The scene begins with Sandy and Kirsten sitting together on a couch outside of the boardroom when Caleb approaches. They both jump up immediately and walk towards him, slightly surprising him because he expected everyone to be inside.
Caleb: What happened, Sanford, did all those fumes you inhale from your bong finally go to your head and make you unable to remember the simplest instructions? Board meetings are held in board rooms not in the hallways outside.
Sandy: Good one, Cal, but actually, we have something we need to discuss with you before you walk into that room, in private.
Caleb: Seriously, Sandy, can't it wait?
Kirsten: No, it can't! Your office, now!
Caleb: Alright, Kiki, whatever you want, but let me first tell the other board members that we'll be just a minute.
Sandy: It can wait. Have Nancy call in and tell them.
Caleb: Fine. Lead the way. (He puts his arm out indicating that they should move first. He lets Kirsten pass, but steps in front of Sandy and cuts him off before he can walk off. Sandy just shakes his head and laughs to himself silently. The three of them, in a row, walk into Caleb's office. Sandy, being the last one in, shuts the door and then goes and sits down beside Kirsten in the two chairs facing Caleb's desk. Caleb, in turn, sits behind his desk. Before he lets them speak, he rings Nancy.)
Caleb: Nancy, please ring the boardroom and let the members know that we'll be a few minute late. Thank you.
Nancy: Anything else sir? (There is a tone to her voice which implies there would be because of Jimmy.)
Caleb: No, that's it. (He lets go of the intercom and sits straight in his chair before addressing Sandy and Kirsten.) Now, what is this about? It is highly unprofessional to keep the board waiting.
Sandy: Oh, do not start giving us that line. You've been late to every board meeting you didn't call since I got here.
Kirsten: We want to know what's going on. Why did you call this meeting? (Caleb laughs uncomfortably.)
Caleb: Well, if that's all you wanted to know, why are we here. Let's go in and I'll announce it to everyone, including you two, at the same time.
Kirsten: No. We know you're up to something no good, now you either tell us what you're doing or we walk.
Caleb: You can't be serious, Kiki?
Kirsten: Try me. (He watches her for a moment until he realizes that she is adamant and means what she says.)
Caleb: Actually, I have two announcements that I am going to make today.
Sandy: Spit them out.
Caleb: I bet eloquence like that used to serve you well in the court room?
Sandy: My clients never complained, including you, on more than one occasion, if I remember correctly.
Kirsten: Get to the point Dad and quit insulting Sandy, it's not going to help you out of this one. We're not going to be deterred.
Caleb: If only…fine. First, I'm coming back to work. (Kirsten stands up furious.)
Kirsten: Excuse me?
Caleb: I've realized that I miss the business, and you've got plenty of things to keep you occupied, your kids, your charity events, your marriage.
Kirsten: So I'm being punished for having a personal life unlike you.
Caleb: This is not a punishment Kiki.
Kirsten: Well, what else do you call demoting me?
Caleb: Really, it's not about you. I'm bored; I needed a change, and what better way to keep myself occupied than to come back to work?
Sandy: I don't know…space exploration sounds like a good idea to me. You could go and look for alien life forms, find your family. (Sandy is angry, so he insults Caleb to take his frustration out.)
Caleb: Good one, Sanford, come up with that one all on your own?
Kirsten: Stop it, Dad! I can't believe you're doing this to me? So, what position will I hold now in this company?
Caleb: You'll be working under me again, say, vice president.
Kirsten: Great.
Sandy: You can't do this to Kirsten after everything she's put into this company!
Caleb: Why not? It's my company as everyone around here seems to forget!
Sandy: Well, a company ran by you is not a company I want a part of.
Caleb: Don't flatter yourself; like I would seriously keep you on as chief council?
Kirsten: Sandy is the best attorney we've ever had here, Dad, and you know it. You are not firing him!
Caleb: We'll see. Now is there anything else you want to know?
Kirsten: You might as well tell me what else you're up to, although I can't imagine anything worse than this!
Sandy: Oh, honey, don't say that. This is your father we're talking to here; he can always top himself.
Caleb: The other announcement is that not only am I coming back to the Newport Group full time, but I am also bringing someone new in to work with me, be my right hand man.
Kirsten: Who?
Caleb: Jimmy Cooper.
Sandy: You've got to be kidding me?
Kirsten: Why? He's not qualified to work here. I thought we had settled this. Dad, he was a bank manager. He has no training in real-estate, sales, or development.
Caleb: Things I am well aware of and things we have discussed.
Kirsten: You already spoke to him about the job?
Caleb: He's already been hired.
Sandy: I'll probably regret asking this, but what exactly will he be doing for you as your right hand man?
Caleb: I don't see why that's any of your business.
Kirsten: You may not think it's Sandy's business, even though you're wrong, but it sure as hell is mine.
Caleb: Basically, he'll be learning from me, doing small things until he gets the hang of the business and I can trust him with the more important stuff.
Sandy: Wow Cal, thanks for the job description. I certainly understand now after that ambiguous summary. (Kirsten begins to pace behind the chairs.)
Caleb: Kiki, sit down, relax. I do not need you marking up my imported Italian marble.
Kirsten: Glad to see you have your priorities straight. (She keeps pacing.)
Caleb: Well, since you know now what I'm about to announce, do you two mind if we get to the meeting. I think we've kept the board and Jimmy waiting long enough.
Kirsten: He's here?
Caleb: Waiting to be announced.
Sandy: You're unbelievable Cal, you know that? (Caleb chuckles.)
Caleb: I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me Sanford, thank you. Now, let's go. (He stands up and walks towards the door holding it open for Sandy and Kirsten to leave first. Sandy stands up and gently grabs Kirsten's arm to lead her out of the office; she is visibly upset.) Glad to see you two are listening to reason.
Sandy: If what you're spewing is reason, I'm not listening, that's for sure. Oh, and just to let you know, I was serious earlier; I quit. (Sandy and Kirsten walk out of the office.)
Caleb: Fine, no big loss. See you around Sandy. Kiki, are you coming. (She has stopped in the hallway and turns to face Caleb who is waiting for her to walk with him to the boardroom.)
Kirsten: No.
Caleb: What?
Kirsten: You heard me. I'm not coming. Have your board meeting without me; at this point, I don't really care to be there.
Caleb: If you walk out of this office, you might not be welcome back.
Kirsten: Is that a threat.
Caleb: It's up to you. (She beings to walk away.) You wouldn't dare, Kiki.
Kirsten: (Without turning around to face him, she speaks.) Try me. (She leaves the office with Sandy, putting her hand in his as they walk out the doors. The camera leaves Caleb and goes to Seth and Summer while they eat their lunch in bed. Summer is leaning up against the headboard, while Seth is sitting crossed legged in front of her.)
Summer: This was such a good idea! It's been too long.
Seth: What, having lunch together? We do that all the time.
Summer: No, dumb ss, I'm talking about this. (She holds up the food.) I can't believe you made me wait a week to eat this.
Seth: Okay, that really isn't important right now. Did you figure out what to do about Ryan and Marissa?
Summer: Do you know what happened between them? I know you haven't talked to Ryan, but you've been moving around the apartment, interacting with them, you've had to pick up something, some vibe.
Seth: Are you kidding me? I haven't spent more than thirty seconds with either of them since they got back last night.
Summer: Did they sleep in their room together last night?
Seth: From what I can tell, no. It looked like Ryan tried to sleep in there, but he was out within five minutes with a blanket and a pillow, and I found him on the couch this morning.
Summer: Well, why didn't you talk to him then?
Seth: I said 'hey man' and he got up off the couch and walked into the bathroom, locked the door, and turned the water on.
Summer: Well, he had to come out sometime.
Seth: Yep, he did, and he walked out the front door and hasn't been back yet.
Summer: And what about Marissa?
Seth: She hasn't left their room. It's locked. I knocked, telling her I wanted to talk, I wanted to help, but she didn't say anything. I waited for about ten minutes, but she never even told me to leave.
Summer: So you did?
Seth: Standing there wasn't going to solve anything.
Summer: This is probably killing you, Ryan not talking to you…well, more like he's not listening to you ramble on and on while he ignores you.
Seth: I know. So, what'd you come up with?
Summer: I have an idea, but I'm still working on it.
Seth: Okay? So anything else you want to talk about?
Summer: Actually, yeah.
Seth: What?
Summer: Us.
Seth: Yeah. What about us?
Summer: Us and babies.
Seth: Oh.
Summer: What, you don't want to…talk about it?
Seth: No, I do, I do, but are you ready?
Summer: No time like the present.
Seth: Hit me. (He puts his food down. She sits up and crosses her legs beneath her as well and takes his hands in hers.)
Summer: Well, I've been thinking.
Seth: So have I.
Summer: Really?
Seth: Yeah, and I know we said that we'd wait to have a kid until after we were married and settled, but I don't want to put this off as something we'll do someday when today is perfect.
Summer: Cohen. (Her eyes begin to tear up.)
Seth: No, wait, let me finish. I don't want to scare you, make you feel pressured, but I thought that we could try…to become pregnant again, see how it goes, after you're fully recuperated and we've waited the recommended length of time. I know a year sounds like a long time, but we can prepare ourselves. Think of baby names, plan the wedding, look for a house, start buying things. Can you imagine how fun it will be to shop for our baby?
Summer: The best shopping ever.
Seth: I know, and I promise I won't complain about it ever.
Summer: That would be a change, you not complaining.
Seth: Oh, and I bought something. Wait here, I'll go and get it. (He stands up and goes to his dresser, opens it, and pulls out a book. He goes back over to the bed, sits down, again with his legs crossed beneath him, and hands her the book. As she looks at it, she notices that it is a baby name book.) I thought we could read this together, a little bit at a time, every night before we go to bed and start making a list of names that we like.
Summer: I love it. (She puts the book down, and before she lets herself cry, she kisses Seth.)
Seth: I just have one question.
Summer: Okay.
Seth: I know they recommend that a woman wait a year before trying to get pregnant again after being so, but does that mean that we're going to quit having sex for a year?
Summer: What! Are you insane?
Seth: Well, last time, we used birth control, but I was so fertile, I still impregnated you, so I wasn't sure what we'd do now.
Summer: We'll just be extra careful. I'll go back on birth control, but this time its going to be the normal kind, no special skip your periods type, you'll use a condom, and we'll just be….careful.
Seth: Whew, good, because, although I would do it, I really didn't want to! (Summer laughs.)
Summer: Glad to hear it.
Seth: So, I guess this means that in two years' time from now, we might be parents.
Summer: We can only hope.
Seth: Poor little guy.
Summer: Hey, it's going to be girl!
Seth: I'm sorry to tell you, Summer, but I determine the sex of the baby, and I say it's going to be a boy.
Summer: I take it you've been doing some research?
Seth: A little, at night, when you're asleep from your medicine, I've been going online and reading up on all kinds of stuff.
Summer: Well, have you read the part yet where they tell you that slow sperm makes boy babies and fast sperm makes girls?
Seth: Seriously?
Summer: So I've been told.
Seth: Well then, get ready for a passel of mini-Summers, because my little guys are excellent swimmers.
Summer: I think we've already determined that. (They both laugh. She moves in and starts to kiss him passionately. He breaks away.)
Seth: What was that for?
Summer: Just because I wanted to. So, are we going to sit here and analyze why I kissed you or are we going to make out?
Seth: Make out! (He laughs, as does she and he gently lies her down. Then, he lies beside her and they slowly begin to kiss, and as the kiss lengthens, the passion grows. The camera leaves them and goes into the living room. No one is there, but Marissa's head appears out of her door as she looks to see if anyone is there. When she sees that the coast is clear, she begins to walk towards the kitchen. Just as she reaches the door that heads into it, the apartment door opens and Ryan walks in. He looks as if he hasn't slept. His hair is unkempt, his clothes are the same ones he wore the day before, and his face finely details how miserable he feels emotionally. Marissa also does not look her greatest. She appears to have not slept at all either, her makeup from the day before is smeared as if she's been crying all night, her eyes and cheeks are puffy and red, and she is wearing Ryan's clothes, a pair of sweats and a wife beater.)
Marissa: Great.
Ryan: Hey. (She ignores him, does not say anything, and goes into the kitchen. He follows, but she immediately leaves and heads towards their bedroom.) Fine, I won't follow you. Go ahead into the kitchen and get what you wanted. I won't have you starving to death or dying of dehydration because of me.
Marissa: (She stops and speaks under her breath but it is still loud enough for him to hear.) At least you realize you're to blame for this.
Ryan: That's not what I meant. (She shakes her head, laughs in an annoyed way, and starts walking towards the bedroom again.) I thought you were hungry.
Marissa: Lost my appetite when I saw you. (She reaches the door. He runs over and puts his hand on her shoulder, willing her to turn around and look at him.) Take your hand off of me!
Ryan: Fine! (After a slight pause where she doesn't continue into the bedroom, which surprises him, he speaks again.) I see we're resorting to running away again.
Marissa: (She whirls around to face him and sees that he has a very smug look on his face which just infuriates her even more.) If I was running away, I'd be gone already. I told you I'm not going to do that, but until you realize what you've done wrong we have nothing to say to each other!
Ryan: So you don't think you have any explaining to do?
Marissa: No.
Ryan: His hands were all over you!
Marissa: You're wrong. He gave me a hug, a friendly hug, and he air kissed me goodbye. That's it.
Ryan: Well, I didn't like it.
Marissa: Trust me, you made that quite obvious.
Ryan: So, it happened. There's nothing we can do to change it, so why can't we just move past it and go back to the way we were?
Marissa: You're right, we can't change yesterday, but you can change, and until you realize you have to, like I said, we have nothing to talk about. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go where the view (She indicates him.) doesn't make me sick. (She starts to walk back to the door, but his voice stops her. As he talks, he walks towards the couch. Eventually she follows and sits on the opposite end.)
Ryan: Listen, I know that I messed up. I overreacted, I get it, and I shouldn't have been so confrontational, but the thought of another guy putting his hands on you just makes me go insane…
Marissa: With jealousy?
Ryan: Yeah.
Marissa: And you get over-possessive?
Ryan: Yeah.
Marissa: And you go after whoever you feel is a threat and you want to totally obliterate them?
Ryan: I guess.
Marissa: No, you don't guess, you do. There's no guessing about it.
Ryan: Okay, I get it. I have some issues, but who doesn't?
Marissa: I know.
Ryan: So? Are we okay?
Marissa: Not even close. First of all, you never apologized.
Ryan: I tried to last night, remember when we were getting ready for bed, but you threw me out of our room, you gave me a pillow and a blanket, and you made me sleep out here on the couch.
Marissa: Try again.
Ryan: Okay, I'm sorry.
Marissa: For what?
Ryan: For getting jealous, attacking your friend, and for making a scene.
Marissa: That's a good start.
Ryan: What else do you want from me?
Marissa: A little sincerity would be nice, but there's something else I want you to do. Everything that you apologized for is fine and great, but that's not what's bothering me. There's something else you did that I need you to realize, apologize for, and attempt to change, but obviously, you have no idea. So, I'm going to leave you alone to think it over.
Ryan: And what if I don't ever think of it?
Marissa: I'll move your clothes out here for you. (She gets up off the couch and walks towards the hall and their bedroom door. He follows her.)
Ryan: Please, Marissa, just tell me what I did. Look, I'm miserable without you. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't think. I need you, and no offense, but by the looks of you, you're not too happy right now yourself.
Marissa: You're right; I'm miserable, but I can't tell you what you did wrong. I need you to figure that out for yourself.
Ryan: A compromise?
Marissa: I'm listening.
Ryan: Okay, I'll think about it, hell, that's all I'll do all day, all night, and all of tomorrow if that's what it takes for me to figure this out, but would you give me clue and let me be with you?
Marissa: No, I need to be by myself right now. Looking at you just makes me get more upset, and, as you've noticed, that's pretty hard to do right now. But, a clue, I can do.
Ryan: Okay, I'm listening.
Marissa: O Rose, thou art sick./ The invisible worm/ That flies in the night/ In the howling storm/ Has found out thy bed/ Of crimson joy/ And his secret love/ Does thy life destroy.
Ryan: Excuse me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Marissa: Ryan, I'm an English major. I relate to life through literature. If you want to know what it means, do some research, listen to the words, and apply them to our relationship. You wanted a clue; I gave you one. What you do with it is your business. (She turns around and opens the door to the bedroom but stops when he speaks.)
Ryan: Marissa?
Marissa: (She turns back around.) Ryan?
Ryan: I love you.
Marissa: That does not make this better.
Ryan: That's all you're going to say?
Marissa: I really don't think I need to return the sentiment, you know how I feel, and to be quite frank, at this point, I don't want to return it.
Ryan: I can't believe you just said that to me!
Marissa: I can't believe what you did to me yesterday!
Ryan: So then, I guess we're even?
Marissa: Not even close! (She slams the door shut in his face and from the outside, where Ryan stands pounding on the door, the lock can be heard being turned.)
Ryan: Marissa, please!
Marissa: Go away Ryan! I don't want to hear your voice right now, I don't want to see you, and I really don't want to hear any more excuses or lame attempts to make this go away!
Ryan: I'm not giving up!
Marissa: Who asked you to? Just go, Ryan. (As she says the last part, her voice is barely above a whisper, and it is obvious that she is once again crying and does not have the strength to continue the fight. When he hears her cry, he stops pounding on the door, grabs his keys off the table, and goes back out the door he had just recently entered. Meanwhile, back in Seth and Summer's bedroom, they are silent, having been listening to the fight or as much of it that they could hear, which was not much, jus the very beginning and the very end. Confused, they sit and ponder what they've just overheard before Summer breaks the silence.)
Summer: This is serious.
Seth: Really, thanks for telling me that. Where did you get your detective badge, because I want to be trained by the same experts you were?
Summer: Can the sarcasm, Cohen, I'm in no mood, and for that matter, you shouldn't be either! You're brother is miserable; he's fighting with our friend, my new best friend, and you're here making flippant remarks.
Seth: I know, I know, but it's a Cohen family trait, making jokes at really inappropriate times.
Summer: Ryan doesn't do it.
Seth: He doesn't have the blood, Summer, you know that. He's an honorary Cohen, adopted into this comically depraved family.
Summer: Let's hope it doesn't rub off on him.
Seth: I'll ignore that. Now, spill this plan. You've had to have come up with something genius by now.
Summer: Okay, but it will take dedication, hard work, and a lot of stealth.
Seth: Stealth, my specialty.
Summer: Not exactly, but that doesn't matter, because if you mess this up, I'll mess you up, get my picture?
Seth: Crystal clear, digital camera format. (Summer rolls her eyes.)
Summer: Okay, so how I see it, we both have to get them to open up separately so that we can determine what is wrong. Then, we compare notes and come up with a plan of action for them.
Seth: Sounds good, except for one thing.
Summer: (She is angry because he finds fault in her plan.) And what exactly is it?
Seth: How are we going to get them to speak with us, let alone listen?
Summer: Oh, that's simple; we lie.
Seth: Works for me.
Summer: So, I thought first you'd go and bang on Marissa's door claiming that something was wrong with me and that you need her help. You know Marissa; she'll come out for that.
Seth: Think you're special?
Summer: I am special, as you better remind me of everyday when we are married, but in this situation, I think Marissa would help anyone.
Seth: Well, maybe, except her mother.
Summer: Ew, who would help Julie Cooper?
Seth: I wouldn't go near that woman with a mask on and a ten, no, make that twenty foot pole.
Summer: Uh, who would?
Seth: Good point. So, we get Marissa in here, and then what, I mean, she'll leave when she sees that you're fine.
Summer: Cohen, do you not know anything?
Seth: (He pretends to be hurt, but he does not fool or deter Summer.) Apparently not.
Summer: Once she's in here, you sneak out quickly and lock her in here. At least that creepy lock on the outside of our door will finally serve a purpose. Don't leave a key with me, because she could accidentally find it. Trapped in here, she will eventually open up and talk to me.
Seth: How long do you want me to leave her in here?
Summer: As long as it takes. I'll call you when you can come back.
Seth: Come back? Where am I going? Summer, please, not another food run?
Summer: (She laughs.) No, but you're going to the diner.
Seth: I am?
Summer: We're going to call Ryan and tell him that Marissa left here really upset, regretting her decision to not forgive him, and that wanted to meet him at the diner to talk. When he shows up, no Marissa, but you'll be there.
Seth: Not for long! When he finds out what we…what I did, he'll kill me.
Summer: Ryan's not going to kill you, especially if you tell him that Marissa did go somewhere and only you know how to get her back, which technically isn't a lie.
Seth: I see how your brain works. It's kind of scary, because we're getting married. Are you going to play me like this then?
Summer: Of course; it will be my wifely duty. (He shakes his shoulders, submitting.)
Seth: I figured you would control me one way or another.
Summer: Cohen, I already control you.
Seth: I know, I meant to a bigger extent.
Summer: Yeah, really not important right now. So, when do you want to put operation reunite Ryssa?
Seth: Excuse me?
Summer: You know, all famous couples have a combination name, so I combined theirs and came up with Ryssa.
Seth: What's ours?
Summer: We can't make our own up; someone has to do it for us.
Seth: Well, it's bound to happen, I mean, you're going to be this rich and famous actress and I'm going to be your b!tch.
Summer: You're already my b!tch.
Seth: (He laughs.) I know. So woman, what time does operation Ryssa go into action. (She yawns.)
Summer: Well, I just took my medicine before we ate, so I'm ready to take my nap, but when I get up, we'll get started, okay?
Seth: Okay. (He gets off of the bed and walks towards the bedroom door. Before can leave though, Summer sits up.) I love you.
Summer: Hey, where do you think you're going?
Seth: I thought you wanted to take a nap?
Summer: I do, but I also need you to hold me so that I can go to sleep. (He grins widely and runs towards the bed. After he jumps down on it, he gets under the covers with her and she crawls into his arms.) I love you, too, Cohen. (He smiles once again as she giggles and the camera leaves them. It goes to Sandy and Kirsten who have just gotten home from their disastrous board meeting. After they left the Newport Group's offices, the silence once again invaded their relationship, enveloping them throughout the entire car ride home. Because of the issues they need to discuss, they have not picked Zoe up from the baby sitter's yet. When they walk into the house, they both head to their bedroom to change out of their work outfits into something more casual. Kirsten goes into the bathroom as Sandy begins to undress and waits for his turn in the bathroom. After a moment, he broaches the topics at hand, admitting that it is time to talk.)
Sandy: So, are you ready to do this?
Kirsten: (As she speaks, she is still in the bathroom so she is yelling a little.) Ready to do what? (She appears in the doorway wearing a pair of jeans and one of Sandy's sweatshirts with her hair up loosely off of her face.)
Sandy: You're wearing my sweatshirt?
Kirsten: Do you mind?
Sandy: No, it's just you never do that.
Kirsten: I guess I just wanted to feel close to you. (She sits down.)
Sandy: But I wore that one this morning after surfing, so it has to smell like the ocean.
Kirsten: It does, but that smell reminds me of you, so I love it. (He looks deeply in her eyes and then kisses her tenderly. After they pull apart, relief is washed all over her face.) So, does that mean we're okay?
Sandy: Oh honey, we were never not okay. (She gives him a look questioning his last statement which oozes doubt.) I just had to do some thinking.
Kirsten: And you couldn't talk to me all week while you were doing it? You scared me, Sandy.
Sandy: I know, and I'm sorry. I guess there were just too many things rattling around this here trap of mine, (He playfully taps his own head.) and I just needed the quiet to come to terms with what you told me.
Kirsten: And?
Sandy: And what?
Kirsten: Have you…come to terms?
Sandy: I think so.
Kirsten: Would you do me a favor; would you please tell me what you honestly think about what I did? Were you angry, disappointed? (He takes her in his arms and hugs her, holding her close to him protectively and kissing her hair as she begins to softly cry.)
Sandy: Oh honey, absolutely not. You could never disappoint me, and I understand why you did it. What bothered me was the fact that you had once conceived a child with another man. That was something that was just ours before, but now, I have to share that part of you as well with Jimmy Cooper. I guess I was…I am a little jealous.
Kirsten: (She sits up so that she can look him in the eyes.) I want you to listen to every word I'm about to say. There's a difference between the sitations. Jimmy and I conceived a child because of a mistake. I didn't love him, but I do love you, and our children were made out of that love. If Jimmy and I would have kept that child, I wouldn't have been happy and it probably wouldn't have worked out. This is where I was meant to be, you are who I was meant to be with, and our children are the children we were meant to have together. Sure, I think about that child every day, and I always will, but I have never and will never regret my decision. You and our children are my life now, forever, and always. (She pulls his face towards hers so that she can kiss him, in order to convey her emotions and feelings through the physical touch as well as through her words. The kiss is long, deep, and passionate, and when they pull away, Sandy laughs.)
Sandy: Well, if that's what you're going to do after I give you the silent treatment; I might have to start doing it more often!
Kirsten: Don't you dare! (He smiles at her sheepishly.)
Sandy: Uh, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you. We both know I love to talk!
Kirsten: Just like Seth, except he's worse, much, much worse.
Sandy: I like to say intelligent, amusing things; Seth just likes to hear his own voice. (She laughs.) Now, how about this other topic at hand? (She looks at him confused.) Your father, Jimmy Cooper, and our current employment status….
Kirsten: Oh, that. (She is, initially, depressed, but after a moment it turns to anger.) I can't believe he's doing this!
Sandy: When it comes to your father, nothing really surprises me anymore, and you have to remember, we did get a warning. Remember at our anniversary party, he mentioned to Jimmy that he'd always be welcome at the Newport Group.
Kirsten: I didn't believe him; I thought he was just being polite.
Sandy: Your father, polite, in what bizarre universe would that ever happen?
Kirsten: Yeah, I guess you have a point. (She speaks again after a short contemplation.) So, are you really serious about quitting?
Sandy: My resignation will be on your Father's desk by 9:00 Monday morning.
Kirsten: What then, I mean, what do you want to do?
Sandy: You know, I really don't know. I've worked for the PD office, I've worked for the evil empire of Partridge, Savage, and Kahn, and I've had my own practice, at least briefly.
Kirsten: Well, I already know you won't be going back to the law firm. You hated it, working there, but does that mean that the other two options are still on the table?
Sandy: I guess, but like I said, I really don't know what I'd like to do now. I thought you and I would retire together from the Newport Group, but I guess I have some very important thinking to do ahead of me.
Kirsten: Let me guess in your black socks and robe, eating Cheetos and watching Dr. Phil?
Sandy: Nah, I've moved on. Now it's Cheetos and those Tele-novellas Seth's always talking about. You know, he's right about Victor's handle-bar mustache; it's quite becoming. How do you think I'd look with one? (He is pretending to be serious, but Kirsten knows him better than that and sees right through the charade and laughs.) Will you be joining me on the couch in your pjs to eat junk food and watch mind-numbing television for hours every day?
Kirsten: I'm not sure what I want to do. What my Dad did infuriates me beyond words, and the idea of Jimmy working as my Dad's right hand man is disturbing, but after all the years I put into that business, I just can't walk away from it. To me, although my Dad started it, it's my company now; it's a part of me and it's our children's inheritance. You know I always wanted to hand it down to Ryan some day. Seth has no interest, but Ryan, he loves architecture; he'd be a natural with the company.
Sandy: (He laughs softly as he teases her.) That's kind of scary honey, the Newport Group a part of you? (She gives Sandy the look.)
Kirsten: What do you think right hand man means exactly?
Sandy: Knowing your father, I'd say it's nothing good, and I wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy started handling the types of projects Uncle Shawn used to.
Kirsten: You really think Jimmy would do that?
Sandy: I don't know him, you do, but from what I've seen of him, Jimmy Cooper seems to be a man of questionable moral fiber and is easily swayed by fear. Your Father has the ability to put the fear of god in anyone, not to mention the fact that Jimmy has no job and no prospects, and no courage. I think your father will use him and then if something goes wrong, let him take the fall for him.
Kirsten: That sounds like something my Dad would do and at this point, I'm sorry to say, but I don't think Jimmy has a clue.
Sandy: Probably not, but I'm sick of talking about those two. Why don't we make this terrible morning into a great day? We could go pick up Zoe, go to the beach, have a picnic lunch, and then, tonight, after she goes to bed, we can get reacquainted after our week of little interaction. (When he says reacquainted, his eyebrows waver, implying perhaps a little foreplay and whatever else might follow.)
Kirsten: (She thinks a moment before standing up and speaking.) I'll race you to the car! (Before he can even answer or stand up, she is already out of the door. He stands up and runs after here yelling.)
Sandy: What about the picnic food? (Kirsten yells in reply.)
Kirsten: We'll get a take out picnic, because we both know, if we want to have a pleasant day, I should definitely not cook! (The scene ends as Sandy exits the bedroom leaving it unoccupied.)
Commercial Break