The Diner of Love
3503 Angel Square Court
Llanview, PA  

"Nothin' Could Be Finer Than Some Lovin' In the Diner"
"There ain't no lovin' like some diner lovin', hey ho"

What can I get you?

Coffee's a dollar

I hope you like whip cream.

I just love the Voice of the Night. We have this special connection.

MARCAL SCENES

ACT II

Page 47

AUGUST 2005

August 2, 2005

Hugh: Marcie?

Marcie: Hey.

Hugh: Thought you'd still be in the hospital.

Marcie: Oh, they just let me out this morning. Bo wanted me to come in and make a formal statement about what happened at the warehouse.

Hugh: Yeah, hey, I'm sorry about that. I can't believe I was the one who talked you into leaving with that guy.

Marcie: No, you had no idea. Hugh, it's okay. I mean, I always knew the guy was a jerk. I just didn't know that he was capable of doing something like this.

Hugh: How are you feeling?

Marcie: A little shaky, I guess. And I'm still worried about Natalie. They haven't found her. Has Hayes said anything?

Hugh: No, not that I know of. And for what it's worth, I'm going to personally see to it that we nail this guy for everything that he's done.

Marcie: Well, if you need me, sign me up to testify. I'll do whatever I can to help.

Hugh: You'll be my star witness. And you know, if you ever need to just talk to anyone, I'm around. Just let me know.

Marcie: Thanks.

Hugh: You're not alone in this. That's all I'm saying.

Michael: That's right, she's not alone. She's got me.

***

Hugh: I was just telling Marcie that she's got friends to help her through this.

Michael: No, you never can have too many friends, can you? Marcie's been going through a hard time lately.

Hugh: She certainly has. I understand why she was trying to drink her problems away.

Michael: Well, it's a good thing she has friends to take her to bed.

Marcie: Michael, don't say it like that. Hugh was just helping me out. He was a complete gentleman. It's not like we spent the night together.

Hugh: I hope you didn't get the wrong impression, Michael. I'm not trying to get in between you and Marcie.

Marcie: Oh, we're not dating anymore, so -- well, I -- I mean, we're not dating or anything. Michael, you know what I mean. I mean --

Hugh: Right, so we're all on the same page here. We want Natalie Vega to be found safe and we want Hayes Barber to swing for it, right?

Marcie and Michael: Right.

Guard: A.D.A. Hughes?

Hugh: Yeah, what is it?

Guard: Have you seen the commissioner?

Hugh: Last I heard, he was out looking for his niece. What is it?

Guard: Natalie Vega’s mother is down there with Barber.

Marcie: Oh, my God. Hugh, you got to go find Bo.

***

Hayes: Are you trying to frighten me?

Viki: Oh, I doubt anything could frighten you.

Hayes: Well, if you can't intimidate me and you think I'm nuts, what makes you think I'd cut a deal with you?

Viki: I said you were insane, not stupid. Now, I want you to tell me where my daughter is.

Hayes: Don't you want to ask me if there's anything left to find?

Viki: I don't think you would answer me truthfully.

Hayes: Good point, good point. Viki. But I bet you're dying to know. Would you like me to tell you how she rocked herself to sleep every night in that cold, dark room that I left her in? Well, her crying went from a deep, deep sobbing to finally a sort of pathetic little whimper. But -- but she never did beg for her mommy, though. Was that a relief for you to hear? Or maybe is that a disappointment?

Viki: Are you finished?

Hayes: My, my. You're a cold fish. Not a tear to shed for your daughter's suffering? What, is your heart made of stone?

Viki: Oh, my heart is made of stronger stuff than God will ever allow you to know. You see, I know a great deal about your pathology. I've had experience with the inner workings of the mind.

Hayes: Is that so?

Viki: Tell me, who abused you as a child? Was it your father?

Hayes: Not him.

Viki: Grandfather? And you're still that frightened little boy, aren't you? But you see, the more you talk, the more you seem to derive pleasure from my pain, the more convinced I am that my daughter is still alive because you don't want to kill the one person who allows you to torture so many others.

Hayes: You'll never find her, not without my help. And if she isn't dead yet, she will be by the time that clown of a cop McBain finds her.

Viki: Yes, well, that's why you're going to tell me where she is right now. Please remember that I have the ability to make your imprisonment an absolute torment. Look into my eyes if you doubt my sincerity. Where is my daughter?

Hayes: Okay. Okay, Viki. I'm curious. If I tell you where she is, what do I get in return?

***

Viki: I want my daughter back. So, frankly, I'm prepared to do whatever is necessary.

Hayes: I like the way you think.

Viki: What do you want?

Hugh: This is the last man you want to be making any deals with, Mrs. Davidson.

Viki: I'm sorry; do I know you?

Hugh: A.D.A. Hugh Hughes. The Hayes Barber case is my assignment.

Hayes: This is the man who wants to see me fry. Viki, why don't you ask him how much he cares if little Natalie gets back alive? My guess is not very much.

Hugh: Don't listen to him.

Hayes: Oh, come on. What's another consecutive life sentence between friends, Huey?

Hugh: Please don't waste your time with him, Mrs. Davidson. He is not going to give you anything.

Hayes: My guess is that she doesn't agree. What's it going to be, Viki? Pull some weight in my direction. You want your daughter back; I want all charges against me dropped. You make that happen, you can have daughter dearest back by lunch.

Marcie: What if Hayes is down there doing something to Mrs. Davidson and Hugh? Maybe you should just call John.

Michael: Hayes is behind bars. Viki's going to do everything she can to get Natalie home. I'd like to take a couple swings at that guy myself.

Marcie: You really care about Natalie, don't you?

Michael: I just want to see her come home safe. I think we all do.

***

Hugh: Leave it to an agent to try to negotiate himself out of jail. You can't trust a word he says.

Hayes: Says the lawyer.

Hugh: There is no way that any of these charges against him will ever be dropped.

Hayes: Is that -- is that true, Viki? I thought you said you were well connected, you had all this power in the community. Were you shining me on, Mom? Were you playing games with your little girl's life?

Hugh: Don't let him get to you.

Hayes: I walk, you get your little Natalie back. Those are the terms of the deal.

Viki: Done. You got a deal.

***

August 3, 2005 (No M/M; Hugh & Nora)

Hugh: Hey, what happened in court?

Nora: Oh, they filed a postponement. Please tell me you've heard something about Natalie.

Hugh: Not a thing.

Nora: Oh, man. Hayes isn't talking?

Hugh: Mrs. Davidson was down there. You're not going to believe this.

Nora: Did she get something out of him?

Hugh: She made a deal with him.

***

Bo: I'm not suggesting that we actually give this creep anything, but we tell him if he does plead insanity, Viki could help get him into one of those, you know, cushy, low-security mental hospitals.

Nora: Hayes Barber is a serial killer.

Bo: No doubt. But if we throw him a bone, maybe he'll snap at it. Maybe he'll tell us where Natalie is. And Viki could use her influence to help name the hospital he goes to, good or bad.

Nora: Okay, so if he tells us where Natalie is, we're offering him a low-security country club? Is that what you're saying?

Bo: I think that it's worth a try.

Nora: Okay, but, you know, legally, we can't make a deal like that and then withdraw it.

Bo: But if we were talking about Matthew right now, would you be willing to take the chance of finding him alive?

***

Hayes: You're being so civilized. Is this the good-cop part? Because let me tell you, John McBain played the bad cop quite convincingly.

Bo: Well, I'm sorry if Lieutenant McBain was tough on you, but he was just doing his job. He's not here now, so maybe we can work something out.

Hayes: Well, I'm going to need to talk to my lawyer if we're going to play these little games.

Nora: You don't really need your lawyer. This is just a very simple little deal we're offering you.

Hayes: Sounds like a game to me.

Viki: I don't play games.

Nora: As the district attorney, I obviously can't offer you immunity, but I can allow Mrs. Davidson to show clout to make your life a living hell if you don't tell us where Natalie is.

Hayes: How's that work?

Nora: Since the evidence against you is so substantial, I assume you'll be pleading insanity?

Hayes: Is that -- is that you I hear talking or -- or are those the little voices in my head?

Nora: Yes, well, that answers my question. Now, let's say, for the sake of argument, that you manage to escape the death sentence and you receive a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. There are many institutions that you could be assigned to.

Viki: I can think of one for the criminally insane where the preferred method of release is actually suicide. It's a very nasty place. So I think you should tell us where Natalie is or, believe me, you will be begging for a lethal injection.

Nora: If you tell us where we can find Natalie alive, you might have the option of a more favorable institution.

Hayes: Are we talking a hospital here or spa?

Bo: We're talking a hospital, a good one. One that has a high degree of success for rehabilitation.

Nora: And after a few years, you could actually be released.

Viki: I can make that happen for you, Mr. Barber. And then before you know it, you'd be a free man. Now, please, where's Natalie?

Hayes: Okay. I'll tell you where she is.

***

Hayes: So, I do some time in a country club and do some meds and then I walk with a new name and a job as a literary agent?

Nora: If that's what you want.

Hayes: Or maybe I can represent Marcie Walsh's next best-selling novel.

Bo: Or maybe you could start over somewhere else. You know, it's not like you've never done that before.

Nora: You just tell us where Natalie is and, in a few years, the world is yours.

Hayes: My world is in my head. Nora, I can go anywhere I want in my mind. I changed my face, my body, but I still have my thoughts. And I have all the power. I know where Natalie is and you don't, and I happen to love watching all of you run around like little chickens on fire. See, that's where my world is, Nora. I like it there.

Bo: Excuse me.

Hayes: Oh, Viki, don't worry; you're there, too!

Bo: I'll be right back.

Hayes: And Natalie's there!

***

Nora: What? Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little overwhelmed by everything.

Hugh: Yeah, I saw Bo dragging Barber from the office. I figured it didn't go too well.

Nora: Uh, no.

Hugh: Nora, you look like hell.

Nora: Is that any way you should be talking to your boss?

Hugh: Maybe you should see a doctor.

Nora: I will.

Hugh: You want me to drive you?

Nora: No, I don't -- no, I'm fine, okay? Don't worry; I'm fine. I just need to take a deposition.

Hugh: Do you want me to take it for you?

Nora: Will you stop worrying about me, please, and just go and t me the Werner file, please, for my deposition?

Hugh: Against my better judgment, just take a breather; I'll go get the file.

Nora: Thank you.

***

Bo: I'm sorry, Viki. I thought we could get something out of him.

Viki: Yeah, well, I me, even though I hoped, I guess I never really believed it. I don't know why I would ever think that we could get anything out of him.

Bo: You did what any parent would do, anything to get your daughter back.

Viki: Well, I thank you and Nora very much for all the help you gave. You mind if I stay here just for a minute till I go home?

Bo: You take all the time you need.

Viki: Thank you.

***

August 8, 2005

John: Whoa.

Michael: Rise and shine, cupcake!

John: What the hell's wrong with you?  I could have shot you.  You do that one more time, I will shoot you.

Michael: Yeah, if your breath doesn't kill me first.  Hey, you want to put the gun away, tough guy?

John: Yeah.  What are you doing here?

Michael: You look like crap.

John: Yeah, well, I feel like crap.

Michael: Yeah.  Drink this.  You're dehydrated.

John: I feel like --

Michael: You're going to ralph, aren't you?  Huh!  Pathetic, John.  Totally pathetic.  Hey, you need me to hold your hair, sweetheart?

[John retches]

Michael: You picked a hell of a time to check out, John.

***

John: You still here?

Michael: You want to tell me what last night was all about?

John: You want to stop yelling in my ear?  How'd you get in here, anyway?

Michael: Roxy let me in.  She's a little freaked out.  And we were both wondering how you getting hammered is going to help bring Natalie home.

John: I know.

Michael: While you're taking time out of your day for the porcelain bus over there, Natalie's still missing.

John: Hey, look, I had a little too much to drink, all right?

Michael: John --

John: Cut me some slack.

Michael: You had way too much to drink.  You have a problem.  You got to deal with it fast.  This is not just your life you're going to screw up, pal.  Natalie?  She's going to end up dead.

***

Bo: Looks a lot different from back here, huh?

Evangeline: Yeah.  Now I see why people hate defense attorneys.  From this side of the courtroom, it's hard to understand how anyone could represent the likes of Hayes Barber.

Bo: Yeah.  Do you think that he told his lawyer where he's holding Natalie?

Evangeline: I doubt it.  He would be compelled to tell if he knew.  God, I hate being the victim.

Bo: You going to be ok when they bring Hayes in?

Evangeline: Oh, please.  Watching that maniac get arraigned is the least I can do for Natalie.  How's Viki holding up?

Bo: Well, her doctor told her to stay away from all of this.  I've got a guard on her.

Evangeline: Can't imagine that went over well.

Bo: Uh-uh.  I about half expect her to show up anyway.  Marcie.  It's nice to see you're feeling good again.

Rex: Yo --

[Rex whistles]

Rex: What about me?  The psycho tried to punch my ticket, too, remember?

Bo: Mm-hmm.  And now I have to worry about you trying to punch his.

Marcie: Hi.

Hugh: Hey.

Marcie: Are you ready?

Hugh: Absolutely.

Bo: I thought Nora would be here.

Hugh: Yeah, she's stuck with another case.  It's just a simple arraignment.  Barber can either plead guilty, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity.

Roxy: I don't want to hear about that plea junk.  You got to make him tell me where he left my daughter.

***

John: You brought coffee.  Now get out.

Michael: You don't see this as being just a little messed up?  Hey, Bo practically has to force you to take a day off, and the best you can come up with is going out and getting plowed?

John: How do you know about that?

Michael: I checked up on my big brother.  Forgive me.

John: You know what, Mike?  I don't need you tracking me.

Michael: Johnny, I don't know what's going on with you and Natalie.  Obviously, you don't know what's going on with you and Natalie.

John: Obviously.

Michael: Everybody can see that her not being back -- it's messing with you.  Now, I can see, because I know you well enough.  I can see that you're drowning, Johnny.  And all that crap with Caitlin, Evangeline, dad, or whatever else it is you've decided you're responsible for in the world.

John: Hey.

Michael: Let me tell you something, John.  Something's going to break, and I'm afraid it's going to be you.

John: Leave it alone, Mike.

Michael: Well, maybe you like going out and beating the crap out of yourself night after night.

John: I said drop it, ok?

Michael: Let me tell you something.  Evangeline dumping you -- best thing she ever did.  Let's face it, Johnny, you're damaged goods.  Sometimes I think you like it that way.

John: Yeah?  You know what I'd like?  I'd like for you to get out.  And I'd like you not to come back till Christmas.

***

Roxy: You make him tell --

Rex: Roxy --

Roxy: You make -- hey!  Stop it!  Stop it!  You don't get it!  This sicko goes to the judge, tells the guy he's nuts, he gets to walk after everything that he did?  Look, we don't even know if Natalie is alive.

Rex: Roxy, you've got to chill.  The judge is going to be here.

Roxy: I can't because she's all alone, and you know how freaked out she gets when it's dark.  Can't let him get away with it.

Bo: Roxy, look, we're doing all we can to make Hayes tell us where Natalie is.

Roxy: Well, just beat it out of him.  Get a phone book and hit him with it, because it doesn't leave any marks.

Rex: That's not a bad idea.  Ok, then again, maybe it's a good thing that we're all here and calm.

Roxy: What, calm?  I'm not calm.  Why?  Why is it a good idea?

Bo: Look, this clown likes an audience.  He hasn't had one in his cell.

Rex: Maybe this guy'll come out here and make himself feel big by telling us how he's smarter than us, how he's been keeping Natalie alive someplace and we couldn't find her.

Roxy: Commish, just be honest with me.  Do you think she's still kicking?

Bo: I don't see Natalie checking out without a fight.  Come on.  Come on, let's get a seat.

Roxy: Ok.

Roxy: You son of a bitch.  You son of a bitch, you tell me where my baby is!  You tell me what happened to her!  You tell me!

Roxy: Tell me where she is, you psychotic bum!

Rex: Roxy, stop, he's not going to give us anything.  Huh?

Man: Hugh, you are lucky the judge didn't see that.

Hugh: Are you planning your appeal?  Good.  Because we got your client cold.  I hope he likes orange.  He'll be wearing it a long time.  Listen, I know you're upset about your daughter --

Roxy: You're just a lawyer.  You don't know squat.

Bo: Roxy, look, if you keep this up, you could end up helping Hayes' case.  We'll be no closer to finding Natalie.

Rex: Believe me, I'd take this guy out myself if I could.

Bo: Yeah, and he knows that.  This is the best way to deal with Hayes.

Rex: Right.  This is the best way to handle it.

Roxy: You know, you disappoint me.  I raised you to be a pit bull.

Rex: Well, the commish has been keeping me on a short leash.  He actually knows what he's talking about.  Go figure.

***

Marcie: Look at him.  He's just sitting there.  He looks so smug.

Evangeline: Yeah.  I'll bet he's setting up his insanity plea.

Marcie: Did you just see that?

Evangeline: Yeah, I did, but the judge won't.  Look, Hayes' only chance is to convince the judge that he's incompetent to stand trial.

Marcie: I can't believe any of this, Evangeline.  I can't believe that I went to high school with him, that he -- that he killed all those people.  I mean, how could I have worked with him all that time and never seen any of it?

Evangeline: Well, look at all he did to cover his tracks.  He had major reconstructive surgery.  I mean, he took on a whole other life.

Marcie: I guess you're right.  You looking for John?

Evangeline: Yeah.

Marcie: I thought he'd be here, too.

Evangeline: I'll be back.

Marcie: Ok.

***

Michael: You're out of milk.

John: You know, that box was there when I moved in.

Michael: How come you're not at the arraignment?  I mean, Barber's being arraigned today.  You're acting like it's any other Monday.

John: They don't need me there until the trial starts.

Michael: What are you hiding from, John?  I know this Hayes guy -- I know he doesn't have you spooked.  But he does have Natalie.  He might let something slip, something that only you -- only you could pick up on, John.

John: Barber's lawyer is looking for any excuse he can get to declare a mistrial.

Michael: So what are you going to do, John?  You going to jump back in that bottle?

John: No.  Mike, I'm going into the station and I'm going to reassign the task force to stop pursuing barber and start looking for Natalie.  That's what I'm going to do.

Michael: I just wish you'd talk to me, John.

John: What the hell do you want me to say?

Michael: Tell me why you can't face Barber.

John: I'm afraid I'm going to kill him.

***

Michael: Did something happen with you and barber you're not telling me about?

John: Yes, something happened.  I nearly choked him to death.  No one saw.

Michael: Oh, well, that's -- that's just great, John!  Yeah, then it's ok, right?  What, are you nuts?  Please, tell me that this is not something that this jerk can use to get off the hook with.

John: Worst case, it might bring some heat from I.A.

Michael: Well, I guess I -- I understand why you did it.

John: He's got Natalie, Mike.

Michael: Yeah, and his corpse is going to tell us how to get her back, where she is.

John: That's the only thing that stopped me.

Michael: This is not good, John.

John: Oh, there's more.

Michael: Ok.  Um -- I'm going to sit down for this.  Ok, hit me.

John: Well, at the height of my little drinking binge, I decided -- I decided, well, I needed to talk to Evangeline.

Michael: Man.  When you decide to torch your life, you do not mess around.  I'm telling you, Johnny, I would've paid money to see that.

John: You realize I have a gun, right?

Michael: You realize that's pathetic, right, John?  Drunken booty call on your ex?

John: I didn't call.

Michael: You didn't?  John, you went over there?  Wow.  Huh.  How'd that work out for you?  Yeah -- obviously not the way you planned, seeing as I found you passed out here.

John: We talked.

Michael: You don't remember any of it, do you?

John: Not much.  Some.  Enough.

Michael: Oh.  You didn't beg.  Please, Johnny, tell me you didn't beg because if you did, I'm telling you, I got to find a new hero.

John: I realized she deserves better than me, mike.

Michael: John?  I'm going to court with Marcie today.  You know Hayes Barber isn't the guy who's going to take you out.

John: I'm doing that all by myself, right?

Michael: So stop it right now, John.  Come with me.  Come to court.  Face Barber.  I got your back, brother.  Big time.

***

Bo: He's going to go with insanity, right?

Hugh: Yeah, there's not much else.

Bailiff: All rise.  This is case number 45DSW321, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania vs. Hayes Barber, the honorable judge Howard Lee presiding.

Judge: Be seated.

Hugh: Your honor, if it pleases the court, the prosecution would like to make a rather unorthodox request.  We believe a woman's life depends on it.

***

Judge: You may proceed, Mr. Hughes.

Hugh: Your honor, the state has reason to believe that the accused is still holding yet another victim and he's the only person who can tell us if she's dead or alive.

Lawyer: Your honor, the presumption of guilt here is astounding.  My client --

Judge: Is entitled to a fair trial, which he will receive.  Take your seats, gentlemen.

Bo: It was worth a shot.

Judge: Hayes Barber.  You stand charged with the kidnapping and attempted murder of Rex Balsom and Marcie Walsh.  How do you plead?

Lawyer: My client pleads not guilty by reason of insanity, your honor.

[Gallery reacts]

Rex: Are you kidding me?

[Judge pounds gavel]

Judge: Order!  Mr. Hughes?

Hugh: Your honor, the state would like the court to know that these are only the first in a series of charges that will be leveled against Mr. Barber.  They'll include multiple homicides, three counts of attempted murder, conspiracy, unlawful imprisonment, and kidnapping.  And these charges are being presented to a grand jury later today.

Judge: Duly noted. Mr. Barber, you will be remanded to corrections for a psychiatric assessment to determine if you are fit to stand trial.  See you in court, gentlemen.

Roxy: Your honor?

Rex: Roxy --

Roxy: Stop it. Stop.  I need to say something.

Judge: Who are you?

Roxy: I'm just a mother of the missing girl, Natalie Vega.

Lawyer: Your honor --

Judge: Perhaps your client needs to hear this.  Please, go on.

Roxy: Thank you, your honor.  My little girl is missing.  And this guy is the only one who knows where she is.  And he's already told the cops that he has her and that he's tortured her.  Now, nobody has any idea whether she's alive.  Either way, what I need is I need to bring my daughter back.

***

Natalie: I'm going to die here.

***

Roxy: Half the people in this courtroom are here because they're nuts about Natty.  And that's the kind of kid she is.  And she's so special, she's t two moms.  And I'm proud to say that I'm one of them.  They got rules and laws to protect this guy's rights -- well, what about Natalie's rights?  And the cops can't seem to get him to spill any information, but maybe you can.  Because either way, I got to find out what happened to my baby.

Judge: Is your client willing to address the issue of the missing woman, counselor?

Lawyer: Your honor, the mental health of my client is questionable at best.  I'm not even sure he understands what I'm asking him.

Judge: I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm afraid that there's nothing more this court can do.

Rex: Are you -- this is where my taxes go.  You're pathetic --

Judge: I'll add my prayers to those hoping for your daughter's safe return.  This court is adjourned for a 10-day recess to complete the psychiatric exam of the defendant.

Hayes: You'll never find her.

Marcie: Hugh, do you think he's going to pass the psych test?

Hugh: Depends on how good an actor he is.

Marcie: Well, he managed to fool a lot of people for a really long time.

Hugh: Hey, you look like you could use a break from all this.  Let me buy you some coffee, all right?

Marcie: Ok.

Roxy: Boy, I really screwed up, didn't I?

Bo: Oh, hey.  You did just fine, Roxy.

Marcie: What are you doing here?

Michael: Oh, I talked to your brother Ron.  He said you'd be here.  Marcie, I -- I thought that we were going to do this together.

Marcie: Well, I kind of needed to do this on my own.

Hugh: You ready to go, Marcie?

Marcie: Yeah.  I'll see you around?

Michael: Yeah.  See you around.

***

John: Hey, you --

Bo: You look like I feel.

John: Yeah, well, see what happens when you tell me to take the night off?

Bo: Yeah, did you get any perspective on this case?

John: I'll tell you when my ears stop ringing.

Bo: Hmm.  You know, you missed Evangeline.  She was wondering about you.  I think she's looking for you right now.

John: Probably figures I'm in a gutter somewhere.

Bo: Did you two go out last night?

John: No, she was at home.

Bo: You drunk-dialed her?

John: Actually, I stopped by.

Bo: Ooh.  Bet that sobered you up in a hurry.

John: Not as much as all this did today.

Roxy: Hey, Johnny.  Listen, you're Natty's last hope.  Promise me you'll bring her home, please?

Bo: We'll find her, Roxy.

Rex: Come on, Rox.  Let's go give Viki an update.

Roxy: Yeah, it's a good thing the doctor didn't let her go out because it could've killed her, because I know it's killing me.

Bo: I'll see you back at the office.

John: Ok.

Evangeline: You made it.

John: Yeah, I made it.

Evangeline: Just being in the same room with that Barber was intense.  It's almost too much to imagine that Natalie is still out there somewhere suffering through this, if she's even --

John: We're going to find her.

Evangeline: You have to do whatever it takes to bring her back, John.  Find her no matter what you have to do, and then you nail this son of a bitch.

***

Natalie: John, where are you?  You've got to find me.  Please.  Help me.

***

August 11, 2005

Hayes: Hey, guard, what's the point of hang a book if I can't read in this black hole?  Could you get me a lamp in here?  You know, and I also asked for a dehumidifier.

Guard: Shut up, barber.

Marcie: What's the matter, hayes? Is it too dark in here for you?

Hayes: What do you want?

Marcie: You know, it's got to remind you of being in your grandfather's cellar.

Hayes: Excuse me?

Marcie: You remember.  You lived with him after your mother died and your father ran off.  And every time you were a bad little boy, that's how he would punish you.  You know, all those days that you missed school -- I never knew it was because you were locked up in a cellar.  God, that must have sucked.

Hayes: You don't know anything.

Marcie: Really?  Well, you would be surprised what your neighbors were willing to tell a complete stranger.  Oh, they were full of stories, especially about your grandfather and all the terrible things he would do to his pathetic little grandson Ivan.

Hayes: Shut up.

Marcie: And now here you are again.  You're locked up in a dark, cold cell.  Ah, good times, good times.  Actually, they're not so good, are they, because this is not going to end this time.  This is how it's going to be tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

Hayes: I said shut up!

Marcie: Oh, no, but you know what?  It doesn't have to be.  You can make it stop.  All you have to do is tell me where Natalie is.

***

Hayes: Guard, can you get her out of here?

Marcie: Oh, I can stay a little while longer, can't I, Eli?

Eli: Sure, Marcie, if you can stand the company.

Marcie: Hmm. Thanks.

Marcie: You know, I made a lot of friends when I worked at the police station.

Hayes: Fine.  Stay.  You want to take a trip back to the good old days, relive the humiliation you suffered in high school?  How many times did you find a picture of a fat pink pig taped to your locker, courtesy of one of those boneheaded jocks?

Marcie: That was a long time ago.

Hayes: What was it those popular girls used to call you?  But it wasn't Marcie Wal-- Marcie Walrus?

Marcie: And it hurt me.  And I wanted revenge.  I mean, naturally.  Who wouldn't?  But I didn't do what you did.  I let it go and I moved on, and you want to know what?  My life got better.

Hayes: Right.  Your life is perfect.

Marcie: No one's life is perfect, is it?  Even when I lost the love of my life and it nearly killed me, I still managed to pick up the pieces of myself and move on.  I surrounded myself with my friends, my family, people who respected me, people who respected my work.

Hayes: Respect?  Try morbid fascination.  And only because your book made a murder mystery come to life.

Rex: Oh, no one died because of Marcie's book, creep.  It's all you, Barber.

Hayes: Ah, I can't take all the credit, Rex.  She made me who I am.

Rex: Oh, hey, you want to throw some blame around?  Why don't you start with your freak mutant genes and then look in the mirror, you pathetic jerk.  You see, nobody put a gun to your head and forced you to commit murder.  You always had a choice.

Hayes: Oh, my -- you two make a great team.  You should take this act on the road.

Rex: Oh, you can blame yourself for that, too.  You're the one who tied us up and tried to get Marcie to shoot me.  That's one hell of a bonding experience, wouldn't you say, Marcie?

Marcie: Absolutely.

Hayes: That's good, that's good.  Enjoy it while you can, because wait till they actually do find Natalie -- maybe in a month, maybe a few years.  Either way, there won't be anything left but a pile of bones turning to dust, just -- just the remains of a poor innocent girl who suffered a long, slow, excruciating death.

***

Rex: You sick piece of filth!

Marcie: He's not going to get away with anything.

Rex: Well, what?  A quick shot in the arm and this bastard gets to say "good night, world"?  No, Marcie, that's way too damn easy.

Marcie: I don't know about that.  I think this is going to be anything but easy.  What do you think, Hayes?  I mean, being in these dark, cramped, cold quarters.  It's got to remind you of being in your grandfather's cellar, right?

Hayes: You don't know anything about me.

Marcie: Really?  You mean your grandfather didn't actually, really lock you up in the cellar every time you got your homework answers wrong?

Rex: Yeah?

Marcie: Oh, you would not believe the stuff I heard.

Hayes: But you believed it, Marcie, didn't you?  And so will a jury.  Pretty soon, I'll spend my days painting pottery and talking about my feelings with a compassionate shrink, which shouldn't take more than a few years for me to be rehabilitated, and then I'll walk away from all of this.

Marcie: Maybe.  But until then, this is where you're staying, right here in this cell.

Rex: Yeah, and that's going to be a while, too.

Marcie: Hmm.

Rex: You see, the people upstairs -- they're really steamed because you won't give up Natty.  I bet they're up there right now thinking of a zillion legal reasons to delay your day in court.

Marcie: Hmm.  It could take months, maybe even years.

Rex: Poor little Ivan.  Did you used to yell for your grandfather to let you out?

Marcie: Oh.

Hayes: Shut up.

Marcie and Rex: Hmm.

Marcie: Didn't do you any more good than it will now, did it?

Hayes: Just get the hell out of here!

Marcie: Fine.  Fine, we'll go.  But, you know, you might want to rethink keeping quiet about Natalie.

Rex: Yeah, and if this cell drives you to drooling on yourself, soiling your pants, who knows?  Could be worse than a lethal injection.  Well, let's leave little Ivan to all the monsters in the dark.

Marcie: Oh -- you want to get a cup of coffee?

Rex: I would love a cup of coffee.

Marcie: It sounds good, doesn't it?

Hayes: I was never locked up in any cellar.  I -- I don't know what you're talking about!  I don't know who you're talking about!  Just -- just shut up!  Just shut up!  Marcie -- Marcie, you think you know about me, and I know all about you, though.  Marcie --

Rex: You think it worked?

Hayes: Marcie --

Marcie: I hope so. I figured it was worth a try.

[Hayes bangs on cell door]

Rex: Anything is if it'll help us get to Natalie.

***

Hugh: Really well, how can I turn down an invitation like that?

Marcie: Ahem.

Hugh: Oh, Marcie.  Hey, I'll talk to you later, all right?  All right, bye.

Marcie: Hi.

Hugh: How are you doing?

Marcie: I'm doing ok.

Hugh: Good.  After the arraignment this morning, I was kind of worried about you.

Marcie: That's very sweet.  Thanks for the coffee.  I appreciate it.

Hugh: Oh, hey, hey, we're friends.  At least I'd like to be.  You do look better, actually.

Marcie: Yeah?  I guess seeing Hayes at, you know, pulling that phony, crazy act in the courtroom, it kind of put things into perspective, you know?

Hugh: Really?  How so?

Marcie: Well, I know I shouldn't have done this, but I made some phone calls this afternoon, and I spoke to some of the people that Hayes grew up around, you know, when he was growing up, and they all remember him really vividly.  Of course, they remembered him as Ivan Potter.  But it turns out that he had a pretty bad childhood.

Hugh: Well, that's no excuse for what he did.

Marcie: No, I'm not saying that it was, but at least -- you know, I get it now.  I mean, it wasn't my fault.  I'm not responsible for what he did.  He was damaged goods long before I knew him.

Hugh: Good, good.  I'm glad that you see that now.

Marcie: Yeah, me, too.  But I wonder if I should have just left it at that.

Hugh: Why?  What did you do?

Marcie: Uh --

Rex: In the interest of full disclosure and all that, I guess you ought to know Marcie and I paid a visit to Hayes Barber.

Bo: And what good exactly did you think could come from that?

Rex: Look, I know it was a bad idea, but I can't stop hoping he'll tell us where Natalie is.

Bo: So you interrogated him, huh?  You, without even talking to me?

Rex: Well, not exactly.

Bo: What, exactly?

Rex: All right, Marcie found out some stuff about his childhood, and she maybe kind of used it to get a rise out of him.  I might have joined in a little.

Bo: And?

Rex: Well, I'm thinking maybe we went too far.  I mean, if he gets too wigged out -- I don't know -- if barber wasn't talking before, then --

Bo: Then he's less likely now to open up.  Damn it, Balsom.  John is on his way right now to interrogate him.  We wanted to give it one last shot.

Rex: Oops.

Bo: And you and Marcie -- thanks to you, now we're going to have to do something that John really didn't want to do.

***

Hayes: Guard!  Guard, where the hell are you?  I -- I need -- I need to talk to my -- my lawyer. I want my lawyer.  I -- I can't -- I can't -- I can't -- I can't -- I can't -- I can't -- I can't do this!  I cannot do this!  I can't.  I can't be here, please. Please just let me out.  Please, grandpa, please just unlock the door.  I won't --

John: Barber!

Hayes: Grandpa.  Oh, grandpa, please just unlock the door.  I swear, I won't do anything wrong again.  I promise I -- I'll be good, grandpa.  Unlock -- unlock the door.  Please unlock the door.  Oh, God!

John: What the hell happened?

Eli: Marcie Walsh was here with that Balsom guy.  He got upset when they left.

[Hayes cries]

Hayes: I won't do it again.  I promise I won't do it again.

***

Waiter: Here you are. Sorry for the delay.

Hugh: Thank you.

Marcie: Are you with someone?

Hugh: Yeah, over there.

Marcie: Oh, I'm so sorry.  You should have told me.  I've been standing here chewing your ear off and --

Hugh: No, no, no, no problem.  She hasn't put that phone down since we got here.

Marcie: She's beautiful.  Same type as the one you were with at Ultra Violet.  Remember, that night you helped me out?

Hugh: Yeah, I'm surprised you remember.

Marcie: It was hazy, but I remember bits and pieces.

[Hugh laughs]

Marcie: Thank you very much, and if I remember correctly, you two didn't hit it off exactly.  Right?

Hugh: It's just as well.  I mean, you needed me.

Marcie: Oh --

Hugh: You were being attacked by a gang of rabid writers.

Marcie: So do you ever actually go out on a second date with any of these women?

Hugh: Yeah -- truth is once is usually more than enough.

***

Woman: It's been fabulous.  Sorry I have to go.

Hugh: All right.  I understand.

Woman: Call me about that party next week at Philly.

Hugh: Sure.  Sure thing.

Woman: Ciao.

Hugh: Good night.  Ciao -- ciao -- who's ciao?

Marcie: You're not really going to call her, are you?

Hugh: Well, not much point.  You want to join me?

Marcie: Hmm.

Hugh: She didn't touch it, if you want.

Marcie: No, thank you.  I'm pretty much a nervous wreck all the time lately, and I don't think we want a repeat of the last time we were together.

Hugh: No, no problem.  These are old shoes -- well --

Marcie: Very funny.

Hugh: Why are you a nervous wreck?  What's wrong?

Marcie: Hayes.

Hugh: Yeah.  You said you and Rex went to see him?

Marcie: I don't know, but I think we might have really messed up big time.

Hugh: How?

Marcie: Well, we were trying to get him to tell us where Natalie is, and I used the information that I found out, about how he was abused as a kid, and he got pretty angry.

Hugh: What happened?

Marcie: Well, he started flipping out, and by the time we left, I'm not sure he remembers who his name is, who he is, where Natalie is, who Natalie is.  I think we just messed it up.

Rex: Yeah, you're right, Marcie.  We blew it.

***

August 12. 2005

Nora: Barber's attorney is downstairs with him right now, ready to press charges against Marcie and Rex.

Bo: Yeah, they crossed the line.

Nora: "Crossed the line"?  They stomped all over it.  For God's sake, Bo, Marcie might well have driven him right over the edge.

Bo: The guy's crazy.

Nora: But not legally insane.  At one point, he did know right from wrong.  But with Marcie taunting him and bringing up traumatic events in his childhood and Rex there throwing fuel on the fire -- well, he might be having a psychotic break.

Bo: You don't think the guy is faking it like he did in court this morning?

Nora: Oh, I did hear he put on quite a show for the judge.

Bo: Oh, you should have seen him.  If I had known better, I would have thought he was a candidate for the funny farm.

Nora: Well, he'll probably be playing bonkers right up through the trial.

Man: My client isn't playing anything.  Hayes Barber is clinically insane.

Nora: Oh, he is no more insane than I am.

Man: Well, with all due respect, counselor, you did marry a homicidal, self-loathing gay man.  So you might want to refrain from comparing my client's sanity or lack thereof to your own.

Nora: You be very careful what you say to me, counselor, or you might find yourself with a new girlfriend -- me.

Rex: Hey, did you get Barber to talk?  Did he say where Natty is, huh?  What's your big hurry?

Man: My client doesn't know even where he is, much less Ms. Vega.

Rex: "Much less"?  We're talking about my sister here.

Man: And any hopes that you ever have of finding her may be gone, thanks to you.

***

Rex: Look, whatever I might have done to Hayes, that freak deserved it.

Man: Oh, he deserved to have the last shreds of sanity driven from him?

Rex: Isn't that what you wanted?  Makes this case a slam-dunk for you.  You can make partner in your firm, make your wife and kids proud that my sister might be dying and you don't give a damn.

Bo: Balsom.  I'll handle this.

Man: Please.  By all means, do something about him.

Bo: Him?  He's Natalie Vega's brother.  I'm her uncle.  If I'm going to do anything to anybody about this, it's going to be you and your client.

Man: Mr. Barber has suffered enough abuse at the hands of you and the others that you let harass him.

Bo: Do you want to talk about abuse and harassment?  Then talk to Balsom here.  He can tell you all about how Barber almost killed him and Marcie Walsh both.

Man: Listen, if you don't want a mistrial, I suggest you put a leash on Mr. Balsom.

Bo: Put him on a leash?  I want to lock him up in the cell with Barber and let him do whatever he wants until he gets barber to tell us where Natalie Vega is.  And if you have a problem with that, I'd take it up with D.A. Hanen, ok?  But I'll bet you don't get far, because you're not making a lot of friends around here.

Man: I've said what I came to say.  I want to see my client.

Bo: Be my guest.  You do remember where we keep the bad guys, don't you?

Rex: Hmm. Thanks for backing me up.

Bo: How much longer am I going to have to bail your butt out of trouble?

Rex: You know the answer to that.

Bo: Yeah -- till we find Natalie.

***

Bo: Now, Viki, we may have a lead.  It might tell us where Natalie is.  Ok.  I'll keep you posted.  Do you even know how to knock?

Rex: What's going on with Evangeline?

Bo: Why do you want to know?

Rex: I saw her earlier.  Something's going on with her and Mc Bain.  Aren't you going to check on her or anything?

Bo: Whatever's going on right now, I'm going to let it play out, ok, because if I go in there, I could screw it up.

Rex: So, Evangeline knows more than she was letting on?

Bo: More than she knew herself.

Rex: What are we talking?  Hypnosis?

Bo: Why would you jump to that?

Rex: Because there's a hypnotist in there with her?  I've seen them on TV.

Bo: Who's the cop here?

Rex: Look, just tell me.  Do you think Evangeline knows where to find Natty?

[Knock on door]

Rex: Come in.  I see at least somebody knocks before entering.

Nora: I need a one-on-one with you.

Rex: I'm gone.

Bo: Oh, hey, hey, you stay where I can see you, and don't go near the task force room.  Don't do that.

Nora: Barber's attorney is not letting this thing go with Marcie and Rex.  We got to do something about this.

Bo: We don't have to do squat.  Forget Holland, forget he was here, and forget what he said about Colson.

Nora: Oh, it was a sucker punch that I walked right into.  I'm fine.

Bo: Good.

Nora: Look, Holland doesn't have a case.  He's just blowing smoke, but he could make things not so nice for Marcie and Rex.

Bo: Not if we don't let him.  I hope you're with me on this.

Nora: Bo, I'm -- I'm planning a whole case around the fact that Barber knew exactly what he was doing.  If Marcie and Rex have messed that up, we've got big problems.

Bo: My money says he's faking it.

Nora: I hope you're right.

Bo: Are you ok?

Nora: Yeah, I'm fine.

***

Rex: What happened in there?  Did you remember where Natalie is?

Evangeline: Not the exact spot, but I'm hoping I pointed John in the right direction.

Rex: Where?  Where's my sister?

Bo: Evangeline, don't say another word.

Rex: Ok, I have a right to know.

Bo: We're close, Balsom.  Don't blow it now.

Rex: How close?  Do you know where she is?

Bo: We're checking.  We don't know for sure.

Rex: Somebody's got to.

Bo: Hey, hey!  I'm going to have a talk now with Evangeline in my office.  Evangeline?

Officer: Yeah.  So that creep finally came out of his coma, huh?  Yeah.  I'll tell the boss.

Rex: Nick Messina's among the living, huh?

Officer: Yeah, it sure looks like it.

Rex: Hmm.

John: Evangeline Williamson remembered some things under hypnosis -- seeing a map of Llantano mountain like this one.  Several locations on the map were circled.  One in particular was marked with an x on the east side of the mountain.  Now, we're proceeding under the assumption that barber intended to take Natalie or Evangeline to that spot, but I want all the circled areas searched.  I know it's a lot of ground to cover.  We're going to look by ground, air, and underground.  I'll get some professional spelunkers up there to go through the crevices and caves.  We're not coming back without Natalie.  Let's get to it.

Officer: Ok, let's go.

Evangeline: Go.  Find Natalie.  Bring her home.

***

August 16, 2005

Rex: Hey, I'm looking for Nick Messina's room.  I heard he just woke up.

Nurse: He's not allowed visitors.

Rex: Yeah, I know, they've got a cop guarding him.  I'm clued in.

Nurse: Then you also know I can't give out any additional information.

Rex: Well, it's -- you know, nick helped kidnap my sister and -- I'm sorry.

Nurse: Are you ok?

Rex: It's just really hard -- yeah, it's -- maybe some water?  Thank you very much.

Rex: Thank you very much.

***

John: What do we got to do to get the dogs on the trail?

Officer: We need to give them a scent to follow.

Bo: Here you go.

John: Go with them so we can get an immediate location if you find anything.

Ranger: Got it.

John: Thanks.

[Dogs bark]

Bo: We cleared two caves in this area right here.  So far, nothing.

John: You know, I keep thinking about what Marcie said on the phone.

Bo: What, about Hayes' grandfather?

John: Barber, he's got this thing about setting up murder scenarios, recreating events from his past.  So if his grandfather locked him in a basement, he'd see something like that as being the ultimate form of torture.

Bo: Yeah, a small, dark, tight space.

John: Exactly.

Bo: All right, then I think we should concentrate our searches on some of these smaller caves here.

John: Maybe even smaller than a cave, Bo.  Barber wants Natalie to suffer through his worst nightmare.  A cave would have entrances and exits.  I'm thinking wherever Natalie is, there's no way out.

***

Rex: Get up!

Nick: Who the hell let you in here?  Where's the guard?

Rex: Oh, what's the matter, Nick, aren't you happy to see me?

Nick: Guard!

Rex: Not so tough when I'm not tied a chair, huh?

Nick: Hey!

Rex: Shut up!

Officer: Balsom, how'd you get in here?

Nick: Hey, keep him away from me, man.

Rex: Oh, he's not going to save you, Messina, because I'm not leaving till you tell me where you stashed my sister.

***

Rex: I need to talk to him.

Officer: Sorry, kid.

Rex: Look, it's Davis, right?  I need to ask him a few questions.

Ofc. Davis: That's tough.  The commissioner and Mc Bain want first crack at him.

Rex: Well, me and the commissioner are tight.  I'm like his personal project.

Ofc. Davis: Yeah, yeah, I know who you are.

Rex: Then you know Natty's my sister.  And I know you know her because she told me how she always hooks you up with that creamer you like, huh?  She takes care of all you guys down at the station.

Ofc. Davis: Yeah, she does, but --

Rex: Ok, well, this freak is one of the guys holding her.  Now, Bo and John are out there looking for her right now, and he might tell me something that can help them find her.  Now, I'll be good.  I promise.  Just give me five minutes.  For Natalie.

Ofc. Davis: You got two minutes.

Nick: Hey, what are you doing?  Oh, come on, you can't leave me in here with him!  Look, I don't know where she is.

Rex: Maybe not, but I'm betting you know something.

Nick: I don't!

Rex: Don't you get it, Messina?  Natalie could be running out of time!  Now, I may have let Jen down, but I am not going to sit back and let my sister die!  Now, we are going to go over everything Hayes ever said to you until I get what I want.  Got it?

***

Rex: What did Hayes say after you brought Evangeline back to that basement?

Nick: You're wasting your time, man.  The guy was nuts.

Rex: What did he say?

Nick: He kept going on about his master plan.  He was freaking out about me leaving evidence around.

Rex: What kind of evidence?

Nick: I don't know.  Stuff.  You know, like receipts for the cheerleading outfits  One night he found some mud tracks in my car.  He totally freaked out.

Rex: What kind of mud?

Nick: Red mud.  I mean, he has a gun against my head and I realize he's the one that tracked it in.  It's all over his shoes.

Rex: Was that after you snatched up  Natalie?

Nick: Way after that.

Rex: Was it after he jumped me?

Nick: Right around the same time, I think.

Rex: Oh, my God, how do you not remember?  And why the hell didn't you try to stop him?  You know, I can see how he tricked you into killing Julie.

Nick: I loved her.

Rex: Oh, well, you could've just sent a card.  Instead you ante up for kidnapping, torture, and murder.  Now, Natalie could die because of you, son of a bitch!

Ofc. Davis: All right, Balsom, that's it.  Let's go.

***

Bo: Take us to where you found this.

[Phone rings]

John: Go ahead, I'll catch up.

Bo: Ok.

John: Mc Bain.

Rex: Yeah, John, it's Rex.

John: We haven't found her.  I'll call you when we do.

Rex: Look, I'm at the hospital.  I just talked to Messina.

John: Who the hell let you in there?

Rex: I think I got something that can help you find Natty.  Do you want it or not?

John: What is it?

Rex: All right, Messina said that Hayes was tracking red mud all over the place, right around the time that he took me and dumped Natalie.  So I'm thinking, you know, maybe there's an area up there that --

John: Yeah, that's -- that's good.  That might be something.  Is there anything else?

Rex: No, but I can go back in if --

John: Stay away from Messina.  We've got it from here.  Hey, Jack?  Hey, look, I'm looking for an area where there might be red clay or red dirt.  Is there anyplace like that in this quadrant?

Jack: That's red rocks.  It's over that way.

John: Red rocks.  All right, tell you what, you take your team, you back up the commissioner, all right?  I want every inch where that piece of fabric was found searched.  Got it?  Thanks.

***

John: Natalie?  Is that you?

Natalie: John?

John: Natalie!  Natalie!  Natalie!

***

August 17, 2005

Nora: So you didn't find anything, then?  Well, that's good news, right?  Well, of course I want to know why I'm not feeling right, but we have been able to rule out the biggies, haven't we?  Ok.  Well -- yeah.  You know what?  I'll -- thank you.  I'll be in touch.  I heard a commotion out there.  Did I miss something, like something from Llantano mountain?

Hugh: A piece of Natalie's clothing was found.  John and Bo think they're close.

Nora: Wow, ok.  Well, what do you think?

Hugh: I wouldn't put it past Hayes to have set up a decoy.  He's done it before.

Nora: I'm beginning to wonder what Hayes and his sidekick nick didn't think of before they started this insanity.  Hi.

Evangeline: They didn't think of me.

***

Marcie: Hello, Nick.

***

Rex: All right, we've got her?

Bo: It's hard enough to hear without you yakking, Balsom.

Rex: All right, we've got Natalie?  Is that what you're saying?

Bo: Back off!  Back off!  All right, there's too much noise here.  You're going to have to say again, all right?  Speak clearly.  Do you have a visual?

Rex: All right, they can see her?  Can they see Natalie?

Bo: Shut up!  I missed it.  Say again.

Rex: No!

John: Natalie, can you hear me?  Natalie?  Can you hear me?  It's John.  Natalie?  What took you guys so long?

Man: You radioed less than five minutes ago, lieutenant.  What's the situation here?

John: She's down there.

Man: You saw her?

John: It caved in.  She's at the bottom of the hole, then the whole thing just caved in.  We got to get her out.  She's buried.  We got to get her out right now.  Get some gear!  Natalie!

***

Nick: You shouldn't be here.

Marcie: Why not?

Nick: You just shouldn't be here, that's all.

Marcie: What's the matter, Nick?  Afraid I suddenly woke up this morning and turned into a homicidal maniac?  Oh, wait a minute.  Murder was only fiction for me.  I never turned it into reality the way you did, did I?

Nick: It wasn't like that.  Things happened.  I got caught up.

Marcie: Do you have any idea how pathetic that sounds?

Nick: Well, it's the truth.  I mean, you don't know what it was like, how things happened, what it was like dealing with Hayes.  I mean, I just --

Marcie: What?  You just what, Nick?  You just went along for the ride.  That's what you did, Nick.  You are a coward.

Nick: What do you want from me?  You know, I almost died myself.  Now I'm going to prison for, I mean, God knows how long.  What do you want me to do?

Marcie: I want you to tell me why.

***

Man: I want these bars cut off ASAP.  And get these lights on.

Second man: You got it, chief.

John: Natalie!

Man: Lieutenant, you need to step back from there.  The ground's unstable.

John: Natalie!

Man: If we're going to save her, we need to do this right.

John: Natalie!

Man: Lieutenant!  Give me your radio.

John: Natalie!  Natalie, can you hear me?

Bo: What's going on?

Man: We're good to go, commissioner, but Mc Bain's in our way.

Rex: Mc Bain!

Bo: No, shh.  I'll take care of this, Balsom.  You stay here.  Here.  John?

John: She's down there, Bo.

Bo: John, look at me.  Look at me.  There's no way you can get her out of there.  That's why we have E.S.U. here.  They know what to do and how to do it.  The best thing that we can do right now is we get out of their way.

John: I saw her.  I saw her.

Bo: All right.  Come on, let's let these guys do their jobs.

Man: Ready for the ropes.

Bo: Come on.

Man: You're good right there.

Bo: Let's go.

John: I tried, Bo.  I tried to get her out of there.  Then the wall just caved in.  There was more and more dirt.

Man: Get those braces set.  I want this entire area stabilized.

Bo: The team is on it.

John: I saw her.  I saw Natalie.

***

Marcie: Answer me.  Nick, I want to know why you did it.  You know, you had your whole world -- you had your whole world just laid out for you, right in front of you, Nick.

Nick: The whole world?  Me?

Marcie: Yes.  Yes, maybe you weren't the smartest kid in the world, but you were a good person.  And you were popular.  You were great at football.  You had scouts.  They were scouting you for the pros.

Nick: I was a jerk.

Marcie: Maybe, but you weren't a murderer.

Nick: Oh -- I just -- I got in too deep.  I didn't know how to stop it.

Marcie: That's not an answer, Nick.

Nick: Don't you know what it's like to look ahead and all you see are bad things because of a mistake that you made, a mistake that you can't take back?

Marcie: Yeah, well, how do you go from that, Nick, to the other side?  I need you to explain this to me because I need to understand.  Hayes was persuasive, I get that, ok?  He was constantly bossing me around, and I found it hard to stand up to him, but I never let it change who I was inside, Nick, and I don't care how much of a jerk you are, you weren't evil, you weren't sick.

Nick: Just stupid?  I guess that made me an easy mark, huh?

Marcie: That's not good enough, Nick.  And I still don't understand how you got in so deep so fast.

Nick: I'm weak.  You know, that's what I know about myself now.  What timing, huh?  All the thinking I've done since all this has happened, realizing that all of the decisions I made were bad ones, that I turned into somebody I never wanted to be.  That's all real clear to me now.  The only problem is it's too late.

***

Bo: Roger.  Good copy.

Rex: All right, when you saw -- you did see her, right?

John: How many times do I have to say it?

Rex: All right, did you talk to her?

John: I called her name.

Rex: Ok, and she saw you?  She knows we're here?

John: She saw me.  Then the walls caved in and covered her.

Rex: All right, but she could still be breathing, right?  I mean, even with all that crap covering her?

Bo: Now, look, the chief of rescue operations said there could be air pockets down there.

Rex: Ok, "could be," but maybe not?

Bo: Chances are that she's in one of those air pockets.

Rex: Yeah.

Man: We got her!

John: Natalie!

***

Nick: Oh, look, I don't know if I can answer the why question for you, Marcie, but, I mean, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you were right about me.  I'm no good.  All the decisions I've made have been a disaster.

Marcie: It didn't have to be, Nick.

Nora: Marcie, who let you in here?

Marcie: Officer Thompson -- I worked with him at the L.P.D. I just asked him for a couple minutes.

Nick: It's ok.  We were just talking about personal stuff.

Hugh: You shouldn't be talking to anyone if what I heard from your attorney is true.

Marcie: Wait.  What's going on?

Nora: Nick has turned state's evidence.

Marcie: To get a lesser sentence?

Nick: Rex was in here a little while ago, and I think I gave him something that maybe the cops can use to find Natalie.  I don't care about my sentence.  I mean, maybe if I could lead them straight to Natalie, then maybe -- maybe then I could live with myself.

***

Rex: Sensors?

Bo: Heat-seeking.

Man: Right.  They give us snapshots of underground heat.  What you're seeing is her on the screen about 17 1/2 feet down.

Rex: Whoa, whoa, wait a minute.  If there's heat, then she's alive, right?

Man: We're threading down an oxygen pipe, a small one with a lead light on it.  So if she can't hear it because of all the debris, she might be able to see it.

John: How long will it take?

Man: To thread it down?

John: To get to Natalie.  How long before she's up here?

Bo: They can't give us a time, John.

Rex: She could be bleeding, Bo, have internal injuries.

John: Every second we're up here, it's a second we waste.

Man: It's going again!  Out!  Everybody, get out!

Second man: Look out!

***

Man: Lend me a hand with these pulleys.

Second man: You got it.

First man: Check that these braces are holding.

Third man: The area around the pit is almost impossible to secure.  The ground is waterlogged and giving way.

Bo: Now what?

Rex: Ok, so how do you get down to her?

Man: We're setting the legs deeper, but we're going to be forced to extract archaeologically.  Otherwise, the walls might totally collapse.

Rex: What's that mean?

Man: It means we go slow, a layer at a time, or it'll all be over.

Rex: Ok, but, she -- she can't stay under all that dirt and still breathe.  I mean, what if the oxygen pipe doesn't reach her?

Bo: Take it easy, Rex.

Man: The pipe's broken.  It severed during the debris collapse.

Rex: Ok, so she can't breathe!  Get her out!

John: I'm going in there.

Bo: No --

Man: What?

Bo: John, no.

Man: Wait a second.

John: Listen, you're going to lower me instead of one of your crew.

Man: Forget it!  An experienced man has to go.

Bo: No, he's right, John.  You don't know what to do.  You could end up risking your life.

John: No, I'm going to get her out of there, Bo.  Don't try to stop me.

Bo: What you're going to do, lieutenant, is follow orders.

Evangeline: Let him go, Bo.  Let John go down there.  Let him save Natalie.

***

Nick: So if I sign the papers --

Nora: You're waiving your right to have your attorney present when you sign the affidavit to Hayes' involvement in the murders.  Do you understand?

Nick: I do.

Nora: All right.  I'll make sure to show these to the judge who's adjudicating your sentence.  But please know you'll still be in Statesville for a very long time before you're eligible for parole.

Nick: Yeah, I know that.  That's what I deserve, because I wasn't brave enough to do the right thing.

Marcie: You're doing it now.

Nick: What's that expression, "too little, too late"?

Hugh: You ok?

Marcie: Yeah.  I will be.

***

Bo: These men are professionals.  You're not trained.  You're not going in.

John: They'll lead me through it.  They'll tell me what to do.

Rex: Yeah, he just did.  You're staying up here.  What if you make it worse, John?

Man: This is an order.  Are we clear?

Bo: We'll stay out of your way, chief.  You do what you need to do.

Evangeline: John?

John: What are you doing here?

Evangeline: I needed to be here for Natalie.  I want to be sure you understand that.

John: Thanks.

Evangeline: When I heard about the cave-in, I knew you were probably in the middle of it, and I -- I needed to make sure that you were -- you know, that you were ok.  What's going on?

John: I got here first, found the pit that Natalie's in.  I saw her.

Evangeline: Oh, my God.

John: Just for a second.  Then the walls caved in and blocked the access.  She's buried.  The rescue team got here.  They took over, but the pit's unstable, so they have to move slow.  Got to be careful.

Evangeline: Has anyone been able to communicate with her?

John: No.  They can't hear her, they can't see her.  But sensors picked her up on the screen.  She's down there.

Evangeline: That's good news, you know?  I mean, that means that --

John: Right over there.  I'm not losing her.  I can't.

***

Marcie: I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.  I feel like every time you see me I'm either drunk or crying or throwing up on your shoes.

Hugh: That seems about right.

Marcie: Why are you so nice to me?

Hugh: Why do you think I shouldn't be?

Marcie: I guess I'm just not used to it.  I mean, growing up, people were pretty mean to me.  You know, I mean, now they're much kinder, probably because I'm a little tougher, I think.

Hugh: It's probably a little of both.

Marcie: You're right.  You know, for the past couple of months, I've spent saying I'm sorry, you know, beating up on myself because I think that I was the one who caused this whole horrible mess with my book and then with my high school club, and I know that I was not the one who caused it.  I know that I didn't ruin Hayes' life.  I know that I didn't turn him into a lunatic, but I --

Hugh: Marcie, Marcie, it's over.  Hayes is in jail.  Nick is going to jail.  It's over.

Marcie: But we still don't know where Natalie is and if she's ever going to be ok again.

Hugh: She'll be fine.  From everything I've heard about her, she's tough and determined.  She got a lot of people praying for her.  She got tons of love and support.

Marcie: Thank you.  Thanks for being here

***

August 18, 2005

John: I can see her!  I see her.

Man: Lieutenant!  You're putting us all at risk here.

Bo: John, you can't go down there.

John: I'm going in, Bo.

Bo: Listen, you let these guys set up the rest of their equipment.

John: If that wall collapses before they get back, she'll be crushed.  You with me? Let's do it!

Bo: John --

John: Come on!  Faster!

Rex: Natalie, are you-- Natalie!

John: A little more.  Only a few more feet.  A couple more feet.  That's good.

John: Natalie?  Natalie?  I've got her!

***

John: Natalie, talk to me.  Talk to me.  Hey.  You know what?  You hang in there because we're getting you out.

Rex: Well, she's stopped moving -- Natalie?  Natalie?

Man: Step back now!

Bo: Hey, Balsom, move away.

Evangeline: Look, Rex, let's get out of here.  Let's just step back and let them do what they need to do.  Please?  Come on, John's taking care of her.  It'll be all right.

Man: We can't send another man down there.

Bo: I know.

Man: The rest of that wall could collapse any second.  Your guy's going to have to get her out himself.

John: Bo!  She's alive!  She's breathing!  You hang in there.

Bo: All right, unhook the seat.  We're going to send a backboard down.  We'll get Natalie out, then we'll get you out.

John: Ok!  Hurry!  Hey, Natalie, you hear that?  We're getting you out of here.  We're getting you out of here.

Bo: Hang in, John!  We're almost there!

John: Hurry!  Hey, you hear that?  We're taking you home.

John: You got it?

Man: We got her!  We're good!

Rex: All right, look, be careful with my sister.

Evangeline: It's ok, it's ok.  They know what they're doing.

Man: Get her on the gurney.  Let's prep her to travel.

Bo: All right, John, we got her.  We're feeding it back down to you.  You got it?

John: Go ahead!

Paramedic: Is she breathing?

Second paramedic: Barely.

Rex: Look, is she ok?

Paramedic: All right, sir, you need to keep away, all right?

John: I'm going with you in the ambulance.

Paramedic: All right, fine, but we have to move now.

***

Michael: Ok, what do we got here, guys?

Paramedic: Severe dehydration, pulse, 150.

Second paramedic: Positive L.O.C., B.P., 80/40.

Michael: Nurse, get me a full metabolic panel with kidney and liver function.

Rex: All right, she's going to be ok, right?

Bo: Hey, hey.  Let's take a walk.

Rex: I'm not leaving her.

Bo: No, we're not going to be gone that long.  Just come on.  We'll get a cup of coffee.

Rex: Ok, but --

Michael: And lift -- good.

***

Viki: John, where's Natalie?

Roxy: Is she going to be ok?

John: We don't anything yet.  Michael's in with her right now.

Jessica: Ok, mom, I'm going to go call Antonio.

Viki: Yes, fine.  Where did you find her?

John: We found her in a pit up on Llantano mountain.

Viki: Oh, my God.

Roxy: Poor kid.

Evangeline: John risked his life to go in and get her.

Viki: Is she all right?  Can I see her?

Michael: Yes.  But, first, I think you to need to prepare yourself.

Viki: I need to prepare myself for what?  Is she all right?

Michael: Well, she's still unconscious, she's severely dehydrated, and her blood pressure is extremely low.

Roxy: So what are you going to do about it, doc?

Michael: We're giving her fluids intravenously.  Normally that helps to bring the pressure back up.

Viki: Ok, and what are you not telling us?

Michael: Natalie was without water for a while.

Roxy: But she's going to make it, isn't she?

Michael: Yes, we believe she will make it.

John: What does that mean, Mike?  What are you talking about?

Michael: Well, if -- and mind you, this is a very big if -- if the pressure doesn't come back up to normal, there's a risk of seizure, possibly brain damage.

Viki: Oh, my God.  Oh, God.

John: When will you know more?

Michael: I'm sorry.  I wish I could tell you more.  But right now all we can do is wait and hope that she responds to treatment.

Viki: Do you think I could go in with her?

Michael: Absolutely.  I think that would be fine.

Viki: Thank you.

Michael: I'll be back to check on her soon.

Viki: Thank you.

Roxy: Thanks, doc.

Viki: Come on.  I think she needs both her mothers.

***

Evangeline: Natalie managed to stay alive all that time.  She'll fight this off, too.

John: Thank you.

Evangeline: For what?

John: For getting us the lead that helped us find Natalie.

Evangeline: All that matters is that you made it in time.

John: I better check in with the station.

Michael: Hey, look, before you do, why don't you run down to my locker, get yourself a change of clothes, bro?  Hey, it's going to really make the nurse mad if you keep tracking dirt in here.

John: Yeah.  Yeah, all right.  Thanks.

Michael: It sounds like you saved Natalie.

***

Evangeline: No.  No, that was all John.  I think he got Natalie out of there by the force of sheer will.

Bo: How you doing?

Rex: I've got it under control now.

Bo: Good.

Rex: Thanks for getting me out of the way.

Bo: Well, waiting is tough, Balsom.  But we have to give the doctors a chance to take care of her.

Rex: Yeah, Natalie has to be ok, ok?  She's got to.  I -- I just can't lose my sister.  You know, I just -- I can't.

Bo: I think I have a pretty good idea of how you're feeling.

Rex: Drew Buchanan.  I've seen his picture in the police station, on the honor wall.

Bo: He was my son.

Rex: I thought he might be.  It figures your kid would turn out to be a hero.

Bo: You know, he didn't start out that way.  When he was a kid, he was pretty reckless.  He loved motorcycles, trouble.  I think a lot of people were really surprised when he became a cop.

Rex: You must miss him a lot.

Bo: Yeah.  He died not long before Matthew was born.  But the pain -- it's not constant now, but it'll never go away.  But, see, you and I, we don't have to worry about that with Natalie, ok?  She didn't get this far for nothing.  Come on.  Let's go see how she's doing.

***

Michael: You can't do anything more for Natalie, not right now.  Go home.  Get some sleep.

Evangeline: No.  I'm staying till she wakes up.

Michael: I promise I'll call you as soon as we know anything.

Evangeline: Thank you, but, no.  I have to see this through to the end.

Roxy: She's looking pretty good, Viki.

Viki: I don't think I've ever seen such a beautiful sight.

Nurse: Excuse me.  You'll have to step outside while I take her vitals.

Viki: Oh, ok.  All right.  You know, I think maybe I'll go to the chapel and say a little prayer, you know?

Roxy: You know, Vik -- you know, I'm not big on this praying thing, but do you think god wouldn't mind if I went with you?

Viki: I think god would be thrilled.  Dr. Mc Bain?  We'll be in the chapel, you know, if there's any change, ok?

Michael: Sure.

Viki: Thank you.

Roxy: Thanks, doc.

Michael: Hey.  I'm sorry, bro.  Immediate family only.

John: What if I told you it was official police business?

Nurse: Her B.P.'S still at 80/40.

Michael: 80/40 -- ok.  You're clean, so I guess it's all right.  Go ahead, go in.

***

Michael: We're still on alert for seizures, but she seems stable.

Rex: There's nothing I can do?

Michael: Natalie's getting everything she needs right now.

John: You know, not too many people would have survived what you went through.  Something kept you going.  Whatever it was, use that to come back to us.

***

August 19, 2005

Evangeline: Natalie just woke up.

Bo: Are you sure?

Evangeline: I saw it myself.

Michael: Sandy, could I get some help over here?

Natalie: John?

John: Yeah.  It's me.

Natalie: John, you have to help me.  I'm trapped in here.  I got to get out.

John: No.  Listen to me.  You're not trapped.  It's ok.  You're in the hospital.

Michael: Ok, big brother, you're out of here.  I got to check her out.

John: She woke up.

Michael: Yeah.

Natalie: John -- John --

John: Hey -- I'll be right outside.

Natalie: John?  John?  John, help me, please?  Don't leave me!  Help!

***

Bo: Natalie is awake.  She's a little disoriented right now.

Viki: But physically -- I mean, is she ok?

Bo: Michael Mc Bain's in there checking her out right now.

Rex: Oh, when can we see her?

Bo: He'll let us know.  We just have -- we have to hang in just a little longer.

***

Natalie: John?  John, help me, please!  John!

Michael: Natalie?  Natalie?  Natalie?  It's me, Michael Mc Bain, ok?  You're safe.  You're in the hospital in Llanview.  John is here.  Your family is here.

Natalie: Michael?

Michael: Hi.  Now, everybody is waiting right outside that door to see you, which isn't going to happen until you let me examine you.  Do you understand what I'm saying?  Ok.  Now, you know your name.  That's good.  Open your eyes.  Follow my finger.  Ok.  What year is it?

Natalie: 2005.

Michael: Ok.  Now, where did I say you were?

Natalie: Llanview hospital.

Michael: And who am I?

Natalie: Your brother's guard dog.

Michael: Nice to have you back, kid.

***

Evangeline: She's safe now.  Hayes Barber is locked up, and soon we'll all be able to start getting our lives back.

Rex: How's Natty?

Kevin: Hey, is she going to be ok?

Roxy: She sure is.  You tell them, doc.

Michael: She's awake.  She is lucid.  She's answered all my questions correctly.  She doesn't seem to have any permanent neurological damage.

Viki: Oh, thank God.

Roxy: Ditto.

Michael: We're re-hydrating her right now, but her vitals look good.  She did sprain her ankle back when she was in the basement with Evangeline.  She seems to have agitated it during the cave-in.  But other than that, you know, I think that she's going to be fine.

Jessica: So, when can we see her?

Michael: Now.  But only one at a time.

Viki: Oh --

Roxy: You first, Vik.

Viki: Thank you.

Natalie: Mom.

Viki: Oh, honey, I'm here.  Oh.  Oh, honey.

***

Viki: You really need to get some sleep, sweetheart, so I think I'm going to let you rest, ok?

Natalie: No, mom.  Please, don't -- I -- I just -- I was alone for so long before, and -- and when I wasn't alone, it was Hayes Barber, and I never knew what he was going to do next.

Viki: Sweetheart, he's in prison, and he can't hurt you anymore, not now, not ever.

Natalie: When Hayes stopped coming and no one came to throw food down in the hole for me, I didn't think I was going to make it.

Viki: Shh.  You know what?  Maybe you shouldn't think about that now, you know?

Natalie: Mom, you're not supposed to feel that way.  I know that.  You're not supposed to give up.

Viki: Sweetheart, anyone would, given what you went through.

Natalie: You wouldn't have.

Viki: Oh --

Natalie: You would never give up.

Viki: Well, I don't know about that.  But I know I never gave up on you.

Natalie: Neither did John.  Did he?

Viki: No, never.

***

John: You know, you don't have to stick around.

Evangeline: Ah.  Trying to get rid of me?

John: Nope.  I just don't want to see you run yourself into the ground.

Evangeline: Don't worry about me.

John: How can I not?  That could have been you I pulled out of that pit tonight.

Evangeline: Stop it.

John: Just tell me how.

Evangeline: Whether it was me or Natalie isn't the point.  The only thing that matters is that we both survived.  We're both here, and we're going to be all right.  You're the one who isn't.

John: Me?

Evangeline: Yes.  All this "I could have done this" and "I should have done that" and "I didn't do this" -- John, put down the cross just for tonight and be happy that we're all alive

***

Bo: Do you know how good it is to see you here?

Natalie: I'm getting the idea.

Bo: Mm-hmm.  You know who's going to be happy is Matthew.  He's going to be so excited you're here and you're safe, sound.

Natalie: Not as glad as I am.  Just so you know, I promise I'm going to keep a low profile at the police station.  No more independent investigating for me, I promise.

Bo: Come on, none of this was your fault.  But I do think it'd be a good idea if you leave the police work to the pros from now on, ok?

Natalie: Thanks, uncle Bo.

Bo: Yeah.  Welcome home, Nat.

Michael: So, you up to seeing more family?  They’re practically breaking down the door to get in here.

Roxy: Can't keep us out anymore.

Natalie: Hey.

Rex: How you doing, Natty?

Roxy: How is she doing?  How do you think she's doing?  She got kidnapped by a whack job, burned at the stake, thrown into a pit, and used as worm food?

Rex: You're not helping, Roxy.

Roxy: I'm not?  I'm not?  Because I'm trying to help.  Honey, you know, I've been worried about you 24/11.  And Viki and I -- we've just been wringing our hands together.  In fact, it's so bad I'm chewing up my acrylics.

Natalie: You think that's bad?  I would kill for a new set.

Roxy: You know, honey, as soon as you blow this pop stand, I'm going to close up shop and I'm going to give you a spa fest -- hair, nails, the whole thing.

Natalie: Sounds wonderful.

Roxy: Honey, not that you need it.  In fact, you never looked more beautiful than you do right now.

Rex: Ahem.

Roxy: What?  Thanks.

Natalie: So, I heard that you got into it with Hayes, too, huh?

Rex: Yeah, I'd do it again, too, no matter what the voltage.

Natalie: He used a stun gun on you?

Rex: Not you, too?

Natalie: No -- I mean, he threatened many times, but -- I can't believe what you did for me.

Rex: Well, I wasn't the only one.

Roxy: Dr. Mikey was tripping after you were gone.

Natalie: Guess I grew on you, huh?

Michael: Yeah.  Like a fungus.

[Roxy laughs]

Rex: All right, say good night, Roxy, so Natty can chill.

Roxy: Do I have to?

Rex: Yes.

Roxy: Ok, honey.  You just call me, you know, if you need any eyebrow wax or anything like that.  Just call me day or night.

Natalie: Ok.  Bye, Roxy.  Rex.

Michael: So?  You really missed Roxy, huh?

Natalie: You know -- it's not just them.  I mean, I missed everybody.  I missed you.

Michael: Hmm.

Natalie: I guess I just never really realized how much I had to live for until tonight, and I have a second chance to appreciate it, thank God.  And John -- he --

Michael: Not just John.

Natalie: Michael, please, let's -- let's just not go there, ok?  I know how you feel about your brother and me, but John saved my life.  He saved me from that pit.

Michael: It wasn't John.

Natalie: I -- I saw him there with my own two eyes right before the hole caved in on me.

Michael: Yeah, you did.  But he wouldn't have known where to look for you if it hadn't been for somebody else.

Natalie: Who?  Who else do I owe my life to?

***

Evangeline: This "Killing Club" case almost destroyed us, but it didn't.  We survived it -- at least Natalie and I did.  We can move on now.  Can you?

Michael: Hey.

John: Hey.

Michael: I'm sorry to interrupt you guys, but Natalie wanted to speak to you, Evangeline.

Evangeline: You wanted to speak to me?

***

Michael: Listen, John, you've put yourself through a meat grinder the last couple of weeks.  It's over now.  It's time to get on with the rest of your life.

John: Yeah, that's what everybody keeps telling me.

Michael: Like Evangeline?  Tell you what -- maybe you should listen to us, you know?  A doctor and a lawyer both tell you something, chances are they're on to something

***

Evangeline: I'm not naive enough to think that you and I could ever be friends.  But I would like to propose a ceasefire.

Natalie: Of course, we -- you know, we've been through too much together.  But, Evangeline, my feelings --

Evangeline: No, let's -- let's not get into that -- no, not now or ever again.  There's no point.  I want you to know this -- John is not a part of my life anymore.

Natalie: You sure about that?

Evangeline: Am I sure about that?  Sure, like you were sure it was over between you and John when you met Paul Cramer?  No, Natalie.  I'm not sure.  And you ought to understand that better than anyone.

***

Natalie: Why is it that every time I open my eyes from the dark there you are?

John: Just lucky, I guess.

Natalie: You got -- you got your guy, didn't you?  Like you always do.

John: Yeah, we got him.

Natalie: Good.  Oh, God, John, I was so scared.  I thought that it was over.  I thought I was dead.  And then I -- I would just -- I thought about you, and I just kept going.  You gave me my fight back, John.  You saved my life.

***

August 25, 2005

Michael: I just got Natalie's blood work back.

Viki: And?

Michael: Everything checks out.  Hard to believe after everything she's been through, but I really think she can go home today.

Viki: Oh, that's wonderful.  Thank you.  Thank you, both of you, for everything that you've done.

Michael: We're just happy that everything worked out.  If you'll excuse me.

Viki: Sure.

John: Thanks, Mike.

Michael: No sweat.

John: Natalie's going home.  That's good news.

Viki: Yeah, it is.  Do you have a minute?

John: Of course.

Viki: I realize that you're very uncomfortable accepting my thanks, but I meant what I said.  What you did was way beyond the call of duty, and I will never be able to repay you.

John: It's my job.

Viki: Yes, it's your job, but it was much, much more than your job.  I know that you care about my daughter, and frankly, I could never possibly ask for a better friend for Natalie, or for my whole family, for that matter.

John: No matter whatever happens, I'll always have Natalie's best interest at heart.

Viki: I know.  I guess I just have to wonder, you know, what your true feelings for each other are.

Natalie: Get away from me!

Viki: Natalie --

***

Natalie: If you come one step closer, I swear --

John: Who are you, huh?

Man: Yo, I'm a reporter from "The Sun."

John: Yeah?

Viki: "The Sun?"  Let me tell you something, my brother owns "The Sun."  You're looking to be fired.

Man: Todd Manning sent me.  Anyway, I think I've got enough for a sidebar.  "Heiress still shaken after near-death experience."

John: Yeah, well, your time's up.  You come back, you'll be arrested. Now get the hell out.  You ok?  Huh?

Natalie: Yeah, thanks.

Viki: I'll talk to Todd about this.

Natalie: I can handle some stupid reporter.  I just -- I was having these dreams.

Viki: I can imagine, sweetheart.

Natalie: Yeah, when I woke up, he was there and just freaked me out.  I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

Viki: Oh, honey, don't worry about me.

Natalie: Oh.  You were here all night last night, weren't you?

John: Yeah, you shouldn't -- you shouldn't be alone.

Viki: Well, I'm going to make sure the security at Llanfair keeps the reporters away.

Natalie: You mean I'm -- home?

Viki: Hmm.

Michael: That's right.  You're being released today.

Natalie: Oh, my God, I can't believe it!  My own room, my own bed!

Michael: And no more looking up and seeing me and my brother's ugly mugs.  You must be getting sick of us, huh?

Natalie: Yeah, real sick of you.

***

Natalie: You're right.  You shouldn't come home with me.  I -- I need to spend some time with my mom so she knows I'm ok.  Could you -- can you help me with those?  My ankle's still a little messed up.

John: Yeah, of course.

Natalie: You didn't have to spend the night, you know.

John: Yeah, I did.

Natalie: Ok, turn around so I can get this gown off.

John: Ok.  I won't peek.

Natalie: Look -- um -- John, I know that we have a lot to talk about, because before this kidnapping, I know that I did a lot of things, stupid things that I'm not proud of.  I guess almost dying does a number on your conscience and -- here on out, ok, there is no more games.  You know how I feel about you, and I know how you feel.

Natalie: And now we have time to explore that.

John: Right now we should probably explore you going home and getting some rest.

Natalie: Be in touch, right?

John: I'll be in touch.

***

Natalie: Ugh.

Michael: Ow!  Hey -- that hurt.

Natalie: That's what you get for sneaking up on me like that.

Michael: Well, I did keep you from falling on your ass.  I think that deserves a little credit, don't you?

Natalie: Thank you.

Michael: You're welcome.  How's your ankle?

Natalie: It hurts.

Michael: How's everything else?

Natalie: It's getting there.

Michael: I am sorry for scaring you.  I should've known that you're not as together as you'd like everybody to think.

Natalie: You kidding me?  Didn't like this shirt, anyway.  Oh.  Look, Michael, you know, I'm going home.  I can listen to my CDs as loud as I want and as long as I want, raid the refrigerator at 3:00 A.M. with Jess, and I can look after my mom, and live.  I'm going to live.

Michael: That's good.

Natalie: And after everything I've gone through, I'm not taking that for granted ever again.

Michael: Have you figured out where my brother, John, fits into the rest of your life?

Natalie: Well, we're starting over.  I know there's really nothing standing in our way -- no murder investigation, Evangeline's out of the picture.

Michael: Yeah, but you're forgetting one thing, Natalie.

Natalie: What?

Michael: John is still John.

***

Michael: You got a big heart, Nat, and you're definitely one of the most courageous people I've ever met.

Natalie: But?

Michael: Just be careful.  That's all I'm saying.

Natalie: Michael, that may be one of the sweetest things you've ever said to me.

Michael: Yeah, well, don't get used to it, ok?

Natalie: Thank you for the heads-up, but I have my eyes wide open.

Viki: Hey.  Ready to go home?

Natalie: Oh.  More than ever.

Viki: Good.

Michael: I'll go get you a wheelchair.

Natalie: Excellent.

Viki: I've been waiting to have a chance to talk to you.

Natalie: Well, you'll have plenty of time to do that at home.

Viki: Yeah, well, maybe not quite as much as I had hoped.

Natalie: What's wrong?

Viki: Oh, there's nothing wrong, darling.  Um -- the thing is I have an appointment to see a very famous heart specialist in London.

Natalie: Wait a second.  I mean, did something happen?  Is it bad again?

Viki: No, no, no.  No, I'm better.  I'm -- I'm better -- in fact, I'm much better, now that you're back.  No, the thing is that this specialist -- he might be able to prevent my condition from recurring.  And, you know, Clint and Joey are in London and they've been worried about me, and so --

Natalie: I know, mom, I'm sorry.  Everything that you've been through -- you're so worried about me and --

Viki: Darling, it wasn't your fault.

Natalie: It wasn't your fault either, and I hate what this has done to you.

Viki: Well, you know, I'm not going to pretend it was easy, but the thing is with, you know, Jessica right now and with your recovering, I'm -- I guess I'm reconsidering going to London.

Natalie: No.  No, listen to me, you need to take care of you, ok?  I'm -- I'm going to be ok.  We're all -- we're going to be ok.

Viki: Are you?  Sweetheart, I mean, I know how happy you are to be back and to be going home, but I'm -- I have to say this.  I -- I just have to wonder whether your life right now should involve John Mc Bain.

***

August 26, 2005

[Knock on door]

[Knock]

John: Coming.

John: Hey.

Michael: Hey, bro.  What you up to?

John: Not much.

Michael: No?  Want to go shoot some hoops?

John: No basketball.

Michael: Oh.  Yeah. Right.  I'm sorry.  I guess there aren't any courts in your future anytime soon.

John: Maybe never.

Michael: I don't blame you.  Well, we could do something else, you know?  We could go over to Capricorn, grab something to eat?  Beer?

John: Yeah, look, I'm going to have to take a rain check, Mike.  I -- I got a lot of stuff to do around here.

Michael: Really?  Like what?  Sit around and brood?

John: No.  It's actually pretty important.

Michael: Really?  Let me guess -- it has something to do with Natalie.

***

John: Don't take it personal, Mike, but whatever it is you have to say, I don't want to hear it right now.

Michael: Well, somebody's got to look out for you, John.  Natalie, too.

John: You know what?  I think at this point, we can both take care of ourselves.

Michael: I know you can.  And what I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted is that if Evangeline really is out of the picture, maybe you should go for it with Natalie.

John: It's not that simple.

Michael: Yeah, it never is with you, is it, bro?  You know, you're right.  I don't suppose you could be any more open with Natalie than you were Evangeline, so just forget it.

John: It's not just that.

Michael: It's always that, John.  The stuff from your past -- it's what always keeps you from being happy.

John: Well, you know, you're starting it early today, aren't you?  Look, what I'm dealing with right now is definitely in the present tense.

Michael: So, what is it?  Residual stuff?  Evangeline?

John: It's not about Evangeline.

Michael: Then what is it about, John?

John: It's about Cristian Vega.

***

Michael: John, Cristian Vega is dead. I don't see how he could possibly come between you and Natalie . You think she's still in love with him?

John: I know she is.  Always will be.

Michael: And, John, you'll always be in love with Caitlin.  Doesn't change the fact that she's dead.  So's Cristian.  So, what's the problem?  You want to be with Natalie.  Natalie wants to be with you.

John: You know, I -- I thought you were worried about Natalie getting hurt.

Michael: I am.  You two want to be together, you think it'll make you happy -- I'm not going to be the one to stand in the way.  You know, here's a thought, john. It's not really your style.  It's something different you might try.  Why don't you get this hang-up that you have about Cristian out in the open?

***

Michael: Like I said, John, you should talk to Natalie.

John: I tell you what, Mike.  I'm -- I'm going to give it some thought.

Michael: And if you're smart, you'll do more than that.  And that's it for your daily dose of brotherly wisdom.

John: You're leaving, are you?  So soon?

Michael: Later, John.

John: Much, much later.  Like December.

[Knock on door]

John: What, you forget something?

***

August 29, 2005

Natalie: Am I interrupting something?

John: No, I'm just surprised to see you, that's all.

Natalie: Oh, I just thought after what happened -- John, what's going on?

John: You need to go home, Natalie.

***

Natalie: You're sending me home?

John: You just got out of the hospital.

Natalie: Uh-huh, and if Michael thought I wasn't okay, he would've strapped me down to the bed, and you know that.

John: And you'd have done anything to get out of there, wouldn't you?

Natalie: They threw me a surprise welcome-home party at Llanfair.

John: That's nice.

Natalie: Yeah, it was nice. Except I wanted to be with you.

John: You should really take it easy until you're feeling stronger.

Natalie: Could you stop being so overprotective? I mean, it's not that I don't like it, don't get me wrong, but I kind of feel like you're using it as an excuse right now.

John: Just worried about you. So's your family. You should let them look after you for a while.

Natalie: So you can sit here alone in the dark, turning things over and over in your head, dwelling in the past instead of living? Look, John, you can't change the past. I mean, the only thing that's worth regretting is not living the life that you have left. I mean, I'm really starting to sound like a self-help tape.

John: It's all right. We're both tired.

Natalie: No, I'm not tired. I'm actually wide awake. I really had a lot of time to rest and think in that pit and -- my entire life -- the bad times with Roxy and the bad things that I did when I came to Llanview, losing Cristian, thinking I'd got Cristian back and then losing him all over again -- I relived every one of those memories for the last time. Because, see, I promised myself that if I ever got out of that pit alive, if god gave me another chance that I wasn't going to waste it. See, we survived. We've got another chance. What do you want to do about it? Guess Rex was right. You do want to be alone.

John: No. Nobody ever wants to be alone.

Natalie: Then what is it, John?

***

Natalie: What's the problem, John?

John: You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, that's the problem.

Natalie: Okay, well, I've been through hell. You're a mess. We both have enough baggage to fill a plane.

John: That appeals to you on some level?

Natalie: You appeal to me. I don't know why. I mean, I guess it's all the fun times we've been having lately. Look, I know that you're a little gun-shy after what happened with Evangeline, but, John, I'm not asking for anything. I just know that you're the only person I want to be with tonight. Nothing more. To tell you the truth, I think I'm just as nervous as you are about all of this. You know, I mean, I don't know that we're meant to be together. This could turn out to be one big, ugly mistake.

***

Evangeline: John did not ruin my life. In fact, I am stronger for the experience, okay? I mean, I know what I want now.

Michael: And it's not John?

Evangeline: No, it's not. It didn't work out. Look, your brother was not my whole life, okay? He was just a very great part of it.

Michael: I never thought your life revolved around my brother. Quite the contrary. I think you were a little too independent.

Evangeline: What is that supposed to mean?

Michael: You know what, forget it.

Evangeline: No, no, no, you can't just say something like that and change the subject.

Michael: Okay. You and John were together for a pretty long time, but your lives -- they never seemed to come together.

Evangeline: Michael, the only thing that went wrong between John and me is that I fell in love with him and he didn't fall in love with me, okay? Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to go buy myself another drink.

Michael: Yeah, because it's just that simple?

Evangeline: It is that simple, okay? It happens.

Michael: No, it doesn't, not with this. There's no in-between here, okay? You either know right away that you are never going to be able to love somebody or you give that person your heart completely and totally because you don't have a choice.

Evangeline: I'm going to go get my drink now.

***

Hugh: Can I buy you a drink?

Marcie: Oh, um, I --

Hugh: Or -- were you meeting Michael?

Marcie: Oh, no, no. We broke up, remember?

Hugh: Yeah, I remember, but do you?

Marcie: I guess it's just weird seeing him with other people, you know, even if they are just friends. It's --

Hugh: Well, how does he feel when you're with someone else?

Marcie: You mean like the night I got completely wasted and you took me to bed? Yeah, he freaked out a little bit.

Hugh: I thought he was going to tear my head off. Let me buy you a drink. Maybe my bad date can lead to something good, like Michael thinking that something's up with us?

Marcie: Hmm, I don't play games.

Hugh: Well, then let's call it an experiment.

Marcie: Okay.

***

Michael: Hey.

Evangeline: Hey. Layla, this is Michael McBain.

Layla: Any relation?

Michael: John is my brother. But I'm nothing like him.

Evangeline: Hmm.

Layla: Well, I'm nothing like my sister, either -- although, sometimes I wish I could be.

Michael: Who's your sister?

Evangeline: Take a wild guess.

[Phone rings]

Michael: Oh.

Evangeline: Excuse me, you guys. Oh, I need to get this. Be right back.

Michael: I didn't know that Evangeline had a sister.

Layla: She never mentioned me? Well, she does, and we look out for each other. Vange is an amazing person. So what the hell is wrong with your brother? What secret's buried in his deep, dark, mysterious past that made it impossible for him to love her?

***

Layla: I just don't get it. Vange is incredible. How can John dump her for that Natalie chick?

Michael: Hey. Natalie -- okay, I'll give it to you -- she's infuriating, she's impossible, she's impulsive, she's completely misguided in loving my brother, but she is damn good people.

Layla: Okay. I guess John isn't the only McBain into Natalie. Hi.

Hugh: Hey. Can I get two vodka martinis for that table over there?

Layla: Sure.

Hugh: Thanks.

***

Hugh: It's working. Michael is definitely, definitely jealous.

Marcie: He barely even knows we're here. He was totally flirting with that waitress over there.

Hugh: Please, he is verdant with jealousy.

Marcie: Oh, "verdant." Yeah, I'm going to use that word in my next book.

Hugh: I never thought I'd hear you say that.

Marcie: It was a bad joke. I was joking. I'm never going to write another book again. Thanks.

Layla: How can you say that? I stayed up all last night reading "The Killing Club." I actually pictured myself playing Jamie in the movie. She's a little bit white, but that's an easy fix.

Hugh: Are you an actress?

Layla: How'd you guess? Good to see you again.

Hugh: Yeah, Layla, right?

Layla: Mm-hmm.

Hugh: I'm Hugh.

Layla: Hi.

Hugh: And this is --

Layla: Marcie Walsh. Everybody knows who you are. You're famous.

Marcie: Well, it's nice to meet you.

Layla: I'm serious, you should keep writing. Bye.

Hugh: She's -- she's right, you should.

***

Hugh: You could write a book about insanely great things happening to wildly deserving people. Maybe that would come true, too.

Marcie: Hmm. Chapter One -- "One of your long-necked models actually turns out to be Miss Perfect."

Hugh: Chapter Two -- "You and Michael get back together."

Marcie: You know, I'm guessing that we can -- when we can both be in the same room and hardly know the other one's there, it's pretty much over. You know, I think I'm going to go home.

Hugh: Yeah, you can go write the happy book.

Marcie: Don't push it.

Hugh: How about I walk you out and I can give you some more irresistible ideas?

Marcie: Huh. You can try.

***

Evangeline: You okay?

Michael: Yeah. Marcie and I have been broke up for a long time now, but I guess we're just starting to let go, you know?

Evangeline: It's going to take that long?

Michael: I wish I could tell you otherwise. You know, if you need a prescription, I know this guy named Michael who doesn't always have to function as John's brother. He could be a pretty good friend.

Evangeline: Well, I'll take whatever dose he recommends.

Michael: Rodi's cheeseburger, stat?

Evangeline: As long as we don't run into John and Natalie, I'm there. Let's go.

Michael: I'm going to go settle up.

Evangeline: Okay.

***

John: I can't do this.

Natalie: Why not?

John: There's something I need to tell you.

***

Michael: Hey.

Evangeline: Hey.

Michael: Ready to get out of here?

Evangeline: Let's go.

Michael: Come on.

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