IN THIS EPISODE...

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P.I. FIRM

JAKE is sitting at his desk with his feet up on his desk thinking about his arguments with Vicky.

Jake: Sure could use a distraction.

RACHEL WALKS IN...

Rachel: Jake I'm surprised to find you here. I'm so sorry about Michele.

Jake: Thank you.

Rachel: Why aren't you home with Vicky?

Jake: Long story. Don't care to get into it right now.

Rachel: I understand.

Jake: I know you didn't come here to give your condolences.

Rachel: Right. Maybe I should come back and give this file to Frankie.

Jake: No I'll take it.

Rachel: I could use your help with this.

Jake (looking at the file): Allen Lovett?

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ALLEN'S HOTEL ROOM

ALLEN wakes up and sees AMANDA sitting at the desk.

Allen: What you doin over there?

Amanda: We shouldn't have done this. We crossed the line.

Allen: We crossed the line the other day when we kissed in your office.

Amanda: I'm the C.O.O. of Cory Publishing. I just slept with the Marketing Director.

Allen: You're quite perceptive, but not perceptive enough.

Amanda: This is wrong.

Allen: Why are you so conflicted?

Amanda: My mother was right.

Allen: Your mother your mother your mother. When are you gonna stop wondering what Rachel thinks, and start living your own life.

Allen gets up, walks over to the desk, and massages her shoulders.

Allen: If this is so wrong Amanda, why did you come over here? You didn't say a word to me when you arrived here. You went straight for the jugular.

Amanda: She stripped all my power from me at the company. I have to run everything by her now.

Allen: She makes you feel restricted doesn't she?

Amanda: Yes. I'm fully capable of making sound decisions at Cory.

Allen (whispering in Amanda's ear): I make you feel alive...important...wanted.

Amanda (giving in): Yes...

Allen: Because you're beautiful, intelligent...sexy....

They kiss passionately....

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REGINALD'S SUITE

Reginald dons a robe and a glass of wine, while a fully dressed Iris is applying makeup.

Reginald: Been a long time since I had some good sex.

Iris: Well I've been locked up in prison. What's your excuse?

Reginald: No suitable mates in Bay City.

Iris: You mean you haven't tried to make a pass at my wicked stepmother?

Reginald: Now you're really joking right?

Iris: This is no laughing matter. I'm sorry about Michele.

Reginald: I adored her. I adore all of my great grandchildren. I guess it's something I can get right.

Iris: I know how that is. Dennis is not allowing me to speak to any of my grandkids.

Reginald: That's unfortunate.

Iris: Well I can't focus on that right now. My focus is getting my birthright....my father's company.

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Rachel: We hired him as Marketing Director at Cory Publishing.

Jake: I thought you would've done a background check before you hired him.

Rachel: And everything came back clean.

Jake: I get the feeling this is more than a simple reference verification.

Rachel: Yes it is. I want you to look into his past.

Jake: May I ask why?

Rachel: Strange things have been happening at the company since we hired him, and we are in danger, so much so that we might have to sell.

Jake: And you think this guy's behind it?

Rachel: My gut tells that there's something fishy about him. That's where you come in.

Jake: Raich I gotta tell ya. Maybe you're overreacting just a little. He could be just a bad hire.

Rachel: I had to take Amanda's power back. I thought making her C.O.O. would take her mind off of losing Cameron, and Alli being away.

Jake: So you think he's taking advantage of her in some way.

Rachel: He using her to get what he wants, and I need you to help me find out what that is, so I can stop him.

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ALLEN AND AMANDA lie in bed together.

Amanda: I was conflicted earlier.

Allen: About what?

Amanda: I haven't felt this good since when I first met Cameron.

Allen: Nobody deserves it more than you. You shouldn't be confined to a box and being told what to do. You are perfectly capable of making sound decisions.

Amanda: My mother doesn't think so apparently.

Allen: Look, I know she's your mother, but you are a grown woman. You cannot base your actions by what she says and thinks.

Amanda: I have a confession to make.

Allen: What's that pretty?

Amanda: You do make me feel alive...and wanted...and important.

Allen: And I like making you feel that way.

Allen straddles Amanda's hair....

Allen: Cameron's a fool to give you up, and your mother doesn't appreciate all the gifts you bring to the table.

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Reginald (sipping wine): Rachel consumes your every thought and action.

Iris: Now that's not entirely true. I mean just about an hour ago, I wasn't thinking of Rachel at all. That would've been kind of gross.

Reginald: Sure. Our whole alliance is based on your plot to take Cory Publishing from her.

Iris: Well now now Reg, you have just as much at stake, if not more.

Reginald: Is that right?

Iris: Yes it sure is.

Reginald: If it weren't for me, you'd still be rotting in a jail cell

Iris: Getting that hearing date to be moved up so fast was truly a stroke of genius. I was even surprised at how quickly it came about. I suppose I owe you a debt of gratitude.

Reginald: Oh you're going to repay me.

Iris: Or should it be Grant that I repay?

Reginald: Because he called those favors in to the Illinois and Texas governors. I suppose.

Iris: I know you that you twisted his arm.

Reginald: Because I know things he doesn't want to get out.

Iris: About his son? Oh come on, I know that's not the only thing you have on the Senator.

Reginald: And what would that be?

Iris: Oh do you really want me to go over it?

Reginald: You don't know anything.

Iris: Oh but I do. I know that you know...who shot Grant the day of his acceptance speech...and Grant knows, too. You're an accessory to attempted murder.

Reginald: Wow you have a vivid imagination.

Iris: I'm making this up huh? Let's see how much more creative I can get, but I'll let you see if you'll tell me. Does Joe Carlino ring a bell?

Reginald's facial expression becomes blank and concerned as Iris continues to spill...

Iris: Oh I got your attention now. Joe Carlino was not shot while protecting Grant. He was murdered....in cold blood...right out there in front of everyone. How come nobody has solved that mystery yet? Oh I forgot, you've got the B.C.P.D. in your pocket.

Reginald: I had nothing to do with Joe's murder. Whoever killed him did it on their own volition.

Iris: My poor half sister and nephew are without a husband and father. I got a question for you though, why would Grant get himself shot again? He must enjoy having bullet wounds.

Reginald: Votes. Regular votes, and sympathy votes. He would stop at nothing to get that Senate seat.

Iris: And you agreed to help him. How sweet of you.

Iris gets up, grabs her jacket, and heads for the door.

Iris: I don't think I want to know how, but I have an idea.

Reginald: You just worry your pretty little head about doing your part after you get control of Cory Publishing.

Iris: You're awfully confident that you're gonna wrest that thing from Rachel. For your sake, you'd better. And when I get that control of my father's company, I will do fulfill my end of the bargain.

Reginald: Making sure that the person who shot Grant...never talks.

FREEZE FRAME ON IRIS...END OF EPISODE 25