DAYS #105: Jordan makes her choice, Billie finds her evidence (07/11/14)

EPISODE 105
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Nicole walks into her apartment, Eric following behind. They both appear frustrated by the day’s events. Eric shuts the door behind them, as Nicole sets her purse down on the couch. She then turns to face Eric, putting her arms around his waist.

ERIC: So…explain to me who you told about the wedding?
NICOLE: I didn’t…exactly tell anyone but…I definitely slipped in front of…someone at work, and…ugh. It’s….I don’t wanna talk about it.
ERIC: Well, it’s obviously bugging you, and whatever bothers you…bothers me, too.

Nicole smiles half-heartedly at Eric’s sweet remark. She looks deeply into his eyes and leans in to quickly kiss him on the lips.

NICOLE: It’s alright. As hokey as it sounds, just being with you right now makes me feel better.
ERIC: Good. Cos whatever happens, we’ll get through it together. Always.

Nicole wraps her arms around Eric, and hugs him tightly. After a moment, she looks past him, the fear still not gone from her eyes, as she holds her fiancé for dear life.

---


Hope and Rafe pull up in the squad car outside Percy’s. Rafe, driving the car, turns the car off, as Hope stares out the window intensely. Rafe picks up on this as he looks out as well, following her eyes.


Outside the car, a group of students are setting their signs up, chatting and laughing as they do. Front and centre among them is Jerome.

RAFE: Well! What a coincidence! If it isn’t our old friend Mr. Grant.
HOPE: Yeah.

Rafe’s face changes in reaction to Hope’s half-present answer, knowing something’s up.

RAFE: You’re still thinking about his arrest, aren’t you?

Hope turns to look Rafe’s way, a concerned look on her face.

HOPE: How can I not? Rafe, we arrested a man based on not just faulty information, but information that’s highly prejudicial, and could open us up to a whole mess of legal trouble if it continues.

Hope turns back to look out at the crowd gathered. Her solemn face remaining as she finishes her thought.

HOPE: Or worse…could end up ruining innocent lives.

Rafe looks on thoughtfully as he watches the crowd as well, studying them.



Outside the car, Percy steps out from his house to greet the protesters. Jerome beams as he approaches Percy. He extends a hand to him to shake.

PERCY: Greetings, everyone! I take it you’re here to help spread the word about our campaign to spare my home.
JEROME: We are indeed, my man! I am Jerome Grant, I’m heading up the protest, and you must be the infamous Percy Ruggles.
PERCY: It is an absolute pleasure, good sir!


Percy and Jerome shake hands tightly, as, among the group gathered, Abby and her cameraman set up. Abby nervously talks to the cameraman as she readies herself. Jerome looks out, and spots Abby from afar. His eyes fixate on her momentarily, before he centres himself back on Percy.

JEROME: The pleasure’s all mine. Uh…look, before we begin, I was hoping before everything starts if we could get some press stuff ready. We got a young woman here from the local news and she’ll probably wanna interview you, so…
PERCY: I’d be more than happy to. Just let me know.

Jerome smiles broadly at Percy, as he steps away to go talk to Abigail.

JEROME: Alright, my man. I’ma be with you in a sec.
PERCY: Absolutely.

Jerome heads down, just as Abigail and her cameraman adjust her microphone for the shot. Jerome puts his hands on Abigail’s shoulders from behind, startling her for a second as she turns around.

ABBY: Jerome! Hey!
JEROME: Hey! How you doin’?

Abigail casually brushes her hair to one side as she smiles at Jerome, her eyes locking onto his for a second as she stutters in her attempts to respond.

ABBY: I..I…heh, I was just looking for you, actually. Since you’re the face of this protest, I figure I should maybe get a quick interview with you.

Jerome flashes a sly grin as he shrugs in response.

JEROME: Well…you could say that…I mean I organized it, but…really it’s all about that man Percy back there.
ABBY: Okay…

Abby turns to see Percy on his porch, she smiles, as she nods in understanding.

ABBY: Right, so…I guess, I should maybe talk a bit more to you and this Percy, and maybe you can fill in any gaps I have…

Abby looks down at her tablet, not really paying attention to the heinous double entendre she just uttered. Upon catching herself, her eyes widen, and she looks up at a smiling Jerome. She blushes in embarrassment.

ABBY: In my story! WOW! Phrasing!

Jerome tries unsuccessfully to hold back a laugh, as Abigail playfully smacks him.

ABBY: That’s not funny! You’re gross.
JEROME: Hey! You’re the one who thought it, not me.

Abby rolls her eyes, mocking indignation as Jerome laughs a little longer, before they both catch each other’s eyes again, smiling back at each other.


Inside the cruiser, Hope and Rafe look on, spotting Abby and Jerome’s playfulness together. Hope looks concerned by their interaction.

---


Billie rushes into Salem City Hall, as the woman who helped Eric earlier is just about to get up from her station. Billie, panicked about the time, calls out to her as she races over to the desk.

BILLIE: EXCUSE ME! Hi! Sorry! I hate to bug you at this hour, I know you’re probably about to close up for the day, but…this is kind of an emergency.
CLERK: I uh…I hate to be rude, miss but…I’m done my shift and the info desk closed about five minutes ago—
BILLIE: Yes! Yes, I know! And I’m sorry, but…this is a life and death situation, and I desperately need your help. It’ll only a take a minute, I swear!

The clerk sighs, shaking her head as she goes to step away from her desk.

CLERK: I’m sorry, Miss, I really, I don’t mean to be rude, but our hours and clearly stated on the website and on our door, and—
BILLIE: That’s exactly what I need to ask you about.
CLERK: I’m not a tech person, ma’am, I can barely use my smart phone.

The clerk turns away from Billie, reaching for the lightswitch to close up for the day, when Billie approaches slightly closer to her, her expression changing in an instant as she pulls out her ISA ID to discreetly show the clerk.

BILLIE: Look, Ma’am. I don’t think you understand.

The clerk stops dead in her tracks, as she sees the ISA ID card in front of her. She looks up at Billie, eyes widened with worry.
---

---


Gabi steps into the living room in her apartment, emerging from Ari’s room, having just put her down for a nap. Sighing with relief after a busy lunch hour, she looks down at the coffee table, and sees the envelope Sami’s gifted her.

She takes a moment, deep in thought before she walks over to it and opens it. Taking a moment to read it over, Gabi looks on, shocked by what she finds.

GABI: Now SAMI wants me to model for her at Countess W?

Gabi sets the contract down on the coffee table, putting her hands up to her head and pulling them through her hair in frustration.

GABI: UGGGH! Now I KNOW they’re up to something. Either Nick’s forcing them to do this…

Gabi takes a moment, getting up off the couch, pacing to herself as she thinks out loud. She stops, and looks back at the contract, as she finishes her thought.

GABI: Or Sami’s trying to pull some kind of twisted test of loyalty on me. And either way, I’m not gonna fall for it this time.

---


Sheryl stands in her office, arms crossed, as she waits for Jordan to answer her question about what's caused her to be so seemingly neurotic recently. Jordan breathes in deeply, before reluctantly saying the truth.

JORDAN: Okay. I’m late.

Sheryl throws up her hands in exasperation, knowing what Jordan’s implying.

SHERYL: Of course you are!
JORDAN: I haven’t taken the test yet though, but…I’m never late. Like…EVER.

Sheryl rolls her eyes as she turns away from Jordan, shaking her head.

SHERYL: So you’re gonna tell me that now you’re gonna get all baby crazy again?

Jordan glares at Sheryl, folding her arms in discomfort.

JORDAN: Sheryl, you know how much I wanted another baby. I gave up my chance the last time, but I am NOT going to pass up the chance to be a mother this time. Not when I could be happy with a man I love. With a baby. A career where I can actually help people. You know that’s important to me.

Sheryl snaps back at Jordan, irritated by her sudden attack of domesticity.

SHERYL: And impossible! You are a wanted woman.
JORDAN: Kaylie Matthews is a wanted woman.
SHERYL: YOU are still Kaylie Matthews, and the ISA and the Salem PD are going to figure that out VERY shortly.

Jordan looks down, arms still folded in discomfort as she tries to hold herself back. She sighs heavily, as she wordlessly listens to Sheryl’s emphatic words.

SHERYL: We are THIS close to taking down the EnerNext oil sands, Jordan. We are SO DAMN close to saving this town from a lifetime of cancer, of disease, of pollution. You wanna help people? Help us bring Titan and EnerNext down. Because you aren’t going to be able to help them from a jail cell.
JORDAN: I’m not going to jai—
SHERYL: …Like hell you’re not!

Sheryl’s raised voice cuts Jordan off, Jordan looks down again, doubling down on her denial of the situation.

SHERYL: You can pretend like you have this great future with Rafe, Jordan, but we both know that once we launch that virus tonight, the ISA and the Salem PD are going to be onto us, and you and I will have to leave town and take on a new identity. There’s no way out Jordan. Even if you back out now.

Jordan tenses, as she looks up at Sheryl with a steely resolve. She spits out a reply to Sheryl before turning and storming out of Sheryl’s office.

JORDAN: Oh, you wanna bet? Just watch me. I’m out.

Sheryl looks on in stunned disbelief as Jordan storms out of her office. Sheryl calls out to her.

SHERYL: Jordan?....JORDAN! Don’t be…

Jordan slams the door to Sheryl’s office shut as she makes her way out to the elevator. Sheryl winces as the door slams, staying put in her office, arms folded.

SHERYL: …stupid. (sigh)

---

Nicole and Eric sit together on the sofa at Nicole’s apartment. Eric and Nicole lay in each other’s arms, quietly watching TV on their unexpected afternoon off. Eric sits, blissfully unaware that Nicole is still deep in thought about Nick’s threats against her.

Nicole thinks to herself as she sits wordlessly next to Eric:
NICOLE: (voiceover) All I need is one more day…if I can keep Nick from blowing his stack…and keep the proof I hid Dr. Chyka’s files from Eric…maybe we can make it

Nicole snaps out of her mind as Eric prods her slightly.

ERIC: Hey! You look like you’re miles away.
NICOLE: (sigh) Yeah…I guess I am. You…uh…heh, sorry.
ERIC: It’s alright. Look, I know it’s gonna be hard keeping this marriage a secret for awhile but…well…we can do this.

Eric shuffles over, as he and Nicole both sit more upright on the sofa.

ERIC: Here’s an idea. Why don’t we plan a little weekend away in Chicago, sort of a…mini-honeymoon for the two of us.
NICOLE: I don’t know if I can get the time away, I mean…there’s so much happening with the EnerNext story and…

Eric looks at Nicole, giving her puppy dog eyes that make Nicole start to crack up. Her defences down, she starts to chuckle as she changes the end of her thought.

NICOLE: …and I think Abigail can handle it.
ERIC: I’m so glad to hear you say that.

Nicole giggles as Eric throws his arms around Nicole, pulling her in for another passionate kiss as Nicole pulls herself on top of Eric. They begin to kiss passionately in the dim glow of the TV in front of them.

Across the room, Nicole’s phone buzzes while on top of the kitchen counter. Nicole doesn’t hear it as she keeps busy with Eric.

The Titan lab phone number appears on the screen.

---


On the other end of the line,  Nick paces in front of the lab phone at Titan. When Nicole's phone goes to voice mail, Nick's anger kicks off yet again, this time leaving a threatening voice mail message for Nicole.

NICK: (into phone) This is your last warning, Nicole. I have a really strange feeling I know what you were up to today instead of doing what I asked you to. Don't screw with me, lady. You have too much on the line.

Nick slams the phone down on the receiver, as he goes to grab his bag, muttering to himself.

NICK: Now I guess I gotta get a new cell phone at Salem Place...

As Nick lifts his bag up, something falls out of his bag.

Nick spots it and looks down at the ground before bending down slowly to pick it up.

He looks it over thoughtfully, and suddenly realizes what it is: Dr. Marlena Evans' prescription pad. A mix of rage and amusement cross Nick's face as he flips the prescription pad back and forth between his fingers.

NICK: Now who would've given me a gift like this? Hmmm...

---

Billie types away at the Salem City Hall office computer, while the desk clerk waits impatiently in the corner, looking suspiciously around the corner, unsure whether she’s doing the right thing or not.

CLERK: How much longer is this gonna take?

Billie cuts the clerk off, never taking her eyes off the computer screen as she continues typing.

BILLIE: Not much longer, but it’s gonna take even longer if you keep asking.

The city clerk rolls her eyes as she leans against the doorframe, sighing heavily. Finally, Billie bolts upright, a smile suddenly on her face.

BILLIE: Got it! I just hope it’s not too late.
CLERK: What do you mean?

Billie turns around to face the clerk, smiling from ear to ear now.

BILLIE: You’re gonna wanna call the Salem PD. I found your hacker, and they’re going down tonight.

---

DAYS #104: Jordan drops a bomb on Sheryl, Nick goes on the offensive (07/10/14)

EPISODE 104
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Nick stands in the main hall of Salem U, taking deep breaths as Abigail and Jerome stand back, stunned by Nick’s behaviour, and obvious pain. Nick holds his head in his hand, his head pounding, his vision blurred. He stumbles, trying to collect himself, as Abby steps back towards Nick, trying to see if he’s alright.

ABBY: Nick…are you SURE you’re alr—

Nick turns abruptly back around, as Abby lurches backwards, scared by her cousin’s unpredictable behaviour.

NICK: I’m fine, just…just LEAVE ME ALONE!

Jerome jumps in as Nick raises his hand to Abby in a fury. Jerome grabs Nick by his jacket and slams him against the wall, holding him there for a moment, staring him down.

JEROME: Now, you keep your damn hands off her, you hear me?

Abby, stunned, takes a moment to become cognizant of what’s happening, before stepping toward Jerome, hoping to stop him from hurting Nick any further.

ABBY: Jerome, stop…
NICK: You wanna fight me, tough guy?
JEROME: Oh I don’t want to, but I will if you EVER raise your hand to her ever again.

Abby becomes increasingly panicked in her appeals to Jerome to deescalate the situation. A crowd starts to gather as Jerome holds Nick against the wall, pressing himself into Nick forcefully.

ABBY: JEROME! STOP! Let him go!

Jerome stares Nick down for another moment, no one sure whether he will let Nick go or not.

---

At the Titan building, Kate sets the bottles of champagne (and sparkling cider for Lucas) down on Billie’s office desk carefully, before taking a seat next to Lucas in front of Billie’s desk. Billie and Lucas look on, unamused.

KATE: Well, I have to say, you two are way too sombre considering what’s happening.
BILLIE: Well, Mom, it’s a bit more…complicated than that.
KATE: Well, what do you mean?

Billie looks over at Lucas, before turning back to Kate, still looking seriously at Kate as she replies, while leaning over her desk.

BILLIE: If we don’t stop them from hacking Titan’s servers tonight, the entire corporation might be wiped out before midnight.

---

Jordan paces across Sheryl’s office, as Sheryl types away furiously at her laptop.

After what feels like a full minute of this, Sheryl finally snaps at Jordan.

SHERYL: Would you stop pacing? You’re driving me nuts.
JORDAN: Sorry.

As Jordan stops herself and takes her place in one of the seats in front of Sheryl’s desk, Sheryl asks Jordan a question without looking up from her screen.

SHERYL: What day is it tomorrow? The days are starting to blend together for me.

Jordan, without missing a beat, answers fully and stoically, as if rehearsed.

JORDAN: Tuesday, December 20, 2016.

Sheryl looks up at Jordan over the top of her screen, one eyebrow raised curiously.

SHERYL: You sound like my mom’s old answering machine.

Jordan rolls her eyes, sighing while adjusting herself in her seat uncomfortably.

JORDAN: Sorry, I just…got a lot on my mind.
SHERYL: Yeah, well, I’m surprised you didn’t give me the exact time down to the second along with it. Come on, what’s eating you?
JORDAN: Nothing.

Sheryl closes her laptop and looks at Jordan, for the first time in awhile, like a concerned friend.

SHERYL: Jordan, you know I get really intense before we finish up a project. But you…you aren’t acting ANYTHING like yourself. Come on, what’s going on?

Jordan looks at Sheryl, not wanting to say anything, and annoyed by Sheryl’s pestering.

---

---


Marlena stands in front of a tense Roman in her penthouse. Roman, who’s just got a call from the police station, is about to head off. Marlena looks at him, worried, as Roman prepares to leave.

MARLENA: I understand that you need to keep your mind active, but I don’t want you to put yourself in a situation where a slip in judgment could put you in danger.
ROMAN: Doc, I’ll be fine! Abe, Hope, and Rafe are all gonna be there, I’ll be just fine.

Marlena takes a deep breath, trying to accept that she won’t change her stubborn ex-husband’s mind. She reluctantly nods, closing her eyes as she answers.

MARLENA: Okay. I’m not going to be a nag. But…please, promise me. Promise me you’ll be careful.

Marlena takes Roman’s hand and squeezes it gently. Roman looks down and smiles. He nods.

ROMAN: Aren’t I always?

Marlena smiles back, as Roman lets go of her hand, and opens the door.

MARLENA: Call me when you’re on your way back.
ROMAN: Will do.

Roman steps out the door, as Marlena watches and waves goodbye to him. As the door closes, she instinctively calls out to him.

MARLENA: I lo…ve…

Marlena stops herself as the door closes. She looks at the closed door and softly finishes her statement.

MARLENA: Please be safe.

After a moment, she turns to grab her phone, and calls Valerie.

…


At her office at University Hospital, Valerie stops typing on her computer a moment, and pulling her reading glasses off her face, answers her phone.

VALERIE: (into phone) Dr. Grant’s office?

…

MARLENA: (into phone) Valerie….it’s Marlena…listen…I’m…do you have time to see me this afternoon at all? I really need to talk about Roman.

…

Valerie’s brows furrow, as she answers Marlena with a concerned tone.

VALERIE: (into phone) Sure! I don’t have any appointments for the rest of the afternoon, I’ll be in my office. Is everything alright?

…

MARLENA: (into phone) No…in fact, I’m really worried Roman is declining faster than any of us had anticipated.

---

After a moment of pressing Nick up against the wall at Salem U, Jerome does let Nick go. Nick leans against the wall again, as he takes a moment to, once again, regain his composure.

JEROME: …Kinda punk-ass little bitch raises his hands to a woman?

Abigail stands back, still unsure how to react, as Nick staggers away. She looks at Jerome, an awkward smile on her face. She looks up at Jerome and puts a hand on his shoulder.

ABBY: I uh…I have to check on him.

Jerome shrugs, shaking his head.

JEROME: If you want.
ABBY: Nick…

Abby steps back over toward a shaken Nick, who holds out his hand to keep Abby away.

NICK: I’m fine, I swear. Abby, I….I gotta go.
ABBY: I…okay, you sure?

Nick walks off quickly, as Jerome looks on, protectively.

Once Nick leaves, Abby turns back toward Jerome.

JEROME: I don’t get it….that guy nearly knocked you to the ground, and you finna check on him like you the one that hurt him?
ABBY: (sigh) It’s…family. Nick’s had a really hard few years and…I’m worried about him.

Abby looks down, but looks up suddenly, realizing Jerome is staring back at her with concern in his eyes. She smiles at him.

ABBY: But I do appreciate what you just did for me. Not a lot of guys would’ve stood up for a perfect stranger so…thanks.

Jerome looks at Abby intensely, a smile slowly appearing on his face after a second. He shakes his head before responding to Abby.

JEROME: Well…you may be a perfect stranger but…I think we could do with changing that, don’t you?

Abby looks away, laughing awkwardly at Jerome’s obvious come-on.



Nick, now just outside the door of the Salem U campus, steps over to the pay phone and, after digging for quarters, makes a phone call to Aiden Jennings. Aiden answers.

NICK: (into phone) Mr. Jennings! I need you to ready the lock box I sent you on Nicole Walker…Don’t send it yet! Keep it ready…we might have to…use it. Very, very soon.

---

Kate looks over at Lucas, before turning back to Billie, shocked by the news she’s just heard.

KATE: They’re going to hack Titan’s servers?

Billie looks up at her mother, nodding as she answers.

BILLIE: I’m pretty sure they are. At least that’s what I’ve managed to piece together from what I’ve seen since I’ve been here.
KATE: Okay, what do you mean by that? You’ve not exactly been….forthcoming with us about this.

Billie leans back a bit, shrugging in response to her mother’s accusation.

BILLIE: And that’s because, really, we haven’t been able to meet up much, but….there’s also some things that were too dangerous to tell you before.

Kate’s ears perk up, as she leans in from her seat.

KATE: Such as…?
BILLIE: Such as when I went up to figure out where Sheryl and Jordan were during the EnerNext press conference?
KATE: Okay?
BILLIE: They were sneaking around up in one of the executive offices, and they put a flash drive into one of the computers. Now…I must have JUST missed them, but it was definitely put there to potentially act as an entry point for a remote user to break into Titan’s servers.

Kate furrows her brow, a bit confused by all the computer talk.

KATE: Okay…you’re losing me.

Billie rolls her eyes momentarily, before readjusting herself in her seat and leaning over her desk.

BILLIE: Sorry, I…get all computer speak, it’s all the work I’ve been doing since I started with the ISA, it’s all on computers. The point is…I have a feeling that…that, plus the fact they have their little computer expert guy just showing up in town? Well…it’s a bit TOO coincidental. Add in the fact that Salem City Hall’s server went down this morning, the same time that EnerNext is trying to get city council to rush through their plan to excavate Percy Ruggles’ land?
KATE: It’s all just a bit too much of a coincidence, isn’t it?

Kate looks back at Lucas, then at Billie. She leans back in her chair, pleased with what she’s hearing.

KATE: So then…what’s the next step?

Billie sighs, shaking her head, almost as though she’s thinking as she speaks.

BILLIE: Well…Shane won’t give me clearance to take them down unless we can prove they’re about to strike. So I’m gonna make a trip to City Hall and find out for sure whether or not they’re behind the city’s server going down.
KATE: And what if they don’t?

Billie leans back in her chair, playing with her pen in her hand as she stares out, looking past both Lucas and Kate.

BILLIE: If the ISA doesn’t give me the clearance by tonight, it might be too late to save Titan.

---

Jordan gets up from her seat and starts to walk away from Sheryl, who stands up from behind her desk and walks toward Jordan.

SHERYL: Jordan, come on. I know I’ve been really hard on you the last few weeks…

Jordan laughs half-heartedly, interrupting Sheryl, as she continues to look away from her, staring off into a distance.

JORDAN: Hah. Just the last few weeks. Yeah.
SHERYL: Okay…a bit longer…I just…you’re not behaving the way you used to. You used to just…jump at these opportunities to take down some corporate tycoon that was dumping sewage into rivers or…diverting money allotted to maintaining a pipeline so he could get a bonus for himself and his cronies, and…now…now all you care about is Rafe Rafe Rafe Rafe Rafe—

Jordan turns around abruptly, irritated by Sheryl’s nagging.

JORDAN: And so what if I am, Sheryl? What if I…actually found someone I want to spend my life with? What if that’s more important than spending my whole life trying to save a world that probably isn’t worth saving, anyway?

Sheryl looks back, stunned by Jordan’s suddenly grim world view. She exhales forcefully, shaking her head in disbelief.

SHERYL: Wh…I’m sorry, did changing your name to Jordan Ridgeway mean you had some sort of…brain transplant to go along with it? Are you heavily medicated and not telling me? I mean, I know how easy it is to get your hands on some good drugs working at a hospital, and all, but…
JORDAN: Siobhan, enough! Look, you changing your name to Sheryl Connors didn’t change your way of thinking any more than changing mine to Jordan did mine, but being here in Salem did.


Sheryl looks away, unimpressed by Jordan’s words. She folds her arms in frustration and discomfort, as she listens to Jordan, who begins to talk in a more reserved, more emotional way of her new life.

JORDAN: Getting to know someone like Rafe…learning to love him after all the…messed up times I had with Jerome.
SHERYL: They were rough times for all of us—

Jordan snaps again, hissing her response back to Sheryl before she can finish.

JORDAN: He treated me like dirt, Sheryl! He found out I was pregnant and disappeared!

Sheryl stands, still uncomfortable with the line of conversation Jordan’s unearthing. Jordan carries on, her voice lowering again, though still speaking passionately.

JORDAN: And I had to give up my baby. I had to…I had to make a choice…to end my pregnancy, because I knew that the life I had been living was no place to raise a child. Especially on my own.

Sheryl nods, a look of guilt on her face as she answers Jordan solemnly.

SHERYL: I know…and I told you that, but, you knew that was the right decision. The life we lead…we’re never going to be in the position to give a child the stability it needs.
JORDAN: That’s the thing, Sheryl…I can’t live that life anymore. I want out. I want a husband, and stability, and a career where I help people, directly, from my own actions, every single day.

Jordan starts to tear up as she carries on, Sheryl trying to fight off her own emotions as she looks on, looking down away from Jordan every few seconds to retain her composure.

JORDAN: But, more than anything else, I want to make sure that THIS time my child has the life I couldn’t give it when Jerome left me stranded in Birmingham, and I won’t give up the chance this time—

Sheryl looks up at Jordan, shocked, and cuts her off as she realizes what she’s just heard Jordan say.

SHERYL: …Wait, what? You’re pregnant?? Jordan, is this what you’ve been acting like such an idiot about these past few weeks?

Jordan stumbles over her words, as she tries to answer Sheryl’s question. She crosses her arms as she stirs uncomfortably. Sheryl steps in closer to her to find out more.

JORDAN: …Ah, I…
SHERYL: Jordan! Are you pregnant or not?

Jordan stops and looks at Sheryl, petrified, unable to answer her question.

---

DAYS #103: Nick's bad day worsens, Billie rallies the troops (07/09/14)

EPISODE 103
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Marlena steps into her penthouse, with Roman not far behind, bags in tow. She laughs as Roman struggles to bring everything inside.

MARLENA: (laughs) You had to do this all in one trip, didn’t you?

Roman shuffles past Marlena dropping four bags from his arms with a flourish. They tumble onto the ground, and nearly take Roman with them. He leans on the edge of the sofa, trying to catch his breath, as Marlena continues to laugh.

ROMAN: There’s no sense making two trips when I don’t have that much stuff!
MARLENA: Oh sure! I’ll remind you of that next time we go on vac---

Marlena stops herself, getting caught up in the moment as she realizes what’s happening.

MARLENA: Well…next time I go on vacation.

Roman looks at Marlena, a strange look in his eye. Unsure what caused Marlena’s sudden change in tone, he draws the only conclusion he can think of.

ROMAN: Doc…

Marlena tries to stop him from finishing his thought. But it’s in vain. She looks away as he finishes.

MARLENA: Roman, don’t---
ROMAN: …your mind just went back, didn’t it?

Marlena inhales deeply, as Roman looks at her intently.

ROMAN: …To how it used to be, when we were married.

Marlena hesitates to answer, as Roman’s gaze remains locked. Marlena squirms.

ROMAN: I’m right, aren’t I?

Marlena continues to squirm, unsure of how to answer Roman.

---


Nick approaches Abigail and Jerome in the main lobby of Salem U. Both turn, stunned by his angered presence, having overheard their conversation.

ABBY: Nick!

Nick holds his cell phone in one hand, ending the call he’s attempting to make to Nicole, who is on the other line. He looks at Abby incredulously.

NICK: Abby, what are you doing here? Why is Nicole not here covering this protest?

Abby looks at Nick, and folds her arms, partly in discomfort at her cousin’s tense, almost threatening demeanour.

ABBY: Nicole had an appointment. She…she asked me to cover for her.
NICK: Whe…wha…you don’t work for the TV station, though…
ABBY: I do now. Sami’s made me Nicole’s assistant now. I have a feeling it’s so I can spy on her enemy at work, but…well…I’m just happy to be doing work that matters to me. Besides, helping to take down EnerNext would be a fantastic start to a career in journalism, don’t you think?

Nick looks at Abby, then Jerome, who is stood behind Abby, looking suspiciously at Nick. He looks less than impressed by Abby’s explanation.

NICK: Yeah. Fantastic. Look, I’ll meet you guys up at Percy’s. I gotta go make a phone call. K?
ABBY: Sure.

Abby and Jerome both look at Nick, very uncertain what the issue is. Jerome finally pipes up once Nick steps away. Nick having put his phone to his ear as he steps out the door of the campus.

JEROME: What’s that guy’s deal?
ABBY: That’s my cousin Nick. And honestly, I have no idea what his deal is…

Abby turns quickly to face Jerome, a concerned look in her eye.

ABBY: But I think I need to find out.

Abby begins to slowly walk away from Jerome, following Nick as he heads for the door.

…

Nick steps outside and finally is able to get ahold of Nicole, who is now driving to Club TBD to meet Eric.

…


Nicole fumbles to put Nick on speakerphone so as not to distract herself while driving.

NICOLE: (into phone) Dammit, Nick! I can’t talk right now.

…

NICK: (into phone) Where the Hell are you?

…

NICOLE: (into phone) I’m in my car, I’ve sent Abby to cover the protest, Nick. You don’t need me to be there.

…

Nick responds, increasingly agitated in his tone.

NICK: (into phone) I asked YOU to be there, not your assistant. And I don’t appreciate you trying to pull one over on me. Or ignoring my phone calls.

…

Nicole rolls her eyes, as she drives, already exasperated by Nick’s constant demands, she fights hard not to snap at him.

NICOLE: (into phone) Oh, get over it. You’ll get your story, Nick. Abby’s not exactly an amateur, you know. Look, I gotta go. I have an appointment and I have to meet Eri—I gotta go.

Nicole hangs up quickly, kicking herself for slipping up as she presses “end call” on her phone, and carries on driving.

…

Nick tries in vain to carry on talking, quickly increasing his raging tone to a full-on holler.

NICK: (into phone) Nicole! NICOLE! You…BITCH!

Nick snaps, slamming his phone as hard as he can into the pavement, smashing it into a hundred pieces, as Abigail steps out the door to check on him. She stands back, horrified, as Nick holds his head, suddenly throbbing in terrible pain.

---


Billie gets up from her seat in her office, as Lucas looks on, still confused as to what’s happening.

LUCAS: Wait, wha…what’s happening? What are Sheryl and Jordan up to?

Billies quickly reaches into her bag and pulls her phone out, quickly calling Kate.

BILLIE: I gotta call mom.

LUCAS: Why? Tell me what’s going on!

Billie looks at Lucas, a panicked look on her face as she holds her phone up to her ear.

BILLIE: I have a feeling that Sheryl and Jordan are planning to hack into Titan’s servers, and if they do, this entire company is gonna be destroyed.

---

---

Roman waits on an answer from Marlena. She looks up at Roman, fighting her urge to embrace him, but smiles warmly, regardless, as she regains her composure.

MARLENA: Maybe for a moment.

Roman looks back, warmly at Marlena. The tension between them lingers, as Roman responds.

ROMAN: Maybe…maybe we’ll get that second chance to get things right this time.

Marlena, laughs at Roman’s comment, responding dryly.

MARLENA: Heh, second. Try third. Fourth, maybe?

Marlena and Roman share a laugh before the awkward silence returns. Roman looks down at the ground for a moment, while Marlena’s smile slowly fades, her mind wandering to their previous times together, before Roman’s phone rings.

The stop a moment as Roman pulls his phone out. The tension broken, Marlena turns away to lock up the door to the penthouse.

ROMAN: (into phone) Brady here! Yeah, I’m on my way.

Marlena turns to look at Roman, concerned by the call as Roman hangs up. He immediately starts to head for the door.

MARLENA: You’re not going to work, are you?
ROMAN: Of course I am! They’re having a protest down at Percy Ruggles’ cabin, I gotta be there for crowd control.

Marlena backs up, hoping to stop him from taking off.

MARLENARoman, you just spent the night sleeping in a bush in 40-degree weather! You, you could’ve died, or or been mugged!

Roman shakes his head, trying to get Marlena to move out of the way of the door.

ROMAN: Doc! I’m fine! Nothing that a little tea and a warm blanket couldn’t fix, now, please. Let me have a little bit of my normal life here. Let me go do my job while I…while I still can.

The words linger in Roman’s mind, as he tenses up thinking about them. Marlena looks on, hesitant to let Roman go.

---

Billie hangs up her phone, as she gets up from behind her desk, and rifles through her bag. Lucas looks on, still stunned by Billie’s sudden burst of energy.

LUCAS: Are you serious right now? How are they gonna hack the servers? Victor spent…millions on the firewalls to protect the server.

Billie responds, not once looking up from her bag as she pulls out the relevant files.

BILLIE: He may have, but if my theory is right…

Billie pulls out the last of the files, as a knock is heard on Billie’s office door. Billie turns around, looking back up at Lucas, a stern look on her face as she finishes her thought.

BILLIE: They’ve already hacked city hall’s servers to try to delete Titan’s land development proposal. If they can get past government firewalls, imagine what they can do to us.


Billie walks over to the door and opens it, allowing Kate to walk in, a bit of a smirk on her face, and a bottle of champagne in one hand, sparkling cider in the other.

KATE: Well! This must be the moment we’ve all be waiting for!

Billie and Lucas look on, bemused, as Kate holds up both bottles with a smile.

KATE: I figured, since we’re about to see Sheryl and Jordan’s downfall, I’d come prepared.

---

Abigail hesitates to approach Nick, as he holds his head, gasping for air in front of the doorway of Salem U. She looks at him, panicked with concern for her cousin.

ABBY: Ni…Nick? Are you okay?

Nick doesn’t even look up at Abby, he stands, holding his head, trying to catch his breath, but struggles with the pain he’s feeling, as he begins to sweat profusely.

NICK: Ye…yeah, just…stay back.

Abby, still panicked, disobeys Nick’s orders and begins to approach him. Nick lurches away from Abby, hissing angrily back at her.

NICK: I said don’t touch me! I’ll be fine. I just need some water.

Abigail stares at Nick, shocked by his wild behaviour, as he rushes past her, back inside the building.

ABBY: Nick? NICK!



Nick darts around the corner, and hastily pulls his bottle of pills out from his jacket pocket, popping four into his hand, and stepping over to the water fountain to down them all. Jerome, having heard some of the commotion outside, spies Nick as he takes the pills. He looks on, unsure what to make of what he’s just seen, but worries for Abigail. He looks out the doorway to see if she’s okay, then back at Nick, who ignores Jerome’s stare, and leans against the edge of the water fountain, breathing in deep breaths to try to halt the throbbing, but slowly fading head pains.

---


Eric steps out the door of Club TBD, as Nicole walks up to the door. He smiles sheepishly at his fiancée as she wraps her arms around him. They kiss quickly, before separating.

ERIC: Hey! You seem…tense.

Nicole looks down, hesitating to look Eric in the eye.

NICOLE: Yyyeah. Well. I have reason to be. I uh…I might have accidentally let it slip to someone close to your family that we were gonna get married today.

Eric’s face drops, as Nicole looks down, a mix of shame and fear in her eyes.

NICOLE: …And I’m worried that tomorrow might be too late for us.

Nicole looks up to Eric’s worried stare, an even greater intensity, and concern in her eyes.

---

DAYS #102: Billie puts the pieces together, Abby meets a handsome stranger (07/08/14)

EPISODE 102
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Nicole looks down as she stands in her office, ready to head out. Her cell phone in her hand as she sees an incoming call from Nick. She rolls her eyes, contemplating whether or not to answer the unwanted call.

NICOLE: (sigh) Nick, I’ll get back to you. Some things are more important to me than this damn story.

Nicole swipes left on her phone to ignore the call. Putting the phone hastily in her bag, she walks out into the hallway and shut the door to her office.

---


Eric sits in Club TBD, with Alex and Noelle sitting across from him. They share a laugh.

ALEX: So yeah, needless to say, I’m really enjoying being back in Salem.
ERIC: That’s good. (sigh) I wish I could say being back has been as easy on me.

Noelle looks concerned at Eric after his statement.

NOELLE: Well, I thought you’d be thrilled to be back here, I mean…you’ve got your entire family here with you, old friends…
ERIC: --Yeah, well…the last year’s been a bit of a disaster, if I’m being honest. I’m surprised you don’t already know about it.

Alex looks at Eric, seriously concerned.

ALEX: Why? What happened, man? Like…I dunno, I didn’t read anything about it anywhere…

Alex looks at Noelle who shakes her head, totally clueless to the goings-on.

ERIC: Ohhh boy. This could take awhile.

Noelle looks at Eric, seeing the pain in his eyes. She takes a moment before responding.

NOELLE: Look, Eric, if you don’t wanna tell us what happened, you don’t have to—
ERIC: …No. No, I need to. I need everyone to know the truth, for better or worse.

Eric looks up at Noelle and Alex, sighing heavily before he begins to tell his story.

---


Billie walks into her office at Titan, a bit exasperated. She sits down at her desk as she dials a number on her cell phone. As she does, Lucas walks into her office, a troubled look on his face.

Billie notices, but holds up one finger to Lucas, indicating she’s about to speak into her phone.

BILLIE: (into phone) Uh, hey! I just wanted to check in about the plan for tonight. (pause) Well, we have to do something, I know something’s going down, and we need to be ready for it. (pause) That’s not good enough, Shane.

As Billie says Shane’s name, Lucas’s expression changes, knowing what the conversation’s about. He tries to motion to Billie, but she continues on, wrapped up in her conversation.

BILLIE: (into phone) No, I…(sigh) Yeah. Yeah, I’ll let you know. Thanks, bye.

Hanging up, she looks up at Lucas, who’s stood across from Billie on the other side of her desk, a curious look on his face.

LUCAS: More bad news?

Billie sets down her phone, shrugging in response to Lucas, as she leans back in her seat.

BILLIE: Well, not if your name is Sheryl Connors or Jordan Ridgeway. Shane says we don’t have enough to touch them yet, but I KNOW something major is about to go down, I can feel it. And it’s gonna happen tonight.

Lucas looks on, more worried than ever about what’s to come.


---

---

Eric sits across from Alex and Noelle at Club TBD, reluctantly telling the story of the events of the previous year. Alex and Noelle look on, stunned by the unbelievable story.

ERIC: And so…Nicole came back with Daniel and…they didn’t get the file, and they didn’t get anything from Chyka, and…here I am.

Noelle looks pensively at a visibly distraught Eric. She holds her hand out across the table to meet his, and gently squeezes it.

NOELLE: I’m sorry, Eric. I…we really shouldn’t have even asked and…
ERIC: No! No, I…it’s really hard to talk about but…well, how else am I gonna clear my name if I don’t tell people my story…no matter how…impossible it feels each time.
ALEX: Well, you’re a brave guy. Don’t ever forget that man. It took some real courage to tell us something like that.

Noelle looks at Alex, nodding in agreement as she looks back at Eric.

NOELLE: Alex is right. Look, Eric, you’ve got a great woman in Nicole. I know…her and I didn’t exactly hit it off very well, but…honestly, if the roles were reversed and someone was gunning for this guy?

Noelle leans into Alex, as Noelle manages to get a small laugh out of Eric. But Alex’s laugh seems slightly strained, as Noelle carries on.

NOELLE: Well, let’s just say I’d probably be just as protective.

Alex clears his throat, trying to hide his discomfort, as he wraps his arm around his wife.

ALEX: Well…little does my wife realize…she’s the only woman I have my eyes on.

Eric looks up, and smiles, watching the happy couple embrace in their booth, as he checks his watch, realizing the time. Eric jumps a bit, as his phone rings.

It’s Nicole.

He answers quickly, almost immediately apologizing to her.

ERIC: (into phone) I am so sorry.

…

Nicole stands in the office at City Hall where Eric had just been. She looks exasperated, but is trying to hold back her tension before she lets it out on Eric.

NICOLE: (into phone) (inhales) Oh, what for, Darling?

…

Eric, sensing the tension in Nicole’s voice, hesitates momentarily, before telling Nicole what’s happened.

ERIC: (into phone) Ahhh…so…there was a backlog at City Hall, because their servers went down this morning, and…we can’t get married until tomorrow.

…

NICOLE: (Into phone) WHAT??
…

ERIC: (into phone) Heh, yeah…look, I’m at Club TBD, if you wanna…

…

NICOLE: (into phone) I’m on my way.

Nicole hangs up brusquely, leaving Eric at the other end, a bit confused.

…

ERIC: (into phone) Nicole? Hello?

Alex and Noelle look Eric’s way, a bit amused by the exchange, though trying to stay out of it. Eric smiles sheepishly, knowing of Nicole’s impending wrath.

---


Sheryl stands in her office. Visibly nervous, and speaking with a terse tone, she speaks to Jerome on the phone while slowly pacing the length of her office.

SHERYL:  (into phone) K, remember. If Nick Fallon does show up at the protest, just play it cool. As far as he knows, everything is going according to his plan.

…


JEROME: (into phone) Right. Look, I gotta get back. I’ma keep you in the loop. Kay, bye.

Jerome hangs up, walking back into the main hall where the other protesters are gathered. He gathers everyone near to him and calls out to them.

JEROME: Okay, everybody, can I ask for quiet a minute. (pause) Thank you. Right, so today is the first of many protests against Titan, and EnerNext’s plan to destroy the local ecosystem so they can extract the oil from the tar sands near Salem, and they’ll tell everyone that it’s all about bringing jobs the local economy. But it’s not about that. We need to stop them, and we need to act fast. How we gonna do this? Well, you see, a man named Percy Ruggles, y’all probably heard of him thanks to Nicole Walker’s piece on him on the news recently. Well, that is where we will be today. You see, just outside his property, EnerNext have got tractors, and demolition equipment ready and waiting for the go-ahead. And the only thing stopping them is Salem City Hall’s notice of expropriation.


The crowd boos and calls out angrily at the news. Jerome tries to calm down the crowd as he continues. As he starts to speak again, the door to the campus building opens, and Abigail steps into the room. She hangs back by the doorway, looking around to scope out the mood in the room, before starting to listen closely to Jerome.

JEROME:Now, we have some good news on the City Hall front. I have heard that City Hall’s servers are down today. They’re dealing with that. That gives us time to get our message out before they try to tear Percy’s place down. That we do not want our air to be thick like pea soup with smog, for our waterways to be turned into toxic dumping grounds yet again. And for our city’s natural beauty to be taken away.

The crowd applauds loudly yet again, as Abigail looks at Jerome, impressed by his passion, and his intensity, she smiles at him as she listens to him. As Jerome begins his next sentence, he looks over and his eye catches Abigail, as the song begins to play over the scene. Jerome stumbles a moment before regaining his focus and carrying on with his speech.

JEROME: Bu…but not only that…for a kind and generous man who cares for and is passionate about the local environment, the birdlife in our countryside, and our rivers and lakes in the region…we do not want him to lose his sanctuary. Now y’all ready?

The crowd raises their fists in the air as they shout back to Jerome.

CROWD: YEAH!
JEROME: WHAT?
CROWD: YEAH!

Jerome leans toward the crowd, cupping his ear at them.

JEROME: Huh?

The time, Abigail, moved by the spirit of the moment, joins in.

CROWD: YEAH!
JEROME: ALRIGHT! We meet at Lakeview & Route 203 for 2pm. Peace!

Jerome cuts through the crowd as it breaks up, heading for Abigail. Rubbing his hands together as he approaches her, he smiles at her. Abigail smiles back as she walks his way, a bit of shyness in her eyes.

ABIGAIL: That was a great speech.
JEROME: Thanks…but I don’t think I remember seeing you through most of it.

Abigail shrugs, looking away sheepishly.

ABIGAIL: Okay, I…confess, I showed up in the middle of it. But I still love hearing how impassioned you are.
JEROME: Well, I appreciate it. Uh...

Abigail clues into what Jerome’s saying and introduces herself. Extending her hand to him.

ABIGAIL: Oh! It’s Abigail Deveraux.
JEROME: Jerome Grant…

Jerome points at Abigail, shaking his finger as he recalls something about her.

JEROME: You…you know that name sounds really familiar.
ABIGAIL: Yeah, my, my mom used to have a talk show and my dad and grandfather were in politics, but…that was…ages ago.
JEROME: Well, if that’s any indication of things to come for you, I’d say you got a bright future. Especially if I’m lucky enough to be in it.

Abigail nearly laughs in Jerome’s face at his line. Holding back, she responds.

ABIGAIL: Oh, someone’s a smooth talker.
JEROME: Hey, they don’t let just anyone speak at these rallies, you know. You gotta have finesse with the spoken word.


As Abigail answers, Nick walks through the doorway behind them, overhearing Abigail as he continues in vain to reach Nicole via cell phone. His face drops in disbelief as he hears Abby speak.

ABIGAIL: Oh, I can tell. As a matter of fact, you will definitely be a part of my immediate future. I’m here representing Nicole Walker. She…had an appointment she couldn’t miss, so she’s sent me to cover the protest for the evening news.
NICK: WHAT?

Jerome and Abby jump at hearing Nick’s angry response, as Nick approaches them, his hand holding his phone dropping to his side.

---

Lucas looks to Billie, a look of grave concern on his face as he stands in her office.

LUCAS: I don’t like the sound of that.
BILLIE: Well, that makes two of us, brother dear. Frankly, I’m pretty certain that Sheryl and Jordan are about a couple hours away from making a major move.

Lucas thinks a moment before responding.

LUCAS: This wouldn’t have anything to do with that guy I saw in Sheryl’s office yesterday, would it?

Billie looks up at Lucas, unsure what he’s referring to.

BILLIE: Who?
LUCAS: I dunno, some…Jerome guy? Tall, black guy. Said he was helping them with a project for Titan or something.

Billie looks around, suddenly piecing everything together.

***
FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 30
The door to the adjacent elevator opens at that moment, and Billie steps out, into the deserted office floor. She looks around for any signs of Sheryl or Jordan. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees a light in the office Jordan and Sheryl had just exited.
As she looks in, the computer monitor shuts off, as the desktop they were running turns itself off. Billie is concerned, and looking around her, steps into the office, using her key card.

***

FLASHBACK TO EPISODE 31

Billie steps into the office where the computer had just turned off. Turning on the light in the room, she begins to inspect the computer. Not finding anything, she pulls out the tower, and inspects the back, stopping when she reaches the USB drive. A small drive that barely looks like more than the size of a thumbtack has been inserted into the drive. Finding this odd, she pulls the key out and looks it over closely.
Billie gets up, putting the USB drive in her pocket. She hastily exits, turning off the light in the room before leaving.
***

Back in the current moment, Billie stops a second, as a news ticker flashes across her computer screen:

City Hall servers back online after morning outage

Billie’s face lights up in realization, and panic.

BILLIE: Oh my God. I think I know exactly what Sheryl and Jordan have planned. And we have to stop them.

Lucas looks at her, stunned by her sudden realization, and more worried than ever.

---

DAYS #101: Eric & Nicole's wedding hits a snag, Jennifer confronts Daniel about Billie (07/07/14)

EPISODE 101
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Eric walks into the office at Salem Town Hall. Speaking to the desk clerk, a middle-aged woman with glasses on her face, clearly on a neck strap. Eric smiles excitedly.

ERIC: Hey! Uh, I had called before about obtaining a marriage licence for a civil ceremony later in the day?
CLERK: Oh…uh…let me have a look, we had some…server issues all day and it’s been a real mess…hey, aren’t you that priest I saw on the news?

Eric looks away, embarrassed and annoyed at being recognized yet again.

ERIC: Yeah…yeah, that’s me.

The clerk gives him a cheeky smile back, before turning to her computer, clicking and typing away to try to find the relevant info for Eric and Nicole’s nuptuals.
After a moment, the woman’s face scrunches up in frustration.

CLERK: (sigh) Ooookay. Brady was it?
ERIC: Yeah. Is…is everything alright?

Eric looks on, trying to get a glimpse of the woman’s computer screen, but without success. The clerk looks Eric’s way apologetically.

CLERK: So…I have some bad news.

Eric looks at the woman, stunned, and with increasing disappointment.

ERIC: What? What is it?
CLERK: Well, as I said, the server’s been acting up all day, and your request…well…it didn’t send until about a half hour ago, so…(sigh) I’m sorry, Mr. Brady, we won’t be able to get you and your fiancée married until tomorrow.

Eric looks on, stunned by the news, a disappointed look on his face.

---

  
Nicole looks at Sami, who’s sat by her desk in Nicole’s new office. She smiles and looks toward Abby.

NICOLE: I think I’m either dreaming, or I’m being set up. Sami Brady actually paid little ole me a compliment?
SAMI:  Oh come on, Nicole. I was being sincere.

Nicole smirks, rolling her eyes as she responds.

NICOLE:  For once.
SAMI:  Look, if you don’t want the job, I know a lot of folks who—
NICOLE: …Oh, come on, I never said that. And…yes…I…appreciate the kind words, strange as it is to hear them coming from you.

Nicole chokes on her words, looking away as she processes how surreal the situation is.

SAMI: There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?
NICOLE: You have no idea.

Sami gets up from her seat, as Abby hesitates, looking up at Sami expectantly.

SAMI: Well, look. I’m gonna leave you two to it. You have a lot to catch Abby up on with this story, and I know you’re gonna knock it out of the park. See you guys!
NICOLE: See ya!

Sami steps toward the door and heads out, leaving Nicole and Abby alone in the office together. Nicole looks at Abby, an awkward smile appearing on her face.

NICOLE: Heh, so...shall we get started?

---

  
Jennifer shuts the door to Daniel’s office brusquely, never taking her eyes off her mother and Daniel standing together, discussing her love life.

LAURA: Jennifer! Honey!
JENNIFER: Mother, can you let Daniel and I talk in private, please?

Laura looks over at Daniel, who looks back at Jennifer, just as fixated. Sensing the tension emanating from both of them, Laura backs away, nodding slowly as she capitulates to her daughter’s request.

LAURA: Sure, Honey. I’ll be in my office. Daniel, we can continue this later on?

Daniel looks at Laura after a moment, and nods.

DANIEL: Yeah, that’s fine.

Laura steps out of Daniel’s office, more worried than ever. She heads off down the hall, a sorrowful look on her face.

Inside, Jennifer continues to fixate on Daniel, a deep-rooted anger in her eyes.

DANIEL: Jennifer, I—
JENNIFER: No, no, no, let…let me speak. Okay? I don’t know what you and my mother are up to, and I don’t care. But it needs to stop. Because it’s hurting Billie. And if you care about her like I think you do, you’ll be honest with her, and with me.

Daniel looks on, confused as to what Jennifer’s talking about.

---

---

Nicole sits at her desk, opposite Abigail. She looks down at her tablet, highlighting something, before handing it over to Abigail. She smiles confidently at Abigail as Abby takes the tablet from Nicole’s hands and looks it over.

NICOLE: And that’s the clincher. EnerNext has been using exaggerated and possibly even completely falsified information to justify their oil sands project.
ABBY: Okay, so you want me to go to this protest today, and speak to the organizer, am I right?
NICOLE: Yes…should be some…students organizing it. I also need you to speak to Percy Ruggles. It’s his land that EnerNext wants to buy out. But look, if Nick’s there, and he probably shouldn’t, just tell him you’re my assistant. If he tries to start something, tell him to deal with me.

Abby looks at Nicole, a bit confused by her concerns about Nick.

ABBY: I don’t get it. Why is Nick going to cause trouble?

Nicole looks with uncertainty at Abby, unsure what to tell her, and certainly not feeling trusting of her as of yet.

NICOLE: Just…not important, he just can be…demanding at times when he’s passionate about something.
ABBY: Well, he should be the one who’s careful about this, really. I mean, doesn’t he work in the Titan labs?

Nicole becomes agitated as Abby presses about Nick. She tries to play it down, but isn’t overly successful, snapping at Abby.

NICOLE: Look, just don’t…(sigh)

Nicole stops herself, and starts to laugh a bit as she changes her demeanour, in hopes of calming herself down, and getting Abby off the subject of Nick.

NICOLE: You need to save that journalistic spirit for when you’re at the protest. Okay? I think you’ll be just fine without me. So…you think you’re ready?

Abby gets up from her seat, a bit nervous, but she nods in agreement.

ABBY: Sure, let’s do this!
NICOLE: Great! So…I won’t be able to take any calls until about 4, so when you’re done, just leave a voice mail and I’ll call you back as soon as I’m done my appointment, okay?

Abby nods, as Nicole walks her to the door of her office. Nicole opens the door, and guides her out into the hall. Abby turns before leaving, grabbing her phone so as to make a last-minute note as to where she’s headed.

ABBY: Got it. And this place is off…
NICOLE: …Lakeview Road at Route 203. Make a left and drive about five minutes.

Abby types the address into her phone, concentrating as she does. Then, looking up, she smiles at Nicole.

ABBY: Alright.

As Nicole goes to shut the door, Abby stops herself from leaving.

ABBY: Um….hey! Nicole.
NICOLE: Yeah.
ABBY: You know…I know this whole situation is…really awkward. Especially since I mean…your history with my mom and…all that…but…I really am looking forward to working with you. I mean…I’m sure you know…both my parents were journalists for a very long time, and…well…it’s really cool to be involved in the family business, I guess you could say.

Nicole smiles warmly, feeling sheepish for having been against Abby being hired as her assistant before.

NICOLE: Well…what can I say? I’m happy to have you on board.

Nicole extends her hand out to Abigail. Abigail shakes Nicole’s hand before setting off. Closing the door behind her, Nicole’s expression changes almost immediately to one of relief and self-satisfaction.

NICOLE: Bet you weren’t expecting THAT, were ya, Sami? Well, time to do the deed!

Nicole grabs her wedding dress from the hook behind her office door, when her cell phone rings. In a rush to get out of the office, she doesn’t immediately answer, but scrambles to find her things first.

NICOLE: Hold on! God.

Nicole grabs her purse after grabbing everything else. Inside her purse, she finds her phone. Pulling it out, she sees who’s calling on the screen.

It’s Nick, again.

Nicole rolls her eyes, as a knot develops immediately in her stomach.

---

Eric sits at Club TBD, trying in vain to reach Nicole, whose phone has sent him straight to voice mail.

ERIC: (into phone) Hey, Nicole! It’s me. Uh…I have to talk to you as soon as possible. Please call me before you head down to city hall. We’ve got a problem.

A voice calls out to him from behind, surprising him into turning around suddenly.

NOELLE: A problem? Well this sounds serious.

Eric looks up to find Noelle, followed by Alex walking his way.

ERIC: Hey! Fancy meeting you guys here!

Noelle leans over to hug Eric, as Alex walks up behind her. After Noelle and Eric hug, Noelle continues, as Eric looks on at both she and Alex’s closeness.

NOELLE: Well, you know…when in Rome…Alex and I figured we’d better get to know where all the best places to eat out are right away, refamiliarize ourselves with our surroundings.
ERIC: Makes sense. I’m guessing this is the lucky guy?

Alex smiles, reaching a hand out to Eric’s for a handshake. Eric reciprocates.

ALEX: The one and only. Alex Kiriakis.
ERIC: Oh yeah…you’re Justin’s son. I haven’t seen you in…GOSH, YEARS!
ALEX: Likewise, Man! How’s it been?

Eric looks on, trying to fake a smile, but utterly failing. He shrugs it off as he responds.

ERIC: It’s a long story.
NOELLE: So I hear. What…was that phone call about, anyway?

Eric goes to tell them, then remembers to err on the side of discretion, lest word get back to his family.

ERIC: I umm…just had an appointment fall through. It’s nothing serious.

Noelle and Alex look on…somewhat disbelieving Eric’s sudden air of nonchalance.

---

Laura closes the door to her office. Sighing heavily. She walks over to the phone on her desk, and calls out to JJ.

LAURA: (into phone) JJ…it’s your grandmother. (sigh) I think we need to really think about stepping back from this Liam stuff. I don’t want to put you in any danger….no, don’t…don’t worry about me. I’m going to make sure you and your mother are safe. At any cost.

---

Daniel looks at Jennifer, confused by her demands he stop hurting Billie.

DANIEL: Jenn, wh…what are you talking about?
JENNIFER: Come on, Daniel. Don’t play stupid. Billie came to my house last night, and she told me point blank that you still had feelings for me. She could tell, Daniel. You didn’t even have to say a word to her, and she can tell your feelings are split between her and me.

Daniel sighs, realizing what Billie’s getting involved in. His frustration with her disobedience is visible to Jenn.

DANIEL: (sigh) And? What did you tell her?

Jennifer looks at him, unmoved.

JENNIFER: I told her the truth. I told her that I would always love you, but that what we had is over, and that I’m happy with Liam.

Daniel shakes his head, trying to hold in his anger at Billie’s interference.

DANIEL: (sigh) I wish she hadn’t done that.

Jennifer snaps at Daniel, thinking he’s upset for other reasons, she chastises his selfishness.

JENNIFER: Well, too bad, Daniel! Do you honestly think that what you’re doing to her is fair? You’re using her as a means to escape your feelings for me, but it’s not working. And all you’re doing is hurting her, and me. And I won’t let you do that. 

Daniel tries to stop Jenn from continuing, but Jenn won’t have it.

DANIEL: Look, Jenn, don’t—
JENNIFER: No, stop! You don’t get to tell me what to do and what not to do anymore, okay? Not that you ever really had any right.
DANIEL: Jenn, it’s not what it seems—
JENNIFER: Oh come on! What does that even mean, Daniel? 

Daniel stops himself, realizing he’s digging himself into an even bigger hole the more he tries to explain, and lets Jenn finish, while he rubs the back of his neck with her hand in discomfort.

JENNIFER: Look, Billie has had enough to deal with lately with Theresa in hospital. She thinks of Theresa as a daughter, and she’s vulnerable right now. So don’t you dare tell me that things aren’t what they seem, or that…that she’s just insecure and imagining things. I see you here, with my mom, as though we’re all this one big, happy family. You, and JJ, and my mom have to get it through your heads. It’s over between us. I love Liam. And all your attempts to make him look bad are just going to blow up in your faces, because I know when I look at him that he loves me too. 

Jennifer sighs, coming down of the adrenaline of her rant at Daniel, she looks down and swallows hard. She barely looks Daniel in the eye as she turns toward the door.

JENNIFER: I just…I just wish you’d all be happy for me…now, If you’ll excuse me. I have paperwork to finish.

Jennifer rushes out of Daniel’s office, hoping to escape before she begins to cry. Daniel looks on helplessly from inside, wanting to call out to Jenn, but deciding against it. He looks defeated as he stands alone in his office.

---

Jerome walks into a room at Salem U. The room’s full of students milling about, chatting, and readying signs for the protest that afternoon. Jerome chats with them, before his phone begins to ring. He excuses himself and steps to the corner of the room.

JEROME: (into phone) Hey!

…

Sheryl stands in her office at Titan, pacing nervously as she speaks to Jerome.

SHERYL: (into phone) How’s it coming?

…

JEROME: (into phone) Okay so far…no sign of anyone from the press yet, but I figure they’ll come out when we out in the field.

…

SHERYL: (into phone) Right, well, you keep me in the loop. The protest should create enough of a distraction that we can figure out the weak spots in Titan’s security for tonight.

…

Jerome nods, despite Sheryl not being able to see him.

JEROME: (into phone) Copy. Is Fallon coming down for this?

…

SHERYL: (into phone) No idea. If he does, just play it cool. As far as he knows, everything is going exactly according to his plans. His surprise is waiting for him tonight.

Sheryl finishes her sentence with a devious smirk on her face.

---