A NOTE FROM THE WRITER: After repeated attempts to "speed up" the what-should-now-be-LONG-expired storylines over the last few years (And FAILING MISERABLY in the process every time!), I have decided and reached the conclusion that THE best to achieve that goal at THIS point would be to simply move ahead and press forward with the show in time a few years.
This presents me with the opportunity to roll out NEW storylines NOW rather than to wait until sometime in the future which I think we can all safely agree that will NEVER come thanks to the MANY RL challenges and issues I've had to face over the last few years. It also presents me with the opportunity to introduce new characters to go along with these new storylines as well as return some old ones for anything ranging from the renewing of old storylines with new vigor and vitality to new storylines altogether.
So with no further adieu, I now present to you THE LATEST episode of AGAINST THE STORM!! Enjoy!!
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SCENE ONE - Cedarville University - Student Union Cafeteria
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It is lunchtime as Jennifer Blanton, her sorority sisters & a few other friends all sit down to have lunch. They are all sitting at one table. Meanwhile Natalie Jenkins, who came into being as a Test Tube baby enters.
Jennifer's sorority sisters nor her other friends have much (If any) use for Natalie at all (This is largely because of her "Miss High & Mighty Goody-Two-Shoes" pompant and arrogant attitude. In other words, when it comes to Natalie Pittman, think MODERN DAY VALLEY GIRL!!).
FYI ALERT But EVEN WITH Natalie's negative persona & how because of how Natalie came into being, there's a VERY human side to her story too, which you will see being played out over these next coming days, weeks & months. END FYI ALERT.
But because of all the things Natalie has done via her negative persona to attempt (Albeit with short-term success, if any at all I might add) to drive a wedge between Jennifer and her now long-time beau Brian Johanssen, who plans to marry Jennifer once they both graduate (He has proposed to her, but they agreed to wait till they graduated to actually tie the knot even though all their friends and other loved ones think they're CRAZY to put it off out of concern that things could change that would make them fall OUT of love).
As we pick up the scene now, Natalie has just stopped right at the table where Jennifer & Co. are sitting.
JENNIFER (Not surprised at ANYTHING Natalie says or does nowadays since she's practically seen it all from her) - What the fuck do you want?
NATALIE (Feeling offended) - Is THAT the way to treat A HUMAN BEING???
MONICA (One of Jennifer's sorority sisters rather snobbishly) - It's THE PERFECT way to treat YOU. And, not that you really care, but it's NOT because you were conceived in some fuckin' lab either.
NATALIE (Shrugging off & dismissing Monica's comment as insignificant & irrelevant as she really doesn't care nor believe it anyway) - Fine. Be that as it may. But I was wondering if any of you have seen Brian today.
Jennifer suddenly stops her eating & almost gags on the chicken breast sandwich she was holding in her hand as she looks up at Natalie with a VERY suspecting look on her face.
JENNIFER - And WHY pretell should ANY of us tell YOU of ALL people something like THAT???
NATALIE - Because he did what most REAL people tend to do by accidentally leaving his backpack in Biology class.
FYI ALERTNatalie & Brian are both majoring in Biology END FYI ALERT
NATALIE (Now rearing the ugly side of her personality as she holds Brian's backpack by her thumb & forefinger and later looks at it as if it contained a foul odor) - But if you'd rather that he not get it, I could always "burn" it.
JENNIFER (Getting up & just wanting to take it so Natalie would simply GO AWAY as she says firmly & sternly) - Well...Okay. You can give it to ME - NOW!! You little bitch. 'Cause I just KNOW you're up to
SOMETHING & it ain't no good. And when it ain't no good, people generally get hurt.
Jennifer offers her hand to accept Brian's backpack as we go to...
**CUE NEW ATS OPEN**
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SCENE ONE - Cedarville University - Student Union Cafeteria (CONTINUED)
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NATALIE - Last time I checked, YOU had like NO USE WHATSOEVER for Brian. I think I'll pass. Somehow I don't think Brian would want his ex-girlfriend like handing his stuff.
JENNIFER (Correcting Natalie's so-called "knowledge" as she's ALWAYS had to do - ESPECIALLY when it comes to Brian) - Well last time *I* checked, 1). That is **NOT** your decision to make because 2). I am
**NOT** his "ex" ANYTHING - HOW MANY times have I corrected you on this now? I've lost count. 3). Brian has ABSOLUTELY **ZERO** use for you and 4). Because of 1)., 2)., & 3)., if there's ANYONE Brian wouldn't trust his stuff with, THAT WOULD BE **YOU**. Now hand the bag over or leave it here at the table. But regardless of what you do, you ARE NOT getting any closer to Brian than this table, so you're just
gonna have to DEAL WITH THAT & ACCEPT IT.
Natalie looks over at the rest of Jennifer's party, but doesn't get any sympathy or even empathy for that matter. she winds up leaving the bag at the table and leaves to join her own friends
MONICA (Noticing the growing crowd over at the table where Natalie is) - I can hardly believe a slut like her ACTUALLY has friends.
JENNIFER (Whose back is turned to what Monica is seeing as Jennifer resumes her eating) - Yeah. And most of them are the frat brats who just love the quick fix if ya know what I mean.
MONICA (Nodding in agreement) - Exactly. The type of man who sees a chick for only ONE thing - S-E-X.
Just then, one of the others in Jennifer's group of friends, Kelly Mashburn, has just completed some work on her computer using the cafeteria's free WiFi connection to the Internet
JENNIFER - So, did you manage to get that assignment done Kelly?
KELLY (Exhausted & closing her laptop PC) - Ugh. I cannot believe I actually managed to DROWN MYSELF IN MY HOMEWORK during that episode with Natalie - AND AM STILL ALIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT.
Doesn't she EVER learn anything?
MONICA (Looking at Kelly rather strangely) - You're asking US that question?
KELLY - You're right. How silly of me. 1). We ARE talking about NATALIE here and 2). Because it's Natalie, I doubt even HER TEACHERS would know the answer to that one.
Everyone at the table laughs in agreement as they enjoy the rest of their lunch hour together
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SCENE TWO - Cedarville High School - Janitor's Office
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Head Janitor Mr. Carl Hedgeworth is working in his office when several boys who work for him in their after-school hours as they learn how to make an honest living by doing janitorial duties walk in. This is in response to his request to see them. Mr. Hedgeworth (Or "Mr. H." as the students like to call him as he's so popular) happens to be a politically Right-Wing fascist and self-proclaimed "Right-Wing Anarchist" and has developed quite a reputation with the Cedarville PD as such. But NOT to the extent as he is about to do so in this scene.
The students for their part are not only Mr. H's employees in after-school jobs, but they're also known to lean extremely to the politically Right on the school's Varsity Debate Team and have a reputation in the school district of
RESOUNDINGLY outsmarting EVERYONE they've encountered on the political Left so far.
As we pick up the scene now, the students, Mark, Andy & Steve, are about to find out why Mr. Hedgeworth called them into his office.
MARK (To Mr. Hedgeworth as he, Andy & Steve enter) - You wanted to see us?
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Yes. Come right on in.
The boys enter the office and close the door behind them
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Now you boys have developed quite the reputation of dealing with the clueless Liberals in the school district, haven't you?
STEVE (Wondering where the discussion is leading to) - Well yeah, through our work on the varsity Debate Team, but....
MR. HEDGEWORTH (Interrupting Steve) - Exactly, but you also know that this city has a HUGE Towelhead population, right?
ANDY (Just as perplexed as his two fellow students are) - Yeah but...
MR. HEDGEWORTH (Interrupting Andy) - What does this have to do with the price of beans in China or your after-school jobs here, I know. But THIS is an IMPORTANT job boys. THIS is something that the politicians (Even the most loyal ones to our humble cause) would cringe at.
The three students look at each other as if to ask "What is he talking about?"
MR. HEDGEWORTH (Noticing the perplexed looks on the boys faces) - Do you remember when this school had A SHITLOAD of them Towelheads?
ANDY - Heh...Yeah.
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Well several things happened to make them leave. Some graduated. Some were forced to move out of the area because of other mitigating circumstances and some will say they were "forced out". The latter is likely because of your bullying them and our troops (Now smiling) umm....shall we say....Takin' care of business by KICKIN' SOME TOWELHEAD BOOTY over in Iraq & Afghanistan....
STEVE - I think I get the picture, but where is this leading to?
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Simply put, there's ONE Towelhead who's still here. I think you all know EXACTLY who I'm referring to. You guys have tried EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE to get rid of him, yet he's still here. But I've come up with a plan that will do away with him ONCE AND FOR ALL.
MARK (Appearing interested) - What's the plan Mr. H? I'll try ANYTHING to get rid of him at this point as he ALWAYS parks his fuckin' bomb next to my classic '57 Chevy EVERY STINKIN' DAY and I'm TIRED of him doing it.
MR. HEDGEWORTH (Smiling) THAT IS THE SPIRIT NOW!!! As for the plan, it's simple. Just assemble the parts for a pipe bomb and put it in the Boiler Room.
ANDY (Stumped) - But where does the Towelhead fit in?
MR. HEDGEWORTH - You guys will come up with a way to push, pull, and/or DRAG HIM kickin' and screamin' if you have to over to the Boiler Room.
STEVE - How do we get him down there without getting caught?
MR. HEDGEWORTH - You don't. I'll give you access to the outside entrance.
STEVE - What about the guard? He's DEFINATELY bound to get suspicious.
MR. HEDGEWORTH - I'll keep him busy. He and I are pals anyway.
MARK - Okay, but once we get the Towelhead inside the Boiler Room, what are we supposed to do with him?
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Use whatever force and means neccessary to get him to place the pipe bomb underneath the big boiler. Believe me, you can't miss it.
MARK - What about our DNA being on the bomb parts when its found in some form?
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Well, if you're as smart as I think you are, you'll pre-assemble the bomb BEFORE arriving at school. This way, the steam will dust off any old DNA like a baseball umpire dusting off home plate during a ballgame.
STEVE - And the Towelhead's DNA?
MR. HEDGEWORTH (Smiling) Will be all over it.
MARK - So what do we do once he bends over and starts sliding the bomb under.
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Get the hell out of there like bats out of hell.
ANDY - What about the Towelhead?
STEVE - Yeah. He can name us if he's caught.
MR. HEDGEWORTH (Smiling) - Ahh but WHO in their right mind is gonna believe a fuckin' Towelhead standing next to a boiler with a pipe bomb WITH HIS DNA ALL OVER IT under the boiler in the Boiler Room? I don't know of anyone. Do you?
MARK (Smiling & Devilishly Laughing) - I like THIS plan. This CAN work. Thanks Mr. H. When do you want us to do this?
MR. HEDGEWORTH - Tomorrow if possible.
MARK (Confident & Cocky) - Then tomorrow it is as tomorrow will be THE LAST time he will be parking his bomb next to my '57 beauty.
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SCENE THREE - Brad & Stacy's House
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Brad Martin & Stacy McFadden are married now. As such, they are now obviously living together on a full time basis. FYI ALERT They decided to do so on a last second "spur-of-the-moment" thing once
Stacy was able to convince the courts to let her have sole custody of the last memoir of Leo's legacy - that being his son Christopher since his natural mother Cassandra Whitmore is still serving time in the penal stockade at Fort Cedar for illegally obtaining a sample of Leo's DNA so she could have proof of Leo being Christopher's biological father. END FYI ALERT
As we pick up the scene now, Brad & Stacy are enjoying a nice lunch together before Brad heads back to the hotel where he expects to have a long night since there will be a gala event for a Presidential candidate at The Fon Du Lac later in the evening.
BRAD (Asking Stacy what she thinks of the candidate who's coming to town) - So what do you thing of the guy?
STACY (Responding in what many so-called real life political "experts" might consider to be "realistic") - Does it really matter what *I* think of a particular candidate anymore? I mean seriously, all you need to have is enough money and you can just simply **BUY** your way into the White House. Holding an election has just merely become a constitutional formality these days.
BRAD - You really don't believe that, do you?
STACY - Do you really think your vote **ACTUALLY** counts Brad?? Earth to Brad....My sweetie - IT DOES NOT. There **USED** to be a time in which a person's vote **ACTUALLY** meant something. But not anymore. All that's needed nowadays to get into public office is M-O-N-E-Y and lots of it.
BRAD - Well I'm still a firm believer that a person's vote still means something.
STACY - Fine sweetie. You have your opinion and I have mine. Thankfully we live in a country where both of us are still entitled to each other's opinion. But honey, sooner or later, you're going to realize that your opinion is a figment of your imagination and that reality dictactes what I've said and believed all along for the last several years.
Just then, a political ad for the presidential hopeful appears on TV
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN TV AD (In a quoted statement from a previously recorded speech) - I will bring about CHANGE and restore HONESTY & DIGNITY to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
STACY (Responding to the quote) - Didn't the last presidential candidate who **BOUGHT** his way into 1600 Pennsylvania say something similar to that? Hmm...Lookie what he did. He turned the world's tallest buildings into a great big pile of rubble and has thus far been linked to more deaths than **ADOLPH HITLER** - And HE was nothing more than **A CRAZED LUNATIC** who should **NEVER** have been elected into power in the first place. And THE SCARY part is THAT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!!! I'm just barely scratching the tip of the iceberg of some of the things that's happened since our current President first took office.
BRAD (Noticing Stacy's obvious cynicism & criticism) - You're so cynical & critical of politicians these days. You've gotta learn to give 'em a break and pat 'em on the back for the good things they HAVE done Stace.
STACY - Brad, you would be too if *YOU* had a loved one who was repeatedly being sent into a war we have **NO BUSINESS** being in in the first place. Sorry sweetie, but while I respect your opinion and love you because you at least have one, I can't possibly agree with it. Nor can I possibly expect you to agree with mine unless you've actually lived in my shoes the last several years.
BRAD - But sweetie you know I've right at your side the whole time and certainly since Leo's death.
STACY - But it's NOT the same thing. (Now fumbling for a way to explain the point she trying to make to Brad, but is at a loss for words) It's too complicated to explain to you in a way you could possibly understand. So you're just gonna have to trust me on this on Brad. It's NOT the same thing.
BRAD (Wanting to just simply agree to disagree and not push the matter any further) - Alright. It's quite clear that when it comes to this subject, we obviously have two very different opinions and that is just simply not going to change. So how about we call a truce and just simply agree to disagree.
STACY (With a smile) - Now THAT, my dearest loved one, I will MOST CERTAINLY agree to.
Stacy & Brad begin to hug one another, but just then Brad notices his watch and realizes he has to leave and get back to the hotel
BRAD - Whoa! I'd better get the fuck outta here and get back to the hotel before Michelle decides to have my head served up on a platter for being late. See you later?
Brad & Stacy manage to get in a quickie kiss just as Brad heads out the door
STACY (As she sighs, shrugs her shoulders and lets her knees buckle down to the sofa) - Yeah. Laters.
As the scene ends, Stacy's own two year old daughter can be heard crying in the background as she awakens from her nap while Stacy picks up the remote control for the TV and starts channel surfing
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SCENE FOUR - Cedarville PD Crime Lab - CSI Adam Romano's Workstation
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Adam Romano is a CSI for the Cedarville PD Crime Lab. As we pick up the scene now, Adam, a graduate of the Cedarville University School Of Criminal Justice and old acquaintance and flame of Natalie Pittman during his college days, is busy at work when Natalie walks in
FYI ALERT Another reason why Adam & Natalie were forced to break things off between the two of them is the fact that Adam is now legally considered to be an adult while Natalie is still legally considered to be a minor under State Law EVEN THOUGH she's a Senior in college. END FYI ALERT
NATALIE (With a smile) - Hey there
ADAM (Returning the smile with one of his own) - Wow. Don't you look gorgeous. Long time no see babe.
NATALIE (Blushing, but trying to be modest - however not succeeding) - You know I *ALWAYS* look gorgeous.
ADAM (Admitting that he knows she's right and being somewhat macho about it as he walks over to her to give her a hug) - Well yeah, but still...
Natalie & Adam exchange hugs
ADAM (Continuing) - So what's up? What brings you by here?
NATALIE - Personal project.
ADAM - Ohh...Well...What can I do to help?
NATALIE - Well you know I was born in well....you know....a lab, right?
ADAM (Recalling her mentioning it to her) - Well yeah. I remember you mentioning it quite a few times.
NATALIE - Well now I've reached the decision that now is just as good of a time as any to at least start the search for my parents.
ADAM (Perplexed) - What do you mean?
NATALIE (Looking at Adam with a "RENT-A-CLUE" expression on her face) - Well you know. The two people who...umm.... decided it was best to "donate" me to modern medicine & science as if I were just some "thing" rather than a real person with emotions and feelings when the sperm & eggs were mixed together.
ADAM - Ahh...I follow now. But are you sure that's such a hot idea? I mean, suppose they don't want to see you.
NATALIE - That's the chance I'll have to take. But I'd like to AT LEAST be able to have the chance to get to know them or AT LEAST get the chance to MEET them.
ADAM (Trying to be realistic) - Nat, they may not wanna see you. Worse yet, they themselves may not want that.
NATALIE - I know. That's what the Genealogist told me.
ADAM - You working with one.
NATALIE - Yeah. She's looking up my family tree as I speak.
ADAM - Cool. So what do you need me for?
NATALIE - Well you've got access to all kinds of information about them, right?
ADAM - Eh...If they're in the system, yeah.
NATALIE - Well don't you have access to...like...information for...like....motor vehicles, right?
ADAM - Well yeah. I have access to the Motor Vehicle database.
NATALIE - Well you could pull it from there, couldn't you?
ADAM - It's possible. But Nat, if a person doesn't want to be found or doesn't want anyone that they're alive, there's lots of ways to achieve that and do so legally.
NATALIE (Sighing) - What if we were able to come up with names?
ADAM - That'd help, but if it's a common name like JOHN SMITH, that's too common as there's THOUSANDS of people out there with that name.
NATALIE - Ahh...But only one that's in the family line.
ADAM (Almost laughing) - It'd have to be one very lucky needle in one helluva haystack Nat.
NATALIE - Who knows? Stranger things have been known to happen.
ADAM (Sighing) - Okay. You get me some names and anything else that you and your Genealogist friend believe might be helpful and I'll see what I can do.
NATALIE (Smiling, knowing that she's got his support) - Great.
ADAM (In his now-usual typical CSI fashion) - I can't promise you any results Nat.
NATALIE - Just promise me you'll try. Okay?
ADAM - For you? Yeah?
NATALIE - Thanks again sweetie.
ADAM (Smiling) - Yeah.
Natalie starts to leave
ADAM (Verbally Catching Natalie as she leaves & smiling rather fondly) - Hey...
NATALIE (As she turns around) - Yeah?
ADAM (Smiling) - Great seeing ya again. Talk to ya later.
NATALIE (Smiling rather fondly in return) - Likewise. Well...Thanks again. Talk to ya later.
Natalie walks out as Adam looks on as the scene comes to an end
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SCENE FIVE - The FonDuLac Hotel - Grand Ballroom
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Owner & now Hotel Diva Michelle Monroe is busily preparing the Grand Ballroom for the HUGE reception for Presidential candidate Congressman Gary Wheatley who is a very close personal friend of hers even though he has refused her many campaign monetary contribution offers.
As we pick up the scene now, she is frantically directing staff to do various tasks as she runs around looking as though she were a chicken with her head cut off and as she pulls her hair out wondering where "Mr. No Problem in a situation like this" Brad Martin is
MICHELLE (Out of frustration & looking at her watch) - UGH!! I'm gonna KILL him!!
Just then, Brad enters the room, but quickly sees that facing Michelle is going to be THE LAST thing he's gonna wanna do, but it won't matter now as she sees him
MICHELLE (To Brad as she storms up to him) - WHERE HAVE YOU FUCKIN' BEEN?? Do you realize I've been running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to get this place in order for the reception tonight?
BRAD - I was having lunch with Stacy. Remember? I knew I wasn't gonna be able to have dinner with her due to the reception, so we chose to have lunch instead. I thought we talked about all this.
MICHELLE - Well I wasn't neccessarily counting on staying over there as long as you did.
BRAD (Sarcastically & feeling somewhat underappreciated for all the work he DOES do at the hotel) - Sorry. Maybe next time I'll stay shorter or better yet, skip having lunch with my wife altogether just so I can be here to serve your Royal Highness when you decide to play host to such big events.
MICHELLE (Just wanting to end the confrontation) - Just get the registratation area set up, please...
BRAD - Alright.
MICHELLE - Thank you.
Brad heads over to the area marked REGISTRATION and starts coordinating things over there. Meanwhile, Michelle returns to her traffic directing when Rob enters with Congressman Wheatley, who is getting the grand tour of the hotel
ROB - Michelle my dear love, may I present to you old friend CONGRESSMAN Gary Wheatley.
MICHELLE (Charmed) - Congressman
CONGRESSMAN WHEATLEY - YOU Michelle can call me Gary.
MICHELLE (Still charmed) - Okay GARY
CONGRESSMAN WHEATLEY (Giving his personal review of the hotel as the two of them sit at one of the many tables in the room) - I cannot believe that YOU built this FANTASTIC & EXQUISITE hotel. I would've figured it would be something your father would have a hand in.
MICHELLE (Flattered) - Aww...Thanks. But as I'm sure Rob has probably told you by now, Daddy had nothing to do with it. It was all my own idea.
CONGRESSMAN WHEATLEY (Admiring Michelle's work) - And a GREAT one at that. The stuff you have proven that CAN be done if you apply yourself is truly amazing. A sight to behold.
MICHELLE (Smiling) - Well it's a sight that I hope will be here for many generations to come.
CONGRESSMAN WHEATLEY - As do I. (Now looking at his watch) - Well, now that I've had the grand tour, I'd better get back upstairs and finish preparing for the reception tonight. Nice seeing ya.
MICHELLE (Smiling as Congressman wheatley gets up) - Likewise. (Just before Congressman Wheatley exits the room) - Ohh hey!! One more thing. KNOCK 'EM DEAD!!
Congressman Wheatley sticks his thumb up in a cheerful fashion as Michelle smiles & looks on as the scene draws to a close
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SCENE SIX - Mark's House
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It is now after school hours and the boys have agreed to meet at Mark's house to plan out their devious plot since his parents are both out of town on business for their respective employers and the person in charge of looking after him in their absence, who BTW is their neighbor, is busy at work herself. As we pick up the scene now, Mark & his two cohorts are in the family garage gathering stuff they think they can use. They're also discussing other things.
ANDY - And what if we get caught?
MARK - Trust me, if we do what Mr. H. said to do, we ain't gonna get caught. There's NO WAY that's gonna happen. There'll be too much confusion and chaos.
STEVE - He's right man. We ain't got any worries in the world man.
ANDY - I'm just think about the WHAT IF..... You know?
MARK - Dude....Stop being such a wuss. Now let's see what else we can use here.
The three spot a bunch of miniature PVC pipes in a box
STEVE (Admiring the number of pipes in the box) - WHOA!! We could make use of these. Think you can use your knowledge of science to make a bomb with these Andy?
ANDY (Looking into the box himself) - FUCK YEAH!!! And I wouldn't even have to cut them down to size either. They're PERFECT.
MARK - Then let's get right to work.
The three try to look for other things in the garage they can use, but are unsuccessful. They then try the basement, but have no luck. Next they check out the stuff at Steve's house. Steve's dad is an electrician.
They grab stuff to make a timer and other electrical things. Next they move on to Andy's house. Andy's mom is an explosives expert who, ironically, owns a demolition company whose biggest client just happens to be - AL FAHEED CONSTRUCTION INC.. As we pick up the scene again, Mark & Steve notice the Rolodex on the desk of Andy's mother and are curiously thumbing through it.
STEVE (Pulling out Khalil Al Faheed's business card from the Rolodex) - Well....Well....Well. What do we have here? A TRAITOR!!
ANDY (Trying to downplay it as just being part of his mother's business) - It's just my mom's business.
MARK - Well obviously. YOUR MOTHER FUNDS & PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR TERRORISTS. Wake up & smell the coffee man.....
ANDY - My mom does her own thing. So does my dad.
STEVE - So what does HE think about all this?
ANDY - He's a Wall Street dude. He's too fuckin' busy traveling all over the whole damned world strikin' multi-zillion dollar deals as he kisses the ass of his fuckin' boss. He could give a shit about me & mom. We could fall off the face of the Earth and he wouldn't notice it.
MARK - Don't tell me he travels to the Middle East.
ANDY - Naah. That much I can tell you. He mainly travels to Europe, but on occasion he'll also travel to the Far East.
STEVE - Well we better check to see what we can find here and get the fuck out before his mom comes home.
MARK - Yeah you're right. We'd better get started. (Now admiring all the tools of the explosives trade & deviously grinning from ear-to-ear) - That Towelhead has NO idea what he's in for or what's in store for him.
FADE TO BLACK
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On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
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* The plot by Mark, Andy, Steve & Mr. Hedgeworth enters its next phase
* Natalie gets news about her parents, but it's NOT what she expected.
* Trish struggles & has a fight with her two year old daughter
* Presidential Candidate & Congressman Gary Wheatley makes his prescence known
**All This AND MORE On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM**
**CUE STANDARD ATS CLOSE**
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Story Of Debbie Stevens
Debbie, as you may have gathered by now, is hardly a sweet little angel. In fact, as you're about to see, even her own mother never thought very highly of her when she was alive. But unlike Cassandra Whitmore (And despite what her now-dead mother might've thought of her), Debbie has morals.
Debbie's problems however are the bloodlines that she and her mother share and HER JUDGEMENT. She's not very good at thinking BEFORE she acts or takes action and, as we've all witnessed so far, she's also one to not let go of grudges so easily. As such, she has a tendency to want to inflict as much pain on her intended victim as possible. Problem with that is, as you're about to see, her pain-inflicting actions can also sometimes have unintended consequences (Such as hurting other people IN ADDITION to her intended victim).
Her mother was a street hooker whose specialty was standing on street corners turning tricks (When she managed to avoid getting busted for prostitution that is). As such, her "profession" of choice eventually caught up with her as one night, she was murdered by one of her many johns who decided he was going to use her as his personal sex slave. When he was done, he dumped her body in a nearby dumpster where she was later found. David & Marcie worked the case, found the perpetrator who committed the crime, and managed to get him locked up where he still remains today.
Her problem with her judgement (Or should we say LACK OF GOOD judgement) has more often than not landed her in trouble with quite a few people EVEN THOUGH she maintains a large group of friends (Many of whom either know of or have been caught in the cross-hairs of some of her actions).
With that out of the way, we bring you [b]The Story Of Debbie Stevens[/b] & her involvement in the sordid story of Leo & his womanizing behavior. We start with [b]Episode 58 Scene One[/b] as Debbie meets Mark & his photographer at The FonDuLac Restaurant.
[i]My, you sure got here in a hurry[/i], Debbie says, admiring Mark's timing.
[i]You know me. I don't like to miss a good story[/i], Mark replied. [i]So my darling, what's the scoop on Leo?[/i], he asked.
[i]Not so fast. First some business, if you know I mean[/i], Debbie exclaims, expecting payment for the story.
Mark chuckles. Debbie chuckles back with her hand out expecting money to be put in it.
[i]How 'bout you tell me what the scoop is and I'll determine how much its worth?[/i], Mark offers, chuckling at first
[i]How 'bout we do half and half?[/i], Debbie counteroffers.
[i]How 'bout the meter is ticking as we speak[/i], Mark puts it bluntly
[i]Well, since you put it THAT way...[/i]
Debbie gives Mark a little teaser. When he feels he has enough, he asks Debbie to stop and tells the photographer to start rolling. With that, the interview begins and Debbie spills the guts of her love life for all of Cedarville to see and hear.
After the interview, the three have appetizers and then part ways. Debbie goes back to the meeting to attend the reception while Mark & the photographer head back to the station. While en route back, Mark is thinking he may just have the bombshell of the year.
Getting back to Debbie, she arrives at the reception, but not long after that, she has yet another "visit" from her mother, who has been dead for years after her body was found in a dumpster after one of her many "happy customers" got through using her as his sex slave (One of the many cases which David & Marcie worked and solved). This took place in [b]Episode 58 Scene Four[/b]
[b][i]My oh my oh my. Like mother like daughter I see[/b][/i], says the ghostly spirit of Margaret, Debbie's dead mother.
[i]Wha...Who's there?[/i], Debbie asks, thinking she heard a voice.
[b][i]Why it's your mother[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]Nnnn....No. My mother's dead. I'm hearing things.[/i], Debbie responds
[b][i]I'm right here. You can't escape me[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]That's just a facsimilie replication of mother's voice. It isn't the real thing[/i], Debbie tells herself reptitively as she pours herself a cup of punch.
[b][i]I'm not a facsimilie replication sweetie. I'm in your every waking thought and dream. You know that[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]No you're not. I don't know who you are, but this isn't funny. Just go away[/i], Debbie says as she gathers a small plateful of munchies, which are part of the self-serve ala carte food area of the reception.
[b][i]Stop trying to deny who you are sweetie. You may be able to fool your so-called "friends", but you can't fool me. Remember, I'm your mother. I'm in your every waking thought and dream.[/b][/i]Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]So GET OUT of my thoughts and dreams then[/i], Debbie responds
[b][i]So you couldn't hack it on the street, eh? You just HAD to join the military[/b][/i] Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
Debbie doesn't respond.
[b][i]So tell me, How's the fuck? Is the fuck any better with the military boys as opposed to the average john I fucked around with? You know, I hear many of these bases have streets on them. Have you tried hanging out on one of THOSE street corners while turning tricks?[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit asks.
[i]I'm NOT like you mother. NEVER have been. NEVER will be.[/i]
[b][i]NEVER say never sweetie. Bloodlines ALWAYS have their ways of BITING YOU IN THE ASS[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]Yep, you oughta know. That's how come I've alive and you're dead. I'm not a FUCKIN' whore like you and grandma were[/i], Debbie sarcastically retorts.
[b][i]Don't you EVER talk about your grandmother like that. I'm here to defend myself so I can take it. But I don't EVER want to hear you talk that way about your grandmother. ONCE a slut ALWAYS a slut sweetie. Your grandmother was one, I was one, and YOU, my darling, are merely next in line. It's just a matter of time before those raging hormones of yours explode[/b][/i] Margaret's ghostly spirit adamantly responds.
[i]NOT if I can keep from it or have any say in the matter. Listen just do me a favor and GO AWAY[/i], Debbie says, now in frustration as she begins to hear people walking into the reception hall.
[b][i]I told you, I can't. I'm your mother. I'm in your every waking thought and dream. I can't leave them because I know you're always thinking about me - Especially now that you're showing your true colors of being the slut I've always thought you were. You've got the talent to turn tricks if you really wanted to do it. You don't think I've seen you in that mess hall in Afghanistan? How 'bout that one in Iraq? THINK AGAIN SWEETIE. You had them boys just BEGGING you let them squeeze those giant boobs of yours. You know, the ones your now-thankfully dead husband gave you? Why even I was getting horny. In fact, I seemingly recall three or four of those boys wanting to breed you gangbang-style and use you whenever they needed to "fulfill the need" and/or to make babies with you. Basically, they only wanted you for your giant boobs, your ass and that tight sweet pot of honey you have between your legs. In other words, they wanted you to be their bitch while they got their jollies off. (Chuckle) Yeah, you're a true slut alright. A chip off the ol' block[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says, chucking and smiling as she recalls some of the memories.
[i]JUST GO AWAY MOTHER!!!!![/i], Debbie screams in frustration, slamming her food and drink down on the floor as she does so.
Just then, Stacy walks in and sees Debbie in her anguish
[i]Debbie...Are you alright?[/i], Stacy asks with a stunned, yet puzzled look on her face and noticing that Debbie looks like she'd just seen a ghost.
[i]Yeah. Let's have the reception and get the fuck out of here[/i], Debbie responds as she tries to collect herself from the out-of-mind, out-of-life, out-of-body experience she just endured.
Later on in Scene Six, Stacy tried to press Debbie on the matter....
[i]Who were you talking to?[/i], Stacy asked
[i]Nobody[/i], Debbie responds.
[i]Didn't sound like much of a 'nobody' to me[/i], Stacy countered. [i]Doesn't look like it either[/i], she continued.
[i]You wouldn't know[/i], Debbie countered.
[i]Try me[/i], Stacy challenges
[i]Just this guy I've been dating[/i], Debbie makes up in an effort to end the conversation.
[i]I see[/i], Stacy responds, thinking she's just been fed a bunch of BS [i]I didn't know there were any guys who go by the name of 'mother'[/i], she continues
[i]Huh?[/i], Debbie questions, wondering what Stacy is even talking about.
[i]When I walked in here, you were referring to your mother as you slammed your food and drink on the floor and you said something to the effect of "go away"[/i], Stacy responds [i]Care to go into it?[/i], she continued
[i]Not particularly[/i], Debbie said [i]And I would prefer that you not blab it all over the place either[/i], she continued
[i]Okay, but I don't understand....[/i], Stacy responds
[i]Look, I know you're trying to be helpful and just trying to be a friend and all, but as far as I'm concerned, I don't have a mother. I never did have anyone to call 'mother' and I never will have anyone to call 'mother'[/i], Debbie exclaims
[i]But Deb, EVERYONE has a mother and they love us very much[/i], Stacy said
[i]Not mine. If you ask me, they should've left her in that dumpster she was found in. That was the PERFECT place for her.[/i], Debbie retorts [i]Look Stace, I know you're just trying to be a friend, but beyond this place and the things about me which I've already brought up in our meetings, you don't know JACK SHIT about me. So let's just DROP the subject while we ARE still friends.[/i], Debbie says, insisting on ending the conversation
[i]Okay sure[/i], Stacy says [i]Look, I'm sorry. I just got a little too pushy and obviously stuck my nose where it didn't belong. I'm sorry[/i], Stacy apologetically says
[i]It's okay[/i], Debbie says [i]Having a whore who spent more time standing on street corners turning tricks than she did being a real mother to me isn't something I'm exactly proud of[/i], she continued
[i]I understand[/i], Stacy said
[i]No Stace, I don't think you do. At least not in full anyway.[/i], Debbie responds [i]Listen...About not telling anybody, I'm serious. I don't want anybody else to know. this is to be just between you and me. Our little secret. Okay?[/i], Debbie says as she asks for Stacy's respect in the matter.
[i]Alright, I'll respect your wishes. Besides, I think the LAST thing we need to do is to give our resident gossip columnist Maxine Greenwald something to blog about if you know what I mean.[/i] Stacy sarcastically, yet humorously responds.
[i]Heh yeah so VERY true....As if she doesn't have enough to blab about as it is.[/i], Debbie says
Debbie & Stacy giggle & laugh at the notion of that as the scene ends.
Meanwhile, back at the Channel 7 studios, the newscast is just about to begin. During the newscast, Michelle arrives at her newly-purchased condo which she and fiancee Rob now call home after a long hard day at work running the hotel. She flips the TV on to watch the news. She normally watches Channel 7 even though she knows their tablodish-style approach of presenting the news almost always drives Rob NUTS (He hates tabloid news). As she goes about the business of doing her thing, which is normally taking off her shoes, grabbing a drink (Usually a glass of wine), and preparing to unwind, the story of Debbie's interview is coming on.
During the report, Rob arrives at home himself and goes to join his wife-to-be. He spots her in the Entertainment Room with her eyes glued to the TV. He calls out to Michelle, who tells him that he should come see what she's watching. Rob does so. His first reaction is the Channel 7 logo at the bottom of the screen and tells her to look at the source and that only Channel 7 would stoop to such a low level to get a story for their newscast.
Just then, the report goes into Debbie's admitting she had an affair with Leo. Rob & Michelle had met Debbie before when all the military families had a big support convention in Cedarville, but they had NO idea that she had ANY connection TO LEO. With that, Rob suddenly picks up the phone. Michelle asks who he's calling. She tells her he's calling Brad. Brad picks up the phone on his end. Rob asks what channel they were watching for the news. Brad said they were watching their usual source for news, which is none other than Channel 4, the station that Stephanie Blanton works for. Rob tells him to flip it to Channel 7. Brad asks why. Rob tells him to just do it and quickly because the report was about to come to an end. He does so, though he still wants to know what's going on.
No sooner does he ask that question, Channel 7 broadcasts a teaser as to what they plan to air during their 10:00 PM newscast. Brad is shocked at what he sees as are Rob & Michelle. Brad then asks Rob if they recorded the report. Rob relays the question to Michelle, who says no. Brad relays her answer to Brad, who acknowledges and tells them to get over to their house so they can figure out how to break the news to Stacy. Rob says that he and Michelle are on their way and hangs up the phone. Brad hangs up the phone on his end.
While Rob & Michelle are en route to the house, Brad calls Stephanie and asks her if she knew anything about the Channel 7 broadcast. She said she heard something about it, but the info. she had was either second or third hand since she was on the air herself on Channel 4, though she did note the pickup of buzz in the newsroom that apparently came as a result of the report. Brad asked Stephanie if there was ANY way she could get the video of the broadcast that's supposed to go on the air at 10:00 PM. She said it was highly unlikely at this point as that would mean either taking or destroying all the backup copies of the video as well. And even then, doing so would be at the risk of getting caught and hauled off to jail. But she said she'd pull a few strings and call in a few favors and see what she could do to help as she knows that if ANY part of what she'd been hearing on the matter through the grapevine that's the Channel 4 newsroom so far is true, Stacy would surely be devastated.
With that assurance from Stephanie, Brad hung up the phone. His next call was to Greg. He said he saw it and was shocked by the revelation. Brad told him to head on over and said that Michelle, Rob & Stephanie were also on the way over. Greg asked if Stacy was going to be there, but Brad said no, figuring that Stacy might wanna spend some time with Trish Martin, who had her own woes with the trial of those who attacked her going on. He also said that Stephanie was gonna do what she could to pull some strings over at Channel 7 so she could get an advance copy of the video of what they plan to feature during the 10:00 PM newscast. Greg said he was on his way over and hung up. Now he just had to hope and pray Stacy chose to stop by Trish and Michael's place for a bit before coming home as that would give him at least SOME time for he and everyone else to figure out how they were gonna break the news to Stacy - IF they can even get up the gumption to do it.
No sooner had he got off the phone with Greg, the doorbell rang. It was Rob & Michelle. Brad of course let them in. Eventually everyone showed up. Stephanie got the advance copy she wanted, but not before calling Mark Girardeau on the carpet as well as a few choice names and blackmailing a producer by threatening to go public with some "dirt" she "dug up" on him (She also made the same threat against Mark even though the dirt against either of them never truly existed). Greg was the last one to show up.
Suffice to say, the group watched the video (Which turned out to be the rest of the interview just as Mark told Stephanie) and they were even more shocked at the revelation.
[i]Well at least she came clean[/i], Greg said
The rest of the group didn't agree.
[i]I wonder just how many more skeletons she's hiding in her closet that she doesn't want anyone to know about[/i], Stephanie curiously says
[i]Well Steph...You're the one with the resources[/i], Michelle says [i]Put your investigative talents to work and do some digging of your own. That's what you're good at.[/i], Michelle continued. [i]Who knows, you might even show that Mark Girardeaux a thing or two - As if you haven't already.[/i], she adds.
Stephanie smiles at the idea of that.
[i]Well that all fine great and dandy, but in the meantime, what the fuck do we do about this video?[/i], Brad asks
[i]I say we don't tell her[/i], Rob responds
[i]Ohh come on man. THIS VIDEO IS GOING TO BE ON THE 10:00 PM NEWS TONIGHT.[/i], Brad exclaims
[i]Heh - A newscast on a station which, BY YOUR OWN ADMISSION Brad, Stacy can't even stand MUCH LESS will care about watching.[/i]Rob responds in a near chuckle at the beginning and in a manner that doesn't tell him anything new.
[i]Well I for one am not about to sit idly by and watch my sister's plate get any fuller that what it already is. She just got through dealing with what's-her-name who wanted to get her hands into Leo's estate. THE LAST thing she needs at this point is THIS. Not when Trish could all the Rocks of Gibraltar she can get right now.[/i], Greg said.
[i]Well fine. I say we tell her. If Trish needs a female Rock of Gibraltar, that's what Marcie is there for. If there's ONE thing Stacy DOES NOT need to do is get caught up in, that would be someone else's problems.[/i], Brad responds.
[i]But Brad, don't you see, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDS. She needs some involvement in things which don't include her, yet things in which she can still be of some help.[/i], Greg responds
[i]Steph, you've been pretty quiet on this. Care to add anything?[/i], Brad asks
[i]Not particularly[/i], Stephanie says [i]Because I know either way, this is going to DEVASTATE her.[/i], she continues
[i]Look folks, the simple fact of the matter is this - WE NEED TO REACH A DECISION HERE. Are we going to tell her about this video or not?[/i], Michelle responds, breaking in, trying to end the debate on the issue. [i]I personally don't care either way[/i], she continues.
[i]I say no, mainly for many of the same reasons Greg pointed out[/i], Rob responds.
Michelle whips out a notepad.
[i]Fine. I'll put you down as a "no"[/i], Michelle says to Rob as she begins the task of keeping count of the votes.
[i]Greg?[/i], Michelle calls out.
[i]No.[/i], Greg responds
[i]Brad?[/i], Michelle calls out as she marks down Greg's "no" vote.
[i]ABSOLUTELY YES![/i], Brad emphatically responds.
Michelle marks down Brad's vote.
[i]Steph?[/i], Michelle calls out.
[i]I may as well vote "no" too because I know that either way, Stacy's going to be devastated when she sees this.[/i], Stephanie says.
Michelle records Stephanie's "no" vote on her notepad.
[i]Well guys, three "no" votes to one "yes" vote.[/i], Michelle says [i]Looks like the "no's" have it. I just hope we can live with ourselves[/i], she continues
[i]You know you CAN lock the vote with your own[/i], Greg responds.
[i]I know I can.[/i], Michelle says [i]But to be honest, I'm split right down the middle on this. Half of me says tell her while the other half of me says *don't* tell her.[/i], she continues [i]So given that, I'll just go with the majority - And hope & pray this doesn't come back to bite me in the ass.[/i], she adds.
[b]MORE LATER....[/b]
Debbie's problems however are the bloodlines that she and her mother share and HER JUDGEMENT. She's not very good at thinking BEFORE she acts or takes action and, as we've all witnessed so far, she's also one to not let go of grudges so easily. As such, she has a tendency to want to inflict as much pain on her intended victim as possible. Problem with that is, as you're about to see, her pain-inflicting actions can also sometimes have unintended consequences (Such as hurting other people IN ADDITION to her intended victim).
Her mother was a street hooker whose specialty was standing on street corners turning tricks (When she managed to avoid getting busted for prostitution that is). As such, her "profession" of choice eventually caught up with her as one night, she was murdered by one of her many johns who decided he was going to use her as his personal sex slave. When he was done, he dumped her body in a nearby dumpster where she was later found. David & Marcie worked the case, found the perpetrator who committed the crime, and managed to get him locked up where he still remains today.
Her problem with her judgement (Or should we say LACK OF GOOD judgement) has more often than not landed her in trouble with quite a few people EVEN THOUGH she maintains a large group of friends (Many of whom either know of or have been caught in the cross-hairs of some of her actions).
With that out of the way, we bring you [b]The Story Of Debbie Stevens[/b] & her involvement in the sordid story of Leo & his womanizing behavior. We start with [b]Episode 58 Scene One[/b] as Debbie meets Mark & his photographer at The FonDuLac Restaurant.
[i]My, you sure got here in a hurry[/i], Debbie says, admiring Mark's timing.
[i]You know me. I don't like to miss a good story[/i], Mark replied. [i]So my darling, what's the scoop on Leo?[/i], he asked.
[i]Not so fast. First some business, if you know I mean[/i], Debbie exclaims, expecting payment for the story.
Mark chuckles. Debbie chuckles back with her hand out expecting money to be put in it.
[i]How 'bout you tell me what the scoop is and I'll determine how much its worth?[/i], Mark offers, chuckling at first
[i]How 'bout we do half and half?[/i], Debbie counteroffers.
[i]How 'bout the meter is ticking as we speak[/i], Mark puts it bluntly
[i]Well, since you put it THAT way...[/i]
Debbie gives Mark a little teaser. When he feels he has enough, he asks Debbie to stop and tells the photographer to start rolling. With that, the interview begins and Debbie spills the guts of her love life for all of Cedarville to see and hear.
After the interview, the three have appetizers and then part ways. Debbie goes back to the meeting to attend the reception while Mark & the photographer head back to the station. While en route back, Mark is thinking he may just have the bombshell of the year.
Getting back to Debbie, she arrives at the reception, but not long after that, she has yet another "visit" from her mother, who has been dead for years after her body was found in a dumpster after one of her many "happy customers" got through using her as his sex slave (One of the many cases which David & Marcie worked and solved). This took place in [b]Episode 58 Scene Four[/b]
[b][i]My oh my oh my. Like mother like daughter I see[/b][/i], says the ghostly spirit of Margaret, Debbie's dead mother.
[i]Wha...Who's there?[/i], Debbie asks, thinking she heard a voice.
[b][i]Why it's your mother[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]Nnnn....No. My mother's dead. I'm hearing things.[/i], Debbie responds
[b][i]I'm right here. You can't escape me[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]That's just a facsimilie replication of mother's voice. It isn't the real thing[/i], Debbie tells herself reptitively as she pours herself a cup of punch.
[b][i]I'm not a facsimilie replication sweetie. I'm in your every waking thought and dream. You know that[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]No you're not. I don't know who you are, but this isn't funny. Just go away[/i], Debbie says as she gathers a small plateful of munchies, which are part of the self-serve ala carte food area of the reception.
[b][i]Stop trying to deny who you are sweetie. You may be able to fool your so-called "friends", but you can't fool me. Remember, I'm your mother. I'm in your every waking thought and dream.[/b][/i]Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]So GET OUT of my thoughts and dreams then[/i], Debbie responds
[b][i]So you couldn't hack it on the street, eh? You just HAD to join the military[/b][/i] Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
Debbie doesn't respond.
[b][i]So tell me, How's the fuck? Is the fuck any better with the military boys as opposed to the average john I fucked around with? You know, I hear many of these bases have streets on them. Have you tried hanging out on one of THOSE street corners while turning tricks?[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit asks.
[i]I'm NOT like you mother. NEVER have been. NEVER will be.[/i]
[b][i]NEVER say never sweetie. Bloodlines ALWAYS have their ways of BITING YOU IN THE ASS[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says.
[i]Yep, you oughta know. That's how come I've alive and you're dead. I'm not a FUCKIN' whore like you and grandma were[/i], Debbie sarcastically retorts.
[b][i]Don't you EVER talk about your grandmother like that. I'm here to defend myself so I can take it. But I don't EVER want to hear you talk that way about your grandmother. ONCE a slut ALWAYS a slut sweetie. Your grandmother was one, I was one, and YOU, my darling, are merely next in line. It's just a matter of time before those raging hormones of yours explode[/b][/i] Margaret's ghostly spirit adamantly responds.
[i]NOT if I can keep from it or have any say in the matter. Listen just do me a favor and GO AWAY[/i], Debbie says, now in frustration as she begins to hear people walking into the reception hall.
[b][i]I told you, I can't. I'm your mother. I'm in your every waking thought and dream. I can't leave them because I know you're always thinking about me - Especially now that you're showing your true colors of being the slut I've always thought you were. You've got the talent to turn tricks if you really wanted to do it. You don't think I've seen you in that mess hall in Afghanistan? How 'bout that one in Iraq? THINK AGAIN SWEETIE. You had them boys just BEGGING you let them squeeze those giant boobs of yours. You know, the ones your now-thankfully dead husband gave you? Why even I was getting horny. In fact, I seemingly recall three or four of those boys wanting to breed you gangbang-style and use you whenever they needed to "fulfill the need" and/or to make babies with you. Basically, they only wanted you for your giant boobs, your ass and that tight sweet pot of honey you have between your legs. In other words, they wanted you to be their bitch while they got their jollies off. (Chuckle) Yeah, you're a true slut alright. A chip off the ol' block[/b][/i], Margaret's ghostly spirit says, chucking and smiling as she recalls some of the memories.
[i]JUST GO AWAY MOTHER!!!!![/i], Debbie screams in frustration, slamming her food and drink down on the floor as she does so.
Just then, Stacy walks in and sees Debbie in her anguish
[i]Debbie...Are you alright?[/i], Stacy asks with a stunned, yet puzzled look on her face and noticing that Debbie looks like she'd just seen a ghost.
[i]Yeah. Let's have the reception and get the fuck out of here[/i], Debbie responds as she tries to collect herself from the out-of-mind, out-of-life, out-of-body experience she just endured.
Later on in Scene Six, Stacy tried to press Debbie on the matter....
[i]Who were you talking to?[/i], Stacy asked
[i]Nobody[/i], Debbie responds.
[i]Didn't sound like much of a 'nobody' to me[/i], Stacy countered. [i]Doesn't look like it either[/i], she continued.
[i]You wouldn't know[/i], Debbie countered.
[i]Try me[/i], Stacy challenges
[i]Just this guy I've been dating[/i], Debbie makes up in an effort to end the conversation.
[i]I see[/i], Stacy responds, thinking she's just been fed a bunch of BS [i]I didn't know there were any guys who go by the name of 'mother'[/i], she continues
[i]Huh?[/i], Debbie questions, wondering what Stacy is even talking about.
[i]When I walked in here, you were referring to your mother as you slammed your food and drink on the floor and you said something to the effect of "go away"[/i], Stacy responds [i]Care to go into it?[/i], she continued
[i]Not particularly[/i], Debbie said [i]And I would prefer that you not blab it all over the place either[/i], she continued
[i]Okay, but I don't understand....[/i], Stacy responds
[i]Look, I know you're trying to be helpful and just trying to be a friend and all, but as far as I'm concerned, I don't have a mother. I never did have anyone to call 'mother' and I never will have anyone to call 'mother'[/i], Debbie exclaims
[i]But Deb, EVERYONE has a mother and they love us very much[/i], Stacy said
[i]Not mine. If you ask me, they should've left her in that dumpster she was found in. That was the PERFECT place for her.[/i], Debbie retorts [i]Look Stace, I know you're just trying to be a friend, but beyond this place and the things about me which I've already brought up in our meetings, you don't know JACK SHIT about me. So let's just DROP the subject while we ARE still friends.[/i], Debbie says, insisting on ending the conversation
[i]Okay sure[/i], Stacy says [i]Look, I'm sorry. I just got a little too pushy and obviously stuck my nose where it didn't belong. I'm sorry[/i], Stacy apologetically says
[i]It's okay[/i], Debbie says [i]Having a whore who spent more time standing on street corners turning tricks than she did being a real mother to me isn't something I'm exactly proud of[/i], she continued
[i]I understand[/i], Stacy said
[i]No Stace, I don't think you do. At least not in full anyway.[/i], Debbie responds [i]Listen...About not telling anybody, I'm serious. I don't want anybody else to know. this is to be just between you and me. Our little secret. Okay?[/i], Debbie says as she asks for Stacy's respect in the matter.
[i]Alright, I'll respect your wishes. Besides, I think the LAST thing we need to do is to give our resident gossip columnist Maxine Greenwald something to blog about if you know what I mean.[/i] Stacy sarcastically, yet humorously responds.
[i]Heh yeah so VERY true....As if she doesn't have enough to blab about as it is.[/i], Debbie says
Debbie & Stacy giggle & laugh at the notion of that as the scene ends.
Meanwhile, back at the Channel 7 studios, the newscast is just about to begin. During the newscast, Michelle arrives at her newly-purchased condo which she and fiancee Rob now call home after a long hard day at work running the hotel. She flips the TV on to watch the news. She normally watches Channel 7 even though she knows their tablodish-style approach of presenting the news almost always drives Rob NUTS (He hates tabloid news). As she goes about the business of doing her thing, which is normally taking off her shoes, grabbing a drink (Usually a glass of wine), and preparing to unwind, the story of Debbie's interview is coming on.
During the report, Rob arrives at home himself and goes to join his wife-to-be. He spots her in the Entertainment Room with her eyes glued to the TV. He calls out to Michelle, who tells him that he should come see what she's watching. Rob does so. His first reaction is the Channel 7 logo at the bottom of the screen and tells her to look at the source and that only Channel 7 would stoop to such a low level to get a story for their newscast.
Just then, the report goes into Debbie's admitting she had an affair with Leo. Rob & Michelle had met Debbie before when all the military families had a big support convention in Cedarville, but they had NO idea that she had ANY connection TO LEO. With that, Rob suddenly picks up the phone. Michelle asks who he's calling. She tells her he's calling Brad. Brad picks up the phone on his end. Rob asks what channel they were watching for the news. Brad said they were watching their usual source for news, which is none other than Channel 4, the station that Stephanie Blanton works for. Rob tells him to flip it to Channel 7. Brad asks why. Rob tells him to just do it and quickly because the report was about to come to an end. He does so, though he still wants to know what's going on.
No sooner does he ask that question, Channel 7 broadcasts a teaser as to what they plan to air during their 10:00 PM newscast. Brad is shocked at what he sees as are Rob & Michelle. Brad then asks Rob if they recorded the report. Rob relays the question to Michelle, who says no. Brad relays her answer to Brad, who acknowledges and tells them to get over to their house so they can figure out how to break the news to Stacy. Rob says that he and Michelle are on their way and hangs up the phone. Brad hangs up the phone on his end.
While Rob & Michelle are en route to the house, Brad calls Stephanie and asks her if she knew anything about the Channel 7 broadcast. She said she heard something about it, but the info. she had was either second or third hand since she was on the air herself on Channel 4, though she did note the pickup of buzz in the newsroom that apparently came as a result of the report. Brad asked Stephanie if there was ANY way she could get the video of the broadcast that's supposed to go on the air at 10:00 PM. She said it was highly unlikely at this point as that would mean either taking or destroying all the backup copies of the video as well. And even then, doing so would be at the risk of getting caught and hauled off to jail. But she said she'd pull a few strings and call in a few favors and see what she could do to help as she knows that if ANY part of what she'd been hearing on the matter through the grapevine that's the Channel 4 newsroom so far is true, Stacy would surely be devastated.
With that assurance from Stephanie, Brad hung up the phone. His next call was to Greg. He said he saw it and was shocked by the revelation. Brad told him to head on over and said that Michelle, Rob & Stephanie were also on the way over. Greg asked if Stacy was going to be there, but Brad said no, figuring that Stacy might wanna spend some time with Trish Martin, who had her own woes with the trial of those who attacked her going on. He also said that Stephanie was gonna do what she could to pull some strings over at Channel 7 so she could get an advance copy of the video of what they plan to feature during the 10:00 PM newscast. Greg said he was on his way over and hung up. Now he just had to hope and pray Stacy chose to stop by Trish and Michael's place for a bit before coming home as that would give him at least SOME time for he and everyone else to figure out how they were gonna break the news to Stacy - IF they can even get up the gumption to do it.
No sooner had he got off the phone with Greg, the doorbell rang. It was Rob & Michelle. Brad of course let them in. Eventually everyone showed up. Stephanie got the advance copy she wanted, but not before calling Mark Girardeau on the carpet as well as a few choice names and blackmailing a producer by threatening to go public with some "dirt" she "dug up" on him (She also made the same threat against Mark even though the dirt against either of them never truly existed). Greg was the last one to show up.
Suffice to say, the group watched the video (Which turned out to be the rest of the interview just as Mark told Stephanie) and they were even more shocked at the revelation.
[i]Well at least she came clean[/i], Greg said
The rest of the group didn't agree.
[i]I wonder just how many more skeletons she's hiding in her closet that she doesn't want anyone to know about[/i], Stephanie curiously says
[i]Well Steph...You're the one with the resources[/i], Michelle says [i]Put your investigative talents to work and do some digging of your own. That's what you're good at.[/i], Michelle continued. [i]Who knows, you might even show that Mark Girardeaux a thing or two - As if you haven't already.[/i], she adds.
Stephanie smiles at the idea of that.
[i]Well that all fine great and dandy, but in the meantime, what the fuck do we do about this video?[/i], Brad asks
[i]I say we don't tell her[/i], Rob responds
[i]Ohh come on man. THIS VIDEO IS GOING TO BE ON THE 10:00 PM NEWS TONIGHT.[/i], Brad exclaims
[i]Heh - A newscast on a station which, BY YOUR OWN ADMISSION Brad, Stacy can't even stand MUCH LESS will care about watching.[/i]Rob responds in a near chuckle at the beginning and in a manner that doesn't tell him anything new.
[i]Well I for one am not about to sit idly by and watch my sister's plate get any fuller that what it already is. She just got through dealing with what's-her-name who wanted to get her hands into Leo's estate. THE LAST thing she needs at this point is THIS. Not when Trish could all the Rocks of Gibraltar she can get right now.[/i], Greg said.
[i]Well fine. I say we tell her. If Trish needs a female Rock of Gibraltar, that's what Marcie is there for. If there's ONE thing Stacy DOES NOT need to do is get caught up in, that would be someone else's problems.[/i], Brad responds.
[i]But Brad, don't you see, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE NEEDS. She needs some involvement in things which don't include her, yet things in which she can still be of some help.[/i], Greg responds
[i]Steph, you've been pretty quiet on this. Care to add anything?[/i], Brad asks
[i]Not particularly[/i], Stephanie says [i]Because I know either way, this is going to DEVASTATE her.[/i], she continues
[i]Look folks, the simple fact of the matter is this - WE NEED TO REACH A DECISION HERE. Are we going to tell her about this video or not?[/i], Michelle responds, breaking in, trying to end the debate on the issue. [i]I personally don't care either way[/i], she continues.
[i]I say no, mainly for many of the same reasons Greg pointed out[/i], Rob responds.
Michelle whips out a notepad.
[i]Fine. I'll put you down as a "no"[/i], Michelle says to Rob as she begins the task of keeping count of the votes.
[i]Greg?[/i], Michelle calls out.
[i]No.[/i], Greg responds
[i]Brad?[/i], Michelle calls out as she marks down Greg's "no" vote.
[i]ABSOLUTELY YES![/i], Brad emphatically responds.
Michelle marks down Brad's vote.
[i]Steph?[/i], Michelle calls out.
[i]I may as well vote "no" too because I know that either way, Stacy's going to be devastated when she sees this.[/i], Stephanie says.
Michelle records Stephanie's "no" vote on her notepad.
[i]Well guys, three "no" votes to one "yes" vote.[/i], Michelle says [i]Looks like the "no's" have it. I just hope we can live with ourselves[/i], she continues
[i]You know you CAN lock the vote with your own[/i], Greg responds.
[i]I know I can.[/i], Michelle says [i]But to be honest, I'm split right down the middle on this. Half of me says tell her while the other half of me says *don't* tell her.[/i], she continues [i]So given that, I'll just go with the majority - And hope & pray this doesn't come back to bite me in the ass.[/i], she adds.
[b]MORE LATER....[/b]
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Brad/Stacy/Leo/Cassandra/Debbie Storyline
Producer's Note: This is the first - And hopefully last - storyline update.
Whenever these updates occur, they will be a synopsis of storylines in
an effort to bring the number of episodes current with real time.
In addition, they will also bring each of the storylines current as well.
Think of them as a filling in of the gaps as it were. This update
will go back to October 2004 and will cover the following three years to
the present.
That said though, it is my goal to see to it that the updates are few and far between in lieu of
actual episodes. As such, updates will only be used whenever there
has been no episode posted within 3 weeks of the date of the previous episode.
This will also help the bringing about of new ideas and plot twists, etc.
in a more timely manner and keep from taking up several episodes just for
one day in real time. The update will be posted after the episode
in the works is posted. If in the event no episode is in the works,
an update will be posted in lieu of an actual episode in order to keep
things fresh while an episode is being prepared.
Updates will also be used during times in which I will have to take a leave of absence from writing
the show for an extended period of time. They will be posted either before or after the absence at my discretion.
One final footnote, there are references to episodes which don't actually exist. That is because
I have no desire to create episodes for what should've been old storylines by now. However, these references are only done for the exceprting of specific scenes.
With all that out of the way, here's the update on the Brad Martin/Stacy McFadden/Leo McFadden storyline you've all been waiting for.....
2004
As already posted in an early episode, Leo gets his deployment orders. In late November, he actually lands in Iraq. Shortly upon arrival, he picks up with his Johnny
Appleseed-like ways when he's not on patrol rescuing people. Meanwhile
back in Cedarville, Stacy lets Leo sweet talk her into believing that she
is his one and only even though he knows nothing could be further from
the truth. Meanwhile, with Leo gone, Stacy rekindles her flame with
Brad, which has been kind of an off and on thing.
During his deployment, Cassandra Whitmore makes her prescence known. In December, Leo was
kidnapped and ultimately killed. Three days after the killing, Stacy is told of Leo's death by military officers at her home. She is devasted by the news. After the officers leave, the phone rings. Stacy
answers it. Brad is on the other end. He senses Stacy received some bad news. He asks her what it was. After several minutes, he manages to get her to break down and tell him. Once she does,
he is taken aback by the news and asks her if it was true. She tells him that not only was it true, but the two officers from Fort Cedar who broke the news to her had just left some five minutes before he had called.
He tells her he'll be over in a few minutes and immediately hangs up.
As minutes turn to hours and hours turn to days, the rest of Cedarville (Except Jennifer Blanton,
who has her own issues to deal with) is told of the news of Leo's death. With Stacy in shock over the news, Trish tries to get her through Christmas by trying (albeit feebly) to get her involved with the annual Christmas Party for Cedarville's needy, which Michelle Monroe generously hosts every year at The FonDuLac Hotel in the Grand Ballroom. She tried this in an effort to get Stacy's mind off of Leo's death.
Several days after everyone is told of Leo's death, Leo's body arrives at Fort Cedar. The Mayor
of Cedarville decides to give Leo a state funeral comparable to that of President John F. Kennedy (He's known to do this whenever someone from Fort Cedar or Cedarville is killed while serving in the Middle East). After the funeral, Stacy & the McFadden family have their own private burial service, after which Leo is put to rest in military fashion. This occured on New Year's Eve.
2005
2005 starts out with Stacy still coping with the loss of Leo. Meanwhile Brad has been dealing
with issues of his own. With Jennifer recovering from amnesia, David, Marcie & Stephanie are working with Jennifer to regaining her memory. Eventually it boils down to Brad being forced into the fray since it was Brad whom she saw last before her accident. After some persuading from Marcie & Stephanie, Brad reluictantly joins them. Brad & Jennifer first start out with some small talk, but then as time goes on and as her memory starts to return, Jennifer starts to piece everything together. Brad eventually catches on to this as he detects that Jennifer is trying to win him over again. The two eventually decide that it's best for both of them if they simply split up.
Meanwhile, back to Stacy. By summer, Stacy eventually begins to come around and ultimately realizes that life must go on. To back this up, she becomes more involved in the support group which she had been a member of since shortly after the year began. However, her troubles are far from over as Cassandra Whitmore eventually hires an attorrney named Stanley A. Finch. A few days later, Cassandra is told that she has a case of possibly being able to collect from Leo's estate (Which Stacy is the legal trustee of) DESPITE the manner in which she managed to obtain a sample of his DNA (She stole it from a medical lab on base where she allegedly (albeit allegedly) Leo conceived a baby while on deployment duty in Iraq while Leo was stateside. That baby is none other than her son Christopher Whitmore, whom she proudly showed off during her visit to Stacy's house.
Cassandra arrived in Cedarville shortly after receiving clearance to travel by her doctor in the wake of her giving birth just a few weeks earlier).
A few days later, Stanley files papers with the civilian family courts, who then serve a copy to
Stacy. Understandably furious over the matter - And at the urgency of her half-brother Greg - She hires Mitchell Claymore to represent her in the matter. A few days after this, she comes face to face with Cassandra in a court of law for the first time. Here's an outtake from Episode 36 dated June 25, 2005....
EPISODE 36 - SCENE FOUR - Cedarville District Court - Family Court Division
Stacy & Cassandra have both arrived at the courthouse. With Stacy are Brad & Trish
as well as her attorney Mitchell Claymore and her half-brother Greg McFadden.
With Cassandra are her son Christopher and her attorney Stanley Finch.
Brad & Trish decide to find seats in the courtroom and the two attorneys
decide to meet with the judge in chambers before the hearing to discuss
some legal issues. This leaves the two of them alone. As we
pick up the scene now, the two of them are seen just looking at each other.
Cassandra looking like a mother who, as she once put it, just simply wants
what's right for Christopher while Stacy looking at Cassandra VERY
suspiciously with an eyes-down look as if she thinks Cassandra is little
more than a golddigger whom she can't wait to squash like a bug.
Beyond that, the tension between the two of them is so thick, you can easily
cut it with a dull knife.
STACY (Finally breaking the silence between the two) - So you're the fuckin whore who's trying
to come after my ex-husband's estate, eh?
CASSANDRA (Defending herself from Stacy's accusations) - I only want what's best for my son - And Leo's.
STACY (Still looking at Cassandra with the aforementioned eyes-down look) - Right. Do you really
expect me to believe that?
CASSANDRA - I don't care what you believe.
STACY (Now letting her fury against Cassandra show) - You're nothing more than a fuckin' golddigger.
And to think you brought your baby here? What kind of mother are you?
CASSANDRA (Showing just how much of a mother she is) - Please watch your language around my son.
If he were your son and you were in my shoes, you wouldn't want me foaming at the mouth in front of him, now would you?
STACY (Now nose-to-nose and toe-to-toe with Cassandra with a "Go-To-Hell" look on her face) - Well
that's exactly why I didn't bring my daughter with me. She is THE ONLY child in which Leo is the father of.
CASSANDRA - Really? My I can see you are in for a rude awakening, aren't you?
STACY (Wondering what Cassandra could be talking about) - Just what the fuck are you talking about? Not that you would probably know anyway....
CASSANDRA (Wondering just how dumb & clueless Stacy really is) - Do you think I'm THE ONLY woman Leo has fucked? You don't even know the man you so proudly & courageously call your "husband"
STACY - Well since you apparently know him so fuckin' well, suppose you educate me then.....
CASSANDRA - Ohh that will be no problem at all.
STACY (Sarcastic) - Yeah right. I'll believe that when pigs grow wings and fly.
CASSANDRA - Well they have grown wings and they are flying. You just don't see it yet.
STACY (Still looking at Cassandra with the very same aforementioned eyes-down look, only more
cynical than ever) - No because what I see is nothing more than a fuckin' golddigger. A golddigger I will take great joy in squashing like a bug.
CASSANDRA - Once again I reiterate....Please watch your language around my son. If he were
your son and you were in my shoes, you wouldn't want me foaming at the mouth in front of him, now would you? If you can't do anything else, then please respect this very reasonable request.
STACY (Referring to Christopher) - Alright. But I won't do it for you. I'll do it for your son. Why? I just feel sorry for him.
CASSANDRA - Why? You have a funny way of showing it.
STACY - Because he has you for a mother. Fuckin' slut.
CASSANDRA - You know, I've had just about enough of your foaming at the mouth. I think I'll
go find my seat in the courtroom.
Cassandra points in the direction of the ladies restroom, which she passed en route to the courtroom
CASSANDRA (Continuing as she points in the direction of the ladies restroom) - By the way....The
ladies restroom is that way. You may want to take the time to wash your mouth out - With soap - Before going into the courtroom yourself. You need it.
Cassandra departs for the courtroom. As she does so, Stacy gives Cassandra the finger
STACY (To herself as she's still holding up the finger) - I'll decide where I want to go, fuckin'
bitch. I don't need you telling me what to do or where to go.
Meanwhile, the two attorneys tried to see the judge, but were turned away by his staff. Stanley
decides to present his issue in open court and instructs the staff to inform the judge to that affect. They do. Shortly after the hearing is started, the judge then asks to present his issue, which is a motion to allow the stolen DNA sample into evidence, stating that despite how it was obtained, it was crucial to get to the bottom of the issue as to
whether Leo is Christopher's father or not by saying that it might help. When asked how it was obtained, Stanley admitted it was through "questionable means".
To no one's surprise, this drew an objection from Mitchell. He had known that Stanley wanted
to present something but not something like that. The judge directed both attorneys to his chambers. In chambers, the judge humored himself by having Stanley explain why he should allow it to be admitted into evidence, but all Stanley did was simply reiterate that it might help determine who Christopher's father really is. Mitchell wondered if
His Honor was seriously considering Stanley's "insane" motion. The judge said no. Back in open court, he told Stanley to obtain a sample of Leo's DNA through legal means. Stanley then requested permission
to exhume Leo's body in order to obtain the sample. Again, Mitchell vehemently objected and everyone - Especially Stacy - were shocked at the gall and audacity at Stanley for making such a request (Everyone including
Stacy thought Stanley was a shister of a lawyer or something). The judge however denied Stanley's request, stating that there are less extreme ways of getting a sample than that and ordered Stanley to get to work on it.
After a few minutes more, the hearing was over and the courtroom emptied out. As Cassandra
was leaving with Christopher, Stacy just looked at her as if to express her sorrow for Christopher having Cassandra for "A poor pathetic excuse" of a mother (She even said those words too in Scene Seven of the above episode) as Episode 36 drew to a close.
Stanley's next course of action took him to the military courts, where he filed papers to obtain
a DNA sample from Leo's personnel files. Naturally, Stacy was served with papers to this affect. Mitchell said that she didn't need to attend the hearing since he was her representative. She told Mitchell that she was going to be there regardless.
Suffice to say, Stacy was. However Cassandra wasn't. This was because she was told by Stanley
that she didn't need to be there. As such, she remained confident that Stanley would get the evidence they needed and decided not to attend. This would prove to be significant as the reason why will be spelled out later.
Anyhow, Stanley plead his case to the military courts. At each level, the request was refused,
citing everything ranging from privacy issues to the courts simply deciding not to hear the case at all when it appeared on their dockets. After exhausting all avenues in the military courts, Stanley obtained copies of the transcripts of his attempts to obtain the DNA sample via orders from the military courts and filed a motion with the same civilian court to have Leo McFadden's body exhumed for sole purpose of obtaining the DNA sample needed. A hearing on the matter was scheduled for the following week and Stacy was once again served with papers to this affect.
The hearing went down like this in a scene from Episode 40 dated July 23, 2005.....
EPISODE 40 - SCENE TWO - Cedarville District Court - Family Court Division - The Courtroom Of The Honorable Judge Charles B. Hackett III
The hearing is about to get underway. Both Stacy & Cassandra seat themselves on their
respective sides of the courtroom next to their attorneys without saying a word to each other. As we pick up the scene now, court is about to be called to order.
BAILIFF (Hollering in his usual declaratory announcing fashion) - All rise. This court is
now in session. The Honrable Judge Charles B. Hackett III presiding.
Judge Hackett enters the courtroom and takes his seat behind the bench.
JUDGE HACKETT (Getting down to business) - Be seated. Unless there's any objection, let the record reflect that all parties in this case are present and accounted for.
The room is silent.
JUDGE HACKETT (Continuing) - Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
Judge Hackett now turns to Stanley Finch
JUDGE HACKETT (Continuing & now addressing Stanley) - Mr. Finch, I am told you have been unable to obtain the DNA sample you have long requested via legitimate means and are renewing your motion to have the body of Mr. Leo McFadden exhumed for the sole purpose of obtaining that sample. Am I correct?
STANLEY (Addressing the court & answering Judge Hackett's question) - Yes your honor. You are correct.
JUDGE HACKETT - Do you realize what you are asking me to do?
STANLEY - Yes your honor, but as you can see from the transcripts we've provided for your review,
we have essentially been left with no other alternative.
JUDGE HACKETT (Now turning to Mitchell Claymore, who is Stacy's attorney) - I assume you object to this, Mr. Claymore?
MITCHELL (Addressing the court & answering Judge Hackett's question) - Vehemently your
honor.
JUDGE HACKETT - Alright. Let's hear your argument Mr. Claymore.
MITCHELL - Well first and foremost your honor, the mere thought of exhuming the body of any
soldier is BLASPHEMY in and of itself. Secondly, I don't believe this court has the jurisdiction to order it exhumed. As such, if Mr. Finch really insists on pursuing this case, I would ask that the court surrender custody of this case to the military family court system, which is where it belongs in the first place. If they order Mr. McFadden's body exhumed, then I don't believe there's anything we can use to argue the matter with.
Stacy looked up from her seated position at Mitchell began to wonder just whose side he was on
STANLEY.(Before Judge Hackett can get a word in edgewise and before Mitchell can continue with his argument) - Your Honor, if I may interject here, we have prepared papers to be filed with the military family courts, however since the case was first filed here, we felt obligated to file here first before approaching the military courts with the matter.
JUDGE HACKETT - Well, far be it for me to step on the toes of the military courts HOWEVER
before I just simply defer the matter to the military courts, let's take a recess while I do some consultation to see what my options are. As such, we will take a lunch break after which a decision will be made.
With that, Judge Hackett declared the court in recess.
In Scene Five of Episode 40, Judge Hackett determined that the best place for the case was
the military family court system and ordered that all transcripts and other materials be transferred to the military family courts. Stanley backed this up by filing papers with the military family courts requesting that Leo McFadden's body be exhumed. Not surprisingly, Stacy was served
with papers from the military family courts to address the matter. A hearing on the matter was scheduled for the following week.
That hearing went down during Episode 46 dated September 3, 2005. At the hearing, Stanley
presented his motion to the judge in the courtroom. Mitchell once again objected, insisting there have to be less extreme ways of getting to the bottom of the matter. Stanley countered by demonstrating and outlining the number of ways in which he has attempted to obtain a sample
and the number of times he has been turned down in both the military & civilian courts. The judge then asked Mitchell why she shouldn't grant Stanley's motion. Mitchell argued that the mere thought of exhuming the body of a dead soldier is in and of itself blasphemic and immoral even if it's for the benefit of finding out if he's the father of some kid. After arguments were over and after a brief recess, the judge decided to rule in favor of the plaintiff by granting Stanley's motion and ordered Leo's body exhumed.
Needless to say, Stacy was not happy, but Mitchell tried to put a positive spin on it by quickly pointing out how this could work out to their advantage by putting an end to the
question once & for all. Even with that, she still wasn't happy that it was ordered. Cassandra was not at the hearing, but was overjoyed when Stanley phoned her with the good news. He also pointed out that it would take a few days for the body to be exhumed, obtain the DNA sample
and for it to be examined but in the meantime, she needed to submit a sample of Christopher's blood so that it could be compared to Leo's DNA.
She immediately brought Christopher into Memorial to have the sample taken. The sample was then transferred to the hospital in charge of examining Leo's DNA. The doctors completed their report and forwarded a copy of it to the courts 72 hours later. A week after that, a hearing
was scheduled and all parties were served with papers to that affect.
That hearing took place during most of Episode 54 dated October 29, 2005. Along with the
lawyers were both Stacy & Cassandra as well as Christopher. The judge started out by calling things to order. After that, the hearing went down like this....
EPISODE 54 - SCENE THREE - Fort Cedar Judiciary Center - Family Courts Division - Judge Frances L. Merrick's courtroom
The judge has just called things to order. As we pick up the scene now, she is about to review
the contents of the report submitted to her by the independent medical facility regarding the paternity of Christopher Whitmore
JUDGE MERRICK - Unless there's any objection, let the record reflect that all parties involved are present and accounted for.
Silence briefly reigns throughout the room
JUDGE MERRICK (Continuing) - Hearing nothing, the record will so reflect the presence of all parties involved. That out of the way, I have here a copy of the paternity
test report. Would a Dr. James Carmichael please step up to the witness
stand?
Dr. Carmichael stands up and approaches the witness stand. As he does, he is intercepted
by a court officer who swears him in. After being sworn in, he then takes his seat on the stand.
JUDGE MERRICK (Addressing Dr. Carmichael) - Dr. Carmichael, I will ask you some basic questions regarding the contents of the report after which both Mr. Finch & Mr. Claymore will be given an opportunity to ask questions of you. Do you understand?
DR. CARMICHAEL (Answering Judge Merrick's question) - Yes your honor.
Judge Merrick then instructs the court staff to furnish Dr. Carmichael with a copy of the paternity test. As they do, both Stanley & Mitchell dig out their copies.
JUDGE MERRICK - Dr. Carmichael, you have before you a copy of the paternity test in question, do you not?
DR. CARMICHAEL (After quickly reviewing the report) - Yes I do, your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK (Referring to his signature at the bottom of the report) - Turning to the bottom of
the report, is that your signature?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Yes it is, your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK - So by your submitting oral testimony today coupled with this report complete with
your signature, you attest to the fact that it is a true and accurate account
of the paternity test administered, do you not?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Yes your honor. I do.
JUDGE MERRICK - Would you please read the part referring to who is Christopher Whitmore's biological
father for us please.
DR. CARMICHAEL - Sure. Given all of this, it is the conclusion of this group of medical physicians
that the biological father of one Christopher Whitmore can be none other than one Lt. Leo McFadden.
Stacy tried to look shocked like the rest of the courtroom was but deep down inside, she was having
trouble doing so. Cassandra meanwhile briefly glanced over at Stacy, but beyond that was all cheers and smiles.
JUDGE MERRICK - And what was done to reach this conclusion?
DR. CARMICHAEL - We took a blood sample from Lt. McFadden's body and compared it to the sample we
received from Christopher Whitmore.
JUDGE MERRICK - And what were the results of that test?
DR. CARMICHAEL - It was a perfect match.
Cassandra was having trouble containing her joyous feeling, though Judge Merrick doesn't even see it
JUDGE MERRICK - Thank you. But remain on the stand. Mr. Finch and/or Mr. Claymore may have some
questions for you. Mr Finch....Any questions for this witness?
STANLEY - None your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK - Mr. Claymore....
MITCHELL - Thank you your honor. Dr. Carmichael, just how did you manage to get a blood
sample from a dead man?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Blood doesn't die. It simply ages.
MITCHELL - And just how were you able to establish paternity based on "Aged blood", Dr. Carmichael?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Well...Succinctly put Mr. Claymore....Today's DNA testing capabilities are far more
complex than they were....say.....five or ten years ago. In fact, there's a new medical wonder in the world of DNA testing coming out every
day.
MITCHELL - That's nice to hear Dr. Carmichael, But how does that relate to this case?
DR. CARMICHAEL - It relates because of the network of filtering systems which can be employed to determine
anything from paternity to who committed a crime. And some of these are all intertwined and interconnected with one another.
MTICHELL - I see. And was this the only option available to you and your staff to establish
paternity?
Stanley stands up to object and wondering where Stanley is heading with his examination of Dr. Carmichael
STANLEY - Your Honor, where's he heading with all this?
JUDGE MERRICK - I'd like to know the answer to that as well, Mr. Claymore.
MITCHELL - I'm getting to that part, your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK (Annoyed and stern) - Then GET TO IT, counselor...
MITCHELL - Yes your honor. Does the witness get to answer my previous question?
JUDGE MERRICK (Frustrated) - Yes.
Judge Merrick instructs the court reporter to read Mitchell's last question so Dr. Carmichael can
answer it
DR. CARMICHAEL - To answer your question, yes it was.
MITCHELL - Why was this?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Because the body had decayed so much that we determined that the only usable DNA
there was left was blood. And, as I indicated before, it was aged.
MITCHELL - So, let me if I have this straight. You and your staff examined the body for usable
DNA & determined that the only usable DNA there was left was aged blood. Correct?
STANLEY (Objecting to the neccessity of the question) - Your Honor...
JUDGE MERRICK - Overruled. The witness will answer.
DR. CARMICHAEL - That is correct.
MITCHELL - As such, you took a sample of this aged blood, ran it through your redundant network of filtering
systems, compared it to Christopher Whitmore's own blood & came to the conclusion that it was a perfect match. Correct?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Again, correct.
MITCHELL - And that's why we are here today. Correct?
STANLEY (Begging the court for mercy) - YOUR HONOR...
JUDGE MERRICK - Mr. Finch, I sympathize with your wanting to speed up these proceedings by moving
things along as I share that same sentiment. Mr. Claymore, the witness will be allowed to answer the question however THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING
IS OVER. Do you understand me - OVER. It has outlived it's usefulness. In other words - Layman's Translation - MOVE ON!!!
MITCHELL - Yes your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK - Dr. Carmichael, please answer Mr. Claymore's last question.
DR. CARMICHAEL - Yes. That is why we are here today.
MITCHELL - Thank you. I have no further questions.
CASSANDRA (Quietly uttering sarcastically to herself and out of earshot of Judge Merrick) - Thank god.
Judge Merrick asks once again if Stanley has any questions of Dr. Carmichael. Stanley says no. Dr. Carmichael is excused.
Judge Merrick then asks the lawyers if they wish to call their own witnesses. Both indicate they have no witnesses to call and choose to rest their case on the testimony of Dr. Carmichael. Judge Merrick then announces that there would be a lunch break after which a ruling is expected to be issued. Before
the break, Judge Merrick makes one last call for any final business. There is none and with that, the case is in recess.
In Episode 55 dated November 5, 2005, court is back in session. Judge Merrick calls things to order and then announces a ruling has been decided. The session
goes down like this....
EPISODE 55 - SCENE FOUR - Fort Cedar Judiciary Center - Family Courts Division - Judge Frances L. Merrick's courtroom
Court has just been called to order & Judge Merrick has just ordered everyone to take their seats. As we pick up the scene now, she has had the record reflect the prescence of all parties involved and is ready to render her decision
JUDGE MERRICK - Having just heard the uncontested, yet very tedious and meticulous testimony of Dr. James Carmichael, it is usually the policy of this court not to question medical science in determining issues such as these beyond the very basic questions I asked of him earlier. Therefore, since modern medical
science has determined that Lt. Leo McFadden is the father of Christopher Whitmore, then this court shall not dispute it. In short, it is the ruling of this court that Lt. Leo McFadden is indeed the father of Christopher Whitmore. As such, it is the order of this court that the estate of Lt. McFadden, which Stacy McFadden is the legal trustee of, shall pay child support to a trust in Christopher Whitmore's name.
Stacy looks disappointed while Cassandra is all smiles and kisses Christopher softlty on the cheek
JUDGE MERRICK - However, there's more.
Both Stacy & Cassandra are left wondering what else could there be. Meanwhile, to the astonishment of everyone, Military Police enter the courtroom
JUDGE MERRICK (Turning rather scornfully towards Cassandra) - Ms. Whitmore, when you took that DNA sample out of that medical lab in Iraq, you committed a felony military offense. As such, and after an investigation into the matter, it has been brought to the attention of the court that a warrant was issued for your arrest. This court is obligated to honor and execute that warrant.
CASSANDRA (Standing up and pleading with Judge Merrick) - NO!! There has to be some mistake.
JUDGE MERRICK - I assure you Ms. Whitmore, there is no mistake.
Cassandra remains standing with her mouth hung open as if it were an airport hangar with the tip of her tongue as a runway for flies. Stacy meanwhile quickly glances over at Cassandra and visually gloats.
CASSANDRA (Turning to address Stacy) - Ohh you would like to see me get hauled off to jail, wouldn't you? Fuckin' bitch.
MITCHELL (Softly spoken in an near-singing fashion, figuring that Judge Merrick is intelligent enough to see what Cassandra's doing without bothering to explain himself) - Your honor...
JUDGE MERRICK - Ms. Whitmore - SIT DOWN. Your objection Mr. Claymore is sustained.
Cassandra complies with Judge Merrick's order.
CASSANDRA - But your honor, I am inactive military. I have a General Discharge.
JUDGE MERRICK - Correction Ms. Whitmore. You HAD a General Discharge. The person who signed off on those papers was reprimanded for failure to notice the
arrest warrant in your file. As such, you NEVER WERE discharged. In addition, by stealing that DNA sample, you violated Lt. McFadden's CONSITUTIONAL
RIGHT TO PRIVACY as well as COMPROMISED DOCTOR/PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY and a host of other charges stemming from that. Add that to the fact that you were NEVER technically discharged to begin with, you are also being charged with GOING A.W.O.L. from your unit as well.
CASSANDRA - But your honor
JUDGE MERRICK - Mr. Finch, I would advise you to advise your client to not say another word.
STANLEY (To Cassandra) - She's right. Let me take care of this. Okay? Please?
CASSANDRA (Still in shock) - Okay. But just do it. Please.
STANLEY (To Judge Merrick) - Uhh...Your Honor, as her lawyer, I would like to see a copy of that warrant.
JUDGE MERRICK - I'll do better than that. I'll have one of the MPs here serve you with the original.
Judge Merrick directs the MP with the warrant to give it to Stanley, who looks at it rather grim-faced as the MP returns to his post.
JUDGE MERRICK (Continuing & wanting to get back to the issue at hand) - As you can see Ms. Whitmore....Given all of this, I have no choice Ms. Whitmore but to remand you to the custody of the Fort Cedar Military Police Division where you shall remain until such time as you can then be transferred to the Fort Cedar Penal Stockade where you will sit as you await court martial.
CASSANDRA (Nearly crying at this point) - NO.....NO....NO.....
Cassandra looks at Stanley as she begs of him to do something
CASSANDRA (Continuing) - Stanley....DO SOMETHING Don't just stand there.
STANLEY - Cassandra, what DO you expect me to do about this warrant here? I can't do anything about it. You're just gonna have to rough it for awhile till I can file papers in the right court. I'm sorry, but those are the facts.
JUDGE MERRICK - As for your son Ms. Whitmore, he will be turned over to the Fort Cedar Social Services Division who will, as they usually do, work closely with the civilian Social Service agencies in finding a suitable temporay home for him until more permanent arrangements can be made since you obviously won't be able to be a suitable parent to him yourself while in the stockade awaiting court martial. In addition, he will have a legal advocate appointed to
represent him on his behalf. The court will go along with whomever Social Services retains to represent Christopher as I no need or desire to be nit-picky with regards to that.
Cassandra just looks utterly devasted while Stacy on the other hand couldn't much more happier.
JUDGE MERRICK (Continuing & feeling relieved of having to break the news to Cassandra) - Now with that dreadful business out of the way as I hate splitting families up like that, is there any other business before this court?
STANLEY - Your Honor....I would like it known for the record that we intend to file papers with the appropriate court regarding the warrant against my client.
JUDGE MERRICK - Noted. But it doesn't change the fact that she is under arrest Mr. Finch nor does it change the obligations of this court with regards to
the warrant either.
STANLEY - I realize that your honor. Thank you.
JUDGE MERRICK - Any other business before this court?
Silence briefly reigns throughout the room
JUDGE MERRICK - Hearing none. This case is adjourned. Will the MPs please take Ms. Whitmore into custody and remove her from the courtoom. Thank you.
Judge Merrick then taps the gavel to officially end the hearing. As she does so and before she heads back to chambers, Cassandra leaps from the plaintiff's table and lunges forward towards Judge Merrick. As she does this, Cassandra acts like a Paris Hilton-like spoiled little rich brat and is also very
childish as she uncontrollably swings her body around. But that only results in her getting wrestled to the floor and ultimately handcuffed by the MPs, who are wearing formal, non-combat clothing like all the MPs in the Judiciary Center except for the ones in charge of guarding the entrances
do. Meanwhile, uniformed MPs are brought in to keep the side of the courtroom where Stacy is at their seats. This is mainly done for
their safety. However as the plain-clothes MP3s drag Cassandra out of the courtroom, Cassandra has a few choice parting words for Stacy as Cassandra is dragged past her.
CASSANDRA (Yelling as she stands in front of Stacy being held on both sides by MPs) - This isn't over you fuckin' bitch. DO YOU HEAR ME - THIS IS NOT OVER.
The MPs then finally manage to drag Cassandra out of the courtroom.
STACY (Although meant for Casandra if she were still in front of her, she sarcastically says it to herself as Cassandra is dragged from the courtroom) - Yeah right. See you in your next life. Fuckin' slut.
Just then, Marcie Grant, who's been at Stacy's side as the friend she's always been, approaches her.
MARCIE (Thinking Stacy may be in need of some comfort) - Hey Sweetie....Don't let her get to you like
that. Don't give her that kind of control.
STACY - Ohh not to worry, I'm not. In fact, I haven't felt more empowered in a long time. Let's get the fuck out of here..
Meanwhile, another woman whom Stacy has called "friend" has an agenda of her own in this sordid story. Enter Debbie Stevens. She is another one of Leo's many
military mistresses with whom he's done it with while away on deployment duties. Only she was the last woman Leo had an affair with before
Cassandra dug her claws into him and fell for him hook, line & sinker. Although Debbie never did get pregnant as a result of her tryst with Leo, she's always had it in for Cassandra ever since she found out that it was she who "lured" Leo away from her. All this without even knowing that Leo was already a married man. This was the case with every woman Leo was in bed (Or as will be demonstrated later on in Cassandra's
case, wherever else he & Cassandra could find a spot all to themselves) he did it with.
Why & how was this possible? Simple. He NEVER had his wedding ring on his finger when he was "doing it" with the other women. As such, unless he had previously told them that he was married (Which was VERY rare), the women he had affairs with NEVER KNEW HE WAS WAS MARRIED.
Anyhow, getting back to Debbie....Debbie has been in contact with her reporter friend-turned-lover Mark Girardeaux from Channel 7. Channel 7 is widely known throughout Cedarville as being THE SLEAZIEST news operation in town. In fact, some think Channel 7 is so sleazy and tabloidish that they make even The
National Enquirer look like a small-time, low budget freebie cultural weekly newspaper.
Her plan? To shed light on Leo for being the two-timer he was when it came to women and to specifically get back at the one woman who stole him from her at a time in which she didn't even know he was married to begin with. That woman being none other than bitter enemy #1 - CASSANDRA WHITMORE.
How was she going to carry out her plan you ask? By going on television and telling all INCLUDING coming clean about her own involvement with Leo.
In any case, after Stacy told Debbie during a support group meeting about Cassandra being hauled off to jail, Debbie was overjoyed with the news, but didn't want to let on her connection to the case. After the support group meeting was over, she placed a phone call to Mark, who was doing his thing at the station.
The conversation went like this in Episode 57 dated November 19, 2005...
EPISODE 57 - SCENE EIGHT - Fort Cedar Ladies Auxiliary Hall
Stacy just broke the news about Cassandra's arrest to the whole group shortly upon her arrival at the group's weekly meeting. As we pick up the scene now, the meeting has just finished and most everyone, including Stacy, are in an adjacent room having refreshments. Meanwhile Debbie Stevens comes up with
an excuse to momentarily step away while she checks on her messages and such, but what she really has on her mind is something totally different.
DEBBIE (To Mark Girardeaux via her cell phone) - Hi sweetie, it's me. Got a minute?
MARK (To Debbie via his desk phone in the Channel 7 newsroom) - Yeah, but we'll have to make it quick as I'm just about to go out on an assignment.
DEBBIE - Well you've got another one. It's on.
,MARK (Knowing what it is when Debbie talks) - Listen sweetie.....
DEBBIE (Cutting Mark off before he can get another word in edgewise) - No YOU listen. You've always wanted to get the dirt on Leo & Cassandra, haven't you?
MARK - Well yeah, but....
DEBBIE - No buts. However I will give you a little extra incentive.
MARK - I'm listening. What is it?
DEBBIE - Well according to a friend of mine in our little support group I've told you about a few times, it seems as though our little miss good two-shoes "friend" has landed into something of a legal "tiff" with the military.
MARK - What kind of legal "tiff" are we talking about?
DEBBIE (Bluntly put) - She's under arrest and is currently being held in custody here on Fort Cedar on a host of charges.
MARK (Intrigued & raises his eyebrow) - Hmm....
DEBBIE (Trying to entice Mark) - Are you smelling a story NOW sweetie?
MARK - Sounds juicy.
DEBBIE - Meet me at the FonDuLac Restaurant in 15 minutes for the rest of the story.
MARK - On my way.
DEBBIE - Great. See you then.
Debbie flips her cell phone shut and puts it back into her purse
DEBBIE (To herself in a devilish tone of voice & referring to Cassandra Whitmore the whole time) - NOW I've got you right where I want you - Fuckin' tramp. By the time I get through with you, even the guys in the stockade will want to do it with you gangbang-style. You're such a fuckin' easy target. It's little wonder why Leo fell for you. Then again, fortunately for you, he was a fuckin' two-timer anyway. But even that gave you no right to take him away from me - Or Stacy for that matter. At least I'll owe up to taking him away from Stacy. Too bad you're too fuckin' brainless and too much of a fuckin' bimbo to do the same thing. You make even Paris Hilton & Brittney Spears look like Nancy Reagan & Laura Bush. And the best part of my plan is, unlike Stacy & the legal system, you won't even know what hit you till it's too late. Fuckin' whore..
Episode 57 ends with the above scene.
There's more on Debbie in the story on her (Which will be in a seperate post)
Whenever these updates occur, they will be a synopsis of storylines in
an effort to bring the number of episodes current with real time.
In addition, they will also bring each of the storylines current as well.
Think of them as a filling in of the gaps as it were. This update
will go back to October 2004 and will cover the following three years to
the present.
That said though, it is my goal to see to it that the updates are few and far between in lieu of
actual episodes. As such, updates will only be used whenever there
has been no episode posted within 3 weeks of the date of the previous episode.
This will also help the bringing about of new ideas and plot twists, etc.
in a more timely manner and keep from taking up several episodes just for
one day in real time. The update will be posted after the episode
in the works is posted. If in the event no episode is in the works,
an update will be posted in lieu of an actual episode in order to keep
things fresh while an episode is being prepared.
Updates will also be used during times in which I will have to take a leave of absence from writing
the show for an extended period of time. They will be posted either before or after the absence at my discretion.
One final footnote, there are references to episodes which don't actually exist. That is because
I have no desire to create episodes for what should've been old storylines by now. However, these references are only done for the exceprting of specific scenes.
With all that out of the way, here's the update on the Brad Martin/Stacy McFadden/Leo McFadden storyline you've all been waiting for.....
2004
As already posted in an early episode, Leo gets his deployment orders. In late November, he actually lands in Iraq. Shortly upon arrival, he picks up with his Johnny
Appleseed-like ways when he's not on patrol rescuing people. Meanwhile
back in Cedarville, Stacy lets Leo sweet talk her into believing that she
is his one and only even though he knows nothing could be further from
the truth. Meanwhile, with Leo gone, Stacy rekindles her flame with
Brad, which has been kind of an off and on thing.
During his deployment, Cassandra Whitmore makes her prescence known. In December, Leo was
kidnapped and ultimately killed. Three days after the killing, Stacy is told of Leo's death by military officers at her home. She is devasted by the news. After the officers leave, the phone rings. Stacy
answers it. Brad is on the other end. He senses Stacy received some bad news. He asks her what it was. After several minutes, he manages to get her to break down and tell him. Once she does,
he is taken aback by the news and asks her if it was true. She tells him that not only was it true, but the two officers from Fort Cedar who broke the news to her had just left some five minutes before he had called.
He tells her he'll be over in a few minutes and immediately hangs up.
As minutes turn to hours and hours turn to days, the rest of Cedarville (Except Jennifer Blanton,
who has her own issues to deal with) is told of the news of Leo's death. With Stacy in shock over the news, Trish tries to get her through Christmas by trying (albeit feebly) to get her involved with the annual Christmas Party for Cedarville's needy, which Michelle Monroe generously hosts every year at The FonDuLac Hotel in the Grand Ballroom. She tried this in an effort to get Stacy's mind off of Leo's death.
Several days after everyone is told of Leo's death, Leo's body arrives at Fort Cedar. The Mayor
of Cedarville decides to give Leo a state funeral comparable to that of President John F. Kennedy (He's known to do this whenever someone from Fort Cedar or Cedarville is killed while serving in the Middle East). After the funeral, Stacy & the McFadden family have their own private burial service, after which Leo is put to rest in military fashion. This occured on New Year's Eve.
2005
2005 starts out with Stacy still coping with the loss of Leo. Meanwhile Brad has been dealing
with issues of his own. With Jennifer recovering from amnesia, David, Marcie & Stephanie are working with Jennifer to regaining her memory. Eventually it boils down to Brad being forced into the fray since it was Brad whom she saw last before her accident. After some persuading from Marcie & Stephanie, Brad reluictantly joins them. Brad & Jennifer first start out with some small talk, but then as time goes on and as her memory starts to return, Jennifer starts to piece everything together. Brad eventually catches on to this as he detects that Jennifer is trying to win him over again. The two eventually decide that it's best for both of them if they simply split up.
Meanwhile, back to Stacy. By summer, Stacy eventually begins to come around and ultimately realizes that life must go on. To back this up, she becomes more involved in the support group which she had been a member of since shortly after the year began. However, her troubles are far from over as Cassandra Whitmore eventually hires an attorrney named Stanley A. Finch. A few days later, Cassandra is told that she has a case of possibly being able to collect from Leo's estate (Which Stacy is the legal trustee of) DESPITE the manner in which she managed to obtain a sample of his DNA (She stole it from a medical lab on base where she allegedly (albeit allegedly) Leo conceived a baby while on deployment duty in Iraq while Leo was stateside. That baby is none other than her son Christopher Whitmore, whom she proudly showed off during her visit to Stacy's house.
Cassandra arrived in Cedarville shortly after receiving clearance to travel by her doctor in the wake of her giving birth just a few weeks earlier).
A few days later, Stanley files papers with the civilian family courts, who then serve a copy to
Stacy. Understandably furious over the matter - And at the urgency of her half-brother Greg - She hires Mitchell Claymore to represent her in the matter. A few days after this, she comes face to face with Cassandra in a court of law for the first time. Here's an outtake from Episode 36 dated June 25, 2005....
EPISODE 36 - SCENE FOUR - Cedarville District Court - Family Court Division
Stacy & Cassandra have both arrived at the courthouse. With Stacy are Brad & Trish
as well as her attorney Mitchell Claymore and her half-brother Greg McFadden.
With Cassandra are her son Christopher and her attorney Stanley Finch.
Brad & Trish decide to find seats in the courtroom and the two attorneys
decide to meet with the judge in chambers before the hearing to discuss
some legal issues. This leaves the two of them alone. As we
pick up the scene now, the two of them are seen just looking at each other.
Cassandra looking like a mother who, as she once put it, just simply wants
what's right for Christopher while Stacy looking at Cassandra VERY
suspiciously with an eyes-down look as if she thinks Cassandra is little
more than a golddigger whom she can't wait to squash like a bug.
Beyond that, the tension between the two of them is so thick, you can easily
cut it with a dull knife.
STACY (Finally breaking the silence between the two) - So you're the fuckin whore who's trying
to come after my ex-husband's estate, eh?
CASSANDRA (Defending herself from Stacy's accusations) - I only want what's best for my son - And Leo's.
STACY (Still looking at Cassandra with the aforementioned eyes-down look) - Right. Do you really
expect me to believe that?
CASSANDRA - I don't care what you believe.
STACY (Now letting her fury against Cassandra show) - You're nothing more than a fuckin' golddigger.
And to think you brought your baby here? What kind of mother are you?
CASSANDRA (Showing just how much of a mother she is) - Please watch your language around my son.
If he were your son and you were in my shoes, you wouldn't want me foaming at the mouth in front of him, now would you?
STACY (Now nose-to-nose and toe-to-toe with Cassandra with a "Go-To-Hell" look on her face) - Well
that's exactly why I didn't bring my daughter with me. She is THE ONLY child in which Leo is the father of.
CASSANDRA - Really? My I can see you are in for a rude awakening, aren't you?
STACY (Wondering what Cassandra could be talking about) - Just what the fuck are you talking about? Not that you would probably know anyway....
CASSANDRA (Wondering just how dumb & clueless Stacy really is) - Do you think I'm THE ONLY woman Leo has fucked? You don't even know the man you so proudly & courageously call your "husband"
STACY - Well since you apparently know him so fuckin' well, suppose you educate me then.....
CASSANDRA - Ohh that will be no problem at all.
STACY (Sarcastic) - Yeah right. I'll believe that when pigs grow wings and fly.
CASSANDRA - Well they have grown wings and they are flying. You just don't see it yet.
STACY (Still looking at Cassandra with the very same aforementioned eyes-down look, only more
cynical than ever) - No because what I see is nothing more than a fuckin' golddigger. A golddigger I will take great joy in squashing like a bug.
CASSANDRA - Once again I reiterate....Please watch your language around my son. If he were
your son and you were in my shoes, you wouldn't want me foaming at the mouth in front of him, now would you? If you can't do anything else, then please respect this very reasonable request.
STACY (Referring to Christopher) - Alright. But I won't do it for you. I'll do it for your son. Why? I just feel sorry for him.
CASSANDRA - Why? You have a funny way of showing it.
STACY - Because he has you for a mother. Fuckin' slut.
CASSANDRA - You know, I've had just about enough of your foaming at the mouth. I think I'll
go find my seat in the courtroom.
Cassandra points in the direction of the ladies restroom, which she passed en route to the courtroom
CASSANDRA (Continuing as she points in the direction of the ladies restroom) - By the way....The
ladies restroom is that way. You may want to take the time to wash your mouth out - With soap - Before going into the courtroom yourself. You need it.
Cassandra departs for the courtroom. As she does so, Stacy gives Cassandra the finger
STACY (To herself as she's still holding up the finger) - I'll decide where I want to go, fuckin'
bitch. I don't need you telling me what to do or where to go.
Meanwhile, the two attorneys tried to see the judge, but were turned away by his staff. Stanley
decides to present his issue in open court and instructs the staff to inform the judge to that affect. They do. Shortly after the hearing is started, the judge then asks to present his issue, which is a motion to allow the stolen DNA sample into evidence, stating that despite how it was obtained, it was crucial to get to the bottom of the issue as to
whether Leo is Christopher's father or not by saying that it might help. When asked how it was obtained, Stanley admitted it was through "questionable means".
To no one's surprise, this drew an objection from Mitchell. He had known that Stanley wanted
to present something but not something like that. The judge directed both attorneys to his chambers. In chambers, the judge humored himself by having Stanley explain why he should allow it to be admitted into evidence, but all Stanley did was simply reiterate that it might help determine who Christopher's father really is. Mitchell wondered if
His Honor was seriously considering Stanley's "insane" motion. The judge said no. Back in open court, he told Stanley to obtain a sample of Leo's DNA through legal means. Stanley then requested permission
to exhume Leo's body in order to obtain the sample. Again, Mitchell vehemently objected and everyone - Especially Stacy - were shocked at the gall and audacity at Stanley for making such a request (Everyone including
Stacy thought Stanley was a shister of a lawyer or something). The judge however denied Stanley's request, stating that there are less extreme ways of getting a sample than that and ordered Stanley to get to work on it.
After a few minutes more, the hearing was over and the courtroom emptied out. As Cassandra
was leaving with Christopher, Stacy just looked at her as if to express her sorrow for Christopher having Cassandra for "A poor pathetic excuse" of a mother (She even said those words too in Scene Seven of the above episode) as Episode 36 drew to a close.
Stanley's next course of action took him to the military courts, where he filed papers to obtain
a DNA sample from Leo's personnel files. Naturally, Stacy was served with papers to this affect. Mitchell said that she didn't need to attend the hearing since he was her representative. She told Mitchell that she was going to be there regardless.
Suffice to say, Stacy was. However Cassandra wasn't. This was because she was told by Stanley
that she didn't need to be there. As such, she remained confident that Stanley would get the evidence they needed and decided not to attend. This would prove to be significant as the reason why will be spelled out later.
Anyhow, Stanley plead his case to the military courts. At each level, the request was refused,
citing everything ranging from privacy issues to the courts simply deciding not to hear the case at all when it appeared on their dockets. After exhausting all avenues in the military courts, Stanley obtained copies of the transcripts of his attempts to obtain the DNA sample via orders from the military courts and filed a motion with the same civilian court to have Leo McFadden's body exhumed for sole purpose of obtaining the DNA sample needed. A hearing on the matter was scheduled for the following week and Stacy was once again served with papers to this affect.
The hearing went down like this in a scene from Episode 40 dated July 23, 2005.....
EPISODE 40 - SCENE TWO - Cedarville District Court - Family Court Division - The Courtroom Of The Honorable Judge Charles B. Hackett III
The hearing is about to get underway. Both Stacy & Cassandra seat themselves on their
respective sides of the courtroom next to their attorneys without saying a word to each other. As we pick up the scene now, court is about to be called to order.
BAILIFF (Hollering in his usual declaratory announcing fashion) - All rise. This court is
now in session. The Honrable Judge Charles B. Hackett III presiding.
Judge Hackett enters the courtroom and takes his seat behind the bench.
JUDGE HACKETT (Getting down to business) - Be seated. Unless there's any objection, let the record reflect that all parties in this case are present and accounted for.
The room is silent.
JUDGE HACKETT (Continuing) - Hearing no objection, it is so ordered.
Judge Hackett now turns to Stanley Finch
JUDGE HACKETT (Continuing & now addressing Stanley) - Mr. Finch, I am told you have been unable to obtain the DNA sample you have long requested via legitimate means and are renewing your motion to have the body of Mr. Leo McFadden exhumed for the sole purpose of obtaining that sample. Am I correct?
STANLEY (Addressing the court & answering Judge Hackett's question) - Yes your honor. You are correct.
JUDGE HACKETT - Do you realize what you are asking me to do?
STANLEY - Yes your honor, but as you can see from the transcripts we've provided for your review,
we have essentially been left with no other alternative.
JUDGE HACKETT (Now turning to Mitchell Claymore, who is Stacy's attorney) - I assume you object to this, Mr. Claymore?
MITCHELL (Addressing the court & answering Judge Hackett's question) - Vehemently your
honor.
JUDGE HACKETT - Alright. Let's hear your argument Mr. Claymore.
MITCHELL - Well first and foremost your honor, the mere thought of exhuming the body of any
soldier is BLASPHEMY in and of itself. Secondly, I don't believe this court has the jurisdiction to order it exhumed. As such, if Mr. Finch really insists on pursuing this case, I would ask that the court surrender custody of this case to the military family court system, which is where it belongs in the first place. If they order Mr. McFadden's body exhumed, then I don't believe there's anything we can use to argue the matter with.
Stacy looked up from her seated position at Mitchell began to wonder just whose side he was on
STANLEY.(Before Judge Hackett can get a word in edgewise and before Mitchell can continue with his argument) - Your Honor, if I may interject here, we have prepared papers to be filed with the military family courts, however since the case was first filed here, we felt obligated to file here first before approaching the military courts with the matter.
JUDGE HACKETT - Well, far be it for me to step on the toes of the military courts HOWEVER
before I just simply defer the matter to the military courts, let's take a recess while I do some consultation to see what my options are. As such, we will take a lunch break after which a decision will be made.
With that, Judge Hackett declared the court in recess.
In Scene Five of Episode 40, Judge Hackett determined that the best place for the case was
the military family court system and ordered that all transcripts and other materials be transferred to the military family courts. Stanley backed this up by filing papers with the military family courts requesting that Leo McFadden's body be exhumed. Not surprisingly, Stacy was served
with papers from the military family courts to address the matter. A hearing on the matter was scheduled for the following week.
That hearing went down during Episode 46 dated September 3, 2005. At the hearing, Stanley
presented his motion to the judge in the courtroom. Mitchell once again objected, insisting there have to be less extreme ways of getting to the bottom of the matter. Stanley countered by demonstrating and outlining the number of ways in which he has attempted to obtain a sample
and the number of times he has been turned down in both the military & civilian courts. The judge then asked Mitchell why she shouldn't grant Stanley's motion. Mitchell argued that the mere thought of exhuming the body of a dead soldier is in and of itself blasphemic and immoral even if it's for the benefit of finding out if he's the father of some kid. After arguments were over and after a brief recess, the judge decided to rule in favor of the plaintiff by granting Stanley's motion and ordered Leo's body exhumed.
Needless to say, Stacy was not happy, but Mitchell tried to put a positive spin on it by quickly pointing out how this could work out to their advantage by putting an end to the
question once & for all. Even with that, she still wasn't happy that it was ordered. Cassandra was not at the hearing, but was overjoyed when Stanley phoned her with the good news. He also pointed out that it would take a few days for the body to be exhumed, obtain the DNA sample
and for it to be examined but in the meantime, she needed to submit a sample of Christopher's blood so that it could be compared to Leo's DNA.
She immediately brought Christopher into Memorial to have the sample taken. The sample was then transferred to the hospital in charge of examining Leo's DNA. The doctors completed their report and forwarded a copy of it to the courts 72 hours later. A week after that, a hearing
was scheduled and all parties were served with papers to that affect.
That hearing took place during most of Episode 54 dated October 29, 2005. Along with the
lawyers were both Stacy & Cassandra as well as Christopher. The judge started out by calling things to order. After that, the hearing went down like this....
EPISODE 54 - SCENE THREE - Fort Cedar Judiciary Center - Family Courts Division - Judge Frances L. Merrick's courtroom
The judge has just called things to order. As we pick up the scene now, she is about to review
the contents of the report submitted to her by the independent medical facility regarding the paternity of Christopher Whitmore
JUDGE MERRICK - Unless there's any objection, let the record reflect that all parties involved are present and accounted for.
Silence briefly reigns throughout the room
JUDGE MERRICK (Continuing) - Hearing nothing, the record will so reflect the presence of all parties involved. That out of the way, I have here a copy of the paternity
test report. Would a Dr. James Carmichael please step up to the witness
stand?
Dr. Carmichael stands up and approaches the witness stand. As he does, he is intercepted
by a court officer who swears him in. After being sworn in, he then takes his seat on the stand.
JUDGE MERRICK (Addressing Dr. Carmichael) - Dr. Carmichael, I will ask you some basic questions regarding the contents of the report after which both Mr. Finch & Mr. Claymore will be given an opportunity to ask questions of you. Do you understand?
DR. CARMICHAEL (Answering Judge Merrick's question) - Yes your honor.
Judge Merrick then instructs the court staff to furnish Dr. Carmichael with a copy of the paternity test. As they do, both Stanley & Mitchell dig out their copies.
JUDGE MERRICK - Dr. Carmichael, you have before you a copy of the paternity test in question, do you not?
DR. CARMICHAEL (After quickly reviewing the report) - Yes I do, your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK (Referring to his signature at the bottom of the report) - Turning to the bottom of
the report, is that your signature?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Yes it is, your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK - So by your submitting oral testimony today coupled with this report complete with
your signature, you attest to the fact that it is a true and accurate account
of the paternity test administered, do you not?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Yes your honor. I do.
JUDGE MERRICK - Would you please read the part referring to who is Christopher Whitmore's biological
father for us please.
DR. CARMICHAEL - Sure. Given all of this, it is the conclusion of this group of medical physicians
that the biological father of one Christopher Whitmore can be none other than one Lt. Leo McFadden.
Stacy tried to look shocked like the rest of the courtroom was but deep down inside, she was having
trouble doing so. Cassandra meanwhile briefly glanced over at Stacy, but beyond that was all cheers and smiles.
JUDGE MERRICK - And what was done to reach this conclusion?
DR. CARMICHAEL - We took a blood sample from Lt. McFadden's body and compared it to the sample we
received from Christopher Whitmore.
JUDGE MERRICK - And what were the results of that test?
DR. CARMICHAEL - It was a perfect match.
Cassandra was having trouble containing her joyous feeling, though Judge Merrick doesn't even see it
JUDGE MERRICK - Thank you. But remain on the stand. Mr. Finch and/or Mr. Claymore may have some
questions for you. Mr Finch....Any questions for this witness?
STANLEY - None your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK - Mr. Claymore....
MITCHELL - Thank you your honor. Dr. Carmichael, just how did you manage to get a blood
sample from a dead man?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Blood doesn't die. It simply ages.
MITCHELL - And just how were you able to establish paternity based on "Aged blood", Dr. Carmichael?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Well...Succinctly put Mr. Claymore....Today's DNA testing capabilities are far more
complex than they were....say.....five or ten years ago. In fact, there's a new medical wonder in the world of DNA testing coming out every
day.
MITCHELL - That's nice to hear Dr. Carmichael, But how does that relate to this case?
DR. CARMICHAEL - It relates because of the network of filtering systems which can be employed to determine
anything from paternity to who committed a crime. And some of these are all intertwined and interconnected with one another.
MTICHELL - I see. And was this the only option available to you and your staff to establish
paternity?
Stanley stands up to object and wondering where Stanley is heading with his examination of Dr. Carmichael
STANLEY - Your Honor, where's he heading with all this?
JUDGE MERRICK - I'd like to know the answer to that as well, Mr. Claymore.
MITCHELL - I'm getting to that part, your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK (Annoyed and stern) - Then GET TO IT, counselor...
MITCHELL - Yes your honor. Does the witness get to answer my previous question?
JUDGE MERRICK (Frustrated) - Yes.
Judge Merrick instructs the court reporter to read Mitchell's last question so Dr. Carmichael can
answer it
DR. CARMICHAEL - To answer your question, yes it was.
MITCHELL - Why was this?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Because the body had decayed so much that we determined that the only usable DNA
there was left was blood. And, as I indicated before, it was aged.
MITCHELL - So, let me if I have this straight. You and your staff examined the body for usable
DNA & determined that the only usable DNA there was left was aged blood. Correct?
STANLEY (Objecting to the neccessity of the question) - Your Honor...
JUDGE MERRICK - Overruled. The witness will answer.
DR. CARMICHAEL - That is correct.
MITCHELL - As such, you took a sample of this aged blood, ran it through your redundant network of filtering
systems, compared it to Christopher Whitmore's own blood & came to the conclusion that it was a perfect match. Correct?
DR. CARMICHAEL - Again, correct.
MITCHELL - And that's why we are here today. Correct?
STANLEY (Begging the court for mercy) - YOUR HONOR...
JUDGE MERRICK - Mr. Finch, I sympathize with your wanting to speed up these proceedings by moving
things along as I share that same sentiment. Mr. Claymore, the witness will be allowed to answer the question however THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING
IS OVER. Do you understand me - OVER. It has outlived it's usefulness. In other words - Layman's Translation - MOVE ON!!!
MITCHELL - Yes your honor.
JUDGE MERRICK - Dr. Carmichael, please answer Mr. Claymore's last question.
DR. CARMICHAEL - Yes. That is why we are here today.
MITCHELL - Thank you. I have no further questions.
CASSANDRA (Quietly uttering sarcastically to herself and out of earshot of Judge Merrick) - Thank god.
Judge Merrick asks once again if Stanley has any questions of Dr. Carmichael. Stanley says no. Dr. Carmichael is excused.
Judge Merrick then asks the lawyers if they wish to call their own witnesses. Both indicate they have no witnesses to call and choose to rest their case on the testimony of Dr. Carmichael. Judge Merrick then announces that there would be a lunch break after which a ruling is expected to be issued. Before
the break, Judge Merrick makes one last call for any final business. There is none and with that, the case is in recess.
In Episode 55 dated November 5, 2005, court is back in session. Judge Merrick calls things to order and then announces a ruling has been decided. The session
goes down like this....
EPISODE 55 - SCENE FOUR - Fort Cedar Judiciary Center - Family Courts Division - Judge Frances L. Merrick's courtroom
Court has just been called to order & Judge Merrick has just ordered everyone to take their seats. As we pick up the scene now, she has had the record reflect the prescence of all parties involved and is ready to render her decision
JUDGE MERRICK - Having just heard the uncontested, yet very tedious and meticulous testimony of Dr. James Carmichael, it is usually the policy of this court not to question medical science in determining issues such as these beyond the very basic questions I asked of him earlier. Therefore, since modern medical
science has determined that Lt. Leo McFadden is the father of Christopher Whitmore, then this court shall not dispute it. In short, it is the ruling of this court that Lt. Leo McFadden is indeed the father of Christopher Whitmore. As such, it is the order of this court that the estate of Lt. McFadden, which Stacy McFadden is the legal trustee of, shall pay child support to a trust in Christopher Whitmore's name.
Stacy looks disappointed while Cassandra is all smiles and kisses Christopher softlty on the cheek
JUDGE MERRICK - However, there's more.
Both Stacy & Cassandra are left wondering what else could there be. Meanwhile, to the astonishment of everyone, Military Police enter the courtroom
JUDGE MERRICK (Turning rather scornfully towards Cassandra) - Ms. Whitmore, when you took that DNA sample out of that medical lab in Iraq, you committed a felony military offense. As such, and after an investigation into the matter, it has been brought to the attention of the court that a warrant was issued for your arrest. This court is obligated to honor and execute that warrant.
CASSANDRA (Standing up and pleading with Judge Merrick) - NO!! There has to be some mistake.
JUDGE MERRICK - I assure you Ms. Whitmore, there is no mistake.
Cassandra remains standing with her mouth hung open as if it were an airport hangar with the tip of her tongue as a runway for flies. Stacy meanwhile quickly glances over at Cassandra and visually gloats.
CASSANDRA (Turning to address Stacy) - Ohh you would like to see me get hauled off to jail, wouldn't you? Fuckin' bitch.
MITCHELL (Softly spoken in an near-singing fashion, figuring that Judge Merrick is intelligent enough to see what Cassandra's doing without bothering to explain himself) - Your honor...
JUDGE MERRICK - Ms. Whitmore - SIT DOWN. Your objection Mr. Claymore is sustained.
Cassandra complies with Judge Merrick's order.
CASSANDRA - But your honor, I am inactive military. I have a General Discharge.
JUDGE MERRICK - Correction Ms. Whitmore. You HAD a General Discharge. The person who signed off on those papers was reprimanded for failure to notice the
arrest warrant in your file. As such, you NEVER WERE discharged. In addition, by stealing that DNA sample, you violated Lt. McFadden's CONSITUTIONAL
RIGHT TO PRIVACY as well as COMPROMISED DOCTOR/PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY and a host of other charges stemming from that. Add that to the fact that you were NEVER technically discharged to begin with, you are also being charged with GOING A.W.O.L. from your unit as well.
CASSANDRA - But your honor
JUDGE MERRICK - Mr. Finch, I would advise you to advise your client to not say another word.
STANLEY (To Cassandra) - She's right. Let me take care of this. Okay? Please?
CASSANDRA (Still in shock) - Okay. But just do it. Please.
STANLEY (To Judge Merrick) - Uhh...Your Honor, as her lawyer, I would like to see a copy of that warrant.
JUDGE MERRICK - I'll do better than that. I'll have one of the MPs here serve you with the original.
Judge Merrick directs the MP with the warrant to give it to Stanley, who looks at it rather grim-faced as the MP returns to his post.
JUDGE MERRICK (Continuing & wanting to get back to the issue at hand) - As you can see Ms. Whitmore....Given all of this, I have no choice Ms. Whitmore but to remand you to the custody of the Fort Cedar Military Police Division where you shall remain until such time as you can then be transferred to the Fort Cedar Penal Stockade where you will sit as you await court martial.
CASSANDRA (Nearly crying at this point) - NO.....NO....NO.....
Cassandra looks at Stanley as she begs of him to do something
CASSANDRA (Continuing) - Stanley....DO SOMETHING Don't just stand there.
STANLEY - Cassandra, what DO you expect me to do about this warrant here? I can't do anything about it. You're just gonna have to rough it for awhile till I can file papers in the right court. I'm sorry, but those are the facts.
JUDGE MERRICK - As for your son Ms. Whitmore, he will be turned over to the Fort Cedar Social Services Division who will, as they usually do, work closely with the civilian Social Service agencies in finding a suitable temporay home for him until more permanent arrangements can be made since you obviously won't be able to be a suitable parent to him yourself while in the stockade awaiting court martial. In addition, he will have a legal advocate appointed to
represent him on his behalf. The court will go along with whomever Social Services retains to represent Christopher as I no need or desire to be nit-picky with regards to that.
Cassandra just looks utterly devasted while Stacy on the other hand couldn't much more happier.
JUDGE MERRICK (Continuing & feeling relieved of having to break the news to Cassandra) - Now with that dreadful business out of the way as I hate splitting families up like that, is there any other business before this court?
STANLEY - Your Honor....I would like it known for the record that we intend to file papers with the appropriate court regarding the warrant against my client.
JUDGE MERRICK - Noted. But it doesn't change the fact that she is under arrest Mr. Finch nor does it change the obligations of this court with regards to
the warrant either.
STANLEY - I realize that your honor. Thank you.
JUDGE MERRICK - Any other business before this court?
Silence briefly reigns throughout the room
JUDGE MERRICK - Hearing none. This case is adjourned. Will the MPs please take Ms. Whitmore into custody and remove her from the courtoom. Thank you.
Judge Merrick then taps the gavel to officially end the hearing. As she does so and before she heads back to chambers, Cassandra leaps from the plaintiff's table and lunges forward towards Judge Merrick. As she does this, Cassandra acts like a Paris Hilton-like spoiled little rich brat and is also very
childish as she uncontrollably swings her body around. But that only results in her getting wrestled to the floor and ultimately handcuffed by the MPs, who are wearing formal, non-combat clothing like all the MPs in the Judiciary Center except for the ones in charge of guarding the entrances
do. Meanwhile, uniformed MPs are brought in to keep the side of the courtroom where Stacy is at their seats. This is mainly done for
their safety. However as the plain-clothes MP3s drag Cassandra out of the courtroom, Cassandra has a few choice parting words for Stacy as Cassandra is dragged past her.
CASSANDRA (Yelling as she stands in front of Stacy being held on both sides by MPs) - This isn't over you fuckin' bitch. DO YOU HEAR ME - THIS IS NOT OVER.
The MPs then finally manage to drag Cassandra out of the courtroom.
STACY (Although meant for Casandra if she were still in front of her, she sarcastically says it to herself as Cassandra is dragged from the courtroom) - Yeah right. See you in your next life. Fuckin' slut.
Just then, Marcie Grant, who's been at Stacy's side as the friend she's always been, approaches her.
MARCIE (Thinking Stacy may be in need of some comfort) - Hey Sweetie....Don't let her get to you like
that. Don't give her that kind of control.
STACY - Ohh not to worry, I'm not. In fact, I haven't felt more empowered in a long time. Let's get the fuck out of here..
Meanwhile, another woman whom Stacy has called "friend" has an agenda of her own in this sordid story. Enter Debbie Stevens. She is another one of Leo's many
military mistresses with whom he's done it with while away on deployment duties. Only she was the last woman Leo had an affair with before
Cassandra dug her claws into him and fell for him hook, line & sinker. Although Debbie never did get pregnant as a result of her tryst with Leo, she's always had it in for Cassandra ever since she found out that it was she who "lured" Leo away from her. All this without even knowing that Leo was already a married man. This was the case with every woman Leo was in bed (Or as will be demonstrated later on in Cassandra's
case, wherever else he & Cassandra could find a spot all to themselves) he did it with.
Why & how was this possible? Simple. He NEVER had his wedding ring on his finger when he was "doing it" with the other women. As such, unless he had previously told them that he was married (Which was VERY rare), the women he had affairs with NEVER KNEW HE WAS WAS MARRIED.
Anyhow, getting back to Debbie....Debbie has been in contact with her reporter friend-turned-lover Mark Girardeaux from Channel 7. Channel 7 is widely known throughout Cedarville as being THE SLEAZIEST news operation in town. In fact, some think Channel 7 is so sleazy and tabloidish that they make even The
National Enquirer look like a small-time, low budget freebie cultural weekly newspaper.
Her plan? To shed light on Leo for being the two-timer he was when it came to women and to specifically get back at the one woman who stole him from her at a time in which she didn't even know he was married to begin with. That woman being none other than bitter enemy #1 - CASSANDRA WHITMORE.
How was she going to carry out her plan you ask? By going on television and telling all INCLUDING coming clean about her own involvement with Leo.
In any case, after Stacy told Debbie during a support group meeting about Cassandra being hauled off to jail, Debbie was overjoyed with the news, but didn't want to let on her connection to the case. After the support group meeting was over, she placed a phone call to Mark, who was doing his thing at the station.
The conversation went like this in Episode 57 dated November 19, 2005...
EPISODE 57 - SCENE EIGHT - Fort Cedar Ladies Auxiliary Hall
Stacy just broke the news about Cassandra's arrest to the whole group shortly upon her arrival at the group's weekly meeting. As we pick up the scene now, the meeting has just finished and most everyone, including Stacy, are in an adjacent room having refreshments. Meanwhile Debbie Stevens comes up with
an excuse to momentarily step away while she checks on her messages and such, but what she really has on her mind is something totally different.
DEBBIE (To Mark Girardeaux via her cell phone) - Hi sweetie, it's me. Got a minute?
MARK (To Debbie via his desk phone in the Channel 7 newsroom) - Yeah, but we'll have to make it quick as I'm just about to go out on an assignment.
DEBBIE - Well you've got another one. It's on.
,MARK (Knowing what it is when Debbie talks) - Listen sweetie.....
DEBBIE (Cutting Mark off before he can get another word in edgewise) - No YOU listen. You've always wanted to get the dirt on Leo & Cassandra, haven't you?
MARK - Well yeah, but....
DEBBIE - No buts. However I will give you a little extra incentive.
MARK - I'm listening. What is it?
DEBBIE - Well according to a friend of mine in our little support group I've told you about a few times, it seems as though our little miss good two-shoes "friend" has landed into something of a legal "tiff" with the military.
MARK - What kind of legal "tiff" are we talking about?
DEBBIE (Bluntly put) - She's under arrest and is currently being held in custody here on Fort Cedar on a host of charges.
MARK (Intrigued & raises his eyebrow) - Hmm....
DEBBIE (Trying to entice Mark) - Are you smelling a story NOW sweetie?
MARK - Sounds juicy.
DEBBIE - Meet me at the FonDuLac Restaurant in 15 minutes for the rest of the story.
MARK - On my way.
DEBBIE - Great. See you then.
Debbie flips her cell phone shut and puts it back into her purse
DEBBIE (To herself in a devilish tone of voice & referring to Cassandra Whitmore the whole time) - NOW I've got you right where I want you - Fuckin' tramp. By the time I get through with you, even the guys in the stockade will want to do it with you gangbang-style. You're such a fuckin' easy target. It's little wonder why Leo fell for you. Then again, fortunately for you, he was a fuckin' two-timer anyway. But even that gave you no right to take him away from me - Or Stacy for that matter. At least I'll owe up to taking him away from Stacy. Too bad you're too fuckin' brainless and too much of a fuckin' bimbo to do the same thing. You make even Paris Hilton & Brittney Spears look like Nancy Reagan & Laura Bush. And the best part of my plan is, unlike Stacy & the legal system, you won't even know what hit you till it's too late. Fuckin' whore..
Episode 57 ends with the above scene.
There's more on Debbie in the story on her (Which will be in a seperate post)
Monday, January 30, 2006
Episode 27 - The Rally For Trish
SCENE ONE - Thomas Monroe's Hotel Room - FonDuLac Hotel
Towards the end of our last episode, Michelle just ran into her father at the FonDuLac Hotel. As we pick up the scene now, she is wondering why her father is in Cedarville to begin with
MICHELLE (Still stunned, but pleasantly surprised at seeing Thomas) - What are you doing here? What brings you to Cedarville? How'd you even find me?
THOMAS (Surprised himself) - Well actually I wasn't expecting to, but since somebody mentioned you owned the place and I'm here for the convention, I figured the least I could do is say hello to my darling princess.
MICHELLE (With a suspicious look on her face) - Really?
THOMAS (Mystified at Michelle's suspicion) - Of course. What other motive could I possibly have?
MICHELLE - Ohh I dunno. It's just that last time I checked, you were always the opportunistic one. At least you were that way when I was working at Monroe Enterprises.
THOMAS - Sweetie, when you were working for the company, you were always the one with all the bright ideas.
MICHELLE - And YOU were always the one to criticize me over them over them even though the rest of the board thought that they were great ideas and we should explore them. In fact, not only did you criticize me for them, you shot most of them down COLD.
THOMAS - You know I've always been somewhat conservative when it came to spending the family money.
MICHELLE - Yes, but I have to wonder....
THOMAS (Mystified as to what Michelle could be wondering about) - About what?
MICHELLE (Now with a look of cynicism on her face) - Are you in town just for the convention or for some other reason?
Thomas looks at Michelle with a stunned look on his face as if to wonder what she's accusing him of
SCENE TWO - The Law Offices Of Stanley A. Finch
Cassandra has just walked arrived at Stanley's office at his request to discuss her case against Leo's Estate. Upon arrival, she spots Debbie Stevens, a bitter rival from her military days, smitten with him. Towards the end of the scene last time, Debbie leaves the office. As we pick up the action now, she is just outside Stanley's office in the lobby area with her head leaned as far up against the wall as she can possibly get it as Cassandra & Stanley are in his office discussing Cassandra's case.
CASSANDRA - So you really think there's a chance the case is winnable.
STANLEY - Yes. Absolutely. That said though, I'm not gonna lie. It's gonna be an uphill battle.
CASSANDRA - I love uphill battles. More challenging.
Stanley looks at her as if to say she must be crazy
STANLEY - Better you than me. But in order to make things easier, we're gonna have to play the spin game.
Outside in the lobby, Debbie leans up against the wall & perks her ears at the sounds emitting from Stanley's office
CASSANDRA - How so?
STANLEY - We're gonna have to show that he was an unfit father due to his military commitment.
CASSANDRA (Sarcastic) - Yeah. That's gonna go real well with his family.
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN
SCENE THREE - Cedarville Memorial Hospital
When we last left the hospital, Stephanie had identified to herself that the mysterious person in the ER being treated by her Gynecologist as being her best friend Trish Martin. as we pick up the action now, she is on her cell phone in an attempt to call Michael who, unbeknownst to her, is at the police station with his cell phone turned off.
STEPHANIE (To herself with her cell phone up her ear as she hears Michael's phone ringing) - C'mon Michael pick up
After several more seconds of waiting, she hangs up
STEPHANIE (Dialing another number on her phone) - Oh well. My name and number are on his caller ID. He'll call back - I hope.
Meanwhile at the Cedarville Police Station, Trish's boyfriend Michael Carlotti has just arrived. As we pick up the scene now, he has just told them he hadn't seen Trish either, which is news that just adds fuel to the fire of suspicion that David has had all along about something terrible either has happened or is happening to Trish while and as just helplessly sits at his desk.
DAVID - You haven't seen Trish either?
MICHAEL (Surprised) - What do you mean by the word either
MARCIE (Trying to downplay the whole thing as being insignificant, but failing miserably in the process) - Nevermind....
MICHAEL (Sensing that Marcie is trying to hide something) - No....No....No. If you guys know something, I wanna know about it.
After a few more minutes of David & Marcie trying to explain themselves (And confusing Michael in the process), a phone call comes into Marcie's desk. On the other end of the line is Stephanie from the hospital.
MARCIE (Answering the phone) - Detective Grant
STEPHANIE (Via her phone from) - Hi Marcie, it's me.
MARCIE (Pleasantly surprised to hear from Stephanie, but also wondering why Stephanie is calling her at work too) - Hi Stephanie, what's up?
STEPHANIE (Not sure just how to break the news) - Well....I'm not sure how to say this, so I suppose I should just come right out with it.....
MARCIE (Getting suspicious) - Come right out with WHAT? Stephanie, what's going on?
David's ears begin to perk up at the intensity of Marcie's phone conversation with Stephanie. Michael looks over with interest too, thinking it may have something to do with Trish
STEPHANIE (Breaking the news) - Okay, it's like this. I'm here at Memorial and....I think I just spotted Trish on a stretcher in the ER.
MARCIE (Reeling from the news) - What? ARE YOU SURE?
STEPHANIE - Yes. I'm not sure what's going on or who else to call. Is Michael there?
MARCIE (Still reeling from the news) - Yeah he is. Have you been able to speak to Trish?
STEPHANIE - No. They're still treating her. I didn't know who else to call.
MARCIE - No. You did the right thing by calling us. Listen, we're on our way there now. Incidentally, how did YOU come across this?
STEPHANIE (Trying to sound convincing) - Just by luck.
MARCIE (Not totally convinced at Stephanie's explaination). Yeah....Okay. Listen, we're on our way now.
STEPHANIE - Okay. See you later. Bye.
Stephanie waits for Marcie to hang up her phone before closing her cell phone. After she does so, she reopens it. This time it's to call Brad & Stacy. Meanwhile back at the police station, David & Marcie are both seen leaving with Michael. The Captain meanwhile just looks on as they depart the squad room, hoping that David & Marcie don't do anything stupid.
SCENE FOUR - Thomas Monroe's Hotel Room - FonDuLac Hotel
Thomas Monroe has just been accused by his own daughter (Michelle Monroe) of possibly coming to Cedarville under false pretenses which Michelle fears isn't in her best interests. As we pick up the scene now, Thomas is still reeling from the assumption just as Rob strolls in.
THOMAS (With a look of surprise on his face) - Sweetie, what on earth would make you assume such a thing?
MICHELLE (Making an argument, quoting words Thomas didn't say) - You said it yourself. You're an opportunist.
THOMAS (Correcting Michelle on her argument) - No sweetie. You were the one who said THAT
.
MICHELLE (Now trying to render it irrelevent anyway) - Well whatever. I just....I just don't.....I just have.....I just have to wonder if you aren't somehow here with an ulterior motive in mind.
THOMAS (Trying to put an end to Michelle's suspicions once and for all) - Sweetie, I have no ulterior or motives or hidden agendas. All I want to do is attend the convention and spend some time with you. Now, if that's too much to ask, then I can simply check into another hotel and come here only for the convention.
MICHELLE - No....No....No. You don't have to do that. I just (Trying to come up with the right words) don't wanna feel like I'm somehow being taken advantage of.
Rob clears his throat in order to get Thomas & Michelle's attention as Thomas gives Michelle a hug to reassure her he has no plans of destroying what she has built for herself.
ROB (To both Thomas & Michelle in announcement form) - Umm....Excuse me, but the convention is about to start.
MICHELLE (To Rob as Thomas turns around) - Thanks Babe. By the way, I don't believe the two of you have met. Rob, meet Daddy. Daddy, meet my boyfriend - And sweet lover - Rob.
Thomas walks over to shake Rob's hand as Rob gleefully offers it
THOMAS (While shaking Rob's hand and somewhat smiling) - Michelle speaks highly of you. Pleased to meet you.
ROB (Blushing, somewhat laughing & trying to downplay the whole thing) - Heh...Well....Pleased to meet you too. As for speaking of you, I'm afraid she didn't mention a thing.
MICHELLE (Sensing her cue to leave so Rob & Thomas can have a man-to-man talk) - Umm....I think I'll tend to our guests. I'll see the both of you later.
Michelle winks blows a kiss at Rob and blows another daughter-like kiss at Thomas as she leaves
SCENE FIVE - Cedarville Memorial Hospital & Stacy's House
Our beloved Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton, who was acting on her nose for news, has just told Marcie that she thinks she's spotted Trish in the ER, unbeknownst that David & Marcie think she might have been the victim of a kidnapping stemming from the her prescence at the convienence store which was robbed the night before. As we pick up the scene now, she's attempting to reach Brad. She tried his apartment, but not too surprisingly, she wasn't able to reach him there, so now she's dialing Stacy's number in the offshoot chance he'll be there instead.
BRAD (Complimenting Stacy on the breakfast he just finished eating and smiles as he pats his now-stuffed stomach) - Boy, you sure know how to cook.
STACY (Blushing and trying to downplay her talents) - Aww.....
The phone rings. Stacy goes to answer it.
STACY (answering the phone) - Hello...
STEPHANIE (From the hospital with a sense of urgency) - Stace, it's me Steph. Is Brad there?
STACY (Detecting Stephanie's sense of urgency) - Yeah he is. Why?
STEPHANIE - Can you put him on for me?
STACY (Mystified by the urgency of Stephanie's request) - Sure.
Stacy returns to the table where Brad is sitting.
STACY - It's for you.
BRAD (Thinking it's just Michelle calling from the hotel) - Probably just Michelle. You know how she is.
STACY - I'm afraid it isn't.
Brad now gets suspicious.
BRAD - Well, who else could it be?
STACY - It's Stephanie. She sounded kinda urgent.
BRAD (Mystified) - Alright.
Brad walks over to the phone and picks up the receiver.
BRAD (To Stephanie on the phone) - Hey Steph. What's up?
STEPHANIE - Brad....I don't know how to tell you this.....
BRAD - Tell me what?
STEPHANIE - Unless I'm missing something here or am mistaken, I think I just spotted Trish on a stretcher here in the ER at Memorial.
BRAD (Thinking Stephanie's simply mistaken and there's really nothing to worry about) - Well maybe you're just simply mistaken.
STEPHANIE (Not thinking she is) - Something tells me I'm not. I called Marcie a few minutes ago and she's on her way here as I speak along with David & Michael.
BRAD (Now really mystified and realizing the magnitude of the situation) - MICHAEL???
STEPHANIE - Yeah. Look Brad, I don't know how serious this is or what's all happened, but I think you'd better get over here.
BRAD (Now desperately trying to figure out what to do since he knows Michelle is expecting him at the hotel soon) - Alright. I.....I.....I'll....Be over there as soon as I can. Did you say the ER at Memorial?
Stephanie confirms the location
BRAD - Alright. I'll see you when I get there. Bye.
STEPHANIE - Okay Brad. Bye.
Brad hears Stephanie hang up her phone and then hangs up the phone himself
Stephanie hears Brad hang up the phone at Stacy's house and then closes her cell phone. Meanwhile back at Stacy's house, Brad gets a sickening feeling that something is indeed wrong.
STACY (Wondering what Stephanie wanted) - What'd Steph want?
BRAD (Letting his sick feeling show and reeling from the news he just received) - Trish is in the hospital.
STACY (Detecting Brad sick feeling) - WHAT? No way.
BRAD (Trying unsuccessfully to find another way to put it) - Way. According to her, she's in the ER on a stretcher.
STACY (Now feeling the effects of the news herself) - Did Stephanie say how bad Trish's condition was?
BRAD - No. She just said she thinks she spotted her in the ER.
STACY (Trying to brush off the news as being a simple mistake) - She has to be mistaken.
BRAD - Apparently not. She called Marcie and she said that she along with David & Michael were on their way to the hospital as we spoke.
Brad now realizes he's gonna have to do something
BRAD - Look, I'm headed over to the hospital now. Can you call Michelle at the hotel and tell her what's going on? She's expecting me to be there for the convention and I don't want her wondering where I am.
STACY - No. We're going to the hospital together. If Trish is in the hospital, she needs as many of her friends at her side as possible. Afterall, she was at my side when I needed someone as a result of my mourning Leo dieath. We'll call Michelle while en route.
Stacy runs off to grab her purse and other things she normally takes with her when she leaves the house
BRAD (Mainly to himself, but still within earshot of Stacy) - Sure. Works for me.
SCENE SIX - Cedarville High School Student Parking Lot
When we last left this scene, Aruba's girlfriend Ashleigh and a few of his friends have just shown up in an effort to stick up for Aruba. As we pick up the scene now, the bullies start turning their attention to Ashleigh.
BULLY #4 (Strutting towards Ashleigh in a macho-like manner in an attempt to impress her) - Well....Well....Well. Look what we have here....
The other bullies in the group start flirting with her as Bully #4 starts caressing her
BULLY #4 (Continuing as he caresses her) - My, you're so beautiful. Sexy too. Wanna go out sometime?
The other bullies in the group laugh as they can see Aruba's building fury. Meanwhile in response, Ashleigh rudely brushes Bully #4 off.
ARUBA (Releasing his fury) - YOU LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS.
BULLY #4 (Sarcastic & with a Michael Chicklis-like smile as he returns to standing toe-to-toe with Aruba) - Ohh yeah sssuuuurrreee. Just as soon as you move that bomb of yours away from my CLASSIC car.
ARUBA - I tell you there's NOTHING in my car that even resembles a bomb.
BULLY #4 - And I tell YOU that your girlfriend here has an awfully nice figure.....
Bully #4 forces himself onto Ashleigh and wildly makes out with her as the crowd cheers on. In response, Ashleigh kicks Bully #4 in the stomach and then grabs him and tosses him over her shoulder in a judo-like fashion, causing him to land on the ground as he's still trying to recover his breath. She turns to the rest of the group, but they just simply fall silent as staff starts to approach the scene.
All this & more on the NEXT edition of AGAINST THE STORM
CUE ATS STANDARD CLOSE (Windows Media Link)
COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE
This site is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any character, place or event is totally coincidental. All images INCLUDING those used as cast members, are used on this site are solely intended for illustrative purposes and in no way support, endorse or show any participation on the subjects behalves.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Towards the end of our last episode, Michelle just ran into her father at the FonDuLac Hotel. As we pick up the scene now, she is wondering why her father is in Cedarville to begin with
MICHELLE (Still stunned, but pleasantly surprised at seeing Thomas) - What are you doing here? What brings you to Cedarville? How'd you even find me?
THOMAS (Surprised himself) - Well actually I wasn't expecting to, but since somebody mentioned you owned the place and I'm here for the convention, I figured the least I could do is say hello to my darling princess.
MICHELLE (With a suspicious look on her face) - Really?
THOMAS (Mystified at Michelle's suspicion) - Of course. What other motive could I possibly have?
MICHELLE - Ohh I dunno. It's just that last time I checked, you were always the opportunistic one. At least you were that way when I was working at Monroe Enterprises.
THOMAS - Sweetie, when you were working for the company, you were always the one with all the bright ideas.
MICHELLE - And YOU were always the one to criticize me over them over them even though the rest of the board thought that they were great ideas and we should explore them. In fact, not only did you criticize me for them, you shot most of them down COLD.
THOMAS - You know I've always been somewhat conservative when it came to spending the family money.
MICHELLE - Yes, but I have to wonder....
THOMAS (Mystified as to what Michelle could be wondering about) - About what?
MICHELLE (Now with a look of cynicism on her face) - Are you in town just for the convention or for some other reason?
Thomas looks at Michelle with a stunned look on his face as if to wonder what she's accusing him of
SCENE TWO - The Law Offices Of Stanley A. Finch
Cassandra has just walked arrived at Stanley's office at his request to discuss her case against Leo's Estate. Upon arrival, she spots Debbie Stevens, a bitter rival from her military days, smitten with him. Towards the end of the scene last time, Debbie leaves the office. As we pick up the action now, she is just outside Stanley's office in the lobby area with her head leaned as far up against the wall as she can possibly get it as Cassandra & Stanley are in his office discussing Cassandra's case.
CASSANDRA - So you really think there's a chance the case is winnable.
STANLEY - Yes. Absolutely. That said though, I'm not gonna lie. It's gonna be an uphill battle.
CASSANDRA - I love uphill battles. More challenging.
Stanley looks at her as if to say she must be crazy
STANLEY - Better you than me. But in order to make things easier, we're gonna have to play the spin game.
Outside in the lobby, Debbie leans up against the wall & perks her ears at the sounds emitting from Stanley's office
CASSANDRA - How so?
STANLEY - We're gonna have to show that he was an unfit father due to his military commitment.
CASSANDRA (Sarcastic) - Yeah. That's gonna go real well with his family.
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN
SCENE THREE - Cedarville Memorial Hospital
When we last left the hospital, Stephanie had identified to herself that the mysterious person in the ER being treated by her Gynecologist as being her best friend Trish Martin. as we pick up the action now, she is on her cell phone in an attempt to call Michael who, unbeknownst to her, is at the police station with his cell phone turned off.
STEPHANIE (To herself with her cell phone up her ear as she hears Michael's phone ringing) - C'mon Michael pick up
After several more seconds of waiting, she hangs up
STEPHANIE (Dialing another number on her phone) - Oh well. My name and number are on his caller ID. He'll call back - I hope.
Meanwhile at the Cedarville Police Station, Trish's boyfriend Michael Carlotti has just arrived. As we pick up the scene now, he has just told them he hadn't seen Trish either, which is news that just adds fuel to the fire of suspicion that David has had all along about something terrible either has happened or is happening to Trish while and as just helplessly sits at his desk.
DAVID - You haven't seen Trish either?
MICHAEL (Surprised) - What do you mean by the word either
MARCIE (Trying to downplay the whole thing as being insignificant, but failing miserably in the process) - Nevermind....
MICHAEL (Sensing that Marcie is trying to hide something) - No....No....No. If you guys know something, I wanna know about it.
After a few more minutes of David & Marcie trying to explain themselves (And confusing Michael in the process), a phone call comes into Marcie's desk. On the other end of the line is Stephanie from the hospital.
MARCIE (Answering the phone) - Detective Grant
STEPHANIE (Via her phone from) - Hi Marcie, it's me.
MARCIE (Pleasantly surprised to hear from Stephanie, but also wondering why Stephanie is calling her at work too) - Hi Stephanie, what's up?
STEPHANIE (Not sure just how to break the news) - Well....I'm not sure how to say this, so I suppose I should just come right out with it.....
MARCIE (Getting suspicious) - Come right out with WHAT? Stephanie, what's going on?
David's ears begin to perk up at the intensity of Marcie's phone conversation with Stephanie. Michael looks over with interest too, thinking it may have something to do with Trish
STEPHANIE (Breaking the news) - Okay, it's like this. I'm here at Memorial and....I think I just spotted Trish on a stretcher in the ER.
MARCIE (Reeling from the news) - What? ARE YOU SURE?
STEPHANIE - Yes. I'm not sure what's going on or who else to call. Is Michael there?
MARCIE (Still reeling from the news) - Yeah he is. Have you been able to speak to Trish?
STEPHANIE - No. They're still treating her. I didn't know who else to call.
MARCIE - No. You did the right thing by calling us. Listen, we're on our way there now. Incidentally, how did YOU come across this?
STEPHANIE (Trying to sound convincing) - Just by luck.
MARCIE (Not totally convinced at Stephanie's explaination). Yeah....Okay. Listen, we're on our way now.
STEPHANIE - Okay. See you later. Bye.
Stephanie waits for Marcie to hang up her phone before closing her cell phone. After she does so, she reopens it. This time it's to call Brad & Stacy. Meanwhile back at the police station, David & Marcie are both seen leaving with Michael. The Captain meanwhile just looks on as they depart the squad room, hoping that David & Marcie don't do anything stupid.
SCENE FOUR - Thomas Monroe's Hotel Room - FonDuLac Hotel
Thomas Monroe has just been accused by his own daughter (Michelle Monroe) of possibly coming to Cedarville under false pretenses which Michelle fears isn't in her best interests. As we pick up the scene now, Thomas is still reeling from the assumption just as Rob strolls in.
THOMAS (With a look of surprise on his face) - Sweetie, what on earth would make you assume such a thing?
MICHELLE (Making an argument, quoting words Thomas didn't say) - You said it yourself. You're an opportunist.
THOMAS (Correcting Michelle on her argument) - No sweetie. You were the one who said THAT
.
MICHELLE (Now trying to render it irrelevent anyway) - Well whatever. I just....I just don't.....I just have.....I just have to wonder if you aren't somehow here with an ulterior motive in mind.
THOMAS (Trying to put an end to Michelle's suspicions once and for all) - Sweetie, I have no ulterior or motives or hidden agendas. All I want to do is attend the convention and spend some time with you. Now, if that's too much to ask, then I can simply check into another hotel and come here only for the convention.
MICHELLE - No....No....No. You don't have to do that. I just (Trying to come up with the right words) don't wanna feel like I'm somehow being taken advantage of.
Rob clears his throat in order to get Thomas & Michelle's attention as Thomas gives Michelle a hug to reassure her he has no plans of destroying what she has built for herself.
ROB (To both Thomas & Michelle in announcement form) - Umm....Excuse me, but the convention is about to start.
MICHELLE (To Rob as Thomas turns around) - Thanks Babe. By the way, I don't believe the two of you have met. Rob, meet Daddy. Daddy, meet my boyfriend - And sweet lover - Rob.
Thomas walks over to shake Rob's hand as Rob gleefully offers it
THOMAS (While shaking Rob's hand and somewhat smiling) - Michelle speaks highly of you. Pleased to meet you.
ROB (Blushing, somewhat laughing & trying to downplay the whole thing) - Heh...Well....Pleased to meet you too. As for speaking of you, I'm afraid she didn't mention a thing.
MICHELLE (Sensing her cue to leave so Rob & Thomas can have a man-to-man talk) - Umm....I think I'll tend to our guests. I'll see the both of you later.
Michelle winks blows a kiss at Rob and blows another daughter-like kiss at Thomas as she leaves
SCENE FIVE - Cedarville Memorial Hospital & Stacy's House
Our beloved Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton, who was acting on her nose for news, has just told Marcie that she thinks she's spotted Trish in the ER, unbeknownst that David & Marcie think she might have been the victim of a kidnapping stemming from the her prescence at the convienence store which was robbed the night before. As we pick up the scene now, she's attempting to reach Brad. She tried his apartment, but not too surprisingly, she wasn't able to reach him there, so now she's dialing Stacy's number in the offshoot chance he'll be there instead.
BRAD (Complimenting Stacy on the breakfast he just finished eating and smiles as he pats his now-stuffed stomach) - Boy, you sure know how to cook.
STACY (Blushing and trying to downplay her talents) - Aww.....
The phone rings. Stacy goes to answer it.
STACY (answering the phone) - Hello...
STEPHANIE (From the hospital with a sense of urgency) - Stace, it's me Steph. Is Brad there?
STACY (Detecting Stephanie's sense of urgency) - Yeah he is. Why?
STEPHANIE - Can you put him on for me?
STACY (Mystified by the urgency of Stephanie's request) - Sure.
Stacy returns to the table where Brad is sitting.
STACY - It's for you.
BRAD (Thinking it's just Michelle calling from the hotel) - Probably just Michelle. You know how she is.
STACY - I'm afraid it isn't.
Brad now gets suspicious.
BRAD - Well, who else could it be?
STACY - It's Stephanie. She sounded kinda urgent.
BRAD (Mystified) - Alright.
Brad walks over to the phone and picks up the receiver.
BRAD (To Stephanie on the phone) - Hey Steph. What's up?
STEPHANIE - Brad....I don't know how to tell you this.....
BRAD - Tell me what?
STEPHANIE - Unless I'm missing something here or am mistaken, I think I just spotted Trish on a stretcher here in the ER at Memorial.
BRAD (Thinking Stephanie's simply mistaken and there's really nothing to worry about) - Well maybe you're just simply mistaken.
STEPHANIE (Not thinking she is) - Something tells me I'm not. I called Marcie a few minutes ago and she's on her way here as I speak along with David & Michael.
BRAD (Now really mystified and realizing the magnitude of the situation) - MICHAEL???
STEPHANIE - Yeah. Look Brad, I don't know how serious this is or what's all happened, but I think you'd better get over here.
BRAD (Now desperately trying to figure out what to do since he knows Michelle is expecting him at the hotel soon) - Alright. I.....I.....I'll....Be over there as soon as I can. Did you say the ER at Memorial?
Stephanie confirms the location
BRAD - Alright. I'll see you when I get there. Bye.
STEPHANIE - Okay Brad. Bye.
Brad hears Stephanie hang up her phone and then hangs up the phone himself
Stephanie hears Brad hang up the phone at Stacy's house and then closes her cell phone. Meanwhile back at Stacy's house, Brad gets a sickening feeling that something is indeed wrong.
STACY (Wondering what Stephanie wanted) - What'd Steph want?
BRAD (Letting his sick feeling show and reeling from the news he just received) - Trish is in the hospital.
STACY (Detecting Brad sick feeling) - WHAT? No way.
BRAD (Trying unsuccessfully to find another way to put it) - Way. According to her, she's in the ER on a stretcher.
STACY (Now feeling the effects of the news herself) - Did Stephanie say how bad Trish's condition was?
BRAD - No. She just said she thinks she spotted her in the ER.
STACY (Trying to brush off the news as being a simple mistake) - She has to be mistaken.
BRAD - Apparently not. She called Marcie and she said that she along with David & Michael were on their way to the hospital as we spoke.
Brad now realizes he's gonna have to do something
BRAD - Look, I'm headed over to the hospital now. Can you call Michelle at the hotel and tell her what's going on? She's expecting me to be there for the convention and I don't want her wondering where I am.
STACY - No. We're going to the hospital together. If Trish is in the hospital, she needs as many of her friends at her side as possible. Afterall, she was at my side when I needed someone as a result of my mourning Leo dieath. We'll call Michelle while en route.
Stacy runs off to grab her purse and other things she normally takes with her when she leaves the house
BRAD (Mainly to himself, but still within earshot of Stacy) - Sure. Works for me.
SCENE SIX - Cedarville High School Student Parking Lot
When we last left this scene, Aruba's girlfriend Ashleigh and a few of his friends have just shown up in an effort to stick up for Aruba. As we pick up the scene now, the bullies start turning their attention to Ashleigh.
BULLY #4 (Strutting towards Ashleigh in a macho-like manner in an attempt to impress her) - Well....Well....Well. Look what we have here....
The other bullies in the group start flirting with her as Bully #4 starts caressing her
BULLY #4 (Continuing as he caresses her) - My, you're so beautiful. Sexy too. Wanna go out sometime?
The other bullies in the group laugh as they can see Aruba's building fury. Meanwhile in response, Ashleigh rudely brushes Bully #4 off.
ARUBA (Releasing his fury) - YOU LEAVE HER OUT OF THIS.
BULLY #4 (Sarcastic & with a Michael Chicklis-like smile as he returns to standing toe-to-toe with Aruba) - Ohh yeah sssuuuurrreee. Just as soon as you move that bomb of yours away from my CLASSIC car.
ARUBA - I tell you there's NOTHING in my car that even resembles a bomb.
BULLY #4 - And I tell YOU that your girlfriend here has an awfully nice figure.....
Bully #4 forces himself onto Ashleigh and wildly makes out with her as the crowd cheers on. In response, Ashleigh kicks Bully #4 in the stomach and then grabs him and tosses him over her shoulder in a judo-like fashion, causing him to land on the ground as he's still trying to recover his breath. She turns to the rest of the group, but they just simply fall silent as staff starts to approach the scene.
All this & more on the NEXT edition of AGAINST THE STORM
CUE ATS STANDARD CLOSE (Windows Media Link)
COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE
This site is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any character, place or event is totally coincidental. All images INCLUDING those used as cast members, are used on this site are solely intended for illustrative purposes and in no way support, endorse or show any participation on the subjects behalves.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Episode 26 - The Arrival Of Michelle's Father
Due to the sensitive nature of parts of this episode, this episode may not be suitable for some readers. As such, reader discretion is advised
Due to the sensitive nature of this episode, this episode may not be suitable for some readers. As such, reader discretion is advised.
SCENE ONE - The Law Offices Of Stanley A. Finch
As we open up this episode, the kniving Cassandra Whitmore has just received a call from her new attorney Stanley Finch asking her to come into his office. As we pick up the scene now, we see her approaching the door to Stanley's office. She is carrying little Christopher with her.
CASSANDRA (Confirming to herself that she has the right office suite) - Yep this is it.
Cassandra walks in only to find that his receptionist isn't at her desk. Given this, she decides to approach the door to Stanley's office. As she does, she hears what appears to be Debbie Stevens, whom he had spent the night with, trying to hit on him. Wanting to know what's going on, she barges into Stanley's office.
CASSANDRA (As she enters the room) - What the hell is going on here? (To Debbie) - What are YOU doing here?
STANLEY (Trying to explain himself) - I was just trying to tell that I had some work to do and that I had a client coming in.
CASSANDRA (Unimpressed and hardly fooled with Stanley's explaination, though looking more at Debbie with her suspicious eyes than at Stanley) - I can see.
STANLEY (Wondering how Cassandra got passed his receptionist) - Where's my receptionist?
CASSANDRA (Still staring at Debbie with her suspicious eyes as she answers Stanley's question) - Dunno. Wasn't there I arrived. (Now walking toward Debbie) - Maybe the tramp here PAID her to take an early coffee break.
DEBBIE (Having just about enough of Cassandra's looks and overall attitude while obviously sporting one of her own and not afraid to show it off either) - I'm not a tramp, which is which is A LOT considering what I can say about you. (Now noticing Christopher's prescence in the room as she reaches to-toe-toe range of Cassandra) - Ohh wait a minute. Not only are you a fuckin' tramp, you're a fuckin' babymaking slut as well. How's the little babymaking factory of yours these days? Business still good?
Cassandra puts Christopher down on the floor and prepares to take a swing a Debbie
DEBBIE (Putting her hands on her hips & shaking them from right to left in a pompant, arrogant manner, daring Cassandra to take a swing at her while Cassandra's fury continues to build) - Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that IS your son, right? And Leo McFadden IS his father, right? Tell me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that's what you're here to see Stanley for, right?
STANLEY (Attempting to break the ladies up) - ALRIGHT LADIES. Now I don't know what sort of past the two of you share, nor right now do I even care. But whatever it is, it won't be carried out here. So, why don't we just forget this all happened.
Cassandra and Debbie don't even hear Stanley and just look at each other as they mimmick each other's "Bring It" facial expressions and body movements, still standing toe-to-toe as well.
STANLEY (Trying to wedge himself between the two of them to get Debbie's attention) - I'll talk to you later sweetie?
Debbie doesn't answer. Instead she just slowly - Very slowly - Backs away from Cassandra, still staring at her with her "Bring it" face and mimmicking her head movements as Cassandra does the same while standing still. Debbie ultimately exits - Walking backwards as she does. Stanley then turns to Cassandra, wondering just what he saw and just what, if any, impact, their grudge will have on her case.
SCENE TWO - Cedarville Memorial Hospital
Trish is laying on a stretcher in the ER and is frantically if not hysterically crying as she shows reaction to the physical trauma she sustained as the staff tries to figure out what happened to her. As we pick up the scene, she's laying on the stretcher in an almost near-fetal position
TRISH (Crying) - Get them out of me
FEMALE EMT #1 (Noticing the others are just as perplexed as she is) - We don't understand. Get what out of you?
TRISH - THEM!!
FEMALE EMT #2 - Who's the them you keep referring to?
TRISH (Thinking these must be a bunch of clueless idiots, but not realizing they are just simply doing their jobs) - The monsters who RAPED me bitch! Who else could I be talking about?
FEMALE EMT #2 (Apologetic, but also trying to explain proceedure) - We're sorry, okay? But unless you tell us these things, we don't know for sure. That's why we ask, okay?
TRISH (Crying and not really caring for the EMT's reason given above) - Whatever. JUST GET 'EM OUT OF ME!!!!
FEMALE EMT #3 - Okay, we'll get started as soon as we can. We just need to call in another doctor. A specialist for your case.
FEMALE EMT #3 instructs one of the nurses to call the Gynecologist on-call and have that person report to the ER stat.
FEMALE EMT #1 (With rape kit in hand) - In the meantime Ms. Martin, we need to take some samples for the lab and the police.
TRISH (Horrified at the thought of dealing with them) - Ohh please don't bring them into this.
FEMALE EMT #1 (Apologetic yet simply pointing out a fact) -I'm sorry ma'am, but the law requires it.
Trish just cries softly. Meanwhile the three EMTs prepare themselves and get the neccessary equipment setup for the sample taking and are now ready to prepare their patient
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN
SCENE THREE - Office of Dr. Holly Madison, OB/GYN
Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton has just gone in for a checkup to see what is causing her stomach pains which she's had in the mornings for the last few days. As we pick up the scene now, we see her and her gynecolegist Dr. Holly Madison in an examination room. Stephanie has just explained to her where she's feeling the pain, how bad it is, etc. Holly is now explaining how she plans to address the issues Stephanie could be facing and laying out her options.
DR. MADISON - Now what I plan to do is administer a battery of tests, okay.
STEPHANIE - Okay.
DR. MADISON - Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this.
STEPHANIE (Thinking that Dr. Madison has no idea how RELIEVED she would be) - Ohh that would be sssssooooooooo WONDERFUL.
Just then, one of the office nurses peeks her head inside
NURSE - Dr. Madison, you have a call from the ER.
DR. MADISON - Thank you. I'll take it in the other room. (In a near-whispering fashion as she approaches the door in preparation to leave the room) - Meanwhile, call the lab and have a pregnancy test sent over.
NURSE - Yes doctor.
DR. MADISON (Being honest, yet not wanting to get Stephanie's hopes up or throw her into a panic as she doesn't know Stephanie's social life beyond what she needs to know to treat her) - I'm having a pregnancy test sent over.
STEPHANIE (A little mystified, yet realizing that Holly is just covering all the bases, starting with what could be the most obvious) - Okay...
DR. MADISON - Hopefully that's all it is. If so, then you've got a little bun in the oven. If it isn't, we're gonna have to take some more extreme measures. Either way, I gotta take this call. I'll be back in a few minutes.
Dr. Madison exits before Stephanie can get a word in edgewise. Meanwhile Stephanie thinks she smells news and decides to do a little snooping. As Dr. Madison enters the room next to her, Stephanie puts her head to the wall, making sure to face the door in case someone walks in. Stephanie can hear Dr. Madison talking on a telephone in the room
DR. MADISON (To the ER Staff member on the phone as Stephanie listens in from the adjacent exam room she's in) - This is Dr. Madison....Yes.....Really?......How long ago?.....Are you sure she's a possible rape victim?....Have you started a rape kit?.....Okay, I'll be over there in a few minutes.......I've got a patient right now.....As soon as I discharge her, I'll be over there.....Thank you.
The call ends and Stephanie returns to the exam table as though she did nothing since Dr. Madison left. Just then, the nurse walks in and tells Stephanie that it'll take a few minutes for the test to arrive, but that it will be administered once it does. Meanwhile Stephanie, who is torn between finding out who was raped and what the potential story could be and waiting to deal with her own medical issues. Stephanie decides to wait, figuring that in all likelihood that since the patient is in the ER, they'll be moving at a near-snail's pace anyway.A minute later, she hears Dr. Madison talking to one of the nurses telling her that Stephanie can go once she's taken the pregnancy test. The nurse then walks into the examination room where Stephanie is and tells her she can leave as soon as she takes the pregnancy test as per instructed by Dr. Madison.
SCENE FOUR - Stacy's House
Brad & Stacy are enjoying their breakfast. Michelle, having already had breakfast, is enjoying a cup of coffee. As we pick up the scene, the doorbell has rung. Stacy goes to answer it and finds Michael standing on the other side.
STACY (A little, but pleasantly, surprised) - Michael.
MICAHEL (Dry & serious) - Can I come in?
STACY (Opening the door to let him in) - Ohh of course. Where are my manners?
Michael steps inside.
STACY (Continuing) - Can I get you anything? A cup of coffee perhaps?
MICHAEL - No, but you can get me Trish if she's here.
STACY (Wondering what Michael is talking about and knowing she hasn't seen Trish all morning and has the surprised to show for it) - I haven't seen or spoken to her all morning.
MICHELLE (Overhearing the conversation) - You mean she never came home last night?
Brad walks into the living room just as Michelle spoke and now has a disturbed look on his face unaware of the fact that Michael was at the Fon Du Lac till closing the night before
MICHAEL (Somewhat surprised at Michelle's prescence, but nonetheless continuing) - No. Her bed doesn't even look slept in or anything.
MICHELLE (Now with a worried look on her face) - Boy that is worrysome.
BRAD (Confused & wanting to know what's going on) - Wait....Wait....Wait. Would either of you two care to tell me what's going on here?
MICHAEL (Frankfully & sighing as he begins) - I was at the Fon Du Lac from about a little after 7:00 PM till closing last night. I had a date with Trish. For some strange, inexplicable reason, she never showed up. In fact, this morning, I woke up only to discover that her side of the bed didn't even look slept in.
BRAD (Still confused) - So?
MICHAEL (Thinking that Trish's own brother must be DENSE or something) SO?? Something's wrong. That's gotta be it. But what?
STACY (Trying to be calm and thinking there must be some rationale reason as to why her best friend would even consider doing such a thing to Michael) - Well okay, but what sort of proof do you have?
MICHAEL (Pulling out from his leather jacket pocket the note he found atop the fireplace earlier) - This note.
Brad, Stacy & Michelle each read the note as they pass it on to each other after reading it themselves.
MICHAEL (Continuing) - I went to that store before coming over here. It's a crime scene.
STACY (Trying to keep calm and trying to rationalize the situation) - Well maybe it became a crime scene before Trish even got there.
MICHAEL (Thinking Stacy must REALLY be dense) - Stace....If that were the case, don't you think Trish would be safe & sound by now?
MICHELLE (Getting one of her infamously accurate really bad feelings on the whole situation and is about to hit the proverbial panic button) - Well either way, this is REALLY troublesome guys. I've got a really bad feeling about this. And Stace, you know me well enough to know that when I get one of those, I'm usually right about these things.
STACY - All I'm saying is let's not hit the proverbial panic button here. Let's just wait till we know more.
BRAD - Well Stace, if Trish is in some kind of trouble, we need to help her. Only question is HOW???
STACY - I don't know.
MICHAEL - Well I DO know. And since she's obviously not here, I'm going to the one place where she can go to get help - The police station.
STACY - Sure you won't stay for a cup of coffee?
MICHAEL - I'm sure. Thanks.
STACY - Okay.
Stacy opens the front door and Michael exits.
SCENE FIVE - Cedarville High School Student Parking Lot
Aruba Al Faheed has just pulled into the student parking lot of Cedarville High School and parked his car. As we pick up the scene now, he is on his way into the school when he is approached by a gang of students who have bullied him in the past.
BULLY #1 - Hey! Just where do you think YOU are going towelhead?
ARUBA (Wanting to avoid another confrontation) - Inside to go to class. Excuse me.
BULLY #1 - Whoa man! You ain't leavin' this bomb in [i]OUR[/i] parking lot. This is for the student body to park [b]WORKING[/b] cars. Cars with bombs don't qualify.
All the other members of the group express their shared sentiment.
BULLY #4 (Noticing his car next to Aruba's) - Hey! You parked this bomb next to [b]MY[/b] classic beauty. This is a '67 Ford Mustang Fastback. My father drove this when he was a teenager. In fact, he was a graduate of this school.
ARUBA (Trying to be reassuring) - There's no bomb in or otherwise attached to my car.
BULLY #4 (Adamant & shouting) - HOW DO I KNOW THAT?
ARUBA - Trust me. There's no bomb.
BULLY #4 (Sarcastically laughing and sticking his thumbs up like The Fonz from Happy Days) - Trust him he says. Look man, Move it before I start moving some of your body parts - NOW DUDE
Just then Ashleigh, Aruba's girlfriend approaches.
ASHLEIGH (Adamant & Demanding) - Leave him ALONE!!
Aruba turns to look at Ashleigh with an embarrassed look on his face. Meanwhile Bully #4 stands toe-to-toe with Aruba with his football player body build and clenches his fists. Another bully who's a member of the school's wrestling team, stands alongside Bully #4. Aruba brazenly remains unfazed by their muscular builds (Not to mention the very presence of his girlfriend Ashleigh), however the others are laughing and saying things like Look who's come to your rescue and the like as they taunt Aruba and start turning their attention towards Ashleigh. Just as they do, Juaquendo and a few of Aruba's "other" friends show up to help turn the tides in Aruba's favor.
SCENE SIX - Cedarville Memorial Hospital
Trish is still laying on a stretcher in the ER and is frantically if not hysterically crying as she shows reaction to the physical trauma she sustained. A few minutes earlier, the staff treating her indicated they needed to call in a specialist - Gynecologist Dr. Holly Madison. As we pick up the scene now, Dr. Madison has just been briefed about Trish's case and has just walked into the cubicle where Trish is.
DR. MADISON (As she's walking in, not realizing that she's walking in on one of her patients) - Ms. Martin...
TRISH (Recognizing Dr. Madison) - Dr. Madison....Ohh god....Please help.
DR. MADISON - We're doing everything we can, okay? Just bear with us.
Dr. Madison steps out momentarily to confer with the staff treating her to get a status report on the rape kit and several other things, including the arrival of detectives from the Cedarville PD. When she returns, she returns with several ER staff members, one of whom has the rape kit in hand. Dr. Madison directs the staff on what needs to be done and advises Trish to that effect. Trish does what she can to comply with the requests, but stresses how difficult some of them are hard to comply with.
TRISH (As one of the staff members is retrieving tissue samples from deep inside her womb) - This is so hard.
DR. MADISON - We're just about done.
Meanwhile, back at Dr. Madison's office, Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton decides to follow her nose for news by heading on over to the ER. As we pick up this portion of the scene now, she is seen leaving the room and taking the pregnancy test she has just taken over to the nurse, who then takes the test from Stephanie and then discharges Stephanie, again as per instructed by Dr. Madison.
STEPHANIE (Talking to herself) - Okay, now to get to the ER....
Stephanie makes her way over to the hospital and enters through the main entrance. She meanders her way through the hospital until she reaches the Emergency Department, which obviously houses the ER. She then starts looking for what she thinks might be the story she's looking for. Just as she's about to give up, she notices a bunch of people around a patient. But before she can get any closer, someone approaches her
STAFF MEMBER (To Stephanie, thinking she may be in need of help) - Can I help you?
STEPHANIE (Not convinced the staff member can be of any help, but thankful anyway) - No thanks.
The staff member walks away. As they do, Stephanie grows more and more curious about the crowd of staff members and the patient they are around. One staff member is seen almost kneeling as he performs a procedure while the others are simply milling around the patient. Then all of a sudden, Stephanie sees the patient's face and is now petrified.
STEPHANIE (Recognizing the face as likely being that of Trish) - Ohh my god. That can't be Trish. It can't be.
SCENE SEVEN
Michelle is now back at the FonDuLac Hotel. As we pick up the scene now, she is in the Grand Ballroom with a bunch of her staff playing traffic cop as it were by directing people where to go, what to do, etc.
MICHELLE (Directing traffic) - Put this over there.....Put that over here....No...No.....Move that....That's it....No, don't touch that.
Just then her father walks in
THOMAS (Admiring his princess as he walks into the room, half-surprised to see her) - Well....Well....Well. If it isn't my darling princess...
Michelle suddenly turns around at the sound of her father's voice
MICHELLE (Very surprised to see him - And only mildly delighted at that - With a strange look on her face) - Daddy? What the hell are you doing here?
The camera snaps over to Thomas, who has a puzzled and perplexed look on his face that says That's a hell of a greeting. The camera then snaps back at Michelle who still has the same strange look on her face as above as the camera fades to black.
On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
* Cassandra gets word on her case from Stanley. Could she be headed for court?
* Now that Michelle's father has made his Grand Entrance, why is Michelle NOT excited to see him?
* Stephanie gets the results from her pregnancy test. Could she be?
All this & more on the NEXT edition of AGAINST THE STORM
CUE ATS STANDARD CLOSE (Windows Media Link)
COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE
This site is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any character, place or event is totally coincidental. All images INCLUDING those used as cast members, are used on this site are solely intended for illustrative purposes and in no way support, endorse or show any participation on the subjects behalves.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Due to the sensitive nature of this episode, this episode may not be suitable for some readers. As such, reader discretion is advised.
SCENE ONE - The Law Offices Of Stanley A. Finch
As we open up this episode, the kniving Cassandra Whitmore has just received a call from her new attorney Stanley Finch asking her to come into his office. As we pick up the scene now, we see her approaching the door to Stanley's office. She is carrying little Christopher with her.
CASSANDRA (Confirming to herself that she has the right office suite) - Yep this is it.
Cassandra walks in only to find that his receptionist isn't at her desk. Given this, she decides to approach the door to Stanley's office. As she does, she hears what appears to be Debbie Stevens, whom he had spent the night with, trying to hit on him. Wanting to know what's going on, she barges into Stanley's office.
CASSANDRA (As she enters the room) - What the hell is going on here? (To Debbie) - What are YOU doing here?
STANLEY (Trying to explain himself) - I was just trying to tell that I had some work to do and that I had a client coming in.
CASSANDRA (Unimpressed and hardly fooled with Stanley's explaination, though looking more at Debbie with her suspicious eyes than at Stanley) - I can see.
STANLEY (Wondering how Cassandra got passed his receptionist) - Where's my receptionist?
CASSANDRA (Still staring at Debbie with her suspicious eyes as she answers Stanley's question) - Dunno. Wasn't there I arrived. (Now walking toward Debbie) - Maybe the tramp here PAID her to take an early coffee break.
DEBBIE (Having just about enough of Cassandra's looks and overall attitude while obviously sporting one of her own and not afraid to show it off either) - I'm not a tramp, which is which is A LOT considering what I can say about you. (Now noticing Christopher's prescence in the room as she reaches to-toe-toe range of Cassandra) - Ohh wait a minute. Not only are you a fuckin' tramp, you're a fuckin' babymaking slut as well. How's the little babymaking factory of yours these days? Business still good?
Cassandra puts Christopher down on the floor and prepares to take a swing a Debbie
DEBBIE (Putting her hands on her hips & shaking them from right to left in a pompant, arrogant manner, daring Cassandra to take a swing at her while Cassandra's fury continues to build) - Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that IS your son, right? And Leo McFadden IS his father, right? Tell me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that's what you're here to see Stanley for, right?
STANLEY (Attempting to break the ladies up) - ALRIGHT LADIES. Now I don't know what sort of past the two of you share, nor right now do I even care. But whatever it is, it won't be carried out here. So, why don't we just forget this all happened.
Cassandra and Debbie don't even hear Stanley and just look at each other as they mimmick each other's "Bring It" facial expressions and body movements, still standing toe-to-toe as well.
STANLEY (Trying to wedge himself between the two of them to get Debbie's attention) - I'll talk to you later sweetie?
Debbie doesn't answer. Instead she just slowly - Very slowly - Backs away from Cassandra, still staring at her with her "Bring it" face and mimmicking her head movements as Cassandra does the same while standing still. Debbie ultimately exits - Walking backwards as she does. Stanley then turns to Cassandra, wondering just what he saw and just what, if any, impact, their grudge will have on her case.
SCENE TWO - Cedarville Memorial Hospital
Trish is laying on a stretcher in the ER and is frantically if not hysterically crying as she shows reaction to the physical trauma she sustained as the staff tries to figure out what happened to her. As we pick up the scene, she's laying on the stretcher in an almost near-fetal position
TRISH (Crying) - Get them out of me
FEMALE EMT #1 (Noticing the others are just as perplexed as she is) - We don't understand. Get what out of you?
TRISH - THEM!!
FEMALE EMT #2 - Who's the them you keep referring to?
TRISH (Thinking these must be a bunch of clueless idiots, but not realizing they are just simply doing their jobs) - The monsters who RAPED me bitch! Who else could I be talking about?
FEMALE EMT #2 (Apologetic, but also trying to explain proceedure) - We're sorry, okay? But unless you tell us these things, we don't know for sure. That's why we ask, okay?
TRISH (Crying and not really caring for the EMT's reason given above) - Whatever. JUST GET 'EM OUT OF ME!!!!
FEMALE EMT #3 - Okay, we'll get started as soon as we can. We just need to call in another doctor. A specialist for your case.
FEMALE EMT #3 instructs one of the nurses to call the Gynecologist on-call and have that person report to the ER stat.
FEMALE EMT #1 (With rape kit in hand) - In the meantime Ms. Martin, we need to take some samples for the lab and the police.
TRISH (Horrified at the thought of dealing with them) - Ohh please don't bring them into this.
FEMALE EMT #1 (Apologetic yet simply pointing out a fact) -I'm sorry ma'am, but the law requires it.
Trish just cries softly. Meanwhile the three EMTs prepare themselves and get the neccessary equipment setup for the sample taking and are now ready to prepare their patient
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN
SCENE THREE - Office of Dr. Holly Madison, OB/GYN
Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton has just gone in for a checkup to see what is causing her stomach pains which she's had in the mornings for the last few days. As we pick up the scene now, we see her and her gynecolegist Dr. Holly Madison in an examination room. Stephanie has just explained to her where she's feeling the pain, how bad it is, etc. Holly is now explaining how she plans to address the issues Stephanie could be facing and laying out her options.
DR. MADISON - Now what I plan to do is administer a battery of tests, okay.
STEPHANIE - Okay.
DR. MADISON - Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this.
STEPHANIE (Thinking that Dr. Madison has no idea how RELIEVED she would be) - Ohh that would be sssssooooooooo WONDERFUL.
Just then, one of the office nurses peeks her head inside
NURSE - Dr. Madison, you have a call from the ER.
DR. MADISON - Thank you. I'll take it in the other room. (In a near-whispering fashion as she approaches the door in preparation to leave the room) - Meanwhile, call the lab and have a pregnancy test sent over.
NURSE - Yes doctor.
DR. MADISON (Being honest, yet not wanting to get Stephanie's hopes up or throw her into a panic as she doesn't know Stephanie's social life beyond what she needs to know to treat her) - I'm having a pregnancy test sent over.
STEPHANIE (A little mystified, yet realizing that Holly is just covering all the bases, starting with what could be the most obvious) - Okay...
DR. MADISON - Hopefully that's all it is. If so, then you've got a little bun in the oven. If it isn't, we're gonna have to take some more extreme measures. Either way, I gotta take this call. I'll be back in a few minutes.
Dr. Madison exits before Stephanie can get a word in edgewise. Meanwhile Stephanie thinks she smells news and decides to do a little snooping. As Dr. Madison enters the room next to her, Stephanie puts her head to the wall, making sure to face the door in case someone walks in. Stephanie can hear Dr. Madison talking on a telephone in the room
DR. MADISON (To the ER Staff member on the phone as Stephanie listens in from the adjacent exam room she's in) - This is Dr. Madison....Yes.....Really?......How long ago?.....Are you sure she's a possible rape victim?....Have you started a rape kit?.....Okay, I'll be over there in a few minutes.......I've got a patient right now.....As soon as I discharge her, I'll be over there.....Thank you.
The call ends and Stephanie returns to the exam table as though she did nothing since Dr. Madison left. Just then, the nurse walks in and tells Stephanie that it'll take a few minutes for the test to arrive, but that it will be administered once it does. Meanwhile Stephanie, who is torn between finding out who was raped and what the potential story could be and waiting to deal with her own medical issues. Stephanie decides to wait, figuring that in all likelihood that since the patient is in the ER, they'll be moving at a near-snail's pace anyway.A minute later, she hears Dr. Madison talking to one of the nurses telling her that Stephanie can go once she's taken the pregnancy test. The nurse then walks into the examination room where Stephanie is and tells her she can leave as soon as she takes the pregnancy test as per instructed by Dr. Madison.
SCENE FOUR - Stacy's House
Brad & Stacy are enjoying their breakfast. Michelle, having already had breakfast, is enjoying a cup of coffee. As we pick up the scene, the doorbell has rung. Stacy goes to answer it and finds Michael standing on the other side.
STACY (A little, but pleasantly, surprised) - Michael.
MICAHEL (Dry & serious) - Can I come in?
STACY (Opening the door to let him in) - Ohh of course. Where are my manners?
Michael steps inside.
STACY (Continuing) - Can I get you anything? A cup of coffee perhaps?
MICHAEL - No, but you can get me Trish if she's here.
STACY (Wondering what Michael is talking about and knowing she hasn't seen Trish all morning and has the surprised to show for it) - I haven't seen or spoken to her all morning.
MICHELLE (Overhearing the conversation) - You mean she never came home last night?
Brad walks into the living room just as Michelle spoke and now has a disturbed look on his face unaware of the fact that Michael was at the Fon Du Lac till closing the night before
MICHAEL (Somewhat surprised at Michelle's prescence, but nonetheless continuing) - No. Her bed doesn't even look slept in or anything.
MICHELLE (Now with a worried look on her face) - Boy that is worrysome.
BRAD (Confused & wanting to know what's going on) - Wait....Wait....Wait. Would either of you two care to tell me what's going on here?
MICHAEL (Frankfully & sighing as he begins) - I was at the Fon Du Lac from about a little after 7:00 PM till closing last night. I had a date with Trish. For some strange, inexplicable reason, she never showed up. In fact, this morning, I woke up only to discover that her side of the bed didn't even look slept in.
BRAD (Still confused) - So?
MICHAEL (Thinking that Trish's own brother must be DENSE or something) SO?? Something's wrong. That's gotta be it. But what?
STACY (Trying to be calm and thinking there must be some rationale reason as to why her best friend would even consider doing such a thing to Michael) - Well okay, but what sort of proof do you have?
MICHAEL (Pulling out from his leather jacket pocket the note he found atop the fireplace earlier) - This note.
Brad, Stacy & Michelle each read the note as they pass it on to each other after reading it themselves.
MICHAEL (Continuing) - I went to that store before coming over here. It's a crime scene.
STACY (Trying to keep calm and trying to rationalize the situation) - Well maybe it became a crime scene before Trish even got there.
MICHAEL (Thinking Stacy must REALLY be dense) - Stace....If that were the case, don't you think Trish would be safe & sound by now?
MICHELLE (Getting one of her infamously accurate really bad feelings on the whole situation and is about to hit the proverbial panic button) - Well either way, this is REALLY troublesome guys. I've got a really bad feeling about this. And Stace, you know me well enough to know that when I get one of those, I'm usually right about these things.
STACY - All I'm saying is let's not hit the proverbial panic button here. Let's just wait till we know more.
BRAD - Well Stace, if Trish is in some kind of trouble, we need to help her. Only question is HOW???
STACY - I don't know.
MICHAEL - Well I DO know. And since she's obviously not here, I'm going to the one place where she can go to get help - The police station.
STACY - Sure you won't stay for a cup of coffee?
MICHAEL - I'm sure. Thanks.
STACY - Okay.
Stacy opens the front door and Michael exits.
SCENE FIVE - Cedarville High School Student Parking Lot
Aruba Al Faheed has just pulled into the student parking lot of Cedarville High School and parked his car. As we pick up the scene now, he is on his way into the school when he is approached by a gang of students who have bullied him in the past.
BULLY #1 - Hey! Just where do you think YOU are going towelhead?
ARUBA (Wanting to avoid another confrontation) - Inside to go to class. Excuse me.
BULLY #1 - Whoa man! You ain't leavin' this bomb in [i]OUR[/i] parking lot. This is for the student body to park [b]WORKING[/b] cars. Cars with bombs don't qualify.
All the other members of the group express their shared sentiment.
BULLY #4 (Noticing his car next to Aruba's) - Hey! You parked this bomb next to [b]MY[/b] classic beauty. This is a '67 Ford Mustang Fastback. My father drove this when he was a teenager. In fact, he was a graduate of this school.
ARUBA (Trying to be reassuring) - There's no bomb in or otherwise attached to my car.
BULLY #4 (Adamant & shouting) - HOW DO I KNOW THAT?
ARUBA - Trust me. There's no bomb.
BULLY #4 (Sarcastically laughing and sticking his thumbs up like The Fonz from Happy Days) - Trust him he says. Look man, Move it before I start moving some of your body parts - NOW DUDE
Just then Ashleigh, Aruba's girlfriend approaches.
ASHLEIGH (Adamant & Demanding) - Leave him ALONE!!
Aruba turns to look at Ashleigh with an embarrassed look on his face. Meanwhile Bully #4 stands toe-to-toe with Aruba with his football player body build and clenches his fists. Another bully who's a member of the school's wrestling team, stands alongside Bully #4. Aruba brazenly remains unfazed by their muscular builds (Not to mention the very presence of his girlfriend Ashleigh), however the others are laughing and saying things like Look who's come to your rescue and the like as they taunt Aruba and start turning their attention towards Ashleigh. Just as they do, Juaquendo and a few of Aruba's "other" friends show up to help turn the tides in Aruba's favor.
SCENE SIX - Cedarville Memorial Hospital
Trish is still laying on a stretcher in the ER and is frantically if not hysterically crying as she shows reaction to the physical trauma she sustained. A few minutes earlier, the staff treating her indicated they needed to call in a specialist - Gynecologist Dr. Holly Madison. As we pick up the scene now, Dr. Madison has just been briefed about Trish's case and has just walked into the cubicle where Trish is.
DR. MADISON (As she's walking in, not realizing that she's walking in on one of her patients) - Ms. Martin...
TRISH (Recognizing Dr. Madison) - Dr. Madison....Ohh god....Please help.
DR. MADISON - We're doing everything we can, okay? Just bear with us.
Dr. Madison steps out momentarily to confer with the staff treating her to get a status report on the rape kit and several other things, including the arrival of detectives from the Cedarville PD. When she returns, she returns with several ER staff members, one of whom has the rape kit in hand. Dr. Madison directs the staff on what needs to be done and advises Trish to that effect. Trish does what she can to comply with the requests, but stresses how difficult some of them are hard to comply with.
TRISH (As one of the staff members is retrieving tissue samples from deep inside her womb) - This is so hard.
DR. MADISON - We're just about done.
Meanwhile, back at Dr. Madison's office, Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton decides to follow her nose for news by heading on over to the ER. As we pick up this portion of the scene now, she is seen leaving the room and taking the pregnancy test she has just taken over to the nurse, who then takes the test from Stephanie and then discharges Stephanie, again as per instructed by Dr. Madison.
STEPHANIE (Talking to herself) - Okay, now to get to the ER....
Stephanie makes her way over to the hospital and enters through the main entrance. She meanders her way through the hospital until she reaches the Emergency Department, which obviously houses the ER. She then starts looking for what she thinks might be the story she's looking for. Just as she's about to give up, she notices a bunch of people around a patient. But before she can get any closer, someone approaches her
STAFF MEMBER (To Stephanie, thinking she may be in need of help) - Can I help you?
STEPHANIE (Not convinced the staff member can be of any help, but thankful anyway) - No thanks.
The staff member walks away. As they do, Stephanie grows more and more curious about the crowd of staff members and the patient they are around. One staff member is seen almost kneeling as he performs a procedure while the others are simply milling around the patient. Then all of a sudden, Stephanie sees the patient's face and is now petrified.
STEPHANIE (Recognizing the face as likely being that of Trish) - Ohh my god. That can't be Trish. It can't be.
SCENE SEVEN
Michelle is now back at the FonDuLac Hotel. As we pick up the scene now, she is in the Grand Ballroom with a bunch of her staff playing traffic cop as it were by directing people where to go, what to do, etc.
MICHELLE (Directing traffic) - Put this over there.....Put that over here....No...No.....Move that....That's it....No, don't touch that.
Just then her father walks in
THOMAS (Admiring his princess as he walks into the room, half-surprised to see her) - Well....Well....Well. If it isn't my darling princess...
Michelle suddenly turns around at the sound of her father's voice
MICHELLE (Very surprised to see him - And only mildly delighted at that - With a strange look on her face) - Daddy? What the hell are you doing here?
The camera snaps over to Thomas, who has a puzzled and perplexed look on his face that says That's a hell of a greeting. The camera then snaps back at Michelle who still has the same strange look on her face as above as the camera fades to black.
On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
* Cassandra gets word on her case from Stanley. Could she be headed for court?
* Now that Michelle's father has made his Grand Entrance, why is Michelle NOT excited to see him?
* Stephanie gets the results from her pregnancy test. Could she be?
All this & more on the NEXT edition of AGAINST THE STORM
CUE ATS STANDARD CLOSE (Windows Media Link)
COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE
This site is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any character, place or event is totally coincidental. All images INCLUDING those used as cast members, are used on this site are solely intended for illustrative purposes and in no way support, endorse or show any participation on the subjects behalves.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Episode 25 - Trish's Rescue
Due to the sensitive nature of parts of this episode, this episode may not be suitable for some readers. As such, reader discretion is advised
SCENE ONE - Alongside A Remote Highway
As we begin, we see Trish wandering as best as she can up a remote highway. A second later, two people, John & Martha Mahoney, spot Trish walking down the road alongside them. As we pick up the scene, Martha is trying to convince John to stop so they can pick up Trish.
MARTHA (Seeing Trish in the condition she's in) - Ohh honey...Let's stop and see if we can help this woman out. She looks like she can use it.
JOHN (In his usual New Jersey-style candor) - Are you kidding? She's a slut. Just look at her.
Just then, Martha notices what appears to be red spots on Trish's body.
MARTHA (Adamant) - Honey, she looks like she's been beaten to a pulp. I really think we should stop and help her out.
JOHN (Caving in even though he has no idea why he's even bothering) - Alright if you insist, though I have no idea WHY we're even doing this....
MARTHA (Fondly smiling) - Because after 35 years of marriage, I should know what you'll know by now.
John pulls the car over next to Trish as Martha gets Trish's attention
MARTHA (To Trish) - Can we offer you a ride?
TRISH (In response but also in denial and shame) - No. It's alright. Thank you.
MARTHA (Seeing the denial and shame) - I really think you should come with us.
JOHN - Honey....She said NO. What part of that word do you not understand?
Martha looks back at John and brushes him off.
MARTHA (Getting out of the car and opening the back door) - Here, you can have the back seat.
JOHN (Now pleading with his wife as Trish contemplates as to whether or not she wants to get in the car or not) - But honey
MARTHA (Fed up with John's pleading) - Ohh go blow it out your horn.
Just then, Trish sees the comfort Martha is trying to provide and realizes that she's in safe hands until she gets back to Cedarville. As such, she accepts the offer by getting in the back of the car. Back on the road again, Martha tries talking to Trish to get her to tell how she ended up alongside a road in the condition she's in.
MARTHA (To Trish) - Sweetie...What's your name?
Trish (Not wanting to reveal her real identity to a pair of complete strangers and still in shame for what happened to her) - Jane.
MARTHA - What happened to you?
JOHN (Before "Jane" can answer and in frustration over Martha's sudden obsession with their now equally-sudden back seat passenger and thinking that she should mind her own business) - Martha, what's with all the 20 questions? I think we have a fairly good idea what "happened" to her. Don't you think?
MARTHA - Not in the least. And if you had any sense at all, you wouldn't either.
Martha turns back to face Trish
MARTHA (Continuing) - Something happened to her. Question is WHAT?
JOHN - Well whatever IT is, it's no doubt NONE OF OUR BUSINESS.
Martha smirks in John's direction and sighs as Trish shyfully looks on in shame
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN
SCENE TWO - Greg & Stephanie's House
Greg & Stephanie are seen in the bedroom of their house. As we pick up the scene, Stephanie awakens to a mysterious pain in her belly that's been bothering her for the last several days, but only in the mornings.
STEPHANIE (Grunting and groaning and semi-mumbling as she tosses and turns in bed) - Ugh....uhh....ehh...ohhh....
GREG (Laying in bed next to her and distubed by what he's seeing and hearing) - Steph? You okay sweetie?
Stephanie grunts and groans a few more times and then....
STEPHANIE (Yelling and now sitting up in bed awake, albeit barely, and doubled-over, and groping her belly) - OWWWWW!!
This sudden move scares Greg and has him concerned about Stephanie's well being. Meanwhile Stephanie is still reeling from the big throng of pain and is feeling like she had been hit by a mack truck
STEPHANIE (Still in a daze, half asleep, and looks over at Greg as if he was just a witness of a traffic accident she was just in) - You didn't happen to catch the license plate number of the mack truck that just hit me, did you?
GREG (Perplexed & puzzled) - Steph - What are you talking about?
Stephanie begins to snap herself to reality and wake up and realizes that it just felt as though she were hit by a mack truck
STEPHANIE (Starting to gather her wits & wake up) - Ohh... What time is it?
GREG (With a smile, knowing that everything is now okay) - It's time [Long pause] to get up.
STEPHANIE (Sarcastically and non-chalantly as she drops her head back down onto her pillow) - Ohh...Is that all?? Wake me up when the world comes to an end.
GREG - Honey, you really should see the doctor about this. She just might be able to figure out what it is and prescribe something for it.
STEPHANIE (Not in the mood for a fight with Greg over the matter) - Greg, please don't get me started. I'm not in the mood right now.
GREG - All I'm saying is that it wouldn't hurt to see the doctor on the matter. That's all.
STEPHANIE - I'll schedule an appointment.
GREG - You keep saying it, but you don't do it. C'mon, if you don't do it me, then do it for yourself - PLEASE???
STEPHANIE (Rising up in bed in anger & frustration and looking at Greg) - Ohh...ALRIGHT. I'll WALK IN and see her. Satisfied now?
GREG - For now, yes.
STEPHANIE - Great. Now can I rest a little longer to gather my wits before I start my day? (Putting the tips of her fingers to her forehead) - My head is still spinning and feels like it's on a fuckin' swivel.
SCENE THREE - Trish & Michael's House
Michael is seen waking up from a restful night's sleep after his "date" the previous evening. But as he wakes up, he is surprised to see that it looks as though Trish never came home and, as we now pick up the scene is left wondering what could've kept her out all night.
MICHAEL (To himself and now getting worried) - Her pillow doesn't even look slept on. What could've possibly kept her out ALL NIGHT?? (Shaking his head) - I don't get it.
He gets up & starts looking all over the house.
MICHAEL (Continuing as he enters the living room) - Yo Trish, you in here?
After noticing Trish is not in the living room, he heads for the kitchen
MICHAEL (Now frustrated, but still in his Philadelphia-style Italian sense of humor, thinking Trish is playing some game) - C'mon babe. This isn't fair. If you don't come out of hiding, I'm gonna find you. When I do, I'm gonna hug you and kiss you. (Jokingly) Then I'll ground you for life.
He walks into the kitchen, but doesn't see Trish
MICHAEL (Now giving up) - Okay babe, c'mon. Where....
He spots the note atop the fireplace
MICHAEL (Walking over to it) - What's this?
He picks it up and opens it
MICHAEL (Reading the note) - Gone to Mr. Gamble's. Will meet you at the restaurant at 7:30. Love, Trish
MICHAEL (Staring and the note and thinking aloud) - This was last night.
He folds the note back up
MICHAEL (Downplaying the significance of the note somewhat) - Ohh well. She's grown kinda fond of the ol' geezer. Maybe I'll go see him. Maybe he's seen her.
Michael goes back into the bedroom to get dressed, making certain to take the note with him
Meanwhile at David & Marcie's house....
Marcie strolls her way into the kitchen, where we see David, who has just spent much of the night watching TV and drinking coffee. As we pick up the scene now, Marcie strolls into the kitchen just as David is pouring himself YET ANOTHER cup of coffee.
MARCIE (Still half asleep and in her night gown as she mumbles to David) - Mornin'
DAVID (Pouring a cup of coffee and non-chalant) - Mornin'
MARCIE (Seeing the coffee) - Good. I need a fuckin' OCEAN of Starbucks today.
DAVID - I couldn't sleep a wink.
MARCIE - Yeah. I noticed.
DAVID - Too worried about Trish. She's out there. And the worst part of it all is we can't find her. And even if we could, we the Captain wouldn't let us within 10 feet of the case. THAT is what has me riled up.
MARCIE - Honey, I'd just assume not talk about that right now. Mind if I have some breakfast first?
DAVID - Go ahead. I don't see anyone stopping you. In the meantime, I think I'll turn on the morning news. Maybe there's something on there about it.
MARCIE - Alright.
Marcie grabs a coffee cup and walks over to the perculator, but notices that David took the last cup
MARCIE (Shouting to David in the living room out of anger and, predominately, frustration) - You HAD to take THE last cup, didn't you???
Marcie walks over to the cabinet where the coffee can is stored, slams it down on the counter and then takes the lid off in near-ripping fashion. She does the same thing to the coffee filters, taking out of those and later angrily inserting it into the coffee pot. Next, she non-chalantly scoops out some coffee and firmly puts it into the filter for perculation
SCENE FOUR - John & Martha's Car
John & Martha are enroute back to Cedarville with,unbeknownst to them, have picked up rape victim Trish Martin on the highway. As we pick up the scene, John & Martha are still arguing and are now trying to decide what to do with Trish.
JOHN - Look....All I'm saying is she could be a prostitute. Have you even considered that?
MARTHA - John...Have you even noticed the bruises on this woman's face?
JOHN - No because I'm too busy driving and getting us home alive and in one piece.
MARTHA - John, I think she's been raped.
JOHN - How do you know that?
MARTHA - I just do.
Trish begins to doze off to sleep
MARTHA (Noticing Trish's dozing off) - Poor thing looks like she didn't even sleep a wink last night.
JOHN - Not surprising. She probably partied all night in a wild sex party.
MARTHA - Ohh John... (To Trish, catching her in her last waking moment) - Sweetie, where would you like us to drop you off?
TRISH (Barely awake, but still able to speak) - Take me home. Please, just take me home.
Trish falls asleep, much to John's dismay, but not to his surprise
JOHN - Well....All I'm just saying is we don't know anything about this girl. And yet, you've got her in the back seat of our car. And now she's dozed off to sleep.
MARTHA - Well call it Women's Intuition.
JOHN - I prefer to call it STUPIDITY. How do we know she's not a fugitive or a terrorist or an axe murderer or something?
MARTHA - Ohh John....Does she look like someone who could kill anyone?
JOHN - I've seen psychos with nicer looks than hers.
As they travel further and further down the highway, they also get closer and closer to home. Before they know it, the Cedarville skyline can be seen off in the distance.
SCENE FIVE - The Al Faheed Family Residence
As we pick up the scene, Clarita & Khalil Al Faheed can be seen eating their breakfast. Khalil is also reading the newspaper.
CLARITA - Have you any plans today?
KHALIL - Yes. I have a very important meeting.
CLARITA - Ohh....With....Uhhh....What's his name....Michael?
KHALIL - Yes, the architect of the building my company is working on.
Just then, Aruba walks in and grabs a granola bar.
CLARITA (To Aruba) - Good Morning.
Aruba returns the greeting
KHALIL (Noticing that Aruba looks as though he's ready to walk out the door) - Aruba, aren't you going to sit down?
ARUBA - I have no time. Big day ahead.
CLARITA (Concerned about Aruba's apparent choice of malnourishment, not knowing he grabbed a granola bar) - No time for breakfast?
ARUBA - Yes. I've got some big tests today. Well...Gotta run. Later.
Aruba begins to leave.
KHALIL (Calm but firm) - ARUBA.
Aruba stops dead in his tracks upon hearing his name shouted out by Khalil
ARUBA (Not knowing what sort of trouble he got himself into) - Yes father?
KHALIL (Firm) - If there's tradition you will follow while under this roof, it is sitting down at the family table, enjoying the first meal of the day and discussing your plans for the day. I don't care what you have on your schedule. Do I make myself clear?
ARUBA - Yes father.
CLARITA - You're father's right, Aruba. When you walk into those classrooms to take those tests today, it's much better to show up properly nourished and ready to go than to go in there hungry and wishing you had eaten earlier. It's always better that way. I'll get you a bowl of cereal.
ARUBA (Resigned to the fact he's not going to be allowed to leave before he eats breakfast) - Alright, but I really don't have time, which is why I grabbed this granola bar.
KHALIL - Take it with you. You can leave the very second you finish your cereal.
Clarita returns with Aruba's cereal
KHALIL (To Clarita) - So, what plans do you have today?
ARUBA - Yeah Mom...
CLARITA - Ohh....Not much. My assistant and I will mostly be doing inventory to determine what's salvagable and what's not after the vandalism yesterday.
ARUBA - I wished some people here would just grow up and start treating us with more respect.
CLARITA - It's not us they hate. It's the people who claim to represent our best interests - but really don't - who just happen to be our brethren, that they hate.
ARUBA - I know. But between the people who always trash our front yard, the people who vandalized your store and the bullies at school, sometimes I wonder.
CLARITA (In near shock over Aruba's confession) - Aruba, are you being bullied?
ARUBA (Trying to show how much of a man he has become) - Mom, I can handle it.
CLARITA - Well still, you really should tell somebody at school. It's their job to deal with things like that.
KHALIL (Confirming what Clarita just said) - Your mother's right. You really should speak to someone at school. You should speak to your counselor.
ARUBA - Yesterday's incident got the attention of Mr. Beasley, the principal.
CLARITA - What did he say?
ARUBA - He said I should speak to my counselor.
KHALIL - That doesn't sound like a very bad idea.
SCENE SIX - Stacy's House
Brad & Stacy are seen playfully frolicking around in the kitchen. As we pick up the scene, Brad seems ready to pick up where he left off the night before while Stacy wants to eat breakfast first.
BRAD (Jokingly frustrated as Stacy moves about the kitchen, intentionally trying to evade him) - C'mon babe.
Brad finally catches up to her, hugs her body from behind, and begins necking her
STACY (Turning around) - C'mon Brad. Let me at least get breakfast down first.
BRAD (Humorously sarcastic) - You can have breakfast later.
STACY - Yeah well I'm not a hunk of a sex machine like you. Unlike you men, us women require nourishment.
BRAD - I wouldn't exactly call myself a sex machine. But I am INCREDIBLY horny.
STACY (Giggling) - That's obvious.
Just then, the doorbell rings
STACY (Wondering who it could be at her door since she's not expecting anyone) - Better get that...
Stacy heads for the door
BRAD - I'll get it.
STACY - No, that's okay. I've got it.
BRAD - Alright. I'll get breakfast then.
Brad gets out the pancake griddle, waffle maker and ingredients to make pancakes and waffles. Meanwhile Stacy answers the door and finds Michelle on the other side
STACY - Michelle. C'mon in.
MICHELLE - Thanks.
Stacy opens the door and Michelle walks inside
STACY - Can I get you anything?
MICHELLE - No...No thanks. I'm just here on a social call. You know....To take a break from the chaos that is my hotel right now.
STACY (Thinking how weird that sounds) - Ohh??
MICHELLE (Sighing non-chalantly) Yep! I've got 1200 people coming for some huge wildlife preservation convention. As such, as you can probably imagine, the preparations for it inside the place are chaotic to say the least.
Michelle's cell phone rings. She answers it as Stacy goes off to the kitchen to give Michelle some privacy and to check on breakfast
MICHELLE - Michelle here.....No I said 1200.....How many do we have?....700?....Ohh brother....Alright, alright....I'll call Brad and put him on it......Yeah, talk you later.
Michelle hangs up and flips her phone shut as she shakes her head in disbelief and puts her hands on her forehead and over her face as if she was experiencing a headache, but Brad, who overheard the conversation, doesn't pick up on this.
BRAD (To Michelle) - Put me on what?
MICHELLE (Disgusted & thinking Brad might've made a huge screw up) - You know who was just on the phone?
BRAD - Uhh....Well I think I have a fairly good idea.....
MICHELLE (Still showing her anger) - Well that was Rob. (Now wanting to determine if Brad indeed made a mistake) - Just how many of those customized plates did you order last week?
BRAD (Sensing Michelle's anger and wanting to set the record straight) - Well....To be on the safe side, I ordered 1500.
MICHELLE (Realizing Brad didn't make a mistake, but still nevertheless showing her anger) - Well, do you know how many of them showed up? Less than HALF OF THAT.
BRAD (Alarmed) - You're kidding.
MICHELLE (Calming down) - Heh...I wish I were. And here's the clincher - I have a confirmed head count of some 1200 strong coming. You know what THAT means Brad? It means that some 500+ people will be eating off plates which WE own.
BRAD (Wishing that something could be done) - Well there's nothing that can be done now.
MICHELLE (Trying to point out the significance of this disaster and its possible ramnifications) - Brad, you don't get it. Those people paid me to order those customized plates. WE DON'T OWN THEM. They do. And now they're gonna be some 500 short. That affects the hotel's bottom line. Not to mention our image.
BRAD (Trying to calm Michelle down) - Calm down. There's nothing we can do at this point. The convention is TODAY, like it or not. It's attendees are arriving TODAY, like it or not. So, like it or not Michelle, there's nothing we can do.
MICHELLE - Well either way, I need you to go into work and help Rob do damage control, though I haven't the foggiest clue how.
BRAD (Admitting this on a wing and a prayer) - Well I was kind of hoping you'd give me the day off.
MICHELLE (Floored & shocked at what she just heard) - Brad....Have you not been listening???
She begins fumbling for words before continuing
MICHELLE (Continuing, but still reeling from the bombshell Brad just dropped on her and in a panicky state of mind) - No....No.....No. No way Brad. I can't give you the day off. I've got 1200 people coming to the hotel for a convention which is already turning into a disaster. No...I'm sorry Brad.
BRAD (Resigned to the fact that he won't be getting the day off) - Okay...Okay. No need to have a cow over the matter.
MICHELLE (Apologetic) - I'm sorry Brad. Didn't mean to take it all out on you. But I am about to have a cow over the customized plates matter though. I mean HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY SCREW UP THE ORDER LIKE THAT??
Brad shrugs his shoulders. Meanwhile Stacy walks in wondering what could possibly be going on
STACY - What's going on here guys?
MICHELLE - It's nothin'. Just work stuff. Just got a bombshell dropped on me. By the way Brad, what you doing here?
BRAD - Spent the night here
Brad & Stacy wink and look at each other as Stacy pours the coffee for everyone..
SCENE SEVEN - John & Martha's Car
John, Martha & Trish are back in the Cedarville Metropolitan Area. As we pick up the scene, Trish is sleeping while John & Martha argue over where to drop her off.
MARTHA (Trying to be as quiet as possible so as to not wake Trish up) - John, she belongs in the hospital
JOHN (Also trying to be as quitet as possible so as to not wake Trish up, but is also tired of his wife driving him crazy as well) - Martha, she said she wants to go home
MARTHA - Well we don't know where that is so why don't we just drop her off at the hospital and let her get her own ride from there.
JOHN - Well why don't you just simply wake her and find out?
MARTHA (Stunned & shocked he would even make such a suggestion) - JOHN....
JOHN (Finally giving in to Martha in the hopes it'll shut her up) - Alright....Alright. We'll take her to the hospital. But if I catch heat for it from the ER staff, you won't hear the end of it.
Martha shakes her head. Meanwhile, a few minutes later, Cedarville Memorial Hospital is seen off in the distance. A few minutes after that, John pulls off the highway and heads for the ER area of the hospital and pulls in. Almost immediately, one of the ER staff members comes out with a stretcher.
JOHN (To the ER staff member) - We really don't need a stretcher. A wheelchair will suffice.
The staff member heads back in with the stretcher and returns with a wheelchair instead. John, Martha and the ER staff member all help a groggy Trish Martin transfer from the car to the wheelchair. They then escort her into the hospital.
EMT #1 (To John, jokingly) - What'd you manage to drag in this time John?
Other staff members chuckle at the joke. Meanwhile one of the female staff members visually examined
FEMALE EMT #1 (Forming an opinion of their new patient) - Ohh my god. This woman has been violated in every imaginable way possible.
One of the male EMT's takes a closer look at Trish and realizes the seriousness of the situation. As such, he to take the initiative to lead the charge of caring for Trish.
EMT #1 (Now barking out orders & taking charge) - Alright, let's get her on a stretcher and put her in an exam room. Which one is available.
FEMALE EMT #2 - Exam 5.
John & the hospital staff help Trish make the transition from the wheelchair to a waiting stretcher
EMT #1 (Continuing to bark out orders as he continues to take charge) - Alright, let's put her in Exam 5. (Pointing to an ER nurse) - You....Get a rape kit. We'll need one just in case. And get a photographer too while you're at it. The nurse acknowledges the request (Pointing to another ER nurse) - You....Call the police. Tell them we have a female assault victim. Possible rape. The nurse acknowledges the request. John....We're gonna need a statement from you and your wife.
JOHN - Don't worry, you'll have it.
John begins to feel guilty over the things he said about her without closely examining her while in the field
JOHN - My god....What that woman must be going through.
Meanwhile Trish begins to snap out of her sleepy state
TRISH (Confused) - Where am I? Where am I
FEMALE EMT #1 - You're in the hospital, Ma'am. What's your name? Can you tell me your name?
Trish gives the EMT her first name, but does so with great difficulty, which is brought by the shame and guilt she has for what happened to her.
FEMALE EMT #1 - Okay Trish, what's your last name? Can you tell me your last name?
Trish also manages to give the EMT her last name as well, but does so with great difficulty, which is brought by the shame and guilt she has for what happened to her.
FEMALE EMT #1 - Okay Ms. Martin, we're gonna take care of you, okay?
EMT #2 - Yes, we'll take good care of you.
The staff prepare and equip the room to treat Trish for any and all injuries she may have sustained. Meanwhile, one of the staff members speaks with John & his wife to find out what they know, which of course is nothing. The police have been called and a rape kit arrives from the lab
EMT #2 - Think we'll need it?
EMT #1 - I hope not. But just to cover all the bases, it's better that we do.
Suddenly Trish begins to scream out when she notices one of the male EMT's looking between her legs and poking around with his gloved fingers
TRISH (Screaming) - GET THEM OUT OF ME.....GET THEM OUT OF ME.....GET THEM OUT OF ME!!! Ohh god......
The male EMT jumps back and removes his fingers fearing that she was referring to his fingers, but Trish repeats the screams, which leads the staff to thinking she's referring to something else, but they can't figure out what. Meanwhile Trish just lays in the stretcher with her legs closed and crying
TRISH (Crying) - Ohh god. It's so awful.....
Staff members are now perplexed as to what she's talking about. As the scene closes, our virtual camera shows Trish crying as she lays in the stretcher with her legs still closed as the camera fades to black.
On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
* The Al Faheeds are targets of more trouble. Could this be the thing they need to sit down with Stephanie?
* Stephanie complains of a series of morning sickness cases to her doctor. Could she be? Naah...Couldn't be. Could it?
* Cassandra gets word on her case from Stanley. Could she be headed for court?
* Michelle gets a surprise visitor to her hotel, but will it be a pleasant one?
All this & more on the NEXT edition of AGAINST THE STORM
CUE ATS Standard Close (Windows Media Link)
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DISCUSS THIS EPISODE ON THE NEW ATS MESSAGE BOARD
SCENE ONE - Alongside A Remote Highway
As we begin, we see Trish wandering as best as she can up a remote highway. A second later, two people, John & Martha Mahoney, spot Trish walking down the road alongside them. As we pick up the scene, Martha is trying to convince John to stop so they can pick up Trish.
MARTHA (Seeing Trish in the condition she's in) - Ohh honey...Let's stop and see if we can help this woman out. She looks like she can use it.
JOHN (In his usual New Jersey-style candor) - Are you kidding? She's a slut. Just look at her.
Just then, Martha notices what appears to be red spots on Trish's body.
MARTHA (Adamant) - Honey, she looks like she's been beaten to a pulp. I really think we should stop and help her out.
JOHN (Caving in even though he has no idea why he's even bothering) - Alright if you insist, though I have no idea WHY we're even doing this....
MARTHA (Fondly smiling) - Because after 35 years of marriage, I should know what you'll know by now.
John pulls the car over next to Trish as Martha gets Trish's attention
MARTHA (To Trish) - Can we offer you a ride?
TRISH (In response but also in denial and shame) - No. It's alright. Thank you.
MARTHA (Seeing the denial and shame) - I really think you should come with us.
JOHN - Honey....She said NO. What part of that word do you not understand?
Martha looks back at John and brushes him off.
MARTHA (Getting out of the car and opening the back door) - Here, you can have the back seat.
JOHN (Now pleading with his wife as Trish contemplates as to whether or not she wants to get in the car or not) - But honey
MARTHA (Fed up with John's pleading) - Ohh go blow it out your horn.
Just then, Trish sees the comfort Martha is trying to provide and realizes that she's in safe hands until she gets back to Cedarville. As such, she accepts the offer by getting in the back of the car. Back on the road again, Martha tries talking to Trish to get her to tell how she ended up alongside a road in the condition she's in.
MARTHA (To Trish) - Sweetie...What's your name?
Trish (Not wanting to reveal her real identity to a pair of complete strangers and still in shame for what happened to her) - Jane.
MARTHA - What happened to you?
JOHN (Before "Jane" can answer and in frustration over Martha's sudden obsession with their now equally-sudden back seat passenger and thinking that she should mind her own business) - Martha, what's with all the 20 questions? I think we have a fairly good idea what "happened" to her. Don't you think?
MARTHA - Not in the least. And if you had any sense at all, you wouldn't either.
Martha turns back to face Trish
MARTHA (Continuing) - Something happened to her. Question is WHAT?
JOHN - Well whatever IT is, it's no doubt NONE OF OUR BUSINESS.
Martha smirks in John's direction and sighs as Trish shyfully looks on in shame
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN
SCENE TWO - Greg & Stephanie's House
Greg & Stephanie are seen in the bedroom of their house. As we pick up the scene, Stephanie awakens to a mysterious pain in her belly that's been bothering her for the last several days, but only in the mornings.
STEPHANIE (Grunting and groaning and semi-mumbling as she tosses and turns in bed) - Ugh....uhh....ehh...ohhh....
GREG (Laying in bed next to her and distubed by what he's seeing and hearing) - Steph? You okay sweetie?
Stephanie grunts and groans a few more times and then....
STEPHANIE (Yelling and now sitting up in bed awake, albeit barely, and doubled-over, and groping her belly) - OWWWWW!!
This sudden move scares Greg and has him concerned about Stephanie's well being. Meanwhile Stephanie is still reeling from the big throng of pain and is feeling like she had been hit by a mack truck
STEPHANIE (Still in a daze, half asleep, and looks over at Greg as if he was just a witness of a traffic accident she was just in) - You didn't happen to catch the license plate number of the mack truck that just hit me, did you?
GREG (Perplexed & puzzled) - Steph - What are you talking about?
Stephanie begins to snap herself to reality and wake up and realizes that it just felt as though she were hit by a mack truck
STEPHANIE (Starting to gather her wits & wake up) - Ohh... What time is it?
GREG (With a smile, knowing that everything is now okay) - It's time [Long pause] to get up.
STEPHANIE (Sarcastically and non-chalantly as she drops her head back down onto her pillow) - Ohh...Is that all?? Wake me up when the world comes to an end.
GREG - Honey, you really should see the doctor about this. She just might be able to figure out what it is and prescribe something for it.
STEPHANIE (Not in the mood for a fight with Greg over the matter) - Greg, please don't get me started. I'm not in the mood right now.
GREG - All I'm saying is that it wouldn't hurt to see the doctor on the matter. That's all.
STEPHANIE - I'll schedule an appointment.
GREG - You keep saying it, but you don't do it. C'mon, if you don't do it me, then do it for yourself - PLEASE???
STEPHANIE (Rising up in bed in anger & frustration and looking at Greg) - Ohh...ALRIGHT. I'll WALK IN and see her. Satisfied now?
GREG - For now, yes.
STEPHANIE - Great. Now can I rest a little longer to gather my wits before I start my day? (Putting the tips of her fingers to her forehead) - My head is still spinning and feels like it's on a fuckin' swivel.
SCENE THREE - Trish & Michael's House
Michael is seen waking up from a restful night's sleep after his "date" the previous evening. But as he wakes up, he is surprised to see that it looks as though Trish never came home and, as we now pick up the scene is left wondering what could've kept her out all night.
MICHAEL (To himself and now getting worried) - Her pillow doesn't even look slept on. What could've possibly kept her out ALL NIGHT?? (Shaking his head) - I don't get it.
He gets up & starts looking all over the house.
MICHAEL (Continuing as he enters the living room) - Yo Trish, you in here?
After noticing Trish is not in the living room, he heads for the kitchen
MICHAEL (Now frustrated, but still in his Philadelphia-style Italian sense of humor, thinking Trish is playing some game) - C'mon babe. This isn't fair. If you don't come out of hiding, I'm gonna find you. When I do, I'm gonna hug you and kiss you. (Jokingly) Then I'll ground you for life.
He walks into the kitchen, but doesn't see Trish
MICHAEL (Now giving up) - Okay babe, c'mon. Where....
He spots the note atop the fireplace
MICHAEL (Walking over to it) - What's this?
He picks it up and opens it
MICHAEL (Reading the note) - Gone to Mr. Gamble's. Will meet you at the restaurant at 7:30. Love, Trish
MICHAEL (Staring and the note and thinking aloud) - This was last night.
He folds the note back up
MICHAEL (Downplaying the significance of the note somewhat) - Ohh well. She's grown kinda fond of the ol' geezer. Maybe I'll go see him. Maybe he's seen her.
Michael goes back into the bedroom to get dressed, making certain to take the note with him
Meanwhile at David & Marcie's house....
Marcie strolls her way into the kitchen, where we see David, who has just spent much of the night watching TV and drinking coffee. As we pick up the scene now, Marcie strolls into the kitchen just as David is pouring himself YET ANOTHER cup of coffee.
MARCIE (Still half asleep and in her night gown as she mumbles to David) - Mornin'
DAVID (Pouring a cup of coffee and non-chalant) - Mornin'
MARCIE (Seeing the coffee) - Good. I need a fuckin' OCEAN of Starbucks today.
DAVID - I couldn't sleep a wink.
MARCIE - Yeah. I noticed.
DAVID - Too worried about Trish. She's out there. And the worst part of it all is we can't find her. And even if we could, we the Captain wouldn't let us within 10 feet of the case. THAT is what has me riled up.
MARCIE - Honey, I'd just assume not talk about that right now. Mind if I have some breakfast first?
DAVID - Go ahead. I don't see anyone stopping you. In the meantime, I think I'll turn on the morning news. Maybe there's something on there about it.
MARCIE - Alright.
Marcie grabs a coffee cup and walks over to the perculator, but notices that David took the last cup
MARCIE (Shouting to David in the living room out of anger and, predominately, frustration) - You HAD to take THE last cup, didn't you???
Marcie walks over to the cabinet where the coffee can is stored, slams it down on the counter and then takes the lid off in near-ripping fashion. She does the same thing to the coffee filters, taking out of those and later angrily inserting it into the coffee pot. Next, she non-chalantly scoops out some coffee and firmly puts it into the filter for perculation
SCENE FOUR - John & Martha's Car
John & Martha are enroute back to Cedarville with,unbeknownst to them, have picked up rape victim Trish Martin on the highway. As we pick up the scene, John & Martha are still arguing and are now trying to decide what to do with Trish.
JOHN - Look....All I'm saying is she could be a prostitute. Have you even considered that?
MARTHA - John...Have you even noticed the bruises on this woman's face?
JOHN - No because I'm too busy driving and getting us home alive and in one piece.
MARTHA - John, I think she's been raped.
JOHN - How do you know that?
MARTHA - I just do.
Trish begins to doze off to sleep
MARTHA (Noticing Trish's dozing off) - Poor thing looks like she didn't even sleep a wink last night.
JOHN - Not surprising. She probably partied all night in a wild sex party.
MARTHA - Ohh John... (To Trish, catching her in her last waking moment) - Sweetie, where would you like us to drop you off?
TRISH (Barely awake, but still able to speak) - Take me home. Please, just take me home.
Trish falls asleep, much to John's dismay, but not to his surprise
JOHN - Well....All I'm just saying is we don't know anything about this girl. And yet, you've got her in the back seat of our car. And now she's dozed off to sleep.
MARTHA - Well call it Women's Intuition.
JOHN - I prefer to call it STUPIDITY. How do we know she's not a fugitive or a terrorist or an axe murderer or something?
MARTHA - Ohh John....Does she look like someone who could kill anyone?
JOHN - I've seen psychos with nicer looks than hers.
As they travel further and further down the highway, they also get closer and closer to home. Before they know it, the Cedarville skyline can be seen off in the distance.
SCENE FIVE - The Al Faheed Family Residence
As we pick up the scene, Clarita & Khalil Al Faheed can be seen eating their breakfast. Khalil is also reading the newspaper.
CLARITA - Have you any plans today?
KHALIL - Yes. I have a very important meeting.
CLARITA - Ohh....With....Uhhh....What's his name....Michael?
KHALIL - Yes, the architect of the building my company is working on.
Just then, Aruba walks in and grabs a granola bar.
CLARITA (To Aruba) - Good Morning.
Aruba returns the greeting
KHALIL (Noticing that Aruba looks as though he's ready to walk out the door) - Aruba, aren't you going to sit down?
ARUBA - I have no time. Big day ahead.
CLARITA (Concerned about Aruba's apparent choice of malnourishment, not knowing he grabbed a granola bar) - No time for breakfast?
ARUBA - Yes. I've got some big tests today. Well...Gotta run. Later.
Aruba begins to leave.
KHALIL (Calm but firm) - ARUBA.
Aruba stops dead in his tracks upon hearing his name shouted out by Khalil
ARUBA (Not knowing what sort of trouble he got himself into) - Yes father?
KHALIL (Firm) - If there's tradition you will follow while under this roof, it is sitting down at the family table, enjoying the first meal of the day and discussing your plans for the day. I don't care what you have on your schedule. Do I make myself clear?
ARUBA - Yes father.
CLARITA - You're father's right, Aruba. When you walk into those classrooms to take those tests today, it's much better to show up properly nourished and ready to go than to go in there hungry and wishing you had eaten earlier. It's always better that way. I'll get you a bowl of cereal.
ARUBA (Resigned to the fact he's not going to be allowed to leave before he eats breakfast) - Alright, but I really don't have time, which is why I grabbed this granola bar.
KHALIL - Take it with you. You can leave the very second you finish your cereal.
Clarita returns with Aruba's cereal
KHALIL (To Clarita) - So, what plans do you have today?
ARUBA - Yeah Mom...
CLARITA - Ohh....Not much. My assistant and I will mostly be doing inventory to determine what's salvagable and what's not after the vandalism yesterday.
ARUBA - I wished some people here would just grow up and start treating us with more respect.
CLARITA - It's not us they hate. It's the people who claim to represent our best interests - but really don't - who just happen to be our brethren, that they hate.
ARUBA - I know. But between the people who always trash our front yard, the people who vandalized your store and the bullies at school, sometimes I wonder.
CLARITA (In near shock over Aruba's confession) - Aruba, are you being bullied?
ARUBA (Trying to show how much of a man he has become) - Mom, I can handle it.
CLARITA - Well still, you really should tell somebody at school. It's their job to deal with things like that.
KHALIL (Confirming what Clarita just said) - Your mother's right. You really should speak to someone at school. You should speak to your counselor.
ARUBA - Yesterday's incident got the attention of Mr. Beasley, the principal.
CLARITA - What did he say?
ARUBA - He said I should speak to my counselor.
KHALIL - That doesn't sound like a very bad idea.
SCENE SIX - Stacy's House
Brad & Stacy are seen playfully frolicking around in the kitchen. As we pick up the scene, Brad seems ready to pick up where he left off the night before while Stacy wants to eat breakfast first.
BRAD (Jokingly frustrated as Stacy moves about the kitchen, intentionally trying to evade him) - C'mon babe.
Brad finally catches up to her, hugs her body from behind, and begins necking her
STACY (Turning around) - C'mon Brad. Let me at least get breakfast down first.
BRAD (Humorously sarcastic) - You can have breakfast later.
STACY - Yeah well I'm not a hunk of a sex machine like you. Unlike you men, us women require nourishment.
BRAD - I wouldn't exactly call myself a sex machine. But I am INCREDIBLY horny.
STACY (Giggling) - That's obvious.
Just then, the doorbell rings
STACY (Wondering who it could be at her door since she's not expecting anyone) - Better get that...
Stacy heads for the door
BRAD - I'll get it.
STACY - No, that's okay. I've got it.
BRAD - Alright. I'll get breakfast then.
Brad gets out the pancake griddle, waffle maker and ingredients to make pancakes and waffles. Meanwhile Stacy answers the door and finds Michelle on the other side
STACY - Michelle. C'mon in.
MICHELLE - Thanks.
Stacy opens the door and Michelle walks inside
STACY - Can I get you anything?
MICHELLE - No...No thanks. I'm just here on a social call. You know....To take a break from the chaos that is my hotel right now.
STACY (Thinking how weird that sounds) - Ohh??
MICHELLE (Sighing non-chalantly) Yep! I've got 1200 people coming for some huge wildlife preservation convention. As such, as you can probably imagine, the preparations for it inside the place are chaotic to say the least.
Michelle's cell phone rings. She answers it as Stacy goes off to the kitchen to give Michelle some privacy and to check on breakfast
MICHELLE - Michelle here.....No I said 1200.....How many do we have?....700?....Ohh brother....Alright, alright....I'll call Brad and put him on it......Yeah, talk you later.
Michelle hangs up and flips her phone shut as she shakes her head in disbelief and puts her hands on her forehead and over her face as if she was experiencing a headache, but Brad, who overheard the conversation, doesn't pick up on this.
BRAD (To Michelle) - Put me on what?
MICHELLE (Disgusted & thinking Brad might've made a huge screw up) - You know who was just on the phone?
BRAD - Uhh....Well I think I have a fairly good idea.....
MICHELLE (Still showing her anger) - Well that was Rob. (Now wanting to determine if Brad indeed made a mistake) - Just how many of those customized plates did you order last week?
BRAD (Sensing Michelle's anger and wanting to set the record straight) - Well....To be on the safe side, I ordered 1500.
MICHELLE (Realizing Brad didn't make a mistake, but still nevertheless showing her anger) - Well, do you know how many of them showed up? Less than HALF OF THAT.
BRAD (Alarmed) - You're kidding.
MICHELLE (Calming down) - Heh...I wish I were. And here's the clincher - I have a confirmed head count of some 1200 strong coming. You know what THAT means Brad? It means that some 500+ people will be eating off plates which WE own.
BRAD (Wishing that something could be done) - Well there's nothing that can be done now.
MICHELLE (Trying to point out the significance of this disaster and its possible ramnifications) - Brad, you don't get it. Those people paid me to order those customized plates. WE DON'T OWN THEM. They do. And now they're gonna be some 500 short. That affects the hotel's bottom line. Not to mention our image.
BRAD (Trying to calm Michelle down) - Calm down. There's nothing we can do at this point. The convention is TODAY, like it or not. It's attendees are arriving TODAY, like it or not. So, like it or not Michelle, there's nothing we can do.
MICHELLE - Well either way, I need you to go into work and help Rob do damage control, though I haven't the foggiest clue how.
BRAD (Admitting this on a wing and a prayer) - Well I was kind of hoping you'd give me the day off.
MICHELLE (Floored & shocked at what she just heard) - Brad....Have you not been listening???
She begins fumbling for words before continuing
MICHELLE (Continuing, but still reeling from the bombshell Brad just dropped on her and in a panicky state of mind) - No....No.....No. No way Brad. I can't give you the day off. I've got 1200 people coming to the hotel for a convention which is already turning into a disaster. No...I'm sorry Brad.
BRAD (Resigned to the fact that he won't be getting the day off) - Okay...Okay. No need to have a cow over the matter.
MICHELLE (Apologetic) - I'm sorry Brad. Didn't mean to take it all out on you. But I am about to have a cow over the customized plates matter though. I mean HOW COULD THEY POSSIBLY SCREW UP THE ORDER LIKE THAT??
Brad shrugs his shoulders. Meanwhile Stacy walks in wondering what could possibly be going on
STACY - What's going on here guys?
MICHELLE - It's nothin'. Just work stuff. Just got a bombshell dropped on me. By the way Brad, what you doing here?
BRAD - Spent the night here
Brad & Stacy wink and look at each other as Stacy pours the coffee for everyone..
SCENE SEVEN - John & Martha's Car
John, Martha & Trish are back in the Cedarville Metropolitan Area. As we pick up the scene, Trish is sleeping while John & Martha argue over where to drop her off.
MARTHA (Trying to be as quiet as possible so as to not wake Trish up) - John, she belongs in the hospital
JOHN (Also trying to be as quitet as possible so as to not wake Trish up, but is also tired of his wife driving him crazy as well) - Martha, she said she wants to go home
MARTHA - Well we don't know where that is so why don't we just drop her off at the hospital and let her get her own ride from there.
JOHN - Well why don't you just simply wake her and find out?
MARTHA (Stunned & shocked he would even make such a suggestion) - JOHN....
JOHN (Finally giving in to Martha in the hopes it'll shut her up) - Alright....Alright. We'll take her to the hospital. But if I catch heat for it from the ER staff, you won't hear the end of it.
Martha shakes her head. Meanwhile, a few minutes later, Cedarville Memorial Hospital is seen off in the distance. A few minutes after that, John pulls off the highway and heads for the ER area of the hospital and pulls in. Almost immediately, one of the ER staff members comes out with a stretcher.
JOHN (To the ER staff member) - We really don't need a stretcher. A wheelchair will suffice.
The staff member heads back in with the stretcher and returns with a wheelchair instead. John, Martha and the ER staff member all help a groggy Trish Martin transfer from the car to the wheelchair. They then escort her into the hospital.
EMT #1 (To John, jokingly) - What'd you manage to drag in this time John?
Other staff members chuckle at the joke. Meanwhile one of the female staff members visually examined
FEMALE EMT #1 (Forming an opinion of their new patient) - Ohh my god. This woman has been violated in every imaginable way possible.
One of the male EMT's takes a closer look at Trish and realizes the seriousness of the situation. As such, he to take the initiative to lead the charge of caring for Trish.
EMT #1 (Now barking out orders & taking charge) - Alright, let's get her on a stretcher and put her in an exam room. Which one is available.
FEMALE EMT #2 - Exam 5.
John & the hospital staff help Trish make the transition from the wheelchair to a waiting stretcher
EMT #1 (Continuing to bark out orders as he continues to take charge) - Alright, let's put her in Exam 5. (Pointing to an ER nurse) - You....Get a rape kit. We'll need one just in case. And get a photographer too while you're at it. The nurse acknowledges the request (Pointing to another ER nurse) - You....Call the police. Tell them we have a female assault victim. Possible rape. The nurse acknowledges the request. John....We're gonna need a statement from you and your wife.
JOHN - Don't worry, you'll have it.
John begins to feel guilty over the things he said about her without closely examining her while in the field
JOHN - My god....What that woman must be going through.
Meanwhile Trish begins to snap out of her sleepy state
TRISH (Confused) - Where am I? Where am I
FEMALE EMT #1 - You're in the hospital, Ma'am. What's your name? Can you tell me your name?
Trish gives the EMT her first name, but does so with great difficulty, which is brought by the shame and guilt she has for what happened to her.
FEMALE EMT #1 - Okay Trish, what's your last name? Can you tell me your last name?
Trish also manages to give the EMT her last name as well, but does so with great difficulty, which is brought by the shame and guilt she has for what happened to her.
FEMALE EMT #1 - Okay Ms. Martin, we're gonna take care of you, okay?
EMT #2 - Yes, we'll take good care of you.
The staff prepare and equip the room to treat Trish for any and all injuries she may have sustained. Meanwhile, one of the staff members speaks with John & his wife to find out what they know, which of course is nothing. The police have been called and a rape kit arrives from the lab
EMT #2 - Think we'll need it?
EMT #1 - I hope not. But just to cover all the bases, it's better that we do.
Suddenly Trish begins to scream out when she notices one of the male EMT's looking between her legs and poking around with his gloved fingers
TRISH (Screaming) - GET THEM OUT OF ME.....GET THEM OUT OF ME.....GET THEM OUT OF ME!!! Ohh god......
The male EMT jumps back and removes his fingers fearing that she was referring to his fingers, but Trish repeats the screams, which leads the staff to thinking she's referring to something else, but they can't figure out what. Meanwhile Trish just lays in the stretcher with her legs closed and crying
TRISH (Crying) - Ohh god. It's so awful.....
Staff members are now perplexed as to what she's talking about. As the scene closes, our virtual camera shows Trish crying as she lays in the stretcher with her legs still closed as the camera fades to black.
On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
* The Al Faheeds are targets of more trouble. Could this be the thing they need to sit down with Stephanie?
* Stephanie complains of a series of morning sickness cases to her doctor. Could she be? Naah...Couldn't be. Could it?
* Cassandra gets word on her case from Stanley. Could she be headed for court?
* Michelle gets a surprise visitor to her hotel, but will it be a pleasant one?
All this & more on the NEXT edition of AGAINST THE STORM
CUE ATS Standard Close (Windows Media Link)
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Monday, January 9, 2006
Episode 24 - Trish's Nightmarish Ordeal Continues
Due to extreme violence, adult language & graphic descriptions in and of some scenes and/or scene segments which may be offensive or sensitive for some some readers, Reader Discretion is advised.
SCENE ONE - Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store
At the end of the last episode, we saw Detectives David & Marcie Grant leaving the scene outside the Al Faheed residence for a robbery. As we all know, that robbery was at Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store, a small ma-and-pa style neighborhood corner convience store. As we pick up the scene, David & Marcie have just arrived and are beginning to get an assessment of what apparently went down
DAVID (To one of the many patrol officers on scene) - What have we got?
PATROL OFFICER (Responding to David's question) - Another robbery.
MARCIE - What'd they take this time?
PATROL OFFICER - Just about everything. Cleaned out the safe too. Though it looked like they were in a bit of a rush to do that.
DAVID - Ohh? How's that?
PATROL OFFICER - Left a few dollar bills behind on the floor. Looks like they just grabbed what they could and left.
MARCIE - Any idea who might have done this?
PATROL OFFICER - Not by name no. But they left a nice little surprise for you in the VCR in back. We decided to leave it as it was till you got here.
The patrol officer looks behind him and up at the video camera
MARCIE - I'll go check it out.
DAVID (To Marcie) - Alright. Marcie spots Mr. Gamble's body on the floor. Who's the stiff?
PATROL OFFICER - We think the stiff's the owner.
DAVID - Any witnesses?
PATROL OFFICER - Not a soul.
DAVID (Rolling his eyes nonchalantly) - Of course not. Why doesn't that surprise me?
MARCIE (Calling out to his partner and wife) - David
DAVID (In response) - Comin'
David races to where Marcie is in a back room where the security camera equipment is
MARCIE - There's something I think you should see - Sitting down.
DAVID - Sweetie, if there's something I should see, I'll see it standing up. Thank you very much.
MARCIE - Alright, but consider yourself warned.
DAVID (Thinking that Marcie is acting rather peculiar and gives her a look that shows his suspicion) - Warned? About what?
Marcie shows portions of the tape of Trish before the robbery and during the robbery through the time which Trish and the robbers are seen leaving the store. David looks on in shock and total disbelief
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN (Windows Media Player Link)
DAVID (In a state of shock and denial) - No. That is not Trish. That couldn't possibly be my sister.
MARCIE (Being honest) - David, the camera doesn't lie. You know that.
DAVID - That has to be somebody else who just looks like her. You know she's incapable of taking part in a robbery.
MARCIE (Thinking that David just accused Marcie of accusing Trish of taking part in a robbery and in a half-whisper to avoid attracting attention) - I'm not saying she did take part.
DAVID - You think she was somehow kidnapped?
MARCIE - Would seem that way.
DAVID - Well.....Somebody had to have seen or heard something.
MARCIE - Yeah, well you know this neighborhood. People tend to stick to themselves.
DAVID - Yeah. That's the problem.
A patrol officer enters
PATROL OFFICER (To David & Marcie) - Excuse me. Captain's here.
DAVID (Rolling his eyes, knowing he's gonna have to find a way to explain to him that the lone witness is his sister, who is undoubtedly with the robbers-turned-murderers against her will) - Ohh brother.
Marcie stops the VCR containing the tape, gabs the tape, shuts off the machine and exits. David follows suit.
SCENE TWO - The Getaway Van
When we left our last episode, the driver of the getaway van and Rapist #1 (who also shot & killed Mr. Gamble back at the robbery scene) had switched places, with the driver now in back and Rapist #1 now behind the wheel. As we pick up the action in this scene, they are driving further and further down the Interstate and Rapist #2 and the getaway driver, who in essence has become Rapist #3, continue to have their idea of fun with Trish, obviously at her expense and disliking as heavy metal music rocks on in the background and Trish continues to whine, moan, wince and silently cry and beg for mercy while Rapist #2 bangs away with his massive manhood buried deep in her vagina and Rapist #3 continues to hold Trish by a large clump of hair as he calls her names and forces her to suck on his manhood
RAPIST #3 (To Trish) - Take that down your throat you fuckin' street whore.
RAPIST #2 (To Trish) - You love it this way, dontcha bitch?
RAPIST #3 (To Rapist #2 as he looks down at Trish's head with his massive manhood stuffed in her mouth) - Hell yeah she does. She loves gangbangs. All street whores love 'em.
RAPIST #2 - Well I think it's high time someone make a mommy out of this bitch.
RAPIST #3 (Sensing his buddy is about ready to ejaculate inside of Trish) - Ya gotta do it?
RAPIST #2 (Breathing heavy) - Yeah. I gotta DO this bitch.
RAPIST #3 (Laughing) - Do it man. Let's get this bitch pregnant.
Rapist #1 laughs knowing what his buddy in the back is feeling having just done it to Trish himself as he admires his other buddy's imagination and as he continues to drive the van down the road.
Meanwhile, Rapist #2 puts Trish in various positions, fucking her all the while. Trish reists to some extent, but each time she resists, she is physically assaulted in some way that quashes any further resistance. As the distance from Cedarville and hours both contunie to add up, both Rapist #2 and Rapist #3 each have their way with Trish. First with Rapist #2 finishing off what he started, then Rapist #3 (formerly just the getaway driver) takes his turn. All the while, Trish continues to resist, whine, moan, whince, silently cry and beg for mercy while the two men humiliate, batter, physically & verbally asault Trish in every conceivable fashion, sometimes with their genitals inside of her. It is as if they were rocking on with the music playing in the background. All of this is happening as they eventually cross the state line and Rapist #1 sort of looks on with pleasure as he drives down the road
SCENE THREE - Channel 4 Studios
It's now shortly after 11:00 PM and the station is on the air with its 11:00 PM newscast. Stan Morrisey & Lydia Johnson are the anchors. As we pick up the scene, they are about to mention the incident at the Al Faheed residence and use it as a lead-in to a series which Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton has been working on - Legal Muslim-American citizens & how they are treated in this country.
LYDIA (The anchorwoman reading from the TelePrompter) - A sizable group of hecklers gathered in front of the home of a Cedarville family earlier tonight who are legal immigrants to the US. (Video from the incident starts to roll and is broadcast to viewers of the newscast) The racous was so large and intense that the Cedarville PD had to call the riot squad to bring things under control. It also also got the attention of City Councilwoman Lisa Gordon, who lives in the area.
COUNCILWOMAN GORDON (In an on-camera interview addressing her constituents, and utlimately all of Cedarville) - This is an outrage. This is UMAERICAN. I ask my consituents...How would YOU like it if they did the same thing TO YOU? You wouldn't like it too well, would you? Well, how do you think (Pointing at the front door of the Al Faheed residence) these people feel?
LYDIA (Continuing) - Police report over 50 arrests were made in the incident despite pleas to get the crowd to disperse.
STAN (The anchorman also reading from the TelePrompter) - And that leads us to a Channel 4 Action News Investigative Report on just how legal immigrants, particularly muslims and mexicans, are being treated in this country. Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton now joins us in the studio and Stephanie, some of the stuff you've uncovered is pretty shocking.
STEPHANIE (To Stan & Lydia) - It is pretty shocking indeed Stan & Lydia (Now facing the camera as she continues) - Picture yourself in this situation. You're a minority. A Mexican or a Muslim. You've gone through all the hassle and filed all the paperwork and followed all the steps you need to in order to become a legal immigrant to the U.S. Now what? You find a place to live. Find some work or maybe even open up a business. You're paying taxes. You don't break any laws. You're proud of what you're doing and what you've accomplished. Then someone comes along and ruins everything. Unfortunately, in this highly charged political climate, this is the life legal immigrants have to face each and every day. But as you're no doubt aware, there's been a rash of hate crimes in the city against legal immigrants, particularly muslims, lately. One city leader says she plans to do something about it. We decided to go further. We decided to dig up some statistics. And suffice to say, it's pretty shocking.
The scene now shifts to Clarita's Fancy Furniture store, which was hit earlier by vandalism. Stephanie and her crew were there outside while police were inside investigating
STEPHANIE (Now on videotape from the furniture shop and slowly walking back towards the cameraman) - This is Clarita's Fancy Furniture. It is owned by this woman (See picture above) As you can see, it was hit by vandals. It is just one of many cases like this which are still currently unsolved and buried in the vaults of the Cedarville Police Department.
CEDARVILLE PD PIO (In an interview from the furniture shop) - It's a sad thing for us to admit, but Cedarville is one of the leaders in the country when it comes to hate crimes. It's unfortunate, but it's true.
STEPHANIE (Facing the camera and still at the furniture store) - And that, says one city leader, is a statistic, that must change.
COUNCILWOMAN GORDON (In a taped on-camera interview from the furniture shop) - Why true American citizens don't have respect and consideration for legal, tax-paying immigrants just.....eh....Boggles the mind.
STEPHANIE (Now seen back in the studio on live TV and facing the camera) - Now, we should add that Cedarville's statistics are currently WAY higher than the national average. In fact, hate crimes nationally have been on a decline over the past few years (Adobe Acrobat PDF Version Here) but Cedarville, for whatever reason, is lagging in that area. The U.S. Attorney General's office here in Cedarville told me this afternnon that this is a trend they want very much to change. (Now facing Stan & Lydia as the camera pans out) - Now tommorrow Stan & Lydia, we hope to be talking to this Muslim family in order to get a feel for what it's like to be a Muslim legal immigrant living in the United States and the challenges they face.
STAN (Facing Stephanie) - Alright. Sounds like an interesting follow-up. We look forward to it. Thanks Stephanie.
STEPHANIE - You bet.
The station's news music begins to play in the background as the camera now squares in on Stan & Lydia)
LYDIA (Now facing the camera) - Coming up next on Channel 4 Action News at 11:00, Joe Weinstein has your weather forecast and it's shaping up to be rather interesting.
STAN (Also now facing the camera) - And Cliff Jorgensen has all the sports highlights. So stay with us. You're watching Channel 4 Action News at 11:00.
The news music plays as we switch to the next scene
SCENE FOUR - The FonDuLac Restaurant
It is now 2:00 AM and Maitre' D' Rob Warren is talking to Michael Carlotti at the bar as he & owner Michelle Monroe prepare to close for the night. Michael had been at the restaurant since about 7:15 PM waiting for Trish to arrive. Meanwhile, Rob tries to convince him that he'd been stood up
ROB (To Michael) - Man, It's 2:00 AM. Time to close up. Time for me to get on outta here.
MICHAEL (To Rob - Certain that here has to be some logical explaination for Trish not showing up and looking somewhat depressed) - Why don't you just go on home man.
ROB (Trying to be helpful by pointing out a fact) - Hey....You ain't the first guy who's been stood up around here. And you certainly won't be the last.
MICHAEL - I wasn't stood up. I just wished I knew where she was. She could at least call. There's gotta be a reason. But what?
ROB - You know what I think? I think she's probably at that comfy little loft the two of you currently have trying to come up with an explaination, but she simply can't.
MICHELLE (To Rob as she walks up to the bar) - Ready. (Now noticing Michael) - You're still here?
ROB (To Michelle) - He hasn't left since he got here.
MICHELLE (To Michael) - Well you're gonna have to leave now because we're leaving and, as you can tell, there's nobody else in the place.
MICHAEL (Noticing the time & obvious lack of people in the place) - Yeah, I guess I'm gonna have to now. Ohh well. See ya guys tomorrow.
Michael exits
ROB (To Michelle) - What do you suppose happened To Trish?
MICHELLE (In response) - Darned if I know.
ROB - It's not like her to stand up a date like that. Especially Michael.
MICHELLE - Well...As my mother would always say....Live & Let Live. C'mon, let's get outta here and have a date of our own - between the sheets (Raising her eyebrows).
Rob gets the hint and follows her out the door.
SCENE FIVE - Just Outside Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store
When we left Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store, David was convinced he saw Marcie sister Trish in the store surveillance tape & had told Marcie as much. Captain Rick Goldman arrived a few minutes later. As we pick up the scene now, the Cedarville PD is just wrapping up their investigation of this robbery/homicide
RICK (To the lab crew who showed up to gather scientific evidence) - Thanks a bunch guys.
David & Marcie now exit the store, which is being reinforced with more yellow tape. The closed sign is then displayed in the window
DAVID (To Rick) - Well that about wraps it up.
RICK (Looking at the scene as Mr. Gamble's body is loaded into the coroner's wagon) - I want these bastards.
MARCIE - Well, if there's nothing else, I think it's time we get out of here.
Knowing there's nothing they can do at the scene till they go home and get some sleep, David & Marcie try to leave, but Rick stops them.
RICK (To David & Marcie) - Hold on a minute. I've been noticing something between the two of you.
MARCIE (To Rick - Curiously) - What could that be?
RICK - The two of you seem to be rather 'tense' throughout this whole investigation. Would one of you care to tell me why?
Realizing they can't hide it forever and she may have been caught trying to hide it, Marcie makes a confession
MARCIE (To Rick - Reluctantly & much to David's chagrin, who follows her, knowing what she's about to show Rick) - Follow me.
David, Marcie & Rick all head back inside the store to the back room where the surveillance equipment is. David activates a monitor, pops in the tape, queues it up to where he thinks Trish is seen just before the robbery and lets it play till Trish and robbers/murderers leave the store
MARCIE - The woman in the tape is David's sister.
RICK (Realizing what must be done) - Ohh brother. We'd better get hard copies of every face on that tape except the corpse and put out an APB for them. I'm afraid this includes the girl.
MARCIE (To Rick) - Given the timeline, they could be well across the state.
RICK - Which is why it'll be inter-agency. If they're anywhere in America, they'll be found. That leads me to this. Before we go expeinding all kinds of resources looking for your sister, I need to know one thing. Is there any chance at all that....
DAVID (Adamantly interrupting Rick) - ....NO. She's not that kind of person.
RICK (Feeling reassured about the woman in the video, whom we know is Trish) - Alright. That leads me to this. And neither of you are going to like it. As of this moment, I have no choice but to take the two of you off the case.
DAVID (Begging and in near shock) - But Captain....We can handle this.
RICK (Adamant) - No. It's done David. You're off the case.
David & Rick continue the diatribe. David insisting that he and Marcie can still handle the case and Rick insisting that he has no alternative but to take them off the case
DAVID (Really begging) - Captain, I can assure you we won't do anything to embarrass the department. We want these bastards just as much as you do. Just give us a chance.
RICK (With the strongest authority he can dish out) - No Detective. It's done. You're both off the case. Besides if I let the two of you handle this case now, I'd have everyone from IA to the mayor's office clamouring down my back. I'm sorry Detective. But you know the regs as well as I do. You're personally involved. Now go home and get some sleep so you can report to work tomorrow and work on your other cases. That's an order Detectives.
Rick storms out, taking the tape with him.
DAVID (Mainly to himself in disgust after Rick leaves) - Like hell we're off this case.
MARCIE (To David) - Honey, he's right. We can't handle this case. Not now
DAVID - I wanna solve this - For Trish. I'm gonna get these bastards.
MARCIE - Fine then, but if you insist on being the arresting officer of record and breaking the rules in the process, the least I can do is supply the handcuffs.
Marcie dangles her handcuffs in front of David in sarcasm
DAVID - As far as the paperwork goes, you'll be the arresting officer of record. I just wanna be there.
MARCIE (Shaking her head) - Whatever. Let's just get the fuck out of here and go home.
David attempts to grab the tape, but doesn't realize that Rick took off with it until he opens the VCR door
DAVID (In disgust) - Fuck. He's got the tape.
MARCIE - Well that really shouldn't be a surprise. Remember, we are off the case. Now let's just get out of here, go home and clear our heads. There's nothing we can do now but wait.
DAVID (Feeling desperate and wanting to do something - anything to find and, if need be, help Trish) - That's just it. I can't just go home and wait. I should be out there looking for her.
MARCIE - David, you heard the Captain. He's gonna have every cop in the country looking for her. EVERY BADGE. Now, let's just go home, get to bed and get some sleep so that we can go back to work tomorrow with clearer heads. Besides, we don't even know where she is, let alone where to start looking. Now, I'm going home. If you aren't coming with me, I'll meet you there - in bed sleeping.
DAVID - That's easy for you to do. You don't have a sister out there, most likely out in the middle of nowhere and probably fighting for her life.
MARCIE - No I don't. But I have a sister-in-law who is. Now, let's just go home. Okay?
DAVID (Feeling like he should be doing something other than going home) - Whatever.
Marcie walks up to comfort David as they leave together.
SCENE SIX - The back of the getaway van
When we last left Trish and her rapists, Rapists #2 and #3 were busy having their way with her. As we pick up the scene now, the van is pulled over to the side of a quiet road and the three rapists and Trish are all in the back. With everything quiet in the van and her attackers all asleep, Trish sees this as an opportunity to try to escape. She attempts to gather what little torn clothing she can and puts what is wearable back on. The rest of it, she just simply grabs and puts over her body. She is making noises all the while, which eventually gets the attention of one of her attackers.
RAPIST #3 (Reaching out to Trish, who had just begun to open the back door) - Hey babe. Where the fuck do you think you're goin'? You're so fuckin' easy. Kiss me bitch.
Rapist #3 forces his face into hers and his tounge into her mouth as he kisses Trish on the lips. Trish responds by slapping his face and spitting in it.
RAPIST #3 (As he slaps Trish in the face) - FUCKIN' BITCH.
RAPIST #1 (To Rapist #3) - What the fuck are you doin' to her man?
RAPIST #3 (In response) - This fuckin' bitch slapped me in the face and spit at me. (To Trish) - FUCKIN' WHORE.
RAPIST #1 (To Rapist #1) - So fuckin' what. Get over it. (To Trish) - Come here baby. You need your beauty sleep. Come lay down next to me.
Just to avoid being assaulted again, she complies. But over an hour later, she tries again to escape, again making noises that would awaken her attackers, but this time neither of them seem to notice it. Trish opens the back door of the van again. But this time, she gets out. Still dazed and confused from all the beating she took, she begins her walk to freedom. With nothing for footwear and very little for clothing, she slowly makes her way back in the direction of where the van had been, assuming that is the way home. As inches turn to feet, feet turn to miles, minutes become hours and as the sun begins to rise in the horizon behind her, Trish every so often squats down to the ground, trying to squirt out as much of the sperm her attackers dumped inside of her as she can. When she eventually realizes the amount of sperm there may be inside of her and the depths in which it may be located, she begins to fear that one of them may have dumped enough inside of her to get her pregnant. This fear is ultimately confirmed when she starts to feel sperm inside of her that just won't come out.
TRISH (Now beginning to cry) - No. Please god no. I can't be. I just can't be It's so wrong.
Our virtual camera pans out to an aerial shot of the area, with Trish being little more than a tiny speck alongside a road as her cry echoes out
TRISH (Now yelling) - NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Her cry is heard for miles as the area she is in is like a desert, only not as cold at night nor as hot during the day. Plus, she's at the side of the only road in the area.
On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
* Trish is found and taken to the hospital. How will Michael react when he learns what happened to her? How will her brother David react?
* The Al Faheeds are targets of more trouble. Could this be the thing they need to sit down with Stephanie?
* Stephanie complains of a series of morning sickness cases to her doctor. Could she be? Naah...Couldn't be. Could it?
* Cassandra gets word on her case from Stanley. Could she be headed for court?
All this AND MORE On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
Cue slow guitar instrumental version of Standard ATS Close
As the music plays and credits roll, we see Trish via an aerial shot continuing to make her way down the road toward what she thinks is home. We also see Michael all alone in the apartment he and Trish share and David at home laying in bed awake while Marcie sleeps and thinking how he should really be out there looking for Trish. These scenes rotate in alternating fashion until fade out.
SCENE ONE - Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store
At the end of the last episode, we saw Detectives David & Marcie Grant leaving the scene outside the Al Faheed residence for a robbery. As we all know, that robbery was at Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store, a small ma-and-pa style neighborhood corner convience store. As we pick up the scene, David & Marcie have just arrived and are beginning to get an assessment of what apparently went down
DAVID (To one of the many patrol officers on scene) - What have we got?
PATROL OFFICER (Responding to David's question) - Another robbery.
MARCIE - What'd they take this time?
PATROL OFFICER - Just about everything. Cleaned out the safe too. Though it looked like they were in a bit of a rush to do that.
DAVID - Ohh? How's that?
PATROL OFFICER - Left a few dollar bills behind on the floor. Looks like they just grabbed what they could and left.
MARCIE - Any idea who might have done this?
PATROL OFFICER - Not by name no. But they left a nice little surprise for you in the VCR in back. We decided to leave it as it was till you got here.
The patrol officer looks behind him and up at the video camera
MARCIE - I'll go check it out.
DAVID (To Marcie) - Alright. Marcie spots Mr. Gamble's body on the floor. Who's the stiff?
PATROL OFFICER - We think the stiff's the owner.
DAVID - Any witnesses?
PATROL OFFICER - Not a soul.
DAVID (Rolling his eyes nonchalantly) - Of course not. Why doesn't that surprise me?
MARCIE (Calling out to his partner and wife) - David
DAVID (In response) - Comin'
David races to where Marcie is in a back room where the security camera equipment is
MARCIE - There's something I think you should see - Sitting down.
DAVID - Sweetie, if there's something I should see, I'll see it standing up. Thank you very much.
MARCIE - Alright, but consider yourself warned.
DAVID (Thinking that Marcie is acting rather peculiar and gives her a look that shows his suspicion) - Warned? About what?
Marcie shows portions of the tape of Trish before the robbery and during the robbery through the time which Trish and the robbers are seen leaving the store. David looks on in shock and total disbelief
CUE ATS STANDARD OPEN (Windows Media Player Link)
DAVID (In a state of shock and denial) - No. That is not Trish. That couldn't possibly be my sister.
MARCIE (Being honest) - David, the camera doesn't lie. You know that.
DAVID - That has to be somebody else who just looks like her. You know she's incapable of taking part in a robbery.
MARCIE (Thinking that David just accused Marcie of accusing Trish of taking part in a robbery and in a half-whisper to avoid attracting attention) - I'm not saying she did take part.
DAVID - You think she was somehow kidnapped?
MARCIE - Would seem that way.
DAVID - Well.....Somebody had to have seen or heard something.
MARCIE - Yeah, well you know this neighborhood. People tend to stick to themselves.
DAVID - Yeah. That's the problem.
A patrol officer enters
PATROL OFFICER (To David & Marcie) - Excuse me. Captain's here.
DAVID (Rolling his eyes, knowing he's gonna have to find a way to explain to him that the lone witness is his sister, who is undoubtedly with the robbers-turned-murderers against her will) - Ohh brother.
Marcie stops the VCR containing the tape, gabs the tape, shuts off the machine and exits. David follows suit.
SCENE TWO - The Getaway Van
When we left our last episode, the driver of the getaway van and Rapist #1 (who also shot & killed Mr. Gamble back at the robbery scene) had switched places, with the driver now in back and Rapist #1 now behind the wheel. As we pick up the action in this scene, they are driving further and further down the Interstate and Rapist #2 and the getaway driver, who in essence has become Rapist #3, continue to have their idea of fun with Trish, obviously at her expense and disliking as heavy metal music rocks on in the background and Trish continues to whine, moan, wince and silently cry and beg for mercy while Rapist #2 bangs away with his massive manhood buried deep in her vagina and Rapist #3 continues to hold Trish by a large clump of hair as he calls her names and forces her to suck on his manhood
RAPIST #3 (To Trish) - Take that down your throat you fuckin' street whore.
RAPIST #2 (To Trish) - You love it this way, dontcha bitch?
RAPIST #3 (To Rapist #2 as he looks down at Trish's head with his massive manhood stuffed in her mouth) - Hell yeah she does. She loves gangbangs. All street whores love 'em.
RAPIST #2 - Well I think it's high time someone make a mommy out of this bitch.
RAPIST #3 (Sensing his buddy is about ready to ejaculate inside of Trish) - Ya gotta do it?
RAPIST #2 (Breathing heavy) - Yeah. I gotta DO this bitch.
RAPIST #3 (Laughing) - Do it man. Let's get this bitch pregnant.
Rapist #1 laughs knowing what his buddy in the back is feeling having just done it to Trish himself as he admires his other buddy's imagination and as he continues to drive the van down the road.
Meanwhile, Rapist #2 puts Trish in various positions, fucking her all the while. Trish reists to some extent, but each time she resists, she is physically assaulted in some way that quashes any further resistance. As the distance from Cedarville and hours both contunie to add up, both Rapist #2 and Rapist #3 each have their way with Trish. First with Rapist #2 finishing off what he started, then Rapist #3 (formerly just the getaway driver) takes his turn. All the while, Trish continues to resist, whine, moan, whince, silently cry and beg for mercy while the two men humiliate, batter, physically & verbally asault Trish in every conceivable fashion, sometimes with their genitals inside of her. It is as if they were rocking on with the music playing in the background. All of this is happening as they eventually cross the state line and Rapist #1 sort of looks on with pleasure as he drives down the road
SCENE THREE - Channel 4 Studios
It's now shortly after 11:00 PM and the station is on the air with its 11:00 PM newscast. Stan Morrisey & Lydia Johnson are the anchors. As we pick up the scene, they are about to mention the incident at the Al Faheed residence and use it as a lead-in to a series which Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton has been working on - Legal Muslim-American citizens & how they are treated in this country.
LYDIA (The anchorwoman reading from the TelePrompter) - A sizable group of hecklers gathered in front of the home of a Cedarville family earlier tonight who are legal immigrants to the US. (Video from the incident starts to roll and is broadcast to viewers of the newscast) The racous was so large and intense that the Cedarville PD had to call the riot squad to bring things under control. It also also got the attention of City Councilwoman Lisa Gordon, who lives in the area.
COUNCILWOMAN GORDON (In an on-camera interview addressing her constituents, and utlimately all of Cedarville) - This is an outrage. This is UMAERICAN. I ask my consituents...How would YOU like it if they did the same thing TO YOU? You wouldn't like it too well, would you? Well, how do you think (Pointing at the front door of the Al Faheed residence) these people feel?
LYDIA (Continuing) - Police report over 50 arrests were made in the incident despite pleas to get the crowd to disperse.
STAN (The anchorman also reading from the TelePrompter) - And that leads us to a Channel 4 Action News Investigative Report on just how legal immigrants, particularly muslims and mexicans, are being treated in this country. Channel 4 Action News Investigative Reporter Stephanie Blanton now joins us in the studio and Stephanie, some of the stuff you've uncovered is pretty shocking.
STEPHANIE (To Stan & Lydia) - It is pretty shocking indeed Stan & Lydia (Now facing the camera as she continues) - Picture yourself in this situation. You're a minority. A Mexican or a Muslim. You've gone through all the hassle and filed all the paperwork and followed all the steps you need to in order to become a legal immigrant to the U.S. Now what? You find a place to live. Find some work or maybe even open up a business. You're paying taxes. You don't break any laws. You're proud of what you're doing and what you've accomplished. Then someone comes along and ruins everything. Unfortunately, in this highly charged political climate, this is the life legal immigrants have to face each and every day. But as you're no doubt aware, there's been a rash of hate crimes in the city against legal immigrants, particularly muslims, lately. One city leader says she plans to do something about it. We decided to go further. We decided to dig up some statistics. And suffice to say, it's pretty shocking.
The scene now shifts to Clarita's Fancy Furniture store, which was hit earlier by vandalism. Stephanie and her crew were there outside while police were inside investigating
STEPHANIE (Now on videotape from the furniture shop and slowly walking back towards the cameraman) - This is Clarita's Fancy Furniture. It is owned by this woman (See picture above) As you can see, it was hit by vandals. It is just one of many cases like this which are still currently unsolved and buried in the vaults of the Cedarville Police Department.
CEDARVILLE PD PIO (In an interview from the furniture shop) - It's a sad thing for us to admit, but Cedarville is one of the leaders in the country when it comes to hate crimes. It's unfortunate, but it's true.
STEPHANIE (Facing the camera and still at the furniture store) - And that, says one city leader, is a statistic, that must change.
COUNCILWOMAN GORDON (In a taped on-camera interview from the furniture shop) - Why true American citizens don't have respect and consideration for legal, tax-paying immigrants just.....eh....Boggles the mind.
STEPHANIE (Now seen back in the studio on live TV and facing the camera) - Now, we should add that Cedarville's statistics are currently WAY higher than the national average. In fact, hate crimes nationally have been on a decline over the past few years (Adobe Acrobat PDF Version Here) but Cedarville, for whatever reason, is lagging in that area. The U.S. Attorney General's office here in Cedarville told me this afternnon that this is a trend they want very much to change. (Now facing Stan & Lydia as the camera pans out) - Now tommorrow Stan & Lydia, we hope to be talking to this Muslim family in order to get a feel for what it's like to be a Muslim legal immigrant living in the United States and the challenges they face.
STAN (Facing Stephanie) - Alright. Sounds like an interesting follow-up. We look forward to it. Thanks Stephanie.
STEPHANIE - You bet.
The station's news music begins to play in the background as the camera now squares in on Stan & Lydia)
LYDIA (Now facing the camera) - Coming up next on Channel 4 Action News at 11:00, Joe Weinstein has your weather forecast and it's shaping up to be rather interesting.
STAN (Also now facing the camera) - And Cliff Jorgensen has all the sports highlights. So stay with us. You're watching Channel 4 Action News at 11:00.
The news music plays as we switch to the next scene
SCENE FOUR - The FonDuLac Restaurant
It is now 2:00 AM and Maitre' D' Rob Warren is talking to Michael Carlotti at the bar as he & owner Michelle Monroe prepare to close for the night. Michael had been at the restaurant since about 7:15 PM waiting for Trish to arrive. Meanwhile, Rob tries to convince him that he'd been stood up
ROB (To Michael) - Man, It's 2:00 AM. Time to close up. Time for me to get on outta here.
MICHAEL (To Rob - Certain that here has to be some logical explaination for Trish not showing up and looking somewhat depressed) - Why don't you just go on home man.
ROB (Trying to be helpful by pointing out a fact) - Hey....You ain't the first guy who's been stood up around here. And you certainly won't be the last.
MICHAEL - I wasn't stood up. I just wished I knew where she was. She could at least call. There's gotta be a reason. But what?
ROB - You know what I think? I think she's probably at that comfy little loft the two of you currently have trying to come up with an explaination, but she simply can't.
MICHELLE (To Rob as she walks up to the bar) - Ready. (Now noticing Michael) - You're still here?
ROB (To Michelle) - He hasn't left since he got here.
MICHELLE (To Michael) - Well you're gonna have to leave now because we're leaving and, as you can tell, there's nobody else in the place.
MICHAEL (Noticing the time & obvious lack of people in the place) - Yeah, I guess I'm gonna have to now. Ohh well. See ya guys tomorrow.
Michael exits
ROB (To Michelle) - What do you suppose happened To Trish?
MICHELLE (In response) - Darned if I know.
ROB - It's not like her to stand up a date like that. Especially Michael.
MICHELLE - Well...As my mother would always say....Live & Let Live. C'mon, let's get outta here and have a date of our own - between the sheets (Raising her eyebrows).
Rob gets the hint and follows her out the door.
SCENE FIVE - Just Outside Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store
When we left Mr. Gamble's Grocery Store, David was convinced he saw Marcie sister Trish in the store surveillance tape & had told Marcie as much. Captain Rick Goldman arrived a few minutes later. As we pick up the scene now, the Cedarville PD is just wrapping up their investigation of this robbery/homicide
RICK (To the lab crew who showed up to gather scientific evidence) - Thanks a bunch guys.
David & Marcie now exit the store, which is being reinforced with more yellow tape. The closed sign is then displayed in the window
DAVID (To Rick) - Well that about wraps it up.
RICK (Looking at the scene as Mr. Gamble's body is loaded into the coroner's wagon) - I want these bastards.
MARCIE - Well, if there's nothing else, I think it's time we get out of here.
Knowing there's nothing they can do at the scene till they go home and get some sleep, David & Marcie try to leave, but Rick stops them.
RICK (To David & Marcie) - Hold on a minute. I've been noticing something between the two of you.
MARCIE (To Rick - Curiously) - What could that be?
RICK - The two of you seem to be rather 'tense' throughout this whole investigation. Would one of you care to tell me why?
Realizing they can't hide it forever and she may have been caught trying to hide it, Marcie makes a confession
MARCIE (To Rick - Reluctantly & much to David's chagrin, who follows her, knowing what she's about to show Rick) - Follow me.
David, Marcie & Rick all head back inside the store to the back room where the surveillance equipment is. David activates a monitor, pops in the tape, queues it up to where he thinks Trish is seen just before the robbery and lets it play till Trish and robbers/murderers leave the store
MARCIE - The woman in the tape is David's sister.
RICK (Realizing what must be done) - Ohh brother. We'd better get hard copies of every face on that tape except the corpse and put out an APB for them. I'm afraid this includes the girl.
MARCIE (To Rick) - Given the timeline, they could be well across the state.
RICK - Which is why it'll be inter-agency. If they're anywhere in America, they'll be found. That leads me to this. Before we go expeinding all kinds of resources looking for your sister, I need to know one thing. Is there any chance at all that....
DAVID (Adamantly interrupting Rick) - ....NO. She's not that kind of person.
RICK (Feeling reassured about the woman in the video, whom we know is Trish) - Alright. That leads me to this. And neither of you are going to like it. As of this moment, I have no choice but to take the two of you off the case.
DAVID (Begging and in near shock) - But Captain....We can handle this.
RICK (Adamant) - No. It's done David. You're off the case.
David & Rick continue the diatribe. David insisting that he and Marcie can still handle the case and Rick insisting that he has no alternative but to take them off the case
DAVID (Really begging) - Captain, I can assure you we won't do anything to embarrass the department. We want these bastards just as much as you do. Just give us a chance.
RICK (With the strongest authority he can dish out) - No Detective. It's done. You're both off the case. Besides if I let the two of you handle this case now, I'd have everyone from IA to the mayor's office clamouring down my back. I'm sorry Detective. But you know the regs as well as I do. You're personally involved. Now go home and get some sleep so you can report to work tomorrow and work on your other cases. That's an order Detectives.
Rick storms out, taking the tape with him.
DAVID (Mainly to himself in disgust after Rick leaves) - Like hell we're off this case.
MARCIE (To David) - Honey, he's right. We can't handle this case. Not now
DAVID - I wanna solve this - For Trish. I'm gonna get these bastards.
MARCIE - Fine then, but if you insist on being the arresting officer of record and breaking the rules in the process, the least I can do is supply the handcuffs.
Marcie dangles her handcuffs in front of David in sarcasm
DAVID - As far as the paperwork goes, you'll be the arresting officer of record. I just wanna be there.
MARCIE (Shaking her head) - Whatever. Let's just get the fuck out of here and go home.
David attempts to grab the tape, but doesn't realize that Rick took off with it until he opens the VCR door
DAVID (In disgust) - Fuck. He's got the tape.
MARCIE - Well that really shouldn't be a surprise. Remember, we are off the case. Now let's just get out of here, go home and clear our heads. There's nothing we can do now but wait.
DAVID (Feeling desperate and wanting to do something - anything to find and, if need be, help Trish) - That's just it. I can't just go home and wait. I should be out there looking for her.
MARCIE - David, you heard the Captain. He's gonna have every cop in the country looking for her. EVERY BADGE. Now, let's just go home, get to bed and get some sleep so that we can go back to work tomorrow with clearer heads. Besides, we don't even know where she is, let alone where to start looking. Now, I'm going home. If you aren't coming with me, I'll meet you there - in bed sleeping.
DAVID - That's easy for you to do. You don't have a sister out there, most likely out in the middle of nowhere and probably fighting for her life.
MARCIE - No I don't. But I have a sister-in-law who is. Now, let's just go home. Okay?
DAVID (Feeling like he should be doing something other than going home) - Whatever.
Marcie walks up to comfort David as they leave together.
SCENE SIX - The back of the getaway van
When we last left Trish and her rapists, Rapists #2 and #3 were busy having their way with her. As we pick up the scene now, the van is pulled over to the side of a quiet road and the three rapists and Trish are all in the back. With everything quiet in the van and her attackers all asleep, Trish sees this as an opportunity to try to escape. She attempts to gather what little torn clothing she can and puts what is wearable back on. The rest of it, she just simply grabs and puts over her body. She is making noises all the while, which eventually gets the attention of one of her attackers.
RAPIST #3 (Reaching out to Trish, who had just begun to open the back door) - Hey babe. Where the fuck do you think you're goin'? You're so fuckin' easy. Kiss me bitch.
Rapist #3 forces his face into hers and his tounge into her mouth as he kisses Trish on the lips. Trish responds by slapping his face and spitting in it.
RAPIST #3 (As he slaps Trish in the face) - FUCKIN' BITCH.
RAPIST #1 (To Rapist #3) - What the fuck are you doin' to her man?
RAPIST #3 (In response) - This fuckin' bitch slapped me in the face and spit at me. (To Trish) - FUCKIN' WHORE.
RAPIST #1 (To Rapist #1) - So fuckin' what. Get over it. (To Trish) - Come here baby. You need your beauty sleep. Come lay down next to me.
Just to avoid being assaulted again, she complies. But over an hour later, she tries again to escape, again making noises that would awaken her attackers, but this time neither of them seem to notice it. Trish opens the back door of the van again. But this time, she gets out. Still dazed and confused from all the beating she took, she begins her walk to freedom. With nothing for footwear and very little for clothing, she slowly makes her way back in the direction of where the van had been, assuming that is the way home. As inches turn to feet, feet turn to miles, minutes become hours and as the sun begins to rise in the horizon behind her, Trish every so often squats down to the ground, trying to squirt out as much of the sperm her attackers dumped inside of her as she can. When she eventually realizes the amount of sperm there may be inside of her and the depths in which it may be located, she begins to fear that one of them may have dumped enough inside of her to get her pregnant. This fear is ultimately confirmed when she starts to feel sperm inside of her that just won't come out.
TRISH (Now beginning to cry) - No. Please god no. I can't be. I just can't be It's so wrong.
Our virtual camera pans out to an aerial shot of the area, with Trish being little more than a tiny speck alongside a road as her cry echoes out
TRISH (Now yelling) - NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Her cry is heard for miles as the area she is in is like a desert, only not as cold at night nor as hot during the day. Plus, she's at the side of the only road in the area.
On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
* Trish is found and taken to the hospital. How will Michael react when he learns what happened to her? How will her brother David react?
* The Al Faheeds are targets of more trouble. Could this be the thing they need to sit down with Stephanie?
* Stephanie complains of a series of morning sickness cases to her doctor. Could she be? Naah...Couldn't be. Could it?
* Cassandra gets word on her case from Stanley. Could she be headed for court?
All this AND MORE On The NEXT Edition Of AGAINST THE STORM
Cue slow guitar instrumental version of Standard ATS Close
As the music plays and credits roll, we see Trish via an aerial shot continuing to make her way down the road toward what she thinks is home. We also see Michael all alone in the apartment he and Trish share and David at home laying in bed awake while Marcie sleeps and thinking how he should really be out there looking for Trish. These scenes rotate in alternating fashion until fade out.
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