From: wesley Subject: Alex's Leaving Alex's Leaving by HolnRog@aol.com 2/7/96 This is the week that Alexandra has finally decided to leave Springfield. She has asked Roger to see her in her office at the Spaulding Foundation. Roger: Alex, you wanted to see me? Does this have anything to do with your leaving Springfield? Alex: Yes, it does darling. It's occurred to me that I won't be holding up my end of the bargain -- in regards to your marriage to Amanda. I want to arrange for your wedding present. Roger: Why not have Amanda join us then? She would be justifiably thrilled to know that you are making arrangements for our wedding gift. Alex: Darling, this pertains to business, Amanda still needs to get her feet wet in regards to that. Roger: (skeptically) Aha! So there is a price to this so called "gift"? Alex: (self-assured) That's right, Roger. Cut to Holly, as Dinah answers the doorbell to the penthouse. Dinah: Holly? What is that you want? Holly: Hmmm. May I come in? Dinah: Yeah, sure. Holly: I'll get right down to it. Alexandra Spaulding is planning to leave Springfield. When she does, it conceivable that she will sell off her half of WSPR. Dinah: And? Holly: And... you own the other half of WSPR through your divorce from Roger, of course. Dinah: So? Holly walks around the couches of the penthouse and rolls her eyes. She can't believe she needs to lead this young woman into this conversation. Holly: (turns to look Dinah straight in the eye) I have a business proposition for you. Dinah reveals her interest. Cut to Alex and Roger. Alex has produced a contract that Roger is now reading. Alex: That's right, Roger. Its a very fair price, almost too fair. And considering that you'll be using your Spaulding paychecks to buy it, it seems all too justified. Roger: Hmmm. This does seem to be very fair, Alex. But its only one half... (Roger's mind is racing) Alex: Dinah Marler owns the other half, darling. You'll have to come up with a way to wheetle it out of the young girl on your own. (They join in a cynical laugh.) Amanda suddenly walk in. Amanda: What is this all about? Cut to Dinah and Holly. Holly: I want your half ownership of WSPR. Dinah: Why would you and Fletcher want half of WSPR you already own a good portion of the Springfield Journal? Holly: (stretching her arms as she sits on the couch) This has nothing to do with Fletcher. I want WSPR for myself. Dinah: (thinking she's so smart for catching on) But it will only be half... Holly: (no-nonsense) Let's get right down to it, Dinah, shall we? WSPR has been slipping in the overall ratings ever since you decided to abandon its steadfast format of reasonably intelligent programming. Dinah's mouth gapes open. She's about to speak, but Holly continues. Holly: I'm willing to pay you a very fair price for your share of WSPR. Dinah: Why should I sell it to you? Holly: Because you know that it will go into the right hands. I've managed WSPR very successfuly in the past. It was at its best when Roger and I were running it. You will feel very assured that the best interest of your employees is involved, especially considering that they were all once MY employees... (takes a breath) Besides which, there is a rumor spreading that Alexandra is going to approach Roger with HER half of the station. Dinah: Well, why wouldn't I want to run the station with Roger? He's a good and decent man, I've realized that. Holly: He's also enveloped in charm and powerful persuasion. Something you had trouble dealing with in the past. Dinah: What makes you think you can handle him? You kept leaving him. You... Holly: (sitting all the way back in her seat, interrupting) I can handle Roger just fine. Dinah stares at Holly looks away and then looks at her once again with a curious smirk. Dinah: Exactly how much are you offering me? I'll have to show this to Daddy...to my attorney you know? Dinah is about to pick up the document that Holly had laid on the coffee table, but Holly snatches it up. Holly: This is a one-time only offer. After that, you'll have to deal with Roger persuading you to sign for him. What's it going to be? Do you really want to consider the welfare of the station, or...? The doorbell rings. Holly: (looking to the door) That's probably Roger right now. (Holly hands Dinah the document) Dinah smirks. (Outside the door) Amanda: I really don't like that Alex gave the station to you and not to both of us. Roger: She didn't GIVE anything. I'm paying her one hefty price for that half of the station. Once you convince Dinah to negotiate with me for the remainder, I'll be in total control of WSPR, one of the things I've wanted for a very long time. Dinah opens the door. She looks from Amanda to Roger. Amanda: (grinning) Dinah! Dinah: It's too late. I've already sold my half of WSPR. Holly appears at the doorway. A brilliant, self-assured smile on her face. Roger is astonished, yet smiles an equally brilliant grin at Holly. Holly steps out of the doorway, her body touches Roger's as she leaves. Holly: (shaking her hair) See you in the newsroom. Roger's eyes follow Holly as she proceeds to the stairwell. The next day. The entire staff at WSPR have prepared for their favorite boss, Holly Lindsey, to return to her place at the fore at the television station. An enormous banner hangs on the set in Holly's honor. As Holly comes through the doors from the parking garage, she is greeted by many of her staff. Bonnie takes her around to see all of the production crew on the set. Roger walks through a side entrance to witness the hub-bub of well-wishers for Holly. Bonnie notices her old boss looking up at the sign for Holly. All are silenced when Roger speaks. Roger: (reading the banner) Welcome back, Holly. That's very fitting. I imagine that everyone realizes that I'm here as well, in place dutifully at Ms. Lindsey's side. Bonnie: Oh, we thought about that too, Roger. (Calling to one of the stagehands) Okay, Ken let it rip! The crew unfolds a small section of the paper banner. It reads "and Roger, too." Holly lets out with an tremendous laugh; the staff joins in. In spite of himself, Roger joins them. Later, Holly goes to the station manager's office and opens the door and enters. She doesn't notice that Roger is close behind her. Roger closes the door behind them. Holly: Oh no. This is MY office. Roger: (coming closer to Holly, their bodies nearing touching) Well, it was my office last -- after you vacated. Holly leans her body back onto the desk as Roger comes closer to her. She glances back at the desk and shakes her head. Holly: Uhhhh, uh uh. (She side-steps past Roger) Roger: (confused) What? Holly: Nevermind. (pauses) I'm going to go to the tape room and look for some material for a program I've been interested in starting. (pauses) Care, to join me, partner? (She glances provocatively in Roger's direction as she leaves) Holly: I'm taking the stairs, by the way. Roger follows close behind. His eyes glancing at Holly's long legs as they go down the stairwell. The couple enters the tape room. Holly quickly disappears behind one of the massive videotape shelves. Roger finds Holly reaching from a short service ladder. Roger notices that one section of tapes is close to the edge; as Holly pulls a tape out, Roger grabs Holly. And group of tapes fall beside them as Roger cushions Holly's fall on top of him to the floor. Another stack of tapes tumbles beside the fallen couple. Roger: (chimes in) I'm not picking them up. Holly giggles. The couple is sprawled on the floor. Roger's arms about Holly's waist. Holly's hands clinging to Roger's chest. They stare at each other intensely. Roger's hand moves slowly to her leg and he caresses her knee. Holly reaches her hand to the back of Roger's neck and the couple kisses passionately.... The End >> >"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values.