic artery, which
in my professional opinion, caused
the crisis that led to her death.
And there it is. Let it sit. Let it sink in.
And as we realize what the implications of this are going to
be -- that the career of Christian Shephard, M.D. has
officially just ended -
And so has Jack's relationship with his father.
EXT. JUNGLE - HILLTOP - DAY 31
31
Jack and Kate clear the hillside and rush into the dense
wilderness - their pace is determined - even as the foliage
around them grows thicker, blotting out the light -
31 (CON T'D) 31
- Kate leads the way - until she knocks down a large leaf and
finds herself face-to-face with -
CHARLIE'S HAND - THE "E" STILL ON HIS PINKY
- attached to the rest of Charlie -
- REVEALED hanging above them - with a noose wrapped around
his neck! And a ratty cloth BLINDFOLD covering his eyes!
KATE SCREAMS!
And before we can take in the full HORROR of all of this,
THANK FUCKING GOD --
Jack is here.
He wraps his arms around Charlie's legs, pushing him up to
get some slack on the rope, allowing him to breathe -
JACK
You have to cut the noose.
Kate pulls out one of Locke's knives, but -
KATE
- I can't reach it -
JACK
- hold him -
Kate grabs Charlie, awkwardly exchanging the knife with Jack,
but in the muddy ground, even as tall as he is, Jack can't
get to the noose with the knife -
- so he grabs a hold of Charlie again - turning to Kate -
JACK (CONT'D)
You have to cut the rope from the
tree - go!
IN QUICK CUTS:
32
32 EXT. JUNGLE - TREE - DAY
- Kate climbs the slippery trunk - her foot slips - she
slides down, until she grabs onto a branch - barely hanging
on while -
JACK
32 (CON T'D) 32
- struggles to keep Charlie up above the rope choking him,
but the mud and rain make it tremendously difficult -
JACK
Just hold on, Charlie - hold on!
- as Jack wages his battle to keep Charlie breathing -
KATE
- launches herself onto a branch - she can see the rope, a
white line dead ahead - as she moves, drawing the knife -
JACK
- he loses his grasp on Charlie, his feet sliding on the
muddy earth - then - as Jack picks him back up -
KATE
- finally reaches the end of the branch - she holds out the
knife - but the rope is just out of arm's length.
Kate tries to marshal her anger and frustration - she holds
on to another branch - arches her body forward and -
- SLASHES through the rope with the knife!
JACK
- falls to the ground, breaking Charlie's fall. Scrambling
to his knees, Jack lays Charlie out, PULLS OFF THE BLINDFOLD
as Kate descends from the tree and hurries over.
Jack checks for vital signs - but Charlie's body is inert,
limp, his eyes are shut - his lips are blue -
JACK (CONT'D)
He's not breathing.
- and a look of dread plays across Kate's face - an
uncontrollable emotional response to the blunt truth staring
her in the eye -
- Charlie is dead.
But Jack has not come this far to let it go. He tilts
Charlie's head back to unblock the airway - still not
breathing - Jack breathes into Charlie's mouth -
- nothing - without hesitation, Jack rips into Charlie's
shirt and starts compressions -
32 (CON T'D) (2) 32
Jack breathes into Charlie's mouth again - nothing - He
resumes compressions -
JACK (CONT'D)
Come on... come on...
- Kate just stands there, helpless, in SHOCK --
JACK (CONT'D)
Come on... breathe...
- Jack puts his ear to Charlie's MOUTH -- NOTHING -- Tilts
Charlie's head back -- BREATHES IN TO IT -- Back to
compressions -- his eyes absolutely fucking DESPERATE -
- and Kate breaks into sobs beside him -
JACK (CONT'D)
Come on -- Breathe... COME IN!
- Kate struggles to choke back her tears -
KATE
He's... He's not --
But Jack SLAMS his closed fist into Charlie's chest -- AGAIN.
AGAIN. AGAIN. AGAIN.
Puts his ear to Charlie's mouth, checking for breath --
Waiting -- Waiting for something... ANYTHING --
AND SUDDENLY WE'RE WIDE --
Looking at this tableau from twenty yards away. Charlie
still. Jack bending over him. Kate standing behind them.
SILENCE.
And we just sit here for an excruciatingly long moment. Long
enough to know in our hearts...
Charlie is gone.
AND WE COME BACK IN CLOSE as --
Kate gently puts her hand on Jack's shoulder --
KATE (CONT'D)
Jack...
JACK'S EYES -- DEFEAT. SORROW. FAILURE.
32 (CON T'D) (3) 32
And just when we think it's over. That Jack has given up...
SLAM! He hits Charlie's chest again. And he screams this at
the top of his lungs -- louder than he has ever fucking
screamed in his LIFE --
JACK
COME ON!
And as he raises his fist to bring it down again...
32 (CON T'D) (4) 32
- Charlie shoots up with a GASP, taking his first breath in
minutes.
Kate bursts into tears, scooping Charlie up in her arms as he
sputters his way back to life. Jack leans back, looking up -
until Kate puts her hand on his shoulder -
- Jack turns to look at her and Charlie - battered, and still
gasping but alive - Kate smiles through her tears -
- and so does Jack, out of breath, heart and mind racing,
finally allowing himself a moment of joy after this ordeal...
...and off the three, joined in this moment of victory -
however dark the context of it may be...
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF ACT FOUR
ACT FIVE
33 - 34 OMITTED 33 - 34
INT. THE VALLEY - NIGHT 35
35
CLOSE UP on a pair of hands, weaving palm fronds together -
WIDER to REVEAL Hurley, doing the weaving - although whatever
it is that he is weaving isn't coming together very well -
WALT
That's never going to look like a
hat.
HURLEY
Who says it's a hat?
- but this conversation abruptly ends when Walt turns and
sees --
WALT
Dad!
Walt shoots to his feet and runs to the valley entrance as -
MICHAEL
-- enters with his search party. Walt races up to his dad -
and then stops --
-- because the look on Michael's face is grim: a father who
knows he is about to disappoint his son.
MICHAEL
We didn't find them, Walt.
WALT
I'm just...
(hard for him to say this)
Glad you're okay.
Michael reaches forward and takes Walt by the shoulder,
drawing him into an embrace. Then, after a moment --
MICHAEL
We the only ones back?
Walt shakes his head -- points across the valley at --
CHARLIE
35 (CON T'D) 35
-- who sits on a ledge, wrapped in a blanket. Jack and Kate
looking over him. Even from here, we can see that Charlie's
eyes are hollow, distant.
BACK TO OUR GROUP
Walt looks up at his father, concerned --
WALT
He hasn't said anything since he
came back.
35 (CON T'D) (2) 35
MICHAEL
Did they find Claire?
As Walt shoots his father a scared look -- the answer etched
on his face --
KATE
-- moves off from Jack and Charlie towards the SPRING to get
more water. Hears a VOICE --
SHANNON (O.S.)
They aren't back yet.
Kate stops. Turns to see SHANNON. Something on Shannon's
face that we are not akin to -- WORRY.
KATE
I'm sure they just made camp for
the night.
(forces a smile)
If there's anyone on this island
that your brother's gonna be safe
with, it's Locke.
And OFF SHANNON, about as sure of that as we are --
36
36 EXT. JUNGLE - NIGHT
We find LOCKE & BOONE moving through the jungle, Locke
GUIDING the way with a POWERFUL FLASHLIGHT as they SPLASH
through a small STREAM.
Boone follows a few steps behind. It's clear his earlier
bravado has been replaced by FEAR.
BOONE
Are we lost?
LOCKE
No, Boone. We're not lost.
BOONE
It's just... I don't see how you
can still be following the trail.
But Locke just POWERS on. Guided by... well, something.
BOONE (CONT'D)
I think we should go back, man.
And Locke stops. Turns to Boone --
36 (CON T'D) 36
And we're getting that old, familiar feeling. That one we
haven't felt in awhile --
That Locke KNOWS something the rest of us don't.
LOCKE
Don't you feel it?
BOONE
(confused)
Feel what?
LOCKE
It.
ON BOONE. Maybe a little CREEPED OUT by this. And Boone is
backing off now, not liking this one bit --
BOONE
Okay, John -- I'm just gonna follow
the strips back, okay?
Locke just stands there.
LOCKE
Suit yourself.
But Boone is already turning around, moving off --
LOCKE (CONT'D)
Boone!
(Boone turns --)
You need this more than I do.
Locke TOSSES him his FLASHLIGHT...
But Boone bobbles it! It slips through his hands and --
SPLASH! Ends up in the STREAM --
BOONE
Dammit!
And as Boone crouches down to pick it up, he suddenly STOPS.
Because the flashlight is illuminating something SHINY in the
stream -- about the size of a book --
A piece of metal.
Boone furrows his brow, trying to make SENSE OF THIS --
36 (CON T'D) (2) 36
BOONE (CONT'D)
Hey... John?
But Locke is already here -- crouching down next to Boone.
BOONE (CONT'D)
What is it?
Locke looks at Boone -- UNSHEATHES his biggest KNIFE...
And uses it to POKE the metal under the water. TAPS it
against the surface.
LOCKE
Steel.
BOONE
Maybe it's wreckage -- part of our
plane...
Locke uses his knife to SCRAPE away DIRT around the periphery
of the metal, REVEALING MORE METAL. We can see from Locke's
curious-but-determined expression: THIS IS NO PIECE OF THE
PLANE.
Now even Boone is doubting that it came from their jet. Even
in the darkness, it is clear that this thing is shiny,
polished, and part of something much larger.
BOONE (CONT'D)
What is that?
And we're ON LOCKE -- clearly fascinated by this thing. And
it is most definitely worthy of that fascination -- And
after a moment -- Locke looks over at Boone --
LOCKE
That's what we're going to find
out.
And OFF BOONE. OFF LOCKE. AND OFF THAT SUBMERGED METAL...
INT. THE VALLEY - A LEDGE - NIGHT 37
37
Jack sits with Charlie. GENTLY pressing on the already
PURPLING BRUISE around his neck.
JACK
That hurt?
Nothing from Charlie.
37 (CON T'D) 37
JACK (CONT'D)
You breathing okay?
Still nothing. So Jack moves in close. COMPASSIONATE. Eye
to eye with Charlie.
JACK (CONT'D)
Charlie -- You've gotta talk to me.
We're gonna go back out to look for
Claire the moment the sun's back
up, so we need your help, man --
(still nothing)
-- anything you can tell us about
what you remember... where you were
going -- did you see or hear --?
Charlie still stares dead ahead, doesn't make eye contact
with Jack. Voice HOLLOW.
CHARLIE
I didn't see anything. Hear
anything. I don't remember...
(a long beat; then)
Anything.
Charlie still stares dead ahead, doesn't make eye contact
with Jack. Voice HOLLOW.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Claire.
JACK
What?
CHARLIE
That's all they wanted.
JACK
They? I don't --
And finally, Charlie's eyes FOCUS on Jack. PAIN. SORROW.
LOSS. And as we PUSH IN --
CHARLIE
All they wanted was Claire.
CUT TO BLACK:
END OF EPISODE
LOST "All the Best..." (ALTERNATE VERSION) 10/15/04 53.
37 (CON T'D) 37
JACK (CONT'D)
You breathing okay?
Still nothing. So Jack moves in close. COMPASSIONATE. Eye
to eye with Charlie.
JACK (CONT'D)
Charlie -- You've gotta talk to me.
We're gonna go back out to look for
Claire the moment the sun's back
up, so we need your help, man --
(still nothing)
-- anything you can tell us about
what you remember... where you were
going -- did you see or hear --?
Charlie still stares dead ahead, doesn't make eye contact
with Jack. Voice HOLLOW.
CHARLIE
I didn't see anything. Hear
anything. I don't remember...
(a long beat; then)
Anything.
Charlie still stares dead ahead, doesn't make eye contact
with Jack. Voice HOLLOW.
CHARLIE (CONT'D)
Claire.
JACK
What?
CHARLIE
That's all he wanted.
JACK
I don't --
And finally, Charlie's eyes FOCUS on Jack. PAIN. SORROW.
LOSS. And as we PUSH IN --
CHARLIE
All he wanted was Claire.
CUT TO BLACK:
THE END
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