**Quick note. This is just an idea I've had for a while about how Season 3 could've started. I only saw well into the process that scripts are frowned upon here. I apologize if anyone objects. That said, considering the material that inspires this particular piece, I think a script is somewhat fitting. Regardless, the formatting was such a hassle that, if I do write anything again, it won't be in this format. It should also be noted that the format itself isn't to the letter, either. I just find it to be a little more palatable to the average reader. I hope anyone who reads it enjoys it. I'm not sure it's really necessary, but I obviously have no affiliation with the show. I don't know if/when this edit will show up, but thanks for the kind words and taking a second out to read this. Thank you much.**
Jess
Turn left.
Nick
No, I'm going to make three rights.
Jess
No, Nick, just turn left.
Nick
No, it's slower my way.
Jess
Why would you wanna go slower?!
["90 seconds later…" appears across the screen. Ext., night.Aerial view of what appears to be a large traffic jam. Unmoving cars line the two lane road. We pull into Jess' car, Nick in the driver's seat, Jess riding shotgun.]
Nick
(Smiling, shaking his head, reluctantly amused)
Go ahead and say it, Jess. Just go ahead.
Jess
(Feigning ignorance.)
Say what, Nick?
Nick
You were right, I was wrong. I should've just turned left.
Jess
I think I see plenty of 'I told you sos' in the future, Nick. No need to waste one on something like this.
Nick
(Nods, smiling to himself)
Oh now, is that a fact?
Jess
Besides, you said you wanted your way to be longer.
(She gives a tiny salute)
Mission accomplished.
(They share a mild laugh.)
Nick
Not exactly what I had in mind, but thanks for understanding.
(They continue laughing softly until silence takes over. After a brief pause:)
Jess
Hey Nick. Where are we going anyway?
Nick
(Eyes glued to the cars in front of him.)
Well, judging by our current situation, I'd have to go with 'nowhere'.
(He turns to Jess with a smile, shaking off his frustration.)
But I didn't really have a place in mind. I just wanted to… you know… get away. Somewhere, anywhere. With you. Alone.
Jess
(Smiling, taken aback a bit.)
I see. Well, this may not be where you had in mind… or didn't have in mind… but I'd say this counts as both 'somewhere' and 'anywhere'.
(Jess shifts in her seat, leaning towards Nick. He puts his hand on her knee, and she covers it with her own.)
Nick
Well then. I suppose I could…
(Making air quotes with his free hand)
…"think" of "something" that we could do in this particular "somewhere" or 'anywhere'.
(Jess scrunches up her face.)
Nick
Yeah, no, I'll just go ahead and stop that right this second.
(He turns away, shaking his head, embarrassed.)
Jess
(Nervously fumbling with Nick's fingers with her own.)
Hey… do you think we should maybe… I dunno. Talk about some things? Like…. Maybe… this thing?
Nick
What, the Volvo? Fine German craftsmanship, Jess.
Jess
Think it's Swedish, actually….
Nick
(Continuing)
How many miles you got on this thing anyway? Still running like a top….
(Jess blinks, unamused)
No, okay I get it. You're right. We should talk about this.
(He looks down at their joined hands.)
I want to talk about this. I think we should find a quiet place where can sit down and have a nice, honest, long…
Jess
Schmidt.
Nick
(Confused.)
Well, that is just not what I was going to say at all.
Jess
(Looking past Nick and out the driver's window behind him. She sighs and shuts her eyes and nods towards the window.)
No, Schmidt.
(Nick slowly turns and looks out his window to see a very flustered Schmidt running towards the car. As Schmidt navigates the stalled vehicles, Nick looks to Jess, then down at their hands. He wrinkles his brow, clenches his face, and nods.)
Nick
Makes sense.
Schmidt
Jess! Nick! Thank God! Is it open?
(He tries the back door, slides in the back seat and shuts the door behind him.)
Jess
(Sharing a disappointed glance with Nick.)
Hey, Schmidt. What brings you into the backseat of my car at this astonishingly inopportune time?
Schmidt
(Keeping his head low from the backseat)
Hey there, Jess. Sup, Nick. I was just, uh, looking for you guys. Didn't really get in that 'quality hang' I was hoping to at the wedding. Crazy day, huh? Say, do you two have any interest in a quick trip to Mexico (pronounced Meh-ee-co)?
(Schmidt reaches forward and pats Nick on the shoulder.)
Get you one of the woven ponchos you used to like so much, pal. Or, or maybe we could just see what's rolling over at Disneyland? You know it has been ages since I've been on Space Mountain. I dunno, though. Might be kind of late this evening. Maybe we could just take a nice ride up Mulholland. Beautiful night for it, don't…..
(Nick drops Jess' hands and starts rubbing his temples. She looks at him and frowns as Schmidt continues prattling on in the backseat. She then supportively pats Nick on the arm.)
Nick
(To himself)
Yep. Couldn't have just turned left…?
{Cue fake birds and round, batted, blue eyes:
Who's that girl? Etc. }
[Ext., night. Jess' car, stuck in traffic. Nick and Jess in the front, Schmidt ducking down in the back.]
Schmidt
(Continuing)
…or Nick, we could go grab a taco out of one of those woefully unsanitary trucks you love so much. Or Jess, when was the last time…
Jess
Hey Schmidt. How 'bout you tell us where you want to go. Where can we take you?
Nick
(Smiling insincerely)
More importantly, where can we leave you?
Jess
What Nick's trying to say is, the two of us, me and Nick that is, we sort of have plans. Like, one on one… stuff.
Schmidt
Don't tell me you guys are still on about this nonsense. Because let me tell you, friends do not make good bedfellows.
(Schmidt stops and looks up, thinking.)
Well, actually they can make magical, spine tingling, bone bending, toe curling…
Nick
(Cringing)
Think we got it, Schmidt.
Schmidt
This one time with Cece… I literally couldn't taste the difference between salty and savory food for like… three days after…
Jess
What happened, Schmidt? And just so we're clear, I mean what happened tonight.
Schmidt
(Shifting his eyes, looking uncomfortable.)
All the things Cece said up there, the stuff about wanting to be with someone else. She said she was talking about me.
Jess
She told you this.
Schmidt
Yes. And right in front of Elizabeth.
Jess
And what did you say? Wait. What did you do?
Nick
Clearly he ran.
Jess
What? Schmidt! What is wrong with you?
Schmidt
I don't know, I panicked. It was a very stressful situation.
Jess
And you just left them? Both of them? I have to call Cece.
(She reaches into her purse to retrieve her phone.)
Sorry Nick, I…. crap.
(Jess reads a text from her phone, and looks apologetically at Nick.)
It's from my Dad. He's at the loft. I totally forgot was supposed to take him to catch his flight tonight.
Nick
(Crestfallen.)
Excellent news.
Jess
I'm sorry, I should really go get him.
(Looking at Schmidt)
We can unload him while we're at it.
Schmidt
Wait a second, I left Cece and Elizabeth alone together. They could be going at it as we speak. I mean, those are not two ladies that are likely to stand down.
(A small smile starts to spread over his face as he talks.)
I can see it now. The yelling the screaming. They'll be at each other's throats. Things could even get physical.
[Cut to Int. of the wedding venue. Servers and workers are seen cleaning up the mess, clearing off unused table settings. Cece and Elizabeth approach the bar together and take a seat.]
Elizabeth
(To the bartender)
Bourbon, straight up.
Cece
Vodka Martini, dirty.
Cece
(Turning to Elizabeth.)
Scale of 1-10, how surprising is it that he ran?
Elizabeth
I'd go an even 3. I drove, so I'm not sure where he thinks he's going.
Cece
Well, to be fair, it's not like he saw it coming.
(Cece purses her lips and looks down.)
I really am sorry, Elizabeth. This is in no way personal. Obviously, I don't even know you.
Elizabeth
It's okay. It's not like you're the one that set Tweedle Dumb and Dumber loose with a badger in the air ducts.
(The bartender arrives with their drinks. Elizabeth fumbles with her purse.)
Cece
Don't sweat it. It's already taken care of, remember?
Elizabeth
Right. Almost forgot I'm getting in some quality one on one with the happy bride right now.
(Elizabeth raiser her bourbon and quickly slugs it back.)
Now if you'll excuse me…
Cece
Look, Elizabeth…
Elizabeth
We're good, Cece. I've got no ill will here. But that this isn't something I want to pow wow with you about. Besides, we both know where this is headed.
Cece
(Blinks her eyes, surprised.)
I don't know what…
Elizabeth
I'm not an idiot. I mean… look at you. And then look at me. I've had a great few weeks with Schmidt, but… we both know who he is choosing. Goodbye, Cece.
(Elizabeth walks off, leaving Cece to stare at her drink. She gives it a stir, takes a sip, and then slowly pushes it away, disinterested. She gets up and starts to walk the length of the bar. A pair of EMTs hurriedly brush by her.)
EMT 1
Well, that's a first.
EMT 2
What, are you new or something?
(As Cece registers what she just heard, she takes a few more steps before she notices a newly bandaged Winston sitting at the bar. He stands as she approaches.)
Cece
Winston, what happened to…?
Winston
Hey, Cece. Bucky bit me. It was pretty touch and go for a while, but the doctors think I'll pull through.
Cece
The EMTs had more important things to do?
Winston
Yep. That what they said anyway. They were good enough to bandage me up a bit, though the bleeding had mostly stopped by the time they got here. Apparently the mascot for a major college athletic program comes with a full complement of shots and vaccines, so I had nothing to sweat.
(Looking hard at Cece.)
Or do I?
Cece
No. Don't get me wrong, I should break you damn nose. But this… this wasn't right. It shouldn't have gotten this far. And that's my fault. If Jess and Nick… and… Bucky... hadn't come crashing down and ended things, I would have.
Winston
Well, I'm glad you aren't mad.
Cece
Oh I'm plenty mad. This was so not cool.
Winston
Well, I'm glad you aren't going to break my nose, then. Look, Cece, for what it's worth, I'm sorry. I don't know why I got caught up in it. I didn't think we'd ever actually succeed in ruining the wedding.
Cece
You didn't think dropping a badger on the priest would ruin things?
Winston
Yeah, that sounds pretty bad. But I can't properly explain how terrible I am at pranks. My judgment is just way, waaay off.
(They stand in silence for a moment. Cece looks back towards where she was sitting with Elizabeth, then returns her attention to Winston.)
Cece
Hey, are you going back to the loft?
Winston
Probably, yeah. I'm pretty beat. Plus, I'm pretty sure kidnapping Bucky may have some legal implications I hadn't fully considered beforehand.
Cece
Did you drive here?
Winston
No, I came with Nick and Jess. And something tells me they left together a while ago.
Cece
Of course they did. So you need a ride?
(Winston shrugs and nods)
Good. We can take my limo.
[Exterior, loft. We quickly jump to the Int., elevator where we join Jess, Nick, and Schmidt as they head up to the loft. Schmitt furiously presses the button over and over.]
Nick
Think you got it, pal.
Jess
Schmidt, do you have to pee or something? What's wrong with you?
Schmidt
I just, I gotta change and then… I don't know, just go.
Nick
Why?
Jess
Go where?
Schmidt
They could be coming for me and I need time to think.
(The elevator pings, the doors open, and they start to get out of the elevator.)
Even if I knew I wouldn't tell you, Jess, because you'd just tell Cece. And Nick, well, Elizabeth would crack you in seconds.
Jess
You're not wrong.
Nick
Valid reasoning.
(Nick grabs Schmidt by the shoulder and looks at him sincerely.)
Schmidt, you just gotta figure out what it is that you want, and then tell Cece… or Elizabeth… how you feel. It's really pretty simple.
Jess
(Coughing.)
Really Nick? Just 'tell her how you feel'? It's 'pretty simple'?
(Schmidt goes to unlock the door as Jess stares at Nick, somewhat exasperated. Nick is oblivious and confused.)
Nick
Yeah. Seems pretty simple.
(Jess just shakes her head and roll her eyes.)
What?
(Just as Schmidt goes to turn the key, the door flies open from the inside. Bob stands on the other side, having changed from this wedding suit to khakis and a checkered button down.)
Bob
A-ha, there you are. Finally.
(Schmidt wordlessly squeezes by Bob and rushes off to his room.)
What's Smith's problem? And where have you been? My flight leaves at Midnight, that's less than two hours!
(Jess quickly walks into the loft, followed by Bob, both trailed slowly by Nick.)
Jess
Dad, I'm sorry. There was traffic, and we had to pick up Schmidt, and…
Bob
(Turns and stares at Nick.)
…wait for Animal Control to arrive? Maybe a quick stop to bail this one out of jail?
(Nick just sighs heavily and looks to the floor. Jess slams her purse on the table by the door, and sternly turns to her father.)
Jess
That's enough, Dad. It's been a long day, and… and we don't have time for this. I'm going to change, and then we can take you to the airport.
Nick and Bob
We?!
Jess
Yeah, Dad. We. And Nick, we have to finish what we started in the car. Give me two minutes.
(Jess steps into her room and shuts the door behind her.)
Bob
'What we started in the car'? I think I need to sit down.
Nick
Relax, Bob, it's nothing like… whatever you're thinking.
Bob
Well thank God for small favors.
Nick
Look, I know you don't like me…
Bob
It's not that I don't like you, son. I just don't like you for my little girl. I mean two days into this little thing with you and you've got her tumbling out of air vents with a live badger.
(Nick again looks to the floor as his breathing becomes heavier.)
You're just no good for her. What are you? 30, 32? She needs somebody with a future. Somebody who she can depend on. Not someone… like you… not someone like me.
(Nick looks at Bob with a degree of understanding, and exhales slowly and deeply.)
You are a nice kid, Nick. But you have to do a lot of growing up. And if you think I'm going to let my little girl waste the prime of her life… It's just not happening if I have any say. And if you think I'm gonna go easy on you because you 'mean well' or because we had a few laughs, you can just forget it. If you think I'm going to let up…
Nick
(Stepping up to Bob until they are about a foot apart.)
Don't you ever let up, Bob. Not ever. Not with me, not with anyone who might come after me.
(Nick puts his hands to his head and briefly massages his temples with the palms of his hands while backing away.)
Not good enough? You think I don't know that Bob?
(Bob raises his eyebrows, intrigued.)
I work at a bar. I drink in the afternoons… weekday afternoons. I haven't bought a new shirt in over 4 years. I have a degree that is completely going to waste. And I'll bet not one of my friends even know what I majored in. So, yeah. I've gotta grow up. And you can't ever let me forget that.
(Jess's door open and she steps out having changed from her sari into jeans and a light blue sweater. She senses the awkwardness and her eyes dart back and forth between Nick and Bob.)
Jess
What's going on? Nick?
(Nick turns to Jess and softly grabs her elbow.)
Hey Jess, I gotta go. You take your Dad to the airport, and I'll find you later.
Jess
Nick? Wait.
Nick
No, Jess. It's fine. We're fine. I just… I gotta… I promise, we'll talk. Okay?
Jess
Well I don't really have a choice, do I?
(They look sadly at each other for a moment as Nick slides his hand from her elbow to her hand, grabbing it and giving it a gentle squeeze before smiling and letting go.)
Nick
We will talk. I promise.
(Nick leaves and shuts the door behind him. Jess stands, stunned, and slowly turns to her dad.)
Jess
Dad? What did you say to him? What did you do?
Bob
Jess, nothing! We were just talking. I didn't…
(Schmidt appears from his room, dressed head to toe in black, carrying a black back pack. He crosses the room and heads for the front door.)
Schmidt
Okay Jess, I gotta run. I may be gone for a few days. Don't try to find me, because you will fail. I will call when I can. Tell Winston and Nick I love them. God speed.
(Schmidt exits the apartment.)
Bob
These are your roommates?
Jess
Don't change the subject. What happened?
Bob
I'm telling you nothing happened. Mostly nothing. Almost nothing.
Jess
Dad…
Bob
Look, Jess. I don't doubt that Nick is a good guy, and I know he thinks the last thing he would ever, ever do is hurt you. But, honey, I'm telling you… as someone who knows…. Intentions …they aren't always enough.
(Jess stares back intently, blinking away the tears that have started to well up in her eyes. She wipes the moisture away with the heel of her hand and picks up her purse from the table.)
Jess
(Very softly.)
We should get going. Don't want you to miss your flight.
(As she turns towards the door, it swings open and Winston walks in, followed by Cece. Jess notes the bandages on Winston's arm, and steps back in surprise.)
Jess
Oh my God, Winston! What happened? Cece, what are you doing here?
Winston
Bucky took a bite. I don't like badgers that much anymore.
(He looks meekly at Cece before turning and walking towards his room.)
Guess I got what I deserved.
Jess
What?
(Turning to Cece.)
What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with your family? Getting, you know… the guilt trip of all guilt trips?
Cece
As much as I'm looking forward to that, I was hoping to get something settled tonight. I don't suppose Schmidt's around, by any chance?
Jess
You just missed him. He didn't say where he was going. I'm sorry.
Cece
No need to be. He can't run forever.
(Turning to Bob and smiling.)
Sorry for making you come out for nothing, Mr. Day. And sorry you had to dodge a ticked off badger.
Bob
I'm sorry too, honey. Are you okay? Is there anything I can do?
Cece
Thanks, but… I don't think it's something that can be fixed just like that.
(Cece looks down and notes Bob's bag.)
You guys going somewhere?
Jess
(Looking at Bob sternly.)
He's leaving before he does any more damage.
(Then back to Cece.)
I'm sorry, we were just out the door. I've got to get him to the airport, tout suite.
Cece
Actually, I've got the limo if you guys want to use it? Booked for the night, and I'm not going to be needing it.
Jess
Hmm. That might work.
(She grabs her phone from her purse and starts typing away.)
Dad, you can take the limo. I'm going to try to find Nick.
Cece
Nick's missing?
Bob
He's not missing, he just left.
Jess
In a hurry, because of Dad.
(Jess holds the phone to her ear. After a few seconds, and faint ringing comes from the end of the hall. After a few moments, Winston emerges, holding Nick's phone.)
Winston
I... uh…guess I forgot to give this back to him.
Jess
Why do you have Nick's phone?
Winston
I took it from him in the ducts. It just started ringing, and I sort of panicked.
Jess
You were toting a live badger, but a ringing phone made you panic?
Winston
Yeah, well, I was in the zone. Nick was having second thoughts. I knew he was never really on board with the sabotage. I thought he was trying to stop me. And… I should have let him.
(Jess and Cece shake their heads. Bob's face falls a little, and he fusses with the handle on his bag.)
Wait, where is Nick? Why isn't he here with you? And where's Schmidt?
Jess
(Glaring at Bob.)
Nick left, probably because he got tired of hearing what a loser he is. Schmidt took off, too. Dressed all in black, like he was ready to rob a bank or something.
Winston
Been an eventful day, I guess.
Jess
Cece, is that offer for the limo still good? Is it just downstairs?
Cece
Yeah, but…
Jess
Good.
(Turning to Bob.)
Well Dad, you'd better get going.
(Winston and Cece look at each other uncomfortably.)
Cece
Jess…
Jess
I know, Cece, I know what you're going to say, but I have to find Nick.
Bob
Jess, let's not do it like this. Can't you just take me to the airport? I don't want to leave like this.
Jess
Dad…
Cece
Jess, he's right. Nick doesn't have his phone anyway. You aren't going to find him if he don't want to be found.
(Cece puts her arm around Jess and turns her to face Bob.)
And you do not want to say goodbye like this. When are you two going to see each other again? 6 months? A year?
Bob
(Looks pleadingly at Jess.)
Come on, kiddo. We can talk about some things. You can… I dunno… ease my mind about Nick.
(Jess looks reluctant, but she is clearly being swayed.)
Cece
Look, I need to go home and face the music anyway. I'm on the way. We'll all go, you can drop me off, and then go to the airport and… figure things out. Sound good?
Jess
I suppose…
Bob
(Relieved.)
Thank you, Cece. And thank you, Jess.
(Jess forces a smile, and Bob picks up his bag. Cece gives Jess a side hug as the all exit the loft, leaving Winston behind.)
Winston
Rob a bank, eh?
[Ext., roof of the loft. Winston comes through the door and starts looking about.]
Winston
Schmidt? Hey, Schmidt. I know you're up here. Everyone's gone now, it's just you and me. You can come out now.
Schmidt
(Still unseen by Winston.)
For God's sake, Winston, keep your voice down. It will hear you.
Winston
Look, Schmidt, it can hear you, too. And it can see you. Dammit, Schmidt, cats can see in the dark. It's kind of their thing, you aren't fooling anybody.
(Schmidt emerges from the shadows.)
Schmidt
Wait, what? They can? We need to get out of here then.
(Schmidt quickly moves towards Winston on the way to the door. Winston grabs his arm and stops him.)
Winston
Schmidt, calm down. It's just a cat. It's harmless.
Schmidt
You don't know that, Winston. You don't know that at all. He's out there, watching us with his night vision superpowers. We've got to go, Winston!
Winston
How long you been up here, man?
Schmidt
I can't say for sure. At least a couple hours probably.
Winston
It's not even 11 Schmidt.
Schmidt
Well then, you see…. Wait, what?
(Schmidt checks his watch.)
I've only been up here… 22 minutes. Man. Time flies when it's just you and your wits vs. nature and all manner of her unknown beasts.
Winston
Stop it. Just stop. It's a cat. This time of night, he'd probably just out rummaging for food. Maybe even chasing a little tail. He ain't worried about you.
Schmidt
You think?
(Winston lets go of Schmidt's arm, sensing he has relaxed some.)
Winston
Yeah, Schmidt. I think.
Schmidt
Since when do you know so much about cats?
Winston
Daisy has one. Cute little guy.
Schmidt
Oh yeah?
Winston
Yeah. Though, sometimes he just stares at me.
Schmidt
Stares at you doing what?
Winston
Nothing, man. Absolutely nothing. He just stares.
Schmidt
(Making a disgusted face.)
Eesh. That's creepy.
Winston
Yeah… yeah. It is kind of creepy.
(Shaking his head.)
Anyway Schmidt. You wanna talk about it.
Schmidt
I don't know.
Winston
Might make you feel better? Get some things off your chest?
Schmidt
I just don't know.
Winston
Well, if you don't want to talk about it, we don't have to.
Schmidt
I'm saying, Winston, I don't know.
Winston
No pressure, man. You don't have to divulge your master plan. Just thought it might make you feel a little…
Schmidt
You're not hearing me. I… don't…know. I honestly don't know. I don't know what I'm going to do, and I don't know who I'm going to choose. I just… don't know.
Winston
(Taking Schmidt in with a look of understanding.)
Okay. I hear you. You don't have to make up your mind tonight. But you know I'm here if you need to talk.
(Winston slaps Schmidt on the shoulder, and Schmidt reciprocates.)
Schmidt
Thanks, man.
Winston
Hey listen, it's gonna get cold pretty soon. What say we just go downstairs and… I dunno… not think about anything? Maybe fire up a little Tony Hawk or something.
Schmidt
What, is it 1999?
(They continue bickering as they enter the building and the door closes behind them.)
[We see a limo parked in a line of cars at the airport under a sign that reads 'Departures'. Bob and Jess emerge and stand by the limo.]
Bob
Well, Jess. It was… fun?
(Jess just stares.)
Bob
You can't stay mad at me forever. I could feel you starting to soften on the ride over.
Jess
That was just the complimentary champagne talking. Didn't want it to go to waste… like the rest of this night.
Bob
Guess I'll take what I can get.
(Bob sighs deeply, and goes to say something, and then stops, pauses and speaks.)
Look, Jess. I wish I could trust him, I do. But I just know how I was at his age, and I'm just not sure he's ready.
Jess
Okay, Dad. You've made your opinion very clear. Have a safe trip.
(Jess turns to get into the limo.)
Bob
Jess, wait. I wasn't done.
(Jess stop, turns, and looks expectantly at Bob, arms folded.)
He might not be… exactly be like me. It's possible he's… thinking about the things he needs to be thinking about. And maybe he's closer than I thought. And besides, even if I can't bring myself to trust him with my little girl's heart just yet… I can trust my little girl to take care of herself.
(Jess begrudgingly tries to hide a small smile that escapes.)
And while he will never be good enough for you, I guess I have to just get used to the fact that nobody will be. Ever. Not in my eyes.
(Jess sighs, and goes to give Bob a hug. They hug for a good while, both of them obviously relieved.)
Bob
And besides, look how wrong I was about Wilson. To think, he was the mastermind behind the whole Badger-bombing.
(They both laugh as they break their embrace.)
Jess
You should go, you'll be late.
Bob
I'm going, I'm going. I know you've got places to be…
(Bob picks up his bag.)
…people to find… Listen, Jess. When you see Nick, tell him… tell him what we talked about earlier… he doesn't have to worry. I'm never going to stop.
Jess
What?
Bob
He'll know what I mean. I love you, honey. You take care of yourself.
Jess
I love you too, Dad.
(Jess watches Bob enter the airport before she gets back into the limo. She shuts the door and exhales. The driver, an older white haired man of a kindly disposition, glances in the mirror.)
Driver
Where to now, young lady?
Jess
Oh, just back to the loft I guess.
Driver
Yes, ma'am.
(Jess sniffs and slouches further into her seat. She reaches for her purse and retrieves her phone. She pulls it out and sees she has a message. She looks at the message, and we see what she sees:
Unknown Caller:
It's Nick, I'll be at the bar until I hear from you...
(Jess cracks a smile and puts her phone away. She sits up and waves to the driver.)
Jess
Change of plans, good sir.
[Ext. Nick's bar, we see the limo drive away. We go inside where the bar is still mostly dark, just a few track lights turned on. Jess enters as Nick approaches. He has taken off his tie and further loosened his shirt.]
Nick
(Cautiously.)
Hey.
Jess
Hey.
Nick
Glad you got my message. Winston's got my phone I think. There were a few phones in the lost and found, but most of them were dead. The one I used was almost dead, too. Wasn't sure the message would get to you.
Jess
Well, it did. Here I am.
Nick
Here you are.
Jess
And why am I here, exactly?
Nick
Because here I can do this.
(Nick walks past Jess, pulls a set of keys from his pocket and locks the door.)
Nick
See. Now it's just you and me. No idiot roommates, no interruptions…
Jess
No nosy Dads… Nick… you know I don't care what he thinks, right? You know what he thinks of you, and what I think of you…. They just aren't the same. I mean, he doesn't know you. I know you.
(Jess smiles and takes Nick's hands. He smiles back and guides her towards a round booth where he has a glass of pink wine and a bottle of beer waiting for them.)
Nick
Interest you in a nightcap?
Jess
Sounds lovely.
(Out of habit, they sit with a good deal of space between them. After a moment they smile knowingly at each other and scoot towards the middle of the booth until they are hip to hip. They each pick up their drink.)
Jess
Here's to being alone.
Nick
I'll drink to that.
(They clink glasses and take a sip. The set their drinks down and Jess smiles, reaches up and caresses the back of Nick's neck.)
Nick
So. What should we do?
Jess
Oh, I could think of a few things.
(Jess smiles sweetly at Nick. A wave of relief washes over his face as she holds his head in place and slowly lifts her head towards his and gives him a single, sweet, slow kiss. They separate and smile at each other before she shifts her positioning. Nick lifts his arm as she settle into the crook, resting her head on his shoulder. They sit silently for a moment, clearly content, but clearly tired.)
Nick
So… this feels good.
Jess
This feels really good.
Nick
Jess, do you still want to… talk about things.
Jess
Well, I think we probably should…
Nick
But…?
Jess
But… it's almost 2, and it's been a long, long day.
Nick
I hear ya.
(They pause for a few moments. Jess snuggles into Nick even further before reluctantly sitting up and turning to face him.)
Jess
I've got an idea.
Nick
What's that?
Jess
One question each. Honest answers only, and 'I don't know' is not a valid response.
(Nick mulls it over for a moment.)
Nick
Okay, Jess. Let's do it. Who goes first?
Jess
Well, Nick, don't you think a little chivalry might be in order at this time of night?
Nick
Chivalry? Quit making ups words, Jess.
(Jess blinks, not biting.)
Right, right. You're right. Shoot, Jess. Anything you want to know.
(Jess nibbles her lip and squints her eyes, thinking.)
Jess
Okay, Nick. Here it goes…. Why… why did…. Why did you… kiss me that night?
(Nick shifts uncomfortably in his seat and takes a sip of his beer. He takes a long drink and clears his throat.)
Nick
I forget, will you or won't you accept 'I don't know' as an answer?
(Jess sighs, unamused.)
What? I'm joking. But… only kind of. See, at the time, I didn't know. Or at least I didn't think I knew. You know?
Jess
Nick.
Nick
Look, Jess. You were with Sam. I swear, I didn't have any designs on you.
Jess
Designs?
Nick
Yeah, designs. It's a…
(Shaking his head.)
Look, after we got behind the curtain and I started to think about kissing you… well… I started to think about it, you know? And then we had… that moment. You remember? Right before Sam showed up?
Jess
(Nods slowly, looking down.)
I remember. I was there.
Nick
Yeah. Well, that's when I realized I wanted to kiss you. It's when I realized I'd probably wanted to kiss you for some time.
(Jess can't stifle a bashful smile that spreads across her face. Nick laughs nervously, yet relieved.)
But I didn't want it to be part of some game. I wanted it to… I dunno… count. To mean something. To be something that you would… you know… remember.
(A genuine laugh escapes Jess.)
Jess
Well, job well done, Nick.
Nick
And… I know it was wrong, and I know it wasn't fair of me, and it really could've blown up in our faces. But I don't regret it. Not for a second.
Jess
(Jess takes a deep breath, and looks up at Nick, wide eyed.)
Neither do I.
(Jess returns to the crook of Nick's arm and begins to settle in again, her head on his shoulder.)
Nick
Well, I guess I know that now. And who could blame you. I mean… it was a hell of a kiss. Some of my finest work.
(Jess just sits silently with her head resting on Nick's shoulder. Her eyelids are getting heavy, and, she seems very near sleep.)
Nick
Whoa, whoa. Hey there Sleeping beauty. Don't let you hair down just yet.
Jess
You're mixing up your Fairy Tales.
Nick
Don't change the subject. What about my question?
Jess
Fire away, Nick. I'm an open book.
Nick
Jess, how many times have we played True American?
Jess
That's your question?
(Settling deeper into Nick's shoulder.)
That's a silly question.
Nick
That's not… Jess… Why did you hold up two fingers? You knew I was going to hold up two fingers, and you knew I wanted Holly to hold up two fingers. Now, I've seen you drunk before, and you didn't seem that drunk. So what gives? I mean, was it an honest mistake, or was it something… more?
(Jess' eyes open wide, suddenly alert. After a moment, she straightens up and looks Nick in the eye.)
Jess
I dunno, Nick. I…
Nick
We said no 'I don't knows'.
Jess
Okay, Nick. Fine. It was something more.
Nick
Go on.
Jess
Look, I was happy with Sam. Or at least… I thought I was. So it wasn't just some Junior High attempt to get you to kiss me.
(Mild disappointment crosses Nick's face and he takes a long sip of his beer.)
Jess
But…
Nick
(Eagerly.)
But?
Jess
But… I guess I just…it happened really fast.
Nick
What happened, Jess?
Jess
I didn't really think about it, I just sort of instinctively put my hand up. But I think it might've been because…
Nick
Because…?
Jess
(Nervously.)
Because… I didn't want you kissing her, either. If I'm honest with myself, I haven't really liked the idea of you kissing anybody… for a while now. And this time, I guess I had an opportunity to… I dunno… Stop it.
(Nick's expression changes from surprise to understanding. Jess is clearly pleased with his reaction, and she sighs, at ease. They sit silently for a few moments, looking at each other. Nick breaks the silence with a shrug and a laugh.)
Nick
Well, then. Good talk!
(Jess laughs and takes a sip of her wine.)
Jess
Good talk.
(Jess stretches her neck and yawns. She then takes Nick's hand, holds it to her chest, and snuggles into his arm again. Nick leans down and kisses her head, taking a moment to smell her hair before resting his chin on her head. Jess' eyelids get heavy again. She speaks softly.)
Jess
We should probably get going, huh. It's really late.
Nick
It is really late. We should get going. But are you in a hurry to get back to those clowns?
Jess
(Moans softly)
Nick
I mean, Winston might let it go. I don't think he's going to be thrilled about this, but I think he'll leave us alone. Schmidt, on the other hand… I don't think he's going to take it well. He could make things pretty uncomfortable if he wants to. I dunno. Hopefully this little love triangle he's stumbled into will keep him busy for a while. You know, give him something else to focus his energy on. Those gals are going to eat… him… up. Have you gotten a chance to talk to Cece yet? Jess?
(Nick looks down to see that Jess has fallen asleep. He just smiles and brushes a rogue strand of hair out of her face. He continues to look at her.)
Nick
(Softly, to himself.)
I mean…
(Nick lifts his beer and takes one last swig, finishing it off. He looks at his arm, and Jess. It's clear he's not going anywhere. He eyes Jess' pink wine, and pulls it over with his free hand. He takes a sip, and instantly grimaces. After a moment, he frowns, and goes back for another sip. This time he shrugs his acceptance, and looks back at Jess. This will do.)