| Wheeler
Estate: Napa Valley
"All because of the pills." Lauren whispers to herself as she raises her glass to her lips. Thinking rationally now that the drugs are no longer in her system, she tries to decide where they must have come from. Not John. He wouldn't do that. Julia? Maybe… Her train of thought is disturbed when John bounces down the steps from the french windows and heads towards her. "Soaking up some rays?" He asks. "Yes." Lauren smiles. "It's doing me good." "I've noticed…you seem a lot better today than you have been for a while…" "I know. I feel better too." She pats John's hand reassuringly as he rests on the sun lounger next to her. But who has been drugging my damn pills? Mindy… "Well I'm on my way to the hospital. Adam's doctor wants to talk to me and Mindy about the transplant. You can come if you want to." "No. I think I'll stay here." "Right, I don't know what time I'll be back though. Sometime this evening I expect." "Okay." Lauren watches as her husband walks back into the house and when he is out of view, she puts her head in her hands. I have to find out what has been happening to me.
Palace Hotel: San Francisco
"I sure do." The sandy haired private detective grins and holds out a manila envelope. "It's all in there." "Good. Take a seat whilst I check it out." Unable to control her lust for the information, Mindy tears open the envelope and yanks out the papers inside. Scanning them, she raises an eyebrow as she gets to the third page. "Hot stuff?" The detective grins again. "It's certainly news to me. I never knew Lauren's life was so…colorful." The room falls back into silence again until Mindy reaches the last page of information. When she does so, she lets out an excited gasp. "Yes!" "What?" "She's got a daughter? John doesn't know that!" "I don't think anybody does. She got shipped off to Cleveland when she was a baby. Look…" The detective reaches over and places a finger on the page. "It's all there." "Megan Kingsley…that must be Ian's daughter too." "You want me to get a contact address for her?" "No. Not yet. I've got to decide what I'm going to do." Mindy smiles wickedly and places the papers down on the glass surface of the coffee table in front of her. You're never going to keep him now Lauren.
Kingsley House: Cleveland
I know you might not want to see me but
"No." Megan berates herself and screws the piece of paper into a ball throwing it onto the floor beside her. It rests on top of a pile of yellow bedsheets that Megan has yet to put away in the linen closet.
Dear Lauren,
Megan remembers how the agency had refused to giver her her mother's surname. That's understandable I suppose. But it doesn't help me any… "Megan! There's someone on the telephone for you!" Peter Kingsley's low voice echoes up the stairs grabbing the attention of his 'daughter'. Looking around nervously, she hides the letter and pen in a drawer and leaves the room. On the landing, she bumps into her mother Sheila causing the older woman to slip backwards. "I told you not to run in the house." She reprimands Megan sternly but her expression fades into a smile as she watches her bound down the staircase. Stepping into Megan's bedroom, Sheila moves her gaze around to see if there is anything that needs to be washed. Her attention is immediately drawn to the pile of clean bed sheets which is stuffed in the corner of the room. "How many times do I have to tell you…" Sheila moves towards the cause of annoyance but stops when she sees a crumpled piece of paper on top. Taking it in her hands, she unfolds it hesitantly and begins to read what is obviously her daughter's writing. She suddenly feels a sharp stabbing pain in her stomach as it dawns on her what Megan has been doing. Searching for her natural mother…and she didn't even tell me. Taking a deep breath, Sheila slips the letter into her pocket and scoops up the linen.
Elliott and Wilder: San Francisco
"Why are you here? I told you I didn't want to see you again." Travis is firm. Closing the door behind her, Julia smiles to mask the hurt she is feeling and clutches her purse under her arm. "I know you don't mean that." "Yes I do!" Travis raises his voice in pure frustration. "Are you some kind of psycho? I do not want to see you." "Fine." Julia's tone becomes bitter and she stands over him ready to relish his reaction when she tells him the news that she has been waiting to share for so long. "Then at least hear what I've got to say now. It's in your own interests." "Unless you can prove to me that you didn't blackmail Danielle then nothing you have to say is of any interest to me at all." Julia ignores the statement, "What if I was to tell you…that I know who Adrienne has been having an affair with." Travis rolls her eyes, "Who? Jake? David? Regis Philbin? I don't believe a word that comes out of your mouth so why would I want to listen to any more of your lies?" "I am not lying. I know…" Julia is cut off when Travis gets up from his desk and places a tight grip on her arm, maneuvering her towards the door. "You're a lying, hateful slut." Travis pulls the door open and as workers in the office turn to see the commotion, he tosses Julia out causing her to fall to the ground. "And get it through your thick skull that I want nothing more to do with you." He slams his door shut and acutely embarrassed, Julia pulls herself up off the ground refusing an offer of help from David's secretary Cynthia who comes rushing over. "I'm fine." She angrily shakes off Cynthia's unwelcome hands. Across the foyer, Julia sees David watching her from his office and humiliated she moves towards the elevator to make a sharp exit.
San Francisco General Hospital: San Francisco
John jolts when he notices the door open and Dr O'Connor steps inside. Noticing that Adam is almost asleep he shuts the door behind him quietly. "I've got the latest results." He announces and Mindy tries to evaluate the tone of his voice, worried that he is about to break bad news. "Has the bone marrow taken? There aren't any problems are there?" John clutches at the flimsy blue bed sheets in front of him anxiously. "No." Dr O'Connor smiles. "Everything is working perfectly and I think Adam can be released in a few days." "Oh!" Mindy throws a hand to her mouth, gasping for air. "Thank you. Thank you!" Surging around the bed she flings her arms around John's neck and holds him tightly. "He's going to be okay." John whispers in her ear. "Everything is okay." Mindy pulls back and wipes tears from her eyes, "We should celebrate. Let's go out to dinner somewhere…" "Well I did tell…" John hesitates, remembering how he told Lauren that he would be back by this evening. "No. You're right. I know the perfect place." Dr O'Connor watches the scene and smiles warmly. "You look like a very happy family." "Oh…" As John is about to protest, Mindy hugs him again, placing her head against his chest. "We are doctor." She replies.
Masters Mansion: San Francisco
They remain silent unsure of what to say as their daughter brings Courtney into the drawing room. She is slim, blonde and curvaceous something which is not missed by Travis who makes a mental note about his daughter's taste in women. "Hi." Courtney breaks the silence nervously and moves across the room to shake Travis's hand. "Welcome. Dinner is almost ready. You arrived just in time." Adrienne takes another sip of her drink and exhales sharply. As Courtney moves in her direction she extends a hand. "This is a beautiful house." Courtney gushes. "You're very lucky." "Thank you." Placing a hand on the girl's arm, Adrienne rises and leads her through into the dining room. Travis and Danielle follow behind. "Mom." Danielle calls trying to start a less strained conversation between the four of them. "Tell Courtney about the work you did for Amnesty International when you were in London." "You're a supporter?" The revelation seems to please Courtney as she takes a seat at the dining table. "Oh absolutely. I do a lot of charity work these days especially for third world countries." Danielle and Travis smile at each other across the table, both ecstatic that Courtney has already managed to break Adrienne's icy shell. The conversation continues to flow, mostly dominated by the two women throughout the meal. As the maid enters with desert, Danielle leans over and whispers into Adrienne's ear, "Thank you." Adrienne squeezes her daughter's hand and smiles. However, the smile fades when she notices Greg passing the dining room. He stops for a moment and speaks. "I didn't know she was coming." Courtney shifts in her seat uncomfortably and replies, "Perhaps I should leave." "No." Greg stares at her before walking off down the hallway, "Don't bother."
* * *
"You should be ashamed of yourself." Isabelle spits as she enters the bedroom and closes the door. "Has the girl left yet?" Greg puts down the book he has been reading beside him on the bed. "The girl is Courtney and she is very important to Danielle. The way you've been behaving makes me sick and Adrienne just told me about what you did earlier." "So she has left." "Yes. She left just as I was arriving and I have to say that she was a very sweet and charming young woman. Since when did you develop your Adolf Hitler attitude? I never noticed it when I married you but then again, perhaps your liberal ideals don't apply to your own family. Are you worried about the scandal?" "No." Greg snaps. "Then what is it?" Greg puts a hand to his face and rubs his weary eyes. "I don't know. I just never thought Danielle would turn out this way." "That's your problem?" Isabelle blasts her husband and steps towards him. "She didn't turn out the way you wanted her to? She's not any different to the girl that you loved last week, remember that." "Do we really have to discuss this?" "Well there isn't really any point. But let me tell you one thing. If I had know before I married you that you were such a bigot, then I never would have gone through with it. You're not the man I married and unless you get over whatever problem you have with Danielle, then don't expect me to hang around for much longer."
Elliott House: San Francisco
"What do you want?" He asks icily. "Someone to talk to. You're not too busy I hope." "Actually I'm…" David gives up the futile attempt to keep her at bay when she steps past him into the living room. The lights are dim and a microwave meal is resting on the arm of the sofa. "If you want to keep in shape you shouldn't eat that junk." Julia warns. "Is that what you came here for? To lecture me on my wellbeing? I don't believe that you were concerned." "No." Julia sighs. "I needed someone to talk to." "Oh I see." David nods and places his hands in his pockets. "You were concerned about yourself." "David please!" Julia implores and takes a seat on the sofa. She reaches over to a decanter by her side and pours herself a drink. "You're the only one I can talk to. The whole family seems to have turned against me. Even Jake isn't talking to me because he's got so much on his plate with Cassie." "Is that surprising? Even I wouldn't have believed the little stunt you pulled with Danielle Wilder. And what do you think Adrienne will do if she finds out I've been talking to you? She's my priority now not you." "Since when has a woman ever been a priority for you?" "You were." David reflects bitterly and wrenches the drink out of Julia's hands, slamming the glass down on a table. "How can you possibly expect me to offer you support after what you did to me?" Julia's eyes widen and she tries to feign innocence, "Me? What did I do?" "You know damn well. I want nothing to do with you. I loved you Julia and you threw it back in my face for a better life with Greg Masters." "You're still holding a grudge? Get over it already." "Do you really think you're helping yourself. You should probably just leave." "Yeah. Maybe I should. I thought you were a friend but I guess I was wrong." Julia storms out of the house expecting David to follow her but when she gets into her car she is horrified to see that he has simply shut the door behind her. To her side she sees her cellphone in its holder and picks it up, her hands shaking with anger. You're my last hope, She thinks as she dials a number. "Hello?" Jessica's voice is calm. "Sweetie. It's me." "Mom." Jessica sighs. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" "I'm having a bit of a rough time." "I know. Grandma filled me in." Julia slams a hand against the steering wheel, "Can't that poisonous old witch stay out of anything?" Jessica's silence forces Julia to regroup and pull herself together. "I'm sorry. I called…because I want you to come home. I'm missing you…" "No." Jessica replies adamantly. "What?" Her mouth agape, Julia is shocked. "I said no. Perhaps this will make you realize that there is a line that even you can't cross." The line goes dead but Julia continues to call out for her daughter. "Jessica! Jessica!" After a few moments she drops the phone onto the passenger seat and places her head against the steering wheel. She begins to sob and salty tears stream down her face. Through the corner of her eye she sees a bottle of pain killers in her purse and lifting her head she pulls them out. "Huh. Would you even care if I killed myself?" Tears blur her vision as she stares at the bottle and ponders what her next move should be. Is there anyone else?
Palace Hotel: San Francisco
"Yeah. I enjoyed myself." "You want to come in?" Mindy raises an eyebrow as the door opens and pulls John gently. "Sure. But I do feel a little guilty. I know Lauren's getting better but…" "She's getting better?" Mindy is unable to disguise her horror and hopes that it comes across as shock. John hesitates, "Yes…she's been acting normally and even admitted that she was ill." Has she stopped taking the pills? "I thought you were close to having her…put in a psychiatric facility." John shrugs before replying, "She's better. What can I say?" "I'm…happy for you." Making a confused face, Mindy goes over to the bar and with her back to John, she pours two glasses of scotch. Then, she pulls a sachet out of her pocket and tips the contents into John's glass. She stirs it lightly with her finger to make the white powder disappear and turns with a bright smile, handing the glass to John. "Here's to Adam." He raises his drink in a toast and clinks it against Mindy's. "To Adam." Mindy smiles sweetly and watches as John sips his drink. And to us. By the end of tonight you'll be in my bed where you belong.
Madison Central Sanitarium: San Francisco "Excuse me." Stephanie taps the shoulder of one of the guards. He is situated outside of the recreation room and turns, staring at her. "Yes?" "I thought Carrie Bishop was supposed to be my chess partner tonight. Is she in her room?" "She won't be turning up tonight. You'll just have to find somebody else." "But the program insists that…" Sighing, Stephanie waves a hand. "Never mind." Shuffling around, a thought comes to Stephanie and she turns to talk to the guard again. "Look I'm sorry. Can I leave? I need to use the bathroom." And ask Dr Bryce why in the hell Carrie isn't here. "Don't be long." He growls in response. "I won't." She smiles innocently and steps out into the corridor. Making sure that nobody is watching her, she bounds along, keeping her pace quick until she reaches Dr Bryce's office. The door is shut surprising Stephanie who seems to recall a policy of Dr Bryce's to keep it open. As she turns the doorjamb, she can hear hushed giggles coming from the office and furrowing her brow she opens the door slightly to peak inside. Dr Bryce is having sex on his desk with a woman but Stephanie cannot make her out. Then, the woman turns her face and Stephanie quickly shuts the door as she realizes who it is. "Oh my God! Carrie Bishop!"
Palace Hotel: San Francisco John drops his glass to the floor by the side of the chair he is sitting in and moves his head to shake off the confusion he is feeling. He pulls at his collar to try and cool himself down but it does not seem to work. "Something wrong?" Mindy asks and walks over to him. "Yeah…I…I need to use the bathroom." Mindy raises an eyebrow, "Fine. It's over there." She points across the room and grins satisfied as John stumbles inside. She knows that as soon as the dizziness wears off, John will be more than willing to sleep with her. Grabbing her attention, a cellphone begins to ring and she turns to try and distinguish where it is coming from. She finds it stuffed down the side of John's chair and digging her hand deep into the padding she pulls it out. "John!" She yells. "It's your phone." But he fails to reply. Shrugging, she flips it open and presses the glowing amber button to answer the call. "Hello? John Erikson's phone." There is no answer. "Hello?" Before Mindy can speak again, the line goes dead.
Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley "Mindy?" Lauren mouths her enemy's name in confusion as she slowly places the phone back into its cradle. She is sitting on the bed in her darkened bedroom and tries to make sense of why Mindy would answer John's phone. "Nothing's happening." She assures herself. "Mindy's playing games." Resting her head back down on the pillow, Lauren casts a glance over to the clock on her nightstand. The time 2:57 glows brightly and she tries to decide why John isn't home yet. Without realizing it, she soon begins to drift off to sleep but shakes off the urge, knowing that she should be awake when John does get home. Several minutes later, a clicking sound can be heard and Lauren sits bolt upright. "What the hell is that?" Her words are cut off by a voice which suddenly begins to speak to her. It's Barbara Sanderson, "Nobody loves you Lauren. They're all against you and you deserve it. You killed Ian." The words cause Lauren to jump out of bed and whimpering she races around the room trying to find where the voice is coming from. She pulls out one of the drawers from a chest and angrily tosses it aside, causing the contents to crash on the ground. "Where the hell are you coming from?" She screams above Barbara's angry words. Then Mindy's voice begins taunting her about John. "You know that he's sleeping with me. He wants me Lauren…not you." Lauren reaches the closet and pulls the door open. Her arms flailing wildly, she delves inside and clothes begin to fall out in an endless flow. She hears belongings breaking as she throws them behind her but she doesn't care. She has to find where the voice is coming from. Suddenly her hand passes over something plastic and she wrenches it off the shelf. It is a small black tape recorder and she watches as the tape turns inside. A white timing device is attached to the back, set to come on at 3:00. "Oh God." Lauren quickly switches the tape recorder off, halting the stream of vitriol that was being directed towards her. Her hands begin to shake violently as it dawns on her exactly what has been happening. "She's taking vitamin pills but they've never caused her any trouble before…" Then Mindy's voice begins taunting her about John, "You know that he's sleeping with me. He wants me Lauren…not you." "I don't believe it." Lauren says, almost unable to force the words out. "Mindy…"
Bobby's Apartment: San Francisco
"Is that you again Sal?" He calls out as he moves down the hallway towards the door. "You're lucky I haven't gone to bed yet." He trails off as he pulls the door open and keeps the gun firmly by his side. "You won't be needing that." Julia purrs and pushes her way into the apartment. As the door closes, she runs her hand down Bobby's leg and takes the gun from him, placing it on a console table beside her. "What's the matter?" He begins to breathe heavily as Julia pushes her body against his. "Take a guess." She bites his earlobe and places her hands on his chest moving him towards the bedroom. Becoming more responsive Bobby kisses her and they begin to tear at each others' clothes, pawing each others' bodies. "I think I know how to help you." He pushes Julia down onto his bed and feels her finger nails clawing into his back. "Good." Julia says breathlessly as Bobby's nuzzles into her neck, his hands roaming all over her body. "I knew you would."
Next on Power and Deception -David plays a trick on Stephanie... -Julia and Bobby become even closer... -Michael is threatened... -Danielle gets a nasty surprise... -Travis plans a trip with Adrienne... -Lauren and Mindy's rivalry reaches a shocking climax... |
As she lounges at the side of the
pool, Lauren reaches over and pours herself another glass
of chilled orange juice from the pitcher. To her
amazement since last night, she has been feeling strong
again and more alert. All of the lethargy that has been
consuming her body for so many weeks has disappeared.
"Come in." Mindy
beckons to the visitor who has turned up at her door and
follows him into the suite. "Do you have any
information?"
Megan
is seated at a desk in her bedroom, writing hurriedly on
a piece of white note paper. She pauses for a moment to
push her coppery hair out of her face and closes her eyes
as she tries to decide what to write next.
"Your secretary's taking a
long lunch." Julia announces as she steps into
Travis's office and stares at her object of affection
wistfully.
John and Mindy sit on opposite
sides of the hospital bed as they wait for the doctor to
enter. Adam is almost asleep, his dark skin shiny with
perspiration due to the side effects of his cancer
treatment. Mindy strokes his hair tenderly and smiles
wanly at John who seems overwhelmed.
The sound of the doorbell ringing
causes butterflies to race around Adrienne's stomach. She
exchanges furtive glances with Travis and takes another
sip of her vodka as she waits for Danielle to show the
visitor in.
Please don't throw me out.
Julia thinks to herself as she waits impatiently on David's
doorstep. She jams her finger against the doorbell again
and only removes it when the door swings open. David is
still dressed in his suit and seems to be in the middle
of eating. He cocks his head to the side when he sees her.
"Oh." Mindy keeps her
arm locked in John's as she pulls out her card to open
the door of her suite. "That was a great meal."