EPISODE #47

EPISODE 47

Created By: Casey Hutchison

Executive Producer: Mike Larry

Written By: Casey Hutchison & Mike Larry

SAME DAY. NIGHT.

THORNE HILL - AROUND TOWN

ANDERSON MANSION - LIVING ROOM

Michael is leaning back on the couch. He has buttons on his shirt undone and his tie is loose. He is looking through photos of he and Cynthia on his phone. As he comes across a funny selfie of them on a beach during their honeymoon, he chuckles. He lets out a deep breath and then goes to his text messages. He then begins to write a new text to Cynthia.

//MICHAEL//

Hey. What r u up 2?

Michael sends the text.

THE PALACE HOTEL - CYNTHIA’S SUITE

Cynthia is laying in her bed, watching on a rom-com on Hallmark.

CYNTHIA: Oh come on! Of course the farm girl falls in love with the tech mogul.

As Cynthia is about to turn off the television, she hears her phone ding. She then picks it up from her bed and reads what Michael has sent her.

CYNTHIA: Wow. Twice in one night.

Cynthia smiles and begins to text Michael back.

//CYNTHIA//

Nothing much. Watching some stupid rom-com on Hallmark. I wish u were here to make fun of it with me...like we used to do.

A couple of seconds later, Cynthia receives another text message.

//MICHAEL//

I can come over and watch terrible movies with u. Only if u break out the good vodka. I’ll even bring the popcorn.

Cynthia smiles.

CYNTHIA: Well, I guess it’s time to put on the ritz.

Cynthia begins writing a text back to Michael.

THORNE HILL PARK - PRIVATE AREA

Keith is pacing around the private area of the park.

KEITH: Come on. Where are you, man.

A Man walks up to Keith seconds later. Keith stops pacing.

KEITH: Finally! You’re here. Now, we can talk business.

LINDSAY’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM

Carter and Lindsay are sitting on the couch. They are both sharing a good laugh. Lindsay is pouring both of them another glass of wine.

LINDSAY: (laughs) So, let me get this straight? You really put your mother down as a reference for your college job at a coffee shop?

CARTER: (laughs) Yes. And, she praised me so much. It went very well till she admitted that I was her little boy, as she called me.

LINDSAY: Did you even get the job?

CARTER: Yes. And the very next day, my boss taught me how to make a proper resume. But, at 20 years old you don’t even care about that stuff.

LINDSAY: Good point. I’m glad that you told me that story.

CARTER: Really? Why’s that?

LINDSAY: Well, I wanted to get to know the real you again. I wanted to get to know the Carter that was on that dating app. Here he is. Here you are. Thank you for being real with me.

CARTER: Thank you for forgiving me.

WHITMORE MANSION - STUART’S STUDY

Stuart is sitting behind his desk. He is typing up an EMail. Then, there’s a knock at the door. Stuart looks up from his computer.

STUART: Hey, what are you doing back here?

Judith enters the study, shutting the door behind her.

JUDITH: I thought that I would come back and properly thank you for hiring that bodyguard to protect my sister. You didn’t have to do that.

STUART: Yes, I did. I still care about Ava. And, we’re heavily involved in her situation considering how we got our son.

JUDITH: It’s crazy, you know.

STUART: (standing/going to Judith) What is?

JUDITH: Our past has really come back to haunt us lately. Fingers crossed that we come out on the other end. It is my belief that the road is gonna get quite bumpy.

PHILIP’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM

Jennifer and Philip are standing across from one another. Philip hangs up his phone.

JENNIFER: What did Vargas say to you? Did he reveal the killer?

PHILIP: No. He just gave me another clue.

JENNIFER: Great. Perfect! We give that son-of-a-bitch half a million dollars and he just wants to play this mind game with us?! What the hell!

PHILIP: Jenn, calm down. It’s okay.

JENNIFER: No! It’s not okay! He’s leading us on! He doesn’t know a thing!

PHILIP: I don’t think that’s true! I think Vargas knows exactly who killed your parents. I think he knows how it’s connected to my hit-and-run. We just have to follow the clue. We can do this. We can find the missing puzzle piece.

Back at the Whitmore Mansion, in Stuart’s Study, Judith is sitting on a couch. Stuart walks back over to her, this time holding two glasses of scotch. He hands one to her, keeps one for himself, and sits down next to her.

JUDITH: The interior designer you hired did a great job. The mansion looks fabulous. When will it all be finished? I’d love to see the completed renovations.

STUART: The company should be done next month.

JUDITH: Good.

STUART: Enough about that. We don’t have time for small talk. We need to discuss what we’re going to do about our current situation concerning Philip. We have so much on the line. He’s looking into the murder. His real father may be in town. Judith…

JUDITH: I know you’re scared. I am too. I’m trying to lead a normal life. I realize, however, that leading a normal life is not possible. How can it be? (voice breaking) We killed two people. Our son could learn that he is not our’s. Stuart, we have so much on the line! What the hell are we gonna do?

STUART: We’re going to fight this together.

JUDITH: How?!

STUART: I don’t know. (laughs) I honestly don’t know. I know it isn’t funny. But, in its own dark way...it is. Honey, we’ll get through this. We’ll get through everything. I promise.

JUDITH: You just called me ‘honey’. There’s another problem.

STUART: Yeah. I guess that is another issue.

Judith leans on Stuart shoulder. Both of them take a drink of their scotch.

Back at Philip’s Apartment, in the Living Room, Philip and Jennifer are sitting down on the couch. Jennifer has a notepad in front of her. She is writing down evidence.

JENNIFER: When you were at the crime scene, the night my parents died, did you ever notice anything? Did you look around at your surroundings?

PHILIP: I’m sorry. I didn’t. When I spent their final moments with them, I just thought that they had been in a car accident. I didn’t know they had been murdered till I saw the breaking news story two weeks later.

JENNIFER: Okay. (sighs) The bracelet.

PHILIP: We’ve already exhausted that whole thing. My guy at the lab came back with evidence that showed that there was no way to come up with a match. It had just been sitting outside and been through so much over the past year. Think about it. Rain, snow, flooding…

JENNIFER: Yeah. Whatever.

PHILIP: Jenn, what are you thinking about?

JENNIFER: First of all, it’s crazy to me that, that bracelet was out there after all this time. Even though it was buried under some stuff, it was still crazy to me. With all that aside, it’s even crazier to me that the lab didn’t lift any prints. Philip, we’ve all watched our fave documentary on NetFlix before. We know that the police can trace DNA back by decades.

PHILIP: You think someone wiped the bracelet clean?

JENNIFER: Or, someone paid the lab to take care of it. I say we get in touch with that lab and we look deeper into this lead left by the bracelet. In fact, I think the bracelet may be our smoking gun.

Back at The Palace Hotel, in Cynthia’s Suite, Cynthia is standing over by the night stand and lighting some candles. She is wearing a tight, black, strapless dress and a pair of red-bottom-black pumps. As she lights the last candle, there is a knock at the door. Cynthia smiles, puts down the lighter, and walks to the door.

CYNTHIA: (opening the door) Hello.

MICHAEL: Hi.

CYNTHIA: I’m shocked that you wanted to come over.

MICHAEL: Me too. I just had to see you. You look amazing.

CYNTHIA: Thank you. Would you like to come in and have a drink?

MICHAEL: Yes, I very much would.

CYNTHIA: Then, by all means.

Cynthia steps aside and Michael enters. Cynthia smiles and shuts the door.

LINDSAY’S APARTMENT - BEDROOM

Lindsay and Carter are standing by the bed, kissing passionately.

CARTER: Are you sure we should be doing this?

LINDSAY: Yeah.

CARTER: You just forgave me.

LINDSAY: Carter, you only live once. Take off your damn shirt.

As Carter begins to unbutton her shirt, Lindsay grabs her head in pain. She then backs up to the bed and sits down. Carter stops unbuttoning his shirt and rushes to her. He sits next to her.

CARTER: Oh my God, are you okay?

LINDSAY: Yeah. I just got this rush. I guess that third glass of wine was too much.

CARTER: Lindsay, maybe we shouldn’t do this. Maybe you should get some sleep.

LINDSAY: Carter, how do you feel about roleplaying?

CARTER: It’s okay. What does that have to do with anything?

LINDSAY: Listen, I’m fine. I’m good. That pain only lasted a split second. Now, take me right here. Right now. And, call me Lacey.

CARTER: Lacey?

LINDSAY: Just do it.

Lindsay goes back to kissing Carter passionately. They then fall on the bed.

Back in Thorne Hill Park, at the Private Area, Keith hands the Man he is speaking with a manilla envelope. The Man opens the envelope and sees a stack of 100 dollar bills.

KEITH: There’s five-thousand-dollars in that envelope for you. When you do what I need you to do, you’ll receive 50-thousand-dollars. Got it, Mr. Milstone?

MR. MILSTONE: I think I got it. All I need to do is just make sure your wife is present near one of your recording devices at all times?

KEITH: You got it. I want to hear everything Ava and her guests have to say. I want to hear what she is keeping from me. You are my eyes and ears. Do what I say and everything will be just fine. But, if you cross me, I will kill you. Understood?

MR. MILSTONE: Yes. (nervously) Yes, I understand.

Keith lets out a laugh.

KEITH: Oh, calm down. I’m joking.

Mr. Milstone nervously laughs.

KEITH: Now, you better get back and get to work.

The camera zooms in on Keith. He is smiling.

***FADE OUT***
***END OF EP. 47***

EPISODE #46

EPISODE 46

Created By: Casey Hutchison

Executive Producer: Mike Larry

Written By: Casey Hutchison & Mike Larry

SAME DAY. NIGHT.

THORNE HILL - AROUND TOWN

THE GRAND PIANO - DINING AREA

Cynthia enters the establishment, lets out a sigh, and goes to the bar portion. She sits her purse down on the counter and takes a seat on one of the bar chairs. The Bartender comes up to her.

ANNOUNCER: The role of Cynthia Martin-Anderson is now being play by Alicia Silverstone.

CYNTHIA: White wine spritzer, please.

The Bartender nods and begins making Cynthia’s drink. Cynthia turns in her stool. As she turns back, her eyes look over at the door and she sees Michael entering. The two stare at one another, nervously.

LINDSAY’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM

Lindsay is standing over by her coffee table. She is pouring two glasses of red wine. As she finishes pouring wine into the second glass, there’s a knock at the door. Lindsay sets down the bottle, walks to the door, and opens it.

LINDSAY: I was wondering when you’d get here.

CARTER: There was a car accident downtown. Sorry I’m late.

LINDSAY: No worries. Come on in.

Lindsay moves aside and Carter enters. Lindsay then shuts the door, turns around, and walks over to Carter, who is standing by the coffee table.

CARTER: I was shocked to get a text from you.

LINDSAY: I can only imagine.

CARTER: Why did you call me over here exactly?

Lindsay picks up the two glasses of wine. She hands one to Carter.

LINDSAY: Well, I thought we could have a drink and talk about what’s gone down the past few weeks. We certainly have a lot to discuss.

THE PALACE HOTEL - AVA’S SUITE

Judith and Ava walk into the hotel room. Ava shuts the door behind them. The two women sit their purses down on the desk.

AVA: (sighs) Thank you for bringing me home.

JUDITH: Of course. I wanted to make sure you were doing okay.

AVA: I’m doing as well as I can. I just can’t wait till that security guy gets here.

JUDITH: When he does, I know that everything will be a whole lot better.

AVA: God, I hope you’re right.

KEITH’S MOTEL ROOM

Keith is laying down in his bed and drinking a beer. The laptop is sitting next to him. He is watching the live camera feed in Ava’s room.

KEITH: Oh, so you’ve got a security guy coming to protect you? Well, I’ll have to see what I can do about that. You won’t be protected for long.

MIMI’S CAFE

Amy and Quentin take a seat at a corner booth.

AMY: Uncle Quent, I’m so glad you’re back in town. I haven’t seen you in years! It’s so nice to see that you’re doing well. And, thank you for all that jewelry you’ve sent me through the years.

QUENTIN: (chuckles) It helps when your uncle is a jewelry designer. And, I’m glad to see you too. I’m sorry that I haven’t been around.

AMY: Why is that?

QUENTIN: Oh, honey, my career just took off. I put my work down as my top priority instead of what matters. But, no more of that. I am moving onto a new chapter in my life.

AMY: Can I ask you something else? Something a little more personal?

QUENTIN: Go for it.

AMY: Will your new chapter include my dad in it?

PHILIP’S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM

Jennifer, Philip, Joshua, Andrea, and Veronica are in the room. Joshua and Andrea are sitting down. Veronica is sitting down as well. Jennifer is pacing. Philip enters the room, just as he hangs up his phone.

JENNIFER: (stops pacing) So, have you heard anything yet?

PHILIP: There was a slight delay in the money getting into Vargas’ account considering the dollar amount. But, I just heard from my accountant and the money has made it there.

JENNIFER: Why do you think that we haven’t heard anything?

JOSHUA: (standing) I knew it. I knew that this Vargas guy would play us.

PHILIP: He isn’t playing us, Joshua.

JOSHUA: Then, why hasn’t he called yet?

VERONICA: (standing) I’m with Joshua on this. This Vargas guy claimed to have some sort of game changing information. You gave him what he wanted. If he really had the info he claimed to have, he would’ve called by now.

ANDREA: (standing) Everyone, just calm down. The money just made it into Vargas’ account less than 10 minutes ago. We can give him some time. He’ll probably call any minute now.

There is a short pause in the room. Then, a phone begins to ring. Philip looks down at his phone and realizes it is not his phone ringing.

JENNIFER: Is it Vargas?

PHILIP: It wasn’t my phone.

Andrea retrieves her cell phone from her back pocket.

ANDREA: It’s mine. (answering the call) Hello? Yes, this is Dr. Pierce-Jackson. What do you mean you gave the patient the wrong dosage? That is unacceptable. I’ll be right there. I’ll be bringing Dr. Joshua Jackson along since that is his department. These patients already have enough issues involving their hearts. The last thing they need to worry about is someone screwing up their medication.

Andrea hangs up the phone.

JOSHUA: What’s going on?

ANDREA: We need to get to the hospital ASAP.

Andrea and Joshua collect their things.

JOSHUA: Call us if you hear anything. Okay, guys?

JENNIFER: Of course we will.

Joshua and Andrea exit. Just as they shut the door behind them, Veronica collects her things and begins to head to the door.

VERONICA: I do have to be up early in the morning. I have a job interview to get to. Can you fill me in if Vargas calls, please?

JENNIFER: Sure thing.

VERONICA: Thanks.

Veronica exits the apartment.

PHILIP: (sighs) And, then there were two.

Back at Mimi’s Cafe, Amy takes a sip of her coffee.

QUENTIN: So, your wife really owns this place?

AMY: Yes. And, I wish you would stop deflecting the question I asked you just a second ago. Why won’t you give me an answer about your relationship with my father?

QUENTIN: Because, it’s complicated. Your father and I just aren’t your average brothers anymore. Its been five years. I went off to further the success of my company QW Designs. Your father stayed here and continued his local and international hotel and resort chain.

AMY: Why didn’t you two ever visit one another?

QUENTIN: We would always plan stuff. But, one of us would cancel at the last minute. Like I mentioned earlier, my work came before family and friends.

AMY: Well, it makes me happy that you mentioned that you want things to change. Maybe you and my dad will come to love another again. This family could use some cheering up.

QUENTIN: So I’ve heard.

Then, Quentin’s phone rings. He looks down at his phone, which is on the table.

QUENTIN: I can get that later.

Quentin hangs up his cell phone.

AMY: Who was that?

QUENTIN: Work.

AMY: I noticed your phone had the number as unknown.

QUENTIN: Yeah. We like to keep it unlisted.

AMY: Oh.

Amy smiles, knowing deep down something is off.

*PLAY MUSIC FOR THIS SCENE ONLY*

Back at The Grand Piano, in the Dining Area, Michael is sitting next to Cynthia. He is having a glass of whiskey. Cynthia is drinking her white wine spritzer. After she takes a small sip, she sits the glass down in front of her.

CYNTHIA: I’m surprised that you’re still here. I thought that after you saw me, you would run out and get a drink at Martin’s or something.

MICHAEL: I like the whiskey here. Just because I temporarily threw you out, doesn’t mean that I’m not going to be civilized out in public.

CYNTHIA: Temporarily, uh? Does that mean you’re going to let me move back into the mansion someday? You know, so we can continue to build our life together?

MICHAEL: I’ve actually thought a lot about us lately.

CYNTHIA: Really?

MICHAEL: Yes.

CYNTHIA: And, what conclusion have you come to?

MICHAEL: I’m considering letting you move back in. I’m not going to lie to you, I did call my lawyer. Then, I had a thought. You’re remorseful. I can see that. I’m just not sure what I want.

CYNTHIA: Michael, what I want is you. That’s what I want. And, I’m so sorry for what I did. (voice breaking) Please, forgive me. Please.

MICHAEL: We’ll see what happens. I just need more time.

CYNTHIA: You take as much time as you need. But, for now, the next round is on me. Would you like another whiskey?

Michael finishes off his first whiskey.

MICHAEL: I would love one.

Cynthia and Michael smile at one another.

Back at Lindsay’s Apartment, in the Living Room, Lindsay and Carter are still drinking wine. They are now sitting next to one another on the couch.

LINDSAY: It’s been hard lately. I’ve had to come to terms with a lot of stuff involving who you are. You kissed my step mom, your ex-wife. You lied to everyone about your past...let’s just say...job experience. I’m not sure you’re even the man that I met on that dating app my friend Mimi helped sign me up for. I want to get to know you again, Carter. It’s just not gonna be an easy road.

CARTER: What do you mean you want to get to know me again?

LINDSAY: I really liked the person I came to know over these past couple of months, but not these past weeks. It took me a long time to put me first instead of my career. I was trying to impress to many people. It was hard for me to like anyone and get to know anyone. I don’t want to go back to that place.

CARTER: Are you saying you want to give us another shot?

LINDSAY: Yes, I do. I just need to know if you’re over Cynthia. I need to know if this is something that you want.

CARTER: What I did with Cynthia was stupid. I should’ve realized that we had something good going on. I would love to give things another shot with you.

There’s a short pause between the two. Carter begins to notice that Lindsay is zoning out. Lindsay then grabs her forehead and breathes in.

CARTER: Hey, are you okay?

LINDSAY: Yeah. Yeah. I’m fine. That was strange. I just got this sudden wave of a headache. But, not it’s gone. Anyway, like I was going to say, how about we consider this a second version of a first date?

CARTER: Sounds good to me.

Lindsay and Carter smile at one another.

Back at The Palace Hotel, in Ava’s Suite, Ava is looking out the window. She is having a glass of wine. She is also in her silk pajamas. As Ava takes a sip of her wine, she walks over to the desk. She sets the glass down and picks up a photo of she, Judith, and Philip (when he was a little child).

AVA: (sighs) I hope Keith never finds out my secret. If he ever did, I would be signing my own death certificate. Hopefully this bodyguard can protect me.

Back in Keith’s Motel Room, Keith is still in the same position, watching the live camera feed to Ava’s suite at The Palace Hotel.

KEITH: So, you’ve got a secret, darlin’? Let’s see if I can dig up the skeleton that’s in your closet. Oh, this is gonna be fun.

Back at Philip’s Apartment, in the Living Room, Jennifer and Philip are curled up on the couch. Philip has his phone right by his side.

JENNIFER: Is this guy ever going to call?

PHILIP: That’s a great question.

JENNIFER: You know, this silence has given me some time to think.

PHILIP: Oh yeah? About what?

JENNIFER: Where I would like to have our engagement party. The Palace Hotel has a beautiful ballroom. We can make it this elegant black-tie evening. What do you say?

PHILIP: I say that you can have whatever you want.

JENNIFER: God, I love you.

PHILIP: I love you too.

As Philip is about to lean in for a kiss, his phone rings.

JENNIFER: (slight laugh) You better get that.

PHILIP: Yeah.

Philip picks up his phone. He then stands.

PHILIP: It’s Vargas.

JENNIFER: (standing) Oh my god. Answer it.

Philip hurridley answers the call.

PHILIP: (on the phone) Vargas.

VARGAS: (over the phone) It was nice of you to comply with my demand.

PHILIP: (on the phone) Anything for the truth.

VARGAS: (over the phone) I love your spirit.

PHILIP: Okay. Cool. Enough chit-chat. Tell me. Tell me who murdered Jennifer and Joshua Jackson’s parents almost two years ago.

VARGAS: (over the phone) Let’s just start by saying that it was never just one killer. Its been two people all along. And, those two people are right under your nose.

A shocked look comes across Philip’s face.

THE PALACE HOTEL - CYNTHIA’S SUITE

Cynthia enters her room, shutting the door behind her. She is smiling. It is apparent that she and Michael really hit it off tonight. She walks over to her bed, sits down, and sits her things next to her. She begins to take off her shoes. As Cynthia smiles at the realization that her marriage may be coming back together, she becomes very deep in her thoughts.

(FLASHBACK)

Cynthia and Carter are in Carter’s suite. Carter is on top of Cynthia. He is thrusting forward on her. Cynthia is moaning.

CYNTHIA: (breathless) Keep going. Don’t stop. Oh god!

(END OF FLASHBACK)

Then, Cynthia is jolted out of her thoughts when her phone makes a dinging sound. She lets out a small gasp. She looks over at her phone and picks it up. Michael has texted her.

//MICHAEL//

Had a great time tonight. I love you.

CYNTHIA: (sighs) I love you, Michael. I always will.

A worried expression comes across Cynthia’s face. She is not sure what she is going to do about her future love life, or which man she’ll choose. The camera zooms out from her.

***FADE OUT***
***END OF EP. 46***