REPORT: ROAD TRIP
FILE #: 405

Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots are in a car on their way to find some GPS coordinates that Jarod left for them. They get out of the car and Broots is sure that this is the correct location. Miss Parker is not so sure, but from their current location Broots says that it is 25 yards off to the side of the road. They head towards where Broots pointed. They find the location which has nothing to offer, or so it seems. Miss Parker looks at the scarecrow and the bales of hay and is not sure why Jarod sent them out there. She says that he wants to make them feel like asses walking around Kansas all day. Broots breaks in saying, “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.” Miss Parker knows the lines and tells Broots to repeat himself. He says that they just crossed the state line. She says that she wants him to say it exactly as he did before. He does and she figures it out… “Not in Kansas anymore” and scarecrow…. she walks over to the scarecrow and starts searching. Miss Parker finds a “yellow brick” with the address “1015 Main St.” written on it. Broots says that he gets it “follow the yellow brick road”. He also says that he loves that song. Miss Parker tells them that if either of them bursts into song she will drop a house on them. Miss Parker calls Jarod a “Flying Monkey”.

Jarod is sitting in a dinner eating, when a waitress comes up to him and is please that the “slop on a shingle” (the dish Jarod is eating) is working out for him. Jarod says that he didn’t understand the name before. A woman runs into the dinner in a panic and asks for the lady’s room. But the waitress says that it is for customers only. She throws money on the counter and says that she will take a doughnut and then runs into the bathroom. Jarod watches her a bit puzzled. A few moments later, a man runs into the dinner. He is searching for someone. He walks past Jarod and into the back of the dinner. The woman exits the lady’s room and then spies the man that is looking for her. She hides behind the dessert case. Jarod walks over to her and asks if everything is alright. She tells him that everything is “peachy”. He starts to say that if there is something he can do… the man that is looking for her is heading in their direction. She grabs Jarod and kisses him. Jarod is puzzled but doesn’t resist. The man walks past them. She then runs past Jarod and out of the dinner. She gets into a 62 Ford that is parked outside. Jarod follows her and as she pulls out Jarod opens the door to the car. She says, “It was just a kiss sweetheart.” She tells him to close the door, so he hops in. She says that was not what she meant but fine. She takes off. The man chasing her jumps out and pulls his gun but has to jump out of the way so that he is not hit. Jarod notices that he is wearing a badge. He asks if she is on the run from the police. She says, “Na, we’re on the run from the police. How does it feel to be a wanted man?”

Jarod and the women are in the car. Jarod tells her that he could have said that the police are chasing her. She says that she doesn’t remember begging him to get in the car. He says that he thought that she needed help, and she says that he is a bit out of his league. She thinks he is a banker and he says that he is a stock analyst. She thinks that Jarod has a family (wife, kids, and house). They pass a cop car and she looks back to make sure that they are not being followed. Jarod tells her that the best thing that she can do is turn herself in. She tells him that she is not running from the cops, but a cop. She says that the cop at the dinner was her ex-boyfriend Vic and he is not taking the break-up well. Jarod asks her where she is headed and she says, “Nowhere, anywhere, somewhere is right up the road. Do you want me to drop you off? I probably wig out the wife if I drove up to your front door.” Jarod tells her that he has no wife and no home. She asks him where he is headed and he says, “Nowhere, anywhere, already been somewhere.” She says that she is headed east so, so is he. She asks him for his name and he tells her. Then she says that her name is Zoe.

Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots pull up to a warehouse and get out. Sydney asks if it the right place. Broots says that it is and Miss Parker offers, “Is it just me or has OZ been seriously rezoned.” They knock on the door and a little peephole is opened. The man behind the door asks what they want… Miss Parker starts to give him a story, but she gives that up and says that Jarod sent them. The man says that she must be Dorothy… Broots thinks that they must be the Lion and the Tinman… Miss Parker tells him that he is Toto at best. The man opens the door for them. Once inside they see that the man that opened the door could be one of the Munchkins. He gives them all flashlights and says that they know what to do. He says, “Follow.. Follow.. Follow..” as he walks outside and locks the door behind him. He tells them that they can’t get out without the passwords. Miss Parker is upset, but Sydney says that they will get out when Jarod wants them too. Miss Parker says, “If I only had a brain.” Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots follow the “yellow brick road” that is painted on the ground.

Jarod and Zoe are in the car, Zoe sees two little girls running a lemonade stand. Jarod thinks that are too young to be running and business. Zoe is shocked that Jarod never ran one. The little girls don’t appear to be having much luck… Zoe pulls around the corner and parks. Jarod and she get out and Zoe asks the girls how they are doing? The girls say that they aren’t doing well. Zoe says that she thinks their luck is changing and that she and Jarod are thirsty from driving. Jarod asks how much and the girls say that it is 50 cents a glass. Zoe says that she thinks that they will have to buy the whole pitcher. She pulls out some money and gives both girls a 100 dollar bill. She asks them if that is enough. The girls are shocked and run off to show their mom. Jarod is shocked at what Zoe did, but happy that she did it. Zoe and Jarod try the lemonade and Zoe remembers having a lemonade stand with her sister Katie. She then realizes that there is no sugar in the lemonade but Jarod likes it. She says that he scares her…. but obviously in a good way. He walks towards the car and she stares at him. He smiles at her.

They are in the car. Zoe is singing with the radio and then she tells him to grab a tape from the back seat. He finds a box full of money. She tells him that she doesn’t like writing checks. He doesn’t believe her. He tells her to tell him the truth. He asks, “What did you do rob a bank?” She pulls over and tells him that she did not do anything. That she is only guilty of staying in a bad relationship where Vic, the cop from earlier, would beat her up. She tells him that it is her life savings. She tells him that she has missed out on the “happily ever after”. Jarod apologizes. But all she can say is “Whatever”. She says that when they reach the next town, she will drop him off at a bus stop.

Zoe and Jarod pull up to a gas station where they sell bus tickets. She gets gas and Jarod asks the attendant when the next bus leaves. Jarod watches as a cop slows after seeing Zoe. Jarod turns to the truck behind him. Inside of the truck is a police scanner. He turns up the volume and hears the cop calling in Zoe’s license plate numbers. The report comes back that she is wanted and to use caution when arresting her. The gas station attendant gives Jarod the bus information. They both watch as Zoe is arrested. The man asks if Jarod is going to buy a ticket. Jarod says that he is not.

Zoe is in the police station and is trying to tell the cop about Vic, but he doesn’t seem to believe her. Zoe tells the cop that she won’t be getting back to Warington… where she is wanted. The cop says that her ride will be there soon. Jarod walks in and says that he is there to pick her up. He tells the cop that his name is Jarod Malloy. The cop thought that an Officer Donald’s was going to make the pickup. Jarod says that VINCE ran into the Chief new Lexus. So he won’t be there. The cop asks for the paperwork and Jarod says that he must have forgotten it in Vince’s car. Viv pulls up across the street. Jarod tells the cop that it is his daughter’s birthday and he really wants to get home so if he could fax the form…. the cop agrees a let Zoe go with Jarod. Outside Jarod tells her to get into the car, but she is ranting about how no one has ever done anything like this for her before. She also says that he had her car and her money and he could have taken off with it all but he didn’t. She asks him why he believed her about everything.. She could have made it all up…. He tells her that she told him so he believed it. She gets in the car and kisses him. They drive away.

Zoe and Jarod are on the side of the road. He is changing the license plates with an old truck and she is lying on the hood of the car.. Zoe wants to know who Jarod is. She says that it is obvious that he is not a stock analyst or a cop. He says that he is looking for his family because he was separated from them when he was very young. She tells him that she too is separated from her family but by choice. He can’t imagine not wanting to be with your family. Zoe says that she misses her grandmother and her sister Katie. She says that identical twins are not identical. She says that Katie got all the brains, talent, and sense of humor. She says that no one ever had trouble telling them apart. Jarod says that he is finished with the plates and that the border is only one hour east. She says that she wants to go north now. Jarod asks where. She says that she is going to teach him about something else from childhood that she think he missed out on…. the ROAD TRIP!

We then see them in a mini mart gathering as much junk food as possible. Then we see them in the car with Jarod at the wheel with Zoe in the passenger’s seat. Then they are both eating Pez which Zoe doesn’t seem too acquainted with it. Then we see Zoe saving a turtle from the road, while Jarod is directing traffic to keep the little turtle and Zoe safe. Then they are back in the car and she is asleep against him (LOVELY THOUGHT).

Miss Parker wants to know what they are looking for in this “Oz” recreation…. they see a light and walk towards it. Once they reach the room that it is coming from Miss Parker finds a “good will reject”. Broots tells them that it is G.I. Joe and that he had one just like it as a child. Broots says that he had the same cloths, same fake scar and …..Broots turns it to look at the foot where he finds a B carved into it…. the same B carved in the foot. Sydney asks Broots if it is his same G. I. Joe. Broots doesn’t think that it is possible. Miss Parker says that they have entered the “Jarod Zone”.

Broots tells them that G.I. Joe was his best friend. When he was 12 he go the measles and that he spent all summer in the hospital where he almost died. Broots says that none of his friends could visit him and when his brother came he brought the G.I. Joe. Broots says that it reminded him of home, and his room. That doll made everything so much better. Broots says that he thinks G.I. Joe saved his life. Sydney says that Broots never mentioned it to them before and Broots says he didn’t really remember it until… Miss Parker says, “Jarod reminded you.”

Zoe is behind a tree changing on the side of the road. Jarod waits patiently. Zoe comes running out and asks him what he thinks. He tells her that she look beautiful. But why the change? She wants him to pretend for her one more time.

The pull up to a house and Jarod still doesn’t know what is going on. Zoe knocks on the door. A woman comes out overjoyed to see Zoe. They hug and Zoe says, “Hi grandma.” Zoe’s grandmother says that she was worried that something had happened to her. Zoe says something has and then she introduces Jarod… her husband… Jarod is shocked… Zoe says that Jarod is sweet and kind and spoils her as much as she (Zoe’s grandma) used to. Zoe’s grandmother says that Zoe’s sister Linda and her husband are here and to come in a share the news. Jarod says, “Let’s go in a share the good news honey.”

Zoe and Jarod walk into the living room. Zoe’s grandma tells Linda that Zoe is a newlywed. Zoe says hi to Linda but is not able to remember Linda’s husband’s name. Linda says his name is Greg. Linda is upset about it and that Zoe never came to their wedding….

Linda says that mom is still chairing the lady’s group at the club and Mark and his wife just had their second child. Zoe tells Jarod that Mark is their brother. Linda brags that Mark is taking over the firm for dad.

Then Linda asks Jarod what he does. He says a little of this and that. Zoe says that he is being modest that really he is an Aerospace Engineer and that he designs commercial jet liners. Greg says that it is a small world. He says that he runs the FFA’s Propulsion Research Facility in Red Valley. Zoe looks worried. Greg asks, “What do you make of these new 6250’s coming out of Northum.” Greg and Linda both think that they have caught Zoe in a lie but Jarod replies, “Well, they’ll look a lot better after they sort out there pre-ignition wire bus problems. The SQ Gyro platform tends to shimmy at high RPM’s which could through off the whole telemetry.” Greg and Linda, and Zoe for that matter are all amazed.

Miss Parker says that Jarod is a jerk, and all this proves it. Miss Parker, Sydney, and Broots walk into a room where there is an older fashion phonograph. Miss Parker says if it starts playing somewhere over the rainbow she is going to break it into a million pieces. Sydney tells her to wait and he picks up the record off the phonograph. It is a French song…”De La Rouge”… the language of love. Sydney put the song on to play. Sydney proceeds to tell them that after he a Jacob were released from the camps by the allies, he and Jacob had to make their way back to their home. When they arrived they found nothing but rubble, but in it was this record still entact. He says that it was his mother’s favorite song. His mother would put it on a dance around with his father. Sydney says that he and Jacob loved to watch them. Sydney says that he thought he had lost it years ago. Miss Parker thinks that Jarod is trying to tell them something.

Jarod is looking at picture of Zoe and Katie and of others. Zoe’s grandma says that it is not easy losing a twin. Jarod is amazed. He had no idea. He can only imagine losing a twin. Jarod says that Zoe ran away after Katie died. Zoe’s grandmother says that she has a feeling that she can worry less. Zoe comes in and asks what they are gossiping about and Zoe’s grandmother says, “It is none of your business.” Zoe’s grandmother tells them to sleep tight.

Zoe and Jarod go up to “their room”. Zoe is amazed at Jarod’s pretending abilities. Jarod is confused as to why she wants them to believe a lie. She says that she has always been the family screw up. Jarod says she should care what they think about it. She says that she doesn’t, except for her grandmother. She wants her to believe that she has turned her life around. She wants her to believe that she is happy even if it is a lie… “It will be easier for her that way.” Zoe heads for the bathroom…. Jarod stops her asking her what she meant by that. She says nothing. Zoe says that she knows how they can really convince them that they are newlywed… then she goes into the bathroom. Jarod sits on the bed and notices unfilled prescriptions.

Zoe comes out of the bathroom wearing a sexy outfit…Jarod looks sad. She asks him what’s wrong and he asks her, “How long have you known you were sick?” Zoe is frustrated. She tells him that she has known for three weeks. He tells her that she needs to take the medicine for the cancer or she will die. Jarod says that he is going to the drug store tomorrow. She says that she doesn’t want him to. She tells him that she has seen people fight this cancer and the cure is worse than the disease. She says that most of them die anyway. He tells her that there are new treatment… she says that now he is a doctor. She tells Jarod that she has accepted it and that she thinks it is a good thing. It helped her to leave Vic and find him. It also brought her to see her grandmother again. He tells her that she can’t give up without a fight and she tells him that she can. She swears him to secrecy despite his protests. She lies down on the bed and then reaches back for Jarod. He takes her hand and lies down with her. She sleeps wrapped up in his arms.

Miss Parker wants to shoot her way out of “this madhouse”, but Sydney says that they can’t until they find what Jarod left for her. Broots thinks that they found it as they enter yet another area. They find a basket. Broots says that it looks like the basket that Dorothy kept Toto in. Miss Parker says that if Jarod found her old dog Mr. Shuckles… this won’t be pretty. They open the basket and inside find a thimble. Miss Parker says that her family didn’t spend a lot of time together, but one day there was a big storm and they were trapped together in the house. Broots thinks that they all sowed something and they all laugh. Miss Parker gives Broots a friendly shove and says no they played monopoly… She says they played monopoly all day and into the night. Daddy was the shoe, mom was the car, and I was the thimble. A single tear rolls down her cheek. Broots wonders why Jarod is helping them to remember all of this. Miss Parker says, “There’s no place like home.” They realize that those are the passwords.

We see the man who locked them in the warehouse… saying that he wants to hear the words one more time. Inside Miss Parker says that they have said it three times already. Outside he says he wants to hear it with the shoes clicking. She tells him that he is going to hear it with the clicking of her 9mm if he doesn’t open the door. He opens the door for them.

At Zoe’s grandmother’s house, Zoe and Jarod are getting everything into the car. Zoe’s grandmother doesn’t want them to go, but Zoe wants says that Jarod has a conference that they will be late for. Jarod looks guilty as though he has told the lie. Zoe’s grandmother tells Jarod not to keep them away too long and Jarod says that they will be back soon.

Zoe gives her grandmother an early birthday present which is the box that she kept all her money in. (I think that she gave her the money, but they never tell us.) Zoe tells her not to open it until after they leave. They hug and Zoe gets in the car and they drive off. Zoe thanks Jarod for keeping the promise, but Jarod still thinks that she should tell her family. Zoe wants her to remember her like this. Jarod says, “Driving a way one last time.” Zoe says, “No, happy.” She wants Jarod to be happy too. She turns the radio on and it says something about a carnival. Zoe tells Jarod to take her to a carnival.

Miss Parker, Broots, and Sydney walk into The Centre to find a fake witch waiting for them with a note attached that says, “From the Wizard.” Broots says that there is a certain resemblance to…. but stops himself before he says Miss Parker…. however, she knows what Jarod meant and say that she is going to take it as a compliment. Miss Parker sees a pitcher of water on a table nearby. She picks it up and throws it on the witch. The witch cackles as she melts. Once she has melted, they discover yet another gold brick that tells them to return to the scarecrow. Miss Parker says, “Broots, call the airstrip. Tell them to get my broomstick fired up. We’re going back to Kansas.”

Zoe and Jarod pull up to a motel. She is telling him that she has never seen anyone win that many games at a carnival. He tells her that it is all a matter of geometry and physics… then he say that he worked as a carnie for a while and he knows all there tricks. They are headed towards there room when Zoe spies the pool. She heads towards it. Jarod asks her where she is going. He follows her. She says that she wants to take a dip and he tells her that he doesn’t have his bathing suit. She tells him that she doesn’t have one either. She figures out that he has never gone skinny-dipping before. Zoe jumps into the water. She finally gets him in the water, and they start kissing and that is the beginning of a romantic interlude.

The next morning, we see Jarod lying in bed in their hotel room. Zoe handcuffs him to the bed. He wants to know what she is doing know. She tells him that she has had an amazing time with him. They kiss, but Zoe then says that she did plan on falling in love with him. He wants to know about this plan and she says the plan is to end things her way. He tells her to give him that key and she throws it in the bathroom. She tells him to pretend that he never meet her. She leaves and he becomes upset. Zoe walks out with her bags, and Jarod starts to hit the cuffs with the phone.

Zoe is in the parking lot trying to get into the car when Vic comes up from behind her and tries to stop her. Vic says that he is taking her home and she says that she is not going with him. He says that he hopes that she didn’t blow all the money. She says it is her money and he says it was theirs. She tells him that he can have the money, but he can’t have her. He grabs her and asks if she wants to take him on. Jarod says that he will if he has to. -He has freed himself- Vic is upset thinking that Zoe has cheated and pulls his gun on them both. Vic tries to arrest Jarod, but Jarod puts up a fight and eventually get the best of Vic, by knocking him out. Jarod handcuffs Vic to a nearby car and Zoe drives off leaving them both behind. Jarod yells for her as she leaves.

Zoe is standing on the edge of a cliff. Jarod appears behind her and calls out to her. She asks how he found her and he says her grandmother. He tells her that Katie’s death was an accident. She tells him that she dared Katie to climb up there and so she did it and then suddenly she was gone. Zoe says that Katie should have lived because she was funnier and smarter. Jarod says that she is punishing herself for her sister’s death and that is why she is not fighting the cancer. He says that it all has nothing to do with going out with a bang… it has to do with her not believing that she deserves to beat it. She says that she is scared. He says he will help, but there is only one place to do it, with the people that you love.

Sydney wants to know why Jarod brought then all the way back out there if nothing has changed. Broots notices that the shoes on the scarecrow did change to rubies sneakers. Sydney finds a note from Jarod. (See the Picture.)

Zoe is back with her family. Jarod wants to make sure she is okay being with her family. She tells him that he is in her heart. He says that he wants to stay, but she says that she knows that he can’t. She thanks him for helping to find her way home. He says, “Good-bye.” She says, “You ever says that word again, I’ll kick your butt.” She goes back with her family. He wants to stay but know that he cannot and he turns and walks away. Jarod turns stops and thinks about turning around and going back to Zoe, but he knows that if he does he will be putting her in danger with The Centre. He goes on his way to search for his own family.

The screen fades to black……