Vincent (to Nathaniel): I knew it was too much to hope that those few days aboard an airship without a cigarette would've killed your taste for them. I swear, I'm going to start putting nicotine patches on you and Zoe in your sleep. Is it just you out here?
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Yeah. I was just thinking. What's up?
Vincent (to Nathaniel): I've got some late breakfast ready if you're hungry. I also wanted to know if you wanted to do anything for your birthday.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): How did you know... Oh. Emma told you, huh? Um, I know I told you I'd be out by the time I was 18, but if it's OK...
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Nate, I wasn't bringing it up because we expected you to move out. You're more than welcome to stay as long as you need. Your aunt and I were just wondering if you wanted to do anything special for your birthday.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. Um, I dunno. I didn't really think about that. I'll, uh, I'll let you know.
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Alright. I won't press you. Come inside when you're done killing yourself, and tell my darling daughter I know she's here. See you two inside shortly, yes?
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Oh. Yeah. (to Zoe) Guess the jig is up.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Damn it. How'd he know?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Fucked if I know. Wanna cigarette as long as you're out here? Or have you quit to preserve your singing voice?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Haha, very funny. Give me a fucking cigarette. So, are you going to tell me what's got you out here this early?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. Here. Just kind of wondering what I should do with myself, um, you know, like long term. I probably out to get my GED... And then... I don't know. College? Trade School? Neither? I've never really had to "plan for the future" before, you know?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): That's what being a grown-up is all about, I think... What about the whole you & Aiden thing?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): That's, um... Heh. That's kinda part of it. If I wanna be with Aiden long term, I've gotta kind of figure myself out first. I gotta have some kind of goal in life other than, "Hey, lemme make out on you a bunch." Or is that not what you meant?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Well, partially. But, also I meant would you be going to New London or staying on this side?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I don't know. I mean, I REALLY don't know... It's kinda crazy to think about, you know? Hey. Do you think you could teach me? To do that doorway thing? Without passing out? I mean, I guess I can kinda do it already... Kind of.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Of course, I can! When do you want to start? Right now? Tomorrow? Right now?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Oh. Jesus Christ! Uh, I don't know. After breakfast, maybe?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): That's a good idea. You'll need a lot of energy. We can do some small portals first.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Oh god... Why am I filled with sudden apprehension?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee, because you're a wuss.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah, yeah. If you're done, we should head inside and get food. How's the play shit going?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): The play itself is going just fine. It opens next weekend... My problem is with the director & 2 other girls. They're all sweet on Colin and have been making my life hell. And then, he's been acting kinda weird & distant. I just wish he'd break up with me and get it over with.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): What makes you think he wants to break up with you?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I don't know. I'm just guessing.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Does Colin know the reason the other girls are being twats to you is cause they like him?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Well, I told him about Jessica after she tried to psych me out by telling me how she always liked him & why she made me the lead but I didn't mention the other two.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I dunno what to tell you, shortie. He might just feel kinda guilty for these cunts being dickholes to you, you know. Or, maybe he's stressed out about the play. Heh. Last time you thought he was gonna break up with you, he didn't... so you'll forgive me if I don't join you in your teenage girl dramafest. :-P
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, I know... And, I know I'm being fucking ridiculous. He's just known these girls longer than he's known me & I can't help thinking that he's now seeing them in a different light. And, sometimes I just feel like I'm more into him than he is to me... I mean, he says he is but well, he doesn't want to-- oh uh, nevermind.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Mmm. Still no luck getting him into bed, huh? Heh. Look, he's known the other chicks a couple of years, right? He met you, talked to you a couple of times, and asked you out. And... I don't think I told you this, but I ran into him. One night when I was looking for cigarettes, and fucking read him the riot act when you thought he wasn't calling you back. I was a total dick to him, and you know what I'm like in a mood. He stood his ground, and pretty much told me I was an idiot and that he really liked you. If I didn't scare him off with my "pissed off redneck" routine, I don't think the vagina trio is gonna do it. Just saying.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee, you're not really that scary, Nate. You weigh like 5 pounds. :-P
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I do not. I weigh like 125, for your fucking info! Probably more. I've gained weight, you know. Plus, I can be scary. You know. Probably. Everyone I knew back home was fucking afraid of me. :-P
Zoe (to Nathaniel): That's because they were worried you'd have sex with them. :-P Ow! ... Don't hit me! Abuse!
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Ha ha ha! They were probably more afraid I'd give them The Gay. I was kinda fucking -- asexual when I lived in Mississippi. I barely grazed you, wuss! Besides, I thought I weighed like 5 pounds. How much did that fucking hurt?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee. It was like being hit by a wet noodle.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I'll wet noodle you!
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh no!
In the kitchen:
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): I don't even want to know. Sit and eat. We're going to have a discussion.
Zoe (to Vincent & Nathaniel): Uh oh.
Nathaniel (to Zoe & Vincent): Uh... Shit.
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): Yes. Uh oh and shit. Nate, you're about to turn 18, and once you do, you're legally an adult who can buy his own cigarettes and everything. Until that time, we would appreciate it, *I* would appreciate it, if you didn't smoke in the apartment. I think you're BOTH smart enough to make your own decisions, and I trust that you will someday quit this filthy habit. But Poppy and I sure as hell don't like that you both smoke. It's unhealthy. And I feel that allowing you to do it in the house is giving this behavior a pass.
Zoe (to Nathaniel & Vincent): That fucking sucks.
Nathaniel (to Zoe & Vincent): Oh. That's, um...
Vincent (to Zoe): I'm your father, Zoe. Are you seriously asking me to ALLOW my 15 year old daughter to smoke in my house? (to Nathaniel & Zoe) I know you'll BOTH still do it. What I'm asking is that you don't do it here. In front of your parents.
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Yeah, well, you're not my...
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Do not even finish that sentence, young man.
Zoe (to Vincent & Nathaniel): Fine.
Vincent (to Nathaniel & Zoe): Thank you. I appreciate it. I also love you very, VERY much, and I worry about you both. Deal with it. Now, I'm going to go clean up the kitchen, and give you both some space to bitch about me.
Zoe (to Vincent & Nathaniel): We're not going to bitch about you... much.
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): Yes you are. I'm more concerned with being a good dad to you than a likable one. Give me a hug, Monster.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You know he said that shit on purpose to keep you from being mad at him, don't you?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I'm not an idiot... About this particular thing. :-P
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. Well, shit. Looks like it's smoking on the sly like the good ol' days.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Damn. Smoking was my only habit that was mine & mine alone... This blows.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah, you'll just have to learn to start sneaking cigarettes like the rest of us underage smokers.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Hush you... You don't have much longer before you can smoke legally... Oh wait... You can totally buy me smokes, soon. C'mon, let's start your training.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Oh. Um, are you sure you don't wanna mope about not being able to smoke at the house some more?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): No. I knew it was coming, eventually... If you don't want to work at skipping, I'll just go do something else.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): No, I wanna learn to do it. Sorry. Just nervous.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): It'll be fun. Come on, Skywalker, let's go get your jedi training started. :-P
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Alright, but if you ask me to hover a spaceship over a swamp, we are DONE.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh. Even, I can't do that.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah, yeah. Doesn't mean you wouldn't ask to be a dick. So, um, what do we do first?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh... We'll start off with something easy. I want you to picture a small doorway right in front of you.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): What kind of doorway? An archway? A double door? A French door? Be specific. Ow! Alright, alright... Yeesh.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Any kind you want. Think a tiny door like in Alice in Wonderland, if you need some direction. You're going to make me regret doing this, aren't you?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): No. NO! I'm sorry, Yoda. I'll behave.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): God. Yoda would have turned to the dark side, if he had to deal with you.
A few hours later:
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Woohoo! Look at you, Mister Skipper! You're doing it! I think it's time to take a break. You look a bit peaky.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah... I think... I think we should stop now.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Sit down & take a load off. You can't expect to be skipping around immediately. It took a drastic need to survive for me to learn how to do it so quickly. And, Victor grew up doing it. You'll get there.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Christ... I don't think I've ever... I don't think I've ever done anything that hard. Holy shit. God, after I sit down for a minute--or three--wanna sneak out for a cigarette?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Sure... We can offer to take the garbage out or something.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah, I... Oh Jesus. Oof! Heh. I feel like shit.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh shit! I'm sorry, Nate. I didn't think it would rough you up this much. Let's go get you on the couch.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I'm alright. I'm... Oh, shit. I mean, I think I'm alright.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): You are so not alright. (to Vincent) DAD! Can you help me carry Nate to the couch!?!
Vincent (to Nathaniel & Zoe): Good heavens! What were you two doing? Take it easy, kiddo. You don't looks so good. Ups-a-daisy!
Nathaniel (to Zoe & Vincent): I told you. I'm alright. I'm conscious, right?
Zoe (to Nathaniel & Vincent): He wanted to learn how to skip, so I was showing him. We were only opening tiny portals. I didn't think it would wear him out this much... I'm apparently a sucky teacher.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): No, you're not. I did it, didn't I? (to Vincent) I just over did it.
Vincent (to Nathaniel & Zoe): Heh. I'd say so. (to Zoe) He'll be fine, Zoe. You & Victor have both done the same thing to yourselves a few times. (to Nathaniel) Sit down and take it easy. I'll get you some juice and aspirin before I start dinner.
Zoe (to Vincent & Nathaniel): Yeah, I know… I need to go tidy up the practice room & double check my homework. Holler if you need me... (to Nathaniel) I'm proud of you, Nate. You did really well.
Nathaniel (to Zoe & Vincent): Yeah. Sure. I'm just gonna... I'm gonna lay right here for a minute...
Zoe (to Vincent): I wonder if he's going to want to keep learning after this?
Vincent (to Zoe): Heh. I'd say so, sweetie. If he didn't wanna learn, he would have stopped when it got hard and not when he fell over. Plus, we Joneses are stubborn asses. :-P
Zoe (to Vincent): Heh. That's for dam-- darn sure. Are you okay, Dad? You've been acting a bit on edge the last few days. Is something wrong? I mean, more than the usual wrongness we've been experiencing.
Vincent (to Zoe): Awww, sweetie. Come here. I'm fine. I'm just a wee bit tense about this whole Hiiri situation. I expect she'll start getting horrible soon.
Zoe (to Vincent): You mean, personally horrible or just the generalized kind? I think as long as she doesn't know Mom is the one organizing the attacks against CLANNG, she'll stay focused on the empire. It's just a guess. Thankfully my insight into the mind of Hiiri is all just guesswork these days.
Vincent (to Zoe): Heh. Well, I'm very glad to hear that, hun. Our favorite clockwork nightmare might not KNOW we're involved. sweetie. But, I bet she suspects. Unfortunately, she has more insight into yours truly than I'd like. Ooo. Don't worry, Zoe. We'll all be alright in the end. I promise. Give me a hug, and then get to your homework, missy.
Zoe (to Vincent): Okay... I love you, dad.
Vincent (to Zoe): I love you too, short stack. Homework!
An hour or so later:
Colin (to Vincent): Um, hi, Mr. Potter. Is Zoe here? May I speak to her, please?
Vincent (to Colin): Of course. Come on in. I would invite you to sit down on the couch, but it appears Nate has claimed dominion over it. She's in her room going over her homework. Why don't you head on in?
Colin (to Vincent): Oh. Um, yes, sir. Thank you.
A moment later:
Colin (to Zoe): Hey, um, knock, knock. Hi Zoe. I'm not interrupting, am I?
Zoe (to Colin): Colin? Hi! I was just double checking my homework. What's up?
Colin (to Zoe): Hi! I brought you "I'm sorry the people I thought were my friends were douchebags" croissants. The chocolate kind. And, um, a flower. I remembered you said you liked lilies, so...
Zoe (to Colin): Oh, that's super nice of you! Thank you.
Colin (to Zoe): You're welcome. I just wanted to say sorry, I guess. Because of Jess and the rest of the idiots in Theater Club who think they like me, or whatever. I didn't know. HONEST.
Zoe (to Colin): It's not your fault... Honestly, I just don't think I'm cut out for public school. You're the only person that talks to me besides teachers. It's just lonely in a crowd sometimes.
Colin (to Zoe): Oh. I'm sorry I pushed you into this stuff, Zoe. I really am.
Zoe (to Colin): Hush... I made the decision, you didn't push me to do anything. I wanted to go there to be with you. I could care less about anyone else at that school.
Colin (to Zoe): Oh. Well, it'll suck not seeing you at school every day. I won't lie, but, um, I'm glad you still... You know I'm not interested in Sally or Jess or Muriel, like, AT ALL, right? They're not even that interested in me either. I mean, they THINK they are because of the plays, but whenever it was us, just US, outside of Theater Club they would just... Well, you're one of the few people who was actually interested in what I was saying when I wasn't playing a role, you know?
Zoe (to Colin): That's because I love you, you big silly... Oh, um, sorry.
Colin (to Zoe): I, um, I don't know what to say...
Zoe (to Colin): You don't have to say anything... I'm sorry... Boy, this croissant is really good. It tastes much better than the foot I just had in my mouth.
Colin (to Zoe): Heh. Yeah, I'll bet. Hey. I still like you, you know that right?
Zoe (to Colin): ... Oh. Even, after I just confessed my feelings to you in a really dumb way?
Colin (to Zoe): Yeah. Do you still like me even though I seem to have a collection of stupid fangirls? By the way, I'm REALLY hoping your answer is yes, and I'm pretty sure it will be, but you NEVER know...
Zoe (to Colin): I wasn't kidding when I said I-- I love you.
Colin (to Zoe): Oh... Um, Zoe, I like you a lot, I mean, A LOT, a lot. Really, REALLY a lot, but I'm not sure if... I mean, I might, but, I'm not sure if I...
Zoe (to Colin): Oh... I really think you should go, Colin. I don't think we can see each other, anymore.
Colin (to Zoe): But... What? WHY? I mean...
Zoe (to Colin): It's pretty simple. I told you that I loved you & you don't feel the same. It would be too weird to keep dating. Been there, done that... I would rather just be friends than to keep dating someone that doesn't feel the same. I'm sorry.
Colin (to Zoe): But, I... I mean, I--I'm not sure if I... I, um, I... I'll, um, I'll go if you want me to. I do like you. I REALLY like you. Which is why I didn't want to fuck this up. But, I guess I didn't do a very good job. I'm... Sorry.
Zoe (to Colin): I'm sorry, too. I can bring you home, if you want... It'll just take a second.
Colin (to Zoe): No. It's fine. I'd... I'd rather walk. Thanks. I'll, um, I'll see you later.
Zoe (to Colin): ... I-- I'll see you at rehearsal.
Colin (to Zoe): Um, probably not. I don't think I can... Anyway. I'll... I can see myself out.
Zoe (to Colin): Wait, Colin... I should step down from the play. Then everything can return to status quo. Acting is your passion. I just did it to spend more time with you. It should be me that leaves. You're a wonderful Fiyero. It would be a tragedy if you didn't get to do it. Your death scene is so touching. Besides, I know Jessica will be thrilled to see the back of me.
Colin (to Zoe): Honestly, I don't give a shit about the play. And, in case you hadn't noticed, my status quo kinda royally sucked before. I'm--I'm not sure how I feel about you, and I was looking forward to finding out, but if this isn't... If I'm not... Look, you're ready for more than I am before I am. That's... That's what it is.
Zoe (to Colin): ... God, thanks for making me feel like a big pushy asshole. My telling you that I loved you was all it was & I thought you felt the same. I didn't expect it to mean any more than that... Forget it. If you want to act like the wounded party. Fine. I'm the dick... I hope you never have to experience this sort of thing from this side.
Colin (to Zoe): I'm not TRYING to act like the wounded party! Or make you feel like a dick. JESUS! How the hell do you expect me to feel? Because I'm not sure if I'm in love with you, you think I don't care at all? That is just... This is all new to me, OK? Like brand fucking new! I'm trying to be careful and cautious, and you're acting like I... I don't... I'm going home. I'm upset, and fucking hurt, and I'm... I'm going home.
A second later:
Zoe: Goddamn it, I'm a fucking idiot! (to Vincent) Dad! I have to chase after Colin. I'll try not to be late for curfew.
Vincent: What? I wondered who slammed the door.... And there it goes again. I'm talking to myself, aren't I? Nate? Nate! Are you awake? I guess that's a yes. I am totes talking to myself.
A moment later, on the street:
Zoe (to Colin): Colin! Wait! I'm sorry I'm such a fucking idiot... God, you walk fast when you're upset... Will you stop walking & listen to me? Please?
Colin (to Zoe): What? I--I don't want to hash this out any more. You don't want to date me. I really just want to go home, OK?
Zoe (to Colin): I love you, Colin O'Reilly Rathbone! And I know you love me, too! You always have to analyze everything to death. This isn't a complicated math problem. There's no right answer... It doesn't happen over time. Love is irrational. If you can look me in the eyes & tell me that you love me & it feels wrong then we'll go our separate ways but if you feel something... Well, we'll figure that out.
Colin (to Zoe): I don't need to do that. I--I already know that it won't feel wrong. Every time we're doing scenes together, I... I just... I am so much better at fucking math.
Zoe (to Colin): When you walked out, it made me realize that I don't want to give you up yet. I'll take whatever you're willing to give. Come here, you.
Colin (to Zoe): So, um, does this mean that you don't want to break up? Please say yes...
Zoe (to Colin): Yes... Will you please stop being so cautious & careful with me? I mean, I can appreciate it in some instances but I'd feel a lot better if you just told me what you were thinking or feeling rather than me having to guess.
Colin (to Zoe): Yeah... I will. I'm sorry.
Zoe (to Colin): Me too... Now, do you want me to take you home or should we find a quiet place to have make up makeouts?
Colin (to Zoe): I'd really like to kiss you right now...
Zoe (to Colin): Good answer.
