Pretty Little Liars

Can You Hear Me Now?

INT. FIELDS' HOME - KITCHEN - DAY 36 *

Conservative Ralph Lauren plaids and prints are the motif of this house that shows like a model home. Everything is in its proper place, always. Emily grabs a diet soda from the refrigerator.

PAM (O.S.)
Someone bought the DiLaurentis' place.
The comment registers on Emily's face. She turns to her mother as she closes the refrigerator door.

EMILY
"It's weird to think of other people
living there."

PAM FIELDS, Emily's mom, arranges an overflowing welcome basket on the counter. Like her basket she is well put together. A conservative dresser, she always looks "nice."

PAM
"Blue or green?"

She holds up the two ribbons for Emily to choose.

EMILY
"Aria's back. It was good to see her but it felt different."

PAM
"Does she still have that horrible pink hair?"

EMILY
"No, Mom. She doesn't."

PAM
"Never mind, I'm going with yellow."

Emily watches her mother meticulously tie the bow around the basket.

PAM
"I never understood that family."

Why would her mother let her do that?

EMILY
"Because they believe their kids are their equals, not their property."

PAM
"I don't think you're my property,Emily, but as your mother, I have the responsibility to teach you the difference between right and wrong. What kind of parent would I be if I allowed you to walk around looking like a goth? That lifestyle might fly in Europe but it won't get you far in Rosewood."

EMILY
"Not everybody dreams of making it in Rosewood, Mom."

Emily turns and stares out the window.

EMILY
"Some people dream of making it out."

37 EXT. ST. GERMAIN HOUSE (AKA DILAURENTIS HOUSE) - DAY
*
Emily, holding the welcome basket, stands on the sidewalk and stares up at the Victorian house. The name on the mailbox * reads: DiLaurentis. A moving truck is parked in the * driveway. When she breaks her gaze, Emily notices a huge * pile of trash on the street curb.
Emily recognizes an old overstuffed bedroom chair, clothes, notebooks and school books. Something in particular grabs Emily's attention. She reaches down and picks up a sixth grade swimming medal.

MAYA (O.S.)
"You want that?"

Emily spins around. MAYA (16) sticks out her hand.

Maya St. Germain. Aka "new girl".
Emily quickly sizes her up. Maya has tawny-colored skin and wild, black-brown curly hair. She wears a yellow tank top that intentionally reveals bits of her orange bra underneath.

EMILY
"I'm Emily."

She hands her the basket.Welcome to the neighborhood.Maya looks at the basket and facetiously delivers -

MAYA
"Foie gras and cornichons, my favourite."

EMILY
"It's from my mother."

MAYA
"I figured."

(she gestures to the curb) That stuff was in my room. You can have anything you want.

EMILY
"It all belonged to Alison."

MAYA
Is she a friend of yours?

EMILY
"She was. A long time ago."

MAYA
"That's all I get? No details?"

Emily is surprised by Maya's forward questions and attitude.

EMILY
"There were five of us who used to hang out. But we don't anymore."

Maya looks up at her bedroom window then back to Emily.

MAYA
"Would it be outrageous of me to ask if you'll help with my last few boxes?"

EMILY
"Yes."

Then Emily surprises Maya with a receptive smile -

EMILY
"But I don't mind."

Emily follows Maya into the room. They each carry in a moving box.

MAYA
"So why aren't you still friends with the girl who used to live here?"

Emily sets down the box and looks around the room.

EMILY
"You ask a lot of questions."

MAYA
"How else am I supposed to get to know you?"

EMILY
"There you go. Another question."

MAYA
"Fine. Your turn. Ask me anything."

Emily notices a photograph of a "surfer-grunge" boy on Maya's night stand. She picks it up and looks at him.

EMILY
"Is this your boyfriend?"

MAYA
"His name's Justin."

EMILY
"He's cute."

MAYA
"He's also three thousand miles away."

Emily sets down the photo.

EMILY
"My boyfriend's name is Ben."

MAYA
"What's he like?"

EMILY
"He's a swimmer, like me."

Maya looks Emily up and down which makes Emily feel a little weird