Opening Montage
Music: "Overprotected" by Britney Spears
We first see Quinn walking on a sidewalk. Her pace quickens as the music picks up. Next, we see her in the halls of Lawndale High talking with the former Fashion Club. This is followed by her being praised by Mr. DeMartino while Sandi stares daggers at her. Afterward we see her getting more attention from Helen and Jake than she either wants or needs. The next shot is Quinn being followed by the three J's. Next, we see her hanging out on Dega Street with Jane and Lindy. Montage ends with Quinn's smiling face in a circle with a pink background. Beneath that we see the title.
Quinn
in
"Intervention"
Story by
WildDogJJ
One evening in the Morgendorffer house's kitchen, Jake is at the stove working on another experimental dish. Tentacles hang over the edge of the pot that he is stirring. At this moment, Quinn comes in. She sees what her father is doing and scrunches her nose in disgust.
"EWWWW! What's that?"
Jake said "My latest invention, a mix of Kitchen Sink Stew and boiled Octopus. I call it Calamari a la Jake. I could start my own seafood restaurant with this."
The very idea makes Quinn visibly nauseous. At this moment, Helen enters. She sees what Jake is doing and her reaction is similar to Quinn's.
"Jake, what is that?"
Beaming proudly, Jake said "Calamari a la Jake. It's a mix of Kitchen Sink Stew and Boiled Octopus. It's Mm-MMmm good".
Now Helen looks like she wants to throw up.
"Jake" she said, "that looks, sounds and smells simply dreadful. I want you to throw it out this instant".
"But, Helen.."
Helen gives Jake a look that immediately silences him.
She said "Anyway, I should spend more quality time with my family. I'll start by serving a real dinner for tonight".
Quinn and Jake both look puzzled, which Helen notices.
"I'm going to have a much lighter workload for the next three months. Eric has to take 90 days off for...reasons".
Jake asked "Nose candy?".
Quinn said "He's in rehab again, isn't he?".
Helen sighs in frustration and embarrassment.
Quinn said "Actually, I'm going to see a movie tonight with Lindy. I'll eat something while I'm out".
Helen said "Well, I have three months to catch up. Have fun".
With that, Quinn leaves.
At the Playhouse99 movie theatre later that evening, Quinn and Lindy emerge from the theatre having just watched a romantic drama called "Seeking Hearts". Lindy is a little drunk. Her walking is wobbly and her speech is somewhat slurred.
Lindy said "That moovie was so sad. The way Mike broke Marie's heart by choosing his career before her, jerk".
Quinn said "Lindy, they got back together at the end. Didn't you see the final scene where they hug and Marie says "Hold me and never let go"? I almost cried tears of joy at that one".
"Uhhh...Oh, Yeah."
With that Lindy gets out the keys to her car and almost trips on the curb.
"Damn curb. Now, where's my car?"
Not this again. Quinn thought as she said "Lindy, maybe I should drive.".
"Don't be silly, Quinn, I'm still good to..."
Lindy trips over her own feet and Quinn has to catch her.
"You know, Quinn, maybe you should drive."
She hands Quinn the keys.
Music: "It Wasn't Me" by Shaggy
Monday at school, during lunch, Quinn, Stacy and Tiffany having salad at their usual table. Sandi is not with them because ever since her fight with Quinn she's no longer welcome. Quinn is talking about her weekend.
"...I had to stay the night at Lindy's to keep an eye on her. As if that's not enough, Mom has the next three months off because her boss was using cocaine again."
Tiffany asked "Buuut...doesn't...coocaine...ruin...yoouurr...nooooosse? Ewwwwww!"
Quinn said "It's Lindy that I'm worried about. She really con't control her drinking and I don't know what to do about it."
Stacy said "Quinn, that's terrible. Although I'm not surprised, I've noticed she has a problem too. Remember that Halloween Party where she got sick?"
Scrunching her nose, Tiffany said "Stacy...ewwwww!"
Quinn gives Tiffany the kind of look a teacher gives a slow student. She then looks worried again.
"I just don't know what to do. Lindy still doesn't think she has a problem."
Stacy suggested "Ask your sister. Maybe she can give you some advice."
That evening in the common room at Daria's dorm building, Daria and Jane staring at a TV screen. On the TV screen is a bearded man typing on a keyboard while drinking cheap red wine.
TV announcer: Meet the man who likes to post depressing drunk messages on the internet. The Whining Wino next on Sick, Sad World.
Daria said "They should do one about my roommate."
Jane quipped ""The Screaming Slut, next on Sick, Sad World." It's got potential."
At this point Daria's cell phone rings. She immediately answers.
"You've reached the ice queen."
Quinn speaks on the other end of the line.
"Daria, I need some advice."
"No, I don't know what goes with a tangerine blouse."
"Daria, I'm serious."
"Sorry, habit. What's on your mind?"
"Do you remember my friend, Lindy?"
"The one with the drinking problem, yes."
Quinn explained "She's getting worse. Last weekend we were seeing a movie and she snuck in a flask of whiskey. By the time the movie was over she was so wasted I had to drive her home and stay there over night to keep an eye on her. It's got me worried."
Daria said "From what little I know about addiction, she can't be helped if she refuses to accept that she needs it. I seem to recall you telling me she didn't take it well the first time you tried to get her to realize she has a problem."
"Yeah, when we made up later on she told me that she sometimes stops for a week when she thinks it's getting out of hand."
Daria thought about this for a second.
"Okay, she suspects but isn't ready to accept that she has a problem. I suggest you pay her a visit and suggest that she take a week off from the bottle. Beyond that, all you can do is be there for her when she is ready to admit she needs help. Sorry I can't be more helpful but substance abusing friends are unexplored territory for me."
"Actually, that's a great idea. Thanks, sis."
Quinn and Daria both hang up.
Jane asked "What was that about?"
"Lindy's drinking. It seems to have gotten worse."
Jane looks concerned.
At Lindy's place the following afternoon, Quinn and Lindy sitting at the table. For once, Lindy is drinking Ultra Cola instead of Jack Daniels.
Lindy asked "So, what's on your mind, Quinn?"
Quinn said "About the other night, I think you need to take a break from drinking."
"So do I." she holds up her drink, "Hence, soda instead of booze. I haven't had a drop since Friday night."
Quinn looks hopeful at this.
"So, you've already been sober for four days. That's great."
"Of course I can go four days without drinking. You know, Mystik Spiral have a gig at the Zon tonight. You wanna go?"
Quinn said "Lindy, are you sure that's a good idea? They serve alcohol."
Lindy looks irritated.
"Quinn, I don't have a problem. You do."
Quinn looks hurt.
"Hey, I'm not the one who got fired for drinking on the job."
"You just had to bring that up, didn't you. Your problem is that you're too damn uptight."
The hurt expression on Quinn's face makes Lindy calm down.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I'm not planning to drink before Saturday. I might not even do it then."
Quinn looks like she wants to protest but decides against it. It might start another argument.
"Okay, but you know how I worry. I just don't want anything bad to happen to you."
"I appreciate your concern. So about the show tonight?"
"I can't, I have a date tonight." she looks at her watch, "In fact, I'd better get home and get ready. Catch you later."
"Later, Quinn."
After Quinn walks out of the door Lindy breathes a sigh of relief. She opens a cabinet and gets out a bottle of whiskey.
Might as well pre-game.
She starts to drink directly from the bottle.
That evening at The Zon, Mystik Spiral are on stage. Trent steps up to the microphone.
"We're Mystik Spiral and this song is called "Drunk on Pain"."
The band starts playing.
Trent: Sleeping with my sister, hit with grandma's cane.
Feeling the blisters, family life is insane
There is no love, everyone's to blame
Intoxicated and numb, wasted on the pain
Whole band: Drunk on pain, it's never the same
Drunk on pain, feeling lame
Drunk on pain, going insane
As the song continues a visibly drunk Lindy is stumbling around in the audience. The glazed eyes and moronic expression on her face tell all that she isn't just drunk, she's completely bombed. She immediately leans on a guy in the audience.
"HEEEEY, STUUD...hic...WANNA GET LAID."
Before he can respond she grabs his personal area and tries to kiss him. An angry young woman approaches as the song ends.
"GET OFF OF MY BOYFRIEND, YOU SLUT!"
Angry, Lindy slurred "Whoo ya cullink a slud, 'itch?"
Lindy stumbles towards the angry girl and...
"hic...gulp...urp.."
She vomits all over the angry girl. Lindy then throws her arms around another guy who looks very uncomfortable.
She shouts "'IS A PAARRRTTYYYYY, OOOOOOOOOOOO...burp...HOOOOOO!"
Meanwhile, the bartender talking to a bouncer. Next, the bouncer goes to Lindy and taps her on the shoulder.
"Okay, miss, you need to calm down."
Lindy leans on him.
"Awwwww...Lighn up...yer cuuuuute!"
Unimpressed, the bouncer grabs Lindy by the arm and drags her toward the exit. Lindy is immediately shoved out the door.
"...and stay out."
He closes the door.
"Jurk." slurred Lindy.
Lindy stumbles along the street. She's struggling to walk or even stand up straight. To her, everything is spinning wildly. Her eyes get heavy. The last image is the ground rapidly coming up before everything goes black.
Everything is pitch black until...
"Lindy?"
Lindy's eyes open, revealing a very concerned Quinn. Lindy is on the couch at her place.
Lindy asked "Quinn, wha happen'?"
Quinn said "Trent called me on my cell and told me what happened. I cut my date short to look for you and found you passed out on Dega Street."
"S'rry, y'kno', 'bout th' date."
"Don't be, he was a dud. He actually wanted to split the bill at Chez Pierre, the loser."
Lindy giggles until she sees Quinn's expression turn deadly serious.
Quinn said "Lindy, you promised me you wouldn't drink this week."
"I know, but I figured if you didn't know I could let go just for tonight."
Quinn's expression becomes very stern.
"Dammit, Lindy, you do have a problem. You can't even stay off the bottle for a whole week. Tell me the truth, is this your first drink since last Friday or have you just been trying to hide it from me."
Lindy now has a guilty expression on her face.
She sighed "I've had a drink every night this week. But this is the first time since Friday that I went overboard, I swear."
Quinn now looks both hurt and angry.
"For crying out loud, Lindy, you need help."
Lindy gets angry.
"Hey, what I do when you're not around is none of your business. Stop telling me how to live my life."
"Lindy, you're my friend. I'm trying to help you."
"I don't need help, especially from you." she points to the door, "Leave, now!"
Quinn looks ready to protest but decideds against it. She sighs and leaves.
The next morning, Quinn is sitting alone on the living room couch and looks miserable. Helen and Jake walk by and notice.
Helen asked "Quinn, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Jake and Helen sit on each side of Quinn.
Jake said "You can tell us sweety." his expression gets angry, "Did your date get fresh with you? Trying to touch my little girl, I'LL KILL HIM!"
Helen snapped "Settle down, Jake!"
Jake snaps out of it. Quinn breathes a sigh of relief.
She said "It's my friend, Lindy. She has a drinking problem. I had to cut my date short last night because I found her passed out in the middle of the street. We took her to her place and I stayed until she woke up to make sure she was alright. I tried to talk to her about her drinking and she got angry and kicked me out."
"I see." said Helen.
Quinn went on "I'm worried about her. I'm scared something might happen. I mean, what if I hadn't found her when I did? Who knows what could've happened to her? I can't always be there to protect her from herself."
Helen said "You're really concerned for your friend. I'm proud of you."
"You are?"
"Of course, it shows a lot of maturity and growth. I'd like to help. Do you know what an intervention is?"
Quinn shakes her head.
Helen explains "It's when a bunch of friends confront someone with a substance abuse problem. They basically get the person to recognize they have a problem by explaining how it has affected each and every one. We recently did it at the office after Eric's recent cocaine relapse."
Quinn appears to think this over.
Later, in her room, Quinn dials a number on her phone. She's calling Lindy.
Lindy said "Hello."
"Hi, Lindy. It's Quinn. Look, about the other night, I'm sorry for getting in your face. I was just worried."
"I wanted to talk to you about that too. I shouldn't have lied and broken my promise. You had every right to be upset, I'm sorry."
"I know. I just worry about you."
"I know and I appreciate it. Look, I still don't think I have a problem. I'll prove it. Let's do something tonight, something that doesn't involve alcohol."
Quinn said "That's another reason I'm calling. Remember last spring when we saw that movie, "A Kiss Before Heaven"? I rented it from Lackluster and wondered if you'd like to come over tonight and watch it."
"Sounds fun. What time?"
"Any time after seven will work."
"Seven it is. I'll see you then."
"See you then, Lindy. Bye."
"Bye, Quinn."
They both hang up. Quinn now looks nervous.
God, I hope I'm doing the right thing.
Music: "I'm Slim Shady" by Eminem
Lindy's car pulls up to the curb in front of the Morgendorffer house. Lindy shuts off the engine and gets out. She walks up to the door and rings the bell. Helen answers.
"Hello, Lindy."
"Hi, Mrs. Morgendorffer."
"Please, call me Helen. Come on in."
Lindy is led by Helen to the living. She is immediately surrounded by Quinn, Jake, Trent, Stacy and Tiffany. Helen stands between Lindy and the exit looking ready to stop her if she tries to run. Quinn gets right in Lindy's face. Her expression is deadly serious.
Quinn said "Lindy, we all need to have a talk with you."
Lindy gulps as she realizes that she'd scheduled her own intervention.
Music: "U Know What's Up" by Darnell Jones
In the Morgendorffer's living room, Lindy is face to face with a stern looking Quinn while Helen sands behind her. Seated in the living room are Jake, Trent, Stacy and Tiffany. Lindy looks very angry.
"You set me up! You two faced little..."
Helen said "Don't you dare even go there."
"Hey, you can't keep me here. I'm leaving!"
Lindy turns to walk on out the door, only to have her path blocked by Helen.
"You're not going anywhere until you've heard what we have to say."
Helen folds her arms and has a very stern expression on her face. Lindy turns around to see Quinn posed in exactly the same manner.
Quinn said "Lindy, you need to listen to us. You think I enjoy doing this? This is for your own good." she points to an empty chair "Have a seat."
Lindy looks hesitant.
"NOW!" Quinn barked.
Spoken like a true daughter of Helen. Lindy sighs and takes a seat. Helen and Quinn join her.
Helen asked "Who'd like to start?"
Stacy said "I will."
She pulls out a piece of paper where she's written down what she wants to say.
"Lindy, I was shocked and embarrassed by your conduct at Sandi's Halloween Party. You showed up already drunk and after arriving you broke into Mrs. Griffin's liquor cabinet and kept drinking. You got so drunk that you vomited all over me. My costume was ruined. Later, when you passed out me and Tiffany had to carry you to the sofa so you could sleep it off."
Lindy just folds her arms and lets out an angry "urmph".
Helen said "Thank you, Stacy. Tiffany?"
Tiffany pulls out a card and speaks.
"Alcohoool...haaas...caloriees...aarren't...yoou...aaafraid...yoou'lll...geeet...faaat?"
Everyone looks puzzled.
Quinn asked "Anything else, Tiffany?"
"Yeeesss...thaank...youu...aannd...Goodd...bleessss."
Helen looks nervous while Quinn and Stacy look embarrassed.
Helen said "Um...Let's move on. Trent?"
"You seem pretty cool, Lindy. When you get drunk, not so much. At my band's last gig I saw you in the audience. You were so smashed that you were throwing yourself at every guy in the place and picked a fight with a girl. The manager, who has an everything goes attitude, had to have one of the bouncers throw you out. I was embarrassed to know you at that point."
In a very catty tone, Lindy said "Says the stoner musician who's incapable of holding down a steady job."
In a harsh tone, Helen said "Lindy!"
"What, I can't defend myself?"
Quinn said "We're not attacking you, we're trying to help you by being honest."
"You want honest." snapped Lindy, "Fine, I'll be honest. Trent, you are a lazy bum with no future. How's that for honest?"
Trent looks a little hurt.
"Whoa, that's just cruel."
Helen said "Lindy, I happen to know that you were drunk when we had you over for thanksgiving. You drank two whole bottles of Caberet Sauvignon and spend the whole night speaking gibberish. I don't think I'd ever seen Quinn so embarrassed."
Lindy is having no more of this and decideds to continue firing back.
"You're one to talk. You work 90 hour weeks in an obsessive quest to make partner at that law firm and accuse me of being an alcoholic. You're the biggest workaholic I've ever met." She turns her venom on Jake, "Or you, constantly ranting about your abusive father and how he threw you in military school when you were eleven. Complaining about being bullied by instructors and the other cadets. My dad ran out on me and my mom when I was three years old. In high school I was the weirdo art geek that no one liked. I didn't have any friends until college. Oh, poor little Jakey's daddy didn't love him, boo-hoo. MY DAD ABANDONED ME WHEN I WAS JUST A BABY AND MY MOM IS A RAGING ALCOHOLIC WHO ONLY PAYS FOR ME TO GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WANT ME AROUND!"
Quinn said "Lindy, please, you need to calm down."
"And you need to stop butting in. Quinn Morgendorffer, the princess of perfection. Little Miss "I'm the whole package"." She mockingly immitates Quinn's voice, ""I'm sooo perfect. I'm beautiful, smart, nice and popular. Everybody loves me. All the guys wanna date me and all the girls wanna be me." Newsflash, Quinn, NOBODY'S PERFECT!"
Hurt, Quinn said "I never said you had to be perfect. This isn't about that, it's about you destroying yourself. I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I'm doing this because I care, we all do. I'm afraid that if you keep going like this you'll get hurt or possibly even killed. I don't want my next party to be your funeral."
Lindy says nothing. The look on her face indicates that Quinn may have just gotten through to her. Quinn sees this and presses on.
"Lindy, put yourself in my shoes. What would you do if I was doing something to myself that could wreck my life or even kill me?"
Lindy muttered under her breath "Probably the same thing you're doing."
Quinn asked "What's that? I didn't hear you."
"I SAID I'D PROBABLY BE DOING THE SAME THING YOU'RE DOING, ALRIGHT!" She calms down, "You're right, okay. I do have a drinking problem. I wish I could solve it but I can't. I'm in my last semester of college, about to start my career. I can't spend three months in rehab. I can't even afford rehab, I don't have insurance."
Quinn explained "No one said you had to go to rehab. You need to either control your drinking or stop altogether. You've admitted you have a problem, you know how we feel about it, the rest is up to you."
Lindy looks very uncertain.
"I have to do some serious thinking."
She gets up and runs out of the house, almost in tears.
That night at her place, Lindy is sitting alone at the table. On the table is a fresh bottle of whiskey. It's open but Lindy hasn't drunk any yet. She just stares at the bottle, lost in her thoughts.
Quinn's right, they all are. But what can I do? I can't just put my life on hold.
She continues to stare at the bottle. She sighs and takes the bottle in her hand. She's about to take a swig when she stops. She puts the bottle back down.
All my college friends drink. Why should I be any different?
Looking more determined, she once again picks up the bottle. She brings it to her lips but hesitates again. Once more she puts the bottle down.
I am different. They don't get so drunk that they get themselves thrown out of clubs. None of my friends sneak whiskey into movie theatres or drink screwdrivers when they're supposed to be working. They all drink their fill and that's it. I keep going until I pass out.
Lindy is now visibly disgusted with herself. She picks up the bottle once more but this time walks over to the kitchen sink with it. She stares at the sink. Next, she looks at the bottle.
I feel like complete shit. She looks more intently at the bottle. I could make it go away. I could have a drink right now and feel good about myself again. The pain, the guilt, it could all go away. I could be happy again.
She brings the bottle to her lips and is about to take a swig when...
"What would you do if I was doing something to myself that could wreck my life or kill me?" She puts the bottle back down. I feel terrible. What am I doing?
She continues to stare at the bottle, it's just too tempting.
Dammit.
She brings the bottle to her lips, holds it there for a second, and makes her choice. She pours the whiskey down the drain.
Music: "What's My Age Again" by Blink-182
One evening at Lawndale High, there's a sign on one of the classroom doors that says "Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting". Inside the classroom a bucnh of people, including Lindy and Quinn, are introducing themselves to each other. Lindy stands up.
"My name's Lindy Wilson, and I'm an alcoholic. I was so far gone that I was always getting drunk, in class, at work, even watching a movie. It was so bad my friends recently had to stage an intervention. I'm now three days sober and want to continue in my sobriety."
The whole group said "Welcome, Lindy."
Now Quinn stands up.
"My name's Quinn Morgendorffer but I'm not an alcoholic. In fact, I don't even drink. I was the one who staged Lindy's intervention and I'm now here as a show of support to my friend. I will respect group confidentiality and anything said here will remain here, I promise. I just came to remind Lindy that she doesn't have to go through this alone."
The group all talk among themselves for a second before nodding their approval at Quinn.
"Thank you, Quinn."
Quinn sits down while Lindy smiles.
Later on, outside, the meeting is over. Several of the people have remained to chat. Lindy can be seen talking to some while Quinn keeps a respectful distance. The AA member who chaired the meeting, a slim man in his early forties, approaches Quinn.
"Excuse me, Quinn."
"Yeah."
"I just wanted to say that I hope this has been educational. You must really care about Lindy."
Quinn said "She's my friend, of course I care."
The AA Chair said "Not everyone goes the extra mile for their friends. You're one of a kind."
Quinn proudly stated "Actually, my sister's the same way. She doesn't have many friends but she'd do anything for the few she does have."
"I hope Lindy realizes how lucky she is to have a friend like you. I'll see you around."
Quinn smiles at his praise.
Another evening in the Morgendorffer's living room, Quinn and Lindy are sitting on the couch all misty eyed. They're both in their pajamas because Lindy is staying over for the night. They'd just watched a tear jerker.
Lindy said "Watching movies sober does make a difference. This was sooo moving."
Quinn said "See, you don't need a drink to enjoy "A Kiss Before Heaven"."
Lindy nods in agreement.
"You know, Quinn, you're the first friend I've had that actually looked out for me. Everyone else just treated my drinking like it was no big deal."
"Maybe you need to find some better friends."
"I already have. By the way, sorry I snapped at you during the intervention."
Quinn said "That's okay. You were just upset." looks thoughtful, "Lindy, that stuff about your life, was that true?"
"Unfortunately yes. That's actually why I started drinking, I was trying to numb some of the pain."
Quinn said "Whatever happens I want you to know I'll always have your back."
The two friends hug.
Lindy said "Thanks, Quinn."
A/N
Well, Lindy's off the sauce now. What did you think?
Next Time
To thank Quinn, Lindy sets her up on a blind date with a freshman from Lawndale State. Will it be love at first sight or a dating disaster of biblical proportions?