INT. WEISS' LIVING ROOM - EARLY EVENING
Vaughn is passed out on Weiss' couch with Donovan lying at his feet. The living room is essentially a coffee table covered in newspapers, a couch, a couple chairs, and a TV. Weiss hasn't met his inner interior decorator yet. Also on the coffee table is the phone and at this moment it's ringing. Vaughn stirs and reaches an angry hand in the general direction of the phone. After slapping around a bit he gets it and hits talk.
VAUGHN
Mmmm...
We hear Sydney's voice on the other end.
SYDNEY
Weiss?
The sound of her voice wakes him right up.
VAUGHN
Sydney?
SYDNEY
Vaughn.
VAUGHN
Hey.
SYDNEY
Hey. Um... I heard about what happened. I'm sorry.
He runs his hand through his hair, which at this moment is sticking out in every direction.
VAUGHN
Yeah, well, it's probably the best thing for both of us.
SYDNEY
Still, uh, if you need anything...
VAUGHN
Yeah. Thanks. (beat) Um... Did you want to talk to Weiss?
He gets up and starts looking around for Weiss.
SYDNEY
Well, my dad and I were heating up some leftovers for dinner and I was going to ask Weiss if he wanted any. If you want some too...
At this point Weiss walks in with a bag from In N Out Burgers and a couple of shakes. He looks at Vaughn and mouths, 'Who is it?' Vaughn just raises his eyebrows and looks in the general direction of Syd's place. Weiss grimaces.
VAUGHN
Actually, he just walked in with In N Out so I think we're okay. But, uh, thanks for the offer.
SYDNEY
No problem. We've got plenty if you two get hungry.
VAUGHN
I'll remember that. Thanks.
SYDNEY
Yeah, uh, I guess, I'll let you go.
VAUGHN
Okay. Yeah. Talk to you later.
SYDNEY
Alright. Bye.
VAUGHN
Bye.
He hangs up and sits down with a defeated plop. He puts his head in his hands. Weiss sits next to him.
WEISS
Sorry, man, I just stepped out for a sec to get us some dinner but you know how that drive thru line is...
Vaughn shakes his head and leans back on the couch.
VAUGHN
It's okay. I just wasn't ready for that yet. (beat) When did things get so damn awkward?
WEISS
Well...
VAUGHN
I know. But I thought maybe they'd get better now that I'm not going to be married.
WEISS
But it hasn't?
VAUGHN
Were you not listening? (beat) I don't know. Maybe it's because before we had boundaries. We worked together and then we were just friends but that was it. And now... I mean do we get back together now? Should we wait awhile? Does she even want to get back together? (beat) For so long all I wanted was to be with her again and now that I can I don't know if I'm ready.
WEISS
Well, if you think it'll help you're more than welcome to shake me and turn me over.
Vaughn gives Weiss a look.
VAUGHN
I'm serious.
WEISS
I know. Hence the joke. (beat) Sorry. My opinion: Talk to her.
VAUGHN
That's your answer to everything.
WEISS
And what's yours? Avoid the problem and hope it works itself out? How's that working for you?
Vaughn stands up.
VAUGHN
Fine. I'll go over there right now. I'll tell Jack to get the hell out and Syd and I will talk til all we want to do is sleep with each other, kill each other, or both. Want to join us? I know how much you like to play Dr. Eric.
WEISS
Hey, you want me to shut up, I will. Here.
He takes out Vaughn's burger and fries and sets it down roughly on the coffee table. Vaughn sighs and sits back down.
VAUGHN
Damn it, Eric. I'm sorry. I appreciate what you're trying to do. And you're right. I do need to talk to her. I will talk to her. But tonight, I just want to forget about this for a while.
WEISS
Hey, why do you think I got you In N Out? There's nothing that doesn't look better after and a Double Double Animal Style, fries, and a vanilla shake.
VAUGHN
Words of wisdom from Dr. Eric.
WEISS
Will you stop calling me that? I'm just a friend trying to help.
VAUGHN
Oh, come on. Admit it, you desperately want your own daytime talk show.
WEISS
Yeah, well only cause chicks dig a guy with a TV show. No matter what he looks like.
VAUGHN
What are you talking about? You're... cute.
Vaughn doesn't say that with much conviction. Weiss rolls his eyes.
WEISS
Exactly. Translation: I'm the guy girls want to talk to instead of sleep with. Just call me Ducky.
VAUGHN
Whatever turns you on.
Weiss picks up the remote control and turns on the TV.
WEISS
Just eat your Double Double and shut up, alright?
CUT TO:
INT. SYDNEY'S KITCHEN - EARLY EVENING
Sydney hangs up the phone and sighs before turning to look at her dad who's preparing their plates.
JACK
Was that Vaughn?
SYDNEY
Yep.
JACK
I thought I saw his car out front.
SYDNEY
You did? And you didn't tell me?
JACK
I thought you would have noticed. Besides I assumed he was in Virginia.
SYDNEY
No. He and Lauren are getting a divorce. They decided last night after dinner.
Jack just nods.
JACK
I see.
SYDNEY
I should have never invited them.
JACK
They didn't have to accept.
That comment has no affect. Jack stops what he's doing and moves over to put his hand on her shoulder.
JACK
Don't blame yourself. You do that far too often. Michael Vaughn's choices are not your responsibility.
Syd nods and looks up at him.
SYDNEY
I know. And I know how you feel about him, about what happened after I died. He wanted to help, Dad. Really he did. He just couldn't.
JACK
I honestly understand that. But the fact remains that when it comes to Vaughn my only concern is how he affects you.
SYDNEY
Dad, Vaughn is... an inseparable part of my life, practically everything he does affects me.
JACK
That's why I'm concerned. (beat) Does he feel the same way about you?
SYDNEY
I think so. He used to.
JACK
You need to be certain about how he feels [I]now[/I].
SYDNEY
I know. But that means I have to talk to him. And that's not as easy as it used to be.
JACK
Sydney, dwelling in the past does nothing for your future. You can do this. You have to. And remember, whatever you and he decide, you will always be an inseparable part of [I]my[/I] life.
Syd leans in to hug her father.
SYDNEY
Thanks, Dad.
She pulls away and he looks at her to make sure she's okay. She seems to be, at least for now.
JACK
Come on. Let's eat.
CUT TO:
Vaughn is passed out on Weiss' couch with Donovan lying at his feet. The living room is essentially a coffee table covered in newspapers, a couch, a couple chairs, and a TV. Weiss hasn't met his inner interior decorator yet. Also on the coffee table is the phone and at this moment it's ringing. Vaughn stirs and reaches an angry hand in the general direction of the phone. After slapping around a bit he gets it and hits talk.
VAUGHN
Mmmm...
We hear Sydney's voice on the other end.
SYDNEY
Weiss?
The sound of her voice wakes him right up.
VAUGHN
Sydney?
SYDNEY
Vaughn.
VAUGHN
Hey.
SYDNEY
Hey. Um... I heard about what happened. I'm sorry.
He runs his hand through his hair, which at this moment is sticking out in every direction.
VAUGHN
Yeah, well, it's probably the best thing for both of us.
SYDNEY
Still, uh, if you need anything...
VAUGHN
Yeah. Thanks. (beat) Um... Did you want to talk to Weiss?
He gets up and starts looking around for Weiss.
SYDNEY
Well, my dad and I were heating up some leftovers for dinner and I was going to ask Weiss if he wanted any. If you want some too...
At this point Weiss walks in with a bag from In N Out Burgers and a couple of shakes. He looks at Vaughn and mouths, 'Who is it?' Vaughn just raises his eyebrows and looks in the general direction of Syd's place. Weiss grimaces.
VAUGHN
Actually, he just walked in with In N Out so I think we're okay. But, uh, thanks for the offer.
SYDNEY
No problem. We've got plenty if you two get hungry.
VAUGHN
I'll remember that. Thanks.
SYDNEY
Yeah, uh, I guess, I'll let you go.
VAUGHN
Okay. Yeah. Talk to you later.
SYDNEY
Alright. Bye.
VAUGHN
Bye.
He hangs up and sits down with a defeated plop. He puts his head in his hands. Weiss sits next to him.
WEISS
Sorry, man, I just stepped out for a sec to get us some dinner but you know how that drive thru line is...
Vaughn shakes his head and leans back on the couch.
VAUGHN
It's okay. I just wasn't ready for that yet. (beat) When did things get so damn awkward?
WEISS
Well...
VAUGHN
I know. But I thought maybe they'd get better now that I'm not going to be married.
WEISS
But it hasn't?
VAUGHN
Were you not listening? (beat) I don't know. Maybe it's because before we had boundaries. We worked together and then we were just friends but that was it. And now... I mean do we get back together now? Should we wait awhile? Does she even want to get back together? (beat) For so long all I wanted was to be with her again and now that I can I don't know if I'm ready.
WEISS
Well, if you think it'll help you're more than welcome to shake me and turn me over.
Vaughn gives Weiss a look.
VAUGHN
I'm serious.
WEISS
I know. Hence the joke. (beat) Sorry. My opinion: Talk to her.
VAUGHN
That's your answer to everything.
WEISS
And what's yours? Avoid the problem and hope it works itself out? How's that working for you?
Vaughn stands up.
VAUGHN
Fine. I'll go over there right now. I'll tell Jack to get the hell out and Syd and I will talk til all we want to do is sleep with each other, kill each other, or both. Want to join us? I know how much you like to play Dr. Eric.
WEISS
Hey, you want me to shut up, I will. Here.
He takes out Vaughn's burger and fries and sets it down roughly on the coffee table. Vaughn sighs and sits back down.
VAUGHN
Damn it, Eric. I'm sorry. I appreciate what you're trying to do. And you're right. I do need to talk to her. I will talk to her. But tonight, I just want to forget about this for a while.
WEISS
Hey, why do you think I got you In N Out? There's nothing that doesn't look better after and a Double Double Animal Style, fries, and a vanilla shake.
VAUGHN
Words of wisdom from Dr. Eric.
WEISS
Will you stop calling me that? I'm just a friend trying to help.
VAUGHN
Oh, come on. Admit it, you desperately want your own daytime talk show.
WEISS
Yeah, well only cause chicks dig a guy with a TV show. No matter what he looks like.
VAUGHN
What are you talking about? You're... cute.
Vaughn doesn't say that with much conviction. Weiss rolls his eyes.
WEISS
Exactly. Translation: I'm the guy girls want to talk to instead of sleep with. Just call me Ducky.
VAUGHN
Whatever turns you on.
Weiss picks up the remote control and turns on the TV.
WEISS
Just eat your Double Double and shut up, alright?
CUT TO:
INT. SYDNEY'S KITCHEN - EARLY EVENING
Sydney hangs up the phone and sighs before turning to look at her dad who's preparing their plates.
JACK
Was that Vaughn?
SYDNEY
Yep.
JACK
I thought I saw his car out front.
SYDNEY
You did? And you didn't tell me?
JACK
I thought you would have noticed. Besides I assumed he was in Virginia.
SYDNEY
No. He and Lauren are getting a divorce. They decided last night after dinner.
Jack just nods.
JACK
I see.
SYDNEY
I should have never invited them.
JACK
They didn't have to accept.
That comment has no affect. Jack stops what he's doing and moves over to put his hand on her shoulder.
JACK
Don't blame yourself. You do that far too often. Michael Vaughn's choices are not your responsibility.
Syd nods and looks up at him.
SYDNEY
I know. And I know how you feel about him, about what happened after I died. He wanted to help, Dad. Really he did. He just couldn't.
JACK
I honestly understand that. But the fact remains that when it comes to Vaughn my only concern is how he affects you.
SYDNEY
Dad, Vaughn is... an inseparable part of my life, practically everything he does affects me.
JACK
That's why I'm concerned. (beat) Does he feel the same way about you?
SYDNEY
I think so. He used to.
JACK
You need to be certain about how he feels [I]now[/I].
SYDNEY
I know. But that means I have to talk to him. And that's not as easy as it used to be.
JACK
Sydney, dwelling in the past does nothing for your future. You can do this. You have to. And remember, whatever you and he decide, you will always be an inseparable part of [I]my[/I] life.
Syd leans in to hug her father.
SYDNEY
Thanks, Dad.
She pulls away and he looks at her to make sure she's okay. She seems to be, at least for now.
JACK
Come on. Let's eat.
CUT TO:
