Thursday - 10/10
SALEM P.D.
SHAWN-D: So you never asked anyone to do anything to Dirk, then?
JADE: Aside from asking the jury to give him a long sentence, no. I try not to think about Dirk unless I absolutely have to. Also, regardless of how much I loathe him, I wouldn’t ever wish for anyone to die. I’m not that person anymore.
Shawn-D put down his pen.
SHAWN-D: Alright. I think that’s all I need for now. I might have more questions at a later time, though.
JADE: Great. Like I said, I have nothing to hide.
SHAWN-D: That’s good.
JADE: So, do you think it’s connected? The letter and what happened to Dirk? I know you asked me that earlier, I just wanted to see what you think.
SHAWN-D: I have reason to believe that it might be. I’m going to look into it and get back to you.
JADE: Thanks.
SHAWN-D: Thank you for being so willing to come in and answer my questions.
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Johnny blinked.
JOHNNY: Am I supposed to know what that means?
Horn grinned smugly.
HORN: I should certainly hope not. That would rather ruin the secret. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio…”
JOHNNY: “Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
HORN: You know it.
JOHNNY: Shakespeare’s
Hamlet. Yeah, I’m familiar.
HORN: Good. “To reveal art and conceal the artist is art’s aim.”
JOHNNY: Oscar Wilde,
The Picture of Dorian Gray.
HORN: Impressive. “I am the son and the heir of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.”
Johnny took a deep breath and considered.
JOHNNY: The Smiths, How Soon Is Now?
Horn gave a small clap.
HORN: Very good. Tell me, young one, how did you come about this coin?
Horn held up a coin identical to the one Johnny had.
JOHNNY: I found it on the ground outside of my dorm room.
HORN: And you picked it up?
JOHNNY: Yep.
Horn turned to Screech.
HORN: What say you, Sister?
Screech stepped forward.
SCREECH: The fact that he picked up the coin shows a natural curiosity. Also, he clearly has at least some interest in great literature and music.
HORN: Shall we test him?
JOHNNY: “A census taker tried to test me once. I ate his liver with a side of fava beans and a nice chianti.”
Horn chuckled.
HORN: Oh, I like this one. Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs.
JOHNNY: One of Anthony Hopkins’ best performances. Though, of course, the creator of Lecter was Thomas Harris in 1981’s
Red Dragon.
HORN: I do not disagree, on either count. So, what say you, young one? Do you have a thirst for knowledge? You certainly seem to be a learned individual. Would you like to join the Parliament?
JOHNNY: What does that entail?
HORN: A willingness to learn. A wish to pursue knowledge. To be open to ideas. But mostly, to enjoy and share knowledge that has been gained by reading, listening to and watching the great artists of our time. We meet once a week, every Friday night here in Owl Cave. Should you choose to join, there will be three tasks you must do before becoming an official member of the Parliament. If you turn down this offer, then you must promise to never speak of this again to anyone. You must forget all that you have seen and heard here today.
Johnny thought for a long moment.
JOHNNY: Okay, I’m in.
Horn smiled again, less smugly this time.
HORN: Excellent. Over the next three weeks, you shall be tested. These tests shall be random. You must expect them at all times, for you never know when the test might be. Bubo vide omnis, the owls see all. ‘Tis a rough translation, but it suffices. After these tests, you shall either join the Parliament, or not. We shall see. It is up to the Great One. Only Mother Owl can decide your fate. Rise, young owlet.
Screech undid the rope tying Johnny to the chair and allowed him to stand.
HORN: You shall return to the above now. Sister Screech shall guide you. Before you go, though, I have so enjoyed our little talk. Perhaps one more.
JOHNNY: Okay.
HORN: “Man’s attitude…man’s attitude goes some ways to the way his life will be. Is that something you might agree with?”
JOHNNY: The Cowboy, played by Monty Montgomery in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive.
HORN: Very good. Farewell for now, young owlet. Sister Screech.
Screech held out her arm to Johnny, who took it, and she guided him out of the Owl Cave, and back into the halls of Salem University. Johnny blinked.
JOHNNY: What? We’ve been at Salem U this whole time?
SCREECH: We have. Farewell, Johnny DiMera. I should hope to see you again.
Johnny looked over his shoulder. When he looked back, Screech was gone.
PENTHOUSE
Later that night, John and Marlena were getting ready for bed. John was telling Marlena all about Tate’s baseball game.
JOHN: You should’ve seen it, Doc. He scored the winning hit!
MARLENA: I’m so glad. I’ll have to come to more of his games next season.
JOHN: I’m sure he’d love that.
MARLENA: As I’m sure he loved having his grandfather there.
John smiled and nodded.
JOHN: I’m a lucky man, Doc. I’ve got two great kids, a bunch of great grandkids, two of the best friends a man could ask for, and the most amazing wife in the world.
Marlena put her arms around John.
MARLENA: And you are the most amazing husband in the world.
John and Marlena kissed.
JOHN: You know, for so long, I didn’t know who I was, but after finding my father last year*, and how close all of the family is now, I finally know who I am. Because of my family. I’m John Black, and that’s a fact.
MARLENA: You certainly are, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
John and Marlena got into bed.
MARLENA: Good night, my love.
JOHN: ‘Night, Doc.
They kissed again, then John turned out the light.
*AUTHOR’S NOTE: For the purposes of this story, John’s parentage is the same as it is on the real show, with his father being Timothy Robicheaux, as played by Dick Van Dyke.