Party of Five s03e16 Episode Script
I Declare
[SOFT R & B MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
A little too retro, right? A little.
[MUSIC STOPS.]
Who needs music when you have all this nature? Right.
Nature.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING.]
Boy, this is, uh, weird, huh? What, this? It's not weird.
It's fine.
We're fine.
Charlie, come on, it's beautiful here, but let's face it.
The only reason we're here is because you thought every other place was either too romantic or not romantic enough.
I mean, are you sure we wanna be here? Of course we do.
I mean, I think.
'Cause if you aren't, I understand.
You just came off this giant relationship.
Well, it is a little weird to be starting something up again.
If it feels a little strange, then we'll just-- We'll take it slow.
Okay, good.
Okay.
Slow.
How slow is slow? I don't know.
Is this okay? Yeah.
[***.]
How about this? Uh-huh.
And this? We breaking any posted limits? [CHUCKLES.]
[THE BODEANS' "CLOSER TO FIVE" PLAYING.]
* Everybody wants to live * * Like they wanna live * * And everybody wants to love * * Like they wanna love * * Closer to free * CLAUDIA: Ross, you're such a cool dad.
Tessy in her Christmas dress.
Tessy doing her Annie Lennox.
Huh? Tessy in the tub.
She's gonna kill me for that some day.
But luckily, Mr.
Bubbles' strategically placed.
This one's for the fridge.
Can I get a copy? Sure.
I got two-fers.
Oh.
Look at this.
Who's--? Wait a minute.
That's Mr.
Archer.
You know him? Duh.
He teaches 9th grade English.
Why are you--? Well, actually, I was gonna tell you.
Paul and I are-- You and Mr.
Archer? You guys, you're like a thing? Look at you.
You are.
I can't believe-- How did you guys meet? In the produce section.
He stopped to talk to Tess.
We started talking arugula.
Next thing I know, we're having coffee.
Well, is it serious? Kind of.
I mean, it might be.
We've only been seeing each other for a couple months so A couple of months and you didn't even tell me? Well, I don't know.
I'm just-- I'm not pushing this.
It's been a while for me.
So I'm taking it kind of slow.
He is cute, though, isn't he? Man, look at you.
You got it bad.
How about this? "Freshman wrestler Bailey Salinger "made San Francisco State history twice last week "when he won a the Big 6 match and qualified for the statewide all-star tournament.
" You've been busy.
Yeah.
So you're a wrestling fan? Well, sort of.
I wrestled in high school.
No kidding.
I bet you were good.
Well, not good enough to make the college team unfortunately.
Big disappointment.
Because in those days, all I was really interested in was kicking butt on the wrestling team, chasing everything in a skirt, drinking all the beer I could, and doing as little homework as humanly possible.
You know, there are so few of you guys who really get what it's like.
Did you know that students on academic probation are not allowed to participate in interschool sports? I guess I've heard that, yeah.
You're currently failing this course, Bailey.
If you don't get at least a B-plus on Friday's paper your midterm average will be a D, and that automatically places you on probation.
A B-plus? In-- In Comparative Modern Poetry? That's-- College is about choices, Bailey.
I mean, something's gotta give.
Either the wrestling or the partying or the grades.
My God, I had no idea because-- 'Cause you're-- You're absolutely right.
Something has to give.
And I know what it is.
Good.
I gotta cut back on the partying, and I gotta spend more time in the books.
I gotta make a solemn promise to myself.
I gotta say-- Would you mind saying it later because I've got some people waiting outside.
Yeah.
Thanks.
GIRL: Wow.
Good column.
I love this one to "Confused at 14.
" You don't think it's too After School Special? Are you kidding? You're not the problem.
It's cool the way you turned it around.
I wouldn't have a clue what to say to him.
Well, see, yeah.
The problem isn't that he thinks he's gay.
It's just that he doesn't have anybody to talk to about it.
Well, it's great.
But, you know, everyone's gonna be asking about the teacher.
The teacher? "People we all know and respect.
"Family, friends, even one of Whitman's most popular teachers.
" But that's-- I mean, I'm just saying that he's not alone.
I mean, who cares who the teacher is? Okay, Claud, I've got five bucks riding on this.
I say it's Banks.
What? No way.
Miss Rausch.
I mean, the haircut.
Please, dead giveaway.
What'd I tell you? I know.
But Banks talks funny.
And he's popular.
Did you guys--? I mean, did you even read my column? No, we just looked at the pictures.
N-now, come on, who is it? But, I mean, it's not even about that.
Okay? It's about being honest with yourself.
Hey, what about Patterson? Come on, guys, will you just cut it out? I mean, what's the big deal? It's Mr.
Archer.
Okay? What? She's coming.
Here she is, here she is.
Hey.
What are you guys--? It came, Jule.
And it's thick.
Too thick to hold up to the light.
So you're gonna have to open it and end the suspense.
Congratulations.
Ho-- Hold on for a minute there, buddy.
Go on.
Okay.
ALL: Well? Um, "Dear Miss Salinger, we are pleased to welcome you into Stanford's class of 2001.
" Yes! I knew it! I knew it.
I knew it.
I knew you would get in.
Whoa.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Now? Now.
Congratulations.
To Julia.
To Julia.
Oh, come on, you guys.
Please don't.
Why not? This is an occasion.
Here's to knowing what you want, going for it-- And generally kicking ass.
Three more sips, and then you're switching over to soda.
Here.
She can have mine.
You're not toasting? I'm toasting, but I'm not drinking.
As a matter of fact, you are all my witnesses.
As as of 4:35, I am swearing off all forms of partying until I write 10 pages on a poem about a guy named Prudence? Prufish? Help me out here, Jule.
"The Love Song of J.
Alfred Prufrock.
" See, that's why you got into Stanford.
You probably even read it for fun.
CLAUDIA: And Stanford isn't far away either, which is great, because maybe I could come visit, you know, spend a weekend? Yeah.
It might be fun to go down there and-- And see some games.
The teams aren't half-bad.
I hear Palo Alto's a really cool town too.
I mean, if your mom and sister go, does that mean you have a better chance of getting in? BAILEY: Maybe.
[***.]
[CHATTER, ROCK MUSIC PLAYING.]
Callie.
Cal, hey, what the hell is going on here? I told you I was having some people over.
This isn't some people.
This is all of them.
Look, just chill, Bailey.
Okay? Drink your beer and you know-- This isn't my beer.
Yeah.
Okay.
I gotta work, Callie.
I got a really important paper I have to write.
What? Now? Yes, now.
It's due on Friday, and it has to be a B-plus paper.
Well, so just write it first thing in the morning, okay? Just have a beer and relax.
No.
No beer.
I have a beer, and then it's, "What the hell, I'll have another.
" And then-- Then it's, "Hey, let's play a drinking game.
" All of a sudden, I'm on academic probation.
So, what am I supposed to do? Kick all these people out? Do you want me do it? Do you want me to do it? It would be my pleasure.
No, no, no.
It's me place, my lease, my party.
Okay? Hey, I paid for this room.
All right.
I'll tell you what.
I'll give you an upgrade.
Do your work in my room.
How am I--? Best offer you're gonna get.
[***.]
Wait.
Wait.
Hold on.
We gotta-- Wait.
I think-- I think we're getting a little, you know, speedy.
You're right.
You're right.
And speedy is bad because why exactly? You-- You know, we-- We talked.
But that was forever ago.
No.
Actually, that was last night.
And if we-- If we go down this road, I mean, pretty soon we're gonna be screening our calls because we're afraid things are getting too intense, and then we're gonna start wondering if maybe we did something wrong, and then before we know it, we're not gonna be sure if the other one likes us.
Wait.
Aren't I the one that's supposed to wonder what all this means tomorrow? Grace, believe me, I hate saying this.
I really do.
But this-- Things like this, can't-wait, gotta-have-it-now sex, I-- It always gets me into trouble.
And I really don't want anything to mess this up.
So when did you get so sensible and forward-thinking? Actually, it was pretty recent.
Yeah.
Just my luck.
I get the brand new model with the automatic seat belts.
[BELL RINGING.]
[CHATTER.]
[MOUTHS INDISTINCTLY.]
Bye.
What? Really? Yeah.
"Dear Miss Reeves, we regret to inform you--" God, Sarah, I was sure you'd-- I mean, they've got to be idiots.
Well, obviously not.
I mean, they picked you, right? God, that is so great, Jule.
You must be, like, floating.
Well, yeah, I guess.
Okay.
Let's go back and try that again, maybe this time with some feeling.
Well, it's not a big deal.
I mean, the guy who read my application probably just saw that I was an alumni brat, or thought I was somehow related to J.
D.
, or got up on the right side of bed that day.
You know, it's just luck.
That's all it is.
You don't have to do this, Julia.
Do what? You know, try to make me feel better.
You deserve to get in.
And better one of us than none of us, right? Besides, you are gonna have an incredible time there.
I guess.
Yeah.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Coming.
Could somebody tell me, 'cause I'm dying to know, was there anybody in San Francisco who was not in this apartment last night? Callie! Talk to her.
Oh, my God.
Mr.
Burns, I am so sorry.
People just kept just showing up.
And-- And I tried to keep them out but-- Look, maybe you think, "Why does he rent to college kids "if he can't take a few parties in his units? 'Cause everyone knows that's what college kids do.
" Not all of 'em.
They party and they party, and four years later, some egghead in a cape says, "Congratulations.
You drank all the beer.
Now, here's a sheepskin and get a life.
" And, yeah, I knew all that before I gave you the place.
But people have their limits, and you found mine.
So you're done.
End of the month, you're moving out.
What? No, no, no.
You can't do that.
I don't have time to deal with this now.
I gotta finish this paper.
No.
Okay.
You can't force us out.
You tried that before, but we have a lease.
Okay? We have rights.
But-- But more importantly than that, we have a real desire to work this out.
Save the bullbrown for your term paper, slick.
Your words just bounce right off me.
Boink.
Boink.
Boink.
Start looking for a new place for your keg.
February 1, you're out.
[DOORBELL BUZZING.]
Hey.
Hi.
I'll get dressed in a sec.
Okay.
Is that what you're wearing? No.
I just came from the restaurant.
I brought some old stuff.
Well, you might wanna change now 'cause everything at the center's covered in wet paint.
Yeah.
Good idea.
[***.]
[SIGHS.]
What's the big deal? I mean, they asked and I told.
It's junior high, Ross.
It's not the military.
Look, it's a big deal to Paul.
Okay? He didn't want to bring his personal life into his job, and he didn't give you permission to do it for him.
How was I supposed to know that? I mean, you didn't tell me it was a secret.
Because it never occurred to me you'd print it in the newspaper.
I didn't even use his name.
I know.
And what he's going through is hard, but that still doesn't mean-- I was just trying to tell him that he's not alone and-- And I thought that-- That Mr.
Archer-- He would feel like this really positive example.
But, obviously I was wrong.
Obviously, you know, what I should've told him is he'd be better off lying for the rest of his life.
Claudia, that is not what I'm saying.
Isn't that what he's doing? I mean, isn't that the example Mr.
Archer is setting? You know, if you're gay, you better not tell anybody.
No.
It's not that simple.
And if it's okay for him to lie about who he is, doesn't that mean he's lying about you too? Are you--? Are you kidding me? This is great.
This is-- Why do you look like you're about to throw up? I don't know.
I don't know.
I keep reading it and trying to feel great about it, but every time I do, my stomach-- Wait.
T-this is something you want.
Really? When did I decide that? I mean, when did I weigh my options and say, "Yes, college"? Never.
Never.
It was always assumed by everyone.
My family, my teachers, me.
Okay.
Come here.
Maybe you need to decide that.
Think it through.
I'm trying.
I keep telling myself that this is a great opportunity, but for what? You know, I-- For proving yet again that I'm a good student? I know that.
It's the one thing I do know about myself.
But so what? I mean, it's not like it means anything.
How you do in school is not who you are.
So you don't wanna go? Hey, it's okay to say that you've had it with school.
[***.]
I think-- I think I've had it with school.
I think I don't wanna go.
Any warmer in here? No.
Hey, we're still here, aren't we? He knows he can't kick us out.
Oh, no.
No.
'Cause we have our rights, like the right to have our heat turned off so he can chuck our frozen corpses and rent this place to nuns.
So how's the paper coming? Hm, let's see.
The library's closed so I have to study here where my brain is, like, frozen.
And if I pick up the pen to try and write, I run the risk of losing fingers.
You're funny when you're afraid for your life.
Is that supposed to cheer me up? Because it doesn't.
Look, why are we still fighting? Because I think we're both on the same side here.
Mm.
Boy, it's too bad you can't have a little brandy to warm up because it actually works.
Yeah.
It's too bad because it's out of the question.
All I have is tonight and tomorrow.
That's five pages a day.
And considering I don't even have an outline yet.
Not that five pages a day would be all that hard.
Well, what if I just poured you a little sip, you know, not enough to hurt your concentration? And all I really need to get done tonight is the outline.
Then tomorrow, I just write a page every two or three hours.
Yeah.
You make a good argument.
Just enough to warm me up.
No more.
Am I even gonna feel this? Oh.
There you go.
Bottoms up.
[HORN HONKING OUTSIDE.]
My head.
[PIPES RUMBLING.]
Callie! Callie! Damn landlord.
Quick.
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY.]
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
Hey.
Thirsty? I got it covered.
Thanks.
What's all that? Law books.
I'm drafting a letter to the landlord from hell.
I thought I'd do it over lunch.
You wanna come? I had three days to write this paper, Callie.
Then I had two.
And now I have one.
I am a dead man.
Why don't you just break it down into steps.
Okay? Like, say, uh, you have to finish the outline by 2:00, you got a good 10 hours to write it, right? That's writing a page every hour, or a line a minute or a letter a second.
Whoa, Bailey-- Don't "whoa" me, Callie.
I don't have time.
I'm already three words behind.
All right.
Look, would it make it any easier if I helped? You help? You help? I love that idea.
How? [SCOFFS.]
Have you just been standing there? No.
Just for a second.
So going to meet Grace? Yeah.
Food pickups.
That's great.
I mean, helping out.
You know, I-I'd really like to do more of that.
More what? Do you see my belt? Uh, on the chair.
I don't know.
Um, volunteer stuff.
Non-academic stuff.
Maybe work with kids.
I mean, there are so many things that I'm interested in that I've never had a chance to, uh, um It's just that my whole life is pretty much about school.
Well, you're almost done, right? Why don't you take some time for yourself? Do what you want.
Charlie, that is great that you said that, 'cause that's exactly what I was thinking, you know, take time off.
Keys.
Keys.
Yeah.
Why not? I mean, 'cause September's gonna be here before you know it.
Y-yeah.
Well, actually, I was kind of thinking-- I remember what that was like right before college.
That was a great couple months.
You know, I think you should take the time off, 'cause this is it, Jule.
After this, it gets serious.
Y-you know, that-- That isn't exactly what I-- You know what? Um, I'll talk to Grace about volunteer programs.
Okay? [***.]
Thanks.
Wow.
You were right.
It's deserted today.
Told you, as soon as the job's almost done, they move all the volunteers to the next site.
Suckers like us get to finish, huh? Ah, it's not that bad.
Just a coat of paint and some trim.
We can do it alone.
Sure.
No problem.
What? Are you nervous about us being alone? No.
Are you? Of course not.
[***.]
Owen, look at you.
What are you doing? I'm hiding, and I'm painting.
Yeah, you are, aren't you? Well, Jule had some plans so I took him today.
Uh-huh.
No, she did.
Gracie, you dragged me over here to help you with that garden.
There's nothing out back except concrete.
Nana, Charlie.
Charlie, Nana.
Mrs.
Huffman, hi.
I was looking for-- There she is.
My success story.
I heard last night.
How does it feel? Um, actually, I feel pretty good, but-- All those talks we had about safety schools-- Ah.
Stanford, I-- I can just see you there, Julia, amazing the faculty, bewitching the boys.
Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about.
I don't think I'm gonna go.
So I don't know if there's anything your office needs to do like send a letter or-- Well, um, you're deferring a year? Julia, Stanford's not gonna like that.
You applied early.
No, not a year.
I mean, maybe a year.
Maybe two.
Maybe I'll never go.
Julia, I don't understand.
Stanford's your first choice.
Why would you--? No.
See, this is great.
I'll finally be able to take the time to figure out what I wanna do with my life.
It's the perfect solution.
Julia, wait.
You know, I think you need give this some more thought.
No, I don't.
Really.
So I'm gonna write and tell them.
And if you need to do anything through your office, will you? [BELL RINGING.]
[VIOLIN PLAYING.]
Okay.
It's getting there.
Getting there? You gotta keep your tempo sharp all the way through, and-- And your fingering's lazy in the last passage.
Work on that.
Okey-dokey.
[KNOCKING.]
Hey.
Hey.
I thought we said 8:00.
No.
We did.
It's just, uh, I'm-- Oh, I-I'm sorry.
Am I, um--? Hi.
ROSS: No ,no, no.
We were finishing.
Something wrong? No, no, no.
It's just about tonight.
I'm such an idiot.
I totally forgot.
I promised my mom I'd come by and hook up her VCR.
So could we meet a little later? Well, sure.
But, um, she lives in North Beach, right? Why don't I just come with you? We can eat over there.
Um, I don't know, Ross.
I-- It would-- It's better if we meet up later.
But why? I mean, I'm not very good with VCRs, but I'm pretty good with moms.
Look, it's just not a good idea, okay? I think I'm gonna something.
Paul, I thought, um-- I thought you told me you were out to your mom.
She, uh No.
But that doesn't mean-- Look, why don't we meet up at that Moroccan place you told me about--? Okay.
Or how about a dark alley somewhere? Would that work for you? What? Ross, that's not what this-- I'm sorry.
It's just that I can understand wanting to be discreet at work.
That much I get.
But this is a thing with you, isn't it? Ross, please-- You know what? I know what it's like.
But that means that you look at us as something to be ashamed of.
That being with me isn't worth people knowing who you really are.
I'm, uh-- I'm just not ready.
[***.]
Call me when you are.
"I regret to inform you, Mr.
Burns, "that Dad's law firm has taken the case, "and I wouldn't want to be the losing defendant who had to pay his fees.
" [LAUGHS.]
Is any of this actually true? No.
My dad's a stockbroker.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
I can't believe this.
This is brilliant.
I can't believe you wrote this with-- With six beers in your system.
No, no, no.
I only had four.
Oh.
Oh, then, I guess two of those must be mine.
So how's the paper coming? Looks like you got a lot done.
Tons.
I did tons.
I got-- Look at this, I got-- I got quotes.
I got footnotes.
I got arguments arguing with arguments.
You got 10 pages worth yet? Well, the incentive plan called for a beer a page.
So counting your two over there, that is Seven pages.
Bailey, that's great.
Well, give or take a few.
'Cause every plan has it's-- It's fine print.
You know, like-- Like this beer here was for this cool symbol thing I found in one of these stanzas.
And-- And this, this was just a bonus beer for setting a new personal record.
One hundred and eighty minutes of consecutive study.
Whoa.
Sorry, sorry.
Bailey.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
Could--? Could we get two more, please? Bailey, are you sure? I'm inspired by your greatness, Cal.
If you can write like that with four beers in your system, think what I can do with 10.
NANA: Oh, Gracie, I'm hungry.
When's the last time this boy had anything to eat? He's fine.
And we're gonna go home and eat dinner in a bit.
NANA: That's what you said an hour ago, an-- Oh, my God, it's so late.
Well, I brought some snacks.
They're in my bag.
NANA: I've seen what you eat.
And nuts and grain is not what I need.
How does a hamburger sound, Owen? No.
He hates junk food.
Burger! Burger! Burger! Burger! Nana, can't you stay a little while longer? The poor boy is starving.
No.
He's fine.
He's just having some fun.
You may think you're doing good around here, young man, but charity begins at home.
Come on, champ.
NANA: Burger.
Okay? Burger, burger, burger, burger, burger.
I'm with you.
Burger, burger, burger, burger, burger, burger.
Well, I should probably finish.
Yeah.
And I still gotta-- [***.]
[CHATTER.]
Hey, what are you--? Oh, Owen left these yesterday.
I just thought-- Thanks.
Look, um, I was gonna call last night, but-- Yeah, me too, but I-- I mean, I just wasn't sure if-- I know.
I have to say, though, last night was definitely-- It was great.
It was great.
Except? It's just I really wish it was four months from now.
I wish it was summer.
Summer? How come? Just so that we'd had all that time to get past this stuff? Which stuff? The stuff where we're afraid to go too far too fast 'cause we're not sure we're ready.
I mean, I wish it was summer so all that stuff was gone.
Then we could just You know? No, I don't, because I don't feel that stuff.
I mean, I'm sorry.
But I think we've done everything right.
We started out as friends, so in a way we've already taken our time in the beginning.
But if you don't feel like you're ready, that's okay.
'Cause now that I know what I'm waiting for, I can be a little patient.
You think this would fit her? What? Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
That should be fine.
Did I tell you there's this, um--? There's this new waiter at the restaurant.
Really smart and-- Well, anyway, I was, um-- I was talking to him yesterday and turns out that he's single and-- Don't.
Okay, Claud? That's really not the answer.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry about you and Mr.
Archer.
It's just-- I think you did the right thing.
You know what? It's-- It's fine to go around saying "Be who you are.
" But until you've been there Remember how you reacted when I came out to you? I thought you were never gonna speak to me again.
I was 11.
And in case you hadn't noticed, I got over it.
Yeah.
Well, not everybody does.
Okay? I have friends whose parents disowned them or-- Or they lost friends when they came out and that's-- So I-- I know what Paul's afraid of, what he's going through.
But if I stayed with him, if I-- If I let myself do that, I would be right back in the closet.
And nothing is worth that.
So you're better off.
Yeah.
A whole lot better.
So, um, what are you gonna do, you know, instead? I don't know, get a job.
Get a few jobs, keep getting them until I find one that I love.
Uh, I'm sorry.
I'm a little lost here.
When did this--? Is this, like, a reaction to Libby? A little.
Sure.
But you know what? I think there were things that I was already struggling with, you know? Things that I had on my mind for a while.
Really? Like, how long? Say, back when we were doing the application? Yeah.
You know, it took me four days to mail that envelope.
So even then I must have been having doubts.
So this was just kind of like a-- An ego exercise for you? What? No.
That's kind of what it sounds like.
You know, see how much they want you even though you don't want them.
Sarah, what is your problem? I-- I thought you of all people would be understanding.
God, Julia, you took one of the early decisions places at Stanford, one that you knew I wanted.
I didn't take it, okay? It was offered to me, and I'm not taking it.
So you can still-- Thanks for the charity.
You're what? Did you just say that you're not going to Stanford? That's-- That's what I was trying to tell you.
And this is done? I mean, let's at least talk about this-- Why? So--? So that you can tell me I'm wrong too? No, thank you.
Jule, don't just walk away.
Thanks for the support, Sarah.
[SIGHS.]
[BAILEY GROANING.]
B-- Bailey.
Bailey, hey, wake up.
God, it's hot in here.
Doesn't your class meet soon? Why is it like a furnace in here? Oh, well, last night, slipped my letter under Burns' door.
And this morning, voilà .
It did it.
Some of my best work.
I mean, I don't even know where it came from.
It's just like these beautiful lies just flowed and flowed.
I can't even tell what order these go in.
Oh, come on, last night you said it was great.
This whole page, I-- I-- I pulled a quote, and I copied half the poem.
And here, my God, I wrote the same paragraph two-- No, three different times.
Oh, come on, it can't be that bad.
Listen to this.
"When the poet T.
S.
Eliot writes, "Like a patient etherized Upon a table "he seems to be saying that there is a patient "and there is a table, and he is on it, "the patient, and he is also on a substance, most likely ether.
" Callie, was I totally drunk? Eventually.
Pretty much.
Oh, my God.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, you're Claudia, right? Yeah.
Hey, I'm Frank, Frank Boyd.
We're in lab together with Mr.
Gordon.
Oh, right.
Yeah, yeah.
Was that a snoozefest today or what? Tell me about it.
Well, actually, I just wanted to tell you I read your column, and it's-- It's good.
Hey, thanks.
Not just me.
I mean, you really got people talking, and that's cool.
Well, anyways, you know, I just wanted to tell you that.
That's always nice to hear.
That's cool.
Hey, thanks a lot.
All right.
Claudia.
It was me.
"Confused at 14.
" I was the one that wrote the letter.
That was me.
[***.]
Ooh.
Ha-ha.
You're the first person I've ever told.
Thanks.
Jule, hang on.
Can't we at least have a conversation about this? This is a huge decision, and I really-- I wanna know what you're thinking about.
It's like-- It's like I'm tired of being me.
That me, the A student, always reliable me.
It's like-- Do you--? Do you remember when we used to make these when we were little kids? When mom would put them up, we could always tell whose was whose 'cause you and Bailey-- I mean, your-- Your clouds were purple and your skies were orange.
Mine, white clouds, blue skies, green trees.
I always did it right, by the book, every time.
This is just a phase.
Senior spring.
Everybody-- No, i-it's not.
Charlie, it's me.
I need to find out who I am.
So go to college and do that.
And then when you finish-- You're not listening to me.
No.
I can't just sit by and watch you make this huge mistake.
I'm not gonna make a mistake.
[SAM CLEARS THROAT.]
I'll wait outside.
No.
Sam, wait.
It's nothing you haven't heard already.
You two have talked about this? Yes.
That is allowed, Charlie.
Oh, okay.
So that's what this is about.
This was his idea, right? SAM: Whoa.
All I did was listen to her, Charlie.
I never told her what to do.
You know what? Butt out.
I'm talking to her.
Oh, yeah? Well, you're talking about me now.
Think I'm gonna stand here, let you accuse me? Okay.
Fine.
So then why don't you leave? Cut it out, Charlie.
I'm serious.
I don't want you in this house.
Get out.
No problem.
Who the hell do you think you are? You don't have the right.
I am your guardian.
And if you go letting a guy screw up your life, it's my fault.
Oh, okay, I get it.
You don't care about me or my life.
You just care about how I reflect on you.
That-- That is great parenting, Charlie.
I'm sure Mom and Dad would approve.
Ah, Mr.
Salinger, missed you in class today.
Did you come to turn in your paper? No.
See, 'cause-- 'Cause, here's the thing.
I have been working so hard on this paper, and I'm really excited about it.
I've got this great thesis, and-- And I think it's gonna be an excellent paper.
But this morning, I was reading through it, and it isn't quite there yet.
Well, I don't give extensions.
Well, I know.
I know normally, you wouldn't give an extension, but if you knew how hard I've been working on this paper.
I think I made that clear.
And a late paper loses a grade every day.
Then I would need to write an A-plus paper to stay off probation.
It's been done before.
Look, I don't think you're being fair to me here.
I'm being fair to everyone.
Now, if you want to show me what you've done so far-- No.
No.
I don't.
That's not the point.
If I drop this class and take an incomplete, that doesn't affect my GPA, does it? I mean, I'd stay off probation, right? That's right.
But it'd show up on your transcript-- Yeah.
Well, I can live with that.
I mean, let's face it.
I'm never gonna be an English major here.
Bailey, I think you're making a mistake.
You know what? I'm not.
'Cause you were right before, what you said.
College is about making choices, about figuring out what's important to you.
So that's what I'm doing.
I'm making room for what's important to me.
Charlie, hi.
Hi.
Come on in.
Just in the neighborhood? Nowhere near.
Oh.
Things were, uh, pretty crazy at the house today, and I needed some air so I went out.
And you know what I noticed? What? It definitely got warmer today.
The weather, a couple of degrees.
I mean, I-- I was walking and the sun was in my face, and, I mean, I have to say there for a while, it felt a lot like summer.
Oh, yeah, I know what you mean, because in a couple of weeks, it'll be spring and then boom, you got summer.
And you know what I like about summer? Tell me, please.
Summer's full of nature, don't you think? Nature's-- Nature's a wonderful thing.
Life just chugs on and everything-- You know, everything does what comes naturally.
[CHUCKLES.]
You know how I know when it's summer? There's this flowering dogwood tree outside my bedroom window.
Can I show you? I'd love to see.
[***.]
* Ooh, ooh * * Ooh, ooh * * Yeah * [***.]
A little too retro, right? A little.
[MUSIC STOPS.]
Who needs music when you have all this nature? Right.
Nature.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING.]
Boy, this is, uh, weird, huh? What, this? It's not weird.
It's fine.
We're fine.
Charlie, come on, it's beautiful here, but let's face it.
The only reason we're here is because you thought every other place was either too romantic or not romantic enough.
I mean, are you sure we wanna be here? Of course we do.
I mean, I think.
'Cause if you aren't, I understand.
You just came off this giant relationship.
Well, it is a little weird to be starting something up again.
If it feels a little strange, then we'll just-- We'll take it slow.
Okay, good.
Okay.
Slow.
How slow is slow? I don't know.
Is this okay? Yeah.
[***.]
How about this? Uh-huh.
And this? We breaking any posted limits? [CHUCKLES.]
[THE BODEANS' "CLOSER TO FIVE" PLAYING.]
* Everybody wants to live * * Like they wanna live * * And everybody wants to love * * Like they wanna love * * Closer to free * CLAUDIA: Ross, you're such a cool dad.
Tessy in her Christmas dress.
Tessy doing her Annie Lennox.
Huh? Tessy in the tub.
She's gonna kill me for that some day.
But luckily, Mr.
Bubbles' strategically placed.
This one's for the fridge.
Can I get a copy? Sure.
I got two-fers.
Oh.
Look at this.
Who's--? Wait a minute.
That's Mr.
Archer.
You know him? Duh.
He teaches 9th grade English.
Why are you--? Well, actually, I was gonna tell you.
Paul and I are-- You and Mr.
Archer? You guys, you're like a thing? Look at you.
You are.
I can't believe-- How did you guys meet? In the produce section.
He stopped to talk to Tess.
We started talking arugula.
Next thing I know, we're having coffee.
Well, is it serious? Kind of.
I mean, it might be.
We've only been seeing each other for a couple months so A couple of months and you didn't even tell me? Well, I don't know.
I'm just-- I'm not pushing this.
It's been a while for me.
So I'm taking it kind of slow.
He is cute, though, isn't he? Man, look at you.
You got it bad.
How about this? "Freshman wrestler Bailey Salinger "made San Francisco State history twice last week "when he won a the Big 6 match and qualified for the statewide all-star tournament.
" You've been busy.
Yeah.
So you're a wrestling fan? Well, sort of.
I wrestled in high school.
No kidding.
I bet you were good.
Well, not good enough to make the college team unfortunately.
Big disappointment.
Because in those days, all I was really interested in was kicking butt on the wrestling team, chasing everything in a skirt, drinking all the beer I could, and doing as little homework as humanly possible.
You know, there are so few of you guys who really get what it's like.
Did you know that students on academic probation are not allowed to participate in interschool sports? I guess I've heard that, yeah.
You're currently failing this course, Bailey.
If you don't get at least a B-plus on Friday's paper your midterm average will be a D, and that automatically places you on probation.
A B-plus? In-- In Comparative Modern Poetry? That's-- College is about choices, Bailey.
I mean, something's gotta give.
Either the wrestling or the partying or the grades.
My God, I had no idea because-- 'Cause you're-- You're absolutely right.
Something has to give.
And I know what it is.
Good.
I gotta cut back on the partying, and I gotta spend more time in the books.
I gotta make a solemn promise to myself.
I gotta say-- Would you mind saying it later because I've got some people waiting outside.
Yeah.
Thanks.
GIRL: Wow.
Good column.
I love this one to "Confused at 14.
" You don't think it's too After School Special? Are you kidding? You're not the problem.
It's cool the way you turned it around.
I wouldn't have a clue what to say to him.
Well, see, yeah.
The problem isn't that he thinks he's gay.
It's just that he doesn't have anybody to talk to about it.
Well, it's great.
But, you know, everyone's gonna be asking about the teacher.
The teacher? "People we all know and respect.
"Family, friends, even one of Whitman's most popular teachers.
" But that's-- I mean, I'm just saying that he's not alone.
I mean, who cares who the teacher is? Okay, Claud, I've got five bucks riding on this.
I say it's Banks.
What? No way.
Miss Rausch.
I mean, the haircut.
Please, dead giveaway.
What'd I tell you? I know.
But Banks talks funny.
And he's popular.
Did you guys--? I mean, did you even read my column? No, we just looked at the pictures.
N-now, come on, who is it? But, I mean, it's not even about that.
Okay? It's about being honest with yourself.
Hey, what about Patterson? Come on, guys, will you just cut it out? I mean, what's the big deal? It's Mr.
Archer.
Okay? What? She's coming.
Here she is, here she is.
Hey.
What are you guys--? It came, Jule.
And it's thick.
Too thick to hold up to the light.
So you're gonna have to open it and end the suspense.
Congratulations.
Ho-- Hold on for a minute there, buddy.
Go on.
Okay.
ALL: Well? Um, "Dear Miss Salinger, we are pleased to welcome you into Stanford's class of 2001.
" Yes! I knew it! I knew it.
I knew it.
I knew you would get in.
Whoa.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Now? Now.
Congratulations.
To Julia.
To Julia.
Oh, come on, you guys.
Please don't.
Why not? This is an occasion.
Here's to knowing what you want, going for it-- And generally kicking ass.
Three more sips, and then you're switching over to soda.
Here.
She can have mine.
You're not toasting? I'm toasting, but I'm not drinking.
As a matter of fact, you are all my witnesses.
As as of 4:35, I am swearing off all forms of partying until I write 10 pages on a poem about a guy named Prudence? Prufish? Help me out here, Jule.
"The Love Song of J.
Alfred Prufrock.
" See, that's why you got into Stanford.
You probably even read it for fun.
CLAUDIA: And Stanford isn't far away either, which is great, because maybe I could come visit, you know, spend a weekend? Yeah.
It might be fun to go down there and-- And see some games.
The teams aren't half-bad.
I hear Palo Alto's a really cool town too.
I mean, if your mom and sister go, does that mean you have a better chance of getting in? BAILEY: Maybe.
[***.]
[CHATTER, ROCK MUSIC PLAYING.]
Callie.
Cal, hey, what the hell is going on here? I told you I was having some people over.
This isn't some people.
This is all of them.
Look, just chill, Bailey.
Okay? Drink your beer and you know-- This isn't my beer.
Yeah.
Okay.
I gotta work, Callie.
I got a really important paper I have to write.
What? Now? Yes, now.
It's due on Friday, and it has to be a B-plus paper.
Well, so just write it first thing in the morning, okay? Just have a beer and relax.
No.
No beer.
I have a beer, and then it's, "What the hell, I'll have another.
" And then-- Then it's, "Hey, let's play a drinking game.
" All of a sudden, I'm on academic probation.
So, what am I supposed to do? Kick all these people out? Do you want me do it? Do you want me to do it? It would be my pleasure.
No, no, no.
It's me place, my lease, my party.
Okay? Hey, I paid for this room.
All right.
I'll tell you what.
I'll give you an upgrade.
Do your work in my room.
How am I--? Best offer you're gonna get.
[***.]
Wait.
Wait.
Hold on.
We gotta-- Wait.
I think-- I think we're getting a little, you know, speedy.
You're right.
You're right.
And speedy is bad because why exactly? You-- You know, we-- We talked.
But that was forever ago.
No.
Actually, that was last night.
And if we-- If we go down this road, I mean, pretty soon we're gonna be screening our calls because we're afraid things are getting too intense, and then we're gonna start wondering if maybe we did something wrong, and then before we know it, we're not gonna be sure if the other one likes us.
Wait.
Aren't I the one that's supposed to wonder what all this means tomorrow? Grace, believe me, I hate saying this.
I really do.
But this-- Things like this, can't-wait, gotta-have-it-now sex, I-- It always gets me into trouble.
And I really don't want anything to mess this up.
So when did you get so sensible and forward-thinking? Actually, it was pretty recent.
Yeah.
Just my luck.
I get the brand new model with the automatic seat belts.
[BELL RINGING.]
[CHATTER.]
[MOUTHS INDISTINCTLY.]
Bye.
What? Really? Yeah.
"Dear Miss Reeves, we regret to inform you--" God, Sarah, I was sure you'd-- I mean, they've got to be idiots.
Well, obviously not.
I mean, they picked you, right? God, that is so great, Jule.
You must be, like, floating.
Well, yeah, I guess.
Okay.
Let's go back and try that again, maybe this time with some feeling.
Well, it's not a big deal.
I mean, the guy who read my application probably just saw that I was an alumni brat, or thought I was somehow related to J.
D.
, or got up on the right side of bed that day.
You know, it's just luck.
That's all it is.
You don't have to do this, Julia.
Do what? You know, try to make me feel better.
You deserve to get in.
And better one of us than none of us, right? Besides, you are gonna have an incredible time there.
I guess.
Yeah.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Coming.
Could somebody tell me, 'cause I'm dying to know, was there anybody in San Francisco who was not in this apartment last night? Callie! Talk to her.
Oh, my God.
Mr.
Burns, I am so sorry.
People just kept just showing up.
And-- And I tried to keep them out but-- Look, maybe you think, "Why does he rent to college kids "if he can't take a few parties in his units? 'Cause everyone knows that's what college kids do.
" Not all of 'em.
They party and they party, and four years later, some egghead in a cape says, "Congratulations.
You drank all the beer.
Now, here's a sheepskin and get a life.
" And, yeah, I knew all that before I gave you the place.
But people have their limits, and you found mine.
So you're done.
End of the month, you're moving out.
What? No, no, no.
You can't do that.
I don't have time to deal with this now.
I gotta finish this paper.
No.
Okay.
You can't force us out.
You tried that before, but we have a lease.
Okay? We have rights.
But-- But more importantly than that, we have a real desire to work this out.
Save the bullbrown for your term paper, slick.
Your words just bounce right off me.
Boink.
Boink.
Boink.
Start looking for a new place for your keg.
February 1, you're out.
[DOORBELL BUZZING.]
Hey.
Hi.
I'll get dressed in a sec.
Okay.
Is that what you're wearing? No.
I just came from the restaurant.
I brought some old stuff.
Well, you might wanna change now 'cause everything at the center's covered in wet paint.
Yeah.
Good idea.
[***.]
[SIGHS.]
What's the big deal? I mean, they asked and I told.
It's junior high, Ross.
It's not the military.
Look, it's a big deal to Paul.
Okay? He didn't want to bring his personal life into his job, and he didn't give you permission to do it for him.
How was I supposed to know that? I mean, you didn't tell me it was a secret.
Because it never occurred to me you'd print it in the newspaper.
I didn't even use his name.
I know.
And what he's going through is hard, but that still doesn't mean-- I was just trying to tell him that he's not alone and-- And I thought that-- That Mr.
Archer-- He would feel like this really positive example.
But, obviously I was wrong.
Obviously, you know, what I should've told him is he'd be better off lying for the rest of his life.
Claudia, that is not what I'm saying.
Isn't that what he's doing? I mean, isn't that the example Mr.
Archer is setting? You know, if you're gay, you better not tell anybody.
No.
It's not that simple.
And if it's okay for him to lie about who he is, doesn't that mean he's lying about you too? Are you--? Are you kidding me? This is great.
This is-- Why do you look like you're about to throw up? I don't know.
I don't know.
I keep reading it and trying to feel great about it, but every time I do, my stomach-- Wait.
T-this is something you want.
Really? When did I decide that? I mean, when did I weigh my options and say, "Yes, college"? Never.
Never.
It was always assumed by everyone.
My family, my teachers, me.
Okay.
Come here.
Maybe you need to decide that.
Think it through.
I'm trying.
I keep telling myself that this is a great opportunity, but for what? You know, I-- For proving yet again that I'm a good student? I know that.
It's the one thing I do know about myself.
But so what? I mean, it's not like it means anything.
How you do in school is not who you are.
So you don't wanna go? Hey, it's okay to say that you've had it with school.
[***.]
I think-- I think I've had it with school.
I think I don't wanna go.
Any warmer in here? No.
Hey, we're still here, aren't we? He knows he can't kick us out.
Oh, no.
No.
'Cause we have our rights, like the right to have our heat turned off so he can chuck our frozen corpses and rent this place to nuns.
So how's the paper coming? Hm, let's see.
The library's closed so I have to study here where my brain is, like, frozen.
And if I pick up the pen to try and write, I run the risk of losing fingers.
You're funny when you're afraid for your life.
Is that supposed to cheer me up? Because it doesn't.
Look, why are we still fighting? Because I think we're both on the same side here.
Mm.
Boy, it's too bad you can't have a little brandy to warm up because it actually works.
Yeah.
It's too bad because it's out of the question.
All I have is tonight and tomorrow.
That's five pages a day.
And considering I don't even have an outline yet.
Not that five pages a day would be all that hard.
Well, what if I just poured you a little sip, you know, not enough to hurt your concentration? And all I really need to get done tonight is the outline.
Then tomorrow, I just write a page every two or three hours.
Yeah.
You make a good argument.
Just enough to warm me up.
No more.
Am I even gonna feel this? Oh.
There you go.
Bottoms up.
[HORN HONKING OUTSIDE.]
My head.
[PIPES RUMBLING.]
Callie! Callie! Damn landlord.
Quick.
[MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY.]
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
Hey.
Thirsty? I got it covered.
Thanks.
What's all that? Law books.
I'm drafting a letter to the landlord from hell.
I thought I'd do it over lunch.
You wanna come? I had three days to write this paper, Callie.
Then I had two.
And now I have one.
I am a dead man.
Why don't you just break it down into steps.
Okay? Like, say, uh, you have to finish the outline by 2:00, you got a good 10 hours to write it, right? That's writing a page every hour, or a line a minute or a letter a second.
Whoa, Bailey-- Don't "whoa" me, Callie.
I don't have time.
I'm already three words behind.
All right.
Look, would it make it any easier if I helped? You help? You help? I love that idea.
How? [SCOFFS.]
Have you just been standing there? No.
Just for a second.
So going to meet Grace? Yeah.
Food pickups.
That's great.
I mean, helping out.
You know, I-I'd really like to do more of that.
More what? Do you see my belt? Uh, on the chair.
I don't know.
Um, volunteer stuff.
Non-academic stuff.
Maybe work with kids.
I mean, there are so many things that I'm interested in that I've never had a chance to, uh, um It's just that my whole life is pretty much about school.
Well, you're almost done, right? Why don't you take some time for yourself? Do what you want.
Charlie, that is great that you said that, 'cause that's exactly what I was thinking, you know, take time off.
Keys.
Keys.
Yeah.
Why not? I mean, 'cause September's gonna be here before you know it.
Y-yeah.
Well, actually, I was kind of thinking-- I remember what that was like right before college.
That was a great couple months.
You know, I think you should take the time off, 'cause this is it, Jule.
After this, it gets serious.
Y-you know, that-- That isn't exactly what I-- You know what? Um, I'll talk to Grace about volunteer programs.
Okay? [***.]
Thanks.
Wow.
You were right.
It's deserted today.
Told you, as soon as the job's almost done, they move all the volunteers to the next site.
Suckers like us get to finish, huh? Ah, it's not that bad.
Just a coat of paint and some trim.
We can do it alone.
Sure.
No problem.
What? Are you nervous about us being alone? No.
Are you? Of course not.
[***.]
Owen, look at you.
What are you doing? I'm hiding, and I'm painting.
Yeah, you are, aren't you? Well, Jule had some plans so I took him today.
Uh-huh.
No, she did.
Gracie, you dragged me over here to help you with that garden.
There's nothing out back except concrete.
Nana, Charlie.
Charlie, Nana.
Mrs.
Huffman, hi.
I was looking for-- There she is.
My success story.
I heard last night.
How does it feel? Um, actually, I feel pretty good, but-- All those talks we had about safety schools-- Ah.
Stanford, I-- I can just see you there, Julia, amazing the faculty, bewitching the boys.
Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about.
I don't think I'm gonna go.
So I don't know if there's anything your office needs to do like send a letter or-- Well, um, you're deferring a year? Julia, Stanford's not gonna like that.
You applied early.
No, not a year.
I mean, maybe a year.
Maybe two.
Maybe I'll never go.
Julia, I don't understand.
Stanford's your first choice.
Why would you--? No.
See, this is great.
I'll finally be able to take the time to figure out what I wanna do with my life.
It's the perfect solution.
Julia, wait.
You know, I think you need give this some more thought.
No, I don't.
Really.
So I'm gonna write and tell them.
And if you need to do anything through your office, will you? [BELL RINGING.]
[VIOLIN PLAYING.]
Okay.
It's getting there.
Getting there? You gotta keep your tempo sharp all the way through, and-- And your fingering's lazy in the last passage.
Work on that.
Okey-dokey.
[KNOCKING.]
Hey.
Hey.
I thought we said 8:00.
No.
We did.
It's just, uh, I'm-- Oh, I-I'm sorry.
Am I, um--? Hi.
ROSS: No ,no, no.
We were finishing.
Something wrong? No, no, no.
It's just about tonight.
I'm such an idiot.
I totally forgot.
I promised my mom I'd come by and hook up her VCR.
So could we meet a little later? Well, sure.
But, um, she lives in North Beach, right? Why don't I just come with you? We can eat over there.
Um, I don't know, Ross.
I-- It would-- It's better if we meet up later.
But why? I mean, I'm not very good with VCRs, but I'm pretty good with moms.
Look, it's just not a good idea, okay? I think I'm gonna something.
Paul, I thought, um-- I thought you told me you were out to your mom.
She, uh No.
But that doesn't mean-- Look, why don't we meet up at that Moroccan place you told me about--? Okay.
Or how about a dark alley somewhere? Would that work for you? What? Ross, that's not what this-- I'm sorry.
It's just that I can understand wanting to be discreet at work.
That much I get.
But this is a thing with you, isn't it? Ross, please-- You know what? I know what it's like.
But that means that you look at us as something to be ashamed of.
That being with me isn't worth people knowing who you really are.
I'm, uh-- I'm just not ready.
[***.]
Call me when you are.
"I regret to inform you, Mr.
Burns, "that Dad's law firm has taken the case, "and I wouldn't want to be the losing defendant who had to pay his fees.
" [LAUGHS.]
Is any of this actually true? No.
My dad's a stockbroker.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
I can't believe this.
This is brilliant.
I can't believe you wrote this with-- With six beers in your system.
No, no, no.
I only had four.
Oh.
Oh, then, I guess two of those must be mine.
So how's the paper coming? Looks like you got a lot done.
Tons.
I did tons.
I got-- Look at this, I got-- I got quotes.
I got footnotes.
I got arguments arguing with arguments.
You got 10 pages worth yet? Well, the incentive plan called for a beer a page.
So counting your two over there, that is Seven pages.
Bailey, that's great.
Well, give or take a few.
'Cause every plan has it's-- It's fine print.
You know, like-- Like this beer here was for this cool symbol thing I found in one of these stanzas.
And-- And this, this was just a bonus beer for setting a new personal record.
One hundred and eighty minutes of consecutive study.
Whoa.
Sorry, sorry.
Bailey.
I'm sorry.
Excuse me.
Could--? Could we get two more, please? Bailey, are you sure? I'm inspired by your greatness, Cal.
If you can write like that with four beers in your system, think what I can do with 10.
NANA: Oh, Gracie, I'm hungry.
When's the last time this boy had anything to eat? He's fine.
And we're gonna go home and eat dinner in a bit.
NANA: That's what you said an hour ago, an-- Oh, my God, it's so late.
Well, I brought some snacks.
They're in my bag.
NANA: I've seen what you eat.
And nuts and grain is not what I need.
How does a hamburger sound, Owen? No.
He hates junk food.
Burger! Burger! Burger! Burger! Nana, can't you stay a little while longer? The poor boy is starving.
No.
He's fine.
He's just having some fun.
You may think you're doing good around here, young man, but charity begins at home.
Come on, champ.
NANA: Burger.
Okay? Burger, burger, burger, burger, burger.
I'm with you.
Burger, burger, burger, burger, burger, burger.
Well, I should probably finish.
Yeah.
And I still gotta-- [***.]
[CHATTER.]
Hey, what are you--? Oh, Owen left these yesterday.
I just thought-- Thanks.
Look, um, I was gonna call last night, but-- Yeah, me too, but I-- I mean, I just wasn't sure if-- I know.
I have to say, though, last night was definitely-- It was great.
It was great.
Except? It's just I really wish it was four months from now.
I wish it was summer.
Summer? How come? Just so that we'd had all that time to get past this stuff? Which stuff? The stuff where we're afraid to go too far too fast 'cause we're not sure we're ready.
I mean, I wish it was summer so all that stuff was gone.
Then we could just You know? No, I don't, because I don't feel that stuff.
I mean, I'm sorry.
But I think we've done everything right.
We started out as friends, so in a way we've already taken our time in the beginning.
But if you don't feel like you're ready, that's okay.
'Cause now that I know what I'm waiting for, I can be a little patient.
You think this would fit her? What? Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
That should be fine.
Did I tell you there's this, um--? There's this new waiter at the restaurant.
Really smart and-- Well, anyway, I was, um-- I was talking to him yesterday and turns out that he's single and-- Don't.
Okay, Claud? That's really not the answer.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry about you and Mr.
Archer.
It's just-- I think you did the right thing.
You know what? It's-- It's fine to go around saying "Be who you are.
" But until you've been there Remember how you reacted when I came out to you? I thought you were never gonna speak to me again.
I was 11.
And in case you hadn't noticed, I got over it.
Yeah.
Well, not everybody does.
Okay? I have friends whose parents disowned them or-- Or they lost friends when they came out and that's-- So I-- I know what Paul's afraid of, what he's going through.
But if I stayed with him, if I-- If I let myself do that, I would be right back in the closet.
And nothing is worth that.
So you're better off.
Yeah.
A whole lot better.
So, um, what are you gonna do, you know, instead? I don't know, get a job.
Get a few jobs, keep getting them until I find one that I love.
Uh, I'm sorry.
I'm a little lost here.
When did this--? Is this, like, a reaction to Libby? A little.
Sure.
But you know what? I think there were things that I was already struggling with, you know? Things that I had on my mind for a while.
Really? Like, how long? Say, back when we were doing the application? Yeah.
You know, it took me four days to mail that envelope.
So even then I must have been having doubts.
So this was just kind of like a-- An ego exercise for you? What? No.
That's kind of what it sounds like.
You know, see how much they want you even though you don't want them.
Sarah, what is your problem? I-- I thought you of all people would be understanding.
God, Julia, you took one of the early decisions places at Stanford, one that you knew I wanted.
I didn't take it, okay? It was offered to me, and I'm not taking it.
So you can still-- Thanks for the charity.
You're what? Did you just say that you're not going to Stanford? That's-- That's what I was trying to tell you.
And this is done? I mean, let's at least talk about this-- Why? So--? So that you can tell me I'm wrong too? No, thank you.
Jule, don't just walk away.
Thanks for the support, Sarah.
[SIGHS.]
[BAILEY GROANING.]
B-- Bailey.
Bailey, hey, wake up.
God, it's hot in here.
Doesn't your class meet soon? Why is it like a furnace in here? Oh, well, last night, slipped my letter under Burns' door.
And this morning, voilà .
It did it.
Some of my best work.
I mean, I don't even know where it came from.
It's just like these beautiful lies just flowed and flowed.
I can't even tell what order these go in.
Oh, come on, last night you said it was great.
This whole page, I-- I-- I pulled a quote, and I copied half the poem.
And here, my God, I wrote the same paragraph two-- No, three different times.
Oh, come on, it can't be that bad.
Listen to this.
"When the poet T.
S.
Eliot writes, "Like a patient etherized Upon a table "he seems to be saying that there is a patient "and there is a table, and he is on it, "the patient, and he is also on a substance, most likely ether.
" Callie, was I totally drunk? Eventually.
Pretty much.
Oh, my God.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, you're Claudia, right? Yeah.
Hey, I'm Frank, Frank Boyd.
We're in lab together with Mr.
Gordon.
Oh, right.
Yeah, yeah.
Was that a snoozefest today or what? Tell me about it.
Well, actually, I just wanted to tell you I read your column, and it's-- It's good.
Hey, thanks.
Not just me.
I mean, you really got people talking, and that's cool.
Well, anyways, you know, I just wanted to tell you that.
That's always nice to hear.
That's cool.
Hey, thanks a lot.
All right.
Claudia.
It was me.
"Confused at 14.
" I was the one that wrote the letter.
That was me.
[***.]
Ooh.
Ha-ha.
You're the first person I've ever told.
Thanks.
Jule, hang on.
Can't we at least have a conversation about this? This is a huge decision, and I really-- I wanna know what you're thinking about.
It's like-- It's like I'm tired of being me.
That me, the A student, always reliable me.
It's like-- Do you--? Do you remember when we used to make these when we were little kids? When mom would put them up, we could always tell whose was whose 'cause you and Bailey-- I mean, your-- Your clouds were purple and your skies were orange.
Mine, white clouds, blue skies, green trees.
I always did it right, by the book, every time.
This is just a phase.
Senior spring.
Everybody-- No, i-it's not.
Charlie, it's me.
I need to find out who I am.
So go to college and do that.
And then when you finish-- You're not listening to me.
No.
I can't just sit by and watch you make this huge mistake.
I'm not gonna make a mistake.
[SAM CLEARS THROAT.]
I'll wait outside.
No.
Sam, wait.
It's nothing you haven't heard already.
You two have talked about this? Yes.
That is allowed, Charlie.
Oh, okay.
So that's what this is about.
This was his idea, right? SAM: Whoa.
All I did was listen to her, Charlie.
I never told her what to do.
You know what? Butt out.
I'm talking to her.
Oh, yeah? Well, you're talking about me now.
Think I'm gonna stand here, let you accuse me? Okay.
Fine.
So then why don't you leave? Cut it out, Charlie.
I'm serious.
I don't want you in this house.
Get out.
No problem.
Who the hell do you think you are? You don't have the right.
I am your guardian.
And if you go letting a guy screw up your life, it's my fault.
Oh, okay, I get it.
You don't care about me or my life.
You just care about how I reflect on you.
That-- That is great parenting, Charlie.
I'm sure Mom and Dad would approve.
Ah, Mr.
Salinger, missed you in class today.
Did you come to turn in your paper? No.
See, 'cause-- 'Cause, here's the thing.
I have been working so hard on this paper, and I'm really excited about it.
I've got this great thesis, and-- And I think it's gonna be an excellent paper.
But this morning, I was reading through it, and it isn't quite there yet.
Well, I don't give extensions.
Well, I know.
I know normally, you wouldn't give an extension, but if you knew how hard I've been working on this paper.
I think I made that clear.
And a late paper loses a grade every day.
Then I would need to write an A-plus paper to stay off probation.
It's been done before.
Look, I don't think you're being fair to me here.
I'm being fair to everyone.
Now, if you want to show me what you've done so far-- No.
No.
I don't.
That's not the point.
If I drop this class and take an incomplete, that doesn't affect my GPA, does it? I mean, I'd stay off probation, right? That's right.
But it'd show up on your transcript-- Yeah.
Well, I can live with that.
I mean, let's face it.
I'm never gonna be an English major here.
Bailey, I think you're making a mistake.
You know what? I'm not.
'Cause you were right before, what you said.
College is about making choices, about figuring out what's important to you.
So that's what I'm doing.
I'm making room for what's important to me.
Charlie, hi.
Hi.
Come on in.
Just in the neighborhood? Nowhere near.
Oh.
Things were, uh, pretty crazy at the house today, and I needed some air so I went out.
And you know what I noticed? What? It definitely got warmer today.
The weather, a couple of degrees.
I mean, I-- I was walking and the sun was in my face, and, I mean, I have to say there for a while, it felt a lot like summer.
Oh, yeah, I know what you mean, because in a couple of weeks, it'll be spring and then boom, you got summer.
And you know what I like about summer? Tell me, please.
Summer's full of nature, don't you think? Nature's-- Nature's a wonderful thing.
Life just chugs on and everything-- You know, everything does what comes naturally.
[CHUCKLES.]
You know how I know when it's summer? There's this flowering dogwood tree outside my bedroom window.
Can I show you? I'd love to see.
[***.]
* Ooh, ooh * * Ooh, ooh * * Yeah * [***.]