EPISODE 4

 

EPISODE # 004

Created By: Casey S. Hutchison

Written By: Casey S. Hutchison

Air Date: Thursday September 5, 2024

-- PREVIOUS EPISODE AVAILABLE HERE --

Evening has set in upon the city of Hazelbrook. It’s a cooler evening, as the 80-degree temperature has definitely decreased significantly. Perhaps Fall is finally setting in.

At the Callahan Home, in the Kitchen, Frances slowly sits down, still visibly shaken from the call she received just a moment ago.

FRANCES: Malaki’s voice. Clear as day. But how is that possible? And the gunshots? How is all of this happening?

Frances sits for a moment, a blank expression falling upon her face. Emily then enters the room, with Frances spotting her right away.

FRANCES: Oh, my darling daughter.

Frances goes to Emily and hugs her tightly.

EMILY: (concerned) Mom…?

FRANCES: I’m so glad you’re here.

At Firefly Cafe, in the Main Area, Hudson is sitting at a table, looking through his Facebook notifications, and sipping on a soy milk latte, extra hot. As he turns his phone off, Imani enters the establishment. Her and Hudson lock eyes, but then she begins to turn away, heading for the door.

HUDSON: (quickly standing) Imani.

IMANI: (sighs) I just came here to look over a case, Hudson. But I’ll go somewhere else. Enjoy your coffee, and your evening.

HUDSON: Wait. Just wait. Won’t you give me just a few moments of your time? Please. Imani, I’m begging you here.

Imani and Hudson look deeply into one another’s eyes. Imani then begins to slowly walk towards Hudson. The two slowly sit down across from one another.

IMANI: I hope I don’t regret this.

At St. Raphael Hospital, in the Chief of Staff’s Office, Denise is sitting behind her desk, wearing a pair of reading glasses, and looking at the final roster schedule for the arrival of the new surgical interns, who begin next week. As she electronically signs off on the schedule, she takes her reading glasses off, and hears a knock at the door.

DENISE: (standing) Come in.

Clark enters the room, shutting the door once in the office. Denise then comes out from behind the desk and goes to Clark.

DENISE: Honey, what are you still doing here? I hope you weren’t waiting for me to sign off on the schedule for the interns. I mean, I just did. But it has taken me such a long time to look over it.

CLARK: No, no, I wasn’t waiting for you to sign off on it. I was actually just finishing a talk with a patient who undergoes back surgery tomorrow.

DENISE: Hunter Daniels. His fourth back surgery.

CLARK: Correct. He’s a regular at this point, and we know one another so well. So I just went ahead and gave him some positive vibes that he so desperately needed.

DENISE: You’re good at talking to people.

CLARK: Is that so?

DENISE: Yes.

CLARK: Then why were you talking to Edmund Callahan about something that appeared to be rather important, instead of me…your own husband?

DENISE: What are you talking about?

CLARK: I got a chance to get away from the hospital this morning. I decided that I needed an extra caffeine boost, so I went to The Bell Tower for a cup of coffee. But my eyes caught Edmund’s hand over your hand, as the two of you talked about something that looked rather emotional.

DENISE: (quietly) This can’t be happening.

CLARK: What is that supposed to mean?

DENISE: There’s something I need to tell you, I guess. And I hate that it couldn’t be kept secret for more than a day.

CLARK: You’ve been keeping a secret from me?

DENISE: Yes. Yes, I have, Clark.

At the Ramirez Home, in the Living Room, Antonio enters the room and spots Hector on the couch, reading a newspaper.

ANTONIO: Hey, dad.

HECTOR: Son, I didn’t know you were here.

Hector folds the newspaper, puts it on the coffee table, and then stands from the couch. Hector makes his way over to Antonio.

ANTONIO: Really? You didn’t hear my music blaring?

HECTOR: I think that after all these years, I’m immune to hearing it.

ANTONIO: I was playing one of mom’s favorite jazz pieces.

HECTOR: Miles Davis’s “So What,” I presume?

ANTONIO: Yeah. I’m not really a jazz guy, but mom loved jazz.

HECTOR: That she did. Miles Davis. Mary Lou Williams. Sarah Vaughan. Those were her absolute favorites. I’m glad that we still have her collection.

ANTONIO: It means the world to me.

HECTOR: Did you and Emily get to enjoy slices of hummingbird cake today?

ANTONIO: Yes. Our tradition continued. It made me feel at peace, dad.

HECTOR: Good. Well, I better head up the stairs and catch a shower. I got a workout earlier but didn’t have the energy to go up the stairs first thing.

ANTONIO: Mom always hated when you would sit on the couch like that.

HECTOR: I miss her coming after me for the small stuff. She fought to give us so much love and happiness in this home. She would work all those hours at the Callahan home, but then come here and clean, cook dinner…

ANTONIO: And always made time to read me a bedtime story.

HECTOR: She was a good mother.

ANTONIO: The best.

Hector smiles lovingly, and then walks off towards the stairs. Once up the stairs, Antonio notices Hector’s briefcase on the desk. He then turns around to make sure Hector is completely up the stairs. And once he hears the shower being turned on, he rushes up to Hector’s briefcase.

ANTONIO: Now how do I get into this thing?

Back at the Callahan Home, in the Kitchen, Emily and Frances sit across from one another at the kitchen island. Emily then hands Frances a cup of tea.

FRANCES: Thank you, sweetheart.

EMILY: Of course, mom. So, what has you so all out of sorts?

FRANCES: I’ve just been thinking so much about the incident.

EMILY: The brick through the window. The phone call you received. Yeah…it’s all pretty scary. I’m just so sorry that it’s getting to you in this way.

FRANCES: Don’t be. I have some heavy emotions to process. I’ve spent my whole life protecting this family. I used to have so much help when Maria was still with us, may God continue to rest her soul. But for so many years, I’ve been doing it alone. I’ve seen this family go through hardship after hardship. But never like this. I know there’s only been one incident, but I feel as though there’s a war on the horizon.

EMILY: What happened was very traumatic and scary. And it’s only been a day. No one is expecting anyone to get over it. I think you and Mrs. Callahan both have some insane emotions to process. And I just hope that the police catch whoever is behind this. And I hope it’s just one person.

FRANCES: It would be easier for the police to catch one person, rather than bring down a whole ring of criminal activity.

EMILY: Exactly.

FRANCES: How’s Antonio doing, by the way? I did take flowers to Maria’s grave earlier, and couldn’t get my mind off of Hector and his son.

EMILY: He’s doing alright. He’s doing better than I expected, actually. And of course we continued our cake tradition.

FRANCES: That’s good.

EMILY: And we’ll do it again in two months for dad’s birthday. I miss dad so much. Sometimes I just wish he was still alive, as well as Mrs. Ramirez for Antonio.

FRANCES: (softly/saddened) Malaki.

EMILY: What was that, mom?

FRANCES: I was just speaking your father’s name. I miss him, too. And I wish he was still here, as well, honey.

EMILY: He’s forever in our hearts, though.

FRANCES: Amen.

EMILY: Are you gonna be okay, mom?

FRANCES: I think so. This talk made me feel so much better. I can’t thank you enough for that. Anyway, why don’t you go upstairs and get washed up for dinner? I’ll bring you up a plate.

EMILY: Thanks.

FRANCES: Anytime.

Emily hugs her mother, and then walks off towards the foyer. Meanwhile, Frances picks up her cell phone from the counter, opens up her photo app, and selects a photo of her and Malaki.

FRANCES: (voice breaking) Oh my darling…

Frances then holds the phone close to her chest, as a few tears begin to well up in her eyes. She then wipes away some of the tears.

Back at Firefly Cafe, in the Main Area, Hudson takes a sip of his coffee.

HUDSON: Did you want anything? My treat.

IMANI: I’m alright, thanks.

HUDSON: Are you sure?

IMANI: One-hundred percent.

HUDSON: You look good.

IMANI: So do you.

HUDSON: I like your necklace.

IMANI: Thanks.

HUDSON: And…

IMANI: Hudson, what’s the point of all of this? What was the point of me sitting down here with you? Is there something you need to say to me? Or are you just going to continue to dish out compliments?

HUDSON: (clears throat) Putting me on the spot a little.

IMANI: I’m very busy these days.

HUDSON: I know.

IMANI: So what’s up?

HUDSON: I’m just glad you’re back in town. And honestly, I’ve had this speech worked out in my head for months upon months. But right now, I just can’t seem to find the right words. As crazy as it sounds, I just want to sit here and look at you. I miss staring into your beautiful eyes. I miss seeing your joyful smile. Hearing your infectious laugh. I just can’t seem to quit you, Imani. And I know I screwed up. I get that. But…

IMANI: But nothing, Hudson. Thank you for the kind words. And honestly, it’s good to see you again. Clean, I should say that. But we both know that in order to truly be clean and free, that you need to let go of the past. I’m your past. And I wish you would start thinking of me that way. Look, (voice breaking) I should go. I need to go, actually. I really need to get a jumpstart on reviewing this case. I’ll see you around.

Imani stands from the table, and so does Hudson.

HUDSON: Imani, wait.

IMANI: No. I’m not waiting this time, Hudson. Goodnight.

A heartbroken Hudson watches on as Imani exits the establishment.

Back at the Ramirez Home, in the Living Room, Antonio takes the briefcase, and makes his way over to the couch. Once seated, he begins work on trying to open it.

ANTONIO: An electronic code. What could it be? Maybe it's mom's birthday? 0-9-0-4-7-3. No, that’s not it. My birthday? 0-3-0-3-0-2. No, that’s not it either. (sighs) What could the code be? Dammit. Wait a second.

Antonio quickly retrieves his cell phone, as an idea sparks in his mind.

ANTONIO: The address to the cemetery where mom is buried. It’s on Fourth Street, 357 is the exact address number. But even if I put a zero in front of the four, it’s still too short. Unless…(short pause) that’s it! That could be it, at least. Mom’s grave is in the fifth row. God, this sounds too crazy to be real.

Antonio hears the shower water suddenly turn off.

ANTONIO: But it’s my only chance. Fingers crossed. 0-4-3-5-7-5.

As Antonio hears footsteps upstairs, the briefcase suddenly opens. Antonio hurriedly begins digging through it, carefully not disturbing the contents too much. He then comes across a manila envelope.

ANTONIO: What’s in here? Looks important.

Antonio opens the envelope and is shocked to see the ten thousand dollars stuffed inside that Hudson had given to Hector.

ANTONIO: My God. Where the hell did this come from?

Back at St. Raphael Hospital, in the Chief of Staff’s Office, Denise and Clark make their way over to the couch, and sit.

DENISE: First off, I will have you know that Edmund was truly only comforting me as a friend. I can barely stand the man, but he caught me at a weak moment.

CLARK: Alright. That’s good to know.

DENISE: Besides, you are the only man for me.

CLARK: I appreciate you saying that.

DENISE: It’s the truth.

CLARK: Speaking of telling the truth, do you mind finally filling me in on this secret? I’m not only on the edge-of-my-seat, but you do have me worried.

DENISE: I’m sorry. I wanted to avoid having you have those feelings, because I also have those feelings. But I’m not even sure what the final outcome of this secret will be.

CLARK: Care to explain?

DENISE: (sighs) We both love keeping on top of our health. After all, as doctors, we have to practice what we preach, right?

CLARK: Of course.

DENISE: Well, I had my annual mammogram. And this time around, there was a mass found on my left breast. The night we bumped into one another, I was actually here getting tests run by Pierson on the down-low.

CLARK: And you went through that alone?

DENISE: I had to. I didn’t want to force anyone to feel these complicated emotions, or even for someone to feel sorry for me. That’s just not how I roll, you know that. Anyway, she tried to calm my fears. She even suggested that it could be a cyst.

CLARK: But it wasn’t?

DENISE: Correct. Tumor. She took a part of the tissue for a biopsy. And though she put a rush on it, the lab is so backed up. I’ve been waiting on pins and needles for the results.

CLARK: I hope you get them soon. But Denise, my darling, I know who you are. I know how you like to be alone during highly emotional times that are filled with uncertainty. But I love you. I simply adore you. And I wish you would’ve let me in the moment that mass was found.

DENISE: I guess you being here now is good. I do feel a weight lifted off of my shoulders from telling you the secret.

CLARK: Good. Nothing could make me happier than you being at ease.

Before Denise can say another word, her office telephone suddenly rings.

DENISE: Excuse me.

Denise then makes her way over to her desk, and picks up the phone.

DENISE: (on the phone) Hello? Pierson, hi. The results are ready? What do they say? Pierson, I really don’t have time to wait until you come in tomorrow. And I don’t want to mess up your schedule anymore. So if Danny from the lab texted you the results, then please just tell me what they say.

Clark slowly goes to his wife, having just stood from the couch.

DENISE: Is that so? Alright, thank you, Pierson. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Denise hangs up from the call.

CLARK: Honey? What is it?

DENISE: The results…(clears throat) the results of the biopsy aren’t good. My tumor is malignant. I have breast cancer.

Clark rushes up to Denise and holds her, as a look of shock and sadness falls upon her face. Denise tries to fight back tears at the realization that her tumor is cancerous.

END OF EPISODE 004