Subject: Rot Soaps - From Here to There Part 17 >From Here to There Part #17 Let's Be Reasonable...Let's Not By -A editor extraordinaire: Emily S Open to the park. It's a beautiful day. Blake is entertaining the boys with Roger's help, as they listen to Leo's strategy for the upcoming custody hearing. Roger:(trying to soothe Blake's frazzled nerves, gives her a hug) It's going to work out, Blake. I promise. Leo:(enthusiastically) Rick is being served with a restraining order as we speak. Blake: That's a relief. His harassment was starting to worry me. Roger: Chrissy, would you like me to move in with you till this is all over? Blake:(touched by his offer) Thanks, Daddy, but I'm trying to keep things as= =20 "normal" as possible for the boys... They've had too many upheavals in their young little lives. Roger: Yes, well if that no good father of their's hadn't abandoned you... Blake:(puts her hand up to silence Roger) Don't, Daddy; I don't need to go there today. Roger: Sorry, honey. It's just I find that sanctimonious, hypocritical= prig... Blake: Shhhh, he is Jason's father. Leo:(interjecting) Jason AND Kevin's father according to our plan. You know the drill, right, Blake? Blake:(nods) If Rick comes within 25 meters of me or the boys, he is in violation. And, if I think it is warranted, I call the police. Roger: That's right. Don't go getting soft on him. This is your "family" you are fighting for. Blake:(kisses Kevin's curly little head) You don't have to remind me. Whatever it takes. ************************ Early in the evening of the same day, open to the Carriage house. Holly has dropped by to check on her daughter. They are sitting on the sofa sharing a bottle of wine. Blake is ignoring the pounding on the door, hoping Rick will give up and leave. Holly:(a little perplexed by Blake's behaviour) Honey, don't you think you should let him in? Blake: No, he isn't coming in my house. But, excuse me for just a minute. (she walks over and opens the door) Leave, Rick, or I'll be forced to call= the police. Rick:(grimacing, wanting to get some answers) Are you insane? A restraining order... He's my SON! Blake:(in a bitchy tone) Is he? Rick:(not caring for her tone or implication) Yes. I don't know what kind of little game you are playing, Blake, but you know he is my son. Blake:(acting much more blas=E9 then she feels) I think that is up to the court to decide. (hands on hips) Now, you have thirty seconds to get off my doorstep before I call the police. Rick:(tries a different tact) Blake, come on, be reasonable. Blake: Like you've been with me? Thirty seconds, Doctor! (she slams the door in his stunned face, he is beginning to wonder if he did the right thing) Rick:(to himself) Fine, Blake. Just fine. You want to play hardball? You ot it! He gets into his car and speeds off. Inside the Carriage house, Holly is very disturbed, wondering what has gotten into Blake. Holly: What is going on? Blake: Welcome to hell! Or should I say, "The Life and Times of Blake Marler... soon to be Blake Thorpe again." The fun never ends. Holly: That's not funny. You and Rick are going to court? Blake: He is suing me for joint custody of Kevin. Holly: Joint custody seems reasonable. Why are you fighting? He is Kevin's father. Blake:(coyly) Is he? I'm willing to let Leo take his best shot to prove otherwise? Holly:(cringing at the name Leo Flynn and its obvious implications) Oh, Blake, not Leo Flynn, Roger's lackey! Blake:(with a false bravado) Don't be dissin' Leo. (seriously, she looks her mom in the eyes, her earnestness is evident) All I have left of my life is those boys, and I'll be damned if I don't do everything in my power to protect them. Holly: What does Ross say about all this? Blake:(with a raw vehemence that startles Holly) Who the hell cares? He abandoned us, so we'll fend for ourselves. Holly is overcome by a suffocating feeling of dread, sure that nothing good= is going to come of this. >> >"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.