As the next scene begins, Caleb has arrived over at the small group at the entrance. They had all been talking amongst themselves, but as Cal arrives, everyone turns to him.
Caleb: Jimmy Cooper, what are you doing back in Newport? (Caleb shakes his hand with his right hand and places his left one on Jimmy's shoulder giving it a slight squeeze.)
Jimmy: That is a very long story. It's good to see you Mr. Nichol.
Caleb: Please, please, after all these years, call me Caleb, and it's a story I want to hear. Later, come and find me and we'll talk, just like the old days. And who is this gorgeous young lady?
Jimmy: This is my daughter Caitlyn. Caitlyn I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine and Kirsten's father, Caleb Nichol. (Caleb reaches for Caitlyn's hand, bows, and kisses it lightly as if in a Victorian novel.)
Caitlyn: It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir. From what I've heard, you were almost my Dad's father-in-law many years ago.
Kirsten: I wouldn't go that far.
Caleb: Oh, I tried, but as you can see, I've failed. Instead of marrying your father, my lovely daughter went and married Sanford here.
Sandy: Oh Caleb, you're going to make me blush, please stop with all these compliments. (He says this as a joke but there is definitely ice in his voice. Jane, James Sr., and Jimmy all try to laugh but they realize that this is a tense situation and Caleb is digging at his son-in-law.)
Caleb: So Jimmy, are you back in Newport for good?
Jimmy: I think we are.
Caleb: Wonderful. And where are you working?
Jimmy: I actually just got here, but I'm not sure. For now, though, there are other things I need to handle first before I find a job.
Caleb: Well, you always have one working for me, you know that don't you.
Jimmy: Thank you.
Sandy: Except Cal, you don't run the company any longer.
Caleb: Of course, but Kiki doesn't mind, do you, Kikes?
Kirsten: No, why would I, but Jimmy probably wouldn't want to work for the Newport Group, I'm sure he has some jobs in mind Dad. (Kirsten says this smiling, but it is obvious that she feels awkward and does not like being put in this awkward spot.)
Caleb: Well, time will tell. Now Jimmy, where is this wife of yours that you ran off with years ago?
Jimmy: Not here. She left me.
Caleb: Oh, so you're single, too bad. You know there are many eligible women in this town, and you just say the word and I'll set you up.
Jimmy: Thanks, but I'm not even divorced yet, and I think it will be a while before I'm ready to start dating again.
Caleb: You just remember what I said, but I really must get back to my date. I don't want her to think I ran off on her, but, like I said, come and find me later and we'll catch up. Okay?
Jimmy: Sure, I'd like that. It was great to see you again, Caleb.
Caleb: Likewise, and it was lovely to meet you, Caitlyn. It's a shame my grandson has a fiancée. (He winks at her.)
Caitlyn: Thank you, but I think he'd be a little too old for me. I'm still in high school, and isn't he in college?
Caleb: You're in high school…but I thought you were the same age as Seth.
Caitlyn: No, that'd be my sister, she's 21. I'm only 17, but it was lovely to meet you too, sir.
Caleb: Now, if you all will excuse me. (He walks off leaving everyone else standing there. Kirsten and Sandy are looking at each other with worried looks on their faces, but realize that they still have guests standing in front of them.)
Sandy: Again, thank you for coming. We're glad you all could make it. It was nice to meet you Jimmy and Caitlyn. Make yourselves comfortable. There's a very decadent dessert cart floating around here somewhere and a huge smorgasbord of food over there right in front of you. Enjoy.
Jane: Thank you and congratulations, from all of us. Come on, everyone, let's go eat dinner, and James, you owe me a dance. (James Sr. smiles at his wife and puts his arm around her waist. He then puts his other arm around his granddaughter and Jimmy takes his mother's other arm in his and the four walk off towards the buffet table. Once they are gone, Sandy turn back to Kirsten who has a panicked look on her face.)
Sandy: Kirsten, do not jump to conclusions. I know that there are a lot of coincidences running around rampant tonight, but I'm sure none of them have any validity.
Kirsten: I know you're trying to reassure me, Sandy, but would you please just face the facts. First of all, there is Marissa's resemblance to Jimmy and her immense dislike for her mother. Secondly there is the fact that a newly arrived and separated Julie is being escorted around town by my father, a woman who very much fits the description of Julie Cooper that I've heard and she has two daughters, the same amount that Jimmy and his separated wife, also named Julie, have. Speaking of daughters, the one we met is named Caitlyn, but she's seventeen, and her 21 year old sister, who could very well be named Marissa, is not here, at least they don't think she is, but she could very well be here with our son, Ryan. They come from the east, and so does Ryan's Marissa. Plus, not only does Marissa have a strong resemblance to Jimmy, but she also looks like Julie. I'm starting to think these are more than coincidences, Sandy, I think that Ryan's Marissa's is Jimmy's oldest daughter, that she ran away from her depressing family life with a not so wonderful mother, Julie, the same Julie who is now dating my Dad and worming her way into his life. Oh, this is confusing, but how can you not see this?
Sandy: Because I don't want to. If you're right, I don't even want to think about that. Ryan is finally happy, and if Marissa finds out her parents are here, if they really are her parents, she just might leave. And if that is the same Julie that Jimmy married, what is she doing with your father? I'm not admitting to this mess, because I can't. This is not going to happen, it is not going to ruin our anniversary, and it is not going to ruin our family's happiness.
Kirsten: Deny it all you want, but that is not going to solve this mess. If what I suspect is true, we need to confront it head on and come up with a plan so that the fall out does the least amount of damage as possible.
Sandy: And what do you propose we do?
Kirsten: I don't know. I was hoping you'd have some ideas, but we have to get some answers and soon.
Sandy: I guess we could talk to Marissa. She at least can tell us if she is Jimmy Cooper's daughter, and if not, great, but if so, she can also tell us if your Dad's Julie is her mother, perhaps informing us if that same woman is also Jimmy's Julie, and if this mess is real, then we can help her as much as we can.
Kirsten: No matter what, Marissa needs protected. We can not let this affect her or push her out of Ryan's life. So, I guess we better go and find her. (They leave their post by the entrance to go and search for Marissa and Ryan. As the camera leaves them, it goes to where Marissa and Ryan are. They are walking along the beach, quite a distance from the country club, holding their shoes in their hands and holding hands as well. They are quiet when the cameras first come upon them, but they do begin to talk.)
Marissa: We should probably be heading back to the party soon. We've been gone awhile, and although I really don't want to leave, it would be rude of us to miss your parents' anniversary party. Plus, I really want to hear your Dad sing. I've heard a lot about his affinity for the stage, and I have to say, I'm quite curious to see him perform.
Ryan: He's good.
Marissa: Does he do this often, sing to your Mom?
Ryan: When we were 17, he forgot it was their 20th anniversary. He thought it was their 19th, so to make up for it; he threw her a surprise party. Since then, the party has become a tradition. Plus, that night, as another surprise and a present, he sang to her. That has also become a tradition.
Marissa: A pretty romantic one.
Ryan: Yeah, it's actually kind of cheesy, but Mom just eats it up, and as long as it makes them happy, I'm all for it.
Marissa: Does singing run in the family?
Ryan: What do you mean?
Marissa: Do you or Seth ever get up on stage, too, to belt out some tunes?
Ryan: There is no way I would ever do that. Let's just say, I'm not the world's best singer. Now, Seth has never tried it, but don't give him the idea, because he probably would, and he's not that good at singing either. In fact, he might be worse than me. One time, and it may just be a coincidence, but I'll let you be the judge, he was singing really loud out his open window, and the next thing you know the entire canine population of Orange Country was howling along with him. (Marissa laughs softly.)
Marissa: So about heading back?
Ryan: I guess you're right. Come one. (He turns her around and they begin to walk back to the in the direction they just came from. The camera leaves them and goes back to the party. It is now following Caleb and Julie. They have finished eating and are now dancing together and talking.)
Caleb: You will never guess who I just ran into while you were in the ladies room.
Julie: Well, I don't…, how would I know whoever it was. Remember you are the only person I really know in this town.
Caleb: I know, but his arrival back in Newport couldn't be at a better time.
Julie: Do tell.
Caleb: Well, 21 years ago or so, my daughter's ex boyfriend had knocked up this girl and his parents cut him off. He left with her never to be seen in Newport again. Sandy and Kirsten were already married, but they were living in Berkley at the time finishing college, so they didn't hear about Jimmy.
Julie: Jimmy? (There is a slight edge to her voice as she becomes slightly paranoid.)
Caleb: Yeah, that's Kiki's ex's name. Anyway, I had always hoped that Jimmy would end up with Kirsten, but that didn't work out. She went off to college and met that imbecile Sanford and married him, but now Jimmy's back in Newport, single because his wife left him, and I have the intention of setting him back up with my daughter.
Julie: But Kirsten is happy, she's married, and she has kids with Sandy.
Caleb: Oh who cares? She should have never married Sandy in the first place, and one does not forget their first love. I'm going to make her give him a job at the Newport group, make them work together, and constantly throw them together in awkward situations, hoping to reignite the sparks.
Julie: So what is this Jimmy's last name?
Caleb: Why?
Julie: Just curious, remember I don't know anyone.
Caleb: Right. His last name is Cooper, Jimmy Cooper. Wow, I just realized how weird this is. Your last name is Cooper, too. Small world, wouldn't you say.
Julie: Yes, very small. (She puts her head back on Caleb's shoulder so that he doesn't see her face which is full of shock, hatred, and anger, but it is evident that her mind is working, trying to figure out how to get herself out of this one. The camera fades away from them and goes to Seth and Summer who are now eating.)
Summer: I can't believe that Coop and Chino aren't back yet from wherever they went.
Seth: They're probably just in some dark corner making out. Speaking of making out, after we're done eating, what are your plans?
Summer: I thought we could make our way around the party, speak with some of our friends.
Seth: Summer, we don't have any friends here.
Summer: They're our parents' friends, so as members of the family, we have a responsibility to be welcoming and hospitable.
Seth: But Ryan doesn't have to.
Summer: Yeah, but no one knows Marissa, and we both know that hob-knobbing with the rich and snobby of Orange County is not something Ryan is good at. He'd probably end up fighting with someone and punching them, and we can't have him doing that at your parents' anniversary party. Besides, we have to win over these Newpsies and their leash controlled husbands. That way we will get great wedding presents.
Seth: I do love presents. Do you think we should register soon?
Summer: Yeah, that's not a bad idea. I just can't believe you know about registering for weddings.
Seth: Oh, Summer, you should know by now that I am always full of surprises.
Summer: That you are, Cohen. (She laughs along with him quietly as they enjoy their time together. While they are laughing, they do not notice Caleb and Julie approaching them.)
Caleb: Seth, it looks as if being engaged agrees with you. (Seth and Summer stand up to greet Caleb and Julie, although they don't know who she is.)
Seth: Grandpa, thank you. (Caleb gives him a hug.)
Caleb: So, I guess congratulations are in order. (He turns and says this to Summer, who hugs him.)
Summer: Thank you Mr. Nichol. We appreciate that you support our engagement.
Caleb: I'm very proud of you, Seth, not only have you found yourself a good looking fiancée, but she's also very polite and comes from a good family. Now if only your Mother would have done such a good job.
Seth: Grandpa, can't you lay of Mom and Dad for at least tonight? It is their wedding anniversary.
Caleb: Yes, and a sad day it was 24 years ago.
Seth: But, I thought that you weren't even there?
Caleb: I wasn't, but that's beside the point. Seth, Summer I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Julie Cooper. (Seth and Summer turn to Julie and both have surprised looks on their faces when they hear her last name. Summer is the one who stops staring first and reacts to the introduction properly.)
Summer: It is nice to meet you. (She elbows Seth softly to get his attention.)
Seth: Same here. (He shakes her hand.) Did my Grandfather say your last name was Cooper?
Julie: It's a pleasure to meet you as well, I've heard a lot about you, and yes, my last name is Cooper, why?
Summer: Oh, it's nothing. We just have a friend with the same last name, so it took us by surprise, but you two can't be related. Just ignore Seth, we all do. So, how did you two meet?
Julie: We were both dining alone for lunch one day this week, and Cal here decided to come over and strike up a conversation with me. I'm new in town, and so he's been showing me around Newport.
Seth: Grandpa, I didn't know you were so good with the ladies? (Summer, Julie, and Caleb all laugh softly.)
Caleb: I like to think that I can be debonair if I try.
Seth: Wow, debonair, I feel as if we're trapped in a 1940's romance movie.
Summer: Something you know well. Did you know Mr. Nichol that Seth loves classic movies? In fact, Casablanca is one of his favorite movies ever.
Julie: My daughter loves that movie, too.
Caleb: I'm impressed Seth. I thought that you only watched movies about comic book… characters.
Seth: Oh no, I have a wide and varied taste in movies. You have a daughter?
Julie: Two, actually.
Summer: Well, like we were just saying, Cohen here is just full of surprises. He always keeps me entertained, that's for sure. (Summer stares at Julie the whole time she is speaking, which she does to try and change the subject. Both Summer and Seth are now suspicious of Julie. They don't know why, they just have a feeling about her, what with the name and the movie reference.)
Julie: That ought to serve you well when you're married. What were you thinking for the date?
Summer: Fall of next year.
Caleb: I'm glad to see you two aren't rushing this, that you're taking the proper time to prepare yourselves and your lives. Where are you going to have it? You're more than welcome to hold it at my house.
Seth: Thanks, Gramps, but we're not really sure. We haven't started making plans yet, we just got engaged.
Julie: Oh, and when was that?
Seth: New Year's Eve.
Julie: How romantic.
Seth: Actually, it was in a hospital room.
Summer: But it was romantic, don't be modest, Cohen, it doesn't suit you. To think of it, I didn't know you had it in you to be modest. Another new thing I've learned about you tonight.
Caleb: And that is something he gets from me, his almost utter lack of modesty (Everyone laughs softly.) But, will you please excuse us. I just saw someone that I really must speak with. Julie?
Julie: Again, it was lovely to meet you. (Summer and Seth reply at the same time.)
Summer: Likewise.
Seth: Same here. (Caleb and Julie leave Seth and Summer alone.)
Summer: Oh my God!
Seth: You could say that again. You don't think….I mean; it's not possible, is it?
Summer: Oh, I hope not. Could you imagine her as your mother?
Seth: Please, I'll have nightmares, but she couldn't be Marissa's Mom, right. I mean, what is she doing here? I doubt she'd be here for Marissa after everything she's told us about her.
Summer: There is a slight resemblance.
Seth: You saw that, too?
Summer: Unfortunately, yeah. We have to find Marissa and find out what's going on. Where do you think they went?
Seth: I don't know. I haven't seen them around here at all, so they probably went off on a walk or something. Probably the beach knowing those two, but we're surrounded by beach, we'd never find them.
Summer: Does Chino have his cell phone on him?
Seth: I don't know, but I'll try it. (Seth pulls out his cell phone from his inner pocket of his suit jacket. Summer fidgets anxiously as Seth dials. After he puts the phone to his ear, he hangs up quickly.) It went right to voice mail, so it's probably at home and turned off.
Summer: Great, so I guess we'll just have to keep our eyes peeled for them, and no matter what not let Marissa see Julie before we warn her.
Seth: If she's really her Mom.
Summer: Right. Maybe we should make a round of the party, see if we can't spot them.
Seth: Good idea. Come on. (She takes Summer's hand and they start to walk the party in the hope of finding Marissa and Ryan. The camera leaves them and goes to Sandy and Kirsten who are also walking the room looking for Ryan and Marissa, too.)
Sandy: I don't think they're here.
Kirsten: You know that Ryan is not a big fan of these parties. I bet they went for a walk on the beach to escape for a little while.
Sandy: Well we can't leave to go and find them.
Kirsten: We wouldn't even know where to start looking.
Sandy: But Seth and Summer might now. We should go talk to them.
Kirsten: Have you seen them?
Sandy: A few minutes ago, I saw them sitting at a table outside eating.
Kirsten: Lead the way. (They start to walk outside but are stopped by Jimmy and Caitlyn who walk in front of them.) Jimmy, Caitlyn, enjoying yourselves?
Caitlyn: Yeah, thanks.
Jimmy: Where are you two off to with such serious looks on your faces? Nothing's wrong, right?
Sandy: Wrong, no. We were just looking for the boys. Have you seen them?
Jimmy: I've never met them, but I'd love to.
Kirsten: Sure, later, okay?
Jimmy: Later?
Kirsten: Well, we don't know where they are.
Caitlyn: We'll help you look. What do they look like?
Sandy: (He whispers to Kirsten.) They're over there.
Kirsten: Oh good.
Jimmy: Oh good, what?
Kirsten: Sandy just found Seth.
Jimmy: Great, you can introduce us now then, right? (Sandy and Kirsten look at each other and realize they can't say anything to politely get out of this.)
Sandy: Sure, follow us. (Sandy and Kirsten lead the way over to Seth and Summer.)
Summer: Have you guys seen Ryan?
Sandy: No, you're looking for them, too?
Seth: Yeah. They're probably just off taking a walk. (Jimmy clears his throat.)
Kirsten: Oh, I'm sorry. Jimmy and Caitlyn Cooper, this is my son, Seth, and his fiancée, Summer. (Seth, Summer, Jimmy, and Caitlyn exchange handshakes.)
Seth: So this is Mom's high school sweetheart. I've heard a lot about you, and you're last name is Cooper, too.
Jimmy, Sandy, and Kirsten (simultaneously): What?
Seth: Geeze, what are we, a chorus. I've just met so many people named Cooper lately, it's un-nerving, actually.
Summer: Ignore Seth; he doesn't know how to act in public. We barely let him out. (Everyone laughs awkwardly. Summer then turns to him and gives him the look that says shut up, now.) So, are you guys on vacation here, visiting family, enjoying the warm weather?
Caitlyn: We're actually relocating.
Seth: Here?
Caitlyn: Yeah.
Summer: So you'll be going to Harbor?
Caitlyn: Ugh-huh. Why?
Summer: Oh, that's just where we went.
Caitlyn: Oh. (There is a moment of awkward silence.)
Jimmy: Well, Seth…and Summer, it was really nice to meet you. (He turns to Sandy and Kirsten.) I still have to meet your other son Ryan and your daughter, Zoe, but she's not here right?
Sandy: Yeah, she's at the babysitters.
Jimmy: And Ryan?
Kirsten: We think they're off taking a walk on the beach.
Seth: Those two can't get enough of the beach.
Jimmy: Those two?
Summer: Ryan and his girlfriend.
Jimmy: Oh, so if he comes back, Kirsten, Sandy, I'd, we'd (He pulls Caitlyn towards him and puts his arm around her shoulder.) love to meet him as well, but if you'll excuse us, we have to go find my parents.
Kirsten: That's fine. (Jimmy and Caitlyn walk away. Everyone watches them leave, and once they are gone, Sandy and Kirsten turn to Seth and Summer.) So you guys haven't seen them then?
Seth: No, Mother, like we said, they're probably taking a walk along the beach.
Summer: Yeah, you know how Chino hates these kinds of things.
Sandy: We figured that, too, but if you see them, we really need to talk to them.
Seth: As do we, so if you see them, let them know that they need to find us. It's really important.
Kirsten: It's even more important that we speak with them.
Seth: Yeah, I doubt that.
Sandy: Why, what's going on?
Seth: I could ask you the same thing, parents.
Kirsten: You first, Seth.
Summer: We just need to talk to Coop about…. something from her past. Don't worry though, I mean, nothing wrong. (She stresses the word wrong.)
Kirsten: Coop?
Seth: Oh, that's Summer's nickname for Marissa. You know Summer, always making up crazy nicknames. Chino, Cohen, it's her thing, but we have to go keep looking for them. Good luck finding them, you two, and if we see them, we'll let you know you're looking for them.
Sandy: Thanks, and we'll do the same.
Seth: Appreciate it. (Seth and Summer walk off leaving Sandy and Kirsten standing alone.)
Kirsten: Did you hear that?
Sandy: Yes, I did. Honey, I no longer think that all of this is a coincidence.
Kirsten: What happened to avoiding the truth?
Sandy: Summer's nickname for Marissa just smacked the truth into me.
Kirsten: I can't believe this is happening, Sandy. Can't Ryan ever catch a break? Everything in his life has to be so complicated. I don't like this Sandy; I don't like this at all.
Sandy: Maybe we can still save the situation.
Kirsten: And how do you propose that we do that?
Sandy: We need to get Marissa out of here, first of all. Then somehow we need to convince both Julie and Jimmy to leave town.
Kirsten: Oh, is that all?
Sandy: Yeah. (He says this very dejectedly.) That's all. (The camera fades away from Kirsten and Sandy who both have a very worried expression on their faces as they search the crowd for Ryan and Marissa, and the scene ends.)
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