LII. Extreme Ways

Extreme ways are back again
Extreme places I didn't know
I broke everything new again
Everything that I'd owned
I threw it out the windows, came along
Extreme ways I know move apart
The colors of my sea
Perfect color me

Extreme ways that that help me
Help me out at night
Extreme places I had gone
But never seen any light
Dirty basements, dirty noise
Dirty places coming through
Extreme worlds alone
Did you ever like it planned

I would stand in line for this
There's always room in life for this

Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Like it always does, always does

Extreme songs that told me
They helped me down every night
I didn't have much to say
I didn't get above the light
I closed my eyes and closed myself
And closed my world and never opened
Up to anything
That could get me along

I had to close down everything
I had to close down my mind
Too many things to cover me
Too much can make me blind
I've seen so much in so many places
So many heartaches, so many faces
So many dirty things
You couldn't believe

I would stand in line for this
It's always good in life for this

Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Like it always does, always does

Extreme Ways is the property of Moby and appears in the film The Bourne Identity.

"I'm draping it as we speak," informs Toby, winding the pink feathery object around his monitor.

"You are not!" cries Manny, laughing a little. "My boa?"

"No, my boa," says Toby, grinning.

Manny did call him back, thankfully in higher spirits. His initial goal was to do as he said he would, to read Justin's e-mails and contact Clara, but he got side-tracked by his L.A. lady. That's what Danny chose to refer to her as after Toby nixed Mannylicious. Toby approved it, mainly so he could get home early in case Manny rung him. She's at Lia's, which turned out not to be that helpful since Emma, Lia, and Hannah were gone. At least he's here with her now...in a way.

"Maybe I should come home early," sighs Manny.

"Is that what you really want?" says Toby.

Honestly, he'd like that, too, although he doesn't want it if she's coming to Toronto unhappy, defeated.

"Have you spoken with Colleen yet?" asks Toby.

"Kinda mad she gave me and Lia the wrong date," replies Manny. "If I'm upset, Lia's going to be furious. She was more excited about this...well, by a hair."

"Maybe they can have you audition on a different day," proposes Toby.

"It doesn't work like that, Tobes," says Manny. "I mean, in special cases, maybe..."

"You are a special case," interjects Toby.

"That's a sweet boyfriend opinion, not a business one, baby," says Manny, diplomatically. "And that one is done."

This isn't fair. Manny studied the script every second she could for a film she desired, and he'd gotten an internship offer he didn't necessarily crave. What's more Doug said he had the rest of the month to get back to him.

"You spent the whole day of auditions with me," says Toby, gloomily.

"What?" cries Manny. "Toby, nobody knew! It was a misunderstanding, probably my misunderstanding. I wouldn't trade a second we had together."

Toby smiles brightens as he flips his computer on, and the beeps sound.

"Especially certain seconds," says Manny, shyly.

"Yeah," says Toby, pulling out the chair to his desk. "And what we were doing those certain seconds?"

"Don't make me say it," whispers Manny. "Alright. Some outstanding s-e-"

Toby goes to close his bedroom door, chuckling as he walks.

"C-S. Glorious secs," provides Manny.

"Love the pun," teases Toby.

"Witty and pretty," says Manny. "You got the best of both worlds."

Toby nods to himself, stops shutting the door as his father appears in the small space of the ajar door. He turns, pretending not to see him. He just got Manny in a good mood and this is the longest they've talked since he's left.

"Toby!" calls Jeff.

"I'm on the phone!" replies Toby.

Jeff parts the door further anyway, folds his arms.

"It's Manny," explains Toby.

"Yeah, I could tell," says Jeff. "We really need to talk so..."

He releases a deep sigh, but his dad is giving him the most unwavering stare. Jeff had already told him that he and Kate were jetting off somewhere tomorrow. It seems that even though they missed him, they missed alone time more. He guesses he's getting a responsibility lecture, an ill-timed responsibility lecture.

"Manny, can I call you later?" he says.

"I'll be here," answers Manny. "And if that's your dad, tell him I said hi. Talk with you later."

"Alright," says Toby. "Bye."

He didn't even get to say "I love you", he thinks, sadly staring at his cell.

"Manny says hi," says Toby, shrugging.

"I'm glad she's doing well," says Jeff. "Actually, this has to do with her, I'm fairly sure."

Uh-oh. His mother called and told him all about what went down in California. She would've mentioned the stolen Mercedes, the huge blow-ups they'd had, and who knows what else. Here he thought his mother would've understood why he did those things. Toby immediately starts to conjure a sincere apology.

"I was searching for the battery recharger I lent you, and came across...very unexpected items," says Jeff, clearing his throat.

"What?" says Toby.

Jeff removes something from his back pocket, and tosses the nearly full package of condoms on his bed. Great. It's going to be a different kind of responsibility lecture. He didn't even ask for the battery recharger. J.T. told him to pack it in case they needed it. Well, as it turns out, he needed the condoms more. Who'd have thunk?

"Uh...um...I...hmm," stammers Toby, cheeks growing hot. "They...so we...me and..."

"Manny?" interrupts Jeff, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course, Manny!" cries Toby. "I mean, sorry."

"Toby...," starts Jeff in his disappointed tone.

Ugh, he hates his father's disappointed tone. They'd discussed what sex was basically, and Jeff had to know he was interested in...in this. He did catch him looking at porn once.

Jeff eases onto Toby's bed. "Sit down."

He'd rather not, does so anyway.

"So it was in California?" nudges Jeff.

"Yeah," answers Toby, quietly.

"Your mother...," begins Jeff.

"No, Dad," interrupts Toby. "We...we were discussing this for awhile actually. When we were here. I got these here and I'm in love with her and she was there so..."

"Alright," breathes Jeff as Toby's voice fades.

"I never said that...that I'd wait until...," reminds Toby.

"I know, I know," insists Jeff. "But it's more complicated when you're in high school. And I did honestly believe that you'd wait until you were a little older, found the right person."

"Manny is the right person!" says Toby. "It can't get any more right."

"That's how you feel now," says Jeff, calmly. "What about next year, or when you're in university? A lot can change, Toby."

Is his father truly saying this? If his mother can see it, why can't his own father, the parent who's been around consistently?

"Nothing's changing," replies Toby. "Before, I couldn't see a future with her. Now, I can. I'm...like, always, thinking about it in the back of my mind. So is Manny."

Jeff picks up the box of condoms, stares at his son.

"I adore Manny, Toby," says Jeff. "Not as much as you, obviously. I do, though. She's warm and supportive. She gets you to open up. She loves you unconditionally. I really like that she's no longer just a friend...to any of us."

Toby smiles, decides that's not the best time to add anything.

"But the two of you are young," continues Jeff. "Still very young. Getting serious...you have to be careful."

"We were safe," says Toby, nodding to the box.

"I mean, with your emotions," corrects Jeff. "You can never tell what might happen day to day. Manny may be the one. I'd like that. But you can never be too sure, about anything."

"Manny is it," says Toby. "She's it, Dad."

"Toby...," starts Jeff.

"It took you awhile to find Kate," interrupts Toby, purposefully. "That's fine. For others, it's sooner, and perfect. With Manny...it's like a sudden blessing. She's my blessing."

Toby blushes and for the first instance since he's been in this room, Jeff puts an arm around him and smiles a bit.

"Then she's a blessing to us," says Jeff.

"Good," says Toby.

"You wear one every time," instructs Jeff, lowering his voice. "As goes without saying, you make sure she's comfortable and safe as well. It won't be happening in this house..."

"Dad," whines Toby.

"Listen to me, Tobes," says Jeff. "It has to be somewhere else. I don't want Kate to...yeah, it's best she didn't know. Your mother, either. But they should be nice places. Classy. My first time...well, it was awful. College dorm party..."

Toby lets his head fall as his father rambles on and on. He's not going to get to those e-mails tonight, and Manny would be in bed by the time his father finished, in bed without him. He's guessing that's the way his dad would prefer it.

II.

She talked to Toby in her pajamas. With nobody home, she figured she might as well find comfort somehow. Doing her usual "happy-go-lucky" Manny act, she managed to fool Toby. He was right about leaving the theater, though. Being there just reemphasized what a waste parts of this trip were, and how she hasn't made any progress professionally.

Finding it odd that Lia hasn't returned to sulk at home too, Manny grabs a pink pillow, hugs it to her chest. She peeps inside her friend's room. Nope. She isn't aware of Lia's plans for the day either. Manny glances into Lia's bedroom mirror, spies a piece of pillow fuzz near her ear.

"Ewww," says Manny, yanking at it.

The pink ball of cotton falls from her hair to the top of Lia's vanity. A few sheets of paper sit next to the photograph of Ursula, the one she and Lia were discussing the day she went to Filipinotown. That's right. Lia kept her Hearts for Sale info near the picture, maybe as inspiration. Manny groans, searches for the improper date among the words.

"Audition Location: Majestic Theater," reads Manny. "Auditon date: July...July...yesterday!"

Manny's mouth hurriedly opens as she drops the pillow. The audition was yesterday? Why did Lia say today? Colleen told...no, Lia told her the new day. Or was it a new day, or a different day coming from a dishonest pair of lips?

"Ugh!" screams Manny.

How could she be so foolish? Colleen told her the audition was the day after the ball, and Lia said that Colleen said it was a day later. She got so into the idea of being with Toby for one last day, and Lia knew she would bite. Never mind her foolishness! How could Lia be so heartless?

"You're in my room because?" asks a voice behind her.

Manny whirls to face the world's biggest backstabber with red hair. She hates that she can barely do it. Tears were already forming at the edges of her eyes, her throat becoming tight.

"Lia," says Manny, shaking her head.

Gaining clarity quickly, Lia's sight shifts and she's furiously playing with the bottom of her shirt. She begins to cry as well.

"Manny, I had to have this role," chokes out Lia.

"After everything...after everything with Pinecrest...what I had to go through," stammers Manny, her voice breaking. "This week has been so hard."

"My life has been hard!" cries Lia.

Not. Manny can't fanthom what hardships Lia would have to face as the daughter of two famous parents or as a well-reviewed actress.

"What?" breathes Manny.

"You were the biggest competition," sighs Lia, her eyes as red as her hair. "You owed me. I helped you talk to Toby."

"That stupid game of Truth or Dare!" cries Manny. "You know, with the truth that almost ruined us? The kiss with Kendra? That wasn't good enough for you?"

"The game I barely remember?" says Lia. "Yeah, that made us so even, Manny. A night of me drunkenly laughing at you versus you tracking down your soulmate at a bus station!"

"Nice to finally see your two faces!" exclaims Manny.

Manny attempts to exit the room, stopped by Lia tugging at her arm. Her touch is pretty soft, despite the situation.

"My mother was in the original," whispers Lia. "She was the original Claudia."

While she removes her arm from Lia's grasp, she doesn't leave. Ursula Andrews was in the first Hearts for Sale? Why didn't Lia tell her?

"Why didn't you say anything?" asks Manny.

"Colleen would've had you audition, no matter what," says Lia, wiping her cheeks. "I've been studying her so much."

Manny's frown deepens, and her lips stay still.

"So much," repeats Lia, her shoulders shaking as she sobs harder.

"Lia..."

"This is the only way I can make her proud," interrupts Lia. "To carry on her legacy. It'd get my father's attention. Manny, it just all adds up. Please..please don't tell Colleen."

She's asking for a lot, and a betrayal is a betrayal, from any angle. Manny wouldn't do that to her, or Blake, or another actor. That's destroying someone's dream.

"I can't promise that," whispers Manny.

"Manny...all you'd have to do is say that you went, and it didn't go so well," encourages Lia.

"Then I'd be continuing these lies!" says Manny. "These lies that I've been trying to get away from. This whole trip has been so difficult for me and..."

"And?"

Manny turns from her. "You wouldn't understand...at all."

Lia moves to a spot in front of Manny, clearly trying to gain the sympathy she wants. She's fallen for her waterworks before. Wasn't Lia crying the day Manny could've glanced at the real sheet, with the real audition date? Only then she was telling her about her experience with the Pinecrest photographer at the Hamptons. What a sap I was, thinks Manny. Not today.

"I went to Filipinotown, and I was so ashamed," shares Manny. "Ashamed because I was deceived. I broke down...totally. I haven't even told Toby that, because of the shame."

"Why were you ashamed?" says Lia.

"This industry," answers Manny. "They see me and think of this token character because my skin isn't as pale as theirs..."

"Don't make this a race thing!" cries Lia. "I'm Jewish. That's no walk in the park either, Manny. I don't exactly look like Malibu Barbie."

"Yeah, but I bet they never asked you to play a maid!" returns Manny.

Lia closes her eyes and swallows a lump in her throat. Finally, here's a time where Lia not saying anything isn't hurting her. Manny angrily grabs her pillow and heads for her room. Her room for one more night, if she has anything to say about it.

"What do you want me to do?" calls Lia after her.

"Enjoy making your first film!" yells Manny, slamming the door.

She hates yelling, yelling and crying, crying against the door. Her back is soft against it.

III.

The bulletin board announces everything. There's a synchronized swimming class that meets on Saturdays, with an opening for an alternate. A yellow piece of paper calls for seamstresses for the spring production of Pippin. Grammar workshops were being offered for the fall. All Sean can concentrate on, has to concentrate on, is where Dale's hand is and where the gun is, as he reads.

"Which room?" whispers Dale.

Ever since they left the office building, the delivery of Dale's lines were in whispers and mutterings. Sean doesn't know if he's doing that to be sinister or secretive. Perhaps it's a little of both. When they were in Dale's car, they stuck mainly to side roads and Dale made Sean drive because he knew the directions. While driving, Sean continually pictured Dale watching Ellie. She was drinking coffee, chatting with Marco or Alex or anyone and he was outside plotting, ratty ponytail shining under the streetlights close to the Dot. When did it come to this?

"He didn't tell me a room," answers Sean, honestly.

"There's only two with lights on," observes Dale, motioning for Sean to go down the hallway with him.

Sean hopes that Jay's unattainable. It's highly possible that he was doing something that he couldn't get out of. He mentioned it had to do with his job.

The first classroom holds a group of young women sitting in a circle. They mention teething troubles and breastfeeding. It was a new mom's support group, they soon realized, after the leader goes into a whole talk on first child jitters.

At the end of the hall, a room is lit, the door left halfway open. Sean walks incredibly slow, Dale having to nudge him forward. They hear a rumble of laughter, then quiet. Sean breathes deeply and looks inside.

There were several rows of desks, a chalkboard at the front, with a rosy-cheeked man, in a brown suit, his puffy white hair glinting under the florescent lights, writing his name with chalk. There were various subjects listed to the right: cosmetology; real estate; electrician; mechanics; childcare. Next to each subject are specific dates and times, with the name and phone number of a coordinator.

Dale peers behind Sean, who manages to block him successfully. He's blocking him because Jay is in clear sight, in the back row, jotting the information down in his composition book. That's why they were in his cart. Jay's in his street clothes, jeans and a grey T-shirt.

"Most of these courses are taught at the community college, except for the cosmetology courses," informs the teacher. "Those courses are divided up between the college and the newly built House of Beauty on Pike Street."

Jay's signing up for courses? It has to be mechanics. Sean smiles weakly. His best friend's taking this huge step after a lot of disappointments-- the expulsion, getting fired from his first job, being berated by Dale. No one had to tell him to do this, and it'd be something he'd earn on his own. Everybody, including his father, including Dale, would have to respect him for that. Sean definitely does, facing Dale.

"He's busy," says Sean.

Dale roughly pushes Sean, his shoulder stinging, and looks inside.

"Do we have to bring those freaky mannequin head things?" asks a pretty blonde in a tight mini-skirt.

"No, Melanie," answers the teacher as a few girls giggle.

"Mine's gonna have a mullet," kids Melanie. "And...please, it's Mel."

"Do your clients get lollipops when they're done?" speaks up Jay, smiling at Mel.

"Depends on if I feel charitable," supplies Mel.

Jay winks at her. "I could put you in the giving mood."

The whole class laughs, Mel turning a furious shade of red.

"That's enough, Jason," interrupts the teacher, going to the board again. "For the mechanics classes, we focus primarily on the content of the ASE, the Automotive Service Excellence test, which certifies you as an auto repair professional..."

Mel didn't seem to mind Jay's flirting, tossing him quick smiles as she writes in her notebook. Jay's more focused on the teacher, however, writing diligently.

"That idiot's wasting my time going to some low-grade class?" mutters Dale. "Man, he's already set."

Yeah, set to be your slave, thinks Sean, then quickly adding, like me.

"He'd have a license," says Sean. "That's not a low-grade thing."

"Whatever," waves off Dale. "This isn't a class. It's some type of info session. So he can leave."

Sean rolls his eyes. "Why can't we wait...or better yet, do this by ourselves?"

"Jay's part of the family," says Dale. "Tell him...what's that chick's name? Yeah, tell him Alex is really sick and he has to go to the hospital."

"What!" cries Sean. "Is that what you do to..."

Of course it's what he does. Dale doesn't have to answer him. He found their weaknesses, played with them until they came running back to him to do his bidding.

"Go," orders Dale, stroking the handle of his gun, situated near his belt.

Though the lies he's told Ellie and countless others bothered him immensely, this lie would be the most horrible lie in this whole situation. Alex is the person closest to Jay, moreso than even him, and lying about her health would unnerve Jay like nothing else. Sean eyes the gun, tucked into Dale's pants, but able to be withdrawn at any moment. He walks to the rear of the classroom.

"Ah, a new student!" greets the teacher.

"Um no, sir," says Sean. "I'm here...for Jay Hogart. Jason."

Jay stares at him pensively, scratches his head in confusion. Sean bends next to his ear.

"It's Alex," whispers Sean, then coughing. "She's sick...she's at the hospital."

"I..I have to go," says Jay, fingers shaking as he closes the composition book.

Jay's cheeks go pale, his lips fumbling for words. He grabs his bookbag and pulls Sean with him in a hurry. His composition book remains as he goes past Sean into the hall.

"Did Chad do something to her?" demands Jay. "What is it, man?!"

Dale's stony face suggests nothing. Jay grimaces at Dale.

"Why are you two here?" asks Jay.

"Um...," starts Sean, guiltily.

"Never mind," interjects Jay. "What hospital is it? We should be..."

"You should be thankful for that free weed I gave you," says Dale, standing next to Jay. "I knew you would avoid me unless I sent Sean after you."

Jay gives Sean a disappointed stare, backpack falling to his side.

"Alex is okay?" says Jay.

"Yes," answers Dale. "I do believe Ashley isn't, though. She has no spindle for her car. Awww."

Sean and Jay remain silent. It would be best to let Dale speak, Sean wagering that Jay felt similarly. Let his toxic lips keep flapping so they'll run out of words.

"Where we're going, I talk and you two don't," whispers Dale, glancing between them. "No questions. No hassle. No second guessing. Clear?"

"I got a class, man," sighs Jay.

"To have a class, you'd have to be enrolled," says Dale. "Are you?"

"Not...not yet," replies Jay.

Dale smiles fully and taps his gun. Jay's expression changes from mildly bothered to antsy. Sean's gaze stays on the ground as the three of them walk to the exit.

IV.

Hannah has taken to skipping instead of walking. Her blonde ponytails are currently pressed down by a crown wreath of pink roses, an extra prop handed to her by the director, a Kel Andrews fanatic apparently. For all the fame her father has, Emma hasn't seen any of his films. Then again, she wasn't a movie maniac like Manny, or even Toby, who became one because of Manny. The crown wreath's twin would be seen in the film on the little sister of Ashton and because of her princess-loving ways, and Spinner's persuasive tongue, Hannah received the other.

"We were the best marchers," proclaims Hannah.

"'Sho nuff," remarks Spinner.

Hannah scrunches her nose at the slang, then giggles.

"You're funny," proclaims Hannah.

"Don't encourage him," says Emma, smirking at Spinner.

Once their scene wrapped, Emma delighting in the fact that they have "a scene", they stopped at a street corner so Spinner could reach Kendra. For whatever reason, Kendra didn't answer. That shook Spinner up a bit so Emma volunteered to lead the way. Boomer's competition had started an hour ago and she hopes Spinner won't miss it altogether. Hannah's skipping is gradually getting slower, too, so Emma's certain the girl's getting tired.

No longer bus novices, the three of them walk to the lighted Andrews' mansion from the bus stop. Though Spinner has missed some of the surfing competition, he didn't appear angry, which puts at her ease. Hannah has been at ease all day. There is something about Spinner that just does that. She can't put her finger on it, but is glad she can't.

Spinner is at Emma's side as they approach the door, Hannah pushing the doorbell continually.

"That eager to get away from me?" cries Spinner in mock astonishment.

Hannah laughs. "I want to show Lia my crown."

"Understood," says Spinner, exchanging a grin with Emma.

"You're going to be with us tomorrow?" asks Hannah, hopefully. "Like if Emma doesn't mind?"

Emma looks skyward, blushing. "I wouldn't mind."

"Well, if Emma doesn't mind...then yeah," answers Spinner.

A frowning Lia opens the door for her sister, who drags her to the living room.

"That's the cutest kid I've ever met," says Spinner. "Oh, besides Jack."

"Jack only likes to be called cute when it gets him off the hook, or if the person has a cookie," counters Emma. "Other than that, all boy."

They chuckle, Emma closing the door a smidge. Spinner steps with her onto the stoop. Hints of blonde flecks are in his hair, whether California-caused or not. She likes seeing them, or rather, she likes that she's close enough where she can see them.

"She's so sad," admits Emma, softly. "By herself with her wands and storybooks. At least I have Manny."

"And that's a friendship for the books," comments Spinner, nodding.

"Yeah, what haven't we been through?" laughs Emma. "You and Jimmy too. Wow."

"Hannah has you, too. But...dude, why is she alone? She's sweet and smart and..."

"Her mom died giving birth to her," explains Emma. "She thinks it's her fault, that she's cursed. I don't see why. Some of us...well, some of us have brought bad things on ourselves. Not her, though."

Emma lowers herself to the stoop, the stone smooth against her legs. Spinner sits, too.

"I keep remembering when my life turned around," says Emma, staring straight. "Jack was born. Snake went into remission. Everything was working. Then, I got involved with Rick."

Spinner strokes his knee for a short moment, then stares at her.

"Spin, I made his life really miserable at Degrassi," says Emma.

Her statement is true, as much as she would enjoy denying it. She tripped him at the Dot in order to impress people she barely knew. She lead the protest to remind him of what he did to Terri. She told him, after sticking up for him, that Degrassi wasn't interested in having him. Then, perhaps the worst thing was turning him down when he tried to kiss her.

"Maybe I deserved that gun pointed at me," breathes Emma.

"Not like I did," says Spinner. "Em, you...were with him on the Academic team. You tried to include him. That's...that's something. I...I did something to set him off."

Emma rests her hand on Spinner's shoulder.

"Something that made him get a gun," says Spinner, quietly.

"Your life is good, Spin," comforts Emma. "You deserve it. Mine...meanwhile, mine's falling apart."

Spinner scoots closer to her. The movement must've made her tears more visible, because before she's feeling them, they're falling. They're falling fast.

"It's falling apart," repeats Emma as she sobs.

"What...like what seems like it falls apart, really won't sometimes," offers Spinner. "Wait until you know. I don't think it will."

"No easy roads," says Emma, sniffling as a smile emerges on her face.

He takes her hand and traces her knuckles.

"Roads have bumps," shrugs Spinner. "And dude, we're..."

"And we are bumpin'," finishes Emma, chuckling along with Spinner.

"Totally nineties saying, baby," applauds Spinner. "I love it."

"You taught me," reminds Emma, high-fiving him.

They rise. Spinner immediately hugs her, Emma letting him. She hugged Toby after the dire events of that day, the day none of them will forget. Yet, today, this is warmer. She can feel a similar heartbeat through their shirts and the sun hasn't disappeared behind the clouds. It's too bright to disregard it.

"Ten tomorrow?" says Emma, pulling away.

"See ya later, alligator," promises Spinner.

"After awhile, crocodile," returns Emma.

"Oh snap!" cries Spinner. "The sayings don't stop, man."

Emma giggles as she shuts the door, relieved that her eyes are no longer wet. She freshens her face in the bathroom briefly, then guesses that Manny has come back by now. Strangely, her bedroom door is closed. Emma knocks.

"Man--"

Before Emma can say her best friend's full name, Manny's in her arms, crying way more intensely than she was minutes ago. Emma leads Manny into her room and helps her sit on the bed.

"What's going on?" asks Emma.

"I...I can't stay here," breathes Manny. "Em, I gotta go home."

Go home? What would cause her to make that request? Was the audition that bad?

"You'll do better with the next...," begins Emma.

"There was no next!" cries Manny. "There won't be a next! Everything turns out for the worse!"

There should be something to console her. Why can't she come up with anything? Emma stares at her, flabbergasted. She just comforted Spinner, although he did most of the comforting.

"I'm losing myself here," breathes Manny.

"Manny, I'm...I'm lost," admits Emma.

"No, I am," insists Manny. "That's why I need to get out of this house, this country. Anywhere else."

Emma swallows a lump in her throat. She had to be with Hannah through the end of the month, for as long as Manny was supposed to stay. Kel has already paid her half the money. Didn't Manny have auditions through July, too?

"Your auditions," reminds Emma.

"They're pointless!" says Manny. "Utterly pointless. The only thing that I can rely on is...is me and Toby."

Toby? Hold on. Okay, she's perfectly aware that Manny's emotional right now, but Toby isn't here. She's here. They're both here. Emma walks to Manny's closet, pretends to examine her nails.

"Emma," says Manny, going to her. "I don't have enough to go home. I'm stuck here."

Manny's voice is getting softer, which is harder to take. She does sound desperate. She is desperate.

"Manny...," says Emma.

"He knows what I'm going through," says Manny. "He always does. I can't tell you...not yet. Not until I figure it out. But I need a clear mind. I need to go home."

"But...but you're coming back?" asks Emma, staring at her.

"Yes," replies Manny, earnestly.

Emma breathes deeply. "I can loan you the money."

"Thank you, Em!" says Manny, throwing herself into Emma's arms.

She would like to say "sure, anytime", and mean it. Then, the guilty thoughts invading her mind might be silenced. The guilty thoughts include wanting to have Manny discuss this with her and not him, keeping her in this house so their bond would grow instead of theirs. Instead, she says the most honest thing she can as Manny's sobbing subsides.

"Well, figure it out soon, okay?"

V.

Four tires cease to move in the stillness. A blaring truck blasts from a distant highway. Torn newspaper pages skitter in the light breezes. The faint, familiar sign is the first sign. The door is down. They go to the side, where the shadows are deepest. Cool air flows through the car.

Dale tosses a roach out the window. He smoked during the drive. Jay wouldn't take the joint he offered, and Sean kept his eyes on the road. The road is what he can rely on, since he's taken it. He took this road to work so many times. That's when the Ducati was a remote dream. That's when the money came in steadily and didn't seem as important. That's when everyone got their equal due. They'd say, oh, Sean, can you do that, or would you mind taking a look at, or is this on its last leg? He told them the truth in this place.

"Good old Dad's," mutters Dale, smirking.

Three car doors click as they get out and walk slowly to the side entrance of Hill's. The high-end shopping, realizes Sean. Mr. Hill acquired the best parts in Toronto.

"Stealing from your old man?" whispers Sean, intensely.

"Yeah, one part makes me the devil," throws back Dale. "Shut up."

Dale tries the door, puts on a glove, curses under his breath as he starts to enter the code on a hidden keypad. Sean has no knowledge of the code. He's not surprised his father trusted Dale with it, however.

"Code's my birthday," explains Dale as the door creaks open.

The hour is nearing ten. Dale wanted to be there at nine, to watch two workers, Patrick and Garrett, close up shop. Sean thought Dale got some sick delight in viewing them do all the necessary tasks, locking up Hill's in vain. He chuckled when Patrick stumbled to his bicycle. They could tell he was tired, but Dale laughed anyway.

"Is there a reason why Sean and I had to come?" questions Jay.

"Yes, community center genius," snorts Dale, ushering them inside. "Go to storage."

Jay and Sean, being employed and formerly employed, respectively, go to where they should stand. Dale whistles on his way there. He puts an arm around Sean, an arm around Jay.

"My hands ain't getting dirty," says Dale, grinning. "Yours are."

"What?" whispers Jay.

"Inventory boy, get the sheet next to the parts and tell me where the Acura spindle is," instructs Dale. "Sean, you pick it up."

Sean can feel spit collecting in his mouth, would love to hurl it at Dale since he's so close. Just like at work everyday, Dale would do anything and use anyone to do his dirty deeds.

Jay shrugs him off and heads for the list.

"Careful!" whispers Dale, urgently. "There's an alarm on the floor next to the fence. The red button."

Sean recalls seeing that on the occasion, didn't think he'd ever have to worry about it. Jay nods, goes to the fence. He inches it slightly, slides in and finds the clipboard. Dale sits on the table, takes out his gun as Jay reads. He twirls it. He actually twirls it.

Sean shakes his head, glances behind him. Dale had closed the door to obscure any activities they were doing. He also spies a Nissan, Mr. Sumter's if he remembers correctly. Sumter came in for paint jobs. The Culvers' station wagon is to the right. Their youngest son was always so impressed that Sean was in high school and able to work on cars. Sean allows the spit to seep down his throat. He's more disgusted with himself than anybody else.

"Got two," informs Jay. "Sean."

During the drive, the two of them didn't talk. To his relief, Jay got the reason behind the Alex lie, or so Sean believes. In any case, he tosses Sean a sympathetic glance. Jay lied to get Sean into this arrangement, and they'd been lying for weeks. Maybe the lying is getting more natural.

"Hogart, watch the door," commands Dale, standing next to Sean.

Jay goes to stand watch, Dale peering over Sean as he takes hold of a shiny, new Acura spindle.

"Good?" says Dale.

"The best," replies Sean through gritted teeth.

"Hmm, thanks, Dad," sighs Dale, happily. "Go to the car through the chained door. Use this key."

The chained door was for the benefit of the men who moved the parts Mr. Hill ordered. It was primarily used on the weekends. It also coincidentally lead to an alley, where they could reach Dale's parked car.

Sean tucks the spindle under his arm, starts to undo the lock. The chain loosens slightly. He hears hurried steps behind him.

"Guys, I thought I heard...," says Jay, racing to them.

His warning is interrupted by another warning. A shrill beeping sound continues, pierces through the garage, through the storage closet. The lock clinks to the side. Sean pockets the key in the blaze of ear-deafening noise.

"You hear the alarm, idiot!" shouts Dale. "Your foot touched the button!"

"Dude, I...," begins Jay, searching around. "Let's...let's get out of here!"

"Get it open, Cameron!" yells Dale. "Now!"

Sean tries as hard as he can to wrest the door open. No luck. Dale looks from Sean to Jay, eyes flashing angrily. Sean can't face him.

What if they do caught? No, can't think like that. Can't.

"Ugh!" screams Sean, pushing harder.

"They're...they're coming!" stammers Dale. "They're coming!"

"Who?" shouts Jay.

"The cops!" says Dale. "You did it...you did it on purpose!"

"I didn't!" cries Jay.

"Shut up!" yells Sean. "It's almost...guys, just..."

Yes, the door is beginning to part. Two more seconds. That's all it will take. Two more seconds.

Two more seconds and there's a shot. Chills run to every part of Sean's body. He feels numb. His eyes water. There's no movement, only noise, the ugliest noise imaginable. Sean turns, eyes wide.

"No!" moans Jay.

Red blood seeps through a tiny hole, across the storage closet floor, to the grey of his shirt. He blinks maddeningly, shuts his eyes. Jay curls his hand. Dale pulls back his hand with the gun, narrowing them at him.

"Sean...uhhh," breathes Jay.

Sean runs to him, bends to check the depth of Jay's wound. He couldn't walk on that. Blood touches the leg of Sean's jeans, his fingers. The sticky liquid drips to his wrist.

"Don't move," cautions Sean.

"Get up, trailer trash!" yells a voice behind him. "Get the spindle and get up!"

"What's wrong with you?" shouts Sean, his lips trembling as he stares at Dale.

"I said...get up!" shouts Dale. "I'm not getting caught!"

"I'm staying!" yells Sean, rising to his feet and pushing him. "You son of..."

"I will kill you dead!" promises Dale, pointing the gun in his face.

He yanks Sean before he can think any more, say any more. Then, he thrusts the spindle in Sean's chest. The weight almost feels like it's crushing his ribcage.

"No," exclaims Sean.

"Somebody will take him to the hospital, alright?" shouts Dale.

When would this terrible noise end? Someone is coming. They know it. He knows it.

"Sean...Sean, go," says Jay, then coughing violently.

"Jay...," begins Sean.

Then, he's thrust, hurtling to the cold road. His back hit the chains, and the hardness of the door burned his sides and legs. It's like a thousand hands threw him and he landed on cement. Dale had used all his energy to throw Sean outside. Sean fumbles for the spindle, doubles over. He attempts to go through the door, stumbles as Patrick did earlier. The manhandling has made him weak. He hates that he's weak.

"Come on," whispers Dale, dragging him by the collar.

Dale is quick to shut the door on the scene, on Jay. Sean wordlessly stares at his blood-soaked fingers, the red stains like dried ink. He clutches his stomach. He vomits or spits. It's either or both. He's not sure.

"He would've brought us both down," says Dale in a rush. "Weakest link. This way, they'll pin it on him. He better not talk. He better not."

He's led to the car, waiting for them. It was supposed to hold three of them, wasn't it? Dale eases Sean into the backseat, the spindle tumbling from his grasp. Sean breathes against the seat, hot from the summer night. He can barely breathe.

Dale quickly gets in, starts the car, and they fly.