The fifth scene opens with Branning and Summer narrowing down their possible movie selections while Seth enters bearing two pizza boxes and a six back of wine coolers. Seth places the pizza boxes on the coffee table and then opens the container of alcohol, passing around one to each person before opening his own and collapsing onto the couch. Summer sits down beside him and after a moment switches positions and lies down with her legs over Seth's. Branning takes the over-stuffed chair and ottoman, reclining back and relaxing while he sips his drink. All three continue to drink in quiet for a moment just enjoying the peace. Seth interrupts their thoughts by speaking.
Seth: So, what were the final choices on the movies, you two?
Summer: Ugh, I gave up and let Branning pick. He seemed to be a movie connoisseur anyway, and I really don't care what we watch as long as it doesn't involve a character with the word man in his name.
Seth: Well then, Branning, what are the selections?
Branning: Just to warn you, I'm an Independent movie fan, so I chose Nine Lives, it's new and I haven't seen it yet but I want to, We Don't Live Here Anymore, it's based upon this short story by this author I really like…
Seth: Great, now you're starting to sound like the Purple Passage Princess. (Summer slaps him to get him to shut up.)
Summer: Ignore Cohen, we all do. It's the only way to be his friend. (Branning laughs before continuing.)
Branning: There's also Le Divorce and, my ultimate favorite, Garden State.
Seth: Hey, I know that one and I actually like it, so we'll go with that.
Summer: Hey, don't I get a say in this?
Seth: What do you want to watch Summer; I thought you said you didn't care?
Summer: I do now, because I've heard of Le Divorce. Doesn't it have Kate Hudson in it and she lives in Paris what with the fashion and shopping and the clothes?
Branning: Yeah.
Seth: Wow, Summer, you do realize that the three things you used to describe Paris are one in the same?
Summer: What's your point Cohen?
Seth: Nothing….but, I'm never going to Paris with you.
Summer: Good, I'll take Branning. (He smiles at her.) We both understand why a person goes to Paris, I mean who cares about the food or the sites, or the history; you go to Paris for the fashion.
Seth: Yeah, I think you've already said that. (He sits up and opens the box of pizza and takes out a slice and begins to eat it.) Help yourself Branning. (Branning also grabs a slice of pizza and a new wine cooler and begins to eat. Summer is angry and has her arms crossed in front of her while she scowls at Seth. Finally, he realizes that she is being eerily quiet, so he slyly ventures a look at her, and when he realizes that she's mad, he slouches down in the couch and instinctively cowers to avoid her hitting him. When she sees this, she kicks him instead.) OW, Summer, what the hell!
Summer: What am I, chopped dog meat? You offer Branning pizza but you don't say a thing to me let alone actually fix me a plate!
Seth: We're not even eating with plates, just grab a piece and stuff it down your throat and stop kicking me! And, as for Branning, did you forget that he's our guest, which means I'm supposed to be nice to him and play the host role, because obviously you're not going to!
Branning: Glad I finally found out why you're nice to me Seth! (His words sound harsh, but he is just teasing, but Seth doesn't pick up on it and goes into overdrive trying to reassure their friend that he didn't mean what he said the way he said it.)
Seth: Branning, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant, I mean, yeah, I want to be nice to you because you're our guest, but that's not the only reason why. I like you…not like that, I'm straight and I love Summer (He turns to look at Summer here.) although sometimes she drives me completely insane, but…
Summer: Ah thank you honey, that's sweet.
Seth: I'm ignoring you right now, because I have to make this clear. You're our friend Branning, and I enjoy spending time with you. It's not a chore; it's something I do willingly. Are we cool?
Branning: Aw, Seth, I didn't know you cared so much! Come here. (He stands up and puts his arms out as if he wants to hug Seth. Summer starts giggling quietly, knowing that Branning has been playing Seth the entire time, but Seth is so consumed by what Branning is insinuating, that he doesn't notice Summer's laughter.)
Seth: No, that's okay. I actually haven't been feeling well lately, and I don't want to get you sick. I think I caught whatever Marissa had yesterday. (Obviously Seth forgot that Marissa was just on her period, but Branning and Summer have not, and they immediately start laughing extremely loud.) What!
Summer: (In between sobs of laughter.) Cohen, I think we have a serous problem!
Seth: What! What did I do now; I was just trying to show him that we're friends and that I wasn't nice to him because I had to be, but then he wanted to hug me and he was acting strangely, and I just can't do…that. I'm sorry!
Summer: Oh, I don't care about that, but you having your period could be a problem for our relationship.
Seth: What are you talking about!
Branning: Look, Seth, first of all, I was just kidding around with you. I know you're straight, well at least I did, before you mentioned that you caught whatever Marissa had yesterday, which if you remember correctly was her period. (Branning and Summer dissolve into another fit of laughter, but Seth just looks on confused. Finally the situation and what he says dawns on him, and he become humiliated, turns beat red, and runs out of the room. When Summer notices that he's gone, she yells after him.)
Summer: Cohen! Where did you go? Are you coming back? Please come back; we'll stop laughing, I promise. (Branning just starts laughing harder, but she gets up and slaps him.) Shut up! He won't come back in until we're quiet, and I don't want him to hide in the kitchen all night. The only thing he'll have to do is eat and get drunk, and you'll never seen Seth with a hangover. It's not pretty! (Branning starts snickering again, but when he sees Seth walk back into the room, bringing more alcohol mind you, he stops immediately.) Cohen, I'm sorry. It was just too funny to pass up. Forgiven?
Seth: You know I can't stay mad at you Summer, but just in case, I brought more alcohol, and I figured since this has already turned into an embarrassing evening for me, we should all share embarrassing stories and keep the movies till later whenever Marissa gets back.
Branning: Yeah, whenever that will be. That boy's in shape, so I imagine he's conditioned enough to go for hours! (Summer laughs and Seth just makes a nauseated face before sitting down and opening a bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade. Besides that, he also brought Smirnoff, beer, and a bottle of rum with him.)
Summer: Trust me, they do go for hours, don't they Cohen? (Seth just looks back up at her and takes a large swig of his drink. Branning laughs.)
Branning: Well, I guess that answers that question. So, who's going first, Summer, you or I?
Summer: As Cohen said, you're the guest, so I'll go. (Branning grabs another slice of pizza and a Smirnoff and leans back down in the chair to listen to Summer's confession. Everyone is silent for a moment while Summer thinks.) Okay, I have something that's embarrassing and I haven't talked to anybody about this, but it's not really funny, but I think that I want to get it off my chest, and it's my best chance because Marissa's not here and neither is Chino. (Seth looks at her puzzled, but Branning crosses his legs and makes himself comfortable.)
Branning: Confess away Summer. It will make you feel better. I've thought that there was something bothering you this week, but I wasn't going to say anything in case I was wrong, because trust me, this face does not look good with a foot in it. (Summer laughs.)
Summer: Now if only Cohen would learn that lesson! (She makes a teasing face at Seth, while Branning laughs and Seth just sticks his tongue out at her and grabs another slice of pizza.) So, anyway, I'm jealous of Coop and Chino.
Seth: (He looks up suddenly interested.) You are?
Summer: Yeah, I mean, they could get pregnant any day now, and then there's us. We might never be able to have a baby of our own, and although I know we can adopt, it's still not the same thing.
Branning: You should talk to Marissa about this, Summer. You know she wouldn't purposely try to hurt you.
Summer: Oh I know, and I don't want them to not have a baby, it's just going to be hard, and sometimes, I have this sneaky suspicion that they're going to start this family of there own and then we'll never see them anymore. I love you Seth, more than anything you know that, but I also love having my friends, friends like Ryan and Marissa and now you, too, Branning, but…oh, I don't know.
Seth: No, you know what you mean, and so do I. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that Ryan's in love, but for years it was you, me, and him, the unbeatable combination and we were always together, but now, even though there are four of us, we hang out less than we used to when it was just the three of us. Marissa's great. She can cook, we like the same music, and she's really good person to talk to, something I learned yesterday while you two were shopping, but I miss my best friend. And then, what if they move away after we graduate? I know they both love California, but Ryan's job could take him anywhere, and she'll go wherever he goes.
Branning: You think; what about her career?
Summer: She won't leave Ryan, he's right, and she can always write anywhere he gets a job. It might not be for television, but she writes short stories, and I know she has aspirations to write a novel, too.
Branning: Wow, I never thought about her leaving. I've only known her for a couple of months, but she's a part of me now. I want her to stay here with me where I can keep a close eye on her and where I can call her anytime I want for advice. She's good with advice, knows relationships and people well, maybe that's why she can write about both.
Summer: But what about the Newport Group, Cohen, you know your Mom wants Ryan to run it for her when she retires?
Seth: Yeah, but we both know that Ryan won't take a job from her. If Grandpa hired him, that would be another thing, because he doesn't like him, but with Mom he'll think that it's just a charity job and he won't take it.
Summer: Well then we'll just have to get your Grandpa to hire him.
Seth: (When he speaks it's with fake enthusiasm.) Oh okay, and while we're at it, we'll develop a cure for Cancer, solve world hunger, and discover a new energy source! (Summer glares at him, but eventually she can't help it and laughs. Branning just stares at Seth.)
Branning: Wow, so he hates Ryan that much…why?
Summer: That's something I'd like to know.
Branning: I mean did he ever burn down his house or date his daughter? (Note to readers: Because Marissa was not in the picture, the events that led to these circumstances did not exist and so they never happened.)
Seth: No.
Branning: Then why does he hate him so much?
Seth: My Mom says it's because of a combination of things. First of all, she says that Gramps sees himself in Ryan and that they're too alike in some ways to get along. I don't see it, but she knows him the best, so maybe she's right. Then there's the fact, she says, that he can recognize how intelligent, driven, and talented Ryan is and that he secretly knows that given the chance, he would be able to do more with the Newport Group than he ever could, which makes him jealous and hurts his ego.
Summer: Which just happens to be even bigger than the fortune he's amassed, and let me tell you, that's no laughing matter.
Branning: Ah ha, so the truth is finally revealed! You're with Seth here for his family's fortune. It makes sense, because I've been wondering why someone as amazing as you would fall for a comic geek like Seth here.
Seth: Wow, thanks for that, Branning, you just managed to wipe away any shred of self pride I had left. (Branning and Summer laugh, but Summer sits up and snuggles against Seth.)
Summer: Aw, he knows I love him for all his insecurities. (She kisses Seth's cheek and he smiles at her.)
Branning: Why would they make you love him?
Summer: Because every time I see them, it makes me realize just how amazing I am! (Seth feigns a shocked look and starts to tickle her.) Cohen, take those paws off of my designer clothes! I do not need you staining me with pizza sauce!
Seth: Speaking of pizza sauce, you have a little bit on your face, Summer.
Summer: What! (She starts frantically wiping at her face, but before she can get it off, Seth leans in and licks it off.) Ew, Cohen, that was so disgusting!
Branning: Aw, you gave her a snoopy! (Seth and Summer both stop what they are doing and stare at Branning and talk at the same time.)
Seth: A snoopy, what the hell is that!
Summer: You thought that was cute, EW!
Branning: (He just laughs even harder. After he calms down, he responds.) A snoopy is when you lick someone like you just did, Seth, and yes, Summer, I thought it was adorable.
Summer: How long has it been since you got some? (Branning smiles sheepishly while Seth chokes on his drink and spits it out.) Cohen, control your bodily fluids! That was disgusting!
Seth: Sorry, you just caught me off guard there, but (He turns to Branning and notices his discomfort with the conversation.) this a very interesting turn in conversation, my fantastic fiancée. Answer the question, Branning, when was the last time you had some action? (They both lean forward and place their head in their hands which are propped on their elbows resting on their knees. Their eyes are big with interest and anticipation and neither says a thing waiting for Branning to respond.)
Branning: It's been a while.
Summer: How long?
Branning: Over a year.
Seth: Are you serious?
Summer: Shut up, Cohen, you spent the first sixteen years of your life living like a nun, so you have no room to talk! (Seth pouts but Branning laughs.) So, what's up? Why the drought?
Branning: That's something I'd love to know myself. I guess I just haven't met anyone in a while that I liked and who has liked me back, you know, the classic boy-boy problems. (Summer and Seth both laugh, but then Summer startles the two guys by bounding up and jumping up and down.)
Seth: Summer, what are you doing; do you have ants in your pants?
Summer: Cohen, can it, and who says that anymore. No, I'm just excited! I'm going to set Branning up! Oooohhhh, I love matchmaking, and sure, I've never set a guy up with a guy before, but how different could it be?
Branning: Summer, thanks but no thanks. I can handle my own love life, thank you.
Seth: Yeah, because it sounds like you've been doing such a good job so far!
Branning: What, you're on her side?
Seth: It's the price of love, my friend, and once we became engaged, I lost my free will, meaning all my own ideas left and whatever Summer wants is now what we both want.
Summer: Good job Cohen, you're learning! But anyway, (She sits back down, but her legs are tapping a mile per minute.) what are you looking for in a guy, ideally?
Branning: Ideally?
Summer: Yeah, it will give me somewhere to start.
Branning: Okay. (He pauses for a second and thinks.) Well, like everyone, I'd love a gorgeous body.
Summer: Of course. What else, personality wise I mean?
Branning: I love a guy with a sense of humor, someone quirky and unique, who has hobbies and substance. I just don't want a pretty face.
Summer: Alright, so basically you want Chino on the outside and Sethela here on the inside?
Branning: (He considers this for a moment before replying.) Yeah, that would work.
Seth: What! What's wrong with my body? (Summer and Branning both start laughing instantly at Seth.) Oh man, I did not just say that! (He picks up a beer and drinks it rapidly without stopping.)
Summer: Cohen, slow down! I am not cleaning you up if you puke tonight! You'll just have to wallow in your own vomit if you get sick!
Seth: I'll take that risk, thank you. (He finishes the beer and opens the bottle of rum.) After the evening we've had so far, I think we need something stronger. I'll be back; I'm going to go grab some cokes for this. (He gets up and leaves the room briefly. While he is gone, Summer remains quiet and Branning watches her closely.)
Branning: You're thinking of someone aren't you? (Seth walks back in and pours himself a rum and coke. When he takes a drink Summer speaks.)
Summer: Zach! (The drink Seth just put in his mouth comes spewing back out.) Cohen, I swear to Gucci that if you do that again, you'll be drinking out of a straw for months unable to move in a hospital bed!
Seth: Zach's not gay!
Summer: He might be.
Seth: What? He dated you. Are you saying that you want your ex to now date Branning?
Summer: Think about it; he'd be perfect. (She turns to Branning.) He's really sweet and nice. He can cook great Italian food, he knows how to dress, he's built because he was an athlete, but he's also like Cohen because he loves comics and has actual real hobbies. You two would look great together. I should call him up and invite him down for a weekend.
Seth: He's not gay!
Summer: What's your point Cohen?
Seth: What do you mean, what's my point! He's not gay, which means he won't be interested in Branning, (He turns to Branning.) no offense.
Branning: None taken. Summer, I know you're enthusiastic, but come on; I may be a catch, but not a big enough one to make a straight guy gay.
Summer: Okay, so Zach thinks that he's straight, but you have to admit Cohen, that he could be gay.
Seth: What!
Summer: He was always a little feminine, and what was with that whole idea of no sex till marriage? Maybe he just didn't want to have sex, because I was girl and he was secretly in the closet. His father is a politician, maybe he was afraid of how'd he react.
Seth: How he'd react to what, he's not gay!
Summer: How can you be so sure?
Seth: If anyone, I'd think you'd know that he wasn't.
Summer: Exactly, and I'm not sure. So, I think we should invite him down here, introduce him to Branning, and just see where things lead.
Branning: Do I get a say in all this?
Summer and Seth: No!
Seth: Fine, but how about we make this interesting?
Branning: Seth, I think you're right; we definitely need something stronger to drink. (He grabs the rum bottle and drinks straight from it while Seth and Summer ignore him and continue talking to each other.)
Summer: What do you have in mind Cohen?
Seth: A bet. Fifty bucks Zach's straight and stays straight.
Summer: Oh, I'll take that bet, but let's make it more interesting. If I'm right and Zach turns out to be gay, I get to take away all of your Deathcab and Bright Eye cds for a month!
Seth: Fine, but if I'm right and Zach remains straight, I get your black amex card for a whole month!
Summer: You're on! Let's drink on it. (She looks around for the bottle of rum, and spots Branning holding it.) Hey, share a little why don't you! Give me that! (She takes the bottle from his hands and takes a big swig before passing it to Seth who does the same thing.)
Seth: So it's on!
Summer: It's so on! Hey, I have a brilliant idea! Let's get really, really drunk!
Branning: I think we're already on the way there Summer.
Summer: Yeah, but let's speed up the process. We'll all take a swig from the bottle and then share a secret before passing it around. Everyone in?
Branning: Why the hell not?
Seth: I have nothing to hide, but since it's your idea Summer, you have to go first!
Summer: Okay. (She takes the bottle from Seth and sits down on the floor crossed legged and motions for the guys to join her. They do and then she begins.) Alright so back when I was fifteen…. (The scene fades away and goes to the library. Ryan is sitting around a table in a secluded room working with three other guys. No one is speaking as they are all absorbed in their work. His back is to the door, so when Marissa walks in, he does not see her, but the other guys do and they immediately begin to clear their throat and look anywhere but at Marissa. Ryan looks up from his work and around the table at the guys who are in his group.)
Ryan: What?
Marissa: (When he hears her voice he whirls around in his chair and smiles instantly when he sees her, running his eyes up and down her body, taking in her strange outfit before finally resting them on her face. Her voice is very seductive.) Hello stranger!
Ryan: Hello to you, too. (He stands up and goes to her kissing her lightly.) What are you doing here, not that I'm complaining, and (He whispers the next part.) what is with this outfit? Are you trying to drive me crazy? (She laughs before responding.)
Marissa: Hey you guys, do you mind if I borrow Ryan? I brought him some dinner, but I didn't bring enough for everyone.
Ryan: Yeah, you can borrow me. (He smiles and she laughs at his enthusiasm and they leave the room together as the three other guys snicker as the door closes. Once it does, Ryan turns to her and kisses her passionately.) So why are you really here? (Her eyes fall down to the picnic basket at her feet and she smiles. He follows her gaze and his expression falls.) Oh, you really did just bring me dinner.
Marissa: Not just dinner.
Ryan: What else?
Marissa: I brought you dessert as well. (He smiles once again, picks up the basket, and wraps his arm around her waist.)
Ryan: So where are we going?
Marissa: Follow me! (She takes him by the hand and pulls him through the library as if they are moving through a maze. Eventually after a few minutes and a few flights of stairs, they reach a dark room that can be closed up and locked shut. When they walk into the room, she already has music playing. The song is Zero 7's "Waiting Line", and it is set on repeat.)
Ryan: And how do you know about this place?
Marissa: You don't really think I'd find you before I cased the place, do you? (He laughs.)
Ryan: So, you don't think anyone will find us up here?
Marissa: Well why would that matter?
Ryan: Because if they can't then I can do this. (In one swift motion, he pulls her into his arms and lifts her off the ground so that he is cradling her and he leans in and kisses her passionately. As they kiss each other, he slowly walks to a table and places her on it, laying her down, but before he can join her, she sits up and stops him.) What are you doing?
Marissa: (She gets off the table and pushes him onto it.) We're playing this my way, and I have a surprise for you and when I reveal it, I want to see your facial expressions, so you're just going to have to sit there and be patient.
Ryan: (His smiles widely.) Yes, ma'am.
Marissa: That's better. Now, (She takes out her hair so that it cascades down her back and around her shoulders.) did you ever wonder why I was wearing this heavy, hot trench coat? (She starts to unbuckle it and he shakes his head no, unable to speak.) Really, not a single idea? Well, I'll tell you, Mr. Atwood, what I am about to show you is not just for anyone. It is only for those who deserve it. (His smile just continues to get wider, and he repositions himself so that he is leaning back on his hands and watching her. She has now unbuttoned all the buttons, but is holding the coat tightly around her so that nothing is revealed.) You see, someone told me that you were working too hard, so I decided that you needed a break, and just in case you thought you'd argue with me, I brought persuasion. (She lets the coat fall and she is standing there in Summer's Little Miss Vixen costume, whip and all, but sans the mask and fish nets.) So, what's it going to be? Are you going to cooperate or am I going to have to take you by force? (Ryan laughs at her statement and stands up off the table, taking the whip from her and tossing it aside.)
Ryan: You even have to ask?
Marissa: Good, now kiss me! (He takes her head in his hands, running his fingers through her hair, and slowly, painstakingly slowly, brings their lips together. Just before he kisses her, he stops and smiles and speaks.)
Ryan: I like my surprise by the way! (However, before she can reply, he has engrossed her in a passionate kiss. Before either of them know what they are doing, they are once again on the table; clothes are flying off their bodies rapidly, landing anywhere and everywhere. The moon shines in through the window, providing the only illumination.) Are you sure you want to do this here?
Marissa: This is what I came here for.
Ryan: Oh, so you only wanted me for my body and didn't care about whether or not I was hungry like you said?
Marissa: (She smiles and laughs.) Exactly! (He laughs with her and begins to get up with only his jeans on, but she stops him.) What are you doing?
Ryan: I'm going to lock the door. (She doesn't let him go and instead wraps her now naked legs around his body pulling him towards her. While she whispers in his ear, she unbuckles his belt and unzips his pants letting them fall to the ground.)
Marissa: No, leave it open.
Ryan: (He laughs nervously.) What!
Marissa: You heard me. It makes it more exciting, the possibility that we could get caught. Besides, a public library has always been one of my fantasies.
Ryan: What has gotten into you?
Marissa: I'm missed you, that' all.
Ryan: Maybe I should deprive you more often if this is how you react.
Marissa: Don't you dare!
Ryan: Will you at least share with me some more of these fantasies.
Marissa: Yep. (She leans down and bites on his neck playfully and speaks between nibbles.) When we're done. (He pulls her face to up to his and begins to slowly kiss her, first running his tongue across her lips before prying them open with his tongue. As the kiss intensifies in passion, he slips off her strapless bra and pulls her towards him so that their bodies are pressed tightly together. Gently, as they continue to passionately kiss, he leans her back so that he is lying on top of her. Her hands reach down and remove his boxers while his do the same thing to her last garment of clothing, her boyshorts, but the camera keeps its focus on their faces, and the entire time they kiss each other, neither one breaks eye contact. Once they are naked, he pulls her body up once more so that he is sitting up on his knees while her legs are wrapped around his body. She leans back in ecstasy as their two bodies fuse together and he trails slow, fiery kisses down her throat and chest before she pulls his face towards hers once again and their lips join together in a sizzling embrace. The camera fades away as they join together once again.)
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