Les emplois du temps vont être source de dispute entre Amy et Ephram. En effet, Ephram est partagé entre sa passion pour le piano et son envie de rejoindre la prestigieuse école Julliard et entre Amy avec qui il veut passer le plus de temps possible. 
[Fade in – Scene from Season 2 Episode 18 “Last Looks” – Ephram and Bright are at Bright’s locker talking.]
IRV (VOICE-OVER): Previously on Everwood…
BRIGHT: …I've decided not to go to college.
EPHRAM: What?
BRIGHT: …It's a pretty easy decision, really – considering I, uh, didn't get in anywhere, A&M included.
[Cut to scene from Season 3 Episode 1 “For Every Action…” – Dr. Brown is talking with Dr. Abbott about Madison.]
DR. BROWN: Eight weeks ago, I told Madison to leave town. After finding out that she was pregnant.
[Cut to scene from Season 3 Episode 1 “For Every Action…” – Amy and Ephram are talking on her steps at her house.]
AMY: It’s from Juilliard.
EPHRAM: Basically I failed.
AMY: So you are breaking up with me.
EPHRAM: No. No. I don’t-I don’t know. I–I just need more time to figure it all out.
AMY: Figure out what you want. Call me when you know. I’ll be here.
[Cut to current time – It is night time and Amy is typing on her computer in her room.]
AMY (VOICE-OVER): Dear Ephram. I know it’s weird that I’m writing you instead of just calling, but for some reason this feels easier to me. I don’t know maybe I just got used to the email thing while you were in New York or maybe I’m just too scared to pick up the phone but I think we need to talk.
[Amy looks at the scene and decides she doesn’t like what she wrote so she erases some. Dr. Abbott stops at her doorway and watches her.]
AMY: Ah, dumb. (typing) But I’d really like to talk to you.
[Amy is reading on the screen and you hear a door open sound.]
AMY: Oh my God.
DR. ABBOTT: Amy?
AMY: Sshh.
[Amy sees Ephram just signed on to AOL with the screenname: EphramInNYC. Dr. Abbott walks into her room.]
DR. ABBOTT: Is everything all right?
AMY: Ephram just signed on. Right there. He sees me. He knows that I see him. This is so insane.
DR. ABBOTT: What is? What is going on with you two? I know he came by the other night and left rather suddenly.
[Amy turns toward Dr. Abbott.]
DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) What is it, sweetheart?
AMY: Everything’s all messed up. It was good when he got home. At least I thought it was and then I realized it wasn’t we got into this stupid fight. It wasn’t even a fight. I don’t know what it was. All I know is that none of this would have happened if he hadn’t of gotten that letter.
DR. ABBOTT: There was a letter.
AMY: Yes. From Juilliard. Apparently, he got a really crap evaluation from the summer program and now he says that he needs to practice everyday and that he may not have time for a girlfriend which is totally not true, ‘cause I am really low maintenance when it comes to that kind of stuff, y’know?
DR. ABBOTT: Absolutely.
AMY: See. I know. But he doesn’t even want to hear it. And now I have to deal with tomorrow – my first day of senior year and I don’t even know if I’m in a relationship or not. (Turns back toward her computer screen) It’s like we’re standing in the same room and he won’t even talk to me.
DR. ABBOTT: Amy, look away from the screen. Come on now, you can do it.
[Dr. Abbott lets out a laugh. Amy turns and heads to lie down on her bed pouting.]
AMY: It’s not funny.
DR. ABBOTT: Alright, I’m gonna tell you something that you may not believe. You ready?
AMY: No.
DR. ABBOTT: You are better than this. You are. All right, let me ask you something. If Ephram Brown didn’t exist, what would you be doing tomorrow? Just think for a second.
AMY: I don’t know. See my friends; sign up for yearbook, some new photojournalism class after school. Sounded kind of fun.
DR. ABBOTT: See.
AMY: Yeah, but Ephram does exist.
DR. ABBOTT: Well, yes, but the point is you have interests. You have talents. You had a very full life before you met Ephram. That life still exists. You just need to pick it up again and live it. Y’know don’t get so wrapped up and wound up in a boy that you miss out on senior year.
AMY: I know. You’re right.
DR. ABBOTT: All right, go to bed.
AMY: Thanks, Dad.
DR. ABBOTT: Good night.
[Dr. Abbott leaves Amy’s room and then she goes back over to the computer and signs off AOL.]
AOL: Goodbye.
[Cut to Ephram’s room – Ephram sees Amy is online. Screenname=AmyAbbott. He sees Amy sign off. He slams closed his laptop.]
EPHRAM: Dammit.
[Dr. Brown walks into Ephram’s room.]
DR. BROWN: You know, I paid $1800 for that thing. You might want to try hitting your pillow, it would be a whole lot cheaper.
[Ephram looks upset.]
DR. BROWN: (CONT'D) So what’s the official word? Have we satisfied our mandatory cooling off period or are we still fighting?
EPHRAM: I don’t care. You decide. I’m tired to think about anything right now.
[Ephram goes to lay down on his bed.]
DR. BROWN: Well, how ‘bout this? We both realize we were wrong and we were on the way to apologize to each other so now we’re all made up and you tell me why you were so pissed off, ‘cause I know it’s not just about me any more.
EPHRAM: It’s Amy.
DR. BROWN: That’s it.
EPHRAM: What do you want there to be more?
[Dr. Brown pulls a chair closer to the bed and sits in it.]
DR. BROWN: So let’s have some specifics.
EPHRAM: You can put that chair right back where you found it. We’re not doing this right now.
DR. BROWN: Why not? I think I could help ya.
EPHRAM: You can’t help me.
[Delia walks in to Ephram’s room.]
DELIA: Dad, Dr. Abbott’s at the door.
DR. BROWN: Now. What does he want?
DELIA: I don’t know, but he’s wearing slippers.
EPHRAM: Can you please have this conversation outside of my room?
[Dr. Brown and Delia leave. Ephram lays on his bed contemplating.]
[Cut to Dr. Brown coming out the front door to greet Dr. Abbott at the bottom of the front porch steps.]
DR. BROWN: I have already told you, Harold, I am just not attracted to you in that way.
DR. ABBOTT: They don’t know about Madison. At least Amy doesn’t know. Which doesn’t necessarily mean that Ephram doesn’t but based on events of which I have just been informed I don’t believe he does.
DR. BROWN: What events are you talking about? You mean the fight he had with Amy?
DR. ABBOTT: So you know about the fight.
DR. BROWN: Of course, I know about the fight.
DR. ABBOTT: Well, then you know about the letter, then?
DR. BROWN: Of course I know… What letter?
DR. ABBOTT: Juilliard sent him an evaluation letter. Apparently his performance this summer was lackluster. Thereby affecting the odds of him attending the University next fall. Thus explaining his foul mood. My toes are freezing I have to go.
DR. BROWN: W-W-wait a minute, how lackluster was it? Did he fail? E-Even if he did, what does that have to do with next year?
DR. ABBOTT: All fine questions. Perhaps you should redirect them to your son.
DR. BROWN: Wait-wait-wait. Whoa-whoa-whoa. All he told me was that he was upset with Amy. He never mentioned Juilliard, not once.
DR. ABBOTT: Imagine my surprise. I would continue with the proverb about the apple and the tree but the hour’s late, Brown. My eyes have grown weary and these pajamas are drafty. Good night, good luck. I’ll see you in the morning.
DR. BROWN: No. Harold. Harold. Wait. Harold.
[Dr. Abbott is walking across the yard and the sprinklers come on. Dr. Abbott turns to Dr. Brown.]
DR. BROWN: (CONT'D) I was gonna say go right.
[Dr. Abbott leaves and Dr. Brown looks up to Ephram’s room and sees the lights go out. He decides the conversation is over for this evening.]
{END OF TEASER / OPENING CREDITS / COMMERCIAL BREAK}
{ACT ONE}
[Fade in – Ephram is eating at the island in the kitchen when Dr. Brown comes in.]
DR. BROWN: So first day of school - excited?
EPHRAM: Dancing inside.
DR. BROWN: Y’know, I was thinking about last night after our warm and fuzzy makeup session that we- we never really talked about how your summer went.
EPHRAM: It was fine.
[Ephram takes his dish to the sink.]
DR. BROWN: Yeah. You like Juilliard?
EPHRAM: Yeah.
DR. BROWN: Lived up to all of your expectations?
EPHRAM: Uh, hmm.
DR. BROWN: Y’know because sometimes a school like that could be difficult at first but then after a while you get used to…
EPHRAM: I’m really late.
[Ephram walks out of the kitchen door with his bag leaving Dr. Brown in the kitchen with his coffee.]
[Cut to outside of Peak County High School – Amy is outside and Ephram walks up behind her. They walk into the school together.]
EPHRAM: Hey. Ephram Brown. We met a couple of years ago.
AMY: Yeah, I seem to remember you. I think you had, uh, purple hair.
EPHRAM: I’m never gonna live that one down am I?
AMY: No.
EPHRAM: So I, uh, saw you online last night?
AMY: Really.
EPHRAM: Yeah, I was gonna IM you last night but I couldn’t think of anything to say and then I realized how much I suck at typing so…
AMY: Ephram, I know you have a lot on your plate right now. You don’t have to feel like I’m pressuring you or anything.
EPHRAM: No, I don’t-I don’t feel like you’re pressuring me. I…
AMY: No, seriously, don’t worry.
[Cut to Katie and Page running up to Amy in the hallway and starts pulling Amy away from Ephram and down the hall.]
KATIE: Amy, thank God you’re here. They completely messed up my schedule. We’re not in Fizinger’s class together.
AMY: What happened?
KATIE: Total drama. Don’t worry, I’m totally all over it.
AMY: Umm?
KATIE: Hi, Ephram.
EPHRAM: Hey.
PAGE: Come on, we’re gonna go set up for Homecoming Committee. You have to help us pick out the band.
AMY: Okay.
EPHRAM: Okay, so I’ll, uh, see you later.
AMY: Yeah. Yeah, Uh, find me.
[Ephram watches Amy walk down the hall with Katie and Page and then Ephram turns and walks down the hall in the opposite direction.]
[Cut to Mama Joy’s – Dr. Hartman and Irv are sitting at the counter.]
IRV: Y’know, I try to do a little jogging, y’know, but the old knees just aren’t what they used to be.
[Dr. Abbott walks in and sees Irv and Dr. Hartman.]
DR. ABBOTT: Let me guess. The man that stole my father’s office out from under me has now stolen my seat at the counter. Is nothing sacred?
DR. HARTMAN: Hal? How’s it going?
[Dr. Abbott grabs Dr. Hartman’s flyer from Irv’s hands.]
DR. ABBOTT: Walking to Wellness. Is this your concept of good doctoring?
DR. HARTMAN: Fun right?
[Dr. Abbott gives a half laugh.]
DR. HARTMAN: A little exercise. Fresh air. You should join us.
DR. ABBOTT: Y’know, medicine isn’t fun. People see a physician when they are sick. Not for some stroll in the park with juice and cookies.
DR. HARTMAN: Well, Maybe that’s how it used to be, but the model’s changing. These days it’s all about education and early intervention. Treating the well patient so she stays that way. That’s why they call it a health maintenance organization.
IRV: Will there be cookies involved?
[Dr. Hartman gives a “can’t believe the question” look.]
DR. ABBOTT: You don’t think I see what you’re doing? Advertising yourself like some kind of doc in the box. Trying to hoodwink people with gimmicks and freebies. You’re not running a Pepboys for God’s sake. What’s next free coupon for an appendectomy. Two for one specials on cholesterol screenings. What?
DR. HARTMAN: It’s just business. I’m trying to build a client-base and marketing is part of a solid business plan.
DR. ABBOTT: They’re called patients not clients.
DR. HARTMAN: Either way, the offer still stands. I’ll even throw in a good pair of walking shoes for ya. Professional courtesy.
DR. ABBOTT: You can keep your courtesy. I will be working tomorrow, seeing actual patients in an actual office.
[A waitress hands Dr. Abbott a menu and he sees an advertisement of Dr. Hartman on the back of the menu.]
DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) And I don’t need any more timeshares. Thank you very much.
[Cut to Ephram on the phone in his kitchen.]
EPHRAM: [on the phone] No, that’s-that’s great.
[Nina knocks on the kitchen door and comes in.]
NINA: You mind. My machine just quit when it almost done.
EPHRAM: [on the phone] Okay, thank you very much, Mr. Ackerman. I appreciate it. Thanks.
NINA: First day of school and you’re already on the phone with the principal. That’s gotta be a record.
EPHRAM: Just rearranging my schedule. They’re letting me drop a couple of electives.
NINA: Oh, really, how come?
EPHRAM: For piano. I’ll be done after 5th period now. Which means I can hit the garage a few of minutes early. Which mean I’ll have time for Amy, which means I might not screw up the one thing I was excited for coming back for this year. Which I obviously would have screwed up if I hadn’t of done what I just did.
NINA: I know you just said something there. Just give me a minute and I’ll figure it out.
EPHRAM: It’s all a balancing act, Nina. It’s all very fragile. School, Piano, Amy. I thought that I needed more time but I don’t need time. The answer is obvious.
NINA: It is. And what is it?
EPHRAM: It-It’s Amy. Amy comes first. I-I have to let her know that she’s my number one priority. And if dropping economics is the only way to do that, then I’ll have to survive without economics. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go conquer Chopin before tonight.
NINA: Ooh, what’s tonight?
EPHRAM: Uh, it’s a surprise.
[Ephram starts for the door, and Nina tries to stop him.]
NINA: Oh, uh, real quick, could I ask a favor? I have this friend, I’ve known her forever and a day. She and her husband are moving to Hong Kong on business.
EPHRAM: Nina, you had me at favor. Whatever it is, done.
[Ephram takes off out the kitchen door toward the garage and Nina is happy.]
NINA: Cool.
[Cut to Dr. Brown’s office where Dean Kelly is waiting for Dr. Brown. Dr. Brown comes in looking at a medical chart. Dr. Brown sits at his desk across from Dean.]
DR. BROWN: So we got your reports back from the lab, and, uh, unfortunately, you’ve tested positive for Chlamydia, which explains the burning.
DEAN: Oh, man. . .
DR. BROWN: Now the good news is, it’s very treatable. I’m going to start you on zethromiosine, and it should clear up in just about a week or so.
DEAN: Is this one of those things you can get from a toilet seat? Or shaking hands?
DR. BROWN: No. You can only get it from unprotected sex.
[Dean looks upset from Dr. Brown’s comment.]
DR. BROWN: (CONT'D) So… you’re married?
DEAN: Seven years next week.
DR. BROWN: Do you think that, uh, you might’ve gotten it from your wife?
DEAN: Man, I wish. That would be way better.
[Dr. Brown looks confused at Dean’s comment.]
DEAN: (CONT'D) I was in Vegas last month, okay? I have these clients, these big hitters from Dallas. They comped us a suite at the Bellagio, all the free booze, the food. . . the women.
DR. BROWN: Are you currently having sex with your wife as well?
DEAN: Of course I am. I-I keep the party at home most of the time. This was just a one-shot deal.
DR. BROWN: No. No. I mean, I understand. I-I’m not making any judgments, Dean. What I’m trying to tell you is that this is a highly contagious disease, and if you have been having sex with your wife, there is a very good chance that she’s infected. You’re gonna have to tell her what’s going on, so she can come in and get tested.
[Dean laughs.]
DEAN: Oh, sorry. You weren’t kidding?
DR. BROWN: No. No. I’m afraid not.
DEAN: Look, Doc, there is no way I can tell my wife about. . . you know. I mean, she finds out I cheated, it’s game over. Can’t you just give me some extra medicine and I will make sure that she takes it.
DR. BROWN: Well it’s-it’s a little more complicated than that. Chlamydia can be very serious for women. She could have a pelvic infection, there could be damage to the reproductive organs. I mean, this is not something that you mess around with.
[Dean realizes he screwed up.]
DEAN: Oh, I should have gone to Celine Dion.
[Cut to Ephram getting out of his car in front of the Abbott House and Ephram runs up to the door excited and knocks on it. Rose answers the door.]
EPHRAM: Hey, Mrs. Abbott. How are you?
ROSE: Fine. What brings you by?
EPHRAM: [holding up two tickets] Two tickets to the Shins.
[Rose is about to speak but Ephram cuts her off.]
EPHRAM: Aah, I-I know what you’re thinking it’s a school night. I-It’s only 45 minutes away. We could leave before the encore. I promise I’ll have her back before 11.
ROSE: Amy’s not here, Ephram. She went out with some friends a while ago. Something about a first day of school celebration. I assumed you’d be there with her.
EPHRAM: Yeah, uh, well, I’m, uh, not.
ROSE: Well, I’ll tell her you came by.
EPHRAM: No, it’s okay. I’ll just, uh, tell her when I see her tomorrow at school.
[Rose nods in agreement and Ephram turns to leave. Ephram walks back to his car upset that Amy has gone out without him.]
{END OF ACT ONE / COMMERCIAL BREAK}
{ACT TWO}
[Fade in – Dr. Brown’s office – Dr. Brown is on the phone with Juilliard.]
DR. BROWN: I appreciate your time, Mr. Yamoto. . . Oh, I’m very sorry, Doctor Yamoto . . Yes, uh, Ephram Brown. . . Well, I-I suppose that the problem is that he received an unsatisfactory evaluation, and I, uh, I was hoping you could tell me why so that I… Yes. Yes. I understand that, sir. I’d just like to pinpoint the area in question, so I could find him a tutor . . .
[Dr. Brown starts to look ticked off.]
DR. BROWN: (CONT'D) Well, that’s a little presumptuous, don’t you think? And just a touch rude . . .
[Edna appears in the doorway, chart in hand, eyebrow raised watching him on the phone.]
DR. BROWN: (CONT'D) No. No, I am listening to you. It sounds like you’re not listening to me . . . No. No. You wait a minute. I didn’t send my son up there for eight weeks so that you could jerk him off and then tell him he’s got no future! . . . Oh, oh is that so? Well, you can take your careful evaluation, and your panel of experts, and shove them right up your conservatory asses!!!!!
[Dr. Brown slams down the phone.]
EDNA: So. How’d it go?
DR. BROWN: Get him back on the line.
EDNA: Why so you can insult his mother next time? I don’t think so, champ. Ephram would kill you if he knew what you were doing this . . .
DR. BROWN: Ephram’s not gonna find out.
EDNA: You’re getting pretty good at that, aren’t you? Keeping things from your son?
[Dr. Brown realizes what Edna just said and then Dean appears behind Edna in the doorway.]
DEAN: Doctor Brown? Sorry to interrupt.
DR. BROWN: [confused] Dean? What are you doing here? I supposed to be seeing your wife today.
DEAN: Yeah. About that. . . (then) Is this a bad time?
EDNA: He’s all yours.
[Edna leaves and closes the door. Dean walks closer to Dr. Brown’s desk.]
DEAN: So I was up all night thinking about it, the situation and all, and it’s like we say at the closing table: every problem is just a solution in disguise, right?
DR. BROWN: I beg your pardon?
DEAN: I tell my wife I have mono. She needs to get checked, which gets her into your office. Then you give her some antibiotics or whatever, and she gets better, and everything is copasetic. No harm, no foul.
DR. BROWN: Is this a joke? First of all, if-if you had mono, you’d be sick in bed with a fever.
DEAN: So it’s not mono. You’re the doctor, pick something else. How about yeast?
DR. BROWN: Maybe I didn’t make myself clear the other day. Your wife could develop a serious illness. Do you understand me?
DEAN: I do. Which is why I know you would go along with this little white lie so we could stop it.
DR. BROWN: No. I won’t.
DEAN: You don’t understand. Her dad died when she was real young and I’m the one who helped her through that, and I’ve taken care of her ever since. I’m her rock, man. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but Mary relies on me. If I tell her I cheated, it would devastate her. I can’t do it.
DR. BROWN: Dean, I wish there was something I could do to help you, but I can’t. I’m sorry.
DEAN: Well, I guess we’re screwed, then. I’ll just have to take my chances on this one.
DR. BROWN: Dean, you can’t not …
DEAN: Sorry, Doc. If you want to help her, you’ve got to help me. It’s your call.
[Cut to Bright in his room eating ice cream and watching football on TV.]
BRIGHT: [at the TV] Ooh, yeah, you got nothing.
[Rose knocks on the door.]
ROSE: Bright?
BRIGHT: Hold on, just a sec.
[Bright is scurrying around his room. He turns off the television and hides the ice cream under his sheets. He runs over to his desk and opens the Bible. Rose enters his room.]
BRIGHT: Oh, hey, just, uh, doing a little reading.
ROSE: The Holy Bible?
BRIGHT: Yeah. There’s a, uh, religion seminar I was thinking about attending. Just brushing up on my Jesus.
[Rose feels the TV and it’s warm.]
ROSE: You can stop now before you commit any actual blasphemy. I know you didn’t sign up for your classes.
BRIGHT: How’d you know?
ROSE: I’m your mother. It’s my job to know.
BRIGHT: I’m sorry, Mom, but it just didn’t feel right, y’know. I went down there, but I-I was like what’s the point. Signing up for all these classes. I don’t even know what they’re for, y’know. I mean, how am I suppose to decide if I need English Comp or Physics when I don’t even know what I want to do with my life.
ROSE: Bright?
BRIGHT: I know that there’s something out there that I’ll be good at. I-I just don’t know what it is right now. I need a little more time to figure that out. And if I thought ECC would help me with that, Mom, I would be there in a heartbeat. But I don’t want to go just for the sake of going.
ROSE: College is important, Bright. It’s about more than just the academics.
BRIGHT: Real college is. I mean, that’s why I busted my ass last year so I could go to Notre Dame. The thought of spending 6 hours a day at a community college is - is a big reminder of how bad I messed up my life.
ROSE: I’d just wish you’d told us.
BRIGHT: I know. It’s just hard with Dad and everything.
ROSE: Don’t you worry about your father. He’ll come around once we have a plan.
BRIGHT: We?
ROSE: You and I are gonna figure this out together. We’ll tell your father when the time is right. And just take it easy on yourself.
[Bright nods in agreement.]
[Cut to sidewalk outside Mama Joy’s – Dr. Hartman is leading a group of walkers briskly down the street. Irv Harper, Thurman Revere and Dr. Abbott's nurse Louise are part of the group. Dr. Abbott is walking slowly down the street.]
DR. HARTMAN: Coming through on your right.
[Dr. Abbott turns and notices the walkers and Louise.]
DR. ABBOTT: Louise?
LOUISE: I’m on lunch.
DR. ABBOTT: [yelling] That’s it. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves. Lemmings. This is no fitness regiment. You’ll get no salutary effects from this walk. The only effect will be the siphoning off of your pocketbooks. I demand that you all stop walking.
[The group just keeps walking past Harold.]
[Cut to inside Mama Joy’s – Dr. Brown is eating lunch at the counter and Nina is talking with him.]
DR. BROWN: So, either I go along with the plan or he’s not telling his wife and she doesn’t get treated.
NINA: Why don’t you just tell her yourself?
DR. BROWN: I can’t. It’s confidential information. She’s not my patient.
NINA: Y’know, the guy sounds like a jackass. His wife is gonna find out. We always do.
DR. BROWN: I’m sorry, Nin. I shouldn’t be talking to you about this stuff.
NINA: Oh, please. If I get upset every time I heard about a guy cheating on his wife, I’d have to give up my soaps and you know I’m not doing that.
DR. BROWN: Well, I guess the only thing to do is to bring her in for the appointment. I mean, at least that way, I can make she doesn’t get sick.
NINA: You’re not actually considering do this are you?
DR. BROWN: Well, he’s not giving me much choice.
[Nina can believe Dr. Brown just said that and gives him a look.]
DR. BROWN: The guy made a mistake. He seems contrite about it and he’s trying to fix it.
NINA: By covering it up.
DR. BROWN: No. By shielding her from something that could be very painful that she doesn’t necessarily need to know.
NINA: How do you know what she needs to know?
DR. BROWN: Well, I don’t. But, let-let’s just say that he could get away with it. Say I go along with the plan, she gets treated and she never finds out what he did, would that be so wrong?
NINA: Yes.
DR. BROWN: Yes, but sometimes you have to lie to people to protect them. I mean, he messed up and he knows it. Do you think that-that’s reason enough for him to lose his entire marriage?
NINA: Well, I’m not saying that people don’t make mistakes but a good person owns up to those mistakes. They take responsibility for them. They don’t just find new people to perpetuate their lies of convenience.
DR. BROWN: So you don’t think in this situation that there’s anyway that the end could justify the means?
NINA: Maybe, but whose ends?
[Cut to school parking lot – Amy and Ephram are walking together.]
EPHRAM: You, uh, you wanna see a movie later?
AMY: Yeah. Really.
EPHRAM: Yeah, uh, maybe the 9 o’clock. I thought maybe we could.
AMY: Sure. Yeah.
EPHRAM: Cool.
AMY: Oh, dammit. I can’t. I’ve got this, umm, orientation thing for newspaper. Sorry.
EPHRAM: All right, that’s cool. Whatever.
AMY: You mad now?
EPHRAM: No, I-I’m-I’m not mad. Curious? The other day when you said you’d give me some time to figure things out was that just a total lie or did you at least think you were telling the truth?
AMY: What?
EPHRAM: I-I-It hasn’t even been a week and you’re already on Homecoming Committee, Yearbook staff and newspaper. I-I… You obviously don’t have time for me anywhere in that so-so I-I’m curious. Do you not care about this relationship at all any more?
AMY: First of all, I wasn’t even aware that we were back in a relationship.
EPHRAM: What do you think I’ve been trying to do? I-I-I dropped two classes so I could get home earlier to practice. I sacrificed my entire schedule so that we could spend more time together an-and you turn your schedule into something the President couldn’t even handle. Not that that’s saying much.
AMY: How am I supposed to know that you dropped two classes when you didn’t even tell me?
EPHRAM: I was trying to surprise you. God, if-if I knew that you would be filling up your days with all this crap then I wouldn’t have. Believe me.
AMY: Screw you, Ephram. Just because I don’t spend my free time perfecting my craft or whatever doesn’t mean that what I do is crap. You told me to go away. You said you needed time and space, which is exactly what I’ve been trying to give you.
EPHRAM: I never said go away.
AMY: You never said anything. That’s the problem. You can’t just go off and do things without telling me and expect me to wait around for you. I’ve done that before with guys. I’m not gonna do it again. I know you think piano is like the only thing in the entire world, but…
EPHRAM: No, I don’t.
AMY: My life is just as important to me as yours is to you.
EPHRAM: Oh, yeah-yeah, fine. Let me be there for you in your big crisis moment when you can’t decide what the Homecoming theme should be.
[Amy gives him a look of ‘I can’t believe you went there.’]
EPHRAM: (CONT'D) I didn’t-I didn’t… Look, I didn’t mean that, okay? I just… I’ve been trying so hard to.
AMY: Well, maybe you should stop trying so hard. God, if this relationship is such a burden maybe we just shouldn’t have one.
EPHRAM: Yeah, you’re right. Maybe we shouldn’t.
[Amy walks past Ephram mad and Ephram turns and watches Amy walk away.]
{END OF ACT TWO / COMMERCIAL BREAK}
{ACT THREE}
[Fade in – Amy is looking through her closet for something to wear to school. She is looking in the mirror when Dr. Abbott yells from down the hall.]
DR. ABBOTT: Amy? Come on, it’s almost 7:30. For God’s sake you’re gonna be late…
[Dr. Abbott comes into view in the mirror. Amy drops the shirt she was looking at on the floor.]
DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) You okay?
AMY: We broke up.
DR. ABBOTT: Oh, sweetheart.
AMY: I did what you said. Made myself busy. Got a whole life thing. The only problem is he went and made himself unbusy. He changed his entire schedule just so that he could be with me and now I’m stuck doing newspaper and yearbook and Homecoming Committee. I hate Homecoming.
[Amy slides down the wall and sits on the floor and Dr. Abbott sits on her bed.]
DR. ABBOTT: I’m sorry. I know this feels horrible right now but, well, maybe this is for the best. Maybe it won’t be so difficult with another boy.
AMY: There is no other boy, it’s not like that. I know you think I’m shallow but …
DR. ABBOTT: I never said that.
AMY: And maybe you’re right. You probably are. It’s probably really bad that the only thing that makes me happy is the thought of being with Ephram but it’s true. I can fill my schedule with a thousand different things. I could study more and dance more and do all of that stuff but the fact is none of those things make me even one tenth as happy as the thought of being with Ephram even if it is for only 20 minutes. Even if I have to wait around. I know it sounds awful.
DR. ABBOTT: No it doesn’t. It sounds like you’re in love.
AMY: What do I do?
[Dr. Abbott kneels in front of Amy on the floor.]
DR. ABBOTT: Well, if this is what you want, then I think you should mount a full offensive. Muster all of your resources.
[Amy is listening to Dr. Abbott intently.]
DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) You know what? You don’t need me to tell you what to do. You’ll figure it out.
[Dr. Abbott kisses Amy on the forehead and gets up and leaves her room. Amy just stays on the floor thinking about what Dr. Abbott said.]
[Cut to Ephram sitting on the stairs at his house. Dr. Brown starts to come down and Ephram gets up acting like he was gonna leave.]
DR. BROWN: Hey. How about a goodbye?
EPHRAM: [turning around] Bye.
DR. BROWN: What’s wrong with you now?
EPHRAM: Nothing. What’s wrong with you?
DR. BROWN: Nothing.
[Delia is coming downstairs.]
DELIA: Who’s taking me to school?
DR. BROWN: Ephram is.
EPHRAM: Come on, Delia.
DELIA: You okay?
EPHRAM: [opening the front door] Broke up with Amy.
DELIA: Already?
[Delia walks past Ephram out the door.]
EPHRAM: Shut up, Delia.
[Ephram walks out the house and closes the door behind him.]
[Cut to Dr. Brown’s office – Dr. Brown is sitting behind his desk and Mary Kelly is sitting in front of him. He puts a plastic specimen cup in front of Mary.]
DR. BROWN: So, all I need is a sample, and, uh, we’ll see if there’s anything to worry about.
MARY: I don’t understand. Dean said he had strep throat. Why do you need a urine sample from me?
DR. BROWN: Well, I just figured that since you’re here we might as well run a test on everything, just to be safe. And, hey, you know what? It’s on the house.
MARY: I thought you were already free.
DR. BROWN: I am. Good point.
MARY: What did he give me, Dr. Brown? Just tell me the truth. I can take it.
DR. BROWN: Your husband tested positive for Chlamydia. It’s highly contagious, Mary, and since you’ve been exposed . . . We need to run tests on you right away.
MARY: My husband gave me V.D.
DR. BROWN: I’m sorry.
MARY: Did he tell you where he got it?
DR. BROWN: Uh…
MARY: Forget it. It-It doesn’t matter. You’re not a very good liar anyway.
DR. BROWN: I don’t know what to say. I wish you, uh, hadn’t found out this way.
MARY: Oh, I knew. I’ve always known. I should have said something about it a long time ago, but I didn’t. He’d pretend he was working late, I’d pretend I believed him. It just got worse and worse. Now it’s like we’ve been lying to each other for so long, I wouldn’t even know how to stop. You must think I’m pathetic.
DR. BROWN: No . . .
MARY: I just… I never thought he’d get me sick.
Another wave of true sadness takes over Mary’s face. Andy feels for her, tries to help in the only way he knows how.
DR. BROWN: Well, maybe you could look at this as an opportunity. For the two of you to get everything out in the open. Start with a clean slate.
Mary finally comes back to the present. Her eyes meet Andy’s.
MARY: My husband can’t know that I know about this, Doctor Brown.
DR. BROWN: What?
MARY: You can’t tell him. I know it’s awful, and I know what he did was wrong, but I’m still not ready to give up my marriage.
DR. BROWN: You don’t have to give it up. But you can change it. You can make it better - -
MARY: It’s too late for that. Promise me you won’t tell him.
DR. BROWN: What do you want me to do?
MARY: Run the test, and write me a prescription for “strep throat.” I’ll take care of the rest.
[Mary gets up and heads for the door to Dr. Brown’s office. Dr. Brown follows her. Mary opens the door and Dean is waiting.]
MARY: (CONT'D) Let’s go, honey.
[Dean looks at Dr. Brown giving him a look of appreciation and then follows Mary out.]
[Cut to the Abbott backyard – Teenagers are having fun in a blow-up swimming pool. Bright is having a party. Rose comes out the backdoor and sees Bright and his friends going crazy and having fun.]
ROSE: [pissed] What in the world is going on?
BRIGHT: Hang on, Mom.
[Bright is distracted from someone throwing something at him.]
PARTY GIRL: Oh my God, we love your house.
[Rose jerks the cord out of the socket that is playing the boombox and starts gathering the towels. Bright remains genuinely confused.]
ROSE: Everybody out. Now. NOW. (then, to Bright) You have got some nerve . . .
BRIGHT: What did I do?
[The partygoers pack up and leave.]
ROSE: All that blather about finding your purpose. All you were just trying to extend your summer vacation and use my home as your own personal resort! Well, that ends right now. Thought you could butter me up with your sweet talk, but our deal is over. I do not enjoy being played for a patsy, Brighton. Do you hear me?
BRIGHT: Mom, I wasn’t trying to…
ROSE: You are supposed to be at a low point, young man. I suggest you start acting like it.
[Rose turns and leaves. Bright is all alone in the pool realizing the fun and games are over.]
[Cut to Dr. Abbott’s office – Dr. Abbott is playing with a camcorder. Dr. Brown walks in.]
DR. BROWN: What’s that?
[Dr. Abbott quickly puts the camcorder down.]
DR. ABBOTT: Oh, just a little advertising experiment. Suffice it to say I now know how the makers of Gigli must have felt.
DR. BROWN: Listen, Harold, I’m gonna tell Ephram about Madison.
DR. ABBOTT: Oh, boy.
[Dr. Abbott puts the camcorder down and is ready to pay close attention.]
DR. BROWN: Let me finish. I came to Everwood for one specific reason – to build a relationship with my son. It’s what Julia wanted and it’s what she knew I needed. And that was starting to happen. But now, it’s-it’s like I’m living in this time warp an-and all the progress that we’ve made over the last two years is just shot to hell. I mean, he won’t talk to me. I can’t talk to him. It’s like there-there’s this wall between us and I put it there the day I decided not to tell him that Madison was pregnant. I did that and I-I need to undo it before our relationship turns into…
DR. ABBOTT: Turns into what?
DR. BROWN: Turns into what I saw in there today. Trust me, Harold, this is the right thing to do.
[Dr. Brown sits down in a chair in front of Dr. Abbott’s desk.]
DR. ABBOTT: It may have been. If you came to me two months ago and asked my opinion, I-I might have told you to tell Ephram the truth or I might not’ve. I don’t know. I can’t imagine how you’ve handled it these last two months let alone these last two years all by yourself.
DR. BROWN: Where are you going with this?
DR. ABBOTT: The fact is you don’t have to figure this one out on your own. You’ve brought me into it, so allow me to be here for you now and to aid you in this decision. Do not tell Ephram.
DR. BROWN: Harold…
DR. ABBOTT: This isn’t for only Amy’s sake. Although, naturally that is my concern. The fact is you can’t undo what you did. Telling Ephram now isn’t gonna make this any better for him - only be better for you.
DR. BROWN: That’s not what this is about?
DR. ABBOTT: You wanted your boy to have a chance at a normal childhood – an opportunity to be happy. Well, that’s a very real possibility for him right now. They’re in love.
DR. BROWN: Well, that may well be true, but nonetheless.
DR. ABBOTT: No, it’s more than that. It’s remarkable. The fact that after everything they’ve endured that they’ve managed to salvage any hope at all. Allow them this brief period of time to enjoy their youth – the innocence that should come along with it. Lord knows they deserve it.
DR. BROWN: You know that Madison could come back at any time or call.
DR. ABBOTT: You can’t control that. What you can control is what you do today right now. Start over with Ephram. Make a clean slate of it. Don’t let this one incident with Madison prevent you from doing that.
[They sit and look at each other.]
{END OF ACT THREE / COMMERCIAL BREAK}
{ACT FOUR}
[Fade in – Ephram is at his locker and Amy is walking down the hall and sees him. Ephram notices her and Amy walks toward him.]
AMY: I quit yearbook.
[Ephram closes his locker and leans against it.]
EPHRAM: Damn, I just signed up.
AMY: Sorry.
EPHRAM: I’m sorry.
AMY: I just got so caught up in trying to prove how much I could do without you I forgot how much I didn’t want to do it without you.
EPHRAM: I shouldn’t have changed my schedule without asking you.
AMY: Shouldn’t’ve yelled.
EPHRAM: No, yelling’s a part of your charm. You shouldn’t have to drop yearbook or any of that stuff if it makes you happy. We’ll figure it out. We just gotta remember to talk to one another and be honest and stuff like that. Like the other night, I should have told you that I came by your place. The night you went to Sal’s. That’s why I was such a jerk the next day.
AMY: I wrote you like 15 emails. Didn’t send any. Some of them are pretty damn good.
EPHRAM: So basically we’re both crazy.
AMY: Yeah. The irony of it is I don’t even remember what was going on in any of those meetings ‘cause I was too busy thinking about you to pay attention.
EPHRAM: Well, I haven’t been able to practice for a week because all I’ve been thinking about is you.
[Ephram walks up to Amy in the hallway.]
EPHRAM: (CONT'D) What’s that all about?
AMY: I don’t know.
[They kiss slowly and passionately in the hallway while students are scurrying around them.]
EPHRAM: By the way, how do you feel about PDA?
AMY: I feel good about it.
EPHRAM: Good.
[They kiss again.]
[Cut to Bright walking toward Rose’s mayoral office. Rose is working at her desk. She notices him.]
BRIGHT: Don’t give up on me.
ROSE: I’m not giving up on you. I’m just disappointed.
BRIGHT: You have every right to be. I screwed up. Not just the other day, but, y’know, in general. And I want to fix it. I really do, Mom, but I need your help.
ROSE: I can’t help you unless you take on some responsibility yourself. That’s what I was trying to say the other day.
BRIGHT: I know. That’s why I, uh, went to the bookstore and I got these.
[Bright hands Rose two books and sits down in a chair in front of her desk. One being “Who Moved My Cheese?”]
BRIGHT: (CONT'D) FYI. The one about cheese, uh, it’s not really about cheese. It’s metaphorical. Also, I-I was hoping you could help me put together a resume. I mean, I don’t really have anything real to put on it just yet, but, uh, y’know, maybe we could figure something out because I think I need a job.
ROSE: A job would be good. But there’s just one thing.
BRIGHT: Dad.
ROSE: You have to tell him the truth.
BRIGHT: Yeah, I figured. But, I mean, if you think he would take it better coming from you then I’m totally cool with that.
ROSE: Not a chance.
BRIGHT: Damn.
[Cut to Dr. Hartman leaving his office in a hurry and is on his cell phone. Dr. Abbott is walking across the street toward his car. Dr. Hartman drops the papers that he was holding trying to unlock his car.]
DR. HARTMAN: Oh, dammit.
DR. ABBOTT: Rushing off to see more clients, are we?
DR. HARTMAN: Sorry, can’t talk right now, Hal. I gotta get to the pharmacy.
DR. ABBOTT: How unfortunate for you seeing as how they closed 40 minutes ago.
DR. HARTMAN: What?
DR. ABBOTT: Ted likes to keep summer hours into October. Fly-fishing season.
DR. HARTMAN: Oh, you gotta be freaking kidding me.
DR. ABBOTT: Trouble?
DR. HARTMAN: A woman came into see me this morning with back pain. I checked her out and she seemed fine. She did straight leg raises were negative, neurological signs were all normal so I figured she had spasms. Gave her an anti-inflammatory and I sent her home. Well, she just called and she’s having horrible stomach pain. She’s freaking out and her daughter’s ready to call an ambulance.
DR. ABBOTT: Who’s the patient?
DR. HARTMAN: Mrs. Samples. You know her?
DR. ABBOTT: Evelyn came to see you. I take it that the anti-inflammatory that you gave her was non-steroidal.
DR. HARTMAN: Well, that’s the problem. I gave her ibuprofen.
DR. ABBOTT: With her history of ulcers.
DR. HARTMAN: I know. I know. I know. It-It was a crazy day. I only skimmed through her chart. I haven’t had enough time to get a new nurse yet so it’s been kind of a lot to handle.
DR. ABBOTT: The ibuprofen could cause her stomach to bleed.
[Dr. Abbott pulls out his cell phone and dials Ted.]
DR. HARTMAN: I know and she’s going to have tar in her stool. I warned her about that already. But the main thing is she’s going to need Nexium, which is why I need to find a pharmacy that’s actually open.
DR. ABBOTT: [on cell phone] Ted, Harold Abbott. Sorry to bother you, but, uh, we got a pop up…Nexium 100 milligrams…Yes, and it will be Dr. Hartman meeting you…Right the new guy…Very good, thank you…Best to Margaret.
[Dr. Abbott hangs up his cell phone.]
DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) 20 minutes.
[Dr. Hartman lets out a sigh of relief.]
DR. HARTMAN: That was impressive.
DR. ABBOTT: You’re welcome. Well, my wife’s lasagna is getting cold. I will leave you to your duties.
[Dr. Abbott heads to his car.]
DR. HARTMAN: I can’t believe you actually know the pharmacist’s home number by heart. I-I don’t even think I know the name of the pharmacist back at UCLA.
DR. ABBOTT: Which is precisely why you came here if I remember correctly.
[Dr. Abbott walks back toward Dr. Hartman a little.]
DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) You spoke to Jenna today, Evelyn’s daughter.
[Dr. Hartman nods.]
DR. ABBOTT: (CONT'D) Well, I delivered her back when I first started a practice with my father. Last summer, I delivered Jenna’s first daughter. All I can tell you is that if you took a yardstick and broke it in half and kept going ‘til you had the smallest piece possible. Well, that would be how you measure what we do here. Very small increments. Our job is to heal – to do good. And it doesn’t matter if you’re in California or Calcutta; it’s still the same.
DR. HARTMAN: Good share, Hal.
[Cut to Ephram and Amy getting out of his car in front of Nina’s house and they start walking toward Ephram’s house.]
EPHRAM: Start your watch. Scheduled alone time begins right now.
AMY: What about in the car?
EPHRAM: I know, but I decided that the travel time doesn’t count.
AMY: I like that decision.
[Nina comes running out of the house.]
NINA: Ephram. Hey, Amy.
AMY: Hey.
EPHRAM: Hey.
[Ephram and Amy stop on the sidewalk in front of Nina’s house.]
NINA: Remember that favor I asked you about.
EPHRAM: Uh, yeah. Um, hmm.
NINA: Well, she’s here.
AMY: She?
EPHRAM: Your-Your favor is a-a-a she.
NINA: I told you that. Anyway, uh, she starts school tomorrow and she doesn’t know a soul.
[Nina looks back to the door.]
NINA: (CONT'D) Come on out, sweetie.
[Nina looks back at Ephram and Amy. Hannah comes to the door.]
NINA: (CONT'D) She’s a little shy but I told her she was very lucky since I happen to know two of the best kids at County High personally and one of them already agreed to take special care of her. Isn’t that right, Ephram?
EPHRAM: Uh, yeah.
[Hannah comes out the door very cautiously. She is being very timid.]
NINA: Uh, guys, this is Hannah. Hannah, this is , uh, Amy and Ephram.
HANNAH: Hi.
AMY and EPHRAM: Hey.
[Cut to Ephram playing his piano in the studio. Dr. Brown leans against the doorframe listening to him play. Ephram turns around when he’s done.]
EPHRAM: Hey.
DR. BROWN: Hey. Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt you.
EPHRAM: No, it’s okay. You can come in if you want.
[Dr. Brown walks in.]
DR. BROWN: I take it from your mood that, uh, things are going better with Amy.
EPHRAM: Yeah. All that stuff got worked out.
DR. BROWN: I did something I need to talk to you about.
EPHRAM: Well, that doesn’t sound good.
DR. BROWN: First of all, I know about your Juilliard evaluation.
EPHRAM: Yeah, I wanted to tell you about the evaluation as soon as I got home. I did. I-I-I… It’s just you built this whole thing. You were all excited about me being a genius; I didn’t want to disappoint you.
DR. BROWN: You could never disappoint me, Ephram.
EPHRAM: Well, I disappointed myself. I guess we both just have to accept the fact that I’m average, which is fine.
DR. BROWN: Nothing about you is average. Not the way you play - certainly not your level of ambition. I mean, you were willing to give you the girl to get more practice time. No average kid in America would do that.
EPHRAM: But the people at Juilliard said…
DR. BROWN: Oh, who cares what they said. They told you you would never make it this far and you worked your butt off and proved them wrong. You’ll do it again.
EPHRAM: I’m sorry I blew up at you the other day. Just keeping this stuff inside of me makes you go crazy.
DR. BROWN: I know. You’re not the only one who’s been keeping secrets. Which leads me to the second part of this discussion. I yelled at your Juilliard professor.
EPHRAM: You what?
DR. BROWN: Well, I… When I found out about your evaluation I called them up just to see what was going on and he was so arrogant and so rude that I…
EPHRAM: Well, I guess that my audition just got a little tougher.
DR. BROWN: Sorry.
EPHRAM: It’s all right. I like a challenge.
DR. BROWN: I need to be able to talk to you, Ephram. And I know you’re getting older and you’re working things out for yourself and I respect that – at least, I’m-I’m trying to. But recently, this just isn’t-isn’t working for me and it’s not because I want to control your life or that I want to parent you to death. It’s because I miss you. I-I need to be a part of your life and I need you to be a part of mine. It’s important.
EPHRAM: I know.
[Dr. Brown nods that he’s getting through to Ephram.]
EPHRAM: (CONT'D) I’ll try.
DR. BROWN: Thanks. Well, I’ll let you get back to practicing.
[Dr. Brown starts to walk to the door.]
EPHRAM: Dad?
DR. BROWN: Hmm?
EPHRAM: Thank you for telling me about the phone call. I probably would have never found out otherwise.
DR. BROWN: No problem.
[Dr. Brown leaves and Ephram starts to practice again.]
