Jessica Disappears

Transcript

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One Life to Live
Show 8155
Airdate - Tuesday, May 30, 2000
Directed by Gary Donatelli
Produced by Mary O'Leary
Breakdown: Ron Carlivati
Script Writer: James Fryman
Copyright, ABC

[MORNING]

VIKI MOVES IN, LOOKS AROUND, TAKING IN THE PLACE WHICH HAS SUCH RESONANCE FOR HER AND BEN. THEN SHE SITS DOWN WEARILY ON THE BED)

BEN (OC)
Tired? (VIKI TURNS TO SEE BEN IN THE DOORWAY)

VIKI
I'm okay. Even better now that you've found me. How did you know I'd be up here?

BEN
Lucky guess. (SHE SITS BESIDE HER) You don't have to put on a show for me.

VIKI
Good...because I don't have the strength. I missed you last night.

BEN
(CAREFUL) I missed you, too. And I'm sorry I didn't find Nora.

VIKI
It was silly.just a dream...but I appreciate your checking it out.

BEN
I'll chase every one of your dreams, and bring back as many as I can.

VIKI
Who knew a bartender could be so poetic.?

BEN
I mean it. And I want you to know that I mean it.

VIKI
Ben? Is something wrong?

BEN
(HE TAKES HER HANDS) Jessica's disappeared...with Will and Cristian.

VIKI
Oh, no.

BEN
The police are looking for them.

VIKI
If they find them.

BEN
I'm going to find them first. I'm going to bring her home to you, I promise.I love you too much to let anything happen to your daughter...or to you. (AS VIKI, SINKS INTO HIS ARMS)

BEN AND VIKI ARE KISSING. BEN PULLS AWAY.

BEN
I don't want to leave you.

VIKI
I wish you didn't have to.

BEN
I do, though...for all of us.

VIKI
I just want everyone to be safe.

BEN
I plan on making sure they are.

VIKI
And I'll miss you every moment you're away...(THEY KISS) You'll keep me posted?

BEN
Hourly.

VIKI
Find them before something terrible happens.

BEN
I will. The people I've talked to take special pride in making the cops look like fools. They'll find the kids first.

VIKI
(SOBERS) Then what? Jess will face charges when she comes home. (SHE SHAKES HER HEAD) I never thought I would say that.

BEN
Bet you never thought Asa would do this to her, either.

VIKI
This is a new low, even for him.

BEN
Let's take it one step at a time.

VIKI
(NODS) And Will! He's been convicted. What'll happen to him when he comes home?

BEN
(BEAT) Don't worry about that.

VIKI
What do you mean? (BEAT) Please Ben, no more secrets.

BEN
Sam wants me to get him out of the country.

VIKI
And you're going to do it?

BEN
It's better than Statesville.

VIKI
But he'll never be able to come home!

BEN
It's possible. I know.

VIKI
(SHAKEN) What if Jessica won't come home without him?

BEN
Viki, Jessica won't follow will out of the country 'cause Will isn't going to go. Asa's going to crack...he's going to tell the truth about what he did before Will ever has to leave.

VIKI
Asa's held firm this whole time. Why would he crack now?

BEN
I have some leverage, now, remember? I'm his real son.

VIKI
You don't want anyone to know that.

BEN
No, I don't. Believe me, I don't. But think what it'll do to Asa to hear Ben "Rappa-Davidson" is his son? If he doesn't go up in flames the minute he hears or run screaming into the night, he'll be even more desperate than I am to keep it a secret. And hopefully I can use that to force him to tell the truth about Will.

VIKI
But, Ben, think of what it'll cost you.!

BEN
(LOVING) You put your life on the line for me when we first met. You stuck by me, no matter what. I love you too much not to do everything I can to bring your daughter home to you. I know you're terribly worried about her, but Jessica's not so different from her mom. She's going to do what she thinks is right, damn the torpedoes.

VIKI
(SMILES RUEFULLY) That's what worries me.

BEN
Look at us; we've made it through all kinds of craziness. Jessica's going to make it too. You stay here and get yourself well. Fight that disease with all you've got. And know that I'm out there, fighting to bring you your daughter. And your dreams. (AS THEY KISS PASSIONATELY)