JEFF (singing): Just write me a postcard. Three little words. Draw me a picture. And tell me where you are. I'll picture where you are.

[New Year's Day. 7:31 am. Jesse opens the door to the apartment to find Isabel and Kyle asleep on the couch, Isabel's head is on Kyle's lap.]

JEFF (singing): I'll write back, Totally Yours.

(Jesse just looks at Kyle and Isabel. Michael is waking up in Liz's bed, shirtless. Liz comes in wearing a robe.)

MICHAEL: Hey.

LIZ: [she sits beside Michael] Morning. How you feeling?

MICHAEL: Better.

LIZ: Quite a night you had.

MICHAEL: Yeah, both of us. What about Maria?

LIZ: Who knows. I think that she and Max spent the night together.

[7 and a half hours eariler.]

[Max and Maria come to a hill. Just beyond the hill music is playing and we see blue and yellow lights and fog.]

MARIA: Thank you so much for this Max, really. I should have never doubted you.

MAX: No problem. So, are you ready?

MARIA: I've been thinking about this my whole life. I am so ready.

MAX: Then let's go.

[They hold hands and walk up the hill. They pause at the top of the hill.]

[Opening Credits.]

[New Year's Eve. 6:32 pm. Isabel is in her apartment and all dressed up, preparing a romantic dinner for her and Jesse. She finishes setting the table, and lights the candles and turns on the music with her powers. The phone rings.]

ISABEL: Hello?

JESSE: [on the phone at the airport.] Don't be mad.

ISABEL: Where are you?

JESSE: Houston. I just missed my connecting flight.

ISABEL: [she sighs, she's obviously disappointed.] It's okay.

JESSE: No, it's not. I'm really sorry.

ISABEL: It's fine.

JESSE: Look, do me a favor. Don't just sit at home alone. Okay. Go out, have a good time, enjoy the night for both of us.

ISABEL: I don't know.

JESSE: No, please, Isabel. It's bad enough that I'm going to be stuck in an airport, I don't want you to have a crappy New Year's too. Please?

ISABEL: Okay. [She hangs up.]

[Crashdown. Michael, Liz, Maria, and Jeff are working. Liz is standing on a ladder under a 'Happy New Year' banner, resting her head on the top step. She doesn't look too happy.]

LIZ: This isn't fair.

MARIA: I'm really sorry Petunia, but in about three minutes I'm out of here.

LIZ: You're never gonna find it.

Maria: Oh, please, this year, I'm gonna find it. Trust me.

Michael: Find what?

JEFF: Enigma.

LIZ: You know about Enigma?

JEFF: I've only lived here all my life. [Liz rolls her eyes and climbs down the ladder.] That secret New Year's Eve party has been going on since before I was your age.

LIZ: [she walks over to the counter where her dad is.] Well, did you ever find it?

JEFF: Once. [smiles.] Did you dish up the tapioca?

LIZ: Fifty times. [she leans forward.] Dad.

JEFF: Daughter.

LIZ: Come on. You don't really need me to be doing this.

JEFF: Liz, you and I have done this party together since you were like this high. It's a family tradition.

LIZ: What, that I wait on a bunch of geriatrics for all eternity?

JEFF: I tell you what. When you're finally a resident of the Desert Inn retirement community, then you don't have to come here for New Year's Eve.

LIZ: [sarcastically.] Gee, thanks. [she walks away.]

MARIA: Petunia. Work on him, I have a feeling he'll weaken. Otherwise, I'll tell you about Enigma tomorrow morning. Bye!

[She goes to the back room, punches out, and heads to her locker. She bumps into Michael, who is coming out of the kitchen.]

MARIA: Whoa, sorry!

MICHAEL: [puts his uniform in his locker.] Sorry. So Enigma, huh?

MARIA: Yep! And no, I don't think it's lame, or stupid, or any of the other fifty insults you're about to spew out.

MICHAEL: Wasn't gonna spew, just talking.

MARIA: So what are you doing tonight?

MICHAEL: I don't know, TV, PlayStation, something.

MARIA: Alone?

MICHAEL: Yep. [puts on his jacket.]

MARIA: What about Max? Why don't you two go, I don't know, look for a party or something?

MICHAEL: Oh yeah, he's the original party animal. I'd rather surf the tube. Have fun. [He closes his locker and starts to leave.]

MARIA: Hey, wait. You wanna come find Enigma with me?

MICHAEL: Wouldn't that violate the whole "we're not dating anymore" thing?

MARIA: It's not a date, it's a scavenger hunt looking party clues, and two heads are better than one. No midnight kiss, no pawing in the backseat, we just find the party and the go our separate ways till dawn. Deal?

MICHAEL: Deal.

[Kyle is at home praying to his Buddha statue.]

KYLE: Thank you. [bows to the statue.] Now that my mortal soul has been cleansed [sprays some mouth spray in his mouth and starts coughing cuz it's so strong], on to more terrestrial concerns. [Holds up a pack of condoms to Buddha and puts it next to the Buddha statue] It's been a dry couple of years. Kyle needs a woman. Kyle needs her badly. Kyle needs her tonight. [There is a knock at the door.] Well, thank you. But if that's a Jehovah's witness I'm coming back here. [He takes the condoms and puts it in his pocket, and walks to the door. It's Isabel. He puts on his jacket.]

ISABEL: Hi!

KYLE: Hey.

ISABEL: Kyle Valenti. It is your lucky night. [There's a pause. Kyle looks really confused, he's not sure what to think of this. Isabel pulls a video out of her purse.] [overly excited:] Rudolph's Shiny New Year!!! [Another pause] No?

KYLE: No, I can't. I'm going out.

ISABEL: On New Year's Eve?

KYLE: Yeah, imagine that. I'm going to that Enigma thing.

ISABEL: Really. You know where it is?

KYLE: No, but I'm gonna find out.

ISABEL: Hm. Or, you could save yourself the aggravation, and buddy up here! [she holds up the video.] With Rudolph and his Shiny New Year! Oh, and I brought goobers!

KYLE: Tempting, but no.

ISABEL: Jesse missed his flight and he's stuck in Houston. I had this whole romantic evening planned and then I had to scrap it.

KYLE: Boo hoo!

ISABEL: Kyle. It's Enigma.

KYLE: Yeah, it's just sex, drugs, and whatever's passing for rock and roll these days. Why would I want to go there? [He pats her on the head]

ISABEL: [smiling.] Okay, fine. Well, do you mind if an old, married lady tags along?

KYLE: [Pretends to think about it.] Okay. But I'm warning you. I'm a man on a mission. Sex or death, so don't get in my way and don't cramp my style.

ISABEL: You have style?

KYLE: [opens up his jacket.] Heeeeey.

ISABEL: Okay, let's go. So where's the first clue?

KYLE: At the high school. Mr. Seligman's room.

ISABEL: All right.

KYLE: Bring the Goobers, I'm driving. [Isabel laughs.]

[Liz's balcony. Apparently Liz just told Max that she can't be with him tonight because she's working.]

LIZ: I'm sorry.

MAX: It's all right. I had a feeling he wasn't gonna let you get off work.

LIZ: So what are you gonna do?

MAX: Go back to Michael's and avoid New Year's Rockin' Eve.

LIZ: Why don't you just go out with Maria and Michael?

MAX: To Enigma?

LIZ: Uh-huh.

MAX: I'm not really a party guy, Liz. I'm more of a [he slowly kisses her cheek.] one-on-one guy. [They kiss.]

LIZ: Well, I like one-on-one. But parties are very fun too. No, seriously. When was the last time you went out and had fun? At a party, with people you didn't know.

MAX: I don't know.

LIZ: Exactly. Come on, there's no reason both of us should have a crummy New Year's.

MAX: I'd feel like a third wheel.

LIZ: No, you'd be a guy hanging out with his two best friends on New Year's and you'd be having a really good time. [They kiss.] All right?

MAX: I need more convincing. [She kisses him.] I almost...believe it...

LIZ: Goodbye. [She starts to leave.] I have to go back downstairs.

MAX: [grabs her arm and spins her around.] Alright, okay. But on one condition. Midnight comes and we're together.

LIZ: How are we gonna do that? I'm gonna be downstairs and you're gonna be at---

MAX: We find a way. Somehow, some way, we make it happen.

LIZ: Max.

MAX: Liz.

LIZ: Okay. We'll find a way.

MAX: [Gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and climbs down the ladder while Liz heads for her window] See you at midnight.

[Downstairs. Lots of the senior citizens have arrived already, and the Kit Shickers are setting up. Jim is tuning his guitar.]

LIZ: (Hands out pieces of alien head-shaped paper to arriving guests.) Make a resolution and stick it on the cactus. Thank you so much, Happy New Year.

JEFF: (Helping a woman out of a car) Watch your step.

WOMAN: Thank you.

LIZ: [not enthusiastic at all] Don't forget to make a resolution and stick it on the cactus. Here we go. Happy New Year, happy New Year. There you go. Yep. Make a resolution, one time a year, Happy New Year. Here you go.

WOMAN: Oh, hi Liz!

LIZ: Hi.

WOMAN: Jane Covendall. We met a couple of months ago, remember, the movie thing?

LIZ: Oh, yes, I do. Hi, how are you?

JANE: Oh, out to pasture, but I'm doing just fine now, how are you?

LIZ: I'm okay.

JANE: Who's the Guy Lombardo over there?

LIZ: Oh, that's Jim Valenti, and his band the Kit Shickers.

JANE: Did you just say.

LIZ: No, no no, it's the Kit Shickers. It sounds bad, but it isn't.

JANE: Mm-hmm. Well, I sure hope those bastards can play. [She goes inside. Liz smiles.]

LIZ: [To her dad, Jeff] Umm, hi. How about a compromise? I will stay for the party, but then once we've done the whole, stupid, pretend it's midnight at ten thirty thing, I'm outta here. Okay?

JEFF: First of all, when you're eighty and you want to be in bed by eleven, you might not think it's so stupid. Second of all, I'm not gonna get stuck with doing all the cleanup myself.

LIZ: Uggh.

JEFF: And third, I don't want you and Max catting around the desert all night.

LIZ: Catting around?

JEFF: Sweetie, your plans for this evening are set. [Liz walks away.]

[Mr. Seligman's dark classroom. Michael is helping Max through the window. Maria is holding a flashlight. Other students are in the classroom.]

MICHAEL: Watch it.

MAX: You know this is breaking and entering.

MARIA: Well, if we get caught we'll party in jail.

MICHAEL: The girl wants to party.

MARIA: This is the first clue. [I can only make out, 'zero twenty-four seven zero hike' written on the chalkboard.]

GIRL: Hut, hut. That's football, right? Maybe the party's on the football field.

MARIA: I don't know, that's too easy.

MICHAEL: [to Max] So why are you really here?

MAX: What are you talking about, I'm looking for Enigma.

MICHAEL: Did Liz put you up to this? Are you a chaperone for me and Maria or something?

MAX: It's New Year's Eve, I'm looking for a party, okay? [Michael gives him a look] Hey, I know how to party!

MARIA: All right, this is what I gather. It's quarterback's call, and there's a number seven. Dave Lambert is number seven.

MICHAEL: Who's Dave Lambert?

MARIA: The star quarterback at Isabel's college. Anyway, so Julia says that...

MICHAEL: Who's Julia?

MARIA: That's Julia. Dave Lambert's fraternity is having a party, which is probably where the next clue to Enigma is. So let's go. Out the window, Guerin. [she pulls Max aside.] Oh yeah, Max, listen. This chaperone thing. I know that Liz put you up to it, but Michael and I, we're clear that this is not a date.

MAX: I'm not a chaperone. I'm really looking for the party.

MARIA: Right. Okay.

[A garage. Kyle and Isabel come in, and Kyle removes a sheet from a car in the middle of the room.]

ISABEL: And whose car is this?

KYLE: My boss, Toby's. And these would be the keys. [holds up the keys.]

ISABEL: What if we get caught?

KYLE: We won't.

ISABEL: How many blue Vipers are there in Roswell?

KYLE: One.

ISABEL: One. And, I'm sorry, how many people have access to this garage after hours, besides your boss?

KYLE: One.

ISABEL: Yeah, we're gonna get caught.

KYLE: Maybe, but this thing's a chick magnet, Isabel, I've seen it work. I'll take the risk. Get in. [Isabel smiles and touchs the side of the car. She uses her powers to change the car color to yellow with 2 black stripes running down the middle.] Whoa, man.

ISABEL: I'm not really in a risk-taking mood. I hope this doesn't cramp your style.

KYLE: Yellow wasn't my first choice, but that's cool [she slaps him on the arm and they get into the car.]

[We then see them driving down the road.]

[The Kit Shickers are playing at the Crashdown. Their song ends.]

JIM: Thank you, thank you very much!

JANE: They're good!

LIZ: Yeah, they're good.

JANE: But you wish you were someplace else.

LIZ: No I don't.

JANE: Don't shick a Shicker.

LIZ: [laughs.] You, you're funny.

JANE: Boy trouble?

LIZ: Umm, well sort of. My parents don't really approve of my boyfriend.

JANE: I'm having the same problem.

LIZ: Really?

JANE: Yes, you see that crotchety old couple over there? My mom and dad. You'd think they'd leave Frank and me be by now, but no.

LIZ: Well, which one's Frank?

JANE: Oh, he's not here. New Year's means a lot to them, kind of a sentimental thing, you know? So Frank goes out with his buddies to the VFW, and I give them this one night of the year.

LIZ: But don't you mind being apart on New Year's?

JANE: Well sure we do, but well, your parents won't always be there, and besides, we have phone sex at midnight. [Liz just nods, she can't really think of anything to say. She sees her dad line dancing on the other side of the café and goes over and joins him.]

[Kyle outside Bud's 24/7, trying to impress two girls.]

KYLE: I know, it's an easy clue, easy clue. See, the 'hut hut' part means the falafel hut across the street, and the twenty four and the seven were on either side of the two zeros, so here we are at the site of the next clue. Nice car, huh?

GIRLS: Yes.

KYLE: Jerky?

GIRLS: No thanks.

GUY: Hey! [He and another guy come over.] I'm gonna ask you a question from the future.

KYLE: Yes?

GUY: Are those your teeth lying on the ground?

KYLE: [Looks down at the ground, and looks back up again.] Bye bye! [They all leave, one of the girls blows Kyle a kiss. Isabel walks over.]

ISABEL: You know, I think they liked you.

KYLE: Yeah, liked me like a monkey in a little hat. I was just entertainment until the real men showed up.

ISABEL: Is this a confidence issue? Because women can detect insecurity a mile away, Kyle.

KYLE: Can you detect it?

ISABEL: No, I'm married. My radar's been dismantled. Look, women want an alpha male, you know? You gotta exude confidence!

KYLE: Confidence?

ISABEL: Yeah!

KYLE: Alright.

ISABEL: It can't be that hard, Kyle. I mean, you used to date girls.

KYLE: Look, it's been a long time, alright? I used to be a fun guy, used to have fun, but then the alien invasion happened and I sorta--my social life started to suck.

ISABEL: Yeah.

KYLE: So did you find the next clue in there or what?

ISABEL: No. I think your whole falafel hut theory was a little off. Yeah. Come on, let's go.

KYLE: Where we going?

ISABEL: Find you a new social life! Drop the jerky.

[Max, Maria, and Michael approach the frat party. Michael and Maria go one way and Max goes another, looking extremely uncomfortable.]

GUY: Party! Wooooo! [Spraying beer from the keg into a cup] Dude, it's empty!

GUY2: No way it's empty man, we just tapped it!

GUY: Dude, it's empty! [the other guy shakes the keg.] Dude, it's empty. This is the last one, it's all gone.

GUY2: Okay, not so loud, not so loud. [A girl comes up to Max, who was watching the whole keg scene. He looks even more unconfortable.]

GIRL: Hey. Aren't you in my astronomy class?

MAX: No, not really.

GIRL: I swear I've seen you before. Hm. Are you with anyone tonight? It is New Year's.

MAX: Uh, yeah. My girlfriend is meeting me later.

GIRL: That's too bad. Hey, uh, we're running out of beer, would you be a dear and start a collection for a new keg?

MAX: Uh, why don't I go check and see if the keg is really empty first.

[She walks away, and he goes over to the keg. Some dude lifts up the keg.]

DUDE: You're out of beer??

[Max walks up to them.]

MAX: UH! Hey, maybe I can help.

GUY2: What? The townie?

MAX: Seriously, I have a way with these things.

GUY: Be my guest, please.

[They move out of the way.]

MAX: Sometimes it's this, uh, this thing up here. [He distracts them while he uses his powers to fill the keg.] I'm sure it's uh-- I dunno, give it a shot.

[One of them tries to fill his cup, and beer flies everywhere.]

GUY: OH MAN!!

GUY2: There was nothing in there, it was empty.

MAX: Apparently not.

[Everyone is really excited and screaming, PARTYYYYYY!]

[Max is smiling and laughing.]

[Maria walks over to Dave Lambert.]

MARIA: Hey.

DAVE: Heeeeeey.

MARIA: Hey, how are you?

DAVE: How are you?

MARIA: Good. [We see Michael watching her.] Listen, I'm looking for a party, and--

DAVE: There's a party right here, baby.

MARIA: [another guy walks over to her.] Do you know any clues for Enigma? [to the guy who just walked over:] Hey. [she smiles.]

[Dave grabs her butt.]

MARIA: [surprised] Oh!!

Michael: [to some girl:] Where's the keg? [She points over to where it is. Michael walks away.]

Maria: [walking away. mumbling to herself:] Okay, this is so not the right place.

[Maria goes to look for Michael and Max. Some guys start chanting TOWNIE! TOWNIE! TOWNIE! We see they're carrying Max into the room. They put him down and high-five him. A girl tries to get through, all the guys follow her. Max watches them leaves and is laughing. Maria walks up to Max.]

MARIA: Max. Max, we're in the wrong place. I've--I've talked to everyone, I've flirted with half a dozen of these bozos, no one's every heard of Enigma. I even let Dave Lambert touch my ass.

MAX: Did Michael see that?

MARIA: [smiling] The chaperone speaks. I dunno and it doesn't matter, cuz we're not together.

MAX: [looks confused] Where is Michael?

[Michael sitting on the couch chugging down a shot and a beer. Max walks up and takes the beer from Michael.]

MICHAEL: Hey. Sorry, I only have eyes for Maria, but she's handing her butt out to total strangers. What's that about?

MAX: Michael, what are you doing? I told you what happened the one and only time I got drunk, my powers went crazy.

MICHAEL: I'm fine. I got no....power problems whatsoever.

MAX: Fine. You're wasted, c'mon we're going. [he grabs his arm. Michael cries out in pain.] What's the matter?

MICHAEL: [holding his arm.] That's a killer grip. [he grabs his head.] Oh, it's loud in here now.

MAX: Yeah. Can you walk?

MICHAEL: It's bright, it's really bright. [We see Maria beside Michael.] Wait, Max, what's on me? [he grabs his back.] What's on my back?

MAX: It's your shirt. [he looks around. Michael is starting to make a scene.]

MICHAEL: [frantic] No, Max, I got somethi--Max, I'm on fire!! I'M ON FIRE!! MAX, I'M ON FIRE!!!!

MAX: [grabs Michael] Michael, let's go.

MICHAEL: No, Max, I'm ON FIRE!! I'M ON FIRE!! I'M ON FIRE!! [Michael drops to the floor. Max looks around, everyone is staring. He looks at Maria, she's looking at Michael.] I'M ON FIRE!! PUT IT OUT!! I'M ON FIRE!! NO!!

[Max is holding Michael's arm guiding him, Maria and them are walking out of the frat house.]

MARIA: He's drunk?

MICHAEL: Ah, too loud.

MAX: Yeah.

MARIA: So wait a minute, my New Year's Eve isn't being ruined by some life threatening hot flash alien disease, it's because Michael is drunk.

MAX: I think the alcohol affected his senses. Some sort of sensory overload, things too bright, too loud.

MARIA: So I guess the search for Enigma is over.

MAX: No, it's still early, you could just--

MICHAEL: Uhhhh! What's that stench?? Is it you? [he covers his nose.]

MARIA: I don't have a stench

MAX: It might be your perfume.

MICHAEL: It smells like roadkill.

MARIA: It's 50 bucks an ounce.

MICHAEL: That stuff stinks.

MARIA: You know what, you're an ass, man.

[Michael falls to the ground. It looks like electricity is running through his face.]

MARIA: Oh my god! Oh my god!

MAX: Quick, get in the car. [he picks up Michael.] C'mon.

[CrashDown. The senior citizens are playing Bingo. Liz is the ball announcer.]

LIZ: All right, here we go ladies and gentleman, and the first ball out is Spaceship 17, mark that one if you got it, Spaceship 17, Spaceship 1-7.

[Jim walks over to Jeff who is sitting at the counter.]

JIM: She seems to be having a good time.

JEFF: Yep, go figure. An hour ago

JIM: Yeah?

JEFF: You would have thought she'd been sentence to work here tonight. [Jim laughs.] Jim, can I ask you something?

JIM: Sure.

JEFF: What do you think about Max Evans?

JIM: Honestly? [Jeff nods.] I think a great deal of him. I think he's a very special kid.

JEFF: I used to think so too. He always seemed like a responsible, straight head kid, ya know it's...

JIM: This is-- This is a tough age. I mean, take it from a father of a teenage boy, they often do things that-- Jeff, I can't honestly sit here and give you the boys will be boys routine. Max screwed up big time, he put your daughter in danger, there's no excuse for that. Since you seem to be asking my opinion [Jeff nods. Jim pauses] I think Max is a good kid who made a big mistake, and I truly believe he's learned from it. And I think he really does love your daughter. He deserves a second chance.

[Jane gets bingo and starts yelling, BINGO!! BINGO!! Everyone claps, including Jim and Jeff, they laugh. We see Liz she looks up and notices Maria standing at the back door. Maria motions for Liz to come in back. Liz nods and goes in back.]

MARIA: Night from hell.

LIZ: [at the same time.] What's up?

MARIA: Night from hell. Michael's up, very up. [she grabs Liz's arm.] Come here.

[Maria and Liz go in Liz's room. Michael is hovering over Liz's bed. Liz is surprised.]

LIZ: [surprised] OHHHH!! Oh my god!!

MARIA: Shhh! Shh! [whispering] His senses are super super heightened, so if the lights are too bright or if he hears anything really loud, it really really hurts.

MICHAEL: Like your whispering is doing right now.

[Kyle and Isabel enter the frat party.]

KYLE: This is a college--This is a college party, a frat house. Why am I here?

ISABEL: Because you need to set your sights a little higher than high school.

KYLE: But I am in high school.

ISABEL: Yes, but they don't know that.

KYLE: That's true.

ISABEL: Yeah, okay, so pick one.

[A girl walks by.]

KYLE: How about her, how about her??

ISABEL: Okay, that's Sally Renolds, she's in my philosophy class, not your type, she's a Nilist, she'd never get your sense of humor.

KYLE: How about those two burnettes over there?

ISABEL: Okay, that one right there is Kim Langstrom, she's actually really very nice, but she's got a laugh like breaking glass. The other one, Bernidette Tahoe, yeah she's dumb up close and only like girls.

KYLE: [getting frustrated] Well, there gotta be someone.

[Isabel looks around.]

ISABEL: Oh Oh [she points.] You see that girl right there talking to the jock and [she leads him over to the girl.] knows that everything he's telling her is total crap?

KYLE: Yeah, yeah.

ISABEL: That's Bitzy.

KYLE: Bitzy?

ISABEL: Yeah, I know she's got a stupid name. Trust me Kyle, she's the girl of your dreams.

[They hear some girl laughing hysterically. Kyle looks up at Isabel.]

ISABEL: Yeah, breaking glass. [she pats Kyle.] Okay, let's go meet her. [They walk over to Bitzy.] Now just be cool. (To Bitzy:) Bitzy, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Kyle.

KYLE: Hi.

BITZY: Hi. [they shake hands.] Nice to meet you.

KYLE: Nice to meet you, nice to meet you.

[Isabel is smiling proud.]

[CrashDown. Liz's Room. Max is trying to heal Michael. Michael slowly floats down back onto the bed. Maria and Liz are watching. Max finishes completely worn out and out of breath, sweating like crazy.]

MAX: [trying to catch his breath.] Much better?

[Michael nods.]

MARIA: Is he gonna live?

MAX: [still trying to catch his breath.] I think he's pass the real stuff. [he wipes the sweat off his face.] We should leave him be for a few mintues.]

[They walk out of the room and down the stairs.]

MAX: You think anyone will notice if I duck in the bathroom?

LIZ: Go for it. My dad's still calling bingo. [Liz looks through the back door window, she sees her father calling out bingo and having fun. She walks over to Maria.]

MARIA: [whose still standing on the stairs.] What a great New Year's Eve.

LIZ: I know. Did you have any luck finding Enigma?

MARIA: No.

LIZ: Well, you still have plenty of time.

MARIA: But what's the point? My evening's set. I mean, I'm just gonna be stuck here babysitting a drunken alien.

LIZ: [laughs.] You know he didn't mean to ruin everything.

MARIA: I know.

[We see Michael laying on Liz's bed. He grabs his head in pain. He can now hear everything that Maria and Liz are saying.]

MARIA: Oh and anyway, it was my fault for inviting him, but it's just like, uggh, we keep doing this dance. It's like we're dating, we're together, [Michael sits up.] we're not together, but it's like we're still together, but nothing ever changes.

LIZ: Maybe you don't really want anything to change.

MARIA: Maybe. Or maybe neither one of us is strong enough or crazy enough to break the cycle.

[Michael is sitting up, he's trying to listen.]

MARIA: Is my life really gonna be like this from now on? I mean, every--no matter what I do or say, I just somehow get roped back into an alien crisis. I can't even get one night off to find a stupid party.

[Kyle sitting on the couch with Bitzy. Isabel is sitting on Kyle's arm rest.]

Kyle: And then the quarterback said, "throw me the chicken," and I did. [Isabel burts out laughing and slaps Kyle's leg.]

Isabel: [laughing.] See, he's hilarious, I told you he's hilarious. No, but really Kyle, you've changed since then. Kyle's a Buddhist now, it's really inspirational.

Kyle: [to Bitzy:] You wanna talk religion?

Bitzy: Okay, but tell me you're not just some guy with a fat Buddhist statue that prays to get laid on Friday night.

Kyle: [laughs] No, I--I do have a statue, I do. And [Isabel smiles.] I do pray on Friday nights, sometimes yes.

Bitzy: And you're honest.

Kyle: I try.

Bitzy: You succeed.

Kyle: [smiles.] Is that good?

Bitzy: [smiles.] Very.

Isabel: Okay, I'm gonna go get some drinks. You guys want anything?

Bitzy: I'm okay.

Kyle: Me too

Isabel: Okay. I'll be back whenever. [she starts to leave.]

Kyle: Hey, wait wait, wait, wait. [he grabs her arm.] I just want to say thanks for you know.

Isabel: My pleasure. [she laughs.]

[Isabel leaves and Kyle watches her go. In slow motion, she turns around and smiles at him. He smiles back. The music gets really low. She walks out of the room. The music plays loud again. ]

Bitzy: Isabel is nice.

Kyle: [startled.] Yeah, yeah, she is.

[Max comes out of the bathroom and looks around to see if Liz's father can see him. He walks over to Liz and Maria.]

MAX: I'm gonna head back to the school for a second.

LIZ: Why?

MAX: Something about that clue on the board keeps bugging me.

[Maria rolls her eyes.]

MARIA: Max, would you drop the act already.

MAX: It's not an act.

[Liz's dad comes in the back room, and sees Maria, Liz, and Max.]

JEFF: Liz It's almost 10:30.

LIZ: [surprised.] Uhhh, sorry, [Max starts to leave.] sorry dad. I'll--I'll be right there.

JEFF: Hey Max? [Max turns around.]

MAX: Yeah?

JEFF: Where you goin'? What kind of boyfriend isn't with his girl at midnight? [Maria and Liz can't believe what they're hearing. Liz smiles.] Don't you have any class? [He taps his watch.] Tick. Tock. [Liz nods. Jeff leaves.]

[Liz looks at Max who looks confused. Liz grabs his arm, and leads him into the cafe. Maria laughs and follows.]

[We see it's a few seconds until 10:30. We see all the alien head paper (all the New Year's resolutions) on the cactus. Jeff puts his on the cactus.]

JIM: And here we go. [looking at his watch.] 10.

EVERYONE: 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. [we see Max and Liz in each others arms.] 2. 1. [Jeff lights the cactus on fire.] HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!!

[Michael opens the back door and watches.]

EVERYONE: [singing] Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne? [Max and Liz kiss.] For auld lang syne. [Everyone cheers and claps.]

[Jane wheeling her father out the door, Max is wheeling her mother out the door.]

JANE: Come on Max, let's get a move on, I gotta make a phone call at midnight. And I ain't gonna be late.

MAX: Yes, ma'am.

[Liz is cleaning up and Maria is helping.]

LIZ: Oh, Maria. C'mon, you don't have to do that.

MARIA: What's the point, I'm stuck here anyway so...

[Michael walks out of the back.]

MICHAEL: Hey, Maria?

MARIA: [turns around.] What are you doing up? You shouldn't be up.

MICHAEL: Can I talk to you in the back for a minute?

[Maria walks to the back door, looks at Liz and sighs and goes in the back.]

[Jeff walks up to Liz.]

JEFF: Lizzie, that's good enough, I can finish up.

LIZ: What are you talking about dad, the place is a mess.

JEFF: No, that's okay. I can take care of it. Why don't you, ummm [he sees Max walking over.] Why don't you two go out and have a real New Year's.

LIZ: [smiles.] Dad...

JEFF: Well, I put a resolution on the cactus, and it said, uh, give second chances.

[Liz and her dad hug.]

[In the back.]

MICHAEL: I'm fine all right? I want you to get back out there and find Enigma.

MARIA: Where is this coming from? You are being way too self-sacraficing.

MICHAEL: I want you to have a night off from all of this alien crap. You know we keep doing this...dance, and--

MARIA: You heard me-- You heard me and Liz from all the way up there?

MICHAEL: Maria, you were right. Someone's gotta break the cycle. We're not together, that's fine. We're still friends, and friends can go their separate ways to have a good time on New Year's Eve. I want you to go out there and find Enigma.

[Maria smiles and hugs him. She kisses him on his cheek, and walks away. Michael is obviously still in pain, and we see electricity shooting through his face.]

[Liz and Max are sitting at the counter.]

LIZ: You see the thing is, I--I also put a resolution on the cactus. It said, remember that your parents won't always be there.

MAX: So you want to stay.

LIZ: Well, yeah, cuz CrashDown on New Year's, it's like this, um, this family tradition. I think my dad deserves one night a year. I'm sorry, I know that we promised to be together at midnight.

MAX: We were. The CrashDown midnight.

LIZ: Yeah, I guess that counts.

MAX: Listen, [he gets up.] I'll, uh, I'll stay too. [he grabs a dirty plate.] You know, just help you clean up.

LIZ: You really want to go to Enigma, don't you?

MAX: Well...

LIZ: Oh my god, look at you.

MAX: Yeah, I just don't want to go by myself.

[Maria walks out from the back obviously happy.]

MARIA: [laughs] Who still wants to find a party?

LIZ: Oh, I think that might be this guy [she points at Max.] right here.

MARIA: Oh, Max, the chaperone thing really, it's getting old, and it's just completely unnecessary right now.

MAX: All right, that's it. [he puts down the plate.] I'm going to that party [he kisses Liz on the cheek.] Wish me luck.

LIZ: Good luck.

MAX: [to Maria:] Let's go. [he walks away.] The party train is leaving.

MARIA: Is he serious?

LIZ: Very. [Max pushes the doors open and leaves.] Oh wait, what happened with Michael?

MARIA: [sits down beside Liz.] Oh, he, um, he gave me the night off.

LIZ: Oh, good for you. Is he okay?

MARIA: Yeah, he's fine. [they hear Max beep his car horn.] I can't believe I am going to Enigma. You don't mind?

LIZ: No, rent my boyfriend for the evening? Go ahead.

MARIA: Okay.

Both: Bye. [they give each other a quick kiss on the cheek.]

MARIA: Thanks, bye. [she leaves]

[Back at the garage. Isabel changes the car color back to blue.]

[They cover the car back up.]

ISABEL: Are you sure you're not disappointed?

KYLE: Ah, what are you talking about. I got the girl's phone number.

ISABEL: Yeah, but you wanted to get laid.

Kyle: Look I got a college girls phone number, I'm way ahead of the game. And you got to know when to hold them, and--

ISABEL: When to fold them.

KYLE: And when to walk away.

BOTH: [sing.] And know when to run. [they laugh.]

KYLE: Hey, thanks. I had a really good time.

ISABEL: Yeah, me too. But you know, the night is not over yet.

KYLE: It's not?

ISABEL: No. It's over an hour til midnight. [grins.]

KYLE: Okay, well, what do you want to do?

ISABEL: How much do you love me?

[Isabel kisses Kyle. We then see that that was what Kyle was fantasizing. They actually never kissed. He then fanasizes them kissing some more.]

KYLE: [it dawns on him.] Oh, oh, oh! Rudolph's Shiny New Year?

ISABEL: Please.

KYLE: [Laughs.] Oh, the sacrafices I make for my friends.

ISABEL: [Laughs.] Thank you! [she kisses his cheek.] You're the best! [she pats him on the arm and walks away. Kyle touches his cheek where she kissed him.]

KYLE: [to himself.] I am a complete idiot.

[Max and Maria back in the classroom looking at the clue on the board.]

MAX: So all we know for sure is that 7 does not stand for Dave Lambert's jersey number.

MARIA: 0-24-7-0

MAX: What if it's a math puzzle. I mean, if we assume that the zeros are place holders for intergers then--

MARIA: [it dawns on her] OH!!! OHHHHH!!!! 24-7. It's so simple, it's painful.

[Bud's 24/7 restaurant. Max and Maria pull up and get out of the car.]

MAX: It feels like the right place.

MARIA: [to some guy.] Have you found any clues?

GUY: No, not yet. Hey is that Max Evans?

MAX: Yeah. [ Maria goes looking for clues.] Uhh, Darrel, right?

DARREL: Yeah. So what are you doing man?

MAX: What do you mean?

DARREL: I mean, out, at night, on New Year's Eve.

MAX: I'm looking for a party.

DARREL: Right. [he walks away.]

MARIA: [whispering] Max. Pssst! [Max walks over to Maria.] I think I found one of the clues but I don't know what it means.

MAX: Where?

MARIA: It's right behind you.

[Max glances over at a bunch of flyers, being careful not to let anyone know about the possible clue.]

MAX: [sees a CrashDown flyer.] Flyer?

MARIA: It's not a real flyer.

MAX: So one of these specials must be the clue.

MARIA: Blue Moon Quesedilla, cuz yeah there's no such thing, but what does that mean?

MAX: Blue Moon Quesedilla? [Trying to figure it out.] Blue Moon. Blue. Blue Moon Canyon.

MARIA: That's it!! [trying to remain calm] Okay, let's walk back to the car, nice and easy like we haven't found a thing.

[They start walking back to the car, but Maria gets so excited she starts running. Max sees her running and also starts running. They get into the car.]

[CrashDown. Liz is still cleaning up. Liz takes the dirty dishes to the back and sees Michael kneeling down.]

LIZ: Michael? Michael? [she runs up to him.] Are you--Are you okay?

MICHAEL: I fell off the couch. [she puts down the dishes and kneels beside him.] Keep your voice down.

LIZ: [whispering] I thought you told Maria that you were okay. [she helps him up.]

Michael: I lied. Easy! My [Jeff walks in.] whole body is like a big bruise.

JEFF: What the hell??

LIZ: Dad, can you help us.

JEFF: [helps Michael walk.] What happened?

LIZ: He just drank too much.

JEFF: Well, let's get him upstairs.

LIZ: Yeah, just put him in my bed and I'll sleep down here.

[They help him walk up the stairs.]

MICHAEL: Oh, my head.

[Maria and Max driving to Blue Moon Canyon.]

MARIA: You should have seen him standing there all brave and noble. It was enough to make you fall in love with him all over again.

MAX: Yeah, well, I have to live with him, that's enough.

MARIA: Are you sure we're on Horners Road?

MAX: Positive.

MARIA: Then where's the turn off to Blue Moon Canyon?

MAX: Another 3 or 4 miles.

[They turn off the road.]

[Isabel's house. Isabel is leaning on Kyle sleeping. They're watching the movie.]

KYLE: Isabel?

ISABEL: [sleeping] Hmm?

KYLE: It's 5 seconds til midnight.

ISABEL: Hmmmm. Happy New Year.

KYLE: [he kisses her head] Happy New Year, Isabel.

[Liz's room. Liz and her dad help Michael onto her bed.]

[Maria and Max are walking up a hill holding hands.]

MAX: So are you ready?

MARIA: I have been thinking about this my whole life. I am so ready.

[They're now at Enigma. Lots of people. Loud music and fireworks.

[Jesse opens the front door of their apartment and sees Kyle and Isabel sleeping on the couch.]

[Liz is sitting on her bed with Michael.]

[CrashDown. Morning. Jeff is opening the shades. Liz and Michael are at the counter.]

MICHAEL: Don't tell Maria.

LIZ: What? That you slept in my bed? No, as long as you promise not to tell Max.

[She hands him coffee.]

MICHAEL: Deal.

[Isabel, Jesse, and Kyle walk in.]

ISABEL: Hi.

[They sit down at a table.]

LIZ: Hey. Jesse, hey, how was Houston?

JESSE: Cold and uncomfortable. I spent the night in the airport

LIZ: What? You're kidding?

JESSE: Yeah, I wish I was. New Year's Eve all alone, and then I come home to find my wife asleep with another man.

LIZ: What?

KYLE: [shrugs] Morality has no place on New Year's Eve. I saw an opportunity [points at Isabel] And I took it.

ISABEL: The lesson is never leave me alone. Ever.

JESSE: Lesson learned.

KYLE: So I assume nobody found that Enigma thing, right?

[Michael sees Max and Maria walking in.]

MICHAEL: I wouldn't be too sure of that.

[Max and Maria are singing and goofying off.]

MARIA: Yes, we found it, closed it, did it.

MICHAEL: That's unbelieveable.

LIZ: Tell us everything.

MARIA: Okay, well, first we go all the way back to the classroom for clues--

KYLE: It was at the falafel hut, right?

MAX: The what?

MICHAEL: Let her tell the story.

MARIA: Thank you, Michael. Anyway as I was saying-- [Jeff walks up.] Hi.

JEFF: The kitchen is open. Orders?

[Everyone gives him their orders. Everyone is together and happy. We see the Happy New Year's banner above all of them, and the song that Jeff was singing in the beginning is playing.]