From: Marni Centor <marni@panix.com>

Sorry for the delay in getting this out!

GUIDING LIGHT UPDATE -- THURSDAY, JAN 25, 1996

                       MORNING HAS BROKEN
                               -or-
                       PICK A BED, ANY BED

Written by Julie Osborne & directed by Brian Mertes.

Highlights:
* Josh makes his bed & Reva promises to make him lie in it
* Blake gets up on the wrong side of the bed & treads on her marriage
* Van & Matt offer advice from their bed of roses
* Amanda's daydream is Ross's nightmare

A crisp, snowy morning in Springfield, USA...

LEWIS HOUSE: Annie opens the door & greets the new day with joy. She 
loves how the new snow makes everything look fresh & pure. For some 
reason, this reminds her of the way Josh made her feel last night, and 
then again this morning. He agrees that it was pretty spectacular. Annie 
really believes now that Reva can never come between them. Josh kisses 
her in agreement.

ALAN'S LAIR: Alan & Reva are also reminiscing fondly about last night. 
Reva breaks the spell by announcing that she's going to see her kids. 
Alan asks her to wait, because he has something he wants her to have.

VAN & MATT'S BOUDOIR: This couple hasn't made it out of bed yet. Matt 
watches as Van awakens with a smile. He asks if she was having a nice 
dream. She says yes, but thinks it could be the beginning of a much 
nicer dream. Matt immediately sets out to make the dream come true.

MARLER BOUDOIR: Ross is still asleep, but Blake is already annoyed about 
something. She paces & stares at her sleeping husband, then slams him 
with a pillow to wake him up. "How can you sleep with a guilty 
conscience?" Ross figures it's a dream & rolls over. Blake says it's not 
a dream, but a nightmare. Ross opens his eyes.

When Blake says it's about Amanda, Ross tries to blow her off, but Blake 
sticks to her guns. He wouldn't listen to her last night, but he's damn 
well going to now. Ross makes light of the situation, wondering what 
petty thing Amanda has done to peeve Blake now. Blake is disillusioned 
because she thought their marriage was based on trust & honesty. Ross 
has no clue what she's talking about. Blake wonders why Ross never 
bothered to tell her that Amanda was stark naked in his office while 
Blake was right outside the door. Ross's joviality fades quickly.

SPAULDING MANSION: Amanda gazes morosely out the window while the 
fauxmaid (is it Betty or Nettie?) sets out breakfast. Amanda wonders if 
Alex will be joining her, but the maid says Alex left already. Amanda 
pours some OJ & curls up on the couch, pouting. She stares at the empty 
fireplace & imagines it burning brightly. She daydreams about breakfast 
with Ross. They talk about their honeymoon & Ross says gooey stuff like, 
"You make me the happiest man alive." But Ross is wearing a smoking 
jacket & has a subdued, rich demeanor that is very different from the 
open, loving way he usually is with Blake. They hold hands over the 
breakfast table in front of the fire.

Amanda awakens from her reverie & asks Nettie to call her dressmaker to 
come right over. She apparently needs a new way to display her cleavage, 
& grins evilly as she plots her next attack on Ross.

ALAN'S: Reva admires the bracelet that Alan has given her, but says it 
wasn't necessary. Alan says it's no fun having money if you can't spend 
it the way you like. He knows she doesn't feel the same way about him as 
he does about her, but... Reva says she feels a lot, & it's all pretty 
good. After last night, Alan has more hope than he's ever had for their 
future. He suggests that she get going to see the kids. He also suggests 
that if Josh is really out of her life as she said last night, she might 
want to think about pursuing joint custody rather than sole. She's 
feeling too good to argue, so she agrees to discuss it with Josh. This 
makes Alan even happier & they seal the agreement with a kiss. 

After she leaves, Alan smiles & makes a phone call. He asks someone to 
come over right away.

LEWIS HOUSE: Marah's therapist calls to tell Josh he has an opening 
today, if Josh can bring Marah in. Josh consults with Annie, who reminds 
him that Reva is coming, but Josh votes for therapy. They call up to 
Marah to get ready to leave. Josh suggests that Annie come with them so 
she doesn't have to face an angry Reva, but Annie says she'll be fine. 
Josh & Annie go upstairs to help Marah get ready.

MARLER BOUDOIR: "Is that all?" asks Ross. Blake is outraged at his 
nonchalant admittance that he shooed her away while Amanda showed him 
the family jewels. "So what?" asks Ross. Amanda got naked & he told her 
to get dressed, end of story. He didn't tell Blake because it was all so 
stupid, & Amanda was much more embarrassed than he was & she gave up. 
Blake doesn't buy the giving-up part, because Mandy told her flat out 
that she's still after Ross. Ross thinks Blake misunderstood, & she gets 
angry because Ross is defending Amanda. She accuses him of having guilty 
feelings, but Ross denies it. "Why can't you just admit that you were 
turned on at the sight of that slut?" demands Blake. Ross asks if Blake 
is accusing him of lying. She backs down, but he's angry. "I thought you 
trusted me a hell of a lot more than that," he fumes. Exit Ross.

LEWIS HOUSE: Reva checks out the sled leaning against the house, then 
knocks on the door. Annie composes herself, then opens up. Reva 
apologizes for being early. Annie reminds her that Shayne is on his 
nursery school field trip. Reva says it's just as well that she get to 
spend some time alone with Marah. Annie explains that Marah isn't there 
& Reva will have to reschedule. Reva starts to get annoyed & Annie -
quickly explains about the last-minute therapy appt. Reva asks if the 
therapist is at Cedars & Annie confirms. Reva grabs her coat & starts 
heading for the door as Annie protests that Reva can't just barge in on 
the session. Annie blocks the door.

ALAN'S: Alan welcomes Reva's lawyer, who is dismayed to find that Reva 
isn't there. Alan wants to talk to her alone, but she says if he's going 
to ask her to throw the case again, he can save his breath. He explains 
that Reva is now willing to accept some sort of joint custody 
arrangement. Ms. Templeton is surprised, because Reva seemed ready for a 
long custody battle. But if she has changed her mind, Ms. Templeton 
thinks the divorce can be granted as soon as the work out a joint 
custody agreement. Alan is delighted. 

MATT & VAN'S BED: They cuddle & note that it's 8:30 AM. Matt is 1 hour 
late for work. Van asks if he wants to go for 2. He comments fondly on 
her insatiable appetite & decides he can be even later, but their plans 
are derailed by Blake's voice calling up the stairs. She runs right into 
their bedroom without even knocking (good thing they were under the 
covers!) & immediately apologizes for her thoughtlessness. Matt, from 
his position directly atop Vanessa, tells Blake she has lousy timing. 
Blake turns her head & Van covers up before joining her. Blake moans 
that she's just ripped her marriage to shreds.

LEWIS HOUSE: Reva demands that Annie get out of her way. Annie tries to 
get Reva to calm down, but Reva doesn't believe the last-minute-therapy 
story. Reva can't believe Annie is trying to keep her from Marah. Annie 
is only doing what she thinks is best for Marah. Reva says Marah needs 
her mother. "She needed you for years, but you weren't there," says 
Annie. (Low blow!) Reva rightly contends that it wasn't her fault. Annie 
asks what Reva's excuse is now. "You," replies Reva. Annie says Reva 
scares Marah because she is threatening to take her away from Josh. 

Reva suspects that what Annie is really concerned about is that Reva is 
going to take her place with Josh. "I am not scared of you, Reva, & I 
did take your place," Annie replies coldly. "Josh is going to get a 
divorce & there's nothing you can do about it," she adds snottily. Reva 
says Josh hasn't even started divorce proceedings yet, but Annie 
corrects this misinformation. Reva's face falls at the news that Josh is 
pursuing the divorce full-speed ahead. She says Annie has no 
understanding of what it's like to have your own flesh & blood ripped 
apart from you. Annie claims she loves the kids as if she had given 
birth to them. "But you didn't; I did. That's why I'll fight as down & 
dirty as I have to to get my children back," says Reva. She walks around 
Annie & leaves the house.

REARDON BOUDOIR: Matt & Van are dressed now & Matt offers Blake coffee 
while she bemoans her recent stupidity. Van says Ross will get over it. 
Blake is not so sure. "If I had wanted to throw him into Amanda's arms, 
I couldn't have done a better job." Van tries to reassure her, but Blake 
beats herself up big time over the accusations she slung at Ross over 
the "Slut-Queen." Van likes the nickname. Matt smiles. Blake says she 
destroyed the strongest thing in her marriage -- trust. She doesn't know 
if she can fix it.

SPAULDING MANSE: Ross arrives, looking for Amanda. The maid tries to 
keep him out, but Ross enters anyway. Amanda is standing on a pedestal 
in a skimpy slip, draped with some fabric as the seamstress measures. 
Ross gulps & Amanda smiles.

REARDON BOUDOIR: Blake tells Van about the mink-dropping incident. 
"That's not very original," quips Van, straight-faced. Blake doesn't get 
it & Van doesn't explain. Van thinks it's good that Amanda is putting 
her cards on the table. Blake thinks Amanda must be nuts. "She's very 
stupid," says Van, & Ross doesn't want her. "I just called my husband a 
liar & a lech because of her," says Blake, suddenly realizing that this 
was Amanda's intention all along. Matt watches the proceedings silently. 
but with interest. He tells Van that he has to get going. He tells Blake 
he thinks her troubles will soon be over. Women like Amanda make a big 
splash, but don't tread water very well. She'll disappear soon. Matt 
leaves & Van echoes Matt's sentiments.

SPAULDING RESIDENCE: Amanda dons a robe & asks the seamstress to wait in 
the other room. She offers Ross some breakfast. Ross asks Amanda how she 
could have told Blake about her striptease. "Cream?" asks Amanda 
casually, as she pours coffee. [ROTFL! This was the most subtle, 
hilarious double entendre I have heard on GL in years!] "No!" insists 
Ross. He doesn't understand why Amanda would tell Blake after begging 
Ross not to tell, because she was so ashamed. Amanda notes that he 
obviously kept his promise, considering Blake's reaction. 

She had no idea it would cause so much trouble. She says Blake told her 
to put her cards on the table & knew she was after Ross, so she assumed 
Ross had mentioned the incident. Ross isn't sure whether to believe her. 
Amanda claims it wasn't easy & she is still ashamed. She doesn't 
understand why Blake is so upset. She asks if there's anything she can 
do to make things better. She'd be happy to tell Blake that Ross was a 
perfect gentleman. Ross wants Amanda to avoid all contact with Blake. 
"Does that mean I have to avoid all contact with you?" she asks.

THERAPIST'S OFFICE: The therapist shows Marah a blonde doll in a white 
dress & asks if Marah would like to play with her. Marah declines, but 
asks the doll's name. It's Sasha. She's from Russia. Marah wonders 
whether her family moved to Springfield, but the doc says her family is 
still in Russia. Marah feels bad that the doll is all alone. She tells 
him about her doll named Annie, after her mommy. "Your new mommy," 
clarifies the doc. Josh is observing. Marah says her 1st mommy gave her 
the doll, but she changed it's name after she got to know Annie. 

The doc asks how she feels about her 1st mom being back. Marah says 
she's fine & everybody loves her. She picks up the doll. The doc says 
it's OK to be confused. He tells her about when his parents got divorced 
& he was so mad he broke all the dishes. But his parents said it was OK 
to have any feelings he had. They also told him it was better to talk 
about his feelings than to break dishes. He asks if Marah has ever felt 
that way. She says that Sasha has. The doc didn't know that, because 
Sasha won't talk to him. She needs a friend. Marah offers. The doc asks 
if Marah can tell him what Sasha is thinking.

>From outside, we hear Reva saying, "I'm her mother, I should be in there 
too." Then she barges in. Marah is surprised & Josh looks pissed. 

Reva introduces herself to Dr. Julian. He says it's not a good time. 
Reva says she is concerned about Marah. Josh tries to butt in, but the 
doc defuses things by suggesting that he & Marah go into his office to 
talk alone. Josh encourages her to go & he is left alone with Reva. He 
immediately jumps on her for barging in & she throws it back at him for 
not inviting her to the session. He claims he tried, but she doesn't buy 
it. He admits he might have handled the situation better. Damn straight, 
says Reva. How could he leave Annie to tell her the visit was canceled. 

Josh says not to blame Annie, but Reva is tired of Josh making Annie 
into such a saint. She proclaims her love & demands her rights. Josh 
says Reva has to do things "right." She is sick of Josh's self-
righteousness. He should try to see things from her point of view. She 
lost the life she loved & always wanted & now that she's back, he wants 
her to be patient. Josh says he only wants what's best for Marah. Reva 
thinks what he wants is a "right" life, with no highs or lows or raised 
voices. Josh says maybe he needs that kind of life now. Reva said she 
came to his house in good faith today, to try to work something out 
about the kids. Josh says they still can. Reva says Annie told her how 
Josh intends to steamroll over her in a divorce suit. Well she's 
fighting for her daughter the same as he is. 

Annie enters & Reva laughs bitterly. Reva says she wants her own doctor 
to examine Marah because she thinks this doc, who works at Cedars with 
Annie, may be prejudiced. Annie bridles at this insult. "If it feels 
like an insult, then it is an insult," sneers Reva. She tried to do the 
right thing, but they gave her the shaft. "If this is the way you want 
it to be, then this is the way you're going to get it," promises Reva. 
She exits, leaving Josh & Annie staring at each other helplessly.

SPAULDING HOME: Amanda hopes she hasn't screwed up her friendship with 
Ross. Ross says Amanda upset Blake & hurt her. He suggests that Amanda 
steer clear of her. Amanda agrees, but suggests counseling for Blake. 
Ross says Blake is fine. When Amanda presses the issue, he just gives 
her a look of disgust & exits. Nettie is confused, having been told that 
Ross was staying for breakfast. Amanda says he'll be back. "I wouldn't 
count on it," says Matt, entering in Ross's wake. Amanda gives him a 
sidelong glance.

LEWIS HOUSE: Annie & Josh return. Josh is worried about Marah (who is 
outside playing in the snow) because she seems OK on the outside & he 
doesn't know what's going on on the inside. Annie says all they can do 
is love her & encourage her to express her feelings. And keep her away 
from scenes like Reva pulled, adds Josh. Annie realizes that she's lost 
her favorite blue scarf & decides it's definitely not her day.

Outside, Marah plays with the aforementioned scarf & some other items 
she has tucked away in her backpack.

ALAN'S: Ms. Templeton prepares to return to her office to draw up the 
necessary papers. As the lawyer is leaving, Reva stalks in angrily. She 
tells them she was denied visitation & all bets are off. She wants total 
custody of both kids. Alan tries to calm her down, but she refuses to 
let Josh & his "prom queen" get one over on her. She urges the lawyer to 
do whatever it takes to get the kids. Alan tries to intercede, but Reva 
insists, "Whatever it takes, do it."

VAN'S HOUSE: Blake finds a little truck & asks Van if she & Matt always 
take toys to bed with them ;-). It's Peter's says Van. Oh well. Blake 
worries that maybe Amanda was right that she's not giving Ross 
everything he needs in their marriage. She hasn't given him a child. Van 
asks about the fertility tests. Blake says she is supposed to get the 
results today & she's sure they will show that it's her "fault" she 
hasn't conceived. 

SPAULDING MANSION: Amanda offers Matt some breakfast. He declines. She 
deduces that he's mad at her. He tells her to leave Ross & Blake alone 
or he'll tell the whole world about her little secret. Amanda grins at 
him & turns away. The camera freezes on her canine smile as the screen 
fades to black.

--Marni (marni@panix.com)



