4x05 "Wish You Were Here"

[Orson]

[align=center][size=medium]EPISODE FIVE- 'WISH YOU WERE HERE'[/size][/align]

SCENE ONE- THE JUNGLE- AFTERNOON

It opens on JACK searching through the jungle. He emerges from behind a couple of trees, walking slowly, looking around, trying to spot what he is looking for. The clouds above him are a dark, grey colour. A clap of thunder rolls in the distance and a sudden, sharp shower of rain begins. Jack looks disgruntled.

JACK: God damn it.

His clothes are quickly soaked with the persistent downpour, it is unrelenting. He spots something out of the corner of his eye. He turns and looks at a tree about 2 feet away. He walks over to it, taking slow, careful steps, hardly believing that it is real. He reaches the tree and we see that this what he was looking for- there’s a carving on the tree. It is an X with a small O in it’s centre. Jack looks at it curiously, his fingers feeling the shape of it. He can barely believe that it is real.

A twig snaps behind him. He flinches backwards and turns around suddenly. Standing not too far away is THE MAN IN BLACK. He is slightly older than Jack, wearing a neat black suit that seems hardly touched by the rain. His stern face suddenly breaks into a grin that is unsettling.

JACK: Who are…

But before Jack can finish, the Man in Black lifts up his right arm to reveal he is holding a revolver. Before Jack can move the Man in Black shoots.

SCENE TWO- THE BEACH- NIGHTIME

KATE’s eyes suddenly flick open and she sits up, breathing heavily. Beside her SAWYER awakes.

SAWYER: Something wrong, freckles?

KATE: Nothing… just a bad dream, that all.

SCENE THREE

Lost titles.

SCENE FOUR- THE BEACH- MORNING

Life goes on the beach, the same as it ever did. Occasionally people looked expectantly towards the horizon, but seeing that the boats are not there they carry on with their whatever little task they were doing. CLAIRE sits on the beach, looking out at the sea. There is a blank, rather despondent look upon her face. Down the beach SUN is looking after AARON. DESMOND approaches her.

SUN: Hello.

DESMOND: How’s she coping?

SUN: You mean Claire?

DESMOND: Yeah. Ever since I got back, she hasn’t said two words to me since I got back. I thought she… might want to know what happened to Charlie.

SUN: You think she might be in denial?

Desmond shrugs.

DESMOND: I’m just worried about her. He died to save her, you know.

Sun nods slowly.

SUN: We all know. Maybe you should try telling her that.

DESMOND: Don’t think I’m the person she wants to speak to at the moment.

SUN: You never know. She might appreciate it.

Desmond looks at Claire sitting alone, and then he looks back at Sun.

DESMOND: I might take you’re advice.

Desmond begins to walk down the beach towards Claire. He does so almost reluctantly. In part he needs to speak to Claire to order to achieve some kind of confession about Charlie’s death. As he nears Claire does not notice Desmond as he approaches. He sits down beside her and still she does not look at him.

DESMOND: Claire… I wanted to talk to you. (He swallows nervously, leaving an awkward pause) about what happened to Charlie.

CLAIRE: Desmond… I really don’t want to talk about it. (Desmond is taken aback a little by her bluntness) Can you just leave me alone, please?

DESMOND: I just wanted to…

CLAIRE: Just leave me alone.

Desmond stays still for a moment, before slowly rising and walking away, leaving Claire to stare out into the vast, unforgiving sea.

SCENE FIVE- A PRESS CONFERENCE- AFTERNOON

The press sit in their designated areas clutching at notepads and tape records. At the front of the room is a large table, and on the right of this is a large advert for a book. The advert depicts a seemingly idyllic island view. In bold, red letter the title reads: “ISLAND LIFE- THE TRUE STORY ABOUT THE SURVIVOURS OF OCEANIC 815” BY CLAIRE LITTLETON Sitting at the centre of the table is Claire, asking politely the questions the journalists have to ask.

CLAIRE: …And when I had the baby it made living on the island more dangerous for me because I was having to be looking after my son as well as trying to survive myself there.

The journalist stands and asks her next question.

JOURNALIST: And the book is dedicated to the “one who helped your through your time” there. Is this your husband?

CLAIRE: Yes, in a very bizarre twist of fate I meet my husband while I was on the island. He was the one who stood by me throughout my time on the island. When I was in a bad way he was the one who… well, saved me. And for that I’ll always love him.

SCENE SIX- THE BEACH- MORNING

Jack walks down the beach. Kate spots him and begins walking alongside him.

KATE: Hey.

JACK: Hey. You ok?

KATE: Yeah. (Pause) I had a dream about you the other night.

JACK: (Laughing) Well that isn’t something you hear everyday…

KATE: No, it wasn’t like that… it was more of a nightmare…

JACK: Then that’s not so good, huh?

KATE: It was weird, you were looking for this tree with a really weird marking. Then some guy in a suit shot you.

JACK: Anyone you recognized?

KATE: Not really. It’s was just… strange, you know?

JACK: (Jokingly) I better avoid the jungle and men in suits then.

KATE: Look, with all the stuff that’s gone on on this island, maybe this is something we should be worried about.

Jack stops and looks directly at Kate.

JACK: Kate, you had a nightmare. That’s it, ok?

KATE: What if it isn’t just a nightmare?

JACK: There’s nothing to be scared about…

KATE: I saw you die!

JACK: Well all see things like that in our dreams. But that’s just what they are- dreams. Nothing more.

DESMOND: Jack…

Jack and Kate turn to see that Desmond is standing not too far away.

DESMOND: Can I have a word, brother?

Jack looks back at Kate.

JACK: See you around, Kate.

Jack walks away from Kate, leaving her standing on her own.

JACK: What’s going on?

DESMOND: It’s Claire. I’m worried about her, brother.

JACK: Well, who can blame her with… what happened.

DESMOND: But she doesn’t seem to be dealing with it at all. It’s like she’s in denial over it.

JACK: People deal with loss in different ways. With some people it takes a lot longer than others.

DESMOND: She wouldn’t even speak to me.

JACK: Just give her some time then. Why are you so keen to help her anyway?

DESMOND: Because it should have been me who died, brother. He had someone here to look after. I have no reason to be here.

JACK: You’re the one who’s got to greet Penny’s team when they turn up.

Desmond pauses.

DESMOND: Yeah, about that…

SCENE SEVEN- THE BEACH- MIDDAY

Claire sits alone in the makeshift tent that she and Charlie made in what seems like an eternity ago. She quietly reorganizes the items within the tent- namely Charlie’s belongings. Sawyer stands just outside, unsure whether or not to enter. He holds a worn paperback book in his hand. He slowly enters.

SAWYER: Hey, I was just… passing by… (Claire does not acknowledge him) and I thought… you might want something to read.

At this Claire turns and faces Sawyer and he passes her the book. She takes it and reads the title.

CLAIRE: ‘Watership Down’?

SAWYER: Everybody likes bunnies, right?

CLAIRE: (After a pause) Well… thanks.

There is a long, uncomfortable silence.

SAWYER: I, er, I… just wanted to say… I’m sorry.

CLAIRE: You’re sorry? You know, you've never said one damn nice thing about Charlie.

SAWYER: (Grimly) I know. That’s why I’m sorry.

He turns slowly and walks away.

SCENE EIGHT- A HOTEL ROOM- AFTERNOON

Claire sits along in a rather expensive hotel room. She dials a number on a silver mobile phone. It rings a couple times, but skips to voice mail.

CLAIRE: Hey, it’ s me. Erm, the press conference is finished now. It went well. Just give me a call when you’re finished, ok? (As an afterthought) I love you.

She closes the mobile phone and sighs.

SCENE NINE- THE BEACH- MIDDAY

JULIET approaches Kate.

JULIET: Hey, Kate.

KATE: Hey.

JULIET: Jack was telling me all about your little nightmare.

KATE: He did?

JULIET: Yeah. You really think it’s true, huh?

KATE: Well, yeah. After everything that’s happened…

JULIET: I bet you’d just love for you and Jack to go running off into the jungle looking for the tree with the funny mark, wouldn’t you?

KATE: What?

JULIET: Just like old times, huh?

KATE: What are you saying?

Juliet sighs and folds her arms.

JULIET: Look, Kate, this dream story… it’s cute, it really is. But everybody here has accepted that it’s Kate and Sawyer now, not Kate and Jack. It’s now Jack and Juliet, ok? (Kate tries to deny it but Juliet interrupts her) Look, we really don’t want to be upsetting the balance now, do we?

KATE: Whatever your suggesting is not true, I’m actually very concerned about this vision I had…

JULIET: Oh, it’s a vision now?

KATE: How many times have strange things like this happened on the island? What if comes true and something bad happens to Jack?

JULIET: Kate, I don’t care if your dream is true or not. The only thing bad that can happen to Jack here is you. Just stay away from Jack, ok?

She walks away leaving Kate standing on her own, somewhat annoyed by Juliet’s attitude.

SCENE TEN- THE JUNGLE- EARLY AFTERNOON

HURLEY is walking alone when he is joined by Desmond.

HURLEY: Hey, dude.

DESMOND: I was wondering if you could help me with something, brother?

Hurley stops still, slightly afraid.

HURLEY: It’s not gonna be, like, something that might kill me, will it?

Desmond shakes his head.

DESMOND: It’s nothing like that, brother.

HURLEY: What is you want me to do then?

DESMOND: Help someone say goodbye.

SCENE ELEVEN- THE JUNGLE- AFTERNOON

Jack is walking through the jungle alone. As he walks the sound of twigging snapping is heard. He flinches and turns around.

JACK: What are you doing? Following me or something?

Kate walks up to him.

KATE: Something. I want to find the tree with the mark on it.

JACK: And do you plan to go around every tree looking for it?

KATE: If it proves I’m right.

JACK: Kate, just drop it, ok?

KATE: It’ll start raining, then we’ll find the tree.

JACK: Kate, it always rains here. It’s nothing new.

Jack carries on walking, and Kate follows behind.

SCENE TWELVE- THE BEACH- AFTERNOON

Claire is back to staring out to the sea, all on her own. Hurley walks up to her.

HURLEY: Yo, Claire!

Claire looks at him and speaks slowly.

CLAIRE: What is it, Hurley?

HURLEY: You gotta take a look at this. (He turns to walk away and sees she is not following him.) Come on, you’ve gotta see it…

CLAIRE: It’d help if I knew what ‘it’ is.

HURLEY: It’s a surprise. (He grabs her hand and begins leading her along) You’ll like it, trust me.

SCENE THRITEEN- THE GRAVEYARD- AFTERNOON

Claire is lead on rather reluctantly by Hurley. As they near their destination Claire spots something unusual on the sand. She seems shocked by it, and standing nearby it is Desmond.

CLAIRE: What is Charlie’s guitar doing there?

As they get closer they see that at the head of the guitar is a newly made cross, intended to be a grave marker.

HURLEY: We decided to make a memorial for Charlie.

DESMOND: You know… to honour him.

CLAIRE: Look, I really don’t need this…

She tires to turn away and sees that all the other castaways walking down the beach. Every one has turned out to honour Charlie’s death.

DESMOND: He didn’t just die to save us. He did it for you.

Claire slowly turns around and faces Desmond.

SCENE FOURTEEN- A HOTEL ROOM- AFTERNOON

Claire sits on the double bed, listening something on an iPod. The door of the room opens and she grins.

CLAIRE: You’re late.

A man has just walked into the room, looking as he always did. It’s CHARLIE.

CHARLIE: Best things come to those who wait, my dear.

CLAIRE: If you left it any longer I’d have gone on without you.

CHARLIE: Oh really? (He kisses her) And I thought you loved me?

CLAIRE: A girl just can’t wait forever, Charles.

She laughs as he kisses her. They embrace.

SCENE FIFTEEN- THE GRAVEYARD- AFTERNOON

Reality is returned on the beach. Everybody stands around the little memorial for Charlie. Hurley stands next to Claire with his arm around her.

DESMOND: Claire… would like you to say anything?

All eyes focus on Claire. She tries to say something, anything. Her mouth moves but her throat is unable to make a sound.

SCENE SIXTEEN- A HOTEL ROOM- AFTERNOON

It’s returned the scene as we left it. Claire is in mid embrace until she moves back and sees that she is all alone.

CLAIRE: Charlie? (She looks around at the empty room) Charlie?

SCENE SEVENTEEN- THE GRAVEYARD- AFTERNOON

Claire is back trying to talk but the unfortunate reality has dawned upon her, it was just a mere fantasy she had created. The tears begin to well up in her eyes.

CLAIRE: He… he loved me…

Finally she gives into tears. They come fast and hard so that she is unable to see. The tears stream from Hurley’s eyes as well and he pulls Claire into a large hug. Desmond watches on with a sad look in his eye. It was because of him that they are suffering now.

In the crowd of mourners Juliet’s eyes scan along the beach looking for a sign of Jack or Kate, but none is to be found. Sawyer stands next to her.

SAWYER: Looks like we’ve been dumped. Alone again, naturally, huh?

[i]Juliet flicks her eyes at Sawyer then looks away.

JULIET: Shut up.

Sawyer raises his eyebrows ready to quip back, but quickly thinks better of it.

SCENE EIGHTEEN- THE JUNGLE- LATER AFTERNOON

Kate leads through the jungle and Jack reluctantly follows.

JACK: Kate, this is futile…

KATE: I have to find it…

JACK: Why are you so obsessed with proving to me that a stupid dream is real?

KATE: Because if it is then you’re going to get hurt.

JACK: Maybe going on this quest is hurting me anyway.

Kate stops and looks at Jack. There is a pause, and then suddenly there is the distant sound of thunder. They both look up and it begins to rain heavily, soaking them both in a mere matter of moments.

JACK: God damn it.

KATE: This is it…

JACK: What?

KATE: In the dream it rained and then you found the tree with the strange…

JACK: Stop it.

KATE: Stop what, Jack?

JACK: What you’re doing. (She goes to speak but Jack interrupts) Kate, I said I loved you and… look, I’ve accepted that it’d be impossible for you ever to feel the same about me.

KATE: Jack…

JACK: No, Kate, I can’t do this anymore… We can’t go back to just wandering off into the jungle. Things have changed- we’ve changed. I can’t… keep saying ‘how high’ whenever you tell me to jump. If I keep doing it… it’s just going to hurt me more and more, and I just can’t do that, Kate.

KATE: I’m sorry.

JACK: Don’t be. I’m the idiot who followed you.

He turns and walks away, heading back to camp leaving Kate on her own in the middle of the jungle. In the foliage not to far away, she is been watched. The Man in Black from her dream stands, silently watching her. His dour face slowly turns into a hideous smile.