The Edge of Night
Airdate: Thursday, May 18, 1978
Transcript By: Mark Faulkner
ACT ONE
Draper
(Draper is preparing a drink, but he noisily awakens a sleeping April) I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. Want some wine?
April
Yeah...
Draper
I can't help it. I just can't sleep.
April
Why not?
Draper
Too excited. I --I just can't believe it, honey.
April
Neither can I.
Draper
I guess it just hasn't sunk in. I mean, this is the first time anyone's ever told me I'm going to be a father.
April
Hey, Draper...just for the record...this is a first for me, too.
Draper
You know, when you found out you were pregnant, I thought you'd be ecstatic, but... you took it as an ordinary, everyday occurence.
April
Well, I suspected it for over a week.
Draper
Somehow I got the feeling that you weren't very happy about it.
April
Oh, no. I am happy. I'm very happy.
Draper
When you told me, honey...the expression on your face --I saw so much doubt in there with the happiness.
April
Well, I guess I'm just having a little trouble adjusting to it myself.
Draper
April, everything's happening so fast. We just got married... now we're going to have a child.
April
I know. I hope it's not too fast. For you...
Draper
Don't you worry about that.
April
I know we both wanted to have a family, but we didn't want to have it quite this soon. A lot of young couples need time alone before they settle down to raise a family.
Draper
Yes, but we're not just any other young couple. We're us.
April
Baby, it's going to cut down on our freedom.
Draper
(lightly) So, I'll turn in the ticket for that trip around the world in the morning.
April
Draper, I'm serious. I don't know whether you're doing this because you're really pleased or because you're trying to make me feel good...
Draper
April...I married the woman I love. And together, we're going to share the experience of raising a child together. I'm happier than you'll ever know. Alright...?
[She nods her head in agreement, perhaps not completely reassured of his sentiment]
DISSOLVE TO:
OPENING TITLE
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT TWO
April
It's really kind of scary.
Draper
What?
April
Becoming parents. It's a big responsibility...
Draper
Well, I intend to shower our child with lots of love...
April
I hope that's enough.
Draper
What's that supposed to mean?
April
I read somewhere that to raise a child to the age of eighteen costs approximately an average of eighty thousand dollars...
Draper
Well...so I won't buy him a car when it comes time to drive...
April
I'm serious. You're not making that high a salary, and I'm not working at all.
Draper
I always heard that a lot of love and affection did more to raise a healthy, happy child than all the money in the world.
April
You've got a lot of love to give, haven't you? You know, I have a sneaky suspicion that you are going to be a terrific father.
Draper
(kisses her) And you are going to be one terrific mother. You certainly know how to baby me.
April
And I don't intend to stop. Not even if we have a dozen kids...
Draper
Ohhh...hey, hey ...now come on. Wait a minute. One at a time...
April
Yeah...one's enough for me, too.
Draper
What did Miles say when you told him?
April
(hesitant) I haven't told him yet.
Draper
I thought you would have. I thought you'd be on the phone all afternoon telling everybody.
April
No... it just didn't seem like the right time.
Draper
Why not?
April
Well, Miles has a lot on his mind. He's leaving Monticello and going back to Mayfield to be with Denise.
Draper
It's ironic, isn't it? I mean, Denise is dying, and you're bringing in a new life to the world.
April
I just couldn't fathom the thought of picking up the telephone and dialing and having her answer it. I'm not ready to talk to her right now.
Draper
You're going to have to see her sooner or later...
April
I know, I know. But, look, even if Denise is dying, it doesn't seem to erase all of the rotten things she's done in the past. Or does it? I don't know. I'm just so confused.
Draper
It might be a good idea if you called Miles. I think he could use some good news now.
April
I suppose so.
Draper
Why don't you give him a call right now... it's not too late...
April
No, that isn't something you do over the phone, it's too important...
Draper
Well, honey, when do you plan to tell --
April
(overlapping, angry) No! Draper... I'm sorry, but he's my brother, and I'll tell him the news when I'm ready!
DISSOLVE TO:
Scene Two
The Norwood home in Mayfield. Miles is staring out the window in the bedroom. Denise enters unnoticed.
Denise
What are you looking at?
Miles
The stars. It's been a long time since I've been able to see the sky at night.
Denise
I'm not surprised. That furnished room you had in Monticello gave you a lovely scenic view of a back alley...
Miles
Oh...that little place wasn't so bad.
Denise
If you don't mind, Miles...I'm really not in the mood to reminisce about the good old days in Monticello. (pause) Let's go to bed. We should have an early night.
Miles
I'm sorry. I'm not very sleepy yet.
Denise
You aren't? Well, I'm bone weary. I feel as if I could sleep a hundred years. (realizing the irony) Ha, ha. Bad choice of words.
Miles
I'm not surprised that you're exhausted. This business of putting in full days at the Clairmont --I think half days would be more in line from now on.
Denise
Darling...it occupies my time. Besides... seeing other people who are sick takes my mind off my problems.
Miles
Well, I'm going to go downstairs and read for a while...
Denise
In that case, darling, why don't I make a pot of coffee? We can read together.
Miles
Coffee is not going to help either one of us go to sleep. Besides, I want you to stay in bed.
Denise
Well, I can lie down just as easily on the daybed in the den...
Miles
Denise, we both know how serious your condition is. At this point, rest is essential for helping you keep your strength.
Denise
Darling, what's the difference?
Miles
The difference is time. The longer you fight this thing, the more chance there is of finding a cure.
Denise
(skeptical) You think there's still hope...?
Miles
Denise, research men are doing medical miracles every day. Who's to say your miracle won't come tomorrow?
Denise
I'm very glad that you have such high hopes for my recovery.
Miles
Look, just because we've had problems doesn't mean I enjoy seeing you ill.
Denise
But you could get on with your life's plans that much quicker if you were a widower. After all, funerals are quicker and less expensive than divorce proceedings...
Miles
(stern) I don't want to hear you talk like that... I'm going to be down in --
Denise
Darling...I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That was a terrible thing to say. Truly, truly awful I didn't mean it. Please, forgive me. I'm certainly not going to be able to sleep now.
Miles
Yes, you will. Just turn out the light. You close your eyes, you'll be asleep in no time.
Denise
Alright, darling. I'll wait for you. (wryly) After all... I do have all the time in the world...
DISSOLVE TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT THREE
Scene One
Nicole and Ben Everett are entering Nicole's cottage.
Nicole
Next time you decide to do a story about a visiting soccer team from Eastern Europe... do me a favor and give it to somebody else.
Ben
You don't have to be a sports fan to cover a sports item.
Nicole
In this case it would have helped. I marked every single players name phonetically on the teleprompter before the show, and then right in the middle of the story, the prompter blew a fuse. I must have mispronounced every single name.
Ben
Almost all...
Nicole
It was noticeable, huh...?
Ben
Only to a soccer fan, which I am...
Nicole
When the team leaves for Los Angeles, you can cover the story...
[Mrs. Goodman comes down the stairs]
Mrs. Goodman
Oh, my...I thought I heard voices down here.
Nicole
Mrs. Goodman, you remember Ben Everett.
Mrs. Goodman
Oh sure... how could I forget a handsome face like that...?
Ben
Well...well. Remind me to come by here after work every night. I don't get as good as reception as that from my dog.
Mrs. Goodman
Listen...what happened to that cab I told to be in front of the studio at 11:30?
Nicole
Ben offered me a lift, and I cancelled the taxi.
Mrs. Goodman
Very thoughtful of you.
Ben
Hey, it's only five or six miles out of my way, practically in the middle of the night. No problem at all.
Nicole
Well, I've got to call the garage first thing in the morning. I tried everything to get that car of mine started today.
Ben
If you need a limo to the show tomorrow, don't forget to call the Everett Chauffeur Service.
Nicole
I'll keep it in mind. Mrs. Goodman, how was your evening?
Mrs. Goodman
Nothing out of the ordinary. This woman won 10,000 bucks on a game show, and I saw a terrific cowboy picture...
Ben
Do you have to watch all the shows our competition puts on?
Nicole
How's the baby?
Mrs. Goodman
I didn't hear a peep out of him all evening. He finished his bottle and he took a nap, and of course he woke up just in time to hear the news.
Ben
I hope you at least tuned in to WMON for that...
Mrs. Goodman
Are you kidding? I'm your biggest fan. I'm not too sure about Adam, though.
Nicole
Why?
Mrs. Goodman
Well, he decided to cry just as you did your first story.
Ben
Ummmm, hmmmm. You see... even he noticed that you blew those players' names.
Nicole
They say relatives are your severest critics. I'll have to assure him that I'll do better tomorrow night.
Mrs. Goodman
I don't think he'd be too happy to hear that right now. He's fast asleep.
Ben
Yeah, it is kind of late... (indicating he might should leave)
Nicole
Ben... let me offer you a drink
Mrs. Goodman
Hey...how about some hot chocolate and cookies...?
Ben
Sounds irrestible...
Mrs. Goodman
Good...I'll be right back. (She exits to the kitchen)
Nicole
She is too much...
Ben
Yeah, but if she watches out for Adam half as well as she takes care of you, that little boy must be very contented.
Nicole
He adores her, and so do I. I just hope he's not coming down with something...
Ben
Why do you say that?
Nicole
It's not like him to cry for no reason in the middle of the night.
Ben
Maybe there was a reason.
Nicole
Anchorman and pediatrician...? What do you know...
Ben
It's not too hard to figure out. Children are affected by their parents' moods.
Nicole
What are you saying?
Ben
Mrs. Goodman said that Adam began to cry when he saw his mom on the tube.
Nicole
So...?
Ben
So maybe Adam was upset when he picked up on the fact that his mom was not feeling very happy tonight.
TAKE NICOLE'S UNCOMFORTABLE REACTION, AND:
DISSOLVE TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FOUR
Scene One
Nicole's home, scene continued.
Nicole
You're right. I have been kind of down lately...
Ben
Ever since that doctor friend of yours decided to go back to his wife.
Nicole
Miles only went back to Denise for a short period of time... they haven't reconciled.
Ben
You said she was ill.
Nicole
Yes, very. But, from what Miles said, Denise practically begged him to come back to her...to Mayfield... until her condition changes.
Ben
With all thr trouble they've been having, I'm still very surprised that he gave up everything he had here in Monticello to go back to her.
Nicole
You have to understand Miles. He's a very compassionate man.
Ben
Yes, but while he's placating his wife, he seems to be doing a pretty good job of making you miserable.
Nicole
I do miss him.
Ben
That's pretty obvious...
Nicole
Well, I don't think he's too happy about it either. It's just something we have to live with for the time being.
Ben
As much as I hate playing second fiddle... I just want you to know anytime you feel in need of a shoulder to cry on... I've got two that are available 24 hours a day.
Nicole
Thank you, Ben. You're a good friend.
Ben
You're a very nice lady...
Nicole
Maybe I should do us both a favor and take a leave of absence from the show.
Ben
Hey, are you kidding? You're the best thing to happen to WMON News since I came on the show.
Nicole
Be serious...
Ben
I am. Our ratings have never been better. The audience loves you.
Nicole
But if I am unconsciously transmitting my depression into my work... it's not going to be very long before I start depressing the viewers.
Ben
...Never happen.
Nicole
If the ratings go down, it's you they blame. I don't want to put your job in jeopardy because of me...
Ben
Ever since I hired you, the station owner thinks I'm a near genius. He actually smiles at me when I pass him in the hall.
Nicole
If you really don't think it's going to make any difference...
Ben
I am certain of it...
[The phone rings]
Ben
It's kind of late for you to be getting phone calls, isn't it?
Nicole
Mrs. Goodman will get it...
Mrs. Goodman
(entering the room) Hey, I thought Mayfield was in the same time zone as us.
Ben
It is...
Mrs. Goodman
Oh...I guess Dr. Cavanaugh figured with your crazy hours you'd still be up...
Nicole
It's Miles...?
Mrs. Goodman
Unless ya know another Dr. Cavanaugh...
Nicole
Excuse me, Ben. (she goes to the phone and picks up the extension) Hello...
Miles
Nicole...how are you?
Nicole
I'm fine. I wasn't expecting to hear from you this late.
Miles
Well...I guess I was just a little restless and a little lonely. It's good to hear the sound of your voice.
Nicole
I'm so glad you called.
Miles
I just wanted you to know that I already miss you a lot...
Nicole
You know I feel the same way. Do you think there's any chance you'll be getting back to Monticello soon?
Miles
I really don't know if that's going to be possible, but I promise you I will try my best.
[Denise suddenly comes down the stairs and sees Miles on the phone]
Denise
I thought you were in the den...
Miles
(into the phone, to Nicole) Hold on a second. (he covers the receiver) Denise, you ought to be in bed. You're not doing yourself any good by prancing around the house.
Denise
You mean I'm not doing you any good. I gave you quite a start.
Miles
I'll be up in a second.
Denise
(demanding) You will come up right now .
Miles
I am not some little puppy you can lead around on a leash!
Denise
That's right. Puppies are faithful and loyal...! My God, Miles...I leave you out of my sight for one minute-- (she stops and puts her hand to her head) Ohhhh...oh, my head... (she collapses to the floor, unconscious)
Miles
(into the phone, to Nicole) I gotta call you back, Nicole. Denise just passed out. [Miles hangs up and runs to Denise. He attempts to revive her]
DISSOLVE TO:
Scene Two
The Whitney mansion. Kevin is at the bar preparing a strong drink. Raven rushes through the front door, flushed and upset. She sees a figure in the darkened room.
Raven
Kevin... is that you?
Kevin
It's me...
Raven
Where have you been? Geraldine said you were supposed to be back hours ago.
Kevin
Does it really matter that I showed up...?
Raven
(softly) I was worried about you. I thought something might have happened.
Kevin
Well...that's a switch. I'm usually the one who's up at all hours waiting for you to come home.
Raven
That is all over with now.
Kevin
I know that.
Raven
Kevin...please. You have to sit down. We have to talk.
Kevin
I spent all day thinking, Raven. About us. About what has happened. And about what I have to say to you.
Raven
I've been thinking, too...
Kevin
There are very few words to accurately describe the way I feel.
Raven
We've both been through a terrible ordeal.
Kevin
I do owe you an apology.
Raven
For what...?
Kevin
For losing my temper. I'll never forgive myself for that.
Raven
Oh, I forgive you, Kevin. Lord knows I gave you enough justification.
Kevin
And there's something else I have to apologize for, as well...
Raven
Yes...?
Kevin
For making a very great error in judgment. I should have never allowed Geraldine to convince me to hide my sterility. I should have been honest.
Raven
(short)Yes... you should have been.
Kevin
And what about you?
Raven
Kevin, it wasn't dishonesty. It was stupidity. I told you what happened. I had too much to drink...and I met a man, and it was stupid and impetuous, but it was just one little mistake...
Kevin
I know the way your mind works, Raven. It was only a mistake because you were caught! If you hadn't gotten pregnant, you would have gone right on being unfaithful to me...
Raven
That's not true!
Kevin
Oh...why should you stop? You don't love me.
Raven
Kevin...don't say that!
Kevin
Oh...you love the security that I give you by coming home to you every night. And you love the notoriety that you get by being a politician's wife. But you don't give a damn for me as a person!
Raven
What do you think I am? Some sort of common tramp...?
Kevin
(sarcastic) Well, I don't think you're common...
Raven
(pleading) Kevin. Kevin...I'll do anything to make up for the horrible things I've done to you.
Kevin
Ever since the wedding, you have lied. I don't want to hear them anymore...
Raven
Kevin, I love you. I do! You have to believe that. You're the only man I've ever wanted in my life. The only man that I'll stay with from now on. Please... you have to believe me!
Kevin
Save the crocodile tears. They only smear your makeup.
Raven
What do I have to do to convince you that I'm telling the truth!?
Kevin
The only truth is that our relationship is finished! I'm not having any more to do with you!
Raven
Well, can't we just talk!?
Kevin
I don't feel like talking now...I'm tired...
Raven
Alright, alright. Ah... we'll both feel differently about this after a good night's rest.
Kevin
Yes, it's always a good idea to have a clear head when you discuss particulars.
Raven
(softly) I agree...
Kevin
Good. So first thing in the morning, we'll settle all the details of our separation .
[Kevin storms out of the room leaving Raven behind alone and despondent.]
DISSOLVE TO:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT FIVE
Miles
Are you sure the dizziness has gone?
Denise
Yes. The pain's still there, though.
Miles
I told you to stay in bed. In your condition the slightest exertion gets magnified ten times.
Denise
Miles... it was not walking down stairs that upset me. It was what I found when I got there. Why did you have to sneak out on me like that?
Miles
Am I not allowed to walk around in my own home?
Denise
You know what I'm talking about. The moment you're out of my sight you call her. I know that was Nicole at the other end of that phone...
Miles
Yes, it was!
Denise
Why did you have to contact her? You just saw her earlier today.
Miles
Because she was upset when I left. I wanted to make sure she was alright.
Denise
My God. Did you come home to comfort me or drive the nails in my coffin?
Miles
Denise...you're overreacting...
Denise
How can you say that when you know how I feel about that woman? It's hard enough to try and accept the fact that --that I'm going to be losing you, could be losing everything-- without thinking about that woman just waiting in the wings to claim you. God, it's torture.
Miles
Look, the situation isn't easy for any of us... even Nicole.
Denise
I wish you'd never mention her name...
Miles
What do you want me to do? Pretend that she doesn't exist!?
Denise
Yes...I do ! That's exactly what I want. The only solace I have about leaving this veil of tears is that the man I love is with me...
Miles
I am here for you, Denise!
Denise
Yes. In flesh. But your mind is in that cozy little apartment of Nicole's. That's where you really want to be...
Miles
Let's not argue...
Denise
Look...if you are going to stay here with me, and help me through this...you have got to put that woman out of your mind! If you can't do that, then get out of here. Get in the car, go back to Monticello.
Miles
I'm not going to desert you now.
Denise
Oh...? Well then promise me you will not see Nicole --or call her-- until it just doesn't matter to me anymore.
Miles
You're not being fair...
Denise
Why should I be fair? I'm the one that's dying. Just choose. Choose between her and me. Because you can't have us both.
Miles
(Miles gives a long pause, contemplating Denise's words. He's torn between his duty to her and love for Nicole. Denise stares at him coldly, waiting for answer. Then, finally --) Alright, Denise. I'll do what you want. I won't see Nicole again...
[Denise smiles faintly at his concession. A triumphant smile.]
FADEOUT
COMMERCIAL BREAK
The EDGE
of NIGHT
Written By
HENRY SLESAR
Associate Writer
STEVE LEHRMAN
Directed By
ANDREW WEYMAN
Coats Courtesy of
MISTY HARBOR
A Presentation
of
PROCTER & GAMBLE
PRODUCTIONS
Supervising Producer
JOHN POTTER
Executive in Charge
of Production
ROBERT E. SHORT
