EPISODE 27

 

“FAMILY PLANNING”

 

Scene: The Greyhawk Estate; Nigel and Monica Greyhawk's bedroom.  Nigel is wearing a robe. He is standing in a large window in the room, which overlooks the lush landscape of the Greyhawk lands brightly lit by the morning sun. There is a troubled look on his face as he sips a cup of coffee.

 

Monica:  (coming up behind him, slipping her arms around him) Good morning.

 

Nigel:  (smiling) Good morning.  What are you doing up so early?

 

Monica:   I have a doctor’s appointment.

 

Nigel:  What?  There isn’t anything wrong is there?

 

Monica:  Nope.  It’s just my regular visit to the OBGYN.   (Pause)   But what about you?  Why are you up so early?

 

Nigel:  (shrugging)  I couldn't sleep.

 

Monica (gently rubbing his face):   You were tossing and turning all night.  Something bothering you?

 

Nigel:  I've was doing a lot of thinking.

 

Monica:  (hesitating)  About what we talked about last night?

 

Nigel (sighing):  Yeah, it is.

 

Monica:  And have you come to a decision?   Can we start working on having a baby?

 

 

Scene: The Lassiter Estate;  Natalie and Barton Lassiter's bedroom.  Natalie comes out of the bathroom, wearing her nurse’s uniform.  She is pinning her nametag to it. Barton, wearing a robe, paces the floor while talking on a cellular phone. The door to the bedroom is slightly ajar.

 

Barton:  (speaking into the phone)  I understand that my son cancelled his meeting with you today, but just because he was unable to meet with you doesn't mean you can't meet with me. After all, I am President of Lassiter Pharmaceuticals.  (Pause)  I just think that we need to...  (Pause as Natalie could see the frustration on her husband's face)  I know that you rescheduled with Kevin, but I'd like to...  (Pause)  All right, good bye!  (Barton angrily slammed the phone shut)  Damn!  Doesn't anyone in this town want to do business!?

 

Natalie:  What's wrong, Bart?

 

Barton:  It's Kevin, of course.  He cancelled all of his meetings today and I can't reschedule any of them.

 

Natalie:  Why would you want to?  They're people that Kevin is meeting with, right?

 

Barton:  Yes, but I, nor LP can afford to wait around until Kevin is ready to do his job. We're having a stockholders meeting in just a few days.  How does it look to have the Vice President taking time off at such a crucial period?

 

Natalie:  If it were really going to be a problem, I don't think Kevin would've done it. (Pause) Besides, it's not as if he's going on vacation; this is a very important day for him. It's the fifth anniversary of Alec's death.

 

Barton  (icily):  I'm well aware what today is.

 

Natalie:  Then surely you must understand how important it is to Kevin.  After all, you've lost a spouse.

 

Barton:  (laughing)  Natalie, you can hardly compare my losing my first wife to Kevin's boyfriend dying.

 

Natalie:  What's the difference?  You both lost the people your life partners...the people you loved more than anything in the world.  Does Kevin's being gay bother you so much that you can't see how painful his loss is?

 

Barton:  Natalie, I really don't want to talk about his son and his dead lover. It's not exactly one of my favorite topics of discussion.

 

Natalie:  But, I think you should talk about it.  Kevin is your son and you two have a wide chasm between you.  Surely you can't enjoy that; don't you want to have a better relationship with your son?

 

Barton:  My relationship with Kevin is my problem, Natalie.  Don't concern yourself with it, especially since you and I have our own problems to deal with.

 

Natalie:  Problem?  Is there something wrong that I don't know about?

 

Barton:  Yes, I've hardly seen you lately.  By the time I got home last night you were already asleep and as soon as I get up, you're rushing off to work.  It's been like this for weeks.

 

Natalie:  I know...  (she put her arms around him)  ...and believe me, I wish we had more time together, but we're both really busy right now.  Your company is at a very crucial period right now, and my job has been very demanding lately.

 

Barton:  And you're going to make it worse by entering that surgical nursing program.  Do you still intend on doing that?

 

Natalie:  Yes, I start the program next week.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I can't wait to get started.

 

Barton:  And I'm happy for you...you certainly seem excited about it.  But...

 

Natalie:   But what?

 

Barton:  I can't help but think what this is going to do to us?  What does this mean for our marriage?

 

 

Scene: The Lassiter Estate; the solarium. Kevin is there; sitting in the warmth of the morning sun, a gentle smile on his face. Melissa appears in the doorway.

 

Melissa: Kevin?

 

Kevin: (looking up) Melissa. (He got up and hugged her) Good morning.

 

Melissa: Good morning.

 

Kevin:  You look exhausted.  Are you okay?

 

Melissa: I just came from the hospital. I’m working the night shift these days.  

 

Kevin: Oh, Melissa, I wish I’d of known that. I would’ve understood if you didn’t want to be here.

 

Melissa: Uncle Kevin, you couldn’t have kept me away. I loved Uncle Alec and I love you. I wanted to be here.

 

Kevin: (hugging her) Thank you, Melissa, thank you.

 

Melissa: No problem. Who else is coming?

 

Kevin:   Just a few people.  You, me, Aunt Gloria.

 

Melissa: What about your cousin Jonas?  He and Alec were quite close, weren’t they?

 

Kevin: Yeah, but apparently he has some business in Washington that he can’t get out of. He did send some flowers and a nice card, though.

 

Melissa: And Richie? I tried to call him last night to ask him to come, but he wasn’t answering his cell all night.  I left him several messages.  Have you spoken to him?

 

Kevin  (nodding): Yes, yesterday afternoon. I asked him to come and he didn’t think he could. He said your father wouldn’t like it.

 

Melissa: (nodding in agreement) He wouldn’t. Daddy wasn’t happy about my decision to come, so I have no doubt he forbade Richie to be here. I wish he would come though. Richie loved Uncle Alec so much.

 

Kevin: And visa versa. Yes, it would be nice to have him here. (Pause) I was hoping A.J. would stop by too, but like Richie, he’s not picking up his cell phone either.

 

Melissa: Well, I imagine he’s still at the police station.

 

Kevin: (startled) At the police station? Why? Has something happened?

 

Melissa: You mean you haven’t heard?

 

Kevin (shaking his head): No. What kind of mess has my cousin gotten into this time?

 

 

Scene: Covington Bay Homicide Department; a waiting room. A.J. and Patricia Lassiter are there. A.J. is staring out of a window, a Styrofoam cup in his hand. Patricia is sitting in a chair, ripping her cup in pieces. Both of them look tired.

 

A.J.: It’s morning. Can you believe it? We have been here all night and we still don’t know what is going on.

 

Patricia: Yes, and I’m tired of waiting.

 

A.J.: (looking into the cup he was drinking out of) And I’m tired of drinking this stuff they claim is coffee. I think it would be better to eat the cup.

 

Patricia: (motioning to the pieces of Styrofoam on the table) Well, there you go, the cup in bite size pieces. (She stood) A.J., what do you think this is all about? Why are they keeping us here, and what did Jake mean by that the danger wasn’t over?

 

A.J.: (annoyed) I don’t know, Patricia. But, if you’re quiet, maybe we can both think about it.

 

Patricia: There’s no need to be so rude and obnoxious.

 

A.J.: To you? I can think of plenty of reasons.

 

Patricia: A.J. save your insults and nasty comments for later. I’m in no mood.

 

A.J.: Then I suggest you take my advice and shut up because kind words are something that are in short supply where you’re concerned.

 

As A.J. and Patricia glared at one another, the door opened and Det. Jake Lassiter walked in. He was holding a manila folder in his hand.

 

Jake: Hi, guys. I’m sorry to keep the two of you waiting, but we ran into something unexpected and...well...

 

A.J.: Well what? Jake, what is going on? Why did you bring us down here with the cryptic message that we may not live through the night?

 

 

Scene: The Lassiter Estate; the solarium. Kevin and Melissa are there. Kevin is on his cellular phone as Melissa watches.

 

Kevin: Call me as soon as you get this message, A.J.. I won’t feel comfortable until I hear your voice. Bye. (He hung up)  Gosh, I hope everything is all right.

 

Melissa: (noting the worried look on Kevin’s face) Kevin, don’t worry. A.J. was a little beat up, but otherwise he was fine when he left the hospital with Jake.

 

Kevin: Maybe, but my cousin has a way of finding trouble wherever he goes. I should’ve known when he left the Bay Club last night he’d run headlong into a mess.  If I don't hear from him soon, I'll call the station.

 

Melissa: You really care about him, don’t you?

 

Kevin: (nodding) A.J. is like a brother to me. He may have his flaws, but he’s always been there when I really needed him, always supported me though the tough times...like Alec’s death.

 

At that moment, a short, slender Asian man appeared in the doorway. He appeared to be in him early 50’s, his black hair peppered with grey. He wore a crisply tailored dark blue suit and held a bouquet of flowers in his hands.

 

Man: Kevin?

 

Kevin: Oh, Harry. What is it?

 

Harry: (coming forward and handing Kevin the flowers) These just arrived for you.

 

Kevin: Thank you.

 

Harry: I have prepared a small breakfast buffet for your guests if anyone wishes to have something. Shall I put it out on the patio overlooking the rose garden?

 

Kevin: That would be perfect. Thank you, Harry.

 

Harry: (noting Melissa) Would you and Miss Stone like anything now?

 

Kevin: No, Harry, I’m fine. Melissa?

 

Melissa: No, thanks Harry. Maybe later.

 

Harry: Fine. (Harry walked out)

 

Melissa: I can’t believe he remembers who I am; I haven’t been here in so long.

 

Kevin: Harry never forgets anything; he’s got a mind like a steel trap. If I know him, he probably put out those strawberry tarts you used to rave about when you brunched here with me and Alec.

 

Melissa: I hope so.  (She chuckled) So, who are the flowers from? They’re beautiful.

 

Kevin: (putting them down on a table and getting the card) They sure are lovely, aren’t they? (He opened it and read)  Thinking of you on your day of remembrance. Call if you need to talk. Gary.

 

Melissa: Well, that’s nice. Who’s Gary?

 

Kevin: (smiling) Gary Sorensen; he's Melody's uncle.

 

Melissa:  Oh, and you two are...?

 

Kevin:  Friends.

 

Melissa  (raising her eyebrows):  I see. Your friend is very thoughtful.

 

Kevin: (nodding) Yeah. He is, isn’t he?

 

 

Scene: The Greyhawk Estate; Nigel and Monica’s room. Nigel and Monica are there; Nigel is dressing into a dark grey suit.

 

Nigel: Monica, I haven’t come to any decisions.

 

Monica:   But, what can I do to convince you? What can I do to make you see that having a baby is perfect for us?

 

Nigel: Monica, this is not a matter of not wanting a child. I want a baby...I want to have a baby with you. But, it’s not as simple as that. There are a lot of things to take under consideration. And I just don’t want to rush into anything until all those things have been carefully thought out. Can you understand that?

 

Monica: Nigel, I do understand that. And that the fact that you aren’t rushing into a decision and being careful makes me see just how wonderful of a father you’d be. (Pause)  But I know it's what you want.  And it certainly would make your father happy. He’s been pushing us to have children from practically the day we got married.

 

Nigel (tying his tie): Well, my father is eager to hold his first grandchild in his arms. And I admit it’s something I’d like to see. Dad did a great job raising me and my brothers. I have no doubt he’d make a great grandfather. He's already very good with Vicki.  (Pause) But, as happy as I’d like to make my father, it’s you, I and the baby that I have to consider.

 

Monica: Nigel, I know you’ll see that this is best for us.

 

Nigel: It would be so easy if I could, but I can’t. Not when I know the potential disaster that bringing a baby into this marriage could cause.

 

Then the telephone rang. Nigel answered it.

 

Nigel: Hello? (Pause) Sure. I’ll be down in a few minutes, Dad. Bye. (Nigel hung up) Dad’s about to leave for the office and he wants to see me before he goes.

 

Monica: It can’t wait until you see him at the office?

 

Nigel (slipping on his jacket):  You know how your father is.  Nothing can ever wait.  (Pause)  I’ll go down and see what he wants and then I’ll be right back.

 

Monica: Meet me in the dining room. I’m going to get Vicki and have breakfast.

 

Nigel: (kissing her on the cheek) See you then. (Nigel walked out and made his way through the house, eventually arriving at the door of his father’s office. He knocked)

 

Voice: Come in.

 

Nigel walked in to see his father Quentin on the telephone. Quentin was a lean, broad-chested man. He was handsome, with a few age lines around his dark brown eyes. His hair, thick and brown, was dusted with a trace of grey. He wore a navy blue business suit.

 

Quentin: Make sure that everyone gets one. I don’t want anyone to be missed. Bye. (Quentin hung up) Good morning, son.

 

Nigel: Good morning, Dad. What did you want to see me about?

 

Quentin: I didn’t interrupt anything, did I?

 

Nigel: No, Monica and I were just talking.

 

Quentin: Oh. (He grinned slyly)  I was hoping to hear you two were working on making me a grandfather.

 

Nigel (embarrassed): Dad...

 

Quentin: (laughing) I’m sorry son. But, you know how important it is to me that you have a son, that we have an heir for Greyhawk MedTech Inc. It’s important to you, too, isn’t it?

 

Nigel: Yes, Dad, having a child is very important to Monica and I. And we’re talking about it right now.

 

Quentin  (his eyes lighting up): Good! Does this mean that it’ll happen soon?

 

Nigel: Like I said we’re talking about it. (Pause) Is this why you wanted to see me?

 

Quentin: No. (Pause) I wanted to talk to you about the Lassiters.

 

Nigel: The Lassiters? Why would you want to talk about them?

 

Quentin: Because Nigel, the time has finally come. We are finally going to get revenge on that family for everything they’ve ever done to us.

 

 

Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; a waiting room. A.J., Patricia and Jake are there.

 

Patricia: Well, Jake, why do you think we’re in danger?

 

A.J.: Yeah, Jake, spill. This waiting is getting a real drag. I’m starting to feel like we’re under arrest.

 

Jake: Look, I’m sorry that you’re we’re kept here all night. And if you calm down, I’ll explain everything. (Pause) Now, the two of you said you were there to meet a contact who had information for you on the Nathan James case?

 

A.J.: Right.

 

Jake: Only when you got there, you found yourselves part of a drug deal.

 

Patricia (nodding): That’s it in a nutshell.

 

Jake: How do you think this ties in with the James case?

 

A.J.: I don’t think it does. I think it was a matter of Patricia and I being in the wrong place at the wrong time. As for our contact, I think he probably saw what was going on and took off.

 

Jake  (nodding): Makes sense.

 

A.J.: If you believe that, then it sounds like things are pretty wrapped up. We gave you descriptions of the men who tried to kill us, you go and nab them and it’s over. As for the contact, all we can do is hope that he calls me again so I can find out who really killed Candice and set Nathan James free.

 

Patricia:  Or, he could just as easily call me.  I'm part of this too, even if A.J. chooses to ignore that.

 

A.J.: Believe me, I'd love to be able to ignore you.  But that's like asking me to ignore a woodpecker using my noggin as a tree stump.

 

Patricia (annoyed):  Now look...!

 

Jake  (holding up his hands): Look you two, we are getting off the subject here.

 

Patricia:  Exactly what is the topic?  We described the men who attacked us, surely you’ve identified them by now. Why are we still here? And why do you think we’re in danger?

 

A.J.  (noting Jake's grim look): Something else has happened, hasn’t it? There’s something going on that you haven’t told us about, isn’t there?

 

Jake: Yeah, I’m afraid so.

 

 

Scene: The Lassiter Estate; Barton and Natalie’s room. Barton and Natalie are there.

 

Natalie: Bart, what kind of question is that?

 

Barton: Well, with you working on this surgical nurses’ program and me busy with LP, we’re not going to have a lot of time for each other. Don’t you think that’s going to have a definite effect on our marriage?

 

Natalie: I admit that we won’t be able to spend that much time together, but it won’t be forever. (She smiled) And it will force us to make the most of the time we do have together.

 

Barton: How can you smile and make light of this?

 

Natalie: Because I don’t see it as a big problem. It’s a situation that a lot of two career families find themselves in.

 

Barton: Yes, but it doesn’t have to be that way, Natalie. We’re not your typical two career family. It’s not like we both have to work to make ends meet.

 

Natalie: No, but we both want to work because we both love our jobs. (Pause) But, that’s what this is about, isn’t it? It’s not about me being in the surgical nurses’ program. It’s about me working at all. You still want me to quit my job?

 

Barton: Natalie, I don’t want you to quit your job...at least not completely.

 

Natalie: But it wouldn’t bother you if I did, would it?

 

Barton: No, it wouldn’t. Is there anything wrong with that?

 

Natalie: (nodding) Yes, when you know how important my job is to me...how much I love nursing. And especially since the only reason you want me to quit is so we can start having children.

 

Barton: And there’s something wrong with that too, I imagine?  Why is wanting to have children with the woman I love such a bad thing?

 

Natalie: Barton, there is nothing wrong with wanting to have a family. I love children and I want to have them someday. I just don’t want to have them now. It’s not a good time.

 

Barton: Because of your career?

 

Natalie (hesitating): Yes, that’s part of it.

 

Barton: You mean there’s more to it? Is there another reason besides your job that you don’t want to have children?

 

Outside the room, Kevin is about to pass by the door. He pauses when he hears Barton mentioning having children. He at first is about to move on, but stops himself and stays to listen.

 

Natalie: Bart, we’ve only been married for six months. We’re still adjusting to being a couple. And becoming parents would change everything. I don’t think I’m ready for that. And I honestly don’t think you are either.

 

Barton: What do you mean I’m not ready for parenthood? Natalie, I have two sons already.

 

Natalie: I know. And that’s the point.

 

 

Scene: The Greyhawk Estate; Quentin’s office. Nigel and Quentin are there.

 

Nigel: (sighing) Dad, you know how I feel about this vendetta you have against the Lassiters. I realize that there’s bad blood between us, but I thought you were going to let it lay.

 

Quentin: I never said I’d let it lay. I said I’d leave it alone for the time being because you and Monica had just gotten married and I didn’t want to cause any problems for her or Vicki. But, you and Monica have been married for a while now and considering her already acrimonious relationship with her ex-husband, I don’t think anything I’ve done could make it worse.

 

Nigel: Probably not; Eric is practically non-existent in Vicki’s life. But, I just don’t want to do anything to stir up that pot. I’d rather just leave the whole thing alone.

 

Quentin: It’s too late for that, Nigel, the plans already in motion. (Pause) Look, I don’t want to cause any problems for you or your wife. I’m quite fond of both Monica and Vicki. But, I can’t forget what the Lassiters have done to this family. I want to make them pay. And the time has come to do just that.

 

Nigel: And what is it that you’ve done, Dad?

 

Quentin: Let’s just say that this morning is going to bring a nasty surprise for that family.

 

Nigel: Could you be more specific?

 

Voice: Yeah, I’d like to hear it too. You know how I love to make the Lassiters miserable, especially A.J..

 

Quentin: (looking toward the door) Lucas?

 

Nigel: Lucas!

 

Lucas: (grinning) The prodigal son returns!

 

Quentin: (rushing over and hugging Lucas) Lucas, this is a surprise!

 

Nigel: (hugging Lucas) Yeah, little brother. It’s so good to see you.

 

Lucas: You too! I’ve missed you guys.

 

Nigel: Oh yeah? Is that why we haven’t heard from you in weeks? Or you haven’t answered any of my messages?

 

Lucas: I’ve been busy.

 

Quentin: Too busy to keep in touch with your old man or your brother, huh?

 

Lucas: I was working undercover on a case...I’ve been out of touch with the world.

 

Nigel: I’d buy that, if it wasn’t the first time you’ve vanished without a trace.

 

Lucas: Hey, I’m here now, ain’t I?

 

Quentin: You sure are, which we are grateful for. And this is the perfect time for you to be home too.

 

Lucas: So I heard. (Pause) What’s this about a plan that is going to skewer the Lassiters?  Does it include A.J.?

 

Quentin  (nodding): Oh, you bet. In fact, I’d say that A.J. Lassiter is going to feel the most pain of all.

 

 

Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; a waiting room. A.J., Patricia and Jake are there.

 

A.J.: Well, Jake, what else is going on? Don’t keep us in suspense any longer.

 

Jake: Two of the men you attacked you, Reilly Jenkins and Joe Slade, have been identified and we have APB’s on them. They both have long rap sheets ranging from burglary to racketeering to drug trafficking, but they currently are known associates of Victor Gianelli.

 

A.J. (gasping): Victor Gianelli? There's someone you don't want to cross paths with very often.

 

Jake: I couldn't agree more.

 

Patricia (as A.J. and Jake shared grim looks) Whose Victor Gianelli?

 

Jake: He’s Covington Bay’s version of Al Capone or John Gotti. Runs most of the illegal activity in this town. Of course, they’re all fronted by legal businesses, so we’ve never been able to touch him.

 

A.J.: Yeah. I’ve done a few stories that looked into his business activities, but I’ve never gotten far. The guy is unreachable...and very deadly. He’s been responsible for more than a few dead bodies that turned up in this town.

 

Patricia: The mob? In Covington Bay? I find that hard to believe.

 

Jake: Hey, we’re no New York or Miami, but crime is alive and well in our little burg.

 

Patricia: So, is that why you think we’re in danger? Do you think these men might come after us?

 

Jake: It’s a possibility, especially in light of what’s happened.

 

A.J.: What’s happened?

 

Jake: You described the third man to us. And we identified him as Raymond Cane, a local drug pusher.

 

Patricia: Right. Have you caught him yet?

 

Jake: We didn’t have to. We found him shot to death a few blocks away from the warehouse that Slade and Reilly left you to die in.

 

Patricia  (shaking her head): Wow.  And you think what?

 

Jake: It’s obvious that the two men want to get rid of anyone who witnessed what occurred last night. After all, they gotta protect their boss.

 

Patricia (her eyes widening in horror as Jake's point dawned upon her): And since they’ve gotten rid of Cane...

 

A.J. (grimly): ...we could be next.

 

 

 

 In the next Covington Bay...

 

·      Quentin fills his sons in on his plans for revenge against the Lassiters.

 

·      A.J. has a nasty encounter with a member of his family.

 

·      Barton asks Kevin a question and doesn’t like the answer he receives.

 

·      Patricia’s troubles worsen.