Honor & Betrayal PT 19/
58
INT
BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL
THURSDAY 1032 HOURS
Pushing Harm down the corridor in a wheelchair with Trish by
her side, Mac exits the hospital's main entrance out into the morning
sunshine. Harm immediately appreciates the sunlight on his face and takes
in a breath of fresh air. He is dressed in jeans and loose fitting shirt
with a jacket thrown over his shoulders for warmth while his left arm supported
in a sling.
HARM
(as Mac parks the wheelchair beside Harm's SUV.)
First thing I want to do is go for a nice long run and get
some fresh air!
MAC
(laughs)
In your dreams, sailor! You've got some convalescing to
do before you go doing anything like that!
HARM
(laughs slightly)
Well, maybe a good walk, then!
TRISH
Let's start by getting you out of that wheelchair first,
darling!
Harm smiles up at his mother then flips up the foot pads on
the wheelchair. Slowly and carefully lifting himself out of the chair with
his right arm, he stands shakily for a moment as Mac steadies him by
supporting him underneath his right elbow and upper arm. Once standing,
Trish pulls back on the wheel chair to move it out of the way.
HARM
You know, this isn't such a bad thing having two beautiful
women waiting on me hand and foot like this!
MAC
(smiling/but sharply)
Just get in the car, Harm!
Mac guardedly walks with him to the front passenger door,
opens it and Harm climbs inside. Closing the door behind him, Mac turns
and smiles at Trish.
MAC
Does he know he's not going to his place yet?
TRISH
No!.........You know Harm! He would fight it to his last
breath!
MAC
I agree with you! He'll find out soon
enough!
With those words, Mac opens the rear passenger door sees Trish
inside safely and proceeds to climb into the drivers seat of the
SUV.
MAC
We're off!
Mac pulls away from the curb and drives away from the
hospital.
*********************
EXT
UPSCALE ANNAPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD
1105 HOURS
Harm is growing quite uncomfortable from the extended
drive. Finally he turns to Mac with questioning
eyes.
HARM
Mac, where in God's name are we going?........I mean it's not
like you don't know how to get back to DC from here.
MAC
Your mom has other plans for you, Harm!
HARM
(pulling down the visor above him and gazing at Trish's
reflection in the mirror)
Mom! ... What are you up
to?
TRISH
Just trying to make you comfortable, darling.
HARM
Mom?
TRISH
Oh, alright! I guess I can let the cat out
of the bag. .......A friend of mine has very generously offered the
use their home in Annapolis while you are convalescing.
HARM
(objecting)
Mom!.......I think........
TRISH
You'll love it there, Harm. It's a beautiful place
and.....
MAC
(interrupting)
Here we are!
The SUV turns into the gravel driveway that is lined by
majestic oak trees and a beautifully manicured lawn. Drawing closer to the
house, Harm observes a spacious brick colonial style home with a two story front
portico over its main entrance.
MAC
Wow!........Fit for a king.
HARM
Look, mom, I really appreciate this, but I think I'd be more
comfortable in my own apartment!
TRISH
Nonsense!
Mac brings the SUV to a stop in the circular driveway that
forms just outside the front door. Harm gazes to Mac somewhat disgruntled
over the fact that his wishes are being ignored and someone else's will being
imposed on him. He observes Mac unfasten her seat belt, step out of
the vehicle, walk across the driveway in front of him and finally to his side of
the vehicle. Unstrapping himself from his seat belt, Harm observes his mom
in the visor mirror as she steps out of the vehicle. Mac opens his door
and under her watchful eye, Harm steps out of the vehicle.
HARM
(gazing out upon the beautiful landscape before
him)
Mom, this is really a bit too much, don't you
think?
TRISH
Not at all, Harm. Your place is just too stuffy, and
there's really no place to stretch your legs!......And besides that,
there's only one bedroom.
HARM
And one bedroom is all I need.
TRISH
Oh honestly, Harm, do you really think I'd leave you alone in
your condition?
HARM
(coming to a full realization of what his mother is
offering)
Mom, I'm fine.... and I certainly can take care of
myself! You have a busy schedule of your own and I am not going to stand
in the way of that!
TRISH
Oh, I can assure you that the gallery will be taken care of
quite adequately during my absence, Harm, So please stop
worrying!
Harm gazes to Mac who is obviously amused by Harm's and
Trish's interaction.
HARM
(watching his mother ascend the steps to the front door he
leans over to Mac and whispers)
Thanks for filling me in, Mac!
MAC
(with amusement)
What's the problem, Harm? I mean this
place looks great!
HARM
Yah, well, I don't need a babysitter!
MAC
Oh, come on now, Harm, don't begrudge her of
this. Just try to keep in mind that at any age, you'll always be her
little boy! (taking his arm) Now let's go because I'm really curious
about seeing what it's like on the inside!
With those words, she leads Harm to the steps and they ascend
the steps together.
HARM
Mac, I haven't seen you since
when?........Tuesday? Do you think you could sort
of fill me in on what kind of strategy Imes and Mattoni are planning on
using?
MAC
(as they reach the top of the stairs)
Nope!
HARM
Excuse me?
MAC
Harm, all the worrying in the world will not change the
outcome of that hearing tomorrow, so,.....no,... I'd rather not discuss any of
it with you!.......All I want you to do right now is concentrate on getting
better. Is that too much to ask?
HARM
No.........but I was planning on being there for you tomorrow,
Mac!
MAC
So we've already assumed, Harm and that's why your mom
and I have already agreed that neither of us will be party to seeing you
there.
HARM
What? What is this?
A conspiracy?
MAC
Call it what you want, Harm, but you are in no condition to
make that kind of trip. And besides, I really don't want you
to be there anyway!
HARM
(disappointed)
What do you mean, Mac? .....I thought you'd want
my support!
MAC
What I want more than anything else is for you to get
better! And besides, I don't need you there in a physical sense to know
that you are supportive of me!.........I'll be okay, I promise!
They gaze at one another for a long moment both silenced by
the affection that each of them see in one anothers eyes.
HARM
You're something else, you know that?
MAC
So I've been told, Harm! (nudging his arm as a cold
breeze sends chills over her body) Oooo, it's getting chilly out
here...... we better get inside!
HARM
(as they head to the front door)
Oh, I don't know, Mac, ...it feels pretty warm out here to
me!
Mac gazes up to Harm as they exchange smiles.
************************************