Episode 052: THE GUIDING LIGHT
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The Guiding Light: Episode 052
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Written By: Dan Gobble & Josh Hawkins
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Written By: Dan Gobble & Josh Hawkins
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Alan-Michael Spaulding admires his new office as the temporary COO of Spaulding Enterprises. Suddenly, the voice of his secretary beeps on the intercom. A telegram has come for him. He takes it from his secretary and reads the message.
“I will be leaving town for a couple days with my sister. I need some time alone to figure out what I am going to do about us. Lucy.”
He ponders what the meaning was behind the sudden departure of his wife, but is interrupted by his secretary, who tells him that the board members are gathering in the conference room. He enters and sits at the head of the table. Alan sees that everyone is present and begins the meeting.
“I just want to begin this meeting by announcing the new COO of the company: my son Alan-Michael Spaulding.” The board members applaud the announcement, then Alan continues, “I just want to assure members of the board that we will work to improve the company’s profit margin. The first step of the process will involve the first shipment of the new products by our pharmaceutical division, which will occur later tonight. Also, I have used my influence as a board member of Cedars Hospital to keep us in the running for the remodeling project. We are one of several companies being considered for the project and the proposals will be due in the next two weeks. I will be attending other matters, so I will be leaving my son Phil-“
“Wait just a damn minute!” Alan-Michael interrupts.
**********
Meanwhile, the Lewis men gather in the headquarters of Lewis Construction to discuss the Cedars project. Bill looks lost in thought as Billy and Josh talk.
“I just spoke to the board a few hours ago and we are on their short list for the project, along with Spaulding. If we want to get the project, we need to get started on the proposal,” Josh says.
“We’ll have to put a rush on it if we want to beat Spaulding little brother,” Billy replied.
Josh hugs Billy and leaves to get started on the proposal. Billy looks at the papers and then looks up at a distracted Bill.
“What’s wrong Bill?” he asks.
Bill jumps up as if he had been asleep the entire time and looks at his father.
“I tell ya son, you’re gonna have to get more sleep. You look groggier than a month of Mondays.”
“I talked to Michelle yesterday and I could be the father of her baby. Or not. Michelle doesn’t know, I guess we should be lucky it’s only between Danny and myself.”
Billy is about to give Bill his two cents, but before he can get the words out, Michelle enters the room.
**********
Cassie and Olivia sit at the conference room at the Beacon Hotel. They are interviewing applicants for the vacant administrative assistant position. Both women look exhausted after a series of trying interviews.
Cassie looks at the next name on the list as Sandra O’Dell walks into the room.
“Hello, I’m Sandra O’Dell. It’s nice to meet you both,” Sandra says.
Olivia motions for Sandra to take a seat. Cassie and Olivia take turns asking questions of Sandra.
“And how many words can you type per minute?” Cassie asks.
“I can type about 250 words per minute. I’ve also been trained in shorthand and dictation. I can also work my way pretty well through a few computer programs.”
“You have impressive credentials Miss O’Dell. Much more than many of the other candidates we’ve seen today.” Olivia noted.
“Thank you very much.”
The intercom rings and Cassie leaves to tend to an important matter. Olivia decides to use the opportunity to get to know Sandra a bit better.
“So, I read on your resume that you were from Las Vegas. I’ve always wanted to take a trip down there. But why did you move to Springfield?”
**********
Gus returns home and finds a message taped to the refrigerator from Harley: “Gus…If you’re reading this then I’ve already left. Vera is hiding something and I know that I promised I would stay out of it, but the fact the matter is I can’t. If you really knew, like I think you do then you will understand.”
Gus takes a seat at the table and wonders where she could have gone.
Meanwhile, Harley enters the Spaulding house in Bar Harbor and sees Alexandra sitting on the sofa.
“Alexandra! Fancy seeing you here!” Harley smirks.
**********
And Now "The Guiding Light"
**********
Cassie runs back to the front desk after attending to the problem. Danny sees her from his seat in the lobby and moves toward her.
“You certainly look busy today,” he says.
“Nothing gets passed you does it Danny? I’ve been running around this hotel all day. I’m beginning to feel like a pinball.”
“Why don’t you take a rest really quick? I’m sure the hotel can manage with you out of the picture for at least a few minutes,” Danny says.
Cassie relaxes in one of the recliners in the lobby of the hotel.
“How have you been Danny? I rarely see you these days,” Cassie asks.
“I’m always doing something. We’ve had some things going on over at the Towers and menus and all kinds of things like that. Plus some things with Michelle. But I think I’d feel weird talking about them with you.”
“Why, because we dated for a couple months?”
“Well yeah. I know that after Richard died, you were looking for a shoulder to lean on and so was I. We had something there, and I’m sorry that it didn’t work out.”
“Danny, I don’t think either of us know what we had.”
“I guess not,” he agrees. “Isn’t it funny though how things always work out. Just when I thought that I would never find someone else, another door.”
“Marah?”
“How did you find out?”
“Danny, I saw you both together at Valentine’s Day. You two looked a little too close to be ‘just friends.’ Do you want to hear something that is really nuts? For a little while there, I was jealous of her. I had half a mind to fight for your attention. But I suppose my third wheel days are over.”
Danny hugs her and kisses her on the cheek.
“Listen, if you ever need anything Cassie. I’m sure you know where to find me. Don’t worry Cassie. You’re a beautiful woman. I know that you will find someone,” Danny offered.
**********
“Alan-Michael, what is the meaning of this,” Alan thundered.
“Dad, you know the bylaws of this company. The CEO is obligated to submit all projects to the COO first for approval. The COO is the first to be offered the project.”
“Sorry, son. I just didn’t think you were ready. I was going to give the project to Phillip.”
“Yet more pandering to the favorite I see. What do I have to do to get someone’s attention? Aunt Alex seems to think I was ready. Otherwise, why didn’t she offer her proxy to Phillip? I need an opportunity to prove that I am not just a figurehead until Alex gets back. I’m going to head the project for the Cedars renovation,” he says with finality.
**********
“Bill, I uh, just wanted to see how you were. Last night was such a mess.”
“Isn’t that the understatement of the year,” Bill quips.
“Bill, I know you’re angry at me, but I want you to know that I never wanted this to happen. God, if I knew that all of this would jeopardize our friendship, I would have never kept this from you,” she apologizes.
“When will you know who the father is?”
“I don’t know. But, believe me. I hope to God that you are the father.”
**********
“So, what made you come all the way from Las Vegas?”
“My son and I moved up here a couple of months ago. I knew someone from Springfield a few years ago and he told me all about this town. I knew that if we ever left Las Vegas that I would love to come here,” Sandra answered.
“If you don’t mind me asking, who was this person? I’ve only been here a few years myself. I was born on the island of San Cristobel. But I’ve gotten to know love the place.”
“Oh, it was so long ago. I don’t think you will know him. But it was someone I loved very much. I wonder if I’ll get to see him again now that I’m here. But that’s the main reason why I applied for the job. My son moved here before I did, so I want to be close to him.”
“Well, I don’t know about Cassie, but I am sure impressed with you. If you want the job, then you’ve got it.”
Olivia gets up from her chair and welcomes her with a handshake.
“Mrs. Spaulding, I know this sounds like a weird request, but I’m in need of some funds for hotel accommodations until I can get settled. Could I have a small advance?”
“Call me Olivia. We’ll be working together quite a bit so formality isn’t needed. I’ll do you one better. I happen to have a suite here at the Beacon. I have no use of it right now. You’re welcome to stay there as long as you need.”
“Oh thank you, Mrs. Spaulding. Oops, Olivia. Thank you very much.
**********
Alexandra gets up from the sofa and stares at Harley.
“Harley, what the hell are you doing here? I know that my disappearance was sudden, but it certainly didn’t warrant you tracking me down like some bloodhound.”
“The only reason that you high-tailed it out of town, Alexandra, was because I was getting to close to the truth. Am I right?”
“What are you talking about?” Alex asks as calm as she can.
“You know exactly what I am talking about, Alex. Don’t play me for a fool. Vera’s story never really washed with me. You have masterful timing though, I must say. You may have fooled Gus, but not me. So I decided to do a little digging. There is no way that her story could be true. So that leaves only two possibilities. Either you are covering for your brother. Or you are Gus’ mother! There is no other reason why you would be so eager to cover your butt”
**********
Meanwhile, Gus looks at the letter again, as Vera walks in the front door.
“Hello sweetheart. What’s wrong? You look a little worried. Here, why don’t you sit down and I’ll make some tea.”
“I’m okay mom. I found a note from Harley saying that she left town for a bit and I don’t know where she could be. That’s all. You know Harley. When she gets a bone, she goes to town on it. I wish she would drop the whole goose chase before she causes a rift between us. This whole thing is just driving Harley and I apart and I can’t stand it.”
“Perhaps you and Harley need some time apart? She may not even be the right person for you? She doesn’t seem to be very supportive,” Vera asks.
“Harley means well. She senses that something is amiss. I think that’s all it is. At least I hope.”
:Fades to Black:
**********
Next on "THE GUIDING LIGHT"
- Michelle confesses everything to her family.
- Mel takes issue with Rick and Michelle.
- Hope's a changed woman!
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