EPISODE 35
“DANGEROUS CHOICES”
Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Dana Cooper and Natalie Lassiter are at the desk, working.
Natalie: (hanging up the phone) Boy, this has been a crazy morning. It’s been a madhouse since I got here.
Dana: (sighing, sitting at the computer typing) I guess that happens when you have a six car pileup on the interstate.
Natalie: (annoyed) Not to mention I've been working here alone most of the morning.
Dana: What does that mean?
Natalie: Well, you've been gone most of the morning doing God knows what.
Dana: Natalie, it wasn't like I was taking a break or skateboarding through the hallways. A woman I've known since I was a child has suffered a terrible tragedy. Her sons were severely beaten last night. One was killed and it doesn't look good for the other.
Natalie: (guiltily): That's terrible. (Pause) I'm sorry, Dana, I didn't mean to give you a hard time.
Dana: (shaking her head) That's okay. You had no way of knowing.
Natalie: She must be devastated.
Dana: Of course. Andy and Sam were Mrs. Johnson's whole life. She did so much for them to see to it that they wouldn't wind up spending their entire lives in Southtown like a lot of other kids. Andy had already been guaranteed a complete scholarship at Covington Bay University. No doubt Sam would've gone on and gotten the same thing. (She shook her head in sorrow) Such a tragedy. (Her face turned hard and grim) Whoever did this deserves to pay and pay big.
Natalie: Have the police come up with anything?
Dana: They've just started investigating, but I don't expect much from them.
Natalie: What makes you say that?
Dana: Because Eric Lassiter is on the case.
Natalie: Eric?
Dana: Yeah and knowing that, as far as I'm concerned, whoever did this is going to get away scot-free.
* * * * * *
Scene:
Eric: Mrs. Johnson, I'm Det. Lassiter and this is Det. Sorensen. We're here investigating the attack on your sons.
Mrs. Johnson: Yes, Mama J. said you were here. But surely the doctors told you that Sam can't talk to you just yet. He’s in a coma.
Eric: We know that. But we’d like to talk to you… ask you a few questions about what happened.
Mrs. Johnson: I can’t help you. I don't know anything. I didn't hear about this until the police called me to the hospital.
Eric: I understand that, but Mrs. Johnson, you may know something and not even realize it.
Angela: We’d just like to be as thorough as possible.
Mrs. Johnson: (frowning) I understand. What would you like to know?
Eric: Can you think of anyone who would do this to your sons?
Mrs. Johnson: Of course not. My boys wouldn't hurt a fly. They ain't got no enemies. They worked hard to stay out of trouble; I saw to that.
Eric: I'm sure you did your best. But sometimes kids go astray. They get involved with people they shouldn't. And in Southtown, it would be easy for a kid to get into trouble.
Mrs. Johnson (warily): What are you trying to say?
Angela: Det. Lassiter, I thought that...
Eric: (interrupting Angela) Mrs. Johnson, there is a big gang problem in Southtown.
Mrs. Johnson: Who you tellin'? I chase those no good losers from my newsstand everyday. They're always trying to steal from me or hanging out in front of my business and scaring all the decent folks away. I know they're around and I make sure they stay away from me...and my boys. If you think my sons got hurt because they were in some gang, you're wrong.
Eric: Can you be sure of that, Mrs. Johnson? You can't watch your kids twenty four hours a day. And they are teenagers. Teenagers have their own minds, they want to do their own thing...even more so if they know their parents won't like it.
Mrs. Johnson (angrily): I told you my boys ain't in no gang. They don't run with those punks! Ask around, anybody will tell you the same. The people in the neighborhood knows who doing it and who's not. If either one of them had even looked cross-eyed at some boy wearing colors, I would've found out about it and stopped it before they could blink! Now, you're wasting time here with me. You should be out on the streets talking to folks and seeing what they know. I ain't gonna solve your case for you.
Eric: Mrs. Johnson...!
David (tersely): Eric, I think that's enough. Polly's made herself clear. Leave it alone.
Eric: (annoyed) Fine, we will for now. But, we may have more questions for you later. And of course we'll want to talk to Sam as soon as he recovers.
Mrs. Johnson: Are you sure you want to bother talking to my boy, Det. Lassiter? You already decided who did it. I imagine you'll just close the books and move on to the next job.
Eric: Mrs. Johnson, we're just looking at all the possibilities.
Mrs. Johnson: No, what you are doing is looking at the color of my boy's skin, the neighborhood they grew up in and deciding they were in a gang and probably got what they deserved.
Eric: Mrs. Johnson, this is not about race.
Mrs. Johnson (bitterly): Really? I heard about you, Det. Lassiter. From what I understand, as far as you're concerned, it's always about race.
* * * * * *
Scene: The offices of Dr. Gary Sorensen; Dr. Hillary Sorensen's office. Hillary and Monica Greyhawk are there.
Monica (sighing): Hillary, sometimes I wonder how I let this happen.
Hillary: Do you regret marrying Nigel?
Monica: Oh, of course not. Except for Vicki, Nigel is the best thing that ever happened to me. He came along just when I needed him. My disastrous divorce from Eric was over. He wouldn't pay child support and I was left alone, broke and my self esteem was nonexistent. I had a child to raise and no means either financially or emotionally to do a good job. If Daddy hadn't let me move in with him after Eric and I split up, Vicki and I would've wound up on the streets. And you, Melody and Angela were lifesavers. All of you really got me through.
Hillary: (smiling) That's what sisters are for. We were glad to do it.
Monica: I know. But despite all you guys did, there was part of me that was broken. My spirit had been ripped apart.
Hillary: And Nigel was able to pull it back together.
Monica: (nodding) From the moment I met him, he changed my life. (Pause) You know how hard it was for me to find a job after the divorce. I was right out of high school when Eric and I married. I had no college education, no training. (Pause) I can still remember sitting on that park bench, crying my eyes out because another employer refused to hire me. Nigel was there too and he saw me. He came over and gave me his handkerchief, sat down, started talking to me. He asked me what was wrong and all of a sudden, all my problems started spilling out. He sat there and listened to it...listened to it all, never saying a word. (Pause) He never let on that he knew Eric or mentioned the history between their families. He was just there for me. (Pause) And after I was done, he looked at me and said 'Let's get your life back on track'.
Hillary: (grinning) I still remember our reaction when you told us you were going to be working in the secretarial pool at Greyhawk MedTech. We didn't even know you could type.
Monica: (shaking her head) I didn't and I made some of those poor executives lives a misery until I finished those classes. I should've been fired ten times over, but I guess when the Vice President hires you, they have to keep you. (Pause) And then Nigel started popping in on me to see how I was doing, chatting for a few minutes, listening to whatever I wanted to talk about whether it be Vicki or the latest disaster I created at work. (Pause) He started inviting me to lunch and then dinner. We started off as friends, but before I knew it, we were dating. He was sweet, attentive and always seemed to know the right thing to say or do before I could even think about it. (Pause) He instantly took to Vicki and she adored him from the start. How could I not fall in love with him? What woman wouldn't?
Hillary: Nigel put the kind of smile on your face we hadn't seen in years. I have to admit it took some getting used to the fact that he was a Greyhawk. After all, their reputation in this town isn't exactly exemplary.
Monica: I know, but Nigel and his family have always been good to me and Vicki. I know Quentin wasn't happy about my involvement with Nigel at first, but he came to accept it and he's been a wonderful father-in-law to me. And he adores Vicki. He know he has a reputation as a hard nosed businessman, but he's completely devoted to family. Nigel really looks up to his father, respects him so much for his loyalty and dedication to his family. He really wants to be like his dad.
Hillary: And that, in part, is why he couldn't tell his family he was gay.
Monica: (nodding) Quentin is a good, caring man. But he's very conservative. It’s true he'd never accept that Nigel was gay. And considering how much Nigel loves his father and how important that relationship is to him, he'd never do anything to risk losing his dad. Quentin didn't even like that Nigel dated so many different women. He wanted him to settle down, but Nigel kept saying he wanted to sow his wild oats...that he hadn't met the right woman. In reality, he couldn't bring himself to make that kind of commitment to a woman knowing he was gay.
Hillary: Until he met you.
Monica: (nodding) Right. I was in love with Nigel practically from the moment we met. I hadn't told him because I didn't know how he felt. I knew he cared, I knew I meant something to him, but he seemed to be keeping his distance, especially romantically. Things would only go so far before he would put on the brakes. I always thought he was just shy. Then when he proposed and made me the happiest woman in the world. But he said that before we could get married there was something he wanted to tell me. The last thing I expected was that he was gay. I almost fainted when he told me.
Hillary: But at least Nigel did tell you. At least he didn't marry you with that secret between you.
Monica: I know. A lot of women would've walked away then, he certainly gave me the chance, but I couldn't. I was shocked of course, but I never once thought of leaving him. I only wanted to help him deal with it in any way I could. I guess I loved him so much that I could accept his being gay and live with it. After all, he wanted to marry me, he wanted to make a life for me and Vicki, he wanted to be a husband and a father… a traditional family. And he's been a wonderful one. We’ve had a good marriage… in every way. He’s always been nothing but honest and truthful with me. He’s been a good husband, a good father and a good man. (Tears started to well up in her eyes) I don't know what I'll do if I lose him, Hillary.
Hillary: Monica, how do you know you'll lose him? Has Nigel given you any indication of that?
Monica: No, but what if I drove him away pressuring him to having a child? What if I upset him so much it drove him right into Kevin Lassiter's arms?
* * * * * *
Scene: The Lassiter Estate; the living room. Kevin Lassiter and Nigel Greyhawk are there.
Nigel: Kevin, this isn’t about my father.
Kevin: Really? Because to me it's all Quentin Greyhawk, Nigel. You know as well as I do that if you didn’t think he wouldn't disapprove of you being gay, much less being involved with a Lassiter, you would've never gotten involved with much less married any woman. You would've never left me.
Nigel: That's not true. I was never completely happy with our relationship.
Kevin: Because you felt no one would approve if they found out. Is it so hard for you to admit that the only reason we broke up and still aren't together is because you did what everyone else wants... instead of what you want?
Nigel: I know this is hard for you to understand, but I love my wife and I love our live together. I want to be with her.
Kevin: And is that all you want? Are you saying you don't think about what we used to have?
Nigel (hesitating): Do you?
Kevin: Of course I do. You don't share what we did and forgot about it, no matter how badly it hurt when it was all over. You never forget your first love. (Pause) Alec was the best thing that ever happened to me and I certainly couldn't imagine my life without him, but I haven't forgotten us.
Nigel: Neither have I. But, those are just memories now. Good memories for the most part, but memories none the less. (Pause) But that’s what they are and that’s all they can ever be. And I’ve come to realize I’ve got to stop letting those memories get in the way of can make my marriage better than it already is. I see that now.
Kevin: What does that mean?
Nigel: Even though I married Monica and made a life with her, in many ways I was still caught up in the past. I was still unable to move forward. I see how what a mistake I’ve made, how I’ve let the past stop me from having a future. I’m not going to do that anymore.
Kevin: I thought your marriage was perfect. What is it missing that can make it even better than breathing?
Nigel: Your sarcasm isn’t very becoming, Kevin.
Kevin: Well, when your ex-lover intrudes on a day when you are grieving your dead lover, a little sarcasm is in order. Now answer the question.
Nigel: I really think that we should just let it end here. Me coming here, not leaving as soon as we ran into each other was a mistake. We’ve said too much already, gotten into more history than we should have, things that should be laid to rest, should’ve been laid to rest years ago. It’s best if I should just go.
Kevin: Why? Seems like it was just getting good. You said you’ve had a revelation, that the clouds have finally cleared. I’d like to know what you can finally see.
Nigel: Kevin, you said that you have trouble letting go of the past… of Alec… of me. And I see what it’s done to your life. You are so sad and bitter about the way things have turned out for you. For you the past is like his anchor weighing you down and holding you back. And I realize I’ve done the same thing, even without realizing it. But I’m not going to do it. Not anymore.
Kevin: But you’ve already got the perfect marriage. What else do you need?
Nigel: A baby. Monica wants to have a baby.
Kevin: A baby?
Nigel: Yes.
Kevin: And how do you feel about it?
Nigel: I want it. I want us to have a baby too.
Kevin: You do realize what a terrible mistake that would be, don’t you?
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington Bay High School; a hallway filled with students going back and forth. Nikki Lassiter is at the end of the hallway on the telephone.
Nikki: Come on, Richie, where are you? You didn't go to the memorial service, you're not at home. Where in the world could you be?
Voice: Talking to yourself? You know that's the first sign of senility, don't you?
Nikki: (looking up at a slender, attractive Asian girl as she hung up the phone) Or having a serious problem. (Pause) Hi, Nina, what's up?
Nina: That's what I want to know. I was going to go into the library last night to get my chemistry book and I heard you and your mother going at it...again.
Nikki: I'm surprise the entire house didn't hear it. I tell you Nina, I don't know what I'm going to do about my mother. She just doesn't get it. She doesn't understand why I have to help prove Nathan didn't kill Candice.
Nina: Nikki, most parents don't like their kids to spend their free time tracking down a killer.
Nikki: I'm trying to help a friend, what is wrong with that?
Nina: When it involves murder, a lot.
Nikki: Come on, Nina, don't you think I should try and help Nathan?
Nina: Of course, I think Nate's a great guy and I find it hard to believe he could hurt anyone. But, Nikki, you cut class yesterday so you could go to Nathan's trial. Didn't you think your mother would be upset, especially after she warned you not to get involved in this?
Nikki: No, I didn't think she'd find out.
Nina: Parents find out everything...I learned that the hard way. I can never get away with anything with Father.
Nikki: First of all, you never do anything. Second of all, your father watches you like a hawk.
Nina: I know. Even though you're the one who cut class yesterday, Father gave me a lecture on the evils of playing hooky. And he warned me to stay away from you because you were nothing but trouble. He'd probably be angry that we're standing here talking in the hallway.
Nikki: Well, Harry is just trying to protect his little Asian princess.
Nina: (frowning) Being the majordomo's daughter hardly qualifies me as a princess. (Then the bell rang and students started to go into their classrooms) That's the bell. Time for Algebra. (Nina started to go down the hall. Nikki stayed near the phone. Nina stopped and turned back to Nikki) Aren't you coming?
Nikki: In a minute. Tell Mr. Sorensen that I had to go to the bathroom.
Nina: Nikki, you know he hates it when students come to class late. Besides, you don't have to go to the bathroom, I saw you come out of there five minutes ago. What are you up to?
Nikki: I just need to use the phone. I'm trying to get a hold of Richie.
Nina: Why? Isn't he here?
Nikki: No. He didn't come to school today. And I'm really starting to get worried.
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Nathan's room. He is on the telephone.
Voice: Well, Nathan, what is it going to be? You can either plead guilty to killing Candice Dailey, or you can die. And believe me, you won't live long enough to have but a few regrets.
Nathan: You can't expect me to make such a major decision right now.
Voice: Actually, I do.
Nathan: I'm need time to decide!
Voice: And I told you don't have any time. Now what is your decision? The clock is ticking!
Nathan: (anxiously) I...! I...! Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to you?
Voice: You murdered a innocent young girl. You took her life away...raped her and then killed her. Do you really think you should get away with that?
Nathan: But, I didn't do it!
Voice: And I don't believe you...no one does. (Pause) Now stop stalling, what is your decision!? You've got five seconds and if you haven't decided, I'll make it for you. And believe me, it won't be for you to live another day.
* * * * * *
Scene:
Natalie: Dana, why would you think Eric couldn't solve this case? I know he's not the nicest guy in the world, but from what I hear, he's a good cop. Everybody in the family says so. You even told me your brother Pete thought Eric was great at this job.
Dana: And maybe he was. But that was when Pete was alive. Since he died, Eric's fallen apart. As you said, he’s never been a nice guy, but since Pete’s death he's gotten worse. He's mean and vicious. He doesn't care about anyone's feelings and he goes out of his way to hurt people.
Natalie: Look, I've heard enough stories about Eric to know that he's one family member I don't want to get to know. But, all of that doesn't change that he's good at his job. I'm sure he'll do his best to find whoever did this.
Dana: (bitterly) Like he found out who killed my brother and his wife?
Natalie: (nodding) I see. Is that what this is about? This case got you thinking about Pete and Lizzie?
Dana: I don't need another act of random violence to remind me what I've lost, I think about my brother and his wife all the time I miss them so much. But yes, this does only serve to bring home that someone else I cared about is dead and Eric Lassiter is responsible for finding out who did it. I can't help but wonder that considering the man he's become if he's going to be able to do that?
* * * * * *
Scene:
Eric: Look, Mrs. Johnson, I don't know what you heard, but...
Polly: I heard what you did last night at Mama J.'s. You were drunk and you staggered in and harassed Danny James.
Eric: That's not quite what happened.
Polly: Really? That's the way everybody who was there tells it. They say you staggered in and picked a fight with Danny knowing that boy has a bad temper. And after you pushed him too far, he took a swing at you and you tried to arrest him. Your own mama had to speak out against you to get you to leave the poor boy alone.
Eric: (as Angela and David looked surprised) Danny James is not a poor boy.
Polly: He made some mistakes, but he paid for them. He's trying to get on with his life, but it's people like you that want to keep the black man down.
Eric: Look, Mrs. Johnson, you really shouldn't throw around accusations like that.
Polly: Or what, you'll arrest me? I guess that would be easier than find out who murdered my boy, wouldn't it?
Eric: Mrs. Johnson, I really...
Angela: (interrupting) Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. We'll leave you alone now so you can spend time with your son. (She looked at David) Will you let us know if there's any change?
David: Sure.
Angela: Thanks. Let's go, Eric. We're done here.
She walked away and Eric followed her down the hallway, anger burning in his face. They stopped by the elevator and Angela pressed the down button.
Eric: Don't you ever do that again! Where you get off cutting me off? I wasn't finished.
Angela: Eric, you were finished before you started, just like this partnership.
Eric: What do you mean?
Angela: (as the elevator doors slid open) I mean that you were right. I won't last a week. I can't work with you. I'd sooner turn in my badge before I'd spend one more minute watching what you do what you laughingly call police work. (She stepped onto the elevator and pressed a button) It's over Eric. (The elevator doors slid close)
Eric: (smirking) And who knew it would be so easy?
* * * * * *
Scene:
Voice: Okay, the clock is ticking? What's your answer? Life in prison or death today? Hurry, you don't have much time!
Nathan: I...please! Please don't do this! I'll go to the police!
Voice: (laughing) That won't do you any good. First of all, I doubt if they'd believe you. Secondly, you were in a place full of police and under guard when I got to you. Don't think I can't do it again.
Nathan: Look, I...!
Voice: Your time is up, I guess that means I'll have to make the decision for you! And you know what I decide.
Nathan: No! No! No!
(The line went dead)
* * * * * *
Scene:
Nina: You're worried about Richie? Why? Has something happened?
Nikki: When isn't something happening? Our lives have been one disaster after another since this mess with Nathan started. And it's really affected Richie. He's always agitated and edgy.
Nina: Nikki, Richie's best friend is on trial for murder. Naturally he would be upset.
Nikki: I know and I understand it, believe me. But, he's been so upset lately, I worry about him. Especially since he's started disappearing so much in the last few weeks.
Nina: What do you mean by disappearing?
Nikki: Sometimes he'll be gone for hours at a time; maybe the entire day.
Nina: And where does he go?
Nikki: He always says he's off thinking; trying to figure out a way to deal with this situation.
Nina: Maybe that's what he's doing.
Nikki: I know, but he's keeping it all inside. He hardly ever talks to me about how he's feeling except when he blows up. That's what happened yesterday after Nate's accident.
Nina: And since?
Nikki: He came back after hanging out with Kevin for awhile and then we talked and everything was okay. Or so I thought. Now he's vanished again, which can only mean something has happened to set him off.. And I've got to find him.
Nina: (as the bell rang again) I understand that, Nikki, but you can't be late for class again. The last thing you want to do is get into trouble. You're already grounded for at least a few weeks.
Nikki: We'll see about that, but don't worry. I'm not going to get into trouble. I'm just going to be a few minutes late. You go on to class, though.
Nina: Okay. I hope I see you soon. (Nina walked away as Nikki turned to the phone)
Nikki: Richie, where in the world could you be!?
James: (walking up) Hello, Nikki.
Nikki: (sighing) Oh hi, Greyhawk.
James: I know you were looking for your boyfriend, but will I do?
Nikki: (annoyed) Will you do? Instead of Richie? Never.
James: I think in this case, I'll suffice.
Nikki: What are you talking about? And what are you doing coming up to me in the middle of a hallway? People will see us together and we don't want to have to answer a bunch of questions!
James: If anyone says anything, we'll just pretend we're arguing about your boyfriend. They'll definitely believe that.
Nikki: (nodding) You're probably right. So what's going on?
James: We need to talk.
Nikki: Now? I thought we were talking on your father's yacht after school?
James: We will. But, I think there's something we should discuss now.
Nikki: What?
James: Meet me in the cloakroom during the lunch period and I'll tell you all about it.
Nikki: All about what? James, what are you up to?
James: Just be there. I promise you won't regret it.
Nikki: I better not. I get real cranky when I miss my lunch.
James: I'll see you later. Bye. (James walked away)
Voice: Nikki?
Nikki: (turning to see Richie) Richie! (She ran to him, throwing her arms around him) Oh, thank God you're all right!
Richie: I'm fine, I'm fine. (He tried to pull away from her) But, I won't be if you strangle me to death.
Nikki: I'm sorry, I'm sorry. (Pause) All right, Richie, out with it.
Richie: Out with what?
Nikki: I want to know where you've been, and I want to know now.
* * * * * *
Scene:
Richie: What am I going to do? What am I going to do? He's going to kill me! He's going to kill me! I've got to do something, I can't just wait for him to get me. (Pause) But who do I tell? The police? (Pause) They can't protect me. They can't do anything. He already got to me while I was under guard. They can't help! (Pause) My lawyers! I'll tell them. Sabrina believed me. There must be something she can do. There has to be! (He picked up the phone and started dialing. As the phone started to ring, Nathan felt a strong hand grip his shoulder)
Voice: All right, Nathan, it's time.
* * * * * *
Coming Up In
- Kevin gives Nigel some
difficult advice.
- Nikki starts to wonder about
Richie.
- Dana catches onto Danny.
- Michael wants Patricia to tell the truth.