From: Lisa Klobucar <lisa@ah5.cal.msu.edu>


Begin forwarded message:


Another doozy, with a surprise or two...

* Rafael and Maggie (Predictably) Hit the Road
* Cecile Drops a Bombshell on Cass (NOT About the Kidnapping...)
* John Says Goodbye, Heads for Rwanda
* Jake and Donna Haunt the Hospital to Support Bridget
* Andy Sets Up Morgan - With Poor Bridget as Pawn!


NEXT STOP: SUN AND SURF?
Rafael/Maggie

     Rafael is asleep in his room when there's a pounding at the door. 

It's Maggie, she says she's changed her mind and wants to skip town with
him after all.  She's all over him, paints a fantasy about their romantic
tropical getaway.  He's suspicious and tries to throw her out, but she
won't go, says she just needed time to think it over.  He reminds her they
can't afford the lush lifestyle she's expecting.  We can now, she says,
dumping the stolen Cory jewelry out of her purse.  She claims it's hers, a
downpayment on her trust fund.  What about your hangup on Nick, he asks. 

He's history, I want to be with you, now, she tells him with a kiss. 

     They hit the road, but the car breaks down and they have to stay the
night at cheap motel, they're short on cash until she can fence the loot -
er, I mean, sell the items.  Maggie's uncomfortable in such a seedy place,
but Rafael gets super-excited when he sees the bed has Magic Fingers - he
plunks in a quarter and writhes in ecstasy on the vibrating mattress. 

Reluctantly Maggie joins him; he reassures her she won't have to endure
such cheap digs for long, they'll soon be on a beach somewhere.  He has
her close her eyes while he describes sun, sand, surf - suntan oil... 

Sitting behind her on the bed, he slides her coat off her shoulders, then
her sweater; he starts to kiss her neck and shoulders, then she turns to
face him and returns the kiss.  But as it gets more intense, she suddenly
pulls away and slaps him.  He gets angry - whatever game you're playing,
deal me out, he snarls.  He grabs his coat and storms out, slamming the
door. 



WAS I LYING THEN - OR AM I LYING NOW?  (OR BOTH?)
Cecile/Matt/Cass/Felicia

     Cecile comes down in the morning to find Matt at the living room
safe.  He tells her he found it open, and asks if she heard anything
strange last night.  It wasn't me, she assures him (not mentioning how
hard she'd tried).  He goes in the other room to call Carl and Rachel
before he notifies the police.  The maid enters with Cecile's breakfast on
a tray, and Cecile tells her Maggie will be joining her.  She's not here,
says the maid, and she didn't sleep in her bed last night.  She exits, and
Cecile puts 2 and 2 together and guesses [correctly] that Maggie has fled
with the Cory valuables. 


     Cass and Felicia are at the bookstore, unpacking a shipment.  She's
uncomfortable after the fiasco at Carlino's last night, when she and John
entered and ran into Sharlene with Cass and Frankie.  She's afraid Cass
will side with them and abandon her.  Cass reassures her he's still her
best friend, but she shouldn't be surprised that a lot of people might
feel hostile.  I didn't realize how hard it would be, she confesses.  Cass
asks what John said about her tiff with Sharlene after he left.  I didn't
tell him, she admits, he has enough to worry about.  Cass is upset that
John seems to be letting Felicia bear the brunt of the fallout from the
relationship.  I can handle it, she answers; besides, as long as I have
you I'm not alone - if you end up as my only friend, it's o.k.  because
you're the best.  They embrace; but they're interrupted when Cecile swoops
in.  Felicia makes a quick exit, to Cass's pained amusement, but she can't
leave fast enough for Cecile. 

     Once Felicia is gone, Cass wearily asks what the latest crisis is. 

It's Maggie, Cecile answers frantically, she's in big trouble, she could
end up in jail, we have to find her!  She babbles away, trying not to
reveal anything too specific, and tries (unsuccessfully) to make Cass
promise not to call the cops.  When Cass won't play, she finally explains
about the Cory safe being opened, she thinks Maggie took some jewelry. 

But she has her trust fund, Cass argues.  Not until she's 25, Cecile
reminds him, I think she needed money now so she could run off and start a
new life.  But why? Cass persists.  Cecile, running out of plausible lies,
starts to leave in disgust, but Cass grabs her arm - her purse falls to
the floor, and the emerald bracelet that Maggie planted falls out.  Cecile
is too stunned to answer when Cass holds it up accusingly - it was you who
broke into the safe, he shouts, tell the truth for once!  He further
rifles her purse and finds the slip of paper Maggie also planted with the
combination to the safe.  It's clear to him that Cecile stole the jewelry,
and now she's trying to frame her own daughter!  No surprise, he says,
after all, you tried to sell her to the highest bidder to get at her trust
fund.  She only has a trust fund because of me, Cecile snaps.  That was
Mac Cory's doing, Cass snarls back.  Cecile: She's only a Cory because I
made her one!  Cass: She's a Cory because you got Sandy Cory to knock you
up so he'd marry you.  He bolts for the phone to call the cops on Cecile. 

Don't do that, she begs, you'll regret this, Maggie needs us, you're the
only one who can help!  Tell it to her father, he growls, dialing the
police.  I am! she answers - it's true, Sandy's not her real father: you
are!  Stunned, he hangs up the phone and stares at her. 




WHY DON'T YOU CHICKS WORK THIS OUT WHILE I'M GONE?
John/Sharlene/Gregory/Rita/Morgan/Michael/Felicia

     Sharlene is surprised when John stops by her place to see Gregory
before he leaves for Africa this afternoon.  He can barely hide his shock
at his first glimpse of the sparse apartment.  He hands her a slip of
paper which has the number of the embassy in Rwanda, in case of emergency
or if Greg needs him.  He'll appreciate that, says Sharlene, going to get
Greg.  While she's gone, he glances around and sees that she's displaying
photos of the three of them.  Sharlene returns and says Greg will be right
in, he has a surprise for John.  John mentions their run-in at Carlino's;
Sharlene apologizes for chewing out Felicia after he left, which is news
to him, Felicia hadn't mentioned it.  He assures her he never meant to
embarrass her.  Greg runs in with a map Sharlene helped him draw of
Africa, with a star denoting Rwanda.  Sharlene leaves them alone to visit
(bond?).  John tells Greg to draw him another picture while he's gone, a
map of the U.S. with a star for Bay City, I'll be back soon.  Then he
reaches into a sack and pulls out a present for Greg, it's a big card with
a photo of them mounted inside, and a microchip that plays John's voice:
"I love you, I miss you, I'll be home soon."  It'll be like a part of me
is here with you, and I'll always have you with me in my heart, John tells
the kid with a hug.  As they embrace, John asks Greg to take special care
of your Mom, she needs you now more than ever.  Sharlene, eavesdropping,
stifles a sob and blinks back a tear. 

     Later, after John has left, Greg asks why does Daddy have to go to
Africa? Are there lions? Is it dangerous?  She reassures him, Daddy's
going to help a lot of people, he'll be fine, he'll be back before you
know it.  She sends him to wash up for lunch - while he's gone, she opens
the card and listens to John's recorded message again [well, it was hard
to understand, you had to be pretty close to it to make out the words...]. 

Then she stands it on the coffee table and lights a candle in front of it,
like a little shrine, and she bursts into tears. 


     John goes to the hospital and calls his senior staff to his office to
say goodbye - don't let Rita sell off my Grateful Dead CD's while I'm
gone, he jokes.  They wish him well and exit, and Morgan stays behind:
Don't worry, he half-kids, what more could go wrong around here? [*Note: 

Famous Last Words...] You never know, John kids back - besides, working
for Rita, you'll be in more combat than I will in Rwanda.  Morgan exits as
Rita enters with flowers for the desk, surprised that John hasn't left
yet.  Don't worry, no change of plans, I'm still going, he reassures her
"sweetly," I know how *much* you'll miss me.  Oh, feel free to stay just
as long as you want, don't hurry back, she responds, just as "sweetly." 

She leaves the flowers and exits. 

     Then Mike [see below] stops by, tells John about Bridget's condition
(which was also news to John), and mentions that he's miffed that John
didn't say goodbye to him this morning.  John says he didn't want a repeat
of walking in on Carol again, but Mike says she wasn't there.  He asks for
John's number in Rwanda, and John tells him he gave it to Sharlene when he
was there to see Greg.  Mike asks hopefully how Sharlene reacted to John's
farewell.  Dunno, she left the room, he answers.  And what about when you
get back? Mike persists.  I have no idea, he answers - for the next few
weeks, I just want to focus on making some lives better in that war-torn
country.  Sometimes, Mike admits, taking a beat, all I see is what a jerk
you are, and I forget what an incredible human being you are, I'm proud of
you.  John admits he has an ulterior motive, maybe this will help ease his
guilt about Vietnam, maybe the nightmares will stop again.  They embrace,
then Mike offers him a ride to the airport.  Got it covered, John answers. 

Mike protests, then Felicia walks in - ready to go? she asks, ignoring
Mike's snub.  Mike shoots John a disapointed look, then wishes John good
luck, and exits, walking right past Felicia. 

     Felicia notes that Mike wasn't too pleased to see her.  I don't care,
John answers.  He apologizes for leaving her to face all the flack alone,
but she assures him she understands how important this mission is.  She
gives him a good-luck amulet she found researching a book once, then asks
if he's ready to go.  One more thing, he answers: he takes her in his arms
and lays a huge kiss on her.  Then they exit, arm in arm. 




BUT - I'M JUST A *SPIN* DOCTOR!
Lorna/Gabe

     Lorna shows up at Gabe's office in response to his call.  He closes
the door and asks for her help in getting a special patient admitted to
the hospital.  She wonders if it's someone from his past, after his
surprise revelation last night that he'd been married before.  Actually,
he says, it's an undercover cop, to act as bait for the plug-puller. 

Lorna protests that she doesn't have the technical knowledge to help fool
the medical staff, and thinks it's fishy that he doesn't want Rita
involved.  I have my reasons, he answers.  For a guy with a reputation for
integrity, she observes, you sure have a lot of secrets. 

     Later they arrive at the hospital.  She tells him she'll try to keep
Rita in the dark, but some things are impossible - like us.  He's
surprised by her ambivalence, and wonders if she's trying to suggest they
break up.  No, why? she counters innocently.  He notes that she seems to
have a lot of questions she's not asking.  She finally asks - do you think
I'm sexy?  She's crushed when he bursts out laughing, then he explains
that he can't believe she'd have to ask: You're the sexiest, most sensual
woman I've ever met - definitely.  Then, she continues, why haven't we
made love yet?  [Yeah - makes you wonder if this is a real soap or what?]


AW, MA, LEAVE ME ALONE
Chris/Rita/Matt/Jake

     A nurse is in Chris's room checking his vitals, while he tries to hit
on her.  Rita enters and tells the nurse to take a hike.  She checks his
chart, noting that physically he's coming along fine, but his brain must
have been disengaged to wrap his car around a tree - watching his surgery
nearly scared her to death.  And all this because you were speeding here
to surprise you mother, she scolds.  Uh, yeah, that's it, he bluffs.  She
tells him to get some rest and exits.  When she's gone, he buzzes for the
nurse - Could you fluff my pillow, he requests, muttering that there has
to be *some* benefit from being the boss's son. 

     Matt comes to the hospital and runs into Jake.  Jake tells him he's
staying here to be with Bridget; Matt won't explain why he's here, but
Jake suspects it's newspaper business, and follows him into Chris's room. 

Jake picks up from the conversation that Chris is the new reporter, and
introduces himself.  Then Jake and Matt get into a heated argument over
whether Jake is absent too much, and/or whether Matt keeps Jake out of the
loop.  Chris interrupts to ask who he reports to on editorial matters. 

Me, Jake and Matt answer together.  Interesting, Chris mumbles warily. 



BRIDGET ON THE BRINK
Morgan/Jake/Donna/Bridget/Courtney/Andrew/Nick/Jake/Matt/Mike/Carol

     Morgan is updating Jake on Bridget's stroke when Donna rushes up,
wanting to see her immediately.  Morgan says hold off, Bridget stopped
breathing last night, we put her on a respirator, it doesn't look good. 

       From the nurses' station, Courtney watches Morgan as a nurse
remarks, poor Morgan has another terminal patient, it's really hard on
him.  [I swear, if they kill off Bridget - I'd consider a little
plug-pulling my OWN self...] Andy, wearing hospital greens, approaches,
spots Courtney, and ducks back out of sight; Courtney somehow senses his
presence and turns, but he's gone.  She goes off after him to confirm her
suspicions. 

     Morgan wants to run some tests, but Donna won't wait.  She bursts
into Bridget's room.  As Jake and Morgan join her, Donna tries to shout
through Bridget's coma, ordering her to wake up, Vicky needs her.  Morgan
is anxious to start the tests, and Jake pulls Donna away.  Don't let her
die, I'm counting on you, he tells Morgan emotionally. 

     Outside the room, Donna asks Jake how this happened.  I went to visit
her to keep her company, with Vicky and the kids gone; we were talking,
folding laundry - Jake nearly breaks down; suddenly, he continues, she
stopped talking and just stared...  Donna wonders if he'd said anything to
upset her.  Jake explodes - she's like my mother, I've known her since Vic
and I were kids, I'd never do anything to hurt her!  Vicky should be here,
they have to keep Bridget alive until Vicky can return and help her
through this, they agree.  Morgan emerges, tells them the best way they
can help is to pray; then he spots Courtney scurrying down the corridor
and takes off after her. 

     Nick arrives at the hospital and runs into Courtney, who directs him
to Bridget's room in ICU.  Then she grabs angrily at a guy in hospital
greens, but apologizes when she sees it isn't Andy. 


     Nick finds Jake soberly peering in Bridget's window.  Jake tells him
it doesn't look good for her.  Nick is worried about how Vicky will take
it, and wonders why she doesn't come back, now that Grant is locked up. 

Jake predicts that Grant will somehow find a way to get back at her, maybe
by going after Kirk.  Nick carps that this only shows what a mistake it is
to get close to people, they end up being taken away - Jake's got it made:
wealth, success, power...  At that, Jake chews him out - if you don't have
someone to share it with, it's not work jack, he snaps. 


     Matt runs into a distraught Donna and asks if she's all right.  Like
you care, she retorts.  Mike rushes in with Doc Carol and also asks after
Donna.  Why should you care, you were obviously tied up, she jabs.  Carol
makes a quick strategic exit.  Jake rushes up and tells Donna they can see
Bridget now, she's still unconscious but the presence of loved ones may
help, I left a message on Vicky's machine.  They hurry off.  Mike and Matt
exchange glares. 


     In the locker room, Morgan, wearing only a towel, stuffs his clothes
in his locker and heads for the shower.  Andrew sneaks in, steals Morgan's
clothes out of his locker [Memo to Rita Madison: May be time to invest in
locks for those lockers, hmmmmmm?], and skulks out again. 


     Courtney sees Morgan enter Bridget's room and calls to him, but he
ignores her - only it isn't Morgan, it's Andy wearing Morgan's clothes. 

He pulls the plug on Bridget [so, where were Jake & Donna?] and escapes
down the hall unseen.  The alarm goes off at the nurse's station, and
Courtney calls a code blue to Bridget's room.  As the team rushes in with
a crash cart to revive her, Rita and Gabe rush up and Courtney reports
frantically that it's another plug-pulling.  Did you see anyone come out?
Gabe asks.  [Come OUT?  Actually, no, she didn't...] This is Dr.
Winthrop's patient, Rita shouts, where is he?  Courtney looks distressed. 

FREEZE FRAME. 




Pulling for Bridget,

Vicky (vkorosei@sinclair.edu)



