HONOR & BETRAYAL PT 30 /
58
RATING: R (S, L, D )
SPECIAL WARNING: This
part contains scenes of sexual assault / rape and its aftermath and may be
disturbing to some readers.
*************************************************
INT
COURTROOM
0945
All the members are assembled as Colonel MacKenzie takes the
stand and is sworn in.
BAILIFF
(holding a bible in his hand for Mac to be sworn in
on)
Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth
so help you God?
MACKENZIE
(her left hand on the bible with her right hand raised beside
her)
I do!
Taking the witness stand, Mac's eyes drift slowly across the
courtroom as she observes the drawn, stern faces of the people who are
present. Already feeling as though these people were passing
judgement on her, Mac's anxiety grows deeper. As Imes approaches the
witness stand, Mac's eyes meet Harm's and for a long moment they regard one
another carefully. In Harm's eyes, Mac is able to see his disapproval, yet
strength and determination. In Mac's eyes, Harm observes her strength of
character, but is able to see her weakness and vulnerability as her fear and
deep anxiety begin to take hold on her emotions.
IMES
Colonel MacKenzie, to the best of your recollection, would you
tell the members of the Court the events that took place
leading up to and including your alleged rape.
Mac gazes to Imes for a long moment unable to
find the words to begin her account of the events that took place on the night
that Captain Peterson had betrayed her trust and raped her.
IMES
(after a long moment)
Colonel....please?
MAC
(facing her rapist, Mac draws from her inner strength as her
fear turns to anger at the sight of Peterson sitting before
her)
I had attended a formal dinner party that night and
........
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FLASHBACK
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
INT
HILLIARD HOTEL BALLROOM
22 NOVEMBER 1999
2248 HOURS
The ball room is overflowing with Naval and
Marine Corps personnel...the men handsomely dressed in their formal dress blues,
the women elegantly attired in their formal evening gowns. There is
a great deal of activity going on including several couples on the dance
floor. One of the couples is Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Commander
Jordan Parker. Jordan is dressed in a sleeveless, rose colored
sequined evening gown. Rabb's attention is drawn to Mac and Becker as he
observes the couple walk onto the dance floor and begin to dance close
by. Mac is dressed in a burgundy sleeveless evening gown her
hair softly combed back off her face. Mac's demeanor reveals a certain
degree of discontent as Becker slowly leads her around the dance
floor.
BECKER
(noting Mac's discontent)
Ok!...... So I over reacted a little!...I'm
sorry!
MAC
(annoyed)
You insulted a superior officer in front of the Admiral and
everyone else sitting at that table just now! It's a wonder that Captain
Peterson held his temper!
BECKER
Yah, well he deserved it!....I mean he just kept carrying on
and on about the psychological mind games he implements to weed out the
misfits from his Seal training programs and frankly I was tired of hearing
it.
MAC
Well maybe not everyone sitting at that table felt the same
way, Jason! But then that's really not what's bothering you now, is
it?
BECKER
What are you talking about?
MAC
He had my attention, and that bothered you.
BECKER
Not true, Sarah.
MAC
Isn't it?
BECKER
Ok, fine!...You want the truth?......I didn't like the way he
kept looking at you!
MAC
So now we get to the gist of it!....You're
jealous!
BECKER
Damn it, Sarah!...What do you expect of me anyway?
I mean he couldn't take his eyes off you all night and when you accepted his
invitation to dance with him, you did nothing but encourage him
further.
SARAH
I shared one dance with the man, Jason, and engaged in a
casual conversation with him and that's all! So please don't go making it
out to be more than it is! .
BECKER
Oh no Sarah, it was more than that! You were enjoying
his attention, ....you were flirting with him.
MAC
(in protest, her anger deepening)
That's not true and you know it!....And if you really believe
any part of what you just said then you don't know me at all!
BECKER
Oh, I know you alright, Sarah!....Enough to realize what
a tremendous sense of power it must give you to know that you have guys like
Peterson and Rabb groveling at your feet.
Impulsively reacting angrily to Becker's
accusations, Mac quickly raises her hand and sharply slaps Becker across his
face. The couples dancing close by including Rabb & Jordan
immediately take notice of Mac's angry gesture. Embarrassed by the attention,
Becker draws Mac closer to him as he attempts to continue the
dance.
BECKER
(angrily whispering in her ear)
Well, nothing like making a scene, Sarah! You seem to be
really good at that!
MAC
(contemptuously)
Well lets see what kind of scene I can create by walking
off this dance floor without you!
With those words, Mac pushes herself out of his embrace and
hastily walks off the dance floor leaving Becker standing alone staring after
her. Rubbing the sting from his cheek, Jason's eyes meet
Rabb's as he approaches with Jordan on his arm.
RABB
(as he reaches Becker)
Well, you seem to have a real way with the ladies,
Becker!
BECKER
Just stay out of it, Commander!.....
With those words, Becker heads off after Mac. As the
orchestra comes to the end of the waltz, Harm leads Jordan off the dance floor
and to their dinner table where we find Admiral Chegwidden, and his date seated
at the table along with Captain Peterson, Lieutenant Commander Mattoni and his
wife, Lieutenant Roberts and LTJG Harriet Simms-Roberts.
RABB
(as they reach the table)
Jordan....I'll be right back!
JORDAN
(irritably)
Harm, you heard Colonel Becker!...You shouldn't get
involved.
Jordan's words draw everyone's attention to them.
Somewhat irritated at Jordan for doing so, Harm pulls out Jordan's chair
and by the gesture of his widened eyes and raised eyebrows, demands Jordan to
take a seat.
RABB
(leaning down to Jordan's ear after she is
seated)
I'll be right back!...Promise.
(straightening up and addressing the others at the table) Excuse me
a moment.
Rabb quickly walks off toward the ball room
entrance.
PETERSON
(gazing to Jordan and noting her irritability)
Anything going on that we should know about,
Commander?
JORDAN
(sarcastically)
Well....you know the Commander! He
seems to always have the need to be the hero.
Admiral Chegwidden gazes to
Jordan curiously noting her agitation. Peterson smiles with
amusement while Harriet appears confused over Jordan's statement. Mattoni
and Bud gaze at one another seemingly affirming Jordan's statement as fact.
ADMIRAL
Do you wish to embellish on that a bit,
Commander?
JORDAN
Well Admiral, it seems that Harm's intent is to place himself
in the middle of a domestic quarrel between Colonel Becker and Colonel
MacKenzie,
The reactions of the people seated at the table are
mixed.
PETERSON
(noting Jordan's discontent)
Well, it appears to me that Rabb will be facing his own
domestic quarrel if someone doesn't run some interference for you,
Commander! (standing) Let me see what I can do to get his six back
here where it belongs. Excuse me ladies.... gentlemen!
Peterson then pushes out his chair and starts out after
Rabb. Somewhat bewildered by the social dilemmas of his junior
officers, AJ studies the expressions of the two remaining male officers
sitting at the table. They all seem to be awaiting his decision as to how
they should proceed with the affairs at hand. Harriet immediately hones in
on the silent conversation between the three men.
HARRIET
(taking hold of Bud's
arm)
Oh NO you don't! You're staying right here!
Mattoni's wife silently gives her husband a look
signifying her displeasure at even the thought of his becoming involved.
Sitting at AJ's side, MEGAN, a tall slenderly built brunette in her early
forties turns to him and smiles as she observes the mischievous look radiating
from his eyes as he gazes into hers.
MEGAN
I'm with the rest of the ladies, AJ!....How about that dance
you promised me instead.
AJ laughs slightly at Megan's reaction.
ADMIRAL
Well, Megan, I'll make good on my promise for sure!....But
first, I think I'd better run some interference of my own before three of
my JAG's find themselves sitting in the brig come morning.
AJ smiles gently at his date and then turns to Mattoni and
Roberts.
ADMIRAL
Can I trust that you two will keep the ladies happy for a few
moments.
MATTONI/ROBERTS
(in unison)
Yes sir!
With those words, AJ stands and walks off toward the ballroom
entrance.
MATTONI
Well, I've got to say that this evening is turning out
way more interesting than I ever anticipated!
**
INT
HOTEL
HALLWAY
OUTSIDE
BALLROOM
Becker walks briskly down the hallway as he attempts to catch
up to Mac.
BECKER
Sarah, wait!
Mac's pace slows as she allows Becker to catch up to
her.
BECKER
(as he reaches her)
Ok...look...you win!...I was
wrong and....
MAC
This isn't a contest, Jason, and what happened in there just
now isn't the first time you've displayed your jealous, over possessive ways in
my regards. Since Harm's been back you haven't stopped!......Why?.......I
mean what is it with you anyway? Can't you get it through your head that
we're just friends!
BECKER
You and Harm....just friends!........No Mac, your relationship
with Harm goes way beyond friendship and it seems that everyone else knows
it except the two of you!.....
MAC
We're friends,
Jason!......Just good friends!
BECKER
Right!....Who just happen to be a little bit in love!
(he notes Mac's bewildered expression and then gazes over her shoulder to see
Harm approaching) And here comes your wonder boy now! (his eyes
meeting hers) Well then, I'll just be on my way because it
sure as hell looks as though you'll be in good hands.
With those words, Becker walks off down the hallway leaving
Mac totally frustrated with his indifference.
HARM
(as he walks up to her from behind)
Mac!....(as she turns toward him) Everything
ok?
MAC
(forcing a smile)
Sure!...Hey, shouldn't you be with Jordan instead of out here
worrying about me?
HARM
Jordan's fine Mac! (gazing down the hallway as Becker
retreats down the hallway) What's with him?
MAC
(shaking her head negatively)
I don't believe that man sometimes, Harm!.....He can be such a
jerk!
HARM
Oh well, on that we both agree! (pauses as he observes
Becker walking out the lobby door) Where is he going?
MAC
Home I guess!
HARM
Without you?
MAC
Looks that way, don't you think?
HARM
Mac, are you going to be ok?....I mean I saw that little
scene back there and now he's......well.......
MAC
(interrupting as lightheartedly as possible)
Dumping me!....Go ahead, you can say it!
HARM
(reluctantly agreeing)
Right!......
MAC
(noting Harm's concern)
Look, I can handle this, ok!....And if you don't get back to
Jordan, she's going to be upset with you. Now go!
HARM
I'll be glad to, Mac....but only if you forget about him
and come back to the party with me!
Mac shoots a quick glance up at Harm amused by his whimsical
invitation to accompany him back to the party.
MAC
(giggling a little)
Oh sure!....Like Jordan's going to love sharing you with
me!.....I mean didn't you notice the evil eye she gave me when you asked me to
dance earlier tonight?
HARM
No!....
Mac observes Peterson walking down the hallway towards
them.
MAC
(smiling)
Oh boy, Harm, you really are clueless
sometimes!....(noting Peterson drawing nearer) But before anyone else gets
involved in this, I think I'm going to go catch a cab!
HARM
A cab? Mac, you don't have to do that! I'll
take you home.....
Mac starts to walk down the hallway toward the front lobby.
MAC
Don't be silly, Harm! I'm a big girl, and I'm not about
to stand in the way of you and Jordan having a good time tonight!
HARM
(following after her)
You won't be, Mac!
MAC
My minds made up, Harm!
From behind them, they hear Captain Peterson's
voice call out to them.
PETERSON
(in a tone of voice indicative of a command)
Commander.....Colonel!
The two of them pause gazing at one another momentarily as
they turn back toward Captain Peterson.
RABB
Sir?
PETERSON
(as he approaches)
Is everything ok here?
MAC
Everything's fine, sir!.....Why?
PETERSON
Well, Commander Parker filled us in on what was happening with
the three of you and I felt compelled to come and see what I could do to help
out!
Mac and Harm's eyes meet in mutual discontent at hearing the
Captain's words.
RABB
Well, it's under control, Captain!....Nothing to worry
about!
PETERSON
(gazing to Mac)
Is that right, Colonel?
MAC
Yes sir!
PETERSON
Well then if that's the case, where's Commander
Becker?
RABB
Ahh.......
MAC
He....left sir!
PETERSON
Left.
MAC
Yes sir!.....We...... sort of had an argument and.....
well....
PETERSON
Irreconcialable differences, Colonel?
MAC
Ahh,.... yes sir!....Something like that!
PETERSON
Well I wouldn't let his behavior ruin your evening,
Colonel! I mean from my own experience with the man, he seems to be
seriously lacking in people skills.
MAC
Umm about the Colonel's remark back there at the table,
Captain, I.....
PETERSON
Already forgotten, Colonel! Now, why don't we all go
back and enjoy what's left to the party.
RABB
Well, sir, Colonel MacKenzie was about ready to
take a cab home, sir!
Mac gazes irritably at Rabb.
PETERSON
A cab?....There's no need
for you to that, Colonel! Hell Rabb, where's your manners!
Offer the woman a ride home!
RABB
(his eyes meeting Mac's as she gazes at him
irritatably)
I have, sir!....Only she
feels as though she'll be a third wheel and REFUSES to accept my offer.
At this point Mac is embarassed over Rabb carrying on about
the entire matter in front of Peterson and is totally furious with
Harm.
MAC
(maintaining eye contact with Harm)
And I ASSURED the Commander that I was CAPABLE of finding my
own way home and that there was NO reason to be concerned.
PETERSON
Well Colonel, so as to put the Commander's mind at ease, why
not consider accepting a ride home with me.
MAC
While I do appreciate your offer, sir, I...
PETESON
Oh, I won't take no for an answer, Colonel!
RABB
(smiling at Mac)
There you go, Mac!.....Can't get a better offer than that now,
can you?
Mac eyes express her frustration with Harm as she turns to
Captain Peterson and forces a smile.
MAC
No, ......I guess not!
At that moment, AJ approaches the three officers.
ADMIRAL
(curiously...noting the tension between Mac and
Harm)
Everything ok here?
MAC
(scarcastically)
Oh....just peachy, sir!
**
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* END
FLASHBACK *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
INT COURTROOM
PRESENT
IMES is standing in front of Mac as she
continues her testimony.
IMES
So you accepted the ride home that Captain Peterson had
offered you?
MAC
Yes I did. We left the party shortly after
that.
IMES
So you must have trusted Captain Peterson at
that point.
MAC
I had no reason not to. He was a respected senior
officer and although I personally didn't know the man, I saw no reason not
to trust him with my well being. Apparently I was
wrong.
IMES
Colonel MacKenzie, can you
tell us what happened after you left the party with Captain
Peterson?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ FLASHBACK
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
INT
PETERSON'S VEHICLE
22 NOVEMBER 1999
LATE
NIGHT
Peterson's vehicle drives through a DC street in route to
Mac's apartment. He glances over to Colonel MacKenzie who sits opposite
him in the front seat of his car as she gazes into the darkness outside the
window.
PETERSON
You're a beautiful woman, Colonel! It's a shame to
see you fretting so!
MAC
(turning to Peterson)
Excuse me?
PETERSON
Colonel Becker...your little spat....You're still fretting
over all of it!
MAC
(turning away and looking back out the window)
Some I guess!.....
PETERSON
Ahh, ....Give him some time, Colonel!....He'll come
around to the error of his ways and apologize for his misdeeds, you'll
see!
MAC
Well the fact of the matter is that I really don't care if he
does or not!....That's the sad part! But then I hardly know you and we
really shouldn't be having this conversation.
Seemingly agitated by her last words, Peterson quickly glances
to Mac for a long moment. As he turns his attention back to the road
ahead of him, he notices a liquor store coming up on the right side of the
roadway.
PETERSON
(pointing ahead of the vehicle)
I'm going to make a stop for a moment, Colonel!......Hope you
don't mind!
MAC
No, not at all!
Peterson pulls into the parking lot of Malcolm's Liquor store
and parks the vehicle underneath the light in front of the liquor store's
window. Mac seems a little surprised at Peterson decision to stop and
gazes at him questionable.
PETERSON
Just need to pick up a little something to ease my nerves,
Colonel. The Malory case coming up has made for some sleepless nights, you
know, and a little vodka is always a good night cap for me!.........You need
anything?
MAC
No, thanks!
Peterson steps out of the car and enters the liquor
store. Mac waits impatiently as she gazes out into the dimly lit areas
around her wishing that Peterson had waited until after he let her off to make
his stop. Several minutes went by and finally Peterson emerges from the
store carrying a bottle of liquor wrapped in a brown paper bag. Once back
in the car and on the road it is only a matter of minutes to Mac's
apartment.
MAC
(as Peterson pulls up to the curb)
Well, thanks for everything, Captain!
PETERSON
What? Aren't you going to afford me the satisfaction of
walking you up?
MAC
Oh, it's not necessary, really!
PETERSON
To hell it isn't, Colonel!.....I always escort
my ladies to their front doors.
With those words, he quickly steps out of the vehicle and
walks around to Mac's side of the car opening the door for her. Mac steps
out somewhat amused yet irritated by the Captain's insistence.
MAC
I really can take care of myself from here,
Captain!
PETERSON
It really is my pleasure, ma'am, so stop arguing with a senior
officer!
With those words, Mac surrenders to the Captain's wishes and
they head towards the steps of her apartment building.
***
INT
HALLWAY
OUTSIDE MAC'S APT DOOR
2442
The two walk down the hallway to Mac's apartment and pause in
front of her doorway. Peterson smiles gently at her, Mac returning the
smile then turning away from him and unlocking her door.
MAC
(as she unlocks her door and opens it slightly)
There, I'm in! (she turns to him) So again, thanks
so much and I guess I'll be seeing you at JAG Ops tomorrow morning!
PETERSON
(smiling
cordially)
Bright and early for sure, Colonel!
MAC
Well, I think I'd better get inside!
Mac pushes open the door of her apartment and walks in.
As she turns to face Peterson for a final goodbye before closing the door,
she notices him rubbing his right temple as though he were experiencing some
pain.
MAC
Hey, are you ok?
PETERSON
(gazing to Mac as he continues to rub his
temple)
Ahh, I just feel a hell of a
headache coming on, that's all!
MAC
You've got quite a ride back to your hotel. Do you
want to take something for it?
PETERSON
Well, if it wouldn't be putting you out too much!....I sure
would appreciate it!
MAC
(smiling cordially)
Not any trouble at all, Captain!...Why don't you come on in
for a moment.
Mac pushes the door fully open inviting him
inside.
Mac walks off into her apartment closely followed by
Peterson. Once in the kitchen, she walks to one of the cupboards, opens it
and reaches for a bottle of aspirin.
PETERSON
(as he enters the kitchen)
Damn these migraines, they seem to come out of
nowhere!.....
MAC
(handing him the bottle of aspirin)
Well, here you go!.......Hope they help!
PETERSON
(his eyes meeting
hers, he purposefully cups her hand with both of his as he takes the
bottle from her)
Thanks!
A sense of uneasiness coming over her as she notices the look
in Peterson's eyes, she quickly pulls her hand away from his and steps away from
him.
MAC
Want a glass of water to wash it down?
PETERSON
(insistently)
Coffee would be a nice substitute, Colonel.
Feelings of vulnerability beginning to well up in her, Mac
observes Peterson for a long moment unsure as to whether or not she should
fulfill the man's request.
MAC
(hearing her words involuntarily slipping from her
lips)
Umm, ....yah,..sure! ...No problem! One cup of
coffee coming up!.....Why don't you have a seat on the sofa, and I'll have a
fresh pot ready in just a couple of minutes.
Peterson nods thankfully and then walks out into the living
room taking a seat on the sofa. Mac seemingly shrugs off her feelings of
uneasiness as the coffee comes to full brew and she pours out two cups of
coffee She then walks into the living room and joins Peterson on the
sofa.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ END FLASHBACK
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
INT
COURTROOM
PRESENT
Sitting on the witness stand, the
turmoil Mac is experiencing is reflected in her
eyes.
IMES
Please continue Colonel!....Just take your
time.
MAC
We spent the next few minutes exchanging idle
talk...nothing of any significance. I remember that I kept
wishing he would just hurry up and finish his coffee and go, but he seemed to
just want to go on talking. (she gazes to Peterson noting the intense
glare in his eyes.....the glare she remembered seeing that night as stood
by her bed staring down at her) He quickly finished his first
cup and then he asked for another.
IMES
Had you touched yours?
MAC
I'd only taken a couple of sips.
IMES
So, what did you do, Colonel?
MAC
I tried to discourage him.....said I was tired and felt that
he should probably be going but he was insistent that I just gave in to
him.
IMES
So what happened then?
MAC
I picked up his cup, went into the kitchen and poured him
another cup of coffee.
IMES
What about your coffee cup, Colonel? Did you take it
into the kitchen as well?
MAC
No, I left it on the coffee table in the
living room.
IMES
Go on....
MAC
When I turned to walk back into the living room, I saw Captain
Peterson pulling his hand away from my cup. I never questioned it then,
but now, I believe that must have been when he put the drugs in my
coffee.
RABB
Objection!....I ask that comment be stricken!....It is purely
an opinion that is not supported by facts or evidence in this case.
MORRIS
Sustained!
IMES
Colonel, did you see any change in his behavior after
that?
MAC
He just seemed a bit anxious....maybe even a little
nervous....but nothing too overt. But he kept making
comments about my not drinking my coffee so I
finally drank the entire cup as quickly as I could hoping that it
would encourage him to leave. It was only a few minutes later
that I started to experience some dizziness. I somehow dropped my
cup and it fell onto the coffee table and broke.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FLASHBACK
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
INT
MAC'S APT
22
NOVEMBER 1999
0107
Mac and Peterson are seated on the edge of the sofa when Mac
suddenly falls slightly forward her cup slipping from her hand and crashing unto
the coffee table. Upset at dropping the cup, Mac attempts to stand
but looses her balance and begins to fall. Peterson quickly
steps in to break her fall and then scoops her up into his arms.
PETERSON
(Mac in his arms, he smiles at her and begins to carry her
towards the bedroom))
I think I better get you to bed, Colonel!.....
MAC
(Peterson's image blurring
and then coming back into focus)
No!.... just put me down, ...I'm...ok,
really!
PETERSON
Oh I'll put you down alright, Sarah.....on your
bed!....That's where we'll be most comfortable now, don't you
think?
MAC
(everything around her becoming distorted)
Oh...God, what have you done to
me?
PETERSON
Nothing, Sarah! I wouldn't do anything to hurt
you!....You must of had a bad cup of coffee is
all!.....
Reaching the bed, Peterson gently lays Mac down
onto the soft bedding. He sits beside her and regards her tenderly.
Unable to fight or even react at this point, Mac begins to slowly realize
Peterson's intentions.
PETERSON
(stroking her cheek with his fingertips as his face draws
closer to hers)
God, you are a beautiful woman,
Sarah!.....Becker was such a fool to have treated you with such
contempt. I mean he could of had you warming his bed
tonight....instead of....well.....
MAC
(a tear slipping down her
cheek as she feels herself falling into unconsciousness)
Don't do this.....P l e a s e!
PETERSON
(leaning down, he kisses her tear away)
Not to worry, Sarah?.....You're just going to take a
nice long nap!......And when you wake up, you won't remember a
thing! So just sleep, baby.....just sleep!!!
With those words, Peterson kisses her gently on
her lips savoring every moment of it. He then stands and regards every
inch of her body as she lays helplessly on the bed. He smiles
appreciatively at the sight of her and then turns and walks out of the
bedroom. Slowly the light of the room around her diminishes and objects
become distorted and then Mac's eyes close as she falls into a deep drug induced
sleep.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
END
FLASHBACK
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
INT
COURTROOM
PRESENT
Mac sits upon the witness stand quickly wiping away the tears
that have started to slip from her eyes. Imes is standing before her
silenced by the details that Mac has finally been able to speak for the
first time. The hushness in the courtroom is overwhelming as Harm observes
Mac sitting before him the deep dark secretes that she had held in for so
long now pouring forward in a flood of emotion. Peterson's demeanor
reveals extreme agitation as he grasps the reality of the situation that Mac is
able to recall the events of that night in such detail. He gazes to Rabb
noting the anguish in his demeanor.
IMES
(at length)
Colonel, do you know approximately what time it was that
Captain Peterson carried you into the bedroom?
MAC
When I went into the kitchen to pour him the second cup of
coffee, it was almost 0100.
IMES
And the following morning, Colonel!...What time was it when
you finally woke up?
MAC
A little after eight.
IMES
A little more that seven hours later!.....Colonel, do you
recall waking up at all during that time period?
MAC remains quiet for a long moment. She gazes down to
her lap her hands fidgeting nervously as she attempts to deal with the memories
and attempts to find the appropriate words necessary to describe
them..
IMES
Colonel!....I know how hard this is.......
MAC
(angrily gazing to Imes)
You have no idea, Commander!
IMES
(her voice softening)
You're right, of course, Colonel!....My
apologies!
MORRIS
Colonel MacKenzie, you must answer the question that was
just directed to you.
Mac reluctantly reaches back into the dark
memories of that night ..........
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
FLASHBACK
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
WARNING:
Giving this scene an R rating. This scene contains details of Mac's rape
and may be disturbing to some readers.
Proceed with care. Thanks.
INT
MAC'S APARTMENT
22 NOVEMBER,
1999
LATE
Peterson enters Mac's bedroom with the bottle of vodka in
hand. He removes his coat folding it neatly and laying it across the
back of a chair He then walks to the bed and sits
beside Mac as she lays asleep on the bed. Peterson opens the bottle
of vodka and quickly drinks several large gulps until nearly a third of the
bottle is emptied. He then climbs up onto the bed and strattles himself
over Mac's hips. Slapping her face repeatedly so as to awaken her from her
deep sleep, he finally observes her eyes slowly open.
PETERSON
(putting the bottle to her mouth)
Here, Sarah.......come on ...have a drink with
me!
He tips the bottle up and allows the vodka to flow into Mac's
mouth. Mac, still barely conscious, coughs and chokes on the fluid being
forced into her mouth. Unable to breath, she manages to raise her hand and
pushes the bottle away from her mouth knocking it out of Peterson''s hand.
The bottle falls onto the bed spilling some of the contents onto the bed
covers. Peterson becomes infuriated. He quickly scoops up the
bottle, takes several more sips from it and then places it onto the end table
beside the bed. He then lifts himself off Mac forces both her arms down
beside her and then pins both of them underneath his body as he places his
weight back onto Mac's abdomen. Retrieving the bottle of vodka, he pins
Mac's nose shut with one hand and forces more vodka into her mouth. Unable
to breath, Mac is forced to swallow several mouthfuls of the alcohol.
Between each forced mouthful, Mac coughs and gasps for breath. In a
desperate struggle, Mac is finally able to free one of her arms from underneath
the weight of his body and knocks the bottle from Peterson's hand sending it
smashing into the corner of the coffee table beside her. Enraged, Peterson
leans his entire body over her resting his elbows onto the pillow on either side
of Mac's head. Mac nears unconsciousness her
breathing becoming labored from the combination of the drugs, the alcohol and
the weight of Peterson's body on top of her.
PETERSON
(breathing heavily into her face, his breath filled with the
stench of vodka and cigar smoke)
That wasn't nice, Sarah!....That wasn't nice at
all.
He gazes from her face down the length of her neck to the low
scoop of her dress.
PETESON
But then it's time to move on to far better things now, isn't
it!
Mac feels his weight lift off of
her. Her vision impaired from the effect of the drugs she can only make
out Peterson's blurred figure standing nest to her as he removes the tunic of
his formal dress blues and deliberately places it neatly over the back of a
chair. He then pulls off his tie, unbuttons his shirt and slips it off his
shoulders. His undershirt removed, he proceeds to unfasten his belt,
unzip his pants and slip them off ....again deliberately folding them neatly
over the back of the nearby chair. Fully unclothed, he returns to Mac's
bedside. Unable to move, Mac is only able to observe his vague
image standing over her. As he reaches down, she feels herself being
turned over onto her side and a cold, sweaty hand slowly unzip the back of her
dress. She is then pulled back onto her back. Mac observes Peterson
climb onto the bed and then feels him peel her dress away from her body.
Totally helpless, cold and nearly naked, Mac is forced to lay upon the bed as
Peterson's eyes wander over her entire body. Her emotions only able to be
expressed through tears she closes her eyes as Peterson slips off her remaining
undergarments and then forces himself upon her. The sweat of his brow
dripping onto her face and the stench of his breath suffocating her, she feels
his attempts to penetrate her. From deep within, Mac is able to hear
herself crying out for him stop, but as much as she struggles, her paralyzed
body will not allow her voice to be heard. As she feels him
forcefully enter her, a part of her spirit seemingly dies and Mac succombs to
the effects of the drugs and falls off into unconsciousness.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
END FLASHBACK *~*~*~*~*~*~
INT
COURTROOM
PRESENT
Her eyes still cast down towards her lap as she completes her
testimony, Mac slowly gazes up to meet the critical eyes of her accusers
as well as the sympathetic gazes of those among the people in the court who
accepted her word as truth.
MAC
I don't remember anything after that! I must have been
unconscious for the rest of the night!
Harm's reaction is evident in the tortured reflection of his
eyes. He sits in his chair paralyzed by Mac's vivid description of the
horrendous crime that had been committed against her by the man he was
defending. As Mac's eyes meet his, Harm quickly casts his eyes
away from hers unable to look upon her as he struggles with the thought of
having to totally dismiss her testimony as anything but the truth.
Intimidated by the extent of the details that Mac is able to remember of
the rape, Peterson turns to Rabb and observes him for a long moment noting his
seemingly defeated demeanor as Rabb slouches back into his chair and repeatedly
taps his pencil on the writing tablet setting on the table before him.
PETERSON
(whispering as he leans toward Rabb)
I hope you're not falling for all this,
Commander!.........It's nothing but lies!
RABB
(angrily as he leans back towards Peterson, his eyes fixed
straight ahead)
You're forgetting, Captain!.....It's your innocence that's in
question here, not the Colonel's.
Peterson and Rabb's eyes meet in a long, tense gaze as
Imes continues her questioning.
IMES
Colonel, what was the next
thing you can remember?
MAC
Waking up to someone banging on my apartment door.
IMES
Who was that person?
MAC
Colonel Becker.
IMES
When you woke up, Colonel, did you notice anything
unusual?
MAC
(her shame evident, Mac's eyes gaze back down to her hands as
they rested in her lap)
Well, the time for one thing. It was after eight
and I knew I'd be late for work.
IMES
What else?
MAC
Jason......Colonel Becker was yelling at me to answer the door
and when I tried to get up, I realized I had a terrible headache so I had to lay
back down. (pausing for a long moment) And...... that's when I
noticed that.... I.......well....... I wasn't wearing
anything.
IMES
So, that's something you wouldn't of normally done then?
MAC
No, not usually.
IMES
How were you feeling in general, Colonel?
MAC
Pretty sick....I felt like I had the flu or something.
IMES
Colonel, what else helped you to realize the possibility that
you may have been raped that night?
MAC
Just little things like my evening gown carelessly discarded
on the bedroom floor.....the broken bottle at the head of my bed and when
Colonel Becker informed me that he'd seen Captain Peterson leaving my apartment
that morning, I started putting the pieces together. Over a period of
time, the memories slowly started to come back.
IMES
Was there anything physical that you experienced that alerted
you to the fact that you may have been sexually assaulted that
night?
Mac hesitated for a few moments....again the shame and
embarrassment evident in her demeanor.
IMES
Colonel?
MAC
Yes!....When I got up out of bed and started to walk, I felt
some discomfort in my pelvic area. And later...... when I used the
bathroom, I noticed that their were bruises on my inner thighs and that I was
bleeding.
IMES
Is that when you decided to take the necessary steps to
confirm your suspicions, Colonel?
MAC
(gazing to Harm)
Yes. Commander Rabb had stopped by that morning to
give me a ride to work. He ended up driving me to the hospital
instead.
Rabb's eyes meet Mac's the memories of that morning flooding
back to him.
IMES
Did you share your suspicions with the Commander?
MAC
No! I was having a difficult enough time
dealing with the thought of it myself. I didn't want to involve anyone
else.
IMES
And after examination and test results, did your physician
confirm your suspicions?
MAC
As close as she could professionally diagnosis, yes!
IMES
Thank you Colonel!...(addressing the judge) No further questions, your Honor!