THE EDGE OF NIGHT
Airdate: Wednesday, April 12, 1978
Transcript By: Mark Faulkner
ACT ONE
The Whitney Mansion dining room. Raven has just announced her preganancy to a stunned Geraldine.
RAVEN
What's with the unhappy reaction? Is it because you think a baby might hurt Kevin's precious political career?
GERALDINE
Oh, yes, my dear. There's no question about that. This baby could harm Kevin a great deal.
RAVEN
But that is silly. A politician is always aided by a faithful wife and an adorable child...
GERALDINE
A faithful wife...?
RAVEN
Yes! And I'm due in November. Just in time for the elections. I don't understand you --
GERALDINE
Unfortunately, Raven...I understand you...
RAVEN
What...?
GERALDINE
This baby could only harm Kevin. Politically... and in every other way. Because it is not Kevin's child!
RAVEN
What are you talking about?
GERALDINE
You heard me! The political advantage of having a family would be quickly negated by scandal ...
RAVEN
This is absurd. (sarcastic) Did you have one too many at the wedding...?
GERALDINE
I am quite sober...
RAVEN
Well then... do you know what you are accusing me of?
GERALDINE
Yes. As much as it hurts me to admit it...yes!
RAVEN
Oh, this is crazy. Alright, look. Kevin and I were married in December. I conceived in February. There's nothing unusual about that.
GERALDINE
The lapse in time makes sense. Nothing else.
RAVEN
This is insane...!
GERALDINE
No, Raven. The word is "cruel". Cruel...and tragic. And unnecessary. (pause) You see...your husband is incapable of having a child. Kevin is sterile!
TAKE RAVEN'S GOBSMACKED REACTION, AND
CUT TO:
OPENING TITLE
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT TWO
Scene One
Whitney Mansion dining room, continued.
RAVEN
I don't believe you. Kevin is as healthy and normal as any man.
GERALDINE
In all respects but one. He's infertile.
RAVEN
For some inexplicable reason you are lying to me. I know it...!
GERALDINE
I wish I were fabricating this nightmare ...
RAVEN
You must want to force a break between Kevin and myself. Did one of your political connections suggest that I was the wrong type for a budding politician...?
GERALDINE
(stern) Now you listen to me... I wanted nothing more to see the two of you together. If you remember...you were not terribly enamored of becoming the wife of a crime reporter. So, I arranged Kevin's appointment to the Crime Commission. My sole pupose in that was to make him more attractive to you! I would have done anything in this world to see him marry the woman he loved...
RAVEN
But Kevin never said one word to me about being sterile. Now you know him. He's your own son. He would have told me. He's honest to a fault.
GERALDINE
Granted. If it had been left up to Kevin, you would have known about his condition at once.
RAVEN
Then why was nothing ever said...?
GERALDINE
Because I begged him to keep it from you!
RAVEN
What...!?
GERALDINE
I was afraid if the truth came out...you might see my son as something less of a man...and call off the wedding.
RAVEN
Oh...God. So how long has Kevin known that he couldn't have a child?
GERALDINE
He found out about it a few days before your wedding. When he went to get his blood test for the marriage license, he and Dr. Lacey got to talking. Hugh was surprised that Kevin and his first wife never had any children, although they wanted a family. So Hugh suggested a fertility test. The results came back negative.
RAVEN
I see. And you both assumed that the trusting bride-to-be wouldn't care?
GERALDINE
Don't you dare speak to me about trust . You never gave any indication that you cared about motherhood. You even said so in so many words. I thought it was an unnecessary disclosure.
RAVEN
And what made you think you could play God...?
GERALDINE
Believe me, Raven...if I knew then what I know at this moment...I would have made sure that you understood Kevin's situation perfectly. At least it would have made you more careful...
RAVEN
I think I need a drink... (she goes to the bar)
GERALDINE
I am well aware of my blame in this. I should have let Kevin tell you. I should have thought of this terrible possibility. But how could I? I didn't know you, Raven. I thought you were something more than an alleycat !
RAVEN
I should have listened to my mother. I should have paid attention to her when she told me about you. The way you love to pull strings and make people dance! Well...you've really done it now, haven't you? You've manipulated all your little puppets right into a corner! I hope you're proud of yourself. I hope you -- (she takes a stiff drink and tries to catch her breath) Oh, God...I didn't know. I didn't know it wasn't Kevin's baby. I swear, I didn't. It could have been his...
GERALDINE
You do know who the real father is ...I assume. (Raven doesn't respond) Very well. We all know about the birds and the bees. (sarcastic) And we can safely rule out Immaculate Conception ...particularly in your case. So...this accident --happened one evening while you were out. Out "shopping". Out "visiting" that ubiquitous girlfriend of yours...
RAVEN
Oh...please! We have to decide what to do.
GERALDINE
Yes, you are quite correct...
(Kevin opens the door and enters)
KEVIN
Well...what's going on here? Another meeting behind closed doors...? What are you two doing...conspiring?
GERALDINE
(wry laugh) Oh...well...something like that...but it isn't anything you could be included in, Kevin. At least not at the present time.
KEVIN
Look, if the two of you are cooking up a surprise birthday party for me, you can forget it. I don't like surprises. (Raven begins to laugh hystericallY) Did I say something funny...?
RAVEN
Excuse me...I have to go get dressed for dinner. (She exits, giggling all the way)
KEVIN
She missed my big news...
GERALDINE
(distracted, her steely gaze lingering on Raven) What did you say, dear?
KEVIN
I heard from James Brandon, county chairman. Your friend...the one who wrote the letter to me.
GERALDINE
Oh...yes...of course, dear. What did he say?
KEVIN
Well, he said much more than I expected. He told me why he wants the luncheon date. Geraldine, he definitely wants to put me on the ballot in November...
TAKE GERALDINE, A BIT AMBIVALENT, AND
CUT TO:
Scene Two
The Karr living room. Nancy brings Timmy a cup of cocoa.
NANCY
That's all the cocoa for you, young man...then it's up to bed.
MIKE
It is getting late, Tim, and you do have school tomorrow.
TIMMY
I know, Uncle Mike. But I really don't feel tired.
NANCY
Ah, hah. You say that now, but you'll be singing a different tune in the morning when I have to pry you out of that bed.
TIMMY
Maybe it's because I had such a nice time today. You know, I think I had a better time at this wedding than I did at Kevin and Raven's.
MIKE
Everybody gets excited at weddings, Timmy. And maybe your nervous energy is making you overtired.
NANCY
That may be the case, and if it is, my dear...you will be asleep a second after you put your head on that pillow.
TIMMY
Maybe if I watch the late news, that'll help tire me out.
MIKE
Sorry, young man...not tonight.
NANCY
Besides...Nicole isn't on tonight. She took the evening off so she could rest after all the excitement of the wedding. Which is what a young man I know should be doing right now.
TIMMY
I promise I'll go to sleep in a minute.
MIKE
Tim, it's obvious you're tired. Is there any reason why you're deliberately trying to avoid going to bed?
TIMMY
(pause) No...
MIKE
Are you sure...?
TIMMY
Well...I guess these past few nightmares I've been having...going to sleep does get a little scary.
NANCY
Tim...you have been having bad dreams...but they're not real. You said you had a lovely time today. Why don't you think those thoughts, and I'm sure you'll have nothing but pleasant dreams.
MIKE
Your Aunt Nancy's made a good point, Tim.
TIMMY
Alright...I guess I do feel a little bit tired. Uncle Mike...if Aunt Nicole isn't on tonight, does that mean she'll be on tomorrow night?
MIKE
I think she mentioned that she would be...yes.
TIMMY
Oh, that's great!
NANCY
Oh, fine. You can watch the six o'clock show, but not the one at eleven.
TIMMY
Well I didn't mean that, Aunt Nancy. What I meant was...since she is working, I thought maybe...I could have my job back babysitting for Adam.
MIKE AND NANCY LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER WITH CONCERN, AND
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT THREE
Scene One
Karr living room, continued.
NANCY
Tim, I don't know. That would be the second night in a row that you'd be staying up way past your bedtime.
TIMMY
I'll be ok. I could bring my homework over there.
NANCY
Then you'd fall asleep on the sofa. The idea of you babysitting for Adam is to give Mrs. Goodman a rest.
TIMMY
How about if I take a nap right after school...?
NANCY
(laughs cheerfully) Oh...promises, promises...
TIMMY
But I will...!
MIKE
Tim...come here, come here. It seems to me...the last time you were at Nicole's you didn't have a very pleasant experience. Did you...?
TIMMY
No. But it was only my first time.
MIKE
And as I understand it, you were more than just a little jittery.
TIMMY
I guess I did get a little bit scared. But it was a dark place, and this lamp wouldn't go on.
MIKE
Because the bulb was burnt out. But you did say you thought you saw something in the garden, didn't you? (Timmy doesn't answer)
NANCY
Tim...I think we should wait a while.
TIMMY
That's not what Adam said. Well...I don't mean Adam junior. I meant...his father.
MIKE
What did he tell you, Tim?
TIMMY
Well...it was when we were talking about horses...and learning how to ride. He told me if you ever get scared...the best thing you should do is go back and face it again.
MIKE
So if you fell off a horse...you were supposed to climb right back on again?
TIMMY
Right.
MIKE
He does have a point, Nancy. And maybe this time he won't let his imagination run away with him so easily...
TIMMY
And I won't call for Mrs. Goodman...
NANCY
Well, now...wait a minute. I think maybe I have another suggestion. Tim, what would think of babysitting without Mrs. Goodman?
TIMMY
You mean all alone?
NANCY
What would you think of our letting Mrs. Goodman take the night off...and I come with you?
TIMMY
You don't have to do that --
NANCY
No...I'd really like to. We could babysit together. Okay?
TIMMY
Sure...
CUT TO:
Scene Two
Denise's room in Monticello. She is dialing a telephone number and appears ill.
CAROL'S VOICE
Hi...this is Carol Barclay. I'm not home right now, but if you leave your name and number when you hear the tone, I'll call you back just as soon as I get in. Remember to wait for the tone.
DENISE
(slams the phone down) Damn, stupid, infernal machines. (she dials another number)
MARGIE'S VOICE
Third floor nurse's station...
DENISE
Margie...
MARGIE'S VOICE
Yes...who is this...?
DENISE
You don't recognize the voice of one of your comrades in arms?
MARGIE
Denise Cavanaugh...how are you?
DENISE
I'm fine. Boy...you take a couple of weeks off --and your fellow nurses don't even remember who you are. What are you doing there. Aren't you on the early shift?
MARGIE
I was...until you called in to say that you wouldn't be in for a while. That's when everybody's schedule got shifted around...
DENISE
Look...I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but believe me...I'm taking care of some personal things that are very important. Look...do you happen to know Carol Barclay's shift? I just called her at home.
MARGIE
She's on nights now, too.
DENISE
You mean she's there?
MARGIE
She and Judy Greenwood having been splitting 24 hour care of that old bat Mrs. Chase. Chase had another heart attack...so she needs round-the-clock attention.
DENISE
Good old dedicated Nurse Barclay. Look, could you ring her for me?
MARGIE
I can't ring the buzzer at this hour ...
DENISE
Oh...of course. Okay, well would you be angel and go get her and get her on the line? Tell her that her very best friend wants to talk to her...
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FOUR
Scene One
Mrs. Chase's room at The Clairmont hospital. Carol sits in the corner with a book.
MRS. CHASE
(irritated) Barclay...what are you doing over there reading...? I'm under the impression you're being paid to keep an eye on me...
CAROL
Mrs. Chase...I thought you were asleep.
MRS. CHASE
I'm not tired. How 'bout a game of cards...?
CAROL
Judy will play cards with you in the morning...after you've had a good night's rest.
MRS. CHASE
(smirks) Ha...
CAROL
Now...what is the problem...?
MRS. CHASE
Rest...? In this bed...? You gotta be kidding. It's a pile of rocks.
CAROL
I happen to know for a fact that matress is only a couple of months old. Don't you remember? You made us change it when Mrs. Drake left here?
MRS. CHASE
(getting out of bed) You don't believe me? Be my guest...
CAROL
Mrs. Chase...you're not to get out of this bed. You just had a heart seziure.
MRS. CHASE
It should never have happened...
CAROL
Please...you have got to take it easy if you want to get well.
MRS. CHASE
I came in this hospital because of high blood pressure. All of you incompetents here make me nervous. That's what caused the heart attack. I oughta sue the whole hospital for malpractice.
CAROL
Would you please worry about your lawsuit in the morning...? Come on, you heard Dr. Spangler. You have to keep calm...
MRS. CHASE
That quack. All he knows how to do is charge you fifty bucks for coming in twice a day and saying "hello". Yeah, I think I will sue this place... (there's a tap on the door) If that's Spangler...tell him to get lost. God, what will he charge for coming in at this hour of the night...?
MARGIE
(opening door, to Carol) Can I speak to you for a second...?
CAROL
Sure...come on in.
MRS. CHASE
Barclay...! What do you think you're doing in my room...making a nurse's lounge. Get ridof her...! I'm a sick woman, remember ...?
MARGIE
I just stopped in to tell you Denise is on line two. She wants to talk to you.
CAROL
Oh...would you be a dear and stay with her? I'll take it outside.
MARGIE
Sure...
CAROL
Thanks. I'll be right back, Mrs. Chase. Now you be a good girl and go to sleep. (Carol exits to the hallway and picks up a phone) Hello. Denise...?
DENISE
Carol...! It took you long enough to get to the phone.
CAROL'S VOICE
Mrs. Chase is not exactly your model patient...
DENISE
I know what you mean...
CAROL
Tell me all about it.
DENISE
All about what ...?
CAROL
April's wedding. It was today, wasn't it?
DENISE'S VOICE
Oh, yes. It was a lovely affair, and the couple is just beautiful...
CAROL
I bet Miles was happy...
DENISE
(slight sarcasm) Sheer ecstasy...
CAROL
Look...I really appreciate you calling to tell me about this, but I'm kind of busy. I'll have to wait until you get back here to fill me in on the details. Which is going to be when...?
DENISE'S VOICE
I really don't know, Carol.
CAROL
You know...you really messed up everyone's schedule around here. I was supposed to be off nights this week.
DENISE
Yes, I know. I called you at your apartment, and when I didn't find you home, my first thought was that you were out on a date. Then of course I snapped to my senses and found you at the hospital.
CAROL
(laughs) Thanks a lot! Just remember, if you don't get back here pretty soon, you may not have a job left.
DENISE
Oh, really? Then I'll just have to ask Dr. Norwood to speak to Mrs. Hellman...and tell him that I was not malingering. I do feel that he will be able to persuade her...
CAROL
Of course, how could I forget...? Your father owns this place.
DENISE
Carol, listen, the reason why I called was I want you to do a favor for me. I have a prescription that needs refilling, and unfortunately I did not bring the prescription with me.
CAROL
Where is it...?
DENISE
I think it's in one of my uniforms in our locker. Could you possibly go and check and look in the pockets...?
CAROL
Sure. What's the prescription for?
DENISE
You won't be able to read it because a doctor wrote it out...but it's the only prescription I have. You'll know it when you see it.
CAROL
What would you like me to do with it when I find it?
DENISE
Well mail it to me...
CAROL
To what address...?
DENISE
(realizing she can't disclose her location) Ahhhh...no, wait a second. If you find it... just call me back at this number. 555-86 twelve.
CAROL
(writing it) 555- 86 twelve. Is that the hotel you're staying at?
DENISE
No...it's just a friend that I'm visiting. And please hurry, would you, Carol...?
CAROL
I'm on my way...
DENISE HANGS UP AND CLUTCHES HER HEAD IN PAIN, AND
CUT TO:
Scene Two
The Whitney Mansion.
KEVIN
Isn't it strange the way these things work out sometimes, Geraldine? A few days ago I wouldn't have given a nickel for my chances in politics...
GERALDINE
(ruefully) Yes...life is very strange sometimes. Sometimes too strange for my liking.
KEVIN
I thought you'd be happy to hear the news...
GERALDINE
Kevin...I'm absolutely thrilled. I just didn't think it could happen this quickly, that's all.
KEVIN
That's true. I can't get carried away. Brandon is powerful, but...he's not the whole party. There may be other people who have different opinions about candidates.
GERALDINE
It's a giant step, Kevin. I'm sure you realize that. I didn't think you could go from a municipal office -a non elective office, at that- right into Congress.
KEVIN
I'm not there yet...
GERALDINE
(thinking of Raven) No...there's a lot to be done before that can happen...
KEVIN
Nancy's idea was great. Bringing the press to that meeting... that was the thing that just did the trick.
GERALDINE
It could have just as easily gone against you, but in this case, you were very fortunate.
KEVIN
You know, I'm beginning to feel very good about this.
GERALDINE
Kevin, I'm very happy for you.
KEVIN
Geraldine, I realize I was sort of a reluctant politician... but, I guess I never really thought I could get anywhere in the field. Maybe that's what explains my hesitation. Nobody wants to lose.
GERALDINE
No, no one wants that very much.
KEVIN
But now... now I feel there is a real possibility. And I even think that I can do a good job...
GERALDINE
I'm absolutely certain of that. (Raven enters) Why, Raven... don't you look lovely.
RAVEN
I thought that I would wear a special outfit for a very special evening.
KEVIN
So then you've heard the news... you've heard what Brandon said...?
RAVEN
Brandon...?
KEVIN
The county chairman. Can you imagine...? He wants me to run for Congress. He's never even met me personally, and he wants me to be his candidate.
RAVEN
Kevin, that's wonderful...! Marvelous...!
GERALDINE
Remarkable... isn't it, Raven...how things work out for the best? Here we thought Kevin was going to have to spend long, dreary years in city government. (wryly) Isn't it lucky that the original plan was... aborted...?
TAKE RAVEN, UNDERSTANDING THE IMPLICATION, AND
CUT TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FIVE
The Clairmont. Carol is searching through Denise's locker. Margie enters.
MARGIE
Did Denise quit?
CAROL
What...?
MARGIE
You're cleaning out her locker...
CAROL
(chuckles) No, she just asked me to look for something for her.
MARGIE
I know you're friends, but if it was up to me, I'd can that prima donna and hire someone who shows up for work. I'm getting a little tired of working overtime because we're shorthanded.
CAROL
Hey, come on. We're all sharing the load.
MARGIE
Don't tell Denise I said that. She'd probably get her old man to fire me.
CAROL
Don't worry... my lips are sealed.
MARGIE
I better get back to the desk. There's no one to cover for me. (she exits)
CAROL
Okay...see you later. (Carol continues searching the pockets of uniforms, frustrated) Where is it...? (She finally pulls a folded paper out of one of the pockets) Ah, ha... great. (Carol unfolds the paper and begins to read, but it isn't the prescription) Charles Richmond. 18 Front Street. Monticello. Charlie Richmond...? Why in the world would Denise want his address...?
TAKE CAROL'S PUZZLED EXPRESSION, AND
FADEOUT
COMMERCIAL BREAK
CLOSING CREDITS
