EPISODE 57
“CLASH OF THE
TITANS”
Scene: Covington Bay Koffee
Klatch. Det. Jake Collier and Melody Sorensen are
at the small, trendy coffeehouse, sitting together at a table. Melody is
dipping a piece of chocolate biscotti in her cappuccino.
Jake: Melody, you didn't have to invite me out to have coffee.
Melody: Well, you looked like you needed an ear to bend. We’ve been acquainted for about as long as I’ve been dating A.J., but we don't know each other very well. I guess I wanted to change that as well as show you in some way, how grateful I am to you for you did when A.J. was missing.
Jake: Seems all I did was make a fool out of myself and the C.B.P.D.
Melody: Jake, how can you say that? You did a great job.
Jake: (sipping his coffee) My Captain didn't appreciate having the hospital turned inside out and every cop in this town on alert only for A.J. to turn out to be catching zzzz’s in his mother's office.
Melody: That wasn't your fault. You did the only thing you could under the circumstances. Surely your boss must realize that.
Jake: He does. But, it doesn't make me feel any better. I just keep thinking that maybe there was something I could've done differently, I could've handled it in another way so I…and the department wouldn't have looked like the Keystone Kops.
Melody: Jake, no one's going to think that. Certainly not the people who saw how caring and concerned you were in this situation. (She smiled warmly at him, reaching across the table and grasping his hand) I know I could've never have gotten through it if you hadn't of been there.
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington Bay
Police Department; Homicide Division. Det. Eric Lassiter and Captain
Walter Stone are
in Walter's office.
Walter: Eric, what kind of news do you have for me? And where's your partner?
Eric: Well, I…
Angela: (walking in) Right here, Captain. (She closed the door, sipping a cup of coffee) Sorry, I had to stop off and get some caffeine.
Walter: Fine. Now that you're both here, tell me what progress you’ve made on the Johnson case? I've checked with the hospital and Sam Johnson hasn't revived yet. The doctors aren't sure if he ever will. I hope you two have turned up something.
Eric: We talked to the owner of the store, a Wallace Polk, near where the bodies were found. He didn't know anything or see anything. Apparently, one of his stock boys named Benjamin Davis found the bodies. After checking and seeing there was nothing he couldn’t do for them on the scene, Polk called the police.
Walter: What about
Eric: We got his address and checked out his place, but he wasn't there. The neighbors said he hadn't been there since last night. Far as we can figure, he never went home after discovering the Johnson boys.
Walter: What do you think that means?
Eric: (holding up a file folder, smirking at Angela, who glared nastily at him) I checked this kid out while Det. Sorensen was getting her coffee. He's got a record…did some running around the Youngbloods a few years back. He was arrested a couple of times, spent about six months in the Covington Bay County Jail for assault. He's been clean for the last year…at least it seems that way.
Walter: Seems that way, Det. Lassiter? Do you have a theory?
Eric: Well, the
* * * * * *
Scene: The offices
of Collier and
Associates; Sabrina's
office. Lucas Greyhawk
and Michael Tamakai
are there, glaring at one another.
Michael: Greyhawk, I knew your family were scum. I knew you had no morals or ethics, but what you've done has even surpassed my lowest expectations of you.
Lucas: I’ve had just about enough of you Tamakai. You’re really at the edge with me so I suggest you watch how you handle yourself from here on out.
Michael: Then I guess you don’t want to hear that I have had enough of you and your rotten family. You people and your vendetta against the Lassiters is ridiculous! I know the history. I know what went down all those years ago. The Lassiters are not to blame for what happened. The Greyhawks brought all their problems on themselves. But rather than face that, it's so much easier to find a scapegoat. And now you’re dragging my sister into this. Well, I want it stopped and I wanted it stopped now. I want you to stay away from Patricia!
Lucas: And I’m supposed to take you seriously? You do realize how pathetic you are, don’t you? You strut around this town, crowing about the Lassiters and how good and wonderful they are as if you are a member of their family. You may have grown up on that estate, but have you forgotten that you're the majordomo's son? I'll bet the Lassiter's haven't.
Michael: The Lassiters have always been kind to me and my family. They have always treated us like one of their own.
Lucas: Well of course they would. Throwing a few scraps to a pet always inspires loyalty.
* * * * * *
Scene: The offices
of the Covington
Bay Journal; Drake
Williamson's office. Drake and A.J. are in Drake's office.
A.J.: I can't believe what I'm hearing. You're ready to fold up and call it quits because there's a new player on the scene? I've worked with you for years. I've seen you make tough choices and stand up against the power brokers in this town, in this state, in this country. Why are choosing now to run?
Drake: Lassiter, this is not my choice. If it were up to me, I would fight until I had to print issues of this paper in my basement, but there's nothing I can do. The publisher isn’t eager to go toe to toe with anyone in court, much less the Greyhawks.
A.J.: You’ve talked to Mackenzie Bennett?
Drake: Yes. We had a meeting this morning about the situation.
A.J.: And he’s not willing to back me up.
Drake: The paper will stand by you… say that what we printed was the truth. But, we can’t a long and protracted legal battle with a financially flush opponent like the Greyhawks, one we may not win, not with the way things are going.
A.J.: Is it that bad here?
Drake: That's an understatement. A.J., you know this paper has been losing money for years…and it's getting worse. Today's meeting was about how to start to turn things around…do something to get this paper in the black again.
A.J.: What kinds of things are they looking to do?
Drake: (sighing) Well, they’re going to start like saving money in the usual way. The paper is going to start laying off staff. And they're starting at the top.
* * * * * *
Scene: The offices
of Lassiter
Pharmaceuticals; Steven Lassiter's
office. He is sitting behind his desk, doing some paperwork. Suddenly, the door
burst open and Barton
Lassiter stormed in, his face streaked with anger.
Steven: (annoyed) Bart! You ever think about knocking.
Barton: (dropping a copy of the Covington Bay Times on the desk) Have you read this?
Steven: (glancing at it) Yes. I received my copy by messenger about an hour ago.
Barton: And you didn't tell me about it!?
Steven: (shaking his head) No. It's garbage…just like the Times always prints. Certainly you don't believe a word of it.
Barton: I didn't…at first. But, now I know it's true.
Steven: None of this filth can be true. This article says A.J. lied about what happened last night at that warehouse. And it's written by his wife, Patricia Tamakai-Lassiter, our majordomo's daughter? Come on, Steven. This is too unreal to be believed.
Barton: Well, believe it.
Steven: And where is your proof?
Barton: I called Harry and he confirmed that A.J. and Patricia were married in Las Vegas six years ago.
Steven: (rising to his feet) That's crazy!
Barton: You're right, it is crazy. But, Harry says his daughter and A.J. got drunk and performed this foolish act all those years ago.
Steven: And Harry knew about it all this time?
Barton: Yes.
Steven: And he never said anything?
Barton: Harry is the soul of discretion, Steven, it's what makes him such a good employee. And having his daughter marry under such embarrassing circumstances is not exactly what a father wants to brag about.
Steven:. I can't believe A.J. would do something so foolish. And what about his girlfriend, Melody Sorensen? She must be so upset about this.
Barton: Steven, I could care less about A.J.'s love life. What concerns me is what this article means to this family.
Steven: It doesn't mean anything as far as I'm concerned. It may be embarrassing, but more for A.J. than the rest of us. Besides, I'm not sure if I believe everything in this article. A.J. maybe be many things, but he's always been honest when it comes to his work. I can't believe for one minute that he made up that story in the Journal.
Barton: Well, I wouldn't think A.J. would be stupid enough to marry an employee's daughter in a drunken stupor and then not divorce her, but apparently so. (Pause) But that's not the point. This article is trouble for all of us.
Steven: How do you figure?
Barton: You don't find it strange that we were sent this paper? Furthermore, I called Natalie. She received one. So did Mom and Dad in Ireland and Jonas in Washington. They all got copies of The Times by messenger today. I’ll bet Pamela did too.
Steven: Do you think there's something going on?
Barton: You bet I do. Someone is out to destroy our family… and I think this is only the beginning.
* * * * * *
Scene:
The offices of the Covington Bay Journal; Drake Williamson's office. Drake and
A.J. are there.
A.J.: Starting at the top? Don't tell me…
Drake: (shaking his head) Oh, don't worry, A.J.. You won't be losing your job.
A.J.: I didn't think that. No matter what's happened, the owners have to know it would be a big mistake to get rid of me. My byline sells a lot of papers you know.
Drake: (smiling) And you are modest enough to only point that out a few times a week. (Pause) Your job is safe… and luckily for me, so is mine. But a lot of other people are going to be receiving layoff slips any minute now.
A.J.: Who's going?
Drake: A few of the editors…especially in Metro and the Police Beat. The science editor…a few people in Health. Some clerical staff…and a lot of the men in printing. Sad to say, but computers can do much of their job these days.
A.J.: What?! But those guys have been here for decades…some before I was born. And I started in Metro. Rick Martin and Saul Peters are great guys.
Drake: I agree. And believe me, I raised a fit to get Bennett to change his mind…or at least not make such drastic cuts. But, he wasn't listening to anything but the bottom line.
A.J.: But the paper will be ruined in the process! How are we going to maintain our standards and quality if the staff is decimated?!
Drake: A.J., believe me, I said everything you are…only a lot louder. But, the man wasn't hearing me.
A.J.: Then let me talk to him. And if Bennett won’t listen, then I’ll go to Clayton Fairchild himself. Bennett might be the publisher, but Fairchild Media Group owns the paper. Bennett works for him. Remember my Aunt Pamela is his daughter. The man is my great uncle.
Drake: Who you hardly know. You told me you met the guy once or twice over the years. Not only that you know Fairchild gave Bennett complete control of the paper in writing when FMG bought the Times. Bennett is Clayton’s golden boy not to mention married to his favorite daughter. Fairchild is not going to overrule any decision his son in law makes regarding the paper including shutting it down. He couldn’t even if he wanted to. And frankly A.J., some of these tough choices need to be made if the paper is going to survive. I’m just glad I wasn’t the one who had to make them. I just have to live with them and say goodbye to people I’ve worked with for a lot of years.
A.J.: So we do nothing?
Drake: No. What we do is focus on writing some stories to keep people reading this paper. How's your probe into the Nathan James murder trial going?
A.J.: It's not. I haven't heard from the contact who called me since last night.
Drake: Do you expect to?
A.J.: I don't know what to expect. But I hope to hear from him soon. I need some kind of lead if I'm going to break this case.
Drake: Well, keep me posted. (Pause) Look, A.J., I'd love to keep hashing this out, but I've got some memos to send out regarding the staff cuts.
A.J.: I still think there's something we can do.
Drake: Well, unless
you've got a miracle in your pocket, I don't think so. (Drake walked out)
A.J.: Damn! This day just gets worse and worse! (At that moment, A.J.'s cellular phone rang. He pulled it out of his jacket pocket and answered it.) Lassiter.
Voice: A.J., this is Barton.
A.J.: (shocked) Uncle Bart. This is a surprise.
Barton: Really? So was reading about you in the Times I received today.
A.J.: You got a copy of the Times?
Barton: So did everyone else in this family.
A.J.: (groaning) I should've expected as much. (Pause) Look, I…
Barton: I want to talk to you about this, but not over the phone. Can you come to the office right away?
A.J.: (sighing) Sure. I'm on my way. (He hung up the phone) What was I just saying about this day getting worse?
* * * * * *
Scene: The offices
of Collier and Associates; Sabrina's office. Michael and Lucas are there.
Michael: Why you son of a…! You take that back!
Lucas: Mikey, you should know by now that never take anything back. Especially what I mean.
Michael: The Lassiters would never use us like that.
Lucas: Then you are not only their puppet, you're a fool. The Lassiter's don't give a damn about you…they don't care about anyone. They're not the good guys. I don't know what it'll take for you to learn that, but I want to be there for that crushing blow. Saying I told you so will be so sweet.
Michael: It'll never happen, Greyhawk. Your family is going to be very sorry for what you've done. The Lassiters will make you pay…just like always.
Lucas: The Lassiters are in for a serious disappointment, Mikey, and so are you. If you're smart, you're jump ship like your sister and side with us.
Michael: I'd sooner eat glass. As for my sister, she was taken in and used by you just like you use everyone.
Lucas: In the beginning, maybe, but you must know by now that Patricia sided with the Greyhawks when she saw how things were going to turn out in the end. She knows where her bread is buttered. And believe me, (he grinned slyly) I'll do all I can to welcome her to the fold.
Michael: (rage burning in his eyes) Stay away from my sister!
Lucas: Not a chance. Not only is she incredibly beautiful…my seeing her really pisses you off. A bonus if there ever was one. Patricia's grown up quite a bit since I last saw her, Mikey. It's going to be so much fun finding out just how much.
Michael: You son of a
bitch! (Michael lashed out at Lucas, punching him across the face. Lucas
seemed barely fazed by the blow, grinning, rubbing his jaw)
Lucas: (his smile widening, turning malicious) You know something, Mikey? I been waiting for you to do that and I hope you enjoyed it… because now it's my turn.
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington
Bay Koffee Klatch. Jake and Melody are sitting at a table, enjoying their
drinks.
Jake: (shaking his head) Melody, you did not need me there.
Melody: I disagree. You were the calm voice when the rest of us were ready to climb the walls. You made sure we didn't lose our heads. I think that's even more amazing since you had a personal stake in this too given your own relationship with A.J.
Jake: Well, I we did grow up together. Our mothers are like sisters… I guess that makes A.J. and I almost family. Like I told you we were closer when we were kids.
Melody: But, you're not close now?
Jake: I guess our lives are so different now…they just don't seem to mesh.
Melody: Really? You're both involved in dangerous, risky jobs.
Jake: True, but A.J. loves the risk and the danger in his job. He gets a thrill from taking chances.
Melody: But you don't?
Jake: No. I didn't become a cop for the chase. I became a cop for the most boring reason in the world. I wanted to help people…to solve problems…to make the world a better place. (Jake laughed) Sounds silly doesn't it?
Melody: (sighing) Not at all. And from what I can see you're very good at your job. (Pause) You do help people and solve problems. That's certainly what you did today.
Jake: I think that problem solved itself. And you certainly handled yourself, especially when we thought we had found…A.J.'s body. That was very brave of you to go down there to identify the body when you didn't have to.
Melody: But I did. I couldn't let Gloria go through that, having to go down there and see her son…like that. (Pause) And I'm glad I did what I did. I just wish I hadn't of fallen apart in the end.
Jake: You handled yourself under tough circumstances just fine, Melody. You're a strong woman and you obviously love A.J. very much. I just hope he appreciates you.
Melody: He does…most of the time.
Jake: Do you remind him how lucky he is when he doesn’t?
Melody: I do what I can. (She glanced at her watch) Jake, I wish I didn't have to run, but I have a date with A.J. tonight. I have to run home and get ready.
Jake: No problem. (Pause) Thanks for the coffee. I appreciated the chat…and the company.
Melody: I liked it too.
Jake: You have a good time tonight. I saw the dress you were getting from the cleaners. When A.J. sees you in it, he'll definitely see how lucky he is.
Melody: You, Jake Collier, are good for a lady's ego. I swear, the women must find you irresistible.
Jake: (smiling) Not exactly. These days, the women aren't exactly banging on my door.
Melody: Then that's something that's going to have to change…and soon.
Jake: What does that mean?
Melody: It means that you are a good man. And good guys shouldn't be alone if they don't want to be. (She kissed him on the cheek) See you soon.
(Melody walked out
and Jake watched her go, a smile on his face. But as soon as she disappeared
through the door, Jake stopped smiling and shook his head)
Jake: Stop it, Jake. Don't even think it. Don't even think it!
* * * * * *
Scene: Covington
Bay Police Department. Eric and Angela are in Walter's office with Walter.
Angela: Eric, there is absolutely no proof that this kid had anything to do with those assaults. And it certainly is a stretch to say they are gang related.
Eric: Is it that hard for you to accept that I might be right…that I might have been right from the very beginning?
Angela: Of course not. But the theory has to make sense, not just be some desperate attempt to boost your ego.
Eric: Are you sure it's not your ego that's the problem here?
Walter: All right,
you two! Stop it! We're here to discuss the case, not give the two of you
another shot at ripping each other apart. (Pause) Eric, your idea has
merit, but it means nothing until we find the Davis kid and question him. I
suggest the two of you work on that before either of you pat yourselves on the
back. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to get some dinner. And no,
you're not invited. (Walter walked out)
Eric: You certainly know how to clear a room.
Angela: Did you really have to do that?
Eric: Do what?
Angela: Talk to the Captain about the case without me being there. We are partners, you know, for better or worse.
Eric: I'm just doing my job, sweetie. And it requires me to move fast; I can't always take time out to let you catch up. If you can't keep pace with me, maybe you better rethink staying in this department.
Angela: You can forget any ideas about driving me out of this department! It is not going to be that easy, Lassiter.
Eric: That's what you
think, Sorensen. (Pause) See you in the morning. (Eric walked out)
Angela: He's enough to make you swear off men.
* * * * * *
Scene: Lassiter
Pharmaceuticals. Steven is in his office, doing some paperwork.
Barton: (barging in) A.J. here yet?
Steven: (annoyed) Don't you knock!?
Barton: No time for niceties, Steven. We're in the middle of a crisis here.
Steven: Bart, you are jumping the gun. You have no idea what is going on. And we won't until A.J. arrives.
Barton: (glancing at his watch) Well, where is he? He should be here by now.
Steven: He'll be here soon enough, I'm sure. (At that moment, the intercom buzzed) That's probably him. (Steven picked up the phone) Yes, Jeffery? (Pause) Tell him to come in. (Steven hung up the phone. Seconds later, A.J. walked in) A.J..
A.J.: Hey Uncles.
Steven: Thanks for coming.
Barton: And good afternoon to you too. Do you have anything to say about that article in today's Times? How could you do something so stupid!?
A.J.: So you believe what you read? Well, I should've known you'd believe the worst about me.
Barton: Well, it is true that you are married to Patricia Tamakai, isn't it? Because according to Harry it is. He’s one of the few people who’s known about this from the start.
A.J.: Well, Harry knows where all the bones are buried. I wonder when he's going to write the tell all book?
Barton: Harry Tamakai is trustworthy and loyal to this family. He would never do anything to embarrass us. But, I can't say the same about you. (Pause) What were you thinking?!
Steven: Bart, calm down. I'm sure A.J. has an explanation.
A.J.: I do. I was drunk…I wasn't thinking anything.
Barton: Obviously. But you had six years to rectify it. Don't you know that you clean up your mistakes before they come back to haunt you?
A.J.: (bitterly) No. I guess I wasn't watching you closely enough.
Barton: (his anger rising) Now look, A.J., I am not going to take your smart mouth, especially when you're brought such embarrassment to this family with this marriage and this lie about you being the hero in some encounter with drug dealers last night.
A.J.: Now that is the truth. Every word in my story is fact. The Times made up their version of the story.
Barton: And we're supposed to believe that considering all the lies you've told so far?
A.J.: Look, I may have not been forthcoming about my marital status, but when it comes to my job, I would never lie.
Barton: Pardon me if your credibility is lacking with me.
A.J.: Well, my credibility may be in question, but at least I had some to begin with.
Steven: Could you two cut it out? This isn't why we asked A.J. here.
A.J.: No it isn't…and we're getting way off the track. We shouldn't be fighting with each other, especially now.
Barton: What do you mean by that? Is there something behind this article? Was there a reason why we all received a copy of this paper?
A.J.: Yes. And it's going to change this family. After today, I don't think things are going to be the same for any of us.
* * * * * *
Scene: Collier and
Associates; Sabrina's office. Michael and Lucas are lunging at one another.
(Lucas punched
Michael in the face, and he staggered from the blow. Lucas lunged at Michael
again, punching him once more. Michael reeled back, then snarling, leapt at
Lucas and they grappled, crashing to the ground as Sabrina rushed in)
Sabrina: Oh my God! Stop it! Stop it you two! (Sabrina ran to the men, tugging at Lucas, who was on top of Michael) Stop it! Stop it now! (She managed to push Lucas off of Michael) What is wrong with you two?! Are you out of your minds!?
Lucas: (climbing to his feet) It's just a little disagreement between gentlemen.
Sabrina: You call yourselves gentlemen; fighting like children on a playground!? (Michael staggered to his feet, wiping blood from his mouth) What is this all about!?
Michael: It doesn't matter why, Sabrina. What matters is that I can't do this for one more minute. I can't stand working on this rotten case with this despicable man.
Sabrina: Michael, I told you you're going to have to deal with the situation.
Michael: And I’m going to, believe me.
Sabrina: So things are going to be different now? We’re not going to have any more scenes like this?
Michael: No we won’t because it's over, Sabrina. I
can't take this for one more minute. I quit! (With that, Michael stormed
out)
Sabrina: Michael!
Michael, wait! (Sabrina ran out after him, leaving a smirking Lucas alone)
Lucas: (chuckling) It must've been something I said.
TO BE CONTINUED….
* * * * * *
In Episode 58 of
"BATTLELINES"