cbay

EPISODE 21

 

“IT’S A DATE”

 

Scene:  Covington Bay City Park; it is night, but the park is well lit by lights positioned in various parts of the area.  Dr. Gary Sorensen and Kevin Lassiter are walking down a concrete path. Other couples and individuals pass them by from time to time.

 

Gary  (looking up at the clear night sky)  It's a beautiful night.  I'm glad we decided to take a walk after dinner.

 

Kevin:  So am I.  I need to work that meal off.  I didn't intend to eat so much. A.J.'s going to be surprised when the sees the bill.

 

Gary:  Well, your cousin paid for it, why not enjoy yourself?

 

Kevin:  You're right.  Besides, he deserves a big bill after dumping me at the restaurant and running off to chase a story.  But, his work has always been very important to him.  It's probably why he's so good at his job, being so dedicated and all.

 

Gary:  You must be pretty dedicated to your job.  Being Vice President of a major corporation has to require a lot of time and dedication.

 

Kevin: (sighing) Sometimes it seems like I live at the office. It's amazing how much the job entails. But, you must know how I feel, running a psychiatric practice and all.

 

Gary: Yes, it certainly be very demanding. Though, things have gotten easier with Hillary on board.

 

Kevin:  I'd heard she had joined your practice.  How do you like working with your niece?

 

Gary:  It's great.  I know she loved working as a police psychiatrist, but she seems to be enjoying private practice.  Hillary does a great job and has definately helped with the workload.  Besides, I’m sure you agree that it's nice to keep things in the family.

 

Kevin: I wish I could share that sentiment, but can't compare working with my father and some of the people at LP to working with a sweet girl like Hillary.

 

Gary: Oh, come on, surely there must be some good things about working with your family.

 

Kevin:  Maybe, but I haven't figured out what they are yet.

 

Gary: Kevin, I imagine your family must be pretty proud of you; taking on the Vice President position and doing so well.

 

Kevin:  Actually, I think they were surprised.

 

Gary:  Why?  You went to one of the top business schools in the country and you put in a lot of time at L.P. before you got the position, right?

 

Kevin:  Right, but my heart was never into it.  I only majored in business because it was so important to Dad and Grandfather.  My writing was where my real passion lie.  I minored in it in college.   Even tried my hand at writing a novel.

 

Gary  (nodding):  That’s downplaying it, don’t you think?  You didn’t just write a book, you were actually published.   And it was a very good book.

 

Kevin:  Don’t tell me you read Full Circle?

 

Gary:   What gay man didn’t?   It’s not often you found a gay love story that didn’t include an explicit sex scene in every chapter, gratuitous drug use and rich pretty young things spouting witty dialogue.  Your novel was real, about real people.  That’s why it was so popular, it spoke to them.  It spoke to me, made me believe that a life long love is possible between gay men.  You made a lot of people believe that.  I loved your book and I’m not ashamed to admit the only thing I usually read are the credits on whatever trashy action flick I’m going to see.

 

Kevin:  Wow, thank you.  That's quite the compliment.

 

Gary:  For me to read an entire book, it is, trust me.  That must've been such a sense of accomplishment to write a book and see it get published and know that so many people loved it.

 

Kevin  (smiling):  Oh, it was.  There isn't anything quite like walking into a bookstore, seeing all your hard work right there on the stands where anyone and everyone could read it, knowing that people were enjoying and connecting with what you’ve written.  It’s an amazing, incredible feeling.

 

Gary:   So, what happened?   You were such an amazing talent.  Why did you only write one book?  How did you go from being a published author to Vice President of a major pharmaceutical company?

 

Kevin:  To put it simply,  I lost my passion for writing.  It just stopped meaning anything to me.  A lot of things stopped having meaning… after Alec died.

 

Gary:  (a concerned look on his face)  I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to pry.

 

Kevin:  Don't be.  I'm sorry for mentioning it, but Alec's been on my mind a lot lately.  Tomorrow's the fifth anniversary of his death.

 

Gary:  Well, no wonder he's in your thoughts.  Kevin, I've never been lucky enough to have something like what you and Alec had, mostly through my own fault, so I can't imagine what it's like to lose it, but I do know it's better if you talk about these things.  I know we really don't know each other that well, if you want to talk, I'd be more than glad to listen.

 

 

Scene:  Mama J's.  Mama J. is working behind the bar.  Danny James rushes in and stops short when he sees her.

 

Danny  (approaching the bar):  Mama J.  What are you doing?  Where's Darian?

 

Mama J.:  I sent that boy home...he was tired after working a long day at the hospital..

 

Danny:  Oh, well I'm sorry, I took off, but I had an emergency to take care of.

 

Mama J.:  I know, Darian told me about the situation with Nathan.  Did you go and talk to him?

 

Danny:  Yeah.  (He walked behind the bar and tied on his apron)  We talked.

 

Mama J.:  And what happened?  Was it an accident or did someone really try to hurt him?

 

Danny  (shrugging):  Nate says he's not sure what happened.  He says his lawyers are looking into it.

 

Mama J.:  Well, that's good.  Maybe they'll get at the truth.

 

Danny:  The only thing they can do for Nathan is fill his head with a bunch of stupid dreams that'll everything will turn out okay.  They've got him thinking that this will be over and he can go back to school and working at the hospital like nothing ever happened.  He won't face the truth.

 

Mama J.:  Which is?

 

Danny:  His life is over.  He doesn't have a chance of getting out of this alive whether someone is out to kill him or not.

 

Mama J.:  Danny, you can't ask Nathan to give up.  He can't stop hoping.  Right now it's all he has.

 

Danny:  That's not true.  He's got more than some false hope.  He's got me.  I'm going to help him.

 

Mama J.:  And how are you going to do that?  What can you do that his lawyers can't?

 

Danny  (darkly):  A lot, Mama J., a lot.

 

Mama J.:  (concerned)  Son, I don't like the sound of that.  Just what are you up to, Danny?  What kind of trouble are you headed for this time?

 

Across the bar on the dance floor, Dr. Zachary Dailey and Dr. Gloria Dailey are slow dancing together.

 

Gloria:  You know, Zachary, if you keep paying me these compliments, I'm going to get a swelled head.  I'm not used to this kind of attention from the opposite sex.

 

Zachary:  That's because the only example you've had lately is my father and he is a fool...among other things.

 

Gloria:  Wait a minute, isn't that a violation of the rules, Zachary?  Remember no talking about spouses, surprised marriages and so on and so forth?

 

Zachary:  I'm sorry, I'm sorry.  But, I can never pass up a chance to bash my dad.  I apologize.  I don't want to do anything to ruin this wonderful evening.

 

Gloria:  Don't worry.  I'm having too much fun to let the mere mention of your father ruin things.

 

Zachary:  Are you having fun?

 

Gloria:  I'm having more fun than I have in a long time, Zachary.  Thank you for tonight.

 

Zachary:  Hey, no need to thank me.  I'm having fun too.

 

Gloria:  Maybe, but you could be out with some lovely lady, wining and dining them, stirring up a little romance in your life.  Surely you'd much rather be doing that.

 

Zachary:  Gloria, right now, I can't imagine any place I'd much rather be.

 

At a nearby table, Dana Cooper watched Gloria and Zachary dancing.  Natalie sat at the table, looking very annoyed and frustrated.

 

Dana:  Natalie, you cannot look at those two and tell me there's not anything going on there.

 

Natalie:  What I can tell you is that you are being ridiculous.  Gloria and Zachary are friends, nothing more.  It is possible for men and women to be friends, you know.

 

Dana:  You're right, it is possible.  And maybe there is nothing going on between those two, but there is chemistry, which means the possibility is there.  And I have got to stop it before it starts.

 

Natalie:  And what are you going to do; go over there and cut in?

 

Dana:  That's a good place to start.

 

 

Scene: The warehouse district of Covington Bay. A.J. is sitting in a car in a on a deserted street, looking at an abandoned warehouse that was falling apart. It is night, there are no streetlights and the area is shrouded in darkness.

 

A.J. (glancing at the digital clock built into the dashboard of his car): Damn. My contact was supposed to be here a half hour ago. It looks like they're a no show. (He sighed) It's bad enough I missed out on a big story, I bolted on Kevin again, not to mention paying for he and Gary to have dinner together. (At the mention of the word dinner, A.J.'s stomach started to growl) Great, now I have to worry about catching some dinner. This night has been a complete bust. Guess I should get out of here now.

 

(A.J. is about to start his car when he spots a dark figure heading toward the building and slip inside.)

 

A.J.: Oops! Looks like I spoke too soon! Maybe this meet will fly after all.

 

(A.J. got out of the car and jogged over to the building. He slowly opened the door and peered inside, but could see little in the darkness. He stepped in and the door creaked close behind him.)

 

A.J. (whispering) All right, where the hell are you?

 

Voice (as the butt of a gun prodded him in the back) Put your hands up.

 

A.J. (startled): What!?

 

Voice: I said put your hands up…or you'll have a hole where your belly button used to be.

 

A.J. (recognizing the voice): You wouldn't really shoot me, would you? (A.J. turned to face Patricia) After all, I am your husband.

 

Patricia (grinning, leveling the gun at A.J.): Oh really? With you, A.J., that's all the more reason.

 

 

Scene: Covington Bay City Park; Gary and Kevin are walking down a path in the park.

 

Kevin: Oh thanks, Gary. But, I don't need to unburden myself about Alec. I've done enough of that today. Hell, I've done enough of it for the past five years. I'm sure that's what my friends and family must think.

 

Gary: I'm sure your family and friends must think you're a man in mourning…which you are.

 

Kevin: Maybe, but for five years? Wouldn't you, as a psychiatrist, suggest that it’s time to let it go and get on with your life? Don't you think that's a long time to put your life on hold because you can't let go of the past?

 

Gary: Everyone mourns at their own pace, Kevin. Look at my brother Randy.  Molly died twenty years ago and he's still hasn't involved himself with a new woman…at least not anything serious. Jason threw himself into raising Melody and her sisters….not to mention his baby brother after our parents died, as well as dedicating himself to teaching Algebra at Covington Bay High School.

 

Kevin: I know, he was my algebra teacher.

 

Gary: My brother was everybody's algebra teacher, including mine. It certainly didn't help with my grade, though.

 

Kevin:  That’s right, you went to CB High.

 

Gary (smiling):  Sure did.

 

Kevin:  What years did you go?

 

Gary: Let's just say I was a few years ahead of you.  I’ll keep it to myself how many.

 

Kevin:  (laughing)  You played football in high school, didn’t you?  College too?

 

Gary:  A little.

 

Kevin:  A little?  I seem to remember quite a few state championship trophies in the school’s trophy case thanks to you.  And you had some success in college.

 

Gary:   Yes, I was quite the big man on campus, bashing heads on the football field and chasing girls off it.

 

Kevin:  And how did being gay key into that?  I mean, did you know you were gay then?

 

Gary:   Oh yeah, but I was desperately in denial, terrified of who I was and what I wanted. 

 

Kevin:  When did that change?

 

Gary:  It got hurt my second year of college and couldn’t play anymore.   My football career coming to an end, my dreams of going pro were gone in an instant.  It made me look at my life, myself.  And when I looked at myself, I saw a gay man.  I couldn’t deny that anymore.  I had to deal with it and come out.

 

Kevin: And did your family and friends accept it?

 

Gary: I was pretty lucky. Randy was there for me from the start. He was understanding, caring and accepting. Melody and the girls pretty much followed suit. As for my friends, I lost a few, but it didn’t take me long to realize they weren't friends to begin with. (Pause) And you? What was your coming out process?

 

Kevin: Not as smooth as yours, I guarantee you that. Given the general dysfunctional nature of my family, I found it difficult to talk to anyone about how I was feeling back then…except my mother. I knew I could confide in her, though it took me awhile before I did.

 

Gary: And how did she deal with it?

 

Kevin: Like I thought she would. She was non-judgmental and understanding. I don't think she quite understood it, but she accepted it and it gave me some one to talk to. (Pause) When she died, I was devastated. I felt as if my lifeline had been cut off. What made it worse was the circumstances surrounding her death. Since she was a Lassiter, her death was pretty high profile.

 

Gary: I remember reading about it.

 

Kevin: I'm sure most people in this town do. It was hard enough mourning the person you loved most in the world without the press and the police around all the time, asking questions and making your life fodder for the newspapers. It was almost more than I could take. If I hadn't of gotten away and spent the summer after my mother's death in Rome, I don't think I could've survived. Took me a long time to recover from losing her. In many ways I still haven't. I guess it's the same with Alec.

 

Gary: Kevin, mourning doesn't have a timetable. Like I said, these things happen at its own pace.

 

Kevin: I know, but it's time to move on. I've clung to the past long enough…put my life on hold for too many years. I want to love again. I know what it's like, how wonderful it can be. I don't want to go the rest of my life without it. The problem is, I don't know where to begin.

 

Gary: You start how where most people start. You meet someone you like, share common interests with, and find attractive. You go out on a date with them. And if you have fun on that date, you go on another one. And if you like that one, you go on another date and so on and so forth.

 

Kevin: You make it sound simple.

 

Gary: Dating is hardly simple, especially these days, but trust me, Kevin, it'll happen when the time is right.

 

Kevin: Are you the optimistic type?

 

Gary: No. I just believe that good things happen when you least expect it. Who knows, romance could be just around the corner.

 

 

Scene: The abandoned warehouse. A.J. and Patricia are facing one another; Patricia is holding a gun on A.J.

 

A.J.: What are you doing here? Did you follow me?

 

Patricia: Why don't you tell me what you are doing here?

 

A.J.: I asked you first.

 

Patricia: I'm holding the gun, and believe me, I'm annoyed enough at you to use it.

 

A.J.: You're annoyed at me?! You've go a hell of a nerve after what you've put me through popping up in town unannounced and letting the cat out of the bag on our secret marriage. I don't think my relationships with Melody or my mother will ever be the same.

 

Patricia: Look, I apologized for what happened with Melody and as for your mother, I'm not the one who told her, you did.

 

A.J.: So that makes you blameless? Patricia, none of this had to happen. (Pause) But, that doesn't matter right now. I want to know what you are doing here...and with a gun. Do you know how to use that thing?

 

Patricia: Of course I do. It's a dangerous world for a woman alone...and as a reporter, I sometimes going into risky situations. I have to have some sort of protection.

 

A.J.: Yes, but a gun? You could hurt somebody with that thing.

 

Patricia: That's the general idea. But, in your case I don't think I'll need it. A few well placed words can be enough to bring you down.

 

A.J.: (grinning) Take your best shot, dear. But you haven't explained why you are here. If you followed me, I...

 

Patricia: I didn't follow you here, just like I didn't follow you to the Bay Club. I wish you'd get over this idea that I have nothing better to do with my life than tag after you.

 

A.J.: How can I? You pop up everywhere I do...just like when we were kids. I never know when you're going to appear.

 

Patricia (smiling sweetly): It's part of my charm.

 

A.J.: Oh yeah, you were real charming at the Bay Club tonight. That was a grand performance you put on there tonight, storming off as if you were the wounded party.

 

Patricia: Did you really think I was going to stand there and watch while you and Lucas Greyhawk circled around each other like gang members fighting over turf? I'm not interested in being part of the silly rivalry between the two of you.

 

A.J.: You're not. If you have the poor taste to date Lucas Greyhawk then so be it. I just thought you had more on the ball than to get involved with the likes of that loser.

 

Patricia: Gee, he has the same sentiment about you.

 

A.J.: You know, we are getting off the subject here, which is what are you doing here?

 

Patricia: I didn't follow you here, that's for sure.

 

A.J.: Then what would bring you here, unless... (Recognition came over both their expressions)

 

Patricia: Don't tell me you got a phone call too?

 

A.J.:    I never mentioned a phone call.

 

Patricia:  Well you must’ve gotten one or you wouldn’t be here.  This whole thing couldn’t have been some accident.

 

A.J.:  More like a sick joke if you ask me.  (Pause)  So, what was your phone call about?

 

Patricia (defiantly, crossing her arms): What was yours about?

 

A.J.: Come on, Patty, it's obvious we are here for the same reason. We might as well compare notes.

 

Patricia (sighing): You're right. I guess we are here for the same reason. (Pause) I got a call this morning from someone, a man, telling me they had evidence to clear Nathan James of murder and that they wanted to work with me to use the evidence to get Nathan acquitted and expose the real killer. I got a second call about a half hour ago from the same man asking me to meet him here and he'd tell me what I needed to know. However, the only thing I've found since getting here is you.

 

A.J.: I could say the same thing down to the last letter.

 

Patricia: But, I'm wondering...why would they call both of us? Just what is the reason for that?

 

 

Scene: Mama J's. Danny and Mama J. are standing behind the bar, talking.

 

Danny: Mama J., I'm not up to anything.

 

Mama J.: Frankly son, I don't believe you.

 

Danny: Why not?

 

Mama J.: I've raised too many kids to ever be fooled by any of them.

 

Danny: Well, you're wrong. I'm not up to anything.

 

Mama J.: Danny, I just heard you say you were going to help Nathan get out of this mess. And knowing you, the way you plan to do it ain't on the up and up.

 

Danny: Mama J., why are you so suspicious? Don't you trust me?

 

Mama J.: I trust you...I just don't trust your judgment. Sometimes you don't think, boy, that's always been your problem. I know you're desperate to help Nathan, I know you feel responsible for him because you spent so much time apart, but don't let it cause you make some foolish mistakes. If you do something stupid, you're only going to make things worse for Nathan and hurt yourself. You don't want that, do you?

 

Danny: Mama J., I... (Just then there was a loud crash from the back) What in the world was that?

 

Mama J.: (annoyed) No doubt that clumsy new dishwasher breaking tonight's profits. I gotta go check that out. (Pause) We're not finished. Stay out of trouble while I'm gone, okay?

 

Danny stared after Mama J. as she went into the back of the restaurant. He went to the bar phone and dialed a number.

 

Danny: Hey, Rollie, it's me...Danny. (Pause) Yeah, how you doin'? I know it's been awhile. (Pause) Good, glad to hear it. Look, Jackson, I got a job for you that might be right up your alley. (Pause) Yeah, I don't want to talk about it over the phone though, why don't we meet tomorrow morning at Lulu's? Okay, see you then. Bye. (Danny hung up the phone.)

 

Danny (to himself): I'm sorry, Mama J.. I know you'll be disappointed when this all comes down, but I gotta get Nathan out of that jail and out of this town. I don't have any other choice. (Danny then spotted Dana sitting at a table with Natalie) Well, well, well, if it isn't my ex-wife. Now, I wonder what brings her here? That's definitely something I want to find out.

 

Gloria and Zachary are sitting at their table, eating a big platter of ribs.

 

Zachary (wiping barbecue sauce off his face): Oh, my God, these are delicious. I can't believe I've never been to this place before.

 

Gloria: Well, it is kind of off the beaten track. Tourists wouldn't exactly be going through this part of town.

 

Zachary: They don't know what they are missing. These are wonderful.

 

Gloria: I've spent many a morning regretting the ribs inhaled the night before. (Pause) I'm sure I'll do the same tomorrow.

 

Zachary: Is that going to stop you?

 

Gloria: Not on your life. (She laughed)

 

Zachary: You know, Gloria, this is a side of you I've never seen before.

 

Gloria: You mean the one with barbecue sauce all over my face and hands?

 

Zachary: Sort of. I'm guess I'm just used to seeing you in a professional capacity. But tonight, I'm seeing the jazz lover, the great dancer, the barbecue inhaler. It's so different than the button down doctor is work with everyday.

 

Gloria: And what do you think of this new side of Dr. Gloria Lassiter-Dailey?

 

Zachary: I like it, Dr. Gloria Lassiter-Dailey, I like it a lot. But then, I don't think there's a side of you that I wouldn't like.

 

Dana and Natalie watched as Gloria and Zachary chatted and enjoyed their dinner.

 

Natalie: Well, they've leaving the dance floor. I guess you missed your chance to cut in. Why don't we take a cue from them and order dinner?

 

Dana: I'm cutting in on that situation, one way or the other.

 

Natalie (shaking her head): I see you're going determined to make a fool of yourself.

 

Dana: I'm not going to make a fool of myself. I just want to protect what's mine.

 

Natalie: Zachary is not yours. You've been on two dates.

 

Dana: Okay, I'm protecting what could be mine.

 

Natalie (standing): Then do it without me.

 

Dana: You're leaving?

 

Natalie: Dana, it's obvious you only came here to bust up Zachary's evening with Gloria and you made me part of your plan. I don't appreciate being used and I'm getting out of here before they see us.

 

Dana: Don't you think you're overreacting?

 

Natalie: No, but I think you are. Zachary and Gloria are nothing more than friends. You're the woman Zachary is interested in romantically. But, he won't be much longer if you pull anymore stunts like this. (Pause) I'm getting out of here, I'll see you in the morning.

 

Dana: What about dinner? You haven't even ordered.

 

Natalie (angrily): I'll pick up some Chinese on the way home. Good night.

 

Natalie stormed out.

 

Dana: Oh, she'll get over it. (Pause) She'll come to understand that a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. (Dana got up and started to walk over to Zachary and Gloria's table, but found her path impeded by Danny) What are you doing here!? Are you following me?

 

Danny: Not hardly. I got better things to do; like watch C-Span or something. As for why I'm here. I work here.

 

Dana: What is this some kind of prison work release program? Don't they have rules about working in bars?

 

Danny: I served my time, I'm free and clear; you know that. (Pause) Now you know why I'm here. What's your excuse?

 

Dana: I don't have to tell you anything! Now, get away from me!

 

Danny: You know, I'll bet I don't need to ask. (He glanced at Zachary and Gloria) That's the doctor you ran to after our little meeting in the elevator today. And from the look on your face I gather you're not happy about the babe he's having dinner with. And I'll bet you were headed over there to rain sunshine and joy on their evening. Am I close?

 

Dana: I asked you to get away from me! Don't you have some liquor to water down or something?

 

Danny: What and miss you throwing yourself between your doctor boyfriend and the chick? Not a chance. In fact, why don't I go over and you can introduce me. I'd really be interested in meeting him...and somehow, I have the feeling he'd be interested in meeting me too.

 

 

Scene: The warehouse. A.J. and Patricia are talking.

 

Patricia: Well, A.J., what do you think? Why would this person, whoever he is, call us both in on this case?

 

A.J.: Why would they call you, that's what I want to know. I'm the best reporter in this town. When I cover a story, it's covered. Why include you in on the deal?

 

Patricia (annoyed): Maybe you're not as good as you think.

 

A.J.: And maybe you're not as smart as you think, Patty. Okay, so the contact called us both here, but I can handle it alone. Why don't you take off?

 

Patricia: I have no intention of going anywhere.

 

A.J.: Oh yes, you are. I want you out of here, Patty, and I want you out now!

 

Patricia (glaring at him) Make me.

 

A.J.: Damn it, Patty, I...!

 

Just then, A.J. heard voices outside the doorway.

 

A.J.: Oh, oh.

 

Patricia: Oh, oh...what?

 

A.J.: (putting his finger to his lips) Shhh!  Somebody’s here.  It could be my contact. This could be it!

 

 

In the next episode of Covington Bay...