EPISODE 51
“PREPARING TO STRIKE”
Scene: Covington
Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor lounge. Dr. Laura Harrison and
Dr. Zachary Dailey
are there.
Laura: (a look of surprise on her face) Zach, you can't mean that!
Zachary: (determinedly) Since when have you known me to say something I didn't mean?
Laura: Never, but I've never known you go back on your word either. You promised you would try and repair things with Dad. Why have you changed your mind?
Zachary: (as images of Glenn and Gloria kissing fleeted through his mind) Because I just don't think it's going to work, Laura. It's a complete waste of time.
Laura: Why? Has something happened? Did you talk to Dad?
Zachary: Yes, I did.
Laura: And did you argue?
Zachary: (hesitantly) Not exactly.
Laura: Then what did you talk about? You must've discussed something.
Zachary: We did. And it convinced me that it's impossible for Dad and I to work things out.
Laura: Can I have the details of your discussion? (Pause) Zachary, it's important that we repair this family, especially now. If you're going to go back on your word and refuse to take part in that...I think I deserve to know why.
Zachary: Does it matter what happened?
Laura: Of course it does. Now what is it, Zach? Why are you so adamant against working things out with Dad after promising that you would?
Glenn: (walking in) I think that's a question I can answer for you, Laura.
Scene: Southtown
Market; a small Mom and Pop style store. It is crammed with merchandise
from top to bottom. The air was heavy with the cloying smell of cigar smoke; an
Ella Fitzgerald tune played softly from an old transistor radio on the counter.
An obese black man stood behind the counter, handing an elderly black woman a
bag of groceries. A thick cigar was clenched between his yellowed teeth.
Man: There you go, Miss Jane.
Miss Jane: Thank you, Wallace. Those pork chops you gave me look mighty fine. I think my Henry will love them.
Wallace: If he don't, tell him I'd be glad to have dinner with you and show him how to appreciate a woman's good cookin'.
Miss Jane: (laughing) Wallace, are you flirting with me again?
Wallace: Don't every man in Southtown?
Miss Jane: (playfully) Yes as a matter of fact, they do.
(At that moment, the door swung open and Det. Angela Sorensen and Det. Eric
Lassiter walked in. Both Miss Jane and Wallace looked up and saw the two police
officers enter)
Miss Jane: (fear and nervousness flickering in her brown eyes) I better be goin', Wallace. Can't be late gettin' Henry's supper on the table.
Wallace: (glaring at Angela and Eric) See you later, Miss Jane.
(The woman walked out, doing all she could to avoid brushing by the
police officers as she passed them)
Wallace: (as they approached the counter) Something I can do for the two of you?
Eric: You Wallace Polk?
Wallace: Yes, but I’m sure you know that so why bother asking?
Eric: (with an annoyed grimace as he and Angela flipped out their badges) I'm Det. Lassiter...this is Det. Sorensen. We're with the Covington Bay Homicide Division. We'd like to talk to you about what happened behind your store last night.
Wallace: I already talked to the police that were here last night. Didn't they tell you what I said?
Eric: Yes, but we're on the case now...since of the Johnson boys died.
Wallace: That don't change anything. I still ain't got nothin' more to say than what I did last night. Go talk to your officer; he wrote down everything I told him.
Angela: Mr. Polk, we need the information first hand...besides, you may remember more than what you said last night. Something more may have come to you over the last few hours.
Wallace: Like I said, I ain't got nothin' to say. Now could you leave...I'll bet your cop car out front is scarin' away customers.
Eric: Mr. Polk, it is in your best interest to cooperate with us.
Wallace: (glaring at Eric) And if I don't, what'll happen? Are you going to beat me up and arrest me...like you did Danny James last night?
Scene: Greyhawk
MedTech Inc.; a meeting room. Quentin Greyhawk
is there in the huge, wood paneled room, staring out of the window. He wore a
huge grin in his face, delight twinkling in his eyes. His mind is filled with
thoughts of the confrontation he'd had with A.J. Lassiter in
his office at the Covington
Bay Times a few hours ago.
Quentin: You did it, Quentin, you're finally did it. You're on your way to making the Lassiters pay for what they've done to you...to this family. At last I'm finally going to get my revenge. (His eyes cast upwards as a bittersweet look crossed his expression) I just hope you're watching this Father, this is all for you. I just wish you were here to see it.
Nigel: (walking in) Dad, what is going on? I just got a message from my secretary that you were having a family meeting?
Quentin: Yes, Lucas and James should be here any minute. I just wish Jonathan and your mother could be here. But she can't get away from her book tour and of course Jonathan just started a new semester at the academy. Don't worry, though, I'll call them both and give them all the details later..
Nigel: (curiously) What is this all about?
Quentin: You'll know in a few minutes.
Nigel: Well, it won't take long will it? I'm really backed up with work.
Quentin: Don't worry, son, it won't
be long. (Pause) I can
understand why you’re behind on your work.
You were several hours late this morning. Yet, when we spoke over breakfast you were
minutes away from leaving for the office.
What happened?
Nigel: (remembering the emotionally draining moments with Kevin earlier
today) Something came up. Is that a
problem? (He tried to smile) You gonna dock my pay?
Quentin: (grinning) You can just stay late tonight. (Pause) Seriously though. It’s not like you to be late for work, not without letting someone know. Something wrong?
Nigel: (shaking his head) No, everything is fine. I just had something personal to deal with.
Quentin: Nigel, you’re my son and head of the legal division of the company. That affords you a little leeway around here. You’re not punching a time clock. I just want to make sure everything is okay.
Nigel: Like I said, it’s fine. Nothing to worry about.
Quentin: Really? That look on your face says otherwise. I know you were going to talk to Monica before you left for the office. Did something happen with your wife? (Pause) Come on, confide in your old man. What's bothering you?
Scene: A.J.
Lassiter's apartment; the bedroom. He walks out of the shower, a towel around
his slim waist. He is gently retaping his dressing covering the bullet wound he
suffered the night before. Bruises and scratches dot his lean, muscled body.
But, A.J. didn't seem to notice the aches and pains that troubled him. There
was a faraway look in his eyes as he thought of the encounter he'd had with
Quentin Greyhawk in his office at the
A.J.: Damn you, Greyhawk, damn you! After all these years you revive that
stupid feud. Why?! Why!? (Pause as he looked at the copy of the
(At that moment, A.J. heard the front door to his apartment opening. He
was startled by the sudden noise, and started to charge into the living room
and find out who it was. But, he stopped short, fear flashing in his eyes. He
suddenly remembered that the two killers that could be stalking him and that
they were responsible for the injuries he was suffering now. He crept to the
door, which was partially closed, and therefore he couldn't see much through
the crack in the door. He heard the noises though. Someone was moving around
inside his apartment. Moments passed and A.J. heard more moving around. And
then he heard footsteps coming towards the bedroom)
A.J.: (to himself) They're coming this way! (He looked wildly
about the room, looking for a weapon, something...anything to protect himself
with. But, there wasn't anything about, except for maybe the hairbrush on his
dresser) Damn it, I... (Just then, the doorknob turned and the door
started to swing open...)
Scene:
Laura: Dad!
Zachary: (angrily) What are you doing here?
Glenn: I was looking for Laura to explain to her that I didn’t think things would work out between us. But unlike you, I'm prepared to tell her why.
Laura: Great, because I'd like to know what is going on with you two?
Glenn: It’s not what is with me and Zachary, it's what is with me and Gloria.
Laura: Gloria? What does she have to do with this?
Glenn: Everything. Isn't that right, Zachary? He hates that Gloria and I are trying to repair our marriage.
Laura: Is this true?
Glenn: Yes.
Zachary: I don’t see how she could want it, let herself be sucked back in after all he has done to her? It makes no sense!
Glenn: What you mean is how Gloria could love someone you hate so much, isn't that true? Well, Zachary, not everyone is as bitter and vindictive as you. Gloria can forgive and forget the past and see that she still loves me and that she still wants our marriage.
Laura: Dad, that's great! I'm so happy for you. I hope it works out.
Glenn: It will, Laura, it will. Gloria and I will be together again, no matter how much your brother might hate it.
Zachary: Only if you can fool her all over again. I don't know what you did to get her back in your life so quickly. But I can only hope she comes back to her senses that much faster.
Laura: Zachary, that's a horrible thing to say. I know you may have issues with Dad, but you and Gloria are close friends. If she wants to go back to Dad, if she knows it will make her happy, shouldn't you be happy for her? Don't you want her happiness?
Zachary: Of course I do, but she can never be happy with him. I have seen the hell he put her through and she forgave him time and time again. She gave him chance after chance after chance. And all he did was nearly destroy her. She'll be making the biggest mistake of her life if she goes back to him.
Laura: I don't believe that. I know he's made mistakes, but he's not the monster you think he is.
Zachary: Really? Ask our mother, Laura! Somehow I'd bet she'd disagree with that.
Scene: Greyhawk MedTech Inc.; a meeting room. Quentin and Nigel are
there.
Quentin: Nigel, talk to me. What’s wrong?
Nigel: (turning away, shaking his head) Nothing. Certainly nothing for you to worry about.
Quentin: Really? You don't sound very convincing. Don’t forget I'm your father...I know you too well
Nigel: (wondering if Quentin could even begin to imagine how untrue that statement was) I know Dad. I appreciate your concern, but there really isn’t anything wrong. Believe me.
Quentin: (nodding) Fine, I guess I'll have to take your word for it. Just know that you can always come and talk to me. No matter what the problem, no matter how bad it may seem. You can always come and talk to me. I'll always be here for you, son.
Nigel: I know that, Dad. Believe me, having you around is something I count on.
Quentin: (smiling) That’s the kind of talk a father likes to hear.
James: (walking in) Hi, Dad, Nigel.
Quentin: Hello, James. I'm glad you were able to make it. You didn't have to miss any classes to be here, did you?
James: No, I have a study hall at the end of the day…so what's the big powwow about? Has something happened?
Quentin: We'll talk about it just as soon as Lucas gets here.
James: (surprised) Lucas? Isn't he in
Quentin: No. He's here in town. He just got back this morning.
James: Really? And what brings him back to
Quentin: His family is here…isn't that reason enough?
James: Of course. But, Lucas would never just pop into town without a reason. Maybe he's working on a big case or something. Of course, in this town, that's kind of unlikely.
Quentin: (shrugging) I don’t know. We haven't really had a chance to discuss it. (Pause as Quentin turned to Nigel) You and Lucas had lunch today, Nigel. Did he tell you why he's back on town?
Nigel: No…the subject never came up. But, I'm sure he'll tell us all about it soon enough.
James: (glancing at his watch) If he gets here. He's late…again.
Quentin: He wouldn't be Lucas if he weren't.
Lucas: (rushing in) Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I hope I'm not holding things up.
Nigel: No more than usual, big brother.
James: Lucas, I heard you were back in town.
Lucas: Hey, James. (They hugged) Good to see you.
James: Good to see you too. (Pause) What brings you back to
Lucas: Well, I…
Quentin: (holding up his hand) Forget that. We can catch up later, believe me. What I need to discuss now is much more important.
Nigel: What is it, Dad?
Quentin: It's about A.J. Lassiter…the whole family in fact.
Nigel: Does this concern the plan you told us about this morning?
Quentin: Yes.
Lucas: I saw the Times on the stands. It really rips into A.J.. I wonder what he thought when he saw it. (He grinned) I'll bet he wasn't happy.
Quentin: (smirking) Believe me, son, that is an understatement.
Scene: A.J.'s apartment; the bedroom. A.J. is there, tensing as the
bedroom door swings open. He is stunned and relieved to see Kevin standing
there.
A.J.: Kevin! Thank God it's you!
Kevin: (looking surprised and relieved) A.J., you really had me worried! I'm glad you're all right.
A.J.: Shouldn't I be?
Kevin: (walking in) Well, I saw your car downstairs so I knew you were home, but when I came up, you didn't answer. Naturally, considering what happened last night, I started to worry, so I let myself in to make sure you were all right.
A.J.: Well, I'm fine. I was in the shower and I didn't hear the door.
Kevin: Thank God that was all.
A.J.: You really shouldn’t worry so much.
Kevin: Then you should stop giving me reasons to worry. You look a mess! Are you sure you're okay?
A.J.: I'm fine…I'm fine. Just a few aches and pains. I'll survive.
Kevin: For now anyway. Laura Harrison told me what happened at the hospital. You really had people going there when they thought you were missing.
A.J.: I was asleep in my mother's office.
Kevin: So I heard, but don't you think there was reason to be concerned considering there are two killers after you?
A.J.: There is no proof of that.
Kevin: Really? From what I understand, these two guys work with Victor Gianelli.
Now, I'm not up on crime in
A.J.: What sense would that make? You forget I'm a nationally known journalist.
Kevin: (grinning) Like you'd ever let me forget.
A.J.: Exactly. Everyone knows my name and my face. And the police are
looking for these guys…and they know they are connected to Gianelli. If they
are stupid enough to make a move on me or Patricia, it's going to bring all
kinds of trouble and attention to Victor Gianelli, the kind of trouble a guy
like him doesn't want. The last thing he's going to do is send his thugs after
me and Patricia, not if he wants to keep his business under wraps. Those guys
are probably far away from
Kevin: You hope.
A.J.: I know. (Pause) Look cousin, I appreciate the concern, but I am fine and I am going to be fine. I can take care of myself, this isn't the first time I've been in a dangerous situation…if such a situation exists.
Kevin: But why take the chance? Why not just let the police put you and Patricia under protective custody until…
A.J.: (holding up his hand) Forget it. I told Jake, I told my mother and I'm telling you that is out of the question. I have family, friends and a job…all kinds of responsibilities. I can't just take time out and sit in some dive hotel until the cops catch these guys…if they ever catch them. I've never relied on the CBPD for anything before…I'm certainly not going to start now. Besides, the last thing I want is to be in protective custody with Patricia Tamakai. In fact, I'd happy to never see her again.
Scene: Southtown Market. Eric, Angela and Wallace Polk are there.
Eric: Mr. Polk, I don’t know what you've heard, but…
Wallace: I've heard all about you, Detective. That makes me know anytime spent talkin' to you is time wasted.
Eric: Mr. Polk, I'm here to investigate and find out what happened to those young men.
Wallace: Really? From what I hear all you want to do is put young men in jail, especially black young men. You were bragging all about it last night and Mama J's…how you arrested both Danny James and his brother Nathan. And how you tried to bust Danny again by harassing and bothering him until he got so upset he took a swing at you.
Eric: Mr. Polk, that has nothing to do with this investigation.
Wallace: It has everything to do with it. You don't give a damn about finding out who killed those boys. What do you care about another couple of dead niggers!
Eric: Now look…!
Angela: Mr. Polk, I realize you're upset…and you have reason to be. What happened to those Johnson boys was terrible. But no matter what you have heard, the Covington Bay Police Department wants to solve this crime. We can't do that without your help.
Wallace: And like I told the other officers, there isn't anything I can tell you. I didn't see anything.
Angela: But you did find the bodies?
Wallace: (shaking his head) No. One of my stockboys…Ben Davis. He found
the body. He was back there dumping out the trash the alley. There's a small
vacant lot across the street from there. He saw a car pull up and the bodies
were dumped into the lot. He ran over and saw if he could help them. When he
realized they couldn't, he ran back inside and we called for an ambulance. We
ran back outside and stayed with them until the ambulance came. It was horrible…those
boys were beaten so bad and there was so much blood. (He closed his eyes, a
grimace of pain crossing over his face) I haven't see anything like
that…not since…not since I was a little boy growing up in
Angela: (gently) Did you see anything?
Wallace: No. Like I said, until Benjamin came and told me what happened, I had no idea what was going on.
Angela: Where can we find Ben? We'll need to talk to him. He might be able to tell us more.
Wallace: He'd be at home I guess. I gave him the day off.
Angela: Can we have his address?
Wallace: I don't know…I…
Eric: Mr. Polk, we really need you to cooperate with us on this or…
Wallace: (glaring at Eric) Or what?
Angela: (cutting in) Or we won't be able to find the people who did this…and we all want that, don't we?
Wallace: (eyeing Eric) I'd like to believe that.
Angela: Then please…help us. Let us have the address.
Wallace: (hesitating) O-okay. All right. (He grabbed a slip of
scrap paper and scribbled on it, then handed the paper to Angela)
Angela: Thank you, Mr. Polk. We appreciate your help.
Wallace: I just hope you can find the people who did this.
Angela: We'll do our best.
Wallace: Let's just hope your best is good enough.
Angela: Thank you, Mr. Polk. Good-bye. (Angela turned and walked out,
Eric a few steps behind her)
Eric: (as they walked to the car) You really enjoyed that, didn't you?
Angela: (angrily turning to Eric) Enjoyed what?
Eric: Making me look like a fool.
Angela: Eric, you don't need me to make you look like a fool. Lord knows you do a damn good job of that all by yourself.
Scene:
Laura: Zachary, I know you're upset, but this has nothing to do with Mom. You can't even compare the two situations.
Zachary: Really? The way I see it, Mom is a woman Dad destroyed and Gloria is another victim just waiting to happen.
Glenn: And you say I'm the mean, cruel one. Every word out of our mouth is nothing but virulent hatred for me.
Zachary: Good, I'd hate to think you weren't getting my point.
Glenn: And I don't have to stand here and be insulted anymore. Laura, you see that it can never work between your brother and I and you see why. I'm sorry it has to be this way…I guess it just can't be helped.
(Glenn walked out)
Laura: Dad! Dad, wait! (But Glenn didn't return. Laura turned angrily to her brother) Zachary, I don't understand you. Why are you acting like this? If Gloria wants to go back to Dad, it's her choice. Can't you respect that?
Zachary: Laura, it's the wrong choice. Dad will only continue to hurt her like he always has. I just don't understand that after all that's happened how she can go back to him. She had a divorce hearing in a few days and she was looking forward to ending things. What could've happened to change all that so quickly?
Laura: I don’t know. Maybe she was realizing what she was throwing away. Maybe she sees something there that is worth saving. But no matter what her reasons, you have to accept that. It's Gloria's life. (Pause) What I don't understand is why you are so upset about this.
Zachary: What do you mean? Doesn't everyone get upset at the sign of a coming train wreck?
Laura: Of course. But I don't understand why this situation bother you so much? Zachary, you've always been the type of person to respect the way other people chose to live their lives, even if you didn't always agree with their decision. Why is this so different? Why are you so angry and upset about Gloria and Dad getting back together?
Zachary: (hesitating) Laura, I… (Before Zachary could finish,
Laura heard herself being paged on the PA system)
Laura: I better get that.
Zachary: I need to be going anyway. I've got some work to wrap up before I leave for the day.
Laura: Okay. We'll talk about this later, okay?
Zachary: Sure.
Laura: (kissing Zachary on the cheek) Bye, big brother.
Zachary: Bye. (Zachary sighed heavily, thinking of Laura saying why was he so upset about Glenn and Gloria getting back together) Why Laura? I wish I knew. I wish I knew.
Scene: A.J.'s apartment; the bedroom. A.J. and Kevin are there.
Kevin: Why do you sound so upset about Patricia? I knew you were angry with her because she told Melody about you two being married but…
A.J.: Patricia telling Melody about our marriage is the least of the rotten things she's done. Today she went over the top…she has done something that is simply unforgivable.
Kevin: What could she have done?
A.J.: (picking up the cop of the
Kevin: (his eyes widening in shock as he looked at the headline) I don't believe it! Patricia wrote this? Why would she do such a thing?
A.J.: She didn't write this. She had nothing to do with that article…at least I don't think she did.
Kevin: Then if she didn't write it, how did it get on the front page of this paper?
A.J.: It got there, courtesy of the new owner of the Times.
Kevin: The Times has a new owner?
A.J.: Yep.
Kevin: But who could it be? Who would be foolish enough to write an article like this? Don't they know how crazy it is to take on the Lassiters in this town?
A.J.: He's crazy all right…crazy with revenge.
Kevin: What? A.J., who are you talking about?
A.J.: Who else? Quentin Greyhawk.
Scene: Greyhawk MedTech; a boardroom. Quentin, Nigel, James and Lucas are
there.
Lucas: So A.J. just walked out?
Quentin: Yes, crying that he would get revenge with every breath.
James: I wish I had of been there. It would've been great to stick it to the Lassiters.
Nigel: What do you think he's going to do? A.J.'s reputation and good name as a reporter is everything to him. He's definitely going to strike back.
Quentin: Well it won't be through the courts. He can't prove that article is false.
Nigel: As long as Patricia Tamakai doesn't side with him and claim she didn't write it.
Quentin: Which she won't. That lady wants success as a reporter. She knows if she turns against me, she'll never get it.
Nigel: I have to say I'm surprised she did. She grew up with A.J.. I always thought he looked at her like a little sister. That sort of betrayal has to anger him.
Quentin: He was angry all right. But I suspect he'll be even angrier in the days to come.
Lucas: You mean as the next step in your plan comes into play.
Quentin: Exactly. That's why I called you here…I want to fill you in on everything.
James: Great! That's what I was hoping!
Lucas: I'm interesting in hearing this. What have you got planned, Dad? You only told us Phase 1 this morning. Is Phase 2 even better?
Quentin: Let's just say the first blow to the Lassiters may have been painful, but the next one is going to be crippling.
TO BE CONTINUED…
NEXT TIME IN
·
Quentin lays out his plan for revenge.
·
A.J. is surprised by Kevin's reaction to the
news.
·
Patricia looks to Michael for
comfort.
·
Nikki plans a
romantic interlude.
· Lucas drops a bombshell that pits him against one of his brothers.