PROLOGUE 

P A . . . BEACON HOTEL . . . NIGHT 

(EVENING . . . CASSIE SAT WITH OLIVIA AND MADE OUT INVITATIONS FOR THE "SECOND ANNUAL BEACON NEW YEARS EVE GALA") 

OLIVIA So, do you know who you're taking to the party? 

CASSIE I don't know yet. 

OLIVIA You haven't been asked? 

CASSIE Who are you going with, Olivia? 

OLIVIA Actually, Philip asked me. (LOOKS DOWN AT AN INVITATION MARKED ALAN) 

CASSIE That was a pretty messy divorce, huh? (BEAT) Look, Olivia, I'm sorry if I upset you. 

OLIVIA No, don't be. I'm glad it's over. The important thing is, he's out of my life for good this time. 

CASSIE How's your daughter? 

OLIVIA She's great. She's started crawling. 

CASSIE They grow up so fast. 

OLIVIA (LOOKS AT THE INVITATIONS ADDRESSED TO PHILIP AND ALAN) Yeah. 

CASSIE Are you and Alan sharing custody? 

OLIVIA You know, we have a lot more invitations to fill out. 

CASSIE Olivia, you can always come to me if you need to talk. 

OLIVIA Well, when I need someone, you'll be the first to know. 

(ALEXANDRA COMES DOWNSTAIRS SPRAYING PERFUME ALL OVER HERSELF. SHE TAKES OUT HER COMPACT AND CHECKS OUT HER FACE ONCE MORE. WITH HER BACK FACING THEM, ALEXANDRA COULD SEE OLIVIA IN HER MIRROR.) 

ALEXANDRA Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in. (CLOSES HER COMPACT AND FACES OLIVIA) Hello, Olivia. I see you're still living in hotel rooms. 

OLIVIA I work here. I still own half this hotel, remember?

ALEXANDRA Of course, darling. My brother was too generous in the divorce settlement if you ask me. 

OLIVIA Well, no one's asking you. 

ALEXANDRA Olivia, you may have fooled Alan into thinking that Veronica was his child, but I know the truth (BEAT) and truth, my dear, will not set you free. 

(OLIVIA HOLDS BACK HER TEARS. WATCHES ALEXANDRA MEET UP WITH BUZZ AND EXCHANGE FRIENDLY KISSES ON THE CHEEK.) 

BUZZ (GRINS) Are you ready, darling? 

ALEXANDRA (PUTS ON HER WRAP) Yes, of course. 

(THEY EXIT OUT THE FRONT DOOR. OLIVIA TAKES ALAN'S WRITTEN INVITATION, WODS IT UP FURIOUSLY, AND THROWS IT ACROSS THE ROOM.)

OLIVIA (CRIES AND YELLS) Damn her! 

CASSIE Olivia, what did Alexandra mean when she said, "You fooled Alan about the baby?" Isn't Alan the father? 

OLIVIA (WIPES HER TEARS AWAY) I don't want to talk about it. It's over with now. 

CASSIE Alan's not the father, is he? 

OLIVIA I said I didn't want to talk about it. (STROKES PHILIPS INVITATION) 

CASSIE Oh, my, God. Philip's the father. Am I right? 

(THROUGH THE DOUBLE DOORS LEADING TO THE LOBBY, CAME A WOMAN IN A WHITE TRENCH COAT AND WEARING A CREAM COLORED SNOW HAT. SHE APPROACHES THE DESK.) 

OLIVIA (TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND WALKS OVER TO HER) Welcome to the Beacon. Do you have a reservation? (THE WOMAN NODS) Name? 

CASSIE (WANDERS OVER) Hello, my name is Cassie Winslow and I'm the owner of this hotel. 

(WOMAN TAKES OFF HER HAT AND CASSIE'S EYES OPEN WIDE) Oh, my, God, Jenna! You're alive! 

(JENNA IS LEFT PUZZLED, AS WE. . .) 

BRIDGE TO: OPENING TITLE CREDITS 

P B . . . BEACON HOTEL . . . NIGHT

JENNA (CONFUSED) What?

CASSIE I thought that you were dead. I remember the accident -- 

JENNA I don't know what you're talking about. My name is Petula Bradley. 

CASSIE But you used to live in Springfield. 

JENNA No, I'm from England. I've never been here before. 

OLIVIA Here's your room key. (EXTENDS HER ARM W/ KEY) Enjoy your stay. 

JENNA (SMILES AND TAKES THE KEY) Thank you. (GRABS HER BAGS) 

OLIVIA Wait, I'll have George take your bags. (MOTIONS FOR GEORGE) 

JENNA Thanks. (GEORGE CARRIES HER BAGS UPSTAIRS) Excuse me, but do you know of any place I could get a bite to eat? 

OLIVIA Company. It's right across from Cedar's Hospital.

JENNA Okay. Thanks again. (LEAVES) 

CASSIE Buzz is in for an unexpected surprise. 

OLIVIA Who is Jenna? 

CASSIE A good friend of mine. She died in a car accident 5 years ago. 

OLIVIA Like Richard -- Oh, God, I'm sorry for bringing that up. 

CASSIE It's okay. 

OLIVIA So, this Jenna -- Could she possibly make Alexandra's life a living hell? 

CASSIE Jenna was the love of Buzz Cooper's life. They were married. In fact, they share two children. 

OLIVIA You know, I better go pick up the baby and then I'm going to head out. Will you be okay here alone? 

CASSIE Sure. We only have a few more invitiations to finish. I can handle it. 

OLIVIA I'll see you. (EXITS) 

(CASSIE LOOKS AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE, AS WE. . .) 

(FADE TO: FIRST COMMERICAL BREAK) 

ACT ONE 

1 A . . . THE TOWERS CLUB . . . NIGHT. 

(INSIDE THE TOWERS CLUB, BUZZ AND ALEXANDRA SIT ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER) 

BUZZ So, how's the high life? 

ALEXANDRA There's never a dull moment in our family 

BUZZ What has Alan done now? 

ALEXANDRA What Alan always does. He's making the people closest to him miserable. 

BUZZ Why do you still live there? Why don't you move in with me? 

ALEXANDRA Me? Live over a diner? (LAUGHS) 

BUZZ You'd rather spend the rest of your life living with Alan? 

ALEXANDRA Listen, Buzz, I have to keep my family together. The walls would come crashing down if I weren't there. 

WAITER (APPROACHES THE TABLE) There's a phone call for you, sir. 

BUZZ (TO ALEX) It's probably just Frank checking up on me. I will only take a minute. (LEAVES) 

(FRANK WAS ON THE PHONE AND HE TOLD BUZZ TO COME TO "COMPANY" QUICK.) 

BUZZ (Cont'd) Frank, is there a fire? [...] What? [...] Who? [...] Can't you -- Frank! Okay, I'm on my way. [HANGS UP THE PHONE] 

(BUZZ GOES BACK TO HIS TABLE AND ASKS ALEXANDRA FOR A RAIN CHECK. SHE GOES BACK TO THE BEACON.) 
(AS WE. . .) 

1 B . . . COMPANY . . . NIGHT 

(GUS IS SITTING IN ONE OF THE BOOTHES WITH ZACK, WAITING FOR HARLEY TO RETURN WITH JUDE. MARINA IS STUCK WAITING TABLES FOR THE NIGHT. JENNA COMES THROUGH THE ENTRANCE AND SITS DOWN IN A BOOTH. FRANK'S IN THE BACK MAKING HOT FUDGE SUNDAES FOR FOR HIS LITTLE NEPHEWS. JENNA SCANNED THE ROOM AND CHOSE THE BOOTH WHERE BUZZ PROPOSED TO HER. JENNA SITS DOWN. MARINA PASSES BY WITH AN EMPTY TRAY.) 

JENNA Excuse me, but could I have a nice hot cup of tea? 

MARINA Sure. 

(MARINA WENT BACK TO THE BAR. FRANK COMES OUT OF THE KITCHEN WITH TWO HOT FUDGE SUNDAES WITH EXTRA WHIPPED CREAM.) 

FRANK (PLACES THEM ON THE TABLE) Here you go, Zack. (TO GUS) Harley hasn't come back with Jude yet? 

GUS No, but Zack is happy to be back home with his little brother. 

(AS MARINA IS PREPARING THE TEA, SHE COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE JENNA COVERING HERSELF UP. MARINA FINISHES STIRRING THE TEA.) 

MARINA (BRINGS IT TO JENNA) Here you go. (PLACES TEA IN FRONT OF HER) Can I ask you a question? 

JENNA What? 

MARINA Why are you hiding from my dad? 

JENNA I don't know what you mean. I was just cold, that's all. 

MARINA It feels like 90 degrees in here. I could totally walk around here in, like, shorts and a tank top. 

JENNA Lovely. 

MARINA I love your accent. I bet you have a lot of money and know the queen, right? 

JENNA Well. . . 

MARINA Are you single? 

JENNA Excuse me? 

(BUZZ ENTERS COMPANY RATHER LOUDLY.) 

BUZZ Frank, this better be important. 

(JENNA HIDES BEHIND HER MENU. MARINA IS EVEN MORE CURIOUS, AS TO WHAT SHE IS HIDING.) 

FRANK Dad, I got a call on a case that I'm working on and have to go down to the station. 

BUZZ Frank, I was on a date with a wonderful woman. 

FRANK I know, dad, and I'm sorry. 

BUZZ [SARCASTICALLY] Are you, Frank? Are you really? 

FRANK Bye, dad. (LEAVES) 

BUZZ [TO GUS] Why are you here? 

GUS I'm just looking after Zack until Harley gets back with Jude. 

(BUZZ SHOOK HIS HEAD AND WALKED AWAY. HE PASSED BY JENNA'S TABLE. MARINA LEANED HER STOMACH ON THE BOOTH OPPOSITE JENNA.) 

MARINA Are you royalty? 

JENNA I was once an heiress a long time ago. Why are you asking me these questions? 

MARINA Did you see that handsome man leave a minute ago? 

JENNA The one you accused me of hiding from? 

MARINA Yeah. That's my dad and he's single. 

JENNA Are you always this nosy? 

MARINA A lot of people have been hiding things in this town and I was just wondering if you did. I mean, covering up whenever my dad or grampa enter a room gives good cause to my curiosity. Don't you think? 

JENNA I already told you, I felt a draft, ok? 

MARINA Sure. Whatever you say.

MARINA GOT UP AND WALKED OVER TO WHERE GUS AND ZACH WERE SITTING. JENNA WATCHES BUZZ RUSTLE AROUND IN THE BACK AND SMILES. SHE DRINKS HER TEA AND PULLS DOWN THE FRONT OF HER HAT.

JENNA [THINKING TO HERSELF] I must get out of here,

SHE GETS UP AND LEAVES WITHOUT ANYONE SEEING HER.

(AS WE . . .)

1 C . . . BEACON HOTEL . . . NIGHT

(ALL WAS QUIET IN THE HOTEL AS CASSIE FINISHED PUTTING A STAMP ON THE LAST INVITATION. SHE TURNED ON THE RADIO NEXT TO HER AND SHANIA TWAIN'S SONG, "FROM THIS MOMENT" WAS PLAYING. CASSIE STARTED TEARING UP BECAUSE THAT WAS THE LAST SONG THAT SHE HEARD BEFORE HEARING ABOUT RICHARD'S ACCIDENT. JUST THEN, A COOL BREEZE FILLED THE ROOM.)

CASSIE Hello? Anyone there?

SHE THEN FELT A WARMTH THAT CARESSED HER BODY AND MADE HER FEEL SAFE.

CASSIE [SOFTLY] Richard.

A MAN WALKS INTO THE HOTEL LOBBY AND STOPS.

CASSIE: [CONT'D] Hello? Who are you?

RICHARD Cassie.

CASSIE: Richard?

RICHARD Hello, Cassie.

CASSIE Richard. . .you. . .[APPROACHES HIM] Is it really you?

RICHARD Yes it's me.

CASSIE Oh, my, God, you're alive?

RICHARD Yes.

CASSIE H-how?

RICHARD I can't explain it.

CASSIE This is a miracle. I have to call Tammy. . .[GRABS THE PHONE]

RICHARD No, you mustn't.

CASSIE Why not?

RICHARD Because there's something I have to tell you.

CASSIE What?

JENNA COMES THROUGH THE DOOR AND GOES UP THE STEPS.

RICHARD Cassie, this information could put your family in danger.

CASSIE Then you have to tell me.

(CASSIE LOOKS INTO RICHARD'S EYES, AS WE . . .)

2 A . . . THE OLD MUSEUM . . . DAY

MARINA SAT ON THE COUCH AND THOUGHT ABOUT THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. MARAH WALKS IN AND MOVES TOWARDS HER.

MARAH Hey, Marina, have you seen Tony?

MARINA BITES HER LOWER LIP AND DOESN'T ANSWER.

MARAH Marina? [TOUCHES HER SHOULDER AND MARINA JUMPS]

MARINA Hi, Marah. What are you doing here?

MARAH I live here, remember? Where were you just now?

MARINA This lady . . .She came into Company last night. She was acting strange.

MARAH There are lots of strange people living in Springfield.

MARINA I think she knows my family.

MARAH I don't know of anyone in this town that doesn't know your family.

MARINA It was really weird because everytime my dad or grampa were in the room, she'd hide under her hat or behind a menu or something.

MARAH Ooh, a mysterious woman! That takes me back to my first Nancy Drew book. [LAUGHS]

MARINA It's not funny. I mean, this woman knew them, like, really knew them. She sounded like she was from europe.

MARAH Wow, this is better than Nancy Drew.

MARINA Marah, I'm serious. I think she came from a royal family . . .maybe I should ask grampa.

MARAH Yeah. Listen, Marina, I really have to find Tony. We'll talk more later, ok? [LEAVES]
MARINA LEAVES, ALSO, AS WE . . .)
 

2 B . . . CASSIE'S HOTEL ROOM . . . DAY

(CASSIE WOKE UP AND LOOKED AROUND HER ROOM)

CASSIE Richard? Are you here? 

(CASSIE SEES A NOTE AT THE END OF HER BED. SHE PICKS IT UP AND READS IT TO HERSELF)

RICHARD (VOICE OVER)

Dearest Cassie,

I had to leave you today; I can't explain why, but know that I love you
and never have been happier than I was when I was with you last night.
Give Tammy and R.J. a kiss for me.

Love,
Richard

CASSIE (CRIES)

(AS WE . . .)

2 C . . . BEACON HOTEL LOBBY . . . DAY

(OLIVIA IS TAKING CARE OF A FEW THINGS BEFORE SHE MEETS PHILIP FOR LUNCH)

OLIVIA (TO JIMMY) Jimmy, could you take Miss Greason's things to room 221, please?

(JENNA COMES DOWN THE STAIRS AND WALKS TO OLIVIA)

JENNA Excuse me, but could you make sure that no one knows I'm staying here?

OLIVIA (BAFFLED) I thought that you weren't who Cassie said you were.

JENNA I'm not, but I do want my privacy. Is that a problem?

OLIVIA (SHAKES HER HEAD) No, not at all.

(JENNA LEAVES)

(AS WE . . .)

3 A . . . COMPANY . . . DAY

(BUZZ CLEARS OFF THE COUNTER, AS MARINA WALKS IN WITH A CURIOUS LOOK IN HER EYE)

BUZZ Hey there, kiddo. Have you come here to help your old grampa with the tables?

MARINA (SITS AT THE COUNTER) Grampa, did you know royalty?

BUZZ Royalty, as in the queen, or royalty, as in lots of money?

MARINA Well, I guess a little bit of both.

BUZZ No, I never met the queen. Even with my trips to England, I've only seen Buckingham Palace. But if you are refering to money, it's nice to have, but it can't buy happiness.

MARINA Ok, so you go to England?

BUZZ (GRINS) Why are you so interested all of a sudden?

MARINA Just a project for school. 

BUZZ Well, if it's for school, ask away.

MARINA Did you ever know anyone from there, like, a woman?

BUZZ I've known many women, but there is one woman that I miss like crazy. She was the most beautiful, smart, witty woman that I had ever met in my life. 

MARINA Where is she? What happened?

BUZZ Are you sure this is for school?

MARINA Yeah, it's history class.

BUZZ I don't like talking about this, but if it can help you get an "A", I'll tell you. (TAKES A BREATH) I met her when I first came to Springfield, she was standing next to a broken down jaguar. She was an image to behold, a vision of beauty, a sparkling ray of sunshine that kept me wanting more. 

MARINA What was her name?

BUZZ Jenna . . . Jenna Bradshaw. 

MARINA Did she have an accent?

BUZZ Jenna had the most beautiful voice. She could have said anything to me--(BRITISH ACCENT) "Go take out the garbage," and it would have sounded so classy.

MARINA And you go to England?

BUZZ I go to England to visit her children, my children, Coop and Rocky.

MARINA I remember them.

BUZZ Coop, I didn't know about, until Jenna came back to town two years after he was born, and Rocky . . . I was in the delivery room, getting married to Jenna, and God love her, she was so strong.

MARINA What happened to Jenna? 

BUZZ She died in my arms. I'll never forget that night.

MARINA Grampa . . .

BUZZ She was the love of my life. Your grandmother, God rest her soul, was a fine lady, but Jenna and I had something that was stronger, and burned inside us. She was my soulmate.

MARINA I'm sorry.

BUZZ Do me a favor, put the "closed" sign up.

MARINA Will you be ok?

BUZZ I just need some time alone.

(MARINA TURNS OVER THE SIGN AND LEAVES)
(GO TO . . .)
 

3 B . . . SPAULDING LIMO . . . DAY

ALEXANDRA Have the preparations been made? [. . .] Good. These three women won't know what hit them. [. . .] Just do as I say . . .

JEFFREY MORGAN Yes, ma'am. I will do anything to get back what rightfully belongs to me.
(ALEXANDRA HANGS UP THE PHONE)

ALEXANDRA Ah, revenge is sweet.

3 C . . . REGENCY HOTEL . . . DAY

JEFFREY (DIALS) Hello, operator, could you please tell me where I could get ahold of Buzz Cooper? [. . .] Well, I'm an old buddy of his. [. . .] Yes, from the army. [. . .] Uh, huh. And that's across from the hospital? [. . .] Thank you. (HANGS UP THE PHONE) (TO HIMSELF) Buzz Cooper, it's time that you pay for taking my sons away from me. (JEFFREY GRABS HIS COAT AND EXITS)

Next: Act 2                                                                         Author: S. Wilhelmina Feenster