Chapter Forty-Three: Outbreak

ARCHIE] Previously on Riverdale...

I'm Cassidy.

We're gonna take what we want and then we're gonna go.

[VERONICA] If you tell me you're going to Shadow mines...

[ARCHIE] I am.

Those guys would still be alive if I wasn't in the picture.

Andrews, the warden wants to see you.

Killing that boy at Shadow Lake. You have no one to blame but yourself.

[GLADYS] The warden from that juvie killed himself last night.

[BETTY] I saw you with Hiram Lodge.

You're testing his drugs out on patients. Why?

I only answer to one authority, Betty.

[BETTY] Let's convince them to escape.

Let's give them the opposite of the Gargoyle King,

which is the Gryphon Queen.

The King is dead.

You're all free.

Betty, what are we going to do with all these kids?

They have nowhere to go.

The bounty on your pal Archie is why you got to cut him loose.

I'm not just gonna ditch Archie, Mom.

[ARCHIE] Your mom's right, Jug.

[ARCHIE] Wherever I go next,it's got to be alone.

[GLADYS] Arch, we'll get you a ride to the border.

I know a guy up there who can help.

Town's under quarantine. Governor's orders.

No one in or out.

[JUGHEAD] What hero's journey would be complete

without a self-imposed exile?

Witness Archie Andrews.

Just as Luke Skywalker went to planet Dagobah,

so, too, has Archie been in the Canadian hinterlands,

wondering what dark demons he would have to conquer

before being able, finally, to go home.

And speaking of home,

since Riverdale's quarantine,

the crime rate in town had risen.

There had been, for instance, a series of daring cat burglaries.

You make an extremely sexy Robin Hood, T.T.

Stealing from the rich to give to, well, us.

You're so crazy.

I love you.

I love you.

[BOTH GIGGLE]

[JUGHEAD] It's been five weeks since we were cut off from the rest of the world.

The quarantine's been lifted,

but the town still hasn't gotten its pep back.

[MOOSE] Blossom, Topaz, break it up.

Bite me, Moose.

It's one of the new school rules, Cheryl,

all physical contact must be kept to a minimum.

Well, that doesn't make any sense.

There haven't been any seizures for weeks,

and everything tested has come back negative.

The RROTC doesn't make the rules, Toni.

No, you just enforce them like the crypto-fascists you are.

Come on, T.T.

[JUGHEAD] And though above ground,

Riverdale was a haunted shell of its former self,

underground, at Veronica's La Bonne Nuit,

life was beautiful.

♪ Come hear the music play ♪

♪ Come blow that horn ♪ ♪ Start celebrating ♪

♪ Right this way ♪ ♪ Your table's waiting ♪

Cheryl, Toni! Welcome, ladies.

I've got your usual table waiting for you.

- Merci, madame. - Enjoy.

♪ So come to the cabaret ♪

What's the good word, Reginald?

[SIGHS] The kegs are tapped out.

We've got more empty bottles than full.

Hell, even your mocktails are selling out tonight.

- [CHUCKLES] - It's nuts.

♪ And I love a cabaret ♪

[GIRL SCREAMING]

- What was that? - No, not again.

Just go back to sleep, Jug.

Pray that that didn't wake up my mom.

He's coming. The Gargoyle King, he's coming to kill me!

Hannah, hey, hey.

- No, he's not, Hannah. - [SHUDDERING]

It was just a bad dream, okay?

That's all over, remember?

The Gargoyle King is dead.

The Gryphon Queen, she slayed him.

She saved us.

Exactly, Tyler.

Okay, but since we're up, can we play?

Please, Betty, it really does make us feel better.

- [GIRL ] Please, Betty. - [GIRL ] Please.

Okay, just one quick round and then back to bed.

What is this?

Who does this belong to?

- Huh? - They're Tyler's.

He's been taking them.

Tyler...

[RATTLING]

Where did you get the Fizzle Rocks?

[JUGHEAD] An unnamed Serpentdealing Fizzle Rocks?

Are you sure this kid wasn't lying?

If it was a lie, Tyler came up with it pretty quickly.

A Serpent dealing Hiram Lodge's drugs like we're one of his gangs.

[SIGHS] This is my fault. I was gone for too long.

I left the Serpents high and dry. I left you high and dry.

No, you were protecting Archie.

Yeah, and while I was busy protecting the Red Paladin,

Hiram made a play for the entire town and he got it.

Fizzle Rocks are everywhere.

Weatherbee's running Riverdale High like it's a police state.

We don't even have an elected sheriff yet.

Quarantine. Why would he want the town quarantined?

It can't just be because he wants to expand his candy business and make more money, can it?

Hiram was paying the Sisters to test out his drugs on the patients there.

I don't see how he could possibly get away with that.

Attorney McCoy and I are just trying to get Sister Woodhouse and the rest of her nuns to rat him out, and we're close, I think.

Oh, God, could you imagine Hiram Lodge finally paying for his crimes, brought down by the testimony of nuns?

Well, maybe that means Archie could come back home.

Wherever he is.

This is KDK calling KDK. Over.

[RANGER] This is KDK.

How are things looking in your neck of the woods? Over.

Same as the last few weeks, quiet and clear. Over.

Glad to hear it. Still thinking about staying on for another rotation,

or are you ready to leave the wilderness behind? Over.

I might sleep on it. I'm still figuring things out.

I'm not sure if I'm ready to go back yet.

Copy that. Oh, we've been getting some bear sightings.

So stay vigilant while you're clearing the trails. Over.

Will do, ma'am. Over and out.

Come on.

[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO]

[TIRE BURSTS]

Shoot.

What the hell, man?

[GARGOYLE LEADER] Veronica Lodge hasn't paid what she owes.

Let go of me!

I'm sorry that this happened, Reggie.

With my father breathing down our necks,

I suppose it was only a matter of time.

- [GROANS] - Sorry.

Every time I make a beer run across the border, I've been changing it up.

Never taking the same road twice.

He got lucky.

Daddy made it very clear that if La Bonne Nuit was to continue operating in a post-quarantine Riverdale,

I'd have to give him % of my earnings for the privilege.

If you start paying him for protection now, you'll never stop.

But there are ways to minimize that price.

% feels fair.

And once Daddy reviews these well-cooked books, he'll be none the wiser.

Has anyone ever told you you're a badass?

[VEGAS GROWLING]

- [BARKING] - Hey, hey, Vegas.

It's okay. We'll go this way. Come on.

Come on, Vegas.

[VEGAS WHIMPERS]

[BIRDS CAWING IN DISTANCE]

[BRANCH SNAPS]

[BRANCHES CREAKING]

[WHIMPERS]

[LOUD ROARING]

[VEGAS BARKING]

This is KDK calling KDK. [PANTING]

KDK to KDK. Do you read me?

[RANGER] This is KDK. We're receiving you. Over.

I need help. I've been attacked.

By a grizzly. I'm in bad shape.

How severe are your injuries? Over.

- It's bad. - Stay calm. Help is on the...

- [RADIO STATIC] - You're cutting out.

Apply pressure, and are you able to dress your wound?

Hello? Hello?

Damn it!

[GROANING]

[MUFFLED GROANING]

It's okay, boy.

It's okay, boy. They said they're on their way.

We just gotta stay calm. Good boy.

[BARKS]

- [WHIMPERING] - Good boy, Vegas.

[ALICE] I am exhausted, Betty.

We don't have the resources to shelter these children.

But the farm does.

Mom, no.

Well, they can't stay here.

Can this please just wait until after the trial?

The only reason they left the Sisters is because I convinced them to trust me.

They've imprinted on me.

I'm their Gryphon Queen.

Fine.

But as their queen, they are your responsibility, not mine.

[BETTY] So, let me get this straight.

Regardless of the fact that the Sisters abused children and tested Hiram Lodge's drugs on them,

which is why they're in jail, awaiting trial, their lawyer doesn't want us to harass them?

It gets worse.

I told Sowerberry that we'd give the Sisters immunity if they agreed to testify against Hiram.

He informed me that the nuns had taken a vow of silence.

So what if I testify?

You already admitted that you were all on drugs while at the Sisters, drugs that caused hallucinations.

I know what I saw.

I believe you, Betty.

But a jury won't.

[SIGHS]

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.

I like to believe they can change.

But you never do, Daddy.

If this is about the attack on your delivery truck,

I only know what I've heard, that someone sent the Gargoyle Gang to apply pressure to you.

World's gotten scary these last few weeks.

Well, I'm ready to face reality.

I need protection, and you're the only person who's offering it.

It's nothing to be ashamed of, mija.

%, drop in the bucket.

And no gargoyles will mess with your contraband again.

Unfortunately, business has been slow.

- Hmm. - How does % sound?

Really? Because Leo and Nico tell me that your parking lot's been packed every night.

Right, guys?

Well, well, new coat, new capos, you're walking tall these days.

Hope those nuns in jail don't crack under pressure and start talking about how you were their candy man.

All right, I'll settle for % but I need to see your books.

Naturally.

♪ I want to be ♪

♪ Well, all the odds are ♪

♪ They're in my favor ♪

♪ Something's bound to begin ♪

Josie's sounding incredible these days.

Only the best at La Bonne Nuit.

♪ Happen some time ♪

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ I'll win ♪

[JUGHEAD] All right, Serpents, it's come to my attention that one of us has been dealing Fizzle Rocks.

Slinging dope is not what Serpents do.

So from this moment on, we're going clean.

There'll be no selling or doing drugs.

No crime of any kind will be tolerated.

Anyone that breaks the Serpent code will be exiled.

Permanently.

I think it's pretty ridic that you vanish for a month on some vision quest with your bestie, only to return and lecture us about responsibility.

We got no money coming in, Jug.

I mean, how are we supposed to eat, survive?

We'll figure it out and get back to you, Fangs. All of you.

In the meantime, "In unity, there is strength."

[ALL] In unity, there is strength.

[DOOR RATTLING]

[WHIMPERING]

Go away!

I'm so, so sorry this happened to you, Josie.

I'm paying someone a lot of money to make sure this exact sort of thing doesn't happen.

They were from your father's gang, weren't they?

You know, whatever problems you've got with him, I can't be dragged into them, Veronica.

Either you get this mess straightened out, or La Bonne Nuit finds itself a new headliner.

[POLLY] They helped me. Gave me freedom,

gave me back my life.

At the farm, you won't be the only ones doing chores.

Everybody's equal.

Um, Polly? Evelyn?

The hell's going on?

Mom called. She said that you had your hands full.

Want a T-shirt?

Um, no, and neither do they.

Guys, don't take anything from these two vampires, okay?

They're bribing you.

Betty doesn't know what she's saying.

When I escaped the Sisters, the farm became my salvation, my family.

[BETTY] Okay, as your Gryphon Queen,

I promise to protect you and keep you safe.

And trust me, the farm is not safe.

Not safe? Did you tell them how the Gargoyle King and his henchmen broke into this house and terrorized you and Mom?

- [GIRLS MURMUR] - What about these drugs we found here?

How can you be protecting them if you're allowing them to put these dangerous chemicals into their bodies?

I didn't know. I don't know how they're getting them.

They're too scared to tell you because you're a Serpent.

But they told us.

A Serpent dealer named Fangs Fogarty.

[JUGHEAD] If you were hard up, you could've talked to me.

The quarantine happened, I needed money. You were gone.

Well then, you could've talked to me. And what do you need money for?

[SNIFFS]

My mom's sick.

She's got treatments that we can't pay for.

You're like a brother to me, Fangs. We could've helped you.

I was ashamed.

So you started dealing Fizzle Rocks?

And where'd you get it, the Gargoyle Gang?

I'm out now?

The punishment for breaking this code is immediate exile.

However, you'd had a rougher year than most.

[FP SIGHS]

[THUD]

I'm willing to look the other way just this once, but this has to stay between us, okay?

- And if I catch you dealing drugs again... - You won't.

I'm done.

[LOCK CLICKS]

[TONI] Is that...

A Glamourge egg, worth more than the GNP of most developing countries.

Why, yes, Kitty Cat, it is.

[TONI] Okay, let's go.

Wait, T.T.

I'm feeling particularly brazen tonight.

[DICE ROLL, CLATTER]

Cassidy.

[CASSIDY] Good. You're awake.

Time to play.

This isn't real. You guys are all dead.

You keep saying that but then how are we here, talking with you?

I'm dreaming.

I must be, or I'm hallucinating from the loss of blood.

Or we're here and this is real.

No. I went to juvie after being framed for your murder, Cassidy.

I found you three in the mines after Sheriff Minetta gunned you down.

If what you say is true, then we are dead.

And it sounds like it's all your fault.

If you ever want to return to Eldervair, you're gonna have to play and win.

Come on. One round at least.

One round.

Any luck, Ms. Weiss?

I'm on the phone with Child Services nonstop, Betty.

But...

But it's gonna be hard getting the kids you're housing adopted or fostered.

There's concern about the emotional trauma they've suffered.

Yeah, well, the Sisters really did a number on them.

Any luck getting the Sisters to testify against Hiram Lodge?

They've taken a vow of silence.

It's part of their religion.

- Religion? - Mmm-hmm.

Betty, as a social worker, I've had dealings with the Sisters over the years.

And there's something you need to know about their affiliation with the church.

Josie was stalked, Daddy, by those gargoyles of yours.

So tell me, if I'm paying you % for protection why is my headliner getting harassed?

Because you had the audacity to try to deceive me.

Cooking the books, that's the move of a rank amateur.

Now, I want the full amount that's owed me.

Oh, and your mother's Glamourge egg that was stolen.

Come again?

One of your Serpent school chums broke into our apartment and stole your mother's bauble.

And based on the calling card they left, I'm guessing it's probably Cheryl Blossom.

- [SIGHS] - Anyway, get it back for me, won't you?

Why is this my responsibility?

Because you have more to lose than me.

[VERONICA] You need to fix this, Jughead.

If Cheryl took the egg, why did you come to me?

Why didn't you just go directly to her?

She's dodging my phone calls.

Besides, aren't you her king?

Since when are you and your father aligned?

We're not. He's squeezing me, he's squeezing my business.

Now, not only does he have me paying him protection, he's got me on this wild-goose chase to get my mom's stolen egg back.

You're paying your father protection money?

Against his very own Gargoyle Gang.

What if you were to pay less money not to be in business with him?

What are you suggesting?

Let the Serpents come work for you.

You get real protection from your father's goons

and the Serpents get jobs with a steady income. This is a win-win.

Get me that Glamourge egg back and we have an accord.

It's your turn, Red.

"Defeat the Hooded Spectre of Death."

Go on.

The challenge reveals the weakness, the weakness is what keeps you from winning.

Give me your wallet!

[GUNSHOT]

[ARCHIE] I did it.

Now am I finished playing this game?

[WARDEN NORTON] The Red Paladin returns.

[ARCHIE] Warden Norton?

Take a load off, my boy.

We're just getting started.

I'm not playing the game with someone who died from it.

I didn't die. I ascended to the Kingdom.

And what about Joaquin? Did he ascend, too?

That was his reward for stabbing me, wasn't it?

That was the card Mr. DeSantos drew, his do-or-die moment.

You know all about those, don't you, Archie?

Did you have one yourself?

With the Black Hood? Yes.

And I stopped him, but I'm still trapped here in this hell.

Then that wasn't the moment, the place and time where it all went wrong.

Roll the dice and you may find the path that leads back to Eldervair.

We know your secret, Sister Woodhouse.

The church disbanded the Sisters of Quiet Mercy during the Vatican II

over allegations of cruel and inhumane practices.

You and your sisters haven't been nuns for more than years.

Which means your vow of silence won't hold up in court.

So here's a new deal. Testify against Hiram Lodge

and I won't have you charged with the following crimes, child endangerment, illegal drug testing, human trafficking.

[SIGHS] Fine.

What do I need to do?

Swear in court that Hiram Lodge gave you money and drugs for illegal testing.

Then you'll have immunity.

[JUGHEAD] Serpents, earlier today, I brokered a deal.

I got us a paid gig.

From here on out, we'll be working security detail for Veronica Lodge, her speakeasy and her employees.

Long live the Serpents! Whoo!

[ALL CHEERING]

Settle down.

I know it's good news for a change, but I've also gathered us here for less celebratory reasons.

Cheryl, Toni,

- come up here. - Excuse me?

- What did we do? - You broke into the Lodge apartment and stole a Glamourge egg.

So what if we did?

Well, more than that, you left your calling card, attaching yourself, and by extension, all of the Serpents to your crime.

I'm not afraid of Lodge. What's he gonna do, call the sheriff?

Oh, right, there is no sheriff.

Cheryl, that's not the point. You broke the code.

Turn in your jackets and go.

[TONI] Are you serious, Jones?

I'm a Serpent by blood.

You can't take that away from me.

[CHERYL] You hypocrite.

You give your drug-dealing buddy Fangs a pass but you crucify us?

[TONI] And in case you were wondering how we know,

- Fangs told Sweet Pea, who told me. - Who told me.

If you're asking for our jackets, shouldn't you be asking for his as well?

Jug.

You're right.

- Fangs, give me your jacket. - Hey, what the hell, man?

It's okay, Sweet Pea.

Some leader you are.

Fangs.

Cheryl, Toni.

We'll go but we're keeping our jackets.

Fine, but I need that egg back.

- Come again? - You need to give me that damn egg or Veronica won't give us the protection contract.

Why the hell would I care? I'm not a Serpent anymore.

Because I believe that you still have honor, Cheryl.

And it's getting cold out.

And the rest of us don't get to go back to Thistlehouse.

[VERONICA] Well done, Torombolo.

Cost me a lot to get that ugly thing back.

So make sure you put it to good use.

Oh, don't you worry. I shall.

And in the meantime, you and the Serpents have your first assignment.

You ever hear of the Gargoyle Gang?

[BETTY] Tyler, what the hell happened to you?

You lied to us.

What do you mean? I would never.

You said he was dead, but I saw him.

I saw the Gargoyle King.

- [QUIET MURMURING] - [GIRL] Oh, my God.

What? Where?

Fox Forest.

He was there with other gargoyles, his gang.

They beat me up.

The Gryphon Queen is a liar.

And if she lied about the Gargoyle King being dead, maybe she lied when she says we're safe here.

No, I'm not. You have to believe me.

The Sisters are going to testify against the Man in Black and then you will all be safe.

Where, Betty?

Where will we be safe?

It's your turn, Red Paladin.

Go on.

Pick your Quest Card.

What does it say?

"Kill the Gargoyle King."

Are you sure?

Read it again.

"Kill the Man in Black."

You have your marching orders.

Slay the dragon.

Good luck.

The Gargoyle King.

The Man in Black.

How many names do you have, Hiram?

I know why you've come.

[SCOFFS]

Do you genuinely think killing me will solve all your problems?

It's what I should have done that night.

In here. My do-or-die moment before you had me arrested.

Yeah, it was awfully stupid of you to come in here, threaten me, tell me all your plans.

I mean, what was I supposed to do, not have you arrested?

Put that down, Archie.

You're not gonna...

[HIRAM GROANING]

I don't understand. What are you guys doing here?

I thought... I thought it was over.

You're almost done.

Just one last round to play.

[BETTY] Have you been working on any new songs, Arch?

I'd love to hear some of them.

Betty, I haven't played guitar in forever.

I'm not the same person anymore.

I don't wanna do this.

I don't wanna play with you guys.

You have to.

It's the only way back.

Back to what?

Eldervair.

Riverdale.

Innocence.

Come on, Arch.

Time to play.

[BETTY] Thanks for meeting me at such short notice.

A lot of the freed patients from the Sisters of Quiet Mercy have been orphaned or disowned.

My mom and I have been housing them but that is becoming untenable.

So if any of you are willing or able to take a few in,

just until the Sisters have testified against Hiram and he's behind bars...

I could take, you know, some of the boys in.

And with Archie gone, I have the room.

I've saved many children from that particular circle of hell before and I'm happy to do it again.

Nana and I will board some of the girls at Thistlehouse.

And we have a pullout here. I'll house a couple.

Thank you.

[FP] What about this deal with the Lodges?

It's with Veronica, it's not with the Lodges.

[SCOFFS]

She's still a Lodge, boy, don't you ever forget it.

You know, as I recall, you worked for the Lodges once.

Does trashing that drive-in ring any bells?

I want you to be a better king than me.

Make us players instead of pawns.

That's what I'm trying to do, Dad.

Put me in.

I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines. I'm not made for it.

[REGGIE SIGHS]

We gotta stop meeting like this.

[GARGOYLE LEADER] Shut your mouth.

Trash the cargo, all of it.

I... I wouldn't do that if I were you.

- Let's go! Come on. - [GARGOYLE LEADER] It's an ambush!

Get 'em!

I tried to tell you.

Pick him up.

I want you to go back to your Gargoyle King or your Man in Black or Hiram Lodge,

and I want you to tell him that Veronica Lodge is now under the protection of the Serpents and that Riverdale has not fallen.

Go.

[BETTY] Mom?

Where are they? Where are the kids?

After that one was attacked,

I called Edgar and asked him for advice.

And he came and took them to the farm.

Edgar did?

You only missed him by like five minutes.

[SIGHS]

It's your turn, Archie. You have to pick a Quest Card.

[HUFFS]

Is this the last level?

Sure feels like it, doesn't it?

[FRED] You don't have to do this, son.

He's the one who got me into this trouble.

Not the Black Hood, not the Gargoyle King, not Hiram Lodge.

Him. It's the only way.

You could forgive him.

It's too late.

You are not the villain you think you are.

I've hurt everyone.

There's always another path home, son.

Not for me.

If I ever want to go back to Riverdale again,

I have to destroy that part of me.

It's weak, it's bad, it's stupid.

Just come home, Archie.

I can't, Dad.

I have to do this one thing first.

I'm sorry, Dad.

I'm sorry for letting you down.

Archie, wait.

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ I'll be lucky ♪

♪ Maybe this time ♪ ♪ He'll stay ♪

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ For the first time ♪

♪ Love won't hurry away ♪

♪ He will hold me fast ♪

♪ I'll be home at last ♪

♪ I'm not a loser anymore ♪

♪ Like the last time and the time before ♪

[MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING]

[JUGHEAD] Fangs, my dad and I were talking.

We wanna give you another shot at redemption.

- What are you thinking? - We want you to go undercover.

Join the Gargoyle Gang.

We need a man on the inside of Hiram Lodge's drug operation so that we can take him down. Are you in?

It'd be an honor.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Attorney McCoy, I was just reviewing our questions for the Sisters.

Don't bother, Betty. The Sisters are gone.

Gone? How?

An anonymous donor posted their bail.

Hiram Lodge.

And they took off who knows where.

But not before leaving a message.

"We go to join thee."

Does that mean anything to you?

Oh, my God. I think I know where they went.

♪ Something's bound to begin ♪

♪ It's gonna happen ♪

♪ Happen some time ♪

♪ Maybe this time I'll win ♪

♪ 'Cause everybody ♪ ♪ They love a winner ♪

♪ So nobody loves me ♪

♪ Lady peaceful ♪

♪ Lady happy ♪

♪ That's what I want to be ♪

♪ Well, all the odds are ♪

♪ They're in my favor ♪

[DOG BARKING]

Come on, kid. Come on, wake up.

Wake up, kid!

♪ Maybe this time ♪

♪ I'll win ♪