The Skulls III (2004) - full transcript

Taylor, it's me... Sam.

No. No.

Taylor, stop!
It's all right!

[Breathing Heavily]

You don't have to be afraid.

You cannot be here.

Why are you here?
Why, Sam?

Why?

Dad misses you.

So do I.

It's okay. I'm right here.



[Screaming]

Aaah!

Taylor?

Is there a point to any of this?
[Sirens In Distance]

Apoint?
Yeah.

What do you mean?

Come on. We're talking
about dreams here.

I know. I'm trying to explain.

Let me explain
something to you.

As fascinating
and, well,

maybe relevant as it is,

the fact that you
had some scary dream
last month...

We are dealing with
a real-life homicide here.

So I would appreciate it
if you would indulge me...



and just stick to the facts...

and stop playing
these stupid little games,
all right?

I'm not playing games.
I'm not playing games.

I don't have to be here, you know.
I know my rights.

I got a dead college kid downstairs
who's got twice as many rights as you.

And I need some answers
and I need them now.

Tell it your way then.

Why is this dream
so important?
I'd had it before.

Maybe a dozen times
in the past four years.

It was at my father's house.

It's only a few miles
from campus,

so I stay there sometimes
when he's in town.

It was the anniversary
of Sam's death.

Sam was your brother?

He killed himself four years ago.
You found the body.

What were you,
a senior in high school?

Junior.

So if you've had this dream
a dozen times before,

why was that night so important?

Because he never
took his hood off before.

I'd forgotten how terrible it was
when I found him.

[Taylor]
My dad and I had never really
discussed it before then.

Dad?
Mm?

Do you remember the last thing
you and Sam talked about?

I mean,
did he say anything?

I know he was worried.

He wanted you
to be proud of him.

I was proud of him.

He was my son.

The last thing
we talked about was you.

About that watch you wear.

Taylor...

You wanted him
to be a Skull so badly.

Taylor, this is inappropriate.

I only...

wanted him to experience
the same things I had.

When he didn't make it
through the initiation,

he thought he'd failed you.

He was a legacy.

If he had just...
tried a little harder.

He did try, Dad.

But I'm a legacy too.

Aren't I?

Taylor, you know what I meant.

I never loved you any less.
You know that.

I do know that.

I do.

But it was always different
with us. Wasn't it?

I'm sorry if it seemed that way.

I just wish you could be
the same father to me
that you were to him.

I wanna be.

Look.

I know you're flying back
to Washington tomorrow night,

but I've got a swim meet
in the afternoon...

if you're interested.

[Air Horn Blows]
[Cheering]

[Gunshot]
Great race.

Race you next time.
Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Mmm. Glad somebody
cared enough to show up.

I wouldn't miss it.

Unless, of course,
you started losing,

'cause I couldn't be seen
hanging out with a loser,
right?

Ohh. Lucky I'm on
a winning streak then.

Mmm.

I know I'm lucky.

[Man]
Mr. Rawlings.

Roger...
I mean, Mr. Lloyd.

Roger's fine.
Do you have a moment?

Absolutely.
Great.

I'll be right back, okay?

Right. Don't let me
get in the way.

Come on, Taylor. He's a Skull.
They make their selections
this week.

You know how big this is?

Oh, yes. I know.

[Cheering Continues]
[No Audible Dialogue]

Hey, Roger.

I'm wondering, how many women
are you planning on tapping?

- Excuse me?
- I'm serious.

Are the Skulls actually going to
pick the best candidates this year,

or are you gonna go with the same old
batch of spoiled rich boys?

I wouldn't know anything about it.
Although from what I understand,

that particular organization
would really be...

none of your concern.

I'm just saying it is the 21 st century.

Maybe it's time you step into it,
because I'd certainly like
to be considered.

Like I said, I have no idea
what you're talking about.

Well, perhaps we can
finish this conversation
some other time.

[Female Officer]
Wait a minute.

This is the first time
you met Roger Lloyd?

No, it was the first time
I'd talked to him.

I'd seen him before...
class, on campus.

And you didn't like him?
I didn't know him.

So you decided
to get into a confrontation
with a guy you didn't know...

in front of your boyfriend?

It was not a confrontation.
But you were upset
that Roger and Ethan had excluded you.

I was upset that Ethan
was so desperate to impress Roger.

So he'd get picked for the Skulls.
Yes.

But he thought
I'd screwed things up for him.

What the hell was that about?

Just letting him know
that I'm interested
in becoming a member.

Well, how about letting me know first?
Are you trying to ruin this for me?

No, Ethan.

Maybe I'm trying to
do something for myself.

Maybe I'm tired of being
treated like a second-class citizen
just because I'm a woman.

What are you talking about?

The Skulls do not accept women.
End of story.

Join a sorority
if that's what you want.

Oh, gee.
Why didn't I think of that?

[Sighs]
You cannot be serious about this.

I thought you of all people
would want to support me.

I do support you in everything.

But there's no way in hell
you're gonna get tapped by the Skulls,

so I don't know why
we're talking about this.

Neither do I.

I got a paper to write.

See you later.
[Gunshot]

[Door Opens]

I thought we agreed
we were gonna cut back...

on the whole, you know,
throwing-wet-bags-around thing.

So, do we have to play, like,
20 questions,

or can we skip
right to the part where
you tell me what's wrong?

What else? Men.
Oh, I knew it.

Well, sounds like
a cookie-dough moment.

Oh. Bowls, or straight
from the container?

So you think I should join a sorority?

Well, I just think
it would be so much fun
if you pledge for me.

What? Oh, come on.

I'm this year's pledge chair.
We could have so much fun.

And I would totally
take it easy on you with
the whole initiation thing.

I'm sorry, but it's not the same.

Sororities are all about having fun
while you're in school. And that's fine.
I just don't have time for that.

The Skulls are more about
what you do once you get out of here.

- The Skulls?
- Mm-hmm.

You're not serious.
Why does everybody say that?

Because it's true!

And why on Earth
would you even want to?

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't envious
of what they represent.

The money, the power.

If it weren't for them,
my father never would...

No way.
Your dad's a Skull?

Veronica, I did not say that.
You did not hear me say that.

Really. This isn't something
you can talk about.

So you're saying
they got him elected to Congress.

It didn't hurt.
Mm-hmm.

It's not just about that.

It's about the way he sees me.

He wanted it so badly for my brother.

I mean...

Anyway, I thought if I could
make it happen for me,

if there was any way
I could become a Skull,

maybe it'd help him get over Sam.

Maybe he'd finally see me
as more than just his fragile daughter.

Well, unless you plan
on growing a penis,

you're not getting in.

It's just so wrong
that they can get away with that.

There oughta be a law.

You know what?

You're right.

Hi, can you tell me where
the Title 9 legislation books are?

Third aisle, center shelf.
Okay. Thanks.

##Spinning 'round, I hit the ground ##

##I look back up to see ##

## well, nothing's changed ##

##It's all the same ##

## why can't we all ##

##Just be happy ##

## Can't you see I'm tryin'##

## we shouldjust ##

## Take it all away ##

##Before it is too late ##

## Ohh ##

##I will try ##

##I might lose, but I will try ##

## 'Cause at least I said I did it ##

## when you see the price you pay ##

## Then maybe we might change ##

## Ohh ##

## why can't we all ##

##Just be happy ##

## Can't you see I'm trying ####

Dean Lawton?

Dean Lawton?

Sorry to bother you,

but I'd like to
file a discrimination complaint
against a campus organization.

That's a serious charge, Miss...

Brooks. Taylor Brooks.

You father is Congressman
Martin Brooks?
Yes, sir.

Then I'll trust you have
a legitimate grievance.

Yes, sir, I do. This particular group
has been allowed to operate on campus
for far too long...

without being held accountable
for its gender-bias policies.

They're about to
select new members,

and I'd like to challenge
that selection process.

- And who did you say this group is?
- The Skulls.

[Chuckles]

At this point,
I'm hoping this is a joke.

No, sir, it's not.
I've written down my arguments.

Come to my office at noon tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Thank you!

Hey.! You mind if I join you?

Not exactly dressed for it.
Yeah, I know.

Can we stop?
I just had a water break.

How about
an apology break?

[Sighs]

Look, Taylor,
the other day with Roger...

I was a jerk. I'm sorry.

Well, I appreciate the apology.

But I'm not gonna just pretend
like it didn't happen.

Plan on doing a lot of groveling.

[Chuckles]

[Sighs]

I filed a complaint with the Dean.

- You did what?
- Yeah.

You're gonna try
and force them to tap you?

Or other equally qualified women.

Equal... I can't believe
I'm hearing this.

Forgot about that apology
pretty quickly.

Okay, look. I know you have
this thing with your dad and you
want to prove something to him.

Why does it have to be this?
Why shouldn't it be this?

Because you're gonna
mess it up for other people.
You mean you.

Yes, I mean me.

Look, Taylor, Roger Lloyd
all but promised me a spot.

If you piss him off,
I can forget about it.

I'm meeting with the Dean
at noon tomorrow.

[Sighs]
I'll call you, let you know how it goes.

This is bullshit.

- Let go of me.
- Look...

Let go of my arm, Ethan.
I'm not doing this to hurt you.

But I'm not gonna back down.

[Huffs]
I'm sorry.

Miss Brooks, have a seat.

Thank you.

Why don't we get right down to it?
You have the floor.

As of last year, every other
male-only society on campus...

had opened its doors to women.

I think it's time the Skulls
do the same.

But if the Skulls
were like every other society,
we wouldn't be here, would we?

After all, isn't it our very uniqueness
that makes membership so valuable?

Yes. Yes, it is, but...

"Our" uniqueness?

[Sighs]

Then why have this meeting?

[Sighs]
Why even waste your time?

Because I'm interested
in what you have to say.

You statement claims
that we're in violation of federal law.

But since we neither receive funding
from the university...

nor utilize its facilities,

what compels us
to obey its rules?

Actually,
an argument could be made...

that the Skulls headquarters
is a campus facility,

and therefore
the organization must comply...

with all gender-equality legislation.

The tomb is built by the Skulls
and is maintained by the Skulls,
entirely at our own expense.

That may be.

But as these documents show,

the tomb is built
on university property.

The land was leased to
the Skulls in 1793...

for the sum
of one dollar per year.

The lease was prepaid
for 250 years,

which means that the land belongs
to the school until the year 2043.

Fine. We'll buy the land.
The lease is binding.

It cannot be broken,
not even for a sale.

That building is on school property.

Any organization using it
and any activities taking place
within it...

must be open
to both men and women.

This can't be legitimate.
Well played, Miss Brooks.

Your time in the library
paid off.

I warned the council
that you might find this.

I also told them if you did,

I would have no choice
but to extend my hand
and grant your wish.

What? You can't do this.

The decision
has already been made.

Miss Brooks will be tapped.

After all, she is a legacy.

Thank you.

Hey!

A word to the wise, Miss Brooks.

You should savor
this little moment of victory,

because your life's
about to become a living hell.

As long as I'm around,
you'll never become a Skull.

Now that's an interesting offer.

Are you saying
you threatened him?

No. It was a comeback.
It didn't mean anything.

Really?
What do you want me to do,

lie and pretend
that Roger was my friend?

I'm telling you the truth.

I want this solved as much as you do.

Then why don't you give us
something we can use, huh?

I'm trying to.
Well, then try a little harder,
Miss Brooks.

What does this club
have to do with this murder?

Everything.

So this was
about three weeks ago, right?

What happened next?

[Taylor]
I felt badly that Ethan wasn't selected.

I knew he was angry, but I wanted to see
if our relationship was worth salvaging.

I didn't know
that you could cook.
A girl has other means.

Looks delicious.

You didn't have to do all this.

Just wanted a chance for us
to spend some time together...

alone.

I thought we were losing this.

I think we need to figure out
where we stand,

but I don't wanna lose this.

I don't wanna lose us.

[Knocking]
[Sighs]

[Groans]

Okay. I'll be right back.
Yeah.

Mr. Lloyd.
Miss Brooks.

Your attendance
is requested at the tomb.

Is this a problem for you?
No.

Taylor, what's going on?

- Hey, Roger.
- Ethan.

Well, Miss Brooks?

Ethan...
Yeah, sure.

I do apologize, Ethan.

After all, I should be having
this conversation with you.

Yeah.

We're leaving now.
Let me say good-bye.

I said now.

When you're called, you drop everything.

A Skull above any other.

A Skull above any other.

[Man]
Miss Brooks, pleasejoin the others
in the center of the room.

- [Softly] Hey, guys.
- Silence.!

[Softly]
He yelled at me too.
I'm Brian, by the way.

Gentlemen,
kneel down before us.

It's time to go down
the rabbit hole gentlemen,

if you're ready.

I'm Nathan Lloyd, class of 1975.

On behalf of the Order of the Skulls,

I welcome you.

But before we can trust you
with our secrets,

you must first show your trust in us.

Each of you will drink from the glass
that has been placed in front of you.

With this drink, you will die.

Your soul will be cleansed,
and you will be reborn.

Faith, gentlemen.

Give us yours,

and you will forever have ours.

[Clatter]

Stand up and shed the last symbols
of your old life.

Remove your clothes.

Stand up!

Hesitate and you'll never
see this place again.

All right, boys.
You heard the man.

No time to be shy.

Now or never, guys.

[Candidates Groaning]

Whoa.
You okay? You all right?

[Nathan]
You have all been found worthy
and have accepted our invitation.

You all come
from different backgrounds,

but you will all be equal
in our order.

This is just the beginning
of what we call the "revealing" process.

Over the next 14 days,
you will undergo a series of trials...

to prove your worthiness.

Prepare to be tested.

Sleep tight.

[Wind whistling]

[Pounding]

[Panting]
[Gasps]

Where the hell are we?

Is everyone okay?
You all right?
Yeah. You?

Oh. I'm freezing.

You okay?
Let's get these robes on.

Everybody all right?

[Beeping]

Here's something. Look at this.
We got a note.

Check it out, man.
And some kind of timer.

What's it say?

"You have all now been reborn.

"This is your first step
towards becoming members
of the society.

Yeah!
Whoo!

"Your next step
is to find your way home.

"Do so before time runs out
or your journey will end here.

You must come as one
or do not come at all."

- Where the hell are we, anyway?
- Okay, we need to find ourselves a road
or a river or something like that.

Something we can follow to guide us.
What do you say?

Let's go.
Wait. Taylor.
Where's Taylor?

Taylor.

She's not here.
Good. Maybe they had her cremated.

[Chuckles]
Ohh, man.

Geniuses, don't you get it?
We're supposed to do everything
together as a team.

This must be part of the test.

Help me find her.
You two check back there,
the rest of you spread out.

Taylor!

Taylor!
Taylor, where are you?

Come on, Taylor.
Let's go.

Taylor, are you out there?
Come on!

Let me out.!
Hey. Let me out.!
Taylor?

Let me out!

[Grunting]

[Exhales Deeply]

Hey, guys, let me out!
I'm down here!

Hey. See anything?
Hey.

Nothing.
Damn it!
We're running outta time.

Gather everyone back at the clearing.
I'm gonna circle around the backside
one more time.

Okay.

[Grunts]
Okay. Calm down, Taylor.

This is just a test.

Calm down. Think.

Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah, you can do this.

[Grunting]
[Coffin Lid Creaking]

Guys, I'm in here!

Taylor!
All right.
Come on back, guys!

[Grunting]

Taylor?

Brian! Over here.

You okay?
Yeah.

You?
Yeah.

Where's everybody else?
They're waiting for us.
Here. Put this on.

Thanks.

Can we just get the hell outta here?

You know we're gonna
end up baby-sitting her.

Who cares? It's not like
she stands a chance of surviving
the revealing process anyway.

I really wish you guys would stop
talking about me behind my back.

Hey, don't worry about it.
Anybody know what's next?

We've got 20 minutes
to get back to the tomb,

and the problem
is we don't know where we are.

Sure we do.
This is East Rock Park.

No, actually,
we're on the other side of town.
This is West Rock Park.

How do you know that?
Different trees.

Plus, I don't hear a river,
and East Rock has a river.

- Different trees?
- She's a botanist.

[Men Giggling]
I run here all the time.

If I'm right, there's a cemetery
about a quarter mile down that way.

These woods
run all the way into the city.
They connect with Edgewood Park.

[Scoffs]
Are you kidding me?
Come on.

Which leads us
right back to campus.
Yeah. Let's go.

We're gonna listen to her?
Yeah, let's go.

Come on! Hustle! Let's go!

[Breathing Heavily]

Come on, guys!
We're gonna make it.
Hey! Open up! We made it!

And with two minutes
to spare.

Glad to see
you found your way.

All of you.

Don't sound so disappointed, Roger.

We chose you
because we expect you to succeed.
We expect you to pass every test.

And as my son said, all of you.

Please, join us inside.

Let's get in there.
All right. Let's go.

Hey. I, uh... I just wanted to say
I was really impressed back there.

Thanks. You're the only one
who seems willing to give me a chance.

The other guys will come around.

Oh, I'm not so sure
about that.

You're gonna make 'em
come around.

That's some pretty sick shit,
them burying you alive like that.

I mean, somebody could get hurt.

That's the point.

They wanna test your loyalties,
make sure you understand.

Understand what?

That they were in control
of your lives now?

Is that what you were going to say?

Something like that.

[Taylor]
They make you give them control.
Take your mark.

They demand your trust.
[Gunshot]

[Speaking, Indistinct]

Uh, points that we'll be covering, um...

[Taylor]
And for those two weeks,
you don't have a choice.

But they also make sure to show you
what kind of rewards are waiting.

Of course,
not all the rewards were equal.

[Yawns]

[Groans]

####[Loud Rock]

Veronica!
[Groans]

####[Volume Decreases]

Hey. You're already up?
Mm.

I never got to sleep.
Oh.

Secret Skulls activities?
Details.

Come on, V.
You know I can't talk about that.

Well, I hope whatever
they put you through...

wasn't half as bad
as what we did to our girls.

Mm. I'm sure it was horrible.
You have no idea.

Anyways,
I'm gonna get some coffee.

Don't forget you gotta meet your dad
for breakfast this morning.

Oh, no.
[Exhales Deeply]

[Chattering]

Morning, Dad.

You're late.
Sorry.

We were out all night.
Is that supposed to be an excuse?

I thought you'd understand.
I mean, you know how hard this is.

When we talked last week...

That was before
the general membership started
calling me at all hours of the night.

Well, don't worry, Dad.
I don't expect you to defend me.

In fact,
I don't expect anything from you.

Don't make me out
to be the bad guy.

I admire your initiative, Taylor,

but this isn't the local country club
we're talking about.

Our rules have always superceded
those of the outside world.

And there...

A lot of very powerful men
do not want to see those rules
challenged or changed.

Wasn't it you that taught me
never to back down from a challenge?

You listen to me, young lady.

You're lucky that Nathan Lloyd
is head of the council.

He's the one who told Dean Lawton to
tap you, and only as a courtesy to me.

Well, I don't really care
who made the decision or why.

I'm the one who chose to do this.

And I'll do it
with or without your support.

I just assumed I'd have it.

Taylor...
I'm gonna go get some sleep...

before I say something
we'll both regret.

Sit down, Miss Brooks.
[Sighs]

You can go home
when I tell you to.

- I need a break.
- Look, you've got to keep going, Taylor.

You gotta help me here.
Yeah, come on, Taylor.
Help us out here.

'Cause right now,
I got a kid downstairs
with his head bashed in...

and we'd like to know
how that happened.

So maybe you can
get to that part, huh?

You've gotta understand how it was.

[Huffs]
That's what you want, isn't it?

Of course it is. Listen, it sounds like
you were under a lot of pressure.

Having just gone through initiation,
your relationship shaky.

Your dad not supporting you, it...

must've been hard.

I was handling it.

[Brian]
Hey, Taylor.

Taylor.
Hey.

It's been a crazy
couple of weeks, huh?

That's one way to put it.
I can barely stay awake in class.

I stopped trying.
This morning I passed out
in Latin American Fiction.

Who do you have, Cooper?
Uh-huh. Mr. Excitement.

I think he took it personally.
At least you got some rest.

Hey, you wanna grab a coffee?
Only if it's a really big cup.

I'm kinda like you, in a way.

I wasn't supposed to
be tapped by the Skulls.

What do you mean?

Well, let's call it
a conspicuous lack of breeding,

at least
by the Skulls' lofty standards.

Lower middle-class family,
raised by my mom.

Don't ask about my dad,
'cause I don't know.

Mm. I'm sorry.

No, uh, my mom was great.

I'm not ashamed of where I came from.
Not at all. Its just, um... [Chuckles]

It's just a little different
from the Skulls.

Nathan Lloyd
kinda helped me along.

Seriously?
Yeah. My mom
works for his company.

I interned in his office
last summer.

Wow. You must've impressed him.

[Laughs]
Yeah. I don't know.

I got the impression that
Roger and he didn't really have
the best relationship, you know?

Anyways, I've never had anyone
like a father-figure looking out for me.

It's kinda cool.

What about you? After everything
you've been through, is it still worth it?

I don't know yet.
[Chuckles]

I started this to prove something
to my father.

I guess we're all
looking for that approval.

But now... now I think
I'm trying to prove it to myself.

Hmm. Yeah.
I know what you mean.

So how's Ethan?

I mean, uh, you two
are together, right?

I'm not sure anymore.

He's pretty angry,
and I can't blame him.

That's too bad.

Well, when this is over,
we'll see what happens.

Right now,
I'm more concerned about tonight.

Should be an adventure,
whatever it is.

You've all come a long way
in the last two weeks.

Here it is, gentlemen.
Your final test.

"A key to the tomb has been lost,
swallowed by the great blue serpent
and hidden within its bowels.

"Look for the sign
which impales its back
and you will find the key,

but it will take all of you to lift it."

What the hell
does that mean?
A riddle.

- Actually, it's pretty easy.
- Oh, well, please do enlighten us.

[Chattering]

Bingo.

[Brian]
The river's the blue serpent.
The buoy impales the river.

And the key is in its bowels.

So this thing's underwater?

Come on. Check it out.

Come on.

Six levers.
Plus someone needs to go in
and retrieve the key.

I'll do it,
if you'll pull me out.

Deal. Let's get the guys.

[Grunting]

- [Grunts]
- [Grunting]

[Grunting]

[Grunting]

- [Gasps]
- We wait up here?

[Grunts]

[Gasps]

Got the key?
We need the key.

Where's Taylor?
Taylor!

I gotta go back down and get her.
Well, let's go back down.

[Gasps]
She got it!

She got the key!
[Men Howling]

[Howling Continues]

[Nathan]
Congratulations, gentlemen.

And to you, Miss Brooks.

This is the end
of the revealing process.

You will now receive
your own key to this tomb.

You will also receive a rule book.

Study it.

It is the key to a successful
and rewarding life within our order.

We live by the rules.

[All]
We die by the rules.

Trust no one with these secrets
but a member of the Order.

Tell no one what you see
and hear within these walls.

No outsider shall ever know
the work of the Order...

or the composition of our membership.

Always remember,

a Skull above any other.

Now,

if you will all present your left wrist,

there is one final ordeal.

The pain you're
about to feel is temporary.

But the mark is forever...

and you will bear it
as has every Skull before you...

and as will every Skull to come.

Be silent as you endure.

[Sizzles]

[Grunts Softly]

[Knocking]

Dad.

Can I come in?

Something wrong?
No.

I'm here to deliver this,
and, uh,

I wanted to see
how you were doing.

Oh. Well, it's still sore,
but it'll be all right.

Listen, Taylor,
when you told me
what you were doing,

l... I misunderstood.

Nathan Lloyd says you handled
the revealing process admirably.

Hmm. And you're surprised?

I know I shouldn't be.

Taylor, I don't know when or...

or why I turned away from you.

I certainly never meant to.

Sam's death just...
I know. Dad...

There were things I just...

I didn't want to admit.

I pushed him to do something
he didn't wanna do.

To be something that
he wasn't.

And when I found out
what you were trying to do,

it brought everything back.

Made me look at some things
that I did not want to see.

I have been so unfair to you.

Dad...
I wanna fix that.

Start again.

Well, I'd like that too.

Besides, if, um...

if anyone's daughter is gonna be
the first woman in the Skulls,
it better be mine.

This is for you.

I'll see you tonight.
Tonight?

What's tonight?

Well, I guess you'll just have
to show up and find out.

[Female Officer]
This was yesterday?

Yes.

So why don't you
just tell us what happened.

I mean, what the hell
is this all about?

[Female Officer]
Taylor?

I think I should talk
to my father.
Excuse me?

From this point on,
it gets confusing.

I just need to see him.

Taylor, we've got to know
what happened. You can tell us.
But I can't.

Not exactly.
Bullshit, you can't.
You won't.

- Either you killed this kid
or you know who did.
- No.

- Either way, it comes back to you.
- It's not true!

It's not true.
Then what is true?

I don't now.

I think you do know,
but we can't help you unless
you tell us what's going on.

Goddamn it, I am sick
of this little dance, Miss Brooks.

We know he didn't die in the alley.
We also know that his body was placed
there to make it look like a mugging.

You were with him last night,
weren't you?

No. No!
Weren't you?

Please!
[Door Opens]

Wrap it up, guys.

[Male Officer]
What are you talkin'about, Captain?

These gentlemen represent
Miss Brooks, and since
we have no reason to hold her...

No reason?

That's right, Detective.

Thank you for
your cooperation, Miss Brooks.
You're free to leave.

Who called the lawyers?

Does it matter?

Goddamn it.
[Door Closes]

Taylor!

Hey. Sorry it took so long.

I trust you didn't...
reveal too much.

About the Skulls, you mean?
Yeah.

Don't worry.
Hey, come on.

I'll give you a lift.

No. Thanks.

I gather your father's
pretty distraught.

It's understandable, isn't it?

Dad?

Dad?

Sweetheart.

Dad, you have to believe
I had nothing to do with this.

I do.
Of course I do.

But what did happen?

I'm still not sure.

[Taylor]
After you dropped off
the invitation yesterday,

we were all taken
to Nathan Lloyd's estate.

Okay, now we're talkin;

we have arrived.
We have arrived.

Wow. This place is fantastic.

Gentlemen, if you'll head inside,
the staff will get you settled.

Miss Brooks, we have
other accommodations for you.

Follow me.

I hope you don't mind
staying out here by yourself.

This really isn't necessary.
Yes, well...

Actually, it is. I figured
you spent the last two weeks...

proving that you could, uh,
compete in our male world.

The least we can do is show you that
we still know how to treat a lady.

Now, the boys are sharing rooms
in the main house,

and we just wanted
to offer you a little privacy.
Well, thank you.

I've got some work
to take care of up at the house.

The government bid?
Is there anything I can do to help?

No, thanks.
I've got somebody on it.

But you could make sure that
the caterer gets his check this time.

I'd appreciate that.

Of course.
See you later.

The reception starts in one hour.
I'll see you then.

Formal?

####[Jazz]

##Some say the stars ##

##Are out tonight ##

##So we can dance all night ##

##It's feeling right ##

## To get to know you ##

[No Audible Dialogue]

## The moonlight dwells on ##

##Sunny days ##

## You know the way it glows ##

##Just goes to show ##

## That life adores you ##

##For it seems ##

## we're dancing on rainbows ##

##Like a firefly ##

## That love cannot hide ##

##And though we feel ##

## we're dancing in sin ##

## we'rejust dancing alone ##

####[Continues]

Ethan.
I'm over here.

Ethan, what are you doing here?

I got your message.
What are you talking about?

Your e-mail.
You told me to meet you here.

Taylor, are you out here?

There's a coach house out front.
Wait for me, but stay out of sight.

I'll be there as soon as I can.

What are you doing out here?
Just getting some fresh air.

Is that a problem?
My father wanted
to see you inside.

## The sun is out ##

##It shines on you ##

##It's not a secret now ##

##No more than it was ##

## The day I left ##

## You ##

## The day I left ##

## You ####

Ethan?
I'm right here.

What's going on?
You tell me.

I can't believe you'd come here like this.
Hey, you're the one
who asked me, remember?

What is this,
some bullshit Skulls prank?

Invite Ethan here
and rub his face in it?

No. I never sent any...
[Clears Throat]

What's wrong?

I don't know.
I don't... I don't feel too good.

Great. You have
too much to drink?
No.

Come on. You need to lie down.
I'll help you.

[Moans]

[Coughs]

Ethan?

Ethan?

Ethan?

Ethan, this isn't funny.
Where are you?

Who are you looking for?

What's going on, Taylor?
Someone else here?

No.

Yes. It's Ethan.
He was here last night.

I can't believe this.
You brought him here?

This is supposed to be a private event.
Goddamn it, Taylor, it's sacred!

I didn't invite him.
He just showed up.

Yeah, well, I guess
you didn't make him leave either.
Where is he?

I'm not sure.

There was blood.
What? Where?

In the coach house,
on the door.

[Door Creaking Open]
You okay?

I don't know what happened.
L-I can't remember anything from last night.

My head is pounding.
I just... I don't know.
Oh, my God.

What is it?

Ethan?

Ethan? Ethan?

No, don't touch him.
Oh, my God.

We have to call 9-1-1.
We-We have to do something.

No, it's too late.
Take her to the house.

[Chattering]
[Sobbing]

Martin, clearly the Rawlings boy
must have come on too strong.

Taylor, I'm sure,
was merely defending herself.

Is that what it was?

Was it self-defense?

No, it wasn't self-defense.

I didn't do this.

It's the only thing
that makes sense.

Because if it was self-defense,
then we could go to the police.

Of course.

Of course, the other side is,
it'd be very difficult to prove.

And, Martin, you're looking at
a run for the Senate.

The press will be all over this thing...

before Taylor could even
put up a defense.

How can we, uh, make this go away?

This is why we belong
to the Order.

I can have this taken care of,
if that's what you want.

Yes. That's what I want.

No. No.

L-I didn't do this.

I didn't do this.
Don't you understand?

I mean,
we have to find out who did.

Taylor, you don't even remember.

We have to protect you.

We have to protect ourselves.

Take her home.

I'll handle it.

[Female Officer]
We're looking for Taylor Brooks.

[Taylor Narrating]
After you took me home this morning,

didn't take long before
the detectives showed up.

[No Audible Dialogue]

I wanted to tell them everything.

I started to.
But when it came time to talk about
last night, I couldn't do it.

Then the lawyers were there.

And Roger Lloyd...

What is it?

- Nathan called.
- When?

About 20 minutes ago,
just before you got home.

I saw the news coverage,
finding his body in an alley.

You're sure there's no way
the police can connect this with her?

There's nothing to worry about.
She says she didn't do it, Nathan,
and I believe her.

Isn't there some way that
we can...
Think about it, Martin.

There was no forced entry.

You saw how hung over she was
this morning, and she can't
even remember what happened.

And the blood.

I know.

I know.
I'm gonna go all the way on this
for you and your daughter, Martin.

But I need something in return.

What is it?

My company has submitted
a bid under seal to Congress.
It's being considered by the military.

The Sherman subcommittee,
the committee that you chair.
Nathan, we've been through this.

Martin, you know that I want...

I deserve to be the sole provider...

of cellular and wireless
technology to the military.

How can you take advantage
of this situation?

You owe me at least this much,
Congressman!

A Skull above any other, remember that?
Because you seem to have forgotten it
last month when I first submitted this bid!

We can't just blindly support each other
and ignore the potential consequences.

Isn't that exactly
what I've been doing?

One way or another, your daughter
is responsible for this mess,

and I have taken care of it for you.

Now can I count on your support
when I need it?

You'll have my support.

[Taylor]
How much is the contract worth?

[Father]
Billions.

Billions.

Dad, don't you see?
This is all a setup.

They want you to think I'm guilty
so that you'll cooperate.

- We have to go back to the police.
- And tell them what?

Don't you see?

Whether or not you did this
doesn't matter.

All that matters is they can sure as hell
make it look as if you did,

and your life will be ruined
and so will mine.
What are we gonna do then?

- Just let 'em get away with it?
- I don't know, Taylor!

I don't know.

For now, just go back to school.
Go back to swimming.

We'll carry on with our normal routines.
We will put this behind us.

I have to fly out tonight.
There's a vote in Washington.

Taylor, let the Skulls handle this.

It is the only way.

Okay, everybody out!

Richardson, go pee in a cup.

McCauley.
What's going on?

That time of the month.
N.C.A.A. Testing.

- Hey, Taylor?
- Yeah.

Come into my office when you're done.

Hi. Come on in.
Have a seat.

What's going on?
This is Dr. Franks from the N.C.A.A.

She's in charge of drug testing.

Yeah, we met.
We know you're dealing
with a personal tragedy.

Frankly, I was surprised
to see you today.

Sometimes swimming is the best way
for me to deal with stress.

Have you taken anything?
Xanax? Valium?

Some kind of sedative you didn't
report on the questionnaire?

You know, maybe help you sleep.

No, I haven't taken anything.

I'm not lying.
Why would I?

That's the thing, Taylor.
We believe you.

Sometimes with female athletes,

we find something that raises a flag.

You had traces of a drug class known
as Benzodiazapine in your system.

Now, if it's not from medication,
than this particular drug signature,

it could be indicative
of Rohipnol.

That's a "date rape" drug, Taylor.

I appreciate the concern,
but nothing like that happened.

There's been no time
over the last few days...

where you went out drinking,
woke up disoriented,
couldn't remember the previous night?

Anything like that?
No.

Do you need to take some time off?

Sure. Maybe a couple days.

Taylor.

You have to speak out
to protect yourself.

You don't have to be a victim.

Yeah. Thanks.

We are gathered here today
to mourn the passing...

and to celebrate the life
of Ethan Rawlings.

##I've never noticed
the ceilings were so low ##
[Continues, Indistinct]

##I never saw
the cracks on the window ##

##I never saw myself as sentimental ##

##But here I go ##

## without you ##

##I'd be standing 'round you
like a statue ##

##Laying on the floor
thinking about you ##

## Talk to myself
like the crazies do ##

## Otherwise, I'm great ##

## what about you ##

## what about you ##

## what about you ####

That was a lovely service,
wasn't it?

Look, if there's anything you need,
we're here for you.

I'd just like to be left alone.

Don't make us your enemy,
Taylor.
Is that a threat, Roger?

It's a strong suggestion.

Well, I have a suggestion for you.
Stay the hell away from me.

Look, you wanna find out
what we can really do, keep pushing.

You want a threat? Try this.
We have the dress...

and the murder weapon.

That's right... the glass sculpture
from the coach house.

And guess what, Taylor?
It has your fingerprints
all over it.

So unless you want
the police to find it,

you better step your ass back in line.

You're either with us or you're against us.
There is no middle ground.

Hey.
Is everything okay?

Everything's fine.

I thought you might need a ride home.

Thank you.

Brian, I just want you to know
how much I appreciate...

I mean, with everything that's happened...

You don't have to say anything.
I'm glad I could be here.

Brian?

It's you.

Oh, my God.

They've been watching me
all this time.
Taylor.

They set me up.

This picture at the track with Ethan?
That was before we were even tapped.

They knew he was at the party.
How could they know?

They probably have pictures of all of us.

How can you make excuses for them?

They drugged me, Brian.
Ethan's dead.

And they're threatening to pin it on me
unless my father gives Lloyd what he wants.

These pictures are just to make sure
I get the point.

Look, I'm not making excuses.
It's just if you challenge them...

I can't just walk through life
and pretend this never happened.

It's better than spending
the rest of your life in jail.

I don't see any difference.

[Camera Shutter Clicking]
Hey!

Hey, you.! Stop.!

Who the hell was that?
I don't know.

But I'm pretty sure
I know who sent him.

I can't believe Nathan Lloyd's
involved in this.

Taylor, who's this?
Oh, no.

Let's go!

Veronica!

[Door Closes]
Veronica?

[Teakettle whistling]

Veronica?

[Screams]
What?
[Screams]

#### [Rock On Headphones]
[Sighs]

Are you okay?
I'm fine. Why?

There's something we need to talk about.

I'll get the kettle.

Poor Ethan.
I can't believe this.

Listen, V. Starting tomorrow,
you should go stay
with someone else for a while.

Just-Just in case, you know?

I don't see anyone out front.

You think I might be in danger?

I think everyone around me
is in danger.

What are you gonna do?
I need to find some kind of proof...

that Roger and his father
are behind all this.

I don't even know where to start.

Well, what about the e-mail?
What about it?

Ethan told you
he got an e-mail, didn't he?

Yeah. Yeah, but I never
sent an e-mail.

Well, somebody did. I mean,
obviously whoever took these pictures
knew he was gonna be at the party, right?

And they must've accessed
your student e-mail account
to make it look authentic.

- I'm not sure how this helps.
- If they used your campus account,

we must be able to access the message
from the university server.

It's worth a try.

The library terminals are connected
directly to the campus server.

Lucky for you, not lucky for me,
I used to go out with a guy...

who worked in
the Computer Services office.

Anyway, it's good
for a free dinner now and then,

and things like
the university server's password.

Okay, here we go.
All e-mails sent...

using your account, no matter
what computer it was sent from.

There. That's the day of the party.
It's addressed to Ethan.

[Taylor]
"Dear Ethan, So sorry
for the last two weeks.

"We really need to talk.
I can't deal with the pressure
from the Skulls anymore.

"Please meet me tonight
at the Lloyd estate.

Wait for me at the back patio,
and be careful not to let anyone see you."

So Ethan thought
it was really from you.

But who sent it?

We don't know who, but we know
the address of their computer.

What do you mean by address?
Well, every computer
has a unique address...

embedded into every outgoing e-mail.

It's called an Internet protocol address.
So all you have to do...

is find the computer that matches
this number and you'll find out
who sent you the e-mail.

Here, I'll write it down for you.
You're a genius, V.

Yeah, imagine that.
A sorority girl with a brain.

But the one thing I can't tell you
is where to find that computer.

We'll have to wait until the morning,
but I have a pretty good idea
where to start looking.

But, first, we have to stop Lloyd
from getting what he wants.

Taylor, the vote is in an hour.
I've already called in every favor I could...

to make sure that Lloyd's company
does get the contract.

Dad, if we don't stop them now,
neither one of us will ever be free.

Honey, I don't care about myself anymore.
All I care about is you, your future.

Don't worry about that.

I'm gonna find the truth... somehow.

Look, if this hadn't happened,
would you be giving Lloyd this contract?

No, I wouldn't.
Why not?

Last month we lost an aircraft.

It was outfitted with communications
equipment from Lloyd's company.

There was no solid evidence,
but there was speculation...

that his components conflicted
with the guidance system...

and caused the plane to crash.
Dad, if you give him this now,

what will he ask for next time?

Just make the right vote.
I'll deal with the consequences.

And just to be safe,
we're staying at the house tonight.

Taylor?
I'll talk to you later.

[Dial Tone]

[Nathan]
It appears that Martin Brooks and
his daughter have decided to challenge us.

Gentlemen, slight change of plans.
Good evening, Martin.

It's time to give the police
what they're looking for.

[Sirens Wailing]

Taylor.! Taylor, wake up.

What's going on?
It's the police. They're here.

Shit. Something's happened.
What do you wanna do?

We have to get out of here.
If they take me now,
I'll never get to the truth.

Veronica, stall them as long as you can.

[Pounding On Door]
[Male Officer]
Open the door, now.!

Uh, who is it?

Police. Open up.

Hang on. I'm not dressed.

Hi. Can I help you?

Where's Taylor Brooks?
Oh, um,

I haven't seen her
since last night.

And you are?
I'm Veronica Bell.

I'm her roommate.

Well, Veronica Bell,
do you make a habit of staying
at her father's house without her?

Oh, he's out of town,

so, you know, I help out
with various things and whatnot.

[Male Officer]
Valdez.!

Looks like we just missed her.

But our phone call's legit.

Any idea why your roommate...

would be hiding this
in her closet, Miss Bell?

Slow down! Taylor, hey!

You just ran away from the police.
You're a fugitive now.

I know.

I'm sorry for getting you into this.
If you wanna leave, I'll understand.

I'm in way too deep to walk away now.

Thank you.

Let's go find that computer.

Heads up.

[Man Over Walkie-Talkie]
John, the boss is on his way back.
Copy that.

Okay, let's go.

We need to distract her somehow.

[Dialing Cell Phone]

[Telephone Ringing]

[Maid]
Hello?

Hello?

[Roger]
Okay, I got the computer now.

I won't let
anything happen to it.

Just get here
as fast as you can, okay?

We have to get the computer.

I'll get it.
Be careful.

Brian. What are you doing?

I got it.!

Hey!

Hold it!

Hold it, lady.
What the hell are you doing?

[Groans]
Give me the bag!

Okay!

You okay?
Yeah, fine.
Come on. Let's go.

Oh, no, it's Lloyd.
Let's hide in here.

We need to get the police now.

Well, we don't even know
if we have the right computer.

We will in a minute.
Anyway, it doesn't matter.

We're running out of time.

I think we should wait.
[Cell Phone Ringing]

Don't answer that.

[Nathan]
Brian, I just pulled in.
Where are you?

Brian?

That was Nathan Lloyd.

And how did you know
about the key?

You're helping Lloyd.

You brought me here on purpose.
[Door Opening]

Brian, what happened?
You were supposed to get her here
without any major incident,

and I find Roger
on the dining room floor...

and my security man spitting
his teeth into a sink.

Well, Roger got here first.
He was taking...
I see.

Well, none of that will matter now.

What are you going to do?

Kill me?

No. You're going to kill yourself.

Tragically, in the same place
where you killed your boyfriend.

How could you do this?

You planned this from the beginning.

It was all about getting
to my father, wasn't it?

[Dialing]
He forgot the first rule.

A Skull above any other.

And when he rejected
my initial bid,

I couldn't believe the delicious irony...

of having his daughter
challenging us for a place.

You and your father
brought this on yourselves.

Why Ethan?

He didn't have anything
to do with this.

He was convenient.
Who did this?

I wanna know.
Was it you, Brian?

Was that your price?
Did you kill Ethan to get into the Skulls?

Actually, when it comes
to important matters,
I prefer not to delegate.

[Nathan]
Brian didn't have any idea what
he was getting himself into.

Whoa!

[Groans]

Oh, my God. No!

Help me! Brian!

Brian.!

[Blows Landing]
[Ethan Groaning]

[Nathan]
But Brian's a good and loyal associate,
and I appreciate that.

He's willing to do whatever is necessary.

[Roger]
Unlike your son?

That's what you wanted to say,
isn't it?

You couldn't get me to go along
with setting up Taylor's father,
so you asked Brian to do it?

Roger, I told you
to stay back at the house.

Yeah, well, I'm through
listening to you.

I'm sorry, Taylor.
I didn't know.

But we're getting the hell out of here.
I already called the police.
They're on their way right now.

The police will believe
what I tell them to believe.

Actually, you've already
told them quite a bit. Here.

Catch.

She dialed 9-1-1.

You stupid bitch.

Do you know who I am?

- Do you think I can't
walk right out of this?
- No, you can't.

- [Sirens wailing]
- Mr. Lloyd, we have to get out of here.

No, you stay put, Brian.
We're gonna walk away from this, trust me.

Go ahead, Taylor.
Come on, go.

I'm not gonna
let you get away with this, Dad.

[Sirens Continue]

- Brian, come back here!
- Hold it.!

Hands on your head!
Walk towards me!

No!
[Groaning]

Oh, my God. Roger!

- Freeze!
- Detective, please,
you have to listen to me!

Step aside, Taylor!
Get behind the car!

Put the gun down, Mr. Lloyd.

There's no need for you people.
This is an internal matter,

and I have it perfectly under control.

We can discuss this later, Mr. Lloyd.
I want you to drop the gun right now.

Oh, fine.
Then I'll just call your supervisors.

Taylor, come back inside.

- Come on.
- Drop the gun!

How dare you...

- Hold your fire.!
- Hold your fire.!

You all right, Miss Brooks?
It was all Lloyd.
He killed Ethan.

I know. Roger called us.
We were already on our way over.

He's the one that filled us in.

He's dead.

[Male Officer]
Shots fired.

Send me a forensics team.
[Woman Over Radio]
10-4.

Get in the car, kid.

Taylor. Someone to see you.

Thank you for what you did.

I don't deserve any thanks.
I came to apologize.

I'll leave you two alone.

Uh, Taylor...

It wasn't your fault, Roger.

I know that now.

You did the right thing in the end.
If it wasn't for you...

I can't believe I waited
my entire life...

to become a Skull
just to please my father.

I never wanted to believe he could
be involved in something like this,

but I guess I always knew.

And then he gave
the murder weapon to the police.

And when I overheard him
call Brian about the e-mail...

That's why I took the computer.
I knew he would destroy it.

Brian.

I still can't believe it.
I completely trusted him.

I guess he'll spend
the rest of his life in jail.
For what?

The Skulls?

I also want you to know,

I actually admire the way
you fought your way in.

And especially the way
you fought your way out.

I could never
tell you that before.

I was too busy trying to play
the part my father expected.

I kind of know how that works.

Is there any chance
we might end up being friends?

Are you still a Skull?

Then I'd say we're off
to a pretty good start.

How are you doing anyway?

I'm good. I'm good.

Do you wanna stay awhile?
I'm sure we have a lot to talk about.

Yeah, that would be nice.

Come on over.
How's your arm?

##So goes the best of us dreamers ##

##I've got a map
got a road without any signals ##

##Make 'em as I go ##

##Some never know what
a storm's like until you're in it ##

##Some only stare from a window ##

##I wanna feel what it's like
when I stand in the rain ##

##And it pours ##

## To hear my very own sound
of my heart beating ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's to never really know ##

##Sometimes just to look and never own ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's a place you've never gone
Sometimes it's a love that went wrong ##

##Maybe this world's gonna
throw me the good intentions ##

## whoever said it was easy ##

##I'll take the wind in my face
and the consequences ##

##And everything that goes ##

## what's there to lose ##

##In the end ##

##I never want to regret
'cause you realize ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's to never really know ##

##Sometimes just to look and never own ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's a place you've never gone
Sometimes it's a love that went wrong ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's the passion of the heart
It's about everything you've done ##

## There goes that part of me ##

## There goes that part of me ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's to never really know
Sometimes just to look and never own ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's a place you've never gone
Sometimes it's a love that went wrong ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's the passion of the heart
It's about everything you've done ##

## There goes that part of me ##

## There goes that part of me ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's to never really know
Sometimes just to look and never own ##

## That's what the thrill really is ##

##It's the passion of the heart
It's about everything you've done ##

##I got a map
got a road without any signals ##

##Make 'em as you go ####