Previously on "Veronica Mars"...
Duncan Kane, son of software billionaire Jake Kane.
He used to be my boyfriend.
- Then one day... - I've got a secret. A good one.
Duncan, what happened? Where's Lilly?
Does your dad still think that Lilly's father did this?
That is Duncan's sister. Your friend.
My dad's belief that Jake Kane was the murderer became a moot point.
An emergency recall election removed him from office.
A month after Dad lost his job, Mom split for good.
It's been eight months since I've seen my mother.
Sarah Kramer. You are gay.
- The girl's a mannequin. - She's in my chem class.
- She smells good. - Yeah, she's cute, in a Hilary Duff...
...meet-you-at-the-Galleria, Teen People kind of way.
But she's not hot.
Her.
- Who? Veronica Mars? - Yeah. She comes into the video store.
- You do know her dad's a private detective. - Seriously?
No, in a movie. Yes, seriously. She works with him.
Eight and a half. That's my final offer.
Dude, she's that smoking and a private eye?
That's gotta make her at least a nine.
- Guess what I'm doing this weekend. - I'm guessing it involves autoeroticism.
Close. I will be cruising the marina in my dad's Sabre 386.
That's a luxury sailboat.
You know, wind through my hair, Strokes blasting through the speakers.
And, with any luck, a wide-eyed, impressionable vixen by my side.
Impressionable? Me?
I said impressionable, not you.
You know, you might wanna check your ego at the door there, missy.
Thanks, man.
The weird thing about going to high school with your ex is they're inescapable.
Everywhere you turn, there they are.
It's a beautiful day, huh? Beautiful, lazy day.
You gonna get off that raft any time soon?
- What? - Listen, I was...
I was thinking about next summer.
And my friend Ron Curtis, he's an advisor for Senator Rake in Washington.
Now, he's got an internship that is opening in his office.
I think that you should write him a letter...
...and you should express your interest in politics.
You could tell him about your campaign for the student government.
You could tell him about the different things that you do surrounding government.
You know, you could tell him what you did for Schwarzenegger...
So I got a call from your guidance counselor today, and she wants to see me.
- Any idea what for? - No.
Have you been playing nice with the other kids?
You know, Dad, I'm old school. An eye for an eye.
I think that's actually Old Testament.
Come on.
No help? You're not gonna give me any idea what to expect?
Honestly, I haven't a clue. But can I ask you a question?
What do you think Mom was doing...
...at the Camelot Motel with Jake Kane two weeks ago?
I told you to stay away from that case.
I just don't understand. She's only in Arizona.
- Why haven't you been looking for...? - Veronica, please.
How about those Padres?
You know, I just wanna see him passionate about something.
As long as it's something you're passionate about.
No.
Anything.
He's not gonna get into a good college without some defining interests.
I think we could be a little more patient, Jake.
We all lost Lilly, and we all miss her.
But that doesn't mean we stop living our lives.
- Is there any more liquid soap? - Check underneath the sink.
I'm gonna go to the library, okay? Don't wait up.
- Where are you going, sweetie? - Just over to Shelly's.
Okay, well, please be back before 11. It's school tomorrow.
Excellent recommendation, as always. Thank you.
Kevin Spacey is so amazing in this. And you should check out Body Heat.
- These are late. - Bye.
Rent it if you wanna rent it. I'm not gonna watch it.
There's only so many times a girl can watch Slap Shot.
- So is it true your dad's a PI? - That's what it says on the sign.
- And you work with him? - Sometimes.
- Can I talk to you about something? - Sure.
It's kind of private.
- Find me at school tomorrow. - Okay.
I got The Cowboys too, just in case we need a backup.
Duncan, this is me reminding you to take your pill.
Darling, there's absolutely no shame in taking anti-depressants.
I don't know anyone who hasn't needed them at some point.
I know it's been rough since your sister died.
Plus, you've only been on them for, what, six months?
Give it a little more time.
- Oh, so you'll be home for dinner? - Yeah. Sure thing, Mom.
Hey. What's going on?
Let's go out.
Finally, the girl comes to her senses.
Hey, did you hook up with Shelly last night?
She's a talker. She's a talker, you know?
She has conflicted feelings towards her new stepmom...
...and the color scheme she's...
- I hate it when they talk. - Yeah, I know it.
Have you noticed that the new kid in town has been all over your trailer-park ex?
Let it be, Logan.
Okay, nowhere man. You be the fool on the hill.
See if I care.
Dude, you don't look so hot.
- You okay? - Never better.
Okay.
That girl is seriously wack.
- I'm not supposed to be in here. - You wanna talk?
Yeah. Do you think you could help find someone for me?
- Who? - My father.
He ran out about 10 years ago. I haven't heard from him since.
Sounds like a winner. Are you sure you want to find him?
- Well, yeah. - Hey!
Mainly I just gotta know what happened to him.
Why now? Why haven't you looked for him before?
Well, my mom got laid off a couple months ago...
...and she's working these two really crappy jobs, and I'm working too...
- ...and we barely get by. - What can you tell me about him?
Well, I haven't seen him since I was about 6 or so.
- Okay. Can you get me a picture? - Mom destroyed them all.
Last known address.
I was born in L.A., so we lived there till I was about two.
Can you get your hands on his Social Security number?
Date of birth?
- All right, the name. Can we manage that? - It's John Smith.
Mr. Mars. Hi. Thank you for coming in.
Miss James. Yeah.
- I was a little surprised by your call. - Oh, don't worry.
Veronica's an excellent student. I think she's amazing.
She's got a great mind.
So why exactly am I here?
Well, we've noticed a dramatic change in her over the last year.
She's late a lot. She has attitude with certain teachers.
She falls asleep in class. And socially, she seems to be a bit isolated.
Yeah.
- Yeah, she's gone through a rough year. - I know how close she was with Lilly Kane.
I'd say Veronica's doing pretty well, given the circumstances.
- Where are you going with this? - If you find this difficult...
...and many single fathers of daughters do, I would be more than happy to talk to her.
No.
I can handle it. Thank you for the heads up.
Anytime.
A life coach?
Didn't we just have a discussion about our son's lack of focus?
Oh, no, you're right. Let's get him an astrologist too.
Maybe a past-life consultant.
Throw in a Pilates coach if yours can free up some time.
Raise your glasses. I'd like to make a toast.
- To Molly. - Molly? Who's Molly?
- Our old dog. The lab. - Yes. Sweet old Molly, God rest her soul.
But, boy, could that dog catch a Frisbee.
If only she had the good sense not to whiz in our flower bed, she'd still be with us.
Duncan, honey, it's been six years. When are you gonna let this go?
I'm sure she was placed in a very happy home.
To Molly, the best friend a boy could have.
- You going to study group later? - No, dude, I can't.
- I'm gonna hook up with Veronica. - I'm going parasailing with Halle Berry.
I'm serious. She's working a case for me.
She's gonna help me find my missing dad.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't your dad die, like, seven years ago?
Well, then, I guess it's gonna take her a long time to find him.
Oh, yeah.
Hello, you've reached the administration office of the Stanford summer program.
No one's here to take your call, but leave us a message, and we'll call you back.
Sorry.
- Keith Mars. - Hi, sir. Wallace Fennel.
Wallace is a friend of mine. Take that, high school guidance counselor.
Well, hello, Wallace. Now, what's going on here?
Helping a kid at school locate his deadbeat dead.
The somewhat inconveniently named John Smith.
But I've narrowed the field down to 440 John Smiths...
...so I'm sending each a letter addressed to his son...
...congratulating him on a scholarship.
I figure if our John Smith has any conscience at all...
...he'll see his son's name, open the letter, and call to say he's got the wrong address.
Part of me is proud...
...and let's just leave it at that.
I used one of the dedicated phone lines. I hope that's all right.
We're gonna trace the calls that come in.
- So how did she rope you into this? - She promised me all the answer keys to...
She's promised to be my friend.
I'd have held out for a better offer.
I'll be in my office.
Hey, would you do me a favor?
Why did the hair on the back of my neck just stick up?
It's not that big of a deal.
The next time you're in the administrations office, could you borrow my permanent file?
I wanna see what that counselor is telling Dad.
No big deal. I can get expelled for that.
Good morning, darling.
Your pill's on the counter. Don't forget.
Great. Thanks.
Sophia?
I'll be out for a few hours. While I'm gone, I'd like...
You called your geometry teacher a jackass?
That's totally taken out of context. Let me see it.
Hold up, grabby. I'm discovering a whole new side of you.
Damn, Ms. Applebaum loved her some Veronica Mars.
"Veronica Mars is a complete angel and a joy to have in class every day."
Mrs. Applebaum? That file goes to the second grade?
Kindergarten.
Oh, sweet. You wrote your teacher a poem.
Okay, yes, I was a kiss-ass. You've outed me. Now, can I see it?
- So any leads yet? - We should know something by next week.
Well, hey, I got something for you.
I just burned a few songs for you. It has the new 311 on there.
- Thanks. - Well, you know.
If you're on a stakeout, you might need something to get you through the night.
Yeah, okay.
Later.
- He brought you a mix tape. - Shut up.
Hey, do me a favor.
- Please be kidding. - Get me his file.
We get the idea to make it on America's Funniest Home Videos...
- ...with this fake-shark plan. - Oh, I remember that. That was you?
The plan was to cut off the dorsal fin, nail it to a board...
...strap the board to my back, and have me swim around the beach.
And Duncan's gonna stand on the shore and videotape the mob scene.
But it never happens.
I'm swimming out there for, like, 15 minutes.
No one even notices.
- You guys were idiots. - Yes, yes, we were.
Finally, the lifeguard, he spots me.
The clod pulls out a rifle. Okay, lucky for me, Duncan spots him.
He goes sprinting towards the lifeguard tower. He was bawling his eyes out.
So he's running, he's saying, "No, don't shoot.
"That's my friend, that's my friend."
- He saved my life. - That's one way of looking at it.
I'm kind of tired of this song.
I would have expected sex had that worked.
Had that worked, you would have gotten it.
Try it again.
Check.
Let me see your phone.
What are you doing?
It is now booty-call enabled.
In case I need a little late-night action?
Action, investment advice, whatever.
- So... - I should really get home.
I'd invite you over, but it's a school night, and my dad owns a handgun.
He says he can look into a guy's eyes and tell his true intentions...
...which I know sounds like a myth, but I...
Okay, then.
And a good night to you, madam.
- How was your date? - Oh, you know.
Lousy conversation, but the sex was fantastic.
That's not funny.
I don't know. I'm pretty sure it was.
Brain? Check.
Dead sexy? Check.
Devilish charm? Check.
Formidable Scrabble opponent?
Who cares?
What's wrong with you, Veronica?
What are you waiting for?
Veronica.
What did you just call me?
Justin's permanent file.
- You might wanna take a look at that. - Is it gonna self-destruct in five seconds?
I need to talk to Justin.
Alone.
See you guys.
Explain this.
- My evaluation from first grade? - Yeah. Read it to me.
"Justin shows talent in finger painting and arts-and-crafts projects."
Further down.
"For the past several months, Justin has been moody and withdrawn.
"This behavior is not surprising in light of his father's recent death."
Everything you told me was a lie, Justin. You wasted my time.
That drives me crazy. And you owe me $150 in postage.
- Excuse me. Are you Justin Smith? - Yeah.
- This came for you. - Thanks.
It's the scholarship letter that you sent out...
...and there's a note.
It's from my father.
- Someone to see you. - Describe this someone.
White male, pint-sized, desperate, not having a good day.
Hey.
So I bicycled all the way over here.
- I just wanted to say I'm sorry. - You could've saved it till tomorrow.
So I showed my mom the letter.
She got all mad and made me promise not to try and find my dad.
So he really is alive?
My mom actually said I was better off this way, thinking he was dead.
Maybe you were.
I mean, I have a dad somewhere out there in the world.
How can I not try and find out what happened to him?
It would kill me.
Let me see the letter again.
The letter Justin received from his long lost dad bore a San Diego postmark.
Of the 440 John Smiths out there, only three were in San Diego.
Come in.
- I couldn't help but overhear. - Yeah. Sorry.
No, it's not that.
It's just that I never want you to think your mom's the villain in all this.
- Isn't she? - No, it's not that simple.
Yeah, it is.
The hero is the one that stays, and the villain is the one that splits.
I don't think that's a healthy perspective.
It's healthier than me pining away every day, praying she'll come home.
The truth was, I'd figured out exactly where my mother was staying.
But I wasn't about to tell him that.
Wait up.
Don't run. People might think that you're desperate.
That would be a step up, reputation-wise.
I guess that all depends on who you're asking.
- Go, Pirates! - Yeah, baby!
Hey, I thought your boy toy Troy was gonna join us for happy hour this afternoon.
You don't suppose that he got waylaid by Veronica, do you?
Grasshopper too slow for kung fu master.
If you can take the flask out of my hand, then you will be new master.
Wait, wait, wait. Guys. Check it out, guys.
Six guys, bleachers...
Jump in when you're feeling this, okay?
- What has gotten into you, man? - Hey, check it out.
- Oh, look at that, man! - Crazy is as crazy does.
Bravo.
Bravo!
I think I might've given you the wrong impression.
I had a really great time.
I just...
It's just that you need more... And, you know, you get to fill in the blank here.
A, time. B, space.
- You okay, man? - What was that, a triple klutz?
- He needs to go to the hospital. - Hey, open your mouth.
This will help.
Come on.
Death-defying stunt? Gushing head wound?
You are the man, brother.
And I almost stuck the landing.
- You sure you don't want some help? - Thanks, I got it.
Put your seat belt on.
Hold the towel tighter!
Remember how things used to be?
You mean between us? Or before Lilly died?
Or two weeks ago, before your friend took an interest in me?
- Veronica? - Not really. No.
- Want your girlfriend to stay here with you? - Oh, I'm not his girlfriend.
Yeah, that's cool.
Well, here you are.
- Veronica, we meet again. - What are the odds?
Veronica brought me in.
Thank you, Veronica.
- I think I can handle it from here. - Okay, I have stuff to do anyway, so...
Off a bleacher?
Well...
...everything is fine.
There's no fractures, nothing that a few stitches won't fix.
I still don't understand how this happened, Duncan.
What possessed you to jump off a set of bleachers?
Dad...
...can I talk with Dr. Levine for a minute?
By myself?
All right.
Of the 440 John Smiths out there, only three were in San Diego.
My mission, find and photograph them.
Of course, Justin hadn't seen his father since he was six.
There was no guarantee he could ID him.
Are you sure you don't have pictures of your dad?
I don't think so. My mom cut him out of all of them.
- But I could take a look. - Excuse me.
- Can I call you back? - Yeah. Just bring me whatever you have.
Bye.
Last time I was in, you mentioned Body Heat. Do you have that on DVD?
- Looks like I'd have to special-order it. - All right. Sounds good.
Ultimately, it is your decision, and you should do what's right for you...
...but I have to warn you...
...going cold turkey off anti-depressants can have some serious side effects.
- Now, you're likely to feel nauseous. - Yeah. Plenty of that.
It's possible you'll suffer from hallucinations...
...and particularly vivid dreams, and this could go on for weeks.
Some people find that unnerving.
It's worth it.
Hey, thanks for making the time to see me.
I owe you an apology.
I was abrupt and defensive the other day.
Well, on a defensive-parent scale of one to 10, I'd say three...
...so don't worry about it.
And you were right. I think Veronica does need someone to talk to...
...and I'm afraid that, in this case, that I'm... I'm not equipped to be that person.
- I would be happy to talk to her. - Thank you.
- I'm so sorry. Would you mind? - Sure. Yeah.
Can you hang on? I'm gonna take this. Oh! Hi. Yeah. Okay.
Can I call you right back? Fine.
- I got it. I got it. - Oh, gee, thank you.
Thank you so much. I'm a coffee addict.
Thanks again.
Sure.
Sheriff Mars?
You always had my vote.
I picked up all the John Smiths at their homes...
...and followed them till I got decent shots.
Here's the first one. He's a veterinarian and married.
And there's a swing set in the back, so I'm guessing he's got kids.
No. It's definitely not him.
Okay.
John Smith number two. Single, and coaches high school basketball.
No, it's not him, either.
Mom turns off the radio when they play "Brown Eyed Handsome Man"...
...because it reminds her of Dad. And these guys' eyes are green.
- It's not him. - Finally, John Smith number three.
Yeah, that could be him.
Do you have any pictures without sunglasses?
- He had them on the whole time. - So, what does this guy do?
I followed him from the junkyard to the pawnshop to the racetrack.
- Sweet. - My best guess would be petty criminal.
Well, can we go back there?
If I could see him up close, I could ID him.
- I don't think so. - Come on. One way or the other, I'd know.
Give the kid a break.
All right, fine. Meet me at my car after school.
But remember, I'm the one in charge, and you'll do as I say.
- Should've seen her before charm school. - I promise. Wait, hey.
I brought you the best pictures I have of Dad.
In this one, you can actually see his hand.
Wow, your mom really hated him, didn't she?
- Yeah. - Cool cars.
Mom says he was obsessed with them. Hey, what did John Smith three drive?
Sebring Convertible.
All right, I'll see you guys after school.
- That's him, right in front of the Honda. - There he goes.
- You're gonna lose him. - I'm not.
Lay low. Try not to look too conspicuous.
Hey.
Excuse me. Excuse me. Hey.
- You need something, bro? - No. I'm sorry.
I just thought you were somebody else.
It's not him. Dang!
- What are you doing? - Let me see the letter again.
It's the exact same handwriting.
Yo, bro. How can you watch this crap?
It could not be more boring.
What the hell?
Lilly?
Yeah. What, you forgot about me already?
What are you...?
Hey, you know what makes absolutely no sense?
My disappearance.
Murder. Whatever. How it supposedly went down.
It's so bogus, right?
But here's the thing. The truth is gonna come out.
- What are you talking about? - Clue in, doughnut.
It doesn't add up. You know that deep down inside.
I wish you'd just admit it to yourself. Break out of your stupor.
Wake up.
- What's this? - It's a Taser, and it's dangerous.
Put it back.
- I'm coming with you. - No, I need you to stay in the car.
Our classic car, perhaps.
A Hyundai Sonata? I don't think it qualifies as a classic.
What the hell are you doing?
- I'm calling the police. - You're not gonna do that.
I followed you, and I know what you do.
What I do? I'm a parole officer.
- What? - Why would you be following me?
I'm a friend of your son's. He just wants to see you.
I don't have a son. Don't move.
Are you trying to tell me you're not John Smith?
Justin.
Dad?
Oh, my God.
You're a woman?
I don't believe this.
This is hard, I know.
I wish I could have found a way to tell you.
Did you also know I thought you were dead since I was 11?
No.
I'm not surprised. Your mother threatened she would say that.
And your little visits to the video store?
What's that all about, huh?
I wanted to see you. Can you understand that?
I wanted to see for myself that you were all right.
Well, I'm not, actually, okay? I'm not.
It turns out my mom's a liar, and my father is a circus freak.
- Justin, maybe we should go. - Oh, this is something I had to do.
This is who I am.
Come on, Veronica. Let's get out of here.
It was nice meeting everyone.
Ninety miles.
What's 90 miles?
It's the distance your dad travels every week to see you for a few seconds.
Look, my mom's been missing too, and honestly, I would give anything...
...to feel that she cared enough about me to do that.
She wasn't going to find me. I was gonna have to find her.
I've decided to drive to Arizona after school.
If the roads are clear, I can make it there in four hours.
Tragedy blows through your life like a tornado...
...uprooting everything, creating chaos.
You wait for the dust to settle, and then you choose.
You can live in the wreckage and pretend it's still the mansion you remember.
Hey.
How's your head?
It's better.
Or you can crawl from the rubble and slowly rebuild.
- Hey! I didn't know you came here. - Yeah, I just discovered this place.
- Yeah. Me too. - Yeah.
Well, how have we missed each other?
Hey, did you special-order Body Heat for someone?
Because after disaster strikes, the important thing is that you move on.
Hello?
Julia? It's Justin.
Hey, listen, that copy of Body Heat you wanted came in.
No, it's fine. Yeah, I work here every Saturday.
That's great. Okay.
I'll see you then.
Bye.
But if you're like me, you just keep chasing the storm.
Mom?
Can I help you?
- I'm looking for Lianne Mars. - Veronica?
I'm Adrianna, a college friend of your mom's.
I feel like I know you. Your mother talks about you all the time.
- Where is she? - She left a couple weeks ago.
- Well, did she say where she was going? - No.
Don't lie to me.
I need to know.
Where is she?
She thought your father might look for her. She knows I'm no good at keeping secrets.
Doesn't she care about me?
You're all she cares about.
Mark me down as skeptical.
The problem with chasing the storm is that it wears you down, breaks your spirit.
Even the experts agree. A girl needs closure.
Hi. I'm outside your house.
It's about time.