OPENING TITLE

Hal Simms: The EEEEdge of Night.

ACT 1
Scene1
Establishing location shot of the Monticello News Building

Joe Pollock is on the phone with Rose telling her that he will be home late for dinner. When finished, he calls for Ken Emerson to come in. Ken enters and is in a hurry to leave. He says that he is on his way to see a guy. Joe asks if he is following up on the Leroy County investigation. Ken says that it is personal, but he will start writing the series ASAP. Ken is eager to leave, though Joe continues, "The sheriff's office in that county is rotten from top down. No wonder a guy like Harry Constable can operate wide open without having to worry about the law. Keep in mind we want to lower the boom on this guy Constable." Joe looks up and Ken has already left.

Scene 2
Interior of car

Harry Constable drives. Passengers are Julie Jamison, Lloyd Hubbard, and Bart Fletcher. Harry says "Our trouble is that we opened too close to the holidays". Julie surmises that people already knew what they were going to do for New Year's. Lloyd says that they'll make it up when Harry books him and his "little ol' geetar. I always go over real big once I get in front of an audience." Harry says that he'll get the chance. Hubbard says "I ain't about to let you down." "No. I don't expect to be Hubbard" Harry concludes.

Hal Simms: The Edge of Night is brought to you by Duncan Hines.

COMMERCIAL

ACT 2
Establishing location shot of a swank modern apartment building
Adam Drake's apartment

Adam fixes a drink and plays record when the door bell rings. Ken Emerson has come over and confronts Adam about his lie to Cookie about visiting a friend in the VA hospital for Christmas. Ken wants some answers. "Why are you still here? Why are you still continuing as Mike Karr's partner? Why are you not man enough to leave town?" Ken asks. Adam asks him if he is sober and wants to know what he is talking about. "Something that's bugged me since Ephraim Webster explained your so called phony interest in Nancy Karr." Ken says. "I didn't buy it then until I pegged you for a liar!" Adam tells him not to call him a liar or he would have to throw him out of there. He asks Emerson what is he accusing him of. "When Webster explained his counter espionage plan we were all told that a large part of it was a make believe love affair between you and Nancy Karr. Supposedly a hoax." Adam: That's true Emerson: Was it Drake? I don't think so. See, the trouble is I saw you and Nancy at The Riverboat that night. So did Cookie. But she is gullible. I'm not. Adam: Meaning?? Emerson: Meaning she bought your explanation. And I don't. I know when something is for real and when it is not. I saw your performance that night. On Nancy's part it was an act. But not on your's. For you it was for real. Adam denies it. Ken continues that the only act that Adam is putting on is for Cookie. "Why didn't it start the minute A.C.E.'s operation wound up? You were perfectly free then to pick up with Cookie where you left off…Only you didn't do it. You didn't call her for a week… When I told you that I had moved back in the picture you said 'Why not'…you couldn't have cared less."

Adam: That's not true!
Emerson: Now all of a sudden you do care. All of a sudden the phone calls start the dates start. You've got Cookie walking around with stars in her eyes. She believes your act. And the act goes on. You don't kid me Drake! You are using Cookie to get over Nancy. You don't have the decency or the guts to get out of town before somebody gets hurt.
Adam: Nobody is going to get hurt.
Emerson: What happens when Cookie finds out the truth?
Adam: She already knows the truth.
Emerson: She knows that you are in love with Nancy?!
Adam: No. Because I am not!
Emerson: Drake, you are.
Adam: Now listen! Don't call me a liar again. Instead why down't you sit down and listen to what I have to say. You've said your piece. Now listen to me!
Emerson: O.K. Go ahead. But it better be on the level.

COMMERCIAL

ACT 3
Establishing loaction shot of The Riverboat

Lloyd Hubbard auditions for Harry Constable. Julie, Bart, and Harry listen to Hubbard sing his country song. Harry tells Hubbard to stop and asks Julie if he(Lloyd) gets to her. She says yes and that he sings real pretty. Harry says that it not important. "Remember I told you that it's not enough to good singer, you got to be a good girl too." Julie doesn't understand where Harry is coming from and asks what this had to do with Lloyd. "I expect him to be a good boy" he explains. Julie still does not understand.

COMMERCIAL

Hal Simms: The first half of The Edge of Night has been brought to you by Tide.

COMMERCIAL

Hal Simms: And now, the 2nd half of The Edge of Night is brough to you by Bayer Aspirin.

COMMERCIAL

ACT 4
Adam's apartment

Adam: I didn't want it to happen. I'd have given my right arm if it didn't happen. But even before I realized it-- it had. When you saw us at The Riverboat I thought I was acting. Going through a charade because Ephraim Webster had ordered me to. But it wasn't until they told us that it was ended that I realized for me that it wasn't.
Emerson: Does Nancy know al of this?
Adam: Doesn't a woman always?
Emerson: How about Mike?
Adam: Well, the only way he could be hurt by it would be if Nancy returned my feelings. She didn't. She never would. There is no point in worrying him about it.
Emerson: You realize how completely he trusts you?
Adam: I never betrayed his trust. And I never will.
Emerson: So what you are saying is...Its over?
Adam: Completely.
Emerson: In other words, you fell in love and just like that you fall out of love?
Adam: No. Not just like that. What I felt for Nancy you just don't turn on and off. But it is something that a man can control if he wants to, if he has to. You just don't think about it. You just don't feel. And in time you stop feeling. I have. It's gone. It's just not there anymore.
Emerson: I think you really believe it.
Adam: I know it.
Emerson: So what about Cookie?
Adam: well I am not using her the way you put it.
Emerson: Maybe not consciously.
Adam: Not in any way!
Emerson: Drake, the girl is head over heels in love with you.
Adam: And I'm fond of her.
Emerson: FOND?!? Fond is not enough!
Adam: It is if she knows that's all it is. And she does. I've never told Cookie I'm in love with her and never will unless I am.
Emerson: But you let her hope it is not impossible.
Adam: Because it isn't in time.
Emerson: In time? Meanwhile she walks around in a fool's paradise.
Adam: Ken...Ken. I'm just as anxious as you are that Cookie is not hurt by this. Is she hurt any less if I tell her what kind of feelings I had for her sister? Would it hurt any less if I told her to stop her feelings for me because I don't return them. What man knows what he is going to feel next week, next month. I don't you don't...
So you come up here and tell me to clear out of Cookie's life. All right. Suppose I did. Wouldn't that hurt her?
Emerson: Maybe less than if you stayed.
Adam: Maybe less, maybe I don't know. Do you know? Emerson, sometimes it takes more guts to stay in a bad situation than to walk away from it.
Emerson: Sometime it does. Okay, Drake. I've changed my mind about just one thing. You're not the heel I thought you were. But about you're not being in love with Nancy, I think you are kidding yourself.

Scene 2

Hubbard continues audition. Constable calls out for Stubby. Fletcher says that he will be there later. Harry orders Fletcher to get him a drink. Harry tells Hubbard that his act is too close to Julie's act, but he will hire him anyway... but for his club in Vegas. He makes it clear that Hubbard will perform in Vegas though Julie stays at The Riverboat. Hubbard wants his wife with him, but Constable tells him that she stays. Hubbard insists, "She don't stay behind. No sir she don't!". He storms off.

Hal Simms: Our story continues after this message.

COMMERCIAL

ACT 5

Julie explains to Harry that Lloyd is stubborn. Fletcher asks her to talk to her husband. Harry says that Lloyd will work alone or not at all. Julie insinuates that Harry wants to send Lloyd away to keep them apart. She says that she thinks its more than that. "You want me to be real nice to Mr. Hillyer so you can borrow money from him." "Needs money to run a business Julie" Harry answers. "I just wont do it Mr. Constable. It won't be honest. It wont be decent." "YOU'RE GOING TO DO IT ANY WAY!!!!" Harry explodes slamming his fist to the table. "It's what I want Julie. And I usually get what I want!"

COMMERCIAL

Hal Simms: This portion of The Edge of Night is brought to you by Phillips Tablets.

Directed By
JOSEPH K. CHOMYN

Fashions By
L'AIGLON