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Condo, 1am
Katie: *rolls over*
Speed: *eyes closed*
Katie: Remember when you used to be fun?
Speed: *opens eyes*
Katie: Oh good, you're alive. You were just layin' there like a big ol' log.
Speed: *looks at watch, squints* Did you need something?
Katie: Yes. You.
Speed: Why?
Katie: I want to stay up and talk all night.
Speed: ...Why.
Katie: Because we're soul mates.
Speed: Katie, I have work in the morning.
Katie: ...You work the nightshift.
Speed: Figure of speech. Steph's birthday party is tomorrow.
Katie: So?
Speed: So I'd like to be awake for a good 30% of it.
Katie: *sits up* Stop acting like you're old.
Speed: I am old.
Katie: No you're not. *grabs Speed's arm* Sit up.
Speed: *sits up*
Katie: And take off that stupid shirt. I don't like my men with clothes on.
Speed: *rubs eyes* I like wearing clothes. It's what separates us from the animals.
Katie: *rips Speed's shirt*
Speed: *lowers head* What did you do that for?
Katie: Be who you were 20 years ago.
Speed: ...Mauled?
Katie: No. Fun.
Speed: I don't think I was ever fun.
Katie: Sure you were. At the beginning of our relationship. Remember when I was excited about CSI
ensacola season 2 being on the television in the Hummercraft and I kissed you out of the blue? That was FUN!
Speed: *smirks*
Katie: And AND we acted out the entire movie Titanic in the Hummerboat. We made Anni's character mop the floors while we made out in the back of that vintage car.
Speed: She didn't like that very much.
Katie: Exactly. We were the power couple. But then you got into drugs and alcohol and became violent yadda yadda yadda. Now you're sober again and the fun went KERPLUTZ.
Speed: We got older, Katie.
Katie: So? That doesn't mean we have to lie around wait to die.
Speed: This isn't just about fun, is it. This is about us not being as close as everyone else.
Katie: *lowers head* Well...we aren't. *fiddles with sheets* I feel like you've been ignoring me. That you don't love me.
Speed: ...Katie, I've always loved you.
Katie: *lifts eyes*
Speed: *leans over* ...*kisses Katie's cheek*
Katie: *closes eyes*
Speed: *lies forehead against Katie*
Katie: ...You're not falling asleep, are you?
Speed: *smirks* I'm not
that old.
Katie: *smiles*
Speed: *wraps arms around Katie*
Katie: I love you.
Speed: *kisses Katie's neck*
Katie: *pushes Speed* Okay, we can sleep now. *lies down*
Speed: *stares blankly*
Katie: *turns out light*
Biscayne Park, house, 7am
Tayla: Daddy, I want syrup.
Tom: Okay. *pours syrup onto pancakes*
Anni: *walks over* You going to Steph's birthday?
Tom: *looks at Anni* ...No.
Anni: Why? *fastens earring*
Tom: Because Lori will be there.
Anni: It'll be fun for the kids. I'm taking Tayla, Speed's bringing Brook.
Tom: And you think this is a good idea.
Anni: Why wouldn't it be? It's not about us, it's about Steph.
Tom: Right.
Tayla: *munches pancakes, mumbles*
Tom: *smiles* Sweetie, you need to swallow first. *smile fades* ...I am never saying that again.
Anni: *places hand on Tom's chest*
Tayla: We gonna party?
Tom: That's right. It's Stephie's birthday.
Tayla: YAY!
Tom: *smiles*
Gables Estates, house, 9am
Lori: *runs downstairs* Dominick! Get your ass over here NOW!
Dominick: *running*
Scott: *swings Dominick into arms* Bath. Now.
Dominick: NO.
Scott: Yes. Otherwise Mom's going to kick your little ass.
Dominick: NO!
Lori: *walks over* Don't you test my patience today, young man. I am not in the mood.
Dominick: *lowers head*
Lori: If I go upstairs and I don't find you in the tub, you are going to be sorry.
Dominick: *struggles*
Scott: *places Dominick on floor*
Dominick: *runs upstairs*
Lori: Could you please find Stephanie? I have to set things up out back.
Scott: Sure.
Lori: *walks away*
Upstairs, master bedroom
Scott: *steps in*
Steph: *lifts head*
Scott: *crosses arms* You found your presents already?
Steph: *lowers eyes*
Scott: I thought it'd take you at least another half hour.
Steph: *smirks, lifts eyes*
Scott: *smiles* Put those back.
Steph: *shoves boxes under bed*
Scott: C'mere.
Steph: *runs over* How many pressies do I get?
Scott: Uh, that's confidential.
Steph: *places hands on hips* More than 2?
Scott: Maybe, maybe not. Depends how good you are this afternoon and *wraps arms around Steph* how long you stay away from the presents. *tickles Steph*
Steph: *giggles*
Scott: *kisses Steph's cheek* Go get dressed and stay out.
Steph: One more peek?
Scott: No more peeks. Move it.
Steph: *runs*
Backyard
Lori: *drapes tablecloth over table*
Anni: *runs over* Hey!
Lori: *looks at Anni*
Anni: *wraps arms around Lori* Happy Steph's birthday!
Lori: Are you feeling okay?
Anni: Absolutely. *lets go* How are you?
Lori: Stressed.
Anni: Well don't worry because I'm here to help. What do you want me to do? Cooking? Cleaning? Child wrangling?
Lori: Why don't you help Scott with the cake. He's decorating it.
Anni: He did the cake himself?
Lori: Yeah.
Anni: I'll have to check him out--check it out. Check the cake out. *walks away*
Lori: *narrows eyes*
Kitchen
Scott: *lifts icing*
Anni: *steps over* HI.
Scott: *squirts icing*
Anni: Oops.
Scott: *looks at Anni*
Anni: I hope you can fix that.
Scott: *looks at cake* ...Morning.
Anni: *smiles* You look great today.
Scott: Thank you.
Anni: What colors are you putting on the cake?
Scott: Pinks and purples. Steph's favourite colors.
Anni: *leans over cake* Make sure you spell everything right. You wouldn't believe how many cakes go out with a direct insult to the English language.
Scott: *smirks* Hopefully that doesn't happen.
Anni: Need any help?
Scott: Sure. If you wouldn't mind, the cake needs those flowers over there for a border.
Anni: *grabs bowl* Are these fresh?
Scott: Mhm.
Anni: Does Lori know how artistic you are?
Scott: I'm not really much of an artist. It's just a hobby.
Anni: *smiles* I think there's a bit of a Picasso inside that businessman body.
Scott: *clears throat* That's...sweet of you.
Anni: Are you okay? *places flowers around cake*
Scott: A little uncomfortable.
Anni: *looks at Scott* Why? ...Was it something I said?
Scott: *sigh*
Anni: I'm coming on a little strong.
Scott: It's okay.
Anni: *places hand on Scott's arm* I'm sorry, I'll...I'm doing it again. *pulls hand away* Geez.
Scott: Maybe Lori needs some help.
Anni: She sent me here.
Scott: *nods* That seems like something Lori would do.
Anni: What, you think she's testing us?
Scott: Yeah and I'm pretty sure you failed.
Anni: She's in the backyard. She can't even see us.
Scott: That doesn't mean she isn't watching us.
Anni: You're a little paranoid.
Scott: Maybe.
Anni: *looks around*
Scott: *stirs icing*
Anni: *dips finger into icing, pokes Scott's nose*
Scott: *blinks*
Anni: *smiles*
Scott: *wipes nose*
Anni: You can't have a little fun while you work?
Scott: *looks at Anni* No.
Anni: *stares at Scott*
Scott: *smiles*
Anni: *smirks*
Scott: Flowers.
Anni: Right.
Backyard, near pool
Steph: And THEN the teacher gave me a yellow star sticker because I did so good.
Tom: I see.
Steph: Yup. I'm gonna be an artist when I'm grown up.
Tom: I thought you were going to be a cop.
Steph: I'm gonna be both.
Tom: *looks at Lori*
Lori: *smirks, places plates on table*
Tom: If anyone can do it, Steph, it's you.
Steph: *smiles*
Lori: Steph, go change your clothes. You're not sitting at the table with dirt all over your dress.
Steph: *stands, runs*
Tom: *stands* She's more and more like you everyday.
Lori: I never wanted to be an artist or a cop.
Tom: It's a compliment, just take it.
Lori: *nods*
Tom: How are you on hypothetical scenarios? *sits on table*
Lori: *pulls cups from package* What scenarios?
Tom: Well Anni had that alternate universe life with Scott.
Lori: She told you about that?
Tom: Yeah. I mean, if things had turned out differently...you think you and I would have ended up together?
Lori: Like if I hadn't met Scott.
Tom: Let's say I was at that rehab instead. Maybe Scott had died.
Lori: Ouch.
Tom: Yeah, it's tragic. So you think we would have hit it off?
Lori: ...Why did Scott die?
Tom: He didn't run fast enough.
Lori: Thomas.
Tom: What?
Lori: I'm not sure I want to hit it off with you now.
Tom: Just forget about Scott. You never met him so you wouldn't miss him.
Lori: Fine.
Tom: Now, you and I are in rehab together. Do we get along?
Lori: Depends. Are you heroin Tom or hero Tom?
Tom: *smiles* You decide.
Lori: *sits on table* Hmm...we'll say there was an evolution that took place. So maybe a bit of both.
Tom: Excellent.
Lori: Would you have liked me?
Tom: Probably not at first. But we would have warmed to each other.
Lori: Now you realize I left treatment first. So I was living in Miami afterward.
Tom: Right, I probably went back to Jersey.
Lori: *smiles* Then I guess we never saw each other again.
Tom: That's not true. See, I happen to love Miami. I come back every year for the winter just like geese.
Lori: *laughs*
Tom: *smiling*
Lori: Alright, so we bumped into each other at some point. Maybe the beach?
Tom: Nah, it would definitely be the condiment aisle at the grocery store. I put barbeque sauce on everything.
Lori: *looks at Tom*
Tom: And from there we get to talking, which eventually leads to dinner, which eventually leads to-
Lori: You making a pass at me and a swift slap to the face.
Tom: Of course.
Lori: I'm hard to get.
Tom: Naturally.
Lori: But you have a way of disarming me so I might let you in. Maybe a few months down the road.
Tom: A few months?
Lori: Yeah, we have this long-distance friendship. It's sweet and only ours. My family thinks I made you up.
Tom: And I don't have a family. I'm a rogue. Very dangerous.
Lori: *smiles*
Tom: Maybe I bring you out to Jersey in the summer.
Lori: Or I surprise you.
Tom: I like surprises.
Lori: And then we take a tour of New York?
Tom: Lori, you're not finding no damned Finch on any wall. He's dead. Let him go.
Lori: *smirks* Okay but we do take a walk through Central Park. And then you tell me how much you love me.
Tom: And you slap me in the face again?
Lori: *smiles* Nah, I'd plant one on ya.
Tom: I'd ask you to marry me.
Lori: *smile fades* You would?
Tom: Oh definitely. See, at that point, you're the only woman I've ever loved.
Lori: *nods*
Tom: Would you have said yes?
Lori: *lowers eyes* ...No.
Tom: *blinks*
Lori: I'd been playing you like a fiddle the whole time. I left you there.
Tom: *stares at Lori*
Lori: And I got away with thousands of dollars.
Tom: Why? Why would you do that?
Lori: It's an alternate universe. You couldn't have changed me the way Scott did. *stands, walks away*
Tom: *stares blankly*
TBC.........................
