The O.C. (2003–2007): Season 2, Episode 12 - The Lonely Hearts Club - full transcript

Previously on The O.C...

Do you have another
shirt I can borrow?

I've had just about
enough out of you.

That's too bad 'cause
I'm just getting started.

( groans )

MARISSA:
You almost kissed Cohen?

SUMMER:
It was not an almost kiss.

It was a nose graze.

I just talked to the guy
at Wildstorm.

I set up a meeting.

We're going to San Diego.



Sandy, I've got
a couple of strokes.

Rebecca Bloom.

You're still in love with her.
She's dead.

How'd she take the news
about my return?

I haven't told her yet.

I don't want her to be
considered an accomplice.

Sandy, is that you?

Rebecca?

Ryan, I had no idea
you felt this way.

Don't look at me,
they were here when I came in.

Hey, you do realize

Valentine's Day
is tomorrow, right?

Yeah, well, we're starting
a little earlier this year.

Your mother deserves
an extra long holiday



with your grandfather
in the hospital.

And with you burning
the midnight oil

as much as you have.

Why don't you guys
give me a hand, huh?

The rest of the flowers
are out in the car.

You've got more flowers?
Yeah.

There's such a thing
as overkill.

Man, your parents
are pretty hard core

about Valentine's Day.

I just hope I survive
this hateful holiday.

Mm, still broken up
over the Alex breakup?

Nope, it's emotional
child's play

compared to what we're dealing with now,
Ryan.

Hmm?

Summer's back.

Whoa, what?

Yeah, and I don't want
it to be, believe me.

But apparently the universe
has other plans for us.

The universe is involved now.

Why else would I be forced
to go to San Diego with her

on the one-year anniversary
of our sexual tГЄte-Г -tГЄte

or pas de deux,
if you will.

As long as it's not
a menage a trois,

since you will be
going to San Diego

with Zach, her boyfriend.

Yeah, and my friend.

Yeah.

Dude, I don't want to go
to San Diego, okay?

I don't want to go
anywhere near Summer.

Yeah, but the, uh,
the universe.

Yeah, exactly.

Well, shouldn't be
a problem for you.

I mean, you and Summer
been friends

for a while now, right?

Yes, and I'd be
a little more confident

about my chances of cheating
fate and not cheating,

if Summer and I
hadn't made out.

You guys made out?

No.

But our noses grazed

and it was like the most
sexually-charged nose graze

in the history
of nose grazes.

It's essentially nose
humping is what it is.

So what am I going to do?

I'm going to tell you
what you're going to do.

You're going to go down
to San Diego

with your friend Summer

and her boyfriend--
your friend-- Zach,

and you're going to keep it
in your trousers, all right?

Nothing can happen, got it?
Yeah.

I have no heart,
I hate Valentine's Day.

And that's why you're my son.

What about you, Ryan?

You have anything
lined up for Lindsay?

Uh, no, Lindsay and I
are taking a break.

She's getting to know
her dad.

So for Valentine's Day

you're getting Lindsay
grandpa.

Yeah.

That's bad, right?

Dad, step in here,

help a brother out.

This guy's got mad
Valentine's Day skills, bitch.

Word, son.

I hope I've learned something

after 20 years
with your dear mother.

That's right,
it's her favorite holiday.

Yeah, which means she's
probably gearing up

for the Cupid routine
right now.

Here's my Valentine.

Looks like I'm not the only one
at odds with the universe.

( piano and acoustic guitar
strumming gentle melody )

S02E12
The Lonely Hearts Club

* California, here we come *

* Right back where
we started from *

* California *

* California... *

I think I know
what this is about

and I can explain.

You lied to me, Sandy.

No, I didn't lie.

You told me
Rebecca was dead.

When I told you that,
I thought she was.

I went to your office last night
and she was standing there.

Oh. You saw her.

And then I came home,
you and I had dinner

and nothing,
you didn't say a word.

She's accused of
a very serious crime.

Anything I would
tell you about her

could make you
an accessory.

Don't try to get off
on a technicality.

This is about our marriage.

You and I come first.

I did what I thought
I had to do.

She's innocent.

And she's my client.

She's not just your client.

You were in love with her.

Don't pretend this isn't
complicated for you.

You're damn right
it's complicated.

Look...

There's nothing going on
between us.

Please, let's
not fight.

Tomorrow's Valentine's Day.

Happy day before
Valentine's Day.

Okay...

Uh, you said that we
should take a break.

In relationship speak,
they call this mixed signals.

I know, but it didn't really
occur to me at the time

that Valentine's Day
was coming up.

You don't want to be alone
on Valentine's Day.

Aw, you are such a girl.

So what do you think?

You want to take some time off
from taking time off?

Sure.

If... you do
something for me.

Yeah, name it.
Anything.

Apologize to Caleb.

Except that.

I'm not saying
it's your fault.

I'm just going to be spending time
over there while he's recuperating

and if you two are
at each other's throats,

it's going to be really
uncomfortable for everyone.

So if I apologize, I get
to take you out for Valentine's Day?

Me and Cal.

Happy to do it.

( knocking on door )
Zach?

Hey, Cohen, you're early.

Yeah, I just wanted to, um,
stop by and check in

before Zach got here
and sort of touch base.

Something you want
to talk about?

Something you want to talk
about?

Huh?
What?

You came here.
Yeah, no, I know.

I, uh...

I just wanted to make sure
that you're dressing warmly.

And you are, so, great.

You know, actually, there is
something I want to ask you.

Yeah?
Yeah.

Are these earrings too bling
for a meeting?

I don't want
to come off trashy.

No, I think they're fine.

Oh.
Listen, Summer.

I know that the three of us
sometimes, working together

can get pretty weird.

So I just...

I have to say that if it ever

maybe gets to be
too much for you...

Hey, broken record.
I'm fine.

I just want us
to kick ass on our pitch.

I really care about
this comic book.

What, is that so hard
to believe?

( knocking on door )

You guys ready
to hit the road?

Hey, did you MapQuest the meeting?
Yeah, I got directions, got snacks.

He's gonna pack snacks.

The motor's running.
All right.

Shotgun!

Come on, move it, Cohen.
San Diego is not driving to us.

For God's sake,
the door is ten feet away.

Must I be humiliated
in this chair?

Oh, Dad, just humor us.

You can lose the chair
when you get home.

Oh, that reminds me.

I, uh, brought you
a little care package.

That's very
thoughtful of you.

Mad Libs.

Oh, those were my favorite
when I was a kid.

Well, I hope you'll be
around long enough

to teach me how to play.

Julie's still gallivanting
around in Europe,

which means I got that
big old house all to myself.

Well, what about Marissa?

Marissa can't be bothered.

She's too busy running around

with that tattooed
new friend of hers.

Well, if you're looking
for company,

I know that Ryan wanted

to stop by for a visit.

Oh, I think I've seen
just about enough of him.

Lindsay,
why don't you

go find the chauffeur

and see if he'll pull up.

Sure.

You and Lindsay seem
to be making strides.

That's a lot of regret,
coming into her life so late.

You know how you can
make it up to her?

Make things right with Ryan.

What is it with my daughters
and that kid?

Dad.

Fine, fine.

Lindsay,

can three people
play Mad Libs?

Sure, why?

Well, I thought
it might be quite nice

to invite Ryan over
for a round.

I understand he's handy
with an adverb.

Yeah, I'll call him
right now.

( music playing )

Ugh.

Are the Olsens making records now?

Oh, no, you don't
like it?

No.

Careful, man, if she
doesn't like your music

she'll drive you off the road.

Hey! Cohen, that was
so your fault.

Last year, he drove us into
a ditch on our way to Tijuana.

You guys did
the TJ thing?

Actually we did the
pit-stop-on-the-way-to-TJ thing also.

God, we had to spend this night
in this sleazy-ass hell hole.

Seriously, it was like
Hepatitis Central.

Okay, it wasn't
that bad.

Hello? Cohen...
The bed was, like, covered

with all these tiny
little curly hairs.

Oh, really?

Well, I seem to remember
you begging me

for a spot on that bed.

So who won?

Who got the bed?

Uh... I think
we worked it out.

I don't really remember.

I don't know that
there was... yeah.

Thank you.

I'm home.

Anyone here?

Hello...?

I'm home.

How's the ticker?

Ticking, thankfully.

I wasn't expecting you today.

I canceled my trip to Nice

so I could come home
and keep you company.

But I see you're already
doing fine in that department.

Hi, Julie.

Lindsay, hello.

Lindsay's making us some lunch.

Tuna sandwiches.

Want one?

I'll pass, thanks.

But it's nice to see
you two have grown

so close since I've been gone.

Well, Ju-Ju,

Lindsay and I
are in the midst

of some Mad Libs.

I'm sure you want to go
freshen up.

Fine.
I can take a hint.

Well,

make yourself at home.

Caleb's casa es su casa.

Okay, plural noun.

Marissa?

Oh, honey,
it's 1:00 in the afternoon.

( groans ):
Get out, Mom, I'm sleeping.

You and your stepfather
are quite the welcome wagon.

Do you want something?

Just to say hello
to my daughter.

And to give you this.

It's a Chanel clutch.

Every girl I saw in Paris
was carrying

one of these.

Thanks, you can leave it
on the dresser.

Marissa.

You know, when I was in Europe
I did some real soul searching.

I hope you didn't hurt yourself.

I'm trying to talk to you.

Look, I know that
you've been angry with me.

What gives you that idea?

And you have your reasons.

I just think that it's time
to put those memories behind us.

It's time we became
friends again.

Let's go to dinner,
just the two of us.

Thanks, Mom,
but I'm not that lame.

What if I took away
your BlackBerry?

Okay.

And your cell phone.

You can't take away
my cell phone.

Oh, I think I just did.

Are you going to throw

the bedroom furniture
in the pool now?

That's great.

You want to become friends
so you're blackmailing me.

That's a great plan, Mom.

I'll see you at dinner.

Oh.

Oh, not bad.

Well, it beats living
in my office.

Your office was fine.

It was the running into Kirsten
part that was rough.

She must be furious.

Well, there was
some poor roses

that took the brunt of it
this morning.

I know I've complicated
your life lately...

and to thank you, I got you
a little Valentine's gift.

When I saw it,

I couldn't resist.

Gandhi. Every time
I see this,

I think of you snoring
right next to me

in that theater.
I couldn't help it--

it's a long movie.

It was our first date.

You could've stayed awake.

Well, it was a lousy
first-date movie.

You're right.

Okay, I know that look.

You want to talk.

Oh, here's the thing.

I don't know if I'm
the best lawyer for you.

You know, I'm not that well
schooled in amnesty cases.

And it might put a strain
on your marriage.

That, too.

Okay.
I know you want to put this thing

behind you--
I want it over, too.

But you and I

spending day after day
poring over my case,

our meetings stretching

into the wee hours.

There are days I think

Kirsten and me are bulletproof.

I don't want to test
that theory.

I should've seen this coming.

One thing I know about you,
Sandy Cohen:

you always do the right thing.

I'm gonna get you a list
of the best lawyers in town.

You're gonna get through this.

I wish I was getting
through this with you.

Well..

be careful what you wish for.

Hey, there.

How's your father doing?

He's okay.

And you?
About the same.

Credit card company called
to verify that you're staying

at the Inn at Playa del Rey.

It's for Rebecca.

So she doesn't have
to stay at my office.

I know you're being put
in the middle of this,

but if you want
to take her case,

I'm not gonna stand in your way.

I'm not gonna be her lawyer.

Don't. Not because of me.
Of course it's because of you.

I know enough not to mess
with my wife on Valentine's Day.

Sandy.

You didn't force me
to do anything.

Well, maybe this
is selfish of me,

but I have to say I'm happy.
Good.

There's one thing
you could do for me.

Please find a restaurant
that still has

a reservation open
for tomorrow night.

I don't want to eat takeout
on Valentine's Day.

What are you
in the mood for?

Oh...

something with a view
of the ocean...

and an overpriced
prix fixe menu.

Sounds like The Arches.

Perfect.

I'll call them right now.

Hey, this is the
last of these,

so should we make more copies?

You don't have

to hang around here
all day to help me.

Please. Any excuse
to avoid my house.

My mom's been home for,
like, three hours,

and already I'm going insane.

My mom used
to drive me crazy, too,

and then one day I just decided

I was not gonna let it
bother me anymore.

You make it sound so easy.

No, every time my mom

channels Satan,
I take a deep breath,

count to three,
give her a big smile,

and say something like,
"Interesting idea, Mom--

I'll give that some thought."

And that really works?

Women like that,
they thrive on confrontation,

but if you refuse to engage,

then there's not really
anything they can do,

which makes them go
even more out of their heads.

Wow, sounds like a fun way
to spend an evening.

But, you know, anyone
who can make my mom even crazier

gets a free dinner.

So what do you say?

Okay.

But not tomorrow night.
I don't do Valentine's Day

first dates--
I think it's a jinx.

Okay.

But next week...

...when we don't have
Hallmark breathing down our necks,

we'll go on a date.

Cool?

Cool.

Okay, so...
let's go over this again.

I'll do the introduction.

Seth, you do the
character arcs.

Zach... you just need
to relax a little bit, man.

I promise you have this.

SUMMER:
Ugh.

You know what?
My teeth are all plaquey.

I'm going to go do
a last-minute floss.

God... she is so OCD, man.

Backpacking with her
is gonna be a nightmare.

You guys are going backpacking?

Yeah. My sister
is getting married in Tuscany.

Summer's gonna be my date.

Tuscany, like Italy?

Yeah. My family's renting
a villa.

But we're just gonna stay
for the wedding, and then

we're gonna go off on our own.

You know,
backpack through Cinque Terre,

maybe a weekend
in Venice.

Wow! Doesn't sound...
romantic at all.

Hey, are you guys here
to pitch to Mr. Bernstein?

Yes, we are.

He can't see you till tomorrow.

He got delayed
coming back from Japan.

What?
They're gonna get you rooms in town

and I'll reschedule you
for first thing tomorrow, okay?

Wildstorm.

Well, at least we'll have
an extra night

to work on the pitch, huh, Seth?

Yeah. So just
Cinque Terre and Venice

or maybe, like, Florence, too,
or something?

LINDSAY:
You are dreading this, aren't you?

Pretty much.

I'm sorry.
Can you blame me?

Alright, look,
it's like the dentist.

Think of how much better
you'll feel when it's over.

Go on, I'll wait here.

Hey, Mr. Nichol.

Came by to say hello.

Call me Caleb.

So, you play pool.

No. My first time.

Okay, I came by
to apologize.

I'm sorry...

if I had anything to do
with your heart attack.

Thank you, Ryan.

I realize it wasn't easy for you

to string so many words
together.

Excuse me?
I'm merely noting

how rarely I hear you talk.

I guess I don't have much to say to you.
Well, how about thank you?

For the fine education
you're getting,

the roof over your head,
everything else I've done.

Like insulting me,
treating me like a criminal?

Well, you are a criminal.

My do-gooder son-in-law
dragged you out of jail

and installed you
in his pool house, remember?

You know, Mr. Nichol, I don't
know why I try to talk to you.

It's just a waste of time.

So... how'd it go?

There's always
next Valentine's Day.

Oh. One bed, huh?

Looks like Zach and I

are getting cozy tonight.
Cohen,

we got adjoining rooms, man;
you're in here.

We do?

Really?
Yeah.

Oh, well, then, okay...
One second, though.

If I'm in here,
that means that...

Then what, you-you guys
would be in here?

Yeah. Is that okay?

Well, sure, yeah.
I mean... well, it makes sense.

Yeah, that's fine, that's great.

That's actually perfect.
Um, so, then...

I take it you two
will be in here... uh, in there,

actually, uh, uh,

together, and I will be...

( taps on wall )
just on the other side of this...

sound-soundproof wall.

Hey. You okay?

Yeah, no, I'm fine. I'm
just having an allergic...

reaction to...
the universe.

So...

okay.

( laughs ):
Whew!

Here you go.

I got your coffee.
Oh, thanks, Sandy, but I...

I've given up
on that stuff.

I never thought I'd see the day.
Oh, yeah.

You used to average a
pot an hour as I recall.

Yeah.

That's probably
why I never slept.

That and...
you keeping me up all hours,

bending my ear with your
right-wing conspiracies.

Who else was gonna
listen to me?

See, I assumed that
you were prepping me

for father-in-law duty, and...

then everything changed.

( sighs )

I feel like
I'm jumping ship here, Max.

No, no, no, no,
you're not.

I mean, your
conscience, Sanford...

I mean, it's always
worked in overdrive.

No. Leaving you and Rebecca
just when we found her.

The-the rest will
work itself out.

If you're not drinking coffee,
what are you drinking?

Green tea.
Supposedly it's a detoxifier...

Who knows, maybe if I
started it earlier, I, uh...

I would've held up better.

I'll go get you some.
There's a cafe right down the pier.

I'll be back in a sec.

Okay, thanks, Sandy.

Ooh-hoo.

( woman screaming on TV )

You know what, we
should turn in early.

We've got the pitch
at the crack of dawn.

Why don't we watch
another movie.

I think Van Helsing
is on pay-per-view.

I like monsters.
Don't know about the rest of you.

I'm pretty tired.

Me, too.
Well, then

why don't we go
to the gift shop

and see maybe
if they have cards,

'cause then we
could play gin

or I could do some sleight
of hand for you guys.

Okay. Cohen...

go to bed.

Yes, okay.

But listen,

I'm gonna be in here if
you guys need me or anything.

Okay.

Okay.

Psst. Maybe
we should invent

a secret knock, just in case,

for whatever.
( clears throat )

Good night, Cohen.

( raps on door once,
then four times )

That's the knock.

Hey, Max, hey,
they didn't have any green tea,

but I got you some jasmine.

You... you drink jasmine?

Hey, Max?

There's no way there's three
shots of espresso in there.

You look kind of spent, Seth.

Did you sleep at all?
Yep.

( rhythmically ):
Got a solid 15 minutes.

They say that's all you need.

What about you guys?

Probably didn't sleep
too well, huh?

I slept fine, actually.

Hi, guys. I'm Larry Bernstein.
Come on in.

Okay, he's ready.

Showtime, come on, come on.

Well, guys

I read the treatment
and I think it's interesting.

Good, great, glad to hear it.

And on behalf of all of us,

the three of us,
sitting three across in your office,

uh, uh, thank you.

And we like your jacket.

Uh, you're welcome
and thank you.

But putting pretty people
by the beach

isn't enough for me,
even if they have powers.

So let's talk about characters.

Great. Okay, first of all,
what can I tell you?

We've got Kachino with
his fists of fury, okay?

He's a kid, he's from
the wrong side of the tracks.

Think Karate Kid,
now take away the karate.

Let them marinate,
and we've got Cosmo Girl.

She's got a passion for fashion
and a magic flask to boot.

But what I want
to do right now, actually,

is to take you
to the white-hot center

of our comic, okay?

The core relationship of really
what I think we're doing here.

Now, what I'm talking about here
is passion.

But real passion.

Not the kind of passion you buy
for $1.99

at the grocery store
with a can of soup.

Cohen, what does that even mean?
I have no idea.

So you're saying there's
a love story.

Yeah. No!

Oh, no, no.

Definitely not.

Yeah, there is.
Now, maybe you can't see it

and maybe you can't.

But let me tell you something.
I promise you this.

It's there.

Amongst the demon water polo
players that arise

from the toxic Pacific and
attack Atomic County,

it's a love story for our time.

For all time.

Mm-hmm. Between who?

Yeah, Cohen, between who?

Why, between the Ironist
and little Miss Vixen.

What?

The Ironist

and little Miss Vixen.

The Ironist, whose quick quips

and pop-culture-laden bromides

can fell even the most insidious
of villains.

Little Miss Vixen.

So cute and so sweet
in her black leather.

Her Amex card can decapitate
a demon up to 100 yards away

especially when she senses
her true love, the Ironist,

is in danger.

Well, this is
an interesting approach.

Yes, but not one
we've discussed.

No, there is no love story.

SETH:
Not yet, there isn't.

Okay, stop.

Here's the thing.
And the thing is this, sir.

If the Ironist
and Little Miss Vixen

could put
their differences aside

for just one issue
and stop their bickering

and stop their bantering--

even though the readers might
find it adorable--

I really feel like

they would realize

how much more evil
they could vanquish together.

No, Cohen, they can't.

( knuckles crack )

Um, look,
we're really sorry, sir.

This is not the comic
that we wanted to pitch to you.

Yes, well,

it has some promise,

but you three
are clearly not ready

to forge a partnership.

Clearly.

So get back to me...

after high school.

The coroner said he guessed
it was a stroke.

He didn't suffer.

We can be grateful for that.

I'm so sorry.

I know.

And Rebecca?

Well, she's doing her best.

I'm sorry I didn't call
till late

and stayed out
till this morning.

I understand.

I still want
to go out tonight.

Sandy, it's just
Valentine's Day.

We can celebrate another time.

No, I-I think we need this.

I'm not used to things
being so...

like they are right now,
you know?

I... I don't like it.

Me neither.

I tell you what.

I'm going to go take
a power nap

and when I wake up,

I want to see you dolled up
in your Valentine's finest.

Hey.

I thought we agreed

we weren't doing
the Valentine's thing.

I know. Just give me
one more chance with him.

It'll only take a few hours.

Oh, great.

You're back.

Can I talk to you for a second
in your study?

Look, I'd say
we need to talk,

but clearly
that doesn't work for us.

So what do you want to do,
take a swing at me?

You might as well.

I'm the only person
in town you haven't punched.

I'll make you a bet.

We play pool.

If you win,
I stay out of your way,

but if I win,

you have to accept me
as Lindsay's boyfriend.

( chuckles )

What is this,
The Color Of Money?

It's absurd.

Got a better idea?

Fine.

Best of seven.

Rack 'em.

Thank you.

Well, what would you
like to talk about?

Clothes, school?

Why don't you cut
to the chase?

Tell me what this
is really about.

It's not about anything,

except that I'm very happy
to be here with you.

Now that your father's gone and
Kaitlin's in boarding school,

it's like we're all
that's left of the family

and it just makes sense
for us to lean on each other.

You act like you're all alone.

I mean, you have Caleb.

You know, Marissa,
I think you're old enough now

that I can be honest with you
about this.

I worry about Caleb and me,
that we might not make it.

Come on, Mom.

If you two can't make it,
no one can.

The point is, whatever happens
between Caleb and me,

I'll survive.

What I could never handle
is losing you.

Well, thanks.

I almost believe you.

Oh, honey.

You and me,

we need to play our cards right.

What do you mean,
"our cards"?

Just that we spend our time
with Caleb wisely.

I've already launched the
magazine, it's a good start.

But I'd like to control
a little more of the company,

just in case.

If we can play
happy family

for just a few more months,
I can figure out my next move.

Oh, my God, Mom.

You are unbelievable.

What?

Do you want your inheritance
going to little Miss Lindsay?

Because that is where
this is headed

unless you put in some serious
face time with your stepfather.

That's an interesting idea, Mom.

I'll think about it.

Now why don't you tell me
about your trip?

Okay, Cohen,

you want to explain
that meltdown before?

Look, if there's something
you want to say to me,

now's your chance.

You know, I just think I'm gonna
lay off the caffeine forever.

Fine.

Don't say I didn't ask.

You ready to hit the road?

Yeah, you know,
actually,

I think I'm just
gonna take the bus.

The bus?

Fine with me.

You know, actually,

if we're not going to take Cohen
home, we could stay here.

We have the room
and it's Valentine's Day.

Yeah, since you guys
are going to Italy,

you can start getting used
to the hotel life.

Okay, headed
to the bus depot.

Happy Valentine's Day.

( sighs )

( phone rings )

Hello?

Oh, I expected
to get your voicemail.

I thought you'd be out
with your wife.

No, we've got
a late reservation.

We're just on our way out.

Oh, okay I won't keep you.

I, um,

I just, uh...

I didn't want to disappear again
without saying good-bye.

What are you talking about?

I'm leaving.

Don't try to talk me out of it.

Let's be realistic.

My chances of getting off
are slim.

Well, isn't it worth trying?

Not if I don't have my father
anymore.

So when are you leaving?

Tonight.

I guess there's no chance

of you swinging over here
to say good-bye in person?

Oh, I don't think so.

Let me get back to you.

Okay.

Rebecca?

Yeah, she's, uh...

she's leaving tonight.

Going back
to God knows where.

She wants to say good-bye.

Yeah.

Well, if you want to go,

I'm not going to try
and stop you.

I'll be right back.

I think we've actually
salvaged Valentine's Day.

Even though Cohen did
his best to destroy it.

I don't think he's ever
going to get over you.

I've kind of accepted it.

Look, Zach, those are
his issues, not mine.

Good.

Because all I
really care about

is that you and I
are okay.

Look at us.

We're in a hotel room

by ourselves
on Valentine's Day.

I think we're okay.

Good.

I mean, we weren't
even supposed to be here.

It's like fate handed us
this dream date.

So why don't we just make
the most of it?

Um, Summer,
before we do anything,

I need to tell you
something.

Hmm?

( cell phone rings )

Who is it?

It doesn't matter.

Your shot.

You don't seem worried.

Should I be?

You're about to lose.

I don't think so.

You're a hothead, Ryan.

Pool takes
a steady hand.

Well, I've got
a steady hand.

Then why do you always
find yourself in trouble?

Setting fires,
impregnating teenage girls...

I know what you're trying to do.

It's not going to work.

Come on, Ryan.

It's all very chivalrous.

This challenging me

to a duel for
Lindsay's affection.

But, you know, ultimately
she's gonna side with me.

I'm her father.

Who abandoned her for 16 years.

That's all in the past.

I don't think Lindsay
sees it that way.

Corner.

Well, this may be the way
you settle things

where you come from.

A game of pool,

maybe a barstool
over someone's head,

but in real life,
it takes more than that.

Hey.
Sorry, we're done.

Good, I was starting
to worry about you guys.

Well, enjoy your date.
It's on me.

Thanks.

So what do you
want to do?

Maybe go to Balboa Island,
milkshakes and bumper cars?

You know what,
why don't you guys

stay here tonight?

Are you sure?
It's Valentine's Day.

Yeah, well, tomorrow night.
Okay.

But have fun.

Maybe rent a movie
or something.

I hear The Color of Money
is pretty good.

Hi, it's Kirsten Cohen.

I'd like to cancel
a reservation.

So you bailed on your wife
on Valentine's Day.

That doesn't seem like
a Sandy Cohen move.

It isn't.

I wanted to say good-bye to you.

But now I've got to go.

Oh, I think we've already
missed dinner.

So stay here.

I've been without you
for 20 years,

but still, I'm gonna miss you...

all over again.

Sandy, I... I wish
it had never happened.

I wish I could take it
all back, that night.

I wish I'd never run.

Me, too.

I got to go.

But you should stay.

Hey.

Sorry I called you away
from your hot date.

I'm sorry to hear
your Valentine's Day

went so terrible.

Terrible?

Uh, no, no,
try catastrophic.

I blew the comic book

and I just completely
humiliated myself

in front of Summer.

After the way
I acted today, Ryan,

I don't even think I'd
get back together with me.

Probably for the best.
I mean, with Zach and all.

Hey, you know what?
Truth is, he deserves her.

And clearly he's got the
universe on his side, so...

Hey.

I didn't know
you were coming by.

Neither did I.

I guess I'm just
sort of here.

Are you okay?

Yeah, yeah.
I mean, I think I'm okay.

I just had a terrible dinner
with my mom.

My technique work?

Guess so.

But also, it was knowing

I could come here
and see you.

Not that I want to put any
pressure on you or anything,

it's just that's how I feel
and I had to say it.

Are you in the mood
for the beach?

Now?
Yeah.

It's almost time.

Time for what?

For the tide to change.

It's a little ritual I have for
whenever something really major

is about to change in my life.

I thought you said no dating
on Valentine's Day.

Screw it.

Come on.

I'm a huge fan
of spontaneous first dates.

I am, too.

SETH:
No, look...

I'm not saying
it's not bad.

Hanging out with my grandpa

ranks very low on
the Valentine's scale.

I just, you know, I think
mine's worse, I win.

You're right,
yours is worse.

Look at all these people.

These normal,
non-traumatized people

in relationships,
in love.

Think we'll ever have that?

No.

Yeah, I'm with you.

The tide just turned.

by paulonline