Matt

Dr. Jessup, an eminent surgeon at Rosehill Hospital, suspects Liane was trying to buck the system by operating on Meg without authorization and wants to see her punished for it. He urges Dr. Marriott to have the surgical board thoroughly investigate Liane.... When Tom learns that Dr. Marriott took away Liane's surgical duties because she performed surgery without permission, Tom accuses him of using her as a scapegoat and looking for an excuse to oust her from the hospital staff. Dr. Marriott assures Tom that Liane's career isn't over -- she'll have a chance to clear herself. But what if Meg hits Liane with a personal malpractice suit? Carrie, who's working as a nurse at Rosehill Hospital, urges a very despondent Meg not to give up hope. Meg snaps that she was "butchered" by Liane and will never walk again! All she's living for now is to ruin Liane's life! Bitterness flashing in her eyes, Meg declares that Liane has destroyed her life. Sheepishly, Liane says she's sorry, very sorry. "All you can do is say you're sorry? I want you to suffer!" Meg shouts. "I'll have you fired and make sure you never walk into an operating room again and cripple someone else!" Liane runs out of the room, nearly in tears. After insisting that Steve has mistaken her interest and concern for love, Van suggests he find a girl his own age. "What you think you feel for me isn't reciprocated in any way," she says emphatically. Steve maintains that he loves Van: "You're the most important person in my life and I'm not ashamed of the love I feel for you. I know you're afraid to admit it, but you have feelings for me, too..." Van shouts that he's wrong and must stop carrying on like this. "Please pack up and leave!" she demands. Steve promises he won't let his feelings for Van come into the open if she'll let him stay. "Please let me prove that I can handle this. Don't push me away. Trust me," he pleads. Van agrees to let him stay only until he gets another place. She adds that moving out would be the best thing for Steve. One Last Attempt The day Elliot and Betsy's divorce hearing is scheduled, he makes a last-ditch attempt to patch things up. "You need me," Elliot points out. When Betsy refuses his help, he utters ominously, "Then you leave me no choice..." ...As the judge is about to grant Betsy her freedom, Elliot bursts into the courtroom and announces he wants to see Betsy -- alone. Outside the courtroom, Elliot reiterates: "I love you, Betsy. I want to take care of you and the baby. I'll love the baby, I promise. Please give me a chance. Please say you'll come back to me..." Betsy retorts that she doesn't love Elliot and would rather manage on her own. When the hearing resumes, she's granted her divorce decree. Although Ray would like Arlene to bear him a child, she tells him she'd rather spend her time doing volunteer work at a teenage clinic and postpone having a baby. "I love you and I don't think we should wait any longer," Ray persists. "I'd like to have a son, an heir...." Hal Carson, the detective who helped Arlene and Ray in Des Moines many months ago, calls her from a phone booth in Rosehill. Arlene, elated to hear from Hal after all this time, invites him over for dinner. Jealous of Hal's attraction to Arlene, Ray is distressed to learn that the detective has been assigned to a police case in New York City, which isn't far from Rosehill. Ray's especially disconcerted to hear that Hal doesn't have a special woman in his life at the moment... When Liane sobs that her medical career is over, Tom reassures her she's a competent surgeon and she'll come through the impending hearing with flying colors. "I believe in you 'cause I love you very much," he adds. "I'm going to marry you as soon as your residency is finished." Tom tenderly holds Liane in his arms and they make love. The next morning, Tom assures Liane that he loves her far too much to let anybody, including Meg, hurt Liane or her career. He urges a depressed, worried Liane to go into the upcoming hearing with a positive attitude and stress that she saved Meg's life. Later that morning, Dr. Marriott drops by Liane's apartment and lets her know Dr. Tucker, her former nemesis, has signed a deposition in her behalf. Still, Liane is scared to death about what Meg could do to her.... More determined than ever to ruin Liane's future as a surgeon, Meg asks Bruce to help her file suit ("the biggest malpractice suit in medical history") against Liane and Rosehill Hospital. Bruce reminds Meg that she may not have sufficient grounds to sue Liane, for she operated under very unusual circumstances. After calling him too "sweet" and "genuine" to handle a case like this, Meg sends Bruce out of her hospital room. He lacks the "killer instinct" Meg's looking for.... Blaming himself totally for causing Meg's fall, Tom tells her that he never meant to hurt her, either emotionally or physically. Meg replies that she'd like to put the whole incident behind them -- however, she cannot forgive Liane for "butchering" her. After pointing out that Meg's test results indicate there isn't any physiological reason for her paralysis, Tom suggests she start therapy sessions with Dr. Clark, a psychiatrist. Infuriated, Meg accuses Tom of trying to get Liane off the hook by convincing her (Meg) that her paralysis is all in her mind! "Liane bungled the surgery and I'll make sure she pays for it!" Meg screams. Ben wants to get to the bottom of how Meg's accident really happened and prods her to tell him the truth. "I want to help you, Mother," he says. Meg insists that Tom isn't to blame, she tripped and fell because she was upset. "If you really want to help me, you can find me an aggressive lawyer who knows how to fight to win," Meg suggests. Betsy is heartsick when she glances down at the morning newspaper and reads that Elliot has been elected to the D.A.'s office! Feeling she's a burden to her family, Betsy announces she's going to England so she can have her child in peace. She needs to make a fresh start and doesn't want Elliot coming around once the baby's born. When Tom mentions Ben, Betsy says he's forgotten about her... Can Tom stop Betsy from leaving? Steve, concerned about Betsy, takes it upon himself to let Ben know that she's hurting and needs a man to care for her. Ben admits that even though he and Betsy have been at each other's throats lately, he loves her so much that it hurts. He wants more than anything for her to trust him again.... Although Van's aware it's killing Ben that Betsy's carrying Elliot's child, Van urges Ben to forgive Betsy for becoming pregnant and accept the child as his own after they're married. Van pleads with Ben to swallow his pride and convince Betsy not to run away to England: "Go to her before it's too late..." Mia, tired of Ben using her as a sexual substitute for Betsy, presses him to make up his mind: Who does he want -- Mia or Betsy? Later Mia regrets pushing Ben to make a decision and apologizes. "Can you ever forgive me?" she meekly asks. He accepts her apology and they discuss Betsy. Hoping to plant doubt in Ben's mind, Mia implies that perhaps Betsy wasn't raped by Elliot -- maybe they fell into each other's arms and she willingly allowed him to make love to her. If Betsy's baby really was conceived by rape, Mia contends, she would have gone through with the abortion. Ben now wonders what the truth is... Change of Plans Because Ray loves children and desperately wants a son, Arlene plans on becoming pregnant and surprising her husband when it happens.... As Tony's begging Bambi to reset their wedding date, Kim bursts into the living room with news that an agency out west may have located Tran! Bambi wants Kim to have happiness, but if Tran is found, he will need Tony to be his father... Where will that leave Bambi? Point blank, Meg accuses Tom of planning her accident so he could throw her over for Liane. "I can't walk, I can't dance, I can't make love... you're free of me now. If the board doesn't demolish your darling Liane, I will!" she threatens. At Liane's hearing, Dr. Marriott testifies that Meg would have survived if Liane had waited for another doctor to operate. Tom testifies that he urged Liane to operate and considers her a qualified surgeon. When it's Liane's turn to defend herself, she announces that she won't apologize for her actions. If she had it to do over again, she'd do the same thing -- she obeyed the oath she took as a doctor to save her patient's life. "You don't have to fire me because I quit!" Liane shouts, then runs out of the board room. Cleared! The next day, Dr. Marriott informs Tom that Liane has been cleared of the charges against her.... Wesley tells Mia that Princeton University dropped him because his grades weren't high enough. When he starts berating himself for being a disappointment to his parents, Mia reminds Wesley that he's a bright, wonderful person and he'll do well at another school. Later that day, Wes asks Dr. Marriott for a hospital job that will leave him time to attend evening classes at Rosehill University. Dr. Marriott replies that there aren't any openings, but he'll keep Wes in mind. Meg launches into a tirade when she finds out that the board exonerated Liane, certain all the doctors are covering for her. "I know who is really behind this whitewash -- Dr. Marriott," Meg tells Sarah and Prof. McCauley. "He's head over heals in love with her..."

Bambi, unable to bear the thought of Kim living in a tiny, seedy hotel room, invites her to share her apartment indefinitely. She also asks Paul to help Kim get a job nursing at Rosehill Hospital. Kim's landlady informs Tony that Kim moved out of her hotel room after Bambi visited her and left no forwarding address. Tony wrongly concludes Bambi must have said something to drive Kim away and angrily confronts her about it. Before Bambi has a chance to explain Kim is living with her, Tony berates her so relentlessly she can't get a word in edgewise. Hurt that Tony thinks she'd do anything to upset Kim, Bambi orders him to leave her apartment. A couple of days later, Tony apologizes to Bambi for making such thoughtless accusations. She gives him the cold-shoulder, though, and says they're finished as a couple! A muck-raking political reporter tells Elliot that Betsy is planning to have an abortion. Worried the abortion might hinder his campaign for D.A., Elliot demands Ben reveal what hospital Betsy's in so he can stop her from terminating her pregnancy. Ben says he has no idea of Betsy's whereabouts, then orders Elliot to stay away from her once and for all -- he's caused Betsy enough trouble! After Van mentions Tom knows where Betsy went, Ben pays him a visit at his lab. "You know the whole story, and I want you to tell me," Ben pleads. Tom reluctantly confesses the name and address of the clinic Betsy checked into and insists on accompanying Ben to see her. But when they arrive at the clinic, Betsy's room is empty! Her doctor tells them she discharged herself. That evening, Betsy returns to the Sterlings', where Ben is waiting for her. "I've been worried sick about you," he says, pulling her toward him. Betsy confesses she couldn't go through with the abortion, even though the baby was conceived by rape. When Ben says they've got to talk about her decision, Betsy excuses herself for bed, and he's left wondering why she'd want to carry this pregnancy to term.... Shocking Fact Amy, one of Bruce's law students, begs her classmate Joel to return the diary she left at Steve's apartment during study group. Joel torments her, saying there must be something awfully juicy in the diary or she wouldn't be so anxious to get it back. A sadistic glint in his eyes, he reveals he peeked into the diary and read that Amy is Bruce's illegitimate daughter!!! Mortified, she threatens: "If you say a word about this, I'll make sure you never graduate. I'll ruin you any way I can!" When Van accidentally runs into Steve at the university, she tells him their relationship has taken a wrong turn. Although she's fond of him, she doesn't have romantic feelings toward him and is considerably older than he. "You've very beautiful. Don't you realize how important you are in my life?" Steve asks. Van is flattered by Steve's compliment but urges him to find someone his own age... Steve then invites Amy tot he movies and she, much to his surprise, accepts! Tony pleads with Kim to let him help locate their son, Tran. Feeling guilty about coming between Tony and Bambi, Kim replies she'll look for Tran by herself. Tony emphasizes he's responsible for Tran and wants to find him as much as Kim does. "Tran will always be a bond between us," Tony says. "I'm not going to give up -- we'll find him..." ...Kim's face lights up when Dr. Marriott, chief of staff at Rosehill Hospital, offers her a job as a volunteer until she gets her American license to become a practical nurse. (Kim worked as a nurse in Vietnam.) Tom, realizing he's losing Liane, doesn't want to further jeopardize their relationship by carrying on an affair with Meg any longer. "Whatever we had, Meg, is over," he blurts out. "I'm not in love with you! It's (the affair) got to stop!" Tom explains he's not even fond of Meg -- the night they made love was an "accident" and he's sorry it ever happened. "I am in love with Liane," Tom announces awkwardly. "There can't be anything between you and me..." Angry over Tom's rejection, Meg shouts: "You had a good time at my expense. You used me to get your grant!" To gain his sympathy, Meg clutches her chest, faking another heart attack. Tom isn't fooled, however, and orders her to stop pretending. Embarrassed that he's seen through her scheme, Meg runs upstairs to get away from Tom. He catches up with her and they struggle at the top of the stairs. Meg loses her balance, tumbles down the stairs, and hits her head! ...An unconscious Meg is rushed to Rosehill Hospital. Leaning over her bed, Tom begs God: "Please help Meg get well..." He blames himself for her condition. If only he hadn't been so cruel. If only he hadn't expressed his feelings in such a clumsy way... Ben reaffirms his love for Betsy and says he understands that she couldn't have the abortion. When Ben asks why she didn't tell him about her pregnancy, Betsy retorts she tried, but he was too busy sleeping with Mia! Ben explains the reason he slept with her was that he and Betsy weren't lovers and Mia was available. Though Ben beseeches Betsy to forgive his past mistakes so they can resume their lives together, she cries she's unsure of Ben's love and feels he blames her for being pregnant with Elliot's child. Before Ben and Betsy have a chance to call a truce, Bruce informs him that Meg had an accident. Ben runs out of the room without bothering to inquire whether Betsy would like to accompany him to the hospital.... At the hospital, Ben gets the bad news that Meg is critically injured and has a severe concussion! Later, her brain begins hemorrhaging. To stop the bleeding, she's wheeled into the operating room and scheduled for surgery. On the way over to the hospital to perform Meg's brain surgery, Dr. Tucker has a coronary, so Liane, a first-year resident, performs the operation! Tony begs Bambi to let him back into her life: "I love you and I want to marry you." Bambi responds she needs to put things into perspective first and become a stronger person. She's also uncertain about marrying Tony knowing that Kim's a part of his life again. Van assures a guilt-wracked Tom that he did everything he could to help Meg the day she fell. "The accident was my fault," Tom counters, "but I didn't mean to hurt her." Glancing around his lab, he realizes that Meg made his research project possible. If it hadn't been for her... Liane manages to pull Meg through brain surgery, but she's still not out of the woods. When Dr. Marriott arrives at the hospital and learns that Liane performed the operation without authorization, he rebukes her for taking it upon herself and removes her from Meg's case! Prof. McCauley, anxious to secure the divorce for Betsy, hands Elliot the property-settlement agreement. "Does she still want the divorce?" Elliot asks, then says: "Under the circumstances, I'd expect her to get in touch with me..." Puzzled by Elliot's meaning, Prof. McCauley reminds him that Betsy has met all of his demands, so there's no reason for them to see each other again. When Mia suggests there might have been foul play involved in Meg's accident, Ben declares he'll get to the bottom of what really happened between her and Tom. Meg awakens from her coma and mumbles, "I want Tom. Tom, please don't leave me..." Gently, Tom explains to her why she's hospitalized and reassures Meg she'll be fine. Or will she? "I can't feel my legs," Meg cries. "What happened to my legs? I can't feel anything from the waist down!" Because Liane disobeyed hospital policy by performing surgery on Meg, rather than waiting for another doctor, Dr. Marriott suspends Liane from her surgical duties! Anger rising, she declares: "If it hadn't been for me, Meg wouldn't be alive! I couldn't have waited to operate or I would have lost her. I had to go ahead -- it was the only decision!" Dr. Marriott advises Liane to get hold of her emotions and keep her temper in check. "It's my job to take this action, but I'm still your friend," he says, hoping to soften the blow. As far as Liane's concerned, he's just using Meg's incident as an excuse to dump Rosehill Hospital's only woman resident! Meg, paralyzed below the waist, is horrified to learn from Ben that Liane operated on her! She thinks Liane crippled her so she could get Tom away from her. "Why didn't they just kill me?" Meg sobs. "How could they do this to me after all I've done for this hospital? My life is over, all over..." Tom attempts to persuade Ben, who's enraged over his mother's paralysis, that Meg's condition may be a temporary reaction. But Ben angrily accuses Tom of using Meg for all he could get, and when she asked for a little friendship in return, he pushed her down the stairs and conspired with Liane to cripple Meg! "You and that surgeon are going to have to pay for what you've done!" Ben threatens. Impossible When Tom informs Liane that Meg is paralyzed, she says it can't be possible because she wasn't in the area of Meg's brain that would cause paralysis. "I know I didn't make a mistake!" Liane cries. Elliot reiterates that he still loves Betsy and asks her to postpone their divorce until after the baby is born. Betsy refuses. "If you contest the divorce," she warns, "I'll make sure the facts about the rape come out, and they'll hurt you a lot more than they'll hurt me!" To avoid gossip about her pregnancy and because Ben is emotional and unpredictable, Betsy considers going back to England. She doesn't think she and Ben will ever get together...

<object width="352" height="240"><param name="movie" value=" name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="352" height="240"></embed></object> Pilot Morning Alongside State Highway 32 “Damn,” Joy Donovan muttered angrily as she leaned under the hood of her rental car, a waft of smoke drifting up towards her face. She reached down into the engine and began to wiggle a few fires. Although she had no idea exactly what she was doing – or exactly why she should be doing it – it always seemed like something they did in the movies. After all, simple auto repairs weren’t something they’d taught in the poshest European boarding schools. After another stream of smoke billowed out of the engine, streaking her carefully made-up face, she realized that any attempt on her part to get the clunker moving would be futile. Damn that rental service for this hunk of junk and for suggesting that a scenic drive into town would be relaxing after her long flight. Joy slammed the car hood down and reached into her purse for her cell phone. She was definitely going to give her editor hell for this fiasco. “Oh, come on!” she screamed at the phone and its telltale absence of bars. “You can’t tell me that there’s no service out here!” With an exasperated sigh, she stuffed the phone back into her purse and slumped back against the car. What in the world was she going to do now? Just then, off in the distance, Joy heard the faint rumblings of an engine. Someone was coming! She lowered her Dolce sunglasses and looked down the nearly deserted highway in time to see a motorcycle speeding in her direction. “Hey! Stop!” She ran into the middle of the road, waving her arms wildly in an attempt to flag down the rider. To her relief, the bike began to slow down as it approached her, eventually coming to a stop behind her broken-down car. She watched in nervous anticipation as the rider climbed off his bike and took off his helmet. Thankfully, he didn’t look like some reject from the Hell’s Angles – he was 30ish, dark hair, dashing good looks – quite the hottie, she thought. “Having a bit of trouble, I see,” he smiled, walking over to her. “You could say that.” “Any idea what’s wrong?” He moved to the front of the car and lifted the hood, allowing another stream of smoke to escape. “Do I look like a mechanic?” Joy folded her arms tightly across her chest and glared at him in response to what she’d perceived as a stupid question. The man could only look back at her and grin smugly. “Well, I could give you a ride into town.” He paused, carefully examining her stylish clothes, clearly from the top designers. “That is if you’re not too scared to ride on the back of my bike.” “Not much scares me,” she stated matter-of-factly, drawing a chuckle out of her Good Samaritan. “I’m Chaz, by the way.” He wiped his dirty hand on his jeans before extending it to her. “I suppose we should at least be on a first name basis if you’re going to be riding down the highway with your arms wrapped around me.” “I’m Joy,” she nodded with a smile, receiving his hand with her own. “Where are you headed, Joy?” Chaz walked back towards his bike to retrieve a spare helmet for her. “Rosehill,” she replied, following him. “I’m going there on business.” “Isn’t that funny,” he laughed as he climbed back onto his bike. “That’s exactly where I’m headed, too.” Rosehill Beaver Ridge Complex The loud banging of hammers echoed throughout the room and the smell of saw dust filled the air as construction workers went about their daily routine. Over in a corner in a makeshift office that consisted of little more than two sheets of plywood stretched over four aluminum saw horses, Andy Marriott sat in front of his laptop computer, various technical diagrams, plans, and notations strewn about by his side. He leaned back into his chair and began to massage his temples in a valiant attempt to prevent the throbbing headache that he’d noticed was already beginning to build – even before his second pot of coffee. “Andy, what’s going on?” John Prentiss asked as he hurried through the front doors of what was supposed to be the lobby, past the workers, and towards his business partner. “What’s so important that you called me and drug me down here? Don’t you know what’s going on with my family right now?” “Look, John, I’m sorry. I know you’ve got other stuff to deal with right now, but this really couldn’t wait.” Andy rose from his chair and took a deep breath before handing a ledger to John to look at. “Where’s Suzanne?” “She’s in the car with Tess – waiting on me.” John examined the ledger closely, running his finger down the page, checking every line. He turned to paperclipped page to see a billing statement from their architect and another from their contractor. “But…these can’t be right.” His eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. “I went over those numbers myself. I talked with Paulson personally! We had an agreement!” “Apparently, he’s forgotten all about it.” Andy anxiously began pacing around the room. “John, this isn’t good. If we don’t make the changes he’s requiring – if we can’t afford to make the changes and pay him his fee – he’s pulling out of the project. That’s the phone call I woke up to this morning.” “He can’t do that! If he pulls out, how the hell are we going to find another designer and contractor this far into the project? How are we going to stay on budget?” John paused and ran his hands down his face, the full impact of the news starting to sink in. “Andy, if Paulson pulls out, we’re done. Do you understand that? We’ll lose everything!” After a long silence, Andy carefully began to broach a topic that had long been on his mind, but hadn’t felt it had been his place to ask. “Does your wife know exactly how much money you’ve put into this?” “No.” John’s voice echoed inside his own head, his brain running a mile a minute. “All I told her was that I was dipping into my trust fund to partner up with you on this project. Suzanne doesn’t have a clue that I funneled the entire trust – including what we set aside for the baby – into Beaver Ridge. If this thing goes under, I’m going to lose a lot more than every single dime I have to my name. She’s going to….” “John?” His wife, Suzanne Prentiss, called from the doorway, their infant daughter Tess cradled in her arms. “Don’t you know what time it is? Can’t this wait until tomorrow?” “Y-yes, dear, of course.” John’s eyes darted from her to Andy and back again. “We need to go meet your family.” He turned back to Andy and shot his a stern look, silently warning him to both not say a word to Suzanne and to fix the mess that had been created. As John & Suzanne hurried out of the lobby, Andy reached for the coffee pot to pour the last remaining bit of the first pot into a cup. However, looking at the now burnt coffee with disgust, he realized that he was in dire need of a much stronger start to the day and reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a flask, and proceeded to fill his mug with whiskey instead. The Sterling Home Vanessa Sterling stood silently by her living room window and gazed out at the morning. Outside, children were playing; neighbors were walking their dogs – people simply going about their daily lives. She paused and leaned down to sniff one of the flowers in the bouquet that always kept sitting by the window. Today they were filled with red roses. They’d always been her favorite. Vanessa had to laugh since she, herself, had always much preferred yellow. She let out a weary sigh. It had only been a few years since she’d lost her beloved Bruce after over 40 years of marriage – well, combined years, but she didn’t like to dwell on past mistakes – and now this. “Aunt Van,” Betsy Harper spoke up as she entered the room from the kitchen, two cups in her hand, “I made coffee. I thought we all could use it this morning.” “Thank you, dear,” Van smiled, taking the cup into her hands, before seeming to realize someone was missing. “Ben? Where’s Ben?” “He went to the airport to pick up the girls,” Betsy explained. “Their flight from Switzerland should be landing any minute. And I talked to Lynn this morning; she’s going to meet us before the service. She wanted to stop by and see Alex at the hospital.” “Of course,” Van muttered with a nod. “Stacy and A.J. are already at the chapel. They went early to make sure everything was taken care of. None of us wants you to worry about a thing.” But Van was worried. She walked back over to the window and set her cup down onto the table before smelling the roses again. She took in a long, deep breath and then exhaled slowly as Betsy came up behind her and took her into her arms. Since childhood, they’d been polar opposites, each approaching life from opposite ends of the spectrum. Oh, sure, they’d had their battles through the years – some even quite nasty – but, in the end, they’d always been there for one another. And now…. Van’s sister, Meg Hart Marriott, had been murdered and today was the day of her funeral. The only source of strength that she’d been able to find during the last few days had been from her family and friends. She nodded slowly with that acknowledgement. Thank God for them, because if it weren’t for them, Vanessa surely didn’t know if she’d be able to survive this. <object width="352" height="240"><param name="movie" value=" name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="352" height="240"></embed></object>

Arlene insists on taking the witness stand! She confesses that she did indeed have a gun with her when she lured Ian to the penthouse, and that she fully intended to shoot him! But as the jury recoils in horror, Arlene continues to unfold her story, and it is not the lurid, sordid picture which prosecutor Earl Merrick painted. Instead, it's a story of a love-starved and basically moral woman who was trying to force herself to kill Ian -- the man who had tried to hire Ray to kill her mother! And being brought up as she was with a strict sense of moral standards, Arlene could not go through with her plan. Instead, she drops the gun as she is overcome with hysterical crying, and crumples to the floor! When Dory later gives her summation; she reminds the jury that Arlene is on trial for murder -- not for having an affair with a married man. She also reminds the jury that the coroner's report showed merely that Ian died from injuries sustained from a fall down an elevator shaft. The idea that Arlene pushed Ian is purely conjecture on the part of the prosecutor. Indeed, with a penthouse in the midst of construction, it's entirely possible Ian tripped -- that his death was an accident! But what is Arlene to do, even if she is proven innocent? Her doctor has confirmed that she is indeed almost five months pregnant, and, though she asks for one, he refuses to give Arlene an abortion! He says it would kill her! Arlene is hysterical. She is certain Tom will never marry her if he knows she is carrying Ian's child. Triangles Ben seems to be spending a great deal of his time (much to Mia's aggravation!) thinking of Betsy! Ben again asks Mia if she is certain that nothing happened that morning Betsy walked in on Mia and Ben -- Ben with his arms around Mia, and Mia wearing Ben's shirt! It seems Betsy (understandably!) couldn't believe that Ben was merely comforting Mia -- his platonic friend! Rick, meantime, is getting quite fed up with Cal constantly calling up and cancelling plans at the last minute because she and Michael must stay late at school! When Van and Charles discuss the sad but real possibility that Arlene may go to prison, Mary, baby Eddie's nurse, makes a disturbing statement! She says that if fate has it in store for you to go to prison, you go! It doesn't matter if you're young or pretty -- or even innocent! What does Mary's past hold? And now that the case is over, Dory breaks down and cries. She really believes, now, that Arlene is innocent, and is afraid she didn't do enough for her. Edouard, however, is there to comfort Dory... With the trial for the murder of Ian Russell finally over, the jury retires to deliberate. Will Arlene be found guilty -- or will she be acquitted? Dory gave a very honest, deliberate, persuasive summation -- but will that be enough to pull Arlene safely through? Meg, meantime, certainly has her sticky fingers in everyone's business! First, she has lunch with Ben and Cal at Beaver Ridge, and cannot resist making snide remarks to Cal as to the whereabouts of hubby Rick! Indeed, she quite pointedly questions Cal as to why Rick hasn't shown up to have lunch with them! Tricky Triangles And what kind of games are these few young people of Rosehill playing with each other? First, Mia invites ex-hubby, Andrew to Christmas dinner at her place! What does Mia want? First it's Andrew she wants, then Ben, then back to Andrew, and now Ben! Indeed, Mia is decidedly upset when she learns from Andrew about the Christmas party at the Sterlings! And at another session with Ben, Mia, through her constant prodding, finally, gets Ben to admit that the character in his book, Annabelle, was, in part, fashioned after Mia! What is this character Annabelle like? Michael, meantime, studying with Cal under the Christmas tree, is again beset by memories of holidays past! This time, his memories are again of himself as a young boy -- and again he seems to be watching a woman who seems to be a prostitute -- but this time, it seems the woman is his mother! Meg, meantime, continues to dampen everyone's holiday spirit! First, she warns Ben against Mia, and then, her behavior and constant snide innuendos anger Cal so much, till she finally blows up and says her mother should get a man of her own! Guilty! Finally, the jury has reached a decision! But what a decision! They have found Arlene guilty of the murder of Ian Russell! Everyone is in shock! Finally, collecting her wits, Carrie sends Ray to get Tom, who has been tied up at the hospital with surgery. Poor Tom! No words can describe his complete look of hope and utter despair... Oh, his beloved Arlene! How could he let this happen to her? He rushes to her side, and they embrace... Later, Tom visits Arlene in jail. He gives her a Christmas present, and, as he holds her close to him, sings soft songs of love to her... With the jury's verdict now in, the judge then sentences Arlene -- to 25 years in prison! Of course, Dory immediately readies for an appeal, but what kind of chance will Arlene have for a future acquittal? And, meantime, she must begin fulfilling her sentence! Poor Arlene! And what will she do about the baby? The doctor has told her that there is no way the baby can be aborted, as she is now going into her sixth month! But Arlene is not ready for a baby emotionally -- especially Ian's baby! Oh, what will she do? Finally, needing someone to talk to, Arlene tells Carrie that she is pregnant, but warns her not to tell Tom... Mixed-Up Mia! Mia, meantime, tells Wendy that she is very happy with her relationship with Ben! But how can that be when he continually rebuffs her? Indeed, how can she be happy with her relationship with Ben when she is still pursuing Andrew? Ben obviously wants to untangle himself from the clinging vine that is Mia, despite her pretension of being the purely business-like editor! When Mia tried to give him a puppy for Christmas, he gave it right back to her! Finally, when little Susie gives Ben a bag of jellybeans for Christmas, and expects a present in return, the two give the little girl the puppy! Still, Mia is very happy with her Christmas present from Ben -- a music box which plays "Somewhere, My Love"... Meanwhile, over at the Sterlings, Andrew tells Bruce and Van that Meg roped him into coming to their New Year's Eve party. Bruce understands Andrew's not wanting to start any kind of a social relationship at all with Meg; but Van tends to play the role of matchmaker, trying to reassure Andrew that he would enjoy Meg's company... (Meg had first asked Ben to escort her, but he declined saying memories of last New Year's Eve with Betsy were too painful for him to do any partying...) Unspoken Feelings? Later that night, at home, Andrew can't seem to get Mia out of his mind. He remembers the other evening when Mia pleaded with him not to divorce her, and then, sorrowfully trying to accept the reality of it, she then pleaded with him to just put his arms around her and comfort her and stay the night with her... Thinking about all of this, Andrew calls Mia. Once she answers, however, he realizes he really has nothing to say, so he finally just says that Meg roped him into going to the party, though he doesn't want to. Finally, at a loss for words (though emotions seemed to be running strong between the two) Andrew bids Mia goodnight. Lynn, meantime, continues her overtures of friendship to the secretive, aloof Mary. Though Mary still seems frightened and hesitant, Lynn is able to draw her out of her shell somewhat -- enough so, in fact, that Mary lets it slip that ever since she was a baby, she had heard about Rosehill! A surprised Lynn asks how that could be -- did Mary know someone from Rosehill? But Mary is now tight-lipped, and leaves immediately... It's New Year's Eve in Rosehill, and it's a bitter-sweet time for all concerned. Arlene, most of all, has quite a cross to bear from the old year. She is now being moved from the local jail to prison, to serve time for the murder of Ian Russell! She and Tom have a loving, tearful farewell; but for Arlene, the farewell is something she fears will be permanent. Over five months pregnant with Ian's baby, Arlene has yet to tell Tom! She is putting off the inevitable as long as possible, for once Tom finds out she is pregnant with Ian's child, Arlene is certain she will lose Tom... Carrie, however, knows Arlene's secret, but she cannot persuade her daughter to confide in Tom. What will happen when Tom finds out? A Man Around the House? Meg, meantime, so envied for her wealth and glamour, is in a less than enviable position. New Year's Eve is so often a time when people reassess their lives, and the new year finds Meg alone, lonely, and desperate for male companionship! She is so desperate, in fact, that she tries to get Ben to escort her to Bruce and Van's party! When Ben refuses, saying New Year's makes him miss Betsy more than ever, Meg sets her sights on Andrew! Andrew really doesn't want to go with Meg; but she can be a very persuasive and domineering woman, and, somehow, Andrew finds himself roped into it. Later, when Van and Bruce discuss Meg, Van actually suggests that not only would Andrew be good for Meg, but Meg would be good for Andrew! Bruce can't quite accept that, but Van says, if Andrew had Meg, he would have someone to take care of him! Later that night in bed, an amorous Van makes romantic overtures to Bruce. She is surprised to discover that he has his pajama tops on. Bruce is wearing his pajamas to hide the needle marks from his extensive medical test; but, as he still hasn't told Van of his terminal illness, he simply tells her he is "christening" his new pajamas, just as she is "christening" the negligee he got her for Christmas! Still, Van senses something is wrong when their attempts at lovemaking are aborted early on because Bruce doesn't have enough energy! Poor Van is understanding, of course. She is very worried about Bruce. And Bruce is upset at this new symptom of his illness -- being unable to fulfill his wife's sexual needs. News From Abroad! And Mia, also, spent a very upsetting New Year's Eve. She didn't hear from Ben all weekend! She is furious, until Ben comes over with the latest chapter of his book completed and in fine form, they even kiss, wonderingly, exploringly, passionately! But the next day, Ben gets a call from Betsy in London! He is so excited. He entertains thoughts that she misses him and is coming back to him. But when he asks her if she's coming home, she says that all depends on the arrangements of her "friend." To Ben, that "friend" sounds like a boyfriend, and that means rejection to him. Ben is again thrown into the depths of despair, and poor Mia guesses why! Oh, what will happen when -- and if -- Betsy returns to Rosehill?

Tom comes home from work one day to find that Arlene has collapsed. When he revives her, she is in a state of hysteria. She claims that Ian was in the closet and tried to pull her in with him! Poor Arlene is so emotionally distraught, Tom feels it’s best she be hospitalized. As Tom tries to calm her down, Slater walks in. Ray is also very concerned about Arlene’s state, and on instructions from Tom calls an ambulance. As the two men await medical help, Tom tenderly holds Arlene in his arms, desperately wishing he had told Arlene a long time ago how much he loved her… He reminisces of the time she had loved him so much, and so needed to hear a commitment of love from him also; and he, allowing his pride to stand in the way of his deep love for her, had swallowed the words his heart sent surging to his lips… Tom is adamant that Arlene know now of his love for her – if it isn’t already too late! It is then, as the ambulance attendants lift Arlene onto the stretcher, that Tom, with a hope that is almost a vengeance against his prior behavior, tells Arlene he loves her and won’t let anything happen to her. But how much can Tom protect her? Lt. Hollenbeck and his men show up just as Arlene is being wheeled away. Tom authoritatively tells them his patient is being hospitalized for exhaustion and cannot be questioned. The police back down, but how much longer can Tom hold them at bay? MORE FROM MEG Cal, meantime, confides in Van that she and Rick are planning on renting their house, providing they can purchase Ian’s share in Beaver Ridge. Meg barges in on the two in a flourish of disdain, accusing Cal and Van of deliberately excluding her from their get-togethers. Indeed, when Cal leaves the room for a few minutes, Meg spitefully insinuates that Cal – only married a year – has a roving eye for Michael! Van is disbelieving, but doubts arise when she observes Cal happily hug Michael when he tells her he’s been selected to observe the staff at the hospital in his senior year at medical school. And is that a look of unrequited love flitting across Michael’s face when Cal tells him of her and Rick’s impending plans concerning Beaver Ridge? Carrie, now, has gone to Tom to plead with him to help Arlene. From her hospital bed, Arlene was babbling about guns and Ian ordering Slater to kill Carrie. Tom has a psychiatrist test Arlene; but the psychiatrist’s test points only to a temporary mild emotional disturbance. He tells Tom that may not be enough to keep the police away. And Lt. Hollenbeck, meantime, not only suspects Arlene, but also Tom! Carrie also takes her story to Slater. Ray is forced to tell her that everything Arlene said is true; but that Carrie must not mention it to the police, as people have been convicted before on such circumstantial evidence. When Ben tells Mia that if his book should earn him a lot of money he would go to England to be near Betsy and their child, she becomes terribly depressed. She even thinks of leaving town; but a phone conversation with Andrew helps her think more clearly. Lt. Hollenbeck continues to try and interrogate Arlene. Most of his attempts have failed, as Tom has woven a pretty thick blanket of security around her. Lt. Hollenbeck catches Arlene in the hospital corridors one day and again attempts his questioning; but Tom again intercedes on her behalf, gathering her in his arms and ordering the lieutenant to leave his patient alone. A “darling!” escapes Arlene’s lips as she rushes thankfully to Tom’s arms; but his arms may hurt her instead of comfort: Lt. Hollenbeck is very interested indeed to find such a close patient/doctor relationship! Back at Headquarters, Lt. Hollenbeck confides to his team that he’ll be able to pin Arlene down now that he knows her vulnerable spot is Dr. Tom Crawford! What the lieutenant now wants to know is: where did Tom fit in when Ian Russell was alive? Lt. Hollenbeck then has both Tom and Arlene’s psychiatrist, Dr. Lockridge in for questioning. Tom rather uncomfortably admits his love for Arlene – but what makes Tom even more uncomfortable is after the lieutenant’s questioning when, alone together, Dr. Lockridge tells Tom that, quite frankly, he feels that Arlene’s anxieties stem from some very intense guilt feelings! DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL After Andrew’s phone call, Ben comes over to Mia’s place – with a little girl! The tot was forgotten by her brother on the basketball court where Ben plays. Ben and Mia take care of the tyke till her brother comes to pick her up, and Mia, touched by Ben’s concern for the child, gently tells him she now more than ever can understand his need to see Betsy…Ben hugs Mia then – almost desperately – and tells her she helped him so much. Charles, meantime, has been left to care for little Eddie by himself for awhile. Mrs. Grimes had to leave, and the sitter still hadn’t arrived. Charles can’t seem to stop the baby from crying, so he calls Bruce for help – and the timing couldn’t have been worse! Edouard is visiting Bruce, and hears the baby crying over the phone! Both men rush over to Charles’ house, and, finally, it is Edouard who is able to stop the crying – by merely burping the baby! All three men are entranced by the baby, and, for a moment, ill feelings between Charles and Eduoard are forgotten – but not for long. Charles explodes to Edouard to get out – to leave him and the baby alone. Eduoard replies in a calm but deadly serious voice he’ll leave – but that next time he leaves it will be with the baby with him – by legal custody! Joe calls Bruce to come in for an examination concerning his tired spells. Bruce tells him he won’t have the time for a checkup till after his New York trip concerning his election campaign. Joe isn’t too pleased at this postponement – and neither, frankly, is Bruce! His tired spells are getting worse – is it wise to wait? Arlene is out of the hospital now, and her fears seem to have grown with her freedom! Indeed, what excuse will she now have to dodge Lt. Hollenbeck’s piercing inquisitions? And to top it off, she still seems truly perplexed – her mind “fuzzy” as to what really happened concering Ian Russell! Is she really nearly a possible breakdown, or is it merely acute anxiety – or guilt feelings? Poor Arlene’s life has become such a paradox! When she couldn’t have Tom, she frittered away her time in a vicious lifestyle – mistress to Ian Russell. And now that Tom is finally offering himself to her – his heart, his life, she cannot accept! FATE IS IN THE STARS What will happen with these star-crossed lovers? Tom, now finally knowing his own mind, proposes marriage to Arlene after dinner (and after Carrie coyly retired for the night so the two could be alone!) – but she cannot accept! She says she needs time. Tom is gentle with her, and assures her he understands and will give her time, but he’s perplexed. And so is Carrie – until Arlene tells her that she’s afraid she would ruin Tom’s life! Arlene is quite certain that once she married Tom, she would end up going to prison or the murder of Ian Russell! Ray, meantime, has been spending his free time in the bar – drowning his sorrows! He sent Arlene roses in the hospital, but she had checked out before they reached her – leaving with Dr. Tom Crawford, no less! Ray would just love to chuck the entire, tangled mess of things, expect for one thing – Arlene! Ray vows he’ll not leave until he is certain that Arlene will come out of the mess all right. MORE FROM MEG Someone creating quite a mess for herself is Cal! On the eve of her and Rick’s anniversary party, she gets drunk – with Michael, no less! Needless to say, such antics created quite a bit of trouble for Cal – especially with Meg constantly focusing in on the incident to Rick! And is Meg brazen! She has a personalized, monogrammed bathrobe made especially for Rick, and, catching him alone, tries to force it on him! Rick wants nothing to do with it, so the scorned Meg quite acidly reminds him of Cal and Michael getting drunk together, going to night classes together, visiting during the day – and that concocts some pretty pungent food-for-thought for Rick! When Tom guesses why Arlene has refused his marriage proposal – she is worried that, if convicted of murdering Ian Russell, she could ruin his career, indeed his life – he quite lovingly tries to persuade her otherwise. He tells her that she didn’t murder Ian Russell, and that in no way could she ever hurt him – unless she continues to refuse to marry him! But Arlene cannot be swayed. In fact, she is already beyond Tom’s help! Lt. Hollenbeck has arrested Arlene! Catching an unsuspecting Arlene all alone, a devious Hollenbeck infers that they will soon be placing Tom under arrest for Ian’s murder! That causes Arlene to blurt out that they can’t do that because Tom didn’t murder Ian – and she knows because she was there! And despite Arlene’s protestations that although she was there she didn’t murder Ian, either; her confession that she had lied previously and was indeed at the scene of the crime, is enough to arrest her! A concerned Tom sends a prominent private attorney – Dorian Patten – to represent Arlene. Arlene says she cannot accept Tom paying for her attorney. Dorian, however, says Arlene will be quite able to pay legal fees herself – Arlene has been named co-owner of Beaver Ridge! COUPLES Ben is upset to hear of Arlene’s arrest – but this man seems to have plenty of upsets impending in the near future to keep him in constant turmoil! Cal has received a letter from Betsy in England, and it sounds very much like she is planning on returning to the States – but with an American “gentleman friend” – one Elliot Lang, to be exact, who seems to be taking very good care of Betsy and her daughter! Where does this put Mia and Ben? She doesn’t seem to know where she stands with him – or even with her own feelings! And Cal and Rick seem to have a rough road ahead of them. Rick is becoming increasingly suspicious of her and Michael!

the 'Love of Life' theme For the first time in years, Felicia finds herself laughing and almost carefree, but she is unable to maintain her mood. The past comes back to haunt her. Eddie sees her turmoil and tries to understand, to help, but she shies away from his queries about the past. Gradually he convinces her to confide in him and she does, to a limited extent. She alludes to a nervous breakdown, but shows by her demeanor that it is something she is deeply ashamed of. When she lets go enough to let Eddie see that her problems, her shyness, her lack of confidence stem from her great attachment to her father, she once again draws into herself. She has let Eddie see that she has an Electra complex. Embarrassed, she runs upstairs, to her room. With the burden of guilt from the past, how will Felicia cope with the guilt that will come when she learns of Charles's condition? Rick and Cal are enjoying a storybook honeymoon in the Caribbean. She does her best to distract him from the pressing concerns of making a living. To the naive Cal, such things are merely mundane. Trouble Ahead for Rick and Cal? Is Meg correct in her assessment of her daughter's maturity? Rick seems to be chafing at bit under the strain of wanting to keep Cal happy, but also needing to settle business matters. Bliss is not always total, even when it is hard won. Cal is distressed when Rick laughingly refers to himself as a workhorse and then expresses his determination to get back Beaver Ridge. He has not given up on that, not by a long shot. Betsy will go back to work for Jamie full-time soon. She is trying very hard, still, to keep from worrying about Ben, but the continued lack of word from him is upsetting her. Yet she is reluctant to write him herself, afraid of encouraging him, leading him to think she would take him back. She would be horror-stricken if she knew that in prison he has been beaten unmercifully by Duke and his minions, that Ben can look to no one for protection because even the guard, Solly, is under Duke's thumb. Arlene does not know how to react when Ian tells her that she will be grandly rewarded for her "exclusivity" -- to him. His silken web is entangling her more and more, blinding her to the goodness and gentleness Tom is ready to offer her. Love's Strong Intuition Meg cries for Ben. There is something desperately wrong, she is sure of it. Betsy tells Meg she never intends to go visit Ben, but she, too, senses some trouble, and determines to go visit Ben right away. The waves of love are very strong because Ben is in trouble, and it is big. Solly, the guard, deliberately unlocks Ben's cell door so that Duke and Pearson can more savagely attack Ben. This time the knife is involved. In the guard's wardroom, Solly is bothered by whatever remnants of conscience he has. He tries to chain-smoke his worries away and finally, leaving a burning cigarette, goes to see if the battle is over. While a fire builds, Solly encounters a riot in the cell block. It is the smell of smoke and resulting panic that saves Ben's life. Ironically, it is Ben who saves Duke -- and many others -- from the fire. The warden comes to see Ben in the prison hospital. Ben's attitude is truculent, he avoids telling of the beating he underwent, but the warden is not so easily deceived. Meg and Betsy join forces when they learn of the fire at the prison. They rush to see Ben. After Betsy visits with Ben, Meg has great hopes that one day the two will be reunited. Ben dares not hope for reconciliation, but he swears to Betsy that he has changed. Betsy does not confess her undying love, but she can see that Ben has changed. Later, Ben is once again visited by the warden, who asks him to sign some papers, an application for parole. Ben is almost afraid to try for parole because of the fear of being turned down, but the thought that he could be out soon to prove to Betsy that he can provide for her and the baby gives him the courage to try. Ben has paid for his sins, and dearly. It Is Too Late for Felicia Felicia finally confesses to Eddie the true cause of her shame. She is a virgin. The thought of physical love is abhorrent to her, even though she knows that Eddie is the one man who could lead her into a happier and fuller life. She found the man of her dreams, the man she would not have to share, too late. Carrie wants that man Ian out of her daughter's life. Arlene doesn't know what she wants, only that she resents Carrie's assumption that she is of very easy virtue. If Arlene Could Care Arlene is very much afraid that Joe will tell tom who paid Carrie's hospital bill. Although she has done nothing to be ashamed of, she is afraid what Tom will think. He is becoming special to her, and she dreads losing his good opinion. Every time they are together, she finds it easier to relax, to be herself. She sees the difference between Tom and Ian very clearly, and if ever she felt she could care for a man again, Tom would certainly fill the bill. Joe, pressed by Tom, does let it slip that someone paid Carrie's bill in full, prompting Tom to check with the administration office at the hospital. He learns just who the someone is, and that night when he goes to pick up Arlene for their date and she sees that something is troubling him, asking if she can help, Tom tells her that he just might let her know.... Will he declare his feelings about her...or about the payment of Carrie's bill and all that it implies? Van is scandalized when Meg asks for Bruce's intervention in the matter of Ben's parole. Meg has already approached one of the parole board members with an offer of a large contribution in return for his support of her son's release from prison. Ben is Afraid When word of her attempted bribery reaches the warden, he immediately asks Ben if he asked his mother to intervene. From Ben's reply and obvious distress at the news, the warden can see that Ben was ignorant of Meg's ploy. Ben is now desperately afraid that his parole will be turned down. Afraid that he will turn into an animal, like the rest of the inmates. All he wants is freedom -- to prove to Betsy that he can take care of her. Felicia, under the gentle tutelage of Eddie, is introduced to the wonders of love. For the first time in her life she feels whole. Her desire to freeze in her memory this time with Eddie may be the cornerstone of complete disintegration when she learns, as she soon must, that Charles is lying in a coma. Back from their honeymoon, Rick and Cal are given Meg's wedding present -- she is dropping the lawsuit and wants to sell her share of Beaver Ridge -- if Rick will take the project in hand. Ray Slater has done his work well. Will Ian be the one to buy her out? Return to Rosehill Their idyll in Danvers at an end, Eddie and Felicia return to Rosehill determined to tell Charles, together, that Felicia plans to leave him. She feels strong enough now not to lose what she has discovered: true love and the ability to show it and share it. The news of Charlie's condition is more than she can bear. She begins to crumble under the weight of guilt that she is again the cause of injury to Charles. And yet...she is not the same woman who ran away; but who can ever throw off the guilt that is the price of trying to escape? Loving Mother, one side of Meg, takes umbrage at a decision Ben makes, when his parole is granted. He is able to overlook the fact that Meg almost lost him his freedom by her attempted bribery, but he is determined never again to become enmeshed in her intricate web of possessiveness. He will stay at an hotel until -- he hopes -- Betsy will take him back. After all, she did kiss him when the warden broke the news of his parole and she was there! Betsy, frightened by that same kiss, is in turmoil. She is afraid that she is so weak she will take Ben back. Only she knows how much she still loves him, regardless of her attempts to dissuade herself. She even tries being a "new" Betsy and invites Jamie to a candlelit dinner. He is elated, but she cannot convince him anymore than herself that she is no longer in love with Ben. Jamie's growing interest in her, and his hurt -- although he tries to hide it -- that she tried to "use" him in a desperate effort to become interested in someone new, prompts him to accept a job offer in New York. Arlene is prepared for Tom's disgust when he learns who paid Carrie's bill, but she is taken by surprise when he declares that he believes her totally. They kiss. After so long, they are very happy. Meg is making sure that if she cannot, then business will come between Cal and Rick. If Cal's unhappiness is a gauge, Meg is succeeding beyond her dreams. Lynn quietly hands Bruce her mother's name and address, a mother, the girl feels, does not love her.

the 'Love of Life' theme Charles is more than happy to accept Felicia's protestations that she is fine. He even cancels the nurse Sara had forced him to call. As he remarks on Felicia's "endless strength," his devoted, driven wife falls, unconscious, to the floor while helping him back into bed. He has no choice now, but manages to crawl to the phone to get help. Joe diagnoses viral pneumonia. Felicia must have full bed rest for several weeks in order to recover fully. Charles is not very pleased to learn not only that, but also of the imminent arrival of Mrs. McCreary, a nurse hired by Joe. Betsy has come a long, long way. When she runs into Arlene at Beaver Ridge, she is able to tell Tom that she is now able to see that Arlene, too, was just a pawn of Ben's; but now Arlene has nothing, while she -- at least -- has the baby. She is right. Arlene has nothing except many worries -- mostly about money. Rick pleads with Meg for more time. Meg, who feels she is saving Cal, accuses Rick of greed -- for her money, her power, and her daughter. He, in turn, accuses Meg of jealousy and while he begs for the chance to tell Cal himself, Cal walks in and asks, "Tell me what?" It is Meg who answers. "You'd better sit down," she says. Knocked breathless with the shock of learning that her lover was also her mother's lover, Cal runs out and races off in her car. Rick and Meg are then both frightened out of their wits when Rick reminds Meg of Cal's accident the last time Meg tried to "save" Cal. All she has saved, says Rick, is him -- from her. Meg suffers for what she has done. She must endure another hollow victory. Unaware that the police have been alerted to her disappearance, Cal is driving badly and gets her car struck in a rutted road. She gets out and begins to stumble through the woods, not caring where she is going. She is discovered by a hunter who makes her comfortable in his camp while he, surreptitiously, calls for help. When the hunter leads the authorities back to camp, Cal is gone -- and so is his rifle. He then recalls her saying that all she wanted to do was to fall asleep...and never wake up! In a white-hot rage, Eddie vows to Rick that he will settle things once Cal is found, safe. Cal is soon found by Joe. Holding her in his arms, while she sobs, he tells her everything will be all right. Rick's punishment begins when he calls out to her and she turns to Joe for protection -- from him. Physically, all Cal needs is rest. Mentally and emotionally, she will need more, and will need time. Time to grow up? That's what Joe thinks. It's Up to Cal Joe feels that Cal has a choice to make now: she can become a stronger, wiser woman, or she can remain a stubborn little girl. He hopes she makes the right choice, but it must, he insists, be hers. Van wonders if perhaps he is right. At the same time, Cal is pouring her out her heart to Betsy. Van and Eddie only hinted at Rick's duplicity they never told her. They were probably trying to make up for the love she never got from Meg. She never had a mother, only a rival who almost destroyed her. Alone, Meg suffers for Cal. She does love her daughter, in her fashion. And in the same fashion she is barging into Betsy's life once again. This time to prevent Betsy from the new "Birth Without Violence" technique. Meg calls her lawyer to ask some questions; armed with answers, she smugly comes to inform Betsy that Ben (and Meg, by inference) has certain rights with regard to the baby, who will be recognized, under law, as being legitimate. Therefore, Meg will go to court if necessary to see to it that her grandchild is born safely. Betsy tells Jamie that Ben promised to stay out of her life, but Jamie cautions her against illusions. It takes strength of character to hold out against Meg. Does Betsy really think Ben can do it? Ray continues his relentless campaign to get Arlene totally under his thumb. He manages to get her fired form her job and then he slithers into her apartment while she is in the bath. He wants his money or her love. Desperate for more money for Carrie's operation, Arlene says she will...try. That is not exactly the response he had in mind. Rather cleverly, Carrie finds out just how much this special operation she needs will cost, and with firm resolve she manages to get out of bed and...home. Arlene blanches when she sees her mother standing in the doorway. Carrie tells Arlene, "If it's time for the Lord to bring me home, let the time come." Arlene can only hold her mother and cry. Can Cal Survive? Cal wants to run away, to escape the pain she is enduring, but Eddie makes her see that it is not possible to run fast or hard enough to escape our memories. They must both, he says, stay in Rosehill and face what the future holds. Cal's first step is to return to work at the Free Clinic. Joe is delighted to see her and will do all he can to help her. One thing he suggests is dinner at Beaver Ridge, to show Rick, Meg, and Cal, herself, that she is a survivor. His plan backfires when Cal and Rick see each other across the room. Hastily, she begs Joe to take her home. He tries to tell her how much he cares for her, but Cal stops him. She likes Joe, but she still loves Rick. In spite of Jamie's cautions that he could lose everything by withdrawing from a partnership with Meg, Rick retorts that he has already lost everything -- of importance. Ray Slater, hovering on the outskirts like a hungry shark, attempts to play both ends against the middle by telling Rick he may be able to arrange financing if Rick needs it, and in the next breath telling Meg he may be able to keep her informed of Rick's activities, for a price. After Rick tells her he never wants to see her again, Meg is interested in Ray's proposal. Carrie obstinately refuses to return to the hospital in spite of Tom's pleas and arguments that it would not be fair to Arlene. He arranges medication for her through the Free Clinic. At long last, Arlene has good luck on her side. She gets a job selling cosmetics in Rosehill's most exclusive department store.

the 'Love of Life' theme Lynn Henderson, the teenage runaway alcoholic is, like a lemming, rushing to destroy herself. She is desperate to be home with her mother, but her mother can offer only good schools -- not a home. In the girl's pain and confusion of being rejected, she absconds with $40 of the clinic's money. With money she can completely ignore Joe's warning that the deterioration of a teen-ager from alcoholism is much faster and more drastic than for someone of greater maturity. Joe can only hope that she is found in time: he fears brain damage could result form another bender. Cal and Rick are each alone, each unutterably miserable. Cal accepts, but does not entirely believe Rick's story that he and Barbara plan to reunite -- for Hank's sake. Cal asks a dumbfounded Van for some word about Barbara. Van, distressed over the possible return to Rosehill of her nemesis, rushes to ask Rick if it is so. When she learns, to her relief, that is not, that it was the first plausible excuse Rick could come up to break off with Cal but still hurt her the least, Van can only ask: how did he hope to keep this lying up? Rick has no ready answer, but Van does realize the depth of his love for Cal. A Self Portrait Cal finds no comfort in Meg's efforts to console her. Without realizing it, Meg, with her statements to her daughter, paints -- with her words -- a self-portrait, a study in loneliness and bitterness when she tells Cal that it is not as though she were an older woman with all her chances running out. Carrie is so worried about the mounting hospital bill that she attempts to leave. Joe and Tom try to convince her that the hospital is the only place for her right now. Arlene is also concerned about her mother's medical bills and she may be forced to take -- against her wishes and common sense -- the job with Ray Slater, after all. Ray calls on Rick with the same proposal he made to Meg. When Rick also sneeringly turns him down, Ray becomes nasty and, promising to warm things up for Rick, he leaves. Ben's desperate wish to see Betsy comes true. To his astonishment, she comes to say good-bye before he is transferred to prison. It is clear, when Betsy and Ben have their last meeting, that their love for one another is deep and lasting and futile. She can see that he has changed, but there can never be anything more between them. He knows it is too late, but he asks her to tell the baby, someday, that his father wanted to welcome him into the world. Goodbye is etched into their hearts by the tears they shed privately. Other Tears, Other Sorrows Cal and Rick are also beset by tears. Rick is being cleverly maneuvered by Meg into signing a "contingency" agreement before she will ante up her share of the money for the Schuyler Mountain project. Jamie advises Rick that this particular agreement has some very sticky ramifications and, knowing Meg, these must be taken into account. She could legally pull out, leaving him with full fiscal responsibility. So that if Rick were ever to THINK of Cal, in effect, he would lose everything else. As Rick says to Meg, he wonders if ambition is worth the cost. Cal sees little Hank in Charles's bookstore and mentions his mother's return. Hank, of course, knows nothing because there is nothing, but he is thrilled at the prospect of his mother's coming home to him. From the boy's reaction, Cal realizes that something is afoot and she decides to confront Rick, who, backed into a corner, tells her that as far as they are concerned, it is over, finished. "It just has to be," Rick cries out. With tears in her voice, but not her eyes, Cal replies that it won't happen again. She leaves his office, perhaps his life, forever. Ben pleads with Eddie to look after Cal carefully. Eddie is only mildly shocked at the confirmation by Ben of his suspicions of an affair between Meg and Rick. Ben is of the opinion that the affair is not "past" for Meg, although he feels it is for Rick. Eddie decides to postpone his trip and remain in Rosehill. Cal, he realizes, needs her father. Ray is attempting to tangle Arlene in a web of gratitude. She is unable, because of her record, to get a job. He offers to lend her the money she will need for her mother's medical bills. The interest he charges is total possession. Can Arlene pay that -- when she still loves Ben, even though she has no hope of ever getting him back? Meeting accidentally at Beaver Ridge, Tom and Arlene find themselves mutually attracted until Meg puts a stop to it by drawing Tom aside to let him know that Arlene is Ben's ex-wife. He is shocked, because hew as not expecting the arch-villainess in the piece to be so warm and vulnerable. The next day, Arlene asks Tom if he is sure that he can treat her mother, knowing now who she is. He admits he considered the question himself, but he points out to her that he is uniquely qualified by his training to care for Carrie. He feels he is needed; however, he will let Arlene decide. Will her cynicism force her to make a faulty decision herself? Ray Slater's life is built on the promise that he makes no errors in judgments. When Arlene comes to tell him she needs the job he offered her, the job is, regrettably filled; he reminds her how deeply in debt she is to him. Arlene's back is against the wall now. Precisely where Ray wants it. Meg is heartbroken, at least as far as she is capable, when Ben requests to be sent to prison a few days early. For once, her manipulations fail her and she weeps at the prospect of Ben sitting and stifling in prison. He, on the other hand, looks forward to it (as much as one can) as a means of really making something of himself, an endeavor sadly neglected until now. A Gambler Takes a Chance Against Jamie's advice, and despite Meg's position of seeming strength in the matter of the contingency agreement for Schuyler Mountain, Rick goes ahead. He makes the deal with Meg, explaining in no uncertain terms that their agreement is a business deal. Picking up the phone, she smugly calls her bank to arrange the transfer of money. She feels she has won, but Rick obviously has something up his sleeve. "Come, Fly with Me" What Rick has up his sleeve is his overpowering love for Cal. They cannot live apart and -- to Cal's everlasting joy -- he comes to her. And, taking her in his arms and engulfing her with kisses, he tells her he has figured out a way to outsmart Meg. They will force Meg to accept a fait accompli -- or risk another public scandal. They will elope. Lynn takes her first real step toward recovery when she shows up on Van's doorstep. Carrie trusts Tom and she wants him to remain on the case. When Arlene learns that an operation for Carrie will cost in the five-figure range, she takes a deep breath and tells Tom she will find a way to pay for the best surgeon there is. Di makes Jamie face the reality that their love is now past. She asks his forgiveness, saying she "used" him to make a last grab for romance, for motherhood. Jamie does not want to let her go, but she convinces him that their beautiful memories are all that they can share now. When she leaves, Jamie is struck forcibly with the realization that he needs to be needed; he chastises himself for being selfish, for using Di to build up his own strength. Betsy, seeing his unhappiness, asks to be allowed to help him -- as he helped her. When he remarks that everything is pointless, with Di gone, Betsy knows exactly what he means. She has been there. At Van's urging, Lynn faces a disciplinary meeting at Halfway House, but the committee turns thumbs down because Lynn will not admit to being an alcoholic. She is really at the bottom now, but she is afraid of hurting Van -- as she feels she has hurt everyone who has ever been kind to her -- so she does her best to rudely chase Van off. She will not succeed, because Van is beginning to realize just what the girl is doing. Charles may be forced to get help from the outside. Sara dropped by the house and found Felicia prostrate on the floor; the wise lady does not buy Felicia's story that she feels fine now, nor does she allow Charles to. Sara forces him to call the doctor and the nurses' registry, as well. A Lost Chance Rick and Cal plan to leave in the afternoon for Las Vegas, where they will marry and honeymoon, but their departure becomes entangled in the complications of...fate? Between a call from Jamie telling Rick that he must sign some important papers right away, plus other difficulties -- mainly Meg, Rick will not get to Cal's apartment at 5 p.m. Between Ray's remarks of seeing Rick with a beautiful young woman, Hank's slips of the tongue and Rick's sudden, unannounced weekend trip, Meg puts two and two together. She hastens to Rick's apartment to confront him and tells him that now it is time for Cal to know all about Rick's past -- with her mother.

the 'Love of Life' theme When Ben and Arlene are formally charged, they are at odds and so are their mothers; but the shock is too much for Carrie, she collapses and is rushed to the hospital. Arlene is understandably bitter when Ben is released on bail (Meg and her money come in handy) but Ray Slater comes forward, promising Arlene he will do all that he can to help her. Meg hits upon the perfect defense strategy for Ben. She has managed to retain Mark Belder, the famous lawyer, to defend Ben (despite her son's wishes to the contrary). Diminished responsibility is the plea she decides will get him off. Right or wrong, Meg is determined to save Ben -- even from himself. Cal faces turmoil on many fronts. Her concern for Ben, for Betsy, and her growing fear that something is going wrong with her involvement with Rick. Joe tries to comfort her, Meg warns her that she is a romantic -- and they are always hurt by the world. Rick, in his way, tries to warn her about himself but she pays no heed. Rick's Dilemma Rick is on the horns of a dilemma: does he want to be Cal's husband, Meg's lover (with its rewards and strings)... or neither? He honestly doesn't know, but how he wishes he did. Betsy moves into the riverhouse despite its memories and she accepts Jamie's offer of a job. Ben comes to see her there. She rebuffs him, but he pledges his love and his desire to do what she wants him to do. Later, Ben tells Cal that if Betsy would take him back, he would plead insanity and let Belder get him off, but now he wants to learn if he can depend on himself. He knows he can always depend on the family. Meg is not so taken with Ben's problems that she is blind to the threat posed in her campaign to have Rick for herself. She sets in train a strategy to try to wear Cal down: she refers to Cal's "crush" on Rick, and older man. Charles chooses to belittle Joe, making snide remarks about his doctor and referring toh is advice as two-bit psychology, accusing Joe of trying to strip away his few remaining pleasures. On Charles's insistence, he and Felicia go to see Eddie Aleata. As she looks at Eddie, Felicia's face betrays the stirring of longing she feels. Charles is quite upset when he looks at her. Felicia's New Love? When Charles reminds Felicia that she once said she was ready to be a full woman, a full wife, but now... he cannot satisfy her needs, Felicia hastily demurs, saying that the intimate part of her life is not important to her; Charles is happy to believe her. She fails in her attempt to paint out her frustrations and is horrified to find herself sketching Eddie; worse, when she looks in the mirror she sees herself as withering away and undesirable. Her inner voice reminds her of Eddie, Eddie. ...She may be able to deceive Charles, but how much longer can she deceive herself? Arlene's Revenge Ray Slater arranges Arlene's $6,000 bail -- for a price -- but not before insuring that she will be good and grateful. The price is not cheap: it never is with the Rays of this world. Temporarily free, Arlene hastens to her mother's bedside and soon Ray arrives, too. Carrie neither likes nor trusts her daughter's benefactor, but she agrees with him that Arlene should "cop a plea." Arlene wants to fight, to make sure she isn't left holding the bag for Ben if he goes free, but for Carrie's sake, she agrees. At a meeting with the court's representative who will make recommendations to the judge, Arlene (who can imagine nothing worse than jail) drops a bombshell: Ben's divorce papers were forgeries, she says. Rick's dilemma may be forcibly solved for him. Meg, crying out how much she has been hurt by him, gives him an ultimatum: either he breaks off with Cal immediately, or she will tell Cal about their affair. Rick does not take kindly to her threats, but he is quite neatly boxed in by them. Ben begs Betsy to accept all the money he had earned working for Sara, nothing he offers her comes from Meg. Betsy's efforts to steel herself against him are about to dissolve under the onslaught of his persistence when his chances are destroyed in one fell swoop: she is asked to testify in Ben's behalf and suspects trickery. Poor Ben must face his sentencing without hope of getting Betsy back. Ben a Man at Last Almost as a last request, Ben asks Cal to tell Betsy for him how much he loves her. Before being sentenced, Ben addresses the bench. He forfeits all chance for an appeal when he accepts full responsibility for what happened, and he apologizes to Arlene, begging the court to let her go free. Meg is horrified, and Betsy heartbroken, when the judge pronounces sentence: Ben will have to serve from one to four years in prison; Arlene is given six months' probation. Joe Cusack suspects that Carrie's illness may be caused by a weakened aorta, although it is too soon to be certain. Arlene is, of course, quite worried about her mother, and she blames herself for causing Carrie so much concern. Carrie knows her daughter, and she confides in Jamie that, although Arlene has a lot of spunk, she is not as tough as she pretends -- what she needs is to be loved and cared for. Deep down, Carrie feels she has not much longer to live and she asks Jamie to make her will. She wants to make sure that Arlene will receive what little she has. Ray Slater expects his payment for helping Arlene. When she rebuffs his advances, he is at first angry, but then he tells her he can wait. For something he really wants, he can be very patient. What Price Freedom? Arlene chafes at the strictures placed on her by the probation officer. Carrie reminds her that she should be grateful for probation; but Arlene feels that the price for it is too high. They both get very excited during this talk and Arlene is horrified to see Carrie have an attack. Felicia's and Eddie's mutual joy over some tapestry reproductions excludes Charles, to his displeasure. The tapestry of their lives is becoming more intricate, more interwoven, even though Eddie silently tells himself not to be a fool: Felicia and he can share the beauties of art -- and that is all. Meg pulls no punches in her effort to break up Rick and Cal: he breaks off with her daughter or the money for Schuyler Mountain will not be forthcoming. He mentions to Arlene that tonight he must do the hardest thing he has ever done in his life. When Cal comes to the club to tell him she will not allow her mother to interfere in her life, Rick forestalls her, saying there is something he has to tell her. Hearts are Broken When it comes to the point, Rick is not a match for Meg. She holds all the aces. He breaks off with Cal, who is devastated by his announcement, but she will not give up: someday Rick will come back because he still loves her, as she loves him. Rick, for his part is not pleased by a visit from Meg. Has she come to gloat? He loathes her for what she forced him to do. Meg is not glorious in victory. She has lost her children... and now Rick is the only thing left that she does want, and she has not the strength to bear another failure, another loss. Eddie wants to take Cal away from Rosehill for a while. A cruise on the Ariadne would help lift her spirits. His own spirits would do with some lifting. He and Felicia can no longer pretend there is no great attraction between them, drawing them ultimately toward what involvement? They have one beautiful moment of complete understanding. It will not be easy, but they must end before they have begun. At Tom's insistence, Betsy calls their parents, in England. She will got to visit them for a while, but she fully intends to return to Rosehill for the birth of her baby. The baby is of prime importance to others besides Betsy. Ben feels, no matter what rights he may have forfeited, that the baby will always be his; he asks Sara to protect Betsy and the baby from whatever plot Meg may come up with to gain control of them. Betsy Will Fight At the same time, Betsy is facing up to Meg. Meg's offer of her home and the best medical care available, are of course declined by Betsy. Meg then threatens Betsy with legal action if the young woman attempts to wipe out the baby's true heritage. If Meg wants a fight, she may well be very surprised. Betsy will give her a fight, alright, a fight she says Meg will never forget -- if she dares even think about Betsy's baby. Betsy has changed: she is now a woman to be reckoned with in her own right. Ray Slater offers a job to Arlene and the only payment he wants is for her to love him the way she loved Ben. Ray then offers to buy into the Schuyler Mountain project, to Meg's surprise. At her refusal, he smiles and tells her never to say never.

the 'Love of Life' theme On this day in Rosehill, two doors slam: Ben slams Arlene's car door saying he can't run away with her, he loves his wife; Arlene slams the Hart's front door lashing out at Betsy: "Ben is my husband, not yours. We've been married for three years; you never were his wife." Betsy looks at Arlene in amazement and shouts: "You're lying. You're crazy, that can't be true." "It's true, sweetie," Arlene continues bitterly, "And it's about time you knew." Betsy's searching and pained eyes are still trying to discern whether what Arlene says is the truth when Ben walks in the door. Betsy runs into his arms and cries: "Arlene has been saying terrible things about you; tell me they're not true." Ben observes his wife's shaken state and realizes he owes her the truth. He takes Betsy aside and tells her the whole sorry tale. Ben couldn't have hurt her more if he had taken a butcher's knife and plunged it into her chest. Betsy runs to her room, crying in pain. Ben's guts are twisted into a knot, his eyes fight to hold back the tears; he realizes he may have lost the best thing that has ever happened in his life. He runs after Betsy and corners her in the bedroom. Ben tries to touch her, but she recoils in disgust. Her tear-streaked face speaks of the pain he has just caused her. Betsy tells Ben that as soon as her brother Tom arrives, she's going to leave this house. She never wants to see him again. Ben declares his love for her and begs her to stay, but in Betsy's eyes Ben has already showed his true colors and these declarations of love fall on deaf ears. Felicia's new life with her husband brings back memories of a childhood spend caring for her invalid father. She's trying to remain strong for Charles, but the strain is beginning to show. Charles observes these cracks in her facade and worries that he may be placing too big a load on her shoulders. This is a frustrating realization, for he already knows he'll always have to rely on her for some things. Cal is still getting flak about Rick from Eddie and Van. Both of them feels he's not the right sort of man for her. He's been involved with a lot of women and Cal is just too innocent to handle him. Cal tells them, in no uncertain terms, that it's her life -- and her love -- and to please stay out of it. Betsy's World Crumbles Betsy's whole world has gone into a tailspin. Her romanticized vision of the perfect love and marriage has been shattered like priceless stained glass. She sits in Cal's apartment trying -- unsuccessfully -- to put the pieces back together. Her friends and family rally around, attempting to nursemaid her back to emotional health; but it does very little good. Betsy is too wrapped up in her cocoon of grief to respond to their kindness. The crude and callow cad (?) who did this to Rosehill's Pollyana is also suffering greatly for his sins. Ben desperately wants his wife and baby back. He's using every emotional ploy in the book to try to convince Betsy that he loves her; but it's all in vain. It's like the iceberg meeting the Titanic. Betsy's icy demeanor sinks all chances of Ben's ploys succeeding -- even when he shows Betsy some real divorce papers (Ben flew down to Haiti and got a divorce from Arlene), it does little to crack the ice. Wallowing in his grief and agony, Ben's now a man to be pitied. Ben's Troubles Increase Ben may be in for more than emotional grief if Jamie has his way. Jamie tells Meg he wants to prosecute Ben to the full extent of the law. He wants her darling son to pay for his actions. Jamie goes to see Betsy and asks her to sign a statement of the facts of the case. Betsy declines, saying she's not interested in vengeance; she doesn't want anything to do with Ben. Jamie's not about to take no for an answer. He leaves the statement with he saying: "Think about it Betsy. This isn't vengeance; it's justice. Don't you want Ben to pay for what he's done?" Ray walks into the bar at Beaver Ridge. He spies Arlene sitting alone and in his usual gentlemanly manner, plops right down in the seat next to hers. Arlene tells him to get lost. Ray develops an immediate case of deafness and the words don't penetrate. He sees the distraught state Arlene's in and seizes upon the opportunity to make his move. Despite the repugnance she feels when she looks at this oily gent, Arlene responds a bit. Her need to talk -- or spew venom -- wins over any disgust she may be feeling. Stretched to Her Breaking Point Betsy is being pressured by Jamie to sign a complaint against Ben -- an action which could result in Ben's imprisonment. In her pain and confusion, she cannot feel joy at the first movements of her baby. In anguish, she goes to see Dr. Albertson, telling her she does not want the baby. The doctor manages to calm her down, reminding her that no matter what the state of things with the baby's father, Betsy's love for the baby is just as real as the baby itself. Don't, pleads Dr. Albertson, make the baby pay for the pain his father has caused. Calmer now, Betsy goes home feeling able to cope somehow with the things she must face. Van rushes to smooth the waters until Betsy is calmer. Although she agrees with Bruce, that Ben probably deserves it, what purpose would it serve to have him put in prison? And how would Meg react? Van is further distressed by this situation when she learns that Rick knew all along about Ben's deception; with Rick and Cal so deeply involved, Van is concerned about the kind of man Rick is -- how can he help but, eventually hurt Cal? Ben, busy packing a bag to leave Rosehill, will not be stopped, even by Meg. He almost wishes, he tells her, that Betsy would sign the complaint. Ignoring Meg's pleas that she will, somehow, get Betsy back for him, Ben replies that this time she can't buy an out for him. It is time he grew up and became a man, and maybe then Betsy would return to him. Desperate, Meg goes to Betsy to beg her not to sign the paper and to offer a substantial trust fund for the baby. Once again she is coldly rebuffed. Betsy will not allow Meg's money to destroy her baby the way it destroyed Ben. Feeling Utterly Deserted Meg tells Rick that she wants out of the new project because she doesn't want Rick destroyed too, with her money. He is frantic, because this project is, to him, the answer to all his dreams, but philosophically he suggests they forget it for now and have a drink. Van's, as well as Eddie's, fears for Cal's happiness seem very well founded when, well into their cups, Rick and Meg embrace quite passionately. He seems to have forgotten that he is secretly engaged to Cal and that he has given his word to Van that he would never, intentionally, hurt Cal. Rick may be getting more than he bargains for when he says "go" to the Schuyler Mountain project. Meg will provide the financial backing -- without, she says, strings. He hopes she means it when she assures him that it is not a trade-off for their night together. Cal Losing Out? He asks himself what he has done, and when Cal arrives at the club, he is so preoccupied that he calls it short. Meg, standing unseen in the background, smiles when she hears Rick tell Cal not to mention their secret engagement to anyone. Jamie tells the District Attorney about Ben's bigamy. The D.A. begins an investigation into the matter. Compelled by honor, Bruce hands over a letter he secured from Betsy. In the letter, Ben admitted to Betsy that he was already married to Arlene. Bruce is fearful that his action will destroy the new family feeling -- the only good thing arising from this mess. He is right, at least as far as Meg is concerned. She will never forgive him. Her first move is to attempt to get Ben to leave the country. He says no. Her second is to get him a lawyer. At a meeting called at the D.A.'s office, Arlene, under subpoena, tries to stonewall the D.A. when he asks her about the bigamy; she is forestalled by her mother, who begs Arlene to be truthful. Horrified when she sees the damning letter, Arlene cannot understand how Betsy could supply the evidence against the father of her unborn child. After talking to his grandmother and Eddie Aleata, Ben takes heed of their heartfelt advice not to run away this time, to face up to the consequences of his actions and prepare the way for a kind of rebirth: to become a man. Ben Faces the Music To the surprise of everyone present in the D.A.'s office, especially the three important women in his life -- Betsy, Arlene, and Meg -- Ben walks into the meeting. He admits writing the letter and states that what it says is true. When formally charged, Ben calmly says that he has got a long way to go to make up for what he has done, but he regards this as a good start. Felicia, overwrought by her intense caring to Charles, finally has the beginning of a breakdown. Joe firmly tells her she must have some rest and orders to hire a nurse. Felicia looks worried at the announcement, and Charles's face mirrors displeasure.