cbay


EPISODE 37

 

“GONE”

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Natalie Lassiter is at the desk working and looking very frazzled. She is on the telephone.

Natalie: Yes, I'll take care of that as soon as I can, Dr. Sloan, I promise. (She hung up, sighing) Will this day ever be over?

Melody: (walking up) Natalie, what is going on? You look worn out.

Natalie: I am. The phone has been ringing off the hook and I'm swamped with paperwork.

Melody: Well, where is Dana? Isn't she supposed to be on duty?

Natalie: Yes, but she took an early lunch break.

Melody: Are you sure that's all she's taken?  I've walked by here several times and I don't think I've ever seen her at this desk.  Has she been any help today?

Natalie: Well, I...(The telephone rang) Excuse me. (She answered it) Nurse's station; fifth floor.

Jake: (walking up) Melody!

Melody: (turning) Hi, Jake. What brings you here? The hospital is not your usual beat.

Jake: No, but I'm looking for A.J.. He's not at work and apparently his cell phone was destroyed in the fire last night.  I can’t get hold of him.

Melody: What makes you think he's here?

Jake: Eric and A.J. talked at the police station and he told me A.J. was headed here to see Aunt Gloria.

Melody: That could be, but that was hours ago.

Jake: Did you see him?

Melody: Yes, we talked.

Jake: And did Aunt Gloria see him?

Melody: I don't know, but I doubt it. She's been in surgery most of the morning.

Jake: Do you know where she is now?

Melody: Up on eight examining one of those boys that were beaten last night. Surely you've heard about that.

Jake: Yes, I have. (Pause)  I need to talk to Aunt Gloria as quickly as possible and find out if she's seen A.J..  Excuse me….

Melody:  Jake, wait a minute.  Why do you need to talk to A.J. so urgently?  Has something happened?

Jake:  I’m not sure.  That's what I need to find out.

Scene: Covington Bay High School; a hallway. Nikki Lassiter and Nina Tamakai are walking down the corridor.

Nikki:  (sighing)  Darn, I'm sure I failed that history exam. I must've known three answers on the whole thing.

Nina: Oh, you must’ve done better than that.

Nikki:  You know history is not one of my favorite subjects.   Besides, I didn't study last night. I totally forgot we were even taking a test.

Nina:  Nikki, how could you forget? We've been talking about this test for weeks.

Nikki:  I know, but I've been kind of preoccupied.

Nina:  You mean with this murder investigation?  And you wonder why your mother grounded you? Nikki, she's trying to save your G.P.A.. The last thing you need is to ruin that, what would be your chances of getting into a good school then?

Nikki: I'm not worried about my G.P.A., I'll pull it out.   As for my mother, I’ll just have to make sure she doesn’t find out.

Nina:  Yeah, or you’ll be grounded for even a longer period of time.

Nikki:  Actually, I’m not going to be grounded at all… at least nor for much longer anyway.

Nina:   How do you figure that?

Nikki: Because my punishment is going to be lifted.

Nina:  You can’t believe that.  Your mother is as stubborn as you are. She'll never change her mind.

Nikki: We'll see.

Nina: Nikki, what are you up to now?

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Nathan James's room. Nathan and Richie Stone are there.

Nathan: This is going to be the last time I'm going to see you? Richie, what does that mean?

Richie: Just what I said. After today, we're not going to be seeing each other again.

Nathan: But...why?

Richie:   My father has forbidden me to see you.

Nathan: Because you're testifying for me?

Richie: Yes. He says I'm trying to make him look bad by saying his department made a mistake and that you and Mrs. Collier are only using me because I’m the Captain’s son. He even went so far as to say that you were convincing me to lie to get you acquitted.

Nathan:   Doesn’t your father know you at all.  You’d never lie about something so important.

Richie:   No, I wouldn’t, but Dad is taking this personally.  As far as he's concerned I'm only out to hurt him.  So I'm not to come near you or anything connected to this crime.  

Nathan: (disappointed) I see.

Richie: Nathan, I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen.  If I don’t do what he asks, he’s going to ground me for who knows how long.  I couldn't let him do that. I'd be of no help to you at all if I had to stay in my room all the time. Look, I'm sorry. I wish I didn't have to do this, but this is the way it has to be.  I took a chance just coming here.  But I’m still going to testify for you.  There’s nothing he can do about that.

Nathan: Richie, I appreciate that.  And I understand you're in a tough spot and you're doing all you can for me. If anyone should be sorry, it should be me for bringing you all this trouble. I've been nothing but trouble to everyone who's tried to help me.

Richie: Nathan, that's not true.

Nathan: Oh, really? You're in trouble with your father, Nikki is cutting class and getting involved with James Greyhawk, A.J. Lassiter was almost killed last night and Danny is doing God knows what to get me out of this mess. I am ruining everyone’s lives.

Richie: Nate, you are not ruining our lives. We are helping you because we believe in you and we want to help you. If we have any problems or get into any trouble, we're willing to deal with that, and it's our decision to do so.

Nathan: I know that. But eventually, it's got to stop. Eventually, I have to realize that things can't go on like they are and you take the steps to end the trouble.

Richie: Nathan, you're confusing me. There is nothing you can do to end this; that's why we are taking all these chances to help you.

Nathan: You're wrong, Richie, you're wrong. There is a lot I can do to end this. I just hope it's not too late for me to be able to go through with it.

Scene: Lulu's. Danny James and Leo Jenkins are there, sitting in a booth.

Leo: So you want to break somebody out of jail.  Let me guess? Your little brother, Nate?

Danny: Of course, who else?

Leo: That's quite a tough situation he got himself into. I guess that's what happens when you get mixed up with rich folks. You lose every time.

Danny: I'm not interested in your views on socio-economic relations. I just want to know if you can get the job get done.

Leo: Any job is possible. It just takes the right circumstances.

Danny: What does that mean?

Leo: It means that breaking your brother out of jail will be a piece of cake. I just want to know how far you're willing to go to see that it happens.

Dana Cooper was standing near the door, watching the back of Danny's head and Leo as they spoke.

Dana: (frustrated) Damn! I've got to get closer! I have to hear what they are saying!

Scene: Covington Bay High School; a hallway. Nikki and Nina are walking down it.

Nina: That is what you're going to do to get out of this? Nikki, do you think that's a good idea. Your mother won't like it.

Nikki: She's not happy now, what's annoying her a little more going to hurt? Besides, I can't be grounded, it could ruin everything. I've got to be able to be free so I can help Nathan.

Nina: Yeah, but to do this to your Mom....

Nikki: Oh, she won't be permanently scarred, only a little bruised. Worry about me, because if it backfires, I'm going to be in big trouble.

Nina: I could never play the games with your parents that you play with yours. If I even look like I'm thinking of doing something wrong, Father lectures me about his daughter shaming the family.

Nikki: Well, that's because your family is full of respectable, upstanding citizens. I'm a Lassiter and we thrive on trouble.

Nina: That certainly seems to be true. So, you wanna have lunch with me, or are you going to have a some quiet time with Richie?

Nikki: I wish, but had to see Nate's lawyer. Instead, I have to go meet James Greyhawk.

Nina: Why? I thought you weren't meeting him until this afternoon on his yacht.

Nikki: He wants to see me before that.

Nina: Why?

Nikki: I don't know. I hope he's not cancelling or deciding not to work with me. That would ruin everything.

Nina: Where are you meeting him?

Nikki: In the cloakroom.

Nina: The cloakroom? Nikki, no one goes in there. It's not even used for coats anymore. I think it's a storage closet now...that doubles as a make out center.

Nikki: I know what it's used for. (Pause) Richie and I have even used it.

Nina: (smiling) I don't doubt that. But why are you meeting James there?

Nikki: Not for making out, that's for sure. I better go.

Nina: I'd offer to go with you, but Father warned me out hanging out with you...and going near a Greyhawk...and meeting boys in dark rooms...and being in dusty places...and missing lunch...and...!

Nikki: (laughing as Nina grinned) I get the message. I'll see you later, girl. (Nikki walked away)

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Nathan's room. Nathan and Richie are there.

Richie: Nathan, I don't get it. How can you end this? There's nothing you can do but hope and pray that your friends can come up with the evidence to clear you.

Nathan: And destroy your own lives in the meantime.

Richie: Nate, our lives are not going to be destroyed. Sure, things are a little rocky right now, but we'll get through this. And it'll be worth it when we free you.

Nathan: But what if this is all for nothing? What if you and Nikki are ruining your relationships with your parents and your educational futures and I still don't get acquitted?

Richie: That's not going to happen. You will be acquitted. It's as simple as that. It's going to take some work, but we'll get it done. We care too much not to.

Nathan: And I appreciate that you care. But, I've come to realize that it's best for everyone if I put an end to this.

Richie: An end to what? The investigation? To our helping you? Nate, there's nothing you can do to stop us. We're going to help you whether you like it or not.

Nathan: But, you may not need to help me.

Richie: Why not? Nate, you're not making any sense. What are you trying to say?

Nathan: I've come to a decision about this case. I see what I have to do now.

Richie:   Nathan, you're making me very nervous. What is this about?

Scene: Lulu's. Dana is standing near the door, watching Danny and Leo as they speak.

Dana: I have got to get over there somehow and hear what they are saying. It's the only way I can find out what Danny is up to! (At that moment, the booth next to Danny and Leo opened up. Dana quickly grabbed a menu sitting on the counter, and held it close to her face as if she were reading it. She moved quickly past the booth and slid into the open one, which hadn't been cleaned. She held her ear close to her side of the booth, furrowing her brow as she strained to hear)

Danny: What do you mean how far I'm willing to go?

Leo: Something like this don't come cheap.

Danny: I knew you'd expect to be paid. How much do you want?

Leo: My usual rate for something is ten thousand dollars.

Danny: (stunned) Ten thousand dollars!?

Leo: Of course. I'm taking a big chance on a job like this. Not to mention the fact that I won't be alone. I gotta pay my buddies too.

Danny: But you know I'd be there too.

Leo: Sure, you can tag along, but that don't change the price none. Ten thousand is the going rate, take it or leave it.

Dana is sitting in the next booth, listening intently.

Waitress: (walking up, annoyed) Why didn't you wait until this booth had been cleaned?

Dana: (surprised, looking up) What?

Waitress: (a heavyset woman in a grease stained uniform, she glared at Dana with bloodshot eyes encrusted with bright blue eye shadow) Why didn't you wait until this booth had been cleaned? Do you know how hard that makes my job?

Dana: I'm sorry, I was in a hurry. Just bring me a cup of coffee and the lunch special...whatever it is.

Waitress: What about the table?

Dana: I'm starving, forget the table. You can clean it when you bring my lunch.

Waitress: (annoyed) Whatever. (She stalked away. Dana returned to listening)

Danny: It's not going to be easy to swing ten thousand. I ain't got that kind of money exactly sittin' around in the bank.

Leo: How you pay for it isn't my problem. I just need it...up front.

Danny: Okay, I get that. So, how soon can you do it?

Leo: You pay me and your brother will be free in the next twenty four hours.

Danny: And all it will take is getting more money than I've ever made in a years time. (Pause) I guess that's it, huh? I'll be in touch when I get the money...if I can get it.

Leo: Hold on. Don't run off, not yet.

Danny: What? (He looked at the man's plate of food) Oh, I forgot. I'm buying lunch.

Leo: (as Danny pulled out his wallet and tossed bills on the table) Yeah, you are, but that's not what I wanted to say.

Danny: What is it?

Leo: Well, there is one other thing you have to do...or this deal isn't going to work.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Jake and Melody are talking as Natalie watches.

Melody: What do you mean that's what you're trying to find out? Jake, what is going on?

Jake: I need to find A.J.. I need to make sure he's all right.

Melody: Why wouldn't he be?

Jake: He didn't tell you?

Melody: Tell me what?

Jake: About what happened last night.

Melody: No, not much. I really didn't need to know all the details. I was just glad he was alive.

Jake: Well, there's more to it than that. The men that A.J. and Patricia tangled with last night...they're very dangerous.  We were afraid they might come after them, especially after we found out those men are connected to a mob figure named Victor Gianelli.

Melody: What? A.J. is mixed up with the mob?     These guys could come after A.J.  Why aren't he… and Patricia in protective custody or something until you catch these men?

Jake: Believe me, I wish they were, but both A.J. and Patricia refused.

Melody: And you let them?

Jake: I really didn't have much choice. I couldn't hold them, especially since we didn't know if there was anything to worry about.

Melody: But obviously know you do think there's something to worry about. You're looking for A.J. and you can't find him. What about Patricia? Do you know where she is?

Jake: I spoke to her on her car phone a few minutes ago. She had to stop by her office, but when I told her what was happening, she said she'd stop by here first and meet me.

Melody: Jake, you haven't said what's happening yet. And the fact that you haven't really worries me. Now what is going on?

Patricia: (walking up) All right, Jake, here I am. I was on my way to my office for a meeting with my boss. This better be important.

Jake: It is. I assume you two know one another.

Patricia: (eyeing Melody) We do. Hi, Melody.

Melody: (coolly) Hello. (Pause) Now, Jake, what is going on?

Jake: Patricia, when was the last time you saw A.J.?

Patricia: This morning at the police station. Why?

(At that moment, the elevator doors slid open and Gloria stepped off of them)

Jake: Aunt Gloria!

Gloria: (smiling) Jake! What are you doing here?

Jake:   Hey, Aunt Gloria.  Tell me, when was the last time you saw A.J.?

Gloria: Yesterday in my office.

Melody:  So you didn't see him when he was here in the hospital this morning?

Gloria: No. A.J. was here this morning?

Melody: Yeah. I talked to him right outside your office. Jake says he was here to see you.

Gloria: But, I haven't heard from him. (She then noticed Patricia) What's going on? Why do you all look so upset?

Jake:   A.J. has disappeared.   And under the current circumstances, that’s not good.

Scene: Covington Bay High School; a room full of old school furniture. It is barely lit by one single bulb. Nikki walks in.

Nikki: (closing the door) Greyhawk? Greyhawk, are you here? (She is looking around in the darkness) Greyhawk, are you here? I don't have a lot of time...it's lunch and I'm starving!

James: (popping out from behind a huge wooden cabinet, startling her) Here I am!

Nikki: (gasping) You jerk! You scared me.

James: (laughing) Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't think you were so easily frightened.

Nikki: When people jump out at me in dark room, yes, it scares me. Now, what is this about? What did you want to see me for?

James: Oh, anxious to get down to business, are you?

Nikki: I'm anxious to get away from you. So, what is it? What couldn't wait until this afternoon?

James: Well, I... (Suddenly, James looked up, grabbed Nikki and pulled her close to him)

Nikki: What in the world are you doing!? Let me go!

James: Not yet. There's something I've got to do first.

(As Nikki looked stunned, James put his arms around Nikki and started to kiss her)

Scene: Lulu's. Danny and Leo are in a booth. Dana is in the booth next to them.

Danny: What do I need to do?

Leo: Your brother is in the hospital right?

Danny: Yeah, but he's going to be released today...any minute now.

Leo: Well, you gotta change that.

Danny: What?

Leo: You gotta keep your brother in the hospital.

Danny: Why?

Leo: Because it'll be much easier to break him out. In the hospital, we'll only be dealing with a few police guards and some rent a cops. In the City Jail, there's an entire force and that security to get through. It's less dangerous for everyone, including Nathan, if we do it in the hospital.

Danny: But, he's going to be released any minute...he may be already going back to jail. And even if he weren't, he's not sick. He can't stay in the hospital.

Leo: Then you've got a problem...unless you can find a way to keep him in the hospital.

Danny: Like I said, he's not sick.

Leo: Maybe not now, but if you put your mind to it, I'll bet you could change that.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Nathan's room. Nathan and Richie are there.

Richie: Nate, you are making no sense.

Nathan: Not now, but soon everything will be clear...if it's not too late. I just hope everyone understands.

Richie: Understands what? Nathan, tell me what is going on! What are you so upset about? And what are you going to do?

Nathan: I...

Darian: (walking in) Nathan, I... (Pause as he sees Richie) Oh, hello, Richie.

Richie: Hi, Dr. Jackson.

Nathan: I guess you're here to tell me I'm about to be taken back to jail?

Darian: I'm afraid so. We can't put this off any longer. Get dressed and the guards and I will escort you to the exit.

Nathan: (nodding) All right. (Darian walked out) I guess I better get ready, huh?

Richie: Not yet, not until you tell me what is going on.

Nathan: I don't have time to get into it right now. After all, my carriage awaits. Besides, you'll know about it soon enough. Everyone will.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Gloria, Melody, Patricia are in the lounge.

Gloria: I don't believe this, I just don't believe it! You and A.J. knew that there could be mobsters after you and you just walked out of the police station with no protection?

Patricia: We didn't think it was serious.

Melody: Having two men who tried to murder you turn out to be connected to a mobster sounds pretty serious to me, Patricia. What were you thinking?

Patricia: Like I said, we weren't certain that was the case. Besides, we thought we could handle it ourselves if there were any problems.

Gloria: You thought you could handle yourself against the mob? Do you know how silly that sounds?

Melody: Especially considering how you've handled yourself so far.

Patricia: What does that mean?

Melody: You've been in town barely two days and you've managed to nearly ruin A.J.'s relationship with me, you've tried to destroy his career, you almost got him killed last night. Now it looks like you might be able to finish the job.

Patricia: This is not my fault.

Melody: Oh, really? Are you telling me you caused none of this havoc? You didn't show up at A.J.'s apartment and announce you were his wife? You didn't take a job at the rival paper tell him that you're going to beat him as top reporter in this town? You didn't go to that meet last night and confront those drug dealers with no idea what you were getting into? Just where weren't you at fault?

Patricia: That is your side of the story.

Melody: And what is your side? Is it the side where you're the victim and everything bad just happens to you? Don't even try it, Patricia. If there is one thing you are not it's a victim.

Patricia: You hardly know me.

Melody: Actually, sweetie, I think you're becoming quite clear to me.

Gloria: All right, ladies, all right! I realize that we are all upset, but attacking each other won't help things. We have to be concerned about A.J. and finding him. That is all that matters right now. (Pause as Melody and Patricia glared at one another) I just want Jake to get back. He said he had to check on something...where could he have gone?

Melody: I don't know, I just hope he comes back with good news.

Patricia: Look, I know it looks bad, but I can't believe anything happened to A.J.. He's been in dangerous situations all over the world and he's always come through them. He wouldn't let some small town mobster defeat him...his ego's too big.

Gloria: Patricia, please!

Melody: You don't know when to quit, do you?

Jake: (rushing up) I'm back ladies, sorry to keep you waiting.

Gloria: Where did you go?

Jake: To talk to the parking attendant. He says A.J. never drove his car out of the parking lot. We checked and his car is still here.

Melody: Then he never left the hospital?

Jake: At least not alone.

Melody: Jake, what brought you here in the first place? You said you were looking for A.J. when you came here because something happened. What was it?

Jake: We've got APB's on the two men who tried to kill A.J. and Patricia. And one of them, Reilly, was reported to have been spotted near the hospital. I knew A.J. had come here, so I had to find out where he was.

Gloria: (fearfully) You mean one of those killers was here, at the hospital, and now A.J. has vanished?

Jake: (grimly) Yeah. I'm afraid so.

Coming Up In Covington Bay