Reincarnation,
Part Nine
INT.THE HERALD-DAY
The Herald is buzzing with activity. KAT is at a desk, reading over a piece of paper. She
sighs loudly, and slams the paper on the desk as JAKE walks up behind her.
JAKE
Whoa, what'd the desk ever do to you?
KAT
It's not the desk. It's this damn article. I knew my writing skills were a little rusty,
but I didn't think they were this rusty.
JAKE
Finding the words a little hard to come by?
KAT
No....I just can't write in English anymore. Maybe I should try hieroglyphics.
JAKE
How do you write "Bite me"?
KAT
Funny, big brother. Okay....(she makes another mark)....I'm done. That's it. Edit me to
death. (She hands the paper to Jake.) So, what else is going on?
JAKE
Oh, nothing...except when you and Nick had the boys at the carnival, Vick and I got some
news.
KAT
Which would be...?
JAKE
Vicky's pregnant.
Kat stares at him in disbelief for a minute, then breaks out into a wide smile.
KAT
She's pregnant? Really pregnant?
JAKE
That's what the doctor told her this morning. We didn't want to tell anyone until
he confirmed it.
KAT
(Throws her arms around his neck)
That's great! I'm so happy for you! I KNEW it would happen for you guys, didn't I say it?
JAKE
You did...and I wanted to be the one to tell you.
KAT
So....girl or boy?
JAKE
We're not sure...but I have my hunch. Claire will have a friend.
KAT
That's what I thought. (She grins at Jake. As she turns around to push in her chair, she
sees QUINT walk in the door to the newsroom.) Oh, no...
JAKE
What? (He looks towards the door) Katie, who is that?
KAT
Jake, just....just don't overreact, okay? But that's Quint.
JAKE
That's him? Stay here, Katie. (He walks over to Quint, an angry look on his face.) Can I
do something for you?
QUINT
I came to talk to Kat.
JAKE
You can talk to me instead. I'm her brother. And I don't want you anywhere near my sister.
QUINT
I'm not here to start anything. I'm here to talk calmly and rationally to Kat.
JAKE
Like you talked calmly and rationally to her when you beat the hell out of her?
QUINT
I've changed. But that's why I came here. I came to a public place, where Kat knows
people. so that she wouldn't have to feel afraid.
JAKE
Kat doesn't need to feel afraid at all because if you touch her, I'll kill you. Understand
that?
KAT
Jake...please....don't. I'll talk to him.
JAKE
(Looking at Kat)
Are you sure, Katie?
KAT
Yes, I am. As long as you stay here, I'll talk to him.
JAKE
Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.
Kat walks over to Quint.
KAT
What do you want, Quint?
QUINT
I came to see if we could work out some sort of a visitation with Claire---
KAT
---I already told you, Quint, you're not getting near her.
QUINT
You can't keep me away from my own daughter, Kat.
KAT
I can and I will. You are not getting near my child.
QUINT
I mean it, Kat....I'll find a way to see her, if I have to go through the courts.
JAKE
I think you've said enough. It's time to leave.
(He grabs Quint forcibly by the arm and escorts him out.)
JAKE (cont'd)
Don't you ever come near her again. I'll have a restraining order slapped on you so fast
that your head will spin.
QUINT
I haven't done anything wrong.
JAKE
You haven't done anything wrong? You terrorized her....you beat her....you broke bones on
her body. If you call that not doing anything wrong, then we have two different
definitions.
Jake slams the door to the newsroom, and Quint stands there, seething.
QUINT (to himself)
I warned you, Kat. I told you I was going to get my daughter back, and I will. You're just
making it go the difficult way.
He walks off, whistling to himself.
In the newsroom, Kat is trying to control her shaking.
KAT
I'm sorry, Jake. I didn't mean for that to happen here.
JAKE
I'm glad it did. Now I know what the ass looks like for future reference. Let's get out of
here, though. It's almost quitting time. I'll go with you to get Claire, and we'll go to
my house for a celebratory dinner with Vicky and the boys, to celebrate the newest member
of the family.
KAT
All right. Just give me about ten minutes to finish a couple of things up, okay?
JAKE
You got it, kiddo.
FADE OUT
INT.DAY CARE CENTER-SAME DAY
The day care center is swarming with kids. LAURIE, the center manager, is at the front
desk. She smiles as KAT and JAKE enter.
LAURIE
Hi, Kat...we didn't expect to see you here.
KAT
Hi, Laurie. Why? I'm not early, am I?
LAURIE
No, but after the phone call from you a few minutes ago, we didn't think you'd be here.
KAT
(growing alarmed)
What phone call, Laurie? I haven't called you at all today. I haven't talked to anyone
here since I dropped Claire off this morning.
LAURIE
But you said it was okay for Claire's father to pick her up this afternoon....
KAT
What? I didn't give permission for ANYONE to pick Claire up this afternoon! Who called?
And where's my baby?
LAURIE
(Suddenly realizing what's happened)
Oh, my God, Kat...you called earlier--or someone called earlier posing as you---and said
that Claire's father could pick her up!
KAT
Please don't tell me you let him take her....please, Laurie...you didn't let him take
her....
LAURIE
We did, Kat...we thought you authorized it....
KAT
Oh, God....(she clutches Jake's shirt)....Jake....he's got her. He took her!
JAKE
Someone call the police--that baby has been kidnapped!
LAURIE
(tearfully, as she grabs the phone)
I'm so sorry, Kat, I'm so sorry...we've never had this happen here...(She dials the
phone_...yes, this is Laurie Carrollton at the BCU day care...we've had a kidnapping. We
need the police immediately!
JAKE
(holds a stunned KAT)
We'll find her, Katie...he's not going to get far with her. I promise.
As we see Jake's determined face, we:
FADE OUT
