It's morning at the Cohens'. Sandy pulls up in front of the house and sneaks a peek at his watch.
Inside the house, Ryan is studying at the kitchen table. Seth wanders over in his jammies and yawns that Ryan is up early: Ryan explains that he has a test. "I was on my way out, just to talk," Seth says, nodding toward the pool house. "Studying," Ryan reminds him. Seth shrugs that it's okay for them to talk there, although he thinks the issue feels "a little more pool-housey." Ryan wonders if this is about Alex, but Seth tells him it's about Summer and Zach: "Which I realize is more of an evening subject, best told over Playstation." Ryan rolls his eyes and finally looks up from his textbook. "I'll allow it," he says, resting his chin on his fists. Seth explains that he, Zach, and Summer are moving forward with the comic book, and it's bringing up some concerns. Wait. Rewind. When did Summer become the third party here? I thought Ryan was at least tangentially involved in this whole thing, and we all know that Summer thinks comics are lame. So why is it suddenly the three of them doing this thing? Other, of course, than for the contrived reasons of the plot?
"So Summer and I are getting involved professionally," Seth says. "You know how these things go, Ryan. Late nights at the office..." "You don't have an office," Ryan points out. "Sure, but with the added stress of work and deadlines, things can get, uh, sexy," Seth offers. Ryan wrinkles up his face and points out that, first of all, comics are not sexy, and, second, Seth is over the Summer thing anyway. Oh, Ryan. Open your eyes, child. "For the first time in your life, you're not facing any women issues," Ryan says, leaning forward on his fists to study some more. "So, then, you're saying that I'm complaining that I have nothing to complain about?" Seth says. "This is what I'm saying," Ryan groans. "Okay, great," Seth says, getting up from the table. "Then I will await the great romance to wreak havoc on my heart and mind." Must I point out again, my dear, sweet, bed-headed, lispy Seth, that you are the one who abandoned Summer to go sail around on your little boat? That ship sailed because YOU decided to haul up anchor and go. To use a rather apt metaphor. So the reason you are still awaiting your great romance is because you gave up the first one to begin with. I mean, I feel you and all, but you did this -- you did ALL OF THIS -- to yourself. In other words: wah.