[Cut to diner, with morning sunlight streaming in windows all around. Andy, wearing pawprint T-shirt from local "bears" club under leather vest, sits in booth with arm around … Wendell, whom he met after series of drug-fueled orgies, taped without his consent, landed him in rehab.]
WENDELL: I'm telling you, our charities have to quit relying on circuit parties for fund-raising. That whole scene is so destructive. And I don't mean "Fraternity Life 7" destructive, I mean, like "Son of Road Warrior Meets Clone of Terminator" destructive. We're all gonna be deader than those Y2K boy bands.
ANDY (smiling): Your thoughts aren't the only thing that exhausts me.
WENDELL (chuckling): Imagine what they do to me. But you didn't seem to mind last night.
ANDY: Did I say I minded? (Leans in for quick kiss.)
[Bell jingles. Bright walks in door. Rose, standing behind counter, sees him and smiles.]
ROSE: Hey, sunshine! What's the matter?
BRIGHT (pouting as he walks around counter): Carl and I had another fight.
ROSE (worried): Again? What about?
BRIGHT: With everything that's going on with me and school … and this town … he's going off on another business trip. All week. As usual.
ROSE: Well, he does travel a lot for that consulting firm of his. You knew that when you moved in with him, honey.
BRIGHT (putting on waiter's apron): Yeah, but … it's like he doesn't want to deal with me or the community or … anything. Just because I'm younger doesn't mean my … my feelings don't count. It's like … like he's … running away or something.
ROSE (nodding resolutely): Well, speaking of community, we got a diner full of customers, so put on your game face. (Smiles.) And remember, we're here for you.
BRIGHT (smiling): I know. And thanks. (Hugs Rose, then walks over to Andy and Wendell's booth.)
ANDY (still facing Wendell and smiling obliviously): It was destiny that brought us together.
BRIGHT (laughing and rolling eyes): And what should destiny bring you two for breakfast this morning?
[Bell on door jingles.]
HAROLD (walking in, wearing slinky lycra shirt, half open, with lavender scarf around neck, singing): Iiii'm just a giiirl who caaan't saaay noooo …
ROSE (smiling): Good morning, Harold!
HAROLD: Morning, Rose. (Walks around corner of counter and stops in his tracks when he sees Andy with Wendell.) You!
ANDY (smiling): Morning, Harold! Care to join us?
HAROLD: I'd rather sit in the deep fryer with the breaded chicken pieces and fish sticks! At least I wouldn't have to listen to your lovesick prattle.
WENDELL: Dude, have I got an anger management group for-
HAROLD: (Turns to Wendell.) Oh, don't even get me started on your psychobabble flavor of the month. If you people had your way, we'd all spend all our waking hours in your … support groups! Or waiting in line at the pharmacy for Prozac! (Faces Andy again.) And you! Have you no shame?
ANDY (puzzled): Harold?
HAROLD: Look, I can forgive your suddenly mooning over me after years of a perfectly distant, platonic friendship and wanting to date and move in together. I can forgive your humiliating both of us with your arrest. And your bankruptcy. Hell, I can even forgive your running off to God knows where with that dealer of yours and his freaky friends. But now you parade around here, in front of everybody, with your newly reformed circuit boy, and expect us all to welcome you both with open arms? Well, I don't think so! Some of us still have memories, and we're not about to sweep everything under the disco rug!
BRIGHT: I don't under-
HAROLD [turns to face Bright]: Of course you don't! You're not smart enough!
ROSE: Harold! How dare you talk to-
HAROLD [turns to face Rose]: Well, I don't have to stand here and take this!
ROSE: You don't have to stand here at all! And don't think you're getting any free lemon bars either! (Turns to table as Harold storms out of diner.) Honestly, sometimes I think he enjoys being the most despised man in Everwood.
BRIGHT (puzzled): More than Chief Whatsisface?
WENDELL (smiling): You're coming to the meeting tomorrow night, right, dude? We are so gonna kick this bastard's ass!
ANDY (beaming): That's my boyfriend.
[Rose and Bright look at each other and roll eyes.]
***