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  •  /  Friends  /  S01E07 The One With the Blackout


    • new scene
    • Scene 1

      Central Perk, Rachel is introducing Phoebe, who is playing her guitar for the crowd.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Everybody? Shh, shhh. Uhhh... Central Perk is proud to present the music of Miss Phoebe Buffay.
    • (applause)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Hi. Um, I want to start with a song thats about that moment when you suddenly realize what life is all about. OK, here we go. (plays a chord, then the lights go out) OK, thank you very much.
    • new scene
    • Scene 2

      The ATM vestibule of a bank, Chandler is inside. The lights go out, and he realizes he is trapped inside.

    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh, great. This is just...
    • (Chandler sees that there is a gorgeous model inside the vestibule with him. He makes a gesture of quiet exuberance.)
    • OPENING CREDITS
    • new scene
    • Scene 3

      Monica and Rachel's, Monica is on the phone with her mother. Phoebe, Rachel, and Ross are there.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Wow, this is so cool, you guys. The entire city is blacked out!
    • monica
    • Monica
      Mom says it's all of Manhattan, parts of Brooklyn and Queens, and they have no idea when it's coming back on.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Wow, you guys, this is big.
    • monica
    • Monica
      (into phone) Pants and a sweater? Why, mom? Who am I gonna meet in a blackout? Power company guys? Eligible looters? Could we talk about this later? OK. (hangs up)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Can I borrow the phone? I want to call my apartment and check on my grandma. (to Monica) What's my number?
    • (Monica and Rachel look at Phoebe strangely.)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, I never call me.
    • new scene
    • Scene 4

      ATM vestibule, Jill Goodacre is on the cellular phone. Chandler's thoughts are in italics.

    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh my God, it's that Victoria's Secret model. Something... something Goodacre.
    • Jill
      (on phone) Hi Mom, it's Jill.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      She's right, it's Jill. Jill Goodacre. Oh my God. I am trapped in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre! (pause) Is it a vestibule? Maybe it's an atrium. Oh, yeah, that is the part to focus on, you idiot!
    • Jill
      (on phone) Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just stuck at the bank, in an ATM vestibule.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Jill says vestibule... I'm going with vestibule.
    • Jill
      (on phone) I'm fine. No, I'm not alone... I don't know, some guy.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh! Some guy. Some guy. 'Hey Jill, I saw you with some guy last night. Yes, he was some guy.
    • (Chandler strides proudly across the vestibule and Jill stares at him.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 5

      Monica's apartment, Joey enters with a menorah, the candles lit.

    • joey
    • Joey
      Hi everyone.
    • ross
    • Ross
      And officiating at tonight's blackout, is Rabbi Tribbiani.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Well, Chandler's old roomate was Jewish, and these are the only candles we have, so... Happy Chanukah, everyone.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (at window) Eww, look. Ugly Naked Guy lit a bunch of candles.
    • (They all look at the window, grossed out, then flinch in pain.)
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      That had to hurt!
    • new scene
    • Scene 6

      ATM vestibule.

    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Alright, alright, alright. It's been fourteen and a half minutes and you still have not said one word. Oh God, do something. Just make contact, smile!
    • (Chandler smiles at her, she smiles back sweetly.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      There you go!
    • (He continues to smile like an idiot, and she looks frightened.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      You're definitely scaring her.
    • Jill
      (awkwardly) Would you like to call somebody? (offering phone)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yeah, about 300 guys I went to high school with. Yeah, thanks. (takes phone)
    • new scene
    • Scene 7

      Monica and Rachel's, The phone rings; it's Chandler.

    • monica
    • Monica
      Hello?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Hey, it's me.
    • monica
    • Monica
      (to everyone) It's Chandler! (on phone) Are you OK?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yeah, I'm fine. (trying to cover up what he is saying) I'm trppd in an ATM vstbl wth Jll Gdcr.
    • monica
    • Monica
      What?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      I'm trppd... in an ATM vstbl... wth Jll Gdcr!
    • monica
    • Monica
      I have no idea what you just said.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (angry) Put Joey on the phone.
    • joey
    • Joey
      What's up man?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      I'm trppd... in an ATM vstbl... wth JLL GDCR.
    • joey
    • Joey
      (to everyone) Oh my God! He's trapped in an ATM vestibule with Jill Goodacre! (on phone) Chandler, listen. (says something intentionally garbled)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yeah, like that thought never entered my mind.
    • new scene
    • Scene 8

      Monica and Rachel's, time has passed. The five are sitting around the coffee table talking.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Alright, somebody.
    • monica
    • Monica
      OK, I'll go. OK, senior year of college... on a pool table.
    • Everyone
      Whoooaa!
    • ross
    • Ross
      That's my sister.
    • joey
    • Joey
      OK... my weirdest place would have to be... the women's room on the second floor of the New York CIty public library.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Oh my God! What were you doing in a library?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Pheebs, what about you?
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Oh... Milwaukee.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Um... Ross?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Disneyland, 1989, 'It's a Small World After All.'
    • Everyone
      No way!
    • ross
    • Ross
      The ride broke down. So, Carol and I went behind a couple of those mechanical Dutch children... then they fixed the ride, and we were asked never to return to the Magic Kingdom.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Oh, Rachel.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh come on, I already went.
    • monica
    • Monica
      You did not go!
    • Everyone
      Come on.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh, alright. The weirdest place would have to be... (sigh)... oh, the foot of the bed.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Step back.
    • joey
    • Joey
      We have a winner!
    • [Time lapse, Ross and Rachel are talking, Joey is on the couch, and Monica and Phoebe are out of the room.]
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I just never had a relationship with that kind of passion, you know, where you have to have somebody right there, in the middle of a theme park.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Well, it was the only thing to do there that didn't have a line.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      There, well, see? Barry wouldn't even kiss me on a miniature golf course.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Come on.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      No, he said we were holding up the people behind us.
    • ross
    • Ross
      (sarcastically) And you didn't marry him because...?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I mean, do you think there are people who go through life never having that kind of...
    • ross
    • Ross
      Probably. But you know, I'll tell you something. Passion is way overrated.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Yeah right.
    • ross
    • Ross
      It is. Eventually, it kind of... burns out. But hopefully, what you're left with is trust, and security, and... well, in the case of my ex-wife, lesbianism. So, you know, for all of those people who miss out on that passion... thing, there's all that other good stuff.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (sigh) OK.
    • ross
    • Ross
      But, um... I don't think that's going to be you.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      You don't.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Uh-uh. See, I see.... big passion in your future.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Really?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Mmmm.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      You do?
    • ross
    • Ross
      I do.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh Ross, you're so great. (she playfully rubs his head and gets up)
    • (Ross gets up, pleased with himself.)
    • joey
    • Joey
      It's never gonna happen.
    • ross
    • Ross
      (innocently) What?
    • joey
    • Joey
      You and Rachel.
    • ross
    • Ross
      (acts surprised) What? (pause) Why not?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Because you waited too long to make your move, and now you're in the friend zone.
    • ross
    • Ross
      No, no, no. I'm not in the zone.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Ross, you're mayor of the zone.
    • ross
    • Ross
      I'm taking my time, alright? I'm laying the groundwork. Yeah. I mean, every day I get just a little bit closer to...
    • joey
    • Joey
      Priesthood! Look Ross, I'm telling you, she has no idea what you're thinking. If you don't ask her out soon you're going to end up stuck in the zone forever.
    • ross
    • Ross
      I will, I will. See, I'm waiting for the right moment. (Joey looks at him) What? What, now?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Yeeeeaaaahhh! What's messing you up? The wine? The candles? The moonlight? You've just got to go up to her and say, 'Rachel, I think that...' (Rachel comes into the room behind them)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Shhhh!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      What are you shushing?
    • ross
    • Ross
      We're shushing... because... we're trying to hear something. Listen. (everyone is silent) Don't you hear that?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Ahhhh!
    • ross
    • Ross
      See?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Huh. (she agrees, but looks very confused)
    • new scene
    • Scene 9

      ATM vestibule.

    • Jill
      Would you like some gum?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Um, is it sugarless?
    • Jill
      (checks) Sorry, it's not.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Oh, then no thanks. What the hell was that? Mental note: If Jill Goodacre offers you gum, you take it. If she offers you mangled animal carcass, you take it.
    • new scene
    • Scene 10

      Monica's apartment, Phoebe is singing.

    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (singing) New York City has no power, and the milk is getting sour. But to me it is not scary, 'cause I stay away from dairy.... la la la, la la, la la... (she writes the lyrics down)
    • ross
    • Ross
      (to Joey) OK, here goes.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Are you going to do it?
    • ross
    • Ross
      I'm going to do it.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Do you want any help?
    • ross
    • Ross
      You come out there, you're a dead man.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Good luck, man.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Thanks. (Joey hugs him) OK.
    • joey
    • Joey
      OK. (Ross goes out on the balcony to talk to Rachel)
    • (Monica walks in, starts to go out on the balcony.)
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey, where are you going?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Outside.
    • joey
    • Joey
      You can't go out there.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Why not?
    • joey
    • Joey
      Because of... the reason.
    • monica
    • Monica
      And that would be?
    • joey
    • Joey
      I, um, can't tell you.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Joey, what's going on?
    • joey
    • Joey
      OK, you've got to promise that you'll never, ever tell Ross that I told you.
    • monica
    • Monica
      About what?
    • joey
    • Joey
      He's planning your birthday party.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Oh my God! I love him!
    • joey
    • Joey
      (as Phoebe enters) You'd better act surprised.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      About what?
    • monica
    • Monica
      My surprise party!
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      What surprise party?
    • monica
    • Monica
      Oh stop it. Joey already told me.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Well, he didn't tell me.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey, don't look at me. This is Ross's thing.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      This is so typical. I'm always the last one to know everything.
    • monica
    • Monica
      No, you are not. We tell you stuff.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Yuh-huh! I was the last one to know when Chandler got bitten by the peacock at the zoo. I was the last one to know when you had a crush on Joey when he was moving in. (Monica gestures at Phoebe to shut up; Joey looks surprised but pleased) Looks like I was second to last.
    • new scene
    • Scene 11

      Monica and Rachel's Balcony, Ross and Rachel are talking.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Hmmm... this is so nice.
    • ross
    • Ross
      OK, I have a question. Well, actually, it's not so much a question as.. more of a general wondering... ment.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      OK.
    • ross
    • Ross
      OK. Here goes. For a while now, I've been wanting to, um....
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Ohhh!!!! (looking at something behind Ross)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yes, yes, that's right...
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh, look at the little cat! (a small kitten is on the roof behind Ross)
    • ross
    • Ross
      What? (the cat jumps on his shoulders) Ow!
    • [Cut to inside. Monica, Joey and Phoebe are singing while outside, Ross and Rachel are trying to get the cat off of Ross' shoulder.]
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (singing) I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find, is the wonders I've found ever since...
    • COMMERCIAL BREAK
    • new scene
    • Scene 12

      Monica and Rachel's, Phoebe is holding the cat, Monica is treating the scratches on Ross' back. Joey is holding the menorah over the wound.

    • monica
    • Monica
      (to Ross) This is just Bactine. It won't hurt.
    • (Ross flinches in pain.)
    • joey
    • Joey
      Sorry, that was wax.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Oh, poor little Tooty is scared to death. We should find his owner.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Why don't we just put 'poor little Tooty' out in the hall?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      During a blackout? He'd get trampled!
    • ross
    • Ross
      (nonchalantly) Yeah?
    • new scene
    • Scene 13

      ATM vestibule.

    • chandler
    • Chandler
      You know, on second thought, gum would be perfection. (Jill gives him a stick of gum, and a strange look) 'Gum would be perfection'? 'Gum would be perfection.' Could have said 'gum would be nice,' or 'I'll have a stick,' but no, no, no, no. For me, gum is perfection. I loathe myself.
    • new scene
    • Scene 14

      The hallway of Monica's building. Phoebe and Rachel are trying to find the cat's owner.

    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (stops at a door) Oh no, the Mendels, they hate all living things, right?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh. (they knock at the next door, Mr. Heckles answers) Hi. We just found this cat and we're looking for the owner.
    • Mr. Heckles
      Er, yeah, it's mine.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (trying to hold back the struggling cat) He seems to hate you. Are you sure?
    • Mr. Heckles
      Yeah, it's my cat. Give me my cat.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Wait a minute. What's his name?
    • Mr. Heckles
      Ehhhh... B-Buttons.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Bob Buttons?
    • Mr. Heckles
      Mmm. Bob Buttons. Here, Bob Buttons.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (the cat runs away from her) Oooh! You are a very bad man!
    • Mr. Heckles
      (as Phoebe and Rachel leave) You owe me a cat.
    • new scene
    • Scene 15

      Rachel has gone off on her own to look for the cat's owner.

    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Here, kitty-kitty. Here kitty-kitty. Where did you go, little kitty-kitty-kitty? Here kitty-kitty-kitty-kitty...
    • (While looking at the floor for the cat, Rachel runs into a pair of legs. She slowly gets up and sees a gorgeous Italian hunk holding the cat. Who, by the way, you'll hate very, very soon. The man. Not the cat.)
    • Paolo
      (something Italian)
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Wow. (she exhales in amazement, blowing the candle out)
    • new scene
    • Scene 16

      Monica and Rachel's, Ross, Monica, and Joey are playing Monopoly.

    • ross
    • Ross
      (rolling) Lucky sixes....
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (entering with Paolo, arm in arm) Everybody, this is Paolo. Paolo, I want you to meet my friends. This is Monica.
    • monica
    • Monica
      (smitten) Hi!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      And Joey....
    • monica
    • Monica
      Hi!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      And Ross.
    • monica
    • Monica
      Hi!
    • Paolo
      (something in Italian)
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (proudly) He doesn't speak much English.
    • Paolo
      (pointing at game) Monopoly!
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Look at that!
    • ross
    • Ross
      (jealous) So, um... where did Paolo come from?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh... Italy, I think.
    • ross
    • Ross
      No, I mean tonight, in the building. Suddenly. Into our lives.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Well, the cat... the cat turned out to be Paolo's cat!
    • ross
    • Ross
      That, that is funny... (to Joey).... and Rachel keeps touching him.
    • (Phoebe enters.)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Alright. I looked all over the building and I couldn't find the kitty anywhere.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Oh, I found him. He was Paolo's cat.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Ah! Well! There you go! Last to know again! And I'm guessing... since nobody told me... this is Paolo.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Ah, Paolo, this is Phoebe.
    • Paolo
      (something in Italian, he is apparently attracted to Phoebe)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      (smiling) You betcha!
    • new scene
    • Scene 17

      ATM vestibule.

    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (chewing gum) Ah, let's see. What next? Blow a bubble. A bubble's good. It's got a... boyish charm, it's impish. Here we go.
    • (Chandler waits until Jill is looking, then starts to blow a bubble. But instead of blow one, he accidentally spits the gum out of his mouth and hits the wall.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Nice going, imp. OK, it's OK. All I need to do is reach over and put it in my mouth. (Chandler slyly grabs the gum from the wall and slides it back in his mouth.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Good save! We're back on track, and I'm... (grimacing) ..chewing someone else's gum. This is not my gum. Oh my God! Oh my God! And now you're choking.
    • (Chandler starts to choke.)
    • Jill
      Are you alright?
    • (Chandler tries to save face and makes the 'OK' sign with his hands, while obviously unable to breathe.)
    • Jill
      My God, you're choking! (she runs over and gives him the Heimlich, the gum flies from his mouth) That better?
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      (gasping) Yes... thank you. That was... that was....
    • Jill
      Perfection?
    • new scene
    • Scene 18

      Monica and Rachel's, Rachel and Paolo are at the window. Ross and Joey are watching disgustedly.

    • Paolo
      (something romantic in Italian about Rachel and the stars)
    • ross
    • Ross
      (mocking Paolo) Blah blah blah, blah blah blah... blah blaaaaaah....
    • (Rachel walks away from Paolo, laughing.)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Wha-What did he say that was so funny?
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      I have absolutely no idea.
    • ross
    • Ross
      That's... that's classic.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      (to Monica and Phoebe) Oh my God, you guys, what am I doing? What am I doing? This is so un-me!
    • monica
    • Monica
      If you want, I'll do it.
    • (Ross looks at Joey.)
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      I know, I just want to bite his bottom lip. (Rachel looks at her) But I won't.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      God, the first time he smiled at me... those three seconds were more exciting than three weeks in Bermuda with Barry.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      You know, did you ride mopeds? 'Cause I've heard... (they stare at her)... oh, I see... it's not about that right now. OK.
    • rachel
    • Rachel
      Y'know, I know it's totally superficial and we have absolutely nothing in common, and we don't even speak the same language but Goooooooddddddd....
    • [Cut to the other side of the apartment, Ross has gone over to straighten things out with Paolo.]
    • ross
    • Ross
      Paolo. Hi.
    • Paolo
      Ross!
    • (Ross notices that Paolo is standing on a step, which makes him taller. Ross gets up on the same step so he can look down at Paolo.)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Listen. Um, listen. Something you should... know... um, Rachel and I... we're kind of a thing.
    • Paolo
      Thing?
    • ross
    • Ross
      Thing, yes. Thing.
    • Paolo
      Ah, you... have the sex?
    • ross
    • Ross
      No, no, no. Technically the... sex is not... being had, but that's... see, that's not the point. See, um, the point is that... Rachel and I should be, er, together. You know, and if you get in the.... um...
    • Paolo
      Bed?
    • ross
    • Ross
      No, no, that's not where I was going. Er, if you get in the... way, of us becoming a thing, then I would be, well, very sad.
    • Paolo
      Oh!
    • ross
    • Ross
      Yeah! Se vice?
    • Paolo
      Si.
    • ross
    • Ross
      So you do know a little English.
    • Paolo
      Poco... a leetle.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Do you know the word crapweasel?
    • Paolo
      No.
    • ross
    • Ross
      That's funny, because you know, you are a huge crapweasel!
    • (They hug.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 19

      ATM vestibule, Chandler and Jill are sitting below the counter with two pens dangling from their chains in front of them. Jill is showing Chandler how to swing the pen around his head.

    • Jill
      Chandler, we've been here for an hour doing this! Now watch, it's easy.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      OK.
    • Jill
      Ready? (she swings the pen around her head in a circle)
    • (Chandler tries to do the same thing but the pen hits him in the head.)
    • Jill
      No, you've got to whip it.
    • (He swings the pen hard, and it snaps back and almost hits him again.)
    • new scene
    • Scene 20

      Monica and Rachel's, the gang is all sitting around the table.

    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Oh, look look look. The last candle's about to burn out. 10, 9, 8, 7... (time lapse)... negative 46, negative 47, negative 48.... (someone blows it out, the room gets completely dark)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Thank you.
    • phoebe
    • Phoebe
      Thanks.
    • ross
    • Ross
      Kinda... spooky without any lights.
    • joey
    • Joey
      (does a maniacal laugh) Bwah-hah-hah!
    • (Everyone starts to imitate him.)
    • ross
    • Ross
      OK, guys, guys? I have the definitive one. Mwwwooooo-hah-hah...
    • (The lights come back on, and Rachel and Paolo are making out. Ross clutches his chest.)
    • ross
    • Ross
      Oh.. oh... oh.
    • joey
    • Joey
      Hey Ross. This probably isn't the best time to bring it up, but you have to throw a party for Monica.
    • CLOSING CREDITS
    • new scene
    • Scene 21

      ATM vestibule, the power has come back on.

    • Jill
      Well, this has been fun.
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Yes. Yes, thanks for letting me use your phone... and for saving my life.
    • Jill
      Well, goodbye Chandler. I had a great blackout. (she kisses him on the cheek) See ya.
    • (She leaves. Chandler presses his face to the glass door after her, stroking the window lovingly. He then turns to the security camera and starts talking to it.)
    • chandler
    • Chandler
      Hi, um, I'm account number 7143457. And, uh, I don't know if you got any of that, but I would really like a copy of the tape.
    • END