SOMERSET EPISODE 41

Written by: Steve Ungrey

Original airdate: 09/10/07

SCENE ONE

FADE IN -- Cleybank Corporation

A new day has dawned in Somerset, and this day finds George sitting at his office desk with a mountain of paperwork in front of him. He gets a little overwhelmed and it almost looks like he’s going to make a sweeping gesture to clear the table. Then he thinks better.

GEORGE

No, I better not. It would take me days to clean that mess up.

One of George’s associates -- or henchmen, whichever you’d prefer -- Doug Benedict, pops into the office.

GEORGE

You took a chance on showing up here, my friend.

DOUG

I figured you’d want this information firsthand. (Hands George a sheet of paper) This is the information you’re going to need for the hospital, in case you’re questioned.

GEORGE

Ah, I see. (Scans the paper) Good job, Doug. I’ll look this over right away and do what I have to do.

DOUG

Fine, Mr. Cleypool. (Turns to leave but remembers one other thing) Oh, by the way -- there’s some sniffing around at City Hall regarding a certain building here in Somerset. Up for purchasing the property?

GEORGE

Depends on how much it will cost me. What’s the building?

DOUG

I believe it’s The Peoples Building?

George gets an inquisitive look on his face and nods.

GEORGE

Ah, yes. I suppose Jack is interested in that -- strike that, I KNOW he’s interested in that property. (Pauses) Now what to do to put the kibosh on that…

DOUG

Will that be all, Mr. Cleypool?

GEORGE

Yes, Doug. Good work, and remember we didn’t have this conversation.

DOUG

As you wish. (Walks out of office)

George goes to his office window, where he can see The Peoples Building standing in a state of mild disrepair.

GEORGE

I suppose I could find a use for you. But if it means Jack’s dream gets destroyed… (Smiles)

Sinister music in the background as the scene dissolves.

DISSOLVE TO -- Giovanni’s

Mike is at a table looking over that day’s Register when Nick comes in and makes a beeline for the table.

NICK

Greetings, friend. (Shakes hand)

MIKE

I’m so glad you could make it here. I’ve got a pressing problem that needs your expertise.

NICK

Does it have to do with your Restaurant Row story from yesterday?

MIKE

I wish it were that simple. (Drinks from his beer glass) How do I impress Alana?

As Nick wonders why Mike would ask him that question, 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 Biz, the detergent with a full-strength bleach built right in. Why buy both? Buy Biz.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE TWO

FADE IN -- Martin Enterprises

Susannah comes down the hall to Jack’s office, wanting to talk with Jack on a variety of subjects. She sees Joanne at the front desk.

SUSANNAH

Hey, Joanne. Is Jack in now?

JOANNE

No, Susie. He got called away on a quick business trip over to Albany. Was it important?

SUSANNAH

Shoot. No, it wasn’t a big deal. I’ll just go back and leave a voicemail on his phone and (the elevator opens in the background) talk to him another time.

Patrick steps off the elevator, one hand behind his back.

JOANNE

In the meantime, it looks like you have a visitor.

Susannah turns and smiles when she sees Patrick.

SUSANNAH

Hey there! (Hugs Patrick) I didn’t know you were going to stop by.

PATRICK

I wasn’t. I happened to be in the neighborhood…

SUSANNAH

Then why do you have flowers behind your back?

Patrick produces a bouquet from behind his back.

PATRICK

I’m not good at hiding things, am I?

SUSANNAH

They’re much appreciated, thanks. (Kisses Patrick’s cheek) Want some coffee in my office?

PATRICK

Have you eaten yet?

SUSANNAH

Come to think of it, that does sound good.

JOANNE

Duck out of here while you can, Susie. On days Jack isn’t in the office it gets a little light around here.

SUSANNAH

In terms of what, people playing hooky? Jack is the most easygoing boss I know.

JOANNE

You’re exactly right on both counts. (Phone buzzes) Excuse me… Martin Enterprises, this is Joanne?

As Joanne types out a message Susannah continues talking with Patrick.

SUSANNAH

Well, if you haven’t eaten yet it sounds like lunch is in order then. What say you and I head out and grab a quick bite?

PATRICK

Good to go from here. I know a great little sub shop just around the corner…

SUSANNAH

Subs?

PATRICK

I figured Giovanni spoiled you rotten enough with his cooking.

SUSANNAH

Ooo, it’s so good, but you’re right. I could use something else. I’ll get my purse.

PATRICK

Let’s head on out, then.

Susannah heads down the hall while Patrick waits by the elevator as music plays to transition scenes.

DISSOLVE TO -- Giovanni’s

At the bar, Giovanni and Rose are discussing Mike’s Register article as Rose is wiping off the bar counter.

ROSE

So how likely is it that this place can become a historic landmark?

GIOVANNI

Not just this building, my dear… the whole block. You remember when I said this was one of Somerset’s oldest buildings? It dates back to when Somerset’s downtown was a lot smaller than it is right now.

ROSE

So we get the benefits.

GIOVANNI

Exactly. And it leaves people like George Cleypool twisting in the wind. He absolutely wants this area to build his own… nasty project, whatever you want to call it.

ROSE

Like what can you envision, dear? (Smiling)

GIOVANNI

Black buildings. Tall. Ominous. Rising, oh, say, 50 or 60 stories above the ground. As if to say I’m better than all of you.

ROSE

Somehow I can’t see that happening here. Jack will take care of that with his X Project. It’s much more friendly to downtown.

GIOVANNI

Well, he had a meeting over in Albany today with a few people he has connections with in the state government. It was a two for the price of one meeting, I understand.

ROSE

Why, what does he have up his sleeve?

GIOVANNI

(Points) Nick’s a big part of that. I’m sure he knows it, but I think Jack is positioning Nick for a run at the state legislature.

The camera focuses in on Nick, drinking his beer and listening intently to Mike as the picture fades to black.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

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We see a still shot of the Somerset logo as music plays in the background.

BILL WOLFF: And now, after this message, we’ll return for the second half of Somerset. This portion brought to you today by Prell Concentrate, the shampoo for shiny and beautiful hair.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE THREE

FADE IN -- Giovanni’s

Nick is having a beer with Mike at one of the tables, and the subject of Alana is on both of their minds.

NICK

So she’s doing pretty well, huh?

MIKE

Well as can be expected. She’s still in a bit of pain, but Patrick said it was more from being stiff and rigid than anything else.

NICK

Well, she’s got you taking care of her so it can’t be all bad.

MIKE

(Drinks) I’d like to think that’s the case. So anyway, you’ve told me about Jack’s trip to Albany… what about Alana?

NICK

Well…

Nick acts as if he’s getting out a 1,000-page book on how to deal with her. He pretends to lift a big book and slam it on the table, much to the laughter of Mike.

MIKE

High maintenance, huh?

NICK

She can be at first. I think you’re past that stage already. If she’s interested in you, she tends to hold you away at arm’s length until she can determine how strong the feelings are. Obviously in my case it worked well enough to date for two years. In your case…

MIKE

I can only hope it’s that long and then some.

NICK

Well, when you guys have your first date, just remember a few specifics. (Drinks) If you try to impress Alana, she’ll see right through it. In other words, don’t take her to The Finial for a cosmopolitan or whatever the hot, new female drink is these days.

MIKE

I hear vodka tonic is something you’ve grown fond of these days.

NICK

(Smiles) And the person that drinks it. Alana is more of an everyday type of girl. I took her to The Finial for a drink when we first went out, and she loved the view but she wanted to go have some beers at a bar.

MIKE

Blue-collar broad, huh? (Laughs)

NICK

I’ll tell her you said that. (Pretends to get up from the table)

MIKE

Nick, get back here…

NICK

She loves her profession and she loves being one of the guys. But there are times when she loves to be feminine. And if you hit upon one of those times, treasure every last second of it.

MIKE

Hmm, I better write this down. (Jots a few notes on his pad)

Nick starts to laugh to himself when he remembers the next part of the lecture.

MIKE

Uh, Nick… what’s so funny?

NICK

I was just remembering the time it happened to me. If Alana asks you to play doctor, two words.

MIKE

What?

NICK

Do it. You will not be disappointed.

MIKE

Hmm. (Jots more notes) Doctor, huh?

NICK

There are benefits from having a nurse as your girlfriend. Just don’t tell her I mentioned doctor to you or she’ll know I spilled my guts.

MIKE

Good to hear. I think we’re going out sometime next week after she’s had a few days to rest and feel better. She’s told me she wants to shed the scrubs and wear something nice out on our date.

NICK

She cleans up well for a nurse, I’m sure you know that.

Mike checks his watch and sees he’ll be running late in a few minutes.

MIKE

Oops, I’ve got a meeting with a potential story source in about 10 minutes, so I better scram and take care of it. (Shakes Nick’s hand) Thanks for the advice, man. I think I can take it from here.

NICK

Just let me know how it turns out.

As Mike leaves, Nick goes over to the bar and sits as Rose is overseeing the action.

ROSE

So… was that a big strategy meeting or something?

NICK

I wish. I’m just giving Mike tips on how to handle Alana when the two of them finally go out later this week.

ROSE

I knew she’d come to her senses. That man is a good one for Alana. Both of them are feisty, they can playfully talk back and forth…

NICK

Just like the two of us did?

ROSE

(Nods) Don’t think I haven’t forgotten how good a couple you and Alana made. But you’ve got a new woman on the horizon.

NICK

Yes. And she comes back tomorrow night and starts work on Wednesday. I may bring her here Wednesday night for a celebratory Italian dinner.

ROSE

Be my guest! You know we love your company. (Pauses) Hey, I was talking with Giovanni about Jack’s meeting in Albany today. Anything you can tell us?

NICK

He wants to fast track your historic landmark status with the state. That’s all I know. Oh, and yes -- I know he’s meeting with friends of his about me possibly running for office.

ROSE

And do you?

NICK

What -- want to run? Rose, don’t get me wrong. I love Somerset. I grew up here. But I’m young enough to imagine being a powerful senator, I’m sure.

ROSE

Just as long as you don’t lose track of your constituency.

NICK

Not a chance in hell.

As Rose and Nick continue chatting, soft music builds to take us into break.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE FOUR

FADE IN -- Cleybank Corporation

As George is crunching some figures on the paperwork, his line buzzes.

GEORGE

(Picks up) Yes, Denise? (Smiling) Ah good, he is here. Bring him in.

As George finishes the paperwork, the door opens.

GEORGE

(Looks up) Welcome to Cleybank’s inside secrets!

As the camera pans over to the right, we see Mike is at the door. Inquisitive music plays.

MIKE

My meeting wasn’t with you. What’s going on?

GEORGE

No, but I wanted to get you out here so I could talk with you. You probably were wondering why Cleybank wanted a story in The Register, considering as I’m probably hated by about a third of the people in this town.

MIKE

You need to check your Gallup numbers closer, Mr. Cleypool. I’m afraid it’s closer to…

GEORGE

I’m being general, OK? (Visibly disturbed) My source called you because he had a scoop related to me.

MIKE

Which is?

GEORGE

I want to buy The Peoples Building.

Mike gets that “oh oh” look on his face, as if a major catastrophe could be ahead for someone. The picture fades to black.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

The Somerset theme plays over the closing credits.

BILL WOLFF: Men’s shirts by Izod. Women’s shoes by Circa Joan and David.

Be sure to join us each weekday afternoon at this time for the continuing story of Somerset. Stay tuned for Point Palace, which follows immediately over most of these SONBC stations.

This program was pre-recorded.