Being Famous Part 5: Secrets and Confessions
How the last part ended:
Phoebe: Ross used to take drugs. Everybody knew that, it was written in every paper and there where also pictures of him. He looked awful during this time.
Rachel: (in disbelieve, quietly) What?
Phoebe: heroin, cocain, speed, marjuana.... he took everything.
Rachel: (shocked) Whaa...I didn't...I..
Phoebe: That was a few years ago. After several break downs because of the drugs, his parents sent him to this clinic where he got clean. TV and papers were full of stories about that. He even was in coma once and doctors feared that he wouldn't make it. He did and became clear.
Rachel: Oh my god... I had no idea.
Phoebe: Rach, it was a few years ago. I bet he didn't touch anything drug like since he's been out of that clinic.
Rachel: (very worried)Why would he do that? I mean start taking drugs?
Here starts the new part:
Phoebe: I don't know.
Rachel: Maybe because of pressure?
Phoebe: I really don't know. Could be, though...
Rachel: Why doesn't he tell me such things?
Phoebe: Rach, you're together for 6 weeks now. Your still in the "get to know each other" phase. And if Ross wants to tell you about his past he will! Don't force him to tell you everything!
Rachel: You're right. But don't you think it would be better for us if he tells me such things?
Phoebe: What things? That he used to take drugs?...Look Rach, it's in the past. I guess he wants to forget about that.
Rachel: Yeah...(thinks) God why am I like this? Huh? Why do I always have to know everything and why do I always get worried about the stupiest things?
Phoebe: I guess you just care about him very much.
Rachel: (smiles) Yeah I do...and I miss him.
Scene fades out
Afternoon. Rachel waits in front of a shopping center as we see Monica coming up.
Monica: Hey Rachel!
Rachel: Hi Monica!
Monica: Let's go shopping! (they both smile and enter the shopping center)
Time lapses. They both sit in a restaurant with full bags around them.
Rachel: Monica, can I ask you something? It's something that really bothers me.
Monica: Sure, shoot!
Rachel: Why did Ross start taking drugs?
Monica: (surprised and shocked at the same time) Who told you that?
Rachel: It was in the paper today. It said that I left him because of his former drug problems.
Monica: Well....he did take drugs but I can't tell you more because he has to do that himself. Whenever he's ready he will tell you.
Rachel: Okay. Sorry that I ask such personal things. It's just that I'm really worried about him.
Monica: You don't have to be. I haven't seen him this happy since years and it's all because of you.
Rachel: (blushes a bit) Really?
Monica: Believe me. He always hated to be alonee. That's why he had all these short-time girlfriends. They didn't mean anything to him....he was a jerk! But with you, it's different. I guess the only fear he has now is losing you.
Rachel: He won't lose me.
Monica: I'm happy for you guys! But now, ready for some more clothes?
Rachel: (excited) Hell yeah!!
Scene fades out
Two days later. It's 9pm and Rachel just had a shower and is now walking around in her bathrobe. She picks up the phone and dials.
Ross: (tired) Yeah?
Rachel: Hi sweetie! How are you?
Ross: Oh hi...stressed I guess. Why are you calling?
Rachel: ( a bit hurt) Because I missed you and wanted to hear your voice?
Ross: Okay...(not really enthusiastic).
Rachel: Why didn't you call me yesterday?
Ross: Oh, huh...I forgot. Sorry.
Rachel: (again a bit hurt) Oh....-silence-
Ross: Listen, I got to go. I have so much to do.
Rachel: What? It's 9 pm!
Ross: Yeah, so?
Rachel: You're still working?
Ross: (uneasy) Uhu....okay then, see ya, bye (hangs up)
Rachel: (disappointed) bye..
Scene fades out
Two weeks later at work.
Rachel:...he acted all weird for the past two weeks! I don't know what it is but something happend. He doesn't want to tell me and he doesn't want to talk much either.
Phoebe: That's weird.
Rachel: That's what I say! I'm telling you, there's something wrong!
Phoebe: He's back tomorrow, right?
Rachel: (nods) yeah..
Phoebe: Then ask him tomorrow when he's with you. Maybe he had a hard time at work.
Rachel: Yeah but why can't he tell me that? I don't know anything!
Later that day, Rachel drives (in Ross's car) to his house. She pulls into his drive way and gets out of the car. Then she walks to the front door and opens it with the key Ross gave to her. When she enters the house, the phone starts ringing. Rachel ignores it and waits till the machine gets it.
Voice: Ross? It's Carol. -pause- Please pick up the phone if you're there, it's important. (Rachel walks into the kitchen, listening to the message with one ear) (cold) Okay listen, I allow you to visit your son. It has to be in the next two weeks because in three weeks Susan, Ben and I are moving to London. Call me. Bye.
Rachel comes out of the kitchen totally shocked by what she just heard. She slowly sinks down onto the couch and stays so for a few minutes. Then the phone rings again and the machine gets it again.
Ross: Rach? You here? You weren't at yours and your cellphone's off so I thought you're here. Uhm, could you come and pick me up at the airport tomorrow? My plane lands around 3 pm. Thanks. Love you. Bye.
After a few minutes without moving, Rachel gets up and picks up the phone. She looks at the machine and starts dialing.....
Rachel: ...hello?
Scene fades out
The next day at the airport. Rachel waits in the arriving hall reading a magazine. Another fun story about Ross filled the sites. It said that Ross has been fired at the set of his new movie. It didn't bother her anymore. She just laughed out loud but is interrupet by girls who scream and cry. She looks up and sees Ross coming out of the corridor, wearing a cap and sunglasses. The girls recognized him, though and soon after he was surroundet by a bunch of fans. He didn't even saw Rachel who was looking at him a bit annoyed. Ross is writing tons of autographs and makes pictures with the fans when Rachel suddenly starts calling out his name. Ross doesn't react and so she almost yells his name with an angry ton in her voice.
Rachel: "Ross!!"
Ross looks around by the familiar voice he heard and finally sees Rachel. She smiles weakly while he waves and smiles back but then continues signing magazines, pictures and cards of him. Rachel sighs in frustration and sits down on a bench and waits for him rather unpatiently.
40 minutes later in the car. Rachel's driving and Ross is on the passengers seat.
Ross: You shouldn't have been so cruel to them.
Rachel: (still angry) Oh please! You were there for almost an hour and they still wouldn't let go of you! Some of them even gave me dirty looks!
Ross: Yeah but they're my fans!
Rachel: (annoyed) I'm sorry Mister Being Famous!
Ross: What is wrong with you?
Rachel: What is wrong with YOU??
Ross: (confused) Are you playing a game with me or what? Cuz I don't get it!
Rachel: I try to find out the reason for you being so strange for the past two weeks. (Ross gets a worried look) Did something happend? You forgot to call me, barely spoke with me, were stressed and annoyed most of the time. What is the matter with you?
Ross: (quiet) It's nothing (looks out of the window)
Rachel: (disappointed) Yeah right.
There's and uncomfortable long pause in which neither of them speaks. The tension fills the car.
Ross: (looks sweetly and apological at her) Rach, I'm sorry. I missed you.
Rachel: (smiles weakly) Well I missed you, too. (her face gets serious again)
At home, Ross enters his house with Rachel following.
Ross: Should I order us a pizza?
Rachel: Okay.
Ross gets his cellphone and orders a pizza. During that Rachel stares at him with her arms crossed.
Ross: (smiling) What? - long pause while both look into each others eyes. Ross is about to lean in and kiss her when...
Rachel: Who's Carol?
Ross backs away surprised.
Ross: (worried) Who?
Rachel: You know exactly of who I'm talking about.
Ross: I don't know a Carol.
Rachel: And I guess you don't know a Ben either.
Ross's eyes wide and his mouth drops.
Ross: (even more worried now) What happend?
Rachel: Why don't you tell me what happend?
Ross: (concerned) Rach please, is something wrong with Ben?
Rachel: Who's Ben?
Ross: (swallows hard) My son?
Rachel: Okay then you can tell me what's wrong!
Ross: (angry and sad) I can't tell you, okay!!!! (sad voice) I....I was never able to see him!
Rachel: (softly) Why?
Ross: Rach, tell me now what happend!
Rachel: Carol called.
Ross: Carol? Why?
Rachel: She said that she allows you to see Ben before they move to London.
Ross is shocked and his eyes slowly fill with tears. Rachel looks at him and suddenly feels sorry for him. She had never seen him so emotional before. This woman must have hurt him hard.
Rachel: (softly) Why didn't you tell me about Carol and Ben?
Ross: (angry, almost yelling ) Because! There's nothing to tell, okay!!! They don't exist!!....they....they just don't exist anymore...
Rachel: Ross! He's your son!
Ross: (yelling again) Which I haven't seen one single time in my life!! (tears start to roll down his cheeks and his voice gets softer, he eventually starts telling everything while Rachel just listens) We were married for ten years! Ten years full of joy, love and happiness. And then one day, she came to me and asked for a divore! Out of nowhere. I was so shocked...I didn't even know that she was unhappy! And then it turned out that she had left me for another woman. My wife was a lesbian! After the divorce I realized that I won't never ever be able to love a woman as much as I loved her. (almost whispering now, tears streaming down his face) She broke my heart. I wanted to disappear but I couldn't. I tried the hardest that the stupid reporters won't find out how miserable I was....I don't even wanted them to know the cause of the divorce. 2 months after the divorce I started to get better...but then....(he swallows hard and takes several deep breaths. Rachel sees how hard this is for him so she decides to just be quiet and let him talk)...this stupid tabloids found out. It was in every paper that I married a lesbian....and they made fun of me. I couln't handle it and...(he stops and hesitates. He didn't wanted to tell her that so he leaves this part out...for now) 3 months after the divorce I got a letter from Carol. There was a sonogram picture in it and "this is your son" was written on it. No address, no phone number...I haven't heard from her since then and neither of my son...(he wipes away the tears and tries to smile weakly as if he wants to show that he's okay) Rachel softly takes his hand into hers and rubs it gently.
Rachel: Ross...I don't know what to say...After she called here I called her back but she refused to talk to me. She just said tht...(looks deeply into his eyes) that Ben keeps asking after his Daddy and she wants you to see him...since you're clean now...
Ross looks at Rachel and then down.
Rachel: Was the divorce the reason? The reason that you started taking drugs?
He looks up surprised and worried.
Ross: What? (Rachel keeps looking at him) How do you know?
Rachel: (quietly and softly) not important.
Ross starts pacing around and seems like he's looking for words to explain this.
Ross: (finally) Whe this tabloids made fun of me...I wanted to run away and forget...But then, I ....you know, when I drank I didn't care about that stuff so I started drinking. And there was this guy with whom I was working at that time...he had these great pills. I kept taking them and then started to take other stuff...It was helll...I felt like I couldn't have enough of this stuff and so I started taking harder stuff. I was a wreck. It was in the papers, of course and Carol got wind of it. She called Monica and told her that she doesn't want to have anything to do with me again, ever. (one single tear dropped down Ross's cheek as he smiles weakly and goes on) Half a year later Carol called Mon again to say that I have a perfectly healthy son called Ben.
Rachel counln't take it any longer. Seeing Ross so completly lost and helpless made her cry herself. She goes to him and pulls him into a warm, tight hug. He was crying. Crying because of the past and because of all the mistakes he made. They're hugging for a long time until the buzzer of the door goes off. Rachel breaks the hug to go after the door. It was the pizza delivery handing her their dinner.
Ross and Rachel enter the kitchen with the pizza and sit down at the table and start eating. She studied Ross who'se eyes were still red and puffy from crying. Now she loved him even more..
Rachel: I'm glad you told me. I know it must have been very hard for you....
Ross: Are you coming with me?
Rachel: Where?
Ross: Visiting Ben?
Rachel: (smiling happily) Of course...I'd love to.
Ross smiles back and then gets a serious look.
Ross: I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's just...I'm not very proud of what happend there. And I'm so lucky to have you! I love you. Even more than I loved Carol, if it's possible. You're the first woman after her, which I truly love. And Carol way 5 years ago!
Rachel: (touched and amazed by his words) I love you, too. No matter what.
Ross: Thanks (smiles)
Rachel: Are you okay with Ben and him moving away?
Ross: I guess. Well, I have to. There's nothing I can do.
Rachel: I'm so sorry.
Ross: Me, too...
Rachel: Ross, I really hope that from now on you talk with me about your problems, worries...or even when something bothers you! I want to know that so I can try and help you..
Ross: I will.
Rachel: then tell me why you acted so weird for the past two weeks?
Ross: (quietly) Because they fired me.
Rachel: (shocked, remembers the mag) What? Why?
Ross: Well...Me and Mike, the co-star had a few beers before filming started and when it finally started, we were completly drunk.
Rachel: Ross!
Ross: It's okay! I didn't like this movie anyway! And also I'm now all yours for the next three weeks.
Rachel: What's in three weeks?
Ross: Taping for the new season of our comedy starts.
Rachel: So three weeks...just us! (smiles sexily)
Ross: Uhm! And then we both move to LA!
Rachel: Oh, about that! Listen, I'll come after you a month later, okay?! Johanna, my boss, nees me for another month and then I'll quit.
Ross: Okay, no problem, I guess.
Rachel: So what do we do tonight?
Ross: I have an idea..(smiles at her)
They both get up and leave for the bedroom.
Scene fades out
One week later, Ross's bedroom in the morning.
Rachel's in bed still sleeping. Ross comes in with breakfast, smiling happily.
Ross: Wake up, sleeping beauty!
Rachel stirs and then slowly opens her eyes.
Rachel: Awww, breakfast in bed! That's so sweet!
Ross: Oh, before I forget. Monica called and invited us for dinner. They have news for us.
Rachel: Monica already called? That early?
Ross: Sweetie, it's almost noon!
Rachel: Wow! It feels like I haven't slept more than 6 hours.
Ross: That's right! We were busy, remember?
Rachel: (jokingly) Really?
Ross: (sexily) Uhu!
Rachel: What did we do?
Ross: (smiles) Do I have to show you?
Rachel: Yuhu!!
Ross: What about breakfast? Coffee gets cold.
Rachel: (sexily) I love cold coffee and I love this.
He puts the tableau on a chair. Rachel then pulls him on top of her and wraps her arms around his neck. He leans in and kisses her passionately. While kissing they roll to the site so Rachel's on top of Ross. She starts licking his ear and kissing his neck, then she starts massaging his chest and also kisses it. She then grabs a pillow and throws it on him. They're both laughing now and start a pillow fight.
Scene fades out
Later the day. R&R are in the car on their way to C&M.
Rachel: Nervous?
Ross: (nods) uhu...but not because of the news but because of tomorrow.
Rachel: Yeah, I can't believe I'm gonna meet your son.
Ross: (smiles) Me neither. -pause- I'm a bit scared though.....what if he doesn't like me? What if I'm not the Daddy he hoped for...he maybe even pictured?
Rachel: Ross! He will love you! I'm sure you're going to be a great dad!
Ross: (a bit sad) Maybe....it doesn't matter though. I mean, they're moving to London.
Rachel: Don't think about that yet! It will only depress you. Tomorrow will be great and you should think of that.
Ross: You're right. And thanks for coming wiht me.
Rachel: Thank you for letting me...
Scene fades out
C&M's. They're having dinner all together.
Rachel: Monica, it's delicious!
Chandler: Well! My wife's just the best cook on earth!
Ross: That's true.
Monica: Stop that. You make me blush! (they all laugh)
Ross: So...what are the big news you wanted to tell us?
Chandler and Monica look at each other, then smile happily.
Chandler: We're going to have a baby!
Monica: (happy) I'm pregnant!
Rachel: Wow! Congratulations!
Ross: That's great! ah, I always knew how much you love kids and now you're going to have one! (He gets up and hugs her)
Rachel: How far are you?
Monica: 4 months!
Rachel: (surprised) Already?
Monica: Yeah, I'm already showing a bit.
Ross: Do you know the sex of the baby?
Chandler: We don't want to know.
Rachel: Aww, you guys are so lucky!
Ross gazes at Rachel who looks amazed and happily at Monica. Then he smiles and also looks at his little sister.
Scene fades out.
Next day. They're in front of Carols's house.
Ross: OH god Rachel...I feel sick.
Rachel: Honey, that's because your nervous. It's going to be okay! I'm with you and we're going through this together.
Ross: Yeah....okay,here we go.
He presses the buzzer and a few seconds later the door opens. A little cute boy is standing in the doorway and looks up at the two strangers.
Ben: Who are you?
Ross: (on the verge of tears) I'm....I'm Ross.
Rachel squeezes Ross's hand and smiles. He'll do great, she thought.
Rachel: Hi Ben. I'm Rachel.
Ben: Mom? Mr. Ross and Mrs. Rachel are here...(Ross and Rachel look at each other and laugh at how cute Ben is)
Carol appears in the doorway.
Carol: (politely) Hi Ross -pause- I guess you're Rachel, then? (Ross was amazed and just smiles)
Ross: Carol...it's been so long (she smiles at him weakly)
Carol: Please come in. It's ab it messy here but we're packing...
Ross: (sad) right.
Carol: So, did you already tell him who you are?
Ross: No..
Carol: Okay...let's do it then...Ben?
Ben comes running into the room, holding a teddy bear. Ross looks at the bear and then at Carol
Carol: (to Ross) Remember the teddy? (he nods) You gave it to me on our first wedding anniversary. I gave it to Ben on his first birthday as a present of his Daddy.
Ross: That's okay, I guess. (He's moved by all that what is going on and squeezes Rachels hand for support)
Carol: Okay Ben. You know how Mommy told yo that Daddy's away because he has to work? (Ben nods) Look. He's here today. (Ben's confused) Ross is your Daddy...
Ben: (to Ross) You are my Daddy?
Ross: Yeah. I'm your Daddy....
Ben: (hesitates first) Do you want to play with me?
Ross: (smiles) I'd love to! (He looks at Rachel who mouths "go" and smiles)
Time lapses
Rachel and Carol sit at the table and drink coffee while Ross and Ben play in the background.
Time lapses again and we see Rachel and Ross getting ready to leave. Ross kisses Carol goodbye and then kneels down to talk to Ben.
Ross: Ben...I'm sorry I wasn't there for you the last few years but I promise, that from now on we will see us from time to time, okay? (he nods) I love you. (he kisses the top of his head and gets up)
Rachel also kisses the top of Ben's head and then says goodbye. They both go through the door and Carol and Ben watch them walking towards their car.
Ben: Mommy, I don't want Daddy to leave!
Carol: Sweetie, he has to. Wave goodbye.
Ben though runs out of the house towards Ross who turns around. Ben runs up to him and then hugs his legs. Ross lifts him up and Ben hugs him tight.
Ben: (crying) Daddy. Don't go!
Ross: (teary eyed) I have to!
Ben: I love you, Daddy!
Rachel heard everything and is teary eyed, too.
Later in the car during the ride back home.
Ross: Wow...I never thought that I get the chance to meet my son and now that I have...It's so... I can't find the right words.
Rachel: He's so cute. Did you notice? He has your beautiful eyes and smile! He's the most adorable kid.
Ross: Yeah, he really is.
-pause-
Rachel: Ross?
Ross: Yeah?
Rachel: With all that what has been going on lately, Ben and Monica being pregnant...I .....I've been feeling that I want that, too!
Ross: What?
Rachel: I want a baby...I want your baby!....
To be continued...