Veronica Mars s01e05 Episode Script
You Think You Know Somebody
Previously on Veronica Mars: I've got a secret.
A good one.
It's been a year since my best friend, Lilly Kane, was murdered.
That's my girlfriend.
Your friend.
Duncan's sister.
- My dad wants to meet you.
- Don't worry.
I give good parent.
Actually, she hasn't told me anything about you.
- I don't know if that's good or bad.
- Neither do I.
I got a call from your guidance counselor.
- Any idea what for? - No.
She's been late, she has attitude with certain teachers and socially, she seems to be a bit isolated.
I never want you to think your mom's the villain in this.
The hero is the one that stays, and the villain is the one that splits.
Wake up.
I've spent the past 40 minutes listening to Logan dry heave so you can buy a deformed pinata? Dude, everything was closed.
It was the cheapest souvenir I could find.
I'll say it one more time.
Juanita from the Hot Tamale.
What did I tell you about drool on the leather? Dad's very strict about the car.
He's the only one allowed to dry heave in it.
All right.
Have we had our fill of Tijuana? - No.
- Yes.
No.
No, thanks.
These border checkpoints, man, they always freak me out.
Maybe you shouldn't volunteer for the full-cavity search.
- Morning.
- Good morning, sir.
- You fellas have a good time in Mexico? - Yes, sir.
Wanna go ahead and hand over your contraband? It works sometimes.
Pop the trunk.
- Anybody else hungry? - Sure.
I can't believe you're calling me a wuss.
You're the guy that can't close the deal.
Dude, what are you talking about? I'm talking about that girl.
That girl, Esmerelda.
The deal was closed back in VIP, my brother.
Make no mistake.
No way.
Did you wash your hands? Thank you.
I got this, boys.
Let's roll.
All right, settle something for us, partner.
Didn't Luke look scared last night when that senorita started working her milk shake on him? That's great.
That's adorable.
You're a good man.
You're a good man.
Thank you.
I wasn't scared.
I was concerned.
Yeah, you'd never seen a girl pick up a shot glass like that before.
Isn't this where we parked? Tell me that this isn't where we parked.
Please, someone tell me that you can see my father's car and this heart attack that I'm having right now is for nothing.
I don't know.
Maybe it's like Brigadoon.
Come back in 100 years, it'll be right back in this spot.
Troy did you lock it? Did I lock it? What's your problem? It's not even your ass on the line.
Yeah, I know.
This just really sucks, man.
Wow, man.
That's profound.
My parents come home in five days.
If the car's not back before my dad is, I'm gonna be singing hymns before you can say The Passion.
Dude, where's your car? Sorry.
Your monkey's gonna have to ride in the back.
Nice car.
God, it must've been a huge cereal box.
Now, let's let that go.
Cherish these moments because they'll probably be the last ones that we spend together.
Hey.
I don't mind dating a guy that rides a bike.
How do you feel about dating a guy who is being sent to Catholic school in Albuquerque? Thanks for the ride.
Does this mean you're gonna play nice? Walk in front of the car.
We'll see.
Can I stay in your guesthouse? I don't wanna wake my parents up.
I have a brilliant idea.
Does it involve a time machine? Why don't I make some phone calls and see if I can track down the car.
I appreciate it, but I think this is even beyond your super powers.
Haven't you heard? I've got friends in low places.
I can't report the car stolen because my dad thinks it's still safely tucked in the garage.
Which means I can't get the anti-theft homing device activated.
It's probably in a cargo ship to Jamaica.
And my dad is gonna send me away, he's gonna track me down and kill me.
Not if he doesn't find out.
Let's go back to your house.
And take my mind off my problems? And get the details on the car? Model, license number, VIN.
How do you make VIN sound so hot? You're gonna find Troy's stolen car over the Internet? You'd be surprised what one can find with a few nimble keystrokes.
All right, then, Velma.
Why don't you see what you could find on, say, me.
It's Daphne, thank you very much.
- What's that? - If you're a PI with a password this is the gateway to many a skeleton-filled closet.
Arrests, divorces, bankruptcies.
Somebody got their license suspended last year.
I got it back.
Bet you it doesn't say that.
Wait.
If I'm Daphne, what does that make you? Fred? Oh, no.
If I gotta be any of those white boys I gotta be Shaggy all the way, baby.
Shaggy's got mad flavor.
You still have a subscription to MAD magazine? You're all about the flavor.
- Hey, guys.
- Hi.
Hey, help me out.
So for my dad's birthday I'm thinking rock climbing? - Because he loves heights? - Not so much.
But keep thinking outside the box.
I like it.
Don't wait on me for dinner.
I'll get takeout from the Italian place.
Luigi's? Will you get me some lasagna? Some lasagna? No, I'm just saying last time we went to Luigi's you ate your weight in manicotti.
And now your birthday will be spent skydiving alone.
Hi, buddy.
Hi.
We'll go out in a minute.
Hi, Keith.
It's me.
I might be a little late to dinner since I came into work Oh, wait a minute, I'm sorry.
I'm just gonna call your cell.
Hi, you've reached Rebecca James in the counseling office at Neptune High School.
I'm away You know those people who can predict when change is coming in their life? I'm not one of them.
Change has a way of just walking up and punching me in the face.
I love the effort.
I mean, look at this guy, he's really working.
You pushing through the pain, man.
Nobody's kicking sand in your face.
But you look a little tired there, tiger.
So I'll tell you what.
Tell me where my package is, and I'll help you lighten that load.
It's in a friend's car.
I'll have it for you tomorrow.
Okay, I'll tell you what.
You got till 9 a.
m.
, otherwise I'm gonna hunt you down and the closest thing you're gonna come to playing baseball is me shoving a bat right up your ass.
- Morning, honey.
- What you doing? I figured I'd put the rest of your mom's stuff in storage.
I don't think we need the reminders anymore, you know? Yeah.
You wanna take a look? Not so much, no.
Well, I'm gonna leave it here for now.
I got an 8:00.
So you and Ms.
James, huh? I wouldn't have pegged that one.
We only went out a couple of times.
I didn't wanna make a big deal.
So don't.
I get it.
Companionship, needs, yadda yadda yadda.
It's fine.
I'm sorry you didn't hear about it from me first.
Don't sweat it.
You know how many things I don't tell you? I'm kidding.
It's cool.
Just, next time, could you shoot for an actual teacher? Because this has no potential benefit to my grade point average.
- You sure you feel okay about this? - Yes.
Good.
I like her.
Cool.
- Have a nice day.
- Peace.
The best way to dull the pain of your friend's murder is to have your mother abandon you as soon as possible.
It's like hitting your thumb with a hammer.
Then, when it's throbbing so badly you don't think you'll survive you cut the damn thing off.
When my dad implicated the much-beloved Kane family in Lilly's death I was willing to stand by him and lose everything else.
Mom wasn't.
A safety-deposit-box key? Thanks, everybody.
Don't forget, interviewing exercise tomorrow.
Hey.
You're helping Troy find his dad's car, right? You're sweating on me.
Look, I need your help.
There's kind of more to this car thing than the car.
There was a pinata full of steroids in the back seat.
I did a run for Hank Zigman.
He owns the Zigzag Sports Club.
I wanted to get pumped for varsity baseball.
I was pretty much down for whatever.
Including shrunken testicles and acne scars.
Well, speaking for the women of America, good plan.
Wait, what did Troy and Logan know about this? Nothing, I swear.
Yeah, all right, Logan knew, but he wasn't in on anything.
It doesn't matter anyway.
I don't help dealers find their lost products.
Look, don't think of it like that, all right? Think of it like you're saving my life.
The guy's built like a truck.
He will break one of my limbs.
If I help you, you have to return the steroids and get your money back.
- And then return the cash, not the drugs.
- Yeah.
I'll do whatever.
I'll figure something out.
Until then, just lay low.
- Hi.
May I help you? - Hi.
My mom died last year, and I just found this.
All this time I've been thinking Mom bolted because she couldn't handle losing everything.
Maybe she just couldn't handle losing me.
Looks like they used a 300 mm on this one.
Not bad.
Definitely the work of a pro.
A pro who knew my schedule quite well last year.
Judging by my lack of an eight-man, I'm guessing Dad hasn't had the pleasure of viewing this little slide show.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Hey.
I thought - Hi.
I'm guessing I'm early.
- No, it's fine.
- I'm sorry.
I'm just I was anxious.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Veronica, Rebecca wanted to stop by and And just say hello, outside of school.
I'm sure this is a little weird for you, so Well, this is a little weird but you two dating isn't.
I'm fine.
No worries.
- Well, I thought - And I agreed.
that if you had the chance to talk, things would seem a little less awkward.
And are you starting to see the Catch-22 inherent in the plan? As a matter of fact, I am.
Okay.
Well, is there anything I can do that would make things easier for you? Can you get me out of fifth period Bio? So far it's been a whole lot of brick walls.
But I talked to my buddy Earl yesterday at the impound yard.
What do I love more? You have a buddy named Earl or that he works at the impound yard? - I'm guessing both.
No sign of the Beemer.
But he can get you a great deal on a Good Times van.
I'll pass that on to my dad, maybe it'll take his mind off loading his gun.
- I dig this song.
- Yeah, me too.
Here's a thought.
If Tijuana was Logan's idea, then stealing the car could've been the master plan.
It was more of a meeting of the minds, if you will.
So, what was on the menu for this night of grand debauchery? Let's see, from 8 to 9, we brainstormed on how to overthrow Kim Jong II.
From 9 to 10, we deleted the records of the black voters of Florida.
After that, it was all donkey shows.
- So the usual? - Pretty much.
Anything else? If you wanna ask something, you just ask.
Okay.
Did you meet anyone odd or were you followed? Did you see any suspicious activity? How about all the above? Haven't you ever been to Tijuana? I'm not looking for DNA samples.
It's just the more information I have about the car the better the chances of me finding it.
I know.
I'm sorry.
You think they're gonna turn the Beacon system on just because you ask sweetly? Well, we've tried everything else.
Just watch a master at work, all right? This is what I do.
Hi.
I'm the personal assistant to Lawrence Vandergraff.
He's freaking out.
He thinks his device is broken and he wants to run a diagnostic on his BMW.
Here's the VIN number.
Please tell me you can do this.
Pretty please? With a cherry on top? It's not really procedure.
Well, can it be our little secret? I've worked for the guy for two weeks, and he already thinks I'm a ditz.
Okay, then.
Super Roger to the rescue.
- Roger, what are you doing? - A simple diagnostic.
- This young lady works for - Has the car been reported stolen? - Well, not exactly.
- We never activate Beacon unless the car is reported stolen.
Smooth, Veronica.
It's great.
Hey, can you pick me up tomorrow? - Yeah.
- Good, good.
Hey! You better run, you punk bitch! Time for a chat? Well, you'd think if hell froze over maybe it'd be on the news.
I wanna hear about the steroids you bought last weekend.
You mean the steroids Luke bought.
Wow, you suck at this Nancy Drew stuff.
You should get a new hobby.
So you knew he was doing it? You actually think that I would tell you anything? I guess we're done here, officer.
What's up, T.
Hey, gorgeous.
- That guy bothering you? - What guy? All right.
Where is your sifter? - I don't think we have one.
- Oh, hi.
You didn't give Backup human food, did you? No.
I just found his happy spot, that's all.
So another case of bad timing.
Your dad went out for groceries because I'm making dinner for both of you tonight.
So how was your day? - Fine.
How was yours? - It was excellent, thank you.
I know you guys like Italian food, so I am making fettuccine.
And for desert, guess.
- No idea.
- Waffles and ice cream.
That's your favorite, right? I put this sauce on top of vanilla ice cream So when are we gonna cook for your boy? We're Mars women.
Shouldn't we play to our strengths? And who says there's a new boy? Don't even try that.
Now, wait a minute, let me guess.
Garrick Fisher? Kenny Houseman? - Have we met? - Thank you.
Travis Kittlemeyer? I think he'd rather be dating Kenny Houseman.
- Okay, then, Boris - Okay.
It's Duncan Kane.
The waffle's burning.
Oh, God, I'm so sorry.
- It just slipped out of my hands.
- It's all right.
- Hey.
How's it going in here? - Look at this.
I'm a klutz.
Oh, that's ancient anyway.
Don't even worry about it.
I really appreciate you doing this, but I actually can't stay for dinner.
- Really? - Why not? I told a friend I'd meet him at the Sac-n-Pac.
It's a school project.
Oh, well.
I'll ask first next time.
- Make sure you're available.
- Thanks for cooking.
- I'll try the pasta when I get home.
- Which won't be too late.
Have a good night.
Angel, how's business? This is Veronica.
She's the girl who got me out of juvie.
I told you about her.
Look, she's looking for a car.
Green BMW 740i.
Should've came through a couple days ago.
Yeah.
I hear you.
All right.
Did you ask him about the pinata? Yeah, one more thing.
Did you happen to see a pinata? - So the car was - Was chopped.
Your uncle won't say for who, but the papers are in order.
Please tell me you know where Mario lives.
We need to get that pinata right away.
Baby, I'll buy you a pinata.
Will you buy me a pinata full of steroids? I've only been here once.
Maybe that one.
Where the balloons are.
Yeah.
This has to be it.
Stop! Stop! Yes! Sorry.
Sorry.
Am I in trouble? What? - God.
- We need to talk.
Does it have to be next to the feminine-hygiene machine? Yeah, get over it.
Look, I found the pinata, and it is not full of steroids.
You're out of options.
If you want Ziggy off your back, you're gonna have to buy him off.
You don't understand.
If I go to him without any steroids cash or no cash, he's gonna hurt me bad.
Well, you let me worry about that.
You worry about getting the money.
Yeah, how? Do you think I've got 8 grand stashed away in my other wallet? Figure it out! Mom, what are you doing here? Where are we going? I thought it'd be nice to spend time together.
- We could go visit Aunt Sheryl.
- In Palm Springs? I can't go.
I have a history test next period and a Spanish project due.
Honey, please.
Don't make this hard.
Just come with me, okay? Three days later, she was gone.
At the time, I thought it was one more on the growing list of odd things my mom was doing.
I chalked her nerves up to the vodka.
But now I think she really was scared.
People rarely cut all their ties.
Even when they try.
If she's out there and these untraceable, disposable cell phones I'm sending to mom's closest friends and family reach her maybe she'll realize it's safe for her to call me.
It's my version of a message in a bottle.
One more hour and this might actually constitute a walk of shame.
I'd say I'm gonna play the dad card and go to bed.
- That all right? - Actually, I need your help.
What's up? Troy got his dad's car stolen on his way back from Tijuana.
We're trying to find it before his dad gets back so he's not shipped off to boarding school in Albuquerque.
He's important to you, isn't he? Yes, he is.
I need you to do some of that voodoo that you do so well.
I'll be nice to your boyfriend if you be nice to my girlfriend.
Veronica? Deal.
Good morning.
Good night.
- Can I help you? - James Anderson.
Head of security for L.
T.
Vandergraff.
- Sorry - Do you know Mr.
Vandergraff? You will when you're named in a lawsuit against your employer.
Now, I know you value him as a client.
He really values this car.
So we need to run a drill.
You look like a smart lady.
Do yourself a favor and turn his system on now.
This is insane.
I mean, 2000 bucks with four bids? These people have no idea what a Barry Bonds ball is worth.
No.
It's classic bidding strategy.
They wait till the end of the auction.
Try hitting refresh.
Classic bidding.
See.
There you go, $2800.
We're almost there.
No, we're not almost there.
I can't do this.
I mean, you have no idea what I went through to get this ball.
You have no idea what it's gonna be worth when he retires.
Luke, a ball or your life? You do the math.
- It's a ball! - Yeah, it What are you doing after school? Wanna come over and play detective? How are you so laid back about all this? I mean, if we don't find this car, we're done.
This, over.
- Does that not scare you? - Yes.
- It does.
It scares the hell out of me.
- Then why do you seem so Let's just say that you've been told you have 72 hours to live.
How do you spend it? You could dig through medical texts looking for a miracle cure.
Or you could make those 72 hours the best three days of your life.
And I choose sexy fun time.
Well, I choose a miracle cure.
I don't get something.
Why are your parents sending you off to prison school in Albuquerque? Seriously? What's wrong with a good old-fashioned grounding? I'll get him to call you.
Get some parenting advice.
Happy to help.
Remember, start with light, easy questions first.
Let your subject get comfortable.
Miss Mars, how do you respond to the rumors that your boyfriend hooked up with strippers in Tijuana last weekend? Miss Banks, have you decided which parent you're gonna live with after the divorce? And if I may, a follow-up.
Can you believe your father's choice in mistresses? Veronica, I need to speak with you after class, please.
You look ready for a fight.
I get that a lot.
I guess it's just my usual expression.
How do you think Ashley's gonna sleep tonight? I didn't tell her anything she didn't already know deep down.
Maybe.
But sometimes the lies we let ourselves believe are for our own good.
You coming? In a minute.
Research.
Poor Ms.
Dent.
She can't see the big picture yet.
Love is an investment.
Information is insurance.
With someone whose heart has already been crushed I say, can't be too careful.
Hey.
There you are.
I wanted to ask you a favor.
I know you got something planned for my birthday.
But I was hoping it would be fine if before we went to do whatever you got cooked up that we go to Rebecca's house and have her cook us dinner.
She's a great cook.
I think you should look at that.
Did you know she was still married? I did.
I'm still married, Veronica.
And that she was arrested for passing bad checks? When she was 21.
What were you thinking, Veronica? I'm your father.
What made you think you had the right to do this? What are you talking about, "the right"? This is what we do.
This is how we survive.
- I was trying to protect you.
- Protect me? I'm an adult, Veronica! You have let her into our life like it's no big deal.
Oh, it's a big deal! It's a huge deal! It makes me feel good about myself.
Wanted in a way that I haven't in a long time.
It makes me wake up with a smile on my face.
And we didn't ignore your feelings.
We tried to make you feel comfortable, but you chose to be snotty! Mom is still out there somewhere.
Do you even care if she ever comes back? You didn't care until I started dating! - You've been hard on your mom for months! - You can find anybody! If she were a criminal, you would make a couple grand tracking her down and you'd have her back in a week! Well, maybe I don't care to find her.
Have you ever considered that? And here I've turned your boyfriend's security system on.
There's the code.
- You sure you're all right? - Stop asking me that.
I need to concentrate.
The signal is weaving all over the place.
It's weird.
- You think they know we're on to them? - Maybe but it looks like it's going in between buildings.
I don't get it.
It says this is the street.
It seems like an unlikely place to hide a stolen car, here in mansion land.
You think it's in a garage? No.
The signal's still moving all around.
It's right on top of us.
Please tell me that dog is not supposed to be the BMW.
You think your dad will notice? Yeah.
- You want some breakfast? - No, thanks.
I'm just gonna grab an apple.
That's for you.
It's everything you may or may not wanna know about Troy.
You can open it, you can throw it out.
It's your choice.
I just don't know how to say this.
Keith, just pull the Band-Aid off.
The furrowed brow and the pauses are killing me.
I can't see you anymore.
- Okay.
- I can't do this to Veronica.
She's not ready to see me dating yet.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, but she's having a really hard time.
- Can you do me a favor? - Of course.
Can you just tell me it's another reason like, a crappy one? Your being a good father isn't really something I can bitch about to my girlfriends over margaritas.
Hey, sexy.
Give me a kiss and make all my troubles disappear? All your troubles? That would take a lot of kissing.
I'm just glad we weren't dating when you got kicked out of school for drug possession.
My lips would've fallen off.
Well, good morning to you too.
Although back then Shauna was doing the kissing, wasn't she? You remember Shauna, don't you? You were kicked out of Pembroke with her for marijuana possession and then out of Saint Mary's in Boston.
You crazy kids never learn.
Yet I'm to believe that you knew nothing about Luke picking up steroids in TJ? - What are you talking about, steroids? - Don't even Look, I don't know anything about Luke and steroids.
Yeah, I got busted in Boston with some dope.
Big deal.
You got busted for drug possession and trafficking.
Yeah, so? That was two years before we even met.
- What does that have to do with us now? - Because you never told me about it! Maybe I would've.
You ever think of that? Maybe after I'd known you for more than a month, I'd tell you my dark secrets.
Or is that too much of a character flaw? Or waiting for the girl to like you before you tell her things you're not so proud of? I don't have to tell you that.
You're Veronica Mars.
You know everything.
Hey.
I got it all.
Eight grand and a little slice of my soul.
Woe is you.
- Hey.
- I'll talk to you later, all right? Is that Hummer downstairs with the "Z-Meister" plates yours? Abso-damn-lutely.
Cool.
I guessed right.
So you here to get pumped? - Not exactly.
I'm here to settle Luke's account.
- Why don't we step in my office? - I'd rather talk out here.
- Well, I wouldn't.
- He would.
Darling, unless you're blind, you're gonna have to take your doggie outside.
You can try explaining that to him, because he never listens to me.
- You don't understand - Hold on one sec.
Yeah? Oh, hey, Wallace.
Not much.
You? No.
Not at all.
No.
Piece of cake.
Yeah, thanks.
Here's the 8 grand you fronted Luke.
You two are square now.
I'm gonna take the 8 grand, but we ain't square.
You see, that little bitch let me down, and I'm gonna have to make him pay.
Remember this moment.
Because you're gonna regret it.
Toodles.
I can do better.
Give me another chance.
You've used up all your chances.
You gotta learn discipline and respect.
Dad, please.
I'm sorry, I It's too late for apologies, Troy.
You've made your bed.
Yeah.
- Wow, that's some cake.
- Isn't it, though? I love it.
Did you ever notice how everything you make tends to lean a little to the left? I do that on purpose.
What time is Rebecca coming? She's not.
I already canceled the birthday surprise.
I was gonna take you to see Santana at the Bowl.
I'm not seeing her anymore.
Dad, you don't have Sorry.
I obviously know nothing about relationships.
But you can bake, and that's important.
It's your birthday.
You should be happy.
And what better way to spend it.
No.
You should I should be able to do whatever I want because it's my birthday.
I just wanna have cake with my daughter.
That's all I want.
Well, happy birthday, Pop.
Thanks, kid.
Don't forget to make a wish.
Good one.
Let's keep this between us, all right? - Hello? - Hey, baby.
It's Shauna.
Can you feel the heat yet? I'm getting so close, baby, your panties ought to burst into flames any minute now.
Troy, what's with this girl calling me? You gave her my number? - What girl? - Some girl named Veronica.
You didn't tell her you'd be seeing me soon, did you? She caught me off guard.
What was I? Sorry we didn't get a chance to say goodbye.
Wanted to wish you luck at your new school and leave you something to remember me by.
It took me a while to figure out where you stashed the steroids.
There was only one place you were alone, right? The former contents of the package are somewhere between my toilet and the Pacific Ocean.
Say hi to Shauna for me.
She sounds like a keeper.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Mr.
Zigman, you wanna go ahead and turn over your contraband? Step out of the car, please.
Hello, sweetheart.
First of all, I miss you so much.
More than you could possibly imagine.
I did get one of your letters, but I won't say which because I don't want you to try and find me.
Veronica, you listen to me.
I know you have a million questions but everything will make sense when the time is right, I promise.
I'll be in touch soon.
Trust me, okay? I love you.
And could you tell your father I said happy birthday?
A good one.
It's been a year since my best friend, Lilly Kane, was murdered.
That's my girlfriend.
Your friend.
Duncan's sister.
- My dad wants to meet you.
- Don't worry.
I give good parent.
Actually, she hasn't told me anything about you.
- I don't know if that's good or bad.
- Neither do I.
I got a call from your guidance counselor.
- Any idea what for? - No.
She's been late, she has attitude with certain teachers and socially, she seems to be a bit isolated.
I never want you to think your mom's the villain in this.
The hero is the one that stays, and the villain is the one that splits.
Wake up.
I've spent the past 40 minutes listening to Logan dry heave so you can buy a deformed pinata? Dude, everything was closed.
It was the cheapest souvenir I could find.
I'll say it one more time.
Juanita from the Hot Tamale.
What did I tell you about drool on the leather? Dad's very strict about the car.
He's the only one allowed to dry heave in it.
All right.
Have we had our fill of Tijuana? - No.
- Yes.
No.
No, thanks.
These border checkpoints, man, they always freak me out.
Maybe you shouldn't volunteer for the full-cavity search.
- Morning.
- Good morning, sir.
- You fellas have a good time in Mexico? - Yes, sir.
Wanna go ahead and hand over your contraband? It works sometimes.
Pop the trunk.
- Anybody else hungry? - Sure.
I can't believe you're calling me a wuss.
You're the guy that can't close the deal.
Dude, what are you talking about? I'm talking about that girl.
That girl, Esmerelda.
The deal was closed back in VIP, my brother.
Make no mistake.
No way.
Did you wash your hands? Thank you.
I got this, boys.
Let's roll.
All right, settle something for us, partner.
Didn't Luke look scared last night when that senorita started working her milk shake on him? That's great.
That's adorable.
You're a good man.
You're a good man.
Thank you.
I wasn't scared.
I was concerned.
Yeah, you'd never seen a girl pick up a shot glass like that before.
Isn't this where we parked? Tell me that this isn't where we parked.
Please, someone tell me that you can see my father's car and this heart attack that I'm having right now is for nothing.
I don't know.
Maybe it's like Brigadoon.
Come back in 100 years, it'll be right back in this spot.
Troy did you lock it? Did I lock it? What's your problem? It's not even your ass on the line.
Yeah, I know.
This just really sucks, man.
Wow, man.
That's profound.
My parents come home in five days.
If the car's not back before my dad is, I'm gonna be singing hymns before you can say The Passion.
Dude, where's your car? Sorry.
Your monkey's gonna have to ride in the back.
Nice car.
God, it must've been a huge cereal box.
Now, let's let that go.
Cherish these moments because they'll probably be the last ones that we spend together.
Hey.
I don't mind dating a guy that rides a bike.
How do you feel about dating a guy who is being sent to Catholic school in Albuquerque? Thanks for the ride.
Does this mean you're gonna play nice? Walk in front of the car.
We'll see.
Can I stay in your guesthouse? I don't wanna wake my parents up.
I have a brilliant idea.
Does it involve a time machine? Why don't I make some phone calls and see if I can track down the car.
I appreciate it, but I think this is even beyond your super powers.
Haven't you heard? I've got friends in low places.
I can't report the car stolen because my dad thinks it's still safely tucked in the garage.
Which means I can't get the anti-theft homing device activated.
It's probably in a cargo ship to Jamaica.
And my dad is gonna send me away, he's gonna track me down and kill me.
Not if he doesn't find out.
Let's go back to your house.
And take my mind off my problems? And get the details on the car? Model, license number, VIN.
How do you make VIN sound so hot? You're gonna find Troy's stolen car over the Internet? You'd be surprised what one can find with a few nimble keystrokes.
All right, then, Velma.
Why don't you see what you could find on, say, me.
It's Daphne, thank you very much.
- What's that? - If you're a PI with a password this is the gateway to many a skeleton-filled closet.
Arrests, divorces, bankruptcies.
Somebody got their license suspended last year.
I got it back.
Bet you it doesn't say that.
Wait.
If I'm Daphne, what does that make you? Fred? Oh, no.
If I gotta be any of those white boys I gotta be Shaggy all the way, baby.
Shaggy's got mad flavor.
You still have a subscription to MAD magazine? You're all about the flavor.
- Hey, guys.
- Hi.
Hey, help me out.
So for my dad's birthday I'm thinking rock climbing? - Because he loves heights? - Not so much.
But keep thinking outside the box.
I like it.
Don't wait on me for dinner.
I'll get takeout from the Italian place.
Luigi's? Will you get me some lasagna? Some lasagna? No, I'm just saying last time we went to Luigi's you ate your weight in manicotti.
And now your birthday will be spent skydiving alone.
Hi, buddy.
Hi.
We'll go out in a minute.
Hi, Keith.
It's me.
I might be a little late to dinner since I came into work Oh, wait a minute, I'm sorry.
I'm just gonna call your cell.
Hi, you've reached Rebecca James in the counseling office at Neptune High School.
I'm away You know those people who can predict when change is coming in their life? I'm not one of them.
Change has a way of just walking up and punching me in the face.
I love the effort.
I mean, look at this guy, he's really working.
You pushing through the pain, man.
Nobody's kicking sand in your face.
But you look a little tired there, tiger.
So I'll tell you what.
Tell me where my package is, and I'll help you lighten that load.
It's in a friend's car.
I'll have it for you tomorrow.
Okay, I'll tell you what.
You got till 9 a.
m.
, otherwise I'm gonna hunt you down and the closest thing you're gonna come to playing baseball is me shoving a bat right up your ass.
- Morning, honey.
- What you doing? I figured I'd put the rest of your mom's stuff in storage.
I don't think we need the reminders anymore, you know? Yeah.
You wanna take a look? Not so much, no.
Well, I'm gonna leave it here for now.
I got an 8:00.
So you and Ms.
James, huh? I wouldn't have pegged that one.
We only went out a couple of times.
I didn't wanna make a big deal.
So don't.
I get it.
Companionship, needs, yadda yadda yadda.
It's fine.
I'm sorry you didn't hear about it from me first.
Don't sweat it.
You know how many things I don't tell you? I'm kidding.
It's cool.
Just, next time, could you shoot for an actual teacher? Because this has no potential benefit to my grade point average.
- You sure you feel okay about this? - Yes.
Good.
I like her.
Cool.
- Have a nice day.
- Peace.
The best way to dull the pain of your friend's murder is to have your mother abandon you as soon as possible.
It's like hitting your thumb with a hammer.
Then, when it's throbbing so badly you don't think you'll survive you cut the damn thing off.
When my dad implicated the much-beloved Kane family in Lilly's death I was willing to stand by him and lose everything else.
Mom wasn't.
A safety-deposit-box key? Thanks, everybody.
Don't forget, interviewing exercise tomorrow.
Hey.
You're helping Troy find his dad's car, right? You're sweating on me.
Look, I need your help.
There's kind of more to this car thing than the car.
There was a pinata full of steroids in the back seat.
I did a run for Hank Zigman.
He owns the Zigzag Sports Club.
I wanted to get pumped for varsity baseball.
I was pretty much down for whatever.
Including shrunken testicles and acne scars.
Well, speaking for the women of America, good plan.
Wait, what did Troy and Logan know about this? Nothing, I swear.
Yeah, all right, Logan knew, but he wasn't in on anything.
It doesn't matter anyway.
I don't help dealers find their lost products.
Look, don't think of it like that, all right? Think of it like you're saving my life.
The guy's built like a truck.
He will break one of my limbs.
If I help you, you have to return the steroids and get your money back.
- And then return the cash, not the drugs.
- Yeah.
I'll do whatever.
I'll figure something out.
Until then, just lay low.
- Hi.
May I help you? - Hi.
My mom died last year, and I just found this.
All this time I've been thinking Mom bolted because she couldn't handle losing everything.
Maybe she just couldn't handle losing me.
Looks like they used a 300 mm on this one.
Not bad.
Definitely the work of a pro.
A pro who knew my schedule quite well last year.
Judging by my lack of an eight-man, I'm guessing Dad hasn't had the pleasure of viewing this little slide show.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Hey.
I thought - Hi.
I'm guessing I'm early.
- No, it's fine.
- I'm sorry.
I'm just I was anxious.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Veronica, Rebecca wanted to stop by and And just say hello, outside of school.
I'm sure this is a little weird for you, so Well, this is a little weird but you two dating isn't.
I'm fine.
No worries.
- Well, I thought - And I agreed.
that if you had the chance to talk, things would seem a little less awkward.
And are you starting to see the Catch-22 inherent in the plan? As a matter of fact, I am.
Okay.
Well, is there anything I can do that would make things easier for you? Can you get me out of fifth period Bio? So far it's been a whole lot of brick walls.
But I talked to my buddy Earl yesterday at the impound yard.
What do I love more? You have a buddy named Earl or that he works at the impound yard? - I'm guessing both.
No sign of the Beemer.
But he can get you a great deal on a Good Times van.
I'll pass that on to my dad, maybe it'll take his mind off loading his gun.
- I dig this song.
- Yeah, me too.
Here's a thought.
If Tijuana was Logan's idea, then stealing the car could've been the master plan.
It was more of a meeting of the minds, if you will.
So, what was on the menu for this night of grand debauchery? Let's see, from 8 to 9, we brainstormed on how to overthrow Kim Jong II.
From 9 to 10, we deleted the records of the black voters of Florida.
After that, it was all donkey shows.
- So the usual? - Pretty much.
Anything else? If you wanna ask something, you just ask.
Okay.
Did you meet anyone odd or were you followed? Did you see any suspicious activity? How about all the above? Haven't you ever been to Tijuana? I'm not looking for DNA samples.
It's just the more information I have about the car the better the chances of me finding it.
I know.
I'm sorry.
You think they're gonna turn the Beacon system on just because you ask sweetly? Well, we've tried everything else.
Just watch a master at work, all right? This is what I do.
Hi.
I'm the personal assistant to Lawrence Vandergraff.
He's freaking out.
He thinks his device is broken and he wants to run a diagnostic on his BMW.
Here's the VIN number.
Please tell me you can do this.
Pretty please? With a cherry on top? It's not really procedure.
Well, can it be our little secret? I've worked for the guy for two weeks, and he already thinks I'm a ditz.
Okay, then.
Super Roger to the rescue.
- Roger, what are you doing? - A simple diagnostic.
- This young lady works for - Has the car been reported stolen? - Well, not exactly.
- We never activate Beacon unless the car is reported stolen.
Smooth, Veronica.
It's great.
Hey, can you pick me up tomorrow? - Yeah.
- Good, good.
Hey! You better run, you punk bitch! Time for a chat? Well, you'd think if hell froze over maybe it'd be on the news.
I wanna hear about the steroids you bought last weekend.
You mean the steroids Luke bought.
Wow, you suck at this Nancy Drew stuff.
You should get a new hobby.
So you knew he was doing it? You actually think that I would tell you anything? I guess we're done here, officer.
What's up, T.
Hey, gorgeous.
- That guy bothering you? - What guy? All right.
Where is your sifter? - I don't think we have one.
- Oh, hi.
You didn't give Backup human food, did you? No.
I just found his happy spot, that's all.
So another case of bad timing.
Your dad went out for groceries because I'm making dinner for both of you tonight.
So how was your day? - Fine.
How was yours? - It was excellent, thank you.
I know you guys like Italian food, so I am making fettuccine.
And for desert, guess.
- No idea.
- Waffles and ice cream.
That's your favorite, right? I put this sauce on top of vanilla ice cream So when are we gonna cook for your boy? We're Mars women.
Shouldn't we play to our strengths? And who says there's a new boy? Don't even try that.
Now, wait a minute, let me guess.
Garrick Fisher? Kenny Houseman? - Have we met? - Thank you.
Travis Kittlemeyer? I think he'd rather be dating Kenny Houseman.
- Okay, then, Boris - Okay.
It's Duncan Kane.
The waffle's burning.
Oh, God, I'm so sorry.
- It just slipped out of my hands.
- It's all right.
- Hey.
How's it going in here? - Look at this.
I'm a klutz.
Oh, that's ancient anyway.
Don't even worry about it.
I really appreciate you doing this, but I actually can't stay for dinner.
- Really? - Why not? I told a friend I'd meet him at the Sac-n-Pac.
It's a school project.
Oh, well.
I'll ask first next time.
- Make sure you're available.
- Thanks for cooking.
- I'll try the pasta when I get home.
- Which won't be too late.
Have a good night.
Angel, how's business? This is Veronica.
She's the girl who got me out of juvie.
I told you about her.
Look, she's looking for a car.
Green BMW 740i.
Should've came through a couple days ago.
Yeah.
I hear you.
All right.
Did you ask him about the pinata? Yeah, one more thing.
Did you happen to see a pinata? - So the car was - Was chopped.
Your uncle won't say for who, but the papers are in order.
Please tell me you know where Mario lives.
We need to get that pinata right away.
Baby, I'll buy you a pinata.
Will you buy me a pinata full of steroids? I've only been here once.
Maybe that one.
Where the balloons are.
Yeah.
This has to be it.
Stop! Stop! Yes! Sorry.
Sorry.
Am I in trouble? What? - God.
- We need to talk.
Does it have to be next to the feminine-hygiene machine? Yeah, get over it.
Look, I found the pinata, and it is not full of steroids.
You're out of options.
If you want Ziggy off your back, you're gonna have to buy him off.
You don't understand.
If I go to him without any steroids cash or no cash, he's gonna hurt me bad.
Well, you let me worry about that.
You worry about getting the money.
Yeah, how? Do you think I've got 8 grand stashed away in my other wallet? Figure it out! Mom, what are you doing here? Where are we going? I thought it'd be nice to spend time together.
- We could go visit Aunt Sheryl.
- In Palm Springs? I can't go.
I have a history test next period and a Spanish project due.
Honey, please.
Don't make this hard.
Just come with me, okay? Three days later, she was gone.
At the time, I thought it was one more on the growing list of odd things my mom was doing.
I chalked her nerves up to the vodka.
But now I think she really was scared.
People rarely cut all their ties.
Even when they try.
If she's out there and these untraceable, disposable cell phones I'm sending to mom's closest friends and family reach her maybe she'll realize it's safe for her to call me.
It's my version of a message in a bottle.
One more hour and this might actually constitute a walk of shame.
I'd say I'm gonna play the dad card and go to bed.
- That all right? - Actually, I need your help.
What's up? Troy got his dad's car stolen on his way back from Tijuana.
We're trying to find it before his dad gets back so he's not shipped off to boarding school in Albuquerque.
He's important to you, isn't he? Yes, he is.
I need you to do some of that voodoo that you do so well.
I'll be nice to your boyfriend if you be nice to my girlfriend.
Veronica? Deal.
Good morning.
Good night.
- Can I help you? - James Anderson.
Head of security for L.
T.
Vandergraff.
- Sorry - Do you know Mr.
Vandergraff? You will when you're named in a lawsuit against your employer.
Now, I know you value him as a client.
He really values this car.
So we need to run a drill.
You look like a smart lady.
Do yourself a favor and turn his system on now.
This is insane.
I mean, 2000 bucks with four bids? These people have no idea what a Barry Bonds ball is worth.
No.
It's classic bidding strategy.
They wait till the end of the auction.
Try hitting refresh.
Classic bidding.
See.
There you go, $2800.
We're almost there.
No, we're not almost there.
I can't do this.
I mean, you have no idea what I went through to get this ball.
You have no idea what it's gonna be worth when he retires.
Luke, a ball or your life? You do the math.
- It's a ball! - Yeah, it What are you doing after school? Wanna come over and play detective? How are you so laid back about all this? I mean, if we don't find this car, we're done.
This, over.
- Does that not scare you? - Yes.
- It does.
It scares the hell out of me.
- Then why do you seem so Let's just say that you've been told you have 72 hours to live.
How do you spend it? You could dig through medical texts looking for a miracle cure.
Or you could make those 72 hours the best three days of your life.
And I choose sexy fun time.
Well, I choose a miracle cure.
I don't get something.
Why are your parents sending you off to prison school in Albuquerque? Seriously? What's wrong with a good old-fashioned grounding? I'll get him to call you.
Get some parenting advice.
Happy to help.
Remember, start with light, easy questions first.
Let your subject get comfortable.
Miss Mars, how do you respond to the rumors that your boyfriend hooked up with strippers in Tijuana last weekend? Miss Banks, have you decided which parent you're gonna live with after the divorce? And if I may, a follow-up.
Can you believe your father's choice in mistresses? Veronica, I need to speak with you after class, please.
You look ready for a fight.
I get that a lot.
I guess it's just my usual expression.
How do you think Ashley's gonna sleep tonight? I didn't tell her anything she didn't already know deep down.
Maybe.
But sometimes the lies we let ourselves believe are for our own good.
You coming? In a minute.
Research.
Poor Ms.
Dent.
She can't see the big picture yet.
Love is an investment.
Information is insurance.
With someone whose heart has already been crushed I say, can't be too careful.
Hey.
There you are.
I wanted to ask you a favor.
I know you got something planned for my birthday.
But I was hoping it would be fine if before we went to do whatever you got cooked up that we go to Rebecca's house and have her cook us dinner.
She's a great cook.
I think you should look at that.
Did you know she was still married? I did.
I'm still married, Veronica.
And that she was arrested for passing bad checks? When she was 21.
What were you thinking, Veronica? I'm your father.
What made you think you had the right to do this? What are you talking about, "the right"? This is what we do.
This is how we survive.
- I was trying to protect you.
- Protect me? I'm an adult, Veronica! You have let her into our life like it's no big deal.
Oh, it's a big deal! It's a huge deal! It makes me feel good about myself.
Wanted in a way that I haven't in a long time.
It makes me wake up with a smile on my face.
And we didn't ignore your feelings.
We tried to make you feel comfortable, but you chose to be snotty! Mom is still out there somewhere.
Do you even care if she ever comes back? You didn't care until I started dating! - You've been hard on your mom for months! - You can find anybody! If she were a criminal, you would make a couple grand tracking her down and you'd have her back in a week! Well, maybe I don't care to find her.
Have you ever considered that? And here I've turned your boyfriend's security system on.
There's the code.
- You sure you're all right? - Stop asking me that.
I need to concentrate.
The signal is weaving all over the place.
It's weird.
- You think they know we're on to them? - Maybe but it looks like it's going in between buildings.
I don't get it.
It says this is the street.
It seems like an unlikely place to hide a stolen car, here in mansion land.
You think it's in a garage? No.
The signal's still moving all around.
It's right on top of us.
Please tell me that dog is not supposed to be the BMW.
You think your dad will notice? Yeah.
- You want some breakfast? - No, thanks.
I'm just gonna grab an apple.
That's for you.
It's everything you may or may not wanna know about Troy.
You can open it, you can throw it out.
It's your choice.
I just don't know how to say this.
Keith, just pull the Band-Aid off.
The furrowed brow and the pauses are killing me.
I can't see you anymore.
- Okay.
- I can't do this to Veronica.
She's not ready to see me dating yet.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, but she's having a really hard time.
- Can you do me a favor? - Of course.
Can you just tell me it's another reason like, a crappy one? Your being a good father isn't really something I can bitch about to my girlfriends over margaritas.
Hey, sexy.
Give me a kiss and make all my troubles disappear? All your troubles? That would take a lot of kissing.
I'm just glad we weren't dating when you got kicked out of school for drug possession.
My lips would've fallen off.
Well, good morning to you too.
Although back then Shauna was doing the kissing, wasn't she? You remember Shauna, don't you? You were kicked out of Pembroke with her for marijuana possession and then out of Saint Mary's in Boston.
You crazy kids never learn.
Yet I'm to believe that you knew nothing about Luke picking up steroids in TJ? - What are you talking about, steroids? - Don't even Look, I don't know anything about Luke and steroids.
Yeah, I got busted in Boston with some dope.
Big deal.
You got busted for drug possession and trafficking.
Yeah, so? That was two years before we even met.
- What does that have to do with us now? - Because you never told me about it! Maybe I would've.
You ever think of that? Maybe after I'd known you for more than a month, I'd tell you my dark secrets.
Or is that too much of a character flaw? Or waiting for the girl to like you before you tell her things you're not so proud of? I don't have to tell you that.
You're Veronica Mars.
You know everything.
Hey.
I got it all.
Eight grand and a little slice of my soul.
Woe is you.
- Hey.
- I'll talk to you later, all right? Is that Hummer downstairs with the "Z-Meister" plates yours? Abso-damn-lutely.
Cool.
I guessed right.
So you here to get pumped? - Not exactly.
I'm here to settle Luke's account.
- Why don't we step in my office? - I'd rather talk out here.
- Well, I wouldn't.
- He would.
Darling, unless you're blind, you're gonna have to take your doggie outside.
You can try explaining that to him, because he never listens to me.
- You don't understand - Hold on one sec.
Yeah? Oh, hey, Wallace.
Not much.
You? No.
Not at all.
No.
Piece of cake.
Yeah, thanks.
Here's the 8 grand you fronted Luke.
You two are square now.
I'm gonna take the 8 grand, but we ain't square.
You see, that little bitch let me down, and I'm gonna have to make him pay.
Remember this moment.
Because you're gonna regret it.
Toodles.
I can do better.
Give me another chance.
You've used up all your chances.
You gotta learn discipline and respect.
Dad, please.
I'm sorry, I It's too late for apologies, Troy.
You've made your bed.
Yeah.
- Wow, that's some cake.
- Isn't it, though? I love it.
Did you ever notice how everything you make tends to lean a little to the left? I do that on purpose.
What time is Rebecca coming? She's not.
I already canceled the birthday surprise.
I was gonna take you to see Santana at the Bowl.
I'm not seeing her anymore.
Dad, you don't have Sorry.
I obviously know nothing about relationships.
But you can bake, and that's important.
It's your birthday.
You should be happy.
And what better way to spend it.
No.
You should I should be able to do whatever I want because it's my birthday.
I just wanna have cake with my daughter.
That's all I want.
Well, happy birthday, Pop.
Thanks, kid.
Don't forget to make a wish.
Good one.
Let's keep this between us, all right? - Hello? - Hey, baby.
It's Shauna.
Can you feel the heat yet? I'm getting so close, baby, your panties ought to burst into flames any minute now.
Troy, what's with this girl calling me? You gave her my number? - What girl? - Some girl named Veronica.
You didn't tell her you'd be seeing me soon, did you? She caught me off guard.
What was I? Sorry we didn't get a chance to say goodbye.
Wanted to wish you luck at your new school and leave you something to remember me by.
It took me a while to figure out where you stashed the steroids.
There was only one place you were alone, right? The former contents of the package are somewhere between my toilet and the Pacific Ocean.
Say hi to Shauna for me.
She sounds like a keeper.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Mr.
Zigman, you wanna go ahead and turn over your contraband? Step out of the car, please.
Hello, sweetheart.
First of all, I miss you so much.
More than you could possibly imagine.
I did get one of your letters, but I won't say which because I don't want you to try and find me.
Veronica, you listen to me.
I know you have a million questions but everything will make sense when the time is right, I promise.
I'll be in touch soon.
Trust me, okay? I love you.
And could you tell your father I said happy birthday?