Hartfix Part III 1/2 Writer's note : I suck at summaries so I won't torture you all with one, but if you're really in memory trouble over what happened in last two months worth of story let me know, and I'll try to muster up a not-too confusing summary for you. Please keep in mind this story is still taking place in early 1996, when the character of Hart Jessup and his story were still salvagable. - Jo Hartfix By Jo Burgess fburgess@mail.kaien.com **Scene 25 - WSPR continued... White-faced, Hart stares blankly at his father and hoarsely demands, "How much did you hear?" Roger moves toward Hart. "Enough. Oh son..." He puts out his arms to try and hug him. Hart backs away. "Don't touch me." Roger: Why didn't you tell us? We're your family, we love you, we'd have understood. "Yeah right." Harts says bitterly as he moves towards the door. Roger moves to block his path. "Son wait, you can't leave like this." "Get the hell outta my way!" Hart steps around Roger. Roger grabs hold of Hart's arm. "Hart..." "Leave me alone!" he screams jerking away from his father and slamming out the door. "Well you handled that beautifully." Sighing Roger turns to face his daughter. "Chrissy what was I supposed to do?" "You could've not come in here in the first place!" Blake snaps. Roger: Honey you and Hart were yelling at each other so loud I could hear you all the was down the hall. Blake: Well what are you doing down here anyway? Roger: You seemed so upset earlier I just wanted to see if you'd found Hart and everthing was okay. Blake: Well obviously everything is not okay. Roger: Did you know? Blake: Of course I didn't know! I knew something was up, but had no idea about any of this. Roger: Well he's going to need us now more than ever. We'll really have to stick together. "You," Blake says pointedly, "are the last person on the face of the planet Hart needs." Blake gathers up her jacket and purse. "Let him alone Dad, I mean it, don't you dare try and force yourself on him now or you'll answer to me!" Blake storms out as her brother just did leaving Roger starting after her. **Scene 26 - Boarding house "Hart! I wasn't expecting you. What are you doing here?" Bridget asks after finding Hart at her door. Hart: (softly) I need to see my son Bridget. Bridget: (concernend) Something's wrong. What is it? Shaking his head, Hart tries to reassure her. "Nothing. Everything is fine. I'm just having a bad day, that's all. Bridget: I don't believe you. Hart: (shrugs) Oh well. Is Peter here? Bridget: No, he's with Vanessa this week, you know that. Hart: Right, I forgot, my son is with Vanessa. Bridget: Hart what is the matter with you? I've never seen you like this. Hart: What's the matter with me? Why is it everyone wants to know what's the matter with me these days? Maybe nothing is the matter with me, maybe it's everyone else who has a problem. "What are you talking about? Wait, Hart, where are you going?" Bridget calls after Hart as he abruptly leaves. **Scene 27 - Jessup farm After departing the boarding house, Hart finds himself sitting next to his grandfather's grave. "Well grandad," Hart sighs, "they know. My sister and my fath...Roger found me out." Hart chuckles bitterly, "Guess the jig is up huh? I don't know what I thought I was doing anyway. Despite what I might say, I'm really not that good at keeping secrets, at least not this one." Hart rises, casually brushing loose dirt off himself. "As for the other, I don't even want to think what could happen if anyone figures out what's really going on. I know you're thinking I should just come clean, but I can't, I'm sorry. I'll just have to be more careful. They've killed Katy and now Sheryl, it'll be over my own dead body before they hurt anyone else I love." **Scene 28 - House of Bloss "Hart!" Blake jumps up from the couch as he comes through the door. "You're home." Hart: You sound surprised. Blake: Well after what happened earlier I wasn't sure if...you know, I didn't... "What she's trying to say is she was afraid you might never speak to her again after today." Ross explains putting aside his newspaper. Hart: How much did she tell you Ross? Ross: All of it. Your sister was very upset when she came home, I wanted to know why and she told me. Hart: I see. Blake: Hart please don't be mad at me, Ross is my husband and I couldn't keep this from him. Hart: (shrugs) It's okay, he'd have found out anyway. Blake: How? Hart: I'd have told him. I think we're long overdue for a talk, I know I've got a few things to say. **Scene 29 - Follybend "Roger!" What are you doing here?" Holly doesn't contain her surprise when she opens her door to find Roger standing there. "Holly I didn't know where else to go," Roger says miserably, "I needed to talk to someone." Holly: Well why don't you go talk to your wife Dinah, remember her? Roger: Please Holly, I need someone who I know will understand, and that's you. Holly: All right. What is it? Roger: Aren't you going to invite me in? Holly: You can't say what you came to say out on my doorstep? Roger: No. Holly: Hmmmmm. Must be serious. Come in. Roger walks into the house and hesitates. "Where's your husband?" Holly: Working late. Want some coffee? Roger: No thank you. "So," Holly settles back on her sofa, "what's on your mind?" Roger sits rather stiffly in a nearby chair. "My son, Hart." "Hart huh?" Holly muses. "What did he do to put you in this state? Besides the usual of him hating you." Roger: (softly) Please don't Holly. Holly: Don't what? Remind you of the obvious? (gets a pleading look from Roger) Oh all right. Tell me what happened this time. **Scene 30 - Back to the House of Bloss In the Marler living room, Bloss are seated on the couch with Hart in a chair a few feet away. Ross: So how did the illess happen? And when? Or do you even know? Hart: I was diagnosed as a bipolar about two years ago, but that was after I was admitted to a hospital. Near as we could tell... Ross: (interrupts) I'm sorry, we? Hart: Yes, my doctor and myself. We were trying to determine how long I've had it and best we could figure would be sometime around when I left Springfield the last time. Ross: How so? Hart: That's when the depression started. I just went into this black hole and couldn't get out. All I did was sleep, I didn't eat much, sometimes I couldn't even get out of bed, but when I did I dragged myself around like a zombie. Blake: Wait a minute, you went to Vancouver and you had a girlfriend didn't you? Hart: True. I thought if I put some effort into it I could still live a life and all of it would just go away and I'd be back to normal. I was wrong because it wasn't really a life I wanted or I liked. The girl I was with really tried to make me happy, but she couldn't, no one could. Blake: You stayed depressed? Hart: Yes. I thought if I wished it away it would disappear, but it didn't. Ross: How'd the other part of manic depression come about, it's called mania right? Hart: Yes. Actually it was while I was with her that I think I had my first bout with mania. I remember waking up one morning before the sun was even up feeling energized and jubilant. I spent the whole day doing a million different things, but not one thing for more than a few minutes. She got a little worried and suggested I slow down, and for some reason I immediately picked a fight with her and stormed out of the house. Blake: Okay so mania is like having way too much energy? Hart: In a sense I guess, it's more like way too much energy all at once, going non-stop for days, sometimes even weeks, with a short attention span and for some, myself especially I've learned, an even shorter temper. Ross: So how did you land in a hospital? Hart glances at Blake who looks away. Realizing she didn't tell Ross everything that was said between them earlier after all, Hart sighs and leans back in his chair. "That's a long story." **Scene 31 - Back to Follybend "Suicide?! Hart? Oh no that can't be possible!" Holly insists, clearly shaken by what Roger's told her. "Are you saying I'm making this up?" Roger asks, his voice showing the strain the conversation is taking on him. Holly: Well no, but it just doesn't seem.... Roger: ....possible for someone like Hart? (Holly nods) I know, I could hardly believe my ears when I heard him say it. But it's true. My son tried to end his life. Holly, what should I do? "What should you do? Well that's easy. Leave him alone Roger." Holly says firmly. Roger looks surprised, obviously not getting an answer he expected or wanted for that matter. In response to his reaction, Holly smiles. "Oh come on, what were you expecting me to say? Something along the lines of 'Go to Hart and force your way into his life whether he wants you there or not' perhaps? Or maybe you just wanted to hear someone say that Hart needs you?" "Why shouldn't he need me? I'm his father." Roger replies with a touch of hurt anger. Holly: Yes you are and you know exactly where you stand with him. Roger: It shouldn't be that way. Holly: (shrugs) But it is. My advice to you is to just leave him be. Let Hart come to you whenever and if ever he's ready. "Thanks. For nothing." Roger says tight-lipped as he gets up and storms out of Holly's house. **Scene 32 - Back to the House of Bloss "As time went by, my condition got progressively worse," Hart explains, "the bouts of depression were getting darker and the manic episodes were happening more frequently. I had no idea what was going on, I thought I was going crazy and it was really scarey. Eventually I was at the point when I didn't want to live anymore. So one night I went out, found a bridge to stand on and was contemplating jumping off when a couple of officers came up behind me and pulled me down." Hart pauses to take a deep breath. Ross: Are you all right? Hart nods and clears his throat. "Anyway," he carries on, "they took me to a nearby hospital to get checked out. Well it was very busy in the ER that night, so that made it rather easy to get ahold of a pair of scissors and slip off into a washroom without being noticed. There I cut both my wrists open, sat down on the floor to wait until I passed out, which I did after a few minutes, and when I woke up I was strapped to a bed in a psychiatric ward." Hart stops when he notices the tears rolling down Blake's cheeks. Taking one of her hands in his, he gives it a squeeze and continues. "That was the lowest I got. The following day I met my future shrink who's been very good to me, and he diagnosed me as manic depressive. He started me on the first of what would be many different combinations of drugs to find the one that would work." Ross: Did you have to stay in the hospital during all this? Hart: No, he sent me home. So after about several months of trial and error I started on a steady diet of lithium which after a few months balanced out my moods and I've been doing okay ever since. Ross: So you're fine now? Hart: I'm still a bipolar and I always will be, but I'm on a medication that works for me, I'm in therapy, and I feel pretty good, so I guess I'm as fine as I'm going to get. (seeing Blake is looking more distraught) Blake? You okay? Blake: (in a shaky voice) Oh Hart, why couldn't you have just come home? "Why couldn't I have just come home? What do you mean Blake?" Hart asks looking confused. Blake: I mean if you'd come home when you were depressed, none of this would have ever happened. Ross: Honey I don't think that's entirely true. "Yes it is," she insists, "if Hart'd come home instead of wandering around out there all by himself, he'd never have gotten so unhappy, and he'd never have tried to kill himself!" Hart: Yes I would've. "No! No you wouldn't have Hart! If you'd been here where there are people who love you, you would have been okay and you'd have never ended up bleeding on a hospital floor somewhere!" Blake's voice cracks as a fresh flood of tears break free. Hart moves to sit next to her, giving her a hug while Ross holds one of her hands in both of his. Hart: There's no way to know if things would've happened differently in Springfield. Blake, I wasn't lonely, I wasn't sad, I was sick. Being in another town wouldn't have changed that. Blake: Okay, but you could've been treated earlier here. Hart: How? Blake I was sick, but I didn't know it. I didn't know until after two police officers escorted me into a hospital one night. Blake: Ed could've figured it out. Hart: Maybe. Or maybe I would've committed suicide before he got the chance. There's no way to know. I think I'm very lucky to have gotten help when I did, even though at the the time I didn't want it, a lot of people aren't so lucky. Blake: (sighs) Oh boy, this is confusing. Hart: (grins) Tell me about it. Blake: There are still so many things I don't understand. Hart: Well ask away. I'll try and answer as much as I know. Ross: Actually I think you've both had enough for one day and we should call it a night. Hart: Yeah I agree. I'm exhausted. Blake: Okay, goodnight. Hart: Night sis. Goodnight Ross. (Harts gets up and leaves the room) Ross: Night Hart. (to Blake after Hart's exit) It's all right honey, everything will be okay. Blake: Promise? Ross: Yes I promise. Blake: I love you Ross. Ross: I love you too, let's go to bed. "Okay." Blake smiles as she and Ross leave the living room with their arms around each other. **Scene 33 - Hart's dream "Sheryl?" "Hart will you hurry up! I have to tell you something!" "Where are you?" "I'm right here silly! Where else?" Hart walks out of a thick mist and comes face to face with a door. The door swings open. Hart enters into a crowded room, filled with flashing lights, low, throbbing music, and black-robed people. "Sheryl?" Hart calls again. No answer. He starts working his way through the crowd. Someone holds a glass of dark liquid out to him, but he ignores it. "Good lord man, what's taking you so long? Would you get over here already?" "Hang on Sheryl, I'm coming." Hart moves faster, still searching for her. "Tell me where you are." "Yoo hoo! I'm right out here!" Hart turns to see the short-haired blond through a window standing next to a car. She's waving her arms at him. "Come on!" She hollers as she turns to get in the car. "No! Sheryl wait!" Hart yells, running toward her. He stops at the window, unable to open it. He looks around for an exit, sees another door off in a corner and lunges for it. Just as Hart is about to reach the door, a young woman steps in his path. Her long, straight red hair is plastered to her head. Her ashen face marred by purplish-blue lips and deep circles around her eyes. Hart lowers his gaze to see thick bruises around her neck just as the window shatters and the sound of an explosion reaches his ears. Hart's eyes fly open and he remains perfectly still in his bed while he studies his surroundings. Once convinced he is in his room, he sits up slowly. "You bastard," he mutters, "why are you doing this to me?" **Scene 34 - Unknown location "So," the mystery man in his darkened office says into a phone, "told his shrink everything did he? Well, well, perhaps he's not been kept busy enough. (pauses) No don't bother, I think I know exactly what to do. It's time to alter his assignment. (pauses) Not to worry, I'll take care of it myself." Hanging up the phone, the man lets out a deep, nasty laugh. "I'll have Hart Jessup back in line in no time." **Scene 35 - House of Bloss "Morning Blake." "Hey little brother, rise and ..." Blake cuts herself off as she turns to greet Hart, when she spots his packed duffel bag in his hand. "What are you doing?" Hart: I'm moving out. Blake: What?! Why? Hart: It's time for me to get out of your hair and out on my own that's all. Blake: You're leaving because of me aren't you? You're angry at me for snooping and now you can't wait to get as far away from me as you can right? Well I can't blame you, I acted like a real jerk and I'd leave too if I were you. Hart laughs and gives Blake a hug. "Yes you drive me nuts, but that's not why I'm going." Blake: It's not? Hart: Nope. It's like I said, it's just time for me to be on my own again. Blake: Well I don't believe you so how can I convince you to stay? Hart: (smiling) You can't. Face it big sister, I'm outta your nest. But if it makes you feel better you can come over to my place to boss me around whenever you want. Blake: (swats Hart's arm) Brat! So where are you going? Hart: Actually I think I'm ready to go home to the farm now. Blake: Really? Oh Hart that's great! You ready to talk to Dad after everything that went down yesterday? Hart: Well I have to go to work anyway, so I doubt I could avoid it. I may as well just get it over with, be honest and ask him for the farm. Blake: Sounds like you're going to have a busy day. Hart: Yeah I guess so. Blake: It's going to take a couple days for you to get everything in order at the farm, so why don't you come here for dinner tonight? Hart: (pretending to mull it over) Well okay, I suppose I can give you one more night to experiment on me. Blake: (in mock insult) Hey you better be nice to me or I won't burn you any more food! Hart: (laughing) Horrors! Blake: Ah get your butt to work already. Hart: I'm going, I'm going. (turns to leave) Blake: Oh Hart wait, I almost forgot! (Hart stops) Bridget called while you were in the shower, she said she wanted you to call her. Hart: Okay, I'll drop by and see her on my way to the station. Blake: Hart, one more thing. Hart: What? Blake: Now that you're moving out, promise you won't be a stranger? Hart: I promise Blake. Hart give his sister one more hug before leaving the Marler household. **Scene 36 - Travelling "You didn't give me a call last night, everything okay?" Startled, Hart jerks around to see Terry McCluskey leaning against the house. "Geez Terry, you scared the hell outta me!" Terry grins walking over to Hart. "Sorry, didn't mean to." He points at Hart's bag, "Going somewhere?" Hart: Moving out of my sister's house and will hopefully be back at my farm tonight. Terry: Never going back to your other home are you? Hart: No, not if I can help it. Say I've got to get going, you want to ride along? Terry: Sure. Climbing into Hart's car, Hart gathers up the newspaper clipping which was still where it had fallen the day before, wordlessly handing it to Terry before starting the car. Terry folds the article and slips it into the glove compartment as Hart backs down the driveway. "Hart I'm sure Sheryl didn't feel a thing. She didn't suffer." Hart nods. "I know." "Little comfort huh?" Hart nods again and Terry pats him on the shoulder. "I'm so sorry this happened. I'm sorry any of this is happening. Hart sighs. "No." Terry: No what? Hart: Your next question was going to be if I told anyone besides you yet, and the answer is no. Terry: Okay. Hart doesn't try to contain his surprise. "Okay? Okay? That's it? No lectures? No speeches? No pep talks? Just okay? Terry: Would you like a lecture, speech or pep talk? Hart: No. Terry: Would you listen if I gave you one? Hart: Probably not. Terry: Then there's no point in me wasting my breath now is there? Hart: I guess not. (pause) I do have something you'll want to hear though. Terry: What's that? Hart: I told my sister and brother-in-law about my bipolar. Terry: Hart that's wonderful! I'm so glad you decided to tell them about your illness. Hart: Well that's not exactly how it came about. Terry: How so? Hart: Forget it. Save it as a topic for my next therapy session. Terry: All right. I have to leave this afternoon. Are you going to be okay here? Hart: Yeah Doc, I'm going to be fine. Terry: Are you sure? Hart: Yes I am. Go back to your practive Terry, if I need you I'll call. "Okay." Terry nods as Hart pulls up to the boarding house. The doctor hops out to hail a passing cab. Terry: Well I'll go check out of my hotel and head for the airport. Hart will you please just consider confiding in someone about what's really going on. Hart: I did Terry, I told you. Terry: I meant tell someone else and you know it. I really think your father is in the best position to help you. Hart: Yes and you know how I feel about that. Terry: Of course, but I want you to think about it while you're thinking about what's already been done to you, what's being done to you and what could be done to you. Are you hearing me? Hart: Yeah. "Good." Terry hastily shakes Hart's hand after the cabbie honks. "Take care of yourself Hart." "I will Terry. Bye!" Hart waves as Terry gets inside the cab and is driven away. "I heard you loud and clear Doc," Hart thinks, "but what could possibly be done that's worse than what's already happened?" Hart gives his head a shake as if to clear his mind of his thoughts, and starts up the path to the boarding house. **Scene 37 - Boarding house "Hart! Hi! I'm so glad to see you! Come in." A smiling Bridget says, opening the door for Hart upon seeing him. Hart: Hi Bridget. Blake said you called so I thought I'd stop by on my way to work. Bridget: Well I'm glad you did. I called because I was worried about you after you left the other day, and I wanted to see if you're okay. Hart: (smiles and nods) I'm fine. Thanks for caring, it means a lot. Bridget: Of course I care about you, I mean why wouldn't I? I mean, um, you are Peter's father, and besides you seemed so down yesterday. Hart: I guess I was. Bridget: Do you mind if I ask why? Or is it none of my business? Hart: No it's all right Bridget, I want to tell you. Why don't we sit down? Bridget sits perfectly still while Hart fills her in on his illness. "Well," Hart shrugs, "that's about it." Bridget: (quietly) Wow. I can't believe you've kept this all to yourself the whole time you've been back. Hart: I know, I'm sorry, but telling someone that you have a mental illness is extremely difficult, and I just wasn't ready, until Blake helped me along. Bridget: Good old Blake. Gotta love her. Hart: I do. She was only trying to help, in her own way. Uh, Bridget, there's something else you should know about manic depression. Bridget: What? Hart: (takes a deep breath) It can be hereditary. Bridget: (pales) Oh no! Peter! Hart: I know, but there's no reason to panic. He's only three years old, and so far he's fine. Bridget: Well when will we know. Hart: (shakes his head) I have no idea. There's no minimum age or age limit for this. As he grows up we'll just have to keeps an eye out for the symptoms. Bridget: (getting upset) But what if we miss them? What if he gets sick and no one notices until he tries to hurt himself like...(her voice trails off) Hart: (fills in) Like me? Bridget nods, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm sorry." Hart: It's okay Bridget. Listen to me, Peter will be fine. I know what to look for, and before long I'll make sure everyone who loves him knows too. If he gets sick, we're going to know. Nothing is going to happen to our son. He's going to live a long, happy life. We'll make sure of that. Bridget opens her mouth to say something, but changes her mind and instead reaches out to hug Hart. He holds her tight and whispers, "We're going to be okay Bridget. I promise." "I believe you," she whispers back. "Please God," Hart thinks, "don't let me be lying. I couldn't handle it if something happened to my son." **Scene 38 - WSPR "Is my father in?" Hart asks of the secretary outside Roger's WSPR office. "No Hart, he went to a production meeting. He should be back soon though." Hart: Can I wait for him in his office? Secretary: Yeah go ahead. "Thanks." Hart walks in and shuts the door firmly behind him. Approaching Roger's desk, Hart glances through the paperwork with disinterest. He drops in his father's chair, leans back and sighs. "Well should be fun." Looking over at the pictures on Roger's desk, Hart smiles when he sees one of Peter. Picking up the framed photo, Hart studies it for a minute, then as he reaches over to replace it, his arm knocks into a folder, spewing its contents all over the floor. Hart sighs again. "Oh great. Maybe I should take this as an omen." Bending down to collect the papers, Hart blinks in surprise as he examines them more closely. "Or maybe not." Hart swiftly puts the file in order and drops it on Roger's desk. He crosses the room to stand in front of the file cabinets. "Of course. If he's got the budget here, then everything else should be here too. Why didn't I think of this before?" Hart scans the drawers until he finds one marked 'Finances,' in which he pulls it open and searches through it. "Yes! Here it is!" Hart thinks as he pulls out a rather thick file. Flipping through it, Hart scrutinizes each page until he stops on one, muttering, "Well, well, well. That do ya know? It looks like he's been wrong all along." Hartfix Part III 2/2 Suddenly Hart hears Roger's voice outside the door. "Shit!" Hart thinks, trying to return the file to its proper place as quickly as possible. He just barely has time to slide the cabinet drawer shut before the office door swings open. Hart snaps around guiltily as Roger strides in and notices him immediately. Roger: (surprised) Hart! What are you doing? "I wasn't doing anything Roger, just waiting for you." Hart says calmly, praying his father didn't see him closing the file drawer. Roger: Oh. Well I'm glad you're here. I've been debating on whether or not I should call you, but I wasn't sure if you'd talk to me. Hart: Well here I am. I'd like to clear the air about what happened yesterday. Roger: Okay, I think that's a good idea. Let's sit down shall we? (Roger motions Hart into a chair as he settles in his) Hart: Now, about yesterday... Roger: (interrupting) About yesterday, I should apologize to you. I obviously walked in at the worst possible time when you and Blake were talking. I know I should have walked right out again, but when I heard... Hart: (interrupts) Considering what you heard Roger, I don't really blame you for not leaving. Roger: You're not angry with me? Hart: No. This isn't something I can be angry at anyone for. Roger: I see. Hart: (shifting uncomfortably in his chair) Anyway I think I should just say what I came here to say. (pauses, then looks his father square in the eye) Roger two years ago I was diagnosed with having bipolar disorder, a mental illness that caused me to swing back and forth between deep depression and mania. I was suffering with it for months before I was diagnosed, and I did attempt suicide. That's when I ended up in a hospital where I finally got help and treatment. I take lithium to keep my bipolar in check and it's been working very well for me. (pauses and shrugs) And that's about it. Roger nods. Hart: Do you want to ask me questions or something? Roger: No that's not necessary. You don't owe me any explanations. Hart: Good because I wasn't offering any. I was offering information. Roger: Of course, I'm sorry. Hart I'm so sorry. Hart: For what? Roger: For what happened to you after you left Springfield. You're my son and I should have better protected you. Hart: (confused) Protected me? I don't understand. Roger: Jenna and the Lewises, and myself too I suppose, but I never imagined everything that happened would drive you over the edge. Hart: (dumbfounded) Drive me over the...? (explodes in anger) Oh for crying out loud Roger! Haven't you heard a word I've said? Roger: Of course I have and I'm trying to tell you how sorry I am I let it happen. Hart: You let it happen? Roger get over yourself already! My bipolar has absolutely nothing to do with you! It's an illness and you could no more stop it than you could stop me from getting a cold during flu season! I was born with bipolar, I've always had it, but it just didn't start acting up until a few years ago. As much as I'd like to, I can't blame this on you! So stop taking credit for my illness! Roger: (clears his throat) Well, I'm sorry. I guess I said all the wrong things. Hart: Yeah, well what else is new? Roger: I uh, I'm sorry Hart. I'd hoped this would go much better, and that for once neither of us would go away mad. Hart: (sighs) I'm not mad. Roger: (skeptical) You're not? Hart: (shakes his head while trying not to smile) Hard to believe I know, but I'm not, not really anyway. Roger: I know you probably don't want to hear this, but I'm going to go ahead and say it. Is there anything at all I can do for you? Anything you would let me do? Hart: Actually I think there is. Roger: Name what you want and it's done. Hart: I've been giving it a lot of thought lately and I've decided I would like to move out to the farm. Roger: (hopefully) Does this mean you're staying in town for good? Hart: (firmly) No. It means for as long as I'm here, I'd prefer to live in the only home I've ever known. Roger: Oh. Well I've always said the farm was yours whenever you wanted it and I still mean it. Hart: Thank you. I'd like to move in today if that's all right. Roger: Sure that's fine, only I don't have the keys with me, they're at the penthouse. Hart: I can pick them up on the way out. Roger: You could if Dinah were home, but she's out shopping. Hart: She shops a lot doesn't she? Roger: (smiles) You've noticed that too? Well whatever makes her happy. Tell you what, how about you drive out to the farm, I'll go home, get the keys and meet you out there. Hart: (hesitates) Uh.... Roger, seeing Hart balking at his suggestion, quickly adds, "I won't stay long of course. It's been awhile since I've been out there and I'd like to make sure it's still standing for you." "Okay," Hart agrees somewhat reluctantly. "Let's go." **Scene 39 - Jessup Farm An hour later, Hart stands alone in front of the Jessup farmhouse. "What the hell am I doing?" he wonders outloud, throwing up his arms. "I must be crazy." "Well now I thought you were past that nutty as a fruitcake phase of yours," comes the voice of the unknown man Hart's spoken to so many times over the phone from the shadows cast on one side of the house. "I don't think it would be a very good time for you to lose it on me Hart. Do you?" asks an undead John Davis as he steps out of the shadows and stands to face Hart. Hart: (surprised) You think I'm losing it? What about you? What the hell are you doing here Davis? Do you want everyone to find out you're alive? John: (chuckling) Oh calm yourself kid, no one has seen me and no one will. Hart: Well I wouldn't be so sure if I were you. Roger is supposed to meet me out here any minute now. John: (shrugs) So what? You think I'm going to let him see me and risk spoiling everything I've worked so hard for? Oh by the way, sorry about what happened to your little friend Sheryl. She wasn't supposed to die, it was just a little miscommunication that led to, shall we say, an error in judgement. Hart: (his face flushed with anger, his teeth clenched) An error in judgement? Do you think if I killed you right now it could be considered an error in judgement? John: (laughs) Tut, tut, young Hart, show a little control. Killing me would serve you no purpose. Hart: Oh yeah? The thought of it brings the words 'instant gratification' to mind. John: Yes but beyond that, what do you think would happen once certain associates of mine learn of my death? (gets right in Hart's face, Hart says nothing and just glowers at him; John grins) Yes I thought you'd see my point. You may be loony as a toon, but you're not stupid. Now let's get down to business shall we? Hart: (tightly) Why are you here? John: Thought that'd be obvious, I came to check on your progress. Hart: You could've just called. John: I have been calling you little twit! And everytime I do, you never seem to have anything to tell me. So I thought if I came out in person it might encourage you to hurry the hell up! Hart: I'm doing the best I can all right? John: (agitated) No it's not all right! I sent you here to get from your daddy the $10 million dollars he owed me for doing his dirty work and then never paid up. Now where the hell is it?! Despite his anger Hart starts to laugh. Davis glares at him, "What are you laughing at?" Hart: You. John: I beg your pardon? Hart: Let me put it to you this way Davis; you'll never guess what I found out today. John: Spare me the word games and just tell me. Hart: Okay. I has an opportunity to check out Roger's finances earlier and you know what? He doesn't have $10 million. (starts laughing again) John: I fail to see what's so funny. Hart: (goes serious) Surely even you can see the humor in the irony of all this? After all your careful planning, after what you did to Sheryl, to me, to Katy....(chokes up for a moment but clears his throat and continues) everything you did in the name of making Roger cough up the cash he owed you, it's all been for nothing because he doesn't have it. John: (frowns) What about his latest heiress wife? Hart: (shakes his head) She doesn't have it either. As a matter of fact, if I was reading those financial records right, Roger and Dinah have been pouring most of their money into WSPR. John: How much is the station worth? Hart: Far below $10 million, and don't forget the Spauldings still own half. (shrugs) Sorry Davis, looks like your master plan just went bust. John: (getting angry) You'd like that wouldn't you? Well I wouldn't be so smug just yet. Fine so Roger doesn't have the money, but that doesn't change the fact he and I made a deal, I went to jail for him so you wouldn't find out he swindled your grandaddy and in exchange he'd give me $10 million when I got out, and then he backed out when it was time to collect! Oh no little boy I'm not done with your daddy, not yet! Hart: (uneasy) What are you going to do? John: (ignores him; continuing to rant) Roger Thorpe took away my career, my family, my freedom and then he and his buddy Ed Bauer tried to take away my life, but dammit I survived! I survived to claim what's rightfully mine! Revenge is my right too! (to Hart) An eye for an eye, you believe in that don't you Hart? Hart: (looks sickened while he repeats himself) What are you going to do? John: (chuckles as he moves to stand right in front of Hart and looks him straight in the eyes) I'm going to take Roger's life away from him, and you're going to help me do it. Hart: (stunned) You mean, as in kill him? (Davis smiles; Hart starts backing away from him) You're nuts Davis, you know that? John: Aw what's wrong kid? You've gone along with me this far. Hart: (hotly) Not because I wanted to! And I draw the line at murder! John: (laughing) Yeah right! This coming from a son who tried to run down his daddy in a parking garage once. Hart: I hit the brakes! I did not hit him! John: But you wanted to! I saw it, Roger saw it, everyone saw it, you wanted Rog dead and now you're going to get another chance. Hart: No! No way! John: (moving in on Hart, lowering his voice to a growl) How many times must I say it? You don't get a choice. You will do what say when I say it, or you can kiss your freedom and your nice little life goodbye. While Hart and Davis are staring each other down, they hear a car pulling into the driveway. Hart jerks his head around and sees it's Roger's car. When he turns back to Davis, he's gone. Hart glances around quickly, unable to see him, before walking out to meet Roger. Roger: (striding toward him smiling) Still in one piece? Hart: (startled) What? Roger: (gestures behind Hart) The house. Is it still in one piece? Hart: Oh. (relaxing a bit, but still wound up tight as a spring) Uh I guess. Roger: Good. Well I promised I wouldn't stay long, so here are the keys. (hands them over to Hart) Hart: Thanks. Roger: I'll have all the paperwork sent over tomorrow. You can have Ross look it over if you'd like before signing it. Hart: (nodding) Sure okay. (Roger and Hart stand in awkward silence for a few moments) Roger: Oh hey aren't you supposed to go over to your sister's for dinner? Hart: Yeah, but I don't really feel up to it so I'm going to call and cancel. Roger: Are you all right? Hart: Yeah, I'm just tired. Roger: Well then I should get going and leave you to get settled in. Hart: Okay thanks. Roger: (turns to leave, but pauses and looks over at his son) Hart, welcome home. (Hart gives his father a nod and Roger departs) After Roger is well out of sight, Hart conducts a quick search for Davis but doesn't find him. "Dammit where the hell did you go?" he yells out into the darkness before retreating into the house, shutting and locking the door behind him. **Scene 40 - Boarding house "Wow Bridget that was great!" Hart says smiling. "Best lasagne I've had in a long time. Thanks again for inviting me for dinner." Bridget: (blushes) You're welcome. I'm so glad you liked it. Hart: Liked it? It was delicious! (turning to his son) Wasn't it Peter? Is your mom the best cook in the whole world or what? Peter: Yeah! Bridget: (laughs) Okay you two that's enough. My ego doesn't need anymore inflating. (starts to clear the table) Hart: Let me help. (reaches for the same glass Bridget is going for, their fingers brush, and Bridget pulls hers away flustered, Hart smiles nervously) Peter: Mommy! Bridget: Huh? Oh what is it honey? Peter: Can I go out and play? Bridget: Yeah go ahead pumkin, but stay in the yard. Peter: Daddy want to play ball? Hart: You go ahead Peter, I want to help your mom clean up first and then I'll come outside. Peter: Okay. (runs out the door) Hart: Doesn't he ever run out of energy? Bridget: (sighs) Nope. Hart: (sighs) That's what I thought. They both catch a glimpse of each other's expressions of mock seriousness and burst into giggles. They're still smiling after finishing the dishes and when Bridget turns on the radio. Bridget: (hearing "Rock Around the Clock") Do you want me to pick a different station? Hart: Are you kidding? I like this music, it's fun! Would you like to dance? Bridget: Sure! Hart takes Bridget's hands and they start dancing around the boarding house kitchen, singing along, rather off-key, to the song, and the next song, and the next one... Finally the music slows as "I Only Have Eyes For You," begins to play. Bridget: (a bit out of breath, but smiling) Had enough? Hart: (slightly winded himself; in mock insult) What? Are you implying I'm out of shape and can't dance longer than a few songs? Bridget: (laughs) Oh no, I wouldn't do that! Hart: Okay then, I think I can handle one more. Bridget: Well fine, just as long as I don't have to take you to the emergency room later. Hart: Why? What did you put in the lasagne? (she punches him in the arm) Ow! Okay sorry! Geez! (they laugh; Hart pulls Bridget into his arms and they start swaying to the music) Bridget lays her head on his chest and holds him a little tighter. He puts his chin on her hair and relaxes. "You are here, and so am I. Maybe millions of people go by. But they all disappear from view." Bridget tilts her head up to look at him. Hart looks at her, then moves his hand to brush a stray wisp of hair from her face, letting his fingers linger on her cheek. "And I only have eyes for you." Bridget slides one hand behind Hart's neck, pulls him towards her and kisses him passionately. Startled, Hart doesn't react. Then slowly he starts to respond to her kiss, running his fingers down the back of her neck, then down her back, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. Suddenly Hart tenses, pulling away from Bridget quickly and turning away from her. Hart: (mumbling to no one in particular): I'm sorry, that shouldn't have happened. I'm sorry. Hand over her mouth, eyes brimming with tears threatening to spill over at any moment, Bridget seems frozen in place. Her humiliation plainly worn on her face. When Hart finally turns around and catches sight of her expression, his own humiliation and shame is evident. Hart: (finally speaking to her) Bridget I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let that happen. Bridget: (snapping out of her shock; trying to pretend everything is okay) No it's all right. Don't worry about it. Hart: Bridget I... Bridget: (deliberately cuts him off) So we got a little carried away. (starts busying herself with imaginary work) It's no big deal. You know, I've really got a ton of things to do around here so maybe we should call it a night? Hart: (moving to stand in front of her) Bridget please, let me explain. I don't want to leave things like this. I care about you, I really do, but... Bridget: (holds up her hand to interrupt him again) Don't! Hart just don't! I don't need to hear the "I care about you but let's just be friends" line from you okay? We kissed. Big deal. It didn't mean anything, so leave it alone. (starts turning away) Hart: (grabs her and pulls her closer to him so their faces are just inches apart) Dammit Bridget that kiss *did* mean something and you know it! Bridget: (whispers) Then why did you pull away from me? Hart: (softly) That's what I was trying to tell you, but you kept interrupting. Will you please listen to me now? Bridget: Yes. Hart: Okay. (he releases her, and gestures for her to sit down while he takes a seat next to her) I have a story to tell you. It's kind of a long one, but I think I've waited far too long to tell anyone. Hart takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly as he settles back in his chair. He looks for something to focus on before beginning, deciding looking at Bridget would make this too difficult for him. He finally settles his gaze on his hands as he lets his mind wander back in time. "This is hard for him," Bridget thinks while watching him. She slumps in her own chair, her mind letting out a mental sigh as the realization dawns on her. "I wonder who she is?" **Scene 41 - Still at Boarding house (this scene contains numerous flashbacks, so be warned the action jumps back and forth between the past and present here) Hart: It was a couple years ago when I got out of the hospital after my suicide attempt. I was in a really dark place, even thought I'd found out what'd been happening to me all those months before, I was wondering what was the point. Bridget: The point of what? Hart: Living. My life sucked Bridget. I was alone and scared, and all my immediate future had to hold was endless therapy and various medications until one worked at controlling my manic depression. So there I was walking around, and I found myself on the bridge I wanted to jump off of weeks earlier. I was standing there looking out at the water, watching the sun set, when I heard a voice behind me... "Hello." Hart glances over his shoulder to see a tall, slender young woman with straight red hair down to her waist smiling at him. "Hi," he mutters, turning back to the view of the sun setting. She moves to stand beside him. "Beautiful site isn't it?" Hart: (absently) Yeah. She studies his profile as he continues to ignore her before speaking again. "You don't recognize me do you?" Hart: (looks at her again) Have we met? She shakes her head. "No, but I've seen you before about a month ago at O'Riley's Pub." Hart: I used to hang out there sometimes. "Yes I know, that's what Sheryl told me." Hart: (curiously) You know Sheryl? "Uh-huh. We've been friends for a long time. I've been away on vacation, just got back the day I saw you actually. First thing I did was go see her at work." She hold out her hand. "I'm Katy Parker." Hart: (graps her hand and shakes it politely) Hart... Katy: (finishes for him) Jessup, yes I know. I asked Sheryl your name. She's said some nice things about you. Hart: Really? She hasn't known me very long. Katy: Yes but she's an excellent judge of character. Anyway I'd hoped I'd get her to introduce us, but I haven't seen you at O'Riley's lately. Sheryl said you went away for a bit. Hart: (cautiously) Yes I did. Katy: Did you just get back? (Hart nods) Oh, well you should let me drive you to the pub, Sheryl'd love to see you. Hart: (furrows his brow, unsure what to make of this woman) Do you make a habit out of picking strangers off of bridges and taking them to bars uptown? Katy: (laughs) Not often. But you're not really a stranger; you're a friend of Sheryl's and she doesn't make friends with jerks. Hart: (finally cracking a smile) So I've learned. Hart smiles at the memory. "And I went with her. Spent most of the night with her and our friend Sheryl just talking. Ended up spending most other nights sitting there with Katy too. She was so easy to talk to, so understanding, so....genuine. When I was ready, I told her all about my illness and my time in the hospital. She didn't judge me or treat me differently. How could I help falling in love with her? There were times when I tried to push her away because she was getting too close and she wouldn't go. She just pushed right back until I let my walls down..." It's nightime and pouring rain at a beach. Hart is stalking across the sand. Katy runs up to him, stands in his path, and starts yelling at him. Katy: Why do you always do this? Why do you turn tail and run from me when things get rough for you? Hart: (angry) Why the hell are you incapable of backing off?! Katy: Why the hell should I?! Hart: (softening his tone) Katy please, I don't want to hurt you. Katy: (lowers her voice) But you are. Hart everytime you shut me out it hurts. And it hurts you as well. Stop pushing me away. Stop being afraid of us. (caresses his face) I love you. Hart: (covers her hand with his own, kissing her wrist) I love you too. I just can't help but think I'm going to screw up what we have, just like everything else I've done in my life. Katy: Shhhhhh...(gently presses her fingers against his lips) Nothing could ever screw up what we have so stop thinking about it. Stop being weighed down by your past. Let it go, it can't hurt you anymore my love. (smiles) I won't let it. Hart takes her face in his hands as he leans down to brush her lips with his. The rain suddenly stops, but neither seem to notice as their kiss grows in intensity. Hart: (lost in his memories) I've never shared so much of myself with anyone before her. She taught me so much about trust and love. We were happy. We knew we were meant to be together for the rest of our lives... "Katy?" "What?" Katy turns away from the bag she is packing to look at Hart who is deep in thought. Hart: (takes her hands and pulls her close to him) I love you. Katy: (giggles) I know you do Mr. Serious. Hart: (smiles) There's been so much happening lately, with no immediate end in sight, I wasn't sure I told you how much it means to me that you're willing to just pack up and leave with me. I don't think I could ever do this without you. Katy: Hey we're in this together. (jokingly) There's no way you could get rid of me now Jessup. Hart: I wouldn't have it any other way. So I've been thinking a lot. Katy: About what? Hart: (looks deep into her eyes) Us. Katy I love you. I can't ever see a time when you're not in my life. I want a life with you, a home, a family, I want to grow old with you and be only with you for the rest of our lives. (Katy gets teary-eyed) I never knew what it was like to feel this way about anyone, I didn't even think I could until I met you. Katy, will you marry me? Katy: (gasps) Oh Hart! Hart: Now I don't have a ring for you with everything that's been going on there's been no time, but I've been thinking about this for awhile. I guess I could've waited until we were settled and could make it official, but I'm not a very patient man. And I didn't need a ring to help me tell you that I want to marry you and for us to be together forever. But I also don't want to rush you or anything so you can take as much time you want to think it over. Oh and then.... Katy: (interrupts) Hart? Hart: Yes? Katy: (laughs) If you'd be quiet for a minute I could tell you that my answer is yes, I will marry you. Hart: You will? Katy: Yes! Hart: Yes? Katy: Yes! Hart: (shouts) Yes! Hart picks Katy up and swings her around until they are both laughing and dizzy. They kiss and he carries her to the bed where they begin making love. Bridget is shocked. "You were engaged to her?" Hart: (nods; he starts getting very emotional, his voice is cracking, his hands shaking, and he looks on the verge of tears) Katy was such a beautiful, good person. It's not fair....(Hart's unable to finish his sentence as his tears start to flow) Bridget: (concerned) What is it? Hart what happened to her? Where is she? Hart: (takes a moment to collect himself enough to speak) She's dead. Bridget: Oh my God! I'm sorry! Was she in an accident? Hart: (shakes his head; chokes out the words) She was murdered. Bridget: (floored) Murdered?! Oh God! Oh Hart, I'm so truly sorry. You must've been devastated. When did this happen? Hart: (numbly) Last summer. We'd been together for just over a year. Bridget: And you haven't told anyone about her? Hart: (shakes his head) It was hard enough dealing with it after it happened. I just didn't want to deal with it here to. Bridget: (clasps his hands) I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do? Hart: No, but thanks. Bridget: Did the police catch who did it? Hart: (tenses; bitterly) The case is unsolved. Bridget: That must make it even harder for you. Hart: (nods; leans closer to her) Bridget I hope you can understand now that while I really care about you, I'm just not ready to even think about trying another relationship. I'm not over Katy. I still miss her and love her too much. Bridget: (gently) I understand. I really do. It's okay. Hart: Thank you Bridget. They hug and Hart finishes pulling himself together. "Daddy!" Hart and Bridget pull away chuckling when the phone rings. Bridget: You go see what Peter's up to out there and I'll answer that. "Okay." Hart gets up and goes outside where he looks around for Peter. He walks around to the side of the house. "Peter? Where are you?" "Right here Daddy." Hart turns around with a smile until he takes in the sight in front of him. "What a beautiful son you have Hart." John Davis says with a nasty smile while holding Peter and smoothing his hair. Horrified, Hart pales and his expression betrays his fear for his son. to be continued..... >> >"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. >> >"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. > "Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." --Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. >>>> >>"Republicans understand the importance of bondage between mother and child." >>--Former U.S Vice-President Dan Quayle on Republican Family Values. >> >