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 25
Scene 30 Wild
men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
...the Dying
of the Light
Thursday, September 18
Setup: Joey and Jen draped in red satin sheets bask in afterglow. Jen: Wow. Joey: Yeah. Me, too. Jen: That was amazing. Joey: You were amazing all night long. Jen: So you're not mad at me for tricking you into coming here? Joey: An emergency clerical -- Jen: It worked, didn't it? Joey: I don't know. Do you feel uplifted? Jen: Um, not yet. Joey: Where do you get all this energy, Mrs. Buchanan? Jen: I'm still on my honeymoon. Joey: Oh. I want to give you a real honeymoon, the kind that you deserve. Jen: This is all I need, all I want. The phone rings. Jen: It's ok. Joey: No, no. Whoever it is, I'll call them back. Jen: No. Other people need your help too. I understand. It's fine. Joey: (answers the phone) Hello. Yeah. Yeah, Max. No, we'll be right down. Jen: Is it Al? Joey: Yeah. He and his mom are about to go into surgery.
At the hospital, Max talks to Gabrielle. Max: Gabrielle, listen. What you're doing for Al -- Gabrielle: Is the same thing that you would've done for our son if you had been a match. Larry walks up. Larry: You all checked in, Gabrielle? Gabrielle: Larry, could I have just a minute, please? Just -- Larry: Sure, sure. Come on, Max. Larry and Max leave. Gabrielle: Bo – (hands Bo the engagement ring) Bo: Whoa, whoa -- no. What are you doing? Gabrielle: No, I -- I can't wear this in surgery. They don't allow it. Could you keep it safe for me? Bo: I'm going to keep it right here in my hand so that I can put it right back on your finger just the second they let you out, ok?
In Al’s hospital room. Marcie: Right after the nurse kicked me out, I was up all night. I couldn't sleep, anyway. I was online. I was looking up things about transplants, information on transplants. I could practically do one myself, but I won't, I promise. Listen to me -- I'm going on and on. Al: Makes you feel better. Marcie: Oh, these kind of transplants -- they have a lot of success. Al: I'm not worried. You shouldn't be, either. Gabrielle comes into the room. Gabrielle: I know I'm interrupting. Marcie: No. I'll be right outside if you need me. Marcie leaves. Gabrielle: Move over. They're going to be prepping us soon. Al: I'm still not happy about you doing this. Gabrielle: Yeah, we've been over all that already. Al: I'm scared I could lose you, mom. Gabrielle: Well, you know what? I'm -- I will lose you if I don't do this -- knowing that I could've done something to help and didn't. Listen, you will understand. When you have children of your own, you will know exactly how I feel. You know, most mothers -- they're only blessed once giving life to their child, but I am doubly blessed. Al: Whew. When this is over, we should have a real-ly-y big party. Gabrielle: The biggest. Listen -- if anything should happen to me -- Al: Don't say it. Don't even think about it. Going to be fine. Gabrielle: Yeah. Damn right. I love you so very much. Al: I know you do. I love you, too, mom. Listen -- Gabrielle: Yeah? Al: We are going to be ok. Gabrielle: Mm-hmm. Al: We have to be. There's too much here for us to stick around for. Gabrielle: All right.
Max comes in. Max: The doctor says it's time. Larry: We need to get you both prepped and up to O.R. Gabrielle: (looks at Al) You ready? Al: We're ready. Gabrielle: Yeah. We are ready.
In the hospital waiting room, Larry introduces Jordan to Max and Bo. Larry: Dr. Kingsley here will assist Dr. Carmichael with the surgery. Jordan: We'll perform the procedure on Gabrielle first to make sure her liver's viable. Larry: Then we'll remove Al's liver and transplant Gabrielle’s. Max: How soon will we know if this works? Jordan: Usually within 48 hours. The roll Gabrielle by prepped for surgery. Bo rushes to her side. Bo: Hey, honey. Listen, hurry up and get out of there, ok, because I've been holding on to this thing much too long. Gabrielle: Ok. I love you. It's going to be ok. Bo: Yeah. They roll Al by also prepped for surgery. Max and Marcie rush to his side. Max: Hey, you know, you and I are going to owe your mom a big night out after this. Al: Yeah. Marcie: I love you so much. Al: I love you, too. Catch you later. Marcie: Ok.
Later, Ron walks into the waiting room and spots Marcie. Ron: Hey, Marce. Has it started yet? Marcie: Oh, Ron, I'm just scared. She hugs him. Ron: Hey. It's going to be ok, though. Right? Max: You bet.
In Al’s hospital room, Marcie finds Flash. Marcie: If you're looking for Al, he's already in surgery. Flash: Heard anything yet? Marcie: No, it's going to be a while. They're going to bring him back in here once he's out of surgery, and then it's going to be a while. I don't know how long. Flash: It's probably not going to be that long, Marcie- - I mean, not with you and all of us hassling him to get out. I know that helped me when I was in the hospital. Marcie: He has a lot of friends. A lot of people care about him. Flash: That is what's going to get him out of here. Ok? Marcie: Ok. Max: Hey, there you are. Marcie: Did you hear anything? Max: Uh -- no, not yet, but your brother's looking for you. He's very worried. Marcie: I'd better get back upstairs. Jen walks in. Jen: Marcie? Marcie: Jen. Jen and Marcie leave. Flash: I just came by to leave this here for Al. Max: I'm sure he will appreciate it. He's a very big fan of -- of the band. Flash: He's the biggest. I'll never forget when I was in here and the Voice of the Night played our music. I just wish there was something that I could do for him. Max: You are. You're here. Flash: Yeah, well, we go way back, you know? Max: Oh, I remember. I remember that little girl tagging along after al and C.J. Flash: We were always getting into trouble. Max: Yeah. Al's in a little bit of trouble right now. Flash: Yeah, but he's going to get out of it. He always does. That's Al. Max: Yeah. That's Al.
Outside of Al’s room, Marcie and Jen talk. Jen: So what's going to happen after the surgery? Marcie: Well, he's going to stay here for a while, and then he's going to come and stay with me. Jen: At your place? Marcie: Yeah. We've gotten really close, you know. Jen: I think so. Marcie: It was more than I ever imagined. Jen: Well, that's what happens when you fall in love. Marcie: I am. I love him so much, n, I can hard even stand it sometimes. Especially now. I just want to make him well again. Jen: You will. You did it before, remember? Marcie: Yeah. Jen: Love can work miracles. Ask somebody who knows.
Marcie and Jen walk into the waiting room. Bo, Joey and Ron are there. Ron: Hey, Marce, I was starting to wonder about you. Marcie: Yeah. I'll be all right once I know Al is. Ron: Ok. Larry walks into the waiting room. Larry: All right. Everything is going about as expected. We have isolated Gabrielle’s liver and divided it. Bo: Ok, she -- she's all right, then? Larry: Well, so far, yeah. Right now, we' getting ready to do the actual transplant. It -- we'll keep you posted, but it's going to be several more hours. Max: Well, he didn't exactly tell us a lot. Bo: Well, yeah, but there were no surprises. That's a good thing, so -- Marcie: I just wish it was already over and that we knew that they were ok. Jen: They will be. Remember what I said? You just have to believe. Joey: "And the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
Flash hands Max a pin. Flash: Everybody down at The Garage is wearing these. They're all rooting for Al. Max: Thanks. Kind of reminds me of those pins I used to wear with his soccer picture on them. Flash: I.. I remember those. C.J. Had one, too. Max: Yeah. They were on the same team. Flash: Yeah, they did everything together. Max: Good and bad. Flash: Yeah, like when they fell down that hole. Max: They came out safely. And as I recall, you helped with the rescue. Flash: All I did was sing "I'm a little teapot." I'm going to sing for him again tonight at ultra violet. Max: Anything that'll help. Flash: I'm probably not going to sing the same song. Max: Listen, thank you. Thank you for the t-shirt and the pin. Flash: You're welcome. Max: I'm going to check and see what's going on. Flash: I'm a little teapot short and stout here is my handle here is my spout when I get all steamed up and I shout just tip me over and pour me out I'm a clever teapot yes, it's true here's an example of what I can do I can change my handle to my spout just tip me over and pour me out Larry: It's over. Marcie: Did it work? Bo: How's Gabrielle? Max: Are they both going to be ok? Larry: Gabrielle looks fine. She tolerated the surgery well. They're getting ready to suture her up. Jordan: Al's graft has been sewn in and reperfused with blood. Looks like it's functioning well so far. Max: When can we see them? Larry: Well, they're observing Gabrielle for any signs of bleeding, and al should be in recovery any minute. Marcie: (hugs Larry) Oh, thank you. Thank you, both of you. Thank you for saving Al. Can I go to recovery? Larry: I see no reason why not. Ron: Come on. I'll go with you. Bo: You know, I'm going to wait around here for some word on Gabrielle. Why don't you go spend some time with your son. Max: Thanks. Joey: Glad it all seems to be working out, Uncle Bo. Bo: Couldn't have gotten through it without you. Jen: I'm going to go to the chapel and say some thanks. My husband's got a direct line, you know. Joey: See you.
Friday, September 19 Al wakes up in his hospital room. Marcie and Max are standing next to the bed. Al: Hey, dad, Marcie. Max: Hey, son. Marcie: How are you feeling? Al: I'm -- I’m ok. Mom -- is she ok? Max: She's still in O.R., but she should be fine. Al: So, the transplant -- it worked? Marcie: What do you think?
Standing outside the glass doors with a congratulations sign pressed against the glass door and thumbs up are Joey, Jen, and Ron. Marcie: You made it, Al. Al: We made it.
In the hospital waiting room, Daniel Colson approaches Bo and hands him a cup of coffee. Daniel: Commissioner. Bo: Thank you. Daniel: Listen, I know this is a tough time, but, like I said, right now we have enough to charge Vega on Keri Reynolds. The question is when do we do it. Bo: Well, you're right. This is a tough time. And right now I'm thinking about Gabrielle and nothing else. Everything else can just wait. Daniel: No. No, it can't. The press will get a hold of it, and I can just see the headline -- "Commissioner Goes Soft on Former Cop." Bo: Let me ask you something, Daniel. Are you more worried about me or the upcoming election? Larry walks into the waiting room. Bo: Oh, Larry, Larry. When I can see my beautiful fiancée? Larry: Bo, there's been a complication.
Outside Al’s room, Marcie talks to Joey, Jen and Ron. Marcie: It meant so much to Al to have you guys here -- and the sign. Joey: That was your brother's idea. Ron: Yeah, we -- well, I know how much Al means to you. Marcie: Yeah. I'm really happy that he made it. Joey: Yeah. Joey’s pager beeps. Joey: That's St. James. Someone paged me. I got to go. Marcie: Bye. Thank you. Jen: Bye. Marcie: So, you know what? I think none of us should really stick around. He needs his rest. Ron: Yeah, yeah. No problem. Let me just go say goodbye to the big guy first, ok? Ron goes into Al’s hospital room. Jen: Hey, Flash said Midnight Logic's going to play a special song for Al at Ultra Violet. Want to come? Marcie: No, I want to stay here with him. God, Jen, I was so scared. I'd been holding it in for such a long time. I didn't want him to see me like this, but I'm really scared. Jen: There's no one braver than you, and he made it. He's going to be fine. Al's going to be fine. Everything's -- Marcie: I can't lose him. Jen: You're not going to. Marcie: I couldn't love anybody but Al. Jen: You're not going to have to. They said he's going to be fine, right? Marcie: Right. He made it.
Meanwhile in Al’s room, Ron approaches the bed. Ron: It's good to see you again, buddy. Al: Yeah, likewise. Ron: My sister's really happy. I don't know why, but she loves you. Al: Yeah. I don't know why, either. Ron: She loves you a lot, man. Al: I love her, too. Ron: I want you to make her happy for the next, oh, 75 years. You think you can do that for me? Al: Yeah, I think I could pull it off.
Ron: Feel better, buddy. Ok? Al: Yeah. Ron walks back into the hall. Ron: Well, he's not going anywhere, that's for sure. Marcie: Well, that makes me really happy to hear that. Thank you both for everything. Jen: Ok. Ron: Sure. Jen: See you later. Get some rest. Marcie: I will. Ron: Yeah. Ok. See you, sis. Jen and Ron leave. Meanwhile, in Al’s hospital room, he and Max are talking. Max: Everybody's asking about these pins. You've got a lot of fans. Al: I know. Can you believe it? Max: What, that my son is the hottest new D.J. Around? Why not? You know, you better get back on the job, or there's going to be a riot. How are you doing? Al: I'm ok. How's mom? Max: She's ok. She's fine. You need to think about getting better yourself, ok? Al: You're sure she's ok, right? Max: Will you stop worrying? That is her job. Don't mess with it. Al: I still can't believe what she did for me. Max: She loves you more than anyone else in this world. You're her favorite guy. But don't push your luck, ok? Al: No, I got a second chance. I'm not going to blow it. Max: Yeah. Me, either. Al: You? Max: Al, you gave me another chance to be your father. And thank you. I'm not sure I deserved it. Al: Dad -- Max: I -- whew, I messed around for far too many years chasing after the wrong thing. Somehow, you figured it out a lot younger than I did. Listen, you got quite a future ahead of you, kiddo. You know, Llanview U. Law School is still holding a place for you next semester. Al: Because of Marcie. I never would have made it if it wasn't for her. Max: Yeah. Marcie has been nothing short of incredible. Al: Is she ok? Max: She's strong, Al, just like you. So all you have to think about is just getting stronger, all right? Al: Yeah. Marcie walks into the room. Marcie: You should see all the flowers they have for you at the front desk. Al: It's unbelievable. Marcie: Why? Don't you know how many people care about you? Max: You know, your mom should be in recovery by now. Let me go check on her, all right? Al: Dad? Max: Hmm? Al: Tell her I love her. Max: As if she doesn't know. Max leaves. Marcie: Do you need anything? Al: No. Just you. Marcie: I don't really know if I’m very any good to you. I was so scared when you were in surgery. I'm still a little shaky. Al: Marcie -- Marcie: Yes? Al: You got me through this. Marcie: I'm going to take really good care of you so that you can get better really fast, and then you're going to come home with me, remember? Al: I changed my mind. Marcie: You don't want to stay with me? Al: No. I don't want to stay with you. I want to live with you.
Meanwhile at Ultra Violet, Flash and Riley are excited about the good news about Al. They approach Rex. Flash: Hey. Did you hear? Al Holden made it through the operation ok. Rex: Oh, yeah. The liver thing, right. Yeah, look, got to work. Flash: Can you imagine that, though, giving part of your liver to somebody, taking that kind of a chance? Riley: She's his mother. I think my mother would do anything for me. Flash: Wonder if mine would, if anybody even knew where Tina was. Riley: I bet my dad wouldn't. Flash: Yeah, like his liver's any good, anyway.
In the hospital waiting room, Bo is shocked by what he is hearing from Larry. Bo: They can't stop the bleeding? Larry: They're doing everything they can, Bo. Max walks into the room. Max: What's going on? Larry: Gabrielle. They were trying to -- they were starting to close, and Gabrielle ran into problems. Max: I thought everything was ok. Larry: She started to hemorrhage. They had to open her back up. They're looking for the source. She's lost an awful lot of blood. Max: Is she -- Bo: Larry, tell me that Gabrielle’s going to pull through this. Larry: Bo, I can't tell you anything right now. I'm sorry. I'm going to get back there. I'm sorry.
In the meanwhile, Jen and Ron are in Angel Square. Ron: Well, thanks for the lift. That's a great car you got there. You drive pretty fast, though. Jen: Yeah, I know. I like speed. Ron: Well, your engine idle needs some work. You got a mechanic? Jen: No, I just got the car. I don't really know. Ron: Well, I could take a look at it if you'd like. Cars are a big hobby of mine. And, well, I’d also like to pay you back, sort of. Jen: Pay me back? For what? Ron: Listen, Marcie talks about you all the time, how good of a friend you've been to her. Jen: No, she's the one that's been a good friend to me. Ron: No, no, no -- Jen: Not that I deserve it. Ron: No, I've seen you. You've been there for her. Jen: I want to be. I really do. Ron: You have been there, seriously been there. Getting her through this whole thing with Al -- Marcie’s the best that there is, that's all. Jen: She sure is. Ron: So, you headed over to Ultra Violet or what? Jen: Yeah. I'm going to go tell Flash and Riley the good news about Al and hear the song they're planning to play. Ron: Yeah, yeah, the band's fantastic. But that guy that owns the place -- what's his name? Jen: Rex. Ron: Yeah. Marcie doesn't seem to care for him too much. Jen: Yeah, that's probably because of me. Ron: What do you mean? Jen: We used to be married. Not for very long, thank god. I got to go. Ron: Wait, wait. To your ex's place -- that -- I mean, isn't that kind of awkward? Jen: No, not at all.
Later, Jen and Ron arrive at Ultra Violet. Jen: Hey, guys. Flash: Hey. I hear Al made it through ok. Jen: Yeah, he got through the surgery. He's pretty weak, though. Ron: Yeah, and Marcie said he liked the t-shirt you brought over. Gave him a big smile. Flash: We're glad we could help. Riley: You know, we're going to play a song for him tonight if you want to get it on tape, take it back to him. Ron: Yeah, sure. Let's hear something. Riley plays his guitar softly. Jen: Hey -- it was real nice what you did for Al today. Flash: Yeah. You, too. I mean, I heard what happened with you guys way back. Jen: That was a long time ago. Everything's changed. Flash: I hope so. Joe's my cousin, Jen, so don't mess with him. Jen: I love Joe. Nothing is going to change that. Flash: Yeah. Karen: I thought you said this would be simple. I just had to do my thing with this Dawes guy, and that was it. Rex: Yeah? Karen: Well, now I have Walker Laurence and Asa Buchanan harassing me. Who's next? Rex: Chill, all right? Karen: Ok. I'm an escort. I get paid to make men happy, ok? And I'm definitely not making enough for this grief. Rex: Will this cover it? Jen: Who's your friend?
In Al’s hospital room, Marcie is standing next to Al’s bed. Marcie: The nurse said that you're doing fine. Al: I heard. Marcie: Yeah. Hello, you're right here. Al: You didn't say anything about living with me. Marcie: That's because the nurse came in, and then I couldn't really -- Al: So, what do you say?
Marcie: You really want me to? Al: No, Marcie, I just asked hoping you would turn me down. I don't want to live without you. Marcie: I don't want to live without you, either. I just -- I can't believe that we'd be able to be together all the time. Al: Yeah, you know, do stuff together, study -- Marcie: Study, right. Al: Well, what do you think? Marcie: Living together -- I don't know what to say. Al: Say yes. Jessica strolls into the room. Jessica: Al Holden, if you ever, ever scare me like this again, I'm never going to forgive you.
In the waiting room, Max and Bo are trying to absorb the news about Gabrielle. Max: I don't get it. An hour ago, they said she was fine. This isn't supposed to happen. Bo: But we knew it could. Gabrielle knew. Max: She just saved her son's life. She shouldn't have to die for it. Bo: Right. She did a good thing. She's a good person. This isn't right.
In Al’s hospital room, Jessica hands Al a small shopping bag. Jessica: I got you a get well present. Al: Oh, what is this? Ah, ha, ha. Al pulls out a child’s game, Operation.
Jessica: We used to play it when we were kids. Al: Yeah, I sucked at it. Jessica: Which is why you're going into law.
Al: Thank you. Jessica: You want to thank me? You get better. Well, listen, you know, the nurse told me not to stay for too long, so I should go. Al: Thanks for stopping by. Jessica: Get better, ok? I don't know what I'd do without my best friend. Al: Well, looks like we're never going to have to find out. Jessica leaves. Marcie picks up the game. Marcie: I was never really good at this, either. I always hated that buzzing sound. It always made me jump. Al looks off into the distance and Marcie notices his expression. Marcie: Al, is something wrong? Do you want me to get the nurse for you? Al: Just -- I'm worried about my mom, you know, and why isn't my dad back yet? Marcie: Well, he's probably just visiting with her. Al: Yeah. Yeah, you know, you're probably right. Marcie: Well, I could go check on her for you if you want me to. Al: Would you? Marcie: Of course. I'll be right back. Marcie walks to the door but then stops and turns around. Marcie: You know what you were asking before about us living together? Al: Yeah? Marcie: I'd love to.
Al: I love you, Marcie. Marcie: I love you, too, with all my heart.
In the waiting room, Max is pacing. Max: I wish they'd tell us something. Marcie walks in. Marcie: Mr. Holden? Max: What, is Al ok? Marcie: Yeah -- no, he's fine. He just wanted me to come and check up on his mom. He's worried about her. Where is she? Is she in recovery? Something wrong? Max: They don't know if she's going to make it. Bo: Please, god, please – The scene shifts to a blue misty haze. Gabrielle is there dressed in white and illuminated by a strange light. Gabrielle: [Echoing] Bo? Bo, where are you? Bo? Gabrielle: Bo? Is that you? Al walks up. He is also dressed in white. Al: It's me, mom.
Gabrielle: I'm so happy to see you. Al: You, too. Gabrielle: What are you doing here? Al: We're connected. We always have been. Now more than ever because of you. Gabrielle: I only did what any mother would do. Al: Not any mother. The best mother. Gabrielle: I haven't always been. Al: You always loved me. I always knew that, even when you weren't around. Gabrielle: Did you really? Al: I could feel it -- here and here.
Gabrielle: What did I ever do to deserve such a wonderful son? Al: I wasn't always so wonderful. Gabrielle: You were to me. I have to go, don't I? Al: It's time. Gabrielle: Smile for me, would you, please, one last time? That's how I want to always remember you. I love you so very much, Al. Always remember that. I will love you to eternity. In the waiting room, Max and Bo wait for word on Gabrielle. Max: How you holding up? Bo: I'm not great, Max. You know, we were just getting everything started, getting everything together -- Max: Come on. You still can. Bo: God, I want to believe that. Max: Hey, come on, look -- I've known Gabrielle for decades. Come on. And the one thing I know about her, she is as stubborn as a mule. Drives me crazy. Still does. Maybe you, too. Bo: She doesn't give up easy. Max: No, and she's not going to give up on this. You crazy? Come on. With you here waiting for her, ready to give her the life she has always wanted? I have never seen her happier. Bo: She makes me the same. Max: Yeah. Yeah, come on, she's not going to throw in the towel on all that. Larry walks into the room. Larry: She made it. Bo: Gabrielle's going to be ok? Larry: Well, nothing's for sure, but, yeah, I think so. Max: What the hell happened? Larry: Well, we almost lost her, and then they found the bleeder. They managed to tie it off in time since they were still in the O.R. And looks like she's going to be all right. Bo: Oh, thank god – Marcie comes into the room. Max: Marcie, Gabrielle’s going to make it. Marcie: Oh, my gosh. Really? Max: Yeah. Marcie: Oh, my god, I have to go tell Al right away. Max: Go tell him. Listen, all that stuff I said earlier -- you know, trying to buck you up? I was scared to death. Bo: No kidding. They wheel Gabrielle by the room and Bo and Max rush to her side. Bo: Hey, honey -- honey, thank god. Bo touches Gabrielle gently. Bo: Gabrielle? Gabrielle, honey, can you hear me? Gabrielle moans. Gabrielle: Bo? Bo: Yeah. Yeah, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. Max: Gabrielle, you did it. Al came through, too. You saved our son. Gabrielle: No. No, he saved me. Marcie rushes to Al’s room. Just as she gets to the door he flatlines.
Marcie: Al -- Al, your mom's fine. Marcie freezes in her tracks. Monday, September 22, 2003
At Ultra Violet, Flash and Midnight Logic are about to play. Flash: Our next song is dedicated to a very special friend of ours, Al Holden, Llanview's own Voice of the Night. There are lots of cheers. Flash: Al just went through some really, really major surgery, but thanks to his mom, he made it, and she gave him a part of herself to save his life, and we heard they're doing fine. Stay strong, Al!
In Al’s hospital room, the monitors flatlines. Marcie: Help! Somebody help. Larry and the medical team rush into Al’s room and begin to try to revive him. Larry: What happened? Does he have a pulse? Doctor: No pulse, no breathing.
Larry: Asystole. Start C.P.R. Doctor: One, two, three, four, five -- Marcie: What's happening? Larry: Amp. of epi. Hyperventilate him. Doctor: Six, seven, eight, nine -- Nurse: You'll have to wait out here. Marcie: No, no! Doctor: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Two, three, four, five, six – Al is dead.
Later, Max sits next to Al’s body. Max: My boy, my beautiful boy. Max: You're so smart. You're smart. Look, maybe you can help me understand why you're gone and -- and I'm still here. You had everything going for you, I mean, a great future, a wonderful girl that just loves you. You love her. Did you know that you were the most important thing in the world to me? Ever since you came back, nothing mattered more to me than you. I just -- uh -- look -- look, I just -- all I wanted was to be there, to watch you grow into the man, the kind of man I was never capable of being. No -- God, this hurts! Oh. Uh -- Al, I love you. I don't think you could ever know how much I loved you. I -- I -- I --
Max: I have to go. I -- I -- I better tell your mother.
Marcie listens to the tape Al left for her. Al's voice: Marcie, I can only pray that you know how much I love you. I know you love me. I can feel it. You make me feel it in my heart, you're so kind, always so gentle, so beautiful. So, listen, don't sit around moping over me. Promise you'll find somebody who loves you like I love you. Do that for me, Marcie. Marcie, I'm not going to leave you. I'll be there. Listen for me. I'll be in the wind that moves the clouds across the moon when you look out your window, the wind that rustles the gold leaves across the sidewalk as you walk to class. I'll be your voice of the night always, always telling you how much I love you. Marcie stops the tape.
DEATH
be not proud, though some have called thee -- John Donne (1572-1631)
On September 22, 2003, Al Holden died. The ABC network announced the next day that Al Buchanan was returning to One Life to Live “for good on October 14.” On October 14, with Luna as his guide, Al returned as a ghost on a mission, the nature of which was never made clear. On November 6, as Michael McBain lay dying from an anaphylactic shock as a result of mistakenly taking the wrong medication, Luna instructed Al’s spirit to enter Michael’s body in order to save Michael’s life and to give Al’s spirit a second chance. As a result, Marcie was able to revive Michael and this in effect signaled the beginning of the Heaven Can Wait storyline. As a spirit inhabiting Michael’s body, Al was instructed that his mission was to make Marcie fall in love with Michael by Valentine’s Day. Why was never made clear. For four months, between November 6, 2003 and February 13, 2004, Michael, driven by Al’s spirit, relentlessly pursued a less than enthusiastic Marcie. In the meanwhile and not long after Al’s death, an emotionally despondent Max left Llanview presumably to go to North Carolina to be with his other two children with no plans to ever return. On January 5, 2004, Gabrielle became one of the last victims of The Music Box Killer. Her body was found wrapped around a toilet in the ladies room of The Palace Hotel on New Year’s Eve. Al (Michael) was on the premises when her body was discovered and he was asked to try to revive her. He was unsuccessful. When he beseeched Heaven to explain why Gabrielle was taken, he was told he just had to accept it. Finally, on February 16th, after begging Luna to allow him to try to reach Marcie as Al, Al revealed to Marcie that his spirit was indeed inside of Michael and for a brief moment she saw him. He explained to her, however, that all of Al’s memories were going to be wiped away as were her memories of ever seeing him in Michael and his soul was going to be fused with Michael’s. Marcie was naturally resistant to the idea but a time-crunched Al convinced her it was the only way he would get to stay. Marcie begrudgingly agreed to see it his way. Then a moment later as they stood in Angel Square in front of the Luna statue and with the wave of a writer’s pen, all of Al’s memories were erased, as were Marcie’s memories of the encounter, and thus in effect the last remnant of the Holden family in Llanview was wiped away and the Heaven Can Wait storyline was brought to a heartbreaking conclusion. ~~Tessarae87
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