SOMERSET EPISODE 29

Original airdate: 08/23/07

Written by: Steve Ungrey

SCENE ONE

An exterior shot of the Martin Enterprises building in early evening opens up this episode, as we see Nick come off the elevator and go down the hall to find Susannah’s office.

We see Susannah in her office, checking herself in the mirror and putting on earrings, as Nick stops by the door.

NICK: (Checking out Susannah) Wow. You clean up nicely for a lawyer.

SUSANNAH: I do, don’t I? Hey, I’m sorry Jack did this to you. I had a couple meetings with potential clients of my own this morning and couldn’t make the X Project meeting, so I guess this is my penance.

NICK: You’re calling this a punishment?

SUSANNAH: No way. I get to have dinner with the city manager of Somerset to discuss a project that has all of the city talking. How bad is that?

NICK: Lucky you. (Laughing) Is there anyplace special you’d like to go?

SUSANNAH: I was thinking we could hit Bernard’s if you’d like. Giovanni’s spoiling me rotten with his pasta so I need a bit of a break.

NICK: Bernard’s it is. (Gives Susannah another look) You do look nice this evening, by the way.

SUSANNAH: Keep it up. I could use the propping. (Smiles) Shall we?

NICK: Let’s go. (He takes Susannah’s hand) Dinner awaits.

Nick and Susannah exit her office as Susannah shuts out the lights, with accompanying music to trail into the next scene.

CUT TO: The porch at the Petterino house, where Giovanni is sitting and looking out at the street while sipping a glass of wine. Rose pulls up in her car and gets out, sees Giovanni sitting there and comes up.

GIOVANNI: Buongiorno, my dear. (Leans up and kisses Rose)

ROSE: If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were off in space somewhere.

GIOVANNI: I’m remembering back. I’m looking out at the street. (Sips wine) I see the little kids riding by on their bikes. Playing basketball in their driveways. And I think to myself…

ROSE: What a wonderful world?

GIOVANNI: If only my daughters were back at that age, I’d be happy.

Rose sits by Giovanni on the porch deck and kisses him on the cheek as we hear the opening bits of the Somerset theme.

We see an overhead shot of downtown, with the camera slowly pulling away from the buildings. The Somerset logo pops on the screen and goes into position at the center.

This… is Somerset. Part 1 of Somerset is brought to you today by the man behind the shine, today’s Mr. Clean. Mr. Clean cleans your whole house and everything that’s in it… and by Millstone, the premium coffee without the premium price.

SCENE TWO

At the Petterino house, Rose and Giovanni are still on the porch looking out at the streets of Grant’s Preserve.

ROSE: Annabella told me about today. She said you took it kind of hard.

GIOVANNI: Ahh, forget it. We had a good discussion. And today… (sips wine) was the day I realized my little girl was a grown-up woman.

ROSE: You’re realizing that just now? After she just turned 30?

GIOVANNI: You forget, my Rose… she will always be the little girl who I shared father-daughter dances with every year… the teenager who had no trouble making friends…

ROSE: And boyfriends. I swear that’s why your hair went gray…

GIOVANNI: Hey, that’s what color is for, right?

ROSE: You’re darn right. (Pauses) Annabella definitely has a lot of my spirit in her.

GIOVANNI: (Turns to Rose) You think? God, I swore today that when Annabella defended her positions she reminded me an awful lot of the beautiful woman I fell for at the pizzeria.

ROSE: And you love it. Every last bit of it.

GIOVANNI: Well, now that you mention it…

Giovanni laughs as Rose rests her head on his shoulder. The scene changes over to Bernard’s, where Susannah and Nick have a corner table and are comparing notes from their respective briefcases. The two are sharing a pitcher of beer and have already ordered.

SUSANNAH: (Looking over document) So Mike’s going on record as saying Jack won’t do the project without the People’s Building?

NICK: In tomorrow’s Register. I just talked to him a bit ago before I came to pick you up.

SUSANNAH: I better look into who owns that building. I don’t want it to be a nasty surprise and turn out to be the Cleybank Corporation.

NICK: No, it’s not them. I looked into that. I’m curious about how much it’s going to cost Jack.

SUSANNAH: What’s the history of the building?

NICK: I talked with our city historian this morning…

SUSANNAH: Wait a minute – a city historian?

NICK: Yes. Joseph Reynolds. We utilize him every so often. It’s not a glamorous position…

SUSANNAH: Still, though… all that history.

NICK: You bet. More beer? (Points to pitcher)

SUSANNAH: Please.

NICK: (Pouring into glass) I didn’t see you as a beer-drinking woman.

SUSANNAH: What did you think I was, a stuffed shirt? I like to pop one back with the best of them now and then. Only last time I got a little tipsy I almost ran down a motorcyclist.

NICK: (Laughing) I remember that. We won’t let that happen again.

SUSANNAH: (Looking at document again) I’ll make a few calls in the morning. It shouldn’t be a problem for Jack to buy the building and begin working on the X Project from there.

NICK: That’s wonderful.

Nick puts his hand on the table at the exact moment Susannah has her hand lying on the table. Before long, the two have joined hands and are looking at each other. The music plays into commercial as the picture fades to black.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

A video that will change everyone’s life. The last will and testament of London will shock everyone, today on Point Palace. Weekdays on SONBC.

We see a still shot of the Somerset logo with the accompanying music.

And now the second half of Somerset, brought to you today by mild Ivory liquid. Our creamiest, mildest Ivory liquid ever still keeps hands young-looking.

SCENE THREE

Nick and Susannah are at the table in Bernard’s. We see their hands touching and their fingers briefly interlocking before they separate and laugh.

NICK: Was that strange or what?

SUSANNAH: (Laughs) I’m sorry. I may have had one too many.

NICK: Don’t sweat it, Susie. You’re fine. Hey, we were holding hands when we left your office, remember?

SUSANNAH: I know. (Looks down at the table, blushes a bit and then looks back up at Nick) Let me ask you an honest question. How the heck have you stayed single for this long?

NICK: (Looks surprised) Wow! I never thought I’d hear the question coming from you.

SUSANNAH: Forget about me. I’m too much of a workaholic.

NICK: Well, when I broke things off with Alana a couple years ago I told myself not to get too wrapped up in my personal life. I decided to throw myself into working and getting into a prime position to make a difference in this community.

SUSANNAH: And you think you have?

NICK: I’m happy with where I’m at, yes. How about you?

SUSANNAH: I’m realizing I need to get out more. (Laughing) No, I’ve been fine, Nick. It’s just that I get so caught up in work that sometimes I need to take a step back and relax.

NICK: Funny you should say that. (Drinks beer) Alana said the same thing.

SUSANNAH: Well, a bit of advice. Don’t let what happened with Alana keep you from seeking happiness. You’ve got a lot to offer someone. (Pauses) Question… I want to have a couple more drinks and continue this talk about the X Project. Would you mind taking me home afterwards?

NICK: No, not at all.

SUSANNAH: Good. (Takes out cell phone) I know Giovanni’s going in to the restaurant tomorrow for inventory, so I can catch a ride with him.

Nick smiles as Susannah dials Giovanni’s number. He’s having a good time with Susannah, obviously, as evidenced by their smiles at each other. The music plays as we switch scenes.

CUT TO: The Petterino house, where Giovanni is on the phone with Susannah.

GIOVANNI: No problem, Susannah. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning about 8?... (Pauses) Good to hear. I’ll see you then. Have a good night. (Puts down phone)

ROSE: Susannah need a ride to work, dear?

GIOVANNI: Yes. She’s out tonight having dinner with Nick Barclay.

ROSE: (Eyes widen a bit) Nick? A date?

GIOVANNI: No, Susannah said it’s just a business dinner. She couldn’t make the X Project meeting today.

ROSE: You can spin it any way you want, but…

GIOVANNI: I know, I know. She’ll realize it down the road. It was good for her to get out and enjoy herself.

ROSE: Much like you wish we could?

GIOVANNI: Hey, I don’t need to take you out to show you a good time. As evidenced by our wine drinking and lovemaking this week…

ROSE: Mmm-hmm. (Nods) And I hope there’s more where that came from real soon.

Giovanni embraces Rose as the music plays, and the scene changes again.

CUT TO: Somerset Hospital, where Taylor is at the nurses’ desk as Alana comes out with charts.

TAYLOR: Hey there. How are you feeling?

ALANA: All right. I’m still running a small fever and I feel a little groggy, but otherwise I’m managing.

Mike steps off the elevator and comes over to the nurses’ desk.

MIKE: Hey you… (Reaches to embrace Alana, but she pulls back) Something I did?

ALANA: No, I might be contagious.

MIKE: You still have the flu?

ALANA: Naaa, I don’t think it’s the flu. Just a small cold. I think I’ll live.

MIKE: I was going to come ask if you’d want to go to coffee tomorrow morning when you get out of work, but…

ALANA: I might be up to it. Stop by on your way into work and I’ll keep you posted. Did you come all the way here just to ask me that?

MIKE: No, I’m here to see a friend in 426… Cavanaugh? In a car accident?

ALANA: Ahh, yes. Head down the hall a few doors. You’ll be fine.

MIKE: All right.

As Alana points Mike down the hall, we see from her camera perspective that she is experiencing another round of dizziness. She’s doing a good job masking it, but the cold is obviously getting to her. The music builds at the scene’s end as the program goes to commercial.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

SCENE FOUR

We see Nick’s car pull up in Susannah’s driveway and shut off. Susannah turns toward Nick in the car.

SUSANNAH: Thank you for the ride home. And thanks for a nice evening. I didn’t know what to expect.

NICK: Me neither. You really need to get out more, you know. You’ve got a lot to offer someone yourself.

SUSANNAH: Well, if this was like taking the training wheels off the bike I’d say I rode it fine on my own. (Opens the door) Have a good night, okay?

NICK: All right.

He goes to start the car, but Susannah comes back in and sits down.

SUSANNAH: I almost forgot one thing.

NICK: What?

SUSANNAH: This.

Susannah reaches in, takes Nick and kisses him for about five seconds. Breaking the kiss, she opens her eyes and smiles.

NICK: What was that for?

SUSANNAH: For the evening. If you need to discuss business again soon, let me know.

NICK: (Laughs) I certainly will. Take care.

SUSANNAH: You too. (Gets out of car) Night.

As Nick turns on the car lights, he sees Susannah walking up the steps to her home and smiles.

NICK: Barclay, maybe you do have a future in dating after all. It may not be with Susannah, but this definitely gave you a confidence boost.

He pulls away and goes down the street, disappearing into the distance as the music plays to commercial. The Somerset theme and credits roll following.

Be sure to stay tuned for Salem Lives, coming up next over most of these SONBC stations.

Join us again each weekday afternoon at this time for the continuing story of Somerset. This program was pre-recorded.