|
March
26,
2003 Transcript Edward is on the phone at the mansion. Unbeknownst to him, Skye is sitting across the room in a chair drunk and with a drink in her hand.
Edward:
I can't tell you how pleased I am that we are both in agreement
on this matter, Judge Farmer. Hmm? And this solid judgment that
you've shown clearly proves that you've earned a place for yourself
on a federal bench. Yeah. We'll discuss that when this whole matter's
finished. That's right. Edward turns around and is startled to see Skye sitting there.
Skye: Naughty, naughty. You treacherous old man. I seem to have caught you in yet another diabolical plot.
Ned: I left Kristina with the nanny. Cameron tries to keep Alexis calm by rubbing her back.
Alexis: Where did you find this nanny, Ned? What kind of nanny leaves a baby alone in a house?
Ned: I don't know. I don't know. I don't know.
Alexis: Of course you don't know. You weren't there. She could have died. She could have burned to death, Ned.
Ned: (To the camera man) Would you turn that damn thing off! (Lays back down)
Cameron: Alexis, calm down.
Alexis: No matter how you look at this -- I'm sorry, Ned -- but you are responsible. This was your fault.
Cameron: Alexis -- Alexis: And I am not comfortable -- Cameron: It's over. The baby is fine. Alexis: You taking care of her. You have proven to be unfit. And I'm sorry. I don't know how to stop it, other than (looks up at Scott) I want him arrested for criminal negligence and endangering the welfare of a child.
Gia and Zander arrive at the burned shell of the gatehouse. Zander pokes around in the ashes with a confused look on her face.
Gia: What are you looking for?
Zander: I don't know yet. It all happened so fast. Ned was trapped. It was -- could barely breathe with all the smoke. I was just trying to get him out before all the flames went crazy. But something's not quite right.
Gia: Like what? He turns and looks up at the ruins. Zander: I don't know. I don't know. Maybe it was something that happened before we went in. Edward was frantic. He was calling to the firemen to get Ned out. But he wasn't surprised at the fire itself. Gia: All he could care about was Ned's safety. Zander: (Turns to Gia) Or he wasn't telling everything he knew. Gia: Oh, that's a stretch. Zander: Edward framed me for assault once to keep me away from Emily. You would not believe how that family manipulates. (He kneels down) Gia: What are you thinking?
Zander: If the Quartermaines want something, they find a way to get it, even if it means setting the fire themselves.
As Zander continues to look around the site of the fire, the fire inspector arrives. Inspector: Clear out of here. Zander: Who are you? Inspector: The fire inspector. This property's closed until our investigation's complete.
Zander: All right, well, listen. I was here when the fire was going on. I'm thinking that there might be some arson. I think you should look at it. Something -- I mean, like, how in the world did this house go up so fast?
Inspector: Wooden structures tend to do that. Zander: What? Yeah, but maybe there was some sort of accelerant, like gasoline, or maybe the house was set in a couple different places. Inspector: Look, son, I know my business. If this turns into a criminal matter, a report will be filed. D.A. Baldwin is anxious for some answers. But right now, I need to do my job, and you're in my way. Zander: Ok, look, man, I'm just trying to -- Gia: Look, we're sorry, ok? We didn't know we weren't allowed on this property. Come on, Zander. Gia and Zander walk away from the remains of the house - out of earshot of the inspector. Zander: Why in the world did you stop that? You could totally tell the guy was lying. He's not even looking at arson. Gia: Exactly. How about the way he mentioned Scott? Zander: "Baldwin's anxious for answers"? Gia: Yeah, as long as they fit his agenda.
Zander: This is looking more and more like a setup.
Alexis: Did you hear what I said, Scott? I want him charged with reckless endangerment. Scott: No proof. Cameron: (To the reporter) Ok, out. Let the doctors do their work. You've got your story. Cameron, Alexis, Scott, the reporter and the cameraman leave the examination room. Monica: Ned, how are you feeling?
Ned: It's Alexis I'm worried about. She's completely out of control. (Camera switches outside the room)
Alexis: What more proof do you need? He was having sex on the dock while the baby almost burned to death in the house. You were there, weren't you? Scott: Yes, but nothing suggests that Ned deliberately put the child in danger.
Alexis: So you're just going to drop it?
Scott: Well, there's a few things we need to check out. There's some loose ends -- the missing nanny --
Alexis: Ok, well, then -- then maybe you should do that. Scott: Ok, but right now I'm not filing any charges.
Alexis: So it's ok for you to manufacture trumped-up charges in a murder case, but when something actually happens, you're not going to deal with it? Cameron walks up beside Alexis.
Cameron: I think the D.A.'s made his position clear. Let's go, Alexis. Cameron leads her away.
Skye stands up and heads for the bar. Skye: You set Ned up to be busted. You pay the nanny to leave, and you brought the baby back here, safe and sound, while you torch the gatehouse. And then the piece de resistance -- you stage the dramatic rescue of what -- a doll, I suppose? And now poor Ned looks like the deadbeat dad, and Alexis -- well, Alexis fresh from the lunatic asylum -- she's proven to the world that she's crazy. But enter you, the caring and distraught patriarch, so eager to take the newborn under your wing. The new heir -- since you screwed up so royally with the rest of us. Edward: No. Skye: Have I left anything out, grandfather? Edward: You're just too shortsighted to see that this is all for the good of the family.
Skye: Oh, always so benevolent, always so concerned about the welfare of the Quartermaines. Edward: Your brother A.J. will benefit greatly from this, you know. Skye: What does that mean? Edward: I'm going to reward him with a position of power at E.L.Q., and you know that that has been his lifelong dream. Edward: Well, bully for A.J. What's in it for me? Edward: Any Quartermaine who participated in this and contributed to it will benefit. Skye: I think you're going to have to be a little more specific. Edward: You'll get what you deserve. Edward walks out.
Alexis and Cameron walk outside the E.R. in a hallway.
Alexis: You just let Scott off the hook.
Cameron: (Grabs her arm) Alexis, will you stop and think? What do you hope to accomplish by haranguing Scott?
Alexis: How about a little justice? Ned is unfit to have custody.
Cameron: And your way of making that point is to berate him in front of television cameras?
Alexis: I think it was obvious that I was upset, and I think it's even more obvious as to why I was upset. Cameron: Alexis, you were just acquitted of murder. Everybody thinks that you're suffering from D.I.D.
Alexis: Any parent would understand why I was upset in there.
Cameron: Yeah, or interpret it as unbalanced behavior. Alexis: I'm a mother who loves her daughter and is trying to protect her. Cameron: And Ned loves his daughter, too. You know that. He may be guilty of an indiscretion, but he wouldn't do anything to hurt Kristina.
Alexis: He was negligent.
Cameron: You've got to give him the benefit of the doubt. He ran into a burning building to rescue Kristina. Alexis, you've got to get a grip, or they're going to take that baby away from both of you.
A.J. walks into the Q living room and grabs the remote control in front of the television. Skye stumbles drunkenly from the darkened back of the room before he has a chance to turn on the TV.
Skye: Hoping your heroics make the 11:00 news? A.J.: Ah, you know, I just wanted to check out the scores, that's all.
Skye: Oh, don't be so modest, A.J. You played your part perfectly. The whole world actually believes that you braved that fire to save little Kristina. And now grandfather's giving you a huge chunk in E.L.Q., not to mention his seal of approval. And all it took was a little arson. A.J.: Hmm. How much have you had to drink, Skye? Skye: Oh, I overheard grandfather on the phone laying out all the details. Hmm. You should have seen his face when he realized that I was actually in the room the whole time, quiet as a mouse. A.J.: Grandfather's a schemer, you know. Doesn't always translate into reality. Skye: Oh, this one translated perfectly, especially for you. I mean, if Ned had been killed in that fire, you'd be looking at a murder charge.
A.J.: What's your point, Skye? Skye: My point is that we are partnered in crime. Our time has finally come to cash in. A.J.: "Our"? Skye: Well, you're getting a huge stake in E.L.Q. Naturally, I want my share from granddaddy dearest also. And you're going to help me.
An orderly Ned out of the examination room in a wheelchair. Edward, Alan and Monica tag along with them. Scott has been waiting outside the room for them.
Edward: Oh, Ned. Thank god you weren't seriously hurt. You scared me out of my wits when you ran into that fire like that. Ned: Grandfather, you've never been out of your wits, but I appreciate the sentiment. Edward: Come on, Ned, you're family. You know there's nothing I value more.
Ned: I'd like to stick around for a chorus of "Kumbaya," but I need to go see my daughter. Monica: Well, we'll get you out of here as soon as we can. Edward shoots Scotty a look.
Ned: How about right now? You've checked out my head. Other than a bad headache, I'm feeling fine. Monica: Well, actually, I don't see why not. Scott: Well, I have a couple of questions. Ned: Forget it. I'm not answering one question from you. (Camera moves to the E.R. entrance) Cameron and Alexis walk in the door just as Gia and Zander arrive from another door. Zander takes hold of Cameron's arm.
Zander: I need to talk to you. Cameron: Can it wait? Zander: No, it can't. Trust me, you want to hear this.
Cameron: (To Alexis) You'll be all right? Alexis: Yeah.
Cameron: Be right back. Cameron, Gia and Zander walk away. Alexis and Ned look at each other and Alexis slowly approaches him with an audience full of Qs.
Alexis: Ned, I apologize for the way that I acted.
Ned: Nothing is more important to me than Kristina's well-being and safety. I was just as upset (pauses, distracted) as you were. Judge Farmer walks in the door. Ned is stunned and Alexis turns to see her. Alexis: (To Scott) You called the Judge?
Scott: I didn't call the judge. Ned: Judge Farmer. What brings you down here? Judge Farmer: It's about your daughter.
Skye: Treated like poor relations, never invited to the big table, always searching for crumbs -- well, now our time has come. A.J.: Not our time. Mine. Skye: Wait. You want to clarify that for me, little brother? A.J.: It's my deal. I'm not cutting you in. Skye: Well, then I might need to tell certain people what I overheard. I think they'd be quite fascinated, don't you? A.J.: You're an out-of-control drunk, Skye. I can't count on you, and you can't count on yourself. Skye: Oh, please. I have grandfather exactly where I want him. A.J.: Not even close. The old man always covers his back with payoffs, favors to influential people, secret deals on the phone, which is what you probably overheard. Don't underestimate the old man. Skye: I can handle grandfather, ok? I've done my share of double-dealing. A.J.: You know what? A year ago, yeah, you could pull off anything. But today -- sweetie, you can't stay sober enough to pull off the simplest scheme.
Skye: Well, thank you very much, but I'm sober enough to know an opportunity when I see one. I want in. A.J.: You take on grandfather right now, he will roll right over you -- cut you a big fat check and tell you to get the hell out of town. Skye: Well, we'll see about that.
A.J.: Skye, get out of town. Get sober. Start a new life. This family is destroying you, and there's nothing I can do to help you. Skye: Well, thanks for the brotherly concern, but I'm staying. A.J.: Then you're on your own. I'm not cutting you in on my deal with grandfather. Skye: Really? Well, it looks like I'm going to have to take care of myself, now, aren't I?
Alexis: Kristina is all right, thank god.
Ned: The fire, your honor, was a terrible, terrible accident, but it's over and our daughter is safe.
Monica: Yes, the paramedics examined her, and she really is fine.
Judge Farmer: And I want to ensure she stays that way. The court has to consider the child's continuing well-being.
Alexis: What do you mean? Judge Farmer: You're undergoing treatment for severe mental illness, Ms. Davis. I issued a court order for you to stay away from your child, which you ignored.
Alexis: Your honor, my daughter was caught in a burning building. I wanted to see if she was all right, and then I just wanted to hold her and comfort her just for a minute, which is all that I did. Any mother would feel the same way. Judge Farmer: Ms. Davis, an attorney with your record and expertise knows very well that there is no excuse for defying a court order. Ned: Your honor, Alexis was only following a natural, maternal impulse. Judge Farmer: And I have been informed that you were having sex in a public place while you left your child unattended. Ned: I was not having sex. Look, I hired a nanny. Judge Farmer: This is the second time you have hired incompetent help. Your lapses in judgment are so egregious as for me to question the fitness of you as guardian to this child. Ned: I love this girl. I would never do anything to endanger her --
Judge Farmer: My decision has already been made. In the best interest of the child, I am awarding custody of Kristina Ashton Davis to her great-grandfather, Edward Quartermaine.
Edward: I'm sorry it's come to this.
Alexis: Are you, Edward? Isn't this what you were hoping for? Edward: Our family will just rise to the occasion, and we'll make sure that your little girl is safe and happy. Ned: Judge Farmer, this decision of yours -- it really seems hasty. Judge Farmer: The facts are clear -- Ms. Davis is a threat to her daughter, and, you, Mr. Ashton, are neglecting Kristina to the point of endangerment.
Ned: The investigation into this fire hasn't even been completed. Judge
Farmer: Kristina was your responsibility, and you left her unattended.
The court cannot leave an infant in these untenable circumstances.
Kristina will reside with Mr. Quartermaine. Now, Mr.
Alexis: Your honor, please. That is not in my daughter's best interest. Judge Farmer: The alternative is foster care. Edward: Oh, well, that's impossible. And I am sure that Ned would feel most comfortable knowing that his baby is safe with the Quartermaines.
Ned: Of course. (Alexis looks at him shocked) My family will take excellent care of her. Judge Farmer: The decision will be effective immediately. The court will review the situation in six months. Scott: Fair enough. Your honor, may I walk you to your car? Judge Farmer: Yes, please. Scott and the Judge leave. Alexis stands there stunned. Alan: Well, I must admit -- I am stunned.
Monica: So am I. What judge in their right mind would award custody to you? Edward: Well, you know, isn't it amazing the way our lives can just turn upside-down in the blink of an eye? Ned: Isn't it?
Edward: Ned, I know this is tough for you, but -- but we'll make sure that your little girl is safe and happy. Alan: We better get home and start taking care of her. Edward walks up to Alexis.
Edward: I know that this is difficult for the two of you, but -- but we really love Kristina very much and the best place for her is with us, hmm? Let's go. Alexis turns around and looks at Ned. A tear falls from her eye.
Alexis: Do you realize what you've done? If your family gets custody of my daughter, I'll never get her back.
Gia: We think the gatehouse fire was caused by arson. Zander: This whole thing has played too perfectly into the Quartermaines' hands.
Cameron: Do you have any evidence?
Zander: Well, we started looking, but the fire inspector threw us off the property -- after he mentioned Scott Baldwin has taken a personal interest in the case.
Cameron: So you think Baldwin's involved. Gia: Hmm. What a surprise. Zander: Edward probably made it worth his while. Cameron: We need some proof. We have to have a way of keeping track of what Scott's doing. Zander: Well, he's got a big mouth and he loves publicity. Sooner or later, he's going to make a mistake.
Cameron: We need somebody with access to Scott, somebody on the inside who feels passionately about stopping him from abusing his power.
Cameron and Zander both look at Gia.
Alexis: Why did you back down so quickly? You didn't even say a word in your own defense. Ned: You heard the judge. She already made her decision.
Alexis: Then why didn't you fight for her? You never fight for anything! Ned: Right now is not the time to go after my family head-on.
Alexis: My daughter is in the care of a nest of vipers that you call a family. You swore to me -- you swore to me that you would take care of her, and you didn't. You neglected her. Now look what's happened.
Ned: Alexis, I promise you, I am going to get -- I am going to get her back, I promise you. Alexis: And then what? Then are you going to keep her away from me, Ned? Ned: I want nothing more than to have your daughter back with you again. You need to get well. You need to go to therapy. And in six months, your daughter will be back in your arms again. In the meantime, attacking me in public will only push us further away from Kristina. So just stop!
Alan, Edward and A.J. bounce happily into the Quartermaine living room. Alan: Mission accomplished. Edward: The judge awarded full custody of Kristina to me.
A.J.: (Shakes Edward's hand) Congratulations, grandfather. Edward: No, no, no. It was a group effort. And, you know, the key element was provided by Alexis herself. That poor woman just ranted and raved, and she proved her insanity, and Ned had no defense at all.
Alan: And, you, A.J. -- You are a public hero. Edward: And Kristina is a public Quartermaine. A.J.: He's right. Are we good or what? Alan: Gentlemen, we're at the top of our game. Edward: Slam dunk from start to finish. Alan: If we do say so ourselves. A.J.: And we do. Monica walks into the room carrying the baby. Monica: Well -- Edward: Monica.
Monica: Nice to see you're all in such good moods. A.J.: Yeah, well, you know, the Sabres won another game and -- Edward: So, how's -- how's the baby doing, huh?
Monica: Well, she's doing fine. I think she's just a little sleepy. Would you like to kiss her good night? Edward: Of course I would. Monica: Good. Heads up. Monica throws the baby over the coffee table to Edward.
Edward: Oh, god - He suddenly realizes it's a doll.
Monica: A.J., How heroic of you to have saved it from the building you burned down. Gotcha.
Scott waits in a darkened alley and the fire inspector arrives. Scott: Inspector Borden, how you doing? Good to see you. So, what do we got?
Inspector
Borden: (Handing him some paper) The results of the preliminary
investigation. By the Scott: Ah, he's just trying to stir up a little trouble. Inspector Borden: The fire pattern was irregular.
Scott: I hear you're up for this big promotion. You've had your eye on this job for some time, haven't you? Now, let me ask you something. Would it help if I put in a personal recommendation for you? Inspector Borden: I'd appreciate that, Mr. Baldwin. You'll have the report on your desk tomorrow. Scott: Good. Here you go.
Gia: It's going to take a lot of work. I mean, right now, Scott doesn't trust me as far as he can throw me. Zander: So, change his mind. Gia: Any ideas where to start? I mean, Scott's going to wonder why the heck I even want a job with him.
Cameron: Law students like internships. Tell him you want the experience. Gia: You think that'll work?
Zander: Gia, you can do this, ok? You're smart. You're beautiful. You're charming. Just work him, play his ego. At least you'll have access to his office.
Cameron: If you want to help Alexis, this is the best way of doing it.
|
|
|
|
|