Episode #88
The Day After #87

TEASER

INT: RESTAURANT

EVENING

DANIELLE is already seated at the table when BRENT approaches.

DANIELLE: Hey! Where’s Sarah?

BRENT: It’s a long story. What about Andy?

DANIELLE: He had to go take care of something. So I guess it’s just the two of us, huh?

Brent sits down across from her.

BRENT: I guess so.

DANIELLE: Actually, I’m kinda glad we’re alone. There’s something important I need to tell you.

***

INT: FITCH MANSION (FOYER)

EVENING

The doorbell rings. Moments later, WALTER, the butler, crosses the foyer and opens the door. Standing outside is ROBERTA OWENS.

ROBERTA: I need to see Mrs. Fitch.

WALTER: I’ll get her.

Just then, KATHERINE enters. She catches sight of Roberta and makes her way to the door.

KATHERINE: I’ll take it from here, Walter.

WALTER: Very well.

The women wait until he is gone before they begin talking.

KATHERINE: What are you doing here?

ROBERTA: There’s something I think you need to know about.

***

INT: AIRPLANE

EVENING

Somewhere over the Atlantic, SALLY and DON are seated side-by-side on a somewhat crowded flight.

SALLY: I’m so glad you agreed to this, Don! It’s going to be a blast!

DON: I know!

He suddenly appears more serious.

DON: But I didn’t know you were coming.

SALLY: I wasn’t going to ... but when I went to get the free ticket for you, they offered me one too. I figured it couldn’t hurt to take a little trip to Europe.

DON: Oh, well! I’m so excited to see all these fabulous places! I can’t wait!

With that, he hops to his feet and begins doing an impromptu dance. Sally’s thrilled appearance turns to one of embarrassment.

SALLY: Don, uh, I think you should sit down.

DON: Why? I’m celebratin’!

He resumes dancing.

DON: Woo! Boogie down!

Sally shakes her head, both confused and mortified by his behavior.

***

EXT: SKATING RINK (PARKING LOT)

EVENING

COURTNEY emerges from the rink and heads over to her car. What a busy day -- hardly the way a 21st birthday should be. She hasn’t even had a chance to see Jason all day.

She tosses her skate bag in the trunk and then walks over to the driver’s side. It is there that she notices a red slip of paper on the windshield.

She picks it up and begins to read the message, written quite deliberately in golden ink:

"Don’t worry! Your special day hasn’t been forgotten. Come to 3704 246th Avenue for a special birthday surprise! Love, Your Secret Admirer."

Recognizing the Fishers’ address, a smile crosses Courtney’s face.

ACT ONE

INT: RESTAURANT

EVENING

Before DANIELLE can say anything further to BRENT, the WAITRESS comes over to them.

WAITRESS: Can I get you something to drink?

DANIELLE: Yeah. I’ll have a Sprite.

The waitress turns to Brent.

BRENT: Coke for me.

WAITRESS: Okay. Thanks.

The waitress departs.

BRENT: So what were you saying?

DANIELLE: There’s something I need to tell you -- or rather, show you.

She extends her left hand towards him, revealing the sparkling diamond ring on her ring finger.

BRENT: Oh my God. Is that what I think it is?

She nods happily.

BRENT: Congratulations!

DANIELLE: Thanks. You’re the first one I’ve told.

BRENT: I’m honored.

He admires the ring for a few more seconds.

BRENT: Wow. Andy did quite a job with that.

DANIELLE: You should’ve been there. It was so romantic. He blindfolded me and took me to this house--

Brent grins as he interrupts her.

BRENT: We call that kidnapping, hon.

DANIELLE: Shut up. When we got out of the car, I saw this huge house. He told me that he’d bought it. It’s the house where he wants us to spend our lives together, he said. Then he got down on one knee and gave me this ring.

BRENT: Nice. I’m really happy for you.

The waitress returns with their drinks.

WAITRESS: Are you ready to order?

BRENT: We’re gonna need a few more minutes.

Nodding, the waitress is gone once again.

BRENT: One question ... where does this leave your career? What about the recording contract?

Danielle tenses up, preparing to share the disappointing news with her brother.

***

INT: FISHER HOME (LIVING ROOM)

EVENING

Just as the doorbell rings, PAULA enters. She opens the door to find COURTNEY there.

PAULA: Courtney! Hi!

She gives the young woman a hug.

PAULA: Happy birthday!

COURTNEY: Thanks.

PAULA: So how does it feel to be 21?

COURTNEY: Believe it or not, not much different from how it felt to be 20.

PAULA: Get used to it. The older you get, the less distinct every year gets.

COURTNEY: Oh, last year was plenty distinct. I just want some peace and quiet this year.

Courtney holds up the red piece of paper.

COURTNEY: Do you happen to know anything about this?

PAULA: Well ...

She stretches her arm to a nearby bookshelf and it returns holding another red piece of paper -- this one cut into the shape of a heart.

PAULA: ... this just happened to be left lying around for you.

With a sly grin on her face, she hands it to Courtney, who immediately reads the latest message, also penned in gold ink:

"For your birthday surprise, my darling, my dear,

Please hop along to the Fisherman’s Pier."

COURTNEY: Is he having a romantic dinner for me at the restaurant?

Paula gives an exaggerated shrug of her shoulders and steps away from the door.

PAULA: Have fun.

COURTNEY: Don’t worry, I will.

Paula closes the door. Courtney stands on the porch for a moment, holding the red paper heart in her hands while dreaming of all that Jason could have planned for the evening.

***

INT: FITCH MANSION (FOYER)

EVENING

KATHERINE shuts the door as ROBERTA leans in closer to speak.

ROBERTA: It’s about Danielle Taylor.

KATHERINE: I’m shocked.

ROBERTA: She turned down my offer.

KATHERINE: What?!?

ROBERTA: She just called me a few nights ago and that was it.

KATHERINE: What reason did she give?

ROBERTA: Next to none. She basically said that she couldn’t accept the offer and hung up.

KATHERINE: I don’t understand ... Damn her! Why does that girl have to make things so difficult?

ROBERTA: What are we gonna do now?

KATHERINE: That’s a very good question.

ACT TWO

INT: AIRPLANE

EVENING

DON has finally returned to his seat, but SALLY still appears distressed.

DON: I’m booooored. What do you wanna do?

SALLY: Can’t we just relax for a little while?

DON: Why? That’s why you go to sleep! But we’re not asleep now, are we?

He gets into a mock-sleeping position and emits a loud snore.

DON: Asleep ...

Suddenly his eyes pop open and he stands up.

DON: Awake!

He returns to the sleeping position.

DON: Asleep ...

He jumps to his feet again.

DON: Awake!

Sally grabs him by the elbow and pulls him back into his seat.

SALLY (THINKING): What kind of mistake have I made?

***

INT: THE FISHERMAN’S PIER (LOBBY)

EVENING

COURTNEY enters the restaurant, which is at its maximum capacity during the dinner hour. She looks around for a second and is quickly approached by BILL.

BILL: Hey, there, Court! Happy birthday!

COURTNEY: Thanks! Hey, do you ...

BILL: ... have something for you? Of course I do!

He pulls out a medium-sized gift box, wrapped in shimmering gold wrapping paper with a red bow on top.

BILL: Enjoy.

Before she can say another word, he is gone.

Courtney pulls the bow off and quickly tears the wrapping paper off the box. She opens the box -- but in lieu of a birthday present, she finds a third piece of red paper, this one also in the shape of a heart.

The golden message reads:

"Sorry! This isn’t the end of the line, though. Meet me at the entrance to King’s Bay Park. Your surprise will be close by -- I promise!"

Tucking this latest note into her purse, Courtney heads out the door with a glowing smile on her face.

ACT THREE

INT: FITCH MANSION (FOYER)

EVENING

KATHERINE paces the floor of the elegant entrance hall as ROBERTA stands close by the door.

KATHERINE: I can’t imagine why she’d do this. The whole time she worked here, all she wanted was her stupid contract--

ROBERTA: --and your son.

KATHERINE: I wonder if Andrew asked her to turn it down. Why can’t he just see that I’m trying to do what’s best for him?

ROBERTA: Because he doesn’t see it like that.

KATHERINE: ... Which is exactly why I have to go behind their backs like this. You know, last time he was here, Andrew didn’t even say anything about Danielle’s record offer to me. Do you think--

Her face finally lights up as she finds some redeeming value in this whole mixed-up situation.

KATHERINE: Is it possible that Danielle never told Andrew about any of this?

ROBERTA: Maybe ...

KATHERINE: Then there’s my chance! If he finds out she’s kept something like that from him, he’ll be crushed! I know how important trust is to Andrew. This could be just what I need to separate them for good!

***

INT: RESTAURANT

EVENING

DANIELLE is unable to make eye contact with BRENT as she prepares to tell him the truth.

BRENT: Uh-oh.

DANIELLE: I ... I turned down the offer.

BRENT: What? Are you nuts?

DANIELLE: I couldn’t take it, Brent. Not after Andy proposed to me.

BRENT: Why not?

DANIELLE: I can’t get engaged, record an album, and then just leave him hanging for a year. It’s not fair.

BRENT: Maybe not, but this isn’t fair to you. You just got the career opportunity of a lifetime, and you turned it down for Andy.

DANIELLE: I just couldn’t do it.

BRENT: Do you think it would make him feel good to know that he’s the reason your career isn’t advancing?

Danielle’s wordless response is one of uncertainty.

BRENT: You have to tell him about this, Danielle.

DANIELLE: It doesn’t make any difference. It’s too late, anyway.

BRENT: You know, this really isn’t the best way to begin an engagement -- with an enormous lie.

DANIELLE: It’s for the best.

BRENT: No, it’s not.

His mind drifts back to his kiss with Molly on the night that he and Sarah eloped.

BRENT: It never is.

***

EXT: KING’S BAY PARK

EVENING

With summer nearing, the evening sky is strikingly similar to that of the afternoon. Still, the emptiness of the park reflects the advanced hour, especially on a school night.

COURTNEY enters the park, having parked her car just outside. She looks around but sees no one of any significance to her.

Meanwhile, behind her, JASON sneaks up and clasps his hands over her eyes.

JASON: Guess who?

COURTNEY: Gee, I wonder.

He releases his hands as she spins around to face him.

JASON: Happy birthday!

He gives her an affectionate little kiss.

JASON: I’ve got something for you …

COURTNEY: Ooh, my surprise?

JASON: You’re close …

He hands her yet another piece of red paper, again in the shape of a heart. Written in golden ink, it reads:

"So you’ve made it this far, huh? Follow the sexiest man in the universe to your birthday surprise."

COURTNEY: The sexiest man in the universe?

JASON: You’re lookin’ at him.

COURTNEY: What? Where?

She looks around exaggeratedly, straining to see past Jason and over his head.

JASON: Cut it out. Just follow me.

He leads her away.

ACT FOUR

INT: AIRPLANE

EVENING

DON suddenly turns to SALLY. His tone is controlled and concerned, unlike the behavior he has been exhibiting recently.

DON: Oh my gosh ... What have I done?

SALLY: You’ve just been acting foolish, Don. It’s okay. You’re never going to see any of these people again anyway.

DON: No, not that. I mean, how could I have just taken off on this trip without Helen? It’s probably tearing her apart!

SALLY: I’m sure she’s fine.

DON: Maybe, but I’m an idiot! I have to call her!

Sally’s expression is abruptly transformed into one of horror.

SALLY (THINKING): I can’t let Don call his wife ... Otherwise he’ll tell her that I tagged along and my whole plan will be ruined!

***

EXT: KING’S BAY PARK

EVENING

JASON leads COURTNEY by the hand down to the waterfront, where an elaborate, romantic picnic has been set up.

COURTNEY: Jason, this is beautiful! Thank you!

She throws her arms around him.

JASON: I’m glad you like it. It would’ve been a candlelit dinner, but I thought it was kinda dumb to have candles while it’s still light out.

COURTNEY: Good thinking. I can’t believe you went to all this trouble!

JASON: It was worth it.

He gestures for her to sit down on the blanket he has laid out, and she does.

JASON: Ooh ... hold on. There’s one more thing.

He presses "play" on a nearby tape player, and 'N Sync's "I Drive Myself Crazy" begins to play. Then he proceeds to sit down beside her.

COURTNEY: This is so cool ... I’ve always dreamed of someone doing something like this for me.

JASON: ... and it’s always been my dream to do this for you.

He gives her another delicate kiss.

ACT FIVE

INT: AIRPLANE

EVENING

DON reaches for the phone attached to the seat in front of him as SALLY looks on nervously.

SALLY: Don, maybe you should wait.

DON: Why?

SALLY: Because ... Because it’s bad luck to call and say you’re doing okay before the flight lands.

DON: What?

SALLY: I knew someone who called her husband from the airplane just a few minutes before it landed. In those few minutes, the plane crashed and she died.

DON: Ouch.

He considers this for a moment. Sally sits back, pleased with her spur-of-the-moment creative storytelling.

DON: Oh, what the hell? I’d rather take the chance than sit here knowing Helen is mad at me.

He picks up the phone. Before he can begin to dial though, he places it in his lap as he focuses on something else -- the intense pain growing in his head.

SALLY: Is something wrong?

DON: I--

In an instant, he has fallen asleep.

Sally is absolutely puzzled by this. She reaches in to pick up the phone and is about to double-check him for a pulse when he lets out a loud snore.

***

INT: RESTAURANT

EVENING

BRENT and DANIELLE are now eating their entrees. They are also in the middle of discussing his marital woes.

DANIELLE: So she just decided to take off for New York with this Matt guy?

BRENT: Yep. Apparently she thinks it’s a terrific idea.

DANIELLE: Don’t get too worried. It’s not like she’s not coming back.

BRENT: I know, but still ... She just continues to do things like this. Like the whole time Molly was being stalked, Sarah was all over the place. One minute she was pitying Molly, the next she was blaming her for it. I don’t get it.

DANIELLE: She’s a very passionate person. She lets her emotions guide her.

BRENT: And sometimes it’s too much. I mean, I guess I can understand that she believes in Matt’s innocence and doesn’t want him to go to jail for something he didn’t do. But then again, what does she know about him? How well does she really know him?

DANIELLE: She doesn’t. I can see where you’d be worried.

BRENT: Worried and pissed off. It’s like she can’t stand the thought of doing something logically by thinking it out first.

DANIELLE: It’s just one of those things. But if you really love her like I know you do, it’s something you’re willing to work through, right?

His reply comes with a certain amount of reluctance.

BRENT: Right.

***

INT: FITCH MANSION (FOYER)

EVENING

ROBERTA looks at KATHERINE questioningly.

ROBERTA: Do you really think so?

KATHERINE: I know so. Eventually Andrew is going to see that she is all wrong for him ... and I have a feeling this is just the thing to do it.

ROBERTA: Do you need me to do anything?

KATHERINE: Are you interested in helping me?

ROBERTA: Hey, for what you paid me just to offer Danielle a record deal, I can’t complain.

KATHERINE: Well, I appreciate your keeping quiet about all this. And yes, there is something else you can do for me.

Roberta awaits the explanation of her next task.

***

EXT: KING’S BAY PARK

EVENING

JASON and COURTNEY are laying on the blanket down by the waterfront. She is sprawled on top of him, and they lay looking up at the sky.

COURTNEY: This is amazing.

JASON: Hey, I do what I can.

He takes a deep breath, preparing to switch to a less comfortable topic.

JASON: Look, I know we never really talked about it, but I really am sorry that I didn’t take your word for it about Shannon being behind everything that happened.

COURTNEY: Forget about it.

JASON: No, seriously, I should have listened to you.

COURTNEY: And seriously, I owe you the apology. I know it sounded ridiculous, and I was going on nothing more than a hunch. I shouldn’t have blown up at you the way I did.

JASON: To be honest, I was surprised you didn’t make me leave when I showed up at the accident scene.

COURTNEY: I just saw Sandy with Dr. Smith, and even though he was all screwed up, I realized how fragile love really is. If there was nothing standing between us, why stay apart? Everything just got much clearer to me all of a sudden.

JASON: Well, I am definitely thankful for that.

This time it is her who gives him a kiss.

COURTNEY: I love you.

JASON: I love you too. Happy birthday.

They continue kissing as "All I Have To Give" by the Backstreet Boys plays on the tape player:

"My love is all I have to give
Without I don’t think I could live
I wish I could give the world to you,
But love is all I have to give
And my love is all I have to give ..."

END OF EPISODE #88

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