SOMERSET EPISODE 43

Original airdate: September 12, 2007

Written by: Steve Ungrey

SCENE ONE

FADE IN -- Somerset Inn

We see the camera panning up to an upper-floor room, and the camera cuts to Donna in front of the mirror, partially dressed. She’s leaning in applying mascara when there’s a knock at the door.

DONNA

(Under her breath) Somehow I knew he’d be on time. (Louder) Hold on a bit!

As Donna goes toward the door, she ventures toward the bathroom and partially shuts that door, and she extends an arm out to open the hotel room door. Like before, Nick is left looking into an empty room.

NICK

Somehow I knew you’d be partially ready to go.

DONNA

What was that, handsome?

NICK

I could hear you muttering inside the room. I hope you were smiling when you said that.

DONNA

These walls must be thinner than Kate Moss… Well, since you’re here, maybe you can help me decide what to wear.

NICK

You could wear a sack and make it look like Gucci.

DONNA

Ha ha, very funny. But flattering, thanks.

Nick goes over to a recliner and sits down, snickering to himself.

NICK

I don’t see why you’re obsessing. Jack isn’t the type of authoritarian boss that makes his employees wear suits and look like drones.

Donna peeks her head out and smiles.

DONNA

Because I want to look nice on my first day there. You wouldn’t understand, you’re a guy.

NICK

Oh, so looking sloppy and wearing a ripped T-shirt and thong underwear won’t win me a job as Somerset’s city manager, huh?

DONNA

Now that I’d like to see. Can you hand me that skirt on the bed?

Nick gets up from the recliner, looks over, sees it and tosses it in Donna’s direction. As he tosses, we see a hand stick out from the bathroom.

DONNA

(From inside bathroom) Somehow I knew you’d do that. You’re just very lucky I can catch these things, you know.

NICK

Relax. What time do you have to be into the office, anyway?

DONNA

I told Jack I’d be there around 9:30. What time is it, anyway?

NICK

(Checks his watch) 8:15. You’re doing fine.

DONNA

Oh, I know that. I was hoping to catch a bite to eat before we went over to Martin Enterprises.

NICK

There’s a coffee shop just down the street…

DONNA

They have a continental breakfast downstairs that’s free for hotel guests. I think they’d look the other way.

NICK

If they didn’t serve me, I’d order the place shut down.

Donna emerges from the bathroom, fully dressed and ready to go. She reaches in her purse, spritzes a little Enchantress on her, and comes over to Nick.

DONNA

Now then, handsome…

She wraps her arms around Nick and quickly kisses him.

NICK

You look very nice.

DONNA

Just very nice, huh? I thought you’d say I made your eyes pop out of their head.

NICK

No… that was Washington. And when you surprised me in Jack’s office.

DONNA

(Kisses Nick again) But there you didn’t think I was real.

NICK

You won’t let me forget that, will you?

DONNA

Not a chance. (Breaks the embrace and puts an arm around Nick’s side) All set to walk me to school?

NICK

(Laughing) Lead the way.

As Donna and Nick exit Donna’s hotel room, the music plays softly at first -- but then it turns more scary as the scene transitions.

DISSOLVE TO -- Outside Petterino house

For some reason in this scene it is night. We see a car pull up and stop in Giovanni and Rose’s driveway. Victoria opens the door and steps out.

Looking around, she looks up at the sky and sees how dark it is.

VICTORIA

Mom? Dad?

She goes up to the front door to open it, only to find she can’t. Victoria can’t find her keys either.

She returns to the driveway and comes down to the front, right by the sidewalk. The air is still, silent. The only thing we hear is scary music, presumably from an organ.

Victoria slowly looks up as she sees the area around her getting darker. Then she screams, and the picture immediately cuts to black. We quickly cut to the Somerset opening.

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 Pringles and new Pringles Cracker Stix, the light alternative to potato chips.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE TWO

IMMEDIATE CUT TO -- Outside Petterino house

Victoria is screaming because she sees something really odd -- a gigantic nursing textbook, roughly 10 times her size, is looming over her. Next to the textbook is the world’s largest hypodermic needle and a gargantuan pair of scissors.

Victoria takes off running down the block. The textbook follows, with the needle and scissors not too far behind. Before long, papers -- presumably Victoria’s notes -- begin falling from the sky.

She’s running as fast as she can, but Victoria can’t outrun the competition. She stumbles and falls down, looking up.

The book leaps in the air, with the needle and scissors following, and the picture immediately cuts to black…

CUT TO -- Petterino house

Victoria bolts upright in bed, with a loud gasp. Her face is drenched in sweat and she’s still breathing heavily. Then she looks at her surroundings and bursts out laughing.

Giovanni runs down the hall and into Victoria’s room.

GIOVANNI

Tori? Qualcosa non va?

Giovanni runs over and hugs Tori, who is still giggling a bit.

VICTORIA

Nothing’s wrong, Dad. I just had a nightmare -- but when you think about it, it was actually pretty funny.

GIOVANNI

Cara mia… nightmares aren’t funny, especially if they make you like this…

VICTORIA

No, Dad, trust me. I got out of my car and you guys weren’t here. I didn’t have my keys and so I came back toward the road… and I saw this big textbook staring down at me. (Starts laughing) And a needle and scissors.

GIOVANNI

(Covers his eyes) E che cavolo.

VICTORIA

Oh, brother is right. I tried to outrun the book and everything but I stumbled and fell and got caught. I woke up just before the worst happened.

GIOVANNI

Cara mia… you’ve been studying too hard.

VICTORIA

Thank God the exam is tomorrow. I don’t think I can take much more of this.

GIOVANNI

How much sleep did you get?

VICTORIA

Enough. I think I crawled into bed about 1 this morning.

GIOVANNI

You’ve got enough. (Extends hands) Come with me. You need to have a good breakfast in you.

VICTORIA

Dad… that’s not going to solve my problems.

GIOVANNI

(Turns around and looks at Victoria) Humor me, OK? When was the last time I spent time with my daughter?

Victoria weakly smiles and sniffles a bit.

VICTORIA

Now how can I refuse an offer like that?

Music plays to transition scenes as Victoria and Giovanni walk down the hall toward the stairs.

DISSOLVE TO -- Martin Enterprises

Joanne is busy at the front desk when Nick and Donna step off the elevator. Joanne looks up and smiles.

JOANNE

Donna! Welcome to your first official day here at Martin!

DONNA

Thanks, Joanne. (Motions to Nick) I brought company in case things got rough.

JOANNE

I don’t think you have to worry . You look quite nice, by the way. I’d recognize Paisley’s anywhere.

DONNA

(Twirls in place) Thanks. You’re the second person that’s told me I look nice. I’ll take it as a compliment from both of you. Are you a Paisley’s shopper?

JOANNE

Loyal to the end.

DONNA

You and I might have to take an afternoon and get together sometime. (Laughs)

JOANNE

I’d love it. I may be Jack’s assistant, but I’m just one of the gang when it comes to being away from work. Just ask everyone here.

NICK

So is Jack.

Jack comes out of his office with a whole pile of folders. Donna gets a worried look on her face.

DONNA

That’s not all for me, is it?

JACK

I’m… (struggles with pile) afraid… so. This… (almost loses his balance) piled up in… your absence… (several folders fall off the top) Whoa!!

Donna kneels down to pick up the folders, with Nick picking up a couple of folders in the process.

JACK

Thanks, guys. I’ll set these on your desk, Donna. Unless you want to take a look at a couple now?

DONNA

(Rises to her feet) Well, let me see what’s in my hand.

Donna opens the folder and gets a puzzled look on her face. She looks in the folder a bit further and then she gets a look on her face like she realizes what’s going on.

DONNA

Okay, Jack… is this a practical joke?

Jack smiles at Donna.

JACK

April Fool several months early. (Sets the folders down) All the folders are blank. I couldn’t resist playing a joke on my newest employee. (Extends hand) I officially welcome you aboard.

DONNA

(Shakes Jack’s hand) Thanks. I think. Did I pass the initiation? Am I a member of the sorority?

JACK

With flying colors. I do have an assignment on your first day, but it is not what you think. In other words, no hundred folders to peek through.

NICK

Okay, this is where I get off the ride.

JACK

Actually, Nick, I’d like you to come in my office as well. You might be able to help out.

Nick and Donna look at each other as the camera slowly pauses on Jack’s face. The picture fades to black.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

Dahlia gets a surprise she didn’t expect. Make sure to watch to the end on S*T*E*A*M, part of the SONBC daytime lineup. Weekdays.

A still shot of the Somerset logo is on screen with bumper music.

BILL WOLFF: In just a moment, we’ll return with the second half of Somerset. Part two is brought to you today by Lilt, the only home permanent with gripper sponges. The way to shiny and beautiful hair.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE THREE

FADE IN -- Alana’s apartment

We see Alana sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee as the doorbell rings. Alana rises from the couch, and she appears to have a little more spring in her step than before. She opens the door to see Mike there with two bags.

ALANA

Fast food for breakfast, Wagner?

MIKE

I was hoping you hadn’t eaten yet.

ALANA

(Eyes bags) Well, as long as it’s not loaded with cholesterol…

MIKE

At this stage when you’re getting your appetite back, who cares?

ALANA

Excuse me? I am a nurse for a living… what do you have in there?

MIKE

Take a look for yourself.

Alana sees in the bag that there isn’t any pre-made food. The bags contain eggs, a package of sausage links and pancake mix.

ALANA

Wagner, what is this?

MIKE

Chef Mike at your service. Directions to your stove?

ALANA

Oh… (Embraces Mike) You didn’t have to do that for me.

MIKE

I insist. It’s the least I can do to help nurse a nurse back to health. How are you, anyway?

ALANA

Better. I’m driving to the hospital later today -- and before you say anything, Patrick said I could drive…

MIKE

(Raises hands in a hands-up gesture) Not guilty, Alana. I know you’re perfectly capable of operating a car. Now I’m afraid I’ll get run over.

ALANA

You get a free pass thanks to those bags. Need any help?

MIKE

Not a lick. Sit and enjoy. This is one time I wait on you.

Alana smiles as she sits at the kitchen table, watching Mike take the items out of the bags, as the music plays to transition scenes.

DISSOLVE TO -- Petterino kitchen

Victoria is at the table eating a bowl of cereal and toast as Giovanni prepares his own cereal bowl. Once he is done, Giovanni comes over and sits at the table.

VICTORIA

(Looks up) Delicious, Dad. You didn’t have to do this, you know.

GIOVANNI

What, stay at home so I could have a heart-to-heart with my youngest?

VICTORIA

Well… that too.

GIOVANNI

If you’re wondering about breakfast (points at cereal) it came out of a box.

VICTORIA

(Giggles) Dad, I know. (Pauses) Do you know how long it’s been since you and I have had a sit-down talk like this?

GIOVANNI

Too long. Rose pointed it out to me.

VICTORIA

Oh, so you wanted to sit down and talk to me because Mom prompted you to do it?

GIOVANNI

(Taken aback) Tori! Relax! I’m here of my own free will. Why do you think I waited until Annabella had gone back to Italy for a week?

VICTORIA

You’ve never favored any of us, you know. You treat all of us as equals, and I respect that.

GIOVANNI

You’ve just been going through so much lately with studying and the hours at the hospital, that I feel I’m losing touch with you.

Victoria’s mouth drops open as she drops her spoon.

VICTORIA

Daddy… My God, you know I’m always here for you and Mom. Just because I’m thinking of moving out on my own once I pass this last exam doesn’t mean I’m going to leave the family for good.

GIOVANNI

I know. But I miss the younger Tori. The one that was active in high school and had friends over at all hours making signs for Somerset Catholic’s football games. The one that ran for student council president and won, and she went on to show all of Somerset what a good president she was.

VICTORIA

I remember how proud you were of me.

GIOVANNI

You’d beat Hillary in a landslide if you ran for president.

VICTORIA

I’m way too young, Dad. I’ll leave the politics to Nick.

GIOVANNI

Right, right. Let him handle the civic duties. (Pauses) I just worry that you’re working yourself up into a lather over this.

VICTORIA

Dad…

Victoria rises from the table and looks out the window.

GIOVANNI

All this stress isn’t good for you, you know.

VICTORIA

Dad… it’s healthy stress. That nightmare I had, now that I think of it, was hilarious. Being chased by a textbook, a needle and scissors? Priceless.

GIOVANNI

Still…

VICTORIA

(Turns to face Giovanni) Dad, what was it like when you and Mom opened the restaurant?

GIOVANNI

Long, hard hours. Making sure every last detail was taken care of and every I was dotted and every T was crossed. That the recipes I had were crafted to perfection.

VICTORIA

Being a nurse involves long and hard hours on the job. But I love what I do, just like you and Mom do. I wouldn’t change my profession for the world. Helping to heal people is what I love.

GIOVANNI

Then the case is closed. I will always cherish my stellina.

Victoria is stopped cold by what Giovanni said. She has tears in her eyes as it’s obvious she’s about to cry.

VICTORIA

You haven’t called me little star in years.

GIOVANNI

I’m full of surprises. Now good luck tomorrow and go knock em dead.

Victoria hugs Giovanni and embraces him tightly.

GIOVANNI

My little star.

The camera focuses on Victoria, eyes closed and still hugging her dad. Very soft music plays in the background as the picture slowly fades to black.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE FOUR

FADE IN -- Martin Enterprises

In Jack’s office, Donna sits down with Nick as Jack gathers the folder he wants Donna to look at.

JACK

I wanted your first day here to be a memorable one, so I figured I’d stick you and Susannah with a good project.

Donna takes her glasses out of her purse and puts them on, as she takes the folder from Jack and looks at it.

DONNA

This appears to be a… map of downtown Somerset.

NICK

My, you know your geography pretty well already.

DONNA

Knock it off, sexy. (Points) I just recognize the river right here and the highway coming in alongside downtown.

JACK

You’re very perceptive, Donna. It’s a current map of downtown. You’ve noticed I circled part of the downtown area… it’s the area I’ve reserved for the X Project and its spinoffs.

DONNA

All right. What do you want Susannah and I to do?

JACK

Find out the status of all the buildings in this area. I’m trying to find out if Cleybank Corporation owns anything that could stand in the way of this project going forward full steam ahead.

NICK

You’re going to have Donna and Susannah check on who owns the buildings, in other words?

JACK

Yes. I know we had a couple of foreclosure sales a couple years ago here…

DONNA

Well, wouldn’t Nick have those records in his office?

NICK

I have some. If an out-of-state buyer owns a building, however, there’s a chance it could be a Cleybank subsidiary. If Jack wants to buy a building and it’s Cleybank property, chances are George would either put the kibosh on it or ask for 10 times its value.

DONNA

We’ll get right on it for you. I’ll need to brush up on New York’s property laws…

JACK

It’ll help for when you’re ready to take the bar exam here, right?

DONNA

Every little bit helps.

Donna studies the folder as the picture fades to black.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

A shot of the Somerset skyline appears as the credits roll.

BILL WOLFF: Blouses by Regina Porter. Jackets by Ralph Lauren.

Join us each weekday afternoon at this time for the continuing story of Somerset. And stay tuned for Point Palace, which follows immediately over most of these stations.

This program was pre-recorded.