EPISODE 185 – Quite A Surprise [Part I]

[Scene: The living room. Mallory and Jennifer are talking]
Jennifer: Mallory, how did your job interview go?
Mallory: I might have the job!
Jennifer: How much will you make?
Mallory: A lot more than Alex, I know that!
Jennifer: That’s wonderful! Do mom and dad know?
Mallory: I’m waiting until I have a definite answer to tell them.
Jennifer: That’s a good idea.
Mallory: I wonder if I really did get it though.
Jennifer: I bet you did, you probably did a good job.
Mallory: Well, we’ll know by tomorrow.

[Scene: The kitchen. Elyse and Steven are talking to Mallory]
Mallory: So Alex is coming home tomorrow?
Steven: Yes.
Mallory: Why?!
Elyse: Oh Mallory, it’s only for a day!
Steven: He told us he had some news.
Mallory: Is it good or bad?
Steven: He didn’t say.
Elyse: Since he is coming home, we are guessing it is bad news.
Mallory: I wonder what he did.
Steven: Mallory, let’s not make speculations.
(Andy enters the kitchen)
Elyse: Hi Andy, ready for school?
Andy: Yep!
Steven: Oh Mallory, I forgot to ask. Can you take Andy to school today? I need to get to work right away to start my documentary on bacteria.
Mallory: Bacteria?
Steven: Yes! I’m so excited to start on it!
Mallory: I’ll never understand why you like your work…
Elyse: Bye honey, I’ll see you after I get home from the Fayler’s house.
(Steven leaves the house)
Andy: Mommy who are the Faylers?
Elyse: I’m designing a house for them.
Andy: Are you done?
Elyse: Yes, I’m taking over the designs today.
Andy: Well then who’s picking me up?
Elyse: That’s right! We forgot all about that! Mallory, can you?
Mallory: I… have to be somewhere.
Elyse: Where?
Mallory: Somewhere important. It’s part of a surprise for you and dad.
Elyse: Well can’t you take Andy with you?
Mallory: No mom, I’m sorry.
(Jennifer walks into the kitchen)
Jennifer: Hey everyone, I’m ready to go.
Elyse: Jennifer!
Jennifer: Yes?
Elyse: You could pick up Andy, couldn’t you?
Jennifer: You mean… you want me to drive?
Elyse: How about it?
Jennifer: Well, sure!
Elyse: That’s good, because no one else could.
Mallory: Anyways, mom, I’ll be home a little later tonight, okay?
Elyse: Sure thing Mallory. See you all later! And don’t be late for school!
(Elyse leaves the kitchen)
Mallory: I find out in a little bit if I got the job Jen!
Jennifer: Make sure you tell me first thing when you get home!
Mallory: I will.
Andy: Mallory, shouldn’t we be leaving for school?
Mallory: Yep! Let’s go everyone!

[Scene: The living room. Steven, Elyse, Jen, and Andy are all sitting down watching TV, when Mallory runs in the room]
Mallory: I got the job! I got the job!
Jennifer: Mallory, really?!
Mallory: Yes! I really got it!
Steven: That’s sound great but I’m dying to know… What job?!
Mallory: I’m the head designer for this new clothing line! I’m going to make a lot of money!
Elyse: That sounds like an accomplishment!
Andy: Yeah, good job Mal!
Mallory: Wait until I tell Alex!
Steven: He will be so proud of you!
Mallory: I’ve gotten a very good job, and almost right after I graduated junior college!
Elyse: Now I wonder what Alex’s news is!
Steven: If it’s as good as this news, we’ll throw a party!
Andy: Really?! Can I plan it?
(the doorbell rings)
Andy: Can I get it?
Elyse: Sure Andy, go ahead.
(Andy opens the door)
Andy: Alex!!
(He gives Alex a big hug)
Alex: Andy!! Buddy!!
Steven: Hi Alex! Sit down, sit down, we want to hear the news.
Alex: Yes, I think you better sit down for this news.
Elyse: Is something wrong?
Alex: I… I… lost my job, and I’m homeless now.

TO BE CONTINUED…

-FADE OUT-

EPISODE 186 – “Quite A Surprise” [part 2]
[Scene: The living room. Alex has just told everyone he lost his job.]
Mallory: I’m so sorry Alex. I got a big job, but you lost yours. I feel so bad!
Alex: Mal, it’s okay. I’m very proud of you.
Elyse: When did this happen?
Alex: Three days ago.
Steven: Well you can certainly live here while you look for a new job.
Mallory: How long will it take to get all of your luggage back to Ohio?
Alex: Well… actually… it’s all in the car.
Steven: Bring it in then. We will all help you unpack.
Alex: Okay, that sounds good.
(Alex exits the house)
Jennifer: You mean I won’t be able to turn his room into whatever I wanted?
Mallory: I was the one that was going to be able to do that. I’m older… remember?
Steven: Girls! It doesn’t matter anymore! He’s moving back!
Andy: I’m glad he’s moving back!
Jennifer: Well Andy, you are alone on that one.
Andy: I can’t believe you guys make fun of him!
Mallory: It’s all in fun, Andy.
Andy: I think he’s a great older brother!
Jennifer: Andy has officially been brainwashed by Alex.
(Alex re-enters the house with some luggage)
Alex: Hey Mal, there’s some very heavy luggage left to get. I saved it just for you.
(Mallory rolls her eyes and then exits the house)
Elyse: Steven, can I see you in the kitchen?
Steven: Sure, honey.
(Steven & Elyse go into the kitchen)
Steven: What’s wrong?
Elyse: I really don’t like the idea of him moving back in!
Steven: Why?!
Elyse: Are you forgetting the way he left this place? Acting so superior to everyone?
Steven: I know, Elyse. But he is our son, and he is welcome here, period.
Elyse: I still do not like the idea.
Steven: Just look past how he left. He will be leaving again soon, so enjoy the time he is still here with us.
Elyse: I guess you are right.
Steven: I usually am.
Elyse: Oh Steven!
(They share a brief hug and kiss)

[Scene: Alex’s room. Mallory and Jennifer are unpacking Alex’s things]
Jennifer: So seriously… how do you feel about him losing his job?
Mallory: I do feel sorry for him.
Jennifer: I do too. Well, to a point.
Mallory: I get what you mean. You can only feel SO sorry for him.
Jennifer: I was looking forward to him being gone for good from this house though.
Mallory: I wonder how long he is going be here?
Jennifer: Until he gets his job I’m guessing.
Mallory: Yeah, you are probably right.
Jennifer: That means we need to really help him find a job… and fast!
Mallory: The sooner, the better.
Jennifer: I agree.
(Alex walks in to the room)
Alex: How far are you guys?
Jennifer: You shouldn’t be worrying about that Alex. YOU should be doing this yourself!
Alex: Jennifer, I just lost my job. Don’t you have any sympathy?
Jennifer: How many times are you going to say that?!
Alex: I’m guessing it will be awhile. (Alex grins)
Mallory: Well it’s not gonna work on us Alex!
Alex: Well then why are you unpacking for me?
Mallory: We… were… We just wanted to be kind, okay?
Alex: That’s fine by me. Hey, come get me when you are done. I will have to correct all the mistakes you guys made.
(Alex walks out of the room)
Jennifer: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Mallory: If it’s that we should put everything back into the suitcases, then yes!
Jennifer: Yep! Let’s do it!

[Scene: The Kitchen. Mallory is giving Andy a haircut]
Mallory: Hold still, or I may mess this up.
Jennifer: Mallory, it looks like you have already done that.
(Mallory steps back and looks at Andy’s hair)
Andy: Well? How is it?!
Mallory: Mom and dad are going to kill me!
Jennifer: I’d say so.
Andy: Mallory, what did you do to my hair? Where’s a mirror?
Mallory: I’ll go get one.
(Mallory leaves the room)
Jennifer: Here’s a good tip… DON’T let Mallory touch your hair again!
Andy: I thinking I learned my lesson.
(Steven and Elyse walk in the room)
Elyse: WHAT HAPPENED?!
Jennifer: It wasn’t me!
Steven: Then who did it?
(Mallory walks in the room)
Mallory: Uh oh…
Elyse: You let MALLORY cut your hair? (Elyse laughs)
Andy: Give me that mirror!
(Andy looks in the mirror)
Andy: Mallory, you owe me big time!

[Scene: The Kitchen. Mallory, Jennifer, Steven, and Elyse are eating breakfast]
Elyse: Where is Alex?
Jennifer: Still sleeping.
Elyse: He has been sleeping in very late for the past week!
Mallory: He’s starting to become lazy, too.
Jennifer: He still hasn’t unpacked!
Steven: I thought you guys did?
Jennifer: Well… we decided to put it all back and let him do it.
Elyse: Steven, has he even been looking for a job?
Steven: I don’t think he has started yet.
Mallory: It’s like he is changing!
Jennifer: Well I personally like this Alex much better than the old one. We see him much less too.
Steven: Jennifer, that is no way to speak of your brother. This is getting serious.
Mallory: It’s like he has lost all hope!
Jennifer: Who would have thought we would see Alex at such a low… saddening… depressing… point in his life… (sarcastically) Excuse me while I go cry.
Mallory: Let me join you.
(Mallory & Jennifer leave pretending to cry)
Elyse: Well… we know how they feel about this.
Steven: It is a bit saddening.
Elyse: What are we going to do?! We can’t support him forever.
Steven: Maybe I could have a talk with him later.
Elyse: That could work.
Steven: I never thought this would happen to Alex.
Elyse: I didn’t either.

[Scene: Alex’s room. Mallory is talking to Alex]
Mallory: So when are you getting up?!
Alex: I don’t know Mal! I’m tired.
Mallory: You aren’t having insomnia again, are you?
Alex: No, Mallory.
Mallory: Well then what is it?
Alex: Well, I’ve been watching more TV, staying up later, reading more…
Mallory: And you are moving out when?
Alex: (laughs) You’d just love to get me out of here wouldn’t you.
Mallory: I’d do anything! What can I do?
(Steven walks in the room)
Steven: Mallory, I need to talk to Alex. Can you excuse us?
Mallory: Sure dad.
(Mallory leaves the room)
Alex: What do you need?
Steven: I need to know when you are going to be yourself again.
Alex: But I am myself.
Steven: No you aren’t! You haven’t even said the word money in the past week!
Alex: So my life has changed, and I’ve switched priorities.
Steven: We don’t like the way you are changing.
Alex: Why’s that?
Steven: You are lazy now! You sleep a lot more… you don’t do anything!
Alex: Maybe that’s how I want to be!
Steven: You’ve lost your zest for life, most of all…
Alex: Well I’m sorry. I just lost the best thing that happened to me! My job was everything to me, and it’s gone.
Steven: We know… but there are other things out there.
Alex: You know?! How could you know? You don’t understand, and you never will.
Steven: So maybe we don’t understand fully, but we ARE worried about you!
Alex: I’ll be fine.
Steven: It isn’t looking that way.
Alex: Well, I will. Trust me. I’m just in a slump, that’s all.
Steven: And you’re sure?
Alex: I’m sure.
-FADE OUT-