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EPISODE 6

“A BITTER TASTE”

Scene: Eric's apartment. He is face to face with Monica, who looks very angry. She stormed into the apartment, brushing by Eric.

Eric: (groaning as he closed the front door) First my mother, now my wife. What did I do to deserve this?

Monica: I don't know if you realize this, but I am your not your wife, I'm your ex-wife. Surely your pickled brain hasn't made you forget that.

Eric: No, how could I forget divorcing you? It’s one of the best decisions I ever made. (He walked into the kitchen) Now get out, whatever you came here to bitch about, I'm not interested.

Monica: (following Eric into the kitchen) It's clear you're not interested in anything, otherwise you would've been there last night.

Eric: (opening the refrigerator and peering inside and except for a few cans of beer and the remains of a pizza, it was empty) Been where?

Monica: Remember Vicki? Your daughter, about eight years old? Last night was the first night of her school play. You told her you'd be there only naturally you didn't show.

Eric: Oh. (He shrugged, grabbing a piece of pizza and taking a big bite) I was out of town on business.

Monica: (as Eric frowned in disgust at the pizza and tossed the rest back in the fridge, forcing a swallow of what he’d eaten) What? Doing stakeout in bars now, are you?

Eric: (spotting a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on the cluttered counter) Monica, I was out of town taking a little R and R and I forgot, simple as that. Why are you making such a big deal of this?

Monica: Eric, this is not the first time you've broken a promise to your daughter. Vicki was so hurt that you weren’t there.

Eric: Don't be so damned melodramatic, Monica. I'm sure you're making more than it is.

Monica: And don't try to diminish the fact you haven't been much of a father by blaming me. Vicki is just a child, she doesn't understand why you keep rejecting her.

Eric: I am not rejecting her. I have a very demanding job and I needed a break. I won’t apologize for that.

Monica: I am well aware of how tough your job is, I lived with it for. . . (Pause) Look, could you take the time out of your busy schedule to give your daughter a call or even better, drop by the house and see her? She could use a visit from her father... before she forgets who he is.

* * * * * *

Scene: Covington Bay Medical Center; fifth floor nurse's station. Natalie is at the desk typing at a computer. An attractive African-American woman comes behind the desk, some patient charts in her hand. She is a curvy dark-haired woman with her hair in rows of braids that extended to the small of her back. She has large, expressive, chocolate brown eyes.

Natalie: About time you got back, Dana, I thought maybe you got lost.

Dana: I should be so lucky. I was dealing with Mr. Fredricks. That man is so difficult and demanding. He always wants something.

Natalie: (sarcastically) And he expects you, a nurse, to get it for him. Imagine that.

Dana: (frowning) You know what I mean, Natalie. The guy is unreasonable, every nurse on the floor is not happy with him.

Natalie: Maybe, but you're the only one I've heard complaining about it. (Pause) Dana, the man is going in for a heart bypass in the morning. I think he's entitled to be a little demanding.

Dana: Fine, but could he do it on someone else's shift?

Natalie: Life is so rough for you, why do you even bother to get up in the morning?

Dana: (pouting) Funny.

Zachary: (approaching the desk) Hi, ladies.

Natalie: Hey, Zach.

Dana: (her eyes lighting up) Hi, Zach. I was just about to call you. We're still on for lunch today, aren't we?

Zachary: (hesitating) Yes, but do you think we could reschedule?

Dana: Why? Did something come up with a patient or something?

Zachary: No, today's the first day of Nathan's trial. I'm going and I'm not sure if I can get back from the courthouse on time.

Dana: (surprising) You're going to the trial?

Zachary: Of course.

Dana: (confused) But, Candice was your sister.

Zachary: And Nate was my friend as well as my employee. I don't believe for a minute he killed Candice. This whole situation had been a horrible mistake and I want to be there for him. You know how I feel, Dana, we’ve discussed this before.

Dana: I know we did… I just didn't think you were serious.

Zachary: (annoyed) Well, I am and I’m afraid I’ll have to give you a rain check (Pause) We’ll talk later.

Dana: (as Zachary started to walk away) Wait. If we can't have lunch, why don't we do dinner?

Zachary: (pausing and turning to her) I'm afraid I already have dinner plans. (Pause) Let’s just leave it for now, okay?

Dana: (slightly disappointed) Sure.

Zachary: Later.

Dana: (as Zachary walked away and went to the elevator) Damn, I had such a nice lunch planned. We were going to go to the park since it's such a nice summer day. I had a nice romantic picnic all set up and everything.

Natalie: Assuming you haven't totally pissed him off you can do it later.

Dana: Look, I know I came on a little strong, but I'm just trying to get a little momentum going with Zachary. Our relationship has been nothing but fits and starts since we started going out.

Natalie: Dana, you've only been going out a few weeks, that hardly qualifies as a relationship. Besides, Zach didn't cancel because of something frivolous. The man accused of murdering his sister is going on trial today. He and Nathan were close. He wants to be there to support him. You really should've been more understanding about that.

Dana: I understand Zachary's compassion, it's one reason I like him so much.

Natalie: That, and his good looks, his nice car and his fat bank account.

Dana: Can't a girl have her priorities?

Natalie: (smirking) Sure...superficial as they may be.

At that moment, the elevator doors opened and Zachary was about to step on, Gloria stepped off, brushing by Zachary. Concern flickered in the young doctor's expression.

Zachary: Gloria!? (Zachary rushed after her as she went past the desk, Natalie and Dana watching in avid curiosity) Gloria!?

Gloria: (headed down a corridor leading into her office) Zachary, not now, I don't want to talk about it.

She went into her office. Zachary stood outside, pausing for a moment, then walked in. Gloria stood with her back to the door, staring out of the window of her office to the city streets below.

Zachary: Gloria, what's wrong?

Gloria: (her voice strained and cracked) Zachary, I really don't want to talk about it.

Zachary: But, Gloria, I just want to help.

Gloria: Zachary, please! Just leave it alone!

Zachary: (sighing) Sure. I'll see you later.

Gloria: (as Zachary was about to walk out) And I really don't think we should go out tonight. I'm not in the mood.

Zachary: But. . . (staring at Gloria's straight back) Sure, whatever you want. (Disappointment was thick in his voice) Look, if you want to talk later, you know where I'll be. See ya.

Zachary walked out. Gloria sank into her office chair, burying her hands in her face.

Meanwhile, back at the nurses’ desk, Dana and Natalie were still talking.

Dana: Look Nat, I like Zachary, really. He's wonderful. The fact he's good looking and has money only enhances things. But, I don't see how he can go to that trial and support Nathan James. Doesn't he realize that kid killed his sister?

Natalie: And how do you know that?

Dana: Because Nathan is no different from his brother Danny and you know what he's like. Danny was always in trouble; shoplifting, fighting, running around in gangs. He's been good his entire life, that whole James family is worthless.

Natalie: A little shoplifting and some fighting is a far cry from murder. I know Nathan had problems when he was younger, but he seemed to have turned around. The young man who put in all those hours for Zachary at the AIDS Wing didn't seem like a killer to me.

Dana: They probably said the same thing about Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahlmer too.

* * * * * *

Scene: Outside the courtroom. A.J. is on his cellular phone. Patricia is standing there, staring at him.

Voice (on the phone): Are you there? I said I can help you clear Nathan James of murder. Are you interested? Didn’t you hear me?

A.J.: Yes, I did. I'm just a little surprised.

Voice: I repeat. Are you interested?

Patricia: A.J., who is that? Who are you talking to?

A.J.: (his hand over the receiver) Will you get out of here?! This is a personal call. Why don't you go be a pest somewhere else?

Patricia: (smiling) Why should I when bothering you is so much more fun?

Voice: What is going on? Are you talking to someone else?

A.J.: No! Go ahead.

Patricia: Are you going to tell me who that is or do I have to snatch the phone away from you?

A.J.: (growling) Get out of here!

Voice: What is going on? Look, I don't have time for games. I'll call you back when you're not so distracted. . .maybe.

The line went dead.

A.J.: Wait! Wait! (He turned to Patricia, his eyes blazing with rage) What is with you!? Damn you! Do you know what you've done?!

Patricia: Besides piss you off? Why don't you tell me?

A.J.: Damn it, Patricia, I. . .

Voice: (interrupting) A.J.?

A.J.: (turning to see Zachary standing there) Zachary, hi.

Zachary: Hi. I'm not interrupting anything am I?

A.J.: (shaking his head) Not really.

Zachary: Good, because if you have a minute, I'd like to talk to you?

A.J.: Sure. (Pause) Patricia, could you excuse us?

Patricia: Aren't you going to introduce me?

A.J.: No, now go away.

Patricia: I will for now. (She smiled at Zachary) But we'll meet later, I'm sure.

Zachary: (as she walked away) What was that all about? Who is she?

A.J.: She is nobody important, believe me. (Pause) I guess you’re here to support Nathan.

Zachary: Yes. How is he?

A.J.: Haven't seen him, but I imagine he must be terrified right about now. I wish there was something I could do to help the kid.

Zachary: So do I. Have there been any new leads, any evidence that might clear him?

A.J.: (his lips pursing) No, but believe me, this is something I'm definitely working on. Is that what you wanted to talk about?

Zachary: No, it's about your mother. Something's wrong and I was wondering if you could help.

A.J.: (concerned) Mom? What's wrong with her?

Zachary: I don't know. I saw her this morning and she was fine. But, just before I was leaving from the hospital I saw her again and she was nearly in tears.

A.J.: Well, that's not like Mom. Did she say what was wrong?

Zachary: She wouldn't talk about it, but whatever it was really upset her. I know you two are close, I was hoping you could stop by and see her.

A.J.: Of course, I'll stop by when court recesses today. I hope whatever it is, it isn't serious.

Zachary: So do I. Gloria's been through enough, with Candice's death and her trying to divorce my dad. I don't want to see her hurt anymore.

A.J.: Neither do I. Believe me, whatever is upsetting her, I'll do my best to help.

* * * * * *

Scene: Eric's apartment. Eric and Monica are there.

Eric: Look, I don't have time to just take off in the middle of the day. Especially to come to that mausoleum you call a house. The last thing I want to do is run into that husband of yours or anyone else in his family for that matter.

Monica: Eric, this isn't about Nigel or the Greyhawks or the fact that you don't like them. This is about Vicki. She needs some attention from her father and like it or not, you're the only one she has.

Eric: (laughing) I'm surprised you haven't convinced her Nigel is her father considering you think he's so superior to the real thing.

Monica: Nigel is wonderful with Vicki. He gives her plenty of love and attention.

Eric: (in a mocking tone) Nigel is wonderful with everything and everyone. He's handsome, rich, and sensitive. All the things women say they want these days. You really hit the mother lode with that guy didn't you? It's just too bad he's a Greyhawk, so we have to add scum to the list of his attributes.

Monica: I'm not going to stand here and listen to your trash Nigel or his family. They have been nothing but good to me and Vicki.

Eric: But why? Have you ever asked yourself that? That family can't be trusted, none of them, including your husband. The only reason he married you was because. . .

Monica: (shaking her head) Eric, I didn't come here to get into this. Nigel is good with Vicki, but for better or worse, you are you father. She hasn't forgotten that, I wish you'd stop acting like you have.

She walked out, slamming the door behind her.

Eric: (taking a drag off his cigarette) If I have to put up with this so early in the day, I need a drink. (He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a beer, popping the tab, and taking a few big gulps) Hell, I need more than one.

To be continued...

In the next episode of Covington Bay...

· Sabrina faces her legal opposition.

· A face from the past surprises both A.J. and Patricia.

· Richie makes a confession to Nikki.