The O.C. (2003–2007): Season 1, Episode 3 - The Gamble - full transcript

Previously on The O.C.

I want you out.

Mom's kind of a train wreck.

What kind of mother
abandons her child?

She has to come back.

What happens if they
don't find her?

I'll take him
to Child Services.

Running away?
Got a better idea?

Where are we?

It's one of my mom's
housing developments.

How much do you need?
It's $100,000.



What're you doing
with my girlfriend?

Kill me and quit
talking about it.

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

Sorry.

Ryan Atwood? We got some
questions for you.

It was an accident.

Then we got some
questions for you, too.

We got to stop
meeting like this.

Some good news.

Kirsten's company has dropped
all charges.

Which means-- pending
your probation hearing--

you'll be out, no problem.

When's that?
30 to 60 days.

I could have
you out sooner



if I could release you into the
care of a parent or a guardian.

He gets to leave?
Who? Luke?

Well, according to both of you,
the fire was an accident.

He's got no priors.
His record's clean.

And he has someone
to take him home.

Ryan, you know,
if I could...

It's going to be okay.

(scoffs)

My mom ditched me. I burned
your wife's house down.

How is this
going to be okay?

We'll find your mother.
And what if we don't?

We will do
whatever it takes.

I mean, what if I
don't want to find her?

If only you'd come to me...

instead of running away...

Why? So I could end up in Child
Services and foster care?

You could have died
in that fire.

Look...

you've done more
than enough.

I can take
care of myself.

Won't be that different
from how it's been.

We'll talk again before
your hearing.

Tell your... wife... thanks.

Already did.

(indistinct talking)

Sorry.

You ain't now,
but you will be.

S01E03 - The Gamble

Now all we need are the Bellinis...

and can you make
mine a double?

Wow. You're all set up
for your Newpsie convention.

Hey, when do... when do
these vultures land?

Soon... and I'm sure that I have
a doily out of place somewhere.

Good. Gives 'em
something to talk about.

I-I don't know
why you've these women over.

You don't like them.
I don't, don't like them.

I grew up with them,
my oldest friends.

Besides, it's for charity.
What's on the agenda?

What are you dragging me
to this week?

Casino night.

You know this home-from-
the-office housewife thing--

it's really...
Disturbing?

Hot.
It's disturbingly hot.

Hey...
whatcha doing?

Nothing.
I'm grounded.

Well, you're
handling it well.

You're lucky
you're only grounded.

Can I see him?
Ryan? No.

There's nothing
I can do for him now.

Yeah? You think
he's okay?

There's a reason
why I like to try

to keep kids
out of those places.

You can't get him out.
You're not a good lawyer

My hands are tied
unless we find his mother.

Then, why
can't he stay here?

I will not have
this conversation again.

Rosa, can you make sure
that the scones go inside?

If anything happens to Ryan,
then, it's all on you.

What I can't live with

is if something was to happen
to you because of him.

Like I meet someone
who doesn't suck

We're not his parents.
I'm not his mother.

Good thing.
Hey!

Get back here.
Apologize.

(doorbell rings)

Ladies.

Sandy, hi. How are you?

Are you holding up okay?
That poor boy.

He's locked up, yes?
Yeah, temporarily.

Well, nobody blames you for
bringing him into the community.

You're so trusting, Sandy.

Hey, Julie, their house looks
good. I thought it burned down.

Oh, not this one--
one of Kirsten's developments.

Luckily, she has so many.

Well...

I should be off.

Got to find the next kid
to jeopardize the community.

Maybe a black kid.
Or an Asian kid.

Bye, ladies.

How about a Bellini?

ALL:
Yes.

Look at this food!

Who's sorry now? You got a
problem? You disrespecting me?

As long as you're here, you
best watch out for me, man.

(panting)

Well, I think it's
an absolute embarrassment

that the fund-raiser is two days
away, and we don't have a theme.

I thought it was Casino Night.
I thought it was Monte Carlo.

No, it's Vegas Night.
See, this is a travesty.

It can't be Monte Carlo Night.
Cotillion is coming up.

I mean, don't you remember
our amendment?

No two black-tie events
in the same month.

I'll be right back.
Um, I have to go, uh...

check on the thing.

She's been through
so much.

Her son... was friends
with that boy.

Where do you think
you're going?

(sighs)

What are you doing out here?

I'm taking a Newpsie break.
Where are you going?

I'm not going anywhere.
Seth.

I'm going to Juvie
to visit Ryan.

No. No, you're not. No way.

Okay, bye.
Seth.

I know that I am not the perfect
Carol Brady mom, but I love you,

and I am trying
to protect you.

I have dropped all the charges.

I have hired somebody
to find his mother.

What more do you want?

I would like you
to go with me.

(door opens)

Kirsten?
Oh, there you are.

We're talking about
the bunting. Is acetate okay?

Sounds great.
Okay.

Give me 15 minutes
to lose the ladies.

Can I try this on?

Summer, my dad's home,
you know.

You say that
like it's a bad thing.

Oh, gross.

Your dad's always home
these days. What's up with that?

Hey, Luke, it's me.

I just...

wanted to talk, so call me.

Um... please.

Still hasn't called you back?
He was in lockup.

Maybe he's into dudes now.

(laughing)

God, he loves you.
He got in a fight.

And burnt a house down over you.
That's hot. Do you need more?

How about talking to me?
Well, he'll get over it.

He can't really think
you're into that Chino kid.

(sighs)

So...
how's your mother?

Uh, just... married.

Marissa?

You've got company.

Oh, my God.
Sorry. Uh...

Hi, Summer. Um, um...

I'm Seth Cohen. I live...
I live right next door.

What's up?
I... What?

Yes. What is up? Uh...

I'm going to visit Ryan.

I thought, maybe you'd like to
come. He'd love to see you.

(speaking loudly):
Uh, what, Seth?

Did you say you need a ride
to a Star Wars convention?

A Star Wars convention?
I'm sorry. Her top was off.

You couldn't have
said "X-Men" for me?

Look.
I can't go with you.

I can't see Ryan. I mean, Luke's
not talking to me as it is.

So? Ryan's in jail. I thought
we were all friends.

It's just...
It's too complicated.

To visit him?
I can't, okay?

Yeah. Fine. Whatever.

(door lock clanking)

Let's just make
this quick, okay?

Uh, Kirsten
and Seth Cohen.

MAN:
Here you go.

Thank you.

Hey.

What happened
to your neck?

It's... nothing.

You okay?
Great.

So, I'm sorry the
plan didn't work.

I thought
I had it figured out.

Thought you
were safe.

Hey, what's the matter, huh?
Give me a smile.

(sighs)

So, Marissa seemed pretty weird
when I tried to talk to her.

What happened
between you guys?

You got a nice swerve
on you, lady. You fine.

Hey, leave her alone.
Ryan, it's okay.

You jokin'. This your little
honey? Come here, bitch.

I want to get
a good look at you.

Seth, let's go. Now.
Uh, guard.

I only need
two minutes.

Leave her alone.
Seth, now!

What you going to do
about it, man?

Guard!

I'm going to kill you,
punk ass.

(grunting)

You're dead!
You hear me? You dead!

Seth...

what did we say?
No video game.

Oh.

I never knew you to be
an impulse shopper.

I didn't know
what else to do.

You tell him
it was permanent

No, of course not.
'Cause we can't keep jerking th-

pulling him out of Juvie,
sending him to foster care,

giving him hope,
and-and taking it away.

They were going to kill him
in that place, Sandy.

He couldn't stay there.
But he can't stay here.

We've got
to find his mother.

He doesn't want to find her.
He's a kid.

He doesn't know
what he wants.

So I guess I
won't unpack.

Hey.
Hey.

Help yourself to a wide
assortment of breakfast cereals.

So, Ryan, what, uh,
what exactly happened

that night with Marissa
before Luke showed up?

She came to see me.
And?

And I told her to leave.
You asked her to leave?

That's it?

You two up there, alone, and you
expect me to believe that.

I thought I was taking off.
It didn't seem right.

Well, I mean, you're still
here. She lives next door.

I don't know.
I said some things.

So now's your chance
to take it back.

Hey, I'm off. They're waiting
for me in the ballroom.

Those ladies can't do anything
unless I'm there.

You should come.
It'll be fun.

Well, not fun,
but it's for charity.

No, thanks.

Marissa, honey,
enough moping.

It's very sweet that you're so
concerned about this boy,

but he's in the system now.
He's being taken care of.

And he's not your responsibility
because he's in love with you.

He's not in love with me.
Why not?

He thinks he's
too good for you?

Actually, he thinks
I'm too good for him.

Well, he's right,
but that's the past,

and you need to focus
on the future, which means Luke.

You've invested so much
with Luke, honey.

Your relationship
has too much potential

to be squandered
by some silly misunderstanding.

So I want you to finish your
hair, put on a nice top,

and please come join me
at the club, hmm?

Okay.

Thanks, Mom.
It's what I'm here for.

I've to make some calls,
so if you could finish up

in the kitchen, that
would be terrific.

Where are you going?

I got an early court date.
I'm in and out of the office.

I have to set up for Casino
Night. What about Ryan?

I got two calls
about his mother.

Yeah, but what am I supposed
to do with him?

Take him with you.
Spend some time together.

With all those women there?
Sure. They'll love him.

Oh, hi, Julie.
Kirsten, Seth.

Julie, this is Ryan.

I'm Julie Cooper. I've
heard so much about you.

Nice to meet you, too.
There he is.

Hey, Mrs. Cooper.

Hey, Luke.
Oh.

Hi, Luke.
Thanks for coming.

Yeah, you know,
anything I can do to help

make amends
for what happened.

Luke, it's good
to see you.

Ryan, I forgot that he was
coming. If you want to...

No, I'm here.
How can I help?

Well, now that we have our big
strong, strapping men,

time for heavy lifting.

Hey, I was hoping
maybe we could talk.

Which one of us
did you want to talk to?

Luke, come on.

I'm sorry. I-I feel like, ever
since I've gotten here,

I've screwed
everything up.

No, I'm sorry.
It's my fault, too.

I mean, I never should have left
Luke to see you that night.

And those things
you said before...

I didn't...
What I said...

You were right.

We're from two different worlds.

I'm glad you're okay.

What happened
up at that house...

I don't want
to hear about it.

You and I have nothing
to say to each other.

I don't know who you are
or what you're doing here.

All I know is you
and me we're done.

Okay, boys, Ryan,
why don't you come with me?

New project.

Thank you.

How dare they? This boy is
violent. He's a menace.

I mean, they may forgive
and forget, but I don't.

Who's to say
he won't do it again?

You're right. You are right.

The police are taking
criminals off the street,

and Sandy Cohen is putting
them in my backyard.

How does she put up
with it?

Who? Kirsten?
She's never home.

She's always working,
building her empire, whatever.

I feel sorry for her.

Dr. Phil did a show on mothers
who avoid their home lives

by becoming workaholics.
It's so sad.

I hope she has a vault
and keeps her jewels locked up.

She has very
expensive brooches.

Hey, ladies.

Care if I join you?
Ooh!

Mind? So, I couldn't
help but overhear.

I... Well, I hope
that you're not...

Mad? Offended? No.
I am disappointed.

And, frankly,
I'm a little surprised.

This is a community that
welcomes outsiders.

I'm all the way
from the Bronx.

And you're from, what,
Riverside, right?

Which is not that
different from Ryan's ...

(cell phone rings)

Hello.

Yeah. Dawn. That's her.

Uh-huh.

Good job.

Okay, bye.

Thanks for the muffin.

Can I have a napkin... now?

What am I supposed to do
with 120,000 pounds of concrete?

Get a new mixer.

Just call me when you know.

What do you do exactly?

Real estate or construction?
Dude, don't ask.

I tried to explain it
to Seth once,

and he fell asleep
halfway through.

Okay, but, uh...

Yeah, that's pretty much true.

Try me.
Oh...

My dad is in real estate
development.

He owns the Newport Group.

Wow, you guys built the mall,
the Pacific Auditorium,

baseball stadium,
stuff like that.

Mm-hmm. And I'm in charge
of residential development.

So you deal with the contractor,
planning and zoning commission.

How'd you know?
I worked construction.

And I used to want
to be an architect.

What do you want to be now?
17.

Me, too.

Hey, I thought you were
setting up at the, um...

You will not believe
what Sandy Cohen said to me.

He basically called me
white trash.

He said I was from Riverside.
Honey, you are from Riverside.

It was his tone.

He compared me to that boy
who started the fire.

Bringing him to our function--
Kirsten is out of control.

What, she thinks
the rules don't apply to her?

How you ever dated that woman

I'll never understand. I've
a half a mind to call...

Leave Kirsten alone.

She's the one paying our bills.

What are you talking about?

You know that... problem
I was having at work?

Well... she solved it.

You went to Kirsten
for a handout?

Jimmy, how do you think
this makes us look?

I really wouldn't
call it a handout.

Oh, really?
What would you call it?

(sighs)

$100,000.

That machine ate my change.
Okay, okay.

That one's always broken.
Here you go.

Try the next one over.

Dawn Atwood?
Sandy Cohen, Ryan's attorney.

I'd love to talk to you.
Can't talk.

Stupid thing's stuck.

It'll only take
a couple minutes.

Damn it!

How is he?

Why don't we grab a cup
of coffee and talk about it?

There's some great
historical homes in the area.

We can always go
on an architectural tour.

Yeah, they're awesome.
Yeah, I'd like that.

Hey, Ry.

Thank you, Rosa.

Uh... thanks.

No, thank you, Rosa.

So, Dawn, how long you been
working at the Laundromat?

Uh... not long.
Just a couple weeks.

What happened
to the restaurant?

Um... they were making cutbacks.
You got fired.

Well, it was for the best.
They had rats, cockroaches.

Disgusting.

You seen Trey?

Uh... went to visit him at the
prison. He wouldn't see me.

Where are you living these days?
With friends.

I-I'm between places
right now.

Why don't you stay here tonight?

RYAN:
What about A.J.?

No.
I broke up with him.

We're through.

No more.

I-I put up with too much.

He laid his hands on me
and Ryan too many times.

Mom?

What?
I-I'm just saying...

he was a bad influence,
you know...

with his drinking and...
A.J. was the problem?

Hey, I haven't touched a drop
since I dumped his sorry ass.

The scum he used
to bring into the house...

his whole coke thing...
Where you going?

It was bad enough living
through it the first time.

Ryan, wait, sweetie.

I... sorry.

Will you at least
talk to me?

What're you
doing here?

I-I came... for you.

Why? What do you want from me?

(sighs)

You left a note.

A note.
Okay. Let me explain.

You abandoned me.
You threw me out.

You just took off.
I know, honey. I was...

and A.J. and...

the drinking, and...

It's going to be different now.

That's what you said
when we moved from Fresno

after Dad got arrested.

I'm going to be different now.

We have a chance
to start over, babe.

I-I mean, we've never had
people like them,

you know, who-who wanted
to help us.

Right.

So someone offers you
a nice place to stay,

and suddenly you're
all about the mom thing.

I didn't know what I was doing
when I married your dad.

I was too young
when I had your brother.

But with you...

You were always the smart one.
You know?

The good one.

When you got arrested...

I knew I'd failed, and...

you were my last hope.

I should go.
Wait.

Are you ever going to
forgive me, kiddo?

Let's just go slow, huh?

Okay.

Whatever you want.

I'm not going to lose you again.

So, where'd
they go, anyways?

I don't know. Out.
Alright.

So we'll wait for
Happy Hour to end...

Seth, we need to be supportive.
She seems like she's trying.

Yeah, but how do you know?

I mean,
this woman abandoned him,

and now all she has to do
is show up?

Mom, she should be the one
on probation. Not Ryan.

What do you want me to do Invite
her to stay?

Yes, that is exactly
what I want you to do

(laughing)

(sighs)

What a beautiful walk.

The water's so warm.
Not that Ryan would know.

You used to love
going in the water.

Not with all my clothes on.
I'm an embarrassment to my son.

Welcome to my world.

DAWN:
Well...

we should probably
head out soon.

Actually, I was thinking.

Uh... you just got here,
you have nowhere to stay,

and, uh, we're all just
getting to know each other.

We're having a party tonight.
Right.

Not for me.
Thanks, though.

Vegas Night.
Vegas, huh?

Well, it's very kind
of you to offer, but no.

I don't have anything to wear.
Oh, we'll find something.

(sighs)

-SANDY:
Hey!

Kirsten does
the same thing--

washes the dishes before
putting them in the dishwasher.

I never know whether
they're clean or dirty.

We never had
a dishwasher.

So, how's everything going?
Okay, I guess.

We had a good day.

You know, you being
with your mother

doesn't mean we're not going
to still see each other.

She really likes it here.

She talked about finding
some place small, nearby,

in the numbered streets.

DAWN (sighing):
So...

How do I look?

All their parties
like this?

Pretty much.

(sighing):
Well...

Let's clean 'em out, kid.

Kirsten!

Another perfect event.
Oh, hi!

So... business is good?

Yeah, it's good.
It's good.

I love your dress.
You do? It's yours.

Uh...

Hey! How are you?
Hi. Good to see you.

Yeah.

Would you like a drink?
I'd love one.

Okay.

It's all fabulous,
just fabulous!

Oh, thank you.

How much did you
get for the hug?

Betting kind of big, Mom?
Well, it's for charity.

Besides, the count's
way positive.

You're counting?
It's not a single deck.

Oh, honey, if I teach you
anything in this world

the count goes way higher
with multiple decks.

Blackjack.

Oh!

Whoo!
See, honey?

My luck's turning
around already.

Yes!

Is that...?
That's beautiful.

I told you
we could do it.

(laughing):
I told you, too.

Aw, honey.

Excuse me?

Uh... tonic water
and lime, please.

(giggling)

My boy.

Lucky for him,
he's got my brains.

Go!
Have fun...

with your friend.

I'll be fine. You don't
have to baby-sit me.

Hey.
Hi.

So, is that
your mom?

Yeah.

She came back. So I guess that
means you're going home.

Yeah, I guess.

Well, good luck with everything.

You, too.
Have a nice life.

You should go.

Hi, Summer.
Seth Cohen.

I'm superstitious.
Blow on these.

What?
Blow.

(screams)

My God!

Do it again.

(screams)

You're not going
anywhere, Sid.

Seth.
Whatever.

Okay.
Blow.

You can't just
not talk to me.

Watch me.

It's not like you're totally
innocent in all this.

I mean, you didn't
have to attack him.

What was I
supposed to do?

You left me to go
up there for him.

It's not like that.

It was a mistake.
Hell, yeah.

Hi, Sandy.

Hey, Julie.

I came to apologize,
and say thank you.

The check that
you guys gave Jimmy.

You never know who your
friends until are in need.

And we needed
that hundred grand.

It was our pleasure.
You can't take it with you.

(giggles)

Hi.
What do you want?

Nothing happened...
with Marissa and me.

Now, I don't want
to talk about it.

No, listen.

She chose you.

You're the one she wants.

Can I get
a Seven and Seven, please?

Nerves.
Tough game of poker.

Thank you.

(sighs)

Always does the trick.

(screams)
You rock, Stanley!

Hey.

Let's try again.

Oh, crap!

My damn luck, huh?

Well, pony up, honey.
Don't be shy.

(chuckles)

Oh.

Ah.

My new best friend.
Thank you.

Mmm!

Um, don't you think
you've had enough?

Oh.
You're right.

I've just got to learn
to celebrate without the sauce.

Well, no one said it
was going to be easy.

Could we talk?
It's important.

Of course.
Excuse us.

Sure.

You want to hear
something so funny?

Always.

Sandy Cohen had no idea
Kirsten wrote you that check.

Imagine being so rich
you don't tell your husband

you're giving away $100,000.

Alright,
you know what?

(clears throat)

Who needs chips?
You got Kirsten.

What did you
say to him?

You don't even care--
that you went to her.

I didn't have any choice. You
didn't want to talk about it.

I was trying to save us.
Our family was in trouble.

Looks like
we're not the only ones.

$100,000?

It's more
than I make in a year.

It's just a loan.
Of-of my money.

It's not the money.
It's that you never told me.

I know.
I-I don't know why.

I've got a couple of ideas,
I'll take you on a journey

through my neuroses
for the past hour or so.

Sandy, I promise, it was a loan.
There's nothing more to it.

He was in trouble.
Oh.

He could tell no one else.
So what's your excuse?

Sandy, uh...

I don't know what
Julie said to you.

I'm trying to have a private
conversation with my wife.

Two Mountain Dews, my good man.
Thank you, Ryan.

Greatest night ever,
it's like one of those nights

when the stars and the cosmos
and the moon align,

and it's just like, wow.

Thank you.
How's your mom doing?

High rolling. She was
made for this place.

Yeah? Maybe this could work.
Yeah? Maybe.

SUMMER:
Rabbit's foot?

Vamanos.
Ooh.

By the end of the night,
she might know my first name.

Duty calls.

(scoffs):
Oh!

Look,
I'm sorry.

(woman laughing)

Oh.

Hold up.

Oh!
Oh!

(tray clattering)

(laughing)
Oh, God.

What the hell
is your problem?

What's my problem?
What's your problem?

Back off!

Uh... Ryan, I must have tripped.
It's these damn shoes.

Oops!

(giggles)

Hello.

Here. Good luck.

Dude, that lady is wasted.
I bet you could bang her.

(laughter)

Hey, shut up.

Why don't you just quit staring,
and help me up, okay?

Get me up!
Help me up!

Finally.
Geez!

Hey, sorry. Why don't you
go get the car?

What, you maybe
had one too many?

Well, I...
What are you looking at?

Where's Ryan?

Hey.
Ryan?

Thank, buddy.
I'm right here, Mom.

Ryan, honey, I'm so sorry.
I ruined it, huh?

It's okay.
We're almost there.

No. no. You know,
I ruined everything, huh?

You hate me.
No, I don't.

I love you, Mom.

Uh, it's...
it's okay, everyone.

Uh, it's just a...
it's a little accident.

She's with us.

(sighs)

You mind?

Um...

So...
you caught me.

You can't do this.
You're his mother.

I'm a mess, not a mother.
You have a responsibility.

I'm being responsible.

I-I'm not wired for this.

I-I can't care
for anybody else.

I don't have what you got.

The way your husband
looks at you.

And your kid
looks at you.

Even my kid...

Like, no matter what,

you're going
to make everything okay.

You hold your
family together.

I... tear mine apart.

You can't walk away.
Why?

This would be the first
good thing I ever did for him.

And... this way...

he ends up with a real mom.

Take care of him, okay?
He deserves it.

(door opening)

Thanks.

* Opened my eyes

* Had a dream last night

* That both my arms
were broken *

* Evening time

* Help me now or hold me down

* I feel my world is tumbling

* Spiraling down...

Hey.

Hey.

Where's, uh... ?

Ryan's going to stay
with us now.

That's awesome.

I mean, it's...
that's...

That-that's awesome, right?
That's cool. Um...

(clears throat)
Let's go talk about stuff. Come on.

I'll unpack later.

Well, there's a no-return policy
now. You know that.

I love you.
Oh. You know that?

Are we okay?
Yeah.

Good.

'Cause we just got in
way over our heads.

* The rain comes down
like a victory *

* In sheets
of shining memory... *

So then she says, "Blow on
these," and, clearly,

she's talking about,
you know..."

* Over and over

by paulonline