FADE IN

INT. OFFICE LAB - LATE AFTERNOON
KAZ and SAM work at their computers. The printer spits out pages and pages as they continue keyboarding. They're laughing.

				KAZ

		...so Skanke's strolling, naked as you please, 

		across Carnegie Mel's campus and---.

Kaz's attention rivets on the sight, through the partitions, of DEBORAH ALVAREZ (36, Hispanic, independent) walking briskly as she confidently shows the lab to IMPORTANT VISITOR(S).

				KAZ (continues)

		Look at that and look at us.


Sam looks around.

				SAM

		Alvarez?


				KAZ

		Who else?

			(beat)

		We had our own departments and now we're 

		"downsized", busted, doing technician work. Hell, 

		some tech's cursing us for taking his job.


				SAM

		It's just the luck of the draw. If you had her job, 

		you'd probably do what she's done.


				KAZ

		I got your "luck of the draw". She doesn't notice 

		or care about us. You're family and she doesn't...

		hasn't had to sell half her furniture to keep her 

		home. But, I know that doesn't get under your skin, 

		just a little.


				SAM

		We'll move.


				KAZ

		Your house is worthless!

			(exasperated)

		You never lis.... I just hope you never go the 

		public auction route, too.


Kaz's face is filled with indecipherable frustrations as he stares at Alvarez.

				KAZ (continues)

		Fantastic legs.

			(beat)

		Does your sister-in-law bring dinner to her 

		poorer relations, or what?


Sam reacts to this new relationship twist but the COMPUTER PRINTER GRINDS AND JAMS. They both scramble to fix it until Kaz, infuriated, throws up his hands and kicks the printer stand over.


INT. LUZ'S BEDROOM - AFTERSCHOOL, SAME DAY


Beside the GERBIL in his cage, LUZ writes "4 x 7 = 28" over and over. Hearing VOICES, she goes to and stares, mesmerized, out her open window. The OBSERVER, watching her, crosses to see what she sees below....


EXT. BECKSTON BACKYARD - SAME TIME


LADONNA works intently in her vegetable garden, ALVAREZ beside her. 

				ALVAREZ

		Don't say "nothing's changed" again or I'll 

		scream.


				LADONNA

		Money's tight. As soon as things get better for 

		Deuce---.


				ALVAREZ

		You can't wait that long, it's already been years. 

		Dona, last night, I had a feeling---.


				LADONNA

		I'm fine. Stop pickin' with me.


				ALVAREZ

		I'm not 'pick---. You're not you anymore.


LaDonna petulantly jabs at the soil.

				LADONNA

		Then, who am I?


Alvarez briskly wipes her eye.

				ALVAREZ

		The one who refused to see me for a whole 

		month.


				LADONNA

		You're STILL mad about that?


				ALVAREZ

		Yes!


LaDonna refuses to make eye contact.

				LADONNA

		I don't have to go out all the time! I'm not like 

		you!


				ALVAREZ

		You could've let me in. Since then, the kids've 

		been...different.

			(looks her directly in the face)

		You camouflage it well, but there's still a tiny 

		scar on your face.


Teeth clenched, LaDonna turns her face from scrutiny.

				LADONNA

		Stop it! I told---.


				ALVAREZ

		What you wanted me to believe. But, I don't.


				LADONNA

		Let it go.


				ALVAREZ

		No.

			(beat)

		Perhaps, you should hit him back. Men 

		understand and respect that, like that piece of 

		guano at my last job.


				LADONNA

		I'm not you. I do things my way.


				ALVAREZ

		By being a punching bag? He'll kill or cripple 

		you and say he's sorry and cry big tears when 

		it's over.


				LADONNA

			(tired)

		Please.


				ALVAREZ

		Don't die bit by bit, especially, in front of the kids. 

		It's better to be from a broken home than live like 

		this.


				LADONNA

			(insulted)

		This is my home not yours. It's not your business.


				ALVAREZ

			(contained but near tears)

		Yes, it is. You and the kids are MY ONLY family. 

		When Keeler and I had our problems, you were 

		there; and stood by me through the surgery and 

		when he and...he and....


She can't finish.


INTERCUT


The OBSERVER looks at LUZ who lays her weary head down on the windowsill.


RESUME SCENE

				LADONNA

		We're havin' a few problems. That's all.


				ALVAREZ

			(flatly)

		I know, it's all an accident and won't happen 

		again.


				LADONNA

		You know, D.A., it's always a good rule of thumb 

		to mind your own business.


Alvarez raises her thumb for display.

				ALVAREZ

		"Rule of Thumb", from the not so old law that 

		said a man could beat his wife with a stick no 

		wider than his thumb. How kind.


She takes LaDonna's hand and compares it to her own.

				ALVAREZ (continues)

		A man's thumb is pretty wide, isn't it?


LaDonna abruptly pulls away, her chin raised proudly; however, her eyes suddenly widen at a view just past her sister's-in-law shoulder.

				LADONNA

		You better go.


Alvarez roots herself right where she stands. LaDonna suddenly reaches for her and clings to her tightly.

				LADONNA (continues)

		I'll see you later. Honest.


Alvarez reluctantly turns and is startled to see SAM directly behind her, his eyes hot with anger.

				SAM

		What're you doing here?


				ALVAREZ

		Leaving.


As she walks by, Sam roughly grabs her arm.

				SAM

		Next time, call first.


She pulls away.

				ALVAREZ

		Yes, Warden, sir.


She glances back at her sister and EXITS.

				SAM

		What'd you talk about?


				LADONNA

		Girl talk.


He scowls tightlipped.

				SAM

		Straight from work? She beat me to my own 

		house.


LaDonna walks away towards the house with her vegetables. He strides to catch up and pass her, and blocks her path. Once. Twice.

				LADONNA

		We didn't talk about anythin' important.


Again he blocks her path.

				LADONNA (continues)

		I know you think we're too close, but she's 

		just---.


				SAM

		What?


				LADONNA

		S-still grievin' over little Donna and Keeler. 

		That's all, really.


Holding her gardening whiteknuckled, LaDonna smiles coyly at her husband who's totally humourless right now.

				LADONNA (continues)

		Why don't we have dinner alone tonight? Luz 

		won't mind and Rink's goin' out.


				SAM

		Changing the subject?


				LADONNA

		No. No.


				SAM

		Yes, you are.


No answer. He snatches her vegetables, throwing them down.

				SAM (continues)

		That woman runs my life at work and then I 

		come home and she's running my house, too?! 

		I'm your husband, not her!


				LADONNA

		Yes, I know.


He steps menacingly close, towering over her.

				SAM

		Sometimes, I don't think you do.


LUZ, suddenly, appears at the back door, pauses, purposefully falling down. She cries as loud as she can, never taking her eyes off her father.

LaDonna backs away from Sam towards Luz, grabs her up, and runs into the house.


Sam slowly follows. He angrily strikes the house on his way in. At a distance, the OBSERVER stands watching, deep in thought. He ACTIVATES THE HANDLINK; THE IMAGING DOOR OPENS AND HE LEAVES.


INT. FRONT DOOR, BECKSTON HOUSE - EARLY EVENING


RINK stands at the door.

				RINK

		Mama, I'm goin'!


				LADONNA (O.S.)

		Wait!

			(beat)

		That's what your wearin'?


LADONNA ENTERS.

				RINK

		We're goin' to the movies not the Houston Grand.


She fusses with his clothes as he fidgets.

				LADONNA

			(teasing)

		You never know you....

			(she smiles seriously)

		Drive careful and give Alison a hug for me. 

		She's a good girl.


He raises his eyebrows to imply, "Can I go, now?" She peers into his young face.

				LADONNA (continues)

		Your father's brains and looks, God help her. 

		Go on.


He half turns, hesitates, returns to hug his mother. He EXITS.

INT. DINING ROOM - LATER, SAME EVENING


LADONNA hums as she fusses about the table as SAM ENTERS the dark, candlelit dinner space.

				SAM

		LaDon---!

			(sees her)

		Where's the notice for the house tax?

			(sees the table)

		Very nice.

			(sees something on the floor)

		What's this?


A NOW/ERA BUTTON. Sam smiles at this slice of sexual politics and power. 

				SAM (continues)

			(innocently interested)

		Where'd this come from?


LaDonna drops then refolds a napkin which fixes his attention on her, making her more agitated.

				LADONNA

		I was goin' through that old stuff you said I 

		should toss....


He turns the button compulsively over in his hands.

				SAM

		Your life with me's not that awful, is it?


				LADONNA

		Money's still short. Crime's all over. Everyone's 

		got so many frustrations. It's...it's no one's fault.


				SAM

		You can't even give me a direct answer.

			(beat)

		Some people, like Alvarez, are doing better 

		than others.


				LADONNA

		She's alone, now. We've the kids and the house. 

		We just need a little more money. It I get a job---?


				SAM

		I've got a job. I provide for this family.


				LADONNA

		But, a little extra---. Even two income families 

		are havin' trouble.


				SAM

		Read that at the checkout line?

			(beat)

		You love her a lot, don't you?


Rabbit-like, her eyes flit around the room unable to tell if his questions are benign or full of menace. She braves the truth.

				LADONNA

		Yes, I do.


				SAM

		Like a sister?


				LADONNA

		Yes.


				SAM

			(ambiguously)

		More than me?


Her eyes enlarge as again he stares at the NOW/ERA pin.

				LADONNA

		Deb's dear to me; but, you're my husband and 

		the father of my children.


He smiles slightly, noncommittally.

				SAM

		That's what I thought you'd say.

			(conversational, but taut)

		When are you going to stand up to me?


				LADONNA

		I...forgot the sauce.


She scoots for kitchen but he grabs her hand, making her gasp. Slowly, Sam turns it over, kissing her palm, he looks at her and smiles. He lets her go. Shaken, SHE EXITS.


INTERCUT


In the KITCHEN, tensed from head to toe, LADONNA PACES furiously.


RESUME SCENE, DIFFERENT ANGLE


The OBSERVER signals to SAM.

				OBSERVER

		Sam.


Sam follows him away from the table.

				SAM

		Were you waiting for Luz to go to college? 

		Where've you been?


The Observer's hesitancy is nothing compared to Sam's impatient squirming.

				OBSERVER

			(eyeing Sam closely)

		You gotta be careful, here. This guy, Henry S. 

		Beckston II---.


				SAM

		Deuce.


				OBSERVER

		'Deuce' is a regular nozzle.


				SAM

		To you, everyone's a nozzle.


				OBSERVER

		Yeah, so tell Gooshie. Beckston clocked the little 

		guy. His jaw's as big as a melon.


				SAM

		He's in a strange environment.


				OBSERVER

		Who? Oh, Deuce.

			(observing)

		No question of concern, Sam?


Sam, lost in thought, refocuses on his best friend.

				SAM

		How is he?


				OBSERVER

			(watchful)

		Which one?


				SAM

		Both.


				OBSERVER

		Sedation seemed the best bet. For Beckston. 

		Gooshie's fine, but, you can't understand a thing 

		he says now.


				SAM

		Sedation?


				OBSERVER

			(a little annoyed)

		Let's just say, he's calmed down, a lot. He's even 

		been suggesting new parameters for updating 

		the accelerator generator to Ziggy.


				SAM

		Quantum physics isn't his field.


				OBSERVER

		It is now. Sort of like viciousness is now yours.


				SAM

		Excuse me?! What is it?! You keep staring at me!


				OBSERVER

		You've been a little more...irritable than usual, 

		and....


				SAM

		What?!


				OBSERVER

		You're not your normal poster boy Scouts of 

		America self.


				SAM

		So?


The Observer watches him even closer.

				OBSERVER

		Sam, the synaptic ball game your two brains 

		are playing is affecting Ziggy. Just getting me 

		here, with you, has becom---.


Sam doesn't like the close inspection he's getting from the Admiral.

				SAM

		I'm fine.


				OBSERVER

		No. You're not.


				SAM

		How would you know?


				OBSERVER

		Who knows you better?


				SAM

		Me.


				OBSERVER

		Well, you've been channeling your "evil twin", 

		making you a little too busy intimidating LaDonna 

		and scaring Luz to be objective about yourself.


Sam snaps.

				SAM

		This is my project! YOU DON'T WATCH ME!


Silence. LADONNA ENTERS with the SAUCE CONTAINER. She looks around suspiciously.

				LADONNA

		Who...?


Seeing Sam stalk back to the table, she doesn't ask anything further. She keeps her eyes on him while the OBSERVER EXITS. Sam gently takes her hand. They both smile; hers twitching just a bit.


EXT. BECKSTON CAR - NIGHT


A redheaded girl, ALISON (16), tears stream down her cheeks while clutches the door as if for dear life. The driver's door is open. RINK FLOPS behind the wheel, SLAMMING THE DOOR. The whole CAR ROCKS. She sniffles. He stares straight ahead, starting the car.


INT. LUZ'S BEDROOM - LATER, SAME NIGHT


LUZ pets her GERBIL who sits in her lap.

				SAM (O.S.)

		LaDonna!


At the sound of her father's voice, she loses control off the animal. It runs out and she frantically pursues.

				LUZ

		Come back! Daddy'll get madder.


INT. BECKSTON HOUSE - SAME TIME


SAM searches feverishly though papers.

				SAM

		LaDonna!


She pops her head around the corner.

				LADONNA

		Yes?


				SAM

		I'm not going to ask you again. Where's the 

		tax notice?


				LADONNA

		I've taken care of it already.


				SAM

		How? With what?


An exterior DOOR CLOSES.

				LADONNA

		We sold the old stereo, remember? And---.


Chaos suddenly reigns as LUZ RACES IN and around the room after her animal, while LaDonna tries to catch them both.

				SAM

		STOP THAT!


RINK ENTERS just in time to see Sam grab and strike LaDonna. In the HUGE SILENCE, Sam freezes, his hand already drawn back to hit again.

				LUZ

		Aaaiii!


LaDonna's eyes meet Sam's, she snatches herself free, running from the room. Luz runs after her, the child's SHRIEKS receding as the distance swallows them both.


Rink stands stark still, except his heaving chest and his fists as they clutch and unclutch.

				RINK

		How many more "accidents"? Why do you do 

		it? Why?!


Rink barrels past Sam.

				OBSERVER (O.S.)

		Good questions.


Sam turns from the OBSERVER'S probing stare, only to recoil from HIS LOOK-ALIKE'S MIRRORED REFLECTION.


FADE OUT




END OF ACT TWO







Quantum Leap: "Rule of Thumb", Teaser & Act One




Quantum Leap: "Rule of Thumb", Act Three
















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