EPISODE 47
“BLACK, WHITE AND YELLOW”
Act One
Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; Homicide Division. Det. Eric Lassiter and Monica Greyhawk are talking near Det. Angela Sorensen's desk.
Eric: So, what is going on? What are the Greyhawks up to these days? Do they have any nasty plans for the Lassiters?
Monica: No. There’s nothing going on.
Eric: You were always a lousy liar, Monica. Now what are you saying?
Monica: Is grilling me about this nonsense your way of avoiding talking about Vicki and when you're going to start being a father to her? I know it's a subject you'd rather avoid, but I think you've shoved your daughter to the back burner long enough.
Eric: I've said all I'm going to say about Vicki. (Pause) Now, I want you to start talking about that family of yours. It's been years since the Greyhawks and the Lassiters have been feuding. What's that husband of yours done to start things up again?
Monica: Nigel hasn't done anything. He told you when we got married that he wanted to put the family battles in the past...for me and Vicki's sake.
Eric: Monica, you may be stupid enough to believe that, but I don't.
Monica: It's the truth. Nigel wants no part of this business between your families. He'd rather forget the whole thing.
Eric: Okay, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he would, but Quentin Greyhawk wouldn't. That man hates my family as easily as he breathes. He'd never give up on getting revenge against us. So what has he done, Monica? What is the man up to?
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor lounge. Sabrina Collier and A.J. Lassiter are there. A.J. is looking in shock at a newspaper as Sabrina watches.
A.J.: Oh my God! What is this!? What is this!?
Sabrina: A.J., what is it? What's wrong?
A.J.: (shaking his head) Someone's going to pay for this!
Sabrina: (as A.J. stormed out, passing by Det. Jake Collier in the doorway) A.J.!
Jake: Mom, where is he going?
Sabrina: I don't know. (Pause) He was upset by something he saw in the newspaper.
Jake: I imagine he would be.
Sabrina: You know about it?
Jake: Yes. It's all over the hospital...all over
Sabrina: What's all over town?
Jake: The latest edition of the Covington Bay Times. Here, I just got a copy. (He handed it to Sabrina, who opened it)
Sabrina: (surprise flickering across her face) Well, no wonder he was so upset.
* * * * * *
Scene:
Gloria: So, is there any word on Nate's condition?
Darian: None yet. He's having some tests done...hopefully we can find out some positive results.
Gloria: I heard they were brining in Christopher Sloan to consult on the case?
Darian: Yeah and I'm glad. He is one of the top heart specialists in the state. The man has made some amazing accomplishments.
Gloria: (nodding) He certainly has. I've been very impressed by his work.
Darian: So you've met him?
Gloria: Only in passing.
Darian: And I've only seen him in fleeting glances here at the hospital. But, I'm going to be meeting with him in a couple of hours to discuss Nate's case since I've been his primary doctor until this point. Despite the circumstances, I'm looking forward meeting him. He is a legend in his field.
Gloria: You sound like you admire the man.
Darian: I do. He's done wonderful things...especially in the transplant arena. He's saved a lot of lives with his techniques.
Gloria: Are you interested in specializing in heart medicine?
Darian: I've been thinking about it. I am in the third year of my residency; I've got to start considering where I’m going to end up.
(There was a knock on the door)
Gloria: Come in.
Glenn: (walking
in) Gloria? (He sees Darian) Darian, hello.
Darian: Hi, Dr. Dailey.
Glenn: Could you excuse us. I'd like to talk to my wife alone.
Gloria: (angrily) Glenn, we were in the middle of discussing a case!
Darian: But, it can wait until later, Gloria. I have patients to check on anyway. Later. (Darian walked out)
Gloria: Why did you do that?
Glenn: Do what?
Gloria: Basically throw Darian out of my office. That was really rude.
Glenn: I’m sorry, but you and I need to talk.
Gloria: I see, and it’s always about what you want, isn’t it, Glenn?
* * * * * *
Scene: The
Patricia: (thinking) Boy, this has been a hell of a day...and it's not over yet. I never knew coming back here would be so hard...I never knew I could have so many problems. But, I can't let what's happened get in my way. I have to succeed at my goal. I worked too hard to get to this moment. I won't give up now.
(At that moment, Patricia heard a commotion outside the office. Suddenly, the door burst open and A.J. stormed in, a secretary behind him)
Woman: Sir, you can't do this! You can't come in here!
Patricia: (stunned) A.J.!? What in the world are you doing here!?
A.J.: Didn't you think I'd come looking for you? Did you really think I’d let you get away with this!?
Patricia: Get away with what? What are you talking about?
A.J.: Don’t insult me by playing stupid, you sneaky little bitch!
Patricia: (shocked) A.J., how dare you speak to me like that!?
Woman: Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
A.J.: The only way I'm leaving is if you call those rent a cops downstairs and have them drag me out. And believe me, if they try, they'll have a hell of a fight on their hands.
Patricia: Look, Mrs. Speakes, I can handle this, okay? Just go back out to your desk.
Mrs. Speakes: But...
Patricia: Don't worry...I'll handle it.
Mrs. Speakes: Okay, but if there's any problems, I'm right outside.
Patricia: (as the secretary walked out, closing the door behind her) A.J., I'd like to know what's going on here. Haven't you yelled at me enough today?
A.J.: No, Patricia, I have hardly begun. You have gone too far this time, and you're going to be very, very sorry.
* * * * * *
Scene:
Gloria: How dare you use your position as Chief of Staff to intimidate Darian into leaving my office!?
Glenn: That's not what I meant to do, Gloria.
Gloria: Please, Glenn, don't add to it by lying. I know you well enough to know that you love your job and the power that goes with it...even if it means using it on a resident.
Glenn: Gloria, I don't want to talk about Darian Jackson.
Gloria: Of course, ignore the subject. Pretend you've done nothing. Business as usual, huh, Glenn?
Glenn: I came here to talk about A.J.. I just wanted to say I'm glad he's all right.
Gloria: And you couldn't say that with Darian in the room?
Glenn: I also wanted to talk about what happened in my office this morning.
Gloria: You mean when you took advantage of me?
Glenn: I hardly call that taking advantage. I was comforting you. I was seeing you through a tough time. I was showing how much I care...how concerned I was about what you were going through.
Gloria: And you thought a kiss was just what the doctor ordered?
Glenn: Can you blame me for caring about my wife?
Gloria: I am not your wife...not in any way that counts anyway. Don't dare refer to me that way.
Glenn: I still love you and want you back. I cannot and I will not give that up.
Gloria: Really? I've got a divorce hearing scheduled for tomorrow that says you have to.
Glenn: Divorce hearings can be called off, you know.
Gloria: This one won't be.
Glenn: You've said that before.
Gloria: To my eternal regret. I never should've come back to you. I never should've given a marriage another chance...it and you didn't deserve one. But, I let the circumstances change my mind. I thought after what we went through...that horrible experience with Derek Kendall...that there was something still between us. I was wrong. I won't make that mistake again.
Glenn: (shaking his head) Derek Kendall...I haven't thought about him in a long time.
Gloria: Neither have I, Glenn. And after what that man put us...and our families through...I never want to think about him again.
* * * * * *
Scene: The Bay Club. Dr. Gary Sorensen is sitting at a table with a blond man.
Gary: So, Derek, it's good to see you.
Derek (who was dressed in an ill fitting dark brown suit, which could barely contain his muscular body. His blond hair was a little long, brushing his broad shoulders. He was attractive, with rugged features. His eyes were ice blue and there was a tiny scar below the left one): It's good to see you too, Dr. Sorensen. It's been a long time.
Gary: I was surprised to hear from you Derek, I thought...
Derek: That was I was still in jail?
Gary: To be honest? Yes.
Derek: I got an early parole. Believe me, I was surprised too.
Gary: So, you hardly served half your sentence.
Derek: Which was more than enough as far as I'm concerned. Prison was a terrible, horrible place. The people jailed there...the things I saw...I never want to go through anything like that again. I'm never going to do anything to get myself put away again.
Gary: So does this mean you're sorry for what you did?
Derek: Of course I am. I put Glenn Dailey and his wife through hell. I nearly ruined their lives.
Gary: Derek, it was more than that...you almost killed them.
(Across the room, Nigel Greyhawk was sitting with his brother Lucas. Nigel kept glancing over at Kevin Lassiter, who was sitting alone at a table)
Lucas: See? He wasn't with that guy.
Nigel: That guy is Dr. Gary Sorensen.
Lucas: You know him?
Nigel: He's Monica's uncle. He's also a psychiatrist. He and Monica’s sister Hillary run a practice together.
Lucas: Oh. (Pause) You gonna go over and talk to him?
Nigel: Who?
Lucas: Don't play dumb, Nigel, it doesn't suit you. (Pause) You can't stop looking at Kevin. It's obvious you want to talk to him. Go over and talk....I don't mind being deserted.
Nigel: You're really pushing for this grand reunion between Kevin and I, aren't you?
Lucas: I'm pushing for you to be happy...if not with Kevin, then with someone else. Nigel, I know lots of attractive, eligible gay men.
Nigel: Then why don't you date them?
Lucas: Don't doubt that I've plenty of offers...I just happen to be obsessed with women is all.
Nigel: You're obsessed all right. Look, Lucas, I don't have to go over and talk to Kevin. I already have.
Lucas: When? Did I miss something when I went to the bathroom?
Nigel: No, I talk to Kevin earlier today.
Lucas: When? How?
Nigel: (hesitating) I dropped by the Lassiter Estate and Kevin and I talked.
Lucas: Wait a minute, you just happened to drop by the Lassiter Estate. That’s kind of off the beaten path for our family, don’t you think.
Nigel: Lucas, let me explain…
Lucas: Explain what? That you’re over this guy? Just who in the hell are you trying to kid?
(At his table, Kevin was sitting alone, giving both the tables that Gary and Nigel were sitting at curious glances. He looked up when he saw Dr. Laura Dailey walking in, behind a man pushing himself in a wheelchair. Kevin stood)
Kevin: Laura, this is a surprise. (He bent over and kissed her on the cheek) I didn't know you were joining us.
Laura: Well, when Simon told me you two were discussing the AIDS fundraiser this year, I wanted to be here. After all, I am co-chairing the event again...if you want me.
Simon: (speaking with an elegant British accent) I told my darling wife that there was no doubt we'd want her after the wonderful job she did last year.
Kevin: (as Simon wheeled himself up to the table and Laura sat down) Of course we want you, Laura. It wouldn't have been the success it was last year without your help.
Laura: (taking a deep breath) And Candice's. I remember how much she loved the work she did. Both she and Nathan James really gave their all.
Kevin: I know. I have to admit Laura, it was Candice's death that made me hesitant to ask you to co-chair again this year. Like you said, she and Nathan were both heavily involved. I don't want it to bring up some bad memories for you.
Laura: Thank you, Kevin, but it's like I told Simon; I have wonderful memories of that time. I think Candice and I were never closer than at that time. I know how happy she was helping as much as she did. She was even more pleased with the effect it had on Nate.
Kevin: What do you mean?
Laura: You know Nathan's background. Before he was sentenced to work with Zachary at the AIDS Wing, he was in gangs, constantly in trouble, his future was uncertain at best. But, working at the hospital and at the AIDS Wing really gave Nathan direction. I remember Candice telling me how kind and sensitive he was with the patients he worked with. She even told me he was considering being a doctor specializing in AIDS.
Kevin: I didn't know that.
Simon: I guess that's what makes how things turned out all the more tragic, doesn't it?
* * * * * *
Scene: The
Patricia: A.J., I want to know where you get off barging into this office and threatening me?
A.J.: Oh, come on, Patricia! Cut the act! You know what you've done; why play stupid!?
Patricia: I'm not. Now tell me what this is all about before the owner of the paper gets here. I haven’t met him yet and the last thing I need is for my new boss to walk in and see us going at it. You are not going to cost me this job!
A.J.: I think keeping your job is the least of your worries, little girl.
Patricia: Will you tell me what you're so upset about!?
A.J.: As if you don't already know. (A.J. handed Patricia the newspaper. She opened it and was stunned by what she was seeing)
Patricia: Good Lord! What in the world is this!?
* * * * * *
Scene:
Jake: (looking at the paper) Can't A.J. go five minutes without disaster in his life?
Sabrina: Obviously not. I wonder if Gloria has seen this yet?
Jake: If she hasn't, she will soon enough. It's on every stand in the city now.
Sabrina: Poor Gloria. (She sighed) Poor A.J.. Will something go right today?
Jake: It doesn’t seem like it. In fact, I think it’s only going to get worse.
Sabrina: What makes you say that?
Jake: I gotta explain to my Captain the disaster I made of A.J.'s disappearance.
Sabrina: That wasn’t your
fault. You were only playing on the
side of caution. You had no idea
A.J. was taking a nap while
Jake: Let’s hope I can pull my ashes out of this.
Sabrina: (grinning) You did not get that sense of humor from me. (Pause) Anyway, I’ll see you at the station.
Jake: Why? You got business there?
Sabrina: Yeah. It's about Nathan. I think it's time I got the police involved in this.
Jake: Involved in what, Mom? His case is already gone to trial.
Sabrina: It's not about his trial. It's about the fact that someone is trying to kill him.
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington Bay Police Department; Homicide Division. Eric and Monica are near Angela's desk.
Monica: Will you stop badgering me, Eric? I have nothing to say to you.
Eric: Meaning you're not going to tell me what Quentin Greyhawk is up to? He's out to ruin my family and you're supporting him?
Monica: Hardly! And since when did you care about anyone in your family? You hardly speak to any of them. I can't imagine you would care one bit what Quentin did.
Eric: I'd care if it affects me. And Greyhawk doesn't want to ruin one Lassiter, he wants to ruin us all.
Monica: Well, with you, Eric, he wouldn't have far to go, would he? (Pause) Look, I'm tired of this, I'm leaving.
Eric: Aren't you going to say good-bye to your sister?
Monica: If she sees that I'm gone, she'll understand. After all, not too many people can be alone with you for that long. (Monica walked away)
* * * * * *
Scene: The
Patricia: A.J., I don't know anything about this. I didn't write this story!
A.J.: Really? Your byline says otherwise.
Patricia: But, I didn't write it! This story is...!
A.J.: Full of lies, full of inaccuracies? It gives a very detailed account of how during our murder investigation of the Candice Dailey case, which should not have been reported by the way, how we encountered drug dealers, how I ruined our near escape because I didn't know what I was doing, how I got myself shot, which led to us being captured, how you were able to free us from the burning building. Oh and lets not forget it mentions our six year marriage...and that I also have a girlfriend. That is the only truth in this piece of yellow journalism.
Patricia: A.J., I swear I did not write this. The story I wrote was much more balanced. I would never write something to make you look so bad. And I certainly wouldn’t write about our marriage!
A.J.: Really? You came here to make a splash, to get some attention and kick start what is laughably called a journalism career. Taking me down sure is a good way to start.
Patricia: I want to prove I’m the best reporter in
A.J.: Patricia, no less than a couple of hours ago, you swore you'd make me pay for what I said to you. I had no idea you'd already implemented your plan of attack.
Patricia: I had nothing to do with this. I would never hurt you like this.
A.J.: All you've done since you came back is hurt me. This is no different.
Patricia: Yes it is. This is cruel, vicious. I could never do that to you. I...
A.J.: Patricia, this is your byline. The events in this story are very detailed, except that they are twisted to favor you. And as for our marriage, except for you, me, Melody, my mother and Michael, no one knew about that and none of us would’ve gone to the press with the story. Admit it, this is your doing!
Patricia: No!
A.J.: You're not going to get away with this! I want a retraction and an apology. And if I don't get it, I swear I will sue you and the owners of this rag. When I'm done, you won't have any ink left to print out any more of these filthy words! Do you understand me!?
Voice: I understand you clearly, Lassiter. I just don't think it's going to happen.
A.J.: (turning, stunned to see Quentin standing in the doorway) Greyhawk? What in the world are you doing here?
Quentin: Why shouldn't I be here? This is my office, isn't it?
A.J.: Your office? You mean...?
Quentin: Yes. I am the new owner of the Covington Bay Times.
A.J.: Then you're responsible for this filth!?
Quentin: (smirking) I guess I will have to take credit for that. Furthermore, A.J., it's only the beginning.
* * * * * *
In Episode 48 of