From llhalbl@indirect.com Sat Feb 17 11:18:33 1996 Received: from soda.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU (soda.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU [128.32.43.52]) by shellx.best.com (8.6.12/8.6.5) with ESMTP id LAA23453 for ; Sat, 17 Feb 1996 11:18:28 -0800 Received: from ns1.indirect.com (ns1.indirect.com [165.247.1.3]) by soda.CSUA.Berkeley.EDU (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id LAA24392 for ; Sat, 17 Feb 1996 11:17:54 -0800 Received: from Laura.hollyberry.com (s26.abq-dialin2.hollyberry.com [165.247.25.26]) by ns1.indirect.com (8.6.12/8.6.6) with SMTP id MAA16872; Sat, 17 Feb 1996 12:15:09 -0700 Date: Sat, 17 Feb 1996 12:15:09 -0700 Message-Id: <199602171915.MAA16872@ns1.indirect.com> X-Sender: llhalbl@mail.indirect.com X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Version 1.4.3 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: patricia@epix.net, Raymond_Prososki@notes.pw.com, jhood@lib.law.du.edu, wheless@sunchem.chem.uga.edu, bsmith@raven.cybercomm.net, Dame_Myra_Hess@msn.com, spring@levy.org, perrys@server.iadfw.net, 103107.220@compuserve.com, sheffler@connect.net, amurphy1@shrike.depaul.edu, llhalbl@indirect.com, trish@swsmail.atlanta.com, smarcel@utk.edu, doody@u.washington.edu, nnakova@direct.ca, anne@knowles.com, dawndra@metronet.com, MarcEditor@aol.com, cdaveb@csua.berkeley.edu, agilbert@mi.net, U6F1C@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU, fburgess@mail.awinc.com, harpo@bora.dacom.co.kr, stoney@dialin.ind.net, JCLOUTI@mtl.unisysgsg.com, esnyder@leland.Stanford.EDU, waltersm@gusun.acc.georgetown.edu, Lindafff@aol.com, Alan.Hench@mail.utexas.edu, bodacia@tdl.com, JohnsonCR@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU, satw01@interserv.com, sylvi@iglou.com, passalcq@IS2.NYU.EDU, amatthew@gtd.eds.com, Sclaney@aol.com, MLuba@gnn.com, ekeller@ycp.edu, Lilpeste@aol.com, Heather.Blair@netserver.ConnRiver.net, frank@cpi.computerpower.com, MOONC@LOKI.AGECON.KSU.EDU, Patti415@aol.com, GPurdy3507@aol.com, nmnsfld@www.signalsoft.com, longstrs@GVSU.EDU, sstrake@ycp.edu, jfleming@mnsinc.com, 102752.1303@compuserve.com, rjabour@eagle.liunet.edu From: llhalbl@indirect.com (Laura ) Subject: Feb RotSoap: Bill and Ben's Unprecedented Imbroglio-Part 3 Status: RO >Bill and Ben's Unprecented Imbroglio Part Three >Note: In our first episode Bill and Ben overheard Matt and Amanda talking about their secret past in Malibu. Since then the boys have been busy trying to find out what that secret is. They are now trying to wiretap a telephone conversation between Amanda and Matt. > >Scene I Chamberlain-Reardons Tuesday evening >Bill's room. The boys jump in shock as they hear the doorbell ringing. >Cut to Dinah impatiently ringing the front doorbell. Finally Matt answers, holding Peter. >Dinah: (irritated) It's about time! Where's Bill? >Matt: Good evening to you, too Dinah. He's upstairs. >Peter waves his giraffe at her as she brushes past them and up the stairs. >Cut to boys playing chess in Bill's room. >At a knock on the door they scramble to hide the wiretapping equipment. Bill answers the door, trying to act calm. >Dinah: Hey, little brother! What's going on? I thought I'd never get past the Gorgon at the front gates. >Bill: Uh, we were playing chess. >Dinah: Ah, of course. Many's the time I've been glued to the chess board, waiting for my opponent to make the next move. Give me a break!! Are you two up to something? >Bill: No. Besides, what business is it of yours? >Dinah: You made it my business the other night when you got all upset and accused me of not caring abouut my family. >Bill: I didn't do that. >Dinah: Yes you did. You were so upset you walked out without saying goodbye. Now what's wrong? >Bill: (looking uneasy) Nothing's wrong. >Ben, worried that they might miss a phone call, signals Bill. >Bill: Are you hungry Dinah? I'm starved. Let's go raid the fridge. >He pulls her towards the door. After they are gone, Ben locks the door behind them. > >Scene II Spaulding mansion >A worried Amanda dials the phone. Cut to Ben, who jumps as he hears the phone ring. Cut to Bill and Dinah dishing up ice cream in the kitchen. >Dinah: Bill, aren't you going to answer that? >Bill: Matt can get it. >The phone rings on. Bill tries to hide his discomfort, pouring chocolate syrup on his ice cream. Finally the phone is silent. Bill is nervous, wondering if it is Amanda on the phone. >Cut to Amanda on the phone. >A: Hello? >Matt: Matt Reardon here. >A: Oh, I'm glad I caught you. Is Vanessa there? >Matt: No, she's still at work. >Amanda: Good. >Cut to Ben, with headphones, listening intently. >Matt: Has he contacted you? >Amanda: Yes. And you? >Matt: Yeah. >Amanda: We need to meet somewhere we can talk without being disturbed. Can you get away tomorrow evening? >Matt: I don't have much choice, do I? >A: Meet me at the Springfield Inn, room 212, tomorrow night at eight p.m. You got that? >Matt (grimly) I've got it. >Amanda: Make sure you show up. >Matt: Don't worry. I'll be there. >They both hang up. >Ben hastily writes the information on a sheet of paper pulled from one of Bill's textbooks. He puts the paper in his pocket, hides the equipment under the bed, and heads for the door. > >Scene III Chamberlain-Reardons >Bill and Dinah are eating icecream at the kitchen table. >Bill: So, are you and AM going together now? >Dinah (grinning) We haven't slept together, if that's what you mean. >Bill: (embarrassed) It's not what I meant. (Pause) Do you want to, you know, be his girlfriend or whatever? >Dinah: Well, let me see....He's cute, charming, and very very rich. What do YOU think?? >Bill: Do you think he likes you? >Dinah: Well, he likes me as a friend. (She sighs.) But he still seems to be hung up on little Miss Cooper. Why is it that men always fall for mindless, feminine little things? >Ben comes in the door. >Ben: Yum, icecream!! (He looks enormously pleased and gives Bill a look to let him know things went well.) >Ben: So what are you two talking about? >Dinah: Why men always fall for the wrong type of women. >Ben: They don't always. Look at my dad. He fell in love with Holly and she's totally cool. >Dinah: But look at who he was with before her--Alex! >Ben: Oh, Alex is okay. >Bill: Sure, you think she's okay. She's always buying things for you! (He grins, handing Ben a bowl of icecream. ) >Ben makes a face at Bill. >Vanessa walks into the room, home from work, carrying an armload of files. >Van: There you are!! Dinah, how nice to see you!! Hi Ben! >Dinah: (coolly) I just came over to see Bill. >Van: Well, it's nice to see you. (to Bill) Where are Matt and Peter? >Bill: Matt took Peter up to bed. >Van: Well, I'll run up and tuck Peter in, then. Save some ice cream for Matt and me. >She smiles, turning to leave. Bill and Ben glance at one another, thinking about the telephone call she knows nothing about. > >Scene IV HollyBend >Fletcher hums to himself as he chops up vegetables in the kitchen. Holly enters and leans against the counter, watching him. >Holly: What are you so cheerful for? >Fletcher: I have the most wonderful, beautiful, sexy wife in the world (he stops long enough to kiss her quickly on the nose). I have a wonderful son and soon you will be giving birth to my daughter. Who could ask for anything more?? >Holly: Hmmm. Beautiful, sexy?? Right now I feel about as sexy as an old shoe. >Fletcher: (laying down his chopping knife) Red, you are definitely both beautiful and sexy. >Holly: Fletcher, tell me something--How would you like it if I called you Gray all the time? >Fletcher: Cute, but I think Gray sounds too much like an old horse, don't you? >Holly: Well, Red sounds like a horse, too. >Fletcher: No it doesn't, it sounds like the woman I love. >Holly: Have you noticed lately that my hair isn't even red anymore? >Fletcher: Well, it used to be. And even if your hair isn't, your temper is. (He wraps his arms around her) >Holly: You know, I've always found it very sexy to hear a man call me by my real name. >Fletcher: You mean like this? (His voice changes to a low, throaty whisper) Holly, Holly >Holly: (laughing) Ummm, very nice. >Fletcher: Well, I'll have to do it more often. (Low throaty voice, as he tries to pull her in the direction of the bedroom) Holly, come with me, I will show you the true meaning of the word passion. >Holly: (laughing) That's not necessary, Fletcher, I do have a dictionary, you know. >Fletcher gives her an exasperated look.: You're not playing the game like a good girl. >Holly: I'm just pregnant enough that dinner sounds more interesting to me than passion. >Fletcher: Then, (low throaty whisper) Holly, I will make you the best dinner you ever had in your life! And then, afterward...I will make mad, passionate love to you. (He twirls an imaginary false moustache) >Holly: (laughing) How could I say no to an offer like that! Now would you hurry! I'm starving, and so is Baby Red!!! > >Scene V Chamberlain-Reardons. Boys in kitchen. >Bill: I thought Dinah would never leave. So, I take it Amanda called? >Ben: Yeah. I got it all on tape (He whispers, looking around carefully) They made a date to meet tomorrow night at eight at the Springfield Inn. Room 212. >Bill: Why are they meeting in a hotel room? >Ben: For privacy, I guess . Or maybe Amanda has something more in mind. (He winks suggestively). >Bill: (sighing) Oh boy, this is just great. First I have Matt's secret past to worry about--now I have to worry about whether he's cheating on my mom., too. >Ben: Don't worry. If he is, we'll know by tomorrow night. >Bill: Oh, and how do you intend to do that? There's no way we can bug the room unless we have a place to set up the equipment nearby. And I hardly think we're going to be able to pull that off at the Springfield Inn. >Ben: Don't worry. I have a plan. >Bill: You have a plan. Great. Would you like to tell me what it is? >Ben: Let's go upstairs. I want you to hear the recording first. >Cut to Van and Matt's room. >Van, in her robe, is sitting at a desk going over some files. Matt comes out of the bathroom, drying his hair with a towel. >Van: Matt, are you okay? >Matt: (looking up) Sure, I'm fine. >Van: You've seemed upset the last few days. Have I done something? >Matt throws the towel down, crosses the room, grabs Van's hands, and pulls her up to stand in front of him. >Matt: You haven't done anything. I'm just tired, that's all. At least I was. But suddenly I'm not so tired anymore. (He grins, pulling her towards him.). >Van pulls back: Matt, I know something is bothering you. Come on, you'll feel better after you've talked about it. >Matt: I don't know what you're talking about. Look, I've got everything I ever wanted--a home, a family, kids, and most importantly--you. So if I AM upset about anything, its not anything important. (He pulls her back towards him, kissing her teasingly) >Van gives in to him, against her will: Okay, you win this time. But next time I'm not giving in so quickly. You hear? (She pushes him down onto the bed, laughing. He rolls over so he is on top, gazing into her eyes as he begins to open her robe. She pulls herself up, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply). > >Scene VI Follybend >Fletcher is clearing the table after dinner when there is a knock at the door. Holly lets Blake in. Blake is carrying a cake. >Blake: Mom! How are you feeling? >Holly: I'm fine. What's that? >Blake: Oh, I' ve been baking and I thought I'd bring this over for you as a special treat. >Fletcher takes the cake, looking warily at it. >Fletch: Hmm, well, we'll look forward to it. ( He takes the cake gingerly and heads for the kitchen) >Blake: So, Mom, how did your appointment with Dr. Sedgwick go? >Holly: Fine, she said the baby's fine, I'm fine, everything's fine. >Blake: The baby's due in a month, right? >Holly nods. She looks up to see Fletcher returning with the cake, plates, a knife, and forks. >Fletch: Here, time for dessert. >Holly: I'm really not hungry, darling. But Blake, you have some. >Blake: Oh, no. I'm watching my weight. I need to lose five pounds. >Fletch: Oh, come on Blake. You don't need to lose weight. >Blake: Tell that to my clothes. (She eyes the cake and finally accepts a peace, looking guilty) >Fletcher shoves a piece toward Holly. She shoves it back. >Holly: My clothes are tight too. You eat it, Fletch. >Fletch: Oh come now, your daughter made this just for you. Go ahead and enjoy it while I go clean up the kitchen. >Blake smiles at her mother: Sounds like you have him trained. >Holly takes a bite of cake and winces: Blake, what kind of cake is this? >Blake: Carrot cake. (She takes a bite) It tastes kind of funny, doesn't it? >Holly: Did you follow the recipe? >Blake: Pretty much. (She takes another bite and winces) Gosh, it's awful, isn't it? >Holly: (sighing with relief as she puts her plate down) Yeah, it is pretty awful. But don't worry, you come by your cooking ability honestly enough. I've never been much of a cook either. >Blake: But you make up for it in other areas. >Holly: So do you (smiling). >Cut to Fletcher scraping dishes in the sink. He empties the trash into a big plastic sack, then goes into the dining room to get the trash can there. It is overloaded with paper, and when he dumps it into the sack, some of the papers slide to the floor. Fletcher bends over to pick them up and stops suddenly, looking more closely at the loosely wadded sheet of paper in his hand. >Commercial break:-) > >Blake walks by Fletcher, carrying the cake plates to the kitchen. >Blake: What's wrong, Fletch? Are you okay? >Fletcher: Uh, it's nothing. Just taking out the trash. >Blake: Looks more like you're going through the trash to me. Found anything interesting? >Holly comes up behind them: What is it, Fletcher? >Fletch: I don't know. Must be some prank of Ben's. I feel guilty reading this. I'm sure it's just some sort of joke. >Blake (devoured by curiosity): Well, what is it? >Fletch: It just says "Amanda, if you do not want your secret exposed." The boys must be playing a joke on some girl from school. >Holly: (looking concerned) It doesn't sound like a very nice sort of prank. I think you should talk to him, Fletcher. If he does know a secret about someone, he shouldn't be threatening her with exposure like this. >Fletch: (looking upset) You're right. I'll speak to him about it. >Blake takes the note and looks at it thoughtfully, her brow wrinkled. She hands it back to Fletch, then stares off into space as Fletch and Holly go into the kitchen. Suddenly she pounces on the trash sack that Fletcher left behind him and roots through it, coming up with several wads of paper that she spreads open. She discards two of them, then scans the two remaining sheets, brows furrowed. Finally she takes a deep breath and stuffs them into her pocket, looking grim. > >Next day Wednesday night Scene VII Springfield Inn >The boys are hiding in the stairwell, peeking out into the hall. >Bill: Is she there yet? >Ben: No, not yet. Wait!! There she is!! >The boys tense up, then Ben tiptoes out into the hall and Bill follows. The maid's cart is standing in front of Room 212. Ben peeks inside. Then he cautiously slides in the door and jumps under the bed. Bill follows him. The maid emerges from the bathroom, carrying a pile of towels and looking puzzled and a little upset. Then she leaves, closing the door and locking it behind her. >Ben: (still under the bed) It worked!! >Bill: (climbing out from under the bed) Gosh, she never even knew we were in here! >Ben: Hey, get back under the bed. What if someone comes in? >Bill: It's only 6:30. We have an hour and a half to wait. I'm not lying under that bed the whole time. If we hear someone coming we can dive under the bed again. >Ben: (crawling out from under the bed) I still can't believe it worked! >Bill: But you told me it was foolproof! >Ben: Well, I didn't want you to chicken out on me. I saw it in a movie once--you call down for more towels and then sneak in while the maid is in the bathroom. But I didn't know if it would actually work. >Bill: If the maid had been a little quicker, it might not. Lucky for us she was so slow. >Ben: Did you bring the recorder? >Bill pulls a microcassette recorder out of his pocket: Yeah. Plus extra tapes, just in case. >Ben: Did you check the batteries? >Bill: Yep. New batteries. And they work. We're all set. >Ben: Good. Let's just hope they both show. > >Scene VIII Lewis Oil >Vanessa is working in her office. She glances at her watch, looks upset, dials a number, and waits. >V: Matt, I'm sorry I'm not home yet. >She listens for a moment. >V: I know I promised to be home by dinner time but I HAVE to get this report faxed tonight and I keep running into problems. But it's almost done. I should be home by eight. >She listens as she types at the computer, nodding her head. >V: (a little concerned) No, I don't mind if you go out to play pool. But does this mean you're mad at me? >Wanda walks in, holding out some files for Vanessa. >V: Matt, could you wait till I get home before you leave? We need to talk. (pause while she listens, looking upset) Well, if you really can't wait. Can we talk later on this evening? (pause) Okay, I love you too. I really do. (she hangs up looking troubled) >Wanda: Here are the files you asked for. How's the report coming.? >Van: (typing the last few words) It's almost done. Thanks for the files, Wanda. Sorry to keep you late like this. >Wanda: No problem. I'm on my own tonight. Sports widow. (She grins). >Van: Sports widow. Hmm. I guess I'm in the same boat. Shall we order Chinese and just try to enjoy ourselves while we finish up this report? >Wanda: Sounds good to me. > >Scene VIX Springfield Inn, Room 212 >The door opens and Amanda enters. She throws her purse on the bed and examines herself in the mirror, then checks her watch nervously. She crosses the room, sits down in a chair, crosses her legs, then uncrosses them, paces across to the bed again and picks up her purse. >Shot of Bill lying under the bed, looking tense, staring at her feet. >Knock on the door. She opens it to find Matt. >Amanda (eagerly, pulling him into the room): Thank goodness you're here. I was afraid you wouldn't show! >Matt: I had a little trouble explaining to Vanessa why I had to go out this evening. (He scowls) >Amanda: (holding out a folded sheet of paper) Here's the note. It's Joey. I'm sure of it. >Matt takes the note and reads it aloud: Amanda, If you do not want your secret exposed, you will get 2 million dollars ready. You will be contacted about a drop-off spot within 48 hours. Please do not try to cross me. You know what will happen if you do. J >Shot of Bill's reaction under the bed as he realizes Ben has switched the note to Amanda. Bill looks angry. >Matt: This note is almost exactly like the one I got. >Amanda: Do you still have it? >Matt: No, I was afraid to keep it. I couldn't risk Vanessa finding it. But it's definitely from the same person. Typewritten, same type of paper. You really think this is Joey's work? >Amanda: I'm sure of it. And it means trouble. >Matt: Do you plan to pay up? >A: I don't see that I have any choice. But I've hired a detective to see if I can find out where Joey is hiding, first. Maybe there's some way to outwit him. >Matt: Has he found anything out? >A: Not really. He thinks our best chance is catching them at the drop. >Matt: And if you catch them? >A: Prosecute them for blackmail, I guess. >Matt: (wincing) So people would find out about us, then. >A: Not if I can help it. Of course, there's no guarantee we can catch them. >Matt sighs, looking grim. >A: Do you plan to pay up? >Matt: I don't know what to do. There's no way I can get my hands on that kind of money without going to Vanessa for help. >A: (mockingly) And your loving little wife might not be so loving if she knew the truth about her golden boy. (She laughs) I'll tell you what, tiger. I have a vested interest in keeping Joey happy. So I'll put up the money for you. >Matt shakes his head: No, I can't let you do that. No way. I don't want your money or your help. Besides, if this is really Joey's doing, it's not going to stop here. He'll want more money next time. >A: (looking alarmed) You're not going to tell Vanessa are you? >Matt: No, I don't want her to know. I don't want her involved in this in any way. Joey is bad news, and I don't want him anywhere near my family. >A: It's a little late for that, don't you think? >Matt (angrily): I should have known my past would catch up with me eventually. >A: (mockingly) And now it's done so with a vengeance. (Suddenly looking very serious) I wish I could just make my past disappear and start over with a clean slate. >Matt: For once we are in total agreement. (He stares moodily off into space) >Shot of the boys under the bed, listening. >Amanda: So, what are you going to do, Matt? >Matt: Well, I'm going to-- >He stops suddenly as there is a knock at the door. Amanda freezes, her eyes wide with fright. She motions Matt to be silent. He nods, gulping. They both stare at the door. > >To be continued...... > > > > > "It does not necessarily follow that a deep, intricate character is more or less estimable than such a one as yours.....but intricate characters are the most amusing. They have at least that advantage." Lizzy speaking to Mr. Bingley, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen