Real World Philadelphia, Episode 14: That Forbidden Girl

Last week, Sarah tried to convert a gay man, and MJ had a closet meeting with a girl gone wild.

This week, our roomies are taking in a Philadelphia Soul game in New York. Landon says he wants to soak everything in, but on the bus ride home, his eyes are taking a bath in one Gina, from the Soul accounting department. MJ and Landon ogle at the doe-eyed beauty as they sip their beers. Landon makes contact and chats her up on the bus.

As the gang piles in the mini-van, Landon says Gina wants to come back to the house with them, but her boss can’t see her do it. There is a no fraternizing rule, you see. (Come on, Jon Bon Jovi! It’s 2004! If you hire adults, let them be adults!) Mel says hanging out is not fraternizing, which was a question Landon had. Landon says the whole fraternizing thing is so gray. (It usually is.)

Gina gets back to the house, where Landon points out a fish he names "Shavonda," who is "an absolute terror!" The real Shavonda sees Landon with Gina and cocks an eyebrow. "It’s really stupid to be fraternize with a Soul employee. But, Landon does really stupid things!" she snarls.

At work, boss Laura tells them that they will be doing a charity event for Easter Seals. This causes Shavonda some concern. She tells Laura privately that Shavonda has an "issue" with challenged kids. Apparently, in her youth, the special ed kids would terrorize the playground (now, that’s a twist!) and she is quite afraid of them. Shavonda says she’s not proud of the fear that she has carried into her adult years, but there it is. Laura says Shavonda should try to participate in the event and while she’s there, if she’s really that uncomfortable, she can just say so.

At home, Shavonda shares her fears with Sarah, who is again house psychologist. Sarah says everyone has phobias, she’s not going to judge. She then explains that kids with cerebral palsy have trouble with muscle control, they are not mentally ill at all. In barges Mel, asking who are they talking about. Kids with cerebral palsy. Oh gawd, Shavonda! Mel says Shavonda needs to suck it up, and leaves. Shavonda says she didn’t need that from ol’ judgmental Melanie.

Landon and Gina are at a club, drinking and dancing. Gina says she really loved their talk on the bus. But. Landon play-groans. Gina says she really wants someone to "come home to." She does not want to be "that girl" he just hooks up with and dumps. Landon says he would never let her be "that girl," he wants her to be "that girl!" That’s clear. Gina seems mollified for the moment and they dance ohsoclose.

It’s 4:30 AM, and Landon calls Gina to make sure she got home okay. She finds that very sweet. He says he’ll see her later in the morning. She says, yeah, in like two hours! I remember when I could do that. No more.

The gangs wakes up at 6:15 to go to the Easter Seals Walk. Shavonda finds herself with the duty of being the ambassador to the host family, including Olivia, the youth ambassador. As the day goes on, Shavonda is struck by how Olivia’s family treats her as a normal five-year-old. Shavonda reasons that Olivia is challenged, but she’s "nothing to be afraid of." Shavonda goes on to have a rewarding day, as they all seem to.

Landon chats with Gina, he admits he’s struggling with the whole fraternization rule. Gina says he shouldn’t worry about it. To us, Landon says Gina knows the rules better than he does, so if she’s okay, he okay.

Someone is not okay. Shavonda says a meeting has been called. In attendance are Laura and Mimi, Gina’s boss. Mimi looks like a hard ass from the old school! Mimi whips out their intern contracts and goes on her corporate schpiel about how interns are not allowed to fraternize with the players, dance team, office staff, hot dog vendors, football manufacturers, anyone who has ever been to a Soul Game, or anyone who can correctly pronounce Bongiovi! Cripes! Mimi says she wants to encourage interaction, but there... is.... a.... line.

And that line has been breached. Shavonda says Landon is sweating a pond in his chair! He could be fired! (Chances are, if he were, they wouldn’t do it in front of everyone.)

Mimi finishes up without naming names. She says they have been great with the PR, but the interpersonal control has been lacking. Mimi says she has kids their age and she doesn’t tell them to "be good," she tells them to "make good choices." So, make good choices.

Mel and Willie are kvetching that they had to be in that meeting when everyone knew she was talking about Landon. Why not just call him in? (A fair question, I sort of hate that too!) Landon and MJ have their own post-mortem on the meeting. MJ says Mimi was nervous (maybe about being on television?), her hands were shaking. Landon says Gina says they already crossed the line, they may as well see it through. MJ tells us he thinks Landon is going to cool it.

Shavonda calls Shaun and tells him about her Easter Seals Walk experience. She thinks she may be over her fear of challenged children.

Landon calls Gina and says to her machine that they “need to talk." (What everyone loves to hear on their machines!) He goes on to say there was a meeting with Mimi, and yeah, we need to talk. To us, Landon says that has to be that. He doesn’t want Gina to get fired, he doesn’t want to get fired either. So, que sera sera!

Next Week: Sarah gets bad news from home, and Karamo is tired of his boyfriend.

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for 16 years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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