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EPISODE 1

“AND SO IT BEGINS”

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Dr. Glenn Dailey's office. Glenn is sitting behind his desk, reading a newspaper.

Glenn is a man about fifty, with gently graying, dark brown hair and blue eyes. He is a big, rawboned man, slightly overweight. As he reads the newspaper, scanning the headline, a sad look fills his eyes, encompassing his entire face. The headline read: CANDICE DAILEY MURDER TRIAL TO BEGIN TODAY. By A.J. Lassiter. Sighing, he plopped the paper on his desk, his eyes wandering to a picture on his desk. It is of himself holding a young blonde woman. She is smiling, laughing, her blue eyes sparkling with delight. He stares at the picture, a wistful look flickering across his face, his eyes starting to fill with tears.

Voice: Glenn?

Glenn looked up, wiping away his nearly shed tears. An attractive dark-haired woman stood there, concern flowing from her dark brown eyes. Like Glenn, she is wearing a doctor's lab coat over her clothing.

Glenn: Gloria. Come in.

Gloria: Is this a bad time?

Glenn: (managing a smile) It never is for you. What brings you by?

Gloria: I wanted to talk to you. (Pause as she noticed the newspaper) You really think you should be reading that?

Glenn: Why bother trying to avoid it? It's everywhere; the newspapers, on TV and the radio. Not to mention it's all anyone in this town can talk about. I certainly can't pretend it isn't happening.

Gloria: I suppose not. Are you still planning to attend the trial?

Glenn: Of course. I want to see Nathan James pay for what he did to my baby daughter. I want to be there when he is convicted. I can only hope the jury is smart enough to sentence him to death. (Pause) I know that's horrible to say, especially for a doctor, but it's how I feel.

Gloria: You're only feeling the same way any father would about the man who may have killed his child.

Glenn: (looking startled) What do you mean may have? Surely you don't believe that boy is innocent?

Gloria: (shrugging) I don't know. I'm not sure what I believe.

Glenn: (insistently) He killed Candice and all the evidence says so. Evan Maitland is certain he can prove it.

Gloria: A.J. says all the evidence is circumstantial and you know he’s working to prove Nathan innocent. (Pause) I’m just having a hard time believing Nathan could do this. He was a friend of the family. How many evenings did he spend at our house? He and Candice were friends, close friends. I can't believe he killed her.

Glenn: Gloria, you know I never liked that kid, never trusted him. I always thought he was no good and I was right. (Pause) He may have been Candice's friend, but he wanted more than that and she wasn’t interested because she was in love with James Greyhawk. Nathan couldn't take her rejection and he killed her. Simple as that. It happens everyday, only this time, it happened in my family.

Gloria: But Nathan says. . .

Glenn: (interrupting) I know what Nathan says. He claims he and my daughter were lovers and he could never hurt her and I misunderstood their arguments. Gloria, that claim is preposterous and it's certainly no defense. A girl like Candice would never become involved with a street kid like Nathan James, not when she had a good decent boy from a decent family like the Greyhawks.

Gloria: Nathan wasn't some street kid. Sure, he grew up poor and he's had his problems, but he'd put all that behind him. When Candice started tutoring him his grades improved, he quit that gang he was in, he got a job here at the hospital. He was even talking about going to college.

Glenn: (bitterly) And now he's on trial for murder. Sounds like his reformation didn't quite take, did it?

Gloria: Glenn, I. . . (Pause) This isn't why I came here. There's something we need to talk about.

Glenn: Let me guess. It's about the divorce.

Gloria: (looking regretful) You got the papers.

Glenn: They were delivered this morning. (Pause) Gloria, I don't believe this. My daughter has been murdered and her killer is going on trial in a few short hours and you schedule a meeting to meet with our divorce attorneys!? Don't you think that borders on cruel? Surely you must realize that now is not the time for a divorce?

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Twin Towers. A.J. Lassiter's condo, the bedroom.

A.J., a good looking young man with curly dark hair and brown eyes is lying in bed with Melody Sorensen, a beautiful, curvaceous blonde. They are kissing passionately.

Melody: (starting to pull away) A.J., you know I love you and I love being with you, but I think we need to stop this.

A.J.: (nuzzling her neck) Stop? Are you nuts? It was just getting interesting, Mel.

Melody: Maybe, but we do have priorities.

A.J.: (his hands under the covers) I'm holding my priorities right now.

Melody: (giggling) You know what I mean! I've got to get to the hospital. It would do for the Head Surgical Nurse to show up late, would it? Besides, you have to be getting to court. The trial starts today doesn't it?

A.J.: Yeah, in about an hour. . .which is plenty of time.

Melody: (pulling away and getting out of bed) Yeah, for us to get dressed, get breakfast and get to work.

A.J.: (sighing) Why do you always have to be so practical?

Melody: (slipping into a robe) One of us has to be. And you've always said my practicality was one of the things you loved most about me.

A.J.: Usually, but right now it just seems damned annoying.

Melody: (laughing as she walked to the dresser and started to pull our some clothing) You'll get over it. Besides, I'd think you wouldn't want to miss one minute of this trial since you are covering this story.

A.J.: (sitting up in bed) You can bet I'm going to be there with bells on. This is going to be quite a trial you know. The whole town is talking.

Melody: Of course. The Dailey family is very prominent in this town. Plus, since your mother's married to Glenn Dailey, that involves the Lassiters and everyone in this town loves to read about scandal where your family is concerned.

A.J.: I know, I just wish we didn't give the press something to talk about so often. But, the Lassiters are nothing if not colorful.

Melody: (opening the closet and taking out a pair of gray slacks and a pink shirt) You got that right.

A.J.: Still, as far as I'm concerned, there shouldn't even be a trial.

Melody: You still believe he's innocent?

A.J.: With every fiber of my being.

Melody: (sitting on the bed next to A.J.) But why? You've covered every inch of this story from top to bottom, you've talked to everyone involved. You know all the evidence the police have, you know Nathan had means, motive and opportunity. Why do you have so much doubt?

A.J.: Melody, I have been a reporter for over ten years, I've traveled the world, broken major scandals and exposes, even won a few awards in my day. A lot of people consider me one of the best in the business.

Melody: (teasingly) As you remind me everyday.

A.J.: (grinning) Hey, never let it be said I'm not one to beat my own drum. But my point is that I've always done my best work when I went with my instincts. And they tell me that Nathan did not kill Candice. I just wish there was some way of proving it. And believe me, I'm going to keep looking until I do.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Glenn's office. Glenn and Gloria are there.

Gloria: Glenn, those papers weren't supposed to be delivered, at least not today. But there was a mix-up at Sabrina's office and the papers were delivered. I'm sorry.

Glenn: Oh I bet it was a mix-up. Your lawyer hates me. I'm sure she did this now because she knew it would hurt the most.

Gloria: Glenn, I know you and Sabrina have your issues, but she told me it was an accident and I believe her.

Glenn: Accident or not, what happens now? You're going to put off the divorce now aren't you?

Gloria: No. I realize it's a bad time, but we can't put this off any longer. I am sorry for your pain, I know you're going through a lot. Candice may not have been my biological daughter, but I loved her she was mine own. I miss her too, this whole thing is tearing me up inside. But this divorce was in the works long before Candice died. It's time to end this. I'm sorry, but I have got to get on with my life.

Glenn: Without seeing if we can work it out? Gloria, if you could only postpone this divorce at least until after the trail, maybe we could. . .

Gloria: Work it out? Get back together? Reconcile? Glenn, it is not going to happen. Face it, our marriage is over. I can't. . .I won't put if off any longer!

Glenn: If we could just sit down and talk.

Gloria: There is nothing to talk about. The meeting with the lawyers is next week, so be there. This divorce is going to happen. The sooner you face that, the better off we'll all be.

Turning, she flung the door open and walked out, passing by a handsome young man with dark blond hair who was standing in the doorway.

Gloria: Sorry, Zachary.

Zachary: No problem. (He looked after Gloria, then walked into the office. Dr. Zachary Dailey wore a white lab coat over a pair of jeans and gray tee shirt.) So, I see you're still torturing Gloria.

Glenn: (noting Zachary's clothing) And I see you haven't learned how to dress like a doctor yet. You really enjoy embarrassing me, don't you?

Zachary: (with a smirk) Nothing gives me greater pleasure. (Pause) Why don't you stop fighting the divorce, Dad? She spent six years with you. You ruined the marriage and you nearly destroyed her. Let her go. Any more of a sentence would be cruel and unusual punishment.

Glenn: My marriage is none of your business.

Zachary: I happen to care about Gloria, she's a friend. That makes it my business.

Glenn: Only in your mind, Zach. Now stay out of it. (He rubbed his temples) I realize you hate me, you prove it every chance you get, but don't you think you could save some of that venom for later (he motioned to the paper) today of all days?

* * * * * *

Scene: A.J.'s apartment. A.J. and Melody are there.

Melody: A.J., why do you always have to play the hero?

A.J.: Because Nathan needs someone on his side. And besides, playing hero is just one of the things I am very good at.

Melody: I'm not going to respond to that, your ego is healthy enough already. But look, A.J., I realize you want to help, but he does have an attorney. And you know Sabrina is a good one. If he's innocent, she'll prove it.

A.J.: Maybe, but I can't stand by and do nothing.

Melody: You just can't help looking for trouble, can you? For once, let the people who are hired to do these things do them?

A.J.: I would, if they did them right. Besides, I do have a bit of a personal stake in this too. I didn't know Candice well, I was working as a traveling correspondent for NewsTime during most of my mother's marriage to Glenn. I only saw her at family holidays. She was a beauty. . .bright, funny, warm. She was a wonderful person. . .it's a terrible loss.

A sad look drifted across A.J.'s face as the telephone rang.

Melody: (getting up and heading for the bathroom) If that's the hospital, tell them I'm on the way!

A.J.: (answering the phone) Lassiter.

Voice: A.J., it's Kevin.

A.J.: (smiling) Kevin, how's my favorite cousin today?

Kevin: Swamped with work as usual.

A.J.: No big surprise where you're concerned. So, what's up?

Kevin: I'm calling to remind you that the annual board meeting is Friday. I hope you're planning to be there.

A.J.: (groaning) Kevin, is it really necessary? You know I hate these business details. Why can't you just vote my proxy if there's any big decisions to be made? I trust you.

Kevin: Thanks for the confidence, but A.J., you really should be there. Lassiter Pharmaceuticals is going through a lot of changes. You may only own two percent, but it's important you keep abreast of everything.

A.J.: Okay, but why do I get the sense there’s something you’re not telling me. Is there a problem?

Kevin: No, A.J. Everything is fine… or at least as well as can be expected these days.

A.J.: These days? Kevin, what does that mean? (The doorbell rang) Oh there’s the doorbell. Who could that be this early in the morning?

Kevin: You better answer that. I need to be going anyway.

A.J.: But, Kevin…

Kevin: Bye A.J.

(The line went dead. A.J., sensing a problem with his cousin, started to dial again, but the doorbell interrupted him. Cursing, he hung up the phone, got up and grabbed a blue cotton robe hanging on the back of a chair next to the bed, slipping into the garment as he walked through his apartment. In the meantime, the doorbell rang a couple of more times)

A.J.: (annoyed) I'm coming, I'm coming. (He opened the door. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of the slender, petite Asian woman that stood there.) Patricia!? What in the hell are you doing here!?

Woman: (smiling, kissing A.J. on the cheek) What kind of greeting is that? You don’t have anything warmer to say to an old friend?

A.J.: What do you expect, you just showing on my doorstep like this after all this time. Don’t you think this sudden visit at least warranted a phone call?

Woman: Maybe, but you know I love surprises. And I wouldn’t miss the look on that handsome mug of yours for anything. (She walked in, brushing by A.J.) My God, what's going to take to get you to throw out that ratty old robe? You’ve had it since… well since as long as I can remember. (She

pulled a hand through her waist length black hair as she looked around the apartment) Nice apartment. I like it, but then you always did have wonderful taste.

A.J.: (closing the door to his apartment) And you always had incredible nerve, not to mention the amazing ability to avoid answering a direct question. So again I ask you, why are you here?

Patricia: Why to see you of course.

A.J.: I guessed that much. But, just for laughs, how about being a bit more specific?

Melody: (walking in from the bedroom, wearing a robe, pulling a comb through her wet hair) A.J., what do you think about meeting for lunch? We could do Mexican if you. . . (She saw Patricia) Oh, I didn't know you had company.

A.J.: We don’t. She's about to leave.

Patricia: No one could have accuse you of Southern hospitality, could they, A.J.? (smiling) You must be Melody. I heard a lot about you.

Melody: (surprised) You have?

A.J.: (even more surprised) You have?

Patricia: Of course. (She held out her hand) It's nice to meet you. I'm Patricia Tamakai Lassiter.

Melody: Lassiter?

Patricia: (with a backward glance at a horrified A.J.) Yes, I'm A.J.'s wife.

to be continued. . . .

In Episode 2 of 'Covington Bay'. . .

· A.J. tries to make Melody understand about his marriage to Patricia, unaware that his wife has more surprises in store for him.

· Gloria makes divorce plans despite Glenn's objections.