(The screen turns white as the town of Somerset is drawn line by line and the music swells to a climax)

This... is Somerset.

SCENE ONE

The story for today opens up in Jack Martin's office, where Susannah has just asked Jack point-blank whether or not her father had any influence in Jack asking Susannah to come work at Martin Enterprises.

JACK: I don't get it, Susannah. You seemed so gung-ho about the job when we talked over dinner and NOW you have questions?

SUSANNAH: (Sits down as Jack takes a seat at his desk) I don't mean to come across as harsh, Jack. I've told Dad I have to make it on my own, like I did as a corporate lawyer, and I don't want him calling in any favors. I'm going to be 40 in a few years. I have to start fighting my own battles.

JACK: Come on, Susannah. We all know 40 is the new 30. Think young.

SUSANNAH: Ha ha.

JOANNE: (Entering office) Here you go, Miss Lucas.

SUSANNAH: Thanks, Joanne. (Sips coffee) Hmm. Strong coffee, that's a plus.

JACK: (Grabs notepad and pretends to take notes) Likes strong coffee... is a bit bullheaded...

SUSANNAH: Oh, I'm bullheaded, huh?

JACK: Just like your mom used to be. All kidding aside, Susannah, Sam did wonder how my staffing levels were, but I told him I was asking you to come work for me anyway. I need a lot of legal help with Martin Enterprises. I'm marshaling my forces to combat a possible fight with the Cleybank Corporation over the future of this city.

SUSANNAH: Is it that bad?

JACK: Oh, the city will survive. Don't get me wrong. It survived me almost killing it with my boneheaded move of selling Delaney Brands to Continental Foods. It was a very dark day when the cannery plant came down. But it was a brighter day when all those homes sprouted up and Grant's Preserve was born.

SUSANNAH: And I've got the skills you need?

JACK: I can put you on retainer and have you do legal work for me when you're not out getting clients. What do you say?

SUSANNAH: Well... if Dad had nothing to do directly with setting this up... (smiles and outstretches her hand) You've got yourself a new lawyer.

JACK: That's the spirit. Welcome to Martin Enterprises.

(Jack shakes Susannah's hand and the two smile, as the picture fades to black and the Somerset logo reappears)

Somerset... is brought to you today by dark, sparkling Folger's coffee. The coffee that tastes as rich as it looks... and by Scope, the mouthwash that leaves your breath minty fresh, not mediciney.

SCENE TWO

At Giovanni's Restaurant, night is starting to fall on Somerset as Mike is at the bar nursing a cold brew with Lt. Garfield. Susannah is with Jack at another table enjoying a celebratory dinner. The first conversation takes place at the bar.

MIKE: If crime in Somerset is so low, Lt. Garfield, I guess we don't need a police chief... right?

SCOTT: Watch it. See if I let you have exclusives ever again.

MIKE: I'll behave. (Drinks beer) By the way, we had a call come into our office about graffiti down by the riverfront. That true?

SCOTT: Unfortunately, yes. We've had trouble keeping people away from the dilapidated buildings. Old Somerset has had some casualties in terms of office and retail space.

MIKE: This is what I don't understand. If there's such a problem down by the riverfront, has there been any thought given to urban renewal? Tearing down and starting over?

SCOTT: Careful. (Motions toward Jack) You don't want Jack to hear you saying that.

MIKE: Are you saying... his Project X or whatever the hell you call it involves restoration?

SCOTT: He's very private about his plans. You know that. He's trying to marshal together enough forces to push the renovation plans through. He wants -- hell, we all want -- all of downtown to be as vital as possible.

The back doors open and Giovanni comes out with a bowl of fettucine alfredo for Scott and a dish of veal parmesan for Mike.

GIOVANNI: Mangia, gentlemen, eat up. By the way, Scott, guess who we heard from today.

SCOTT: (Face brightens) I'm going to guess it's Somerset's favorite model?

GIOVANNI: Rose got a lengthy e-mail from Annabella... she's likely coming home for a little while before she goes back to Italy for some more work.

SCOTT: Good for you! Now if you could only get your three children under one roof at one time.

MIKE: That's good news, Giovanni. I always thought Annabella was drop-dead... (Giovanni turns to give the Petterino evil eye) smart?

GIOVANNI: That's better. (Laughs)

CUT TO: Susannah and Jack's table, where Susannah is sipping a cocktail while Jack is salting his dinner.

JACK: Thank you for letting me take my newest employee out to dinner for a celebration. Have you given any thought about when you'd like to start?

SUSANNAH: I was hoping to get a few things squared away at home first before I introduced work into my life here, but I can start whenever you'd like me.

JACK: How about middle of next week? If you need more time... (cell phone rings, and Jack looks at the ID) Hold that thought. (Presses button) Hello, Nicholas!

CUT TO: A bar in the Washington area, where Nick has gone to unwind following a long day.

NICK: You actually were right, Jack. There were some interesting things to learn at this convention. I've got some stuff to bring back to Somerset.

JACK: See, I told you! I've been to those seminars and conventions in Washington.

NICK: Well, actually, I'm at this bar now and I'm just going to unwind for a bit and have a couple beers with dinner. There's a big party going on in an upstairs room here and the more I avoid the crowds the better off I'll be.

JACK: Good to hear. Have a good night, my friend.

NICK: Hopefully, I will.

As Nick says his last words to Jack, the camera focuses in on the staircase behind the bar. We see a shot of a woman from the waist down, slender in figure and wearing what appears to be a black dress, descending the stairs. The picture fades to black.

We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.

SCENE THREE

We fade back in on Giovanni's, where Jack is toasting Susannah.

JACK: To the newest employee of Martin Enterprises. May you have a long and prosperous career with my company. (Clinks Susannah's glass)

SUSANNAH: Hear hear. (Sips champagne) Mmmmm. The good stuff.

JACK: Well, I'm not quite a Cristal man... nor am I Dom Perignon. I built my fortune by being a bit more frugal.

SUSANNAH: This works. I better quit before I have a repeat of what happened at dinner before.

JACK: (Laughs) We'll make sure you get home in one piece this time.

CUT TO: The bar in Washington, where Nick is watching TV as the Nationals are playing baseball.

NICK: Bartender... another Manhattan?

BARTENDER: Coming right up.

We see the young woman, this time shown in full view, noticing there is a TV at the bar. The woman, who has long, flaming ruby red hair, takes the seat next to Nick.

WOMAN: So who's winning... Nats or Marlins?

NICK: (Turns and smiles) I'm impressed. A woman who knows her baseball.

WOMAN: (Looks down at what Nick is drinking) A man who's not afraid to drink the hard stuff. Up for a little company?

The woman smiles, full red lips and all.

NICK: I can't turn down a smile like that.

BARTENDER: What are you drinking, Miss?

WOMAN: Vodka tonic, please. (Reaches for her purse)

Nick signals the bartender and points at his napkin, as if to say it's on his tab. The woman smiles and watches the ballgame, with Nick looking a little transfixed as the picture fades and the Somerset credits roll.

Join us each weekday at this time for the continuing story of Somerset. And on most of these same computers, be sure to enjoy Point Palace, weekdays on SONBC. The preceding program was pre-recorded.