EXT: FOUNTAIN IN THE PARK: EVENING
The beautiful spring evening has brought out the Salemites. EJ is sitting on the edge of the fountain, sadly tracing the dedication plate that reads, "In loving memory of John Black. Beloved husband, father and friend. His loving spirit remains alive in all the lives he has touched." Ava walks up the path, seeing him, she walks up to him and sits on the other side of the dedication plate.
AVA
Hi.
EJ
I want to be like him.
AVA
He’s dead.
EJ
Not any more.
AVA
What do you mean, not any more?
EJ
It was one of my father’s little games. Once again, he stole a life. It seemed to be his hobby. Taking people’s lives and using them.
AVA
You aren’t responsible for what he did.
EJ
(Standing and walking away from her)
Yes. I am. I helped him. Ava, I’ve done terrible things.
AVA
Like I’m one who could throw stones.
EJ
If you knew--
AVA
I would love you any way. You will always be my hero.
EJ
(Shaking his head)
You wouldn’t stay that.
AVA
(Walking to him and taking his hand)
Tell me.
EJ
I’m too ashamed.
AVA
Look at me. EJ, look at me. What do you see in my eyes?
EJ
Someone who doesn’t exist any more.
AVA
Yes. He does. You’ve just forgotten. But I haven’t. I still remember who you truly are. Every new beginning starts with an ending. You’ve done things you aren’t proud of. So have I. Do you think any less of me?
EJ
You don’t understand.
AVA
What don’t I understand. What is the worse thing you’ve done?
EJ
I can’t.
AVA
EJ, you can. Trust me.
EJ
Trust? What’s that?
AVA
The courage to have faith in another.
EJ
(The words rush out)
I raped Samantha Brady. I loved her and she didn’t love me. But I thought I could make her love me. Father wanted an heir with a Brady woman. It was nothing until I met her. She was so alive and beautiful. And she was a Brady. I could make my father happy and find love at the same time. But she loved Lucas. No matter what I did, she always went back to him. No matter how he hurt her...
AVA
So you thought that if you hurt her more, she would love you?
EJ
You hate me.
AVA
I don’t hate you.
EJ
How can you not? I hate myself. I love her but when I look in her eyes I remember--the hurt and betrayal I saw in her eyes. Sometimes, I still see it. I want her to love me like I love her.
AVA
If you loved her, you would never have hurt her like that.
EJ
She said she forgives me.
AVA
Forgiveness is different than love.
EJ
In time--
AVA
In time, what? Do you think she will forget? Can you?
EJ
I can make it work. I can’t give up.
AVA
You don’t have anything to give up.
EJ
She’ll forgive me.
AVA
You said she already did. Is there something else? EJ, you can’t force someone to love you. You can’t lie or manipulate them into caring. Love doesn’t work that way. I love you for who you are in here. You didn’t have to con me. I loved you for you. I wanted you to be happy. That’s why I didn’t follow you. Maybe that was a mistake. But I thought that is what you wanted and I wanted you to be happy. That is what love is.
(Placing her hand on his heart)
You are a kind and honorable man, who used to make me feel safe and loved. You helped me find reasons to smile after my mother died. You were my handsome knight who road upon steed to save me. You gave me the strength to think I could have a life of my own. To be someone besides my father’s daughter.
EJ
I’m not that man any more.
AVA
Yes you are. You just have to remember to be EJ not Stephano’s son. He twisted and manipulated you in the name of love and family loyalty.
EJ
That’s no excuse.
AVA
No excuse. An explanation. You are still responsible for what you did. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t fix what you broke.
EJ
How?
AVA
Look a movie theater. Let’s go.
EJ
My life is falling a part and you want to go to a movie?
AVA
It’s Indiana Jones.
EJ
I don’t feel like it.
AVA
Is there anything you can do tonight to change anything?
EJ
No.
AVA
My treat.
EJ
Like I haven’t heard that before.
AVA
(Holding up her purse)
I didn’t forget it. I’ll even buy you your own bag of popcorn.
EJ
As if I touch yours with all the salt you put on it.
AVA
You’re the one to talk--Mister I want popcorn with my butter. You’re getting up in age, buddy. You might want to start watching your cholesterol.
EJ
Ha, Ha. You’re just as old as I am.
AVA
But I wear it so much better.
EJ
That you do.
CUT
INT: CHEZ ROUGE: NIGHT
The restaurant is full. Doug and Julie stand off to the side of the bar with Maggie.
DOUG
Maggie, what did you do? Advertise day and night.
MAGGIE
I didn’t have to. It’s all word of mouth.
DOUG
I didn’t think anyone would remember.
JULIE
Doug, how could they forget? You helped them celebrate some of the best times of their lives.
DOUG
It’s been such a long time.
MAGGIE
I heard your rehearsals. You have only gotten better. Albert said he was impressed.
DOUG
What does he know, his just a kid.
MAGGIE
A kid who graduated from Juilliard with honors. He not only plays the piano, but he is also a composer.
JULIE
You see. It’s not just me who thinks you are fabulous.
MAGGIE
And me.
Chloe and Philip walk up.
CHLOE
I’m here.
DOUG
You’re not Liz or Roberto, but you’ll do.
CHLOE
Am I missing something?
JULIE
Doug’s a little nervous. It’s been a long time since he sang in front of a crowd.
DOUG
I’m still here.
CHLOE
That’s silly. Doug, you have an amazing voice. I’m going to learn a lot from you.
PHILIP
Maggie, have you seen my father? He said he was going to be here tonight.
CHLOE
Leave him alone. It can wait until tomorrow.
MAGGIE
They were at the bar waiting for their table. I don’t see them. Maybe they went out on the terrace?
PHILIP
I’ll go look.
CHLOE
(Following)
Philip, don’t you dare.
JULIE
I wonder what that was all about?
MAGGIE
Who knows? Doug you almost ready?
Caroline and Victor walk up.
CAROLINE
Hi Doug, Julie. We’re all happy that you are back.
VICTOR
Maggie, thank you for making room for us. .
MAGGIE
Philip is looking for you.
VICTOR
I saw them when they came in.
CAROLINE
Victor insisted that we duck down the hallway.
VICTOR
They weren’t invited.
MAGGIE
Chloe is auditioning tonight.
Nicole walks up behind them.
NICOLE
Victor, cheating on me again I see.
VICTOR
How did you get in here?
NICOLE
I just dropped your name.
MAGGIE
Nicole, we are totally booked tonight.
NICOLE
I saw that. Giving away free booze.
Philip and Chloe return from the terrace.
Oh look. A family gathering. I just have to stay.
PHILIP
There they are.
CHLOE
Philip not tonight.
PHILIP
Chloe came up with brilliant idea.
VICTOR
Are you sure you can talk about it in mixed company.
NICOLE
Hi Philip. Chloe.
VICTOR
Is there nowhere I can go to get away from you two harpies?
DOUG
Let’s start the show. I think it’ll be safer up there.
JULIE
Good idea.
MAGGIE
I’ll get Albert.
Julie and Doug walk toward the piano.
This is a very special night for a lot of people. This is your one and only warning not to ruin it for them.
VICTOR
There will be no trouble. You have my word.
MAGGIE
Good.
Maggie walk to handsome man in his twenties who was sitting in a small back booth. Together they walk towards the piano.
NICOLE
He’s cute.
VICTOR
Forget it Nicole. He wouldn’t be interested in a tramp like you.
CAROLINE
Victor!
NICOLE
What does that say about you?
VICTOR
You’re a mistake that soon will be dealt with.
WAITER
(Walking over)
Your table is ready.
VICTOR
Good timing. Don’t follow us.
PHILIP
It’ll just take a minute.
VICTOR
Chloe, I hope you get the job so you can move out of my house.
CHLOE
Thanks. I think.
NICOLE
Chloe are you going to be a working girl again.
VICTOR
Like you have room to talk.
CAROLINE
Let’s just go to the table.
VICTOR
Good idea.
Philip starts to follow. Victor stops him.
Go back to your she-devils. You wanted them. You deal with them.
CHLOE
If you want any peace tonight. You’ll listen.
VICTOR
Make it quick.
PHILIP
A national telethon to raise money to add on wings to existing hospitals. It would be cheaper and easier to add on instead of building new facilities.
CHLOE
They would also eventually benefit the members of the communities not just vets.
CAROLINE
The two of you want to do something to aid the returning vets. What a wonderful idea. I’d like to help.
NICOLE
Me too. I’d made a lot of contacts in California.
VICTOR
On your street corner, no doubt.
CAROLINE
That wasn’t necessary.
NICOLE
No really. I help build Mythic from the ground up.
VICTOR
Fine. You can help.
CHLOE AND PHILIP
What?
VICTOR
You’ll need all the help you can get. Now go talk about it some place else. Caroline, our waiter is getting impatient
He leads her toward the other side of the room.
CAROLINE
Victor, what you up to?
VICTOR
With any luck, they actually get some work done before they kill each other.
They sit at the table as the house light dim slightly and the piano starts to play
MAGGIE
I would like to welcome you to Chez Rouge. As most of you remember Doug Williams.
The crowd applauds.
Doug’s Place was like no other. Filled with joy, love and music, it was where many of us fell in love and celebrated our special events. We were all saddened when it closed. It was like loosing a part of the family. Although Chez Rouge will never take its place, we can recreate a little piece of it. I give you Doug Williams.
Maggie hands Doug the microphone. He kisses her on the check and she steps off the stage. Immediately she goes behind the bar.
DOUG
I’m amazed by how many of you remember. It was long ago or was it yesterday.
MAGGIE
(To the bartender)
Is the cameral working?
BARTENDER
I think so.
Maggie picks up the phone and dials.
CUT
INT: ALICE HORTON’S LIVING ROOM: NIGHT
Alice is sitting in her chair with a laptop computer on the table in front of her. Doug is on the screen. She picks up the phone.
ALICE
Hello. Hi Maggie. Yes. I have it. Doug looks wonderful.
The camera zooms on the screen.
CUT
INT: CHEZ ROUGE: NIGHT
DOUG
I would like to start with a very special song, dedicated to two very special people. They opened hearts and their family to me. With out them I wouldn’t have met and married the love of my life. Tom is no longer with us and Alice couldn’t be here in person tonight, but this song was special to them. I dedicate it to them and all those who found a love that will last always
Doug starts singing Always. As he does, the camera pans around the room. The audience joins in. They are not only enjoying the music, but the memories that accompany it. Hope and Bo sit together at a table, holding hands. Maggie joins Mickey at their table. Victor and Caroline sit at their table. She reaches out and takes his hand. Victor encircles his hands around hers. Marlena and John sit at another table. Marlena is remembering fond memories. John looks uncomfortable and moves his hand away. At the bar, Roman watches them. Marlena reaches out to take John’s hand. John focuses on the ring. He’s suddenly uncomfortable.
JOHN
(Whispering to Marlena)
I gotta get out of here.
MARLENA
I’ll go with you.
JOHN
No stay here.
John walks out. Roman waits for a moment then follows. The song is nearly over.
INT: ALICE’S LIVING ROOM: NIGHT
Pulling out from the screen to see, Alice caressing Tom’s face in the picture.
ALICE
(Singing)
Not for just an hour. Not for just a day. Not for just a year. But always. Always. Tom.
CUT
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1 comment:
I loved reading your ideas, especially the dialog!! thanks for sharing :)
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