Transcript: 1x10 From the Earth to the Starbucks

[jpgr]

1987

INT. GROCERY STORE, DAY

SHAWN is at the checkout wanting to buy candy bars. HENRY behind him looking through a magazine.

SHAWN:
I need 80 cents.

HENRY:
No, you don't. You need to put back two of those extra candy bars that you just picked up.

SHAWN:
Dad, you don't understand. I can't put back one of these. That'd be like saying that one of these candy bars is less worthy than the others. And I can't play those kinds of favorites.

HENRY:
All right, fine enjoy your dilemma. In the meantime, don't drag Gus into it.

GUS:
Thanks, Mr. Spencer.

HENRY:
No problem.

SHAWN:
Switch places with me.

GUS:
No.

SHAWN:
Why not?

GUS:
Because then you'll try to take whatever money I have left.

SHAWN:
And when have I tried to do that to you?

GUS:
Wednesday and Saturday.

HENRY:
Monday.

SHAWN:
Gosh, you guys have scary memories.

CASHIER:
Next in line, please?

SHAWN:
That's you. (pulls GUS by the arm)

GUS:
No...

HENRY:
Shawn, come on, that's you.

SHAWN pushes the candy bars forward on the belt towards the scanner.

CASHIER:
Okay, so, all of these? (scans the candy and lights begin to flash and an alarm blares) Oh, my gosh, it happened here? The one millionth customer!

SHAWN:
I'm sorry.

CASHIER:
Don't be sorry, kid, you won!

HENRY:
He won? Won what?

CASHIER:
All kinds of things. Gift certificates, that cool bike up there. (makes announcement) Ladies and gentlemen, we have it! Our one millionth customer!

SHAWN:
Can I use one of my gift certificates now?

CASHIER:
Sure.

SHAWN:
Cool! (grabs boxes of candy from the rack) Isn't this cool, Gus? How lucky am I?

TWENTY CHARMED YEARS LATER…

INT. TOM BLAIR’S PUB, NIGHT

SHAWN walks into the bar with a young woman, AMANDA.

AMANDA:
Thanks for doing this.

SHAWN:
Oh, don't be silly. Are you kidding? Go out spur of the moment with a sexy gal who likes quirky dive bars as a starting point but then is also open to see where the night goes.

AMANDA:
(sits) You could've thought I was weird, asking you out just as you walked by my counter.

SHAWN:
I don't call that weird. I call that blind, dumb, stupid, awe-inspired luck.

AMANDA’S cell phone rings and she checks the screen before pressing ignore.

SHAWN:
I'm going to get drinks. Two vodka sodas? (sits opposite AMANDA)

AMANDA:
I've just decided I am going to experience life, you know, try new things. I signed up for a painting class today.

SHAWN:
You know, they make paint you can eat now.

AMANDA:
And I'm giving new focus to my job.

SHAWN sees her heart-shaped pendant necklace.

AMANDA:
So…

SHAWN:
Can I ask you a question?

AMANDA:
Anything.

SHAWN:
Did you just get out of a relationship?

AMANDA:
How did you know?

SHAWN:
Just a wild guess. Was it, uh... today?

AMANDA:
Yesterday.

SHAWN:
Are you sure you should be out dating already?

AMANDA:
Yes, of course. He was... cheating on me.

SHAWN:
Cheating?

AMANDA:
Yeah, and the stupid thing is, I thought everything was going really well, you know, and then he just started getting all weird the last month... lying, going through my stuff, my address book, my jewelry. Finally, Friday, he tells me he's going to watch the game at a friend's. A co-worker of mine spots him over the Eastland center. He may not accept it yet, but we are definitely finished.

The waitress brings the drinks.

SHAWN:
Thank you.

AMANDA:
I hope you don't mind being a rebound.

SHAWN:
Oh, I usually prefer it, but not in this case.

AMANDA:
Why not?

SHAWN:
Primarily because he's not cheating on you. (sips drink) Look, he took your jewelry because he's trying to figure out your ring size. He took you to Tiffany's to buy that fancy necklace because he's really trying to scout out what kind of stones and settings you like.

AMANDA:
What about last Friday?

SHAWN:
Oh, come on, the Eastland center? There's no bars or clubs there. He wasn't there with a chick. He was probably on the north side of the parking lot at Robbins Brothers picking out the ring.

AMANDA:
My address book?

SHAWN:
He called your parents to ask for your hand. He's doing it right.

AMANDA:
Do you think I should call him?

SHAWN:
I'll let you be the psychic on that one.

AMANDA opens her phone and speed dials her boyfriend. SHAWN sips his drink.

AMANDA:
Ray? Yeah, I need you to tell me the truth. If you lie to me, we will never speak again, do you understand? (holds up a finger to SHAWN and walks away) About Friday, who were you with?

SHAWN:
Take your time.

SHAWN stands and walks around with his drink. Alone at one of the tables he sees LASSITER who is resting his head on one of his arms.

SHAWN:
Lassie?

LASSITER:
(looks up) Spencer! Why am I surprised?

SHAWN:
(walks over) Why are you wasted?

LASSITER:
Hey, do you like scotch? Miss? Can I get two more of these, please? Thank you.

SHAWN mouths “One more” and leans on the railing.

LASSITER:
Listen, there is something I have got to get off my chest.

SHAWN:
Is it your shirt? Please say no.

LASSITER:
You... astound me.

SHAWN:
Come again?

LASSITER:
It's beyond astounding. It is some of the most impressive reasoning I've ever seen.

SHAWN:
Is there a punch line coming? Let's get to it.

LASSITER:
I don't know how you do it. I mean, it's not psychic...ness, we both know that's a crock of crap, But you, sir, are unstoppable, guaranteed arrest.(drinks scotch)

SHAWN:
What's happening here?

LASSITER:
Can I tell you a secret?

SHAWN:
I wouldn't recommend it, no.

LASSITER:
(walks around to sit in the closer chair) You know how everyone thinks my wife and I have been separated for nine months?

SHAWN:
Yes?

LASSITER:
Two years. Two years tonight, and I'm the one that keeps trying to fix the thing. (leans back for his drink and almost falls off the stool)



SHAWN:
(grabs LASSITER’S arm and pulls him back) Jeez.

LASSITER:
I mean, counselling, therapy, acupuncture, you name it. I have tried to try to try it.

SHAWN:
Well... I'm going to let you go. Don't drive.

LASSITER:
You know, I used to be a good cop. Seriously. Stunning arrest record. It was one of the best in the department. I caught the Back Bay Killer.

SHAWN:
Yes, you did. I remember it well.

LASSITER:
Although I had a tip.

SHAWN:
The blue sedan.

LASSITER:
Yeah. (realizes) That was you?

SHAWN:
It... might have been.

LASSITER:
See what I mean?

SHAWN:
Come on, you still had to put it all together right? (moves around to sit at the table)

LASSITER:
Look, Spencer, the blue sedan was the key to the whole thing. It was the murder's car.

SHAWN:
Yeah, but who had to run the plates? And all those numbers and letters could have confused many a cop.

LASSITER:
Spencer, stop, okay? I am done. Here, I want you to have these. (holds up handcuffs) I don't need them. I am over. (puts cuffs on the table)

SHAWN:
All right, just stop this. This is nonsense. You're not over. Look, you're a striking man with strong features, eyes that women want to do...cannonballs into. You have great posture, and penmanship the likes I've never seen.

LASSITER:
No, I have officially hit rock bottom. A month ago, I got this case, right? A healthy 42-year-old astronomer dies. Doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, spends all day in an ergonomically designed chair charting the night sky. Natural causes, that's what the coroner comes back with. Does a full autopsy. No red flags. Nothing. I know he was murdered. I just can't... (motions with his hand like he’s grabbing something)

SHAWN:
What? What is this? (mimics the hand motion)

LASSITER:
Prove it. The department won't even let me pursue it.

SHAWN:
Come on, you'll figure it out.

LASSITER:
No, I won't. I can't, and I've accepted that.

SHAWN:
All right, look, Lassie... (tries to get a word out) Carlton. I believe in you. I really do. You just... you've just got to trust your instincts.

AMANDA shrieks and comes over to SHAWN, laughing.

AMANDA:
I just got engaged!

SHAWN:
(stands) Oh, my God!

AMANDA:
Thank you! (hugs SHAWN) Thank you! Thank you!

AMANDA screams and SHAWN gives a “sympathy” scream.

AMANDA:
I got engaged! (runs off with a laugh)

SHAWN:
(claps) I'll never, ever see you again. Bye. (turns around) Stick with it, Lassie. You... (LASSITER has passed out and fallen to the floor) You can solve this thing. You're halfway there already.

**************************************************************************
PSYCH

“From the Earth to Starbucks”
By
Steve Franks

STARRING:
James Roday
Dulé Hill
Timothy Omundson
Maggie Lawson
And
Corbin Bernsen

DIRECTOR
Michael Zinberg

**********************************************************************

INT SBPD, LOWER LEVEL, DAY

SHAWN and GUS are picking up a paycheck when SHAWN sees LASSITER.

SHAWN:
(whispers) Check this out. (goes after LASSITER)

GUS:
What?

SHAWN:
(follows LASSITER up stairs) Hey, Lassie.

LASSITER:
What is it Spencer?

SHAWN:
How you doing? You okay?

INT SBPD, MAIN LEVEL, DAY

LASSITER:
All right... I'll bite. What's the joke?

SHAWN:
Just wanted to make sure you got home all right last night.

LASSITER:
From what?

SHAWN:
From the bar.

LASSITER:
What bar?

JULIET:
(joins them) You were at a bar?

LASSITER:
No, I wasn't at a bar. I don't drink.

JULIET:
You don't drink?

INT SBPD, BULLPEN, DAY

LASSITER:
Well, okay. Wine at weddings. (puts coffee on desk and removes jacket) An occasional snifter of brandy. Maybe a good single-Malt scotch. (hangs up jacket)

GUS:
Sounds like drinking to me.

LASSITER:
Spencer, stop making up stories, okay? They're obviously bogus.

SHAWN:
Okay, so, you were not at Tom Blair's pub last night?

LASSITER:
I don't even know who Tom Blair is.

SHAWN:
Mmm-hmm. And how'd you get that sweet bruise on your forehead?

LASSITER:
I had an altercation.

SHAWN:
Yes, with a table.

LASSITER:
With a suspect. If we're done, I would really like to move on with my day.

SHAWN:
I get it. Yesterday was a... a tough anniversary for you.

LASSITER:
What? Who have you been talking to?

SHAWN:
Nobody. I'll get out of your hair. (leaves)

INT SBPD, HALL, DAY

SHAWN:
Okay. We gotta solve that case.

GUS:
What case?

SHAWN:
The one Lassiter can't solve.

GUS:
He's going to hire us for a case?

SHAWN:
Oh, God, no, he'd never do that.

GUS:
So we won't get paid?

SHAWN:
Exactly.

GUS:
And we're just doing it for the glory?

SHAWN:
Nope. We give Lassiter all the credit. In fact, I don't even think he can know we're helping him.

GUS:
(stops walking) Dude, that's a good idea, Shawn. I ditch out of work on the day we release three new products to spend time on an unsolvable case in which we won't get paid, and someone else gets all the credit.

SHAWN:
That quite honestly is some of the best nut-shelling I've ever heard.

GUS:
We made a deal. Yesterday. We're equal partners. That means we collectively decide which appointments to make, which cases to take. We have to live by that, At least for a day. Especially today.

SHAWN:
You're right.

GUS:
Thank you.

SHAWN:
That's going to be a problem, though.

GUS:
Why?

SHAWN:
Because we've already got a meeting with the dead guy's widow.

GUS:
When?

SHAWN:
10 minutes.

GUS:
10 minutes?

SHAWN:
Look, don't worry. I'm going to do it in the chief's office. I just need you to stand guard at the door, make sure no one catches us in there. It's going to double the excitement. Maybe triple it. (holds out fist) Now, come on, who's in? (GUS refuses to fist bump) Don't fool around. You know I can't hold my hand like this for very long. Gus, I get very poor circulation to the limbic regions. (GUS walks away) Now my pinky's going numb.

INT SBPD, VICK’S OFFICE, DAY

SHAWN is sitting behind VICK’S desk looking attentive as he listens to the widow, MARY.

MARY:
I guess everything started to change at the beginning of last summer. He partnered with his old friend, Hugo, and they finally got accepted for eight months on the new digital telescope at the space center. Everything was normal for two weeks, and then, suddenly, Bryant started to work really long hours.

SHAWN:
I see. (picks up decorative glass fish) What do you think of this?

MARY:
I like it.

SHAWN:
It's a gift from a friend. He's a glass-blower. (sets down fish) Would you say that's when he started feeling sick, Mary?

MARY:
Not sick, just a little off. Oh, we did cancel our 4th of July trip, so I guess it was around that time. I'm sorry, something is really bugging me. Your name is Lassiter too?

SHAWN:
Yes, that's correct. Carlton Lassiter.

MARY:
But you're not affiliated with the detective Carlton Lassiter who I met before?

SHAWN:
Not in any way, shape, or form. Different department. Matter of fact, I spell mine with a "k." Two of them. Mary, is there anything you're...leaving out? (stands and walks to front of desk) Maybe something that's...slipped your mind? Something you're not telling me because it may embarrassed and/or shame you? It could be vital.

MARY:
I know this probably isn't true, but I started to suspect that he...

SHAWN:
Was cheating on you?

MARY:
Well, yes. How did you know?

SHAWN:
A shot in the dark.

MARY:
The long hours. He was consumed with his work. He was different. Distant. I don't even like to say it out loud.

SHAWN:
Please, don't.

MARY:
Bryant wasn't really the type. We were planning a future. He wanted to try for a baby. He was a good man.

INT SBPD, HALL, DAY

SHAWN and MARY exit VICK’S office.

SHAWN:
Thanks again for coming in, Mary.

MARY:
No problem, Kkarlton.

SHAWN:
If we uncover any…

JULIET comes up behind them.

JULIET:
Carlton?

SHAWN:
Yes, Karlton, with a "k".

MARY:
Two "k"s.

SHAWN:
The second one is silent.

JULIET:
May I speak to you privately in your office, Kkarlton?

SHAWN:
Certainly. (to MARY) We'll be in touch.

MARY:
Thanks.

SHAWN follows JULIET into VICK’S office.

INT SBPD, VICK’S OFFICE, DAY

JULIET:
What are you doing reopening the Vallery case?

SHAWN:
Reopening? Come on, that word has so many syllables.

JULIET:
That case was determined not to be a case, despite detective Lassiter's best efforts. (SHAWN slaps her outstretched hand) Shawn! Now, I need a whole lot of an explanation from you, because although you do make me laugh occasionally, impersonating an officer...

SHAWN:
Impersonating an officer? Please. I told that woman I was in accounts payable.

JULIET:
Shawn, come clean.

SHAWN:
I would like to solve this case for Lassiter.

JULIET:
He'll never allow it.

SHAWN:
That's why he can't know I'm involved. I figure I can guide him through this thing, right? Build him up, get him back on his feet again.

JULIET:
You're serious?

SHAWN:
Yeah.

JULIET:
Why?

SHAWN:
I just feel like he really needs this. I mean, look at him.

JULIET:
Okay, I'm in.

SHAWN:
You're what?

JULIET:
What do you got?

INT. PSYCH OFFICE, DAY

GUS walks in with his sample case. SHAWN is sitting at his desk on his cell.

SHAWN:
My dad is not answering his phone.

GUS:
So?

SHAWN:
So he's always home, and he always answers his phone after two rings. This is actually somewhat troubling.

GUS:
Why?

SHAWN:
"Why"? Fish Derby's on.

GUS:
What is this?

SHAWN:
It's the Bryant Vallery case.

GUS:
The one from this morning?

SHAWN:
And the rest of the week. I predict we will solve it Friday at 10:01 pm, and then maybe watch some cable. (leans back in the chair and puts his feet on the desk)

GUS:
Sounds great. And did you find a partner that's willing to do this with you?

SHAWN:
Jules is in. My dad is clearly missing, or something. Dude, that leaves you! Gus, you get to step up in a big fat way.

GUS:
You have one job. I have two jobs, Shawn. I have presentations to memorize on three new drugs. And while you were out drinking last night and taking on free cases, I was up half the night dreaming about whether the gelcaps are more effective than the tablets.

SHAWN:
First of all, tablets. Always tablets, that's a given. Secondly, I've been having this reoccurring dream where I'm flying over Auckland on the back of a swan made primarily of cocoa. His name is Clem. But your dream was... pretty interesting too. And thirdly, I guarantee you that after you hear this reason, you will definitely want to take this case.

GUS:
I doubt it, but, give it a shot.

SHAWN:
The victim was an astronomer. Yeah. The guy died while he was working the night sky at the observatory.

GUS:
(chuckles nervously) What would make you think that would matter?

SHAWN:
Oh, come on. I know you go down to the Space Center.

GUS:
That's preposterous, Shawn.

SHAWN:
Thursdays.

GUS:
I'm never there...

SHAWN:
In the afternoon, around 2:00.

GUS:
Have you been following me?

SHAWN:
Maybe. Sometimes.

Frustrated, GUS walks away.

SHAWN:
To sharpen and refine my tailing skills, yes.

GUS:
(walks around and points angrily at SHAWN) This is exactly the sort of thing I was talking about, Shawn.

SHAWN:
Okay, I apologize, Gus, I do, but it's all good. So you like astronomy. I accept that.

GUS:
This conversation is over. (points at SHAWN’S face before walking back behind his desk)

SHAWN:
Okay, don't go all Vincent Gallo on me. We're just getting started, man. Look, some guy dies at a space center that you frequently sneak off to? We got to get down there, and we got to do some serious space-digging.

GUS:
No, we don't. (walks back around and points again) As a matter of fact, now that I know you're tailing me while I'm at work, get ready to get lost in my dust.

SHAWN:
Okay, dust? What are you, going off-roading?

GUS:
I'm going to be un-catchable, like a jackal.

SHAWN:
Like a jackal? How about I just tail you to the observatory?

GUS:
Consider me stealth, Shawn. (move his head side-to-side)

SHAWN:
Dude, that's weird. It's like you're... like you're a bobble-head.

EXT. SPACE CENTER, PARKING LOT, DAY

GUS drives the Echo in the practically-empty lot, zig-zagging until he pulls into a spot. He steps out of the car, keeping low. He sticks his head up above the roof of the car and looks around before walking in a crouch towards the main entrance.

INT. SPACE CENTER, LOBBY ENTRANCE, DAY

GUS enters the main door and looks back to make sure he wasn’t followed. He backs up to the reception desk and talks to the man behind the desk.

GUS:
Excuse me, I have an annual pass...

The man turns around and we see it is SHAWN wearing a blue flight-suit that is the uniform for the employees. He is holding a clipboard and wearing a headset.

SHAWN:
(gasps) Oh, I'm sorry, sir. Didn't see you standing there, you know, being so stealth-like. (picks up phone and uses the intercom) The jackal has arrived. (hangs up phone)

INT. SPACE CENTER, EXHIBIT HALLS, DAY

SHAWN and GUS walk through the center.

GUS:
What are you doing, Shawn?

SHAWN:
What are we doing? Dude, we're undercover.

GUS:
We aren't undercover.

SHAWN:
Sure we are. I'm the employee, you're the customer.

GUS:
I am the customer.

SHAWN:
See, you're already in character, like Don Cheadle.

GUS:
I'm not involved with this case.

SHAWN:
I only need you for a minute, like when Kenickie needed Danny Zuko, and you get to be Travolta in the analogy. Tomorrow they're training me on the motion simulator. Tell me you've never wanted to take a ride on one of those things buck naked.

They stop walking.

GUS:
No, I haven't.

SHAWN:
Sure you have.

GUS:
I'm only here for a few minutes anyway.

GUS looks past SHAWN and sees a pretty woman accepting a cup of coffee from an older man. SHAWN doesn’t notice.

SHAWN:
That's all I need. Look, there's this creepy janitor that lurks about. I want you to distract him while I grill planetarium girl. (turns and starts for the woman)

GUS:
(grabs SHAWN’S arm) You are not grilling Jessica. She's just interning here till she gets her college units.

SHAWN:
Jessica?

GUS:
Yeah.

SHAWN:
How do you know her name is… (gasps) Oh, Gus...

GUS:
What?

SHAWN:
You haven't been coming here on Thursdays to study the stars. You've been coming here for her! Do you love her?

GUS:
Shut up, Shawn.

SHAWN:
You're in love with her.

GUS:
Shut up, Shawn.

SHAWN:
Come on I'll hook you guys up. (starts to walk away)

GUS:
(grabs SHAWN’S arm) No, Shawn!

SHAWN:
She is my co-worker, and I have the inside track.

GUS:
Listen, there are ways to go about doing this. You don't just walk up to somebody at their place and start working them over. You got to have a plan.

SHAWN:
Do you have a plan?

GUS:
Of course I have a plan.

SHAWN:
Would you mind cluing me in, please?

GUS:
All right, listen. (pulls SHAWN aside) She's been through a lot lately. She just...

SHAWN:
Broke up with her boyfriend.

GUS:
How did you know that?

SHAWN:
It's my curse, apparently.

GUS:
Well, since she's just off a break-up, I got to move gradually.

SHAWN:
Just go over there and ask her out. Get her digits.

GUS:
Shawn, this is a quality girl. That means I've got to put in quality time, okay? Oh, here she comes. Act natural.

SHAWN leans against a pole and GUS strikes a “model” pose as JESSICA walks past.

SHAWN:
Hey, Jessie, do you know Gus?

JESSICA:
(stops) Yes. Gus is a regular.

GUS:
(walks over to JESSICA) That's right.

SHAWN:
You know, I went to high school with him. Of course, I didn't hang out with cool kids like Gus in high school. He was a CIF wrestling champion back then.

JESSICA:
Really?

SHAWN:
True as toast. And in college, he was a Heisman candidate until he blew his knee out.

GUS hits SHAWN’S arm with his “discreetly”.

SHAWN:
Don't act all surprised. We were all following you in the newspapers, man.

JESSICA:
You're kidding.

GUS:
Well, he is, actually.

SHAWN:
I don't kid, ever. I idolized this guy. Coolest dude I have ever known.

JESSICA:
Wow, Gus, it seems there's a lot I don't know about you.

GUS:
Well, there is...

SHAWN:
Yeah, you guys should totally talk, you know? Share stuff and whatnot. But don't let this guy grill you too much.

SHAWN forces a fake laugh and GUS joins in.

JESSICA:
Yeah, well, I'd love to, but I have to start the planetarium show.

GUS:
Yeah, she has a planetarium show to start.

SHAWN:
Oh, can I do that?

JESSICA:
Have you been trained on the show?

SHAWN:
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yes, I just did the checklist like an hour ago. Perfect score. Uh... (leans over to whisper confidentially) question 18 has a typo.(straightens)

JESSICA:
Okay, great. Go ahead, then.

SHAWN:
Are you serious? Oh, this is great!

GUS:
Great.

SHAWN:
All right, I got it. No worries. No worries. I got it. (runs off)

GUS:
Thanks, Shawn. That guy. You heard about Pluto? That's messed up, right?

JESSICA:
Mmm-hmm.

INT. SBPD, BULLPEN, DAY

LASSITER is sitting morosely at his desk, absent-mindedly clicking a pen against his head. JULIET approaches him with a file and sets it on his desk.

JULIET:
Here's the Bryant Vallery file.

LASSITER:
The what? Wait… The astronomer?

JULIET:
Yes, and I just finished the follow-Up with Mary, the widow.

LASSITER:
You what?

JULIET:
You asked me to.

LASSITER:
I did?

JULIET:
It was in passing, and wow, did it ever pay off. You were right about the affair.

LASSITER:
I was?

JULIET:
Yeah, the wife totally suspected it.

LASSITER:
She what?

JULIET:
That he potentially was having an affair. (walks away)

LASSITER:
(re-invigorated) Well, isn't that interesting? (stands) I want to re-interview everybody, and give me a copy of the coroner's report. I told you there was more to this case.

INT. SPACE CENTER, PLANETARIUM, DAY

SHAWN stands at the podium and introduces the show.

SHAWN:
Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I will be your narrator. My name is Aurora Borealis.

The “creepy” janitor, VERNON STALLINGS is there watching.

SHAWN:
There are over four hundred stars in our galaxy. Maybe more. No one knows for sure. Many have said that the universe is even larger than the Indian Ocean, and that is why it is called "infinitum staroctopussium." Ah, yes... our glorious constellations. There they all are, take a look. Over here, we have... one with a guy... holding... some sort of thing. Over here, our beloved Olympic rings, all seven of them. And here... here's one with a fish.

STALLINGS walks up to SHAWN.

STALLINGS:
You gotta name 'em.

SHAWN:
Notice, straight... straight above you, "The Hammer of Jeff". And over there, in the south...

STALLINGS:
(whispers) North.

SHAWN:
North, you'll see... "Monkey with Rash". The Egyptians used to set their clocks by him.

Some of the customers look at SHAWN as if he’s nuts.

SHAWN:
Oh, look, there's goes an asteroid.

STALLINGS:
Comet.

SHAWN:
Comet. It's what they named that cleaning solution after. I know, it may stink when you leave it in the sink, but, boy, oh, boy, does it clean.

(to STALLINGS) Is there a reason you're standing so close to me?

STALLINGS:
Just looking.

SHAWN:
Yeah, well, that's the great thing about looking, you can do it from far, far away.

STALLINGS nods and walks away.

SHAWN:
And now, ladies and gentlemen, I implore you to enjoy the majesty of the heavens.

SHAWN watches as STALLINGS leaves with his cart. SHAWN twists the dial and speeds up the projection and the stars spin above. He then leaves the room to follow STALLINGS.

INT. SPACE CENTER, EMPLOYEE LOCKER ROOM, DAY

STALLINGS picks the lock on one of the lockers and proceeds to pick through the contents. SHAWN sneaks up and watches from around the corner. STALLINGS takes what he wants and tosses it into the cart before leaving. SHAWN leaves in the opposite direction.

INT. SPACE CENTER, OBSERVATORY, DAY

SHAWN enters, planning to do a little snooping, and is greeted by the astronomer, HUGO.

HUGO:
Hey!

SHAWN:
Oh!

HUGO:
You work here?

SHAWN:
No, I just, uh... I just happen to own my own space suit.

HUGO:
(laughs) A smart ass. I like that. Get over here, kid. Do me a favor. Keep your finger on this space bar while I adjust this.

SHAWN walks over and places his finger on the space-bar.

SHAWN:
Like this?

HUGO:
Uh-Huh.

SHAWN:
You're going to trust me with this?

HUGO:
I don't have a lot of other options, do I, space man?

As HUGO opens the telescope doors, SHAWN notices a tab of paper sticking out from a log book.

SHAWN:
I got to be honest. This seems like a job for two, no?

HUGO:
(makes adjustments on a different computer) Sometimes it is. But once the scope is in place, all you got to do is watch the monitor, hoping to catch things that nobody else has. You know, if you've got a partner, you can switch off, you know, rest your eyes, maybe make calculations on what you've seen, or just... break up the silence of staring into the unknown.

SHAWN:
So where's your partner?

HUGO:
(walks back to desk) That's the bad part of it. He passed away not too long ago. You know, the Buddhists have this saying about moving on, honoring the work, but I don't remember it. What I do know is that I realize I'm too old to be doing this stuff all alone. (takes over from SHAWN)

SHAWN:
(walks over to telescope) So you're, uh, you're continuing the work, huh?

HUGO:
Bryant would return from the grave if I didn't. You know, we petitioned for five years for use of this scope, and we got lucky. (sees SHAWN peering through eyepiece) No, no, no, no, no, no. Don't touch. No. I mean, once you get in here, you got to find what you're looking for
fast. We had eight months. Bryant saw six.

SHAWN:
Eight months seems like a good chunk of time.

HUGO:
Not in astronomy. See, once you find it, you got to track it. Ok, and then it's not a discovery until you chart it, and then it goes around again, and then you prove it.

SHAWN:
Must get lonely.

HUGO:
Look, I just talk. You know? I’ve got the gift of the gab. Jeez, I'll talk to anybody, I suppose. (sits at the desk)

SHAWN:
So you, uh, you still haven't found what you're looking for, huh?

HUGO:
No, but when I do, you'll read about it, believe me. You'll read about it.

INT. SPACE CENTER, HALL, DAY

GUS is walking with JESSICA.

JESSICA:
My real goal is to become an astronomer. See something no one else has. I don't need to make a big, flashy discovery, or name a star, or become famous, like most of these guys want.

GUS:
Yeah.

JESSICA:
All I've ever really wanted is to know I made a difference.

GUS:
That's great, knowing what you wanted to do since you were a kid. That's a gift.

JESSICA:
Thanks. You know, you're a great listener, Gus.

GUS:
Oh, well, it's easy to talk to you, Jessica. I mean...

JESSICA looks at her watch and then at the entrance to the planetarium.

GUS:
Is something wrong?

JESSICA:
They've been in there 45 minutes.

GUS:
So?

JESSICA:
It's a four minute show.

SHAWN leads the way out of the planetarium. Behind him, the patrons are dazed and dizzy. One man actually falls down, knocking over a trash can.

SHAWN:
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is precisely why time travel is not only possible, but may have already happened.

SHAWN walks past GUS and JESSICA, oblivious to the moaning people behind him. GUS chuckles nervously.

EXT. SPACE CENTER, DAY

GUS and SHAWN walk outside.

SHAWN:
So I met the other astronomer. Nice guy, chatty. Hiding something.

GUS:
Something nefarious?

SHAWN:
I don't know yet. How'd you do?

GUS:
Please, Shawn. How do you think? (reaches into pocket and pulls out a slip of paper and shows SHAWN)

SHAWN:
(gasps) Digits.

GUS:
You know this.

SHAWN:
Nice!

GUS:
We're going out tomorrow.

SHAWN:
It's all coming together, man.

GUS takes the phone number back.

SHAWN:
Juliet called. She ran our dead guy's phone records. We got to meet her at the station.

GUS:
You bet. Let's go.

SHAWN:
Whoa! Not now. 5:00.

GUS:
Why 5:00?

SHAWN:
Gus, I can't just leave willy-nilly whenever I want. I have a job to do here. (claps GUS on the shoulder and runs back inside)

INT. SBPD, BULLPEN, DAY

LASSITER has set up a board with crime scene photos and pertinent papers tacked up.

LASSITER:
I don't care what the coroner says. Healthy hearts do not just stop. But you know what? I've got a golf buddy who's a cardiologist. I'm going to run these by him. (grabs his jacket and heads out) Mind the store. I'll be back.

SHAWN and GUS peer out from behind a column and wait for LASSITER to leave. JULIET sees them.

JULIET:
(whispers) Hey! Okay, so we ran the home, the work, and the cell phone records of Bryant Vallery. We got nothing on the home phone, a few strange hits on the work line, but when we ran the cell phone, we hit the jackpot. We found a number that he calls only from his cell phone, all hours of the night, way too often for business. Unless it's monkey business.

SHAWN:
Sweet!

JULIET:
So we contacted the cell company for the name. The number is 555-019...well, where is it?

JULIET goes to her desk to check the file and GUS reaches into his pocket and pulls out the slip of paper with JESSICA’S number.

JULIET:
Oh, here it is. 555-019...

SHAWN:
9?

JULIET:
Wow, that's good.

SHAWN:
Not really.

INT. SPACE CENTER, EXHIBIT HALLS, DAY

SHAWN and GUS walk through the center.

SHAWN:
So she had an affair with a married guy and probably lied about it. That doesn't mean she's guilty.

GUS:
Shawn, you're confusing me. You're the one who loves to jump to conclusions, and you're not even hopping toward this one?

SHAWN:
Hopping? It doesn't track, Gus. Why would she kill him?

GUS:
She broke up with a guy. It's him. He dumped her.

SHAWN:
So why doesn't she mention to you that her ex-boyfriend just bit the dust?

GUS:
What is she going to say? "Hey, how's it going? My boyfriend just died. He might have been killed, maybe it was me." (imitates girlish laughter)

SHAWN:
I doubt she chortles.

GUS:
Man, she was so damn good-looking.

SHAWN:
And she still is. Gus, even if we have a who, we don't have a clear motive, and we certainly don't have the method. We can't give up on our other suspects. What we need to do (swipes key card) is keep looking.

SHAWN opens the secure door and walks through. Gus follows.

GUS:
You're going to set off the alarm.

SHAWN:
Clearly, I have a security pass.

GUS:
They gave you a security pass?

SHAWN:
They gave Dave, the cheddar corn guy, a security pass, I merely stumbled upon it by happenstance.

GUS:
And by "happenstance", you mean...

SHAWN:
I swiped it from his gym bag while he was shaking a milky way loose from the vending machine. Dammit, I... (SHAWN tries to use the card against the door with no success)

GUS:
What are you doing, Shawn?

SHAWN:
What I don't have is a key.

STALLINGS:
That's not right.

GUS and SHAWN turn around and see the janitor had snuck up on them.

SHAWN:
What? I'm sorry. I just, I... I left my Pogo stick in there, and I just...

STALLINGS:
No, I mean you're not doing it right. You got to move upward if you want to get the latch to disengage. Let me do it.

STALLINGS walks to the door and pulls out a switchblade and uses it on the latch.

SHAWN:
Don't you have a key for that?

STALLINGS:
For this room? No. Big Bad Bryant took it away a few weeks after they got here.

GUS:
Why?

STALLINGS:
A few small items go missing, suddenly everyone gets suspicious.

SHAWN:
Items such as?

STALLINGS:
A watch, a comb, some mail.

SHAWN:
Whose mail?

STALLINGS:
The dead guy, Bryant.

GUS:
Did you read it?

STALLINGS:
Well, of course I did. You know, he became quite a jerk. I don't know if Hugo knows this or not, but he was dissolving the partnership. Apparently, he had some big plans for himself. I don’t know. Correspondence for jobs he didn't seem qualified for, like heading university departments, NASA...

SHAWN:
NASA?

STALLINGS pulls hard on the knife and it comes out of the door. He turns on SHAWN who backs away from the knife.

STALLINGS:
Now, who are you guys again?

GUS:
We think something bad went down in there.

STALLINGS:
Yes, something bad did go down in here.

INT. SPACE CENTER, OBSERVATORY, DAY

STALLINGS opens the door to the observatory and lets SHAWN and GUS in first while he stays by the door.

SHAWN:
Did you see anything?

STALLINGS:
No, but, you know, the dead guy, he changed. They were friends at the beginning. Hugo was always being nice to him, you know? In fact, Hugo's the only one around here who's nice to me. He brings me coffee in the mornings, although he brings it for everybody. All four of us. Three of
us.

SHAWN and GUS are searching the area as STALLINGS talks.

SHAWN:
Stallings, I'll be nice to you, just do me a favor. Stop stealing the gum out of my locker, okay?

STALLINGS:
(chuckles nervously) You spotted that?

SHAWN:
Sure did. (opens log books) Hey, uh, do you know how these books worked?

STALLINGS:
Oh, they switched up every couple hours. One looks, one writes. You know, they do it from dark till dusk all the time. (pauses) Hugo's here.

SHAWN:
How do you know that?

STALLINGS:
Ah, he gets here at the same time every day. You could set your clock to it. Um, hey, you should hurry. You don't have long.

SHAWN:
Thanks, dude.

STALLINGS:
Uh-huh. (leaves)

SHAWN:
Gus, come check this out.

GUS:
What?

SHAWN:
Look, there's a page missing from this log book. I noticed it the first time I was here. Look. (points at entry) June 21st.

GUS:
What does the book track?

SHAWN:
It's like Stallings said. It's, like, every manual adjustment they make, who does it, which guy was on the scope. (flips pages) See, it looks like they switch shifts about every two hours, right? So why remove this page? You go from 8:39 with Hugo to 10:42 with Bryant. So the
question is, what happened between 8:39 and 10:42 on June 21st?

GUS:
Some bad juju.

SHAWN:
We got to get out of here. (puts books back)

GUS:
Why?

SHAWN:
Why? Gus, if someone finds me in here, I could get fired. (runs for the door)

GUS:
Why do you keep running like that?

INT. SPACE CENTER, EXHIBIT HALLS, DAY

SHAWN and GUS meet up with JESSICA.

JESSICA:
Hey, you guys.

GUS:
Um, hey, what's up?

JESSICA:
Gus, about tonight...

GUS:
Oh, if you have other obligations, that's cool.

JESSICA:
No, I just wanted to see if we could go at 6:30 instead.

SHAWN:
That's perfect. That's even better. (to GUS) Look, I need to borrow your motorcycle tonight. You can use my little blue car.

JESSICA:
Ooh, yeah, do that, Gus.

SHAWN:
Settled. Bye, Jess!

JESSICA:
Bye. (waves and leaves)

EXT. SPACE CENTER, DAY

HUGO pulls up in an old VW van. STALLINGS takes a case from the back as HUGO hands one of the coffees to JESSICA who is waiting. SHAWN and GUS watch.

HUGO:
I think you are this one.

GUS:
What's that in his case?

SHAWN:
Tracking readouts. Dude, it's just a bunch of paperwork. I saw it at the observatory.

HUGO gives a coffee to STALLINGS.

GUS:
Why does he keep it locked up like that?

SHAWN:
That's a good question.

HUGO sees SHAWN and GUS as he picks up his case and walks towards them.

HUGO:
Morning, gentlemen! You up already?

SHAWN:
I had to check the timers on the crab spray. You need any help with that giant thing?

HUGO:
Nah, I can manage it. Only got two more weeks of this before my time's up. Might as well follow it through to the end. (heads up the ramp to the entrance)

SHAWN:
You know what that means.

GUS:
I have no idea what that means.

SHAWN:
That means he's not at his house. (runs off)

GUS:
So? (follows)

EXT. HUGO’S HOUSE, DAY

The yard is overgrown with flowers and the house is “tired”. SHAWN and GUS walk around the side of the house.

SHAWN:
Rainier's not exactly a high roller, huh? Look at that. It should say "Welcome to Camp Something".

GUS:
Huh.

SHAWN:
Stargazing isn't the most lucrative field.

GUS:
Well, you can make up to a hundred grand a year on the lecture circuit, if you're a name.

SHAWN struggles as he tries to open a window.

GUS:
You're going to break that.

SHAWN:
(grunts and gives up) I don't think so!

They continue on to the back of the house and SHAWN is surprised by a flowerbed.

SHAWN:
Whoa!

GUS:
What?

SHAWN:
Oh, boy! What is this awful purple stuff?

GUS:
They're flowers.

SHAWN:
Flowers?

GUS:
It's a garden.

SHAWN:
It's a vegetable garden. These are flowers. Weird flowers. (pulls up some of the flowers)

GUS:
What are you doing?

SHAWN:
Well, I've got to check this out.

GUS:
Let Lassiter do that.

SHAWN:
Gus, Lassiter has to come here on his own, and he's got to be right. (heads to the front of the house)

GUS:
So who are you going to get to check that out for us?

SHAWN:
Well, who else do you know who spends all day in his yard? (groans)

EXT. HENRY’S HOUSE, DAY

HENRY opens the door to SHAWN and GUS. SHAWN has the plant in a bag.

HENRY:
Shawn! (sees the flowers) Oh, you shouldn't have.

SHAWN:
Dad, we need to talk business. You're not answering your phone. What's going on? Did you even check it?

HENRY:
My phone's been fine, Shawn. I'm just a little busy right now.

SHAWN:
Busy with what?

HENRY:
Things, Shawn. I have things.

WOMAN: (off camera)
Henry, where are the towels?

HENRY:
(turns his head to answer) Uh, I'll tell you in a minute! (looks back to SHAWN)

SHAWN:
(stammers) Was that a woman? You have a woman in there?

HENRY:
What do you think?

SHAWN:
Where did you meet a woman?

HENRY:
Are you really interested?

SHAWN:
(stammers) It's a... It's a question, Dad. It's an enquiry.

HENRY:
On the Internet. Shawn, look, she's a very nice lady. Her name is Sylvia. She runs a catering business, has two kids. (slides the door open wider) Would you like to meet her?

SHAWN:
Oh, God, no! Are you kidding?

HENRY:
Good. Then can we pick this up tomorrow?

SHAWN:
Yeah, I'd be glad to.

HENRY:
Good.

HENRY closes the door and, stunned, SHAWN drops the plant to the porch. He turns and leaves the yard.

EXT. BEACH WALK, DAY

SHAWN walks briskly and GUS keeps pace.

GUS:
You must have thought your dad dated again.

SHAWN:
Honestly, Gus, It haven't given it a lot of thought.

GUS:
It's been 15 years.

SHAWN:
Yeah, you know what? It's fine. It's great. Good for him.

GUS:
You want to talk about it?

SHAWN:
No.

GUS:
Good. You left your plant there.

SHAWN:
I know.

GUS:
Want to go back and get it?

SHAWN:
No.

INT. SBPD, BULLPEN, DAY

JULIET is on the phone.

JULIET:
Okay, June 21st is missing from the log book? No, I'll check on that right away.

CONTINUED, INTERCUT WITH –

- CUT TO:

INT. PSYCH OFFICE, DAY

SHAWN is on the phone with JULIET.

SHAWN:
Sweet. So, uh, does Lassiter need any more help?

JULIET:
No. Shawn, he's on fire. He's already had the autopsy test rerun, and he's contacted every relative that he had.

LASSITER:
That a personal call, O'Hara?

JULIET:
Yes.

LASSITER:
Well, wrap it up. I think I'm onto something. I think he was killed by someone he knew.

JULIET:
I got to go. (hangs up phone before standing up to look at notes with LASSITER)

LASSITER:
Bryant Vallery opened a safety deposit box account in June.

JULIET:
Was it on June 21st?

LASSITER:
Was what June 21st?

JULIET:
I don't know. Didn't you say something about June 21st yesterday?

LASSITER:
I've said so many things the last few days. Refresh my memory.

JULIET smiles.

INT. PSYCH OFFICE, DAY

GUS is checking his reflection in the clear board for his date with JESSICA. SHAWN walks in from the other room.

SHAWN:
Dude, you look sharp.

GUS:
Thank you.

SHAWN:
I got one more thing for you.

GUS:
What's that?

SHAWN dangles some electronics in front of him.

GUS:
You want me to wear a wire?

SHAWN:
Just this little baby one. Look, in the event that she actually did it, right? She's not going to suspect you.

GUS:
Forget it, Shawn. I'm gonna sit down with her for 30 minutes, ask a few questions, and keep it cool. Just in case she didn't kill the guy.

SHAWN:
All right, here's a compromise. Let me follow you.

GUS:
No.

SHAWN:
Come on, from a safe distance! It'll be, like, 30 yards.

GUS:
Consider me stealth, Shawn. (with a last look, walks out)

SHAWN:
Hey, be careful. (looks at the board) You know, we have a mirror in the bathroom.

EXT. PIER, DAY

GUS and JESSICA walk along the pier at sunset.

JESSICA:
You seem... jumpy.

GUS:
Me? Oh, no. No, no. I'm excited. So, uh, tell me about this guy you just broke up with.

JESSICA:
Exes? Ooh! Don't you know the number-one rule of first dates, Gus?

GUS:
I'm very comfortable talking about anything.

JESSICA:
Well, there's not much to tell, really.

GUS:
Mmm-hmm.

JESSICA:
About a month in, I find out he's married.

GUS:
Right.

JESSICA:
Just my luck. And then he kept calling. He actually thought I'd be okay with the whole dirty scenario. He just... he wasn't the guy I thought he was, in a lot of ways.

They stop and lean against the rail by a bench with a blanket on it.

GUS:
Wow, that's...that's great.

JESSICA:
Why?

GUS:
I don't know.

JESSICA:
Hey, I'm sorry about having to go earlier. It's just everything changed at the observatory, and I got to get to work early tomorrow, so...

GUS:
What's going on?

JESSICA:
Well, don't tell anyone, but Hugo and Bryant may have discovered a planet.

GUS:
Get out of here!

JESSICA:
Yeah! An extra-solar planet. About six months ago, I think. Bryant kind of clued me in the night they found it. He was so excited. They had to track their data, wait for the planet to come around again and complete its orbit.

GUS:
Right.

JESSICA:
So it must be verified now. I mean, you don't just call press conferences for nothing, right? Hugo is over the moon. Yeah, he's going to be famous forever. Do you have any idea how huge this is for someone's career?

GUS:
Um ...

SHAWN:
(rises from the bench) Of course he does!

GUS:
Shawn? I was in stealth mode! How did you find me?

JESSICA:
You knew he was following you?

GUS:
No, not at all.

SHAWN:
Jessica, this is a good thing. It means we don't suspect you anymore.

JESSICA:
"We"? (turns to GUS) Suspect me of what?

GUS:
I didn't think you killed him, Jessica.

JESSICA:
Killed?

GUS:
And I hope this doesn't create trust issues for our future.

JESSICA crosses her arms and looks at them both.

GUS:
We just need to establish motive.

SHAWN:
Dude, we totally established motive!

SHAWN holds out his fist, but GUS only glares at him. SHAWN stares at his fist when GUS doesn’t properly respond.

JESSICA:
Well, congratulations, Gus, whatever you are. You've got your motive, whatever that is, but you no longer have a date. (storms off)

GUS:
No!

SHAWN:
Jessie!

GUS grunts at SHAWN in frustration before running after JESSICA.

GUS:
Jessica, hold on a second!

SHAWN is still standing there with his fist out.

SHAWN:
Gus! Man, that's twice!

SHAWN fist bumps the air.

INT. SPACE CENTER, PLANETARIUM, DAY

The press conference is underway.

HUGO:
…and to the Santa Barbara Space Center for the use of their facility. I dedicate this to my departed comrade, Bryant Vallery.

REPORTER 1:
Professor! Professor! When was the discovery made?

HUGO:
The 21st of June, 9:55 PM, during a routine changeover between my partner and myself.

SHAWN and GUS are watching from a distance. JESSICA is there as well.

HUGO:
While readjusting some coordinates, I inadvertently made what is certainly the discovery of my lifetime.

REPORTER 2:
Which one of you made the actual discovery?

HUGO:
It was me. We traded off chairs every two hours. This was completely by accident.

REPORTER 2:
What about a book? Surely you'll have a lot of book offers.

SHAWN:
(whispers) Gus, you know what this means.

GUS:
(whispers) It's murder.

SHAWN:
(whispers) It's... No, it's motive.

GUS:
(whispers) That's what I said.

SHAWN:
(whispers) No, you said, "It's murder".

GUS:
(whispers) It's the same thing. Motive, murder, it's the same thing.

SHAWN:
(whispers) Motive is the reason for doing...

GUS:
(whispers) It's in the same family, Shawn.

SHAWN:
(whispers) Shh! Shh! (turns back to conference)

HUGO:
Now, this planet has everything required for an earth-like structure. It has proximity, it has the right orbit, it has its own energy source...

SHAWN’S cell phone rings.

GUS:
You’ve got to change that phone's settings.

SHAWN:
(looks at phone and sighs) Jeez. (answers) Hello.

CONTINUED, INTERCUT WITH –

- CUT TO:

EXT. HENRY’S HOUSE, DAY

HENRY has his phone in one hand and the plant in the other.

HENRY:
Shawn, what the hell do you think you're doing?

SHAWN:
Look, Dad, I can't talk to you about your love life, ok? I can't do it.

HENRY:
My love life? Are you still on that? (crosses yard to trash bin) I'm talking about this foxglove you left on my porch.

SHAWN:
Foxglove?

GUS turns around at the mention of the plant.

HENRY:
Your little plant with the dirty roots. It's all over my welcome mat.

GUS:
(walks over) That was foxglove?

SHAWN:
(covers phone with his hand) What the hell's foxglove?

HENRY:
Some neighbor's cat could have wandered in, chewed on it, and croaked right in my front yard, Shawn.

SHAWN covers the phone again as GUS explains.

GUS:
Some foxglove has a chemical called digitalis in its leaves.

SHAWN:
What is that, like poison?

GUS:
It's a medicine.

HENRY:
And you know how I feel about dead things in my yard.

SHAWN:
Look Dad, I'm sorry, I got to go. I can't have two people solving my case at once.

HENRY:
Shawn, we should talk.

SHAWN:
(sighs) Ok, fine. I'll be at Tom Blair's pub on Friday. Come by.

HENRY:
I got a date on Friday. Can you do Saturday? (throws away foxglove)

SHAWN:
Never mind. (ends call)

GUS:
Digitalis is prescribed for heart conditions.

SHAWN:
I don’t see how that helps us, Gus.

GUS:
It can cause toxicity in someone who doesn’t have a heart problem.

SHAWN:
Wouldn't that show up on an autopsy?

GUS:
That's the problem. You have to test for digitalis specifically. No one would consider it if someone doesn't have a history of heart problems.

SHAWN:
Shh!

JULIET and LASSITER join them.

SHAWN:
Hey, what are you doing here?

LASSITER:
We just got our motive for murder, Spencer. Hugo found out that Vallery was going to take all the credit for their discovery himself. Cut him out of it entirely.

SHAWN:
Because he was on the scope when they made the find.

LASSITER:
Yes. Maybe. What are you doing here?

SHAWN:
Well, we heard you had the motive, so we rushed down here to volunteer our services.

LASSITER:
Thanks, but I'll take this one myself.

SHAWN:
Okay, but at least tell me about the poison.

LASSITER:
What poison? I didn't say anything about poison.

SHAWN:
You most certainly did.

JULIET:
I heard it.

GUS:
Clear as day.

LASSITER:
Must have slipped out. I have been thinking about poison as a method, but I can't figure out how.

SHAWN:
Would you like me to read your innermost thoughts? Like, deep, deep, deep ones?

LASSITER:
(hesitates) Knock yourself out.

SHAWN:
(walks forward and takes LASSITER’S wrists) Okay, I just want you to relax. Breathe normally. Close your eyes. Can you feel it? (pushes LASSITER’S hands to his cheeks) Can, Can... (groans) You want to check the house, Hugo's house.

LASSITER:
(muffled) I am in the process of getting a warrant.

SHAWN:
What'd he say?

JULIET:
He's in the process of getting a warrant now.

SHAWN:
(releases LASSITER’S hands) The garden, check the garden.

LASSITER:
It's buried there?

SHAWN:
Something's growing. Oh, I'm getting something. I'm getting...I'm getting... Oh, oh, oh…Prince! No. The artist formerly known as Prince. (grunts) Shawn, wrong again! It's Prince after he was known as "the artist formerly known as Prince."

LASSITER:
It's purple.

SHAWN:
Yes! Yes, that's it! You're amazing! Oh, the caverns of knowledge in that thing. (presses his fist against LASSITER’S head)

LASSITER:
Here's the problem. We ran a toxicology report. There's no trace of poison.

SHAWN:
Of course. Thank you, detective. So what you're saying is he would have had to administer it very, very slowly.

LASSITER:
Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. How do you poison someone slowly?

SHAWN sees the coffee in JESSICA’S hands and remembers what STALLINGS said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STALLINGS:
He brings me coffee in the mornings, although he brings it for everybody. All four of us. Three of us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SHAWN:
Coffee.

LASSITER:
No, I'm good.

GUS:
Tea!

LASSITER:
Well, if you're going.

GUS:
It had to be the tea. The leaves wouldn't stand out in the tea.

LASSITER:
Hugo poisoned his tea!

SHAWN:
Every day for six months.

GUS:
Digitalis would cause arrhythmia in a healthy heart. (pumps fist in excitement)

LASSITER:
Which would disappear as soon as someone died.

GUS:
(jumps up and down) I solved it!

SHAWN:
No, you didn't.

GUS:
Yes, I did!

JULIET:
No, you didn't.

GUS:
(stops dance) Yes, I did. Oh, that's right. You did.

LASSITER:
O'Hara, call the coroner tell him to check for even the slightest traces of digitalis. And get me a new pair of handcuffs.

SHAWN smiles and slaps LASSITER on the back as he walks away. SHAW, GUS and JULIET share a smile as LASSITER approaches HUGO and whispers in his ear before taking him by the arm.

HUGO:
(into microphone) Uh, that'll be all.

The reporters clamor as LASSITER leads HUGO off, waving at the press himself. JULIET, SHAWN and GUS share a three-part fist bump.

INT SBPD, HALL, DAY

LASSITER walks happily through the halls, basking in the admiration from his fellow police.

LASSITER:
Hi. Thank you. Thanks. Just part of the job. (sees SHAWN) Spencer, a moment of your precious time. (pulls SHAWN by the elbow into VICK’S office)

INT SBPD, VICK’S OFFICE, DAY

SHAWN:
Uh, are you sure we should be in here?

LASSITER:
(puts briefcase on desk and looks out the door towards JULIET) That night in the bar, I mentioned my wife, didn't I?

SHAWN:
Yes.

LASSITER:
Oh, crap. What did I say, exactly?

Outside, GUS walks over to join JULIET.

SHAWN:
That she wants you back.

LASSITER:
No, no, I don't think I said that.

SHAWN:
Maybe I sensed that.

LASSITER:
You didn't sense it either, but thanks for trying to help. Tell you the truth, I think I got some help on this case.

SHAWN:
(looks at JULIET) Really?

LASSITER:
Yeah.

SHAWN:
Well, hey, man, we all get help sometimes, right? It's the truly great ones that know how to accept it. And, if I may add one more thing, detective, you astound me.

LASSITER:
Second half to that joke?

SHAWN:
No.

LASSITER:
No?

JULIET joins them.

JULIET:
The press is asking for you outside.

LASSITER:
Tell them I will be right there.

JULIET leaves.

LASSITER:
To tell you the truth, Spencer, sometimes I astound myself. (points to tie) How's the knot?

SHAWN:
Tight.

LASSITER:
Great. (leaves)

INT. TOM BLAIR’S PUB, NIGHT

HENRY is sitting at the bar sipping a beer when SHAWN walks up behind him. HENRY senses him there and glances back before setting down his beer.

SHAWN:
All alone, huh?

HENRY:
That would appear to be the case.

SHAWN:
It's a Friday night. What happened to Sylvia?

HENRY:
Would you believe that I didn't want to hurt your feelings? Sit down. Have a drink.

SHAWN sits on the stool nest to HENRY with a sigh.

SHAWN:
You buying?

HENRY:
You kidding?