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



Begin forwarded message:


Not much action, mostly just mind-games...

* Investigation Continues into Ryan's Death, with New Twist
* Maggie Rejects Rachel's Attempts at Discipline
* Cass Continues to Create Distress by Pursuing Laurie's Lawsuit
* Sharlene's Return Takes Felicia by Surprise


THE INVESTIGATION, Pt. I
Gary/Josie/Stranger

     Gary finds Josie in the police locker room the morning after, still
bummed out over Ryan's death.  He has her help him put on a black armband. 

He tries to console her, is about to kiss her when a noise startles them:
a stranger wearing a baseball cap enters, eyes them suspiciously, and
moves on. 

     Later, Josie gives Gary her report on the search for Justine, blood
and fiber samples from the tracks up by the county line were definitely
hers.  No word yet on the button, the lab is backed up.  She exits, he
goes into the office to call the lab - and discovers the baseball cap guy
standing at Ryan's desk, closing a briefcase.  He demands the guy's
identity, but the guy says "I'm nobody, I'm not even here, not
officially."  Then he takes the briefcase and rushes out.  Gary tries to
chase him down, but a cop stops Gary to get his signature on a
requisition, so Gary abandons the chase. 



MAGGIE'S REBELLION
Maggie/Tom'as/Rachel/Pam

     Rachel catches Maggie trying to sneak Tom'as out of the house in the
morning.  She kicks Tom'as out and tries to lay down the law to Maggie. 

Maggie says you're way too late for your "birds and bees" lecture,
nobody's been around to "parent" me all summer, a lot's happened, so I
started making my own decisions, I won't go back to being treated like a
child now.  Tom'as and I are in love, she adds, it's no big deal.  Love is
a very big deal, Rachel answers, and if you can say something like that,
it's a sure sign you're not ready yet - besides, I'm responsible for you,
and while you're living here you have to follow our rules.  The doorbell
rings (see below), and Maggie blows off the whole discussion and heads for
the hospital. 

     On candy-striper patrol, Pam tells Maggie that Nick is taking her for
a motorcycle ride, and notices that Maggie is acting testy.  Tom'as comes
up, takes Maggie aside and asks what happened with Rachel.  Maggie says
it was fine, what could Rachel do about it, I make my own decisions. 

Tomas says great, how about a picnic at the lake after work - you can pick
me up at the farm.  She accepts, then Tom'as wonders if she'll be missing
a class.  Maggie tells him it was canceled.  He buys it, and exits.  Pam
comes over and says she hadn't heard about the cancellation.  Maggie says
too bad, Shelly can take notes for me, I have dates too.  She exits, her
nose in the air. 


THE INVESTIGATION, Pt. II
Gary/Rachel/Carl/Josie/Stranger

     Rachel answers the doorbell, it's Gary, and Carl hears the bell and
comes down to join them.  Gary says he has a few more questions; Carl
tells him to lay off Rachel, but Rachel says it's o.k.  Gary really grills
her about the gun: can she fire one, does she own one, did she have one
with her that night, did she fight with Justine.  Rachel says yes, she can
fire one, but doesn't own one, didn't have one with her, doesn't remember
if she fought with Justine.  Gary suggests maybe it would jog her memory
to return to the trestle; Carl says no way, but Rachel agrees for Ryan's
sake. 

     At the trestle, the baseball cap guy seems to be supervising the
police dragnet of the area.  He chews out Josie for the slow progress so
far [why he picks on a rookie, I'll never know].  Gary arrives and sees
this, and blows his top at the guy - you're taillights, this is an
official police investigation, who the hell are you?  I'm your worst
nightmare, the guy sneers at him.  Josie, finally getting a word in
edgewise, introduces him as Capt. McNamara - our new boss!  McN snorts  
that
he's in charge of the task force looking into Ryan's death, so why haven't
you guys gotten any results yet?  Rachel and Carl descend from the
trestle, and Gary asks McN to have some respect, this was Ryan's dad and
stepmother, Ryan was like family.  This isn't an encounter group, snarls
McN, I'll handle it as I see fit.  He starts grilling Rachel about that
night; she repeats that she's trying but still can't remember.  Carl says
we already told Sgt. Sinclair, these questions are old, and he and Rachel
leave. 


     They return home; she has a headache and can't rest.  He says he
feels like throwing things, she says she felt angry and lonely when Mac
died, it was the anger that got her through it.  Carl says he's familiar
with anger; My rage will sustain me - without it, I'm empty, numb.  We'll
get through it together, Rachel promises.  Carl doesn't want to push her
to remember the painful details of Ryan's death, but they both agree it's
the only way to settle all the nagging questions that are tormenting them. 


     Back at the station, McN is snarling and shouting to have all reports
finished and on his desk ASAP.  He storms into the office and slams the
door behind him.  Gary, Josie and another cop discuss rumors of McN's
background: got through college in three years, then law shcool, etc.  The
other cop says he heard that his nickname is "Early" - Gary is snorting
and cackling over this, when McN comes up behind him - it would be a big
mistake to call me that, he snarls; you people have no clue how a real,
by-the-book station is run, but you're about to learn.  He exits.  He's no
Ryan Harrison, Gary remarks bitterly after him. 

     Later, Josie brings Gary all the reports McN had demanded: psych
profile on Justine [sounds like entertaining reading], plus ballistics,
forensics, and autopsy reports on Ryan [whimper, sniffle].  Gary makes
another crack about "Early."  Meanwhile, McN is on the phone with a
mystery person: Yeah, it's me, I just got into town, it'll be good to see
you again - he has an uncharacteristic smile.  He returns to his usual
contemptuous glare when Gary enters. 




ECHOES OF A LAWSUIT and FELICIA AND JOHN WONDER WHERE THEY  
STAND
Morgan/Courtney/Lorna/John/Sharlene/Cass/Frankie/Felicia

     Morgan is examining a patient, but the dirty old man wants Courtney
instead.  She diagnoses possible acute cirrhosis, and Morgan says good
job.  She's pleased, but as they leave the room they bemoan not being good
enough to save Ryan.  A process server tracks them down and serves them
each a summons, naming them in Laurie's lawsuit over Ben's death.  He then
goes off to track down Lorna.  Morgan's relieved to finally have it all in
writing, but Courtney is distraught over the possibility she could lose
her license.  Whatever happens, Andrew can't find out, she pleads.  She's
about to explain, when Lorna comes up waving her summons.  Don't discuss
this with the media, or anyone else, don't trust anyone, warns Lorna. 

Courtney is terrified of testifying in court.  Lorna agrees, Cass can rip
you to ribbons on the stand, I should know - but we'll all sit down with
the lawyer when John gets here, so don't panic.  Lorna exits; Courtney is
still scared, and Morgan offers to talk to Cass on her behalf, but she
dashes off to keep busy so she won't have to think about it. 


     Felicia comes to the hospital and runs into Lorna, she's brought
Lorna some brioche to snack on.  Lorna notes that Felicia still isn't
wearing her wedding ring, and says no time for snacks.  She explains about
the lawsuit.  What can I do to help, asks Felicia.  How about calling off
your buddy Cass, Lorna suggests, he's the one filing the suit. 


     John and Sharlene are dozing peacefully; Gregory impatiently jumps on
the bed to wake them up, says Josie left for work already.  Sharlene
watches father and son bond awhile, then sends Greg off to get his
Oklahoma souvenirs.  She senses John is preoccupied, but he just says he
missed her.  Me too, she says, also Josie - and she tries to call Josie at
work. 

     As John is about to leave for work, Sharlene answers the doorbell. 

The caller asks for John, John guesses why he's here and takes the summons
from him.  As he opens it, he tells Sharlene about the lawsuit - it
happened while you were visiting Emma, he says with an edge.  Why didn't
you tell me? she asks. 


     Cass has set up shop at Joe's old desk at Frankie's office.  He's on
the phone updating Laurie that the papers are being served on the doctors
as we speak.  Meanwhile Frankie is on the phone with Donna asking about
how Vicky's doing, then she gets a call from [probably] Sharlene, saying
[probably] that she's back in town, and Frankie says they'll talk shortly. 

Both Cass and Frankie hang up from their calls at the same time, and take
a moment to touch base.  Frankie is devastated at Ryan's death; and that,
on top of dealing with her miscarriage, makes her wish Cass weren't
working on Laurie's case.  He worries that she's changed her mind about
supporting him, he's really doing what he feels is right, and he needs her
behind him.  She says no, I'm still on your side, and even offers her P.I.
skills pro bono.  But Cass says he just needs her support and the use of
the phone - stay out of the investigation, no point in both of us
alienating everyone we care about. 

     Later Sharlene comes over to see Frankie.  They talk about losing
Ryan, then Frankie asks about her trip, she looks much happier.  The phone
rings; while Frankie talks with a client, Sharlene secretly looks at a
lapel button in her purse: "Where have all the flowers gone?", with a
peace sign.  She tells Frankie the trip was wonderful, helped her put her
childhood trauma in the past in proper perspective.  Thay talk about
Frankie's miscarriage; Sharlene wonders if they'll try again.  We have a
lot to work out first, says Frankie, and Cass is way too busy right now. 

Sharlene brings up the lawsuit, says she's upset with John for not telling
her about it.  It'll be rough, with Frankie's husband suing Sharlene's, to
keep the family from tearing apart - but both Frankie and Sharlene promise
to try to separate business from personal and stay close. 


     Back at the hospital, John tells Tim, their lawyer, that he
sympathizes with Laurie's grief; the lawyer warns him not to talk like
that around Cass.  He asks pointed questions about Laurie's character, but
John refuses to play the blame game. 

     Courtney finishes up with her patient; Morgan comes over and tries to
calm her down, but she's still spooked by the lawsuit.  John and Lorna
join them, we're all meeting with the lawyer in the morning, so be
prepared to recount the whole series of events in minute detail so Cass
can't pull any surprises in court.  Courtney can't deal and rushes off; 

Lorna tells Morgan to keep her from losing it.  She exits.  Morgan asks
John if this kind of lawsuit is common; John doesn't know, suggests he
save the question for the lawyer in the morning.  Then they see Cass at
the pay phone, he's telling Laurie they're meeting with all parties
tomorrow.  When he hangs up, he tries to approach Morgan, who just glares
at him and exits. 

     John runs into Felicia; she wants them to act like last night never
happened, but he can't forget about it and wants to sit down and talk it
out.  Morgan enters and pulls John away for an emergency; John tells
Felicia don't go anywhere.  While Felicia is waiting, Cass comes up; 

Felicia says she heard about the lawsuit, how could he do such a thing to
John and Morgan, is it about the miscarriage?  Cass admits it affected
him, but he truly believes he's doing the right thing.  Felicia thinks he
should bow out and get Laurie another lawyer.  Cass says he can't bail out
on Laurie now, he's all she's got.  Felicia wonders if it's worth losing
everyone he loves over this.  Cass says he knows it'll be rough, he's here
now to see if he still has a brother. 

     Later Cass returns to Frankie's office, to find Morgan waiting for a
private chat.  Morgan says the lawsuit is more painful that he'd expected
when he told Cass to go for it, and asks as a personal favor that he make
things better by dropping Courtney from the proceedings.  Courtney's
alive, he says, destroying her life won't bring Ben back.  Sorry, kid, I
can't, it's too late, answers Cass.  Yeah, way too late, answers Morgan,
stalking out. 

     Meanwhile, Felicia sits in the lobby, gazing at her empty ring
finger.  Lorna is surprised to see her still there, and Felicia says she
wants to renew her offer of support during the lawsuit.  I want to tell
John the same thing, she adds transparently.  Don't bother, smirks Lorna,
exiting.  Felicia! says a friendly voice behind her; she turns to see that
Sharlene has just entered - to Felicia's shock and dismay.  FREEZE FRAME. 



Later,

Vicky (vkorosei@sinclair.edu)






