Castle: Episode 4x13 An Embarrassment Of Bitches
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ACT ONE
[00:08, INT. DOG SHOW COMPETITION - NIGHT]
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Ladies and gentlemen, the moment is almost upon us. As world-renowned trainer Francisco Pilar takes one last look at the finalists, only one question remains: who will be this year’s best in show?
[Reporters flock around a diva with a little dog.]
REPORTER
I’m here in the audience with reality TV star, Kay Cappuccio and her manager and boyfriend, Reggie Starr. Kay, when are you and Reggie getting married?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh...
REGGIE STARR
Uh...
[They giggle to avoid the question.]
REPORTER
Will it happen on the show?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I just want to say hi to all my fans out there and remind them that next month my new scent hits stores, Kay Cappuccio’s Guilty Pleasure. Make sure he’s guilty...of wanting you.
[Kay spritzes the perfume several times.]
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Francisco is ready to reveal his decision.
FRANCISCO PILAR
One.
[Francisco points and the crowd oohs.]
FRANCISCO PILAR
Two.
[Francisco points and the crowd aahs.]
FRANCISCO PILAR
Three
[Francisco points and the crowd awws.]
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
And there you have it, folks. This year’s Sunfare Kennel best in show is the one, the only…
--
[01:19, INT. CASTLE LOFT - DAY]
CASTLE
Buttons? You have a friend named buttons, a human friend?
ALEXIS
Her mom called her that when she was little, and it stuck.
CASTLE (laughs)
And now so is she.
ALEXIS
Buttons and I bonded over being rejected from Stanford. In fact, we applied to a lot of the same schools, so we were planning to visit a few campuses together this weekend, make a road trip out of it.
MARTHA
Ah.
CASTLE
Whoa. Okay, whoa. Where are you staying? Who’s driving? And who’s chaperoning?
ALEXIS
We were going to take your Ferrari and hook up with some boys we met on Craigslist.
CASTLE
Not cool.
MARTHA
Honey, don’t be such a killjoy. I’m sure Button’s mother is going along.
CASTLE
She is, and she’s very responsible.
MARTHA
Uh-huh.
CASTLE
Yeah, except when it comes to picking nicknames.
ALEXIS
Look, if you want, I could have Mrs. Dutton stop by to meet you when she picks me up.
CASTLE
Yeah, I think that’s be o…her last name is Dutton?
[Alexis nods.]
CASTLE
Your friend’s name is Buttons Dutton?
MARTHA
That is unfortunate.
[Castle’s cell phone rings.]
ALEXIS
What’s so wrong with that?
CASTLE
Oh, come on. It’d be like calling me Rastle, or tassel, or…
[Castle answers the phone as he continues talking.]
CASTLE
No-hassle Castle. (into phone) Hey. (listens) No, I was just making a point.
[Castle listens, then turns around and lowers his voice.]
CASTLE
Please don’t call me that.
--
[02:21, INT. DOG SHOW COMPETITION, DRESSING ROOM - DAY]
ESPOSITO
The victim is Franciscio Pilar, judge of the dog show. We found him here in his dressing room. He still had cash on him, plus his wallet, phone, and a key card of some kind.
BECKETT
Is the cause of death what it looks like?
LANIE
Yep. Someone put a leash around his neck and pulled.
BECKETT
D’you guys have an estimated time of death?
ESPOSITO
I put together a window-
LANIE
Excuse me? You’re doing my job now? I didn’t know you went to medical school. But go ahead, Dr. Esposito.
ESPOSITO
Okay. The last guy to see Francisco alive, uh, left this room at 5:15 to go get him some dinner. Then Mr. Greene found him like this 20 minutes later.
BECKETT
Okay. Thanks.
[Beckett and Castle greet the man who found the body.]
BECKETT
Hi.
ADAM GREENE
Hi. Adam Greene. I’m the Sunfare show organizer.
BECKETT
Mr. Greene, how well did you know our victim, Francisco?
ADAM GREENE
Uh, Francisco’s been our judge for almost two decades. No one cared about dogs more than he did.
BECKETT
Did he have any family that we could talk to?
ADAM GREENE
Royal was his family.
[Greene indicates a photo of Francisco with a golden retriever.]
CASTLE
Oh, that’s a handsome pooch.
ADAM GREENE
Francisco loved him very much. The truth is, he got along with dogs a lot better than their owners.
CASTLE
So, dog whisperer, check. People whisperer, not so much.
BECKETT
Did he have any problems with any of the owners?
ADAM GREENE
What are you suggesting?
BECKETT
Just that he was killed about half an hour after he gave out best in show.
ADAM GREENE
I’ll admit, show dog owners can be passionate people, but not to this extent.
CASTLE
Somebody wrapped that leash around his neck.
BECKETT
We’ll need a list of the names of all of the contestants along with anyone that might have had access to this room.
ADAM GREENE
Of course.
--
[03:52, INT. DOG SHOW COMPETITION, HALLWAY - DAY]
[Outside the dressing room, Royal is pawing at the ground.]
CASTLE
Isn’t this Francisco Pilar’s dog?
ADAM GREENE
Yes, that’s Royal. We thought it best to keep him out of the room.
CASTLE
Why is he doing that?
ADAM GREENE
He was doing the same thing by the body when we found him. Maybe some sort of grieving process. I’ll get you that list of names.
BECKETT
Thank you.
CASTLE
So, the dog was at the crime scene at the time of the murder.
BECKETT
What do you want us to do, bring him in for questioning?
CASTLE
I’m just saying, would man’s best friend stand idly by while his master was attacked?
BECKETT
And if he did intervene, maybe he got DNA or trace evidence on him that could lead to our killer.
RYAN
May have a lead of my own. One of the losing contestants just filed this appeal of Francisco’s decision, a guy named David Hernand. They said he was so angry that the vein in his forehead was visibly throbbing. Apparently, dog shows are this guy’s whole life.
--
[04:39, INT. DOG SHOW COMPETITION, GROOMING STATION - DAY]
DAVID HERNAND
Was I upset about Francisco’s death? Sure. I was more upset about his choice for best in show. That ribbon belonged to my Max.
BECKETT
Mr. Hernand, can you account for your whereabouts between 5:15 and 5:35?
DAVID HERNAND
Yeah, I was right here at my grooming station filing my appeal-- Oh, I didn’t kill him. Okay? Given everything he was into, I’d say he brought it on himself.
BECKETT
And what exactly was he into?
DAVID HERNAND
Well, rumor has it…he was on the take.
CASTLE
Are you saying he was taking bribes to fix dog shows?
DAVID HERNAND
Betting on dog shows - it’s a big business. And he was seen with some pretty shady characters, people with ties to Vegas.
BECKETT
That’s a serious allegation. Do you have any proof to back it up?
DAVID HERNAND
You want proof? That’s who Francisco selected best in show.
[Beckett turns to look at the winning dog.]
DAVID HERNAND
Just look at that mutt. Now back to my Max. Now the mutt. That’s all the proof I need.
BECKETT
Really? There’s big money riding on dog shows?
CASTLE
It’s actually kind of ingenious. You know, everyone’s got football, basketball, horse racing under a microscope, looking for the slightest hint of impropriety. Who’s looking at dog shows?
BECKETT
I’m gonna have Ryan look into it along with Hernand’s alibi.
ESPOSITO
Whatever you’re talking about, it can wait. Ma’am, please tell Detective Beckett what you told me.
KELLY GUNTHER
I was backstage after the show when I saw a woman leave Francisco’s dressing room.
BECKETT
Can you describe her?
KELLY GUNTHER
Even better. I took a video with my phone. She was wearing a hood and sunglasses, but I recognized her instantly. It was Kay Cappuccio.
CASTLE
The reality television star?
[The woman shows them the video on her phone.]
ESPOSITO
Check the time stamp.
[The time stamp is 5:27 P.M.]
ESPOSITO
Right in the middle of our time-of-death window.
[OPENING TITLES]
--
ACT TWO
[06:29, EXT. STREET - DAY]
CASTLE
Here’s what I don’t get - why would Kay Cappuccio want to kill Francisco Pilar?
BECKETT
Here’s what I don’t get - how does this woman have her own perfume line, an army of paparazzi outside her apartment, millions of twitter followers, dozens of magazine covers, all with no discernable talent to account for it?
CASTLE
Even more perplexing, why in almost every photo is she posed like this?
[Castle strikes a ridiculous “sexy” pose in front of the paparazzi and they flock to snap his photo.]
CASTLE
Oh, guys, sorry. No time for photos. Okay, maybe just one.
PAPARAZZO 1 (distant)
Smile.
PAPARAZZO 2
Hey, that’s not Jason Bateman.
PAPARAZZI
What? Aww, man. (scoffs)
CASTLE
That’s gettin’ old.
--
[07:04, INT. PHOTOSHOOT - DAY]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Hello. You are so kissy. I think she needs to tee-tee.
[Someone takes the dog.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Thank you so much. Phoebe, give me room, please.
REGGIE STARR
You two must be the, uh, soft drink people, right?
BECKETT
Actually, no. We are NYPD. We’re here to speak with Kay Cappuccio.
REGGIE STARR
Oh, my bad. Uh…why don’t you just grab a squat right over there?
BECKETT
Excuse me?
REGGIE STARR
Phoebe will bring you a goji berry juice.
BECKETT
You know what? I think I have a better idea.
[Beckett steps forward into the photoshoot.]
BECKETT
Everybody, take five.
REGGIE STARR
Whoa. Hold on a second. Kay Cappuccio doesn’t have five to spare.
CASTLE
How about 15 to 20?
[That catches Reggie’s attention.]
CASTLE
And that goji berry juice sounds delightful.
--
[07:46, INT. LIVINGROOM - DAY ]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Sure, I knew Francisco. I hired him to do two weeks of behavior training with my dog.
[Castle slurps on his goji berry juice.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Our show’s gonna start shooting again soon, and Lolita has some minor aggression issues I wanted taken care of.
CASTLE
This little charmer? I find it hard to believe.
[Castle reaches down to pet the dog and Lolita snarls and barks and tries to snap his hand. Castle recoils.]
CASTLE
I assume you asked for your money back.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I never paid him. He brought her back yesterday morning after just a few days, said he didn’t want to work with me. So, are we done here? ‘Cause I have fittings, a couple of endorsement meetings, like three red carpets I have to show up at--
BECKETT
And I’ve got a witness that places you at the murder scene, so sit down.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Sure.
[Kay sits back down.]
BECKETT
Now, why did you go to see Francisco after the dog show last night?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I wanted an explanation as to why he wouldn’t train Lolita.
CASTLE
And what did he tell you?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I would so much rather not go into it.
BECKETT
We’ve got a video of you leaving Francisco’s dressing room right around the time of the murder. So not going into it is not an option.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Fine. We didn’t talk about anything, because he was already dead.
BECKETT
You found the body?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Yeah.
BECKETT
And you didn’t call 9-1-1?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
No, I did as soon as I got into the limo. No harm, no foul, right?
BECKETT
You fled a crime scene.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
All right. (chuckles) Have you heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as bad press”? Having your picture taken with a dead guy is the exception. I have to be so careful with my image. My image is all I have.
CASTLE
Yeah. No, we were just talking about that.
BECKETT
Ms. Cappuccio, when Francisco brought your dog back, was he acting unusual at all?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh, I didn’t see him. He showed up in the middle of my 10:00 A.M. workout.
PHOEBE
I was here, so I took Lolita. But you’re right. The guy was acting weird. He kept saying, “Who is she working for? I know she’s working for somebody.” He seemed really paranoid.
CASTLE
Do you have any idea what he was talking about?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
No clue. That’s why I went to go talk with him.
BECKETT
Okay. Well, I guess, then, we are done…for now. Just, uh, stay available for questioning.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh, my God. Like I’m gonna go anywhere? I can’t take one step without a million people taking my picture.
[Kay’s amusement disappears when she sees Beckett’s “I can’t believe you’re that vain” expression.]
--
[09:59, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
BECKETT
Well, it’s no mystery why someone wouldn’t want to be in business with Kay. But why did Francisco think that she was working for someone?
CASTLE
Especially since her whole life is about not working? And what made him so paranoid about her?
RYAN
Maybe he had something to hide. Looks like there might be some truth to those rumors that the fix was in.
ESPOSITO
Yeah, I’ve been going through Francisco’s financials. He made a bunch of cash deposits over the last year - ten grand a pop. So, we went back and looked at the last few shows he judged. Our boy had a thing for long shots.
RYAN
The line at Vegas on yesterday’s Sunfare winner was 50 to 1. A real underdog.
[Ryan elbows Esposito.]
CASTLE
Well, what doesn’t make any sense is, if he was taking the bribes, why would they kill him?
ESPOSITO
Maybe he wanted out or more money.
RYAN
His calendar said he had weekly appointments with a therapist - a Dr. Patty Barker. They had a session the day he died. Maybe she can fill in some gaps.
BECKETT
Okay. Let’s bring her in.
RYAN
Mm-hmm.
LANIE
Brought you guys a little visitor.
CASTLE (baby-talk)
Oh, look who it is. It’s Royal.
BECKETT (baby-talk)
Look at you. You’re adorable.
LANIE
Okay, adorable. We swabbed his mouth for human DNA, but I don’t have high hopes. Even if there were some, all that slobbering-it’s probably long gone.
CASTLE
Hey, what are we gonna do with Royal? I mean, Francisco didn’t have any family.
LANIE
I didn’t have the heart to call Animal Control.
RYAN
Jenny’s friend runs a rescue.
CASTLE
Or…we could keep him here at the precinct. I mean, we could use a mascot.
ESPOSITO
I thought that’s what you were.
CASTLE
That-what’s that? What’s that, buddy? Esposito’s sense of humor fell down a well and can’t get out?
ESPOSITO
That…
CASTLE
Please?
BECKETT
Okay, fine, but only until we find him a suitable home.
LANIE
Then you better find out what kind of food he eats, because he’s not touching the stuff I put out.
BECKETT
Well, there’s gotta be some food for him at Francisco’s place. Who wants to make a run for it?
ESPOSITO
To go get dog food?
RYAN
Castle.
CASTLE
Ryan.
RYAN
Esposito.
CASTLE
Well…shall we settle this like men?
ESPOSITO
All right.
[They do rock, paper, scissors and Ryan loses to Castle and Esposito.]
RYAN
Mm. Two outta three?
[The do rock, paper, scissors again and Ryan still loses to the other two.]
ESPOSITO
Whew. Snip.
[Esposito “snips” Ryan’s paper fingers with his scissor fingers.]
--
[11:52, INT. PRECINCT, INTERVIEW LOUNGE - DAY]
DR. PATTY BARKER
Oh, he’s been my patient for years. I see him whenever his travel allows for it.
BECKETT
Dr. Barker, what kind of issues was he dealing with? Did he ever exhibit signs of paranoia?
DR. PATTY BARKER
No. The occasional bout of depression, which then led to low self-esteem, which led to binge eating, uh…
CASTLE
An eating problem? You wouldn’t know it to look at him.
DR. PATTY BARKER
Oh, his diet was horrible. Oh, scraps from the garbage, dead birds, even his own feces.
CASTLE
We’re not talking about Francisco here, are we?
DR. PATTY BARKER
Oh, y-you thought I was Francisco’s therapist?
CASTLE
Yeah.
DR. PATTY BARKER (laughs)
Oh, h--heavens no, no. My patient is Royal. Well, I am a canine therapist. It’d be pretty crazy for me to treat people.
CASTLE (fake laughs)
People? That would be crazy.
[They laugh together.]
BECKETT
Uh, Dr. Bark- Mrs. Barker, how did Francisco seem to you at Royal’s last appointment?
DR. PATTY BARKER
Well, actually, he cancelled it.
BECKETT
Did he say why?
DR. PATTY BARKER
Just that something had come up and he had to be somewhere in a hurry.
BECKETT
Okay, that’s…actually helpful.
CASTLE
Well…
BECKETT
Well, um, thank you. We’ll contact you if we need anything further.
DR. PATTY BARKER
How- how is Royal doing? Is it true that he was at the crime scene, that he witnessed the murder?
CASTLE
We think so, yes.
DR. PATTY BARKER
There may be things he saw, things he’s trying to communicate about the crime. If you let me see him, I can try to find out what he knows.
CASTLE (aside to Beckett)
You know, Francisco had a lot of faith in her. Might be worth a few minutes.
[Beckett’s cell rings.]
BECKETT (lowered voice)
Of your time, sure.
CASTLE
I’ll get him.
BECKETT (answers cell)
Beckett.
[Ryan calls from Francisco’s place.]
RYAN (on cell)
Found enough dog food to keep Royal fat and happy for a while. Found something else tasty, too - electronic bug sweeper. Looks new.
BECKETT (on cell)
To detect eavesdropping devices?
RYAN (on cell)
Uh-huh. Paranoia or not, Francisco thought he was under surveillance.
--
[13:48, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
BECKETT
Okay, so Francisco was worried that he was being bugged. And then yesterday, somewhere around 11:00 AM, he runs off, right around the time that Kay’s assistant said that he started acting paranoid.
ESPOSITO
Then a few hours later, he’s murdered.
BECKETT
So, then where the hell did he go?
ESPOSITO
You know, we’ve got Francisco’s cell phone in evidence. If the GPS was turned on, it might tell us exactly where he went.
--
[14:09, INT. PRECINCT, INTERVIEW ROOM - DAY]
[Dr. Barker is on her knees in front of Royal.]
DR. PATTY BARKER
Yes, that’s right. I know. Oh. I know you are. Oh, the poor thing is just traumatized. How was he when you found him?
CASTLE
Uh, they said that he was pawing at the ground. Uh, the man from Sunfare said that was a sign of bereavement?
DR. PATTY BARKER
Royal, Royal, look at what I’m doing.
[Dr. Barker paws at the ground with her hands. The dog moans.]
DR. PATTY BARKER
That’s right. I-I know how it is. He was trying to tell you something, something important.
CASTLE
Really? You can tell all that from…
[Dr. Barker takes Royal’s face in her hands as he lays calmly on the floor.]
DR. PATTY BARKER
Royal, look at me. I know. I know you’re hurt. You’re confused. You’re dealing with abandonment issues. Oh. There’s a lot to break through here. This could take some time.
CASTLE
Tell me…did Francisco ever observe you during your sessions?
DR. PATTY BARKER
No. He waited outside. Why?
CASTLE
No reason.
--
[15:10, EXT/INT. WAREHOUSE - DAY]
[Beckett and Esposito get out of her unmarked car.]
ESPOSITO
According to his phone, this is the place Francisco went yesterday before the dog show. Maybe it was to meet his gambling contacts.
BECKETT
Couldn’t he just do this over the phone?
ESPOSITO
Not if he was being bugged.
[Beckett tries the door, but it’s locked. Esposito pulls an evidence bag out of his pocket.]
ESPOSITO
Hey.
BECKETT
Hmm?
ESPOSITO
Remember what else Francisco had in his pocket?
[Esposito pulls out an access card. He swipes it through the reader, the light turns green and the lock clicks open. They enter with flashlights. The warehouse is filled with cages.]
ESPOSITO
What is this place?
BECKETT
It looks like some kind of a kennel.
ESPOSITO
Yeah, I see the…cages. But where are the…?
[They hear growling behind them. Two German Shepherds emerge from the shadows.]
ESPOSITO
…Shepherds.
[The dogs growl.]
ESPOSITO
Okay, listen…a friend of mine had one of these. They smell fear. So don’t flinch. Whatever you do, don’t…
[The dogs charge forward, barking.]
ESPOSITO
Run!
--
ACT THREE
[INT, WAREHOUSE - DAY]
[The dogs continue to chase Beckett and Esposito. Beckett yells.]
ESPOSITO
Let’s go! Beckett, go! Move!
BECKETT
Aah!
ESPOSITO
Okay. Okay.
[They stop running and the dogs stop, too. The dogs stop barking and sit. A man appears around the corner, behind the dogs.]
JACK PATTERSON
What the hell are you doing in my warehouse?!
[Beckett shows him her badge.]
BECKETT
Detectives Beckett and Esposito, NYPD.
JACK PATTERSON
You got a warrant?
ESPOSITO
Who are you?
JACK PATTERSON
Jack Patterson. I work for Francisco Pilar. Did, anyway. What do you want?
BECKETT
We’re investigating his murder. What the hell is this place?
[Patterson shows them retrievers in kennels.]
JACK PATTERSON
Francisco was breeding a new type of designer dog - the Pilar Retriever. I managed the operation when he was travelling. It’s a real tragedy. Guy spends his whole life developing a dog. He was almost ready to unveil it, too.
BECKETT
How well did you know Francisco?
ESPOSITO
Yeah, did he have a gambling hobby, possibly took some bribes from the wrong people?
JACK PATTERSON
Francisco didn’t have hobbies. His whole life was his work, and it was honest work.
BECKETT
Yeah, well, the thing is, Francisco made a bunch of major cash deposits into an account.
JACK PATTERSON
Let me guess. Ten grand each, right? Word was leaking out about the Pilar Retriever. People were stopping Francisco at dog shows, giving him cash just to reserve a pup from the first litter.
BECKETT
Any idea why he rushed over here yesterday?
JACK PATTERSON
Actually, yeah. He showed up with a bug detector and started sweeping the place.
BECKETT
Why would anyone want to put a kennel under surveillance?
ESPOSITO
I don’t know.
JACK PATTERSON
Well, his breeding and training methods were closely guarded secrets, and the Pilar Retriever was making his competitors very nervous.
BECKETT
Anyone specific?
JACK PATTERSON
It sounded crazy at the time, but he thought one of his dog training clients was in business with someone who was trying to infiltrate our operation.
BECKETT
And did he tell you which client?
--
[18:21, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
CASTLE
Kay Cappuccio? Why would she steal Francisco’s secrets?
BECKETT
Well, we don’t know for sure that she did. In fact, we don’t know that he was actually bugged by anyone.
RYAN
Well, we do now. Francisco’s sweeper has a memory, and it tripped to a listening device yesterday morning.
CASTLE
The same time he confronted Kay’s people and asked who she was working for. This can’t be a coincidence. It all happened on the same day he was killed.
BECKETT
You know, I got a feeling that Kay Cappuccio knows a lot more than she’s letting on. We’re gonna have to talk to her again. And this time…she’s coming to us.
--
[18:52, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
[The elevator bell dings and Kay emerges with her entourage, wearing a short, low cut, skintight dress, and carrying her dog. The men in the precinct take notice.]
BECKETT
Right this way, Ms. Cappuccio.
[Beckett puts a hand up to stop Kay’s entourage.]
BECKETT
Just her.
[Royal wines and the sweeper goes off on Ryan’s desk as she walks past.]
--
[19:29, INT. PRECINCT, INTERROGATION - DAY]
BECKETT
I don’t really watch reality television, Ms. Cappuccio. Would you like to know why?
[Lolita sputters a growl.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
You want kisses? Kisses? (giggle)
BECKETT
Because I usually find that it’s not all that real. And I don’t like things or people who present fiction as truth. In fact, I find it to be a waste of time.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Okay, is this why you brought me down here, to insult my show?
BECKETT
This isn’t about your show. I want to know what really happened with Francisco. This time, the truth.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I told you the truth.
BECKETT
Well, according to your assistant, Francisco asked you who you were working for. What does that mean?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I told you, I have no idea.
CASTLE
Really? No idea that he was starting a breeding venture that his competitors were just dying to know about? Tell me, does the phrase “corporate espionage” mean anything to you?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
No.
[Castle looks at her.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
No, seriously. I have no idea what it means.
[Ryan enters.]
RYAN
Could I, uh, see you guys for a second?
--
[20:31, INT. PRECINCT, OBSERVATION - DAY]
RYAN
She set off the sweeper.
BECKETT
What?
RYAN
The bug sweeper was on my desk. When she walked by, it went off.
CASTLE
You think she’s wearing a wire?
ESPOSITO
Dude, look at that outfit. Where is she gonna put a wire?
CASTLE
Well, if I had to be creative, I’d guess-
[Castle catches Beckett’s look.]
CASTLE
That’s rhetorical.
RYAN
We went into the tech room to isolate the frequency that the bug was transmitting on, and we found, uh, well...
ESPOSITO
Show ‘em.
RYAN
All right.
[Ryan turns on the TV screen and it shows an up close and personal view of Kay Cappuccio’s chest.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh, sweet baby. Mommy’s gonna get you home so soon.
BECKETT
Boobs?
ESPOSITO
Not just any boobs, her boobs.
[Esposito points to Kay Cappuccio on the other side of the glass.]
CASTLE
It’s on the collar. There’s a camera in one of the jewels in the dog’s collar. You said she takes that dog with her wherever she goes?
ESPOSITO
Mm-hmm.
BECKETT
Which means that Francisco probably wasn’t the intended target of the surveillance.
CASTLE
Kay Cappuccio is.
--
[21:23, INT. PRECINCT, TECH ROOM - DAY]
[The detectives show Kay the video feed, now showing Reggie who is sitting in the bullpen with Lolita.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I cannot believe that someone has been watching me.
CASTLE
Ms. Cappuccio, when you say that your dog goes with you everywhere--
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh, my God. He could’ve seen me in the shower. He could have seen me and Reggie in bed together. He could’ve seen me without my makeup. I feel so violated.
BECKETT
Look, the paparazzi are aggressive, but wiring a dog collar, that’s a lot of effort to go through just to get some celebrity video.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh, well, I mean, it’s not just any celebrity video-I mean, TMZ’s offered, like, a million bucks for the first naked picture of me.
ESPOSITO
You ask me, that number’s on the low side.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
You are too sweet.
ESPOSITO
Thank you.
RYAN
A million dollars is a pretty powerful incentive.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Yeah.
BECKETT
When did you get that collar?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Um, a few weeks ago.
CASTLE
The camera would’ve had to be installed since then, which would mean they would need access to your dog.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Lolita is barely ever out of my sight. Only when she goes on her walk or to the groomer’s.
BECKETT
Okay, we’re gonna need the names of all those people along with your house staff. We’re gonna want to run background checks on all of them.
CASTLE
In the meantime, we should keep the collar-cam active. We don’t want whoever’s behind this to know we’re on to them.
BECKETT
Right, which means, just go about your regular routine.
CASTLE
Just try to keep your private moments...more private.
--
[22:40, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
BECKETT
Look, if Kay was the actual target of the surveillance, what does any of this have to do with Francisco’s murder?
CASTLE
What if...Francisco discovers the collar is rigged, he returns the dog to Kay, but doesn’t get a chance to confront her about it at the time, but whoever’s monitoring the feed hoping to see her naked hears Kay say that she intends to talk to Francisco after the show?
BECKETT
So then they killed him to keep him quiet?
ESPOSITO
Well, this is paparazzi we’re talking about. I could see one of those scum killing for a fat paycheck.
BECKETT
So if we find whoever bugged that collar, then we might be able to find our killer.
CASTLE
Well, we could go through recent photos of Kay, you know, from tabloids, gossip web sites, and see if she can identify any of them as being from the collar-cam.
BECKETT
And then there might be a trail that leads back to the guilty party. So we’re gonna have to find somebody to pull all those photos--
ESPOSITO
I’ll do it.
CASTLE
Got a little case of, uh...puppy love there, Esposito?
[Esposito scoffs.]
BECKETT
You do realize that she’s got a serious boyfriend, right?
ESPOSITO
Who...Reggie? (scoffs) He was a back-up dancer in a fitness video. I mean, I don’t even know what she’s doing with that knucklehead. (mutter) No.
[Esposito leaves muttering as Beckett and Castle laugh. Castle hears Royal whine and sees him shut up in a conference room.]
CASTLE
Aw. Looks like Esposito isn’t the only frustrated dog in the precinct. Who closed him up in there?
BECKETT
Oh, he needed to take a nap, but he can’t stay there overnight.
CASTLE
I could take him home with me. Alexis is gone for the weekend, and I could use the company.
[Castle sees Beckett’s expression.]
BECKETT
Or...I could take him home. I mean, I’ve been thinking about getting a dog. This might be a great chance at a trial run.
CASTLE
Oh. Yeah. All right. Then I guess you can take him.
BECKETT
I mean, I-I mean, I don’t-I don’t want you to feel lonely.
CASTLE
Well, I could flip you for it.
BECKETT
No roshambo?
CASTLE
Well, I mean, that would put you at an unfair disadvantage. I’m pretty good
BECKETT
Oh, come on, Castle, let’s go.
CASTLE
All right. Just so you know, there’s...strategies in this game that, uh...
[They do rock-paper-scissors and Castle loses.]
CASTLE
Two out of three?
BECKETT
Mm-hmm.
[They roshambo and Castle loses.]
CASTLE
Three out of five?
BECKETT
Sure.
[They roshambo and Castle loses again.]
BECKETT
You know, there is another way that we can go about this.
--
[24:42, INT. BECKETT’S APARTMENT - NIGHT]
[Castle knocks on the door and Beckett answers. Royal runs into the apartment and Castle enters, chucking in enjoyment.]
BECKETT
Castle, you were supposed to be here over an hour ago. It’s called “shared” custody, not “show up when you want” custody.
CASTLE
Yeah, I thought I had everything together, but at the last minute, I could not find Mr. Squeaky.
[Castle squeezes the squeaky toy.]
CASTLE
So, don’t worry about feeding him. I had a rib eye I couldn’t finish.
BECKETT
You fed him a steak?
CASTLE
Yeah. Don’t worry, we worked it off. He played, uh, fetch in the hall, and then we watched some “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.” Boy, this guy-this guy is a snuggler.
BECKETT
And I bet you let him sit on your couch, didn’t you?
CASTLE
Um...
BECKETT
No, it’s okay. You can be the fun one. I’ll just be the bad guy, because there is no way that you are shedding all over my couch.
CASTLE
Oh, no. He’s perfectly happy right there. Oh, and he loves it when you rub him right between the eyes. Just little circles with your thumb, just like this.
[Castle takes Beckett’s hand to demonstrate.]
CASTLE
Not too hard, just...
[They both react to the touch.]
BECKETT
Castle...
[Castle lets go.]
CASTLE
Yeah, there’s...you get it. Yeah. Um, all right. You guys have fun!
[Castle heads for the door.]
CASTLE
Don’t miss me too much. The dog, not you.
[Castle exits. Beckett walks around the dog and sits on her couch, watching Royal. She puts her feet on the table.]
BECKETT
Okay, come on.
[Beckett squeezes Mr. Squeaky.]
BECKETT
Right here.
[Royal runs to the couch.]
BECKETT (high-pitched)
Come on. Right here. Come on.
[Beckett giggles as Royal licks her face.]
BECKETT
You’re so cute.
--
[26:28, INT. PRECINCT, TECH ROOM - DAY]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I never thought I would say this, but I am so sick of looking at myself right now. I can’t even imagine how you must feel.
ESPOSITO
Don’t worry about me. What about...
[Esposito clicks the remote to the next photo.]
ESPOSITO
That one?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Um, that is what I wore on Thursday. So that means Lolita was off at the groomer’s. So, no. The collar couldn’t have taken this picture.
ESPOSITO
I can’t believe you can identify what day of the year it is just from what you’re wearing.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
And people say I’m talentless.
ESPOSITO
Don’t listen to those haters. How many of them can say they got their own cosmetics line, huh?
[Esposito clicks to the next photo.]
ESPOSITO
How about this one?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
No. God, I remember that day. There was this creep photographer hidden down between two cars. (sigh) This is depressing.
ESPOSITO
Don’t worry. We’ll catch the guy.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
No, I mean, my life. It’s...shopping...and partying and more shopping. And it is bad enough that people fight to take pictures of me doing all this dumb stuff, but...(sigh) Do you really think that Francisco was murdered because of it?
ESPOSITO
Well, if he was, it doesn’t make it your fault.
[Kay sighs.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Did he have a family?
ESPOSITO
No. It was just him and him dog.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh, well, I guess we weren’t so different, then.
ESPOSITO
What are you talking about? You, uh, well, you have...Reggie...Phoebe, all your friends. Look at all these pictures. You’re never alone.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Pictures can be really deceiving.
[Esposito flips to the next photo.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Wait. This one.
ESPOSITO
This one? It’s from a high angle.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
No, no, this is from last week. This is the day that Lolita got off her leash, and she climbed up this hill, and this would’ve been her exact vantage point.
ESPOSITO
Now all I gotta do is call “Celebrity Report,” and they oughta lead me right to...
--
[28:20, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
[Esposito slaps a photo on the murder board.]
ESPOSITO
Marcus Hiatt. All the pictures IDed from the collar-cam can be traced back to him.
CASTLE
He was outside Kay’s place with the rest of the paparazzi.
ESPOSITO
The guy’s a full-on stalkerazzi. Harassment, trespassing, even B&E. Seems like there’s nothing this guy won’t do to get that big-money shot. And we know he had opportunity for the murder, because he was issued credentials to that dog show.
BECKETT
Wonder where he might be now.
--
[28:40, EXT. STREET - DAY]
[Esposito knocks on Hiatt’s car window and Marcus tries to take his video and headphones out the other side of the car, but Beckett opens the car door on that side and shows him her badge before grabbing the video screen. Beckett hands it to Castle. It shows Kay working out.]
CASTLE
Who is your cable service provider? Because I do not get this channel.
[Esposito grabs Hiatt, pulls him out of the car, and plants his face into the car window to cuff him.]
--
ACT FOUR
[29:07, INT. PRECINCT, INTERROGATION/OBSERVATION - DAY]
[Beckett shows Hiatt one of the surveillance photos from the video feed.]
BECKETT
You recognize your work, Marcus?
ESPOSITO
Kay Cappuccio did, and so did that scandal rag you sold it to.
BECKETT
How’d you get access to the dog? Did you pay someone off?
MARCUS HIATT
You guys are way off base here, all right? Look, it’s not what you think.
ESPOSITO
No? ‘Cause I think you knew that if Francisco told Kay about the collar, she’d go straight to the FBI. And you saw your whole world crashing down around you.
MARCUS HIATT
I did not kill that Francisco guy. I didn’t even wire the dog collar, either.
BECKETT
Marcus, we just caught you watching the feed.
[Castle pets Royal behind the one-way glass.]
CASTLE
Who’s a good boy, huh? Who’s a good boy?
MARCUS HIATT
Look, all right...
CASTLE
Is Marcus a good boy? No, he’s not a good boy. He’s a bad boy.
MARCUS HIATT
...maybe hack into her cell phone, maybe, uh, find some nude pictures of her or something. But then outta nowhere, I pick up that video feed: Kay Cappuccio dropping her bathrobe and jumping into the shower. Look, I know they say she’s got no talent, but let me tell you something, brother, that girl’s got more talent than a thorough--
ESPOSITO
Hey! Watch your mouth.
BECKETT
Do you actually expect us to believe that you accidentally came across that feed?
MARCUS HIATT
Look, I didn’t know where it was coming from, and really, I didn’t care. I was sitting on a gold mine, only I didn’t have the equipment to record it at first. So I scrambled to get it set up, but later that day, they shipped the dog off to that damn trainer.
BECKETT
Well, that’s a great story, Marcus.
MARCUS HIATT
Look...if you want to find who killed him, find who he’s doing business with. And I’m not talking about his dog training business either.
BECKETT
Then what are you talking about?
MARCUS HIATT
I drove back there to check on the signal, all right? Thought maybe I could find out when the dog was going back to Kay. The things I heard that Francisco guy talking about? Yeah, he was into some sketchy stuff.
ESPOSITO
Really, bro? You’re gonna sit here and call someone else sketchy?
MARCUS HIATT
Listen to what I’m saying, all right? The guy was talking about shipments from Argentina, getting past customs, street values.
--
[30:52, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
CASTLE
Drugs?
RYAN
Yeah, it seems to fit his travel. In addition to his international trips, he made a lot of flights to Boston, New Orleans, Seattle, Long Beach, Miami.
CASTLE
All port cities.
RYAN
Exactly.
BECKETT
The international travel to judge dog shows, that’s a perfect cover.
CASTLE
So our dog trainer is a drug courier. No wonder he was so paranoid about being bugged.
BECKETT
Then that warehouse that we saw...
ESPOSITO
Breeding facility, my ass.
--
[31:12, INT. PRECINCT, INTERROGATION - DAY]
BECKETT
The Pilar Retriever?
JACK PATTERSON
Pretty good story, right? Hey, I had to get you outta there somehow.
BECKETT
Mr. Patterson, I don’t think you understand how serious this is. We’re in the process of obtaining a warrant. We’re gonna search that warehouse from top to bottom.
CASTLE
And we got a pretty good idea of what we’re gonna find in there.
JACK PATTERSON
Well, I’ll tell you exactly what you’ll find - suitcases with false bottoms for smuggling drugs through customs, about two kilos of pure Argentinean heroin, and the best drug-sniffing dogs we’ve ever had. My name’s not Jack Patterson. Kenny Weizer, U.S. Customs Agent. You got any coffee?
CASTLE
Um...
--
[31:53, INT. PRECINCT, BREAK ROOM - DAY]
BECKETT
So, Francisco was training drug-sniffing dogs?
KENNY WEIZER (AKA JACK PATTERSON)
His methods were amazing. Personally handled deployment wherever we thought the shipment was coming in.
CASTLE
Which explains all that travel to those port cities, and the payments and the secrecy.
KENNY WEIZER (AKA JACK PATTERSON)
Yeah, sorry about giving you the runaround at the warehouse, but when you’re dealing with the cartels, you can’t be too careful.
BECKETT
Oh, so that’s why you gave us Kay Cappuccio’s name, because you thought she bugged Francisco.
KENNY WEIZER (AKA JACK PATTERSON)
Yeah, we couldn’t really launch an investigation without tipping our hand to the Vasquez operation. So I figured, I’d tell you what I know, see where you could get.
BECKETT
Vasquez - that’s out of Argentina, right?
KENNY WEIZER (AKA JACK PATTERSON)
Mm-hmm.
BECKETT
That’s a huge heroin smuggling family.
CASTLE
Agent Weizer, what are Francisco’s dogs trained to do when they smell drugs?
KENNY WEIZER (AKA JACK PATTERSON)
They paw at the ground. Why?
CASTLE
Because that’s what Royal was doing. So, I guess that dog therapist was right. He was trying to tell us something. He smelled drugs on our killer.
KENNY WEIZER (AKA JACK PATTERSON)
Well, that makes sense. The Vasquez cartel had a hell of a lot to gain from Francisco’s death. His program was costing them a fortune in intercepted shipments.
BECKETT
Which is why they wanted eyes and ears on Francisco. They wanted to figure out how the customs’ operation worked.
CASTLE
But once Francisco realized he was under surveillance, they knew he was onto them.
KENNY WEIZER (AKA JACK PATTERSON)
So they got someone to finish him off. Probably the same person who wired Kay Cappuccio’s dog collar.
--
[33:01, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
[Castle writes in a circle graph on the murder board.]
CASTLE
Whoever wired up that dog collar had to have three things: One, access to the dog, two, knowledge that Francisco would be training that dog, three, some connection to the Vasquez cartel. The intersection of these three circles holds the identity of our killer.
[Royal approaches Beckett and starts pawing at the ground.]
CASTLE
He’s doing that thing again.
BECKETT
Yeah, but I don’t have any heroin on me, Castle.
CASTLE
Well, why would he react like that unless...Beckett, are you wearing perfume? And just for future reference, I am partial to Fracas.
BECKETT
Listen, don’t flatter yourself, okay? I just spritzed some of this stuff that Kay sent over in the gift basket.
CASTLE
Why would he react to that?
[Beckett looks at the label on the bottle.]
BECKETT
Because the main ingredient is essence of poppy flower.
ESPOSITO
And heroine is made from morphine, which comes from the opium poppy.
CASTLE
Guys, what if, at the crime scene, he was pawing not at drugs, but at the scent of that perfume?
BECKETT
Yeah, but this perfume hasn’t even come out yet. I mean, who would be wearing it?
CASTLE
Only one person.
ESPOSITO
Not Kay.
CASTLE
Well, she was at the crime scene.
ESPOSITO
Castle, we’re not talking about paparazzi and celebrities. We’re dealing with a drug cartel.
CASTLE
Okay, well, let’s remember what we’re looking for: One, access to the dog. Check. Two, knowledge that Francisco was training the dog. Check. Only thing we’re missing is a connection to the cartel.
RYAN
Uh, guys, I think I might have our link. Kay Cappuccio shot a commercial in Argentina six months ago.
ESPOSITO
So? Argentina’s a big country. It doesn’t mean that she’s connected to the Vasquez family.
RYAN
But this does. She stayed at the compound of Junior Vasquez, first lieutenant of the cartel.
BECKETT
She’s the one.
[Castle writes “Kay” in the center of the circle graph.]
--
ACT FIVE
[34:53, INT. PRECINCT, INTERROGATION - DAY]
KAY CAPPUCCIO (on video)
I just want to say hi to all my fans out there! Say hi Lolita. And I want to remind you guys that my new scent hits stores next month, Kay Cappuccio’s Guilty Pleasure. Make sure he’s guilty...of wanting you.
[Kay spritzes the perfume in the video. Castle pauses it.]
CASTLE
Guilty Pleasure? Or just guilty?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
What does this video have to do with anything?
BECKETT
This was about 15 minutes before you went backstage to Francisco Pilar’s dressing room.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
So?
BECKETT
So, we have reason to suspect that our killer was wearing your perfume.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Well, that’s impossible. It wasn’t even out yet. I’m the only person that had it.
[INT. OBSERVATION - DAY]
RYAN
Does she realize she just incriminated herself?
ESPOSITO
I said she was nice. I didn’t say anything about smart.
UNIFORM
Customs Agent Weizer’s on the phone for Detective Esposito.
ESPOSITO
Thanks.
RYAN
What was that about?
ESPOSITO
I asked him to call me if he found any definitive Kay Cappuccio connection to the Vasquez family.
--
[35:53, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
REGGIE STARR
Hey. You know when they’re gonna be done in there? We got a reporter from Vanity Fair coming by the house later. They’re giving her the cover.
ESPOSITO
I don’t know, bro. But, um, good luck with that.
[Esposito sits at his desk to take the call.]
ESPOSITO (on phone)
Esposito.
--
[36:18, INT. PRECINCT, INTERROGATION - DAY]
BECKETT
What’s your relationship with Junior Vasquez?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Junior? He is such a sweetheart. Um, they have “Keeping Up With Cappuccio” in Argentina, so he’s kind of a big fan.
BECKETT
Do you realize that the Vasquez family is the number one heroin exporter in South America?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
What? Oh, my God. You guys, I did not know that.
[Esposito enters and whispers something to Beckett.]
BECKETT
Excuse me. Give me a minute, Castle.
[Beckett exits with Esposito.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
This is a nightmare. Heroine, murder…I just wish I had never even heard of Francisco.
CASTLE
Kay, how-how did you hear about him?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Reggie. He read about him in, like, a magazine or something. He said he was the best, so he insisted I use him.
CASTLE
So, it was Reggie’s idea that Lolita go to Francisco for training?
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Yeah.
[Castle fast-forwards through the video and pauses.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO (on video)
Make sure he’s guilty of wanting you.
[Kay spritzes the perfume several times in the video. Then talks to her dog.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO (on video)
Hi, baby!
[Reggie begins to cough from the perfume.]
--
[37:24, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - DAY]
[Esposito and Beckett confer in low voices.]
BECKETT
Are you sure about this?
ESPOSITO
Positive. Customs connected Kay to the Vasquez family all right, through Reggie. Turns out he went to school with one of the Vasquez kids. He’s the connection, not Kay.
[Reggie watches the detectives through the break room window. Esposito stops a uniform and talks to her as he looks back at Reggie through the window. Reggie sees that they’re onto them and drops the coffee cup as he makes a run for it, shoving some cops out of the way. Castle blocks one exit with Royal.]
CASTLE
Get him, Royal.
[Castle unleashes the dog and Reggie runs for it. Esposito catches Reggie’s coat and Reggie tries to punch him. Esposito grabs Reggie’s arm, flips him onto the ground and cuffs him.]
--
[38:05, INT. PRECINCT, BULLPEN - NIGHT]
BECKETT
So, he confessed to the whole thing. The Vasquez cartel suspected that Francisco was training dogs for customs. And then when Kay needed Lolita trained, Reggie steered her towards Francisco and then wired the dog collar.
CASTLE
But Francisco caught on, and Reggie panicked. He felt he had to protect the cartel.
BECKETT
Yeah, and Reggie wanted to get in good with the cartel. He knew that his days of mooching off of Kay were almost over, in spite of all the reports that the two of them were getting married.
CASTLE
Whoa, whoa. Wait, you mean…the tabloids were wrong?
BECKETT
Yeah, and, um, you know, I was wrong about something, too. Turns out having a mascot in the precinct can be pretty useful.
CASTLE
So, I was thinking for tonight, maybe you take him home, and then I’ll swing by, pick him up, maybe 9:30?
BECKETT
Oh, I don’t know, Castle. I don’t know if this whole splitting time thing is a good long-term solution.
CASTLE
Well, what then? Alternating nights, uh, weekends/weekdays?
BECKETT
I-I think it’ll just confuse the poor guy.
CASTLE
God knows, he’s had enough therapy.
BECKETT
I think he deserves one home.
CASTLE
Oh, I see where this is going.
[Castle prepares to rock-paper-scissors.]
BECKETT
Uh, no. No, no roshambo.
CASTLE
You got a better idea?
BECKETT
I think we should let Royal decide. We go to opposite ends of the room, and wherever he goes, that’s home.
CASTLE
Let’s do it. Sit, Royal. Sit down. Sit down. Good boy. Stay there. Stay there. All right.
BECKETT
Ready?
CASTLE
Ready. Come here, boy.
BECKETT
Come over here, Royal. Come on.
CASTLE
Come here, Royal.
BECKETT
Come over here, boy. Come right here.
CASTLE
It’s a big decision…
BECKETT
Royal, who loves you?
CASTLE
…But I know you’ll make the right one.
BECKETT
Come on, Royal. Come on. My couch is super comfortable, Royal.
CASTLE
Come on, buddy.
BECKETT
Come right over here, baby.
CASTLE
You know…
BECKETT
Come over here.
CASTLE
…in your heart.
BECKETT
Come on, Royal. Who’s here?
CASTLE
Man’s best friend.
BECKETT
Come over here.
CASTLE
Man’s!
[Royal ignores both of them and heads off through the desks to Kay’s feet.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Looks like he’s made his choice, and it’s me!
[Kay crouches down and Lolita snarls in her arms.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
You have such good taste, Royal. Hi, buddy. You have very good taste. Hey, buddy.
BECKETT
Are you sure you want to take him?
CASTLE
Yeah, maybe we should do two out of three.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
Oh, yes, Lolita and I need a big strong man around the house, especially one as loyal as this, right, bud? Royal, you are officially a Cappuccio now.
[Kay turns to Esposito.]
KAY CAPPUCCIO
And you have been so sweet.
ESPOSITO (chuckles)
Oh. Hey, if…you know, I know that the paparazzi can be very vicious sometimes, so if you ever need anything, I mean anything at all, you know where to find me.
KAY CAPPUCCIO
I just might take you up on that one day.
[Kay kisses Esposito’s cheek.]
BECKETT
Well, you know what? I mean, I’m sure it’s for the best. He woulda been lonely at my place. There’s nobody to play with.
CASTLE
Yeah, mine, too. (sigh) They do look like they enjoy each other.
BECKETT
Mm.
--
[40:47, INT. CASTLE LOFT - NIGHT]
[Alexis enters.]
CASTLE
Hey, sweetheart. How was your trip?
ALEXIS
We had fun. Miss me?
CASTLE
Ah, terribly. But I did manage to have a good time without you with my new friend Royal he dog.
ALEXIS
You got a dog?
CASTLE
No, but I was looking after him for a while, but it made me think. All those times when you were little, how you begged me for a dog and I refused because--
ALEXIS
You said, you’d be the one who’d wind up having to feed it, and it was hard enough remembering to feed me every day.
CASTLE
Yeah, I…I don’t remember that last part.
ALEXIS
It was subtext. Barely.
CASTLE
Anyway, I want to make it up to you. I want to get you a dog. Only question is, what kind of dog do we get? What are we gonna name it? Whose room is it gonna sleep--
ALEXIS
Whoa, Dad, slow down. I’m leaving for college soon, remember? You can’t have a dog in your dorm room.
CASTLE
Right. Well, I know. I’ll just take care of him here. You can come visit him whenever you can.
ALEXIS
So…this dog you want o get, you know, for me…this wouldn’t be an enticement to come home from college more often, would it?
CASTLE
Don’t pretend like you’re smarter than me. I taught you subtext, young lady.
ALEXIS (inhales deeply)
Don’t worry. I’ll come back and visit so much, you’ll be sick of me.
CASTLE
Promise?
ALEXIS
Yeah. Someone has to leave food out for you once in a while.
CASTLE
Speaking od, I’m kinda hungry right now.
ALEXIS
Kibbles’n bits?
CASTLE
Peanut butter on a spoon?
ALEXIS (giggles)
Chinese.
CASTLE
I’d like a sandwich.
[Alexis sighs.]
CASTLE
Welcome home.
ALEXIS
Yeah.
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