ALT.DAYS

Episode #64

An ALT.DAYS Production,
A Division of Peel Productions, Inc.
Air Date: August 9, 1994
Time: Immediately Following #63,
Evening to Late Night

Copyright 1995

TEASER

SALEM CEMETERY. EVE IS KNEELING AT NICK'S "GRAVE." NICK HAS JUST WALKED UP BEHIND HER.

EVE TURNS AROUND. SHE REACTS IN SHOCK.

EVE SHAKES HER HEAD, AS IF TO CLEAR IT.

NICK: Evie? What are you talking about?

EVE: What do you mean what am I talking about? Like you don't know. (BEAT) Boy, Dad is right. I'm sitting here arguing with a ghost. I gotta learn to let go...

NICK TAKES A STEP FORWARD, HOLDING OUT HIS HANDS.

EVE SQUINTS AT NICK. SHE SLOWLY STANDS UP AND WALKS HALTINGLY TOWARDS HIM.

EVE REACHES OUT TO TOUCH NICK'S HANDS.

EVE TOUCHES NICK'S HANDS TENTATIVELY. NICK CLASPS HERS AND HOLDS THEM TIGHTLY. EVE JUMPS AWAY FROM HIM.

EVE COLLAPSES IN A FAINT. NICK CATCHES HER BEFORE SHE HITS THE GROUND. HOLD ON NICK'S CONCERN.

CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT. JO AND JACK ARE SEATED ON THE COUCH. JO STARES AT JACK, IN SHOCK. IN PROGRESS.

JACK: You did hear me correctly. (SIGHS) Nick Corelli is alive and well.

JO: It can't be... It just can't...

JACK: I wouldn't have believed it either, unless I'd seen him with my own eyes. (BEAT) But it's true. He's alive.

JO: But... I don't understand. (BEAT) How? How could this happen? And why?

JACK: (FRUSTRATED) Unfortunately, I don't have all the answers. (BEAT) Not yet. But I will. I swear to you, I won't rest until I make someone answer for everything that...

JACK PAUSES, NOTING JO'S CONCERN.

JO: But, what happened after I... after I...

JACK: Nick didn't die... obviously. He handed his evidence against Lawrence over to the ISA and gave his testimony. After that, they put Nick in a witness protection program and let all of us think he was dead.

JO: Then why is he back now?

JACK: Apparently, the ISA didn't use Nick's evidence until now. Nick was brought in to testify at Lawrence's trial. (BEAT) There's something else you should know.

JO: (HESITANTLY) What is it?

JACK: Nick's testimony included the fact that Lawrence Alamain is the one responsible for... for Steve's death.

JO: (STUNNED) No...

JACK: I'm afraid so.

JO: It's too unbelievable... Too unbelievable...

JACK: I know. This must be so hard for you to...

JO BURIES HER FACE IN HER HANDS. HER BODY BEGINS TO SHAKE.

JACK KNEELS DOWN IN FRONT OF JO AND PUTS HIS HAND ON HER ARM.

JO KEEPS HER HANDS OVER HER FACE, HER BODY STILL SHAKING. HOLD ON JACK'S CONCERN.

CUT TO: CONFERENCE ROOM, SALEM COUNTY JAIL. LAWRENCE IS SEATED AT THE TABLE. THE DOOR OPENS, AND CHILDRESS ENTERS. WITHOUT SAYING A WORD, CHILDRESS GOES TO THE TABLE AND SITS DOWN ACROSS FROM LAWRENCE. HE OPENS HIS BRIEFCASE AND REMOVES SOME FILE FOLDERS.

LAWRENCE: You mean, you have to move fast. You're the attorney, here. (BEAT) At least, you're supposed to be...

CHILDRESS: At this stage of the game, insulting me isn't going to do you any good.

LAWRENCE: Well, then, I suggest that you come up with a way to get me acquitted. (BEAT) Otherwise, insults will be the least of your worries.

CHILDRESS STANDS UP AND GLARES AT LAWRENCE.

LAWRENCE: Consider it a warning. You'd better start doing your job, or face the consequences.

CHILDRESS: (POINTING A FINGER AT LAWRENCE) I'm just about fed up with you, Alamain. (BEAT) What do you plan on doing, having a house dropped on me if you're convicted?

LAWRENCE: (COOLLY) Stranger things have happened...

CHILDRESS: I didn't even want this case. I never wanted it. (BEAT) In fact, if I were your average Joe Blow on the street, I'd say that you're the scum of the earth, and that you deserve to rot in jail!

LAWRENCE: But you're not the average man on the street. You're an overpriced lawyer whose job it is to defend me. (BEAT) You're not being paid to express your opinions about me. You're being paid to see that I'm not convicted of these charges.

CHILDRESS: Yes, that's what I get paid for. And, even though it sickens me, I will do my best for you in that courtroom, because that's my job.

LAWRENCE: You'd better be damn sure that your "best" is enough to convince the jury that I'm innocent.

CHILDRESS: I'll do whatever I can, but let's be realistic...

LAWRENCE: What the hell do you mean by that?

CHILDRESS: Face it, Lawrence... After Corelli's testimony, we're in a world of hurt.

LAWRENCE: But you'll have your turn with Corelli. He's not exactly an upstanding member of the community. You can discredit him.

CHILDRESS: I can try. But he has the ISA backing him, so it's going to be extremely difficult to discredit his testimony. (BEAT) I'm a damn good attorney, Lawrence, but I'm just that... an attorney. I'm not a miracle worker. Don't expect me to be one.

OUT ON LAWRENCE'S ANGER.

ACT I

SALEM CEMETERY. NICK, KNEELING ON THE GROUND, SUPPORTS EVE IN HIS ARMS. HE SMOOTHS HER HAIR BACK FROM HER FACE, HIS FINGERS LINGERING TO LIGHTLY CARESS HER FACE.

EVE BEGINS TO STIR, MOANING A BIT.

EVE OPENS HER EYES. SHE REACHES UP TO TOUCH NICK'S FACE.

EVE SITS UP AND THROWS HER ARMS AROUND NICK, COVERING HIS FACE WITH KISSES. NICK GRINS. JUST AS HE TURNS HIS HEAD TO KISS EVE BACK, SHE SHOVES HIM AWAY, HARD. HE CATCHES HIMSELF ON HIS HANDS.

NICK: I know, I know. I was working undercover for the ISA, trying to bring down Lawrence Alamain. Things were getting hot, so when Jo Johnson shot me they put me in the witness protection program.

EVE: Undercover? So that was the reason for you being so mean and nasty? (BEAT) I knew you weren't like that.

NICK: It was all an act to get Larry. I had to make him... and everyone else... believe I was serious. I wish it could have been different, I know I hurt a lot of people.

EVE: (HAPPY) I knew it! I haven't been able to add it all up. I knew you still loved me! I knew you wouldn't try to deliberately hurt my dad. Or Steve or Bo.

EVE AGAIN COVERS NICK'S FACE WITH KISSES. NICK REACHES UP TO TAKE EVE'S FACE BETWEEN HIS HANDS, HE LOOKS AT HER, THEN LOWERS HIS LIPS TO HERS. THEY KISS PASSIONATELY. SUDDENLY EVE PULLS AWAY AND SLAPS NICK ACROSS THE FACE. HOLD ON NICK'S SHOCK.

CUT TO: EUTERPE. SHANE IS AT THE BAR, TALKING ON THE PHONE. ONE-WAY.

SHANE HANGS UP THE PHONE. HE SIGHS WITH EXASPERATION AND THEN RETURNS TO THE TABLE WHERE JULIE IS STILL SITTING.

SHANE: (SITTING DOWN) No, I'm afraid not.

JULIE: So what are we supposed to do?

SHANE: I wish I had a good answer for you. (BEAT) Until I come up with one, I suppose all we can do is wait. She's bound to show up sooner or later.

JULIE: I just pray it's sooner, rather than later.

SHANE: You and me, both.

JULIE: (NARROWING HER GAZE) While we're waiting for Eve, I have a few questions for you, Captain Donovan.

SHANE: Uh-oh...

JULIE: You said that you knew absolutely nothing about Nick's still being alive...

SHANE: That's right. It's the truth.

JULIE: I find that hard to believe. (BEAT) I don't mean that I don't believe you, darling... I just don't understand why your superiors would keep you in the dark like that.

SHANE: They probably felt that telling me would be too much of a risk, considering Eve's relationship with Nick.

JULIE: "Personal involvement by association"?

SHANE: Something like that.

JULIE: I still think it's a crock.

SHANE: I think you're right. (BEAT) Julie, I promise you, if I had known about Nick, I would never have let Jo be convicted.

JULIE: Would you have told Eve?

SHANE: Probably. (BEAT) I couldn't hurt her by lying to her like that.

JULIE: If the ISA bigwigs heard that, I'm sure they'd feel completely justified.

SHANE: I'm sure they would. However, I still have several questions for them. The first would be, why didn't they take Nick's testimony and go ahead with the charges against Alamain?

JULIE: You're not the only one asking that question...

SHANE: If the ISA hadn't buried the case against Lawrence, then maybe Steve would still be alive. (BEAT) Maybe Jennifer would never have been raped, and half of Salem wouldn't have been buried alive under the Alamain estate.

JULIE: There are a lot of things that should have been different.

SHANE: The ISA certainly has a lot to answer for. (BEAT) And you can be sure that I'll make certain they do just that.

HOLD ON SHANE'S DETERMINATION.

CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT. JO IS ON THE COUCH, HER FACE STILL BURIED IN HER HANDS. JACK IS KNEELING BESIDE HER. IN PROGRESS.

JO LOOKS UP. TEARS ARE STREAMING DOWN HER FACE, BUT SHE IS SMILING. JACK LOOKS AT HER INQUISITIVELY.

JACK: (GETTING UP AND SITTING BESIDE JO) That's certainly understandable...

JO: To tell you the truth, I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

JACK: So, I see, you've opted to do both.

JO LAUGHS AS JACK PULLS A HANDKERCHIEF FROM HIS COAT POCKET AND OFFERS IT TO JO.

JO TAKES THE HANDKERCHIEF AND WIPES HER EYES.

JO: Yes, I'm sure. (BEAT) I think I'm going to be better than all right. A huge burden has just been lifted off of my shoulders.

JACK: I know. (BEAT) I know what it's like to live with the knowledge that you've killed someone.

JO: (TAKING JACK'S HAND) Jack, you can hardly compare my situation to yours. Harper's death was an accident. You were only trying to stop him from hurting Steve and Kayla.

JACK: (UNCONVINCED) Perhaps...

JO: I, on the other hand, shot Nick out of anger, out of a need for revenge. I was overcome by rage, and I wanted to kill him.

JACK: But you didn't.

JO: I know, and that's such a huge relief! I've spent the last four years thinking that, no matter what good I tried to do, it would always be overshadowed by the fact that I was a murderer. (BEAT) But Nick is alive, so I'm not a murderer!

JACK: You're right, you're not. And I intend to make sure that your murder charge is overturned.

JO: That's sweet of you, son, but it really doesn't matter anymore. The guilt of having taken a life has disappeared. (BEAT) I still have to deal with the feelings that made me pull that trigger, but I think I can do that. This will make it easier.

JACK: I'm relieved that you're taking this so well. I was worried...

JO: You don't need to worry. All in all, this is very good news for me.

JACK: (STANDING UP) I'm glad that you're happy about it. (BEAT) However, I can't share your happiness.

JO: Why not?

JACK: I can't discount all that you've been through in the last four years. I want some answers, and I'm going to get them.

OUT ON JACK'S DETERMINATION.

ACT II

SALEM CEMETERY. NICK RUBS HIS JAW, WHILE EVE STANDS GLARING AT HIM. IN PROGRESS.

EVE CONTINUES TO GLARE AT NICK, UNAMUSED.

EVE: Of course you deserved it! How could you?!

NICK: How could I what? Be alive?

EVE: No! How could you leave me?

NICK: Believe me, Evie. I didn't want to. It wasn't my choice.

EVE: Then, why the hell didn't you tell me! The least you could've done was let me know that you were alive. Didn't you trust me?

NICK: Of course I trusted you, but the situation was too dangerous, and who knows? I could've ended up dead for real.

EVE: But you didn't. Four years, Nick! Four years I mourned for you.

NICK: You have to understand, Evie. Once I went into the witness protection program, I had to keep a low profile... I couldn't be in contact with anyone. I was living another life. I didn't want to do that to you... Take you away from your family and friends.

EVE: (SOFTENS SLIGHTLY) I loved you, Nick. I would've done anything... gone to the ends of the earth... anything, if it meant us being together.

NICK REACHES OUT TO HER, BUT EVE PULLS AWAY.

EVE STARTS TO CRY.

EVE: No! Don't say that, because I can never forgive you. Not now... not ever!

EVE RUNS AWAY. NICK STARTS TO GO AFTER HER, BUT DECIDES AGAINST IT. HE PUTS HIS HANDS OVER HIS FACE AND TURNS AROUND. HE REMOVES HIS HANDS, AND NOTICES HIS HEADSTONE FOR THE FIRST TIME. HOLD ON NICK, STARING AT HIS OWN GRAVE.

CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT. JACK IS PACING IN FRONT OF JO, WHO SITS ON THE SOFA.

JO: Son...

JACK: And, to top it off, it was all because of Lawrence Alamain! (BEAT) It's his fault that you had to go through this.

JO GETS UP FROM THE SOFA AND HUGS JACK.

JO BREAKS THEIR EMBRACE, AND SITS BACK DOWN ON THE SOFA. SHE GESTURES FOR JACK TO COME SIT BESIDE HER, WHICH HE DOES.

JACK: Relieved? (BEAT) We know that Lawrence killed Steve, and you're relieved?

JO: Jack... (TAKING HIS HAND) Nothing we can do would bring back your brother. But at least his real killer will be punished. (LONG BEAT) And I can get on with my life, and know that I didn't kill Nick.

JACK: You can let go of all of the anger about the last four years? (SHAKES HIS HEAD) You're a much better human being than me, Jo. (BEAT) I don't know that I can ever let go of the anger I feel towards Lawrence... and the ISA.

JO: This is a new beginning for me, Jack. (BEAT) My act of vengeance didn't take a life... That makes me feel wonderful.

JACK: I wish I shared your elation. I don't. (BEAT) But I promise you that I will find out why the authorities let you take the fall for a crime that never occurred.

JO: Jack...

JACK: It's important to me, Jo. (BEAT) Exposing those in authority who allowed you to suffer may make it easier for me to accept what has happened today.

JACK TIGHTENS HIS GRIP ON JO'S HAND.

HOLD ON JACK'S SOMBERNESS.

CUT TO: EUTERPE. IAN STANDS IN THE DOORWAY OF THE STORE ROOM, WATCHING SHANE AT THE PAY PHONES AND JULIE QUESTIONING SOME OF THE STAFF.

IAN SIGHS AND PICKS UP HIS CLIPBOARD AGAIN.

OUT ON IAN.

ACT III

SALEM INN. JOHN IS SITTING ON THE COUCH WITH VIVIAN, WHO HAS HER HAND OVER HER MOUTH, HORRIFIED. IN PROGRESS.

VIVIAN: And this Nick Corelli has proof?

JOHN: Yup. I don't think Lawrence is going to be acquitted, Vivian. (BEAT) He's much worse than we ever thought.

VIVIAN: John... What will this do to Nicholas?

JOHN: That was my first thought. This is going to be tough on him.

VIVIAN: (HURRIED) Well then... we just won't tell him. There's no need for him to know...

JOHN: Vivian, come on. Nikki's a smart kid. He went to the library and found out all that other stuff about Lawrence. What's to stop him from doing that again? What are you going to tell him when Lawrence goes to jail for life?

VIVIAN: I won't let him go to the library alone. And we'll hide all the papers and not let him watch TV and...

JOHN: Vivian. Nikki deserves to know, and he should hear about it from people who love him.

VIVIAN: (CRUMPLING) I know, I know you're right, John. Nikki is too smart for his own good. (BEAT) I just can't face it right now... This is going to be difficult news for Nikki to hear.

JOHN: I think we should tell him now... tonight. It's going to be all over the news. And if we wait, Nikki will think we were trying to hide it from him. You want him to trust people, right?

HOLD ON JOHN'S CONCERN.

CUT TO: PARK. EVE IS SITTING ON A SWING IN THE EMPTY PLAYGROUND. HER FACE IS TEAR-STREAKED. WE HEAR THE SONG "SOMEBODY" BY DEPECHE MODE, SOFTLY BEGIN TO PLAY.

EVE BEGINS TO MOVE THE SWING SLOWLY, BACK AND FORTH.

EVE STOPS SWINGING.

EVE STANDS AND PUSHES THE EMPTY SWING.

HOLD ON EVE'S QUESTION.

CUT TO: SPENCER'S OFFICE. SPENCER SITS AT HIS DESK, AND JANET SITS ACROSS FROM HIM.

SPENCER LOOKS EXPECTANTLY AT JANET.

SPENCER: (LEANING BACK IN HIS CHAIR) This case is in the bag, Janet. (BEAT) There's no way Alamain's going to go free.

JANET: Spencer, don't forget that this still has to go to the jury. (BEAT) And you never know... Childress may come up with one whale of a defense.

SPENCER RETURNS HIS CHAIR TO ITS UPRIGHT POSITION.

JANET SMILES.

OUT ON SPENCER AND JANET, HUDDLED OVER THE WITNESS LIST.

ACT IV

SALEM INN. VIVIAN, JOHN, AND IVAN ARE SITTING AROUND NICHOLAS. IN PROGRESS.

NICHOLAS: You mean for trying to kill Shawn-Douglas' father?

JOHN: Yes, and also for killing Steve Johnson.

NICHOLAS: (QUIET) Oh.

NICHOLAS SIGHS, AND LOOKS DOWNWARD.

JOHN: Hey, Nikki. You okay?

NICHOLAS: Yeah. It's all right, Aunt Viv. I'm glad John told me about my fath... Lawrence. It's just...

VIVIAN: What is it, sweetheart?

NICHOLAS: My father is a very bad man.

VIVIAN: Darling... he's done some bad things...

NICHOLAS: Okay, bad things. But he's my father. So I want to know... (BEAT) Does this mean that I'll grow up to be like him?

VIVIAN: No, of course not. You're nothing like Lawrence.

NICHOLAS: But, I remember times when you told me how much I reminded you of him.

VIVIAN: Those are the good things. We all love you, and we aren't going to let anything happen to you.

IVAN: You are a very good person, Master Nicholas. That will not change.

NICHOLAS: Even if I'm a good person now, that doesn't mean that I won't grow up to be a monster.

IVAN: I do not believe so. Your Aunt raised you to be a fine, upstanding young man.

JOHN: Ivan's right, Nikki. I know for a fact that your upbringing and your environment has a lot to do with the person you eventually become. Besides, the fact that you're worrying about it now, must mean that you'll make an extra effort not to turn out like Lawrence.

NICHOLAS: (UNCONVINCING) I hope so.

VIVIAN: I know you'll always be as wonderful as you are today.

JOHN: We all know that... (STANDING) Now... I'd better get back to the loft before my sitter starts wondering where I am. (TO NICHOLAS) Nikki, if you ever want to come and talk with me, I'll be there for you. Remember that.

NICHOLAS: Thank you, Uncle John. I hope what you said is true.

JOHN: I'm sure of it, kiddo.

JOHN BENDS DOWN AND HUGS NICHOLAS. HOLD ON THE TWO.

CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT / HALLWAY. JACK CLOSES THE DOOR TO JO'S APARTMENT, AND STARTS WALKING DOWN THE HALLWAY. HE RUNS INTO KAYLA.

KAYLA: Hello, Jack. Did you hear...

JACK: I assume it's the reason you're here.

KAYLA: If you're talking about what I just heard on the news... about Nick... then yes. Is it really true?

JACK: Yes, it's true. Nick Corelli is alive and slithering around the streets of Salem.

KAYLA: (SHAKING HER HEAD) I can't believe it. My first thought was to find Jo.

JACK: Mine, too. I wanted her to hear about this from family.

KAYLA: How did she take the news?

JACK: Actually, rather well. (SOTTO VOCE) Better than I am.

KAYLA: This is all so weird. (BEAT) At least now, Jo can rest assured that she didn't kill anybody. Even if it was revenge for killing St... her son.

KAYLA'S SADNESS DOES NOT GO UNNOTICED BY JACK.

KAYLA: (TAKING A DEEP BREATH) I'll be okay once the shock wears off.

JACK: Are you sure?

KAYLA: Yes, I am. I always knew that Lawrence was responsible for Steve's death, and now I've been proven right. (BEAT) Maybe, just maybe, now Steve can finally rest in peace.

HOLD ON KAYLA.

CUT TO: JANET'S APARTMENT. JANET IS SITTING ON HER COUCH, WATCHING THE NEWS. HER CAT, ISIS, SITS ON HER LAP. WE DON'T SEE THE PICTURE, BUT HEAR THE REPORTER'S VOICE.

JANET REACHES FOR HER REMOTE CONTROL AND TURNS OFF THE TELEVISION.

JANET, FRUSTRATED, POUNDS HER HAND ON THE ARM OF THE COUCH, FRIGHTENING ISIS. THE CAT JUMPS OFF JANET'S LAP AND RUNS AWAY.

JANET STANDS UP AND WALKS OVER TO THE KITCHEN. SHE OPENS THE REFRIGERATOR AND LOOKS INSIDE.

SHE CLOSES THE REFRIGERATOR AND GOES TO LIE DOWN ON THE COUCH.

JANET SIGHS, AND ISIS JUMPS BACK ON THE COUCH AND SNUGGLES WITH HER.

JANET PETS THE CAT, WHO BEGINS TO PURR LOUDLY.

OUT ON JANET'S DOUBT ABOUT SHANE.

ACT V

CHILDRESS' OFFICE. MARK IS SEATED AT HIS DESK, RE-READING HIS COPY OF NICK'S SWORN TESTIMONY AND TARRINGTON'S LETTER. HE HAS BEEN MAKING NOTES ON A LEGAL PAD.

HE RIPS THE TOP PAGE OFF THE LEGAL PAD, CRUMPLES IT UP, AND AIMS FOR THE TRASH CAN. HE MISSES, AND THAT PAPER BALL JOINS SEVERAL OTHERS ON THE FLOOR.

HE GETS UP FROM HIS DESK, WALKS OVER TO THE WINDOW, AND LOOKS DOWN ON THE TRAFFIC BELOW.

HE SIGHS LOUDLY, AND WALKS AWAY FROM THE WINDOW. HE PULLS A LAW BOOK OFF OF THE BOOKSHELF, AND SITS BACK DOWN AT HIS DESK. HOLD ON HIS FRUSTRATION.

CUT TO: LOFT / BRADY'S ROOM. JOHN IS STANDING OVER BRADY'S CRIB, WATCHING HIM SLEEP.

JOHN REACHES DOWN TO STROKE BRADY'S FACE.

JOHN RETRIEVES THE STUFFED RABBIT BRADY HAS KICKED ASIDE AND TUCKS THE BLANKETS UP AROUND HIS CHIN.

HOLD ON JOHN LEANING AGAINST THE CRIB RAILING, HIS CHIN ON HIS FISTS.

CUT TO: SALEM INN. VIVIAN IS SEATED ON THE COUCH, SIPPING A CUP OF TEA. IVAN ENTERS.

IVAN: Nicholas is fine, madame.

VIVIAN: What did he want to talk to you about?

IVAN: He... asked me about my father.

VIVIAN: Your father?

IVAN: Yes. He wanted to know what my father was like, and if I grew up to be like him.

VIVIAN: And what did you tell him?

IVAN: I told him that my father was a good man. (BEAT) I told him that, in some ways, I am very much like my father. And in some ways, I am very different. I told him that my father made some mistakes in his life, and that I learned from them. I told Nicholas that he could do the same.

VIVIAN: (SMILING) Very wise words, Ivan. Thank you.

IVAN: It was nothing, madame. I only told the truth.

VIVIAN: You may take that for granted, Ivan, but I'm sure that honesty is a refreshing change for Nikki. His father has lied to him so much. (SIGHS HEAVILY) Of course, I lied to him, as well...

IVAN: (SITTING DOWN NEXT TO VIVIAN) But you were doing what you thought was best, madame... Vivian. (BEAT) Besides, that is all in the past. We must now concentrate on the future.

VIVIAN: You're right. (BEAT) I'm so worried about Nikki. This whole situation has been such a terrible ordeal for him. I hope he isn't permanently scarred from this.

IVAN: I believe that he will be able to get through this. He is a very strong and very bright boy. And he has you to take care of him.

VIVIAN: I hope that doesn't change.

IVAN: What do you mean?

VIVIAN: Right now, it looks like Lawrence will certainly go to prison.

IVAN: Yes. It will be a great relief to us all.

VIVIAN: But, Lawrence is still Nikki's legal guardian. I don't know what will happen to Nikki once Lawrence is incarcerated.

IVAN: You do not think that Lawrence will allow you to take care of Nicholas while he is in prison?

VIVIAN: I don't know. I think Lawrence is capable of anything right now. If I want to keep Nikki, I must be prepared to fight for him.

IVAN: Well, madame, for what it's worth, I think that the court would surely grant you custody of Nicholas, should it come to that. It is clear that you love him very much, and that you are the best person to take care of him.

VIVIAN: Thank you, Ivan. I hope you're right. (BEAT) I think I'll call my attorney tomorrow and discuss my legal options.

IVAN: I hope that it works out for you. And for Nicholas.

VIVIAN: I plan to make sure that it does. I'll do whatever it takes to keep Nikki with me.

OUT ON VIVIAN'S DETERMINATION.

ACT VI

SPECTATOR. JACK AND JENNIFER STAND BESIDE LISA'S, JACK'S SECRETARY, DESK. THE NIGHT SHIFT OF THE PAPER IS COMING IN TO FINISH THE MORNING EDITION. VERN JOINS THEM, REVIEWING THE CURRENT LAYOUT OF THE MORNING FRONT PAGE.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT THE LAYOUT) Eighth time's the charm, right?

JACK: (TAKING THE LAYOUT FROM VERN) Yes...

JACK QUICKLY GLANCES AT THE LAYOUT, THEN SETS IT ON LISA'S DESK.

JENNIFER: (YAWNING) You can always count on us, Jack.

JACK: I think you both can go home now. (BEAT) I can handle anything that comes up before the papers start gracing doorsteps across Salem.

VERN: 'You sure, Jack? (BEAT) I've been trying to decide for hours whether I should call Jo or not, but I thought she might like a little privacy, so that she could absorb all of what has happened today.

JENNIFER: That's really sweet, Vern. (BEAT) I think Jo wouldn't mind too much if you gave her a call in the morning.

VERN: I think you're right. (BEAT) 'You sure you're okay, Jack?

JACK NODS.

JENNIFER: Bye, Vern.

VERN WALKS DOWN THE HALLWAY.

JACK: I still need to write my editorial. (BEAT) Now, why don't you go home and give our daughter a kiss for me?

JENNIFER: I will. (BEAT) I love you.

JENNIFER GIVES JACK A KISS ON THE CHEEK. JACK PULLS HER CLOSE. HOLD ON THEIR TOGETHERNESS.

CUT TO: KAYLA'S HOUSE. THE DOORBELL RINGS. KAYLA OPENS THE DOOR TO FIND MARCUS.

KAYLA: Marcus! (BEAT) Come in, please.

MARCUS ENTERS, AND KAYLA SHUTS THE DOOR. THEY GO AND SIT ON THE COUCH.

KAYLA: You mean about Nick?

MARCUS: Yeah...

KAYLA: I'm fine. (BEAT) It took almost four years, but I've finally been proven right about who really killed Steve.

MARCUS: Have you figured out how you feel about Nick?

KAYLA: No. (BEAT) On one hand, it's a relief to know that he didn't turn against Steve. But, even though it was accidental, he did play a role in Steve's death.

MARCUS: Is there anything I can do?

KAYLA: (PUTTING HER HEAD ON HIS SHOULDER) You're here... that helps a lot.

MARCUS TAKES KAYLA'S HAND. HOLD ON THEIR CLOSENESS.

CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT. JO IS SITTING IN FRONT OF AN OPEN WINDOW. THE WARM BREEZE BLOWS IN HER FACE, AND SHE SMILES.

JO GLANCES UPWARDS.

IN HER LAP, JO HOLDS A PICTURE OF STEVE, KAYLA, AND JACK, TAKEN AT STEVE AND KAYLA'S SECOND WEDDING. SHE HOLDS IT UP AND SMILES SADLY.

JO PLACES THE PHOTO ON THE WINDOW LEDGE.

TEARS BEGIN TO FORM IN JO'S EYES. SHE QUICKLY WIPES THEM AWAY.

JO PICKS UP THE PICTURE AGAIN.

OUT ON JO'S CONTENT SMILE.

ACT VII

EUTERPE. ALL OF THE CUSTOMERS HAVE LEFT. JULIE AND SHANE ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE STILL SITTING AT A TABLE. IAN IS BEHIND THE BAR, CLEANING UP. DAVE ENTERS FROM THE KITCHEN AND WALKS OVER TO THEIR TABLE.

JULIE: No, thank you, darling. You go on home.

DAVE: I'll keep my eyes peeled on the way... just in case.

SHANE: Thanks, Dave.

DAVE: Good night.

JULIE: Good night, Dave.

DAVE TURNS TO LEAVE. DOUG ENTERS FROM THE BACK OFFICE AND WALKS OVER.

JULIE: Nothing.

DAVE: I'm going to take off. See you tomorrow, boss.

DOUG: Good night, Dave. See you tomorrow.

DAVE EXITS.

JULIE: Probably not.

SHANE: I guess we can wait for Eve just as well from our own homes as we can here, eh?

JULIE: Absolutely. I'm sure she'll probably be wandering in your front door very soon.

SHANE: I pray you're right. I'm really starting to get worried, now. It's not like Eve to stay out of touch for this long...

JULIE: We have to keep thinking positively. I want you to call me the minute Eve gets in. No matter what time of night it is.

SHANE: All right. (BEAT) I just hope she hasn't done anything crazy. What if Nick found her? If he did, I can only imagine what frame of mind she must be in about now...

DOUG: I know it's hard, but you have to be patient. You have to trust that she can take care of herself.

SHANE: You're right, of course. But, it is hard. And she's been so depressed lately...

JULIE: Enough. Thinking about all of the awful possibilities isn't going to do anyone any good. Shane, you go home and wait for your daughter.

SHANE AND JULIE STAND UP.

DOUG: (PUTTING HIS HANDS ON JULIE'S SHOULDERS) And I will escort you home, fair lady.

JULIE: Why, thank you, sir.

SHANE: And I'll get out of here, so you two can go home.

IAN: (COMING OVER FROM THE BAR) Doug, you and Julie can go ahead. I'll lock up.

DOUG: All right. Thanks, Ian. (TO JULIE) After you, my dear.

JULIE: (TO SHANE) Remember... call me when Eve comes home.

SHANE: Right.

DOUG: Good night, Ian. Shane...

SHANE: Good night, you two.

IAN: (TO DOUG AND JULIE) Good night.

DOUG AND JULIE EXIT TOGETHER.

SHANE: Not a word.

IAN: Is there anything I can do to help?

SHANE: Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything either of us can do tonight. Unless you can psychically locate Eve, we'll just have to wait until she comes home on her own.

HOLD ON SHANE'S CONCERN.

CUT TO: SALEM COUNTY JAIL. LAWRENCE IS PACING IN HIS CELL.

LAWRENCE SITS DOWN ON HIS BUNK, LEANING AGAINST THE WALL. HE LOOKS AROUND THE CELL.

LAWRENCE LOOKS AT THE SCHOOL PHOTO OF NICHOLAS THAT HE'S TAPED TO THE WALL. HE LEANS OVER AND REMOVES THE PHOTO FROM THE WALL.

LAWRENCE GETS UP AND STARTS TO PACE AGAIN.

LAWRENCE STOPS AND LEANS AGAINST THE BARS.

LAWRENCE'S FACE CONTORTS AND HE QUICKLY SITS BACK DOWN ON THE BUNK. HE STARES AT THE PHOTO OF NICHOLAS, BLINKING RAPIDLY.

HOLD ON LAWRENCE'S SADNESS.

CUT TO: SALEM STREET. THE SONG "FOR ALL TOMORROW'S LIES" BY BERLIN BEGINS TO PLAY. WE SEE NICK WANDERING THE EMPTY STREET. HE STOPS AND LIGHTS A CIGARETTE.

CUT TO: THE PIER. EVE IS WALKING ALONG THE PIER. SHE STOPS AND STANDS, STARING INTO THE DARKNESS. HER EYES WELL WITH TEARS.

CUT TO: DONOVAN MANOR. SHANE, WORRIED, PACES BACK AND FORTH, GLANCING AT THE PHONE.

CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT. JO HOLDS THE PICTURE OF STEVE, KAYLA AND JACK. JO RUNS HER FINGERTIPS OVER STEVE'S FACE.

CUT TO: JACK'S OFFICE. JACK, ILLUMINATED ONLY BY THE LIGHT FROM HIS COMPUTER TERMINAL, TYPES HIS EDITORIAL.

CUT TO: IAN'S CAR. IAN IS DRIVING AROUND, LOOKING FOR EVE. HE STOPS AT A RED LIGHT, AND TAKES A DEEP BREATH.

CUT TO: SPENCER'S HOUSE. SPENCER SLEEPS PEACEFULLY, A CONTENTED SMILE ON HIS FACE.

CUT TO: LAWRENCE'S JAIL CELL. IN THE DARK, LAWRENCE CONTINUES TO LOOK SADLY AT NICHOLAS' PICTURE.

CUT TO: CHILDRESS' OFFICE. CHILDRESS IS SURROUNDED BY LAW BOOKS AND FILES. A LARGE COFFEE MUG SITS NEXT TO HIM ON HIS DESK.

CUT TO: THE CEMETERY. NICK STANDS, ONCE AGAIN, IN FRONT OF HIS GRAVE. HOLD ON NICK, PONDERING HIS HEADSTONE. AND OUT. FADE TO BLACK.

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