The Song

The Song
by Ceil

The Setting: Early Evening

The waiters at the Towers Club are getting tables set up for the supper crowd. Hamp has begun auditions for a torch singer to add some energy to the club's established nighttime entertainment. The singer, who has been vocalizing her range, takes a few moments to discuss her choice of selections with the pianist.

Roger is seated at the bar; martini in hand and a depressed disposition...

Looking over his shoulder, Roger sees Reva Shayne approach Hamp as Hamp confers with his maitre'd. Roger returns to his drink.

Hamp: "Reva, you look better than ever."

Reva: "Hampton, I am better than ever, ask Joshua."

Hamp: "With no audience here yet, I can expect you will keep yourself out of harm's way -- I heard what Joshua's outbursts lead to at the Country Club on New Year's Eve."

Reva: "I would never sully my sullied reputation here, Hamp, you know that." (looking over toward the stage) "Although, maybe I will audition tonight myself. Is she any good?"

Hamp: "I think we are about to find out." (directed toward the bartender) "Max, give Ms. Shayne anything she wants on the house."

Reva: (cooing) "Oh, Hampton!"

As she walks away, Reva's attention veers to the bar.

Reva: (sitting beside Roger) "Well, well, Roger Thorpe, we meet again. Where is that toddler you were with on New Year's Eve?"

Roger: (looking over to Reva) "Do you mean that metaphorically Reva; we have yet to meet on the same emotional plane..."

Reva: (ignoring his comment) "Oh my, Roger, you are obviously in need of another good belt."

Over to the stage, the singer begins her set. Her selection takes Roger by surprise -- he is unexpectedly transformed to another time and place... Abruptly, Roger calls on Max for another drink...

Reva: "Well, that's better. Max, give me and Mr. Thorpe a double."

Turning on to the street in front of the Towers, Holly arrives for an early supper with Fletcher. As she waits in the car for a few moments; she wonders to herself if Fletcher will bring his wallet with him this time...

As she begins to park her car, Holly's thoughts move beyond as she recalls the cryptic message left by Stu, on the answering machine at Hollybend. As Stu has said --- could Fletcher actually be INSIDE the ink drum of the printing press; she wonders?! Shaking her head, she takes in a deep breath and waits for a few more moments in her car.

Back at the Towers, Roger is asking for yet another drink, as he downs the last. He discovers the need to take his mind off the song; it could mean his own sanity, he realizes...

Reva: "What is with you, Roger, you seem to be unnerved by that woman's song?" (Reva hesitates for a moment to listen) "That song, "Sweet Bitter Love", am I right? I can't recall when I've heard that beautiful song last!"

Roger: (His thoughts ablaze; staring straight ahead) "I can."

As the songstress finishes her selection, the small group of employees applauds her, as does Reva.

Roger turns from the bar as he attempts to stand; but less sure of the ground in front of him than he imagines, Roger nearly tumbles to the floor.

Reva: (catching him) "Steady, Cowboy!"

Roger: (visibly unnerved) "Let's get out of here."

Reva (knowing that in his present state, she has him at an advantage): "Hmm, I'm game!" "Where to?"

Paying his tab for the evening, Roger replies: "I have no idea..."

As they begin to walk to the elevator, Reva maintaining Roger's balance; shoots back at Hamp. Reva: "Be sure to hire her!" (Looking at Hamp and then at Roger.) "That's right, Hamp. She had this man practically in tears with her song."

Roger picks up the pace, as unsteady as he is; toward the elevator...

A few moments later, just as Roger exits the building with Reva, he wavers to the side and falling, lands directly into a fluffy pile of fallen snow.

Reva: (with a laugh) "Oh my, you are an entertaining one tonight, aren't you?"

Reva is about to bend down to retrieve her company; when Holly comes upon the two; stares at Roger's motionless shape in the snow and then at Reva.

Holly: (suddenly concerned) "What in the world!"

Reva bends down, pats Roger on the back and says. "You're in good hands now." Reva straightens up and looks at Holly "You are just what the doctor ordered." Reva winks at Holly and goes back inside.

As Reva disappears inside the doorway, Holly moves down to the ground in front of Roger.

Facing Roger and lying in the snow, Holly begins to playfully lap the fluffy snow into his nearly snow-buried face. Holly continues the waves of white fluff on the top of his head, not realizing his stuporous condition.

Holly: "Gee, I could just leave you here -- you'd be covered in snow in a few hours... then you wouldn't complicate my life any longer..." (Grinning, as she gets up) "Nah, what fun would I ever have in my life again if we didn't complicate each other's lives."

Holly, realizing Roger is not playing along, crouches down beside him.

Holly: (turning him over) "If you think I'm going to start giving you CPR, you are sorely mistaken."

Two big brown eyes widen slowly to gaze at the sight before them.

Holly: (taking in a deep breath) "That's better."

Roger: (finally feeling the frostiness of the snow surrounding him) "Holly?"

Roger attempts to stand himself up without much luck. Holly notes that he is seemingly drunk.

Holly: (having some fun at Roger's expense) "Did you hear what I said, I'm not about to resuscitate you if you fall down again!"

Roger: (making it up to his knees at first and then unsteadily to his feet) "Why not?"

Holly: (feigning annoyance) "Oh, you big phony!" (Bends down and gathers some snow and tosses it at him)

Roger: (his mouth wide open in shock as the fluffy ball of snow bursts on his chest) "Hey, Holly, stop that!"

Holly giggles at the sight of him and gathers another fluffy snowball. She shapes the flakes into a mass and tosses it from hand to hand. Roger unsteadily bends himself down and collects a fluffy ball for himself.

Holly: "Ah ha! No, you don't!" (She reaches down for even more snow to cover her new creation, before standing up straight and preparing to aim at Roger)

With a little heave, Roger tosses the snowball in Holly's direction.

As the snowball falls in front of her feet, Holly looks sheepishly at Roger.

Holly: (with raised eyebrows and a wide smile) "That's some throw you got there! They should sign you up for the White Sox!"

Giggling, Holly gathers yet another fluffy snowball and throws -- this time the fluffy snow reaches the top of Roger's head. Roger is frozen where he stands, as life slowly returns to his face.

Holly: (laughing ecstatically) "You've got more snow on that roof than usual don't you?"

Roger: (wavering) "Okay, now's really my turn!"

Roger heads to a new pile of fluffy snow near a tree; the ice surrounding the tree glistens under the lights of the tall building.

Holly: (the laughter quickly turning to concern) "Roger, be careful, you're not steady on your feet yet. You could fall!"

Roger: (still enduring the effects of the alcohol) "Oh no, no, now's my chance to try out for the WHIKE SOPS!"

Holly: (trying to stay calm) "White Sox. Be Careful! Come on, its cold, I've got to get you home."

Roger, taking a few steps too many, tumbles into a icy patch of fallen icicles.

Holly: (terrified) "Roger! Roger! Ahhhh!"

Holly cautiously rushes over to help him as he manages to rise off the ground.

Holly: (helping him up) "Are you all... Oh Roger!"

Holly sees the tiny gash close to Roger's right eye.

Holly: "Your face is cut!" (hiding her fear) "Oh, you big dope!"

Holly collects some of the new fallen snow and touches his face with it to clear the wound. Roger touches her hand with his own. Roger gazes lovingly into her eyes. Holly brushes back her tears from the cold air.

Holly: "Roger, you might need stitches, and, and, oh Roger..."

As they continue to look into each other's eyes...

Roger: (softly) "That's me, the big dope."

Holly turns away from his stare and taking his arm, she heads them to her car and then proceeds to Cedars...

At the Towers Club, Reva has just completed her rendition of "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman".
Hamp applauding comes over to her at the stage.

Hamp: "What did you do with Roger?"

Reva: "He's in good hands; something about that song earlier sent him into a lament. But I think he's where he should be now.. (looking away) It still comes back down to her, always, doesn't it?"

Hamp: "What's that?"

Reva takes Hamp's arm and heads to the bar.

Reva: "Nevermind there, Hamp. (sighs and then smiles a Reva smile) "Now how about buying Reva another drink?"

The emergency room has some activity. As the night proceeds the number of injured are bound to increase with the unfavorable weather. Rick Bauer, who is on call this evening, looking up from his charts, is dazed at the sight of a unfaltering Holly and a wavering Roger Thorpe.

Rick: (shoots a knowing look at Holly and then briefly in Roger's direction) "What do we have here -- seems someone is in need of assistance."

Holly: "He is sure is in need of something; I've tried but never could figure it out."

Rick takes Roger's other arm to help hold him up. Roger looks up from the floor and longingly at Holly; with a deep sigh, Roger acknowledges where he now is.

Holly: (pointing to Roger's temple in a low voice) "I'm concerned about that cut."

Sizing up the injury, Rick attempts to provide a smile for Holly's face.

Rick: (sheepishly) "Concerned, huh?"

Holly: (in demure voice) "Yes".

Rick: (begins to lead an overwrought Roger away from Holly) "Well, let's take a look, then."

Holly: (releases her arm from Roger's) "Thanks, Rick."

Roger looks back at Holly as he feels the release of her arm in his; noting that she is no longer by his side. Holly assures Roger with a gentle nod. As Rick and Roger make their way to the treatment room, Holly lingers her sight on Roger for a moment before looking down at a scattered pile of newspapers on the waiting room table.

Holly: "I'm going to find some crummy editorials to read...."

As the two enter the treatment room, Holly sifts through the newspaper pile.

Holly: (saying to herself) "Now, who has my husband insulted this time? Let me see."

Holly seats one of the chairs directly across from the treatment room and open the paper to the third page of the paper...

A few moments later on, Roger and Rick ascent from the treatment room, Holly gets up from her chair and smiles. A small butterfly shape bandage is visible directly under and to the left of Roger's right temple. He produces a small smile for Holly.

Rick: (Patting Roger's shoulder) "Well, its quite amazing! You are actually a very good patient." (looking toward Holly) "Not much harm, I cleaned it up and it shouldn't even scar. (looking back at Roger) "The nurse needs some more information from you, though." Roger silently nods and steps over to the admission desk. Rick moves closer to Holly to talk to her in private.

Rick: "He was actually a good patient because he hardly said anything. He's had quite a few though; any ideas why?"

Holly: "I've been trying to figure that out myself. He used to hardly ever drink, only when he gets nostalgic over something or other. Either that or he gets existential."

Rick shoots a sympathetic stare at Holly.

Holly: (retorts knowingly) "You really are just like your father; believe me, I'm not getting wrapped up in that again!"

Rick: (sighing) "I didn't say anything."

Holly looks over at Roger at the desk and breathes in a frustrated sigh.

Rick: (sympathetically) "Look, I'm getting off-duty right now, I'll see that he gets home."

Holly: (softly) "No, I'll take him with me."

Rick: (insistent) "Holly, really I'm heading that way and its out of your way..."

Holly: "Its alright, Rick. Thanks for your help."

Just then, Roger appears before them and smiles at Holly. She takes his arm and leads him to the exit. A few moments later in the car, as they head toward the hotel, Holly glances over at Roger sleeping in the seat beside her. Holly smiles softly as she recalls that same innocent smile, always, always on his face as he sleeps... She lingers for a moment more, before brushing those peaceful thoughts away.

As the car pulls up in a parking space in front of the Regent, Holly calls out to Roger. Stirring in his seat, he looks up and smiles at Holly as she approaches his side of the car.

Holly: (concerned) "Roger did you hear me? We're home... (pause) I've gotten you to the hotel."

Roger: (shaken, looks around the car) "Holly?" (his sight falling on Holly) "I heard the music..."

Holly: (peering into the car) "Music? Roger, I didn't have the radio on?"

Roger: (adjusting his eyesight, before gazing lovingly at Holly) "Humm...? I heard it... (long pause as he stares at her face) "It was incredible."

Holly: (opening the car door and helping him out) "You're falling asleep again, aren't you? Let's get you inside."

As they ride the elevator to the penthouse, Holly looks to Roger.

Holly: "Where are your keys?"

Roger looks up with an innocent glance as he leans against her.

Holly: (grinning with a ever-widening smile) "Don't think I'm going to feel my way around your pants pockets to discover what I come up with?!"

Roger pipes up and attempts to reach into his jacket pocket.

Holly: (softly) "You're not hearing me are you? You're still asleep."

Looking at what he is doing, she reaches over and takes out the keys in his jacket as the elevator rings to their floor. Holly is still holding Roger up as they arrive at the penthouse doorway.

Inside, Dinah is exiting the kitchenette; she hears the keys in the door and begins to smirk as she walks closer to the entrance-way.

Holly: (trying to sound reassuring, as she opens the door) "Here you are, safe and sound..."

Holly looks beyond to see an annoyed Dinah. With an equally annoyed sigh directed at Dinah, Holly frowns.

Holly: "I'll be going now."

Roger gazes dreamily at Holly. Without any knowledge of Dinah's presence, Roger says...
Roger: (softly) "Take me to bed, Holly."

Dinah is speechless as she shoots a seething look at the two of them.

Holly stares a smug look at Dinah as Roger looks from Holly to the direction that she is looking. He barely acknowledges Dinah's demeanor as he sighs and releases Holly's arm.

Roger: (spoken softly at Holly) "Thank you."

Holly: (still staring at Dinah) "You're welcome."

Roger holds onto the walls as he makes his way to the bedroom; Holly looks before him as she turns to go and exits the doorway.

Dinah, apathy clearly defined on her face, breathes in and turns to go back to the kitchenette for a large slice of chocolate cake.

In the bedroom, Roger, who has removed his coat and jacket, gingerly sits on the edge of the bed, and begins to remove his shoes...

The song, "Sweet Bitter Love" clearly floods his mind with intensity. As he lies on the pillow he falls immediately to sleep and dreams the song over and over again; the song, and all it's meant to him and to Holly.

-- The End --