Beyond the Triangle
Part 12 - High Stakes
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Scene: Saturday night at Harding house.
Cheryl is watching a videotape when there is a knock at the door. She lets Dawson in and reverts back to her position on the couch. Dawson stands there in bewilderment until he turns to the tv and spots a disco club.
Dawson: Spending a Saturday night watching a movie? Wow, I must really be rubbing off on you.
Cheryl: This is just a documentary my mom did on the New York nightlife from a couple of years ago.
Dawson: I didn't know your mom was into film.
Cheryl: (still staring at the tv) She isn't. It's part of her resume, was hoping Dateline or some other cheap-o reality show would bite. It landed on a public broadcasting station about a month ago, so it wasn't completely dead. Informative yet dull.
A couple of minutes of silence follow as Dawson realizes Cheryl's not really paying attention to the show.
Dawson: Are you still mad about last night? Look, I'm sorry this set-up didn't work.
Cheryl: Well, that talk with Tobey was a half hour I'll never get back. But I think he is kind of cute and there could still be potential..
Dawson: You can't stand to be around him yet think he'd still be perfect for Jack? That doesn't make sense.
Cheryl: Oh, come on, Dawson. One little encounter can't do any harm. Besides, that's not the problem. Got several, increasingly odd, phone calls from the Farrell clan. If I understood everything correctly, basically she lost every ounce of faith in Peter, er I mean Mr. Farrell.
Dawson: I thought she already filed divorce papers thereby proving she gave up on the marriage.
Cheryl: Well, there is still something greater she could do.
Dawson: (raising an eyebrow) Ryan's moving to New York? I'm so sorry to here that. (pulls her into a hug to hide his glee at the idea)
Cheryl: (pulling away from him) Well, yes, he's moving out but, no, not to live with his mom, so you can cut the false sympathy act.
Dawson: Then where.. here?
Cheryl: Yeah. I know this should be a moment of celebrating but, for purely selfish reasons, I'm not enjoying this idea. The funny thing is that I'm sure Ryan must know what's going on but he hasn't called once. It's been all Mrs. Farrell making arrangements and Mr. Farrell making threats today.
Dawson: Making threats?
Cheryl: Well, not exactly threats, more like he's not going to leave his family alone. Dad told him basically to either go to rehab and take some responsibility for this mess or go to hell.
Dawson: Do you think it's right for your father to step in the middle of this?
Cheryl stares at him as though canaries were flying between his ears.
Cheryl: Are you insane? That guy has caused nothing but trouble for so many years! He needs some serious help but is too blind to see it. If you ever meet him, you would agree. (gets up to shut off the tv)
Dawson: Cheryl, I just meant, isn't this a family matter?
Cheryl: Exactly. Just because Dad and I aren't blood relatives to them doesn't mean we're not family. I cannot count the number of times either of us have had to step in and play mediator or counselor. Weren't you the one telling me that your mom was planning to name her unborn daughter after Joey's mom? Last time I heard the report, she was definitely not your sister.
Dawson: I hardly think the name of a child is the same thing as what's happening here.
Cheryl: Didn't she spend many a night sleeping in your room? I mean during the times when it was only sleeping.
Dawson: You said yourself you're not thrilled about this new arrangement!
Cheryl: For the purely selfish reason that we haven't been that close lately. Do you know what he's doing this weekend? He, Jack and Jen are out there basically trying to find a guy for Jack. After knowing about my plan about the coalition! I found this out through his normally out-of-the-loop mother. How pathetic is that! Anyway, that doesn't mean I don't support this decision one hundred percent.
Dawson: Okay, so you're going to turn this into my fault. I can see that. You are always the one questioning this relationship because of my past with Joey. But did you ever think that there's more than just brother/sister?
Cheryl: (rolls her eyes) This is beyond sad, Dawson.
Dawson: He's seen boyfriends come and go but Jen is probably your first serious threat and it makes you quite jealous
Cheryl: (gets up and opens the door) I refuse at this moment to have such a childish conversation. If you insist to claim that I am jealous just to hide the fact that you are jealous, then there really is nothing I could say right now that would change your mind. Goodbye, Dawson.
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Scene: Jen, Jack and Ryan are entering college party
Jen: (looking around the room) These guys really know how to throw a party.
Ryan: Remember, there are actual signs of civilization in Boston.
Jen: How I forget sometimes.
Ryan’s cousin Kurt approaches.
Kurt: What the hell are you doing here, man?
Ryan: It’s called an invitation. Maybe you’ve heard of it.
Kurt: (glancing in Jen’s direction) I guess I’m relieved the party gods thought you were something special.
Ryan: Damn it, now I have to introduce you. Kurt, these are my friends from home Jack and Jen. Guys, my not-very-subtle cousin Kurt.
Jen: Oh, so you’re the one he was visiting during the break.
Kurt: (bows) That is me. Anyone like techno? Cuz I’m having the hardest time trying to convince this fool at the controls that a good party just doesn’t have Mariah Carey remixes blasting in the background.
Jen: I think I can help you bring the music back to the people.
Kurt: Sounds great to me. Any other volunteers?
Jack: I’m actually looking for someone.
Ryan: I’m sorry but that kind of music gives me a headache. It’s not the type one can handle sober.
Kurt: That I do agree with which is why the keg is in that direction.
Ryan: No thanks, not tonight. Have to get my dad’s car back in one piece.
Kurt: You mean Uncle Peter’s old Jeep? That thing still runs? Man, I remember he taught me how to drive in that scrap heap. Anyway, I’ll lead the way, milady. (he and Jen head to the stereo system)
Jack: I’m surprised you let that happen so easily.
Ryan: You make it seem like a big deal, which it isn’t.
Patrick: Well, if it isn’t the two gentlemen of Capeside.
Jack and Ryan turn around to see Patrick in a silver jacket and a bright green visor.
Ryan: You didn’t mention that we’d need sunglasses tonight.
Jack: The legacies travel to the far corners of the world.
Patrick: Well, the visor is from this box of junk Lauren brought here. Seem like things you’d normally find at a six-year-old’s party. I guess since some of the people here have the intelligence level of a six-year-old, it fits perfectly. (removes the visor and places it on Jack’s head) There’s a lot more where this came from. Marty’s starting up a poker game. Thought you two might want to join.
Jack: Is this just a poker game or are the stakes different?
Patrick: Well, me, Marty and Ari were plotting against Sari to get some of our money back. With other people there, it looks a little more innocent. But I wouldn’t doubt the stakes changing into other types of wagers. Marty and I tend to do side bets involving shots anyway.
Ryan: Because naturally you’d never agree to just play cards.
Patrick: I like to make it more fun. If we manage to get Arielle on the ropes, she inevitably chooses to change the game to strip poker. It can be rather funny watching those three chicks making complete fools of themselves. If I can somehow convince Lauren to join in, it could become a gay, multiracial version of Waiting to Exhale. You never know what could come out of an innocent game of poker.
Jack: Sounds like an agreeable offer. Ryan?
Ryan: (sighs as he spots Jen and Kurt laughing away) I’m in for a couple of hands.
Patrick: Cool. I’m going to hunt for Lauren. Table’s by the fridge. Meet ya in a couple. (walks away)
Ryan: How did I get dragged into a game like this?
Jack: You want to keep busy and forget who Jen’s talking to. Either that or being a supportive friend for me. (heads to the poker table)
Ryan: (following) I guess you’re hoping Arielle really sucks tonight, huh.
Jack pushes Ryan in front of him as they head to the table.
* * * * *
(a couple of hours later)
Lauren: That bitch Talinda just doeshn’t know a good thing when she shees it.
Sari: We all knew that years ago sweetie.
Patrick: Anyone ever tell you that you’re nothing but a couple of old hens?
Sari: See, Arielle, men are bastards. Doesn’t matter if they’re gay or straight, they’re still a bunch of sexist pigs.
Jack: (to Patrick) They’re only like this when they’re drunk, right?
Patrick: Fortunately, yes. Only the drunk use barn animal analogies. Hmm, I guess that qualifies me too.
Ryan observes that Arielle is low on cash.
Ryan: You know, I think I’m going to head out.
Jack: Are you sure because this is just starting to get interesting?
Ryan: Look, you could stay here if you want. I’m sure Sari won’t mind you camping out here tonight. Otherwise, you could call me when you’re ready, though I’d be really cranky.
Marty: Don’t sweat it Farrell. Jack will be jusht fine here.
Ryan gets up from his seat and starts searching for Jen, who he spots leaning against the wall, drinking a beer.
Ryan: Hey, Jenner, not having fun?
Jen: Oh, hey, finally a familiar face. Where were you guys?
Ryan: In the back room, away from the noise. Playing cards. Want to head out of here?
Jen: Where’s Jack?
Ryan: Don’t worry about him. He’ll make his way back. Didn’t want to take him away from the fun. But I’m ready to hightail outta here.
Jen: Take me along with you. (she grabs Ryan’s arm and pulls herself away from the wall)
Ryan: A little drunk I see. (heads to the coat rack) Yours is the red one, right?
Jen holds her index finger and thumb a few centimeters apart.
Jen: Just a teeny bit. But I can handle myself just fine.
Ryan: Of course.
The two walk out to the car with Jen barely able to walk in a straight line. Ryan places his arm around Jen to keep her in path.
Jen: You know, I’d love to be carried.
Ryan: Well, I’d love to have a limo drive us home but some thing are just not feasible.
Jen’s foot finds a patch of ice on the ground, which she slips on. She grabs onto Ryan’s arm, which only makes him fall down with her.
Jen: I guess I can be rather clumsy.
Jen gets up quickly and brushes herself off. Ryan tries to do the same but has trouble balancing on his left foot.
Jen: Are you all right?
Ryan: I think I just landed on my ankle oddly. Nothing that can’t be walked off.
Ryan tries to demonstrate but ends up limping instead.
Jen: How are we supposed to get home now?
Ryan: I don’t recall needing two feet to drive a car. Definitely better than you driving.
Jen: Okay, place your arm over my shoulder and I’ll get you to the car. Maybe not in a straight line, but I will get you there eventually.
Jen tries to steady herself as Ryan does as told. The two walk to the car in a zigzag fashion.
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Scene: Somehow Jen and Ryan make it back to the house in one piece. Jen stumbles in with Ryan walking slowly behind her. Both plop down on the couch.
Jen: You are a terrible driver, you know that.
Ryan: (defensively) It’s pretty difficult when the passenger is threatening to hurl every two minutes.
Jen: I’m going to block out that negativity. You stay here while I get you some ice. (heads into the kitchen)
Jen struggles getting the ice from the tray. She gets disgusted and slams the tray on the table, splattering all the ice cubes on the floor. Jen is picking up the fragments when she spots Ryan in the doorway, leaning against the wall shaking his head.
Ryan: You do realize there are people in this house trying to sleep.
Jen: You should be relieved that it’s me, not my grandmother or your mother, who spotted you walking around like that. (dumps the cubes she found down the drain)
Ryan: Says the drunk lady by the sink. Any particular reason you ended up like this?
Jen: What is it about your family that seems drawn to me?
Ryan: I don’t understand what you mean.
Jen: After I helped get some decent music playing, your cousin and I started talking. Nothing serious or anything, just passing the time. Then, he suddenly veers the conversation into a sex talk. Became obvious his only goal was to get in my pants.
Ryan: Isn’t it obvious? My dad is his idol. Just something about young beautiful blondes brings out the Neanderthal in them.
Jen: What about you?
Ryan: (dismissively) Genetics playing havoc, even though it’s only you.
Jen: You know that’s a bunch of bull. I know of at least one occasion when there was more than friendship between us.
Ryan: We are not carrying out this discussion now.
Jen: (walks over to him and places her hand against the wall) That’s fine, let’s not discuss it.
Jen leans in and kisses him. Ryan is completely startled and pushes her away.
Ryan: I’m serious, Jen, this is not transpiring.
Jen: Ryan, it has been an undercurrent in our friendship since it first started. I have been in love with you ever since I first tracked you down during the Coffee Cup opening.
Ryan: I’m not denying that I don’t really want this to happen. It’s just that, do you have any idea how difficult it was for me to accept that you truly had no knowledge of the first kiss? It’s just that I fear you’ll try to write off anything carried out tonight as a drunken regret. Or, even worse, not even remember.
Jen: People who are drunk don’t suddenly lose their memory.
Ryan: Trust me, sometimes they do. I barely handled it before. If I let this resume and you back out, I really don’t think there will be a way to turn back. Maybe another time when we’re both drunk enough to laugh it off.
Jen: (coyly) What about taking the risk that I don’t retract it?
Ryan: (shakes his head) You’re too valuable a person to take any chances. Good night, Jen Lindley.
Ryan walks toward the sink to retrieve a couple of chunks of ice, places them in a bag and heads out of the kitchen. Jen watches him stumble into the living room then sulks down to the ground.
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Part 13 - Scrambled Eggs