ANOTHER WORLD 72

Nicole’s loved ones rally around her

POLICE STATION

Jack Snyder has just put down his office phone when Toni Burrell walks in.

Toni: You look like you just lost your best friend.

Jack: Not quite that bad.

Toni: Did you hear from the St. Croix Police?

Jack: That was them.

Toni: Oh…what did they say?

Jack: They got the autopsy report from Evan’s murder.

Toni: I coulda told em he died from a gunshot wound.

Jack: That’s the problem…he didn’t.

Toni: He didn’t what?

Jack: They said he died from asphyxiation.

Toni: He must have choked on his own blood.

Jack: A long mark was on his neck.

Toni: Sounds like someone used a pipe of some sort to strangle him?

Jack: Yep…someone choked him to death.

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BAY CITY CENTER

Lindsay is on her cell phone with her mother, Stacey.

Lindsay: Mom we’ve been through this (Beat). I’m not coming back home. I have a good job here. (beat).

Gregory, now walking with a cane, and Sharlene walk up behind her a few feet.

Lindsay (continuing): Mom I’m not backing down. I came to Bay City for a reason, and I’m gonna find what I’m looking for.

Lindsay hangs up her phone…

Gregory: Lindsay.

Lindsay: Oh….Gregory hi. Hi Mrs. Hudson.

Sharlene: Hi how are you?

Lindsay: I’m fine, but I hope that you are fine after what you’ve been through.

Sharlene: I’m just glad to be home with my family.

Lindsay: I’m sure you are.

Sharlene: And I’m glad you were there for Gregory. He’s walking!

Lindsay (looking at Gregory and smiling): Of course.

Sharlene: Looks like you too have gotten pretty close while I was gone.

Gregory: You could say that.

Sharlene: I’m in the mood for a shake. You guys want anything?

Gregory: No we’re fine. Thanks mom.

Sharlene walks away and Gregory sits to face Lindsay.

Gregory: What’s goin’ on with you Lindsay?

Lindsay: Just enjoying my day off. It’s nice out.

Gregory: I wasn’t talking about that.

Lindsay: What else could you mean?

Gregory: That phone call. You said you’re gonna find what you’re looking for. What could that be?

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HOSPITAL

Cass, and the Love/Hudsons are in Nicole’s room as everyone stands vigil.

Nicole (lying down): Thank you all for being here.

Vicky: Of course. We’re all here for you.

Marley: That’s right Aunt Nicole. Anything you need.

Donna: I’m not gonna let you down this time, sis.

Allen: Mom I don’t even have to tell you. I gotchu.

Nicole: Thank you all. It’s nice to know that my family will be at my side.

Allen: We’re not leaving.

Nicole: I…I would like to speak to Cass…alone.

CAMERA PAN ON CASS…SLOW FADE TO THEME SONG

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POLICE STATION

Toni: Asphyxiation?

Jack: They’re faxing me a report.

Toni: Yeah.

Jack: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Toni: Everything in me tells me that the autopsy was fabricated. Evan didn’t die of asphyxiation.

Jack: And there’s no way we can officially investigate further.

Toni: Jurisdiction reasons?

Jack: Yes.

Toni: I can’t shake the feeling that someone we know has the St. Croix authorities in their pocket.

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BAY CITY CENTER

Sharlene runs into two familiar faces…Mitch and Felicia.

Mitch: Sharlene. Hi.

Sharlene: Mitch….Felicia.

Felicia: Hi. I heard what happened down in St. Croix with your nephew.

Sharlene: I know he also tried to kill Mitch.

Mitch: Well we’re sorry about what happened.

Sharlene: I’m just happy that everyone is okay, and that we can all move on with our lives.

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GREG and LINDSAY

Lindsay: What are you talking about?

Gregory: Come on I heard telling your mother that you were gonna find what you were looking for in Bay City.

Lindsay: You heard right. I was talking about a new life. My mom wants me to come back home and I’m not doing that.

Gregory: Are you sure about that?

Lindsay: Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I?

Gregory: It seems anything to do with your mom you’re kind of secretive about.

Lindsay: I told you I don’t like talking about my mom. We don’t have a good relationship.

Sharlene walks up to them sipping a smoothie.

Sharlene: This orange smoothie is excellent. Wanna try some?

Lindsay: I was just leaving.

Sharlene: Come on. Stay.

Lindsay: I promised Charlie I would go shopping with her. See you around.

Sharlene: Wow. Was it something I said?

Gregory: No. It was something I asked.

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HOSPITAL – CASS AND NICOLE

Cass: How are you feeling?

Nicole: As well as can be expected for someone who just found she has cancer.

Cass: Yeah I suppose.

Nicole: You know Cass I have my family. You don’t have to….

Cass: I do. I want to be here for you.

Nicole: What would Frankie think?

Cass: Frankie is Charlie’s mother. That’s it. I wanna focus on getting you well.

Nicole: I won’t have to stay in your house. I’ll be staying with my son.

Cass: I’m still gonna make sure that you’re okay.

Nicole: Cass please. Don’t pity me. I did this to myself.

Cass: No Reginald did this to you. He’s done a lot of things to you.

Nicole: I made bad choices, and this is the result.

Cass: Stop talking like that. You deserve to have your family, and you deserve someone to treat you well. You don’t deserve to be sick.

Nicole: I guess the mental transferred to the physical.

Cass: Nicole I don’t care what you say, I’m gonna be right here. I’m not going anywhere.

FREEZE FRAME ON CASS….SLOW FADE OUT….END OF EPISODE 72