BACKGROUND:  
The days following Roger's December 3rd shooting and disappearance are not exactly sane ones for Holly. Strange things are happening at her  house, items are moved or missing (most notably, her gun), and Holly thinks Ed's previously-and-possibly-still psycho girlfriend Eve Guthrie is responsible. Holly tells Ed she's going to get a restraining order against Eve.  Her suspicions are reenforced when she finds a framed photograph of her with Ed that's been smashed. When Holly and Ed have a confrontation, she's incensed by Ed's continued defense of Eve. Angrily, Holly tells him:  "You know something?  Roger would've believed me ... and you're supposed to be the safe one?!?  Go home Ed!"  

Privately, Holly's thoughts are on Roger. When Detective Levy finds a bloody pocketwatch in the potting shed, Holly sadly recognizes it. "It's Roger's ... it belongs to Roger Thorpe."  She bought it for him many years ago, when they were together in New York. 

Friday, December 17, 1993 episode:  
As she sits alone in her home, Holly is overcome with emotion when she opens a book and finds tucked within its pages a long-ago photo of her with Roger.  As she finally breaks down, we see that Holly isn't alone. Someone is hiding in her basement.  It's Roger, who hears her crying. With great effort, he climbs to the top of the stairs, and we can see his anguish as well. 

Monday, December 20, 1993 episode:  
Holly hears a noise, and decides to leave. Roger comes out of hiding and roams around the house.  He tells himself, "Let's find out who shot me, then the crying will stop."  When Holly returns home, Roger retreats to his hiding place.  Holly realizes her scarf is missing.  The next few days, Roger continues his sleuthing around town. 

Thursday, December 23, 1993 episode: 
It's Christmas in Springfield, and Ross, Blake, Ed, Michelle, Bridgit and Buzz are all talking to Holly about holiday happenings while Roger is starving to death in the basement.  After they all leave (Holly to have dinner with Blake and Ross, and then going with them to the Lewises and a concert), Roger heads straight for the kitchen and devours the turkey that Buzz delivered.  Roger also calls the Spaulding mansion and, with his voice disguised, he inquires as to Jenna's whereabouts. Later, he puts on an overcoat, and stuffs the pockets with the Christmas cookies Bridgit and Michelle left for Holly after "baking their brains out".   He's about to leave when he notices Holly's Robert Browning book on the mantle, and picks it up.

He looks around at the room, devoid of all traces of the holiday, the undecorated tree lying in the middle of the living room floor.  Despite his pain and preoccupation with finding the person responsible for the bullet in his chest, Roger's suddenly seized by a sentimental and romantic notion, and a touch of the Christmas spirit.      

Elsewhere in Springfield, Holly is unable to enjoy the holiday festivities. At the Lewises, Holly tries to explain to Michelle why things are different now between her and Ed, "but I don't know if I can."  Michelle asks, "Is it because of Mr. Thorpe?" 

Holly: "What do you mean?"   Michelle: "I know you don't want people to know you like him, but is it okay if I know?"  Holly smiles: "It's okay."  Michelle: "Is that why you're so sad today, because of what happened?"  Holly: "Well, you know, we don't really know what happened."  When Ed joins them, they stop taking about Roger.

Although she thanks them for caring, Holly tells Blake and Ross that she's going home to curl up with Robert Browning instead of attending the Christmas concert.  Holly returns home (as we hear H.B. Lewis reading the Christmas story in a voiceover) , and she's stunned to find her Christmas tree upright and decorated, a gift under it,  and a fire in the fireplace. She bends down to look at the gift under the tree, then looks up, startled when someone appears out of the darkness.

ROGER:  Merry Christmas Holly.

Next episode, Monday, December 27, 1993: 
Holly is speechless. Roger's bullet wound is obvious from the hole in  his blood-stained shirt, and her missing scarf is tied around his shoulder. Roger appears dazed and exhausted. He talks with great effort, his voice a breathy monotone.

ROGER:  Really shouldn't leave your Christmas tree lying around without water. It's a fire hazard.  Oh, I , uh, I dug in to your takeout Christmas dinner you had delivered. I'm sorry, but I was hungry.

HOLLY (finally finding words):  Where did you come from?

ROGER:  Don't worry, I'm not a ghost. No thanks to whoever did this.   I meant to be gone by now.  I overheard you saying that you were going to a concert.

HOLLY:  You heard me?

ROGER (as he walks to the fireplace): Didn't I always tell ya Holly? That you'd never get rid of me?

Roger collapses in front of the fireplace, and Holly rushes to his side.

Next Scene: Holly is trying to help Roger to the couch.

HOLLY:  Roger, come on ... you're in bad shape. Let me get a doctor.

ROGER (clearly in pain, but insistent):  No, no!

HOLLY (worried):  I can't take care of you. Look at you...you're so weak!

ROGER:  I'm okay, I've been, uh, taking care of the wound, I've just been hungry, that's all.

HOLLY: Oh, this is crazy! ... I'll get you something to eat.

ROGER (pleading): Listen ... don't call anybody ... you understand? (he looks into her eyes)

HOLLY (sad, quietly):  No, I don't. I don't understand anything.   

Next scene:
Roger's Reappearance, Part II

 Copyright © 1999 by Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels. All rights reserved.
01/04/06 05:14:22 PM