When Deb arrives at Dan Scott Motors, Dan thinks it's to wish him a happy birthday, but really, it's just to warn him that his parents are there. Oh, and to wonder why in the hell Dan hasn't told his parents he and Deb have separated. Dan takes a deep breath and asks, "How'd they take it?" Deb follows Dan into his office and says, "You think I told them?" Pause. "You think I want to be on the receiving end of that? That's your job." He asks how long they're staying. Deb replies that it's just for the night. Wait -- it gets better, Deb says, because Dan's mother is cooking him a birthday dinner. Dan: "Oh, perfect." He sits down: "So what are we going to do?" Deb holds firm: "We are not going to do anything. You are going to go to the house right now and tell them we're separated." Dan doesn't want to do that; he argues that the whole point of counselling is for them to work it out. Why would they tell his parents, and "have them weigh in on the state of [their] marriage?" He adds, "Do you remember when we told them we weren't going to have any more kids? How many times did my dad call you? And now you don't even have the option of hanging up on him." As much as I am loath to admit it, he sort of has a point, although it's never better to lie in any situation; you know that's just going to make it worse. Anyway. Deb reluctantly agrees to go along with Dan's cockamamie plan to "pretend," just for tonight. Dan points out, "Besides, it might be good for us to try to remember what it's like to be a normal family." Because Dan and Deb Scott certainly defined "normal family" up until now. Please.

Haley serves up a storm during the breakfast rush at the café. Who's cooking the food? If Karen's not there, I assumed Deb was doing the cooking, but she was at Dan's work not five minutes ago. Haley's not doing both the cooking and the serving, I hope. As Royal walks through the door, she says, "Good morning sir, table or counter?" See, Haley's still got a job. At least one of the teenagers on this show is responsible. Royal replies, "Um, actually, I'm looking for Karen." Haley says, "Actually, she's in Italy -- cooking school." Royal says, "Good for her." Pause. "How's that boy of hers doing?" Haley looks at him kind of funny, but says, "Lucas is great." Does Royal want to leave a message? Naw, he'll catch up with her the next time he's passing by. Haley asks if Royal can tell her who he is. Royal declines, saying he's just an old friend, and then leaves the café. Haley brings a customer a cup of coffee -- but wait, Deb is there; she comes out from the kitchen to see Royal as he's leaving. Now, I'll bet that starts her mind a-wandering about whether Royal's kept in touch with Karen over the years.