RIVERDALE

"Chapter 6A: Carnival of Souls"

Written by Taylor Cyr

Spec Episode of "Riverdale"

 RIVERDALE

“Chapter 6A: Carnival of Souls”

Taylor Cyr

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. SISTERS OF QUIET MERCY - POLLY’S BEDROOM - DAY

POLICE comb through the abandoned room. They snap pictures of

the jagged, bloody edges of the broken window and the
stripped bed. The mattress is flipped against the wall.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
This town didn’t believe in ghosts
until Jason Blossom’s death. But
death has a way of tainting places.
Making people superstitious.

SERIES OF QUICK SHOTS

-- The woods outside Riverdale.

-- The churning river.

-- The dejected, closed-down Bijou Movie Theatre with its

ghostly shadows and abandoned lot.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
The thing about ghosts is: once you
start believing in them, you start
to see them everywhere.

INT. COOPER HOUSE - KITCHEN - DAY

A large map is spread out over the kitchen table, THE

COOPERS presiding over it. ALICE stares at the map with her
chin in her hand. BETTY sits at the counter, her eyes far
away.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
Eventually, you learn to
distinguish one from another.
(MORE)
 2.

JUGHEAD (V.O.) (CONT'D)

You understand which ghosts want to
stay dead, and which ones are
trying to come back.

HAL approaches from behind Alice and puts a hand on her

shoulder.

HAL
We’ll find her.

ALICE
The police should be doing a better
job. She should already be found.

HAL
They can only do so much. We’re
helping them by giving them
manpower. All the volunteers coming
out today are going to make a
difference, Alice.

ALICE
And what if it’s not enough?

HAL
It will be. Everyone’s coming out
to help.

ALICE
Did we print the maps to hand out?

Hal smiles softly and gestures to Betty.

HAL
Betty has them.

Betty doesn’t hear her name being used. She continues to

stare into space, obviously troubled. Hal prompts her gently.

HAL (CONT’D)
Betty?

Alice snaps.

ALICE
Betty!

Betty jolts to attention. She blinks and looks between her

parents. Hal gives her an apologetic smile.

HAL
The maps, sweetie. Do you have
them?
 3.

Betty points to a stack of folded up papers on the edge of

the counter.

BETTY
Right there.

Alice isn’t going to let her get away that easy.

ALICE
Do you understand how important
this is? The first 24 hours in a
missing persons case is crucial.
Today’s search is going to be
invaluable to Polly’s safety.

BETTY
I know that, Mom.

ALICE
I don’t want you wasting your time
with your friends today or drifting
off into space. We need to be
vigilant. Your sister is depending
on us.

Betty nods and straightens down the front of her puffy

jacket.

BETTY
You’re right, I’m sorry. I promise
I’m here one-hundred percent.

Alice narrows her eyes, but relents.

ALICE
Good.

HAL
We should get going. People are
going to start showing up to the
high school soon.

Betty stands and collects the folded up maps. Hal grabs his
coat and shrugs into it. Alice stands immovable, staring at
the map with a dark expression.

ALICE
Let’s hope it’s enough.

END OF TEASER
 4.

ACT ONE

INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - PARKING LOT - DAY

Betty hands out maps to a group of five high schoolers

leaning up against cars. KEVIN and MOOSE each take one.
JUGHEAD stands behind Betty with his hands in his pockets.

BETTY
Thanks for coming, guys. I know
this is the last place anyone wants
to be on the weekend.

KEVIN
This is way more important than
what I was planning to do with my
Saturday. We’re here for you,
Betty.

Betty gives him an exhausted smile, then turns. She backs

away from the cars and heads back into the crowd of various
townspeople and volunteers. Jughead falls into step with her.

JUGHEAD
Hey, take a second to breathe.

BETTY
I can’t. My mom is in full dictator
mode about this.

Jughead weaves his way through the crowd to follow a few

steps behind Betty, his head down.

JUGHEAD
I know. Just remember it’s gonna be
a lot harder help to Polly if you
burn yourself out.

BETTY
I’m fine, Juggie.

We see a YOUNG WOMAN in the distance staring at the back of

Betty’s head. She is noticeably pregnant. Jughead notices.
Betty doesn’t.

While Betty is distracted by passing out another round of

maps, Jughead abandons her to investigate.

The girl sees him coming. She’s spooked. She darts left,
getting lost in the crowd. Jughead quickens his pace,
maneuvering around bodies before realizing-- damn, lost her.
 5.

EXT. RIVERDALE HIGH - FOOTBALL FIELD - DAY

VERONICA and HERMIONE --dressed fabulously even for a manhunt-

- arrive and group up with their search party. From the other
direction, ARCHIE and FRED approach. Hermione laughs and
moves to fix the collar of Fred’s jacket.

HERMIONE
Did you forget your coffee this
morning?

FRED
Didn’t think I’d need it for a
search party.

He looks sheepish.

HERMIONE
That’s where you’re wrong. What
would you do without me?

She brushes down his shoulders and then steps back, admiring
her work. Fred is super romanced.

FRED
I honestly have no idea.

Veronica stares at them, fuming. She grabs Archie’s arm and

tugs him aside.

VERONICA
Can I talk to you for a minute?

They step a considerable distance from their parents, who

cease to notice them. Archie tries to shake out of Veronica’s
grasp.

ARCHIE
Ow! What’s wrong?

VERONICA
Do you see them? This totally has
to stop, Archie.

ARCHIE
Who?

VERONICA
Who else? Your Dad and my Mom. It’s
like they both completely forgot
they’re married to other people.

ARCHIE
Well, technically --
 6.

VERONICA
Technically nothing! This is beyond
unacceptable.

ARCHIE
It’s not like we can do anything
about it.

VERONICA
Actually, I’ve been thinking about
that. I have an idea. It’s a long
shot, but I think it will work.
Desperate times call for desperate
measures.

ARCHIE
Just tell me.

VERONICA
Not here, somewhere out of earshot.

She grabs Archie’s arm again, gives their parents one last
withering glance, and then drags him up the steps to the
building.

INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - PARKING LOT - DAY

Betty leans up against a car, away from the volunteers. She’s

exhausted. Her head rocks back and closes her eyes. Just for
a second.

Jughead startles her.

JUGHEAD
You okay?

Betty nods wearily.

BETTY
All of this, all these people
coming out to help look for Polly --
it just makes me feel really
guilty. I didn’t even know some of
these people were friends with her.
Sometimes I feel like she’s this
giant, gaping mystery to me even
though she’s my sister. I should
have been there for her.

JUGHEAD
Hey, there’s no point thinking like
that now. Your parents didn’t make
it easy for you.
(MORE)
 7.

JUGHEAD (CONT'D)
Polly knows you would do anything
for her, I’m sure of it.

Betty gives him a reluctant smile.

BETTY
You’re right.

JUGHEAD
Not to ruin a good moment but --
have you noticed any pregnant
chicks following you?

BETTY
Excuse me?

JUGHEAD
There was a girl staring at you
earlier. I tried to figure out what
she wanted but when she saw me
coming she got spooked and ran.

Betty pushes herself off the car.

BETTY
What did she look like?

JUGHEAD
Super pregnant. Definitely not a
high schooler. Probably Polly’s
age.

BETTY
Where did you see her?

JUGHEAD
She was at the edge of the parking
lot.

Betty grabs his hand.

BETTY
Come on, we have to find her!

Betty sets her maps down on the hood of the car and starts
off towards the edge of the lot.

EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD - BLEACHERS - DAY

Veronica clasps her cardboard cup of coffee in between her

hands while she looks at Archie. He gives her a nervous
smile. A scheming Veronica is the most dangerous version of
Veronica, after all.
 8.

VERONICA
Since our parents aren’t going to
deal with this on their own, we’re
going to give them a little push.

ARCHIE
What kind of push?

Veronica flips her hair and straightens her shoulders. Here

it comes.

VERONICA
I’m going to call my Dad and tell
him what’s going on.

Archie doesn’t conceal his surprise very well. Veronica

doesn’t notice, or doesn’t care, and preens.

ARCHIE
Veronica, I know you don’t approve
of them being together but don’t
you think that’s a little extreme?

VERONICA
What do you mean?

Archie chooses his words carefully. Hiram Lodge is a scary

thought, but how to say that without offending Veronica?

ARCHIE
Your father...

VERONICA
Why do you look like I just kicked
your puppy?

ARCHIE
I’m just worried about my Dad. We
don’t know what kind of reaction
your Dad might have.

VERONICA
What are you trying to say, Archie?

She’s going to make him come right out and say it. Archie
wilts.

ARCHIE
What if your Dad sends someone to
hurt him? Or something worse?
 9.

VERONICA
Are you serious? You don’t even
know him.

ARCHIE
How well do you know him? Your mom
already told my dad that it’s
dangerous to be with her because of
what your dad might do if he found
out.

Veronica looks like she’s been slapped. Archie backpedals.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)
Sorry, that was harsh. I just
meant...

VERONICA
I know exactly what you meant,
Archie.

ARCHIE
Wait, please, let me explain.

VERONICA
Don’t bother.

Archie grabs for her. She rips out of his grip.

VERONICA (CONT’D)
I need to catch up with my search
party group. You should do the
same.

She shoves past him and jogs back down the bleachers in her
impeccable boots.

INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - WOODS BY THE PARKING LOT - DAY

JUGHEAD
There.

Jughead points to the Pregnant Girl trying to head further

into the woods. Betty goes on full alert. She pushes through
parents and high schoolers like a linebacker.

The Pregnant Girl vanishes behind a row of cars, unaware

she’s being pursued.

BETTY
Come on!
 10.

Betty and Jughead turn down the aisle. The Pregnant Girl is
just up ahead.

BETTY (CONT’D)
Hey! Stop!

The Pregnant Girl turns, startled. Betty jogs to meet her

with Jughead just a few steps behind. The Pregnant Girl
recognizes Betty.

PREGNANT GIRL
You’re her sister. Polly’s sister,
right?

Jughead and Betty exchange a glance. Jughead steps towards

the Pregnant Girl. She stands still, but looks flighty.

JUGHEAD
Just so you know, this is probably
the worst time to be acting like
you’ve got something to hide in
Riverdale history.

BETTY
You know Polly?

The Pregnant Girl looks from Betty to Jughead. She wrings her
hands. She trusts Betty, but not this weirdo with the pointy
hat.

BETTY (CONT’D)
It’s okay, he’s with me.

The Pregnant Girl seems to relax. Her hands drop to her

sides.

PREGNANT GIRL
I’m sorry I ran away before. I
wasn’t sure if it was safe. I just
came to talk to you. Polly asked me
to.

Betty is on full alert. Beside her, Jughead is skeptical.

BETTY
You know where Polly is?

The Pregnant Girl shakes her head.

PREGNANT GIRL
No, but she wanted me to give you a
message.
 11.

JUGHEAD
Not cryptic or creepy at all.

Betty cuts him a look. Stop talking. She turns back to the
Pregnant Girl, a little wild-eyed.

BETTY
A message? I don’t understand.

PREGNANT GIRL
Polly told me to tell you that you
should stop looking for her. It’s
too dangerous.

BETTY
That doesn’t make any sense...

PREGNANT GIRL
There’s more.

The Pregnant girl comes closer and lowers her head

conspiratorially, as if she’s afraid someone might overhear.

PREGNANT GIRL (CONT’D)

We need your help. We need you to
finish what your sister started.

Betty and Jughead exchange an alarmed look.

END OF ACT ONE

 12.

ACT TWO

EXT. WOODS - TREE LINE - DAY

The Pregnant Girl stands up against a tree. Jughead leans

against another. Betty checks around the trees to make sure
they’re really alone.

She then stands in front of the Pregnant Girl like a

prosecutor, arms folded over her chest.

BETTY
Polly wants me to finish
some...secret project she started?

JUGHEAD
Does that sound like Polly?

BETTY
I don’t know. Maybe? I feel like
I’ve missed so much, maybe I don’t
know her at all.

JUGHEAD
(to the Pregnant Girl)
What exactly is this project?

The Pregnant Girl shakes her head vigorously. Her hands fold
protectively on top of her belly.

PREGNANT GIRL
I don’t want to say. It’s still too
dangerous.

BETTY
Can you tell us anything about it?
And can you at least tell us your
name?

PREGNANT GIRL
My name is Julie. But you need to
go to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.
I’m sorry, I can’t say more...I’m
sworn to secrecy.

JUGHEAD
That’s not a lot to go on.

JULIE
Please. I got out...but the others
need help. Without Polly, it’ll
fall apart. You’re Polly’s sister,
you could help us.
 13.

Betty bites her lip. She looks to Jughead for help but he’s
staring at the Pregnant Girl.

JULIE (CONT’D)
They don’t have anyone.

Betty frowns, conflicted. Jughead approaches Betty like he’s

approaching a wounded bird.

JUGHEAD
What do you think?

BETTY
I don’t know, Juggie. If this is
important to Polly, then I have to
try, right? Maybe it’ll help us
find her to look into this.

JUGHEAD
But...

BETTY
But, if my mom finds out I’m
ditching the search to do this she
will lose her mind.

JUGHEAD
Both good points. It’s up to you,
Betty.

BETTY
But what do you think?

Jughead slides a look at the Pregnant Girl.

JUGHEAD
I think this has crazy written all
over it. I don’t want you to chase
something that ends up being just
as crazy. But you’re right, this is
the only lead we have.

Betty groans. She rubs her temples.

JUGHEAD (CONT’D)
I say we go for it. If it ends up
being nothing, we come back before
anyone knows we’re gone.

BETTY
You sure you want to come?

JUGHEAD
You’re not doing this alone.
 14.

JULIE
Oh thank you, thank you so much!
Polly was right about you!

Betty and Jughead startle, as if they’ve forgotten she’s

there.

BETTY
Are you...going to be okay?

JULIE
Yes, thank you. I’ll sleep better
knowing you’re going to get the
others out.

Betty turns to Jughead.

BETTY
Let’s go.

JUGHEAD
Lead the way.

EXT. RIVERDALE HIGH - PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUS - DAY

Betty and Jughead make their way across the parking lot.
CHERYL cuts them off with a saccharine smile.

CHERYL
Who was that?

BETTY
What?

CHERYL
That girl you were talking to by
the woods. Very clandestine of you,
by the way. I almost didn’t catch
it.

Betty and Jughead share a look.

BETTY
I don’t know what you’re talking
about.

CHERYL
No? Well, perhaps you can answer my
second question. Where are you two
going?

BETTY
Um...
 15.

CHERYL
You wouldn’t be leaving the search
party for your own sister for a
secret lovers tryst now, would you?

JUGHEAD
Back off, Cheryl.

CHERYL
Down, boy.
(beat)
Look, don’t treat me like I’m an
idiot and I won’t poke at your
adorable Lady and the Tramp love
affair.

BETTY
Cheryl...

CHERYL
It’s my hypothesis that, that
charming expectant mother gave you
a clue about Polly’s whereabouts
and you’re leaving to track her
down.

Jughead and Betty are silent. They’re trapped.

CHERYL (CONT’D)
How did I do?

BETTY
What do you want, Cheryl?

CHERYL
Isn’t it obvious? I want in.

JUGHEAD
I thought you hated Polly.

CHERYL
Things have changed. Betty’s sister
is now the vessel through which my
baby niece or nephew will come into
this world-- which makes finding
Polly a priority for me.

BETTY
And if we say no?
 16.

CHERYL
Well then I’m sure your parents
would be thrilled to learn that
their only remaining daughter has
left the search for a romp with
Riverdale’s most dashing
delinquent.

JUGHEAD
Really nice.

Cheryl smiles proudly. She has Betty and Jughead right where
she wants them, and they know it. She claps her hands
together.

CHERYL
So! No time to waste! Where are we
headed?

INT. ANDREWS RESIDENCE - ENTRANCE - DAY

Archie and Fred walk through the doors. Fred takes off his
hat and Archie shoulders his way in behind him. His face is a
storm cloud of indecision.

Fred notices. Archie usually doesn’t brood this much. He

falls into step with him and nudges him with his shoulder.

FRED
Everything okay?

Archie tries to rearrange his features into his Everything is

okay face. It fails spectacularly.

ARCHIE
Sure, why?

FRED
Veronica looked upset this morning.
Something going on between you two?

Archie shuts down.

ARCHIE
We’re just fighting about a school
project. It’s nothing.

Fred obviously doesn’t buy it. This isn’t his first teenage-
angst rodeo, after all.

FRED
This is a pretty crazy time. You
kids are under a lot of stress.
(MORE)
 17.

FRED (CONT'D)
Maybe she just needs some time to
cool off.

ARCHIE
Yeah, maybe.

FRED
Or, you could tackle the problem
head on and talk about it like
adults.

Archie gets the sense there’s a lecture in there somewhere.

He doesn’t engage.

FRED (CONT’D)
Why don’t you invite her out to eat
tonight and talk about it? There
are only a couple of things I can
think of that Pop’s milkshakes
can’t solve.

Archie considers.

ARCHIE
That’s actually not a bad idea.

FRED
When have I ever had a bad idea?

He’s joking. Archie notices and smiles. With renewed gusto,

he takes out his phone.

ARCHIE
I’ll text her and ask.

Fred claps Archie on the shoulder and continues into the

kitchen. Archie pauses to look at his phone. He has a new
message.

He reads the message. It’s from GRUNDY.

GRUNDY (TEXT)
I miss you. Come meet me?

INT. SISTERS OF QUIET MERCY - LOBBY - DAY

Betty, Jughead and Cheryl stand in the lobby with a stern NUN
in front of them.

NUN
Absolutely not.
 18.

BETTY
Please, this is important.

NUN
I won’t have you snooping around
here and disturbing the other
girls. They’ve already been through
enough.

Betty opens her mouth to try a different angle when Cheryl

steps forward and physically pushes her aside.

CHERYL
As I’m sure you are aware, this
institution is under heavy scrutiny
right now. You can’t afford another
public scandal -- which we would be
happy to provide. When everyone
hears how the terrible hags who let
a pregnant girl run away wouldn’t
let her poor sister in to see --

NUN
All right, all right. You’ve made
your point.

The nun raises a warning finger.

NUN (CONT’D)
But I want you out in twenty
minutes.

Cheryl goes from terrifying ‘let me speak to your manager’

mode to all smiles.

CHERYL
Wonderful, thank you so much.

She turns and smiles at Betty and Jughead. Betty is a little

shocked and makes sure to thank the nun while following after
Cheryl.

BETTY
Thank you so much, I promise we’ll
be quick.

The nun glares. Betty and Jughead jog to catch up with

Cheryl. The nun watches on from behind them, radiating
disapproval.

Jughead checks over his shoulder and waves. The nun huffs and
goes back to her work.
 19.

CHERYL
See? What would you do without me?
Now -- where’s Polly’s room?

Betty pulls ahead of Cheryl and quickens their pace.

BETTY
This way.

JUGHEAD
Anything from your mom?

Betty checks her phone while walking. After a quick glance,

she pockets it again.

BETTY
Nothing yet, but we should hurry.

INT. SISTERS OF QUIET MERCY - POLLY’S ROOM - DAY

Betty, Jughead and Cheryl are in Polly’s room. Everything is

back where it should be but it’s almost too perfect. It
doesn’t look lived in at all. The broken window is covered
with a tarp.

BETTY
I can’t believe she was here all
that time.

JUGHEAD
Yeah this is straight out of every
horror movie from the 70s.

Cheryl inspects the dust on the desk and rubs it between her
fingers.

CHERYL
Truly revolting.

Betty moves through the room and trails her fingers along the
wall. She doesn’t look disgusted, merely sad. Wind blows
outside and the tarp flaps.

BETTY
It’s really lonely.

CHERYL
Yes, yes it’s all very sad. We’re
here for a purpose, Betty. Let’s
get to it.
 20.

Jughead glares at Cheryl and then tries a gentler approach.

JUGHEAD
If you were Polly, where would you
hide a clue to your super secret
mystery project?

Betty frowns and surveys the room.

BETTY
It would have to be somewhere the
nuns wouldn’t find it.

JUGHEAD
And those nuns look like they’re
pretty thorough.

BETTY
Just start looking everywhere. We
need to do this fast.

Betty starts exploring under the desk. Cheryl picks through

the bed halfheartedly. Jughead pulls the dresser further from
the wall and inspects behind it.

When none of them find anything, they start opening drawers.

Betty gets frustrated and tries to pull the desk back to see
if there’s anything behind it.

BETTY (CONT’D)
This is crazy. What if there’s
nothing here?

JUGHEAD
We just need to think more like
Polly. Did she used to hide stuff
when you were kids?

Frustrated and not really listening, Betty shakes her head.

BETTY
What?

JUGHEAD
Come on, you had to have hid
something from your parents. Did
you guys ever stash your Halloween
candy or anything like that?

CHERYL
Mm. How quaint.

Betty gives her a look and then pauses, considering.

 21.

BETTY
No, not that I can think of...

JUGHEAD
Barbie dolls? Comic books?
Posters? Clothes?

Betty’s eyes widen. She jumps up.

BETTY
Polly had this really old set of
jewelry from our great-grandma. A
bunch of necklaces and pearl
earrings. She didn’t want me
touching them so she hid them.

Cheryl makes a face.

CHERYL
I can only imagine what treasures
Great Grandma Cooper passed down.
Maybe she hid them to keep anyone
from seeing how horrid they were.

JUGHEAD
Quiet, Cheryl.
(to Betty)
Where did she hide them? If she
hid it from you then she could
definitely hide it from crazy nuns.

BETTY
There was a loose floorboard in her
room. She used to lift it up and
hide the set in a box in the floor.

Jughead scans the floors.

JUGHEAD
Okay, look for a messed up
floorboard.

The three of them step carefully around the room. Betty toes
the floorboards with her boot. Cheryl does so with a pointed
heel. Jughead feels around with his hands.

After a moment of searching --

CHERYL
Here!

Betty drops to the floor underneath Cheryl. She hooks her

nails around the loose board and jerks up. It doesn’t budge.
 22.

Betty readjusts her grip determinedly. She gives another

harsh tug. The board lifts with a wooden squelching sound. In
the shadows beneath the floor we see the outline of a blue
journal. Jughead grabs it.

JUGHEAD
Got it.

Betty lowers the floorboard carefully while Jughead flips

open the journal. She and Cheryl both move closer to him to
read along.

JUGHEAD (CONT’D)
We don’t have time to read all
this.

The fan of pages reveals page after page of Polly’s neat,

cursive script.

CHERYL
As fascinating as the inner
workings of Polly Cooper’s mind
might be, Jughead’s right.

Betty looks dismayed. Then, a flash of yellow darts between

the pages.

BETTY
Stop, what’s that?

Jughead turns back the pages.

A yellow post-it note is stick between the pages. In large

block letters it reads: WE SHOULD MEET IN THE SHED BEHIND THE
GARDEN.

EXT. RIVERDALE HIGH - PARKING LOT - DAY

Veronica waits on the sidewalk for her ride. Archie jogs up

to meet her.

ARCHIE
Hey! Veronica! Wait up!

Veronica gives him a look of acknowledgement, but doesn’t

give him the satisfaction of responding. Archie slows down
once he reaches her.

ARCHIE (CONT’D)
Did you get my text?

VERONICA
About meeting up tonight?
 23.

ARCHIE
Yeah, so we can talk.

VERONICA
I don’t know what you want to talk
about, Archie. Pretty sure you said
everything that needed to be said
this morning.

ARCHIE
Look, I’m sorry about that. I
didn’t mean to hurt you. I think if
we start over and talk it out we
can find a compromise.

Veronica sighs and softens.

VERONICA
It’s really hard to stay mad at
you, you know that? I think --

Veronica is interrupted by Archie’s phone ringing. He gives

her an apologetic look while fishing it out of his pocket.

He glances at the caller ID. It’s Grundy.

Veronica sees and makes a face.

VERONICA (CONT’D)
You’re not going to pick that up,
right?

Archie hesitates. Veronica raises a perfectly manicured brow.

Archie shakes himself out of his daze and declines the call.
He pockets his phone again.

ARCHIE
Sorry.

VERONICA
That’s bad news, Archiekins.

Archie avoids her eyes.

ARCHIE
It’s not really your business,
Veronica.

Veronica looks affronted.

 24.

VERONICA
Fine, do what you want. If you want
to chase after cello-predator be my
guest. But if you’re not going to
help me then I’m going with my
original plan and call my Dad. He’s
the only one who can put an end to
this.

ARCHIE
By sending guys to beat up my Dad,
right?

VERONICA
You’re being really immature about
this.

ARCHIE
You’re right, I’m sorry.

VERONICA
Let’s talk tonight, like you said.
I’m willing to hear you out if
you’ve got a better option.

Veronica throws her hair and starts to walk down the

sidewalk. Archie watches her go. He takes his phone out again
and looks at the missed call.

EXT. SISTERS OF QUIET MERCY - GARDEN - DAY

Betty, Cheryl and Jughead make their way through the gardens.
The monolith of the building looms behind them.

The gardens are mostly dead from the cold. The farther they
traverse, the more sparse and yellow it becomes.

JUGHEAD
Definitely horror movie central.

Betty ignores him. She continues walking, her eyes hunting

for anything out of the ordinary. Cheryl is a few steps
behind, looking disgruntled at her surroundings.

Betty points.

BETTY
There -- look!

Behind a cluster of dead thicket stands a dilapidated tool

shed. The door is closed and it looks abandoned.

Jughead makes a face. Cheryl mirrors it.

 25.

CHERYL
You have got to be kidding me.

BETTY
It’s where I would go if I was
trying to hide from nuns.

JUGHEAD
(sotto)
Or get murdered.

They make their way to the front of the shed. There’s a small
path cleared through the underbrush.

Betty arrives at the doors. She looks back at Jughead and

Cheryl nervously and then places a hand on the rotting wood.

Slowly, she opens the right most door.

INT. SISTERS OF QUIET MERCY - SHED - DAY

Inside the shed is a makeshift base of operations. Seven

young girls, at least half of them visibly pregnant, are
interspersed throughout the room.

A few stand in front of a cork board on the far wall that has
a large map spread out on it and bright red thumbtacks poked
through. In the corner there are stockpiles of food,
obviously pilfered from the Sisters of Quiet Mercy itself.
There are bundles of clothes and blankets as well.

The group of girls closest to the entrance are counting money

when Betty and Jughead enter. One of them gasps and tries to
hide the bills behind her back. They all look terrified.Betty
holds up her hands.

BETTY
Hey, hey it’s okay! Don’t be
scared. My name is Betty, I’m
trying to find my sister.

Jughead leans in to whisper to Betty.

JUGHEAD
This is the part where they try to
eat us.

GIRL #1 visibly relaxes. She steps forward and places a hand

on her pregnant stomach.

GIRL #1
Polly said you would come.
 26.

BETTY
What is this?

GIRL #1
It’s a...secret club.

CHERYL
For what?

GIRL #2
We all want to be able to raise our
babies ourselves. Polly started
this group to start accumulating
resources and people on the outside
that could help us get somewhere
safe. Away from our parents, away
from the nuns, away from Riverdale.

CHERYL
This is....unexpected.

JUGHEAD
Don’t the scary nuns wonder where
you all are when you all disappear
for a few hours?

GIRL #2
We’re allowed free time every day.
We switch out members and have a
scout. They don’t really care where
we are as long as they know we
haven’t left the premises.

BETTY
How many girls have you gotten out
so far?

GIRL #1
Just two. Julia was the last one to
get out and she almost got caught
because she ran out of money before
she could get on a bus.

GIRL #2
It’s always risky. Now that Polly’s
gone, it’s been pretty much
impossible. She was the brains
behind everything.

CHERYL
Do you know where she is? Where she
said she was going?

The girls shake their heads.

 27.

GIRL #2
She didn’t even tell us she was
leaving.

Cheryl throws up her hands.

CHERYL
Then you’re useless. This was a
waste of time, Betty.

Betty ignores her, looking troubled.

BETTY
Polly said I could help you?

GIRL #1
She talked about you a lot. She
said if we could get a message to
you, you’d do anything to help.

Betty snaps to attention. Determination suddenly wins over

her guilt.

BETTY
I’ll do whatever I can. It might
even be easier for me than it was
for Polly -- I’m on the outside, I
can get you resources she couldn’t.

CHERYL
Oh please, Betty. We don’t have
time for this.

BETTY
I’m serious. If Polly told you I’d
help, then that’s what I’m going to
do.

The girls smile. Jughead looks wary but keeps his mouth shut.

END OF ACT TWO

 28.

ACT THREE

INT. POP’S CHOCK’LIT SHOPPE - NIGHT

Archie and Veronica sit at a booth with half-empty milkshakes

in front of them.

VERONICA
Look, if you don’t have any
suggestions then we’re basically
back to square one, Archie.

Archie looks exasperated.

ARCHIE
I just don’t see what the big deal
is. I haven’t seen my Dad this
happy in a while.

VERONICA
But he’s married. And so is my mom.
Don’t you feel like...like you’re
betraying your mom by supporting
this?

ARCHIE
My parents have been split up for a
while. And that’s, that’s not the
point, Veronica. They’re both
adults. They can make their own
decisions.

VERONICA
Not if they’re the wrong decisions!

Archie is defeated.

ARCHIE
We’re going in circles.

From behind Veronica, the door to the diner opens. Hermione

and Fred stroll through, unaware Archie is watching them.
Veronica sees Archie’s attention is occupied and turns to
follow his gaze.

VERONICA
What are you -- oh no way.

Archie looks pained.

ARCHIE
Veronica, don’t.
 29.

VERONICA
You said you wanted to consider all
our options, right? Well here’s an
option. We go over to them right
now and ask them if they think
they’re being moral examples for
their children.

Veronica doesn’t wait for him to comply. She jumps out of the
booth and marches towards Fred and Hermione’s. Archie follows
her.

Fred and Hermione look up, surprised to see Veronica and

Archie standing over them. Archie winces. Fred opens his
mouth to say something but doesn’t get a chance before --

VERONICA (CONT’D)
What do you think you’re doing?

HERMIONE
Getting something to eat. Is that a
crime?

Fred gives Archie a questioning look.

VERONICA
So what, are you two dating out in
the open now?

Hermione stiffens.

HERMIONE
Veronica, you are being totally
inappropriate.

VERONICA
Oh, I’m being inappropriate! Coming
from you. That’s funny.

Veronica turns to Archie, looking for back up. Archie is

looking at his phone. He’s holding it low enough that
Veronica can see who it is: Grundy.

VERONICA (CONT’D)
Wow, okay.

Archie declines the call but it’s too late. Veronica gives
him a withering look.

ARCHIE
Sorry, um...
 30.

VERONICA
It’s fine. I didn’t expect you to
help anyway.

Veronica turns and walks off, clearly hurt. Archie stands

awkwardly in front of Fred and Hermione. Hermione stands.

HERMIONE
I’m sorry. I’ve got to go check on
her.

She jogs past the rows of booths to chase after Veronica.

INT. COOPER HOUSE - BETTY’S ROOM - NIGHT

Betty sits on the edge of her bed with her laptop. Jughead
stands by the window looking worried.

BETTY
How hard can it be to get funding?
I could make up a charity and
pretend it’s for the Blue and Gold.
No one would even have to know.

Her fingers drill away at her keyboard.

JUGHEAD
Oh yeah, because lying to people
about money is always a good idea.
(beat)
Betty, I know how important this is
to you but...

Betty doesn’t stop typing.

BETTY
It’s not just important to me,
Juggie. I need to be there for
these girls. Polly wanted me to.

JUGHEAD
This is a huge responsibility. You
can’t do this all by yourself.

BETTY
That’s why you’re helping me,
right?

Jughead comes to sit on the edge of her bed with her.

JUGHEAD
This isn’t a two person job, Betty.
And we have school, and the paper.
(MORE)
 31.

JUGHEAD (CONT'D)
I think Cheryl might have been
right...

Betty stops typing.

BETTY
I’m sorry, what?

JUGHEAD
Our focus right now should be
finding Polly, not worrying about
others!

BETTY
You’re the one who convinced me to
pursue this! And you’re backing out
now because of something Cheryl
Blossom said?

JUGHEAD
No, because I’m worried about you.

BETTY
I told you, I’m fine.

JUGHEAD
When’s the last time you took a
break from this? You’re getting
consumed by this. I just don’t want
to see you get hurt.

BETTY
Don’t patronize me. If you’re not
going to help, you can leave.

Betty goes back to her typing. Jughead sees its a lost cause
and stands up. He goes to the door but turns back to say:

JUGHEAD
Helping these girls isn’t going to
bring Polly back.

Betty’s hands freeze on her keyboard.

BETTY
Get out.

Jughead pushes the door open and leaves.

EXT. POP’S CHOCK’LIT SHOPPE - PARKING LOT - NIGHT

Hermione catches up with Veronica. She touches her shoulder

and pulls her around.
 32.

HERMIONE
What’s gotten into you, mija?

Veronica has tears in her eyes when she turns around to face
her mother. Hermione softens.

HERMIONE (CONT’D)
Talk to me, Veronica.

Veronica avoids her eyes.

VERONICA
Look, Mom, I know why you like Mr.
Andrews. I know he makes you happy.

Veronica wipes her eyes.

VERONICA (CONT’D)
But it still doesn’t make it right.
I feel like we’re both betraying
Dad and I can’t do anything to stop
it.

HERMIONE
Oh, baby, you’re not. I’m so sorry,
I didn’t know how much this was
affecting you.

Hermione rubs her shoulders.

VERONICA
It’s just so hard because I know he
makes you happy and that you can
make your own decisions but...I
love Daddy too and it’s not fair to
him.

HERMIONE
You’re right. You’re absolutely
right. This has been so much
pressure on you. I’m sorry.

Veronica sniffs and steels herself.

VERONICA
I’m going to call him.

HERMIONE
You’re what?

VERONICA
He has a right to know.
 33.

HERMIONE
Veronica, you don’t know what your
father is capable of...

Veronica brushes her hands off.

VERONICA
Maybe you should have thought of
that before you started seeing him.

HERMIONE
That’s beneath you.

Veronica glares at her, tears still shining in her eyes. One

falls down her cheek and she furiously wipes it away.

VERONICA
It’s not fair, Mom. None of this is
fair. I’m so conflicted and I don’t
know what to do and now Archie is
probably mad at me too on top of it
all. I feel like I’m literally
going to explode from the stress.

Hermione is alarmed. Veronica isn’t playing around, she’s

really upset about this. Any opposition Hermione had fades
away at this realization.

HERMIONE
Veronica, Archie is your friend. He
understands. And so do I.

She brushes Veronica’s cheeks with her perfectly manicured

thumbs.

HERMIONE (CONT’D)
I’m so sorry it took me so long to
realize how much you were hurting.
I’m going to talk to Fred, okay?
I’ll break things off.

Veronica is surprised, but hopeful.

VERONICA
Mom...are you sure?

Hermione collects her into her arms and kisses her forehead.

HERMIONE
Of course, mija.

They hug. Over Veronica’s shoulder, Hermione’s face looks

troubled as she stares into the dark.
 34.

INT. COOPER HOUSE - POLLY’S ROOM - NIGHT

Betty enters Polly’s room and sighs. She moves to the bed and
trails her fingers along the tightly made comforter. She
moves to her dresser and sits down at the vanity.

Alice bursts into the room, startling Betty.

BETTY
Mom, I -

ALICE
Don’t start. Where were you today?

BETTY
I was...looking for Polly.

ALICE
You were looking for Polly? And how
exactly were you doing that by
abandoning the search?

Betty averts her eyes.

BETTY
It’s complicated, Mom.

ALICE
You were with Jughead, weren’t you?

BETTY
That has nothing to do with it.

ALICE
What am I supposed to think, Betty?
Your sister is missing, she could
be hurt, or dead and you’re out
doing god knows what with that
degenerate! Isn’t what happened to
Polly enough?

BETTY
Don’t insult him! He’s nothing like
Jason. Besides, we were following a
lead on Polly!

ALICE
Where?

BETTY
At the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.
Polly started a group there with
the other girls who were trying
to...
 35.

Alice looks immediately suspicious.

ALICE
To what?

Betty realizes she’s talked herself into a trap.

BETTY
To...escape.

Alice laughs incredulously.

ALICE
That’s ridiculous. Polly was too
smart for that, she would never!

BETTY
You trapped her there, Mom! What
did you expect her to do? She
wanted to leave with Jason and
raise her baby and you kept her
prisoner!

Alice turns to ice.

ALICE
Jason Blossom would have ruined
Polly’s life.

BETTY
You ruined her life!

ALICE
How dare you! All I’ve ever tried
to do is protect her! And now she’s
missing and you couldn’t even
bother to help look for her.

BETTY
I thought...

ALICE
I don’t care what you thought,
Betty. Your sister’s life is in
danger...I don’t want to lose you
too, Betty. I need you here.

BETTY
But those girls need me!

ALICE
What those girls need is proper
medical care and supervision.
(MORE)
 36.

ALICE (CONT'D)
You’re putting them in danger by
helping them run away.

Betty starts to get hysterical.

BETTY
You don’t understand!

ALICE
I understand more than you can ever
know. We’re not arguing about this
anymore.

Alice moves to the door. Betty wells her courage.

BETTY
This is exactly why Polly ran away.

Alice freezes in place. She turns back on Betty, her face

furious.

ALICE
If you’d been there today, we might
have found your sister. Think on
that, Betty.

Alice opes the door.

ALICE (CONT’D)
First thing tomorrow we’re going
down to the Sister’s of Quiet Mercy
and shutting this secret group
down.

Alice leaves. Betty looks around Polly’s room helplessly. She

starts to breathe heavily. Her hands clench at her sides.
Blood wells in her palms.

She starts to cry, slow at first but then her emotions begin
to build. She crumples onto the edge of Polly’s bed and sobs.

END OF ACT THREE

 37.

ACT FOUR

INT. ANDREWS HOME - STAIRWAY - DAY

Archie comes down the stairs with his backpack over his
shoulder.

HERMIONE (O.S.)
I convinced her not to call Hiram.

Archie freezes in place. He peers over the stair railing and

sees Hermione standing in the kitchen with Fred.

INT. ANDREWS HOME - KITCHEN - DAY

Hermione and Fred are in the kitchen talking. Fred sits at

the island, Hermione stands across from him.

FRED
I appreciate it.

HERMIONE
But I also told her I’d break
things off.

Fred looks disappointed.

FRED
Oh.

HERMIONE
She was so upset...it was all I
could think to do.

FRED
No, I understand. It was the right
decision.

HERMIONE
Was it?

Painful silence for a moment. Fred looks into his coffee.

FRED
I feel bad, I had no idea this
upset her so much.

HERMIONE
How do you think I feel?

Another awkward beat passes. Hermione is almost tearful.

 38.

HERMIONE (CONT’D)
I’m sorry, Fred.

FRED
Really, it’s okay. We have to do
right by our kids.

HERMIONE
I’ll see you at work?

FRED
Sure, see you then.

Hermione turns to leave.

INT. ANDREWS HOME - STAIRWAY - DAY - CONTINUOUS

Archie inches back up the stairs until he’s in the shadows.

REVERSE ANGLE: Hermione exits the house, exuding both beauty

and sadness. Archie waits a beat and then loudly comes down
the stairs. He heads for the kitchen.

INT. ANDREWS HOME - KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Fred sits at the island with his coffee in front of him

looking morose. He raises his head when Archie comes in.

FRED
How much of that did you hear?

Archie, who was planning on pretending not to have heard

anything at all, pauses. Then he gives in.

ARCHIE
I heard enough. I’m really sorry,
Dad.

FRED
Not your fault, Archie.

ARCHIE
I haven’t seen you that happy in a
long time. Veronica’s mom seemed
pretty happy too.

FRED
Sure, but our happiness isn’t the
only thing that’s important. We’re
parents, and we care about you
guys. We can’t afford to be
selfish.
 39.

ARCHIE
I’m going to talk to Veronica.

FRED
Really, Archie, don’t worry about
it. What’s done is done. It’s
better for everyone this way.

Archie doesn’t look convinced. He’s about to argue when Fred

remembers something.

FRED (CONT’D)
Aren’t you supposed to be at school
already?

Archie checks his watch. He grabs a banana off the counter

and starts to rush out the door.

ARCHIE
I’ll see you later, Dad.

Fred gives him a wave and continues drinking his coffee.

INT. SISTER’S OF QUIET MERCY - LOBBY - DAY

Alice and Betty stand talking to the nun from the other day.
Alice and the Nun’s face are both grim. Betty has her eyes
directed at the floor, looking like she wants to disappear.

NUN
Thank you for bringing this to our
attention. This is a serious
matter.

ALICE
Of course. I just wanted to make
sure you and the other sisters were
aware.

NUN
The safety of these girls is of
utmost importance to us. We will be
taking swift, disciplinary action,
I can assure you.

The Nun fixes Betty with a cold look. Betty doesn’t look up.

ALICE
That’s good to hear. I appreciate
your time, sister.

NUN
Indeed.
 40.

The nun nods. Betty still doesn’t look up.

ALICE
Let’s go, Betty.

Alice marches her out of the Sister’s of Quiet Mercy. As they

move down the hall, Betty spots GIRL #1 peeking out from
behind a door. Betty mouths to her “Sorry.” GIRL #1 looks
away and closes the door.

EXT. SISTERS OF QUIET MERCY - PARKING LOT - DAY - CONTINUOUS

Alice goes around the side of the car and opens the drivers
side door. Betty has her hand on the passenger side.

ALICE
Maybe now you’ll be able to focus
on what’s important.

BETTY
Just because this wasn’t important
to you doesn’t mean it wasn’t
important at all.

ALICE
What’s important to me is finding
your sister. I would have thought
you felt the same.

Betty throws her hands in the air.

BETTY
Look, I’m sorry I’m not perfect,
Mom! I made a mistake! What else do
you want me to say?

ALICE
I don’t expect you to be perfect,
Betty, I --

BETTY
Don’t you? Ever since you sent
Polly away, you’ve been trying to
make sure I don’t end up like her,
right? And now that she’s missing
you’re trying to control every
aspect of what I do and what I say.

ALICE
I’m trying to protect you.

Betty laughs harshly.

 41.

BETTY
Like you tried to protect Polly?
And how well did that work out? No,
what you’re doing is trying to
avoid your guilt by putting
everything on me.

ALICE
That’s not true.

BETTY
Isn’t it? It’s your fault she ran
away and you can’t handle that.

Alice looks furious but says nothing.

BETTY (CONT’D)
If you’re not careful, you’re going
to lose both of us.

Betty enters the vehicle and slams the door shut. Alice
stands outside the car and closes her eyes.

INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - STUDENT LOUNGE - DAY

Veronica sits on one of the couches. She scrolls through her

phone with her free hand.

Archie enters with a cup of coffee and slowly approaches her.

Veronica looks up, frowns, and then immediately looks back
down at her phone.

ARCHIE
Hey, Veronica.

Veronica doesn’t look up.

VERONICA
Hey.

ARCHIE
Can we talk?

He offers her the coffee. That gets her attention. She looks
up warily but eventually puts down her phone and takes the
coffee.

VERONICA
That depends. Are you going to bail
on me in my time of need again to
concentrate on Grundy?
 42.

ARCHIE
I told her not to contact me
anymore. I also deleted her number
from my phone.

Veronica holds out her empty hand. Archie fishes his phone
out of the back of his pants and hands it to her.

Veronica scrolls through suspiciously. A moment passes and

then, apparently satisfied, she smiles and hands it back to
Archie.

VERONICA
I’m impressed.

Archie puts his phone back in his pocket.

ARCHIE
Hey, so your Mom came by this
morning.

Veronica looks surprised as she sips her coffee.

VERONICA
She did?

ARCHIE
Yeah. Pretty sure she was breaking
up with my Dad.

Veronica looks a little guilty.

VERONICA
Wow. Didn’t think she’d actually do
it.

ARCHIE
She really cares about you.

VERONICA
Yeah. How was she?

ARCHIE
She sounded really upset. She might
have been crying.

Veronica is surprised by this.

VERONICA
My mom? Crying?

ARCHIE
It sounded like it.
 43.

Veronica groans.

VERONICA
Ugh. Great. Now I feel bad. I have
literally never seen my Mom cry.
Not even when Dad went to prison.

Archie grimaces.

VERONICA (CONT’D)
Have I been totally ridiculous
about this whole thing?

ARCHIE
No!

VERONICA
Very convincing, Archiekins.

ARCHIE
No, really. I don’t think you’ve
been ridiculous. You were upset and
no one was listening to you.

Veronica sighs.

VERONICA
Seeing them together just makes me
feel really guilty. Like, yeah I
know my Dad messed up but he
doesn’t deserve to be cheated on.
No one deserves that.

She shakes her head and stands up from the couch and takes
the coffee with her. Her face is troubled.

VERONICA (CONT’D)
Thanks for the update, Archie. I’ve
gotta get to class.

She leaves before Archie has a chance to say anything.

INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - BLUE AND GOLD - DAY

Betty sits at the table with the windows at her back. She
looks exhausted from the previous night and following
morning. She stares into space.

The door opens. Jughead walks through, looking as solemn and

broody as ever. Betty looks up, surprised.
 44.

Jughead stops halfway to her as if testing the waters. They

stare at each other for a beat.

Betty suddenly lurches out from her seat and runs towards
him. He opens his arms to embrace her. They hug. It’s cute.

JUGHEAD
I heard about what your mom made
you do this morning. I’m sorry,
that’s really messed up.

Betty sniffles and laughs without humor.

BETTY
Are you surprised?

JUGHEAD
Not even remotely.

They pull apart just enough to look at one another. Betty is

tearful but smiling.

BETTY
I’m really sorry I freaked out on
you. You were just looking out for
me.

JUGHEAD
I probably could have been a little
more understanding. Relationship
conflicts aren’t my strong suit.

BETTY
People aren’t your strong suit.

JUGHEAD
That too.

Betty pulls away from him to gesture through her thoughts.

BETTY
I was just so sure that those girls
were the key to finding Polly. It
was the closest thing we had to a
lead and I thought...I thought that
if I didn’t do everything I could
that I would lose my sister
forever.

JUGHEAD
She’s not lost, Betty. I mean, she
is actively lost right now -- but
that doesn’t mean she’s lost for
good.
 45.

Betty slumps back into her seat.

BETTY
I know you’re right. I just...this
whole time I’ve been feeling like I
barely know Polly at all. My
parents sent her away and then I
never even went to see her.

JUGHEAD
Not your fault.

BETTY
Still, she had this whole other
life that I had no idea about.
Those girls probably know Polly
better than I do. Maybe I thought
if I helped them and devoted all my
time to it, it would be like I was
part of her life again. I don’t
know, is that stupid?

JUGHEAD
It’s very Betty Cooper of you, but
not stupid.

Betty half-smiles but still looks discouraged. Jughead moves

towards her.

JUGHEAD (CONT’D)
Your sister is missing, Betty. This
is a big deal and acting completely
rationally a hundred percent of the
time just isn’t realistic.

BETTY
Yeah, I guess.

Jughead is clearly trying here. He’s not giving up.

JUGHEAD
Just because the Sister’s of Quiet
Mercy was a bust doesn’t mean we’re
going to give up.

Betty starts to look hopeful. Bingo.

BETTY
For someone who isn’t good at
relationships or people, you’re
doing a pretty good job of making
me feel better.
 46.

JUGHEAD
I’ve been practicing. Reading a lot
of self-help books.

Betty’s sad shell finally cracks. She smiles seems to return

to her regular self. She reaches for Jughead’s hand and holds
it. A beat passes.

BETTY
Thanks, Jug.

JUGHEAD
C’mon. We should get to class.

Betty nods and gets up from her seat. She grabs her backpack
and follows him out the door.

INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - HALLWAY - DAY

Archie exits a classroom as the bell rings. Veronica ambushes

him.

VERONICA
Archie, wait up!

Archie turns, alarmed. Veronica looks frazzled.

ARCHIE
Veronica, you okay?

VERONICA
I’m a mess. I’ve been thinking
about this stupid thing all day. I
couldn’t even concentrate in class.

ARCHIE
What’s wrong?

VERONICA
When I came to Riverdale, I
promised myself I would start
fresh. No more mean-girl Veronica,
right?

ARCHIE
Right.

VERONICA
So how am I supposed to be okay
with my happiness being dependent
on my mom’s unhappiness?
(MORE)
 47.

VERONICA (CONT'D)
That’s like the most selfish thing
I’ve ever heard.

Archie has the typical dumb-boy face who doesn’t know what to
say. He lets her keep going.

VERONICA (CONT’D)
I can’t go around saying I’m a
changed woman if I’m being a jerk
to my own mother.

ARCHIE
Okay, well if that’s true, what are
you going to do about it?

VERONICA
I’m going to talk to her tonight
and tell her to get back together
with your Dad. I’m going to slap on
a smile and pretend its okay
because I know it makes her happy.

Archie treads carefully.

ARCHIE
And you’re cool with that?

VERONICA
Cool is a strong word. But I can at
least tolerate it. Besides, forcing
them to break up would probably
make it worse. Maybe I’ll get lucky
and if I just stay out of it, it’ll
fizzle out on its own.
(beat)
My mom has always taken care of me.
Even when I was being stupid. The
Lodge’s look out for each other, so
I guess it’s my turn to look out
for her.

ARCHIE
That’s pretty big of you, Veronica.

VERONICA
Yeah, yeah, don’t make a thing of
it, Andrews.

Archie looks surprised before Veronica’s expression changes.

She’s teasing him.

ARCHIE
What about us?
 48.

She smirks.

VERONICA
What about us?

Archie looks embarrassed.

ARCHIE
I just mean...are you and I okay?

VERONICA
Considering you brought me a coffee
at the perfect temperature and to
my exact qualifications this
morning and gave me some
desperately needed perspective, I’d
say so.

ARCHIE
I do what I can.

Veronica hooks her arm through his and they continue walking.

VERONICA
You do all right, Andrews.

Archie smiles, definitely enjoying the casual flirtation.

He’s back in her good graces.

EXT. RIVERDALE - STREET - DAY

Betty and Jughead walk home from class. Betty is in better

spirits but she pauses mid-step. Jughead stalls and looks
back.

JUGHEAD
What’s up?

Betty searches his face for answers.

BETTY
Do you think those girls are going
to be okay?

Jughead wraps his arm around her shoulders.

JUGHEAD
Yeah, I’m sure they will be.

Betty wants to believe that. She nods and then continues

walking.
 49.

INT. SISTERS OF QUIET MERCY - SHED - DAY

Two nuns enter the shed, surprising the girls inside. The
nuns faces are stern and disapproving. The girls look
stricken -- they’ve been caught.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
Certainty is a strange concept. How
can we ever really be sure of
anything?

The nuns begin to escort the girls out of the shed one by
one.

INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - HALLWAY - DAY

Students mill about, some at their lockers, others standing

near classrooms.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
We were certain Riverdale was a
nice place before Jason Blossom
went missing.

INT. COOPER HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT

Betty, Alice and Hal fold maps at the kitchen table without
speaking.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
We say we’re certain about so many
things. That everything will work
out, that our relationships will
endure, that the people we love
will never hurt us.

INT. THE PEMBROOKE - APARTMENT 305 - NIGHT

Veronica and Hermione sit at the table together, clasping

hands. Hermione smiles and reaches out to tuck Veronica’s
hair behind her ear.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
The truth is, none of us can ever
truly be certain about anything.
 50.

EXT. RIVERDALE - SWEETWATER RIVER - NIGHT

The water surges and churns like black ink. At night, the
river certainly looks sinister enough to have swallowed a
guy.

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
The more certain we are, the less
we actually know.

INT. BLOSSOM HOUSE - CHERYL’S ROOM - NIGHT

Cheryl stands at the window. Her reflection is morose.

EXT. RIVERDALE - WOODS - NIGHT

The woods are dark and ominous looking. It would really suck
to get lost out here, wouldn’t it?

JUGHEAD (V.O.)
And it’s that pervading sense of
the unknown that scares us most of
all.

END OF EPISODE