Get It Together, Scott

- In the Real World -

"Woohoo..." You groaned as you yawned and stretched.

"Wallace told me to get a job for some reason. What's up with that?" Scott asked, still a little sleepy.

"Ramona passed by the VW earlier, she also came to me to talk." You explained.

"She did?" Scott gasped. "What'd she say?"

"Look, you gotta get a job so you're not sleeping in the middle of the day, and aren't always leeching off us, man." You said. "You have to be more independent, man. Ramona isn't going to put up with this forever."

"But..." Scott muttered.

"It's not like it's the end of the world. Just be a little more autonomous, and you'll both be happy." You assured.

- At the Second Cup -

Coffee chain, St. Clair location, Julie, Stacey, and Lucas work here. Time to get your order with Scott and go, and check up on Lucas while you're there.

"Aaa! No! Not you!" Scott exclaimed as Julie passed by.

"That stopped being funny such a long time ago." Julie rolled her eyes, annoyed. "Anway, do you know what's going on tonight?"

"Uh, I think we're recording and then maybe go to Sneaky Dee's?" Scott answered.

"Oh, great, recording." Julie sarcastically cheered as he left the place.

"Well, she was in a good mood." Lucas noted.

"Heyo, Lucas. How's the new job going?" You asked, going up to the counter. "Been a month or two, so doing alright?"

"Been getting lots of attention, and being a barista's a lot easier than I thought." Lucas nodded.

"You've got the looks, the talent, and now you're getting the job done." You chuckled. "No wonder the place looks a lot more packed lately."

"Better attention than the stuff I was getting from that last movie." Lucas sighed, crossing his arms.

"Well, better than being a has-been. I'd hate to see what that would feel like." You shrugged. "Anyway, I'll have the usual."

"Coming up." Lucas nodded as he left to prepare your drinks.

"Hey Stacey, could you possibly make me a-?" Scott was about to ask, but...

"Free Iced Latte? Two steps ahead of you, darling." Stacey chuckled as she handed him his drink.

"So, how have things been now that you've got an ex-movie star working here?" You asked Stacey.

"More customers, more order, and to no one's surprise, it's super annoying. But the tips are good, and-" Stacey leaned closer to whisper. "...I get to look at his butt all day."

"Good to see you have your priorities in order." You jokingly rolled your eyes.

"All thanks to you, Champion. Seriously, how do you talk everyone into being your friend?" Stacey asked.

"There's good in almost everyone. All you have to do is bring it out." You explained.

"Uh, hey, so are you guys hiring?" Scott asked Stacey.

"What?" Stacey gasped.

"The... The Second Cup, I mean." Scott nervously corrected.

"Do you want to work here?" Stacey asked, making an emphasis on "want".

Scott took a long slurp of his drink and sighed. "I have to go."

"Oh, and your drink too, Y/N." Stacey chuckled, handing you the drink.

"Thanks." You nodded, paying for both your and Scott's drinks. "Out of courtesy, and because Scott will get you bankrupt with these free drinks."

"You know you don't have to, Y/N." Stacey sighed.

"I insist, Stacey. Take care." You assured, leaving the place.

- At No-Account Video -

"She said that to your face? Hilarious." Kim chuckled as she talked to someone over the phone.

She turned over to see who'd entered, and smiled when she saw you, but her face fell a bit when her eyes landed on Scott.

"Um... hey, Kim?" Scott awkwardly greeted.

"What? What do you want?" Kim asked.

"Uh... I was thinking I'd ask about getting a job here with you and Y/N. Then I realized how stupid that would be." Scott nervously explained.

"I wonder what made you think that." You sarcastically remarked.

"Yeah, why's that? You're unprepared? You don't have a resumé? You owe us a tone of late fees? Bravo, Scott. Maturity." Kim snarked as she turned back to the phone. "I'll call you later, Jason."

"Jason?! You're on the phone with that guy? Does he have a car?!" Scott asked.

"Dude, you really have to stop with your hyperfixation on that fact." You sighed.

"It's a car, Y/N. He owns a CAR." Scott repeated. "How many people do we know that own a car?"

"I mean, I know a lot." You shrugged.

"Besides, it's none of your business, Scott. Anyway, it just so happens that I have some information for you." Kim said, standing up from her seat. "The place where Stephen Stills works is hiring, and you may have an in. C'mon, I'll walk you over. This place is dead anyway."

"Don't we all know that?" You joked.

"Oh, cool!" Scott exclaimed as you three left. "So you think I could get a job at the... uh... bank?"

"He works in a restaurant, Scott, but nice try." Kim said, rolling her eyes.

"You are really shooting for the stars, aren't ya, man?" You laughed, patting his back.

- At the Happy Avocado -

"Yeah, we actually do have a dishwashing position open." Stephen explained. "You could do that, I could teach you prep on the side. You could work your way up."

"So it's more or less like a video game, you're saying? Kind of a 'job system'?" Scott asked.

"..." Stephen had a stare of "...are you serious?"

"Would it encourage you to take this job and put in an effort if we say yes?" You asked.

"Definitely." Scott confirmed.

"Then yes." You nodded.

"Come on, Scott! You can do this, you know. You're not as clueless and idiot as you seem!" Kim encouraged, albeit with a smack upside Scott's head.

"I'm... I'm not?" Scott asked, rubbing where Kim had hit him.

"Not entirely." You chuckled.

"Scott! Are you going to work? Do you have what it takes to be a serious dishwasher? Maybe the best dishwasher there ever was?" Stephen asked, as if challenging Scott.

"I can do it! I can do anything? Just give me a chance!" Scott exclaimed, motivated and confident.

"Hey, Dominique? Can my friend have that job?" Stephen asked who you assumed was the day manager of the place.

"Whatever." Dominique answered, uninterested.

"Tell him to come tomorrow morning at seven." The girl in the blender jockey uniform said. "Also, hi Y/N."

"Hey Crystal." You waved.

"Yes!" Scott cheered.

"That seemed... easy." Kim commented.

"You think so?" Stephen deadpanned.

"Hey, he got a job, that's what matters, right?" You pointed out.

- Afterward -

"Yes!" Scott cheered.

"Scott, if your life had a face, I would punch it." Kim sighed, annoyed. "I would punch your life in the face."

"On the bright side, he's enthusiastic about it, that's a good thing." You assured.

"And I got a job!" Scott cheered again.

"I'm proud of you, man." You congratulated.

"Hey... there's there's a guy over there with a sword." Kim pointed out.

"Really? Like a katana or a wakizashi or both?" Scott asked.

"Hang on, he moved. I think he's behind this streetcar..." Kim said, and the streetcar was sliced in half.

"I have a bad feeling about this, Scott." You said, seeing as the man began to walk toward him. "Hey, wait a minute... Mr. Chau?"

"(Hello, Y/N.)" Mr. Chau greeted in Chinese.

"What are you doing here, exactly?" You asked. "...and why are you equipped with a katana?"

"(It's a long story, but I'll be quick.)" Mr. Chau started, taking a deep breath.

"You actually understand him? You speak Chinese?" Kim asked.

"I took a course a few months ago, ever since Knives invited me over, thought it would come in handy. And it did." You shrugged.

"Should Scott fight him, then?" Kim asked.

"What? He's got a sword!" Scott exclaimed. "Y/N, can't you reason with him? You're the only one that can."

"I'll try. Mr. Chau, what is this all about?" You asked.

"(Knives did not tell me she was dating a Caucasian guy.)" Mr. Chau said, his tone angry and a bit intimidating.

"Well, you've been pretty out of touch for a while." You pointed out. "Sir, that was... months ago. They're not even together. They're just friends. And the keyboard player for our band, which Scott is also in."

"(I'm not convinced.)" Mr. Chau argued.

"Mister, hand over my heart, I swear." You promised. "They're not together, and they never were. Well, they were, but very briefly. I was actually the one who... broke them up? No, wait, I'm sure there's a better way to put that, uh... kickstarted the break-up?"

"(Are you lying?)" Mr. Chau asked.

"No, sir. On my honor." You affirmed.

"(You swear, on your honor, that this is the truth?)" Mr. Chau clarified.

"If I'm lying, may I be struck by lightning and turned into a pile of ash, and that pile of ash thrown into a volcano and exploded." You swore.

"(Hmm... you're a trustworthy one, Y/N, so I'll believe you.)" Mr. Chau nodded.

"Thank you, Mr. Chau." You nodded back.

"(I'll take my leave, then. You are my daughter's caretaker if I am not present, Y/N. Please take care of her for me.)" Mr. Chau requested.

"Of course, sir." You assured. "Like an older sibling would care for their little sister!"

"(Good.)" Mr. Chau approved, leaving.

"Uh... I had a feeling this would be emotional, but I could understand one side of it." Scott sighed.

"Point is, he came around. But, be careful when around Knives, or else..." You warned.

"Noted." Scott gulped.

"Whatever, I have to go back to work." Kim sighed, leaving.

"Well, you got your job. Back home we go." You said.

"Right." Scott agreed.

- And back with Wallace... -

"Uh... Hey... everyone." Scott greeted as he and you walked through the door.

"Nice to see you weren't lonely while we were gone today." You remarked.

"Hey! Guys, these are my roommates. Join us for cocktails, won't you?" Wallace invited.

"Only if you have my favorite." You bargained.

"Blue Hawaiian, I know. Saved you a glass." Wallace chuckled, handing you your drink.

"Thank you kindly, Mr. Wells." You chuckled, taking a sip.

"Uhhh... I don't drink." Scott pointed out.

"That's not what Envy said." You snickered.

"She's lying!" Scott quickly defended.

"Don't drink. Right." Wallace sarcastically remarked.

"Is that like a moral high ground or something?" One of the invited asked.

"Not at all, he's just a pussy!" Wallace laughed, getting a chuckle from the group.

"To Wallace's roommate!" The other invited raised a toast.

"Cheers." You said as everyone raised their drinks, clinking glasses.

"Come out with us, guys! We're going dancing! And I've seen you two dance, so don't even say it!" Wallace insisted.

"We can't, we- Wait, why aren't you wearing pants?!" Scott realized.

"Oh... Heh, right. Well, I was going to change, but once I had I pants off, I figured hey, we're all friends here." Wallace explained.

"As long as you feel comfortable, I guess?" You shrugged.

"To absent friends!" Wallace cheered, raising his glass and drinking.

"Hey, Ramona?" Scott talked into the phone as you finished the rest of your drink in one go.

- And so... -

"Canada was never supposed to be this hot, dude." Ramona said, walking between Soctt and you.

"You probably thought we all lived in igloos and stuff, right? Where's your fashionable parka?" Scott joked back.

"Shut up. Why are you wearing those wrist-band things anyway? Don't they make you sweat?" Ramona smiled, looking at Scott's wristbands.

"No way! They keep me cool! I mean... I... uh..." Scott trailed off, removing them. "No, you're right, that is better."

"What about you, Wyenn? You're still wearing flannel, a hoodie, and jeans?" Ramona asked.

"I've said it once, I'll say it again. Fresh mind, fresh body." You replied, but in a cool way. Fitting.

- In Stephen's House -

"Why don't you guys jam over here anymore?" Neil asked.

"The drums are over at Kim's, man." Stephen reminded, packing his guitar in its case. "It's not like we're gonna lug 'em back and forth."

"What about band practice?" Scott pointed out.

"Yeah, what about band practice?" Neil repeated.

"We're recording right now. That's why." Stephen explained.

"What if we have to play a show and we're totally out of practice?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, what if... Yeah!" Neil added.

"Scott and Neil have a point, Stephen. We need to stay prepared." You agreed.

"And I'm getting better at the keyboard! I don't want to lose progress!" Knives insisted.

"We can practice when we're done recording." Stephen said, annoyed.

"That could take weeks, though." Knives argued.

"You don't get it, Knives. This is real. It's my career." Stephen stated, frustrated. "I want people out there to hear our music, and the only way to do that is to record an album. I'm not compromising on it."

"You may think that's what will lift Sex Bob-Omb out of the underground, Stephen, but it's not." You said, serious. "We need to practice and not get sloppy. If you want to succeed, you have to be diligent and prepared. You have to practice every chance you get, because you don't know when you'll be able to again."

"Y/N's right, and you know it. Practice is the key, Stephen." Scott agreed.

"I have to agree with the others on this one, Stephen." Kim added.

"You're outnumbered in votes, dude." Neil shrugged.

"Alright, alright. Fine. We'll record today, and we'll continue practice tomorrow." Stephen caved.

You let out a sigh of relief. "Glad we managed to settle this calmly instead of... you know, bursting into a huge argument."

"I'm not gonna lie, I was scared you were gonna quit on us, Y/N. I'm glad we could avoid that." Scott said.

"I'd never do that, Scott. Not to you, and not to the others." You assured, smiling.

"That's reassuring to hear." Knives giggled.

"You wanna come over for recording, Neil?" Stephen offered, severely toning down his earlier mood.

"I told you, I have an exam tomorrow!" Neil denied.

"Sorry, kid." Ramona apologized as she left with the others.

You were about to, as well, but... something made you halt. The tone in Neil's voice, he sounded as if he didn't want to be left alone. He sounded somewhat disappointed when he got wind of Sex Bob-Omb's studio relocation.

"Y/N? You coming along?" Scott asked, holding the door.

"..." You didn't say anything. You wanted to stay behind, keep Neil some company. And at the same time, you knew you had to go with the others to the studio, to record the music. What to do?

- Stay Behind

They're just recording the music, the visuals aren't important. They'll be fine without you, plus maybe you can help Neil study. The hangout at Sneaky Dee's? You have the speed to get there, even if you're late.

- Go Along

You really don't wanna hang around just Neil, and the recording is important, too. Besides, you have to be at the Sneaky Dee's to make sure to keep an eye on Knives. After that argument you had, you don't trust Stephen as much.

"I'm sorry, guys. I'm going to stay behind. Maybe I can help Neil study or something." You apologized. "Besides, you won't need me to record things, and I can catch up at the hangout. I'll be there, I promise."

"You sure?" Scott asked.

"Positive, don't worry about me." You assured.

"If you say so." Kim shrugged.

"Catch ya later, guys!" You waved goodbye for now.

However, something stuck with you. Ramona had a look of admiration. Admiration towards... you? Because you stayed behind for a friend that would be lonely, instead of going along with the group?

And her smile, you saw her smiling. Nothing new, but... it seemed as if she was happy with what you were doing. She was impressed, maybe.

That smile, that warm and kind smile... you liked seeing it. It brought a strange feeling within. Like butterflies in your stomach.

You felt weird... but you didn't hate it. It was... a nice feeling. Yet, why did it feel strange?

+ Good Karma!

- At Sneaky Dee's (Again) -

"Hey people, finally back!" You said as you took a seat at the table with the others. "Where's Stephen and Knives?"

"They stayed behind to do something. Fix schedules for recording and practicing, apparently." Scott answered.

"That's good to hear." You remarked, sitting next to Lisa.

"So, are we coming here every night now?" Ramona asked.

"Everyone hangs out here, Ramona. It's not unusual." Julie replied, annoyed.

"It's not unusual, just typically crappy." Kim corrected.

"Oh, yeah, it's much worse than recording every night." Julie sassed.

"You're not obligated to be there with them, Juls." You stated.

"You would've made it less annoying." Julie sighed, and was that her attempt at a compliment?

"Is the food here always this bad?" Jason asked, poking his food.

"Are you kidding? It's, like, ambrosia." Lisa answered.

"Have you seen the grease oozing from that vent outside?" Kim retorted.

"The service here is pretty good, though." You said.

"Yeah, so, it's been fun, but I'm gonna go hang out with my friends in the back." Julie announced, standing up and leaving.

"...So, you're not her friends?" Jason asked.

"Tragically, no." Kim jested.

"Julie is actually a huge bitch." Ramona admitted.

"And the sky is blue." You chuckled.

"Hey, you know what? I need a cigarette." Lisa mentioned.

"You smoke?!" Scott asked, shocked and almost choking on his food.

"Yeah, it's a bad habit..." Lisa shrugged off.

"I'll join you." Ramona said, standing up.

"I thought you quit!" Scott exclaimed.

"It's just on special occasions. Or... uh.. when I'm drinking." Ramona justified, leaving to the back alongside Lisa.

"Nooo!" Scott groaned, watching her leave.

"Relax, Scott. It's not gonna kill her." You pointed out. "Plus, smoking isn't something you just... quit."

"But..." Scott frowned.

"She'll be fine, I'm sure of it." You assured. "And not smoking doesn't give you the moral high ground, either."

"It doesn't?" Scott questioned. "...They're gonna talk about me!"

"Your current girl and your ex? No kidding." Jason commented.

"She's not my ex! ...What do you think they're talking about, though?" Scott asked, worried.

"Well, right now Lisa is explaining how you're a giant idiot. In a minute, Ramona will see the error of her ways and dump your ass." Kim explained, purposefully making Scott panic.

"And what, marry you?!" Scott sassed.

"She didn't learn the first seven times, what's the eighth gonna change?" Todd's voice interjected, coming from the table beside yours.

"Hey, I didn't expect to see you here." You greeted, recognizing his voice. "Also, that was uncalled for."

"What? Someone had to say it. It's true." Todd shrugged.

"Still, not cool, man." You glared. "Shifting gears, how did your 'journey of self-discovery' go?"

"I decided I'm gonna try and be more humble and less full of myself and stuff." Todd revealed.

"Wel, considering what you said earlier, not a great start, but hey, it's a step in the right direction." You said, trying to lighten the mood.

"He's still a dick." Scott mumbled.

"I have grown, Pilgrim. I'm not getting mad." Todd stated.

"Hey guys!" Knives waved as she came to the table with Stephen.

"Knives, hey. Heard you fixed some scheduling issues." You smiled.

"Yep! Everything is all set, we can have time for both recording dates and the practices." Knives beamed.

"You were right, Y/N. We're gonna have more than enough time. Sorry I didn't listen." Stephen admitted.

"Hey, it's all water under the bridge. Glad you realized, though." You nodded.

"Where's Julie?" Stephen asked, looking around.

"She went to the back, said she wanted to be with her friends." You explained.

"Okay, good." Stephen nodded. "Anyway, me and Scott can't stay long, 'cause we've got work in the morning."

"Oh yeah, that's what I did today!" Scott exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, you got a job. Did you tell Ramona yet?" Kim asked.

"No, I totally forgot. Maybe when I tell her, she'll stop hating me!" Scott beamed, optimistic.

"I'm surprised you didn't tell her the second she showed up, you were talking about it all day." You recalled.

"She hates you?" Knives asked.

"Pssh, come on. Everyone hates him, Knives." Kim remarked, then looked at you. "Almost everyone."

"How can you put up with him?" Todd asked, genuinely confused.

"I put up with you, don't I?" You joked.

"That's... fair, I guess." Todd agreed.

"Don't you hate him, Knives?" Stephen asked, nudging her a bit.

"A little, yeah." Knives confirmed.

"It's not all that bad. Scott can be cool." You defended.

"See? Y/N understands." Scott said.

- Later, at Night... -

"She isn't so bad, I guess." Ramona admitted, walking alongside Scott and you.

"Who, Julie? No, she really is bad. She reeeeally is." Scott corrected.

"You have to try to get on her good side, makes her a bit more tolerable." You added.

"I'm talking about Lisa, you doofs. She's okay, right?" Ramona clarified, then turning to just Scott. "I'm allowed to like her, right? Asshole?"

"Hey, sure! I like Lisa just fine! I mean, she's kinda short, but she's alright." Scott shrugged.

"Dunno what being short has to do with it, but alright." You chimed in. "She's coold, though. Talkative, definitely."

"So, Scott, did you have a thing for her back in high school? She's pretty cute, and it sounds like you two were close..." Ramona pointed out.

"What?! No way... we were just buds! She was just one of the guys! I mean, all my friends were girls, I guess, but..." Scott rambled.

"Scott, relax. Just settle down." You calmed him.

"Oh my god, you were raised by teenaged girls? No wonder you're such a sensitive boy!" Ramona teased.

"Damn it, Ramona, I'm not a sensitive boy! I'm rough!" Scott denied.

"Wyenn, how were you raised? You're sensitive, but also not a pushover. What's the secret?" Ramona turned to you.

"Mom and dad were interesting. Ex-junkie and delinquent artist turned heroes of Seattle raising a child. Guess I'm more of a balance of their personalities." You explained. "The best of both worlds, really."

"Sounds like a unique household." Ramona said.

"Haha, you have no idea." You chuckled. "I'm not a delinquent or a junkie, thankfully, but the influence was still there. I might get some piercings, just like mom."

"Oh, please do. That would be so awesome." Ramona encouraged.

"Yeah! You'd look great, Y/N." Scott added.

"Thanks. I'll keep it in mind." You smiled, when you all arrived at Wallace's. "Alright, this is the stop."

And then you entered to find a drunk Wallace sitting on the couch. Wow, must've been a shocker, huh?

"Wallace?! What are you doing here? I thought you were going dancing!" Scott exclaimed.

"Oh... I'm... still here?" Wallace replied, drunkenly.

"You pre-drank too much and fell asleep before even going out! Isn't that a form of narcolepsy?" Ramona asked, amused beyond belief.

"Classic Wallace." You rolled your eyes, fondly.

"I thought you'd be gone for a few hours! I told Ramona we could come over here and cuddle!" Scott yelled.

"Even if he wasn't here, were you gonna do it with me around?" You asked.

"No! I was gonna ask if you could go into the VW or something!" Scott replied.

"I would've, but that doesn't mean it could've made things less weird." You crossed your arms.

"And by all means... cuddle. Just... pretend I'm not here." Wallace muttered as he began getting sleepy.

"So... uh... wanna make out?" Scott asked.

"I'm still here." You reminded.

"Somehow the pantsless gay man and Wyenn are not bringing the romance, Scott." Ramona stated, grabbing Scott's shoulder. "I think I'll bid you adeiu."

"Wait, what?" Scott gasped as Ramona began to take her leave. "This sucks!"

"Good night, Ramona!" You waved goodbye as she left.

"Bye guys." Ramona waved back, closing the door behind her.

"You suck!" Scott yelled at the sleeping Wallace.

"...Scott..." Wallace slurred.

"Are you asleep?! Why are you still talking to me?" Scott shouted, still salty.

"...We have to wake up early..." Wallace muttered.

"What? Why?" Scott asked.

"Oh, I remember why. To talk with the landlord of this place, right?" You recalled.

"...Yeah..." Wallace replied, slowly drifting off to sleep.

"Ah, crap... yeah, I forgot about that." Scott sighed.

"It's alright, buddy. I'll go with you. It'll be less of a hassle." You assured, opening up a portal to the VW and waving goodbye. "Night!"