Summer, Kyle, Jack, and Phyllis have a birthday breakfast and Summer has her first hangover. Phyllis and Jack present Summer with a scrapbook of her first 21 years. Dr. Neville tells Ashley that he has turned his motel room into a makeshift lab. She says that won't do. Jack gets called away from breakfast to meet Ashley at the lab. Hilary tells Neil that she wants to be involved in Dr. Neville's research. He thinks she should stay away from Dr. Neville. After hearing Jack fire Gwen, Devon offers his condolences. Gwen asks for a job working with Dr. Neville. Devon agrees only if it's ok with Neil, who is heading up the business end of the project. Gwen tells Neil that she can separate her business life from her personal life. Neil agrees. They all meet at the Jabot lab to persuade Jack to let them rent the lab. Jack gives in but tells Neil to watch over Ashley. Summer and Kyle sit in the park and reminisce while looking at her new scrapbook. Jack meets Phyllis at the Abbott cabin, ready to partake in romance, but she has a surprise for him. She has invited Billy to join them.
[Music plays loudly] Billy: [Groans] [Sighs] [Groans] Gwen: Jack. Jack: I'll meet you at the table? Phyllis: Okay. Don't be long. Jack: Hi, Gwen. Thanks for meeting me here. Gwen: No problem. What's up? Jack: I guess you've heard about the, uh, rather large settlement that we were forced to pay Newman. Gwen: Yeah. Put a hell of a hole in our balance sheet. Jack: Well, it's forced us to take some pretty severe austerity measures, and I-I hate the timing of it, right before the holidays. Gwen: You're... Jack: Downsizing, yeah. Gwen: ...Firing me. Jack: No, no, no. Not for cause. Nothing like that. You're a valued employee, and I'll happily give you a glowing recommendation. This is no reflection whatsoever on your work. And I'd bring you back as soon as I can. Gwen: Do you know when that is? Jack: Honestly, I don't know. Gwen: Jack, it's year end. I mean, who's going to supervise the accounting staff to close out the books? Two of those kids are straight out of college. Jack: I've had to let go of all the senior managers. Gwen: So I shouldn't take it personally? Jack: It was forced on me. I have to do something to slice the budget. I... Gwen: I understand. I mean, you're in a bind, and you're doing the only thing you can. Jack: Thank you for understanding. Go by payroll. They have a check waiting for you. Gwen: Thanks. Um, and if I don't see you before then... merry Christmas. Jack: Merry Christmas. Gwen: [Sighs] How much of that did you hear? Devon: Enough to say I'm sorry. Gwen: I heard about your new venture bankrolling dr. Neville's research. You're gonna need someone to handle the ledger and the regulatory paperwork. Devon: [Chuckles] Gwen, you let me believe my wife was dead for months. And now you ask me for a job? Hilary: That's all I needed to know. You still want me. And soon you will admit it to yourself and everyone else. [Knock on door] Neil: We need to talk. Ashley: Yes, the pain meds you prescribed are definitely keeping the headaches manageable for now. What would the point of that be? I mean, you already said there's nothing you can do. No. Absolutely not. I'm not telling my family. We're doing things my way. Thank you for understanding. Dr. Neville: No, no, no. You see, that sorry excuse of an espresso machine gets the water too hot. So consequently the coffee is acidic. However, observe. Watch this. Pinch of salt. And presto. Mmm. My taste buds are saved. Perfect. How, you may ask? It's simple. As the salt crystals dissolve, they release sodium ions, which, in turn, prevent the bitter molecules from attacking your palate. It's fascinating, actually. On paper, it's just basic chemistry. In reality, it's sort of, uh, well, it's a magic trick in your mouth, actually. You should try it sometime. [Chuckles] Ashley: Did I seriously just hear you say "magic trick in your mouth" to a teenager? Dr. Neville: Oh, she's 24, I think. So given your syntax, I'd have to say no. Ashley: Is this just a game to you? I mean, you do realize there's people's lives at stake, right? Phyllis: Oh, my poor baby. The lights so bright. We're all talking so loud. Summer: Mom, I love you, but please shut up. Please. Phyllis: Listen, next time -- two aspirin before bed with a big glass of water, okay? Works wonders. Kyle: Well, considering it is her 21st birthday, she could have been in worse shape. Phyllis: Yes, birthday girl has a hangover first thing in the morning. Summer: [Chuckles] Kyle: Well, that's what you get when you start celebrating at midnight. Phyllis: Mm-hmm. Jack: Happy birthday, summer, from the bottom of my heart. Summer: Thank you, Jack. And thank you for suggesting a really early breakfast. It's so nice. Kyle: [Chuckles] Phyllis: Okay, before we order... ta-da. Summer: A present for me. Phyllis: Yes, it's from both of us. Summer: Okay. Kyle: Hey, let me see that. Summer: Wait till I open it. Kyle: No, I mean your watch. Summer: Oh, yeah, that's -- that's from grandpa. Kyle: Wow. Well, he's got good taste. I'll give him that. Good to see Victor's putting his settlement money from the Abbotts to good use. Jack: Kyle, this is a celebration. Phyllis: Agreed. How was the underground last night? You kids have fun? Summer: Yes. And no. Kyle: Billy kind of sucked the mood out of the whole thing when he -- well, he got totally wasted and then he went off at Victoria and then took a swing at stitch. Summer: Yeah, and he didn't have full use of his motor skills, so he just wound up slipping and falling right on his butt in front of everybody. Phyllis: Oh. [Sighs] Poor guy. Jack: "Poor guy"? Billy made his bed. Now he can lie in it. Additional sponsorship Dr. Neville: Miss Abbott, for your information, I take my research very seriously. Fortunately, hard work and trying to maintain a sense of whimsy aren't mutually exclusive. Then again, maybe that's just me. Ashley: Can you understand that if I stake my reputation, I need to make sure there's a return and that Hilary's recovery was not just a fluke. Dr. Neville: Hmm. Well, I can see why you'd be concerned, given that, heretofore, your lofty scientific focus has been wrinkle cream and the eradication of cellulite on the odd aromatic age-defiant thigh, all of which admittedly are critical to the survival of the species. However, in contrast, research in pure medicine is somewhat more painstaking with no guaranteed pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Ashley: Well, actually, it's almost exactly the same when it comes to wrinkle cream. Dr. Neville: Touché. However, I'm not kidding. The last few years, I've had to do my research experiments in decidedly odd places and at off times, like between 2:00 and 4:00 A.M. On alternate Tuesdays in the morgue's pathology lab. If you can't find the humor in it, you will be miserable. More importantly, it'll show in your work. Ashley: Speaking of work, where are you working now that you've lost your hospital privileges? Dr. Neville: I've outfitted a motel room as a makeshift lab. I had to spend my last dime equipping the place. It's a bit of a bad joke in terms of a sterile environment, but it's better than nothing. If you're so inclined, I can give you the nickel tour. Ashley: No. Um, I don't want to waste your time. Dr. Neville: No, I don't mind at all. Ashley: That's not gonna work. Jack: You know what? I just had to let go of a valued employee. I don't want to talk about Billy. I don't want to talk about Ashley quitting. I don't want to talk about how jabot is doing. It is summer's birthday, and we're this close to Christmas. Phyllis: And it is time for family and love, which you have in abundance. Unlike Victor who is sitting at home alone trimming his tree with $1,000 bills. Jack: I couldn't have said it any better myself. Shall we order? Phyllis: Just would like you to have that kind of love for Billy, you know? I mean, you can't punish him for any more than he's punishing himself, you know, and I don't think you're gonna, because I think you are hurting as much as he is. Jack: The only hurt Billy is feeling is from a headache from drinking too much. [Cell phone rings] Phyllis: How can you say that, Jack? Jack: I got to take this. Excuse me. Hey, Ash. What's up? Ashley: Hey, Jack. Um, could you please meet me at jabot in the lab? There's something I want to talk to you about. Jack: I'm on my way. Hilary: Whatever it is you have to say to me, I'm ready to hear it. Neil: Well, Devon is investing in Neville's research project, you know? He's buying his silence in exchange. Hilary: Oh, I'm glad that it all worked out. Neil: I still wish you hadn't gone to Devon and asked him to do this. Hilary: Neil, you needed this, okay? I would do anything to protect you because -- Neil: You don't know what you're saying at all. Hilary: I know exactly what I'm saying. The way that you responded when I kissed you last night, you can't say that that didn't mean anything. Neil: Hilary, once upon a time, you were my wife. I wanted a future with you. I would have given you anything. But it wasn't like that for you. Hilary: It is like that, Neil. Neil: You know, what you and Devon have is something real and something -- Hilary: Can we forget about Devon, okay? Just can we live in the present, okay? Because what I feel for you is real, and it's not changing, Neil. And I don't want it to. Devon: Hilary begged me to fund Neville's project, and I would do anything for her because she's my wife. You, on the other hand, I don't owe anything to. You knew how desperate I was to find her, and even when she was in the hospital, you continued to lie to me. Gwen: Until the day I put an end to it. You deserved to know the truth, which is why I forced Neil to confess to you. Devon: That's not why you told me that. The only reason you came clean was out of spite because Neil ended things with you. Gwen: It must be such a relief knowing that Hilary's safe, seeing her happy and well all because of Neville's treatment. And it's -- it's why you're really funding him, isn't it? It's why Neil gets to stay out of jail. Things work out especially great for him. Leaves him free to pick up right where he left off with Hilary. Unless you plan on fighting for her. Jack: Sorry, guys. That was Ashley. Something's come up. Summer: Well, Jack, go. I mean, if you got to talk to Ashley, that's fine. Jack: You sure? Summer: Yes. It's fine. I mean, if Ashley's having second thoughts about coming back to jabot, then you need to go check that out. Jack: Thanks, kiddo. Oh, I can't call you that anymore. You're a grown woman now. Summer: You have my permission still. And thank you for my amazing gift. Jack: Oh, yes, the scrapbook of your first 21 years. Phyllis: Yeah. It's not just photos. It's newspaper clippings and ticket stubs and programs and stories from your friends and family, some pictures that you drew when you were a little girl. And we also found that ribbon that you used to tie around Mr. Ears' neck. You remember that? Jack: Your mother gathered most of this stuff. I mostly just cut and pasted. Summer: Well, thank you. I love it. And I can really feel the love that you guys put into it. Can't wait to check it out later with you. Kyle: Yeah. Jack: Listen, I do have to run. Happy birthday. Summer: Thank you. Jack: See you later, son. Kyle: See you, dad. Phyllis: Bye. Kyle: Well, let's get some food in you. It'll make you feel better. Summer: Yeah, that sounds good. Kyle: Uh, I don't know where the waiter's gone. I'll just go put our order in. Summer: Okay. Oh, can you tell them that I want blueberry syrup with extra butter for my waffle, please? Kyle: Yes, of course. Anything for the birthday girl. Summer: Thank you. Phyllis: So, how is school? You have a semester under your belt. You have any thoughts? Summer: Well, I don't know what I'm gonna major in, if that's what you're asking. But I-I still have some time left to decide. Phyllis: I think it's most important that you head in a direction that excites you, and that may take some time to figure out. There's no use in pursuing a degree if you're not passionate about what you'll be doing. Summer: Yeah. Yeah, that's great advice. I'll keep all my options open. Kyle: Options are good. Summer: I can't wait to be an adult, you know? I get to make my own choices, be free, I guess. Kyle: Freedom's good, too. Phyllis: You know, I haven't said it, Kyle, but Jack and I are extremely grateful that you are back at jabot. We need all the support we can get right now. Kyle: Well, whatever the family needs. I'm there. Phyllis: Good. I'm really glad to hear that. Us Abbotts need to stick together. Especially with the holiday season staring at us straight in the face. And Jack is not going to mention it, but I think he's a little down about Christmas this year, so I'm gonna do something a little extra to make it special. And, uh, I think I might know exactly just how to do that. Devon: I don't see the point in fighting because Hilary has her memory back and she doesn't want to be with me. Gwen: Maybe not now. Devon: No, when she came to me about giving Neville money, I-I heard it in her voice. I saw it in her eyes. She's in love with Neil. Gwen: Are you really okay with them being together? Devon: Well, I don't really have a choice. Until Hilary recovers her memory, I just have to be okay with it. And so will you if you want a job. Gwen: What do you mean? Devon: Neil asked if he could oversee the business end of things, and I said yes. So, if I hire you, you'll be answering to him. Neil: When you kissed me, it reminded me of the first kiss we ever had. How much I wanted that, how much I want it to be real now, but, you know, you have passion with Devon. You've got to find that passion somehow. Hilary: [Sighs] I don't know how things turned out this way. I guess there's no point in asking why. This is where we are. [Sighs] Well, at least Devon is interested in investing in something that's gonna improve people's lives. Neil: Yeah, I highly doubt that Neville's motives are quite pure. When I saw him roping Ashley in, it was very disturbing to me. Hilary: Why? Neil: Well, many reasons. Part of why I went to Devon and asked if I could head up the business end of the project. Hilary: You did? Why? Neil: Why? Because I want to keep tabs on Neville. Hilary: Okay, let me help you. Neil: No, no, no, no. Hilary: Neil, I am the perfect choice, okay, as Neville's first successful patient. Neil: Hey. I want you to stay far away from Neville. I don't trust him. I don't want you anywhere near him. Jack: This is a secure facility. Who the hell are you? What are you doing in this lab? Ashley: Jack, he's with me. This is my brother, Jack Abbott, C.E.O. Of jabot. This is dr. Simon Neville, my business partner. Jack: You're in business with this guy? The man who was hiding Hilary? Dr. Neville: Not hiding. Saving. Phyllis: Billy! Come on! Get it together! Billy: Go away. Phyllis: Get up! I want to talk to you! Billy: Later! Phyllis: Really? When? Billy: I don't know. How's April sound? Phyllis: Billy. Come on. What happened last night? I heard you made an ass of yourself at the underground. Billy: [Sighs] [Sniffs] That's probably not inaccurate. Why are you here? Phyllis: Redemption. Billy: Oh, no. No. No, look, if you're here to give me some big speech about how I need to clean up my life and stop hurting everybody who cares about me, clearly I am beyond redemption, okay? Phyllis: I'm not talking about you. Phyllis: I should have said I wasn't just talking about you. Jack needs some redeeming, too. Billy: Wait, what -- what -- what are you talking about? He's not -- he's not drinking or taking pills again, is he? Phyllis: No, no, no, no. God, no. The family's in crisis. We need each other now. You need to get it together, Billy. Billy: Phyllis, come on. I can't. I mean, look at me. Phyllis: Yes, you can. This is about putting your mind to it. Billy: How many times, Phyllis? How many times have I promised Vicki? One too many, I guess. She's not gonna want to see my face again. I'm not gonna get to see my kids this Christmas. Phyllis: Billy, look -- Billy: Phyllis, I didn't just screw up this time. I threw gas on the relationship and then I lit a match. My god. I was... I was so obnoxious to her in front of a lot of people, and there's no coming back from that. Phyllis: Hello! You are talking to the expert. How many times have I recovered from disaster? Billy: [Sighs] Phyllis: Way worse than getting drunk and mouthing off at a bar. My life should have been ruined like 20 different times. And it was for a while. But I made it back, and I always do. And so will you -- if you step away from this pity party and make some changes. Billy: Well, that was the plan, wasn't it? [Sniffs] I told Jack, Vicki, Ash, anybody who would listen that I wasn't gonna be that guy anymore, not the guy who would sic paragon on the family business. And I-I even tried to ove myself. I went out and tried to reverse all the damage that I caused. Phyllis: We. Hey. All the damage we caused. You are not in this alone. Do you remember? I wanted to hurt Victor just as much as you did. More. Billy: More? Phyllis: Yeah. Billy: What the hell else did that guy do to you? You know what? No. Don't. Don't tell me. I don't want to know. I don't want to drag you back down the rabbit hole with me. You know, you and Jack are in a good place now. He's forgiven you. And me? Look, Phyllis, I'm finished. I'm done, okay, and it's my own damn fault. So just -- Phyllis: Stop. Billy: [Sighs] Phyllis: You are a good man. You are a great father. Billy: [Scoffs] I am, 'cause I'm just a big kid myself. And Vicki has told me many times I'm never gonna grow up. I'm starting to wonder if it's a permanent condition. Summer: I lied to my mom earlier. Kyle: About what? Summer: I am not looking forward to being an adult. At all. Kyle: Why not? Summer: It's just -- when I was younger, I was dying to be older, you know, make my own rules, get drunk if I wanted to. Kyle: Or get married. Summer: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Look how that turned out. So great. Kyle: [Chuckles] You followed your heart. Summer: I-I think it was more about defiance rather than love. You know? Just trying to prove a point. Kyle: To your parents or to yourself? Summer: Take your pick. Now that I'm 21, I-I look back and I realize that I-I had no clue, and now I... I still don't. Gwen: Neil. Neil: Yeah? Hey. Gwen: I was just on my way over to your place. Neil: Yeah? Why? Why you going to my place? Gwen: Well, jabot's laying people off. I got the axe today. Neil: I'm sorry. Gwen: I want a job on this Neville project. Neil: Well, uh, that's -- that's not really a good idea for so many reasons, Gwen. Gwen: It's a great idea. I know we haven't worked together before, but Jack will tell you I'm a consummate professional. And our former relationship won't be an issue. I'm quite capable of keeping my work and my personal lives separate. Unless you're suggesting you'd have a problem with me being around. Neil: Um... Devon -- Devon's writing the checks. Gwen: I already talked to him. He's willing to hire me if you are. I'm one of the few people who really knows what happened at the boathouse. Like it or not, you owe me. Jack: I was hoping you had called because you wanted to come back to work. Ashley: I'm sorry, Jackie. That's not happening. Jack: Jabot's in pretty dire straits right now, Ash. You leave the company, and now you're in partnership with this guy, who... Dr. Neville: Who saves lives with cutting-edge research. Jack: That wasn't where I was going. Ashley: Jack, I know that you need to generate income any way that you can, as fast as you can. That's why I asked you to meet with us. Jack: No, I agreed to meet with you. Who is "us"? Ashley: Devon is funding dr. Neville's new project. Jack: Wait. Devon is? Ashley: Yes. And that's why we are willing to offer you top dollar to rent this space. Dr. Neville: Ashley has assured me you won't be using it for r&d purposes any time soon. Jack: Has she? Ashley: When I heard that you were laying off everybody down here because of cutbacks, I thought this is genius. I mean, let us grab the space. Jack: How did you convince Devon to bankroll a doctor who was using Hilary as a guinea pig? He's barred from practicing at memorial because his practices were so far out there, so -- Dr. Neville: "Visionary" I think might be the word you're looking for. Jack: Are you even still a doctor? Dr. Neville: Of course. What? You think because I had a falling out with the inbred staff at some backwater facility, I'm the problem? Ashley: The details of our business partnership are not important! Jack: They are to me. Ashley: Just take the deal! Let us rent the space. Summer: I know it's a little late to be asking myself what I want to be when I grow up. It's, like, we're here already. Kyle: Tell me about it. Summer: What do you mean? You've got your whole life figured out. You know exactly what it's gonna look like. Kyle: [Chuckles] Hardly. My dad wants me to help him salvage the company right now. Summer: Yeah. No pressure there. Kyle: [Sighs] Right? Only I just -- I don't think I'm ready to dedicate my life to selling mascara. Summer: Well, your aunt Traci didn't. Kyle: Yeah. I may have to follow in her footsteps before I get sucked into this with no way out. Summer: Does your dad know how you feel about this? Kyle: I mean, I told him I don't think this business is... Summer: Your passion? Kyle: Yeah. Phyllis: You look almost human again. Billy: Looks can be deceiving. Thanks for this. Phyllis: You know, I think I figured out why it is easier for you to relate to kids. Unlike adults, they don't judge. They have no preconceived ideas about how you should behave. Billy: Well, that's one theory. Phyllis: What's yours? Billy: I don't know, Phyllis. I-I just love kids. Especially my own. I mean, they're -- they're the best of me, the best of who I am with Victoria. Phyllis: This is far from over, Billy. Victoria loves you very much. Billy: I know she does. And that's the hell of it. Because I've watched her put up with -- [Scoffs] Watched her put up with me for all these years. And having someone who knows you, who believes in you, despite all of your shortcomings, that is such a gift. And I have destroyed that. I have. I mean, I don't -- what the hell have I done, Phyllis? Phyllis: [Sighs] Hilary: Uh... hi. Devon: Hi. Hilary: Thank you, um, for protecting Neil. He came by my room. He told me that you agreed to let him oversee dr. Neville's research. Devon: Yeah. I, um, I ran into Gwen earlier. Hilary: Oh. Devon: And Jack let her go from jabot. Hilary: Right before Christmas. Wow. What a shame. Devon: I know. And she asked me if I would hire her on to the project. Hilary: To work with Neil? What -- what did you say? Devon: Well, I told her that that was up to Neil. Ashley: The lab is closing because of cutbacks. There are no new products in the pipeline. Jack: Gee, rub it in my face, why don't you. Ashley: Jackie, I'm not trying to rub it in your face. Jack: Jabot is so cash-strapped that we suddenly need rental income to keep the lights on? Ashley: That's not what I'm saying. Jack: What are you saying? Neil: Oh, good. You're still here. Ashley: Well, yeah. May I help you with something? Neil: Well, Devon said that you would be stopping by with Simon. So I'm here to deliver some news. Dr. Neville: What news? Neil: Devon has put me in charge of the project. Yeah. That's right. And as my first executive order, I have hired Gwen to assist me. Ashley: Devon didn't tell me anything about this. Dr. Neville: Nor me. I assume that neither one of you has a science background. Neil: That is true. But this will leave Ashley free to do her research. And as I said, Gwen and I will administrate. Doctor, you said that you wanted to help people like you helped Hilary. We all want the same thing, don't we? So, dr. Neville, this is Gwen Randall. She's a CPA and experienced with regulatory affairs. Gwen: How do you do? Dr. Neville: Hi. Uh, fine. How do you do? Jack: Wow, this gets stranger every minute. Now Neil's involved? Ashley: I think it makes perfect sense. He's Devon's father. He's a great executive. Jack: He's also Hilary's ex. What could Devon possibly want -- Ashley: Don't you have enough on your plate? Do you have to worry about my little project? Jack: Your little project with a cast of thousands. Ashley: Jackie, hardly. Do we have a deal or not? What's your price? You name it, okay? We'll give you three months up front by the end of business today. Jack: I will rent you this space, but I want some answers. There's something you're not telling me. What is it? Ashley: I'm telling you everything you need to know, Jack. Come on. Just give me a number. Give Neil a number. Just give somebody a number! [Gasps] Oh, my god. [Exhales sharply] Oh, god. Ashley: [Sighs] Neil: Jack. Jack: Neil, what the hell is going on here? Neil: I thought I explained to you what the hell is going on. Jack: This doctor is shady. You know that, I know that, Ashley knows that. I'm sure Devon knows that. Yet you're all acting like he's the second coming of Jonas Salk. Neil: He's a brilliant researcher. Jack: How do you know that? Neil: Because I have done my research. Jack: Look, something about this stinks to high heaven. I do not like that my sister's involved with this man in any way, professionally or otherwise. I need you to keep an eye out for my sister. Neil: Okay. I share some of your concerns, as well, but I can't argue with the doctor's results. You know what I mean? Jack: Look out for Ashley. Neil: I got you. All in the family. Phyllis: You know, what I can't understand is why Ashley would bail on Jack at a time like this. Billy: She must have her reasons. Phyllis: What are they? Billy: Well, I don't know, Phyllis. They're her reasons, not mine. Phyllis: No. No, that's not good enough. I am going to bring the Abbotts together even if I have to do it single-handedly. Make a Christmas miracle happen through sheer force of will. Billy: All of the Abbotts? Good luck with that. Phyllis: You don't think I can do it? Billy: I-I'm not saying that. I just don't know what it would take to bring all of the Abbotts together. Phyllis: Well, maybe I won't be able to bring all the Abbotts together. But I might be able to bring you and Jack into the same room without trying to kill each other. Kyle: I always miss my mom at this time of the year. Christmas was always such a big deal to her. Summer: Did you guys have any traditions? Kyle: No, we didn't really have traditions, so to speak. She, um, she always had things going on all over the world, so we moved around quite a bit. Summer: Your mom was an architect, right? Kyle: She designed skyscrapers, yeah. Summer: That's so cool. Kyle: Yeah. Yeah, she was good at it. And she loved it, too. I remember this one Christmas, actually, I think I was like 6 years old or something, and she, uh, she took me to the construction site of one of her buildings. And at that point, it was still in the iron-work stage, so it was the girders and steel beams and stuff, and there were no walls, no windows. It was just all open. It was really cool. Summer: Was that a building here in town? Kyle: [Chuckles] No. Uh, brazil, Sao Paulo. Summer: Wow. Kyle: Yeah. Summer: [Chuckles] Kyle: Yeah. But, uh, mom -- she was -- she would show me around and explain the design of the whole place and what it would look like when it was finished, when, all of a sudden, out steps Santa Claus. Summer: [Chuckles] Kyle: And he was wearing a hard hat and work boots and he was carrying this huge bag full of presents just for me. Summer: That sounds amazing. Kyle: Yeah. Yeah. She was. Ashley: Neil, could you please just be a little bit more specific? When you say that you're overseeing things, what exactly does that mean? Neil: I'm gonna be controlling the cash. I'm gonna be protecting Devon's investment. I'm gonna write the checks, the reports. I'm gonna handle all the media, the FDA. So basically I'm gonna do whatever I need to do outside of this lab to keep the plane in the air. Gwen's gonna report to me. Dr. Neville: So you're in charge, which I didn't agree to, of a highly technical research project in a sub-specialty of medicine you know absolutely nothing about. Hilary: But he does know what success looks like. Gwen: What are you doing here? Hilary: I am dr. Neville's patient zero, proof that he is on the right track. Whatever I can do, just say the word. Dr. Neville: Well, you're walking, talking empirical evidence, Mrs. Hamilton. Are you really willing to help us? Hilary: Willing? I-I feel obligated to be a part of this project. Summer: [Chuckles] I was so cute! Kyle: Yeah. Summer: What happened? Kyle: Well, I know what happened. You went from cute to gorgeous. Summer: Ha ha. Kyle: [Chuckles] Summer: And there I'm 5 and 6. When I was a kid, I always wanted to be in action with the bigger kids. By the time I got to high school with fen, I was so rebellious. I thought I knew everything. But I didn't. You know, it sucks, 'cause if I hadn't been such a brat, I might be graduating college soon. And I just can't help but feel like I-I've lost all this time that I can't get back and, you know, I've just fallen behind and the rest of the world keeps moving on, you know? Kyle: No, summer, look, just because you're doing things differently than everybody else doesn't mean you're wrong. Just the opposite, in fact. Look, you're your own unique, amazing self. Summer: I am? Kyle: [Chuckles] You know you are. Now, look, the culmination of everything you've done and experienced, you know, the cool, the uncool, the totally insane, I mean, you bring all that to the table. And personally, I can't wait to see what comes next in the summer Newman story. Dr. Neville: I'm starting to like this place. Look what I found in the refrigerator. Gwen: Champagne? Ashley: Yeah, you never know when you might have something to celebrate. Dr. Neville: Perfect. So, what do you say we, uh, we toast our new endeavor? Neil: Wait a minute. Before we pop any corks, I'm not sure it's a good idea to put Hilary front and center here. Hilary: You don't think I'll be a good spokesperson? Neil: I didn't say that. Hilary: I'm willing to do whatever dr. Neville needs me to do, including taking part in any experiments. Dr. Neville: Now, that's what I call a vote of confidence. Ashley: Yeah, unfortunately, Hilary, that's not how it works when you're dealing with medical research. There's protocol to follow. Dr. Neville: Actually, I think we'd be foolish not to take advantage of Mrs. Hamilton's offer to help. Neil: I'm not comfortable with this. The idea of using Hilary as a lab rat before she even has her memory, I'm not cool with it. Ashley: Okay, but you know what? If she's determined to do something, then I'm sure we can find something of value for her to contribute, okay? Because this, uh, project has to succeed. Hilary: I agree. There are so many other people that dr. Neville's research could help. Dr. Neville: Perfect. And that is exactly what we'll all drink to. Beakers all around. Neil: Thank you. None for me. Thanks. Dr. Neville: Well, that's fine. More for the rest of us. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the future. Ashley: Yeah. [Glasses clink] Ashley: To our success. Jack: I got your message! Santa's elves are out in full force! Ready for a holiday tryst! Phyllis: Hi! You got here so fast. Jack: Well, you call, I come running. Hi. How about I go get us some firewood, light us a fire, and you and I can spend all day and night just the two of us and a few warm blankets? Phyllis: Hmm. That sounds amazing. That actually does. But I don't think we can do that. Jack: Why not? Phyllis: Because I invited your entire family for an old-fashioned Christmas right here at the cabin. Jack: My entire family? Phyllis: Yes! That's what this time of year is about, isn't it? Jack: W-well, yeah, but can't my entire family wait? Phyllis: Unfortunately, I don't think we can get them all here. Kyle and summer are busy. They had plans. And Ashley's at the lab. And Traci's traveling. Jack: So that just leaves... Billy: Uh... hey. Jack: You set me up. Phyllis: [Sighs] [NEXT_ON] Faith: So you'll have a party? Nikki: I'm gonna talk to your grandpa about it. I'm sure he'll agree. We'll have to plan something very special. Victor: If we're gonna get back on track, I need all of you here. Abby: Today? Victor: Today, tomorrow, until Newman is back on top.