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EPISODE 83 “DIVORCED
FROM REALITY” |
Scene: Covington
Bay Medical Center; the cafeteria. Melissa Stone was
sitting alone eating a salad and drinking a diet coke. Kevin Lassiter walks
up to the table.
Kevin: There you are!
Melissa: (looking up) Hi, Uncle Kevin.
Kevin: Hi. (He sat down at the table) I checked downstairs and they told me you were here taking a break. We never got the chance to finish our discussion.
Melissa: (hesitantly) You were going to tell me something about Eric?
Kevin: Yes. There's something you really should know.
Melissa: (shaking her head) Uncle Kevin, I thought about it and I as much as I love you and appreciate your concern, but whatever this is, I don’t want to hear it. Eric and I are fine. There's no need for you to be so concerned.
Kevin: Melissa, I can't help but be concerned when someone I care about is involved with a person who is only going to cause them all kinds of pain and heartache. If I didn't know that before, I'm certain of it now.
Melissa: If you're talking about the bruise on my wrist... (she held out her arm; the skin was normal) ...see? It's gone. There's no sign anything even happened.
Kevin: But it did happen. I saw it. I saw that bruise on your wrist yesterday and worse, you refused to tell me how it happened. You took off before I could get an answer from you.
Melissa: I had to get to work.
Kevin: You left Alec's memorial service without saying goodbye. That's not like you, Melissa, not like you at all. You just didn't want to answer my questions. Now did Eric hurt you? Melissa, you know you can trust me.
Melissa: (shaking her head) It doesn't really matter.
Kevin: (shocked) It doesn't matter that this man is abusing you?
Melissa: (insistently) He is not abusing me!
Kevin: Then what happened!?
Melissa: We had a fight, a fight that was my fault. Eric got angry and I...
Kevin: (interrupting her) I doubt the fight was your fault, but even if it were, Eric had no right to assault you.
Melissa: It's not like that! You don't understand. I know you have issues with Eric so you're inclined to believe the worst in him. Yes, Eric can be hard man to deal with, but...
Kevin: Melissa, the man is a bigot, he’s filled with hate. He’s always been verbally abusive, now he's proven to be he's physically abusive. It might only be a bruised wrist this time, but it bound to get worse, especially now.
Melissa: What does that mean?
Kevin: That's what I haven't told you yet. Melissa, if you didn't have a reason to cut Eric out of your life, you certainly do now.
Scene:
Gloria: I can't believe this day has finally come; I've waited so long to finally get my divorce from Glenn.
Sabrina: Good things come to those who wait.
Gloria: Well I've waited long enough...too long. You can't imagine how badly I want that man out of my life.
Sabrina: Well, after the stunt he pulled yesterday, coming on to you as you cried over the notion that your son could be dead, I'm only more determined to get you out of this marriage.
Gloria: I certainly do appreciate you being about to do this, Sabrina. I know how busy you are these days with the Nathan James trial and all.
Sabrina: (sighing) With Nathan in the hospital, that trial is sort of on hold for a bit. But, at least I can use this time to get the evidence to clear that poor young man.
Gloria: I hope you can, Nathan's a good kid and he doesn't deserve what he's going through. (Pause as Gloria glanced at her watch) Where is Glenn and his lawyer? I thought Jason Bennett said he wanted to meet with us before the hearing.
Sabrina: He did and it's rather annoying that he would be late.
Gloria: Still no idea why they wanted to meet with us, huh?
Sabrina: No, but stop worrying about it, Gloria. It might be a few last minute details about the settlement.
Gloria: I thought we handled all that? I'm not taking a dime from him and he's not asking any money from me. And any joint assets, we're dividing equally.
Sabrina: True, but sometimes things come up. I don't think you have reason to worry.
Gloria: How can I help but worry? Glenn has done everything he can to delay this divorce. I know if he could, he'd do something else to stall.
Sabrina: Gloria, I honestly don't think he can. He's exhausted every resource he has to delay the trial. I can't imagine what he would come up with at this point. Honey, it’s over. You can finally make plans for the future. See where you're headed next.
Gloria: I'm not headed anywhere. Right now I want to concentrate on work and spending time with my family. Lord knows my sons could definitely use my tender loving care.
Sabrina: True, but what about you? It's great you want to spend time on your job and your kids, but shouldn't you give yourself some attention?
Gloria: What are you talking about? A vacation? A few nights with a good book and a bubble bath?
Sabrina: I'm talking about a man, finding a new man. Falling in love? You know, the stuff of books and television shows?
Gloria: (laughing) Sabrina, are you kidding? I am hardly ready to date.
Sabrina: (grinning) I wouldn’t be too sure about that.
Scene: Covington
Bay Medical Center; Dr. Zachary Dailey's
office. Zachary and Dr. Laura Dailey-Harrison
are there.
Laura: Zachary, I want an explanation. Yesterday, Dad was elated because he and Gloria were reconciling. Today they're getting a divorce. What happened so quickly?
Zachary: Laura, I don't think you want to know.
Laura: Of course I want to know. This is my family...or what's left of it. Why did the reconciliation fall apart so quickly?
Zachary: Because there was never a reconciliation. Dad lied. Gloria never wanted him back.
Laura: Why would he say it if it's not true?
Zachary: Just to get at me. It was all a lie aimed to upset me because he knew how I felt about the idea of them getting back together.
Laura: Zachary, I can't believe Daddy would do that.
Zachary: Then I suggest you open your eyes, little sister. Our father is a very spiteful, vindictive man. And he loves to aim his spite and vindictiveness at me.
Laura: I think you like to do that to each other. The questions is what would make you believe Dad? You knew the state of that marriage. And given that you don't trust Dad, I can't believe you'd think there was a reconciliation just because he claimed there was.
Zachary: You're right. I would never take his word on anything. But, I had proof...or at least what I thought was proof.
Laura: What do you mean?
Zachary: You know that A.J. was missing for a time yesterday?
Laura: (nodding) Yes. But what does A.J. have to do with this?
Zachary: Gloria was very upset by it all...she was afraid her son might dead. (Pause) She made the mistake of turning to our father for comfort. He used her vulnerability to put the moves on her. He came onto her, made a pass at her when she was at her weakest. (Pause) Anyway, I walked in and saw it.
Laura: So you assumed this… whatever you saw was mutual. (Pause) Maybe it was.
Zachary: It wasn't, Laura, I know that for sure. Gloria told me so herself.
Laura: Okay, so it wasn't mutual. But that doesn't mean that Dad....
Zachary: Laura, do not make excuses for the man! Don't you see what he has done!? First he takes advantage of Gloria's weak moment and then uses it to hurt me...not to mention lying to you about he and Gloria reconciling. I know you love the man...but don't you see what he's done is inexcusable.
Laura: Zachary, I know our father is flawed. I know he can be manipulative and selfish. But, at least in this instance, he's doing it because he's in such pain. He's lost so much lately... first his youngest daughter and now his wife? He probably was clinging to her in the only way he can. It was an act of desperation.
Zachary: You will always make excuses for him, won't you?
Laura: And you will always paint him as black as you can...especially where he and Gloria are concerned.
Zachary: Right, because I don't think he's worthy of her. He never has been.
Laura: That's cruel.
Zachary: I guess that's one of the few traits I inherited from my father.
Laura: Well, can you not gloat too much over Dad and Gloria's divorce? Some of us think the end of a marriage is sad.
Zachary: So would I...if I thought they belonged together. But, Gloria deserves better. She needs someone who would treat her with decency and respect. Someone who wouldn't manipulate her to fit their own selfish needs.
Laura: You said as much yesterday. And it makes me ask you why you're so interested in your stepmother's love life?
Zachary: Laura, Gloria and I are friends. Close friends.
Laura: I know you are. The two of you have always gotten along...and you've been even tighter in the last few months.
Zachary: So naturally I would be concerned about what goes on in her life...including who she is romantically involved with.
Laura: I'm not sure about that. In fact, I think it's kind of strange that you're so curious in her love life...unless...
Zachary: Unless what?
Laura: Unless you want to be part of that love life? Is that why you're so interested in seeing Dad and Gloria divorce? You want her for yourself?
Scene:
Melissa: Uncle Kevin, you want to explain what this is all about? You said you had something to tell me about Eric, then you drag me down here and buy a newspaper?
Kevin: This is the best way I can let you see just how bad Eric is for you. (He handed the copy of the Covington Bay Times with the article accusing Eric of being a racist cop) Look for yourself.
Melissa: (horrified) What!? This can’t be there.
Kevin: But it is true. There’s no denying what happened.
Melissa: It's awful. I wonder if Eric has seen it yet?!
Kevin: I'm fairly certain he has.
Melissa: Well, I have to find him. I have to talk to him. This is all my fault. I just hope Eric can forgive me.
Kevin: For what? How could you possibly be responsible for what Eric has done?
Melissa: Eric was at that bar in the first place because of the fight we had. He was no doubt in a bad mood, probably drinking... and that led to whatever happened.
Kevin: You just read for yourself what happened!
Melissa: Uncle Kevin, I do not believe Eric would use his badge to harass and intimidate people because they black? He is not the person this article makes him out to be. Whatever went down, it wasn’t this. And he would’ve never been there in the first place if it weren’t for me.
Kevin: You and Eric may have fought, but Melissa, you cannot take the blame for this. You didn't turn Eric into a bigot!
Melissa: Eric is not a bigot. Pete Cooper was his best friend... he loved him like a brother. He's had black friends and he's worked with a lot of black officers on the force and always gotten along with them. (Pause) And you forget Eric's history with Danny James. The man hates Eric because he arrested both him and his brother Nathan. They may have had a few words and it may have gotten a little out of hand, but it had nothing to do with racism. That whole thing was probably fabricated by this paper with a little help from Danny James. You know what a rag the Times is.
Kevin: So now it's the paper's fault? You refuse to even think of the notion that Eric may have done something wrong?
Melissa: I know Eric. He's not perfect by any means, but he is not the person you say he is.
Kevin: (shaking his head) I don't believe what I'm hearing.
Melissa: I just hope he can forgive me. I just hope I can make it up to him. (She turned and started to walk away)
Kevin: Wait a minute! Where are you going?
Melissa: To the police station. Eric's bound to be there. I've got to see him. I've got to let him know how sorry I am for what I've done.
Kevin: Melissa! (She started to rush away) Melissa, wait! (Kevin went after her)
Scene:
Gloria: Why do you think there is something going on with me and Zachary? Not only that, you’re telling other people.
Sabrina: Are you accusing me of being a gossip?
Gloria: Are you going to deny you told Jessica you think Zachary and I could be romantically involved?
Sabrina: Yes, that is pretty much what I said.
Gloria: Sabrina, how could you!? How could you even insinuate such a thing?
Sabrina: I happen to think it's true.
Gloria: Well, it's not. The very idea that Zachary and I could be any more than friends is ridiculous.
Sabrina: Why? Because he's younger than you?
Gloria: He is the same age as A.J!
Sabrina: Or that he's your soon to be ex-husband's son?
Gloria: You don't think that's a little incestuous?
Sabrina: And let's not forget that you're just coming out of a bad marriage.
Gloria: Right. And the last thing I need is to start a new relationship, especially one so fraught with complications. Can you imagine how our families would react? How Glenn would react? And what about children? Zachary loves kids and even if I weren't way past my child bearing years, I certainly couldn't imagine being a mother again. I have enough trouble keeping track of the two grown kids I've got. It's crazy to even consider a relationship with Zachary.
Sabrina: Gloria, you're right. Those are all perfectly legitimate reasons not to date the man.
Gloria: Good. Then I hope it means we'll never have this discussion again.
Sabrina: Let me finish. Those may be good reasons to stay away from Zachary. But, it doesn't change the fact that you care about him... the two of you have feelings for one another.
Gloria: Of course I care about him... we care about each other. We're good friends.
Sabrina: Gloria, this is me you're talking to. I'm your best friend. I've known you most of your adult life. I have seen you and Zachary together. You're close and it goes way beyond friendship. You can't deny that.
Gloria: Sabrina, I... (She hesitated) Look, this conversation is ridiculous. Zachary and I are just friends and we always will be. It can't ever be anymore than that. I can't let it.
Sabrina: You can't let it? Since when have you been the kind of woman to shirk from anything?
Gloria: Sabrina, there is nothing to shirk from. I don't care what you or Jessie or Mama J. or anyone else thinks... Zachary and I are not nor will we ever be romantically involved.
Sabrina: Because of a few complications? Gloria, you married into one of the most dysfunctional families in town and lived to tell about it, you lost your husband and managed to raise two children alone while you worked on becoming a doctor. You fought your way to becoming the head of neurosurgery and survived marriage to one the worse examples of testosterone I've ever seen. And you can't handle a relationship with one of the nicest, most compassionate, not to mention best looking guys in town because he's a few years younger than you? If that's the case, you my dear sorority sister, are a fool.
Scene:
Glenn: (fretfully) Jason, are you certain this is going to work?
Jason: (annoyed) Glenn, how many times do we have to go over this? It's going to work, your wife will not get her divorce today or anytime soon.
Glenn: Look, I trust you and your legal abilities. It's just that this is so important. I love Gloria so much and I want this chance to repair the problems in our marriage.
Jason: I'm glad to help. But, do you really think that you're going to be able to convince Gloria to stay in the marriage? In all the meetings we've had up until the point, she's always seemed pretty adamant that she wants a divorce. She's never once indicated she wanted to reconcile.
Glenn: I know I've made some mistakes and done some things that turned my wife against me. But I just need this time to make her see how much we still love each other and that we belong together.
Jason: And how do you plan on accomplishing that?
Glenn: (thoughtfully) I've got some ideas. (Pause) I admit it won't be easy. Gloria is very determined when she's made up her mind about something. Not only that, she's got that shrew of a lawyer of hers cheerleading this divorce all the way. But Gloria and I have shared too much together to let it go now.
Jason: Glenn, I know you love your wife, but as your lawyer, I have to remind you that the only reason why you've remained married this long is because of our delaying tactics, not to mention that incident with Derek Kendall.
Glenn: What does that madman have to do with anything?
Jason: If he hadn't come into your lives to sue you for malpractice after the deaths of his wife and child, then tried to kill you and Gloria after losing the lawsuit, you would've divorced long ago. She stayed with you because you both needed someone to lean on at a very difficult time in your lives.
Glenn: (nodding) In a sense, Derek Kendall did do us a favor. He made us realize how much we needed one another.
Jason: But not long after the man went to prison, your old problems resurfaced.
Glenn: (annoyed) Jason, I thought you were on my side? Why do you continue to be so negative?
Jason: I'm you lawyer and it's my job to make you see all sides of every issue. I just want you to realize that the odds are against you. I guess I'm giving you the opportunity to rethink what you're going to do today.
Glenn: I don't need to rethink it. I know that Gloria and I belong together. We may not have that nutcase Derek Kendall around to make our lives a living hell, but I will make her see how much we need each other.
Jason: (motioning to the door) Then in that case... after you.
Scene:
Kevin: Melissa! Melissa, wait! We need to talk!
Melissa: (turning to face Kevin) Why, there's nothing for us to talk about!
Kevin: I have to make you see what a mistake you are making!
Melissa: Uncle Kevin, I know you want to blame Eric for everything, but I know the truth. I know what really happened.
Kevin: So you say and maybe you're right. I just don't think it's a good idea for you to go down to the station.
Melissa: I have to talk to Eric.
Kevin: Maybe, but don't you realize you're also going to have to deal with you father?
Melissa: What does Daddy have do to with this?
Kevin: He doesn't know about your relationship with Eric. Do you really think he should find out now and under these circumstances? You ready to handle that?
Melissa: (hesitating) I know Daddy will be upset, but I have to be there for Eric.
Kevin: I think your father being upset is a bit of an understatement, don't you? He's going to hate that his daughter is dating a cop... especially a cop with the kind of problems that Eric has.
Melissa: How do you know that? He's always saying how Eric is one of his best officers. He really respects the work he does. He's not going to forget all that just because of a little scandal.
Kevin: This scandal is hardly little. It's pretty ugly and I doubt the head of Homicide is going to want his daughter in the middle of it.
Melissa: Daddy will understand. Once he sees how much we love each other, he'll understand, I know it.
Kevin: Melissa, if you knew your father would 'understand' about this relationship, you wouldn't have kept it a secret for so long.
Melissa: (hesitating) Eric and I just thought it was best. We wanted to see how things would work between us before we told Daddy. But we were going to tell him, we were!
Kevin: (shaking his head) I'm not sure about that. But even if you were, not is not the time to do it. You're just asking for disaster!
Melissa: That's just a risk I have to take. I can't think about myself and my father right now. I have to think about Eric. He needs me. He needs my support... he needs to know how sorry I am for bringing him this misery. That's all that's important right now.
Kevin: (as Melissa scrambled into her car and started it up) Melissa, you really need to.... !
Melissa: I'm sorry, Uncle Kevin, but I know what I have to do! Goodbye. (With that, she backed away and sped away)
Kevin: Damn. (Just then, Kevin's cellular phone rang. Kevin pulled it out of his sports coat pocket and looked at the viewscreen before answering) Hey, A.J.
A.J.: Hi, Kevin.
Kevin: So what happened at the Greyhawks? Did Eric stop by there?
A.J.: You bet he did. And he left quite an impression. I got there just in time to see him arrested.
Kevin: Arrested! For what!?
A.J.: He attacked Nigel.
Kevin: (gasping) Is he all right? Was he badly hurt?!
A.J.: He seemed a bit roughed up, but I think he'll be okay.
Kevin: Oh, thank God. (Pause) What about Eric?
A.J.: He was arrested and he’s on his way to jail. I'm headed down there to see what I can do. I'm sure Eric won't appreciate it, but I'm going anyway.
Kevin: I'll meet you there.
A.J.: Kevin, that's not necessary. Besides, I'd think you could care less if Eric gets locked up.
Kevin: I don't, but someone much more deserving needs my support and she's going to get it... whether she wants it or not.
Scene:
Zachary: Laura, do you know what you're saying; how ridiculous you sound?
Laura: Oh, you're right... it's very ridiculous.
Zachary: Then why did you say it? You made the same sort of insinuation just the other day.
Laura: Because I felt that way... I still do. I only hope you're smarter than even thinking of getting romantically involved with your father's ex-wife.
Zachary: Of course I am. But again, why would you say it? Why would you even think it?
Laura: Zachary, you have been frothing at the mouth to see this divorce happen. Sometimes I think you want it more than Gloria does.
Zachary: I only want her to be happy.
Laura: So you say. But when you thought she might be happy with Daddy, you couldn't stand it. I'm starting to wonder if it has more to do with your problems with our father... or Gloria.
Zachary: Ease your mind, Laura, there is no involvement with Gloria other than friendship.
Laura: You guys seem very close. You spend a lot of time together. You socialize outside of work. That, combined with your desire to see Gloria free and that you're not seriously involved with any other woman, what else should I conclude?
Zachary: That I'm supporting a friend.
Laura: Good. Because I would hate to think that you could be so callous and unfeeling to our father no matter how you feel about him. Not to mention how I or Gloria's family would feel. A relationship between the two of you would never work.
Zachary: Maybe, maybe not. But it really doesn’t matter because it’ll never happen.
Laura: I'm glad to hear that. I guess I should apologize. I shouldn't have accused you of wanting Daddy and Gloria to divorce so you could go after Gloria yourself. I'm sorry. I should know you better than that.
Zachary: No problem.
Laura: Well, I better be going. I've got patients to see.
Zachary: So do I. And I'm going to drop by Grant Rios' office. He wanted to talk to me about the work he's been doing on the AIDS vaccine.
Laura: You don't think he's made a breakthrough, do you?
Zachary: One could hope.
Laura: Are you going to tell him about the $10 million dollars the AIDS clinic might receive?
Zachary: Not yet. Not until we looked into this whole thing a bit closer. Like I said, I'm going to call Jason Bennett so we can meet with him.
Laura: Good. (She kissed Zachary on the cheek) Later, big brother.
Zachary: Later. (As Laura walked out, Zachary sat behind desk, his mind spinning with thoughts) No, Laura, I would never be foolish enough to get involved with my father's ex-wife. It would never work... even if it were what Gloria and I wanted.
Scene:
Gloria: Well, you certainly have made your feelings clear on this subject.
Sabrina: Gloria, I can't help it. It's how I feel. If you and Zachary really are attracted to one another and I think you are, you owe it to yourselves to explore it. Or at least talk about it.
Gloria: You're so certain there's an attraction on both our parts?
Sabrina: You gonna stand there and tell me you don't find Zachary Dailey attractive? Can you admit that much to me? To yourself?
Gloria: (hesitating) I...
(At that moment, Glenn and Jason walked in)
Jason: Good morning ladies.
Sabrina: (annoyed) It's about time you showed up. Where do you get off calling this meeting and then being so late for it?
Jason: (shutting the door) I'm sorry, it couldn't be helped.
Glenn: Good morning, Gloria.
Gloria: Hello, Glenn.
Glenn: How are you feeling?
Gloria: Okay.
Glenn: That's good. I expected to find you much more upset.
Gloria: Why?
Glenn: Well, considering what was in this mornings Times, I...
Sabrina: (interrupting) Why don't we let that wait and get to why you called this meeting, Jason?
Jason: Sounds like a good idea. Everyone have a seat. (He put his briefcase on the table and opened it)
Sabrina: Can we dispense with the formality and get to it? What is this all about?
Jason: There was something I thought you should see before we meet in the courtroom today.
Sabrina: What?
Jason: (reaching into his briefcase and handing Sabrina a sheath of papers) This.
Sabrina: (looking it over, her eyes widened in shock) What is this!? What have you done!?
Gloria: Sabrina, what's wrong?
Sabrina: You are not going to get away with this!
Jason: I'm afraid I already have.
Sabrina: This is not going to happen. I won't let it!
Gloria: Sabrina, what's wrong!? Tell me what this is all about!?
Sabrina: (hesitating) Gloria, I'm sorry, but you're not going to be able to get your divorce today. And if what I read here is true… not for a very long time.
In The Next Episode of
- Glenn's actions outrage
Gloria.
- The scandal about Eric
ripples through
- Quentin
plans his next destructive move.