Subject: My Jan. Rot Soap! (Section 1) MARC'S ROTSOAP STORY--JANUARY Folks, Hey, everyone! Happy new year to you all. I know it's been *months* since I've "RotSoaped" (my last submission "aired" in September), but I'm finally back--with the conclusion to my latest long-running story. This will be the first section of the concluding "episode;" the second, absolute section should be in your hands by this Saturday night, Jan. 25th. Then after that, I can finally "start over again" myself--with shorter (no more than two parts), on-time stories! Hope you like this one; I'm including my last RotSoap entry to get you back in the swing of things (plus, I like the Harley/Annie scene), and I'll enclose a slightly more detailed recap with the next section, but here's what you basically need to know: After a birthday party at the diner where she reunited with Sarah (yes, she's still alive here), Rusty and Dylan (who is still blind, and meets Abby, starting a mutual friendship), Reva gets a phone call. A mysterious voice asks her to choose between Josh and Buzz--one will live, one will die. She chooses Josh, and the caller thanks her and hangs up. Later, Josh and Buzz find Reva and the Shaynes at the police station, where she recounts what happened and unfortunately is forced to reveal her choice, which hurts Buzz. Meanwhile, Samantha and Harley try to figure out who took a scandalous picture of Josh and Reva dancing at the Towers Club, a picture that was printed in the Journal in Dinah's society column, angering Josh. Harley happens to bang into Annie in the club lobby while Sam asks Hamp about the staffers who were there the night of the photographed dance. And Mindy--who had just re-started her relationship with Rick--is caught in a car explosion in the Towers garage, right in front of the stunned Mr. Bauer, and right near a mysterious woman had stood earlier. Remember, I started this a *while* ago, so the show has almost totally veered in another direction from when I started. As usual, all characters and situations are copyright Procter and Gamble. Take care, people! Keep watching the light, Marc Wilkofsky STARTING OVER AGAIN: PART 5 (THE CONCLUSION)--ACT 1 SCENE 1. The Journal. Early morning. Dinah strolls into the main pressroom, and notices that the voice-mail light is blinking on her phone. A very sluggish Samantha enters right behind her, and walks over to her desk, where she spots a note. Dinah sits down, presses the speakerphone button, enters her voice-mail code and listens to the message. MICHELLE'S VOICE: Hi, Dinah...I thought I'd let you know that I'll be coming into work a few hours late today...I've been keeping Rick company at the hospital, while he watches over Mindy...I've gotten a little sleep, but I'll be going home and getting a little more this morning...so I'll be in by early afternoon. Could you please tell Fletcher in the nicest way possible? Thanks--'bye! DINAH (presses the speakerphone button again): Humph. Some people are just too lazy... SAM (holding and looking at the letter): Oh no... DINAH: What--you were hoping for Michelle to do some errands for you today? Like hand out copies of your big cover story? SAM: No... (holds up the letter towards Dinah) This is a reminder from Fletcher that he and Holly will be out today...they're taking Meg on a trip...and I'm supposed to be in charge. DINAH (gets up, smiling): What? You? You've got as much managerial experience as you've had sleep last night...give me that! (grabs letter, starts reading) "...and that you're in charge today..." Oh, come *on*... "Holly wanted to ask that you make sure Michelle finishes her photocopying project, and I'd like to make sure you watch over Dinah; her latest column's due today..." Watch over Dinah?!? (tosses sheet back to Sam; it falls to the floor) Looks like it'll be the other way around! SAM (too tired to pick up the sheet): What? But... DINAH (walks over to Sam's chair, rolls it towards her) Honey, you obviously need some rest...just sit down here for a while, and I'll take char--make sure things run smoothly around here. SAM (approaching the chair): Dinah, I'm fine...really... DINAH: No, you're not, Sam...don't tell me you're capable of running a newspaper when you can't even walk... (Sam sits down) There you go. (Sam immediately falls asleep, as Dinah grins) CUT TO: SCENE 2. Annie is asleep in her and Josh's bed. Suddenly, she wakes up screaming. ANNIE: You can't have him!! Noooo! Nooo... JOSH (half-dressed, he runs into the bedroom, and over to Annie, then wraps his arms around her, trying to calm her down): Annie...honey, what's wrong? You have a nightmare? ANNIE (flustered and almost crying): Oh, Josh...I still have you...you're still here. (she hugs him) JOSH: Of course I am, Annie... (places her head on his chest and runs his fingers through her hair) I'll always be here for you...always... (Close-up on Annie's eyes, as she has a flashback. She recalls her talk the night before with Harley, in the Towers Club lobby.) HARLEY: "Always..." That was their watchword, Annie. Reva used to tell me about it all the time...about the first time they pledged to *always* love each other...about the time they both almost drowned, and she could feel him say "always" to her in her mind..."always, Reva..." Let me tell you, that's become my least favorite word. ANNIE: I can understand that. HARLEY: *She* probably uses it as her mantra when she meditates, though. (they both laugh) Listen, hon, this isn't a light subject. ANNIE: I know...it never has been, Harley. I'm sure it wasn't for you. HARLEY: How much do you love Josh, Annie? ANNIE: Josh means everything to me...he's given me new hope...my world revolves around him... HARLEY: Enough with the cliches, hon...how much do you love the man? ANNIE: Well, I'd say, "With all my heart," but you'd bust me for cliche usage again. HARLEY: No, that's a start...would you do anything for him? ANNIE: Of course I would... HARLEY: Would he do the same for you? ANNIE: I believe so... HARLEY: You believe so...how much do you trust him? ANNIE: I trust him completely...as he does me. HARLEY (smirks): Are you sure of that? ANNIE: Yes, I'm positive...we've had our problems with that, but everything's... HARLEY (breaking in): Uh-huh. ANNIE: What do you mean, "uh-huh"? What are you driving at? (Harley tries to reply, but Annie keeps going) Are you trying to prove that I have as much of a hold on Josh as you did when he left you? HARLEY: No, Annie, I'm not...because you have *less* of a hold on him... (Annie looks shocked) I had to battle a memory, while you have the real thing on your hands. Josh and I...we had it all...and we thought "all" included "forever"...for one beautiful split second, it did...but as soon as there was the tiniest chance Reva was alive, I became the other woman. He never meant to hurt me...he wanted me to "always" be happy, and wished that for me when he left...we both know what a great guy he is. But he realized that neither of us would be happy as long as *she* was out there somewhere...and once we both understood that truth, the fact that it was over hurt a heck of a lot less. ANNIE: Did you...try to hold it together? HARLEY: Annie, every minute I was with him, I fell more in love with him...but I knew well enough that as my heart filled, his slowly emptied...I could see it happening, day by day. And that kind of slow pain I can't take. So I didn't want to make it worse by not only stalling, but hurting myself more and more...so when he told me his decision that one awful night, I didn't fight. I didn't yell. Boy, could I have yelled--but I didn't. ANNIE: You loved him enough to let him go. HARLEY: That's the worst cliche in the book...but it's not only true, it's my point. We both know how much they love each other, Annie. That's *love*--present tense. He'll never be free of that. ANNIE: He says he is...he's told me he is... HARLEY: Hon, this is a man who left a solid relationship with a super girl for a two-second image on a travel video-- ANNIE: --and he's also a man with firm convictions, a caring, honest heart, and (holds up her hand) a ring on her finger that promises he'll stay devoted to me! I hear what you're saying, Harley, and I'm really sorry you had to grow through that--believe me, I can more than relate, But things have *changed*--sure, she's alive and back in this town. He may even still have feelings for her--I can accept that. I can accept it because I know he loves me more than her, because I've never left him, I've never hurt him, I've never broken his heart--all I've done is give him a brand-new, wonderful life...the life he alwa--has wanted for a long time. HARLEY: Annie, have you been learning to spit out bull from the doctors you work with? 'Cause you're doing a fine job! ANNIE: What? HARLEY: I know you mean what you say, but don't you realize...it doesn't matter if he loves you more, or you love him more than she does. (puts her hands on Annie's shoulders) Your love for him will never...ever...amount to as much as the connection they have for each other...their combined love. (Annie looks upset) It's a force of its own...and it's ready and waiting to cause some serious damage...you just wait. ANNIE: I plan to do more than *wait*! I plan to... JOSH (putting on his tie) breaking into her flashback): Honey? I've gotta run... ANNIE (focusing on him): Wait! Wait...it's Saturday...where are you going? JOSH: Don't you remember? Mindy's in the hospital...I have to go see her... ANNIE: Oh, that's right...it's just horrible what happened to her... Who...else will be there? JOSH: Dylan, I think...and Rusty...and Rick took her case, so he should be there... ANNIE: What about... JOSH: Reva? Don't worry, sweetheart... (kisses her on her forehead) She had too rough a night last night to handle this today...I doubt she'll be there. ANNIE: I'm coming with you. JOSH: What? Oh, come on... (notices her almost wild eyes) Whatever you say, honey. Maybe you can check in on some other patients while you're there. Let me make you breakfast. (leaves the room) ANNIE (out loud): I'm going to do everything I can to keep him, Harley. And that includes not letting him out of my sight. CUT TO: SCENE 3. Reva and Buzz's bedroom. Reva wakes up slowly, then looks to her side to find...nobody. REVA (upset): Did he just sit on the couch all night? (sits up in bed) Oh, Buzz... (tears form in her eyes) I never wanted to hurt you... But when that monster asked who I'd rather keep alive...I chose Josh. (starts crying) And since you're such a stubborn fool, you never trust me again... (steels herself) No, I was the fool. (springs out of bed) Buzz has to realize I was going crazy with fear when I made that choice! So it shouldn't matter as much... Oh, who are you fooling, Reva? It's over...I made sure of that by blabbing the truth... *now* what am I gonna do? (Suddenly, the doorbell rings. She jumps up, grabs and puts on her robe, and runs downstairs to the door, where she finds...) ABBY (signing as she speaks): Hi, Reva. REVA: Abby! What are you doing here so early? ABBY (entering the home): I wanted to see if you were all right after last night. REVA (sitting with Abby on the couch): Oh, sure--why in the world wouldn't I be? I lost my husband, I freaked out my family, and then I find out my ex-niece is in a coma after being caught in a car explosion! ABBY: Yes, everyone was so upset when Frank came over and told us the news... REVA: I have to say, I was almost grateful for the interruption...I know it sounds terrible... ABBY: No, I understand--you were looking for any way to get out of talking to Buzz and your ex-husband... REVA: And I sure got a way! ABBY: Well, I know this is a bad time, but I have to ask you for some advice... REVA: About what, sweetie? ABBY: About...my loveli-- (suddenly, the phone rings) REVA: *Uh* oh...wonder who's calling now? ABBY: It couldn't be that horrible person, could it? REVA: If it is, he'll be sorry he called... (picks up the phone) Hello? Dylan? (Abby's face perks up tremendously) Dylan, I'm so glad you called! How's Mind--what? Oh, no! We--we'll be right down there! Okay--now, don't worry! (hangs up) ABBY: What? What is it, Reva? REVA: It's Mindy....she's taken a turn for the worse! (running up the stairs) I've got to get over there...! (stops, notices Abby's dejected look) Sorry, but I can't talk now. ABBY: Would you mind if I came with you? REVA: What? Oh, no--no, not at all! (running up the stairs again) Just give me 10 minutes to get ready-- ABBY: Reva? REVA (turning around) What? ABBY: She's going to make it...she has to. REVA: Just keep praying! Oh, poor Dylan... (Reva is out of sight, as Abby runs her hand through her hair) ABBY: Dylan...one day, Dylan...one day... ****************************** AND NOW...THE CONCLUSION ****************************** SCENE 4. Cedars. Dylan, Sarah and Rick (holding a clipboard) are standing by Mindy's bed. A bulky, half-asleep guard is outside the door. RICK: Thank God she made it through that last bout of cardiac arrest. SARAH: Yes, this girl's a real trooper. DYLAN (holding Mindy's half-charred hand): Who could have done this? Who...DID...this to my...sister? RICK: I...have no idea, Dylan. DYLAN (swinging around to Rick's general area): You told me you were right there with her! RICK: And I just *told* you I have no idea who could've possibly planted the bomb! SARAH (putting an arm around Dylan): Calm down, honey...Rick's trying his best...how could he know who did this cruel thing? RICK (trying to speak soothingly): No one even knew she was back in town. DYLAN (holding back tears): I...know...I...I'm sorry, Rick...it's just that I can't lose another member of my family. I have a little girl out there who doesn't even know I'm her father... (Rick suddenly looks dejected after this statement)...*my* father's in prison, and I can only speak to him on the phone...and I went through so much pain with Reva--I thought I'd lost my mother forever, right after finding her... HAWK (bursting into the room): Is she all right? Is she going to make it?? RICK: She's stable again, Hawk--she just had a minor setback... HAWK: Minor setback? You call a heart attack a minor setback? I'd say this hospital *hiring* you is a major set-- SARAH: Now, Hawk... RICK (firmly): ...and she pulled through. Now, if you'll all just wait outside... HAWK: What? I want to talk to her for a while...give her the old Hawk Shayne get-up-'n'-go speech! SARAH (pulling Hawk by his arm): Thank you, Rick...we'll be right outside. Come on, Dylan--she'll be all right. RICK: Thanks, folks. (He looks at a few monitors, glumly, then stares at Mindy with deep solemnity.) (Dylan follows the couple outside; Sarah nods to the guard and picks up a newspaper on a chair near the door. Closeup on the front page: It has a Mindy cover story on it, by Samantha Marler-Grant.) HAWK (to Sarah, as Dylan slowly walks away): I guess I shouldn't've called sister and told her to hoof it down here, seeing as how Mindy'll be all right and all. SARAH: No, it's best that you did, Hawk; she can help to cheer up Dylan. Lord, what that poor boy's been through... (Camera follows Dylan walking around the corner, and then stops and practically collapses in sorrow. Feels for the wall, and leans against it, tears falling, fists clenched.) DYLAN: I could have...BEEN THERE...for her...I should've protected her...but I'm USELESS...useless... (suddenly, we see, and Dylan feels, a hand on his shoulder) (Rick leaves Mindy's room and approaches Michelle, sleeping on a few chairs; he jostles her awake.) RICK (sitting down with her): Why are you still here, Michelle? MICHELLE (already sitting up, ready for the new day): Because I like the coffee, Rick. What do you think? (touches his shoulder) To take care of you while you take care of Mindy...it seems like everyone's worried about her, but I'm concerned about *you.* RICK: Thanks...thanks very much...but you shouldn't worry so much...I'll be all right. Everything's going to be all right. MICHELLE: *Someone* has to think about you...you were always there for me, just like Dad. RICK: Well, Dad's missing a *lot* these days... (stares at a nearby pregnant patient) and aren't *you* missing work? MICHELLE: Well...I was planning on calling in sick and staying here... RICK: No, the Journal needs you more than me...but *you* need some good rest first, and a shower...I'll take you home, and you can hit your desk a little later today. MICHELLE: Yeah, yeah...okay, Boss...hey, isn't that Reva Shayne? REVA (running over to Rick): Rick! Rick! Is she all right?? RICK (getting up): Calm down, Reva...she's in stable condition, and I...have hope for her. We just have to keep watch over her; she may need a skin graft or two. (Michelle makes a face, and Reva bows her head, looking extremely depressed.) REVA: Oh, God...how could this have happened? (she suddenly feels the need to look up, and sees a fast-moving Josh, followed a few steps behind by Annie) Oh, Josh... (runs over to hug him) Josh, I'm so sorry... (They hug, as Annie watches.) I know she'll make it through...she's a Lewis, and we're--*they're* strong... (Harley runs into the area, and sees the scene, then makes eye contact with a despondent Annie. Rick starts walking toward the crowd with Michelle, and then sees Dylan sauntering towards them all, holding the hand of Abby. He smiles.) RICK (looking at the new couple, and saying to himself): I wish you all the happiness in the world, you two...all the happiness Mindy and I...will never have. MORE LATER THIS WEEK! >> >"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. >> >"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. > "Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." --Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. >>>> >>"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >>--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. >> >