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"
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"Nothin' Could Be Finer Than Some
Lovin' In the Diner" |
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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 PAGE 18
Scene 23 Courage, Convictions
& Costs
August 5, 2003 (Tuesday)
Setup: Nora and Gabs are recovering from a bad experience with Troy. Al, Marcie and Viki are at the police station. Bo is looking at a copy of the threatening email message Marcie received. Al: The threat that she got at Ultra Violet last night was way more ugly than this. Bo: I’m going to have our technical guys check into this. Emails can be traced sometimes. Viki: I mean, I can't believe this is all over a peace symbol. I asked Dean Baker to resign because I felt he was aggravating things and, by taking him out of the equation, I thought things would calm down, but apparently not. I just hope I haven't made things more difficult for you now. Marcie: No, you know what, I just think it's a sick joke. You know, I can't believe because I’m advocating peace that somebody would actually want me dead. Nora walks into the squad room. Nora: Hi. What's going on? Bo: What are you doing out of bed? Nora: I can heal just as well at my desk as I can in the hospital. Viki: Nora, my God, I heard what happened. That must have been terrifying. Is there anything I can do for you, anything you need? Nora: Oh, you're sweet. I’m fine, really. I’m just putting one foot in front of the other. Viki: That's the best way. Nora: Yeah. (looks at the email message) Who -- did you -- did you print this out yourself? Marcie: Yeah, why, was that wrong? Nora: No, no, no, just, you know, I thought maybe it would give us some leads or anything. Is there a return address? Al: No, an anonymous FTP. Nora: Typical. What about -- Bo: Nora, could I see you in my office for a second? Nora: Sure. Excuse me. (hands the copy of the email message to Marcie) Viki: Sure. Nora: Good to see you. Viki: You, too. Nora follows Bo into his office. Viki turns to Marcie & Al.
Viki: Now I mean it, OK -- the university will take whatever steps are necessary to keep you safe on campus. Marcie: Thank you. I really appreciate it. Viki: Well, I’m going to keep in touch with you and the Commissioner about this, all right? Marcie: OK. Thank you. Viki: Bye-bye. Viki leaves. Marcie turns and faces Al. Marcie: You know what, the students and the faculty have been so supportive that I think we should forward this thing so that they can see what they're up against. Al: (shakes his head) Not a good idea, Marcie. Marcie looks surprised. Al: Look, I understand you want to move fast on this thing, but I got to ask you, please, don't send any emails. Marcie: You want me to back down? Al: No, I don't want you to back down, but I want you to find out who sent that email first and who threatened you at Ultra Violet. Marcie: Oh, all right. Gabs and Max walk into the squad room. Al notices them. Al: Mom. What are you doing here? Dad, what's she doing out of bed? Max: You try and say no to her when she's made up her mind. Gabrielle: It's all right. It's all right, Sweetheart, I’m fine. I just need to talk to Bo about something. Max: You want me to be there for you? Gabrielle: Thank you, Max, but this is something I think I'd better do on my own. Gabs goes into Bo’s office. She tells him why she put herself in danger with Troy without revealing to him the real reason. Daniel Coulson interrupts their conversation. Gabs excuses herself and leaves Bo’s office. She walks over to Al and Marcie who are standing near Marcie’s desk. Al: Mom. Gabrielle: Where's Max? Al: He had to leave. I’m going to drive you. He'll meet you at Bo's house, OK? Gabrielle: OK. Al kisses Gabs on the cheek and then turns to Marcie. Al: You stay right at this desk till I get back, OK? Marcie: I'll stay put. Al: OK. (kisses her quickly) Al and Gabs leave. In Bo’s office, he and Coulson argue about the case. Couson storms out of Bo’s office. The main phone rings and Marcie answers it. Marcie: Llanview P.D. How may I direct your call? Ron? Wait, wait, wait, wait, what about Dad? What hospital? All right, I'll be on the next bus to New Jersey.
Meanwhile at Llanfair, Asa strolls into the library where Viki is working at the desk. Asa: Oh, Viki. What do you know about this Walker Laurence? Viki: Well, I’m fine, Asa, just fine. How about you? Asa: Huh. You're funny. Walker Laurence. Viki: I don't actually know very much about him at all. Why? Asa: Well, he just outbid me for sole ownership of The Sun. Viki: He did? You didn't come here to complain about that. I get it. You're here because of the university's retreat for the board of trustees, right? Asa: You're going, aren't you? Viki: Well, of course I’m going. Please don't tell me that you are taking sides against Marcie Walsh. Asa: Oh, please, that gal is nothing but a troublemaker. Viki: No, she is not. All she did was speak out for peace. And for that, she has received a number of threats, including a very explicit threat on her life! Asa: Then what the hell does she expect, going around waving the peace sign? This country is at war! Viki: I’m not even going to answer that. Asa: Why? What are you going to do about it? Viki: I’m doing everything I can for her, all right? While she's on campus, she will be protected by campus security. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to help her when she's in town.
Marcie rushes through Angel Square. She pauses and checks for something in her purse. Obviously, frustrated that she couldn’t find whatever she was looking for, she closes her purse and starts walking again. Three thug-students are watching her and she walks near them, Thug #1, deliberately bumps into her. Thug #1: Hey. Marcie: Hey. Thug #1: Watch it, will you? Marcie stops. Marcie: Excuse me, I’m sorry. Deke slithers in front of her. Deke: Hey, what's your hurry, Mother Teresa? Thug-gette: Didn't you get our message? Marcie frowns but also looks worried and confused.
August 6 (Wednesday) At Angel Square, Marcie has been stopped by Deke (primeval thug), Thug #1 (male college boy thug) and Thug-gette (female college girl thug). Deke: (grabs at Marcie’s purse) Where you going, to hang more peace banners? Marcie: Leave me alone. Thug #1: Whoa, whoa. Tough talk for someone who always says, "Oh, please don't fight." Thug-gette: Good thing not everyone's such a hypocrite. Marcie: I -- Deke: A lot of people put their lives on the line so you can hang your stupid banners. Thug #1: Like she gives a damn? Marcie: But I do. Thug #1: Damn traitor. Marcie: You two were in political science with me last semester, weren't you? The constitution? Do you remember that? Freedom of speech? Or is that just for people who agree with you? Deke: Freedom is for people who are willing to die for it. Marcie: But if we work for peace together, then maybe so many people won't have to die. Can't you wrap your brain around that and think of it from a different perspective? Thug #1: Damn coward! Marcie: Leave me alone! Deke: Oh, what's the matter? You afraid to fight for peace?
(pushes Marcie
and Thug #1 catches her and pushes back) Marcie: Stop it! Thug #1: Big mouth! Marcie: Let me go! Thug-gette: Hey, you think you got guts? I don't think so. Marcie: Stop it! Please, let me go! Deke: I think someone needs to shut that big mouth up. Is that it?
Deke shoves Marcie, hard. She falls and hits her head on the base of the angel statue then collapses on the ground. She rubs her forehead and slowly sits up. Deke and Thug #1 appear somewhat shocked by their actions but Thug-gette walks over to Marcie and kneels beside her. Thug-gette: One word and we'll do much worse next time. Deke and his thugs rush off but someone drops a wallet. Marcie is left sitting on the ground in front of the statue. She feels her forehead then trembles when she sees blood on her fingers. Riley and Sheyne come around the corner. They see Marcie and rush to her.
Riley: Marcie? Are you OK? Marcie: Oh, I -- I think so. Sheyne: What happened? Sheyne and Riley help Marcie up and to a seat at the base of the angel statue. They sit on either side of her. Marcie: I -- I hit my head on the angel. Sheyne: How? Riley: On the angel? Marcie: I don't know. I just -- I fell. Listen, I’m going to miss my bus. (frantic) I have to catch my bus! Marcie tries to stand up. Riley: Listen, hey, you're bleeding. Marcie: I know, I know, but my dad's in the hospital, and if I don't go to the hospital now, I’m going to miss him! Riley: OK, OK, but they won't let you on the bus while you're bleeding, OK? Marcie: OK. They help Marcie to stand and wrap their arms around her and support her as they walk. Riley: Come on. Marcie: OK.
Meanwhile at Foxy Roxy’s, Roxy is cluing River in on his job description for the salon. Roxy: So, River, it's pretty damn easy because when we get low on supplies, you just bring them on up, and you sweep up after all the haircuts. River: All right, got it. Roxy: Yeah. Yeah, I know why you wanted this gig. So you could be close to your little senorita at the diner, right? Right? River: Right, right. Thanks for that, by the way. Roxy: Hey, somebody had to do something or else Carlotta was going to lock her up with the nuns. River: Yeah, yeah, tell me about it. Oh, my God. Roxy: Oh, man, I am such a sucker for young love. But don't think that anything gets past me, OK? River: No, no way. I mean, there's nothing that I would want to -- Roxy: Because Foxy Roxy's is a first-class clip joint. River: Right, right. I mean, I can see that. Roxy: Yeah, well, I know you think this is, like, fun and games and a lot of yucks and everything like that, but don't let it fool you, because you need to have a very strong work ethnic, right? You'd better bust your tail. River: Right. Well, you won't be let down, I promise. I mean, I really need the experience. Roxy: All right, I’m telling you, it's really easy. Riley and Sheyne open the door and help Marcie into the salon. Riley: Hey, a little help here, please? Roxy: Oh, my God, what happened? Sheyne: She hit her head. Roxy: (turns to River) Get a chair. Go grab that chair! Come on. River brings out a chair and Riley helps Marcie sit down. Riley: Come on. Roxy: OK, let me see. (touches Marcie’s forehead) Marcie: Ow! Riley: (bends beside Marcie) Hey, Al will be here in a minute, OK? Marcie: Oh, I wish you hadn't called him! Riley: What, and not tell him we found you in the Square bleeding? Roxy: Hey, look, I know you think it's nothing, but, you know, maybe you'd better go to the hospital because something like that could really scramble your brain. Marcie: No, I don't have time! (tries to get up) My father's sick! I have to go to New Jersey! Riley: Hey, hey, hey. (holds Marcie back) The only place you're going is the hospital, OK?
Al and Marcie are in the corridor at the police station. Marcie is sitting on a bench and Al is standing and talking on a cell phone. Al: So your father's going to be OK? Good. Listen, I’m going to have Marcie give you a call first thing, OK? Yeah. Thanks. Take care, Ron. Al turns and then squats down in front of Marcie and looks her in the eye. Al: Your father’s going to be fine. Marcie: Did they find out what was wrong? Al: It was just a dizzy spell. He's been forgetting to take his high blood pressure medication. Marcie: But they're keeping him overnight. Al: Just to be safe. Your brother says he's already asleep. You know, you probably wouldn't get to see him till tomorrow anyway. Marcie: I know, but at the E.R. they said I was OK to travel. Al: Marcie, please. Wait till tomorrow? Officer Chase strolls down the corridor toward Al and Marcie. Officer Chase: Sorry to make you wait. It's Marcie, right? Marcie: Yeah. Officer Chase: OK. This way. (points to the detectives’ desk) Al and Marcie walk over to the desk and sit down in the chairs facing the desk. Officer Chase sits behind the desk. Officer. Chase: So, just start at the beginning and just tell me what happened.
Marcie: Well, I was -- I was -- Al: Marcie was attacked in Angel Square. Officer Chase: Was it a stranger or someone you know? Marcie: Well, there were three of them. There were two guys and a girl. And I was on my way to catch the bus, and there they were. They just -- they came out of nowhere. Al: Marcie? It's OK, honey. Take your time, OK? Just go nice and slow. Marcie: OK. Well, at first, they were just saying things, and I tried to go by them, but they wouldn't let me pass. And then one of the guys started pushing me, and I begged him to stop, but he just kept on shoving me and I got really dizzy. Officer. Chase: What things were they saying? Marcie: They were accusing me of not supporting our troops, like I’m not an American, too. Officer Chase: I don't get it. What would give them that idea? Marcie: Well, it's because I -- Al: It's because they're a bunch of stupid morons. That's what. Officer Chase: Wait a minute. It's you. You're the one making all that trouble over at the university. Al: Trouble? Is that what you call it?
Officer Chase: Easy, pal. Al: Listen, last time I checked, in this country, speaking your mind is not a crime. Attacking somebody is, though. Officer Chase: (holds hands up in a surrender gesture but there is a hint of a smirk on his face) Look, I’m sorry, OK? I didn't mean anything by it. OK, these people -- did you recognize any of them, the people who allegedly attacked you? Marcie frowns then looks confused and hurt. Al turns and looks at her. Al: Marcie? Marcie: (grits her teeth then stands up) I withdraw my complaint. I’m sorry to waste your time, Harry -- Officer Chase. (looks over at Al) Can we go now? Al: (frowns and speaks slowly) If that's what you want. Marcie walks to the far corner of the room. Al stares at Officer Chase for a second then gets up and walks over to her. Al: Marcie? Why did you decide not to press charges? Marcie: It won't do any good. Al: Marcie, these people hurt you. The cops can't just ignore that. Marcie: (angry, forceful) Yeah, well, did you see the way that he looked at me? Like I’m the one who should be in jail! Al: Well, no, not exactly. He just was sort of thrown, I think. Marcie: Yeah, yeah, yeah, because I work for him. I’ve brought him coffee, I’ve taken his messages. Al: Easy. Marcie: And he doesn't care. He doesn't care one bit. He would not want to arrest the people who attacked me if I picked them out of a lineup! Al: Well -- Marcie: Because he thinks that I’m un-American just like they do! Al: The hell with that guy, Marcie! Look, we'll come back tomorrow and we'll talk to the commissioner. Marcie: (tears in eyes and trembles) I don't understand, Al. I don't understand why this is happening to me! I didn't do anything wrong! Al: No, Honey, you didn't. (touches her on the shoulder and rubs his hand along her arm) You just had the courage to stand up for something that you believe in and you ran into some really backward people. But they really stepped over the line this time, Marcie. Marcie: I know. I was really scared. Al: Things are getting a little out of hand. Marcie: I know. I mean, how -- how can people get so vicious over talking about peace? Al: Well, a lot of people are really mixed up right now, Marcie, and some of those people are dangerous. (puts hands on Marcie’s shoulders and leans slightly forward) Listen -- I don't want you taking any more chances. The next time you could get really hurt.
Marcie: (frowns, steps back and shakes her head) You're not saying that I should just shut up? Al: You know I think that what you are doing is amazing. But it's out of control, Marcie. Marcie: (strong, forceful) I don't care, Al. I will not back down. I won't. Marcie turns and rushes away.
Later in Angel Square, Marcie is staring out at the distance through the cast iron face and holding onto one of the links. Al is behind her and sitting on the base of the statue. Al: Marcie, I want you to know I have your back 100% on this thing, no matter what happens, OK? Marcie: I just can't let this go, Al, not after what happened with Eric. Al: You mean because he's -- because he had such a hard time? Marcie: You know he was 13 when he told me he was gay? God, he was terrified of what Dad was going to think. (turns and walks next to Al and then sits beside him) So we kept it a secret. Al: You the only one he told? Marcie: Me and Pete Grady, his best friend, who turned out not to be his best friend because he out-ed him to the entire school. A lot of the kids were not very cool about it. Al: I can imagine. I bet your dad was pretty upset, huh? Marcie: To put it mildly. Dad flat-out refused to accept that Eric was gay. I mean, for years we would never even speak about it. If anyone ever made any anti-gay comment, you know, everyone would just ignore it. Finally, Eric just couldn't take it anymore. He and Dad, they had it out. Al: Well, did that help? Marcie: Yeah, it helped Eric. And it helped me. You know, it didn't change Dad's mind very much, but it showed him that we were going to stand up for what we believe in. Anyway, I’ve always regretted keeping quiet all that time. Al: Well, it's hard to stand up to your dad. Marcie: Yeah. But you can't let that stop you from standing up for what you believe in. I let Eric down when I wouldn't stand up to my father and myself. I’m not going to let that happen to us. Al: (leans over to her) I’m falling in love with you, Marcie Walsh. Marcie: I’m way past falling, Al Holden. They kiss.
Later, Al walks back through Angel Square. He is looking around, obviously distressed and thinking about what happened to Marcie. He walks over to the bench and sits down then notices a wallet on the ground. He picks it up and opens it. There is a student photo ID in the address window. He gets up and walks away with a determined gate.
At the Llanview U. Student Union, Deke is perched on the arm of a chair and regaling Thug #1 and Thug-gette with some story. Al walks in and spots Deke. He checks the ID in the wallet and then walks toward Deke. Deke: Kid you not. Thug #1: Really? Deke: It was so funny, yeah. Thug #1: I don't believe it. Deke: I couldn't believe it, either, but I saw it with my own eyes. It was hilarious. Al comes up behind Deke and taps him on the shoulder with his wallet. Al: You lose something, guy? Deke: (happy, surprised) Where'd you find this? Al drags Deke into a standing position. Al: You dropped it when you were beating on my girlfriend, punk! Deke: Look, I don't know what your problem is. Al: Listen, you ever come near Marcie Walsh again, I swear you will have to deal with me. Thug #1: Hey, man – (grabs Al, who promptly punches him.) Al turns toward Deke and is about to lay fist to face when Marcie walks in. She is obviously shocked by what she is seeing. Marcie: No, Al! Don't be like them. Al pauses with his fist in mid-air.
August 7 (Thursday)
In the Student Union at Llanview U., Al has confronted Deke and their encounter has turned physical but just when things are about to get really ugly for Deke, Marcie arrives and begs Al not to do it. Marcie rushes over to Al. Marcie: No, Al, please – Al: Marcie -- Marcie: Come on, don't stoop to his level. Al: Isn't this one of the sleazebags who attacked you? Marcie: Yes. But no violence, Okay? I mean, what was that peace sign all about? Deke: Gutless. Al lands a punch squarely on Deke, but then Thug #1 grabs Al from behind and holds his arms down. Deke punches Al several times. Marcie: No! No. Al, no! Somebody help! No! Joey appears and immediately jumps in to help Al. Joey: Hey, break it up! Joey throws Thug #1 off of Al and when he lunges forward, Joey jumps in front of him. Joey: Want some? Bring it. Al throws Deke several feet but just then a police officer walks up. Officer: What's going on here? Joey: Hey, hey, hey! Take it easy. Marcie gets in front of Al. Marcie: These two creeps attacked me in Angel Square. And when my boyfriend confronted them about it, they ganged up on him. Officer: You all right, Marcie? Marcie: Yeah. They're not as tough as they look. Al: These two -- these are the guys that attacked Marcie. Deke: Prove it. Al: You dropped your wallet, tough guy. Deke: That could've happened at any time. That's crazy. Thug #1: (points at Marcie) And this one -- a total liar. Al: You shut your mouth. Male Student: Hell no. I saw the whole thing. It happened just like she said it did. Thug #1: You're obviously biased, so just stay out of this, OK? Officer: (to Deke) Turn around and put your hands behind your back. Deke: What? Officer: (looks at Marcie) Do you want to file a formal complaint? Marcie: You bet I do. Officer: You're under arrest. The officer handcuffs Deke and then leads him away. Off to the side, Thug-gette and Thug-gette Two are watching the whole situation. Thug-gette: We'd better call Maddie. Her boyfriend just got busted by the campus goody-goody. Al and Marcie watch as Deke is dragged away. Marcie turns and smiles up at Al. They hug.
Later, once again at Llanview University, Marcie is standing in the Student Union. She looks sad. Al walks up behind her. Al: Marcie, those guys were morons. You can’t let them get to you. Marcie turns and looks at him. Marcie: It's not just them. I know you were defending me and everything, but -- Al: Wait, wait, wait. What are you talking about here? Those guys hurt you, Marcie. What was I supposed to do, nothing? What? Marcie: Fighting makes me sick. My dad and my brothers were always yelling. Al: At each other and at you. Marcie: Yeah. Al: I’m sorry. (rubs her arms) Marcie: It's OK. Al: Anyway, you know, we showed those kids something today. We showed them they can’t just go around beating people up just because they don't agree with them. Marcie: Kind of wanted to smack them myself. Al: You? Mahatma Walsh? Marcie laughs but then turns serious. Marcie: It was because of them that I didn't get to see my dad in the hospital. Al: Well, at least he's OK. Marcie: Yeah, but what if he weren't? Al: But he is. And thanks to you, Deke Carter is getting exactly what he deserves. Marcie: Hmm. Oh, you know what? I have to go to the bookstore. Al: OK, I'll come with you. Marcie: No, I don't need a bodyguard. It's OK. Besides, don't you have to go see that new dean about your show? Al: He can wait. Marcie: No, he can’t. It's important. It's about the Voice of the Night. I'll be fine.
They kiss then Marcie walks off. Al watches her for a few seconds then smiles. He heads in the opposite direction and passes Madison (from here on referred to simply as Maddi-evil) and two thug-gettes as they strut into the Student Union. Thug-gette: Deke and Al Holden -- man, those two really went at it last night. Thug-gette Two: Somebody said Marcie was right here. There she is. Maddi-evil: She'll be back, and she'll wish she never messed with Deke. Later, Al rushes into to Student Union and spots Marcie. She is standing with her back to him. He rushes behind her and kisses her on the cheek. She giggles and turns around. Marcie: Hello. Al: Hey. Marcie: What happened? Al: Mrs. Davidson fixed everything. As of today, the Voice of the Night is back in business. Marcie: Oh, my God, that's the best news ever! When do you start? Al: As soon as I go and check with the station manager. Marcie: Oh, well, go now. Go. Do it now. Al: Are you sure? Marcie: Yes, go. I'll be fine. Al: OK. They kiss. Al: I'll see you later. Al leaves and Marcie heads toward another door. Maddi-evil and The Thug-gettes appear and block Marcie’s path. Maddi-evil: Marcie -- Marcie Walsh? Marcie: What do you want? Maddi-evil: I’m Madison Kensington. My friends call me Maddie. Marcie: Yeah, I know. Maddi-evil: Well, I’m the new president of Sigma Delta Delta, and we were wondering if you'd consider pledging us this fall. Marcie: Well, (laughs) I don't think I’m the Sig Delt type. Marcie tries to walk away but Maddi-evil blocks her path. Maddi-evil: Of course you are! We're looking for exceptional young women. Marcie: Don't you mean popular? Maddi-evil: You're famous, Marcie, and you've got a 4.0. We'd love to get you. Marcie: Yeah, well, (obviously warming to the idea) I’ve never considered pledging before. Maddi-evil: I can't believe no one's been after you. Marcie: Believe it. Maddi-evil: Well, Sig Delt wants you, so if you're interested -- Marcie: Well, yes. (Very excited) Oh, yeah, I am! Maddi-evil: Now, we have this little pre-pledge ritual we like to do with girls that are hoping to rush us, so it's very secret. Marcie: Of course. Of course. Yeah. Maddi-evil: So, we'll be in touch. Marcie: (smiles) Great. Maddi-evil and The Thug-gettes stroll away. Marcie looks into space with a dreamy expression on her face.
In the hallway, Maddi-evil and The Thug-gettes pause for a moment to gloat. Maddi-evil: Marcie Walsh, get ready for the initiation from hell.
SCENES
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