Scene II: The kitchen

Audrey is cooking pasta and tomato sauce on the stove, while Megan helps by preparing the salad. Walter is coming home at any minute, apparently with some good news. Audrey wanted to have dinner ready for his arrival home. Drake comes downstairs and immediately smiles. Spaghetti…. How great is spaghetti?

Audrey: Drake, would you please set the table?

Drake: Set the table? Rock stars don't set the table…

Megan: Yeah, rock stars also don't sit up in their rooms with their guitar and cry.

Drake: I was not crying!

Megan: Oh, really? Why did I hear you sniffle and moan that you couldn't come up with anything good?

Drake: I wasn't crying! It's dusty up there, and I'm allergic to dust. Ok, and it's just a dry spell. The greatest song ever written will come to me any minute now.

Megan: Whatever.

Audrey: Drake? The table?

Drake: Yes, mom. On it.
Walter enters the front door. He's very excited, and makes his presence known right away. He throws his briefcase and suit jacket on the couch and comes running into the kitchen through the swinging door, knocking Drake to the ground, along with the dishes. A large crash can be heard.

Walter: Oh, sorry, Drake. I didn't see you there

Walter proceeds to walk over him, still delirious with excitement.

Drake: No, that's ok. I've got it. (very sarcastically)

Audrey: Walter! Watch where you're going! Drake are you ok?

Drake: Yeah. I hope so. I hope the bump on my head won't affect my songwriting ability.

Megan: With any hope it will improve it.

Drake: Let me tell you something….

Audrey: Drake! Clean up the mess and get that table set!

Drake: Yes, Mom.

Drake leers at Megan in retaliation, who just sticks her tongue out at her older brother. They do love each other, but won't show it. They have too much fun bickering.

Audrey: So, what's the exciting news? Did you get a promotion? No! You were reconsidered for that Good Morning Today weatherman position! How did you get Peggy Sherman to change her mind?

Walter: No, she still won't return my calls. But I do have exciting news… Remember my niece, Jennifer, from Long Island? She's coming to San Diego to live! She's coming on Saturday and will stay for the week while we're away. She wants to go apartment hunting. I told her that she'd be more than welcome to stay here. I hope that's ok?

Audrey: That's wonderful! I haven't seen her since our wedding. How's she doing?

Walter: Well, she's managing despite the divorce. I think this move might be the change she needs to get her excited again. She needs a change of scenery, and San Diego is the perfect scenery…

Audrey: Well, I'm thrilled that she's finally turning the corner and moving on with her life. It'll be great having her right here instead of 3000 miles away.

Megan: Walter? Isn't she your brother's daughter?
Walter: Yes, she's Bob's daughter. Hey! Why are you all of a sudden calling me Walter?

Megan: Never mind, Walter.

Megan finishes the salad, and goes up to her room until dinner's ready. Drake has just finished setting the table and was returning to the kitchen when he overheard the conversation.

Drake (thinking to himself): What? I thought we were having the house to ourselves! I'm almost 18! I DON'T NEED A BABYSITTER!

But, before he confronted his parents, he ran upstairs to tell Josh the bad news.