Controlled Chaos
Part 2 - Beginning of the College Years
Scene: Boston University. Freshmen moving into the dorms.
Jen is in the hallway carrying two dufflebags when someone crashes into her. After muttering obscenities to herself, she is surprised to see Andie standing there.
Andie: Oh, I'm so sorry... Jen, hey Jen, you're finally here. (hugs her) Did you come here straight from New York?
Jen: Yeah, it was surprisingly painless to stay with them for a couple of weeks. Plus, it made it much easier to accept the money my dad's doling out for this place. Do you know where room 235 is?
Andie: (nods) Follow me. (spins around, leaving Jen to carry her belongings)
Andie stops in front of room 235. While Jen is fishing for the key, Andie turns the handle.
Jen: You knew it was open?
Cheryl: Why wouldn't she? She was just here. Welcome to our home sweet home.
Jen: (glances at the boxes around the room) Did you just get here?
Cheryl: No, but I thought it would make more sense if we figured out how to arrange the room before unpacking. That way, nothing has to be changed.
Jen raises an eyebrow, then glances at Andie.
Andie: (throws her hands up in the air) So I was giving advice earlier. Geez!
Cheryl: Only because Jack threw her out of the room. He thought she was having too much fun. Besides, unlike Andie, I despise doing the same work twice.
Andie places her hands on her hips, trying to look pissed off.
Jen: (smiles toward Andie) I guess I should be relieved you're not my roommate. No offense, Andie, but I think I'd kill you if we were together too long.
Jack: (sticking his head in the room) How do you think I feel?
Jen's eyes brighten upon hearing his voice. Jack strolls in and sits on one of the beds.
Jack: Did you enjoy New York?
Jen: It was, well, strange. It was strange to see the city without being under the influence. Don't get me wrong, I still think the city is the best place in the world, but I'm relieved I decided not to accept the offer from NYU.
Andie: We've gotta get this together. I think you guys will need my help. (Cheryl sits down next to Jack, preparing for the orders) Now, you two could make a list of the pros and cons of..
Cheryl: (interrupts) Jen, can I take this bed? (pointing to where she's sitting) I love the view.
Jen: Sounds fine to me. I prefer the closet on the other side.
Andie gets irritated which sets Jack into fits of laughter.
Jack: I'm sorry your services aren't being appreciated around here.
Andie: I thought you, Jackie, would appreciate my offer.
Jack: I'm grateful that you helped me unpack, don't get me wrong. But I don't seriously think anyone is concerned about if my plates will clash with the carpet.
Andie: Just because you don't care doesn't mean Ryan won't.
Cheryl: (leans back on the bed) You're forgetting who you're talking about. This is a guy who spent five months sleeping on the family couch and living out of a linen closet. Trust me, he won't care in the slightest about the arrangement.
Jen plops one of the bags on the bed. She sits on the other bed and leans on it like a pillow.
Jen: Where is he anyway?
Jack: He's helping his mom on her plans to open a candy store. It seems today was the only day she could spend on it.
Cheryl: I know that sounds weird..
Jen: Why would it? I know the two have been closer than before since Ryan agreed to move in with her during the summer.
Jack: You miss him. It's just so cuuuute.
Jen: Well, I saw him a total of two days this summer and that was because I had to visit with the head of the psychology department regarding the major. Our wires just kept getting crossed. Every time we'd agree to meet, life just interfered.
Cheryl: Could be worse. You could be forced to play phone tag for weeks at a time. This long-distance thing is just so difficult.
Jen: So what exactly are you and Dawson at the moment? Phone sex partners?
Jack and Andie begin choking with giggles in between.
Jack: Jen, thanks for burning that image in my head.
Cheryl: Shut up McPhees. (rises from her position and pushes Jack off her bed) Actually, we sort of agreed on funny emails and noncommital relations.
Jen: Implying that you two are basically friends?
Cheryl: Sort of. I mean, if either one of us finds someone else, we shouldn't feel guilty about it. Dawson hasn't done anything like that yet. In fact, he's still at the stage where California completely freaks him out. He's just having trouble adjusting to life in the big city. I'm sure soon he'll be wondering why he was ever so homesick.
Jen: But you wouldn't actually date anyone else?
Cheryl: Never say never, Jen. I'm just not looking for it. If it happens, however, why fight it.
* * * * *
* * * * *
(couple of hours later)
There is a knock at the door. Andie answers to find Marty and Patrick carrying several backpacks.
Marty: (in a bored voice) Welcome to Boston University. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful college experience.
Jen, Cheryl and Jack crack up.
Patrick: Can you tell your friends to cut.. (finally recognizes them, then waves awkwardly) hey, guys.
Marty looks over Andie's shoulder and smiles as she bursts in, grabbing a chair. Patrick leans against the doorway.
Cheryl: A little monotonous, I'm guessing.
Patrick: Definitely. Stopping by freshman dorms as part of the chipper Welcoming Committee is a drag. This idiot (pointing to Marty) begged me to join.
Marty: Cut it out, Patrick. It's a wonderful way to meet new people. If it was up to you, you'd be spending this beautiful day holed up in your room writing that supposed masterpiece I keep hearing about.
Andie: How do you all know each other?
Jack: Oh, that's right, you haven't actually met. Martina Tallucci, Patrick Weiss, this is my sister Andie.
Marty drags her chair over to the bed and stares Jack down. Andie is staring at Patrick, trying figure out why he looks familiar.
Marty: That's Marty if you don't mind. How dare you! (glances at Andie) Then again, both of us have boy names so I guess you'd know.
Andie: (snaps her fingers) I knew I'd seen you someplace before. From the prom photos, right?
Patrick nods. Andie gets a mischievous grin.
Andie: You two should date for real. Forget about this whole statement-crap.
Jack: (irritated) Aren't you supposed to check into the dorms sometime today?
Andie: How not subtle of you Jackie. (Jack gives her a cold stare)
Marty: (giggles) She's everything I pictured. (clears throat) Anyway, back to our real duties. We're supposed to invite you to a Freshman barbecue in the Student Union this Thursday night.
Marty pulls a flier out of one bag. Patrick takes out two folders from his backpack and hands them out.
Marty: Here is all the information you could ever want to know for your first days. You know, dorm rules, school guidelines, maps, phone numbers and other essentials. (takes the folder from Jen and scribbles something down) On second thought, it doesn't have all the significant phone numbers.
Patrick: Because it's considered significant when she gives anyone her phone number. (Marty picks up her backpack and shoves it at him)
Marty: We should get going before my homicidal tendencies kick in. (both head out of the room)
Jack: I'm heading back upstairs. Cheryl, you hold Andie down so I can get out in one piece.
Andie: Ha ha ha. I get the hint. I have to head back to the dorm eventually.
Jen: I'll go with you, Jack. I have to see this room. Consider me the protector. Besides, I'd really like to get back that CD you borrowed from me last week. It helps me sleep. (Jack nods reluctantly)
Jen and Jack get up and leave the room. Jack hands Jen a key.
Jack: I'm catching up with the drones. I'll meet you up there in a couple of minutes if you can't find it. Room 419. (slyly) I bet he's there by now. (races ahead)
Jen: Jack! That was not what I wanted.. wait a sec, he's chasing down Patrick. On second thought, that is what I wanted.
Jen bounds up the stairs to the next floor and heads to room 419. She unlocks the door to find a bevy of boxes around the room.
Jen: (standing by the door) Where would he hide his CD collection?
Ryan: I would think he'd know better than to let you anywhere near it.
Jen is startled by his voice and spins around. She spots him by the closet hanging up some shirts.
Jen: So you did get here.
Jen gives him a hug while he's still hanging the shirt.
Ryan: A couple of hours ago. (spins around to give her a hug back)
Jen: (slightly concerned) You could've come downstairs and joined us.
Ryan: I could've but I was just so tired when I finished dragging the boxes in that I fell asleep. Someone was knocking on the door earlier, waking me up. Was that you guys?
Jen: No, probably the Welcoming Committee. Marty and Patrick were scouring the halls earlier.
Ryan: Hmmm, Marty. That explains my pounding headache. She doesn't live in this building, right?
Jen: She didn't say but I somehow doubt it. (Ryan lets out a sigh of relief, causing Jen to laugh) Welcome back, Farrell. (kisses him on the nose)
Ryan: I missed you too. So, any news from the troops.
Jen: Other than Cheryl doubting her relationship with Dawson? Nah, not much.
Ryan: You really know how to bring a smile to my face, don't you.
Jen: They haven't broken up yet so you'll have to stay sullen a little while longer. Also, you might want to know that I'm secretly carrying Jack's baby and that I'm currently in negotiations with Andie over you.
Ryan: (laughing) But what you're unaware of is that Dawson is in fact my brother because Gail Leery had a one-night-stand years ago. And Cheryl is plotting to gain control of the Coffee Cup from her dad by tainting the house special.
Jen: (grins) Gretchen and I are already under the evil spell of the brew.
Ryan: I know. (hesistantly) Speaking of Gretchen, there's something I was meaning to talk to you about.
Jen: (places a finger to Ryan's mouth) Jack hasn't mentioned Pacey at all and I suggest you don't either.
Ryan: This isn't about Pacey. It really is about Gretchen. Or, more specifically, Cheryl's father and Gretchen.
Jen: Oh sorry, it's just that she's been asking me all summer about the real reason Pacey left. So what happened? Kent and Gretch had a falling-out?
Ryan: No, they're on friendly terms. Really friendly terms.
Jen: I know, she frequents that place all the.. (catches Ryan's meaning) You mean they're dating?
Ryan: Yeah and as much as Cheryl claims she wants her father to start dating, I know her well enough to know that's not the truth.
Jen: She doesn't know?
Ryan: (shakes his head) They've been sneaking around. I only know because Kent talks to my mom. Only my mother, the most out-of-touch person ever, could possibly have the inside scoop on Capeside without living there. I really wish she hadn't told me that. I like it so much better when I'm not completely aware of what's happening.
Jen: (pulls away from him) You mean you'd prefer it if I was cheating on you and keeping you in the dark?
Ryan: No no no. Of course, I'd want to know that. (Jen nods) I meant about other people. Like that whole Jack and Pacey mess. Or my parents' marriage.
Jen: Speaking of that, you know you have to eventually get back in the middle of that. (spots a box labelled CDs and begins rummaging through it)
Ryan: Why? Has my dad suddenly shown interest?
Jen: No, he still hangs around the cafe making stupid demands. I would think that doctor you've been seeing would tell you to confront those issues.
Ryan: Because you're such an expert? I know you're interested in psychology but please leave me out of it. You're not learning about the field through my sessions with Dr. Parris.
Jen: (kiddingly) And here I was trying to get out of four years of college. (pulls a CD out in victory) Ah, Secret Garden. Found it. You know, their music is very relaxing and helps for falling asleep. You should try it.
Ryan: That is something I don't really have a problem with. Now getting out of bed, that's a completely different story.
Jen wraps her arms around him.
Jen: I can think of a way to wake you up. (leans up to kiss him, stroking her hands through his hair) Of course, that is just a sneak preview.
Ryan: Oh don't get me wrong, Jenner, that would definitely wake me up. But I'm not so sure I'd want to get out of bed. (pulling away from her) I hate to cut this short but I don't want to see these boxes in the morning.
Jen: Understood. (hands him the key) Give it back to Jack when he gets here. Unless you want to lock him out of your room, which is completely up to you. I want nothing to do with it.
Ryan ponders this thought seriously, then shakes his head.
Ryan: Tempting but not the best way to start the first day as his roommate. (awkwardly) I'm sure you'll sleep well. Especially with that CD.
Jen heads to the door, placing her hand on the handle.
Jen: If you need a wake-up service, you know the phone number. (gives a flirty smile then leaves the room)
Part 3 - Resurrecting Demons
Index