SOMERSET EPISODE 10
Written by: Steve Ungrey
Airdate: July 25, 2008
SCENE ONE
FADE IN -- Martin Enterprises
We
see the camera pan up in the sky towards the top floors of Martin
Enterprises, as the episode opens by picking up where Thursday’s left
off. In the last minutes of Thursday’s program, Susannah asked Jack
point-blank if her father put pressure on Jack to hire her aboard Martin
Enterprises.
SUSANNAH
Jack, you can be honest with me. Did Dad do this or not?
Jack appears a bit puzzled.
JACK
You act as if you’re upset.
SUSANNAH
(Vigorously shakes her head)
No,
Jack, I’m not upset. I just want to do all this on my own, that’s all.
No help from Dad. The name Sam Lucas carries a lot of weight in Oklahoma
City these days.
JACK
I don’t get it, Susannah. You seemed so gung-ho about the job when we talked over dinner and NOW you have questions?
Jack takes a seat at his desk as Susannah sits down.
SUSANNAH
I
don't mean to come across as harsh, Jack. I've told Dad I have to make
it on my own, like I did as a corporate lawyer, and I don't want him
calling in any favors.
JACK
I’ve seen what you’ve done over
the years. The law firm you worked at when you were living away from
Oklahoma City is quite a reputable place.
SUSANNAH
Well, I’m going to be 40 in a few years. I have to start fighting my own battles. Don’t you think?
JACK
You’re
talking to someone who’s waaaaay past 40, Susannah. (Chuckles) Come on,
Susannah. We all know 40 is the new 30. Think young.
SUSANNAH
Ha ha. If only it were that easy.
The door opens and Joanne comes in with two cups of coffee.
JOANNE
Here you go, Susannah. (Hands off a cup) Jack, as you like it. (Another cup gets passed)
SUSANNAH
Thanks, Joanne.
She sips from the cup and her eyes widen.
SUSANNAH
Hmm, strong coffee. That’s a plus about working here.
Jack grabs a notepad and pretends to jot notes down on the paper.
JACK
Likes strong coffee… is a bit bullheaded…
SUSANNAH
Oh, so I’m bullheaded, huh?
Joanne rolls her eyes and laughs.
JOANNE
I’m going to get out of here before I get rolled up in what’s going on.
JACK
(Checking wall clock)
Actually, Joanne, it’s late enough that if you want to knock off for the day you can go right ahead.
JOANNE
Are you sure? You’re expecting no late faxes or anything?
JACK
As far as I know, no. In fact, we’re going to probably continue this conversation over dinner.
JOANNE
Well,
depending on where you guys dine, I may see you there. I’ll finish up a
file and then I plan on having a drink or two after work myself.
JACK
Good. Get out of here and go knock em dead.
Joanne
exits the office as the light music begins playing in the background.
Jack and Susannah sip from their coffee cups as the picture changes.
DISSOLVE TO -- Washington, D.C.
After the obligatory overhead shot of the city with the “Washington” title card over it, the action shifts inside.
DISSOLVE TO -- A restaurant and bar somewhere in Washington
We
see a bartender, played in a guest appearance by Eddie Steeples from
“My Name is Earl”, cleaning glasses and stacking them behind the bar.
Nick comes in and spots the open seats at the bar and heads on over.
BARTENDER
Hey there. Welcome to J. Sullivan’s.
NICK
Hey. Have the Nationals started yet?
BARTENDER
That’s what I was going to check. Let me look. They’re down in Florida tonight and I don’t think it’s raining.
NICK
Good
to hear, I hope not. (Nick hears a lot of commotion coming from the
upstairs area) Wow, it’s not even 8 and it’s already hopping up there.
BARTENDER
Get
used to it. There’s some sort of going-away party for someone going on
upstairs. I got a feeling you’re safe down here. The drinks will be
flowing. What’ll you have?
NICK
Manhattan, please. And a menu.
BARTENDER
Coming right up.
The bartender takes a glass and begins fixing up the Manhattan as music plays out of the scene. The picture fades to black.
The
theme begins as 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.
BILL WOLFF
This… is Somerset.
This portion brought to you today by dark, sparkling Folger’s coffee. Folger’s. The coffee that tastes as rich as it looks.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCENE TWO
FADE IN -- Giovanni’s
Susannah
and Jack have taken their conversation to the restaurant, where the two
have ordered a bottle of wine and are celebrating her new job.
JACK
To my newest employee, may you like working for Martin Enterprises and may I be a boss that doesn’t run you into the ground.
Susannah lifts her wine glass.
SUSANNAH
Hear hear. I’ll drink to that.
The two clink wine glasses and Susannah enjoys a sip of wine.
SUSANNAH
Mmm. The taste of zinfandel is so good right about now. (Pauses) Was it true when you said I was bullheaded in the office?
JACK
Just
like your mother used to be. I remember Lahoma and Sam at times having a
field day over you and also Lahoma having trouble with Sam’s long hours
at the plant.
SUSANNAH
I don’t recall much about that. I was in a crib a lot of the time.
JACK
She
could be a handful, but Lahoma always loved Sam in the end until that
time when the two of you split Somerset and then Sam left shortly after.
I felt a bit adrift without him, but he’d mentored me so well that I
was ready to grab the reins and go on.
SUSANNAH
Sounds like you had a good education, then.
JACK
It
was good. (Sips from his wine glass) All kidding aside, Susannah, Sam
did wonder how my staffing levels were, but I told him I was asking you
to come work for me anyway.
SUSANNAH
So Dad tried to throw
around his weight and make sure I’d have a job to support the house
payments with on a regular basis. I saved a lot of my money when I was
in Oklahoma City.
JACK
Well, his words fell on deaf ears with me because I told him I was already going to use your services.
SUSANNAH
So you had plans to hire me. I’m not surprised now that I hear that.
JACK
Susannah,
I need a lot of legal help with Martin Enterprises. I'm marshaling my
forces to combat a possible fight with the Cleybank Corporation over the
future of this city.
SUSANNAH
Involving George. Oh boy, he’ll looooooove dealing with me. Is the future of the city that bad?
JACK
Oh,
the city will survive. Don’t get me wrong. It survived me almost
killing it with my boneheaded move of selling Delaney Brands to
NutraSource. It was a very dark day when the cannery plant came down.
SUSANNAH
Let me guess. That’s what got George riled up at you.
JACK
I
admit I really messed up. Robert said to me don’t worry, you were
damned if you do or don’t with that transaction, but I wish I had done
things differently. I think that’s why I stepped in several years later,
bought the land -- when all those homes sprouted up and Grant's
Preserve was born, I kind of felt vindicated.
SUSANNAH
Well, I’m glad to have a home there. So is Giovanni, I hear.
JACK
Yes. And there’s more where that came from, I’m sure.
SUSANNAH
And I've got the skills you need?
JACK
I can put you on retainer and have you do legal work for me when you're not out getting clients. What do you say?
SUSANNAH
Well...
if Dad had nothing to do directly with setting this up... (smiles and
outstretches her hand) You've got yourself a new lawyer.
JACK
That's the spirit! Welcome to Martin Enterprises.
Jack shakes Susannah’s hand and the two smile, as the picture fades to black.
BILL WOLFF
We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
(We see “The Guiding Light” title card)
Now
is the time to come in from the dark. Quick! Turn on the light! The
Guiding Light, the way you imagine it could be. Part of the Daytime
Royalty lineup. Weekdays.
(We see “Somerset” title card and hear a soft version of the theme)
BILL WOLFF
And now, following station identification, we’ll return with the second half of Somerset.
The
second half of Somerset is brought to you today by Butter Flavor
Crisco, for foods that have rich butter flavor without all the
cholesterol.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCENE THREE
FADE IN -- Giovanni’s
At the restaurant, Mike is at the bar nursing a cold brew when Joanne happens to walk in.
MIKE
Well, evening to you, Joanne! I was beginning to think you sat behind a computer screen all the time.
JOANNE
I
figured I’d go back to my place, stretch out a bit, get a workout in
and then have a couple drinks at Giovanni’s. Is your favorite nurse
here?
MIKE
Not too loud, okay? I don’t want word to spread.
Mike sees Scott Garfield walk in and motions him over.
MIKE
You don’t mind a little company, do you?
JOANNE
Not at all. (Stands from her seat) Lt. Garfield, good evening.
SCOTT
Joanne, you look lovely as always.
JOANNE
Why, thank you. Sit with us. We were just talking about a few things.
MIKE
Well, if crime is so low in Somerset, I guess a police chief isn’t needed. Right, Scott?
SCOTT
Watch it. See if I let you have exclusives ever again.
MIKE
Relax, I’ll behave.
Mike laughs and drinks from his beer glass.
MIKE
Hey, by the way. We had a call come into our office about some activity down by the riverfront. What do you know about that?
SCOTT
It’s true, unfortunately.
JOANNE
What happened?
SCOTT
We've
had trouble keeping people away from the dilapidated buildings. Old
Somerset has had some casualties in terms of office and retail space.
There’s all that explosive development behind the waterfront area but no
one’s thought about the river.
JOANNE
Well… (smiles as she orders a whiskey sour) Someone has.
SCOTT
And I know who that someone is.
MIKE
Well,
this is what I don’t understand. If there's such a problem down by the
riverfront, has there been any thought given to urban renewal? Tearing
down and starting over?
SCOTT
Careful. (Motions toward Jack) You don't want Jack to hear you saying that.
MIKE
Are you saying... his Project X or whatever the hell you call it involves restoration?
SCOTT
Well,
he’s very private about his plans. You know that. He's trying to
marshal together enough forces to push the renovation plans through. He
wants -- hell, we all want -- all of downtown to be as vital as
possible.
JOANNE
And Lord knows I’ve heard him talk about it
enough. (Waves at Jack) I don’t mind it, though. I like seeing someone
so passionate about saving the city. It’s either his way or The Cleybank
Corporation takes over.
MIKE
Ugh. We don’t want that.
The back doors open and Giovanni comes out with a bowl of fettucine alfredo for Mike.
GIOVANNI
Mangia, Mike. Eat up. Menus for the both of you? Joanne, good to see you by the way.
JOANNE
You too, Giovanni. I ate dinner at home, no thanks.
GIOVANNI
(Feigns being offended)
I guess my cooking is not good enough for you. (Smiles) OK, maybe next time. By the way, Scott, guess who we heard from today.
Scott’s face brightens immediately.
SCOTT
Let me guess. I'm going to say it's Somerset's favorite model?
GIOVANNI
You
bet. Rose got a lengthy e-mail from Annabella... she's likely coming
home for a little while before she goes back to Italy for some more
work.
SCOTT
Well, good for you! Now if you could only get your three children under one roof at one time you‘d be all set.
MIKE
Say, Giovanni, that’s good news. I always thought Annabella was drop-dead…
Giovanni turns to give the Petterino evil eye.
MIKE
Uhhh… (downs a shot of bourbon) Smart?
GIOVANNI
That’s better.
Giovanni laughs, along with Joanne and Scott.
CUT TO -- Jack’s table
Susannah is sipping from her wine while Jack is salting his dinner.
JACK
Thank
you, by the way, for letting me take my newest employee out to dinner
for a celebration. Have you given any thought about when you'd like to
start?
SUSANNAH
Well, I was hoping to get a few things squared
away at home first before I introduced work into my life here, but I
can start whenever you'd like me.
JACK
How about the middle of
next week? Your official title would be acquisitions manager. You'd be
overseeing some of my properties and acting as a liaison between me and
what I own. If you need more time...
Jack’s cell phone rings and he sees it’s Nick on the other end.
JACK
Hold that thought. (Presses button) Hello, Nicholas!
CUT TO -- J. Sullivan’s
Nick is drinking a Manhattan and watching the Marlins game.
NICK
And
a good evening to you too. You actually were right, Jack. There were
some interesting things to learn at this convention. I've got some stuff
to bring back to Somerset.
JACK
See, I told you… I've been to those seminars and conventions in Washington.
NICK
Well,
actually, I'm at this bar now and I'm just going to unwind for a bit
and have a couple beers or Manhattans with dinner. There's a big party
going on in an upstairs room here and the more I avoid the crowds the
better off I'll be.
JACK
Good to hear. Have a good night, my friend.
NICK
Hopefully I will.
As
Nick says his last words to Jack, the bartender is cleaning some
glasses when his attention is diverted to the staircase. He can’t see a
face, but the camera focuses in on a woman from the waist down, slender
in figure with shapely legs and wearing what appears to be a short black
dress, descending the stairs.
Mysterious music plays behind the bar soundtrack as the picture fades to black.
BILL WOLFF
We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.
SCENE FOUR
FADE IN -- Giovanni’s
Jack has a glass of champagne for the end of the meal, and he is toasting Susannah.
JACK
To the newest employee of Martin Enterprises. May you have a long and prosperous career with my company.
He clinks Susannah's glass.
SUSANNAH
Hear hear. (Sips champagne) Mmm. The good stuff.
JACK
Actually
it’s Giovanni’s good stuff. I'm not quite a Cristal man... nor am I Dom
Perignon. I built my fortune by being a bit more frugal.
SUSANNAH
This works. I better quit before I have a repeat of what happened at dinner before.
JACK
This time… (he laughs) we’ll make sure you get home in one piece.
Susannah laughs as we quickly change scenes without music accompaniment.
CUT TO -- J. Sullivan’s
At the bar in Washington, Nick is watching TV as the Nationals are playing baseball.
NICK
Another Manhattan, bartender.
BARTENDER
Hey, coming right up.
We
see the young woman has come off the staircase and she sees the TV on
the ballgame. She quickly runs over and grabs the seat next to Nick.
For
the first time, we see the woman in full view, with long, flaming ruby
red hair, and she smiles as she turns and talks to Nick.
WOMAN
So who’s winning… Nats or Marlins?
Nick turns and smiles, suitably impressed.
NICK
I’m impressed. A woman who knows her baseball.
The woman looks down at what Nick is drinking and licks her lips.
WOMAN
And I’m impressed. A man who’s not afraid to drink the hard stuff. You up for a little company, handsome?
The woman smiles, full red lips and all, and Nick is a goner.
NICK
There is no way in hell I can turn down a smile like that.
BARTENDER
Miss, what are you drinking?
WOMAN
Vodka tonic, please.
The
woman reaches for her purse. Nick thinks she’s going to grab money, so
he signals the bartender and points at his napkin to say “on me”. He’s
intent on buying her at least one drink.
Instead of money, the woman pulls out lip gloss and dabs her lips with it.
Nick looks a little transfixed as the music builds. The picture instantly cuts to black.
The Somerset credits roll.
BILL WOLFF
Women’s dresses by Jones of New York. Men’s wear by Barney’s.
Join
us each weekday at this time for the continuing story of Somerset. And
stay tuned for Harpers Falls, which follows immediately over most of
these same stations.
The preceding program was pre-recorded.
