Episode 1 - A Change of Seasons



	Episode 1– “A Change of Seasons” A CEMETERY, SAN FRANCISCO. CHARLIE slowly approaches a headstone. He stops a few steps in front of it and sighs, then kneels down and places a bouquet of flowers at the foot of the stone. With the morning wind blowing through his hair, Charlie closes his eyes and begins speaking softly. CHARLIE: Hi Mom…Hi Dad… (sighing) It’s sure been a while, huh? (He pauses, looking at the headstone.) I hate to hit you up today of all days, but I need your help. I’ve got a decision to make…and I really need to know if you’re okay with it. (Charlie exhales.) The thing is…Joe can’t run the restaurant like he did before. And if Joe’s not running it, and if none of us kids are running it...it seems kind of silly to hang on to it for the sake of memories. Well, not silly, but…you know what I mean. I guess what I’m saying is… (he pauses, sighing) I can’t keep running two businesses. I’ve got to make time for my family…for your grandchildren. So I need to know if you guys are okay with it…with my selling the restaurant. (Charlie sighs.) I don’t want to, believe me. I’ve been trying to make things work, but… (shaking his head) it’s just causing too many problems at home right now. So I’ve got to know how you guys feel about it…especially you, Dad. (Charlie looks down, covering his eyes.) God, I wish you guys could talk to me…tell me what I should do. (Charlie shakes his head, still covering his eyes.) VOICE: Charlie. (Charlie is startled. Standing up, he uncovers his eyes and turns around to see Julia standing behind him. She is holding flowers, the wind blowing through her hair.) CHARLIE: (Out of breath) Jul…what are you doing here? JULIA: (Walking closer to Charlie) You don’t think you’re the only one that remembered Dad’s birthday, do you? (She places her flowers at the foot of the gravestone, then looks at Charlie.) CHARLIE: How…how long were you standing there? JULIA: Long enough. CHARLIE: Look, I don’t want you jumping to conclusions or anything, okay? It’s just something I’m thinking about. JULIA: Charlie— CHARLIE: (Looking down, waving his hand emphatically) I haven’t made any decisions, okay? JULIA: Charlie, it’s okay. (Charlie looks up, and Julia smiles comfortingly.) I understand. (Charlie sighs, and they both look at the headstone.) PO5 Credits The sun illuminates the tall buildings and green trees on the campus of JUILLIARD. We see a panoramic view of the Lincoln center patios, with sites of Alice Tully Hall, the Drama Theater, and the towering Meredith Wilson Residence Hall. Activity buzzes here and there as student tour groups are being led around the campus. As a strong breeze blows, CLAUDIA brushes her hair out of her face. She stops walking, and turns around to address her group. CLAUDIA: (To a couple of meandering freshman) Hey, guys! Can we please try and stay together? Thanks. Okay, now I’m sure everyone has seen this part of the campus before. A lot is going to happen on these walkways. You’ll see a lot of cultural celebrations, string quartets and drama performances. Now, let me tell you that things are a lot different in college, and especially here. So you should be prepared to work your butts off because you were really lucky to get into a school like Juilliard, and I know you are all very talented. (Claudia glances over to Todd who has stowed away in the tour group.) But the work is definitely worth it. (Smiling devilishly at Todd as she speaks) And you’ll meet people who will blow your high school friends out of the water. (Todd crosses his arms and raises his eyebrows, mouthing the word “ouch.” Claudia giggles silently and continues.) Now, to the left is the Juilliard Theater, which seats about a thousand people…but first I want to show you the residence hall…so maybe you’ll get a feeling of what life is like here. (A female freshman starts to speak.) GIRL STUDENT: Um… I play the French horn, trumpet and trombone, which aren’t exactly the most gentle instruments. Will I have a place to practice so I don’t get people pissed at me in the dorms? CLAUDIA: (Smiling) Don’t worry about that at all. There are tons of practice rooms for student use. MALE STUDENT: What do the bedrooms look like? I know that the dorms are pretty big…is there much privacy? CLAUDIA: (Nodding toward the dorms) Come see for yourself… (The scene changes to a view of the elevator in the residence hall. The door opens and Claudia exits with her tour group, Todd leaving last.) You guys can explore the halls and dorms. Just be back here in 20 minutes. We still have the Safety and Student Rights workshops to attend. (The students scatter around, looking in doorways and exploring.) TODD: (Sarcastically) Oh no, I wouldn’t want to miss the Student Rights workshop. CLAUDIA: Well, it’s a very informative session for new students at Juilliard. (Playfully) You…are a student, aren’t you? TODD: Actually, I was kinda hoping to get a tour of the guide…if you know what I mean. CLAUDIA: (Pinning Todd against the door to her dorm) Get inside! (She opens the door and they stumble inside. Todd immediately begins kissing Claudia. She kisses him back and pushes him toward the living room. Todd puts his hand beneath Claudia’s jacket, sliding it off her shoulders. She puts her hand around his neck as he falls onto her then onto the sofa.) TODD: Do you want to…you know…do it? (Claudia smiles as Todd continues to kiss Claudia.) CLAUDIA: (Laughing) Todd…Todd…Hey! TODD: What? I thought you wanted to. I mean, we have twenty minutes until we leave for the workshops! (Excitedly) Twenty whole minutes! That’s more than enough— CLAUDIA: Wrong. Twenty whole minutes before the workshops begin…not before we leave. TODD: Yeah, but…you know I’m leaving for Chicago this afternoon, and God only knows when we’ll see each other again. (Claudia looks at Todd, thinking. Todd glances at his watch.) Look, it only takes five minutes to walk to the workshops, and you gave us twenty. And considering this is the only time we’ll be alone together— CLAUDIA: (Smiling playfully) Okay, okay…you’re wasting time! (Todd smiles widely, and begin kissing once more.) THE CANNERY AT FISHERMAN’S WHARF. KIRSTEN and DAPHNE are walking past stores and cafes at the Cannery, eating ice cream cones. Kirsten is pushing STEWIE in a stroller. DIANA is walking next to Daphne, very busy with her ice cream. There is a steel band playing as they pass by. KIRSTEN: It’s amazing when I realize how long it’s been since Charlie and I have actually gone out with another couple. I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t seen Wanda in years. DAPHNE: (Taking a bite of her ice cream) God, I don’t think I’d even know how to have a normal conversation with another couple. Unless of course, they speak, like, Seuss-ese. Where did they move from? KIRSTEN: Idaho. Wanda’s new husband, Angelo, is an airline pilot and he just transferred here. I know she’s really excited about coming back. DAPHNE: Yeah, well, who wouldn’t be excited about moving out of Idaho? The land of potatoes and pastures… KIRSTEN: (Giggling) I know. I can’t imagine living there. Although Wanda did mention they have some beautiful mountains. I’m just so glad she’s back in town. It’ll be great to have someone else to hang out with. DAPHNE: (Smiling) You mean besides the handsome and charming Dr. Pete? (Some ice cream trickles down her hand and she licks it off.) KIRSTEN: (Stopping for a moment and staring at Daphne) I mean besides you. (She rolls her eyes and begins walking again as Daphne laughs.) Although I have to admit, I always have a great time with Peter. He’s just…fun, no matter what. I tell you, if it weren’t for him this summer… (quickly) and you, of course, I would have died of boredom. You guys were lifesavers. DAPHNE: (Shaking her head) I don’t know, I’d take Dr. Pete over me anyday. How have you resisted his charms? KIRSTEN: Come on, Daph, we’ve been over this a million times. It’s not like that. We’re just friends. DAPHNE: Oh please! Haven’t you ever seen “When Harry Met Sally?” Men and women can’t be "just friends." KIRSTEN: Oh, come on. They can, too. What about you and Charlie? You’re still friends. DAPHNE: Yeah, but we were lovers first…and besides, you can’t count that. We have Diana. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t even know each other anymore. KIRSTEN: You don’t know that. DAPHNE: Sure I do. I never keep in touch with old boyfriends. Why bother? Anyway, enough about me. Back to you and Dr. Pete. (Excitedly) You know he has the hots for you. Why else would a guy hang around with a married woman—and one with children no less? What’s he getting out of it? Think about it… KIRSTEN: (Incredulous) Daphne! DAPHNE: There’s nothing wrong with it. Hey, you’ve been honest with him, right? It’s all out on the table. But God, I’d love to have a guy like him mooning after me all the time. I just don’t know if I’d be able to control myself… KIRSTEN: (Giving Daphne a friendly whack with her purse) I can always introduce you… (The girls laugh while they continue strolling through the mall. Daphne suddenly looks at her watch.) DAPHNE: Oh, shoot. What time is it? I gotta go get Matthew. KIRSTEN: Don’t worry. I’m sure Griffin won’t mind if you’re a few minutes late. DAPHNE: Oh, I know he won’t mind. But I want to be there at 6:00 sharp to get him. I don’t want Griffin having him a minute longer than he’s supposed to. (Kirsten gives Daphne a funny look as the scene fades.) SALINGERS’ RESTAURANT. CHARLIE enters to see BAILEY behind the bar, talking on the cordless telephone. The restaurant is starting to fill up. Charlie sits on a barstool and listens as Bailey continues on the phone. BAILEY: Yes, I’m positive. I called them this morning, and they said— (Sighing, he listens.) I promise…I’ll double check. (Listening) Twenty-five of each, I know. (He rolls his eyes as he looks at Charlie.) CHARLIE: (Whispering, while pointing to the phone) Who is it? BAILEY: (Covering the receiver, softly) Joe. (Charlie shakes his head, smiling.) Look, Joe – I gotta run. I’ll call you— (He listens.) Fine…you call me. (Bailey hangs up and exhales.) Sheesh. CHARLIE: What’s he all excited about? BAILEY: He noticed that we’re a little low on Chardonnay and Merlot, so he has me calling— CHARLIE: (Furrowing his brows) Whoa, whoa…wait a minute. How would he know that? BAILEY: (Sighs) He came by last night…after we closed. (Charlie lowers his head, looking at Bailey.) What was I supposed to do? Not let him in? C’mon, Charlie. You know he can’t wait to come back. CHARLIE: Yeah, well…he’ll have to wait if he doesn’t get clearance from his doctor. And even if he does, I’m only letting him manage a couple days a week. (Bailey nods.) I’m not letting him ruin his health over work. BAILEY: (With a smirk) That’s funny…coming from you. CHARLIE: What are you talking about? BAILEY: It’s the weekend and you’re here. What gives? CHARLIE: (With fake sternness) Kirsten and the baby are out with Daphne, for your information. (Softening) Besides, you’re leaving tomorrow and…well, (breathing in) I really haven’t had a chance to tell you how much I appreciate everything you did here this summer. BAILEY: (Shaking his head, looking down) Look, Charlie, you don’t have to thank me. It was nothing. CHARLIE: (Smiling) Are you kidding? “Working at my Dad’s restaurant” is probably right below “having your teeth pulled” on the list of fun summer things to do. BAILEY: It’s the least I can do...considering you’ve got to deal with this stuff year ‘round. (Grinning devilishly) Besides, the fun stuff is just a few days away. CHARLIE: (Looking up, smiling) Holly? BAILEY: (Smiling) I can’t believe it’s been nine months since I’ve seen her. It feels like nine years. I just feel bad that I’m ditching you with all the restaurant stuff up in the air. CHARLIE: Don’t worry about that. (Looking down, raising his brows) I mean, if all goes well, Joe will get the okay from his doctor…and I’ll find a manager for the rest of the time. BAILEY: (Hesitantly) And, if not…? CHARLIE: (Breathes in deeply) Well, then I guess we’ll have some decisions to make. (He looks up at Bailey and lets out a deep sigh.) GRIFFIN’S APARTMENT. MATTHEW is sitting in a high chair in the kitchen. GRIFFIN is sitting next to him, trying to feed him some baby food, but Matthew’s face is red and he’s crying. GRIFFIN: Come on, pal. Just a few bites, can you do that for me, huh? (Griffin tries to spoon the food into Matthew’s mouth, but Matthew turns his head and Griffin gets baby food all over his cheek.) Great. You’re supposed to eat it, Matthew, not wear it. (He wipes Matthew’s face with the bib as the crying gets even louder. Tears are streaming down Matthew’s face.) What’s the matter, buddy? Come on, you’ve gotta eat… (He tries again to get Matthew to take the food, but the baby just keeps crying.) Griffin sets the food on the table and leans down to pick Matthew up as Michelle comes into the room.) MICHELLE: (Concerned) Hey…is he okay? GRIFFIN: (Setting Matthew onto his lap) I dunno. I was just trying to feed him, and he got all hysterical. (To Matthew, bouncing him a little) Shhhh, shhhh, it’s okay… MICHELLE: Want me to try? GRIFFIN: Yeah, sure, why not? (Michelle picks up the jar of baby food and the spoon.) MICHELLE: (In a soft, sing-song voice, smiling) Hi, Matthew. Can you take a little taste for Aunt Michelle? (She tries to feed him but he turns away again and cries louder. There’s a knock at the door.) GRIFFIN: Geez. What now? (He hands Matthew to Michelle and she puts him on her lap. Griffin gets up to answer the door. He looks through the peephole and swings the door open to see Julia standing there.) Jul, now’s not a really good— JULIA: (Pushing past him to go to the kitchen) Is everything okay? I heard Matthew crying all the way down the hall. (She sees Michelle trying to feed the baby.) God, I was like so worried. GRIFFIN: (Running his fingers through his hair) It’s nothing…he’s just a little fussy, that’s all. JULIA: (To Michelle) Um…can I try? MICHELLE: By my guest. (She hands Julia the jar of baby food.) JULIA: (Holding the jar up) Maybe he doesn’t like peas. (To Griffin) Have you tried something else? GRIFFIN: No, not yet. (Slightly annoyed) He usually eats peas just fine. JULIA: Well, let’s try something else. What about some carrots or something? (Griffin goes to the cupboard and gets out a jar of carrots. He opens it and hands it to Julia. She tries to give Matthew a spoonful as Michelle holds him, but he still won’t eat it. His crying is getting more hysterical.) It’s okay, Matthew, it’s okay. (To Griffin) What about a bottle? Maybe he wants a bottle. Do you have any formula? GRIFFIN: (Shaking his head) Of course. (He opens the refrigerator and takes out a small blue bottle. He microwaves it for a few seconds, then squirts a little bit of it onto his arm. He hands it to Julia, who tries to get Matthew to take it. For a moment it looks like he’s going to drink the formula, but then he spits the bottle out and begins crying again.) MICHELLE: Maybe it’s too hot. (She takes the bottle from Julia and puts some on her hand.) No, it seems okay. JULIA: Maybe he’s just not hungry. GRIFFIN: (Irritated and shouting above Matthew’s crying) Maybe he just doesn’t want an audience watching him. Huh? Do you think that might be it? (He scowls at the girls just as there’s another knock at the door. Griffin throws his hands up.) Great. (He walks to the door and speaks through it.) Yeah? VOICE: It’s Daphne. (Griffin glances at his watch and then opens the door. Daphne looks at the scene in the kitchen, with Julia, Michelle and Matthew. She looks at Griffin.) What’s going on? GRIFFIN: Huh? Oh, nothing. We were just trying to feed Matthew is all. I guess he’s must be tired or something. We’ve tried everything. DAPHNE: (Walking toward Matthew, who cries even louder when he sees Daphne) Did you change him? Does he need changing? GRIFFIN: (Sighing) No, I just changed him like 20 minutes ago. DAPHNE: Well, maybe he needs changing again. (Julia hands Matthew to Daphne. He puts his arms around her neck.) What’s the matter with Mommy’s little boy, huh? Did you make a stinky? Are you a little stinkbug, is that it? (She feels his diaper, then glares at Griffin.) He’s soaking wet, Griffin. That’s why he’s crying. (She rolls her eyes and takes Matthew to the couch to change him. Her tone is cold.) Can you get me his things, please? GRIFFIN: (Trying to control himself) Look, Daphne, give me a break, okay? You don’t need to be like this. I just changed him, and was trying to give him his dinner. But he didn’t want it, okay? Babies get fussy. You know that. (He brings Matthew’s diaper bag to Daphne. Julia and Michelle watch the scene uncomfortably.) DAPHNE: (Aloof) Fine. Right. Babies fuss. So don’t worry about it. I’ve got everything under control. I’ll feed him his dinner when we get home. (She finishes changing Matthew and holds the used diaper up to Griffin. He looks disgusted but takes it from her, as she picks Matthew up. Matthew lays his head on her chest, and his crying has finally stopped. Daphne gives Griffin a look, then speaks to Matthew.) Everything’s all better now, Peanut. Mommy will take good care of you. (Griffin stares at Daphne as the scene fades.) LAGUARDIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. The setting sun casts long shadows against the floors of the airport. CLAUDIA has her arms wrapped around TODD’S neck, and Todd’s arms are around Claudia’s waist. CLAUDIA: (Embracing Todd) Why are we saying goodbye again? Didn’t we already do this like a zillion times? TODD: Yeah, but it doesn’t get any easier with practice. (Smiling as they release their embrace) But I’ll see you soon…I promise. I’m a frequent flyer because of you. CLAUDIA: I know. (With playful sarcasm) And it’s not like I’m going to miss you or anything. I mean, we spent the whole summer at home together. I was starting to miss my independence. (She smiles playfully.) TODD: (Smiling, with eyebrows raised) Is that so? (Claudia nods playfully, and Todd smiles.) Yeah, right. You know that once I board that plane, you’ll stare through the window for a little while and wait until the plane takes off…then you’ll start crying when it does. And you’ll think about having to go home all alone. CLAUDIA: Actually, I’m not going home after this. I’m going to visit Sarah. I haven’t heard from her in awhile and I have no idea how she’s doing. But that’s later. (Claudia smiles and leans her head against his shoulder.) This is so weird. Why do all good-byes have to be at sunset? TODD: Because my flight just so happens to be at 7:30, that’s why. Pure coincidence. (Claudia laughs and Looks into Todd’s eyes.) This will be a good year for us, Claud. We made it through last year and we can make it through this one even better, okay? (Lowering his head, looking into Claudia’s eyes.) CLAUDIA: Okay. TODD: God…I’m going to miss you way too much. CLAUDIA: Me, too. (They stand there gazing deeply into each others eyes. Todd pulls Claudia closer as he leans in to kiss her. She embraces him for a moment before letting him go and pushing him away, sniffling.) Now hurry or you’ll miss the flight. (Todd begins to leave.) I love you. TODD: I love you, too. (Todd grabs his suitcase and enters the terminal. Claudia stands for a moment against the late sun, staring at Todd’s plane through the window as a single tear runs down her cheek.) THE GUEST HOUSE at Charlie’s place. BAILEY is putting nicely folded clothes into his suitcase as OWEN watches. Owen is wearing a San Francisco Giants baseball cap and a baseball glove. OWEN: C’mon, Bailey. Can’t you do that later? We’re going to miss the game! BAILEY: (Looking at his watch) Owen, we’ve got over an hour. I promised you we’d be there for the first pitch, right? (Owen nods.) Okay, then. (Bailey smiles.) Now, the bigger question is, what do you want to eat before the game? OWEN: (Thinking) Hmm…how about hot dogs at the ball park? BAILEY: Okay, hot dogs it is. (Bailey smiles, then starts packing again. Owen sits down on the bed and watches Bailey for a moment, thinking.) OWEN: Bailey? BAILEY: (Still packing) Yeah? OWEN: Are you being nice to me because you’re leaving? BAILEY: (Looking at Owen) What? What do you mean? OWEN: It’s just that you’re always really, really nice to me just before you go away. And it’s great and all, but sometimes… (He hesitates.) BAILEY: Yeah…? OWEN: (Looking down) Well, sometimes it makes me miss you more when you’re gone. BAILEY: (Bending down to look squarely at Owen, speaking gently) O, I’m not being nice because I’m leaving. (Owen looks up.) I’m doing it because I miss you when I’m away. OWEN: You do? BAILEY: (Smiling gently) Of course I do. You’re my little brother, and I love you. But sometimes, missing someone is a part of loving them. So it’s like…when I’m here, I want to do things with you as much as possible…for all those times I can’t. See? (Owen nods.) Now…what do you say I stop this dumb packing so we can see some batting practice before the game, huh? (Owen smiles widely, and the brothers hug.) CHARLIE’S HOUSE. KIRSTEN is in the bedroom, wriggling into a slim-fitted evening dress. She pulls the dress up to her waist, slips her arms through the straps, and struggles and contorts to zip up the back. She calls out to CHARLIE, who is submerged in the closet, searching for his dress shoes. KIRSTEN: Charlie? (A moment of silence passes.) Can you hear me? You didn’t get lost in there, did you? CHARLIE: (Emerging from the closet, clutching a pair of shoes) Almost…I couldn’t find my good shoes. They were buried all the way in the back under all my work boots. Ever notice that I own, like, ten pairs of work shoes, and only one pair of good— KIRSTEN: Could you zip me up, please? CHARLIE: (Obliging) Isn’t this that dress you swore you’d never wear again? KIRSTEN: What…? CHARLIE: Yeah, remember? You said it was “too sexy for a mom to wear.” KIRSTEN: Well…I guess I changed my mind. CHARLIE: (Raising his eyebrows) Oh. (He sits down on the bed, dropping his shoes to the floor. He picks up one shoe and forces his foot into it.) Ow! Geez…now I remember why I shoved these all the way to the back of the closet…they kill my feet! I was in pain for a week after the last time I wore these. (Glancing over to Kirsten) Breaking out the sausage-casing dress and the uncomfortable shoes…this Wilma person must rank. KIRSTEN: (Looking at him through the reflection in the mirror, brushing her hair) The last time we saw Wanda was on our wedding day! That was two years ago…and probably the last time you and I went to a formal dinner. God knows when we’ll get the chance to go out as an actual couple again. I think you can deal with a little bit of foot pain for one night… CHARLIE: (Winces as he pushes his foot into the other shoe) That ought to be one blister right there… KIRSTEN: (Glaring at him, arms outstretched) So…what? Would you like me to call her and tell her “Sorry, my husband and I can’t make it tonight. His shoe is just too damn tight?” You know, Charlie, it’s been so long since I…I mean, we have been out to dinner. (Walks over to Charlie) I was really looking forward to tonight, but if you’re going to spend the whole night complaining… CHARLIE: (Chuckling nervously) Calm down, Kirsten. It was just a little joke. I know it’s been a long time since you’ve seen Wanda, and I know it’s been a while since you and I have gone out together. It’s just that…well…now that we finally have some time to be together…(he reaches for her)…I was kind of thinking we could be alone. (Gently pulls her toward him) You know, there’s something else you and I haven’t done together in a really long time… (They exchange sheepish grins. Kirsten leans over to kiss him, loses her balance, and accidentally steps on his foot. Keeling over with pained smile) Ow! (They laugh.) KIRSTEN: (Pulling Charlie up by the arms into a standing position) Come on, let’s go. I don’t want to be late. THE PANHANDLE PIZZA COMPANY RESTAURANT. JULIA and MICHELLE are sitting at a table, with a medium pizza on a silver tray in the center of the table. MICHELLE: I still don’t understand why Griffin didn’t want to come. Especially since this is favorite pizza place. (She takes a bite of her slice of pizza.) JULIA: (Shrugging) Yeah, well, he just gets that way sometimes. He wants to be alone, and doesn’t want any help with anything. He can be real stubborn. He’s kind of like my brother Charlie that way. But I don’t mind. (Sitting back and looking around. She grins.) You know, as a matter of fact, it’s kinda nice to have a “girl’s night out” once in a while. MICHELLE: (Smiling) Yeah, you’re right. It is kind of nice. (The girls both take a bite of their pizza.) Speaking of which, some of the girls from work and I have been getting together on Friday nights. We try to go to different places around town, check them out. Last week we went to Bazaar Café, and this week we’re going to a place called Brain Wash. Get this—it’s a combination café, bar, and Laundromat! So you can get drunk while you wait for the spin cycle. Can you believe it? (She laughs.) Anyway, you should come with us. JULIA: (Tilting her head and smiling) Yeah? That sounds interesting…I’d love to come. Thanks. MICHELLE: Great! I heard it’s going to be an open mike comedy night this week…(The girls continue talking as the camera pans back and fades.) CLAUDIA walks through the hallway of an old apartment building. She comes upon a green door slightly opened. She knocks once. CLAUDIA: Sarah? (She peeks into the apartment, as she pushes the door open wider and takes a few steps inside.) Sarah? Are you home? (Claudia looks around the apartment, seeing no one. She turns around and heads back toward the door. Just as she’s about to exit, Sarah appears in the doorway holding a stack of mail. The girls scream as they startle each other, and Sarah drops the letters she was holding.) SARAH: (Holding her hand over her heart) Claudia, oh my God! You scared me half to death! CLAUDIA: (Catching her breath) I’m sorry. I saw the door open, so I thought— (Sarah bends down and begins picking up the mail.) Here, let me help you with that. (Claudia crouches to help Sarah, who nervously brushes her hair behind her ear.) So how have you been? (Sarah scoops up the mail, avoiding Claudia’s question.) I tried calling you from San Francisco over the summer, but I kept getting a message saying the number’s been disconnected. Did you change your number or something? SARAH: You know what, this actually isn’t the best time for me. I’ve got to sort through some bills and…things. Just call me later okay? CLAUDIA: Okay. (Sarah smiles half-heartedly and Claudia turns toward the door. She hesitates a moment, then turns back toward Sarah.) Hey, if you don’t mind my asking…you don’t seem to be yourself. Is everything okay? SARAH: Look, if you want to know, I’m not exactly having the best of times financially, okay? I didn’t change my number, I…uh… (Claudia tilts her head.) I sort of…didn’t pay the bill. CLAUDIA: You didn’t…? (Claudia notices an eviction notice in the pile of mail. Sarah quickly picks up the notice and tries to conceal it.) Sarah, what’s going on? Are you all right? SARAH: Let’s just say things have just been a little tight this summer, okay? CLAUDIA: What happened? (Sarah stands up and Claudia follows.) SARAH: It’s not what happened…it’s what didn’t happen, Claudia. (Claudia looks confused. Sarah takes a deep breath, visibly agitated.) Juilliard. I didn’t get in. I don’t know what I was thinking, anyway. I mean, I put my whole life on hold to chase a dream… (drifting off) Just a stupid dream… CLAUDIA: But Sarah— SARAH: I mean, you kept pushing me, Claudia…and for what? I knew all along I didn’t have what it takes. CLAUDIA: Don’t say that! You made the second round of auditions. You were amazing. I mean, can you blame me for believing in you? SARAH: But I had things I needed to do, Claudia…real life things. I shouldn’t have been thinking about Juilliard; I should have been thinking about reality. CLAUDIA: (Sarcastic) Like what? Wiping spilled beer off of tables?…making a living off of tips? (Sarah looks at Claudia with a hurt expression. Claudia’s face and tone soften.) I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But Sarah, I see all this potential in you. You’re so smart and you’re so pretty…I just never thought of you as one of those people who has to work at a job they hate just to pay the bills. SARAH: At least I was able to pay the bills before. (Sarah flops down on the couch, and Claudia joins her.) CLAUDIA: Look, maybe I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard about Juilliard. But there are lots of other great things you could do. I mean, whatever happened to modeling? Is Albert still around? SARAH: He’s still around. We took some shots over summer for an ad, but no luck yet. The company will use them if they need them, but until then, no job…and no money for rent either. I’m two months behind, and I’m not sure how much longer my landlord with let me ride. CLAUDIA: Well listen. You can’t give up, okay? I’m back in New York and…I’m going to help you. (Sarah shoots a look at Claudia.) Not like before. No pushing, I promise. (Sarah forces a slight smile.) We’ll put together your resume. Just take care of yourself, okay? (She laughs slightly.) Keep waiting those tables, and do a good job at it until you can find something better. (Sarah smiles genuinely.) POMODORO’S RESTAURANT. CHARLIE and KIRSTEN are sitting at a table across from WANDA and her husband, ANGELO. They are all enjoying some drinks and conversation as they await the main course. A waiter arrives and sets plates of food down in front of them. KIRSTEN: (Admiring her dinner selection) Mmm…this looks so good. (Everyone smiles in agreement.) And speaking of looking so good…Wanda, you look incredible! I know it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, but I don’t remember you ever looking so…so luminous. WANDA: (A little embarrassed) Thank you! (Kirsten looks at Charlie.) CHARLIE: Uh, yeah, you look really…nice. (He shoves a forkful of food in his mouth.) KIRSTEN: (Rolls her eyes, turns to Wanda) So tell me…what’s your secret? WANDA: No secrets. I guess I’m just finally happy now. ANGELO: Well, hopefully I had something to do with that. WANDA: (Looking at Angelo lovingly, gently placing her hand on his arm) Oh, you’re so sweet. (To Kirsten) I guess I do have to give credit to Angelo. I was simply miserable before I met him. KIRSTEN: I’m sorry. I had no idea… WANDA: Me neither. I mean, I thought I was happy with James. Sure, things were great in the beginning. We did have a few good years. But then James got this new job, and he was putting in a lot of hours. Then he started working more and more, and he’d come home later and later, sometimes not at all. (Kirsten listens intently.) It became terribly lonely. I’d tell myself ‘He’s such a good husband. He works so hard to provide for us’. So even though I was miserable, I’d try to convince myself that I should still be happy. The truth is, it ripped our marriage apart. (Charlie swallows, and looks up at Wanda.) After a while, I stopped missing him. I became more independent, and stopped needing him. I made a fuller life for myself, and stopped loving him. Soon after that, I left him. (Chuckling) He was always so busy I figured it would’ve taken him weeks before he’d realize I was gone. KIRSTEN: (Sincerely) I’m so sorry you had to go through that. (Smiling) But look at how happy you are now. I mean it, Wanda. You look truly ecstatic. WANDA: I am. (She leans over and kisses Angelo) I’m only sorry I waited so long to get up off my butt and leave. CHARLIE: So, what? You just left him? Without trying marriage counseling or something? KIRSTEN: Charlie-- WANDA: It’s okay, Kirsten. (To Charlie) Well, counseling would have been futile if only one of us was around to actually sit in on a session. No, he had already abandoned the marriage long before I left him. CHARLIE: Maybe he was just going through a real busy time at work. (Kirsten’s eyes dart from Charlie to Wanda.) WANDA: A few hours here or there, okay. For a few weeks, maybe. But for months on end, no. I mean, how many people do you know who work those kinds of crazy hours? Not including the ones who say that they’re working, but are actually out with their mistresses. (Kirsten lowers her head, picks up her fork, and fidgets with her food.) CHARLIE: (Glancing at Kirsten, then turning back to Wanda) Maybe the job just needed more tending to at the time. (He fidgets in his seat, leaning forward.) You know, there could’ve been things going on at work that just needed more attention. Not more important things…just more urgent. WANDA: (Smiling) Urgent? Ha! In his business? Somebody tell me, what could possibly constitute a “shoe emergency”? (Just then the waiter arrives) WAITER: Would anyone care for another drink? KIRSTEN: No! (Placing her hand on Charlie’s arm) I think we’ve had enough for tonight, thanks. (Jokingly) God knows, any more and we might say something embarrassing. CHARLIE: (Handing his empty glass to the waiter) I’ll have another beer, please. (Kirsten flashes Charlie a dirty look.) What? I’d like to toast the happy couple. (Wanda and Angelo smile uncomfortably.) KIRSTEN: We are really glad for you both. You had the courage to get out there and find real love. You look so happy together. WANDA: I had no idea what I was missing…(She feeds Angelo a forkful of food from her plate, and they kiss tenderly.) The waiter returns and sets a beer down in front of Charlie. Kirsten watches Wanda and Angelo, and smiles. Charlie looks at them, then takes a gulp of his beer. The scene fades. GINGER MAN PUB IN NEW YORK CITY. Loud music blares as SARAH wipes her hands on her apron. She picks up a circular tray as she passes a waitress. WAITRESS: Sarah, that table over there needs cleaning. It’s in your area. SARAH: Oh…okay, Lynn. I’ll be right on it. (Sarah grabs a rag and takes her tray to the table. As Sarah sets her tray down, she looks disgusted at the filthiness of the table. She picks up the empty beer mugs and loads them onto the tray. With the tray now full, she attempts to stack two empty beer bottles on top of the mugs and wipe down the table with her free hand. She finishes the job and balances out the tray with both hands. Just as she is walking behind the bar, Lynn nearly bumps into Sarah, who accidentally spills beer on her.) SARAH: Oh…I’m so sorry! It’s just that I tried take everything at once… LYNN: (Frustrated) Damn, now I’ll smell like beer for the rest of the night! Look you’ve got a phone call, just let me take the glasses, okay? SARAH: (Handing the tray to Lynn) Thanks…and I’m really sorry. (Sarah goes behind the counter and picks up the telephone.) This is Sarah. (She listens.) Oh, hi Albert….actually I’m working… LYNN: (Stacking the tray) Make it quick, okay? We’ve got work to do. SARAH: Look, Albert, I’ve only got a second, so— ALBERT: (On the phone) Don’t worry, I’ll be quick. Do you remember that photo shoot we did over summer? SARAH: Yeah… ALBERT: Well, I have great news! We sold a set of the pictures today! SARAH: What? ALBERT: It’s nothing big. You’ll have a small spot on a pamphlet for an acne fighting cream. They hand these pamphlets out to kids in the high school when they talk about hormones and hygiene and stuff like that. It’s not a lot of money, and I know it sounds like a small job, but that’s where all models start…small. SARAH: Hey…I’m not complaining! Tell me more…what pictures did they use? ALBERT: The ones with you in the red pants, and the little white top. They needed shots of random happy teenagers, so I went straight to your file. You should feel proud! SARAH: Whoa, wait…I’m not a random happy teenager. ALBERT: I know you’re not. It’s that fresh young look. You look like a teenager, and that’s all that matters. But anyway, I’ll send you a check as soon as the agency gets paid. Oh, but that isn’t all… SARAH: There’s more? ALBERT: Listen, I think I can really get you somewhere. How do you feel about becoming my next “project?” There are no guarantees, but I want to start working you up the ladder, little by little. SARAH: What do you mean…what kind of changes would I have to make? Because you know I have a job, and I’ve got some serious bills to pay and… ALBERT: If I called you on any given day, would you be able to leave on a week’s notice? SARAH: (Shocked) A week’s notice? Um…I don’t know. It really all depends… (Sarah lowers the phone a bit as she looks out into the bar. A group of men are in the corner playing darts. A man staggers as he throws a dart, which misses the board entirely and hits the brick wall. Sarah glances over to Lynn who is wringing out a beer drenched rag into a mug.) On second thought, where am I going and who’s buying the ticket? ALBERT: (Laughing) Los Angeles, where else? And don’t worry about the ticket, we’ve got that covered. SARAH: (Smiling widely) Wow, California sounds…great! SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. BAILEY and JULIA are at the British Airways check-in counter. Bailey lifts his suitcase and places it on the lowered part of the counter. The clerk behind the counter is a young, black woman with attractive features and medium-brown hair pulled back in a bun. CLERK: (To Bailey, sounding very routine while looking at her computer screen) Is this the only bag you’ll be checking in? BAILEY: Yes. CLERK: (Still looking at her screen) Has this bag been in your care at all times since your arrival at the airport? BAILEY: Yes. CLERK: Has anyone asked you to hold or to carry their bags since your arrival at the airport? BAILEY: Yeah, some suspicious looking guy with an overcoat and beady little eyes. (Perfectly still otherwise, the clerk’s eyes look up at Bailey, who smiles.) I’m kidding. (The clerk rolls her eyes and hands Bailey a claim ticket.) CLERK: Mr. Salinger, you’ll be departing from Gate C22 to the left. BAILEY: (Taking the ticket) Thank you. (Bailey and Julia begin walking toward the gate.) JULIA: So…how long is the flight? BAILEY: We’ll, I’ll have to switch planes in Frankfurt… JULIA: Oh, really? (Bailey nods, and Julia smiles.) Be sure to say hi to Goethe for me. BAILEY: Who? JULIA: Nobody…it was a joke. BAILEY: (Still confused) Oh, okay. Anyway, all-in-all I’ll be flying for like a day. (He looks up to check the gate numbers while continuing to walk.) JULIA: God, I can’t even imagine being away from the person I love for almost a year. It must be hard. BAILEY: You’re telling me. (Smiling) But…it’ll all be worth it once I lay eyes on Holly. (Julia smiles, and they continue walking on. As they reach Bailey’s gate, they stop.) Here it is. JULIA: Yep. (After a moment of uncomfortable silence, the siblings hug and Julia smiles, speaking slowly.) You know, it’s funny…when we all lived together, I used to love coming home to an empty house. I mean, it was just so rare to have any time to ourselves, y’know? (Bailey nods, smiling.) But now, it’s like…I really hate to see everyone go. It’s like…I realize how good we had it when we were all together. BAILEY: Yeah, I know. I miss it sometimes, too. But we’ve got to appreciate what we’ve still got. I mean, all of us were here this summer…and I’m sure someday that’s not going to be possible, once we all have our own families and stuff, y’know? JULIA: (Looking down) I guess you’re right. (Another moment of uncomfortable silence elapses.) Well, I guess I’d better let you go. (Bailey nods, and they hug again. Julia begins slowly walking away, and Bailey calls after her.) BAILEY: Jul? (Julia turns around.) Y’know, I’ve, uh…I’ve got about 30 minutes before I board. You wanna have a cup of coffee or something? (Julia smiles, as does Bailey. They walk toward a café, smiling and talking, as the scene fades.) Read and post messages about tonight's episode... PO5 "7th Season" Yahoo Club "The Salingers" Delphi Forum