“What the fuck?”

The scene faded in to show Seth standing in the doorway to the living room. He was wearing a pair of red and black Monster Garage pajama pants and his hair was a mess, signifying he just got out of bed. He stared, dumbfounded, at the sight of red paint all over the living room. The walls were covered, the curtains were covered and the furniture was also covered in red paint. He slowly ran his fingers through his hair as Jay came walking through the other entrance.

“What the fuck?” Seth repeated, actually directing it towards somebody this time. Jay seemed rather startled by Seth, not realizing he was standing there.

“Oh, hey.” Jay greeted with a nervous smile and quick wave. “What’s up?”

“What’s up is that the living room is covered in red paint. And I’m going out on a limb to say that you know why. Just call it a hunch.” Seth crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway.

“Well, heh, funny story…” Jay set down the bucket of paint he had and put his hands in his pockets. Seth wasn’t looking amused.

The scene transitioned to what was taking place the night before. Jay voice could be overheard.

“I invited a few of the homies over last night…” Jay explained.

The living room was full, at least thirty were scattered about. Guys were lounging on any surface with a bottle of tequila in hand while women took turns dancing on the coffee table.

“There was this new guy in the neighbourhood, his name was Pablo. He always seemed a little strange but we tolerated him. Apparently he hasn’t really drank before; after a couple shots of tequila he was off his rocker.”

Pablo entered the living room from the kitchen. He stumbled over, but the doorway kept him on his feet. He would bump into the ladies, but every time he would start to talk he just wound up staring at their chest until they smacked him and walked away.

“When all of a sudden he shouted ‘let’s paint this vieja roja!’ Then he stormed out of the room. Nobody paid much attention to him. We expected to find him face down in the pool this morning. Apparently he broke into the tool shed out back…”

Pablo found a crowbar on the ground next to the shed and pried the doors open. He stumbled around in there, knocking things to the floor. Finally, he found what he was looking for. He grabbed as many buckets of paint he could carry and hauled them off. Back in the living room everything was how it was before, until Pablo showed up.

“When he stumbled in with the cans nobody really knew what was going on. He pried the lids off all of them and…”

Pablo began throwing the cans of paint all over the walls, drowning several people in it who were in his way. Can after can he kept emptying until everything was covered in red.

The scene transitioned back to show Seth still leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.

“In a matter of minutes everybody had cleared out. When I came into the living room the entire room was covered in paint and Pablo was passed out on the coffee table.” Jay concluded.

“So let me guess…” Seth started. “That there is the bucket of paint that you’re going to use to repaint the entire room exactly how it was, right before you take every piece of furniture and drapery to an upholstery cleaner, right?” Jay hesitated a moment before coming to the conclusion that Seth wasn’t actually asking if that was what he was doing, rather he was informing him of what he was doing.

“Sure.” Jay said with half a smile, trying to sound a little more enthusiastic in an attempt to cover up the cursing that was going on inside his head. Seth left the doorway and made his way to the kitchen. There he found Jalie sitting at the table; an unusual sight before noon. He approached her, ran his fingers through her messy hair and kissed her on the forehead.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He greeted. Jalie gave the best smile she could muster, followed by a half-hearted grunt. “How did you sleep last night?” He asked while making his way to the coffee pot.

“Like shit.” She muttered. She took a drink from the mug in front of her and slumped back in the chair.

“Where’s Cyprus at? I don’t remember seeing her with you last night.” Seth noted, now taking a seat across the table from Jalie. Jalie tapped her fingers on the table for a moment.

“She’s in Yucca.” Jalie told him, trying to leave out that Cody showed up last night.

“How’d she get up there?” He questioned. Jalie gaze fell to her mug.

“She left with Cody.” Jalie explained. Seth tilted his head to the side.

“Cody came here?” He asked, already knowing the answer. “Funny, I didn’t hear truck pull up.”

“He parked it across the street so you wouldn’t hear him.” Jalie told him.

“Gee, he shows up and doesn’t even say hello. That was awfully rude.” Seth said sarcastically. He took a sip of his coffee.

“Don’t even.” Jalie blurted, giving him a bit of a look. “He didn’t want to start any shit last night.”

“Then perhaps he shouldn’t wander where he’s not welcome.” Seth said.

“He’s welcome here because I say he is.” Jalie snapped.

“It doesn’t mean I have to be civil with him.” Seth retaliated.

“Goddess forbid you’re civil with anybody.” Jalie sighed.

“Pardon me if I’m not to friendly with the man who damn near made me a fucking vegetable!” Seth’s voice rose near the end. He still hadn’t forgiven Cody for that. Jalie rolled her eyes.

“Are you ever going to get past that?” Jalie questioned.

“Not as easily as you.” Seth replied.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jalie shot out.

“You can’t deny the fact that Carmen wouldn’t be in the hospital now if mister charming hadn’t stood her up for a fuck.” Seth quickly ducked as Jalie’s mug flew past his head. She threw her chair back and stormed out of the kitchen without a word. He sat there knowing what he said went to far, but was the truth. He sipped on his coffee as the scene faded out.