DAY 5: THE AFTERMATH
EARLY MORNING - HOSPITAL ROOM
Seth was sitting next to Ryan's hospital bed when Ryan woke up.
"Hey", he said in a sleepy tone, after looking around and seeing Seth.
"Good morning, or I should say good dawn considering the time...How are you?"
"Better, much better now", Ryan answered while sitting up in the bed.
"Good, that's what also the doctors said. You know yesterday when we came here you weren't really in your best shape."
"Yeah, I had a vague memory about it...Anyway, last night you've been a pretty good roomie."
"Uhm? Oh...well, you know, these days you've got to hang on to certain roommates, because you never know what kind of person you're gonna get in their place: one who doesn't pay the rent, one with lice..."
"Yeah, big risk – Ryan laughed – How about the others?"
"Well Summer it's in the waiting room with Marissa, who came here immediately when she heard what happened...you know, read that as you want. Then, I've called my parents and-
In that moment, Sandy and Kirsten entered the room.
"And they're here", Seth concluded.
"Hi", they greeted.
"Hey", Ryan replied.
"We've heard Seth's voice from outside and we thought that either he had started talking to himself, which is not strange at all, or you were awake", Sandy explained.
"How are you feeling?", Kirsten asked to Ryan.
"Good, but how about your weekend?"
Sandy smiled, while starting to talk: "Look, awful weather, snobs everywhere, two days stuck in the hotel and so we've decided to come back here where at least there's been some movement."
"Lots of movements indeed – Seth agreed - even if me and Ryan didn't move a lot, we'd rather stayed locked up at home, right Ryan?"
"Yeah, next time I'd choose a less quiet place-
"Like under a tree, in a elevator, under a light pole...", Seth finished Ryan's sentence like in their old days.
"Well – Kirsten intervened - at least I see that the earthquake did something good..."
"What did I tell you? - Sandy rhetorically asked – Come on guys, let's go home!"
"Uhm, about that, dad, there is something you should know..."
"You haven't told them yet?", Ryan asked Seth surprised.
"It wasn't the proper moment."
"Tell us what? - Sandy started to worry – Did anything break?"
"Well, something here and there", Seth continued vaguely.
"What?", Kirsten was now more concerned.
"Look, mum, if I were you I'd make a phone call to the Newport Group..."
"Seth, you are scaring us!", Sandy said, starting to lose his patience.
"No, don't worry, dad. Plus, you always says that the important thing is that everybody is ok since material stuff can always be bought again."
"Yeah, but it depends on what kind of stuff!"
"Well, now that we go home, you'll understand what I mean – Seth continued – Maybe it'd be a good idea to stop and buy some alcohol first."
Sandy and Kirsten glared at him.
"Let's go", Sandy concluded, then they all went out.