SOMERSET EPISODE 44

Originally aired: September 13, 2007

Written by: Steve Ungrey

SCENE ONE

FADE IN -- Giovanni’s

Twilight has fallen on Somerset as Donna and Nick enter Giovanni’s. Giovanni and Rose aren’t out by the bar, prompting Nick to look around.

NICK

So what do you think?

DONNA

(Looks around) Nice. I like it. Reminds me of a trattoria that was just around the corner from my apartment. Clarke and I… (gets sheepish look on her face)

NICK

You can mention his name in front of me, you know.

DONNA

I’m sorry. I was going to say that Clarke and I went to that trattoria all the time, but this is Somerset. Time to make some new memories.

NICK

Yeah. (Pauses) You know, you could have come from work to meet me here. I didn’t mind.

DONNA

Hey, I felt like being a bit more casual outside the office. I got a short nap in and then freshened up, and now I’m ready to meet the Petterinos.

NICK

Better than meeting the Fockers, right? (Laughs)

DONNA

(Nods) Very funny. I want a sensitive guy for a friend and I end up getting a comedian.

Giovanni and Rose come out from the kitchen area and see Nick and Donna, and before long they’re making their way to the entrance. Giovanni extends a hand to Nick.

GIOVANNI

Buongiorno, Nicholas. Welcome to Giovanni’s…

NICK

Thank you, Giovanni.

Giovanni eyes Donna next to Nick and smiles. He takes Donna’s hand and kisses it.

GIOVANNI

And this must be the Bella Donna?

DONNA

(Blushing slightly) A regular Don Juan. (Turns to Nick) I love this guy.

NICK

At this rate, I’m glad he’s happily married. (Laughs)

Giovanni and Rose laugh as they guide Nick and Donna over to a table and sit down. Music plays as we prepare to change scenes.

DISSOLVE TO -- The Finial

Over a bottle of wine, Zachary and George are having a quiet dinner and discussing the latest goings-on around the Cleybank Corporation and other places.

GEORGE

(Sips wine) Did I tell you Mike Wagner will be talking with me tomorrow regarding a big story on the X Project?

ZACHARY

Denise said you were taking a new tack when it came to the development in downtown Somerset. What are you trying to do, change the course of history?

GEORGE

(Brow furrows) Don’t tell me you actually agree with this cockamamie plan of Jack Martin’s.

ZACHARY

(Waves hand) I didn’t say that, Dad. I said the majority of people in this town seem to be behind Jack’s idea.

GEORGE

It all centers on one building. The Peoples Building is the key to everything.

Zachary looks out the window, where he can see the skyscrapers of downtown Somerset and the white exterior of The Peoples Building shining in the twilight.

ZACHARY

And why in the hell would you want that building? It’s been sitting vacant for the most part.

GEORGE

I want the town to see that I’m not the bad guy. (Pauses) How is the relationship with the nurse at Somerset Hospital going?

ZACHARY

Slow. By choice.

As Zachary continues nibbling on dinner, George can’t resist asking more questions.

GEORGE

So why aren’t you with her tonight? You’d rather eat dinner with your father than spend some quality time with…

Zachary looks up at George like he’s asking too many questions.

ZACHARY

Uh, Dad? It’s all right. She’s studying for the last nurses’ exam she has to take. Once she takes that exam and passes it, the sky’s the limit as to what she can do.

George takes a sip of wine and smiles slightly, obviously thinking that Zachary is dating beneath him yet not telling Zachary that to his face. Soft yet sinister music plays underneath, and the Somerset theme begins after that.

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 brought to you today by Bounty, the paper towel that starts quicker so you finish quicker.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE TWO

FADE IN -- Alana’s apartment

Alana is on the couch watching a TV show when the doorbell sounds. Getting up, she finds she has more energy to walk over to the door and open it. When she opens the door, Mike is on the other side.

Alana sees that Mike has takeout.

ALANA

Wagner, you gotta stop spoiling me. (Reaches and hugs him) After we eat, that is.

MIKE

This is an open invitation, I take it?

ALANA

It’s not our date. You’re not getting off that easily.

Mike takes out two bags.

MIKE

Nor did I hope to get off scot-free. Chinese or Italian?

ALANA

What did you do, go ahead and order something from Column A and Column B?

MIKE

With sauce for both. How’s your appetite?

ALANA

Famished. I’ll take the Italian. Besides, I bet it’s Giovanni’s.

Mike nods his head.

MIKE

You’re too predictable.

ALANA

Hey, when it’s Somerset’s best Italian hangout, I’d go there too.

MIKE

Well, then here you go. (Hands bag to Alana) And I will take the sesame beef. (Opens up his own bag) How are you feeling, by the way?

ALANA

I was noticing on the way to the door that I didn’t get tired at all. That’s the first time since I got sick that I’ve felt that way. Which means one thing…

MIKE

And what’s that?

ALANA

Dare we schedule our big date?

Mike is about to dive into his sesame beef when he drops his fork. Looking up, he sees that Alana is serious about the date - not that he ever thought she wouldn’t be.

DISSOLVE TO -- Police station

Scott emerges from his office and grabs his coat, ready to leave for the day. As he’s about to exit, Jack enters the police station.

JACK

If you’re wondering, no, I didn’t come to pay any parking tickets.

SCOTT

(Chuckles) Then I suppose you’re here to see how I’m doing?

JACK

Well, Annabella’s over in Italy for the next several days - thought you could use a friend.

SCOTT

It just so happens I’m headed over to Bernard’s to grab a drink and possibly a bite to eat before heading home. Eaten yet?

JACK

As a matter of fact, I have not. Would you like some company?

SCOTT

Now I know why you came to the station. A dinner companion, perhaps?

JACK

(Laughs) No, I wanted to chat a bit about a few things that are related to the X Project and the police’s role in downtown. Willing to bend an ear?

SCOTT

Sure. Let’s go. I could use someone to listen to me, like the last time.

Scott laughs as Jack and he leave the station, music playing us into the next commercial break. The picture fades to black.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

News from Nikolas makes its way through the hospital with unpredictable results. Be sure to watch Port Charles, 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 Dawn, the dishwashing liquid that cuts through tough grease. Leaves grease off your hands and off your dishes.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE THREE

FADE IN -- Alana’s apartment

ALANA

Any man that brings me breakfast AND dinner in the same day deserves a reward.

Mike sets his food down and draws Alana in closer. Alana leans her head on Mike’s shoulder and closes her eyes.

MIKE

You know how much I care about you, right? Especially after that scare with meningitis.

Alana opens her eyes, adjusts her head and looks at Mike.

ALANA

You act like you were going to lose me.

MIKE

Well, I didn’t know how bad off you were. But you rebounded pretty quickly once you were in the hospital.

ALANA

I guess being a patient for a change made me look at things a little differently. And I really appreciated all the company I had during my stay.

MIKE

You’re welcome.

Alana is looking at Mike, soft music playing in the background. She leans in toward Mike and he approaches toward her face. The two close their eyes -- but the sound of a ringing telephone interrupts the moment.

MIKE

(Opens his eyes as Alana goes to get the phone and shakes his head) Long distance. It’s not the next best thing to being there.

ALANA

Hold that thought. (Picks up phone) Hello?… Oh, hey Taylor!

As Alana is on the phone talking to Taylor, Mike laughs to himself and smiles as he sees Alana chatting on the phone. Yes, the immediate moment was ruined, but he hopes there are more chances around the corner. The music builds as we lead out of the scene…

DISSOLVE TO -- Giovanni’s

Nick and Donna are in one of the booths at the restaurant laughing and joking with Rose and Giovanni, with plates of pasta and a bottle of wine in front of them.

ROSE

Nick, I can’t believe you thought Donna wasn’t really there when you walked into Jack’s office!

NICK

(Shakes his head) Remember what happened to me? Having that dream that she was here in town? After that, I wasn’t taking any chances.

DONNA

Then he caught a whiff of my perfume…

Donna flings her hair back and makes a hand gesture toward Nick, as if to say he was gone. Giovanni and Rose laugh.

GIOVANNI

You two said you’re taking it easy?

NICK

Yes. We call it friends with benefits. Donna’s getting used to Somerset and with our work schedules, things need time to develop. But when it comes to going out, I don’t think we’ve got plans to do it with anyone else.

DONNA

Not if I can help it, anyway.

ROSE

Is Jack working you pretty hard, dear?

DONNA

Not really. Today was just my first day and he’s got Susannah and I looking into the ownership of buildings here in Somerset. I’m slowly working up to more responsibilities and I have to start studying for the bar exam here in New York.

GIOVANNI

Sounds like we have another budding attorney.

Donna laughs as she drinks her wine.

DONNA

I do. But I’m not necessarily interested in the seven-figure salaries or the exclusive club memberships. I want to make a difference in what I do -- to stay in touch with all walks of life.

ROSE

How very admirable. (Raises wine glass)

GIOVANNI

I’ll drink to that. My Bella Donna, you and Annabella would make great roommates.

ROSE

I think the same thing. You guys would get along great together.

DONNA

You know, I can’t believe Annabella is such a jet-setter. She’s got that great modeling career going…

GIOVANNI

And she does, but the one thing she wants to be when she’s here in Somerset is just an ordinary woman.

ROSE

Which she’s not, according to Giovanni. Annabella is the belle of his life, along with Tori.

NICK

(Turns to Donna) There’s another child too. They have a son Johnny, and he’s out in Denver running his own restaurant.

DONNA

Sounds like you have a successful family.

GIOVANNI

And it sounds like the two of you have a good future ahead, hopefully. (Raises glass) A toast to Donna as she begins her career here in Somerset.

NICK

(Raises glass) Hear hear.

The four clink their glasses as the music builds and the picture fades to black.

We’ll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE FOUR

FADE IN -- Bernard’s

Jack and Scott are nursing drinks at the bar and plates of food, discussing a few things business-related.

SCOTT

I thought you guys were fairly certain you knew who owned The Peoples Building.

JACK

We don’t want a surprise, that’s all. I’m starting to concentrate my purchases toward the area by the riverfront. Isn’t that the area you said has the biggest problem?

SCOTT

Well, we’re getting occasional reports of minor stuff… youth disturbances… panhandling… nothing major is going on.

JACK

That’s a relief. It beats the days of mob shootouts, I’m sure.

SCOTT

Well, thankfully I wasn’t around for that era, but I don’t want to live through that anytime soon.

JACK

How would you feel about the concept of a… community center?

Scott’s face immediately turns toward Jack and nods.

SCOTT

That’s a fantastic idea. Has that been part of the plan all along?

JACK

No, but I’ve been doing some thinking about it. (Pauses) George Cleypool’s been trying to paint me as an elitist rich bastard ever since I sold Delaney Brands. Which, you know I’m not.

SCOTT

(Laughs as he sips from his glass) Elitist you’re not. Bastard you’re not. Rich -- I think he’s got you there.

JACK

I have always given back to the community when able. This might be a way that I can help those less fortunate and still be able to complete parts of my project. Might even curry favors with other people.

SCOTT

Aw, relax, Jack. I think Nick’s going to take good care of you.

JACK

That’s another thing. I don’t want people thinking Nick Barclay is my puppet. Yes, I’m grooming him for political office, but now he’s got Donna in his life. I don’t want him to sacrifice the best thing that came along since…

SCOTT

(Puts down glass) Alana?

CUT TO -- Alana’s apartment

Alana is still on the phone with Taylor before she hangs up.

ALANA

No problem. I figured you wanted to check in and see how I was doing. (Pauses) Okay, talk to you soon. I may stop by tomorrow for a visit when I get checked out by the docs. (Pauses) Looking forward to it. Night!

As Alana hangs up the phone she turns toward Mike, who is finishing up his food.

ALANA

I’m sorry. I got the feeling a big moment was interrupted here.

MIKE

Don’t worry about it. Taylor needed to know how to write up the nurses’ schedule, it sounds like.

ALANA

Yes. It’s something I usually do. We’re shorthanded in some areas, so that’s why I’m looking forward to Tori and a couple of others passing their exams here in a bit.

MIKE

To take some pressure off of you?

ALANA

And have nights like this. What do you think?

MIKE

Sounds good to me.

ALANA

Anyways, I’m looking forward to tomorrow. If I pass with flying colors, then I say you and I should go out the next night. Is it workable?

Mike is happy at having heard a day at long last.

MIKE

(Smiling) Now that’s the best news I’ve gotten in a long time.

Music plays as Alana comes back to the couch, picks up her plate and digs back in. She snuggles in by Mike’s shoulder once again, and Mike is grinning as he finishes his Chinese. The picture fades to black.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

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

BILL WOLFF: Jewelry courtesy of Stephen Dweck. Fashions by Junior Gallery of New York.

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.