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.

---

DAYS #100: Liam's country rendezvous, Nicole meets her new assistant (07/04/14)

EPISODE 100
Written by A. Washington-Beeby
Story Consultants: ML Cooks, Nick Monarco & C. Nathaniel Richardson

Nicole walks into her office, a touch frantic, as she carries the garment bag holding the dress she's set to wear to her wedding to Eric later in the day. Stressed, she yammers on to herself as she gets herself ready for the day.

NICOLE: Alright, Nicole. Let's get this meeting over with and then we can do what we've been waiting to do. Marry Eric.

Nicole hangs her garment bag up, then unzips it, looking inside to see her dress. She smiles widely, admiring the dress.

NICOLE: It's funny. You can wear a dress a million times and...suddenly it becomes so special.

Nicole hears a knock at her office door, causing her to turn around, coming back down to Earth.

NICOLE: But first, let's find out what our fairy godmother wants.

Nicole walks toward the door, still talking sarcastically to herself.

NICOLE: Knowing my luck, she'll turn me into a pumpkin.

Opening the door, Sami stands there, a broad, saucy smile on her face. She stands with Abigail.

SAMI: Nicole! Good to see you.

Sami marches straight into Nicole's office, as Abigail reluctantly follows.

NICOLE: Sami...I wish I could say the same.

Nicole nearly shuts the door behind her, before stopping herself upon seeing the garment bag on the other side of the doorway. She smiles awkwardly before stepping back toward her desk, where Sami and Abigail are waiting.

NICOLE: So!...Boss...

Nicole rolls her eyes as she says 'boss', the words parting from her mouth, dripping with sarcasm.

NICOLE: What can I do for you?

Sami looks up from her seat before Nicole's desk, smiling with a very sarcastic look in her eye.

SAMI: Well, Nicole. I have some excellent news for you.

Nicole stops before Sami, looking down from above, hands on her hips. She responds to Sami with a phony excitement.

NICOLE: Let me guess. Staff cuts! My salary’s too high so unfortunately, you’ll be terminating my contract!

Sami and Nicole fake sharing a laugh before Sami responds, still smiling smugly.

SAMI: Ohhh no, not at all. However, Nicole, since you've been known to do some....rather....controversial work as of late...I think it would be best if you had an....assistant.

Nicole looks at Sami, her face drops as she looks back behind Sami at a sheepish Abby. Her eyes immediately look back at Sami, a bit displeased by the news.

NICOLE: ...Assistant. As in...
SAMI: Yup. 

Sami looks back toward Abigail, a big smile on her face, almost laughing.

SAMI: Abigail, meet your new boss.

Sami turns back toward Nicole, who looks on, staring Sami down intently, as Sami looks back, almost laughing, knowing that she's gotten to Nicole.

---

Daniel gets up from his chair, and begins to pace the room as he talks with Laura.

DANIEL: Now, you're absolutely sure that Liam's working for the DiMeras.
LAURA: Daniel, unless my hearing's worn down over the years and I haven't noticed...he absolutely was speaking to EJ. There's no question.

Daniel pauses in his tracks, looking solemnly at the ground with his back to Laura. Laura looks his way, concern plain on her face as well.

DANIEL: (sigh) Okay, yeah, that settles it then...

Laura approaches Daniel, a stunned look on her face.

LAURA: What do you mean by that?

Daniel takes a second, sighing as he contemplates how much to tell Laura about what he's figured out about the situation.

DANIEL: Well...I mean, I had...sorta...pulled together some things I remembered about Liam and...yeah, I'm convinced. This guy is definitely bad news.

Daniel turns around to face Laura, the colour drained from Laura's face as she realizes Daniel is dead serious.

LAURA: You know something, don't you.
DANIEL: I...nothing I can really....confirm. But...yeah, we gotta stop this guy, before he hurts Jennifer, or JJ, or Abigail. Or you.

Laura looks on, mortified by Daniel's realization.

---

---

Nicole sighs, as she stands over a smug Sami, and an awkward Abigail.

NICOLE: I'm being given an assistant?

Sami stands up from her seat, folding her arms as she holds onto her smug smile, knowing she's irritating Nicole.

SAMI: Oh, now, don't feel like this is anything but a good thing, Nicole. This means your workload will be halved, and yet...you can take on so many new stories.
NICOLE: Okay, look, I know what you're actually doing, Sami. You've got your little...friend here to be my "assistant", when she's actually going to be your spy. Trying to see what I'm doing that you could fire me for, maybe? That seems...hmmm...kinda your M.O.

Sami, rolling her eyes, responds glibly to Nicole's attack.

SAMI: Oh come on, Nicole, I'm hardly that transparent. Gotta keep you on your toes. No, Abigail is here because you're being given carte blanche to pursue an expansive investigation into the story I know for a fact you've already done a fantastic job covering for the station. EnerNext.

Nicole's face changes as she hears Sami's words, her face slowly shifting to a wry smile.

---

Noelle steps around the corner in the hallways of Titan, and finds Alex and Will shaking hands, their eyes locked onto each other. Will has an intense gaze that catches Noelle's attention. She clears her throat, and Alex and Will are jolted out of their gaze and handshake.

ALEX: Oh, Noelle! Hey, honey! I...Will and I were just...
WILL: We were just clearing the air about some...misunderstandings about our...working relationship.

Alex looks uncomfortably at Will before looking back Noelle's way.

ALEX: Yes...exactly. So! Uh, why brings you this way?
NOELLE: Oh, I just...I came to give you an update on Victor.
WILL: Oh! How's he doing? Maggie was feeling optimistic when I saw her this morning.

Noelle looks Will's way, a bit of an artifice to her smile as she answers his question.

NOELLE: Well, just that Daniel is going to keep him in the induced coma for a bit longer, but that he's progressing well after the bypass, and there's so far no complications.
WILL: That's good to hear.
ALEX: Definitely. Ah, well...look, since you're here, Noelle...did you want to...I dunno, maybe grab lunch?

Noelle turns her attention back to her husband, wrapping one arm around his back as she snuggles in close to him, her other hand stroking his tie. She looks at Will directly, sensing he's a threat.

NOELLE: Oh definitely. Any time I get to spend with my husband is time well-spent.

Will looks on, a bit of a menacing glare in his eyes, before quickly looking up at Alex again.

ALEX: Did you want to join us, Will?
WILL: Oh, no no! You two go on ahead. I have to finish up the press release for the oil sands, get those facts cross-referenced and change some words around. Deadline's looming!

Will smiles at the couple before him, as he turns to walk into his office.

WILL: You two lovebirds enjoy yourselves.

Noelle responds, almost bitingly. Alex remains oblivious to the tension between Noelle and Will.

NOELLE: Oh we will! Don't you worry.

Will shuts the door to his office, and leans against it, his face immediately dropping as he bangs the back of his head against the door in frustration. Will mutters to himself softly.

WILL: Why did he have to be Sonny's brother. Why, why, why, why? (sigh).

---

Laura stands facing Daniel in Daniel's office. She hesitates to ask her next question, almost afraid of the answer.

LAURA: I ummm...I hate to ask but...what did you remember about Liam?

Daniel leans back against his desk, shaking his head while holding up his hand to Laura.

DANIEL: I can't get into that right now, Laura. Just know...Liam Frasier has gotta be stopped. Sooner rather than later.
LAURA: So...what are we gonna do to stop him? I mean, Daniel, I don't wanna get JJ any more involved in this than he already is.
DANIEL: Well, Laura, he might have to get a whole lot more involved. Honestly, I want you to back off from this a bit, I'm more worried about you than him. JJ's a young guy, and he's street smart, he can definitely take care of himself.

Laura looks at Daniel, an incredulous look on her face.

LAURA: Daniel Jonas, what are you trying to say? I'm a helpless damsel in distress?
DANIEL: No! No, not at all. I'm just saying...I want you to be safe. Because if anything goes wrong, Jennifer will need her mom more than anyone else.

Laura nods, understanding what Daniel's saying. She looks at him closely.

LAURA: You still love her, don't you?

At that moment, a voice pipes up from behind the two of them.

JENNIFER: Whether he does or not, he's with Billie now, and I'm happy with Liam, so whatever Daniel feels or doesn't feel...

Laura turns quickly toward the door to see Jennifer standing inside the doorway, while Daniel looks up, jolted by her interruption.

JENNIFER: ...is really no concern of mine. 

Daniel looks over to Jennifer, who looks back his way coldly.

---

Liam pulls up down the winding country lane, approaching a modern-looking log cabin home. He stops the car and steps out of the car, then looks at the house. Large windows, and another car in the driveway with out of state license plates. He studies everything carefully before parking.

The door to the house opens, catching Liam off guard. Looking at the person in the doorway, he smiles warmly.

LIAM: You finally made it. Good to see you again.

---