a>MARC'S JUNE ROTSOAPS STORY--Completed June 16, 1996
>
>Hey again, everyone! Here's part 2 of this three-part story! Hope you enjoy
>it. (As usual, all the characters and situations in this story are copyrights
>of Procter & Gamble.)
>Keep watching the Light,
>Marc Wilkofsky
>
>"STARTING OVER AGAIN" (PART 2)
>by MarcEditor@aol.com
>
>SCENE: The Journal. Josh is angrily staring at a smiling Dinah as Fletcher,
>Harley and Samantha look on.
>
>JOSH: YOU?!? You're Miss Society?
>DINAH: In the gossip-loving flesh. What--are you surprised I have some
>writing ability? Some fan you are!
>JOSH (steaming mad): I'm no fan, you little bi--
>FLETCHER (breaking in): Would you excuse us for a few minutes, Josh? I'm sure
>I can get to the bottom of all this. After all, as you noted, I'm the editor
>of this *rag*! (grabs the copy Josh brought in)
>SAM (touching Josh's arm): Good idea, Fletcher. Josh, would you like some
>coffee? (Fletch escorts Dinah away.)
>JOSH: Coffee?! I'd like her sniveling head on a platter! Along with the name
>of her photographer!
>SAM: Yes, I noticed there was no credit line for that picture. Maybe she
>happened to have a camera that night, and took it herself...but it's funny,
>because I didn't see her there...
>JOSH: You were *there*? At the Towers Club? You *saw*...
>HARLEY (throwing herself in): Yes, Josh! We were about to walk onto the
>balcony to reminisce, when we spotted you and Reva getting awfully
>friendly--and doing *much *more than reminiscing! Feel like explaining *that*
>one, Mr. High-and-Mighty? (Josh and Harley stare at each other.)
>
>CUT TO:
>SCENE: Fletcher's office. Fletcher is leaning against his desk, arms folded,
>with Dinah standing in front of him.
>
>FLETCH: I hate to ask, especially after the brilliant thing you did to Roger,
>but are you as moralless as you are clueless?
>DINAH: What's *that* supposed to mean?
>FLETCH: I hired you to write about big society bashes and boring charity
>events--not scandalize one of the town's most influential men! (holds up
>paper with her column)
>DINAH: Well, you said it yourself, Fletch...those stuffy little parties are
>extremely *boring*...and I thought reporters were supposed to write about the
>truth!
>FLETCH: Uh-huh...so when you saw Josh and Reva dancing together, you decided
>to take a picture and produce a factless story about it that you'd pass off
>as the truth?
>DINAH: For your information, I *wasn't* there--but I have my sources! And
>this particular source as *very* believable...
>FLETCH: Who is it? And who took the photo?
>DINAH: One and the same, boss...but you'll never find out from me.
>(approaches door, then turns around) Now, are you going to force me to
>apologize to Josh?
>FLETCH: *You* wrote the *piece*!
>DINAH (sighs): Only upon instructions of my source...I wanted to make it a
>tiny, harmless paragraph, and she--
>FLETCH: She?
>DINAH: I--I've said enough already! (She storms out of the office, leaving a
>frazzled Fletcher. Josh grabs her arm.)
>JOSH: Wait just one minute, young lady--I'm not done with you yet!
>
>CUT TO:
>SCENE: Meals on Wheels Diner. Reva is sitting between Dylan and Buzz at a
>booth, with Rusty, Sarah and Hawk squeezed into the seat across from them.
>
>REVA (putting her arms around the two men): You know, it's times like these
>when I feel nothing could go wrong in my life.
>HAWK: With a life like yours, darlin', that's saying a lot!
>SARAH (turns eyes to Hawk): Hawk!! (back to Reva) We all feel the same, Reva.
>(puts her hands out onto the table, and Reva takes her arm from around Buzz's
>back, putting her head on his shoulder and her hands on her mother's hands)
>REVA: I know, mama, I know.
>RUSTY: Hey, y'all, Dylan told me he has good news--so spill it, man!
>(everyone looks to him)
>DYLAN (grinning): It's nothing much...my doctor just told me he's noticed
>signs of my getting my sight back.
>REVA (excitedly hugging him): Oh, Dylan, that's amazing! (everyone cheers)
>DYLAN: Yeah, mom. I even see flashes of light occasionally. But I actually
>wanted someone else to find out as soon as possible...
>BUZZ: Bridget, right?
>DYLAN: Yeah, sir--how'd you know?
>BUZZ: Hey, I saw you guys sharing shakes in here enough times...but I've got
>a little bad news.
>DYLAN: What?
>BUZZ: She left town for a while, just yesterday...along with Peter, Vanessa,
>Hart and Matt.
>REVA: They all needed some time to think about their arrangements, now that
>Peter's growing up.
>DYLAN: Matt? Who's Matt?
>REVA: That's Bridget's brother, Dylan--she must have told you about him. He
>married Vanessa a few months ago.
>DYLAN: Man, I *have* been gone long. Well, does anyone have a number for her?
>LUCY (getting up from opposite table where she was sitting with Alan-Michael,
>Frank and Eleni): I've got it! Sorry--couldn't help overlistening, guys.
>(runs behind counter and grabs her pocketbook) Congrats on your eyesight
>coming back, Dylan.
>DYLAN: Hey, thanks.
>LUCY (looks through her purse, takes out her address book, flips to a page):
>Sure. Well, here you go! Just copy... (almost hands the little book to him)
>Oops! Maybe I should read it to you...it's 203-555-0053.
>DYLAN: Thanks--I can remember that--I'll call her tonight. (shot of Reva
>staring at him, looking slightly worried)
>(Camera pans over to Blake and Abigail, sitting at the counter.)
>ABBY: Did Lucy just give that guy her phone number?
>BLAKE (tuns to Abby, so Abby can read her lips): What? Oh, no, no...she gave
>him his ex-girlfriend's number.
>ABBY: *Ex*-girlfriend? Does that mean...
>BLAKE: I'm not sure--they may get back together, although it's been a while
>for 'em--unless Bridget falls for my brother again... (mumbles) which
>actually wouldn't be so bad...
>ABBY: What?
>BLAKE: Oh, just wishful thinking...I'm hoping for a certain young woman to be
>out my life for good...wait--are you interested in him?
>ABBY: Well, he's kind of cute...do you think I have a chance?
>BLAKE: Honestly, sweetie, I'd wait. He obviously still feels something for
>her. Why not look for someone who's totally free, like Rusty over there?
>You're a very pretty girl, and you come from the country, right?
>ABBY (blushes at the compliment): Well, I tried already, Blake, with the
>*perfect* guy...he's kind, he's funny, he's handsome, and I *thought* he was
>free...but he doesn't see me in that way.
>BLAKE: Who *is* this guy? He sounds wonderful?
>ABBY (looking depressed): It's Rick.
>BLAKE (surprised): RICK?!? (calming down) Rick, huh? I've seen you two
>together...you make such a cute couple (Abby smiles)xwhat, is he *blind*?
>(the Shaynes and Buzz--who heard this--look over to her, as Dylan laughs to
>himself) Sorry, folks...talking about someone else here. (turns back to Abby)
>Did you tell him how you feel?
>ABBY: Yes...but he's not interested.
>BLAKE: What's *his* problem? Well, *I* think you guys should give it a
>whirl...one sec! (runs--as fast as she can with her load--toward the phone,
>as an ecstatic Reva saunters over)
>REVA: How's it going, Abby?
>ABBY: Oh, fine, fine.
>REVA: Would you like to meet the rest of my family?
>ABBY: Well, I met Sarah before you and Buzz came in. But just wait until
>Blake comes back--I think she's trying to fix me and Rick up!
>REVA: You and Rick, huh? But didn't he tell you that...
>ABBY: That he wasn't interested? Yes, but...
>REVA (touches her shoulder): I don't know, Abby...I don't want to see you get
>hurt...you can't force someone to love you, you know. I know from experience.
>And why does Blake want to help you? How can you trusts her?
>ABBY: I don't *plan* to get hurt, and I don't *care* why Blake is helping
>me--she's just a nice woman. Nicer than *you're *being right now.
>REVA: That's what you think, honey. And I'm only trying to help. There are
>many other fish in the sea...in fact, my brother Rusty's free!
>ABBY (signing firmly as she speaks): No...thank...you. I can pick my own men.
>BLAKE (rushing back): Hi, Reva. (Reva gives them both one of her looks, and
>walks away) What's with her? Okay, Abby, here's the plan--I talked to Annie
>at Cedars--
>ABBY: Annie?
>BLAKE: Yes, she's a friend of mine and an old girlfriend of Rick's. She told
>me that a certain Dr. Bauer happens to be at the Towers tonight, and
>suggested that the three of us meet there so Annie and I can help you out!
>How's that sound? Uh, I mean...
>ABBY: It sounds like bells ringing! Let's go! (yells to Reva) Gotta go, Reva!
>I'll meet your family another time! (Reva fumes back)
>REVA: Be careful! (The women rush out.)
>BUZZ (approaching Reva): What're *they* up to?
>REVA: Oh, Blake's trying to play matchmaker for Abby. But Rick's just not the
>right man for her.
>BUZZ: Rick? The guy who knew Marian was really the man who raped my daughter
>but didn't tell anyone?
>REVA: Yes, that's him...but he's really a kind man; he's just not interested
>in her, and I'm afraid he'll break her heart.
>BUZZ: Well, I can't stand to see you worry on your "happiest day ever" (Reva
>smiles)...I'll chase after them and see what happens.
>REVA: Oh, would you? Just see how Rick reacts, okay? And I'll judge whether
>she has a chance with him.
>BUZZ: Gotcha--be back in a jiffy. (rushes out the door)
>REVA (calling to him): Thanks! (to herself) Blake, what are you getting her
>into? Is any man worth such pain?
>
>CUT TO:
>SCENE: The Towers Club. Close-up of Rick, sipping from a glass of champagne
>at his table.
>
>RICK: This...this was truly a surprise. You always knew how to liven up my
>life, you know. And you were right in your note to me--I did love you as much
>as you loved me. Of *course* I did. I'm just not sure I still feel that way
>about you...although I can tell you one thing: I'm already looking at you
>with new eyes. You look so beautiful tonight--well, of course, you knew that
>already...I mean...
>(shot of woman's hand, taking his)
>MYSTERY WOMAN: Sssshhhh...
>RICK (smiles broadly): Right...I *knew* I was talking too much. I'm just so
>glad you're back--so sue me! It's not every day that ex-lovers get together
>to discuss their feelings for each other.
>
>CUT TO:
>SCENE: The Journal. Sam walks over to Fletcher (who's leaving his office),
>leaving Josh, Harley and Dinah alone.
>
>JOSH (furiously): So why did you do it?
>DINAH: Write about your fling with your ex-wife? It's my *job*.
>JOSH: Oh, it's your *job* to thoughtlessly destroy people's lives?
>HARLEY: Josh...
>DINAH (not intimidated): Part of my repsonsibility as Miss Society is to
>inform the people of Springfield about what the members of its society are
>doing. Your clandestine dance was just another expose.
>JOSH: An "expose"--or your *revenge*? (Dinah looks startled.)
>HARLEY: Revenge against *whom*? (smiles at Josh, but seethes with anger) You
>and Reva? Dinah has nothing to do with you!
>JOSH (turns to Harley): But she was just left in the dust by Hart for
>Bridget--yes, Vanessa told me all about it, Dinah, and I say good riddance.
>(back to Dinah) So now that *your* lovelife's a bust, you're out to ruin
>random relationships, like mine and Annie's? Is *that* it? (Dinah, looking
>very upset, is about to say something, when Harley blurts out:)
>HARLEY: Josh, most intelligent women that are dumped by their boyfriends for
>someone else can do absolutely *nothing* to gain satisfaction (Josh turns to
>her)...if they truly love the man, revenge is pointless--and usually more
>harmful. (Dinah starts sneaking away) In fact, their only solace comes from
>knowing the guy is happy. And their only *solution* is to pick themselves up
>and go on.
>JOSH: Is that...how it was for you when I left?
>HARLEY: The night you took off to search for Reva was the saddest night of my
>life, Josh...until I got the call from Frank about Nadine.
>JOSH: Yes, I'm really sorry about that.
>HARLEY: Well, I'm mature enough now to handle life without her, and without
>Mallet...thanks to my work as a policewoman. It's made me both mature and
>strong--just like your love did, Josh. You helped make me what I am today.
>JOSH: I--I remember how beautiful you looked the night we said goodbye. *You*
>made me strong that year.
>HARLEY: Well, I *hated* you for leaving, and I wanted to *kill* Reva if she
>really *was* alive! (smiles) She took you away from me--without even knowing
>it. So guess what happens when I'm sitting at a booth in the diner a few days
>ago, crying my eyes out on Frank's shoulder?
>JOSH (touches her shoulder): What?
>HARLEY (pulls away immediately): My *father* introduces me to his new *wife*!
>And we *both* know who *she* is, right?
>JOSH: Yes...I'm so sorry...
>HARLEY: No, that's just my life goes. Well, believe it or not, I hugged her.
>We even cried; I had a head start already, of course. It was just good to see
>*someone* from my past who'd died walking around again. But don't think I'm
>about to pal around with her...
>JOSH: No, of course not.
>HARLEY: ...and I hope you realize that I'm making *damn* sure my nightly
>beats are *far* from your home. That's an important part of my moving on--so
>I suggest you steer clear of me and help me out.
>JOSH: Got it. (glances around) And it looks like "Miss Society" has moved on
>herself. But you can visit Marah and Shayne anytime--whenever you're free.
>HARLEY (smiling): Oh, I plan to--as soon as I can. But I'm rarely free. I
>barely have time to go out with my frien--oh, damn. Where's Sam?
>SAM (walking over with Fletcher): Right here, Harley. Still up for the movie?
>HARLEY: Sure--right after these two guys (points to Josh and Fletch
>simultaneously) shake and make up.
>JOSH (extending his hand to Fletch): Sorry about all that, Fletch. Especially
>the "rag" remark.
>FLETCH: No problem, Josh, I actually didn't mind all your "noise"--made me
>feel like a real journalist again. Even the "rag" thing.
>JOSH: All right...and I at least *started* to clear it up with Dinah, but I
>*will* have to speak to her again very soon. By the way, Harley, why did you
>speak up for her that way?
>HARLEY: Simple--we were pretty good friends way back when, (stares into
>Josh's eyes while saying this) back when I was young. Then I met Sam, here!
>(puts her arm around Sam's shoulder)
>FLETCH (touches Sam's other shoulder) I'm sorry for snapping at *you*,
>earlier, Samantha.
>SAM: That's all right--I understand.
>JOSH: Oh, so that's why you didn't fight back, Fletcher--you exhausted
>yourself on your employee! (everyone laughs, then Holly suddenly enters)
>HOLLY: Does anyone do any *work* around here anymore?
>FLETCH: Oh, hi, Red. We were just handling a little crisis...
>MICHELLE (walking over with a stack of folders): Excuse me--I made all those
>copies you wanted, Fletcher. And I'm halfway done with that photo developing.
>HOLLY: Apparently, our new *intern* still has a work ethic!
>MICHELLE: Thanks again for hiring me, Holly.
>HOLLY: Don't mention it, Michelle. But speaking of photos...
>FLETCH (mumbles): Oh no...
>HOLLY: What's with all the uncredited photos in the paper these days? Do we
>have a "mystery photog" or something? (Fletcher looks puzzled)
>SAM: Fletcher, is it okay if I leave now?
>JOSH: I've gotta run, too--so long, everyone!
>FLETCH: Sure, Sam--have a fun night!
>HOLLY: Good night, Josh!
>SAM (grabs a slightly surprised Harley): We sure will! 'Bye! (they exit)
>HARLEY (outside the Journal): Hey--hey! What's the rush?!? the film's in half
>an hour!
>SAM: Forget about the movie--did you hear what Holly said? We're going to
>find out who the mystery photographer is! (Harley looks at her, perplexed.)
>
>CUT TO:
>The Towers Club. Blake and Abby have just arrived in the restaurant lobby.
>BLAKE: I wonder where Annie is?
>ABBY (pointing to a figure coming out of the darkness, holding a newspaper in
>her hand): Is that her over there?
>BLAKE: Yes--Annie, what's wrong?
>ANNIE: I didn't tell you over the phone--take a look at *this*. (She shows
>them the article and photo of Josh and Reva, which the paper is opened to.)
>Someone brought it to me at the hospital.
>BLAKE: Oh, Annie, I'm so sorry...but can you really believe this is true?
>ANNIE: You *bet* I can...and I know they've had feelings for each other for
>some time now. But this (shakes the paper) just ties it all up into one
>pretty knot.
>ABBY: But I just saw Reva--she looked very happy with Buzz.
>ANNIE: Oh, I'm sure she *looked* that way. But I just saw Buzz in the parking
>garage, looking rather solemn.
>BLAKE: That's strange...well, let's perk ourselves up, girls--it's time to
>matchmake! (She takes each of the ladies' arms, and strolls with them to the
>restaurant's foyer.) Now, where is he--oh, he's right...there. (They all
>notice Rick at once, along with his mystery date.) MINDY?!?
>(Shot of all three women, looking very astonished, with Abby being the most
>shocked.)
>
>CUT TO:
>SCENE: The diner. Frank, Eleni, Alan-Michael and Lucy are leaving.
>
>REVA: Thanks again for coming, everyone!
>ELENI: Sure, Reva--anytime!
>LUCY: It was fun.
>FRANK: Nice seeing you all again!
>DYLAN: Same here, Frank!
>A-M: Good night, all!
>REVA (turning around): What a wonderful night. Now, if everything works out
>with Abby, it'll be one for the books.
>SARAH: Uh, honey, I think you'd better see this...
>HAWK (holding a newspaper): Or maybe she *has* already, Sarah!
>REVA: What? What is it? (reads aloud) "...Wife for Ex-Lover"? What kind of
>garbage *is* this?
>HAWK: Then it ain't true?
>REVA: Of *course* it's not true! It's a scandalous *lie*! And what if the
>children see this?
>RUSTY: Nice going, pop.
>SARAH: Excuse me, y'all--I have to get something from the car. Be right back!
>(leaves the diner)
>HAWK: What do you want from me? She was gonna see it one of these days!
>RUSTY: You din't have to show it to her tonight!
>HAWK: You know, you haven't changed, Rusty--not one bit.
>REVA: All right, all right--that's enough! I'm just going to call Fletcher at
>the Journal to see who's reponsible for this dreck.
>(Suddenly, the phone rings.)
>DYLAN: I'll get it! I can still do these things! (picks it up, listens for a
>while) Uh...sure. Reva, it's for you. (Reva walks over)
>REVA: Maybe it's Fletcher, guys! (she takes the phone from Dylan) Thanks,
>sweetie. (pauses, listens) Yes, this is Reva--who's this?
>OMINOUS VOICE: Your worst nightmare, Reva Shayne.
>REVA: What?! Who *are* you?!
>VOICE: I've trapped both Buzz Cooper and Josh Lewis in two separate--and
>definitely fatal--situations. But you can only save one, because I'll only
>tell you where one of them is. And the other one will die.
>REVA: Now listen here--you can't be serious--I just saw my husband--I--
>(Hawk and Rusty come over to her, looking worried)
>VOICE: One will live, one will die. You have 10 seconds to choose--which one
>will it be?
>REVA: But--but--
>VOICE: Ten...nine...eight...
>
>***END OF ACT TWO***
>
>
>
"Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out."

Linda Bowles