Part I:  The Ride of His Life
Thursday, October 5, 1989

SCENE:  Parking Garage.

HOLLY gets into her car, and ROGER quickly hops in beside her.

HOLLY:  Hey, who are you .... ?

ROGER:  Drive!

(End of Wednesday, October 4, 1989 episode).

ROGER:  You're not a hood ornament ... drive!

HOLLY:  Anywhere in particular, or just to the nearest funny farm? 

ROGER:  Just somewhere where we can have a little chat. 

HOLLY:  And what would we have to chat about? Ooooh, let me guess. Sonni Carrera ...?

ROGER:  That subject is uppermost in my mind.  

HOLLY:  You are the subject uppermost on your mind, Roger!  

ROGER:  You gonna drive or sit there until your license expires? ....(...as she glares at him): Oh, and save that look for your employees, because it's wasted on me! 

HOLLY:  You wanna ride?  OK, I'll give you a ride. The ride of your life!  (She puts her foot down on the accelerator).

ROGER:  Enjoying yourself?

HOLLY:  Immensely ... you?

ROGER:  Hey, my life is in your hands. What's not to like? ... OK, c'mon ...slow down.

HOLLY:  (sarcastic)  Why? We're having such a good time.

ROGER:  (muttering) Boy, you're a lousy driver.

HOLLY:  What was that...huh? I couldn't hear ya!

ROGER:  OK, c'mon, OK, I get the message. Will ya slow down, please!!!???

HOLLY:  (quieter)  How's that ... better?

ROGER:  Thank you very much.

HOLLY:  Now you can unburden yourself.

ROGER (clears his throat, takes a breath) :  OK. You hate me. It's understood.  But you are taking it out on Sonni.

HOLLY:  Am I doing that?

ROGER:  Oh, c'mon. You arranged to force her out of her job.

HOLLY:  How would I do that?

ROGER:  Listen, you have been on her case from the minute I started seeing her.

HOLLY:  Have I?  It's news to me. I should talk to myself about that.

ROGER:  Listen, the minute I talked to you, and made that crack about your sleeping arrangements with Ed, you shot right over to Cedars and got him to fire Sonni.

HOLLY:  Why would I bother?

ROGER:  Oh, boy Holly ... would that you knew yourself half as well as I know ya.

HOLLY:  You don't know me. Not anymore.

ROGER:  Face it. You're jealous of Sonni.

HOLLY:  Your vanity is ... unspeakable!!!

ROGER:  Ah, then why speak of it???!!!

HOLLY:  I am not jealous!!!!

ROGER:  (yelling)  Bull!  (... as the car horns blare in oncoming traffic)  Hey, hey, hey ... very interesting road you're on. Take a look at it from time to time!   And hit your brights when another car approaches!   What's the matter with you? Where'd you learn to drive?

HOLLY:  (yelling)  Jealous?!?!!!  I mean, you really think I'm gonna fall for the same ol' routine again?  Wake up Roger! I'm all grown up now. That little girl you used to twist around your finger is gone!

ROGER:  Ah, too bad!

HOLLY:  And did you really think I would fall apart when you humiliated me in front of all my friends?

ROGER:  I'd hate to think all that effort was wasted!   Ah...that was you, by the way, who called me the other night, wasn't it? ...   I see you've noticed the road. I'm so glad ... (Roger looks at her) Was it you?

HOLLY:  (changing the subject...with good reason!) What if I didn't tell Ed about Sonni?

ROGER:  Ahhh....but you did!

HOLLY:  It so happens I didn't tell him one word about her latest error in judgement!  He was at a medical convention. By the time he got back, I'd changed my mind.

ROGER:  Oh, c'mon, you think I ....?

HOLLY (loud and passionate):  You remember telling me that I should stop wasting my time resenting you?  Well, to give the devil his due, you were right.  I was spending all that time and energy wondering what your warped mind was gonna come up with next.  Hanging on your every move as if my life depended on it.  And then one morning I woke up and I saw that it doesn't!  And I could stop.  So I did, I stopped, and it was so wonderfully easy. And do you know why?  Because I just don't give a damn anymore. 

ROGER (quickly fastening his seatbelt):  Well, I am really delighted for you. Now maybe you could take your foot off the gas, because you are doing 90 miles an hour!

HOLLY: 90!!!

ROGER (yelling): Yes, 90! Not that you give a damn!

HOLLY (calm): All right.

HOLLY (quietly): Better?

ROGER (also quiet): Yes, much. ...  A woman your age should have some self-control.

HOLLY:  I wasn't out of control. I was enjoying the look of terror on your face.  I suppose men grow more timid with age.

ROGER (smiling):  Hey, that reminds me ... Happy Birthday!!!   How many is it now?

HOLLY:  Oh, 104, 105, who counts anymore?

ROGER:  Whew...yeah, well ... I guess being without a man in your life does age you quicker.

HOLLY slams the brakes, and the car screeches to a halt.

ROGER:  Whaddaya doing?

HOLLY:  I've had enough, Roger. Get out of the car!

ROGER:  Awww, we were having such fun!

HOLLY:  I am going to call the police and tell them you are harrassing me!

ROGER:  I'll call the police and tell them you were kidnapping me!   (... as she picks up the phone):  Awww, what a disappointment. Calling for reenforcements just when you were doing so well.  But, then, at your age, I guess you have to conserve your energy, right?

HOLLY:  You're the one who has to save his strength, to be with a younger woman. I hope you're taking your vitamins. Men reach their sexual peak at 19. You've been on the decline for some time.

ROGER:  (smiling):  Is that so?

HOLLY:  I'm just peaking myself.

ROGER:  Peaking with anyone in particular?

HOLLY:  I've had some interesting offers. Frank Cooper, for one.

ROGER:  Don't know him .... oh, the mechanic?

HOLLY:  He's very good with his hands.

ROGER  (amused):  Is that a fact?

HOLLY  (smiling):  He makes me laugh.

ROGER:  But you're not actually sleeping with him, are ya?

HOLLY is not amused, and ROGER braces himself as she puts the car in gear and takes off again.

HOLLY's speeding down the highway, and they're back to screaming at each other:

HOLLY:  You're jealous!

ROGER:  Never!

HOLLY:  You are! And you've moved into my neighborhood!

ROGER:   It's a nice neighborhood!

HOLLY:  You can see my hotel room from your apartment!

ROGER:   I like having you nearby. It reminds me of the old days ...

HOLLY:  Oh stop it!

ROGER:  ...night after night, you'd come to my door ...

HOLLY:  ...I don't wanna hear it!

ROGER:   ...and that was before you reached your sexual peak!

HOLLY:   Oh, the only night I remember with you had nothing to do with love or desire, it was rape!

ROGER:   All right, dammit, now slow down!!!

HOLLY:   Make me!!!

Car horns blare .... then,  there's a CRASH!!!


(It's the "hey, but it's only Thursday!" October 5, 1989 cliffhanger ...)

To be continued ...

Go to the next scene:
A Skunk ... and A Kiss

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01/04/06 05:14:45 PM