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MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Isoke chuckles softly as she approaches Tom King's desk. Finally facing this man after hiding as his assistant, finally letting him know that the deal they struck years ago...that everything he wrote on the page would come to pass...it excites her. It energizes her.
She picks up a clock from his desk. "I was going to give you an estimate, but I don't have an exact time frame...so never mind. You're going to get your asteroid scene. It's rather poetic, I think."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Christ, are you dense?" Isoke says, smiling at Tom's idiocy. "Your show is going to be completely wiped out when an actual asteroid takes out this set and all of Marquette Cove. Maybe if this town doesn't exist anymore...you'll finally leave it alone."
Tom shakes his head ardently, crossing in front of the desk. "You can't do this to me! I have so many plans for The Blackthornes!"
"Your plans are over. Clean out your desk, because in T-minus whenever, an asteroid is crash landing in Marquette Cove. Wiping out the set. Wiping out this entire ill-conceived storyline."
"Huh?"
"I mean, this entire ill-conceived show...plan of yours for revenge on Michael Thomas. ..whatever."
Tom waves a DVD in Isoke's face with the name "Blake Thomas" scribbled across it in permanent marker.
"I just need time to use this DVD. And once I —"
"Once I, blah blah blah," Isoke snaps.
She clasps her hands together and gazes toward the window. There is nothing up in the sky now, but she can feel it approaching. And it delights her to no end.
"Greetings, Prophet! The great work begins!" Isoke exclaims. "The Messenger has arrived!"
Off Tom's confused gaze, Isoke lowers her hands.
"No, that doesn't make sense. I've just really always wanted to say that," Isoke explains.
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
NURSES' BAY
"And the status on those shares?" Eric Hanley says, speaking intensely into his cell phone as he strides out the elevator and heads toward the nurses' bay.
He checks his watch, making sure he's on time for his appointment. He signs his name in at the front desk, all the while juggling his phone on his right ear.
"Well, I'm going to need at least 51% percent if I'm going to...yes, I know Abigail," Eric snaps. "I will take care of it. And this may not even be necessary, the board may just vote to throw my father out on his ass. Hanley Enterprises can't afford this kind of publicity in this shitty economy."
As he spins around, he finds his soon-to-be-ex-stepmother Leslie standing before him, lacking all of the glow that should be afforded with a pregnancy. He quickly ends his phone call and shoves his cell into his jeans pocket.
"Leslie!"
"There goes one of my New Year's resolutions," Leslie mutters.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, Eric," Leslie says. "What are you doing here?"
"STD test," Eric says. "Let me tell you, you should always make sure to wrap it up." He gestures to her pregnant stomach. "But I guess you know all about that, don't you?"
Leslie attempts to move past Eric. "I need to sign in."
"Wait a second, I have something to ask you," Eric says. "It's actually about my little brother or sister right there. And securing their future. All of ours."
"What on Earth are you talking about?"
"I am currently in the process of securing enough shares to gain control of Hanley," Eric says. "So I can fire Michael."
Leslie resists the urge to smile. "Well, I don't have any shares."
"They were left to your kids in the will, and they're not old enough to —"
"Sean owns those shares now, seeing as how he's not dead," Leslie reminds him.
"Oh, right..."
"And if it will whet your power-hungry appetite, you should be glad to know that you're officially the Marketing Director of Hanley Enterprises, should your father approve the promotion."
"I...what?"
"As soon as Michael returns to the office, he'll find my resignation letter on his desk. Effective immediately," Leslie says. "Honestly, I don't want to be anywhere near the Hanley family or its business. So have at it, Eric. It's all yours."
She finally breezes past Eric to sign in at the desk. Eric rubs his jaw, smiling at this new development. But as for procuring Sean's shares...that was going to be another game entirely.
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
OUTSIDE AARON MADDOCK'S OFFICE
Kyle Maddock adjusts a fake pair of eyeglasses as he strolls toward Nessa Jones' desk. She brightens up as she sees him, she usually does when he visits her every time he's at the hospital. Of course, she's excited to see Brent Zigeler, the man Kyle pretends to be when he pays brief visits to Alexis Lopez in the psychiatric ward.
He finds it rather amusing that he's been able to exist as Brent for so long, visiting his own cousin's receptionist, and Aaron has been none the wiser. He's used to playing a part, however, and being "Brent" is no different than the life he's led for years.
But now, Kyle has another agenda.
His careful plans have begun to unravel. Slowly, yes, but unravel none the less. And unraveling is not something Kyle is fond of. A lesser man would succumb to the pressure and let his entire life implode — a man such as Michael Hanley, for example.
Kyle could see that the man was on the verge of a breakdown when he visited the Hanley home for Thanksgiving. The nervousness and desperation was already on his face.
Kyle shows no such signs. He is calm. Composed.
Always.
"Nessa," Kyle says, grinning. "I brought you some of those chocolates you love so much!"
He places a small bag of Lindt chocolate on the edge of Nessa's desk.
"Oh, thank you Brent," Nessa says. "You're always so sweet, darling."
"Aww, shucks. Is that Dr. Maddock around this time? I do hope that I'm able to finally meet him today."
"I'm afraid you just missed him again! It's almost like clockwork with you two," Nessa says, leaning forward in a conspiratory manner. "Are you sure you two aren't the same person?"
Kyle laughs. "Don't I wish. Though I suppose he's off visiting with his partner."
"Partner? Dr. Maddock doesn't have a partner here at the office."
"No, I meant...well, you know."
Nessa's eyes widen. "I think you're confused, Brent. Dr. Maddock is quite the ladies' man!"
Kyle shrugs nonchalantly. "Really? That's not what I've been hearing in the psych ward."
"Oh my. Well, he's always seeing that widow of Dr. Li."
"I guess. One of the nurses said she saw him coming out a...well, a homosexual establishment! But I don't like to trade in gossip, you know me."
Nessa nods. "Of course not."
"Well, I ought to get back to work," Kyle says. "You have a great lunch with the rest of the girls, you hear?"
"I always do," Nessa says, waving Kyle off.
And as he exits, he can almost feel the excitement brewing within Nessa. That gossiping old hag would surely spread the details of Aaron's "secret" at lunch with the rest of her hospital cronies. Which of course, is exactly what Kyle planned on.
There's check...now he only needs mate.
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
OUTSIDE ALEC BALE'S ROOM
Jessica Bale holds her son in her arms as she knocks on the door to her husband's room. Though her marriage to Alec was a mere technicality at this point, she couldn't bear not visiting him after learning how he tried taking his own life.
Darren Reynolds opens the door, surprising Jessica. But she's glad to be confronted with him rather than Alec's mother.
"How is he?" Jessica asks, attempting to sneak a peek inside the room.
Darren steps out into the hallway and closes the door. "Sleeping. Felicia's in there...I wouldn't go in if I were you."
"She still hates me for the restraining order," Jessica says glumly.
"And the custody suit, obviously," Darren says. "But...maybe you'd be willing to come to some other agreement.
"Another agreement?"
Darren raises his right hand, where he grips a roll of legal documents. "He signed the divorce papers. Your marriage is officially over. And he doesn't want to fight...he just wants all of this to be over."
Jessica frowns. "Why the change of heart?"
"He did try to kill himself Jess."
"I know that, and I...I brought Phillip to see him."
"That's good," Darren says. "If you want to wait around a while, I'm sure he'll be up soon."
Checking her watch, Jessica mulls the idea over in her mind. She takes a glance at the divorce papers and then nods. "Sure. Cafeteria?"
"Splendid."
Darren and Jessica head toward the end of the hallway, approaching the elevator doors. Jessica raises Phillip to the buttons so he can press down himself. The toddler giggles with glee as the button lights up.
"He's so freaking cute," Darren says.
"I know, I'm just amazed by how fast he's growing —"
Jessica cuts herself off as the elevator doors open, revealing Eric leaning against the back.
"Let's take the stairs," Darren insists.
"No!" Phillip cries. "Ell-vator! Ell-vator!"
"I think we can handle a few floors," Jessica says, stepping onto the elevator.
"Here visiting your lame boyfriend on the set of his stupid show?" Eric remarks, winking at Darren.
Darren chooses to ignore Eric, but he still obliges Jessica and follows her onto the elevator. Still hoping to get a rise out of Darren, Eric produces the results of his STD test.
"Turns out I've got crabs," Eric mutters. "You might want to tell Blake."
Darren rapidly presses the "close doors" button, hurrying the elevator along. And that's enough to bring a smile to Eric's face.
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
WAITING ROOM
"This better not take long," Denise Price says, fanning herself with a copy of US Weekly. "I ordered those tickets to Notorious off Fandago this morning."
Herald Robertson sits next to her daughter, handing her a Styrofoam cup of water. "We'll be fine. Here, take this water and cool down."
"Why the hell is it so hot in this hospital?"
"That's you, sweetie," Herald says.
"I can't wait until this baby pops out of me," Denise says, frowning. "But I am excited to find out if it's a boy or a girl today."
"You know who else would be excited?"
Denise glares at Herald. "No, Pappa. I am not calling Sean. If he wants to be a part of this child's life, then he can call me. I'm not going to go and find him."
"He doesn't even know where you are," Herald insists.
"I left a message at the mansion with Riley. He knows I'm staying at the Plaza, I even gave him the goddamn room number."
"Well, that doesn't make any sense."
"Yes it does," Denise says. "I think I'm starting to realize that Sean doesn't want to raise a family. Why else would he abandon his first wife to shack up with me, Pappa? He's going to do the exact same thing to me."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Denise and Herald turn to find Leslie emerging from the doctor's office, returning to the waiting room. Denise rolls her eyes at Leslie's presence. "What, you following me now?"
"Just here for an appointment," Leslie says. "Though for what it's worth, Denise...I hold no ill will toward you."
"Is this the other woman?" Herald asks derisively.
"Pappa, stop it," Denise says softly. "This is Leslie. Leslie, this is my father Herald."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Leslie says, smiling. "Good luck with everything, Denise."
"Thank you."
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
SIMON HOLDEN'S OFFICE
Kane Li leans against the desk, attempting to play a game on his iPhone. But his mind quickly wanders back to his impeding meeting, and he turns the phone off, shoving it in his pocket.
"Why the fuck are we here?" Kane says. "And in Simon's office?"
"It used to be my husband's office," Rebecca Li says. "I'm allowed to have meetings in here."
"Of course. The time you were totally married to Dr. Aaron Li."
"Shut your mouth, Kane," Rebecca snaps.
"You know he's just going to come in here and yell at you and make demands."
"That's the price that we have to pay to be together," Rebecca insists.
"No, it isn't. I could tell him the truth. Make him leave you alone."
"And where would that leave us? The only reason I'm not in prison is because he can use me to get to Aaron Maddock. You won't be of any use to Kyle," Rebecca says. "No, this is what we need to do if you want to continue being my son. If you want to continue living in America and not being deported to Korea."
"But there's no body! There is no proof that we killed Kyle, because that nutcase is running around town pretending to be him! He didn't even fucking know, Kyle Maddock. You and I both know that he was stalking him," Kane continues. "He was stalking him and when I killed him in that car accident, he came after us. You told him that you were driving the car and now you're indebted to him."
Rebecca pulls Kane closer to her, kissing his neck. "And what would be the alternative? You going back to Korea? Me returning to...I will not go back to my former life. As far as everyone in Marquette Cove is concerned, my name is Rebecca Li. And you are my son."
"But we can't keep letting Kyle control us," Kane says. "What he wants to do to Aaron...to all of those people related to Melissa. It's wrong."
Instead of responding, Rebecca kisses Kane. Feeling his body warming, Kane wants to throw caution to the wind and lay Rebecca across Simon's desk, but they are interrupted as the doorknob turns.
They quickly break apart as Kyle Maddock slips into the office, shutting the door and removing his nametag.
"Change of plans," Kyle says. "There are people digging into my past. And by that nature, our past."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"My plans for Aaron taking in Melissa's daughter won't come to fruition soon enough. So I've laid the groundwork for a new plan."
Rebecca feels as if a chill has run down her spine. "A new plan?"
Kyle stares into Rebecca's eyes, almost salivating over his news. "You're going to marry Aaron Maddock."
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
THE BLACKTHORNES SET
Akilah Moore finishes packing up her bag, still ignoring Blake, who is a mere few feet away from her. Feeling slightly bad for being such a bitch to him earlier, she opens her mouth to say something but is cut off when Tom King races past them.
"Andy!" Akilah calls out. "Where's the fire?"
He ignores her, hurrying toward the stairwell as if he's running from a train quickly hurtling toward him on a set of railroad tracks.
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
OUTSIDE AARON MADDOCK'S OFFICE
Aaron Maddock glares at Nessa as he returns to his office, wondering if she's behind the rumor he overheard a few nurses discussing in the cafeteria. He'd been having sex with Rebecca in his office for months, you'd think people would stop prying into his life and brining up baseless gossip about his sexual orientation.
"That nice Mr. Zig —"
"Shove it, Nessa," Aaron snaps, storming into his office.
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
SIMON HOLDEN'S OFFICE
"You are out of your mind!" Rebecca cries, pointing an accusatory finger at Kyle. "There is no way I'm marrying that man! And there's no way he'd marry me. He knows that I wasn't really married to Aaron, so there's not even a hospital board seat to entice him."
"I've taken care of the enticement," Kyle says. "You just have to seal the deal."
"No, there's no way," Kane says, interrupting.
"Kane, stop —" Rebecca begins.
"He has to know the truth! He needs to know what really happened back in New Jersey."
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
ALEC BALE'S ROOM
"I'm proud of you, honey," Felicia Bale says, standing over her son's bed. "Signing those divorce papers was the right thing to do."
"I know," Billy says, playing the part of a confused, broken down Alec.
He glances over at Simon Holden, still slumped in a chair next to the window. What was it going to take to get these idiots out of his room so he could slip out and take care of Aaron?
"Do you think you two could get me some water?" Billy asks.
"I'll go," Simon offers.
"Why don't you both go? Get some fresh air? It could do you some good."
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
CAFETERIA
Darren irritatedly glances past Jessica, staring down Eric as he sits on the other end of the cafeteria, watching them with a smirk on his face. "I want to punch him in his goddamn face."
"Darren. Language?"
"Oh, right," Darren says, smiling at Phillip. "I'm sorry, buddy."
"And just ignore him, he's not worth it," Jessica insists. "You and Blake are living together now. And you're happy."
"I'll be happy when we're back together," Darren admits. "That's all I really want this year. To truly have Blake back in my life again."
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
WAITING ROOM
Denise clutches a sonogram in her hands as she returns to the waiting room with Herald. "It's a boy, that's so wonderful."
"Another Roberston man. Just as it should be," Herald says.
"I don't know. Part of me was hoping for a little girl."
"Next time. You and Sean can have a little girl next time."
"Pappa, I'm not going to tell you again," Denise snaps. "Stop bringing that bastard up. He doesn't care about this child, and you know what? I don't really give a damn about him."
MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
PARKING LOT
As Leslie goes out the revolving doors of the hospital, she is suddenly struck with a wave of surprise as she recognizes the man passing by her and entering the building.
"What's he doing back in Marquette Cove?" Leslie wonders aloud.
Before she can think about approaching the man, a hand grabs her shoulders. Startled, Leslie spins around and finds Sean standing before her.
"Sean! You scared me," Leslie snaps. "Don't do that."
"I'm sorry," Sean says. "How...how have you been?"
"I've been..." Leslie stops herself before the nostalgia and sentiment she's buried deep down inside herself can come to the surface. "What are you doing here?"
"I got a message from Riley about Denise getting her sonogram."
Leslie folds her arms. "So you do care. You're late, but you care."
"Of course I care," Sean insists. "That's my child she's carrying. But I still care about you, Leslie."
"Save it for someone who..."
Feeling a slight chill, Leslie zips up her jacket and stares around the parking lot, surprised by how dark it has gotten outside all of a sudden.
"Since when does it get so dark in the middle of the afternoon?"
"Huh?" Sean says, glancing up at the sky. "I don't know...is that an eclipse?"
"No, it's barely been a year since the last one," Leslie says. "It has to be...oh my God...Sean, whatever that is it's getting closer to us!"
Sean and Leslie are unable to take their eyes of the large, black mass hurtling toward them at what seems to be in slow motion. But the increasing darkness of the parking lot is a reminder that it's much, much faster.
"It's headed right for the hospital!"
Sean attempts to grab Leslie and push her to safety, but without warning, the increasing darkness comes to a standstill.
Not due to any abundance of light...it's because everything has gone black.
