EPISODE 9

 

EPISODE # 009

Created By: Casey S. Hutchison

Written By: Casey S. Hutchison

Air Date: Thursday September 12, 2024

Evening has set in upon the city of Hazelbrook.

At The Bell Tower, in the Dining Area, Catherine and Edmund are eating a light supper. Catherine lets out a deep breath, and takes a sip of her white wine.

CATHERINE: You know, it’s going to take a lot more than tuna tiradito and a bottle of Chateau d’Yquem for me to make me feel as though I can trust you.

EDMUND: How many times do I have to tell you that I saw Denise sitting at this very table one day, and that I just wanted to be a comforting presence?

CATHERINE: Sitting here with her is one thing. Being around her in that chapel…prying and searching hard for information. Edmund, just admit it. You wanted to comfort her, and you weren’t going to back away until the two of you were satisfied.

EDMUND: You can trust that I only have eyes for you. Catherine, me being with her, and you being with Clark is ancient history. Nonetheless, I am not going to sit here and apologize for being there for Denise in her time of need. So, I’m telling you now, don’t expect me to.

At the Davidson Home, in the Living Room, Denise and Clark enter the room, having come from the front door and entry area.

CLARK: Here darling, let me help you over to the couch.

DENISE: I’m fine, I promise. I can get there by myself.

CLARK: Can I get you anything? A cup of tea, perhaps?

DENISE: No, no, just sit here with me on the couch…and hold me. Please Clark, just hold me right here and right now.

Clark slightly smiles, as he and Denise walk over to the couch. The two then sit next to one another, and cuddle up on the couch. But as the two come together in this intimate moment, Denise suddenly begins to think about the time that she and Edmund held hands at The Bell Tower. A worried Denise then looks up at Clark.

CLARK: Denise, darling, what is it?

At St. Raphael Hospital, in a Hallway on the 5th Floor, Jennifer is looking out of a window, drinking a to-go cup of coffee, when Kirk suddenly rushes up to her.

KIRK: Jennifer?

JENNIFER: (turning around) Kirk.

KIRK: Where the hell have you been?

At Firefly Cafe, in the Main Area, Imani slowly walks over to Rebecca, who’s on the Patio. The two have just connected and stared deeply into each other’s eyes. Rebecca slowly stands from the table.

REBECCA: (warmly) Imani Davidson.

IMANI: Hello, Rebecca.

REBECCA: It’s been a long time.

IMANI: That it has.

REBECCA: Please, join me. Have a seat. I insist.

IMANI: I’d love to.

Imani smiles and takes a seat across from Rebecca.

REBECCA: (nervous laugh) Don’t mind my mess, I’m investigating a major case here in town, and I feel as though there’s a million pages of notes already.

IMANI: I guess that’s what happens when you investigate a case that’s been impacting the wealthy Callahan family for weeks now.

REBECCA: How’d you know I was on the Callahan case?

IMANI: I have my sources.

REBECCA: You always have.

IMANI: It’s really good to see you after all these years.

REBECCA: I was just about to say the same thing.

At the Callahan Home, in the Kitchen, Frances is lightly spraying the island countertop with a mild disinfectant with a light lemon scent, just as Emily enters the room.

FRANCES: Well, well, well, if it isn't my daughter. Hello, stranger.

EMILY: Hey, mom.

Emily goes to Frances and kisses her mother on the cheek.

EMILY: I have no idea what you’re cleaning with, but it smells amazing.

FRANCES: Thank you. I actually made it months ago, and just wanted to give it time to all come together, before I pulled it out like some secret cleaning weapon.

EMILY: I love that you make your own products.

FRANCES: That way I know what’s in the stuff.

EMILY: Good call. Anyway, do you have a moment to take a break from cleaning, and chat with your daughter? I have something I desperately want to share with you.

FRANCES: Who is he?

EMILY: What?

FRANCES: The guy. Who is he? I haven’t seen you smile like this in ages. The last time you did was when you dated Bobby Bentfield.

EMILY: Ugh! Can we not ever bring up that name again?

FRANCES: Sorry. Anyway, am I right? Does your smile have something to do with a guy? I would bet money on it that it does.

EMILY: That is a bet you’d win. Something happened between Antonio and me. Something wonderful. Something electric. Something that has had me on cloud nine for hours now, mom.

FRANCES: What happened?

EMILY: We kissed. Made out, actually. And on the drive back here to the house, I just knew I had to tell you. Mom, I have been friends with Antonio my whole life. We practically grew up together. I’ve always had a thing for him. And we’ve gotten closer because of what happened with his father. There’s a real connection there.

FRANCES: Oh honey…

EMILY: What?

FRANCES: I am very happy for you. I am. Really. I swear it. But…uh…don’t you think you oughta pump the brakes just a bit?

Back at St. Raphael Hospital, on the 5th Floor, Jennifer and Kirk walk down the hallway, and then stop to sit on a nearby bench.

JENNIFER: Look, I’m sorry that I’ve been M.I.A for hours now. I just needed to clear my head for a bit. I needed to get away. But I shouldn’t have left you for as long as I did, causing you to worry so much about my location in this hospital.

KIRK: And I shouldn’t have snapped at you the way I did.

JENNIFER: It’s alright. I know you didn’t mean it. You’re on edge.

KIRK: That’s one way of putting it, I guess.

JENNIFER: (sighs) I’ll forget it, if you will.

KIRK: Deal.

JENNIFER: So, they discharged your mom, huh?

KIRK: Yeah.

JENNIFER: Did you figure out what was wrong? I mean, really wrong?

KIRK: Apparently it was just her being lightheaded. She usually runs these marathons in this hospital with all the hours she puts in as the Chief. I have never seen that woman take a rest in my entire life. And I know she’s worried about what your family is going through, and us deciding to hold off on the wedding. And…everything else that could go wrong.

JENNIFER: She’s a strong lady. But yes, I have also never seen her just take time to relax, and try to forget about her troubles. I mean, she’s amazing. She's a superwoman around here. But she’s not invincible, Kirk.

KIRK: I know, I know. I’m just hoping that she realizes that at some point. I would love for her to calm down for once in her life, you know? I wish she’d go on vacation with my dad, or even take a day off.

JENNIFER: Good luck getting that to happen.

KIRK: I think you’ve got a point there. I can’t exactly control my mom. But one thing I do have control over is going back to my house with you, crawling into bed, and enjoying a restful night where we pick out a new wedding date.

JENNIFER: Oh honey, shouldn’t we hold off on picking a new date? We just postponed it due to all that is going on. And the case is still ongoing.

KIRK: I know, I know. But maybe if we plan far enough in the future, then we won’t have to worry about the case where someone is targeting your family.

JENNIFER: I don’t know. I think we should still hold off on trying to pick out a new date, just in case. But yes, you do have control over us having a quiet and peaceful night, because I’m not on call. In fact, I exceeded my hours under the hospital’s new surgeon work hour policy.

KIRK: Then I guess I’ll have to move your full body massage up to tonight.

JENNIFER: Oh Mr. Davidson, I guess you have to do just that. And then maybe I’ll have to give you one, as well.

KIRK: I would like that very much.

JENNIFER: I bet you would.

Jennifer leans in, and kisses Kirk.

Back at the Davidson Home, in the Living Room, Clark and Denise slightly sit up on the couch, as Denise tries to gather her thoughts.

DENISE: Sweetheart, I promise that I’m doing quite alright. I’m just tired, and my thoughts are all scattered post diagnosis.

CLARK: I’ve been thinking about your diagnosis, by the way.

DENISE: Oh have you? And exactly what have you been thinking about when it comes to my diagnosis of stage four breast cancer?

CLARK: Well as doctors, we both know that there’s a lot going on in the world of cancer treatment and research. And I was thinking about this new medical trial that I read about this morning, in which people were flocking to Switzerland to try out…

DENISE: Wait a moment. You’re reading up on treatment plans already? And not to mention that I’m in Doctor Pierson’s capable hands.

CLARK: I know that Doctor Pierson is a good doctor. But Denise, we have to be smart about this. We have to get under this thing before it takes us under.

DENISE: “Us” under? Us? This is my diagnosis. It has nothing to do with us. And I am more than capable of leading the charge on my own health. If I want to go to another country, then I’ll go. If I want to stay put in our hospital, then I will. Don’t you dare think for one second that I’m going to let you run the show when it comes to my cancer.

CLARK: Denise, slow down. I am not running the show. I am just trying to be a loving and supporting husband. That’s all.

DENISE: No, no you’re not. You feel threatened by Edmund Callahan. You’re upset that I opened up to him about my diagnosis first, over you. You’re upset that I want to hide this from the family for just a moment, so I can catch my breath. And yet you ran off and told Jennifer, all over her concern for why I fainted, knowing full well you could have made up any excuse.

CLARK: I just want to be a good husband. I could care less about Edmund. And as for Jennifer, I got caught up in the moment.

DENISE: Caught up in the moment? Care less? Those come off as meaningless words. And you want to be a good husband? Start by getting your shirt dry cleaned, and hoping that the lipstick on your collar will disappear.

Denise walks off, visibly frustrated.

Back at Firefly Cafe, on the Patio Area, Imani is now sipping on her Cappuccino, as Rebecca leans back in her chair.

IMANI: I can’t believe you’re back in Hazelbrook after all this time. I mean, what have you even been up to, besides putting criminals away?

REBECCA: I have definitely put a lot of bad guys away. I work a lot, actually. Don’t have time for much else. Maybe that’s why I’m going through a divorce at the moment.

IMANI: (coughs) I’m sorry?

REBECCA: (laughs) Are you alright?

IMANI: Sorry, that just went down the wrong pipe.

REBECCA: It’s okay to admit that what I said caught you off guard. It’s not like we’ve kept the most in contact. But yes, I did get married about five years ago. I met her on a cruise.

IMANI: I thought you hated cruises?

REBECCA: I wanted to try something new for my 30th birthday. Anyway, we fell in love hard. We moved in together and married within five months.

IMANI: Wow. I hope things weren’t always bad.

REBECCA: They weren’t, no. She’s actually a great person. It’s really coming down to the fact that distance has been put between us over my job.

IMANI: What does she do?

REBECCA: She’s a food critic.

IMANI: That’s interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever actually known a food critic. I feel as though they keep a low profile in everything besides a blog, or a newspaper, or whatever platform they write on.

REBECCA: You’d be right about that. She’s a very private person. Anyway, how about yourself? Are you and Hudson still staying apart from one another?

IMANI: Yeah. He’s, my past. I’m fully in the present and looking towards the future. After the whole addiction thing, and then Jennifer always interfering, it just got to be too much.

REBECCA: Jennifer Callahan. I haven’t thought about her in years.

IMANI: Nor would anyone ever want to. 

REBECCA: Isn’t she getting married to your brother? How do you feel about that, if the rumors I’ve heard are true?

IMANI: Those rumors are true. And I just feel so crushed over the fact that he has picked her of all people to fall in love with. She’s a snake.

REBECCA: That she is. I hope that he doesn’t get spun into her evil web too much. Hopefully he sees the light soon.

IMANI: I think that he will. He was just so heartbroken after Shantelle died from that inoperable brain tumor. And Jennifer, who was her doctor through the whole thing, was right there to comfort him.

REBECCA: Take advantage of, is what I think you meant to say.

IMANI: That’s a far better explanation, yes.

REBECCA: Anyway, I should be going soon. But I will be in town for quite awhile, as I investigate this case. Would you like to have dinner some time?

IMANI: I would love nothing more.

REBECCA: Good. Very, very good.

Back at the Callahan Home, in the Kitchen, Emily and Frances are sitting across from one another at the breakfast nook, and both ladies are drinking a cup of chamomile tea.

FRANCES: I had some time to think about what I said to you earlier as I waited for the kettle. I hope you didn’t take any offense to it, honey. I’ll always look out for you, and your heart, as well as Antonio’s.

EMILY: Mom, don’t worry about it. I in no way took offense to anything you said. I get where you were coming from. Yes, Antonio and I gave into some big feelings, but you are so right in that he’s going through a lot right now.

FRANCES: I’m happy that you have been there to comfort him. You two are lifelong friends. And that is so important.

EMILY: Ever since his mom passed, and then my dad…(sighs) he’s just a really great guy. And I value what we share.

FRANCES: (softly) Malaki.

EMILY: What was that, mom?

FRANCES: I’m sorry?

EMILY: You said dad’s name. And you know, last time we had a heart-to-heart, you said his name. What’s going on? Have you been thinking about dad recently?

FRANCES: Well, I…

Before Frances can say another word, her phone starts to ring. She picks it up from the table, realizing it’s an unknown number.

FRANCES: Excuse me. (answering the call) Hello?

MALAKI’S VOICE: (over the phone) Frannie. Frannie, help me!

Tears begin to well up in Frances’ eyes. She waits for something more to happen over the phone, but then the line goes dead on the other end. Emily stares at Frances with great concern.

EMILY: Mom? Mom, what’s going on?

FRANCES: Oh Emily…

EMILY: What? What is it?

FRANCES: There’s something I need to tell you.

EMILY: You’re starting to scare me.

FRANCES: I can't lie to you any longer. The phone calls I’ve been receiving…they’ve been about your father. And I’m still not sure if they’re connected to what Catherine has been going through.

EMILY: What do you mean the calls are connected to my father?

FRANCES: I think we’re going to need something to eat with this cup of tea. After all, it’s a lot for me to explain. You just sit right there.

Back at The Bell Tower, in the Dining Area, as Catherine and Edmund finish the cups of coffee they had with dessert, Edmund signs for the bill.

CATHERINE: Well this has been a very quiet dinner.

EDMUND: I don’t know what you expect me to say. I didn’t want to make a scene in public, Catherine. And considering what the business news sites have written about your company…

CATHERINE: What’s that supposed to mean?

EDMUND: It means that I don’t think you want a scene made in public either. Get real, Catherine. I have no desire to be with Denise. I’m trying to look out for her.

CATHERINE: She’s a grown woman. I am your wife.

EDMUND: She is sick, dammit. She has breast cancer.

CATHERINE: So you told me.

EDMUND: She deserves to have a shoulder to lean on.

CATHERINE: She has a husband.

EDMUND: I don’t think he’s enough for her.

CATHERINE: That’s not your call to make.

Before anyone can say another word, Catherine’s phone begins to ring.

CATHERINE: Speaking of calls. Hello?

Meanwhile, on a Private Jet, a Woman wearing a genuine Chanel suit, and diamond earrings sits on a leather jet seat, talking on a plane telephone.

CATHERINE: (over the phone) Mom? Are you there?

ANGELICA: Hello, dear. Yes, I’m here.

CATHERINE: What’s going on? Is everything alright?

ANGELICA: Everything is fine. I was ringing you to see if you and that uncreative hack writer of a husband were home on this fine evening?

CATHERINE: We will be in about half an hour.

ANGELICA: That’s wonderful. I’ll see you there in about two hours.

CATHERINE: Whoa, what do you mean by that? Aren’t you in Paris?

ANGELICA: I’m coming home, my dear.

CATHERINE: Is that so?

ANGELICA: You bet it is.

CATHERINE: Why now, mother?

ANGELICA: Though I enjoy the company of a hunky European masseuse, and though I love pain au chocolat, I feel as though it’s time I come home to stop Callahan Cosmetics from falling more in the gutter as if it’s some useless drugstore cosmetics brand that’s marketed to obese soccer moms in the midwest.

CATHERINE: Mother!

ANGELICA: Oh don’t get so P.C. on me. It doesn’t suit you. Anyway, be sure to meet me at home. I won’t stand for you not being there. Bye for now.

Back at The Bell Tower, in the Dining Area, Catherine comes off from hanging up from the call, putting her cell phone back in her handbag.

EDMUND: So your mother’s coming home?

CATHERINE: Unfortunately. The Wicked Witch of Hazelbrook is returning. God help us, and anyone who crosses her path.

END OF EPISODE 009