After Blair realizes that Sam Vance is a PI who was paid to dig up information on Todd, she rushes back to her penthouse, where Todd is waiting for her.

Blair: (ushering Todd toward her penthouse door) Come on.
Todd: Thanks for running interference with that sleazy reporter, Blair. If you hadn't --
Blair: She's not a reporter!
Todd: What are you talking about?
Blair: That woman, Sam Vance, is not a reporter for some story. She's a private investigator!
Todd: Get out of here -- that chick's a private investigator?
Blair: "That chick" was hired by Viki Buchanan's brother, David Vickers. I heard her say so to Tina Roberts. Look, it's true, Todd -- she was hired to get information on you.
Todd: What kind of information? Come on, it's not like I'm anonymous in this town. What would a PI want with me?
Blair: Well, the question is, what does David Vickers want, and why is he willing to pay for it?

--end scene--

Blair and Todd are now inside the penthouse sharing drinks, mulling over the mystery of why a PI would be interested in Todd.

Blair: So when did you meet Sam Vance?
Todd: Well, she met me. See, she bumped into me "accidentally on purpose," and she started coming onto me like I was the most interesting guy in Llanview.

Todd stops and scoffs, and we can see his self-loathing start to kick in as he's obviously wondering how he could have fallen for Sam's act.

Todd: Man. Hey, she wasn't bad-looking, right, so we started talking.
Blair: About what?
Todd: I dunno, really weird stuff. Personal stuff. What I was like as a kid. Stuff about my mom. Stuff about my -- well, about Peter Manning. She wanted to know if he had a nickname.
Blair: (taken aback at how ridiculous it sounds) What? She wanted to know if your dad had a nickname?
Todd: Yeah, and about a dozen other really stupid things. And then, you know, then I woke up and I knew that she was just pumping me.
Blair: Good guess, but no cigar, right?

Blair gets up off of her chair and walks over to the fireplace. Todd is really getting into it now, as he starts to remember more details.

Todd: Well, you know something -- I didn't think about this until just now, but David Vickers, he was after me, too. I mean, he was real chummy with me down at the country club.
Blair: (pouring another drink) Well, of course. They're working together.
Todd: That was right around the same time. He started asking me all these questions. (suddenly angry and frustrated) Man, I stepped right into it!

Todd jumps to his feet and walks over to Blair.

Todd: I mean, what could they possibly be looking for?? I don't know anything! I -- I didn't even know I was adopted until Peter died. I don't even know who I am.

Blair has a dawning realization.

Blair: Todd -- you can still try and find out. You do have a clue, you know!
Todd: What, you talkin' about that lousy key?
Blair: Yeah!
Todd: I don't know what it's to! Just Peter Manning handed it to me and then he died. Look -- the next thing I know there's a PI snooping around like this is some kind of big secret. This doesn't make sense -- it just doesn't add up!
Blair: Wait, wait, wait, wait. Dorian!
Todd: What about her?
Blair: Dorian is a connection! She is tied to David Vickers. He's the one that came up with the evidence to save her at her trial.
Todd: Yeah, so what?
Blair: "So what"? Did you see the way that she reacted to that key tonight when she saw it? She practically was pushing us out the door with a check for $200,000 for my business!
Todd: (remembering something) You know what, if you think about it, she was there, too.
Blair: What? Who? Dorian?
Todd: She asked the same thing right about the same time. Just like the other two. She was getting all cozy to me.
Blair: See? There is a connection! There is something going on. We just don't know what it is yet.
Todd: Yeah, Blair, I don't care what this is. Whatever it is, I don't care. Look, I'm getting on a plane to Florida just like I planned. I'm gonna forget about all of this.

Blair reacts with disbelief and a touch of exasperation.

--end scene--

Blair: What do you mean, you don't want to know??
Todd: Listen to me, Blair, all right? All of 'em -- Sam Vance, David Vickers, who knows, maybe even Dorian -- they're all asking me questions about my past, right? About my family. Most of all, about him.
Blair: Peter?
Todd: Yeah. And meanwhile, I'm trying to forget everything. I grew up in his house. You'd think he could have taken two minutes to at least tell me that I was adopted, and that that's why he didn't want me... (he suddenly breaks off) Not that any of that matters.
Blair: (leaning forward) Maybe it does. Maybe that's what this is all about. Maybe your biological parents read somewhere that Peter Manning died and they want to find out who you are!

Blair is so hopeful, and probably projecting what was once her own secret wish (that her parents would rescue her from the foster homes she lived in) onto Todd. Todd isn't having it, though. He can't allow himself to go there. He jumps up off of the chair in frustration.

Todd: Come on, Blair! For crying out loud, that's the last thing in the world I want to deal with right now! Look, I'm going to Florida just like I planned! I'm moving on.
Blair: (jumping off of her own chair to stand to face Todd) Oh, come on, Todd! You are right in the middle of something, and you have a right to know about it! And it's something very important.
Todd: How do you know that?
Blair: How do I know? Because Dorian wouldn't react to that key if it didn't have some value.

Blair steps closer to Todd, so that their faces are close together.

Blair: Come on. The beaches are going to be there later. (coming closer to his face) Aren't you just a little bit curious? You are human.
Todd: (bitterly) Who says I'm human?
Blair: Me. Come on...it'll be fun!

Todd thinks about this for a moment, looks down, and then looks back up at Blair.

Todd: All right. Look, I'll stick around long enough to talk to Sam Vance and David Vickers. Does that make you happy?
Blair: (laughing) Happier! Look, I need all the friends I can get.

Blair takes another sip of her drink and Todd changes the subject.

Todd: So, what, does this mean that I don't get my present? This big bon voyage. You told me you had a surprise for me.
Blair: All right, big guy. (she teasingly taps her fingers on his chest) You just stay right here and I'll go get it. (she touches the side of his mouth)

Blair turns and goes to leave the room. Todd catches sight of the blinking answering machine on a table nearby.

Todd: You know, you got a bunch of messages here.
Blair: (from the other room) Huh?
Todd: (louder) I said, you got a bunch of messages here. You might think about answering them...or listening to 'em at least.

Todd takes it upon himself to press the button. Cord's voice fills the room.

Cord's voice: "Blair, it's Cord. Would you pick up, please? Where are you? I really need to talk to you."
Todd: (muttering darkly) Yeah, well maybe she doesn't want to talk to you, Cord.

The machine beeps. It's another message -- again from Cord.

Cord's voice: "It's me again. I'm not going to give up, Blair. You're going to have to talk to me sooner or later."
Todd: Later.
Cord's voice: "Blair, I want to apologize. I would like to work this out. I know we can. I'm going to keep trying."
Todd: Give it a rest, will ya'?

The machine beeps. The third message is also from Cord.

Cord's voice: "Blair, look, they just called my plane. It's a long story, but I am going to explain all of it to you. I care too much about you to just let this go, okay? I care a lot, and I miss you. Oh, man, do I miss you."

As this message plays, Todd turns and sees Blair standing in the doorway listening to the end of the message.

--end scene--

Cord's voice: "I'll call you again when I land."

Blair turns the machine off.

Todd: So you guys are over, huh? You sure about that?
Blair: (trying to sound upbeat) You bet! I am so tired of Cord Roberts galavanting around town to do family business, and the family business always comes down to Tina. Well, I'm sick of her and I'm sick of him. I tell you what -- I'll show you how sick I am of Cord Roberts.

Blair takes the tape out of the answering machine and throws it in the garbage can.

Blair: This is exactly what I think of Cord Roberts. In fact, I don't want to hear Cord Roberts' name ever again. That is a house rule!
Todd: All right. Your house, your rules.
Blair: You bet!

We can see that Blair is holding a small box in her hands.

Blair: You know, I think it's time for your present. Your "going away, but not" present. So...come here.

Blair takes Todd's hand and pulls him around so that he's closer and facing her.

Blair: Unfold those lovely arms of yours, because you're going to need both hands.
Todd: I need both hands for this?
Blair: Uh-huh!
Todd: I like this already.
Blair: All right, here it is!

Blair hands Todd the box. He looks at it in surprise.

Todd: What is it?
Blair: Open it up, you'll see.

Todd opens the box. Inside is a beautiful silver ring with a wide band and a stone or emblem of some kind (it's hard to tell).

Blair: It's a ring! I designed it. I made it just for you.

Todd appears to be stunned into silence, so Blair keeps talking with a nervous excitement that has come with unveiling her creation.

Blair: It's -- it's how I think of you. That's what I do -- I fit the piece with the person. It's sharp around the edges. It's bold. It's a one-of-a-kind. You like it? Here, try it on.

Todd is so overwhelmed, she has to help him put the ring on. He watches her slide it on his finger.

Blair: Fits great. Here you go.

Todd looks back up at Blair.

Todd: Thank you.

Blair smiles happily.

--end scene--

When the scene returns, an increasingly drunken Blair is dancing around the penthouse with a bottle of champagne. There's music playing on the radio, but it's not quite loud enough for her. Todd is sitting on the side of couch.

Blair: Ooh, turn it up, turn it up! Todd, turn it up!
Todd: Come on, Blair, it's already at, like, 8.
Blair: Come on, it's great, it's perfect! Louder, louder, turn it up! Come on.

Todd reluctantly turns the music up. Blair goes over to grab his hand.

Blair: That's good, come on.
Todd: Blair, I --

Blair drags Todd over toward the couch.

Blair: Come on and dance with me.
Todd: I really don't want to dance --
Blair: Come here and dance with me.

Blair sits on the couch and pulls Todd down. He falls onto her and she goes to try to kiss him.

Blair: Todd, just dance with me.

Todd quickly pulls away from Blair.

Todd: Listen to me -- no, listen to me. I think you've had just a little bit too much to drink.
Blair: Oh, come on, wait, wait, wait -- no thinking! No thinking! It is not good for the music, it is not good for the moment, it is not good for the fun.

Blair tries to kiss him again, and yet again Todd pulls away.

Todd: Blair, you want to know what I'm thinking right now?
Blair: Todd, I said no thinking! "No thinking" is what I said. New house rule. Blair says so. So don't think!
Todd: Blair, listen to me -- I want to tell you something.
Blair: Come on, just -- what, you afraid that I'm going to use you? Come on --
Todd: Look, Blair, you want to use me? You can use me anytime. I'll always let you use me, no problem.
Blair: Good!

Blair tries to go into kiss him again, but he moves away.

Todd: But first, I want you to think, okay? Now, I know you don't want to --
Blair: About what??
Todd: No, listen to me. You've got to think about this, 'cause this isn't what you want. Really.
Blair: Who says?
Todd: I say. And you'd say it too, Blair, if you gave yourself half a chance. And that's what I want you to take this time. I want you to take that half a chance.

Blair pouts. With her mood now totally killed, she moves away from Todd to sit on the other side of the couch.

Blair: No.
Todd: Come on, Blair. I'm not the one that you want. And this isn't what you want either, is it?

--end scene--

Blair: What if it is what I want?

Blair puts her hand on Todd's leg and he moves it away from him.

Todd: You are kidding yourself, Blair.
Blair: About what?
Todd: I think that you care more about Cord than you're willing to let yourself admit.
Blair: God, Todd, what difference does it make, really, if I care? You're always telling me that I'm wasting my time with him. So how come you changed your mind?
Todd: (bluntly) I haven't. I still think Cord's going to drop you the first chance that he gets.
Blair: (outraged) Oh, great! So, what do you want to do -- sit here and watch me, you want to see me cry, is that it?
Todd: Obviously, Blair, you have some things that you need to work through. You are not over him.
Blair: What do you care? I don't!
Todd: Look, Blair.... (he sighs) If you sleep with me, you are going to regret it. Just like you did last time, remember? All of a sudden you didn't want to see me, you didn't want to talk to me. And -- and I don't need that right now, okay? I got enough of that in my life -- I don't need that from you. I need for us to be friends. And I think that is what we both need right now. Hey, look, I'm not saying that I'm not tempted. Come on, who wouldn't be? But I don't want to be something that you're going to be sorry about.

Blair sighs.

Blair: I'm scared.
Todd: Of what?
Blair: Of the way I feel. God, Todd, I'm so...

Blair stands up and walks away from the couch, her back turned toward Todd.

Blair: I'm so afraid Cord is going to come back to town and I'm going to let him in again and we're going to make up again and then he's going to leave me again, again, again, again, again.
Todd: Don't let him, Blair.
Blair: (bitter laugh) Yeah. It's easy to say.

She walks back over to the couch, next to Todd, and then playfully strokes his ponytail.

Blair: But you're right, though. I -- I don't -- I don't want to screw this up, too. You and me. I don't know, I -- I get scared, and I get crazy, that's all. I get reckless. Like...like that. Thank you for stopping me.

Todd moves over to the other end of the couch so Blair can sit with him. But Blair stays standing.

Todd: Whatever. Listen to me, Blair. When it comes to friendships, especially with women, I don't know the first thing about 'em. I mean, I used to know what I want, what I liked, what I needed. At least, I thought I did. But now, you know, it's like, uh, everything's different. And I'm learning how to walk, you know? I've gotta learn everything, everything's new. God, you think you're scared?
Blair: Are you scared of me?
Todd: (thinks a moment) I like you.
Blair: I like you, too.
Todd: Yeah, I know. That's why, you know -- that time. I'd never had sex with somebody that I liked. You know, like a friend.
Blair: (nods and whispers) Yeah.
Todd: And now, you know, I don't know anything -- I don't know how to think, how to feel, what to do. It's all just really weird. Relationships are weird.

Blair laughs at this.

Blair: Relationships -- oh, man, relationships! (she laughs louder, then sits next to Todd) So, Todd, is that -- is that what we have here, is a relationship?
Todd: Look, I like having you around. I know that.

Blair takes Todd's hand in hers.

Todd: And I'm happy that you want to look into this thing with David Vickers and Sam Vance and Dorian Lord and whatever the hell that's about. I mean, that's some kind of a relationship, right?
Blair: Maybe.

Todd suddenly seems uncomfortable.

Todd: Yeah, well, look, your eyes are all red, man -- it's getting late -- I'm gonna split.

He jumps to his feet as if to leave.

Blair: Hey, Todd? (she grabs his hand) Don't go. Just stay here.
Todd: Blair --
Blair: No, Todd, just -- just as a friend. For company, that's all. I -- I just don't want to be alone tonight, all right? (whispering) Please stay.

Todd sits back down on the couch.

Blair: Thank you.
Todd: (at a loss) I have no idea what you want me to do.
Blair: You're doing it. Will you hold me?

Todd settles back on the couch and puts his arm out to draw her closer to him. She puts her head on his chest and closes her eyes, totally content.

Blair: Like that. Just like that.

--end scene--

Blair has fallen asleep with her head resting on Todd's chest...one of his arms draped around her. She stirs.

Todd: It's all right. I'm right here.

Assured, Blair falls back asleep, cuddling closer to Todd as she does so. Todd reaches over and picks up the chain with the key. He gazes at it.

Todd: (to himself) All right, Vickers. What's this all about? What do I have that you could possibly want?

--end scene--

The next mornning, Todd has stripped down to his white undershit and he's doing push-ups on the living room floor as Blair comes out of her bedroom dressed in a pink robe.

Blair: Aw, man, how can you do that this early?
Todd: Not that early.
Blair: Really, what time is it?

Todd stops doing push-ups and stands up.

Todd: Gotta be about 10:30.
Blair: Really? What time did you get up?
Todd: About an hour ago.
Blair: Did you make coffee?
Todd: Coffee? Why, you got a kitchen in this place?
Blair: I could really use some coffee.
Todd: (pulling his green shirt back on) I'll bet. Had a little bit of wine last night.
Blair: Yeah.

Blair looks at Todd a little nervously. Todd reads her mind.

Todd: Nah, don't worry. You didn't do anything stupid.
Blair: I know. I -- I remember. (she sits down on the couch) Thank you, Todd. I've never really had a friend like you.
Todd: Yeah, well, me either. Thanks for the couch.

Todd turns to leave.

Blair: Where are you going? You leaving?
Todd: Yeah. I'm going to go have a little heart-to-heart with that private investigator chick, Sam Vance. I got her address out of your phone book. She's got an office a couple of blocks away.
Blair: What are you going to go find out?
Todd: I'm going to find out why she was pumping me for information, why David Vickers hired her -- the whole nine yards.
Blair: Todd, what if she won't tell you anything?
Todd: Well, then she's going to find out why some people think I got a really bad temper.

Just then the doorbell rings. Todd immediately assumes that Blair won't want whoever's at the door to find him there.

Todd: You got a back door to this place?
Blair: Will you just calm down? This is my apartment, not a convent.

Blair goes to answer the door. It's Cassie.

Cassie: Blair --

Cassie breaks off when she sees Todd coming to stand behind Blair at the door.

Cassie: (awkwardly, to Todd) Oh, hello.
Blair: Um, Cassie -- Todd Manning.
Todd: (nodding) How ya' doin'?

Cassie looks visibly uncomfortable.

--end scene--

Todd: (brushing past Cassie to head out the door) Well, I'm outta here.
Blair: Goodbye.
Todd: (to Cassie) Nice to meet you, Casey.

After the door closes behind him, Cassie turns to confront Blair.

Cassie: What is Todd Manning doing here??
Blair: He was just visiting. How are you?

Talk turns to Cassie's worry over the now missing Dorian.

--end transcript--