Episode #20: The Not-so Charming Premiere

The first scene opens with Ryan and Marissa in bed early Saturday morning. Because of the premiere party that night, they are in LA for the weekend and did not go to Newport to spend time with the family. The room is still semi-dark, the curtains helping to dull the light from the sun, but Marissa gets up and begins to move around, pulling out clothes and gathering supplies to shower and get ready for the day ahead. She takes them into the bathroom and then reappears with just a silk robe on. After a moment she looks at the clock and realizes that she has to get Ryan up. Sitting down on his side of the bed, she gently runs her hands through his hair while she calls his name softly.

Marissa: Ryan. (No response.) Ryan, come on, you have to get up. You said you had to go into the office this morning to finish up some work. (He groans and pulls the pillow he was laying on over his head making Marissa giggle slightly.) Fine, if you want to play that way, I'm game. (With a mischievous sparkle to her eyes, she stands up and goes to the end of the bed, lifting the blankets and crawling underneath them until she makes her way half way up Ryan's body. Nothing can be seen, but within a matter of seconds, he sits straight up in bed and smiles widely.)

Ryan: I'm up! (She slides out of the blankets and sits in his lap.) Hey, what are you doing? I thought….you know. (He wiggles his eyebrows at her. Laughing, she stands up and begins to walk away from him, leaving a confused and slightly frustrated Ryan behind.)

Marissa: Later. You have to get to work and I have things to do.

Ryan: (He stands up and gets out of bed making his way towards her and grabbing her playfully before she can slip into the bathroom. Wrapping his arms around her, he draws her back into his body and lets his arms rest snuggly around her waist as his hands slowly, so she doesn't notice, tugs at her robe to pull it open.) That was not a very nice way to get me up.

Marissa: You seemed to enjoy it while it lasted.

Ryan: (He rolls his eyes and snorts.) Yeah, all two seconds of it.

Marissa: Exactly, two seconds, how turned on can you get in that short amount of time?

Ryan: When it's you, two seconds is like twenty minutes of foreplay. (Marissa laughs at this and attempts to pull away but he doesn't let her, and, instead, begins to walk them back to the bed.)

Marissa: Ryan, we can't do this. You're going to be late for work.

Ryan: I volunteered to go in; I can volunteer to start late, too.

Marissa: Yeah, well I want to get going before everything gets picked over.

Ryan: (He stops and removes one of his arms from her waist to tilt her head towards him so he can see her face when he talks to her. Before she can do anything, his arm is back in its original position.) Before what gets picked over?

Marissa: Fresh fruit. I'm driving out to that orchard we passed on our way back from Newport a couple of days ago when we went to visit Hayley in the hospital. They had a sign up saying that their Transparent apples were available now.

Ryan: I don't get it; are they your favorite type?

Marissa: Actually, yes, but most people don't like them to eat. They're extremely tart, but they make the best applesauce.

Ryan: (He laughs at her out of surprise.) You're going to make homemade applesauce today? Are you serious?

Marissa: Yeah, and I might try to pick up some peaches and other fresh fruit as well.

Ryan: For what, just to eat?

Marissa: Nope. I want to make some homemade jelly.

Ryan: (Smirking, he, once again, begins to pull them towards the bed.) I like that idea. Jelly could be fun.

Marissa: Ryan, come on! Can't you wait a few hours to fool around?

Ryan: (Leaning in he begins to nibble on her neck.) Nope. I don't want to wait a few minutes let alone hours.

Marissa: (Frustrated, Marissa sighs, grabs his hand and pulls him towards the bathroom.) Fine, but we're multitasking!

Ryan: Whatever you say! (With that, he laughs again, grabs the belt of her robe, opens it, picks her up, throws her over his shoulder, and quickly moves into the bathroom, kicking he door shut. As the camera fades out, the only sounds are her giggling and the water being turned on in the shower.)

Credits and Commercial Break

The second scene picks back up late that morning back in Newport Memorial where Kirsten and Zoe are going into Hayley's hospital room to visit her. While Kirsten is holding on to Zoe's hand, Zoe is gripping a larger purse rather tightly as if her life depends upon it and that it is slightly heavy. When they enter the room, Hayley is looking through a magazine with one hand and flipping through the channels on her tv, without even looking, aimlessly in a vain attempt to entertain herself. Seeing her sister and niece, she drops both objects and gives them a bored, lazy smile.

Hayley: I have now learned what Lauren Hill meant when she sang 'killing me softly'. It wasn't about guy issues; it was about being stuck in a deathly quiet hospital room for six days! (Zoe snickers at her aunt's obvious bad mood while Kirsten looks at her slightly confused.)

Kirsten: I thought Roberta Flack sang that song.

Hayley: Yeah, back in the day when you were living in a mail truck!

Zoe: You lived in a truck, Mommy? (She wrinkles her nose at the idea and gives her Mom a strange look. Turning to Hayley Kirsten smiles annoyed.)

Kirsten: Thanks for that, Hayley. (She turns to her daughter.) I'll tell you the story later, honey.

Zoe: (Her voice is excited.) For bed time?

Kirsten: Sure. (She grabs the remote and hands it to Zoe, sitting her down in a chair so that she can watch tv.) Why don't you find something to watch while I talk to Aunt Hayley? (Zoe does what she is told, but once Kirsten's back is to her, she looks over at Hayley and makes goofy faces making fun of her Mom and Hayley has to stifle laughter.) Sandy and Dad are working on the paperwork to get you released this afternoon.

Hayley: Great, so I can get back to LA and finalize my apartment.

Kirsten: (Without meeting her eyes, she moves to Hayley's bedside and begins to straighten out her blankets, rearranging them and tucking them under her. At first Hayley just stares at her like she is slightly insane, but soon her fidgeting starts to annoy her and she erupts.)

Hayley: What, what is it!

Kirsten: Well, actually, we decided that it's not such a good idea that you get an apartment in the city by yourself even if you do live in the kids' building. So, I called and cancelled your plans to move in there.

Hayley: (She is angry.) Excuse me? You did what!

Kirsten: We felt that after you passed out from exhaustion and had to stay in here for almost a week while they made sure you got enough sleep and rest because you weren't taking care of yourself….

Hayley: No, I was trying to live a normal life while I still have the chance!

Kirsten: (Quitting with the blanket, she starts to pull and fluff Hayley's pillows despite the fact that the woman is still laying on it. Her voice is slightly harsh.) I would appreciate it if you would not talk like that in front of my four year old daughter. (She lowers her voice.) She's already upset enough and worried about you. She does not need to hear about you…..

Hayley: (Finishing her sentence, her voice is angry and frustrated.) About what, about me dying, well, I'd hate to break it to you, but it's inevitable, and I think that as a parent you have the responsibility to make her understand why instead of sweeping it under the rug!

Kirsten: (She moves away from her and begins to fuss with the flowers now while she speaks. Her tone is dismissive.) That's a long way off, Hayley, and thinking like that is not going to help any of us.

Hayley: If this experience has taught me one thing its that I could die at anytime. (Without letting Kirsten see her, she sneaks a glance at Zoe who appears to be completely lost in what she is watching on tv, still tightly gripping her large purse. Turning back to Kirsten she sees that she is just moving things back and forth and not actually accomplishing anything.) Jesus, Kiks, how many cups of coffee did you drink this morning?

Kirsten: (She turns around looking confused.) Hm?

Hayley: What's wrong with you? You're jumpier than Dad on tax day.

Kirsten: (Rolling her eyes, she turns back to the flowers.) Nothing is wrong, I just have a lot on my mind.

Hayley: Well, why don't you go for a walk and work some it out? You're driving me crazy with all your fidgeting.

Kirsten: And what about Zoe?

Hayley: I'll look after her. Please! I'm already going stir crazy in here and your inability to sit still makes me want to jump out that window.

Kirsten: I don't know, Hayley…. (Zoe interrupts her.)

Zoe: I want some juice, Mommy.

Kirsten: (She moves towards her daughter and affectionately smoothes her hair as she speaks to her.) We'll get you some juice when we go home in a little bit.

Zoe: But I'm thirsty now.

Hayley: Just get her some juice. I promise not to traumatize her while you're gone. We'll keep the shows G-rated, I won't share any more of your embarrassing secrets, and I'll refrain from telling her any of my more interesting ones. (Kirsten still looks hesitant.) Kiks, please, if not for us, then go get some air for yourself. Everything will be fine. (Finally, a nervous Kirsten leaves the room after smiling at both of them. As soon as she goes, Zoe switches off the tv and climbs up on Hayley's bed, dragging her bag with her and opening it up.)

Zoe: Daddy said that the plastic food they've been feeding you in here would not even be good enough for a republican let alone his favorite sister-in-law, so he gave me this to sneak in for you. Mommy will be mad, so you have to eat quickly. (She pulls out a bagel in a Ziploc bag and then a thermos.) It has Daddy's special coffee mix in it, and he smeared the bagel himself.

Hayley: This looks delicious! Thank you. (She pulls her into a hug and gives her a sloppy kiss on the cheek making Zoe giggle.) So why was your Mommy acting so weird?

Zoe: (She shrugs her shoulders.) I don't know. Grandpa and Daddy were talking about weird stuff on the way here.

Hayley: Grandpa rode with you guys? (Zoe shakes her head yes.) Do you remember anything they said? What were some of the funny words?

Zoe: (She shrugs her shoulders.) I don't know. They were talking about Daddy's work some, but unlike last time, Grandpa and Daddy didn't get into a fight. I was kind of hoping they would, because I got ice cream when they fought before, but they were getting along.

Hayley: (She is really curious.) Why?

Zoe: Grandpa kept saying he was going to do what's best for his family, whatever that means.

Hayley: So they were talking about the family?

Zoe: And you.

Hayley: (She rolls her eyes.) Of course. Now it makes sense. They're deciding just what they want to do with me, and that's why your Mom refused to meet my eyes. (Zoe looks confused. Once Hayley knows it, she sighs and smiles at her niece.) Let's not think about those worry warts. (Zoe laughs.) I have to eat my bagel so you and your Dad don't get in trouble from Nurse Ratchet…..otherwise known as my loving, over-protective, annoying sister. (She holds out her hand towards Zoe.) May I please have my bagel now Miss Cohen? (Giggling, Zoe gets it out and dips her fingers in the cream cheese first and then licking them off.) Hey, what do you think you're doing! (As the camera pulls from them, Hayley moves in and begins to tickle Zoe who just squeals out of delight, the bagel and coffee completely forgotten as the aunt and her niece bond. Leaving them, the scene moves to Summer who is sitting in her father's office on his phone.)

Summer: I know, I know…. (The person on the other line of the phone speaks so she pauses.) but I got the information you needed. Can we move forward now? (Pause) I realize that, but this is something I have to do. (She is so consumed with her conversation that she does not hear her father approach and enter the room. As he walks in, he is going through the mail and not paying attention to where he walks, hence not seeing what she is doing right away.)

Neil: Summer, what are you doing here? I thought your premiere party was tonight. (He notices she is on the phone.) Oh, I'm sorry. (He motions for her to continue while he sets his briefcase down beside his desk and sits down in the chair opposite her and continues opening his mail.)

Summer: I'll call you back later, Sherry. (She stresses the name.) My Dad just walked in and I want to talk to him. (Hanging up the phone, she plasters a fake smile on her face and speaks with enthusiasm.) What are you doing home so early Dad?

Neil: I had a cancellation. What are you doing here? (He puts the mail down and focuses on his daughter.) I figured you and Marissa would be getting ready all day long for your big night.

Summer: Yeah, Marissa doesn't get into the prep work as much as I do, but we're getting together at Branning's later. I actually stopped by to pick up some jewelry for us to wear tonight.

Neil: Ah, I understand now. (He laughs at himself.) And that was Sherry on the phone? She called for you here?

Summer: Um….no. I called her. (Just when her Dad went to ask another question, she cut him off.) I let my battery die in my cell. It's charging now out in my car.

Neil: Well then, while it finishes, what do you say you let your Dad treat you to lunch. You can tell me what you want for your birthday.

Summer: That sounds great, but….

Neil: (He finishes her thought for her.) you have to run, I know. Well, it was nice to see you for a few minutes. (He stands up and opens his arms to her for a hug. She goes into them.)

Summer: Aw, I know, Daddy, but I'll see you next weekend for my party at the Cohens, right?

Neil: (He kisses her forehead.) Wouldn't miss it, sweetie. (As she starts to move away, he waves and speaks up one last time.) Let me know how tonight goes!

Summer: (She cannot be seen, but her voice is heard.) I will! (With that, the front door can be heard closing and Neil picks up his mail and sits at his desk to continue going through it as the camera pulls away from him. The scene shifts to the same office at the police department that Ryan and Marissa, together, had visited before. This time, Ryan is alone and waiting for someone to see him. He constantly checks his watch as he waits and he seems anxious. After a few moment alone, the same officer they met with before comes in and Ryan stands up to greet him.)

Officer: Ryan Atwood, (He sticks his hand out for Ryan to shake.) I was a little surprised when I heard it was you waiting in my office. I figured I'd never see you again after they caught Trey and Dan.

Ryan: Yeah, well, I kind of needed some answers about a few things, and I thought I could count on you to give me the honest truth and not the run around.

Officer: Sure. (He sits down and motions for Ryan to do the same.) So, what can I help you with? You're not in trouble are you?

Ryan: What….no, it's nothing like that. I just….it's actually still about Trey and Dan. I just need to know how soon their trial is going to happen.

Officer: Surely, Sandy could tell you that?

Ryan: I know, but there's been some family….emergencies, and I didn't want to put any more added stress onto his shoulders.

Officer: That would explain why we haven't seen him around here that much lately. (He is hesitant to ask, but it obvious that it is just general concern which prompts him to eventually speak up.) Is everything okay?

Ryan: His sister-in-law….my aunt, I guess, is sick. He's been helping out a lot with that.

Officer: Well, tell him we'll all keep him in our thoughts.

Ryan: Will do. But, about….

Officer: The trial, I don't know what I can tell you Ryan. I'm just a cop; I don't work in the DA's office and I have nothing to do with the trials unless I'm called as a witness.

Ryan: They won't tell me anything, and Marissa is really stressed over it. It's causing some health issues, and if I had a date then it's something we can plan ahead for. It will stop the wondering.

Officer: Alright, alright, I'll tell you what I've heard, but this is just office gossip. Rumor has it the case might not go to trial until next summer.

Ryan: A year! You've got to be kidding me. Marissa can't handle that!

Officer: There is nothing anyone can do about it. The system is backed up…badly.

Ryan: What about Caleb? He pushed the trial for Lance through quickly.

Officer: I'm going to pretend you did not just insinuate that Mr. Nichol did anything underhanded to get the trial date pushed up for that case or that you wanted him to do it for this one, and I'm just going to tell you he won't get anywhere with that here. Mr. Nichol does not have the same pull in this jurisdiction than he does in Orange County.

Ryan: So you're saying there is nothing we can do?

Officer: There is nothing you can do, but it might not be that bad. Remember I said that it might not go to trial until the summer, but my prediction is Trey will get tried at the end of the winter and Dan soon to follow, say early-mid spring.

Ryan: But Marissa is still going to have wait through limbo for months?

Officer: I'm afraid so. (Ryan rubs his hand tiredly over his face and sighs.) You two kids don't catch too many breaks, do you?

Ryan: It doesn't seem like it, does it? (He stands up and puts his hand out once again for the officer to shake, which he does.) Well, thanks for your time. I know it's not your fault we have to wait this long for the trial, it's just frustrating. They've already stolen so much time from us, and now….

Officer: It's hard to move ahead when the future is uncertain.

Ryan: Exactly.

Officer: Well, I'll keep my ears tuned and eyes peeled. If I hear anything, I'll somehow get he information to you. If it will help at all, tell Marissa that I will do everything in my power to make sure they get locked up.

Ryan: She never doubted it. (The two men nod at each other and share a knowing glance before Ryan walks out of the door, waving slightly and then knocking on the doorframe softly before shutting the door behind him. The officer shakes his head and stares off into space, frustrated. Leaving the department, the camera goes to the hospital waiting room where Sandy and Caleb are sitting together, talking. Caleb is working on Hayley's release papers.)

Caleb: I'm her father, and I say she should live with me.

Sandy: Cal, we've been over this already. You're no spring chicken, and if she needs picked up or carried, you're not going to be able to handle that.

Caleb: I'll hire her a full time nurse.

Sandy: Are we talking about the same Hayley Nichol, here, because the one I know would either refuse to let the nurse in her room or make a game out of it to see how quickly she could torture them into quitting?

Caleb: And what, you think she'll let you take care of her?

Sandy: She will before she lets some stranger, and I have ways to make her cooperate. (Caleb eyes him warily.) Bribery. (This makes the father in law laugh.)

Caleb: It's a scary thought, but you're more like me than you give yourself credit for. (Sandy looks absolutely frightened and insulted, but remains silent as Caleb continues to talk.) So, what's your plan? You and Kirsten will take Hayley into your house and take care of her yourselves? Who's going to watch over her during the day when you're both at work?

Sandy: That's a good question. (Both men fall silent as they begin to think.)

Caleb: It'll really be difficult if you run for office. Plus, have fun explaining the sister-in-law with AIDS.

Sandy: That has nothing to do with my ability to practice law nor should it reflect negatively upon Hayley's character or mine.

Caleb: But it will. Have you made a decision about that yet?

Sandy: To be honest, and I haven't even told Kirsten yet because I didn't want to get her hopes up, but I highly doubt I'll run.

Caleb: Just remain an ADA?

Sandy: Not sure about that either. (He drops his head in his hands and rubs it tiredly.) I can't believe it's not even lunch time yet. I'm exhausted.

Caleb: (He is still thinking and ignoring Sandy's complaints.) You could always open up a private office in the home, work right there with Hayley.

Sandy: I tried that, working for myself in the private sector; I didn't like it. I want something where I can help people, make a difference.

Caleb: Of course you do. (He rolls his eyes.) You couldn't just want to make a bunch of money or be successful,…. (Sandy interrupts him.)

Sandy: Our idea of success is very different, Cal.

Caleb: (He snorts in agreement.) You've got that right.

Sandy: But if I want to work from home to take care of Hayley, I really don't have any other work options.

Caleb: You could always go back to school, retrain for something new, perhaps talk Hayley into taking some courses just to keep herself busy.

Sandy: You know, Cal, that's not a bad idea.

Caleb: Which part you a college-redo or Hayley a first time college student.

Sandy: Hayley, I'm not going back to school. I like the law just not the politics of it.

Caleb: (He stands up and begins to walk towards the door to leave.) I'm going up to see Hayley after I drop off this completed paper work and tell her the good news, that she'll now be a full time resident of Case de la Cohen.

Sandy: I'll be up in a few. (Caleb waves at him dismissively, but as he walks off, he speaks under his breath, but it is loud enough in the quiet room for Sandy to hear.)

Caleb: Hayley's going to love her free law lessons when Sanford's bored with work and comes to make small talk. (Sandy looks up as he says this and an excited, interested expression takes over his face. Standing up to walk after him, a light, childlike movement to his step, he smiles and repeats one word that Caleb said.)

Sandy: Lessons. (As he makes his way out of the waiting room, the camera leaves him and goes to the apartment in LA where Marissa is working away in the kitchen with her fresh fruit. Just like she said, she got an assortment of fruit, mainly apples for her homemade applesauce, but plenty of other things to make jelly out of. She has music on, Bell X1's "Enjoy the Silence" and is enjoying her time. Disrupting her solitude, the front door opens, and before she can say anything, the person makes their presence known.)

Seth: Hola, housemates! Ready or not here I come. Let's hope you're dressed.

Marissa: I'm in the kitchen, Seth.

Seth: Well then you're either dressed and cooking, which is my personal wish in this situation, especially since I'm making my way there or you're getting frisky with Ryan and not so dressed. (He pushes the door open.) Ah ha, you are clothed! Glad to see the kitchen isn't getting broken in on this fine August morning.

Marissa: (Rolling her eyes at Seth, she motions for him to stand beside her.) Don't kid yourself; we broke in this kitchen a long time ago.

Seth: (Under his breath) Yeah, I was afraid of that. (He looks around the room to see all of the fruit spread out.) What the hell are you making?

Marissa: Home made jelly and applesauce, and you can either roll up those designer sleeves and help me or get out, and I imagine you had something on your mind and wanted to talk to someone, so my guess is you better grab that knife and work on cutting those bushels of apples.

Seth: (He goes to grab the knife she indicated, but pulls away and listens to the music for a moment.) Yeah, I like this song, but it doesn't quite work for the situation. I'll be right back. (With that, he disappears out of the room leaving Marissa slightly bewildered. Shrugging her shoulders, she goes back to working, but Seth reappears moments later with a CD in hand.)

Marissa: Do I even want to know what is on that CD?

Seth: It's not that bad. They're just all my favorite food songs. (He is completely serious when he says this, making Marissa laugh, but he ignores her and pops in the CD. Skipping a few tracks, "Peaches" by The Presidents of United States starts to play. Marissa eyes Seth incredulously, with a smile on her face.) See what I mean? This is the proper music for this task. (Shaking her head, the two of them go back to work on the food while the music continues.)

Marissa: Alright, I concede, this song was a good idea. Now, what's on your mind since you're diligently working away?

Seth: Yeah, I can't figure out what to get Summer for her birthday.

Marissa: What about this surprise you have cooked up for her?

Seth: I delegated that; it's being taken care of, but my little elves refuse to help me come up with a birthday gift. I've been instructed to purchase some form of jewelry, but do you know how many options there are out there?

Marissa: I can imagine. It's not something I shop for on a regular basis, jewelry that is, but just make it personal.

Seth: Like what?

Marissa: I don't know. She's your girlfriend. You seemed to do well with her gift you got her for the party we had when the show got picked up.

Seth: Yeah, the female elf helped me with that one.

Marissa: This is just my sneaky suspicion, but I doubt they would like you calling them elves.

Seth: Fine my female little person helped me. (Marissa rolls her eyes at Seth's utter lack of tact and just continues talking.)

Marissa: Has she mentioned anything she wanted, shown you anything?

Seth: Nope. I'm supposed to know her well enough to not need her to give me suggestions…at least that is what she says.

Marissa: Okay….let me think. What about something monogrammed, like an ID bracelet?

Seth: Yeah, I did those monogrammed stars for her dressing room for Valentine's Day, that won't work. What else do you have for me?

Marissa: What about a necklace that says her name?

Seth: Like the necklace Carrie wore on Sex and the City?

Marissa: Sure, that would work.

Seth: (He ponders this.) I like that idea, but….I just got her a necklace. We'll store that idea for a later gift, keep brainstorming there, Purple Patch Princess.

Marissa: So, no necklace then. What about a ring?

Seth: Nope, too close to the wedding debacle we're in the middle of. Don't want to confuse those lines.

Marissa: Earrings?

Seth: She wears her hair down to much. What else do you have for me?

Marissa: What the hell else is there, a pin, an ankle bracelet?

Seth: Let's go back to the idea of a regular bracelet. What other kinds do they have other than those monogrammed ones you mentioned?

Marissa: (She thinks for a moment before replying.) I guess you could always get her charm bracelet.

Seth: Hey, that's thoughtful! (He becomes excited and completely stops working so that he can focus on talking.) I could get really cool charms that express who Summer is.

Marissa: And you could tell everyone about the gift and we all could pick out charms to go with it as well.

Seth: I think we're on to something here. I'll get it this week. You're good at this, Marissa!

Marissa: At what?

Seth: Helping me when my little elves abandon me!

Marissa: (She shakes her head at him and just continues to work.) So glad I was there for you. (Her voice was dripping in sarcasm.) No pick up that damn knife and let's get going. I have a lot to do before I have to meet Summer at Branning's to get ready.

Seth: And Ryan and I are getting ready here?

Marissa: I guess so, at least, I know Ryan is, you, however, can get dressed wherever you want….as long as we're not in the same room. (Seth mock laughs at her comment while the song changes and The Flaming Lips' "She Don't Use Jelly" comes on. As the friends continue to talk and work together, the camera pulls away from them and the scene ends as it goes to commercial break.)

Commercial Break