All My Exes (Read 6,940 times)

CHEATIN’ HEART

After dining at the Penthouse Grill, Brady, Philip, and Lucas are shooting a game of pool.
Brady: How long are you staying at the condo with us?
Lucas: Two, maybe three months. It depends on how long the auditors hang around Hearth & Home. I hope that’s not a problem.
Brady: No, not at all. The more the merrier.
Lucas: So, Philip, how are you doing?
Philip: The truth? Lousy. I miss being married to Melanie.
Lucas: What happened? I thought she forgave you for the one night stand with Chloe.
Philip: Mostly, she did. But I neglected to be honest with her about something important.
Lucas: What was that?
Philip has a flashback.

***CHEZ ROUGE, JOE the PILOT’S RETIREMENT PARTY, THREE MONTHS AGO

Philip: Melanie, are you okay? You seem rattled.
Melanie: I’m kind of in shock, you know? Finding out Nathan is my brother.
Philip: But that’s good news, right? Wait a second. Did you and Nathan ever ...
Melanie: No! God no. Oh, that reminds me. I told you I have a surprise for you. Follow me.
Melanie leads Philip to a private banquet room. They walk inside and a woman is sitting at a table while a little 3-year old boy is standing by her side.
Melanie: Surprise!
Philip: I don’t get it.
Melanie: This is Tyler. Your son.
Philip: Uh oh.
Melanie: What’s the matter? I thought you’d be thrilled.
Philip takes a deep breath and rubs his forehead.
Philip: Mel, um. Tyler isn’t really my son.
Melanie: I’m sorry. What did you say?
Philip: There was a switch of petri dishes and he’s not really mine.
Melanie: How long have you known this?
Philip: Pretty much all along.
Melanie: Another secret, Philip? Another lie?
Philip: Mel, this has nothing to do with you and me.
Melanie: You’re right. It has everything to do with you and the kind of person you are. A liar.
Philip: Mel, come on.
Melanie: Philip, you know how important honesty is to me, and yet you’ve lied to me and lied and lied and lied. What’s next Philip? What else are you hiding from me?
Philip: Nothing, I swear.
Melanie: I forgave you for the one night stand with Chloe. I’ve given you the benefit of the doubt again and again. I can’t do it anymore, Philip. If I can’t trust you, then we have nothing. We’re done.


To be continued ...

SALEM CITY PARK, ONE MONTH LATER

Nicole and Chloe are sitting on a bench in the park while Parker is in his carriage, when Lucas and Allie walk by.
Allie: Chloe! Chloe!
Allie runs over to Chloe and hugs her.
Chloe: Hi honey. Wow, look at you! You have gotten to be such a pretty young lady!
Lucas: Allie, get back here.
Nicole: Chill, Lucas. We’re not gonna bite.
Lucas: Speaking of biting, I heard Pookie died because you abandoned him.
Nicole: Why don’t you grow up, Lucas?
Chloe: Probably because Kate won’t let him.
Nicole: Good one, girlfriend.
Allie: Whose baby is this?
Lucas: Now, there’s a timeless soap opera question. And it’s one we’d all like the answer to.
Chloe: He’s mine and Daniel’s. Want to know his name, Allie?
Lucas: Allie, get away from that baby carriage. You’ll get cooties.
Nicole: Lucas, you’re such a jerk.
Lucas: That’s what my brother called me too. Speaking of Philip ... Chloe are you keeping score? I think I’ve got this right. Chloe-3, Exes-Zero.
Chloe: Nicole, let’s go somewhere less hostile.
Nicole: Iraq would be good.
Chloe: Bye Allie.


LATER, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AT CHLOE’S APARTMENT

Chloe is walking the floor holding her crying baby.
Nicole: What’s going on? Why is Parker crying like that?
Chloe: I think he’s running a fever. Dr. Hellman wrote me a prescription for the colic, and I just used it up.
Nicole: Is there anything I can do?
Chloe: Is there ever! I just called in a refill. Could you pick it up? Here’s the prescription bottle. The address for the drug store is on the label.
Nicole: You mean you want me to pick up the prescription now??? It’s the middle of the night. Isn’t this a 24 hour pharmacy? Why can’t they deliver it?
Chloe: They’re open 24 hours, but they don’t deliver at this time of night. Please Nicole. I just can’t stand to see my baby crying.
Nicole: Of course. I’ll be back as fast as I can.


BURNT STAKE ROAD, SALEM, AN HOUR LATER

Nicole is on her way back from the pharmacy with the baby’s prescription. She’s humming along with her Barry Manilow CD. (Her love for Manilow is a guilty pleasure that pretty much no one knows about.) Suddenly she hits a bump. She hears a loud noise and the car swerves out of control.

To be continued ...

NICOLE’S CAR, BURNT STAKE ROAD

Nicole is on her cell phone talking with Chloe.
Nicole: Is the baby still crying? I’m so sorry. Look, Brady will be here soon, he’ll fix my flat, and I’ll be home before you know it.
Nicole hears a noise and she practically jumps out of her skin. She looks up to see Brady tapping on her windshield. She gets out of the car and starts crying as Brady reluctantly hugs her.
Brady: It’s okay now. We’re here.
Nicole: Brady, I was so scared. I hate this road.
Brady: Then why were you driving on it?
Nicole: It’s the fastest way back. What’s Philip doing here?
Philip: Where’s the baby’s prescription?
Nicole: It’s on the front seat. Why?
Philip opens the car door and takes the bag.
Philip: You got everything covered here?
Brady is disassembling the donut mechanism.
Brady: I’ve got it handled.
Philip: Okay. I’ll see you back at Chloe’s.


TWENTY MINUTES LATER, AT CHLOE’S APARTMENT

There’s a knock at the door and Chloe answers it. She is still holding Parker.
Chloe: Philip, what are you doing here?
He holds up the prescription bag and smiles.
Philip: I come bearing gifts.
Chloe: Oh my god, you are such a lifesaver.
Philip: Actually, I’m just the delivery boy. Brady is fixing Nicole’s tire.
Chloe: Poor Nicole.
Philip: Where’s Daniel? Working?
Chloe is giving the baby a dropper-full of the medicine.
Chloe: I guess you didn’t hear. He left me.
Philip: What???
Chloe: Two months ago.
Philip: Why?
Chloe has a flashback.

***CHLOE AND DANIEL’S APARTMENT, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO
Daniel and Chloe are lying in bed kissing. Daniel stops kissing Chloe and sits up in bed.
Chloe: Daniel ...
Daniel: Give me a minute.
Chloe: That’s what you said last night.
Daniel: I know. I’m sorry.
Chloe: Can’t we get past this?
Daniel: I wish I could. But every time I kiss you ... I picture you with Philip.
Chloe: Daniel, what can I say? What can I do to make things right again?
Daniel gets out of bed and gets dressed.
Daniel: I think I’ll go to the hospital and see some patients.
Chloe: But your shift doesn’t start for hours.
Daniel: I know. I just need to be somewhere where I don’t feel inadequate.
END OF FLASHBACK***

Chloe: He left me.
Philip: What???
Chloe: Two months ago.
Philip: Why?
Chloe gives Philip a look.
Philip: Seriously? I thought that was ancient history. I thought ...
Chloe: Well you thought wrong.
Philip: Wow, I didn't know ... I guess I’ve been busy with my own problems. I’m really sorry Chloe. I mean that.
Chloe: I know. We both paid a really high price for our mistake. But right now, I just wish I could get Parker to stop crying.


NICOLE’S CAR

Brady is driving Nicole’s car.
Nicole: Sorry I bothered you in the middle of the night.
Brady: Hey, it’s okay.
Nicole: No it’s not. I’m always calling you and expecting you to rescue me.
Brady: It’s not a big deal.
Nicole: Yes it is. I’m trying to get my life back together and stand on my own two feet.
Brady: Then you’re going to have to learn how to change a tire.
Nicole: I’m not joking Brady.
Brady: A strong independent Nicole. I like the sound of that.
Brady pulls over to the side of the road and puts his arm around Nicole.
Brady: I was actually thinking about you tonight.
Nicole: You were?
Brady: I was. And then the phone rings and it’s you saying you need me. Seems like fate, you know?
He moves closer and kisses her.

To be continued ...

THE NEXT MORNING AT THE CONDO

Brady and Philip are in the kitchen drinking coffee.
Philip: Did you know that Daniel left Chloe?
Brady: Yup.
Philip: Why didn’t you tell me?
Brady: I figured you knew.
Philip: How would I know? I’ve been out of town on business on and off for the past three months.
Brady: You mean you sent yourself out of town on business because you needed to get away from Salem.
Philip: What’s your point?
Brady: Even if you were away, I figured you must have talked to someone.
Philip: Who? Who do I talk to? My father doesn’t talk to me except about Titan.
Brady: I know, but ...
Philip [getting heated]: What? Who else? Do you think I chat with all my exes on a regular basis? Melanie doesn’t even want to hear my voice on a phone message. And Chloe was trying to rebuild her marriage, so being friends with me would have done nothing to help that situation. You and Lucas are the only ones who still speak to me.
Brady: Calm down! Jeez Phil. Sorry I didn’t keep you in the loop on the latest gossip.

Lucas walks into the kitchen and pours a cup of coffee.
Lucas: What gossip? What are you talking about?
Philip: Daniel walked out on Chloe.
Lucas: No kidding! This should be good. What happened?
Philip: Apparently, I did. Daniel couldn’t get past our ... um … mistake.
Lucas: Ha ha ha ha ha.
Philip: What are you laughing at? This isn’t funny. There’s a baby involved.
Lucas: I’m just thinking about karma. Daniel is getting exactly what he deserves.
Philip: Well I’m just thinking about Chloe and Parker. They don’t deserve this. I feel responsible.
Brady: Lucas, there’s something you should know about your little brother. When he’s not gracing the Earth with his presence, he likes to hang out on the planet Guilt.
Lucas: Considering who his parents are, “guilt” shouldn’t even be in his vocabulary.
Philip: Stop talking about me like I’m not in the room.
Lucas: Speaking of parents, how come you’re not living at Victor’s anymore?
Brady and Philip exchange glances.
Lucas: Okay, I saw that. What gives?
Philip: After Dad found out I slept with Chloe, he had a fit.
Brady: I had never seen Granddad come so close to being physically violent. I thought he was going to tear off Philip’s other leg. It was pretty scary.
Lucas: Ah, so Victor threw you out.
Philip: Right.
Lucas: You’re damn straight that’s “right.” It’s what I would have done too. ... Hell. This is all my fault.
Philip: What???
Lucas: If I had been in town, you never would have slept with Chloe.
Philip: How do you figure that?
Lucas: Because, I would have beaten the sh!t out of you before I let you get caught in that black widow’s web.
Philip: Shut up. You wouldn’t have had time to beat me up. Cheating on Melanie wasn’t premeditated or anything. I was a happily married man.
Lucas: “Premeditated.” Good word. Because what you did was a crime.
Philip: I know. And believe me, I’m paying for my crime.
Lucas: What’s your story, Brady? Did Victor throw you out too?
Brady: Actually yes. I took up for Uncle Phil here. I thought he needed someone to be on his side. But Granddad didn’t take too kindly to it.
Philip: Do you know that Dad loves Melanie so much, he invited her to stay on at the mansion? For as long as she wants.
Lucas: That doesn’t sound like Victor. So does she still live there?
Philip looks at his watch.
Philip: I gotta jump in the shower. I have a Board meeting at 10.
Philip leaves the room.
Lucas: What was that all about? Why didn’t he answer me?
Brady: Melanie is living with Nathan.


MAGGIE’S KITCHEN

Nathan: I had no idea you’d be here when I moved back in.
Melanie: It’s okay Nathan, really.
Nathan: Grandma Maggie wanted someone to house-sit while she’s visiting my mom, so ...
Melanie: It’s not a problem. Maggie didn’t even know I was coming back. I just needed somewhere to crash for a while.
Nathan: So ... it’s okay that we’re both living here, right?
Melanie: It’s more than okay.


To be continued ...

SAMI AND RAFE’S APARTMENT

Lucas: So, you’re engaged to Rafe.
Sami: That’s right. We’re going to get married.
Lucas: Sure you are.
Sami: We are! What do you think being engaged means?
Lucas: In Salem, not much.
Sami: Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Lucas: I’m not sure I approve of you and Rafe.
Sami: No one asked for your approval.
Lucas: I have a right to an opinion. My kids live under the same roof as he does.
Sami: And he’s very good to them. And to me.
Lucas: He’s a sap.
Sami: He is not.
Lucas: Sure he is. You use him for a doormat and he keeps coming back for more. He reminds me of someone. He snaps his fingers as he tries to remember. Hmmm ... what’s that guy’s name? Let me think.
Sami: Stop it Lucas.
Lucas: That’s it! “Lucas!”


CHLOE’S APARTMENT

Chloe returns home after meeting with Daniel and the divorce attorneys.
Chloe: How’s Parker?
Philip: He’s fine. He’s sleeping. How did it go? ... Chloe?
Chloe plops onto the sofa and buries her face in her hands.
Philip: Talk to me.
Chloe: I feel awful. This is the worst day of my life.
Philip: Is there anything I can do?
Chloe: Yes. You can turn back the clock a year.
Philip: Trust me. I would if I could.
Chloe starts to cry and Philip puts his arms around her to comfort her.
Chloe: I’m sorry. I hate being this way.
Philip: Shhh. It’s okay. I know how you feel.
He brushes away her tears and kisses her on the cheek. They stare at each other for a moment and then begin kissing. A moment later Philip is lying on top of Chloe kissing her passionately.

To be continued...

CHLOE’S APARTMENT

Chloe: You don’t really want me anyway.
Philip: Of course I do.
Chloe: Let’s be honest, Philip. If Melanie walked into the room right this minute and said she would take you back, you’d be the happiest man in Salem. Wouldn’t you?
Philip: Yes. I mean no. I mean ... I don’t even know what the hell I mean anymore.
Chloe: See, that’s what I’m talking about.
Philip: Then how about reinstating our friends with benefits policy again?
Chloe: No. I don’t want to just be each other’s default lover. We deserve better than that, don’t you think?
Philip [sighing]: I gave up thinking a long time ago.
Chloe: Philip, I don’t want to hurt you, but this just isn’t right. For either of us. It’s what got us into this mess in the first place.
Philip: You’re right. ... You’re right. ... I’m gonna head home.
Chloe: Philip, I hope we’re still friends.
Philip: Oh sure. It’s the “let’s be friends” speech.
Chloe: Please don’t be angry.
Philip: I’m not. It’s all good.


SAMI AND RAFE’S APARTMENT

Sami: So, how long are you staying in Salem?
Lucas: I came because we’re being audited and it’s taking a little longer than I’d like.
Sami: Has Hearth & Home got something to hide?
Lucas: I can’t say.
Sami: You seem to like living in Switzerland.
Lucas: Sami, you are so self-absorbed, you don’t even know where I live.
Sami: I do too.
Lucas: I live in Hong Kong. Your parents live in Switzerland.
Sami: They do not.
Lucas: Do too.
Sami: No, my mother lives in Switzerland. My father lives in Salem.
Lucas: Well excuuuuuse me.


To be continued ...