About Me

My photo
Let's see, I'm a single, 39 year old 5'2-ish pinoy who worked with kids for the 14 years and I was pretty good at it. I am now working in a totally different area away from kids and it's awesome. Anyways, for fun I listen to music, draw, play video games, watch movies, hang with friends, surf the internet, go skydiving, and write down my thoughts, which I call Yodaisms. I'm pretty much a quiet, laid back dude once you get to know me and that's pretty much it, so have fun reading my thoughts. Take care and peace out!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Chuck vs. The Black Leather Couch Part 6

To recap what previously happened Chuck reflects back on his days at Stanford and his first meeting with Bryce. He strikes up a conversation with Chuck after noticing a C++ textbook leading him to find out about the shared common interest of a favorite game from their past Zork. Cut to Chuck meeting Jill to where an instant friendship formulates between the both of them leading them to be in a relationship several years later. Chuck and Jill argue about Jill’s friendship with Allan Watterman who he thinks is a complete douche bag, but she think he’s just jealous. Cut to Chuck talking to Bryce in the library after getting beat again in the game Assassins and he offers his, as well as, his fellow Gamma Delta Phi frat brothers their services to take care of him, but he declines only to tell Bryce to keep his cell phone on. Move forward a month later where Chuck finds out from Dr. Fleming that he’s being kicked out for cheating and the guy who tipped him off was his best friend/roommate Bryce Larkin. Cut to Chuck talking with Jill who is equally as shocked and after a brief conversation of how important it is to believe him he goes to the frat house to find Bryce, but doesn’t find him. After calling Ellie, he walk down stairs with stuff I hand where Bryce is playing pool like nothing has happened leading Chuck to ask why. Bryce responds by telling him he brought it on himself to where it cuts a month later with Chuck at Jill’s sorority house trying to win her back only to find out that she’s now dating Bryce.
The scene begins with Chuck sitting in the corner of the black leather couch in a relaxed position with his both arms spread out resting on the top and side arm of the couch. His legs are straight out with his right leg over his left and he has a smirk on his face as he begins to speak up.
Chuck: Getting kicked out of Stanford was to me the most unbelievable and not to mention the craziest thing that has happened me…before I became an analyst for the government that is. However, unbelievable and crazy can also best describe my time in a place that I thought would be working temporarily in order to for me to recoup until I got by on my feet. That didn’t necessarily happen and it wasn’t until Sarah’s father offered the money to start my own business, which was an offer and opportunity I could not refuse…but that’s a story to tell for another time. When I returned from Stanford I spent the better part of 2 weeks secluded in my room and it was my best friend Morgan who encouraged me to work with him at Buy More to basically try to keep me not only busy, but distract from everything that had happened to me. Morgan’s intentions were good and I appreciated what he did for me. After filling out an application I had an interview with Big Mike. Looking back I was very intimidated the first time I met him and yet quite amused because during the interview he was eating a box of assorted donuts. Well…after getting hired I was then introduced to my fellow co-workers Anna, Lester, Jeff, and of course Harry Tang. Harry Tang…shakes head…my first initial meeting with him set the tone on how he and I would be working together.
As he says that, Chuck flashes back to June of 2003 around 9a.m. with the façade of Buy More and then cut inside to Big Mike walking into camera view followed closely by Chuck being led to the nerd herd desk where Morgan is standing facing the other way talking to Jeff and Lester with Anna sitting off to the side reading a magazine. As he is about to reach the nerd herd desk Big Mike speaks up.
Big Mike: Grimes!
A startled Morgan quickly turns around giving a salute.
Morgan: Yes Big Mike!
Big Mike stand in front of Morgan is about to say something when he looks over at Jeff and Lester just standing there.
Big Mike: Patel…Barnes…don’t you two knuckleheads have anything better to do?
Lester: Like what?
Cut to Jeff giving Chuck a sinister look who responds by waving at him.
Big Mike: I don't know like getting back to work.
Lester: Aren’t you going to introduce us to the new guy first.
Big Mike: NOW! Lester immediately grabs Jeff and heads off leading him to look at Anna giving a flirtatious smile as she is checking out Chuck who responds with a nervous smile and wave. You too Ms. Wu. Anna saunters off with all three men tilting their heads watching her leave and after a moment or two, Big Mike speaks up. Grimes…Morgan turns around to see him smile…you spoke very high of your friend Chuck here so I have one thing to say to you.
Morgan smiles as he looks at Chuck who smiles back as he gives him a thumbs up. He then looks back at Big Mike to respond back to him.
Morgan: What’s that sir?
Big Mike smiles turns into a scowl as he leans in.
Big Mike: Don’t make me regret hiring him?
Morgan leans back as it cuts to Chuck behind Big Mike who a freaked out look on his face.
Morgan: Trust me sir…you won’t regret.
Big Mike leans back up and then stands looking at both men as his scowl returns to a smile.
Big Mike: Excellent…take him to the back…we have new shipments that just came in.
Big Mike walks off leading Morgan to lead his best friend to the back. As they are walking Chuck speaks up.
Chuck: Morgan…buddy…thanks for getting me this job.
Morgan: Hey…you would do the same for me and this will help you get your mind off…Mogan catches himself as he begins to Chuck thinking about Bryce, Stanford, and most Jill to where he immediately changes the subject…so welcome to Buymoria…nice set up huh?
Chuck gives Morgan a weird look.
Chuck: Yeah…nods…it is. This will be temporary of course once I get back on my feet.
Morgan: past Chuck on the right shoulder Of course dude.
After several moments, they walk through the door where a several green shirts are unpacking new shipments of DVD’s. As they are standing there, a figure appears behind him inevitably startling the two as they turn around to see a bald, fairly uptight Asian man standing in front of them.
Man: Grimes…you’re here to work not to socialize. Looks at Chuck Who is this?
Morgan is about to respond when Chuck takes the initiative and introduces himself.
Chuck: Hi…sticks his hand out for a handshake…my name is Chuck…Chuck Bartowski.
The man looks at Chuck’s hand, looks at Chuck, then Morgan.
Man: Get to work…leans in and pokes him in the chest…you do know what work is don’t you?
Morgan nods as the man turns around and walks off to continue his duties. After a brief silence, Chuck leans over and talks to Morgan.
Chuck: Who was that?
Morgan: Harry Tang…he’s sort of like Saruman from Lord of the Rings only shorter, no beard, and Asian. He also has seniority here and oh did I mention he wields a magical power.
Chuck: Really…what power would that be.
Morgan: Sucking the fun out of everything.
As Chuck and Morgan laugh Harry walks by giving a menacing look to both of them. The scene ends with Chuck and Morgan looking at each other as they both get to work unpacking DVD’s. Cue Chuck intro.

Fade Out

The scene begins a month later in the DVD section where Chuck is busy stocking new DVD’s on the shelves. He’s busy working when he accidentally drops a DVD on the floor and when he kneels down to pick it up a shot of two feet appear in front of him. Suddenly, a hand comes down to pick it up to where it cuts to Chuck looking up to see Harry Tang tapping the DVD against his left hand Chuck gets up leading him to speak up.
Chuck: Mr. Tang…
Harry: holds up hand Please…call me Harry.
Harry hands him back the DVD leading Chuck to respond.
Chuck: with a bit of histance Okay…Harry.
Harry: I apologize for being so cold to you earlier today.
Chuck: It’s alright…I’m considered the newbie here so I don’t blame you.
Harry: Chuck…are you a hard worker?
Chuck: Yes sir I am.
Harry: Excellent…like you I take my job very seriously and from what I see you do too.
Chuck: Thanks
Harry: I see potential in you Chuck is it…Chuck nods…and I don’t think hanging around your friend Mr. Grimes is the best idea.
Cut to Chuck with a look of concerned curiosity.
Chuck: Why not?
Harry: Grimes lacks ambition and is a slacker when it comes to his duty as a Buy More employee. He will bring you down and I don’t want to see that happen to you.
Chuck: Morgan would never do that to me.
Harry: I admire your loyalty to him really I do, but you and I cut from a different breed from those sheep.
Chuck: shakes head What…I don’t understand.
Harry: I make it a point to know the employees who work here and you went to Stanford for a time until you were kicked out for cheating.
Chuck: I didn’t cheat.
Harry: That’s neither here nor there…what I’m saying is for a person to be at a prestigious school as Stanford must not only be a hard worker, but have a great mind as well. Harry motions to him his finger to come with him Walk with me Chuck.
Chuck: looking around Okay
Chuck sets the DVD he’s holding down following Harry and for a brief moment there is a bit of silence until Harry speaks up.
Harry: Do you remember what the salesman’s motto in Buy More is Chuck?
Chuck: When you sell more, you smile more, and when you smile more, you sell more. It all starts at Buy More.
Harry: Exactly and I potentially see you as an employee who makes a difference at Buy More in the future. We are all cogs in the engine that runs Buy More and if one cog doesn’t run smoothly there is no smile appearing on the face of Big Mike. You want Big Mike to keep smiling do you?
Chuck: Yes…yes I do.
Harry: It’s through hard work, dedication, and perseverance that you can hopefully be in Big Mike’s position someday.
Chuck: Really?
Harry smirks as he puts his hand on Chuck’s right shoulder.
Harry: Yes I do…I wouldn’t lie to you.
Chuck: Wow…thanks for the vote of confidence.
Harry: You’re welcome…turns to stand in front of him as his points his finger in the air…but in order for you to be a perfectly running, working cog you must associate yourself with those who truly want to build up Buy More instead of tear it down.
Chuck: What are you saying?
As he says that, Morgan appears in the background listening to the conversation between Harry and Chuck.
Harry: Chuck…I want you to join my team and under my leadership you will learn much from what I have to teach you. You will learn to be a well-disciplined, respectful employee who strives to want something more than to be just another mindless sheep with absolutely no ambition whatsoever holding on to some stupid fantasy world called Buymoria made up by three immature fools.
Chuck: Can I think about it?
Harry pats Chuck on the right shoulder with a smile on his face.
Harry: Sure…take your time.
Harry turns around and walks off with his smile turning into a scowl. The scene ends with Chuck watching him leave and then turns around to go back to stocking the DVD’s on the shelves leading it to focus on a shot of Morgan with a look of disbelief.

Fade Out

The scene begins with a shot of Chuck walking near the Home Theatre room when all of a sudden he gets pulled in. Cut inside where Chuck stumbles in nearly falling down and after regaining his balance in the middle of the room he turns around to see Morgan walking up to him.
Chuck: Dude what was that all about?
Morgan: I overheard you and Tang talking…are you seriously thinking about going over to the dark side?
Chuck: Nothing is set in stone Morg…besides…walks past Morgan looking out the Buy More Theatre room door and then turns back to look at him…I don’t think Tang is the bad guy you make him out to be.
Morgan: That’s what Anakin Skywalker thought before he was enticed to cross over into the dark side.
Chuck rolls his eyes as he rubs the back of his head.
Chuck: Come on buddy...aren’t being just a bit melodramatic?
Morgan: All I’m saying is that you are here to bring balance to the country of Buymoria.
Chuck: points at Morgan Now I know you’re being melodramatic.
Morgan: If you join Tang’s empire there won’t be any hope for the rebel alliance.
Chuck: holds up three fingers What rebel alliance…there’s only 3 people…you, Jeff, and Lester.
Morgan: 3 people…points at Chuck…that you know of.
Chuck throws his hands in the air and then turns around taking a few steps around as he rubs his forehead.
Chuck: Morgan do you listen to the words that are coming out of your mouth?
Morgan: What?
Chuck: We’re no longer 8 years old man…turns around to look at Morgan…we’re adults now and maybe you don’t realize it but some of us are working in order to make a living and not hiding from the world.
Morgan: What does that supposed to mean?
Chuck points at himself as an anger look appears on his face.
Chuck: I had a five year plan before Bryce had me kicked out of college and then finding about he and Jill...
Morgan: interrupts Chuck Whoa…don’t take it out on me…I’m on your side remember?
Chuck: Look…like I told you before, this job is…
Morgan: chimes in Is just temporary until I can get back on my feet. Yeah...I’ve heard over and over again from you. It’s been a month dude…face it…you’re not going anywhere and in the immortal words of Wayne and Garth I say its time to party on.
Chuck: You know what…I can’t deal with you being…
Morgan: What…being immature…that’s what you were going to say wasn’t it?
Chuck: Since we were kids it was me and you having fun all the time.
Morgan: What’s wrong with that?
Chuck: There are times to have fun and then there are times to be responsible…its time for me to be responsible for you to stop hiding from the world too.
Morgan: So it’s just like that.
Chuck: Yeah…I guess it is. I appreciate it what you’ve done for me in the past month…really I do…but I have to do what’s best for me even if it means doing something you don’t like in your eyes.
Morgan: shakes head Maybe I’m not the one who’s immature here or hiding from the world…heads towards the door but before he heads out he turns to look at Chuck…maybe you are.
The scene switches from the home theatre room to the living room of Casa Bartowski where Ellie is in the kitchen cooking as Chuck enters the front door dropping his keys on the table by the door.
Ellie: Hey little brother.
Chuck: Sis…am I immature and hiding from the world?
Ellie: What happened?
Chuck walks over and sits at the counter.
Chuck: Morgan and I had an argument at work.
Ellie goes over and sits beside her little brother.
Ellie: Over what?
Chuck: The argument first started about me joining Harry Tang’s team at Buy More and how I would be joining the dark side of the force…
Ellie: interrupts Chuck Chuck drop the Star Wars references and talk to me…your sister.
Chuck: We ended up arguing about how I keep reliving the past…he’s wrong…I’m not reliving the past as a matter of fact I’m working hard to forget it.
Ellie: Morgan’s right…shakes head in astonishment…I can’t believe I just said that.
Chuck: Come on El.
Ellie: Morgan told me about you driving over to Stanford on your lunch break and trying to patch things up with Jill. Plus…I’ve seen you constantly looking at pictures of you and Jill on your computer and not to mention “The Jill Mix” on your ipod.
Chuck: Okay…maybe I’m not completely over her.
Ellie: Chuck listen to me...Morgan is worried about you and so am I.
Chuck: Don’t be…just give me some time and I’ll be fine.
Chuck gets up and is about to head towards his room when Ellie stops him.
Ellie: Fine…but can I just say one thing.
Chuck turns around.
Chuck: What?
Ellie: You’re going to meet a great girl one day who’s going to make you forget all about Jill and trust me when I say she’s going to change your life for the better giving you the chance to move forward with your life instead of being stuck in the past.
Chuck gives a reluctant nod to his sister leading him to turn around and head to his room. The scene ends with a concerned look on Ellie’s face as she turns to resume cooking dinner.


Fade Out

The scene begins in the present with Chuck slumping back in the black leather couch playing with plastic water bottle that is half filled reflecting back on not only the apparent break up with his best friend Morgan, but also the talk he had with this sister. He breathes out a sigh and then speaks up.
Chuck: Ellie was right about meeting a great girl who would give me a chance to move forward and would inevitably change my life for the better walking into the Buy More nearly 2 years ago. Anyways, getting back to what happened between me and Morgan. We pretty much had our share of disagreements or should I say heated debates about such things as to what sandwich to take on a deserted island and according to Casey they’ve supposedly lasted for 4 hours, which I totally disagree with. Chuck realizes he’s babbling leading him to get back on the story at hand. Well…our friendship was apparently over and the following day I gave my answer to Harry, which he was glad to hear. However, before I officially joined his team he wanted me before hand to spill the beans on what I knew concerning the after hours activities so I told him being that it was just between him and me….boy was I fooled trusting what he said.
As he says that, it flashes back to the façade of Buy More around 10 a.m. and then cut inside to a shot of Harry Tang talking to his minions. As he is talking, the camera pans down each green shirt inevitably stopping at Chuck. Cut back to Harry at the tail end of his speech.
Harry: Remember…we are here to serve the customers and when we give 110% we succeed in building up Buy More instead of…glances over at Jeff, Lester, and Morgan over at the nerd herd desk with a smirk on his face…tearing it down. Oh and before I end…motions over to Chuck…welcome the newest member to our team.
Chuck shyly waves to Tang’s minions as they clap and shake his hand. His minions disperse leaving Chuck and Harry standing there talking and as they do, Chuck hears the booming voice of Big Mike calling out Morgan’s name leading him to turn around to see his former best friend getting the third degree with Jeff and Lester hightailing it out of there as soon as they heard Big Mike’s voice.
Big Mike: Grimes…you’re fired!
Morgan: What…why?
Big Mike: I have so many reasons…points to the back…go clean out your locker.
Cut to Morgan with a look of disbelief and shock on his face as slowly walks to the back. As he does, Chuck turns to look at Harry who has a smile on his face leading him to speak up.
Harry: He deserved what he got.
Chuck walks up to Harry with a confused look on his face.
Chuck: You promised me what I told you was just between you and me…I trusted you. What kind of man are you.
Harry looks Chuck in the eyes.
Harry: smiles I’m the kind of man who rules with a gentle, nurturing,…closes hand into a fist as menacing look appears…iron fist. A man who took it upon himself with the information that was given to him and used it to his advantage in order to root out an employee who don’t fit the mold around here like your loser friend Morgan Grimes.
Chuck: Morgan may be many things like being a slacker who would do anything to avoid work, a video game junkie, a collector of many comic books…but being considered a loser is not one of them. Shakes head I…I…got to go talk to Big Mike.
As he is about to walk off, Harry grabs his left arm to stop.
Harry: Where do you think you’re going?
Chuck: I’m going to make this right.
Harry: No you’re not…Grimes had a horrible work ethic and now he’s paying for it.
Chuck pulls away his arm from Harry’s grip.
Chuck: Not if I have anything say about it.
Harry: What are you going to do…sacrifice yourself…very noble of you. Shakes head Over what…friendship?
Chuck: He would do the same for me.
Harry: If you do this…you’re no longer on my team and to think…and to think I saw potential in you.
Chuck glares at Harry for a moment and then heads to Big Mike’s office. The scene switches from main area to the locker room area where Morgan is sitting at the table with a sad look on his face. Next to him is box of all of his stuff and after a moment or two Chuck enters inevitably going to his locker. As he is emptying out Morgan speaks up.
Morgan: Where are you going?
Chuck: I was fired by Big Mike
Morgan: Why?
Chuck: Look…let’s just say it was my fault that you got fired. Cut to Morgan with a look of disbelief. You warned me about Harry Tang and I just didn’t listen to you. He puts the last of his stuff in his bag and as he is about to head out the door he turns to look at Morgan. Oh…you have your job.
Morgan has a hint of smile on his face as he rubs the back of his head as Chuck leaves. Cut to the main area where Chuck is walking out with his stuff. As he passes the nerd herd desk, a perturbed customer stops him.
Lady: I was wondering if you can help…I have a lap top computer emergency and I’ve been waiting for over 20 minutes and nobody seems to be around.
Chuck: I’m sorry ma’am but…Chuck stops in mid sentence and realizes that since he’s already fired he wouldn’t get in trouble helping a customer with her lap top…you know what I would be happy to help you ma’am.
Upon saying that, it flashes forward to Chuck sitting on the black leather couch with his arms crossed holding his nearly empty water bottle under his right arm.
Chuck: After talking with her a bit and helping the lady with her lap top computer problem she leaves. That’s when Big Mike was informed by you know who about what I did. He came at me like a rabid pit bull with Harry Tang in tow telling me about how Buy More could be liable for recently fired employees to be working on computers. I could see Tang reveling in all this with a smile on his face and as he was giving me the third degree, that same old lady walked up. Big Mike quickly stopped yelling at me and focused his attention on her. She started informing him how I was most helpful in so many ways with her and that man behind him ignored her. Big Mike glared at Tang and then smiled at the lady who told him that I should be rewarded for doing a great job. When she left Tang told Big Mike to hire me back so I can be fired again. Big Mike did rehire me again on the spot and much to my surprise I thought he was going to take Tang’s advice…but after careful though he instead put me in charge of the nerd herd. I asked Big Mike why and all he said he was that he was impressed that I took the initiative to help a customer with a positive attitude even though I was fired. Plus…he got tired of trying to keep Jeff, Lester, and Morgan in line so he gave the responsibility to me much to Harry’s surprise. His plans for Buy More dominance was thwarted leading to storm off in a huff and from that point on Harry and I have been adversaries.
Chuck laughs thinking about the look of utter shock on Harry’s face. The scene ends with Chuck tapping the near empty water bottle on his chin as a smirk appears on his face.

Fade Out

The scene begins in the break room around lunchtime with Morgan sitting down having sizzling shrimp with a can of grape soda for lunch. After a moment or two Chuck enters and sits quietly next to him taking out a roast beef sandwich, a big of chips, with a bottle of water to wash it down with. The moment of silence is broken up by Chuck.
Chuck: Hey
Morgan: Hey
Chuck: Look
Morgan: Yeah
Chuck: So are we cool?
Morgan: We’re cool
Chuck and Morgan give each other a fist tap.
Chuck: Hey…umm...taking a bit of his sandwich…I’ve been meaning to ask what is Buymoria?
Upon hearing that, he sets down his utensils on the table as he puts his elbows on the table holding his hands together inevitably placing them in front of his mouth. Chuck gives him another weird look and after a brief moment it cuts back to Morgan with a calm look with a hint of a smile on his face as he lowers his hands on the table.
Morgan: Buymoria is am awesome country that myself, Jeff, and Lester envisioned this place to be. Now…Buymoria is governed by laws.
Chuck: What sort of laws?
As he says that, Jeff and Lester appear with Lester responding to Chuck.
Lester: Do you really want to know?
A startled Chuck nearly chokes on his sandwich and then turns around to see Lester with his arms crossed behind him and Jeff hovering over him giving him a menacing look leading him to nod.
Morgan: Boys close the door.
Jeff and Lester immediately look out the both doors, close them, lower the blinds, take one last look out the blinds, and then turn their attention to Chuck as they walk over standing behind Morgan. Chuck has no idea what is going on as he looks at Morgan.
Chuck: Guys what is going on?
Morgan: In order for me…glances at Jeff and Lester…us…to talk about Buymoria and its laws we must first see if you’re worthy to become a trusted member.
Chuck: Huh…okay…what do I have to do?
Morgan: Can you keep a secret Mr. Bartowski?
Chuck: Are you serious Morgan?
Jeff: chimes in Answer the question or I will cut you.
Chuck: gives Jeff a weird look Yeah…yes I can keep a secret. Listen…looks at Morgan…I still haven’t told anyone about what happened to you in elementary school during our class Halloween party.
Cut to Morgan’s eye’s widening.
Lester: What happened?
Chuck: If I told you it wouldn’t be a secret.
Lester: I’ll give you 20 bucks to tell us.
Jeff: 40 bucks and I'll throw in a date with a hot lady friend I know.
Chuck gives Jeff a horrified look as Lester speaks up.
Lester: looks at Jeff Who...Anna?
Jeff: smirks Maybe
A bidding war begins causing Morgan to speak up.
Morgan: All right…Jeff and Lester shut up…he’s proven he is trustworthy for keeping a secret that was very embarrassing and deeply traumatic, which would have been avoided if Rachel Gardner didn’t take what I did to her so personal. Momentarily gets afar off reflective look. To this day whenever I see candy corn I get a bit skittish.
Chuck: Hey you did deserve it though.
Jeff and Lester look at each other then look at Morgan.
Morgan: Look…she was wearing orange and it was funny.
Chuck: You taped a sign on her back saying I’m the great pumpkin.
Morgan: You know...she was deceptively fast for a big girl.
Chuck: She was pissed at you.
Morgan: shakes head My mom had to take me to the hospital to get the candy corn out of my nose.
Chuck: chuckles Just be glad it wasn’t shoved up any place else.
There is a brief moment of silence shared between Chuck and Morgan leading Morgan to speak up.
Morgan: Anyway…glances at Jeff and Lester with a nod then looks at Chuck…as a trusted member of Buymoria here are our sacred laws…
As he says that, it flashes forward to the present with Chuck sitting forward on the black leather couch with an amused look on his face.
Chuck: Morgan proceeded to run down a list of laws that weren’t really work related as they were mostly about not disturbing the harmonious balance that they’ve established. A balance in which they avoided as much work as possible and instead work hard on keeping activities from those like Harry Tang, as well as, his evil minions who seek to destroy that which makes Buymoria fun such as after hour poker nights in the break room on the down low. According to one of the law, there are times where a vigilante hero has to rise and take the law into his own hands to protect the country he loves. To be perfectly honest, I thought the laws were a complete joke when he told me and yet looking into his eyes he was serious about them. Looking back Morgan basically lived whole life in a fantasy world, but you know what…in all seriousness though…as much as Morgan and his two court jesters believe in Buymoria he really cares about the store and people in it like Big Mike who is back as manager, which is another interesting story that will be saved for later.
Chuck sits back on the black leather couch with a smile on his face. The scene ends with rubbing the back of his head as he drinks the remaining water in the bottle.

Fade Out

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Chuck vs. The Black Leather Couch Part 5

To recap where previous happened a 7 year old Chuck and his girlfriend Allison are walking down the 3rd floor hall of City of Angels Medical Center visiting his mother who has become ill. As they walk towards her room Allison shares her concerns on he’s worried about Chuck because he hasn’t slept lately. Chuck reassures her that he’s fine leading her to tell him that she’s there for him. Cut to 2 months later where Chuck and Morgan are in his room discussing the rough patch Chuck and Allison are going through to the point that the young Bartowski asks for his best buds advice much to his surprise. Morgan gives him a Yoda quote and after making his own interpretation of it he makes his way towards his mom at the hospital instead of going to find Allison and talk things through. Move forward in Rose’s hospital room where Ellie, Rose, and Chuck discuss Allison leading it to cuts to the hallway near her door where Allison is standing there holding small gift basket listening intently to what’s being said forming tears, especially at what Chuck said about asking her to the prom might have been a bad idea. Cut to the beach where Chuck and Allison discuss their relationship leading Allison in her own words to say she’s letting him go and reassures him that when his mother gets better they can hopefully see if they have another go at it. Cut to a month later with Chuck sitting in English Lit class giving his interpretation of what Shakespeare meant to Mr. Thomas when Principal enters the class talks with Mrs. Norton leading him to ask Chuck to step outside. From the window Morgan and Allison see Chuck expressing grief at the news of his mother passing away leading both of them to be at his side.
The scene begins with Chuck walking into camera view pacing back and forth with his arms crossed shaking his head in front of the black leather couch. After a moment or two he stops and slowly sits down as he looks at the person off camera.
Chuck: I took my mom’s death hard but I knew she wouldn’t want me to mourn her passing and so after graduating High School I was accepted to the college that I applied to…Stanford. Allison and I never really talked after the funeral or graduation for that matter. She was accepted to UCLA while Morgan went to a community college close to home. Anyways…my intentions were to study hard, get my electrical engineering degree, and during that process work on my five year plan to get my mind of things. You know the funny thing is…the plans you set out for yourself don’t necessarily turn out the way you envision them in your head. Stanford in the beginning was a place that I saw my life turning around for the better to where it ended up with me getting kicked out as it all started with meeting two people who would inevitably turn my life upside down.
The scene begins freshman year in Stanford 1999 in the courtyard where Chuck is sitting on a bench reading over a textbook with a yellow highlighter in his mouth when a man wearing a red Stanford sweatshirt come by holding a football in his hands leading him to speak up as he looks at his C++ Science and Engineering textbook.
Man: You’re in EE131…looks and throws the football to someone leading him to look back at Chuck…pretty brutal huh.
Chuck glances down at his book and then at the man.
Chuck: Oh yeah…the only reason I signed up was because I’m building my own version of…you know its kind of embarrassing…
Man: chimes in with a look of curiosity What?
Chuck gives a questionable look to Bryce.
Chuck: You don’t happen to remember that old computer game Zork do you?
Man: You’re likely to be eaten by a Grew.
Cut to Chuck with a surprised look on his face.
Chuck: Holy crap…you do remember.
Man: smiles I love that game…I haven’t thought about it in a while.
Cut to Chuck’s surprised look turns into a look of disappointment.
Chuck: Yeah…it’s probably a good thing.
Man: I disagree…Chuck looks up at Bryce…its 1999 the next Millennium belongs to the geek.
Chuck: All right…but still text based computer games don’t exactly attract the chicks.
Man: This girl Jill on my floor is nuts about Everquest.
Chuck: Are you serious?
Man: If you want, you can meet her.
Chuck: excited tone Really…right now?
Man: Yeah…points to his left…she’s over in the quad.
Chuck: Yeah…gathers his stuff…I would very much like to meet her.
Man: Need some help?
Chuck: I’m fine…holds out hand…I’m Chuck.
He shakes Chuck’s hand leading him to respond with his name.
Man: I’m Bryce.
Chuck and Bryce form an instant friendship as they both head towards the quad to meet Jill. Cut to Jill in the quad talking to some friend when Bryce walks up to her with Chuck following behind focusing on trying not to drop all his books.
Bryce: Hey Jill, I want you to meet someone.
Jill turns around and as she does, Chuck who isn’t paying attention runs into her knocking all his books to the ground. All three go down to pick up the books leading to Chuck and Jill to bump heads. Chuck rubs his head and then sees Jill. She has shoulder length dark brown hair, brown eyes, black wire rim glasses, small silver earring, wearing a red blue top, jeans, white ankle socks, and white shoes.
Chuck: holding his head and picking up books at the same time Hi…my name is Chuck…Chuck Bartowski…all around clumsy guy…and albeit sorry one at that for bumping into you.
Jill brushes her hair back behind both her ears, gives chuck a sheepish smile, and helps Chuck pick up his books.
Jill: No problem…I’m clumsy as well. Maybe it was fate that brought us together?
Jill laughs leading Chuck to respond with a laughs as well and while all this is happening Bryce is grinning as he sees the connection going on between the two of them.
Bryce: jumps in Chuck…meet Jill Roberts…the girl who I told you about that is into Everquest.
Chuck and Jill shake hands
Chuck: You know….I thought only guys like me were into playing computer games like Everquest. Usually, the thought of guys who spend their time playing computer games would make any girl run away because all the girls I’ve dated have ended up leaving me high and dry when they find out that bit of news.
Jill: Wow…maybe you’ve been dating the wrong kind of girls
Jill gives a smile towards a nervous Chuck who takes a big gulp leading the moment to be broken up by Bryce as he talks to both of them.
Bryce: You know what...I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Chuck tries his best to hold on to his books as he looks at Bryce and then Jill. The scene ends with the camera slowly backing up from Chuck, Bryce, and Jill as they continue talking with each other. Cue Chuck intro.

Fade Out

The Scene begins 3 years after Chuck, Bryce, and Jill meet at a carnival in Palo Alto, CA where a freaked out Chuck and a seemingly excited Jill come into camera view as the Ferris Wheel their sitting on stops at the top. After a moment or two of Jill looking around the carnival she speaks up.
Jill: Wow…look at this view Chuck it’s amazing...turns to look at a freaked out Chuck...hey...It’s just a Ferris Wheel…you’ll be fine.
Chuck: nervous freaked out tone Its not the wheel so much as it’s me.
Jill gives a questionable look towards Chuck.
Jill: What does that mean?
Chuck: I bribed the Carney to stop us at the top.
Jill: For someone whose afraid of heights that was pretty moronic of you.
Chuck: looks at Jill scared out of his mind I was actually going for romantic…takes a deep breathe…okay…we’ve been friends for a while now and its been fun…I was thinking we could I don’t know…cut to Jill listening intently…you know what this was pretty moronic of me. looks straight ahead We’re friends and…
Jill: interrupts him as she shakes her head Chuck…Chuck looks at her…you talk way too much.
Jill goes in and kisses Chuck leading the Ferris Wheel to start up again as Chuck and Jill inevitably disappear toward the bottom of the screen. The scene switches to 2003 on a Monday afternoon senior year with Jill and Chuck hand in hand walking across the quad. All of a sudden you see Bryce run up and jumps on Chuck’s back.
Chuck: glances up at Bryce What's up bro!?
Bryce talks to Chuck in Klingon leading Chuck to looks at Jill then responds back to Bryce in Klingon.
Jill: stomps her foot on the ground Come on guys…you know I don’t understand Klingon…what are you guys saying?
Bryce: I said…do you know any beautiful girls on campus.
Chuck: I said…I’m standing right next to her
Chuck smiles at Jill to where she smiles back followed by giving him a kiss.
Bryce: punches Chuck in the arm Hey, I’ve been working on some new codes on the TSR80 for our updated version of Zork. Check it out when you have the time. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to work on it more because I got so focused on it that I lost track of time. I’m now late for Professor Flemming’s class. looks behind as he is running to class Hey, I’ll see you two later?
Chuck: You got it buddy!
Jill: Later Bryce!
Chuck and Jill watch as Bryce run and inevitably disappear towards the west side of campus. Chuck puts his arm around Jill as they continue to walk leading Chuck to speak up.
Chuck: So…what do you have planned this week?
Jill: Study for Biochem 101…playfully bumps Chuck with her right shoulder…and so should you.
Chuck: Hey…I’m going to but it’s kind of hard to study with all those numbers looking like an ancient form of writing to me.
Jill: It wouldn’t be as you put it ancient writing if you stayed awake in class.
Chuck: Hey…I try to stay awake but Professor Sutherland is just so monotone that he ends up sounding like the teacher from Charlie Brown…sticks his up mouthing the sound…wah wah wah wah wah wah. The next thing I know I’m out like a light.
Cut to Jill laughing.
Jill: Still…you just have to find something in that class to make it interesting.
Chuck smiles as he pulls her in and kisses the side of her head.
Chuck: I do…you.
Jill: slaps playfully on the chest Besides me.
Chuck: All right…I’ll try to stay awake for Professor Sandman…I mean Sutherland.
Jill: Thank you.
Chuck: So…what are you plans this week?
Jill: Other than studying for Biochem…hanging out with you later tonight and then with you and Bryce this weekend. Plus…I’m doing something with Allan Watterman that concerns a project he needs help with.
Chuck responds with an unenthusiastic tone.
Chuck: That’s...great.
Jill: What…I know that tone.
Chuck: Watterman’s an arrogant douche bag.
Jill: No he’s not…he’s a sweet guy.
Chuck: I don’t trust him…and neither should you. As a matter of fact I don’t think you should help him with his “project”.
Jill turns to look at a seemingly jealous Chuck.
Jill: You’re jealous.
Chuck: crosses arms Of Watterman…shakes head…please.
Jill: Look…I thought I made it perfectly clear many times before…Allan and I are just friends Chuck.
Chuck: Does a friend send you your favorite flowers…carnations…for no reason at all?
Jill: angered tone Okay…you know what…I’m tired of defending my friendship I share with Allan with you. There’s absolutely nothing between us.
Chuck: To you maybe…but to him its whole different story.
Jill: points finger at Chuck Why don’t you just grow up Chuck.
Jill begins walking away from Chuck in a huff leading Chuck to speak up.
Chuck: Where are you going?
Jill: Somewhere that isn’t with you right now…glances back…I need to think. Oh...we're definitely not hanging out tonight!
As Jill walks away Chuck responds.
Chuck: FINE!
Jill: throws right hand in the air FINE!
Jill walks away in a mad huff leaving Chuck standing there with both hands at his side. The scene ends with a look of frustration on his face as turns around, sees a trash can off to the side and kicks it leading him put both hands over his head as he walks off camera.

Fade Out

The scene begins back in the present with Chuck sitting on the black leather couch. He’s leaning forward holding his hands together, elbows on his knees, and resting his chin on his hands. After a moment of two Chuck speaks up.
Chuck: Jill and I never really had an argument until Allan Watterman came into the picture. Watterman was the type of guy who looked innocent as can be on the outside but underneath it all he was the proverbial wolf in sheep’s clothing. He really pulled one over on Jill and she ended up having a kid 5 years and 4 months later who she thought was mine but after DNA testing provided by Casey…Charlie was found to be Watterman’s son. I was relieved and yet bummed at the fact Charlie wasn’t my son. It was a lie unbeknownst to her. So…to spare her the pain of not only revealing the truth, but also relocating her to a secret location due to her business ties with media mogul and all around James Bond villain wannabe Desmond Claudius I let her believe Charlie is our son. It was the right thing to do. Anyways, getting back to the story....Jill and I weren’t speaking so I turned to Bryce who helped me take my mind off things by playing a game of Assassins in the school library with rubber dart guns.
As he says that, the scene flashes back to later that night in the library where Chuck and Bryce are in full on Assassins mode. They are ducking, moving, jumping, and weaving around the library trying to get the upper hand on one another. After a moment or two Chuck stands there weapon aimed at Bryce who is without any ammo.
I had a feeling I had Bryce where I wanted him being that he didn’t have any ammo left…or so I thought. He lulled me into a false sense of security as he took a book off the shelf to inevitably stall/distract me in what he was actually doing…reloading with a rubber dart he ingenuously hid. After assassinating me again…we sat down and talked about my situation.

Chuck: Do you thing I’m wrong in what I said Bryce?
Bryce: Not at all buddy…this Watterman guy is a complete tool if you ask me.
Chuck: I know…Jill just can’t see it.
Bryce: leans in Listen…do you want me and some of your Gamma Delta Phi brothers to take care of him for you?
Chuck: What are you going to do?
Bryce: It’s best that you not know…taps nose…plausible deniability bro.
Chuck: shakes head Nah…Jill and I will work it like we’ve done before given some time has passed. I’ll say I’m sorry and she’ll hopefully she’ll forgive me again.
Bryce: pats Chuck on the left shoulder Okay...its your call.
There is a brief moment of silence leading Chuck to speak up.
Chuck: Keep your cell phone on.
Bryce: nods Gotcha. looks at watch and stands up. I got to get going.
Chuck: looks at watch and then looks at Bryce leaving Where are you off to at 9 p.m.?
Bryce: I have a date.
Chuck: With who?
As Bryce walks away he glances back with a smirk on his face.
Bryce: Had cheerleader for Stanford's football team.
Chuck: You always get the great girls Bryce.
Bryce briefly turns around giving a sly smile as he pushes the door to stairwell and heads downstairs. The scene switches from that night in the library to the façade of the Gamma Delta Phi House early in the morning a month later with Chuck waking up to his alarm clock reading 9 a.m. looking like crap. As he sits up with some serious bed head he looks at Bryce who is not in his. As Chuck gets out of bed puts on his robe, scratches his head, and takes a few steps forward the door to their room opens leading Bryce to walk in wearing a black sleeveless shirt, red track pants, and running shoes showing signs that he’s been on a run as drips with sweat. Bryce looks at Chuck standing there like The Dude from The Big Lebowski and speaks up.
Bryce: Good Morning sunshine. Chuck responds with a grunt. How do you feel?
Chuck: Okay…I guess.
Bryce: You should come running with me…it helps release all the stuff you want to get out of your system.
Chuck: That would meaning cutting out the late nights of playing Call of Duty on the ole’ Xbox in the rec room downstairs.
Bryce: It add years to your life dude.
Chuck: Other than being on the track team...you’re majoring in accounting…what do you need to keep in shape for…its not like your going to be doing anything life threatening.
Bryce gives Chuck a look.
Bryce: You up for getting some breakfast then?
Chuck: I don’t feel like it.
Bryce: Come on Chuck…what are you going to do sulk all day until you talk to Jill?
Chuck: I might…I don’t know…I’m just going to take a shower and then head on to my first class before I talk with her.
Bryce: Suit yourself…cut to Chuck grabbing a towel, soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, shaving kit, face towel, some extra clothes, and before he heads out Bryce stops him…hey it’s going to be all right buddy.
Chuck gives Bryce give him a begrudging nod as he slowly walks off to the bathroom and as he is about to close the door the phone rings leading him to look at the phone and then at Bryce.
Chuck: Let the answering machine get it. If it’s Jill…I’ll call her back later.
Bryce nods as Chuck closes the door behind him. The scene ends with Chuck half asleep walking past several of his frat brothers greeting them with a half hearted smile heading towards the bathroom.

Fade Out

The scene begins later in the day around 1 p.m. with Chuck wide awake waiting to see Professor Fleming not knowing why he’s even there. He glances at Fleming secretary who is busy typing letters when her phone rings leading her to answer it. After a brief moment, she hangs up, looks at Chuck and tells her Professor Fleming will see him now. As he walks in the scene flashes forward to Chuck sitting on the black leather couch with a look of disbelief on his face as he shakes his head.
Chuck: If anyone would have told me that I expelled for cheating in a class that I was acing I would have laughed in your face. Yet, it happened and as I sat there hearing Professor Fleming tell me that he kept the answer key locked in his office I slowly realized that I was being accused of cheating. Not only that, he told me that he received a tip from his source that I was selling copies of the test. What made the accusation even more hard to take was the person who tipped Professor Fleming off at what I supposedly did…it was my roommate Bryce Larkin. I was absolutely speechless and as I left his office I turned to the only person that I knew would have my back…Jill.
As he says that, the scene flashes back around 2 p.m. in the quad where Chuck and Bryce first met. Jill is sitting on the bench lost in thought when Chuck walks into camera view in the background frantically looking around leading him to spot her. When he reaches her he immediately speaks up.
Chuck: Jill I’m glad I found you, I need to talk to you…you’re never going to believe what Bryce did to me.
Jill: What…what happened?
Chuck: This is BIG…like Luke Skywalker finding out that Darth Vader is his father…big
Jill: Calm down…holds both of Chuck’s hands…breathe…Chuck takes several deep breathes…okay…now tell me what happened.
Chuck: I’ve been expelled for cheating.
Jill: What!?
Chuck: Yeah Professor Fleming called me into his office today and said he had evidence that I was not only cheating but I was selling the answers to the tests to students.
Jill: This can’t be true.
Chuck: Get this…Professor Fleming said he had a reliable source that I was cheating.
Jill: Who?
Chuck: seriouslook Bryce.
Jill: look of disbelief No way…Bryce!?
Chuck: look of helplessness You got to believe me Jill.
Jill: I do…it’s just difficult to take it all in all at once.
Chuck: Look…I got to go find Bryce and straighten this whole thing out.
Chuck kisses Jill and then quickly heads to the Gamma Delta Phi Frat house running full sprint. After a moment or two Chuck reaches the frat house with him bursting through the door leading several of his frat brothers who are either playing Call of Duty on Xbox, studying, doing laundry, etc. are wondering why he’s so out of breathe.
Jake: Hey Chuckles…what’s up?
Chuck: out of breathe Where’s…swallows and take a breathe…Bryce?
Cut to Kurt walking up with a sandwich in his hand as he heads to the rec room.
Kurt: I don’t know…points upstairs…he may be in your room.
Chuck looks at Kurt, then looks upstairs, leading him to book it up to his room. When he enters his room he immediately calls out Bryce’s name but doesn’t find there. He stands there for a while trying to figure out what all that just happened to him leading him to sit at the foot of his bed. After a while, he glances to his right and spots the picture of him, Bryce, Kurt and Jake taken several months ago. He picks it up, looks at it, and then drops it on his lap as he it cuts to a close up of his face as it exudes a mixture of emotions from disbelief, anger, confusion, etc. The scene flashes forward to a close up of Chuck’s face as he talks about not only the aftermath of being suddenly expelled, but his best friend’s betrayal as well leading it Chuck’s voice being heard as the flashback continues on.
Bryce betraying me was something I never saw coming. You never expected your best friend to turn his back on you and tell all out lies that were in my view unfounded. I was waiting for Bryce to come out and tell me that it was all a prank…a well orchestrated prank but it never came to fruition. I so wanted to find Bryce and have him look me in the eyes so he can tell me why he did it. That was hard to deal with, but The hardest thing deal with was having to call Ellie and tell her that I was expelled. I didn’t see Bryce until the next days as I walked down stairs carrying my stuff. As I walked downstairs, I see Bryce playing pool.
As he says that, he flashes back to the fateful moment as Kurt is the first person to greet him.
Kurt: It sucks you have to leave Chuck.
Chuck looks at Kurt and then at Bryce still playing pool.
Chuck: I don’t get it Bryce…why did you do it?
Cut to Bryce standing up and with an ice cold look responds to Chuck.
Bryce: You brought this on yourself.
Those words haunted me as he continued to play pool as if our friendship or what happened to me mattered. Chuck walks to the front door , stands there for a moment with a box under his right arm and holding a poster in his left hand as he takes one last look at all his frat brothers including Bryce who isn’t even looking at him. The scene ends with Chuck shaking his head and then walks out the door of the Gamma Delta Phi house.

Fade Out

The scene begins with Chuck lying down on the black leather couch patting his chest several times. After a moment or two of staring at the ceiling he glances over at the person off camera leading him to speak up.
Chuck: Getting kicked out of Stanford was the worst day of my life. What made it even worse was that I left behind someone that I loved and she promised me that she would stick by me through all of it. About a month and a half later after getting kicked out I came back to Stanford after one my frat brother called and told me that Bryce and Jill were seen together, which I didn’t believe. Upon returning, I felt like I was half of myself wearing the colors of Buy More green and walking up to Jill’s sorority house I was thinking over what to say. I stood under Jill’s window trying to get her attention by knocking ping pong balls against it as the crowd behind continue playing their game. After a moment or two it wasn’t Jill who greeted me but her best friend/roommate Sherri.
Sherri: If Jill wanted to speak to you, she would have returned your 28 phone calls.
Chuck: looking up Hi…Sherri..is she up there? Cut to Sherri shaking her head as she disappears into her room leaving the window wide open for Chuck to speak up. Jill…I was on a break from work…I work at a Buy More of all places…I drove 346 miles straight from Burbank to see you…to tell you that I still love you.
Cut to the crowd behind responding in different ways leading Chuck to look behind him. As he does Jill appears at the window.
Jill: Chuck!
Chuck quickly looks up.
Chuck: Jill…hey…I thinking I thoroughly embarrassed myself in public so maybe we can talk over coffee.
Jill: Its too late Chuck…shakes head…its over.
Chuck: When you say its over…the conversation is over so that it can be continued at Starbucks.
As he says that it cuts to Sherri pushing Jill aside.
Sherri: She’s dating Bryce Larkin now Chuck…deal with it.
Chuck looks at Sherri and then at Jill.
Chuck: sadness in his eyes Is that true?
Jill: I’m sorry Chuck.
As she says that, Jill gives one last look as she disappears back into her room. The scene flashes forward to Chuck now sitting up in the black leather couch with his right hand over his mouth. After a while he speaks up.
Chuck: Finding out that Jill was dating Bryce was a big blow to my system. At the time, I didn’t know Jill was pregnant with Charlie and the only reason she was with him was because she was scared at how I would react if I knew she was pregnant, which she told him instead of me. However, finding out Bryce had me kicked out in order to save me…protect me from being recruited into the Omaha Project was even more shocking news and I watched it on a recruitment disc Professor Fleming made with my very own eyes. I saw the look in his eyes as he pleaded with Professor Flemming not to send in those test results. The look in Bryce's eyes trying to protect his best friend from being put into a situation that he wasn't suited for. Shakes head Bryce tried to stop me from being recruited…now 2 and a half years later…I’m working as an analyst for the government. I guess you can’t stop destiny. The good thing that has come out of this though is Sarah and Casey with the help of Dr. Fleming convinced Stanford that I’ve been doing exceptional work whereby providing me with my Electrical Engineering degree, which my sister Ellie was truly excited about. I can honestly say I have closure with not only Stanford and Jill, but with Bryce as well. In the end, as much as I don’t want to admit it he was right after all…Bryce was looking out for me.
Chuck exudes a bit of a smile at what he just said. The scene ends with Chuck crossing his arms as he glances to the side and then lays his head back on the black leather couch.

Fade To Black

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Chuck vs. The Black Leather Couch Part 4

To recap what previously happened as Chuck and Morgan talk about Junior prom. Morgan asks who he’s going to go with to where he responds by telling him he’s going to ask Allison Steiner. Cut to a look of disbelief on Morgan’s face because Allison is the sister of Rebecca who dislikes him ever since she became the target of a whoopee cushion prank in middle school. Move forward to a freaked out Chuck asking Allison to the prom in front of her sister and best friend Jenny Tidwell. After giving a definite yes to his request, Chuck tells Ellie, as well as, Awesome the good news leading her to take her brother not only shopping for a suit, but also get him a hair cut. Cut to Ellie and Chuck moments later having a heart to heart about how their father would be proud of him leading it a touching moment between Chuck and his mother as she talks about him charming, which means just being himself. Cut to Chuck having an absolute grand time at the prom dancing the night away with Allison along with Morgan and his ever so reluctant date. Move forward to Chuck walking Allison to her front door leading to a kiss being shared with the young budding couple. This leads to Chuck talking with his mom to where the last shot is of him at her doorway looking back at his mom in bed.
The scene begins with Chick slumped back in the black leather couch looking up at the ceiling and after a moment or two he wipes his face with both hands leading him to close his eyes letting out a big sigh. When he opens his eyes he pushes himself to sit straight up looking at the person off camera.
Chuck: Don’t get me wrong I’m happier as I’ve ever been although I could do without the danger leaving me in a constant state of fear, paranoia, and anxiety for fear of being killed or shot. Sarah is the reason for my happiness and if you talked to her she would say the same thing about me…at least I hope so, but sitting here talking about the past has brought up the what ifs. What if my dad didn’t leave because of the burn notice…what if my mom didn’t pass away…what if Allison and I never broke up…so many what ifs. You can’t change the past because everything happens for a reason and yet there’s a small part of me that wonders would could have been with Allison. Chuck leans forward holding his hands The relationship between Allison and I progressed into a summer romance and it was nothing R rated like 9 ½ Weeks if that’s what you’re thinking. No…it was more PG-13ish and much to Morgan’s chagrin he felt like the quintessential third wheel much like how he feels now with Sarah in the picture. It wasn’t until the middle of summer when my mom fell ill and ended up in the hospital. Of course, family came to visit to see how we were doing and helped the best they could chipping in with the bills at home that included the care that my mother was given. Anyways, the relationship would gradually meet its demise 1 month before my mother passed away on October 22rd, 1998 and yet she was able to stick it out with me the best she could.
As he says that, the scene flashes back to July 27th 1998 to the 3rd floor hallways of City of Angels Medical Center Intensive Care Unit where Chuck and Allison are walking hand and hand towards his mother’s room. Cut to Allison leaning her head against Chuck’s right shoulder with her right hand intertwined with his right hand. She has her left arm wrapped around his right arm and after a moment or two she speaks up.
Allison: You okay?
Chuck glances down at her with a tired look in his eyes as he forces out a smile kissing her right hand.
Chuck: Yeah…I just haven’t slept much lately.
Allison: I’ve noticed…I’m worried about you.
Chuck: I’m fine…kisses Allison on the forehead…don’t worry about me.
Allison hugs Chuck’s right arm tighter.
Allison: It’s hard not to…you haven’t been yourself lately and I miss the old Chuck…the one who always makes me laugh. I just miss spending time with you.
Chuck: I do too but I have a responsibility to uphold as the man of the house to take care of my mom. I made a promise…
Allison: interrupts Chuck To your dad…I know.
Chuck: I’m not going to break that promise.
Allison: concerned look in her eyes Chuck…there not much you can do…Allison stops and pulls him to where he’s facing her…let the doctors handle it.
Allison looks up at Chuck with her beautiful hazel eyes peering through several strands of brunette hair covering her eyes. He brushes back the strands of hair behind her left ear inevitably caressing her cheek to where he leans in bending his head down to softly kiss her on the lips. After the brief kiss, he closes his eyes, presses his forehead against hers, and responds.
Chuck: I am…its just…
Allison: Just what?
Chuck gives a sigh of frustration as he looks opens his eyes to look into hers.
Chuck: I don’t want her to feel that I’ve abandoned her when she needs me the most.
Allison immediately puts her right finger over Chuck’s lips and with a reassuring smile she speaks up.
Allison: You’re not…she’s lucky to have a son like you.
Chuck takes her left hand with his right and as he faces forward for both of them to walk forward he wraps his right arm around Allison’s neck/shoulder. He then lets go of her hand and sticks it in his left pants pocket.
Chucks: Thanks
Allison: You’re welcome and remember I’m here for you.
Chuck kisses her on the side of the head as he rubs the side of her right arm. The scene ends with Chuck and Allison reaching his mother’s room where he opens the door letting her walk in first. Cue Chuck intro.

Fade Out

The scene begins 2 month later in September on a Saturday afternoon with the façade of Casa Bartowski and cut to Chuck’s room where Morgan is sitting in the corner reading a comic while drinking grape soda as Chuck is playing Doom on his Nintendo 64. After a while, Chuck lets out a big sigh and without looking up Morgan speaks up.
Morgan: Talk to your buddy Dr. Morgan…what up?
Chuck: Allison and I are going through a rough patch right now.
Morgan: Is it about me?
Chuck pauses the game and turns his head to look at Morgan.
Chuck: It’s not always about you. Morgan looks up from reading his comic book. Okay…maybe a little. Chuck unpauses the game and resumes playing but after a moment or two he stands up, reaches over to turn off the game, sits back down, and then flops back on his bed draping his right arm over his face. You know…with everything that going on with my mom right now Allison feels that I’m not spending enough time with her…that I’ve been avoiding her.
Morgan: Did you have plans with her today?
Chuck: We were supposed to hang out but I canceled at the last minute…I just wasn’t feeling up to it and I ended up hanging out with you.
Morgan: You know who you’re turning into don’t you…Chuck lifts his head a bit and peers at Morgan from underneath his right arm…me.
Chuck drops his had back down on his bed letting out a sigh of frustration.
Chuck: I just feel like I’m caught between a rock and hard place dude. What should I do about Allison?
Cut to a look of disbelief on Morgan’s face as puts down the comic book on his lap.
Morgan: You’re asking me for advice?
Chuck: I would talk to Ellie but she’s interning at the hospital and at the same time checking up on mom.
Morgan: I’m hurt…choosing your sister first over your best friend as your second choice?
Chuck: Actually you were my third choice…holds up two fingers with his left hand…Capt. Awesome was my second choice.
Morgan: I see.
Cut to Morgan drinking the last of his grape soda and then gets up hold his comic book under his arm the empty can of grape soda in the other, opens the Morgan door, and is about to exit out the window when Chuck stops him.
Chuck: Morgan…sits up…wait.
Morgan: turns around What?
Chuck: You’re just going to leave your bro hangin’ like this?
Morgan: nods Yeah…pretty much.
Morgan exits out the window leading Chuck to yell out towards the window as he sits on his bed.
Chuck: Fine…then I’ll ask someone else to be part of the Sandworm costume that we both planned to be for Halloween this year! Chuck pauses for a second as it cuts to the window then back to chuck. 3…2…1.
At the count of 1, Morgan enters back through the Morgan door and sits down.
Morgan: Here’s what I think you should do.
Chuck: I’m not breaking up with her.
Morgan: throws hands up in the air I have nothing then.
Chuck: Morgan!
Morgan: All right…let me think…okay…snaps his fingers and points at Chuck…in the immortal words of Yoda - “Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
Cut to Chuck mulling over the Yoda quote in his head and after a moment or two Chuck speaks up.
Chuck: So what you’re saying is that I should go talk with her and tell her why I’ve been so closed off lately. I should do this instead of trying my best to avoid her and if don’t do it I will end up losing her.
Cut to Morgan just staring at Chuck.
Morgan: Yeah…okay…that’s exactly what I’m saying.
Chuck springs out his bed, walks up to Morgan grabs his head, kisses the top of it, and then looks at him as he shakes his head.
Chuck: Morgan…you’re a genius.
Morgan: Well…I wouldn’t call myself a geniu…yes I am a genius. As he says that Chuck jumps out the Morgan door leading Morgan to turn with a look of curiosity at his best bud. Where are you going?
Chuck sticks his head back into the window.
Chuck: I’m going to talk to Allison, but before I do I’m going to talk to my mom.
Morgan: Tell her hi for me.
Chuck: I will…Chuck disappears out of sight but quickly returns looking at Morgan…stay out of my sister’s room.
Morgan: What!?
Chuck heads out but before he does he gives another look at Morgan as he points his finger at him. The scene ends with Chuck running past the fountain with Morgan standing and looking out Chuck’s window in the background.

Fade Out

The scene begins back in the present with Chuck sitting in the black leather couch with his arms crossed as the ticking a clock is heard in the background. There is a pensive look on Chuck’s face as he is biting his lower lip and after a moment or two he speaks up.
Chuck: At the time, going to talk to my mom seemed like the logical thing to do before going to Allison. Moms tend to give the best advice in difficult situations like these and hopefully she would give me the best possible advice to follow. Shakes head Little did I know that by going to her first would end up breaking the relationship between Allison and I.
The scene flashes back to Rose Bartowki’s hospital room where she is sitting up in bed looking a bit weak as Ellie is standing on her right making her comfortable by fluffing her pillow. Cut to Chuck who is sitting in a chair on the other side lost in thought leading it to cut back to Rose talking to her daughter.
Rose: Ellie…sweetie…shouldn’t you be working right now? I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.
Ellie: I’m not mom…besides I’m on my break right now.
Rose reaches over and caresses her daughter’s cheek.
Rose: You’re going to make an excellent doctor someday Ellie.
Ellie smiles leading Rose to turn to look at her son sitting in a chair to her right lost in thought.
Rose: Penny for your thoughts?
Chuck snaps out of his train of thought as he glances at Ellie and then gives a look of uncertainly at his mother.
Chuck: It’s about me and Allison.
Ellie: How is it going between the two of you?
Chuck: Not good.
Rose: What’s wrong?
Chuck leans in a bit closer to his mother.
Chuck: Since you became sick I’ve spent all my time with you and not enough time with her. She’s feels that I’ve not been giving her much attention and that I’ve been intentionally avoiding her for the last 2 months by canceling dates at the last minute.
Rose reaches over to hold Chuck’s hand.
Rose: It’s understandable that you want to be at my side, but you have someone that cares about you son. The times when both of you came to visit me I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was hurting as well wanting to be there for you in your time of need.
Chuck: I know…I just don’t know what to do. I actually went to Morgan for advice…
Ellie: chimes in Whoa…there’s your first mistake right there…Chuck looks at her big sister…you went to Morgan for advice.
Chuck: Actually he gave me some good advice for once.
Ellie: Oh really…what would that be little brother?
Chuck: Well he first suggested that I break up with her…
Ellie: Of course.
Cut to Rose exuding a small chuckle.
Chuck: But then he said to go talk with her and tell why I have been so closed off. As he continues to talk, it cuts to the hallways where Allison with a smile on her face is walking up with a small gift basket in her hands. As he reaches Rose’s open door, she hears Chuck’s voice leading her to stand there with a look of curiosity as she listens closely to the conversation. So…that’s what he said to do.
Rose: Morgan is smarter than he lets on.
Chuck: He has his moments.
Ellie: So what are you going to do?
Chuck: I was going to talk to her about why I’ve acting the way I’ve been...looks at Rose...but I decided to come to talk to you first.
Rose: Why…you don’t trust her enough to going to her first and share your feelings with her?
Cut to Allison’s eyes widening as he she continues to listen.
Chuck: I do trust her…but…
Ellie: But what?
Chuck: Ever since dad left I found myself keeping Allison at a distance…not letting her get too close to me.
Rose: Why?
Chuck: I don’t want to end up becoming dad.
Ellie: Trust me Chuck…you’re not.
Chuck gets up walks around his mother’s bed and looks out the window.
Chuck: shakes head How do you know for sure El?
Ellie: Unlike dad…you care more about others than you do yourself and remember what you were told in therapy…the sins of the father are not your own.
Rose: As long as you carry around the burden of what your father did around your shoulders you will never be able to let Allison in.
Chuck turns around, sits on the window sill, and looks at her mother and sister.
Chuck: Sometimes I think back and wonder if asking Allison to the prom was the best idea and now with you being in the hospital I just don’t have both feet in the relationship right now. Maybe Morgan was right the first time…it would be better off if she and I broke up.
Cut to Allison with tears starting to form as those words cut her deep.
Ellie: Don’t say that…Allison is the nicest and most sweetest girl. Give it some time and hopefully you’ll feel differently afterwards.
Chuck: Maybe…I just don’t want to put her through this whole crazy ordeal.
Rose: Why don’t you leave that up to Allison for her to decide if she wants to be part of it.
Chuck: I don’t know.
Ellie: Listen to mom…checks her watch…my break is over it’s time for me to get back to work. I’ll see you guys later. Ellie gives hugs/kisses to her mother and not so little brother. As she is about to head out the door it cuts to Allison walk back a feet away and as Ellie heads out the door she sees Allison walk up with a forced smile on her face. Allison…hey.
Cut to Chuck quickly standing up as he hears her voice. Ellie escorts her in leading Chuck to walk up and lean in for a kiss.
Chuck: Hey…what are you doing here?
Allison holds up the flower basket.
Allison: I thought I stopped by….turns to look at Rose…I came to give your mom a gift.
Rose: That’s sweet.
Allison walks over standing next to her bed and gives Rose the small gift basket. The scene ends with Chuck walking up behind, hugs her, kisses her cheek leading Allison to express a forced smile as she interacts with Ellie, Rose, and Chuck knowing what they were discussing.

Fade Out

The scene begins around 4pm with the façade of the City of Angels Medical Center and the cut to the sliding front doors where Chuck and Allison both walk out hand and hand. As they are both walking Allison turns to Chuck and speaks up.
Allison: Chuck…can we go some place and talk?
Chuck: Sure...I was meaning to talk with you anyways. Want to take my car?
Allison: Yeah.
Chuck and Allison walk off camera as the scene goes to shots of the Los Angeles city skyline, the Hollywood sign, and Dodger stadium. After a moment or two, Chuck and Allison appear walking barefoot on the shoreline of the beach with Chuck’s arm hanging around Allison’s neck as their hair blows back in the wind leading him to speak up.
Chuck: I’m glad you came by to see my mom…she really appreciated the gift basket you got her.
Cut to Allison with a pensive look as he responds to Chuck.
Allison: No problem.
Chuck and Allison find a spot on the beach to sit down leading Chuck to begin the conversation.
Chuck: Listen…I want to talk about the way I’ve been acting…
As he says that, Allison speaks up.
Allison: Chuck before you say what you have to say…I want to say something. Cut to Chuck with a somewhat concerned look as he gives a nod for to go ahead and speak. We both know that since your mom got sick things haven’t been going so well between us. I understand what you’re going through…truly I do and as much as I want there to be us it just seems that there’s a part of you that’s missing.
Chuck: What?
Allison: You’re heart. Chuck momentarily glances down at the sand and then turns to look at Allison. What I came to love about you was you being yourself…you’re not like any other guy that I’ve ever met before. You care about the well being of others than you do yourself. It was your sense of humor…the way you made me laugh…your overall nerdiness that I found not only endearing, but also charming as well. All that gradually went missing when your mom went into the hospital and you started becoming distant.
Chuck: I know…I want to apologize for that…
Allison: interrupts Chuck Let me finish…Chucks shuts up…you’ve been putting me at arms length for the last 2 months and it has gotten to point where I’ve become absolutely frustrated. There were times where I thought we were taking a step forward but then we ended up taking 2 steps back and I really getting tired.
Chuck: Allison?
Allison: It seems more and more we’re taking so many steps back that we’ve lost sight at where we first started out.
Chuck: We can find our way back.
Allison: I know your dad is a touchy subject with you and I never pushed you to talk about him. I left it up to you feeling comfortable enough to where you wanted to talk about him and I would be there to listen. To be perfectly honest…for the these past 2 months I’ve been waiting for you to open up to me and if this relationship is to work…you have to let me in and share with me how you feel.
Chuck: I want to share my feelings with you…trust me I do.
Allison closes here eyes as she lets out a sigh of frustration and then opens them to look up at Chuck.
Allison: Trust…you know that’s considered one of the most important things in a relationship. Allison gazes out at ocean Putting your trust in someone to catch you when you fall and for the most part you’re falling.
Chuck: Yeah…I am but I know you’ll be there to catch me when I do. It’s just that everything that’s been going on lately I feel like…
Allison: chimes in You’re just hanging on the edge of a ledge and you either want to hold on or let go?
Chuck: nods That’s right…my sister and I are trying so hard to hold on and stay strong for mom’s sake because we don’t want to worry her about how we’re feeling.
Allison gives a hint of a smile as she caresses Chuck’s cheek.
Allison: You’re not the only one trying to hold on here Chuck. I’ve been holding on for the last 2 months and I’ve come to the point where I can either hold on a little longer or just let go.
Chuck: What are you saying?
With tears in her eyes Allison looks into Chuck’s eyes.
Allison: As much as I care about you, I have to let go. Cut to a look of heartbreak on Chuck’s face. I’m not saying I’m leaving you high and dry…I'll be there for you...it’s just that we would be better off friends for right now.
Chuck: But…
Allison: When your mother comes through this okay and we both know she will…we’ll talk things out and figure out where to go from there.
Chuck brushes back her hair in front of her face behind right ear. The scene ends with a side shot as Chuck and Allison continue to talk with the sun setting in the background.

Fade Out

The scene begins a month later on October 23, 1998 in the crowded halls of Theodore Roosevelt High School where Chuck is at his locker changing text books for another class. After a brief moment, Morgan walks up from his right and speaks up.
Morgan: Hey buddy…how are you doing?
Chuck closes his locker door, slings his back pack over his left shoulder, turns, and leans against his locker.
Chuck: I’m doing okay…mom’s gotten progressively worse and the doctors are trying there best to help her…Chuck tilts his head as he lightly hits the side of his locker inevitably resting it there for a while…Ellie is going to keep me informed on how she’s doing.
Morgan: That’s good to hear…what about you and Allison?
Upon saying that, Chuck spots Allison several feet away in the crowded hallway talking with her sister and best friend Jenny Tidwell. Chuck responds to Morgan as he looks at Allison.
Chuck: We’re good…being friends is the best thing for us right now.
Cut to Allison turning to talk with some friends behind leading her to spot Chuck. She gives him a smile with an added wave in which Chuck responds back with the same. Morgan witnesses the exchange and speaks up as they both walk to their next class English Literature, which Allison is in as well.
Morgan: Hey…pats Chuck on the shoulder…I here for you buddy.
Chuck: I know.
Morgan: Listen…do you want to go to the arcade at the Santa Monica pier after school to take your mind off things…my treat.
Chuck: That would be awesome.
Chuck and Morgan head into class with Allison following closely behind talking some of her classmates. Several minutes into the class Chuck is seated in the middle of the row turns back to look at Allison who is just behind him another row over. They exchange looks but the moment is soon interrupted by their teacher calling out Chuck’s name to get his attention.
Chuck: Yes sir…Mrs. Norton.
Mrs. Norton: What did Shakespeare mean when he said, ”When, in disgrace with Fortune and men’s eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cris, and look upon myself and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featured like him, like him with friends possessed.”
Chuck clears his throat as he looks around the room leading it to cut to Mrs. Norton expecting an answer. Chuck thinks it over for a brief moment and then gives his response.
Chuck: Well…he means that we all get depressed in life when things in life deal you a bad hand. Cut to Morgan, Allison, and the rest of the class listening intently know what he’s going through with his mother. You feel like you’re alone even though you surrounded by people and you want so hard to cry out to God to take the pain your feeling away from you but the words can’t come out. As Chuck continues speaking half the people in class are in tears. You’re angry at yourself and wondering…wishing for the richness that is hope for the person you love won’t be taken from you and will live for years to come. And through all that…your friends are there for you when you need them the most.
Chuck ends leading the entire room silent after what he just said. Cut to Mrs. Norton a bit choked up as she clears her throat to respond to Chuck.
Mrs. Norton: Well done…nice interpretation Mr. Bartowski.
Chuck gives a hint of a smile as Morgan leans over and pats Chuck on the shoulder leading Chuck to look over at Allison who wiping tears from her eyes. Chuck turns back to the front of the class when all of a sudden the door open leading the principal to walk in and talk with the teacher. The class wonders what is going on as Chuck notices that the principal and Mr. Norton are glancing at him as they talk. After a brief moment, the principal looks at Chuck.
Principal: Chuck…could you please step outside.
With a look of worry Chuck responds.
Chuck: What’s wrong Mr. Thomas…am I in trouble?
Mr. Thomas: Just come with me son.
Chuck gets up leading all eyes in the class to follow Chuck who glances back at Morgan and then to Allison who also have worried looks on their faces. The door closes with a shot of Chuck and the principal Mr. Thomas standing in front of the window. After a moment or two, the class sees Chuck with a look of grief on his face as he raises his arms putting them behind his head to the point that he screams out loud. Morgan and Allison immediately get out of their chairs heading out to comfort Chuck who is by this time slumped down against the wall with his head down crying. The camera pans back as Allison and Morgan comfort Chuck with not only his class checking on Chuck but several classes as well as they heard him screaming. The flashback ends with Chuck sitting on the black leather couch with his head down rubbing the back of his head and he does he speaks up.
Chuck: My mom died on Monday afternoon at 1:25 p.m. Chuck looks up From what Ellie told me she suffered a heart attack and they tried their best to revive her but they couldn’t bring her back. She was buried a week later and ever since then we celebrate Mother’s Day on Monday, October 22nd. It was a tough time for my sister and I when our dad left and now with our mom dying we had it even tougher. It was at the funeral attended by family and friends like Allison and Morgan that we realized my sister and I needed to be there and rely on each other. Plus it was also the day that we learned to take care of ourselves.
Chuck slumps back on the black leather couch as he his puts one foot on the coffee table. The scene ends with Chuck looking at that the ceiling as he rubs his face and puts his hands behind his hand.

Fade To Black

Friday, December 12, 2008

Chuck vs. The Black Leather Couch Part 3

To recap of what previously happened as Abe receives a phone after Chuck and Morgan leave for school leading him to exude a serious look which Chuck notices as he closes the door behind him. Cut to Chuck and Morgan in gym class debating on who can win a fight to where an argument ensues that deal with a fight between Vultron and Godzilla. Move forward to the school office where Abe appears much to Chuck’s surprise and he basically tells his son that he’s leaving to which Chuck interprets as another business trip. Abe tells his son that he’s the man of the house so he is responsible in taking care of his sister and mother. Cur to the courtyard after school where Chuck and Morgan enter Casa Bartowski where they both find Ellie comforting Chuck’s mom who by the crumpled up tissues strewn about on the floor has been doing a great deal of crying. Rose informs his son that his father left leading Chuck with a response that he’s on a business trip, which Ellie refutes. Cut to Chuck in denial to where tension builds between the two Bartowski children leading Morgan to intervene. Moments later Chuck is sitting at the foot of his bed holding the NES video system that his father bought him as an early birthday gift and after a short conversation with Morgan Chuck throws it against the wall to where he ends up tearing apart his own room. Ellie and Rose quickly run in to where Rose grabs his son in order to stop him and she does only when he tires himself out leading Chuck to just collapse on the floor as his mother along with Ellie embrace him.
The scene begins with an empty shot of the black leather couch and after a moment or two Chuck walks into camera view inevitably sitting down as he holds a bottle of water in his right hand. After taking a couple of swigs, he twists the cap back on and leans forward to put it on the coffee table in front of him. He then sits back, looks at the person off camera, and then begins to speak up.
Chuck: You know it’s funny…I sat in a chair kind of like this 11 years ago receiving therapy for something I thought was partly my fault for my dad leaving. It took me a long time to figure out that the sins of the father are not my burden to bear and my father leaving was never my fault. When my father left, it was difficult to look for anything positive to come out of it focusing mainly on the negative aspects, but something positive did come out of it as I became closer with my sister Ellie. My mom was there, but really wasn’t as the abrupt departure of my father hit her hard emotionally, as well as, physically over the next couple of years. Looking back it was Ellie who stepped up and became the proverbial cog that kept the Bartowski engine running even after my mother…Chuck pauses with a far off look as he thinks about his mom leading him to change the subject…you know what my sister was there for me through one of the most nerve racking times in my high school life...junior prom.
As he says that, the scene flashes to the end of school year in May of 1995 as the song Ants Marching by the Dave Matthews Band plays. Cut to halls of Theodore Roosevelt High School a week before the Junior Prom and a shot of the clock reading 11:50 leading the bell to ring. After a moment or two the bell rings leading to the emergence of students flocking out of class towards their lockers. After a moment or two, it cuts to a floor shot of the oh so familiar Chuck Taylors walking up the hallway leading it to pan up to a now 18 year old Chuck wearing jeans and a Green Day t-shirt. He is taller, acne free, and still sporting the scraggily brown hair that many have associated with him. As he is walking down the halls with a smile on his face, he’s giving head nods, high fives, and the occasional wink to many of his friends as he heads towards his locker. Cut to Chuck at his locker and as he’s putting his stuff away to go to lunch Morgan with his back pack flopping behind him is wearing jeans, a horizontally striped brown shirt, white converse high top tennis shoes, and sporting a 5 o’clock shadow, quickly runs up from his right and talks to his bosom buddy.
Morgan: Chuck…dude…have you asked anybody to the junior prom yet?
Chuck leans back to look at Morgan from behind his locker door.
Chuck: Why…have you?
Morgan: Of course I have. Chuck stares at Morgan All right…no I haven’t.
Chuck: You better cracking buddy…word is most of the girls in our class have already been asked.
Morgan: looking around I know…I know…what about you?
Chuck closes his locker and then starts walking towards the lunchroom with Morgan following closely behind. As they are walking Chuck responds to his question.
Chuck: I have someone in mind.
Morgan: Is she hot…better yet…does she have a best friend who is equally hot?
As the reach the doors to the lunchroom, he puts his right hand on the door handle leading him to turn to his partner in crime.
Chuck: Allison Steiner
Chuck opens the door and walks into the lunchroom as the camera stays on Morgan. The scene ends with Morgan with a look a look of disbelief leading him to quickly walk into the lunchroom chasing after his best bud. Cue Chuck intro.

Fade Out

The scene begins inside the mass of control chaos that is the Theodore Roosevelt High lunchroom where Morgan stands behind Chuck in line waiting for his turn to get food leading him to respond to who Chuck is asking to the junior prom.
Morgan: You’re going to ask Rebecca Steiner’s sister to the junior prom?
Chuck: glances back at Morgan Yeah…do you have a problem with that?
Morgan: Need I remind you that Rebecca still wants to kick me in the crotch after the whoopee cushion prank in middle school. Throws both hands in the air Why do you hate me so?
Chuck gives him a weird look and after getting their food consisting of a meatball sub, chips, and juice from the juice bar. They sit down at a nearby table behind a wooden barrier leading Chuck to further discuss his reasoning in asking Rebecca’s sister as his prom date.
Chuck: Morgan…takes a bite of his sub sandwich…I don’t hate you…with a mouth full of sub…Rebecca does.
Morgan: points sub at Chuck Do you realize you’re crossing over to the dark side of the force…takes a bit of his sub…you better watch out or you’ll end up with one of your hand cut off like Luke Skywalker or worse…frozen in Carbonite like Han Solo was in Empire Strikes Back.
Chuck taps a sip of juice and responds.
Chuck: Allison is cool…we’ve talked and come to find out we have some of the same interests. Plus…from what Jennifer Woodruff told me she heard from Elizabeth Paxton who heard from Allison’s best friend Jenny Tidwell she’s likes me.
Morgan: Does Jenny have a date to the prom?
Chuck: As far as I know she doesn’t? Morgan stares at him with a look of desperation You want me to put in a good word for you don’t you?
Morgan: Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re my only hope.
Chuck: What do I get out of the deal?
Morgan: Just the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped out your best friend.
Chuck: How many girls in our junior class turned you down before coming to me?
Morgan: 10
Chuck: I’ll see what I can do…but I’m not making any promises Morg.
Cut to Morgan with a smile on his face as he devours the rest of the meatball sub sticking it all in his mouth. Chuck has this look of amazement/disgust leading him to turn his head and at that moment he spots to his left Allison Steiner sitting beside her sister and with Jenny Tidwell sitting across from them. Morgan notices his focus has turned elsewhere leading him to look in the same direction.
Morgan: Who do you see…Allison?
Chuck has a hint of a smile on his face as it cuts to Allison who has brunette hair pulled back in a pony tail with stylish bangs, small hoop earrings, hazel eyes, wearing a blue top, khaki Capri pants, and white shoes. She shyly glances at Chuck as she is talking to her bff Jenny responding with a hint of smile back to Chuck. Morgan witnesses the exchange and as he glances at Allison her sister Rebecca leans forward giving Morgan the evil eye leading him to quickly duck down behind the wooden barrier. Chuck’s focus is momentarily broken as he turns to look at Morgan only to see he is nearly under the table leading him to lean over to the side with his head titled to the right.
Chuck: You okay buddy?
Cut to Morgan with his chin embedded in his chest slouch down in the seat.
Morgan: waves hand I’m fine.
Chuck: Glad to hear…glances back at Allison…listen I’m going to ask Allison to the prom.
Morgan: sticks his head out the side Dude…don’t forget to put in a good word for me with Jenny?
As he says that, Chuck puts one foot on his seat and lifts himself up to where he jumps over the wooden barrier. He looks at Morgan and responds to his cowering friend.
Chuck: Yeah…wish me lucky buddy…pats top of wooden barrier…I’m making my move.
Voice of Morgan: Good luck dude!
As he walks away, cut to the top of the wooden barrier where a thumbs up appears from Morgan. Chuck walks towards Allison leading the scene to switch back to Chuck on the black leather couch with a smile on his face as he recalls attempting to ask Allison to the junior prom.
After taking one seemingly, large gulp I started walking towards Allison with a look of complete calm on the outside, but on the inside I was completely freaking out.
As he says that the scene switches back to the lunchroom with him in slow motion walking towards Allison as the voice of Chuck is heard.
It took everything in my power not to throw up at that point or pass out at that point. My heart was racing the whole time I was walking towards her and in my head I was thinking over and over don’t say anything stupid. Of course in typical Chuck fashion I did as I babbled on about how the subs were excellent and the chips were a bit stale. Anyways, I asked her and after what seemed like a long silence she had a conference with her sister and best friend there leaving me standing there sweating it out. I took one last look at Morgan who poked the top of his head out like a groundhog seeing what is about to transpire. After turning back around, all three girls were looking at me.
Allison: Chuck…I talked it over with my girls and I have an answer for you.
Cut to a look of sheer panic in Chuck’s eyes as he takes a deep breathe. The scene ends with a close up shot of Allison taking a quick glance at her sister and her best friend Jenny then to Chuck who is tortuously waiting for an answer.

Fade Out

The scene begins back with Chuck walking into camera view and sitting on the black leather couch. He takes another couple swigs from his water bottle, inevitably twisting the cap back on, and placing it on the coffee table. After a getting into a somewhat comfortable position he begins to speak.
Chuck: Sorry for the dramatic exit…I had to use the bathroom. Anyways…Allison said yes and my response was just a big huge smile on my face. Not only was I happy about this, but Ellie would be happy for me most of all because she basically pushed me to ask her out seeing that she and I talked extensively on how I liked her and it wasn't before long that I would tell her the good news in person. I Walked through the doors of the house around 3pm that afternoon to the sight of my sister and her then boyfriend now husband Devon or should I say Captain Awesome sitting at the dinner table busy studying for their Pre-Med finals. Devon at first glance was the stereotypical good looking jock who got the beautiful girls namely my sister and early on I had my suspicions that he was only with her to get into her pants, which I was proven wrong as I got to know him. He truly cared about not only my sister, but myself and my mother as well watching over us and giving me from time to time the man to man talk that my dad would have given to me, which were sometimes way over my head to understand. Like a transformer, there was more to Awesome than meets the eye. Anyways…as I stood there with a smile on my face in front of them Ellie and Devon looked up wondering what was up.
Ellie: Hey Chuck.
Chuck: Ellie…Captain…don’t freak out…remain calm…I have some news.
Ellie eyes widen as she looks at Awesome and she is about to say something when Morgan suddenly bursts through the door, runs, and jumps on Chuck’s back leading him to respond for his best friend as he looks at Ellie and Devon.
Morgan: Chuck’s got a date for the junior prom!
Ellie: smiles What…she said yes!
Chuck nods leading Awesome to point at him with a pencil in his hand.
Awesome: Way to go Chuck…that’s awesome.
As Chuck stand there with Morgan on his back, Ellie speaks up.
Ellie: You need a tuxedo…or at least a suit.
As she says that, it flashes back to close up shot of Chuck’s upper half of his body as the camera pan from left to right.
Ellie was more excited than I was about having a date to the junior problem. For the next 3 days she would pick me up after school and take me to the mall to find something suitable to wear. We spent hours at the mall trying on everything known to man until we found the right one…a simple dark brown suit with matching pants, black shirt, light brown tie, and polished black dress shoes. In my sister’s own words, the ensemble would “bring out my eyes” and Allison would definitely notice. The last thing that needed to be taken care of was my hair and to be perfectly honest there was nothing wrong with it as it just need to be styled a certain way. Unfortunately, Ellie had other plans and decided to get my hair under control because from what she saw my hair was starting to make funny animal shapes.
Cut to a voiceover flashback of Chuck getting his hair down at some beauty salon that his sister took him to.
As I was sitting there getting my hair washed by an attractive lady, all I kept thinking was please don’t butcher my hair. After it was all said and done, they turned me around to look into the mirror thinking I would see a bad haircut in which I would show up to Allison’s front door wearing a top hot, but what I saw was a slick cut that framed my face quite nicely. I gave a smile to Ellie who was elated, overjoyed, or whatever adjective that could best describe someone who had the proudest look a big sister could ever give her little brother. When we arrived at the courtyard with my formal wear carried around my right shoulder, Ellie and I had a talk.
Ellie: I’m proud of you.
Chuck: You’re not going to kiss me on the cheek are you?
Ellie: slaps him in the right arm I have a right as your older sister. You know…if dad were here he would be proud to see the man that you’re growing up into.
Chuck: But he isn’t sis.
Ellie: I know.
Ellie hugs her little brother and after a moment or two she stands back to look at him with a motherly look.
Chuck: What?
Ellie: Nothing…Ellie changes the subject from their father to Morgan…so what about Morgan does he have a date and what is he wearing to the junior prom?
Chuck: Yeah…he does but…
Ellie: look of curiosity But what?
Chuck: Allison’s best friend Jenny surprisingly didn’t have a date and so I asked her if she wanted to go out with Morgan.
Ellie: What did she say?
Morgan: After she stopped laughing and saw that I was serious she agreed only because I asked with certain conditions added on.
Ellie: What conditions?
Chuck: Well…the conditions were there would absolutely be no touching above or below the waist…take one picture together to prove he had a date to junior prom…one slow dance…the rest of the time would be spent separated…and if he were to her embarrasses her in any way during the dance Rebecca Steiner would be allowed to kick him in the crotch.
Ellie: Smart girl…and Morgan agreed to this?
Chuck: He has a date to the junior prom what do you think?
Cut to Ellie laughing.
Ellie: So what is he wearing?
Chuck: His mom couldn’t afford to by him or a tuxedo or suit…so he’s wearing his father’s powder blue tuxedo that he used to wear to his prom and according to him it fits.
Ellie suddenly stops at what her younger brother just said leading Chuck to turn and look at her big sister.
Ellie: He’s going to get kicked in the crotch for sure.
Chuck turns to Ellie giving her a reassuring nod that it may in fact happen. The scene ends with brother and sister continuing their conversation as they walk into Casa Bartowski.

Fade Out

The scene begins an hour before the night of the Junior Prom on a Friday with the façade of Casa Bartowski. Cut to Chuck’s room where he’s standing in front of his mirror putting on his coat and after a moment or two the image of his mother Rose appears at his doorway leading him to turn around. As he looks at his mother, the vibrancy she once exuded before his father left is replaced by a somewhat haggard look as if she’s been slowly drifting away from life itself. Rose walks up with small hint of a smile on her face to her son who is now taller than her and as she looks up to caress her son’s cheek.
Rose: My handsome, charming boy.
Cut to Chuck with a look of concern.
Chuck: Hey mom…how are you doing?
Rose: I’m doing fine…don’t worry about me. Your sister told me you have a big night ahead of you.
Chuck: Yeah…I’m going to the prom with Allison Steiner.
Rose brushes off lint from the right shoulder side of Chuck’s coat.
Rose: Just remember these words from your mother…cut to Chuck listening closely…be yourself and let her see how charming you truly are.
Chuck: Come on mom…me charming?
Rose: Listen to your mother…some woman out there will fall in love with you for just being you.
Chuck smiles and gives her a hug.
Chuck: Thanks mom.
As he says that Ellie voice is heard leading both to turn in the direction of his doorway to where they a smile is seen on her face.
Ellie: You ready Chuck?
Chuck looks at his mom leading her to do a last minute straightening of his tie.
Rose: looks at Ellie Now he is…go…have fun.
Ellie and Chuck walk out of his bedroom with their mother standing there as a few tears are shed. The scene switches from Casa Bartowski to the inside of Theodore Roosevelt High School gym where his Junior Prom is being held with the song This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan playing. Cut to the double door entrance where Chuck enters with his prom date Allison Steiner followed closely behind by a swaggering Morgan in his powder blue tuxedo with his ever so reluctant prom date Jenny Tidewell who is trying not to be seen with him. As she does, Rebecca Steiner walks up from behind with her date and stands next to Jenny to where she leans in and whispers in her ear.
Rebecca: If he does anything to embarrass you, give me the signal and I’ll kick him the crotch.
Jenny: All right…the signal is…
As she is about to tell her the signal, Morgan pulls her away leading Chuck, Allison, and Rebecca to watch as Jenny looking back as she mouths the words help me leading Allison to speak up.
Allison: Maybe we should help her.
Cut to all three looking at each other.
Chuck, Allison, and Rebecca: Nahhhh.
Chuck: looks at Allison Let’s dance.
Allison nods leading Chuck to escort her to the dance the dance floor followed by Rebecca and her date. Cut to a ariel shot of Chuck and Morgan getting down and funky through the night as moves such as The Sprinkler, The Lawnmower, the Axel Rose, The Worm, The Fishing Pole, and The Running Man make an appearance with many other dances moves such as the Kid N’Play. As the dancing continues, it flashes back to Chuck sitting on the black leather couch with an amused look on his face.
I had the time of my life that night with Allison as my prom date and despite coming close to nearly getting his crotched kicked several times by Rebecca Steiner, Morgan did too even though his date Jenny spent most of the time trying to avoid him by going to the bathroom with Allison and several of her friends. Yet, there was one point in the night where she was enjoying herself with him…granted Morgan nearly broke his neck attempting a headspin just to impress her. Anyways, the night ended with me driving Jenny to her house as Morgan escorted her to her door and in typical Morgan fashion he got slapped in the face for saying something he shouldn’t have. When I arrived at Allison’s house I walked to her door.
As he says that, it flashes back to Chuck and Allison who is wearing his coat over her shoulders are standing in front of her door. With a shy smile she brushes back some hair behind her right ear leading her to speak up as they stand under the porch light.
Allison: I had a great time.
Cut to Chuck grinning with both hands in his pockets as he nervously looks down and then up at Allison.
Chuck: Yeah…I had a great time too.
Allison: I guess I’ll see you in school on Monday.
Chuck: Yeah…Monday.
As he says that, Morgan yells from inside Chuck’s car.
Morgan: Seal the deal dude!
Chuck: quickly looks at Morgan Morgan! Looks at Allison Sorry about that…I can’t take him anywhere.
Allison laughs leading her to smile and after a brief moment Chuck leans in as they both kiss to where their eyes close. The moment is suddenly broken when Morgan starts honking the horn leading Chuck to get this angry look on this face as he looks at Allison.
Chuck: I’m sorry…looks at Morgan in the car…dude I’m so gonna hurt you.
Chuck looks back at Allison who still has a smile on her face.
Allison: Don’t be. Allison leans in and kisses Chuck on the lips leading him to close his eyes. After a second or two, she pulls always slowly, with Chuck just standing there with his eyes closed not wanting to open them. She takes of his coat, hangs it on his left hand, turns to open her door and is about halfway in when she says two words that puts an even bigger smile on Chuck’s face whose eyes are still closed. Call me.
Allison steps inside and closes the door behind her leading Chuck to open his eyes feeling his lips as his Chuckish smile appears on his face. As Chuck is walking to his car with a kick to his step added with that a Michael Jackson spin move Morgan ruins the moment as he sticks his head out the window looking at Chuck.
Morgan: Did you French kiss her?
Chuck just stares at Morgan leading him to get into his car. The scene ends with Chuck smiling as he drives off out of camera with Morgan still wanting an answer as to whether or not he French kissed her.

Fade Out

The scene begins around 11.p.m with the façade of Casa Bartowksi and cut to the front door where Chuck walks in carrying his coat over his shoulder. Upon entering the living room, Chuck is greeted by Ellie and Devon sitting on the couch watching television.
Ellie: smiles Have fun?
Chuck: sly smirk Oh yeah.
Ellie: Did you kiss Allison?
Chuck responds with a smile leading Awesome to speak up.
Awesome: That is awesome Chuck…you’re the man.
Ellie: I have a good feeling about her.
Chuck: So do I…thanks sis….for everything.
Ellie: No problem.
Chuck is about to walk towards his room when he turns to ask her a question.
Chuck: Is mom still up?
Ellie: She might be…go check.
Cut to Chuck quietly walking into his mother’s room where he finds her in bed reading. When Rose sees her son, she puts down her book and motions for him to sit down leading her to speak up.
Rose: holding Chuck’s hand How was the prom?
Chuck: It was awesome mom.
Rose: Do you like this girl?
Chuck: Yeah…I do.
Rose: Does she like you?
Chuck smiles leading him to respond.
Chuck: She does.
Rose: I’m happy for you…now don’t rush into things too fast with her you hear me.
Chuck: Yes ma’am.
Rose: Take it slow so both of you can get to know each other better.
Chuck: I will…I love you mom.
With a smile on her face Rose holds her sons head and pulls him forward to kiss Chuck on his forehead.
Rose: I love you too son…always remember that.
Chuck smiles as he hugs his mother leading him to walk to his room, but before he does he takes one last look at his mom. The flashback ends with a close up shot of Chuck with a smile on his face as he reflected back on that memorable night with Allison Steiner in front of her door. After a moment or two, he snaps out of it leading him to speak up.
Chuck: smiles Allison and I not only kept in touch, but we also became a couple much to Morgan’s chagrin. Chuck's smile turns serious Unfortunately, the relationship between Allison and I would fall apart when my mom became ill and much of my time was spent with her to where I became closed off. The last I heard...Allison is happily married with 2 kids and living in Colorado, which makes me wonder…

Fade To Black