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EPISODE ELEVEN
“TRAPPED”
Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; Homicide Division. Capt. Walter Stone is in his office doing paperwork. There is a knock at the door.
Walter: Come in.
A young woman in her early twenties walked in. She is slender, busty and attractive with curly waves of reddish brown hair and blue/green eyes.
Woman: Hi Daddy. (She closed the door)
Walter: Melissa, what are you doing here? (He glanced at his watch) Aren't you supposed to be at work?
Melissa: No, I'm on a new rotation for the next few weeks at the hospital; they've got me working nights. (She bent over her father's desk and gave him a kiss on the cheek, leaving behind her bright red lipstick) How are you?
Walter: (as Melissa grinned, proceeding to wipe it off) Great, especially since you're here. It's not often you come to the office to visit your old Dad. What's up?
Melissa: Well, I came by because there's something I need to talk to you about. I've been putting it off because I know it'll upset you, but I can't do it any longer.
Walter: What's that?
Melissa: (hesitating) Do you know what tomorrow is?
Walter: Besides Tuesday?
Melissa: Yes, besides that.
Walter: (shaking his head) Can’t think of anything. Is there something going on that I don't know about?
Melissa: Daddy, you know as well as I do that tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of Uncle Alec's death.
Walter: (visibly tensing) Oh. Is that why you came to talk to me?
Melissa: Yes, because Uncle Kevin. . .
Walter: (interrupting her) Kevin Lassiter is not your uncle and I don't know why you and Richie keep calling him that.
Melissa: (glaring at him) Because that’s the way we see him, as a member of our family. He and Uncle Alec may not have been legally married, but they were spouses in every way that really mattered.
Walter: (testily) And is there a reason for this lecture about gay rights?
Melissa: Uncle Kevin visits his gravesite at this time every year. He called and asked me if I wanted to go
Walter: And let me guess, you told him yes.
Melissa: Of course I did. Uncle Alec meant a lot to me. I miss him and I want to honor his memory. And I think you should too.
Walter: You can't be suggesting that I go with you, because that is out of the question. I have no intention of going anywhere near that gravesite and furthermore, neither are you.
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Dr. Gloria Lassiter's office. Gloria, Patricia Tamakai- Lassiter and A.J. Lassiter are there.
Gloria: (shaking her head) I don't believe it, I just don't believe it. You and Patricia have been married for the past six years? A.J., how could you do something like this!?
A.J.: (shrugging) Mom, I really didn't do anything. . .it just happened.
Gloria: Things like this just don't happen. You can't pretend as if this was some natural occurrence and you had no control over the situation.
A.J.: Like I said, we were drunk.
Gloria: And that's an excuse? Well, it doesn't wash! And even if it did, you've had all this time to repair the situation and you chose not to. No wonder Melody's so upset.
Patricia: Aunt Gloria, A.J. is not totally to blame here. It's not all his fault.
Gloria: I never said it was. You've both been irresponsible and selfish.
A.J.: I realize that this isn’t one of my best moments and that you’re surprised, but Mom, this isn’t really that big of a deal.
Gloria: You really believe that this isn’t a very serious situation, that what you’ve done isn’t something that Melody justifiably may not be able to forgive you for?
A.J.: I think that like her, you’re over-reacting. (Pause) Why can't you and Melody understand that this was a simple mistake that can easily be rectified. It won't take much for Patricia and I to get the marriage annulled.
Patricia: Right, and then it'll be like it never happened.
Gloria: Don't you two realize you can't just sweep this under the rug? Okay, so maybe this wasn't a real marriage and maybe it was some dumb mistake you made because you had too much to drink, but you let this go on for six years. And to make it worse, you kept it from everyone, including Melody, someone you claim to love.
A.J.: I do love her.
Gloria: Then you have a funny way of showing it. Your entire relationship has been tainted by this lie. How is she supposed to believe anything you say or trust anything you tell her from now on?
A.J.: I have never lied to Melody. . .except for this.
Gloria: Well the fact you've been married for the entire duration of your relationship with her is no small deception. Beyond that, the fact you could be so cavalier about something as serious as this, especially since you know how important marriage is to her, probably makes her question the validity of your entire time together. I know I certainly do. (Pause) A.J., I've seen you go through a lot of relationships, but I always thought you'd eventually meet someone and settle down. When you met Melody, I thought she might be the one, despite the fact you kept putting off marriage. I just hate to see you lose another good woman.
A.J.: It's not over between me and Melody. I certainly am not going to give up on her without a fight.
Gloria: Do you really think you can go back go back to the
way things were, that she can look at you the same way ever again? Frankly, I don’t know if I will so I don't
see how she can. (Pause, she glanced at her watch)
Look, I can’t talk about this anymore, I’ve got surgery in about a half
hour and I need to prep.
A.J.: Fine, we'll talk later. And I’ll get back to you after I talk to Eric.
Gloria: Oh yes, Eric. (Pause) And here I thought he was the son who would continue to surprise me with his screw-ups. (Pause) I guess we will continue this later. Oh, and welcome home, Patricia.
A.J.: (sighing as his mother walked out) And I thought my day was pretty lousy already. (Pause) No matter how old you get, no kid likes to disappoint his mother. And now I have.
Patricia: Oh your Mom will get over it. She loves you to death, you’re her golden boy. She’ll forgive you.
A.J.: Maybe, but I'll never forget the look in her eyes, how disappointed she was. (Pause as he turned to her) I just hope you're happy. In one day, you've damaged two of the most important relationships in my life, not to mention what you're trying to do to my career. When we were kids, I thought you were a pest, an annoyance. But now, you're just evil.
Patricia: (with a shocked and hurt look on her face) No, A.J., don't say that. This wasn't supposed to happen. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this.
A.J.: (suspiciously) What do you mean it wasn't supposed to turn out like this? Exactly what does that mean?
* * * * * *
Scene: An elevator in
Dana: (struggling to pull away from his iron hard grip) Let me out of here!
Danny: Calm down, woman, I only want to talk to you.
Dana: I have nothing to say to you. Now let me go so I can get this elevator moving!
Danny: Not we’re done here!
Dana: If you don't let me go, I'll scream!
Danny: (shrugging) Fine. Go right ahead. Scream.
Dana: You really don't want me to scream and tell people you accosted me, trapped me in this elevator? I might even have to press charges. You're still on parole, you want to wind up back in prison?
Danny: Like I said, go ahead and scream. I dare you. That will only bring attention to us and the fact we're together. And when people come to your rescue, I'll have to explain all about our past. I'm sure you wouldn't want your rich white friends here to know you were once married to an ex-con whose brother is on trial for murdering your bosses' daughter, would you? I know you’ve been keeping that little nugget a secret.
Dana: (finally snatching away from him) Fine, say what you have to say. (She moved as far away as she could get from him, her back pressed against the elevator wall) Just stay away from me and keep your hands off me.
Danny: (smiling) Keep my hands off you? That's funny. I remember it wasn't so long ago that you couldn't get enough of me. (He came closer, a seductive look in his dark eyes, a leer on his face) Do you remember that, Dana? You remember when you begged, screamed for me to touch you?
Dana: (shaking her head, sneering in disgust as he came closer) That was a long time ago. A lot has changed since then. I was young and stupid and I was a fool. Now I know better. I know you for the scum you are. Just thinking about your hands on me makes my skin crawl.
Danny: Really? Can I put it to the test? Can I find out what would happen if I touched you just the way you like it? (He brought his hand up, putting it only inches from her face as she looked up at him in fear) Can you stop me? More importantly, do you want to?
* * * * * *
Scene: Walter's office. Melissa and Walter are there.
Melissa: Daddy, you can't forbid me to go to Uncle Alec's grave. I can't believe you would even suggest it!
Walter: I not only suggest it, I insist on it. It's bad enough I have to be constantly reminded of your uncle and how he died every time I pass by that damn AIDS Memorial Wing that Kevin Lassiter built, but now I read in today's paper he's planning another fundraiser in Alec's name.
Melissa: And what is wrong with that? Uncle Kevin loved Uncle Alec. The AIDS wing and the annual fundraiser is the way Uncle Kevin chooses to honor Uncle Alec's memory. Besides, it helps a lot of people with the disease live longer and there's always the chance the research that's done there could lead to a cure or a vaccine.
Walter: (shaking his head) You think that place honors Alec’s memory? There is nothing honorable about who Alec was or how he died!
Melissa: You still can't get over the fact your brother was gay and that he died of AIDS? He’s been dead for five years. When are you going to come to terms with this?
Walter: I came to terms with it the day Alec told me about himself. I decided then he was not going to be part of my life and that hasn't changed. I didn't accept it then and I won't now. The way he lived was wrong and. . .
Melissa: And what? He got what he deserved?
Walter: Of course not. No one deserves to die such a horrible death. But if you live a certain lifestyle, then there is a price to be paid.
Melissa: Tell that to all the babies born with the disease.
Walter: Melissa, don't lecture me with statistics and facts about AIDS, I'm really not interested in your political correctness.
Melissa: Fine, but you can't stop me from going.
Walter: You're right, I can't. You're in nursing school, you don't live at home, you can do as you please. But just know I don't like it. And I certainly don't want to be part of it.
Melissa: Then that is your loss, Daddy. Uncle Alec was a wonderful man, it's just too bad you can't see that. The tragedy isn't how he died, but that he died at all.
(Melissa walked out, passing by Evan Maitland in the doorway)
Evan: (glancing after her) Was that your daughter?
Walter: Yes, that was Melissa.
Evan: She's turned into quite a looker.
Walter: Not to mention a lot of trouble.
Evan: Well, kids can be a handful.
Walter: How would you know, you don't have any.
Evan: Maybe not, but it's what I keep hearing. (Pause) You got a few minutes? Something I need to talk to you about.
Walter: Sure, come on in. (Pause as the district attorney walked in, closing the door behind him) Is it about the Nathan James case? I hear he had some sort of accident. How is he?
Evan: He's fine, he'll probably be released tomorrow.
Walter: What does this mean for the trial?
Evan: We'll start again in a couple of days.
Walter: Good. So what is it you have to discuss? It's not bad news, is it?
Evan: I’m afraid you'll think so. Now Sabrina doesn’t have to give me her witness list ahead of time, but I heard through courthouse gossip about a witness you’ll find very interesting.
Walter: Really? Who?
Evan: Your son.
* * * * * *
Scene:
Dana: (shrinking back) Don't you touch me! Keep your filthy hands off me! If that's why you trapped me in here, then you won't get away with it!
Danny: (shaking his head) No. As sweet as your body is, that's not why I wanted to talk. I just wanted to try a little test.
Dana: Well, it failed. I am not interested in you. . .not that way or any other way. Not anymore. That ended a long time ago.
Danny: It wasn't so long ago that the memories aren't still fresh in my mind. You do remember what it was like with us, don't you?
Dana: (refusing to respond) Get to what you want or I will scream.
Danny: And bring attention to yourself?
Dana: If it's going to get me away from you, I don't care what you tell people.
Danny: I think you do care. I'm sure you wouldn't want that rich white boyfriend of yours to know about your brush with the criminal element.
Dana: Boyfriend? You mean Zachary? How do you know about him?
Danny: Darian told me. He says you’re running around acting like you're better than everybody else, chasing after that doctor and hoping he'll give you the time of day. You ain't done too good yet from what I hear.
Dana: (shocked) Darian is spying on me for you?
Danny: You really
think either of us care that much about what you do? We just find it curious that you’re trying
to, whitewash the past. (He laughed at his own joke)
Dana: Well I’m going to tell him the same thing I’m telling you, keep your nose out of my business. What I do and who I do it with is none of your concern. Now, get to it, Danny. What do you want?
(Suddenly, the elevator started moving)
Danny: (surprised) What's going on?
Dana: They must've realized the elevator stopped. I'll bet they turned it on manually.
(The elevator stopped and the doors slid open. A pair of beefy maintenance men stood there with Zachary and Natalie)
Dana: Zachary! (She ran to him, throwing herself into her arms)
Zachary: Dana, are you all right?
Natalie: Yeah, I saw you get into the elevator and then it suddenly stopped. We were worried.
Dana: You should've been. It was horrible.
Zachary: I can imagine, being trapped in an elevator is not the best feeling in the world. But you're out now.
Dana: No, that's not what I mean. He. . . (She turned around. Danny was gone) Where did he go?
Maintenance Man #1: The guy that was in there with you? He took off down the hall.
Dana: Oh.
Zachary: Dana, who was in the elevator with you? Was he bothering you?
Dana: (as Natalie eyed her warily) No. It was nobody. Just someone visiting a patient is all. He was as nervous and upset as I was.
Natalie: Dana, why don't you have something to eat or drink? It'll make you feel better.
Zachary: That's a good idea. Let me get it for you. You go to the lounge and I'll bring it there.
Dana: Thanks, I'd like that. Some coffee and a donut will be just fine.
Zachary: Coming right up.
Natalie: I'll come with you, Dana.
Dana: Thanks. (Dana and Natalie walked away as the maintenance men stepped out of the elevator)
Zachary: So, what was wrong with it? It wasn't broken, was it?
Maintenance Man #2: No. Someone just pressed the stop button.
Zachary: Really? That's strange. You'd think Dana or the guy she was with would've noticed that.
Maintenance Man #1: Yeah. You'd think so, wouldn't you?
* * * * * *
Scene: Gloria's office. A.J. and Patricia are there.
A.J.: Well, what did you mean? What wasn't supposed to turn out like this?
Patricia: (caught off guard) My return home. I thought it would be more of a happy occasion. But since I came back, there's been nothing but trouble. I know part of it is my fault, and I'm sorry about that A.J.. I guess I just handled everything wrong.
A.J.: You sure did. I’m glad you finally realized what a mistake it was for you to come back. So how soon will you rectify things and get out of town so the rest of us can get back to our lives?
Patricia: (angrily) You know you might want to blame this all on me, but it’s not all my fault. The only reason this is still a secret is because you kept it for all these years.
A.J.: You’re right, I’ll give you that. I should’ve told Melody about this. Or at least gotten the annulment and put the whole thing to rest before it all came out. But these problems, the mess I’m in with Melody and my mother right now. I lay that at your feet my dear because none of this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for you! And trust me, I won’t forget it. (A.J. walked out)
Patricia: Well, A.J., I wish I could say that my return is the biggest surprise I have for you, because trust me… it isn’t.
To Be Continued. . .
In The Next Episode Of Covington Bay...
· Dana schemes to hide her past with Danny from Zachary.
· Kevin's talk with Richie uncovers a shocking secret.
· Eric tries to cope with some bad news.