The Melaswen Paradox (Read 329,592 times)

[André DiMera]

Chapter 594

NICOLE & DANIEL’S APARTMENT
Taylor walked into the main room in the apartment. Nicole sat at the table just outside the kitchen, typing on her laptop.
TAYLOR: Morning.
NICOLE: Yes it is.
TAYLOR: Brandon already leave for work?
NICOLE: Nope.
TAYLOR: Oh. I just thought, since he’s not here-
NICOLE: He went apartment hunting.
TAYLOR: Ah. Makes sense.
NICOLE: Doesn’t it just.
TAYLOR: I see you’re already in a good mood this morning.
NICOLE: Well, that tends to happen when my patience is being tested.
TAYLOR: Miles having you take over on some hackjob of a story?
NICOLE: No. I mean, yes, he’s always doing that. But that’s not what’s testing my patience at the moment.
Nicole closed her laptop.
TAYLOR: So, what is?
NICOLE: I think you know.
TAYLOR: I really don’t.
NICOLE: Don’t play dumb, Taylor. I know you can’t help it because that’s your general personality to begin with, but don’t try to insult my intelligence by claiming you have no idea why I might be the tiniest bit perturbed with you.
TAYLOR: This again?
NICOLE: Yes, this again! And again, and again until you tell me the truth! A few days after Halloween, you said you saw what happened at that party. And since then, you’ve done nothing but avoid the subject. Well, no more. That was nearly two damn months ago, and we are both still under investigation. Now tell me, what did you see that night?
TAYLOR: First of all, for being Salem’s alleged best newscaster, you’re pretty far behind the news. Did you not hear what happened last night?
NICOLE: Haven’t turned on the TV or radio, and between near constant calls from Miles bugging me about some inane drivel and attempting to have a relationship, I haven’t had time to check my usual sources.
Taylor handed Nicole her phone, which had a newspaper app open on it.
NICOLE: Wow. You would think the Salem P.D. would inform us about this earlier, since it kind of effects us. Then again, this is the Salem P.D. we’re talking about. And this still doesn’t explain what you saw that night.
TAYLOR: Well, since we’re now both in the clear, I’ll tell you.

SALEM UNIVERSITY
NOTE: The part of Chase Jennings is now played by Uriah Shelton.
Claire and Chase walked down the hall.
CHASE: I think that went pretty well.
CLAIRE: Me too.
CHASE: Hopefully, we’ll be ready by Friday night.
CLAIRE: Yeah.
CHASE: Hey, you okay?
CLAIRE: I am, yeah. It’s just...Maddox said something kind of weird to me earlier. It was while you were getting a water bottle.
CHASE: What did he do? Did he upset you somehow? ‘Cause if he did-
CLAIRE: He didn’t. He was just kinda weird. He told me to be careful with Alanis.
CHASE: What does that mean?
CLAIRE: No idea. It was really odd. It was almost like he was trying to tell me something without actually saying it.
CHASE: Well, that is bizarre.
Claire nodded. Her watch beeped.
CLAIRE: I gotta get to class. Love you.
CHASE: Love you, too.
Claire and Chase kissed.
CLAIRE: I like the haircut, by the way. It suits you.
CHASE: Thanks. Me too. Good luck, Songbird.
Claire winked and Chase winked back. Then Claire walked to her next class.

[heroicmuse]

I would think Miles would be more interested in the Kinsey story than in whatever nonsense he's bothering Nicole about, but it is Miles so... anyway, I'm interested to hear what Taylor has to say.

Love the new Chase! Chase and Claire are such a cute couple. I do wonder what Maddox meant too.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

LOL @ Taylor saying Nicole is supposed to be a crackerjack reporter and doesn't know what the latest news is.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 595

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - FLASHBACK
It was the night of the Halloween party. Taylor had stepped out of the cafeteria for some air. She saw Kinsey run passed, but didn’t think any of it. She decided that she would walk around the halls for a few minutes, and then go back to the cafeteira, where the party was being held, after. When she turned a corner, she saw two shadowy figures. These were André and Penelope (who at the time was brainwashed to think she was Kristen), but Taylor didn’t know this yet. The two were looking at something on the floor.
ANDRE: My, my. What a mess this is.
PENELOPE (as Kristen): Indeed. What do you think we should do with them?
ANDRE: Oh, I’ve got the perfect idea, sister.
André chuckled darkly.
ANDRE: Grab this one’s legs.
Taylor hid just around the corner, so she wouldn’t be seen. She watched as André and Penelope picked up two dead bodies and hung them on a wall.
TAYLOR (thinking): Oh my god, those sick…
Taylor ran out of the hallway and back into the cafeteria. Claire, Ciara and Trix’s performance was just ending.
CLAIRE, CIARA & TRIX (singing): Bye-bye! Bye, bye!
There was a roar of thunderous applause.
CLAIRE: Thank you all so much!
TRIX: Happy 25th anniversary, Hocus Pocus!
CIARA: And Happy Halloween, everybody!
Suddenly, all the lights in the room went off. Claire screamed. When the lights came back on, Ciara and Trix had gotten offstage, and in their place, on either side of Claire, holding her in place, one hand over her mouth was André and Penelope.

DANIEL & NICOLE’S APARTMENT
TAYLOR: I didn’t realize it was them at the time until after they crashed the party. I mean, it was dark in that hallway, and I didn’t get a very good look at them.
NICOLE: And you didn’t think to tell anyone this until just now?
TAYLOR: I was scared, okay? I mean, once I figured out it was the DiMera’s, I didn’t know what to do. You know what they’re like! You were married to one!
NICOLE: You know, for your own safety, I don’t think you should ever bring up E.J. to me again. Especially you.
TAYLOR: The point is, I panicked. That’s why I acted so shfity at the police station. If André or Kristen ever found out that I knew it was them-
NICOLE: But it wasn’t them. I mean, of course, it was them, they were there that night. But, as the article you showed me says, it was that Kinsey girl who finally got rid of those creeps.
TAYLOR: I know that now.
NICOLE: So instead of saying anything to anyone, you just decided to lie to the police? Do you realize how serious that is? I mean, good for you for having the balls to do that. God knows I don’t trust the Salem P.D. as far as I can throw them, but come on!
TAYLOR: Look, what’s done is done, right? It’s over now. They found the real killer.
NICOLE: Oh, Taylor. It’s never over when it comes to the DiMera’s.
Nicole’s phone rang.
NICOLE: I swear to God, if that’s Miles…
Nicole picked up her phone.
NICOLE: Yeah. Oh, Abe. Yeah, I heard. Good to know I’m last on your list to tell.
Nicole sighed.
NICOLE: Yes, I am relieved to know that I’m no longer a suspect. Thank you. And for the restraining order against those creeps, as well. Okay. Goodbye.
Nicole hung up.
NICOLE (under her breath): The pleasure’s all yours.
TAYLOR: Well, there we go. Now it’s all out in the open, so we’re good.
Nicole chuckled.
NICOLE: No. We are not “good” Taylor. We haven’t been “good” in a long, long time. As it happens, I think you should follow Brandon’s example and start looking for a place to live. Much as it is a...joy having you here, Daniel and I are finally going to be getting serious about our engagement.
TAYLOR: I don’t need to look for another place. I was never planning to stay, anyway. Give me a few days to get a flight back to Paris and I’ll be out of your hair.
Taylor walked back to her bedroom.

[Kpatch]

I agree that Taylor should have come forward earlier. I don't blame Nicole for kicking her out.

[heroicmuse]

I don't blame Nicole for being mad. This all could have been sorted out a lot sooner if Taylor had said something.

Great chapter André DiMera

[mae00]

Lol at Nicole telling Taylor not to talk about EJ to her. I don't blame Nicole one bit for being angry at Taylor. I'm ready for her to leave as well.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 596

SALEM INN
Chloe was walking Kinsey back to her room at the Salem Inn.
KINSEY: Do you really have to go already?
CHLOE: I wish I didn’t. But, I do have work to do, both in Chicago and elsewhere, now that I have an agent who actually knows how to book good venues.
KINSEY: Well, I’m glad for that, at least.
CHLOE: Me too. And hey, it’s not like I’m going away forever. I’ll be back.
KINSEY: I know. I’ll miss you, though.
CHLOE: I’ll miss you, too.
Kinsey and Chloe hugged.
CHLOE: Take care of yourself, Kinsey.
KINSEY: I will. You too. Thanks for everything the last few days. I seriously don’t know what I’d do without you.
CHLOE: Well, you’re welcome. If you need anything, just give me a call.
KINSEY: I’ll remember. Thanks. Bye.
CHLOE: Bye.
Chloe turned around and went back to her car. Kinsey watched as she drove away, then turned to look at the door of her room at the Inn. She sighed before putting the key in the door and going inside. Mia was already there. She stood up when Kinsey walked in.
MIA: There you are!
KINSEY: Here I am.
MIA: Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for the last three days!
KINSEY: I had some stuff to take care of. And now it has been.
MIA: What sort of stuff? What takes three days for you to take care of?
KINSEY: Doesn’t matter.
MIA: Uh, yeah it does. Come on, Kinsey, it’s me. You can trust me.
KINSEY: So you say. Yet you still won’t tell me where you were, why you kept me waiting for seven months. But, it doesn’t really matter. You have your secrets, and I have mine. You don’t wanna share, that’s up to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve had a very stressful few days, so I am gonna go have some fun and relieve some stress.
Kinsey picked up a backpack near her bed.
MIA: You’re leaving already? You just got here!
KINSEY: Yep. See ya. Don’t wait up.
Kinsey closed the door behind her.
KINSEY (thinking): The last thing I need is Mia finding out about what happened. Even though the judge found me innocent, she’d probably use it to make my life a living hell.
Kinsey sighed and walked down the hall to the front desk.
RECEPTIONIST: How can I help you?
KINSEY: Hi, I’m Kinsey Taylor, Room 107. Can I ask for a room change?

SALEM UNIVERSITY
It was the night of the karaoke party. A stage had been set up in Harrison’s, which was a bar like cafeteria (although they didn’t actually serve alcohol) at the college. Claire, Chase and Maddox were behind the curtain. Maddox looked at his watch.
MADDOX: A few minutes until showtime.
CHASE: Where’s Alanis?
MADDOX: She’ll be here.
Alanis ran behind the stage.
ALANIS: Hey, sorry for the wait.
CLAIRE: It’s okay. You’re here now, that’s what matters.
ALANIS: How long until we’re on?
CHASE: We should be next.
MADDOX: Got the sheet music for the piano?
ALANIS: Yep.
Alanis held up some papers in her hand.
MADDOX: You good?
ALANIS: Yep.
Alanis nodded.
MADDOX: All right. Let’s do this.
The act before them went offstage. Claire, Chase, Alanis and Maddox walked onto the stage. A few people, mostly their friends, clapped. On the stage was a piano and a set of drums. Claire pulled her guitar around, and she and Chase watched as Alanis and Maddox got set up. Finally, they were ready and Maddox clapped his drumsticks together a few times.
MADDOX: One, two, three, four.
CLICK HERE to listen along. Claire began playing her guitar while Chase snapped his fingers and Maddox drummed. A moment later, Alanis began playing the piano and humming. Then...
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): Pressure. Pressing down on me, pressing down on you, no man ask for. Under Pressure.
ALANIS (singing): That burns a building down, splits a family in two.
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): Puts people on streets.
CLAIRE (singing): It's the terror of knowing what this world is about. Watching some good friends screaming…
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): "Let me out!"
ALANIS (singing): Pray tomorrow gets me higher…
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): Pressure on people, people on streets.
ALANIS (singing): Chipping around, kick my brains around the floor. These are the days it never rains but it pours
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): People on streets. People on streets.
CLAIRE (singing): It's the terror of knowing what this world is about. Watching some good friends screaming.
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): 'Let me out'!
ALANIS (singing): Pray tomorrow gets me higher, and higher, and higher…
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): Pressure on people, people on streets. Turned away from it all like a blind man. Sat on a fence, but it don’t work.
CLAIRE (singing): Keep coming up with love but it’s so slashed and torn.
ALANIS (singing): Why? Why? Why?
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): Love, love, love, love, love!
CLAIRE (singing): Insanity laughs, Under Pressure, we’re cracking.
ALANIS (singing): Can’t we give ourselves one more chance? Why can’t we give love that one more chance? Why can’t we give love? Give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love?
CLAIRE (singing): ‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word. And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night and love dares you to change our way of…
CLAIRE & ALANIS (singing): Caring about ourselves. This is our last dance. This is our last dance. This is ourselves. Under Pressure. Under Pressure. Pressure.
The crowd cheered and clapped as the song ended. Alanis and Maddox stood up, and then they, Claire and Chase took a bow and walked behind the stage.
ALANIS: Okay, that was awesome!
CLAIRE: It really was!
CHASE: You all did great out there!
CLAIRE: We, you mean. You were part of it, too.
Claire and Chase kissed.
MADDOX: Well, that was fun.
ALANIS: It totally was! That was seriously the best! Come on, let’s go celebrate!
Claire, Chase and Maddox followed Alanis.

[heroicmuse]

I hope Kinsey gets her room change. I have a feeling Mia is going to make trouble either way. From the wey they were talking I wondered if they were more than friends.

That was a nice act. Wonder where Alanis was.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[mae00]

I sure hope Kinsey can get away from Mia. I'm glad that she's got her doubts about her and has her guard up.

Hmmm. Alanis shows up late and now wants to go celebrate. I'm kinda worried about this.

[André DiMera]

Chapter 597

SALEM INN
RECEPTIONIST: Is there something wrong with your room?
KINSEY: Not my room per se. More my roommate. And it’s not anything that you could help resolve. It’s just easier and better for everyone involved if I move to a different room.
RECEPTIONIST: Okay, just give me a few minutes to see what I have for you.
The receptionist typed into his computer.
RECEPTIONIST: Looks like I’ve got Room 126.
KINSEY: Whatever works.
RECEPTIONIST: And it’s the same credit card that’s on file.
KINSEY: Yep.
The receptionist typed more into the computer.
KINSEY (thinking): Thank god those modeling gigs paid off.
The receptionist handed Kinsey a key card.
RECEPTIONIST: All right, Miss Taylor, your room is down the hall and to your left.
KINSEY: Thanks. Remind me again, how late is the pool open?
RECEPTIONIST: It is open until midnight.
KINSEY: Great, thanks.
Kinsey picked up her backpack and walked down the hall.

DANIEL & NICOLE’S APARTMENT
Daniel, Nicole, Taylor and Brandon were having dinner.
DANIEL: Got a call from Parker while I was on break. He’s enjoying spending time with his grandparents and Joy.
TAYLOR: That’s nice.
BRANDON: I think I’ve found an apartment.
NICOLE: Really?
BRANDON: Yeah. Looked at a few over the last few days, and I think I’ve finally found the right one. And I’d like to show it to you tomorrow.
NICOLE: As long as Miles doesn’t have me chase down some stupid story, I’m there.
TAYLOR: Me too.
NICOLE (thinking): Great.

SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Tommy sat in the break room, on his phone.
TOMMY: All right, well let me know how that goes. Yes, I’d love that. Okay. That sounds good to me. You too. Bye.
Scotty walked into the break room.
SCOTTY: Hey, Uncle Tommy.
TOMMY: Scotty. How are things?
SCOTTY: Good. Billie’s enjoying spending time with her grandson, and my work here’s going well. How’s it with you?
TOMMY: Going very well. I believe I may have just gotten some good news.
In another part of the hospital, Carly was getting ready to leave. She walked past the from desk, where David was putting his coat on and also getting ready to leave.
CARLY: Have a good night, David.
DAVID: You too. Uh, Carly?
Carly turned back.
CARLY: Yes?
DAVID: I know we talked about this on Halloween, and I was wondering, would you like to have dinner with me sometime?
CARLY: I’d like that.
Carly smiled and David smiled back.
CARLY: How about tomorrow?
DAVID: Tomorrow would be good.
CARLY: Good.
Carly wrote on a piece of paper and handed it to David.
CARLY: Text me your address, I’ll pick you up at 7.
DAVID: Okay. Sounds good. I’ll see you then.
Carly walked out of the building. David looked at the piece of paper with Carly’s phone number on it and smiled.

DIMERA MANSION
André walked from the tunnels and into Rolf’s lab. Dr. Rolf looked up as he entered.
ROLF: I trust that your meeting was productive?
ANDRÉ: Of course. We have Hope Brady right where we want her, and Princess Gina is pulling it off so far. How is the patient?
ROLF: Resting comfortably.
ANDRÉ: Excellent.

[heroicmuse]

I'm glad David and Carly are going out on a date!

Taylor being at the apartment search is gonna be fun. Not.

So I guess Rolf and Andre have the real Hope. I'm interested to see what happens with this, and who figures out that Princess Gina is not Hope first.

Great chapter André DiMera. Will there be previews?

[mae00]

I'm glad Kinsey was able to get another room. I hope that she's able to get her stuff out of Mia's room without too much trouble.

Why do I get the feeling that Taylor going to look at Brandon's apartment is going to lead to her staying in Salem longer.......and possibly moving in with him?

Is the patient Andre is referring to Hope? Or someone else? Where exactly is Hope?

[André DiMera]

Thanks for reading.

---

Next week...

Hope has once again been replaced by Princess Gina. What has André done to her?
ANDRÉ: We have Hope Brady exactly where we want her.

Meanwhile, someone gets ready to leave Salem.
BRANDON: You sure you have to go?

And someone else returns.
MAGGIE: Oh my...

And as Christmas draws closer, what is Tommy planning?
TOMMY: This will be good.

All this and more next week on THE MELASWEN PARADOX!

[heroicmuse]

I'm hoping it's Taylor who has to go. Good riddance if it is. LOL

I really want to know what Andre has done to the real Hope.

I wonder if that could be Sarah or Melissa returning.

Excited for Tommy's Christmas plans.

Thanks for the great previews André DiMera.