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Matt

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  1. Matt
    Feeling more like her old self again, Meg informs Tom that she's having her lawyer pursue the malpractice suit. Tom expresses his disappointment and asks Meg to reconsider pressing charges against Liane. He reiterates that he cares deeply for Meg and wants to remain her friend. Tom can't understand why Meg is determined to destroy the career of a person who saved her life...

    When Tony presses Bambi to reset their wedding date, she points out that it would be very cruel of him to pull away from Kim. Tony insists Kim is strong enough to make peace with the fact that he's in love with Bambi. "You're the only woman I love, and I can't face a life without you by my side," he reaffirms. "Please let's set a wedding date...."

    Liane laments to Dr. Marriott that she's lost her self-confidence as a surgeon and wants to practice general medicine, rather than surgery. She's afraid of what would happen if she ever tried to operate on anyone again. "I just can't. I just can't," Liane sobs.

    ...Later that day, Maggie's (Liane's friend) little boy gets something stuck in his throat and can't catch his breath. Because there isn't enough time to get him to the hospital, Liane forgets her anxieties and performs an emergency tracheotomy on the child. After successfully completing the operation, Liane exclaims: "I did it! I really am a surgeon!" That evening, she telephones Dr. Marriott with the news that she's decided to return to Rosehill Hospital and resume her surgical residency there.

    The Masterplan...

    Commenting on how attractive and "special" Mia is, Elliott makes a pass at her. She pulls away and shouts that he should stop pretending he's attracted to her when he's really thinking of Betsy. "I'm sick of being a substitute for Betsy!" Mia complains. "Look where it got me with Ben!" Elliott admits it's true that he can't get his mind off Betsy. He figures the only way to get her back is to put Ben behind bars long enough for him (Elliott) to regain her affections. Elliott suggests that if Mia really wants Ben back, she should testify against him! After Ben is sent to prison, Elliott will arrange for him to be paroled early. Mia and Elliott seal their "masterplan" with a kiss....

    Much to Tom's surprise, Meg tells him she might have been wrong about Liane. Since destroying Liane would diminish Meg's own life, she's decided to drop the lawsuit. Meg claims she is doing it for Tom, as she wants to marry him! Meg points out that Liane will have her career, and she (Meg) will have Tom! Though Meg is aware that Tom doesn't love her the way she loves him, she's willing to settle for "friendship." Playing on Tom's guilt, Meg explains that she needs him -- he's the only reason she wants to go on living. "I'll be good for you," Meg adds. "We can make a life together."

    Betsy, obsessed with the accident, has a frightening nightmare during which she screams that what happened is all Mia's fault. When Carrie tries to calm her, Betsy thinks that Carrie is Mia! Unable to stand the sight of Carrie, Betsy shouts for her to leave the room. After injecting Betsy with a sedative, Paul tells Tom that she's suffering from aftershock; her condition is getting worse. Every day, Betsy grows more agitated....

    Anxious to wed Tom, Meg presses him for an answer to her proposal. "You're the most important thing in my life," she utters. Meg resolves to make Tom love her if he agrees to marry her.

    Optimistic about the future, Meg announces to Ben that she wants to make the best of a bad situation (her paralysis) by starting a physical therapy program. When Meg declares Tom is going to marry her, Ben becomes infuriated.

    Ben bursts into Tom's office and demands to know why he's planning to wed Meg. "What's in it for you?" Ben angrily asks. Tom replies he cares deeply for Meg and wants to make her happy. Ben accuses Tom of wanting to marry Meg because he feels guilty for pushing her down the stairs! Their tempers flaring, Ben and Tom get into a punching match. When they both realize how ridiculous it is for them to be fighting, they apologize to each other.

    To make certain Tom will marry her, Meg offers to drop the lawsuit as a wedding present. Because he loves Liane and wants to spare her the humiliation of a court battle, Tom agrees to marry Meg! "You're making me very happy," she exclaims.

    Liane returns to Rosehill Hospital and is given a warm welcome by her co-workers.

    At Ben's hearing, a fisherman, Mr. Wilbur, testifies that he saw Ben and Betsy arguing in the boat. While Ben was shouting at Betsy, the fisherman says, he was holding an oar over his head, and it looked as though he was going to hit her with it! Mr. Wilbur elaborates that he heard a scream, and the next thing he knew, the boat overturned. The judge announces that Elliott's evidence is more than sufficient for Ben's case to go to trial. Ben, who's been praying the case would be dropped, is enraged.

    Elation

    After apologizing for not getting in touch with her while she was in Lockridge, Tom tells Liane that Meg's dropping the lawsuit. Liane is elated -- this news is much more than she'd hoped for.

    The next day, Liane, unable to really believe that Meg's decided to drop the malpractice suit, asks Tom if he's sure he is not holding back anything about Meg's change of heart. Tom responds he'd rather not spoil Liane's delight over being back in Rosehill by discussing anything serious....

    Paul notifies Arlene that she's pregnant! Arlene jumps for joy and can hardly wait to tell Ray the good news.

    Determined to endear herself to Tom, Meg sends him a centrifuge for his cardiovascular research project. When Meg later stops by Tom's lab, she apprises him that if he doesn't wed her soon, she'll revive the lawsuit. Tom reassures Meg he'll make her his wife, but she's got to give him time to work things out with Liane....

    Mia explains to Wesley she's testifying against Ben at his trial because she loves him! Mia believes the only way she can get Ben back would be to cause, with Elliott's help, a permanent rift between Ben and Betsy....

    Ben tries to help Betsy recall the accident. When he mentions the snake, she gets hysterical and shouts: "No, there wasn't any snake! I don't remember a snake!" All Betsy recalls is Ben holding an oar over her head before the boat capsized.

    Meg attempts to bribe Mia into changing her mind about testifying, but Mia turns Meg down, refusing to be "bought."

    Tom and Liane make love; the next morning, he asks her to marry him right away. Tom now realizes he loves Liane too much to give her up to wed Meg. Liane tells Tom she can't get married until she finishes her residency -- in five years.

    After meg finds out Tom spent an evening with Liane, she bawls him out, saying she can't trust him. Tom counters he's been honest with Meg all along: he loves Liane. Although Tom doesn't love Meg, he promises he'll do everything he can to make her happy, should they marry. Meg points out she has the time and the money to make Tom a leader in his field -- Liane can't do that for him.

    Since Ray had urged her to have a baby, Arlene expected him to be ecstatic to learn she's pregnant. Instead, Ray says he's uncertain it's the right time for her to have a baby. Ray explains he thinks Arlene isn't strong enough, having recently suffered through the ordeal in the mountain cabin... Is Ray really afraid the child is Hal Carson's?

    Because he needs a deposition from Betsy, Elliott grills her about the accident. Betsy reveals she ran out of the lake house because she was angry with Ben. They rowed out on the lake. Although she'd like to remember the snake, Betsy can't recall Ben trying to kill it when it crawled on her. Talking about the accident causes Betsy to become hysterical again, so Dr. Marriott orders Elliott to leave her alone, as she's in no condition to be interrogated.

    Mia swears to Ben that she never meant to hurt Betsy -- what happened is going to haunt her (Mia) the rest of her life. Furthermore, Mia insists Ben and Betsy were never meant to be together, for Betsy can't satisfy him the way she (Mia) does! And, Mia continues, Betsy can't make Ben happy. Ben retorts he despises Mia for what she did -- she's a manipulator. Mia counters she loves Ben -- everything she did was for him. When she offers to help Ben at his trial, he demands that she stay out of his life once and for all!

    Bruce asks Elliott to postpone Ben's trial, but Elliott adamantly refuses, more determined than ever to do Ben in. Later that day, Elliott stops by Mia's office and tells her Betsy doesn't remember the snake. Noticing that Mia's crumpling several pieces of torn paper in her hand, Elliott inquires what they are. Mia reveals that it's the check with which Meg tried to bribe her into not testifying. Seeing the check as potentially explosive courtroom evidence, Elliott pastes it together. "Another nail in Ben's coffin," he snidely remarks.

    "Oh, no, it's happening!" Meg exclaims. For the first time since the brain operation, she ahs feeling and movement in her left leg. The following day, Meg has movement in both legs.

    Tran's foster parents show up in Rosehill, worrying Kim that they might try to take her little boy away....

    Arlene, upset that Ray's been brooding the last few days, presses him to tell her what's bothering him. Ray admits he'd been thinking about Arlene and Hal together in the mountain shack. He wonders how things really were: what did Arlene think about... what were her feelings? Arlene recounts how tired, scared, and hungry she was, but Hal kept her going. She adds that they became very close and shared their deepest feelings. Arlene points out that Ray should be grateful to Hal -- if it hadn't been for him, she wouldn't be alive today....

    Liane apologizes to Tom for taking his marriage proposal so lightly. She explains that if she married Tom, her heart wouldn't be totally in her work, and she's committed to being a top-notch surgeon. Liane fears her work would keep her so busy she wouldn't be there for Tom when he needed her.

  2. Matt
    Betsy tells Tom she overheard her doctors discussing that she can't have any more children and begs him to let her know if it's true. Since Betsy's weak and emotionally drained, Tom refuses to discuss it with her.

    When Joel urges Amy to enlighten Bruce about being his illegitimate daughter, Amy reveals that Bruce abandoned her mother when she was pregnant because he wanted to pursue his law career. "I'm going to make him pay for what he did," she vows.

    ...During a break in the office routine, Bruce tells Amy, his secretary, that before he married Van, he had a son and a daughter, Alan and Barbara.

    Elliott asks Mia to testify against Ben at his trial for manslaughter and intent to commit murder. A revengeful gleam in her eyes, Mia affirms: "Ben deserves everything a jury can pin on him. I want to see him suffer as much as he made me suffer!"

    Worried that Elliott will cause Betsy further grief by pressing charges against Ben, Tom pleads with him to drop his vindictive plans. Elliott retorts that he won't let the man responsible for "murdering" Betsy's unborn child go unpunished: "I'm not playing a game -- I intend to prove my charges against Ben!"

    At the arraignment, Elliott announces that Ben has a violent nature and should be locked behind bars because he's a threat to society! Seething with hatred towards Elliott, Ben grabs him and shouts: "Why don't you tell them what you did (Elliott raped Betsy) to Betsy?" The judge holds Ben in contempt of court for his outburst and sends him back to jail, denying him bail.

    Kim and Tony return to Rosehill with their young son, Tran. Tony informs Bambi that he's letting Kim and Tran live in his apartment until they find a place of their own. In the meantime, Tony will be staying at a nearby inn.

    Found!

    Ray and a rescuer spot smoke coming from a mountain shack and, hoping that Hal and Arlene are inside, they head for it. When they reach the shack, a recluse opens the door. After Ray and the rescuer explain about the plane crash, the recluse agrees to take them to another shack in the area, to check if Hal and Arlene might have taken refuge there. When they arrive at the cabin, they find Hal and Arlene weak from hunger and cold. They're taken to Rosehill Hospital.

    Bruce arranges for a new judge to preside over Ben's hearing and also gets him out of jail on bail.

    Meg, intent on destroying Liane's medical career, hires a lawyer, Mr. Lewin. He assures Meg that she has sufficient evidence to sue not just Liane, but the hospital, too. Mr. Lewin advises Meg to have an examination by a neurosurgeon from another hospital....

    When Tom learns what Meg's planning to do to Liane, he begs her to reconsider. Meg bluntly refuses. "I know you're more sensitive, honest, and good than most people see. I just can't believe you'd ruin Liane's life and career, but maybe I'm wrong. You're not at all like the Mg I knew and cared about so much...." Meg thinks Tom's trying to con her into changing her mind about suing Liane, and says: "Nice try, Tom..."

    Wanting to avoid daily contact with Mia, Ben quits his job at Views magazine. When Mia offers to help Ben get out of trouble, he tells her she's the cause of the charges against him! "I stopped loving you a long time ago, Mia. There's nothing left between us," Ben adds. Mia cries that she loved him and he can't erase their relationship.

    Since there haven't been any job openings recently at Rosehill Hospital, Wes asks Ray if he can re-open the disco room at Beaver Ridge. Though at first Ray's reluctant to hire Wes because of what happened with Gina last summer, he later has a change of heart and offers Wes a job as disc jockey.

    Betsy, still weak, murmurs to Ben that the accident happened because they were never meant to be a couple...and now she can't even have anymore children. "I'm sorry about the baby," Ben says, "but we still have Suzanne..." Betsy sobs that since she's sterile she doesn't want to live! Ben begs Betsy to think only about getting well and promises her they will be together....

    Bruce informs Van that Betsy can't remember what happened at the lake because she's suffering form hysterical conversion...she's blocking out a painful memory. Later, Bruce tells Van he fears that without Betsy's testimony on Ben's behalf, he can't prevent Ben's case from going to trial....

    Before Meg is released from the hospital, Tom assures her he's going to do everything within his power to see that she has a full life. "You can keep your job...you can keep me. I want to be your good friend and make up for all the pain I've caused you," he says sincerely. "I care for you, Meg, and I want to take care of you. I don't want you to ruin Liane's life. You must drop the malpractice suit..." Tom believes that deep down Meg's not a vicious person and therefore wouldn't be able to live with the guilt she'd feel if she destroyed Liane's life and career.

    Liane Gets a Surprise

    Liane, who's out of town at her friend Maggie's house, is surprised to hear Dr. Marriott inform her that the hospital board of inquiry has voted her a commendation for saving Meg's life! Pointing out that Liane's not the type of person who runs away from trouble, Dr. Marriott urges her to return to Rosehill Hospital and fight Meg's lawsuit.

    When Bruce opens a letter Amy placed on his desk, he exclaims that it's like hearing from the "beyond" -- the letter is from a woman he knew a long time ago. "Just someone you knew, or my mother -- the woman you got pregnant and deserted?" Amy asks silently....

    At home, Bruce re-reads the letter from Amy's mother, Loretta King. She writes that she has a score to settle with Bruce because he had an affair with her in Nebraska in 1956 and then abandoned her. Loretta threatens to come to Rosehill and resolve things to her satisfaction...she's intent on paying Bruce back for walking out on her.

    Wes assures a despondent Mia that she's a "terrific lady," much too good for Ben. He advises Mia to forget Ben, for he doesn't deserve anyone as wonderful as she! Mia promises Wes she'll try to put Ben out of her mind... Can she do it?

    Dr. Marriott apprises Liane that if she doesn't come back to the hospital soon, she stands to lose her residence, as Dr. Tucker is having second thoughts about re-admitting her. "I want you to get back here!" he says. Liane declares that she's never returning.

    Liane reveals to her friend Maggie that she plans to stay in Lockridge and either set up her own practice or work in a clinic. Since Tom hasn't tried to contact her, Liane feels there's no reason for her to go back to Rosehill....

    Ben tells Dr. Marriott that he can't stand seeing Betsy so depressed and confused -- what's being done to help her? Dr. Marriott assures Ben that Betsy will be all right, but it's going to take time. Ben frets that she'll fall into a deep depression from which she'll never recover....

    Prof. McCauley, anxious to make Sarah his wife, again proposes to her. Much to his surprise, she finally says yes!

    Meg, home from the hospital, announces to Tom that she can imagine being happy again and has asked her lawyer to hold off on the malpractice suit for now. Breathing a sigh of relief, Tom says he loves being with Meg...talking to her...discussing his work with her....

    Tony begs Bambi to reset their wedding date. He reaffirms his love for her and assures her they can have a good life together if she'll just give him the chance to prove it.

    Paul informs Ray that although Arlene is basically all right, she does have anemia and a hormonal imbalance. Also, since her back was pretty badly shaken up when the plane crashed, Paul advises Ray to abstain from sexual relations with Arlene for at least two weeks...

    Because of all the tragedy surrounding them, Sarah and Prof. McCauley decide they need a little happiness in their future. With family and friends gathered around them, Sarah and the Prof. are wed.

    In Lockridge, Dr. Marriott orders Liane to return to Rosehill...she belongs there, he points out, and she's needed. Liane insists she's going to remain in Lockridge and work in a small clinic.

    Betsy is finally out of intensive care, but she remains weak and tired. Sitting by her bedside, Ben assures Betsy there's nothing wrong with her that his love can't cure. He blames himself for the accident and promises he'll make up for the pain he's caused her. "Please get well," Ben whispers. After Betsy falls asleep, Tom warns Ben that he can't count on any help from her at the trial -- talk of the accident could worsen Betsy's depression.

    Dr. Marriott mentions to Liane that if she returns to Rosehill, she has a good chance of winning the lawsuit, especially since the surgical review board exonerated her and voted her a commendation. Liane maintains she can't face a court battle that might drag on for months. Dr. Marriott remarks that Liane has become a "quitter" -- he doesn't understand it, as she used to be such a fighter... Finally, Liane confesses a big part of the reason she'd rather not live in Rosehill is that she can't forget Tom -- it hurts her deeply that he hasn't been in touch. Dr. Marriott assures Liane that Tom does care about her; he hasn't contacted her because he's been taking care of Betsy. Liane retorts that Betsy's out of intensive care, so Tom has no excuse for not calling. Liane reminds Dr. Marriott that Meg is determined to keep her away from Tom... it's no use going back to Rosehill as long as Meg's paralyzed. Because of Meg's vindictive nature, Liane believes she doesn't stand a chance with Tom. As far as Liane's concerned, her residency at Rosehill Hospital is also lost.

  3. Matt
    Ben, hoping to set things right between him and Betsy, begs her not to run off to England. "What happened to us?" he asks. "Why did we let so many unimportant things come between us? Betsy, I love you and I want us to be together always..." Betsy points out she's five months pregnant with Elliot's child, and that's hardly unimportant. She emphasizes that Ben can't love her and hate the baby she's carrying. Ben swears he doesn't hate the baby and is willing to accept Betsy's decision not to go through with the abortion. "I love you and the baby. Please give me a chance," Ben pleads. When Betsy mentions his recent affair with Mia, Ben insists it didn't mean anything to him -- Betsy's the only woman he loves and will ever love. Ben suggests that he and Betsy go up to Meg's cabin on the lake for a last try at planning a future together. Betsy agrees to spend a few days alone with him....

    When Elliot informs Mia that Ben and Betsy have gone up to the lake, Mia is devastated. "I can't believe it!" she screeches. "Ben never told me anything about it." If it's the last thing she ever does, Mia vows, she's going to get Ben back....

    While sitting in front of a glowing fireplace, Ben and Betsy resolve to put the past -- especially Mia and Elliot -- behind them and think only of the future from now on. Ben passionately kisses Betsy and asks her to marry him -- right away. She accepts his proposal, but tells Ben that they owe it to their families to notify them first before they get married.

    When Ben later tries making love to Betsy, he's reminded that she's carrying Elliot's child because he raped her. Ben loses his desire for intimacy with Betsy and begs her to understand that it's going to take him a while to get used to the idea of her pregnancy. "We have our whole lives to make love," Betsy says.

    Crash!

    While Ray is out of town for the afternoon, Hal invites Arlene to go flying with him. (Hal's a licensed pilot.) Arlene eagerly accepts the invitation. After a few hours of flying, Hal's plane develops engine trouble and crashes in a desolate wooded area in the mountains! Although Hal has badly hurt his leg, Arlene manages to pry him loose from the plane before it bursts into flames and explodes. The two take refuge under some trees, but a few moments later, it begins snowing heavily. How long can Hal and Arlene survive in the bitter cold without food and water?

    At Meg's bedside, Tom reiterates that he cares for her. Tom urges Meg to undergo physical therapy. "You've got to help yourself!" he says emphatically. Meg shouts that she won't start doing exercises because she doesn't want to associate with "a bunch of cripples" in the hospital's physical therapy program. She then accuses Tom of wanting her to recover only so she won't prosecute Liane. "She ruined my life, and I'm going to ruin hers," Meg screams. "I want her to suffer!"

    Ray, nearly at wits' end worrying why Arlene hasn't returned home, regrets pressing her to have another baby, instead of being content with just her and April. Furious that the search planes have been grounded because of heavy fog, Ray vows: "I'm going to find Arlene if I have to go up in a plane and look for her myself..."

    Meanwhile, Arlene finds a tree branch for Hal to use to support his injured leg so they can go for help. Hal blames himself for the crash... if only he hadn't tried to fly in the storm... if only the plane hadn't exploded. Arlene, ever understanding, assures Hal that the crash wasn't his fault.

    Despite the excruciating pain in his leg, Hal insists on moving to an area where he and Arlene might stand a better chance of being spotted by a rescue plane. "We'll come out of this alive," Hal promises. They soon discover a dilapidated mountain cabin and struggle toward it. When they safely reach the shack, Hal starts a fire inside to keep them warm. Her clothes soaking wet, Arlene develops chills, combined with a high fever. Hal undresses her and wraps her in an old blanket...

    In a vicious mood, Mia telephones Betsy at the cabin and sarcastically inquires how the "romantic reunion" between her and Ben is going. Mia mentions that she's surprised Ben didn't tell her that he was spending the weekend with Betsy, for they (Ben and Mia) are "very close." She also says she's introduced Ben to "creative lovemaking" and that he couldn't get enough of her in bed! "Ben and I have been practically living together," Mia continues. Pointing out what a virile man Ben is, Mia tells Betsy that she has too many "hang-ups" to satisfy him! Furthermore, she drones on, Ben hates the idea of Betsy carrying Elliot's baby and he'll never love the child. "Ben needed so much and I gave him everything I have," Mia adds, then demands, "Now may I speak to him?" Betsy calls Mia crude and disgusting, drops the phone, and dashes out of the cabin.

    Ben catches up with Betsy down by the lake and insists on taking her for a rowboat ride until she calms down. When Ben demands she tell him what Mia said, Betsy recounts that Mia gloated about her great sex life with him. Ben explains that Mia, because she has every reason to be vindictive, was trying to get at him through Betsy. Suddenly, Ben sees something in the boat and swings his oar. The boat overturns, dumping Ben and Betsy into the water! Two men fishing nearby witness the mishap and one photographs it....

    The fisherman help Ben pull an unconscious Betsy to shore. After she's rushed to Rosehill Hospital, the fisherman tell the local sheriff that Ben had been waving an oar and screaming at Betsy before the boat tipped over. They hint that the mishap might not have been an accident!

    ...At the hospital, Dr. Marriott informs a distraught Ben that Betsy has a hairline fracture of the skill -- apparently, she hit her head on the boat. "She's gotta make it," Ben pleads, "don't let her die..."

    Once Elliot learns that Betsy's been hurt, he storms into the hospital waiting room and attacks Ben! "I'll hold you personally responsible if anything happens to Betsy or my baby," Elliott threatens. "I'll make you pay if it's the last thing I do!"

    Betsy, barely conscious, goes into labor and aborts her baby, a boy.

    Bambi informs Paul that Kim and Tony have found Tran and are bringing him back to Rosehill. Though she's happy for Kim, Bambi fears that her relationship with Tony will come to a swift end now.

    When Arlene's fever dissipates, she regains some of her strength, but she's desperately hungry and cold. Arlene feels that if she and Hal don't get out of the cabin themselves, no one will find them and they'll die! Hal reassures Arlene that he won't let anything happen to her. "You do know how I feel about you, don't you?" he asks. Though Arlene says she doesn't want to hear it, Hal tells her that he's been in love with her ever since they first met in Des Moines. "Please let me love you, Arlene, please," Hal begs. He kisses her and she responds....

    Faithful to the End

    Arlene explains to Hal that she loves Ray and can't be unfaithful to him, even knowing that she and Hal may die soon. Hal replies that he'll settle for Arlene's respect if he can't have her love. "You'll always have that," she says.

    Mia tells Ben she's sorry about Betsy's accident. Angry with Mia for upsetting Betsy on the phone, Ben accuses her of causing the accident. Mia retorts: "I didn't force Betsy into the boat, I only told her the truth, that you and I were lovers -- something you didn't have the guts to do!" Furious, Ben shouts, "We were never lovers, Mia, just damned good bed partners!" After screaming that she hates Ben, Mia, orders him to get out of her life. She bursts into hysterical tears.

    When Betsy regains consciousness, Tom asks her what she remembers about the accident. Betsy recalls that she and Ben were arguing, but she can't remember why the boat tipped over.

    Meanwhile, Elliot contacts Mr. Wilber, the fisherman who photographed the accident, and asks him for the pictures he took that day. Although most of them are out of focus, there's one clear shot that shows Ben standing over Betsy's head with an oar in his hand... it looks as though he was about to bring it down on her head!

    While Ben's visiting Meg, a police sergeant informs him that Elliot has a warrant for his arrest, on charges of manslaughter and intent to commit murder! Ben is handcuffed and hauled into jail.

    Elliott, who's been sworn in as Rosehill's new D.A., lets Ben know that he intends to prove Ben tried to kill Betsy and deliberately caused the death of her unborn baby. "I love Betsy too much to try to hurt her," Ben shouts. Elliott declares that Ben hated the baby and wanted to destroy it. Ben retorts that Elliott has a sick mind, and furthermore, his motivation is jealousy -- Elliot can't stand the idea that Betsy left him to return to Ben. As far as Ben's concerned, Elliott will be laughed out of court as a jealous ex-husband carrying out a personal vendetta. Elliott counters that he has an "airtight" case, complete with witnesses, and suggests Ben had better get himself a good lawyer! "You'll need one," Elliott sneers.

    An Explanation

    Ben calls Bruce for legal help and explains what happened on the lake. ...The reason the boat tipped over, Ben says, was that he saw a huge black snake underneath Betsy's seat. When he lifted his oar to try to kill the snake, the boat overturned. "How can that be called manslaughter and attempted murder?" Ben screams. "I'm telling the truth -- that's the way it happened!"

    Ben repeats his story to Elliott, but he refuses to believe it. Elliott points out that he has photos as well as sworn statements from the fishermen, who'll testify that Ben and Betsy were having a heated argument before the accident. "I don't have any evidence of a snake underneath Betsy's seat," Elliott bellows. He then turns to the sergeant and orders him to book Ben!
  4. 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..."
  5. Matt
    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...
  6. Matt
    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?



  7. Matt
    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!
  8. Matt
    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.
  9. Matt
    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.
  10. Matt
    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.

  11. Matt
    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.
  12. Matt
    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.
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