The Melaswen Paradox (Read 329,096 times)

[André DiMera]

Thanks for reading and commenting, everyone!

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Next week…

After more than 35 years, Don Craig is back in Salem!
MARLENA: It’s so good to see you!

But where has he been all of this time?
DON: It’s been a long time.

Meanwhile, Jennifer’s children react to her big news.
J.J.: You’re moving?

Plus, John demands answers.
JOHN: What the hell is going on here?

All this and more next week on THE MELASWEN PARADOX!

[heroicmuse]

I can't wait to learn what happened to Don and for Jennifer's kids to react to her news.

I wonder what John finds.

Thanks for the previews André DiMera

[Kpatch]

I wasn't expecting to see Don. Brilliant idea to bring him back.

The coming week sounds great!

[André DiMera]

Monday - 2/21

PENTHOUSE
MARLENA: You’ve been gone for years, decades even.
DON: Over 35 years, yes. Believe me, I know.
MARLENA: So, what happened?
DON: Well, it all started when I went to the mailbox. I went to mail a tax return.
MARLENA: I recall hearing about that. That’s the last time anyone in Salem saw you.
DON: It’s the last time I saw anyone in Salem. For a long time, anyway…

MAILBOX - FLASHBACK
A much younger Don Craig hummed cheerily to himself as he walked to the mailbox. He slid the tax return into the box. He stopped to check his watch, and as he was about to turn around, he was hit on the back of the head by a person clad all in black.

PENTHOUSE
MARLENA: Did you see who it was that attacked you?
DON: No, but I figured it out fairly quickly. It was one of Stefano DiMera’s men. When I came to, I was on an island in the tropics. I’m sure this goes without saying, but it was an island owned by Stefano.
MARLENA: This island, it wasn’t an exact replica of Salem, was it?
DON: No, why do you ask?
MARLENA: It’s a long story for another time. Right now, I’d much rather hear the rest of your story.
DON: Well, the island wasn’t entirely unknown to the residents of Salem. Not long before this all occurred, Mickey and I were researching some shady business that Stefano was involved in, which led to Mickey being put on an island. He was found and rescued. Once I came to, it didn’t take long to figure out that I was on the same island where Stefano had previously kept Mickey.
MARLENA: Now that you mention it, I remember what you’re describing, about Mickey being held on a DiMera island, I mean. But, if all this is true, why didn’t anyone look for you? When Mickey went missing, a search party was sent out for him.
DON: That’s the one thing that I couldn’t figure out. I couldn’t understand why, when this had just happened to Mickey, nobody thought it was odd that I had randomly disappeared. I was visited by Stefano shortly after I got to the island, and he told me that nobody would ever come looking for me. I didn’t believe him, at first, but as the years went by…
MARLENA: Come to think of it, I don’t know why nobody ever looked for you, either. In fact, to be honest, I don’t remember you disappearing at all. I recall you saying you needed to mail a tax return, but after that, it’s as if we all forgot. And I only just remembered now when you came in with John. Don, I am so sorry!
DON: It’s not your fault, Marlena. If anyone’s to blame, it’s Stefano. I’ve no idea how he did it, but somehow, he made the entire town forget that I was gone, possibly that I even existed in the first place. He has a lot to answer for.
MARLENA: I’m sorry to be the one to have to tell you this, but he won’t be able to answer for them. Stefano died a few years ago, and unlike all the other times, this time, he’s really dead.
DON: I see.
MARLENA: So, you’ve been on your own for the last 37 years?
DON: Not exactly on my own.

[tghca]

So it makes me wonder who else was on the island with Don over 37 years ago? Or if Don ever had any other kids besides DJ? Or if Don ever fell in love again?

I wonder if Don still has feelings for Marlena? If he does, it complicates things



It isn't like Don can get revenge on Stefano because Stefano is dead but I wonder if Don will end up taking his revenge on Stefano's children namely Andre, EJ, etc

[heroicmuse]

I'm so curious as to what Don has been up to for the last 37 years, besides being stuck on an island.

I always wondered why no one even noticed he'd disappeared or ever mentioned him again. I'm glad you're explaining that!

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

I don't remember Stefano being on the show when Don was on, but this is a fine and funny explanation for Don's unnoticed disappearance. I hope he had a happy life, despite Stefano trying to steal it away.

[André DiMera]

Tuesday - 2/22

PENTHOUSE
MARLENA: There were other people on the island with you?
DON; There were. From time to time, one or more of Stefano’s minions would bring someone to keep me company. Unfortunately, many of them tried to escape, but they didn’t get far. In the time between my visits from Stefano’s minions, my companions and I found that there was a library on the island. To my luck, it was filled with law books. I couldn’t practice law on a near-deserted island, of course, but I could sure as hell study it. That, as well as the occasional companion, is what kept me sane all of these years. My last companion was an inventor, of sorts. He found a way to use what little technology the island had to create a distress beacon. We had to be careful about when we put the beacon out, so as not to attract attention from anyone working for the DiMeras. And, as luck would have it, nearly a year ago, our distress beacon was picked up by a group called the ISA, which, to my understanding, your husband works for.
MARLENA: He does indeed. It’s quite an ordeal you’ve gone through. I am so glad you’re safe now! Does Donna know?

JOHN: What the hell is going on here?
ANDRE (over phone): Oh come now, John, surely even you understand the concept of a telephone call.
JOHN: How did you get this number? No, I’ve got one better, how did you get access to a phone? I didn’t agree to the deal we made.
ANDRE (over phone): No indeed. Very disappointing, that. Or rather, it was, until one of your associates decided that my terms weren’t all that ridiculous.
JOHN: I don’t believe you!

ISA HQ
ANDRE: Oh, I’m not asking you to take my word for it. Ask him yourself.
André’s arms were still restrained. It was another hand which held the phone up to his ear, that of Shane Donovan. André looked up at Shane.
ANDRE: It’s for you.
Shane put the phone to his own ear.
SHANE: John.

SIDE-BY-SIDE: PENTHOUSE/ISA HQ
JOHN: Shane? I really hope there’s a good explanation for this.
SHANE: There is, and you’ll have it shortly. What’s important now is that the deal André offered you during your visit still stands.
JOHN: You actually gave him what he wants?
SHANE: In a manner of speaking. I’ll explain in detail later. What’s important now is that you can ask whatever questions you have.
John sighed.
JOHN: I don’t like this.
SHANE: Nor do I, but it’s the only foreseeable way.
Shane put the phone back to André’s ear.
ANDRE: Hello again.
JOHN: Alright, DiMera. Tell me what you know about Michael Von Amberg.
ANDRE: I’d be only too happy to. It was, after all, one of Stefano’s greatest achievements.
JOHN: Stefano had a hand in this?
ANDRE: But of course. Who else can you think of that has the power and ability to make it look like someone is dead, only to have them living a completely different life elsewhere? Taking away Michael’s wife, making his own children think he had died. He resided in the Mansion in Salem for a time, actually. Under the guise of Winston, of course. Until, that is, he met Greta. They quite hit it off. Stefano was only too pleased to let him go and work for Greta. He thought it a great laugh. Stefano was very proud of Dr. Rolf, I can tell you.
JOHN: All right, so Stefano had Rolf brainwash him. How did he get his memories back, then? How did he go from being Greta’s servant to realizing that he was her brother and trying to kill us all at his own daughter’s crownings?
André chuckled.
ANDRE: That’s a story for another time, I’m afraid. My time on this line is limited. Rest assured though, John, you will be hearing from me again soon.
Shane put the phone back to his own ear.
SHANE: I’ll be in touch shortly. We have much to discuss.
JOHN: That’s a fact. I’ll be waiting to hear from you.
John hung up the phone.

ISA HQ
Shane set the phone down on the solitary table in André’s cell.
ANDRE: I’m very pleased that you were able to see things my way, Director Donovan.
SHANE: I didn’t do this for you. Don’t forget, André, you’re not in control here. I’m in charge.
The two stared at each other momentarily, then Shane turned and walked out of the cell. André chuckled to himself.
ANDRE: Oh, we’ll see about that.

[heroicmuse]

For a minute there I was worried that Shane and Drew had changed places again. I wonder what Shane thinks he's doing.

The info Andre gave so far is interesting if it's true.

Hmm... I wonder if Eugene was the inventor stuck on the island with Don. I hope that Stefano never tried to brainwash Don and that if he did there aren't any remnants of it left.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[tghca]

I too wonder if Stefano had Don brainwashed or anyone else on the island brainwashed for that matter? I mean given that they were on an island for decades, they definitely would have to have some sort of post traumatic stress.

Plus being tortured amongst other things, it is a wonder if Don or any of the other inhabitants on that island suffered or continue to

It makes me wonder who else could be on that island Don was on. I mean for all we know people who we think are dead could be alive and on this island especially if Don was there not too long ago.

It makes me wonder what Andre has on Shane for Shane to go along with this. Or if Andre threatened Shane's family that being Kimberly, Andrew, Eve and or Theresa or Tate.

[Kpatch]

I think Don's last companion was the professor from Gilligan's Island. LOL.

[mae00]

I don't like this one bit. And I like it even less that Shane left the phone in Andre's cell. Even if his arms are still restrained.

[André DiMera]

Wednesday - 2/23

BRADY PUB
J.J.: Are you serious? You’re moving to Washington D.C.?
JENNIFER: Well, nothing’s been decided for sure just yet. There are still things to work out.
J.J.: But you’re seriously considering it.
JENNIFER: I am, yes.
ABBY: Well, if this is what you really want, Mom…
J.J.: You’re going along with this?
ABBY: J.J., it’s Mom’s decision. She’s always been supportive of us, I don’t see why we can’t extend her the same.
JENNIFER: Thank you, sweetheart.
J.J.: I don’t believe this!
JENNIFER: Honey, it’s not like I’m leaving tomorrow. I haven’t even accepted Frankie’s offer yet. Like I said, there are still things to consider. But, even if I do decide to move, it doesn’t change that much. I’ll still come to town for holidays, and it would give you both somewhere else to visit.
J.J. wiped his face, put down his napkin and stood up.
J.J.: Excuse me.
Without another word, he left. Jennifer went to get up, but Abby put a hand on her arm.
ABBY: Let him go.
Jennifer sighed and sat back down.
JENNIFER: You’re right, he needs time to cool off. I knew there would be some reaction to the news.
ABBY: Well, at least I’ve got your back on this. If J.J. wants to pout, that’s his decision.
JENNIFER: Darling, cut your brother some slack, you know he doesn’t always do well with change. He’ll come around, I know it. He just needs some time.

PENTHOUSE
DON: Donna does know, yes. She was the first person who was told once the ISA was able to verify who I was. She even moved out to the capitol to be closer to the facility I was staying at.
MARLENA: I’m so glad she’s still in your life.
DON: As am I. I lost so much time with her, with everyone that I care about.
Don and Marlena both sighed.
DON: What about you? How have you been all of this time?
MARLENA: I’m fine. A lot’s happened since you’ve been away. I’m a grandmother now, a great-grandmother even. I’m also still practicing psychiatry.
DON: That’s wonderful! Your husband seems like a wonderful man from the conversations he and I had on the flight home. Just out of curiosity, what happened to Roman?
MARLENA: He’s still in Salem. He’s the Deputy Commissioner now. It took time, but we’re still very good friends. Something that I hope we can be.
DON: I’d like that very much.
Marlena took Don’s hands in hers and squeezed them.
DON: I’m very happy for you, Marlena. I’m so glad you’re doing well.
MARLENA: Thank you. I’m glad that you’ve been found and are doing better. I’m just sorry that nobody found you sooner.
DON: I appreciate you saying that, but unfortunately, that can’t be helped. That said, I am extremely grateful that the ISA found me.
MARLENA: There are a lot of people who will be, as well. Now, what’s next for you?
DON: Well, I was hoping to get back to practicing law. Like I said before, there were some law books on the island, plus the facility I was staying at once I was rescued allowed me access to more recent legal literature.
MARLENA: That’s excellent. You were always a great lawyer!
DON: Thank you. Now, once I get settled back into town, I need to restart my practice.

[heroicmuse]

Oh good. Maybe Don can be Jade's lawyer since she's having trouble getting one. In glad he doesn't think he's getting back with Marlena.

JJ reacted about how I expected he would to Jennifer's news.

Great chapter André DiMera

[Kpatch]

I don't know who Donna is.

Good thought heroicmuse. Don can be Jade's lawyer.

JJ needs to grow up. He doesn't need his momma next door anymore.