MONDAY MORNING, 7:30AM, SUMMER'S PLACE

"God, Seth, you are such a dandy! At twenty-five I'd think you would have at least learnt how to change a tire!"

"Summer, please! This is not a normal car… It's a Mustang, okay… You cannot simply change a tire on a Mustang… there is so much more to it… it's an art, an exact science almost…" Seth was down on his haunches trying to loosen the nuts that held Summer's now flat tire in place.

Half an hour earlier Summer had walked out her house to attend another boring day as a secretary. However, she was soon to find out that she wasn't going anywhere when she saw the flat on her car. Her immediate instincts were to call Ryan… he'd know what to do. But, when she phoned, Seth answered and told her he had already left for the contract meeting he had that morning, so Seth would automatically become the man for job.

"Have you ever changed the tire on any car before?" Summer's question was dripped with sarcasm.

"Well… No, but…"

"God!" Summer said annoyed as she stomped her feet.

"Look at these!" Seth stood up and held he hands out at Summer. She did not have an impressed look on her face. "Take them… feel them… touch them…"

"Oh, ew!" Summer moaned as she turned away.

"Do these look like hands made for manual hard labor? I am paid for my brain! Just call a mechanic!" Seth said in frustration and threw the spanner down.

"I don't have time!" Summer yelled frustrated. "I need to be at work in less than half an hour!"

"So what do you want me to do about it?"

Summer stood there musing for a minute.

"Cohen…" Summer whined his name.

"Summer…" Seth mimicked her whininess.

Summer just looked at Seth with her innocent, sexy girl eyes, which Seth just could not resist.

"Ok, hop in. I'll drop you off." Seth gave in as he open the passenger side door of his BMW.

ATWOOD CONSTRUCTION TRAINERS

Ryan walked in to his office. The only other person in the foyer was his secretary, Fay.

"Good morning, Mr. Atwood."

"Morning Fay. Have a good weekend?"

"Why yes thank you… it was most pleasant."

"Good. Did you get that fresh coffee I asked you to sort out for me?"

"Sure did. Would you like some?"

"Please."

"Okay, I'll bring it in to you."

"Thanks."

"Oh, there's a lady waiting for you in your office. Says she had an appointment, but I don't remember making one…"

Ryan looked at his watch a little confused. It was only 7:55am, and he knew the contract appointment was at 10am. However it didn't surprise him; Fay was known for not quite taking down appointment correctly. She was definitely a few sandwiches short of a picnic.

"Okay, thanks Fay." Ryan said as he entered his office.

Sitting with her back to him on one of the chairs facing his desk was a shortish lady with blonde hair. She turned around as Ryan walked in. He nearly dropped his brief case when he saw who it was…

"Is that…?" Ryan was flabbergasted. He hadn't seen this person in years.

"Ryan Atwood. Wow, you really haven't changed a bit! How long has it been… eight, ten years?"

"Anna Stern!" Ryan said with a smile on his face. "Yeah, it's been ages! Its so good to see you!"

"Yeah, I wanted to surprise you."

"Well, mission accomplished!"

They just stood there starring at each other for a moment.

"Um so… sorry… can I offer you some coffee?" Ryan stuttered, breaking the silence.

"No thanks. Caffeine is bad for the liver."

Ryan and Anna sat talking and catching up on what has happened to the two of them and reminiscing on the good old days of Cotillion, Thanksgiving, Chrismukkah and other great times they had so many years back.

MARISSA'S PLACE

Marissa lay in bed, the covers over her head. She had a few hours before she needed to be at the airport, so she decided to sleep in.

Traveling was something Marissa did quiet often lately. She was due to fly out to Chicago in three hours time, but only needed to be at the airport an hour before departure. Going in to the office for a few hours just didn't make sense. She thought of going to see Ryan before leaving, but knew he was going to be preparing for a possible make or break business meeting, so she decided against it.

Suddenly the silence in the room was broken by an annoying ringing sound.

Marissa's hand emerged from under the covers. She slammed the snooze button on her alarm radio, but the noise didn't go away.

Marissa's head then popped out from under the blanket. Her hair was all messed and she had a very sleepy and confused expression on her face as she looked over at her radio. Then she realized it wasn't the alarm.

She quickly grabbed her phone, and answered with a very tired and muffled, "Hello."

"Marissa, is that you?"

"Yes, Phillip, what's up?"

"Marissa, I need you to please come in to the office… I have something very important to tell you."

Marissa looked at the time on her clock radio. "I am due at the airport in just over an hour…"

"Not any more; I've cancelled that trip. I have something way more important for you… Let's just say that this could be a huge opportunity for you."

"Um, okay?" Marissa now sat up in bed.

"Make quick… see you soon." And with that Phillip hung up.

Marissa climbed out of bed and got in the shower, still a little confused.

ATWOOD CONTRUCTION TRAINERS

"So, yeah… that is what has happened to me recently." Ryan said finishing off his story.

"I'm so sorry to hear that about your brother." Anna said sympathetically.

"Thanks."

"Wow, ok, look at the time…" Ryan exclaimed as he stood up. Anna stood up too. "I have a meeting in a few minutes…"

"Oh, ok… what meeting's that?" Anna enquired.

"Ah, just a possible client… a prospective contract from…" Ryan looked at some papers on his desk. "…from Fischer Profile Auditors. One of the partners is coming to see me about a building they want to put up."

"Ah." Anna exclaimed.

Anna then held out her hand to shake Ryan's. Ryan took her hand, looking a bit confused, thinking this was a strange way to say goodbye.

But Anna wasn't saying goodbye.

"Anna Stern, Junior Partner, Fischer Profile Auditors. Pleased to meet you Mr. Atwood." Anna mockingly introduced herself with a huge grin on her face.