---

Opening teaser starts with Ryan and Seth, lounging around in the pool. Sandy walks out.

Sandy: Guys, come on. Out of the pool. Dinner's almost ready.

Cut to Kirsten in the kitchen, talking on the phone.

Kirsten: Dad, I know. I understand how important the model home is to the new development. We'll sell the lots by Christmas, I promise. Okay, bye.

She hangs up the phone and we see Sandy staring out the window.

Sandy: I wish there was more we could do.

Kirsten: Honey, you're his lawyer, not his guardian.

Sandy: I know. I know, I know. In the morning I'll take him to Child Service.

Kirsten: What kind of mother just abandons her child? What happens if they don't find her?

Sandy: He'll go into the system--foster care till he's 18. I mean, they'll try and place him, but...at his age, it'll be impossible.

He leaves.

Cut back to Seth and Ryan in the pool.

Seth: You know what I was thinking? I think that this being your last night and all, we should do something special. I don't know what. Possibly get a couple of tattoos or some hookers and lose out virginity. Right? Okay, dude, I don't know. There's a shark movie at the IMAX. If that's what you're into.

Ryan: (smiles) I just want to take it easy.

Cut to inside. Kirsten and Sandy are fixing the table for dinner. Kirsten walks back to the kitchen and bumps into Ryan.

Kirsten: Oh. How was your swim?

Ryan: It was great. (He notices the house model on the counter) What's that?

Kirsten: It's a model home. I...I build them--well, the real ones, not that one.

Ryan: Can you build me one? Sorry. Bad joke.

They all sit down at the table.

Sandy: So...last supper, huh? Sorry. Bad joke.

Kirsten: It's just a laugh riot around here.

Ryan: This all looks really good.

Seth: Yeah, it's too bad you're leaving. We never eat like this.

Kirsten: That's not true. I cook all the time.

Seth: (scoffs) Dad...

Sandy: I'm sorry, honey. (laughing)

Kirsten: Let's just eat.

Sandy: We're not saying we want you to cook more.

Seth: Oh... (blows raspberry) Hell, no. You remember the meat loaf incident of '98?

Kirsten: That was brisket.

Seth: Yeah, that's my point exactly.

Ryan smiles.

Cut to Ryan flipping through some papers in the kitchen.

Sandy: As your attorney, I'll cosign these forms. They basically say that you don't have a legal parent or a guardian available.

Ryan: So I'm now property of the government. Nickname: 0382965.

Seth: Hey, it's better than death-breath Seth. Or so I would imagine.

Sandy: So we'll meet with your social worker in the morning, and she'll be the one to, uh...to take you to the group home. My contact at Child Services got you a room with only two other kids, which is good, because it can get crowded.

Ryan: Thanks. I appreciate it.

Sandy: And, you know, they do find foster homes for kids your age.

Seth: Yeah, because everybody wants a brand-new teenager. I'm sorry if I'm the only one here that'll state the obvious...

Kirsten: Seth.

Seth: But we have all this extra room, right? We have a pool house. Yet, you guys are going to ship him off to a group home? Am I the only one who gets how much that sucks?

Ryan: It's okay. Really.

He signs his name on the paper and looks at the model home.

Ryan: Good luck with it. It looks perfect. Good night.

Sandy: Good night.

Ryan leaves.

End of teaser.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We see Ryan tossing around in bed, not able to sleep. He gets up and gets dressed. Cut to him walking into the living room of the house.

Seth: Hey. Got a little, uh...Playstation. Perhaps--uh, are you running away?

Ryan: Go back in the house, Seth.

Seth: Hey, hey, hey. You can't just run away. What are you thinking? What about, like, Child Services, or my dad?

Ryan looks at him for a moment before turning away.

Seth: Okay, then, wait. Hey, I want to come with you. You know what I've always wanted to do, besides sail to Tahiti. I want to do that whole Kerouac thing--hit the road, stop at diner to diner, the pancake tour of North America.

Ryan: No.

Seth: Fair enough. Where are you going?

Ryan: I don't know. New town, get a job somewhere, save some money.

Seth: (sarcastically) Great plan. Sounds like you've given it a lot of thought.

Ryan: You got a better idea?

Seth: Actually, I do.

Cut to Seth in his room, packing his backpack with clothes and other things.

Sandy: (knocks on door) Seth?

Seth immediately runs to his bed and jumps under the covers, taking the lamp off.

Sandy: (walks in) Hey...can I talk to you?

Seth: (acting like he just woke up) Dad? What? Is it morning?

Sandy: You were asleep?

Seth: Yeah, I was. What's going on?

Sandy: Well, uh...I wanted to talk about Ryan.

Seth: Yeah, I know, it's cool. We don't need to discuss it.

Sandy: Well, I think we do. I mean, I know you're upset, your mother and I are upset. But our responsibility is...is to our family.

Seth: Yeah, that's okay. No, I get it. I mean, this is a person's life we're talking about and we need to leave it in the hands of the authorities.

Sandy: There's no need for sarcasm.

Seth: I'm not being sarcastic.

Sandy: Well, it's hard to tell sometimes.

Seth: Dad...it's okay. Really.

Sandy: When you want to talk about it...

Seth: Yeah, I know. You're the one to talk to. Got it. Good night.

Sandy: Good night.

Seth: Good night.

As soon as the door closes, Seth rolls out of bed and grabs his bag, his things falling out.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Ryan waiting outside with his own backpack.

Ryan: Come on, Seth.

Marissa: (on cell phone) Okay, got it. I'll be there in, like, twenty minutes.

He grabs his bike, but she notices him.

Ryan: Hey.

Marissa: Hey. I didn't think I'd see you again. Look, I wanted to say thanks for the other night.

Ryan: You always drink like that?

Marissa: (hesitates) I thought you left.

Ryan: I did. I am.

Seth comes running down the driveway towards them.

Seth: Ryan, we're all set. You ready? (He notices Marissa) Hi there, Marissa.

Marissa: What are you doing?

Seth: Nothing. We're just hanging out. Oh, look, it's somebody's birthday. I guess my invitation probably got lost in the mail.

Marissa: It's my friend Summer's birthday.

Seth: Summer's birthday is not till Wednesday. That's what I heard. I don't know. That was a guess.

Marissa: You guys are up to something.

Seth: Dude, what did you tell her?

Ryan: I didn't tell her anything. I think the black turtleneck in August tipped her off.

Seth: Okay, I was going for stealth, and also it's slimming. We should really go. (walks off) Have fun at your party.

Ryan: You should probably be off. Newport social scene awaits.

Marissa: Oh, yeah?

Cut to the three of them riding in a car. Marissa is driving.

Marissa: Why won't you tell me where we're going? This is pretty far away.

Seth: Oh, wow, complaining. That's very interesting, considering nobody invited you.

Marissa: Before I came along, you were on a skateboard.

Seth groans sarcastically and we hear music playing in the car.

Marissa: You like them?

Ryan: Yeah, I guess.

Marissa: Well, what do you like?

Ryan: Everything. Well, I don't know. I don't really listen to music.

Seth: Dude, that's kind of weird.

Ryan: Why? What do you like?

Marissa: Uh, right now...punk.

Seth: I'm sorry, Avril Lavigne doesn't count as punk.

Marissa: Oh yeah? Well, what about the Cramps? Stiff Little Fingers? The Clash? Sex Pistols?

Seth: I listen to the same music as Marissa Cooper? I think I have to kill myself.

Ryan: Listen to punk, huh?

Marissa: I'm angry.

Seth: (indicates to a place outside the car) That's it right there.

The car pulls up to a building.

Marissa: Looks scary.

Seth: Well, then, you can stay in the car.

They walk into the building.

Seth: You recognize this place, Ryan?

Ryan: This isn't...

Marissa: Where are we?

Seth: Well, it's one of my mom's housing developments. Her and my grandpa own a bunch of them. This is supposed to be the model home, but it never got finished.

Marissa: Why? Did someone die here, and now it's haunted?

Seth: Yes, that's exactly what happened.

Ryan: What did happen?

Seth: I don't know.

Cut to Kirsten walking around in the living room, talking on the phone.

Kirsten: How do contractors just disappear? If we don't have a model home, we don't have a new development. It's been a month. I'm not waiting for you guys anymore. You know where to reach me.

She hangs up the phone.

Sandy: No luck with the contractors?

Kirsten: Vanished. My father's never gonna let me hear the end of this. Did you talk to Seth?

Sandy: (sighs) I think so. But don't blame yourself.

Kirsten: I'm not blaming myself. But how can I allow a strange boy to live in this house? Seth needs to know it's what any mother would do.

Sandy: I was talking about the contractors.

She smiles and laughs.

Cut back to the housing development.

Marissa: So you want him to stay here?

Seth: Well, I mean, I know the place needs some sprucing up, but...God, did I just say "sprucing"? So, Ryan, what do you think?

Ryan: I haven't really had time to think.

Seth: But how much better is this place than some group home? And wait till you see the best part.

Seth opens the door and makes an eerie noise.

Ryan: It's an empty pool.

Seth: To some people.

Cut to Seth skateboarding in the empty pool and Marissa and Ryan sitting down, eating fast-food.

Marissa: So, your mom. I mean, she has to come back, right?

Ryan: I don't know. My mom's...kind of a train wreck.

Marissa: So's mine. (pause) Well, I mean, what about your dad? Can you call him?

Ryan: Dad's in jail. Armed robbery. Impressive, huh?

Marissa: (gasps softly) My dad, he's, like, a financial planner. And I think he's in trouble.

Ryan: I don't have any stock tips.

Marissa: He stopped going to the office and these guys keep showing up at the door like cops, but he won't answer. Look, I haven't told anybody about it.

Ryan: I can keep a secret.

Marissa's cell phone rings and answers it.

Marissa: Hey.

Cut to Luke at the party.

Luke: Where you at, girl? It's time for you to get your buzz on. Nolan's so faded, he can't even feel his feet.

Nolan: There goes the left leg.

Luke: I miss you, babe. You know, it's not a party without you.

Cut back to Marissa.

Marissa: Oh, you're sweet.

Luke: What's the deal? You were supposed to be here an hour ago.

Marissa: Okay, I'll be there soon. Say hi to everyone.

Luke: Allright. Love you.

Marissa: Love you, too. Bye.

She hangs up and walks back over to Ryan, sitting down.

Ryan: So how long you been with him?

Marissa: Luke? Um...I don't know really.

Seth: (slides onto the ground) I know. Fifth grade, when you two got your mack on, during our class trip, to the Museum of Tolerance back of the bus. Classy lady.

Marissa: You know what? What's your problem, Cohen?

She throws a fry at him and he catches it.

Marissa: I mean, what did I ever do to you?

Seth: Nothing, Marissa. I've lived next door to you forever and you've never done or said anything to me.

Marissa: Oh, my God, you're the one who never talks to me. You think you're so much better than everyone.

Seth: I do? Well, if you're talking about Luke, then yes, because that guy shaves his chest!

Seth continues skateboarding and Ryan smiles.

Marissa: Hmm, he plays water polo.

Seth: We know--half the team tried to kill us the other night.

Ryan: I'm not too popular around here, and your boyfriend--a little bit angry.

Marissa: You're telling me you didn't try to hit him back?

Ryan: Actually, I hit him first.

Marissa: Well, hard to believe you're not more popular.

He smiles at her and we cut to them entering a room.

Seth: I thought this could be your room.

Ryan: I still don't know if it's a good idea for me to stick around or not.

Marissa: You should stay.

Seth: Okay...for a little while.

Seth: So when she says it, you listen?

Marissa's cell phone rings again and she answers it.

Marissa: Hey, Summer.

Seth: Oh, hey, hey, hey. Is that Summer? Tell her I said happy birthday.

Marissa: Okay.

Summer: Coop, where are you? We're coming to get you.

Marissa: Oh, no, no, no, don't. I'm coming.

Seth: Tell her I said happy birthday.

Marissa: Seth Cohen says happy birthday.

Summer: Who?

Marissa: (she makes a face, but then smiles) She says thanks.

Seth gives Ryan an excited look and Ryan mocks him.

Marissa: Uh, look, I got to go. Okay, bye. (hangs up) I got to go meet my friends. My...other...friends.

Seth: I should get back, too, and protect my cover. But wait, listen. We have to promise not to tell anyone about this place, okay? Now, Ryan's not going to obviously, and I could get grounded, so that leaves Marissa.

Marissa: (looks at Ryan) I can keep a secret.

Seth: Okay. (to Ryan) See you tomorrow.

Marissa: Me, too. We'll fix this place up.

Ryan: Cool.

Seth: I'm telling you, Ryan, this plan is foolproof.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We see Ryan walking around the development. Cut to Sandy walking into the pool house.

Sandy: Hey, Ryan! Hey, Ryan, you ready?

He looks around and notices Ryan's nowhere to be found.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut back to Ryan, still looking around the place. Now cut to Seth looking out his bedroom window. There's a cop car in the driveway.

Seth: (on the phone) Okay, the key here is not to panic. Do you have your supplies?

Marissa: (at her house, also on the phone) Yeah, but there are cops at your house. I mean, do you think it's safe?

Seth: I'll handle Johnny Law unless...are you losing your nerve?

Marissa: Meet me in the driveway.

Cut to outside. Seth sees the cops talking to his parents.

Cop: He couldn't have gotten far. We'll search the neighborhood.

Seth tries to hurry past him, but Sandy sees him.

Sandy: Seth. I was going to get you. We got to talk about Ryan.

Seth: Oh.

Cut to Marissa walking out into the hallway.

Julie: Marissa? Look who's here.

Marissa: (walks into kitchen) Luke! Hi.

Luke: Hey. Mm. Just grabbing a little grub before we take the boat out.

Marissa: Boat?

Luke: Yeah, I thought we'd take my dad's DawnSea. Do a little water skiing, have a little lunch.

Cut to Ryan doing pull-ups in the development.

Cut to outside the Cohen house.

Cop: So you have no idea where Ryan might've gone?

Seth: I don't know. He did say something about going down to Mexico and gambling on cockfights. I mean, I don't know what kind of jurisdiction you guys...

Sandy: Quit joking around. Will you answer his question?

Seth: Yes, I did. I really don't know. I do not know the guy. I never got the chance.

Cut to Julie walking into Jimmy's office.

Julie: Hey, there's eggs. Oh, I'm taking Caitlin to the stable, so I need to get that check.

Jimmy: Does Caitlin really need a pony? In a couple of months, she's not even going to like horses.

Caitlin: What?! I love China. She's the prettiest pony.

Julie: We're not giving up China. Now go wait in the car, sweetie. Mommy will be right with you.

Caitlin walks out and Julie walks up behind Jimmy.

Julie: Jimmy, this work is making you so tense.

Jimmy: Look, I got to...I've got to talk to you about work.

Julie: Honey, you know I don't like to talk about work.

Jimmy: Yeah, well I...I've made a few mistakes, and, uh, I don't know really...

Julie: Jimmy, you don't have cancer. No one is dying. Whatever it is, whatever you've done, I'm sure you'll fix it. Now can you write that check? I don't want Caitlin to be late, okay?.

Jimmy sighs.

Cut to Marissa and Luke.

Marissa: It's just Suki is amazing. It doesn't hurt at all when she's waxing you, and it's really hard to get an appointment with her. I know. Why don't you get a manicure? You could come with me. I mean, they're not just for girls.

Luke: You go. We'll catch up later. Holly's having a...Holly's having a thing.

Marissa: Perfect.

Cut to Luke backing out of the driveway in his truck. Seth comes out from behind a bush.

Seth: So, you tell him anything?

Marissa: No, but if anyone asks, you're Suki.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Ryan, Seth, and Marissa in the housing development. Ryan's setting up a tent, Seth's fixing a golfing rug on the ground, and Marissa is unpacking things.

Ryan: So you didn't tell them anything.

Seth: Um...actually I told them you went to Mexico for cockfights. You know what, though? Even if they don't believe me, they'll never look for you here. (to Marissa) Did you seriously bring a loofah?

Ryan: What's a loofah?

Marissa: Hey, you said bring whatever was around the house.

Seth: But I meant like survival supplies like rope or muskets and not...(grabs bottles) Kio's cucumber moisturizer.

She throws a roll of toilet paper into the air and catches it.

Seth: That's a pretty good call.

Ryan: That's nice, yeah.

Seth hits the golf ball out the room. He walks out to get it. Marissa kneels down by the opening of the tent, where Ryan is.

Marissa: Hey. Here's a little bit of everything.

She hands him a CD titled The Model Home Mix.

Marissa: Let your education begin.

Seth: (walks back into room) This place is perfect. Seriously, it's totally safe. Ryan, how perfect is this place, right? Seriously, what else could you need?

Ryan: Anyone bring any food?

Seth: Um...food. Guess we're going on a mission.

Cut to the three going down a crowded, wooden sidewalk that extends over the water. Seth is skateboarding and Marissa is riding on Ryan's back as he steers the bike.

Marissa: Faster! Go, Ryan! Whoo!

They all start laughing and screaming. She covers his eyes as they descend further down the sidewalk.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Sandy on the phone.

Sandy: Well, call me if someone meeting that description comes in. Thank you. (hangs up) Nothing at the hospitals.

Kirsten: I'm sure he'll turn up.

Sandy: Not if he's smart. I think Seth knows where he is.

Kirsten: Are you accusing him of lying? That'll be really good for your relationship. Let the police handle this.

Sandy: Oh, I wish you hadn't called the police. They don't have the resources or the manpower. Ryan'll just slip through the cracks.

Kirsten: Sandy, how many of these cases have you seen? Or passed across your desk. (sighs) What is it about this kid?

Sandy: I thought I could help him...make a difference. I was this kid. If someone hadn't helped me...I wouldn't be here.

She smiles and kisses his cheek. Her cell phone rings.

Kirsten: Hello?

She gestures to him that she'll take the call outside.

Kirsten: (once outside) How are you?

Jimmy: I'm good. Listen, I hate to ask, but I need your help with something.

Kirsten: Uh, of course.

Cut to Julie walking in on Jimmy.

Julie: China has alopecia. We need to call the vet.

She looks at him expectantly.
 

Jimmy: (to Kirsten) Um, are you free for lunch?

Kirsten: Um...yeah. I have some stuff that I need to do for work, but that sounds great.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to the diner Seth, Ryan, and Marissa had been heading for.

Ryan: So you guys, I've been thinking about a plan.

Seth: You know, right now this could very well be the first stop on our pancake tour of North America.

Marissa: Hey, like in On The Road. That's my favorite book.

Seth: Mine, too.

He grabs his coffee and gives her a look.

Ryan: So here's the deal. My mom had this boyfriend. He hired me to work construction last summer. But then they broke up...he moved away...to Austin.

Marissa: In Texas?

Ryan: Said if I was ever out there look him up, so...

Seth: I mean, well, that's really kind of far. We were thinking like Long Beach or something so we can all still hang out.

Ryan: I'll need to get a couple of days of work so I can get a little bit of travel money.

Marissa: Well, I mean, we can get you money.

Seth: Well, I mean, I guess in a way you're kind of lucky. You get to move to a whole new place, start over, be whoever you want to be. That's really not so bad.

We hear laughing and watch as Luke and his friends walk into the diner.

Luke: Hey, putz. What's it take to get a menu here?

Marissa: Okay, I'll handle it.

Ryan:  That's all right. I'll handle it.

Marissa: And ruin your popularity? You know what, why don't you guys just sneak out the back?

She gets up and walks towards Luke.

Seth: What's going on with you two?

Marissa: Hey. (kisses Luke on the cheek) How's it going?

Marissa talks to them as Ryan and Seth walk towards the back door. A cook walks out.

Cook: Hey! Front door.

After Ryan puts on his hood, they head for the front door. Marissa continues to talk to Luke and his friends. As Ryan and Seth are walking out, Seth bumps into a guy and the guy drops his tray.

Seth: Hi. Hey, guys. How you guys doing? You like the food here, too? It's pretty awesome.

Luke: Shut up, queer.

Seth: (laughs) Well, at least I don't shave my chest.

Luke: What'd you say?

Marissa: Luke, come on.

Seth: I just said you look nice in a sweater vest. It was a compliment.

Luke: Do you want me to break you, Cohen?

Ryan: (grabs Luke's arm) Hey.

Luke: No way. Look who's back. (He shoves Ryan's hood off) You know, you're a little far from Eight Mile.

Marissa: Luke, don't!

Luke: What are you, like spokesperson for geeks of America or something?

Ryan: (laughs) You know what I like about rich kids?

He punches Luke.

Ryan: Nothing.

Seth and Ryan run out of the diner.

Seth: That was awesome!

As Ryan gets the bike, Seth uses his skateboard to lock the door. The guys run to another door. As they get out of the diner, we see Ryan and Seth on the bike, riding away. Marissa sits alone in the diner.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Ryan and Seth back at the hideaway.

Seth: You know what I like about rich kids? Bam, nothing. Hey, Ryan, you wouldn't consider me rich, would you? I'd be more upper middle class?

He hits the golf ball and it rolls out of the room. Marissa walks in.

Seth: What's up, fool?

Marissa: (to Ryan) You know, you didn't have to hit him.

Ryan: Sorry.

Marissa: You know, the cashier called the cops. (She sits down) Look, I don't know why Luke does that. Did that. He's just...

Seth: An ass?

Marissa: Protective.

They hear a noise from outside and the all walk over to the window, Seth looking out.

Seth: God. It's my mom.

We see Kirsten and Jimmy step out of the car.

Seth: And...your dad.

Kirsten: It's been awhile. Figure out what kind of shape this place is in.

Jimmy: Wow.

Kirsten: Oh. That's what...those contractors have been doing. (She picks up a golf ball)

We see the three listening closely.

Jimmy: This place is fantastic!

Kirsten: You think so? You don't think it's too much?

Jimmy: Too much? You're talking to the guy whose wife just imported ceramic shower-curtain rings from Morocco. This is gorgeous. The high ceilings and the molding. It reminds me of...

Kirsten: Your parent's house.

Jimmy: On Elm Grove. Yeah, with the vaulted ceilings and those great beams.

Kirsten: Yeah. I loved that old house.

Jimmy: Yeah. Yeah, I loved that place, too. I had my first kiss there.

Kirsten: Me, too. So what's going on, Jimmy?

Jimmy: Uh..well, I've just had a really bad year with the market and, uh, it's disastrous, and it's going to be a struggle just to remain solvent for the next...

Kirsten: How much do you need?

Jimmy: No. It's...it's...it's a lot of money. It's too much.

Kirsten: Jimmy.

Jimmy: It's a hundred thousand dollars.

We see Marissa standing in front of Ryan, shocked.

Kirsten: I'll call the bank.

Jimmy: No. I can't.

Kirsten: I can.

Jimmy: I'll pay you back. But it's going to take me a couple of months.

Kirsten: I know where you live.

He smiles.

Jimmy: This place is going to be perfect.

Kirsten: I hope so. New contractors come tomorrow. Better get the job finished.

Jimmy: New contractors. Sounds like a nightmare.

Kirsten: Pretty much.

They laugh as they leave together.

Cut back to Ryan, Seth, and Marissa.

Seth: You okay?

Marissa looks a little stressed and turns to Ryan.

Marissa: So the contractors start tomorrow.

Ryan: Guess that means I'm gone.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Seth on a computer in his room.

Seth: (talking to himself) One bus ticket to Austin. 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. Would you like to purchase?

He clicks the mouse once and Sandy walks in.

Sandy: Hey.

Seth: Hey. You're not knocking anymore?

Sandy: I'm sorry. What are you doing?

Seth: Uh...just busy.

Sandy: You're always busy.

Seth: That's the price of fame. I gotta go, Dad.

He gets up and grabs his backpack.

Sandy: They found Ryan. Or spotted someone who meets his description. There was a fight down by the pier.

Seth: Really? Uh...

Sandy: Which means he's probably still in the area. We should go try to find him before the authorities do. Before he gets into any more trouble.

Seth: Actually, do you need me to go? I was going somewhere.

Sandy: Seth. He's your friend.

Seth: Yeah. Okay.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Marissa at a party. Summer sees her and walks over.

Summer: Hey.

Marissa: Hey.

Summer: So what's up? You've been all weird-acting lately.

Marissa: Yeah? I don't know. I guess...It's just...do you ever wonder what your life looks like through someone else's eyes?

Summer: This is what I'm talking about. What is up with you?

Marissa: Nothing. It's just...

Girl: Fresh margs!

Guy: This is some weak margarita.

Girl: Whatever. You're the lightweight.

Guy: Oh, ho, ho, say it over here. Come here.

Summer: I hope your parents never come home.

Guy: Seriously, dawg, let's find that punk's trailer park and burn it to the ground.

Summer: Who dat?

Guy: That freak from Chino. He was all up in Luke's grill.

Summer: Maybe he's on OxyContin. OxyContin is gnarly.

Girl: I heard he's like a total psycho.

Luke: He's a little bitch. I see that kid around again, I'm going to beat his ass.

Guy: Yeah, run him out of Newport for sure.

Marissa: I gotta go.

She grabs her purse and walks to the door. He walks after her.

Luke: All right. Hey wait up. Where you going?

Marissa: I can't be here right now.

Luke: What's the matter?

Marissa: You don't know him. You don't know anything about him.

She leaves.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Sandy and Seth in the car.

Sandy: He could be anywhere.

Seth: Dad, I'm sure Ryan's fine. We should just try again when it's light out.

Sandy: Could be too late by then.

Seth: Yeah, well, maybe he's better off on his own, anyways.

Sandy: What does that mean?

Seth: Okay, if we find him, then what? Then, if he's very lucky he gets to go back with his mom? I would run away, too.

Sandy: Promise me right now that you never do that, that you'd never run away, no matter how bad things may seem. Your mother and I will always be there.

Seth: Okay, Dad, please, take it down a notch.

Sandy: The minute you were born, I knew that I would never take another easy breath again without knowing you were safe.

Seth: So I'm like asthma?

Sandy: I'm warning you. You run away...I'm coming with you.

Seth: I guess we can keep looking.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Ryan in the housing development. He's lighting a candle and we see that there are candles placed at different places in the room. There is also a slow, soft song playing. Marissa walks in as Ryan is rolling up his sleeping bag.

Marissa: This song reminds me of you.

Ryan: I thought you were with Luke.

Marissa: I was. I don't know why I'm here. I just wanted to see you. I mean...you're leaving tomorrow and...what if I never...we never...Maybe I could spend the night. Just to hang out.

Ryan: You can't stay. If you stay, if you spend the night, I...I don't know that I could leave.

Marissa: Well, then don't.

Ryan: Yeah, you go back to school in the fall and I'll just what--hang around here? Hiding like some ghost? Till the cops find me and I have to disappear again? We're from different worlds.

Marissa: That's not true.

Ryan: I'm not like you. Go. Please. Go.

He turns away from her quickly. She runs out sobbing and gets into her car, leaving. We see Luke's truck parked nearby. Ryan runs out to catch Marissa, but when he sees she's already gone, he turns back and walks inside. Luke sees all of this.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Kirsten on the phone.

Kirsten: Hey, Allen. I'm good. Um...I know it's late, but I need to transfer some money. Sure, I can hold on a sec.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Seth and Sandy, still out looking for Ryan.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Marissa, sobbing as she drives.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut back to Ryan in the room.

Ryan: Seth! I'm up here! You get the bus ticket?

Luke and his friends walk in instead of Seth.

Luke: You're not going anywhere. What are you doing here, man? What are you doing with my girlfriend?

Ryan: Nothing.

Luke: Didn't look like nothing. Tell me. Or I'll kill you.

Ryan: Then kill me and quit talking about it.

Luke pushes him and candles tip over, setting a sheet on fire. They fight as the fire spreads further. The other guys join in on the fight.

Guy: Dude, this place is on fire! We gotta go!

Ryan is left on the ground as the other three run. Luke stops and looks back at Ryan. After a second, he runs back towards him and pulls him out.

Guy: Let's go, man!

Luke: (to Ryan) Run!

Luke jumps into the back of the truck and they take off. Ryan raises his head, but let's it fall again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Jimmy sitting on the couch, watching TV. Julie walks up behind him.

Julie: I thought basketball season was over.

Jimmy: No, this is ESPN Classic. They play all old games. It's the Lakers-Pistons. Right? 1986. The finals. Game Seven. You remember watching this. You were pregnant...you were pregnant with Marissa when this was on. We watched it.

Julie: (walks over and sits on his lap) I remember. I was so swollen.

Jimmy: Ugh, I hated Detroit. Isiah, Laimbeer, Dumars. But Worthy...James Worthy, he saved us. Shot the lights out. Fantastic. You know that thing that I was trying to talk to you about?

Julie: Jimmy.

Jimmy: No, I'm just saying that I took care of it.

Julie: I knew you would.

Jimmy: You did?

Julie: Mm Hm. (She kisses him) I can't believe I'm old enough to watch people play basketball in those shorts.

They hear Marissa walk in.

Julie: Hey Marissa. Marissa?

She just walks upstairs, ignoring them.

Jimmy: Uh oh. I'll go.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Marissa lying face down on her bed. Her dad knocks and walks in.

Jimmy: Hey.

She looks up and he sees her crying. He walks over to her bed.

Jimmy: What's the matter? What's the matter? Come on. You can tell me. Hey. Hey..come here. Give me a hug. (She hugs him) What's the matter huh? You can tell me. We tell each other everything.

Marissa: Do we?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Sandy and Seth in the car. Sandy's cell rings.

Sandy: Hello? I'll meet you there.

He hangs up and Seth looks at him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to the party. Luke walks in and sees Summer coming down the stairs.

Luke: Hey.

Summer:  Hi.

Luke: Hey, Marissa come back?

Summer: Uh uh. You smell like smoke.

Luke: Yeah, we, uh...hot boxed Nordlin's car.

Summer: And didn't invite me?

He walks over to his friends.

Guy: Dude, that kid was messed up.

Luke: He was breathing.

Guy: Yeah, I hope so.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to the housing development, which is now badly burned. There are fire trucks and cop cars around, and Kirsten, Sandy, and Seth are standing outside.

Kirsten: I can't believe this. This house is cursed.

Cop: You the owner?

Kirsten: Yes, I am. What happened?

Cop: Not sure yet. But it looks like someone's been living here.

Kirsten: What?

Seth: It's my fault.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Ryan, hitch-hiking. We see that's he's very badly bruised. After no cars stopping for him, one finally does. It's Luke.

Luke: You're okay.

Ryan: Disappointed?

Luke: Where are you going?

Ryan: Don't know.

Luke: We both keep our mouths shut. They may never know it was us.

Ryan breathes out a laughs and climbs into the truck.

Luke: What are you doing?

Ryan: You're giving me a ride.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cut to Sandy and Seth in Ryan's room. Seth is sitting on the bed.

Seth: I don't know what happened. I do not know why the house burned down.

Sandy: What was he even doing there? Why didn't you tell us?

Seth: Because he didn't want to go to a foster home. He didn't want to leave and I didn't want him to leave either. It's like, you force me to live amongst these-these pod people and the first cool person I meet, it's like, you kick him out of the house.

Sandy sits down beside Seth.

Sandy: I did the best I could.

Seth: So did I.

Sandy: Come on. Police want to ask us some more questions.

Cut to outside, where we see Kirsten bringing a cup of coffee to an officer. They look up as Sandy and Seth walk out of the house.

Sandy: Just follow my lead.

Seth sees Marissa standing outside along with everyone.

Cop: You and I need to talk. And this time I want the truth.

They hear a car approach. It's Luke and Ryan. They both step out and Ryan walks over to the Cohen’s.

Ryan: I'm sorry.

Cop: Ryan Atwood? We got some questions for you.

The cop handcuffs Ryan and walks him over to the cop car.

Luke: It was an accident.

Cop: Yeah, you were there?

Luke: Yeah.

Cop: Then we got some questions for you, too.

A cop walks over an handcuffs Luke as well.

Sandy: Officer, I'm Mr. Atwood's attorney. Please don't ask him any questions unless I'm present. Ryan, keep your mouth shut. (to Luke) You, too.

The cop car backs away and drives off.

Fade to black.

---

 

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