[Emma] The trips all planned.  Reservations are booked, and as we speak Izzy is giving John the gift of a lifetime!  Practically a second honeymoon!

John drove down this morning to begin their family vacation and Izzy wanted to surprise him in person.

I have to admit, that was one of my more brilliant ideas.  Helping Izzy has made me realize that maybe, just maybe I'm ready to get back to work.

Nothing big.  Nothing too extravagant, but Alex has booked a few more... (sigh) consultations and we'll start there and see how they go.
Alex still doesn't know anything, but I couldn't tell him.  There's no way he'd keep it to himself and then he'd ruin the surprise.

Not that he'd ruin it on purpose, it's just that he has the worst timing ever!  And it's an intricate part of the plan that the trip remains a surprise!

[Alex] What surprise?

(Intro music)

[Emma]  Surprise? Who said anything about a surprise?

[Alex]  I distinctly heard you say the word Surprise.

[Emma] Really?  Are you sure you didn't miss hear me from all the way out in the hallway, where you were spying again.

[Alex] Actually I wasn't spying this time.  I just happened to be coming in to talk to you.  And it's not my fault you're always talking into a camera.

[Emma] Oh really?  What were you coming to talk to me about?  Think fast.

[Alex] I wanted to see if you were free for lunch.

[Emma]  But I thought you were having lunch with John so he could borrow your camping gear for Joshua Tree?

[Alex] I was but he cancelled on me last minute, which is really unlike him.

[Emma] You don't say? Well well well, maybe this is the beginning of a whole new John Knightley.

[Alex] What is that supposed to mean?

[Emma] Oh, you'll see.

[Alex] Emma? What are you up to?

[Emma] I can't tell you.

[Alex] Emma!

[Emma] No really, I can't tell.  It's not mine to tell.

[Alex] I thought we weren't doing this anymore?

[Emma]  Doing what?  What am I doing?

[Alex] Keeping secrets!  Going off on your own. Making plans and not telling anyone.

[Emma] No.  This isn't work.  I promise.

[Alex] Because that makes it okay!  Look I want to give you your space but...be careful Emma.

(Alex exits room)

[Emma]  What just happened!?  Seriously, where did that come from?  I know Alex doesn't always like the way I handle things..or the way I used to handle things, but this is completely different.

After everything that happened, does he really think I'd make the same mistake twice?

I've changed!  I'm trying to change.  Why can't he see that?  More then anyone I thought he understood.

[Izzy] Emma?

[Emma] Izzy, what happened?

[Izzy]  It's John.

[Emma] What's wrong?

[Izzy]  Oh.  He's upset.  I don't think I've ever seen him that angry before.  I didn't even know what to do so I just left.

[Emma] Why?

[Izzy] He refuses to go to Hawaii.  He wants the itinerary changed back to Joshua Tree immediately!

[Emma] What?

[Izzy] He said I had no right going behind his back that way and that he felt deceived.

[Emma]  You didn't deceive him.  You kept a secret.  It was a surprise.  Surprises are by definition secretive.

[Izzy] Try telling John that.  And the expense--

[Emma] No the trip was a gift.  From me.

[Izzy] No.  For John that's the same thing as taking money from Dad.  As far as he's concerned, I put me and what I wanted first and I didn't even bother telling him about it.

[Emma] That's what he does all the time.

[Izzy]  No.  It was my mistake. (sigh).  I did exactly what he does to me.  That's called being a hypocrite.

[Emma] No!  That's called fighting fire with fire and sometimes that's the only way to win.

[Izzy] No.  I don't want to win.  I don't want to fight at all.

[Emma] But Izzy--

[Izzy] Emma. If there is a winner then there is a loser.  And when you have winners and losers in a marriage everyone loses.

[Emma] I'm sorry Izzy.

[Izzy] Sorry isn't going to solve this Emma.  I wish I had never let you meddle.  If you had just left everything alone everything would be fine.

[Emma] No it wouldn't!  No!  Because you would still--

[Izzy]  No. God, why won't you just listen to me?  Just let it go. Please!

[Emma]  Izzy wait!  Izzy!  Izzy wait!  Come back!  I'm sorry!  Izzy!

(Sounds of Emma running out of the room)