The One With the Decongestants

by Godeerc VanDrey

 

Genre: General/Humor

Rating: PG

Language: English

Summery: Season 6: Soon after Ross gets the divorce to Rachel.  Rachel takes some decongestants and is reeks havoc the rest of the day.  Chandler is having trouble at work with a coworker sabotaging his reputation.  Monica hosts a party at her restaurant, and Phoebe and Joey “help” with the entertainment.

 

A/N: Okay, this is something I wrote after I had a dream about Friends.  Of course, being Godeerc VanDrey, the dream was totally irrelevant and useless to be made into a Friends fic.  But when I woke up, I was inspired to write this one.  It is not a romance.  This is a pure General fic.  It will have three story lines, just like the show.  And it will mimic the show’s comedy appeal.  I really feel good about this one.  Try to imagine it as if it were on TV, because some of the comedic appeal comes from the fact that I was visualizing the characters and their expressions in the show that would invoke laughter.  Try reading this and visualizing it at the same time.  It may make it better.  

 

Oh, and by the way.  A decongestant is medicine that relieves your sinus cavities during a cold or other nasal illness, to answer the question of many reviewers.

 

 

Scene 1: Monica and Chandler’s

(Rachel looking sick, Monica getting ready to leave)

 

Monica: Are you sure you’re okay, Rach?

 

Rachel: No, I just called in sick.  I’ve got some sinus bug.

 

Monica: Well, if you need any medicine, we’re all stocked up.

 

Rachel: (mumbling) Of course. (audibly) Thanks, I think I’ll take some decongestants later.

 

Monica: All right, there’s some in the bathroom if you need them.

 

Rachel: Yeah, all Phoebe has at her apartment is a bunch of herbal stuff.

 

Monica: Just be careful.  Only take two, and don’t operate heavy machinery or drive.

 

Rachel: Well, it’ll be hard to not start up the bulldozer in my old room, but I think I can handle it.  Ugh, I sound like Chandler, don’t I?

 

Monica: Um, well, yeah.  You can stay here; just don’t make a mess.

 

Rachel: Or suffer the consequences. (shooing her) Go to work.  You’ve got that big thing today.

 

Monica: I know, and I can’t be late.  What time is it?

 

Rachel: 7:52.

 

Monica: Oh my gah, I’m late!

 

Rachel: It starts at ten.

 

Monica: I know. (rushes out)

 

Rachel: Man, am I glad I moved out.  Okay, let’s get these decongestant things. (walks up and enters the bathroom; open the medicine cabinet) Oh, where are the decongestants?  Why doesn’t she organize this thing?  She’s Monica, for goodness sake.  Amoxacillin, Beryllium acetate, cough syrup…oh, yeah.  Decongestants, here we go!  Take two for every eight hour period.  Well, let’s see, I’ll need them for like 24 hours, so I guess I take like six?  Oh, Monica’s never sick; she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.  Down the hatch. (swallows them with water) Whoo, that was a rush. (now very drowsy; looks in the mirror) Hey!  You!  What in the world are you wearing?  Bathrobes are so… last week. (giggles)

 

(OPENING CREDITS)

 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

 

Scene 2: Monica’s Restaurant

(Monica walks in, with Phoebe and Joey behind her)

 

Monica: Thank you guys so much for doing this.  I couldn’t find anyone to do the entertainment.  So tell, me what are you two doing again?

 

Phoebe: Well, you know, I was planning to massage some clients somewhere.  You know, this room’s pretty nice.

 

Monica: In my restaurant lobby?  You know, people usually take their clothes off during massages.

 

Phoebe: Well, duh, did you not notice when I give them to you?

 

Monica: People are not going to take off their clothes in the middle of my dining room!

 

Phoebe: Well, that’s their problem.  They’d better if I’m charging half price.

 

Monica: Have you ever seen anyone in my restaurant not wearing clothes?

 

Phoebe: Joey did once.

 

Monica: What?!

 

Joey: Uh, uh…

 

Phoebe: Oops, you must not have been there.

 

Monica: Well, that explains why we’re seeing such a rise in the number of young women.  Pheebs, can you just do it in the back room, or something?

 

Phoebe: I guess so.  I’ll go set up.

 

Monica: And, Joey, what will you be doing?

 

Joey: I was gonna, you know, act.  Do skits.  Take requests and stuff.

 

Monica: Yeah, that’ll work.  I need to go cook some samplers.  Have you seen my staff?

 

Joey: Yeah, they’re all at Central Perk.

 

Monica: Why?

 

Joey: They said it was their day off.

 

Monica: I don’t believe it.  One of these days, I’m going to hire an entire new crew of chefs and waiters.  Oh, well, it’s a buffet, anyway.  Just restocking food and stuff. (a loud crash comes from the kitchen) JOEY!!!

 

 

Scene 3: Monica and Chandler’s Apartment

(Rachel walking drowsily out of the bathroom)

 

Rachel: (very loony) Whoa, I am so tired.  I’m going to watch some TV. (picks up remote and enters the kitchen, and tries to flick through channels on the microwave) Well, there is nothing on.  Oh, I am so stupid.  The TV’s not even on. (presses a button on the microwave and it starts up; she puts down the remote on the table and goes and sits on the couch; pulls out her cell phone and tries to turn on the television) Huh?  That’s funny. (looks at the cell phone, and puts it to her ear)

 

Phone: Shi-cou-wah!  Sin-kiki-nofamu.  Abri abri!

 

Rachel: Well, (puts the phone on the coffee table, and bumps her fist together twice at it) to you, too! (hangs up; the microwave beeps, she answers her phone) Hello?

 

 

Scene 4: Chandler’s Office

(Chandler sitting at his computer)

 

Chandler: Junk mail, junk mail, e-mail from Rick. (clicks his mouse) New profit margin… check this out… (clicks his mouse again) Whoa!  That’s the most interesting profits margin I’ve ever seen! (a man walks in)

 

Chandler’s Boss: Bing, how’s it going?

 

Chandler: Pretty good. (frantic) Stupid site.

 

Chandler’s Boss: Wha’cha looking at there, Bing? (sees it) Bing, I’m disappointed in you.  Your network is to be used for business-related activity only.

 

Chandler: But, sir, I…

 

Chandler’s Boss: Bing, I will not tolerate this.  I will be keeping tabs on your network use, and I’d better not find any other… leisurely activity. (walks out)

 

Chandler: Oh, I’m going to get that Rick.  Hmmm. (smiles evilly)

 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

 

Scene 5: Monica and Chandler’s Apartment

(the room is in total disarray; the couches are turned over, the kitchen’s contents are strewn across the floor; assorted garments are hanging from the window; battle-like noises are heard coming from the TV)

 

Rachel: You bloody Nazis!  (jumps out from behind and overturned chair, holding a broom) Take this.  (makes machine gun noises) To the fort, men! (jumps behind a cushion structure) Away! (runs out of the apartment and into Joey’s Apartment)

 

 

Scene 6: Joey’s Apartment

(Rachel runs in to an empty apartment, suddenly looking very clueless)

 

Rachel: Whoa, this is a pretty apartment. (the apartment is somewhat untidy; the chick and duck run in) Ooh, ooh!  Birdies.  Oh my gah, you guys are naked! (giggles) Don’t worry, (haughty voice) I am a fashion expert.

 

(time lapse)

 

Rachel: Now, who’s the pretty fowl in all of town? (the chicken walks out wearing a scarf around his neck and bracelets tied to his ankles and around his neck, followed by the duck, clad in brightly colored boxers and sunglasses) Boy, this wall needs some serious redecorating.

 

(time lapse)

 

(Rachel has rearranged all the furniture: the foosball table is halfway into the bathroom; the couch is blocking entrance to Joey’s room, along with the headboard of his bed; the entire contents of Chandlers room have been reproduced to face the television, which sits on the floor; Chandler’s door is covered by the rug, which is held up by an exceeding large amount of Scotch tape; in the entertainment system is a single cereal bowl; one of the Barca-Lounger is facing the refrigerator)

 

Rachel: (taping something to the wall; behind her, the coffee table has paper and crayons strewn across it) Pretty picture. (shows a stick figure with black Ross-like hair, and in the background a dinosaur is eating several female stick figures, with arrows pointing to them, identified with “Chloe”, “Julie”, and “Emily.”) Wow, that’s six new pictures for Joey’s apartment. (a stick figure of Monica with long black hair, with cleaning items and cooking utensils around her) (a stick figure of Phoebe with long yellow hair, holding a guitar with music notes) (a stick figure of Chandler in an office building in front of a computer) (a stick figure of Joey on a movie set, in a word bubble “How U Doin?” to a girl stick figure, with accentuated features) (a stick figure of herself, shopping, the page filled with drawings of shopping bags) Wow, that’s a lot of work.  Let’s go see how Phoebe’s doing.

 

(exits, passing the other Barca-Lounger outside the door)

 

 

Scene 7: Phoebe’s Apartment

(Rachel walks in on the empty apartment)

 

Rachel: Well, Phoebe, how’s it going?  Phoebe, are you invisible again? (breaks out into giggles) This apartment is so… blah.  Let’s see.  Ooh, ooh, candle! (picks up a candle and reads the label) Energy of the Spring.  May contain traces of opiates.  For further details or orders, call 1-800-555-8695.  Hmmm.

 

 

Scene 8: Monica’s Restaurant

(Joey going around, entertaining guests)

 

Joey: Well, ma’am, how are you tonight?

 

Woman: Very well.

 

Joey: And you, sir?

 

Man: Well, I don’t mean to mention it, but it’s a bit uneventful in here.

 

Joey: No, sir.  Thank you for bringing that up.  That’s what I’m here for.  How ‘bout I do some singing for you nice lady friend here? (she giggles)

 

Man: Well, all right.

 

Joey: (singing) I can see the starts… in your eyes.   I can see the glow… in your face.  I can see the joy… through the nights.  I can feel the love… through the days.  (goes into bad falsetto) I-ee-I can love (hits a very bad note) yooooooou. (slow clapping from clients) Thank you. (Elvis impression) Thank you very much. (a few people get up to leave)

 

 

Scene 9: Ross’s Apartment

(Rachel walks in; the apartment is empty)

 

Rachel: Well, gee golly geez, doesn’t anyone come home for lunch? (the clock reads 3:27) Well, let’s see, Ross.  What so special about Ross?

 

(flashback in Rachel’s memory)

 

Ross: Well, hello, Mrs. Ross. (throws rice)

 

Rachel: Well, hello, Mr. Rachel. (throws rice)

 

(return from flashback)

 

Rachel: Oh, well, duh.  Better start making supper. (walks into the bedroom) Whoops, wrong room.  Now, where’s that spatula?

 

 

Scene 10: Monica’s Restaurant, back room

(Monica getting a massage from Phoebe)

 

Monica: Okay, that was fun.  So, it went okay, didn’t it?

 

Phoebe: (lying) Oh yeah, wonderful.  Made a lot of money.

 

Monica: I didn’t charge anything.

 

Phoebe: Oh, sorry, I was talking about me and Joey.

 

Monica: Uh.

 

Phoebe: Hey, that means it was a success.

 

Monica: Then why was the only person left after four o’clock that deaf guy?  I’m telling you, I don’t know what you see in Joey’s voice.

 

Phoebe: It was a bad day, okay?

 

Monica: He sang “The Real Slim Shady” to that group of mothers with small children, “California Girls” to that old lady, and “The Animal Song” to that little toddler.  He joined that drunk guy into the women’s restroom because it said, “Ladies.”  I had to call the police to tell them that there was NOT a man dying in my restaurant from gunshot wounds, but there would be soon!  It was only a friend of mine who’s an actor.  And how the heck did thirteen broccoli rolls get caught in the chandelier? 

 

Phoebe: Thirteen?  Hey, I made at least sixteen three-pointers! (the entrance bell is heard) Ooh, I’ll go check on that for you.

 

Monica: Yeah, I might not make the right impression. (she is sans clothing)

 

Phoebe: (behind door) Oh, okay, I’ll go get her for you.  No, wait right here! (she opens the door as Monica gets up from the bed; a flash is seen)

 

Monica: (screams) Phoebe!!!

 

Phoebe: Oh!  I’m sorry.  You!  Get out!  Get out!  You and your stupid camera!

 

Monica: (covering herself with the towel) Who was that?!

 

Phoebe: Some guys from the newspaper.  He wanted to get your picture.

 

Monica: Well, he sure did!  Why’d you let him in here?

 

Phoebe: I didn’t.  He followed me.

 

Monica: Oh, boy.  This’ll make a good front page story.  “Nudist restaurant owner holds banquet.”

 

Phoebe: Maybe, but won’t he need to film to print the picture?

 

Monica: (hugs her) I love you, Phoebe! (pause) Wait, how did you get it?

 

Phoebe: Out of his pocket.

 

Monica: What about the film in the camera?

 

Phoebe: In the camera?  You don’t put film in the camera.  It’s transferred automatically to the film capsule.  Don’t you know anything about photography?

 

Monica: What?!  Phoebe, what are you talking about?

 

Phoebe: Okay, listen my grandma taught me this… (pause and face of realization) Oh, that explains why all her picture frames had the models in them.  Well, sorry.  I tried. (Monica groans; Joey walks in)

 

Joey: Hey, Mon. (sees her) Whoa.  How you doin’?

 

Monica: Joey!  Out!  Now!

 

Joey: (to Phoebe) So, is this about the photographer? (Phoebe nods) Okay, bye. (pops his head back in)

 

(A/N: I’ve had some question about how Joey knew about the photographer.  Why shouldn’t he have?  He was in the main dining room.  He’s not entirely stupid.  Monica was in the back room getting a massage.  A photographer came in.  A flash was scene.  Monica screams.  What else could have happened?  Did I say Joey wasn’t able to see any of it?  No.  He saw it.  Case closed.)

 

Monica: Joey!

 

Joey: So, this is a bad time to tell you about the fire in the kitchen. (Monica screams)

 

 

Scene 11: Ross’s Apartment

(Ross enters)

 

Ross: (sees the table candlelit) Hello?

 

Rachel: (walks in) Hey, Ross, Honey. (walks over and kisses him briefly on the mouth) How was your day?

 

Ross: Pretty good.  Rach, what’s this about? (smiles confused but hopefully)

 

Rachel: Well, you know, I didn’t have to work today, so I thought I’d make my husband dinner.

 

Ross: Husband? (pauses) Rachel, I promise you.  I got the divorce.

 

Rachel: (heartbroken) But… but why? (almost crying)

 

Ross: Whoa, whoa, whoa.  You… didn’t want me to get the divorce?  Okay, now I’m really confused.  Rach, are you okay?

 

Rachel: Yeah, why?

 

Ross: (now noticing her attire) Well, for one thing, you’re wearing the T-shirt that you sleep in, jogging pants, a diamond necklace, and red high heels.  Oh, and is that a purple bow back there?

 

Rachel: (smiles) Yeah. (spins) Isn’t it so pretty?

 

Ross: Hey, Rachel, you had a sinus thing, right?

 

Rachel: Uh-huh. (smiles and giggles a bit)

 

Ross: And you took decongestants, right?

 

Rachel: Yep! (giggles)

 

Ross: (smiles) Oh, okay… (acting) Sweetie, I was just kidding about the divorce.  Why don’t we have dinner?  What do we have here? (looks at the table) Candlelit, nice touch. (the table is lit by emergency candles) Oh, eggs, sunny side up… ice cream… with peanut butter on top. (Rachel smiles widely) and… charcoal.

 

Rachel: (giggles) No, silly, that’s broccoli.  You wouldn’t believe how long I had to leave them in the oven before they were done.

 

Ross: Well, (seats Rachel) I guess we should start. (seats himself) To good health and medical advances. (lifts a wine glass of chocolate milk, tips glasses with Rachel, and takes a sip; then makes a face) Whoo, that chocolate milk sure is sweet.

 

Rachel: I know.  I had to put like five spoonfuls of sugar in it.

 

Ross: Did you really?

 

(time lapse)

 

Ross: Well, the eggs were quite good.  The ice cream was pretty good, too.  The brocolli is… (throws a piece in the air, looks like he’s going to catch it in his mouth, but purposefully misses, pretends like he caught it, and fake chews) scrumptious.

Rachel: I know. (like Ross, throws a piece of broccoli in the air, but it misses her mouth and she falls backwards in her chair)

 

Ross: (gets up) Rachel, you okay?

 

Rachel: Yeah, but I think it’s time for dessert. (giggles)

 

Ross: So, what did you make?

 

Rachel: Let’s go into our room and I’ll show you.

 

Ross: (gets the message) Oh, (smiles happily) but (his face changes to conscience-minded) but I can’t do that.

 

Rachel: C’mon. (walks swaying into Ross’s bedroom)

 

Ross: (moves his hands like a balancing scale) Rachel Green… honesty… Rachel Green… dignity… Rachel Green! (rushes into the bedroom, but stops short, seeing Rachel sleeping peacefully on the bed; he smiles and put a quilt over her, and kisses her on the forehead) Good night, Rachel. (she smiles in her sleep)

 

(A/N: Awwwwwww…)

 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

 

(ENDING CREDITS)

 

Scene 12: Outside Phoebe’s Apartment

(Phoebe, Chandler, and Joey walking to Phoebe’s apartment)

 

Chandler: So then I tell Rick that the boss liked the site I was at and then I suggested he send the e-mail to him.  So he does… with four other sites he often visits.

 

Phoebe: Whoo-hoo.  Score one for the Chan-man!

 

Chandler: Thank you, thank you.  I’ll like to thank all the little people who helped me through it all.  By little people, I mean the brain cells in my head that are so incredibly clever, of course. (pause) So, how’d working with Monica go today?

 

Joey: Uh…

 

Chandler: Say no more.  I live with her now.

 

Joey: Well, I mean, have you ever been paid NOT to sing.

 

Phoebe: I have.  Quite often, in fact.  It’s kind of funny.

 

Chandler: (quietly to Joey) And you survived a road trip with her?

 

Joey: I slept half the time.  She slept the other half.  The whole frienaissance thing didn’t work out till the end.

 

Chandler: (to himself) Identical hand twins… frienaissance…  Talk about two of a kind.

 

Phoebe: Here we are. (opens door) You know, I hope Rachel starts to feel better.  Monica said she didn’t answer the phone when she called her at her apartment.

 

Joey: Ah, she probably went around and did stuff…

 

Phoebe: Ahhhh!

 

Chandler: What? Oh…

 

Joey: Huh?  Phoebe, what’d you do?  Make some mass order?

 

(the room is filled with several large cardboard boxes, which Phoebe read the labels for)

 

Phoebe: “Vegetarian Cuisine.  Contains 150 pre-wrapped meals, all completely meat-free.” (reading another large cardboard box) “Aroma Essences… Bulk Pack 30012: Vanilla Bean, Lemon, Wildflower, and other scented candles.”  “Incense Sense… Variety Pack…” My gosh, where’d all this stuff come from?

 

Chandler: Oh, oh, look at this.  The receipt was signed by a “Miss Phooby Beefay.  And it looks like Rachel’s handwriting.  Two words for you: Decon Gestants. (phone rings; Chandler picks it up; and moves it away from his ear, and holds it at arms length) Well, hi, Honey.  Rachel?  She did what?… Oh, no…  Not to the living room… (cringes with Joey and Phoebe) Chick and Duck?…  Uh… (laughs) Oh, she ordered Phoebe some stuff… Yeah, enough to last her for the next… eleven millennia… She’s where?  Ross’s?  Okay… (hangs up)

 

Joey: Decongestants?

Chandler: Decongestants.

 

Phoebe: Man, I got to try some… (Joey smiles with agreement; Chandler holds his face in his hand)

 

(END)

 

 

A/N: Whew!  That was fun.  I really tried for a TV show-like story.  You know, with the multiple plots and stuff.  How’d I do?  Actually, don’t tell me.  I’ve got another one in the works.  It’s going to be like this one.  Stayed tuned for future fics.  So, tell me, what do you think of the eighth season?  I’ve only seen the first episode.  This one seems to be a good one.  Ross has to be the father, right?  I mean, I’m watching the Season 1 episodes on TBS, and the Ross and Rachel thing has been foreshadowed since Day 1.  They have to end up together.  It’s like writing a book.  You can’t just foreshadow something the entire book, then just opt for a dull conclusion.  It has to all tie in.  Anyway, I’ll stop typing now.  Bye-bye.

 

*_* - Decongestants.  Whee!

 

 

©2001.  Created Thursday, December 27, 2001.

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