Todd Sets A Fire At Break Bar, Then Proposes To Blair
Todd, seething with jealousy over Blair and Cristian, secretly watches them make out in the Break Bar storage room. After realizing that they're close to having
sex, he uses some nearby construction materials to start a fire by the storage room door. As the fire burns, Todd glares into the flames.
Todd: (to himself) You see, Blair? I'm not the only one who gets burned tonight.
--end scene--
It doesn't take long before Blair and Cristian realize that they're trapped. Just as Todd turns to leave, he hears Blair's scream --
Blair's Voice: Help us! Help, somebody!
Todd turns back toward the storage room and hears a flashback to Blair's voice in his head: "You destroy everything you love, Todd. Everything you love."
Back in the present, Blair is still screaming for help.
Blair's Voice: Help us! (coughing) Help, somebody!
Todd quickly changes his mind and grabs a fire extinguisher on the wall.
--end scene--
Inside the storage room, Blair is coughing.
Blair: What are we going to do?
Cristian: There's only one thing we can do -- we gotta go through this door!
Blair: We can't do that! We're going to be burned, Cristian!
Cristian: Maybe, but if we stay in here, we'll die for sure.
Cristian flings the door open and the both see the flames roaring just outside. As Cristian tries to beat back the fire, Blair looks past him and sees Todd armed with the fire extinguisher a few feet away. Todd and Blair lock eyes.
--end scene--
When the scene returns, Todd is finally in the process of extinguishing the fire.
Todd: Oh, boy! It's a good thing I happened along -- you guys could've been hurt! Killed, even!
Cristian: I'm sure that would've ruined your day, huh, Manning?
Todd: It would've ruined your day, wouldn't it? So, what were you guys doing in the stock room here, huh? Checking out all the goods?
Blair and Cristian glare at Todd, who glares right back. Then Cristian turns to Blair.
Cristian: I better go make sure everything's okay at the bar. Maybe you should come with me.
Blair: I'll be fine.
Cristian: Okay. If you run into any trouble, just shout.
Cristian brushes past Todd and exits the room.
Todd: (hollaring after him) Sure, no problem! Anytime! (to Blair) Huh! Kids. They're so ungrateful these days.
Todd then pointedly looks at Blair's shoulder (the strap of her dress has fallen down) and pretends to adjust his own coat shoulder.
Todd: Did you have to take your dress off to beat down the flames?
Blair pulls her dress strap up but doesn't answer him.
Todd: (pissed) What??
Blair: You started this fire, didn't you?
--end scene--
Todd: So, you think I had something to do with starting that fire?
Blair: Are you saying you didn't?
Todd: Sounds like I am, yeah.
Blair: You came here to look for me and Cristian, didn't you? Hmm?
Todd: No, I was just looking for, you know, the kind of thing that a guy would look for after he's had a couple beers.
Blair: Oh, you just happened to be strolling by this storage room just in time to rescue Cristian and me.
Todd: Is that so hard to believe?
Blair: Yeah, it's hard to believe -- like, impossible!
Blair tries a different approach.
Blair: You saw us, didn't you? You saw what we were doing.
Todd: And what would that be?
Blair: Sex, Todd. Cristian had me up against that wall. We were tearing at each other's clothes.
Todd swallows, hard.
Blair: Yeah. You saw us and if that fire hadn't of stopped us, no telling what could have happened. You started that fire, didn't you? You freaked.
Todd: Well, I saw you -- yeah, I saw you. You looked ridiculous with that kid, you know that? Like you were playing "Show and Tell" with him. You know, if he asks to bring you to school and show the teacher and the other kids, you really -- you gotta say no.
Blair: You saw us, and that really bugged you.
Todd: Look, what you do on your free time is up to you. You wanna get with Cristian Vega, I don't care.
Blair: Yeah, you care. You care like crazy.
Todd: No, you are confusing me with someone who cares. (heated) You are the one who cares! You didn't come down here to get under Cristian Vega's skin, but under mine. You did all of this for me.
--end scene--
Todd: You wanted me to find you and Cristian together.
Blair: You set the fire.
Todd: Yeah, so what if I did? That would only mean that your plan worked.
Blair: You could have killed me, Todd!
Todd: I am not saying I'm sorry.
Blair: Well, neither am I!
Todd and Blair both look away from each other. When Blair looks back at Todd, she seems a little hurt.
Todd: What?
Blair doesn't answer, just turns her head away again.
--end scene--
Cristian returns to the storage room as T&B are staring each other down.
Cristian: Everything okay here?
Todd: Oh yeah. Couldn't be better.
Blair: How is everything in the bar?
Cristian: Good, good. As you can see, the power's back on. Everything else is fine. RJ's not too happy about the fire...
Todd: Oh, gee, that's too bad.
Cristian: (to Blair) Are you sure you're okay? Let me take you home.
Todd: (to Cristian) Get lost.
Blair: Cristian, hey, I'm fine. I've got my car here, all right? But thank you -- for everything.
Blair kisses Cristian on the cheek and Todd turns away in disgust. Cristian leaves the room and Todd turns back to Blair.
Todd: Whoa, whoa, whoa, is this some kind of a try at a jab at me?
Blair: No, you know what, why even bother? I walk out on you, you have me arrested! I make a move on Cristian, you practically kill me! I mean, where is it all going to end? Where is it all going to lead, Todd??
Todd: Well, that's easy. You're going to marry me.
Blair, stunned, looks at Todd.
--end scene--
Blair: You want me to marry you?
Todd: Yes.
Blair: Wait a minute, let me -- let me get this straight, here. You just tried to kill me and Cristian.
Todd: No, no, I saved you and Cristian.
Blair: You tried to have me arrested for taking my own daughter to Disney World!
Todd: I was concerned for Starr.
Blair: You did have me arrested for assaulting you. And then you turned my daughter against you!
Todd: When did I turn your daughter against you?
Blair: Then you threatened to turn me in for shooting Max!
Todd: You threatened to turn me in for shooting Max!
Blair: And now you want me to marry you??
Todd: Is this a game show? Yes!
Blair: Is that a formal proposal, Todd? Do I get an opportunity to say no?
Todd: Is that your final answer?
Blair doesn't answer.
Todd: (threateningly) Fine. We'll see what happens you say no.
--end scene--
Blair: You are unbelievable, do you know that?
Todd: Is that a "yes"?
Blair: Why would I say anything but no?? I'm still married to Max! And why -- why would I marry you?
Todd: Because you should.
Blair: Well, forget about it, Todd. You can forget about the whole thing. Because I went through hell for Max. Max wouldn't be Asa's son if it weren't for me. I sacrificed myself for him. And what did I get? Huh? His mistress shoved down my throat. And I forgave Max for Skye!
Todd: That was your first mistake.
Blair: I forgave Max. But when the little virus came out, that Max was a fraud, do you think he could forgive me, huh? He couldn't forgive me! No, no, no -- he had his whole little "family" there. It didn't matter if they were fake, and I got tossed out on the street! So why would I want to marry anyone, huh? I begged him to forgive me --
Todd: (quietly and firmly) You shouldn't beg, Blair. You should never beg.
Blair: Then I asked him for a divorce settlement. And I deserve that, and you know it. And what did he do? He told me to take a flying leap! So you tell me, Todd -- why would I want to marry anyone, huh?
Todd: Because we're the same.
Blair heaves a heavy sigh.
Todd: No, we are. We're the same. We're the same in that we are different. You know, you -- you shot your husband in the back, and I covered the whole thing up and pinned it all on your worst enemy. And you didn't have to ask me to do it. You didn't have to convince me. And I didn't have to tell you what to do, and I didn't have to convince you of anything. We are the same, Blair! Neither one of us forgives or forgets, ever! We are perfect together. We're a match made in -- we're a match made in somewhere.
Now that Todd has finished his rant, Blair has one important thing to address.
Blair: You want to marry me? Do you love me? Come on, Todd. Is that what you're trying to say here? I mean, I think it's only fair that I should hear it. So come on, tell me. Do you love me?
--end scene--
Blair: You can't say it. You can't say you love me, Todd, because you don't.
Todd: I -- I really like that you're Starr's mother.
Blair: (sarcastic) Oh! Oh, Todd, that is just so romantic! I'm totally swept away! Wow!
Todd doesn't respond, so Blair continues bitterly.
Blair: What did I expect? Men are always the same. You say you love someone just to get what you want. First you say it to get me in bed, then you say it to make us have babies, to -- to run your house, to lie, cheat, scam, whatever! And then when you've proved your loyalty, what do they do? They turn against you! They chew you up and they spit you out! Now you tell me, Todd, why would I love you? Why would I love anybody??
Todd: What -- what if I do say that I -- that I love you?
Blair: You don't love me! You don't love me, Todd! You just want to posess me! You want to own me!
Todd turns away from Blair -- he's getting more and more uncomfortable, but she doesn't seem to notice.
Blair: (ranting) You want to say that you have me! You want me for Starr, you want me so you can get back at Max, you want me because you lost Tea!
Todd shakes his head slightly and finally gets the words out.
Todd: (shakily) I -- love you.
Blair looks stunned. Todd looks like he's still a little surprised that the words came out of his mouth.
--end scene--
Blair: (emotionally) You don't love me. That is such a lie.
Todd turns to face her.
Blair: What?
Todd: I can't believe it. I mean, it's right in front of you -- it's been right in front of your nose for so long, and you still -- you can't see it!
Blair: See what?
Todd: Love isn't real, Blair. It isn't -- it's a -- it's a figment of our collective imaginations. It is a colossal, twisted mass hallucination.
Blair: Well, you're wrong Todd. It isn't.
Todd: No, no, I'm right. Love is nothing but bad poetry. Love doesn't -- it's not even real. It's an illusion. It's -- it's -- it exists only in our minds. The truth is -- is that we are alone. And the only reason anybody buys into this whole love thing is because they think that it tracks in somehow with what they think they want, which is to not be alone. You name one person who exists completely without love. That's me. Nobody loves me. I don't care. I don't deserve it. Nobody deserves it! It doesn't -- nobody understands that, Blair. It's -- because everybody in this world really is...a moron. Love is a hoax. It's a joke. It's a slight of hand. And the only people -- the only two people in the entire universe who are in on it are you and me. We're the only two people on the planet who get it. I will never hurt you. And I will never let you down. Because you expect nothing from me to begin with. There's no downside. If you do get anything from me or I from you, then it's -- certainly more than we ever figured on getting.
Blair looks at Todd and he happily points out to her...
Todd: Ah! You see it! Oh yeah, you see it! I can see that you see it!
Blair: (resigned) Yeah. I do.
Todd: (smug) Well then. Perhaps you better reconsider my proposal.
--end scene--
Blair: It would serve you right if I married you.
Todd: Yes, it would.
Blair: It would serve 'em all right.
Todd: Yes, it would.
Blair: Yeah. I'll marry you.
Todd, barely hiding his surprise, looks at Blair before quickly averting his eyes.
Todd: Yes, you will.
--end transcript--
Todd: (to himself) You see, Blair? I'm not the only one who gets burned tonight.
--end scene--
It doesn't take long before Blair and Cristian realize that they're trapped. Just as Todd turns to leave, he hears Blair's scream --
Blair's Voice: Help us! Help, somebody!
Todd turns back toward the storage room and hears a flashback to Blair's voice in his head: "You destroy everything you love, Todd. Everything you love."
Back in the present, Blair is still screaming for help.
Blair's Voice: Help us! (coughing) Help, somebody!
Todd quickly changes his mind and grabs a fire extinguisher on the wall.
--end scene--
Inside the storage room, Blair is coughing.
Blair: What are we going to do?
Cristian: There's only one thing we can do -- we gotta go through this door!
Blair: We can't do that! We're going to be burned, Cristian!
Cristian: Maybe, but if we stay in here, we'll die for sure.
Cristian flings the door open and the both see the flames roaring just outside. As Cristian tries to beat back the fire, Blair looks past him and sees Todd armed with the fire extinguisher a few feet away. Todd and Blair lock eyes.
--end scene--
When the scene returns, Todd is finally in the process of extinguishing the fire.
Todd: Oh, boy! It's a good thing I happened along -- you guys could've been hurt! Killed, even!
Cristian: I'm sure that would've ruined your day, huh, Manning?
Todd: It would've ruined your day, wouldn't it? So, what were you guys doing in the stock room here, huh? Checking out all the goods?
Blair and Cristian glare at Todd, who glares right back. Then Cristian turns to Blair.
Cristian: I better go make sure everything's okay at the bar. Maybe you should come with me.
Blair: I'll be fine.
Cristian: Okay. If you run into any trouble, just shout.
Cristian brushes past Todd and exits the room.
Todd: (hollaring after him) Sure, no problem! Anytime! (to Blair) Huh! Kids. They're so ungrateful these days.
Todd then pointedly looks at Blair's shoulder (the strap of her dress has fallen down) and pretends to adjust his own coat shoulder.
Todd: Did you have to take your dress off to beat down the flames?
Blair pulls her dress strap up but doesn't answer him.
Todd: (pissed) What??
Blair: You started this fire, didn't you?
--end scene--
Todd: So, you think I had something to do with starting that fire?
Blair: Are you saying you didn't?
Todd: Sounds like I am, yeah.
Blair: You came here to look for me and Cristian, didn't you? Hmm?
Todd: No, I was just looking for, you know, the kind of thing that a guy would look for after he's had a couple beers.
Blair: Oh, you just happened to be strolling by this storage room just in time to rescue Cristian and me.
Todd: Is that so hard to believe?
Blair: Yeah, it's hard to believe -- like, impossible!
Blair tries a different approach.
Blair: You saw us, didn't you? You saw what we were doing.
Todd: And what would that be?
Blair: Sex, Todd. Cristian had me up against that wall. We were tearing at each other's clothes.
Todd swallows, hard.
Blair: Yeah. You saw us and if that fire hadn't of stopped us, no telling what could have happened. You started that fire, didn't you? You freaked.
Todd: Well, I saw you -- yeah, I saw you. You looked ridiculous with that kid, you know that? Like you were playing "Show and Tell" with him. You know, if he asks to bring you to school and show the teacher and the other kids, you really -- you gotta say no.
Blair: You saw us, and that really bugged you.
Todd: Look, what you do on your free time is up to you. You wanna get with Cristian Vega, I don't care.
Blair: Yeah, you care. You care like crazy.
Todd: No, you are confusing me with someone who cares. (heated) You are the one who cares! You didn't come down here to get under Cristian Vega's skin, but under mine. You did all of this for me.
--end scene--
Todd: You wanted me to find you and Cristian together.
Blair: You set the fire.
Todd: Yeah, so what if I did? That would only mean that your plan worked.
Blair: You could have killed me, Todd!
Todd: I am not saying I'm sorry.
Blair: Well, neither am I!
Todd and Blair both look away from each other. When Blair looks back at Todd, she seems a little hurt.
Todd: What?
Blair doesn't answer, just turns her head away again.
--end scene--
Cristian returns to the storage room as T&B are staring each other down.
Cristian: Everything okay here?
Todd: Oh yeah. Couldn't be better.
Blair: How is everything in the bar?
Cristian: Good, good. As you can see, the power's back on. Everything else is fine. RJ's not too happy about the fire...
Todd: Oh, gee, that's too bad.
Cristian: (to Blair) Are you sure you're okay? Let me take you home.
Todd: (to Cristian) Get lost.
Blair: Cristian, hey, I'm fine. I've got my car here, all right? But thank you -- for everything.
Blair kisses Cristian on the cheek and Todd turns away in disgust. Cristian leaves the room and Todd turns back to Blair.
Todd: Whoa, whoa, whoa, is this some kind of a try at a jab at me?
Blair: No, you know what, why even bother? I walk out on you, you have me arrested! I make a move on Cristian, you practically kill me! I mean, where is it all going to end? Where is it all going to lead, Todd??
Todd: Well, that's easy. You're going to marry me.
Blair, stunned, looks at Todd.
--end scene--
Blair: You want me to marry you?
Todd: Yes.
Blair: Wait a minute, let me -- let me get this straight, here. You just tried to kill me and Cristian.
Todd: No, no, I saved you and Cristian.
Blair: You tried to have me arrested for taking my own daughter to Disney World!
Todd: I was concerned for Starr.
Blair: You did have me arrested for assaulting you. And then you turned my daughter against you!
Todd: When did I turn your daughter against you?
Blair: Then you threatened to turn me in for shooting Max!
Todd: You threatened to turn me in for shooting Max!
Blair: And now you want me to marry you??
Todd: Is this a game show? Yes!
Blair: Is that a formal proposal, Todd? Do I get an opportunity to say no?
Todd: Is that your final answer?
Blair doesn't answer.
Todd: (threateningly) Fine. We'll see what happens you say no.
--end scene--
Blair: You are unbelievable, do you know that?
Todd: Is that a "yes"?
Blair: Why would I say anything but no?? I'm still married to Max! And why -- why would I marry you?
Todd: Because you should.
Blair: Well, forget about it, Todd. You can forget about the whole thing. Because I went through hell for Max. Max wouldn't be Asa's son if it weren't for me. I sacrificed myself for him. And what did I get? Huh? His mistress shoved down my throat. And I forgave Max for Skye!
Todd: That was your first mistake.
Blair: I forgave Max. But when the little virus came out, that Max was a fraud, do you think he could forgive me, huh? He couldn't forgive me! No, no, no -- he had his whole little "family" there. It didn't matter if they were fake, and I got tossed out on the street! So why would I want to marry anyone, huh? I begged him to forgive me --
Todd: (quietly and firmly) You shouldn't beg, Blair. You should never beg.
Blair: Then I asked him for a divorce settlement. And I deserve that, and you know it. And what did he do? He told me to take a flying leap! So you tell me, Todd -- why would I want to marry anyone, huh?
Todd: Because we're the same.
Blair heaves a heavy sigh.
Todd: No, we are. We're the same. We're the same in that we are different. You know, you -- you shot your husband in the back, and I covered the whole thing up and pinned it all on your worst enemy. And you didn't have to ask me to do it. You didn't have to convince me. And I didn't have to tell you what to do, and I didn't have to convince you of anything. We are the same, Blair! Neither one of us forgives or forgets, ever! We are perfect together. We're a match made in -- we're a match made in somewhere.
Now that Todd has finished his rant, Blair has one important thing to address.
Blair: You want to marry me? Do you love me? Come on, Todd. Is that what you're trying to say here? I mean, I think it's only fair that I should hear it. So come on, tell me. Do you love me?
--end scene--
Blair: You can't say it. You can't say you love me, Todd, because you don't.
Todd: I -- I really like that you're Starr's mother.
Blair: (sarcastic) Oh! Oh, Todd, that is just so romantic! I'm totally swept away! Wow!
Todd doesn't respond, so Blair continues bitterly.
Blair: What did I expect? Men are always the same. You say you love someone just to get what you want. First you say it to get me in bed, then you say it to make us have babies, to -- to run your house, to lie, cheat, scam, whatever! And then when you've proved your loyalty, what do they do? They turn against you! They chew you up and they spit you out! Now you tell me, Todd, why would I love you? Why would I love anybody??
Todd: What -- what if I do say that I -- that I love you?
Blair: You don't love me! You don't love me, Todd! You just want to posess me! You want to own me!
Todd turns away from Blair -- he's getting more and more uncomfortable, but she doesn't seem to notice.
Blair: (ranting) You want to say that you have me! You want me for Starr, you want me so you can get back at Max, you want me because you lost Tea!
Todd shakes his head slightly and finally gets the words out.
Todd: (shakily) I -- love you.
Blair looks stunned. Todd looks like he's still a little surprised that the words came out of his mouth.
--end scene--
Blair: (emotionally) You don't love me. That is such a lie.
Todd turns to face her.
Blair: What?
Todd: I can't believe it. I mean, it's right in front of you -- it's been right in front of your nose for so long, and you still -- you can't see it!
Blair: See what?
Todd: Love isn't real, Blair. It isn't -- it's a -- it's a figment of our collective imaginations. It is a colossal, twisted mass hallucination.
Blair: Well, you're wrong Todd. It isn't.
Todd: No, no, I'm right. Love is nothing but bad poetry. Love doesn't -- it's not even real. It's an illusion. It's -- it's -- it exists only in our minds. The truth is -- is that we are alone. And the only reason anybody buys into this whole love thing is because they think that it tracks in somehow with what they think they want, which is to not be alone. You name one person who exists completely without love. That's me. Nobody loves me. I don't care. I don't deserve it. Nobody deserves it! It doesn't -- nobody understands that, Blair. It's -- because everybody in this world really is...a moron. Love is a hoax. It's a joke. It's a slight of hand. And the only people -- the only two people in the entire universe who are in on it are you and me. We're the only two people on the planet who get it. I will never hurt you. And I will never let you down. Because you expect nothing from me to begin with. There's no downside. If you do get anything from me or I from you, then it's -- certainly more than we ever figured on getting.
Blair looks at Todd and he happily points out to her...
Todd: Ah! You see it! Oh yeah, you see it! I can see that you see it!
Blair: (resigned) Yeah. I do.
Todd: (smug) Well then. Perhaps you better reconsider my proposal.
--end scene--
Blair: It would serve you right if I married you.
Todd: Yes, it would.
Blair: It would serve 'em all right.
Todd: Yes, it would.
Blair: Yeah. I'll marry you.
Todd, barely hiding his surprise, looks at Blair before quickly averting his eyes.
Todd: Yes, you will.
--end transcript--