(Disclaimer: None of the dialogue in the following transcript belongs to me, nor do the characters or plots. The following is transcribed by Jen @ The OC Transcripts. If there are any mistakes, please contact me. Happy reading!)

The O.C.

"The Model Home"

Written By: Josh Schwartz

Directed By: Doug Liman

Cast List

Ryan Atwood
Benjamin McKenzie

Seth Cohen
Adam Brody

Marissa Cooper
Mischa Barton

Sandy Cohen
Peter Gallagher

Kirsten Cohen
Kelly Rowan

Luke Ward
Chris Carmack

Jimmy Cooper
Tate Donovan

Julie Cooper
Melinda Clarke

Summer Roberts
Rachel Bison

Holly
Ashley Hartman

Kaitlin Cooper
Shailene Woodley

Teaser

(first 30 seconds aren't available currently, but will be up as soon as possible)

INT.- COHEN'S KITCHEN - NIGHT

Kirsten is finishing making dinner when Ryan comes into view. She is awkward around him.

KIRSTEN
How was your swim?

She opens the refrigerator.

RYAN
It was great.

Ryan looks at a model of a mansion that is on the kitchen counter.

RYAN (CONT'D)
(re: model)
What's that?

KIRSTEN
It's a model home. I build them.

Well, the real ones.

Not that one.

RYAN
Can you build me one?
(off Kirsten's look)
Sorry. Bad joke.

They both enter the dining room awkwardly and sit down, joining Seth and Sandy.

SANDY
So, last supper, huh?
(off Kirsten's look)
Sorry. Bad joke.

KIRSTEN
It's just a laugh riot around here.

RYAN
This all looks really good.

SETH
Yeah, it's too bad you're leaving.

We never eat like this.

KIRSTEN
That's not true. I cook all the time.

SETH
Dad??

SANDY
I'm sorry honey?

They all try to hide their laughter except Kirsten, who is not so amused.

KIRSTEN
Let's just eat.

SANDY
And we're not saying that we want you to cook more--

SETH
Oh, hell no, you remember that meatloaf incident of '98?

KIRSTEN
That was brisket.

Ryan is just watching them interact.

SETH
Yeah, that's my point exactly.

INT. KITCHEN - AFTER DINNER

Ryan is flipping through some documents with Sandy. Seth and Kirsten are in the b.g.

SANDY
As your attorney I'll cosign these forms. They basically say that you don't have a legal parent or guardian available.

RYAN
I am now property of the government.

Nickname 0382965.

SETH
Hey, better than Death-Breath-Seth.
(off their looks)
Or so I would imagine.

SANDY
So we'll meet with your social worker in the morning and the--and she'll be the one to, uh to take you to the--to the group home. My contact at child services got you in with only two other kids, which is good. It can get crowded.

RYAN
(unsure)
Thanks. I appreciate it.

SANDY
And you know, they do find foster home for kids your age.

SETH
Yeah, because everyone wants a brand new teenager.

Everyone turns to Seth.

SETH (CONT'D)
I'm sorry if I'm the only one here that will state the obvious-

KIRSTEN
Seth-

SETH
--But we have all this extra room, right? We have a pool house. Yet you guys are going to ship him off to a group home. Am I the only one who gets how much that sucks?

RYAN
It's okay. Really. It's pretty much as awkward as conversations go, but Ryan signs the forms.

RYAN (CONT'D)
(re: model home)
Good luck with it. It looks perfect.

Goodnight.

Kirsten looks guiltier than ever.

SANDY
Goodnight.

Ryan exits towards the pool house.

OPENING CREDITS

ACT ONE

EXT. POOL HOUSE - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

INT. POOL HOUSE - NIGHT

Ryan can't sleep. He gets up and puts on his jeans.

INT./EXT. - POOL HOUSE

Ryan is leaving with his backpack when Seth appears.

SETH
Hey, got a little Playstation, perhaps-uh, are you running away?

RYAN
Go back in the house Seth.

SETH
Hey, hey hey hey. You can't just runaway. What are you thinking? What about child services or, or my dad?
(off Ryan's look)
Okay now wait, hey. I want to come with you. You know what I've always wanted to do besides sail to Tahiti? I want to do that whole kerouak thing. Hit the road. Stop diner to diner, the pancake tour of North America.

Seth nods his head, hoping for approval.

RYAN
No.

SETH
Fair enough. Where you going?

RYAN
I don't know. New town, get a job somewhere. Save some money.

SETH
(sarcastically)
That's a great plan. Sounds like you've given it a lot of thought.

RYAN
Got a better idea?

SETH
(realizing)
Actually, I do.

INT. SETH'S ROOM - NIGHT

Seth is dressed all in black and is putting items into a knapsack clumsily.

EXT. SETH'S ROOM - NIGHT

Sandy knocks on Seth's door.

SANDY
Seth?

INT. SETH'S ROOM - NIGHT

Seth quickly gets under the covers of his bed, covering his clothes and knapsack. As Sandy knocks again, Seth flips off the lights. Sandy enters.

SANDY
Hey, can I talk to you?

SETH
(groggily)
Dad? What is it morning?

SANDY
(surprised)
You were asleep?

SETH
Yeah, I was. What's going on?

SANDY
Well, uh, I wanted to talk about

Ryan.

SETH
Yeah, I know. It's cool. We don't need to discuss it.

SANDY
Well, I think we, we do. I know you're upset. Your mother and I are upset. But our responsibility is to-is to our family.

SETH
Yeah, it's okay. No, I get it. I mean, this is a person's life we're talking about and we need to leave it in the hands of the authorities.

SANDY
(annoyed)
There's no need for sarcasm.

SETH
I'm not being sarcastic.

SANDY
(contrite)
It's hard to tell sometimes.

SETH
Dad, it's okay, really?

SANDY
When you want to talk about it?

SETH
(hurriedly)
Yeah, I know. You're the one to talk to.

Seth puts his head back under the covers.

SETH (CONT'D)
Got it. 'Night.

SANDY
Goodnight.

SETH
Goodnight.

As soon as Sandy leaves, Seth clumsily rolls out of his bed and continues packing.

EXT. COHEN'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - NIGHT

Ryan is waiting by the road for Seth.

RYAN
(whispering)
Come on Seth?

Marissa walks down her driveway to her car. She's on a cell phone.

MARISSA
Okay I got it. I'll be there in like 20 minutes.

She hangs up and sees Ryan.

RYAN
Hey.

MARISSA
Hey. I didn't think I'd see you again.
(beat)
Look, I wanted to say thanks. For the other night.

RYAN
You always drink like that?

MARISSA
(changing subject)
I thought you left.

RYAN
Did. I am.

Seth comes running down the driveway to Ryan.

SETH
(whispering)
Ryan, we're all set dude.

He sees Marissa standing there holding a present.

SETH (CONT'D)
(louder)
Hi there Marissa.

MARISSA
What are you doing?

SETH
Nothing, we're just hanging out.
(re: present)
Oh look, it's somebody's birthday.

I guess my invitation probably got

Lost in the mail.

MARISSA
It's my friend Summer's birthday.

SETH
(too quickly)
Summer's birthday's not 'till Wednesday.
(off her look)
It's what I heard. I don't know.

I-it was a guess.

MARISSA
You guys are up to something.

SETH
(to Ryan)
Dude, what'd you tell her?

RYAN
I didn't tell her anything.

Maybe your black turtleneck in

August tipped her off.

SETH
Okay, I was going for stealth, and also, it's slimming. We should really go.
(to Marissa)
Have fun at your party.

RYAN
(to Marissa)
You should probably be off. The

Newport social scene awaits.

MARISSA
Oh, yeah?

INT./EXT. MARRISA'S CAR - NIGHT

Marissa is driving Ryan and Seth to their destination. Ryan is riding shotgun while Seth is in the back.

MARISSA
Why won't you tell me where you're going? This is pretty far away.

SETH
Oh, wow, complaining. That's very interesting considering nobody invited you.

MARISSA
Before I came you were on a skateboard.

Seth takes this as a huge insult.

SETH
Oh! Oh!

Ryan and Marissa look at each other. Marissa smiles. The radio is playing in the b.g.

MARISSA
(re: music)
You like them?

RYAN
Yeah, I guess.

MARISSA
Well, what do you like?

RYAN
Everything. I-I don't know. I

don't really listen to music.

SETH
Dude, that's kind of weird.

RYAN
(to Marissa)
Why? What do you like?

MARISSA
Uh, right now? Punk.

SETH
I'm sorry, uh, Avril Lavigne doesn't count as punk.

MARISSA
Oh yeah? Well what about The

Cramps? Stiff Little Fingers? The

Clash? Sex Pistols?

SETH
I listen to the same music as

Marissa Cooper? I think I have to kill myself.

RYAN
(to Marissa)
You listen to punk, huh?

MARISSA
(matter-of-factly)
I'm angry.

SETH
(re: destination)
That's it right there.

They pull into the live version of the model home we saw earlier.

MARISSA
It looks scary.

SETH
Well then you can stay in the

Car.

INT. MODEL HOME - NIGHT

The gang enters with flashlights. The place is huge and empty.

SETH
You recognize the place, Ryan?

RYAN
(realizing)
This isn't?

MARISSA
Where are we?

SETH
Well, it's one of my mom's housing developments. Her and my grandfather and a bunch of them.

This is supposed to be the model home. But it never got finished.

MARISSA
Why, did someone die here and now it's haunted?

SETH
(sarcastically)
Yes that's exactly what happened.

RYAN
What did happen?

SETH
I don't know.

KIRSTEN (O.S.)
How do contractors just disappear?

CUT TO:

INT. COHEN'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Kirsten is talking on the phone.

KIRSTEN (CONT'D)
If we don't have a model home, we don't have a new development.
(beat)
It's been a month. I'm not waiting for you guys anymore.
(beat)
You know where to reach me.

Kirsten hangs up as Sandy enters. The phone call has made her annoyed.

SANDY
No luck with the contractors?

KIRSTEN
Vanished. My father's never going to let me hear the end of this. Did you-- Did you talk to Seth.

SANDY
I think so. Don't blame yourself.

KIRSTEN
I'm not blaming myself, but how can I allow a strange boy to live in this house? Seth needs to know it's what any mother would do.

SANDY
I was talking about the contractors.

Kirsten smiles.

INT. MODEL HOME - NIGHT

The trio are still looking around the model home.

MARISSA
So you want him to stay here?

SETH
Well, I mean, I know the place needs some sprucing up but-- God, did I just say 'sprucing'? So, Ryan, what do you think?

RYAN
I haven't really had time to think.

SETH
Well, how much better is this place than some group home. Hang on, and wait until you see the best part.

Seth open two doors to where an empty pool is and makes a noise that sounds like something from the 'Survivor' theme song.

RYAN
(not so amazed)
It's an empty pool

SETH
To some people.

EXT. MODEL HOME - POOLSIDE - NIGHT

Seth is on his skateboard in the empty pool, using it as a half pipe. Ryan and Marissa are talking by the pool, eating popcorn. Or something that looks like popcorn.

MARISSA
So your mom, I mean, she has to come back, right?

RYAN
I don't know. My mom's kind of a trainwreck.

MARISSA
So's mine.

MARISSA
Well, I mean, what about your dad? Can you call him?

RYAN
Dad's in jail. Armed robbery. Impressive, huh?

Marissa looks shocked by his family situation.

MARISSA
My dad is like a financial planner, and I

think he's in trouble.

RYAN
I don't have any stock tips.

MARISSA
He stopped going to the office and these guys keep showing up at the door but he won't answer.
(beat)
Look, I haven't told anybody that--

RYAN
I can keep a secret.

They have a moment, but...Marissa's cell phone rings. She answers it.

MARISSA
(on phone)
Hey!

INT. SUMMER'S PARTY - NIGHT

Luke is on the other end of the phone.

LUKE
Where you at girl? It's time for you to get your buzz on. Nolan's so faded he can't even feel his feet.

NOLAN
(in the b.g.)
There goes the left leg!

LUKE
I miss you babe. You know it's not a party without you.

EXT. MODEL HOME - POOLSIDE - NIGHT

MARISSA
Aww, you're sweet.

LUKE (O.S.)
What's the deal? I mean you were supposed to be here an hour ago.

MARISSA
Okay, I'll be there soon.
(beat)
Say hi to everyone.

INT. SUMMER'S PARTY - NIGHT

LUKE
All right. Love you.

EXT. MODEL HOME - POOLSIDE - NIGHT

MARISSA
(awkwardly)
Love you too.

Ryan freezes for a moment having heard this.

MARISSA (CONT'D)
Bye.

She hangs up.

RYAN
So, how long you been with him?

MARISSA
Luke? Um, I don't know really.

SETH
I know. 5th grade, when you two got your mack on during our class trip to the Museum of Tolerance. Back of the bus.

Classy lady.

Marissa throws a piece of the-stuff-that-looks-like-popcorn at Seth.

MARISSA
You know what? What's your problem Cohen?

I mean, what did I ever do to you?

SETH
Nothing Marissa. I've lived nextdoor to you forever and you've never done or said anything to me.

MARISSA
Oh my god, you're the one who never talks to me. You think you're so much better than everyone.

SETH
I do?
(off her look)
Well, if you're talking about Luke, then yes, because that guy shaves his chest!

Ryan starts laughing.

MARISSA
(defensively)
He plays water polo.

SETH
We know, half the team tried to kill us the other night.

RYAN
(off Marissa's look)
I'm not too popular around here. And your boyfriend? A little bit angry.

MARISSA
And you're telling me you didn't try to hit him back?

RYAN
Actually, I hit him first.

MARISSA
Wow, hard to believe you're not more popular.

They smile. This is all said in good humor.

INT. MODEL HOME - UPSTAIRS - NIGHT

Ryan, Seth, and Marissa are exploring the house.

SETH
I thought this could be your room.

RYAN
I still don't know if it's a good idea for me to sleep around or not.

MARISSA
You should stay.

They share yet another smile and heated eye contact.

RYAN
Okay. For a little while.

SETH
So when she says it you listen?

Marissa's cell rings again... She answers.

MARISSA
(on phone)
Hey Summer!

SETH
(whispering)
Hey, hey hey that's Summer?

Marissa nods.

SETH (CONT'D)
Tell her I said Happy Birthday.

Marissa mouths 'okay'.

INT. SUMMER'S PARTY - NIGHT

SUMMER
Coop, where are you? I'm coming to get you.

INT. MODEL HOME - UPSTAIRS - NIGHT

MARISSA
(on phone)
Oh, no no no don't. I'm coming.

SETH
(whispering- insistant)
Tell her I said Happy Birthday!

MARISSA
(on phone)
Seth Cohen says Happy Birthday.

INT. SUMMER'S PARTY - NIGHT

SUMMER
Who?

INT. MODEL HOME - UPSTAIRS - NIGHT

MARISSA
(to Seth)
She says thanks.

Seth gets overly excited and looks to Ryan who tries to share his enthusiasm.

MARISSA (CONT'D)
(on phone)
Uh, look, I gotta go.

INT. SUMMER'S PARTY - NIGHT

MARISSA (O.S.)
Bye.

Summer looks annoyed and hangs up.

INT. MODEL HOME - UPSTAIRS - NIGHT

Marissa hangs up.

MARISSA
I gotta go meet my friends
(beat)
My other friends.

SETH
I should go with you and protect me cover, but wait... You have to promise not to tell anyone about this place, okay? Now

Ryan's not going to obviously, and I could get grounded. So that leaves... Marissa!

She looks at Ryan

MARISSA
I can keep a secret.

SETH
(to Ryan)
Okay, see you tomorrow.

MARISSA
Me too! We'll fix this place up!

RYAN
Cool.

SETH
Told you Ryan. This plan is fullproof.

END OF ACT ONE