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GOOD-BYE TO EMILY
(Jason is waiting at the docks and Emily comes down the stairs to him)
Emily (cheerfully): Hey. What’s going on? I haven’t talked to you in a while.
Jason: I just -- I wanted a chance to see you alone to say good-bye.
Emily (still cheerful): What, are you going away on business or something?
Jason: No, I’m leaving town for good.
Emily (confused): I don’t understand. You’re just going away?
Jason: Yeah.
Emily: What about Michael?
Jason: He’s got Carly and Monica and --
Emily (getting a little alarmed): Oh, please, please. What -- This is Carly, isn’t it?
Jason: No, it’s not.
Emily: What has she done now?
Jason: It’s not Carly.
Emily: She’s pushing you away, isn’t she, Jason?
Jason: It’s got nothing to do with Carly.
Emily (more alarmed): Then who is it? What is it? Is it business?
Jason: It’s not one thing. It’s a lot of things. It’ll all work out better if I just go.
Emily (becoming upset): I don’t believe you.
Jason: It’s true.
Emily (yelling a little): No, no, no. Jason, tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it.
Jason: Look, I need you to watch out for Michael.
(Emily is clearly upset now)
Emily: No, no, no. So that you’ll stay here!
Jason: There isn’t anything.
(Jason takes Emily’s hands and guides to the bench behind them and they sit down)
Jason: Staying here would hurt all the people that I care about.
Emily: It’s because of the bomb, isn’t it?
Jason: No, it’s -- look, Emily, you know if you lined up all the people that have been hurt because they somehow knew me or they were standing next to me -- look, it’s not just that. It’s like I said, it’s a lot of things. This is really the best thing to do.
Emily (beginning to cry): Not for me.
Jason: You're going to have to trust me.
Emily: You’re going to have to tell Grandmother in person that you’re leaving.
Jason (clearing his throat): I will.
Emily (tears falling): When are you leaving?
Jason: Later.
Emily: I can’t just let you go.
Jason (strokes Emily’s hair and leaves his hand on her shoulder): You’ll be OK.
Emily: Where are you going?
Jason (gives a big sigh): Whoo, I’m not sure. I don’t know.
Emily (tries to smile through her tears): How am I going to get in touch with you if I need you for something?
Jason: I'll find out.
Emily: Sure. You’re going to leave me here with our crazy family. What am I going to do, Jason? You’ve always been there for me in the past.
Jason (wipes the tears from Emily’s cheek): I know, I know. But you can handle those people. You can do anything you want to.
Emily (cries harder while Jason rubs her shoulder): You expect me to just live with this?
Jason (trying not to cry): Look, I just need you to watch out for Michael, OK? I love you.
(They hug)
Emily: I love you, too. And I will.
(Jason lets go and stands up, shaking his head as he gets a grip on his emotions. Emily stands facing him)
Emily: Wait, Jason -- wait. You have to write or something or call I mean, you have to. It’s not a choice.
Jason: I will.
Emily (cries and has a hard time speaking): OK, you promise?
Jason: Yeah, I promise.
Emily (smiles a little): Every day?
Jason: No, not everyday.
Emily (looks at him with anguish in her eyes): Will I ever see you again?
Jason: Someday. I love you.
(Jason wipes her tears away again with his thumb and then pulls her to him to hug)
Emily: I love you, too.
(Emily cries as Jason looks at her for a moment and then turns away and goes up the stairs)
GOOD-BYE TO LILA
(Jason enters the drawing room at the Quartermaine mansion through the french doors)
Jason: (comes over to the couch and sits down facing Lila who is reading the newspaper) Grandmother?
Lila (looks up and smiles): Jason. What a lovely surprise.
Jason: I've been doing some thinking, and -- and I came to a decision on how to handle things. I'm going away. But I couldn’t leave before saying good-bye to you.
Lila (with concern): Is it Michael?
Jason: It’s everyone I care about. They get hurt, I get hurt. I -- I can’t change who I am. I don’t want to.
Lila: You shouldn’t have to. Jason, whatever else you think, I hope you’ll remember that you’re very well loved in this house.
Jason: Not by everyone.
Lila: Don’t let Edward fool you. Darling, you’re the heart of us all. You still are.
Jason: No, you are.
Lila: Will you see Michael before you go?
Jason (sighs): I don’t think that’s a good idea. It would just confuse him.
Lila: I have an idea.
GOOD-BYE TO MONICA
(Jason is standing, waiting in the drawing room. Monica comes in)
Monica: Lila told me you were waiting. What’s wrong?
Jason (walks over to her and stands in front of her): Nothing. I just -- I just wanted to say good-bye.
Monica: Good-bye? What -- where are you going? Are you in trouble?
Jason: No. Not just -- I just need to go.
Monica (clearly confused): Why?
Jason: It’s best for everyone. I already told Emily, and I told Grandmother. And I’m not telling Carly.
Monica (sinks onto the couch behind her): Oh.
Jason: I don’t want anyone else to know until I’m gone, so could you please not tell them?
Monica: Yeah, I mean, whatever you want. But why are you going?
Jason: Because I’ve -- I've made some mistakes, and it’s the only way to make it right. (looks down for a few seconds as though what he has to say is difficult, then looks back up and speaks quietly) I didn’t like you when I woke up. I especially didn’t like how you kept saying that you loved me because I was sure you didn’t.
Monica: Oh.
Jason: And you kept telling me you felt that way because you were my mother. That didn’t make any sense to me till I had Michael.
Jason: So everything that I felt for him -- it took everything and how much I’ve missed him -- and I still do -- to make me see what being a parent means. I know you love me. I love you, too.
Monica (beginning to cry, she grabs Jason and pulls him to her to hug): -- Oh, my boy. How -- How can I let you go?
Jason (pulls away a little but Monica keeps her hand tenderly on the side of his face): It was never up to you, and you understood that, and I know it was hard. And now I have to -- I have to do this for Michael, even though it’s hard on me.
Monica: You promise me -- you promise me you’ll be careful.
Jason (looks as though he is trying not to cry): And you promise me that you won’t kidnap anyone and take them to a motel room and try to shoot them.
Monica (laughs through her tears): Oh, I think that was probably the most desperate time in my life. But you came, and you rescued me. (speaks softly and puts her hand tenderly on Jason’s cheek again) And I knew right at that point that I hadn’t lost you. And I am not losing you now.
Jason: No.
Monica: Is there -- is there anything I can do?
Jason: Yeah, I’d like to see Michael one last time. But only if he can’t see me.
Monica (stroking Jason’s cheek): Oh. Whether or not Michael can see you, I know he loves you. And he always will. So will I. I’ll go get him.
GOOD-BYE TO MICHAEL
(Scene fades out. Fades in with Jason waiting on the patio. Monica brings Michael into the drawing room holding both his hands and helping him walk. Lila is in the room watching the french doors)
Monica: Say hi to Great Grandma. Come here. Come on. (Jason is shown at the window looking in with stark longing) Here you go. There you go. There you go. Look what we got here for you. (Scene switches to Lila watching Jason at the window and smiling a little) A present. Let’s see, huh? Can you make that go? Good. Good boy. Did you know about these? Going to take these off? (Jason turns away as though he can’t stand anymore and then turns back as though he can’t make himself leave) That’s it. Put that back in. Good.
(Jason mouths the words, “Good-bye Michael” through the glass. Scene switches to Monica looking at Jason. Jason finally turns away and pauses for a moment looking brokenhearted and unable to make himself walk away)
Monica: Great.
GOOD-BYE TO CARLY
(Jason is walking quickly on the docks. Clearly on his way somewhere. Carly runs down the stairs calling his name. Jason stops and turns towards her with his hands in the pockets of his coat)
Carly: Jason? Jason?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carly (walks to stand in front of Jason): In a hurry?
Jason: I have someplace to be.
Carly: It’s kind of important.
Jason: OK.
Carly: I know you don’t want an explanation. I know. To you, when a thing is done, it can’t be changed.
Jason (takes a deep breath): Carly --
Carly (speaks with a lot of emotion): No, look. I just -- you know the night that I came to you in the rain and I didn’t have anywhere else to go? There was no reason for you to help me, but you did? Ever since then, no matter how crazy I got, no matter how scared I got, I -- I just never felt like I could fall, you know, because I knew that you would -- you would always be there to catch me. (Her voice shakes as she tries not to cry) Will you? I mean, did I ruin that when I ruined everything else?
Jason: What are you asking me? To help you when you need it? You know I will. You know I can’t see you in trouble and not stop it.
Carly (begins to cry): Thank you.
Jason: But I won’t be your excuse anymore.........for doing stupid stuff that hurts everyone, especially Michael. (Speaks intently but quietly) Now, Carly, I -- you have to understand that I can’t love you the way you want me to.
Carly: You’re saying that because I hurt you. It’s not --
Jason (speaks tenderly): No, no, seeing you and Sonny together proved what I already know. If I let you, you would wreck me.
Carly: No.
Jason: No, look, you wouldn’t mean to, but you would do it. I mean, the next time you get scared or you get angry, how am I supposed to help you? How can I keep catching you if there’s nothing left of me? You and I are friends. We’re best friends in the world. And I hope that you’re happy someday and I hope you find someone who can love you the way you need. (smiles at her a little) But it wasn’t me. Never was.
Carly (with tears running down her cheeks): You know, when my baby needed a father, you gave him one. When I got locked in a mental institution, you got me out. When I hit rock bottom, you saved me. That’s how I need you to love me. (looks at Jason, pleading) That’s it.
(Jason steps forward and takes Carly in his arms hugging her)
Jason (steps back a little): Listen to me, OK? You are Michael’s mother. He needs you to do what’s best for him, OK? And you just got to start trusting yourself to do things right without counting on me to tell you --
Carly (tears still falling): I'll always count on you.
Jason: Just tell Michael that -- just, uh, kiss him for me, OK?
Carly: Soon as I get home.
(Jason turns and walks away. Carly watches him leave. A puzzled look crosses her face as she considers what Jason just said to her then she turns on the opposite direction and walks away)
GOOD-BYE TO ELIZABETH
(Jason and Elizabeth are walking together on the docks)
Elizabeth: This is perfect timing because my shift was almost over and I was on my way to Bobbie’s to do laundry. So whatever you have in mind has got to be better than that.
(Jason stops by a bench)
Jason: Elizabeth -- this won’t -- this won’t take long.
(Elizabeth sits down facing Jason and he sits also)
Jason: I'm leaving town for good.
Elizabeth (confused): Well -- when are you leaving?
Jason: Today.
Elizabeth: Just like that?
Jason: Yeah. I’m not telling a lot of people. But I wanted you to know.
Elizabeth (in shock, not quite knowing what say): Thank you for thinking of me.
Jason (looks at her intently, trying to figure out what she’s thinking): You OK?
Elizabeth: Do you want me to say I am? Because I can do that. Yes, Jason, I’m fine, really. Thank you for asking. Good luck wherever you’re going and I’ll think of you.
Jason (protests): Elizabeth --
Elizabeth: Don’t. Don’t ask me how I’m feeling if you don’t want to know.
Jason (looks down): I'm sorry.
Elizabeth (getting tearful): Then why are you leaving? I mean, yesterday you were laughing. we were out on your bike. What changed?
Jason: Nothing. Nothing’s going to change unless I go. There are people that I care about who are hurting every day because of me.
Elizabeth: These people -- am I one of them?
Jason: Yes.
Elizabeth: No, you’re wrong. I don’t hurt because of you, Jason. I would hurt without you.
Jason (speaks intently): Elizabeth, I’ve made you a target, a way to get to me. And I know that you’re willing to take the risk, but you don’t really understand what it means to have guards around all the time, to be afraid every day. It makes your world so small. It takes away your freedom and you don’t want that. You told me so yourself.
Elizabeth: So you’re -- you’re leaving to protect me?
Jason: That’s part of it, but not all of it. There are people here who will be better off without me.
Elizabeth (tears falling): Do you know how hard it is to lose the only person who believes I can figure out my own life?
Jason (swallows, trying not to cry): You’re not losing me. I’m just going away.
Elizabeth: Thank you for telling me. I mean that.
(Jason gazes at her for a few moments then pulls her towards him with a hand on the back of her neck. He tenderly kisses her forehead then pulls away slowly)
Jason (in a low voice): Good-bye.
Elizabeth: No. I’ll see you later.
(Elizabeth gets up and goes quickly up the stairs. Jason gives a big sigh, leans back, and closes his eyes)
GOOD-BYE TO SONNY
(Jason comes into Sonny’s penthouse with a manilla envelope and hands Johnny an envelope from his pocket. Sonny is sitting at the desk working)
Jason (to Johnny): It’s for you.
Sonny (turns and looks up at Jason): Hey. Where were you this morning? Benny was looking for you.
Jason: Yeah. I had a lot to take care of. I’m leaving. Permanently. It’s my turn to disappear.
Sonny (pauses, absorbing what Jason said, then stands): Oh, well, I understand, you know. I mean, after what I did --
Jason: No, no, no. That’s not why I’m going.
Sonny: That’s the first time you ever lied to me.
Jason: I don’t lie to you, Sonny. Look, I hate that you slept with Carly, but I don’t hate you. I never could. Sorel’s using Elizabeth to get to me and he’s using me for an excuse to go for you. To keep her safe, to keep the peace, I have to go.
Sonny: There’s an alternative....
Jason: What, with the F.B.I. watching every move you make? We got lucky with Moreno. It’s not going to happen again.
Sonny: You came here to tell me that I’m losing my right hand because of that bastard? That’s not acceptable!
Jason: Sorel is only part of it. Carly’s starting to use Michael against me.
Sonny: Oh, see, I knew it. You know what? You got to understand about --
Jason: Sonny --
Sonny: She’s going to --
Jason: Hold on, Sonny. She’s sorry. (pauses to watch as Sonny becoming a little agitated, paces once back and forth and then leans against the desk looking at Jason) Just like you. But you got to understand -- Carly does not comprehend when to give things up. She knows that I can’t turn Michael away, so she keeps bringing him to me. And I know it’s confusing this kid. And sooner or later, you know, A.J.’s going to find out.
Sonny: Since when do you give a damn about A.J.?
Jason: He is Michael’s father. Carly won’t sleep with him. She’s doing everything she can to destroy A.J., and A.J. hates her for it, and Michael is stuck in the middle.
Sonny: How will any of this be any better if you leave?!
Jason: Because Carly thinks that she’s fighting for her family, that somehow the three of us are going to end up together, and it won’t happen. If Carly and Michael could walk out of the Quartermaines’ tomorrow, I could not love Carly the way she wants me to. We’re only good as friends, but she can’t see that. So if I stay here, she’s going to keep fighting to be with me. And if I go, you know, she’ll start paying attention to Michael and she’ll do what’s best for him.
Sonny: So you really think it’s better for the kid to be in that house with nobody to depend on but Carly?
Jason: No. But it’s better than Michael being torn in two, which is happening right now. Look, when you left, I didn’t agree.....But I accepted it. Now I need you to do the same for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Jason shows Sonny what is in the manilla envelope. Sonny is still sitting on the desk watching Jason)
Jason (lays each item on the desk as he says what it is): Power of attorney for my share of the warehouse. E.L.Q. stocks. I got everything in trust for Michael. Along with the apartment. Here’s the deed, the key, and most of my legitimate cash. You’re the trustee.
Sonny: You sure you don’t want somebody else -- Alexis, maybe Mike?
Jason: No, you’re the only one I trust.
Sonny: All right. (Stands in front of Jason) Anything else?
Jason: Yeah, Sorel -- once he finds out that I’m gone, he should back off Elizabeth. But if he doesn’t --
Sonny: Yeah, I’ll look out for her.
Jason: And just take it easy on Carly. I mean, when she finds out I’ve left, she’s going to want you to find me. Just, you know, try not to rip each other up too much. Neither one of you are as bad as you think.
Sonny (smiles a little): How can you say that after what we did to you?
Jason: I say it because I know.
Jason (draws another envelope from his pocket): This is for -- it’s for Michael. Um -- ahem (getting emotional). I'd like you to give it to him when he’s old enough to understand. I want you to watch out for him and make sure he’s OK, and if he’s not, you find me because I believe in my heart that this is the right thing to do. But if I’m wrong, I need you to take care of my son.
Sonny (almost in a whisper): I will. You have my word.
Jason: Thank you.
Sonny (with tears gathering in his eyes): Will you stop thanking me? What the hell have I ever done for you? I brought you into a life that I knew damn well could get you killed. I let you do my dirty work. I send you out to get shot for me, and when your back was turned, I, uh, slept with your woman. I got to tell you something, Jason, I turned out to be the worst enemy you ever had.
Jason (points at the couch): You know, you sat over there once and you asked me if I could forgive. And you said you couldn’t because you never learned how. I learned. (looks intently at Sonny) I forgive you.
(Sonny’s face crumples for a second as he tries not to cry)
Jason: All I want in return is for you to forgive yourself. (Sonny shakes his head yes, too emotional for words)
Sonny (stands): I've never forgiven betrayal. How can I forgive it now? You’re my best friend. You were loyal to me. You risked your life for me. (With tears on his cheeks)
Jason: Like you risked yours for me. It’s all right. You made a mistake. You’re sorry. That’s enough. (Sonny wipes the tears away)
Sonny: Yeah. It’s good you’re going, though you know? I mean, not for me but for you. You got to see what’s out there. Maybe you’ll find something better than you ever dreamed of, maybe you’ll realize this is where you should be after all, but you got to go and try. Right? Otherwise, you’ll wonder, you know, if it could’ve been different.
Jason (shakes his head in agreement): Yeah, I grew up here. (pauses, considering what he has just said) Couldn’t say that before. It would’ve meant admitting how little I knew when I woke up. You know, I always said I wasn’t a kid, but I was.
Sonny (smiles): Smartest, most talented kid I ever saw.
Jason: I learned from a lot of people. But most of all from you. I mean, you taught me that I was worth something. You taught me to believe in myself. (speaks with his voice shaking) Wherever I go, whatever happens, you gave me my life.....And you’re the only father that I’ll ever have.
Sonny (looks down for a few moments then looks at Jason, his voice squeaks out as he tries to hold back the tears): Don’t you die on me.
Jason (blinking back tears): Don’t die on me. Give me your word.
Sonny (holds up his hand as though making a vow): You got my word. Go ahead. Go. Don’t look back. (pats Jason hard on the shoulder a few times)
Jason (smiles a little as he watches Sonny): You going to quit giving me orders?
Sonny (laughs a little): Yeah.
Jason: I get to miss you if I want.
Sonny: Yeah.
(Jason pats Sonny’s shoulder as he leaves the penthouse. Sonny is crying and wiping the tears away. Scene fades out)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Scene begins at night with Elizabeth leaning against a railing at the top of the stairs at the dock gazing into nowhere. Music is playing)
Singer: I don’t know where I’m going (Jason on motorcycle. Motorcycle starts and Jason sits looking around, considering), Now that I am gone. I hope the wind that’s blowing helps me carry on. (Scene returns to Elizabeth, crying at the docks) But turn on your radio, baby, and listen to my song. Turn on your night-light, baby, baby, I’m gone.
Carly (in her room at the Quartermaines, Carly leans against her bed and looks up. Music is playing in the background): Please don’t let this be happening.
Singer (Scene returns to Jason as he revs engine of his bike and drives away): Turn on the radio. I don’t know how it happened but now that I am gone, I hope I’m never here.
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