Previously on “The secret life of the American teenager”

RICKY: You remember Toby's stepsister? She's the admissions counselor. She told our school counselor that I tried to sleep with her and that's why she wasn't going to let me go to school there.

BEN: I know that Adrian told you that we're living together.

GRACE: I think you definitely shouldn't act like a husband.

BEN: I have my own room now.

ADRIAN: You told him not to have sex with me.

GRACE: Okay. But I did not tell him why.

RICKY: I'm going to do whatever I have to do to get a college degree.

KATELYN: I just want to help you.

TOM: I'm not ready for a wife or two children. Are you?

MILTON: I just might be.

RACHEL: He still didn't say anything?

TOM: Who?

RACHEL: Milton.

BEN: You're not really gonna drink that, are you?

NORA: If it teaches you a lesson, yes.

KATHLEEN: You didn't say anything about your date last night.

GRACE: I had a 9:00 curfew like a big baby.

NORA: I screwed up. I had a drink.

LEO: From the looks of things, I'd say it was more than a drink.

NORA: I had almost two years without a drink.

LEO: I'll have someone drive you to a meeting and then they'll drive you home.

KATELYN: You're officially accepted. Congratulations.

RICKY: It's not very often that something good happens to me.

GRACE’S HOUSE

Grace comes back in her bedroom with two glasses.

JACK: Oh. Here, let me help you with that. He stayed over?

GRACE: It's none of your business.

JACK: All right, but I want to ask you about something later.

GRACE: Just ask me now.

JACK: I don't think now is the right time.

(Daniel goes out to the bedroom)

GRACE: Good morning.

DANIEL: Good morning.

GRACE: I'll be right there, Jack just wanted to ask me something.

DANIEL: All right. Go ahead.

JACK: She said she'd be right there.

DANIEL: I heard.

GRACE: Jack, just ask me what you wanted to ask me.

JACK: Okay. But, now, it's a waste of time. Are you doing anything next Saturday night?

GRACE: Yeah.

DANIEL: Were you just going to ask Grace out while I'm standing right here in front of you?

JACK: We're friends, right?

DANIEL: Not really, no. I think that's you and Grant.

JACK: I need someone to go to the senior dance with. I broke up with Madison, and I wouldn't go, but Coach says that all the athletes must attend, so... I must attend.

GRACE: And you thought I'd attend with you.

JACK: Yeah. Or maybe fix me up with someone.

GRACE: I'll think about it. About fixing you up with someone. See ya.

Daniel and Grace enter in the bedroom.

DANIEL: Really? You're going to fix him up?

GRACE: I don't know, that's why I said I'd think about it. Right now, all I can think about is you.

DANIEL: We can't. I wouldn't be comfortable doing anything here. Let's stay over at my place tonight.

GRACE: Okay.

DANIEL: Okay.

CONDO

Adrian enters in the apartment, Ben watches cartoons.

ADRIAN: Hey, good morning.

BEN: Good morning.

ADRIAN: How'd you sleep?

BEN: I slept well, thank you.

ADRIAN: I slept well as well, thank you. We are friends, right?

BEN: Yes, ware friends. How'd you sleep?

ADRIAN: I slept well as well.

BEN: Oh, right, you just said that. How are you, Adrian?

ADRIAN: I'm okay. I feel better since I've started walking, and since we made a plan. I feel more settled. And I'm excited about graduating this summer.

BEN: That's good, I'm excited for you.

ADRIAN: Yeah, and you're excited for you because then you can get out of this place, and this marriage.

BEN: It's a little early in the day to talk about something so serious. Have some popcorn. Watch cartoons. We're young. It's the weekend.

ADRIAN: Yeah. It is.

BEN: Okay, what?

ADRIAN: What?

BEN: You've got something on your mind.

ADRIAN: Okay. I just need one little favor.

BEN: What is it?

ADRIAN: Could we please just go to the senior dance together? I really want to go. Please?

BEN: I guess, okay.

ADRIAN: Really?

BEN: Why not? From now until August we're married, so, if you want to go to the dance, let's go to the dance. It's not that big a deal.

ADRIAN: Thank you.

BEN: You're welcome. Oh, I love this one.

RICKY’S APARTMENT

Amy prepares breakfast. Ricky is ready to go to work.

RICKY: I've got to go to work.

AMY: Sorry.

RICKY: That's okay. It's good to have work to go to.

AMY: Before you go, did you want to ask me anything?

RICKY: I don't think so.

AMY: The senior dance is next weekend.

RICKY: So?

AMY: So you don't want to go?

RICKY: No, I don't want to go. See you later.

AMY: I want to go.

THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER - OPEN CREDITS

BUTCHER SHOP

Bunny talks with Ricky.

BUNNY: Have any idea what's going on? I thought in Leo's office.

RICKY: Maybe they are. the butcher shop. Maybe she just needs the extra cash.

BUNNY: Maybe you don't have any idea.

RICKY: Ask Ben. Where's Ben?

BUNNY: Oh, he's coming, but not until later. I don't really need three of you here to open.

(Nora is coming)

BUNNY: I knew it. Something happened.

RICKY: Whatever it was, to do with me anything so I'm staying out of it.

(Amy arrives with John)

AMY: Good morning, Bunny.

BUNNY: Good morning. Who's the cute little boy you got with you?

JOHN: Me.

AMY: We're just going to go and do some laundry

RICKY: I could help you off work until I'm

AMY: That's okay, you help me all the time. You do everything, and you're working. Let me do something. Have a nice day.

BUNNY! I wish you helped me that much.

RICKY! I don't help her that much. She just wants to go and I don't want to go. I know what that's about.

Nora is upset about a costumer.

NORA: Because that's how much it costs!

COSTUMER: Uh-huh? Then forget it. I'll go to the supermarket!

NORA: Go. Go to the supermarket. You can't get anything the damn supermarket!

(Bunny is coming)

BUNNY: Here you go. On the house.

COSTUMER: Thank you. I will.

NORA: Ugh! Go ahead. f*re me work here either

Bunny and Nora have a conversation.

BUNNY: Did Leo f*re you?

NORA: I quit.

BUNNY: What happened?

NORA: Nothing happened. It's just not the job for me, okay? And maybe this isn't the job for me either.

RICKY: Bunny, could I have outside with Nora?

NORA: Oh, so now it's Nora, huh?

RICKY: Yeah.

Nora and Ricky go out in front of the butcher shop.

RICKY: Uh-uh. Not in front of the kids. If I see you smoking, I want to start smoking.

NORA: Okay.

RICKY: I take it you fell off the wagon?

NORA: Did you expect that I wouldn't?

RICKY: I hoped that you wouldn't. I try not to have any expectations so I don't have any disappointments. Are you okay?

NORA: What do you care?

RICKY: You're my mother. You haven't always been a mother to me, but you're my mother, and I care. Did this just happen last night? You get drunk? You got high?

NORA: Hmm. I got drunk. last.

RICKY: Night before last? Night before last with Ben out to dinner

NORA: No, it wasn't his fault. Exactly.

RICKY: Was he with you when you got drunk?

NORA: Yeah. And when I passed out. He took me over to his dad's house and left me in his old bedroom with a note pinned on my shirt.

RICKY: And then, Leo fired you?

NORA: No, not right away. He had his driver drive me to a meeting, and then he told the driver to drive me back home, not to bring me into the office. I went to the office anyway, and he told me he thought it would be best if I just came back here.

RICKY: All right, well, you just start over. You just take it one day at a time.

NORA: Yeah. I don't think that's really working for me. I'm going to try something else.

RICKY: No, that program was working for you. You just have to work the program. You've tried everything else.

NORA: You don't know anything about it. Wait.

RICKY: End of discussion.

NORA: You can't tell me what to do. Just because you have a son doesn't mean you can tell me what to do. You don't know anything about it.

RICKY: You said that. And you're right. And this isn't about me anyway, this is about you. You live your life, I'll live my life. Only, this is your last chance to be involved in my life. I swear.

CONDO

Someone knocks on the door.

ADRIAN: Ben, someone's at the door.

BEN: No! Don't answer it.

ADRIAN: Why not? Hi, Mr. Boykewich.

LEO: Hi, there. Good morning.

ADRIAN: Good morning, come on in.

LEO: Morning, Ben. I was wondering if I may speak with you.

ADRIAN: Could I get you a cup of coffee or something?

LEO: No, thank you, Adrian. Do you mind if I talk to Ben alone?

ADRIAN: No, I don't mind.

(Adrian leaves)

BEN: I should have called you.

LEO: Yeah, you should have.

BEN: I didn't drink. I swear I didn't.

LEO: She's an alcoholic, Ben. She'd been sober for almost two years, and she fell off the wagon when she was with you. What happened?

BEN: Well... I'm not quite sure. She was lecturing me on the dangers of alcohol, and then her old girlfriend showed up with Ruben. They were at the bar, and then she came over to talk to Nora, and then... I don't know. A waiter got an order mixed up and brought over a bottle of wine to the table, and the next thing I know, she's drunk. And pretty belligerent.

LEO: Why didn't you take her to her house?

BEN: Because she lives with Ricky's mother. Ricky's other mother. I forget which one is the other mother and which one's the mother. Anyway, she refused to give me the address, and I didn't want to call Ricky, so, I just dumped her off where I thought she'd be safe.

LEO: I had to let her go from the office.

BEN: Had to?

LEO: Too much information in that office about me and my business, and you even. I can't have someone getting drunk and going around talking to people and saying something stupid. I told her she could go back to the butcher shop.

BEN: Is she going to be back at the butcher shop today, when I'm at the butcher shop, and Ricky's at the butcher shop? Maybe you should reconsider. I mean, she's in AA. I'm sure she'll just quit drinking again.

LEO: We talked about this. It's not that easy to just quit drinking. Some people can't just quit drinking. And I'm afraid that if you start drinking, you could be one of those people. I'm not, but you could be.

BEN: Dad, I'm probably going to have a drink once in a while. I'll be responsible when I drink, and not drink too much, and I won't drive when I've had a drink. But I'm probably going to drink.

LEO: I told you, I don't think you should. Oh, geez. I wish you'd just do what I tell you to do, you know that? If you'd just do what I tell you, I wouldn't have to do this. I don't want to do this.

BEN: You don't want to do what?

LEO: Ruin your memories. Change the image that you've always had of your mother.

BEN: What?

LEO: Your mother was a lovely, lovely woman. She was sweet, she was funny. She was a good wife and a good mother. And she was an alcoholic. And so was her mother and her father. They died in a car accident before you were born, caused by her father. They were coming home from a party drunk. I know you knew about the car accident, but I never told you the other stuff because I didn't want you to think of them that. Anyway, your mom quit drinking after the accident, but she always struggled with it, Ben, she always did. So, I don't want you to have a drink. At all. And I'm sorry to have to tell you why.

BEN: Me, too.

GUEST’S HOUSE

Tom says to children that Milton is going to come.

BONNIE: Why is he coming over to meet us?

TOM: Because he wants to.

RACHEL: I've met him, he's really nice.

TOM: Don't lie to them. He's not always nice, and you probably won't like him until you get to know him.

RACHEL: Tom, don't make them hate the guy before he even gets here. It's really no big deal. I met Milton and I thought you might like him. He's a little gruff, like the Grinch who stole Christmas, before he got his heart. But he has a heart, he has a very big heart, and he's funny.

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

TOM: I got it. Here he is.

MILTON: Good morning!

TOM: They're afraid of clowns.

MILTON: Okay. Obviously a bad choice.

JUERGENS’ HOUSE

Ruben enters in the kitchen in short. Amy and Ruben are screaming.

AMY: God! I think I just lost my voice. What are you doing here like that?

RUBEN: Your dad didn't tell me that you were going to be here.

AMY: My dad didn't tell me you were going to be here. What are you doing here?

RUBEN: Oh, geez, this is really embarrassing. Uh, I'll be right back.

AMY(at phone): Dad, it's me, I'm at the house and Ruben is over here. I was doing laundry and he just...

RUBEN: Okay, well... We were just having a little problem last night over at our house and, uh... Well, I called your dad and he said that I could use this house.

AMY: What kind of problem?

RUBEN: Uh, well, uh... A house problem.

AMY: What kind of house problem?

RUBEN: I got locked out.

AMY: Well, I think we have your extra key over here.

RUBEN: The door was bolted from the inside by Cindy. My wife. Adrian's mother.

AMY: I know who she is.

RUBEN: I'll just be going now.

AMY: Okay.

RUBEN: Uh. I might be back.

AMY: I hope not. I mean, I hope everything is okay.

RUBEN: Yeah. Hey, do you mind if I just have a cup of coffee first?

AMY: All right. You want me to make it for you?

RUBEN: No, no, that's okay. I can do that.

AMY: You know where everything is?

RUBEN: Oh, yeah. It's...

AMY: Not your first morning here.

RUBEN: But everything's going to be fine. We're just... We've just...

AMY: Look, I know how much stress you must be under with everything that's happened. And I hope you can work it out.

RUBEN: Thanks, Amy. I think I'll go have coffee at my house.

AMY: Okay, well, I should be out of here in another hour or so.

RUBEN: Parents have problems. They're just people, you know? It's not a reflection on the children. The problems would happen regardless.

ADRIAN’S HOUSE

Ruben comes back home, Cindy talks with Adrian.

ADRIAN: Senior dance. Oh, I can't wait. I wish I was graduating in June. But if I can graduate in August...

RUBEN: Good morning.

CINDY: Uh. Good morning. I thought you were at the office working on that case.

ADRIAN: Morning, Dad.

RUBEN: Hey, Adrian, it's good to see you. What's going on?

ADRIAN: I just wanted to see if I had anything that I could wear to the senior dance. What's going on with you?

CINDY: Nothing.

RUBEN: Nothing.

ADRIAN: Okay, well, something. I saw Amy's car in the driveway, so I think I'll just go see Amy. Are you two okay?

CINDY: We're fine.

RUBEN: We're fine.

ADRIAN: Bye.

(Adrian leaves)

RUBEN: She looks good.

CINDY: Yeah, she does. She's not going to fit into anything she has, but she looks a lot better and she feeling a lot better. She's walking every morning.

RUBEN: Walking. That's good.

CINDY: Hmm.

RUBEN: I'm sorry, Cindy. I'm really sorry. About everything.

CINDY: Me, too.

RUBEN: I love you.

CINDY: I love you, too.

CINDY: Mmm! I remember your senior dance.

RUBEN: Yeah. Me, too. Oh. She's not going to get pregnant a second time. Not right now, anyway.

JUERGENS’ HOUSE

Adrian talks with Amy.

ADRIAN: You're not going to the senior dance?

AMY: Oh, I don't know. I don't think so. I mean, we could, but it's just so expensive. I mean, I'd have to buy a dress, Ricky would have to buy a suit, and... What's the point? We live together. We can dance in our living room.

ADRIAN: What's the point? The point is it's a rite of passage. It's the senior dance. It's the kick off to all the senior activities that are coming up.

AMY: Yeah, but, I don't think Ricky's all that hooked into all that senior stuff. I mean, he's really focused on college, so I don't think he's making any of it too important.

ADRIAN: He's so cute. I can't wait till Ben and I have a baby. Someday.

GRACE’S HOUSE

Kathleen prepares lunch, Daniel and Grace joins her.

KATHLEEN: Hi, Daniel.

DANIEL: Hi. Good morning.

KATHLEEN: Yeah, I guess 11:30 is still morning.

DANIEL: I was wondering if we could ask you something.

(CELL PHONE RINGS)

GRACE: Oh. It's Amy. I better take this, it might be important.

(Grace upstairs)

KATHLEEN: Are you sure she's mature enough for you to go out with? You seem slightly more mature than Grace. Which is why I like you and trust you.

DANIEL: Can she sleep over at my place tonight?

KATHLEEN: I would rather she didn't. But that's up to the two of you.

DANIEL: Thank you.

KATHLEEN: And just because she's sleeping over, doesn't mean you have to do anything.

DANIEL: Okay.

KATHLEEN: Okay, what?

DANIEL: Okay, I heard you, and I don't know that we won't be doing anything, to be honest.

KATHLEEN: Think about it.

DANIEL: I will.

GRACE’S HOUSE/JUERGENS’ HOUSE

Amy explains to Grace that she has heard about Adrian.

AMY(at phone): Grace, you have to talk to her. I saw this look in her eye when she was holding John, and I'm telling you, she's actually thinking about it. I know it sounds crazy, but...

GRACE(at phone): It does, it sounds crazy.

AMY(at phone): Why do you sound funny? I sound funny 'cause I have a frog in my throat, but, why do you sound funny? What do you know?

GRACE(at phone): I know nothing, I told you, I know nothing.

AMY(at phone): Yes, you do. You don't think she's actually trying to trick Ben into getting her pregnant or something crazy like that, do you?

GRACE(at phone): Something like that. But you have to promise not to say anything.

AMY(at phone): Grace! She told you she's trying to get pregnant again?

GRACE(at phone): Yeah.

AMY(at phone): No. No, she's not thinking straight. Talk to her. She's still depressed or something, and thinks this is the way out. She can't do this to herself, or to Ben, or their families. And everyone's still recovering.

GRACE(at phone): I know that. But you can't tell her that and I can't tell her that, she won't hear any of it. The only person we can talk to is Ben. One of us should tell Ben.

AMY(at phone): Well, that can't be me.

GRACE(at phone): I tried, and Adrian caught me, and made me swear I wouldn't, so, it can't be me either. Maybe Ricky would do it. You should get Ricky to do it. Oh, and by the way, Jack is looking for someone to go to the senior dance with, so, if you or Ricky know anyone.

AMY(at phone): What does that have to do with anything?

GRACE(at phone): I don't know. It's just something else for you to talk to Ricky about.

GRACE’S HOUSE

Tom comes with Milton to see Kathleen.

TOM: Do you have any make up remover?

MILTON: Milton.

KATHLEEN: You're not what I pictured.

TOM: It wasn't my idea.

BUTCHER SHOP

Ben comes to work, he joins Nora.

BEN: I'm sorry.

NORA: It's not your fault. But you couldn't have grabbed the bottle or the glass or something?

BEN: I didn't know what to do.

NORA: We're never having dinner again.

BEN: All right.

Ricky joins them.

RICKY: Could I speak to you?

BEN: Not today, okay? Another day.

RICKY: Now.

BEN: You're not in charge here.

BUNNY: Drop it for right now, Ricky, all right? Not right now. If you two want to take a break...

BEN: I just got here, but...

BUNNY: Just talk to her.

BEN: I can't help her. I really can't help her.

BUNNY: No, probably not, but maybe she'll realize that and go to a meeting. Could save her life.

Bunny comes to Ricky.

BUNNY: Hey.

RICKY: I'm going to talk to him at some point, you know.

BUNNY: Yeah, I know. Look, the boss called.

RICKY: And he wants you to f*re her from here, too? I mean, she probably shouldn't be around sharp objects. Or cash.

BUNNY: He wanted me to know that Ben was having a bad day. He talked to him about going out with your mom, and to kind of emphasize his concern about drinking. Not just her drinking, but Ben's recent exploits. He told Ben something he never knew before.

RICKY: Is it something that I would give a crap about?

BUNNY: His mother was an alcoholic. So, maybe you two have more in common than anyone thought.

Amy enters in the butcher shop with John.

AMY: A little helps, please?

RICKY: Here. I got it. Hi, John. Good job on the laundry.

BUNNY: Yeah, yeah, help the lady upstairs.

RICKY: Come on.

RICKY’S APARTMENT

Ricky, Amy and John enter in the apartment.

RICKY: Did you pass by Ben and my mother, Nora, on your way in?

AMY: Yeah, I saw Ben. But, I didn't stop to talk to him. He didn't look like he wanted to talk. He turned his back to me as soon as he saw us coming up, and...

RICKY: So she wasn't out there, huh? She probably took off.

AMY: Took off where? Whwould she take off?

RICKY: She fell off the wagon.

AMY: She's D-R-U-N-K?

RICKY: Not now, she got D-R-U... Why are we spelling? He doesn't know what drunk is.

AMY: I don't want him to know. What happened?

RICKY: She went out with Ben to give him a lecture on not drinking, and somehow it turned around on her, and she slipped.

AMY: Poor Nora. She was doing so well.

RICKY: Longest she's done that well. I guess I should have been paying more attention. What am I saying? It wasn't my fault. She's responsible for her own problems.

AMY: Wait. Did Ben get drunk, too? Oh, geez, I really hope he's not drinking and getting drunk every night, otherwise he really is going to get Adrian pregnant again.

RICKY: Huh?

AMY: You have to talk to him, Ricky, you have to tell him.

RICKY: Tell him what?

AMY: I think Adrian is trying to get pregnant again.

RICKY: What would make you think that? Not that it's any of our business.

AMY: She stopped over at my dad's house and then she was holding John, and then just this look in her eyes...

RICKY: Amy, please, tell me you're not jumping to some crazy conclusion based on a look in Adrian's eyes?

AMY: No, but that look did make me want to talk to Grace, so I called Grace...

RICKY: What is it with you girls?

AMY: We're girls. Anyways, Grace said that Adrian told her... She told her that she is trying to get pregnant again. Oh. And she wanted to know if you know anyone that would go to the senior dance with Jack.

RICKY: No. I don't. And Adrian actually said this?

AMY: Mmm-hmm. Yeah. And we doubt that Ben knows, and someone has to tell him.

RICKY: No.

AMY: What if she traps him a second time?

RICKY: He wasn't trapped. He had choices. And he chose to get married. If he's stupid enough to get her pregnant again, then that's his problem.

AMY: Yeah, and the baby's problem. Babies can't help who their parents are.

RICKY: Parents can't help who their kids are either. They can only do so much, you know. We can only do our best to raise John to be a good man, and that's all we can do, and that may not be enough.

AMY: But he'll have a much better chance if we do the best we can together. RICKY: Don't make me take you to that dance.

GUEST’S HOUSE

Milton learn to children how play to carts.

MILTON: Now, Aces can be high or low. So, it goes, Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and Ace. The suits are spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds. No one suit is higher than another. The best five card poker hand wins. Questions.

RONNIE: How much is the ante?

BONNIE: He said two pennies.

TOM: I'll ask them. Who wants chocolate chip cookies?

BONNIE: We do!

RONNIE: We do!

TOM: Let's go.

RONNIE: Don't look at my cards.

MILTON: Who, me? Of course not. Run along, kid.

Milton and Rachel are alone.

MILTON: Well, I think I turned that around, don't you think?

RACHEL: I think so. But if I were you, I'd let them win at cards.

MILTON: Oh, absolutely. And the pot is going to be big. I mean, big. $10. Maybe more.

RACHEL: Two bucks will be plenty. Two each. I don't want you to bribe them.

MILTON: But that's one of the things I do best, bribes.

RACHEL: You better knock that stuff off if you ever want a chance with me.

MILTON: I would like a chance with you.

RACHEL: Hmm.

MILTON: Would you maybe like to go out of the house without the kids next Saturday night? Maybe take in a movie, have some dinner? Or we could take them if you want.

RACHEL: Maybe Grandma Kathleen will look after them. I'd hate to ask Tom again.

MILTON: You're calling that broad in there Grandma? Sorry. That's no broad, that's Tom's mother.

RACHEL: I am going to have to work on you. But not too much.

DANIEL’S APARTMENT

Daniel and Grace diner together.

DANIEL: I can cook, I just don't have any pots and pans. I haven't had time to get all that stuff.

GRACE: Oh, yeah, what can you cook?

DANIEL: The basics. Scrambled eggs, hamburgers, and macaroni and cheese from a package.

GRACE: I can only bake. I bake cookies.

DANIEL:Cooking's basically chemistry, right? We're both good in chemistry, we should be able to learn to cook. Maybe we should take cooking lessons together. Oh, no, don't get that I-want-to-marry-you look in your eye again.

GRACE: Why do you keep accusing me of wanting to marry you?

DANIEL: Because I want you to want to marry me, because I want to want to marry you.

GRACE: But you don't?

DANIEL: But I don't know if I do. And you don't know if you want to marry me either. We don't have to do anything that you don't want to do, or you're not ready to do. We can just hang out, talk.

GRACE: Did my mother talk to you? She's like a hypnotist!

DANIEL: She did hint around that we could wait.

GRACE: Can we leave my mother out of this relationship?

DANIEL: I doubt it.

GRACE: She can't keep us from having sex.

DANIEL: But she can try. She and Jack.

GRACE: Jack? Jack said something to you?

DANIEL: He wants you to go to the senior dance with him, just as a friend.

GRACE: Would you Jack take me to the senior dance, just as a friend?

DANIEL: What do you think?

BOYKEWICH’S HOUSE

Nora is lie on the Ben’s bedroom.

BEN: Again?

NORA: I'm not drunk. I just have a headache from motion sickness. I was riding around on the bus all afternoon.

BEN: Why didn't you just go home?

NORA: Oh, because Ricky's mother would k*ll me if... If she knew I had a beer. I only had one beer. The bus stop was in front of a liquor store. Okay, I'm lying, I had more than one beer. I had several beers. Your dad sent a big guy with white hair out to look for me. He found me.

BEN: Hi. My name is Ben. And I don't want to be an alcoholic.

NORA: Neither do I, but...

BEN: But?

NORA: I guess I'm just a big fat failure at everything, huh?

BEN: Not at everything. Your son's a pretty nice guy.

NORA: My son, Ricky? Oh, he's not my son, he's Margaret's son. I'm just his birth mother.

BEN: Oh, come on, she didn't do everything. She didn't inspire him not to drink.

NORA: I don't know about that.

BEN: You certainly inspired me not to drink. Which is important, because I'm sure, as your friend Bill probably knew, it's really important to stay away from alcohol. Especially if you had a parent, or parents, who have or had issues with alcohol.

NORA: Leo?

BEN: No. My mom. And her mom. And her dad. Apparently I come from a long line of alcoholics.

NORA: I'm sorry, I didn't know.

BEN: I didn't either.

NORA: Well, I don't recommend it for anyone. Even if you don't come from a long line, you could be first in line.

Ricky has a conversation with Leo.

LEO: I think that's a good idea for Ben to talk to her. Good for Ben and good for her. Sometimes people can hear things better when it don't come from family, you know?

RICKY: Yeah, I guess that's true.

LEO: I can't put her back in the office, you know. I really enjoyed having her there, but, I think she needs to get...

RICKY: Sober? And stay sober? Yeah, I think so. It's nice that you're even letting her work at the butcher shop. Oh. Okay. Well. That's understandable, too.

LEO: I just told her yesterday, "If you continue to go to meetings and stay sober, you could work

at the butcher shop." Unfortunately, I found her walking around today not sober.

RICKY: All right, she'll have to find another job then.

LEO: You know I have a soft spot for people in trouble. For women who have a lot of challenges.

RICKY: I kind of heard about Ben's mother.

LEO: I didn't want to tell him, but I felt I had to. It's a lot to deal with with everything he's been going through, but he's going to have to deal with it. He's going to have to grow up and deal with life. And he's going to have to do that sober. I have a drink once in a while, but, I don't get drunk.

RICKY: I don't drink, I can't stand the smell of it. It brings back too many bad memories, and I just don't get it.

LEO: That's good. Maybe you could stay close to Ben, be a friend to him.

RICKY: I wish I were a better friend to him. I need to tell him something, but just don't think I'm the person to talk to him about this. Sometimes women make you do stupid things, you know?

LEO: Like what?

RICKY: Like Amy is making me tell you this. Adrian is hoping to get Ben to get her pregnant again.

LEO: You don't mean now, you mean sometime in the distant future?

RICKY: Now.

LEO: And how would I have heard that? How can I tell him I heard that without telling him who I heard it from?

RICKY: Please don't.

LEO: Adrian. What is she thinking?

GRACE’S HOUSE

Jack is ready to go out.

JACK: Just wanted to let you know, I'm leaving the house.

KATHLEEN: Habit. Just checking to see what time it is.

JACK: What time is it?

KATHLEEN: Almost 11:00. What's there to do at 11:00 on a Saturday night?

JACK: That's what time the parties usually start, around 11:00.

KATHLEEN: Really?

JACK: Yeah.

KATHLEEN: All right, well, drive safely.

JACK: I will. I don't really want to go out, but, I have to find a date to the dance. I have to go to that dance. I don't if you...

KATHLEEN: Oh, no, Jack, I'm sorry. But I'm very flattered you asked, but, no. And I'm sure you can find a date.

JACK: No, I really can't.

KATHLEEN: Maybe there are some other guys who are going that don't have dates and you can all go together.

JACK: No. I don't think so.

(Daniel and Grace go home)

DANIEL: Just wanted to say goodnight. Good night, Kathleen. Jack.

KATHLEEN: Goodnight.

JACK: Goodnight.

GRACE: I had a really nice time. Thank you for dinner and everything.

DANIEL: I'll talk to you tomorrow.

GRACE: Mmm-hmm.

KATHLEEN: I thought you were staying over.

GRACE: No, I decided not to stay over.

KATHLEEN: Okay.

GRACE: And we didn't do anything either. I decided I think I'm just gonna be a little smarter this time.

JACK: Wouldn't that have to be next time?

GRACE: And what I'm saying is. I think I like a guy that can make me wait. Goodnight.

KATHLEEN: Goodnight.

CONDO

Ben goes homes, Adrian is going to bed.

ADRIAN: Oh, hi. I was just about to go to bed. How are you?

BEN: I'm okay. I'm surprisingly okay. How are you?

ADRIAN: I'm fine. Excited about the dance next week.

BEN: Yeah, should be fun. I guess I should go pick up some condoms.

ADRIAN: Hmm?

BEN: Little joke. Senior dance joke. Sometimes seniors get carried away at those dances, and go out and do things they shouldn't.

ADRIAN: Well, we're married. So, we can have sex if we want to. Even if we're just friends pretending to be married.

BEN: Yeah. Of course we can. If we want. Goodnight, Adrian.

ADRIAN: Goodnight, Ben.

RICKY’S APARTMENT

Ricky sleeps, Amy is with him.

RICKY: Oh. Hi.

AMY: You fell asleep before I got out of the shower and into bed.

RICKY: You smell really nice.

AMY: Thank you.

RICKY: Goodnight.

AMY: Oh, come on! We still haven't done anything on our new sofa bed.

RICKY: Oh. All right.

AMY: "Oh, all right"?

RICKY: I'll do it if I don't have to take you to that dance.

AMY: You have to take me to that dance.

RICKY: You know what the theme is?

AMY: No, I don't know, what is it?

RICKY: Teens Are the Parents of Tomorrow.

AMY: What? Who came up with that theme?

RICKY: Someone who doesn't want us there, probably. Still want to go?

AMY: Who doesn't want us there?

RICKY: Me.

AMY: Wait. So that's not the theme?

RICKY: No. But, I don't want us there, and we don't have a babysitter.

AMY: We'll get one. Come on.

RICKY: If you love me, you won't make me do this.

AMY: And if you love me...

GYMNASE HIGH SCHOOL

Amy and Ricky are dancing.

RICKY: I'm a terrible dancer.

AMY: I don't care. You're a wonderful man.

RICKY: You promised we'd just stay an hour.

AMY: Uh-huh. Unless you're having a really good time.

RICKY: It's the best time I've ever had, except for maybe every single night we've been in bed together.

AMY: I don't think I'd count band camp.

RICKY: I would.

AMY: You enjoyed that?

RICKY: I was too scared to enjoy it.

AMY: You were scared?

RICKY: Yeah, Amy, I was. I actually thought I might have feelings for someone, and it scared me.

AMY: By someone, you do mean me, don't you?

RICKY: What do you think?

AMY: I think I should call Lauren to make sure John's all right.

RICKY: John? You better see if Lauren's all right.

AMY: I'll be right back.

Jack dances with Grace.

JACK: This was really nice of Daniel to do this.

GRACE: He'd do anything for me.

JACK: Sure, he's not having sex with you.

GRACE: We'll see.

(Daniel takes Jack’s place)

DANIEL: Two can play this game.

GRACE: What game?

DANIEL: The waiting game. I'm surprised you play it so well, what with no experience waiting and l.

GRACE: I really like you.

DANIEL: I really like you. I didn't get to go to my senior dance. It's kind of nice being back in high school. Any chance we could...

GRACE: Nope.

Ben dances with Adrian.

BEN: People are talking.

ADRIAN: I don't care. What are they saying now?

BEN: How beautiful you are.

ADRIAN: Really?

BEN: Really.

ADRIAN: Beautiful enough that you would sleep with me tonight? Just for old time's sake.

BEN: I can't.

ADRIAN: I've heard that before.

BEN: Yeah, I know. But before, we weren't friends. Now we're friends, and as your friend, and your legal husband, I would never do anything to hurt you again, never.

GYMNASE HIGH SCHOOL/RICKY’S APARTMENT

Amy is at phone with Lauren.

LAUREN(at phone): We're fine here. We're having a good time. I don't think I want a baby of my own any time soon, but I'm good for right now. And I think John's falling asleep.

AMY(at phone): Okay, well, maybe I should just say goodnight to him.

LAUREN(at phone): You said goodnight. And I think talking to him will only make him want you to come home.

AMY(at phone): Yeah. Okay. Well. I won't talk to him then. Oh, Lauren? I think someone might be coming by to see you. And you should let him in.

LAUREN(at phone): What? Who?

AMY(at phone): Uh, Jesse? I have to go.

RICKY’S APARTMENT

Lauren starts to sing. She opens the door and finds Jesse.

GYMNASE HIGH SCHOOL

Amy joins Ricky and they dance together.

MEETING

Nora is in a meeting of AA.

NORA: I'm Nora, and I'm an alcoholic. Uh, I took my first drink at a dance in high school, and I took my last drink last night.

End of the episode.
{"type": "series", "show": "The Secret Life of an American Teenager", "episode": "04x08 - Dancing With The Stars"}