ALONE ON A WIDE, WIDE SEA

Text ©2002 Roger E. Moore (roger70129@aol.com)
Daria and associated characters are ©2002 MTV Networks


Feedback (good, bad, indifferent, just want to bother me, whatever) is appreciated. Please 
write to: roger70129@aol.com

Synopsis: Sandi Griffin's life completely unravels over one long weekend. Why would 
anyone waste the time to help her?

Author's Notes: The events in this story take place after the "Daria" TV movie, "Is It 
College Yet?" The story begins in mid-July, during Daria's last summer at home before 
she heads off to college in Boston, and before Quinn and her friends become high-school 
seniors.


INT = Interior scene
EXT = Exterior scene
VO = Voice over (off screen)


Alone, alone, all, all alone,
Alone on a wide wide sea!
And never a saint took pity on
My soul in agony.

The many men, so beautiful!
And they all dead did lie:
And a thousand thousand slimy things
Lived on; and so did I.
		--"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," Samuel Taylor Coleridge


1. INT: THURSDAY MORNING, SANDI'S BEDROOM, GRIFFIN HOME

We see a gold-colored doorknob on a white door. A young woman's hand enters the 
picture and rests on the doorknob, hesitating before opening it. We then look up into 
Sandi Griffin's face, etched with anxiety. Her hand slowly opens her bedroom door, and 
she listens. All is quiet in the hall outside. Her hair made up and fully dressed in 
fashionable summer clothing (wide-brimmed straw hat with silk band, colorful top and 
shorts, casual shoes and socks, plus minor jewelry and a small handheld purse), she steps 
out into the hall. She listens, then moves silently down the carpeted hall.


2. INT: MOMENTS LATER, MAIN FLOOR BY STAIRWAY, GRIFFIN HOME

Sandi reaches the bottom of the stairs, looking fearful. She moves quietly and heads for 
the kitchen. She stops after a moment, peering into the kitchen from where she stands.


3. INT: MOMENTS LATER, KITCHEN, GRIFFIN HOME

We are in the kitchen, watching as Sandi slowly enters. No one is present. The kitchen 
clock shows that it is 8:55 a.m. Some cabinets are left open. On the counter by the sink is 
an empty vodka bottle and a dirty glass with lipstick on the rim. Sandi winces when she 
sees the bottle, and she heads for the refrigerator. Something crunches underfoot as she 
moves (still walking quietly), and she stops and looks down. The floor is littered with 
broken glass; several drinking glasses are smashed on the hard tile. Sandi gingerly steps 
around the broken glass and opens the refrigerator, taking out a carton of fruit yogurt. She 
turns to go to the kitchen table, but stops. The wall behind the kitchen table is splashed 
with a colored drink; more broken glass covers the floor around the table. Upset and 
depressed, Sandi hesitates, then backpedals and puts the yogurt back in the refrigerator. 
She scuffs her shoes to knock the broken glass loose, then carefully leaves the kitchen, 
clutching her small pocketbook.


4. INT: MOMENTS LATER, FRONT HALL, GRIFFIN HOME

Sandi heads for the front door, then slows as she looks down at a decorative telephone on 
a table in the hall leading to the door. She stops and picks up the handset, then haltingly 
punches in a number from memory.

SANDI: [waits for call to go through, nervous and pressured speech] Marjorie? This is 
Sandi Griffin, Linda's daughter. . . . Yes, that's us. I need--we need your help at our 
house today. My parents . . . threw a party last night, and . . . one of the guests became 
intoxicated, and he broke some glasses in the kitchen. It was horrid. We had to call the 
police and everything. If you could get here before noon and clean up the mess before my 
parents get home, we'd . . . It should take only a half-hour between your other clients. . . . 
Forty? You must be joking. Forty dollars is excessive for cleaning the kitchen. I think 
twenty would cover . . . Yes, but it's inconvenient for us, too. We can't get around in the 
kitchen, because of the broken glass, and my parents left for work, and I need to get out 
of here. [grimaces] I, uh, have a, a medical appointment, with a doctor. . . . [angry] No, it 
was not I who did it! It was them! I mean, the guest, the drunk! You . . . [controls self 
with effort, grits teeth] Please, if you could just . . . okay, good. . . . What? You want it 
when you get here? [frowns] Wait. [opens purse, pulls out bills and counts] Would you 
take thirty? [grimaces] Oh, very well, forty, but it is so far out of line with what your . . . 
No. No, forget I said it. I'll leave the money on the phone stand near the front door. You 
still have our key? Okay. [hangs up, steaming] Forty dollars. She is ripping us off. Me 
off. I shouldn't even be paying for . . . [lets all her breath out]

Sandi looks forlornly at the two twenty-dollar bills she holds, then unfolds them and lays 
them on the table by the phone. After a last look back at her money, she sets the house 
alarm and leaves the house by the front door at a quick pace, locking the door behind her.


5. EXT: MOMENTS LATER, OUTSIDE FRONT DOOR, GRIFFIN HOME

After pulling the front door shut, Sandi stands and looks up and down the street. It is a 
hot, cloudless day. After some hesitation, Sandi sets off down the sidewalk, then down 
the street at a quick walk.


6. EXT: A SHORT WHILE LATER, FRONT DOOR, ROWE HOME

Sandi waits by the front door of Stacy Rowe's home, a bright and cheery two-story 
house. The outside doormat has "We Are The ROWES" printed across it. Sandi checks 
her watch, then raises a hand to ring the doorbell again. The door opens just as she is 
ready to push the bell button. Stacy comes out in a rush, dressed in a white work suit 
(shirt, pants, and sneakers) with a smiling, dancing wedge of anthropomorphic cheese 
over the left breast. "The Cheddary" is printed below the cheese wedge. Sandi opens her 
mouth to say something, but Stacy speaks first.

STACY: [hurries out, very fast speech] Oh, hi, Sandi, sorry I can't stay and talk, but I'm 
running late for my job! A fuse blew out in the basement last night when Dad plugged in 
the new DVD system, would you believe that?

SANDI: [put off] Well, Stacy, I just wanted to--

STACY: I'm really sorry, Sandi, but I have to run or else Mister Jorgensen will kill me 
and I'll never get enough money for our trip to Cashman's this weekend for that sale! 
Can I call you when I get home? [doesn't wait for response] Great, then I'll see you! 
[rushes out to car in driveway, jumps in, waves goodbye, and drives off in a rush]

Sandi appears stunned, but her expression turns into a deep frown moments later. 
Looking at her feet, Sandi walks off and heads down the street again.


7. EXT: A SHORT WHILE LATER, FRONT DOOR, BLUM-DECKLER HOME

Sandi stands before the front door of Tiffany's home. She checks her watch, obviously 
having been waiting for some time. She starts to reach for the doorbell, but changes her 
mind and walks from the door around the side of the house, toward a gate in the high 
backyard fence. Sandi opens the gate latch and starts to walk into the backyard, but she 
sees something ahead of her and stops.

In the Blum-Decklers' backyard is a large kidney-shaped swimming pool. On the near 
side of the pool, lying out in a deck chair under a large umbrella, is Tiffany in a swimsuit. 
Sandi can see her from behind. A colored drink with a straw in it sits on the umbrella 
table next to her. She appears to be asleep.

Sandi enters the backyard, slamming the gate just enough to announce her entrance. 
Tiffany rolls her head, not quite awake yet.

TIFFANY: Mommm?

SANDI: It's me, Sandi. [walks over to Tiffany's side]

[[talks to Tiffany, who would rather lie in the sun, doesn't seem to care if Sandi is upset]]


8. EXT:

Somewhere down the sidewalk from Tiffany's home, Sandi walks up to the payphone 
outside a convenience store. She takes some coins from her purse, puts them in the 
machine, and punches in a number from memory.

SANDI: [to phone] Hello, Mrs. White? This is Sandi Griffin. . . . Yes, I'm Linda's 
daughter. I wonder if I may speak to Jamie. . . . He . . . Then, do you know when he'll be 
back? . . . No, I'm out for the day and wanted to know if he'd, um, like to go shopping at 
the mall. . . . I'll call back then. Okay. Bye. [hangs up]

Sandi sighs, checks the coin return, and walks off in a dispirited way.


9. INT: ABOUT THIS TIME, INSIDE THE CONVENIENCE STORE

Jamie White and his friend Jeffy watch Sandi leave, peering through the tinted glass 
windows of the convenience store. Jamie and Jeffy hold a number of soft drinks and 
snack items as they look around two tall floor displays, behind which they were hiding.

JAMIE: That was close.

JEFFY: Why didn't ya go out and say hi?

JAMIE: Didn't want to.

Both Jamie and Jeffy laugh.

JAMIE: I mean, she might say hi back.

The boys laugh again, harder. Jeffy drops a soft drink bottle and bends down to pick it up.

JAMIE: I wonder if our plan's working. Think Quinn is jealous yet?

JEFFY: Well, we'll know this weekend when she goes to the city pool. I asked Stacy to 
go, and she said yes. That should knock Quinn to her senses.

JAMIE: Damn, I probably should've asked Sandi to go.

JEFFY: Well, dude, you have to, you know? We're not going to make Quinn jealous and 
choose one of us unless she can actually see that we're going out with her best friends. 
That's why I wanted you to go out and talk to her!

JAMIE: Oh, well. [looks out window after Sandi, barely visible now] What's up with 
Joey? Why isn't he doing this with us?

JEFFY: His mom's in rehab. He's working and taking care of his little sister.

JAMIE: Damn, that sucks. He should be out partying, man. [shrugs] Hey, at least he's out 
of the running, you know. It's you and me.

JEFFY: Yeah. [points at Jamie] You should be talking to Sandi and making like you want 
to be with her and stuff, you know?

JAMIE: [pause, shrugs, looks at Jeffy] Eh, I'm not gonna worry about it. I'm not going 
out with her to go out with her, anyway. Know what I mean? I mean, Jeez, Sandi . . . 
[smiles, shakes his head] Whoa. She's like . . . man! Captain Bitchonaut. [walks over to 
counter to pay for items] You know what she said to me yesterday at the movies?

JEFFY: [follows Jamie] No, what?


10. A SHORT WHILE LATER, KITCHEN, MH

Helen and Quinn sit at the kitchen table; Helen is going over a pile of legal paperwork, 
and Quinn is reading a paperbound book. Daria stands by the sink, warming several slices 
of pizza for herself in a toaster oven and reading her own paperback.

QUINN: [still reading, to Helen] Mom, can you get me a diet cola? [pause] Please?

DARIA: [still reading, to Helen, deadpan] Oh, and when you've finished, check the 
patient's catheter and make sure it hasn't fallen out.

QUINN: [still reading, loud] Muuuh-ooom! Daria's being gross!

HELEN: [still reading, frowns, circles a passage with red pen] Girls, stop it. I'm trying to 
concentrate. I'll be in court tomorrow and I have to get this right.

DARIA: [still reading, deadpan] You've got legs, Quinn. Walk that last mile. Sweat 
smells good to some people.

QUINN: [still reading] Do you snort your t-shirts?

DARIA: [still reading] Yours I do. What are you reading?

QUINN: [still reading] Poetry.

DARIA: [lowers her book, stares at Quinn] Seriously.

Quinn lifts her book and holds it up to reveal the cover: Famous Poems in Western 
Literature. Daria stares at this and grows thoughtful.

DARIA: [looking down at her book again] You're going out with . . . [whispers] David.

Quinn instantly lowers her book to glare daggers at Daria. Quinn silently mouths the 
words, "Shut up!" to Daria, pointing at Helen, still bent over her legal paperwork. Daria 
looks up from her book and catches this. She raises her right hand and rubs her thumb 
and middle finger together, looking at Quinn. Quinn looks furious and silently mouths, 
"Twenty." Daria continues rubbing her thumb and middle finger together. Quinn mouths 
"Forty," and Daria drops her hand, going back to her book. Quinn looks down and 
mouths "I hate you" at her book, then reads again. Silence reigns for a few seconds.

HELEN: [turning a page in her legal brief] Who's David?

Quinn drops her head on the table and pounds both her fists hard on the tabletop.

HELEN: [looks up, startled] Quinn!

DARIA: [still reading, trying not to smile] Oops.

HELEN: [looks at Quinn] David Sorenson? Your tutor from last year?

Quinn sighs and sits up, brushing her hair back from her face.

QUINN: Yes, Mom. That David. He's back for the summer. I called him up, and we're 
going out. It's not a date. We're just going out to talk and have dinner Saturday night. 
That's it, that's all, nothing more. Period.

DARIA: [still reading] Reading poetry before going out with David is equivalent to 
losing ten pounds and putting on a thong before going out with a football player.

HELEN: Isn't David in college now?

QUINN: [xxx NAME COLLEGE xxx] Like I said, he's back for the summer. I'm a high-
school senior, Mom. I can handle a college guy.

HELEN: He was such a nice young man. What is he now, a freshman or sophomore?

DARIA: [still reading] It's David, Mom. He's not going to get fresh, even if Quinn did 
put on a thong.

HELEN: What's this about a thong, Quinn?

QUINN: [looks frustrated] I don't have a thong! I'm just going out with David for fun! 
It's not illegal or anything. He's very sweet, and we're friends, and we're just going out. 
It's not like I was going out with someone in my peer group to make out. He's a cool 
guy, but he's just a friend.

HELEN: What's this about making out on dates? You remember what we talked--

QUINN: [getting angry] Oooo! I was joking! I'm not having sex, everything's fine, stop 
worrying about it! Daria's messing with your head again!

HELEN: Oh. [glances at Daria] Very well, I trust you, Quinn. Remember what I said, 
though, about--

Quinn makes a hissing noise like a snake. She looks up at Daria in fury.

HELEN: --how important it is to keep your head about you in the heat of the moment, 
and why are you making that awful noise?

DARIA: [still reading] Hmmm, that's the signal warning me to retreat. [lowers book, 
looks at Helen] For what's it's worth, Mom, David has my complete approval. He's in 
the top one percent of decent guys, a smart young man and a real gentleman. [starts 
reading again] Shame he has to go out with Quinn, but that's nature's way of culling out 
the weak and--

Quinn gets up from the table and leaves the room, taking her book with her. Once she 
gets behind her mother, Quinn looks up at Daria and gives her the finger, then leaves for 
the staircase up to the second floor. Daria struggles not to smile.

HELEN: [looks at Daria with concern] Daria, honey, is something burning?

Daria's smile disappears. She lowers her book and turns, peering into the toaster oven. 
She quickly ditches her book and grabs a mitt, pulling out a metal tray of burnt pizza 
pieces. She burns her hand on one edge of the hot toaster oven and flinches, dropping the 
metal tray on the countertop.

DARIA: [rubs hand, low voice] Damn it!

HELEN: [trying not to smile] Got a little distracted while picking on your sister?


[AUTHOR'S NOTE: The following text was from yet another version of this story, and 
was intended to be merged with the above as later events.]


1. INT: ABOUT 8:15 PM, THURSDAY NIGHT, QUINN'S ROOM, 
MORGENDORFFER HOME

The four members of the ex-Fashion Club sit in Quinn's room on the floor, having just 
finished watching a video movie and emptying two bowls of unbuttered popcorn, seven 
diet soft drinks, three containers of flavored yogurt, and a box of tissues. They wear 
casual summer clothing in the best of fashion. The end credits for the movie ("Angel at 
the Altar") play on the screen, and the girls watch the scroll of names intently.

STACY: [pointing] There! I knew Maxwell Bradford was the father-in-law!

QUINN: Those shoulders. What a hunk.

SANDI: Yes, he is quite aesthetically pleasing.

TIFFANY: Yeaaah, he's . . . [looks at Sandi in confusion] . . . he's . . .

STACY: Boy, I could eat eye candy like that all day!

Quinn and Sandi look at Stacy in surprise, who notices this after a moment.

STACY: What?

Sandi and Quinn burst out laughing; Quinn rolls over backwards on the carpet. Stacy 
turns red but laughs as well. Tiffany joins in last, but she looks puzzled.

TIFFANY: Yeaaah . . . what you saaaid.

STACY: Oh, I didn't mean--oh, no! [hides face in hands, still laughing]

SANDI: [smiles, pops video out of machine] Freud would find that sooo interesting, I am 
sure.

TIFFANY: Yeaaah . . . innnteresting. [checks her watch] I havvve to gooo. I havvve a 
cuuucumber faaacial cleannnser to put on.

STACY: [standing up] I have to go, too. My shift at the Cheddary starts at nine in the 
morning. [shivers] I hate those new cheese logs. They taste like Velveeta with walnuts.

EVERYONE: Eeewww!

SANDI: I would not feed that to . . .  well, maybe I would feed that to my brothers.

QUINN: [also standing, as does Tiffany] I'll walk you out. I'll be up for a bit. My shift at 
Cashman's doesn't start until two.

STACY: What a job, spraying people with perfume!

QUINN: It's fun, except for the really obnoxious guys who don't want to get sprayed.

SANDI: [looks up at Quinn, trace of anxiety] Well . . . unless you absolutely want me to 
leave, or you have something more important to do, I can stay for a while. If you have 
nothing better to do, of course.

QUINN: Oh! Sure, stick around. We've lots of stuff to watch. Let's show everyone else 
out first, though.

SANDI: [looks relieved, gets up] Well, certainly. I am not bereft of common courtesy, as 
some might believe.

STACY: [without feeling, as she picks up soft-drink cans] Not me, Sandi. You're great.

TIFFANY: [picks up popcorn bowls, bland voice] Yeaaah. Greaaat.

Quinn grabs the rest of the trash and throws it in her wastebasket, following her friends 
out into the hall.


2. INT: MOMENTS LATER, FRONT HALL, MORGENDORFFER HOME

As the girls descend the stairs, Daria enters the house by the front door, waving goodbye 
to her friend Jane Lane, who drives away, waving back. Daria wears her usual outfit--but 
with several stains from eating pizza. She looks up the stairs, then holds the door open.

DARIA: [deadpan] Thank you for coming. It was our pleasure.

QUINN: Stacy and Tiffany are the only ones leaving, Daria.

DARIA: Damn. [leaves door open, heads upstairs]

QUINN: [calls after Daria] Love you, too, big sister! [makes loud kissing noise to Daria, 
then puts her finger in her mouth and snaps it out, making a popping noise]

Stacy giggles, Tiffany grins, and Sandi manages a weak smile.

SANDI: Trailer-park humor is not without its appeal.

Tiffany gives Quinn the popcorn bowls, and Stacy puts the cans inside the bowls.

STACY: Here you go! [waving as she goes] See you later!

TIFFANY: [to Quinn] It was real. [leaves]

Sandi and Quinn puzzled exchange looks as Tiffany goes, then both shrug. Quinn shuts 
the door, and the two head for the kitchen.


3. INT: ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER, DARIA'S ROOM, MORGENDORFFER 
HOME

Still in her usual outfit, Daria types on her computer. The door to her room is shut and 
dead-bolted, but we hear the faint sounds of a movie with sad orchestra music from 
outside. The digital clock on Daria's desk shows 10:27 P.M.


4. INT: AT THIS MOMENT, QUINN'S ROOM, MORGENDORFFER HOME

The end credits to a movie ("Never Meant to Be") scroll upward on the TV screen in 
Quinn's room. Quinn and Sandi lie on Quinn's bed on their stomach, wiping their eyes 
with wads of tissues. The carpeted floor below them is littered with used, wadded-up 
tissues to a depth of ten inches.

QUINN: [still sobbing a bit] That had to be the worst, most awful thing that could ever 
happen to two young people in love!

SANDI: [under marginally better control] Quinn, you are being led astray by your 
emotions. [blows nose, wipes eyes] You must realize it's just a silly movie.

QUINN: But didn't that part where he was dying and she said--

SANDI: [voice breaking] Stop! [coughs, blows nose in fresh tissue] Excuse me. It's just 
my allergies, nothing more. You probably have dust mites in the rug. You should have 
your mother vacuum this room more often.

QUINN: You're right. I'll tell her that first thing in the morning. [blows nose] Right after 
she comes home from work tomorrow night.

SANDI: [sniffs, picks up a video from the floor] You want to watch another movie? I 
haven't seen this one: "Soft Rain Falling on Lonely Pines."

QUINN: [picks up tissue box, peers inside it] We're out of tissues again. Let's save that 
for our next get-together.

SANDI: [stressed look, turns away from Quinn] Oh, very well. I suppose I should relieve 
you of your hostess's duties. [gets up from bed, looks more worried] I have to use your 
bathroom before I head off.

QUINN: [gets off the bed] I'll walk you home. It's pretty late out, and Mom doesn't want 
us using the car after eleven. She and Dad are probably still asleep, but . . .

SANDI: But then you would have to walk home by yourself, oui?

QUINN: Oh, yeah. Hmmm. Well, that can be fixed, but we can't be choosey.


5. EXT: ABOUT 10:55 P.M., SUBDIVISION STREET IN LAWNDALE

Daria, Quinn, and Sandi approach Sandi's house. Daria appears somewhat annoyed at 
being called out as a late-night escort, but tolerant of the situation. Sandi appears 
increasingly nervous as they walk.

QUINN: [to Sandi] . . . And I have no idea what's up with Joey, he's not called or 
anything for weeks, and Jeffy is so sweet, but if you talk to him about anything except 
football, it's like squeezing diet soda out of a stone, you know? I mean, hel-LO-oh, I need 
some real conversation out here, you know? He doesn't know a thing about women's 
issues, like, um, you know, issues about women and things like that.

DARIA: [to self, low grim voice] Just half a block, just half a block more, then we walk 
home, and I can hit myself with a brick.

QUINN: [to Sandi] I mean, I have to have some self-respect here. I can't just let myself 
be seen with just everyone anymore. That was so junior year. I have to set new standards 
now, you know?

SANDI: [distracted] Yeah. [swallows, looking straight ahead] I can walk the rest of the 
way from here, Quinn.

QUINN: Oh, of course not! We'll walk you right to your front door. As I was saying, I 
have to set new standards for myself. I can't just run through the alphabet like when I was 
a sophomore and go out with everyone who meets merely minimum standards of date-
ability. I'm not a revolving doormat or anything, you know? Like my mom says, when 
she's not at work going crazy or at home talking about legal thingamabobs on the phone, 
men must respect those special issues that women today have to take issue with.

DARIA: [to self, low grim voice] Must . . . control . . . fist . . . of . . . death . . .

QUINN: So, there's no real point in dating any of them anymore. I'll probably never go 
out with anyone whose name starts with a "J," ever again. "D," though, I would go out 
with someone whose name started with that. David, my tutor from last year, I'd go out 
with him even if he wasn't the most fashionable man around, because, you know, you can 
talk with him. He knows all about women's issues like, you know. He's not one of those 
football-heads who can talk only about, what, football and--

SANDI: [tilts head, hears something, whispers] Oh, no.

About this point, the sounds of a man and woman arguing loudly can be heard ahead.

QUINN: [hears argument] Oh, great. We get a little soap opera before bedtime.

DARIA: [listens, frowns] Wait. Isn't that . . . [stops walking]

Quinn and Sandi stop as well. The argument is going on in the open air, but the two who 
are arguing cannot be seen. Their voices can be distinguished, however, and the direction 
of the argument can be told: It's coming from Sandi's house, in the back yard. All three 
girls listen to the argument with startled expressions.

LINDA GRIFFIN: [slurred voice] I'm ass'ing you, why don't I get any s'port from you? 
I'm working myself ragged to get that promotion, and all I ask's for you to help aroun' 
the house and bring some bonuses home from work! What the hell is wrong with you?

TOM GRIFFIN: [past the breaking point] Nothing's wrong with me, but if you'd get that 
two-by-four out of your behind, and you acted like a halfway normal--

LINDA: Me? You're the one with a board stuck up your ass! What the hell did you mean 
las' night when you said that this was all a rotten mistake? Do you think marrying me 
was a mistake? Did you mean that I was the mistake?

TOM: [pause, enraged] You know what? Yeah! Yeah, I did! Marrying you was the most 
stupid thing I ever did! You chew on me every chance you get, you chew on the kids, you 
destroy everything you touch!

LINDA: You screw up your two biggest accounts at work, and you tell me that I destroy 
everything?

TOM: You chew on people like a dog! Nothing's ever good enough for you!

LINDA: Well, if you don't like it, then get the hell out of here!

At this point, Quinn reaches over and puts her hand on Sandi's shoulder. Sandi stares 
blindly at the house, her face pale and frozen. Her arms cross over her stomach.

TOM: You get the hell out, Linda! I bought this place! You get the hell out!

LINDA: We cosigned on it! I'll call the p'lice and throw you in jail!

TOM: If you don't drop your damn voice right now, you're the one who's going to jail 
when the neighbors call the cops!

LINDA: Don't you talk to me like that! Get the hell out of here! I don't want to see your 
face here ever again!

TOM: You know what, bitch? I'm going--

LINDA: [stung] Go to hell!

TOM: --to take a drive, and when I get back, I want your filthy ass out!

LINDA: Just go to hell, you stupid bastard!

TOM: I should have married Patty Wells! You remember her? She was good and decent! 
She wasn't a lying, backbiting bitch like you!

LINDA: I hope you die! I'm calling the p'lice! [sound of door slamming hard]

TOM: Bitch! Do you hear me? Worthless stupid bitch!

Silence falls. Quinn gently but firmly takes Sandi by the arm.

QUINN: [to Sandi, quiet voice] Sandi, we're going back to my place. [pause, tugs gently 
on Sandi's arm] Come on. I've got extra pajamas and stuff. You're not staying here.

Sandi resists for several seconds, but under Quinn's prodding she reluctantly turns and 
follows Quinn's lead. Sandi's head drops in shame as they leave, and she looks back 
several times, as do Quinn and Daria. Quinn keeps one arm hooked around Sandi's arm, 
guiding her along, and Daria walks on Sandi's other side.

QUINN: Sandi? [no response] Sandi, I have to ask you something.

SANDI: [voice thick] What?

QUINN: Do you mind using an extra-soft toothbrush? We have an extra one, unopened, 
but it's the only spare we've got.

SANDI: [pause, voice thick] It doesn't matter.

They walk in silence for a few moments.

DARIA: [clears throat] I can make more popcorn. I have more e-mails to finish.

QUINN: Great! Then we can get back to our diet of eye candy. [nudges Sandi and grins, 
but Sandi doesn't respond]

DARIA: I'll make two bowls. We can split it--buttered and salted for me, tasteless no-oil, 
no-salt, fat-free Styrofoam for you. Mom and Dad are asleep, so you two can stay up or 
do . . .

A car engine roars to life behind the trio. Tires squeal, and the three stop walking and 
look back. A car pulls out of the garage at the Griffins' home, bounces as it drops from 
the driveway to the street, and takes off with a roar, passing the girls in a few seconds to 
head off through the subdivision and into town. Tom Griffin drives, face set in an angry 
mask. The car runs a stop sign to turn a corner, and it is gone in seconds. The three girls 
walk again in silence for a bit.

SANDI: [voice almost a whisper] They fight like that all the time now. That was the 
worst I've ever heard them do it. It got really bad when Sam and Chris went to camp, two 
weeks ago. [pause] I'm so ashamed.

QUINN: [pulls Sandi closer] You didn't do anything to be ashamed about.

SANDI: [low voice] Please don't say anything to the others.

QUINN: Never! Absolutely not!

DARIA: [deadpan] I saw nothing, I heard nothing.

Visibly upset, Sandi looks at Daria and Quinn, then swallows.

SANDI: [after a pause] Thank you, Quinn.

QUINN: You don't have to thank me. You're my best friend.

Sandi sniffs again, struggling with her emotions. She puts up a hand and wipes her eyes, 
but steels herself and does not cry.

SANDI: [choked voice] Thank you, anyway.

Quinn pulls Sandi closer to her as they walk. Daria says nothing, appearing impassive.


6. INT: ABOUT 11:30 P.M., DARIA AND QUINN'S UPSTAIRS BATHROOM, 
MORGENDORFFER HOME

Quinn and Sandi, in pajamas (Quinn's) are brushing their teeth at the same time at the 
sink. Daria enters, wearing a nightshirt and gym shorts, and stops behind the other two.

QUINN: [mouth full of toothpaste, to Daria's reflection in the mirror] We'll be done in a 
minute.

DARIA: That's okay. I'll go outside and use the garden hose.

QUINN: [sweet voice] Don't track any dirt back in!

Daria glares briefly at Quinn, then leaves.

SANDI: [looks after Daria] She's not really going to use the hose, is she?

QUINN: Nah, she'll go downstairs and use the bathroom there, like she always does 
when this one's occupied.

SANDI: Chris drank out of the garden hose last year and got sick from it. Dad used it to 
spray fertilizer on the yard.

QUINN: [makes a face] Eeewww. Boys will be boys, I'm sorry to say. [spits in sink, gets 
cup of water and rinses out mouth] Doesn't say much for dating them, does it?

SANDI: [puts away toothbrush with an "ick" face] He vomited all over the kitchen. Mom 
called the housekeeper to clean it up.

QUINN: ["ick" face] Eeewww! I bet that was a special day. Let's talk about something 
else. Comfy in those?

SANDI: [looks at her pajamas] The shoulders are a minuscule off, but these do almost fit. 
You have excellent taste in nightwear.

QUINN: [looks for something in drawer] I got it from you.

SANDI: [looks embarrassed, long pause] Quinn?

QUINN: [flossing teeth] Uh?

SANDI: [still looks at her pajamas] Please don't tell anyone about . . . the . . .

QUINN: [stops flossing, turns to Sandi] I swear on my honor and our friendship I will 
never do that. You know me.

Sandi looks at Quinn with a touch of fear. We focus on Sandi, then see the following 
scenes play out, overlapping Sandi's head like the ghostly memories they are.


7. SANDI'S MEMORIES OF BETRAYING QUINN

When she threatened to tell everyone Daria was Quinn's sister from Lucky Strike
When she told boys about Quinn having a tutor from IIFY
Setting up separate dance party


8. INT: ABOUT 11:30 P.M., DARIA AND QUINN'S UPSTAIRS BATHROOM, 
MORGENDORFFER HOME

Sandi is on the verge of saying something more, but she stops herself and merely nods.

QUINN: [looks reflectively at Sandi] What?

SANDI: [looks up] What?

QUINN: I asked first. You were going to say something.

SANDI: [long pause, low voice] I can't believe you're being so good to me.

QUINN: [short pause, truthful] You're worth it, Sandi. You're my best friend.

Sandi's face reddens, and her eyes get bright. She doesn't look up.

SANDI: [voice thick] I'll be in the room. [turns and leaves the bathroom]

QUINN: Sure. [watches Sandi go, then shrugs and finishes flossing]


9. INT: MOMENTS LATER, UPSTAIRS HALLWAY, MORGENDORFFER HOME

Sandi walks toward the door to Quinn's room, but she stops and looks down the hall at 
Daria's door, which is open. The faint sounds of a TV can be heard. Sandi hesitates, then 
walks down the hall and peers in Daria's doorway.


10. INT: AT THIS MOMENT, DARIA'S ROOM, MORGENDORFFER HOME

Daria is not in her room. The TV is on, the volume low but audible. Sandi looks around 
at the padded walls, window bars, bones on the floor, etc., and appears very grossed out.

DARIA: [behind Sandi] Want the full tour?

SANDI: [startled] Aaah! [turns, sees Daria, calms somewhat] No, Quinn's sister, that's 
perfectly all right. I believe I saw everything I didn't need to see.

DARIA: [deadpan] I have a great model of an infected pancreas.

SANDI: [grossed out, covers mouth with hand] I have to go. [hurries to Quinn's room]

DARIA: Good talking with you. [shrugs, walks in room, shuts the door and locks it]


11. MOMENTS LATER, QUINN'S BEDROOM, MORGENDORFFER HOME

Sandi enters and regains her self-control. She wanders over to Quinn's bulletin board, 
reading the notes after closing all the window shades.

QUINN: [walks in, shuts and locks door] Hey. Heard you talking to Daria.

SANDI: [groans] How you can possibly stand her noxious presence is beyond me.

QUINN: [unconcerned, gets sleeping bag from closet] Eh. She's like world hunger. You 
never get rid of either one. [laughs] She's not really that bad. We fought all the time 
when we were little. Good thing we weren't allowed to play with army thingers like 
missiles. She's always been mad that I stole her limelight, but she's more mature about it.

SANDI: That room of hers needs illumination, plus a thorough fumigation and 
reconstruction. I cannot believe she likes it that way.

QUINN: [cheery] That's Daria! Well, you've got siblings, you know what it's like.

SANDI: [frowns] It's not the same. Sam and Chris fight each other, not me. They know 
their places in the great auditorium of life. Mine is in the front row, theirs on the balcony.

QUINN: Yeah, it's different with Daria and me. We fought all the time over the same 
seat. You get used to it. [pause, looks at Sandi] You ever wish you had a sister?

SANDI: [shakes head] I like it better being by myself. Less to fight over.

QUINN: Fighting's no big deal. You and I . . . well, we don't really fight. We . . . 
[pauses, thinking] . . . What do you call it?

SANDI: [frowning, touchy] What do I call what? Are you saying that I'm a bitch?

QUINN: [backpedals] Oh, not at all, Sandi. You're wonderful. That's why I like you.

SANDI: Then why did you say that mean thing about me?

QUINN: It's not you. It's how we . . . we just struggle at times. We did it more when--

SANDI: [touchy, angry] I should go home. I can tell I am not wanted here.

QUINN: [quickly] No! Forget what I was saying, okay? I really want you to stay here 
tonight. [sits on bed] Listen . . . Sandi, you have to get used to the fact that sometimes I 
say things that tick people off. I've had Daria around all my life, you know? What do you 
think that's been like?

SANDI: [frowns but mollified, hands on hips] I can understand how that would cause 
mental disfigurement. Very well. But tell me something else. [hesitates, but presses 
ahead] Why am I your friend, if you think we hate each other so much?

QUINN: [mouth twitches, thinking] Oh, we don't hate each other. And I'm your friend 
because you're strong. You're brave. [rests chin on hand, elbow on knee, looks at Sandi 
candidly] You take charge. You aren't afraid to say what you think, no matter what.

SANDI: [pause, anger fades] But you think I'm a bitch.

QUINN: No.

SANDI: [off balance] Then why . . . oh, drop it. [turns, reads bulletin board again] I don't 
see why you keep these greeting cards from guys you've dated only once or twice.

QUINN: Eh. They're fun to look at. What do you do with the cards you get?

SANDI: [swallows] I think it's a mark of low self-esteem to keep cards like these around. 
You don't need them to inflate your self-worthiness.

QUINN: [unperturbed] Yeah, but they're fun to look at.

SANDI: [pause] I should have brought another change of clothes. It would be demeaning 
to wear the same outfit two days in a row, and a smelly used outfit at that.

QUINN: Oh. You have a point. [gets up from bed] C'mere. [walks to closet, opens it] 
We're about the same size. See if something in here fits.

SANDI: [walks over, arms crossed] Quinn, I can't believe you would think someone with 
your complexion would have any clothing at all for someone of my complexion. It just 
isn't possible.

QUINN: Hmmm. Here, try this. [pulls out a top on a hanger] That's half of you.

SANDI: [studies blouse with a frown] Well, it does have a sort of . . . oh, very well. It is a 
sort of emergency situation.

The girls fall silent, looking at the blouse. Sandi stares at the blouse as if looking through 
it at something else. Her face falls and becomes anxious.

QUINN: [clears throat] Good time to go downstairs and see if there's any yogurt in the 
frig. Um, bring your old clothes. I'll throw them in the washer.

SANDI: Your family should have a housekeeper, like we do. She does all our laundry.

Curiously, saying this causes Sandi to look more depressed.


12. INT: LATE NIGHT, QUINN'S BEDROOM, MORGENDORFFER HOME

The room is almost lightless. We see the faint outline of outside lights around the window 
shades, and the luminous numbers (1:34) on a digital clock by Quinn's bed. We hear faint 
sobbing and sniffling. After a pause, we also hear movement, someone on the floor 
getting up, fumbling with items on the dresser with the makeup mirror.

QUINN: [whispers] Sandi?

The dresser lamp is turned on. Releasing the map's switch, Quinn steps out of her 
sleeping bag by the dresser, looking at Sandi on the bed. Sandi is face down, almost 
buried under a light blanket, sobbing. Quinn walks over and sits on the side of the bed by 
Sandi. She reaches out and takes one of Sandi's hands, by Sandi's head. Sandi moves her 
face to Quinn's hand and cries aloud, holding Quinn's hand to her cheek, never looking 
up at Quinn.

SANDI: I don't want them to get divorced! [gasps for breath] I can't stand it when they 
fight like that! It's so embarrassing and they say such mean things! [continues crying]

Quinn looks down at her friend in sadness.

QUINN: [softly] I love you, Sandi.

SANDI: [sobbing] How could you say that? I'm such a bitch! I've been so mean to you, 
and you're still nice to me!

QUINN: [simple tone] You're beautiful, all the way through. You were my very first 
friend here, the first day I got to school here. You're brave and strong, and you say what 
you think. How could I not be your friend?

SANDI: [wiping face with hand] But I'm so mean to you!

QUINN: You're not mean. You're strong enough to take whatever happens--[expression 
becomes anxious]--but you need your rest, Sandi. You just need to rest.

Sandi lets go of Quinn's hand to rub her eyes and nose. Quinn quickly reaches over and 
gets a tissue for Sandi, who blows her nose. Quinn gives her a second and third tissue, by 
which time Sandi stops crying. Sandi still lies face down, avoiding eye contact with 
Quinn. Quinn slowly rubs Sandi's back with her hand, through her pajamas, causing 
Sandi to relax and sniffle less.

SANDI: [muffled voice] That feels good. [pause] My dad used to rub my back when I 
was little. [long pause] I think I can get back to sleep now.

QUINN: Okay.

Quinn gets up from the bed after giving Sandi's shoulder a squeeze, then goes back to her 
sleeping bag and reaches for the dresser lamp. She looks back at Sandi, who for a 
moment glances at Quinn. Quinn smiles, and the lamp goes off.


X. INT: FRIDAY MORNING

The telephone in the Morgendorffers' kitchen rings, and Helen--dressed for her Friday at 
the law office--picks up the cordless handset.

H: Morgendorffers, Helen speaking. Oh, hi, Linda. . . . [puzzled look] No, I don't think 
she is. Can you hold a moment? I'll go upstairs and check.

Helen leaves the kitchen and heads for the stairs.


X. INT: MOMENTS LATER,

We look into Quinn's bedroom. Quinn is buried in her sleeping bag, just as


Linda yells at Sandi, demands she come home ASAP, yells at Helen, hangs up
Helen and Quinn drive Sandi home, find Linda already gone to work, Tom gone too
Sandi grounded at home, walks around, sees further mess, checks parents' bedroom
Sits in great room, watches TV, gets call from Quinn, who talks to her while getting 
ready for her day, keeps her company
Friday night, Sandi notices that her father doesn't come home


SATURDAY

X. INT: 11:13 A.M., KITCHEN, GRIFFIN HOME

The telephone rings in the Griffins' kitchen. A clock shows the time. Sandi is watching a 
miniature, cordless color TV set on the kitchen table, eating a small sandwich and a 
packaged fruit cup. She gets up, still watching the TV (a soap opera), and gets the phone.

SANDI: Sandi Griffin. . . . What? [looks away from TV] I don't understand. . . . Sam left 
his gym bag there? Where is he? He's still there, isn't he? . . . [eyes widen] What? When 
did he pick them up? . . . But they're not supposed to get out of camp until next Friday. 
This is Camp Windy Lake, right? Sam and Chris aren't supposed to get back here until 
next Friday. . . . Why did he do that? Did he say he was bringing them home? . . . Well, I 
don't understand that at all. [sudden look of anxiety] Well, did he talk to anyone there 
when he signed them out? Who? Can I speak to her? . . . Well, when is she due back from 
the hike? Okay, have her call our home at once when she gets back in, okay? You've got 
our number? Oh, right, you called here. . . . You're sure he didn't say anything about 
where he was taking the boys? Are you even sure it was him? . . . They knew him? Okay, 
but they weren't supposed to get out until next Friday. Why didn't anyone from there call 
when he signed them out? . . . No, nothing's going on . . . nothing's going on here. 
There's no reason he . . . wait, can I call you back? I have to call my mother. Your name 
again is . . . Brenda Welch, camp office. I'll call you right back. Goodbye. [hangs up]

Sandi is agitated and nervous. She picks up the phone and punches in a number from 
memory.

SANDI: [tense] I'm calling for Linda Griffin, please. This is her daughter, Sandi. [long 
pause, Sandi becomes more agitated as she waits] Hello? This is Sandi Griffin. I need to 
speak with my mother, Linda Griffin. . . . When will she be out of the meeting? Look, can 
you get her to the phone? It's very important. No, I don't think it's an emergency, not yet 
anyway, but I need to speak with her as soon as possible. . . . Can you send someone into 
the meeting and give her a note? Why not? [tense and angry] Look, there might be a real 
problem here. Take a note to her, and tell her that I called, and I got a call from camp. My 
two brothers are at camp, and there's a problem. I need to speak with her at once. Okay, 
have her call me right back. Okay. [hangs up] God damn it! Shit!

Sandi wanders aimlessly around in the kitchen, hands on hips. She takes some bites of 
her lunch, but she is too distracted to eat much. She turns off the miniature TV, then 
begins to bite her nails. She forces herself to stop, but her hands keep wandering back to 
her mouth, until she holds her hands behind her back. She goes to the phone, stares at it, 
then starts to walk away when the phone rings. She turns immediately and takes the call.

SANDI: Hello, Mother? . . . Oh, Quinn, can I call you back? I'm waiting for my mother 
to call. We're kind of having a problem. I got a call from the camp where--wait, Quinn, I 
think that's my mother calling. I have to go. Bye. [thumbs a button on the phone] Hello? 
Mother, this is Sandi. Listen . . . Mother, wait a minute! No, I can't handle it by myself! I 
need you to call . . . Mother, damn it, Dad picked up the boys at camp yesterday! . . . Yes, 
damn it! They just called me five minutes ago! Was Dad supposed to pick the boys up 
and bring them home? . . . The camp just called me, I said that! I talked to a lady in the 
camp office, ah, Brenda Walsh. Welch, I mean, Brenda Welch. . . . Mother, I don't know 
anything about this! . . . No, damn it, Dad hasn't said anything to me about this at all! I 
haven't talked to him since Wednesday! . . . Mother, would you stop swearing at me? I 
had nothing to do with this! . . . No! How can you say that? God damn it to hell, that's 
not true! I'm telling you, the camp office called and said Sam left one of his bags behind, 
and I asked what were they talking about, and they said Dad came and picked up both 
Sam and Chris at 10 o'clock yesterday morning, and I don't know a goddamn thing about 
it! . . . Well, I don't know where they went! They aren't here! I told you, I haven't talked 
to Dad since Wednesday! . . . Shit, how can you say that? That's crazy! Dad doesn't even 
talk to me anymore! He hasn't said ten words to me in weeks, except when I asked him if 
he'd pick up some magazines for me, three days ago, and he didn't do it! . . . Well, call 
the damn camp, then, and find out what the hell's going on! . . . Look it up yourself!

Sandi slams down the phone, her face red, breathing heavily. She then pounds a cabinet 
door with her fist, hitting it as hard as she can as she shouts.

SANDI: Damn you, stupid bitch dumbass! Damn you, damn you, damn you, damn you!

Sandi sniffs hard, fighting back tears. She wipes her eyes with the palms of her hands, 
then wanders over and rips a paper towel from the dispenser, drying her face with it. She 
blows her nose, then throws the towel in a trash can under the sink. She then leans against 
the kitchen counter, covering her face with her right hand, her left arm held across her 
stomach so her right elbow is in her left hand. After sniffing a few more times, she walks 
out of the kitchen for the staircase.

SANDI: [leaving room, hoarse voice] Shit!


X. INT: AN HOUR LATER, SANDI'S BEDROOM, GRIFFIN HOME

Sandi lies across her unmade bed, face down in a pillow. The floor of her room is strewn 
with used clothing, dropped makeup items, magazines, and other things. The phone rings, 
and after a moment, she stirs from bed and sits up to answer it. Sandi's face is red from 
crying, and she moves sluggishly, deeply upset and depressed.

S: [exhausted, waits until other party speaks] Hello, Quinn. . . . Yeah. If my mother calls 
back, I'll have to go again. . . . I don't know what's going on. I got a call from the camp 
where Sam and Chris went, and Dad picked them up from there yesterday morning. 
They're not back here, and I don't know where they are. I called Mother about it, but we 
had a really big fight. . . . She thinks I was helping Dad kidnap the boys. . . . No, he never 
said anything about it. He doesn't talk to me anymore. I don't know what's going on. . . . 
I don't really know if he did or not. He might be bringing them back here. Mother didn't 
know anything about it, though. . . . No, Quinn, don't do that. What could she do? . . . 
Well, if you tell her, and she calls my mother, Mother will blow her lid. . . . Quinn, listen, 
I'm sorry to say this, but my mother hates your mother. That's the truth. . . . No, she 
really does. . . . I know, but she hates her anyway. She just does. She hates everyone. . . . 
Look, don't tell your mom about this, okay? Just forget it. Dad will probably bring the 
boys back any minute now. Please don't tell your mom anything about this right now, 
and don't tell her my mother hates her. Don't do that. . . . I know. I know. I'm sorry, 
Quinn, I can't deal with this. I don't know what's going on. . . . I wish I could, but if--

A door slams loudly somewhere in the house.

SANDI: [anxious] Quinn, someone's here. I have to go. Okay. [hangs up]

Sandi goes to her door and opens it, going out into the hall.


[AUTHOR'S NOTES: Remainder of story unresolved. Plot and characters were later 
incorporated in different forms into the completed fanfic "Winter in Hell."]

FINIS