There will be more. (Several are already in the planning stages. I'll need something to Remember WENN with during those long, long long periods of no new episodes.)
Rupert Holmes, Howard Meltzer, and AMC own the rights to Remember WENN...I just like to play. And if you recognize part of this--yes, I did steal from myself.
(note ~~ indicates daydreaming~~)
"And according to White House Press Secretary Stephen Early, no action will be taken as a result of the publication of the confidential military report published yesterday in several newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune." Mackie's voice said.
Scott stood and turned off the radio. "It really irks me...Publishing secret plans like that. They got off easy." He started to pace around the small office. "And don't you start Mr. Foley."
Jeff leaned over and patted the forlorn man on the shoulder. "Scott, you need to calm down. Everything will be fine..."
Scott tried to smile. "Nothing is like how I planned this. I'd wanted to take her to the south seas...But considering everything, the Caribbean would have been a better option..."
"She said yes, didn't she?" Jeff asked. It was obvious Scott was extremely nervous.
"Yes she did."
"Then plan to take a honeymoon this summer. With more time, she can have the scripts written in advance..."
Scott nodded as he sat back down. "True..." It didn't last long, before he was again pacing.
Jeff frowned as he looked at Mr. Foley. "Why don't you see if the judge has arrived. I'll try...Unless, you want to stay here?" Mr. Foley opened his eyes wide and shook his head, then left quickly. "Scott you need to calm down." Finally Jeff stood. "Sit." He pointed to the chair. "You're making me nervous. And I wasn't nervous either time before I married Hilary...The morning after on the other hand..."
Scott meekly obeyed and sat down, and started to drum his fingers on the desk, until Jeff threw him an evil look. "Stay there." He considered giving the groom a stiff shot of whiskey, but quickly decided against.
#
~~Betty placed the suitcase next to the box and looked around the tiny apartment. In two days she would be living here. It was small--but still it was about twice the size of her present room. And it had a gas stove. She wouldn't need her hot plate anymore, though she rarely had time to cook anything.
That probably wouldn't change soon. WENN took a lot of time. Both hers and Scott's. But still, the thought of being able to do more than boil a pot of water had its appeal. She picked up the box and carried it to the kitchen. She still had a few things to move, but the manager, Mrs. Adams, had given her to Monday to move out. She noticed that Scott had been by. There were a couple of pots and a coffee pot in the cupboard. She smiled...wondering just what he could cook. Her younger brother was pretty good at burning food. She quickly put her few things away as she started to sing.
She took a deep breath as she picked up the suitcase and carried it into the other room. There wasn't much furniture. She had brought her chair and typing table over the other day...But now she needed to unpack her clothes before they required ironing.
Betty continued to sing quietly, then a little louder as she carefully unfolded her dresses and hung them up.
"I didn't realize you would be here." She dropped the red dress and turned.
"Scott."
He smiled at her as he picked up the dress and finished hanging it up. "But since we meet--how about dinner?"
She smiled nervously. "I'd love to, but I have to get back to the station." He placed his hands on her arms.
"So do I." He pulled her close and kissed her.~~
#
"Betty? Are you there?" Maple waved her hand in front of the writer's face.
Betty looked up startled. "Maple..."
"You're daydreaming." Maple smiled at her. "But that is understandable. Nice daydream?"
Betty chuckled. The memory of that kiss from just two days ago still left her tingling all over. "Yes. Is there a problem?"
"No, I just decided to see how you were doing."
"Fine."
Betty started to stand up, but Maple shook her head. "Stay seated, Betty."
"But the place is falling apart out there." They could both hear someone shouting for something.
Maple grinned. "Men are such dears. Any way you know you can't go out there." She leaned against the shelves on Betty's desk.
"It's the dress he isn't suppose to see. And...well..." She looked down at the cream colored suit she was wearing. "I've worn this before."
"It's the thought that counts. Scott's more nervous than you are anyway."
"He looked fine this morning. What's going on out there?"
"From the sounds of it, Mackie can't tie his tie...Now that's something I can do." She winked at Betty. Another voice entered the fray and then the door opened.
"Hello Betty," Hilary said. The deep green dress she was wearing out did the bride's dress. She handed Maple a box. "The silly clerk couldn't recollect where she'd put this."
Maple shook her head and laughed, then passed the box to Betty. "For you. We realize it isn't much of a wedding--and even less of a honeymoon. But we...Hilary, Eugenia, Gertie, and myself got you this."
"Honeymoons aren't all that special." Hilary said as she moved to Maple's right. "Open it."
"I should wait for afterwards..." Betty started to say. The other two women shook their heads.
"This isn't exactly the kind of present one shares with anyone but Scotty," Maple said with a smile.
With a growing unease, Betty slowly opened the box. Carefully removing the colored paper. She smiled slightly at the other two's impatience. Finally, she removed the lid, and pushed the tissue paper aside. "Oh." She looked at Hilary and Maple as she pulled the long black silk negligee and matching robe out of the box. "I can't wear this..." She could feel her face turning bright red.'
Maple raised an eyebrow. "It won't be worn too long." Hilary snorted. "It's your wedding night. And you're spending it in an apartment, not Hawaii, not even Niagara."
Hilary smiled wickedly. "Either beats Mexico. So does an apartment."
Betty stood and held the nightgown against her. "It's..." She didn't know what to say. It felt wonderful...It was just something she had never worn before in her life...Or really considered...Well, not really considered. "Thank-you."
There was a knock at the door. Betty tossed the item into the box while Maple cautiously opened the door. "Hey, let me in." Gertie pushed the door as Maple leapt out of the way. "A peaceful respite. Betty your mother was on the line. She called to wish you good luck and tell you your father will be fine. We were cut-off..."
Betty smiled as she again thought about Thursday evening, the walk back from the apartment to the station--they had both been very aware of their proximity--yet hadn't even held hands. Then the message from her mother, saying her father had the flu. They wouldn't be attending--but she and Scott should come to Elkhart for Christmas.
"Thanks Gertie." She carefully packed the item into the box and closed the lid, wondering if she would find the courage to wear it...
There was a knock on the door. Gertie squeezed into a corner so Maple could open it.
"Ladies," Mackie said taking Maple's hand with a gallant bow. "I'm here to escort you to studio A."
#
#
Betty smiled nervously as she placed her hand on the knife handle and faced the cake. A flash of light caused her to close her eyes several seconds--while she again contemplated taking Mr. Foley's camera away from him. But it would be nice to have some photographs to send her parents. She leaned against her husband...That word brought a feeling a warmth and she shivered.
"Cold?" He whispered. She shook her head, not feeling confidant to speak. He placed his hand over hers and together they cut the first slice of their wedding cake. Gertie took the knife and continued with the cutting.
"Here's to Betty and Scott," Mackie said raising his glass high. Betty flushed slightly as she acknowledged the congratulations.
"Thank-you," Scott said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Since we only have an hour of records, everybody eat drink and be merry--since soon ... What's on in an hour anyway?"
"The Adventures of Captain Power and Lightening Lad," Maple answered.
Betty smiled as Jeff shook her hand, then with a wicked smile kissed her. "Old tradition...Kissing the bride." Hilary dragged him to a corner.
"Happy?" Scott whispered. She nodded. "Good. Someday I want to take you to someplace exotic..."
"Scott, I'm..." She turned and kissed him. It had become the most effective means of showing she didn't mind the lack of a honeymoon. Her mind turned toward the package sitting in the writer's room. "I'll be right back."
#
#
Maple smiled reassuringly at Betty as she hugged her. "Good luck." She winked and laughed. "See you Tuesday." The couple had agreed (under a great deal of pressure) to take the rest of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off. "We'll be fine without you."
"Gee thanks...It's nice to know we'll be missed." Betty let Scott help her with her coat.
"You have better things to think about..." Maple then hugged Scott then watched them leave. "Well, Captain Powder is on in five minutes."
Hilary snorted and marched into the greenroom.
#
#
#
"What are you doing here?" Maple asked Betty. "Don't tell me you're mad at Scott."
Betty smiled as she removed her coat. "No, it's nothing like that. We thought I would use today to get ahead with the scripts. We're hoping to go to my parents for Christmas."
Maple laughed. "It's the day after your wedding ... You should be ... You both should be--" She added to include Scott--who had just walked in--in her reprimand. "Well, you shouldn't be here."
Scott grinned as he pulled Betty into his arms. "Good afternoon to you too Mapes. Do you want some help?" He asked Betty. His wife shook her head as she ducked out of his embrace, trying not to laugh.
Maple shook her head. "Well, some people just don't know how to ... Scott find some way to make yourself useful."
#
#
Betty leaned back in her chair, her mind far from the scripts she wanted to write. Her thoughts were occupied with ... She felt herself blush at the memory of last night and the morning. She had to laugh at herself--there was no one around to see her or eavesdrop on her thoughts.
She glanced up at the clock, 2:27. Betty smiled slightly ... They'd been married for just over 24 hours. She typed six words before she again found herself daydreaming. "Betty Rob ... Betty Sherwood, you need to get to work," she admonished herself ... But the reprimand only served to fuel her daydreaming. She realized she was probably useless, sitting here with what had to be a silly grin on her face. She decided to turn on the radio--a football game. She turned it off.
A bell rang behind her, causing Betty to jump. She was learning to dislike the teletype these days. The short announcements were becoming more and more alarming.
But it was Sunday what could possibly happen on a Sunday? she thought as she walked over to remove the paper.
She noticed that the message was short.
#
#
Hilary looked at Jeff. "Be useful, see if I left it in the greenroom. You do remember how to be useful?" She walked down the hall.
He shrugged at Maple. "She can't find her ... Scott, what are you doing here?"
"It's a long story." They all looked down the hall. "But what are you two doing here?"
"We have reservations at the Four Seasons for dinner--and she can't find the broach she wore yesterday. She thinks she dropped it here."
"It's not even three o'clock." Scott bit back the urge to laugh--of course it would take Hilary the afternoon to get ready for dinner at one of Pittsburgh's finest restaurants.
Hilary stepped out of the studio and frowned. "A football game? Shakespeare would be so much more meaningful." She stopped speaking and stared at Scott, then shook her head. "Jeff ... we don't have that much time."
Scott laughed--further annoying WENN's leading lady. His grin grew at her deepening scowl. Her temper tantrums were half the fun. He glanced at the clock ... 2:42. Mackie stepped out and warily glanced up and down the hall.
"Scott, you shouldn't be here." Scott rolled his eyes. How many times had he been told that. He gave up and just walked down the hall.
He knocked on the writer's room. There was no response. He knocked again and opened the door. "Betty?"
She was standing by the teletype, staring at the piece of paper in her hand. Totally oblivious to the ringing bell and the clacking noises.
"Betty?" He walked over to her and touched her shoulder. She jumped and tried to speak ... The words didn't come, so instead she pushed the paper in his hand. He read it three times, each time furthered the gut-wrenching feeling building inside him. He then reached out and took the next piece of paper from the machine. "Good God." He looked at Betty and realized she was still staring at the paper, her face a pale white. "You should sit down." He guided her to her chair.
"I--" She was looking at him as she sat down. "We have to get this out." Scott nodded and took the two pieces down to the studio.
"You haven't found--" Hilary stopped speaking and froze when she saw Scott. The others turned to look at him as Scott stood in the doorway of the greenroom. Maple dropped the cushion she'd been holding.
Scott could see the cast react to his expression of fear, horror, and anger as the room became eerily quiet. He tried to say something, instead he offered the two pieces of paper to Mackie.
Mackie took the two pieces of paper, as Hilary, Maple, and Jeff gathered around.
"Oh my God," Maple whispered, as she stepped back. "I know--" She clasped a hand over her mouth. Mackie quietly stepped across the hall to deliver the announcement. Maple wiped her eyes and followed him.
They listened as Mackie cleared his voice and started to speak, "We interrupt our regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you this important announcement--"
Scott slipped out--leaving a stunned group sitting around the radio. War was a horrible thing. In Spain, he'd seen what people were capable of.
From a radio he heard the Star Spangled Banner.
He found Betty staring at her typewriter. She didn't look up when he entered. "We're at war," was all she said.
"Yes." It wasn't official--but there was no way they wouldn't be.
"Now what?"
"Betty, I don't know. The Great War was supposed to have been ...I don't know." He took her hand and kissed it.
There was another ding from the teletype. He went to get it. "Should I?" She nodded.
#
#
Mackie sat down in the chair and buried his face in his hands. For the past--he didn't want to know how long--they'd been reporting the unfolding events. Every fifteen minutes or so they would broadcast the government's request that all military personnel report to their bases. There were stories filtering in about barricades being set up on major intersections; and even a report of an invasion on Long Island.
The phones had finally quieted down as Pittsburgh realized the reality. Gertie had shown up soon after the initial announcement, with a detailed description of the stunned looks on the faces of everybody she had passed.
In the back of his mind he heard Jeff's voice from the radio. Back to work.
#
#
Betty sat on the floor, ignoring the man beside her, and stared at the back wall. War. She wasn't old enough to remember the previous one, but her father had told stories.
She closed her eyes and leaned against the desk. This room, sitting on the floor like this ...So many dark things had happened here. Victor telling her about Berlin...
And now...
Slowly she turned to face Scott. "You're going to join up?" Her voice was very soft.
He looked away guiltily. "Sort of." He reached over and took her hand. "I've been asked to participate in something ... Outside of Washington. It's all hush-hush."
"Cryptology?"
He smiled at her. "It was always difficult to pull the wool over your eyes. I haven't said yes ..." He ran his fingers along her cheek. "Remember Bill? He seems to have mentioned my cryptology experiences to certain people." He took her in his arms and pulled her to him. "At least the pay is better than here. You won't have any problems ..."
"Scott ... Do you know when?"
He shook his head, then kissed her forehead. "I'll know tomorrow, when I contact them."
"Oh." She sat up and again stared at the wall. "I wish ..." She felt the tears well up again and fought to bury them. It was difficult enough without her becoming distraught. She bit her lip and the tears started to fall.
"Betty, Betty, Betty," he said without the usual glee. He wrapped his arms around her and let her cry on his shoulder.
She finally took two deep breaths and lifted her head. It was several seconds before she could breathe normally and could talk. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He kissed her, then stood, pulling her up with him. They stood in an embrace staring at each other, before she smiled. Or tried to.
He smiled in return. "They want me to take you home."
"We can't ..."
"They are perfectly capable of running the station."
"What will WENN do ...I mean the men will be leaving ... I--" She gripped his hand tighter.
He ran his hand over the back of her head and tangled his fingers in her hair. "Jeff tried to enlist two weeks ago. He was rejected."
"Hilary will murder him."
"Why he didn't tell her." He ran his fingers along her cheek, then her lips. He leaned over to kiss her. "Mrs. Sherwood, let's go home."
#
#
"The west coast remains on alert after Japanese planes were reported over San Francisco. In other news, Japanese forces have invaded the Philippines, Singapore, Malaya, and Thailand." Jeff stopped speaking and took a sip of water. They had been making hourly bulletins since ... Oh, god ... was it just yesterday afternoon. It felt like days. In between bulletins they had played records. No one had felt like reading a script. "We are still waiting for--" From the speakers came applause. "Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States." He wiped his eyes and looked at the others. Everybody had gathered here knowing what was coming.
TBC