Monday - 10/14
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
TATE: I was just making a joke. On reflection, it was a bad one. I’m sorry.
Holly shrugged.
HOLLY: It’s fine, I guess.
Tate took Holly’s hand.
TATE: I really am sorry. Of course I believe that you want a relationship with me. I want that, too.
Holly sighed.
HOLLY: Well, it’s not like I’ve really given you any reason to believe that, up until the beginning of the school year.
TATE: Yeah, but that’s all changed now. We’re gonna make this work, okay?
Holly nodded.
HOLLY: Okay.
Tate and Holly hugged.
BLACK PATCH
Steve came into the back room, where the ISA equipment was set up, carrying a box.
STEVE: All right, folks. Gather ‘round. Doughnuts are here, freshly baked.
Billie, Joy, Hawk and Jett got up from their desks and each grabbed a doughnut.
JOY: These are really good!
HAWK: Yeah, man. Thanks for picking these up!
STEVE: No problem, Mini-Me. Was my turn, anyway, so I thought I’d try out that new bakery in the Square.
BILLIE: Good choice! I’ll have to tell Scotty about this!
STEVE: Just make sure you guys save a bear claw for my co-captain, alright?
JETT: Speaking of which, where is John, anyway?
JOY: Yeah, he’s usually the first one here.
STEVE: I’m sure he’ll be along in a few minutes, don’t you worry.
JENNINGS & BRADY LAW
Belle pulled into her parking space, got out of the car, grabbed her briefcase and headed inside. Just as she got to the door, her phone rang.
BELLE: Belle Black.
PENTHOUSE
Brady cleared his throat.
BRADY (softly): Hey, Tink.
SIDE-BY-SIDE: JENNINGS & BRADY LAW/PENTHOUSE
BELLE: Brady, hi. What’s up?
BRADY: Hey, um…I need you to come to the Penthouse. Right now, or as soon as possible.
BELLE: The Penthouse? Brady, I just got to work.
She suddenly turned serious.
BELLE: What’s going on? Is it Mom?
BRADY: No, not Marlena. It’s Dad.
BELLE: What about him?
BRADY (softly): Uh, I was really hoping not to have to tell you this over the phone.
BELLE: Brady, you’re scaring me. Just tell me, what’s going on with Dad?
BRADY: He’s gone, Tink. Dad’s dead.
By this point, Belle had gotten to her office. Her briefcase fell out of her hand and she dropped into her chair. She let out a sob.
BELLE: What? But…but I just saw him yesterday and he was…he was fine!
BRADY: I know. I know. I don’t know what happened, all I know is that when Marlena tried to wake him, she couldn’t, so she felt for a pulse and…and there was none there.
BELLE (voice breaking): No!
Belle took several deep breaths.
BRADY: I’m so sorry to have to tell you this.
Belle blew her nose into a tissue.
BELLE: I’ll, um, I’ll be over as soon as I can.
BRADY: Okay.
BELLE (voice breaking): I love you.
PENTHOUSE
BRADY: I love you, too, Belle. See you in a few.
Brady hung up. He leaned against the counter, took a deep breath and wiped his eyes.
Meanwhile, Marlena stood outside of her bedroom door, which was closed. Samantha stood next to her, an arm around her sister. After a moment, Kayla walked out of the bedroom, looking grim.
KAYLA: Marlena, I am so sorry.
Marlena sobbed. Kayla put an arm around Marlena, and she and Samantha held her.