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EPISODE 63

 

“THE DINNER PARTIES”

Scene:  Markham's; the main dining room.  A.J. Lassiter is sitting at a table, looking up at Lucas Greyhawk.

A.J.:  (angrily)  What the hell are you doing here?

Lucas:  Having dinner.  (Pause)  I thought they had some kind of standards as to who they let in, but I guess your money is as good as anyone else's.

A.J.:  Has your family taken to following me around?  Are you stalking me or something?

Lucas:  Don't flatter yourself.  You are hardly that important.

A.J.:  Oh really?  Because the Greyhawks seems to spend a hell of a lot of time thinking of ways to attack me and my family.

Lucas:  Actually, it didn't take all that much effort, A.J..  Your family just happens to be a very easy target.  You'd be amazed at how effortless it is to ruin you.

A.J.:  I'm hardly ruined.  It's going to take a lot more than one filthy article to bring me down.   Don't you know by now that the Lassiters, especially me, are hardly pushovers?

Lucas:  And you think that we're going to stop with that article?  A.J., the Greyhawks have just begun.  Today was just the start.  We won't be finished until you are all ruined and left with nothing.

A.J.:   I heard this tired spiel from your father earlier today and I have no intention of hearing it from you.  Go back to the poor woman you've conned into going out with you and leave me the hell alone.

Lucas:  (plopping into the chair opposite A.J.)   Not quite yet.

A.J.:  What are you doing?

Lucas:  Joining you.

A.J.:  What for?

Lucas:  Because we have so much to talk about.  And I think this is the perfect time.

Scene:  Markham's; the ladies rest room.  Melody Sorensen and Patricia Tamakai-Lassiter are there, facing one another.

Melody:  What are you doing here?

Patricia: Freshening up...at least that's all I'm willing to admit to. It's not ladylike to discuss what one does in the bathroom.

Melody: You know what I mean. Are you following me and A.J.? Are you that obsessed with him?

Patricia: I am not following A.J. and I am not obsessed with him.

Melody: Really? I'd call a woman who comes back to town after ten years to chase after a man who wants nothing to do with her an obsession.

Patricia: When are you going to get over this idea that I am after A.J.?

Melody: When you stop popping up wherever A.J. happens to be.

Patricia: Covington Bay is a small town. A.J. and I are practically family. My brother is his best friend and we are both reporters. We're going to run into each other.   You really shouldn’t be so threatened by me.

Melody: You are not a threat to me, Patricia, you are an annoyance.

Patricia: Yeah, I'll bet finding out A.J. is married to me is real annoying.

Melody: Don't make your marriage to A.J. out to be more than it really is. He was drunk when he married you. You mean nothing to him.

Patricia: You'd like to believe that, wouldn't you? You keep forgetting I've known A.J. my entire life. We grew up together.

Melody: So you've said. And A.J. has always seen you as a pesky little sister. That's a direct quote.  You will never have him, Patricia. You came back to Covington Bay for nothing. So why don't you give A.J. a divorce, pack up and get out of town?

Scene: Markham's; the dining room. Lucas and A.J. are seated at a table together.

A.J.: We have nothing to say to one another, Greyhawk.

Lucas: Really, I disagree. I'm really fascinated to know just how it feels to be such a loser.

A.J.: Don't worry, you're going to be very familiar with that soon. You have to know that I won't stand back and let you ruin my reputation or destroy my family. This is not over. You're going to regret what you've done.

Lucas: A.J., you know by now I never regret anything.

A.J.: There's a first time for everything. (Pause) Now go away. Shouldn't you get back to your date before she regains her senses and takes off?

Lucas: Don't worry.  This lady has all her faculties...and then some.

A.J.: Taste must not be one of them. Does she know that you are a manipulative sneak and a liar and that you came back to town just to take part in a underhanded scheme to attack me and my family?

Lucas: The lady knows exactly who she is with. And what makes you think I came back to town just to witness your downfall? As much pleasure as I'm getting out of your destruction, my life is much fuller than that.

A.J. Really? Why else would you come back here if not to cause trouble?

Lucas: A.J., I told you yesterday that I came back because of a job.

A.J.: In Covington Bay? I find that hard to believe.

Lucas: Why?

A.J.: Lucas, despite the fact that you're at the helm, I hear your private detective agency is pretty successful out in Los Angeles. You've cracked some pretty big cases.

Lucas: Is that a compliment?

A.J.: More like amazement. (Pause) My point is, what case could bring you to Covington Bay? Any case here could hardly have the same kind of heat that you'd find in L.A. or Washington DC or even Chicago.

Lucas: Apparently you don't read the newspapers, not even your own stories.

A.J.: My own stories... (Pause as A.J. looks stunned) Wait a minute. The Nathan James murder case? Is that why you came back to town?

Lucas: Yes.

A.J.: What could you possibly have to do with that case?

Lucas: The one thing you haven't been able to do. (Lucas grinned) I'm going to solve it.

Scene: Markham's; the ladies rest room. Melody and Patricia are there.

Patricia: You would like to see me leave Covington Bay, wouldn't you?

Melody:   Yes, I would.  And after only knowing you one day. You clearly have created quite an impression on me.

Patricia: Face it, Melody, you want me to leave because I remind you of all the problems in your relationship with A.J., problems that you have ignored for a long time. But I'm here and you can't ignore things anymore. And you hate that.

Melody: What I hate is the way you breezed into town, caused all these problems, and act like you have done nothing.

Patricia: But I haven't done anything...except be the one thing you will never be. And that's A.J.'s wife.

Melody: A.J.'s wife!? What a joke. He can't wait to be rid of you.

Patricia: No you can't wait to be rid of me.

Melody: That surprises you? Of course I want to be rid of you. You're nothing but trouble.

Patricia: Melody, A.J. and I will get a divorce. I don't want to be married to him anymore than he wants to be married to me. But it won't change the fact that he will never make that commitment to you.

Melody: A.J. and I have a commitment.

Patricia: But not the one you want.   I don't know you well, but you don't strike me as the kind of woman who'd stay in a relationship with a man unless she wanted a lifelong commitment. You love A.J.. He's obviously very important to you. I have no doubt you'd marry him in a minute if he asked you. You probably have been waiting for years to do just that. But my being in town makes you see that he probably never will.

Melody: I'm really not interested in your opinion on my relationship with A.J..

Patricia: Why not? Could it be because I'm right?

Melody: Because you know nothing about us!

Patricia: I know enough to know that you are a woman who is afraid she will never get what she really wants from her man.

Melody: Like I said, Patricia, your opinion means nothing to me.   A.J. and I are together, we will work things out. I'm sure of that. But even if we didn't, you'd never have him. He would never love you, he never has and especially after everything you've done.

Patricia: I was wondering when you would get around to mentioning that. You must've gotten quite the thrill when A.J. told you how evil I was.  You must’ve loved hearing about what happened.

Melody:  Hearing about it?  I was there when it happened.  I saw you in action.

Patricia:  Saw me?

Melody:  Yes, when you came to A.J.’s apartment and trumpeted your marriage.

Patricia:  My… wait a minute.  He didn’t tell you?  He didn’t tell you about Quentin Greyhawk?

Melody: (puzzled)   Quentin Greyhawk? What do you have to do with him?

Patricia:   Oh, my.   Well, well, well. It seems like there is a disturbing little trend going on here. A.J. hasn't told you the truth about something...again.

ACT TWO

Scene:  The Lassiter Estate; the dining room.  Barton, Pamela and Steven Lassiter are there having dinner.

Steven:  You must be kidding. Stop our parents from coming back to town? Why would we do such a thing?

Barton: Because we don't need them here. They are obviously coming here because of what the Greyhawks done, but we can handle them ourselves. We certainly don't need Mom and Dad to race back home.

Steven: Look, I admit I'm not happy about our parents cutting short their vacation and coming home, but that is their right.   They are the heads of this family.  It's probably the reason for this party so we can discuss this.

Pamela: And I for one look forward to Adam and Maggie's homecoming. I've missed them around here.

Barton: I hardly think a warm homecoming is what Mom and Dad has in mind. (Pause) You're right, Steven, they probably are probably bringing us together to discuss what has happened with the Greyhawks, but this is not a situation to be dealt with over a dinner table, especially with our family. Do you really think Eric or Gloria or Jonas can be of any help in this battle? And the one person that could help us, A.J., refuses.   He should let me handle things just like I did last time.

Steven: Maybe our parents don’t want things to get that nasty, see anyone get hurt or have lives ruined.  They are not as intent on destroying the Greyhawks as you are.

Barton: When will you learn that when I comes to that family, you can't win unless it gets nasty. And destroying them is what this is all about. It's certainly what they intend for us. We've got to fight fire with fire.

Steven: And you don't think our parents can handle them? Bart, they have dealt with that family long before you or I were even born.  And they’ve always been able to fight off every attempt they used to ruin us, doing so while building Lassiter Pharmaceuticals and keeping this family together. I'm sure if they have a way to deal with the Greyhawks, it'll work. (Pause) Bart, if they can help, settle things in a peaceful way, that’s not bad.  Don’t let your ego get in the way.

Barton: This is not about my ego.

Steven:  And you’re not going to tell me it doesn’t ruffle your feathers that our parents are coming to handle this?   You want to be in charge. You want to run the show and you can't do that with the around.  Besides, they’d handle it with a bit of humanity, something you know nothing about.

Barton: There is no need to be insulting.

Steven: The truth hurts.

Barton: Look, our parents are put me in charge of Lassiter Pharmaceuticals, why don’t they let us run things?

Pamela: Probably because you aren't in charge of LP. The last I heard, you and Steven were running things together.

Barton (annoyed): You know what I mean.

Pamela: (smugly) Only too clearly.

Barton: Look, my point is...

Steven: The point is you want to deal with the Greyhawks in your usual vengeful fashion, but that won't happen with our parents around. Fact of the matter is, Bart, I'm glad they are coming home. You need someone who can keep you on a leash and I'm tired of being the one expect the do the job. Besides, I miss them. Quite a concept in this family, huh?

Barton: (tossing his napkin on the table and leaping to his feet) I've had enough. (Pause) Just once Steven, just once I wanted you to support me and back me up. I wasn't just doing this for myself, I was doing this for you too. You know as well as I do that they is going to swoop in and question everything and anything that we've done over the past year. And nothing will escape criticism. Are you really ready for that kind of treatment, because I'm not.

Steven: Well, Bart, I haven't done anything to be criticized for. Can you say the same?

(Barton sneered and stormed out)

Pamela: I think you hit a nerve.

Steven: I certainly did.

Pamela: What do you think is up?

Steven: Something is bothering Bart.

Pamela: Something is always bothering him.

Steven:  I know, but there’s something specific going on.  I don’t know… if I didn’t know any better, I’d think there a reason why he doesn’t want Mom and Dad around.  One beyond what he says.

Pamela:  You think he’s up to something… possibly hiding something?

Steven:  Lord I hope not.  That’s the last thing we need to deal with, another secret of Barton’s.  But if there is something going on, I better find out what it is… and fast.

Scene:  The Lassiter Estate; the living room. Richie Stone and Kevin Lassiter are there.  Richie is handing Kevin a velvet box.

Richie:  I can't take that, Uncle Kevin.  It would be wrong.

Kevin:  How do you figure that?

Richie:  That was very important to Uncle Alec.  And I know it means a lot to you too.  That was a wonderful day when he won that award.

Kevin:  It was.  And you were part of that.  That's why I want you to have this, Richie.  I know you enjoyed that day...seeing your uncle win that award, especially since you loved that movie as much as any of us.  And let's not forget those crazy days in New York...enjoying the sights and shopping.  It was great.

Richie:  (smiling)  It was a good time, Uncle Kevin.  Probably one of the best memories in my life.  And I really need good times then.  Mom and Dad were having so many marital problems.  Melissa was busy with nursing school.  And Dad was so adamant about me not spending time with you and Uncle Alec after he came out.  If it weren't for Mom and Melissa, I would've never gotten to go on that trip.  At the time, I hoped that would be just the start, that there would be many more weekends like that.  Didn't turn out like that, did it?

Kevin:  (shaking his head)  No, not for any of us.  Right after that, Alec went to work on a new film in London.  The film was just about finished when he got sick...and he never...  (Kevin paused, stopping himself from going any further)  Richie, don't you see why it's so important that you have this?  That weekend was a memory that Alec and I shared so sweetly because you were part of it.  We stayed in fancy hotels and ate in four star restaurants.  And we went on a shopping spree that kept Bloomingdales in business for the next year.  But that wasn't the best part.  It was being together...being with you...someone who meant the world to us.

Richie:  It was like that for me too.

Kevin:  You know, Richie, there's something you didn't know about that time we spent together.  Alec and I felt like a family.  We felt like the family we always wanted in our lives but never had the chance to get.  But, after that, we decided we were going to get it.

Richie:  I don't understand.

Kevin:  I'm saying that after Alec and I spent that weekend together with you we made a decision.  We wanted a family of our own.  We decided to adopt.

Richie: Wow. You and Uncle Alec wanted kids?

Kevin: (nodding) We had talked about it from time to time, but never anything serious...not until after that weekend. That weekend changed our lives, Richie. It made us see a whole new side of life. It made us see that we had so much love between us and so much love to give to someone else who needed it. We wanted to be a real family, someone to love and nurture and care about. You did that for us, Richie. You made us see how wonderful and fulfilling being parents could be. That was one of the sweetest moments I'll ever have of my life with Alec. You gave me that memory, Richie. (He held out of the box) This is just my way of saying thank you. I will probably never have a son or a daughter, but if I had, I'd want him or her to be as wonderful as you. So please, will you take this?

Richie: Yes. (He took it) And I couldn't think of a better gift you could've given me to make me remember how much I loved Uncle Alec. Thank you, Uncle Kevin, thank you. This is...and will be...very special to me. (Pause) You know, you and Uncle Alec would've been great parents. Any kid would've been lucky to have the two of you in his life. I love you, Uncle Kevin.

Kevin: I love you too, kid. (They hugged)

Scene:  Covington Bay Medical Center; the fifth floor nurses station.  Dana Cooper and Natalie Lassiter are there talking.  Natalie is looking at her African-American co-worker and best friend in surprise.

Natalie: Dana, how can you stand there and say you have every intention of marrying a man you hardly know?

Dana: Natalie, Zachary's a wonderful man. You don't think he'd make a good husband?

Natalie  (sarcastically): Sure, but don't you think you should go out at least four or five times before you start planning the wedding invitations?

Dana: Natalie, I like Zachary, I really do. I wouldn't have anything to do with him if I didn't like him.

Natalie: I'm not saying you don't like him. I just find it strange that you would be planning your marriage so quickly.

Dana: Look, I just know that Zachary and I could be very happy together. He is the kind of man who would make a good husband. And I know I could make him a good wife.

Natalie: (nodding)  Maybe, but what about love?

Dana: What about it?

Natalie: Don't you want to love the person you marry?

Dana: (frowning) I've done that. I loved Danny James and you know what a mistake that was.

Natalie: Point taken, but not all men are like Danny.

Dana: (sighing)  Thank God for that. (Pause) Look, Natalie, I just want a man who can be a good husband…who can provide for Timmy and me. Someone I can count on and trust. I've had enough doubt in my life, wondering if my marriage is going to last from one day to the next or not knowing if all the bills are going to be paid that month. I guess I just want a little security and comfort. I haven't had that since Pete and Lizzie died. And Zachary Dailey is the kind of man who can give that to me.

Natalie: I'm sure he could. But surely you wouldn't sacrifice love and passion for those things?

Dana: (bitterly) I sacrificed all those things for love and passion before, Nat. It was a mistake I'll never make again.

Natalie: You can't let one bad relationship turn you against love, Dana.

Dana: You can when that relationship was with Danny James.   (Pause)  Marrying for love is fine, Natalie, if you’re lucky enough to find a guy you can love, who can be there for you in all the ways you need.   But sometimes you have to settle for more important things in a marriage, like security and comfort.  That’s what I want and in the man I’m going to marry, it’s what I’m going to get.

Gloria: (walking up) Hello ladies.

Natalie: Hi, Gloria.

Dana: Hello, Dr. Lassiter.

Gloria: (smiling) So, Dana, what's this I hear about you getting a husband?

Dana: (annoyed) Don't we all want a husband?

Gloria: Of course.

Dana: (bitterly) I'm not surprised to hear you say that. After all, you've had two, haven't you?

Gloria: (taken aback) I'm sorry.  Did I interrupt something?

Dana: Not really. Natalie and I were just having a conversation about marriage and husbands is all. She was saying how much she loves hers and I was just saying I hope I'm as lucky as she is one day.   I didn't have anyone in mind. After all, I'm not seriously dating anyone...not yet anyway.

Gloria: (looking slightly embarrassed) Right. (Pause)   I see.  Well, I guess I'll say good night. I'll see the two of you in the morning.

Dana: Good night.

Natalie: Good night, Gloria.

Gloria: Bye. (Gloria cast a wary eye at Dana and walked away)

Natalie: Don't you think you were a bit nasty to her? She didn't deserve that.

Dana: She shouldn't be sticking her nose in my business.

Natalie: I don't think she was doing that. Gloria is not that kind of person.

Dana: Maybe not, but she is a friend of Zachary's. And I know that if had an inkling of my plans for him, she wouldn't hesitate to tell him and I can't afford that. When Zachary and I get married, he has to think it's his idea.

Natalie: I can't believe you would be so mercenary about a relationship.

Dana: I'm just looking out for my future...mine and Timmy's.

Natalie: Dana, you are not exactly destitute. You have a good job. Your brother and sister-in-law left you a nice home that is all paid for. You can afford to take care of yourself and your nephew by yourself.

Dana: For now, yes. But what if something happens? What if I lose my job or lose the house? What then?

Natalie: Dana, you are hardly in danger of either thing happening.

Dana: I never thought my parents would die, but they did. I never thought my marriage to Danny would go bust, but it did. And I never thought I'd lose Pete and Lizzie, but I did. Life is so unpredictable. You never know when it's going to change, leaving you with millions or with nothing. I have to do what I can to preserve Tim's and my future. Pete and Lizzie did so much for me when they were living and now I'm taking care of their son...the most important thing in their lives. I have to see to it that we are taken care of, that we never have to worry about anything ever again.

Natalie: And you see Zachary as some sort of security blanket?

Dana: Exactly. And I have every intention of snuggling next to him and never letting him go.

(At the elevator, Gloria is pressing the down button. The door slid open and Zachary stood there)

Gloria: Zachary!

Zachary: (stepping off the elevator) Hi, Gloria. (He started to walk by her) Excuse me.

Gloria: (grasping Zachary's shoulder) Wait a minute, Zachary. Don't you think you and I need to talk?

ACT THREE

Scene: Markham's; the ladies rest room. Melody and Patricia are there.

Patricia: So, A.J. has lied to you again.

Melody: A.J. did not lie to me.

Patricia: Oh, okay. He didn't tell you the entire truth… or even a little of the truth. Just like he told you nothing about our marriage.

Melody: I'm sure A.J. just felt it wasn't important.

Patricia: Really? (Patricia reached into her purse and pulled out the front page of the Covington Bay Times. She handed it to Melody, who unfolded it. Melody scanned the paper, stunned by what she was reading)

Melody: You wrote this?

Patricia: No, I did not.

Melody: You're lying!

Patricia: I didn't write that. I would hardly announce my marriage to A.J. in the newspaper.

Melody: Why not, it would be the best way to hurt the most people. And hurting people seems to be your sole motivation in life.

Patricia: Despite what you might think, Melody, I'm not out to hurt anyone.

Melody: Oh, of course not, it just turns out that way.

Patricia: I swear to you that I didn't write that.

Melody: And I should believe anything you tell me?

Patricia: Well, it would seem I've been more honest with you than A.J. has been, wouldn't it?

Melody: (flinching from the comment) If you didn't write this, than who did? You and A.J. insisted that besides yourselves, your brother Michael was the only one who knew about the marriage.

Patricia: That's what we thought. But someone else knew and has known for years. And they were waiting until the right moment to use the information and cause the most damage. Along with that rather altered article about the encounter with those drug dealers last night and they have plenty to use to hurt A.J. with.

Melody: They? You mean the Quentin Greyhawk. You mentioned him.   Is he responsible for this?

Patricia: Yes. He bought the Times with the express purpose of using it to ruin the Lassiters.

Melody: And you're helping them?

Patricia: I am hardly helping them. I had no idea of what was going on until today.

Melody: Am I supposed to believe that?

Patricia: I don't care what you believe.

Melody: You obviously don't care about anyone but yourself. Even if you didn't know about what the Greyhawks have done until it was too late, you said yourself that you sided with them, you turned against A.J., someone you've known your entire life.

Patricia: He's got it wrong, you know. I had no choice but to do what I did. Quentin said he would ruin my career if I didn't side with him. But, someone as self righteous as A.J. would never understand that. All he can see is his side, not mine. He doesn't know how hard that decision was for me to make. I'm no more happy about working for Quentin Greyhawk than A.J. is.

Melody: And your career is more important than truth and honesty?

Patricia: You don't understand.

Melody: You're right, I don't understand. I don't understand how you could turn against a family who has treated you like one of their own. You grew up with A.J.. You shared a home with he and his family. How could you do this?

Patricia: I was preserving my career, something I've worked very hard for. Quentin Greyhawk would've ruined it.

Melody: Quentin Greyhawk may be a very powerful man, but the Lassiters are powerful too and they would've backed you. They would've found you a job somewhere.

Patricia: Exactly somewhere. I would've had to leave Covington Bay.

Melody: Probably, but the last I heard your career was all about decency and honesty and integrity. But I guess you only indulge in those things when it's convenience. (Pause) Well no wonder A.J. acted as if he didn't want to hear your name. He must hate you for betraying him. And that's what you've done. You've betrayed him. He will never forgive you. He will never accept what you've done. (Pause) I guess you've come back to town for nothing because you will never get A.J. now.

Patricia: How many times do I have to tell you I'm not after A.J.?

Melody: You could say it until you're blue in the face and I will never believe it, especially now.

Patricia: What does that mean?

Melody: Well, you said it yourself. If you would've sided with A.J., you probably would've had to of left town to work again. And you couldn't take a chance that you'd have to leave. Not when getting A.J. is your reason for coming back.

Patricia: You're not going to let this go, will you?

Melody: I'll let it go, because it really doesn't matter. You may have come back to town to get A.J., but you have done the one thing that will ensure that you will never have a relationship with him. You betrayed him and you did it with his worst enemy.. He will never forgive you...he will never forget. The amazing thing is, you never had a chance to be his lover and now you're not even going to be his friend.

Patricia: (bitterly) You're really feeling smug and superior, aren't you?

Melody: What I'm feeling is tired of you.

Patricia: I'd think you'd be tired of A.J. lying to you. But since he does it so often and so well, I guess you must be used to it by now.

Melody: I imagine A.J. didn't tell me about what happened because he didn't want to ruin our evening. But at any rate, we'll work it out. We'll resolve our problems and we will be together.

Patricia: You're so sure of that, are you?

Melody: I'm sure that you will never have A.J.. That's something I'd bet my life on. (Melody walked out, leaving a fuming Patricia behind)

Scene: Markham's; the dining room. A.J. and Lucas are there.

A.J.: You're working on the Nathan James case?

Lucas: Yes.

A.J.: Why? How?

Lucas: Sabrina hired me.

A.J.: I find that hard to believe.

Lucas: Why?

A.J.: Aunt Sabrina knows the history between our families. She and my mother are like sisters. I can't believe she would betray us like that.

Lucas: A.J., she didn't betray the almighty Lassiters. She is a good businesswoman and hiring me to clear Nathan is good business.

A.J.: How so? She knows your family can't be trusted, that you're unscrupulous and unethical. And Michael hates you as much has I do.

Lucas: Think what you will about me, A.J., but I happen to be a damn good private investigator. As for Michael, he really isn't much of a problem.

A.J.: I find that hard to believe. He certainly can't be going along with this.

Lucas: (smirking) He's dealing with it the best he can. The point is, if anyone can make sure that kid doesn't do time, it's me. No one else in this town has been able to do anything.

A.J.: No one else, or you mean me?

Lucas: Well, you have covered this story from the start. I know that you're one of Nathan James's fans. But so far, you've come up empty on doing anything to clear him. I'd say someone else needs to do something before that kid winds up in the electric chair.

A.J.: I've handled more than my share of murder investigations in this town, Greyhawk. I am more than capable of dealing with this case.

Lucas: A.J., I know you're a competent journalist. I'm willing to admit that, but you're not a trained investigator.   You couldn’t even make it through the police academy.

A.J.: I can handle this case, Greyhawk. This is my town and I know more about Nathan and this case than you ever will. I'll solve it while you're still trying to get up to speed.

Lucas: Believe me, A.J., you're going to have so many other problems, you won't have time to worry about poor Nathan James. So why don't you just leave him to me; he really should have someone who knows what they're doing on his side.

A.J.: You don't give a damn about Nathan. All you care about his having one over me.

Lucas: No, I also care about the big fat paycheck I'm going to get when I win this one. (Pause) A.J., the James kid doesn't need a friend or someone who cares. He needs someone who can help him. And that someone is going to be me. (Lucas stood) Now if you'll excuse me, I better get back to my date. I'm sure Patricia is wondering where I am.

A.J.: (stunned) Patricia!? You're having dinner with her!?

Lucas: Sure. I thought I'd take her out to celebrate. After all, she's embarked on a great new life now that she's shed the shackles of your family.

A.J.: A great new life? With you? You're just using her just like you use everyone else. She's just another pawn in your sick game of revenge.

Lucas: Patricia is a woman who knows where the winner's circle is. She's working for my father, she's dating me. She's headed for a pretty great life.

A.J.: What she is headed for is a lot of pain and heartache. But that's not my problem. You can have her. She betrayed everything that is important to me. She turned her back on people who have treated her like family. As far as I'm concerned, she gets what she deserves. And you are about as worse at it gets.

Lucas: (grinning) Pleasure talking to you, A.J.. You're as charming as ever, but I better get back to my date.

A.J.: (looking around the room) What's your hurry? I don't see Patricia anywhere.

Lucas: She went to the ladies room. I'm sure she'll be back soon enough.

A.J.: (startled) She went to the ladies room. (A.J. leapt to his feet) Oh, my God! Melody!

(A.J. ran out of the dining room)

Lucas: (smirking) Well, well...this evening will be a lot more interesting than I could've imagined. (Pause) This is something I definitely want to see. (Lucas walked out of the dining room. He was about to head left, when he heard a familiar voice. He turned to see Melody talking to the maitre D'. in a nearby corridor)

Melody: Could you please tell Mr. Lassiter that I took a cab home?

Maitre D': Of course, madam.

Melody:  Thank you. (The maitre D' walked away. Lucas walked up to Melody, who had tears brimming in her eyes)

Lucas: Melody?

Melody: (looking up at Lucas) Lucas, go away. You are the last person I want to see right now.

Lucas: Besides A.J., from what I just heard.

Melody: Leave me alone. Haven't you caused enough problems already!?

Lucas: I don't want to cause you any problems, Melody. I just want to talk to you. So, can you give me a few minutes of your time?

Scene: Markham's; the corridor outside the ladies room. A.J. is rushing down the hallway as Patricia comes out of the bathroom.

A.J.: (approaching Patricia) Where's Melody?

Patricia: I don't know, A.J., and I don't care. (Pause) Now if you'll excuse me...

A.J.: (grabbing Patricia by the arm) Not so fast, little girl.

Patricia: (struggling to get away) Let me go!

A.J.: Let you go? You're lucky I'm only grabbing your arm because believe me, I'd like nothing better than to wring your damn neck!

to be continued...

Coming Up In Covington Bay....