Beyond the Triangle
Part 13 - Scrambled Eggs
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Scene: The next day. The smell of sausages fills the air, waking Ryan and Jack.
Jack: The smell of actual food in the morning? This is quite odd.
Ryan: It doesn't smell like it's burning so it definitely isn't my mom cooking.
Jack jumps up and heads into the kitchen.
Jack: I don't believe this. Ryan, you are not going to believe what's going on!
Ryan joins Jack in the doorway.
Jen: You make it sound like I never do this.
Jack: That's because you never do this.
Jen: It's remarkable what you can accomplish when you wake up at dawn.
Jack: Okay, who are you and what have you done to Jen Lindley? Was there an alien abduction?
Ryan: Did Kurt slip you any odd pills last night?
Jen: Ha ha. Seriously, I can cook. I hate to cook normally, but I can. Maybe it's withdrawal from Kent's coffee.
Jack: That I believe. (sits down at the table)
Ryan's mom walks in dazed.
Marilyn: Am I still in a dream?
Jen: Coffee's ready.
Marilyn heads right to the coffeemaker to pour herself a cup.
Ryan: (as he sits down at the table) And you thought Jen had a problem?
Marilyn: (takes a sip of from the cup and is suddenly jolted awake) Good morning. Did you happen to get the paper from outside?
Jen points to the counter. Marilyn darts right for it.
Marilyn: Thanks, Jennifer. Could get spoiled by having somebody like you around. I'll be out of your way now. (leaves the room with the newspaper under her arm and the coffee in her hand)
Jen: Is that what I'm gonna look like in twenty years?
Jack: (grins) Most likely.
Jen: You thought I'd let you get away without explaining what happened last night with Patrick.
Jack: Not much to say. Those three drunks were still bitching about their relationships when Marty got disgusted and suggested tracking down the guy responsible for the crappy music.
Jen: Hey, I'll have you know that I thought Kurt and I did a masterful job.
Jack: Well, as soon as you left, I heard Jennifer Lopez piping through so it wasn't completely effective. Anyway, Patrick and I both realized that, though the night was a lot of fun, we really weren't compatible as an actual item.
Jen: I'm sorry to hear that. (places a plate of sausages and eggs on the table)
Jack: Not a real problem. Exchanged emails and agreed to write to each other.
Jen: So, what exactly was wrong?
Jack: He is driven to get his first book finished and doesn't want anything else complicating his life right now.
Jen: Ah, the 'let's be friends' speech.
Jack: Not a real big deal since I might have said the same thing. Didn't really feel a connection there, although I am glad I went to the party.
Jen: So my quest continues.
Ryan: You really are awake. I thought only Cheryl had that kind of intensity this early in the morning.
Jen: Can you not compare me to her like that?
Jack: (through a mouthful of food) I have to agree with the comparison.
Jen: Oh, shut up and enjoy the occasion.
They resume eating wordlessly, Jen shocking them both by clearing the table.
Jen: Yes, I intend to go full-steam at the hostess role today.
Jack: I'll be so sorry when you revert to your regular identity tomorrow.
Jen: (snickers) I'm sure Kent Harding won't.
Ryan: Jack, I was wondering if you had any plans after we get home.
Jack: Oh no, the cupid virus is spreading.
Ryan: (throws a napkin at him) This is serious. I need your help moving out. I was planning to do it alone but then (gesturing to Jen) this graceful ballerina over here landed on my ankle. Nothing too serious but it's not such a wise idea to lift a trunk either.
Jack: Sure, no problem. When are we heading out?
Ryan: As early as possible so I can get this over with. Why don't you take the bathroom first?
Jack: 'Kay.
Jack heads out of the room. Ryan gets up about to follow.
Jen: By the way, did you really mean what you said last night? About how I was too valuable a person to take any chances?
Ryan: (slowly) Oh, so you remember last night.
Jen: I may not have said what I said as abruptly but I certainly don't think it was a drunken regret either. (walks over to him) So, did you mean it?
Ryan: I did. I just didn't want to take the chance that you would back out.
Jen: Third time's a charm? Let's see, as I'm told, you initiated the first kiss. Then I initiated the second. So, proper protocol dictates...
Ryan places a finger to her lips and leans in closer.
Ryan: (coyly) I think we've been doing enough talking, don't you Jenner?
He softly presses his lips against hers. Jen reciprocates the kiss and moves her hand around his neck. They are interrupted by a cough. Jen breaks away and looks up. Ryan turns around to see Jack standing in the doorway, trying to hold back a smile.
Jack: I guess I don't need to ask how your evening went.
Jen finds a dishtowel nearby and throws it at him, completely startling Jack as it hits him square in the face.
Jack: (removing the towel) Glad to see you haven't lost your accuracy in the heat of the moment.
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Scene: The car ride home. Jen fell asleep in the back seat as soon as they left the house and wakes up just as they enter Capeside.
Jack: There was this guy in my old town that had a license plate that read C LOVER. Thought it would be cool since he works on a ship. But he couldn't figure out why he was always asked if liked the outdoors or was Irish. Nobody could tell him the truth.
Ryan nods in amusement.
Ryan: I've got once I'll tell you once I get to a traffic light.
The next light is red, so Ryan pulls out a pencil and paper from the glove compartment.
Ryan: When I was visiting New York City once, there was one reading (writes down a sequence of symbols and hands it to Jack)
Jack: (reads paper) I don't get it.
Ryan: Say it out loud.
Jack: 2, 6, E, 4, U. That's what you wrote, right?
Jen: Oh my god, I remember that one. That was the plate on my friend's brother's car.
Jack: I don't get it.
Jen: Say it faster.
Jack: 2, 6, E, 4, U. (Jack is still confused while Jen and Ryan are laughing) What?
Ryan: Nice of you to wake up to a lame joke. So you knew the guy?
Jen: Kind of. A one-time close friend who had a brother with a really warped sense of humor. Let me tell you, the guy is a total dog.
Ryan: Naturally.
Jen: Actually, his younger brother was a total babe. I remember this one night, we were at a party and got all drunk and.. (glancing at Ryan) nevermind, that's not the greatest of stories.
Jack smiles at Jen's attempt.
Ryan: I know I'm going to hear some of these stories eventually. Should at least know why people still call you a bad girl.
Jack: (makes a swish sound) And you're off the hook, Jen.
Ryan pulls the car over to the curb in front of Jen's house.
Jen: Oh, the chauffeur ride is over?
Ryan: Yeah, the fairy tale ride is over. That'll be fifty nine bucks, miss.
Jen: Eh, put it on my tab. (grabbing her backpack) Have fun moving. (leans over the front seat to grab a tape) Can't leave without the Moby tape. (heads out of the car)
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Scene: Shortly afterwards, the car is in front of the Farrell house. Both guys walk up the path to the door, which is open. They are surprised to see Kent Harding sitting on the couch.
Kent: Jack, this is a surprise.
Ryan: Kent, you didn't need to come here...
Kent: Yes, I did. I've known your dad long enough to know he wouldn't just sit idly by. Fortunately, or not,he got a call from work. Something about an emergency situation.
Ryan: An emergency or an (doing quote marks in the air) emergency.
Kent: I think it was actually an emergency because he did want to be around here when you returned. He'll probably be gone for the day. So, I guess with Jack here, you don't really need any help. (pulls out a key) I should be getting to work later so if you need to get in and I've left, you shouldn't be stuck. (hands Ryan the key) See you later. (heads out)
* * * * *
Scene: In Ryan's bedroom as they are packing.
Jack: I'm surprised you haven't pushed this whole Patrick situation.
Ryan: Why would I? So it didn't work out between you two. Mismatches occur.
Jack: You weren't before the party either. Did you know that was going to happen?
Ryan: Absolutely not. I don't know Patrick very well. I didn't even know he was writing a book.
Jack holds up a ragged Red Sox cap, which Ryan gestures to throw in the garbage.
Ryan: There is something you said Friday night that made me think nothing would really happen between you two.
Jack: You've confused me.
Ryan: I guess I should just come right out and ask. Do you still have fantasies about Pacey Witter?
Jack: What? Ryan, what the hell are you talking about? Did Marty tell you something stupid like that.
Ryan: Why, did you tell Marty something?
Jack: (flustered) No, of course I didn't. Pacey? Where did that come from?
Ryan: The fact that Jen had no clue about your brother's friend but you told a complete stranger meant that it couldn't be him. You would've confided in her about it by now. So, it must be a friend of hers.
Jack: That's actually what Marty said as well.
Ryan: Based on what I know, that narrows it down to three people: me, Dawson and Pacey. Let's face it, if it was me, you would have done something in that bathroom when you had the chance.
Jack: You think too highly of yourself.
Ryan: It's a serious thought stuck in my head. I doubt it would freak me out if it was true, but let's be happy it's not. Moving on, Dawson. No, you seem to have a pretty low tolerance level of him, which I'd consider perfectly normal. Therefore, option three.
Jack: (starts to turn red) That is a completely stupid theory.
Ryan: Fine, but, if it's true, it doesn't matter to me. I'm not really friends with him. It's a little amusing, but that's about it. I swear, I won't tell Jen if it is.
Jack: Do you want to pack alone or do you want help?
Ryan: (waves a t-shirt in surrender) Fine. I won't mention it again today. But you can't count on such a guarantee tomorrow.
Jack: You can be so much like Jen sometimes, it's scary.
Part 14 - The Power of Geometry