Party of Five s02e07 Episode Script
Where There's Smoke
[JULIA YAWNS.]
[LAUGHS.]
I'm sorry, it's not you.
You wanna go to the coffee shop, maybe catch a buzz or something? They're closed.
You know, it's late.
How about some music, then? [EASY-LISTENING MUSIC PLAYS.]
We cannot choose [GRIFFIN GROANS.]
That's my dad.
[CHUCKLES.]
[CHANGES RADIO STATION.]
Hey, hey, I love this song.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYS.]
But she wasn't home I can loan you the CD.
I'm sleepy.
Well, why don't you crash out on my shoulder and watch the sun come up.
Griffin, we've gotta go to school tomorrow.
Can't we just go home? Just a little bit longer.
Griffin I'm not ready to go home.
Why not? You know, it's weird, but I've never been to your house before.
What's weird about it? Well, it's just I don't-- Uh, never mind.
I'll take you home.
[STARTS ENGINE.]
KIRSTEN: Wow.
Tight.
[SIGHS.]
Quarterly payroll taxes.
Right there.
Finally got 'em done, and then Joe calls at 2 and wants me to fax everything to him.
In Newfoundland? Nova Scotia.
He doesn't get this time zone thing.
So I take care of that, and then he calls again and he wants to know why we're still showing a loss.
So I spend another 45 minutes telling him about the whole lounge-night thing and the two-for-one happy hour disaster, and that made him happy.
So you tried a few new things.
I mean, those things always take time to catch on.
Yeah, tell that to Joe.
Ow.
That's him.
That's the Joe spot.
Ahh! You should get some sleep.
I'm wired.
Been mainlining coffee all night.
[SIGHS.]
You wanna fool around? Mm-hm.
[PHONE RINGS.]
[GROANS.]
Listen, Joe, I don't know what time it is there, but-- I'm sorry.
Who? What? [FIREMEN TALKING INDISTINCTLY.]
WOMAN [OVER RADIO.]
: Station 47 to Company 48.
What's your status, please? Over.
FIREMAN: We're up here at Salinger's Restaurant.
On our way back.
ETA 20 minutes.
Over.
[CREAKING.]
[CRASH.]
[THE BODEANS' "CLOSER TO FREE" PLAYING.]
Everybody wants to live Like they wanna live And everybody wants to love Like they wanna love Everybody wants to be Closer to free-ee-ee Closer to free MAN: Okay, last one.
Damage estimate and certificate of identity.
How long before I can get a check? Just a couple of days.
First we gotta do a routine investigation, determine the cause of the fire-- They said it was electrical.
Standard procedure.
And then we can start releasing funds.
We know how it is with small businesses.
Can't afford to be shut down for too long, right? Not that it would make much difference with this business.
It shouldn't take much longer than a day or so.
Oh, uh did I say I was sorry about the fire? You did.
Thanks, Mr.
Arbogast.
Sure.
CHARLIE: I really appreciate it.
Yes! Yes! Charlie! What? That man, that sweet little man, just showed me an estimate for $50,000! Fifty grand! Twice as much as repairs will cost me if I shop the work out myself.
I just made $25,000 instant profit.
Just don't forget about the deficit.
This is the best thing that could have happened.
Charlie, that's great! CLAUDIA: I can't believe you guys.
I mean, Dad's restaurant practically burns down, and you just act like we just won the lottery! Claud, the restaurant did not burn down.
It'll be up and running again in two weeks.
In the black.
Man, if I'd known it was worth this much I'd have torched the place a long time ago.
Hey.
Julia! Oh, hey.
I thought maybe we could walk to school or something.
Uhwhy don't you go ahead.
I got some stuff I gotta do.
Well, I can wait for you.
No, that's all right.
I'll see you in-- I'll see you in school.
MAN: Griffin! Griffin! Just give me a second.
Don't you ever walk out on me when I'm talking to you.
Do you understand me? I wanna know why I'm still getting calls from school telling me you're cutting class.
Dad, not now.
You've already been held back.
Now you're flunking out again? You know, all you care about is that damn motorcycle and chasing girls! GRIFFIN: I said not now! MAJOR HOLBROOK: Are you a loser or just plain stupid? I'm gonna go to school, okay? Yeah, you do that.
You go get smart, huh? I'm sorry.
If I had the cash, I'd skip down to Mexico.
Or maybe up to Canada.
The major hates Canada.
I just wanna get the hell out of here! Oh, don't worry about it.
Maybe we'll go to war soon.
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC PLAYING.]
And plie.
Turn.
GIRL: Oh, sorry.
INSTRUCTOR: And plie.
Turn.
What are we supposed to do? Jete into the end zone? I told you coach was twisted.
Stretch that point.
Ow! This one I hate.
GIRL: I couldn't find my shoes.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Sarah! What are you doing here? Having an intense hallucination.
Sorry, but you guys? Coach's idea.
After Will tackled the water bucket.
Hey, hey! You blew that interception.
Only because Pendarvis throws like a girl! Hey! No offense.
INSTRUCTOR: Gentlemen, no talking.
Loosen the wrists.
And pirouette.
Oh, God.
Coach said it will improve our coordination.
Oh, yeah, it's really good for tha-- Ow! Sorry.
INSTRUCTOR: That's excellent.
Let's pair off now.
Vite, vite.
Grab a partner.
Oh, Will, you wanna--? Sure.
Why not? INSTRUCTOR: Hands on ladies' hips.
Gently.
All right, ladies, entrechat quatre.
And Just have a seat, Claudia.
Ms.
Hutchins will get you all set up.
Thanks, Ms.
Bullock.
So, what's her mood today? Excuse me? Principal Bulldog.
She having a good day, or is she totally ragged? She seemed pretty okay to me.
What? Are you, like, in trouble or something? Or something.
I skipped three times this month.
I wouldn't have got caught yesterday, but I had to stop off to have a smoke, and Fat Butt Beaglemeyer busted my ass, so Well, it's the story of my sucky life.
What did you do? Bring a gun in your lunchbox? Oh, yeah.
Twice.
Actually, I just got tired of turning pages in Orchestra, so I asked if I could do something else till I get my cast off.
I play the violin.
Anyway Ms.
Bullock said I could work in the attendance office, so-- Wait.
You mean, like, stamping excuses and stuff? I guess so.
I don't know.
What's your name, fiddle girl? Claudia.
Jody.
Got a feeling we're gonna be best friends.
[BROKEN GLASS JANGLING.]
You really shouldn't have done that this morning.
I mean, coming over like that.
Oh, okay.
I'm sorry.
It just gave him something else to scream at me about.
He's already saying that I'm flunking out because I'm spending all my time with you.
And he's starting all that Army crap again.
Army? CHARLIE: Jule! Have you seen Theo? Uh, yeah.
He's outside, smoking.
I think he's upset.
He said you were supposed to pay him first thing.
Just got back from the bank.
Umhere's the 20 I owe you for the bags and stuff.
Thank you.
Griffin, what's going on? Oh, he says that if I don't graduate, he's gonna make me enlist.
What? He can't do that.
I mean, you're 18.
This should cover it.
If I don't graduate, he's just gonna kick me out of the house.
And I don't have the cash to get a new place.
I sure as hell don't have a job.
Well, then, you'll just have to graduate.
And I'll help you.
We'll just have to do some studying.
I mean, we can do that.
Right? I mean, can't we? Hmm? [STRAINS.]
See, this is what we should be doing rather than dancing around on our tiptoes.
God, this feels good.
Boy, Sarah's pretty much a klutz, huh? The worst.
Did you see her get her foot caught on that bar? Yeah.
Can I, uh, run something by you? Sure.
Go ahead.
Yes! I mean, since you two aren't dating anymore, I just wondered if you'd mind if maybe Maybe I asked her out.
Mind? Why would I mind? Ugh! [PANTING.]
Oh, whoa.
Total muscle failure.
That's good.
WILL: So, uh So, then, about Sarah.
Would that be okay? I mean, she's really great, and since things didn't work out for you guys and I'm kind of interested, I just thought Hey.
We're not together anymore.
You don't even need to ask.
Let's do some curls.
Look, Theo, calm down.
Maybe your insurance will cover it.
Man, what insurance? Put it on your claim.
It happened in your restaurant.
I told you-- Yeah, Mr.
Arbogast, I'm still here.
What did the police say? You want a direct quote? "Kiss it goodbye.
" CHARLIE: When do I get my check? I need to-- Yeah, I'll hold.
How much did they get? THEO: 1200.
The whole payroll for my crew.
We don't find it, you paying me back.
It's not my fault you left your jacket on the bar.
Please.
Isn't there anything else you can do? THEO: Oh, yeah.
My cousin's a cop.
He's gonna look into this.
See if he can find the sorry son of a bitch who did this.
Did what? Somebody stole Theo's money from the restaurant today.
You're kidding.
Investigation? What kind of--? Hey, this is sort of like a Nancy Drew mystery or something.
Maybe we should question everybody who was there.
No way! There's no way! It obviously wasn't Theo or us.
Who else was there? None of my guys would have done this.
Julia, did you see anybody? I don't think so.
Sorry.
CHARLIE: That's impossible! Why would anybody--? No, I will not ho-- Hello? I don't believe this.
They think the fire was arson.
WILL: Arson? Man, who would do something like that? Maybe the same guy that ripped us off.
Who knows? Must be a full moon or something.
Here you go.
Green clover.
Better put it in your pocket.
So did you, um Did you call her? Who? Oh, Sarah.
Actually, uh yeah, I did.
And? And, uhwe sort of went out.
When? What, you mean, like, last night? Well, you know, I called, and she had these tickets, so, uh, we went to this thing: no big deal.
A thing? Romeo and Juliet.
The play? The movie? What? The ballet, actually.
And here's the wild part: You know the end, when Juliet wakes up and finds Romeo dead, and then she stabs herself and twinkles around on her toes for about a half-hour before she goes down, arms flying, legs flapping, everything? Sarah actually cried.
Like, tears.
I never realized how into that stuff she was.
It's kind of sad, somebody who wants to be something so bad, and then they're just so bad.
Well, for the record, I mean, I hated it.
But you guys still had a good time.
Yeahnot really.
It was kind of dull.
You know, she's better in a group.
Oh.
Well nothing ventured, right? Right.
CHARLIE: You're not gonna believe this.
Crack of dawn, I'm sitting there, right? And I should be getting a check.
And that bastard Arbogast practically accused me of setting the fire.
Me! What? Wait a minute.
He said that? Get this.
He's been digging through my finances.
He found out about that loan I applied for after I took over-- Wait.
What loan? You applied for a loan? Yeah.
I told you that.
We were tight making payroll.
But I got turned down, and he said that was suspicious.
ButI don't get it.
What does that have to do with the fire? CHARLIE: Nothing! And then he starts going on about how I upped the insurance, which is totally ridiculous because we were underinsured.
You upped the insurance? You didn't tell me about that.
I didn't tell you I bought new napkins either.
It was no big deal.
Only he tried to make it out like I set the fire so that I could collect the insurance.
He's stalling because he doesn't wanna pay what he owes me.
Well, I set him straight.
Man, can you believe that guy? [SCHOOL BELL RINGING.]
I looked for you at your locker before school this morning.
Oh, yeah, I was kind of late.
You know, he's always ragging me to go to school, and then I'm late because he's yelling at me.
Has he always been like this? No.
Not like this.
Just Just since Jill.
Griffin, do you remember yesterday when you were at the restaurant? I was just wondering if maybe you noticed anybody weird.
Like, hanging around or anything.
Not really.
Why? Well because somebody stole the money that Charlie gave Theo.
And we were just trying to figure out who might have done that.
Oh, man.
That's too bad.
I really wasn't Really wasn't paying attention.
Yeah, me neither.
But the police are going to look into it, so, um You know, I like to think that maybe the person who took it was just so desperate or they really weren't thinking and if they realize that, then maybe the money will show up.
Yeah.
Yeah, well, I hope you guys figure it out.
I got a class, you know.
Yeah.
I know.
JODY: Oh, hey, Claudia.
Wait up.
I've been looking all over for you.
CLAUDIA: You have? Why? 'Cause we're best buds, remember? Cancer? [COUGHS.]
No, thanks.
I quit.
You crack me up.
Hey, look at what I got.
Your mom wrote you an excuse? I thought you said you skipped.
Jayne Maynard did it for me.
Check this out: "Grandfather's medical difficulties.
" Man, she is good.
Cool.
Okay, so here's the plan.
Tomorrow you get Ms.
Hutchins to stamp it and approve it for me before it goes back to Bullock.
This way she'll think Hutchins called my mom.
Rocks, huh? I can't do that, Jody.
Sure you can.
You're right there in the office and-- [SCOFFS.]
You know, I'd do it for you.
I said I can't, okay? Look, I gotta go.
Man, good thing I'm not bleeding to death.
Here you go.
Thanks.
[GIRL LAUGHING.]
SARAH: Will! No! WILL: I swear.
SARAH: No.
She did not look like a spastic penguin.
WILL: Come on, who dies like that? Huh? She was like: [SARAH LAUGHING.]
SARAH: Not even close.
You're cute.
[SARAH LAUGHING.]
What are they doing in there, anyway? Planting evidence, with my luck.
Finally.
Mr.
Salinger.
Yeah.
Can we please get on with this now? I'm afraid not.
The fire marshal was wrong.
It wasn't a short in the outlet.
Well, what was it? Somebody left your coffee machine on.
And, um you were the last one here.
Well, it was, uh It was 3:00 in the morning.
I mean, I guess I just forgot.
But that proves it was an accident.
You don't intentionally burn down a building by leaving a coffeepot on.
Well, you do if you shove a box of paper up next to the heating element.
Paper? That was a box of menus.
That does not prove anything.
Except you shut off the water valve.
What? You didn't shut off the machine, but you shut off the water valve so that there was no water in the urn to absorb the heat when you left the burner on.
No, I can explain that.
That-- That's my fault.
I helped Charlie close up.
And he showed me how to clean the coffee urn.
But I I guess I must have forgot to turn the water back on.
And then I I went home before Charlie did, so he didn't know.
I feel so stupid! Hey.
I mean, you didn't know.
You didn't know.
It's only $600, and I know that's not enough, but I can get some more.
I mean, whatever it takes.
Gotta get out of here.
I know you need to get away.
I mean, I know how hard it is for you here.
You're just gonna make things worse.
And then maybe Theo's money can just show up, and no one will have to find out.
MAJOR HOLBROOK: Griffin! You gotta go.
I mean it, Julia.
Get out of here now! What the hell did you do now? Whoa.
Nobody said he did anything.
Okay, please.
I just wanna ask a few questions.
Griffin, I'm investigating the theft of some money from Salinger's Restaurant over on Filbert.
Now, you were there yesterday afternoon, right? Yeah, sure.
That's my family's place.
He just came by to help clean up.
You know anything about this? [SHOUTS.]
Do you? Major Holbrook, would you step into the other room? Are you that stupid? Don't call me stupid! Whoa! Hey! Everybody's okay here, all right? Now, major, please.
How stupid are you, son? I mean, are you stupid enough to throw away your whole life over a handful of cash? POLICEMAN: Major Holbrook Does that answer your question, major? Well, that was easy enough.
Put your hands on your head, please.
Griffin Holbrook, you're under arrest for grand theft.
You have the right to remain silent.
You also have the right to an attorney.
If you can't afford one, one will be appointed to you.
Should you choose to give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Okay, I've got rent receipts for the past 10 years and some old fondue recipes.
Insurance papers, Claud.
Keep digging.
He wants all this stuff in his office by 8:30.
I've got nothing else to say to you, Jule.
Look, I know you're mad, okay.
I get that.
No, obviously you don't.
'Cause "mad" doesn't even come close.
Will you just listen? I talked to the lawyer assigned to Griffin's case.
He said this whole thing will go away if Theo drops the charges.
Really? Well, he's not gonna do that.
He will if you talk to him.
I mean, if you explain that Griffin made a mistake-- A mistake? Julia, he stole.
Charlie, please.
You don't know what's going on.
You don't know how horrible it is for him.
I don't care, okay? Julia, get a clue here.
The guy is a loser! His dad let him spend the night in jail.
Did you know that? He wouldn't even come down to the police station, and he won't pay for a decent lawyer.
You should see how his dad talks to him.
I mean, the way he treats him.
If you saw that, maybe you'd understand and-- CHARLIE: And what? I'd feel sorry for him, forget about what he did? God, Charlie, he could go to prison! Yeah, well, you know what? So could I! And I didn't do anything.
Hey, Will.
Man, I think I pulled a groin muscle or something.
You didn't call me back.
What? Last night.
You never called me back.
Oh, uhI was out kind of late.
I had this family thing.
I can't believe you.
What? You're lying to me! No, really.
My My sister had this pageant at her school, about the four basic food groups.
Penny was a cantaloupe.
Should've seen it.
Come on! Come on.
I saw you and Sarah together yesterday, okay? And you didn't look like two people who just had a date that waskind of dull.
And if you did, you wouldn't have gone out again last night, which I know you did, because Dana just told me.
And And a cantaloupe? Your sister's 13! I didn't wanna upset you, that's all.
Upset me? I'm not upset! Then why are you so upset? I'm upset because you lied to me.
I don't care if you date Sarah.
I told you that.
Just don't go around lying about it.
So you're not upset about me and Sarah? No.
No, I am not.
'Cause you can sort of understand why I think you'd be upset.
I'm not upset.
Okay.
Sarah said you wouldn't be.
Well, see? She's right.
And She said that? Yeah.
She said it wouldn't be a problem.
Well there you go.
Hey! A little privacy? You scared me.
What are you doing? I'm writing a book report.
You're just gonna get in trouble again.
Yeah? Why do you care? I don't.
Good, then you won't care about this.
Oh, yeah.
Now I'm just gonna have to shoot myself in the head.
You didn't even spell it right.
It's an abbreviation.
Duh.
Not that.
Duh.
"Fiddle.
" It's L, E not E, L.
Claudia? UhMs.
Bullock.
Man, this is fresh.
Relax, Ms.
Bull.
She just took my pen away from me.
I think I'm under citizen's arrest or something.
Thank you, Claudia.
You, come with me.
Yeah.
Thanks a gazillion.
JUDGE: Bail is denied.
[BANGS GAVEL.]
Next case.
Now, gentlemen, on this outstanding matter, I suggest you get your paperwork in order and take this up with the court clerk.
Just reschedule and let's try again, okay? Thank you.
Next case on the docket is case number CL8952468.
People v.
Griffin Chase Holbrook.
The charge is grand theft.
How do you plead? GuiltyI guess.
The people request bail in the amount of $20,000.
LAWYER: Come on! Your Honor, Mr.
Holbrook's an 18-year-old first offender who lives with his father, a Major Chase W.
Holbrook of the U.
S.
Army.
He stole the $1200 because he was planning to run away.
Releasing him now poses a flight risk.
Fine.
Bail is set at $20,000, cash or bond.
Case number CL985463: People v.
Emery Carter Dillon.
The charge is aggravated assault and resisting arrest Griffin.
WOMAN: We enter a plea of not guilty, Your Honor.
MAN: The people request bail in the amount of $10,000.
WOMAN: Your Honor, this is crazy.
MAN: He has no aggression, which means he poses Oh.
I thought you were gonna call me after you spoke to the lawyer.
Not much point.
It's not like I had any good news.
So I guess I should thank you for covering for me.
I I didn't know what else to do.
Man, I'm glad you came up with that whole "cleaning the coffee urn" thing.
That was the one part of the plan I didn't think I could explain if they ever found it.
I didn't think they'd believe that I forgot that too.
So that That was good.
You really helped me out.
Charlie You think that's what happened? I I don't know.
'Cause that's the only reason that I can think of for why you would lie for me.
I mean, why else would you do that unless part of you thinks that I'm guilty? Nice shot, Floyd.
It was the chalk, Irma.
What? I swear.
I'm gonna get some more.
Floyd? Irma? Yeah.
We kind of came up with pool-hall names for each other last night.
Kind of silly.
God, he is such a great guy, you know that? I mean, I can totally see why he's your best friend.
So is this weird, or what? I don't know.
Do you think so? Maybe a little.
But, you know, I'm really glad that you're okay with all of us hanging out together.
It's kind of funny how things turn out, but I guess it's for the best, right? [CHUCKLES.]
You wanna break, Bay? Uh, I think I wanna go last.
Show you guys how it's done.
Oh, I will.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I don't wanna have to pay for the felt.
Now, what you wanna do is you want to In the middle? Hold this hand up like that.
Like that.
Okay.
Right in the middle.
In the middle.
Okay, wanna put money on this one, Salinger? [GIGGLES.]
Major Holbrook? He's not here.
I know, um I came to see you.
You weren't at the arraignment today and Griffin's lawyer thinks that it might help if you come down tomorrow for the sentencing.
He thinks he might be able to figure out a way so that Griffin doesn't have to go to prison.
Look, um Why don't you go home, okay? Whatis it Julie? I don't feel like talking to anybody right now.
I know.
Believe me, I know.
No, excuse me.
You don't know! Has Griffin ever told you much about me? Probably not, huh? I mean, you don't even know my name.
Major Holbrook, my parents were killed two years ago.
So I know what it's like to lose people that you love.
And I know what it's like to get mad about things that just happen.
I mean, I said, "To hell with everything," you know, for a long time after.
[SNIFFS.]
I think we're probably a lot alike that way.
Please-- But I realize that being mad doesn't make anything better, and it doesn't change anything, and there are still people around that matter.
You lost your daughter and there's nothing you can do about that.
Butnow you might lose your son.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
Are you gonna see Griffin today? If they let me.
So he could go to jail, huh? I hope not.
Maybe.
I really don't get it, Jule.
I mean why would he do this? Why would he steal from us? I don't know.
But doesn't it make you mad? Why aren't you mad at him, Julia? I'm mad at him.
I don't know.
I'm not sure.
Sometimes people do stupid things.
You know, like when they feel really bad about themselves, and you just You have to try and understand.
Okay.
There's no way I can go with you right? I'm sorry.
Mr.
Arbogast.
You shouldn't be here, Mr.
Salinger.
Do you have any idea how much your company's made off Salinger's in the past 15 years? This is highly inappropriate.
Ninety seven thousand, six hundred and forty-one dollars and twelve cents, for insurance.
I should not be talking to you without a lawyer present, please.
Only that doesn't mean anything, even though we've never filed a claim, not once.
And now, now that we need it, now that we're entitled to half of what we paid you, you bend over backwards to find some way to make sure we don't get it.
We don't pay when circumstances are suspect, now please leave.
I used to have people who trusted me, and now they don't anymore because you accused me of something that I didn't do.
And you've got nothing to back that up.
But why should you give a damn about that? Just as long as you can save your company a few more dollars.
I just want you to know something.
That restaurant was my father's.
And that doesn't mean anything to you, and you don't care, but if you had any idea how much it means to me, how it is the only thing that I have left of him, there is no way that you would accuse me of burning it down.
There's no way.
Hey, Claudia.
Give me a hand with this.
I've only got one.
Guess what.
I actually had a Bullock-free day, so I'm guessing this means someone in the office must have done me a favor or something.
Doubt it.
Who would do that for you? I don't know.
Some geek, probably.
Yeah.
Probably.
Hey, I wanna sign your cast.
Or is it only for people you like? I guess I can make an exception.
There.
Check it out.
At least you spelled it right this time.
Yeah, well, who wants to see your little head explode again? Jerk.
Freak.
You're gonna smoke on the bus? Hey, I'm jonesin', okay? Man, we gotta loosen you up.
Come on, fiddle girl.
Walk on the wild side.
[COUGHS.]
Are you Are you okay? Yeah, yeah, I guess.
I don't know.
Uhthey're letting me out of here this afternoon.
They are? Yeah, out of here, anyway.
Yeah, my, uh My dad showed up this morning with, uh some big Army lawyer.
Said he wanted to get things back on the right track.
It was kind of weird.
Anyway, uh he called in a favor, and they worked it out.
I'm not going to prison.
You mean, like, probation or something? Well, um, I'm going away to the Allenwood Academy for six months.
It's, like, this military school in Louisiana.
I guess it could be worse.
Griffin, can you at least tell me why you did it? 'Cause, um I'm gonna need to know so that I can figure all this out after.
I don't know.
Ijust figured I If I could do something like this, maybe I could just split.
Or maybe the army wouldn't take me, you know? Maybe I just got so used to him calling me stupid that I just felt that I had to prove him right.
Sorry, we're closed.
Too bad.
I hear you're famous for your coffee.
You got a check? Yeah.
But only because they can't prove anything.
It's half of what I should get, but it'll cover the repairs, so I guess I got away with it.
Charlie Salinger, professional arsonist.
I bought you a little present.
I thought it might come in handy for your new line of work.
I mean, I don't know what it means or what it says about me, or you, or us.
But I had this revelation, in three parts.
Three parts? Bear with me.
A: Okay, a part of me, I admit it, thought for a minute you might have done it, even though I know you didn't, and And I know that that's absurd, but it didn't take long for me to get to B, which isI realized I didn't care.
It just It didn't matter to me.
And that's great.
That's probably the way it should be.
You're not gonna start singing "Stand By Your Man," I hope.
No, but if you wanna rob a liquor store or something and you need somebody to keep the car running, now's your chance.
So, what happened to C? Well, C is just I never knew being crazy about somebodymeans exactly that.
It means you'recrazy.
I've never done it in a burned-out restaurant before.
Have you? Once, actually, but that was a long time ago.
Hey, Will.
Hey.
What are you doing? Oh.
Listen, I, uh I kind of have to talk to you.
What's up? Well, I don't know.
Ugh! It's kind of weird, and I don't really know exactly how to say this, but I really have to.
Wait, wait, wait.
Watch this.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
[CRASHES AND GRUNTS.]
Isn't she great? I mean, isn't she just? Yeah, she is.
So, what was it you wanted to say? Just, uh I mean, I need to get those, uh-- Those physics notes back from you one of these days.
Sure.
No problem.
Okay.
Griffin? We've got a few minutes.
I'll wait in the car.
Were you gonna call me? I didn't know if you'd wanna hear from me or not.
How can you say that? I mean how can you even think that? I just do.
Griffin.
You know what? You know, uh you probably shouldn't write me.
Well, 'cause, uh 'Cause I probably won't write back.
You kind of You kind of need to know that.
Just Just forget about me, okay, Julia? Stop it, Griffin, don't-- No, look at you.
And look at me.
I don't know.
Sometimes I still can't believe that you were mine.
Even for a little while.
I got-- I gotta go.
Oh, yeah.
I love you.
Okay? Okay.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
I'm standing before you Not a question of faith But some kind of race
[LAUGHS.]
I'm sorry, it's not you.
You wanna go to the coffee shop, maybe catch a buzz or something? They're closed.
You know, it's late.
How about some music, then? [EASY-LISTENING MUSIC PLAYS.]
We cannot choose [GRIFFIN GROANS.]
That's my dad.
[CHUCKLES.]
[CHANGES RADIO STATION.]
Hey, hey, I love this song.
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYS.]
But she wasn't home I can loan you the CD.
I'm sleepy.
Well, why don't you crash out on my shoulder and watch the sun come up.
Griffin, we've gotta go to school tomorrow.
Can't we just go home? Just a little bit longer.
Griffin I'm not ready to go home.
Why not? You know, it's weird, but I've never been to your house before.
What's weird about it? Well, it's just I don't-- Uh, never mind.
I'll take you home.
[STARTS ENGINE.]
KIRSTEN: Wow.
Tight.
[SIGHS.]
Quarterly payroll taxes.
Right there.
Finally got 'em done, and then Joe calls at 2 and wants me to fax everything to him.
In Newfoundland? Nova Scotia.
He doesn't get this time zone thing.
So I take care of that, and then he calls again and he wants to know why we're still showing a loss.
So I spend another 45 minutes telling him about the whole lounge-night thing and the two-for-one happy hour disaster, and that made him happy.
So you tried a few new things.
I mean, those things always take time to catch on.
Yeah, tell that to Joe.
Ow.
That's him.
That's the Joe spot.
Ahh! You should get some sleep.
I'm wired.
Been mainlining coffee all night.
[SIGHS.]
You wanna fool around? Mm-hm.
[PHONE RINGS.]
[GROANS.]
Listen, Joe, I don't know what time it is there, but-- I'm sorry.
Who? What? [FIREMEN TALKING INDISTINCTLY.]
WOMAN [OVER RADIO.]
: Station 47 to Company 48.
What's your status, please? Over.
FIREMAN: We're up here at Salinger's Restaurant.
On our way back.
ETA 20 minutes.
Over.
[CREAKING.]
[CRASH.]
[THE BODEANS' "CLOSER TO FREE" PLAYING.]
Everybody wants to live Like they wanna live And everybody wants to love Like they wanna love Everybody wants to be Closer to free-ee-ee Closer to free MAN: Okay, last one.
Damage estimate and certificate of identity.
How long before I can get a check? Just a couple of days.
First we gotta do a routine investigation, determine the cause of the fire-- They said it was electrical.
Standard procedure.
And then we can start releasing funds.
We know how it is with small businesses.
Can't afford to be shut down for too long, right? Not that it would make much difference with this business.
It shouldn't take much longer than a day or so.
Oh, uh did I say I was sorry about the fire? You did.
Thanks, Mr.
Arbogast.
Sure.
CHARLIE: I really appreciate it.
Yes! Yes! Charlie! What? That man, that sweet little man, just showed me an estimate for $50,000! Fifty grand! Twice as much as repairs will cost me if I shop the work out myself.
I just made $25,000 instant profit.
Just don't forget about the deficit.
This is the best thing that could have happened.
Charlie, that's great! CLAUDIA: I can't believe you guys.
I mean, Dad's restaurant practically burns down, and you just act like we just won the lottery! Claud, the restaurant did not burn down.
It'll be up and running again in two weeks.
In the black.
Man, if I'd known it was worth this much I'd have torched the place a long time ago.
Hey.
Julia! Oh, hey.
I thought maybe we could walk to school or something.
Uhwhy don't you go ahead.
I got some stuff I gotta do.
Well, I can wait for you.
No, that's all right.
I'll see you in-- I'll see you in school.
MAN: Griffin! Griffin! Just give me a second.
Don't you ever walk out on me when I'm talking to you.
Do you understand me? I wanna know why I'm still getting calls from school telling me you're cutting class.
Dad, not now.
You've already been held back.
Now you're flunking out again? You know, all you care about is that damn motorcycle and chasing girls! GRIFFIN: I said not now! MAJOR HOLBROOK: Are you a loser or just plain stupid? I'm gonna go to school, okay? Yeah, you do that.
You go get smart, huh? I'm sorry.
If I had the cash, I'd skip down to Mexico.
Or maybe up to Canada.
The major hates Canada.
I just wanna get the hell out of here! Oh, don't worry about it.
Maybe we'll go to war soon.
[CLASSICAL PIANO MUSIC PLAYING.]
And plie.
Turn.
GIRL: Oh, sorry.
INSTRUCTOR: And plie.
Turn.
What are we supposed to do? Jete into the end zone? I told you coach was twisted.
Stretch that point.
Ow! This one I hate.
GIRL: I couldn't find my shoes.
I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Sarah! What are you doing here? Having an intense hallucination.
Sorry, but you guys? Coach's idea.
After Will tackled the water bucket.
Hey, hey! You blew that interception.
Only because Pendarvis throws like a girl! Hey! No offense.
INSTRUCTOR: Gentlemen, no talking.
Loosen the wrists.
And pirouette.
Oh, God.
Coach said it will improve our coordination.
Oh, yeah, it's really good for tha-- Ow! Sorry.
INSTRUCTOR: That's excellent.
Let's pair off now.
Vite, vite.
Grab a partner.
Oh, Will, you wanna--? Sure.
Why not? INSTRUCTOR: Hands on ladies' hips.
Gently.
All right, ladies, entrechat quatre.
And Just have a seat, Claudia.
Ms.
Hutchins will get you all set up.
Thanks, Ms.
Bullock.
So, what's her mood today? Excuse me? Principal Bulldog.
She having a good day, or is she totally ragged? She seemed pretty okay to me.
What? Are you, like, in trouble or something? Or something.
I skipped three times this month.
I wouldn't have got caught yesterday, but I had to stop off to have a smoke, and Fat Butt Beaglemeyer busted my ass, so Well, it's the story of my sucky life.
What did you do? Bring a gun in your lunchbox? Oh, yeah.
Twice.
Actually, I just got tired of turning pages in Orchestra, so I asked if I could do something else till I get my cast off.
I play the violin.
Anyway Ms.
Bullock said I could work in the attendance office, so-- Wait.
You mean, like, stamping excuses and stuff? I guess so.
I don't know.
What's your name, fiddle girl? Claudia.
Jody.
Got a feeling we're gonna be best friends.
[BROKEN GLASS JANGLING.]
You really shouldn't have done that this morning.
I mean, coming over like that.
Oh, okay.
I'm sorry.
It just gave him something else to scream at me about.
He's already saying that I'm flunking out because I'm spending all my time with you.
And he's starting all that Army crap again.
Army? CHARLIE: Jule! Have you seen Theo? Uh, yeah.
He's outside, smoking.
I think he's upset.
He said you were supposed to pay him first thing.
Just got back from the bank.
Umhere's the 20 I owe you for the bags and stuff.
Thank you.
Griffin, what's going on? Oh, he says that if I don't graduate, he's gonna make me enlist.
What? He can't do that.
I mean, you're 18.
This should cover it.
If I don't graduate, he's just gonna kick me out of the house.
And I don't have the cash to get a new place.
I sure as hell don't have a job.
Well, then, you'll just have to graduate.
And I'll help you.
We'll just have to do some studying.
I mean, we can do that.
Right? I mean, can't we? Hmm? [STRAINS.]
See, this is what we should be doing rather than dancing around on our tiptoes.
God, this feels good.
Boy, Sarah's pretty much a klutz, huh? The worst.
Did you see her get her foot caught on that bar? Yeah.
Can I, uh, run something by you? Sure.
Go ahead.
Yes! I mean, since you two aren't dating anymore, I just wondered if you'd mind if maybe Maybe I asked her out.
Mind? Why would I mind? Ugh! [PANTING.]
Oh, whoa.
Total muscle failure.
That's good.
WILL: So, uh So, then, about Sarah.
Would that be okay? I mean, she's really great, and since things didn't work out for you guys and I'm kind of interested, I just thought Hey.
We're not together anymore.
You don't even need to ask.
Let's do some curls.
Look, Theo, calm down.
Maybe your insurance will cover it.
Man, what insurance? Put it on your claim.
It happened in your restaurant.
I told you-- Yeah, Mr.
Arbogast, I'm still here.
What did the police say? You want a direct quote? "Kiss it goodbye.
" CHARLIE: When do I get my check? I need to-- Yeah, I'll hold.
How much did they get? THEO: 1200.
The whole payroll for my crew.
We don't find it, you paying me back.
It's not my fault you left your jacket on the bar.
Please.
Isn't there anything else you can do? THEO: Oh, yeah.
My cousin's a cop.
He's gonna look into this.
See if he can find the sorry son of a bitch who did this.
Did what? Somebody stole Theo's money from the restaurant today.
You're kidding.
Investigation? What kind of--? Hey, this is sort of like a Nancy Drew mystery or something.
Maybe we should question everybody who was there.
No way! There's no way! It obviously wasn't Theo or us.
Who else was there? None of my guys would have done this.
Julia, did you see anybody? I don't think so.
Sorry.
CHARLIE: That's impossible! Why would anybody--? No, I will not ho-- Hello? I don't believe this.
They think the fire was arson.
WILL: Arson? Man, who would do something like that? Maybe the same guy that ripped us off.
Who knows? Must be a full moon or something.
Here you go.
Green clover.
Better put it in your pocket.
So did you, um Did you call her? Who? Oh, Sarah.
Actually, uh yeah, I did.
And? And, uhwe sort of went out.
When? What, you mean, like, last night? Well, you know, I called, and she had these tickets, so, uh, we went to this thing: no big deal.
A thing? Romeo and Juliet.
The play? The movie? What? The ballet, actually.
And here's the wild part: You know the end, when Juliet wakes up and finds Romeo dead, and then she stabs herself and twinkles around on her toes for about a half-hour before she goes down, arms flying, legs flapping, everything? Sarah actually cried.
Like, tears.
I never realized how into that stuff she was.
It's kind of sad, somebody who wants to be something so bad, and then they're just so bad.
Well, for the record, I mean, I hated it.
But you guys still had a good time.
Yeahnot really.
It was kind of dull.
You know, she's better in a group.
Oh.
Well nothing ventured, right? Right.
CHARLIE: You're not gonna believe this.
Crack of dawn, I'm sitting there, right? And I should be getting a check.
And that bastard Arbogast practically accused me of setting the fire.
Me! What? Wait a minute.
He said that? Get this.
He's been digging through my finances.
He found out about that loan I applied for after I took over-- Wait.
What loan? You applied for a loan? Yeah.
I told you that.
We were tight making payroll.
But I got turned down, and he said that was suspicious.
ButI don't get it.
What does that have to do with the fire? CHARLIE: Nothing! And then he starts going on about how I upped the insurance, which is totally ridiculous because we were underinsured.
You upped the insurance? You didn't tell me about that.
I didn't tell you I bought new napkins either.
It was no big deal.
Only he tried to make it out like I set the fire so that I could collect the insurance.
He's stalling because he doesn't wanna pay what he owes me.
Well, I set him straight.
Man, can you believe that guy? [SCHOOL BELL RINGING.]
I looked for you at your locker before school this morning.
Oh, yeah, I was kind of late.
You know, he's always ragging me to go to school, and then I'm late because he's yelling at me.
Has he always been like this? No.
Not like this.
Just Just since Jill.
Griffin, do you remember yesterday when you were at the restaurant? I was just wondering if maybe you noticed anybody weird.
Like, hanging around or anything.
Not really.
Why? Well because somebody stole the money that Charlie gave Theo.
And we were just trying to figure out who might have done that.
Oh, man.
That's too bad.
I really wasn't Really wasn't paying attention.
Yeah, me neither.
But the police are going to look into it, so, um You know, I like to think that maybe the person who took it was just so desperate or they really weren't thinking and if they realize that, then maybe the money will show up.
Yeah.
Yeah, well, I hope you guys figure it out.
I got a class, you know.
Yeah.
I know.
JODY: Oh, hey, Claudia.
Wait up.
I've been looking all over for you.
CLAUDIA: You have? Why? 'Cause we're best buds, remember? Cancer? [COUGHS.]
No, thanks.
I quit.
You crack me up.
Hey, look at what I got.
Your mom wrote you an excuse? I thought you said you skipped.
Jayne Maynard did it for me.
Check this out: "Grandfather's medical difficulties.
" Man, she is good.
Cool.
Okay, so here's the plan.
Tomorrow you get Ms.
Hutchins to stamp it and approve it for me before it goes back to Bullock.
This way she'll think Hutchins called my mom.
Rocks, huh? I can't do that, Jody.
Sure you can.
You're right there in the office and-- [SCOFFS.]
You know, I'd do it for you.
I said I can't, okay? Look, I gotta go.
Man, good thing I'm not bleeding to death.
Here you go.
Thanks.
[GIRL LAUGHING.]
SARAH: Will! No! WILL: I swear.
SARAH: No.
She did not look like a spastic penguin.
WILL: Come on, who dies like that? Huh? She was like: [SARAH LAUGHING.]
SARAH: Not even close.
You're cute.
[SARAH LAUGHING.]
What are they doing in there, anyway? Planting evidence, with my luck.
Finally.
Mr.
Salinger.
Yeah.
Can we please get on with this now? I'm afraid not.
The fire marshal was wrong.
It wasn't a short in the outlet.
Well, what was it? Somebody left your coffee machine on.
And, um you were the last one here.
Well, it was, uh It was 3:00 in the morning.
I mean, I guess I just forgot.
But that proves it was an accident.
You don't intentionally burn down a building by leaving a coffeepot on.
Well, you do if you shove a box of paper up next to the heating element.
Paper? That was a box of menus.
That does not prove anything.
Except you shut off the water valve.
What? You didn't shut off the machine, but you shut off the water valve so that there was no water in the urn to absorb the heat when you left the burner on.
No, I can explain that.
That-- That's my fault.
I helped Charlie close up.
And he showed me how to clean the coffee urn.
But I I guess I must have forgot to turn the water back on.
And then I I went home before Charlie did, so he didn't know.
I feel so stupid! Hey.
I mean, you didn't know.
You didn't know.
It's only $600, and I know that's not enough, but I can get some more.
I mean, whatever it takes.
Gotta get out of here.
I know you need to get away.
I mean, I know how hard it is for you here.
You're just gonna make things worse.
And then maybe Theo's money can just show up, and no one will have to find out.
MAJOR HOLBROOK: Griffin! You gotta go.
I mean it, Julia.
Get out of here now! What the hell did you do now? Whoa.
Nobody said he did anything.
Okay, please.
I just wanna ask a few questions.
Griffin, I'm investigating the theft of some money from Salinger's Restaurant over on Filbert.
Now, you were there yesterday afternoon, right? Yeah, sure.
That's my family's place.
He just came by to help clean up.
You know anything about this? [SHOUTS.]
Do you? Major Holbrook, would you step into the other room? Are you that stupid? Don't call me stupid! Whoa! Hey! Everybody's okay here, all right? Now, major, please.
How stupid are you, son? I mean, are you stupid enough to throw away your whole life over a handful of cash? POLICEMAN: Major Holbrook Does that answer your question, major? Well, that was easy enough.
Put your hands on your head, please.
Griffin Holbrook, you're under arrest for grand theft.
You have the right to remain silent.
You also have the right to an attorney.
If you can't afford one, one will be appointed to you.
Should you choose to give up that right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Okay, I've got rent receipts for the past 10 years and some old fondue recipes.
Insurance papers, Claud.
Keep digging.
He wants all this stuff in his office by 8:30.
I've got nothing else to say to you, Jule.
Look, I know you're mad, okay.
I get that.
No, obviously you don't.
'Cause "mad" doesn't even come close.
Will you just listen? I talked to the lawyer assigned to Griffin's case.
He said this whole thing will go away if Theo drops the charges.
Really? Well, he's not gonna do that.
He will if you talk to him.
I mean, if you explain that Griffin made a mistake-- A mistake? Julia, he stole.
Charlie, please.
You don't know what's going on.
You don't know how horrible it is for him.
I don't care, okay? Julia, get a clue here.
The guy is a loser! His dad let him spend the night in jail.
Did you know that? He wouldn't even come down to the police station, and he won't pay for a decent lawyer.
You should see how his dad talks to him.
I mean, the way he treats him.
If you saw that, maybe you'd understand and-- CHARLIE: And what? I'd feel sorry for him, forget about what he did? God, Charlie, he could go to prison! Yeah, well, you know what? So could I! And I didn't do anything.
Hey, Will.
Man, I think I pulled a groin muscle or something.
You didn't call me back.
What? Last night.
You never called me back.
Oh, uhI was out kind of late.
I had this family thing.
I can't believe you.
What? You're lying to me! No, really.
My My sister had this pageant at her school, about the four basic food groups.
Penny was a cantaloupe.
Should've seen it.
Come on! Come on.
I saw you and Sarah together yesterday, okay? And you didn't look like two people who just had a date that waskind of dull.
And if you did, you wouldn't have gone out again last night, which I know you did, because Dana just told me.
And And a cantaloupe? Your sister's 13! I didn't wanna upset you, that's all.
Upset me? I'm not upset! Then why are you so upset? I'm upset because you lied to me.
I don't care if you date Sarah.
I told you that.
Just don't go around lying about it.
So you're not upset about me and Sarah? No.
No, I am not.
'Cause you can sort of understand why I think you'd be upset.
I'm not upset.
Okay.
Sarah said you wouldn't be.
Well, see? She's right.
And She said that? Yeah.
She said it wouldn't be a problem.
Well there you go.
Hey! A little privacy? You scared me.
What are you doing? I'm writing a book report.
You're just gonna get in trouble again.
Yeah? Why do you care? I don't.
Good, then you won't care about this.
Oh, yeah.
Now I'm just gonna have to shoot myself in the head.
You didn't even spell it right.
It's an abbreviation.
Duh.
Not that.
Duh.
"Fiddle.
" It's L, E not E, L.
Claudia? UhMs.
Bullock.
Man, this is fresh.
Relax, Ms.
Bull.
She just took my pen away from me.
I think I'm under citizen's arrest or something.
Thank you, Claudia.
You, come with me.
Yeah.
Thanks a gazillion.
JUDGE: Bail is denied.
[BANGS GAVEL.]
Next case.
Now, gentlemen, on this outstanding matter, I suggest you get your paperwork in order and take this up with the court clerk.
Just reschedule and let's try again, okay? Thank you.
Next case on the docket is case number CL8952468.
People v.
Griffin Chase Holbrook.
The charge is grand theft.
How do you plead? GuiltyI guess.
The people request bail in the amount of $20,000.
LAWYER: Come on! Your Honor, Mr.
Holbrook's an 18-year-old first offender who lives with his father, a Major Chase W.
Holbrook of the U.
S.
Army.
He stole the $1200 because he was planning to run away.
Releasing him now poses a flight risk.
Fine.
Bail is set at $20,000, cash or bond.
Case number CL985463: People v.
Emery Carter Dillon.
The charge is aggravated assault and resisting arrest Griffin.
WOMAN: We enter a plea of not guilty, Your Honor.
MAN: The people request bail in the amount of $10,000.
WOMAN: Your Honor, this is crazy.
MAN: He has no aggression, which means he poses Oh.
I thought you were gonna call me after you spoke to the lawyer.
Not much point.
It's not like I had any good news.
So I guess I should thank you for covering for me.
I I didn't know what else to do.
Man, I'm glad you came up with that whole "cleaning the coffee urn" thing.
That was the one part of the plan I didn't think I could explain if they ever found it.
I didn't think they'd believe that I forgot that too.
So that That was good.
You really helped me out.
Charlie You think that's what happened? I I don't know.
'Cause that's the only reason that I can think of for why you would lie for me.
I mean, why else would you do that unless part of you thinks that I'm guilty? Nice shot, Floyd.
It was the chalk, Irma.
What? I swear.
I'm gonna get some more.
Floyd? Irma? Yeah.
We kind of came up with pool-hall names for each other last night.
Kind of silly.
God, he is such a great guy, you know that? I mean, I can totally see why he's your best friend.
So is this weird, or what? I don't know.
Do you think so? Maybe a little.
But, you know, I'm really glad that you're okay with all of us hanging out together.
It's kind of funny how things turn out, but I guess it's for the best, right? [CHUCKLES.]
You wanna break, Bay? Uh, I think I wanna go last.
Show you guys how it's done.
Oh, I will.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I don't wanna have to pay for the felt.
Now, what you wanna do is you want to In the middle? Hold this hand up like that.
Like that.
Okay.
Right in the middle.
In the middle.
Okay, wanna put money on this one, Salinger? [GIGGLES.]
Major Holbrook? He's not here.
I know, um I came to see you.
You weren't at the arraignment today and Griffin's lawyer thinks that it might help if you come down tomorrow for the sentencing.
He thinks he might be able to figure out a way so that Griffin doesn't have to go to prison.
Look, um Why don't you go home, okay? Whatis it Julie? I don't feel like talking to anybody right now.
I know.
Believe me, I know.
No, excuse me.
You don't know! Has Griffin ever told you much about me? Probably not, huh? I mean, you don't even know my name.
Major Holbrook, my parents were killed two years ago.
So I know what it's like to lose people that you love.
And I know what it's like to get mad about things that just happen.
I mean, I said, "To hell with everything," you know, for a long time after.
[SNIFFS.]
I think we're probably a lot alike that way.
Please-- But I realize that being mad doesn't make anything better, and it doesn't change anything, and there are still people around that matter.
You lost your daughter and there's nothing you can do about that.
Butnow you might lose your son.
[KNOCK AT DOOR.]
Are you gonna see Griffin today? If they let me.
So he could go to jail, huh? I hope not.
Maybe.
I really don't get it, Jule.
I mean why would he do this? Why would he steal from us? I don't know.
But doesn't it make you mad? Why aren't you mad at him, Julia? I'm mad at him.
I don't know.
I'm not sure.
Sometimes people do stupid things.
You know, like when they feel really bad about themselves, and you just You have to try and understand.
Okay.
There's no way I can go with you right? I'm sorry.
Mr.
Arbogast.
You shouldn't be here, Mr.
Salinger.
Do you have any idea how much your company's made off Salinger's in the past 15 years? This is highly inappropriate.
Ninety seven thousand, six hundred and forty-one dollars and twelve cents, for insurance.
I should not be talking to you without a lawyer present, please.
Only that doesn't mean anything, even though we've never filed a claim, not once.
And now, now that we need it, now that we're entitled to half of what we paid you, you bend over backwards to find some way to make sure we don't get it.
We don't pay when circumstances are suspect, now please leave.
I used to have people who trusted me, and now they don't anymore because you accused me of something that I didn't do.
And you've got nothing to back that up.
But why should you give a damn about that? Just as long as you can save your company a few more dollars.
I just want you to know something.
That restaurant was my father's.
And that doesn't mean anything to you, and you don't care, but if you had any idea how much it means to me, how it is the only thing that I have left of him, there is no way that you would accuse me of burning it down.
There's no way.
Hey, Claudia.
Give me a hand with this.
I've only got one.
Guess what.
I actually had a Bullock-free day, so I'm guessing this means someone in the office must have done me a favor or something.
Doubt it.
Who would do that for you? I don't know.
Some geek, probably.
Yeah.
Probably.
Hey, I wanna sign your cast.
Or is it only for people you like? I guess I can make an exception.
There.
Check it out.
At least you spelled it right this time.
Yeah, well, who wants to see your little head explode again? Jerk.
Freak.
You're gonna smoke on the bus? Hey, I'm jonesin', okay? Man, we gotta loosen you up.
Come on, fiddle girl.
Walk on the wild side.
[COUGHS.]
Are you Are you okay? Yeah, yeah, I guess.
I don't know.
Uhthey're letting me out of here this afternoon.
They are? Yeah, out of here, anyway.
Yeah, my, uh My dad showed up this morning with, uh some big Army lawyer.
Said he wanted to get things back on the right track.
It was kind of weird.
Anyway, uh he called in a favor, and they worked it out.
I'm not going to prison.
You mean, like, probation or something? Well, um, I'm going away to the Allenwood Academy for six months.
It's, like, this military school in Louisiana.
I guess it could be worse.
Griffin, can you at least tell me why you did it? 'Cause, um I'm gonna need to know so that I can figure all this out after.
I don't know.
Ijust figured I If I could do something like this, maybe I could just split.
Or maybe the army wouldn't take me, you know? Maybe I just got so used to him calling me stupid that I just felt that I had to prove him right.
Sorry, we're closed.
Too bad.
I hear you're famous for your coffee.
You got a check? Yeah.
But only because they can't prove anything.
It's half of what I should get, but it'll cover the repairs, so I guess I got away with it.
Charlie Salinger, professional arsonist.
I bought you a little present.
I thought it might come in handy for your new line of work.
I mean, I don't know what it means or what it says about me, or you, or us.
But I had this revelation, in three parts.
Three parts? Bear with me.
A: Okay, a part of me, I admit it, thought for a minute you might have done it, even though I know you didn't, and And I know that that's absurd, but it didn't take long for me to get to B, which isI realized I didn't care.
It just It didn't matter to me.
And that's great.
That's probably the way it should be.
You're not gonna start singing "Stand By Your Man," I hope.
No, but if you wanna rob a liquor store or something and you need somebody to keep the car running, now's your chance.
So, what happened to C? Well, C is just I never knew being crazy about somebodymeans exactly that.
It means you'recrazy.
I've never done it in a burned-out restaurant before.
Have you? Once, actually, but that was a long time ago.
Hey, Will.
Hey.
What are you doing? Oh.
Listen, I, uh I kind of have to talk to you.
What's up? Well, I don't know.
Ugh! It's kind of weird, and I don't really know exactly how to say this, but I really have to.
Wait, wait, wait.
Watch this.
[MUSIC PLAYING.]
[CRASHES AND GRUNTS.]
Isn't she great? I mean, isn't she just? Yeah, she is.
So, what was it you wanted to say? Just, uh I mean, I need to get those, uh-- Those physics notes back from you one of these days.
Sure.
No problem.
Okay.
Griffin? We've got a few minutes.
I'll wait in the car.
Were you gonna call me? I didn't know if you'd wanna hear from me or not.
How can you say that? I mean how can you even think that? I just do.
Griffin.
You know what? You know, uh you probably shouldn't write me.
Well, 'cause, uh 'Cause I probably won't write back.
You kind of You kind of need to know that.
Just Just forget about me, okay, Julia? Stop it, Griffin, don't-- No, look at you.
And look at me.
I don't know.
Sometimes I still can't believe that you were mine.
Even for a little while.
I got-- I gotta go.
Oh, yeah.
I love you.
Okay? Okay.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
I'm standing before you Not a question of faith But some kind of race