SOMERSET EPISODE 40

Written by: Steve Ungrey

Original airdate: 09/07/07

SCENE ONE

FADE IN -- Washington D.C. skyline

We see the footage of Washington D.C. with a graphic identifying the city. The scene then transitions over to Eleanor’s condominium, where Donna is sitting and watching something on the TV.

We see Donna’s eyes misting over and she’s wiping away tears as Eleanor comes into the room.

ELEANOR

Oh, for heaven’s sake, Donna… you’re not watching Field of Dreams again, are you?

DONNA

(Crying slightly) I wish I were watching that. I don’t cry as much watching Kevin Costner as I do this.

Eleanor turns to the TV screen and her mouth drops. Now her eyes are getting misty.

ELEANOR

Oh, you were such an angel back then.

DONNA

I was, wasn’t I?

Donna is watching a home video recording of her “Sweet 16” party thrown by the family. What’s making Donna so misty-eyed is seeing herself dancing with her father.

DONNA

I can never hear “Special Lady” and not think of Dad.

ELEANOR

That song was popular when we conceived you. It was playing on the radio when he took me to the hospital. If your father could have gotten Ray, Goodman and Brown to sing that song live at your party, he’d have done it.

DONNA

(Wipes away tears) God, I miss Dad. I miss him so much.

Donna and Eleanor embrace, as Donna finally unleashes the waterworks.

ELEANOR

He’d have been so happy for you, honey. His dream before he died was to finally see you pass the bar and become a lawyer.

DONNA

If only I knew how long law school would take. You can’t quite finish it like high school.

ELEANOR

Hey, you know something? We had a great time together. All of us. I tell myself every day that at least we knew the end was coming. It wasn’t like I got a call saying Paul had a heart attack at the office and died or something like that.

DONNA

Or got in a car crash on the Beltway. (Pauses) Lung cancer, however. And he didn’t even smoke.

ELEANOR

You don’t have to smoke to get it. One of my friends died from it and she never touched tobacco her whole life.

DONNA

(Turns back toward TV) I will always remember that dance. Always.

We hear a few snippets of “Special Lady” as the scene dissolves.

DISSOLVE TO -- Somerset Hospital

Alana is sitting up in bed reading that day’s edition of The Register when Mike peeks his head around the corner.

MIKE

(Knocking on Alana’s room door) Ah, I see you’re a devoted follower of my work?

ALANA

I was just reading your story on the efforts to get Restaurant Row proclaimed a historical landmark. Good one, Wagner.

MIKE

I’ve got an even better one for you.

ALANA

I can’t wait to see this…

Mike appears in the doorway bearing a wheelchair.

MIKE

You’re going home today, my dear.

Alana’s eyes instantly widen and she smiles as we hear the Somerset theme begin.

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.

BILL WOLFF: This… is Somerset. This portion of Somerset is presented today by mild Ivory liquid, the dishwashing liquid that helps hands stay young-looking.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE TWO

FADE IN -- Somerset Hospital

Alana can barely contain her glee when she sees the wheelchair.

ALANA

Finally! I get to get out of here!

MIKE

Pending what Patrick says. He’s upstairs analyzing your last tests and he wants to make sure you’re 100 percent before he lets you go.

ALANA

I feel much better.

As she steps out of bed she grimaces.

ALANA

Except for the pain, that is.

MIKE

What’s going on? Are you all right?

ALANA

Patrick said because my muscles became rigid during the meningitis, it’s going to take a bit of time for me to regain full use of my head. I’ll be able to twist my neck back and forth eventually, but right now I have to take it easy.

Patrick enters the room with his charts.

PATRICK

And you are so right where that is concerned, Alana. The test results are back, and you have a clean bill of health.

MIKE

Meaning she can go, right?

PATRICK

Yes, indeed. She’s a free woman.

Alana smiles and hugs Mike and Patrick, having successfully shaken off a bout of meningitis and appreciating her newfound good health. The scene dissolves.

DISSOLVE TO -- Petterino kitchen

Annabella is making a pot of coffee when Victoria comes downstairs. She looks both ways before entering the kitchen.

ANNABELLA

(Sits down with a coffee cup) Are you afraid of being struck by a car in your own house, Tori? (Laughs)

VICTORIA

No, sis. (Laughing) I was just wondering where Mom and Dad went.

ANNABELLA

They’re both at the restaurant this morning. Giovanni and Bernard met to go over some things about the article Mike Wagner wrote.

VICTORIA

Oh, that! The historic landmark designation?

ANNABELLA

Yes, that. Jack’s trying to get historic status on the buildings so that no other shenanigans take place in the war between the developers.

VICTORIA

And we know Jack will get the job done.

ANNABELLA

So anyway, you’re safe… enough tiptoeing around the subject. How was last night?

VICTORIA

Well… he’s a damn good kisser.

ANNABELLA

(Squeals like a teenager) Oooo, Tori… you got a chance to make out with him?

VICTORIA

Well, I wouldn’t say we were like two horny teenagers or anything. We were outside on the observation deck at The Finial and he made a remark about wanting a taste of brandy without drinking out of a glass.

ANNABELLA

Smooth. He’s pretty good.

VICTORIA

That’s what I told him. I couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss when I got in last night. I called him this morning and he said he had a great time, and I did too.

ANNABELLA

So I take it there will be more?

VICTORIA

He’s giving me a bit of space so I can study for the nursing exam, but yes… the night of the exam he’s going to take me out for a couple drinks to release the tension.

ANNABELLA

(High fives Victoria) Way to go, sis. You did an excellent job.

VICTORIA

I just hope you all say that after the exam’s done.

Soft music plays under the scene as Victoria drinks coffee, and the picture fades to black.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

The Carringtons and the Colbys are back and better than ever. Be sure to tune in to Dynasty The Sequel, seen weekdays on SONBC. Consult your local listings.

The Somerset logo is seen on screen…

BILL WOLFF: And now, after these messages, we’ll continue with the second half of Somerset. Part two of today’s program is presented by the new Swiffer sweeper, the easy way to clean up messes around your house.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE THREE

FADE IN -- Eleanor’s condominium

Donna is putting the cassette back in its container and shutting off the TV when her cell phone rings. She sees Nick’s number on the phone so she presses talk.

DONNA

Hey, handsome. Miss me?

Nick is at the office typing on his computer screen.

NICK

Like you don’t believe. When do you come back to Somerset?

DONNA

Early next week. I’ve already told Jack I’m going to start working on Tuesday. I may need to crash somewhere for a few days until the roommate situation is resolved.

NICK

Jack can probably take care of that. In the meantime… I may have a roommate for you.

DONNA

Nicholas Barclay! You did my dirty work?

NICK

(Gets a serious look) You’re not mad, are you?

DONNA

Of course not! If it’s one less thing for me to do then more power to you for helping me.

NICK

Good. I’ll explain everything when you return, except to say I think you’ll like my recommendation.

DONNA

All right, then.

NICK

Hey, I’m knee deep in work here, but I just wanted to call and say how much I missed talking to you. And spending time together…

DONNA

Both of which will take care of themselves in due time. (Pause) OK, sexy. I’ll see you when I get back. Take care.

As she presses stop on her phone Eleanor comes back into the room.

ELEANOR

Your main squeeze?

DONNA

He’s not my main squeeze, Mom. We’re still in the opening stages.

ELEANOR

Yet you enjoy spending time with him, right?

DONNA

Well, of course I do. Nick knows the score, Mom. He and I had a great first date, if you want to call it that. But he knows I want to take things very slow.

ELEANOR

Just as long as you end up happy in the end, that’s all.

DONNA

I will. (Checks time) Hey, I promised I’d meet my friend Cheri for a congratulatory drink, so I’ll probably head back to my place and do some more packing.

ELEANOR

Call me tonight when you get back?

DONNA

Oh, I won’t be out that late. I’ve got a lot of things to take care of and miles to go before I’m all set.

ELEANOR

If you need help, let me know.

DONNA

I will. (Kisses Eleanor on the cheek) Love ya.

ELEANOR

You too, dear.

As Donna leaves the condominium, Eleanor glances at the cassette sitting in its container and a tear rolls down her cheek.

ELEANOR

Sometimes I wish you still were a sweet 16.

Soft music plays to transition between scenes as we switch.

DISSOLVE TO -- Alana’s apartment

Mike opens the door and helps Alana inside as she sits down and gingerly looks around.

ALANA

Not much has changed in here, I see.

MIKE

It’s probably just like you left it when you collapsed last week.

ALANA

Meaning I’ll have to do some housecleaning -- eventually.

MIKE

Caught yourself, huh? Hey, I’ll give you a hand.

ALANA

Now you don’t have to take time out of your schedule to help me. It’ll get done. I just need to slow down and not do a whole lot these next few days.

MIKE

And I’ll be glad to help you do that.

ALANA

(Looks at him and smiles) I’ll just bet you will.

Mike smiles as Alana relaxes on the couch -- the music plays into commercial.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE FOUR

FADE IN -- Alana’s apartment

Alana has her hands around a cup of coffee as Mike sits down and checks his messages.

ALANA

You never slow down, do you?

MIKE

Trust me. When we’re finally ready to have that date you promised -- that date is still on, right?

ALANA

Oh heck yes. I’m not letting you get out of that now. (Smiles)

MIKE

This phone is being turned off and so is my pager. You are going to get my undivided attention.

ALANA

Something tells me I’m going to like that. (Pauses) Thanks for being here when I wanted some company.

MIKE

Hey, I almost lost you, remember? I didn’t know how seriously ill you were until…

ALANA

Well, it turned out it was much better than I thought. If I’d have had the bacterial kind of meningitis I’d have been in therapy for weeks.

Mike moves over to the couch and sits down.

MIKE

Well, you’re here, you’re healthy and you still have that good sense of humor. And that’s what I love.

Alana leans on Mike’s shoulder and closes her eyes, content. She appears to realize that she may have found true love again after Nick’s breakup. Soft music plays as the scene transitions.

DISSOLVE TO -- Eleanor’s condominium

Eleanor is doing some straightening up in her bedroom and she places the cassette back where Donna ostensibly obtained it. When she looks in her chest of drawers, Eleanor happens upon a picture partly uncovered.

ELEANOR

Well, well… hello there, gorgeous.

The picture is of a young woman, in her twenties. It’s an old outdoor photo taken by a river.

ELEANOR

You looked good back then… just like you do now.

She grabs the picture -- and for the first time, we see that part of the photograph has been torn away. Eleanor appears to have her hand around someone’s back, but we cannot see who it is.

ELEANOR

I did look great back then, didn’t I?

Eleanor looks at the picture, as inquisitive music plays in the background. The scene immediately cuts to black.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

The Somerset credits roll over a picture of the city.

BILL WOLFF: Men’s jackets by Abercrombie Sentinel. Jewelry courtesy of Irwin Pearl.

We invite you to join us each weekday afternoon for the continuing story of Somerset. Be sure to stay tuned for Salem Lives, coming up next on most of these NBC stations. And don’t forget to watch Point Palace when it follows Somerset beginning Monday.

This program was pre-recorded.