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EPISODE 4

“MARITAL DISCORD”

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor nurses station. Several nurses are at the desk, manning the phones and dealing with patients and visitors. Dr. Gloria Dailey walked up to the desk, approaching an attractive dark-haired woman in her early twenties who was writing on a patient’s chart.

Gloria: Natalie, have you seen Melody?

Natalie: (looking up) No, she's not in yet.

Gloria: That's strange, she's never late, especially without calling. I hope nothing's wrong.

Natalie: I'm sure she'll be in soon, she probably just got caught in traffic, there was a terrible accident this morning that backed traffic up for hours.

Gloria: Oh, then there's probably nothing to worry about.

Natalie: By the way, you will be at the Lassiter Pharmaceuticals annual board meeting this Friday, won't you?

Gloria: Yes, I got a call from Kevin last night reminding me about it. He was really insistent I be there. There isn't a problem with the company is there?

Natalie: (shrugging) Not that I know of, but Bart never talks to me about the business, not that I could understand it anyway.

Gloria: (smiling) I never cared much for the what goes on with L.P. either, but since I own a piece of the company I've have to. (Pause) Speaking of Barton, how are you two doing? How's married life after six months?

Natalie: (her face nearly glowing with delight) It's wonderful. I never knew marriage could be so exciting and fun. Barton Lassiter is the best husband a girl could ever want.

Gloria: I'm glad to hear that. You were a little nervous before the wedding.

Natalie: Not about being with Bart, I love him more than I ever thought possible, and I know he loves me. But let's face it, marrying into the Lassiter family can be quite intimidating. You're all so important in this town and you're so rich. It's a lot for a girl from the other side of the tracks to deal with. Was the same for you when you married A.J. and Eric’s father all those years ago?

Gloria: (frowning) You mean before you were alive?

Natalie: (laughing) That's not what I meant.

Gloria: (smiling) I know, I know. (Pause as she leaned against the desk) Yes, it was a little intimidating marrying into the wealthiest family in town. It certainly took some adjusting. But I had Johnnie and he made it easy for me, just like I'm sure Barton does for you.

Natalie: (shaking her head) Actually, he doesn’t. Barton says I should embrace all the money and power that comes with the Lassiter name and not be taken aback. But, he grew up with it all. He's used to it.

Gloria: Not to mention that he loves it.

Natalie: That's true. (Pause) But, because of my newfound statue, Barton wants me to quit working.

Gloria: Quit nursing? But you love it.

Natalie: That's what I told Barton.

Gloria: And what would you do instead?

Natalie: I don't know. Shop, have expensive lunches, whatever it is rich women do all day. He's even mentioned having a baby.

Gloria: (frowning) It's kind of soon in the marriage isn't it?

Natalie: That's what I said. Beyond that, I'm not ready to have a baby, not yet. Maybe in a few years.

Gloria: That sounds like a good idea. Besides, Barton's got grown children already he has problems with. I think he should try being a father to them before having any more kids.

Natalie: That sounds suspiciously like a warning.

Gloria: Did it? (She smiled) Then my job is done.

Natalie giggled as Melody rushed up, looking breathless and harried.

Melody: Gloria, I'm sorry I'm late. I should’ve called, but I ran out of A.J.’s place without my cell phone. I guess I was a little frazzled.

Gloria: Melody, that's okay. Don't worry, you won't be docked for being late. (Pause as she grinned, but Melody didn't respond, causing Gloria to look concerned) Is everything all right? You look upset.

Melody: (shaking her head) No, I'm fine.

Gloria: Oh really? You don't seem fine. (She crossed her arms) What has my son done this time?

Melody: I really can't talk about it.

Gloria: But, I think you should. You're really upset.

Melody: I am, but I think you should talk to A.J. yourself. After all, this is the kind of a news a son should share with his mother.

Melody walked away, hopping onto an opening elevator. Gloria and Natalie watched as the door slid close.

Natalie: What was that all about?

Gloria: I don't know, but something tells me my son has screwed up another perfectly good relationship. (Pause) Unfortunately, that's a trait all the Lassiter men seem to have adopted.

Natalie: I hope that's not a warning.

Gloria: In your case, dear, so do I.

Glenn: (walking up) Gloria, there you are, I've been looking for you. We need to talk.

Gloria: If it's not hospital related, I have nothing to say to you that can't be said at the meeting with the lawyers next week.

Glenn: Without giving me a chance?

Gloria: To what? Lie to me, manipulate me, pull the wool over my eyes again? Not likely.

Glenn: (glancing at Natalie) Can we talk about this without an audience, Natalie?

Natalie: (sarcastically) Excuse me, I was just working.

Gloria: (motioning to a small lounge a few feet away) We'll be right over there. Call security if I'm gone too long.

Natalie: (as Glenn led Gloria away) I've got the number on speed dial.

(Glenn and Gloria walked over to the small lounge area.)

Glenn: Gloria, I just think if we spent some time together we could resolve the problems between us.

Gloria: Glenn, the problem is our marriage and the time we need to spend together is with our lawyers. Got that?!

* * * * * *

Scene: The corridor outside the courtroom where Nathan's trial is to be held. A.J. and Patricia are staring each other down amidst the crowded area.

A.J.: You are out of your mind. Do you really think you have what it takes to compete with me?

Patricia: Didn't you hear me the first time I said it, A.J.?

A.J.: I heard it, but I don't believe it.

Patricia: Well believe it. You have got some competition in this town.

A.J.: Nobody who works at a rag like Times can spell most of the words in any article I write, much less compete with me. If you were hoping to make a name for yourself by tangling with me, the only thing you're going to be is disappointed. I suggest you call Travel Magazine, see if you can get your job back and head back to wherever it is you came from. . .after you give me a divorce of course.

Patricia: The divorce you can have, but you're dreaming if you think I'm even the slightest intimidated by all your puffed up blustering. You know, A.J., the only thing I remember possibly being bigger than your ego was your mouth, but I see their running neck and neck these days.

A.J.: Patty, I understand you want to climb up the journalistic ladder, but writing at the Times isn't the way to go. That paper has the worst reputation in the state; hell they have an Elvis sighting on the front page at least once a week.

Patricia: I am well aware of the Times' less than respectable reputation, but that's changed with the new owners. They are going to turn the paper around, and I was hired to help them. They respect my talent and my ability and they know I can do what I was hired to do.

A.J. I wish I could believe that, but the Times has changed hands so many times it's pages should be dog eared. And everyone whose owned that paper claimed to want to turn the paper around, but none of them did. I'd hate to see you wasting your time on a lost cause.

Patricia: Concern for someone else? That's a new tactic, A.J.. How long have you been trying that one? I certainly hope it works better on other people than it does on me.

A.J.: (sighing) I can see this is a waste of time; you're determined to ruin what little career you've made for yourself. Fine. Do whatever you want. I just hope after you're a resounding flop you don't whine too much; it's really unbecoming.

Patricia: A.J., I know you as well as you know yourself so I could've predicted your reaction. Your ego refuses to let you even consider that I or anyone else for that matter could compete with you. But if you know me as well as you should, then you know what I'm going to do. So consider yourself warned. See you in court.

Patricia walked away, going into the courtroom, leaving A.J. with a grim look on his face.

A.J.: (murmuring) Women. Amazing how the most beautiful ones are so damned annoying. Must be one of God's cruel little jokes.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor lounge. Gloria and Glenn are there.

Glenn: Look, I know I made mistakes. But I’m not drinking anymore, I haven’t had a drink for a very long time. And I’m going to my meetings regularly.

Gloria: I’m glad to hear that, Glenn. It’s what I’d hoped you do for a long time. I just wish you’d of done it while we were married. But now it’s too late. Too much has happened. We can’t go back.

Glenn: Gloria, we had a good marriage for a long time. I know what I did was wrong, I know that I did a lot to ruin what we had. But there are still feelings there. I know we still love each other. And if we could talk it out, we could repair our marriage. So, why don't we just have dinner tonight. We can go to Gianelli's, our favorite restaurant. It’ll be just like old times.

Gloria: First of all, Gianelli's is your favorite restaurant. I never did really like it there. The portions are too small, the prices too high, but all the right people go there, which I know appeals to you.

Glenn: I thought you loved Gianelli's. (He shrugged) Fine, then we'll go someplace else. You pick the restaurant.

Gloria: (shaking her head) Glenn, you amaze me. Once again, you refuse to listen to anything but your own agenda. I don't want to go out with you tonight or any other night.

Glenn: Why not at least have dinner with me just to listen, with no expectations? What have you got to lose besides a few hours of your life?

Gloria: I used to think that, but before I knew it a lot of years went by and I was still married to you.

Voice: Besides, she's already got dinner plans.

Glenn and Gloria looked up to see Zachary standing there.

Glenn: Zachary, this is hardly the time.

Zachary: I think it is. You were asking Gloria to go out to dinner tonight, and I was just saying she already had plans. . with me.

Gloria: Zachary, I really don't think. . .

Zachary: What? That you can meet me so early with your busy schedule today? Sure, we can push it back a few hours.

Glenn: Why are you two having dinner?

Zachary: Well Dad, we are family, friends as well as co-workers. But, in this case, it's a business dinner.

Glenn: Gloria's Chief of Neurosurgery and you're head of the AIDS Wing. What business could you possibly have?

Zachary: Gloria wants to volunteer to work for me a few hours a week and we were just going to discuss the details.

Glenn: (turning to Gloria) Since when do you have time to volunteer anywhere, much less the AIDS Wing?

Gloria: (hesitating) Well, uhh. . .I'm going to make the time. Glenn, you know how important the AIDS Wing is to me. Lest you forget, along with Kevin, I was instrumental in getting Lassiter Pharmaceuticals to donate the money to get it up and running.

Glenn: I know. But do you really have to do this tonight?

Gloria: As you just pointed out Glenn, I don't have a lot of time. Zachary and I have tried to get together for weeks and this is the first time our schedules have finally meshed.

Glenn: I see. (Pause) Well Gloria, we'll have to do this some other night. I'm not giving up.

Gloria: (as Glenn walked away) Why doesn't that surprise me? (Gloria breathed a sigh of relief) Thank you, Zachary, thank you. Glenn just will not take no for an answer.

Zachary: I know how persistent my father can be, which exactly why I jumped in when I did.

Gloria: And I appreciate it. I know he'll be back, but I have a reprieve for now. (Pause) So what can I do to thank you?

Zachary: Nothing, it was my pleasure.

Gloria: No, believe me, I owe you.

Zachary: Gloria, you owe me nothing. We're friends. I was glad to help.

Gloria: But I'd like to show you my appreciation. (Pause) So, why don't we have that dinner tonight?

Zachary: That isn't necessary.

Gloria: Oh, but I think it is. You told your father we were going to have dinner. I'd hate to make a liar out of you. Come on, let's do it.

Zachary: (grinning) Sure, why not. I could use a night out with a good friend, particularly one as lovely as you. So where should we go?

Gloria: Hey, it was your idea, you pick the place.

Zachary: Okay, what are you in the mood for?

Gloria: Anything will be fine. I trust your judgment.

Zachary: Okay. Pick up you up at seven?

Gloria: I'll be there. Bye.

Zachary: Later.

After Zachary walked away, Gloria walked over to Natalie, who was still at the desk.

Natalie: Gloria, while you were talking to Dr. Dailey and Zachary, Kevin called.

Gloria: (as Natalie handed her a slip of paper with the message) What about?

Natalie: He's trying to find Eric to let him know about the board meeting, but he hasn't been able to get a hold of him. No one has heard from him days. Apparently he's taken some time off from the police department. Kevin was wondering if you've seen him.

Gloria: I’ve been trying to find him myself, there are things I’d like to discuss with him. Frankly, I'd think he would’ve resurfaced from whatever hole he’s fallen into, especially with the trial starting. His testimony is crucial since he was the detective on the case.

Natalie: Do you think there's reason to worry?

Gloria: About Eric? Always. My son's life has always been a mess, no more so than now.

Natalie: I know things have been tough for him lately. What are you doing to do? Do you think you can track him down?

Gloria: I can try, but I have a feeling the only thing I can do is worry. . .and pray.

Natalie: I'm sorry.

Gloria: Believe me, so am I. But with Eric, I've gotten used to it.

Natalie: By the way, looks like Zachary came to your rescue.

Gloria: He certainly did. He's a great guy.

Natalie: A lot of the women in this hospital seem to think so.

Gloria: Well, they're right.

Natalie: Do you know if he's seeing anyone?

Gloria: Not as far as I know. Why? Certainly you aren't interested. I thought you were happily married.

Natalie: I am, but there's a lot of single women who work here who would love to date Zachary. He's handsome, successful, has a great sense of humor and by all accounts he's straight. A lot of women would find him to be quite a catch.

Gloria: I imagine they would, but I don't think Zachary's interested in a relationship. Since I've known him he's dated a lot of women, but none of them serious. His career seems to be the only thing he's committed to. (Pause) But, I do have to admit, the woman he does decide he wants would be one lucky girl indeed.

to be continued...

In the next episode of Covington Bay...

· The Nathan James murder trial is about to begin, but a shocking development could stop it before it starts.