EPISODE 12 -- THE ALLURE OF THE NIGHT

SOMERSET EPISODE 12
Airdate: July 29, 2008
Written by: Steve Ungrey

SCENE ONE

FADE IN -- Washington, D.C.

Instead of the typical piano or taped music that opens each episode, we hear the opening strains of the 1960s classic “Stranger on the Shore” by Acker Bilk.



The melancholy piece sets a perfect background for the scene.

The overhead shot of Washington D.C. appears once again, with the word "Washington" below. We see Nick walking along a city street, presumably back to his hotel room. All of a sudden he stops. He's by the Potomac River and he looks out onto the water.

In the reflection of the water, Nick sees the young woman. He remembers back to earlier that night and the encounter at the bar. We hear a few brief snippets of dialogue from Monday’s 11th episode.

((in flashback))

WOMAN
You wouldn’t be checking me out, would you?

NICK
With that figure? What do you think? Wreck your diet. Now I’ve heard everything.

The woman looks a little incredulous, but in a good way.

WOMAN
What are you implying, hot stuff? That I have a killer body?

NICK
I never said any such thing. (Smiles) Now the red hair, that's another story.

((out of flashback))

The song continues softly behind Nick as he recalls how she whispered in his ear and ran her fingernails down his arm. We also see the young woman laughing and flinging her red hair back.

NICK
Barclay, my boy. (Shakes his head) You blew it. Big time.

Almost on cue, the skies open up with a light rain, and Nick gets a bit drenched by the water. He can only help but laugh at the irony.

NICK
(Looking up)
I know, I know. All that's missing is the umbrella and Gene Kelly.

He continues walking forward.

NICK
Only I'm not singing. Or smiling.

Nick continues walking forward and the camera pulls back from the melancholy scene as the picture fades to black. Instead of hearing the Somerset theme, however, the song continues as we see the city skyline and the Somerset logo appearing.

BILL WOLFF
This… is Somerset.

This portion is presented today by Original Formula Mr. Clean. The cleaner that cleans your whole house and everything that's in it.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE TWO

FADE IN -- Susannah’s house

The rain that is falling in Washington is also falling in Somerset several hundred miles to the west, courtesy of a storm system that is sweeping through the Midwest.

Susannah is on the front step of her house, having gotten home from her dinner with Jack, and she is watching the lightning far away. We see a car coming down the street and it stops in front of Susannah's house. At first Susannah thinks it's Patrick, but then she sees it's Giovanni.

He gets out of the car and walks up the stairs to Susannah, carrying a dish with him.

GIOVANNI
Buongiorno, Miss Lucas. You selected a good location for your house. You're just several doors down from us.

The two share a warm hug.

SUSANNAH
Giovanni! How are you? Please, call me Susannah. We’re practically neighbors.

GIOVANNI
Quite right. I know you were just in the restaurant tonight with Jack, but I figured I’d stop by and welcome you to the Grant’s Preserve neighborhood.

SUSANNAH
Well come on in out of the rain.

As the two enter Susannah's house, she notices the dish Giovanni has. Susannah takes the dish and heads toward the kitchen table.

SUSANNAH
Let me guess. Mom and Dad wanted you to make a care package for me?

GIOVANNI
Well, between you and Jack Martin, you’ll be fine with people looking in after you. Are you enjoying your time here in Somerset so far?

SUSANNAH
Well, everyone’s so nice here.

GIOVANNI
Don’t worry. You’re not in Stepford. We have our bad sides. (Laughs)

SUSANNAH
Oh, I figured as such. It’s just that I don’t recall a lot about Somerset when I lived here with Mom and Dad, but I know later in life they were ever so glad to get the heck out of here and start over in Oklahoma.

GIOVANNI
You bet. I came to Somerset after the mob stuff went down at Delaney Brands. I lived in New York when we came over to the States, and my father Sergio wanted me to help out in the family business there.

SUSANNAH
Why didn’t you stay in New York? There are so many possibilities there.

GIOVANNI
Well, I wanted to go to college, so I came to Somerset and got to know Jack a lot better.

(He smiles and blows an Italian-style kiss with two fingers and a thumb)

GIOVANNI
Then I fell in love with Rose. Ah, life was good.

SUSANNAH
I bet. No, I was just so surprised when we came down, went to the scenic overlook and saw just how big Somerset had gotten.

GIOVANNI
Sam and Lahoma were very surprised, I bet. When they brought you back here and they saw how much this community had changed. Downtown's much bigger than it was, the cannery is torn down... These houses are on top of it. There’s new development everywhere.

SUSANNAH
I know. I did some research at the library today and I went over some past copies of the Register. There was a shot of downtown from about 1976 and I couldn’t believe it. Then I saw one from 1995 and it was like night and day.

GIOVANNI
Things have changed for the better, that’s for sure.

Light music plays in the background as Susannah smiles. The picture fades to black.

BILL WOLFF
We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

(We see “Saturday Nights In the City” title card)

Do you think Genoa City stops on the weekends just because The Young and The Restless doesn’t air? Hardly. Saturdays in Genoa City can be just as fun. Watch Saturday Nights in the City, on the Daytime Royalty weekend lineup.

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

BILL WOLFF
The second half of Somerset is presented by Metamucil, available in regular and orange flavor. And you could stay regular for the rest of your life.

We'll return to Somerset following station identification.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

SCENE THREE

FADE IN -- Susannah's house

Susannah is talking with Giovanni, but she can’t help but smell the aroma of the dish he brought over.

SUSANNAH
What is in that dish, by the way? It smells heavenly.

GIOVANNI
Rose's spaghetti and meatballs recipe.

SUSANNAH
On top of what I ate there tonight. I have a feeling I’m going to be spoiled rotten.

She takes the dish and puts it in the refrigerator.

SUSANNAH
I'll be sure to have it for lunch tomorrow. Wow, that is powerful stuff. Want a drink for the road?

GIOVANNI
Surprise me with whatever you've got.

SUSANNAH
Well, then… here, catch.

Susannah goes to the refrigerator like she did with Patrick, and she gets out a pop can for herself and Giovanni. She tosses a perfect underhanded strike over to Giovanni.

GIOVANNI
Ah, yes! You have a good arm. I might need you on our restaurant softball team.

Susannah can’t help but laugh.

SUSANNAH
You're the second person trying to recruit my services.

GIOVANNI
Second? The last I knew, Martin Enterprises didn’t have a softball team.

SUSANNAH
No, it wasn’t Martin. Patrick Kurtz already wants me to play.

GIOVANNI
Ah, yes! Dr. Kurtz, Stan and Teri’s son. He stops by the restaurant from time to time.

SUSANNAH
Yes, he said he doesn’t have a lot of free time, but when he does he can’t resist your pasta either.

GIOVANNI
(Smiles)
I have that effect on people.

Susannah laughs as she drinks from the pop can.

SUSANNAH
Well, he’s helped me feel right at home too, and I really like that. He was quite surprised to see us in Somerset, even though I told him I was definitely considering a move here.

GIOVANNI
Well, you did surprise him under those circumstances. Are you having second thoughts about your boss?

SUSANNAH
(Sips from her pop can)
No, not at all! In fact, I'm looking forward to my first day at Martin Enterprises.

GIOVANNI
Well, Jack is looking forward to having you on staff. He wants to bolster his legal presence in Somerset so he can go forward with the big project.

SUSANNAH
I know he wants to go forward with something very big. What do you know?

GIOVANNI
You've come to the wrong place. I don't know a thing. Yet, anyway. We keep pressuring Jack to reveal some of his plans, but he doesn't want to do it yet.

SUSANNAH
Who’s we?

GIOVANNI
Well, myself… Bernard over at Bernard’s Restaurant… the owner of The Riverboat Club… some of the little mom-and-pop shops.

SUSANNAH
Well, he’ll have to spill his guts soon.

GIOVANNI
Sooner rather than later.

Giovanni checks his watch.

GIOVANNI
I better get home before Rose wonders where I am. Enjoy the pasta and if you feel like a home-cooked meal anytime, our kitchen is always open.

SUSANNAH
I will do just that. Where are you guys located?

GIOVANNI
Harriman Court. 9277 Harriman.

Susannah realizes Harriman Court is just down the street a few houses away.

SUSANNAH
(Walks Giovanni back to the door and hugs him tightly)
Well, that's not too far away. I will have to do just that. Have a good night. Thanks for coming down in the rain.

GIOVANNI
No problem, Susannah. Ciao.

He gets in the car and drives back to the street before taking off down towards his home. The rain has gotten a little harder, so Susannah ducks inside her house.

She walks by the kitchen, where the smell of pasta still wafts through the air.

SUSANNAH
(Smells pasta dish)
No, Susannah. Have it tomorrow. It'll keep.

Susannah puts it back in the refrigerator and shuts out the downstairs light before heading upstairs. Light music is playing as Susannah goes up the steps.

DISSOLVE TO -- Giovanni’s

We are at Giovanni’s, where the action is still going despite Giovanni and Rose having gone home for the night.

Scott has left the building, and Joanne has also gone home for the night, but Mike is sharing a drink with Alana. She smiles as she drinks from her beer glass.

ALANA
Wagner, I didn't intend on staying here as long as I did, but I gotta say thanks for the evening of enjoyment.

MIKE
(Takes a swallow of his beer)
You’re welcome. My original invitation was for coffee, but I figured I might see you here.

ALANA
Well, just so you know. I'm not really in the market for a long-term person in my life. Not yet, anyway.

MIKE
No one said anything about this being long-term. I'm just glad I finally got you out of the nurses' gear and into more relaxed clothes.

ALANA
Well, I’m glad I came here tonight. Thanks.

MIKE
Can I do this again sometime soon?

ALANA
One at a time, Wagner. I put a long day in at the hospital. I'm bushed, and I'm going home to bed.

Alana manages a warm smile at Mike.

ALANA
That said, I’d be open to doing this again soon.

MIKE
Do you need an escort home? Are you OK to drive?

ALANA
Of course I am, silly. I just had two beers and I drank slowly.

MIKE
Just remembering what was in the Register recently.

Alana shrugs that off with a chuckle.

ALANA
Oh... the motorbike accident. Don't worry. That driver wasn't drunk either. But I appreciate the offer of an escort.

MIKE
(Stands up and kisses Alana’s hand softly)
Well then, have a good night.

ALANA
Flattery will get you nowhere, Wagner.

This time, her smile is a little warmer and a little more devilish.

ALANA
But it was fun. See ya at the hospital soon.

MIKE
Hopefully just checking on a story.

Alana leaves her seat, while Mike smiles and finishes his beer. Outside the bar Alana looks in, gets a small grin on her face and takes off for her car. The music builds and the picture fades to black.

BILL WOLFF
We'll return to Somerset in just a moment.

SCENE FOUR

FADE IN -- Petterino house, front porch

At the Petterino house, Giovanni and Rose are on the front porch, snuggled up and listening to the thunder.

GIOVANNI
I can’t believe Tori went to bed so early. She loves the sound of a good thunderstorm in the summer, or so she once told me.

ROSE
She didn't turn in until after 11. She had a hard day today. She’s probably soft asleep with the window open and the rain falling down.

GIOVANNI
She loves her job, and you know it.

ROSE
I know she does. So… how did Susannah enjoy her care package?

GIOVANNI
Well, she's going to eat it tomorrow. I'll let you know when she tells me.

ROSE
(Snuggles in next to Giovanni)
It will be good to have another familiar face in the neighborhood. Another surrogate daughter to spoil.

GIOVANNI
(Laughing)
I better fire up the oven.

ROSE
You’ll be doing a lot of cooking in the next several days, probably.

GIOVANNI
Ah, I can’t help it. Susannah reminds me a lot of Annabella. That feisty attitude...

ROSE
Definitely. (Sighs) I can't wait for Annabella to come home.

GIOVANNI
It will be soon, my love. Soon.

ROSE
Hopefully not another several weeks. She’s already been gone way too long.

GIOVANNI
Well, allow me to try and take your mind off of children that are missing from our lives.

Giovanni leans over and kisses Rose. Slowly she responds to his amorous advances, turning to face him. Giovanni and Rose share a lingering kiss over light, romantic music…

ABRUPTLY CUT TO -- Susannah’s bedroom

The light music gives way to the loud roar of “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence.



We see Susannah in bed, trying to sleep but disturbed by something.

As the thunder and lightning continue, we see Susannah’s face illuminated. The line “I can’t wake up” in the song is choreographed along with the lightning flashes.

Susannah tosses and turns and thrashes about on the bed. It is obvious from the scene that she is having some sort of nightmare.

Finally, she bolts upright with a scream and sweat pouring down her face.

The lightning flashes, causing her to jerk her head to the right and look out the window. She looks left.

Slowly Susannah realizes she is in her own bedroom.

She is breathing fast and hard and looking around.

SUSANNAH
You're in Somerset, Susannah. Far, far away.

The camera pulls back and instead of any music, we hear the noise of rainfall and Susannah's breathing returning to normal. The picture fades to black.

COMMERCIAL BREAK

The Somerset credits roll.

BILL WOLFF
This... was Somerset.

Sleepwear by Hanes Her Way.
Summer rain jackets by London Fog.

Join us each weekday afternoon at this time for the continuing story of Somerset. And next over most of these same stations, stay tuned for romance, suspense and drama... on Harpers Falls.

This program was recorded.