The Desk by Pat C It's one week before Christmas, and Roger is feeling uncharacteristically optimistic. Despite the appalling state of his relationships with Blake and Hart, he's still dreaming of a Thorpe family Christmas and is determined to have it at Hart's farm. Most of the restoration has been accomplished and the only thing lacking is furniture. Since he's in a sentimental mood and low on cash, he stops by the second-hand store where Holly found his Dad's old piano, to see if he can pick up any more of Adam's things to furnish the farm house. He enters and approaches the owner - Dirty Dotty - standing behind the counter. Dotty is in her late 60's and a bit of a character. Roger: Good afternoon. I've got a rather strange request.. Dotty: Oh, I doubt it, sonny. I've heard everything by this time, so just request away. Roger: Okay. About two years ago a... friend of mine bought me a piano and I believe she got it here. I was wondering...it was such a beautiful piece of furniture... do you have anything else that came in at the same time...I mean from the same owner? Dotty: Well, it's possible. What was your friend's name? Roger: Hol... (his voice catches as he remembers how different things were back then) ...her name was ...is ... Holly... Holly Lindsey. Dotty: Sure... I remember her. The redhead? She was married to that doctor fella, wasn't she? So you're the one she got that piano for ...boy she really wanted that piano... paid double what it was worth... and so pleased with herself for finding it... Roger remembers the look on Holly's face when she surprised him with the piano... smiling with anticipation as she waited for him to recognize it as the one he played on as a child. Then later, the way Chrissy beamed as she watched her parents playing a duet together... Dotty: ... she must think a lot of you! I bet you're her sweetheart, aren't you? Roger's eyes start to tear a bit and he turns away. He flashes back to that Valentine's day two years ago when he cut out a piece of scrap paper into the shape of a heart and handed it to Holly. When he turns back to Dotty he's attempting a smile. Roger: We were...close. But that's in the past. You know how those things go. Dotty: No, sonny. Can't say as I recall. It's been a long time since I had a man in my life. But say...if you're free now... Roger laughs, forgetting his sadness for a moment. Roger: I regret to say that I'm married or I'd certainly consider your flattering offer. But right now I'm only in the market for furniture. Dotty: Too bad. Well, at least I might be able to get a little money out of you if nothing else. Come on back to the warehouse and I'll show you what else I have from that lot. Roger: I'll take everything you have from him...uh... from that particular group. Do I get a discount for bulk purchasing? Dotty laughs as they enter the warehouse from the door in the back of the shop. Roger is amazed at the size of Dotty's inventory. He looks at her with new respect. Roger: You've got quite a place here. What is it... about ten-thousand square feet? Dotty: Twenty - there's another floor. There are a few things down here, but most of the lot you're looking for is upstairs. Come on. She winds her way through the narrow pathways between the crowded aisles of furniture. Roger follows. We cut to the front door of the shop as Holly and Blake enter. Blake: I think it's a great idea, Mom... fixing up your office so you can take the baby to work with you. But shouldn't you be getting rid of some furniture rather than buying more? Holly: Oh, I plan to get rid of plenty...and the first thing to go will be that clunky old desk! I think that thing's been there since the days when Fletcher ran the Journal for Alex. I want to get something...oh ...you know... a little classier...more tasteful... Blake: (looking around the empty shop, she calls out) Anybody here? Holly: Oh, Dotty's pretty casual about the way she runs this place...well, she let Jenna work here so you can imagine... Blake: (laughing as she picks up a tray of antique rings) An ex-jewel thief selling jewelry...what a hoot... Boy, Dad sure has lousy taste in women, doesn't he? Holly gives her a look, and Blake quickly hugs her. Blake: Oh, except for you, Mom. You know I didn't mean you. His feelings for you are the only thing that gives me any hope for him. Holly: Let's change the subject, shall we? Come...help me pick out a desk. Blake: All this talk of desks is making me miss Ross. His office is right around the corner. Do you mind if I run over for a visit (looks at her watch) he should be about ready for a lunch break by now. Holly: Sure, honey. I'm just going to wander around in the back here and see what I can find. You go ahead, and I'll see you later. As Blake leaves, Holly enters the warehouse and slowly walks down the aisles of old furniture, opening drawers, trying out the sofas, until she spots a group of desks in the far corner. She heads in that direction, and runs straight into a lovely desk in the Queen Anne style. When she sits in the chair she gets a strange sensation... a feeling of familiarity...like someone very dear to her was wrapping her up in their arms. Holly: Perfect. This will do nicely. Holly begins to pretend she's at the Journal working at the desk. She picks up an imaginary phone, dials and opens one of the drawers as if she's looking for paper and a pencil. Lounging back in the chair with her feet propped up on the desk, she talks to an imaginary employee on the other end of the phone. Holly: I don't care how many days it is till Christmas! I want those proof sheets on my desk in five minutes or I'll be down there to get them myself... Roger [OC]: Still vying for that "Boss of the year" award, are you Holly? Holly jumps at the sound of Roger's voice and the chair almost falls over. Roger steadies it and Holly quickly stands, regaining her composure. Holly: And you're still sneaking up on people, aren't you Roger. I guess you figure if they see you coming they'll get away fast. Roger: Believe it or not I don't care how fast you get away. In fact, I'd prefer it if you'd move along before you break my chair. Holly: Your chair? Roger: Yes. I'm buying that desk...and the chair that comes with it. Holly: You can't have this desk. I've already claimed it. Roger: I don't think so. Holly: Why would you want this anyway? It's not your style. Roger: I do have a wife. Holly: Oh...right. Well, I doubt she'd appreciate it either since it's not made of spandex. So I'll just take it and you can look for something else. Roger: No. This is the desk I'm buying. Dotty overhears this conversation, recognizes Holly and decides to leave them alone to work it out. She goes out to the shop, closes the door, begins to walk away but then pauses. With a little smile she turns back to the door and locks it. Holly: We'll just see who's buying this desk. Dotty's a friend of mine. She picks up the chair and turns to leave. Roger: Fine. You wanna be childish about this? Roger picks up the desk but quickly puts it down, with a groan. His face is contorted with pain, as he clutches his back. Holly turns and sees him as he falls forward onto the desk, face down. Holly: Oh, Roger. What next? Are you going to chain yourself to it? Roger doesn't look up. Roger: Just go. Holly: You want Dotty to see you like this? She may be an eccentric, but even she's going to think this is a little odd, Roger. Roger: Holly... Holly: Gosh, if I'd known you wanted the desk that much...I guess I could... Roger: Holly, shut up! Holly finally notices that Roger hasn't raised his head and is looking unusually stiff. She puts down the chair and walks toward him. Holly: Roger...are you alright? Roger: So glad you've finally noticed...NO I'M NOT ALRIGHT! (quietly) I can't move. I threw out my back. Holly tries to suppress her smile but the sight of Roger lying prone on the desk is too funny and she starts laughing ....quietly at first but eventually she can't control it and before long she's laughing loudly and hysterically. Holly: Oh....Roger....ha ha ha... I'm ... sorry ... but it's... ha ha ha ... if you could see ... Roger: Well, I can't see anything but the top of this desk. This comment sets Holly off on another laughing fit, but she eventually manages to control herself. She can tell Roger's really in pain. Holly: Can I do anything? I know, I'll call 911. Meanwhile, Dotty has decided to go to lunch, planning to return in an hour and let Roger and Holly out. Holly goes to the door, finds it locked and begins banging on it and yelling. Holly: Hello...hey... Dotty...let us out...help...can you hear me? She returns to Roger. Holly: Look...I think she probably just went to lunch. I'm sure we'll get out of here soon. Meanwhile... what can I do to make you more comfortable? Roger: Can you pull me forward a bit? Holly pulls him toward the edge of the desk so that he can now see beyond the desk top. She finds a couple of pillows, puts one under his head and the other on the floor beside the desk, and sits down on it, looking up into his eyes. Holly: Well, I guess you won this one, Roger. Roger: You think so? Holly: Sure, I couldn't possibly take this desk now. I'll never be able to look at it after this without breaking into hysterical laughter. Roger: Well then, I want you to have it. I like hearing you laugh. Holly reaches up and touches his cheek gently. Holly: Aren't you sweet. There you are lying in pain and you're thinking about me. Roger: I keep telling you I'm a sweet guy. Holly: Sometimes...yeah... you can be sweet... usually after you've fallen flat on your face. She laughs again, realizing what she just said. Roger: Or flat on my back. Holly: Yeah, you're always easier to deal with when you're horizontal. Roger: So are you. Holly: Too bad we can't live our lives in that position. Roger: We could for the next hour. Holly: Yes, I guess we could. Holly begins to massage Roger's temples, trying to smooth out the pain lines, as we fade to black. - The End - ****************** The Desk - Part II Roger and Holly are still in Dotty's warehouse. Holly has been massaging Roger's temples for quite some time and her arms are beginning to ache. She stops and he opens his eyes. Roger: Don't stop. Holly: Let me try something else. My arms need a rest. She stands up, and begins tentatively massaging his neck and shoulders. Holly: Ross used to have back problems and sometimes this helped. Roger: Okay. Just don't start telling me what you do for Fletcher's back. Holly: Nothing. He doesn't have back problems. Of course, he would never do anything stupid like trying to pick up a two-hundred pound desk and carry it by himself, either. Roger: Does that guy carry anything by himself? I get the feeling he dumps most of it on you. Holly: Roger, I'm not going to discuss my marriage with you. Do you want me to do this or not? Roger: Okay... you're right... I admit it was a dumb move to pick up that desk. I guess you just bring it out in me, Holly. Ahh... that feels good. Holly reaches under him and unbuttons the top few buttons near his collar and works her hands down his shirt. Holly: We bring it out in each other. It's that power thing, I guess... Roger: Ummm...you're doing great... keep it up. Maybe a little lower... Holly: I can't ... your clothes are too tight. I'll have to come at it from the other direction. (She looks at her watch) You know, Dotty should be back from lunch by now - let me check. As Roger watches Holly walk away he smiles. Roger: (talking to himself) Who'd have thought back trouble could be this much fun. When Holly returns she's looking puzzled. Holly: I don't know where Dotty could be. It's been almost two hours. Roger: Don't worry about it. If you can get my back working again I'll get us out of here. Holly: (looks down at him with a wry smile) My hero. (She considers the situation) You know, this would be a lot easier if I got up on the desk. Will that bother you? Roger: How do you mean that? Holly: (exasperated) I mean, will it hurt your back if I straddle you? Roger: I don't know. Try it and we'll see. Can you roll me over first? Holly: Maybe I should just roll you right off this desk. How would that be? Holly gets up on the desk and sits on Roger with one leg on either side of his body. She loosens his shirt and begins to gently run her hands across his back. For a moment she loses herself in the familiar feel of his skin until it occurs to her that she's enjoying this a bit too much. Holly: So, are you and Dinah getting along now? Roger: You don't want to talk about your marriage? Well... I don't want to talk about mine, either. Holly: Okay... I just thought... you said you were buying this desk for her. Roger: It was my Dad's... Holly: Roger, why didn't you just tell me that? I would have given you the desk. Roger: I guess..I didn't want you to give me anything. I'd rather just take it. Holly increases the pressure on his back. Holly: Why is that, do you think? Roger: If I can come up with an answer do I get to roll over? Holly: (laughing) No. You need three correct answers to win the prize. Roger: Okay. What are the questions? Holly continues to work on the muscles of his back as she thinks about this. Holly: Hmm..okay...one: Why would you rather take something than let me give it to you freely? Roger: Control. If I take it I'm in control. Holly: Very good. That would be my guess too. Umm..now for two: What's your master plan these days? Roger: Don't have one. I've been so busy trying to keep my head above water I don't have time to dream anymore. Holly presses down hard on his lower back. Roger: Ow... Holly.. Holly: Wrong answer. Try again. Roger: Alright. I'm planning to get you back and to help Hart gain custody of his son. Holly: And? Roger: Gee, you're tough. Okay... I'm also planning to do what I can to make life difficult for the Lewis's. Holly: What happened to the Spauldings? Roger: There's too many of them around right now. Lewis Oil, on the other hand, is ripe for the picking. Holly: I can't believe you're telling me this. Roger: Let's just say you're very persuasive. And the prize is worth it. Holly: Not so fast. You still have to answer number three. (running her hands over his back) Why can't I tell where you stop and I start? Roger: Oh...now I do have to roll over. He reaches back, lifts her up, turns over so he's laying on his back, and pulls her down against him. Holly: A miracle cure. Roger: You're the only miracle I need. They stare into each other's eyes. Roger: You're too far away. Come here. Holly can't believe she's doing this but she can't stop herself. She leans into him and presses her lips against his. She feels his hands moving over her body, pulling her closer, reaching under her sweater to caress her skin. Holly: Roger... we can't.. Roger: Yes... we can... I need you Holly. Holly: I need... my life... Roger: I don't want to interfere with your life. All I want ... is this.. He pulls her to him and kisses her deeply, and Holly believes him because she's too lost in the moment to argue. All she can think about is the smell and taste and touch of Roger... ... and the voice, shouting "This is the police! Is anyone here?" Roger: Oh....come on! What the he....? Holly quickly jumps off the desk and straightens out her clothes. She makes sure that Roger has done the same before she answers... Holly: Yes. We're over here. Frank appears from behind a pile of furniture. He looks at Roger's unbuttoned shirt and Holly's flushed face with suspicion. Frank: Holly... are you alright? Holly: Sure, except for being hot...(flustered) I mean ... there's not much ventilation in this warehouse, is there? Dotty keeps the thermostat too high if you ask me. Where is Dotty, anyway? What are you doing here, Frank? Frank: Dotty had a heart attack.. Holly: Oh, no... Roger: Is she...? Frank: She's in the hospital. She's gonna be okay, but she has to take a few days off to recuperate. She was worried about her shop and asked me to check it out. Holly: Lucky for us that you did! We were getting hungry. Roger: (staring at Holly, he says under his breath) We're still hungry... (he turns to Frank, speaking more loudly) Yeah, we're hungry, thirsty, tired and have things to do. So, if you're through asking stupid questions, we'd like to get out of here. Frank: Not so fast Thorpe. First I think you should explain what you're doing here. Roger: Oh, for... We're customers, Cooper! Is it our fault Dotty left without telling us? (Pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket) I just bought a truckload of furniture from Dotty. Here... here's my receipt. Frank: What about you, Holly? Roger: Oh, right Frank. Holly was casing the joint for a big job she has planned for tonight. Frank looks at the two of them curiously. Then turns to Holly. Frank: I was just surprised to see you here with him. (Points to Roger) Holly: Okay. We got into a silly argument about this desk and ... lost track of ... everything else. Can I go now? Roger: Yeah. I've got to get out to the farm so I'm there when the delivery men show up. (He looks at Holly) I'll probably be there all day, if you want to... settle this issue about the desk. Holly: No. The desk is yours. You bought it. Roger: I think we should talk about it. Holly: I don't want it. I changed my mind. Frank: (frustrated) Isn't this where I came in? Will you two finish this argument outside. I'm locking this place up. The three of them walk out together. As Frank locks the door, Roger turns to Holly. Roger: Do you need a ride? Holly: No. Blake drove me. I'm sure she'll be back. Frank: I saw her at the diner. Come on. I'll drive you over there. As Holly and Frank walk away Holly turns her head for a final glance at Roger, her expression is thoughtful. Roger watches her leave and wonders if she's going to show up at the farm. ****************** The Desk: Part III Holly is pacing nervously in her living room at Hollybend. She's trying to erase the memory of her afternoon with Roger on the desk. Even a long hot shower didn't relax her racing thoughts. She considers his words, "I'll be at the farm all day, if you want to... settle this issue about the desk." Holly: (talking to herself) No. I will not do this again. I finally found some peace in my life and I'm not going to throw it away because of ten minutes on a desk. She grabs a pillow and begins beating it against the back of the sofa. Holly: Damn you, Roger! Damn..damn...damn...why can't I get you out of my system? I despise you and everything you stand for! Why do I forget that the minute you touch me? She tries to muster up some enthusiasm for the cozy family evening ahead of her. Ben is returning from a ski trip and Fletcher promised to leave the Journal by nine. The bare tree is laying on the floor by the fireplace, waiting to be trimmed. Her Mom has been busy all day making batch after batch of Christmas cookies. Holly: This is the life I've always dreamed of...why do I feel like they're all smothering me? (Looks at the pillow in her hand) Maybe I should just hold this over my face for a few minutes and get it over with. We cut to Roger at the farm, handing a tip to the delivery men as he shows them out the door. Roger: Merry Christmas. And thanks again for getting here so quickly. Before he closes the door he looks off to the distance for a sign of Holly. His face registers his disappointment. He remembers her final words from this afternoon "I changed my mind. I don't want it." Roger: I'm a fool. She's not coming out here tonight. She's probably right to stay away from me. I'll never be the kind of man she needs. Maybe a year ago I could have been... I thought I could... Roger relives the moment in Alex's bedroom - a year ago tonight - when he realized that he couldn't betray Holly, even if it meant losing Spaulding. He rejected Alex's pleas to make love to her with the words "I can't do it to myself, I can't do it to you, and most of all I can't do it to Holly. The only woman I care about on earth is Holly. I want a life with her, I want it more than I want Spaulding. This is the first moment I ever realized it myself." Roger: (talking to himself) But it was too late. He looks at his watch. Roger: Maybe it's not too late. Alright. If she went home, showered, changed clothes... right about now she's probably eating dinner, no doubt Mr. Sensitive and Junior will then take off and leave her to do the clean-up... He briefly fantasizes a downtrodden Holly dressed in a shabby, tattered house dress down on her knees scrubbing the floors, while Fletcher and Ben continue tracking mud over the newly cleaned surface. He pictures Holly looking up towards heaven with dismay and regret on her face, saying, "Roger, where are you? I need you. Oh, why didn't I listen to you?" Roger: Don't worry Holly. I haven't given up on us yet! We cut to Holly, still pacing around Hollybend. Holly: I give up! I'm never going to get him out of my head tonight. Why didn't I realize what's going on here? It was a year ago tonight that Roger was going to propose to me! That's why I'm feeling so connected to him right now. I'm sure Roger's been sending me mind messages all day. Might as well drive out there and face this thing once and for all. Just a friendly visit for old times' sake. We'll just talk. I'll even bring him a house-warming gift. She picks up a basket of cookies, her coat and purse, and walks out the door. Cut to Roger, putting the finishing touches on his preparations for Holly's visit. The room is decorated for Christmas, the warm glow from the fireplace and candles provide the only light in the room; the table is set for two; a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne sits in the ice bucket. He notices a photo of Dinah on the mantel and quickly stashes it in a nearby drawer. Inspecting the table one more time, he decides the chairs are too far apart. He moves them closer together and rearranges the items on the top of the table to encourage proximity between the intended diners and to thwart any impulse on Holly's part to sit anywhere but next to him. Roger: (smiling) There. That's better. Roger walks to the door, opening it wide and surveying the horizon for signs of Holly. His disappointment is evident as he looks at his watch. Roger: Holly, where are you? He briefly considers calling her and gets as far as putting his hand on the phone when he changes his mind. Instead he moves to the stereo and programs the CD player to provide several hours of soft romantic music - all of Holly's favorites. Next, he looks into the bedroom that he furnished with Holly in mind. He decided to put the desk in there and he's planning what he'll say when he shows Holly the room for the first time "I wanted to give you a choice. We can use the desk or the bed." He imagines Holly laying across the bed, wordlessly inviting him to join her. Roger: Oh, Holly. Is this ever going to happen? To his surprise, Fantasy Holly answers him "We can make it happen, if you'll just come over here." Roger shakes his head to erase the image. He gets his coat from the closet. Roger: I'm going to make it happen, if I have to go and get you myself. He opens the door and sees Holly standing there poised to knock. Roger: Holly! Holly: You're going out. I'll leave. Roger: No. Don't go. Come in. I want you to stay. I was only going to the office because I had given up on you. She enters and starts to remove her coat. Roger tries to help her but she flinches at his touch. Holly: Don't touch me. Roger: Are you still afraid of me? Holly: Not in the way you mean. Not in a physical sense. Roger: How then? Holly: I'm afraid of what happens to me when I'm around you. If you touch me I won't be able to do what I came here to do. Roger turns away, afraid he's not going to like what's coming next. Roger: What did you come here to do? Holly sits down on the sofa and Roger sits in a chair across from her. He's leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. He briefly rests his head in his hands, and then he faces her. Holly: I think we should talk... about what's been happening between us lately... about what happened between us last year. Roger: You remember what day this is? Holly: Of course I do, Roger. How could I forget? It's been a year now, and I'm hoping we have enough distance that we can figure out what happened between us and move on. Roger: Maybe if we figure out what happened we could fix it. Holly: Let's take one step at a time. First of all, what do you think happened? Roger: To summarize: I lied about going to Alex's, you thought I slept with her, you slept with Fletcher, you didn't feel you could tell me about it, I couldn't respect your feelings so I manipulated and conned you to get the truth, you saw that as proof that I hadn't really changed and turned to Fletcher. Holly: Oh, if we're doing a chronology of events, we have to start earlier than that; let's not forget - I told you not to go after Spaulding, then I told you that yes, you should, then I asked you to be honest and open with me, but shortly thereafter I said I didn't want to hear the gory details of your con job because it offended me, then I gave you a week to wrap it up or move out... all of which probably contributed to your lying to me about Alex in the first place. Roger looks at her, surprised. Roger: But then if you realized... Holly: Wait. Those are the objective facts. From the outside that looks like a plausible explanation of what happened to us. But I've thought about this a lot, and I realized something. It isn't what we did that proves we're no good for each other... it's the reasons we did it. Roger: Why did we do it? Holly stands up and begins to pace slowly. Holly: Do you remember today when I said I can't tell where you stop and I start? Roger: Yes. I feel that too... when we make love. Holly: But with me... it's more than that. I think... what happens is ... I lose myself when I'm with you. Roger: But Holly, I lose myself too. Holly: No you don't. Not in the same way. When we were together the only thing that mattered to me was our relationship. I only saw the rest of the world in terms of how it affected our relationship. You still had your Spaulding schemes, your search for Hart, Peter's custody... Roger: You're right. All that is true... was true. But I changed, Holly. By this time last year I was ready to give all that up for you. And I was happy about it. I was happy to lose myself in you. Now I know you're thinking that the parts of myself I was losing are the parts I should lose anyway, but... it's still a loss for me. But to me... it was worth it... you were worth it. Holly: But don't you see Roger, it shouldn't be like that. Love should make you more, not less. Roger: We never really had a chance... we don't know what we could have been like, Holly. We'd only just gotten started... Holly: Yes... we'd just gotten started and there was already so little left of me that if we'd continued I would have disappeared completely. Roger: (hurt) You're saying... I make you less? Holly: No! Not you. I know I always try to blame you, but it's really about me. It's the way I behave with you. You know how some people can't handle alcohol? Well, that's how I am with you. Roger: So I'm alcohol. Does that mean Fletcher is your coffee? Holly: (smiling) Yeah... I guess you could say that. Roger: So what do I do? What am I supposed to use to fill this place inside of me where you should be. Can't I be in your life at all? Isn't there some remote corner where you could stash me without fearing I'll take over your life? Holly: I don't know... Roger: Don't alcoholics always keep a bottle somewhere in the house, just to prove they can resist it? Holly: (smiling) That's true. Roger: And another thing... what if I'm not alcohol? Holly: What? Roger: You may very well be an addict... I believe you know yourself well enough to decide if that's the case... but what if you're addicted to something besides alcohol! For example, what if I'm food? Holly stares at him in disbelief. Her mouth drops open. She's completely deflated. Here she thought she had this whole thing worked out, that she would make her little speech and then make her getaway, and with one word Roger has managed to point out a major flaw in her scenario. She stands up and starts pacing... Holly: Ohhhh...damn you, Roger. Why did you have to come up with that idea? I suppose you're saying that if you're food then it's in my best interests to learn how to handle you in moderation? Roger: (smiling) Exactly. Holly: Hmmm...you're food, huh? Well, now we have to figure out whether you're dessert or the main course! Roger: (standing) Why don't we discuss that over dinner. Are you hungry? Holly: Starving. (She looks at the table) Do you have dinner for us? Roger: I do. He holds out his hand to her and after a brief hesitation she takes it. He leads her over to the table, seats her, takes her napkin and tucks it into the neck of her sweater. He removes the cover from her plate with a flourish. Roger: Madame, this is not just any dinner. Holly looks at her plate and smiles joyfully. Holly: Roger... this is the same... Roger: Yes. I thought since we never had a chance to eat this meal a year ago, we should have it tonight. Holly's smile grows and she feels as though a weight has been lifted from her heart. She suddenly realizes how much she was mourning the loss of Roger in her life. She vaguely recalls that there are people waiting for her, but decides that she and Roger deserve this one meal together. As Roger looks into her smiling eyes, his own smiling in return, he begins to think that maybe there's a chance... a chance they'll use that desk again after all. But probably not tonight. The end