OPENING BILLBOARD

ACT ONE

Nicole pulls away from Adam after kissing him passionately. She apologizes for her behavior. She says that she had no right and is ashamed. Adam assures her she has nothing to be ashamed about, but Nicole insists she was wrong. She explains that she's feeling overemotional due to Tiffany's sudden death. Adam replies that they're all upset by Tiffany's passing. As for the kiss, Nicole is still his wife. Nicole feels that she isn't his wife. Not his wife or lover or anything that would justify her kissing him. She attempts to explain that this is the reason for the divorce petition. Adam retorts that Nicole ostensibly initiated divorce proceedings so that she and Brandy would be on equal grounds for his affection; however, he now senses that Nicole wants the divorce so that they will be separated for good. Is it true? Is she proceeding with the divorce out of anger...because Brandy is still wearing Adam's engagement ring? Trudy ushers Dr. Lacey into the living room. He's surprised to see Adam there. Adam says that he is there, though something tells him he picked the wrong time to come. Nicole turns away, trying to control her emotions...
DISSOLVE TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT TWO

Scene One
Whitney living room.

Dr. Lacey tells everyone that Geraldine wasn't expecting him; he just wanted to stop by and see how she was holding up. Nicole confesses that Geraldine isn't doing well at all. She cried all night long. Dr. Lacey observes that Trudy doesn't look as if she's taking care of herself either. Trudy replies that Geraldine is the only person who really matters, as she's suffered more than any one person should. Adam wryly comments that unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a limit on suffering. Trudy excuses herself to inform Geraldine of Dr. Lacey's arrival. Lacey discusses Geraldine's condition with Adam and Nicole. Adam suggests that Tiffany was more like a daughter to Geraldine than an in-law. Nicole admits that she always thought Tiffany's faith alone brought Geraldine out of her coma. Dr. Lacey says lightly that he thought Nicole credited "her friend" Dr. Clay Jordan with that miracle. Adam tells Lacey that Clay is in the mansion, attending to Geraldine. Lacey frowns at the news. He says that he saw Geraldine last night and prescribed a sedative for her. Nicole urges him not to let Clay's presence dissuade him from seeing Geraldine as she might need the assistance of a licensed physician. Dr. Lacey agrees and goes upstairs. Nicole turns away from Adam and moves to the bar. She asks if he'd like anything. Adam replies that it's a bit early for alcohol. "Not for me, not now," Nicole says, pouring a drink.

Scene Two
Geraldine's bedroom.

Clay is speaking to a numbed, glassy-eyed Geraldine. He asks her to visualize herself walking along a trail on the side of a mountain. She can't always see the trail clearly because it bends with the terrain. Suddenly, she finds herself at the edge of a precipice with nothing ahead. Beyond it is oblivion. Geraldine says it's like Tiffany's oblivion. No. Clay reassures her that the trail will appear again. Geraldine sighs weakly. She's tired of wandering, of traveling that rough mountain path. Clay continues with his visualization exercise, telling her that the stars are bright and air clear on her mountain. Geraldine shouts that she's tired and doesn't care anymore, but Clay suggests that a small part of her does still care, and that's where she'll find peace. Geraldine retorts that she'll only find peace in the grave. Clay takes her hands in his and instructs her to close her eyes and pretend that she no longer exists. He urges her to imagine herself a cloud or a leaf or a gust of wind...free from her body. Dr. Lacey enters to witness Clay's visualization exercise. Clay stares at him in annoyance. Didn't Trudy tell him that he and Geraldine were having a session together? Dr. Lacey politely says that he's sorry for interrupting, but he has a very short amount of time. Geraldine opens her eyes and notices that Dr. Lacey is there. Clay comments stiffly that Dr. Lacey has brought his "little black bag" with him. He asks if Dr. Lacey intends to solve all of Geraldine's problems with needle. Geraldine informs Dr. Lacey that Tiffany is dead. He replies that he knows. He was in the house last night and sedated Geraldine after she received the news. Geraldine laments the fact that Tiffany was there for her all of those months she spent comatose, and now Tiffany herself is gone. Dr. Lacey attempts to examine Geraldine, but Clay sharply voices an objection. Lacey wants to know what Clay's objection is exactly. Clay responds that Dr. Lacey has rudely interrupted his treatment of Geraldine. Dr. Lacey says iciliy that he wasn't aware that Clay was treating anyone since he's not licensed to practice medicine in the United States. Clay insists that Lacey knows what he means, and his interruption suggests that Lacey thinks Clay's approach is worthless. Dr. Lacey attempts to control his anger by stating that he merely wants to examine his patient. Clay turns to a bewildered Geraldine and demands that she choose which doctor she wants. If Dr. Lacey stays, he's walking out of the house for good.
DISSOLVE TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT THREE

Scene One
Geraldine's bedroom.

Dr. Lacey admonishes Clay for putting Geraldine in the position of making such a choice at this time, reminding him that Geraldine is still under the effect of a narcotic. Clay bristles at the comment, stating that he knows all about the effects of narcotics. Lacey responds that of course Clay doesn't approve of the use of medicine. Clay says that he's never believed in putting foreign substances into the bloodstream when the mind can manufacture its own sedatives. Geraldine begs the two of them to stop arguing. Clay replies that the two of them cannot seem to work together, so -as the unlicensed doctor- perhaps he should just leave. Geraldine becomes agitated and begs him not to go. She tells Dr. Lacey to make Clay stay with her, but he hesitates. "Well, doctor..." Clay says, breaking the silence. Dr. Lacey asks Clay for permission to check Geraldine's blood pressure then promises to go. Clay smiles in satisfaction over his victory.
DISSOLVE TO:

Scene Two
Karr kitchen.

Nancy is preparing lunch for Timmy. She explains to him that his mother Serena is going to a fine hospital in the country called Greenhaven, where she'll be well cared for. Timmy wants to know if it's the same kind of country where Adam's barn is. Nancy tells him that it is similar but far away from there. It's a hundred miles from Monticello, but easily visited in a day. Nancy reassures him that he can visit Serena just as soon as the doctors feel it's a good idea. Timmy wonders if he'll have to go live with people who are closer to the hospital, but Nancy assures him that he won't. Timmy asks if that means he'll be able to stay with the Karrs permanently. Nancy admits that it will depend on what the law decides, but they know that Mike and Nancy love him, which is what counts most in cases like his. Mike enters and surprises them both. Nancy wasn't expecting him home for lunch today. Mike reveals that he's not home for lunch. He's home to pack a suitcase and catch a plane to Capital City.
DISSOLVE TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT FOUR

Scene One
Karr kitchen.

Timmy questions if Mike is going to Capital City to see about Serena. Mike says that he won't see anyone Timmy knows; he's actually going to see the governor. Nancy wants to know what the meeting is about, and when Mike mentions Crime Commission business, she sends Timmy out of the room to set the table for lunch. Alone, Nancy pleads with Mike to tell her the truth. She knows that the meeting isn't just for him to give a report or get a medal. Mike replies quite honestly that he doesn't know why the governor wants to see him. Nancy persists. He must have some idea. Everytime the governor calls him, the word "crime" is always relevant. Mike suggests that this time it might be different. Nancy hopes it is...different in every way. Mike admits that even if it isn't, if the governor wants his help with something involving illegal activities -he hopes that she won't try to discourage his help. Nancy retorts that it wouldn't do any good; it never has. Mike says they're probably worrying for nothing. Nancy asks how long he'll be gone, and Mike assures her it's just overnight. She wants to know if he'll come home before going to the office in the morning. He says that he will if she wants him to. "Yes, of course I do," she states flatly, "I want to find out what it is I shouldn't be worrying about."
CUT TO:

Scene Two
Whitney living room.

Nicole tells Adam that she doesn't suppose anyone can say define what is right or wrong in a situation like theirs. Not many people find themselves in such a quandry. She says that she read the poem he suggested, Enoch Arden by Tennyson -the one in which a man is thought dead, and he returns to find his wife and best friend married. Adam cautions her that the analogy ends there; he and Brandy aren't married. Nicole agrees, adding that she and Brandy aren't friends either. In fact, they're well on their way to becoming enemies. Adam says that he hopes that isn't true. Nicole replies that it's almost inevitable . She and Brandy were terribly nice to one another first -friendly rivals- but then they were not longer friendly, just rivals. Eventually, rivals become unfriendly. Adam reminds her that nothing is settled by anger or antagonism. Nicole assures him that Brandy feels more antagonism than she does. After all, Nicole has the marriage license. All Brandy has is a ring, and rings are only symbolic. Adam agrees. Nicole explains that the divorce will end Brandy's antagonism because she'll no longer have a reason for anger. Adam sighs. He can't seem to get Nicole off the topic of divorce. Nicole warns him that he has only two weeks to answer her petition. Adam tells her that's fine. He'll give her his answer in two weeks then. Dr. Lacey comes downstairs, barely able to contain his anger at Clay. He says that Geraldine seems to be in good hands -or at least the hands that she prefers. He asks Nicole if there's been any recurrence with her own hands. Adam questions Dr. Lacey's statement, but Nicole minimizes it, stating that she sometimes has a silly pain in her left hand. Adam looks at her curiously.
DISSOLVE TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK

ACT FIVE

Adam says that he doesn't know if he can wait around until Clay has finished his "spiritual therapy" with Geraldine, and excuses himself to leave. Before going, he advises Nicole to tell Geraldine that he's taken care of all of the "arrangements". After all, he's still her attorney. Adam leaves. Dr. Lacey studies Nicole and asks cryptically if it was for Adam's benefit -her answer about the pain her hand. It's come back, hasn't it? Nicole smiles. How did he know? Dr. Lacey states that he just sensed it. He felt she didn't want to worry Adam. She confesses that she didn't want any unnecessary sympathy from him, especially in view of the delicate topic they were discussing. Nicole suddenly clutches her head, wracked with agonizing pain. Dr. Lacey guides her to a chair and helps her ride out the spasm. He insists she visit his office the next day for tests. Nicole wonders if perhaps she is dying -after all, she owes the world a death, doesn't she?
FADEOUT
COMMERCIAL BREAK

CLOSING CREDITS