Story Summary: Noel is dealing badly with his guilt over his and Julie’s Thanksgiving blunder. Felicity is puzzled by everyone’s actions. Ben becomes privy to Noel and Julie’s secret and is put in a position to reveal all or let Noel off the hook. In a private moment Ben’s revelations result in Felicity making a startling decision.
Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters of Felicity. They belong to the WB and it’s creative writers.
OPENING SCENE: NOEL AND FELICITY ARE IN HIS BEDROOM MAKING OUT ON HIS BED. CUT TO BEN AT HIS APARTMENT TALKING ON THE PHONE.
BEN: Sure….come on over.
CUT BACK TO NOEL’S ROOM. THINGS ARE STARTING TO HEAT UP AND SUDDENLY NOEL SITS UP.
NOEL: I can’t do this…Felicity…I….
FELICITY: Noel what’s wrong? Ever since I got back from Palo Alto….you’ve been….weird.
NOEL: Felicity…why do you want to be with me?
FELICITY: What?
NOEL: Why did you pick me instead of Ben?
FELICITY: Do I have to have a reason?
NOEL: I’d really like one.
FELICITY: Noel, please tell me what’s going on here.
NOEL: I guess I just question your motives for picking me.
FELICITY: Noel…I like you. Isn’t that reason enough?
NOEL: Yeah, but you like Ben too.
FELICITY: I’m sorry did you want me to pick Ben?
NOEL: No.
FELICITY: Then stop this….and tell me what’s really wrong.
NOEL: It’s just…I don’t know…I’m sorry it’s nothing.
FELICITY: Look maybe I should go…I have a lot of homework.
NOEL: I really ruined the moment didn’t I?
FELICITY: It’s okay…
FELICITY EXITS NOEL’S ROOM AND SEES JULIE GETTING ON TO THE ELEVATOR. ELENA WHO IS ALREADY INSIDE THE ELEVATOR IS GATHERING UP HER BOOKS AND BAGS TO EXIT.
FELICITY: (shouts) Julie…wait
JULIE FRANTICALLY PUSHES BUTTONS TO MAKE THE DOOR CLOSE. DOORS CLOSES JUST AS FELICITY GETS THERE.
ELENA: No…that wasn’t obvious at all.
JULIE: I just didn’t want to face her.
ELENA: Normally I wouldn’t mind…but I wanted to get off on that floor.
JULIE: Sorry.
CUT TO BEN’S APARTMENT JULIE IS RINGING THE BUZZER.
BEN: Hello?
JULIE: Ben….it’s Julie…can I come up?
BUZZER GOES OFF.
BEN: Sure come on up.
CUT TO FELICITY IN HER ROOM. MEGAN IS INSIDE HER CLOSET RUMMAGING.
FELICITY: So anyway ever since I got back both Noel and Julie have been complete…weirdo’s. So what do you think?…Megan.?
MEGAN: (walks out of closet) What?
FELICITY: I said what do think?
MEGAN: Oh, I’m sorry. Did you think I was listening?
FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) So that’s what I’m reduced to Sally….talking to Megan…which is like talking to a wall.
CUT TO BEN’S APARTMENT. JULIE IS INSIDE.
BEN: So what’s bugging you?
JULIE: Is it that obvious?
BEN: No…I just figured you wouldn’t be here if something wasn’t bugging you.
JULIE: Oh…we’ll something is and it’s big…really…really…big.
BEN: What is it?
JULIE: Can I trust you?
BEN: I assume that’s why you came here…because you thought you could.
JULIE: It’s just that it affects a lot of people that you know and really….like.
BEN: Is this about Felicity?
JULIE: Yes and no.
BEN: We’ll are you going to tell me or not?
JULIE: Okay….maybe you should sit down….maybe I should sit down.
BEN: Julie.
JULIE: Okay….please don’t think of me any less for what I’m about to tell you.
BEN: All right.
JULIE: I slept with….Forget it…. I can’t tell you this.
BEN: You slept with who?
JULIE: No this was a bad idea…I should go.
BEN: Julie who could you have slept with that would make me question your moral’s and that has anything to do with Felicity? Except for Noel….which is ridiculous. Right?
JULIE: I really should go.
BEN: Right Julie?…you sleeping with Noel would be ridiculous?
JULIE: It would be right up there with completely insane.
BEN: So who then?
JULIE: Never mind….thanks for letting me vent.
BEN: Julie…tell me who it is.
BEN’S PHONE STARTS TO RING. HE IGNORES IT.
JULIE: You should get that.
BEN: You stay right here….do not go anywhere.
BEN GOES INTO HIS ROOM AND PICKS UP THE PHONE.
BEN: Hello?
FELICITY: Hi Ben…it’s Felicity….are you busy?
BEN: Kind of…can I call you back?
FELICITY: Sure.
BEN HANGS UP PHONE AND GOES INTO THE OTHER ROOM WERE JULIE IS.
BEN: Okay Julie….Julie?
BEN SEES THAT THE APARTMENT DOOR IS OPEN. AND JULIE IS GONE.
BEN: Great.
CUT TO BEN GETTING OUT OF THE ELEVATOR AT KELVIN. JULIE IS KNOCKING ON NOEL’ S DOOR. BEN STOPS BY ELEVATOR AND WATCHES.
NOEL: What are you doing here?
JULIE: I need to talk to you Noel…this is eating me up inside….I feel so guilty.
NOEL: Are you nuts?…we can’t talk about this out here…come inside.
BEN SEES FELICITY HEADING FOR NOEL’S ROOM. HE INTERCEPTS HER.
BEN: Felicity…
FELICITY: Ben…hi.
BEN: Do you have a minute to talk?
FELICITY: Um…I was suppose to meet Noel at his room in about 3 seconds…can it wait?
BEN: No…it’s important.
FELICITY: Okay…we can go back to my room.
BEN: Thanks.
CUT TO INT. OF NOEL’S ROOM.
JULIE: I have to tell her Noel…I can’t take the guilt anymore.
NOEL: Julie if you do… I will lose her.
JULIE: I know…so will I….but at least I’ll be able to look at myself in the mirror again.
NOEL: Julie…you have to find some way to deal with this…isn’t there someone you can talk to?
JULIE: No…I always talk to Felicity…Well…maybe there is someone.
CUT TO FELICITY’S ROOM. SHE AND BEN ARE SITTING ON HER BED.
FELICITY: So what did you need to talk about?
BEN: About Noel…how are things going?
FELICITY: This was the important conversation that couldn’t wait?
BEN: Yes.
FELICITY: Okay Ben what’s going on here?
BEN: What do you mean?
FELICITY: Everyone I know is acting bizarre…is there some sort of conspiracy I’m not involved in?
BEN: I don’t know what you mean.
FELICITY: I think you do…in fact I think you know a lot more then your telling.
BEN: I should probably go…and let you get back to Noel.
FELICITY: Fine…just keep your little secret.
BEN: It was good seeing you again Felicity.
FELICITY: Yeah…you too.
BEN: I hope you know if you ever need a friend…I’ll be there.
FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) This just keeps getting weirder by the minute….I am convinced that there is a huge secret running around Kelvin Hall that I am not privy to. Paranoia? Maybe…but I don’t think so.
BEN IS KNOCKING ON JULIE’S DOOR. JULIE ANSWERS.
JULIE: Ben…what are you doing here?
BEN: I came to finish our conversation that you ran out on.
JULIE: I really don’t have anything else to say.
BEN: Good…because I do…I have plenty to say…Can I come in?
JULIE: I don’t think….
BEN WALKS INTO JULIE’S ROOM AND CLOSES THE DOOR.
BEN: How could you do it Julie?
JULIE: What are you talking about?
BEN: I’m talking about sleeping with Noel.
JULIE: I never said it was Noel.
BEN: No…but you never said it wasn’t either…so come on deny it to me now….tell me it wasn’t Noel.
JULIE: (upset) I can’t…but Ben it’s not what you think….it was a mistake…we both know that.
BEN: What about Felicity…Julie she’s your friend.
JULIE: Don’t you think I’ve persecuted myself a thousand times for what I did?
BEN: When did it happen?
JULIE: Thanksgiving weekend…Ben we were both really drunk…we had been doing shots of Tequila.
BEN: Are you going to tell Felicity?
JULIE: Noel doesn’t want me to….but I really want to…I just can’t face her with this huge secret hovering over me.
BEN: Julie…you have to tell her…it would just be worse if she found out…who else knows?
JULIE: Just me, Noel, Elena and now you.
FELICITY IS KNOCKING AT NOEL’S DOOR.
NOEL: Hey…(kisses her) come on in.
FELICITY: Noel…what’s going on?
NOEL WALKS OVER TO BED TO PICK UP COAT.
NOEL: I was just going to get my jacket so we could leave.
FELICITY: No…I mean with everyone. Why is everybody talking to me in…I don’t know…code.
NOEL: I’m not sure I know what you mean.
FELICITY: Is there something the matter with…us.
NOEL: No…why would you say that?
FELICITY: Because everyone keeps asking me how things are with us.
NOEL: Really…like who.
FELICITY: Well yesterday it was Elena….today Ben.
NOEL: Ben? Ben want’s to know how were doing?
FELICITY: He acted like he knew some secret….about us.
NOEL: I’m sure your just being paranoid.
FELICITY: Maybe your right. So where are we going?
NOEL: Actually I just remembered that Julie needed to talk to me….can we cancel for tonight?
FELICITY: Sure…okay….Are you sure everything is all right?
NOEL: Positive….everything’s fine.
NEXT SCENE: NOEL IS KNOCKING ON JULIE’S DOOR. BEN ANSWERS IT.
BEN: Hey.
NOEL: (uncomfortable) Hey…is Julie here?
JULIE: Noel…what are you doing here?
NOEL: I need to talk to you about that …..project we discussed earlier.
BEN: Yeah. I was just leaving.
BEN EXITS JULIE’S ROOM. GOES DOWN TO FELICITY’S ROOM AND KNOCKS ON DOOR.
FELICITY: (opens door) Ben…hey I wasn’t expecting you.
BEN: I thought maybe we could go get a bite to eat.
FELICITY: Normally I would say yes…but Marisa at work is sick….so I’m taking her shift. I was just leaving.
BEN: Oh…we’ll I’ll ride down with you.
FELICITY: Okay.
FELICITY GRABS JACKET AND CLOSES DOOR.
CUT TO JULIE’S ROOM.
NOEL: I have a question for you.
JULIE: Yes.
NOEL: When you said there was someone else you could talk to….who exactly did you have in mind?
JULIE: Just a friend.
NOEL: Okay…good. For a minute there I thought maybe…it’s stupid….but I thought maybe you were thinking about telling Ben.
JULIE: Um…I was….and I did.
NOEL: What! Julie how could you….why would….what the hell were you thinking?
JULIE: I needed someone to talk to.
NOEL: So you chose Ben?
JULIE: He’s my friend.
NOEL: He also happens to be in love with Felicity….did you happen to think about that?
JULIE: He won’t tell her.
NOEL: How can you be so sure?
JULIE: Because I trust him.
NOEL: This is not good….too many people know.
JULIE: I agree….we should just suck it up and tell Felicity…before fate steps in and does it for us.
FELICITY AND BEN ENTER THE ELEVATOR. HALF WAY DOWN IT STOPS BETWEEN FLOORS.
FELICITY: What was that?
BEN: We're stopped.
FELICITY: I can see that….why are we stopped?
BEN: I don’t know.
FELICITY: Ben…make it start up again.
BEN: Okay Felicity…I can’t. I’m sure it will just be a second. Look we’ll just use the emergency phone.
BEN PICKS UP PHONE.
MAINTENANCE OFFICE PICKS UP.
BEN: Hi…were stuck in an elevator in Kelvin Hall…really…well how long do you think? Really that long? Okay thanks.
BEN HANGS UP PHONE.
FELICITY: What…what did they say?
BEN: They said they would put the call out immediately.
FELICITY: So then how long are we in here for?
BEN: He said his best guesstimate was and hour to an hour and a half.
FELICITY: What? I can’t be in here that long.
BEN: It’s okay Felicity. He assured me there’s like a ton of air in here.
FELICITY: It’s not the air I’m worried about.
BEN: Is it work then?
FELICITY: No.
BEN: Then what?
FELICITY: It’s stupid.
BEN: Come on tell me…we’ve got plenty of time.
FELICITY: It’s being here…..with….with…you.
BEN: (smiles) Really?
FELICITY: Yes…we’ve only been in here for a few minutes and I’m already completely aware that we’re alone and that you smell so good.
BEN: (moves closer) Maybe we should consider this an opportunity.
FELICITY: (moves away) I can’t….I’m with Noel.
BEN: Oh yeah…good old faithful Noel.
FELICITY: I’m sorry Ben. I shouldn’t have said anything.
BEN: It’s okay…even if you hadn’t said it…I still would have felt it too. Being this alone with you reminds me of Thanksgiving.
FELICITY: Yeah…that was great.
BEN: So what do you think Noel would do if he knew about our Thanksgiving weekend?
FELICITY: I’m not sure. I just think it’s better he not know.
BEN: Well we have a lot of time to kill…what do you say we play a game of truth?
FELICITY: Isn’t that suppose to be truth or dare?
BEN: Yeah…but small, confined elevator space dares might get us into trouble.
FELICITY: That’s true.
CUT TO EXT. OF ELEVATOR A CROWD HAS GATHERED. NOEL AND JULIE WALK UP.
NOEL: What’s going on?
ELENA: Elevator’s stuck.
NOEL: Did anyone call a repairman?
GUY: Yeah I did. He said he was going to be a while though.
NOEL: Does anyone know who’s inside?
ELENA: Your gonna like this one…Felicity and….Ben.
NOEL: Ben? Ben is in there right now with Felicity?….How long?
ELENA: They’ve been in their about twenty minutes….Repairman said he was going to be about an hour and a half.
NOEL: I am so…..dead.
JULIE: Noel…I’m sorry.
NOEL: Isn’t there any way we can get them out of there by ourselves.
CUT TO INT. OF ELEVATOR.
BEN: How many boyfriends have you had?
FELICITY: Counting grade school……two. My turn…what is your father like?
BEN: Um…maybe this isn’t such a good idea.
FELICITY: You can’t back out now. I already answered my question.
BEN: Ask me another question then.
FELICITY: Ben why won’t you talk about your father?
BEN: Because he’s an asshole Felicity….okay. Can we please leave it at that.
FELICITY: Okay fine…I’ll change my question. Are you and Lyssa sleeping together?
BEN: Do you really want to know that?
FELICITY: Yes.
BEN: Okay fine….Yes.
FELICITY: Yes?
BEN: Felicity if you didn’t want to know why did you ask?
FELICITY: At this particular time…I really don’t know.
BEN: I think it’s my turn. What’s the farthest you’ve ever gone with a guy?
FELICITY: You already know the answer to that one.
BEN: What about besides me?
FELICITY: I’m sorry that’s two questions.
BEN: I’ll just save it for my next question.
FELICITY: That’s your prerogative….but it’s my turn now. Who was your first real….love and your first real heartbreak?
BEN: Isn’t that two questions?
FELICITY: No…it’s just a two part question.
BEN: Isn’t that the same thing?
FELICITY: Just answer the question.
BEN: Fine the answer to your questions…plural…are you and….you.
FELICITY: What?
BEN: I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that.
FELICITY: What are you saying Ben….that you love me?
BEN: Felicity this conversation is pointless.
FELICITY: I didn’t know….I mean I knew you cared about me.
BEN: Can we please move on to another subject?
FELICITY: Okay….it’s your turn.
BEN: When you think about marriage….what do you imagine your husband to be like?
FELICITY REMAINS SILENT FOR A LONG PAUSE. TURNS TO BEN AND LOOKS INTO HIS EYES.
FELICITY: Like you…(reaches over and kisses Ben)
BEN STARTS TO KISS FELICITY BACK BUT THEN PULLS AWAY.
BEN: Felicity this is a bad idea….one I’m sure we would both regret later.
FELICITY: You're right…I’m sorry.
BEN HUGS FELICITY AND SHE RESTS HER HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER.
BEN: It’s okay.
FELICITY STARTS TO TEAR UP.
FELICITY: When did my life become so complicated?
BEN: This is nothing compared to how complicated it could be.
FELICITY: What do you mean?
BEN: I mean if I wasn’t such a nice guy…I’d say to hell with Noel and your relationship….and continue to pursue you.
FELICITY: I guess I’m lucky you're a nice guy. (leans closer and hugs him)
BEN: Don’t press your luck….I may be nice….but I am still very attracted to you.
FELICITY: That goes both ways…sometimes I wish I didn’t have such good morals.
BEN: Just for the sake of pretending….without morals….what would you do?
FELICITY: Lets just say if the elevator’s a rocking…don’t come a knocking.
BEN: I don’t believe you.
FELICITY: Are you calling me a liar?
BEN: No…I guess I’m just shocked.
FELICITY: Well don’t worry your safe…I do have good morals.
BEN: Drat the luck.
FELICITY: Ben I just want you to know….I’m glad it’s you in here with me.
BEN: Yeah…me too…..Felicity if things don’t work out with Noel….I’ll be here for you.
FELICITY: Thanks Ben…that means a lot to me.
BEN: Could you ever cheat on Noel?
FELICITY: I think in a way I already have.
BEN: No…I mean actual…sneaking behind his back…going to meet someone kind of cheating.
FELICITY: Are you asking me if I would cheat on Noel in general…or with you?
BEN: With me.
FELICITY: Ben…I’m sorry. But I don’t think I could. I mean I would feel so guilty all the time. I wouldn’t be able to progress any further in my relationship with him. I would feel like any minute I was going to be found out….I would….huh….
BEN: What?
FELICITY: It’s nothing….I was just thinking how much Noel has been acting just like I described….but that’s just ridiculous.
BEN: What is?
FELICITY: That Noel would cheat on me….he’s far too moral.
BEN: Yeah….last thing you would expect.
FELICITY: Any way… Ben as much as I would love to tell you that I would see you behind Noel’s back. I just don’t think I could.
BEN: You never know until you try.
FELICITY: Your suggesting I give cheating a trial run? That’s what you want?
BEN: No…in a perfect scenario….I wouldn’t even have Noel for competition. I’ m just suggesting a way that we could work around Noel so to speak.
FELICITY: Ben…I can’t believe we're having this conversation….I can’t believe I’m even considering this.
BEN: Really?
FELICITY: I’m just so confused. On one hand I have Noel….sweet, faithful Noel and then there’s you.
BEN: Yes?
FELICITY: Who I can’t get out of my mind no matter how hard I try.
BEN: So say you’ll do it….say you’ll give me a sort of behind the scenes chance.
FELICITY: But you're sleeping with Lyssa.
BEN: I’ll make you a deal…you don’t sleep with Noel and I won’t sleep with Lyssa….until we get this figured out.
ELEVATOR STARTS UP AGAIN. IT HITS THE BOTTOM FLOOR. DOORS OPEN. BEN HITS THE DOOR TO CLOSE ELEVATOR AGAIN AND IT STARTS BACK UP TO FELICITY’S FLOOR.
BEN: Your floor’s coming up….Do you want to do this Felicity?…Yes or No?
DOOR OPENS ON FELICITY’S FLOOR. NOEL, JULIE AND ELENA ARE STANDING THERE.
NOEL: Is everything okay? Are you okay?
FELICITY: I’m fine…Ben was good company.
NOEL: Good old reliable Ben.
JULIE: Ben can I talk to you?
BEN: Sure.
JULIE AND BEN WALK AWAY FROM THE CROWD.
JULIE: Ben did you tell her?
BEN: About Noel and you?
JULIE: Yes.
BEN: I told you I wouldn’t….and I didn’t.
JULIE: Thank you Ben.
BEN: I’m not doing this for you Julie. I’m doing it for Felicity. She deserves to be told….but not by me.
JULIE: Are we still friends?
BEN: I don’t know….that’s one I’m going to have to think about.
JULIE: I’m sorry Ben.
BEN: I’m not the one you owe the apology to.
BEN WALKS BACK OVER TO FELICITY AND NOEL.
BEN: I’m gonna take off….I’ll see you later.
FELICITY: Okay…..oh and about that experiment you asked me about….Yes…I’ll help you with it.
BEN: (smiles) That’s great.
BEN WALKS OFF.
NOEL: What experiment is that?
FELICITY: It’s a…..chemistry experiment.
FELICITY: (Voice over to Sally) I know what I am planning on doing Sally you are morally against. So I don’t expect any Atta girls. I just want you to be my friend and continue to listen and talk back to me. I welcome your advice….bad or good.
THERE IS A KNOCK ON FELICITY’S DOOR.
NOEL: Hey…I was hoping maybe we could go get something to eat together.
FELICITY: I would really like that.
FELICITY’S CLOSES DOOR AND LEAVES WITH NOEL.
ELENA: Where are you two off to?
FELICITY: To get something to eat….would you like to come?
ELENA: Thanks….but I’m sure you and Noel have a lot to talk about….maybe next time.
ELENA WALKS AWAY AND FELICITY AND NOEL ENTER THE ELEVATOR. AS IT’S ABOUT TO CLOSE SOMEONE YELLS TO “HOLD THE ELEVATOR”
NOEL: You just made it….Julie….Hi.
JULIE: Um…I can wait for the next one.
FELICITY: Don’t be ridiculous…there’s plenty of room.
JULIE RELUCTANTLY GETS ON ELEVATOR AND RIDES DOWN WITH NOEL AND FELICITY.
SALLY: (Voice over) I’m not here to judge you Felicity…I think you know I’ve made my mistakes too. I just want you to really think about who gets hurt in a situation like this. I never cheated on John…but I came close…a co-worker named Raymond. I was foolish enough to believe my actions would have no consequences and I almost lost John. To think I almost didn’t even get to have the small amount of time with him that I did. I know Ben is important to you….but is he really important enough to risk everything else for? These are the questions you should be asking yourself….because unless someone has cheated on you….you can’t fully understand the pain it causes all parties involved.