"In the Clear" Early morning breaks over the Santa Conchita Valley. Craig and Anita land their helicopter at an emergency base camp set up on the north end of Chaparral Heights. Emergency crews from all over the state meet with FEMA as a smoking Mount Wiggins looms in the distance. Anita: My legs feel like noodles right now Craig: Rice or egg? Anita: Both Craig: I could go for a stiff drink... Anita: You're joking, right? Craig: Maybe Anita: How about settling for a bottle of aspirin instead? Craig: Can I wash them down with gin? Anita: (Checking her watch) C'mon, cap - now is not the time to fall off the wagon - I think we both need a good nap, especially if they want us to pull another shift Craig: You can catch a few winks during the endless meetings we have ahead of us - just make sure command doesn't see you Anita: Two hours to tell us ten different ways to do one thing we can do ourselves in five minutes Craig: Feds are crawling on our turf now, play nice Anita: Do I have to? Craig: At least for the next five minutes... An official from the Department of Homeland Security approaches them. He's wearing sunglasses and an all-too-clean suit. Official: (Extending his hand) Captain Phelps, I need you to coordinate with my team on the evacuation process of the east valley Craig: Sure thing - so far, all is going well - we've checked the major roads in and out, traffic is moving along fine Anita: Thank God it's no longer blowing chunks the way it did last night - in fact, it's almost unnatural how it just stopped all of the sudden... don't you think, G-man? The official looks over his shades and eyeballs Anita. Official: We have a geology team from SCU giving us possible outcomes - we need to plan on the worst case scenario until otherwise - is that clear? Craig: Of course Anita: Can you tell us what special ops was doing? - one of their jets nearly caught us in a down draft Official: (Tensing up) You must be mistaken, lieutenant, special ops was no where near the event Anita: Yeah, they were Craig: Anita Anita: Look, I know how everything is all hush hush with you guys but we nearly got taken out without warning Official: (Now looking at Craig) Special ops was NOT involved Anita: DON'T KEEP DICKING AROUND WITH US, SEÑOR - this qualifies as a national emergency and we have every right to be kept informed! Official: Captain, please remind your lieutenant that I have the authority to reprimand her if she keeps challenging me - and, if I am not mistaken, both of you have enough disciplinary actions to deal with already Craig: Fiore, go check the latest weather reports Anita: BUT... Craig: (Looking her in the eye) DON'T MAKE ME ASK YOU AGAIN Anita goes to say something but bites her tongue and storms off in a huff. Official: Will she be an issue? Craig: No, sir... but we both know what we saw Official: We all saw plenty of interesting things last night, captain - things that do not merit public discussion Craig: Understood Official: Good - now, get inside - my team is waiting for your assessment   In the crowded parking lot of a cheap roadside motel, Gracie sets up the KCON newsvan for a live remote shoot with Kylee. A single strand of black smoke can still be seen swirling above Mount Wiggins. Gracie: (Checking the equipment) YES... we got a satellite uplink to the station - we're on in ten! Kylee: When are we going to get our cells back? Gracie: Not for awhile - Wiggins was THE site for large antennas - I can patch you through on the uplink if you really need to call someone Kylee: (Fixing her hair) Nah, that's okay... no matter how hard I try, I can't get this soot shit off of me Gracie: Just think of it as a lively 'Bama barbecue bash Kylee: I'm not in the mood for your digs right now, Gracie Gracie: Sorry Kylee: No, I'm sorry - I didn't get enough beauty rest last night Gracie is silent as she watches Zach at the other end of the lot, just standing and staring at the mountain range. Kylee: Wow, you really are sorry - I gave you the perfect set-up and you didn't even attempt a joke! Gracie: (Looking at the latest wire reports) Amazingly enough, I don't even find my jokes appropriate right now Kylee: The Quartz Lake Inn? Gracie: Cinders - the lava flow emptied into the lower end of the lake but stopped there - the railroad and part of the airfield out there were hit as well Kylee: Have they come up with a death toll yet? Gracie: 18 confirmed with over two dozen still missing - mostly hikers, campers and rural inhabitants Kylee: That aint half bad! Gracie: Come again? Kylee: I mean considering it looked like that thing was about to take out this entire valley Gracie: (Connecting the microphone) True enough Kylee: It was weird how it just shut off quicker than it started up - what do you suppose happened? Gracie: Who the hell knows? - California has enough natural disasters without adding "volcanoes" to the list... if it was a natural disaster Kylee: What do you mean? Gracie: I don't know - I thought for sure I was going to be garlic-roasted Gracie last night, then I had to sleep in a dive not worthy of a derelict with you, Zach, and Mirabello all taking turns farting... Kylee: That was NOT me - I always excuse myself Gracie: And now I just got word that our feed is going live nationwide - you expect me to be coherent? Kylee: OOH, NATIONWIDE? - HOW'S MY LIPSTICK? Gracie looks at a huge smudge of mascara under Kylee's eye and thinks for a second. Gracie: (Giving her the thumb up) Your lipstick is fine - we're good to go! Kylee: (Turning serious) Gracie... was I dreaming or did you hear Zach crying in the bathroom last night? Gracie: (Hearing the same thing) Um, you were probably dreaming - or it was the people next door... two minutes counting down Kylee: Lemme do a quick run-through with my intro and let me know if I convey enough emotion in my tone Gracie: Tone? - are you auditioning for a part in Sigma Seven? - this is a news story Kylee: A SAD news story but I can't appear too depressed or too chipper - remember, this is going across the country Gracie: NO TIME NOW, WE'RE ON IN TEN... NINE... EIGHT...   Zach is now inside the motel room. He slumps on the bed and watches Kylee on the television. Kylee: ...with residents still leaving the area, the possibility of more eruptions is a fear everyone can see and feel here in the Santa Conchita Valley - for KCON NewsCenter8, this is Kylee Shepperton reporting Zach: (Muttering) Lousy tag, Kylee - Morri would have done a better job... He fights back tears and vigorously rubs his face with his hands. Gracie enters the room carrying two cups of coffee and a bag. Gracie: (Glancing at the TV) They're still running our piece? Zach: It's been on five channels so far Gracie: Damn, I was hoping for an even half-dozen Zach does not respond. Gracie: The coffee shop was a madhouse but I managed to snare you some waffles Zach: Syrup? Gracie: Nope, sorry Zach: How do you eat waffles without syrup? Gracie takes a waffle out of the bag and happily demonstrates. Gracie: (Mouth full) Kylee is still there flirting with the cook - maybe I could get her to score you some jam? Again, Zach barely responds. Gracie: You know, the laptop is working just fine if you wanted to write up a quickie for the paper Zach: (Staring at the wall) No thanks Gracie: The roads out of town are still pretty packed but we could head down south Zach: What's the sense? Gracie: What? Zach: Nevermind Gracie: I was talking with Justine over breakfast - she was telling me more about the creepoid Father Greg and... Zach: I don't want to hear about it! Gracie: But... Zach: I SAID, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT, GRACE   Gracie: WELL, MAYBE I DO - JESUS, EYES, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Zach darts up from the bed and heads for the door. Gracie blocks his exit. Gracie: Forget all the volcano stuff for a minute - I want to know exactly what happened to you last night Zach: (Not looking at her) No... you don't Gracie: You briefly mentioned something about Amethyst and Morrigan? Zach: MORRI IS DEAD - OKAY? - WHEN MOUNT WIGGINS BLEW, SHE WENT RIGHT ALONG WITH IT... Gracie: How do you know? Zach: I WAS THERE - I HEARD HER CALL OUT TO ME - THOSE FUCKERS... Unable to hold back, Zach bangs his fist against the wall and is now in tears. Zach: They were going to torture her, too Gracie: WHO? Zach: AMY'S PSYCHO HOOD BRIGADE Gracie: You're not making any... Before she can finish her sentence, Zach pushes her violently away from the door. Gracie goes crashing back into the nightstand. Gracie: (Knocking over a lamp) WHY ARE YOU ACTING LIKE THIS? Zach ignores her and goes to leave. As he throws open the door, Kylee nearly runs into him. Kylee: JUSTINE HAS STOLEN THE NEWSVAN   Griffin, KJ, Shelby, and Calvin all stand along the riverbank as a search crew of divers and one lone sheriff's deputy complete their sweep of the water. Deputy: We've been up and down this stretch six times, Mr. Martel - there's no sign of her Griffin: Keep searching! KJ: Maybe we need to expand further up stream? Diver: That's not necessary - the flow of the river would keep the body in this area or take it out to sea Griffin: (Grabbing the diver) BODY? - I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT WORD AGAIN The deputy comes between them. Deputy: THAT is a distinct probability you are going to have to face if Ms. Von Meer really did do this Griffin: (Now directing his anger at the deputy) What are you are implying? Deputy: I'm trying to understand why she would take a header off your balcony, Mr. Martel... willingly Griffin: DO YOU THINK I'D BE OUT HERE HALF-CRAZY LOOKING FOR HER? - CALLING HER BROTHER OVER TO HELP, IF IT HAD BEEN OTHERWISE? Deputy: I have no idea Griffin: I want your supervisor heading up this search - call him in, NOW Deputy: (Pointing) In case you haven't noticed the smoking mountain off to you left, we're in a state of emergency right now and our resources are limited Griffin: FINE, I'll bring in my own team since you are completely and utterly USELESS KJ pulls Griffin aside and they walk away from the deputy and the divers. KJ: We need to think about this - maybe... maybe we should check the bay Griffin: ERIKA IS NOT DEAD KJ: (Sniffling) I can't... I can't deal with losing my father AND my sister - but why did she do this? - WHERE IS SHE, GRIFFIN? Griffin: I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT The persistent ringing of Griffin's phone stops the two. KJ: I thought cells were dead? Griffin: This is my satellite phone - I need to take this Griffin steps aside for a moment as Shelby comes over to KJ. Shelby: I need to take Calvin home - this has been a very taxing night for all of us KJ: I know... thanks, Shel Before she leaves, she pulls a flower out her pocket and hands it to KJ. Shelby: Erika is alive... I can feel it KJ: Because your voodoo magic says so? Shelby: It has nothing to do with my religious practices - I went to Acapulco with your sister once - I watched as she shamed the local cliff divers, one by one KJ perks his head up. Shelby: If she did dive into the river of her own accord, then she still walks among us - if not, I would have felt her passing - I did not feel that last night, KJ, I promise Calvin: We felt Chango, didn't we, mommy? Shelby: Come along, Cal, time to go With a puzzled look, KJ watches them leave as Griffin rushes over. Griffin: We need to leave! KJ: What about... Griffin: NOW, KJ   Just outside of San Luis Obispo, Hector, Stephanie and Karl exit a run-down truck pulled up to a remote medical clinic. Hector: (To the driver) Muchas gracias! Stephanie helps a robed Karl stagger up the steps to the door. Dr. Stephanie: Hector, go inside and ask for Dr. Kaplan, we interned together Hector: Are you sure it's safe here, Stephi? Dr. Stephanie: Safer than where we were - this place is known for keeping quiet - a lot of celebrity facelifts Hector hurries inside. Dr. Stephanie: Hold on, Karl - we're almost there Karl: (Weak) I don't trust him - be careful Dr. Stephanie: I want you to rest but when you're up to it, you need to explain to me what is going on An orderly with a wheelchair now approaches with Hector. Hector: All set - Dr. Kaplan is waiting inside Dr. Stephanie: (Helping Karl in the chair) Good Hector squeezes Stephanie's shoulder and heads back to the waiting truck. Dr. Stephanie: Where are you going? Hector: Home Dr. Stephanie: Why? - the eruption has stopped, I'm sure your family is okay Hector: I'm going back to make sure OUR family is okay   A private jet is on final approach to Sacramento. George sits between his wife and daughter as Kylee is shown on the television screen. Lydia: Can we turn this off? - it's making me upset George: (Flipping the remote) Done George comforts Lydia as Penny robotically keeps dialing her cell phone. Penny: I think the people still stuck in Duquesa Bay have more reason to be upset, don't you? George: Penelope, don't antagonize your mother right now Penny: That was aimed more at you than her, dad - wouldn't everyone like to have a private jet at their disposal when fleeing imminent danger? Lydia: Your father is part of the state government, he needs to be here in order to help Penny: Fine, but why do we need to come along? George: (Wrapping his arm around her) Maybe because I want my wife and little girl close to me instead of in the path of an unpredictable volcano? Unable to resist her father's affection, Penny relents and snuggles against his arm while deliberately knocking over her mother's crutch with her foot. Penny: I just think everyone should have the same opportunities that we do... that's all George: I know you do, sweetie, you have a good heart buried underneath those layers of black rags Lydia: She's just worried about that Jeremy heathen, that's all Penny: Thank you for ruining a nice moment by opening your mouth, mom Lydia: I'm just stating the obvious Penny: (Glancing at George) I'm sure I'm not the only one worried about my boyfriend George: Enough, ladies! - we'll be landing soon Penny: (Grabbing her stomach) I... I don't feel so good all of the sudden Lydia: Please don't vomit on your father's suit, he has a press conference George: Are you alright, Pen... Penny slumps down in her seat as the plane shifts drastically to the side.