Alex, Maria, and the rest of the band members: Chris, Marcos and Nicky, are there, as are other bands. Elana and Vanessa, and the rest of the dance committee who will be choosing the band, are seated in the front row. The auditioners are scattered among the seats in the auditorium. There is one set of drums on stage, to be used by all the auditioners. Alex, Marcos and Nicky are holding their guitars and Chris a pair of drumsticks. Chris is "drumming" on the back of the seats. Marcos and Nicky are tuning their guitars. Alex, his back to the stage, is talking with Maria.

Maria sings the last two stanzas of the song a capella. Others in the auditorium turn and listen.

There is a smattering of applause from others in the auditorium.

Chris, Nicky and Marcos nod and mutter words of appreciation. Maria smiles at the attention. Vanessa stands up from the front row and makes an announcement.

Alex, Maria and the others climb the stairs to the stage and start to set up. Elana and Vanessa exchange stunned looks.

Cut to:

Max is alone in the Jeep. He is smiling as he drives.

Cut to:

Liz is by the door, holding a present. Full of barely suppressed excitement, she scans the passing cars.

Max pulls up in the Jeep outside the Crashdown. Before he can completely turn off the engine, the door of the Crashdown bursts open and Liz runs over to the Jeep. She moves so fast that her feet hardly seem to touch the ground; she's propelled by pure joy. In one fluid movement, she tosses the present onto the back seat, grabs the top of the windshield with one hand and the back of the passenger seat with the other, and vaults over the door into the Jeep. Max is amused, pleased and stunned, all at the same time.

Max starts the car.

They drive off.

Cut to:

The Jeep is parked by the side of the road. The top is now on the Jeep and Max and Liz are inside, kissing.

More kissing.

More kissing.

More kissing.

Even more kissing.

The Jetta approaches. Maria recognizes Max and Isabel's Jeep and slows down, wondering why it's parked there, concerned that there may be a problem. The top is on the Jeep so she cannot see clearly who is inside but she sees movement so she glances in as she passes by, then shakes her head and drives off.

Max pauses. He reaches with one hand and waves it in the direction of the hood.

They kiss.

Another kiss.

Cut to:

Max and Liz walk into the living room. There's a banner which reads "Happy Birthday Isabel and Max." Everywhere they look it's crowded with people.

Maria sees them and walks over.

Cut to:

Michael is at the grill. He glances at the clock, which reads 7:20, and then towards the back room. He's obviously irritated. Another cook eventually enters the kitchen.

Michael takes off his apron and tosses it in the laundry basket near the door, then heads out to his locker for his jacket. As he is putting it on we hear Jeff and Nancy coming down the stairs from their apartment above.

Coming into view Nancy stops short, and stops speaking, as soon as she sees Michael. Jeff almost collides with her on the stairs as he was right behind her. Nancy glances at Jeff than smiles at Michael, trying to hide the awkwardness of the situation.

He exits and Jeff and Nancy exchange worried looks.

Cut to:

play "At Last" by Etta James (streaming audio):
MP3

Max and Liz are gazing into each other's eyes as they dance.

Liz smiles at Max, half embarrassed.

Liz laughs. Max spins her around.

Cut to:

Jeff and Nancy are getting some supplies; they are still discussing what Larry told Jeff.

Cut to:

continue "At Last" by Etta James (streaming audio):
MP3
(Please turn off the "repeat" or "loop" function of your MP3 playing software, so you can hear the music the way it's intended to play.)

Max and Liz are still dancing but no longer talking; they seem gloriously happy. Maria walks over to Alex who is sitting on the couch watching the dancing. Alex moves over to make room for Maria who sits next to him.

Michael enters. Isabel looks at her watch then pointedly at Michael. He walks past the couch.

Michael stops, startled.

Michael looks at Maria. He meets her eyes for a second then walks off in the direction of the front door.

Maria and Alex walk toward the kitchen. They pass Isabel who is chatting with Elana and Vanessa. The camera stays with Isabel and her friends.

Elana and Vanessa exchange puzzled looks.

Isabel looks at them as if they were speaking a foreign language.

Elana and Vanessa exchange looks.

Vanessa stops when she sees the stricken look on Isabel's face.

play "All Star" by Smash Mouth (streaming audio):
MP3
(Please turn off the "repeat" or "loop" function of your MP3 playing software, so you can hear the music the way it's intended to play.)

Isabel turns to look at Alex who is returning to the living room, drink in hand. He is engrossed in his conversation with Maria and does not notice Isabel staring at him. The camera focuses in on them.

Maria looks at him, surprised.

Kyle enters and walks over to Isabel. He says something to her and she laughs. Elana and Vanessa both roll their eyes and move on to another group of friends.

He puts down his drink and leaves. The camera moves to Isabel and Kyle.

Cut to:

Michael is standing alone outside. Alex approaches.

He glances at the house. We can see the partygoers through the window; Isabel is starting to dance with Kyle. Michael follows Alex's gaze.

Dissolve to:

Maria looks at her watch then makes her way to Max and Liz.

The three head toward the door. Isabel, who has moved on to a group of school friends, looks up from her conversation and watches them go outside. She makes an excuse and follows them.

Cut to:

Alex and Michael watch as Max, Liz, Maria and Isabel approach.

Max turns to Alex who nods. Maria seems unconvinced but before she can say anything, Michael interrupts.

Liz waits, thinking there's more. There isn't.

Michael points at Kyle, who can be seen through the living room window talking to Elana and Vanessa, who are trying their best to ignore him.

Alex perks up at this information.

Alex moves closer to Michael, as if in support.

Max puts his arm around Liz and glares at Michael for his verbal attack on her but remains calm in his response.

Michael glares at Maria but then heads towards the house.

There are nods and sighs from the others as they start back toward the house. As they enter the house, they pass Phillip and Diane who look concerned at the serious expressions on the kids' faces. Isabel notices and forces a smile.

Cut to commercial.

Return to Act I

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