Cory Mansion/Day

CARL stands up during the conversation and turns to RACHEL.

CARL
Darling, I have to go make a call. I'll be right back.

RACHEL
Okay.

Carl leaves.

MATT
I have to go soon, I'm meeting Lorna for a late lunch this afternoon.

RACHEL
How is Lorna?

MATT
Fine, I guess. She's just trying to get back into the swing of Bay City life.

RACHEL
And Gabrielle?

MATT
Lorna's pride and joy. Right now she's just trying to get used to the fact that she has a new sister.

RACHEL
Yes, I heard about that.

MATT
It's quite an adjustment for her, and Felicia.

RACHEL
I'm sure it is. It's how I felt when Paulina first came to town.

MATT
Yeah, I guess there are some similarities there.

RACHEL
How much do you know about Hayley?

MATT
Not much at all. Lorna will probably fill me in tonight.

RACHEL
Well, be sure to give her my best.

MATT
I will. Listen, I'll talk to Amanda too, okay?

RACHEL
Thank you. I'm just worried about her and she won't listen to me. Everytime Carl opens his mouth, she blames him for something.

MATT
She's devastated. She'll be okay with time.

RACHEL
I hope so.

As Matt leaves, Rachel reaches for her book and begins to read.

FADE OUT

FELICIA'S APARTMENT/DAY

FELICIA is at her desk, typing on the typewriter, a hot-pink boa slung around her shoulders. She looks up as the door to the apartment opens and LORNA walks in, carrying GABRIELLE.

FELICIA
Hey, there! How was apartment hunting?

Lorna sets Gabrielle down, who runs to Felicia. Felicia swings her up in her arms.

LORNA
Apartment hunting was fine. I looked at a house that I really liked, too. Three bedrooms, a huge family room, skylights all over the place, and bay windows.

FELICIA
A house? Would you really want to buy a house right now?

LORNA
(shrugging)
Why not? All of those apartments didn't seem big enough. I'd rather buy something I love than rent somewhere just to live.

FELICIA
But three bedrooms? One for you, and one for the baby. Why the extra?

LORNA
I was thinking I might ask Hayley to move in with me. I can't stand the thought of her staying in that awful boarding house much longer, and after the baby's born...I know she's going to need the extra emotional support.

FELICIA
She's already said she doesn't want your help, honey. I know you're trying to fit into this role of a big sister to her, but you may not be able to change her mind on this.

LORNA
(sighing)
I know. I really know that. This is a weird situation for BOTH of us, though. It's not enough that we're suddenly related and having to deal with that little emotional upheaval...but to toss in an adoption, too. I just want her to know she can count on me.

FELICIA
(smiling)
She knows that. (To Gabrielle) So, kiddo...are you going to clue me in on secrets from your mom about her date with Matt?

LORNA
(laughing)
There are no secrets I haven't told you, Mom. We had a good time. A very nice time, actually.

FELICIA
You're no fun. Tell her, Gabrielle, she's no fun if she won't spill all the gory details.

GABRIELLE
(pointing at Lorna and grinning)
No fun, Mama!

LORNA
Corrupting my daughter, Mom? I'm going to put her down for her nap and give Hayley a call.

FELICIA
Tell you what. Let ME put her down and you call your sister.

LORNA
Speaking of sisters...have you talked to Jenna lately?

FELICIA
A few days ago. Why?

LORNA
Did she mention whether or not she was coming home to meet Hayley? She didn't seem all that thrilled with the idea when I mentioned it to her.

FELICIA
I have a feeling Jenna will need a little bit longer to get used to the idea of Hayley. Just give her some time. Call Hayley. I'll put the kiddo down.

As Felicia leaves the room, Lorna picks up the phone and begins to dial.

FADE OUT


DAVID'S PENTHOUSE/SAME DAY

CINDY watches DAVID, who gives her a sadistic smile.

DAVID
What do you think of becoming the heads of Cory Publishing? Ruling the roost with an iron fist and scepters of gold?

CINDY
I'd say anything that allows me to have creative control over Victoria McKinnon is a surefire yes. How in the world do you plan to accomplish this, however?

DAVID
A takeover. A slow, subtle takeover of Cory Publishing by buying a few more shares of stock until I'm in the majority. Right now I have a controlling interest, but that's not quite enough.

CINDY
What about Halliday Enterprises? Why not just start a rival publishing company?

DAVID
Cory has the name, Cory has the authors...Cory is everything I want...except Cory isn't mine.

CINDY
Yet.

DAVID
Yet.

CINDY
Imagine...me telling Vicky McKinnon what kind of lowly assignments she's getting THIS week.

DAVID
You...telling Amanda Cory the layout for the next Brava.

CINDY
The two of us...heading up Cory Publishing with a vengeance, together, becoming the new royalty in Bay City.

DAVID
You're enjoying the image, aren't you?

CINDY
Enjoying the image of all of Bay City looking up to me as the new Rachel Cory? No, of course not...why would I enjoy that? (She grins, reaching out to trace David's lips with her fingers) In fact, I am so NOT enjoying this little scenario that I am NOT going to take you into the bedroom and make wild, passionate love to you.

DAVID
You're not, are you? Well, I beg to differ, Ms. Brook. (He scoops her up in his arms and she shrieks with laughter.) We'll take over Cory after we attend to business here.

Carrying her into the bedroom, the door shuts, and we:

FADE OUT