EPISODE 7 -- CONFRONTATION

SOMERSET EPISODE 7
Original Airdate: Tuesday July 22, 2008
Written by: Steve Ungrey

SCENE ONE

FADE IN -- Somerset Hospital

A dramatic piano background shows off the tension in the highly charged first scene, which is a direct pickup from Monday’s broadcast. In the last scene Monday, George Cleypool had been talking with Sam and Lahoma before Susannah came out.

When George sees Susannah, he immediately comes over and goes one on one.

GEORGE
(Yelling)
Are you the irresponsible fool who nearly killed my son?

Susannah appears momentarily shocked at George’s outburst, but she recovers her footing.

SUSANNAH
I drove the car, yes. But your son only has a few bumps and scratches... Dr. Kurtz said he’s going to be fine…

George comes in closer and gets right in Susannah’s face.

GEORGE
He could have been killed because of you!

Sam attempts to intervene.

SAM
Now wait one damn minute here…

GEORGE
(Turning to face Sam)
This doesn’t concern you!

LAHOMA
Mr. Cleypool, that is enough. How can you stand there and make accusations like that?

GEORGE
(Momentarily flustered)
Acc… ACCUSATIONS? Did your daughter hit my son or not?

LAHOMA
Susannah swerved to avoid something in the road.

GEORGE
Something? Oh, that’s just wonderful. You treat my son as if he’s some piece of trash or a paper cup lying in the road.

SAM
Had she not swerved, Mr. Cleypool, who knows what would have…

George whirls around to face Sam.

GEORGE
Don’t tell me you’re going to say who knows what would have happened. I know what would have happened.

He turns back toward Susannah as Jack steps off the elevator. Jack sees the commotion and can’t believe his eyes. For the moment he stays out of it.

GEORGE
This person who shouldn't be driving after having a few glasses of wine would have hit the motorcycle and killed Zachary. Why are you even driving??

SUSANNAH
Mr. Cleypool, your son is fine. He's...

GEORGE
(Raises his voice again and yells at Susannah)
No thanks to you! He's in a hospital bed because you didn't see him? DIDN'T SEE HIM?? How could you not see...

Jack decides he’s had enough. He comes into the waiting room area.

JACK
Well, well, George. I see you’re at it again.

GEORGE
What the hell are you doing here? Don’t tell me you know these people.

JACK
Well, golly George… I was going to say if you care to browbeat my friends, at least have the common decency to yell at a defenseless woman, wouldn’t you?

Jack gives George a sarcastic grin, and Susannah turns toward Jack.

SUSANNAH
Jack, I can take care of...

JACK
Susannah, there is no defense against someone like George Cleypool.

Jack approaches George, eyes narrowing. It is clear he and George definitely don’t like each other, much less being in each other’s company.

JACK
I believe you know your son is okay and that he swerved to avoid the car. Which was driving in a straight line and Susannah was not drunk. They were all fine and walking a straight line when I left the restaurant.

GEORGE
Wow, Jack. Plying your friends with a little booze and liquor. Is that the only way you can get support these days?

Jack smiles and begins laughing.

JACK
Oh no, no, no. George, I’m not falling for that routine. I suggest you save your voice for someone who really needs to hear it...

Patrick has come back from the exam area and sees the commotion, but he notices it is dying down so he intervenes.

PATRICK
Are you all about finished with your discussion, if that’s what they’re calling it these days?

GEORGE
(Turns to face Patrick)
Are you about finished with your smart-aleck remarks? I swear Stanley had more class than you did. Even if his brother was a common criminal.

SAM
Damn you… Mr. Cleypool, if you have any issues you need to take up…

PATRICK
Sam, don’t worry about it. I’m used to this. Your son is asking for you, by the way. He’s been awake and alert now for the last couple hours.

GEORGE
Thank you. (Points at Susannah) You have not heard the last from me. Count on that.

George exits the waiting area, leaving Susannah a bit shaken but none the worse for wear.

SUSANNAH
Man, Jack... what did you do to upset him so much?

JACK
To hear him talk, I destroyed this town.

Light music takes over for the piano background as the picture fades to black.

We see an overhead shot of downtown as the camera is pulling away. The Somerset logo pops into position and goes toward the center of the screen as the familiar theme plays.

[i]BILL WOLFF
This… is Somerset.

This portion brought to you today by Head and Shoulders. The shampoo that relieves problem dandruff and dry scalp for fresher, cleaner hair. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.[/i]
 
COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE TWO

FADE IN -- Somerset Hospital

Jack and Patrick are making sure the Lucas family is all right as we resume the scene.

JACK
Is everyone all right?

SUSANNAH
Considering I just got examined by Patrick and told everything was okay, I think so. Although I’m beginning to think I need another checkup after this go-round.

PATRICK
I think you’ll be fine. Like I said, if you feel lightheaded in the next several hours or so don’t hesitate to ring me up. (Produces his business card) Keep that handy.

SUSANNAH
Wow! I feel so honored. (Playfully pushes Patrick’s shoulder)

PATRICK
You guys have time for a little catch-up session?

LAHOMA
Sure, Patrick. Is it your break?

PATRICK
Working a shift that takes me into the overnight hours, so yes... I need a meal in me. Come... I know you've eaten, but you need to see the hospital cafeteria.

SAM
Lead the way. I’m glad we ate.

JACK
I’m going to take my leave and let you guys get caught up. Patrick, good to see you again.

PATRICK
Always a pleasure, Jack. You sure you don’t want to stay?

JACK
I’ve had my catch-up time. Now it’s your turn. In the meantime, I think a clothes pin will take care of the stench in my nostrils known as George Cleypool.

Everyone laughs as Jack bids adieu and heads to the elevator. The Lucases and Patrick head down the hall to the accompaniment of light music.

DISSOLVE TO -- Grant’s Preserve

It is a quiet night out in the Grant’s Preserve subdivision as Rose is sitting outside on the back porch of her home, overlooking the family‘s spacious backyard. Giovanni arrives home and a door slams.

GIOVANNI
Rose... Rose, honey... where is my bella?

ROSE
Out here, dear. Enjoying a nice evening, or what's left of it.

GIOVANNI
Ah, I see. (Appears in doorway) There she is.

Giovanni comes over and takes Rose by the shoulders, planting a long kiss on his wife. It is clear Viagra’s not needed here with this couple’s robust marriage.

GIOVANNI
You look as good as you did the day we met.

ROSE
Yes. I recall I was slaving over a hot stove at the college cafeteria wearing just jeans and a T-shirt?

GIOVANNI
Oh, you know better than that. (Sits down) You were working at the pizza parlor just off campus. I came in and ordered a pizza with anchovies, mushrooms and sausage... And you were there with your long, dark hair tied back…

ROSE
So all these years I thought it was me, and it was the pizza. All these years I thought you couldn't resist me.

GIOVANNI
You too. (Kisses Rose) You looked so attractive with pizza sauce on the apron.

ROSE
And all these years later, here you are.

Giovanni looks around the house. Obviously only one of the three Petterino children are in Somerset, but he can’t believe the stillness.

GIOVANNI
It's a little quiet here tonight. Where's Victoria?

ROSE
I sort of encouraged her to take a pint of ice cream over to Alana's apartment.

Giovanni gives Rose a cockeyed look, as if he senses she’s trying to keep an eye on Alana.

GIOVANNI
Rose Giulia Albertson Petterino…

ROSE
Wow! I’m impressed. You haven’t called me that in months. You usually say that when you think I’m up to something.

GIOVANNI
I am. Are you trying to bribe the head nurse at Somerset Hospital to pass Victoria?

ROSE
Why, absolutely not. Alana's just talked lately about feeling a little lonely. She works long hours at the hospital and then she goes home for a bite to eat, a bed to sleep in and then she’s back at it the next day.

GIOVANNI
And this is your hint she should get out more? She’ll adjust. She should think about getting a cat... a dog... a companion to keep her company...

ROSE
Well, she DID have someone in her life, but it didn't quite work out.

GIOVANNI
I didn't say the companion had to be a male human being.

ROSE
Oh, I know. Alana can take care of herself, anyway. She's working all those hours at Somerset Hospital and Victoria really looks up to her. Besides, once Tori's up to speed, Alana's mentioned something about giving her more hours and taking some time to do other projects...

GIOVANNI
I know. Does she still harbor dreams of being Dr. Alana Singleton?

ROSE
No, she likes her nursing job. Now Tori... I think she could be a doctor in an instant.

GIOVANNI
Try again, honey. It takes how long to become a doctor?

Rose nuzzles and kisses Giovanni.

ROSE
Oh, you know what I meant...

The two turn and look at the sky as light music plays and the picture fades to black.

[i]We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.[/i]

COMMERCIAL BREAK

(We see “The Market” title card)

And you thought life at your neighborhood supermarket revolved around self-checkouts and how to stock the deli. You’re wrong. The Market. A completely different type of market than just groceries. Part of the Daytime Royalty lineup, weekdays.

(We see “Somerset” title card and hear a soft version of the theme)

[i]BILL WOLFF

And now, following station identification, we’ll return with the second half of Somerset. This portion of today’s program is brought to you by the moist, delicious desserts of Duncan Hines.[/i]

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE THREE

FADE IN -- Somerset Hospital

In the cafeteria at Somerset Hospital, Lahoma, Sam, Susannah and Patrick are around a table. Jack already has bid his friends goodbye for the night and returned to the condo.

LAHOMA
God, Patrick. I couldn't believe how that man acted.

Patrick sips from a cup of coffee and shakes his head.

PATRICK
George Cleypool, head of the Cleybank Corporation. He does a lot with the hospital, but he's got an awful bark. You didn't hear it from me, but I think he and his wife are estranged and that might be why he's acting like a...

SAM
Jerk?

SUSANNAH
(Laughs)
Good one, Dad. So how are your mom and dad, Patrick?

PATRICK
I just talked with Dad a few days ago. He and Mom are enjoying semi-retirement in Arizona. He's still at it, though.

SAM
Not surprising. Stanley was always a good doctor here in Somerset, and I was surprised to hear he married Teri. That happened after we left Somerset, right?

PATRICK
They wed here in Somerset. Her father had a stroke out in Arizona, and they both left Somerset to take care of him. When they were out there Mom found out she was pregnant.

LAHOMA
That must have been hell. She was over 40 when I knew her.

PATRICK
My mother was 44 when she had me. That was what was so shocking about it. They had me, and I must have been such a handful they stopped.

SUSANNAH
(Laughs)
I can understand that.

PATRICK
Hey, you already wanted my lab coat. You're pushing for the shirt, aren't you?

LAHOMA
Excuse me?

Patrick catches himself while Susannah blushes a bit.

PATRICK
Doctors' humor. Your daughter's always had the gift for the zinger where I'm concerned.

SUSANNAH
Not really. It's just good to see a familiar face. It'll make the transition to Somerset less daunting.

PATRICK
If that's the case (raises coffee cup) then I'll be glad to be of assistance.

SAM
Worth a toast to me!

The four raise their cups of coffee as light music plays into the commercial. The picture fades to black.

[i]We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.

[/i]COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE FOUR

FADE IN -- Petterino residence

Giovanni and Rose have gone by the staircase area, where the two are holding each other.

ROSE
You know, Tori still isn't back yet. You feel like being back in our twenties and fooling around a bit?

GIOVANNI
Just a bit? I was thinking…

Giovanni leans in and kisses Rose over and over before whispering something inaudible in her ear. The sound of it makes Rose look shocked.

ROSE
My, Giovanni, are you a naughty boy tonight. Come on up before I change my mind.

The camera dissolves to Rose kissing Giovanni as she unbuttons his shirt, and Giovanni is quick to strip Rose of the shirt she is wearing. It is obvious the couple has a healthy life outside the restaurant, which is a good thing.

Amorous music is playing, but we leave the scene before it gets too hot and heavy. The picture dissolves.

DISSOLVE TO -- Somerset Hospital

In Zachary’s hospital room, he is being held overnight for observation. George is by his son's side.

ZACHARY
Dad, I’m the one that made the mistake. I may have been in the other car's way.

GEORGE
You weren't over the limit, were you?

ZACHARY
Two scotches after dinner? Hardly. I was heading into town to meet some friends for beers and I never got there. If I didn't feel like driving back, I'd have stayed with a friend or had someone drive me back.

GEORGE
Well, Fenwick could have gotten you...

ZACHARY
Dad, Fenwick had already retired to his quarters for the night. I can take care of myself.

GEORGE
Humor me, okay? I almost lost you tonight. On top of getting divorce papers from Wendy.

Zachary gets an incredible look on his face.

ZACHARY
Well, the papers were the worst part of your night. It was only a small cycle accident. It wasn't like I crashed into a car and rolled over its roof. Dad... I know you're worried about losing me from the house too, but I'm not going anywhere.

GEORGE
Well, good thing. I need a partner in crime to assist me in my latest quest.

ZACHARY
Which is what?

We hear sinister music as the camera slowly focuses in on George’s face.

GEORGE
Making sure the one who nearly ran into you pays. Dearly.

Zachary looks at his dad with seriousness as the picture fades to black.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

We see the credits of Somerset rolling.

[i]BILL WOLFF
This... was Somerset.

Men’s wear by Nolan and Company. Shoes by J&M of New York.

Stay tuned for Harpers Falls, which follows immediately over most of these same stations.

And join us each weekday afternoon at this time for the continuing story of Somerset.

This program was pre-recorded.  [/i]