3.16 "Un-American Graffiti"
Aired May 01, 2007
Details
Hearst cafeteria: Veronica is at the end of a long line to get coffee. Logan is at the front of the line ordering, and he turns around and spots her. He amends his order to get another coffee, then delivers it to her. They walk together and chat about Logan showing up early for a morning Political Science class. Logan invites Veronica to the birthday party he's throwing for Parker. He tells her that they'd both really like for her to show then walks away.
Mar's Investigations: Veronica feeds the fish then sits at Keith's old desk to study. The owner of Babylon Gardens, Sabirah Krimani, asks for Mr. Mars and Veronica tells her that they've shut down for awhile. The woman tells Veronica that the restaurant was vandalized, their windows broken, and the word 'terrorist' was spray painted on the door. She asks if Veronica knows someone who can help, and Veronica tells her that someone can.
The Break: A young man, Jim Wilson, is passed out on the bar. The bartender, Mr. Murphy, slaps the tab down and shakes him awake, asking Jimmy to pay and leave. Jimmy signs, finishes his beer, and stumbles outside where he is hit by a car.
Babylon Gardens: Veronica is sitting across the street in her car, watching the restaurant. In voice over, she says that she took the case so that she wouldn't have time to dwell on Parker's upcoming party. However, she's finding herself with nothing but time to think about it. Amira, the 's daughter, raps on the window and asks Veronica what she's doing there, bringing up her senior year when Veronica made her Pirate Points worthless. Veronica tells her that her mother hired her to watch the restaurant in case of any further vandalism. Amira scoffs and departs.
The Break: Th bar is empty, and Murphy is counting the till. Keith enters and informs him that Jimmy is never going be able to walk again, and asks what a nineteen-year-old was doing drinking. Murphy says that the guy's identification proved him to be twenty-one; Keith says that the ID didn't match his physical description at all.
Babylon Gardens: Rashad Krimani storms out of the restaurant and tells Veronica to go home. Sabirah tells him that he works too hard to stay up all night to watch the building. He cuts across her protest to point out that Veronica is the daughter of the acting sheriff, and asks her about Nasir Ben Hafayid. He also mentions that watching the restaurant is no job for a girl. A yellow pickup comes down the street with a few masked people hollering from the bed. They shot paintballs at the Krimanis and Veronica.
Opening Credits
Babylon Gardens: Rashad rages about the vandalism, Amira complains about her ruined cashmere sweater, and Veronica points out the current difficulties of being Arab in American. Rashad says that they've been Americans for twenty years, pointing out a framed picture of Uncle Sam with his face behind the beard. Veronica assures them that she can track down the pickup truck based on a bumper sticker claiming the owners have an honors student at Neptune Middle School. Rashad agrees to let Veronica find the people that paintballed the restaurant.
Mars residence: Keith is reading the ads in Hearst's college newspaper, all for drink specials at local bars. He tells Veronica that an under-aged boy was hit and paralyzed after drinking at The Break. Veronica informs him that The Break is nicknamed 'Cake' for how easy it is to get served there, noting that all the campus bars are notoriously lax. Keith fixes her with a stern look, and she tells him she's only repeating what she's heard.
Sheriff's department: Deputy Sacks passes out a list as Keith informs the other deputies that the bars on the list are knowingly serving underage students. Keith orders surprise checks on the bars. The deputies joke, but Keith tells them that he wants the checks taken seriously. One deputy, Gills, asks Sacks if Keith was always so serious. Sacks replies that he wouldn't test him.
Neptune Middle School classroom: The teacher, Mrs. Hills, tells the students that Veronica is doing a survey on gun awareness for her college criminology course. One boy, Ronald, raises his hand to ask Veronica what a criminologist does. Veronica informs him that graduates usually go into law enforcement and she's considering a career with the FBI. Ronald skeptically points out that Veronica is a girl. Veronica tells Ronald that, on average, girls develop more quickly and have higher cognitive functioning in math calculation and written and verbal fluency. Ronald shrugs, seeming unimpressed. Veronica goes on to say that the world needs firemen, too. The class laughs as Veronica goes on about the dangers and implications of owning BB guns, pellet guns, and paintball guns. She asks the class to raise their hands if their family owns a BB or pellet gun, then if they own a paintball gun, and finally, if their family owns a yellow pickup truck. Mrs. Hills stops Veronica, asking her where she was going with her question. The boy who raised his hand is a dark complected, dark haired boy, and Veronica says that she's unsure of where her questions led as well.
Brett's residence: Veronica follows the little boy home where a large yellow pickup is parked in the drive. She goes up the walkway to the door, but overhears a young male voice shout, followed by some distinctly male laughter. She follows the sound around to a room attached to the side of the house. She peers through the door to see some boys playing a video game and paintball guns hanging on the wall. The boys' game is interrupted when a green paintball bursts on the television screen. They stand and turn to find Veronica holding the gun. Brett calls Veronica a bitch, and she shoots him. She tells him that she knows how much the paintballs sting because he shot her last night. When Veronica brings up the hate crime, Brett doesn't appear to know what she's talking about. He says that he has proof that they weren't the vandals. He shows her a DVD of a Caucasian couple walking, and he and his friends shooting them with paintballs. The video also shows Van Clemmon's getting shot outside of his home. The sleepy eyed boy Veronica dubbed 'Towely' says that shooting Mr. Clemmons was sweet, and Veronica shoots him. She tells Brett to turn over the DVD footage of their antics, claiming that if they stage another drive-by, she'll make sure the sheriff sees it. She also tells them that they have an appointment.
Babylon Gardens: Brett and his friends are scrubbing the paint off of the restaurant. Veronica is adjusting a surveillance camera and Rashad asks her if she's sure that someone else did the vandalism. Sabirah comes out carrying an Arab scroll and asks her husband if she should hang it. When he says yes, she asks Veronica the same question, mentioning that someone stole the last one she hung. Veronica says that if it were her, she'd hang one twice as big. Rashad points out that the vote to hang the scroll is two-to-one, and thus, democracy in action.
Neptune Grand: Dick is using his laptop when Logan enters, saying he has errands to run for Parker's party. Dick goes on about his new female MySpace friends and how eager they are to meet him. Dick plans on inviting both girls, and if they both show up, he'll choose whichever he deems hotter.
Sheriff's department: Keith and Gills are talking about the recent sweeps of the college bars. Keith thinks it's strange that none of his deputies have issued a single citation so far. Gills says that Jim Wilson was an exception, and the bars normally do a good job of keeping minors out. Keith doesn't buy it.
Mars residence: Veronica looks at the surveillance footage from Babylon Gardens. She sees one guy outside the restaurant. He's wearing a shirt that reads 'Sneed Batmen' and has the number '11' emblazoned on the back.
Hearst cafeteria: Veronica asks Mac if the phrase 'Sneed Batmen' sounds familiar to her. Mac is zoned out, and when Veronica gets her attention, she says that she and Bronson went on a hike in the morning and she's tired. Mac asks if Veronica ready to go and mentions that they could offer Logan and Parker their table. Mac waves them over, and Parker thanks them. Mac and Logan have some sort of conversation referencing teen movies, which Parkers makes them stop. Veronica begs off, saying she's late, but as she leaves, Parker asks her to come to the birthday party. Veronica agrees with a smile and turns away, waiting for Mac. As they leave, Veronica remarks that she and Logan seem to have grown friendly. Mac says that she didn't think much of him when Veronica was dating him, but since he's around so often, she's seen his sweet side. She assumes that's the side Veronica always saw. Veronica asks Mac if she'll hit her on the head with a hammer a few times before the party, but Mac says she's helping set up. Veronica says that she'll find reinforcements somewhere else.
Bennis Hall: Piz and Wallace walk down the hall, and Piz tries to convince Wallace that seeing The Room will change his life. Veronica spots them and insinuates herself between them, inviting them to Parker's birthday party. Wallace says that he's in, but starts to say Piz has something else to do. Piz jumps in and says that he'll go. As Piz is going on about pregaming, Veronica spots a guy wearing a 'Sneed Batmen' shirt, and she follows him. Wallace and Piz go into their room, and Wallace says he thought Piz was going to see a band. Piz tells him the party sounds like more fun. Wallace compares Piz to guys who stand behind poker players and pretend to play. He tells him that he's got to go 'all in' eventually. Piz agrees, but then says he doesn't understand. Wallace says that they're going out, and Piz is going to talk to a girl who knows he's alive.
Veronica catches up to the guy wearing the 'Sneed Batmen' shirt and asks what it means. He tells her that the Batmen are the intramural softball team from Sneed Hall, the chemistry building. She says she flirted with number eleven in the library, asking who it is. He tells her that it's Jason Cohen.
Zeta Epsilon House: Veronica pulls up in front of the fraternity. In voice over, she says that Zeta Epsilon is a Jewish fraternity. As she looking up at the window, she's see a bright flash of light from the trees. She sees a man in the tree taking pictures. He climbs down, then gets on a bicycle. Jason Cohen appears in the doorway, and Amira joins him. Veronica asks Amira what's going on, and she asks Veronica the same question. Veronica tells her about the surveillance tapes showing Jason outside of Babylon Gardens. Amira mentions Nasir, whose student visa expired and who works at the restaurant. She also said that he was supposed to marry Nasir. She's worried that the pictures Nasir took will kill her father because Jason is Jewish, and that she'll be disowned if her father see them. Veronica says she'll try to help stop Nasir from delivering the photos.
Rite Buy: Veronica walks to the one-hour photo counter, posing as Nasir's girlfriend in order to pick up the pictures. The clerk doesn't seem to believe her, but tels her they'll be done in a few minutes. Veronica walks over to Nasir and asks the time. He tells her, and she rubs his arm and walks away. Veronica pays for the photos, and blows Nasir a kiss as she leaves. When he tries to pick up the pictures, the clerk tells him that his girlfriend just got them. The clerk tells him to calm down and gives him the prints that were only half-developed.
The Break: Piz and Wallace watch a woman
Hearst dormitory, Amira's room: Veronica delivers the pictures. She invites her in, thanking her. Veronica mentions that she though Nasir was attractive, and Amira tells her that she'd be tempted if she didn't mind being treated as property. Another knock sounds at the door, and Rashad is on the other side, holding one of the half-developed prints. He blames her relationship with Jason for the vandalism. He fires Veronica, but she says since his wife hired her, she's the only one who can fire her.
The Break: In a back room, Murphy is counting out some money when Keith enters. Murphy tells Keith that is customers can't relax when uniformed deputies keep showing up in the bar. He goes on to say that since he bought so many raffle tickets each year, Sheriff Lamb 'appreciated' their relationship. He tells Keith he'll continue his support if Keith will keep the relationship sound. Keith tells him that the Sheriff's department is no longer having a raffle and leaves. Out in the bar, Keith sees a photograph of the deputies softball team, Excessive Force, framed on the wall. Murphy mentions how they appreciate new uniforms each season, as well as free beer from The Break. Keith looks past him and sees Wallace and Piz sitting at the bar. After he checks their IDs, he says that he doesn't have to ask where they came from.
Mars residence: Veronica walks out into the kitchen where Keith has taped Piz and Wallace's fakes. Keith makes her feel guilty for making the fakes and leaves. Veronica gets a call.
Babylon Gardens: Sabirah is on the phone. Someone has spray-painted 'Terrorists Go Home' on the window of the restaurant.
Mars residence: Veronica says she'll check the camera.
Babylon Gardens: Veronica hands over a picture of the culprit to Sabirah who says she's never seen him before. In voice over, she says the vandal took her bait: the Arabic scroll with a tracer stitched inside.
Alleyway: Veronica fallows the trace to a garbage can in an alley. A van pulls up, and the driver, Derrick Karr, asks Veronica if he can help her. She tells him she has a surveillance photo of him painting on Babylon Gardens. He says that it doesn't matter since she isn't a police officer. When Veronica calls him a close-minded redneck, he opens the van to reveal his brother, wheelchair bound. He shows her a flier that he was given at the mall by a man who works at Babylon Gardens. It depicts the word 'Iraq' as a machine that takes American soldiers in and spits out bloody coffins and a laughing man watching over the process. Derrick thinks that it's terrorist propaganda.
Babylon Gardens: Veronica tells the Krimanis the vandal's name and shows them the flier, telling them that Nasir was handing them out. She tells them that Derrick's brother was shot in Iraq. She says the brother knew nothing about what Derrick had done. She also tells them Derrick is on probation, and if they press charges, he'll most likely go to jail. Rashad says he wants to meet him.
Bennis Hall: Keith shows up at Wallace and Piz's room. His picture made the cover of The Lampoon, and it's been tacked to the door. Keith gives them new fake IDs, one with a picture of Jon Bon Jovi and the other with a picture of Biggie Smalls.
The Break: Wallace and Piz share a pitcher of non-alcoholic beer. Wallace mentions that Piz invited Miranda to Parker's party. Deputy Smith enters, asking for ID. He glances around, but doesn't look at any. On his way out, the deputy mentions that the checks are because of the temporary sheriff. Wallace picks up a radio and asks Keith if he heard everything.
The Break, outside: Keith responds that he did hear everything. He watches from across the street as Deputy Gills gets back into his cruiser.
Sheriff's department: Keith gathers the deputies. He says he ordered another sweep of the bars the previous night, then he fires Deputies Smith, Jones, Taylor, and Gills. Gills protests, saying that if Keith continues the firing, the whole force will quit alongside him. Keith gestures to the door.
Carr residence: Veronica introduces Derrick to the Krimanis. Derrick starts to close the door on them when Veronica reminds him that if they report him to the sheriff, he'll go to jail. He reminds her that his brother is in a wheelchair while some foreigners mock what America stands for. Rashad talks about what American really stands for. Derrick snipes back and closes the door. Veronica starts to dial the sheriff's department, but Rashad tells her not to turn him in. Sabirah tells her husband she's proud, ad wonders whether his ideas about being given a fair chance apply to his daughter. He agrees that he'll meet her boyfriend. When Sabirah asks about Nasir, Rashad says though he didn't break any laws by handing out the flier, Nasir made him angry.
Babylon Gardens: Nasir is in the kitchen, carrying freshly washed plates. Two INS agents enter and arrest him for being in the country after his I-20 student visa expired.
Mars residence: Keith informs Veronica that Wallace and Piz called to say they'd meet her at the party. He goes on to suggest that he'd made her life harder since he's regained his sheriff's seat. Veronica says that it's only been hard because she let him down.
Neptune Grand: Veronica gets in the elevator where she is joined by Dick. He sips from a flask, and Veronica asks for it. In Logan's suite, Mac sees Veronica and Dick enter together. She expresses worry that Veronica came as Dick's date, and Veronica scoffs at the idea. They sit and are joined by Max. Veronica makes the introductions and scurried off toward Piz and Wallace. As she yells at them for abandoning her, Miranda shows up with drinks and Veronica realizes why she was ditched. Dick flirts with the first MySpace girl, Lisa, whom he abandons when MySpace Girl Two walks in. Logan asks for everyone's attention and has a birthday cake wheeled in. It features a picture of Logan and Parker screened on the icing. Dick's MySpace girl meet and commiserate over just how yummy Dick really is. Parker thanks Veronica for coming and gives her a slice of cake - with Logan's face on it. Max and Mac laugh over their shared history of scamming people for cash. Logan subtly asks why Veronica doesn't have a date. MySpace One and MySpace Two convince Dick that together, they're twice the fun. He goes in search of an ice bucket, and they lock him in a room. Miranca and Piz flirt, and Veronica interrupts, asking him to pretend to be her boyfriend. When he scampers off to get refreshments, Wallace pulls her aside. He tells her to stop treating Piz so cruelly because he likes her. Veronica invites Piz onto the balcony for air, where she apologizes for stringing him along. He interrupts her with a kiss. He walks away, telling Wallace he's going home. When Wallace asks why, Piz tells him he finally went all in. Veronica catches up with Piz at the elevator and kisses him again. When the elevator opens, Logan catches them. He looks momentarily surprised, then smiles and walks by them.