BRAVA OFFICES/SAME DAY

DAVID grins at VICKY and AMANDA.

AMANDA
So what's this proposition all about?

CINDY walks into the office.

CINDY
Okay, I'm here. Now what?

VICKY
Oh, great. This day just keeps getting better and better.

CINDY
(looking at Vicky, then at David)
You didn't tell me she was going to be here.

AMANDA
Would someone please tell me what is going on here?

DAVID
I want Cindy to work at Brava.

AMANDA and VICKY
What?

AMANDA
Absolutely not. Cindy has no writing experience whatsoever.

DAVID
I'm not asking you, Amanda. I'm telling you. I practically own this magazine, and in my opinion, it would be in the best interest of this company to have Cindy Harrison as one of its contributing writers.

VICKY
(laughing)
Give me a break. What's the real reason you want Cindy to work here? I'm assuming its because Florence Nightingale here couldn't get her nurses' license back.

CINDY
(putting one arm around Vicky and the other around Amanda)
Oh come on. This could be fun. Just think what a great time the three of us could have talking about our marriages to the one and only Grant Harrison.

AMANDA
I'm going to call Carl and my mother about this.

DAVID
It won't do any good, but go ahead and call if it'll make you feel better.

Amanda reaches for the phone and we:

FADE OUT


CASS' OFFICE/SAME DAY

JOSIE stares at CASS, an angry look on her face.

JOSIE
What do you mean, Cass? Why would we have our hearts broken?

CASS
You have to consider all of the factors here, Josie. This could be a lengthy process. You two could be waiting months, even years, for a child. And then when you finally do find a birth mother....she could take the baby back, change her mind. Just like that.

JOSIE
(firmly)
It won't happen.

GARY
Honey, Cass has a point. We need to at least take this into consideration.

CASS
I'm not trying to discourage you, Josie. I just want you to be aware of what could happen. But there are many, many happy adoptions, too. And there's no reason to think you won't have a happy adoption either.

JOSIE
I want to take the chance. I'm willing to risk it.

GARY
Are you sure?

JOSIE
I've never been more sure of anything else in my life. When we're holding this baby in our arms, we'll know that we made the right decision.

CASS
If that's the way that both of you feel...

Josie and Gary look at each other and smile.

CASS (cont'd)
Then we'll proceed. There are a few steps to take...you two can place in ad in national newspapers offering a loving home for a child. I'll get back in touch with my friend and she can probably help you a little more than I can since she's more experienced in this.

JOSIE
On an estimate, Cass, how long do you think this will take?

CASS
(shrugs)
I don't know, Josie. It just depends on how long it takes to find a birth mother. Sometimes the wait is a little less with private adoptions, but it's all unknown.

GARY
Well, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll have a child.

CASS
All right, then. I'll talk to my friend and get back in touch with you, okay? In the meantime, try not to stress over this too much, okay?

JOSIE
(smiling)
That's a tall order, Cass, but we'll try.

Josie and Gary stand and walk towards the door.

GARY
(turning back to Cass)
We really appreciate this.

CASS
Don't thank me. I can't think of two people who deserve to be parents more than you two.

As Josie and Gary leave, we:

FADE OUT

FELICIA'S APARTMENT/DAY

FELICIA walks over to HAYLEY and puts a hand on her shoulder.

FELICIA
Have you thought about this, Hayley? I mean, really thought about it?

HAYLEY
(nodding)
I've thought about it ever since I got pregnant. Look, I grew up with a single mom...we didn't have any money and it wasn't easy for her. I'm nineteen years old. I have things to accomplish and a lot to learn. I want my baby to have every opportunity...and I can't give that to it.

FELICIA
That's a very mature attitude, but have you thought about whether or not you'll be able to give the baby up?

HAYLEY
I won't know until I try....(She shakes her head)....I only know that I can't be responsible for myself and a baby.

LORNA
(a little more sympathetic, but still wary)
It's not easy to be a single mother. Where did you and your mother live?

HAYLEY
Everywhere. We never stayed in one place very long.

FELICIA
And you said she died?

HAYLEY
(nodding)
Two years ago in a car accident. And I never really knew my dad...we left him when I was little.

FELICIA
And now you're alone.

HAYLEY
Now I'm alone.

FELICIA
What about the baby's father?

HAYLEY
Uninterested and unprepared. He didn't want anything to do with me after I got pregnant. I'm better off without him anyway.

LORNA
Why are you in Bay City?

HAYLEY
Recommendation from a friend. It's a nice town.

LORNA
You don't know anyone in town? No family, no nothing?

Hayley shakes her head.

LORNA
(accusingly)
And you just happened to meet my mother at the Harbor Club?

FELICIA
Lorna!

HAYLEY
Look, I didn't come over here to ask for a handout or anything. I wanted to thank her for getting me the job. She's the first person who's been kind to me since I got here....I wanted to make sure she knew I was grateful, that's all.

Lorna and Hayley glare at one another as we:

FADE OUT