ALT.DAYS

Episode #63

An ALT.DAYS Production,
A Division of Peel Productions, Inc.
Air Date: August 2, 1994
Time: Almost Immediately After #62,
Afternoon to Evening

Copyright 1995

TEASER

SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / COURTROOM. NICK IS SEATED ON THE WITNESS STAND. SPENCER IS PACING SLOWLY IN FRONT OF THE STAND. IN PROGRESS.

NICK: That was when Lawrence Alamain ordered me to put out a hit on Bo Brady.

LAWRENCE CLENCHES HIS FISTS AND GLARES FURIOUSLY AT NICK. SPENCER NOTES HIS REACTION, AND IS UNABLE TO SUPPRESS A FAINT SMILE OF SATISFACTION. MURMURS AND WHISPERS CAN BE HEARD FROM THE CROWD OF SPECTATORS.

THE MURMURS FROM THE CROWD DIE DOWN.

SPENCER: So, you contracted someone to kill Bo Brady.

NICK: That's right.

SPENCER: What happened?

NICK: The hit man planted a bomb on Brady's boat and set the timer to go off at a time when Brady would be on board.

SPENCER: Is that all?

NICK: No... Lawrence instructed me to have a note left on the boat... a note telling Bo who had killed him...

WE HEAR THE CROWD MURMUR IN DISGUST.

NICK: No, they didn't. Instead, Steve Johnson showed up at the boat... I guess he was looking for Brady. The explosion caught Johnson instead. (BEAT) He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

SPENCER: And this explosion was what killed Steve Johnson.

NICK: No. (BEAT) Johnson survived the explosion. He was in University Hospital, and his condition was improving.

SPENCER: You had an interest in Steve Johnson's condition?

NICK: Absolutely. He knew about the hit on Bo Brady, and he knew who was responsible.

SPENCER: So, Steve Johnson was a threat to you and Lawrence Alamain?

CHILDRESS: Objection! Calls for speculation.

NICK: (TO PARSONS) I don't need to speculate to answer the question, Judge.

PARSONS: Very well... Objection overruled. You may answer the question, Mr. Corelli.

NICK: Steve Johnson was a definite threat. He could prove that Lawrence Alamain ordered the hit on Brady.

SPENCER: So, what did you do?

NICK: I went to Alamain and asked him if he wanted me to handle the situation.

SPENCER: And what did Mr. Alamain say?

NICK: He said it wouldn't be necessary for me to do anything. He said he already had Steve Johnson "taken care of."

SPENCER: And what did he mean by "taken care of?"

CHILDRESS: Objection! The witness isn't a mind reader, Your Honor.

PARSONS: Can the sarcasm, counselor. I don't like it.

SPENCER: Your Honor, it's quite clear that the witness and the defendant were working closely together. Given the witness' knowledge of the situation, he can surely infer the meaning of the defendant's statement.

PARSONS: I think that Mr. Corelli is qualified to clarify the statement in question. Objection overruled .

SPENCER: So, Mr. Corelli... What did Mr. Alamain mean when he said that he already had Steve Johnson "taken care of"?

NICK: He meant that he had someone silence Johnson... permanently. (BEAT) He meant that he had someone else kill Steve Johnson.

CHILDRESS: Objection!

THE COURTROOM IS AGAIN ABUZZ WITH DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE SPECTATORS.

GO TO: JACK, JULIE, DIANE. JULIE LOOKS AT NICK IN SHOCKED SILENCE. DIANE IS FURIOUSLY TAKING NOTES.

JACK, ENRAGED, STARES AT LAWRENCE, AND BREAKS THE PENCIL HE IS HOLDING IN HIS CLENCHED FIST. HOLD ON JACK'S FURY.

ACT I

SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / COURTROOM. EVERYBODY IN THE COURTROOM IS TALKING AT ONCE. LAWRENCE IS STANDING, SHAKING A FIST AND YELLING AT NICK, WHO IS STILL SEATED AT THE WITNESS STAND. CHILDRESS STANDS, FACING JUDGE PARSONS.

CHILDRESS: I object! I object!

PARSONS BANGS HIS GAVEL REPEATEDLY, UNTIL THE COURTROOM QUIETS ENOUGH FOR HIM TO BE HEARD.

THE BAILIFF BEGINS TO WALK TOWARDS LAWRENCE, WHEN CHILDRESS PULLS ON LAWRENCE'S ARM. LAWRENCE RELUCTANTLY SITS DOWN AND SCOWLS AT NICK.

ALL OF THE COURTROOM SPECTATORS START TALKING AT ONCE. CHILDRESS STANDS UP AND ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK, WHEN PARSONS BANGS THE GAVEL.

THE COURTROOM QUIETS, AND CHILDRESS SITS DOWN.

PARSONS STANDS UP AND WALKS INTO HIS CHAMBERS. FROM THE WITNESS STAND, NICK MOTIONS TO THE BAILIFF. THE BAILIFF WALKS OVER TO NICK.

NICK: Do you think I can get something to drink? My throat is as dry as the Sahara Desert with all this talking.

THE BAILIFF TURNS TO GET A GLASS OF WATER FOR NICK.

GO TO: CHILDRESS AND LAWRENCE, WHO ARE CONDUCTING AN ANIMATED DISCUSSION.

LAWRENCE: I had no clue that he was even alive! Isn't that supposed to be your job? I pay you an exorbitant fee. With that kind of money, I expect you to find these things out, before I'm made a fool of!

CHILDRESS: How am I supposed to know about dead people returning from beyond the grave?

LAWRENCE: Find a way. And while you're at it, maybe you should find yourself a new client.

CHILDRESS: With the kind of show you just put on here, I'd be happy to, but I'm afraid my firm would disagree. (EYEING LAWRENCE) It seems that the firm is somehow indebted to you.

LAWRENCE: As you should be.

CHILDRESS: (COLD SMILE) When hell freezes over.

GO TO: THE PROSECUTOR'S TABLE, WHERE SPENCER IS SITTING. SPENCER IS WATCHING THE DISCUSSION BETWEEN CHILDRESS AND LAWRENCE WITH AMUSEMENT. HE SITS BACK, GRINNING LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT.

GO TO: JACK AND JULIE. JACK IS FURIOUS.

JULIE: I don't know, Jack. You heard what Nick said...

JACK: (COLD LAUGH) What "Nick said?" Think about that, Julie. You just referred me to the words of a man who's returned from the dead.

JULIE: I know, it's strange to say the least, but...

JACK: But what? Nick is alive, which means Jo is innocent of murder... And, according to Nick, Lawrence Alamain, not Nick, is guilty of murdering Steve.

JULIE: It looks that way, I know, but we're journalists, we've got to get all the facts before we can judge...

JACK: Facts? The fact is Nick Corelli was alive and someone let us all think he was dead. I can be judge and jury for this case. Someone... the cops, the ISA... is guilty... guilty of letting an innocent woman be convicted.

JULIE: Jo...

JACK: Of course, Jo. (BEAT) And what about Lawrence?

JULIE: Lawrence?

JACK: I know exactly how evil that man is...

JULIE PUTS HER HAND ON JACK'S ARM.

JULIE: Jack, darling, I know how vile Lawrence is... But... you have to calm down.

JACK: I don't want to calm down. I want Lawrence to pay.

JULIE: And he will... But first, think of Jo, think of the Spectator...

JACK: (LOOKING AT JULIE AND TAKING A DEEP BREATH) You're right, of course. Jo must hear the news from me... and not those hairspray heads on the evening news.

DIANE WALKS UP, CELLULAR PHONE IN HAND.

JACK: That you did. And you were right. You earned your pay today. (TURNS TO LOOK AT JULIE, THEN TURNS BACK TO DIANE) Call Vern and tell him to stop the presses. The Spectator's late edition will headline the resurrection of Nick Corelli.

DIANE: "Stop the presses?" Ohhh... I've always wanted to say that.

JACK: (SMILES) Feels good, doesn't it?

DIANE NODS.

DIANE SALUTES.

JACK: And make sure you get statements from Hanlon and Childress... if they're talking.

DIANE: (SNIFFING) Ahhhh... I love the smell of a good story in the afternoon...

JACK SMILES AS DIANE HEADS OUT OF THE COURTROOM, DIALLING HER CELLULAR PHONE. HIS SMILE FADES.

JACK: I'm fine. Thanks for reminding me of my priorities.

JULIE: Anytime. That's what friends are for.

JACK: And you're one of the best...

JULIE: I love you, too, darling.

JULIE GIVES JACK A BIG KISS, MUCH TO HIS CHAGRIN.

JULIE: We do?

JACK: I've got to make sure Diane, Jennifer and Vern are working on the story. Then...

JULIE: You've got to go to Jo.

JACK: Exactly.

JULIE: And I...

JACK: Midsummer?

JULIE: No, Euterpe. We both have people to tell. I need to find Eve...

JACK: But, first... We both need to hear the end of Nick's story.

OUT ON JACK.

ACT II

SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / HALLWAY. JACK IS PACING BACK AND FORTH BEHIND THE PAYPHONES, WHICH ARE ALL IN USE.

JACK CONTINUES TO PACE.

FINALLY, A PHONE FREES UP AND JACK RUSHES TO IT BEFORE ONE OF THE OTHER REPORTERS. HE CHECKS THE COIN RETURN BEFORE DIGGING INTO HIS POCKET FOR SOME CHANGE. HE INSERTS THE MONEY AND DIALS. JENNIFER ANSWERS, TWO-WAY.

JACK: Jennifer, it's me.

JENNIFER: Jack! What's up? Are you still at the courthouse?

JACK: Yes, I am and I need your help.

JENNIFER: Anything. What is it?

JACK: Diane is phoning in the biggest story of the year to Vern, and I need you to help him get the late edition ready. Can you do that?

JENNIFER: Of course, I'll help. But what's the big story?

JACK: It's too hard to explain over the phone... But it will make the Presley-Jackson marriage seem like page 9 news.

JENNIFER: Then why aren't you coming back to write it yourself if it's so big?

JACK: Because I have to deliver this story to Jo... personally.

JENNIFER: I don't understand. What's going on?

JACK: (LOOKS AROUND HIM) Vern will fill you in. I'm sorry, Jennifer, I have to get to Jo.

JENNIFER: Whatever you say, Jack. Good luck.

JACK: Thanks, I'll need it. (BEAT) I love you.

JACK HANGS UP THE PHONE AND TAKES A DEEP BREATH. HOLD ON JACK'S FORBODING AS HE HEADS BACK INTO THE COURTROOM TO HEAR THE REST OF NICK'S TESTIMONY.

CUT TO: SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / COURTROOM. THE SESSION HAS JUST RESUMED. EVERYONE IS BACK IN THEIR SEATS.

SPENCER: (STANDING) Thank you, Your Honor.

SPENCER WALKS OVER TO THE WITNESS STAND.

CHILDRESS: Objection! I don't see how Mr. Corelli's whereabouts are relevant to my client's case, Your Honor.

SPENCER: (TO PARSONS) Your Honor, the prosecution begs the court's indulgence. The relevance will become clear.

PARSONS: Very well, Mr. Hanlon, as long as you don't take too long to make your point. (BEAT) Objection overruled.

WE SEE JACK SLIP BACK INTO THE COURTROOM.

NICK: I was shot by Jo Johnson, Steve Johnson's mother. There were three ISA agents waiting for me when my ambulance arrived at University Hospital. They arranged it so everyone would think I was dead.

WE SEE JACK CLENCH HIS FISTS, THEN PAUSE AND TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

NICK: Yes.

SPENCER: How did they know you had been shot?

NICK: Because they were keeping tabs on me. (BEAT) I had been working undercover for the ISA for several months.

WE SEE JANET, WHO IS SHOCKED BY NICK'S STATEMENT. SHE TURNS AND LOOKS SUSPICIOUSLY AT SHANE, WHO DOESN'T NOTICE HER STARE.

NICK: Yes.

A BRIEF MURMUR RISES AND FALLS AMONGST THE SPECTATORS.

SPENCER: But then, Steve Johnson showed up...

NICK: (SADLY) Yeah... That was a damned shame. (BEAT) Like I said, no one was supposed to get hurt... no one. Johnson was supposed to be at a going-away party for him and his wife...

WE SEE JACK BOW HIS HEAD.

SPENCER: What happened after Mr. Alamain had Steve Johnson "taken care of"?

CHILDRESS: Objection! My client's guilt or innocence has not yet been determined, Your Honor.

PARSONS: Sustained. Mr. Hanlon, please rephrase the question.

SPENCER: Mr. Corelli, what did you do after you discovered that Steve Johnson was dead?

NICK: I couldn't stand it anymore. I'd had enough of the lying, the deceiving... I had enough evidence on Alamain, and I was ready to use it. I wanted to see him go down in flames.

SPENCER: So, at that point, you were ready to testify in the ISA's case against Lawrence Alamain?

NICK: That's right.

SPENCER: And did you?

NICK: Not right away. That's when I was shot.

SPENCER: And the ISA took over, had you pronounced dead, and put you into the witness protection program.

NICK: Yeah. Once I recovered, I gave them everything I had on Alamain. (BEAT) I knew I was going to be put into the program anyway, and my being shot just made it that much easier for them to hide me.

SPENCER: So you delivered evidence against Lawrence Alamain to the ISA very shortly after you were shot?

NICK: Yeah. Almost four years ago.

SPENCER: Mr. Corelli, do you know why no one knew about your testimony or your evidence until now?

OUT ON SPENCER'S QUESTION.

ACT III

SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / COURTROOM. IN PROGRESS. NICK TAKES A SIP OF WATER, BEFORE ANSWERING SPENCER'S QUESTION.

SPENCER: Is this the reason why you came back to Salem?

NICK: It sure is. (ANGRY) I lost practically four years of my life stuck in the witness protection program, only to find out that the ISA never even used my testimony...

NICK PUTS HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS. SPENCER GOES TO THE PROSECUTOR'S TABLE AND PULLS OUT TWO PIECES OF PAPER.

SPENCER HANDS ONE OF THE PIECES OF PAPER TO CHILDRESS.

CHILDRESS BEGINS READING THE STATEMENT. LAWRENCE, WHO HAS BEEN STEWING IN HIS CHAIR, CANNOT HOLD BACK ANY LONGER. HE JUMPS UP AND SCREAMS AT NICK.

PARSONS: (BANGING THE GAVEL) Mr. Alamain, please sit down! (TO CHILDRESS) Counsel, this is the last warning. If you cannot restrain your client, I will hold him, and you, in contempt of court.

CHILDRESS GIVES LAWRENCE AN ICY STARE.

LAWRENCE SITS DOWNS AND STRAIGHTENS HIS TIE, MAKING AN OBVIOUS EFFORT TO REGAIN HIS USUAL ICY COMPOSURE.

SPENCER: Of course, Your Honor.

SPENCER HANDS THE STATEMENT TO PARSONS. PARSONS PUTS ON HIS GLASSES AND GLANCES AT THE PAPER.

CHILDRESS: Yes, Your Honor. The defense questions the validity of the statement. Everything written is purely circumstantial.

SPENCER: May I remind the defense that evidence cannot be disallowed simply because counsel believes it to be circumstantial. Chief Tarrington is a well known and respected figure in the ISA.

PARSONS FINISHES READING THE STATEMENT AND LOOKS UP.

SPENCER SMIRKS AT CHILDRESS, WHO RETURNS AN ANGRY LOOK.

WE SEE NICK CLENCH HIS JAW IN FRUSTRATION. WE SEE SHANE SHAKING HIS HEAD IN DISBELIEF.

WE SEE LAWRENCE, WHO SITS, FUMING.

WE SEE JULIE, SHANE AND JACK, STAND AND LEAVE THE COURTROOM. HOLD ON PARSONS, AS HE CONTINUES TO READ THE TESTIMONY.

CUT TO: JACK'S OFFICE. JENNIFER IS AT JACK'S DESK, TYPING MADLY AT HIS COMPUTER WHILE REFERRING OCCASIONALLY TO NOTES SHE'S TAKEN. VERN ENTERS.

JENNIFER: Just give me one more... (KEYING AND READING THE SCREEN) Yes! Just enough oomph at the end to make 'em want to be the first to get tomorrow's morning issue...

VERN: You always did have a way with oomph.

JENNIFER: Now, let me send this to the printer, and we can check it over together.

JENNIFER HITS A FEW KEYS, AND THE PRINTER WHIRRS ON.

JENNIFER: Me, too. But Jack is going to tell her about it in person. He'll be there to help her. Still... it's going to a shock...

VERN: She's carried so much guilt, for so long... now to find out she really didn't kill Corelli...

JENNIFER: I just hope she can handle it. Poor Jo... poor Jack...

THE PRINTER STOPS, AND JENNIFER GETS THE PAGES FROM IT. SHE SITS AGAIN, PAGES IN FRONT OF HER, AND PICKS UP A BLUE PENCIL TO BEGIN EDITING. VERN LOOKS OVER HER SHOULDER. OUT ON THE TWO.

ACT IV

SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / COURTROOM. NICK IS ON THE STAND AGAIN, AND SPENCER IS WRAPPING UP HIS QUESTIONS.

NICK: He's the one.

SPENCER: Nothing further, Your Honor.

PARSONS: In that case, the court stands adjourned until 9 a.m. tomorrow, when the defense will have the opportunity to cross examine the witness. You may step down, Mr. Corelli... Court is adjourned.

THE GAVEL BANGS AND NICK STEPS DOWN FROM THE STAND. AS HE PASSES INTO THE OPEN COURT AREA, THE PRESS BEGINS TO MOB HIM WITH QUESTIONS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE ISA ESCORTS SURROUND NICK.

REPORTER 2: Mr. Corelli, what's it like to come back to help put your boss in jail?

REPORTER 3: Aren't you afraid Lawrence Alamain will come after you?

THE DIN INCREASES, AND SUDDENLY, NICK STOPS AND LETS OUT A PIERCING WHISTLE.

SOME OF THE REPORTERS GIGGLE NERVOUSLY, AS NICK TURNS BRISKLY PUSHES PAST THEM. ON HIS WAY OUT, HE PASSES DIANE, WHO IS SPEAKING FURIOUSLY INTO HER CELLULAR PHONE.

CUT TO: SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / EXT. THE ISA AGENTS ATTEMPT TO HERD NICK PAST THE REPORTERS AND INTO THE CAR. NICK STOPS.

ISA AGENT: Mr. Corelli, we have been instructed to accompany you...

NICK: To hell with your instructions... give me the keys...

ISA AGENT: Mr. Corelli, that would be a terrible breach of procedure, I'm afraid I can't allow..

NICK FEINTS SLIGHTLY AS IF HE WERE GOING TO TRY AND RUN, THEN AS THE ISA AGENT MOVES TOWARDS HIM, NICK GRABS THE KEYS FROM HIS HAND AND DARTS BACK, SLIDING SMOOTHLY INTO THE SEAT OF THE BIG BLACK SEDAN, QUICKLY SHUTTING THE DOOR.

NICK: Aw, take a pill and relax. I'll be back in time for that defense shark to grill me... for now, I'm on my own time.

WITH THAT, NICK GUNS THE SEDAN. HOLD ON THE DUST CLOUD THAT ENVELOPES THE ASSEMBLED CROWD.

CUT TO: EUTERPE. JULIE, LOOKING FRANTIC, RUSHES IN. SHE SPIES DAVE AND HURRIES OVER TO HIM.

JULIE: Dave, have you seen Eve?

DAVE: No, not today. (NOTING JULIE'S CONCERN) Why? What's wrong?

JULIE: I don't have time to explain, but I have to find her immediately.

JASMIN ENTERS FROM THE KITCHEN.

JASMIN: Yes, Mrs. Williams?

JULIE: Jasmin, have you seen Eve today?

JASMIN: (SOTTO VOCE) Obviously not, since I'm still in a good mood...

JULIE: What?

JASMIN: Oh, nothing. (BEAT) I haven't seen her.

IAN ENTERS FROM THE BACK, CARRYING A CLIPBOARD.

IAN: Hi, Julie!

JULIE: Ian, have you seen Eve? Do you know where I can find her?

IAN: Um... no, I don't. I only talked to her on the phone this morning.

JULIE: Do you know where she was calling from?

IAN: I think she was calling from home. (BEAT) But that was quite a while ago.

JULIE: Okay... Do me a favor. If she shows up here, would you call my office and have them page me?

IAN: Sure, no problem. (BEAT) Is something wrong?

JULIE: Yes... very wrong.

IAN: What is it?

JULIE: I don't have time to explain right now. I'm sure you'll hear about it soon enough.

JULIE WALKS TOWARD THE ENTRANCE. SHANE RUSHES IN, NEARLY COLLIDING WITH HER.

JULIE: No, she isn't. (BEAT) I have a bone to pick with you, Shane Donovan.

SHANE: Can we talk about it later? We really need to find Eve before she hears about Nick...

JULIE: That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you... What part did you play in this scenario?

SHANE: None, unfortunately. I hadn't a clue. It was as much of a shock to me as it was to you.

JULIE: How could the ISA do such a thing? How could they let Lawrence remain free? How could they let everyone think Nick was dead, and let Jo be convicted for murdering him?

SHANE: I'm not sure... Something about wanting to use Lawrence to get to bigger fish...

JULIE: I know what Chief Tarrington's letter said. I want to know the whole truth. A lot of people want to know.

SHANE: Julie, I assure you... I'm going to find out all the details of Nick's situation, and I'll be happy to share those with you. (BEAT) But right now, my only priority is finding Eve.

JULIE: You're right. (BEAT) Ian said he talked to her on the phone this morning... She was at home.

SHANE: I just came from there. She's not there now.

JULIE: Where else could she be?

SHANE: I don't know. (BEAT) But we'd better come up with something quickly. I don't want some stranger to be the one to tell Eve that Nick is alive.

OUT ON SHANE'S CONCERN.

ACT V

EUTERPE. JULIE AND SHANE ARE BOTH ON THE PHONE, ONE-WAY, TRYING TO TRACK DOWN EVE. IN PROGRESS.

SHANE HANGS UP THE PHONE.

JULIE PUTS HER HAND OVER THE RECEIVER AND TURNS TO SHANE.

SHANE: No... She's not at home, not at the Pub, not at the hospital or Alice's...

JULIE TURNS BACK TO THE PHONE AS SOMEONE FINALLY SPEAKS TO HER.

JULIE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND TURNS BACK TO SHANE.

SHANE: She's not there, she's not getting her nails or hair done, and no one has seen her. Can you think of anywhere or anyone else we could call?

JULIE: Maybe Doug has seen or heard from her... I can try him at home, but he may be on his way here...

SHANE: Might be worth a try... Hell... anything is worth a try... We've got to find her, Julie... before the press or, worse, Nick does.

HOLD ON SHANE.

CUT TO: SALEM COUNTY COURTHOUSE / EXT. THE PRESS AND MANY SPECTATORS ARE CAMPED OUT ON THE STEPS. THE ATMOSPHERE IS EXCITED AND TENSE. SPENCER EMERGES FROM THE BUILDING AND THE PRESS MOBS HIM ON THE STEPS, SHOUTING QUESTIONS AND JOSTLING EACH OTHER FOR A BETTER ANGLE. DIANE IS UP NEAR THE FRONT. SPENCER HOLDS UP HIS HANDS TO THE REPORTERS.

THE REPORTERS SETTLE SOMEWHAT, WAITING EXPECTANTLY. SPENCER CLEARS HIS THROAT.

DIANE SCRIBBLES NOTES FURIOUSLY. THE ASSEMBLED REPORTERS BEGIN SHOUTING QUESTIONS AS SPENCER.

REPORTER 2: Was his appearance your trump card all along?

SPENCER BEGINS WALKING DOWN THE STEPS. CHILDRESS EMERGES FROM THE BUILDING AND, SEEING THE REPORTERS OCCUPIED WITH SPENCER, ATTEMPTS TO MAKE A QUICK GETAWAY.

ONE OF THE REPORTERS NOTICES CHILDRESS AND SHOUTS. THE MOB TURNS AND SURGES TOWARDS HIM, CAMERAS AND MICROPHONES POINTED IN HIS DIRECTION. HE LOOKS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND PUSHES THROUGH THE CROWD.

DIANE, IN THE MIDST OF THE CHAOS, DIALS HER CELLULAR PHONE.

HOLD ON DIANE HOLDING ONE EAR AND TALKING TO VERN.

CUT TO: EUTERPE. JULIE STANDS BEHIND SHANE, WHO IS ON THE TELEPHONE, ONE WAY.

SHANE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND TURNS TO JULIE.

SHANE: I'm afraid not. She still hasn't gone home.

JULIE: I can't think of anywhere else that she might go.

SHANE: Neither can I, and I'm starting to get worried. What should happen if she were to run into...

SUDDENLY, NICK WALKS INTO EUTERPE. HE LOOKS AROUND, IN CONFUSION.

NICK: What happened to this joint? What happened to my Wings?

JULIE: Nick! What are you doing here?

NICK: Where's Evie?

JULIE: That's what we'd like to know. Would you have any idea where she might be?

NICK: This is the only place I could think of... (STARTS TO TURN AROUND) I've gotta find her.

SHANE: Now wait just a minute! You've got a few questions to answer!

NICK: Not now, super spy. I have to find Evie first.

SHANE: Actually, for once we agree on something. It's vital that Eve not hear about you from someone else.

NICK: Where's she been hanging out lately?

JULIE: Actually, here at Euterpe. She works here.

NICK: Euterpe? What kind of name is that?

JULIE: (IGNORING NICK'S COMMENT) Nobody's seen her around today.

SHANE: You know, this is so ironic. Lately, Eve's been spending a lot of time talking about you, Nick.

NICK: (SMILING) You don't say.

SUDDENLY, A LOOK OF INSPIRATION FLASHES OVER NICK'S FACE.

SHANE: Where?

WITHOUT ANSWERING SHANE, NICK TURNS AND HEADS FOR THE EXIT. DAVE WALKS OUT OF THE KITCHEN, WHEN NICK RUNS PAST HIM. SHOCKED, DAVE DOES A DOUBLE-TAKE. OUT ON DAVE'S CONFUSION.

ACT VI

EUTERPE. JULIE AND SHANE ARE SEATED AT A TABLE. JOHN, LOOKING DAZED AND CONFUSED, WALKS IN. HE SEES SHANE AND JULIE AND GOES OVER TO THEM.

JULIE: Hello, John.

SHANE: John... I know this is a long shot, but have you seen my daughter recently?

JOHN: Eve... no. (BEAT) But, I...

JOHN TURNS AND LOOKS TOWARD THE DOOR.

JOHN: (TURNING BACK TO JULIE AND SHANE) I just saw... (BEAT) I know this sounds crazy, but I'd swear I just saw Nick Corelli in the parking lot.

SHANE: Yes, we know.

JOHN: (SURPRISED) You know?

JULIE: (MOTIONING TO AN EMPTY CHAIR) Why don't you sit down, darling?

JOHN: (SITTING DOWN) Thanks. (BEAT) Can one of you tell me how Nick Corelli's come back from the dead?

JULIE: He showed up in court today, to testify against Lawrence Alamain.

JOHN: (SHOCKED) But how? (BEAT) I saw the body... The man was dead.

SHANE: That's what the ISA wanted everyone to think.

JOHN: The ISA...?

SHANE: It seems that Corelli was working undercover, gathering evidence against Lawrence Alamain. About the time that Nick was ready to testify, Steve Johnson was killed.

JOHN: And then Jo shot Nick...

SHANE: The ISA took over at that point, putting Nick in the witness protection program and having him declared dead.

JOHN: Of course... Who's going to look for a dead man?

JOHN SHAKES HIS HEAD AND LAUGHS.

JOHN: I was just thinking of how often death turns out to be a temporary condition in this town. (BEAT) (TO SHANE) You sound pretty surprised by all of this, Guv'nor.

SHANE: I am. I didn't know until just recently that the ISA had a protected witness in this case. And until he walked into the courtroom today, I had no idea that the witness was Nick Corelli.

JOHN: They kept you in the dark this whole time?

SHANE: I'm afraid so.

JULIE: (DISGUSTED) I think it's inexcusable.

JOHN: Unfortunately, it's standard procedure with the ISA. Everything's on a "need to know" basis.

SHANE: (CONTEMPTUOUS) All for the "greater good."

JOHN: So, what did they get? What does Nick have on Lawrence?

SHANE: It's not good, old man...

JOHN: I'm sure it isn't, knowing my brother. Come on, Shane...

JULIE: Nick testified that Lawrence was responsible for the explosion on Bo's boat. (BEAT) He was also the one that had Steve killed in the hospital.

JOHN: (HORRIFIED) No...

SHANE: I'm sorry, John. I know this must be a shock to you.

JOHN: It's not me I'm worried about, it's Nikki. (BEAT) I know we all suspected that Lawrence was involved with Steve's death, but... I was hoping we were wrong, for Nikki's sake. (BEAT) But it's true. His father's a murderer. He's more evil than we thought.

JOHN STANDS UP.

JOHN: I have to talk to Vivian. We have to figure out a way to break this to Nikki, before he sees it plastered all over the evening news.

SHANE: We're in a similar predicament.

JOHN: How so?

JULIE: Eve.

SHANE: We don't know where she is. (BEAT) She doesn't know about Nick yet.

JULIE: He was going to try to find her when you came in.

JOHN: Damn. (BEAT) Well, if I see her, I'll let you know.

JULIE: Call Deveraux Publishing, if you do see her. They'll know where to reach me at all times.

JOHN: Will do.

SHANE: Thanks, John. Good luck with Nikki.

JOHN: Thanks, same to you. I hope Eve's okay. See ya.

JULIE: 'Bye.

JOHN GOES TO THE ENTRANCE AND PAUSES.

HOLD ON JOHN'S CONCERN.

CUT TO: VERN'S OFFICE. VERN IS SEATED AT HIS COMPUTER TERMINAL, TYPING FURIOUSLY. JENNIFER COMES IN HOLDING A LARGE SHEET.

VERN TAKES THE SHEET AND SCANS IT.

JENNIFER: (READING) "It is now glaringly evident that Jo Johnson's conviction for the murder of Nick Corelli should be overturned." (BEAT) This is good, Vern.

VERN: I was worried that I wasn't objective enough.

JENNIFER: No... I think you're fine. You do say she shot him, but that's very different from killing him. (BEAT) I'm sure I can guess what Jack's editorial will be in the morning edition... and that certainly won't be objective...

VERN: That's why they're called editorials, Jenny-girl.

JENNIFER: He sounded upset when I spoke to him earlier.

VERN: I don't blame him.

JENNIFER: Nor do I. How can any of us possibly have faith in a system that would let an innocent woman believe she committed murder?

VERN: I wonder how Jo is going to take all this...

JENNIFER: So do I. I'm glad that Jack is the one breaking the news to her. He wanted her to hear it from her son.

VERN: Jack's got a heart of gold under all that bluff and bluster.

JENNIFER: I know that and you know that and Jack knows we know... But, you and I both know that we should pretend we don't know a thing.

VERN: You know what's scary?

JENNIFER: What?

VERN: I actually understood that.

JENNIFER LAUGHS AS VERN WALKS TO THE DOOR.

JENNIFER: All right, and I'll start getting the rest of the issue put to bed. Thank heaven the classifieds are done...

HOLD ON JENNIFER, SITTING DOWN AT VERN'S COMPUTER AND STARING INTENTLY AT THE SCREEN.

CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT/HALLWAY. JACK IS SLOWLY APPROACHING JO'S DOOR.

JACK KNOCKS ON JO'S DOOR. SHE QUICKLY ANSWERS IT.

JO GIVES JACK A HUG, AND JACK TENTATIVELY RETURNS IT.

JACK WALKS INTO THE APARTMENT AND JO CLOSES THE DOOR.

JO: Make yourself comfortable Jack, and I'll be right back.

JO HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN. JACK SITS DOWN ON THE COUCH, AND PICKS UP A FRAMED PHOTO OFF OF THE END TABLE. IT'S THE PHOTO OF JO, ADRIENNE, STEVE AND JACK FROM CHRISTMAS 1989.

JACK PUTS THE PICTURE BACK ON THE TABLE. JO RETURNS, AND HANDS JACK THE GLASS OF LEMONADE.

JACK SETS THE GLASS DOWN ON THE COFFEE TABLE.

OUT ON JACK'S SERIOUSNESS.

ACT VII

JO'S APARTMENT. JO HAS TAKEN A SEAT BESIDE JACK.

JO: Jack...

JACK: But I promise you that I'll find out how this atrocity could have been allowed. (BEAT) Heads will roll until I get the truth...

JO: Jack! Would you please tell me what in the world you're talking about?

JACK TAKES A VERY DEEP BREATH, THEN TAKES JO'S HAND.

JO: Jack? (BEAT) Whatever it is, son, you can tell me...

JACK: At the trial today... Lawrence's trial... (BEAT) There was a surprise witness. (LONG BEAT) It was Nick.

JO: (STUNNED) What...

JACK: Nick Corelli is alive and well and walking the streets of Salem.

HOLD ON JO'S ASTONISHMENT.

CUT TO: SALEM CEMETERY. EVE IS AT NICK'S GRAVESITE.

EVE'S EYES BEGIN TO WELL WITH TEARS.

EVE QUICKLY BRUSHES AWAY HER TEARS.

IN THE BACKGROUND, A CAR IS HEARD.

EVE BEGINS TO CRY.

UNNOTICED BY EVE, NICK WALKS UP BEHIND HER.

NICK: (SOFTLY) I'm right here, Evie.

STARTLED, EVE TURNS AROUND AND SEES NICK, STANDING THERE, SMILING. HOLD ON EVE'S SHOCK. AND OUT. FADE TO BLACK.

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