Beyond the Triangle
Part 5 - The Other Man
Scene: Late at night. Jack has left Jen's and is walking home when he spots Ryan pacing in front of his house.
Jack: What are doing here?
Ryan: Hey, Jack. I shouldn't have come here. This is such a mistake. I couldn't sleep so I started walking and ended up here.
Jack: Not a problem. Were you waiting long? Because I was about to stay on Jen's couch so you would've been out in the cold. (gets his keys out) Come on in.
Ryan: Thanks, though that wasn't a real concern to me.
They walk into the house. Jack directs Ryan to the living room while he walks into the kitchen, looking for a couple of mugs.
Jack: Tea sound good?
Ryan: Fine. (rubbing his hands together) I guess the weather was worse than I thought.
A couple of minutes later, Jack enters the room with two mugs and hands one to Ryan. Silence fills the air as Ryan is looking anywhere but at Jack. Jack drags a lounge chair over and sits down. Realizing they're getting nowhere, he decides to make small talk.
Jack: Stayed at Jen's last night, so your timing could have been even worse. She finally convinced me to take a morning trek to the Coffee Cup. I have to admit, it's a little different than it was at the opening.
Ryan: Kent did some redecorating.
Jack: Your father came in while we were there. You know, he...
Ryan: (cuts him off) Was he drunk or hung over?
Jack: Drunk, I think. Anyway, he and Kent had this..
Ryan: Whole battle of wits, I know the story. (changing the subject quickly) Suddenly I got a second wind. Here's the thing. I think you're wrong about Jen being attracted to me.
Jack: (startled) Are you sure about that? Because I see you two and think there is really something there.
Ryan: Close to certain. It's too bad because I really like her as more than a friend but...
Jack: But are worried about ruining what you have so far? You realize that there is this whole sexual tension between you two.
Ryan: No, because the friendship has already been damaged. I went to Jen's earlier to talk to her about it and saw her outside and.. I couldn't bear to actually look at her. All I can do is think about what happened last night.
Jack: What did happen when I left the room? I asked her and she said nothing.
Ryan: I kissed her while she was sleeping through While You Were Sleeping.
Jack: (smiles) Oh, great. I was about to suspect you hadn't made a move. (notices pained look on his face) Not great move?
Ryan: Initially, no. At first, it was exhilirating. There was quite a bit of energy released, you know. And then... (he shakes his head and gets up from the couch, heading for the door)
Jack blocks off his path to the door.
Jack: And then? (grabs Ryan's arm so that he will finally look in his direction) And then?
Ryan looks up at him, with a glint of fire in his hazel eyes.
Ryan: (blurts out) And then she called me by your name. (pushes him out of the way and leaves)
Jack: How the hell did I become the "other man" here? (leans against the wall, confused by what transpired)
* * * * *
Scene: The following day at Jen's. Grams is home, finally. She is in the kitchen, making Christmas cookies, when Jack walks in.
Jack: (sniffs) The smell of baking is in the air.
Grams: (smiles) I'm glad you enjoy it. Jennifer prefers playing Grinch this time of year.
Jen: (interrupts from another room) I do not.
Grams: There are still remnants of wrapping paper in the freezer from your last display of Christmas spirit.
Jen: (enters the kitchen and snickers) Oh, yeah, Merry F-in Christmas time.
Grams: Well, I'm glad you're in the holiday spirit. Finally.
Grams looks in Jack's direction for the first time and notices a distant look on his face.
Grams: Thinking about your family?
Jack: I'm sure Dad and Andie are having a blast catching up.
Grams: She'll be home soon. Don't mess the holiday up with the blues.
Jen: Yeah, you know that this is a second family for you.
Grams: That's right. Two people that care about you very much are in this house right here. Just want to see you happy.
Jack glances in Jen's direction, then gets a slightly worried expression on his face. Jen notices Jack giving her this unfamiliar look.
Jack: Thanks.
* * * * *
Scene: Christmas. Cheryl is at her house watching tv when she suddenly jumps off the couch, startling her father.
Kent: What, you don't like "Miracle on 34th Street"?
Cheryl: (looks at her dad) No, I mean, the original is better than this 90's version, but that's not it. I just got this sudden urge to forgive someone on Christmas. (heads for phone)
Kent: (calls out) While you're at it, ask him if he'd be available tomorrow morning. George mentioned something about not being able to get back to town before evening.
Cheryl: How do you know I'm calling Ryan? (kiddingly) I could be itching to talk to Mom.
Kent: Which I might believe if she wasn't here not two hours earlier. She's probably not even home yet.
Cheryl: (smiles) Okay, you got me.
Cheryl dials Ryan's number.
Mrs. Farrell: Farrell residence.
Cheryl: Hello, Mrs. Farrell. Is Ryan around?
Mrs. Farrell: No, he decided to spend vacation at his cousin's.
Cheryl: You mean Kurt?
Mrs. Farrell: Yeah. Thought he could use the college surroundings to get a little more motivated about the future.
Cheryl: How long has he been planning this?
Mrs. Farrell: Well, his father suggested it several weeks ago. But he suddenly agreed to go yesterday.
Cheryl: Odd. Well, okay, thank you very much. Merry Christmas to you.
Mrs. Farrell: Same to your family.
Cheryl puts down the receiver and walks back into the living room.
Kent: Something wrong?
Cheryl: I think so. He abruptly chose to visit his cousin's.
Kent: As in the same cousin who threw a keg party last winter that the cops invaded?
Cheryl nodded.
Kent: The one who blamed Ryan when he pawned jewelry off his parents to pay off a bookie?
Cheryl: The very same. Why the hell would he want to deal with Kurt now?
* * * * *
Scene: Jen's kitchen. Grams, Jen, and Jack are in the kitchen cleaning up when the phone rings.
Jen: Hello?
Andie: Jen! I'm so happy to hear your voice! It seems like I haven't been there for ages. Merry Christmas wishes from Italy.
Jen: It's great to hear you too, Andie. (Jack turns around) We were just about to call you. How is the scenery out there?
Andie: It is soooo beautiful, Jen. You wouldn't believe it!
Jen covers the receiver slightly so Andie's screeching isn't so piercing to her ear. Jack laughs at this gesture.
Jen: I wouldn't want to keep the family apart any longer during the holidays. (hands the phone over to Jack)
Jack: Buon Natale.
Andie: Merry Christmas to you too. I bet those are the only words of Italian you know.
Jack: (smiles) Not true. I know a few others, which I will refrain from saying in front of Grams.
Andie: So, how have you been?
Jack: You know, the usual, finished college applications, get to worry about schools and stuff...
Andie: (pleads) Oh, please stop sounding like me. You know what I really want to know has nothing to do with school.
Jack: (looking in Jen's direction) You've got me. I didn't really want to say this but the others, they've been searching for a replacement for you.
Jen gives Jack this strange look.
Andie: What?
Jack: Yeah, we recruited this girl Cheryl who is just like you. (Jen begins laughing) She's neurotic, methodical and in love with Dawson, just like you.
Andie: (screeching) I was never in love with Dawson!
Jack moves his ear away from the receiver as she continues her screeching.
Jack: Are you done? Seriously, there is a girl named Cheryl who happens to be dating Dawson.
Andie: Oh, there's no animosity between Dawson and Joey anymore? You mean my speech actually brought people together?
Jack: (in monotone) Yeah, Andie, of course, it was all your doing. They knew they had to follow your advice.
Andie: But of course. Is something wrong? And I mean beyond the fact that you miss me.
Jack: What are you talking about? Everything is fine.
Andie: I don't believe you.
Jack: Trust me, it is.
Jack sees Grams and Jen staring at him.
Andie: Either one of two things. You are in a severe case of denial that you thought your sister wouldn't be able to hear from another continent or it's about you and Jen and she's still in the room.
Jack: Andie, this is not the time to get into stuff like that. I, er, think we know that, um, Mom is thinking of us and she, er, isn't going to be that upset.
Andie: Oh, you're real good. I'll bug you more in email form about this 'non-issue' you have.
Jack: How's things been with Gianluca?
Jen: Who's Gianluca?
Andie: Cute, very cute segue. Anyway, he is so sweet. He brought over these honey balls called struffoli that his mother made for my family.
Jack: (covering mouthpiece) He's a neighbor of Aunt Georgia's who seems to have a crush on our dear Andie. Thing is, the feeling is mutual.
Andie: I heard that. I do not have a crush on him. Granted, he's a very good looking guy.
Jack: And, of course, you aren't interested in looks alone. I'm sure that's what you thought of Jean-Jean.
Andie: Okay, am I ever going to hear the end of that one?
* * * * *
Scene: It is the day after Christmas and Jen, Joey, and Pacey are sitting at a table in Coffee Cup when Cheryl shows up.
Cheryl: Morning, guys. Didn't think you guys would wake up early today. Didn't think I would either but those are the breaks in life. (eyeing Pacey suspiciously) Are you forming an alliance with the enemy?
Pacey: Gretchen went to get her car from her ex-boyfriend Nick. You won't tell her of my discretion?
Cheryl: (kiddingly) I'll try to keep my mouth shut.
Jen: I thought you were planning to work nights this week.
Cheryl: As much as that news would have thrilled you my dear, I was forced in now. The regular waiter is stuck in New Hampshire and will be back tonight. Tried to stip Ryan with the honor, even though we haven't talked since the Friday debacle in the classroom. But he decided he'd rather spend the vacation with his frat-boy cousin.
Jen: (shocked) What? I thought he'd be around to hang out with.
Pacey: (at same time) Is that what you kids are calling it now?
Joey: (at same time) And other things.
Cheryl tries to suppress a laugh. Jen looks at her friends and the waitress oddly.
Jen: What is that supposed to mean?
Pacey: May I be the first to say that you two are so cute together.
Cheryl: You may not since I have already said it.
Jen: Yeah, I know, and Jack too. I get it. Something is definitely starting up here.
Cheryl: Yay. I'm so happy to hear that. I'm sure he'll be too, as soon as he returns.
Jen: Must you tell him everything?
Cheryl: No, actually, I have more fun torturing him about making a move. What can I say, I get my kicks in very strange ways. But this whole trip thing is bugging me a little.
Pacey: Why's that?
Cheryl: Let's just say that Kurt had caused enough trouble this past summer for Ryan to insist he'd never speak to him again. Kurt is probably what Ryan's dad was like when he was in college.
Joey doesn't get the analogy but Pacey and Jen both shake their heads.
Joey: What the hell are you two agreeing with?
Pacey: Peter Farrell makes my dad look like a motivational speaker.
Joey's eyes grow wide.
Jen: Cheryl, how the hell does Ryan put up with him?
Cheryl: He used to try to confront his dad about his behavior but it's completely pointless - the guy is like talking to a wall. His mom kind of leads her own life now - they're sort of separated but she says she's moving out as soon as Ryan graduates. The really funny thing is that she's become the moms in teen movies who watches idly by, playing the role of mother in name only.
Joey: So he probably wishes they would just move on with their lives already.
Cheryl: Something like that, although I'm not real sure if living with his mom is even that great of a solution anymore. There are many a night he's spent at my house, especially when one of them is using the house as a, shall we say 'private quarters'. My dad kind of silently watches him while basically doing the dirty work with Peter.
Pacey: So you two are like family to him? (to Jen)Sounds like an oddly familiar arrangement.
Cheryl eyes Jen, wanting to question it, but then changes her mind.
Cheryl: So, I'd better get back to work. (walks away)
Pacey: She doesn't sound like the person you've been describing, Potter.
Joey: (rattled) Pacey, I know how things were. You don't.
Cheryl: (walks by table) A lot has changed in five years. I use my powers of manipulation for good, not evil. (walks away again)
Joey: How the hell does she do that?
* * * * *
Scene: That night at Jen's. Jack is on the laptop checking his email when a message pops up on the screen.
display - FROM: Amcphee
I don't care what you say, I'm calling right now.
A minute later, the phone rings. Jack sighs and picks up.
Jack: You had to do that.
Andie: I figured we could've done the chat thing but I can't type that fast. Plus, it's harder for you to ignore me this way. So, what didn't you want to tell me yesterday?
Jack: Andie, don't do that.
Andie: So, is it about Jen? Is she there?
Jack: No, she's not home right now. She thought she'd go interrupt some of Pacey and Joey's snuggling time.
Andie: Okay, then spill. What'd she do that is so terrible?
Jack walks into the guest room, looks out the window, and takes a deep breath.
Jack: I wouldn't use the word terrible, exactly. However, I have this fear that when she finds out what she did, things will never be the same between us.
Andie: You lost me.
Jack: Remember I told you about when I found out that stuff in her journal?
Andie: (slowly) Uh uh. The dreams.
Jack: They're not only not over, they have gotten much worse.
Jen is walking in the hallway, hears Jack talking in the guest room and stops in the doorway.
Andie: How is that possible?
Jack: Well, Ryan, the guy I told you about from the Coffee Cup opening, was over here a couple of days ago and was watching movies with us. The two of them ended up alone. He thought he'd try to pull a Prince Charming on her. Imagine his surprise when she continues the kiss. Which would have been fine except she was having a dream at the moment and thought he was me.
Andie: What?
Jen: What?
Jack freezes, afraid to turn around.
Andie: Who... oh my god, she just heard that, didn't she?
Jack: Yeah, look, um, I'll talk to you soon, Andie.
Jack hangs up the phone and slowly turns around to see Jen crying. Instinctively, he goes over to comfort but she pushes him away and heads to her room.
Part 6 - Reality of Switzerland