Beyond the Triangle
Part 11 - The Confessional
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Scene: Jen, Jack and Ryan heading back to Ryan's mom's place.
Jen: You mean to tell me that we’re heading to a party tomorrow night because the host thought you were cute?
Jack: Patrick is not the host.
Jen: But the rest of it is true, right? That is so perfect. Patrick is such a perfect name. And I saw him as he was leaving the table. Could pass for Josh Hartnett. Don’t you agree, Ryan.
Ryan: I know this is a hard concept for you to understand but there are guys out there who are attracted to girls.
Jen: (kiddingly) Those type exist?
Jack: I'm pretty sure Marty wouldn't mind you two attending.
Jen: Is this your not quite subtle way of wanting me to watch over you?
Jack: Maybe. I'll need you to make sure I don't back out of this college party. Ryan, do you know anything about him?
Ryan: Just that he doesn't stay in one place very long. I've seen him three times for a total of less than ten minutes. (pulls car up to the curb) Sorry I can't help you more.
The trio got out of the car and headed into the apartment. When they enter, they are surprised to see Ryan's mom asleep on the couch.
Ryan: Mom? I've never seen you do the waiting up thing before.
Marilyn Farrell: (drowsily) Oh, hi.
Ryan: Sorry had to wake you since you looked so peaceful. I believe Jack is going to be sleeping there.
Marilyn: Actually, I'm only up to deliver a message from your father. He claims that he had "no clue" you were planning to spend the weekend here. Of course, he was pretty damn drunk at that point in the evening.
Ryan: That's ridiculous. I told him Thursday night.
Marilyn: I guessed that too but you know the story by now. He feigns hearing loss on issues that he thinks don't concern him. He instructed me to call as soon as you returned. You go on the kitchen phone, I'll take the one by the computer because we really need a family discussion about this.
Jen and Jack exchange glances, then both head out of the room to get ready for bed.
* * * * *
Scene: Jen is in the bathroom getting ready for bed while Jack is outside waiting.
Jen: You understand that I'll be on your case even more now that there's an actual prospect developing.
Jack: I'm painfully aware of that. Of course, you should understand this works both ways.
Jen: (talking while pulling a shirt over her head) Oh, you fink you're sho clefer.
Jack: Hey, don't get all defensive on me. Patrick saw you two for a few moments and he thought you were dating.
Jen: (sarcastically) Because Patrick is such a sage. What is it with you and guys like that?
Jack: First of all, I don't think that's his style. Secondly, I know you're ticked but no need to abruptly bring Ethan in the conversation just because you refuse to admit that you're attracted to Ryan.
Jen: (opens the bathroom door) Guess what - I'm taking the couch. (walks away)
Jack: Statement withdrawn. (realizing Jen didn't hear that) Damn, I bet Ryan's gonna stick me with the floor now.
Jack heads into the bathroom. As he is brushing his teeth, he hears Ryan's voice.
Jack: Yeah? (hears Ryan talking but isn't directed towards him) That's right, the phone's in the kitchen.
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Scene: Jen is in living room, grabbing a blanket when she hears Marilyn's voice.
Jen: Yeah? (pause with no response) Computer must be in next room.
Marilyn: I'd like to inform you Peter that I'm staying on the line so don't use this as an excuse to claim you're the better parent.
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Scene: Back in bathroom. Jack tries to ignore the conversation but the wall is paper-thin.
Ryan: I told you I was coming out here this weekend.. What's the difference? It wasn't as though we had plans anyway.. That's right, I came out here with two friends.. I believe you met them. Jen Lindley and Jack McPhee.. Jack is the guy you believe is her ex.. They were never together.. What? Not that this is really any of your business but Jack is gay.. What, "experimenting"?
Jack: (trying to hold back a laugh) Peter really knows how to twist a conversation around.
Ryan: (sarcastically) Yeah, Dad, that's exactly why I came out to Boston, to get involved in a gang bang.
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Marilyn: (furiously) If that means what I think it means, I am absolutely appalled. I swear, I think you gain pleasure in making me look like a terrible parent. Do you really think.. (snaps) Would you not cut me off?
Jen: Way to go, Mrs. Farrell.
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Ryan: Do you realize just how far away from the truth that is?... I've never even had a girlfriend, nevermind all the Playboy fantasies you are convinced I'm doing in my spare time.
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Marilyn: Peter, what exactly are you attempting here? It's like you despise me but won't let me free of this god.damn marriage. It's like you don't even give a damn that so much of this is your fault. You're trying to stir up everything so it's a repeat of three years ago. If those events hadn't occured, I would've gotten the divorce this family desperately needed.
Jen: If she woke up three years ago, what could've gone wrong?
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Ryan: (voice beginning to crack) Mom, don't mention three years ago. He doesn't care about that. Besides, that will not happen again.
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Marilyn: That's right, it is time to move on.. What did you say?
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Ryan: I admit Jen has a reputation of sorts but she's not a slut.. I don't see a chance in hell that I'd let her set foot in the house ever again, so you should just stop pining at her.
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Marilyn: Do you mean Jen as in the sweet girl who's staying here? How dare you.
Jen: Someone must have mentioned his pick-up lines.
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Ryan: I'm sorry, I can't take this anymore. I should have defended her when I had the chance, Peter.. yes, that's right, I called you Peter.
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Marilyn: Don't start that whole 'living under my roof' crap.
Jen: She doesn't live there anymore so she must mean Ryan.
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Ryan: Actually, that's the first smart thing you've said in months.. Well, I'm sure you forgot that I turn 18 in about a month.
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Marilyn: Ryan, don't even think about moving out. You have enough trouble in school without dealing with that.
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Ryan: What do you suggest, Mom? I can't stay here and I will strangle him if he continues.. He doesn't care anyway, I just get in the way of his quest for the west wing of the hospital.
He slams the phone down and heads into the bathroom, where he is surprised to find Jack there.
Jack: Sorry, I didn't mean..
Ryan: (looks down at the floor) No, it's my fault. I'll find somewhere else..
Jack cuts in front of Ryan's path to the door.
Jack: You're staying right here.
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Marilyn: (still on phone) I don't think he's on the phone anymore.. Actually, I hope you're enjoying yourself because when you sober up tomorrow morning, you will realize that you just lost your son.. If I could've stayed in Capeside, I would have, but that's not fair to Randall.. So, I have the next best solution. I'm calling Kent Harding first thing in the morning. Because there is no way in hell I'm letting him stay with you for one moment longer.
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Ryan: (pacing back and forth) So, what are you planning to do? Lock me in here until I give you the information you want?
Jack: That's your call.
Ryan: I could try to push you out of the way.
Jack: No, you wouldn't. First of all, you would've already done it. Secondly, if you tried, you wouldn't succeed. I've got about three inches on you plus leftover football training.
Ryan: I never said I'd be successful at it.
Ryan sits down on the floor by the shower door as though he was at a protest. Jack slumps down to sit in front of the door, turning the lock in the process.
Jack: You're going to make this very difficult, aren't you?
Ryan: Just because I'm not wrestling you for the exit doesn't imply I'm not up for a battle of wills.
Jack: I don't seriously think it'll last very long because as soon as your mom gets off the phone, she'll go looking around.
Ryan: My mother is slightly absentminded so that wouldn't be the first thing on her mind. Besides, she probably thinks I went for a walk.
Jack: What about Jen? She will definitely be concerned.
Ryan: Deal with it when it happens. (crossing his arms, focusing on a broken tile)
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Scene: Marilyn has just slammed the phone on Peter. She walks around and is startled to see Jen awake, looking right at her.
Marilyn: Oh, Jennifer, how long have you been awake?
Jen: Long enough. Did I hear a door slam?
Marilyn: My guess is Ryan stormed out of here after that.. that.. bastard.. how the hell have we been married for twenty years?
Jen: I don't know, but the good news is that you woke up. I know some people refuse to admit that they're not married to the right guy.
Marilyn: Yes, but unfortunately, I think I waited too long. There have been two previous divorce proceedings. First time was almost fifteen years ago, but I think I was too dependent on him, so couldn't really do it. Put up with a lot of crap then finally got disgusted with him about four years ago. Attempt number two.
Jen: Which didn't happen because?
Marilyn: Let's just say it was an attempt to keep us as a family. Not really interested in rehashing the horrible details. But, shortly thereafter, met Randall, who was a friend of my divorce lawyer's. Peter's drinking has gotten worse, his actions harsher. I thank Randall for making me realize that enough is enough.
Jen: I noticed you were really holding your own when talking to him. I wish my mom would, well, maybe not a divorce exactly, but at least stand up to him.
Marilyn: Rare moment of strength for me. I have to think that your mother is just not at that point yet to understand that there's a world beyond her husband.
Jen: That is true.
Marilyn: Be glad you couldn't hear his side of the conversation when your name came up.
Jen: I already have a pretty good idea from our two previous meetings.
Marilyn: I'm sorry about that. (looking around) Hey, where's your friend Jack?
Jen: He.. let's see, he was waiting for me to finish in the bathroom so he..
Marilyn: (finishing) Probably heard Ryan's side of the discussion and went after him when he hung up. I'm sure everything will be fine, don't worry about it. Just get yourself some sleep.
Jen: Sure thing, Mrs. Farrell. (actually tries the going to sleep thing)
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An hour and a half later, basically consisting of silence. Ryan is picking at a loose tile while Jack is looking up at the ceiling.
Jack: You are enjoying this childish game a little too much.
Ryan: (looking down) I'm not trying to be childish, Jack. I'm trying to refrain from doing something I will regret later.
Jack: Okay, I'm getting the picture here. You would tell Jen but not me, is that correct?
Ryan: Don't be so sure about that.
Jack looks in Ryan's direction.
Jack: I'll tell you something from my experience. I know you think you're better off hiding from whatever the truth is, but you will get burned. When my brother died, I thought the best way to deal with it was by trying to hold the family together. Protecting the family when something went wrong. Well, the family fell apart. It's interesting how none of us are in the same place right now.
Ryan: I'm sorry about that.
Jack: I didn't want to burden anyone with my problems. It was known that my mom had kind of lost it, my dad bolted, and my sister was struggling with her demons at the time. Joey tried to get through to me, but I didn't want to deal with her. In a weird way, admitting I was gay was a step in the right direction.
Ryan: (still focusing on the tile) It was a way to finally begin to accept the hand you were dealt.
Jack: Exactly.
Ryan: I know I have issues trusting people. After all, my own parents are a couple of backstabbers. You should've seen the mess during the second divorce proceeding. It was horrible being in the middle of that custody battle. But you don't live in that house for seventeen years without getting some kind of a backbone.
Jack: There were good times in your family, right?
Ryan: Few and increasingly farther between. I shouldn't wish that my dad got into some serious trouble, but I do. He is right now so stuck in this alcoholic daze that I bet he couldn't even recognize me. He wouldn't have the faintest clue what's happening. Hell, he still denies the real cause for why they're still married.
Jack: I'm assuming money has something to do with it.
Ryan: It did for a long time. Also, my mom is really against breaking up the family.
Jack: She has to realize that by staying with him, it was really tearing everyone apart.
Ryan: She does now. I happen to agree with her filing the divorce papers. It's just..
Jack: (finishing) You still have to deal with him.
Ryan: The more that he cheats, the more he wishes that he was still single. Being aware that my mom is only really in this marriage still for my sake makes him even more angry. (finding it harder to get the words out) Three years ago, I inadvertantly convinced my mom to stop the trial. What a foolish move.
Jack: Inadvertantly? What did you do?
Ryan: Before I continue, you have to keep in mind I was very different from the person you see before you right now. Back when I was a freshman, I hung around with a bunch of party animal types, Basically, guys who would play football for the excuse of flirting with cheerleaders.
Jack: Know the type very well.
Ryan: Yeah, you would know that these aren't the type of people you could also be close friends with because their best buds are beer and T.V. But these were my closest friends at the time.
Jack: What about Cheryl?
Ryan: Well, she was still living in New York at the time. She has no problem rattling on about every little crisis in her life but I couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth about mine. Of course, she knew about the divorce since her parents were doing the same thing. Actually, she was in town on the day in question. Told me that her dad was planning to move back here when the divorce was final. This should have been great news.
Jack: But you were afraid she’d find out the truth.
Ryan: (looks up at Jack) Right. That night I went to a party as usual. I really don't remember much about that night. Must have had a couple of these spiked cookies or something because I ended up in the hospital.
Jack: (shocked) Oh my god, what happened?
Ryan: Just basic drunkenness gone too far. No big deal. Of course, my mom was furious, as a parent would be. My dad thought it was pretty cool that I was (in gruff voice) becoming a real man. So far, no big deal.
Jack: What changed that?
Ryan: Well, there was this girl that I’d often ask out, even though she always turned me down. Don’t know why I kept doing it, habit I guess. A couple of weeks later, she came over to my house because she was concerned. Apparently, that night, after she turned me down, I told her I wouldn't bug her again. This actually got her attention and we started talking.
Ryan looks away and leans his forehead against the wall.
Ryan: You know how some people become more free when they’re drunk? Well, I'm not one of those. I made a suggestion that we should drive off someplace and get away from everyone. Even though she was drunk too, she knew that was a very stupid idea. So then I went on about how if something actually went wrong, that would solve my parents' problems.
Jack is initially confused, then realizes where the problem is. He slides over to Ryan's side of the room.
Jack: Had you ever thought about it before then?
Ryan: No, but I was thinking of suicide after that. My mom decided to stick things out in the marriage because she was convinced that breaking the family apart was the problem. It made no sense to my dad, who thought, still thinks actually, that (in gruff voice) it was a bad exc.. exc.. (chokes up) I can't say it.
Jack rests his hand on Ryan's shoulder.
Jack: I'm sorry. I had no idea.
Ryan turns around to face Jack.
Ryan: So am I. It's part of the past, that whole situation. Obviously, I've moved on but I get this feeling that my dad thinks I'm still the kid from ninth grade who was out at all hours getting drunk.
Jack: Suddenly his remarks are making a little more sense.
They are interrupted by a persistant knocking at the door.
Jen: I really have to go-o-o-o-o
Suddenly Ryan begins laughing.
Jack: What's so funny?
Ryan: What she probably thinks we're doing in here.
Jack catches Ryan's meaning and tries to hold back a laugh.
Jen: Jack, Ryan, is that you? What are you two doing?
Jack unlocks the door and opens to find Jen dancing back and forth frantically.
Jack: We were just talking..
Ryan: (interrupting) ..about the best way to approach the party tomorrow night. Making sure Jack doesn't back out of it.
Jack gives him a strange look.
Jen: Oh, well, that's good. For a moment, I was thinking that my best friend was trying to hook up with my new friend. Come on, I really have to go.
Jack and Ryan both try to hold back the laughter as they exit the bathroom. Jen runs in and slams the door quickly. Ryan is walking out of the kitchen while Jack is staring at the bathroom door in bewilderment.
Jack: (turns around) How the hell did you turn that one on me?
Ryan: Sorry about that. It was the first thing I could think of.
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Part 12 - High Stakes