SOMERSET EPISODE 32

Original airdate: 08/28/07

Written by: Steve Ungrey

SCENE ONE

This episode opens at the police department headquarters downtown, where Scott is at his desk looking at that day’s Register. He sees the story Mike has written regarding the X Project and is a bit surprised at some of the details. Scott dials over to City Hall.

SCOTT: (Gets voicemail and realizes Nick is not at his desk) Probably making himself unavailable for comment. (Laughs) Nick, this is Scott over at the station. Wonder if you can meet with me regarding what you guys talked about. Obviously from a crime angle you’re going to need stats on how safe the city has been so Jack can get that to the appropriate parties.

He sees Annabella at the door and motions her in.

SCOTT: Give me a call when you get a chance. Thanks again. (Sets down phone) Hi! To what do I owe this pleasure?

ANNABELLA: Could you use a friend to talk to this morning? I brought breakfast.

SCOTT: (Looks inside bag) Mmm. Bagels and lox. How did you know I needed a fish fix this morning?

ANNABELLA: Your favorite bagel. I didn’t forget.

SCOTT: (Eating) Mmmm, I haven’t had one of these in a long time. So how is Alana? I heard she collapsed earlier today at her place.

ANNABELLA: Well, I don’t know if you can call it a collapse. She was found nearly unconscious by Patrick. The last I heard from Victoria they were trying to bring her fever down. They’re pretty sure it’s meningitis.

SCOTT: Hopefully they do it. You holding up OK?

ANNABELLA: Trying. Alana’s like a sister to us. With Johnny in Denver it’s almost like having a third kid around the house.

SCOTT: I know. (Pause) Speaking of around the house, did Giovanni take your moving out suggestion all right?

ANNABELLA: You got a bit to talk about that? He took it rather well.

SCOTT: I’m all ears. Fire away.

As the music builds and dwarfs Annabella and Scott’s conversation, the scene shifts.

CUT TO: Martin Enterprises

In Jack’s office, Donna is looking her face over in her compact.

DONNA: You sure I look all right?

JACK: That answer would be grounds for a lawsuit in all 50 states.

DONNA: I’m not filing, honest.

JACK: You look just like you did one minute ago when you asked that question. (Phone buzzes) I think it’s your lucky day. (Goes over to desk and picks up phone) Yes, Joanne? (Pauses and then flashes thumbs-up) Okay. Stall him for a second until I figure out where to put Donna.

DONNA: What are my options?

JACK: (Sets down phone) You have a small closet you can hide in… or a small, private washroom I use.

DONNA: Considering I’ll want to look myself over 100 times, I’ll take the bathroom.

JACK: Okay. (Points) Right in there and I’ll summon Nick.

Jack waits until Donna has hidden herself carefully, and then he opens the door to the reception area. Nick is standing there talking with Joanne.

NICK: Hey, Jack.

JACK: Nicholas, good morning! (Shakes Nick’s hand) You’re going to kill me. Idiot that I am, I left my notes down in the conference room. Can I go get them for a second?

NICK: Sure, no problem.

JACK: Good. Just wait in my office and I’ll be right with you.

NICK: All right. (He enters Jack’s office)

JOANNE: (Shaking her head and looking at Jack) You’re terrible.

JACK: Ahh, he’ll thank me in about a few minutes.

In Jack’s office, Nick is by Jack’s desk. He gets a faint whiff of perfume, causing his nose to wrinkle. He recognizes the scent of Enchantress – the perfume Donna is wearing – and he realizes he must be smelling things.

Donna is in the washroom, nervous as ever. She gives herself one last look and tiptoes to the edge of the room before walking out a few steps. She turns to face Nick’s back.

DONNA: Hey handsome. What’s a guy like you doing in an office like this?

We see Nick standing there, back turned towards Donna. We can see Nick’s face, eyes widening as his mouth opens. Slowly he cranes his neck around to see Donna. The Somerset theme begins playing.

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 Charmin, the bathroom tissue so squeezably soft, it’s irresistible. And by Comet, the cleanser that disinfects as it cleans. Available in four sizes for kitchen and bathroom use.

SCENE TWO

A direct pickup from the previous scene, as Nick is facing Donna and can’t quite believe what he sees. He rubs his eyes – she’s still there. He blinks, same result.

DONNA: Am I that blindingly gorgeous, or what?

NICK: No. (Pause) You’re not real. My imagination’s playing tricks on me. (Turns back toward Jack’s empty desk) I thought this wouldn’t happen again.

Donna is a little puzzled, but she takes a few more steps forward.

DONNA: Now what makes you think I’m not real? What do you think I am, a ghost?

NICK: I’m seeing things. I know it. I know you couldn’t possibly be here.

DONNA: If you don’t think I’m real, then for crying out loud, come over here and find out for yourself.

NICK: (Shaking his head) Jack will be back any second now, and I’ll close my eyes and you’ll be…

By now Donna is right behind Nick. He turns around to see her face.

Donna takes Nick’s hand and places it on her jacket. Slowly the expression on Nick’s face turns from bewilderment to joy.

NICK: You… you’re… (whiffs air once again, getting scent of Enchantress) you smell so…

DONNA: Yes, handsome?

NICK: Real. (Eyes widen, like a kid opening Christmas presents) You’re real. You’re standing right in front of me. You’re... not my imagination. You’re real…

DONNA: Well… now that you know I’m real, when do I get a proper welcome to Somerset?

NICK: I can’t… I can’t believe… you’re here.

Nick throws his arms around Donna to give her a big hug, picks her up in his arms and whirls her around. Donna’s giggling as she sees Nick so enthusiastic.

DONNA: If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear I made someone’s day.

NICK: God, you have no idea.

Nick looks at Donna, who’s beaming with a huge smile right back at him. No dreams this time, no concussions suffered when his head bangs on the nightstand – Donna is in front of him in the flesh. The camera slowly fades to black as Donna tightly hugs Nick and closes her eyes with a wide grin on her face.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

And you thought Jim and Lynette were in the clear. Then why is Lynette drawn to Greg? You can’t miss a minute of Novi, part of the MySONTV lineup… 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 Prell concentrate. The only shampoo that produces shiny, beautiful hair from a concentrated tube.

SCENE THREE

Back at the police station, Annabella is munching on a bagel while talking to Scott about her conversation with Giovanni.

ANNABELLA: I thought he’d break down and cry. Instead, he had me crying. He still thinks of me as a five-year old who is wearing a communion dress.

SCOTT: That’s because you remind him of a happy time in his life.

ANNABELLA: Can’t this be a happy time?

SCOTT: Sure it can. There’s no reason why it can’t. I think he just doesn’t want to lose you. He senses Tori slipping away from him.

ANNABELLA: Well, if he’s not careful… the way Mom reacted about Tori going out once with Zachary. It gave me chills. Mom’s never been like that.

SCOTT: Your dad and the Cleypools don’t share a good history. Remember when George had a zoning dispute with Giovanni about expanding the restaurant into a place George owned?

ANNABELLA: (Rolls eyes) You had to remind me of that, didn’t you? (Pauses) It’s time for me to strike out on my own. I don’t want a condo in Grant’s Preserve because I’d be too close, but I don’t want to be in something too opulent.

SCOTT: Ever think about an apartment? Yeah, it’s rent, but with your supermodel’s salary… (Gets a devilish grin on his face)

ANNABELLA: (Smacks him playfully) I’ll remember you said that!

Annabella and Scott laugh as the music builds out of the scene. The scene shifts…

CUT TO: Jack’s office, where Jack is walking in on Nick and Donna

JACK: (Enters room) Well, Nick, I found my notes and – oh, I see you’ve met my guest!

NICK: (Turns around) Well, Jack Martin. I smell a rat. A big rat.

JACK: It can’t be her, because she’s wearing a perfume you love. What did you think I did, set this whole thing up?

NICK: What do YOU think?

JACK: All right. I’m guilty… of calling you over here, that is. The rest was done on her own when she walked into my office for an interview this morning. I think introductions are in order. Donna Morgan, meet Nick Barclay… Nick, this is Donna.

NICK: (Takes Donna’s hand) Pleasure’s all mine. (Kisses her hand) Is that Donna as in prima donna?

DONNA: Well, aren’t you the gentleman. At least I thought you were until now. (Laughs)

JACK: He definitely is. Nick, meet my newest employee in the legal department.

NICK: (Eyes widen) Nice. Jack, you hire very well.

JACK: I’m afraid I need to borrow Donna before I go on my lunch appointment so she can meet Susannah.

NICK: I have to run myself, but can I borrow Donna for a couple seconds?

JACK: I’ll be outside. (Leaves the room)

Nick and Donna look at each other, smiling, as the music fades to close the scene.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

SCENE FOUR

Back at Martin Enterprises, Nick is ready to say something.

NICK: I was wondering…

DONNA: The answer is yes, hot stuff.

NICK: (Eyes narrowing) You had no idea what I was going to ask.

DONNA: I don’t care. The answer is yes, especially if you’re wondering if I’m free tonight.

NICK: Well, the thought did cross my mind. When do you go back to Washington – or are you here to stay?

DONNA: No, I go back to Washington for a few days to wrap up things. But I have tonight free, so would you be willing to squire a young woman around and show her the town?

NICK: Depends on who she is and what she’s like – oh, you want me to take you around?

DONNA: Very funny, handsome. What time do you want to meet?

NICK: Does 6:30 sound good?

DONNA: It’ll give me time to take a small nap… get ready… speaking of which, can you recommend anyplace for me to buy something for tonight?

NICK: Unless you want to go to one of the malls on the outskirts, I think you’ll find Paisley’s Department Store a good choice.

DONNA: They have a Paisley’s here?

NICK: It originated in Somerset.

DONNA: Well, I think I know where I need to open an account. (Leans in to hug Nick tightly) I’ll see you tonight. Room 446 of the Somerset Inn.

NICK: I’ll be there.

As Donna turns and walks away, Nick is overwhelmed with the realization that his romantic luck may have changed for the better. He has a spring in his step as he leaves the office, with the picture fading to black and the Somerset theme playing after the commercials.

Join us again each weekday afternoon at this time for the continuing story of Somerset.

And don’t forget to stay tuned for Salem Lives, coming up next over most of these SONBC stations.

This program was pre-recorded.