The Guiding Light
Episode 070
June 1, 2007
Written By: Dan Gobble & Josh Hawkins

The constant flow of rain patters against the windows of the Bauer Cabin. Although the rain has done much to lower the temperature outside, it has no jurisdiction inside the house, where tensions have erupted.

“Daddy, like it or not, Ben is a part of my life now, regardless of what you think! I’m old enough to make my own choices,” Marina yells.



“Marina Nadine Cooper, you are not old enough to prance around seducing a guy. Especially one that is older than you. Not only that, but it could get Ben in trouble too. Statutory rape is taken very seriously in this state.”

“I’m going to be eighteen in a couple of days, so you don’t have to worry. Of course, with all the hustle and bustle in this family lately, everyone seems to have forgotten, except Ben, might I add.”



Marina looks at Frank and Buzz. “I don’t know why I ever came back here. Mom and I had some problems, but at least she never forgot my birthday. This entire family is so damn hypocritical.”

Marina runs out of the room. Ben tries to grab her arm to comfort her, but she evades his grip and runs out of the cabin into the storm.

<HR>

The temperature in the elevator has risen, blanketing Alan’s forehead with a layer of sweat. Hope does what she can to soak it up with a handkerchief, but to no avail.



“Is it hot in here or is it just me?” Alan dryly asks.

“It is getting warm in here. In a second, I’ll call up maintenance to see when we’ll get out of this steamer.”

“Thanks,” Alan replies.

Hope stands up and picks up the phone on the wall of the elevator. She holds the receiver close to her ears.

“Hello, we were just wondering how much longer we were going to be in here.”

Suddenly, a loud noise interrupts the conversation, and the elevator shakes.

“What was that?” Hope asks.

<HR>


Ed Bauer stands in the OR waiting for the patient to arrive. He makes sure that he has scrubbed every inch of his hands before soaking his hands in the falling column of water. He hears the gurney grind its way down the hall.

Any second now, the doors will swing open and Ed will have to begin the surgery on Beth. The nurses arrive with Beth. Ed takes a deep breath and gets ready to begin.

Meanwhile, Lillian walks into the chapel and lights a candle.



She drags herself over to the pew and folds her hands. “Don’t let her die Lord,” she says. “I know that I’ve made mistakes, but please, she’s the only family I have now. I can’t lose her.”

Michelle Bauer walks into the chapel and hugs Lillian. “I’m so sorry to hear about Beth,” she says. “Is there anything that I can do? Anyone I can call?”

“I—I dunno where anyone is. Lizzie and Phillip probably don’t even know. Could you try to get a hold of them for me please?”

Michelle nods and walks out of the room.

Meanwhile, Lizzie sits alone in an elevator at Towers. “I hope everyone is okay,” she thinks. “I have a bad feeling.”

<HR>

And now, the SONBC Award nominated ‘The Guiding Light!’



<HR>
Hope continues to talk on the phone with the maintenance people. They reassure her that the noise was just the maintenance people. They should have the elevator open soon, they say.



Alan’s mind continues to dwell in the past. He looks at Hope, remembering her soft features when they were husband and wife.

“Was I a good husband to you Hope?”

“Sometimes. There were times that your passions got control of you and I just couldn’t recognize you. I remember the first time that Elizabeth told me about Dr. LaCrosse and Phillip. I couldn’t believe it because it meant that my father was right all along. I was blinded by that side of you that I saw on the island. It really hit home that you had such a cruel streak. Whenever you set your mind on something, you do anything you can to get it, no matter who you have to hurt in the process. Alan, since we’re diving into the past, I have a question for you too.”

“What is it Hope?”

“Did you ever really love me? I mean, I always got this feeling that I was just your latest acquisition. It certainly didn’t hurt that you were getting back at my father in the process. Our relationship was great only until the latest bubbly young thing waltzed into your life. First Rita, then Trish Lewis. Did you ever think of me and just love me?”

Hope continues to reminisce; long-hidden emotions continue to bubble to the surface.

“When we were married, I wasn’t your wife. I was your doormat. Alan, you drove me to something that not only put my life in danger, but the life of our son in danger and I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive you for that. I’m always afraid that I will sink into that kind of despair again. You don’t know how much courage it took me to even walk into that bar at the Beacon. It’s something that I have to live with for the rest of my life and it’s all due to your unfaithfulness and your lies."

“I told you Hope. I never meant to hurt you. I made mistakes, but I did love you. Very deeply. Our marriage meant a lot to me and our son does as well. Truth be told, I haven’t been in a truly loving relationship since then. And more than likely I never will again. I keep searching, but I never get as close as I did with you. I guess I don’t really deserve it, do I?”

“Alan, you have a chance to make everything right and to show everyone that you are a good person, the person that I got a glimpse of. When you get out of here, go to Olivia and pledge your love to her. Be a good father to that baby. Be faithful to her and to her alone. Don’t let life pass you by. The money and the power mean nothing if you don’t have someone there to share it with.”

Suddenly, the power comes back on and the elevator begins to move again. “The lights are back on! We’ll get out of here soon Alan.”

“Before we get out of here, I just wanted to tell you I am sorry for everything. I did love you and I’m sorry if I didn’t show it as much as I should have.”

Alan gives Hope a small kiss as the elevators open to reveal the hallway. Danny rushes over to see how Alan and Hope are doing. “Alan, Lillian called a little while ago, she said to call her. It’s urgent,” Danny says. “I must not have had any service in the elevator,” Alan said.

He goes over to the bar and orders a drink then picks up the phone and dials Lillian.

<HR>

Buzz paces around the room, nervous about Harley. “I have to get some air,” he says. “I’m going for a walk.”

“In this weather daddy?”

“Yes, in this weather,” he insists.

Frank gives Ben a nasty look and then announces that he is going to call to see how the roads are.



He walks out of the cabin to get a signal, leaving Ben and Lucy alone. She glances his way. “Ben, why don’t you go talk to Marina and see if she’s okay? I’ll talk to Frank, although I’m not going to make any promises, okay?”

“Sure, thanks,” he says and solemnly walks out into the storm.

<HR>



Lizzie sits in the elevator. She closes her eyes to try to pass the time. So much has happened over the past few months, she thinks. She met a great guy who seems to be a change of pace from the insanity present at the house. Her parents are back together at long last.

Thoughts and memories fade away as Lizzie slowly embarks into dreamland. She pictures herself in the Spaulding study. A white gown tightly hugs her youthful body. In her hands is a bouquet of flowers.

“I wonder where he is,” Lizzie exclaims.

Suddenly a noise beckons her to the hall. She peers out the door and sees a shadow envelope the hall.

“Here he comes!”

Braxton opens the door dressed in the royal garments of a prince.



“Elizabeth darling, I just had to see you,” he says with a smile.

“But tradition says that you can’t see me. We only have a little while now. Why don’t you go down and wait. I’m almost ready.”

“Okay my love. Don’t keep me waiting too long,” he says.

He closes the door to the study. Lizzie puts on a pair of glass slippers and hums the wedding march as she dances with the air around the room. Suddenly, she hears a voice in the room.

“What a wonderful man, isn’t he?” a mysterious voice says.

With that line, a woman appears in the room, as if by magic. In her hand, she brandishes a wand. The woman, who conspicuously looks like Blake, is dressed in a shimmering gown.

“Oh! Fairy Godmother!” Lizzie says and rushes to give her a hug.

“How are you my child? Oh, you look magnificent. Turn around and let me see you.”

Lizzie slowly turns around and lets her get a look at her.

“Oh Elizabeth, I just had to see you on your wedding day. You look very happy. I’m so glad everything worked out.”

“It wouldn’t if it had not been for you,” Lizzie says with tears in her eyes.

“Oh don’t cry, your mascara will begin to run. We need to get you to your wedding,” the fairy Godmother says as she waves her magic wand.

Suddenly, the two ladies are in the court yard of the Spaulding Mansion. Rows of seats line either side of the aisle. The entire town is present at the ceremony. Suddenly, the wedding march begins to play and Lizzie walks down the aisle on Phillip’s arm. Lizzie turns to Beth and sees her sobbing into a tissue. At the end of the aisle, Phillip reluctantly lets go of his daughter’s hand. She walks up the stairs and joins Braxton at the altar. As the Wedding March draws to a close, the minister begins.

“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God – and in the face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

“I object!”

The entire congregation turns as a woman hobbles down the aisle, a bottle of vodka tucked neatly under her arm.

“I object,” she repeats.



Lizzie looks in horror as her wicked stepmother crashes her dream wedding. Her stepmother looks suspiciously like Olivia.

“I object to this marriage; This girl is just a pathetic little bitch! She ain’t no princess material! All she knows how to do is manipulate and deceive. She should be mopping the floors and cleaning the toilets,” she hisses. “Why don’t you marry one of my other daughters, they come from better stock than this harlot!”

Lizzie storms down the stairs and slaps her wicked stepmother across the face. Braxton yells to the guards to take the woman away. The guards take her and carry her down the aisle. “How dare you do this to me? How dare you!” she screams as she is carried off.

Lizzie walks back up the stairs and Braxton gives the minister the go ahead to continue.

“Do you Braxton Mark O’Dell take Elizabeth Lillian Spaulding to be your wife – to live together after God’s ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” he consents.

“Do you Elizabeth Lillian Spaulding take Braxton Mark O’Dell to be your husband – to live together after God’s ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” she consents.

“What, therefore, God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

And so, by the power vested in me by the City of Springfield and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the earth.

You may now kiss the bride.”

Braxton pulls Lizzie’s veil over her head. The congregation erupts with applause as they kiss. As they run back down the aisle, Lizzie hears her grandfather’s voice. “Lizzie?” “Lizzie?”

“Lizzie!”

Lizzie opens her eyes and sees Alan. “Thank God, I thought something had happened,” Alan says.

“No, I was just sleeping, trying to pass the time. I guess they got the power back on.”

“Well get up, we have to get to the hospital. Your grandmother called and said that your mom was in an accident. She’s in surgery now.”

“Oh no!” Lizzie says as they get up.

“I think I’m in the mood to take the stairs,” Alan declares as they exit the room together.

<HR>



Lucy runs after Frank as he walks down the path from the cabin.

“Frankie! Wait up!”

Frank turns around and looks at his sister.

“Have you had any luck with getting a signal?”

“No, not yet.” Frank pauses for a second. “How did I get into this situation Lucy?”

“What do you mean?”

“It feels like only yesterday when I was changing Marina’s diapers. I had my whole life ahead of me. And now I’m arguing with my teenage daughter about whether or not she is old enough to have sex. What happened?”

“She grew up Frankie. You can’t keep her in her childhood forever. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to concede that she knows what she's doing.”

“I know,” he sighs. “It’s just hard.”

“Well I'm no expert but I don't think it's supposed to easy. She was right about one thing though: we’ve all been ignoring her lately. We’ve had so much drama over the past few months that she’s kind of fallen through the cracks.”

“I can’t believe that I almost forgot my own daughter’s birthday. I must be such a bad father.”

“Frankie, you are a good dad. All you gotta do is loosen up a bit. Marina is growing up. She can’t learn anything about life if you don’t give her enough room to make her own mistakes. Look at you guys. You pratically raised Harley by yourself and you both turned out fine. We have our own problems of course, but who doesn’t?”

Frank hugs Lucy. “How did you get so smart?” he asks.

“Life, that’s how. I made my own share of mistakes and I learned from them. What's Marina planning on doing after she gets out of high school?”

“I don’t think she knows yet; I hope that she doesn’t go too far. I’d miss her to death.”

“Then I think we need to work together to give her a reason not to run away,” Lucy replies.

“I wish Eleni was here to guide her. I think I’ve been doing okay, but there are just some things that I can’t do that Eleni could.”

“Why don’t I talk to her, soften her up a bit?”

Frank agrees and thanks her. They decide to give up on the phone hunt and walk back up to the cabin. Suddenly, Buzz shoots up the steps.

“Woah, what’s gotten into you Pop?”

“I just spoke to Alan-Michael. Looks like Harley woke up from her coma!”

“That’s great!” Lucy exclaims. “Come on, let’s get our stuff.

They enter the cabin and see Marina and Ben in the living room. Father and his daughter lock eyes.

“Marina, your Aunt Harley woke up from her coma so we’re going to go back to the hospital.” He pauses and looks at her. “If you guys want to stay here and come back later in the morning, you can.”

Marina recognizes the concession on her dad’s part and rushes up to hug him.

“Thank you daddy!”

“Now I’m letting you stay on one condition: I reserve your attention for your birthday. I know we haven’t really paid much attention to you lately, so I want to make sure to correct that, okay?”

“Okay,” Marina beems.

The three Coopers leave the cabin, leaving Marina and Ben waving from behind.

<HR>

All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places, worn out faces

Lillian continues to pray at the chapel. A hand touches her shoulder. Lillian looks over her shoulder and sees Alan and Lizzie. She gets up and they hug.

Bright and early for their daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere
Their tears are filling up their glasses

Frank looks at the road ahead, lost in thought. Lucy reaches over from the back seat to touch his shoulder to let him know that he had done the right thing.

No expression, no expression
Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

Ben and Marina sit in a chair in the living room of the Bauer cabin. Ben gently touches her head as they kiss.

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had

Hope sits at home looking at old photographs. She pulls out a photo of Alan holding Alan-Michael as a baby. She touches the photograph gently and puts it back down.

I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take

Ed Bauer continues to work tirelessly on Beth. The nurses keep watch over her and hand tools over to Ed as they continue.

When people run in circles
It's a very, very
Mad World
Mad world

Suddenly, Beth flatlines as the song fades out.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPP!!!