EPISODE 6

 

EPISODE # 006

Created By: Casey S. Hutchison

Written By: Casey S. Hutchison

Air Date: Monday September 9, 2024

-- PREVIOUS EPISODE AVAILABLE HERE --

Night time has come to the city of Hazelbrook. Out on the Lanai, at the Callahan Home, Catherine is sitting on an outdoor sofa, sipping on a cup of tea, as the gentle breeze sets in. As she takes another sip, she looks down at the papers in front of her, which detail the lawsuit against Callahan Cosmetics. As she flips the papers over, Frances walks over to her.

FRANCES: Would you like another cup of tea?

CATHERINE: No, that’s quite alright, Frances. I actually don’t even think that it’s assisting in calming my nerves, anyway.

FRANCES: That happens sometimes. You know, there is a slice of that chocolate cake left that I made yesterday. Would you like me to plate it up for you?

CATHERINE: I think I’m over my calories for the day.

FRANCES: You still count those?

CATHERINE: I have since the days of Richard Simmons.

FRANCES: I can’t believe he has left this world.

CATHERINE: Maybe my cosmetics empire will soon leave this world, as well. After all, Imani Davidson of all people is representing over 20 people who want to take Callahan Cosmetics down. These factory workers keep making some big power moves.

FRANCES: What on Earth do you mean? Has someone launched a class action suit against Callahan Cosmetics?

CATHERINE: That’s exactly what I mean. Unsafe working conditions. Unlivable wages. Blah, blah, blah. Apparently a brick can be thrown through my window, you can get disturbing phone calls, but Heaven forbid I keep my factory open. This has gotten way out of hand.

FRANCES: Mrs. Callahan, I will do whatever I can in order to help you through this. I will even testify, if called. But there’s something you’ve gotta understand.

CATHERINE: What’s that?

FRANCES: I received another phone call.

CATHERINE: What?! How come you didn’t tell me?

FRANCES: Because I’m not so sure that the phone calls I have been receiving have anything to do with your factory workers turning against you.

CATHERINE: What do you think the phone calls are about?

FRANCES: My dead husband.

At Firefly Cafe, in the Main Area, Jennifer is sitting at a booth tucked in the corner, drinking a cup of coffee, and thinking rather deeply.

(FLASHBACK)

CLARK: Can you keep a secret?

JENNIFER, You and I are having hot sex, while I’m engaged to your son. Of course I can keep a secret, Clark.

CLARK: Right.

JENNIFER: What’s going on?

CLARK: Denise is sick, Jennifer. She has breast cancer.

(END OF FLASHBACK)

As Jennifer comes out of her thoughts, Hudson enters the establishment, spots her, and then goes to her. He sits down across from her.

HUDSON: Hey, sis.

JENNIFER: Oh, Hudson, hey.

HUDSON: What’s eating you?

JENNIFER: What?

HUDSON: You look like you’re a million miles away.

JENNIFER: Oh…it’s nothing. I’m just thinking about all of the new interns. I’m trying to dissect who’s going to be the new up and comers at the hospital. After all, I’m nervous. I’ve never had this much responsibility before.

HUDSON: Are you sure that’s all it is?

JENNIFER: Yeah. (laughs) Why are you questioning me?

HUDSON: I’m just concerned about you. When I walked up to you, you just seemed so distant. You seemed like something was really bothering you. It looked like more than just work, which you usually don’t let get to you that much. That’s why Clark Davidson has always liked you, because you put on a good solid object.

JENNIFER: Clark…yeah. Anyway, what are you doing out and about tonight?

HUDSON: I just stopped in to get a latte. Decaf, though. I just needed a drink, but not one from a bar. And, you know better than anyone how the late nights can get to me.

JENNIFER: Have you been taking your sleeping pills?

HUDSON: Trying to get off of those. And I recently had a talk with Imani about the past, so my mind has been kind of scattered.

JENNIFER: She just doesn’t know when to leave people alone.

HUDSON: Don’t blame her, please. I asked her to stick around, and give me a moment of her time. In fact, I was sitting at this very table.

JENNIFER: I just hate how she enables you. She shouldn’t have sat down, because now it has led to you being depressed.

HUDSON: Who says I’m depressed?

JENNIFER: You know what I mean.

Before Hudson says another word, Kirk enters from the Patio Area, and spots Jennifer and Hudson. He then goes to them.

KIRK: My future brother-in-law, and my gorgeous future wife.

JENNIFER: Hey, baby.

Jennifer stands, and kisses Kirk passionately. Hudson then stands, as well.

HUDSON: Good to see you, Kirk.

KIRK: You too, man.

HUDSON: (sighs) I hate to see you and dash, but I’ll go ahead and give you two some time alone. Sis, it was good to see you. Have a good night, you two.

Hudson walks off in a hurry to the Patio Area. Meanwhile, Kirk and Jennifer sit down across from one another.

KIRK: What’s his deal?

JENNIFER: He’s all over the place ever since he had a meeting with your sister.

KIRK: Oh God. I wish those two would leave one another alone.

JENNIFER: That’s basically what I said.

KIRK: Speaking of my sister, however, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about. And when I bring it up, I just want you to know that I’m coming from a place of love.

JENNIFER: I’m already one step ahead of you. I can tell that you know about our confrontation of sorts from the day I moved in.

KIRK: Is it that obvious?

JENNIFER: Kind of. And I just want you to know that I don’t regret a damn thing about that conversation I had with your meddling sister.

On the Patio Area, still at Firefly Cafe, Hudson rushes over to a table, and retrieves his cell phone from the back pocket of his jeans. He then begins a text to Hector.

HUDSON: Meet me in the park in about half an hour. We have a lot to talk about concerning the money I gave you.

Hudson then hits send on the text, and walks off towards the doors.

At the Ramirez Home, in the Living Room, Antonio and Emily walk over to the couch, as Emily checks the time on her cell phone.

EMILY: Your dad’s going to be home any minute now.

ANTONIO: I guess I’m running out of time to stop my palms from sweating.

EMILY: It’s okay to be nervous but try not to be.

ANTONIO: Easier said than done.

EMILY: This whole thing will be over before you know it. And I’m sure it’s just some sort of misunderstanding. Just continue to think good thoughts about how this could all turn out. But even as I say that, I realize that could also be interpreted as easier said than done.

ANTONIO: Let’s just get this whole thing over with.

Antonio and Emily stare over at the front door as Hector enters the home. Hector then walks over to the desk, putting his briefcase down.

HECTOR: Emily. Son.

ANTONIO: Evening, dad.

EMILY: Hey, Mr. Ramirez. I hope you don’t mind that I stopped by for a bit. 

HECTOR: Not at all. In fact, it gives me time to apologize for how dismissive I was to you that one day, while you were trying to help Antonio study for that exam.

EMILY: It’s alright, Mr. Ramirez.

ANTONIO: I’m sure that Emily understands that it was an emotional day for the both of us, considering it was the eve of the anniversary of mom’s passing.

HECTOR: About the anniversary, did you two have a good day in the park following your hummingbird cake tradition?

EMILY: We most certainly did. Did you get the piece we picked up for you?

HECTOR: I did. It was delicious. Thanks again.

EMILY: No prob.

HECTOR: Anyway, I’m sure you two want me out of your hair, so I’m gonna go upstairs and read for a bit, before I have to run off to a meeting.

ANTONIO: A meeting? What meeting do you have going on this late?

HECTOR: It’s nothing to worry about. I just have some things to take care of for Catherine Callahan, concerning the brick incident.

ANTONIO: I see.

EMILY: Uh…before you go, Mr. Ramirez, I was wondering about something. I know 

it might not be my place, but Antonio said you keep a photo of your wife in your briefcase?

HECTOR: (smiling) I do, yes.

EMILY: Well I think that’s very sweet. And if I could be so honored to see it, it would mean a lot to me. I miss seeing Mrs. Ramirez’s face.

HECTOR: Maybe some other time, dear. Look, I do really want to get some reading done before I head out, so if the two of you will excuse me.

Hector collects his briefcase, and then heads up the stairs.

ANTONIO: Swing and a miss.

EMILY: Not exactly.

ANTONIO: What do we do now?

EMILY: That’s just it, Antonio. Sometimes, you have to look towards the future, and abandon previously made plans.

ANTONIO: You want us to follow him to his meeting, don’t you?

EMILY: You bet I do. I highly doubt he’s meeting someone about the brick throwing incident. There’s more going on here than we could’ve ever imagined. I read his body language very carefully. We have no choice but to follow him.

ANTONIO: I don’t know about that.

EMILY: Didn’t you say you wanted answers? Didn’t you say you wanted this whole thing to just be over with?

ANTONIO: I was talking about tonight’s plan.

EMILY: Well, consider this an extension of that plan.

ANTONIO: If you insist.

EMILY: I most certainly do.

Back at the Callahan Home, on the Lanai, Catherine sits up, slightly taken aback by what Frances has just told her.

CATHERINE: Malaki? What on Earth are you talking about, Frances?

FRANCES: The phone call that I got most recently…well…it’s hard to explain. I heard the static again. Then I heard the gunshots. And then I heard Malaki’s voice. He said, “Help me, Frances! Help me!” Catherine, I’m telling you, there was no mistaking…

CATHERINE: You only call me Catherine when stuff gets serious, so I know you’re telling the truth. I believe you. But honey, are you sure it wasn’t an A.I. thing? People can do all sorts of phone call pranks now.

FRANCES: I guess it could’ve been just that. And I guess that this could also be me wanting to believe that Malaki is somewhere out there, still. His body has been lost at sea for almost 20 years now.

CATHERINE: I still remember the day that happened.

FRANCES: His vessel, shot down by the enemy. He fought so hard for this country, and yet we lost him like that. But what if he is really out there, calling me?

CATHERINE: How do you explain the gunshots, though?

FRANCES: That’s what my sleep deprived brain has been trying it’s damndest to solve. I can't give you or anyone an explanation for the gunshots. Or even me hearing his voice.

CATHERINE: I think we’re being tortured by a sick individual. Has the FBI reached out to you? Or even Officer Bowman?

FRANCES: Not yet. What about your Human Resources department, or even Hector? Has anyone given you anything? Any leads?

CATHERINE: Not yet, I’m afraid. But I can tell you this, I’m not going to live in fear. And I think the factory being forcefully shut down by Imani will buy us some time to close the walls in on someone out there who thinks they’re holding all the cards.

FRANCES: I hope you’re right.

CATHERINE: I do, too.

Back at the Firefly Cafe, in the Main Area, Jennifer takes a sip of her beverage.

KIRK: I’m not saying that you have to regret anything about that conversation. But much like Hudson and Imani’s one-on-one, I wish you two would also stop having a chat here and there. I just wish everyone could get along, or keep their distance from one another if they don’t get along.

JENNIFER: In a perfect world, that would be possible. And let the record show, I was going about my day when she cornered me.

KIRK: I know. But obviously some stuff had been weighing on her mind. I just wish she would have pushed it down a bit longer, because you’ve been going through so much.

JENNIFER: And let’s not forget that she blames me for everything. How many times can she bring up Hudson’s addiction? How many times can she bring up something that happened in college? I mean come on, Kirk, I think she just loses herself when I’m around. And I’m going to stick around, because we are very much in love.

KIRK: And this relationship isn't going to end. We are going to get married, Jen. I’m not going to let anyone stop us from doing that.

JENNIFER: Then I think you know what we have to do. And I know that nobody wants this to happen, but we need to at least consider it.

KIRK: What? What do you think we need to consider?

JENNIFER: If your sister cannot get on board keeping the peace, then I think we need to disinvite her from our wedding. I don’t want anyone standing up and objecting, her coming after me and my love for you. I just can’t handle that right now, Kirk. So if she can’t get in line, then she needs to go.

KIRK: I think you’re right. I really do.

At Emerald Garden Park, near a more Private Area, Hector rushes up to Hudson, who is standing next to a bench. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to both men, Antonio and Emily hang back around a large wall of bushes.

ANTONIO: (quietly) Stay down.

EMILY: (quietly) I know, I know. But what in the world is your father doing meeting with Hudson? What is going on here?

Meanwhile, over to Hector and Hudson…

HECTOR: Catherine questioned you about the money?

HUDSON: Yeah. But I was able to come up with a good lie.

HECTOR: I guess that’s good. Anyway, what do we do now? I mean, you’ve been paying me this extra money on the side, in order to make up for your mother not giving raises to anybody. You helped save my house.

HUDSON: You’ve always been loyal to our family, Hector. I don’t take that for granted. And I wanted to show you what loyalty can get someone in this world. I’ll find a way to continue the appreciation for your loyalty. This goes way beyond how I helped you save your house from the bank snatching it.

HECTOR: But how, Hudson? How can I receive any more help from you, if your mother is keeping a watchful eye on you now, in terms of what you spend?

HUDSON: Just give me some time to think.

As Antonio and Emily stare at Hudson and Hector, taken aback by what they’re hearing, it’s clear that someone is watching all of them!

Back at the Callahan Home, now in the Study, Catherine is looking through a family scrapbook, as she sits on the couch in the room. She then turns the page and sees a photograph of her father and her as a little girl.

CATHERINE: Oh dad, I always said that one day I would take over your empire, and make you proud. And I’m not going to give up on that promise. I’m going to fight for my beliefs, and stand my ground. I was the woman who even got Edmund to take our last name, instead of me taking his, in order for my children to grow up with the Callahan name. I’m proud of our name. And I’m proud of that company.

Catherine lightly brushes the photograph.

Back at Emerald Garden Park, by the Private Area, Hector rubs his eyes.

HUDSON: I don’t mean to cause you any headaches, Hector.

HECTOR: It’s fine. I understand where you’re coming from. I want you to be protected. And I don’t want your mother catching on to anything. Besides, I’ve put the majority of money you’ve given me recently into a savings account.

HUDSON: That’s good. Well, I best be going. I have an early meeting in the morning. Have a good night, Hector.

HECTOR: You, as well.

Before Hudson and Hector walk off, Antonio and Emily rush up to them.

EMILY: Stop right there!

HUDSON: Emily?

HECTOR: Son?

ANTONIO: Dad, what the hell is going on here?

HECTOR: This isn’t what it looks like.

EMILY: What’s that supposed to mean? Hudson, you’ve been giving Hector money? Thousands and thousands of dollars? And you’ve lied to your mother about it?

ANTONIO: Dad, why didn’t you tell me we were going through trouble with the house? I would’ve helped you out. I would’ve found a way.

HECTOR: That house is not your responsibility, son!

HUDSON: And I will have you know that your father wasn’t up for me giving him any help. I had to jump through hoops to convince him.

EMILY: Why’d you lie to your mom, though?

HUDSON: Because, she doesn’t need to know how I’m spending my money. And as a former addict, I didn’t think she’d believe me. The lie of shopping like a rich guy is a lot easier for her to digest.

EMILY: But lies aren’t good for you, Hudson.

HUDSON: Don’t go all sponsor-like on me, Emily.

ANTONIO: Dad, look, I love you so much. You don’t need to keep…

Before Antonio can say another word, suddenly gunshots ring out! Emily screams, as Antonio dives on top of her, falling to the ground. Hudson and Hector both fall to the ground, as well. The Person who was watching them the whole time, runs off into the night, after firing three shots.

EMILY: Oh my God!

ANTONIO: What the hell’s going on?!

HUDSON: I don’t know!

ANTONIO: Dad?

Antonio, Emily, and Hudson look over by the bench, and see that Hector was shot in the abdomen. They all rush over to him.

ANTONIO: (crying out) Dad! Oh my God! Dad! Call 9-1-1! Somebody help! Help us! Somebody, please! Dad! Dad!

END OF EPISODE 006