Virtual Season Eight – Episode Five

 

How Do You Keep the Music Playing?

 

 

Act One

 

Scene:  Los Angeles International Airport

                  Friday, November 8

                  3:00 PM

 

Focus on a screen marked “ARRIVALS”.  Highlighted is United Airlines Flight 51 from Washington D.C.  The screen reads “AT THE GATE”.

 

In the airport waiting room, people gather around the door from which the passengers will come.  A trickle, then a steady stream of passengers starts to emerge from the door.  There are lots of welcomes – friends and relatives hugging, kids running to grab dads around the knees, grandparents admiring tiny babies.

 

David Addison strides through the doorway barely noticing the people around him.  He is wearing a somewhat rumpled suit, shirt collar opened, necktie stuffed into the breast pocket of his jacket.  He carries a garment bag and a briefcase, and moves through the crowd – a man with a purpose.

 

As he passes through the waiting room, we hear a familiar voice.

 

Voice:  Looking for a ride, mister?

 

Maddie steps out from behind a column – beautiful, happy, smiling.  David gapes at her for a moment; this is clearly an unexpected surprise.  He quickly regains his poise, and replaces his astonishment with a cocky grin.

 

David:  Hmmm.  I go away for a week and this is what you resort to?  Picking up strange men at the airport?

 

Maddie:  If I drew the line at picking up strange men, you never would have had a chance, pal.

 

David drops the bags, and Maddie walks into his arms. They cling for a moment, then kiss sweetly.

 

Maddie:  Welcome home.

 

David:  Thought I’d never get here.  Damned trial went on forever.  I was gonna shoot that judge when it was held over again until this morning.

 

He hugs her tightly, then pulls away slightly.

 

David:  God, you feel good.  Do you?

 

Maddie:  Do I what?

 

David:  Do you feel good?

 

Maddie:  I feel great!

 

David:  Are you sure?

 

Maddie gives him a look.

 

Maddie:  Addison, didn’t you live through episode three?  I said I feel fine, and I do feel fine.

 

David holds up his hands.

 

David:  OK, OK.  I surrender……never doubted it for a second!

 

Maddie smiles, and reaching over, traces the small mark on his forehead with her finger.

 

Maddie:  Looks like you’ve still got your Halloween souvenir.

 

David:  Yeah, kinda sexy, huh?  Makes me look a little dangerous – gives me a little character.

 

Maddie:  You’re a dangerous character all right.  Luckily that…..

 

She presses a small kiss to the scar.

 

Maddie:  ……is the only reminder of another Halloween I would rather forget.

 

David:  Yeah, that and about two tons of twisted metal, formerly known as your BMW.

 

Maddie shrugs her shoulders.

 

Maddie:  Oh well, it was time for a change anyway.

 

David:  Maddie Hayes – optimist extraordinaire.

 

Maddie:  Maddie Hayes – pragmatist.  Things could have ended up a lot worse.

 

David:  Those dogs could have eaten my brother.  Oops wait, how would that have been worse?

 

Maddie shakes her head at him.

 

Maddie:  Are you ready to go?

 

David:  Are we headed to the office?

 

Maddie:  Not a chance.  I declared this a Blue Moon holiday….tossed them all out at noon.  You and I are taking the rest of the day off.

 

David grins as he leans down to pick up his bags.  Grasping Maddie’s hand in his, he starts to lead her towards baggage claim.

 

David:  So, this holiday…has it got a name?

 

Maddie:  Thought I’d leave that up to you.

 

David:  Any special tradition, rituals?

 

Maddie:  Thought I’d leave that up to you.

 

David:  Well, if I’m activities director, I’ve got one I’d put on the top of my list – something I remember making a couple of stabs at on Halloween.

 

Maddie:  (teasingly)  Trick or Treating?

 

David:  No tricks, baby, but lots and lots of treats.

 

Maddie:  Much better than chocolate.

 

David:  Much better for your skin, or so I’ve heard.

 

Maddie:  That’s an old wives’ tale.

 

David:  Old wives should know.  Anyway, think you could make do with that kind of a celebration?

 

Maddie looks at him suggestively.

 

Maddie:  I’ll have to let you know later.

 

David:  Let’s get out of here.

 

As they walk away he ruminates.

 

David:  Gotta come up with a name for this holiday that’ll make it past the censors.

 

 

 

Scene:  The Parking Garage

                   Moments later

 

David now carries a suitcase, and has his garment bag slung over his shoulder.  Maddie carries his briefcase, and while she walks, she fumbles in her purse for keys.  She trails a little behind David.

 

David:  So, where is the car?  What’s the car?  I don’t know what I’m looking for.

 

Maddie:  Well, I guess there’s something I should tell you about the car.

 

David:  OK, shoot.

 

He continues to walk, but soon realizes that Maddie has stopped.  He turns, looks at her, then looks at the car she has stopped next to.

 

The car is a 1991 Ford Taurus in a quite emphatic shade of purple.  David raises his eyebrows.

 

David:  You’re kidding, right?

 

Maddie shakes her head no.

 

David:  Oh honey, I’ve come back just in time.  You didn’t buy this chariot, did you?

 

Maddie’s feathers are ruffled.

 

Maddie:  Of course not.  It was the only one that the rental agency had left.

 

David laughs delightfully.

 

David:  They saw you coming.  Boy, you’d better look out.  If those people from the Enquirer catch you, you’ll forever be “Maddie Hayes, Fashion Don’t”.

 

Maddie:  All right, have you had quite enough fun with this?  How about you stow that stuff so that we can get going?

 

He places his bags in the trunk.

 

David:  Nice roomy trunk.  I hope you negotiated a lease to buy agreement for this baby.

 

Maddie:  Addison, so help me!

 

David slides up beside her, and put his arm around her waist.

 

David:  OK pretty lady, let’s go home.

 

Maddie:  Do you want to drive?

 

David:  Heck no, you drive.  I’m gonna crouch down in the back so that nobody sees me riding in this thing.

 

She throws the keys at him, walks to the passenger side, and slides in.

 

David:  Ok, I’ll drive.

 

He gets into the car, looking over at Maddie’s face.  He flirts with her, grinning and batting his eyes until she is smiling.  They pull out of the garage and merge into traffic.

 

Maddie switches on the radio, and the raspy voice of Mick Jagger pours out of the speakers.

 

                  “I can’t get no…..satisfaction.

                   I can’t get no……satisfaction.

                   But I try….and I try…..and I try…and I try…..

                   I can’t get no ---

 

She turns down the volume, laughing softly to herself.  She places her hand on David’s thigh, and scratches his pant leg with one carefully manicured fingernail.

 

David:  Maddie

 

Maddie: (innocently)  Yes, David?

 

David:  Don’t take this the wrong way, but don’t do that.

 

Maddie:  Don’t do what….this?

 

She moves her hand farther to the left.

 

David:  Haven’t you learned your lesson, young lady?  Our last car ride together lent a whole new meaning to the term “safe sex”.

 

Maddie:  Having a little deja vous?

 

David:  Maybe just a little recollection of Halloweenus Interruptus.  If you keep that up, I’m gonna drive this car right over to the Airport Hilton.

 

Maddie:  Do you think I’m that kind of woman?  Besides, I’ve got plans for you – all including having you all to myself at home.

 

David:  I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you’d better keep your hands to yourself….at least for the next thirty minutes. I can’t drive and……..

 

Maddie:  Tsk, tsk.  I thought for sure I could count on you to do two things at once.

 

David:  Just you wait.  Meanwhile, I need a major distraction. What’s been going on at the office?

 

Maddie:  Since we talked last night?

 

David:  Talked?  Is that what we did last night on the phone?

 

Maddie:  Got another word for it?

 

David:  Torture – long, drawn out, exquisite torture……probably against the law in about twenty states.  Old Al Graham Bell was probably rolling in his grave.

 

Maddie:  You didn’t like it?

 

David:  I would have liked it a lot better if we hadn’t been a couple thousand miles apart.

 

Maddie:  Luckily, not today’s problem.

 

David:  God, how far from home are we?

 

Maddie:  About five minutes less than the last time you asked.

 

David:  There’d better not be a backup on the 405.

 

Maddie:  Take deep breaths.  Let’s change the subject.  Who was the surprise witness at the Anselmo trial?

 

David:  What wasn’t a surprise about that trial?  Our client certainly took us for a ride.  All the time she had us following the hubby, Mrs. Anselmo was perpetrating the perfect scam – and keeping the Mister at arm’s length.

 

Maddie:  So Mrs. Anselmo is the real bad guy….or bad girl.

 

David:  In a manner of speaking.  They caught her boarding a plane to Rio with twelve mil of her company’s bucks…….and another kind of buck…….a twenty-two year old boy toy.

 

Maddie:  And the surprise witness was….?

 

David:  The infamous Mr. Anselmo.  I guess the guy couldn’t wait to sing a swan song to the lady.  I hear he was positively giddy on the stand.

 

Maddie:  And your testimony?

 

David:  Did you know there are 6,826 floor tiles in the corridor outside that federal courtroom?  And I must have counted them every day for the entire two weeks I sat there.  And then, after all that, my entire testimony consisted of about ten sentences verifying that we were hired to follow Mr. A.

 

Maddie:  (purring)  That must have been very frustrating.  It’ll feel good to be back here, among all the people who appreciate you.

 

David looks across at her intently.

 

David:  Speaking of frustrating…………

 

Maddie:  Steady….we’re almost home.  And then the festivities can begin.

 

David:  Festivities?

 

Maddie:  Well, everybody has missed you so terribly, I thought maybe we should have a little party to welcome you home….a get together.

 

David stares at her astonished.

 

David:  You’re kidding, right?

 

Maddie tries to hold the pose for a moment, then laughs.

 

Maddie:  Don’t worry, this party has a very selective guest list.

 

She leans over and plants several small kisses behind his ear, then whispers into it.

 

Maddie:  When we go through our front door, it gets locked, and it doesn’t get opened again until Monday morning.  The sheets are changed, the refrigerator’s stocked, and the only person I care to see for the next sixty hours is you.

 

David:  Hmmmm……..I guess if you twist my arm –

 

Maddie:  If that’s the way you want to play.  There’s our exit, Addison.  Wanna get off?

 

David:  It would be my pleasure.

 

He puts one hand on top of hers, which still rests on his thigh.  They drive in companionable silence through several streets until the Hayes/Addison home comes into view.  They pull into the driveway, and as they pull up to the front door, a figure emerges from the shadows.  David’s eyes widen in recognition and he starts to rant.

 

David:  No way.  Not a chance.  Not if he were the last person on earth.  Not if he needed a kidney.  Not today.

 

Maddie:  David……….

 

David exits the car, as Richie approaches him, hand extended.

 

Richie:  Yo bro, welcome home.  Nice car.

 

David:  Thanks Rich.  Take a hike.

 

Maddie has exited the car and is carefully watching the exchange.

 

Richie:  Huh?

 

David:  Read my lips, Rich.  Take a long walk off a short pier.

 

Maddie:  David…….

 

Richie:  Is that any way to treat your only brother?

 

David:  Times like now, I wish I were an only child.

 

He strides to the trunk of the car, opens it, and begins to pull his luggage out.

 

Maddie walks to the front door, and takes out her keys.  Richie trails her to the door.

 

David turns and observes Richie.

 

David:  Halt, son.  Do not take one step over that threshold.  You are about as welcome today as a case of poison ivy.

 

Maddie looks back and forth between the brothers, then walks over to David, and speaks softly.

 

Maddie:  David, can’t you give him five minutes?  He’s obviously upset about something.

 

David speaks loudly.

 

David:  That’s the problem.  It’s never five minutes with him.

 

Richie starts to walk away.

 

Richie:  Hey, Dave, sorry I asked.  No sweat.  I’ll be taking off.

 

He trudges down the walkway, a sad looking figure.  Maddie exchanges a glance with David, and pokes him with her elbow. He shakes his head, resigned, then calls out.

 

David:  Rich.

 

Richie turns.

 

David:  You didn’t ask……..but you look like you need to.  Five minutes, capische?

 

 

Richie approaches, and David slings his arm around his shoulder, escorting him into the house as Maddie follows.  Miss Me catapults into the room, heading directly for David.  He leans over and ruffles her fur.

 

David:  Hey Poochie.  What’s new?  How’s life with the canine set?

 

She dances excitedly in front of him.

 

David:  Has the warden had you on a diet of Kennel ration and Liv-a snaps?  Now that I’m back, meet me in the kitchen later, and we’ll have some ice cream.

 

Maddie interjects. 

 

Maddie:  Not if I catch you.  C’mon, Miss Me, let’s take this stuff upstairs.

 

Richie:  Maddie, I kinda wish you’d stick around.  We might need a woman’s perspective here. 

 

David:  Perspective or protection?  He must think that I’m gonna kill him – he wouldn’t be far off.

 

Richie:  Hey Dave, I’m in the room.

 

Maddie looks back and forth at the two of them.

 

Maddie:  Why don’t we go into the living room?

 

David:  (mocking)  Yes, why don’t we?

 

Maddie and David sit side by side on the sofa.  Miss Me curls up in David’s lap, and he idly strokes her fur.  Richie paces back and forth in front of them.

 

David:  OK Rich……tick, tick, tick…….what’s got your panties in a bunch?

 

Richie:  Well…………..Amy and I…………um, she kinda told me………..well, the rabbit died and………

 

David looks up, a bit astonished.

 

David:  Amy’s pregnant?

 

Richie:  Um…..no, not Amy.

 

David:  Somebody else is pregnant?

 

Richie:  Possibly.

 

He looks at Maddie, apologetically.

 

Richie:  It’s a long story.

 

David:  One hundred words or less.

 

Richie:  Well, after you left for D.C., I needed a new job.

 

David:  That I remember.

 

Maddie:  David, let him speak.

 

Richie smiles gratefully at Maddie.

 

Richie:  Well, this buddy of mine was telling me how he was really cleaning up working as a dog walker.

 

David laughs.

 

David:  Cleaning up, right!  Didn’t you get enough of dogs on Halloween? 

 

Richie shrugs his shoulders.

 

David:  Anyway, what do you know about dogs?  Except for your high school dates?

 

Maddie:  That was very sensitive, David.

 

David:  You should have seen them.

 

Richie:  I figured, how big a deal could it be…….a few hours work a day, a romp at the dog park – seemed like easy money.

 

David:  Your kind of scheme, all right.  This a past tense job?

 

Richie:  Kinda.

 

David:  How come?

 

Richie:  How come what?

 

David:  Don’t make me beat this out of you.  How come it’s a past tense job?

 

Richie:  Because of the rabbit…sorta.

 

David looks at him and sighs exasperatedly.

 

Richie:  The Afghan took off on me.

 

David:  Who?

 

Richie:  Afghan.

 

David:  What?

 

Richie:  Great big hairy dog – you know.

 

David:  Where?

 

Richie:  At the dog park off Mulholland.

 

David:  When?

 

Richie:  Two weeks ago…right after Halloween.

 

David:  Why?

 

Richie:  To chase a rabbit.

 

David:  How?

 

Richie:  ‘Cause I took him off leash.

 

David:  The rabbit?

 

Richie:  The Afghan.

 

David:  What happened to the rabbit?

 

Richie:  Dead……I told you.

 

David:  (sarcastically)  Oh, yeah.  But how?

 

Richie:  The Afghan got him.

 

David:  Does this story ever end? You said somebody might be pregnant?

 

Richie:  The poodle.

 

David:  The poodle – where the hell did the poodle come from?

 

Richie:  It was one of my other dogs.

 

David:  Great.  So what’s the big deal if it’s pregnant?  You’re not the father, are you?

 

Richie:  Ha, ha Dave.  No, the mutt’s the father, I guess.

 

David:  At the risk of finding out more useless information, where did the mutt come from?

 

Richie:  The dog park.

 

David:  Where?

 

Richie:  Off Mulholland Drive.

 

David:  Oh no, we’re not doin’ this again.

 

Maddie has been watching the whole interchange like a spectator at a ping-pong match.  She finally interjects.

 

Maddie:  Richie, how about a short and sweet explanation?

 

Richie:  I let the poodle go when I started chasing the Afghan who had the rabbit in its mouth.  The rabbit was dead.  When I got back, the poodle and the mutt had been….well, let’s just say that they were more than friends.

 

David:  Was one smoking a cigarette?

 

Richie:  Ha, ha.

 

David looks over at Maddie.

 

David:  Make a note here, Blondie.  Even the dogs are getting…….

 

Maddie:  David!

 

David:  So, what’s the big deal, Rich?

 

Richie:  The big deal is that the female is a lah-di-dah purebred of some kind, and the male ….well, he looks like a raggedy old cartoon dog.  Kinda looks like Astro.  Ya know?

 

David:  Go on, George Jetson.

 

Richie:  About a week ago, I got a call from the owner, telling me her dog was acting funny, and asking if anything had happened.

 

David:  So?

 

Richie:  So I told her.  Man, the lady freaked.  She’s been calling my house night and day, ranting and raving about how I ruined her prize dog, and how she was going to sue me for everything I’m worth.  I figured I’d better get out of the dog business.

 

David:  Doesn’t sound like you ever got in.  Are we closing in on the finish here?

 

Richie:  I figured I’d better tell Amy ….heck, it sounded like I might need a good lawyer.

 

He looks over at Maddie and shrugs his shoulders.

 

Richie:  She had to go to San Francisco for a conference.  I told her right before she left on Sunday.

 

Maddie:  Right before she left?

 

Richie:  Yeah, about a half hour before she left for the airport.  She totally lost it – she went nuts!  She yelled about how stupid and irresponsible I was.  How nothing was turning out the way she expected.  How hard everything was…..the hours she was putting in and that I gave her no support …….The last thing she said was that I needed to decide what I wanted, and that we needed to have a serious discussion when she got home.

 

David:  And when does she come home?

 

Richie:  Her plane lands at 6:45.

 

Miss Me jumps off David’s lap and runs to the front door.  She looks back expectantly, then runs back to David.

 

Maddie:  I think somebody needs to go out.  I’ll take her.

 

David:  I’ll go.  Give me the opportunity to get reacquainted with all the bushes in the neighborhood.

 

He looks over at Richie.

 

David:  How ‘bout coming with me, pal?  I might need a man with experience.

 

Richie heads out the front door, followed by Miss Me.

 

David:  Hey, put her leash on.  I don’t like your track record.

 

Maddie walks up behind David, leaning her head on his shoulder.

 

Maddie:  Be nice.

 

David:  Only if you’re gonna be nice later.

 

Maddie:  I can be nice, if that’s what you’re looking for.  I’ve also been naughty once or twice.

 

David:  Twice is better.

 

Maddie:  I like the sound of that.

 

David walks towards the door, blowing her a kiss.

 

David:  Back in a flash.

 

                                   

                                                                        COMMERCIAL BREAK

 

 

 

 

Scene:  Outside the Hayes/Addison House

                    Several moments later.

                 

 

 

Richie walks with Miss Me on a leash.  David lags a bit behind.  They skirt the Taurus, then David pauses to take a long look at it.

 

Richie:  That’s some car.  Doesn’t look much like the blonde though.

 

David:  Ya think?  I keep waiting for a bunch of circus clowns to come piling out of it.

 

They walk down the street in silence.  David, scowling, has his hands shoved in his pockets.  He whistles a nondescript tune.  They walk in silence for a few moments, then Richie clears his throat and begins hesitatingly.

 

Richie:  So…………….

 

David:  So?

 

Richie:  Some mess I’m in this time, huh?

 

David:  With the dog?  I wouldn’t sweat it……..you’ll probably have to provide pup support and doggie biscuits……….

 

Richie:  Kinda not what I mean, Dave………I mean with Amy………..

 

David remains silent while Richie rambles on.

 

Richie:  This marriage stuff……… sure a lot harder than I thought it would be. 

 

He looks at David who merely raises his eyebrows.

 

Richie:  When we first met, it was like lightening……..and we had so much fun.  She was fun.  We spent every minute together.  But now…….

 

David looks at him, then looks away, obviously trying to avoid getting into this conversation.

 

Richie:  Gonna help me out here, Dave?  Jump in any time.

 

David:  Sounds suspiciously like you’re asking for advice.

 

Richie:  Well, I………..

 

David:  You’re the big brother.  Isn’t that supposed to be your territory?

 

Richie:  I’m not looking for advice.  Maybe some support…ever hear of support?

 

David:  Yeah…isn’t that what you’re gonna end up paying if you don’t get this figured out?  Or maybe Amy’ll end up paying you………that could solve your job problems.

 

Richie:  Funny, Dave.  Ya think this is funny?

 

David:  No, I don’t think this is funny? 

 

Richie:  How did you and Maddie figure it out?

 

David:  Does it look like we’ve got it figured out?

 

Richie:  Yeah, look around brother.

 

David:  Obviously an untrained eye.  You look around.  If it looks like it’s working, it’s because we’re working on it.  Every day now for almost eight years.

 

Richie:  So you’re saying we got married too soon?

 

David:  I’m not saying anything.  You’re putting words in my mouth.

 

Richie:  Cause there aren’t any coming out.  I need help here, Dave.

 

David:  You want what you think Maddie and I have.  And I’m telling you that there are lots of days that the whole thing could have gone exactly the opposite way.  Hell, you were there………for a lot of days it did.

 

Richie:  That’s true.

 

David:  Get beyond all this dog crap and figure out what’s really wrong.  The decide whether you can fix it……..whether you want to fix it….whether Amy really wants to fix it.

 

Richie:  That’s a tall order.

 

David:  Or you can turn around and walk away now.  Minimize the damage.

 

Richie:  NO……aren’t you listening to me?

 

David (grinning):  Sure I am.  Just trying to conjure up the old Addison boy “fight”.

 

Richie gives him a look.

 

David:  Hey boy, whatever you decide, you know I’ll be with you right?

 

Richie smiles.

 

Richie:  Thanks for the warning.

 

David:  I am gonna tell you one thing………get a job.  A steady, every day whether you like it or not job………might help settle things.

 

Richie:  OK, I get it.  So you wouldn’t be hiring, would you?

 

David:  Not a chance…….but I’ll send out some feelers…….let you know if I hear of anything.

 

Richie:  Good………….hey, do you think we’ve gone far enough?

 

David:  How would I know?  I don’t walk the dog.  I usually just take her out into the back yard.

 

Richie:  Son of a ………………

 

David:  C’mon, let’s head for home.  And just so there’s no misunderstanding…….I’m heading for my home, and you’re heading for yours.  Got it?

 

Richie:  Sure, I’ll just take five minutes and say goodbye to Maddie.

 

David:  There you go with that five minute thing again.

 

Richie:  I promise, five minutes, and I’ll be out of your hair.  Ooops, wait, that wouldn’t take five minutes.

 

He sees blood in David’s eye.

 

Richie:  C’mon Miss Me…………

 

Richie and Miss Me gallop for home with David in pursuit.

 

 

 

Scene:

Inside the Hayes/Addison home

Thirty minutes later

 

 

Richie, David and Miss Me all pile through the front door.  Maddie is coming in from the kitchen.

 

Maddie:  That must have been some walk.  I made some coffee.

 

David:  He’ll take his to go.

 

Maddie:  David……

 

Richie:  Hey, no sweat.  I’ve got to leave in a few minutes anyway to get Amy.

 

Maddie:  Sit down Richie.  You’ve got time for a cup of coffee.

 

She glances over to catch David’s scowl.

 

Maddie:  David, I bet you’re beat.  Bet you could use a nice hot shower.

 

David mutters.

 

David:  A nice cold shower is more like it……..

 

He looks over at Richie and Maddie, seeing an agenda in Maddie’s eyes.  Going with the flow, he responds.

 

David:  Ok, I’m heading up.  How about you bring my coffee up in five minutes when Richie goes?

 

Maddie:  Count on it.

 

Maddie heads towards the kitchen, as Richie looks up at David, who is climbing the steps.

 

Richie:  See ya, Dave.  Thanks.

 

David grunts as he disappears from view.  Maddie returns with a tray with the coffee items, places it on the chest, and sits next to Richie on the couch.  They spend a few moments readying their cups.  Maddie looks across at Richie and smiles.

 

Maddie:  So………..

 

Richie:  So, hear your dog just got a rare opportunity at a long walk.

 

Maddie laughs.

 

Maddie:  I wondered about that.  Neither David nor I are really dog walkers.  We usually take her out front or in the yard and play with her.

 

Richie:  Look at her. She’ll probably sleep the rest of the afternoon.

 

 He indicates Miss Me, who is sound asleep near the fireplace.

 

Maddie:  So, did you and David have a good talk?

 

Richie:  You know how that goes…….we don’t talk to each other – mostly at each other.

 

Maddie:  Think I’ve met the guy.

 

Richie:  So what about you, Maddie?  Got any words of wisdom?

 

Maddie:  Wisdom?  That’s hardly likely.

 

Richie:  No twenty- five words or less to tell me what I’m doing wrong?  Or what I did wrong?

 

Maddie:  Nobody can tell you that but you.  I guess it’s a good sign that you’re at least considering you might have done some things wrong.

 

Richie:  When did we move from something to “some things”?

 

Maddie:  It’s rarely just one thing…….in fact, it usually ends up being nothing about what started the trouble.  Do you really think Amy is this upset about you and that dog?

 

Richie:  I guess not……at least I don’t think so.

 

Maddie:  Find out, Rich.  I think if two people are meant to be together, they’ll find a way to make it work.  I think maybe you two are still finding your way. 

 

Richie:  Got a map?

 

Maddie:  Don’t use my map, unless you’re looking for a few detours along the way.

 

Richie:  Seems like you’re on the right road now.

 

Maddie:  I hope so.  But you’ve still gotta follow the signs, read the directions…….make sure you are both headed to the same place.  Look at us…even after more than seven years, we still had some major issues to deal with when David moved in here. But I think we get better and better at handling them.  That’s when I think you know it’s working.

 

Richie:  So your advice is…….?

 

Maddie:  Talk………scream, holler, yell, debate it to death………but make sure you get and give honest answers about what each of you want.

 

Richie:  That’s your secret?

 

Maddie:  Well, you know what they say about advice – easy to give, hard to take.  But that’s just one more thing we’re working on.  One thing we probably both need a lot of practice with.

 

Upstairs, almost on cue, comes a burst of song…………….kind of a combo of Motown and Sound of Philadelphia with a little opera thrown in.

 

Maddie looks at Richie and smiles.

 

Maddie:  It’s worth it.

 

Richie leans over and kisses Maddie on the cheek.

 

Richie:  And you deserve it.  I’m gonna show myself out, and why don’t you see if my brother could use a little help scrubbing his back?

 

Maddie:  Good luck.

 

She sits on the sofa and watches as Richie walks out the door.

 

 

 

Scene:  Maddie and David’s bedroom

                   “Five” minutes later……give or take a few.

 

David emerges from the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist, and one around his neck.  His hair is wet and beads of water glisten on his chest.

 

Maddie is standing at the French doors, staring out.  David takes the towel from around his neck and starts to dry his hair.

 

David:  I know, you just can’t get over that beautiful car.  It’s hard not to see why it’s made such an impression on you.  I think we should keep it……I’ve even got a name for it “Purple Haze”………what d’ya think?

 

Maddie doesn’t respond.

 

David:  Hey Blondie…………over here………..remember me?  I was expecting you to join me.  I was in there so long, everything’s pruned up……..well, not quite everything.

 

Maddie looks over at him and smiles.

 

Maddie:  You have such a way with words, Addison.

 

David:  Trust me, I’m much better with actions.  Why don’t you come over here and find out?

 

She walks over and pulls him close.

 

Maddie:  You’re wet.

 

David:  And you, my dear, are overdressed.  Let’s just say we take………..

 

He realizes that Maddie again is staring off into the distance.

 

David:  OK, what’s wrong?

 

Maddie:  Oh….nothing…….just forget about it.

 

David:  I’m looking for your undivided attention here.  What’s wrong?

 

Maddie:  I’m just thinking about Richie and Amy.

 

David:  His five minutes are up.

 

Maddie:  Sorry, but I can’t help it.  I’m really worried that they’re not gonna make it…….and I think that will really kill your brother.

 

David:  Why do you think they’re not gonna make it?

 

Maddie:  Just look……they have nothing in common.  She’s cultured, educated, wealthy.  He’s……well, you know what he is.  She’s practical, he’s a dreamer.  She’s planned and organized, he’s fly by the seat of his pants.

 

David: (softly mocking) Imagine that.  How do you think two people that are so different could be attracted to each other?

 

Maddie:  But he’s not you.  She’s not me……….it’s not the same.

 

David:  Who’s to say?  Who sets up the rules?

 

Maddie:  But it’s important.  What makes a relationship work?  What guarantees that it’s gonna stay working?  What if we………

 

David:  You’re not going to make this about us.  This is them…we’re doing just fine.

 

Maddie:  Now.

 

David:  And for a long time now.  Don’t overthink this.  This weekend is supposed to be for us – and this is supposed to be my long overdue welcome home.

 

He reaches over and brushes her hair off her face.  She slowly smiles.

 

David:  Now I have one suggestion on how to keep a relationship going………..

 

Maddie:  And that would be?

 

David:  Let me help you out of that blouse, and I’ll recount, once again, the basic  Addison theory of “relativity”, so to speak………there was this bird and there was this bee……….

 

He pulls her to her feet and finishes the unbuttoning.  Pulling her blouse from her shoulders, he starts to kiss her neck and her shoulders.  Maddie pulls him closer as her fingers tangle in his hair.

 

Music begins to play as the camera moves downwards to the floor, focusing on a growing pile of Maddie’s clothing, finally topped off by David’s towel. 

 

 

 

Chances are you’ll find me

Somewhere on your road tonight

Seems I always end up driving by.

Ever since I’ve known you

It just seems you’re on my way

All the rules of logic don’t apply

 

I long to see you in the night.

Be with you till the morning light

 

I remember clearly

How you looked the night we met

I recall your laughter and your smile

I remember how you made me

Feel so much at ease

I remember all your grace, your style

 

And now you’re all I long to see

You’ve come to mean so much to me

 

Chances are I’ll see you

 somewhere in my dreams tonight

You’ll be smiling like the night we met

Chances are I’ll hold you

And I’ll offer all I have

 

You’re the only one I can’t forget

Baby, you’re the best I’ve ever met.

 

And I’ll be dreaming of the future

And hoping you’ll be by my side

And in the morning I’ll be longing

For the night, for the night.

 

Chances are I’ll see you

Somewhere in my dreams tonight

You’ll be smiling like the night we met

Chances are I’ll hold you

And I’ll offer all I have

 

You’re the only one I can’t forget

Baby, you’re the best I’ve ever met.

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK

 

 

 

Act Three

Blue Moon Detective Agency

Monday Morning

9:00 A.M.

 

 

A fairly typical Blue Moon morning……..

 

The office staff is gathered around Agnes’s desk.  She shows photographs, and the staff appreciatively ooohs and aaahs.

 

David and Maddie walk through the door talking a mile a minute.

 

David:  All I can say is the suspension on that Purple People Eater leaves much to be desired.  My bones are just rattled.

 

Maddie:  You’d better quit torturing me about that car.  And anyway, don’t try blaming your rattled bones on the car.  (Quietly aside)  We both know what rattled your bones.

 

A mischievous look passes between the two of them as Agnes glances up and spots them.

 

Agnes:  Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison………hi!

 

Maddie:  Agnes, how are you?  How was your vacation?

 

Agnes:  Great, great.  Wanna see some pictures?

 

Maddie:  Sure.

 

She leafs through Agnes’s stack of photos.

 

Maddie:  This is beautiful.  Grenada, right?

 

Agnes:  Right.  You should see that beach.  It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.  Look, there’s Bert on a banana boat.

 

David grins at Bert.

 

David:  Some banana, Viola.  Order me up a couple of eight by tens, will ya?

 

Bert:  Mr. Addison, how was D.C.?

 

David:  Best forgotten.  The only thing I can say is from now on Anselmo is a forbidden word around here.

 

Maddie:  Kind of like “work” or “Monday”?

 

David laughs.

 

David:  OK, troops.  The boss lady speaks…..time to tote that bale, lift that barge…….or vice versa.

 

The staff, grumbling, heads to their desks.

 

Maddie:  Agnes, could you ask Jamie to cover the phones for you?

 

She speaks to David, Bert and Agnes.

 

Maddie:  If the three of you will come into my office, I’ll bring you up to speed on the last two weeks.

 

David:  Well, I’m very comfortable at 45, but I’m pretty sure that Viola here is a 33 and 1/3.  What about you, Agnes?

 

Agnes stops cold and stare at him with a dazed expression.

 

David:  Don’t worry about it, Agnes……..I’m not sure vinyl becomes you.

 

Maddie is ignoring him.

 

Maddie:  Can you bring the appointment book, Agnes?

 

Agnes:  Sure thing, Miss Hayes.

 

Maddie looks over at Bert and David.  Bert is yawning…a big wide mouthed yawn.  David’s eyes are heavy lidded, and he seems to be having difficulty keeping them open.

 

Maddie:  Gentlemen, will you be joining us?

 

Bert stifles another yawn.

 

Bert:  Sure thing Miss Hayes.

 

He files into the office.  David, for once silent, is following him.  They both plop down on the sofa, slumping into the pillows.

 

Maddie:  What is wrong with the two of you?

 

(overlapping dialogue)

 

Bert:  Too much vacation     David:  Too much weekend.

 

Agnes:  It feels so good to be back.  So exciting to start working with new cases, new clients……..

 

Bert and David groan.

 

Maddie:  Are you two quite finished?

 

(overlapping dialogue)

 

David:  But the weekend was so…………    Bert:  And the vacation was so………

                   relaxing………..                                                          relaxing……….

 

             No tension, no more frustration                       No stress, no more nerves

 

                   So …..relaxing……..                                                So …..relaxing……..

 

 

Maddie:  Enough already – I’m certainly glad you’re “relaxed”.

 

David:  I bet you are……..

 

(Aside to Bert)  David:  She should have the grace to blush.  At the very least, she should be thanking me for giving my all.

 

Bert giggles.  Maddie glares.

 

Maddie:  ……But we need to discuss what I consider a serious situation.

 

David:  Which is?

 

Maddie:  We have no cases.

 

Agnes and Bert:  No cases?

 

David:  No cases?  No cats looking for their long lost owners?  No philandering cross dressing albinos suing their mates for spousal support?

 

Maddie:  Not a one.

 

David:  What’s the matter?  Is there another writers’ strike?

 

Maddie:  No, but the cases we took before you all went away were resolved while you were away.  And I was reluctant to commit to anything I couldn’t handle by myself.  And hence we have…..

 

Agnes:  (glumly)  No cases.

 

Bert awakens from his stupor as if injected with pure caffeine.

 

Bert:  This is a job for Bert Viola.  I can follow some leads, talk to my contacts, do some cold calls.  Maybe we could pick up some process serving work to tide us over……or maybe repossessions….bill collection.

 

David and Maddie exchange glances.

 

David:  Been there – done that.

 

Maddie:  IC – AC.  How could we forget?

 

They laugh.

 

Maddie:  Mr. Viola, I appreciate your industry.  And while I’d be happy to see you follow some of those leads, process serving and bill collecting are definitely out.

 

Bert:  You’re the boss, Miss Hayes.  So I’ll be hitting the streets……eager to be of service.  Will you be joining me, Mr. Addison?

 

Maddie:  Mr. Addison and I have some things we need to take care of here in the office, Mr. Viola.  Why don’t you take Mr. O’Neill or Mr. Jergenson?  Or take both…there’s certainly not a lot for them to do around here.

 

Bert:  Just the opportunity to train them……teach them some of my priceless methods of detecting……..

 

David:  Bert…..buddy – the unattractive “dictator in a drum” part of your personality is rearing its ugly little head.  Take a chill – let’s get some clients…..then we’ll talk about training.

 

Bert:  Sure thing, Mr. Addison, Miss Hayes.  I’ll be on my way.

 

Bert rises to leave and Agnes moves with him. She waves the empty appointment book.

 

Agnes:  Better get back out there.  Need to be ready to fill this baby up.  Maybe a new rhyme……….

 

Maddie:  Good idea Agnes.

 

Bert and Agnes exit.  David walks to Maddie’s desk and perches on the edge.

 

David:  You’re not really worried about this, are you?  We’ve gone through dry spells before.

 

Maddie:  Well, I guess we can make do with that car for a little while longer.

 

David:  You mean the wrath of grapes?  Oh no, please Maddie.  I’ll go back to bill collecting – only not in that car.

 

Maddie:  Don’t worry, our straits are not that dire yet.  We’ve always got the basics…..the background checks, our department store contract for credit checks.  I just thought that there was a little too much “relaxation” going on around here this A.M.

 

David:  My little businesswoman………

 

Maddie:  Hey, I’m not overly thrilled with being called your little anything in that condescending tone.  And by the way, what was that little interchange with Viola?

 

David puts on his innocent face.

 

David:  Little interchange?

 

Maddie:  Don’t play dumb with me, Addison.  You know exactly what I’m talking about.  I’m not thrilled about our personal lives becoming fodder for the office gossip mill.

 

David:  Becoming?  Where have you been for the last eight years?

 

Maddie:  They can guess, they can surmise, they can infer all they want.  But I draw the line when the inference becomes participatory – you, I, we need to have some personal life.  And I’m not comfortable with the intimate details of our lives being bantered about here in the office – especially by you.

 

David:  Maddie, it was only a joke.

 

Maddie:  Not funny David.

 

David:  God, you are a stubborn woman.  OK, no more “sharing” with Viola.  But one question……does that rule also apply to you?

 

Maddie:  To me?  When did you ever hear me……..

 

He mimics her.

 

David:  We both know what rattled your bones.

 

Maddie:  That was from your ears only.

 

David:  Then you’d better be careful that my ears are the only ones within hearing distance.

 

He moves in closer and closer….until his mouth is right next to her ear.

 

David:  Like now.

 

He begins to nibble on her ear.  Maddie flexes her neck, just as there is a loud knock on the door.  Startled, David nips her earlobe hard, and she shrieks.

 

Maddie:  Ouch!

 

Agnes comes through the door just as they are pulling apart.

 

Agnes:  Sorry Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison.  I thought you said come in.

 

Maddie:  It’s perfectly fine, Agnes.  What can we do for you?

 

Agnes can hardly contain her excitement.

 

Agnes:  A client.  There’s a client here to see you.  A Mr. Garrett.

 

Maddie is still trying to muster a little dignity.

 

Maddie:  That’s wonderful, Agnes.  Give us just a few minutes, then show him in.

 

As Agnes exits, David looks at Maddie and grins.

 

David:  Good job, Maddie.  That little vignette has got “company newsletter” written all over it.

 

Maddie:  Shut up, David.

 

David:  That’s not very professional, Miss Hayes.  Couldn’t you think of a better way to say that?

 

Maddie:  Shut the hell up, David.

 

David:  Much better.

 

There is another knock at the door, and Agnes shows a gentleman into the office.  He is a distinguished man of about forty, quite handsome in an academic sort of way.  He is about 6’2”, with broad shoulders and an attractive build.  His salt and pepper hair is carefully styled.  He wears wire-rimmed glasses, which enhance his look of intelligence.

 

Maddie has an immediate reaction to his looks, which we cannot help notice.  Neither can David.

 

Agnes:  Miss Hayes, Mr. Addison – this is Mr. Garrett.

 

Agnes retreats out of the room as Maddie extends her hand.

 

Maddie:  Madolyn Hayes, Mr. Garrett.  How very nice to meet you.

 

David clears his throat behind her.  Maddie has the grace to look a little embarrassed.

 

Maddie:  I’m sorry, Mr. Garrett.  This is my partner, David Addison.

 

Garrett grasps David’s hand and gives it a firm shake.

 

Garrett:  Greyson Garrett, Junior, Mr. Addison.  Please call me Grey.

 

Maddie:  Greyson Garrett – that has a familiar ring to it.

 

Garrett:  Perhaps even more so when I tell you what I’d like to hire you for.

 

Maddie:  Please go on.

 

Garrett:  My grandparents were famous film stars in the 1930’s.

 

Maddie:  Oh my goodness – Rebecca Greyson and Justin Garrett.  I love their films.  David, you remember, we watched their “Crossing the Line”. 

 

David:  Sure I was awake?

 

Maddie just fixes him with a stare.

 

Maddie:  I’m sorry to make such a fuss, Mr. Garrett.  Please go on. 

 

Garrett:  Please, Miss Hayes, it’s Grey.  And I’m used to people getting excited about my heritage.

 

Maddie:  Well, I’m sorry I interrupted.

 

Garrett:  I am my grandparents’ only living heir.  Part of their estate is a small building in Hollywood, right off Argyle.  It’s the home that they shared together, although it’s since been converted to apartments.  I’ve had a very good offer on the property – from someone who wants to knock the building down and build some kind of commercial property.

 

David:  Sell, sell.

 

Garrett:  That was my feeling, Mr. Addison, until a few weeks ago.  I met a very persuasive young woman, the head of a film preservation group.  She has been trying to convince me that the property should be kept, almost like a historic landmark, as a monument of sorts to Greyson and Garrett.

 

Maddie:  How lovely.  You must be so proud.

 

Garrett:  On the contrary Miss Hayes.  I never met my grandparents.  I know little or nothing about them.  I’ve never seen one of their films.

 

Maddie:  That’s amazing.

 

Garrett:  Not really.  My father – their son – lived a terrible life.  He ended up in an orphanage, then an adoptive home with cruel people.  He was in and out of jails, hospitals, mental institutions all of his life.  Until the day he died, he blamed all of it on his parents.  I’m his son, Miss Hayes, and I loved him.  It would have been disloyal to have cared anything about them.

 

David:  Mr. Garrett…..Grey…..I don’t understand what you’re asking us to do here.

 

Garrett:  I’m sorry.  It’s very simple.  I’m asking you to do some investigating – to find out some information about my grandparents that will help me to decide whether their history is worth preserving.

 

David:  Why the change of heart?

 

Garrett:  I’m a historian, Mr. Addison….a professor of medieval history at U.C.L.A.  If anybody should understand the value of historic preservation, it’s me.  It would go against everything I am to ignore this possibility because of personal feelings.

 

David:  This woman – she must be very persuasive.

 

Garrett smiles.

 

Garrett:  She is indeed…but that’s another story.

 

Maddie struggles back to the subject.

 

Maddie:  I have another question, Grey.  Why us?  Why a detective agency?  I’m sure there is plenty of information to be found through research.

 

Garrett:  I don’t want only written research.  I’d like you to seek out and speak to people who knew them, worked with them.  I know that many have passed on, but there have to be some.  I want the kind of information that you can’t find in books about the history of film.  I want to know why their history should be preserved – not only because they were film stars, but because of what kind of people they were.  If I can’t justify this to myself, I’d just as soon sell it and let them turn the place into a pizza joint or a car wash.

 

Maddie looks at Garrett, obviously sympathetic to his story.

 

David:  Grey, you’ll excuse us for a moment, won’t you?  Miss Hayes, may I speak to you outside?

 

Maddie smiles at Garrett as she and David leave the office.  They square off outside the doors.

 

David:  Ok…I’m sorry, but I’ll drive the Grape Escape for the rest of my life if we don’t have to take stupid cases like this.

 

Maddie:  What’s wrong with this case?

 

David:  Are you kidding?  It’s just a grand gesture…..an excuse for that egghead preppy to get into that woman’s …………

 

Maddie:  What?  Did you just listen to the same thing I heard?  The thing he wants to get into is his family history – he’s sympathetic and sensitive, and willing to be open minded. 

 

David:  And I thought it never snowed in California.  I guess it helps when you stare into those big green eyes while he’s spinning his tale.

 

Maddie snaps.

 

Maddie:  They’re brown.  And is that why you made such a big deal of telegraphing the fact that you might be sleeping while we were watching a movie together?

 

She softens her tone.

 

Maddie:  Your eyes are green.  Incomparably green.

 

She watches him for a moment, then goes on.

 

Maddie:  Wouldn’t it be exciting to be a part of this?  We might be instrumental in helping to preserve a part of history.

 

David:  Stupid history.  Old movies.  What a crock.

 

Maddie:  I want to do this, David.  I remember watching Greyson and Garrett from the time I was a little kid.  They made some great movies……..they were so smooth, so graceful….the perfect couple.  They sang, they danced………..They were bigger than Astaire and Rodgers, Tracey and Hepburn.  They only did a few movies, but they were wonderful……..They always played couples who looked like they had insurmountable odds……..opposites, or business rivals, or members of feuding families.  And they always overcame all the obstacles.  They played their roles with such truth.

 

David makes no comment.

 

Maddie:  This would be like getting a chance to be part of history myself by making something important happen.  No, it’s not a cure for cancer, but it’s something I can feel proud of.  I wish you could agree with me, but I need to do it anyway, whether you agree with me or not.

 

Perhaps it is the mention of cancer that melts David’s resolve or the memory of their recent good fortune, but he caves, almost too easily. And although it might appear that way to us, he does not make it look easy to Maddie.

 

David:  What the hell…why not?  There’s nothing else going on here right now, and I’m betting the Prof has plenty of dollars that he’s willing to fork over for our expert sleuthing.  But I’m warning you…….one sniff of a great big juicy case – a hot murder/suicide or a big heist, and this one drops like a dead duck.

 

Maddie:  That’s not exactly fair, but I’ll take it under those conditions.  C’mon green eyes, let’s go tell him we’ll take his case.

 

David looks at her, feigning shock.

 

David:  Miss Hayes…..puh-lease, no personal comments.

 

Maddie shove him through the door.

 

Maddie:  In, hard head!

 

He looks back at her with a twinkle in his eye.

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK

 

Act Four

Blue Moon Detective Agency

Later that week

 

 

Contrary to earlier in the week, the office is abuzz with activity.  On several of the desks, we see piles of books on film and film history.  The women are on the telephones --talking, asking questions.

 

Camera moves to David’s office, where Maddie and David sit close together on the sofa.  On the television screen is a close-up of a kissing couple.  The music wells up, and “THE END” is superimposed upon the screen.

 

Maddie sighs.

 

Maddie:  Wasn’t that wonderful?

 

David rises and walks to the console, where he ejects the videotape from the VCR.

 

David:  Absolutely.  Nothing better than a day at work, watching movies.  Maybe next week we can bring in a band, have a jam session.

 

Maddie:  That’s not what I meant.  I meant the movie itself…….wasn’t it just perfect?

 

David:  You have your fantasies, I have mine.  So that’s Garrett’s grandparents, huh?

 

Maddie:  You know, it’s just amazing.  The fact that they only made eight movies, but were such an influence on the American musical, actually on American movies in general.

 

David:  It’s still only the movies, Maddie.

 

Maddie:  Only the movies?  Didn’t you watch movies when you were a child, David?

 

David:  Some – John Wayne, Jerry Lewis – but I was a TV kid, Maddie.  The Stooges, The Lone Ranger, some funky old Indian named Chief Halftown ….oh, and a cowgirl named Sally Starr………..a voluptuous figure and a long platinum blonde ponytail.  She wore leather…all the little boys were in love.  None of us quite knew why, but we sure lusted after her.

 

Maddie:  Down, boy.  Well, my father’s mother was a movie addict, and she took me along every chance she got.  I grew up on this kind of movie.  There was a great old movie palace in Chicago called The Uptown Theater, where we went on Saturday afternoons. They showed current films as well as retrospectives…with all the old musicals.  I remember it used to cost a quarter to get in. They said there were an acre of seats.  We’d sit in this cavernous theater with a mile high screen, and we’d be transported to other places.  We’d imagine ourselves up there on the screen, and we’d laugh and sing.  I think I knew the entire score to Oklahoma by the time I was eight years old.

 

David:  Never scored in Oklahoma.  Hmmmmm… Saturday afternoons in a dark theatre….and you’re telling me you watched the movie?

 

Maddie:  David, I was eight years old.  Not watching the movie came later.

 

David:  OK, before we delve in your sordid little history……or, gasp, your personal life, let’s figure out what we’ve got so far.

 

Maddie:  OK.  Greyson and Garrett met in Chicago when they were teenagers.  They married in their late teens and moved to Hollywood to try and make it in the movies.  Justin Garrett waited tables and Rebecca Greyson sang in a little club.  The story goes that they were “discovered” one night, dancing at the Cocoanut Grove.  They went on to make only eight movies.  Their son, Greyson Garrett the first, was born only a month before that.  Actually, Rebecca was one of the first early working mothers.

 

David:  With lots of nursemaids and nannies, I’m sure.

 

Maddie:  Probably.  They were the toast of Hollywood, and they moved into the house off Argyle.  They lived there for five years until quite suddenly, Justin died.

 

David:  Foul play?  Mysterious causes?

 

Maddie:  You’re determined to try and make this sensational, aren’t you?  No, it’s quite sad.  He actually died of a burst appendix.  They were making a movie, and Justin collapsed and died right on the set.  That was the end.  Rebecca dropped out of sight and never made another movie.  She died about ten years later.  Isn’t that sad – both of them dead before the age of thirty-five.

 

David:  So where do we go from here?  I’m sure all of this information was a snap to find.

 

Maddie:  Well, Bert is out trying to get some information about Grey’s father, and how he ended up where he did.  Meanwhile, Agnes is making phone calls, trying to find somebody, anybody who might have known them personally….who could give us some insight into their lives.

 

David:  What’s she doing, calling all the cemeteries in the area?  Our best bet for finding friends of Greyson and Garrett is Forrest Lawn.

 

Maddie:  Maybe we’ll get lucky.  Want to watch another one of their movies?

 

David:  Forgive me, Maddie, but watching musicals is not exactly hardcore detective work.  It sounds to me like we’ve got all this covered.  Maybe we could just sneak out of here……….head for the beach for a nice dinner………

 

There is a knock on the door.

 

David:  Damn!

 

Maddie:  Come in.

 

Bert Viola barges through the door with Agnes following close behind.

 

Bert:  Ready to give you an update, boss……..er, bosses.

 

Maddie:  What did you find out, Bert?

 

Bert:  Surprisingly little about his father’s childhood.  The adoption laws of this state were fairly well sewed up, even way back then.   I’ve got a picture of the kid at his father’s funeral, and then a few things about a year after.  After that, he seems to disappear.  The next info I could find was in his adult criminal record……..he’s got one as long as your arm.  Starts at twenty-one and his last arrest was for public drunkenness when he was fifty, shortly before he died in a mental hospital.

 

David:  It’s amazing…as a kid, he actually disappeared for…how long?

 

Bert:  In the last pictures, he was just eight, so I guess we’re talking about thirteen years.

 

Maddie:  And his marriage?

 

Bert:  He married at twenty-five, to a waitress, Peggy Morrison. Evidently it was a bad marriage that ended in divorce. They had one child, Greyson Junior. The father stayed in touch with the child, although sporadically, until he died.  I have lots of hospital records, arrest records, newspaper articles……….he was the heir to the “magic couple” and made news wherever he went.

 

David:  And you said he died when?

 

Bert:  He died about seven years ago.  Nothing suspicious.  He had just abused his body for so long that it finally gave out on him.

 

David:  But I don’t understand where we’re going here.  Junior certainly knows all this information.

 

Maddie:  It’s disappointing that we couldn’t get more information on his childhood.

 

Bert:  I really tried, Miss Hayes.

 

David:  Could it be that we’ve finally found a place where the great Bert Viola has no connections?

 

Bert looks embarrassed.

 

Maddie:  I’m sure you did your best, Mr. Viola.  Agnes, anything from you?

 

Agnes:  I’m not sure.  I’ve been digging around in some of those old books, and found a couple of pictures of the same woman who seemed to always be with the child.  Her name is Lucie McCoy.

 

Bert:  Here she is, in one of the newspaper photos.

 

He passes a photocopy over to Maddie and David.

 

Agnes:  Anyway, I found a telephone listing for a Lucie McCoy in Altadena.  It’s in an assisted living community called North Lake Villa.  I called and I think the woman who answered must be the person we’re looking for.

 

Maddie:  What did she say?

 

Agnes:  I asked her if she was the Lucie McCoy who was an acquaintance of the Garretts.  She told me to take my nosy, National Enquirer self and get lost because she wasn’t talking about this to anyone.

 

David:  Hell of a job, Agnes.  This woman sounds like she’s got some spunk…….how old would she have to be?

 

Maddie:  She’d have to be at least eighty.

 

David addresses Maddie.

 

David:  Our next move, partner?

 

Maddie:  I guess we’re taking a ride to Altadena.

 

David:  Today?  Isn’t it too late to start there now?

 

Maddie:  I think it will take just about the same time to get there as it would to get to the beach.

 

David:  Busted………OK, if we’re going, let’s go.  Got the keys?

 

He starts to sing.

 

David:  “When the deep purple falls, over sleepy garden walls…….”

 

Maddie rolls her eyes, and then turns back to Bert and Agnes.

 

Maddie:  Thanks.  We’ll let you know what happens.

 

She exits.

 

 

 

Scene:

North Lake Villa Retirement Center

Later that afternoon

 

The purple Taurus pulls into the parking lot.  David is driving.  He turns to Maddie and starts to open his mouth.

 

Maddie:  Don’t say a word.

 

David:  What?

 

Maddie:  I don’t want to hear one more word about this car.  I don’t want to hear any clever little jokes about the color purple, or one more disparaging remark.  Tomorrow, you are going to take this back to the rental car agency, and swap it out for a less offensive color.  Then this weekend, we will start looking for a new car.

 

David:  Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari?

 

Maddie:  More like Ford, Lincoln, Mercury.

 

David:  Whaaaaat?

 

Maddie:  Have you ever watched the commercials?  We don’t want to offend the sponsors.

 

David:  Can’t we get new sponsors?

 

Maddie:  Enough.  Let’s go see Miss McCoy.

 

They enter the retirement home, and walk up to a reception desk.  A woman in a brightly colored nurse’s smock greets them.

 

Nurse:  Welcome to North Lake Villa.  May I help you?

 

Maddie:  We’d like to see Lucie McCoy.

 

Nurse:  Are you friends of Lucie’s?

 

David:  More like friends of friends.

 

Nurse:  Lucie doesn’t have many visitors.  She spends most of her time watching old movies.  It will be good for her to see some people.  She’s in room 167, right down that corridor.

 

Maddie and David walk down the corridor, and stop at the room.  The door is ajar.  David knocks, and pushes the door open slightly.  The room is dim, lit only by the glow from the television.  Maddie and David are framed in the doorway by the light coming from the corridor.

 

We hear a voice from inside the room.

 

Voice:  Oh my, it’s Cary Grant.

 

Maddie and David enter the room, and we see a small woman, sitting in a rocking chair in front of the TV.

 

David:  Lucie?

 

Lucie:  You come right over here.

 

As David comes nearer, she seems a bit confused. 

 

Lucie:  You’re not Cary Grant.

 

David:  No, sorry to say, I’m not.

 

Lucie:  Why sorry?  He’s dead, isn’t he?

 

David:  I believe so.

 

Lucie:  You startled me a bit.  You really are much handsomer than Cary.

 

David laughs.

 

David:  Well thanks.  Lucie, my name is David Addison, and this is Maddie Hayes.

 

Lucie:  Your wife?

 

David:  No, my business partner.

 

Lucie:  You must be dumber than Cary Grant.  Do I know you people?

 

Maddie:  No, Miss McCoy, but we’ve been asked to come see you by someone who you should know – Greyson Garrett.

 

Lucie:  Greyson’s dead.  Has been quite a while now.

 

Maddie:  That’s right, Miss McCoy, but the person who is sent us to see you is Greyson Junior, his son.

 

Lucie:  Never met him.

 

Maddie:  We understand that, Miss McCoy.  Mr. Garrett has asked us to talk with you, to find out some information about his grandparents.

 

Lucie:  No.

 

Maddie:  I’m sorry?

 

Lucie:  You got hearing problems?  I said no?

 

Maddie looks to David for a bailout.

 

David:  Lucie, can we explain to you why Mr. Garrett sent us to you?

 

Lucie:  You can explain all you want……I told you tabloid people before, I wasn’t talkin’.

 

David:  Boy, Lucie, if you could only know how funny that is……thinking of us as tabloid people.

 

Maddie:  Miss McCoy.

 

Lucie:  He’s calling me Lucie, I guess you could too.

 

Maddie:  Thank you, Lucie.  Grey Garrett has been approached to sell his grandparents home.

 

Lucie:  The house near Argyle?  He still owns it?

 

Maddie:  Yes.

 

Lucie:  That was a beautiful house.

 

David:  They want to knock it down, and build a parking lot or something.

 

Lucie:  That would be a shame.

 

Maddie:  Mr. Garrett has been offered a great deal of money.  But, he has also been approached by people who are urging him to preserve the house, as a monument to his grandparents.

 

Lucie:  What does this have to do with me?

 

Maddie:  Lucie, Grey doesn’t know his grandparents.  The only information he has has been given to him by his father, who evidently didn’t have happy memories.

 

Lucie:  That poor boy.

 

Maddie:  He is looking for someone who can tell him the real story of his family, someone who can help him know the real people who lived in the home.  Can you help him?

 

Lucie:  Will this help to save the house?

 

Maddie:  Quite possibly.

 

Lucie:  Then I will tell you what I know.  We all came to Hollywood at the same time.

 

She looks over at David.

 

Lucie:  You wouldn’t know it to see me now, but I was quite a looker in my day.  A lousy actress, but quite a looker.

 

David grins at her, and Lucie winks at Maddie.

 

Lucie:  He pull that grin out when he wants to be charming?

 

Maddie laughs and nods.

 

Lucie:  He’s more like Cary Grant than I thought.  Well, anyway, Rebecca was singing, and Justin and I were waiting tables.  None of us were having any success getting into the movies.  Then the baby came along.  A month after was their anniversary.  Justin had been saving money so that they could have a nice celebration, and that night we all went to the Cocoanut Grove………now that was real Hollywood.  Rebecca and Justin got up to dance……you had to have heard this story.  They were like magic –that’s what they called them – the magic couple.  They took over the dance floor, and everybody else just stopped and stared.

 

Maddie:  That must have been amazing.

 

Lucie:  It was the most exciting thing I ever saw in my life.  The rest, as they say, is history.  By the next week, they had agents and contracts, and were Hollywood’s newest discoveries.  I quit my job, and became Rebecca’s assistant…….I was her dresser, I helped take care of the house and the baby….whatever they needed.

 

David:  So you were there for all of it.

 

Lucie:  I’m afraid so, handsome.  For both the good and the bad.

 

Maddie:  Can you tell us a bit about them, personally?  For Mr. Garrett?  What kind of a couple were they?

 

Lucie:  They were the most committed couple I ever met.  Everything they did, they did for each other.  Each one thought of the other first…they gave each other thoughtful, loving gifts.  Theirs is truly the most devoted love story I have ever known. They loved each other more than life itself.  And in the end, that’s what ended up destroying them.

 

David:  How so?

 

Lucie:  Justin was stricken with appendicitis on the set.  If he had just gone to the hospital, he probably would have been saved.  But he wouldn’t, couldn’t let Rebecca see there was something wrong.  He was her love, her protector.  She wasn’t an exceptionally strong person, and Justin knew that.  He didn’t want to upset her.  His stubbornness caused his own death.  His pain just got worse and worse, until his appendix burst, and he collapsed and died on the set.

 

Maddie:  How terrible.

 

Lucie:  Just the beginning.  Rebecca was lost without him.  Her last public appearance was his funeral.  She shut herself up in that house, and waited to die herself.

 

Maddie:  And the baby? 

 

Lucie:  Perhaps the worst tragedy of all.  He was just seven…..not old enough to understand that he had lost his father, let alone that his mother was no longer able to take care of him.  She was inconsolable……sitting in her room, crying all the time, forgetting to eat, forgetting to feed the child.  I tried to help, but she refused to let anybody into the house.  Then, about a year later, from out of nowhere, some distant cousin of Justin’s showed up.  They convinced Rebecca that they should take the child, that they would be better able to care for him.

 

Maddie:  They saw that she couldn’t?

 

Lucie:  They saw dollar signs.  They thought that the child would come with his own built in fortune.  They didn’t realize that Justin had placed most of the child’s money in trust….untouchable, no matter what the circumstances, until he was twenty-one years old.  They still improved their circumstances with the money they were given to care for him, but if fell far short of what they had expected.

 

Maddie:  And Rebecca? 

 

Lucie:  She died ten years later, and in that ten years, she never left the house.  After a time, she did let people come in…a housekeeper, and a few visitors.  But she never got over Justin’s death……..that, and the guilt for letting her child go.  I think death was a relief for her.  She was thirty-five years old.

 

Maddie:  What a tragic story.

 

Lucie:  Some of the most famous love stories are tragic, my dear.  You ever hear of Romeo and Juliet?

 

Lucie gestures towards the TV, where Justin and Rebecca dance.

 

Lucie:  Look at them……..magic.

 

David:  Do you have family, Lucie?

 

Lucie:  I never married.  No one ever measured up to the standard that they set.  Young Greydon used to visit me occasionally, when he was well, and sober and longing for the memories of his childhood.  But he’s been gone for a while now.

 

Maddie:  Lucie, we need to tell this story to Mr. Garrett.  Do you think the house should be saved?  What would you tell him?

 

Lucie:  I would tell him that his grandparents were two people who shared a tremendous love, a love so strong that they couldn’t have resisted it if they tried.  But they were human, they made mistakes.  Their story isn’t a happy one, but it is a Hollywood story.  They were the magic couple, and I think their story is worth telling.  They made a great contribution to the film industry…….it should be appreciated.

 

Maddie:  Lucie, you have been so wonderful to talk with us.  Can we do anything for you?

 

Lucie:  Can you tell me a bit about Greyson’s son?

 

Maddie:  He’s a college professor at U.C.L.A.

 

Lucie:  Is he as good looking as this one?

 

She indicates David and smiles.  Maddie returns her smile.

 

Maddie:  Not quite.

 

Lucie:  I would like to talk with him…..tell him some things about his father that he might like to hear.

 

David:  I think he might like that.  We’ll let him know.  Thank you, Lucie.  It has been great talking to you.

 

He leans over and kisses her on the cheek.

 

Lucie:  I’m gonna tell everybody I’ve been kissed by Cary Grant……..I actually was once you know.

 

David:  Lucky guy.  So long Lucie.

 

David and Maddie exit the room.  Lucie turns back to her television, and the scene closes with a close up of the dancers on the screen.

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK

 

 

 

Epilogue

The Hayes/Addison Home

Later that evening

 

 

David enters from the kitchen, carrying a bottle of wine and glasses.  Maddie is just hanging up the phone.  He sits on the sofa next to her, and offers her a glass.

 

David:  Was that Garrett?

 

Maddie:  Yes.

 

David:  Did he say what he’s going to do?

 

Maddie: First he’s going to go and talk to Lucie – he and his lady from the film preservation group.  But it sounds like he won’t be selling the house.

 

David:  That must make you happy.

 

Maddie:  Umm hmmm.  David, do you realize how hard a story this is to explain?

 

David:  What do you mean?

 

Maddie:  How do you explain how this was a great love story, when it was such a waste?  It seems that they were the perfect couple…..and what did it get them?

 

David:  They were happy.  They loved each other.  They were successful in their careers.

 

Maddie:  For a time.

 

David:  For a time.  You know Maddie, that’s the second time in the last few days you’ve said something like that.  First about us and then about them.  What’s going on in that head of yours?

 

Maddie:  I don’t know.  I guess it’s just unsettling.  So many relationships…..so many different people…….how do you make it work?

 

David:  Blondie, you worry too much.  Rebecca and Justin couldn’t live without each other.  Amy and Richie probably should live without each other.  And us………..

 

Maddie:  And us?

 

David:  We’ve been through it all kiddo, and we’re still here.  You could live without me, and I could live without you.  But………

 

Maddie:  But?

 

David:  It wouldn’t be much of a life, now would it?  I love you, Maddie.

 

Maddie:  And I love you, David.  Are we strong enough to love each other for always?

 

David:  The two of us together……..unbeatable!!!

 

He leans over and kisses her softly.

 

David:  And it never gets boring, does it?  Just look what we have to look forward to……buying our first car together.

 

Maddie groans.

 

Maddie:  I think I’ll need a tranquilizer.

 

David:  That’s for another day.  Right now, I have a plan.

 

He stands and holds out his hand.

 

David:  Dance with me.

 

She smiles and holds out her hand.  He pulls her up and she steps into his arms.  They start to slowly sway. She tilts her head up to him.

 

Maddie:  That Justin has nothing on you.

 

David:  Just call me Cary Grant.

 

She lays her head on his shoulder, and the music rises as they continue to dance.

 

 

 

How do you keep the music playing?

How do you make it last?

How do you keep the song from fading too fast?

How do you lose yourself to someone

And never lose your way?

How do you not run out of new things to say?

 

And since we know we’re always changing,

How can it be the same?

And tell me how, year after year

You’re sure your heart will fall apart

Each time you hear his name?

 

I know, the way I feel for you is now or never

The more I love, the more that I’m afraid

That in your eyes I may not see forever, forever.

 

If we can be the best of lovers, yet be the best of friends

If we can try with every day to make it better as it grows

With any luck, then I suppose, the music never ends.

 

 

                  FREEZE FRAME

 

 

 

 

 

Song Credits:

 

Satisfaction                                                                                The Rolling Stones

Chances Are                                                                             Vonda Shepherd

Deep Purple                                                                              Nino Tempo and April Stephens

How Do You Keep the Music Playing?               James Ingram and Patti Austin

 

 

 

To my support system…..Lizzie and Sue.  Nobody else knows what we go through to get this right……..and no two people could put up with more.  Thanks for not inviting me to go to hell on a regular basis.  Without you, it truly wouldn’t be worth doing.  I hope you know that.