The Ties that Bind, Part 18

Scene 1
Setting: Kris's apartment, her and Steven are playing a game of checkers.

Steven: I thought you said my Mom was going to come and get me?

Kris: (looking at the clock on the wall) She is, Steven, she said that she would be here.

Steven: Did you know Jake when you were growing up as well?

Kris: Oh, yes, I knew him, he was just like a big brother to me..

Steven: He's like a father to me, he's always there when I need him, not like my real father who I never see. Jake is always there. I heard you and my mom talking last night.

Kris: Hey, you know you're not supposed to eavesdrop.

Steven: You guys were talking about Jake and I had too because I'm not leaving without him!

Kris: Steven, I don't think you can make Jake come home right now.

Steven: But if I refuse to leave….

The doorbell rings, Kris gets up to get the door and it's Vicky

Vicky: Hi, Kris..

Kris: Hi Vicky.  Are you okay?  You look like you've been crying again…

Vicky: I'm okay. Hey, honey (walks over to Steven and kisses him on the head)

Steven: Hi mom, where's Jake, I thought he'd come with you.

Vicky: I think Jake's busy right now, did you have fun with Kris?

Steven: Yeah, she's cool..

(There's a knock on the door)

Kris: Excuse me while I get that…(she opens the door and it's Jake)

Jake: Hey there, Kris (he walks in and gives her a hug)

Kris: Jake, hey what are you doing here?.

Jake: Can't a guy come see his …….(he sees Vicky) oh, Hi.

Vicky: (tentatively) hi Jake…

Steven: Hi Jake! (he gets out of the chair and hugs Jake, he steps back and looks at Jake) You're not coming home with us, are you??

Jake: Steven ….you and I talked about this, remember?

Steven: But Jake…

Jake: Steven, let's go out and sit on the steps for a few minutes, okay, buddy?.

Vicky: Jake, I…

Jake (looking at Vicky and Kris) It's okay, we'll be right back and then you can leave. (he leaves and closes the door behind him).

Vicky sits on the couch and puts her head in her hands.  Kris comes and sits down next to her and puts her arm on Vicky's back.

Kris: You okay there?

Vicky: (lifting her head up) No, this shouldn't even be happening, we shouldn't even be here.  We should be in Bay City in our home worrying about what were going to have for dinner, I feel like I'm living a nightmare, Kris, wondering when I'm going to wake up and realize this is all just a bad dream.

Kris: But it's not Vicky, and you're just going to have to deal with this, from the look on Jake's face you've got your work cut out for you.

Vicky: Kris, I've done everything I can think of, I'm running out of ideas.

Kris: You?  Run out of ideas? No way, Vicky, you're the queen of schemes, I should know, I remember you and Jake as kids.

Vicky: I don't want to scheme to get Jake back, those days are over. But he is my life, Kris.  He's everything to me and the boys.

Kris: I know, Vicky, I know.  You can't force Jake to do anything that he doesn't want to do. You just need to sit back and let him come to that decision by himself, I know patience is not one of your best qualities, but in this case it's something that your going to need to exercise.

We cut to Jake and Steven sitting on the stoops of Kris's Apartment.

Steven: I'm not going back without you Jake, I'm just not.

Jake: Then who's going to take care of Kirkland? You're his big brother and he needs you.

Steven: But we all need you Jake! Mom, Kirkland and me.

Jake: Steven, I promised you that I would come back to Bay City, didn't I?

Steven: Yes, but why not now?

Jake: (feeling Steven's pain and wanting to not hurt him) …. Because I need some time to get some things straightened out.  As much as I want to say yes to you….I ….I just can't right now, but it doesn't change the fact that I love you guys.

Vicky and Kris have come down from her apartment and are standing at the top of the stairs, they see Jake and Steven sitting on the bottom stoop and Jake has got his arm around Steven.

Vicky: (walking down the steps) Steven, come on, it's time to go back to the apartment.  Nick will be there soon.

Jake: Steven, go on now, go with your mom….

Steven gets up and Vicky puts her arm around him.  Vicky looks at Jake as if to say something but he looks down and shakes his head.

Vicky: Come on, honey, let's go..

They turn and start to walk off, we see Jake is still sitting on the bottom step and Kris is at the top, Vicky and Steven are walking and then Steven stops and turns around and runs back to Jake.

Vicky: Steven, wait…

Jake stands up and Steven runs to Jake as Jake scoops him up in his arms.

Finally letting go of Jake he says "Bye…Da….Dad"  Jake doesn't know what to say to Steven to make him understand, so he says nothing as Steven turns around and walks back to Vicky, who is looking at Jake; how much she wants to do the same, run into Jake's arms and never let him go, but she doesn't.  She stands there and watches this scene between her son and Jake. As Steven gets back to her she gives him a hug, puts her arm around him and they continue on walking. Jake drops back down to the stoop again and puts his head in his hands, rubs his face, Kris comes and sits down next to him.

Kris: You all right Jake.

Jake: He looks up, stares straight ahead and finally just says, "I need a drink"

Scene 2
Setting: Amanda is sitting in her chair in her office she's chewing on a pencil and trying to read an editorial but can't seem to make it past the first paragraph. She's doing a little daydreaming in the background we hear the song "A Sunday kind of love"

I want a Sunday kind of love
a love to last past Saturday
and I'd like to know its
more than love at first sight
and I want a Sunday kind of love

I wanna a love that's on the square
Can't seem to find somebody, someone to care
and I'm on a lonely road that leads to nowhere
I need a Sunday kind of love.

Amanda is thinking about her first meeting with Derek and how they crashed into each other, then when they meet at the office, when he took her to lunch, the day then spent together looking around the city, and finally when he kissed her on the cheek before he left.

Amanda getting frustrated with herself because she can't concentrate on her work…Come on now, read this editorial" she looks down and starts to re-read the paragraph again "you're acting like a schoolgirl who just met her first boyfriend!"

Maria: Excuse me, Miss Cory? Uhmmm, Miss Cory? (her voice getting louder) AMANDA!

Amanda: (looking up never hearing Maria call her) Oh, yes, Maria?

Maria: There is someone …..

Walking right past Maria is Katia and sticking her hand out to shake Amanda's

Katia: Hi, I'm Katia and you're Miss Cory I presume?

Amanda: Yes, yes I am, what can I do for you?

Katia: (turning around to Maria) Do you mind please…….Oh, and just coffee for me with no sugar! (Maria just looks at her)

Amanda: That's okay, Maria, I will handle it from here. (turning to see that Katia has already settled herself into a chair) And what can I do for you, Miss??

Katia: Katia is fine for now, I understand we know someone in common

Amanda: And who could that be?

Katia: Derek Summerfield!

Intrigued by this woman with this foreign accent, Amanda sits back down behind her desk…."Oh, really now, are you a friend of his?

Katia: (sizing up Amanda and the office surroundings) Let's just say we know each other and I'm here to enlighten you.

Sensing something is not right here Amanda gets defensive and says…"I don't think I need to be enlightened as you say, I know all I need to know about Derek."

"Oh, you silly girl you"…Katia says……"and I suppose he told you all about his wife"

Amanda: …Yes, all I need to know.

Katia: Hmmm, did he leave out the fact that he KILLED HER!


Scene 3
Setting: The cottage Donna is there taking care of Kirkland until Vicky and Steven gets back, Donna has come out of the kitchen and sees Kirkland sitting on the couch with his head down.

Donna: (sitting next to Kirkland): Miss your mom, don't you, honey?

Kirkland: Yeah. When are they coming home?

Donna: Well, you know she went after Steven..

Kirkland: Yeah.  Steven said he'd bring Jake home where he belongs.

Donna: Kirkland I don't, I don't think you should.. (the doorbell rings)…Honey, why don't you go into the kitchen and have one of those cookies that Paulina brought over…

(Donna opens the door and Julie and Hillary are standing there)

Julie: Where looking for a Jake McKinnon, is he here?

Donna: Who are you?

Hillary: (shows her badge and takes a look around the room) We're with the FBI and we have some questions we need to ask.

Donna: (checking behind her to make sure Kirkland doesn't hear, she walks out to the front and closes the door behind her) He's not here right now.

Julie: So he does live here, does he?

Donna: Well, not right at the moment….what is this all about?

Hillary: I'm sorry, but we can't discuss that with you, do you know where Mr. McKinnon went?

Julie: Hill, I think we need to search the house!

Hillary: If you say so, Julie, (the both start to walk past Donna)

Donna: Excuse me, I don't think you're going in there, He's in New York at the moment

Julie and Hillary: Where?


Scene 4
Setting: New York Nick and Linda are on a boat heading back from seeing the Statue of Liberty. We see Linda leaning over the side as Nick comes up behind to scare her, he grabs the back of her and she screams turns around realizes its Nick and punches him in the arm.

Nick (grabbing his arm) Man, you pack a mean punch.

Linda: Well, that's what you get for scaring me, mister!

Nick: (laughing) That I promise never to do it again. (stands next to her and looks out over the side) So are you having a good time yet?

Linda (turning to him with a smile) Yes, a wonderful time! And you??

Nick: It feels good to laugh again. (looking at Linda) You've made me feel good, thank you.

There are a few moments of silence. Both Nick and Linda are lost in their own thoughts.

Nick: (looking out over the water) Do you ever wonder if you're ever going to find that right person, that person you want to spend the rest of your life with?

Finding herself willing to open up to this man, this man that she hasn't known for very long but sees in his face the kindness that is deep inside she finds herself saying with some wistfulness …"Yeah, I do"

Turning to face her Nick says "How do you know, though, I mean how do you know that you've found that special one?"

"You just do, you just know it in your heart and soul" realizing where she is and starting to feel uncomfortable, Linda changes the subject …"Come on, I'm starving.  Let's get something to eat, I feel like pizza!

Nick: We just ate, you mean your hungry again?

Linda: What, never been with a woman who eats more than just carrot sticks, or more than once a day?

Nick: I like a woman with a healthy appetite!

Linda: Good, because I bet I can eat more pizza than you (tapping her finger on his chest)

Nick: Is that a challenge I hear?

Linda: You up for a challenge?

Nick: I love a challenge.  Come on, let's go..

EXIT


Scene 5
Mustang Sally's

Sally and Shari are sitting at the bar as Nicole walks in with a cup of coffee and papers.

Sally:  How was that meeting Nicole?

Nicole: It was good. I think we can book Buddy Guy for next weekend.

Sally: That's good, he'll bring in a lot of folks and I'm sure Anne will enjoy it as well.

Shari:  Nicole, while you were gone, Jax left this note here for you.

Nicole: (taking the note and opening it to read) Oh, really, he was supposed to go with me to the meeting but he didn't show up.  She reads the note it says. "Nicole, it was short, but sweet, I'm sure Jake will not appreciate this and will certainly get me out of his good graces but I received a call and I must return to the Middle East. Another crisis has arisen that I must attend to. I enjoyed our time together and if you're ever in Cairo again look me up and I'll buy you lunch."

Shari: What's it say?  Come on, fess up, he wants to take you away from this all..

Not hearing what Shari is saying Nicole says "Look me up and I'll buy you lunch!  Look me up? What gall this guy has, comes here spends a day and thinks when I'm in Cairo I'll look him up?!

Sally: Nicole, what's going on?

Nicole: Oh, this world trotter that Jake asked to help when we didn't even need it ups and leaves, apparently some crisis that he has to attend to!

Shari: I'm sorry, honey, are you okay?

Looking at Shari…Okay? am I okay? Oh I'm just FINE! I don't waste my time on drifters! I will just have a few words with Mr. McKinnon about sending some fly by night guy who thinks he knows it all…ugh Men!!

Shari: Men!  You can't live with them and you can't shoot them!

Sally and Nicole just look at Shari.

Scene 6

Jake has gone to a bar where he thinks no one will know him.  It's dark, musty, full of smoke. He left Kris, told her he was going to get some air. Kris tried to keep him at her place to try and talk some sense into Jake but remembered how stubborn Jake could be so she let him go. Jake is once again trying to drink away the pain and the memory of Steven begging him to come home and the look on Vicky's face. He's drinking shots of whiskey and beer hoping that will drown out that voice, that face.  He says "You won't win this time Vick, you wont!" he asks the bartender for another shot of whiskey, the bartender drops off the glass, Jake stares at the glass finally lifts it up and says quietly …"To Shane! You got her, didn't you? you finally got her….I'd rather be you buddy….I'd rather be you right now!"…gulps down the shot of Whiskey, suddenly he hears some guy…."Come on, sweetie, you wouldn't be in here if you weren't looking for a good time"….she says "Listen, I told you already I'm not interested so just buzz off"…….Ah, come on, let's go to my place for a quiet drink and I'll change your mind"…as he tries to put his arm around her and lead her away.

Jake: Hey buddy, why don't you leave the lady alone, she said no!

Guy: Mind your own business and get back to your drinking!

Getting off the stool and walking up to him,……"I said leave the lady alone!…as he hovers off the guy.. the guy steps back…"Okay, okay I can take a hint!  You want her take her! He staggers away… Jake looks at her…."You alright?" she says …"Thanks, I am now, he was getting a little obnoxious" …….Jake says…"He wont bother you again" and starts to walk back to his stool.

She sees him go back to his drink and seem to go back to where he was before not noticing what was going on.  She thinks to herself, now here is a gentleman, how he reminds her of a man she knew awhile ago which brings a slight smile to her face.  She picks up her drink, walks over to Jake a little hesitantly.  "Excuse me, but you must allow me to buy you a drink for saving me"....Jake looks up…"No, no don't worry about it,  I'm fine" ……..she says…"It's the least I can do.  Bartender, give this man another drink on my tab, please"  Looking at Jake"  By the way my name is Robin" and sticks out her hand, Jake realizing that she's not going to go away he shakes her hand and says…"I'm Jake, listen I appreciate the drink but I'm not in the mood for conversation"

Robin lifts her hand up and says…"Me neither that's why I came in here, so why don't we both just sit here and at least allow me to pay you back for your kindness and I will try and not talk …agreed?

Lifts his glass again and says……"Agreed"