The next scene occurs at the party when the two couples, Ryan and Marissa and Seth and Summer, arrive together. Ryan cannot take his eyes off Marissa, and just as Summer predicted, he appears to be breathless in her presence. Seth is visibly jumpier than normal, because of his plan to propose to Summer, while Summer is completely calm and does not suspect anything.

Marissa: Wow!

Summer: What?

Marissa: I've just never been to a party like this before. I knew that it would be impressive, but I never imagined anything this grand. Are all the parties like this?

Seth: Unfortunately, yes. I never thought I would say this, but I miss the high school parties we used to have around her, you know, on the beach with alcohol flowing, pipes burning, and coke lines for all, dancing naked girls, (Summer slaps him here.) Summer ignoring me instead of beating me to death, and Ryan and I taking on the entire water polo team by ourselves and getting our sses kicked royally.

Summer: Cohen what are you talking about? You've never been in an actual fight in your life. The closest thing you ever experienced to a fight is your stupid little video games, and you still lose.

Seth: I do not! Oh, and Ryan tell her, I was in a fight.

Ryan: He was.

Summer: I would have loved to have seen that.

Seth: You were there.

Summer: What are you talking about?

Seth: Well, you see, Ryan's first night in Newport was initiated with a little fight after your charity fashion show.

Marissa: You had charity fashion shows in high school?

Summer: You mean you didn't?

Marissa: Ah no, are you kidding me? The closest thing to a fashion show we had were the cheerleaders and their insane competition as to who could wear the better clothes.

Summer: You poor girl. You have lived a very sheltered life. I don't know how you survived.

Seth: Anyway, back to me. We went to that party afterwards, you ignored me, you spilled beer on Ryan, and then I was wandering on the beach when the entire water polo team decided it was time, once again, to pee in my shoes and harass me, but then that's when Ryan came to my rescue. He punched the captain, all the players let go of me to attack him, I tried to help, and in the end, we both got our sses kicked. Boy, those were the good old days.

Ryan: You go ahead and live in the past, I prefer the present.

Seth: Well, now that you mention it, the present is pretty good, too. (He puts his arm around Summer, pulls her close and kisses her on the cheek.) So, Summer my love, would you care to dance with me?

Summer: I guess, since no one else is asking.

Seth: Oh, Summer, please stop, you're just too nice to me. I know you can't keep your hands off of me, but please, try to contain yourself; we're in public you know.

Marissa: From what I've heard, you have nothing to worry about, because you'll be done before anyone even notices what you're doing. (Ryan and Summer both laugh, Marissa tries to keep a straight face, and Seth is incredulous.)

Seth: Dude, you told her! I can't believe this….I mean, there is nothing to share, because you know nothing. I have no idea what you're talking about Marissa, but I have to go. Summer, are you coming?

Summer: (Still laughing.) Right behind you, Cohen. (He grabs a hold of her hand and gently leads her out to the dance floor.)

Marissa: Well….

Ryan: Hm?

Marissa: Aren't you going to ask me to dance, too?

Ryan: I'm really not the dancing type.

Marissa: I don't care. Come one, let's go. (She grabs his hand, and just like Seth, she leads him to the dance floor.)

Ryan: No really, Marissa, I don't dance, well I mean I can dance, but not well.

Marissa: I don't care, just as long as you hold me close and keep your arms around me, I'll be happy. We don't even have to move. Besides, what else are we going to do till midnight?

Ryan: I have a few ideas.

Marissa: That's for after midnight. Right now, I want to dance. (When they reach the middle of the dance floor, Seth and Summer are already dancing and Ryan and Marissa start. Before long, however, Seth and Summer have worked their way over to Marissa and Ryan and start talking to them again.)

Summer: Ryan, I didn't even know that you knew how to dance.

Seth: I'm little surprised myself, because I've never seen you dance before, and we all know that they don't even have music in Chino.

Ryan: I don't dance.

Seth: You do, just not well. Dude, are you two even moving?

Marissa: He's doing just what I want him to do.

Summer: What, holding you close. I've tried telling Cohen that's how you slow dance, but he insists that I hold him instead.

Seth: (Laughs and scoffs at the thought.) I do not, Summer, but… well, you lead, so you have to be the one to hold tight.

Ryan: I'm surprised Seth can even slow dance, I thought he only knew one speed and that's fast. (Everyone laughs except Seth.)

Summer: Isn't that the truth!

Seth: Summer! You're supposed to be on my side, and Ryan, buddy, I thought we already discussed this. Leave the funny to me, don't attempt the comedy, you're no good at it. (Everyone is still laughing.) Well, look there Summer, my parents, they've arrived. Let's go over there and say hello. (He starts to walk away and pulls Summer after him. Ryan and Marissa follow.)

Marissa: Don't think that you're getting out of dancing with me mister. This is just a short break.

Ryan: Right, but I'll probably have to go off and help Seth in a little while set up for you know what.

Marissa: Like that will take the whole night.

Ryan: Well, you never know, it might, this is Seth we're talking about here.

Marissa: You may help him, but what exactly am I supposed to do while you're gone. I guess I could always dance with another guy, someone who actually enjoys holding me in their arms and swaying their body with mine to the music.

Ryan: Now that you mention it, Seth won't need my help, and have I mentioned yet that my new favorite hobby is dancing.

Marissa: Really, you don't say, no, you hadn't mentioned that. (She laughs.) Alright, I guess you can help Seth…

Ryan: And you won't dance with anyone else.

Marissa: Summer and I might dance a little while you're gone, and I'll keep her preoccupied so that she won't notice Seth's gone.

Ryan: You better get ready to talk a lot.

Marissa: I can handle that. Summer and I have many things we can talk about, and if I can get her to do it, I might just have her tell me some stories about a very handsome gentleman I met a few weeks ago.

Ryan: And who would that be?

Marissa: Let's see. He lives in a poolhouse, he loves sitting at the beach and picking up perfect strangers, and oh, he cheats during pillow fights.

Ryan: Sounds like quite a catch.

Marissa: Time will tell. (They reach Sandy, Kirsten, Summer, and Seth.)

Seth: And doesn't Ryan look dashing, Mother?

Kirsten: You're right Seth, he does look handsome.

Seth: But not as handsome as me.

Ryan: Of course not, I mean who else could carry off a purple tie?

Seth: Yeah, I'm ignoring that comment, but don't you worry, Marissa will have you in your own purple tie soon enough.

Marissa: Oh no! I don't like ties. I prefer open collar, and besides, even if he did wear a tie, I'd never let him wear a purple one. No offense Seth, but that's a little effeminate.

Sandy: Oh wow, Ryan, this one is definitely a keeper. She doesn't like ties. Hey, Marissa, why don't you and Kirsten share fashion ideas, you know, why don't you convince her that ties are evil.

Kirsten: I happen to like you in a tie, Sandy, and besides, when you get out of line, they come in handy. All I have to do is this. (She grabs his tie and pulls him towards her. Once he's close to her face, she kisses him.)

Seth: Ugh, parents please, can't you at least save that till midnight when I'm kissing Summer so I won't notice you two getting busy on the dance floor.

Sandy: Speaking of dance floors, I think it's about time your Mother and I taught you kids here something about cutting a rug.

Seth: Don't say cutting a rug, Father. You're showing your age. (Sandy and Kirsten leave to go dance, but Kirsten stops and turns around to speak again.)

Kirsten: Oh, and I just wanted to say that you've never looked more beautiful Summer, and Marissa, wow! I have two very lucky sons.

Summer: Yes you do, now if only Cohen here would give me a compliment half as nice as that one. (She pinches him.)

Seth: Owww, woman, what are you doing to me? Now there is no way I'm going to give you a compliment. That will bruise you know, I have very sensitive skin.

Ryan: Come on, let's dance, they'll be here a while. (Marissa laughs and Ryan, once again, pulls her gently to the dance floor.)

Seth: I just don't understand why you constantly have to hurt me, and they say that Ryan's the violent one, hah! He doesn't injure me nearly as much as you do.

Summer: That's because you don't give him as many reasons as you give me. I can't believe you Cohen. Your Mom realized how hard I worked getting ready for you today, she gave me a compliment, but you can't! Not even a little, Summer, you look nice. Nothing!

Seth: But you always look nice.

Summer: Not this good!

Seth: To me, you're always perfect, and yeah, I noticed how beautiful you look tonight, I always do. I just wanted to wait and say something later when we're all alone.

Summer: I don't know if I want to be alone with you.

Seth: Really?

Summer: Fine, but you better start saying something when you think I look really good.

Seth: You always look really good, Summer, you know that.

Summer: So, I still want you to say it, got it?

Seth: Whatever you say, my love. Now, can we please go and dance. Those fools out there have no idea what they're doing, and I know that we have some moves that will really knock the socks off these Newpsies! (They start walking out to the dance floor as they talk and on the way Seth busts out some of his classic dance steps.)

Summer: Speaking of Newpsies, have you seen my Dad or step-monster yet. Rumor has it, she left the couch long enough to help plan this event, so I figured they'd show up eventually.

Seth: Nope, I haven't seen your father, but when I do, I'm running away. You know, he still doesn't like me after all these years.

Summer: He'll never like anyone I date, because no one will ever be good enough for his little girl, but the last time we had dinner with him, I thought it went a little better.

Seth: It did, didn't it? (At this point, they start to dance but continue to talk.)

Summer: Yeah, we made it through a whole meal without you mentioning comic books or Captain Oats, and my Dad actually got a word in edge wise.

Seth: Hey, you never know, Summer, maybe in a few more years he'll actually smile at me or at least wave.

Summer: I wouldn't push it.

Seth: Yeah, you're right. I tend to get greedy, but that's just too much to ask for.

Summer: That's enough talk about my Dad, Cohen, I'd rather talk about other things.

Seth: (He raises his eyebrows at her.) Oh really, and what would you like to talk about my little bedroom tigress?

Summer: (She laughs at Seth's new nickname.) That's a different one.

Seth: Well, you know, I like to keep you on your toes, keep things interesting.

Summer: With you around Cohen, things are always interesting.

Seth: But in a good way, right?

Summer: Yes, in the best way possible. Now, follow Ryan's lead and hold me closer.

Seth: Your wish is my command. (He pulls her towards him, and they continue to dance. As the camera pans around, we see all three couples enjoying themselves. Summer and Seth continue to dance and talk, because when does Seth not talk, Sandy and Kirsten are also talking and quietly laughing as they dance, plus they also watch their sons and their girlfriends dance as well, and finally there is Ryan and Marissa. They are not speaking at all, but the silence is not awkward, instead they are just lost in each other's eyes and completely swept away by the moment. After a few seconds, Sandy's phone rings. He pulls slightly away from Kirsten to answer it.)

Kirsten: I can't believe you left it on.

Sandy: I'm sorry honey, but it's only for emergencies.

Kirsten: And what would be an emergency on New Year's Eve. All I have to say is that that better not be work.

Sandy: No, it can't be. (He opens the phone and answers it.) Hello. (The audience can only hear Sandy's portion of the conversation so when he hangs up it is not clear what exactly is wrong.) Oh hey, is everything all right? No. What's wrong? Oh, okay, we'll be right there. Thanks.

Kirsten: What is it Sandy?

Sandy: It's Zoe. She's in the hospital.

Kirsten: Oh my God. Go get the car, I'll get the boys and we'll meet you out front as soon as we can.

Sandy: Alright, but hurry.

Kirsten: Did they say what was wrong?

Sandy: I'll explain in the car. We need to get going. (He pulls her in for a quick hug to reassure her.) Everything will be okay, don't worry.

Kirsten: But Sandy….

Sandy: No buts. Get the boys, I'll get he car. I love you.

Kirsten: I love you, too. (They separate. Sandy leaves and Kirsten works her way over to Seth and Ryan. The audience can't hear what she says to them, but they all leave together quickly with worried expressions on everyone's faces.)

Commercial Break