I can't believe 12 hours ago they were dancing
and now they're in intensive care.
David, Kelly's not in intensive care anymore.
Well, she's in the burn unit.
That seems pretty intense to me.
You know, I had a first-degree burn once.
Donna, that's like a sunburn.
Maybe it was a second-degree burn.
I don't know. It was from an iron.
It hurt like hell.
Don't worry Brandon, Kelly's gonna be okay.
No offense, Donna,
but I really need to hear that from the doctor.
Look, even if we settle out
with the two girls that got burned,
the city's not gonna drop these charges.
They're gonna want someone to pay for the emergency services,
the fire trucks and what have you.
Ted Stone is gonna take care of that one.
This time, he's the one with the deep pocket here, not me.
Ted is aware of what he has to do.
But none of this is gonna work
unless he acts in concert with his son.
Okay, thank you.
What's the word?
No change.
Take it easy, kid. We'll get through this.
Yeah, I just hope Kelly will.
Look, if Steve and Griffin plead no contest
to a Section 415, say, disturbing the peace,
they can do a few hours of community service,
and put the whole thing behind them.
We've still got to deal
with this personal injury thing, you said, right?
You let us take care of that.
A little tough with her being in critical condition.
No, what's gonna be tough is if she doesn't pull through.
That's why we gotta move fast.
Now can we count on you or not?!
Do what you gotta do.
Dr. Freeman, extension 4832. Dr. Freeman, extension 4832.
Dr. Myra Goldstein, please report to Reception.
Where's Alison?
She's right down the hall, honey.
She was in the fire with me.
Is she okay?
Well, when you're feeling better,
you can go see for yourself.
We are so fortunate that other girl, Alison,
she's going to need numerous skin grafts.
And even then,
she'll be scarred for life, on her face yet.
Here it is.
But Kelly's gonna be okay, though, right?
Mm, so far so good.
The doctor wouldn't promise anything, but he's hopeful
that with luck, you won't really be able to tell, in most places.
Can I see her?
Yeah, she's been asking for you. Go on in.
I was trying to come up with some kind of joke,
but somehow...
I'm not exactly stand-up material, I know.
Your mom says you're gonna be perfect real soon.
What does she know?
I'm really sorry, Kel.
It wasn't your fault.
I just don't like to see you in pain like this.
Mm, to tell you the truth,
I can't really feel much of anything.
They gave me some pretty powerful stuff.
You know, none of this would have happened
if I would have been there.
Where were you, again?
I was at the airport.
Oh, right.
Did Emily get off okay?
She needs to rest now.
Okay.
I'll be back.
You get some sleep.
Eduardo, what are you doing here?
I know you are very busy, and I'm sorry to bother you,
but can you please pay me for last night?
You got impeccable timing, man.
Hey, I had to buy all the food!
Yeah, well,
my oldest friend is in the hospital!
I gotta deal with a lot of problems.
I don't need you breathing down my neck!
Hey, if you don't have it,
it's okay.
Do you have any idea how far in the hole I am from this thing?
Do you know how much equipment got destroyed last night?!
I can't even think straight!
You need money so bad, here!
Hey, I don't need it that bad!
Whoa! What's his problem?
I don't know.
I'm gonna take a shower.
Hey, about those citations we got,
I just want you to know
my dad's gonna take care of everything.
You think so?
I know so. Don't worry about it.
We're in this thing together, buddy.
I don't understand. I thought you'd be
overjoyed to be going home by now.
I'm just not ready.
What if one of the bandages comes off?
The thought of it makes me sick.
I'll help you!
Yeah, right.
Thank you. We won't be needing that today.
I'm gonna be staying here for the rest of my life.
Honey, you've got to relax.
It's gonna work out.
It's really time to go home now.
Hey, Dana.
Hi. Checking out, huh?
Good for you.
- How's Alison? - Stabilized, finally.
She's been asking for you.
I'm gonna go see her.
Okay, honey.
Mom, I can do it.
Would you mind if she took me?
Thanks.
She looks awful.
I've been a wreck, but Alison's amazing.
The doctors say her attitude
is definitely why she pulled through.
All right, look lively here.
You've got company.
Your first official visiting friend...
Hi.
besides me, of course.
Kelly, you look great.
I know.
You wish you could say the same to me.
No.
She's so cheerful, it's revolting.
I'll be back.
How you doing?
Well, they say I'll be playing piano in three weeks.
That's terrific.
Yeah.
I've always wanted to play piano.
How are you really doing?
I'm alive.
That's all that matters, isn't it?
I don't know if I'd be alive if it weren't for you.
Kelly,
I didn't get you through it, God did.
I don't know about that.
But just as sure as I'm lying here,
I know that God put you in that fire, and God brought you out.
So if you're happy to be out, you know who to thank.
Blessed art thou our God, Creator of the Universe,
who has commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
Amen. Ah!
Thanks for coming tonight, Brandon.
It's a great boost for us
when the Student Body President shows up.
No problem. You guys do a lot of good work here.
Besides, I've got a thing for jelly doughnuts.
Brandon, the photographer from the Condor's running late.
Do you mind staying awhile?
Yeah, why don't you stay?
We've got a latke with your name on it, ol' buddy.
With an offer like that, how could I refuse?
Already got one?
Do you have a phone I could use?
Yeah, right over there.
Great.
Hello. Grand Central!
No, the phone hasn't stopped ringing since she got home.
I'll let her tell you herself. Hold on.
It's Brandon.
Thanks.
Hi.
How's the candle-lighting?
They asked me to stay a little longer.
I wanted to call and see if you needed me.
Well, David and Clare are on nursing duty tonight
and Jackie's supervising everything and driving me crazy.
I shouldn't be home too late.
Honey, don't worry. Stay as long as you want.
I'm exhausted.
You sure?
Yeah, go play dreidel for me.
Win us some peanuts or something.
Okay. I love you.
Love you, too. Bye.
You guys, just make sure she doesn't do anything strenuous.
Well, I don't think
she's planning on rearranging any furniture today.
No, but arguing can take a lot out of a person.
I don't need your help- if I needed your help,
I would ask for your help.
I'll get it.
Maybe I should stay.
Hello?
Not if you value your sanity.
Right.
I- I won't be long.
Okay.
Uh-huh.
Yeah.
Uh, Kelly.
You want to talk to a Tom Hackman?
- Who is he? - No!
Absolutely not.
That is that lawyer
that is trying to get us to make a settlement.
I spoke to our lawyer, and he said we have to wait
- until you're all better. - So tell him that.
I did, but he keeps insisting that
we have to settle right away so that Steve Sanders
won't be prosecuted on criminal charges.
I said that's not our problem.
David, take his number, tell him I'll call him tomorrow.
David, hang up on him.
Can I say something?
- No. - No.
Mom, let me make one thing clear.
I will not do anything to hurt Steve.
Do you know that lawyer had the gall
to come up to me in the hospital?
Okay, but I'm out now.
Well, honey, you have no idea
what your damages are gonna be yet.
Look, Mother, I'm sure that there have been
other cases similar to mine.
Get an estimate, make a fair settlement,
and just don't hold them up- I want to put this past me.
I- I don't blame you. Of course, you're right.
We do just need
to look toward the future.
Soon you'll be all healed up and feeling strong again,
and everything will be just like it was before.
I doubt that.
Well, if it's any consolation, I got a call from Fran Kurtis,
and the Ellison Agency wants to represent you
as soon as you're up to it.
Mom, I hate to break this to you,
but my modeling days are over.
Oh, I don't want to hear that.
It may take a while, but the doctor said you...
Do I have to repeat myself?
I am never modeling again.
Well, you can't just give up!
Not with all the momentum you've got going right now.
No, what I've got right now is a headache.
And I am so tired of hearing you say
that everything's gonna be just the way it was before.
Well, what's wrong with the way it was before.
Nothing. I don't know.
Well, what do you want to do?
Smell the roses.
Maybe ponder the question
of why God bothers to give us life in the first place
when all he does is seem to fill it with pain and suffering.
Kelly...
Can you take me to bed? I'm feeling very tired.
Yes.
What does that mean?
Seven out, I guess. Great.
Hey, for the boys in the yo.
- Kid took all my gelt. - Ah, Brandon, thanks for coming.
If you decide not to come to our Hanukkah party,
I won't hold it against you.
Thanks, Andrea.
Even though it is Hannah's first Hanukkah at home.
How do you say no to this woman?
I don't. Take it easy, Brandon.
Oh, hey, congratulations.
Andrea told me you got
into the trial advocacy program- that's great.
Thanks. Yeah, I'm psyched.
Does that mean you go into real courts and everything?
Real cases, real clients- it's for people
who can't afford a lawyer but need one.
And it's hard work,
and he starts tomorrow, so we better
take Daddy home, huh, and put him to bed.
Good night, guys. Good night, baby.
Good night. Are you gonna go see Kelly?
Yeah. Yeah, I got to stop off someplace first.
Give her our love, would you?
- Sure will. - Happy Hanukkah.
Yes!
Shall we dance? Shall we dance?
Hi.
You're sure there's nothing else I can get you?
What else have you got?
What else would you like?
Another something from the "honor bar," perhaps.
There's a thought.
What if instead of little jars of macadamia nuts,
the honor bar actually was stocked with "honorable" things?
Like?
Like truth, like justice.
Like the American way.
Are you in need of those things?
Well, to tell you the truth, I am feeling a wee tad guilty.
Well, I could go.
I could head to La Jolla a couple days early.
No, no, no.
I really appreciate you sticking around.
I've told you that already, haven't I?
About 20 times.
Yeah.
You know, I... I haven't really told Kelly
that you stayed in town.
She still thinks it was a four-hour layover.
So then you never really gave her my regards.
Only by proxy.
So let me get this straight.
Your girlfriend is in the hospital
with serious injuries,
and you chose to be less than a hundred-percent honest
about a subject that could be potentially very upsetting.
Is that an accurate assessment?
Pretty much.
Don't beat yourself up about it.
Just try and remember one very important thing.
What's that?
Timing is everything.
Wow, this place sure looks different
from the last time I was here.
Well, what'd you expect?
You haven't been here since Halloween.
Well, it's really crowded.
I told him there'd be a big turnout,
but did he listen to me, hire some more help?
No, not Mr. Tightwad.
I sweat it out, but he rakes it in.
Who?
My wonderful Uncle Virgil.
Ray, where's that chicken wire?
How the hell should I know?
Do an old man a favor and go look for it, will you?
Don't you even say hello to Donna?
You know, I don't think you even said hello to Donna.
Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have time.
I have to go find the damn chicken wire.
He's in a good mood, huh?
Yeah, and I'm Santy Claus.
Mr. Pedroza, at the hearing, we want to present
your childcare situation in the best possible light.
Now, isn't there any family member, any relative
who can come stay with you for a while? -No.
I have no one like that.
Since my wife died, all that I have are my babies.
Gracias.
You understand, can't you?
I- I had no diapers for the morning.
None. A-And no milk.
They were both sound asleep.
I- I asked my neighbor to help me.
How was I to know that she would leave them?
There was no way you could know.
- No way. Right, Jesse? - Well...
i- it's a little more complicated than that.
A four-year-old wandering the streets alone at night
doesn't look so good.
Come on, every house has a pair of scissors.
What kind of standards are they trying to hold this man to?
The risks we take with our kids are entirely academic-
- until we get into the juvenile court system. -Why?
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
Is that because some social worker wants to cover her butt?
I mean, can't they see
that those kids belong with their father?
Would you be my lawyer?
Senor Pedroza, the whole issue
is what is best for the children,
and I am sure, I-'m positive
that when we explain all this to the judge, well,
he'll see that it was clearly not a case of child abuse
and let them come home to you.
It'll be okay.
It'll be all right.
Steve, just listen, okay?
What are you being charged with?
Malicious mischief, trespassing, vandalism.
So what you're saying is, you need a witness, right?
A witness that will give you an alibi.
Oh, yeah, thanks.
This way when they ask me where I was when the fire broke out,
I could say that I was having sex with you.
Steve, you don't get it, do you?
What I mean is, I will say whatever you want me to say.
So in other words, you're willing
to commit perjury, is that it?
No, I'd like to call it, uh,
having a selective memory.
You're a piece of work, Valerie.
Steve, just-just think it over, okay?
I've been thinking it over,
and over and over and over,
and all I hear in my mind are the attorneys saying,
"Don't worry, you're gonna get off!"
Oh, that's great, right?
Great?
There's nothing even remotely great
about my situation, Valerie.
Hey, Steve. How you doing?
I'm hanging in, I guess.
- How's Kelly? - It's tough, you know.
I'm going over to see her right now.
I feel so bad about what happened to her.
I don't even know if she's aware of how much I love her,
how much she means to me, it's just...
I'm sure she knows, Steve- you tell her every day.
That girl upstairs, though, she's one weird bird.
What'd she do now?
Well...
she offered to lie in court for me.
That sounds about right.
Valerie's always thought the truth was very overrated.
Well, I used to be that way, too, I guess.
I've come to the conclusion
that I can't squirm my way out of this one.
Bottom line, it was my gig.
I've got to accept responsibility for it.
Took a lot of tossing and turning
to get to that point before I could sleep at night.
Give my love to Kelly.
Yeah.
Take it easy, bro.
Look, lady, it's very simple-
you don't want it, don't buy it, okay?
I got other customers here- I don't need this.
- Ray, what's the matter? - What's the matter?
Christmas is the phoniest holiday ever.
It's all about, uh, peace and love,
goodwill to the almighty buck.
I don't need it. I told that lady to shove it.
- Ray! -Well, she's got me trucking all over the lot.
"I want this one. No, no, that one.
No, no, no, this one. "
Then she wants to bargain with me.
Maybe that's my fault.
I told her we had the lowest prices.
Well, maybe you should ask me first
before you open your mouth.
Yeah, well, maybe I should have.
Donna...
don't take it personally.
He's just in a bad temper.
A bad temper?
That's like saying Hurricane Andrew was a bad rainstorm.
Have you met his mother?
No. Why?
Well, then you'd understand.
Excuse me, sir?
Yes, ma'am?
Madame, your driver awaits.
I'm not going anywhere.
But I thought you had an appointment.
I don't want to go.
Okay...
but your mom seemed to think this guy was pretty good.
Did you hear me? I said, I'm not going.
I heard you.
I don't need a plastic surgeon
to tell me how much better he thinks he can make me look.
All right, if you think it looks okay, then blow him off.
Brandon, can we just please talk about something else?
This is harder than you thought, huh?
Yeah.
Why don't we talk about you, okay?
What have you been doing with yourself?
Nothing.
You know, the usual.
Really? Just hitting the books.
Yeah.
I saw Emily Valentine the other day.
She sends her regards.
Right, on the night of the fire?
Yeah.
Actually, no.
She had a change of plans,
and is staying in L.A. for a bit.
I thought she had some course she was taking?
She does, but she had a few days to kill before it starts.
So you killed some time with her?
Yeah.
It was no big deal.
Don't worry.
Why should I be worried?
You shouldn't worry.
There's no reason for you to worry.
You just look worried.
Right.
Maybe I look worried because I am in constant pain.
Maybe I look worried because I was caught in a fire.
Maybe that's why I look worried.
Maybe I don't need you coming over here
and telling me how worried I look!
All right, then what do you need from me?
I don't know, Brandon.
So, if you want to go kill some time with Emily, go right ahead.
This is really not a good time.
I just want to be alone.
All right, if that's what you want,
I'll call you later.
You don't have to.
I'll call you later.
Maybe you should get some rest.
All right, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.
Now you know you can always call me.
I'm lucky you finally got phone privileges.
Otherwise, I might've jumped out a window by now.
Let's see, second story, you're on the sand...
yeah, it'd be all right.
That's true.
I guess I would have had to find a much taller building.
No, no, don't want to do buildings, way too messy.
Dylan, what am I going to do?
Kel, you don't gotta do anything.
Just relax, just let it happen.
It'll change, trust me, I ought to know.
Hold on.
Mr. McKay, you have a visitor on the grounds.
A Brandon Walsh?
Thanks, Eddie.
Speak of the devil.
It's your good friend, Brandon.
Look, don't tell him what we talked about, okay?
I don't know, Kel, keeping secrets-
that's what got me in here in the first place.
I know, but if he asks you...
If he asks me, I gotta come clean.
Bye.
This place is so mellow, man.
You sure you want to check out?
Oh, yeah.
I just don't want to have to check back in.
So, once in awhile I've gotta check in with myself.
Out there, I ain't got no safety nets, it's a free fall.
I don't know if you notice, I fall.
Sounds like you've been giving it a lot of thought.
Yeah, well, what else do I got to do in here?
Yeah.
Why'd you come down here today?
I wanted to see you.
I wanted to talk to you a little bit about Kelly.
All right.
Well, first of all, you know she got caught in this fire.
Yeah, I talked to her a little while ago.
Sounds like she's having a rough time.
Yeah, she is.
And I don't quite know how to handle it.
I mean, she's having some kind of self-image problem and...
I mean, her face isn't that bad.
Her face?
How bad is it?
I don't know, she won't show me all the damage.
It's like she doesn't trust me.
Maybe she doesn't.
The Emily Valentine thing,
it kind of threw her for a loop.
She mentioned Em?
How is Em?
She's fine.
Well, be sure and tell her I said hello.
And what makes you think I'm going to be seeing her again?
I got nothin' going on there.
You ever read any Shakespeare, Brandon?
Yeah.
Well, methinks thou doth protest way too much.
Okay, maybe I doth.
You doth.
Ray, want some food?
Where'd you get it?
Your aunt brought it over.
No, her cooking tastes like dog food.
Okay.
Um, there's a coffee shop up the street.
I could go get you something?
No. I don't want you to buy me dinner.
Well, what do you want?
Look, you invite me to come down here
and then you do your best to make me want to leave.
Hey, Donna, wait.
Look, I'm sorry.
I'm just tired.
No, I've seen you tired before.
This is something else.
It's my mom.
You don't know her,
but she's uh, she's a good person.
She usually never drinks, but every year at this time,
she, uh, she shows up here,
or somewhere, drunk,
and makes a big ugly scene.
It's just a matter of time.
So, maybe it won't happen this year.
No, it already started.
I left her ranting and raving this morning
when I poured out all the alcohol in the house.
See, my dad left at Christmastime.
He, uh... pushed her down the stairs, and took off.
She got hurt pretty bad, and lost a baby.
I'm sorry.
So, every December, she falls off the wagon,
'cause that's when he left-
20 years ago, Christmas day.
That's so amazing.
Why is that so amazing?
'Cause the day that your dad left your mom,
that's the exact day that I was born.
Well, maybe things will be different,
now that you came along.
- Hey, Steve! Excuse me. - Ah, Jesse.
How's it going?
- How're your cases going? - It's great, great.
The facts are definitely on our side right now.
I'm a little nervous, first court appearance and all.
Don't be, you'll do great.
I was a little sweaty myself this morning.
And then my father calls and says that it's in the bag.
All I gotta do is show up wearing this suit.
Hey, you coming by later on to light the candles?
Yeah, we'll celebrate then.
- Buena suerte, hombre. - Later.
Dad.
Nice of you to join us.
Steve, a couple of things.
You're going to plead no contest
to one count of disturbing the peace.
Now the D.A. has agreed to dismiss everything else.
She's recommending 100 hours of community service,
which isn't a lot,
That's not bad. What's this?
These are the releases from the victims.
We couldn't have gotten this deal without them.
What about Kelly?
She called me actually, two days ago.
She was very sweet, very cooperative.
She made out very well.
And the other girl was a breeze.
Hey, consider yourself lucky.
I do.
I wouldn't worry about Kelly.
I'm sure it was just the last straw
on top of everything else.
Maybe she could tell I was kind of conflicted.
She'll feel a lot better after I'm gone.
But how will I feel?
Well, that's a good question.
Am I a low and vile creature for wanting you to stay?
You're asking the wrong person.
Do you want me to stay?
You know, if we were having this conversation six months ago,
or even six months from now,
it might be completely different,
but... right now...
I know. Listen...
it is what it is.
We can't change it.
You said it yourself, timing is everything.
I know.
And Kelly needs you now.
It could never be right.
But I still love you.
I love you, too.
Brandon...
Yeah, I should go, huh?
We wouldn't want to get carried away.
That's the thing...
I was just kind of wishing, maybe there was some way
it would be okay to get carried away.
How do you plead to count one:
disturbing the peace- Section 415 of the Penal Code?
Mr. Sanders?
No contest, Your Honor.
Mr. Stone?
No contest, Your Honor.
Do you both understand that a plea of no contest,
or nolo contendere,
is equal to a plea of guilty in this courtroom?
Yes, Your Honor.
I will accept the plea
of no contest to count one.
The sentence for each of the defendants shall be
100 hours of community service, a $1,000 fine,
and two years informal probation.
In addition, you are both prohibited
from promoting, organizing, sponsoring,
or in any way participating in the "dance party" business
or parties for profit of any kind,
gatherings, raves, whatever you call them,
for a period of two years.
The remaining counts are dismissed.
Next case.
- Congratulations. - Thank you very much.
How could you let them do this to me?
How could you sell me out like that?!
Nobody sold you out. We saved your hide.
Oh, come on, those charges were bogus, and you know it.
Hackman even said they just wanted somebody
to pay for the fire trucks!
What is the matter with you?
You should be jumping for joy to get rid of this headache.
It's Stone, it's Stone!
Because his butt was on the line, I had to cave!
I can't believe this!
I can't believe how ungrateful you are.
Stone paid off the city, he paid off the victims,
he paid for your lawyer.
That's my point!
If I had a lawyer on my own accord,
then maybe somebody
would've been looking out for what I want!
Are you serious?
Anybody who steals a key to an abandoned house
has no right to complain about anything.
What'd you say?
I didn't steal any key!
Oh, get off it, Steve.
Griffin already admitted the two of you lifted the key
right out of Ted Stone's realty office.
And if I know you, it was your idea.
Griffin said I lifted a key?
He told me he had permission!
That's the only reason I gave him a cut in the first place!
Yeah, yeah, right.
I am so grateful I don't have to hear
about this crap anymore or about the parties.
How can you say that to me?
How could you say that after knowing
that I put my heart and soul into this.
This was gonna be my career, my future, my livelihood!
I'm afraid I cannot listen any longer
to your moaning and your wailing.
You ought to shut your mouth, and be grateful you got off
as easy as you did.
The next time you get in trouble
and you need somebody to bail you out,
do me a favor: call your mother.
Great. Great.
Hey, Steverino! Way to go, dude!
Nice room you got here, Stone.
Too bad you're moving out.
There's a two-year waiting period for this room.
I'm not going anywhere.
Oh, yes, you are.
And I'll tell you why.
If I have to look at your face one more day, I'll puke.
The pressure must've gotten to you, Sanders.
You're cracking up.
You know,
I knew your old man was on the hook for a load of damages.
I also knew he wouldn't want the publicity
from a full-blown court case.
But I only just found out why our lawyer-
or let me say this- your daddy's lawyer,
why he didn't want to fight those bogus charges,
because in your case, they weren't bogus, were they?
You ripped off that key.
I've got witnesses to back me up on this.
In fact, Muntz is willing to testify
that you put a 30-amp fuse
in a 15-amp socket in a 70-year-old house!
What do you want from me?
It's over, man! It's history!
It's not over!
We got two years probation, we got community service,
- and I can't even...! - Hey,
if that's all you're worried about, relax.
We'll never have to do those hours.
We got a court clerk in our hip pocket
who'll be more than happy to help us out with that.
You know what, I was gonna give you till this weekend
to move out, but I just changed my mind.
You got one day to get the hell out of here.
Or what?
This is what.
First, I'm gonna bash in your head,
and then I'm gonna squeeze your neck so hard
your head's gonna pop off.
You think I'm kidding?
You wanna try me?
Huh?! Huh?!
All right! All right!
I'm outta here.
You best be gone by the time I get back.
Hi.
I'll only stay a minute.
I wanted to clear things up with you before I leave.
Brandon told me how upset you were that I was here,
which I totally understand...
I mean, the old girlfriend thing.
As I recall, you weren't just any old girlfriend to him.
Maybe not.
I'd like to think not.
So, you're still interested in him, right?
He's a pretty incredible guy...
and I would be interested except for one thing.
And what's that?
The burn victim?
You see, that's exactly what I was afraid you'd think;
that he's staying with you out of pity,
which he definitely isn't.
How do you know?
Kelly, he's in love with you.
He told me that before the fire.
Really?
Would I make that up?
I guess you've changed a lot since I saw you last.
Listen, um, you don't have to tell him I was here.
I mean, you can do whatever you want, but...
don't tell him.
Everything is right where it should be...
Okay, buck and a half, double gimbal on the hop. Eh!
I'll get it.
Steve, I was getting worried about you.
Hi. Thanks. Um, I can't stay.
I just wanted to drop this off.
Come on, Steve, you've gotta come in.
I'd like to, but I can't.
I'm not doing so well.
The case?
Yeah.
Steve, where are you gonna go?
You should talk to Jesse.
Save me one of them "lat cakes," okay?
Latkes.
So how did she seem to you?
Like she'd really like to see you show up on her doorstep.
I'm on my way, then.
Thanks for the game, kids.
It's been a lot of fun.
If I had knew about that condition
in the first place,
I never would have agreed to waive my rights, never.
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe Mr. Ted Stone would've made it worth your while.
And give up on the one thing that was most important to me?
No way.
Steve, buddy,
let me tell ya about my day, okay?
I'll just give you the back story.
A single father tries to get by on a factory worker's pay.
One night he trusts the wrong baby-sitter,
and his kids get picked up by the cops
for their own protection.
Well, when the social worker looks into it, she decides
there's no adequate stable childcare,
so the judge throws them into a foster home for three months.
It's three months. It's not like it's two years.
For this family, it might as well be forever
because the father doesn't ever think
he's gonna see his kids again.
Just explain to him they're in a foster...
I can't explain nothin' to him, now, man!
He be gone. He be outta here!
He went to that
foster home, put his kids in his car
and drove 'em back to Mexico.
This system is so screwed up.
Hey, wait, wait a minute. Wait a minute.
This system works great for some people, man.
I don't hear Griffin or Ted Stone complaining.
You really, really think you got ripped off, don't you?
Yeah, I do.
Well, maybe you did,
but I'll just bet you,
I bet you if you weren't a rich white boy,
you'd be sittin' in jail right about now.
So don't you ever, ever tell me
what a screwed-up system we have, do you hear me?
Cheers.
Oh, you scared me!
Well, I certainly didn't mean to do that.
Clare gave me the key.
I brought you these.
Thank you.
Come here.
I love you.
See, now, I came over here to apologize to you.
You're making it very easy on me.
What happened?
I don't know. Time heals all wounds I guess.
How you feeling?
Terrible.
Tired, but I'm glad you're here.
Anything I can do for you?
Just stay with me till I fall asleep, okay?
You got it.
Oh, Eduardo.
Thanks for coming.
Here's the money I owe you.
You, uh, want me to say thank you now?
No, I just want to apologize
for the way I treated you the other day,
and I want to acknowledge all the hard work
you did for the party.
You liked the food?
Yeah. In fact, I'll recommend you to other people.
You got my number.
Wait a minute.
There's too much in here.
Yeah, that's a, that's a bonus.
Just my way of saying thanks.
You're serious?
I never kid about money.
Gracias, Steve.
De nada, Eduardo.
Oh, they're coming, they're coming!
There's no place like home, eh?
Yeah, this isn't my home. I mean, flowers?
Surprise!
Welcome home, Dylan.
Thanks. So this was all your idea?
No, no, actually, it was Valerie's.
Actually, it was Nat and my idea.
But the cake is all Cindy's.
All right, break out the forks, babe.
Oh, listen, um, I sorted out your mail.
Junk mail, magazines, catalogues, bills.
Oh, and your personal stuff.
Everybody's askin' for ya.
And Willie and Nadine wanted to come,
but somebody's gotta mind the store.
But I told 'em your second stop would be the Peach Pit.
So what are your plans now, Dylan?
Well, I'm just gonna take it one day at a time.
Who the hell do I know in Michigan?
Mm! Cindy, this is very good.
If you ever need a job.
Call me.
What's the matter?
You look like you've seen a ghost.
This is from some lady in Michigan.
"Dear Mr. McKay,
"I recently took a business trip
"and came across this note in my carry-on bag.
"I originally found it
in a bathroom stall at the L.A. airport. "
What's it say?
It's from Erica.