The fourth scene begins as Caleb walks into Kirsten's office. She is busy at work and completely oblivious to him, because her door was open and he said nothing and did not make a noise to announce his presence. Zoe, who is also in the room, playing on the floor with her dolls but definitely less interested in what she is doing, sees him first. Just when she goes to say something to him, Caleb puts his finger up and signals her to be quiet. So giggles softly as he continues to move closer to Kirsten's desk, preparing to startle her.
Caleb: (His voice is booming and loud.) Kiki!
Kirsten: (Jumping slightly at the sound of her own name and the unexpected noise, she glances up at her father slightly scared because he startled her so badly. After a moment, she regains her breath and glares at him, yelling loudly.) What the hell do you think you're doing scaring me like that! (Zoe can be heard giggling loudly now while Kirsten just closes her eyes and sighs, realizing what she said.)
Zoe: (Her voice is slightly taunting.) Mommy said a bad word!
Kirsten: Mommy was frightened by Grandpa's mean joke, and someone (She looks pointedly at Zoe.) didn't say anything to warn me.
Zoe: Why the hell would I warn you? (Caleb starts laughing loudly, while Kirsten turns her glare on him.)
Kirsten: What's so funny! (Before he can reply, she turns around and faces Zoe.) And you missy, you can sit down right now and not say another word. I'll deal with you after I deal with your Grandpa. (Zoe picks up her dolls and climbs onto the couch, not even fazed at all by her Mother's threats. As Kirsten watches her total indifference towards her anger, she returns her fury to her Father.) I don't appreciate you coming in here and disturbing my daughter's afternoon. Look what you made her do!
Caleb: I was not he one who swore. I do believe that was you, so if you want to get mad at anyone, you should be mad at yourself for that temper you have.
Kirsten: (Yelling) I do not have a temper!
Caleb: Yeah, and I'm not rich. (He chuckles again and goes to sit down in a chair in front of her desk, but she beats him to it and pulls it away from him.)
Kirsten: Oh no, you're not staying. What are you doing here anyway? I thought you wanted to be at the trial all day? (Before she can beat him this time, he sits down in the other chair and she gives in and goes back around to sit in her own desk chair.)
Caleb: We just finished the closing arguments.
Kirsten: Already?
Caleb: It's an open and shut case. (He turns around in his chair and addresses Zoe.) Would you get Grandpa a drink please, Zoe? Make it a scotch.
Zoe: (She looks confused.) What's a scotch? (She starts to get up.)
Kirsten: Sit back down! (Zoe looks confused.)
Zoe: But Grandpa….
Kirsten: (She turns and glares at Caleb.) But Grandpa knows better than to ask a four year old to pour him a drink, and did I say you could get up? (Zoe shakes her head no.) No, I didn't, because you're still in trouble.
Caleb: Damn it, Kiki, let the girl play. (Zoe starts to giggle again, making Kirsten shake her head in aggravation and drop it in her hands.) Like it really matters that she swore or not!
Kirsten: Dad, would you please watch the language?
Caleb: What, what did I say?
Zoe: (She yells out loudly.) Damn it, right Mommy?
Kirsten: (She closes her eyes out of frustration.) Yes, that is what your Grandfather said that was bad, but that doesn't mean you get to repeat it. (She turns to Caleb, rubbing at her forehead as if she is getting a headache.) What did you want Dad?
Caleb: Good, now we're talking. I came her to ask if two of my best girls wanted to go out to lunch, my treat.
Kirsten: Thanks Dad, but really…. (Before she can turn him down, Zoe jumps up from the couch and runs towards Caleb who stands and picks her up.)
Zoe: Can we go to the playground afterwards, too, Grandpa? (They begin to walk out of the door ignoring a staring Kirsten.)
Caleb: We'll see. Come Kiki, who knows when the jury will be back, so let's get moving. An imminent victory always make me hungry. (Shaking her head in dismay, she picks up her purse and walks out of the office, shutting the door behind her and chasing down the retreating figures of her pushy Father and precocious and devious daughter. The scene leaves her and goes to Ryan's office where he is busy working just as Kirsten was. However, when someone approaches his open door, they knock to announce their presence. Looking up, Ryan is greeted with the sight of his boss.)
Ryan: What can I do for you Jeff. Come in. (Ryan stands and motions towards another seat for his boss to sit in.)
Jeff: Someone's on the ball today; you called me by my first name and didn't need to be reminded to do so first.
Ryan: (He laughs as he sits back down.) Well, I've been trying. I figured it would be a long weekend with me constantly calling you Mr. Welsh and you constantly reminding me not to.
Jeff: (Now it is his turn to laugh.) That would have become tiring. So, speaking of this weekend, are you and Marissa all ready?
Ryan: The bag is packed and in the car to go to the airport. Whenever you give the word, she'll be here to pick me up and we'll meet you and your wife at the airport.
Jeff: Sounds good. Oh, and I came here to let you know that we'll be leaving at 4:00. Once we're there, the two of you will have a little time to settle into your suite, unpack, and get ready for dinner with the clients.
Ryan: Sounds good. I'll call Marissa right now and let her know.
Jeff: Great. See you in a couple of hours. Are you leaving now or do you have some stuff to finish up?
Ryan: I'm actually staying, but my work's all done. Marissa's out to lunch with my brother's fiancé and my aunt, so I'm not going to make her leave early to come and pick me up. I'll just get a jump start on next week's work load. (Jeff shakes his head and chuckles at Ryan while he walks out of the office. Just as Ryan is about to pick up the phone to call Marissa, Jeff stops dead in his tracks and turns around quickly.)
Jeff: Did you say that you only have one bag before?
Ryan: (He is confused.) What?
Jeff: You said something like your bag was packed and loaded in the car. Did you honestly mean that the two of you, together, have just one bag?
Ryan: (He is still confused as to why his boss is asking this question and why it is that big of a deal, but he answers anyway.) Yeah….why?
Jeff: Nothing….that's just amazing!
Ryan: We're only going to be gone a weekend.
Jeff: When I left this morning, my wife was starting to pack. I just called her to let he know what time we'd be leaving and she was still working on it. Plus, she brings empty suitcases to bring back everything that she's bought.
Ryan: (He sounds slightly fearful of Jeff's answer.) She shops that much?
Jeff: Are you kidding me? Vegas is one of her favorite shopping destinations. She won't leave the stores until it's time to go out every night. When I check in this evening, she'll go shopping until it's time to meet up. Does Marissa like to shop?
Ryan: No.
Jeff: Oh….well, I'm sure they'll be able to find something they both like to do.
Ryan: (Giving his boss a fake smile, he shakes his head in agreement.) I'm sure you're right….but I really need to….
Jeff: Right, call Marissa, got it. See you later Ryan. (With that he finally walks out of the office as Ryan walks towards his door and shuts it before walking back to his desk and collapsing in his chair, sighing loudly.)
Ryan: (Talking to himself) This is not what I needed right now; Marissa is going to be so bored this weekend. (Despite his sudden wariness for the trip they are about to take, Ryan picks up his phone and dials Marissa's number. When she picks up, he can't help but smile slightly despite his now somber mood.) Hey you. (He's quiet while Marissa responds. She is not shown.) So, we're leaving at ….. (The camera pans away from him and goes to Marissa, who is with Summer and Hayley eating lunch at an outdoor café, just as she is finishing her conversation with Ryan.)
Marissa: Okay, I really have to go this time. If you could see the death glares Summer is sending me right now, you might even be scared. (She laughs.) Do you want me to tell her that? Uh huh, that's what I thought. (Pause) Alright, see you in a little bit. Love you. (Smiling to herself, she hangs up the phone.)
Summer: What were you saying about me?
Marissa: (She adverts her eyes away from Summer and focuses on Hayley.) So, Hayley, I won't be able to go with you to look at apartments today. We're leaving at four, but I have to pick Ryan up at his office and then drive to LAX, so as soon as our lunch is over, I'm going to head over there. I don't want to be late.
Hayley: (She waves her hand dismissively.) Don't worry about it.
Summer: Seriously, Coop, what were you and Atwood saying about me?
Marissa: Are you thinking of looking at one or two bedroom apartments?
Hayley: One. There's no point to me having two bedrooms. It will just make more work for a maid. (Marissa laughs.)
Marissa: You're going to have a maid?
Hayley: As long I have Daddy's bank account paying for my expenses again, you better believe I'm having a maid.
Summer: (She has had it.) Marissa! (People around them turn to stare at the group of women after Summer's loud outburst. Marissa turns to her, slightly annoyed.)
Marissa: What Summer?
Summer: (She lowers her voice but the edge is still in it.) What did you say about me while you were on the phone?
Marissa: We weren't talking about you, Summer.
Summer: Yes you were, at the very end when you told him about the death glares.
Marissa: He just said that he wasn't scared of you. Can we move on now? I have to leave soon, and I really wanted to find out more about Hayley's apartment before I go.
Hayley: There's really not much more to talk about, at least not until I see some options.
Summer: See, now let's talk about me. Atwood seriously isn't afraid of me? (Before Marissa can respond, Hayley cuts her off and starts speaking again.)
Hayley: Actually, Summer, let's skip you….
Summer: (She interrupts.) And what talk about you? We just were and, frankly, you're boring.
Hayley: No, I don't want to talk about me. I want to talk about Marissa….and Ryan and this little trip to Vegas. (Marissa sits back in her chair annoyed and sighs out of frustration.)
Marissa: Not this again!
Summer: Ooohhhh….that's a good idea. So, Coop, at least tell me you went and bought some new sexy lingerie.
Hayley: She could always wait and buy it there. It is Vegas; the lingerie might be a little trashier.
Summer: No, it's the same stuff….at least if you go to the high end stores.
Hayley: Why would you do that? You have to go to where the strippers shop. When in Vegas, do as the locals do.
Summer: Is that how you picked up your little exotic dancing hobby? (Marissa just stares on at the two women as they playfully continue to banter back and forth.)
Hayley: No, first time I ever did that I was down in South America. Ran up a rather large bar tab and it was either work it off by dancing for them or running away, and there was no way I was going to do that. Carnival was coming up.
Summer: I'm so jealous! I always wanted to go to Carnival. I tried talking Cohen into it our freshman year of college, but he insisted we go to some comic book convention instead.
Hayley: And you let him get away with that?
Summer: Have you ever tried to take that boy away from his comics? He might be weak, but his voice is shrill, and after a few hours of his whining, I gave in and agreed to go to his Geeks Anonymous weekend with him. Have you ever been to Mardi Gras?
Hayley: When I was in high school I snuck off to Mardi Gras, thought it was great until I went to Carnival. That's something I'd like to do again.
Summer: You, me, and Marissa, we'll go this year.
Marissa: Leave me out of it. (They both stop talking immediately and turn to her.)
Hayley: You don't want to go?
Summer: Are you afraid of a little fun?
Marissa: No, but I'm also not going on vacation to have to baby-sit you two the whole time.
Hayley: Please, we'd be perfect angels!
Marissa: This from the woman who has pitchfork tattoo on her ass. (She rolls her eyes and Summer turns to look at Hayley with a new found respect.)
Summer: You have to show that to me later.
Hayley: (She laughs.) I'll moon you while we're looking at the apartments.
Summer: (Shrugging her shoulders, she continues talking.) Whenever, but we got side tracked there; back to Coop. So do you and Ryan have anything planned for this weekend, a little couples spa time, perhaps some raunchy shows, or even a little trip to a chapel?
Marissa: (She turns to Hayley.) We've already been down this road, so why don't you fill her in for me. I don't feel like wasting my breath for the second time. (Summer turns to Hayley to hear what she says.)
Hayley: She said she wasn't the Elvis impersonator, eloping kind of girl.
Summer: They don't all have Elvis impersonators.
Marissa: (She turns to her very curious.) And how do you know this?
Summer: (Her face goes red as she realizes her slip and tries to cover for herself.) Fools Rush In.
Hayley: A movie, you base your knowledge of a whole city on one movie?
Summer: I've seen the show, too, and I've been there….not to a chapel, don't worry, (She laughs nervously.) but some of them….as we were driving past, didn't look too cheesy.
Marissa: Whatever, it doesn't matter. We're not getting married in Vegas, end of story. Ryan's going to work, I'm going to relax, and hopefully, somewhere along the line, we'll be able to spend some quality time with each other, but I've got to run. (She stands up, drops some money on the table and kisses both Hayley and Summer on the cheek before walking away.) I'll see you guys Sunday night.
Summer: (After Marissa is gone) Was it just me or was she acting strangely?
Hayley: She seemed a little off, but you seemed as if you were the cat who swallowed the canary. What are you hiding?
Summer: (She picks up her menu and looks at it while she talks.) Nothing. (Hayley pulls the menu down.)
Hayley: We already ate.
Summer: Not dessert.
Hayley: (She looks at her incredulously.) You're still hungry?
Summer: Yep.
Hayley: So then order something; I'm in no hurry. It's not like I have a pressing social or even business life to get back to.
Summer: I will, but thanks for your permission. (Hayley watches her closely, but Summer is saved by her cell phone ringing.) Just a minute. (She reaches down and pulls the phone out of her bag. Only her side of the conversation can be heard.) Sherry! What a surprise. I thought you were in court today. (As they continue to talk, the camera pans away from the café and goes to the apartment where Seth is pacing back and forth through the length of the main living area while listening to music. He's listening Rock Kills Kid's "Paralyzed". After a few moments of pacing, a knock can be heard at the door and he jumps before scrambling to it. When he opens the door, Branning is standing on the other side of it looking slightly perturbed.)
Branning: Now what was so important that I had to cancel my hair appointment and meet you here right away? If someone is not either dead, dying, or in critical condition, I will destroy every single one of your comic books before you even have a chance to sputter out an insincere apology!
Seth: (He holds his hands up in a placating manor.) Okay, so no one is dead yet…but if you don't help me, Summer will murder me and part of the blood will be on your hands for just standing by and letting it happen.
Branning: (He walks further into the apartment as Seth follows him like a lost puppy dog.) What did you do now?
Seth: Nothing. (Branning looks confused.) But that's why she'll be mad.
Branning: I don't get it.
Seth: (He motions towards the couch as he walks to the stereo and turns it off.) Sit. We have much to discuss.
Branning: Do I get refreshments?
Seth: (He collapses into a chair.) Who do I look like, Marissa? Hell no there are no refreshments.
Branning: Well, I'm hungry, so let's go and get something to eat while you talk for a couple hours straight about yourself. I need to get something out of this unfair relationship.
Seth: No can do my friend. I have no appetite.
Branning: (His eyes widen in shock and he sits back in the sofa and makes himself comfortable.) This really is serious, isn't it?
Seth: For once in my life I was not exaggerating the dire straights I am currently in.
Branning: Like I said before, what did you do?
Seth: I didn't do anything per say; it's more like I didn't do something that I should have and unless I can come up with a brilliant plan, hence your presence here, I am screwed.
Branning: No, you'll never be screwed again.
Seth: True. (Branning just watches him as he waits for more of the story to fall into place.) Okay, so do you know when Summer's birthday is?
Branning: Yeah, it's coming up in a couple of weeks, why?
Seth: Well, you're already one step ahead of me.
Branning: You forgot her birthday.
Seth: Yeah.
Branning: And she figured out that you forgot it.
Seth: Pretty much, but I covered.
Branning: How?
Seth: (He looks away and avoids Branning's watching eye.) By telling her that I had something planned….
Branning: And of course alluding to it being a bigger than life, mind boggling, best birthday ever surprise?
Seth: I guess you could say that.
Branning: But in all actuality you have nothing planned, haven't bought a gift, and are totally clueless.
Seth: Wrong there my friend. (He smiles widely at Branning.)
Branning: So you bought her a gift then, because you already told me you have no plan and I already know that you're clueless.
Seth: Au contraire, I have a plan. The plan has already been set in motion.
Branning: Well that was quick. (He smiles at him and scoots forward out of anticipation of what Seth is going to share to be his big plan.)
Seth: I called you to fix it and come up with something grand and ginormous!
Branning: And that's your amazing plan?
Seth: (He scoffs.) If you're not up to the challenge…..
Branning: Seth, shut up.
Seth: Right. That's what I was hoping you'd do, take charge, although I was hoping you'd be a little nicer when you did it, but a guy can't have everything can he. I mean you're basically coming to my rescue….maybe we should bump up your role in Atomic County….
Branning: (He breaks through his rambling by yelling at him.) Seth!
Seth: Yeah? Were you going to say something? Do you have an idea?
Branning: First of all, if I'm going to help you, you have to tone it down a few notches can you do that?
Seth: Toning down right now. (Branning rolls his eyes.)
Branning: Secondly, no more rambling.
Seth: I wasn't rambling. I was talking quickly, but everything I said was of the utmost importance, and I hope that you were listening to me, because, if not, I'll just have to go back and repeat everything again, and we don't have time for that. Who knows when Summer will be back from lunch, and if she catches you here, she'll know something is up or she'll think I'm having an affair with you, and we can't have that happening, no we can't, we can't at all! (Branning gets up and starts to walk away, but the phone rings and stops him from moving and Seth from talking.)
Branning: Are you going to answer that?
Seth: No.
Branning: Why not?
Seth: It could be Summer.
Branning: (He walks over and picks up the phone.) Hello. (The camera shifts back to Hayley and Summer at the café where they are paying and getting ready to leave and continues to show them when one of them talks.)
Summer: Branning?
Branning: The one and only.
Summer: Why are you answering my phone? (Hayley whispers to her.)
Hayley: Branning's there? (Summer shrugs her shoulders before nodding her head yeah. Hayley just looks at her curiously while they continue to walk to the car.)
Branning: Seth wouldn't answer it.
Summer: Put the ass on; I need to talk to him.
Branning: Okay. (He goes to hand Seth the phone, but Summer yells out and stops him.)
Summer: Wait! (He puts the phone back to his ear.) Why are you there?
Branning: We're working on your surprise. (Seth's jaw drops when he says this and he begins to wave his hands around in the air trying to get him to stop talking.)
Summer: This way I know it will not be lame. Okay, now put Cohen on.
Branning: Right. (He hands Seth the phone, but covers the mouth piece and speaks to him before he lets go of the phone.) Do not say anything stupid and just play it cool. (Seth nods that he understands. Lifting the phone up hesitantly to his ear, he takes a deep breath before he speaks.)
Seth: Yes my bubbling brunette beauty?
Summer: (She rolls her eyes.) We're going out to dinner tonight.
Seth: Right, just you and me or you, me, and Hayley?
Summer: Oh shit, Hayley!
Hayley: What?
Summer: Nothing….I just….. we're going out to dinner tonight and….
Hayley: (She laughs.) And I wasn't invited, right? (Summer nods her head.) It's okay; I don't care. I'll order something ridiculously greasy to eat, curl up in Ryan and Marissa's bed and get crumbs all through it for them while I watch TV.
Seth: Or I could ask Branning to stay here with her and keep her company.
Branning: No! It's a Friday night; I am not staying in.
Seth: Yes, you are. You're staying here and bonding with my aunt. You two can work on the you know what….
Summer: Cohen, you can say surprise. Branning already told me you were working on it.
Branning: I'm not staying.
Summer: Tell Branning we'll be there in a little while. Hayley's looking forward to spending some time with him.
Hayley: What? I am?
Summer: You are.
Seth: Good, it's all set. So, you, me and dinner, sounds great.
Summer: Actually, we're going out with Sherry. She has some news for us.
Seth: You talked to Sherry? What about the trial?
Summer: Jury's out…deliberating. I've got to go, Cohen. See you in a few. (With that, she flips her phone shut and the camera goes back to Seth and Branning.)
Seth: So a night with my Aunt, that ought to be fun. You know, she's a big fan of Connect Four and the Golden Girls. I bet you guys have a lot in common.
Branning: I'm going to beat you one of these days, do you know that?
Seth: (He walks towards the kitchen.) I didn't know you were into S&M, Branning! Aren't we kinky!
Branning: (He rolls his eyes but ignores Seth's comment.) What are you doing?
Seth: Eating. I'm hungry.
Branning: (He follows him to the kitchen.) What about your lack of appetite?
Seth: Yeah, that, I was lying.
Branning: I should have known. (When he enters the kitchen, Seth is standing in front of the open freezer looking through their food options. Finally, he pulls out a frozen pizza.)
Seth: Branning, my friend, for agreeing to help me, I'm going to teach you the fine art of how to cook a frozen pizza. Now, if you'll please step out of the way. Spectators belong in the corner over there, thanks. (He shoos Branning towards the opposite side of the kitchen and begins to prepare his delicacy while Branning just watches on in horror. The camera leaves them and goes to Caleb, Kirsten, and Zoe who are all sitting in a restaurant together. The two adults are just sitting there talking while Zoe eats her dessert, a hot fudge, brownie sundae.)
Caleb: You've been unusually quiet this afternoon, Kiki. You can't be this mad about a couple little swear words.
Kirsten: It's not about that. I just have a lot on my mind right now.
Caleb: Well, I'll listen.
Kirsten: And judge and tell me how to react. Thanks, but no thanks, I'll figure it out for myself.
Caleb: I won't do any such thing. When have I ever…. (He stops talking when Kirsten looks up at him with accusing eyes.) Okay, so maybe I've been known to meddle a little bit in the past, but I've learned my lesson.
Kirsten: And that is what?
Caleb: That you're too stubborn even for me to control any longer. (At this Kirsten offers a soft laugh and smiles faintly.) So, are you ready to tell me yet?
Kirsten: I can't.
Caleb: (He becomes worried.) Is something wrong? You're not sick are you? Zoe and Seth are okay, right? Do you know something I don't about Hayley?
Kirsten: I know lots of things about Hayley that you have no idea about but not the type of information you're looking for. Zoe, as you can see, Seth, and Ryan are all fine as well as the girls.
Caleb: And Sandy?
Kirsten: Are you asking out of genuine interest or for an opportunity to belittle my husband? (He thinks about this for a moment and chuckles.)
Caleb: I think it's genuine interest.
Kirsten: (Her voice is hesitant.) Sandy's fine.
Caleb: But it's about him?
Kirsten: He's at a crossroads right now.
Caleb: (He sits back in his chair and sighs.) Kiki, spare us the metaphors please. Just tell me what's going on.
Kirsten: Well, he's…. (Just as she goes to talk, Caleb's phone goes off and he holds up a finger to stop her from talking. Answering it, he stands right away.)
Caleb: The jury is in? I'll be right there. Thanks for calling. (He goes over and kisses Kirsten's cheek.) We'll finish this discussion later. I'll swing by the house with dinner and we'll celebrate Lance's conviction.
Kirsten: If he's convicted.
Caleb: (He laughs.) He will be.
Kirsten: (Under her breath.) I really don't want to know why you're so sure about that. (He hears her despite her mumbling and laughs once again before ruffling Zoe's hair in passing by her.)
Caleb: See you later, kid.
Zoe: (She waves her spoon at him and then goes back to eating, replying with a mouth full of ice cream and brownie.) Later. (The scene ends as Kirsten smiles at her daughter and watches her finish eating her dessert.)
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