The sun is about to rise over the quiet campus of JULLIARD. CLAUDIA is fast asleep as a thin beam of dim morning light shines through her window shades. The morning peace is suddenly disturbed by the loud music of Britney Spears’s “Drive Me Crazy.” The floor shakes with thumping vibrations. Claudia, who is startled awake by the noise, enters the living room to see what’s going on.

CLAUDIA: (Rubbing her eyes) Hey…Hey what’s going on? (Dressed in workout clothes, Tina is dancing to the music.)
TINA: Hey! You’re up early!
CLAUDIA: Tina, what are you doing? Do you know what time it is? The sun’s barely up!
TINA: Yeah, I know. It’s the absolute best time to work out.
CLAUDIA: Well…couldn’t you at least wait ‘til the rest of us were up?
TINA: (Breathing heavily as she continues her routine) Sorry, but I'm meeting my trainer at eight o'clock. Gotta show him all I’ve got. I hope this isn’t a problem. I’ll be doing it four times a week.
CLAUDIA: Four times!? Uh…Look, I know you have to practice, but there are four other people sleeping here. (Seeing Tina isn’t listening, Claudia shouts.) Could you at least turn the sound down? It’s too loud!
TINA: (Over the loud music) What’s that? I can’t hear you. Hey, you wanna join me?
CLAUDIA: No…no! I don’t want to join you! Can you just please, turn it down a little? I mean…it’s Sunday morning…a day of res…
TINA: (Interrupting) Do you like Britney Spears? I absolutely love this video! I hope to be a choreographer for her one day! (Claudia looks at the bouncing blonde in confusion. Not wanting to explode, she puts her hand on her forehead and turns back to her room as the music keeps playing.)
CLAUDIA: (In her room, to herself) She’s going to…drive me crazy! (Claudia flops backward onto her bed and throws a pillow over her face.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

BAILEY’S DORM ROOM at the University of Pennsylvania. BAILEY has just returned from the airport to find the walls of his room covered with posters of rock bands. The shower is running. Bailey places his bags by his bed and looks around the room.

BAILEY: (To himself) My God, who is my roommate? Axl Rose? (He shakes his head, and begins taking some items out of his bags and placing them in his dresser. After a moment, the shower is shut off and Cole comes out of the bathroom wearing just a towel. Bailey looks up.) Hey, you must be Cole. My sister told me she ran into you. (Extending his hand) I’m Bailey.
COLE: (With a slight laugh, shaking Bailey’s hand) “Bailey.” You got a last name?
BAILEY: (Confused) Salinger.
COLE: Hope you don’t mind if I call you “Salinger.” (Smirking) I can’t imagine calling a grown man “Bailey.” (Bailey looks surprised by this, but shakes it off.)
BAILEY: (With a friendly smile) Hey, whatever you’re comfortable with, man. (Cole pulls out a shirt and boxers from his dresser and heads back to the bathroom. Bailey begins talking to him as he continues unpacking his bags.) So, you listen to metal, huh?
COLE: (Shouting from the bathroom, sarcastically) Nothing gets by you, huh Salinger?
BAILEY: No, I mean…that’s good. I like rock, too. (Cole returns to the bedroom dressed in boxers and a t-shirt.)
COLE: (Drying his hair with a towel) Yeah, like who?
BAILEY: (Thinking) Who?…well…like Van Halen…Eric Clapton…
COLE: (Shaking his head) How old are you, man? That’s the type of crap my dad listens to. (Cole walks back into the bathroom. After a moment, Bailey looks closely at one of Cole’s posters.)
BAILEY: (Questioningly) Limp Bizkit?

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

GUEST HOUSE. GRIFFIN is just returning home and looks exhausted. He slowly opens the door and finds candles lit everywhere. He cocks his head and smiles as he follows a trail of clothes into the bedroom, where he finds STEPHANIE wrapped in satin sheets.

STEPHANIE: (Seductively, she beckons him with her finger) Come here, lover.
GRIFFIN: (Slowly walking toward her with a confused expression.) How did you…
STEPHANIE: (Interrupting) You shouldn’t keep your spare key in such an obvious place. (With a seductive smile, she moves closer to him.) Someone might break in and tie you up.
GRIFFIN: But…
STEPHANIE: (Interrupting him, she places her finger over his lips.) Shhh…(She kisses him softly as she lays back and pulls him close. She begins to unbutton his shirt.)
GRIFFIN: (Running his fingertips over Stephanie’s bare shoulders, he closes his eyes and speaks weakly.) What happened? (She begins kissing his bare chest moving towards his shoulders.) I mean, you were so upset…
STEPHANIE: (Reaching his mouth with her lips, she whispers) I’m not angry about New York anymore. (She looks deeply into his eyes as she kisses him softly, then with more passion, as his expression changes from one of confusion to one of extreme pleasure. He pulls her close and presses his body into hers, kissing her passionately as the scene fades out.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

DAPHNE AND LUKE’S APARTMENT. DAPHNE and LUKE live in a two-bedroom apartment in the Russian Hill district of San Francisco. The living room is just to the left of the entrance, and the dining/kitchen area is adjacent to the right. Past the living room is a hallway that leads to the two bedrooms and a medium sized bathroom. Daphne and Luke are in the baby’s room. Matthew is sleeping in his bassinet.

DAPHNE: (Hanging up a mobile of little bears playing various sports) There we go. (To Luke) What d’ya think? (Luke walks over and looks at the mobile.)
LUKE: (Half-heartedly) It looks fine.
DAPHNE: Diana’s gonna have to get used to sharing a room with her brother…and soon she’ll have two brothers! (Looking around the room) I’m still wondering whether we should make the room half “girlie” and half “boyee” or whether we should get neutral stuff…like Winnie the Pooh and Bugs Bunny. What do you think?
LUKE: Uh…I don’t know. Whatever you think is best.
DAPHNE: (Intently, looking at Luke) Okay…if we go with the neutral stuff, which do you prefer – Winnie the Pooh or Bugs Bunny?
LUKE: Why are you asking me these things, Daphne? You know I don’t care which…
DAPHNE: (Interrupting, with a slightly raised voice) That’s just it – you don’t care. (After a pause, Daphne regains her normal tone.) C’mon, Luke. It’s no fun making all the decisions by myself. We’re supposed to be doing this together.
LUKE: I’m sorry. I just don’t feel strongly either way. Whatever you want is fine with me.
DAPHNE: (Poutingly) Fine. We’ll just keep it half and half.
LUKE: That’s fine. (Luke forces a slight smile and leaves the room. Daphne winds up the music box on the mobile, and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” plays softly.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

CHARLIE’S HOUSE. JULIA is in Claudia’s old room with several large suitcases. There are clothes all over and the room is a mess from Julia moving in. KIRSTEN walks in with a glass of lemonade.

KIRSTEN: (Approaching Julia) Here, I thought you might like this.
JULIA: Oh, thanks. (Julia takes the glass and sits on the bed.) I could use a break. It’s so weird…this room feels just like when Claudia and I used to share a room, except she’s not here to share it with this time…
KIRSTEN: (Sitting next to Julia, she speaks carefully) Justin called again. (Julia looks away) We can’t put him off forever you know. (Kirsten gently puts her hand on Julia’s.) He’s worried about you…
JULIA: So…what? I’m like just supposed to drop everything and go running back to DC?
KIRSTEN: I don’t think…
JULIA: No, Kirsten…you just don’t understand.
KIRSTEN: (Caring) Well, I’d like to.
JULIA: (Stands up and looks out the window while sipping her drink. She’s quiet for a few moments before turning around and speaking softly.) Kirsten…the attack I told you about…well, it was more than just my purse. (Kirsten looks sympathetically at Julia) I…I was almost…raped, Kirsten. (Julia is holding back tears.)
KIRSTEN: (Jumps off the bed and walks to Julia) Oh, my God Julia, I didn’t know…
JULIA: I know. I didn’t want you to. (Pauses) It…it was really bad. See…Justin, he was supposed to be home…but he wasn’t. He was supposed to be there…(Julia starts to cry and Kirsten puts her arms around Julia to comfort her. After a few moments Julia continues through her sobs.) I mean…I know it’s not his fault…
KIRSTEN: But?
JULIA: But he should have been there, or…or he should have gone with me that night…something! (Shaking her head and crying) I don’t know.
KIRSTEN: (Soothing) Justin would give his life to protect you.
JULIA: I know. (Grabs a tissue and wipes her eyes) I keep telling myself that…but I can’t get it out of my head that it never would have happened if only he had been there.
KIRSTEN: It takes a long time to get over a shock like that. Your feelings are very natural. (Pushing Julia’s hair out of her face in a motherly way) But in time you’ll start feeling better again…things have a way of working themselves out. (Hopeful) You’ll feel a lot better when you see Justin again.
JULIA: But I don’t want to see Justin right now. (Looks at Kirsten) I know that must sound horrible, but…
KIRSTEN: It’s understandable, Julia. Just take some time for yourself. Things will all fall into place.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

PACIFIC BELL BALLPARK, a night game. CHARLIE is walking back to his seat after buying food at the snack bar. He is carrying a tray with two drinks, two hot dogs, and some candy. He looks up and sees a familiar face.

CHARLIE: (Surprised) Jason? Jason, what’s up?
JASON: (Surprised) Huh? Oh, hey Charlie! How’ve you been?
CHARLIE: (Smiling, nodding) Great…great. You?
JASON: (Smiling) Now that the Giants took the lead, I’m fine!
CHARLIE: How’s your racquetball game these days?
JASON: Lousy! (Jason smiles.) But still good enough to beat you! (He pauses.) What’s new with you?
CHARLIE: (Nodding his head, his eyebrows raised) A lot, actually. I got married last year, bought a new house in July…
JASON: Congratulations! Man, it has been a long time since I’ve seen you. You still workin’ at that furniture shop?
CHARLIE: Well, kind of. I own it.
JASON: (Shocked) What?
CHARLIE: (Proudly) Yeah, believe it or not. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do, so when the opportunity presented itself…well…I had to go for it.
JASON: That’s great! (Pausing a moment.) Y’know, I was going to try to get in touch with you a few months ago.
CHARLIE: Oh yeah?
JASON: Yep. (Raising one brow) I saw your ex at “The Poodle.”
CHARLIE: (Questioningly) “The Poodle”? (Thinking for a moment) The strip club?
JASON: You got it. Shocked the hell outta me! I was gonna call you and tell you how jealous I am of you! Man, she had every guy there talkin’ about her.
CHARLIE: (Shaking his head in disbelief, a confused smile on his face) Wait a minute…what are you talking about? Are you saying Daphne was stripping?
JASON: (Thinking) Daphne? Was that her name? (He shakes his head, dismissing the thought) Anyway, she had ‘em goin’, I’m tellin’ ya.
CHARLIE: (Puzzled) I can’t believe Daphne would do that. Are you sure it was her?
JASON: Hey, I may not be good with names, but I’ll never forget that face…or anything else about her for that matter! (The crowd cheers loudly.) Hey, Bonds is coming up. (Walking away) Gimme a call sometime, okay…we’ll have to get a game together.
CHARLIE: (Standing still, mystified) Yeah…yeah. Sure.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

As CLAUDIA comes out of the bathroom combing through her wet hair, she looks around and admires her dorm. Walking from the hallway where the five bedrooms and two bathrooms are located, she enters the common area, which is sunken two steps down. There is a large TV and two love seats in this area. There is a large sliding glass door that opens from the living room to a balcony. The kitchen is just past the sliding door. It is a decent sized kitchen with a breakfast bar that connects to the common area. There are four stools on the side facing the common area. Claudia pulls up a stool to have a bite to eat at the breakfast bar when she notices a huge mess. Suddenly VALERIE comes rushing out of the bedroom area. Valerie is a short African-American girl, with her hair pulled back in a twist.

CLAUDIA: (With a disgusted face) Ewe…This place is a pig sty! Who made all this mess?
VALERIE: Sorry, me and Tina will clean that up when we get back. (Glancing at her watch.) Oh my Gosh! Its 7:45!! (Yelling toward the bathroom) Tina, class begins in fifteen minutes. We can’t be late the first day! What is taking you so long, girl?
TINA: (A short girl with flowing blonde hair emerges from the bathroom looking at herself in a compact mirror.) Val…What if our dance instructor, Professor Phillips, is a Mr. Phillips!? Oh my gosh, if it’s a man…first impressions last for weeks, you know! That’ll get me through the first month!
VALERIE: Oh no! You are not going to butt kiss your way through the semester. Besides - this is dance, remember? We’re good at that!! C’mon…(Valerie and Tina do a secret handshake slapping hands and bumping hips.)
VALERIE and TINA: Dancing Queen! (Tina closes her compact, picks up her bag, and exits with Valerie.)
VALERIE: (As she closes the door behind her) Don’t miss us too much! Tootles! (Claudia shakes her head and pops a bagel into the toaster. She begins to pick up Valerie and Tina’s garbage, when a dark haired girl with glasses enters the kitchen.)
CLAUDIA: So, have you figured out a way to sleep through the morning commotion yet?
HEATHER: (Slightly sarcastic) Oh, you mean Tina’s morning session with Britney Spears?
CLAUDIA: (Laughing) Yeah…I’m not sure how much longer I can put up with them!
HEATHER: I know what you mean. (After a pause) So…who’s that cute guy you were with the other day?
CLAUDIA: Who…you mean Curtis? He’s just…um…well, he helped me out when I first got here.
HEATHER: Come on, there has to be more to it than that...he is so adorable! (Claudia gives a playful smirk.) Uh-huh, I knew it!
CLAUDIA: No…no…I have a boyfriend. His name is Todd, and he’s the sweetest, nicest, most down to earth guy…(with a frown) but…he’s in Chicago…at school...
HEATHER: So does that mean Curtis is free?
CLAUDIA: (Caught off guard, she taunts Heather) You know, I really don’t know…guess you’ll just have to ask him. (Both girls giggle.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

BAILEY flings open the door to his DORM ROOM and rushes in. He is holding a letter. He rushes over to his laptop computer and turns it on. After a few moments of fidgeting as he watches it slowly load, he grabs the telephone. After entering his calling card number and dialing, he taps the table eagerly as he listens to the rings.

BAILEY: Come on, Holly...pick up, pick up…
HOLLY: Hello?
BAILEY: (Excitedly) Great…you’re there!
HOLLY: (Surprised) Bailey!
BAILEY: Hol, you’ll never believe…
HOLLY: (Interrupting, in a pleasant tone) Bailey, today’s not Saturday. It’s great to hear your voice, but I thought we agreed…
BAILEY: (Interrupting, excitedly) This couldn’t wait. Holly…
HOLLY: Oh my God…you?…did you?…
BAILEY: Yes! I’m in! I got my letter of acceptance today.
HOLLY: That’s wonderful news, Bailey!
BAILEY: And I aced all my finals! I can’t believe it!
HOLLY: (Even more excited) That’s incredible! I am so proud of you…
BAILEY: Well, I never could have done it without you.
HOLLY: Nonesense! You worked very hard for this…(taunting) even if you did take a few too many breaks. (They both smile as they reminisce for a moment.) I only wish I could take you out to celebrate.
BAILEY: That’s okay…I know a way you can make up for it.
HOLLY: (Happily) You name it!
BAILEY: Say you’ll come home with me for Thanksgiving.
HOLLY: Bailey, I told you I would try. But we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here, so I’ll still have classes...
BAILEY: (Playfully) So, find an excuse! Just tell ‘em your genius boyfriend misses you and…and…he’ll go crazy if you don’t go see him!
HOLLY: You are crazy! (After a brief pause) Hey, isn’t Will supposed to be there?
BAILEY: Yeah, he’ll be here later today.
HOLLY: Well, tell him his “ex-wife” says hello. (Holly smiles.)
BAILEY: I don’t know if I should put it quite that way…but I’ll be sure and tell him you said “Hi”. (They both chuckle.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

The FAMILY ROOM at CHARLIE’S HOUSE. GRIFFIN and OWEN are sitting on the couch watching “The Three Stooges.” DIANA is in her play pen. There is a loud “nyuk nyuk nyuk” from the television, and Griffin and Owen laugh.

OWEN: (To Griffin, his eyes still on the TV) Curly is my favorite. He cracks me up!
GRIFFIN: Ah, he’s okay. But he’s no Shemp. (They both laugh at the TV, then Griffin turns toward Owen.) Hey, did you know that they were brothers…Moe, Shemp and Curly?
OWEN: (Looking at Griffin with his eyes wide open) No way! Really?
GRIFFIN: Yep.
OWEN: (Impressed) Wow!
GRIFFIN: Yeah, I saw one of those biography things about the Three Stooges. It was pretty cool. Next time I see it, I’ll tape if for ya.
OWEN: (Smiling widely) Thanks, Griffin! (Julia walks down the stairs and enters the room.)
JULIA: (To Griffin, smiling) You seem to have things under control.
GRIFFIN: (With a smirk) There’s nothing to this nanny stuff. (He puts his hand on Owen’s head and messes up his hair. Owen smiles.) A piece of cake. (Just then, Diana begins crying loudly. Griffin walks over to her play pen and picks her up. To Diana) Uh, oh. What’s wrong? (He looks at Julia nervously, and Julia just smiles. To Diana) You…uh…you wanna watch TV with me and Owen? (Diana continues crying.) Well, I know you’re not hungry…
JULIA: (Smiling) Maybe it’s her diaper.
GRIFFIN: Her…? Oh…yeah. (Squeamish) You don’t need to be changed…do you? (Scrunches his face as he holds her away from him) Whew! You sure do! (Griffin lays Diana down onto a blanket on the floor.) Well…um…we’ll just…uh, take care of that. (He looks up at Julia, who is chuckling.) Let’s just…um…grab a…one of these diapers…some…uh…some of these…er…
JULIA: (Folds her arms and smiles) Wipes.
GRIFFIN: (To Diana) Yeah, some wipes. And then…uh…(Griffin has a confused look as he tries to remove the diaper. Julia walks over to him.) Uh…hmm…okay first we’ll just…
JULIA: (Taunting) “Piece of cake,” huh? (Griffin shrugs as Julia begins to show him how to change a diaper.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

With her book-bag and her violin case, CLAUDIA approaches the JUILLIARD OPERA HALL. With a nervous smile she walks to the entrance. She sees a familiar face walking toward her. The girl looks very conservative, with short, dark hair covering her pale face.

CLAUDIA: (Calling out) Nora!
NORA: Hi, you’re…Claudia right?
CLAUDIA: Yeah. (In a lower voice) Don’t worry…I called Valerie “Tina” four times before I got it right. (In a normal tone) Is this is your first class, too?
NORA: “Orchestra”? Yes it is.
CLAUDIA: Hey, this is great. It’ll give us a chance to get to know each other. (Smiling) We both play the violin…maybe we have a lot more in common than we thought…
NORA: Oh, I don’t know. I’m not really much like Tina and Valerie.
CLAUDIA: (Laughing) Well…I don’t think any of us are.
NORA: (Laughing) I think you’re right. (Claudia opens the large glass door to the theater.)
CLAUDIA: Well…here we go. (Both girls enter the auditorium.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

GRIFFIN and STEPHANIE are driving down the highway on Griffin’s motorcycle. Suddenly, Griffin veers off the highway and stops on the shoulder.

STEPHANIE: (Alarmed) What happened? Is everything okay?
GRIFFIN: (Smiling calmly) Don’t you remember? (He dramatically looks around as he climbs off the bike.)
STEPHANIE: (Confused, she follows him off the bike.) Huh?
GRIFFIN: (Fanning his arms out to highlight the scenery) Where are we?
STEPHANIE: (A look of comprehension comes over her face) How sweet! This is where we met.
GRIFFIN: Well, being our six month anniversary, I…(running his fingers through his hair) I wanted to…I dunno, kinda go back to where we started, ya know? I mean, I know we’ve been having some rocky times, but…
STEPHANIE: (Reassuring) This is wonderful, Griffin. (She leans on the motorcycle and tilts her head back to let the wind blow through her hair) How romantic. (She turns and looks up the road) This is right about where you found me, too.
GRIFFIN: (Smirking) Yep, your vet was broke down about…(pointing) 100 yards down the road.
STEPHANIE: (Dramatic) And you were my knight in shining armor. (Griffin blushes.)
GRIFFIN: (Sheepish) So tell me, would you have taken that motorcycle ride with me if I hadn’t helped you out?
STEPHANIE: (Laughing) You bet! I always wanted to ride one of these things. (Seriously) Actually, any other guy would have just been staring at my legs…
GRIFFIN: (Guilty) Well…it’s not like I…wasn’t.
STEPHANIE: Yeah, but you noticed me first. Every other guy I dated was after my money or just dated me for my looks, but you…(she begins running her fingers through Griffin’s hair) you were different right from the start.
GRIFFIN: (Looking down he softly kicks at the pavement.) Hey, I’m just your average Joe.
STEPHANIE: (Leans down to meet his gaze) There’s nothing average about you. I mean any other guy would jump at the chance to move into a mansion with…
GRIFFIN: (Pulling away) Not tonight…
STEPHANIE: (Puts her hand on his shoulder to pull him back) Just wait a sec…(sternly) what I was saying was, (gently) any other guy would have jumped at the chance…but…not you. You’re so…confident. I mean, you know what you want and that’s that. (Pauses to emphasize her sincerity) I really admire that about you.
GRIFFIN: You give me way too much credit…(he looks away.)
STEPHANIE: No, I don…(watching his expression, she looks at him inquisitively) What is it?
GRIFFIN: (He looks away and shrugs. After a few moments of silence he looks at Stephanie.) In all honesty…it’s fear more than confidence.
STEPHANIE: (Surprised and confused) Fear?
GRIFFIN: (Defensive) Yeah, fear.
STEPHANIE: (Puts her hands on his shoulders in a comforting way, her tone is calm and soothing.) Fear of what?
GRIFFIN: (Looking away) Nevermind.
STEPHANIE: No…tell me. (Griffin walks a few steps away and turns around. Stephanie follows him and rests her chin on his shoulder.) You know how much I love it when you give me a treasure…
GRIFFIN: (Turns around smiling as he finishes her sentence in a sort of monotone.) …From my secret treasure chest of unspoken emotions…(They smile lovingly at each other for a few moments before Griffin shakes his head.) I don’t know how you do it, woman! (He pulls her close.)
STEPHANIE: (Impatient) Well?
GRIFFIN: (Walks back over to the bike and sits down. Stephanie follows and stands in front of him, holding his face in her hands. Griffin looks up at her and lets out a big sigh.) You know how hard this is for me.
STEPHANIE: (Smiling sincerely, she leans down and kisses him on the nose.) That’s what makes it all the more special, darling.
GRIFFIN: Okay…(Lets out another big sigh) the truth is…me…not wanting to move in with you…well, it’s not me being confident, that’s for sure. It’s just…I…(stumbling to find the right words, he sighs) things have been great with us, and…well…I don’t want to ruin that.
STEPHANIE: (Trying to not get upset) Is that what you think? That moving in with me would ruin everything between us?
GRIFFIN: (Shrugging) I…I dunno. (Looks down) Guess I’m just being stupid, huh?
STEPHANIE: (Softens her tone) No, you’re not stupid. (Looks down) Sorry…I didn’t want to make you feel bad. I really like it when you tell me what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours. (She gently pushes a few hairs out of his eyes.) And, if you are afraid, then…well, we’ll just have to work on that. (Taunting) But I still think it’s confidence…
GRIFFIN: (Seriously) Hey, (Stephanie looks at Griffin intently) thanks for not being upset about New York. (Looking down) I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen with us when I got back. It was really nice to not come home to a fight.
STEPHANIE: (Forcing a smile) I know you felt the need to go. But hey…no matter how you feel about her, at least you came home to me. That’s the important thing.
GRIFFIN: (Curious and somewhat defensive) What’s that supposed to mean?
STEPHANIE: (Trying to sound matter-of-fact, but sounding hurt) Julia...you still love her.
GRIFFIN: We’re friends…if that’s what you mean…
STEPHANIE: You know what I mean. (Griffin is silent for a few minutes as he contemplates Stephanie’s words.)
GRIFFIN: Yeah, I guess you could say that...I mean, Jul and I have been friends forever. But it’s a friendship sort of thing. (Chuckles) Almost like a sister or something.
STEPHANIE: You were married to her, how could she be “like a sister”?
GRIFFIN: (As if thinking out loud) I don’t know how to explain it…I mean, she’s more than just a friend…well with all we’ve been through and what not…but, (holding his hand to his mouth in thought) but I can’t talk to her like I talk to you…(pauses) or even think of her in a romantic way...(Looking playfully at Stephanie) anyway, if I tried…I’d only see you. (He tickles Stephanie.)
STEPHANIE: (Laughing) Stop it. (Griffin stops tickling her and she looks sincerely at him.) I’m sorry for bugging you so much about moving in…guess I was just jealous. (Looking deeply into his eyes) I know how much you love me…(She runs her fingers through his hair and moves closer to him.) That’s what counts. (Griffin smiles at her as they slowly move closer to each other and begin to kiss.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

WARE COLLEGE HOUSE at the University of Pennsylvania. BAILEY and WILL are standing on the steps near the entrance.

BAILEY: (His arm is outstretched toward the building) This is it. My new home. (Bailey and Will enter the building.)
WILL: (Looking around) This is great! So you start tomorrow?
BAILEY: Yep.
WILL: We start next week.
BAILEY: So does Holly. She says hello, by the way.
WILL: (Looks down) I think it’s so great that you two are on again. Is it tough, though, being so far away?
BAILEY: Yeah, it is…but it’s probably for the best. (Pointing to a door) Well, here we are. (Opens the door to his room as he continues.) I mean, let’s face it, Will…you know me. When I care about someone, it’s hard for me to put anything before them. Right now, I have to put school first, and the distance makes me do that.
WILL: That sounds like Holly talking.
BAILEY: Well, it is. But she’s right. Want a Coke or something? (Will sits on a chair as Bailey walks over to the refrigerator.)
WILL: Sure. (Bailey opens up the refrigerator and it is loaded with beer. Will walks over to Bailey, speaking in a half-joking tone.) Geez, did you fall off the wagon or something?
BAILEY: (Defensive) What are you talking about. This isn’t mine. (Will looks doubtful and Bailey’s tone is stern.) Will, you know me better than that.
WILL: (Apologetically) Okay, man. I was just...
BAILEY: (In a softer tone) I know…and thank you. But I’m fine. (Bailey takes out two sodas and hands one to Will. They sit at the table and are silent for a moment.)
WILL: (Breaking the silence) Okay, so how long are you going to keep me in suspense?
BAILEY: (Confused) What are you talking about?
WILL: You said something on the phone about Sarah.
BAILEY: Oh, that. I didn’t want to talk because my roommate was there.
WILL: So what’s going on? Are you guys talking again, too?
BAILEY: (Waving his hand) No, it’s nothing like that. But (pausing, looking down) it was the weirdest thing. (Looking back at Will) I saw a girl that I could have sworn was Sarah at the airport in New York.
WILL: Really? Did you…
BAILEY: (Interrupting, shaking his head) It wasn’t her. But Will, when I saw her – whoever she was – it’s like…it’s like I remembered…y’know? I remembered how I used to feel…with her. (Will looks at Bailey, and shakes his head.)
WILL: So…what does that mean?
BAILEY: (Shrugs) I don’t know. I…(shaking his head) I don’t know.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

CLAUDIA enters the LINCOLN CENTER THEATRE while CURTIS is onstage with a girl reading in front of the class. Claudia takes a seat in the back of the theater. She smiles as she admires Curtis’s large presence on stage. He is tall, though not too muscular. The lights shine on his brown hair, and reflect in his gray eyes. Reading his script, Curtis says a few lines, and embraces the girl onstage. The class applauds as Curtis and the girl shake hands and take a seat. The instructor glances at his watch and dismisses the class.

INSTRUCTOR: And we will continue tomorrow! (To Curtis with a smile) Nice reading, son. (Curtis grabs his backpack, and starts to head out. Claudia gets his attention by standing up.)
CLAUDIA: Hey! That looked pretty good up there.
CURTIS: You really think so? I hope my Professor liked it. Can you believe we’re starting production in less than a month?
CLAUDIA: Actually, I can believe it. The Juilliard Orchestra is holding auditions in just two weeks! Me and Nora – one of my roommates – are trying out.
CURTIS: That’s cool. Hey, are you hungry?
CLAUDIA: (With a smile) Yeah, sure. (They both smile as they begin walking out of the theatre.)

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

CHARLIE AND KIRSTEN’S BEDROOM. KIRSTEN is in bed reading a copy of Fear of Flying by Erica Jong. CHARLIE has just returned from the Giants game.

KIRSTEN: (Closing her book) Hey, how was the game?
CHARLIE: (Indifferently, taking off his jacket) It was fine. Giants won.
KIRSTEN: That’s good, right?
CHARLIE: (Again indifferently, hanging his jacket in the closet) I suppose so.
KIRSTEN: (Taking off her glasses) What’s wrong? Didn’t you have a good time?
CHARLIE: (Sits on the edge of their bed, looking at Kirsten) Kirsten, has Daphne told you anything…out of the ordinary lately? (Kirsten looks surprised and amused.) Anything at all?
KIRSTEN: (Playfully) We’re talking about Daphne here. Just about everything she says is out of the ordinary.
CHARLIE: (Shaking his head, looking down) No, I’m serious. (Looking back at Kirsten) I mean, has she said anything about…needing money?
KIRSTEN: (Confused) Not to me. Why?
CHARLIE: (Shaking his head, his eyes open wide) It’s the weirdest thing. Do you remember Jason Briggs? We used to play racquetball once in awhile.
KIRSTEN: Vaguely.
CHARLIE: Well, I ran into Jason at the game tonight. He told me he saw Daphne at “The Poodle” a few months ago. (Charlie waits for a response out of Kirsten.)
KIRSTEN: (Confused) Okay. That’s not so strange, Charlie. She used to work there. I’m sure she still has friends...
CHARLIE: (Interrupting, waving his hand) No, you don’t understand. She was stripping.
KIRSTEN: (Shocked) What? Are you sure?
CHARLIE: That’s what I asked Jason. He didn’t remember her name, but he said he knew it was my ex because he remembered her face.
KIRSTEN: (Thinking) Wait, he saw her a few months ago?…(She begins counting backwards on her fingers.) That’s just after she found out she was pregnant. That doesn’t make sense.
CHARLIE: The only thing I can think of is maybe she and Luke are having money problems.
KIRSTEN: But you’re paying Luke a good salary at the shop. Daphne told me it was more than he ever made in the army. (Charlie looks down, running his hands through his hair, thinking.) Are…are you going to talk to her about it?
CHARLIE: (Incredulously, looking up) Don’t you think I should?
KIRSTEN: (Timidly) Well, don’t take this wrong…but is it really any of our business? (Charlie looks away from Kirsten, shaking his head, smiling in disbelief.)
CHARLIE: “None of my business.” (Looking back at Kirsten) Kirsten, she’s the mother of my daughter. She’s not just some girl I dated in the past.
KIRSTEN: But when you dated her, you knew she was a stripper.
CHARLIE: (Slightly on the defensive) That was before Diana. Things were different then. She was different…I was different. (Charlie pauses a moment then looks down, regaining his regular tone.) Look - it was her job before. She needed the money and I understood that. But…now she has Diana, and she has Luke…Why would she do it now? (Looking directly at Kirsten) I mean, what’s so exciting about taking off your clothes in front of a bunch of strange men?