DramatistDreamer

Reed is sick of picking up trash on the side of the road as part of his community service, so he tries to plead his case in favor of a less dangerous task than being exposed to oncoming traffic by the roadside. Surprisingly, the judge agrees and allows him to complete his community service in another area, only there is only one other option-- service at a longterm care facility run by a Catholic charity. Disappointed by the prospect of spending so much time in a potentially depressing place, Reed wonders whether he made the right choice to lobby so hard for a change but decides to check out the facility anyway. He meets with a Mother Superior/Nurse who is in charge of the facility which is run by Catholic nuns! Now Reed is sure he made a mistake and whines about this to his parents, who promptly tell him to stick with his choice. INT. THE NEWMAN/HELLSTROM HOUSE- NIGHT VICTORIA Reed, you complained about how hazardous it was to pick up trash on the side of the highway, now this is too much? REED If you saw how depressing that place was, you wouldn't even ask. The place is practically a graveyard. JT A graveyard? Come on, Reed...don't you think you're exaggerating? REED (whines) I don't wanna go back there. It's... creepy- JT Well, I'm sorry buddy but you don't really have a choice, it's either this or picking up trash by the side of the road- REED This is all so unfair- VICTORIA Life's unfair, Reed. Do you want to hear about my day? About having to listen to my former stepmother drone on and on- JT/REED No! Please not that again. VICTORIA (haughty) Fine. Just know that there are times when we all have to deal with situations that are less than ideal, it's a part of life. JT Besides you may...find something about it that you actually like- REED (sarcasm) Sure, Dad. INT. LONGTERM CARE FACILITY-DAY Reed, dressed in work coveralls puts aside the mop and bucket aside. Curious, he creeps through the hallways and walking past an open door, where a NUN has just put away a guitar inside a case. She sees Reed, who scurries away. Thinking the coast is clear, Reed doubles back only to walk smack dab into the Nun. NUN Oh! REED I'm sorry Sister. NUN That's okay, uh...Reed, right? REED That's right. NUN You know, if you have a question about anything Reed, you can ask. You don't have to creep around corners. REED It's just that, you play? A look to the guitar. NUN Oh yes, I find that musical stimulation really helps our residents. Except for her, poor dear. Reed glances over at a woman who lies in bed. She is on her side with her back to the open doorway, so all that can be seen is a form under a sheet and a cascade of brown hair. Been here for a few years. Our resident Jane Doe, no family, I'm afraid. REED That's really sad. NUN Not as sad as it was when she first arrived. The doctors had practically given up all hope. Fortunately, it's against our policy to...(pause). She was comatosed, no signs of life, then one day...well, there were signs of life. The doctors believe that she may never get to full consciousness but, these were the same doctors who wanted to euthanize (stops herself). Well, let's just say that here at Our Lady of Beneficence, we believe in miracles. DAYS LATER INT. NEWMAN/HELLSTROM LIVING ROOM-NIGHT Victoria, Victor and Nikki. NIKKI And how's Reed? VICTORIA It's the strangest thing. Since he started this latest round of community service, he's been so focused. NIKKI Well, you say that like it's a bad thing. VICTORIA He goes from school, straight to community service and practically straight upstairs. When I ask him about his day, he only talks about how his day was good at the facility. He's shutting me out. VICTOR How's his attitude? VICTORIA That's just it...there's no hint of an attitude. He actually sounds sincere. (Beat) You don't think there's anything going on...anything untoward- Victor laughs. JT enters. VICTOR Untoward? At Our Lady of Beneficence?! Sweetheart, that is a well respected charity known for the good work that they do with the sick and the indigent. NIKKI The Newman Foundation has been giving donations to the Sisters for years. I highly doubt there is anything foul going on. VICTORIA (worried) Well, Mom, you of all people know, a cult can start out with an ethos of goodwill and Reed is still impressionable. NIKKI By a bunch of nuns?! Oh honey, you sound ridiculous right now- VICTORIA Mariah was in a cult, I'll ask her about it- JT Hey, here's an idea...why don't we just ask Reed about it. LATER THAT NIGHT Reed exits the kitchen and is about to climb when JT and Victoria signal for him to sit down on the sofa. Reed looks exasperated. REED What else is there to know? I'm a glorified janitor. Sometimes I help bring in the trays. There's a nun who plays the guitar for the residents, she's...okay, I guess. I'm not crushing on her, if that's what you want to know. JT Is there a girl? REED What? All the residents are practically ancient. (Beat) Except for one girl, lady...well, she looks kinda young. JT (jokes) Is she cute? Reed squirms. REED Can I go now? I have homework to do. VICTORIA Oh, okay...sure. Reed makes a hasty exit, leaving Victoria and JT with confounded expressions. SEVERAL DAYS LATER INT. GCPD CHIEF WILLIAMS' OFFICE-DAY Paul is behind his desk as he talks to JT, who sits on chair facing him. PAUL So you don't trust Reed- JT That's the thing...since he started this community service, he hasn't given us one reason not to trust him, but there's something about the way he describes that place. Victoria thought it was practically a cult- PAUL (scoffs) The Sisters of Beneficence?! My Mother volunteered there for years, they're pillars of the community. I know how a cult functions and Our Lady of Beneficence isn't a cult. JT Welp, Reed is probably not gonna like it but...I gotta go there and see for myself what my son is actually doing there. LATER THAT DAY. INT. LONGTERM CARE FACILITY Reed is seated in a chair by the window of a room. A guitar is in his lap. He is facing the woman in bed, whose face we cannot see. REED I hope you liked that one, Jane. Just something I've been working on. Reed puts the guitar back in its case. You really don't look like a Jane, to be honest. Jane makes me think of plain Jane. You're anything but plain. In fact, you're really very pretty, like beautiful. God, I sound like a creep. Meanwhile, JT enters through the lobby. He is greeted by one of the Sisters. SISTER May I help you? JT I'm here to see one of your volunteers, Reed Hellstrom, he's my son. INTERCUT WITH Reed in the room. SISTER You mean our only volunteer. JT looks confused. JT (confused) I thought there was another young lady here. A different Sister enters the room with Reed, who has an expression on his face as if he's a kid who has been caught with his hand in a cookie jar. SISTER Reed, you're going to miss your bus. Reed makes a hasty exit out of the room and bumps right into JT and the other Nun, who braces herself so that she doesn't fall. REED Sorry Sister, I don't mean to keep doing that (looks at JT). What are you doing here? JT Can't a father come and check out the good work his son is doing? REED You weren't this interested when I was picking up trash off the side of the road- JT You weren't this devoted when you were picking up trash off the side of the road. REED (agitate) Did Mom send you here? JT Your Mom doesn't know I'm here- REED (dubious) Right. (beat) You know what, there's no pleasing you. JT (raises voice) Let's just go home, alright? A groan is heard from inside the room. One of the nuns go inside to tend to the woman. JT and Reed try to peer in. NUN Our Jane Doe seems to be agitated, which rarely ever happens. Perhaps it's time for you to go. REED You're right, I'm sorry Sister. As the Nun props up the woman by cradling her in her arms, the woman's face is briefly revealed just as manages to look inside. JT gasps and his face goes pale. The woman looks like Colleen Carlton. In the days that follow, JT wrestles with the brief glimpse of the woman's face. It looks like her but it must be impossible given what happened. JT decides against telling anyone what he has seen. Instead, JT decides to do some investigating work on his own. FLASH TO: JT at the longterm care facility. A nun holds her hand up to dissuade JT from going any further. NUN I'm sorry but we cannot allow you to see her. The last time you were here, she was very agitated, that's never happened before- JT She probably heard the sound of my voice and recognized it. You have to let me see her. Please. NUN You've already revealed that you're not a family member, perhaps if you can locate- JT I can't do that to her mother, not unless I'm sure it's her. Please. NUN We have to act for the good of our residents. After you left, we were up half the night trying to get her to calm down again. JT Shouldn't that tell you something, Sister? JT storms out. INT. THE NEWMAN/HELLSTROM LIVING ROOM Victoria and Nikki sit on the sofa. NIKKI You can't pull Reed out of court ordered community service, Victoria. VICTORIA Reed went from enthusiastic about his community service to sulking within two weeks. Not to mention JT. NIKKI Is he sulking too? VICTORIA That would be an improvement. He's become distant. In his sleep, he's restless...tossing and turning. He groans...this is a terrible time to go out of town on business. NIKKI Maybe you can talk to your father, about sending someone else? VICTORIA I'm sure Ashley would love to go in my place, and convince Dad that I'm not equipped to handle the responsibilities of my job. Hell no! NIKKI It was just a suggestion- VICTORIA And not a very good one. (Beat) Sorry, I'm just...things have changed in this house and I haven't a clue why! INT. GCPD-CHIEF WILLIAMS' OFFICE Paul and JT. PAUL (perplexed) I can't do that JT. JT Please, Paul, I need to find out who else was scheduled for transplant surgery the day that Victor Newman got his heart transplant. PAUL You need access to highly confidential information yet you won't tell me why. JT Can't you just be Paul Williams, Private Investigator and my friend, mentor, not Chief Williams of the GCPD? Paul looks at JT with a mixture of pity and exasperation. INT/EXT. CRIMSON LIGHTS Mattie notices Reed, who sits at a table in a funk. She walks over waves directly in front of his face but he is lost in his thoughts. MATTIE Someone's lost in thought. Reed grumbles. Dare I ask how community service is going? REED Just when things were beginning to look up, it all goes downhill again. MATTIE It can't be that dire. REED I was finally feeling like I was of some use to somebody. Most of the residents at the facility, it can look hopeless sometimes but there was one patient who was practically comatosed and, should've had the least hope of ever getting out of there but I would look at her face and she- MATTIE Oh my God, she? You have a crush on a comatosed woman?! REED It's not like that, Mattie. I would play the guitar and it was like she could hear and- MATTIE (disbelief) You played the guitar for her?! I thought you were a janitor, or something! I don't even know what to say to right now. Maybe, seek help. Mattie leaves in a huff. EXT. OUTSIDE THE GCAC Dina steps outside the car and her hand is held by the driver. Dina's smile of delight quickly turns to a frown when she realizes the driver is trying to escort her inside. DINA I don't need you to chaperone me to get pastries. You may wait in the car until I return. The driver hesitates. It's perfectly fine, you won't get in trouble with Jackie. Reluctantly, the driver gets back inside the car. As Dina turns around to enter the GCAC, JT takes a hold of Dina's hand. JT Mrs. Mergeron, may I buy you those pastries? INT. CRIMSON LIGHTS-MOMENTS LATER Paul types away on a laptop, a brief look at the screen shows the website for the GENOA CITY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Transplant Center. Paul scans the staff listing. The Chief Administrator's picture is shown briefly. Paul takes a deep breath and clicks the Contact link. INT. GCAC-MOMENTS LATER Dina and JT sit at a table, Dina sips from a mug. DINA The hot chocolate here is delightful. My second favorite, apart from Paris. Dina studies JT's face. But I don't think this invitation was just about inviting an old lady out of a mug of hot chocolate and some pastries. JT (tentative) What if I told you that I could take you to see your granddaughter? DINA Why, I just saw Abby- JT (hesitates) Not... Abby... DINA (eyes wide) Colleen? I realize that it's unlikely that I'll have time to really sit down and write this out in length. I have two projects I'm working on--helping people write 2 plays and I'm paid for those, so guess which projects will be getting my attention? Suffice it to say that Dina gets to see Colleen as she demands to see her granddaughter and bonds with her instantly. J.T. (still not being allowed to visit Colleen) asks Dina to not say anything until they can confirm Jane Doe's I.D. then Traci will be the first person they tell. Of course, this does not go according to plan, as Dina begins to talk of spending time with her lovely granddaughter. At first Traci, Ashley and Jack assume it's Abby but when they discover that Abby has been consumed by work and hasn't seen Dina in several days, they wonder whether Dina has regressed. TRACI And she's been doing so well since she returned to Paris. Meanwhile, Paul has been doing some 'side sleuthing' and discovers a discrepancy in the admissions process of transplant patients and cadavers the day that Colleen's body was admitted to the transplant center. He is reluctant to tell anyone until he hears back from the administrator whom he has a meeting with. Dina is out at Fenmore's on a shopping spree, but not for her. It's for her beautiful granddaughter, she tells a just arrived Lauren, who has popped into the store and has offered to personally assist Dina (who at first insisted that she didn't need help then soaks up the lavish attention that she gets when Lauren has an employee give Dina the VIP treatment with tea and pastries, "I can never resist a great pastry", Dina says). Dina queries Lauren about what size she believes would give the most attractive fit for her granddaughter. "Abby?" Lauren asks while pulling specific outfits. "Of course, not" Dina bristles "Abby doesn't need me to select her wardrobe...I mean Colleen!" Lauren is completely confused and troubled but says nothing. Later, after Dina leaves the store, Lauren is seen calling Traci. TRACI We really need to talk, Traci. Paul is in conference with the hospital's transplant director, who is wary of allowing Paul any access to the confidential records without a warrant but after Paul reminds him that as chief of police that he can easily get one and that cooperation will go a long way to making the investigation a less disruptive process, the director relents. As Paul and the Director go through the records, they find more than one red flag, including a report detailing the presence of a male cadaver who was temporarily lost during the confusion of an employee shift change and was discovered in one of the post surgical rooms of the operating theater, meanwhile a woman, with severe oxygen deprivation and likely brain damage and n the verge of expiring but still alive was discovered feet away. Two employees faced disciplinary action but the issue was never made public. The Director quickly states that he was not in charge of the transplant center at that time. PAUL I think we need to talk to the employees in question. Traci and Lauren meet and Traci is confounded by Lauren's account of Dina in Fenmore's earlier. Traci assumed that Dina was confused about which granddaughter she was speaking of but when Lauren showed her the disparity in sizes, (as Fenmore's keeps a log of frequent customers' sizes and style preferences), Traci becomes even more concerned. As Paul and the Director are about to conference in one of the employees who worked the night of the transfer and was disciplined (the other employee has since died), he explains about the two separate teams that worked on the transplant. One team extracted the heart from the donor patient, the other team implanted the heart on the recipient patient. He suggests that Paul talk to someone on the extraction team as he was part of the prep team and the post surgical team for the donor patient. Yes, he made the mistake of leaving the post op area before his replacement could arrive but he himself had an emergency with an elderly parent who had dementia and wandered from home. During the course of the conference call, J.T. tries to call but Paul ignores it. As Traci and Jack wait for Ashley, they discuss what to do about Dina. TRACI Is it possible the our mother has somehow befriended some stranger and has convinced herself that she's her granddaughter? Ashley arrives. JACK If this person is even real. TRACI Oh, I believe she's real...but who is she? ASHLEY Mother won't like it but, I think we may have to consult with her doctor...see if there's a medical reason for this sudden change...this confusion. TRACI She doesn't appear confused at all. She seems confident, assured in her statements. Lauren said she was adamant that the granddaughter was not Abby. JACK Well, I'm confused- ASHLEY We may all need a doctor's consult by the time we get to the bottom of this. (beat) Where's mother? Pause. She's not here?! Where is she. JACK You know that mother insists on having her freedom of movement. We can't tie her to the bedpost. TRACI She's been very responsible lately- ASHLEY As in no arson, no stabbings, no kidnapping? The phone rings. Dina is on the other end. Traci answers. TRACI Mother where are you? DINA Visiting. I'll be home soon, dear. Before Traci can get another word out, Dina hangs up. Wide shot to reveal that a smiling Dina holds the hand of her granddaughter, who except for shallow breaths, lies motionless in bed. Close up on the hands as Colleen's fingers begin to twitch. A DAY OR SO LATER Dina comes down the stairs, she is in a buoyant mood. Traci, Jack and Ashley observe her closely. DINA I'm famished. Dina walks toward the dining. Well, are you all going to stand there and gape at me? Or will you join me at the breakfast table? ASHLEY I actually have to get to Newman. We have so many exciting projects in the offing, (stares daggers at Jack), I need to get in the office early just so I can get a jump start. Jack stares daggers back at Ashley. JACK I think I'll be going in early as well. No rest for the eternally successful- ASHLEY Wicked...I think you mean "no rest for the wicked". JACK If it comes to that, I have no problems going there- TRACI I'll join you, mother. Traci quickly takes Dina's hand. As Dina leads her toward the dining room, Traci shoots a withering glare at Jack and Ashley, who appear chastened. EXT. DAY A car door slams as Paul walks toward the front of a building and rings the bell. A muffled male voice answers and Paul answers. PAUL Paul Williams...we spoke on the phone yesterday. Paul is buzzed in and enters an elevator with the doors closing behind him. INT. ABBOTT MANSION Traci stares at Dina across the table as Dina eats heartily. Dina looks back at her, annoyed. DINA Oh for heaven's sake, dear, if you have something to ask me- TRACI I spoke to Lauren a few days ago and- Dina rolls her eyes. DINA Should I have given her a tip to keep her mouth closed? I asked that she be discreet. Dina, clearly annoyed and agitated, checks her watch. TRACI It's just that...Lauren mentioned that you were buying clothes for your granddaughter but the sizing was off. DINA (aggravated) That's because they weren't for Abby. (beat) My car's here, I have to leave. TRACI Where are you going? DINA To meet J.T....I mean, er, T.J. He's my trainor at the Athletic Club. (stumbles) you know exercise helps the brain...and I need all the help I can get. Dina gets up, kisses Traci on the forehead. Don't worry, dear, in time. all will be revealed. TRACI (puzzled) Revealed? As Dina hastens off. DINA When she's ready. A door slams as Dina has exited. TRACI She? EXT. ROOM-MOMENTS LATER Paul sits in a small room that doubles as a makeshift private office with another Man who offers to him coffee but Paul declines. MAN Oh I remember that day! It's not everyday you're part of the team for a billionaire patient. Everybody was in a lather, everything had to be perfect. We all talked about it when it was over. PAUL We? MAN Both transplant teams. The donor and the recipient. There was a huge buzz in the center I'm shocked that there were so many errors but I had no part in that. PAUL And you sure the cadaver was a male? MAN I personally witnessed that heart being pulled out of that man's chest, wrapped up and put on ice. I transported it to the Operating theater myself. The transplant was a success, as far as I heard, but as to what happened to the donor's body afterward and how the body was handled this is going to sound kinda cold and indifferent but it really wasn't my job. INT. ROOM-DAY Dina puts lipstick on Colleen's lips, then smooths her hand, then her dress. Looks at her with adoration. DINA I think you're ready, sweetheart. I just know when Traci sees you, you're going to open those eyes. INT. GCAC-LATER Traci is at the entrance, talking to Devon and Hilary who have emerged from the gym after having just finished their workouts. HILARY Named T.J.? (Hilary shakes her head) TRACI (desperate) A woman? HILARY No, I've never heard of her. DEVON Yeah, I mean...I've never heard of a trainer, man or woman named T.J. As J.T. enters the GCAC, Traci sees him and follows his steps with her stare. Traci's anger is rising but she keeps it under wraps for the moment. She looks at Hilary and Devon. TRACI Thank you. Traci marches off. Hilary and Devon exchange bewildered looks. HILARY Did you see that look? DEVON Not sure I even wanna know what that's about- HILARY There once was a time, I'd make it my business to know what was about to go down over there- DEVON You sure you wanna be a witness? Because I know I don't. As Hilary and Devon make their way to the exit, Hilary gives a long inquisitive stare at a furious Traci who barrels toward J.T. TRACI How dare you confuse and muddle my mother. I demand to know for what purpose are you using her? J.T.'s phone rings. Don't you dare answer that! On the other end of the phone, Paul starts to leave a voicemail message. PAUL J.T., this is Paul. We need to talk...call me back as soon as you get this. (Pause) I thought he was anxious to hear from me. Paul gets in his car and drives off. INT. NEWMAN ENTERPRISES-DAY Ashley and Lily are looking over some samples. ASHLEY Not that I need her permission but just as a courtesy, I'd like get Victoria's feedback on the new samples. LILY (wary) And you're looking at me because... ASHLEY Well, you have such a great rapport with everyone. LILY I'm not so sure about that these days. Since I came to work with you, it's as if I've defected to another company. She's professional with me but there's something in her manner... ASHLEY You wouldn't have to drop off or pick up any samples, just...get her thoughts on it and...a report, a memo, whatever you think is best...get her thoughts on it. See if anything sparks, if not, we've done due diligence. LILY Something for the file, right? The phone rings. ASHLEY Exactly. Ashley answers the phone. Ashley Abbott? Jack is on the other end. He hesitates. Hello? JACK Ashley. ASHLEY (curt) Jack. Lily signals that she can leave, Ashley signals for her to stay. What is it? JACK Have you heard from mother or Traci? ASHLEY I'm surprised you're even asking for my help. JACK It's just that...no one's answering the phone. And I've tried their cell phones. ASHLEY Gee Jack, with our mother wandering off to parts unknown, buying wardrobes for a granddaughter that she claims not to be Abby while mentioning Colleen in the same breath- LILY (anxious) Colleen?! Your mother mentioned Colleen? ASHLEY I'm beginning to think you don't have full control of our mother's daily protocol in the way you've been insisting, Jack- JACK You know what? I'll handle this myself. ASHLEY We'll talk about this- Jack has hung up. Later. Somewhat dejected, Ashley hangs up the phone. Ashley appears lost in thought. LILY (bewildered) Ashley...what is this about Colleen?