12x20 - New Beginnings

[bunniefuu]

-[dramatic music playing]
-[phone trilling]

-[Arissa's Mom] Hello?
-[Arissa] Hello, is my mother there?

[Arissa's Mom] I have it, daughter.

-Did you speak to Nolan?
-[Arissa's Mom] Yes, I did.

Are you gonna send me
my money for the bed?

I told you to let them take it.

[Arissa's Mom] No, no. I'm talking
about the money that I paid on it

-before you came to that conclusion.
-How much is it?

[Arissa's Mom]
A hundred and twenty-three dollars.

How much did you pay for it?

[Arissa's Mom]
A hundred and twenty-three dollars.

That's gonna take a little while, but…

-I'll send it.
-[Arissa's Mom] Okay, goodbye.

[Arissa sniffles, sobs]

[sniffles]

-[Steven] Come here. What's wrong?
-[sniffles]

[sobs]

[theme music playing]

-[Arissa] This is the true story…
-[all] True story…

[Frank] …of seven strangers…

[Trishelle] …picked to live in a casino…

[Alton] …work together
and have their lives taped…

[Brynn] …to find out what happens…

[Steven] …when people stop being polite…

[Irulan] …and start getting real.

[all] The Real World: Las Vegas.

-[Arissa] Baby, yeah!
-[all laughing]

[mid-tempo music playing]

[Irulan] Whenever Arissa
gets off the phone with her mom,

she is ten times worse off
than she was before she got on the phone.

She's hanging up
on me every single time…

[exhales sharply] …I call her.

Like, I'm not down for this.
I'm not, I can't. [sniffles]

God forgive me
if I don't love my mother. [sniffles]

But right now, in order for me

to get through this process,

I cannot deal with my mother.

That's all I think about every day.
[sniffles]

[Irulan] Has it always been like this?

My mother is very big on control.

She tells me
that I cannot survive without her.

-[Irulan] Don't make me cry, damn it.
-[chuckles]

[Arissa] Nobody understands
that my mother is, like,

the most illmatic drama queen.
You know what I'm saying?

[Steven] There are a lot of people
out there that are very negative,

-and I refer to them as "toxic friends."
-[Arissa chuckles]

Sometimes you find
that your family are your toxic friends.

If somebody's just
continually bringing you down

and doing bad things
and not helping you grow,

you don't really need them.

And it's hard to realize
that sometimes your family,

not the best people for you
to be hanging around with,

and you have to keep at arm's length, but…

Like, I wish that I had a family

that was loving and supportive
and stuff like that,

but sometimes
that's not the cards you were dealt.

You pick your friends.
I know you can't pick your family members,

but you can sure as hell cut 'em off.

This is me right now.
This is me living here.

And if I'm bringing the baggage,
it's because you gave it to me to pack.

Like, family is like the thing
that you're always gonna…

Even if you don't necessarily need them,

you're always gonna desire
to have that around, you know?

You're always gonna desire a family.

And for family to be a "toxic friend"
or be a toxic relationship, that's hard.

You don't need to be out here crying.
You know, you vacated for a reason.

And they're gonna see, in the long run,
that they screwed up

because you're a beautiful person.
You're awesome.

I always thought that, like,
I didn't care what people think about me.

-[Alton] Of course, you do.
-But I'm starting to discover that I do.

Like, I'm nervous that, like,
my birthday's coming up.

I'm so scared [bleep]-less
that I'm gonna just be like,

you know what I'm saying?
Cardless, call-less, like,

-you know what I'm saying?
-[Alton] You won't be cardless.

Who knows? Maybe you won't get
a card from the house.

And that's some black stuff.

[mid-tempo music playing]

I honestly believe that this city

will never attract the type of girl
that I'm attracted to, ever.

Maybe physically, but…

As far as physically and mentally, no.

Because I came here,
and this girl that I was seeing--

-[Brynn] Emily?
-Yeah, she-- Like, I was joking around

with everyone, like, "She dumped me."

She didn't. The point is,
we just both decided it'd be best

if we weren't seeing each other.
But now that I'm here, I'm, like…

Man, I'm missing her hardcore.

Emily's very smart.

She has lots of values and morals.
But more than that,

I just get along with her really well.

I only knew Emily for a month and a half
before I came here.

-[Brynn] Mm-hmm.
-And it's like,

that's not a long time,
but the more I'm here, the more I'm like,

I wish she lived close to here,
so I could visit her.

Emily is coming to visit.
I'm just looking forward to seeing her.

I do love her personality,
so I can't wait for Emily to come.

[upbeat music playing]

[telephone rings]

-Hello?
-[Arissa's Mom] Arissa?

-Yes.
-[Arissa's Mom] Some problems back here.

-What?
-[Arissa's Mom] Your first problem's this.

Somebody is suing you
for criminal harassment.

I don't know who it is.
I don't care who it is.

-It simply is.
-It's the lady that was--

[Arissa's Mom]
You have to be in court. Whatever.

-I can't be in court, and, no--
-[Arissa's Mom] Well, Arissa, I'm gonna

tell you what's gonna happen.

No, before you even start, Okay…

I placed a restraining order
against a neighbor

who lives above me.
And in her retaliation,

she has now placed one against me.

I'll probably have
a number for you to fax it to me later on.

-Explain that to me.
-[Arissa's Mom] What do you need

to see it for? What do you think,
I made this up?

So I can have a copy of it.

[Arissa's Mom] Hey, hey!
Don't talk to me like that.

I'm not talking to you like anything!

-[sighs]
-[Arissa's Mom] You know what, Arissa?

I didn't even have
to call you to tell you this.

No, you didn't, Ma. You didn't have
to call me to tell me this.

My mother's very dramatic,
and she turned it into

some big, dramatic thing
when it didn't have to be.

I'm not concerned about this

is because I know
that I didn't do anything.

-All right.
-[Arissa's Mom] Yeah, all right, bye.

[siren wails]

There's a warrant out
for my arrest today, guys. [chuckles]

-[Alton] What's it for?
-[chuckles] Some lady-- I had actually

tried to put out
a restraining order against this lady

that I had gotten into an argument with.

Called the police. He said,
"Once you get this restraining order,

chances are, she's gonna try
to send one back to you."

Files a restraining order out against me.
I'm not even home.

There's nothing I can do
for criminal harassment.

So that was that.
And now, because I did not

show up in court, there is now
a bench warrant out for my arrest.

[Steven] You're the first Real World
to be on the lam.

I know. I'm on the lam.

-Hey, guys!
-Guys, I'm the first Real World girl

to be on the lam.
I'm gonna get put in the clink.

-[Frank] Where is she at?
-I don't know.

[all laugh]

["Christmas In The Summertime" playing]

Now that Emily's here,
I'm thinking, "Don't kiss her."

"Don't even hold her hand."

"Treat her just like a good friend."

Hey. How you doing?

Right when I see Emily,
all those old feelings of,

"This girl is so great,
intelligent, and right for me,"

just come rushing back to me.

♪ Whenever she's next to me
I hear a lullaby ♪

But there's, like, really nice places

where you can get married.
I mean, like, if you want to,

like, you know,
and you've got nothing better to do.

When I'm around Emily,
it's just a feeling of comfort.

♪ Whenever she's next to me
I find it hard to talk ♪

[Frank] My mother wanted to do this.

-[Emily] Gondola ride?
-[Frank] I know.

I was like,
"I'm not doing this with my parents."

I'd be sitting there,
like, on a romantic boat ride

-with my mother.
-[Emily chuckles] Right.

[Frank] I'm being affectionate toward her.

I'm kissing her. And I just--
I don't know what I'm doing right now.

[rock music playing]

[Arissa] Blue Man Group was unbelievable.

I'm having a blast right now.
I'm having so much fun,

and, really, with no worries.

[mid-tempo music playing]

-[Arissa] Yeah, three, yeah.
-[telephone ringing]

-Hello?
-[Uncle Robert] Arissa.

-This is.
-[Uncle Robert] Hey, baby.

It's the uncle of the year.

I was gonna call and tell you,
but I figured I'd surprise you.

-Okay.
-[Uncle Robert] I'm at the Gold Coast.

Isn't that across the street
from The Palm?

-It is.
-[Uncle Robert] That's where I'm staying.

-Oh, well, great.
-[Uncle Robert] Room 375.

So, if you want to see me
before you leave…

[mid-tempo music playing]

[laughs]

[Arissa] My Uncle Robert
is my father's brother.

You look good.
You adjusting out here now?

Yeah, I'm perfectly content right now.

I'm not gonna get arrested here.

-[Uncle Robert] How do you know?
-Because I'm not doing anything wrong.

I'm out here on vacation.
I'm not out here to give you lectures.

Okay, so tell me, is my warrant
affecting anybody else's life?

-Straighten it out.
-I know, and it's not my fault.

-That's-- Listen to me.
-Who else in my life

has had a bench warrant?
And have I flipped out on them?

-See, you can't. Put them up there.
-You can't say that to me.

-'Cause I've never had one.
-No, I can't say it to you,

but you're about the only one.

I believe that my family is concerned.

But when they make mistakes,

I don't judge them.

Make a few [bleep]-damn phone calls.

And if you don't have the money,
then take my freakin' calling card.

Do what you got to do,
and straighten out these issues.

I will call somebody and say,
you know, "I'm not in the state,

and I'm not coming home
for a little while."

I expect you,
as you grow and get older,

to get some more responsibility
in your life.

[mid-tempo music playing]

-[Trishelle] What happened?
-[Frank] Well, like…

Before I came here, we were dating.

-Yeah?
-[Frank] Like, headed toward

a really good relationship.

When Emily first came here,
all I wanted was a friend.

I didn't want to lead her on
and be affectionate toward her.

And then I saw her,

and I'm just, like,
treating her like I used to. [chuckles]

-Are you serious? I told you not to.
-[Frank] Well, I can't

It's hard-- So hard not to.

I think that he really cares about her.

And I think
that he should just be with her.

But then I feel like
I'm leading her on, you know?

-[Trishelle] Did y'all, like, really kiss?
-Yes.

-Frank, what are you doing?
-I'm an idiot.

-That's what I'm doing.
-Do you want to be with her?

Well, I-- To be honest, yeah.
But it's not gonna happen because of

where I am and how far away we are.
And it just sucks.

[soft rock music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Isn't it, like, so dark in here?

Yeah, it's called romantic.

[Frank] I don't think
I was ever taught romance.

[Emily chuckles]

Like, I learned it from,
like, '80s movies, basically.

-[chuckles]
-I don't think you--

You and I can, like, be friends.
But, like, not, like, perfect friends.

'Cause we have petite plastic kisses?
[chuckles]

I'm sorry. It violates the friendship.

I don't know if it's possible
to become friends with Emily

and have nothing more.

I've never been in a situation like this.

And I really don't know
the best thing to do.

I don't think I’d ever get to a point
where I'd be like "I'm so happy for you

dating Steve or Brian or Bob,"

-or something like that.
-Mm-hmm.

[Frank] I'd feel like talking
to you about everything

would be, like, mean
or possibly hurting your feelings.

So, I feel like
I’d be, like, holding back.

[Emily] Like at first, I was like,
"Tell me when you hook up with people."

-[chuckles]
-[Frank] Right.

And I was like, "Are you serious?"
I was like, "Don't tell me about you."

-[both chuckle]
-Well, I haven't.

The time I spend with Emily,
the more I'm like,

"Wow, I really do like this girl."

"This girl is damn near perfect
for you, Frank."

I think it's going
to really suck saying goodbye to Emily.

["Higher" playing]

-I'm being treated--
-I wonder where all this was from.

I would say a wedding.

-[Emily] A lot of weddings go on?
-[Frank] Yeah, there's, like,

a wedding every day.
I was a pall-- Ring bearer… [chuckles]

…for my sister's wedding.

Pall bearer.

I think you might just have to stay here.
Like, it wouldn't break my heart

-if you miss your flight.
-[Emily chuckles]

Well, why don't you just not go home?
You can just stay here forever…

or two more months.

-[chuckles]
-It'd make my time better.

♪ She could take me high
Higher than I've ever… ♪

-[Emily] Thank you for everything.
-Thank you.

♪ She could take me high ♪

♪ Higher than I've ever gone ♪

♪ Yet she could take me ♪

♪ Oh, she could take me higher ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

[mid-tempo music playing]

-[Arissa] I'm so scared.
-[Alton] Good work there, miss.

-[chuckles]
-[Irulan] Happy birthday, baby.

-[squeals, laughs]
-[Steven] Happy birthday!

[Arissa] Thank you, Steve.

I've never had
a ridiculous birthday fuss made over me.

[telephone ringing]

[Uncle Robert] I might go downtown.

-I'd like to take you with me if I can.
-Okay.

[Uncle Robert] So, what are we looking at?
What's the plan, five, six?

[Arissa] My family is very demanding
of my time.

If I don't know that you're coming, like,

how do you expect me
to rearrange my schedule?

Yeah, well, this is the deal too.
Like, they made reservations

to take me out to dinner today too
that I didn't know about.

[Uncle Robert] Reservations for you
for dinner for tonight?

-Yeah, and I didn't know.
-[Uncle Robert] Is this set in stone,

you have to go?

Well, yeah.

I just feel like
I'm stretched too thin right now

with having to deal with my family.
It's just way too much.

And I feel like I'm drowning.

[Uncle Robert]

[soft rock music playing]

-[Steven] Happy birthday, Arissa.
-[Alton] Happy birthday.

Thank you, guys.

-Read your card first.
-[Arissa] Oh, my God.

-[Trishelle] Read it out loud.
-[Alton] Duck-billed platypus in here.

[laughs]

It does the heart good
to see Arissa get her presents

and be happy 'cause she's always crying
'cause her family sucks.

Look it! It's a flask.

Now I just need a cigarette case
and I'll be sophisticated.

It's amazing to see Riss so happy.
She deserves it, man.

[soft rock music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Trishelle] If you're confused
as to what's in your…

-I think that you will like this.
-[Alton] And then I intervened.

-[Arissa gasps]
-[Alton speaking indistinctly]

-[Arissa] Thank you guys so much.
-[Trishelle] Did you read it?

Thank you, thank you all.

I do not-- Like, this is the best birthday
I've ever had in my life.

[chuckles]

-I felt overwhelmed…
-[Irulan] We love you!

…overwhelmed
with attention and emotion.

I didn't know that they care…

-[indistinct chatter]
-…so much about me.

[all] ♪ Birthday to you ♪

[Trishelle] I think that Arissa's family
is really hard on her.

But we have, like, a nice dinner.
And we all got together as a family.

[Irulan] My mother made graduation
party after…

-[Arissa] No, no, no.
-[Steven] And this thing where

everybody at the table
has to put a piece of icing

-on the birthday girl's face.
-[laughs]

No!

My six roommates have taught me
that I am not alone.

It feels like some weight
has been lifted off of my shoulders.

[Steven] All right, so what are we doing?

-Well, I have--
-We need to drop our food off.

Yeah, we need to go drop off our food.
And then I have to call my uncle.

See, here at The Real World house,
we don't like people, like family members

that make their family members
feel like [bleep].

[chuckles] Hello?

[Uncle Robert]
I knew this was gonna happen.

-[woman 1] Good night.
-[woman 2] Good night.

[Uncle Robert]
I knew you were gonna blow me off.

I did not blow you off.

[Uncle Robert] You blew me off, Arissa.
You blew me off all day.

You know, what you did was wrong,
and I'm not happy.

So…

[Steven] Hey, Arissa, I need the phone!

I just don't want Arissa
to be on the phone with her uncle.

He's just a jerk-off.

But I need the-- I got to call my mom.

[Uncle Robert] Your father said
you had stuff to give me,

so now I'm not gonna be bringing it home.

I do, and if you want, I can walk over
to your hotel, and I can drop it off.

Okay, I did not blow you off.

I'll walk over,
and you can meet me in the lobby, okay?

-[dial tone]
-Did he really just hang up on me?

-[Steven] Oh, he hung up on you.
-[sighs]

He's what we call,
in the hood, an a*s-[bleep]!

-[chuckles]
-I can't even-- He said I blew him off.

-Oh, [bleep] that guy.
-Are you kidding me?

Robert, he should know
that Arissa can't just be around him 24/7

or whenever he wants.
She's not on-call for her uncle.

He's the king of guilt trips.

[tense music playing]

-[Arissa] There you go.
-I made a special trip

out here to make sure
I got out here for your birthday.

You chose your friends over your uncle,

-which I think is wrong.
-I did not choose my friends--

-[Uncle Robert] Well, you did, you did.
-I did not.

-What do you want me to do?
-It's disrespectful.

-I'm sorry.
-And I'm not gonna let it slide

all the time.

You should've made [bleep]-damn time
for me today.

Every time I'm ready to breathe easy,

something happens
that knocks me for a loop again.

What am I supposed
to tell my eight roommates?

I don't give a [bleep]
what you tell your eight roommates.

You know what you tell 'em?
My [bleep] uncle's in town,

and I'm gonna go make some time for him.
You tell--

I invited you to dinner, and you said no.

-[Uncle Robert] I wasn't getting--
-[Arissa] Do you understand?

And I still invited you.
But I still invited you.

I basically put everybody
before my own needs.

When I feel that I'm disrespected,
then I come out completely dominant.

You're treating me like I didn't call,
like I just blew you off.

That's what you said to me.
And that doesn't make me feel good,

'cause I sure as hell didn't.

Right when I walked in the door,
I went straight to the damn phone.

-I didn't go anyplace else.
-You know how I feel about you.

I wanted to make a nice,
special day for you today.

-And I had one.
-I don't want to leave on bad terms.

You know I love you. All right?

[tense music playing]

-[tense music fades]
-[soft rock music playing]

Okay, okay.

I'm calling Emily to wake her up
in the middle of the night

and announce that I want
to have a relationship with her.

'Cause, like… And I'm so glad, like,

I talked to you about this,
'cause, like, I was, like--

I was definitely afraid to.

Emily feels the exact same way,
and we're gonna give it a shot.

I was like, "I don't like where we are."

"It's some sort of, like, limbo
open relationship." I was like--

-I'm so proud of you.
-Yeah, I am too,

because it is definitely what I want.

-This rules.
-[Trishelle] Good night, sweetheart.

-[Frank] Good night.
-[Trishelle] I'm happy for you.

Sleep well.

[soft music playing]

[Steven] Arissa, your mom's on the phone.

Hope she's not [bleep]-y

-like she was to me.
-[all laugh]

-[Arissa] What?
-[Arissa's Mom] I need to talk

to you tomorrow, so tell me a time

to call you tomorrow
'cause, like, I got [bleep] to tell you…

No, just tell me now, Ma.
Don't do that.

I told you, every time you call here,
just don't tell me

you have something to tell me and to wait.

I'm so drained, emotionally, physically,

from all the [bleep]
that I'm dealing with.

My mother is driving me insane.

You know what?
You might've intimidated me before.

You know, now we're on the same level.

[Arissa's Mom]
You have no clue, girlfriend,

but I really can't tell you
this over the phone.

Oh, God. Okay, don't call me

until you gonna tell me something
over the phone, for real.

'Cause I don't want to hear that sentence
ever again as long as I live.

Never want to hear that sentence again.

[Arissa's Mom] Can I say something,
you simple b*tch?

-Ma--
-[Arissa's Mom] Can I say something?

-[man] I'm sorry!
-[Arissa's Mom] I know this b*tch

didn't hang up in my face.
Hello? Hello? Hello?

-[screams] One, two, three…
-[Arissa speaks indistinctly]

…four, five, six, seven,
eight, nine, ten,

-eleven, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17…
-[speaks indistinctly]

-…18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.
-[Arissa screams]

-[speaks indistinctly]
-[groans] Oh, my God.

Yeah, you are. And now I'm gonna
have bruises and that's not funny.

[indistinct chatter]