The serial opens with a sweeping camera view as we focus in on a car driving along a highway, with a woman in her late 30s at the wheel. The car drives along, and we see an exterior shot of the car passing a nice display with a sign that says "Welcome to Somerset".

The car pulls over at a scenic overlook, and the woman gets out to view the area. Another car is heard pulling up behind the stopped vehicle, and we hear a woman's voice.

The voice is that of Lahoma Lucas, who still has that Southern spitfire charm.

LAHOMA: Susannah, honey, why did you pull over?

SUSANNAH: Is this where you and dad spent a few nights admiring the view?

The next voice is that of Sam Lucas, Susannah's father.

SAM: Well, when we first moved here this was the place to go if you wanted to spend some (looks down at the view)... Holy mackerel!

SUSANNAH: Changed a lot since you were here?

SAM: I'll say. Lahoma, honey, take a look.

LAHOMA: (Approaches the overlook) What the... wow, people weren't kidding when they said this town changed.

For the first time, we see the Somerset skyline, complete with several skyscrapers and bridges where cars are busy crossing. Suffice to say Somerset looks radically different than it did in 1976.

SAM: Still want to live here, honey?

SUSANNAH: Dad... I said I wanted to make a fresh start. And what better place to do it than the town where you and mom moved a long time ago.

LAHOMA: The place where a lot of things happened... some good... some bad...

SAM: A lot of treachery... some dealings with the mob... Susie honey, it's not too late to change your mind.

SUSANNAH: (Smiles) Nope. I've made up my mind. This is my home.

SAM: Always headstrong, just like your mother. Then what do you say we descend the hill and begin your new journey.

SUSANNAH: I'm game if you are.

As the Lucases return to their respective cars and speed off, we hear the scene's closing music.

(The screen fades to white, and the city of Somerset is drawn line by line on the screen until finished with the accompanying dramatic music. Once the outline is complete, the picture turns to a daytime view of the skyline with the Somerset logo)

This... is Somerset. Brought to you today by fresher than ever Lemon Fresh Joy. For a beautiful shine that's a nice reflection on you and your dishes.

SCENE TWO

A high-rise building in downtown Somerset is shown, and we fade in on a young woman sitting at a desk. The woman, whose name is Joanne, is on the phone.

JOANNE: Yes, I've got Mr. Martin's schedule right here. He can see you Thursday at either 2:15 or 3:30. I know he wants to get this done as soon as possible, Mr. Wagner... fine, I'll have Jack get in touch with you as quickly as I can. Thanks for calling, have a good day.

As Joanne is hanging up the phone, Sam, Lahoma and Susannah come in the office.

JOANNE: Can I help you?

SAM: Yes. Wondering if an old friend is in.

JOANNE: You're referring to Jack? Is he expecting you? Do you have an appointment?

SAM: If you can tell him his mentor stopped by to see him, that'd be great.

JOANNE: (Looking momentarily puzzled) All right. Hold on one second. (Disappears behind the door)

SUSANNAH: Dad... what's this all about?

SAM: You'll see.

LAHOMA: All this mystery? I don't remember you mentoring anyone when you were at Delaney Brands.

SAM: You might recall this face.

(A voice can be heard behind the door)

JACK: (Emerges with Joanne) Someone said something about a mentor? (Sees Sam) Oh my... Sam Lucas! (Comes over and hugs Sam)

SAM: Jack Martin, how the heck are you?

JACK: Not bad at all. This must be Lahoma... and... Susannah? This can't be Susannah.

SUSANNAH: When you last saw me I must have been all of what, three or four?

SAM: Jack Martin, this is Susannah Lucas, my now-grown daughter and a practicing attorney.

JACK: Followed in her dad's footsteps, I see... and hopefully just as smart as Sam is. Lahoma, it has been too long.

LAHOMA: Same here, Jack. I vaguely recall you spending some time with Sam in the office.

JACK: Just before you and Susannah were shepherded out of Somerset for your safety, most likely. Sam taught me everything I know. How to amass a fortune... how to do the smart thing with your parents' estate... how not to buy a beloved Somerset treasure, turn around and sell it for a profit but gut the company in the process...

SAM: We all make mistakes, Jack. You can argue Delaney Brands wasn't the same once Leo Kurtz got done running it. Heck, Robert bought back the company and even his heart wasn't in it.

LAHOMA: Now there's an unwelcome blast from the past. (Realizes what she said) Oh goodness, I meant Leo, not dear Robert... Anyways, Mr. Martin...

JACK: Call me Jack, please. I don't believe in too many formalities.

LAHOMA: Jack, what's up with Delaney Brands? Is the cannery still in operation?

JACK: No, unfortunately... the conglomerate that owned Delaney moved a lot of business away from Somerset. The cannery turned into condos a few years ago when I and a few other associates rescued the land and built homes on it. You might see it if you're staying here a while... it's called Grant's Preserve.

SUSANNAH: Grant's Pre... wow, did I buy a smart piece of land.

LAHOMA: Honey, that's where your condo is?

SUSANNAH: Yes. I saw the website online and just fell in love with it.

JACK: We had to do something to honor Ben Grant. He was such an integral part of the community. It was either that or name a street after him here. I still recall Ellen crying when I called to tell her the good news. By the way, Sam, I was very sorry to hear about Ada.

SAM: Thank you, Jack. Your card is still right by her picture. She got to spend some quality time with Nancy in Arizona before she died, but towards the end you could tell there wasn't much time.

JACK: She was outspoken, that's for sure. A true gem.

LAHOMA: Not a day goes by where we don't think of her. I can still recall her giving Sam a piece of her mind about letting me go without a fight... heck, she had an opinion on just about everything.

JACK: Dearly missed. (Changes the subject) How long are you two here?

LAHOMA: We're here until the end of the week. Sam's got a trial back in Oklahoma City next week so we have to get back.

JACK: (Looks amazed) Still practicing law? After all these years?

SAM: I'm having too much fun. Much like you are here with your projects.

JACK: I'll have to fill you in on the big one I'm working on. If you thought Somerset had changed a lot already...

LAHOMA: Oh yeah. I hardly recognized the city when we came in here, except for the bridge over the river. That hasn't changed one bit.

JACK: We'll all have to get together for dinner before you go. You'll flip when you see what I've got planned. Now I just have to convince the city that it can take more upheaval.

(As Jack smiles, we see Sam, Lahoma and Susannah look at each other as if they're saying "more development?")

We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.

SCENE THREE

(Fade in on a pleasant subdivision with condos, and two cars driving down a street to a building with an exterior lot. Susannah gets out of her vehicle, and Sam and Lahoma emerge from theirs)

SUSANNAH: Grant's Preserve. Looks just as nice as it did in the picture.

SAM: Unbelievable. To think this is where the factory once stood. If I talk to Robert in the future, I'm going to have to tell him what this place looks like now.

LAHOMA: Careful. He's getting up there in years. Don't want to drive him to an early grave.

SUSANNAH: Early... with Robert?

SAM: (Laughs) Ready to see your new home?

SUSANNAH: Ready as I'll ever be. Let's go.

(As Sam, Lahoma and Susannah enter the condo, the scene cuts back to Jack's office, which has a great view of Somerset's skyline)

JACK: (Picks up phone) Joanne, if you want to knock off for the day and get some errands done, I don't think the rest of the day is going to be a problem.

JOANNE: All right, Jack. Have a good night. Don't work too hard.

JACK: (Shakes his head) Not a problem. Take care.

(He puts down the phone and arises from his desk. Turning around and staring out the window, he focuses in on one area of Somerset's downtown that appears to have fallen into disrepair. Jack looks lost in thought.)

JACK: For you, my dear. (Raises whiskey glass). I'm doing this for you.

(The scene fades out... then we hear the Somerset theme as the credits roll.)

Join us each weekday at this time for the continuing story of Somerset. And on many of these same computers, be sure to watch Point Palace. Weekdays on SONBC. This program was pre-recorded.