Episode #85
A Few Days After #84

TEASER

INT: TIM & CLAIRE’S APT. (LIVING ROOM)
EVENING

At the sound of someone knocking on the door, CLAIRE crosses the room and opens the door. PAULA steps inside and hugs her.

PAULA: Hi, Claire!

CLAIRE: Paula ... It’s so great of you to come over.

PAULA: Well, I know Tim’s out of town and I figured it would be fun to come over and keep you company. Plus, you’ve got two kids to deal with. That’s not an easy thing.

Claire gestures for her to come in. She does, and as Claire closes the door, Paula removes her coat and hangs it up.

CLAIRE: I’m sure you had it worse at times. After all, you have four.

PAULA: But at least mine are more than a few months apart. I can’t imagine having two infants around all the time!

CLAIRE: It’s a challenge, but we’re managing.

PAULA: When does Tim get home?

CLAIRE: Tomorrow afternoon. He went from Detroit to Tulsa today, because he had a meeting or something. He leaves Tulsa tomorrow morning to come home.

PAULA: Sounds like an exhausting trip.

CLAIRE: I’m just glad I have a job that doesn’t require me to travel.

PAULA: Did you have today off?

CLAIRE: Thankfully, yes ... but there was a service for Dr. Smith that I went to.

PAULA: Jason was at the accident scene before the paramedics. He said it was awful!

CLAIRE: I can imagine. What a terrible situation -- for all of them.

PAULA: That’s true ... but at least Shannon will never be able to hurt anyone again.

CLAIRE: I cannot believe she was the one behind all of this.

PAULA: It doesn’t surprise me. She hates Courtney. I knew she’d find a way.

CLAIRE: And she did. At least she’s locked up for good now.

***

INT: CHASE HOME (FOYER)
EVENING

The doorbell rings. An exuberant DON comes bounding up the stairs and jogs over to the door. Opening it, he finds SALLY.

SALLY: Hello there.

DON: Oh no. What are you doing here?

Suddenly all the verve appears to have been drained from his voice and body.

SALLY: Well, I was just passing by and I noticed that neither your wife nor your daughter is home. So I figured it was a good time to stop by.

DON: It’s never a good time to drop by, Sally. Haven’t I made that clear yet?

SALLY: No, silly!

She pokes him in the nose with her index finger and then shuffles inside the house.

Don turns around, still holding the door open. His wild enthusiasm has returned, as evidenced by the way he hops up and down.

SALLY: Do you have any coffee?

DON: Ooh, coffee -- good idea!

He rushes off, leaving the front door open. Sally shuts it, but is puzzled by his sudden change of attitude. She shrugs it off and follows him to the kitchen.

***

INT: HOTEL SUITE
EVENING

As she reads, sprawled across the bed, DANIELLE is humming a tune to herself. Suddenly she puts the book down and begins looking around.

DANIELLE: Where’s my tape recorder? I need to get this on tape before I forget it!

She pulls open the drawer of the nightstand, but the tape recorder isn’t there. Next she checks the pocket of her coat, which is hanging up on the back of the bedroom door. Seconds later she withdraws the tiny recorder.

Still humming to herself, Danielle hits "record" and increases the volume of her voice. After about a minute, she stops and then turns the recorder off.

DANIELLE: That is a great song waiting to happen. I’ve got to--

She interrupts herself, aware that a demo tape will no longer be necessary.

DANIELLE: If I take Roberta’s offer, I could have that recorded and on an album in just a few months.

She slips the recorder back into the coat pocket, her demeanor now melancholy. She knows the matter is not as simple as just accepting the offer -- there are other factors to worry about ... namely Andy.

Danielle sighs and returns to her reading.

ACT ONE

INT: CHASE HOME (KITCHEN)
EVENING

DON is brewing the coffee while SALLY stands by the island.

SALLY: You’re sounding awfully happy tonight -- a lot happier than you were a few minutes ago when I walked in.

DON: So maybe I was a little too grumpy. It’s always good to have old friends around.

SALLY: We were more than just friends, Don.

DON: I know that!

SALLY: You know, it’s too bad things didn’t work out. Can you imagine how life might’ve been if we hadn’t divorced?

He shakes his head affirmatively.

SALLY: I’ve missed you so much over the years.

DON: I missed you too.

SALLY: Really? You sure haven’t given me that impression lately.

DON: Maybe I’ve been too hard on you. After all, you just want to reconnect with an old friend, right?

A wicked grin manifests itself on Sally’s face.

SALLY: Exactly.

***

INT: HOTEL SUITE
EVENING

DANIELLE is still reading when she hears the front door open. Moments later, ANDY strolls into the bedroom.

ANDY: Come on! What are you waiting for?

Danielle puts her book down, but does not move otherwise.

DANIELLE: What’s up with you?

ANDY: Get up! Come on!

DANIELLE: What? Why?

ANDY: We’ve got someplace to go!

DANIELLE: Where?

ANDY: It’s a surprise.

Danielle stands unsurely.

DANIELLE: I look like a pig.

ANDY: You look beautiful. Now let’s get going!

He grabs her by the wrist and leads her out of the room.

DANIELLE: Where are we going?!?

ANDY: I told you -- it’s a surprise!

ACT TWO

INT: TIM & CLAIRE’S APT. (LIVING ROOM)
EVENING

CLAIRE sits down on the sofa, but PAULA begins picking up toys off the floor.

CLAIRE: Paula, don’t worry about it.

PAULA: Sorry – old habit.

CLAIRE: I basically gave up picking it all up, because I realize that the minute it goes away, they’re ready to play again. It’s not worth the effort.

PAULA: I know what you mean.

She drops the toys, but not before organizing a few of them into a neat little pile. An amused smile crosses Claire’s face.

CLAIRE: Thank you.

Paula chuckles.

PAULA: It’s no problem, really.

She sits down on the couch next to her daughter-in-law.

PAULA: So how are you and Tim doing?

CLAIRE: I have to say, we’re better than we’ve ever been. As much as I fought Diane moving to LA, things are so much easier with her gone.

PAULA: I can imagine. All she did was stir up trouble.

CLAIRE: The thing is, I keep remembering this one conversation we had. It wasn’t long after Samantha was born, and Diane came over here to get Tim’s help with the baby. But he wasn’t here …

PAULA: … and you wound up arguing with her?

CLAIRE: No. Actually, the minute the baby came up, we talked about her and I offered Diane a few hints. We had a rational, normal conversation.

Paula appears slightly confused as to where Claire is headed.

CLAIRE: My point is that I saw inside Diane, even for just a few minutes, a normal woman who I could sympathize with. I can’t understand why she did the things she did … especially after seeing that side of her and seeing how successful she is in her career. It doesn’t make sense.

PAULA: You never know what she’s been through – before you met her, that is. Perhaps she had a difficult childhood—

CLAIRE: Of all people, I would understand someone being traumatized by their childhood. But still … You don’t see me running around trying to ruin people’s lives, do you?

PAULA: Well, no.

CLAIRE: It just seems like such a shame to me. Diane has so much going for her, but it’s like there’s this self-destructive part of her that just won’t rest.

PAULA: Maybe she’ll be able to turn herself around.

CLAIRE: I hope so – not only for her sake, but for Samantha’s.

***

EXT: NEIGHBORHOOD
EVENING

In the twilight, a sleek sedan pulls up beside the curb. ANDY gets out on the driver’s side and walks around to the passenger side, where he helps a blindfolded DANIELLE out of the car.

ANDY: No peeking!

DANIELLE: Like I can see through this thing!

ANDY: That’s the point.

DANIELLE: Are we there yet?

ANDY: Yes, we are. Are you ready for your surprise?

DANIELLE: Yes! God, yes! Just take this thing off!

He slowly and ceremoniously removes the blindfold from her eyes. Danielle’s face lights up at what she sees.

Standing before her is a large, beautiful house, with a lush green lawn spread out in front and a white picket fence encircling the yard.

ACT THREE

INT: CHASE HOME (KITCHEN)
EVENING

SALLY is seated at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee. DON, however, has set his mug on the counter as he paces around the room wildly.

SALLY: Will you sit down?

DON: I can’t!

SALLY: Why? What in the world is wrong with you?

DON: Nothing – I’m just excited!

SALLY: About what?

DON: About everything! About life! About having an old friend like you here with me!

Sally smiles at him. Returning to her cup of coffee, though, her expression turns to one of puzzlement.

SALLY (THINKING): What is wrong with him? Just a few days ago, he was yelling at me to leave town!

DON: Do you wanna see my new painting? I finished it this afternoon!

SALLY: Yeah, sure.

DON: Okay! Follow me.

He runs down the hallway to the stairs which lead down to his studio. Sally follows at a casual pace.

INT: CHASE HOME (DON’S STUDIO)
EVENING – CONTINUOUS

DON comes bounding down the stairs into the studio, a disorganized stash of paints, canvases, painting both mounted and not mounted on the wall, and other supplies. He is standing by the easel, which holds his latest work, when SALLY enters.

DON: Here it is!

Sally marvels at the painting, genuinely impressed by his skill.

SALLY: This is great, Don!

DON: Do you really like it?

SALLY: Definitely. It’s gorgeous.

DON: Thanks.

SALLY: So, how long have you been painting?

DON: A little over ten years.

SALLY: We were married – you’d think I’d have some idea you had artistic talent.

DON: I hardly knew myself until I retired and started taking classes.

SALLY: You retired ten years ago? You’re only, what, 56?

He nods affirmatively.

DON: I was in accounting – which was what I was working towards all through college. But after I’d made enough money for us to be comfortable, I decided I wanted to try my hand at something I loved. I started looking around for something that struck me – and I found art.

SALLY: Have you visited the great museums in Europe?

Don’s boundless excitement is apparent at the very mention of these sites.

DON: Not yet. Helen and I were planning to go to Europe in the next few years and see it all.

SALLY: You don’t have to wait, Don.

He flashes her a bewildered look.

***

EXT: NEIGHBORHOOD
EVENING

DANIELLE stands in awe before the beautiful house. ANDY watches the expression on her face with joy, and is surprised when she turns to him in confusion.

DANIELLE: Hang on. What is this, exactly?

Relieved, Andy’s smile returns as he places his hands on her shoulders.

ANDY: This, my dear, is the house I just bought.

DANIELLE: You what?

ANDY: It’s ours. That is, if you’ll grant me one little wish.

DANIELLE: What’s that?

ANDY: Danielle, this is going to be our house. It’s the place I want to spend so many happy moments with you; it’s where I want to come home to you at night. Danielle, this is the place I want to begin our lives together.

DANIELLE: What are you saying?

Andy reaches inside his jacket pocket and pulls out a ring box. As he opens it, revealing a shimmering diamond ring, he gets down on one knee and continues speaking.

ANDY: Danielle Taylor, will you be my wife?

ACT FOUR

INT: TIM & CLAIRE’S APT. (LIVING ROOM)
EVENING

PAULA and CLAIRE are in the midst of a conversation.

PAULA: I’m just glad that you and Tim are finally able to have the peace you’ve wanted for so long.

CLAIRE: I don’t know about that …

PAULA: Why not? Diane is gone, your father’s gone—What else is there to worry about?

CLAIRE: I don’t know.

She catches sight of Paula’s confusion.

CLAIRE: I mean, I’m not exactly sure. All I know is that something strange is definitely going on.

PAULA: What do you mean?

CLAIRE: I’ve been having this uneasy feeling – like someone has been watching me.

PAULA: You’ve just gotten paranoid from all the months of torture that you’ve been through.

CLAIRE: That’s not all, Paula.

PAULA: Well, then, what else is there?

CLAIRE: A bouquet of flowers was left at the hospital for me the other day – and the card was made out to Claire Robbins.

PAULA: Just your maiden name?

CLAIRE: Yeah, I found that pretty strange. After all, who would refer to me by my maiden name?

PAULA: Maybe someone who knew you before you were married, someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time …

Claire’s skeptical look forces Paula to admit the bizarreness of this theory.

PAULA: … but I do guess that someone you haven’t seen in years would probably want to at least say hi, rather than just leaving flowers for you and running off unseen.

CLAIRE: Exactly. And there’s only one person I know – or knew – who refused to acknowledge my married name.

Paula’s eyes light up with knowing fear.

PAULA: Your father.

***

EXT: NEIGHBORHOOD
EVENING

ANDY looks to DANIELLE with sparkling hopefulness in his eyes.

DANIELLE: Yes, Andy. Of course I’ll marry you.

Tears have started to form in her eyes, but as she brushes away a faint tear, Andy joyfully leaps up and throws his arms around her.

ANDY: I love you so much!

DANIELLE: I love you too.

Andy slips the ring onto her finger.

DANIELLE: It’s gorgeous, Andy.

Without another word, a beaming Andy cheerfully hugs his fiancée once more. He wraps his arms tightly around her; nothing else in the world seems to matter.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Danielle, who, happy though she may be, has just complicated her predicament enormously.

ACT FIVE

INT: CHASE HOME (DON’S STUDIO)
EVENING

DON is intrigued by what SALLY has to say.

DON: What do you mean, I don’t have to wait?!?

SALLY: I’m a flight attendant. I can get you a free ticket.

DON: Wow!

SALLY: So, do you wanna do it?

DON: Without Helen?

He becomes somber, considering this, but quickly snaps out of this pensive state as he realizes what an opportunity this is.

DON: Of course I’ll do it!

SALLY: All right, then. Why don’t you talk to Helen about you alone taking a business trip? I’m sure she’ll understand.

DON: You’re right.

SALLY: And I’ll get to work on getting you that ticket.

He flashes her a wacky, appreciative smile.

***

INT: TIM & CLAIRE’S APT. (LIVING ROOM)
EVENING

PAULA stands in shock. CLAIRE remains seated, but her expression is just as terrified.

CLAIRE: That’s exactly what I’m worried about.

PAULA: Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t your father dead?

CLAIRE: He could be … but we have no proof of that. They never found the body, remember?

Paula clasps a hand over her mouth.

PAULA: Oh my God.

CLAIRE: I know. Would you please not say anything to Tim about this?

PAULA: I …

Though she is hesitant to do this, she finally drops her shoulders resignedly.

PAULA: Fine. I won’t say anything – at least for now.

CLAIRE: Thank you, Paula.

She hugs her mother-in-law.

PAULA: I just hope he’s not really back – otherwise none of you are safe.

***

INT: HOTEL SUITE
EVENING

ANDY and DANIELLE enter the suite, his arms around her.

ANDY: You have made me the happiest man in the world, Danielle.

DANIELLE: You’re not so bad yourself.

She plants a soft kiss on his lips. After the fact, he stands in bliss for a moment.

ANDY: As much as I hate to interrupt this … I have got to get out of this suit.

DANIELLE: Go right ahead.

Andy heads off for the bedroom. Danielle watches him depart, making sure he is out of sight before she picks up the telephone. She quickly punches in a number, and as she waits for it to be picked up, she glances toward the bedroom nervously.

DANIELLE: (on phone) Hi, Roberta? It’s Danielle.

She takes a deep breath.

DANIELLE: As much as I hate to do this, I’ve made my decision. I can’t accept your offer.

Having forced these words out, Danielle still appears pained. Being forced to make this decision has obviously broken her heart.

END OF EPISODE #85

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