Subject: ROT SOAP 'Hope Endures' >>> 'Hope Endures' >> Anon >>> >>>*Please note that the time frame of Holly's pregnancy has been altered >>>slightly...but then again this is a soap so I guess ignoring small details >>>is allowable. >>> >>>Scene Opens at a very dark Hollybend >>> >>>It is Christmas Eve, Holly is in the throws of complete devastation since >>>miscarrying her baby 3 months ago. In an attempt to deal with their >>>personal grief, Holly and Fletcher have shut each other out, driving a >>>very deep rift into their marriage. Holly once again finds herself in a very >>>dark place, unable to find comfort, unable to give comfort. She has >>>pulled so far away from Fletcher, that at least temporarily he and Ben >>>have moved out of Hollybend and back into their old abode...but as the >>>weeks go by temporary is looking more permanent. Holly has not been >>>to the Journal office since her miscarriage, the Dr.'s told her it was just >>>one of those things...it wasn't meant to be. >>> >>>What was the point of returning to work...it didn't matter...nothing >>>mattered anymore...she preferred to spend her days sitting in the >>>darkness...feeling nothing...what was left to feel? >>> >>>There is a knock at the door...she ignores it, hoping whoever will just >>>fade away...like everything else in her life. The door opens. >>> >>>Roger: Holly...Holly are you here? (fumbles for the light switch) >>>(smiles, cheery voice, walks over to her) Holly what are you doing sitting >>>alone in the dark on Christmas Eve? >>> >>>Holly looks at him dully. Roger is very concerned by her disheveled >>>unkempt appearance. >>> >>>Roger: (quizzically) Are you all right? >>> >>>Holly: All right..NO I will never be all right again...now please just >>>go...I'm not in the mood for you tonight Roger! >>> >>>Roger: I'm worried about you. >>> >>>Holly: Save your worry...for someone who cares...about something ...or >>>anything for that matter....(gets up, grabs her coat and keys and heads >>>for the door) Please lock the door on your way out! >>> >>>Roger:(following after her) Where are you going this time of night? >>> >>>Holly:(dreamily) For a drive ...it really is a beautiful evening...Good-bye! >>> >>>She gets in the car and drives off we fade to black on Roger's perplexed >>>look. >>> >>>Scene II >>> >>>Holly has been driving aimlessly for an hour, suddenly she pulls the car >>>over and gets out. The scene before her is the moonlight shimmering >>>off of the ice on a picture perfect lake, huge snowflakes are falling >>>silently to the ground. She walks quickly and reaches the ice, she >>>walks tentatively and proceeds to glide across the ice. She envisions >>>what it would have been like to bring her little girl here for a beautiful >>>moonlight skate. She visualizes a precocious, beautiful red headed >>>child, dressed snugly in a red and green plaid outfit..pirouetting across >>>the ice, smiling back at her mom, secure in the fact that all was well with >>>the world. Her eyes gleaming with sheer joy and love as only a child's >>>can. >>> >>>Lost in her reverie, Holly snaps out of it as she feels the solid surface >>>beneath her collapse. Immediately engulfed in the frigid ice water, she >>>struggles to find something solid to grasp onto. The cool soon >>>permeates her body and the struggle wears her down. Exhausted and >>>mentally depleted she sees her little girl, holding out her hands..softly >>>calling...Mamma I'm right here...as her head plunges into the watery >>>depths for the last time, she reaches her arm out to the child....and all >>>goes black. >>> >>>At the precise moment that her arm broke the surface for that last time a >>>very strong determined arm grabbed for it...held on tightly, and finally >>>pulled her out of the icy dark water. After a brief resuscitation, her >>>breathing returned to normal though she remained unconscious. He >>>knew that she would go into shock very quickly if she remained in the >>>cold. He lifts her seemingly weightless body easily into his arms and >>>carries her to his car. He drives directly to a small Inn he noticed a few >>>miles back. Rushes to the front counter..he gets blankets and a bottle of >>>brandy and carries her to the room, where he gingerly disposes of her >>>icy wet clothing, wraps her in blankets and starts to vigorously rub her >>>body as he lays her in front of >>>the fire. >>> >>>'Holly you need to open your mouth...swallow some of this it will warm >>>you up.' >>> >>>He manages to get her to drink a little...choking and sputtering...she >>>opens her eyes...not quite clear on what has happened. >>> >>>Holly: You...what are you doing here! >>> >>>He then tells her what happened and how he found her...touched by his >>>kindness and help she tells him the story about the little girl...the one >>>she lost...she looks at him her eyes brimming with tears...he gently >>>wipes away the stray tear that had slid down her cheek...his compassion >>>and tenderness, break down the wall that has been building for >>>months...she clings to him as she sobs uncontrollably, he responds by >>>holding her tightly and just being there...feeling helpless because there >>>is nothing to be said or done to heal something that has cut so deeply. >>>As time passes her sobs and shaking subside to tears and sniffles and >>>eventually she is silent and still. >>> >>>'You are shivering...let me draw you a hot bath.' >>> >>>Holly: (looks up at him...deeply into his eyes) How is it that in the very >>>darkest moments of my life...you are always here? >>> >>>Roger: Timing (sheepish grin) >>> >>>Holly: I wonder...first you are the cause...now you are the comfort? >>> >>>Roger:(eyes full of sincerity) I am so deeply sorry for your loss. >>> >>>Holly:(sadly) I just feel like I lost my last chance.... >>> >>>Roger: (frowns slightly) Last chance? >>> >>>Holly: To get it right... >>> >>>Roger:: Life? >>> >>>Holly: Life...love...family...motherhood >>> >>>Roger: Motherhood...come on, look how well Blake turned out. >>> >>>Holly: I didn't think you had noticed. >>> >>>Roger: Well besides her misguided taste in men...she really is a >>>remarkable woman. >>> >>>Holly: Roger, (rolls her eyes) Blake turned out ok..despite us...not >>>because of us...and she is finally happy...please don't deny her that. >>> >>>Roger vigorously rubs her shoulders >>> >>>Roger: It's time for that bath >>> >>>Holly: That sounds wonderful... >>> >>>The bathroom is very spacious with an old fashion claw bathtub, Roger >>>lights a candle as she drops the blanket and slips into the warmth of the >>>bath water. >>> >>>Roger :(turns to leave and kisses her on the head, so thankful the >>>evening didn't end tragically) Enjoy. >>> >>>Holly:(quietly)..Don't go...please...I really don't feel like being in the >>>water alone. >>> >>>Roger:(squints his eyes..amazed at his insensitivity)..Holly..I'm >>>sorry..of course I'll stay. >>> >>>Holly: Don't just stay please join me...it's an awfully big tub. >>> >>>(Roger sure he didn't hear her correctly, or that she is just babbling >>>from the after effects of her trauma, sits beside the tub) >>> >>>Holly: What...now don't tell me you are Mr. Modest??? (splashes him) >>> >>>Roger: Holly!! (happy that...a little of her old self seems to be returning) >>> >>>Holly: Well your dripping wet now...so you might as well get in. >>> >>>Roger quickly undresses and slips into the tub behind Holly...feeling >>>very out of sorts, not really understanding what it all means. Holly leans >>>against him and closes her eyes...allowing the hot water to totally >>>permeate her body...completely relaxing in the safety of his arms. >>>Roger soaps up the sponge and leisurely washes her shoulders and >>>back...wondering how much longer his resolve will last to only give her >>>the understanding and support she needed, nothing more. >>> >>>Holly: You seem very quiet all of a sudden.. What? ... the cat got your >>>tongue? >>> >>>Roger: (clears his throat) Unusual situation... >>> >>>Holly: Could I possibly impose on you for another small favor... >>> >>>Roger: Sure.... >>> >>>Holly: Would you mind terribly washing my hair...I don't like getting soap >>>in my eyes >>> >>>Roger grabs the pitcher...wets her hair...and lathers it up...as he rinses >>>it..he can't help but notice the swell of her breast breaking the surface >>>of the water...he quickly finishes rinsing and hops out of the >>>tub..grabbing a towel. >>> >>>Holly:(slightly annoyed) What's your hurry... is the place on fire! >>> >>>Roger:(sharply..frustrated) I'm only human Holly >>> >>>Holly rises out of the tub and steps towards him...amused by the look on >>>his face...he is mesmerized, breathless as the candle light softly dances >>>off the glistening water droplets on her silhouette. He brusquely wraps >>>her in a towel and exists the room, donning a robe on his way out. >>> >>>Roger is standing in front of the fire, back towards her but he hears her >>>feet patter across the floor >>> >>>Roger: Would you like more brandy....a glass of wine (turns to look at >>>her) >>> >>>Holly: No...I don't want anything to dull my senses (she drops the towel >>>...they do their infamous eye-lock) >>> >>>Roger:(barely able to speak) Why Holly...why now? >>> >>>Holly: Roger...don't be coy...there has always been this..this... >>>connection between us...I suspect it will always be there. Tell me this >>>isn't what you want. >>> >>>Roger: (tilts his head, closes his eyes) Of course it's what I want, it >>>is all I have ever wanted! But you can get through this without me...you >>>are a survivor. >>> >>>Holly: It's not enough for me to survive...I want to live...I need to >>>feel...I want to be consumed by something besides emptiness and >>>self-loathing...Surely You can understand! >>> >>>Roger: (sad smile) Yes.. >>> >>>Unable to resist her any longer, he pulls her towards him...kissing her >>>passionately, with abandon, her passion and desire matching his...she >>>tauntingly runs her tongue over his lips and then entangles her hands in >>>his hair and kisses him fully, enjoying the exploration. Her intensity both >>>surprises and excites him, and he thinks that if this is what it takes to >>>exorcize her demons...well he was more than happy to oblige. Her >>>hands move over his body and playfully tug on his towel... >>> >>>Roger: (grinning) What is your hurry... >>> >>>Holly: No hurry...we've got all night...I just hope your up to it! >>> >>>Roger: (laughs) Oh, Holly...how I've missed you. >>> >>>Her fingers brush gently across his chest, as they share another kiss >>>they sink to the rug in front of the fire. As he lies on top of her..he >>>stops. >>> >>>Roger: To think... (she cuts him off) >>> >>>Holly: This isn't a time to think...just feel...the heat...the passion.. the >>>desire...it will ebb soon enough...for now let's just give ourselves >>>completely to the fire. >>> >>>Holly rolls over on top of him...all thoughts are pushed away as their >>>passion reaches a feverish pitch....... >>> >>>Fade to black..... >>> >>>Scene III >>> >>>The next morning...the last embers of the fire have died...there's a >>>chill in the air as Roger rouses himself from a deep slumber. Briefly he >>>thinks that last night was a dream. As he rolls over his hand touches the >>>warm spot where Holly lay moments earlier, the scent of her perfume >>>still on the pillow. He smiles luxuriously as he recalls the previous >>>evening...never could he remember her being so consumed...He sits up >>>and sees her getting dressed. >>> >>>Roger: Merry Christmas Holly >>> >>>Holly: (walks over...looks at him lovingly and bites her lip) Merry >>>Christmas. >>> >>>Roger: Why bother getting dressed (pats the rug) I'm missing you >>>already. >>> >>>Holly remains silent >>> >>>Roger: (wraps himself in the blanket and stands up to face her) I love >>>you.... >>> >>>Holly:(sad smile) Really? >>> >>>Roger: Yes ...it's always been you I would do anything for you. >>> >>>Holly: I suppose in some obscure inexplicable way I love you too. But I >>>have to leave now. I have to give to someone else what you've given >>>me. >>> >>>Roger: (very confused)....What? >>> >>>Holly: If you really truly love me then you need to understand... >>>we...whatever it is between us is electric..powerful...overwhelming... but >>>we've been down this road before...it's simply impossible to maintain >>>and ultimately we only bring each other misery. >>> >>>What you gave me last night was...hope...you made me feel alive... >>>passionate ...desirable. I needed that more than you'll ever know. >>>Losing a child is devastating...but Fletcher has lost two...I can't >>>abandon him...I need to go to him now, finally I'm able to give back...I'll >>>help him overcome his loss...so he can live again. >>> >>>Roger: You can't be serious....he doesn't deserve you...where has he >>>been in your time of need? What...is he so consumed by his own loss >>>that he couldn't reach out to you...to comfort you...to give you what you >>>needed ...you know no matter what I will always be here for you. >>> >>>Holly: (smiles sadly) Roger, I wouldn't let him comfort me, it was easier >>>just to shut down, not to feel anything, I took the cowards way out...and I >>>added to his suffering. He is the only one who can really share this pain >>>with me, but I have hope now, that I have something to give him... >>> >>>Roger: No Holly...I won't let you go. >>> >>>Holly: Roger...it's not your call to make, I need to go to him, I need the >>>stability and constancy of his love, that is the only way that I will really >>>be able to heal and begin to deal with this loss. >>> >>>Roger stands there... speechless... heartbroken...yet part of him >>>understands. >>> >>>Holly: If you really love me...let me do this. >>> >>>Roger: (quietly, painfully) I won't stop you...I won't interfere >>> >>>Holly: (surprised, she pulls on her coat) Good-bye then... >>> >>>Roger: Good-bye. >>> >>>(she was right, she needed to heal, he would give her time, but he >>>would never give up, because she was that once in a lifetime, that one >>>love that clasps your heart and never really lets go) >>> >>>As she turns to go we fade to black. >> >> >> >