Chapter 4 (The Wrath of Francis)

Chapter 4 (The Wrath of Francis) is the fourth chapter of The Clearwood Murders: Episode I - The Wrath of Francis and the fourth chapter of the overall Clearwood series. It is currently being written by Donald Newton. This chapter will be published on May 9, 2020.

Plot
As Lorraine struggles with her relationship, past feelings for someone else furthers her conflict. Meanwhile, Andrew and Scott tests the waters of their groups merging into one. Will it succeed or fail?

Full Chapter
INT. LORRAINE'S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Lorraine and her boyfriend, KEITH CURTIS (19), are making out on her bed. Lorraine stops and from the look on her face, Keith knows that something is wrong.

KEITH: What's wrong, Babe?

Lorraine takes a moment as she hesitates to speak.

LORRAINE: I have something that I have to confess.

Keith is now curious.

KEITH: What is it, Lorraine?

LORRAINE: Yesterday after you left...I did something.

KEITH: What?

Lorraine continues to hesitate and delays her confession.

LORRAINE: I...I...I found a twenty that fell out of your wallet. I used it to get a pack of cigarettes. I know I shouldn't have.

Keith sighs in relief, thinking it was something serious.

LORRAINE: I'm sorry, baby. I needed the money.

KEITH: Baby. That's nothing. I wouldn't have noticed. You can just tell me if you need money and I'll give it to you.

Keith kisses her. But Lorraine is still emotional. She just lied to her boyfriend. She is too afraid to confess that she slept with another man. To get her mind off of it, she grabs Keith and gets hot and heavy with him. They proceed to remove their clothes.

INT. BASEMENT

Andrew, Alice, Cassie, Oscar, and Jeremy are all sitting in the basement and watching TV. Alice is sitting on Andrew's lap, Oscar is sitting by them with Cassie sitting on floor between his legs. Jeremy is sitting on a chair to Andrew's right. There is an empty chair on Oscar's left nearby Cassie.

Suddenly, the basement door (leading to outside) opens and walking in is -- MELINA. Cassie is very excited to see her.

CASSIE: You made it.

MELINA: Yeah. Thanks for inviting me. I thought I was lost.

Cassie points to the empty chair, signaling for Melina to sit there, which she does.

CASSIE: (pointing at each person) This is Andrew, whose basement we're in. This is his girlfriend Alice, my boyfriend Oscar, and Jeremy.

MELINA: Hello, everyone. It's nice to meet all of you.

ALICE: It's nice to meet you.

ANDREW: So glad you could come to my little hangout party.

MELINA: So this is everyone?

CASSIE: Actually...we're expecting a little bit more.

The basement door opens and entering is Scott, Iris, Chuck, and Cheri. Andrew gets up and approaches Scott. He offers his hand up to him, which Scott takes. This leads to a bro hug betwen the two friends. They give each other an emotional smile. Then Andrew turns to Scott's friends behind him.

ANDREW: Come on in and meet the rest of the group.

Iris, Chuck, and Cheri come forward to shake Andrew's hand -- meeting him for the first time. Then they move to Andrew's friends, where they are warmly welcomed by everyone. Scott turns to Melina, who looks up at him with a smile.

SCOTT: Hey.

MELINA: Hey.

SCOTT: Scott Lane.

MELINA: Melina Glover.

Melina offers her hand to Scott. But rather than shaking her hand, Scott takes her hand and kisses it. Melina smiles over this. She is already beginning to like him.

Chuck and Cheri meet Cassie and Oscar. When Oscar and Chuck shake hands, Oscar senses a familiar stench on him.

OSCAR: Weed?

CHUCK: Yeah. Sorry, dude. I just lit one up before coming in. I'm sure you don't...

OSCAR: I love weed, man.

CHUCK: (surprised) Really?

OSCAR: Whenever my brother leaves the house, I will often steal some. But just enough that he doesn't notice. I so wish I can smoke some pot now.

CHUCK: Well...

Chuck pulls out a brown paper bag, indicating that he has pot inside.

OSCAR: NO!

CHUCK: Yes. Would you like?

OSCAR: So badly.

ALICE: I'd like some of that, too.

ANDREW: You smoke pot?

ALICE: Not really. But I wouldn't mind.

ANDREW: It's been a while for me.

CASSIE: I suppose I can try it, too.

MELINA: I'll have some if there's enough.

CHUCK: There is plenty for everyone to go around.

CUT TO:

INT. BASEMENT - MOMENTS LATER

The entire basement is filled with smoke. The only thing that you could see clearly is the entire group together. Everyone is sitting around as a pipe and a lighter is passed around to everyone. Everyone is smoking the weed. Even the nerdy goody good girl Iris is high off her ass.

IRIS: I am so hungry.

MELINA: Me, too.

JEREMY: I just ate a big dinner before coming here...and I'm hungry again.

SCOTT: I can get some snacks.

ANDREW: Please do.

Scott gets up and goes upstairs. Meanwhile, the others continue to smoke the weed.

INT. KITCHEN

Scott raids the kitchen for snacks and drinks.

LORRAINE: (off screen) Hey, Scott.

Scott turns around to find Lorraine standing by the entryway between the kitchen and the dining room. Something inside hits him. He has been trying for so long to get rid of the feelings that he has had for her. She was his first crush. His first love. But then he found out about her being a whore, which became one of many reasons why he doesn't believe in love. However, seeing her again brings back some old feelings.

SCOTT: Hey, Lorraine. What's up?

LORRAINE: Nothing much. Just hanging out.

SCOTT: Me, too.

LORRAINE: I'm glad to see you and Andrew are friends again.

SCOTT: (surprised) You actually care?

LORRAINE: Yes. I know I've been a bitch. I know you and I seemed to never get along.

SCOTT: We hate each other.

LORRAINE: Do we? I don't hate you. Do you hate me?

Scott is uncertain how to respond. Sure, he's had to pretend to hate her. She is a bitch and a whore. But does he really hate her? It's obvious that she's been pretending to hate him. But she never did.

SCOTT: No. I don't.

Lorraine gives him a genuine smile. The first genuine smile out of her. It's clear now that Lorraine actually has feelings for Scott. Not just another guy to date or sleep with. But she has actual true genuine feelings for him. Maybe deep down, Scott still does too. They never hooked up. But they've crushed on each other from afar. They never ever let each other know it. But they knew just by their eyes.

KEITH: (off screen) You coming?

Lorraine turns her head towards Keith off screen.

LORRAINE: Be right there! (Turns back to Scott) That's my boyfriend. I'll see you later.

SCOTT: See ya.

Lorraine and Scott glance at each other one last time. It's almost like for this single second they could have each other before reality comes back. Lorraine walks away. Scott sighs. It bothers him to know that he has feelings for someone that he doesn't believe he can be with. They both have different personalities, lifestyle, and interest that wouldn't make them compatible.

EXT. CARTER RESIDENCE - NIGHT

Lorraine and Keith are standing by the driveway next to his car and making out.

KEITH: See you tomorrow?

LORRAINE: I hope so.

They continue kissing.

KEITH: I'll text you when I get home.

LORRAINE: Okay.

They continue kissing as Keith opens his car door to get in.

KEITH: Love you.

LORRAINE: I love you, too.

They kiss one last time before Keith gets in.

LORRAINE: (as Keith gets in his car) Bye.

Keith proceeds to back out of the driveway as Lorraine stands there and waves to him. He drives away. She stands there for a moment before walking back inside the house.

Deaths
None.

Trivia

 * First appearance of Keith Curtis.
 * First chapter where Scott and Lorraine interact.
 * It's heavily implied that Scott and Lorraine have feelings for each other but are not showing it to each other.