Twisted s01e01 Episode Script
Pilot
He's acting really strange lately So quiet.
Weird.
Well, maybe he's just having some family issues.
His mom is such a she-beast.
Or maybe he's just going through puberty.
Ew, Lacey! I don't think that's it.
My turn, and make sure it's extra high.
Higher.
I'm trying, Lacey.
Well, you're not trying hard enough.
I'm gonna Whoa.
Watch it, numb-nuts.
Danny? Are you okay? Why were you inside for so long? I had to.
There was no other choice.
Jo! Breakfast is ready! Desai's return to Green Grove High has been met with controversy.
He was released yesterday from the juvenile detention facility that has held him for the past five years Since he strangled his aunt, author Tara Desai, while she babysat for him and two friends.
The school board's decision just last week to re-admit Desai as a sophomore - has sparked a firestorm - Can we turn that off now, please? - amongst parents, students, and faculty - Mom.
This is my new reality.
I might as well get used to it.
I just think you'll feel less tense if you try not to focus on it.
I'll feel less tense once I see that lunatic freak and tell him I hate his guts.
Jo, your dad and I have been talking, and Well Uh, we think you should start seeing Dr.
Shin again.
Hell no.
That guy smells like cat food.
Which is why we can afford him.
This is a lot to handle.
- Mom, I'm fine.
- Fine? You're about to go yell at a confessed, unrepentant murderer.
Kyle, let's not be dramatic.
He was a scared kid.
Should he really be condemned for the rest of his life? I never said that.
I just want our daughter to be safe.
And that's not what I want? Maybe you two should go see Dr.
Shin.
Eat your eggs.
But for Lacey Porter, moving on hasn't been easy.
That moment I first saw her, just lying there It's etched in my brain.
I don't like thinking about that day.
And if it were my choice, i wouldn't let that socio anywhere near my school.
Lacey has not been the only Maybe it's time you reach out to her again.
This is something only the two of you have in common.
Lacey and I have nothing in common.
It was just five months ago that Desai's father, prominent real-estate developer Vikram Desai, fell off a company yacht while intoxicated.
His body was never recovered.
Widowed Karen Desai returned home yesterday with her son.
I have no comment right now.
Thank you.
Karen never changes.
Always ready for her close-up.
An appeal of the school board's decision was launched just last week by local parents.
But thanks to a strong counter-fight by Karen Desai, it was quickly overturned, paving the way for Desai's return today.
I was watching you on the TV screen you were turning green beneath the sun your subtle subtext and your doubtful justice they were on display for everyone it's been awhile since I've seen you I start to smile as your color changes shades from green to blue I just can't believe he came back here.
I just wanted to get through the next few years and just get the hell out of here, and now it's like Suddenly I'm 11 again.
Call me if you need me.
I can be back here in five minutes.
Oh, I release you, my old friend Hey, Jo! Hey, ready for today? It's gonna be a tough one.
Yeah, I'm well aware, Rico.
Trust me.
Yeah, I prepped all night.
My mom had to make me like three espresso shots.
Okay, what are we talking about? Our pre-calculus quiz.
What are you talking about? Danny Desai? The murderer? Jump rope? Dead aunt? Town scandal? Yeah, I'm not I'm not familiar.
Why did you think all of these reporters were here? Doesn't, like Doesn't the debate team have their showdown today with Dayton prep? Come on.
Ooh, look, Lace.
Your "socio" line is trending on Twitter.
Good.
Maybe he'll get the hint and stay away from me.
He better, or I'll make sure he runs weeping back to his padded cell if he tries to mess with our girl.
Thanks, but probably better not to poke the psycho.
- Just saying.
- Whatever, he doesn't scare me.
I spent a summer in theater camp.
Those girls will mess you up.
Yeah, and I've been super-vicious since I went off gluten.
We got your back, Lace.
- Hi, Arch.
- Hi, girls.
I saw you on the news.
You are sexy when you're traumatized.
Aww, thanks, Arch.
I'm glad my scarred psyche turns you on.
Don't stress, babe.
transfers once he realizes everyone hates him.
I still can't believe they let him back in.
- "Fully reformed" my ass.
- It's a cute ass.
Okay, I got to run.
Mr.
Kane is a lateness Nazi, but See you at lunch.
Bye.
Her hair makes me sad.
At least it draws the eye away from those farmer's boots.
I can't believe you used to be such good friends with her, Lace.
What did you two even talk about? Yeah, like I even remember.
Yo, Sarita.
Come over here.
Hey.
How you holding up? Uh, okay, I guess.
- You? - Okay.
I mean, my mom's pissing me off.
Danny coming back is the perfect excuse for her to bulldoze her way into my life, you know? Yeah.
Have you started having those dreams again? No, not really.
I have.
He's always squeezing that yellow jump rope like it's a part of him or something.
Red.
It it was a red jump rope.
I think.
Look, I I know you probably don't even care, and it's not really your scene, but me and my friends are having a party tonight.
On a school night.
You crazy kids.
Yeah, well, Regina's parents are out of town, so we thought we'd throw a little "Michael Myers goes to our school now, let's blow off some steam" sort of shindig.
I mean, pretty much everyone's coming.
So if you want to go, you can.
I don't care.
- Don't do me any favors.
- That's not what I meant.
Look, it's not like I lie around wishing I could hang with you and your lame, superficial friends, anyway.
Fine.
Then don't come.
- Look, there's Danny.
- Where? Is that him? Oh, my God, Danny Desai.
Paging Dr.
Lecter.
Your spawn is loose on aisle four.
I'd let him loose on my aisle.
Boo.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I was I was just joking.
Um how are you guys? Mr.
Desai.
Come with me, please.
Well, academically, I think you'll be fine I see you passed all your entrance exams with flying colors.
I am extremely proud of him.
Well, I've had plenty of time to prepare five years of nonstop study hall.
Well, that's certainly true.
Socially, however, it won't be easy.
Even my faculty is a little skittish.
Principal Tang, my Danny's a very social boy.
Once everyone gets used to having him back, things will return back to normal.
Right, sweetheart? Yes, mother.
You'll be running the PTA again by spring.
That's not what I meant.
I just think that Green Grove is worth the struggle.
This is our home.
Yes.
It is.
So many happy memories here.
Let's talk about this later, honey.
Well, Danny, as I always like to say, the things that test us during adolescence turn us into the adults we were always meant to be.
That's very wise, principal.
Yeah.
And, hey, it doesn't hurt having such a beautiful, supportive mother guiding you.
- Am I right? - Mark, stop it.
Hey.
Um, I'm sorry I had to run off before.
I have to get to class.
Right.
Yeah.
Of course.
I'm a little nervous.
Can we just can we chat, just for a couple minutes? Fine, Danny.
Let's chat.
What should we What should we chat about first? I know How about my lost childhood? Ooh, or my wacky, delightful journey into the world of post-traumatic stress.
I know it must have been rough, okay? I-I can't even begin to imagine No, you can't.
You weren't here.
I-I know.
I tried to stay in contact.
Didn't you get any of the letters that I sent? Yeah.
They burned great.
Jo, please.
It's me.
I'm still the same boy you grew up with.
The boy I grew up with wouldn't have hurt a fly.
I'm not some psycho.
Come on, Jo.
You know me.
You know me better than anyone.
Look, I know you were never a big Aunt Tara fan.
So, what? Did she Did she do something to you? Did she say something? If you had an actual reason, why didn't you tell it to the police? Because I couldn't.
Okay, I still can't.
I can't tell that to anyone ever.
Can Can you at least Can you at least show me to my next class? I, um this place is like a giant maze.
It's psychology with Mrs.
Fisk.
That's That's my next class, too.
Great.
Um Lead the way.
So, semantic are stored facts, and episodic are sequences of memories.
But what is the deeper difference? Danny Desai.
You've been in my classroom appear to be the most interesting thing about it.
We're sorry, Mrs.
Fisk.
It's just that, uh None of us have seen a real psycho before, so "Psycho" A word forever hijacked by the lazy vulgarity of the popular culture.
So, Mr.
Desai, I hear from my sources that your nickname on the Twitter is the "socio.
" Is it? I guess I should get into this whole Twitter thing.
You really should.
It's a delightful waste of time.
So what is the definition of "socio," or its more common scientific synonym, "sociopath"? A person who wakes up every morning in a pool of someone else's blood? No.
Wrong.
Actually, most sociopaths don't bother killing people.
It requires too much effort.
Anyone else? Um a sociopath has no conscience.
No ability to feel empathy for other people.
That's right.
Good, Jo.
- Mrs.
Fisk? - Yeah? How can you tell if someone's a sociopath? I mean, you can't You can't read someone's mind.
That's true The mind is a vast world of fascinating, unknowable mysteries.
Although sociopaths lack a real human emotion, they are damn clever at mimicking them.
Please tell me you don't actually want to have sex with a killer.
I know you're still traumatized, but he was 11 when he did that.
Nothing really counts before you're 13, 14.
- Is she serious? - I did ballet when I was 11.
That doesn't make me a ballerina.
Are these words really coming out of your mouth right now? - Chill, Lace.
She's all talk.
- Um, excuse me? Come on, if you hooked up with a fraction of the guys you thought were hot, you'd be in the slut section of the "guinness Book of World Records" by now.
It's not funny.
It's kind of funny.
All talk, huh? Socio! Come over here! I'm not sure I should start responding to that nickname.
Lacey.
I, uh I've been looking for you.
I'm Regina, Lacey's BFF, but we're really more like sisters.
Right, Lace? Right, Reg.
Will you girls excuse me? I have bio in 10.
She's supersensitive, but she'll get over it.
Everyone will.
This school is actually very friendly.
Clearly I feel like I'm in an episode of "Glee," and everyone's about to break out into song.
They let you watch "Glee" in prison? It's part of our punishment.
Okay, so, listen, I am throwing a party at my house tonight.
- You in? - Regina.
What are you doing? Ignore Sarita.
She's frigid.
- So? What do you say? - Well, uh Where did you get that necklace? It was a gift.
Why? You like it? Uh, thanks for the invite.
Maybe I'll pop by.
Cool.
Are you high on hormones? I hope he's that intense in bed.
Oh, my God.
Okay, so, if we multiply that by the rate of acceleration, we get a lady who's apparently okay with an A-minus on this problem set.
- Okay, let's say you killed your aunt.
- Okay.
But you believe you had a reason for doing it.
Wouldn't you want to explain it to people? Yeah, I don't know.
I kind of like my aunt.
She buys me presents and makes yummy apple cinnamon pancakes.
- Helpful, Rico.
Thank you.
- Yeah, you're so welcome.
Now, as our generation might say, let's quit this here chillaxing and get all up in this dope problem set, yo.
Oh, uh, "chillaxing" It's like this word they say now where, like, you mix, like you mix "chill" and "relax.
" Yeah, I get it.
Just never do it again.
Okay, yeah.
Okay, whatever you do, don't turn around and then look up.
I said don't.
Is there any chance that he didn't see me? I don't know, 'cause then I'd have to look.
Still a regular here, I see.
A fact you obviously did not forget.
I'm not stalking you.
I promise.
I came for the pie.
Danny.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, yeah, hi.
I'm I'm Rico.
I'm extraordinarily uncomfortable right now.
Um - Yeah, me and you both, Rico.
- Yeah.
Do you think that I wanted to come back here? That it was my choice? It wasn't.
It was my mom's, so I'm here.
And now, everywhere I go, it's like I'm back at that day, like suddenly I'm 11 again.
Am I supposed to feel bad for you? No.
You have every reason in the world to hate me.
Somehow I still thought you'd be the one person to give me half a chance.
Oh, my God, that was tense.
I feel like I just lived through a Hitchcock movie.
Danny, wait.
Hey.
Look.
I know this must be hard for you.
But you can't keep coming up to me, at at school, or the diner, or anywhere, okay? It's It's hard for me, too.
Fair enough.
I'll leave you alone.
Okay.
Thanks.
Um, I'm sorry about your dad.
He was always really nice to me.
Well, he was a definite Jo fan.
You're wondering if I'm mimicking human emotion, aren't you? No, I'm not.
I'm not doing that.
Don't worry about it.
After that crazy class, I'm assuming pretty much everyone I see is a sociopath.
Look, um There's this party Danny, I just got Wait.
Are you talking about Regina Crane's party? Yeah, that's the one.
How do you know about that? Because I was invited to it.
You? Invited? By an actual human? Yeah.
Of course, it'd be easier to show up there with someone else.
Might take some of the edge off.
You and I were meant to fly singing "La la la la," now, whoa, oh, oh you and I were meant to fly singing "LA la la la," now, whoa, oh, oh Look what the crazy dragged in.
You can ditch me now, by the way, if you want.
Go.
Drink.
Mingle.
I don't I don't drink or mingle, especially with these people.
Okay, then why are you here? Got to tell my grandkids I did something stupid in high school, right? Good point.
Socio, you came! And look who you brought.
Lacey invited me, actually.
Oh.
Okay.
Well, so glad you decided to join us.
Yay! Come on, I'll introduce you to people.
Um I'm Singing "la la la la," now, whoa, oh, oh So, what's up with you and Danny? Uh, up? Nothing's nothing's up.
Don't play dumb with me.
You want him, don't you? Um, no.
Do you Do you want him, Regina? Uh, yeah.
I'll pass him to you after.
Sharing is caring.
That's okay! He's all yours.
Aww, Jo! You are so cool.
Everyone is so wrong about you.
So, you're really not worried about getting too close to him, huh? Whatever.
We'll use protection.
No, that's not I meant, um, because of his past.
You know, the whole "murdered his aunt," "socio" thing? Eh.
He's here, and he's clearly not going anywhere.
What are we all gonna do, hate him forever? Stop.
Hostess.
Thanks.
Twirl it, swirl it, and knock it down.
Hmm? Can I get one gin and tonic, bartender? Easy on the gin, heavy on the tonic.
My tolerance isn't what it used to be.
Hey, creep.
Are you trying to add "stalker" to your criminal record? Sarita You're Sarita, right? Now I remember you You were the one with the facial-hair problem in fifth grade.
I think you're mistaken, freak.
No, no, I don't think I am.
You had to leave school for a week to have some sort of chemical-laser-electrode procedure that they only approved in Germany or something.
Looks like it worked okay.
You can still see the faint outline of a mustache, but nothing too bad.
I see you're winning over the student body, one charming remark at a time great strategy.
Got you to say something to me.
Got Jo to follow you around like a puppy dog in under a day.
Impressive.
Puppy dog? Wow.
That's that's harsh.
Didn't you hear? I'm a bitch now.
Told you she'd come around.
Convo-ing with the socio.
What would Archie think? Lacey's boyfriend is captain of the soccer team.
Grade-a stud-muffin.
But you could so out-stud him.
You know, in a hypothetical stud-off.
He here? Uh, no.
He has a game tomorrow.
Well, get him here! Let's turn this stud-off dream into a reality.
Socio versus soccer captain.
I'd pay good money to see that.
Maybe it's time to give the whole "socio" thing a rest.
Hey, you started it.
"Socio.
" It's It's kind of catchy, actually.
Anyway, I should go before Jo starts having actual fun.
It was nice to see you, Lacey.
Regina.
Wow.
Did the socio just ditch us? After the way you were acting, can you blame him? Chill out.
I was just having a little fun.
Don't be so sensitive.
Excuse me, could you please watch where you're swinging those long, creepy, ape arms? Okay, thanks.
Yes, they are disproportionate to my body at the moment, but the Internet says that that's really normal.
Wow.
Someone's having some fun.
I am having fun, and I want to have even more fun, so deal with it.
Scott, meet Jo.
She wants to have more fun.
Take your shirt off.
Pour this on him and lick it off.
- Off of him? I don't - Yeah.
- I don't think so.
- Do it.
- Socio! - Okay.
Finally, I've got you all to myself.
Come with me.
There's something I want to show you.
Want a hint? It's my bed.
Leave me alone! Don't touch me! Get the hell off of me! Come on, Jo shot for shot.
It's Green Grove High law.
It's a dumb, gross law.
Stop! Hey, hey, hey, hey! Mind your own business, freak.
Freak? Really? That's so generic.
How about rope boy? Now, that That's a little bit more pointed.
But why don't we just Look at me.
That's right.
Wait.
That was amazing, though.
What the hell did you say to him anyway? I don't know Something about suing him for assault and winning.
Thought so.
They didn't teach you how to drive in prison, did they? Just get in.
- Danny, it's Lacey! it's Lacey.
- I know.
Lacey, Danny.
Danny, Lacey.
Watch your head.
Watch your head.
Mom! Dad! You came! Welcome! We'll talk about this tomorrow.
- Studying with Rico, huh? - Well, that's what she said.
Stay calm.
Fine, or don't.
I'm gonna get her a glass of water.
Thank you.
I love you.
Chief Masterson, good to see you.
Try not to be too hard on her, sir.
Mom, the party was awesome.
This dude was like, "take your shirt off.
I want to lick you.
" And Danny was all, "get away from her.
You suck.
" And Regina and I totally bonded.
She was like, "I want Danny," and I was like, "you can have him.
" And she was like, "I'll pass him to you after.
Sharing is caring!" Yeah, I should probably I guess she let go of all that unresolved anger.
Silver lining? A thin one.
Thanks.
You saved me an hour of tedious drunk walking.
Don't mention it.
Seriously, to anyone ever.
Got it.
So, since all of this apparently never happened, do you want come in, hang out? We haven't really got a chance to talk.
You realize that's intentional, right? I have blue ranch potato chips.
Sweet cheddar? I haven't eaten these in years.
Well, me neither.
Do you remember when, uh, when we dared Jo to eat a bag of every flavor? Uh-huh.
She made it all the way to spicy jalapeño before vomiting all over my dad's favorite New York Yankees throw rug.
Poor Jo.
Why? My dad blamed me, not her.
No, I mean now.
She's having a hard time, unlike you.
Okay, what did she say? I ditched her, abandoned her? No.
Of course not.
Why? That's not what happened? Do you think it was easy, being the best friends of the child murderer? No, I'm sure it wasn't.
Yeah.
It wasn't.
Forget the fact that you turned our childhoods into "Children Of The Corn.
" We were both ostracized, associated with the psycho freak.
Middle school is rough enough without all that crap, so excuse me for doing what I had to do to survive To move on.
Look.
You're right, Lacey, and I'm sorry.
I never meant to hurt you and Jo.
You meant to hurt someone.
Do you regret it? The past is in the past.
Do you want to know what I really regret? Not if it's creepy.
I regret not growing up with you and Jo.
Ruining what we had.
We had some fun, didn't we? I miss that, and I think you miss it, too.
I thought the past was in the past? Quit hogging all the blue ranch.
Oh, we landed low hum it out and take in everything As lies go this one is beautiful and I know that I've been a fool for you Regina? - Hey.
- Hey.
Um I just I wanted to say thank you for getting me back last night and for standing up for me to that wannabe rapist jock douche.
I think that may actually be his full legal name.
Want to come inside? Come on, it's freezing.
Come inside.
Jo! Look at you.
Oh, you're so big.
Not in a fat way In a grownup way.
Oh, it's so good to see you.
Yeah, it's good to see you, too, Mrs.
Desai.
Well, well, two days back, and you've certainly had your share of female visitors, sweetheart.
Visitors? As in, um, plural? As in as in two.
Lacey ended up staying the night here.
Oh.
Wow.
You guys didn't? No.
No, I swear.
Uh, we just talked and then went to sleep.
But, uh, let's just try to keep that between us? I think that guy that she's dating would love nothing more than to take it the wrong way.
Okay.
Danny! Jo! Come here! Danny! News 12 has the exclusive story.
A housekeeper discovered Green Grove High school student Regina Crane beaten to death inside of her home at around 6:30 this morning.
We have no suspects at this time, but I want to assure the Green Grove community that we will use every resource at our disposal to catch the killer.
This unthinkable crime will not go unpunished.
It's so weird.
I feel like she's gonna come bouncing in any second.
I told her Begged her not to throw herself at that psycho.
I even offered to bang her, if she was itching to get banged.
If only she'd listened.
Are we sure it was Danny? Scott, tell Lacey what Danny whispered to you.
He said that if I didn't back off that he'd kill me and he'd enjoy it, like he did last time.
Still think the creep is innocent? Regina was a loving, energetic, positive force in our community.
Now we must come together in our grief and support each other.
Socio.
Socio.
I urge you guys Come on, settle.
I urge you to keep in mind that the police have not named a suspect, so please stop spreading unfounded accusations against your peers.
Sorry to interrupt, principal.
Danny Desai? Uh, we'd like you to come with us, Danny.
We need to ask you a few questions.
Dad! In front of the whole school? I'm sorry, honey.
Danny, let's go.
I know that we're all scared.
And sad and, um, angry, and it's it's easy to focus all of that on the obvious person.
But is that really fair? I don't know if Danny did this or not.
But do you? Do any of us? I mean, it's not like he's under arrest, right? Please, just just give him a chance.
Don't ostracize him even more.
Well, uh, this is gonna do wonders for our social lives, huh? I know you agree with me.
I saw your face while I was talking.
That wasn't my agreement face.
That was "my what the hell is she thinking?" face.
What if someone else did have a reason to kill Regina? I mean, wouldn't the day Danny got back be the perfect time to do it? He's the instant suspect.
Come on, Lacey.
Someone has to give him the benefit of the doubt.
And that someone has to be you? No us.
Who else is gonna do it? I know about last night.
Nothing happened.
Please don't tell anyone.
I won't, because you have to tell everyone.
If you say you were with him, people will believe you.
I was asleep! I don't know what he did or didn't do last night.
All I know is the best friend I ever had is dead.
I know, and I am so sorry.
But Danny was trying to start over.
I mean, why would he do this? Why'd he do it before? Just trust the police, okay? Trust your dad.
If Danny's innocent, they'll figure it out.
And stop defending him.
You're only making things worse for yourself here.
You haven't changed.
All you care about is what other people think of you.
I swear, I-I got the text, I turned off my phone, then went to bed.
And you didn't want to talk to her, just to find out what the hell she meant? I knew what she meant.
She wanted to get me into bed.
And you didn't go? I guess I'm saving myself for someone special, sir.
Danny, the people in this town don't care about the truth.
All they care about is your head on a stick.
But me? I just want to hear your side of the story.
So tell me What really happened? Nothing.
Nothing happened.
I didn't leave my room after 12:30.
Anyone who can vouch for that? That necklace look familiar? No.
Not at all.
Why? The housekeeper claims that Regina never took it off, yet it was the only thing that was missing in the entire house.
I'm not a detective.
But that sounds like a burglary gone wrong.
Chief, Karen Desai and her lawyers are here.
It looks like we'll have to finish this up another time.
Sure.
Anything I can do to help.
Danny, are you okay? I hope you didn't catch too much grief for that little speech.
You stood up for me.
I was just returning the favor.
Look, Regina texted me, before she, um You mean, after we left the party? She wanted me to come back.
And when I said no, she She insinuated that she knew why I killed my aunt.
I should have told you before, but I was afraid that you'd assume I killed her, just like everybody else.
Jo! Please, please.
Why did you kill her? - I didn't.
- Not Regina.
Your aunt.
And don't just say that you can't tell me, okay? - I have to know.
I'm sorry.
- I'm protecting you.
From what? I mean, you want this second chance, Danny, but you make it so freaking difficult by acting all weird and mysterious.
If you just tell everyone why you did it, then Then what? They'll get over it? - They'll laugh it off? - No.
But maybe they won't call you "socio" anymore.
Well, I can live with that.
It's kind of a cool, intimidating nickname.
Please, Jo, look at me.
I need you to trust me.
I may have killed someone before, but I never lied to you.
Can I come in? I had to bribe you both to pose for that photo.
Danny, I want to know what Kyle Masterson asked you today.
Well, um, uh, he's repainting his office, and he wanted a second opinion.
I told him that green would really bring out his eyes.
Would you stop it? I don't understand.
Why won't you talk to me? All I want to do is help you.
Is that why you brought me back to a town where everyone thinks I'm a teenage Ted Bundy? This is our home.
This is where your father and I raised you.
- It's where we were a family.
- No.
No, this is where you were the top of a small-town pyramid.
The most popular mom in the neighborhood.
We couldn't sell it.
We couldn't even get people to come to the open house.
We still thought about leaving here.
But then your father's drinking got worse, and he gambled on some bad investments, and, you know We didn't have as many options.
Are you saying that we're broke? We'll be okay.
We have enough to live on.
But the majority of the money is tied up in the house.
Danny.
I love you.
I want you happy.
And if that means we have to move somewhere else and start all over, then that's what we'll do.
I, uh I Haven't brushed up on my criminal law lately, but I think that fleeing town might make me look guilty.
I don't care how it looks.
I know you are not guilty.
Thanks, mother.
And it's gonna be okay.
Once they find the real killer, this will all blow over anyway, right? Get some sleep.
You've had a really long day.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Good night.
Weird.
Well, maybe he's just having some family issues.
His mom is such a she-beast.
Or maybe he's just going through puberty.
Ew, Lacey! I don't think that's it.
My turn, and make sure it's extra high.
Higher.
I'm trying, Lacey.
Well, you're not trying hard enough.
I'm gonna Whoa.
Watch it, numb-nuts.
Danny? Are you okay? Why were you inside for so long? I had to.
There was no other choice.
Jo! Breakfast is ready! Desai's return to Green Grove High has been met with controversy.
He was released yesterday from the juvenile detention facility that has held him for the past five years Since he strangled his aunt, author Tara Desai, while she babysat for him and two friends.
The school board's decision just last week to re-admit Desai as a sophomore - has sparked a firestorm - Can we turn that off now, please? - amongst parents, students, and faculty - Mom.
This is my new reality.
I might as well get used to it.
I just think you'll feel less tense if you try not to focus on it.
I'll feel less tense once I see that lunatic freak and tell him I hate his guts.
Jo, your dad and I have been talking, and Well Uh, we think you should start seeing Dr.
Shin again.
Hell no.
That guy smells like cat food.
Which is why we can afford him.
This is a lot to handle.
- Mom, I'm fine.
- Fine? You're about to go yell at a confessed, unrepentant murderer.
Kyle, let's not be dramatic.
He was a scared kid.
Should he really be condemned for the rest of his life? I never said that.
I just want our daughter to be safe.
And that's not what I want? Maybe you two should go see Dr.
Shin.
Eat your eggs.
But for Lacey Porter, moving on hasn't been easy.
That moment I first saw her, just lying there It's etched in my brain.
I don't like thinking about that day.
And if it were my choice, i wouldn't let that socio anywhere near my school.
Lacey has not been the only Maybe it's time you reach out to her again.
This is something only the two of you have in common.
Lacey and I have nothing in common.
It was just five months ago that Desai's father, prominent real-estate developer Vikram Desai, fell off a company yacht while intoxicated.
His body was never recovered.
Widowed Karen Desai returned home yesterday with her son.
I have no comment right now.
Thank you.
Karen never changes.
Always ready for her close-up.
An appeal of the school board's decision was launched just last week by local parents.
But thanks to a strong counter-fight by Karen Desai, it was quickly overturned, paving the way for Desai's return today.
I was watching you on the TV screen you were turning green beneath the sun your subtle subtext and your doubtful justice they were on display for everyone it's been awhile since I've seen you I start to smile as your color changes shades from green to blue I just can't believe he came back here.
I just wanted to get through the next few years and just get the hell out of here, and now it's like Suddenly I'm 11 again.
Call me if you need me.
I can be back here in five minutes.
Oh, I release you, my old friend Hey, Jo! Hey, ready for today? It's gonna be a tough one.
Yeah, I'm well aware, Rico.
Trust me.
Yeah, I prepped all night.
My mom had to make me like three espresso shots.
Okay, what are we talking about? Our pre-calculus quiz.
What are you talking about? Danny Desai? The murderer? Jump rope? Dead aunt? Town scandal? Yeah, I'm not I'm not familiar.
Why did you think all of these reporters were here? Doesn't, like Doesn't the debate team have their showdown today with Dayton prep? Come on.
Ooh, look, Lace.
Your "socio" line is trending on Twitter.
Good.
Maybe he'll get the hint and stay away from me.
He better, or I'll make sure he runs weeping back to his padded cell if he tries to mess with our girl.
Thanks, but probably better not to poke the psycho.
- Just saying.
- Whatever, he doesn't scare me.
I spent a summer in theater camp.
Those girls will mess you up.
Yeah, and I've been super-vicious since I went off gluten.
We got your back, Lace.
- Hi, Arch.
- Hi, girls.
I saw you on the news.
You are sexy when you're traumatized.
Aww, thanks, Arch.
I'm glad my scarred psyche turns you on.
Don't stress, babe.
transfers once he realizes everyone hates him.
I still can't believe they let him back in.
- "Fully reformed" my ass.
- It's a cute ass.
Okay, I got to run.
Mr.
Kane is a lateness Nazi, but See you at lunch.
Bye.
Her hair makes me sad.
At least it draws the eye away from those farmer's boots.
I can't believe you used to be such good friends with her, Lace.
What did you two even talk about? Yeah, like I even remember.
Yo, Sarita.
Come over here.
Hey.
How you holding up? Uh, okay, I guess.
- You? - Okay.
I mean, my mom's pissing me off.
Danny coming back is the perfect excuse for her to bulldoze her way into my life, you know? Yeah.
Have you started having those dreams again? No, not really.
I have.
He's always squeezing that yellow jump rope like it's a part of him or something.
Red.
It it was a red jump rope.
I think.
Look, I I know you probably don't even care, and it's not really your scene, but me and my friends are having a party tonight.
On a school night.
You crazy kids.
Yeah, well, Regina's parents are out of town, so we thought we'd throw a little "Michael Myers goes to our school now, let's blow off some steam" sort of shindig.
I mean, pretty much everyone's coming.
So if you want to go, you can.
I don't care.
- Don't do me any favors.
- That's not what I meant.
Look, it's not like I lie around wishing I could hang with you and your lame, superficial friends, anyway.
Fine.
Then don't come.
- Look, there's Danny.
- Where? Is that him? Oh, my God, Danny Desai.
Paging Dr.
Lecter.
Your spawn is loose on aisle four.
I'd let him loose on my aisle.
Boo.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I was I was just joking.
Um how are you guys? Mr.
Desai.
Come with me, please.
Well, academically, I think you'll be fine I see you passed all your entrance exams with flying colors.
I am extremely proud of him.
Well, I've had plenty of time to prepare five years of nonstop study hall.
Well, that's certainly true.
Socially, however, it won't be easy.
Even my faculty is a little skittish.
Principal Tang, my Danny's a very social boy.
Once everyone gets used to having him back, things will return back to normal.
Right, sweetheart? Yes, mother.
You'll be running the PTA again by spring.
That's not what I meant.
I just think that Green Grove is worth the struggle.
This is our home.
Yes.
It is.
So many happy memories here.
Let's talk about this later, honey.
Well, Danny, as I always like to say, the things that test us during adolescence turn us into the adults we were always meant to be.
That's very wise, principal.
Yeah.
And, hey, it doesn't hurt having such a beautiful, supportive mother guiding you.
- Am I right? - Mark, stop it.
Hey.
Um, I'm sorry I had to run off before.
I have to get to class.
Right.
Yeah.
Of course.
I'm a little nervous.
Can we just can we chat, just for a couple minutes? Fine, Danny.
Let's chat.
What should we What should we chat about first? I know How about my lost childhood? Ooh, or my wacky, delightful journey into the world of post-traumatic stress.
I know it must have been rough, okay? I-I can't even begin to imagine No, you can't.
You weren't here.
I-I know.
I tried to stay in contact.
Didn't you get any of the letters that I sent? Yeah.
They burned great.
Jo, please.
It's me.
I'm still the same boy you grew up with.
The boy I grew up with wouldn't have hurt a fly.
I'm not some psycho.
Come on, Jo.
You know me.
You know me better than anyone.
Look, I know you were never a big Aunt Tara fan.
So, what? Did she Did she do something to you? Did she say something? If you had an actual reason, why didn't you tell it to the police? Because I couldn't.
Okay, I still can't.
I can't tell that to anyone ever.
Can Can you at least Can you at least show me to my next class? I, um this place is like a giant maze.
It's psychology with Mrs.
Fisk.
That's That's my next class, too.
Great.
Um Lead the way.
So, semantic are stored facts, and episodic are sequences of memories.
But what is the deeper difference? Danny Desai.
You've been in my classroom appear to be the most interesting thing about it.
We're sorry, Mrs.
Fisk.
It's just that, uh None of us have seen a real psycho before, so "Psycho" A word forever hijacked by the lazy vulgarity of the popular culture.
So, Mr.
Desai, I hear from my sources that your nickname on the Twitter is the "socio.
" Is it? I guess I should get into this whole Twitter thing.
You really should.
It's a delightful waste of time.
So what is the definition of "socio," or its more common scientific synonym, "sociopath"? A person who wakes up every morning in a pool of someone else's blood? No.
Wrong.
Actually, most sociopaths don't bother killing people.
It requires too much effort.
Anyone else? Um a sociopath has no conscience.
No ability to feel empathy for other people.
That's right.
Good, Jo.
- Mrs.
Fisk? - Yeah? How can you tell if someone's a sociopath? I mean, you can't You can't read someone's mind.
That's true The mind is a vast world of fascinating, unknowable mysteries.
Although sociopaths lack a real human emotion, they are damn clever at mimicking them.
Please tell me you don't actually want to have sex with a killer.
I know you're still traumatized, but he was 11 when he did that.
Nothing really counts before you're 13, 14.
- Is she serious? - I did ballet when I was 11.
That doesn't make me a ballerina.
Are these words really coming out of your mouth right now? - Chill, Lace.
She's all talk.
- Um, excuse me? Come on, if you hooked up with a fraction of the guys you thought were hot, you'd be in the slut section of the "guinness Book of World Records" by now.
It's not funny.
It's kind of funny.
All talk, huh? Socio! Come over here! I'm not sure I should start responding to that nickname.
Lacey.
I, uh I've been looking for you.
I'm Regina, Lacey's BFF, but we're really more like sisters.
Right, Lace? Right, Reg.
Will you girls excuse me? I have bio in 10.
She's supersensitive, but she'll get over it.
Everyone will.
This school is actually very friendly.
Clearly I feel like I'm in an episode of "Glee," and everyone's about to break out into song.
They let you watch "Glee" in prison? It's part of our punishment.
Okay, so, listen, I am throwing a party at my house tonight.
- You in? - Regina.
What are you doing? Ignore Sarita.
She's frigid.
- So? What do you say? - Well, uh Where did you get that necklace? It was a gift.
Why? You like it? Uh, thanks for the invite.
Maybe I'll pop by.
Cool.
Are you high on hormones? I hope he's that intense in bed.
Oh, my God.
Okay, so, if we multiply that by the rate of acceleration, we get a lady who's apparently okay with an A-minus on this problem set.
- Okay, let's say you killed your aunt.
- Okay.
But you believe you had a reason for doing it.
Wouldn't you want to explain it to people? Yeah, I don't know.
I kind of like my aunt.
She buys me presents and makes yummy apple cinnamon pancakes.
- Helpful, Rico.
Thank you.
- Yeah, you're so welcome.
Now, as our generation might say, let's quit this here chillaxing and get all up in this dope problem set, yo.
Oh, uh, "chillaxing" It's like this word they say now where, like, you mix, like you mix "chill" and "relax.
" Yeah, I get it.
Just never do it again.
Okay, yeah.
Okay, whatever you do, don't turn around and then look up.
I said don't.
Is there any chance that he didn't see me? I don't know, 'cause then I'd have to look.
Still a regular here, I see.
A fact you obviously did not forget.
I'm not stalking you.
I promise.
I came for the pie.
Danny.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, yeah, hi.
I'm I'm Rico.
I'm extraordinarily uncomfortable right now.
Um - Yeah, me and you both, Rico.
- Yeah.
Do you think that I wanted to come back here? That it was my choice? It wasn't.
It was my mom's, so I'm here.
And now, everywhere I go, it's like I'm back at that day, like suddenly I'm 11 again.
Am I supposed to feel bad for you? No.
You have every reason in the world to hate me.
Somehow I still thought you'd be the one person to give me half a chance.
Oh, my God, that was tense.
I feel like I just lived through a Hitchcock movie.
Danny, wait.
Hey.
Look.
I know this must be hard for you.
But you can't keep coming up to me, at at school, or the diner, or anywhere, okay? It's It's hard for me, too.
Fair enough.
I'll leave you alone.
Okay.
Thanks.
Um, I'm sorry about your dad.
He was always really nice to me.
Well, he was a definite Jo fan.
You're wondering if I'm mimicking human emotion, aren't you? No, I'm not.
I'm not doing that.
Don't worry about it.
After that crazy class, I'm assuming pretty much everyone I see is a sociopath.
Look, um There's this party Danny, I just got Wait.
Are you talking about Regina Crane's party? Yeah, that's the one.
How do you know about that? Because I was invited to it.
You? Invited? By an actual human? Yeah.
Of course, it'd be easier to show up there with someone else.
Might take some of the edge off.
You and I were meant to fly singing "La la la la," now, whoa, oh, oh you and I were meant to fly singing "LA la la la," now, whoa, oh, oh Look what the crazy dragged in.
You can ditch me now, by the way, if you want.
Go.
Drink.
Mingle.
I don't I don't drink or mingle, especially with these people.
Okay, then why are you here? Got to tell my grandkids I did something stupid in high school, right? Good point.
Socio, you came! And look who you brought.
Lacey invited me, actually.
Oh.
Okay.
Well, so glad you decided to join us.
Yay! Come on, I'll introduce you to people.
Um I'm Singing "la la la la," now, whoa, oh, oh So, what's up with you and Danny? Uh, up? Nothing's nothing's up.
Don't play dumb with me.
You want him, don't you? Um, no.
Do you Do you want him, Regina? Uh, yeah.
I'll pass him to you after.
Sharing is caring.
That's okay! He's all yours.
Aww, Jo! You are so cool.
Everyone is so wrong about you.
So, you're really not worried about getting too close to him, huh? Whatever.
We'll use protection.
No, that's not I meant, um, because of his past.
You know, the whole "murdered his aunt," "socio" thing? Eh.
He's here, and he's clearly not going anywhere.
What are we all gonna do, hate him forever? Stop.
Hostess.
Thanks.
Twirl it, swirl it, and knock it down.
Hmm? Can I get one gin and tonic, bartender? Easy on the gin, heavy on the tonic.
My tolerance isn't what it used to be.
Hey, creep.
Are you trying to add "stalker" to your criminal record? Sarita You're Sarita, right? Now I remember you You were the one with the facial-hair problem in fifth grade.
I think you're mistaken, freak.
No, no, I don't think I am.
You had to leave school for a week to have some sort of chemical-laser-electrode procedure that they only approved in Germany or something.
Looks like it worked okay.
You can still see the faint outline of a mustache, but nothing too bad.
I see you're winning over the student body, one charming remark at a time great strategy.
Got you to say something to me.
Got Jo to follow you around like a puppy dog in under a day.
Impressive.
Puppy dog? Wow.
That's that's harsh.
Didn't you hear? I'm a bitch now.
Told you she'd come around.
Convo-ing with the socio.
What would Archie think? Lacey's boyfriend is captain of the soccer team.
Grade-a stud-muffin.
But you could so out-stud him.
You know, in a hypothetical stud-off.
He here? Uh, no.
He has a game tomorrow.
Well, get him here! Let's turn this stud-off dream into a reality.
Socio versus soccer captain.
I'd pay good money to see that.
Maybe it's time to give the whole "socio" thing a rest.
Hey, you started it.
"Socio.
" It's It's kind of catchy, actually.
Anyway, I should go before Jo starts having actual fun.
It was nice to see you, Lacey.
Regina.
Wow.
Did the socio just ditch us? After the way you were acting, can you blame him? Chill out.
I was just having a little fun.
Don't be so sensitive.
Excuse me, could you please watch where you're swinging those long, creepy, ape arms? Okay, thanks.
Yes, they are disproportionate to my body at the moment, but the Internet says that that's really normal.
Wow.
Someone's having some fun.
I am having fun, and I want to have even more fun, so deal with it.
Scott, meet Jo.
She wants to have more fun.
Take your shirt off.
Pour this on him and lick it off.
- Off of him? I don't - Yeah.
- I don't think so.
- Do it.
- Socio! - Okay.
Finally, I've got you all to myself.
Come with me.
There's something I want to show you.
Want a hint? It's my bed.
Leave me alone! Don't touch me! Get the hell off of me! Come on, Jo shot for shot.
It's Green Grove High law.
It's a dumb, gross law.
Stop! Hey, hey, hey, hey! Mind your own business, freak.
Freak? Really? That's so generic.
How about rope boy? Now, that That's a little bit more pointed.
But why don't we just Look at me.
That's right.
Wait.
That was amazing, though.
What the hell did you say to him anyway? I don't know Something about suing him for assault and winning.
Thought so.
They didn't teach you how to drive in prison, did they? Just get in.
- Danny, it's Lacey! it's Lacey.
- I know.
Lacey, Danny.
Danny, Lacey.
Watch your head.
Watch your head.
Mom! Dad! You came! Welcome! We'll talk about this tomorrow.
- Studying with Rico, huh? - Well, that's what she said.
Stay calm.
Fine, or don't.
I'm gonna get her a glass of water.
Thank you.
I love you.
Chief Masterson, good to see you.
Try not to be too hard on her, sir.
Mom, the party was awesome.
This dude was like, "take your shirt off.
I want to lick you.
" And Danny was all, "get away from her.
You suck.
" And Regina and I totally bonded.
She was like, "I want Danny," and I was like, "you can have him.
" And she was like, "I'll pass him to you after.
Sharing is caring!" Yeah, I should probably I guess she let go of all that unresolved anger.
Silver lining? A thin one.
Thanks.
You saved me an hour of tedious drunk walking.
Don't mention it.
Seriously, to anyone ever.
Got it.
So, since all of this apparently never happened, do you want come in, hang out? We haven't really got a chance to talk.
You realize that's intentional, right? I have blue ranch potato chips.
Sweet cheddar? I haven't eaten these in years.
Well, me neither.
Do you remember when, uh, when we dared Jo to eat a bag of every flavor? Uh-huh.
She made it all the way to spicy jalapeño before vomiting all over my dad's favorite New York Yankees throw rug.
Poor Jo.
Why? My dad blamed me, not her.
No, I mean now.
She's having a hard time, unlike you.
Okay, what did she say? I ditched her, abandoned her? No.
Of course not.
Why? That's not what happened? Do you think it was easy, being the best friends of the child murderer? No, I'm sure it wasn't.
Yeah.
It wasn't.
Forget the fact that you turned our childhoods into "Children Of The Corn.
" We were both ostracized, associated with the psycho freak.
Middle school is rough enough without all that crap, so excuse me for doing what I had to do to survive To move on.
Look.
You're right, Lacey, and I'm sorry.
I never meant to hurt you and Jo.
You meant to hurt someone.
Do you regret it? The past is in the past.
Do you want to know what I really regret? Not if it's creepy.
I regret not growing up with you and Jo.
Ruining what we had.
We had some fun, didn't we? I miss that, and I think you miss it, too.
I thought the past was in the past? Quit hogging all the blue ranch.
Oh, we landed low hum it out and take in everything As lies go this one is beautiful and I know that I've been a fool for you Regina? - Hey.
- Hey.
Um I just I wanted to say thank you for getting me back last night and for standing up for me to that wannabe rapist jock douche.
I think that may actually be his full legal name.
Want to come inside? Come on, it's freezing.
Come inside.
Jo! Look at you.
Oh, you're so big.
Not in a fat way In a grownup way.
Oh, it's so good to see you.
Yeah, it's good to see you, too, Mrs.
Desai.
Well, well, two days back, and you've certainly had your share of female visitors, sweetheart.
Visitors? As in, um, plural? As in as in two.
Lacey ended up staying the night here.
Oh.
Wow.
You guys didn't? No.
No, I swear.
Uh, we just talked and then went to sleep.
But, uh, let's just try to keep that between us? I think that guy that she's dating would love nothing more than to take it the wrong way.
Okay.
Danny! Jo! Come here! Danny! News 12 has the exclusive story.
A housekeeper discovered Green Grove High school student Regina Crane beaten to death inside of her home at around 6:30 this morning.
We have no suspects at this time, but I want to assure the Green Grove community that we will use every resource at our disposal to catch the killer.
This unthinkable crime will not go unpunished.
It's so weird.
I feel like she's gonna come bouncing in any second.
I told her Begged her not to throw herself at that psycho.
I even offered to bang her, if she was itching to get banged.
If only she'd listened.
Are we sure it was Danny? Scott, tell Lacey what Danny whispered to you.
He said that if I didn't back off that he'd kill me and he'd enjoy it, like he did last time.
Still think the creep is innocent? Regina was a loving, energetic, positive force in our community.
Now we must come together in our grief and support each other.
Socio.
Socio.
I urge you guys Come on, settle.
I urge you to keep in mind that the police have not named a suspect, so please stop spreading unfounded accusations against your peers.
Sorry to interrupt, principal.
Danny Desai? Uh, we'd like you to come with us, Danny.
We need to ask you a few questions.
Dad! In front of the whole school? I'm sorry, honey.
Danny, let's go.
I know that we're all scared.
And sad and, um, angry, and it's it's easy to focus all of that on the obvious person.
But is that really fair? I don't know if Danny did this or not.
But do you? Do any of us? I mean, it's not like he's under arrest, right? Please, just just give him a chance.
Don't ostracize him even more.
Well, uh, this is gonna do wonders for our social lives, huh? I know you agree with me.
I saw your face while I was talking.
That wasn't my agreement face.
That was "my what the hell is she thinking?" face.
What if someone else did have a reason to kill Regina? I mean, wouldn't the day Danny got back be the perfect time to do it? He's the instant suspect.
Come on, Lacey.
Someone has to give him the benefit of the doubt.
And that someone has to be you? No us.
Who else is gonna do it? I know about last night.
Nothing happened.
Please don't tell anyone.
I won't, because you have to tell everyone.
If you say you were with him, people will believe you.
I was asleep! I don't know what he did or didn't do last night.
All I know is the best friend I ever had is dead.
I know, and I am so sorry.
But Danny was trying to start over.
I mean, why would he do this? Why'd he do it before? Just trust the police, okay? Trust your dad.
If Danny's innocent, they'll figure it out.
And stop defending him.
You're only making things worse for yourself here.
You haven't changed.
All you care about is what other people think of you.
I swear, I-I got the text, I turned off my phone, then went to bed.
And you didn't want to talk to her, just to find out what the hell she meant? I knew what she meant.
She wanted to get me into bed.
And you didn't go? I guess I'm saving myself for someone special, sir.
Danny, the people in this town don't care about the truth.
All they care about is your head on a stick.
But me? I just want to hear your side of the story.
So tell me What really happened? Nothing.
Nothing happened.
I didn't leave my room after 12:30.
Anyone who can vouch for that? That necklace look familiar? No.
Not at all.
Why? The housekeeper claims that Regina never took it off, yet it was the only thing that was missing in the entire house.
I'm not a detective.
But that sounds like a burglary gone wrong.
Chief, Karen Desai and her lawyers are here.
It looks like we'll have to finish this up another time.
Sure.
Anything I can do to help.
Danny, are you okay? I hope you didn't catch too much grief for that little speech.
You stood up for me.
I was just returning the favor.
Look, Regina texted me, before she, um You mean, after we left the party? She wanted me to come back.
And when I said no, she She insinuated that she knew why I killed my aunt.
I should have told you before, but I was afraid that you'd assume I killed her, just like everybody else.
Jo! Please, please.
Why did you kill her? - I didn't.
- Not Regina.
Your aunt.
And don't just say that you can't tell me, okay? - I have to know.
I'm sorry.
- I'm protecting you.
From what? I mean, you want this second chance, Danny, but you make it so freaking difficult by acting all weird and mysterious.
If you just tell everyone why you did it, then Then what? They'll get over it? - They'll laugh it off? - No.
But maybe they won't call you "socio" anymore.
Well, I can live with that.
It's kind of a cool, intimidating nickname.
Please, Jo, look at me.
I need you to trust me.
I may have killed someone before, but I never lied to you.
Can I come in? I had to bribe you both to pose for that photo.
Danny, I want to know what Kyle Masterson asked you today.
Well, um, uh, he's repainting his office, and he wanted a second opinion.
I told him that green would really bring out his eyes.
Would you stop it? I don't understand.
Why won't you talk to me? All I want to do is help you.
Is that why you brought me back to a town where everyone thinks I'm a teenage Ted Bundy? This is our home.
This is where your father and I raised you.
- It's where we were a family.
- No.
No, this is where you were the top of a small-town pyramid.
The most popular mom in the neighborhood.
We couldn't sell it.
We couldn't even get people to come to the open house.
We still thought about leaving here.
But then your father's drinking got worse, and he gambled on some bad investments, and, you know We didn't have as many options.
Are you saying that we're broke? We'll be okay.
We have enough to live on.
But the majority of the money is tied up in the house.
Danny.
I love you.
I want you happy.
And if that means we have to move somewhere else and start all over, then that's what we'll do.
I, uh I Haven't brushed up on my criminal law lately, but I think that fleeing town might make me look guilty.
I don't care how it looks.
I know you are not guilty.
Thanks, mother.
And it's gonna be okay.
Once they find the real killer, this will all blow over anyway, right? Get some sleep.
You've had a really long day.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Good night.