cbay


EPISODE 41

 

“A PREGNANT PAUSE”

Scene: Lassiter Pharmaceuticals; Barton Lassiter's office. He is sitting behind his desk, talking on the telephone.

Barton: So honey, how about you and I meet at Gianelli's for dinner tonight?

Natalie: Barton, that sounds wonderful and any other time I'd love it, but I don't think tonight would be a good idea.

Barton: Why not?

Natalie: I've had a bear of a day and unless things change, I don't think it's going to get any better.

Barton: What do you mean?

Natalie: A.J. is missing.

Barton: Missing? What do you mean?

Natalie: Well, you read the Journal's story of his encounter with those drug dealers, didn't you?

Barton: Of course. (sarcastically) It was written with A.J.'s usual ego building panache. Dad even called me from Ireland to tell me how proud he was of his eldest grandson. Does that have something to do with A.J.'s vanishing act?

Natalie: Maybe. The police think one of the dealers may have come after A.J.. He was last seen at the hospital. No ones heard from him since. Melody and Gloria are worried sick.

Barton: (cynically) Which is precisely what A.J. wants.

Natalie: What does that mean?

Barton: Natalie, I've known that boy since he was a baby and he thrives on getting attention. No doubt he's busy running after his next big story while the women in his life sit and home and fret and worry. Believe me, it wouldn't be the first time. He takes after his father in that respect.

Natalie: I know A.J.'s not the most responsible person in the world, but this looks pretty serious. I don't think the police would be searching this hospital from top to bottom if they didn't think there was reason to be concerned.

Barton: Okay, so maybe A.J. has really gotten in over his head this time, but what does that have to do with us having dinner? You and A.J. aren't particularly close.

Natalie: No, but Melody is a good friend of mine and so is Gloria. I'd like to be there for them until A.J. either shows up...or we get some sort of word on him.

Barton: (annoyed) Oh, come on, Natalie. I am certain A.J. has enough members of his fan club holding Gloria and Melody's hands so you won't even be missed.

Natalie: Maybe, but I'd like to stick around and see what I can do to help.

Barton: Natalie, I'd like to spend some time with my wife. We need time together, especially since we have a lot to talk about these days.

Natalie: I realize we have things to hash out, but any discussion on having a child can wait. Especially since it's not going to happen for quite a long time.

Barton: If ever it seems to me.

Natalie: Barton, not now. This is not the time to discuss this and I really should be getting back to work. (Pause) I'm sure you have lots to do too with the stockholders meeting coming up at the end of the week.

Barton: (icily) So when can I expect you home?

Natalie: I don't know. It depends on how things turn out here. (Pause) You know, I can't believe you're not more concerned about A.J., Bart. I know you and he aren't close, but he still is your nephew.

Barton: I see, and because I'm not heartbroken at his disappearance, is that another reason you'll use not to have a child with me? Blaming me for my relationship with Kevin isn't enough?

Natalie: (sighing) I don't have time for this, Barton. Good-bye. (Standing at the fifth floor nurses station, Natalie hung up the phone as Dana Cooper watches)

Dana: Trouble in paradise?

Natalie: There are times I would hardly call being a member of the Lassiter family paradise.

Dana: Barton still pressuring you to have a baby?

Natalie: Yes, despite the very valid reasons I've given him for it being a bad idea. And quite frankly, his pressuring me makes me even more adamant not to do it.

Dana: Well, I think you're a fool, Natalie.

Natalie: (groaning) I know what you think, Dana. I've heard this before.

Dana: Really? Obviously you need to hear it again, girlfriend. You should have Barton Lassiter's baby. I can think of millions of reasons why.

(Nearby, Patrick and Darian Jackson were talking)

Patrick: Darian, I haven't turned my back on my family.

Darian: Then why haven't any of us seen you in months. Covington Bay isn't that big of a town...you'd think we'd bump into you somewhere.

Patrick: You and I don't exactly hang out in the same crowd, Darian.

Darian: The family doesn't fit in with your new friends at the D.A.'s office.

Patrick: That's not what I mean.

Darian: I know exactly what you mean, Patrick. The real reason you don't want to see any of your family is because we still live in Southtown? Isn't that true?

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Dr. Glenn Dailey's office. He is sitting behind his desk.  

Glenn: (thinking of the kiss he and Gloria had shared in his office a little while ago) It can be like that again, Gloria, it can. All you have to do is give it a chance. All you have to do is give me a chance. And I'm going to make it happen. (He was interrupted by a knock on the door) Come in.

James: (walking in) Glenn, how 'ya doing?

Glenn: (stunned) What are you doing here?

James: You seem surprised to see me.

Glenn: After our conversation yesterday, I am surprised. You practically threw me out of your house when I asked for help dealing with A.J. Lassiter and his cousin Nikki poking their noses into Candice's death. You said it was my problem, remember?

James: Well, things aren't that simple anymore. (Pause) By the way, is this hospital under siege or something. There are cops and security guards everywhere. What's going on?

Glenn: It's not important.

James: Does it have anything to do with Nathan? He is still here in the hospital, isn't he?

Glenn: The last I heard, he was on his way back to jail. (Pause) And I couldn't be happier. I hated having that murderer in my hospital, taking care of his injuries, feeding him...at the hospital's expense no less. I can't wait to have him back behind bars where he belongs.

James: The day he's convicted is the day I will rejoice.

Glenn: You and me both.

James: And once Nathan is convicted, the investigating will stop. And there will be no chance of anyone ever knowing your little secret.

Glenn: Our little secret. Don't forget you're in this deep too.

James: Oh, I'm just wading a bit, Glenn. You, however, are about to drown.

Glenn: Is that why you're here, to antagonize me?

James: No, I came to talk to you about Nikki Lassiter.

Glenn: Why? Don't tell me she's discovered something.

James: Oh, she has. And I think you're going to find this very interesting.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; outside Nathan's hospital room. Richie Stone is about to walk inside as Abby Jefferson approaches.

Richie: Hi, Abby.

Abby: Hi, Richie. Is Nathan still inside?

Richie: Yeah. He hasn't been taken back to jail yet. There's some sort of delay. Something's going in the hospital.

Abby: I know. There seems to be police and security guards all over the place. You don't think it has anything to do with Richie, do you?

Richie: If it does, I'm sure we would've heard about it. (Pause) By the way, where have you been?

Abby: What do you mean?

Richie: Well, Nate said you came by over an hour ago, left and never came back. He was looking for you earlier, wondering what happened.

Abby: (as they walked into the room) Oh, I... (Abby eyes widened in horror as she saw Nathan lying on the floor)  Nathan!

Richie: (turning, also looking horrified) Nathan! (They ran to him and Richie bent over him)

Abby: (as Richie looked him over) What's wrong with him?

Richie: I don't know, but he's not breathing!  Abby, you've got to get help. Get a doctor or a nurse, or something!

(Abby ran out)

Richie: Nathan, you have to be all right, you have to be!

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor lounge. Patricia Tamakai-Lassiter, Melody Sorensen and Det. Jake Collier are there.

Melody: Jake, what has happened. Have you found A.J.?

Jake: I think I should get Aunt Gloria so the three of us can discuss this together.

Patricia: Oh, my Lord, is A.J. dead?

Melody: Jake, please, just tell us.

Jake: (pausing)   There was a found a body a few blocks away from here. It was a man... and he'd been shot to death.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; Glenn's office. Glenn and James are there.

Glenn: Wait a minute. You're telling me Nikki Lassiter thinks Nathan is guilty?   And she wants to work with you to prove it?

James: Exactly.

Glenn: Not only that, she says her boyfriend Richie Stone and Nathan are working to frame you for Candice's death?

James: You got it.

Glenn: (shaking his head) I don't believe it. I just don't believe it. I always thought the James kid was guilty. I was sure he killed Candice. But hearing this makes me see what a miserable piece of scum he really is. I can't wait for him to get everything he deserves.

James: So do I, but hold on there, Glenn. I'm not sure what to make of this story.

Glenn:  You don't believe it?

James: It's just so far-fetched. Richie and Nathan are out to frame me for murder and Nikki Lassiter charges in to save the day? A Lassiter rescuing a Greyhawk? I just can't accept that at face value.

Glenn: James, I realize there is no love lost between your family and the Lassiters, but it makes perfect sense to me. I always thought Nathan James was a scheming manipulator. He certainly tried to worm his way into Candice's life. And when it didn't work, when he would have nothing to do with her, he killed her. Richie Stone has been shouting to the rooftops that you killed Candice. It only makes sense that they would work together to frame you.

James: I suppose it does. But, I can't buy that Nikki would so readily help a member of a family that hers has been at war with for longer than either of us has been alive.

Glenn: Maybe not, but Nikki fancies herself a reporter in the mold of her cousin A.J.. And like A.J., she will do whatever it takes to get a story.

James: Even if it means turning in her boyfriend to do it, not to mention working with an enemy?

Glenn: Like I said, she wants to be like her brother A.J.. He never much cared what he had to do make the front page of the Journal. Obviously, she doesn't either.

James: What you're saying makes perfect sense. But when it comes to Lassiters, I'm instinctively suspicious.

Glenn: So what does that mean? You're not going to work with her on this?

James: Quite the contrary. I'm going to stick close to Nikki Lassiter on this...a lot closer than she might imagine.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor. Patricia, Melody and Jake are there.

Melody:  Oh God, Jake, was this man A.J.?

Jake: We're not sure.

Patricia: What do you mean you're not sure!?

Jake: The man was found naked in a dumpster with no I.D., no wallet or anything. His physical description matches A.J.'s.  But, we won't be sure until we make a positive I.D.. (Pause)   I’m going to go down and find out what’s going on. 

Melody:  Jake, I want to come with you.   I want to see… see if it’s A.J.

Jake:  Melody, you don’t have to do that.  I can identify the body.

Melody:  I know, but I have to… I just have to be there.  I want to know for sure if it’s A.J..  I have to see for myself.

Jake:  But…  (Pause)  Okay, I guess you have that right.  But, I wanted to let Aunt Gloria know what’s going on.

Melody:   Jake, let’s wait to tell her.  Let’s wait until we have some concrete information.  I don't want to put Gloria through that. If it isn't A.J., she'll have worried for nothing. And if it is...I want to be the one to tell her that it’s him.   News like that… it should come from someone she’s close to. 

Jake: But, what about you, Melody? Can you sure handle it?

Melody: I'll do my best. (Pause) Just let me do this, Jake, please?

Jake: (nodding) Sure. I'll drive you down to the station.

Melody: Thank you.

Patricia: (as Melody and Jake started to leave) I'll come with you.

Jake: That's really not necessary.

Melody: (annoyed) Yes, Patricia, we can handle it.

Patricia: But, I...

Melody: Why don't you just wait here?

Patricia: (testily) Because I want to be there...I want to...!

Jake: Patricia, I know you want to help, but there really isn't anything you can do. Melody is the closest thing A.J. has to a wife. She has a right to be there. Wait here.

Patricia: All right, I'll wait here. Just let me know what happens, okay?

Jake: Will do. (He turned to Melody) Let's go. (Jake and Melody walked out)

Patricia: Oh God, please let this not be A.J..!

Michael: (walking in) Patricia, what in the world is going on? I called your office and they said you were here. I come by to see you and there are police all over the place. And Melody and Jake Collier walked out of this room looking as grim as death. What is going on? What has happened?

Patricia: A.J. could be dead.

Michael: (horrified) What!?

Patricia: A.J. could be dead, and it's my fault. I killed him!

(Patricia threw herself into a stunned Michael’s arms)

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the corridor outside Gloria's office. Gloria is about to walk into her office.

Sabrina: (from behind) Gloria!

Gloria: Sabrina, what are you doing here?

Sabrina: I was coming by to see David because he's been here all day with Polly Johnson and I heard from the police downstairs that they are looking for A.J.  Honey, what is going on?

Gloria: Oh, Sabrina, A.J. is missing.

Sabrina: Missing? But, how...why? And why are they looking for him here at the hospital?

Gloria: It has to do with those drug dealers that A.J. and Patricia were nearly killed by last night. One of them is connected to a mobster and Jake thinks he may have come after A.J..

Sabrina: Jake is on the case?

Gloria: Yes. (Pause) Anyway, the hospital is the last place A.J. was seen. He wasn't seen leaving the hospital and his car is still in the parking lot. (Pause) Sabrina, I'm so worried. I don't know what I'm going to do if something has happened to A.J.. I can't lose him, I can't!

Sabrina: You won't, honey, you won't! (Sabrina pulled Gloria into her arms) He's going to be all right. You know A.J.. He's always getting in over his head and worrying the hell out of us. But, he always pulls through.

Gloria: I know, but this is different. This time...

Abby: (rushing up) Dr. Lassiter! Mrs. Collier! Come quickly!

Sabrina: Abby, what's wrong?

Abby: It's Nathan! He's collapsed. And he's not breathing!

Sabrina: (as she, Gloria and Abby raced down the hallway) Good Lord! (The women made their way to Nathan's room, where Richie was cradling Nathan in his arms)

Richie: It's going to be all right, Nate...! (He looked up) Oh, Dr. Lassiter, you've got to do something. He's not breathing! Please, don't let him die!

Scene: A car as it drives through the streets of Covington Bay. Jake is driving. Melody is nervously sitting in the passenger seat.

Jake: I'm sorry, Melody. I wish there was a way I could make this easier on you.

Melody: You can't, Jake, you can't. A.J. could be shot...dead. How easy is that to deal with?

Jake: We're not sure it's him.

Melody: Maybe, but you wouldn't have put us through this if you didn't think there was a chance, would you?

Jake: No, you're right, I wouldn't.

Melody: All I can do is pray...pray that I'm not going to lose A.J.. (Pause) I know this has to be hard for you too. You've known A.J. your entire life.

Jake: True, but I've always been closer to Eric since we're about the same age.

Melody: What was A.J. like as a kid?

Jake: You mean he still isn't one now?

Melody: (smiling) You know what I mean.

Jake: A.J. was this adventurous, risk taking dynamo who knew how to get attention from everyone around him. He never did things the easy way or stood back while everyone else plunged into the fire. He was always in the thick of things whether it be playing football in high school or editing the school paper or getting involved in some mess or another. Things we're never dull with A.J. around.

Melody: Then he hasn't changed at all. He's been like that since the day I met him.

Jake: And he'll probably always be that way.

Melody: You think so? You don't think A.J. will ever settle down...live a normal life?

Jake: He's a Lassiter,  I doubt it. Normal isn't exactly in their vocabulary. (Pause) But, I guess that's what makes men like A.J. so envied my men and so wanted by women. You certainly seem to love him.

Melody: I do.

Jake: Then you must have accept that part of A.J. that will always take chances and take risks. That part of him that can never really settle down and live the kind of quiet life a lot of us dream about.

Melody: (hesitating) There's a lot that comes with loving a man like A.J..

Jake: I can imagine. But at least you're willing to stick it out. Some of us aren't so lucky.

Melody: You sound like you're talking about yourself.

Jake: Let's just say I haven't been as lucky as A.J. to find a woman to accept me and love me just the way I am.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor lounge. Michael and Patricia are there.

Michael: Patricia, I'm so sorry. Do you know how soon you'll know if it's A.J. or not?

Patricia: Oh, Melody says she'll let me know as soon as she finds out something. I just hope she's telling the truth.

Michael: Of course she will. Melody's honest. And she knows how worried you are about A.J.. She wouldn't leave you hanging.

Patricia: I wouldn't be so sure.

Michael: What do you mean?

Patricia: Let's just say Melody and I aren't exactly doing some female bonding. (Pause) A.J. has to be all right, Michael, he has to be. I'll never forgive myself if he doesn't survive.

Michael: A.J.'s tough...he'll make it. But Patricia, it's hardly your fault.

Patricia: Oh, no? This whole mess started from the second I popped up on this doorstep. From telling Melody I was married to A.J., then going to the courthouse and challenging A.J. as a reporter and later showing up at that warehouse...I set this into motion. If I hadn't been so stupid and not realized those men were drug dealers from the start, we might have been able to get out of there and call the police. Instead I almost got us killed. It's all my fault. A.J. was right, the whole thing was my fault. And now he could be dead because of me.

Michael: Patty, you may have made some mistakes, but you didn't do this. You didn't create this situation.

Patricia: No, but what I did was come back to Covington Bay with an agenda. I came back here for a reason. And I've hardly been back and it's all blown up in my face. I've managed to bungle everything and A.J. might pay the price. This whole thing was a mistake. I should've never came up with this plan.

Michael: I have to agree with you there. I think from the start you should've been honest with A.J. and everyone else about why you really came back to town.

Patricia: (bitterly) Is this your way of saying I told you so, Michael?

Michael: It's my way of saying that you should've been honest.

Patricia: Michael, honesty is not the solution to this problem. Despite what you might like to think, the truth wouldn't have worked.

Michael: And lying and scheming has worked for you?

Patricia: It seems to me nothing would have worked. (Pause) No, what I should've done was stayed away. I should've never come back here. I should've known it would only end in disaster.

Michael: You're sorry you came back?

Patricia: Considering what's happened, do you blame me? My entire plan is ruined and it's my own fault. Yes, I'm sorry I came back. And maybe it's best that once this is resolved, one way or the other, that I leave again.

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor nurses station. Dana and Natalie are there.

Dana: You know what I think?

Natalie: (sighing) Yes, I do. You've told me this before, remember?

Dana: Well, apparently you haven't listened. You should have your husband's child if that's what he wants.

Natalie: What if it's not what I want?

Dana: You can't tell me you don't love children. I know you do.

Natalie: Of course I do. And I want to have children. But not right now. Not only is it wrong for me career wise since I start the surgical nurses program next week, it's not the right time for me and Barton. We haven't even been married a year. And Barton has a lot to work out with Kevin before I can feel comfortable with having any kids with him.

Dana: Natalie, I understand your reluctance to getting pregnant. After all, every mother wants her children to have a good father. But, you've got to think about your future. Being Barton Lassiter's wife is great; it's like capturing the golden goose. But, having his children is getting that goose to lay some 24 karat eggs. It's securing your future.

Natalie: As what, a Lassiter?

Dana: Yes, and what is wrong with that?

Natalie: Dana, I didn't marry Barton because of his last name or his power or what it represents in this town. I married him because I loved him. You know how uncomfortable I am with the money and everything that comes with being a Lassiter.

Dana: And I don't get it. You could be set for life. You could fix it so you don't ever have to worry about anything ever again.

Natalie: I would never have a child as a way to hold onto my husband and his money. Besides, Dana, I don't have to worry about my future. It's why I have a stable job and luckily for me it's a job and a career I love very much.

Dana:  I know you love your job. But I don't think you realize how lucky you are.  You can have everything you ever wanted.

Natalie: But, I don't want everything. Dana. Before I married Bart, I had a very comfortable life. I had a nice apartment, I could pay my bills, I could get what I wanted when I wanted it for the most part. There's nothing wrong with that. It's how most of us live. Why do you have to have more than that?

Dana: Maybe because I grew up with nothing.

Natalie: Dana, you forget I grew up in Southtown too. I know what it's like to wonder how you'll make it from one day to the next.

Dana: Exactly. And I'd think you'd do everything you could to avoid being in that situation again.

Natalie: I am. It's why I work. (Pause) Look Dana, when I have my husband's baby it's going to be because I want to have a baby, and I want to know that we are going to work together and do our best to raise a beautiful person. Having a child is not about making sure I can hold onto the Lassiter fortune. And it's not something I'm going to do until it's right for me, Barton and our baby.

Dana: And when do you think that will be? Between your career goals and your concern about having a baby because of Barton's problems with his other children, when do you see yourself doing this?

Natalie: I don't know, Dana, I really don't. But, at this point, it won't be for a long time.

Dana: And what if your husband doesn't want to wait? What then?

(Nearby, Patrick and Darian are talking)

Darian: Isn't that true, Patrick? You don't want to be associated with anyone in your family because some of us still live in Southtown and we remind you too much of a past you'd rather ignore?

Patrick: Darian, I'll never understand your attachment to Southtown. We should be working to get out of that snake pit. And you have...we all have. But, you and Mama J. and Jessie won't leave.

Darian: Because the neighborhood needs people like us, Patrick.

Patrick: What for? To make it easier to know who to steal from?

Darian: I would expect a comment like that from you. (Pause) It's about giving people who have no hope something to reach for. That's why so many people in Southtown are poor and stay that way...because many of them think they don't have any other option in life. But seeing people who grew up like they did and knowing they can make it gives them belief that they can do it too.

Patrick: Darian, it's not your job to be a role model to those people.

Darian: Those people, huh? Well, someone has to be a role model, Patrick. Someone has to care. Someone has to want to do more than put them behind bars.

Patrick: It's nice you're so concerned about your community, Darian. I just wonder how long it's going to take you to see that you're wasting your time. You can't help people who don't want to be helped. You living in Southtown is not going to motivate some punk to stop selling drugs to little kids or stop the gangs from killing each other. But putting them behind bars will. It's not a permanent solution, but it's the only one that works.

Darian: And I'll bet you really believe that. It only makes me more concerned for the people who live in Southtown...and you as well.

Gloria: (walking up) Darian! Darian, I need to talk to you.

Darian: Gloria, what's wrong?

Gloria: It's about your patient Nathan James. I'm afraid I've got bad news.

Coming Up In Covington Bay