Things Change Part: One By: Joey A. DeVore jdevore@chuma.cas.usf.edu Characters: All characters belong to and are copyrighted by Peter Engle Productions. I have created the characters of Drake Stevens and Morris Dunlar. I do not lay claim to the primary characters. Situation: Jake has proposed to Tiffani (read "Leave Me Alone" to understand). They are planning their wedding with the help of their friends and family. It has been eight months since Jake was shot. The wedding is set to happen in a couple weeks. At Jake's house . . . Jake and his dad are at the kitchen table working on the seating chart for the reception. Mark walks in. "Hey Jake, Mr. Sommers," he says. "Hi Mark," replies Al Sommers. "Your bike is ready, Jake," Mark tells him. "I've got it outside." "Thanks for picking it up, man," Jake replies. "How much do I owe you?" "Nothing, it's on me," Mark states. "You sure?" Jake asks. "Think nothing of it," he answers. "Save your money for the big day." "Thanks, man" Jake pats Mark on the shoulder. "Come on. You ready?" Mark inquires. "We're supposed to meet Tiff and Lorena at the florist." "Right," Jake remembers. "Later dad." "Have fun," Mr. Sommers tells them as they walk out the door. ************************************** Later at the florist . . . Jake and Mark are looking around. Tiffani and Lorena walk in. "Hey guys," Tiff says cheerfully. "Hey, baby," Jake says, then kisses Tiff. The florist comes to the counter. "So," he asks. "Have you decided on the arrangement yet?" "Yeah," Jake answers. "We've decided on number 3, right here." "Excellent choice," replies the florist. "Just sign here. This is on me." "Thanks, John," Jake says. John and Jake's dad grew up together. Jake shakes John's hand, then he and the rest of the gang head outside. ************************************* Outside . . . "All right," Mark speaks up. "We're going to meet Sly, Matt and Jenny at the formal shop. Got to get our tuxes." "We'll see you later. We are meeting Tony and Sam for lunch," Jake replies. "Later," Mark states. Jake and Tiff head to her car and drive away. Mark and Lorena go to his car and head their direction. *********************************** At the tuxedo shop . . . Mark and Lorena walk in to find Matt and Sly looking around. Jenny is looking at a vest and bow-ties. "Hey, guys," Mark calls. "How goes the search?" "Pretty good," answers Jenny. "Lorena, what about this one?" Jenny is holding up a vest. "It's perfect," Lorena answers. "It matches our gowns perfectly." "How about this one?" Sly asks while holding up a banana-yellow suit. "Sly," Mark yells at him. "You're not helping. "Joking," Sly defends. "So, does Jake want traditional style, or does it really matter?" "Traditional," Mark answers. One hour passes . . . "Okay, we're ready," Matt calls from the dressing rooms. "Strut your stuff," commands Lorena. Matt, Sly and Mark come out in full dress. "WOW!" exclaims Jenny. "You guys look awesome!" "Definitely" agrees Lorena. "Okay, here is my credit card," Mark hands it to Lorena. "We'll go change." Lorena goes to the counter and pays for the tuxes. "Come on, guys," Jenny calls to them. "Let's go," Matt responds as they come out carrying the tuxes. They all head outside. ************************************* At a local restaurant . . . (not Sharkey's) The waiter places the bill on the table. Jake reaches for it only to be stopped by Tony. "Let me get this one, Jake," he tells Jake. "Thanks, man" Jake replies. "So," Sam interrupts. "Are you two ready for the big day?" Tiff and Jake look at each other and smile. "Definitely!" Tiff exclaims. "I can't wait." "Well," Jake begins while looking at his watch. "It's almost three o'clock. We'd better get going." They all go outside. **************************************** Outside . . . Tony speaks first. "All right. Jake and I have to go to the formal shop. We'll meet you back at Tiff's house later, right?" "Right," Tiff replies. "Jake and I are meeting with our parents to finalize the seating for the reception." "I'll see you there," Jake looks at Tiffani. "I love you." "I love you, too," Tiff says back. They kiss, then head to their respective vehicles. ************************************* Later at Tiffani's house . . . A knock is heard at the door. Mr. Smith opens the door. "Al, come on in," he tells Jake's parents. "Where are Jake and Tiffani?" asks Mrs. Sommers. "Well, Tiffani and Sam are upstairs," replies Judy (Tiffani's mother). "Jake is on his way. He and Tony just left the tuxedo shop about ten minutes ago." A few minutes later, Jake and Tony arrive. Jake walks in like it is his own house. "Jake!" his father says angrily. "This isn't your house. Knock next time." "It's all right," Mr. Smith assures him. "I told him he could just come on in when he's here." Tiff, having heard Mr. Sommers, comes flying down the stairs with Sam close behind. "Hey, sweetie," Tiff calls to Jake. "Hey Tony." "Are you ready, Sam?" Tony inquires. "Let's go," she replies. "Later, Tiff." "Bye, guys," Tiff calls to them as they go out the door. "Okay, down to business," Mr. Smith commands. "We're almost done, but we need your input," he says to Jake and Tiff. They begin discussing the arrangements. *************************************** Later, at Lorena's loft . . . Tony and Sam walk in to find everyone watching a movie. Sly looks up, "It's about time you got here." "What for?" inquires Sam. "Mark wrote a song for the wedding," Matt tells her. "Sort of a tribute," adds Mark. "Cool," replies Tony. Mark opens his notebook. "Hey, where's the song?" "What do you mean where is it?" Sly demands. "It's gone," Mark explains. Lorena comes in carrying some shredded paper. "Here it is Mark. My cat chewed it up. I'm sorry." "Well, so much for that idea," Mark says sadly. "Aah, let's just practice the rest of the music," Jenny says. "Right," answers Tony. They begin to practice. *************************************** Back at Tiffani's house . . . They have finished working. The parents are in the living room talking. Jake and Tiff have gone upstairs to Tiff's room to discuss their honeymoon. "Well, it's almost nine," Mr. Sommers says as he stands up. "I have to be at work early in the morning. We'd better go." "I'll go tell Jake you're ready to leave," Judy says, then exits up the stairs. **************************************** Up in Tiff's room . . . " . . . so then we go to Venice," Jake continues. "Sorry to interrupt," Judy says as she opens the door. "Jake, your parents want to leave now." "I'll take him home," Tiff says almost asking. Jake looks at her with a smile. "We want to work on this a little longer," she adds. "Okay," replies Mrs. Webb. "I'll tell them to go on." "Thanks," reply Jake and Tiff simultaneously. Judy leaves the room. "Okay, where were we?" Jake turns to Tiff. "We were in Venice," Tiff replies seductively. "Right," he agrees and smiles. ******************************* Back downstairs . . . "Jake and Tiff are still working up there," Judy informs the Sommers. "Tiff offered to take him home." "And if he's here too late he can stay over night. We have an extra room down here." "All right. Lunch at one o'clock tomorrow, right?" confirms Mr. Sommers. "Yea," answers Paul. "I'll see you then." "Bye," says Mrs. Sommers. "Goodnight," replies Judy. ********************************** Back up in Tiff's room . . . Jake and Tiff are now sitting on her bed watching TV. "May I come in?" Judy asks from behind the door. "Sure," answers Tiff. Judy comes in and glances at the TV. "What are you watching?" " Bed of Roses'," Tiff replies. "Oh, I love that movie," Judy claims. "Care to join us?" Tiffani asks. "No, I have to get up early in the morning. Besides I'll leave you two alone. Anyway, Jake, your parents left. You can stay here in the guest room if you like." "You sure it's okay?" he confirms. "Not at all," Judy replies. "Goodnight you two." "Goodnight mom," replies Tiff. "Goodnight Judy," Jake says. Judy walks out. A little while later . . . "Well, I'd better get to bed," Jake tells Tiff. "I have to be at the shop at seven tomorrow." "Okay, goodnight Jake," Tiff replies. She kisses him. "Goodnight honey," returns Jake. He walks out. Tiff, now left alone, turns off the TV and gets ready for bed. After she has changed clothes, she climbs into the bed, turns off the light and goes to sleep. . . .to be continued.