Danny asks Julie to skateboard downtown with him. Julie persuades him to skate uptown instead, because she wants to go to a coffeehouse called Neutral Ground, where they are holding an open-mike night. Danny says he'll go if she calls Baxter first. Julie dials the phone. In an interview, Julie says that she's not happy with her life at this moment, and that she wants to branch out and see what else is out there. She totally invites herself over to Baxter's house to watch The Sopranos, but he doesn't seem to mind. Is she even allowed to watch that show? In an interview, Julie says she knows the world is out there, but she can't taste or touch or see it, and she won't be happy until she does. She hangs up the phone and walks down the hall saying, "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" No, she's not calling Matt. She's referring to herself -- she doesn't even know Baxter! I'm kind of sympathetic to Julie at this point -- she really has missed out on a lot due to her upbringing, and I think she is just now realizing exactly how much.
At Neutral Ground, some guy plays the piano like Tori Amos. He finishes the song and comes off the stage to talk to Julie, who gives him a compliment. In an interview, Julie says that she met this other guy named Matt. I'm going to refer to him as Musical Matt, just so we can keep things straight. Musical Matt asks if Julie is up , and she says that she doesn't think she's going up at all. In an interview, Julie says that she wants to "live out [her] dream of having someone hear her sing." So, just do it! My God, it's not Carnegie Hall, for crying out loud. Julie tells Musical Matt that she's never performed before, and she's nervous, plus she's supposed to be somewhere. Oh, that's right -- Baxter! In an interview, Julie says that someone (we're supposed to think it's Musical Matt, but who knows) is "so dang cute," so she's torn. Maybe she could sing "Torn." On second thought, please don't. Julie calls Baxter and asks if she can still come over, even though she's late. In an interview, Julie says that she would "really like to find someone [she] can love" even if it's just a friend. Julie gets up and walks out of the coffeehouse. Then we hear someone say, "I can't believe she did that." Someone else says, "That's so not cool." Huh? Who just said that? Were they talking about Julie? I'm so confused.
Julie arrives at Baxter's house. She walks in and there are like ten guys just sitting in the living room, like obviously Baxter called all his friends and said he had a date with the Real World chick and they all came over to get some camera time. I mean, come on. Baxter and Julie go into Baxter's room for like one minute, and then Julie asks if Baxter wants to "chill with his homies." Baxter asks what she wants to do, and she says, "Make out?" and then laughs and says she's just kidding. This whole scene was really weird. In an interview, Julie says that Baxter is nice, but for some reason she can't get close to guys. I think she should trust her instincts in this case -- this whole deal is creepy. Julie leaves Baxter's house.
Julie and Musical Matt are discussing music. Julie says that she bought an amp, but she doesn't like it. Musical Matt points out that she's afraid of being loud because it means that more people will hear her. Ooh, he's all psychological and shit. In an interview, Julie says that she's not worried that she'll suck or that people won't like her sound, but performing is kind of like throwing yourself out there naked. Maybe she should get some tips on it from Melissa, then. Julie and Musical Matt talk about performing some more, and I'm already really bored with this storyline.
Julie calls Neutral Ground and says that she might want to do a few songs instead of a whole set, and they are fine with that. In a confessional, Julie says that playing guitar is a gift she has, and there's no reason not to share it. I've seen her play, and I don't know if I would call it a gift, exactly. In an interview, Julie says that people use music in different ways, and she uses it as therapy. She learned to play guitar in high school because it was bad time in her life, so now the "instrument encompasses all the ugliness and bad times she's been through." To take all that and put it on public display makes her uncomfortable. Ugh, will this ever end? I feel like I've been writing about Julie and her stupid guitar forever! Why does Stee get to recap the hilarious Road Rules crossover episode, and I'm stuck with this crap? Why?
Julie and Danny are at Neutral Ground. Danny asks Julie if she's going to play. Julie says she doesn't think so, because she's too nervous. I swear, if she doesn't get up on that stage in the five minutes, I'm going to find her wherever she is these days and strangle her. In an interview, Danny says that Julie was trying to get rid of him because she didn't want him to hear her play, but he wants to hear it. Glutton for punishment, that Danny. Julie says she might play. Suddenly, she is up on stage (Hallelujah!) and singing. I don't recognize the song, so maybe it's one of her own creation. Because I'm detail oriented (I'm a Virgo!), I have transcribed the song here for you, along with my commentary:
He comes like a river and he leaves (Um, ew? Is this a pornographic song?)
Like a crying summer storm (I think she said quiet, but the captioning says "crying." Neither really makes sense)
Against my window, I press my hand
And watch him walk away, away. (Okay, so that wasn't so bad. Evocative, even, if a bit too Lifetime: Television For Women, as well as a bit awkwardly phrased.)