DAYS #47: Anne's Time Is Up? (04/22/14)

EPISODE 47
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Billie sits at her desk at MadWorld, when a call comes in for her. After a second, Billie picks up.

BILLIE (into phone): Yes, Paul? Excellent, send him in.

A moment later, Paul, her secretary, ushers Roman Brady into her office. A smile is on his face.

ROMAN: Billie! I got some news for you. And I think you will be really happy with the results.

Billie smiles widely, itching to hear the news.

---

Marlena knocks frantically on Kim's door. After knocking for a bit, Kim opens the door, confused by the frantic knock.

KIM: Marlena! What's going on? I was just about to head o--

MARLENA: Oh Kim, I'm glad I found you.

Marlena reaches for Kim's arm, the panic evident in her movements, which puts Kim on edge.

KIM: Marlena! What's wrong, did something happen?

Marlena stops herself, she lets go of Kim's arm and centres herself for a moment.

MARLENA: Yes. I...I need you to come to the hospital with me. There's been an accident.

Kim gasps quietly. She steps back into her apartment to grab her purse. She's prepared, almost as though she knew it was coming.

KIM: It's Theresa, isn't it?

Marlena nods as Kim hastily locks her apartment door. Kim presses the button on the elevator repeatedly, as though that would make it come faster.

KIM: Oh God, let's go. Did you drive here?

MARLENA: Yes, I'll meet you there.

As they step in, Kim looks to Marlena.

KIM: I'm almost afraid to ask...but...(sigh) What happened?

Marlena looks to Kim empathetically as the doors close.

---

Abigail is sitting at her desk at Countess W. She's trying to focus on her work, but all she can focus on is the letter from the hospital, saying she's pregnant. She tries in vain to refocus, but can't seem to see anything but the letter, though she continues to type.

The word "pregnant" appears on her computer monitor, the result of her mistyping. She hits backspace, but the computer freezes and won't erase the word immediately. She jams on the key repreatedly in frustration, before slouching back in her chair.

ABBY: What am I gonna do?

Abby sits bolt upright as a voice calls out to her from the doorway of her office.

EJ: About what, exactly?

Abby hestitates to come up with an answer, looking like a deer caught in the headlights by EJ's question.

---

---

Roman hands Billie the report he ran up on the flash drive.

ROMAN: Turns out that not only was that used to connect to a device within Titan, but it also has some familiar fingerprints on it.

Billie reads over the letter, a smile slowly building on her face.

BILLIE: Sheryl Connors.

ROMAN: You betcha.

BILLIE: So we have what we need to nail her now, right?

ROMAN: Not exactly.

Billie's face drops at Roman's admission.

BILLIE: What do you mean? You have the proverbial smoking gun in your hands. What's the problem?

ROMAN: It's not enough, Billie. All this proves is that Sheryl had a flash drive in a computer inside an office she wasn't supposed to be in. The problem is that that drive had no contents, and no accessible files. Even for our techs.

BILLIE: So we're back to square one.

ROMAN: Not exactly. This is just the start. I think we'll be able to get them now, just need to wait just a little longer.

Billie smiles at Roman, hoping he's onto something.

---

Hope steps off the elevator at Titan, and as she steps off, sees Nick pass her by. She taps him on the shoulder, and waves as he looks over to her.

NICK: Hope! Hey! How are you?

Hope leans in for a hug, she smiles for a second, the first time since finding out about Brady's accident. As they separate from their hug, Hope's demeanour returns to a sombre state. Nick notices immediately.

HOPE: I'm...alright.

NICK: I kinda don't believe you.

HOPE: Well...it's...I have some bad news I have to pass on to Victor and Maggie.

NICK: Oh? Maggie's here?

HOPE: Yeah! It's...(sigh) It's about Brady and Theresa. They...were in a pretty serious car accident and...

Hope struggles to finish her thought and Nick puts a hand on her shoulder.

NICK: Are they alright?

Hope starts to tear up a bit. She shakes her head.

HOPE: No. Theresa's in for surgery at the hospital and Brady...they...we can't find him.

NICK: Wait, what?

HOPE: Just...I'll explain later. Okay?

NICK: Yeah, sure.

Hope queezes Nick's hand before walking away, headed for Victor's office. Nick remains stoic until Hope is out of sight, then smirks and pulls out his trusty tablet.

He sends Nicole, Jordan and Sheryl a message.

I think we just hit the jackpot, folks

NICK: Sorry, Vic. But it looks like your bad news is gonna be even worse after the Titan TV vote. Especially now.

---

Kim and Marlena step off the elevator at University Hospital. Both are hurried and head directly for Kayla, who is standing at the Nurses' station.

MARLENA: Kayla! Have you heard anything?

KIM: How did the surgery go?

Kayla stays collected, but stoic, as she looks into her sister's pleading eyes.

KAYLA: We don't know much right now. All I can say is that Daniel's in there right now, finishing up the operation. She seems to be hanging on but...there could be severe brain trauma. She may be in a coma for a very long time.

KIM: My God. My baby!

Kayla steps away from the Nurses' station and gives Kim a big hug. The sisters stay locked in an extended embrace, as Marlena looks over to see Sami emerge from the opposite hallway. Sami sees Marlena with Kim and Kayla and heads over immediately, her face heavy with concern.

SAMI: Aunt Kim, Aunt Kayla....Mom...Why...what's going on?

KAYLA: Uh...Sami...there's been an accident.

SAMI: What? What happened?

KAYLA: Theresa and Brady. They drove off an embankment and into the river--

SAMI: Oh my God. How are they, what...how...?

MARLENA: Sami, you just came from your appointment with Laura, just...go home and rest, I'll let you know what's going on as soon as I know, okay?

SAMI: No way. I'm gonna stay right here. I'll let EJ know I'm cancelling my appointments for the day, and just...I need to be here for Brady.

Marlena puts a hand on Sami's shoulder and looks intensely at her. She leans in and tells her quietly.

MARLENA: Honey, Brady's not here. They...they can't find a body, the car's submerged in the river but...

SAMI: Well that means he escaped, right?

MARLENA: They said that, under the circumstances and the speed he was travelling, the chances are very low that he survived.

Sami takes a step back, unable to soak in the information. She chokes back a bit, looking away from her mom.

SAMI: I...I can't believe this.

Marlena leans over and gives Sami a sustained hug, as Sami holds her mom tightly for comfort. Kim and Kayla look on, Kim holding her sister tightly, a saddened look in her eyes.

---

Abby smiles cautiously at EJ.

ABBY: Oh...uh...this...report. I...I can't figure out how to finish it up is all.

EJ steps casually into Abigail's office.

EJ: Well, I suggest taking a bit of a break and concentrating on yourself. You seem overworked.

Abigail rolls her eyes at this dismissively, turning off her computer monitor.

ABBY: EJ, I'm fine. I've just been under some pressure and learning a new job. It's not a big deal.

EJ: Yes, well, I worry about you, you know.

ABBY: Well, stop doing that. Focus on Sami. She needs you right now.

EJ: Abigail, you're my employee, I have every right to be concerned about your well-being. Particualrly when it affects your work.

ABBY: Well, don't, EJ. I will be fine. And technically, I'm working for Sami. You and I are done. Finished. I'm not risking any repeats, especially not here.

EJ: I didn't mean that.

EJ walks towards Abigail's desk and leans on it, staring her down intently.

EJ: Abigail. What is wrong?

---

Anne Milbauer steps onto the elevator at her apartment building, fuming from her earlier confrontation with EJ. She presses the button to her floor, then presses the close button repeatedly. The door closes and slowly ascends.

2nd floor.

3rd floor.

...

The elevator stops, never reaching the 4th floor (Anne's floor). The lights dim in the elevator, throwing Anne off.

The emergency light comes on, noting a power outage in the elevator. Anne presses the 4th floor button again repeatedly, hoping to jump start the elevator's movement. Her efforts are in vain.

Suddenly a voice comes on through the speakers on the elevator. Instead of an emergency call, the sound the local news radio feed blares through the speakers.

RADIO: ...local news, Titan CEO Brady Black was involved in a single-vehicle accident today on the north side of the city. Mr. Black's car careened off the edge of an embankment alongside the Salem River, and crashed into the river, where his body has yet to be recovered. His passenger, Theresa Donovan, is in a coma tonight at Salem University Hospital.

The news of Theresa's accident stuns as causes Anne to panic. She screams out.

ANNE: HELP! Get me out of here! HELP!

After no one comes after a second or responds, she is overcome with a sense of dread.

ANNE: EJ set this all up. He had Theresa run off the road. My God. And now he's after me.

---

DAYS #46: Aftermath (04/21/14)

EPISODE 46
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Abigail steps into the Horton living room, feeling groggy from the previous night's sleep. She looks in the mirror, studying the bags under her eyes, and thinks back to her tryst with EJ.

She snaps herself out of it as Jenn walks in.

JENNIFER: Hey, Honey. You heading for work soon?

ABBY: Uh...yeah. Soon.

Jenn's a bit concerned by Abby's drowsiness. She walks over to her, as Abby tries to pretend she's fine.

JENNIFER: Honey, are you okay?

ABBY: Yeah, Mom, I'm fine.

JENNIFER: Are you sure? You've been so...down lately.

ABBY: Well...what do you mean?

JENNIFER: Well, you're tired all the time, you've put on weight, you're complaining about being sore when you get home from work. I mean, Abigail, you were never like this at the hospital. Are you sure you're enjoying working at Countess W?

ABBY: Yeah! It's good.

Jennifer isn't convinced, and presses some more, putting a hand on Abby's shoulder.

JENNIFER: Really? You know, Abigail, you can tell me anyth--

Abby finally snaps at Jenn, and turns sharply to face her.

ABBY: ...Yes, Mom! It's a great job, and I'm fine. Could you please just stop...badgering me.

Abby turns away and runs up the stairs, leaving Jenn in the living room, dumfounded.

---

Rafe and Jordan drive down the highway, heading away from Salem. Smiling, and enjoying the drive despite the heavy cloudcover.

RAFE: Yeah, it's gonna rain soon.

JORDAN: Well, we got at least a couple more hours to drive yet, so, at least we'll stay dry, right?

RAFE: Yeah. You know, I'm really glad you and I could get away for the weekend and you finally get to meet my mom. She's...pretty excited to finally meet you.

Jordan smiles at Rafe.

JORDAN: I'm really excited to meet her. Anita sounds like a lovely woman.

Jordan looks away, her smile fades as she thinks back to what Sheryl told her.

***

JORDAN'S FLASHBACK

Sheryl looks matter-of-factly at Jordan, and, almost without emotion, issues a stern warning.

SHERYL: If you get involved with that cop, you keep it strictly business. You use him as an in to find out what you can about EnerNext, and we'll use that in to get what we need. Do not catch feelings, Kaylie. I'm serious.

***

RAFE: You alright?

Jordan snaps out of it, and turns to Rafe. She smiles again.

JORDAN: Yeah. I'm fine, just...thinking about work.

RAFE: Well, look. You've got a whole weekend to not think about work, so just...don't worry about it.

JORDAN: That's not always the easiest thing, and you know it.

Rafe takes Jordan's hand in his and quickly smiles at her, before looking back at the road. Jordan smiles back, feeling reassured.

The rain begins to come down against the windshield. Jordan looks out ahead. As she looks out, she sees a clearing off the upcoming embankment, with a group of cars lining the shoulder. Looking closer, she sees someone lying down on the side of the road.

JORDAN: Oh my God, Rafe. Pull over.

RAFE: What the...?

Rafe pulls over and Jordan jumps out, and he and Jordan jump from the car. Rafe walks over to where the people are gathered around the woman lying on the side of the road.

RAFE: What happened here?

A middle-aged man turns to Rafe and explains emphatically.

MAN: I was driving up behind when I seen these two drive right off the edge of the road here and off into the lake. The girl here jumps out and the car went right off the edge, I was freakin' out, ya know?

RAFE: What the...

Looking down, he sees that the woman on the ground is Theresa. As Jordan leans down to check Jordan's vitals, Rafe immediately calls into the station.

---

---

Sheryl and Nick are having something to eat at the Brady Pub. Discussing business, as per usual. Sheryl appears very pleased by Nick's news.

SHERYL: I got to admit, Nick. You've really surprised me.

NICK: Oh really?

SHERYL: Yeah. I mean, I didn't expect you'd be such a good ally in all this, but...I mean, you've got the media eating out of your hand, you've got all the technology in the world at your fingertips, and you've got the key to prime real estate for the oil sands project in your control. I couldn't have asked for a better ally.

NICK: And now that Brady is out as CEO, I think we'll finally be able to get Titan TV fully in our corner. And then the rest of Titan's house of cards will collapse right on cue.

As Nick says this, Sheryl raises her glass to toast him. As they clink glasses, Gabi walks into the pub. She spots Nick and walks over.

GABI: Nick! Hey! Sorry if I'm interrupting, do you have a moment?

Nick turns and smiles at Gabi. Sheryl looks up, and smiles Gabi's way.

SHERYL: Oh, don't mind me. I can make some calls. I need to take care of something anyway. If you'll excuse me.

Sheryl gets up and courteously steps away, spotting Jordan quickly heading for the front door to enter the pub. Sheryl motions to Jordan to turn back around and stay outside. Jordan obliges and heads back into the pathway outside the pub, where Sheryl steps out and meets with her.

SHERYL: I thought you and your cop were taking a "romantic getaway" this weekend.

JORDAN: Well, we WERE, and then we stumbled upon what might be something huge to help us win this whole thing. No violence, no fight, nothing.

Sheryl is in disbelief. She looks behind her to make sure no one is watching before turning back to Jordan.

SHERYL: Okay, what is it?

JORDAN: Theresa Donovan was in a car accident outside Salem. The car skidded and drove off an embankment and into the river, but Theresa managed to jump out before the car crashed.

Sheryl looks side to side, confused and disinterested.

SHERYL: What does that have to do with anything?

JORDAN: Rafe is pretty certain he knows who was driving the car.

SHERYL: Okay. Who?

Jordan leans in closer, a bit of a sinister's happy look on her face.

JORDAN: Brady Black.

Sheryl's face cannot hide the surprise of the news. Her eyes pop out a bit as she chokes out a reply.

SHERYL: What??

Inside, Gabi sits down across from Nick and smiles warmly.

NICK: So, to what do I owe the pleasure?

GABI: Well...I have something to ask you.

NICK: Yeeeees?

Nick leans in with interest as Gabi fights with everything in her not to recoil in terror, pretending to be at worst, pleasant, and at best, warm and engaging with Nick. She finally, after a few awkward seconds, gets up the courage to ask him.

GABI: ...Did you want to maybe...have dinner with me tonight?

NICK: Yes! I mean...absolutely, I'd love to. Uh...but where did this come from?

GABI: Oh I just...it's nothing. I just...I thought about what you said, Nick, and...I agree.

Nick looks on warmly, as though Gabi's his whole world. Gabi is a bit more reticent.

GABI: ...And I think that you've been....so good with this whole....living situation and...really great with Will and Sonny, and of course with Arianna.

NICK: I...love that little girl so much. As if she were my own flesh and blood.

Gabi smiles, she takes a moment before contining her thought.

GABI: So I wanted to thank you.And how better than a little...date between us.

Gabi cringes a bit as the thought of another date with Nick, but she hides it.

NICK: Okay, but only if I get to be the one to pay for it. You're not exactly a Rockafeller, you know.

GABI: (laughs) I know. (short sigh) Fine, it's a deal.

Gabi extends her hand to Nick, a cute smirk on her face, and the two shake.

---

Tyler and Maggie break their handshake as the door to Victor's office opens and Victor returns. He looks up and sees both Maggie and Tyler in his office.

VICTOR: Ah! Tyler. Excellent. I see you've met my wife.

Tyler clears his throat, and nods graciously to Maggie.

TYLER: Indeed I have. You're both very fortunate people. Maggie is lovely.

VICTOR: Well, thank you. I'd like to think after this many tries at marriage, I'd at least get one right. Now, is this the paperwork on how we'll be handling the switching over from Brady's control to mine?

TYLER: Uh...yes.

MAGGIE: Wait...you've taken over Titan from Brady.

Victor looks up from his desk, hesitant to share this news with Maggie.

VICTOR: Yes, there was a meeting this morning. Brady needs to enter rehab. He can't run a company in the state he's in.

MAGGIE: You were all gung ho about this before, what changed your mind.

VICTOR: Theresa Donovan and that video she filmed of Brady doing lines of cocaine in some seedy club, then immediately shared it with every vulgar celebrity tabloid she could think of. Something needs to be done.

MAGGIE: So it's damage control for Titan?

VICTOR: No! It just makes sense to do it this way. Either way, we've got important business to discuss, Maggie, sit down. Tyler, thank you.

TYLER: No problem, Vic. And, uh...it was lovely to meet you, Mrs. Kiriakis.

Maggie looks up as Tyler extends a hand once again. She smiles and shakes his hand gently.

MAGGIE: Likewise.

Victor is consumed by his work and pays no mind to the goings-on before him. Once Tyler leaves, Victor launches into his plan.

VICTOR: Okay, let's get down to business.

MAGGIE: Business?

VICTOR: Yes. I wanted to give you an anniversary gift...have a look.

Victor places before Maggie a paper, a proposal to re-open the Penthouse Grille, and naming Maggie as majority owner. A wide smile of surprise and disbelief crosses Maggie's face as she reads.

---

Abigail stands in her room, changing into her work clothes after a shower. She's deep in thought. She stops and notices herself in her full-length mirror. She's wearing a towel across her body and one over her head to help dry her hair.

Looking in the mirror, Abby analyses every curve in her body. Stretch marks that weren't there before. She runs her fingers along her thighs and to her lightly protruding belly.

She stops. As if something is hurting her, she recoils her hands away from her stomach. She stares at her stomach with an intense and distressed look, and tries to suck it in. When this doesn't yield the desired result, Abby takes the towel on her head and uses it to cover the mirror.

She walks over to her vanity, which has a letter on top from University Hospital. The letter is not, however, about her job there.

The letter, dated July 14, 2014, notes that Abby is at approximately 4 months pregnant, and that UH has confirmed her appointments with her OBGYN. Abigail looks over the letter carefully, a look of sickness across her face. She crumples up the letter and throws it across the room, after which she holds her head in her hands, trying to fight back tears.

ABBY: Damn you, EJ. Damn, damn, damn you!

---

Hope and Rafe are investigating the scene of the accident. The rain complicates their investigation, but they remain unfazed, though Hope is obviously concerned. She walks over to Rafe, who's just stepped away from the edge of the embankment, where he was talking to another investigator.

HOPE: So what's the word on the car?

RAFE: Well...they pulled it from the river, and they're just running the plates now to see whose it is. No driver inside. Seems Theresa opening the door may have helped whoever it was out. There's a chance the driver may be alive.

Hope looks over at the car being towed away from the scene. She looks at it with a look of recognition. Suddenly the lightbulb goes off.

HOPE: Oh my God. That's...that's Brady's car.

RAFE: You sure?

HOPE: Yeah, I see him drive that same one all the time with the cobra on the side. I mean, I don't know a lot about cars but...I'd know it anywhere. It's his baby. Damn it! I just...I was...we have to contact John and...oh my God...

RAFE: It's okay. I know.

As Hope's emotions begin to take over, Rafe puts a comforting hand on Hope's shoulder.

---

The elevator doors open at University Hospital as Theresa is wheeled into the Emergency Ward. The doctors and nurses kick into action as her unconscious body is wheeled into a room, as the doctors' talk in medical jargon.

Daniel, having been paged from his office, darts over to Theresa's bedside, ready to jump into action. He asks Maxine questions as he heads over.

DANIEL: What've we got?

MAXINE: Accident victim, thrown from a car just before it drove off an embankment. Patient is unconscious, with major fractures to her ribs, two broken arms, and a broken leg. Possible head trauma as well.

DANIEL: Thanks, Maxine. Let's have a look at he--

When he looks down, realizing who his patient is. He is stunned.

DANIEL: Oh. My. God.

---

DAYS #45: Brady Goes Down (Part 3): Crash & Burn (04/18/14)

EPISODE 45
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Sami steps off the elevator at University Hospital, and grabs her cell phone, she makes a quick call to her secretary at Countess W.

SAMI: (into phone) Yes, Jessica? It's Sami. Look, if you can cancel my appointments for the morning, I'll be in an important meeting...Thanks. I'll let you know when I'm heading back. Bye.

Sami hangs up as she approaches Dr. Laura Horton's door. She sighs heavily before stepping inside.

---

EJ arrives back at the DiMera mansion, on his cell phone with somebody. He is focused and serious with them as he heads directly into the now-empty living room.

EJ: (into phone) So she should be contacting you shortly. I want you to make sure you have that exact medication ready for her...precisely...alright. Call me when it's done.

EJ hangs up the phone, a smirk develops across his face.

EJ: One way to squash a fly...

EJ's smug moment of satisfaction is interrupted by the sound of an argument in the foyer between Harold and a person at the door. EJ's curiosity piqued, he heads for the door.

Anne is at the door, enraged, while Harold tries to keep her at bay.

ANNE: You WILL let me in because I have something very important to share with Mr. DiMera and if you think that--

EJ: Ms. Milbauer. How lovely to see you. Come in.

Harold takes a step back, while Anne smiles a phony "gotcha" smile to Harold, and steps forward towards EJ.

---

Theresa walks through the path towards the University Hospital parking lot. She's uneasy, and deep in thought about her actions the previous night in Chicago. She looks at her phone and reads the news reports about Brady's ousting at Titan. She feels regretful, but flashes back to seeing the couple that appeared to be Brady and Chloe kissing at the party.

THERESA: You deserved it, Brady. You and that little oompa-loompa of yours.

Just then, Brady pulls up in his car.

He looks exhausted and wired. He glares at Theresa with an intensity and anger that Theresa isn't used to from him.

BRADY: Get in.

---

---

Tyler steps into Victor's office, while looking down at a file folder with paperwork. He knocks as he opens the door, but steps right in without concern.

TYLER: Victor, I think we need to go over the details of your succession plan, iron out the details so we're covered with regards to Brady...oh.

Upon looking up, Tyler realizes that Victor is not the one in the office, but Maggie. She turns around the face Tyler, smiling warmly.

MAGGIE: You know, I'd heard of married couples starting to look the same over time, but this is ridiculous.

Tyler is taken aback, feeling a bit sheepish for his error, but Maggie gives a cheeky smile, before extending a hand in greeting.

MAGGIE: I'm Maggie Kiriakis.

TYLER: Pleasure to meet you.

Tyler extends his hand in greeting, the two linger a little too long in shaking hands.

---

Anne storms into the DiMera living room, as EJ motions to Harold. Harold nods and heads for the kitchen.

EJ steps into the room casually, as though he knows exactly what's going on. Anne is visibly agitated, and ready for a fight.

EJ: And what can I help you with, Ms. Milbauer?

Anne reaches into her bag and slaps the freezer bag containing the suspect letter against EJ's chest.

ANNE: Either you're really bad at intimidating me, or this is more of your macabre DiMera humour. Seriously, EJ? Suspiciously powdered letters?

EJ takes the bag and opens it, casually pulling the letter out of the bag, and opening it, as he speaks, he pulls the letter out to show Anne, while dusting it off.

EJ: I confess, I was not at the office this morning when this was sent to you. I was working from home on the fundraising for the hospital for you, and when the delivery man arrived, I'd already begun baking cookies with the children.

As EJ says this, Harold strolls into the room with a platter of cookies. EJ hands the letter over to Anne, who looks it over suspciously, before looking up at EJ, who has taken two cookies from the platter.

EJ: I was unable to clean my hands so I'm sorry for the uhh...heh, baking powder all over the letter. Uh...would you like a cookie? The children worked very hard on them.

Anne looks down at the cookie, and shakes her head.

ANNE: You really must think I'm an idiot. Like I'm gonna take cookies from you, you know you're really a sick man.

EJ: Oh come on, Ms. Milbauer, it's not like they're poisoned. See?

EJ takes one of the cookies and takes a big bite from it. He smiles, and holds his arms out almost victoriously.

EJ: See? I'm fine! I don't know why you're so paranoid, Ms. Milbauer.

At this point, Anne is livid and steps towards EJ menacingly.

ANNE: You know exactly why I'm suspicious of you, EJ. And don't chalk it up to paranoia. You have the audacity to threaten me, and then play these ridiculous, childish pranks in order to scare me out of town so your little affair with Little Miss Sunshine doesn't get found out? You think I'm that stupid? I know it was you sending someone to follow me last night, to freak me out?

EJ: I did no such thing...

ANNE: I know you sent me that letter today with the suspicious powder to make me think it was some kind of poison, and I know those cookies are just your way of making me think I'm losing my mind, or at the very least to discredit me. And you know what? It's not going to work. Because you don't have the balls to actually follow through on any of your threats. You have too much to lose. So stop with the little warning shots, because I know you. You'll all talk, and no walk. Excuse me.

Anne backs away from EJ, grabs her bag and heads off towards the door, grabbing a cookie from the tray on the way out. She tastes one, stopping before she's out the door. She turns to face EJ with a sour look on her face as she chews it.

ANNE: Mm...some advice? Never open a bakery.

Anne turns back around and heads out the door, throwing the cookie out into the bushes as she goes.

EJ laughs to himself as Anne closes the door.

---

Sami steps into Laura's office. She appears incredibly tense, and Laura can instantly sense this in her. Laura motions for Sami to sit down in a chair on the other side of Laura's desk. Sami obliges.

SAMI: Thanks. I'm...so glad to see you. It's been a really long time.

LAURA: Likewise. Your mother showed me pictures of your children the last time she visited me. They're beautiful.

Sami tenses a bit, thinking of her hesitation with Johnny the previous week, as she finally began to come to grips with his conception. She responds less than happily.

SAMI: Uh...thank you...you know, I've hired your granddaughter, Abigail. She's been...really helpful to me at Countess W.

LAURA: I'm glad. It's such a shame she had problems here at the hospital. I was hoping we could work together, but...

SAMI: Yeah. Some people just don't get along, I guess.

LAURA: I suppose...look, Sami. I noticed your tension when I mentioned your children just now. Are they doing okay?

Sami hesitates to answer for a moment, but smiles and forms an answer.

SAMI: Yes, they're fine. I just...we had some...

LAURA: Sami, are you worried you're disconnecting from your children?

Sami stops and thinks for a second. She nods to Laura hesitantly.

SAMI: And it's not just that. I...the other night, EJ and I fought and...he brought up the night that...Johnny, my youngest son, the night he was....conceived and...

LAURA: Sami, is Johnny's conception a happy memory for you?

Sami looks to the ground. She tries in vain to fight back tears as she struggles to answer Laura. She finally chokes out an answer, barely audible.

SAMI: No. And I'm...I'm afraid of...

LAURA: What are you afraid of, Sami?

Sami swallows, and breathes deeply. After a moment, she finally answers.

SAMI: I'm afraid I'm going to push him away...because when I look at Johnny now...I see what happened that night, and not my beautiful little boy anymore...and I can't...I need help, Laura.

---

Gabi walks through the park, trying to look inconspicuously for someone. She sits down on the bench and begins to check her texts. EJ's text instructs her to wait on the bench at 3pm for a gentleman. Not describing him any further, Gabi's unsure what to look for.

GABI: Real helpful, EJ.

Just as she says this, a man sits down on the bench next to her, and quietly speaks.

MAN: You Gabi?

Gabi looks over at the man, and nods.

GABI: You have it?

MAN: It's all yours.

The man hands her a small pill bottle, as discreetly as possible. Gabi looks up at him, while looking around to see if anyone else is looking. She slips the pills into her bag, and the man looks her intensely.

It's Liam.

LIAM: And remember, you've never seen me before, and you won't recognize me if you see me again. If you need anything else, contact EJ.

Gabi stares nervously at him, and nods, before grabbing her bag and taking off.

---

Brady drives aggressively down the road. Theresa sits next to him in his car, visibly nervous. So nervous, in fact, she can barely look over at him, nearly transfixed on the road.

THERESA: So...Brady.

BRADY: I thought we could go for a drive....have a little talk. You and I.

THERESA:oh...oh yeah? What about?

BRADY: Well, what happened to you last night when you left the party...you know I wanted to find you.

THERESA: Ohh yeah?

Brady looks at Theresa and smiles.

BRADY: Yeah. I wanted to surprise you. I was gonna rent out the biggest suite at that hotel across the street you loved so much. You know, you said it was so glamourous, and you just...you wish you could spend one night there.

THERESA: You...you would do that for me?

BRADY: Yes. Yes, I would. And I almost did too. But I couldn't find you...or my credit card. So I ended up going back to Salem where I find out that my company credit card, there's this...$200-plus cab fare on it. And it's funny because, the charge was made around the same time I went looking for you at the club.

THERESA: Look, Brady, I--

Brady's anger is starting to creep into his voice, his motions becoming ever more staccato, as his foot presses harder on the gas. The car enters the highway leaving Salem.

BRADY: You know, then this video is online of me...doing cocaine. And it's like...it's so funny, it's at that same time when you were trying to take a selfie and you were too drunk to figure out your phone? Such a weird coincidence, huh?

Brady's foot presses more and more on the accelerator, as the car pushes up towards 70, 75, 80mph. Theresa holds onto the grip on the door tightly.

THERESA: B...Brady, slow down.

Brady is looking straight ahead, barely even acknowledging Theresa's existence.

BRADY: Why?

THERESA: Well...well the speed limit, Brady is--

BRADY: Do you honestly think I care right now? Like...at all? Do you think what you want matters to me right now?

THERESA: Brady, you're scaring me.

Brady starts to pay closer attention to Theresa now, but it is mostly anger he shows her as he intermittently divides his attention between her and the road before him.

BRADY: Do you think I'm scared? Huh? Do you think I can feel anything right now?

THERESA: Brady, what are you talking about?

BRADY: What do I have now, Theresa? Think about it for a second, yeah? I just lost my job, my reputation is ruined, the woman I thought I was getting to know and care about, she double-crosses me because she's so damned insecure about me being able to be nice to my ex-wife. Every single woman I ever get involved with betrays me. My family hates me. Tell me, Theresa. What do I have to live for now? Tell me.

THERESA: Okay, okay, Okay--

BRADY:...TELL ME! Do you get it?

THERESA: Okay! I'm sorry, Brady, would you PLEASE slow down.

Brady takes his eyes off the road now entirely, and begins to lean in closer and closer to Theresa.

His speed is now reaching 85mph.

BRADY: Ohhhh no. You don't get it, do you? I want you to listen to me for once. No distractions. No one around to watch you to see the glamourous life you're living off my back. Just you, finally facing the person you are. The despicable, self-absorbed piece of street trash you really are--

Theresa looks away from Brady.

90mph.

Theresa looks up and sees a sharp turn in the road ahead, she panicks and screams out.

THERESA: BRADY, LOOK OUT!

Brady looks up and tries to steer into the turn while slamming on the brakes.

Theresa, in a moment of quick thinking, pulls her door open and leaps from the vehicle, but due to the speed the car is travelling at, she is knocked unconscious and severely injured immediately upon impacting the ground.

Brady's car skids off the road and drives through the barrier, off the side of the embankment, into the lake below.

---