March 7, 2006 Transcript
"I Just Want to Know That She's OK"

Alexis: Nikolas, what is that?

Nikolas: Courtney's ashes. Courtney loved the ocean and I've decided to scatter her ashes there.

Alexis: Nikolas, do you want us to go with you?

Nikolas: No. I appreciate the offering, but this is something I need to do alone. Why are you here?

Alexis: You know, I just need to find Mikkos' U.S. Attorney in the 1980s.

Ric: We were hoping to access some of the files from here.

Nikolas: Something wrong?

Alexis: No. It's just a legal matter that I have to attend to and it's nothing for you to worry about. You certainly have enough on your mind.

Nikolas: Look up any information you need. I'll get out of your way.

Ric: You didn't tell him that you were searching for your daughter?

Alexis: This is a mistake.

Ric: Well, just say the word. We'll go to dinner and a movie instead, ok?

Alexis: I'm not the only person that this has ever happened to. I'm not the only teenager who got herself pregnant and -- and gave up a baby for adoption and moved on with her life. It's -- it's -- why am I doing this? Why am I doing this to myself? I mean, Mikkos and I were the only people that knew.

Ric: He never told Helena?

Alexis: Do you think he told Helena? Do you think if Helena had a bomb like this, she wouldn't have dropped it already?

Ric: I mean, she didn't have a clue?

Alexis: Why can't I just leave well enough alone? Oh, why? I just want to find out that she's ok. That's all I want to know. I don't want to disrupt her life. I -- I don't want to upset anything, I don't want to upset you, I don't want to upset the children. I just want to know that she's ok.

Ric: Alexis --

Alexis: And I -- I don't want to have to explain this to everyone, how this happened and what I did and --

Ric: It's nothing to be ashamed of, Alexis.

Alexis: Then why do I feel so guilty? And I feel panicky. I feel panic inside, like I'm going to walk through a door, I'm not going to know what's on the other side, and it could be a sheer drop and then I'll just --

Ric: Ok. Then I'll be there to catch you.

Alexis: Aren't you getting tired of doing that?

Ric: If you want to walk through that door, Alexis, I'll walk through it with you. But you don't have to think the worst. All right?

Alexis: I don't think it matters much how I feel because this is a dead end and I'll tell you why -- because he left no clue. That bastard Mikkos left no clue. There's no sign of any U.S. Attorney in here.

Ric: Then, fine. We'll find another way.

Alexis: How come you're so calm?

Ric: You're hyped up enough for both of us, all right?

[P.D.A. Vibrates]

Ric: I'm vibrating. Well, here you go. Now, one step back, two steps forward. The Bilmont Clinic for Unwed Mothers still exists in Chatham, Maine. Your door just opened, my love. You want to walk through it and find your daughter?

Alexis: Hasn't changed in all these years, not since I was 16 years old.

Doctor: We try to make your stay here as comfortable as possible, Alexis. There's nothing to be afraid of. We'll take good care of you. And I promise, we'll find your baby a good home.

Ric: Alexis?

Alexis: I've been afraid for so long, not being able to decide what to do, that it was honestly a relief to have someone decide that for me. I knew that they would take care of me.

WoMan: The director will see you.

Director: Mr. and Mrs. Lansing, is it?

Ric: Yes, yes.

Director: I'm Lawrence Abell. What can I do for you?

Ric: We're trying to track down a girl. She'd be a young woman by now, born here at Bilmont, May 11, 1980. Our client has asked us to find this infant who was born here on that day. I can provide you with the birth mother's information if that helps you.

Lawrence: No, I'm afraid that's impossible. The terms of any adoption agreement prohibit us from releasing all information.

Alexis: The girl was underage. I'm sure she didn't sign anything. In fact, her father coerced her into giving up the baby.

Lawrence: Our policy is for the protection of the adoptee.

Ric: Look, I'm sure this happens all the time -- people come to you for answers. Children are reunited with their birth parents all the time. I think it gives both parties the opportunity for closure.

Lawrence: Well, I'm sorry, but if we don't honor the original agreement, we open ourselves up to all kinds of litigation.

Alexis: What if I promise not to sue?

Ric: Alexis --

Alexis: The truth is, Dr. Abell, is that I'm the client. My name was Alexis Davidovitch. In 1980, I gave birth to a baby daughter and my father coerced me into giving her up. I was 16 years old. I don't want to impose on her. I don't even want to confront her. I just want to know that she's all right.

Lawrence: I'm sorry. I know it's not easy for you, but I can't release adoption information.

Alexis: Is there anything that you could tell me about her at all? Is she married? Is she alive? Is she -- anything?

Lawrence: Let me check the file and see if there's something that wouldn't violate confidentiality.

Alexis: Thank you. It's Davidovitch.

Lawrence: Yeah. Here you are. The adoption was handled by a law firm in Manhattan.

Alexis: Do you know which firm?

Lawrence: That information's restricted. I'm sorry, but there's really nothing here I can help you with.

Alexis: I -- I --

Ric: It's all right. You know what? Thank you very much, doctor. Will you excuse me? I need to make a phone call. I'll be right back.

Lawrence: Once the decision's been made to give up a child, it's oft wiser to leave it be.

Alexis: To protect the child, I know.

Lawrence: To protect everyone.

Lawrence: Not all adoptees want to find their birth parents. Unless they instigate the search, it can often be disruptive.

Alexis: Is there any way you would be able to know if she tried to find me?

Lawrence: Late teens to early 20s is when people usually try to find out where they came from.

Alexis: She's past that by now.

Lawrence: Well, then, she's probably not interested or had never been told.

Alexis: I really just want to find out if she's all right. I -- I won't approach her.

Lawrence: I'm sure that's your intention, but once the birth mother locates the child, that resolve can weaken. I'm sorry, but I can't make an exception for you.

Ric: Ah, sorry. It was important.

Alexis: We can go.

Ric: Yeah?

Lawrence: Thank you.

Ric: I understand. Thank you very much for all your help.

Alexis: I didn't realize how much I wanted to find her until I was told that I couldn’t.

Ric: Hold your hand out. Remember how much you like when I help?

Alexis: What is this?

Ric: Well, I wasn't really making a phone call before. I snuck into the administration office and I hacked into their computer. That is the name of the Manhattan law firm that handled the adoption for Mikkos. Now you can spend the entire evening buying me dinner and telling me how wonderful I am while we an the next step for your search for your daughter.

Alexis: I'll tell you anything you want. Thank you. Thank you.