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An ALT.DAYS Production,
A Division of Peel Productions, Inc.
Air Date: May 22, 1995
Time: Several Days After #98,
Afternoon to Evening
Copyright 1995
BRADY PUB. THE PUB IS FESTIVELY DECORATED FOR BRADY'S THIRD BIRTHDAY. CAROLINE IS HANGING STREAMERS AS SHAWN BRINGS PUNCH MIXERS FROM THE KITCHEN. EVEN MAX IS GETTING IN THE SPIRIT. AS HE PUTS A "SIMBA" TABLECLOTH ON THE TABLE, HE WHISTLES "HAKUNA MATATA."
SHAWN: Max, my lad, I thought you hated The Lion King.
MAX: Nah. I hated missing playing football with the guys to take Shawn-Douglas to see it, but it turned out okay.
MAX GOES BACK TO WHISTLING AS SHAWN SPEAKS QUIETLY TO CAROLINE.
SHAWN: "Okay." High praise from Max, these days!
THE TWO LAUGH QUIETLY.
SHAWN: (CONT'D) So, when are the other party helpers comin'?
CAROLINE: Soon. Kayla called a little while ago. She and Stephanie have to pick up the cake on their way. The rest of the family will be along.
JONAH ENTERS.
CAROLINE: Jonah, dear, so glad you could make it.
JONAH: Wouldn't miss it. The way my life's been lately, a three-year-old's birthday party is as exciting as it gets.
SHAWN: Now, don't you be tellin' me you're not having a high time...
JONAH: Yeah, right! Between working at Mrs. H.'s and studying, I don't have time. My social life has evaporated since... (NONCHALANTLY) Say, have you heard from Carrie lately?
CAROLINE: We have. She called just the other day to let us know a package for Brady was coming. She's doing fine, having fun and she seems to be building a better relationship with her mother, as well.
JONAH: Well, that's good to know. I haven't heard anything since the last letter, and that was ages ago.
CAROLINE: Well, we just got a letter last weekend...
SHE RUMMAGES IN A PILE OF LETTERS BEHIND THE BAR.
CAROLINE: (CONT'D) Here! This will catch you up.
JONAH: Thanks!
JONAH TAKES THE LETTER AND BEGINS READING. HOLD ON JONAH'S PLEASED EXPRESSION.
CUT TO: JACK'S OFFICE. JACK IS WORKING AT HIS COMPUTER WHEN HIS INTERCOM BUZZES. HE REACHES OVER AND PRESSES THE BUTTON.
JACK: Yes, Lisa?
LISA: (V.O.) Jordan Scott is here to see you, Mr. Deveraux.
JACK: Excellent. Please send him in.
MOMENTS LATER, THE DOOR OPENS AND JORDAN ENTERS. HE IS CARRYING A MANILA ENVELOPE.
JACK: (STANDING) Jordan, come in.
JORDAN: Good afternoon, Jack. (BEAT) I hope this isn't a bad time...
JACK: Not at all. (NODDING AT THE ENVELOPE) I see you have something for me?
JORDAN: Yes...
JACK: (MOTIONING TOWARD AN EMPTY CHAIR) Please, sit down. Let's have a look.
THEY SIT. JORDAN HANDS THE ENVELOPE TO JACK, WHO IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO OPEN IT WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION.
JORDAN: I'm sorry it took so long. There were some scheduling conflicts...
JACK: (REMOVING THE MATERIALS FROM THE ENVELOPE) That's all right. The job is now done, and we have...
JACK QUICKLY THUMBS THROUGH THE PICTURES. HIS ENTHUSIASM FADES.
JORDAN: Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get anywhere near the clarity I was hoping for. I tried varying degrees of magnification and brightness level...
JACK: (STILL LOOKING THROUGH THE PICTURES) Yes, I see...
JORDAN: But the clarity dropped off with the higher magnification, and the increased brightness just started to wash the whole image.
JACK: That's unfortunate.
JORDAN: Yeah, I'm sorry. I know you were expecting better.
JACK: I was hoping... (BEAT) But I certainly can't fault your efforts. You did a very thorough job with what you were given.
JORDAN: Thanks. I did everything I could.
JACK: I'm certain you did.
JORDAN: The original photo's in there, too, along with a compressed version of the image on floppy disk.
JACK: Can I access the image on my computer?
JORDAN: I don't think so, unless you've got a lot more memory on that workstation than you normally need...
JACK: I don't really know.
JORDAN: The main reason I included the disk was in case you wanted to have someone else do anything more with the image. It'll save the time needed to re-scan it.
JACK: Good thinking. (BEAT) This is the only copy?
JORDAN: Yes. Everything's in there.
JACK: And the bill...?
JORDAN: There's an invoice there, with an account of the time spent and a grand total, based on the rate we agreed upon.
JACK: (FINDING THE INVOICE) Ah... here it is. (BEAT) If you don't mind, I'll put the check in the mail tomorrow.
JORDAN: No problem. (BEAT) So, do you think you're going to be able to I.D. this guy?
JACK: I'm not sure. We'll just have to wait and see.
JORDAN: If you want, I could take some "artistic liberties," so to speak, and try to get something clearer...
JACK: No... Thank you for offering, but I don't think I want to do that. There's a great deal riding on this, and it wouldn't be fair to put you in the position of doing that kind of guesswork.
JORDAN: You're the boss. (BEAT) Well, I guess that pretty much wraps things up on my end.
THEY STAND.
JORDAN: (CONT'D) I appreciate the business, Jack. If there's anything else I can do to help out, just give me a call.
JACK: I will. (BEAT) Based on what you've done here, I'm sure we can definitely use your services in the future.
JORDAN: Glad to hear it. (EXTENDING HIS HAND) Take care, Jack.
JACK: (SHAKING JORDAN'S HAND) You too, Jordan.
JORDAN EXITS. JACK SITS BACK DOWN AND LOOKS THROUGH THE PICTURES.
JACK: (CONT'D) Well, it might be Steve. Or it might not. (BEAT) So what am I supposed to do now?
HOLD ON JACK'S INDECISION.
CUT TO: BRADY PUB. SHAWN, CAROLINE, AND JONAH ARE PUTTING UP PARTY DECORATIONS WHILE MAX SITS AT A TABLE BLOWING UP BALOONS. KAYLA AND STEPHANIE ENTER THE PUB. KAYLA IS CARRYING A LARGE CAKE BOX AND STEPHANIE IS CARRYING A PLASTIC BAG.
KAYLA: The cake's here!
CAROLINE GOES OVER TO KAYLA AND STEPHANIE AND LOOKS AT THE CAKE.
CAROLINE: This looks great. Chocolate, right?
STEPHANIE: Chocolate frosting, too!
KAYLA: That was Steffi's very own idea. She insists that Brady will love it.
CAROLINE: (LAUGHING) And no doubt, so will Stephanie. (BEAT) The bakery did a great job with the cake decorations.
KAYLA: Didn't they? It looks just like Simba.
STEPHANIE: (HOLDING UP THE BAG) So do the party hats.
CAROLINE: You found Simba party hats, too?
KAYLA: Not only Simba, but we found hats with all the characters' pictures.
STEPHANIE: I get to wear the Nala hat.
CAROLINE: Let's go put the cake in the kitchen, then we can put the hats out on the tables.
CAROLINE, KAYLA, AND STEPHANIE GO INTO THE KITCHEN. JOHN ENTERS THE PUB, CARRYING A SLEEPING BRADY. HE SEES THAT SHAWN AND JONAH ARE PUTTING UP A "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADY" BANNER.
JOHN: Raise it up a few inches there, Shawn.
SHAWN: John! What are you doin' here, son?
CAROLINE WALKS BACK FROM THE KITCHEN AND STANDS NEXT TO MAX.
JOHN: Thought I'd help out. I didn't think it was right to have everyone else do all the work for my kid's party.
CAROLINE: It's all right. We've got everything under control here.
JOHN: There's gotta be something I can help with.
MAX: (HOLDING UP A BALLOON) You can help blow up balloons.
CAROLINE GIVES MAX A PLAYFUL TUG AT HIS EAR. MAX SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS.
MAX: (CONT'D) Well, he asked.
JOHN: (LAUGHING) Yeah, I can help. I'll just go put the slugger upstairs in the playpen and I'll be right down.
CAROLINE: Really, you don't have to help.
JOHN: I want to. Besides, balloons are right up my alley. I've been told on more than one occasion that I'm full of hot air.
OUT ON EVERYBODY GROANING.
JACK'S OFFICE. JACK IS ON THE TELEPHONE. TWO-WAY.
SIMMONS: Donovan residence.
JACK: Yes... Jack Deveraux for Captain Donovan, please.
SIMMONS: I'm sorry, Mr. Deveraux, he is not in at the moment.
JACK: Do you have a number where I can reach him? It's very important.
SIMMONS: One moment, sir...
SIMMONS LOOKS AT THE PROGRAMMED NUMBERS ON THE PHONE.
SIMMONS: (CONT'D) Mr. Deveraux, his cellular number is 555-4779.
JACK: Thank you, Simmons.
JACK HANGS UP THE PHONE AND REDIALS. TWO-WAY.
SHANE: Hello?
JACK: Shane, it's Jack.
SHANE: Jack... what can I do for you?
SHANE, WHO IS IN THE SALEM PLACE PARKING LOT, WALKS TOWARD HIS CAR.
JACK: If you have a few minutes, I'd like you to stop by my office.
SHANE: You have something?
JACK: I think so.
SHANE: I have some news to share with you, also. (BEAT) I should be there in about five minutes. See you then.
SHANE CLEARS THE CONNECTION. AS JACK HANGS UP THE PHONE, JENNIFER ENTERS THE OFFICE, CLOSING THE DOOR BEHIND HER.
JENNIFER: I assume that the guy who was in here before was your computer whiz.
JACK: (PICKING UP THE ENHANCED PHOTO) Jordan Scott. He did a lot with the little that I gave him.
JACK HANDS JENNIFER THE PHOTO.
JENNIFER: It could be Steve... (BEAT) Was Shane able to find anything else out?
JACK: He should be here any minute.
JENNIFER: I'd like to stay while you two talk.
JACK: (EXTRACTING THE PHOTO FROM JENNIFER'S GRIP) I don't think that's a good idea.
JENNIFER: Jack, I can help you.
JACK: Jennifer, I think it's best if I tell you about my conversation with Shane later.
JENNIFER: Jack...
THE OFFICE DOOR FLIES OPEN AND VERN RUSHES IN.
VERN: We've got a huge problem, Jack. (BEAT) I need some help. Now.
JACK LOOKS AT VERN, THEN LOOKS TO JENNIFER.
JENNIFER: I'll go with you, Vern. (BEAT) Jack has a meeting that he can't afford to miss.
VERN: Whatever you say, Jenny-girl. Meet me in my office.
VERN QUICKLY EXITS. JENNIFER TURNS BACK TO JACK AND STARES AT HIM INTENTLY.
JACK: I will tell you everything about my meeting with Shane. I promise.
JENNIFER SMILES SLIGHTLY. HOLD ON JENNIFER AS SHE EXITS.
CUT TO: BRADY PUB. JOHN HAS RETURNED AND IS HELPING JONAH AND MAX BLOW UP BALLOONS. IN PROGRESS.
JOHN: Hey, Max, you know how to make a balloon squeal?
MAX: Whaddaya mean?
JOHN: Here, I'll show you...
JOHN BLOWS UP A BALLOON, THEN STRETCHES THE END WITH BOTH HANDS SO THE AIR ESCAPES WITH A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL.
MAX: Hey, cool! Let me try...
MAX TRIES TO IMITATE JOHN. HIS BALLOON ONLY LETS OUT A FAINT SQUEAL.
JOHN: Don't worry, Maxwell, all you need is a little practice.
CAROLINE WALKS BY.
CAROLINE: But he won't be getting any today, because you guys have to finish with those balloons. (BEAT) And you, John, you're supposed to be setting a good example!
JOHN SMILES AND SHRUGS. CAROLINE SHAKES HER HEAD AND WALKS AWAY SMILING. JOHN AND MAX LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND LAUGH.
JONAH: Hah, now you two are in the doghouse.
JOHN AND MAX RELEASE THEIR BALLOONS, WHICH GO FLYING RIGHT AT JONAH'S HEAD, CAUSING HIM TO DUCK.
JONAH: Ooh, now you're gonna get it...
GO TO: THE ENTRY, WHERE BO AND SHAWN-DOUGLAS HAVE ENTERED. BO IS CARRYING A LARGE PAPER BAG. CAROLINE GREETS THEM.
CAROLINE: There you are! We were beginning to wonder...
BO: I'm sorry we're late, Ma. (BEAT) Say, do you have some spare wrapping paper?
CAROLINE: (POINTING) Yes, I left it over in the corner booth...
SHAWN-D: Grandma! Grandma! Guess what we got Brady?
CAROLINE: Well, I don't know, Shawn-Douglas...
SHAWN-D: Okay, I'll just tell you. It's...
BO: Hold on a minute, there, sailor. We were gonna keep it a surprise, remember?
SHAWN-D: But...
BO: Come on, we've gotta go wrap it up, okay?
SHAWN-D: Okay...
BO AND SHAWN-DOUGLAS GO TO THE CORNER BOOTH. ON THE WAY, THEY PASS BY KAYLA AND STEPHANIE, WHO ARE STIRRING THE PUNCH AT THE BAR.
BO: Hey, Sis! Hey, Stef!
KAYLA: Hi, Bo. Hi, Shawn-D.
BO: Mmmm, can I have a sip of that punch?
STEPHANIE: No, no, not yet. We're not done mixing.
BO: Oh, okay... You let me know when you're done, and I'll be your taste-tester.
STEPHANIE: Okay.
BO AND SHAWN-DOUGLAS GO TO THE CORNER BOOTH TO WRAP BRADY'S GIFT. MARCUS ENTERS WITH AN ARMFUL OF GIFTS. STEPHANIE DROPS HER LADEL AND RUNS OVER TO MARCUS.
MARCUS: Hi there, beautiful!
STEPHANIE: Hi, Uncle Marcus!
MARCUS KNEELS DOWN AND GIVES STEPHANIE A HUG WITH HIS FREE ARM. KAYLA SMILES AT THEM. MARCUS LOOKS OVER STEPHANIE'S SHOULDER AND SMILES BACK AT KAYLA. HOLD ON MARCUS.
CUT TO: JACK'S OFFICE. JACK IS SITTING AT HIS DESK LOOKING AT THE PICTURE WHEN HIS INTERCOM BUZZES.
JACK: Yes?
LISA: (V.O.) Captain Donovan is here to see you.
JACK: Send him in.
A FEW MOMENTS LATER, SHANE ENTERS JACK'S OFFICE.
JACK: Thank you for stopping by on such short notice, Shane.
SHANE TAKES A SEAT OPPOSITE JACK.
SHANE: It sounded like you had something important.
JACK: I do.
JACK HANDS SHANE THE PICTURE.
JACK: (CONT'D) Take a look at this.
SHANE: Is this the digitally enhanced version?
JACK: Yes. Unfortunately, it's the best that could be done.
SHANE LOOKS AT THE PICTURE AND SIGHS.
SHANE: The clarity is much better than before. But it's still hard to identify the prisoner.
JACK LEANS FORWARD AND POINTS TO THE PICTURE.
JACK: What do you make of this? Could it be an eye patch?
SHANE LOOKS CLOSELY AT THE PICTURE.
SHANE: It could be. Then again, it could be just a shadow. (BEAT) I don't know, Jack. It's too difficult to tell for sure.
JACK: I know. I guess I was hoping that this could tell us more.
SHANE: Who else have you told about this?
JACK: Only Jennifer.
SHANE: Then...?
JACK: No, I haven't said a word to Kayla.
SHANE: Do you plan to?
JACK: I don't know. On the one hand, she does have a right to know what's going on. On the other hand, would she want to know?
SHANE: That's a good question. Especially now that she's planning a new life with Marcus.
JACK: I don't know what this would do to her. I don't want to hurt her... again.
SHANE: Before we do anything, we need to find out the truth about these pictures.
JACK: Have you spoken to your F.B.I. contact?
SHANE: Yes. Agent Mulder definitely believes that Americans are being held in southeast Asia. He says that it's a big government cover-up.
JACK: I knew it!
SHANE: Before you go jumping to conclusions, Jack, I should tell you that Mulder's been known to go chasing down leads about aliens, too.
JACK: Terrific. How did you manage to hook up with this one?
SHANE: It's a long story. But, I don't think we should completely disregard him as a potential resource. He's cracked some of the toughest cases.
JACK: At this point, I'm willing to consult with Shirley MacLaine. (BEAT) Do you have anything else?
SHANE: Not yet. I haven't heard from Peachie, but I think it's time for a more "official" inquiry with the I.S.A.
OUT ON SHANE.
VERN'S DESK. VERN IS ON ONE PHONE AND JENNIFER IS ON ANOTHER. THEY BOTH HANG UP SIMULTANEOUSLY.
VERN: What have you got?
JENNIFER: Apparently, Media's been getting a lot of complaints about the latest shipment of soybean ink.
VERN: Are they going to take care of it?
JENNIFER: Yup. They'd already decided to send new batches to all their customers, just in case. It should be here in plenty of time to go to press.
VERN: Talk about pleasing the customer!
JENNIFER: I'll say. (BEAT) Now how about you?
VERN: The distributor's union is going to vote in an hour. My source says they should accept the new contract, no problem. But just in case, I've got the alternates we used during the last strike on standby.
JENNIFER HOLDS UP HER HAND FOR A "HIGH-FIVE." VERN SLAPS IT.
JENNIFER: Perfect.
VERN: We make a pretty good team, Jenny-girl.
JENNIFER: (GRINNING) We do, don't we? Maybe we should ask the boss for a raise.
VERN: (GUFFAWING) Yeah. Right. You ask him!
JENNIFER: Why should I have to ask him? You could do it just as easily. Besides, Jack's mellowed a little bit, don't you think?
VERN: If he has, it's because of your influence. You're the one with the connections, so if you don't mind, I'll just ride on your coattails for this one!
HOLD ON THE TWO GRINNING.
CUT TO: EUTERPE. EVE IS CHECKING THE BAR STOCK AND MAKING NOTES ON A CLIPBOARD. SHE LOOKS UP AS JASMIN WALKS BY, WEARING HER LATEST TYE-DYE CREATION.
EVE: Love that dress, Jasmin.
JASMIN: (UNAMUSED) Oh... sure you do, Eve.
EVE: (SMILING) No, really! I think that's a great color on you.
UNSURE OF WHAT TO SAY, JASMIN SIMPLY GOES ON ABOUT HER BUSINESS. EVE GOES OVER TO THE SOUND BOOTH JUST AS IAN IS COMING OUT.
EVE: (CONT'D) Hi, Ian!
IAN: Hi! (BEAT) I really like what you're wearing today. It looks great on you.
EVE: (LOOKING DOWN AT HER CLOTHES) Thanks, but... You've seen me in this outfit before.
IAN: Yes, but it was missing an important accessory.
EVE: (LOOKING AT HER BRACELETS AND TOUCHING HER EARRINGS) What, none of this is new...
IAN: I'm talking about what you're wearing on your face.
EVE: My face...?
IAN: Your smile, Eve!
EVE: Oh, that...
IAN: Yes, that! You're lighting up the room.
EVE: Stop, you're embarrassing me...
IAN: I'm trying to encourage you. You should smile like that more often. (BEAT) What's the reason for it, anyway?
EVE: Oh, nothing in particular.
IAN: Yeah, right. (BEAT) Are you going to make me guess?
EVE: Really, Ian, it's nothing. I'm just having a really good day.
IAN: Now that I think about it, it seems like the last several days have been pretty good for you. Let's see, what could it be...?
EVE: (SHRUGGING) You're wasting your time, Sherlock. There's no big mystery here...
IAN: We'll just see, my dear Watson. (BEAT) Hmmm... Something that happened at the D.M.V., perhaps?
EVE: (SMILING) Oh, I don't know...
IAN: Aha! I knew it! Something good happened at the D.M.V. Now, what happened... You didn't have to wait in any lines at all!
EVE: Ah... no.
IAN: (RUBBING HIS CHIN) Okay... You won the D.M.V. lottery, and they renewed your driver's license for free!
EVE: Nope.
IAN: Hmmm... Oh, wait, I've got it. The best possible thing happened: your new license has a very flattering picture!
EVE SMILES AND SHAKES HER HEAD. HOLD ON EVE.
CUT TO: BRADY PUB. THE PUB IS ALL DECORATED AND THE GUESTS HAVE ARRIVED. ABE AND LEXIE ARE TALKING TO SHANE. VICTOR STANDS BY HIMSELF OFF TO THE SIDE, WATCHING SHAWN-DOUGLAS AND STEPHANIE SHAKE THE VARIOUS PRESENTS AND GUESS WHAT'S INSIDE. BO, KAYLA, AND MARCUS TALK, WHILE CAROLINE MAKES SURE ALL THE SNACK BOWLS ARE FULL. SHAWN BRINGS ANOTHER PRESENT FROM THE BACK, WHILE JONAH AND MAX GET MORE PUNCH. A LOUD SQUEAL IS HEARD FROM THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. IT'S BRADY, WHO CAN SEE ALL THE GUESTS, DECORATIONS, AND PRESENTS AS JOHN BRINGS HIM DOWN TO THE PARTY.
BRADY: Daddy! Look! Big, big party!
JOHN: (LAUGHING AS HE WATCHES BRADY CHARGE DOWN THE STAIRS) That's a fact, slugger!
BRADY RUNS PAST THE ASSEMBLED GUESTS, WHO LAUGH IN AMUSEMENT AS HE MAKES A BEE-LINE FOR THE GIFT TABLE.
BRADY: (TO CAROLINE, WHO IS NOW STANDING NEAR THE GIFT TABLE) Gramma! Presents!
CAROLINE: Yes, my big boy, all for you! And how handsome you look in your new birthday outfit!
BRADY: (PREENS MOMENTARILY) Daddy let me pick! (EYEING THE GIFTS) Can I open them?
STEPHANIE: After the cake, Brady!
SHAWN-D: Yeah! Can we have cake now?
BRADY: Presents!
JOHN: First, kids, we should play a game. How about this great fishy game Jonah set up?
BRADY: Presents!
BEFORE ANYONE CAN STOP HIM, BRADY HAS GOTTEN A GIFT FROM THE TABLE AND HAS BEGUN RIPPING THE PAPER OFF OF IT.
SHAWN: Looks like it'll be presents first!
JOHN: I guess it will. Hey, slugger, slow down! I'm not even sure which card goes with that.
LEXIE: I'll take notes, if someone has pen and paper.
SHAWN: I'll go get a notepad.
CAROLINE: Brady... slow down!
BRADY IS MOVING ON TO THE NEXT GIFT, WHILE STEPHANIE AND SHAWN-DOUGLAS ADMIRE THE FIRST. OUT ON THE HAPPY PARTY SCENE.
JACK'S OFFICE. JACK IS LOOKING AT THE ENHANCED PHOTOGRAPH. THE DOOR OPENS. JACK QUICKLY HIDES THE PHOTOGRAPH UNDER SOME PAPERS. HE RELAXES WHEN HE SEES JENNIFER ENTER.
JENNIFER: Hi, Jack.
JACK: Hello.
JENNIFER: I saw Shane leave earlier. What did he have to say?
JENNIFER SITS DOWN IN A CHAIR FACING JACK'S DESK.
JACK: (TAKING THE PHOTOGRAPH OUT) His sources are pretty sure that there are American P.O.W.s being held in southeast Asia. (BEAT) And that the U.S. government knows about it.
JENNIFER: My God... (BEAT) What's our next move?
JACK: Our next move?
JENNIFER: You don't think I'm going to let you fly solo on this, do you?
JACK: Not without a fight, I'm sure...
JENNIFER: Don't even think about it, Jack Deveraux. I'm with you all the way on this one.
JACK: We'll discuss that later. Right now, I need to address your question about what to do next.
JENNIFER: There's so much to consider...
JACK: Indeed. The situation is extremely volatile, even in the general sense. (BEAT) When you factor in our personal involvement... The repercussions could be disastrous.
JENNIFER: You mean for Kayla.
JACK: For a great many people. (BEAT) But Kayla, most of all. Doesn't she have the right to know if her husband might still be alive?
JENNIFER: Yes...
JACK: (INTERRUPTING) On the other hand, what if it isn't Steve in that photograph? Do we have the right to turn Kayla's life upside down because of a hunch, a suspicion?
JENNIFER: And all the other lives that'll be affected, too... Marcus, Stephanie, Jo, Adrienne...
JACK: Exactly. They... We... all had to overcome a huge loss. (BEAT) But we have...
JENNIFER STANDS UP AND WALKS AROUND TO STAND BEHIND JACK. SHE DRAPES HER ARMS AROUND HIS NECK AND SHOULDERS.
JACK: (CONT'D) I can't... I can't risk destroying their happiness...
JENNIFER: But you can't let this go, either. Can you?
JACK: Absolutely not. (BEAT) Whether Steve is there or not, someone needs to help these men. And if what Shane says is true, then the government isn't going to do it.
JENNIFER: So, you've reached a decision?
JACK: Of sorts. (BEAT) I have to do something about this. But I'm not going to go public with anything until I know for sure whether Steve is in there or not.
JENNIFER: How are you going to find out?
JACK: Shane's going to try to start up a formal investigation into the matter. And I'll check my government sources... very discreetly, of course.
JENNIFER: Just be careful. (BEAT) What can I do?
JACK: For now, just keep this quiet. (LOOKING UP AT HER) And help me keep this quiet without losing my mind.
JENNIFER: Done. Just keep me informed, okay? No secrets.
JACK: No secrets.
JENNIFER: I think you're making a very wise choice, Jack.
SHE KISSES HIS CHEEK. HE TAKES HER HAND.
JACK: I just hope it's the right one.
HOLD ON JACK'S ANXIETY.
CUT TO: EUTERPE. EVE AND IAN. IN PROGRESS.
EVE: Okay, Ian... enough. Nothing went on at the D.M.V.
IAN: Then why are you blushing?
EVE: What are you talking about? I'm not blushing.
IAN: Yes you are. You're turning bright red! It starts at the base of your neck, and it's slowly crawling up to the rest of your face.
EVE: (TURNING EVEN REDDER) Stop it, Ian! (BEAT) It's warm in here, okay?
IAN: The air conditioning is on.
EVE: Um... Well, maybe I'm coming down with something. There's a flu bug going around.
IAN: Come on, Eve. You've been in a very cheerful mood ever since you went to the D.M.V. I know you're not getting excited over a new license. Why don't you just tell me what's going on?
EVE: (SMILING) Well...
IAN: Yes?
EVE: Nothing's happened yet. But if it does, you'll be the third person to know.
IAN: I knew it! See?
EVE: See what?
IAN: You can be happy, if you just give it a chance to happen. (BEAT) Now, doesn't it feel good?
EVE: Yeah... You know, it does.
HOLD ON EVE'S SMILE.
CUT TO: BRADY PUB. JOHN AND BO ARE SITTING IN THE CORNER BOOTH WATCHING ALL THE KIDS PLAY WITH BRADY'S BIRTHDAY GIFTS.
JOHN: Look at the slugger, Bo. Can you believe he's three?
BO: No, it seems like just yesterday that he was born. I feel that way about Shawn-D, too. Time goes so fast.
JOHN: And Isabella's and my anniversary is coming up soon, too. I really miss her. (BEAT) Does it get any better?
KAYLA COMES UP AND SLIDES INTO THE BOOTH NEXT TO BO.
BO: I don't know if "better" is the right word. Different, maybe. Every time I look at Shawn-D, I see Hope's face. He's even got her weird habit of eating peanut butter and bananas.
KAYLA: And Steffi's inherited Steve's fondness for black leather jackets. I'm going to have to watch that girl carefully when puberty hits. (BEAT) If Steve were still around, I'm sure I wouldn't have to even worry about it.
BO: Yeah, Steve always said he'd make a big show of standing on the porch so that any of Stef's would-be suitors would be too scared to try anything.
JOHN: Isabella even admitted that she'd follow Brady around in the car when he started dating.
BO: I don't want to deal with this at all. Hope would have been much better at all that.
KAYLA SMACKS HER HANDS ON THE TABLE.
KAYLA: All right, enough! I now declare The Brady Mourning Society officially disbanded. The past is the past and we can't change it now. There are new adventures ahead!
BO: Watch out, bro. She's going into her "love is a many splendoured thing" speech.
JOHN: I think they put some kind of mind-altering drug into diamond engagement rings. She's become the family matchmaker and love expert all of a sudden.
BO: (SINGING)
![[notes]](../ad_grf/sing.gif){kind=small}
Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a
match, find me a catch...
KAYLA: Hmph. Tease all you like, but I know what I know. Marcus and I are living proof. Life is too short. You have to grab happiness with both hands.
JOHN HOLDS HIS HANDS UP IN FRONT OF HIM, TURNING THEM FRONT TO BACK.
JOHN: I've got pretty big ones. How much loot do you think I could grab with these, Bo?
BO HOLDS OUT HIS HANDS.
BO: Not as much as I can get with mine!
KAYLA: And I'll bet if you used those hands to go and dial Leigh McCloud's number...
JOHN: (HOOTING) Leigh McCloud, huh? Didn't one dinner scare you off, little brother?
BO: Cut it out. She's nice, once you get to know her.
JOHN: Oh, so now you're getting to know her! I thought this was just a one-time thing.
KAYLA: Stop trying to divert the attention from your love life, John.
BO: Yeah, stop trying to divert her attention.
JOHN: I wouldn't dream of it. So, what's in my romantic future, matchmaker?
KAYLA: I think you should go find out what's happened to Danielle Stevens.
JOHN JUST STARES, DUMBFOUNDED.
BO: Ha! He's speechless!
JOHN: (TO BO) There's only one way out of this.
JOHN PICKS UP A HANDFUL OF SUGAR PACKETS AND STARTS PELTING KAYLA. BO JOINS IN. KAYLA PUTS ONE ARM OVER HER HEAD AND TRIES TO FIRE THEM BACK AT HER ASSAILANTS. OUT ON THE THREE LAUGHING.
BRADY PUB. JOHN AND BO ARE PELTING A LAUGHING KAYLA WITH SUGAR PACKETS WHILE SHE TRIES TO FEND THEM OFF. SHANE NOTICES THIS AND GRABS A MENU FROM A NEARBY TABLE. HE PUTS IT IN FRONT OF KAYLA, SHIELDING HER SO SHE CAN LOB A FEW PACKETS BACK AT BO AND JOHN.
KAYLA: Sanctuary, at last!
SHANE: Always happy to help a lady in distress. Particularly seeing as your usual knight in shining armor is busy helping your daughter torture a paper donkey with large pins.
KAYLA: That sounds a lot more adult than how these two bad little boys are behaving! (TO JOHN AND BO) No cake for you, young men!
BO AND JOHN: (IN UNISON) Awww... please?
KAYLA THROWS UP HER HANDS IN DESPAIR.
JOHN: Speaking of youngsters.... Shane, how are Andrew and Jeannie?
SHANE: Both are fine and, judging from the last video tapes Kimberly sent, brown as can be from the sun.
BO: That's really smart, sending tapes.
SHANE: It really is quite nice. She and Phillip taped Andrew's birthday, so I got to see nearly all that went on. Of course, given that Phillip makes movies for a living, this was of quite a bit higher caliber than your usual home movie. At one point, he chided one of the party guests for "not emoting."
ALL LAUGH.
KAYLA: Kimmy said they were rabidly excited about coming for the wedding.
SHANE: Indeed. I need to talk to her and find out if she'd be agreeable to their staying with me for a while afterwards. It would be wonderful to have children around the house again.
BO: Hey, Guv'nor, that sounds like a great idea.
KAYLA: I'm sure she'll agree. Besides, it would give her a bit of a break. Those two run her ragged.
JOHN: You sure your ordered household is up to two kids, Shane?
SHANE: Definitely! I know Eve is dying to have them stay a while, and with the stables and the grounds, I think we can keep them busy.
BO: Keep us posted. I'm sure Shawn-D would love to spend some time with his California cousins.
KAYLA: Stephanie, too.
JOHN: And Brady, as well. Speaking of whom, I should check and see if he's managed to get his tail anywhere near the donkey...
HOLD ON THE PARTY.
CUT TO: NICK'S CAFE AMERICAIN. RICHARD AND ASHLEY ARE SEATED AT A TABLE, ENJOYING A COCKTAIL.
ASHLEY: So what'd you do with yourself today, Hunt? Wrestle paper suppliers? Track down advertising executives? Edit scintillating copy?
RICHARD: If you must know, I was interviewing supermodels for the cover. Yeah, that's it. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it.
ASHLEY: In your dreams. Those women would eat you for breakfast.
RICHARD: (GRINNING) Now there's a thought. (BEAT) And I suppose you had more interesting things to do?
ASHLEY: Oh, yeah. In between cleaning my cameras and tracking down story leads, I had a photo shoot with all the leaders of the free world.
RICHARD: Sounds like someone is getting bored.
ASHLEY: Bored is not the word for it. What's going on with my story, Richard? Is Jack going to go with it or not?
RICHARD: I don't know.
ASHLEY: Because if he's not, he'd better tell me soon. I have half a mind to go and sell it to someone else.
RICHARD: Oh, so you do have at least half a mind...
ASHLEY: Too cliché, Hunt, much too cliché...
RICHARD: Sorry, I couldn't resist the opening. (BEAT) Seriously, though, don't go elsewhere with this, not yet. I'll talk to Jack again.
ASHLEY: Please do. Tell him how I get when I'm bored.
HOLD ON ASHLEY'S IMPATIENCE.
CUT TO: JACK AND JENNIFER'S KITCHEN. JENNIFER IS AT THE STOVE, MINDLESSLY STIRRING A POT OF BOILING PASTA. BEHIND HER, ABIGAIL IS SITTING IN HER HIGHCHAIR AND PLAYING WITH A STUFFED DOG. ABIGAIL TOSSES HER DOG IN THE AIR AND IT ACCIDENTALLY FALLS TO THE FLOOR.
ABIGAIL: Mommy?
JENNIFER, LOST IN HER OWN THOUGHTS, DOES NOT HEAR ABIGAIL.
ABIGAIL: (CONT'D) Mommy!
JENNIFER CONTINUES TO STIR THE PASTA, FAILING TO NOTICE ABIGAIL.
ABIGAIL: (CONT'D) Mommy!!!
JENNIFER JUMPS AND TURNS TOWARD ABIGAIL.
JENNIFER: What's wrong, Abby?
ABIGAIL: (POINTING TO THE FLOOR) Drop Boomer!
JENNIFER BENDS DOWN AND PICKS UP BOOMER. SHE HANDS IT TO ABIGAIL. SUDDENLY, THE PASTA BEGINS TO BOIL OVER THE POT. JENNIFER RUSHES TO TURN OFF THE STOVE WHEN JACK WALKS INTO THE KITCHEN.
JACK: Everything okay in here?
JENNIFER: I almost ruined dinner, and I'm neglecting our daughter.
JENNIFER LIFTS THE POT AND CARRIES IT TO THE SINK. ABIGAIL TOSSES BOOMER TO THE FLOOR AGAIN.
ABIGAIL: Mommy!
JENNIFER GIVES JACK A PLEADING LOOK. JACK GOES TO PICK UP BOOMER FOR ABIGAIL, WHILE JENNIFER RINSES OUT THE PASTA. ONCE BOOMER IS RETURNED TO ABIGAIL, JACK GOES TO PUT AN ARM AROUND JENNIFER.
JACK: Are you okay?
JENNIFER: I don't know. I keep thinking about that picture.
JACK: So do I.
JENNIFER: You know, maybe we should tell Kayla about it, after all.
JACK: You know we've...
JENNIFER: (INTERRUPTING JACK) Before you object, let me just say that I've been doing a lot of thinking about this. If I were in Kayla's position and it were you in that prison camp...
JENNIFER'S EYES BEGIN TO FILL WITH TEARS.
JENNIFER: (CONT'D) ...I know that I'd want to know.
JACK WIPES AWAY JENNIFER'S TEARS AND TIPS HER FACE UP TO HIS.
JACK: I'm right here with you.
JENNIFER: I know. Sometimes my imagination just gets the best of me.
JACK: About Kayla... We've gone over it and over it. We need irrefutable proof before we do or say anything.
JENNIFER RESTS HER CHEEK ON JACK'S SHOULDER.
JENNIFER: You're right. I'm letting my heart get in the way of my journalistic instincts, again.
JACK: With a heart as good as yours, I'll let it go...
JENNIFER LOOKS UP AT JACK AND SMILES.
JACK: (CONT'D) ...this time.
HE GIVES HER A SMALL KISS ON THE NOSE. OUT ON THE TWO.
NICK'S CAFE AMERICAIN. RICHARD AND ASHLEY ARE DANCING. IN PROGRESS.
ASHLEY: When did you become such a good dancer, Hunt? You were all left feet at that journalist convention in '90.
RICHARD: Remember Sonja?
ASHLEY: That Russian ballerina?
RICHARD SMILES.
ASHLEY: (CONT'D) Looks like she taught you a step or two.
ASHLEY WINKS AT RICHARD AND LAUGHS. AT THE CLUB ENTRANCE, CJ ENTERS. HE LOOKS AROUND AND SMILES WHEN HE SEES ASHLEY. ASHLEY NOTICES HIM AND WAVES.
RICHARD: (LOOKING AROUND) Who are you waving at?
ASHLEY: Monsieur LeClere.
RICHARD: Oh, Robert's here?
ASHLEY: Nope. CJ.
RICHARD: (MAKING A FACE) Great. And I bet he's on his way over here to cut in on us.
ASHLEY: What if he is?
RICHARD: Maybe I want to finish this dance first.
ASHLEY: Maybe I want him to cut in.
RICHARD: I don't know about this guy, Ash. There's something a little too polished about him.
ASHLEY: C'mon Hunt. Drop the big brother act. I can take care of myself.
CJ APPEARS NEXT TO RICHARD AND ASHLEY. HE TAPS RICHARD ON THE SHOULDER. RICHARD MOUTHS "BE CAREFUL" TO ASHLEY BEFORE TURNING TO CJ.
CJ: May I?
RICHARD: Of course.
RICHARD STEPS AWAY FROM ASHLEY. AS HE BACKS AWAY, HE BOWS DRAMATICALLY. ASHLEY MAKES A FACE AT RICHARD BEFORE SMILING AND TURNING TO CJ. THEY BEGIN TO DANCE. CJ WHISPERS SOMETHING IN ASHLEY'S EAR THAT CAUSES HER TO GIGGLE. NOW BACK AT HIS TABLE, RICHARD GRIMACES.
RICHARD: Ashley doesn't giggle...
TRYING TO AVOID LOOKING AT CJ AND ASHLEY, RICHARD LOOKS AROUND THE CLUB. AT A NEARBY TABLE, DIANE WAVES TO HIM. SMILING, RICHARD GETS UP AND GOES TO DIANE'S TABLE.
RICHARD: (CONT'D) Hey there, Lake. I didn't know you were here.
DIANE: I guess that gorgeous woman you were with was taking all your attention.
RICHARD: Ashley? Oh, she's just an old friend.
DIANE: Still trying to get all your lady friends to help scare off Eve Donovan, huh?
HOLD ON DIANE'S QUESTION.
CUT TO: BRADY PUB. BRADY IS SITTING ON THE FLOOR, PLAYING WITH A SMALL REMOTE-CONTROLLED POLICE CAR. HE IS SURROUNDED BY A TON OF OPENED PRESENTS.
LEXIE: Here's the list, John. Three whole pages of it!
JOHN: That is one spoiled slugger.
ABE: Not spoiled, John, just loved!
JONAH: By half the town of Salem, it appears.
LEXIE: That "My First Computer" your aunt Vivian sent is really cute!
JOHN: Yeah, maybe he'll be the executive type his father wasn't.
JONAH: I thought those hand-carved castle blocks from Carrie were great.
ABE: Yeah, it's not every three-year-old that gets imported gifts!
JOHN: That car he's playing with... who's that from?
LEXIE: (CONSULTING THE LIST) That's from Victor. It goes with the little police uniform he also gave Brady.
JOHN: I'll go thank him in a minute. I'm glad he decided to come.
LEXIE: He certainly loves his grandson.
ABE: Who'd have known Victor would end up having any redeeming qualities?
JOHN: He sure has changed, hasn't he? (BEAT, AS JOHN NOTICES KAYLA AND STEPHANIE APPROACHING) Looks like the head party coordinators have something else fun to do...
STEPHANIE: Goodie bags!
STEPHANIE BEGINS PASSING OUT THE BAGS, FIRST TO BRADY AND SHAWN-DOUGLAS, THEN TO THE ADULTS, AS WELL.
KAYLA: Stephanie insisted on doing these all by herself. And she wanted to do one for all the adults, too.
LEXIE: Sounds like fun.
JONAH: (OPENING HIS BAG) Oh, Stephanie, right on the money!
HE DISPLAYS A MINIATURE STETHOSCOPE AND TONGUE DEPRESSOR.
SHAWN-D: Look! I got a toy car, and some toy pit-crew guys!
VICTOR ACCEPTS A BAG FROM STEPHANIE.
VICTOR: Thank you, Stephanie. (OPENING HIS BAG) Well, look, my favorite! Cowboys and indians.
STEPHANIE GIGGLES, AS THE ADULTS REGARD VICTOR'S PLAYING ALONG WITH APPRECIATION.
SHAWN: And it's cookin' pots for me, Stephanie-lass! Good choice!
STEPHANIE ENDS HER ROUNDS WITH A BAG FOR MAX. HE TAKES IT WITH STUDIED INDIFFERENCE, BUT THEN QUICKLY OPENS IT.
MAX: Oh, it's... Barbie stuff??
MAX PULLS A BARBIE OUTFIT AND SHOES FROM THE BAG, A PAINED EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE. THE ADULTS ARE AMUSED AT HIS CHAGRIN. HOLD ON MAX.
CUT TO: NICK'S CAFE AMERICAIN. RICHARD AND DIANE. IN PROGRESS.
RICHARD: (SMILING) No, I think the Eve situation has been resolved.
DIANE: She's found someone else to prey on, hmmm?
RICHARD: I suppose so. (BEAT) At any rate, I think I'm safe.
DIANE: So, that brings us back to the brunette...
RICHARD: Ah, yes. The brunette is Ashley Bellafiore. She and I have been friends for several years. We worked together at A.P.
DIANE: Just an old friend, huh?
RICHARD: Mmm-hmmm...
THE MUSIC HAS STOPPED AND ASHLEY AND CJ ARE WALKING OVER TO RICHARD AND DIANE.
ASHLEY: Is this a private party, or can anyone join in?
RICHARD: Oh, I suppose we can tolerate you.
ASHLEY: You're so generous.
RICHARD: Ashley, this is Diane Lake. She works at the Spectator. Diane, this is Ashley Bellafiore, photojournalist extraordinaire.
THE TWO WOMEN SHAKE HANDS.
ASHLEY: Nice to meet you, Diane.
DIANE: Likewise.
CJ CLEARS HIS THROAT.
RICHARD: Oh, and this is CJ LeClere.
DIANE: (EXTENDING HER HAND) Nice to meet you, CJ.
CJ: (TAKING DIANE'S HAND AND KISSING IT) The pleasure is mine, Diane.
DIANE: Oh, my... What a charmer.
RICHARD ROLLS HIS EYES.
DIANE: (CONT'D) Please, sit down.
ASHLEY SITS DOWN NEXT TO RICHARD. CJ SITS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ASHLEY.
DIANE: (CONT'D) So, Ashley, Richard tells me that you two used to work together.
ASHLEY: Yeah, we had some fun times.
RICHARD: And some not-so-fun times. (BEAT) Ashley has a knack for getting herself into trouble, and it was up to me to bail her out.
ASHLEY: God, Hunt, you sound like a broken record. (TO DIANE) Don't believe a word of it. I taught him everything he knows.
RICHARD GUFFAWS.
DIANE: (SMILING) Oh, really... You mean he didn't know everything there is to know from the day he was born?
ASHLEY: Hah! No way... (BEAT) So, Diane, what do you do for the Spectator?
DIANE: I have the police beat.
ASHLEY: Oh... Hunt's old stomping grounds.
RICHARD: We used to be competitors. Diane was the police beat reporter at the Chronicle while I was doing the same thing at the Spectator.
ASHLEY: That explains why you took that cushy magazine job. I'm sure Diane was making you look bad.
RICHARD: She wishes...
DIANE: We had our moments... (BEAT) But I like it much better at the Spectator. Even though it's still sometimes difficult to think of Richard as an ally rather than the competition.
ASHLEY: (PUTTING HER HAND ON RICHARD'S ARM) He can be a real pain in the butt sometimes, but he's still a pretty good guy to have on your side.
RICHARD: Thanks... I think.
CJ HAS LEANED BACK IN HIS CHAIR AND IS LOOKING GLUMLY AROUND THE ROOM. ASHLEY LOOKS OVER AT HIM.
ASHLEY: Are we boring you, Monsieur LeClere?
CJ: What...?
ASHLEY: You look like you're pouting.
CJ: (FOLDING HIS ARMS) Why would I pout? Just because I'm sitting here watching two beautiful women lavish all their attention on another man...
ASHLEY: (LEANING CLOSER TO CJ) Awww... Feeling left out?
CJ: Terribly.
ASHLEY: Well, you shouldn't worry. Richard doesn't get all my attention. He's like an older brother...
RICHARD: Why must you always throw in that "older" part? I'm not that much older than you.
ASHLEY: Geez, I can't win! I think you two are taking the "sensitivity" thing a bit too far.
DIANE: Oh, I don't know. I think over-sensitive beats insensitive any day.
RICHARD AND DIANE SMILE AT EACH OTHER. OUT ON DIANE'S SMILE.
BRADY LIVING ROOM. SHANE COMES IN THE DOOR AND SITS DOWN ON THE COUCH. HE TAKES HIS CELLULAR PHONE OUT OF HIS POCKET AND DIALS. ONE-WAY.
SHANE: Yes, Donovan here. Have I got any messages? (BEAT) No? Have you been able to contact Miss Peach yet? (BEAT) I see. Please keep trying to locate her. It's rather important. Tell her to call me, day or night. You have my cell-phone number, correct? (BEAT) Good. (BEAT) Yes, thank you.
SHANE ENDS THE CONNECTION. HE PUTS THE PHONE BACK IN HIS POCKET.
SHANE: Come on, Peachie, get back to me. This is a big one.
HOLD ON SHANE.
CUT TO: BRADY PUB. AN EXPECTANT BRADY SITS ON A BOOSTER CHAIR AT THE KIDS' TABLE, FLANKED BY STEPHANIE AND SHAWN-DOUGLAS, SQUIRMING WITH EXCITEMENT. THE KITCHEN DOOR IS OPENED BY SHAWN AND CAROLINE ENTERS, CARRYING THE CAKE. THE GUESTS ALL SING "HAPPY BIRTHDAY." BRADY'S GRIN IS SO WIDE, HIS FACE LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BURST. BRADY BLOWS OUT HIS CANDLES AS JOHN ENCOURAGES HIM. ALL THREE CANDLES BLOW OUT RIGHT AWAY, AND BRADY FLINGS HIS ARMS AROUND JOHN IN AN ENTHUSIASTIC HUG.
BRADY: Thank you for my party, Daddy. I love you.
JOHN: And I love you, too, slugger. Happy birthday!
BRADY LETS GO OF JOHN AND SMILES AT HIM WITH DELIGHT BEFORE HE GETS DISTRACTED BY THE SLICE OF CAKE CAROLINE CUTS FOR HIM. THE PARTY GUESTS BEGIN TO MINGLE. JOHN STANDS A MOMENT, LOOKING AT BRADY. HIS FACE IS A MIXTURE OF TOTAL LOVE AND GLOWING PRIDE IN HIS SON. BO COMES UP AND PUTS HIS ARM AROUND JOHN, GIVING HIM A FRIENDLY HUG. JOHN GRINS AT BO AND RETURNS THE SQUEEZE. HOLD ON THE TWO MEN AS THEY TURN TO GET SOME CAKE.
CUT TO: NICK'S CAFE AMERICAIN. DIANE, RICHARD, ASHLEY AND CJ CONTINUE TO ENJOY THEIR EVENING. LYNN, DRESSED IN A GOLD BEADED SHEATH, STOPS AT THE TABLE.
LYNN: Hello, everyone. Nick's busy at the moment, but he asked me to check and make sure that you're all having a good time. You are, aren't you?
RICHARD: We are, indeed. I expect we'll enjoy ourselves even more if you're planning to sing.
CJ: If you sing as exquisitely as you look, and I know you do, my evening will be complete.
DIANE AND ASHLEY SNORT. LYNN LAUGHS.
LYNN: Flattery will get you everywhere, gentlemen. (TO ASHLEY AND DIANE) Are they like this all the time?
DIANE: No, just when they're awake...
ASHLEY: It's become a competition, I think. It's rather amusing, isn't it?
DIANE: I'm enjoying it. Who knows where they'll go next?
LYNN: Who gets to crown the winner?
CJ: Why should only one of you ladies have that pleasure?
RICHARD: There's enough to share.
DIANE AND ASHLEY START TO LAUGH AGAIN. FROM THE STAGE, SAM PLAYS A FEW BARS OF MUSIC.
LYNN: Ah, there's my opportunity for a graceful exit. Have fun, all of you!
OUT ON LYNN GOING TOWARD THE STAGE.
EUTERPE. THE CLUB IS FULL AND QUITE NOISY FROM ALL THE CHATTER OF THE DINERS. EVE IS CONFERRING WITH DAVE NEAR THE BAR.
DAVE: Do you think we should set up the private room? (BEAT) It looks like we're booked solid tonight.
EVE: I think we'll be all right for tonight, but... (FLIPPING PAGES IN THE RESERVATION BOOK) Yeah, here it is. That party of twenty is coming in next week, and that's the only time the private room is reserved for the rest of the month. (BEAT) Maybe we'd better plan on setting it up with ten tables of four this weekend.
DAVE NODS IN AGREEMENT, THEN GOES TO GREET THE ARRIVING CUSTOMERS. THE BACKGROUND MUSIC FADES OUT. IN THE SOUND BOOTH, IAN TURNS ON THE MICROPHONE.
IAN: Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to dedicate this next tune to a lady who has a beautiful smile... I'm glad to see her wearing it.
IAN CUES THE CD, AND THE SONG "RAPTURE," BY BLONDIE, BEGINS. EVE LOOKS TOWARD THE SOUND BOOTH AND SHAKES HER HEAD. IAN PRESSES HIS FACE UP TO THE GLASS, AND GRINS AT HER.
EVE: (CHUCKLING) You are too weird, Ian.
HOLD ON EVE'S SMILE.
CUT TO: NICK'S CAFE AMERICAIN. LYNN IS NOW ON STAGE, SINGING "GIVING HIM SOMETHING HE CAN FEEL." ASHLEY AND CJ ARE DANCING TOGETHER, AS ARE RICHARD AND DIANE. RICHARD IS WATCHING ASHLEY AND CJ SUSPICIOUSLY.
DIANE: Hey, Hunt, you wanna focus a little attention over here before you end up stepping on my feet?
RICHARD: What...? Oh, sorry.
DIANE: What is it with you and those two?
RICHARD: Nothing, really.
DIANE: Liar.
RICHARD: Okay... I'm a little concerned about Ashley.
DIANE: Why? She seems quite capable of taking care of herself.
RICHARD: She is, in most circumstances.
DIANE: Most circimstances?
RICHARD: She and I have been in some pretty tight spots before, trying to get a story. And she's always handled herself admirably. (BEAT) But she always knew the dangers going in. She was on her guard.
DIANE: It doesn't look like she's in any danger now.
RICHARD: Don't be so sure. (BEAT) I doubt she has her guard up.
DIANE: Why should she?
RICHARD: CJ LeClere is quite the ladies' man... a real casanova.
DIANE: I think he's sweet.
RICHARD: Of course you do. You're a woman. He charms you all into submission.
DIANE: Oh, please. Give me a little credit.
RICHARD: Are you saying you're immune?
DIANE: I'm saying that I can keep a clear head.
RICHARD: Let's just see...
RICHARD LEADS THEM OVER TO CJ AND ASHLEY. HE TAPS CJ ON THE SHOULDER.
CJ: Yes?
RICHARD: Would you mind if we traded partners for a bit?
CJ LOOKS AT ASHLEY, WHO SHRUGS.
CJ: All right.
THEY EXCHANGE PARTNERS. ASHLEY LOOKS AT RICHARD SUSPICIOUSLY.
ASHLEY: Okay, Hunt, what are you up to now?
RICHARD: Nothing.
ASHLEY: Yeah, right. Trying to make sure I don't have too much fun?
RICHARD: Not at all.
ASHLEY: If you're going to warn me about CJ again, you can save your breath.
RICHARD: I've already said my piece on that subject. I'm sure anything additional I have to say would just go in one ear and out the other, along with the rest.
ASHLEY: I think I want my other dance partner back.
RICHARD: I'm hurt.
ASHLEY: You're impossible.
RICHARD: (SMILING) Takes one to know one.
GO TO: CJ AND DIANE.
CJ: You're a wonderful dancer, Diane.
DIANE: Thanks. (BEAT) And you're a pretty good liar. I don't get out on the dance floor very often.
CJ: That's a shame. I would think that you and Richard...
DIANE: (INTERRUPTING) Me and Richard?
CJ: Yes, aren't you...?
DIANE: No, we're not. (BEAT) We're just friends. Or working on it. After being rivals for so long, it feels kinda weird.
CJ: It was a... passionate rivalry?
DIANE: It was pretty intense. I don't know if passionate is how I'd describe it...
CJ: Passion can manifest in many ways. Conviction, hatred, love... Something to think about.
DIANE: Indeed...
CJ LOOKS OVER AND SEES THAT ASHLEY IS LOOKING ANNOYED AT RICHARD.
CJ: Let's go see what they're talking about.
CJ AND DIANE MOVE OVER TO RICHARD AND ASHLEY. CJ TAPS RICHARD ON THE SHOULDER.
CJ: Richard, would you mind if we... traded back?
RICHARD: Well, I...
ASHLEY: Of course he wouldn't!
ASHLEY MOVES AWAY FROM RICHARD AND RESUMES DANCING WITH CJ. DIANE DOES THE SAME WITH RICHARD, DANCING A LITTLE CLOSER THAN BEFORE.
RICHARD: So, what did you and Don Juan talk about?
DIANE: Oh, just a little discussion about passion...
GO TO: CJ AND ASHLEY.
ASHLEY: This is much better.
CJ: Is everything all right?
ASHLEY: Oh, I was just getting tired of... Well, Richard doesn't know when to mind his own business, sometimes.
CJ: I see... And I thought it was because you missed me.
ASHLEY: (SMILING) Oh, I did, terribly. (BEAT) What about you?
CJ: Me?
ASHLEY: Did you miss me?
CJ: Oh... (BEAT) Well, Diane is a very good dancer...
ASHLEY: Hmph. I think it's my turn to pout...
CJ: (GRINNING) I'm teasing.
ASHLEY: I know. (BEAT) Apparently, you do a lot of that.
CJ: Excuse me?
ASHLEY: I've heard some things about you, CJ LeClere.
CJ: (SMILING) Lies, all of them. Complete fabrications.
ASHLEY: We'll see... Oh! Well, now... aren't those two looking cozy?
FOLLOWING ASHLEY'S GAZE, CJ LOOKS OVER HIS SHOULDER TO SEE RICHARD AND DIANE DANCING SO CLOSE THAT THEIR LIPS ARE NEARLY TOUCHING. JUST WHEN IT SEEMS THEY MIGHT KISS, THEY BOTH TURN THEIR HEADS AWAY AND END UP CHEEK TO CHEEK. DIANE'S EYES ARE CLOSED. RICHARD APPEARS TO BE DEEP IN THOUGHT. HOLD ON THE TWO. AND OUT. FADE TO BLACK.