Veronica Mars s01e06 Episode Script

Previously on Veronica Mars: It's been a year since my best friend, Lilly Kane, was murdered.
The Neptune Sheriff's Department has apprehended Abel Koontz.
The Lilly Kane murder file.
Dad still hasn't given up on the case.
We all lost Lilly and we all miss her.
Duncan Kane.
He used to be my boyfriend.
I just wanna see him passionate about something.
And let's not forget Logan Echolls.
Every school has an obligatory psychotic jackass.
He's ours.
You think you're this big outsider.
Push comes to shove, you're still one of them.
You still think like one of them.
Here, folks, is the house of Aaron Echolls.
Quite a show, huh? Don't you people have lives? You don't see me poking around your trailer park.
Hey, are you the son? I'm the guy telling you to get back on the bus and get out of my driveway.
Logan, come back in the house, honey! - There he is.
- Is that him? - He's getting out.
- Hey, you guys are out early.
- Can I have your autograph? - Here.
Hey, Logan.
Come here.
Get a few shots with my son, huh? Here we go.
Smile, Logan.
Come on.
Don't forget, these folks pay for all of this, huh? Thanks, Dad.
You know, I polled the rest of the soccer team.
None of them wanna see my junk.
Well, now you're covered.
Oh, you didn't tell me that elections were this week.
You should run.
I think it would be a very impressive line on your college application.
Please, Dad.
All they do is sell candy and argue about prom decorations.
Right, that's all they do now.
Until the reign of Kane.
Dear God, may no one have just heard him say "reign of Kane.
" So my dad wants to take me to the San Diego Zoo this weekend.
Oh, man.
I love the zoo.
Everyone gets all excited about the monkey house.
I'm a big-cat man myself.
My dad's gone nutty with all these father-daughter days.
Yeah, see, me, on the other hand, would love to go to the zoo with my dad.
- Wallace, don't - But he's dead, so Okay.
I hate myself.
Are you happy? Yo, man, over here.
- Keep the change.
- Thanks.
You're not allowed delivery.
And you're not allowed to breathe my air.
Go.
Shoo.
Return to Xanadu.
- Okay, I'll I'll pay them.
- Okay? Okay.
Wanda Varner just had her food delivered.
- And that's wrong how? - She doesn't have any Pirate Points.
I see.
- You're new.
- I am.
Pirate Points are earned by being a contributing member of the school.
You get them for being in student council, for sports.
- Cheerleading? - Is a sport.
Mr.
Clemmons.
Mr.
Clemmons, Wanda Varner ordered in Chinese food.
Wanda, I know you know the rules.
If you'd like the privilege of having lunch delivered, get more involved here at Neptune.
In the meantime, I'm gonna have to confiscate your food.
- Oh, you little bitch! - Oh, really? Wanda! Be so kind as to follow me to my office.
Who is that girl? That is Wanda Varner.
We used to be in pep squad together.
You two seem less peppy.
All out, huh? Tough day? That ain't the half of it.
This dame walks in, and you should have seen the getaway sticks on her.
Says something's hinky with her old man.
- Did you put the screws to him? - You ain't kidding.
He sang like a canary.
Well, you're in luck, Philip Marlowe because it's dessert-for-dinner night, and I've got a whole sundae thing set up.
You know, if Child Services finds out about this, they will take you away.
That's a risk I'm willing to take.
Honey, shouldn't we try something at the base of the food pyramid? You know, fruits and vegetables? What is that? A maraschino cherry.
The Lilly Kane murder case took an unexpected turn this morning as convicted killer Abel Koontz fired his public-appointed legal counsel.
Forfeiting appeals, the defendant is scheduled to die by lethal injection as early as next year.
And coming up Why did he do that? I guess he's ready to die.
What are you gonna do? You don't believe he's guilty.
I hate to break it to you, honey, but nobody in Neptune cares what I believe in.
They didn't care when I was sheriff, they don't care now.
This town's gonna have to find another conspiracy nut.
Check you out, Veronica Mars.
You're like a rocker chick now.
You and I, we'd have a lot of fun together.
Yeah, if, you know, I wasn't dead and stuff.
Why are you here? Don't you watch any horror movies? My soul is doomed to walk the earth until justice has been served.
- Really? - Yeah, that, and, as kind of a side project I dispense fashion advice.
Did Koontz do it? Wish I could tell you.
Why would he have wanted to kill you? Honestly.
I was awesome, right? I miss you, Lilly.
So let's all get out there and cheer on our team in the last game of the regular season.
- In other Pirate news - Morning, Veronica.
Maybe you'd be interested in covering the election for the student paper.
- I'll write it up this afternoon.
- Election's tomorrow.
And I can already see the headline: "Brown-Nosing Résumé-Packer Wins in a Landslide.
" Maybe you wanna dig a little bit deeper.
I'll take it.
We'll be hearing from our first hopeful for president sophomore Wanda Varner.
I'm Wanda Varner, and I'm running for student-council president.
Let's be honest.
Student government doesn't do jack.
I'm here to promise you real change.
If elected, I promise to abolish the unfair and elitist Pirate Points program for good.
God bless you, and God bless America.
Hey, dude, could she do that? The student council giveth, student council taketh away.
We're not giving up those points, man.
You've gotta run.
Actually, I don't.
Hey, Wanda.
Check it out.
Killer.
Thanks.
- One of your campaign staff? - I'm all about grassroots.
How do you account for your sudden popularity? Isn't it obvious? It's class warfare.
The haves versus the have-nots.
You, more than anyone, should understand that.
But it's more quotable if you say it out loud.
Okay.
The rich kids, they run things around here.
They're the minority and they're corrupt.
They get away with murder.
- Hey, give them hell, Wanda.
- You give them hell, Rodney.
Pirate Points is another way they reward themselves for being swell.
They have power.
We're the disenfranchised but only because we let ourselves be.
It's time to take action! How was that? Was I quotable? Yeah, I think I can find something there.
Hey, hook me up with a beverage, huh? And what goes with a icy-cold beverage? A nice, clean windshield.
No, man, you don't have to do that.
That car was just professionally detailed.
They got a lot of nerve, calling themselves professionals.
Look at that.
They just moved the dirt around.
Hey, man, A for effort, but you're not getting paid for it.
I don't remember asking.
Hey, what about him? Pretty well-fed for a bum.
- Hey, you Army? - Hell, no.
- United States Marine Corps.
- It's even better, huh? Hey, what are you, about 240? - In my prime.
- Yeah? Hey, I'm putting together a little amateur boxing night if you're interested.
- What, you want me to fight? - No, man.
I want you to win.
You think you'd just come in here and buy me? Is that how it is? That's how it is.
I think we're on the same page.
Get out of my face before I beat your ass down for free.
All right.
You suit yourself.
You have a nice day.
And in conclusion, I promise to uphold the duties of presidency to the utmost of my ability.
Thank you.
Wanda's gonna blow this chick out of the water.
You can kiss your precious Pirate Points goodbye.
Duncan Kane.
A natural leader.
- What? - Two-time all-league soccer.
Editor of The Neptune Navigator.
3.
924 grade point average.
National Honor Society.
National Merit semifinalist and all-around righteous dude.
Hi.
I'm Aaron Echolls and I've known Duncan Kane for a long time.
He's the real deal.
Duncan Kane for student-body president.
That's my dad! All right! All right, class.
That's the last of the five candidates.
Good luck, Duncan.
Mark the letter of the corresponding candidate.
Only one bubble will be counted.
If none of the candidates receive a majority the top two will be entered in a runoff election.
Please, whatever you do, don't vote for me.
Did you hear that, folks? He's humble to boot.
God, I love this guy.
If Lilly's ghost is gonna haunt me until justice has been served then I'd better get my ass in gear.
Where to begin? How about the obvious? Abel Koontz was found with Lilly's backpack and shoes in his possession.
He gave a confession on the spot, but Dad was convinced that the mystery led back to the most respected family in Neptune.
The three people that were at the scene of the crime before he arrived.
Jake Kane, beloved billionaire.
Celeste Kane, renowned philanthropist.
And Duncan.
Each of the Kanes' alibis was airtight.
That is, until a traffic ticket proved that Lilly was still alive hours after the coroner's official time of death.
I don't know what I'm looking for but if there are clues as to who really killed Lilly then they're in Dad's safe.
Arrest record, evidence log, autopsy report.
How many times do I have to look at this stuff? Until it starts making sense.
All right, all right.
It's time for the main event! Yeah! Gentlemen.
In the red corner, hailing from Balboa Park it's Lightning Mike! And in the blue corner the hometown hero What's your name? - Robble Robble! - Yeah! All right, gentlemen, I want a clean fight.
Go! Where did this come from? It's impossible.
- Hey.
- Hey, Dad.
In a way, it's a little sad.
You know? The end of an era.
Wanda wins, and no more Pirate Points.
No more lunch delivery.
Attention, students.
The results of the election have been tabulated.
There will be no runoff votes in any of the races.
- Thank God.
- The winner in the office of secretary: - Brian Gibson.
- Wanda! Wanda! Vice president, Katie Keenan.
And it gives me great pleasure to announce the 2004-2005 SCA president: Duncan Kane.
That's how it's done! That's a steaming crock, Clemmons.
There's no way Duncan Kane could have carried half of the student body.
Now I've got a story.
Mrs.
Donaldson, did you get my message? About inspecting the ballots.
- And? - My short answer? No.
My long answer would be a speech about being a gracious loser and how just because you don't like the outcome doesn't mean you can cry foul.
The student charter says it is possible to lodge a formal protest.
Which this is not.
If you had continued to read Article 15, concerning student-council elections you'd know that once the votes have been certified a faculty sponsor must approve any request for a re-count.
That's it? So I just need another teacher to rubber-stamp this? - It's really cool that you're doing this.
- Oh, I'm happy to help, Veronica.
I find it difficult to believe someone would tamper with a student-council election.
Well, you're new.
And no one will let me forget it.
I'm just saying, I admire your enthusiasm, just don't let it get in the way of Fair and balanced, that's me.
As promised, one faculty sponsor.
I'd like to speak with Ms.
Dent for a moment, please.
I can't believe you'd let her rope you into this.
- I'm sorry? - Look, Mallory I've never heard of anything like this happening in a student election.
Is there any harm in Veronica double-checking the votes? Well, that's not the point.
She's manipulating you, and I'd like to give you the chance to reconsider.
I tell my students to be dogged.
I tell them to follow hunches.
All great.
I'm certainly not telling you how to teach your class.
But this is a student election and I'm just suggesting that you let this go.
For your own good.
I signed the form.
The request is official.
We'll see those ballots now.
- What'd you get? - Duncan still wins with 743 votes.
How many times are we gonna run them? No sign of anyone erasing ballots.
No ballots missing.
Hey.
Student 43059.
Who the hell is candidate E and why did you vote for her? You think I'm not voting for the sister? And for what possible reason do you have my student ID number memorized? You can toss those ballots in the recycle bin when you're done uncovering "corruption.
" - What? - What is it? Well, if Wanda rules, why'd you vote for Duncan, you headcase? I wanna find out who this kid is and what room he voted in.
I want a statue of myself in the main lobby, holding a musket, staring down danger.
- Since we're talking about stuff we want.
- Please? How hard was that? Kevin Carney.
He's got art first period.
Well, you saw the voting cards yourself.
You certified the count.
- There's nothing left to argue.
It's over.
- Someone cheated.
- How? - There were two sets of ballot instructions.
That simply doesn't make any sense.
Yes, it does.
It makes perfect sense.
The classes with 09er kids got the candidates' names in the correct order.
The classes that Wanda would've carried Band, auto shop, art.
- Got a list with the candidates' names reversed.
Those students thought they were voting for Wanda.
They actually gave their votes to Duncan.
You don't really expect us to believe this.
We invited students from first-period art.
We could ask them to review their ballots.
Hold on.
Veronica, exactly who do you accuse of doing this? I'm not accusing anybody.
Though it wouldn't be hard to find out whose code was punched into the copier that made the ballot instructions.
I had my student aide make them.
And that would be who? Madison Sinclair.
Well, there you go.
Mystery solved.
Attention, students.
May I have your attention, please.
I regret to inform you that there has been a mistake in tabulating the election results.
There will be a runoff election Thursday between Wanda Varner and Duncan Kane.
Hi, Madison.
Heard you lost your student-aide gig and your student-council spot.
If I may be so bold as to make a recommendation.
On Fridays the sloppy joes are your best bet.
I've been waiting for a moment alone to take a closer look at the photo of Lilly's bedroom on the night of her murder.
The last thing I need is Dad popping his head in and discovering that I've been poaching from his safe.
All right, when do I get to do yours? Finishing touches.
- Duncan? - Oh, yeah.
Now, that's just creepy.
- Action News, this is Hank.
- Hank I'm a student from Neptune High and I'm doing a follow-up story on Abel Koontz.
I wonder if you could send me a copy of the piece you did on him a couple days ago.
You know, your mother and your mother's personal trainer don't need to know anything about this.
- Agreed.
What do you say we stop on the way home knock out some campaign bumper stickers? When you say "we," you mean I mean, we go and talk to some of my graphics guys.
Come on.
Look what you already accomplished, and you weren't even trying.
Imagine what you'd be capable of if you just put your heart into it.
Cue inspirational music here.
I'm so tired of your cynicism.
Dad, I'm sorry.
I mean I know you think this is some stepping stone on my way to the White House I got news for you.
I'm not concerned about this election.
I just wanna see you engaged.
Enthusiastic about something.
Look, your happiness is all I've ever wanted.
Well, what if I find happiness living in a grass hut, carving driftwood figurines for tourists? I feel confident you have grander ambitions than that.
But if you're happy and committed to driftwood carving be the best driftwood carver you can be.
After you've graduated from Stanford.
Law School.
Summa cum laude.
See that? You're already smiling.
- Someone tagged that up.
- I know.
- That's crazy, man.
- "Narc"? I think the opposing campaign just went negative.
- I'm gonna kill whoever did this.
- They're just posters.
- You still own the message.
- They're not just posters.
They spray-painted "narc" on the hood of my car.
They only chose the word "narc" because it would hit closest to home with your constituency.
I shouldn't find that comforting, but I do.
Well, come over tonight.
We'll make new posters.
I'll get puffy paint and an Avril Lavigne CD, and it'll be just like our pep-squad days.
Awesome! Okay, don't do that.
Bravo, Logan.
It's a new low.
And just when the critics were having some doubts.
You must be talking about your narc friend, Wanda.
Well, isn't it time that you found another bad guy? Look, I just don't have time to be responsible for every little thing that goes wrong in your life.
So was it your idea, or did you just play it your usual way? - What's my usual way? - Oh, you know, Duncan.
You don't initiate trouble.
You don't initiate much of anything anymore.
Don't stop there, Veronica.
Say it.
What's my usual way? You stand idly by.
You gotta check out the Smoking Gun website.
Excuse me.
We're in the middle of a class here.
Dude, you're famous.
So, what's the story with you and Weevil? Weevil? - There's no story.
Why? - No reason.
Thought you might have shared your friend Lilly's bad-boy thing.
- But I guess I was wrong.
- Lilly had more of a boy thing.
Are you sure? - Lilly and Weevil never? Because I heard - Never.
Okay.
So is this one any good? - I don't know.
I haven't read it.
- Yeah.
Most of these college guides are pretty unreadable.
So, what's your first choice? Lvy, baby Ivy, Seven Sisters, liberal arts, East Coast? It gives me a panic attack to just think about it.
Yeah.
I really wanna go to Williams.
Now all I have to do is rob a bank and ace the SATs.
I think we're in the same boat.
Hey, Dad.
What're you doing up? I couldn't sleep.
What, with the phone ringing every five minutes.
Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, E! Any guesses what they wanted to talk about? My charity work? No.
My latest Christmas movie? No.
They wanted to talk about my son's latest opus: Skid Row Boxing.
Look, Dad, I don't know what I have to say that your performance was really impressive.
The way you play the ungrateful son determined to humiliate his father was utterly impressive! Do you have any idea what you've just cost this family? Of course you don't.
You've never had to work for anything in your life.
Now tomorrow, after school you're gonna get your first lesson in public relations.
Logan, don't you ever embarrass me again.
Vote for Wanda.
- Right.
- Yeah, I'll take one.
Thanks.
Weevil.
Put one on the back of your bike? - No, I'm not gonna vote for that narc.
- Come on, Weevil.
You know better than to believe what you hear at school.
It's dirty politics.
You might wanna explain to Felix.
The sheriff found out all the "Welcome to Neptune" signs are hanging in his room.
A week after he hooks up with your girl Wanda.
Now, how did that happen, huh? Now homeboy's got four weekends of highway cleanup.
Hey, superstar.
Are you nervous? I'm so embarrassed, but yes.
I think we should celebrate this weekend, win or lose.
I heard about this rave in the desert and we can make it if we leave after school tomorrow.
Bitchen.
I'll tell my mom I'm spending the night at your place.
Do we need any provisions? Provisions? With a capital E? Absolutely.
But I know a guy.
Oh, jealous.
Wish I knew a guy.
Here you go, Ms.
Dent.
We will be voting simultaneously this morning in order to prevent any confusion.
By now, everyone should have their Scantron ballots.
All right, here goes.
If you'd like to vote for Duncan Kane, mark A.
And if you'd like to vote for Wanda Varner, mark B.
Let's see.
On the one hand we have the hot-cold ex-boyfriend and heir to the status quo.
On the other, the potentially duplicitous new friend and champion to the disenfranchised.
We'll hang out, and I'll impress you with my diving skills.
Oh, did you hear that Becky Lacy is trying out for mascot? Really? Table's ready.
You know what, man? You're fine where you are.
Dick here can find his own spot.
Yeah.
I know I'm late, Marty.
Look, is this the closest homeless shelter you could find? No, never mind.
Are the cameras ready? Good.
All right.
Now, this is how this is gonna work.
They're gonna get you volunteering at the soup kitchen then I'm gonna join you for an interview.
You got it? - What do you want me to tell them? - What do you think, Logan? That you're sorry that you're boneheaded, and that you screwed up.
I'll take care of the rest.
Vince.
What's happening? Yeah, I got the script.
I've seen better writing on cereal boxes.
Oh, big deal.
The man hasn't made a watchable movie since the '70s.
Are they gonna meet my quote? Hot damn.
Son.
How do you argue with eight figures? You can't.
Can't be done.
- Okay, have them draw up the contract.
- Hey.
It's Don King.
Hey, you find some sucker who was willing to make a bitch out of himself for cash? All right.
You ready to do this? Yeah.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- Hey, thanks a lot.
- Mr.
Echolls, we're ready for you anytime.
- Catch you guys later.
- Hey.
Logan.
Excuse me.
I just wanted to say that my father was not an educated man.
He dropped out of school so he could work in the automotive plant in Pontiac, Michigan.
And he once told me something that I'll never forget.
He said, "Son, a good heart is worth all the heads in the world put together.
" Now, my son here will be the first one to admit that he wasn't using his head.
But I promise each and every one of you that this boy This boy has a great heart.
Well, I know now that what I did was wrong.
I'm really sorry.
I only hope that one day I can live up to my dad's good example.
I love you.
Okay, look, I know that he didn't wanna make a big deal out of this but I'm just so proud of him that I can't keep it a secret.
Dad told me that he's donating half a million dollars to the Neptune Food Bank.
Way to go, Dad.
Hey, Veronica.
The deputy wants to inspect your locker.
You'd think I'd quit being surprised at finding a knife in my back.
- Veronica Mars.
- We meet again.
- The sheriff asked - I could give you my combination and save us all a lot of trouble.
- Nothing.
- There's a couple of suckers in the bag, if you want one.
This is Mrs.
Donaldson, the student-council advisor.
I'm pleased to announce that the winner of the student-council presidency is Duncan Kane.
- Wanda.
- Oh, no.
I'm sorry.
Guess we're not going to that rave but I have an idea where you can stick these.
- You don't understand.
- Right.
I don't.
Why don't you explain? I got busted last year for possession.
This was the only way they would keep it off my record.
I'd never get into Williams with a drug charge.
So you were willing to wreck my future to save your own? Veronica, this wasn't just about getting into college.
If I would've won, I would have done what I promised.
We would have changed the way things work around here.
You know what? No hard feelings.
I didn't vote for you.
Well, it's been a crazy week but I am proud to introduce your new student-body president, Duncan Kane! Thank you, Mrs.
Donaldson.
And now, my first act as president.
I would like to make sure that no one loses a single Pirate Point.
But you know what? In addition to varsity sports I would also like to make sure that students in band students who make the honor roll students who perform in school plays or write for the school newspaper Even students who excel in vocational trades should be eligible to earn Pirate Points.
- Yeah! And they should share in the benefits.
Okay.
So what kind of candy should we sell this year? Dad changed the combination.
He knows.
- Package for you.
- Oh, great.
Something from Action News? Oh, nothing.
A tape for a journalism project.
Just to compare and contrast TV news footage with local print coverage.
I'm lying.
You know I'm lying.
I don't want things to be like this between us anymore.
- Like what? - Like our own game of "Spy vs.
Spy.
" You know I was in the safe and I know you're still investigating Lilly's murder.
- I was.
I'm not anymore.
- Why not? Dad, we're running out of time.
I used to think that solving the case was the key to our happiness.
Solve the case, and my reputation is restored.
Solve the case, and your mom comes home.
Solve the case, and you go back to being a normal teenage girl.
- So let's do it.
Let's solve the case.
- Wait.
What I believe in now is that we make the most out of what we have here and now.
I believe in going to the zoo with the person I love the most.
This isn't a school project.
It's the footage of Abel Koontz's arrest, and I need to show you something.
This is an enlargement of a crime-scene photo taken the night of Lilly's murder.
The defendant is scheduled to die by lethal injection as early as next year What are those shoes doing in Abel Koontz's possession? Good question.