[BIRD'S EYE-VIEW of an American SMALL TOWN.]

[A Male Teenager’s VOICE-OVER narrates]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): Our story is about a town. A small town.

[WE SEE: Nondescript SUBURBAN STREETS, anonymous, mysterious.]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): And the people who live in the town.

[WE SEE: Riverdale’s MAIN DRAG. Store-fronts, local businesses. People, different ages, sizes, races, walking...]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): From a distance, it presents itself like so many other small towns all over the world.

[WE CYCLE THROUGH IMAGES OF: City Hall, Pickins Park, the Bijou Movie Theatre, the Fire Station, the Comic Book Shop, The high school, the 24-hour Diner, POP’S...]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): Safe. Decent. Innocent. Get closer though and you start seeing the shadows underneath.

[We see a “Welcome to Riverdale” sign. Its faded motto: “The Town with Pep!”]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): The name of our town is Riverdale.[EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - EARLY MORNING]

[A beautiful, slow-moving RIVER, eternal, hypnotic. A RED CONVERTIBLE drives along the road carrying two impossibly gorgeous TEENAGERS, both red-haired, step out of the car...]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): And our story begins, I guess, with what the Blossom twins did this summer...
[They are JASON and CHERYL BLOSSOM, and really, they could be models from an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.]

[They look out at the river’s shimmering, rippling surface, start walking towards a DOCK...]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): On the fourth of July, just after dawn, Jason and Cheryl Blossom drove out to Sweetwater River for an early morning boat-ride

[As they near the dock, Cheryl turns to Jason]

CHERYL: Are you scared, Jason?

[Jason shakes his head and Jason smiles][EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - MOMENTS LATER]

[Jason and Cheryl in the rowboat, sliding across the water, towards an outcropping of rocks. They pass into -- and out of - frame...][EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - THE SHORE - THE SAME MORNING (LATER)]

[Storm clouds are brewing overhead]

[Nerdy, glasses-wearing high school geek DILTON DOILEY guides a troop of BOY SCOUTS along the river's edge. They all carry BINOCULARS. Dilton’s pointing to BIRDS in the trees...]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): The next thing we know happened for sure is that Dilton Doiley, who was leading Riverdale’s Boy Scout Troop on a bird-watching expedition, came upon Cheryl by the river's edge.

[Dilton and the Scouts stop short. There’s Cheryl, huddled by the lapping water, knees tucked under her chin, arms around her legs, shivering because she’s sopping wet.]

[Numb, in shock, she turns to him. Her face is streaked with tears.]

CHERYL: ...Ja...Jason...[EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - DAY (LATER)]
[A POLICE BOAT moves along the river. Cheryl and her parents, CLIFF and PENELOPE, are onboard. Cheryl is in shock and her mascara has been smudged.]

UNSEEN MALE (V.O.): Riverdale Police, dragged Sweetwater river for Jason’s body, but never found it.]

[Blonde ALICE COOPER stands with her husband HAL on the riverbank]

ALICE: If he is dead, how? I hope in those last moments he suffered. May Jason Blossom burn in hell

[CUT to low angle shot of JUGHEAD JONES][WIDE ANGLE of Sweetwater River riverbank]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.): So a week later, the Blossom family buried an empty casket, and Jason’s death was ruled an accident.[INT. POP’S CHOCK’LIT SHOPPE DINER - EVENING]

[Open 24-hours. A skinny teenager with dark, shaggy hair sticking out from under a weird hat -- it’s like a felt CROWN -- sits in one of the diner’s booths, sipping coffee and tap-tap-tapping away on his laptop.]

UNSEEN MALE TEEN (V.O.) [CONT]: As the story that Cheryl told made the rounds. That Cheryl dropped a glove in the water, and Jason reached down to get it, and accidentally tipped the boat, and panicked, and drowned. As for us, we were still talking about the July 4th tragedy on the last day of summer vacation. When a new mystery rolled into town.[EXT. THE PEMBROOKE APARTMENT BUILDING - DUSK]

[A TOWNCAR pulls into the Gothic APARTMENT BUILDING's driveway -- this is the PEMBROOKE.]

[Two dark-haired beauties -- HERMIONE LODGE (pearls, always) and her teenage daughter VERONICA -- climb out of the car, look up at the Pembrooke’s ornate facade...]

HERMIONE: Now brace yourself, the apartment is small, a pied-à-terre, but --

HERMIONE/VERONICA: -- “quality, always” --

HERMIONE: -- plus, it was the only piece of property in my name and not your father’s.
[They walk towards the entrance][INT. THE PEMBROOKE APARTMENT BUILDING]

[Various shots of the extravagant yet dark interior are shown. The Pembrooke’s doorman, SMITHERS, in a uniform, approaches the two --]

SMITHERS: Ms. Hermione! Welcome home.

HERMIONE: Smithers! You're a sight for sore eyes

SMITHERS: How was the ride?

HERMIONE: No traffic, thank God. Smithers, I'd like to introduce you to my daughter, Veronica.

SMITHERS: It’s a pleasure, Miss.

VERONICA: Hi...

SMITHERS: I’ll get the bags.
(as he does that)
And would you like some menus, Ma’am, so you can order in?

HERMIONE: Oh, no, I’ve been craving one of Pop Tate’s cheeseburgers since noon -- is his Chock'lit Shoppe still open?

VERONICA (thinks they are talking about a chocolate shop): What is a Chock'lit Shoppe ? And why does it sell burgers?[EXT. ELM STREET - RIVERDALE - NIGHT (THAT SAME NIGHT)]

[The Camera pans across a series of MODEST HOMES along a tree-lined street. Towards ONE HOUSE in particular...a BEDROOM on the second floor...][INT. THE COOPER HOUSE - BETTY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT]

[Blonde, pretty BETTY COOPER (16), in jeans and a bra, getting dressed and putting on makeup, while brown-haired KEVIN KELLER (16, cute) lounges on her bed, scrolling through profiles on his iPhone.]

KEVIN: Are you excited? Nervous?

BETTY: Both -- I haven’t seen him all summer --

KEVIN: -- which is why nerves are acceptable, but we agreed, Betty: It’s time. You like him, he likes you.

BETTY: Then why, Kevin, hasn’t he ever said or done
anything?

KEVIN: Because -- Archie’s swell, but like most Millennial straight guys, he needs to be told what he wants. So tell him, finally.

BETTY: We’ll see. It depends on --

KEVIN: -- oh, my God!

BETTY: What?

[Kevin is looking out Betty’s window, towards THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR, into the BEDROOM opposite hers. ARCHIE ANDREWS (16, red hair, finally on the right side of puberty), is also getting dressed but is on his phone. In jeans, slipping on a t-shirt --]

KEVIN: Game-changer! Archie got hot! He's got abs now! Six more reasons for you to take that ginger bull by the horns tonight.

[Betty looks; her mouth is open in shock --][INT. POP'S CHOCK'-LIT SHOPPE DINER - NIGHT]

[Archie and Betty sit in a booth, in mid-conversation --]

ARCHIE: So what was the highlight?

BETTY: Of my internship? The Judy Blume book release party I organized, by far. At the end of the night, Tony Morrison, who is, as you know, my literary hero.

ARCHIE (nodding and chuckling): Yes, yes

BETTY: So he says to me, “Don't rush this time, Betty. It goes by so fast at your age. One summer can change your life.”

ARCHIE: Wow. That's so true.

BETTY: How was working for your dad?

ARCHIE: It was...pouring concrete, every day, all day long. To pass time I would start composing these...poems, in my head. And at night, I’d go home, I’d write them down.

BETTY: You don't even like reading poetry.

ARCHIE: They weren’t poems, they were song lyrics. And working on them made me like...

BETTY: What, Archie?

ARCHIE (almost ashamed to admit it): I feel like I've finally broken through to something real. About my life, and what I should be trying to do with it. Music! Starting this year, tomorrow.

BETTY: Amazing! Will you ask Miss Grundy to tutor you?

ARCHIE: I'm not sure, maybe.

BETTY: What about football? Can you do both?

ARCHIE: I’ll try-out, at least.

BETTY: Well, have you told your dad?

ARCHIE: No. Until I’ve got things more figured out, you’re the only person I’m telling, okay?

BETTY: Well, I'd love to hear them sometime, your songs.

ARCHIE: Yeah?

BETTY: Yes!

ARCHIE: Yeah, I'm finishing a couple demos tonight.

BETTY: Great. Oh -- and also? I’ve been thinking about us, Archie, and our friendship, and how it’s time we --

[-- suddenly Betty's voice fades, the BELL above Pop’s front door jingles. And in comes Veronica, wearing a fetching cloak (like Kim Basinger in “L.A. Confidential”). She turns and makes eye-contact with Archie. It’s like when Claire Daines and Leonardo DiCaprio see each other through the fish-tank in “Romeo and Juliet.” Archie is smitten.]

[Veronica starts to walk towards the camera (where the booth is)]

VERONICA: Hi, I called in an order? For Lodge?

POP TATE: Two burgers, yah, almost ready, but you got to wait.

[Veronica looks around while she waits, but then her eyes land on Archie, who’s staring at her, which Betty clocks. Veronica walks over to them...]

VERONICA: Hey.

ARCHIE: Hey.

VERONICA: How are the onion rings here?

ARCHIE: So good.

VERONICA (over her shoulder, to Pop): Can we get some onion rings, too, please?

POP TATE: Yeah

VERONICA (back to Archie and Betty): Thanks. My mom and I just moved here, so...

ARCHIE: From where?

VERONICA: New York.

ARCHIE: Wow.

VERONICA: Do you guys go to Riverdale?

BETTY: We do. Both of us. Together.

ARCHIE (can’t take his eyes off her): Yeah we’re sophomores.

VERONICA: Me, too. I’m filled with dread.

ARCHIE: Why is that?

VERONICA: Are you familiar with the works of Truman Capote? I’m Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but this town is strictly In Cold Blood.
(they have no idea what she’s saying, but Archie laughs; then, a hand --)
-- Veronica Lodge.

ARCHIE (taking it): Archie Andrews. This is Betty Cooper.

VERONICA: Wait, are you -- ?

BETTY: -- supposed to give you your tour tomorrow? Yes, I’m your peer mentor.

ARCHIE: Do you want to join us? And maybe we can un-fill you with dread?

[Betty shoots daggers at Archie. Veronica smiles, demurs.]

VERONICA: My mom’s waiting for me. But...to be continued?

[Veronica walks away]

[Archie turns back to Betty]

ARCHIE: What were you saying?

BETTY: Nothing.[EXT. THE ANDREWS HOUSE - MORNING]

[We see the family home of the Andrews. We hear a dog barking.][INT. THE ANDREWS HOUSE - MORNING]

[Archie jogs down the stairs while scrolling through his phone, he is late for school]

ARCHIE: Hey, Dad! First day of school and I’m already late --
(pets dog)
Hey Vegas.

[Archie starts to gather his books for school. His father, FRED ANDREWS walks into the room]

FRED: Hey -- you stopping by the site later?

ARCHIE: Dad, it's my first day.

FRED: We gotta get you going in the office -- so that next summer you're not on the crew.

ARCHIE (dodging): Well, I can’t. I’ve got football try-outs. Or is that not okay?

FRED (beat): No, no it's uh -- it's okay. Good luck.

[Archie goes. Fred is surprised]

Fred (to himself): Huh.[EXT. THE COOPER HOUSE - MORNING]

[We see a white suburban double story house with a red door.][INT. THE COOPER HOUSE - BETTY'S ROOM - MORNING]

[Betty is getting ready to head-out to school. Her mom is in her room giving her a lecture.]

ALICE: Betty. This coming year is critical for colleges. Grades are important, extra-curriculars -- athletics -- maintaining a decent character? Is hugely important, they do look at that.

BETTY: Mom, I'm a sophomore.

ALICE: You’ve accomplished so much, I just don’t want anything jeopardizing that. I mean, just think about your poor sister. She was such a shining star before she let that Blossom boy ruin her --

BETTY: -- Mom, I’m not Polly.

ALICE: You missed curfew last night.

BETTY: By seven minutes. And I was with Archie. Who has red hair, yes, but is nothing like Jason Blossom.

ALICE: Oh, sweetie. All boys are like Jason Blossom.
(she stands up and takes Betty's hands in hers)
I love you so much, Elizabeth. I just need you to be smart, okay? And stay focused. We refilled your Adderall, seems you forgot to pick up your prescription.

[With that, Alice smiles and goes. We linger on Betty. Alice has left something in her hands. Reveal: A PRESCRIPTION BOTTLE of ADDERALL with Betty’s name full name on it (Elizabeth Cooper). The message is clear: Betty. Must. Stay. Focused.][EXT. RIVERDALE HIGH - MORNING]

[Establishing. TEACHERS going in; KIDS loitering out front, trying to extend the summer even for a few more minutes...][INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - HALLWAY - MORNING]

[Archie, at his locker, holding a FOLDER, which contains a SHEAF OF HAND-WRITTEN PAGES -- he’s looking at the lyrics on them -- and which he puts into his locker, when his bro-friends, REGGIE MANTLE approaches and leans against the locker next to him]

REGGIE: Bro, you are READY for football -- I'm not kidding you dude, you got ripped. Dude, you're beast, look at this arm (grabs Archie's right arm), it's diesel. How much you benching, like 220? 225? You gotta give me some tips, man. Real men need their looks, right? Taking some T? [Gencing?]? [Macarube?]? [?]? <--9.08 into episode

[The two start to walk away from the lockers]

ARCHIE: -- it’s from working construction, Reg.

REGGIE: Ah, yeah yeah, that’s right --

[Reggie sees another of their bro-friends, MOOSE MASON]

REGGIE (motioning to Archie): Yo Moose! Look who grew up over the summer!

[Moose is distracted by a girl, whom he gives "call me" hand gesture and then rushes off to follow the two.]

REGGIE: (to Archie) Hey, hey,, yo be honest with me. Did you work on any houses? Any private homes?

ARCHIE (chuckles): Yeah, a couple.

REGGIE: Did you tap any cougar ass this summer?

[As Archie turns and backs away from them to go down another hallway...]

ARCHIE: You know what, I think that’s more a fantasy from your wank-bank, Reggie. I'll catch you guys soon.

[Archie walks away]

REGGIE: Peace out brother!

[Moose and Reggie turn to head towards their class]

REGGIE (to Moose): He totally did, bro. He totally did it.[INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - HALLWAYS - MORNING]

[Betty’s leading Veronica down a locker-lined hall --]

BETTY (PRE-LAP): So I usually start off my tours with a little history and context. Riverdale High first opened its doors in 1941, and --

VERONICA (not impressed): -- and hasn’t been redecorated since, apparently. Honestly, I feel like I’m wandering through the lost epilogue of “Our Town”

[Veronica chuckles, Betty is confused, but follows with a chuckle]

VERONICA: -- so what’s the social scene like here? Any night clubs?

BOY’S VOICE (behind them): A strip club called the Hoe Zone and a tragic gay bar called Innuendo --

[Betty and Veronica turn to -- KEVIN, who gets in front of them and faces them while walking backwards...

KEVIN: Friday nights, it’s football games, then tailgate parties at the Mall-mart parking lot. Saturday night is movie night, regardless of what’s playing at the Bijou -- and you better get there early, because we don’t have reserved seating in Riverdale.

[Kevin stops and puts an arm around Betty's shoulders]

KEVIN: And Sunday nights? T hank God for HBO.

BETTY: Veronica Lodge, Kevin Keller. Veronica’s new here, Kevin is --

VERONICA: -- gay, thank God. Let’s be best friends.

KEVIN: Is it true what they say about your dad?

[Betty glares at Kevin]

VERONICA: That he’s the devil incarnate? I stand by my father. Does everyone here know?

[Both Betty and Kevin remain silent]

VERONICA (sarcastically): Wonderful! Ten minutes in and I'm already the "Blue Jasmine" of Riverdale High.

[Veronica walks away. Betty turns to Kevin and glares at him]

KEVIN (confused): What?

[Betty moves to follow Veronica][[INT. MUSIC ROOM- DAY]

[-- and Archie’s down the hall, around a corner, and WE HEAR a trio of singers]

[Archie, holding his pages from the locker, has just come into the room, where three girls -- JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS -- were in the middle of a practice jam. VALERIE (dark-haired) and MELODY (dark-haired) sit between their leader: Gorgeous, imperious JOSIE, with a guitar. All three ladies wear the ICONIC PUSSYCAT EARS. (Yep, Gang, we’re all in.)

JOSIE (notices Archie): Um, excuse me, this is a closed rehearsal.

ARCHIE: I'm sorry, I -- Josie, right?

[The girls stare at him]

ARCHIE: I was hoping to talk to you about some songs I wrote?

JOSIE: Let me just stop you right there. You’re staring at our pussycat ears, which is rude, but let me break it -- and them -- down for you. The Pussycats are building a brand, we’re creating a signature look, okay? We're telling a story. Last year, we won Rockland County’s Battle-of-the-Bands --

MELODY: -- that we did.

JOSIE: This year, we’d like to build on that success. Continue telling our story. With songs we write.

ARCHIE (desperate): I get that, it's just --

JOSIE: Read my glossed lips, Justin Gingerlake: Not. Gonna. Happen.

[Josie waves goodbye][INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - HALLWAY - MORNING]

[Betty is still giving Veronica the tour with Kevin tagging along]

Betty: ...and of course there is still the back the Back-to-School formal dance this weekend.

[Veronica gasps and suddenly grabs Betty's arm and pulls her to show her what she's looking at: Archie lingering outside of the music room after being rejected by Josie and the Pussycats]

VERONICA (to Betty): There’s the hottie you were with last night. The red-headed Ansel Elgort. Is he your boyfriend?

KEVIN: No, he’s straight.

BETTY: No, we’re just friends.

VERONICA (CONT’D): In that case, mind putting in a word? I’ve tried every flavor of boy but orange --

KEVIN: -- actually, to clarify. Betty and Archie aren’t dating, but they are endgame.

VERONICA (amused at Betty's quietness): You should ask him to the semi-formal then.

KEVIN: She should, but I heard it might be getting canceled. Because of what happened to Jason. They’re gonna tell us at the Assembly...

VERONICA (oblivious): Who's Jason, and what happened to him?

[Both Betty and Kevin stop and stare at Veronica][INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - GYMNASIUM - MORNING]

CHERYL: Thank you for that moment of silence. Many of you were lucky enough to have known my brother personally. Each and every one of you meant the world to Jason. I loved my brother. He was and always will be my soul-mate -- so I speak with a confidence only a twin could have. Jason wouldn’t want us to spend the year mourning. Jason would want us to move on with our lives.

[MEANWHILE, at the very top of the bleachers: Jughead, with his laptop open in his lap, apart from everyone else, but watching everything...]

CHERYL (CON'T): Which is why I've asked the school board not to cancel the Back-to-School semi-formal. But rather to let us use it as a way to heal, collectively, and celebrate my brother's too, too short life, thank you all.

[The student body starts applauding Cheryl. Archie stares down at the rows where teachers are sitting. A young female teacher, MS. GRUNDY turns back and locks eyes with Archie][EXT. RIVERDALE HIGHWAY - SUNDOWN (FLASHBACK)]

[Archie, walking home from a job, pulls up his shirt, to wipe his forehead, when a cute VW BUG slows down...stops right beside him. The driver’s side WINDOW rolls down, revealing -- MS. GRUNDY A SEXY 22-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, in sunglasses, sipping a Cherry Slurpee...]

ARCHIE: Ms. Grundy? Hey!

MS. GRUNDY: Archie? What are you doing, walking in this heat?

ARCHIE: Um. Building character?

MS. GRUNDY (smiling at him): Do you want a ride?

[OFF ARCHIE, debating this offer, as we RESUME WITH --][INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - GYMNASIUM - MORNING]

[Ms. Grundy and Archie are still locking eyes][CUT TO: INT. VW BEETLE - NIGHT]

[Steamed up windows, we can make out the silhouettes of Ms. Grundy and Archie making out]

[EXT. VW BEETLE - NIGHT]

[We continue to observe Ms. Grundy and Archie, naked in the back seat, making out as we RESUME WITH --][INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - GYMNASIUM - MORNING]

[Ms. Grundy breaks eye-contact and faces front, putting on a stern face and applauding with the rest of the student body. Archie continues to stare at her]

Roll "Riverdale" Intro screen[INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - HALLWAY - DAY]

[Post-Assembly. Archie’s trying to catch-up to Ms. Grundy, who walks ahead of him, through the students going to class --]

ARCHIE: Ms. Grundy --
(she keeps moving)
Ms. Grundy -- Geraldine

[-- Ms. Grundy turns on her heel to face Archie.]

MS. GRUNDY: What can I do for you, Mr. Andrews?

ARCHIE: I -- I -- can we talk, Ms. Grundy? Please?

MS. GRUNDY: It depends. About what?

ARCHIE: ...music, you’re the music teacher, can we talk about music?

MS. GRUNDY: ...of course. Make an appointment. During
my office hours. My official office hours.

[She turns, starts to walk away from him again.][EXT. ANDREWS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY - DAY]

FRED (chuckles softly): Hermione Lodge.[INT. ANDREWS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY - LOBBY - DAY]

[Veronica’s mom, Hermione, sits in the waiting area. Archie’s dad, Fred, has come out of his office.]

FRED: My day just got a lot more interesting.

HERMIONE (smiles): Hello Fred, how are you?

FRED: Surprised. Can I get you anything, like a water?

HERMIONE (right into it): A job. I saw on your website last night, that you’re looking for a seasonal hire, someone to help with the books?

FRED: Yeah uh, my guy’s on paternity leave --

HERMIONE: -- I think my daughter’s going to school with your son, isn’t that funny? We’ll have to tell them we knew each other, that we even dated for a little while, until I --

FRED: -- chose the rich kid.

HERMIONE: And now, a reversal of fortune. How's Mary doing?

FRED: She's in Chicago. We split up, we're civil. How about you? How are you holding up, really?

HERMIONE: I have a little money saved. I was praying that someone in Riverdale -- maybe an old friend -- be willing to give me the benefit of the doubt.

FRED: If it were up to me --

HERMIONE: Isn’t it, up to you? It’s your company --

FRED: -- well, I have clients. I can’t very well have Hermione Lodge, the wife of Hiram Lodge, on trial for fraud and embezzlement, balancing my books. Can I?

HERMIONE (a beat; it stings): ...no, I suppose you can't.[INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - COURTYARD - DAY]

[LUNCH-TIME. Kids at picnic tables. Veronica’s moving across the courtyard, searching for the perfect place to land... There are the Pussycats, nope... The football players, including Reggie and Moose, not a good idea... There’s Betty... Dilton, with the nerds, uh-uh... Cheryl, with her fellow cheerleaders, including ladies-in-waiting, NANCY WOODS and GINGER LOPEZ, clearly the Queen Bees... Veronica sighs, like attracts like, she heads towards Cheryl, but then -- a double-take -- she notices that Betty isn’t sitting alone, she’s with Kevin and that hottie, Archie; immediately, Veronica detours...]

[...arrives at the table where Betty, Kevin, and Archie are, sitting with Archie’s open laptop. iTunes is open with one of Archie's songs playing]

VERONICA: Can I join?

BETTY (disappointed): Yeah.

[They nod -- she sits --]

VERONICA: What are we doing?

BETTY (smiles at Archie): Listening to one of Archie's songs.

KEVIN: I thought we were going to have to pretend to like it, but it's actually really good.

VERONICA (genuinely impressed): Wait, that was you singing? Something you wrote?

ARCHIE: It's rough.

BETTY: No, it's great.

VERONICA: It's incredible actually, the little snippet I heard. Is that your thing? Music? Are you doing something with that?

ARCHIE: Yeah, that's the plan.
(changing the subject)
So how's your first day going? Good?

VERONICA: We-ell, not to be a complete narcissist, but I thought people would be more...

KEVIN: Obsessed with you? Any other year, you’d be trending Number One, for sure. This year, though, it’s all about Cheryl trying to win the Best Supporting Psycho Oscar for her role as Riverdale's bereaved Red Widow.

[CUT TO Cheryl, who is walking towards them. Which, for some reason, prompts Archie to --]

ARCHIE: Hey, I should go. I've got that meeting with Grundy and then football try-outs, so --

VERONICA: -- You play football, too? What don't you do?

[Veronica looks at Betty, who’s looking at Archie, as he goes...]

KEVIN: Before you ask, Blue Jasmine, no, she has not invited him to the dance yet.

BETTY: No, not yet --
(lowering her voice)
-- don't talk about Archie

CHERYL (arriving, grandly): -- Veronica Lodge, I’d heard whisperings. I'm Cheryl Blossom, may I sit? Betty, would you mind?

[Betty slides over so Cheryl can sit right in front of Veronica.]

CHERYL (CONT’D): So, what are you three hens gossiping about? Archie’s Efron-esque emergence from the chrysalis of puberty?

[Betty looks at Veronica, pleadingly.]

VERONICA: -- extracurriculars. Weatherbee wants me to sign up for a few.

CHERYL: -- cheerleading. You must. I am senior captain of the River Vixens!

[Cheryl puts a hand threw her hair to straighten it, and gives a dazzling smile]

KEVIN: Is cheerleading still a thing?

CHERYL: Is being the gay best friend still a thing?

[This shuts Kevin up. He doesn't want to start a scene]

CHERYL: Some people say it’s retro, I say it’s eternal and iconic --

VERONICA: -- At Spence, I sat at the top of the Elites’ pyramid, I’m in.
(then, not a question:)
Betty, you’re trying out, too.

CHERYL (abso-fucking-lutely not): ..of course, anyone’s welcome to try-out, but Betty’s already got so much on her plate right now, and being a Vixen is kind of a full-time thing. But, open to all.
(she stands; to Veronica:)
Follow me on Twitter and I’ll do the same -- my handle's @cherrybombshell.

[And as quickly as she appeared, Cheryl vanishes, off to terrorize God-knows-who next. Veronica turns back to Betty]

VERONICA: Go ahead and hate on cheerleading, but if Hipster Prince Harry is playing --

BETTY: -- I’d love to be a cheerleader. It would round-out my college applications -- but last year when I tried out, Cheryl said I was too fat.

KEVIN: Too “Season Five Betty Draper.” It was a great line. But, not at all true.

VERONICA: Well? You’re a total smoke show now. I mean it. As hot and as smart as you are, you should be the Queen Bey of this drab hive.
(makes a decision)
Look, if you want to be a River Vixen, I'll help you prep, I have moves.

BETTY: Hey, you know what? Show me your moves.[INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - MUSIC CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON]

[Grundy, earbuds in ears, listening to something on Archie’s iPhone. Ms. Grundy takes out the buds. Archie, on a chair, opposite her, waits for the verdict...]

MS. GRUNDY: They're very real, very personal.

ARCHIE: I took your advice and wrote them down and polished them. But I was wondering whether you could help me?

MS. GRUNDY (a beat, then): With what, Archie?

ARCHIE: You went to Juilliard, Ms. Grundy. There is no one else in Riverdale I can take lessons from, believe me, I've looked.

MS. GRUNDY: Well I don’t...think that's a good idea. I don’t think...we should be alone together.
(Archie churns, silent)
If this is you trying to restart something that never should’ve started in the first place --

ARCHIE: -- no it’s not, it is about music, but it’s also... C'mon, I need to be able to talk about what happened with someone. We heard what we heard -- and afterwards, we didn’t do anything, we didn't say anything.[EXT. WOODS NEAR SWEETWATER RIVER - DAY (FLASHBACK)]

[Archie and Ms. Grundy are making out on a picnic towel. The VW Beetle parked a few meters away]

[A gun shot rings out. Archie and Ms. Grundy stop and look at each other in panic][INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - MUSIC CLASSROOM - AFTERNOON (PRESENT)]

MS. GRUNDY: We heard, firework --

ARCHIE: -- who’s lighting fireworks at six in the morning?

MS. GRUNDY: How would we have explain why we were together at Sweetwater River at six am on the fourth of July?
(Archie has no answer)
And you’re right, we didn’t say anything, we're both going to have to live with that choice -- you understand? I think you should pursue your music, but not with me.[EXT. RIVERDALE HIGH - GYMNASIUM - DAY]

On the GYM STAGE, Veronica and Betty, doing sharp cheer-ography, as -- Cheryl, Nancy, and Ginger (behind a table), observe.]

VERONICA/BETTY: “We're Blue & Gold/We're Dynamite/We'll take you down/And fight the fight!”

VERONICA: Wooo! Go Bulldogs!

[B & V end on a high-note, but Cheryl’s stone-faced.]

CHERYL: Hmm. Ladies, where's the heat? Where's the sizzle?

VERONICA: Well, you haven’t seen our big finish yet.
(whispering to Betty)
Don’t freak out -- Trust me --

[Then Veronica plants a big, wet KISS on Betty’s lips -- and the heads of every Archie fan on the planet explode! It’s the water- cooler moment of the 2016/17 television season! Or...is it? The girls turn back to Cheryl, who stifles a yawn.]

CHERYL: Check your sell-by date, ladies. Faux lesbian kissing hasn’t been taboo since 1994. So, let’s see if you do better with the interview portion of our audition.

CHERYL: Betty, how’s your sister doing?

BETTY: Um, Polly’s -- fine, thanks for asking.

CHERYL: Veronica, has Betty told you about her sister yet?

VERONICA: Uh, no?

CHERYL: Go ahead, Betty. Tell Veronica about your sister and my dear brother.

BETTY: Polly and Jason dated --

CHERYL (laughs): -- I wouldn’t say “dated.”

BETTY: Didn’t end well.

CHERYL: In fact, Jason’s probably why your sister had a nervous breakdown and now lives in a group home, isn't it?

BETTY: That’s -- what my parents think.

CHERYL: What do you have to say about that, Betty? Go ahead, the floor is yours. Whatever you’ve been dying to spew about Jason and how he treated Polly, unleash it. Destroy me. Tear me a new one -- rip me to shreds -- annihilate me --

BETTY (giving in): -- I just.

CHERYL (satisfaction): -- finally.

BETTY: I just want to say...I’m sorry about what happened to Jason. I can’t even imagine what you and your family must be going through.

[Needless to say, that’s not what Cheryl was hoping]

CHERYL: ...right. Veronica, welcome to the River Vixens. Betty, better luck next time.

VERONICA: -- Wait, what? Why? Because you couldn’t bully Betty into being a bitch?

CHERYL: I need girls with fire on my squad.

VERONICA (chillingly matter-of-fact): I know what you need, Cheryl, because I know who you are. You would rather people fear than like you. So, you traffic in terror and intimidation. You’re rich, so you’ve never been held accountable, but I’m living proof: That certainty -- that entitlement -- you wear on your head like a crown? It won’t last. Eventually, there will be a reckoning...
(beat)
Or maybe...that reckoning is now. And maybe, that reckoning...is me. Betty and I come as a matching set. You want one, you take us both. You wanted fire? Sorry, Cheryl-bombshell, my specialty’s ice. [The online (CWTV.com) closed captioning had "cherrybombshell"]

[And with that, a gauntlet's been thrown. OFF CHERYL, mulling...][EXT. RIVERDALE HIGH - FOOTBALL FIELD - AFTERNOON]

[Football try-outs are in full swing. COACH CLAYTON is observing]

COACH CLAYTON (to the players): Go! Get around him, get around him!

[Coach Clayton spits on the ground]

COACH CLAYTON (to the players): Let's move!

[Coach Clayton turns and notices Archie by himself on another part of the field]

COACH CLAYTON: Andrews!

[Coach Clayton waves Archie over. Archie jogs over to him]

COACH CLAYTON (to the players): There we go, looking good!

ARCHIE (to Coach Clayton): What's up, coach?

COACH CLAYTON (tosses jersey to Archie): Here.

[Archie looks at the jersey and notices its number. 9. He looks up and realises.]

ARCHIE: This is Jason's number.

COACH CLAYTON: It's yours now. Usually sophomores only play JV, but this year we have an open spot on Varsity. And from what you've been showing us, well, I want you to fill it.

ARCHIE: Varsity's -- what, longer practices? More away games?

COACH CLAYTON: Yeah, bigger commitment, yep.

ARCHIE: Well, I need to think about it, Coach. I --

COACH CLAYTON (unamused): Oh? You've got something better to do?

ARCHIE (vamping): My dad’s company. It’s -- it's our family business and he’s sort of counting on me to help out after school, on the weekends --

COACH CLAYTON (notices a player doing something wrong): -- Hold up. Jackson, hold the ball!

COACH CLAYTON (turns back to Archie): You know what? Why don't you, uh, sleep on it?

[Coach Clayton moves away to bring try-outs to an end]

COACH CLAYTON: Let's go, bring it in, guys! C'mon![INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - GIRLS’ LOCKER ROOM - AFTERNOON]

[Post-try-outs, Betty and Veronica, wearing the iconic blue-and-gold Riverdale High cheerleading outfits. Veronica zips up Betty's uniform]

VERONICA: Perfect!

[They giggle together in jubilation]

VERONICA: Very "Betty Draper Season One".

[Veronica then admires herself in mirror. Betty is hesitant for a second, then taps Veronica's shoulder and moves to start a private conversation]

BETTY: ...why -- why did you defend me? I know the crowd you ran with in New York. Why are you being so nice?[EXT. RIVERDALE HIGH - ATHLETICS TRACK - AFTERNOON]

VERONICA: When my dad got arrested -- it was the
worst thing ever. All these...trolls started writing horrible things about us. We’d get letters and e-mails, saying dad was a thief, my mom was a clueless socialite, and that I was this spoiled rich-bitch ice-princess, and...what hurt most about it was...
(is she going there?)
The things the trolls were writing...were true. I was like Cheryl -- I was worse than Cheryl. So, when my mom said we were moving to Riverdale, I made a pact with myself: To use this as an opportunity to become -- maybe, hopefully -- a better version of myself...

BETTY: That's a lot of pressure.

[This unexpected admission prompts Betty to lower her own guard...]

BETTY: When Polly and Jason got together, it meant everything to her and nothing to him, and, and things got super-intense, and weird and toxic. And my Mom turned on Polly. Said Polly wasn’t her daughter anymore, said all these awful things to her...
(then)
Jason hurt Polly, but it’s my mom who broke her...

[Just then, Veronica notices Archie going for a lap around the track]

VERONICA: ARCHIE!
(turns to Betty)
-- you're so doing this.

BETTY: What?

VERONICA (grabs her) : Slaying your dragons, Betty Cooper, one by one.

[Archie jogs up to them]

VERONICA: Hi, Teen Outlander.

ARCHIE: Hey, nice outfits!

BETTY (flabergasted): Heh

VERONICA: Betty here has something she wants to ask you. About the Back-to-School dance. Go on, Betty, ask.

[Betty really doesn't want to]

BETTY (hesitantly): I was wondering if you wanted to come with both of us.

ARCHIE (confused): Huh?

VERONICA (extremely confused): What?

BETTY: It's your first dance at Riverdale, you should have someone to go with, even if it's just a friend.

VERONICA (surprised, but trying to get Archie to join): I mean, I'd love to.

ARCHIE: I’m not really in, in the head-space for a dance.

BETTY (disappointed): Oh, that's okay.

VERONICA (unforgiving): Totally unacceptable, Archiekins. We need an escort. Take a break from being a tortured musical genius and come spend a blissful evening with not one, but two newly minted River Vixens. We'll text you a time and place.

ARCHIE (won over and smiles): Heh. Okay. Yeah, okay. Bye

BETTY (dreamily): Bye.

[Archie walks away and Betty follows him with her eyes, smiles][INT. COOPER FAMILY HOUSE - BETTY'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON]

[Betty is overjoyed at Archie agreeing to go to the dance with her and Veronica. She's dancing in her room in her River Vixen uniform and getting ready, whilst lip-syncing to Tove Styrke's "Number One"]

[Suddenly the music stops]

ALICE: What is that?

BETTY (nervously): I made the cheerleading squad.

ALICE: Cheryl Blossom's cheerleading squad? After what Jason did to Polly? No, I'm sorry. I won't allow it. Take that off right now.

BETTY (defiant): No.

ALICE: What did you say to me?

BETTY: I do everything, for everyone -- everything, to be perfect! The perfect daughter -- the perfect sister -- the perfect student. Can't I do this one thing just for me?
(she grabs her purse and starts to walk away)
Out of my way

ALICE: Where are you going?

BETTY: To buy a dress. Because, guess what? I'm also going to the dance with Archie – and with Veronica.

ALICE: Wait, Hermione Lodge's daughter?

BETTY: She's actually really nice and trying to be a good person.

ALICE: You think so? You think she's going to be your friend? Let me tell you something, girls like Cheryl and Veronica Lodge, they don't like girls like us --

BETTY (cutting her mom off): I don't want to hear it, mom! It's happening, I'm going.[INT. THE PEMBROOKE APARTMENT BUILDING - DUSK]

[Hermione arrives home, spent. Smithers is there to help carry bags and open door.]

HERMIONE: Thank you, Smithers. As always you're a God-send.

SMITHERS: Happy to help, Ms. Hermione.

HERMIONE (grumbles): Well, unlike the rest of Riverdale.

[Hermione notices a bag on a desk]

HERMIONE (to Smithers): What's that?

SMITHERS: Oh! A spot of good news. The car service phoned in and dropped off a missing bag.

[Smithers walks down the stairs and away]

HERMIONE (confused): Missing bag?

[She opens the bag, which is filled with money]

HERMIONE: Oh, Hiram...what have you done?[EXT. THE ANDREWS HOUSE - THE BACK PORCH - LATE AFTERNOON]
Archie, with his guitar, experimenting with a new song. He plays some, then makes notes in a notebook by his side. Fred comes out, drinking a beer. Not angry, but something’s weighing on him.

FRED: I, uh, got a call from your Coach today. He’s under the impression that you can’t play Varsity Football because I’m making you work for me...
(Archie’s busted!)
Which is odd, because you made it seem that you couldn't work for me because you were playing football... So my first question is: Who are you lying to? Me or your Coach?

ARCHIE: Neither -- Both
(deep end of the swimming pool)
Dad, I want to study music, I want to write music.

FRED: Football takes you to college, college takes you to business school, business school takes --

ARCHIE: -- takes me back here, to work for you in Riverdale.

FRED: Not for me, with me. And eventually for yourself. Son, the company would be yours.

ARCHIE: No disrespect, Dad, but I don’t want it.

FRED: Three months ago, you did -- what happened?

ARCHIE: I've changed, everything's changed. This summer --

[Archie hesitates]

FRED: -- This summer what?

[Archie can’t. What would he say to his dad?]

FRED: ...that’s it? We don’t talk to each other anymore.

ARCHIE: Dad --

FRED: I would never force you to play football -- I don’t care if you play football. And you don’t have to work with me or for me, ever again. But some advice, man-to-man? The decisions that you’re making now, son -- they have consequences, they go on to form who you are and who you'll become. Whatever you decide, be confident enough in it. That you don't have to lie.

[Fred turns from Archie, and goes back into the house; nothing resolved between father and son...][INT. RIVERDALE HIGH - GYMNASIUM - NIGHT]

[Decorated for the Back-to-School Dance. Streamers, lights, and... GIANT PHOTO-PORTRAITS OF JASON BLOSSOM, hovering over everything. Archie, Betty, and Veronica arrive, arm-in-arm, and the moment is like Cinderella arriving at the ball, Carrie arriving at the prom (before the bucket of blood). Veronica takes it in, sighs...]

VERONICA: Well, it’s not the Met Ball.

BETTY (to Archie, who is being strangely quiet): Hey, when do you have to let Coach Clayton know about football?

ARCHIE: This weekend.

VERONICA: Guys, can't we just liberate ourselves from the tired dichotomy of jock/artist? Can't we in this post-James Franco world be all things, at once?

ARCHIE: I'm working on it, Veronica.

VERONICA (excusing herself): Work faster. I’m getting punch. (sotto, to Betty)
You got this.

[Veronica goes. Archie and Betty move further into the crowd...]

BETTY: It's about following your heart, right? What does your heart say?

[Betty and Archie stop so she can tidy up his bowtie.]

BETTY: Music or football?

[Archie spots Ms. Grundy, off to the side, chaperoning --]

ARCHIE: Betty, will you give me one minute?
(off her “you’re kidding” look)
And I promise, when I get back, I’ll be a much better date, okay? I have a plan --

[Archie’s off, making his way towards Ms. Grundy. Before Betty can get too upset, she’s rescued by -- Kevin]

Kevin: Betty, you will not believe who just propositioned me in the bathroom. Give you a hint: His name may be Moose, but I'd describe a certain appendage of his as horse-like.

[Betty is shocked and confused]

[But WE’RE WITH: Archie, stopping off to get some punch, before moving to talk with Ms. Grundy, who observes him discreetly]

ARCHIE: Don’t panic, I’m not stalking you.

MS. GRUNDY: Archie? Didn’t we have a deal?

ARCHIE: No Geraldine, we have a secret. Multiple secrets, actually. And maybe we could’ve done something to help Jason that morning, or maybe we couldn’t have -- And I won’t tell anyone, anything -- but, you need to help me. This summer, the only that kept me sane was writing these songs. So, here’s my not-so-indecent proposal. I want to do an Independent Study with you, as many mornings a week as you can spare, and I swear: That’s all it will be. And I won’t tell anyone about July Fourth, ever -- deal?

[Fuck, is Archie blackmailing Ms. Grundy? Is that the kind of show we’re doing?]

MS. GRUNDY: ...Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7:30
AM, before First Period, I’ll set it up. And see about getting you credit.

[Ms. Grundy then stands up and strides away]

[CUT TO Moose and Reggie spiking the punch. Veronica walks by dragging Kevin, who stares at Moose.]

CHERYL (O.S.): Good evening, friends. Are you all having a good time?

[CUT TO Cheryl emceeing on stage in a extravagant crimson gown. The crowd applauds and cheers]

CHERYL: As honorary chair-person, and de-facto queen of tonight's semi-formal, it is my great pleasure to introduce this evening's main entertainment. To know them is to be obsessed with them. Although they usually perform their own material, tonight they're making an exception and debuting a cover of the song my parents claim they were listening to the night Jason and I were conceived. This one's for you Jay-Jay.

[We see Archie making his way over to Betty]

ARCHIE: Sorry about that.

CHERYL: (gestures to them) -- I give you Josie and the Pussycats.

[Crowd cheers and applauds as Cheryl cedes the stage to Josie, Melody, and Valerie.]

ARCHIE: Want to dance?

BETTY (smiling): Yeah!

[They start to slow dance]

BETTY: Did that go okay?

ARCHIE: Yeah, yes, so I'll study with Ms. Grundy before school, football practice after school, and working at my Dad’s on weekends, it’ll gonna be nuts --

BETTY: -- so long as you don’t give up your passion...

[We cut to Josie and the Pussycats playing as well as a wide view of all the couples dancing]

[Betty looks over at Veronica and Kevin, who are both mouthing "Do it!" to her]

BETTY: Uhm. Now that I’m a River Vixen and you’re gonna be on Varsity Football, I have this fantasy of us as a power-couple, or maybe even just as a couple.

ARCHIE: Betty?

BETTY: Is that so impossible to imagine?

[Archie looks from Betty, to Ms. Grundy, standing off to the side.]

[The song finishes and Betty and Archie separate, clearly feeling awkward towards one another. Cheryl, off to the side standing with two minions, also notices this.]

CHERYL (to the minions): Make sure those two turtledoves come to my afterparty. Veronica too.
(smiles)
I'm in the mood for chaos.[INT. BLOSSOM HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT]

CHERYL: It's game time at Che Blossom's, kiddies. We're going old-school tonight. Seven Minutes in Heaven.

[Both Veronica and Betty smile at each other, assuring one another that they have each other's back]

CHERYL: Who wants to tryst in the Closet of Love first? My vote is “A” for Archie. Anyone care to second it?

[Both Veronica and Betty look at Archie, who is standing off to the side, not in the mood]

ARCHIE: Uh, actually --

REGGIE (raising his hand): Yes -- Andrews -- YES
(clearly drunk)
Huh hah, cool!

CHERYL: All right, gather round, Kids, let's see who's riding the Ginger Stallion tonight.

[Cheryl spins a bottle. All eyes are on the bottle of Cherry as it spins around. Cheryl moves around slyly, observing the bottle and her two targets: Veronica and Betty]

[The bottle eventually lands between Veronica and Betty]

REGGIE: Ohh, no! No way!

[Veronica and Betty look at each other]

CHERYL: It's clearly pointing to, the new girl. This should be fun.

VERONICA: I’m not doing this.

CHERYL: That’s up to you. But, if you don’t, House Rules decree the Host gets to take your turn.

[Betty looks at Archie pleadfully][INT. BLOSSOM HOUSE - BASEMENT CLOSET - NIGHT (MOMENTS LATER)]

[DARKNESS. Then -- one iPhone lights up. Then -- a second iPhone lights up. Archie and Veronica, lit only by their cell phones, huddle in the dark...]

VERONICA: I know her brother died and everything, but Cheryl Blossom truly is the Anti-Christ.

[They both chuckle]

ARCHIE: So, do you miss New York?

VERONICA: It’s been less than a week. But yes.

ARCHIE: Six minutes, twenty seconds. Okay, your turn. Ask me a deep, probing question. To, uhm. Kill time.

VERONICA: It looked like you and Betty were having fun at the dance.

ARCHIE: Definitely. We’ve been friends forever. My turn.

VERONICA: I didn’t ask my question yet. Is that all it is? Just friends?

ARCHIE: We're not just friends, we're best friends. My turn: Did you have a boyfriend back in New York?

VERONICA: No. My turn: Could it ever possibly become something more?

ARCHIE: Are you asking for Betty or for yourself?

VERONICA: For Betty -- and you didn’t answer my question.

ARCHIE: I’ve never felt -- whatever it is I’m supposed to feel -- with Betty.

VERONICA: Have you felt it, though? With anyone?

ARCHIE: -- yeah -- this summer -- have you?

VERONICA: Maybe once.
(then, realizing)
You’re a little more dangerous than you look, aren’t you? All Boy-Next-Door-ish?

ARCHIE: You have no idea...

VERONICA: Your turn. Ask me a question, Archie...
(putting it out there)
Ask me anything you want...

[The air -- the space -- between them is THICK with sexual tension.]

VEORNICA: We shouldn't do this.

ARCHIE: We definitely shouldn't do this.

[So Archie and Veronica start to kiss... Tentatively at first, then more and more passionately...][INT. BLOSSOM HOME - BASEMENT - NIGHT (6.5 MINUTES LATER)]

[Sheepishly, Archie and Veronica emerge from the closet...]

REGGIE: Nailed it. Yes!

VERONICA: Where's Betty?

CHERYL: She spiraled and fled. Between us, she's a lot more high-strung than she looks.

VERONICA: You shady bitch.

[Archie and Veronica trade a look. And then both stride away to look for Betty]

[Cheryl looks at them, not the least bit concerned]

ARCHIE: Crap! Betty's cell is off.

VERONICA: I’ll getting an Uber.

ARCHIE: Can I come with you? We should probably try to find her.

VERONICA: Believe me, the last thing Betty wants is us tracking her down, together. We messed up.

[From the look on Veronica’s face, we can tell: She's already regretting those seven minutes...][INT. THE LODGE APARTMENT - NIGHT]

[Veronica comes home from Cheryl’s, to find Hermione, having a glass of wine.]

HERMIONE: Hey, you're home early. How was the dance?

VERONICA (covering): It was fine. I mean, it's not the Met Ball or anything...

HERMIONE: Tell me about it.

VERONICA: I’m super-tired, Mom.

[Veronica lays down, laying her head down in her mother's lap]

HERMIONE: Is everything okay? Roni, hey, what is it?

[Veronica doesn't answer][EXT. POP'S CHOCK’LIT SHOPPE DINER - NIGHT]
Walking home from the after-party, reeling from the night, Archie passes the one place in town that's open. POP’S diner.]

JUGHEAD: It was midnight, when my old friend, Archie Andrews, arrived at the one place in town that's still open. He was looking for the girl next door. Instead, he found me.[INT. POP'S DINER - NIGHT]

[Archie walks into the diner, notices Jughead at a booth. The two lock eyes, then Archie walks over to Pop Tate at the counter]

ARCHIE: Hey, Pop. Betty hasn't come in tonight, has she?

POP: No. Just the Nighthawk's in tonight.

[Pop nods towards Jughead]

ARCHIE (to Pop): Thanks.

[Archie then proceeds to move over to where Jughead is sitting]

ARCHIE: Oh, can I sit, Jughead?

JUGHEAD (shrugs): If you want.

[Archie does so]

ARCHIE: What are you working on?

JUGHEAD: My novel. It's about this summer -- and Jason Blossom.

[We see the screen, which has Apple Pages open with a page open of the novel]

ARCHIE: Seventeen years old...and how will he be remembered? As Captain of the Water Polo Team?

JUGHEAD: The Aquaholics? Considering how he died, probably not.

ARCHIE: No, what I mean is, was he doing everything he was supposed to do? Everything he wanted -- I mean, did he even know what that was?

[Neither say anything, until Jughead changes the subject]

JUGHEAD: Coach Clayton was in here talking to Pop Tate. Varsity? Does that make you, what, Mr. Popular Football God now?

ARCHIE: No. In fact, I'm kind of terrified I lost my best friend tonight.

JUGHEAD: If you mean Betty, whatever happened, just talk to her, man. That would go a long way.
(then)
Would’ve gone a long way with me.[EXT. THE ANDREWS HOUSE - NIGHT]

[This late, Archie's exhausted, but wired. As he starts up the walk to his house, Betty steps out of the front door. She'd been waiting for him]

BETTY: ...I'm not going to ask what you did with
Veronica at Cheryl's -- but I’m asking you now, right now, if you love me, Archie? Or even like me?

ARCHIE: Of course I love you, Betty, but...I can't give you the answer you want...

BETTY: Why?

ARCHIE: You’re so perfect, I’ve never be good enough for you...I’ll never be good enough for you...

[The two life-long friends look at each other -- hearts breaking -- a truth between them finally spoken aloud....Betty, with tears starting to to stream down her face, turns and walks into her home, and closes the door]

JUGHEAD (V.O.): And so, it wasn't one heart that broke that night. It was two. And the night was far from over.[EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - NIGHT]

[Moose and Kevin exit Moose's car at the edge of the Sweetwater River]

MOOSE: For the record, I'm not gay.

KEVIN: Obviously not Moose, you're on the football team. But if you were gay, what would you like to do?

MOOSE: Everything but kiss.

KEVIN (laughs): I love a good closet case.

[The two walk down to the river, while each starting to remove their outer layers]

KEVIN: So, let's start with skinny-dipping. And then see what happens?

[Kevin trips over himself when walking backwards]

MOOSE: Dude! Are you okay?

[Kevin stares, mouth wide-open at something in the river. Moose notices this and stares as well]

[A body, in a white suit, is lying face up in the water. The camera then repositions to pan towards the head of the body, which we see is Jason – who has a gunshot wound just above the eyes. His mouth is open]

KEVIN: Oh my God, Jason -- he was shot.[INT. POP'S DINER - NIGHT]

[Jughead, typing away at his keyboard, resuming with his V-O]
JUGHEAD (V.O.): ...by morning, everyone would be talking,
texting, and posting about it... We’d all be feeling it. That the world around us had changed, maybe forever...[EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - EARLY MORNING]

[The ENTIRE TOWN, all our characters, have gathered. As Riverdale Police, help PARAMEDICS load Jason’s BODY into an AMBULANCE... Betty’s there, with her folks. Veronica, Hermione. Archie’s with his parents. Ms. Grundy’s there with Weatherbee, other teachers and students. They all look...transformed. Scared. Especially Cheryl.]

JUGHEAD (V.O.): ...that Riverdale wasn't the same town
anymore. That it was a town of shadows and secrets now. On Monday, the autopsy would take place. And on Tuesday, halfway through fifth-period, the first arrest would be made.

["Riverdale" title is displayed in its neon blue lights]

[END OF EPISODE]