PREVIOUSLY

“I hope it was,” he replied, “This will not fall apart,” he said gesturing at their house, “I won’t let it. I won’t let anything make my family unhappy. I’ll drive it away Téa. I will. No matter what I have to do.”

She nodded her head and gave a quick smile, hoping that Todd was right. That he could drive it away.

**********************************************************************************************************

Scene: The Llanview Country Club, a week later.

[Viki is hosting a party celebrating the Banner’s anniversary. It’s festive. The women are dressed in evening gowns, the men in tuxes.

Camera pans the entire room, pausing momentarily on the following people. Viki is watching the dance floor as she stands by herself, a bit aloof. Nick is dancing with Kelly, laughing and joking. Blair and Del are together, near the punch bowl. Todd & Téa are dancing. Kevin appears distracted as he gazes longingly out a window. Joey & Roseanne are talking to each other. Jessica is flirting with Will. Bo, with a very pregnant Nora, approach Viki.]

Bo: Great party Viki. [rubs Nora’s shoulders]

Viki: Thanks Bo. I only wish Clint could be here. He deserves to celebrate the Banner’s success as well.

[Enter Tina Roberts from the hallway. She approaches Viki]

Tina: Viki!

Viki: [surprised] Tina!

[Tina & Viki hug. Bo and Nora look on, a bit surprised themselves.]

Nora: [suddenly gets pale] Well, look what the wind blew in.

Tina: [pouting] I wouldn’t miss this bash for the world. Nora, are you feeling all right.

Bo: [eyes Nora] You look pale Red. You okay?

Nora: I’m just…oh. Oh! I don’t feel very well…[pauses]

Bo: Should we get you to the hospital?

Nora: [says nothing, only nods her head yes]

Viki: Well, good luck you two.

[Bo escorts Nora out.]

Viki: How are the kids Tina?

Tina: A handful. Where’s our brother?

Viki: [points to the dance floor] Out there, believe it or not.

Tina: [sees Todd. Grins] She’s good for him, this Téa?

Viki: Yes, she is.

Tina: [walks out onto the dance floor and taps Téa’s shoulder] You don’t mind do you? I know Todd would love to dance with me.

Todd & Téa: Tina!

Tina: That’s me in the flesh! So can I?

Téa: [fumbles with her dress. She’s wearing her hair up and a silver and black evening gown] All right. [Téa walks away from Todd.]

Todd: Stay out of trouble Delgado.

Todd & Téa: [smile at each other. Téa walks off. Todd dances with Tina.]

Tina: She’s got you absolutely wrapped around her finger.

Todd: She’s my wife, Tina.

Tina: [giggles] Todd Manning – in love! Who da’ thunk it?

Todd: Stop teasing. How long are you here for? Did you bring CJ? Sarah? I want them to meet their cousins.

Tina: No, they’re in school. I’m just here to celebrate the Banner’s birthday.

Todd: [intense] Oh.

Tina: Does our father still haunt you Todd?

Todd: No. You?

Tina: Not really, all though I realize he’ll always be a part of me. Of my children. Of us.

Todd: I don’t want to talk about him.

Tina: This night is about him and his legacy.

Todd: Whatever.

Tina: Fine. We don’t have to talk about him. Victor Lord is depressing anyway. How are your kids Todd?

Todd: Good. Starr’s doing great in school. T.D.’s walking normally now. And the twins… [he pauses as if remembering something]

Tina: What about your twins?

Todd: [emotionally] You know, I missed Shorty’s and T.D’s births – I missed a lot of their firsts but with the twins – I’m seeing everything for the first time. It’s…I never thought…

Tina: It’s a good feeling, isn’t it?

Todd: Stay. Bring your kids here. Let me get to know you.

Tina: You might not like what you find if I stay Todd.

Todd: I don’t care. You’re my sister. Stay.

Tina: [smiles] Such a kind and generous offer. I’ll think about it.

[Camera pans out as Todd and Tina continue to dance and pans around the room, pausing on Kevin who is clearly not enjoying himself. Kevin spies Nick and Kelly by the punch bowl. Camera pans to Nick who reaches inside his jacket pocket for his cell phone. He answers the phone and excuses himself from Kelly. However, Nick doesn’t realize he’s walked within earshot of Téa who is admiring a flower display at an empty table.]

Nick: [speaks into his cell phone] Tonight? It has to be tonight? Are you crazy? [pause] All right, fine, I’ll do it tonight. I’ll switch the Fake egg with the real egg Téa Manning has. Now leave me alone. [shuts off cell phone. Téa wrinkles her brow, naturally curious. She watched silently as Nick makes an excuse to Kelly and walked out. Camera fades out. End of scene.]

Scene: In front of the entrance to the Country Club on the Street.

[It’s dimly lit. Nick hails a tax. One stops in front of him and Fiona Braxton gets out in an evening dress. Her hair is up. The dress is silver and black. Nick pauses as they notice each other.]

Nick: This is a surprise Ms. Braxton. I thought you were in jail.

Fiona: Surprise. I got out earlier on today.

Nick: What are you doing here? I’d think you wouldn’t want to show your face so soon after you’re…release…

Fiona: Kevin is here. I wanted to be with him. Where are you going Mr. Kerensky?

Nick: [avoids question] I wouldn’t go in there if I was you. I happen to know the Mannings have a restraining order on you and they’re inside. Now I have to go. [moves her aside and gets in the taxi]

Fiona: [crosses her arms – intrigued] You’re in a rush Mr. Kerensky.

Nick: Stay out of trouble Ms. Braxton. [Nick motions to the cab driver and cab pulls out.]

Fiona: [motions for another cab and gets in. Cab pulls off.]

Kevin: [enters from side. A bit flustered he’s missed Fiona and wonders what she’s up too.]

[camera fades out. End of scene.]

Scene: Inside the Country Club

[Todd and Tina approach Téa who is clearly distracted.]

Todd: [smiles] Hey Delgado, good news. Tina’s agreed to stay overnight and fly back tomorrow.

Téa: [quickly smiles] Good. Good. We’d love to have you.

Todd: [noticing Téa’s distraction, raises an eyebrow.]

Tina: I can’t wait to see Todd’s kids again .

Todd: Something bothering you Téa?

Téa: [fumbles with her evening purse. Lies.] I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m due in court tomorrow. The judge is ruling on the motion for summary judgment and I left an important file in my office. I was thinking of going to get it.

Todd: Tonight? Can’t you get it in the morning?

Téa: [grins] The morning? Who are you kidding? Aside from getting ready I have to take care of the twins and make sure T.D. gets breakfast.

Todd: You are kinda’ busy in the morning. Look, I’ll go with you the office.

Tina: [looks disappointed. Téa notices]

Téa: You don’t have too Todd. Stay here with your sister and I’ll meet you at the house.

Todd: I dunno…Tina’s not used to my table manners.

Téa: [laughs] I’ll be all right Todd. I’ll…[pauses as she blushes] get home before you…and surprise you.

Todd: [flustered] Ah…surprise? But…Tina’s staying over…

Téa: I know.

Tina: [giggles] Don’t worry Todd. I’ll go straight to my room. Immediately. So you can be alone…with your wife.

Todd: Whatever. [tries to act casual but is uncomfortable]

Téa: [leans into Todd. Give him a polite kiss on the cheek] I love you Manning. See you soon.

Todd: [reaches out and grabs her hand, savoring her touch] Ditto Delgado.

Téa: [smiles] See you later Tina. [turns around and walks out.]

Todd: [looks longingly after her. Camera fades out on him.]

Scene: Téa’s law office

[Camera watches Nick open the door and walk inside, turning on the small light on Téa’s desk. It provides dim illumination. He’s holding an egg in one hand and his gun in the other. He puts the gun on Téa’s desk and walks around to the back of the desk. He switches the eggs and stands up, only to find that Fiona is standing across from him, her arms crossed. She has a grin on her face as if she’s slightly amused. He looks furious as he stands up.]

Fiona: Busted. Stealing from the rich to feed the poor?

Nick: Why are you here? Why did you follow me? [adjatated]

Fiona: I followed you because I was curious. You forget – I’m a journalist. And I can sniff out a story. You…are a story. What’s with the fancy Faberge egg?

Nick: [angry] None of your business. Leave. [grabs his gun.]

Fiona: [doesn’t move] I’m not going anywhere Mr. Kerensky. Seems I’ve caught you in a bit of a pickle. If you don’t’ want me to tell Mrs. Manning you’ve been poking around her office, you’ll dance to my tune.

Nick: [upset. Stands in front of Fiona.] I don’t dance to anyone’s tune. Especially yours.

Fiona: I’m holding all the cards Nicky boy.

Nick: [points the gun at Fiona] I’ve got an ace. Now you’ll shut up about what you’ve seen here.

Fiona: [puts her hand on the gun. She’s a bit fearless and a bit reckless] Don’t point a gun at me. It doesn’t scare me. Nothing scares me. Now.

Nick: Let go of the gun.

Fiona: No. [Fiona pushes the gun down. Nick and Fiona struggle with the gun. It goes off. Fiona looks at Nick horrified as Nick slumps to the ground. The gun and egg fall out of his hand. His white shirt becomes red.]

Fiona: I didn’t mean…! Oh my God! [stands there horrified.]

Nick: [whispers] Help me Fiona.

Fiona: [rushes to the desk and calls 911] Help! A man has been shot. He’s bleeding…My location? 771 Midtown Way – I’m at a law office – Rappaport and Manning… [Fiona looks at Nick…he’s on his back gasping for breath. She drops the phone’s receiver as shock settles in. Whispers:] It was an accident…an accident. But my parole office would never believe it. I’ll go back to jail. No way am I going back to jail. I’ve got to leave. I can’t stay. [looks at Nick] I can’t stay.

Nick: Help…

Fiona: [says nothing and runs out, down the hall and goes into the stairwell.]

Téa: [enters the hall from the elevator and notices the stairwell door close. Then she spies her office door open and dim light entering the hallway. She hears moaning from her office and briskly walks to the door. She’s shocked to see Nick bleeding on the floor.] Oh my God! Nick!

Nick: [mumbles] Help. Téa…

Téa: [walked over to him. Picks up the gun and throws it off to the side. Leans over him getting blood on her gown.] What do I do? Why?

Nick: [mumbles] So sorry Téa…

Kevin: [enters and pauses at the door watching Téa and Nick. He looks shocked.]

Kevin: Téa, what have you done?

Téa: [looks up at Kevin. Pleading.] Kevin! Help me save his life!

Kevin: [bolts to her side and begins to elevate Nick.]

TO BE CONTINUED…

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