The Ties that Bind, Part 8

Scene 1
Setting: The cottage, Stevens room

Vicky is sitting on Steven's bed looking around the room she sees some of his things that he got while they were in New York. A New York Yankees baseball cap. A banner that says New York on it, and a miniature Empire State building. She lays on his bed with her head on his pillow.

Vicky: Oh, Steven, I'm so sorry that I messed up (she puts her head in his pillow and starts to cry)

Paulina slowly opens the door

Paulina: Vicky? (she sees Vicky on the bed and walks over and sits down) I came to see if you're all right.

Vicky sits up and wipes the tears our of her eyes, takes a deep breath.

Vicky: Yes, I'm fine.

Paulina: What can I do? (she puts her arm around Vicky)

Vicky: (looking at Paulina) Tell me this is just a bad dream and I'll wake up and Steven is home and so is Jake! (she puts her head on Paulina's shoulder)

EXIT

Scene 2
Setting: The cottage

Jake is standing by the fireplace. He's holding the picture that was taken of all of them while they were in New York, he slowly sets the picture back on the mantle and looks over to the Rely on Jake sign. The phone rings and Jake runs over to pick it up.

Jake: Hello? Ya, Joe, what have you found out?………WHAT? Nothing?…

While Jake is on the phone Paulina and Vicky have come down the stairs. Jake slowly hangs up the phone

Vicky: Who was that? Have they found him yet?

Jake doesn't respond

Vicky: (walking towards Jake) Jake?

Jake: (slowly turning around) Uh? Oh no, nothing…… I cant stand around here and wait anymore, I'm going to find him myself! (he starts to walk out)

Vicky: Where are you going?

Jake: Kirkland said he went to my office first, I'm going to start there.

Vicky: I'm going with you! (starts to head for the door as well)

Jake: (looking at her) I can do this myself!

Vicky: He's my son!

Jake: (looking hurt again) Boy, do I know that!

Vicky: I'm sorry, Jake, I didn't mean it that way…I just….

Jake: I don't care what you meant.

Vicky: Listen to me! I know I'm the last person you want to see or talk to. I just cant sit here and wait anymore either, so either I go with you or I will end up following you!

(Jake turns around, runs his hands through his hair)

Jake: (resigned look on his face) Fine, lets go then! (turns and walks out the door)

Paulina: (saying after Jake) ..What about Joe?

Vicky: Paulina, will you stay here by the phone and let my mother know whats going on?

Paulina: You know I will honey, you guys just find Steven. You go with Jake, go on.

Vicky runs out after Jake

EXIT


Scene 3
Setting: NEW YORK - MUSTANG SALLY'S- The next morning

Nicole has brought Steven to her club to take care of him until they locate Jake, they walk in the front door, and Steven looks around.

Steve: Cool, nice place.

Nicole: Glad you like it. come in to my office and I'll introduce you to some of my friends.

They head to the back room, her office, they pass Heather, one of the new girls, she just moved to the big city, she's from the Midwest. (I do believe Nebraska)

Nicole: Heather, why are you here so early this morning?

Heather: I didn't want to be late for my new job. we get up so early to milk the cows that it just seems natural for me to be here.

Nicole: Milk the cows. hmmmmm, I see. Well, since you are here so early I would like you to meet a new friend of mine. this is Steven? Steven, this is Heather.

Steven: Nice to meet you, Maam.

Heather: You can call me, Heather.

Steven: Okay… Heather.

Nicole: Steven is looking for his dad.

Steven: (he interrupts Nicole) He's not my real dad, but just like one to me, though.

Nicole: Okay, I'm sorry, (looking at Heather) he's looking for the one that is just like one to him!

Heather: If you need my help you just holler, and I'll come a running!

Nicole: Since you're here would you do me a favor and run to the kitchen and ask Nicky to put something together for our little friend here to eat. is that okay with you, Steven?

Steven: I'm not really hungry, I just want to find Jake.

Nicole: You will be after you taste Nicky's cooking, I got her to come here all the way from California and I think she would be very upset if you didn't even try her cooking.

Steven: Oh, okay.

Nicole: Now come in my office and lets sit down and talk. (they move off to her office, she takes his backpack and sets is on the floor and motions for him to sit on this big old stuffed chair, while she sits in another chair opposite him) Steven, I have a feeling that Jake has gone back to Bay City for you?

Steven: (looking heartbroken) Ohh no, now what am I going to do?

Nicole: (smiling at him) What I think you should do is call your family and tell them where you are and stay here with me until they come and get you?

Steven: My mom is going to be pretty mad at me.

Nicole: Maybe. but I think more than that, she's really worried and just wants to know if you're okay.

Steven: Okay, but I'm not leaving until Jake comes and gets me!

Nicole: All right then, here, you can use my phone. (Steven gets up and starts to call home)

Steven: ….It's Steven…….Oh, hi Paulina………Yes, I'm alright, I'm fine………I'm in New York City looking for Jake…..I'm with a friend of Jakes right now……Okay, I'll get her… (he looks at Nicole and hands her the phone) My Mom isnt home. it's one of her best friends, Paulina, and she wants to talk with you.

Nicole: Sure. (she picks up the phone) Hello? ……Yes, I'm a new friend of Jake's. we met at my club …uhh aa…hmmmm …okay, that will be fine….Yes, Jake will know the place it's called Mustang Sally's…....ok, bye (she hangs up the phone and looks at Steven) Well, it looks like you're going to stay with me until Jake gets here, Paulina said that she would tell your Mom and Jake where you are and make sure that Jake comes and gets you.

Steven: Is my Mom going to come too?

Nicole: I'm sure she is. Now I want you to sit down and tell me all about your family, okay? (just then Nicky walks in with a plate of food)

Steven: all of it?

Nicole: You bet, from the beginning. (sitting back in the chair getting comfortable)

Steven: It all started when they met in grade school…...

Fade Out


Scene 4
Setting: The Herald.

Amanda is in her office still fuming over the encounter with Derek, but at the same time she is a bit amused by it. She looks up as Jake comes running into the office.

Amanda: Jake what are you doing here? I thought you were in New York.

Jake: I'm looking for Steven…..was..(just then Vicky comes running through the door)

Vicky: (looking at Jake a little irritated and out of breath because Jake left her behind) Thanks for waiting!

Amanda: Oh no, not you again! (looking at Vicky) What, now you guys made up? Is the marriage on again now?

Jake: (ignoring what she is saying) Was Steven here?

Amanda: Yes, he was he yesterday looking for you, in fact, I told him you weren't here.

Jake: Did he say anything? Did you tell him where I went?

Amanda: Why, whats going on?

Vicky: Steven has run away from home.

Amanda: With the yo-yo affect you two play with each other, I can see why. Who is it this time Vicky? have a new love and want to get rid of Jake again?

Vicky: (lunging at Amanda) AMANDA, you….

Jake: (grabs her and holds her back) Calm down, this isnt going to get us anywhere.

Vicky: Ya, but I'd feel a lot better! (giving her a dirty look)

Jake: Amanda just answer the question and Vicky will leave then.

Vicky: Don't count on it! (she pushes Jakes arm away) I'm alright, you can let go now! (she turns and looks at the wall, while Jake is talking with Amanda)

The phone rings and Amanda picks up.

Amanda: Yes…..oh, Hi…….just a second (she puts her hand over the receiver and talking to Jake says) they found him.

Jake turns around to Vicky and she looks at him, both with look of relief on their faces. Vicky runs into Jake's arms and he picks her up and they hug tightly.

Vicky: (talking into Jake's ears, whispering) Finally, I was so worried (her arms still around Jake)

Jake: He's fine now, honey, he's fine (as he's talking into her neck, they slowly stop hugging and stand back with their arms around each other but now looking at each other in the face. Vicky is smiling at Jake, Jake is smiling back but then realizes what he's done and drops his arms and turns back to Amanda.

Amanda: (hangs up the phone) Well, that little kid of yours got himself all the way to New York City to find you, Jake. Paulina said that he's with your friend Nicole at a place called Mustang Sally's. Mmmm sounds like an interesting place.

Vicky: Who's Nicole and What's Mustang Sally's?

Amanda: Apparently a new girl friend for Jake.

Jake: She's not a girl friend just someone I met while in New York. (sounding irritated) Is that where Steven is?

Amanda: Yes, and he wont come home until you go get him… you and Vicky.

Vicky: I'm going to tear into that kid when I get ahold of him! (looking at Jake) Who's Nicole?

(before Jake can answer in walks Derek)

Derek: Jake, I thought you were going to be gone awhile??

(Jake turning around and shaking Derek's hand)

Jake: this is only a short stay, an emergency came up, how are things going?

Derek: Fine, just fine, getting settled in, Miss Cory here has been a great help.

Vicky: Ya, I'll bet!

Derek: (looking at Vicky and smiling) Now, I bet you must be Jake's wife Vicky. He certainly described you to a tee.

Vicky: Oh really, I'm surprised he talked about me at all with all his new girlfriends!

Derek: (looking at Jake and then back to Vicky) Well, let me say he described you as beautiful, strong, and a women with a mind of her own, as far as other girlfriends I can state from experience you are the only one he talked about!

Jake: (interrupting Derek) Derek, I'm getting ready to head back to New York. Is there anything you need from me before I go?

Vicky: I'm going with you too!

Jake: (ignoring Vicky) As I said, is there anything that you need?

Derek: No, no I'm fine, Re…I mean Miss Cory here will help me if I need it. Thanks, anyway.

Jake: (heading out the door) Okay, then I'll check in on you in a few days. thanks again

Vicky (walking out after Jake): Hey wait up, I told you I was going with you, Mister, you better wait for me….

Derek (looking at Amanda, then looking out after Jake and Vicky arguing there way out the door): Boy, are those two a couple of pistols or what?

Amanda: (with a slow smile) You could say that, if only they would not involve everyone else in their troubles…….. I see your back from lunch?

Derek: Yes, I enjoyed a nice lunch at Carlino's

Amanda: Good place, my sister and her husband own it.

Derek: Well, then what do you say you join me there for dinner and we can talk about our schedules?

Amanda: I don't think so..

Derek: Come on now, you have to eat sometime….. (flashing a smile) I promise I wont call you Red.

Amanda: (smiling back, for the first time noticing that, here is a handsome man with a sexy smile) oh.. all right I guess I could spare the time.


Fade out.