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Tonight on The Real World: Aneesa gets a cake made out of flowers for her birthday, which is September 11.
The show opens with some white text on a black background. The text reads: "All the scenes in this episode of The Real World were taped between September 10th and September 14th, 2001."
In the first scene, some on-screen text informs us that it is September 10, 2001. We see that clip of the kid doing the back handspring in the surf again, and I think that's about the third time they've used that footage. The song "Another Perfect Day" by American Hi-Fi plays in the background. In the loft that night, Tonya talks to Justin on the phone. He asks if he can call her back because he's in the tanning booth. He goes to the tanning booth? Interesting. Tonya agrees that he can call her back. In an interview, Tonya reminds us again that she's a foster kid. Really? I didn't know that. It's hardly been a focus this season. Tonya explains that she doesn't have family to talk to on the phone, so she mostly just talks to Justin, "the love of [her] life." In an interview, Aneesa complains that Tonya is on the phone with Justin all the time. Aneesa explains that Tonya is on the phone three times per day for hours at a time, and she even sleeps by the phone. That would be really annoying.
While Tonya lies to the phone and waits for Justin to call back, Aneesa walks up and argues that she should be able to use the phone. Tonya sing-songs, "I'm not listening to you." Kyle overhears the argument from his bedroom and laughs. Aneesa says that other people might sometimes want to use the phone. Tonya tells Aneesa that no one listens to her when she yells. I didn't really think Aneesa was yelling; she's standing a distance away from Tonya, and she was talking loudly in order to be heard. Then again, she could have walked a few feet closer. In an interview, Tonya says that she will get off the phone when someone else wants it, but that it's her only source of communication with Justin. Can't she email him? Maybe they don't have computers in Walla Walla. Maybe Justin should save some of the money he's using for tanning sessions and put it toward getting online. ["Maybe Tonya should get a damn cell phone. It's not like they're that expensive." -- Wing Chun] Aneesa says that no one came to visit her for her birthday, so she'd like to talk to her friends on the phone. Tonya tells her that it's fine. Aneesa keeps complaining because she's on a roll. Kyle is still cracking up about it. In an interview, Aneesa says that Tonya is on her bad side right now, and that Tonya might stay there.
Justin finally calls back, and suddenly his voice is really high-pitched, like I think he sucked in some helium while he was in the tanning bed. Once Justin finishes explaining how he represents the Lollipop Guild, Tonya says that she just got yelled at by Aneesa about phone use. In the bedroom, Sissy Spacek...oops, I mean Aneesa tells Kyle that she wants to slap some sense into Tonya. I don't blame her. Tonya tells Justin that one of Aneesa's friends called, and that Tonya knew Justin was going to call, so she told Aneesa's friend to call back. That's kind of shitty. Kyle tells Aneesa that he heard the phone ring, and that he heard Tonya pick it up and tell Aneesa's friend that Aneesa wasn't there. Ah, monopolizing the one phone in the house. Where would The Real World be without that storyline? Aneesa says that she would never do that to Justin. In an interview, Kyle says that Tonya and Aneesa love each other, but that they don't like each other. I really don't think they love each other. I think Kyle might be exaggerating there. Kyle walks over and tells Tonya how upset Aneesa is, and Tonya promises to get off the phone in five minutes. I think they need a Brady Bunch style egg timer for the phone. Of course, that didn't really work for the Brady Bunch, now, did it?
Kyle and Chris talk about how much time Tonya spends on the phone. Kyle thinks that Tonya is wasting her time on the phone, and missing out on the great experience. I still don't understand why people consider being on this show a great experience. Because you get to meet new and annoying people? Because you get to live in a nice house for a few months and then you have to go and live in your old, crappy house? Because you get to be on television and have your personal life dissected by millions of viewers? None of those things appeals to me. Kyle says that he is determined to avoid the trap Tonya has fallen into, but that if he were still with Nicole, he would probably be on the phone all the time, too. Kyle says that there have been a lot of times when he just wanted to call Nicole, even though he knows that he shouldn't. Flashback to Nicole telling Kyle that they shouldn't talk for the rest of the show. Kyle asks what happens when he has some "super-horrible experience," and he's emotional and needs to reach out to her. We don't get to hear Nicole's response. Chris asks what Nicole does, and Kyle says that she's a financial consultant. Kyle says that Nicole is "a career woman," which is why he loves her. He wants to talk to her, but he knows he can't, and "it just kills [him]." If he loves her so much, why was he hooking up with Keri? I'm just saying.
Aneesa finally gets to talk on the phone to her friend. It's September 10, 2001 at 11:30 PM. They talk about how Aneesa is old at twenty.
The morning is obviously September 11, 2001. In a confessional, Theo numbly says that "they took down the World Trade Center." Kyle listens to a phone message from his sister, Ashley, who is in New York City. His eyes well with tears as he listens to her describe the scene in lower Manhattan. By the way, if you want to read one of the most well-written depictions of the scene in Lower Manhattan, I recommend Sars's essay, "For Thou Art With Us." It still gives me chills. The roommates gather around a television to watch the news coverage. They visibly cringe and gasp loudly as the second plane hits the towers. I don't think I need to describe what happened that day; we've all seen it. In an interview, Aneesa says it was scary because you didn't know what was coming . In an interview, Theo says that he's never felt this level of patriotism before, and that normally he wouldn't be a big fan of the police, but that he admires that they rushed into the towers to try to evacuate as many people as possible. In an interview, Chris says that all you can do is pray, and that it's difficult to keep your faith when something so horrible happens. In a confessional, Keri can't believe that the terrorists could take that many lives. CJP gets up and walks into the bathroom, sobbing. Aneesa follows her in to make sure she's okay.
“ CJP sends an email to someone about how terrifying the whole thing is, and that it's Aneesa's birthday. She spells Aneesa's name wrong. ”
Kyle calls Nicole, but he gets a busy signal because the circuits are overloaded. In an interview, Kyle says that he was starting to lose it, picturing Nicole in the streets. Kyle hits redial again and again, but continues to get a busy signal.
When we return from commercial, Kyle finally gets a hold of Nicole. He asks if she's okay. In an interview, Kyle says that he really wants to be with Nicole and he wishes that he could tell her that. Kyle explains that he pictured Nicole out on the streets. Nicole seems somewhat flat and unemotional, but it's possible that she's just numb at this point. Kyle keeps trying to bring up their relationship, but Nicole reminds him that they haven't talked at all in the past few weeks. Kyle says that they promised to get in touch if there were "severe" circumstances, and they both agree that this qualifies. Nicole suggests that they keep each other notified as to their whereabouts for the week so that they can know they are both okay. Kyle holds back some tears as he hangs up. In an interview, Kyle imagines what it would be like if Nicole were in one of the WTC towers, and all the things he would have wished that he'd said to her. He points out that all the little things that get between you and your loved ones seem so meaningless now. Kyle tells CJP that Nicole is okay, and that it was a heavy conversation. Kyle says that he got a "little glimpse" of what it might be like to know someone who was injured or killed, and that he can't even imagine what that would be like.
Kyle and Keri walk into their bedroom, and I don't know if the editors have really avoided showing them all season, or if I just never noticed, but the "artwork" on one wall consists of paper airplanes made to look like they are crashing into the wall. Kyle discusses how inappropriate they seem now. Keri says that the whole experience will open the eyes of those who have never experienced a war before. Kyle agrees that this generation is lucky never to have experienced a war. Keri says that she's listened to her grandfather talk about World War II, and that she realizes that she takes a lot for granted. In a confessional, Kyle says he's so pissed off about the whole thing that he wants to "go over there and do something about it." The roommates sit around and discuss the day's events. Tonya says it's incredible to her that someone used "our own planes" to destroy "our own buildings" and kill thousands of people, and marvels at how efficient it was. Theo points out that the United States was always "bad-ass," and then "we got smacked in the face." CJP points out that they all want retribution, and that's how a war starts.
Theo, Aneesa, and Kyle sleep on the couches in front of the television. Chris tells someone on the phone that he just woke up from a nap and thought the whole thing must have been a nightmare. Aneesa sees her birthday flower cake sitting on the table. CJP sends an email to someone about how terrifying the whole thing is, and that it's Aneesa's birthday. She spells Aneesa's name wrong. On the phone, CJP tells someone that Aneesa is being strong, but it's sad because now her birthday will be jinxed forever.
Aneesa calls and leaves a message on someone's answering machine. Tonya sits right to her and angrily flips through a magazine while giving Aneesa the stink-eye. In an interview, Tonya says that Aneesa doesn't care about anyone but herself, and that everything is about her. This, coming from Tonya, is hilarious. Aneesa makes another call. Tonya asks who she's calling now. Aneesa says that Tonya's sitting there won't make her get off the phone any faster. Tonya says she's not going anywhere because she needs to check on her family. I thought she didn't have any family? Aneesa reminds Tonya that she wouldn't let Aneesa use the phone the day before. Tonya says, "Point well taken." Aneesa thinks Tonya is only agreeing in order to get to use the phone. Tonya says that she'll just sit there. Aneesa goes back to her phone call, and Tonya sits there and pouts. Tonya tries to talk to Aneesa while she's on the phone, which is so annoying. In an interview, Aneesa says that Tonya wanted to argue and act immaturely, but that Aneesa wanted to talk to people and not yell because that frustrated people more. Tonya keeps trying to argue with Aneesa, but Aneesa says they'll talk when she gets off the phone. Tonya says that she'll go across the street to use the phone, but that they can't keep doing this.
I guess it's the day. In an interview, Tonya says that she could have handled her conflicts with Aneesa better, and that she realizes she can't change Aneesa, so she can only control the way she responds to Aneesa. Tonya and Aneesa sit out on the patio area. Tonya says that she knows she was wrong when she wouldn't give Aneesa the phone. Aneesa explains that she's very homesick, and that it was her birthday. Tonya says that when she acts immaturely, she will be the first to admit it, even if it takes a couple of hours. She will? Anyway, she's been trying to put herself in Aneesa's shoes. Aneesa says that every year on her birthday, she will remember this horrible tragedy. I'm trying not to snark on the roommates' reactions to the attacks; I know that everyone reacts differently, and I think we were all probably a little more dramatic and self-absorbed than usual at that time. However. Every time I felt really sorry for myself or something that was going on in my life, I just thought about the families of those who were killed, and then I felt dumb for thinking of myself. Maybe Aneesa should try that on her birthday. Okay, I'm done now.
The roommates all sit on the couch, holding hands, while Chris leads them in the Serenity Prayer. In an interview, Chris says that at a time like this, you really have to be there for one another, and you can only turn it over to God. Tonya prays for the families of those injured or killed. In an interview, Tonya says that you can't understand the turmoil those people are going through, and that all you can do is pray for them. Kyle prays about how fortunate he is that his family and friends are all safe. In an interview, CJP says that she's never prayed before, and that it makes her a little uncomfortable, but surprisingly it makes her feel okay. Aneesa prays that she's glad that she has six close friends to help her through it. Theo prays for Jesus to "watch over America" during the coming war. Keri prays for the people who "organized and arranged this," because they need the most help. Aneesa starts crying and Theo suggests a group hug. They all hug, and CJP softly says, "It's not so bad being here with you guys. I kinda like you."
When we return from the break, some on-screen text tells us that it's the National Day of Remembrance, which happened on September 14, 2001. We see shots of flags at half-mast in downtown Chicago. The roommates attend a vigil downtown, where they observe a moment of silence. The camera pans over the crowd of thousands.
Keri talks to her mom on the phone, telling her that they're going to buy some flags. Her mom says that they can't buy flags anywhere there. In an interview, Keri says she got an email from her mom about the National Day of Prayer at 7 PM on Friday night, when everyone is supposed to step outside and light a candle.
Keri and Aneesa buy small flags and a pin from a street vendor. Aneesa waves the flags around and says how happy she is to have them. Back at the loft, Keri hands out flags and candles to her roommates. In an interview, Kyle says that Keri has really spearheaded this whole thing. CJP says that Tonya wants them to go and see her while she's working at the restaurant. Keri thinks they should go over to the restaurant with the flags and candles. In an interview, Kyle says that Tonya has missed out on a lot due to her job, so they want to make sure they include her in this.
Kyle, Chris, Keri, and CJP sit on their front stoop with lit candles. Theo walks up and joins in. In an interview, Theo says he thinks this is the most important thing they are doing today -- showing pride in their country. Two women walk up from the street corner, and CJP invites them to join in. In an interview, Chris says that it's nice to feel a sense of community in their neighborhood. Theo prays that the tragedy has brought the United States together, and that the hard times have taught them how to come together. CJP cries as she listens. In an interview, Kyle says that they will always remember how the experience brought them closer. The woman who joined in thanks the roommates for letting her join them, and hugs everyone goodbye. In a confessional, Keri says it's sad that it takes something like a tragedy to bring them together, but that she's just enjoying the closeness. Chris sits alone on the stoop and cries a little bit. Aneesa walks over to the restaurant and gives Tonya a candle and a flag. In an interview, Tonya says that it means a lot to be included, especially coming from Aneesa. Tonya joins her roommates in front of the restaurant, and they all sing the national anthem. In an interview, Aneesa says that "the petty stuff and the fighting" is not worth it. Tonya says she needs to get back to work, and she hugs and kisses her roommates goodbye. The closing features a montage: a sign saying "God Bless America," the sun setting over some buildings, and a flag.
In two weeks: we're back to the drama as Kyle says that Keri is always asking where he's going and what he's doing. Keri tells CJP that, every night, Kyle comes into her bed and makes out with her. Kyle tells Keri that she's formed an attachment to him, and Keri tells Kyle he's being a jerk.