From: wesley RotSoap Returning Problems Part1A ***MARC WILKOFSKY'S AUGUST 1997 "GUIDING LIGHT" ROTSOAPS STORY*** A note to my fellow RotSoapers: Folks, I'm finally back, with an all-new "GL" Rotisserie Soaps story. In case you were wondering why I took so long to finish my earlier story, there were two reasons: I was extremely busy, and I think the main reason was the fact that I was hung up on creating interesting, inventive dialogue for simple expository scenes. I believe I was one of the RotSoapers who started using only full-script stories, and when everyone started working with them, some people who might have had some good ideas, but couldn't come up with original ways to portray conversations had trouble with getting their ideas on paper. So now I'd like to suggest that if anyone wishes to, they can include some narrative in their stories instead of dialogue. Instead of writing: Alan: I'm going to the department store, Annie. Annie: Oh, could you get me some large knives? Alan: Uh...sure, Annie...sure. You should be able to write: Alan suddenly decides to run to the local department store, and Annie mysteriously asks him for some large knives. Alan hesitantly complies. See what I mean? The narrative might even turn out more interesting--you never know! This is just a suggestion (which I plan to follow myself)--please let me and our leader Wesley know what you think. Maybe this will get more people to contribute entries. Okay, thanks for reading all that. On with Part 1 of my story (which will include some narrative; I have to slowly get through my self-imposed "dialogue withdrawal"). I hope you enjoy it. Keep in mind that the events in part 1 (which is a bit long) all serve to set up the return of the trio I mention in the intro below. [As usual, all the characters and situations in this story are copyrights of Procter & Gamble. Keep watching the "Light"!] ---------------------------------------------------------- Three very interesting, highly important women find their way back to Springfield. Who are they, why have they returned, and what dramatic--and romantic--situations do their returns cause? We shall see...as we witness some heated battles, surprising scenes and the new version of a popular quartet. Welcome to Part 1 of... RETURNING PROBLEMS by Marc Wilkofsky (MarcEditor@aol.com) SCENE: Holly and Fletcher's home. MICHELLE, standing by the screen door, is waving the couple goodbye. MICHELLE: I know, I know...no loud music! Don't worry, Fletcher, we'll be just fine! Have fun, guys... (closes door, leans against it and exhales, relieved) Whew--I thought they'd NEVER leave. (She walks over to MEG, who's lying in her crib. Meg is a little over a year old at this point.) Hey there, Meg...hey, how're you doing? (leans over the crib, as Meg coos softly, then whimpers a little, raising her little arms) Awww...do you need something? (Meg looks like she's about to cry) ...oh, no, you don't! I'm missing a VERY cool concert for this so that Holly and Fletcher can finally go out...so please don't make this tough for me, Meg. Please... (strokes Meg's cheek; the child calms down) There you go, sweetie...except for having to settle for hearing Tension on the RADIO, this night shouldn't be tough at all... JESSE (suddenly appearing outside the screen door [In this story, Michelle and Jesse are still very much involved.]): Maybe I can actually make it fun for you, Michelle... (Michelle, shocked, whirls around and sees him, then immediately runs to the door, swings it open and whirls him in, then parks him on a nearby recliner.) Whoa! MICHELLE (standing in front of and glaring down at him): What are you DOING here, Jesse? And how in the world did you... JESSE: ...did I find you? Saw you leaving your home in a hurry, so I thought I'd follow you. There... (tapping his chair on both of its arms) ...I think that answers both questions, Michelle. MICHELLE: Well, sort of...but why'd you follow me? JESSE (chuckling): Oh, come on--you're pretty smart...you figure it out. But (getting up) here...I'll help... (approaches her, then lightly places his hands on the sides of her neck and kisses her warmly) MICHELLE (resisting a bit, then giving in, then resisting again): But, Jesse...you're not supposed to be here! JESSE: Incorrect, Ms. Bauer...I'm not supposed to be with you! MICHELLE: Whatever... JESSE: Although yeah, I guess those older folks would freak if they found me here-but why are YOU here? MICHELLE (as she checks on Meg, who's still whimpering a bit): I saw them feed her...that can't be the reason she's crying... JESSE: Well-what's the deal? You here for the kid? MICHELLE (looking up from Meg): Yeah, Fletcher and Holly.--Holly's a good friend of mine--have this dinner to go to, but their sitter bailed out at the last minute, and they needed someone to watch Meg right away. JESSE: And thankfully, you were home. MICHELLE: No, UNFORTUNATELY I was practically out the door to meet the other girls at the Tension concert, but thankfully for them, I heard the phone ring. JESSE: Well, fortunately, I saw you leave and decided to... MICHELLE: Yeah, yeah, tempt fate by coming here. JESSE: Hey, Michelle, fate's on my side...on OUR side. (Michelle smiles.) Now, where's the music? (Meg immediately starts crying.) MICHELLE: Jesse...this is not a party. There's no beer, or chips, or crowded kitchens...and there's definitely no loud music--Fletcher's orders. JESSE (approaching Meg): Little kid doesn't like Prodigy and R.E.M., huh? (As Jesse speaks, Meg quickly becomes quiet.) MICHELLE: Nope, the only R.E.M. this girl's getting tonight is when she's sleeping...which Holly said she's about to do, as long as we're (places her finger on her lips) very quiet. JESSE (speaking lower): Hey, no prob...though I can't believe they had to TELL you to can the loud music. Don't they think you know what to do? (walks over to the CD player and the CD stands) MICHELLE: Oh, no, they trust me. What're you doing? JESSE (looking at the CDs, lifting each one to look at the cover picture): Don't worry...ah, here we go--Jewel. How about that? She's got some slow ones... MICHELLE: Uh...no. JESSE: Okay...hey, they've got Billy Joel! How 'bout him? MICHELLE: He's always a little loud, even when he's soft...no way. JESSE: All right, all right...okay, got one... (opens CD, turns on and opens player, then drops CD in and quickly hits the PLAY button) Thanks for letting me play something, Michelle... MICHELLE: I'm not letting you play ANYTHING! --Yet, I mean. What did you-- (soft music begins) JESSE: Carpenters. Greatest Hits. MICHELLE (smiling widely): You like the CARPENTERS? JESSE: Yeah, they're pretty solid...wish I could sing like this. MICHELLE: Well, you surprised me again, Mr. Blue. JESSE: Hey, that's twice in one hour...yeah, got into 'em when I heard that rockin' tribute album a couple years back...and their daughter's pretty cool, too--Mary Chapin. MICHELLE (smirking): Karen and Richard Carpenter are sister and brother, Jesse--and Mary Chapin's not related to 'em. JESSE: Oh, Whoops. This town's always had me confused on the brother-sister thing, y'know. You hear about that lady who just found out her dad was really her brother? Right here in town! MICHELLE: Yeah, she sort of became the aunt of Rick's best friend. JESSE: Oh, right, Rick. Heard some things about him, too, you know--meant to ask you about that. (Michelle looks a little upset) Okay, well, anyway... (presses a button a few times) ...cool--here it is. This is my favorite song of theirs. ("For All We Know" begins, with the words "Love...look at the two of us...", and he puts his arms around her.) MICHELLE (starts to dance with him): You constantly amaze me...you know that? JESSE (the song continues: "strangers in so many ways..."): Well, would it amaze you to know that I haven't been to many parties at all? Beer-and-chips ones, or birthday ones? MICHELLE: Oh, Jesse, I'm sorry...I just thought... JESSE (takes her hand, and puts her fingers on her lips, and she smiles as they slowly dance): Ssshhhh...don't worry about it...you've given me all the fun and excitement I ever wanted...I couldn't ask for more...and I'm sure I'll never need anything else... (phone suddenly rings, and Meg starts crying again) ...except for that phone to explode. MICHELLE: Oh, that can't be them already (Meg is up to a medium-level wail). JESSE: Who? MICHELLE (a little exasperated at Jesse, and disappointed at the interruption): Fletch and Holly...turn that down! (Jesse complies, as she picks up the cordless phone) Hello? (covers receiver for a second) And go watch Meg! (Jesse salutes her quietly) WOMAN IN SHADOWS: Hello there...is Fletcher Reade in, please? MICHELLE: No...no, he isn't...who's calling? (Jesse walks over to Meg) WOMAN: Oh, just an old friend...is this his wife? MICHELLE (amused): No, no--this is Michelle. Can I take a message for him? WOMAN: Oh, I'm so sorry, Michelle...I thought you were...let me see--Holly. MICHELLE: That's all right. (Jesse is playing with Meg, lifting her up by her crib lightly. Michelle picks up a piece of paper and a pen.) Now, your message? (she sits down at a small table) WOMAN: Oh, just tell Mr. Reade that old friend of his is on her way into town...and would love to meet him again...maybe even have another adventure or two. MICHELLE (scribbling the message down, a little puzzled): Okay...and your name and number? WOMAN: Harlan Hotel, room 220. Ciao! (hangs up) MICHELLE (stares at phone) Weird... (writes down the last bit of info, then looks up and gasps) JESSE!!!