Thanks for the reviews.
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Miami Lab, trace lab, 1pm
Anni: *walks over, sits*
Speed: *staring through microscope*
Anni: I hate men.
Speed: What'd he do?
Anni: Tom? Nothing. That's the problem. It'd be nice just for once if someone fought for
me.
Speed: Katie's in the lounge if you want to talk to her.
Anni: Why does Lori get all the men? Is she just THAT irresistible?
Speed: *lifts head, opens folder*
Anni: Who knew that being a slut would get you two incredible men.
Speed: *writing*
Anni: Is that seriously what makes you guys drool? Right, of course it does. You married Katie, afterall. She's one high away from being Lori.
Speed: ...Thank you for ruining my libido for life.
Anni: Scott doesn't deserve her. He deserves mature women who can give him an emotional closeness. Someone on his level. But noooo, he married someone with a nice rack and a charming smile. Have you seen her work out? She's hot and she doesn't have to try. Her legs alone...
Speed: Now you've ruined my lunch break.
Anni: How in the hell did YOU create THAT.
Speed: ...I'm not sure what you mean by that.
Anni: I hate Lori and I hate you for having children.
Speed: *looks at Anni* Are you okay?
Anni: No. I just spilled my guts to Scott and now he probably thinks I'm a freak. An old lady freak. I'm a cougar, Tim.
Speed: It just means you're more majestic than the other sluts your age.
Anni: *slaps Speed*
Speed: Ow.
Anni: You're not helping.
Speed: What do you want me to do? Go back in time and not sleep with Katie?
Anni: You know how many other guys are probably saying the exact same thing right now?
Speed: Hilarious.
Anni: Alright, maybe you can explain something to me then. Why do you love Katie?
Speed: I just do.
Anni: That's not good enough. I want a list. *slides paper over* Get it to me by the end of the day and we'll talk. *stands, walks away*
Speed: *looks down at paper*
Tom: *walks downstairs*
Speed: *scratches head*
Tom: What are you working on?
Speed: A list of reasons why I love Katie.
Tom: Good luck. *walks away*
Speed: *frowns*
Hallway
Tom: Hey! Anni!
Anni: *turns around*
Tom: *runs over* I'm on my lunch break, you want to grab a bite with me?
Anni: Sure.
Tom: *wraps arm around Anni's waist* I know a great place.
Restaurant, 1:20pm
Anni: *digs at salad*
Tom: *drinks soda*
Anni: You were...madly in love with Lori at one point, right?
Tom: Yeah. A long time ago.
Anni: How did she react when you told her?
Tom: She kicked my ass out.
Anni: But she came around.
Tom: She used me when it was convenient.
Anni: ...You don't think she loves you.
Tom: I know she doesn't.
Anni: Super.
Tom: Why?
Anni: *sigh* I sort of confessed my undying love for Scott this morning.
Tom: *blinks*
You love Scott.
Anni: I know, I'm horrible. I understand if you're pissed.
Tom: I'm not pissed.
Anni: *lifts eyes*
Tom: But maybe it's not love. It's probably just an infatuation, I mean you were sleeping with the guy. *eats fries*
Anni: I can't believe you don't have a problem with this. What does that say about our marriage?
Tom: I don't know what you want from me. You want me to be angry?
Anni: Yes. I betrayed the sanctity of our marriage.
Tom: So did I.
Anni: I want you to fight for me, Tom. I want to
mean something to you.
Tom: You want me to kick Scott's ass for sleeping with you.
Anni: Oooh, could you?
Tom: No. I'm trying to improve my life and stay sober by following the 5 percepts of sila.
Anni: ...Sila.
Tom: It's principles of ethical behaviour. Helps me meditate.
Anni: *lifts brow*
Tom: *counts on fingers* To refrain from taking a life or non-violence toward sentient life-forms and that includes Scott, to refrain from committing theft, to refrain from lying, to refrain from sexual misconduct, which I'm definitely working on-
Anni: Uh huh.
Tom: Finally, to refrain from intoxicants which lead to a loss of mindfulness.
Anni: And this is supposed to do what for you?
Tom: Achieve zen.
Anni: Of course.
Tom: Scott should try it. Maybe he wouldn't hate himself so much.
Anni: *nods*
Tom: You're welcome to join me during one of my yoga classes.
Anni: Wait wait wait. You take yoga?
Tom: Every Monday.
Anni: ...I think we need to communicate more.
Tom: You should come with me to California, the yoga class is having a retreat. It's actually a couple's retreat.
Anni: *nods slowly* You want me to do yoga with you.
Tom: It's not just about yoga, it's about the overall health of your mind and body. That includes relationship health.
Anni: You know what, I think we need that.
Tom: So you'll come?
Anni: *smiles* Absolutely.
Tom: Excellent. Hey, maybe Scott and Lori want to join us. Oh, you should definitely ask Speed and Katie. They could use some cleansing.
Anni: I'll let them know.
Tom: *picks up glass*
Anni: I had no idea you were so...passionate about this stuff.
Tom: I figure I should direct my energy toward the positive, lest I fall back into the negative. Either that or the heroin messed up the connections up here. *taps head*
Anni: *laughs*
Gables Estates, house, 6pm
Lori: *places pan into sink* Are you gay?
Tom: *lifts brow* No.
Lori: I'm not doing yoga with you.
Tom: You wouldn't be doing it with me, you'd be doing it with Scott.
Lori: I don't want to see anyone's junk flapping in my face.
Tom: Lori, it's more of a couple's retreat.
Lori: Perfect. Scott and I aren't a couple.
Tom: It might save your marriage.
Lori: What marriage? And what the hell is this 'zen' garbage you were telling me about? You kicked my ass in the Hummerhome.
Tom: That was before I started practicing sila.
Lori: Oh so you're Buddhist now.
Tom: *smiles* That's very good. You know your stuff.
Lori: *rolls eyes* Tom, stop prancing around in your pea-green leotard and wake up. Anni wants you to fight for her because it's what all women want. It's human nature. We might say we hate when you guys fight but secretly, we're loving every second of it. It's what determines who we mate with, if you will. Very primal stuff.
Tom: Being primal got me into a lot of trouble before.
Lori: Come on, haven't you ever wanted to kick Scott's ass just once?
Tom: If I did, I'd end up impressing you instead of Anni.
Lori: Who says you'd win?
Tom: Trust me, I'd win.
Lori: There you go, see? You're a man again.
Tom: Hey. Just because I strive to be enlightened, it doesn't make me any less of a man. Besides, Anni's going to talk Katie into bringing Speed too. It'll be fun.
Lori: I don't find sitting in a room with my parents and watching them argue, fun. And during all of the enlightenment, who's going to be taking care of the kids?
Tom: I have that covered. *smiles* Daycare camp.
Lori: Say what?
Tom: It's a new place near the Glades. It's basically a summer camp but they take toddlers too. They have all these games and activities to keep the kids busy and-
Lori: Alligators.
Tom: The place is fenced.
Lori: So are the golf courses around here and they still get them.
Tom: Lori, take a look at the big picture. Maybe this is your chance to work things out with Scott and stop avoiding all the problems. Think of it as the elevator but without doors and walls.
Lori: I'll talk to Scott about it.
Tom: Excellent. *wraps arms around Lori* You're going to love it.
Lori: I doubt it.
Tom: I want to see my Lori smile again.
Lori: *lifts head* Your Lori?
Tom: Fine, Loriana.
Lori: *punches Tom's gut*
Tom: *winces* Oof.
Lori: I'm not yours.
Tom: You're still going to have to smile. California is a happy place. You're a California girl, right?
Lori: *frowns* I wouldn't be if my father wasn't a wife beater.
Tom: You always have to put a negative spin on everything. Come on, be happy. *tickles Lori*
Lori: *screams, giggles*
Tom: *smiles*
Lori: *shoves Tom* Stop it.
Tom: You used to be fun.
Lori: Yeah and I'm no longer 16. You should join me up here and stop being a baby.
Tom: Hey when I was 16, you were 6 so who's the baby now?
Lori: *stares at Tom*
Tom: I'm not 40.
Lori: *smiles*
Tom: Stop smiling.
Lori: *smiling* You're old.
Tom: Depends how you look at it. I'm younger than my wife.
Lori: Ouch, you just called your wife old. I'll bet she'll be glad to hear it. *reaches for telephone*
Tom: NO! *jumps on Lori, grabs at phone*
Lori: *dialing*
Tom: Lori, give me the god damned phone.
Lori: I thought you were looking for positivity and non-violence.
Tom: *flips Lori around* This isn't funny. This is my last chance with her, don't bring up age.
Lori: Aw, the old man's getting cranky. *pinches Tom's cheeks* You poor thing, maybe you should go for a nap.
Tom: You think you can evade getting older? In 10 years, those wrinkles in your forehead are going to get more pronounced.
Lori: I don't have wrinkles.
Tom: They'll get worse if you keep frowning.
Lori: You sure have a bunch. *places fingers on Tom's cheek* They really show your age.
Tom: That one's a scar. News helicopter vs crime lab.
Lori: What about this one on your chin?
Tom: That'd be an angry hooker with a switchblade.
Lori: *scrunches nose* Ew.
Tom: Yeah, that's what I said when she got undressed.
Lori: You're an idiot.
Tom: I think her name was Aquafina.
Lori: *smirks* Alright, enough or I'm going to start telling your children all of this when they're older.
Tom: Okay but then I'll tell your kids what we did in that theatre on Christmas eve.
Lori: Theatre?
Tom: Right, you don't remember some of that stuff.
Lori: You may have to refresh my memory.
Tom: Well, we went to see Casablanca because you used to love old movies. Long story short, we ended up getting kicked out.
Lori: How did we go from watching a movie to getting kicked out?
Tom: Use your imagination.
Lori: *stares at Tom*
Tom: Anyway, when we got back, things slowed down and...you told me you loved me.
Lori: *lowers eyes*
Tom: I fell for it and you ended up stealing my wallet and my car to go hook up with guys and smoke crack.
Lori: *lifts head* And we're still friends?
Tom: ...Maybe I won't tell that story afterall.
Lori: Tom, I'm sorry. I-
Tom: No, it's alright. I knew you were sick.
Lori: How much money did I steal?
Tom: ...2 grand. Why?
Lori: I'll pay you back. Right now.
Tom: No, I don't care about the money. Life goes on, you ended up where you're supposed to be and so did I.
Lori: Something tells me this couple's retreat is going to involve a lot of 'what Lori did'.
TBC.............................
