[At Emma’s House…]

(Emma is sleeping on the couch, still disheveled and half-clothed from her night with Sean. Manny, arms crossed and feet tapping, is standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring angrily at her.)

Manny: EMMA MARIE NELSON?

(Emma blearily opens her eyes and jerks up, alarmed. She sees Manny, relaxes, and rubs her head, blinking slowly. Manny advances towards her.)

Manny: Rough night, eh?

Emma: I don’t really remember –

Manny: How could you ever forget?

Emma: What?

Manny: Losing your virginity is usually something a girl remembers. You know?

(Emma realizes what happened and that Manny knows all at once. She turns to Manny, eyes wide.)

Emma: Oh, my God –

Manny: First of all, you are so so lucky Christine and Snake are out of town. And second –

Emma: How do you know?

Manny: I live here, don’t I? I heard some sketchy noises last night, came downstairs to check it out, and saw you going at it with Sean Cameron!

Emma: He – he broke up with Abby.

Manny: What?

Emma: He found out about Derek and dumped her.

Manny: So you think that makes it okay, huh?

Emma: Um. Sort of?

Manny: I really wish you were kidding.

Emma: Peter and I broke up –

Manny: I’m finding it very difficult to feel sorry for you right now.

Emma: I didn’t – I didn’t mean to!

Manny: So you accidentally fell out of your shirt and accidentally pulled off Sean’s?

Emma: Not like that – he was just there – and he was really sweet – and amazing – and I was feeling like shit – and –

(Manny rolls her eyes, Emma sits up straighter.)

Emma: And – I think I might still love him, Manny.

Manny: That’s just fabulous, Em. Abso-friggin-lutely amazing.

Emma: You can’t help who you fall in love with.

Manny: Yes, you can. You can when your best friend is already in love with him!

(Emma sighs and sits back. Manny huffs and puts her hand on the couch back, frustrated.)

Manny: What do you want me to say, Em? That I’m happy for you? That it’s fine – Abby’s heart was already broken – why not crack it a little bit more? That what you did – what you’re thinking of doing – is okay?

(Emma’s curled up on the couch, arms around her legs and her chin resting on her knees.)

Emma: (whisper) I want you to realize I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I didn’t mean for this to happen.

Manny: This is going to kill Abby, Emma!

Emma: You think I don’t know that?

Manny: Then why even entertain the thought of something more with Sean?

Emma: I told you – I think I still love him.

Manny: Since when?

(Emma opens her mouth to speak, but Manny interrupts her.)

Manny: If you say ‘since grade seven’, I just might have to slap you.

Emma: (sheepishly) Since grade nine, actually.

Manny: Oh, you mean the year that he stole Snake’s laptop – and you tried to get him arrested – and all those other awesome memories?

Emma: Look who’s talking!

(Manny raises her eyebrows. Emma, inspired, sits up a little.)

Emma: You slept with Craig while he was actually dating Ash and then stole him again from Ellie two years later!

Manny: No! No! Don’t you even try to chuck my mistakes back in my face to make up for what you did! It’s not gonna work! My fuck-ups won’t fix the fact that you’re in some seriously deep shit!

(Emma begins to say something back, but inseaed sighs and nods, staring at the ground. Manny sighs and grabs her schoolbag off the back of a chair. Her expression softens and her next words are less angry.)

Manny: What am I supposed to do, Em? I’m trying really, really hard not to choose sides here, but – come on. What you did was wrong. Incredibly, awfully, horribly –

Emma: I know that, okay! And you’re not exactly helping me come up with a solution!

Manny: Here’s you solution: forget it ever happened!

Emma: I can’t!

Manny: You’re going to have to if you want Abby to talk to you again!

(Emma sighs and doesn’t speak. Manny heads for the door. Her next words are quiet.)

Manny: I’m just saying, Em, that you’ve got to make the choice: Abby or Sean?

(Emma nods. Manny looks at her sadly.)

Manny: See you at school, ‘kay?

(Manny leaves.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Danny and Derek are running up the front steps of the school. They fly through the front doors and scan the room quickly. Punching each other in excitement, they head towards a small crowd in front of the bulletin board. Pushing their way through, they find what they were looking for – the Varsity basketball list. Derek skims the list, reading off names as Danny adds commentary.)

Derek: Tyler Allenwhick –

Danny: Dude, the kid can barely make a basket!

Derek: Greg Cannon –

Danny: Total pansy.

Derek: Patch Holtzman – captain –

Danny: Armstrong’s favorite. Of course he’s captain.

Derek: Chris Goode –

Danny: Liberty is better at free throws than him.

Derek: Eric Mayers –

Danny: I thought he tried out for wrestling!

Derek: Derek Lloyd –

Danny: No surprise there.

Derek: Matty Tipton –

Danny: I’m surprised his average is high enough for him to even try out.

Derek: Danny Van Zandt!

(Danny grins and punches the air.)

Danny: Yes! I knew I’d make it!

Derek: Sweet, dude!

Danny: Of course we made the team – if someone like Jacob Summers can get varsity, we were a total given.

Derek: (reading off the sheet) Congrats to those who made it. First practice is today in the gym at three.

Danny: Awesome.

(Danny and Derek grin.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Emma, flustered, is running down the hall. She pulls open the door and attempts to tiptoe to her seat. Kwan notices, however, and gives her a sarcastic smile.)

Mrs. Kwan: Why, hello, Emma. Nice of you to be joining us.

Emma: I’m sorry, Mrs. Kwan. It won’t happen agin.

(Emma pulls out her things as Mrs. Kwan continues talking.)

Mrs. Kwan: As I was saying – this project is going to be due next Monday. I’ll be splitting you up into groups and each group will prepare a presentation on the famous author I assign them.

(Tim silently drops a note into Emma’s lap. Emma opens it and reads it under her desk. It’s from Abby.)

Abby: (note) Sean found out about Derek. We’re over.

(Emma looks across the room to Abby, whose puffy eyes and tear-streaked face prove she’s had a rough night. Emma gulps and mouths across the room to Abby.)

Emma: Really?

(Abby tearfully nods.)

Emma: That’s awful!

(She thinks for a moment.)

Emma: Me and Peter, too.

(Abby can’t understand Emma. She sits up and motions for Emma to try again.)

Emma: Me and Peter, too!

(Abby’s jaw drops in horror. Mrs. Kwan takes notice.)

Mrs. Kwan: Emma! Abby! Please pay attention!

(Emma and Abby mutter apologies.)

Mrs. Kwan: The Charles Dickens group will be comprised of Jimmy Brooks, Bailey McGee, Manny Santos, and JT Yorke.

(Cut to JT, who’s expression turns to horror at the thought of working with Bailey. He turns around in his chair to Manny, who’s behind him, and whispers.)

JT: Bailey?

(Manny sighs and shrugs. JT shudders in response and turns back around as Mrs. Kwan reads off the next group.)

Mrs. Kwan: C.S. Lewis is Abby Benson, Sean Cameron, Emma Nelson, and Peter Stone.

(Manny lets out a laugh as the various members of the group look around at each other, stricken. Emma quickly raises her hand, looking nauseous.)

Emma: Can we switch groups, Mrs. Kwan?

Mrs. Kwan: No, Emma. All groups are final.

(Emma sighs and slumps into her seat. Abby turns to look at Sean; he glares at her. Peter buries his head in his arms.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(The groups are at work in English when the bell rings. Without a word to anyone, Peter grabs his stuff and leaves. Sean, blatantly avoiding Abby, is about to do the same when Abby grabs his arm.)

Abby: Sean, please. Can’t we talk?

(Sean doesn’t answer, he just leaves. Abby sighs and picks up her bag. Emma avoids her gaze. Abby sadly leaves. Emma, looking relieved, follows a moment later. To her annoyance, she finds Sean waiting for her outside class.)

Sean: Hey.

Emma: Um – hi.

Sean: Sorry I, eh, left in such a rush last night.

Emma: It’s no big deal. Really.

(Emma turns and begins to walk away, Sean follows her.)

Sean: Aren’t we going to talk about it?

(Emma stares at him blankly.)

Sean: You know – what happened?

(Emma turns around again. Sean calls after her, frustrated.)

Sean: Or you could just ignore me. That’s cool, too.

(Emma stops.)

Emma: It shouldn’t have happened. I wish it didn’t.

Sean: Look, I know this sucks, but –

Emma: My best friend, Sean. Abby is my best friend. And I slept with you – her ex of just under thirty minutes. That isn’t good – it’s anything but. I’m horrible! I’m a bitch! I’m an awful person!

Sean: No, you’re not. You’re a good person, Em. The best I know.

Emma: Then why did I do what I did, Sean? Why did I betray Abby like that?

Sean: Because what we had – it never ended. It’s been two years, and we’re still –

(Emma, confused, begins babbling.)

Emma: I can’t love you, but I think I do. I can’t tell Abby – but I’m going to have to –

Sean: Abby doesn’t matter.

Emma: Yes, she does!

Sean: (grumbling) After what she did, she deserves whatever she gets.

Emma: She deserves – a mourning period! She deserves a pint of cookie dough ice cream! She deserves chick flicks and girls’ nights and sympathy and –

Sean: She doesn’t matter.

Emma: What does matter, then?

(Sean smiles.)

Sean: You. And me.

Emma: But –

(Sean kisses her.)

[CUT TO: Peter watching from the drinking fountain, open-mouthed and furious.]

[End of Scene]

[At Degrassi…]

(Danny’s at his locker when two big, burly guys walk up to him.)

Guy: Yo – are you Danny Van Zat?

(Danny isn’t really paying attention.)

Danny: Van Zandt, retard. It’s not that hard, just add a ‘n’ and a ‘d’ –

Guy: We need to talk to you.

(Danny turns around, sees the two boys, and gulps nervously.)

Danny: Why, um, what could I interest you two in on this fine day?

Guy: I’m Patch Holtzman. And this is Matty Tipton.

(Danny’s eyes widen.)

Danny: Pleased to finally meet you?

Matty: We heard you made the basketball team.

Danny: Uhm, yeah.

Patch: I’m the captain.

Danny: It’s – um – it’s an… honor?

Matty: We just wanted to inform you –

Patch: We’re Grade 12s. It’s our team now.

Danny: That’s, uh, nice.

Patch: And if you wanna play, you’re going to have to play by our rules.

(As Patch speaks, Matty shoves Danny up against his locker. Danny fearfully nods.)

Danny: Of – of course! N-no problem.

(Matty loosens his grip. Danny gasps as his feet touch the ground again.)

Patch: We’re glad you understand.

Matty: See you at practice, Van Zat.

(They begin lumbering down the hall. Danny shudders and turns back  to his locker, muttering to himself.)

Danny: I think I just earned a new nickname.

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Abby’s walking down the hall. JT sees her and begins walking alongside her.)

JT: Are you coming to lunch?

Abby: Can’t. My English group is meeting in the library to work on our project.

(JT shudders.)

JT: Oh god. My group’s meeting after school. I think I’m going to cry.

Abby: You have Manny. And Tim. That’s not bad.

JT: And Bailey. That’s horrible.

Abby: My group is still worse.

JT: You have Emma.

Abby: And Sean. And Peter.

(JT sighs.)

JT: I guess you win.

(Abby laughs.)

Abby: Yeah. I do.

JT: My group still sucks, though.

(Abby smiles and turns towards the library.)

Abby: Wish me luck!

JT: Luck – lots of luck.

(JT heads for the caf; Abby the library.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Emma’s sitting in the library when Sean walks in. Smiling, he drops his stuff and sits down. Emma sighs and puts down her book.)

Sean: Hey!

Emma: Hey, Sean. About earlier –

(Sean notices Emma’s sour expression and his face falls.)

Sean: You’re not going to tell Abby, are you?

Emma: (shaking head) No. About that or last night. She can’t know.

Sean: But what about –

Emma: I’ve been friends with her for seven years – we dated for two. She sort of wins. I’m sorry.

Sean: But –

(Abby trudges into the room. Both Emma and Sean freeze. Sean glares as Emma guiltily goes back to her binder.)

Abby: Sorry I’m late. Where’s Peter?

(Emma shrugs.)

Emma: Hasn’t shown up yet. We’re just going to have to start without him.

(Abby nods and shuffles her papers around. Leaning in to avoid Sean’s cold gaze, she whispers to Emma across the table.)

Abby: So what happened with you two?

(Emma’s eyes momentarily widen in alarm, but she catches herself and answers nonchalantly.)

Emma: I decided I didn’t want to sleep with him, uh, after all.

Abby: And he dumped you?

(Emma nods. Abby sits back up, horrified.)

Abby: Prick!

(Emma changes the subject quickly.)

Emma: So, um, I looked it up, and C.S. Lewis lived to be 65. If you divide that by four, it’s around 16 years a person. I’ll take his childhood – Abby, you can do from 17 to 32 – Sean, you’ve got till 48 – and Peter can do up until the death. That sound good?

(They all nod. Abby pulls a stack of books out of her bag.)

Abby: Here – I’ve got some biographies to get us started.

Emma: Awesome.

(They each grab a book and begin working. Around ten minutes later, Peter storms in.)

Sean: You’re late.

Peter: Shut the fuck up.

Sean: Whoa – dude –

Peter: Don’t talk to me.

Emma: Um, Peter –

Peter: You, too, whore.

Abby: Don’t be an ass!

Peter: You think I’m the ass?

(Peter laughs bitterly.)

Peter: How ‘bout your ex-boyfriend. He’s the ass.

(Abby, puzzled, looks to Sean, who is doing his best to look clueless. Emma, bright red, is staring at her book.)

Abby: What are you talking about?

(Emma attempts to shut Peter up.)

Emma: I’m sure it’s nothing, really – (nervous laugh) – he’s probably still just pissed at me or something –

Peter: You guys broke up yesterday, right? Same time as me and Em?

(Abby nods. After a pause, Sean does, too.)

Peter: Yeah, well, guess who I saw making out with (nods to Sean) this asshole this morning.

(There’s a pause as Abby comprehends what Peter has said. Sean’s expression is defiant and Em’s, guilty.)

Abby: E-Em?

(Bright red, Emma nods. Abby’s mouth opens in shock.)

Abby: S-seriously?

(Emma nods again.)

Abby: How – how could you?

(Emma doesn’t know what to say. Abby grabs her books and leaves. Peter slams his binder shut.)

Peter: Have a nice life together.

(Peter follows suit and stomps out of the library. Emma is near tears; Sean looks indifferent. Shrugging, he sits up and grabs his book.)

Sean: Well. Glad we got that done.

(He reads for a moment, then looks at Emma. She’s wiping away tears with her fist.)

Sean: Do you really think we’re over now?

(Emma thinks.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Danny and Derek are suiting up for practice in the boys locker room. Derek is lacing up his shoes as Danny pulls a jersey over his head.)

Danny: So – Sean broke it off with Abby.

Derek: (indifferently) I heard.

Danny: Rumor is it’s because of your little smooch.

Derek: Heard that, too.

Danny: Dude – why aren’t you more excited? This is your chance!

Derek: I’ve given up on ever getting within five feet of Abby ever again. She sort of hates me. Probably more now, considering what happened with Sean.

(There’s a pause.)

Danny: Still an accomplishment, though. You broke one of the school’s biggest couples up.

Derek: Am I supposed to be proud?

Danny: Yeah! Your manpower rivals that of Sean Cameron. Definitely calls for bragging rights.

Derek: (rolling eyes) Whatever.

(Danny shrugs and changes the subject.)

Danny: I had a little run-in with Patch and Matty today before fifth period.

Derek: What’d they do?

Danny: Pushed me up against a locker and explained that it was their team and I had to play by their rules.

Derek: I got the same thing freshman year. No big deal.

Danny: I’m going to ignore it, anyway. What’s Patch Cannon going to do?

(Derek stands up.)

Derek: Kick your ass?

Danny: (snorts) He was bluffing.

Derek: Okay, man. Do what you want. Come on, let’s go.

(They head out to the gym.)

[End of Scene]

[At The Dot…]

(Abby and Spinner are at the counter – Abby’s at the cash register helping a customer as Spinner pours coffee.)

Abby: Just a muffin? That’ll be three dollars and fifty-eight cents, please.

(The customer takes their food, pays, and leaves. Abby watches them longingly.)

Abby: I need a muffin.

Spinner: We’re being paid seven-fifty an hour to serve food, smile, and not eat all the muffins.

(Abby groans.)

Abby: Did you know – I would rather be anywhere than here, at this exact moment? Absolutely anywhere. Seriously. Name a place, and I’d rather be there.

(Spinner guesses as he pours refills.)

Spinner: Siberian tundra without a parka?

Abby: (nods) Sounds good.

Spinner: Mars without a spacesuit?

Abby: (nods) Effing paradise.

Spinner: Nazi death camp?

(Abby stops and raises her eyebrows.)

Abby: Now that’s just politically incorrect.

(Spinner shrugs.)

Spinner: Makes your life seem good, though, doesn’t it?

(Abby huffs as Spinner laughs. The front door opens and Darcy walks thorugh. Spinner’s smile fades. Darcy walks up to the counter as Abby shoots her a glare. While she and Darcy talk, Spinner hovers, pretending not to listen.)

Darcy: Can I have a small caramel latte with a dollop of whipped cream, please?

Abby: (flatly) Is that all?

Darcy: How much are the muffins?

Abby: Three-fifty.

Darcy: A blueberry one, please.

(Abby sighs angrily and goes to grab one, but Spinner jumps at the chance and hands a muffin to Darcy.)

Spinner: Here you go, Darce.

Darcy: (coldly) Thanks.

(Abby punches in Darcy’s purchases as Spinner shoots Darcy a sad look. Abby notices, and her face softens.)

Abby: Sorry to hear about your mom, by the way.

Darcy: (testily) Spin told you?

Abby: Yeah, and I know how sucky it is.

Darcy: (quietly) You have no idea what my life is like.

Abby: Actually –

(Abby begins to correct her, but Darcy just turns around and storms out. Abby angrily calls after her.)

Abby: MY FATHER LEFT WHEN I WAS NINE!

(Spinner and Abby stand in silence for a moment, watching Darcy stalk down the sidewalk.)

Abby: (sighing) She doesn’t deserve a muffin.

 (Abby closes the cash register and turns to him.)

Abby: You’re better off without her, Spin.

Spin: Not really. But thanks anyway.

(Abby shrugs as Spin goes to refill the coffee.)

Abby: I try.

(Emma walks into The Dot. Abby’s eyes narrow.)

Abby: (bitterly, to self) One bitch departs, another enters.

(Emma, forcing a smile, walks up to the cash register. Abby’s face shows no emotion.)

Emma: Hey Abs – what looks good today?

Abby: You leaving.

(Emma recoils slightly. Abby’s face is still blank.)

Emma: Oh – um – well – I’ll take – um – just a small decaf, please – um –

Abby: Whipped cream?

Emma: Um, sure.

Abby: Spinner?

(Spinner ambles over, carrying a pot of coffee. His eyes widen at the sight of Emma.)

Abby: Small decaf with whipped cream, pronto.

Spinner: I’m on it.

(Spinner leaves. Abby stares at the cash register as Emma waits for her drink.)

Emma: Listen, Abby.

(Abby looks to Emma and raises her eyebrows. She sufficently shuts Emma up – but only for a second.)

Emma: I’m sorry. About – about everything.

(Abby’s silent; Emma continues.)

Emma: I never meant for the thing with Sean – it just sort of, you know, happened – I never meant to hurt you –

Abby: (fake cheery) Yeah, well, too late.

Emma: Seriously, Abby. It’s just – we got caught up in a moment – in the nonstalgia over when we dated –

Abby: Which was over – let me count ‘em – three years ago.

Emma: It’s not like anythings going to come of it – it was just a one-time thing, you’ve got to understand –

Abby: Spinner! Hurry up!

Emma: It’s never going to happen again – I’ll never talk to him again, if you want –

Abby: What I want is for you to get out of here.

(Emma is shocked into silence as Spinner reappears with Emma’s drink.)

Emma: Abby?

Abby: (craning her neck to see behind Emma) Next!

Emma: Please –

Abby: NEXT!

(Emma sighs, takes her coffee, and leaves, Abby glaring holes into her back as the door swings shut behind her.)

Spinner: Hell hath no fury like Abby scorned.

Abby: Shut up or I’ll hath my fury all over your pathetic pacifist ass.

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Danny and Derek are scrimmaging with the team as Coach Armstrong watches from the sides. Danny has the ball and dribbles up the court. Derek’s waiting near the basket for him.)

Derek: Danny! Over here! Dan – I got it!

(Danny ingores Derek and pushes past Matty as he runs twoards the hoop. Jumping, he dunks it in.)

Danny: Yes! Yes!

Coach Armstrong: Nice, Van Zandt!

(Matty catches the rebound and begins dribbling down the court. On his way, he shoves into Danny, knocking him over. Coach Armstrong blows his whistle.)

Coach Armstrong: Foul, Tipton! On the benches!

(Matty’s jaw hardens as he leans over, whispering into Danny’s ear so Coach can’t hear him.)

Matty: You’re gonna wish you didn’t do that, Van Zat.

(Shoving the ball into Danny’s stomach, he ambles over towards the bench. Danny, confused, gets back up.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(The next day, Abby is talking on the phone as she walks up the front steps.)

Abby: Yeah, Charlie, I’m fine. The Zoloft is locked away in a closet, I swear. I’m using sarcasm and bitterness to deal this time. Not much healthier, but whatever.

(There’s a pause.)

Abby: No, you cannot come down here and kick Sean’s ass.

(Abby walks through the front doors.)

Abby: Okay, I got to go. School and stuff. Talk to you later!

(Pause. Abby rolls her eyes.)

Abby: I’m not saying you couldn’t beat Sean up. I’m just saying it would be a waste of gas money.

(Pause.)

Abby: Mhm. Bye!

(Emma’s walking down the stairs. She sees Abby and hurries to catch up with her. Abby notices and speeds away.)

Emma: Abby! Abby!

(A few yards later, Abby screeches to a halt.)

Abby: You can’t take a hint, can you?

Emma: I’m sorry, okay?

Abby: Oh, because that’s totally going to fix everything.

Emma: It was an accident.

Abby: (crossing her arms) Mhmm.

Emma: I thought – I thought I loved him.

Abby: You suck at cheering people up, you know that?

Emma: It’ll never happen again –

Abby: I’m so sure –

Emma: You can trust me, I swear –

Abby: Trust you? Trust you? Em, I can never trust you – not after this!

Emma: I’m sorry!

Abby: You used to – you used to have morals. You used to be righteous, and virtous – and – and good. But now? You’re this conniving, back-stabbing little bitch who only cares about what she wants and will step on anyone to get there. Even… Even her best friend.

(Emma’s silent. Abby takes a step back.)

Emma: What about you? You kissed Derek – you betrayed Sean –

Abby: Manny says you slept with him.

Emma: She – she told you?

Abby: (quietly) That’s way worse. And you know it.

Emma: All you ever were is this sad pathetic little loser who hides behind sarcasm and clings to love wherever she can find it! You rely so much on everyone around you that when anyone makes one little mistake –

Abby: A little mistake? Is that what you’re calling it now?

Emma: I said I was sorry; I avoided Sean – what else do you want me to do?

Abby: I want you to stay away from me. I want you to never speak to me again. Is that fucking clear enough for you?

(Emma clenches her jaw.)

Emma: (angrily) Crystal.

Abby: So all I have to say is – rest in peace, Em. Because you’re dead to me.

(Abby turns around, leaving Emma standing there, mouth open.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Danny’s doing his business at urinal in the boy’s bathroom when Patch Holtzman walks in. He stands at the urinal next to Danny.)

Patch: Nice layup yesterday at practice.

Danny: Thanks.

Patch: Not going to happen again, right?

Danny: Huh?

Patch: I told you, Van Zat. It’s our team. My team. It’s our time to shine. If you pull another stunt like that at a game, you’re going to seriously regret it.

Danny: What am I supposed to do? Suck on purpose?

(Patch grins as he washes his hands.)

Patch: Glad you understand.

(Patch leaves. Danny, pissed, goes to wash his hands.)

[End of Scene]

[At School…]

(Emma is walking into the caf during lunch. She stops short at the sight of her old table – it’s just Sean, eating contentedly. The rest of their table has relocated towards the other end of the caf. Emma, staring straight ahead, walks past Abby, Peter, Manny and the others and straight to Sean. Once she reaches him, he smiles at her.)

Sean: Thought you’d end up over here.

(Emma sits down, opening her lunch.)

Emma: We always seem to end up together, don’t we?

(Sean grins; Emma smiles back at him.)

((freeze))