THE EDGE OF NIGHT
Airdate: Friday, March 2, 1979
Transcript By: Mark Faulkner
ACT ONE
Logan's apartment. Raven has just informed Logan that she bought a tape of his bribe from Wade Meecham, and calls Wade to verify there's not a second copy.
RAVEN
I am at Logan's apartment right now, and we seem to have a little difference of opinion. I say that this is the only copy of the tape in existence...and he seems to think that there are others.
WADE
So...you decided to tell your boyfriend the good news?
RAVEN
That's right. And now I want you to tell him. I want you to assure him that this is the only copy of the tape.
WADE
Well, let's face it, honey. Your boyfriend has a very suspicious mind. Nothing I say is gonna change it.
RAVEN
But it is true, isn't it?
WADE
Well...if you really want the truth, Raven...I seem to have been slightly mistaken about that.
RAVEN
(stunned) What...?
WADE
I was just looking through a cupboard, and whaddya' know...I did find another copy...I dunno, I must've made it in my sleep, I guess...
RAVEN
You have another copy...?
WADE
Yeah...
RAVEN
Well then I want it!
WADE
Certainly, Raven. It's for sale. Only...this copy looks a lot better than the other one. I think we're gonna have to raise the price a little bit. Lets say...fifteen thousand...
RAVEN
Oh, my God! You swore to me. You swore!
WADE
Now, c'mon. Hey...don't worry. This fifteen's gonna be the last money you have to pay to me --I give you my word...
RAVEN
Your word...!? You never spoke a true word in your whole life...you criminal! I should call the police!
WADE
If you do...Logan's gonna have his fingerprints taken as soon as they're finsished with me. (chuckles) Anyhow. Honey...! I swore on my mother's grave. And my mother -God bless her- is alive and kicking. Good night, Mrs. Jamison... (he hangs up)
(Raven puts the phone down and looks at Logan with barely contained rage)
RAVEN
My God, I gave that man ten thousand dollars for nothing...!
LOGAN
No way to can satisfy a blackmailer. You just have to fight them head-on!
RAVEN
Logan, you can't fight him. He'll destroy you! He'll ruin you!
LOGAN
We got no other choice. If it's not now, it'll be later. There's no way to stop him. No way at all.
RAVEN
There has to be a way. (ominous) There has to be...
CUT TO:
OPENING TITLE
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT TWO
Scene One
Logan's apartment, continued.
RAVEN
I feel so stupid! To have been taken by that conniving...snake! Ten thousand dollars for a worthless tape!
LOGAN
You know what the man wants...? He wants to start a chain of six X-rated movie houses. Now, the profits that he would make from that -hmphhh...makes your ten thousand seem like bus fare. It just doesn't make any sense for you to go through with this deal --
RAVEN
(overlapping) Logan, I was just trying to help you...
LOGAN
Well, then why didn't you come to me first...!?
RAVEN
(sarcastic) Because I knew what you would have said...
LOGAN
I've dealt with scum like this before...and I know how they operate. All he wants is a pipeline into your bank account...and you've given it to him!
RAVEN
I couldn't raise this kind of cash again if I wanted to!
LOGAN
He's got that hidden camera in his apartment. Now he's got a tape of you making this deal...
RAVEN
If that's true, then you're going to look worse, and I'm going to be an accessory to the crime!
LOGAN
You should have come to me with this bargain of yours. I could've saved you the aggravation...the money...everything --
RAVEN
And then he would have shown the tape...!
LOGAN
What's changed...? He can still do it. Except now if he gets arrested...he's got ten thousand dollars to post his bail...
RAVEN
This never should have happened...!
LOGAN
It was foolish of you, Raven. Damn foolish.
RAVEN
Well...I was just following in your footsteps, honey...
LOGAN
Thanks a lot...
RAVEN
If you hadn't made that deal in the first place...this whole mess wouldn't have happened.
LOGAN
Alright! Selling out to Meecham was a mistake, but I don't make the same mistakes twice...
RAVEN
Logan...if you fight him...he's going to show the tape, and destroy you...!
LOGAN
I'll survive...
RAVEN
If you lose your job as district attorney, it will ruin us! Honey, it's your job! It's your livelihood!
LOGAN
(stern) I can't give him that kind of control over the rest of my life. I won't live that way.
RAVEN
You're going to throw everything away for a principle...!?
LOGAN
If that's the way you want to phrase it...yes. That's exactly what I'm doing...
RAVEN
You sound more and more like Kevin every day!
LOGAN
Maybe Kevin had the right idea...
RAVEN
(angry) Kevin was weak! But, you're not. Baby, you are strong...
LOGAN
Because I know how to compromise...?
RAVEN
If it weren't for Wade Meecham...everything would be perfect. I am not going to let Wade Meecham turn you into another Kevin...
LOGAN
Oh...we've had this conversation before, haven't we. Seems to me I recollect that just before you stormed out of the restaurant the other day. What are you going to do this time, huh? Give me back the ring...?
RAVEN
Never. No. I have no intention of doing anything like that. (She quickly gathers her purse and coat and heads toward the door)
LOGAN
What --what are you doing? You leaving...?
RAVEN
Yes...
LOGAN
Where are you going?
RAVEN
I have a baby to take care of...I have things to do...
LOGAN
(runs after her) No...you can't go! We have things to -- (And she's gone. Logan shuts the door in frustration)
CUT TO:
Scene Two
Tiny's supper club. Steve and Deborah have arrived and are seated. Star sees them and rushes with greetings.
STAR
Deborah...Steve...I'm so glad you could come tonight!
DEBORAH
I can't wait to hear you sing! Calvin says you sing wonderfully.
STAR
Oh...that's kind of him...
STEVE
Wonder where Calvin is? He said he'd be here.
STAR
Maybe something else came up...
STEVE
I don't know. He's been talking about your act all day. He wouldn't miss it for the world.
DEBORAH
You must get a kick out of working in a place like this...
STAR
Oh, yes...it's kind of --exciting!
STEVE
Hey...Deborah...maybe you ought to give her a hand at singing.
DEBORAH
Oh, why would I want to do that?
STEVE
You heard Star. It's exciting...
DEBORAH
Stop it...
STEVE
Deborah's been moping around complaining about the lack of excitement in her life...
STAR
(joking) That doesn't say too much for you, Steve...
STEVE
Listen...this chick isn't happy unless she's about to risk her life, which is exactly what she did the other day...until I stepped in and saved her.
DEBORAH
Until you stepped in...? It seems to me that Eliot Dorn was the one who told everyone where Cody took me.
STEVE
It seems to me I had something to do with it...
DEBORAH
(giggles) Yeah...he's right. But I think Eliot does deserve some credit.
STAR
Speaking of Eliot...I suppose you know about what took place here the other night.
STEVE
Oh, yeah. Of course we do. Didn't you see the television program? Deborah had an interview with Nicole Drake...
STAR
Oh...no! I missed it.
STEVE
Calvin told us that Eliot Dorn was in pretty bad shape. Then he came in here and gave you a hard time.
STAR
No, that's not true. Eliot wouldn't hurt me. He never wanted to hurt any of The Children...honestly, Steve. But while he was pretty drunk and out of control, he got a bit loud and rowdy. And when they tried to throw him out, he got up and caused a scene...
DEBORAH
That's probably when Calvin tried to rescue you... (music begins to play)
STAR
That's my cue, I have to go now...
DEBORAH
Break a leg...
STEVE
Hey, listen, don't worry about Calvin not being here. Give him another speech, and he'll be here tomorrow night...
STAR
(laughs) See ya later... (Star takes her place onstage) I'd like to dedicate this song to Calvin... (She performs a sultry version of "Am I Blue")
(A waitress approaches Steve and Deborah's table)
WAITRESS
Are you Steve Guthrie...?
STEVE
Yes...I am.
WAITRESS
There's a phone call for you. It's on line five.
STEVE
Thank you. Hello...Oh, Calvin...hey, where're you, you missed the whole show...what? (to Deborah) Still investigating the fire down at the Cobble Hill theater...not another dead body, I hope. (takes out his pad and begins to write) A ball-point pen...? State ... security...loan...Chicago. Thanks, Calvin.
DEBORAH LOOKS AT STEVE ANXIOUSLY, AND
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT THREE
Scene One
WMON-TV tape room.
TANK
I really appreciate you coming back to keep me company like this, Winter.
WINTER
I don't mind. It'll give me a chance to learn about all of this machinery.
TANK
That should be helpful to you. Especially when some grumpy editor tells you can't make a cut and you know it can be done. He won't be able to pull one over on you.
WINTER
Are you going to be that grumpy editor?
TANK
Me...? Happy as a clam when I'm working on this machine.
WINTER
You sure don't mind putting in the hours. I mean, you were here early this morning, and now you've come after dinner to work.
TANK
I like working better after most of the staff's gone home. I guess I feel more comfortable when people aren't looking over my shoulder.
WINTER
Will this take a long time?
TANK
There's just a couple of jobs I want to finish. The first is laying in some new titles over that opening for the afternoon movie.
WINTER
Margo wants it on the air by the end of the week.
TANK
Yeah, we had a bunch of still photographs taken all over town. I transferred the slides to videotape, edited the ones I planned to use together, laid in an audio track...now all I have to do is key in the titles and I'm done.
WINTER
Sounds so simple...
TANK
Well, there's a lot to catch on to all the technical intricacies, but what really makes this an art...is being able to edit with a sense of rhythm and timing. Make the piece come alive. I'm boring you, aren't I?
WINTER
I'm sorry...my mind's just other places.
TANK
You're thinking about Logan, huh?
WINTER
I'll snap out of it soon --I promise.
TANK
Hey...I know what it's like to lose someone you love. I had the same thing happen a few years ago.
WINTER
Tank, let's just don't talk about the past right now, okay?
TANK
You know, it really tears me up inside to see you depressed like this...
WINTER
I'll be okay.
TANK
Everything's gonna be wonderful. You got a terrific job at the studio.
WINTER
I really do love being Margo's assistant. She keeps me so busy it makes me forget about my personal life.
TANK
Hey, you know, you'll be over Logan before you know it. As a matter of fact, it could be sooner than you think. You know...if you gave me a chance...I'd do everything I could to make you forget him.
WINTER
(uncomfortable silence) Tank, you said you have to get those titles typed in...
TANK
Right. They --they say business and pleasure don't mix, and I do have to get this work done...
WINTER WATCHES AS TANK BEGINS TO WORK, AND
CUT TO:
Scene Two
Wade's hotel suite. Wade is pouring himself a drink and counting Raven's money.
WADE
(spills the drink) Oh, c'mon! Don't get the money wet. C'mon boy, steady. (toasts himself with another drink) Long may you live! (He sits it down and spills more) Awww...I've wasted the scotch...
(There's a knock at the door)
WADE
Just a second, darlin'...
(He puts the money away and goes to the door and opens it to reveal Steve and Deborah)
WADE
Well...(it wasn't who he expected) Oh...
STEVE
Hello. Are you Wade Meecham?
WADE
(hesitant) Ah...yeah...that's...that's correct. Ah, do I know you?
STEVE
No, I don't think we've ever met. But I do believe you've heard of the company we work for...
WADE
Who might that be?
STEVE
(curt) The Monticello Police Department... may we come in?
WADE
(pause) Ah...sure, sure. C'mon in. Be my guest.
(They enter)
STEVE
I'm Detective Guthrie. This is Officer Saxon.
WADE
(flirty) Are you tellin' me that this lovely lady is a cop? Ah...policewoman.
DEBORAH
(dryly) Yes, I left my billy-club in the squad car.
WADE
I'm awfully glad ya' did, honey... (He laughs, but Steve and Deborah aren't amused. Wade clears his throat and becomes more solicitous)
Well, hey listen, can I get you two a drink?
DEBORAH
(flatly) No thank you, we're on duty.
WADE
Oh, yes. Of course. Well, I hate to rush you like this, but you see, I am expecting some company.
STEVE
This won't take long, Mr. Meecham...
WADE
I can't imagine why you two'd wanna talk to me. (pause) Oh, of course. It's about the fire in my movie theater, huh?
STEVE
(grim) Why, that's exactly what we want to see you about, Mr. Meecham...
TAKE WADE'S REACTION, AND
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FOUR
Scene One
Wade's hotel suite, continued.
WADE
Hey, I hope you have good news. Like that pyromaniac who set my theater on fire is behind bars, huh.
DEBORAH
Actually we just discovered today that the fire was set deliberately.
STEVE
Whoever did it.., must have been the first-time out -- it was a real amateur job.
DEBORAH
Gasoline cans were found in two separate areas of the theater.
WADE
Oh, well that supports my theory about who set the fire.
DEBORAH
Do you have anyone in mind...?
WADE
Oh, yeah...I'm sure it was one of those blue-nosed citizens up at Cobble Hill.
STEVE
Really. Now, why do you think that, Mr. Meecham?
WADE
From the very first when I started the theater --see, I got nothing but flak from them about how I was gonna come in -ruin the neighborhood. So, you see...I'm sure it was one of them who set it.
STEVE
I wonder if one of the residents up at Cobble Hill ever worked in Chicago...? (Wade looks perplexed)
DEBORAH
Oh, you see, when the fire department was sifting around in the rubble, they found a ball-point pen next to one of the gasoline cans.
STEVE
It seems like the arsonist probably -more than likely- picked it up at one of the banks that gave them out.
WADE
So, you got a clue...
STEVE
You're from Chicago, aren't you, Mr. Meecham...?
WADE
Yeah...that's right.
DEBORAH
What bank do you do business with?
WADE
(realizing the implication) Hey...whoa...wait a minute...
STEVE
You wouldn't mind answering a question like that, would you?
WADE
You two are about as subtle as a bunch of foghorns. You're implying that it was my pen that you found.
DEBORAH
Did you ever do business with the State Street Security and Loan Company?
STEVE
It wouldn't be too difficult to check out if you did...
WADE
No, wait a minute. You're saying that I started the fire? Why...? To catch the insurance?
STEVE
It wouldn't be the first time...
WADE
Look, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you're wrong. Yeah, okay...some guys burn themselves out when their business is lousy, but my business is terrific.
DEBORAH
But it wouldn't compare to the lump of money you would be getting from the insurance company.
WADE
Listen, lady --ma'am...with all due respect, you are wrong. I mean, that's just a coincidence. Banks give out those pens by the thousands...
STEVE
Why would a bank from Chicago give them out in Monticello...
WADE
Look, I have no idea. Maybe the guy picked it up in Chicago, huh? Listen, if that's the kind of evidence you have, honey...you don't have much of a career in the police department...
STEVE
Mr. Meecham, would you mind telling us exactly where you were at the time of the fire?
WADE
Yes...I do mind.
DEBORAH
Why...?
WADE
Because I don't talk to cops unless my attorney is present. It's my right under the Constitution. And me...I'm very fond of the Constitution. Now, you're going to have to excuse me, but I'm gonna ask you to leave. You see, I am expecting some company later. (He ushers them to the door)
STEVE
Oh, Mr. Meecham...
WADE
Yes...?
STEVE
I wouldn't plan on taking any trips until we get this resolved...
WADE
(he laughs) Okay, officer. I'm not going anywhere. Actually, I'm very glad you decided to drop by tonight.
DEBORAH
Oh, why is that?
WADE
Well, it tells me that the police department are on their toes --and I think that finding that pen is gonna be a big break in solving this case. You two have a good night.
WADE SHUTS THE DOOR WITH A LOOK OF SATISFACTION ON HIS FACE, AND
DISSOLVE TO:
Scene Two
WMON-TV tape room.
TANK
...of course I don't know all of the controls yet. They keep coming up with new things all the time.
WINTER
You're doing just fine, Tank.
TANK
Watch the monitor. (Tank adjusts the controls) Watch this, no hands...
(Nicole appears on the monitor, giving her report about The Children of the Earth)
NICOLE
According to the police, only a handful of the 550 Children of the Earth who made the pilgrimage to our city still remain in Monticello...
TANK
Now you see her... (Tanks adjust the controls and Nicole slowly fades off screen, her voice just an echo) now you don't... (Winter and Tank giggle over the visual trick. Tank moves the switch so that Nicole slowly fades back onscreen.) Now watch... (He moves another control and Nicole quickly disappears) Boom. How d'ya like that...?
WINTER
(chuckles) It's just like magic.
TANK
Yeah, it is. Electronic magic. Making anything you want appear and disappear, just like that. I wish life was this easy...
WINTER
You're really doing very well, Tank.
TANK
Yeah, too bad I didn't discover my talents sooner. I might've missed that stretch in prison. (just remembered) Hey...did I ever show you the chromakey...?
WINTER
What's that?
TANK
It's a system for mixing two live pictures together.
WINTER
I don't follow.
TANK
Well, you know when Jerry does the scores from the ballpark...?
WINTER
Ummm hmmm...
TANK
Jerry's not in the ballpark. He's in studio B. All we do is we mix this picture with a tape of a crowd shot of the ballpark.
WINTER
Hey...that's pretty tricky.
TANK
Yeah. (He looks at her hopefully) I wish I knew a trick that would put us back together, Winter.
WINTER
(sighs) Tank...
TANK
I know, I know. Ya gotta drop that torch...
(The studio phone rings)
TANK
Think I should get that?
WINTER
(shrugs) It's your night-line.
TANK
Hello...tape room.
WADE'S VOICE
Ahhh...I thought I'd find you out there.
TANK
Wade...?
WADE
Yeah, I called the rooming-house where you live, and your landlady said you took off bright and early this morning for the studio, so I figured you were still there --playing with your little videotape machines.
TANK
Whaddya' want, Wade? I'm busy...
WADE'S VOICE
Remember a couple of weeks ago when we were going over the maintenance costs of the theater?
TANK
Yeah...
WADE
Well, you didn't have a pen, and I loaned you mine.
TANK
So what?
WADE
You never returned that pen, Tank...
TANK
(confused) Well...uh...it was --it was a cheap ball-point, is that why you're calling?
WADE
I know it was cheap. I didn't give it a second thought until a little while ago, but you don't have to give it back to me. It's not gonna be necessary.
TANK
Well, I musta lost it. I'll buy you a new one, alright?
WADE
No. I already found it. (pause) Or I should say the police found it!
TAKE TANK'S STUNNED REACTION, AND
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FIVE
WADE
They found that pen in the rubble of what used to be my movie theater.
TANK
I used to be all over that building. I did manage the place for you...
WADE
Tank...they found the pen right next to a gasoline can --one of the cans that was used to start the fire.
TANK
(nervous, getting upset) And you think I did it...
WADE'S VOICE
(blunt)That's right. I think you did it. I know you did it!
TANK
Wade, I told you. It had to be one those creeps who used to hang around the theater making threats all the time.
WADE
Yeah, yeah. That's what I used to think. I figured it was somebody who was afraid I was gonna ruin the neighborhood.
TANK
That's a pretty strong motive...
WADE
But your motive was even stronger, wasn't it? You were afraid I was gonna ruin your life!
TANK
Whaddya' mean by that?
WADE'S VOICE
Oh, come off it, Tank! You hated having to work for me. You used to beg me to let you quit!
TANK
I just wanted something better for myself...!
WADE
Yeah, sure. I wanted somebody that knew their stuff...I wanted somebody that I could trust!
TANK
(sarcastic) Oh...sure you could trust me. The moment I stepped outta line you would have told the cops about that stolen merchandise I fenced back in Springfield!
WADE
See, I figure the only way outta your job was to put me out of business, and you figured the best way to put me out of business was to close the theater. And what better way to close a theater than a nice, hot fire, huh!?
TANK
Wade, I told you...I didn't do it!
WADE
Well, if I put the Monticello police on you, buddy --they're gonna prove it. And with your record you're gonna be back in the pen before ya know it!
TANK
(begging) Wade, don't do this to me...
WADE
You know, the three year stretch you did before is nothin' to the fall you're gonna take for arson...
TANK
(pleading) Wade...!
WADE
You're goin' to jail, Tank. (ominous) Think about it...
(Wade hangs up. Tank begins to tremble violently)
WINTER
Tank...you alright?
TANK
It's all over for me, Winter. Everything I worked for...
WINTER
Just because he made some wild accusations...
TANK
He doesn't get proof, the police will.
WINTER
It's not as if you started that fire, Tank.
TANK
(breathing hard, unsteady) I should've known better. I should've known. I did it, I did it. I've done alot of things I never thought I would've...
WINTER
What are you talking about?
TANK
I did set that fire, Winter. (slams his fist down) I should've known I wouldn't get away with it! I'm an amateur. Wade...Wade wouldn't let me go. He had this stranglehold on me. All I wanted was something better for myself. (screaming) He would have had me in the projection room of that porno house forever!
WINTER
(calm, understanding) So you burned it down...
TANK
And now he's gonna send me back to jail. (crying) I can't go back there, Winter...I'd rather be dead than go back there... (She embraces him)
WINTER
Damn him! We're not gonna let this happen to us. Do you understand, Tank? We're not!
(Winter holds Tank tightly, a look of violent, determined rage flashes in her eyes)
FADE OUT
COMMERCIAL BREAK
The EDGE
of NIGHT
CAST
Nancy Karr
ANN FLOOD
Bill Marceau
MANDEL KRAMER
Mike Karr
FORREST COMPTON
Steve Guthrie
DENNY ALBEE
Nicole Drake
JAYNE BENTZEN
Winter Austen
LORI CARDILLE
Draper Scott
TONY CRAIG
Miles Cavanaugh
JOEL CROTHERS
April Scott
TERRY DAVIS
Deborah Saxon
FRANCES FISHER
Raven Alexander
SHARON GABET
Eliot Dorn
LEE GODART
Wade Meecham
DAN HAMILTON
Geraldine Saxon
LOIS KIBBEE
Logan Swift
JOE LAMBIE
Calvin Stoner
IRVING LEE
Margo Huntington
ANN WILLIAMS
Diana Selkirk
SUSAN YUSEN
Tank Jarvis
MICHAEL LONGFIELD
Star Wilson
YAHEE
