Cliff House: Holly's Lie

Friday, July 9, 1993

SCENE: BAUER HOUSE. Night. HOLLY knocks at the door, and a worried ED answers.

HOLLY: I’m so glad you’re here!

ED: I’ve been calling all day. Where the hell have you been?!

The scene ends with a close-up of HOLLY, looking pretty darn guilty.

HOLLY tries to avoid ED's stare. He knows that something is wrong.

HOLLY: “When in doubt, a nice cup of tea.” [HOLLY joins him at the table.] I can remember our mothers at the kitchen table with a pot of chamomile between them, solving the latest political or family crisis.

ED: Is that what we’re gonna do tonight?

HOLLY: The crisis is over . . .

ED: Then why the disappearing act?

HOLLY: I had a delayed reaction to what happened, so I . . . went underground.

ED: Why? That’s not like you.

HOLLY: No, right. Normally I would come running to you. Well, here I am . . . a little late, but I’m here. How are you?

ED [puzzled]: You could have called.

HOLLY [slipping behind him, leaning on his shoulders]: You were . . . fine . . . I know . . . you’re always fine. You know how to handle these things . . . these life and death things.

ED: I was as scared as anyone up there.

HOLLY: For Michelle, not for yourself.

ED [turning around to scrutinize HOLLY]: I’m just glad it’s over, and everyone is safe.

HOLLY: It was really . . . terrifying.

ED: And you feel guilty about that?

HOLLY [averting her eyes]: I feel guilty . . . about being entrusted with Michelle. If anything had happened to her . . .

ED: You weren’t to blame.

HOLLY: As long as she’s okay. But I would have never forgiven myself if anything had happened to her.

ED [coming to the heart of the matter]: Holly, why was Roger there in the first place?

As ED pours more tea . . .

HOLLY: Scones, that’s what it was.

ED: Hmm?

HOLLY: My mother would always bring your mother a plate of scones for these war councils.

ED [irritated]: Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t do any baking today, Holly.

HOLLY: Yeah, life was simpler then.

ED: No, not really.

HOLLY: No, you’re right—it was as crazy as it is now . . . nearly.

ED: Why are you avoiding my question?

HOLLY: I’m not.

ED: I mean, is it that difficult?

HOLLY: Why was Roger at the Cliff House?

ED: Apparently it is that difficult.

HOLLY: Roger was there because Roger . . . proposed to me. Needless to say, I turned him down!

ED: Roger asked you to marry him?

HOLLY: Yes.

ED: He actually thought that there was a chance that you would say yes?

HOLLY: Who knows what Roger ever thinks?!

ED: My God, Holly!

HOLLY: What?

ED: Well I mean . . . you must . . .

HOLLY: What? Say it!

ED: You must have given him some reason to think that. I’m sorry. This is none of my business.

HOLLY: No, Ed! You know, this night was so crazy! Everybody was so fraught. Our nerves were totally on edge, both of us. Roger couldn’t drive. . . .

ED: Where’d you spend the night?

Apparently, HOLLY found some way to avoid ED’S direct question, because the next scene has her returning from checking on MICHELLE.

HOLLY: Michelle’s so great. She’s reading! Her eyes are like slits, but she’s determined to finish that chapter.

ED: And you’re determined not to talk.

HOLLY [antsy]: No, I’m not!

ED [muttering]: Never mind! Never mind!

HOLLY: Yes, I was the Cliff House, and Roger was there.

ED: You didn’t want any more tea, did you?

HOLLY: My nerves, after what happened, were just completely shot. I couldn’t drive. I was shaking. And ... and Roger had been cracked over the head.

ED: I know that, Holly. I was there.

HOLLY: Well, I am trying to explain. I am trying to answer your question.

ED: Which I have no right to ask!

HOLLY: Why do you say that? You have every right! You’re ... my, my best friend.

ED: I’m worried about you, Holly.

HOLLY [leaning against ED’S shoulders from behind, embracing him]: Why?

ED: I’ve known you for a long time.

HOLLY [as ED turns and looks into her face]: This sounds like the beginning of a lecture. Yes, you’ve known me for a long time.

ED: I’ve known Roger a long time, too. And I know that you guys ... have been seeing a lot of each other ... and Michelle said that you were ... dancing and all.

HOLLY: What?

ED: And she wasn’t telling tales out of school, you know? She just didn’t understand.

HOLLY: What did she say?

ED: Something was going on between you two. [Holly looks “shocked.”] I mean, she said she ... just walked into the room and just ... sensed something.

HOLLY: It was late, Ed. She was very sleepy. She was in a strange place. She did not walk in on anything. . . .What?

ED: I wanna know. Did you sleep with him?

HOLLY [looking ED in the face]: Did I sleep with Roger? . . . No. Nothing happened.

ED: I’m sorry I asked ... You know, Roger saved my life last night, and that’s something I can never forget. But I’m still gonna say what I’m thinking. Honey, I was there too, all those years ago. nd I know that it’s hard to think that Roger is the same person who hurt you ... [HOLLY looks away from ED, and keeps her face turned from him for the rest of the scene.].

... who hurt all of us so deeply. I mean, he seems so in control now, he seems almost incapable of ... the violence that he ... once resorted to. I mean, he can be warm, he can be charming. Michelle has seen this side of him, so I know it must exist. And I know how easy it is to let your guard down around him. I just ... I don’t even know why I’m saying these things to you. I mean, you, more than anyone else, you know how dangerous Roger can be when he doesn’t get his own way.