Todd: We'll just see about that!
[Scene ends.]
**************************************************************************************************
[Scene: Sun Publisher's office, later in the afternoon same day.]
Sam: (Entering, he walks up to Todd at his desk.) Let's talk this out.
Todd: (Not looking up from his work:) Nothing to talk about.
Sam: I know what you were doing earlier, why you sent me away.
Todd: (Sarcastic:) You do, do you?
Sam: Yes. This goes back a very long time between us, and I'm sorry.
Todd: (Looks up at Sam.) And just what for?
Sam: You're going to make me work for this, aren't you?
Todd: If you're going to try to apologize, you're damn straight I'll make you work at it. You said you figured it out. Spill.
Sam: You're still very angry and very hurt for all the times I had to give you back to Peter. (Todd tosses his pen onto his desk, puts his hands behind his head and leans back in his highback chair, looking at Sam.) Got your attention, huh? (Todd is silently watchful.) You got hurt by him, to say the very least, and for that I am eternally sorry. You know I wasn't aware of how much was going on, and none of us knew you weren't even his.
Todd: (Quietly:) Delgado rehired you, didn't she?
Sam: You need me, and we both know it. This fighting between us has got to stop, at least for now.
Todd: No.
Sam: I suppose I should've expected that. I'm not leaving you high and dry, no matter how you act out at me. I made you a promise some time ago not to leave you again, and I'm still making it up to you for failing you when you needed me most.
Todd: I don't need you...
Sam: (A little pensive, but confident, bobbing his head:) We both know you do. Tea knows you do.
Todd: Do you have to do that thing with your head? That bobbing thing?
Sam: What bobbing thing?
Todd: (Imitates Sam for a moment.) Like that.
Sam: I do that?!
Todd: Constantly! Are you pecking corn out of the air, or something?
Sam: (Licks his lips, a little nervously.)
Todd: And that's another thing!
Sam: What? What'd I do now?
Todd: Sam, why do you always do that reptile thing with your tongue? Is there something you haven't told me?
Sam: (A shocked expression:) I do NOT!
Todd: You do it all the time, like this: (imitates Sam flawlessly).
Sam: That's gross!
Tom: My point. Why do you do it all the time? Tasting the air?
Sam: No! And I had no idea I do that.
Todd: It must be something about Llanfil, 'cos you didn't used to do it when I was a kid.
Sam: Stress?
Todd: Whatever. Just stop it, ok? It's driving me bonkers.
Sam: Dunno if I can.
Todd: (Watches Sam watching him.) Look, I'm sorry I fired you.
Sam: It's ok. Once I cooled off I knew I wasn't going to leave you, anyway. It had nothing in the end to do with Tea keeping me on.
Todd: What did it have to do with?
Sam: You. Don't you know that?
Todd: No. You're my lawyer, I pay you the big bucks to defend me.
Sam: I'm also probably your oldest friend.
Todd: Whatever.
Sam: No, I mean that about us being friends.
Todd: You're my coach, well, you were my coach. I don't play football anymore.
Sam: That doesn't end our friendship. It was my lap you sat on in my car that day I let you drive, not some stranger's. It took a lot of trust for both of us for me to let you steer. You were kind of big for that, but it was what you wanted and you knew you could ask for that from me.
Todd: (A little sadly:) Yeah. I didn't have anyone else looking after me that day.
Sam: (A little sadly:) I know. I'm so sorry I had to keep sending you back to that monster.
Todd: Me, too.
Sam: You trusted me, and I kept letting you down.
Todd: You didn't know just how bad it all was. I couldn't tell you.
Sam: I know that, but as the adult I really should've done more.
Todd: Look, we've had this conversation, ok? You couldn't.
Sam: I wanted to. I want to do everything I can now to make it up to you, ok?
Todd: I told you before: you can't. Nothing can fix that.
Sam: It can't erase it, no. The pain can be eased at least a little by what I try to do for you, in our lives now. That's all I'm trying to do. It's the only thing I can do, I can't erase what Peter did.
Todd: No one can.
Sam: I wish that weren't the case, but it is. If there had been any choice, I would've taken you in and raised you myself. You know that?
Todd: Yeah. But you can't do that with Matthew, and you couldn't do it with me.
Sam: I know. I guess I really am trying to make up for you.
Todd: Don't. Let him be himself, even if he is a Buke.
Sam: (Vulnerable:) It's so hard to let him go.
Todd: You have to. I do not, however, have to let MY kid go.
Sam: (Composes himself.) No. Not if I have anything to do with it.
Todd: Let's get to work, then.
Sam: Tea has no strategy, or so she says, re: Blair.
Todd: She's always said she doesn't really hate Blair, but I don't know. After the thing with the window, I think she stopped not hating Blair. I wouldn't blame her for it, anyway. I hate Blair for it.
Sam: I don't blame you for that.
Todd: You're not dating her anymore, are you?
Sam: No! I certainly learned that lesson! I wouldn't go near her now.
Todd: Good, she's with Max anyway. You don't want anything Max has had, believe me. And it's good, 'cos I don't want a repeat of that courting junk in the courtroom during this hearing.
Sam: Sorry. That was just egregiously bad form on my part. I lost my head.
Todd: No, I nearly lost my head.
Sam: Touche'.
Todd: Let's go over it all one more time, here.
Sam: My strategy is -- well, Tea suggested it -- is for us all to remain calm and let Dorian and Blair lose-it in court. Can you do that?
Todd: Sure, I'll be a little lamb.
Sam: No, Todd this is serious stuff. You gotta be able to stay calm during the hearings, ok? No matter what gets thrown at you.
Todd: I'll be fine, Coach. I'll be a lamb, like I said.
Sam: Tea said the first go round she was the one wired and you were the one cool as a cucumber. True?
Todd: Yep.
Sam: It had better be true.
Todd: Stop worrying, ok? I'm not gonna lose my kid, so I'll be calm until it's over.
Sam: You freaked out during the hostage trial when you lost custody. You'll be freaking out this time, and I know it and you know I know it.
Todd: You sound just like me.
Sam: Where do you think you got that phrasing from in the first place?
Todd: Oh.
Sam: Ok. Let's see. Basically it's going to be the experts first, and then various character witnesses for both sides, and also Starr wants to speak to the judge herself on her own behalf.
Todd: She's really growing up fast because of all this, isn't she?
Sam: She's growing up, sure, but you give her an awful lot that helps her grow well. She has a lot of confidence for a little kid her age, and she knows what she wants and goes after it, rather like a young man I know whom I'm very fond of. You may have met him.
Todd: Very funny.
Sam: She's her father's daughter.
Todd: And this is good?
Sam: Very good. She's a terrific kid, you've done a really good job with her. I'm very proud of you as a father, and you should be, too.
Todd: It's hard sometimes.
Sam: I know. But you're doing fine, ok?
Todd: Am I?
Sam: Yes, and even when you were away.
Todd: I hope I can keep that up.
Sam: You're gonna have that chance for the rest of your lives. We'll all make that happen.
[Scene ends.]
[Scene: Sun Publisher's office, a little while later that afternoon.]
Blair: (Enters the room, closing the door and crossing to stand in front of Todd's desk.) What did you ever see in your little chiquita, that I didn't have?
Todd: Blair, let me spell this out for you again so maybe even you can understand it: Tea rocks my world. It's that simple.
Blair: The sex is that good?
Todd: I can't believe it... Let me try this again, Blair, one more time. You listening?
Blair: You bought her, Todd. Can you no longer get it up, or something? You had to buy your woman? Is that what gets you hot now?
Todd: This is so not about sex, you have no idea, Blair. But then, you wouldn't. All you know about is sex, lies, and entrapment. Oh, yes, you also know about audiotape and ruining the life of your kid's father.
Blair: Look, I tried to get it from Max --
Todd: I have no proof you did anything of the sort, Blair. That tape played on my wedding night, and you turned on me with everyone else.
Blair: Sam played it!
Todd: Not knowing what it was. You as much as put that thing in his hands, you and Max.
Blair: And the wife you bought walked right out on you that night, too.
Todd: I didn't buy her when I married her that night. She came to me willingly, and I was ready for her.
Blair: (Purring:) You were more than ready for me...
Todd: (Cold:) I made that mistake twice, with Rebecca and with you, but especially with you. I came that close to raping you, or don't you remember that?
Blair: That wasn't rape, that was --
Todd: What, Blair? Affection? Rough sex?
Blair: Yeah...
Todd: NO. You make me SICK. I know what rape is, I know what it feels like to want to do it, to be ready to go through with a rape. I stalked you through that house that night, I called you vicious names to your face that night, and I came within a hair of raping you like I raped Marty. Do you understand the rage and disgust I felt towards you that night? I could've raped you and left you for dead that night, or at least with what little soul you have a twisted wreck like mine. You know what stopped me?
Blair: What?
Todd: Marty. Flashbacks of the rape.
Blair: Why does it all come back to her!
Todd: Because it starts with Marty, this part of things. I stopped because I was repelled and ashamed by what I had done to another person, and I stopped myself before I did it again. I've already done time for it. I won't rape again, not even you. You're just not worth that.
Blair: (Beginning to beg, teary:) You loved me once.
Todd: You killed that dead. So dead, I couldn't feel anything for a very long time for anyone but Starr, and even that was kind of hard at first.
Blair: (More upset:) And what do you think you did to me?
Todd: (Coldly:) I couldn't care less.
Blair: You took my heart right out of my body when you stole our daughter!
Todd: You did that when you lied to me so many times and then I had to see you rolling around on MY floor doing the nasty with the McPoet!
Blair: You were dead.
Todd: Do I look dead?
Blair: You're not taking her from me, Todd.
Todd: Watch me. Keep digging your own grave, Blair.
[Scene ends.]
[Scene: Jessica's room, moments later.]
Jessica: Cris, remember what I said I'd tell my dad?
Cris: Yeah...
Jessica: I just hope I can pull it off without him asking that question, you know?
Cris: He's bound to ask, though.
Jessica: But do you think he's going to believe me?
Cris: He'll want to talk to your mom, probably.
Jessica: Maybe we should call from the study?
Cris: If you want to.
Jessica: No. I'm stalling. He's my dad, I shouldn't be stalling like this. He likes you.
Cris: Ok.
Jessica: (Consults address book, dials overseas:) Cord?...Hi!...Yes... No, my cousins seem very happy here... she's fine...mom says hi...he's his usual self...uh-huh...no, they're ok, Duke's even visiting with Kevin this summer...Yep. Hey, listen: is Dad there?...Ok...(To Cris:) He's getting our Dad. Here's the moment...Dad?...Hi!...No, everything's fine...Look, ummm.... NOOOO! Everyone keeps asking me that, no! Look, I have to tell you something...I already told you no, Daddy! ...Cris and I have decided to -- No! Stop that!...We're getting officially engaged...Yes, that's all...You're not mad?... I was so sure you'd be upset. You're sure you're not upset?...Good. I'm sorry I didn't call you as soon as we'd decided, but I was so sure you'd be mad. (Shoots Cris a relieved look, and he smiles at her.) Uh-huh... No, I'll let you know when the date is so you can come and walk me down the aisle and see what a garish, overblown fuss grandpa's made... (Laughs.) Yes, Renee did promise to reign him in, but we'll see how much control she has...Uh-huh, I will. Love you too, Dad... Bye-bye. (Hangs up, turns to Cris.) OH MY GOD...
Cris: I told you he wouldn't blow up.
Jess: I spent all that time being so afraid he would!
Cris: You didn't know. Now we know, he's ok with this.
Jess: I think he was the biggest hurdle. Now I can tell my uncle, I know he won't be mad at you.
Cris: Maybe you need to wait for the right moment to tell them, though, with the custody battle going to court in a couple days.
Jess: Maybe it'd cheer him up. I guess I'll wait another few days. What can it hurt?
Cris: Nothing that I know of. In the meantime, we can relax about it.
Jess: You can. Nobody's asked if you were pregnant.
[Scene ends.]
[Scene: Sun Offices later that day.]
Todd: Oh, great. And what brings you here, Witchy-poo?
Dorian: You and I have something to discuss.
Todd: I doubt it.
Dorian: You are not going to win this custody battle.
Todd: Oh, you don't say?
Dorian: I do say. You've already lost custody recently enough, AND you ran away after faking a mental disorder. I should know, I used to be a doctor.
Todd: No, you should know because both your sisters are cuckoo and been locked up for it for years now.
Dorian: My sisters have nothing to do with this.
Todd: That's what you think. Your mom was cuckoo, too.
Dorian: I can take that child from you at will, you know.
Todd: You cannot. You're not Blair's guardian anymore, you have no power here.
Dorian: I am a relative --
Todd: (Seething but cool:) I am her father.
Dorian: You're a rapist!
Todd: You terrorized my child. She was screaming! You're much more of a threat to her than anything I might ever be thought to be capable of doing to her. She's my kid and nothing you can do will change that.
Dorian: She lives with Max now.
Todd: You know that's a lie as well as I do, Dorian. She lives with me and my wife, who also doesn't happen to be your precious Blair.
Dorian: And whose fault is that?
Todd: Yours, Dorian. Yours and Blair's. All the lies and games and it all fell apart with a hard push from you. You wanted Starr, like some possession, like a piece of furniture not like a person! She's a real kid, Dorian, she doesn't deserve to live in misery and fearing for her safety, unable to eat because she feels so uncomfortable with the people she's with.
Dorian: She eats fine --
Todd: Not with YOU. If she lived with you she'd be sick again, and I will NOT have my daughter getting sick again and not eating. With you she'd live in fear of another fight like that night, walking on eggshells like I did. Starr will NOT grow up like that.
Dorian: No she won't --
Todd: You're damn straight she won't. She'll be living with me.
Dorian: She'll be living with ME.
Todd: She won't be, no matter what the judge decides.
Dorian: Are you planning on another kidnapping?
Todd: No. Starr won't stay with you, or with Max.
Dorian: How do you know this?
Todd: Ask her yourself.
[Scene ends.]
[Scene: Saybrooke Mansion a little while later.]
Dorian: (Rushing into the house:) Mel! MEL! (Crosses into the library, barges in. There is a room full of people, papers on their laps, deep in a discussion of some sort. She stops short.) Who are these people?
Mel: Meeting.
Dorian: Writers?
Mel: Yes, dear. We're almost done.
Dorian: (A little huffily but trying to behave:) Fine. (Shuts the doors, seething, marches upstairs.)
[A little while later, the writers all file out of the house making their goodbyes. Switching gears as he closes the door on the last guest, Mel seems to steel himself, looks up the stairs, squares his shoulders, and marches carefully up the steps to the MBR. At the closed door, he listens before he knocks and then carefully peers around the edge of the door before going in.]
Mel: Good, you're not throwing things.
Dorian: I'd like to throw Todd.
Mel: Don't dear. He's too heavy for you, you'll get a hernia.
Dorian: He will not win this custody case. He thinks he will but he won't.
Mel: Don't do this, Dorian.
Dorian: Don't do that, Mel.
Mel: I'm taking Starr's side, which puts us on the same side. In fact, it puts us on the same side as Todd.
Dorian: What a horrible thought.
Mel: We all love her.
Dorian: He's not capable of love!
Mel: I swear, as god is my witness, that child makes him human. It's like she saves his life every single day just by being his daughter. And Starr responds to him unlike she ever responds to Blair, with a depth she doesn't have with Blair.
Dorian: Of revulsion?
Mel: Come on, Dorian! You have to admit Starr loves her father, and to take her from her father would be cruel. Blair doesn't want to sever ties between Starr and Todd, she just feels the need to lash out at him, which is exactly what you're encouraging her to do. And who loses?
Dorian: Todd!
Mel: Starr!
Dorian: On the contrary, she wins the most of all. She'll be away from that freakish monster for good.
Mel: He may be monstrous, and he's certainly done monstrous things, but that little girl has turned him around. Between Tea and Starr, Todd has somehow become almost human.
Dorian: He'll never be human, he's an inhuman monster who kidnaps babies! He's a rapist!
Mel: I agree that he's done some pretty monstrous things, but that does not completely rob him of his humanity.
Dorian: You're assuming he began with any humanity.
Mel: You know, I've been asked many times how I could be in love with such an inhuman monster as you, --
Dorian: I am not inhuman!
Mel: -- how I can stand being anywhere near you. Do you know what I say?
Dorian: No.
Mel: If I respond at all, I tell them all the same things: you may have done some monstrous things in your life, but you love your girls and you make the effort to try to be human most of the time. That you're fiercely protective of your girls and sometimes you do awful things in the name of protecting them.
Dorian: Yes, I do.
Mel: Todd is no different in that regard about his girls. This extends to Viki, too, as rough as they are with each other at times.
Dorian: I wouldn't go as far as that. What he does and why he does it no one can quite fathom. There's rarely any rhyme or reason to it, he just does it and thinks about it later.
Mel: Sounds like someone else I know. (A pillow flies through the air and hits him in the face.)
[Scene ends.]
TO BE CONTINUED
