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Bob Dixon: "Tide --America's wash day favorite presents...The Eddge of Night."
OPENING BILLBOARD

ACT ONE

Cora returns, just as Harry completes his call. She tells her husband how nice he looks, dressed up for his meeting. He wishes she could go with him, Harry lies. After all, he'll be the only man without his wife. Cora is caught off guard by his touching comment. She asks pleadingly, hopefully if he really cares for her. Of course he does, Harry replies. Cora tells him to prove it by staying home. Harry uses the excuse of not being able to because he has to give a speech. Cora admits that she had a very bad dream and is frightened to be alone. Harry reassures her that he'll give the speech and come right home. He leaves her in her stupor.

Harry approachees Marie, the maid, and feigns concern for his wife -he's never seen her in this state. Marie agrees. She's worried, too. She would stay home with Cora, but she has a church circle to attend. Marie wavers about leaving Cora alone in the house, but Harry quickly tells her it's okay -he'll be home by 9:00 or 9:30 at the latest, so Cora won't be alone too long. Marie promises to take good care of Cora before she leaves, and will make sure to get the vitamins down her. Harry, delighted that his plan is proceeding so well, agrees that the vitamins are very imporant, though Marie is oblivious to the subtext of his statement.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT TWO

SCENE ONE
At the Karr home, Mike and Sara are packing for their honeymoon. Mike jokes with Sara that they're only going to be gone two days, but Sara packs as if it's a year. "I want to get some use out of my trousseau," she deadpans. "What are you going to do, change every half-hour? " Mike retorts. They embrace and kiss, enjoying their verbal sparring. Sara notes that it's only 6:15 and asks if Mike is sure Detective Bradshaw won't call back before 6:30. Mike says it's unlikely, then adds that she'll have to get used to his professional responsibilities. Sara explains she wouldn't mind except that they only have two short days together... and they have to stop by Cora's on the way out of town. Sara questions if it's really necessary to speak with Bradshaw. Mike responds affirmatively. He's tracking a Miami connection to Monticello crime and needs to mull over Bradshaw's information. Surely Mike isn't going to think about that on the honeymoon, Sara sighs in exasperation. Mike pulls her close and kisses her playfully. He tells her he can do that... and mull at the same time. He promises he'll talk to Bradshaw, go to Cora's, and they'll be on their way to the inn no later than 7:30 or 8:00.

SCENE TWO
At Marilyn Bollon's apartment, Marilyn is suffering from a nasty cold. She tells Duke that the doctor he sent her to cured her for a few days but now her cold is worse. Duke is more worried about what will happen at the Lane home and asks when she is supposed to be there. Marilyn says she's to arrive a "few minutes before 7:00." If she can pull it off, "Baby we'll be rolling...rolling in all that glorious dough," Duke reminds her. Noting her ill demeanor, he instructs her to pull herself together fast, otherwise she'll never be able to start any trouble, even with Harry Lane's wife. Just then, the doorbell buzzes. Duke quickly hides himself.

Marilyn goes to the door and opens it to find Harry. Harry looks nervously around the room, as if he expects someone else to be there. Marilyn watches incredulously for several moments then tells him to look in the closet. "I've got 15 guys hiding in there," she snarls sarcastically. Harry pauses. Marilyn breaks the uncomfortable silence and asks what he's doing there. Harry says he wants to go over the details one last time. She replies that there's no need, and suggests he go on down to the railroad to meet his bigshots. Marilyn assures him she knows her instructions - she'll be at the Lane home shortly before 7:00, just before Marie leaves. Harry instructs Marilyn to pace herself. He wants her to bring Cora to a slow boil, since he won't get to the house with business partners until 7:30. Tired, sick, irritated, Marilyn replies she knows what to do. Don't treat her like a child; she doesn't feel well. "Be on time," he stresses. "Remember, tonight you start getting paid off," Harry intones ominously. Marilyn bitchily tells him to get out before she breathes on him. Hoping he's made his point, Harry leaves. Duke swiftly reenters, issuing Marilyn a strong warning to snap out of it. Duke says that Harry would really flip if he knew how he was going to be taken by them. Getting sicker, Marilyn admits that she doesn't think she can go through with it.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT THREE

SCENE ONE
Marilyn tells Duke that she wants to call the whole thing off; she really doesn't feel well. He becomes violently angry at her reluctance, and clutches her forcefully, painfully. "Don't be sore at me, " Marilyn whimpers. Duke wants to know if she's going to let a stuffed up head stand between them and all that dough. He gets more physical, but seeing her fear, lets go and softens his tone. "If you say it's off, it's off, " he acquiesces quietly. Marilyn says she's sorry, but adds that they still have Harry in their hands. Barely controlling his anger, Duke barks negatively. Harry's ready to pay off right now, he stresses. If she can just pull herself together for a little while, it will work. Marilyn argues that Harry could welch on the deal anyway. Duke reassures her that it won't happen. "Baby, for us...for us, " he whipsers softly, almost pleadingly. "Whaddya' say, Marilyn?" Marilyn is now at his mercy. Okay, she agrees. Marilyn instructs Duke to call a cab and tell them to hurry... she has to be at Harry's house by 7:00.

SCENE TWO
Marie takes Cora a tray of food, but she refuses it. Marie says she made the soup especially for Cora and will feel terrible if she doesn't eat it. She persuades Cora to try a little of it, but Cora insists she just can't eat. Marie counters by encouraging her to take her vitamin pill. Cora explains she doesn't want that either. Marie mutters in pure frustration at Cora's uncooperative nature. Cora takes the pill to get Marie off her back. Content with the fact that Mrs. Lane agreed to at least one thing, Marie leaves to answer the doorbell.

Downstairs, Marie opens the door to Marilyn. Marie tells her that Mr. Lane isn't there. Marilyn admits she's actually there to see Mrs. Lane. The astonished look on Marie's face prompts Marilyn to explain that her meeting with Cora probably seems strange, especially since Cora had recently thrown Marilyn out of the Lane house, following an argument. Marie questions if she's sure Mrs. Lane wants to see her. Marilyn lies, claiming that Cora phoned the office several times earlier in the day and absolutely insisted on seeing her. To add validity, she states that Cora's nephew Jack heard the calls, too. Marilyn demures that she really didn't want to come, but did so merely to stop Cora's angry, persistent calls. Marie isn't quite convinced and starts to follow her upstairs to Cora's room. As they climb the stairs, a car horn blares outside. Marie pauses, realizing it is her ride to the church. Sensing Marie's hesitation, Marilyn tells the maid it's all right. If Cora starts anything, she'll get out of the house quickly. Marie faithfully replies that Cora is a gentle woman... she wouldn't hurt anyone. Of course she is, Marilyn agrees. So go on with your friends and don't worry. Marie reluctantly leaves. Finally alone, Marilyn mounts the stairs, ready to confront her enemy.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT FOUR

SCENE ONE
Harry and Louise are on their way back to the Lane home in a taxi. Harry says he's glad he forgot his notes and had to go back home, it will give him "stolen moments" with Louise. She says she thinks he left the notes intentionally, so he'd have to meet her in the lobby of the auditorium, implying that Harry didn't want Louise's father Winston to see them together. Harry retorts that Winston's attitude toward him will have to change, prompting Louise to state ruefully that it won't. Harry persists. Winston's change of heart is necessary...after all, Harry intends to marry Louise.

SCENE TWO
At the Lane home, Marilyn has entered Cora's room and attempts to goad her into a fight. Weak and drowsy from the combination of alcohol and sedatives, Cora responds that everything seems upside down. She dismisses Marilyn, wearily asking to be left alone. Frustrated with Cora's resistence, Marilyn verbally attacks her, questioning whether or not Cora has any spirit. Cora whimpers no. Marilyn gleefully asks if Cora doesn't care that Marilyn took Harry away from her. Then, recalling her weakness for children, Marilyn happily reveals that she was the one who talked Martin Spode into taking Bebe away from her. The thought of Bebe moves Cora to anger, and she's appalled at Marilyn's cruelty. Cora insists she's going to have to talk to her about that; however, the effects of the drug are much too powerful. Overcome with dizziness, Cora falls to the floor, unconscious. Stunned, Marilyn tries to wake her up, then realizes Cora has actually passed out.

As Marilyn attempts to bring Cora back to consciousness, she's suddenly startled by a voice warning her not to touch Cora. Marilyn turns quickly, shocked at the appearance of Harry. She explains calmly that Cora has passed out. Harry tells her that Cora was given a sedative - a specially constructed Mickey Finn. But, she'll recover... Cora is used to sedatives. Marilyn, still unnerved by his sudden appearance and the frightening glint in his eyes, says she doesn't understand. "You will, my dear," Harry says ominously, adding that he'll explain everything in minute detail. After all, she's been waiting for this a long time. Her eyes widen in fear as he approaches. "Marilyn... this is the payoff, " Harry says, moving toward her slowly and threateningly.
COMMERCIAL BREAK

TEASER
Bob Dixon: "Watch this scene from next Monday's story..."

Mike questions Cora about what happened. Who let her in? Cora admits she must have passed out. Mike wants to know how. Cora says she must have gone to sleep, as she sometimes does. Please don't ask her. Sara tries to comfort her aunt, but Mike continues with his deliberate questioning. Was anyone else in the house? Harry? The maid? Anyone from the outside? Cora remains silent, disoriented, and in complete shock. Mike states gravely that Cora has got to remember..."

CLOSING BILLBOARD

Bob Dixon: "Tune in again Monday for The Edge of Night, created by Irving Vendig. The Edge of Night is brought to you by America's washday favorite -Tide. Watch Procter and Gamble's other half-hour dramatic series As the World Turns, each weekday afternoon over many of these same stations. "

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