BEN
Well you can't go on a date looking like that. You look like a mess.
PETER
What's wrong with plaid?
MAY
Wear something Gwen would like, not what you'd wear.
PETER
But I don't wear Gwen clothes.
BEN
Didn't you go to a concert with her just last week?
PETER
Yeah why?
Ben looks at Peter with a blank expression until he finally realizes.
PETER (cont'd)
OH. The shirts!
Peter quickly rushes back upstairs to find the band shirt.
Ben turns to May.
BEN
How did that boy ever ask anyone out?
Peter comes running back down the stairs with a new T-shirt underneath his plaid shirt.
PETER
Okay, I'll see you later!
Ben stands up.
BEN
Wait. I'll drop you off.
PETER
No, really, you don't need to.
BEN
Ah, come on, it's not like I'll be at the table, let's go.
Ben picks up his car keys and walks past Peter, to the door. Peter rolls his eyes and follows behind.
INT./EXT. JOE'S PIZZA - EVENING
Peter and Ben pull up outside the Pizza place. Ben puts his elbow on his seat and looks at Peter.
BEN
Listen, Pete, you treat her right, okay?
PETER
I will.
Peter goes to leave but Ben stops him.
BEN
I'll pick you two up in, shall we say, two hours.
PETER
You don't need to do that.
BEN
Peter, it's already late, I'm not letting you two walk home in the dark.
PETER
But we're basically adults.
BEN
The hell you are! You're sixteen! You're not walking home, I don't care how safe you think you will be.
PETER
Why can't we just catch a train like we did last time?
BEN
Because last time you came back at six, you're coming back at about nine now!
There's a silence.
BEN (cont'd)
Look, Peter, I know I'm not your dad, but-
PETER
Then stop pretending to be!
Ben is stunned. And so is Peter when he realizes what he said. Peter opens the door and leaves.
BEN
Peter…
Gwen sits inside, checking her phone. She sighs. Suddenly, the door opens and Peter steps inside. Gwen sits upright.
GWEN
Peter!
Peter walks over to her booth and sits opposite her.
PETER
Hey.
GWEN
Hey!
Peter smiles, but Gwen knows something is up.
GWEN (cont'd)
What are you not telling me here?
PETER
I just said something stupid to Ben.
Gwen reaches out, Peter holds her hands.
GWEN
You could always apologize.
PETER
But-
GWEN
"But" What? He won't love you ever again? Come on, Pete, be realistic for a second. What, you said a few bad words? He won't kick you out, you're practically his son.
Peter sits in silence for a moment.
GWEN (cont'd)
Come on, let's go order something.
As the sky gets darker, rain begins to pour.
Outside Joe's Pizza, around the corner, Ben sits in his car listening to JAZZ. He looks upset, but is still humming along to the song playing.
A tap on the car window grabs his attention. A Man holding a gun motions with his hand.
Gwen and Peter leave Joe's Pizza, laughing to themselves. Shouting can be heard from around the corner.
Like back in school, time seems to slow down around Gwen. Something seems wrong.
BANG!
Gwen's eyes widen as she watches a man run, in slow motion, to her right. She tracks him with her eyes before she sees Peter in her peripherals. Peter runs to her left, panicked.
She looks left and watches Peter slowly run over to someone laying on the ground. She looks back at the man who ran away, before running over to Peter.
When she gets close she realizes that the man on the ground is Ben. Peter is holding him with tears in his eyes. His hands are trembling.
PETER
Oh my god, Ben! Ben, no, no, no, no.
Gwen is frozen, her hands cover her mouth. Ben looks around with tearful eyes.
BEN
Peter?
PETER
Yes, yes, it's me, I'm here.
BEN
Peter.
Gwen pulls out her phone and dials 911.
Her voice fades into the background as Peter holds Ben in his arms.
PETER
Ben, I-I'm sorry, I-
BEN
Peter... It's okay.
Gwen goes over to the pair and kneels with them.
GWEN
It's going to be okay, Ben! An ambulance is on their way.
Gwen looks at Peter.
BEN
Gwen?
GWEN
It's okay, Ben, just keep your eyes open, okay?
Sirens can be heard from down the road and soon they are ready with a stretcher.
GWEN (cont'd)
It's gonna be okay now, Ben, they're gonna help you.
Peter gets inside the ambulance with Ben. Gwen tries to get in but is stopped.
PARAMEDIC
Sorry, ma'am, we can only bring one.
GWEN
Okay.
(To Peter)
It's going to be okay, Pete!
The ambulance drives off with Peter and Ben, leaving Gwen behind. More sirens approach, presumably the police. But Gwen doesn't stick around to be questioned. She runs in the direction of the assailant, climbing a building to get a better vantage point.
EXT. NEW YORK, ROOFTOPS - MOMENTS LATER
Gwen leaps from roof to roof, looking over each ledge trying to find Ben's attacker.
It doesn't take long for Gwen to track down the man running through the streets like a madman.
She doesn't attack right away, however.
She waits for him to reach a safe and secluded place.