Meg

February 1997

NOTE: This scene was featured in a musical montage during the Soap Opera Digest Editor's Award Tribute To Michael Zaslow which aired on February 26, 1999.
Transcript and Photos from the February 26, 1999 Editor's Award presentation
More Photos and Viewers' Thoughts about Michael and the Editor's Award Tribute

Setting: ROGER’S office, late at night. ROGER sits, working alone with the radio on, and finds himself distracted by thoughts of HOLLY. He sees himself on the night of the anniversary ball, picking her up when she had sprained her ankle, telling her, “I got you, Holly.”

ROGER sighs.

ROGER crumples up a paper and remembers the way HOLLY looked at him, and his carrying her.

He grabs the telephone and dials, then hangs up.

ROGER: What am I doing?

ROGER leaves his desk.

ROGER hesitates at the front door at the Carriage House. He knocks.

ROGER [Through the door, at no one really]: Chrissy, I’m sorry I didn’t call. Uh, look, I just need . . .

An unfamiliar face opens the door.

BABYSITTER: Can I help you?

ROGER: Yeah, I’m looking for Mrs. Marler. Is she home?

BABYSITTER: Who are you?

ROGER: Uh, I’m sorry, of course. I’m her father.

BABYSITTER: Oh, okay. Well, I’m the babysitter.

ROGER: Oh, I see. Do you expect her home soon?

BABYSITTER: Not really. It looked like a big family dinner thing.* I’ll be happy to take a message for her. [A baby cries.] Uh, I’m not sure which of the three babies has the best set of lungs

ROGER: Two. You mean two.

BABYSITTER: No, I’m watching three tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Marler went out with Mr. and Mrs. Reade. I’m watching their daughter Meg. You’re gonna have to excuse me . . .

ROGER: Well, uh, would it be all right if I left a note for my daughter?

BABYSITTER: Oh, be my guest.

ROGER: Okay, thank you.

BABYSITTER: That’s one of the boys upstairs. I think there’s a pen and pad over there.

ROGER [Coming in]: Thank you. Won’t be a minute.

BABYSITTER: Sure.

ROGER: Thanks.

ROGER goes to the desk; as he does, we see MEG peering out over the edge of playpen at what must seem a mighty big world. ROGER does not notice her, however; he goes straight to the desk and begins writing—or trying to. A melancholy piano theme plays through the rest of the scene.

ROGER: Ah, “Dear Chrissy, just stopped by to say ‘Hi,’ and to tell you I miss you, and to . . . I’m feeling a little strange.” What am I doing? I don’t know what to tell her. [Irritation creeps into his voice.] And now I’m talking to myself. Terrific!

In frustration, ROGER gets up, crumples the paper and puts it in his pocket, and almost walks out the door when MEG catches his eye. He pauses, and then goes over to the playpen.

ROGER: Ah, hi there, Meg. I don’t think we’ve ever really met. [A look of pain flashes over his face.] I said some pretty lousy things about you before you were born. I’m sorry, but I was . . . . very angry. [ROGER sighs, and there are tears in his voice.] Life is so strange: You’re Holly’s baby—and I don’t even know you!

ROGER picks MEG up. She makes the random noises that babies make, so he soothes her.

ROGER: Oh, come here! Ah. [Kisses her forehead] You’re different, aren’t you? I sure know what that’s like. People make up their minds about you before they even know you. . . You gotta develop a thicker skin than other people. You’ve got to be tougher, work harder to prove yourself. . . . Pretty rough going, being an outcast. [Looks into her eyes] Not that you’ll ever be looked down on the way I am. . . . Hey, let me tell you something. [Kisses her again] You ever have any problems with anybody, I want you to come to me, all right? Okay? ‘Cause I can be tough when it’s necessary. . . Oh, Meg, maybe if you have me in your corner, you’ll never have to get that way yourself, right? [A rueful smile, and another kiss] Anyway . . . ohhh [He puts her back in the playpen.] Okay. Don’t forget, now. I sure won’t forget you.

ROGER turns around, and sees HOLLY coming in the front door.

ROGER: Oh, Holly! I . . . thought you were out with Chrissy.

She has been standing at the door for some time, long enough to listen . . .

HOLLY: We were. She forgot her scarf. I came back to get it. [Picking up the scarf, and then going to the playpen] Where’s the baby sitter?

ROGER: Upstairs. How’s your ankle? You seem all better.

HOLLY: It’s fine. Thanks.

ROGER: Any time. [There is a tender light in his eye, as though being with her refreshes him. But he is still hesitant—on the outside looking in. He nods]. Well, bye.

HOLLY follows him to the door.

HOLLY: Wait! Is there a message for Chrissy?

ROGER: Yeah, of course. Ah . . . no, not important. [MEG fusses in the background.] I’ll catch up with her one of these days. Better see to Meg. . . . Bye.

ROGER leaves as HOLLY goes to MEG’S playpen. The baby isn’t fussing any more, though, and the scene ends with HOLLY looking back at the door out of which ROGER left.

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