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EPISODE 15

“AN UGLY KIND OF HONESTY”

Scene: Lassiter Pharmaceuticals; Kevin's outer office. A handsome older man, in his late 60's is sitting at a desk, typing furiously. He is slender, with dark blue eyes and waves of silver hair. Kevin walks in and the older man looks up at him.

Kent: (in a slight British accent) I'm glad you're here. Your father is driving me mad, asking me every five minutes when you'll be returning. At last you can deal with him.

Kevin: (sighing wearily) Where is he?

Kent: He is ensconced in your office. I tried to get him to leave so you could have a few minutes of breathing time before facing him, but he was adamant about staying and waiting for you. I even thought about calling security, but I don't think they'd toss out one of the owners of the building.

Kevin: Considering how many people my father has ticked off around here over the years, I wouldn't be sure of that.

Kent: (smiling wickedly) I'll have to remember that for the future, sir.

Kevin: Any idea what he wants? Did he even give you a clue what is so important that he insisted I rush in here?

Kent: As I said on the phone, he wouldn't tell me anything. However, before he demanded to see you, he'd been asking about your schedule for tomorrow. Possibly it has something to do with that.

Kevin: How could it? He knows I'm taking the day off. I’m visiting Alec’s gravesite tomorrow.

Kent: Like you do every year. I don't know what he’s thinking.

Kevin: I guess I’ll go and talk to him then.

Kent: So, how long should I let you stay in there before I interrupt with 'an important call from overseas that you have to take right away'?

Kevin: (sharing a knowing look with Kent) Give me about ten minutes.

Kent: That long alone with Barton Lassiter? You're a braver man than I sir.

Kevin: Some might call it masochism. (He sighed heavily) Wish me luck.

(Kent saluted Kevin as he walked into his office. Kevin closed the door behind him, seeing his father, a husky, solidly built man standing near the window, over looking the city of Covington Bay)

Barton: (turning as the door closed, his dark brown eyes flaring with anger) It's about time you got here.

Kevin: (sarcastically) Hello to you too, Dad. Look, I went as fast as the local traffic laws would allow. Now what is so important that I had to race in here? I was in the middle of something important when Kent called.

Barton: (who had thick dark brown hair slivered with streaks of gray, hazel eyes and a lightly trimmed beard the same color of his hair) Just what did I interrupt? It wasn't business. I called the hospital. The meeting you had with Simon Harrison was canceled.

Kevin: (annoyed) You don't have anything better to do than keep track of my schedule?

Barton: (his husky frame well defined in a double breasted, tailored, gray suit) Kevin, I don't need your smart mouth. What I do need is an explanation.

Kevin: About what? My lunch plans?

Barton: No. (He held out a small metallic looking PDA) This. You want to explain to me what the hell this means?

* * * * * *

Scene: The Covington Bay Heights Apartments. Eric Lassiter's apartment. Eric and Melissa walk in, each of them carrying a bag of food from Velvet Freeze. They enter the messy kitchen, where Melissa wrinkles her nose at the disaster.

Melissa: Wow! Have you done any cleaning since the last time I was here? Some of this stuff looks like it's ready to decompose.

Eric: (shrugging as he swept aside a pile of discarded food containers that were on the kitchen counter and put the bags of food in its’ place) Well, that'll keep me from having to clean, won't it? (Pause) Besides, it's not my talent with a mop you're interested in anyway, right? (He kissed her on the cheek)

Melissa: (smiling) I'm afraid you've got me there.

(They started taking the food out of the bags. Melissa looked as if she were about to say something a few times, but hesitated)

Melissa: (carefully choosing her words) Eric, do you mind if I ask you something?

Eric: You can ask me anything; whether I choose to answer you or not is a different story.

Melissa: I'll take my chances. (Pause) So tell me, what is this thing between you and Uncle Kevin?

Eric: (angrily) What do you mean by that? Kevin and I don't have a 'thing'. I can barely stand to be in the same room with the guy.

Melissa: That's my point. Kevin's one of my favorite people in the world. He's a wonderful man. How can you not like him just because he's gay? I don't understand it..

Eric: (opening the cupboards in search of a pair of clean plates) Like you said, the guy's a faggot. And being a faggot is wrong. What's not to understand about that?

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Patricia Tamakai-Lassiter is on a payphone.

Patricia: I'm sorry. I'm running late, but I'm on my way in right now. See you soon. Bye.

Michael: (walking up as she hung up the phone) Hey, sis.

Patricia: Michael! What are you doing here, checking on Nathan James?

Michael: No, Nathan’s in pretty good shape and he’s resting. But one of the offices’ associates got caught up in that big car accident today. He was in a pretty serious accident.

Patricia: Is he going to be okay?

Michael: It’s going to take some recover time, but he’ll be fine.

Patricia: Good. (Pause) Well, I’ve got to get to the office….

Michael: (grabbing Patricia's arm) Oh no, you don't. At least not yet.

Patricia: (surprised) Michael, what is it?

Michael: What do you think? I can’t believe you!

Patricia: (sighing) I guess you’ve talked to A.J..

Michael: Of course I did. He’s furious and he has every right to be. What in the world did you think you were doing this morning… going by A.J.’s place, telling Melody that you and he are married?

Patricia: Oh that.

Michael: (sarcastically) Oh that? When I gave you his address you told me you were going to stop by and say hello, catch up. That didn’t include trying to ruin his relationship with Melody.

Patricia: I wasn’t trying to do that.

Michael: Then what were you trying to do? You forget who you’re talking to. I happen to know what you’re capable of… the secrets you’re keeping from A.J., from everyone. (Pause) I just want to know what you are up to.

Voice: So do I.

Patricia: (looking past her brother to see Melody standing a few feet away) Melody!

Melody: Well, Patricia, go ahead. Answer your brother. What are you up to?

* * * * * *

Scene: Lassiter Pharmaceuticals; Kevin's office. Kevin and Barton are there.

Kevin: (taking the notebook from Barton) It’s my PDA. What are you doing with it? I left it here in my office… in my desk drawer.

Barton: I wanted to see what you have on tap for tomorrow.

Kevin: Which you could've done by asking me or Kent. You only could've gotten a hold of this by snooping through my desk.

Barton: You're getting off the point of this conversation.

Kevin: Oh sorry, somehow I'm a little bugged at having my office searched. So what is this all about?

Barton: Kevin, in a few days, we are having the annual board meeting. There is a lot of work to be done to prepare. According to your schedule, you don't have one appointment tomorrow.

Kevin: I'm taking a personal day.

Barton: Now is not the time for a personal day, especially for the Vice President of the company.

Kevin: I am well aware of my responsibilities for this corporation and my meetings have been rescheduled accordingly.

Barton: Why they need to be rescheduled at all? What is so important that you need to take a day off now?

Kevin: I don't have to justify my personal time to you.

Barton: You do when it affects the running of this company. I am the president, you know.

Kevin: Co-President the last time I looked. You may hate to be reminded of this, but you and Uncle Steven run this company together.

Barton: (visibly annoyed) You are getting off the subject, Kevin. You cannot just take the day off like this.

Kevin: I can and I will.

Barton: But why? What is this all about?

Kevin: You know I'm not surprised you don't remember since you didn’t give a damn about him, but tomorrow is the anniversary of Alec's death.

Barton: I see. (Pause) I don't mean to be insensitive, but Alec has been dead for five years. Why do you feel the need to take the day off? Planning on walking around the house in widow's weeds?

Kevin: I know you have a hard time understanding what's it's like to love someone other than yourself, but Alec was my life. I loved him. I still love him and I still miss him everyday. I want to honor his memory and that is what I am going to do.

Barton: Even if it puts this company in dire straits?

Kevin: If this company can survive you at the helm, it can certainly survive me taking a day off. Now, this discussion is over. The decision has been made.

Barton: And I'm just supposed to accept it?

Kevin: Accept it or don't Dad, I don't give a damn. Surely you must realize by now how little your opinion means to me.

* * * * * *

Scene: Eric's apartment. Eric and Melissa are there.

Melissa: Eric, I don't get how you can call Kevin that.

Eric: What? A faggot? That's what he is.

Melissa: That's not the word I would use.

Eric: Oh, sorry if I'm not being politically correct, but the only P.C. I know about is a computer. (Pause) Look, why is this an issue with you? Like you said, you knew my feelings on gays.

Melissa: And I don't understand it. First of all, Kevin is a wonderful man. Second of all, you two are related.

Eric: (smirking) We all have our crosses to bear.

Melissa: Eric, I've known Uncle Kevin for years, ever since he and Uncle Alec first met . He's a wonderful person. I got very close to Uncle Kevin during the years he and Uncle Alec were together. I love him as if he were a member of my family...he is a member of my family.

Eric: Why, because he and your uncle played slap and tickle for a few years? Melissa, if that's how you feel about Kevin, that's your prerogative, but don't expect me to climb onto that bandwagon because I never will. (Pause) Look, why are you making such a big deal about this?

Melissa: Because your distaste for gays bothers me. Sure, in the past, it was just a few insensitive jokes or the occasional nasty comment. I didn't like it, but I dealt with it. However, today I saw you be cruel to a member of your own family. Doesn't it surprise you that I'm a little taken aback?

Eric: (stopping his search to face Melissa) Frankly, I don't care how you feel about it, but I suggest you get over it or you and I are going to have a problem.

Melissa: A problem? Why does that sound like a threat?

Eric: It is, if you can't accept how I feel about Kevin and leave it at that.

Melissa: Eric, we can have a difference of opinion without it becoming a wedge between us.

Eric: Good, I'm glad you realize that. Because this is one subject I will never change my opinion on.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Patricia, Melody and Michael are standing near a pay phone.

Melody: So, out with it! What are you up to?

Patricia: Look, Melody, I’m not up to anything.

Melody: Really? Your brother seems to think differently.

Patricia: I know you’re upset and you have every reason to be. I’m sorry… I'd really like to apologize for this morning. What I said wasn't supposed to come out like it did. I didn't plan it that way, and I certainly didn't want to hurt either you or A.J.

Melody: Maybe, except news like that is bound to hurt someone, don't you think?

Patricia: That's just it, I didn't think. It was an impetuous, reckless act; something I happen to be famous for.

Michael: More like infamous.

Patricia: (glaring at Michael) Look, Melody, the point is I don’t want this to hurt things between you and A.J.. I’m hoping you guys can work things out.

Melody: (doubtfully) I’m sure you do.

Patricia: I guess you don’t believe me.

Melody: Of course I don’t.

Patricia: Then why don’t we sit down and talk? I can make you understand…

Melody: You can’t make me understand. And I have no intention of sitting down and talking to you. What you can do is stay away from me. (Pause) Now if you’ll excuse me… (She nodded at Michael) Michael.

Michael: (as Melody walked away) Melody.

Patricia: Well, that was a bit bitchy, wouldn't you say?

Michael: And with good reason. You've blown this woman's world apart and then you want to discuss it with her over coffee. How did you expect her to act?

Patricia: You act as if I can't be genuinely concerned about her feelings.

Michael: You may fool everyone else, little sister, but you hardly fool me. I’m starting to think it was a bad idea for you to come back to town.

Patricia: How can you say that?

Michael: Because of what’s happened already. You told me you wanted to come home and get your life together, that you wanted to get a job, reconnect with your family.

Patricia: I do and I thought you supported that.

Michael: I do. But I don’t like how things have started. You’re causing trouble already. And I’m wondering if coming between A.J. and Melody was what you’ve always intended.

Patricia: That isn’t true.

Michael: Really? Because I know how you’ve always felt about A.J..

Patricia: (shrugging) So I had a crush on when I was a little girl. That was a long time ago. A.J. and I are just friends.

Michael: You accept that?

Patricia: Yes, I do. We might be married, but that’s only because of a silly mistake. It doesn’t mean anything.

Michael: I’m glad to hear you say that, because I’d hate to realize that you came here with any notions of getting together with A.J., making your marriage a real one.

Patricia: I don’t.

Michael: Good. Because A.J. is very happy with Melody, they have a good relationship. You’ve caused enough problems. Don’t cause anymore. Let them get through this without anymore interference from you.

Patricia: I have no intention of hurting A.J..

Michael: Actually, it’s best if you keep your distance from A.J., if you stay away from him completely.

Patricia: Michael, I just told you that I know that A.J. and I are just friends… that don’t have a schoolgirl crush on him.

Michael: Yes, but you are keeping a rather large secret from him, something I know none of us ever want him to find out. The more you’re around him, the closer you get to him, the bigger the danger of it coming out.

Patricia: Michael, I don’t want the truth coming out more than anyone else.

Michael: Good, because if A.J. ever did find out… I don’t even want to think about how destructive that could be… for everyone.

* * * * * *

In the next episode of 'Covington Bay'...

· Patricia is stunned by a surprise visitor.

· A.J. and Kevin share warm moments about Alec.

· Sabrina takes action to find out what really happened to Nathan.