Episode 25
LAD World
Call me a copycat: DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren't my creations neither are Roger and Holly.
[Recap: With the help of Holly Colby`s ex-husband, Roger Thorpe, Liza and Tad formed a new independent production company. Tad discovered a connection between Marian and Roger. Holly encouraged Miles Christopher into revenge. Tad kissed Liza after the celebration at Jacob`s. But Tad panicked afterwards].
Episode 25: A kiss is just a kiss.
It`s the morning after the kiss and Tad was invited by his parents for a Saturday morning brunch at the Martins` with Jamie. Opal and Palmer with Peter are there, so are Jake and Allie, Kelsey with Kevin and of course Ruth and Joe. [Editor`s note: Ruth is played by the original Ruth, Mary Ficket].All the parents are reunited in the living room, surrounding Tad.
Opal: ... Oh Tad! Have you completely lost your mind??? Associatin` with the likes of Liza `the snake` Colby?? After what she has done to your sweet sister, Jenny... God bless her sweet soul (Tad smiles, thinking about the night before).
Tad: Please.....
Ruth: Tad, you mean, you quit your job at the tv station? I thought you love that job.
Tad: Well, I did, before....
Opal: (interrupting) It`s that Sliza Colby, she`s connin` him into this...
Tad: She`s not. I...
Ruth: (interrupting) Why Liza? Tad, she brought you nothing but trouble: first with Dixie and then Gloria....
Palmer: Maybe she`s blackmailing him...?
Joe: Please, people, let him explain.
Tad: Thank you. It was just time for a change. I`m still in TV, it`s just that now, I`m the boss. hum... We`re the bosses... And no, Liza is not conning me into this, I was the one who brought about the deal. I was the one who made the first steps towards the company.
Opal: But with Liza Colby?? I wouldn`t trust that rat with a bag of cheese much less, your career.
Tad: Ma` I wish you wouldn`t say stuff like that about Liza. She`s my best friend...
Opal: With friends like that who needs enemies.
Joe: Tad, I think the important thing is that you`re happy with this.
Tad: I am, Dad. Thank you.
Ruth: As long as you`re careful....
CUT - Same morning. On Saturday mornings, Marian was in the habit of taking little Marty on a stroll right after breakfast, to give Liza some free time. That particular morning, Liza decided to take a long shower. She hardly slept the night before. All she could think of was the kiss. The hot water felt liberating to her. Her mind went off. The shower door opened as another naked body came close to hers, kissing her shoulder.
Tad: (softly) Hi. (his hand slowly caressing her back)
Liza: (turning around, smiling at his sight) Hi (softly).
Tad: They`re gone for a long time? (Liza nods yes, smiling) Good, (he smiles back) I just want us to take our time. Our first time.
They kiss passionately under the shower head.
Marian (from the door of the bathroom): Liza?
Marian`s voice rings out in the bathroom putting a stop to Liza`s fantasy.
Liza: <sighs> Yes, mother?
Marian: Belinda is waiting for you downstairs, darling... Martin and I will be on our way, now...
Liza: Thank you, mother.
CUT to Liza`s living room. Belinda is searching thru her brief case.
Liza: (from the stairs) Lindy, good morning.
Liza walks down the stairs wearing only her red bathrobe, her hair still wet from the shower.
Liza: I didn`t expect you here this morning.
Belinda: Well, I had a few papers to make you sign, before I head for the office.
Liza: On a Saturday??? Careful with that workoholic stuff, I know how that works.
Belinda: You know, I had to use an excuse to come here.... so, what happened?
Liza: Hmm?
Belinda: You and Tad left Jacob`s late last night and in a very good mood, if I might had.
Liza: Please, Belinda....
Belinda: Something did happen, didn`t it?
Liza: (avoiding Belinda`s eyes and looking for her newspaper) Don`t be silly.
Belinda: Oh my... he kissed you.
Liza: Now, don`t go read .....
Belinda: I knew it. I won the bet!
Liza: The bet???? There`s a bet???
Belinda: Well, Jacob and I, we had this bet.... oh never mind... So how was it?
Liza: (annoyed) Why, is it in the bet too?
Belinda: That good, eh?
Liza: I can`t do that, Belinda, I mean Tad and I are friends. Good friends and if we get into this....
Belinda: Maybe Tad doesn`t think it`s a bad idea. What did he say?
Liza: Nothing, he span off before anything could be said. He excused himself and ran off. Good thing too, because I could have invited him inside in a New York minute and...
Belinda: That good!
Liza: (exasperated) It was... <she sighs> wonderful, OK??? Happy now? .... We were arguing about something, I can`t even recall what, and he just stopped, stared at me, and he said something like “this is ridiculous” and just kissed me (her mind wonders back to the kiss). But cool heads have to prevail here, we have a business now, we can`t mess things up with sex... (Liza`s mind goes back to her shower fantasy). This is just terrible, I hardly slept last night.
Belinda: Maybe you should just let go of all that baggage... A knock at the door interrupts Belinda, it`s Tad. At his sight, Liza`s hand tries to straighten out her robe, from the neck down, making sure he would be able to see anything. She desperately tries not to look at him but couldn`t, secretly wishing she was alone with him.
Belinda: Well, Tad, what a coincidence we were just talking about you.
Tad: (who couldn`t keep his eyes off Liza, he adored that red bathrobe) My ears were burning.
Belinda: Well, you guys are keeping me busy with that contract and new business...
Tad: (still staring at Liza) Is there anything wrong?
Belinda: (feeling like the fifth wheel) Nothing, just your ordinary lawyer talk....
Tad: (in a daze) Good, good.
Belinda: (looking at both of them, feeling uncomfortable) Well... I should... go... I have a lunch date with a law book... I`ll leave you two to your succesex... success!!! I mean, success (she wanted to kick herself, those damn freudian slips!).
Liza: Bye, Lindy. (Liza goes to walk Belinda out)
Belinda: (whispering to Liza) You know what they say: cease the day!
Tad: Good bye Lindy... (long pause) Well....
Liza: Yes.... Have you had breakfast yet? (feeling self-conscious, she runs away from him, right into the kitchen)
Tad: (following her, guessing that she`s naked underneath that robe - love the robe, he thought) Yes. At my parents. I told them about...
Liza: (interrupting) About?
Tad: (trying to act casual) The production company and me leaving WRCW.
Liza: That must have gone well... (laughing nervously, Liza decides to make coffee and reaches out for the coffee pot with some difficulty, her robe however would not collaborate and wouldn`t stay in place).
Tad: It could have been worst... (his eyes stare on her open neck as he wonders how a kiss would feel)
Liza: (feeling his eyes on her, she turns her back to get some cups) Now all I have to do is tell Brooke (she could feel Tad standing right behind her, she wanted him to touch her shoulders and he was about to).
Marian: (entering the house) Liza, darling, guess who`s back from his little stroll and made a friend with the neighbor`s dog?
Liza takes that as her cue and runs off to the living room, leaving Tad very frustrated.
End of part 25
--
--Millie
Episode 26
LAD World
DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren't my creations neither are Roger and Holly.
[Recap: Liza and Tad are now in business together as they founded LAD Production with the help of Liza`s uncle Roger Thorpe. They celebrated at Jacob`s and finished the evening with a first kiss. Tad announced his new company to his distressed family. Liza told Belinda about the kiss but is still convinced that a relationship with Tad is a bad idea.]
Episode 26: Three`s company
It`s been a month since the kiss. Tad and Liza have been trying very hard to ignore it since it happened. They`re both putting a professional face on the whole matter. It also helps that they are never alone any more. Liza`s house, headquarter of the new LAD Productions company, is a very busy place with Jamie, Marty, Marian, Petra and friends coming and going at will, much to the relief of Tad and Liza who couldn`t begin to
know how to react to each other, alone.
Scene: Liza`s house.
Tad is at Liza`s door, ringing the doorbell but getting no answer. He decides to go around by the backdoor which leads directly into the kitchen. Hearing Marty crying really hard, Tad decides to enter without knocking. He finds the kitchen in a mess with baby food splashed all over. Marty is in his little chair, screaming, refusing any food his mother is offering with every fiber in his tiny body.
Liza: (begging) Just one. For mommy, Marty please...
Liza is also a mess. Still in her bathrobe, she hasn`t taken her shower yet. Her hair is covered with baby food. She looks exhausted and it`s only 8:30 in the morning.
Tad: So this is what *world war 3* looks like. Who`s winning?
Liza: It`s official I`m the worst mother in the world. What took you so long????
Tad: Ah! He is.
Liza: I don`t know what`s going on. He just decided he won`t eat.
Tad: (smiling at her misadventure, putting down his brief case, he takes her place) Let me try. (Tad takes the little spoon and is just as unsuccessful as Marty pushes the food away) Well I never! (he jokes to Marty) Why won`t you eat, buddy? (he tastes a small sample of Marty`s food and right away makes a face much to the delight of Marty who is all smiles) GAWD! That`s awful!!! Have you tasted this?
Liza: What?
Tad: Liza, this stuff, I won`t even try to describe it. No wonder he won`t eat!
Liza: It`s new. I bought it yesterday, something about ``new and improved``....
Tad: I think we just found the guilty party, here. Let me try to fix that. (Tad gets up to the fridge) Good, you got eggs. He can eat egg, right?
Liza: Yes. What are you doing?
Tad: Making breakfast. Marty, scrambbled??
Marty: TA!
Tad: Good choice. And we have cream too. Wonderful!
Liza: Tad?!?!
Marty: (imitating his mother) TA!
Tad: Now don`t worry about it. Eggs are good for you, they`re full of protein and stuff. It`s one of my specialties. And afterward, I`ll mash a banana or a kiwi or something.... (He takes Liza by the shoulders) Now why don`t you go upstairs, take a shower and relax. I`ll entertain Mr Colby (he gives her a big grin).
Liza: (she rolls her eyes) All right, but if you need me.....
Tad: Just go!
By the time she had finished her shower and dressed up, Tad had Marty all ready for his morning bath. Liza loved hearing Tad and Marty during that morning ritual. Tad was a lot more fun than Petra, Marian or herself at bath time: with lots of submarine battles, and flying rubber duckies, and Olympic champions and lots of out of tune renditions of ``Yellow Submarine`` or ``Take me out to the ball game``, always accompanied by Marty`s little hands tapping on the water. And there were the *guy talks* with Tad giving advice on everything from shaving to girls to football betting. Liza had to smile everytime she saw and heard them together. She cherished those moments and was thankful that Tad was in her son`s life. Tad was pretty much Marty`s sole male influence. Adam would always be the distant father, one who couldn`t begin to understand the needs of a small child. Liza knew full well that Winifried was the one that gave Marty his morning bath during his visits at Chandler Mansion. Liza decided to leave Tad and Marty alone for this precious moment of male bonding. She took Tad`s advice and relaxed, had breakfast with the morning newspaper. Finally at 10 o`clock she went upstairs to check on them.
Tad was reading the sport section to Marty, rocking him gently. Marty was all ears, fascinated by the weird noises Tad`s voice made and by the color pictures.
Tad: (seeing Liza) Hi.
Liza: (smiling) That`s nice. (with all her strenght she tried not to kiss Tad, not to tell him that she wanted him in her life as her lover, as the father of her child)
Tad: (smiling back) Yeah, I think he likes it too.
Liza: I think... he likes you.
Tad: And why not??? Coco and I go from way back, right buddy???
Marty: TA!
Liza: Thank you.
Tad: For what?
Liza: For doing this. Marty is a very lucky little boy to have you.
Tad: Hey, I`m the one that should thank you. I missed doing this with
Jamie. You know because of the bridge explosion, I missed the first two years of his life. I`m glad to be there for Marty`s....
Liza gets the urge to get closer to Tad and to give him a small kiss on the cheek. Nothing big, just as a token of her affection. But the doorbell rings startling Liza.
Liza: It`s Adam. I forgot about him.
Tad: What?
Liza: That`s why Petra isn`t here this morning, I gave her the day off.
Adam is picking up Marty. (looking at her watch) Actually, he`s late.
Tad: How`s that working out?
Liza: Well, you know Adam.... (door bell rings again)
Tad: Why don`t I get him ready while you tame Darth Vader a little?
Liza: Right. (Liza heads for downstairs with Marty`s bag)
CUT to Adam waiting, impatiently at the door. Winifried is behind him.
Adam: (annoyed) What took you so long????
Liza: (defensively) I was upstairs.... hey! I don`t have to answer to you, Adam, you`re lucky I`m letting you see Marty at all!
Adam: (entering, ignoring her) Where`s my son? Where`s Lawrence?
Laughters upstairs come closer. Tad and Marty`s.
Tad: .... So you see, that`s how a good quarterback can read the defense...
Adam: (resenting Tad`s attachment to another one of his sons) What`s *he* doing here?
Marty: TA!
Tad: And a good morning to you too, Chandler.
Adam: (to Liza) I don`t understand, how can you let this ... this buffoon handle my son???
Liza: Adam, do you want to take Marty for the day or do you want to fight? `Cause I can`t do both!
Adam: Fine! (screaming) WINIFRIED!!! (scaring Marty)
Winifried: Right here, Mr Chandler.
Adam: Take my son`s bag (she obeys).
Adam for his part awkwardly takes Marty out of Tad`s arms. Something Marty does not apprieciate. Liza picks up on this and goes to reassure Marty who calms down. She gives him a little pad on the back and Adam a deadly look.
Adam: I`ll bring him home, tomorrow morning. I`ll leave you two alone, doing *what ever*... (he says with disgust, leaving).
Liza closes the door behind him, regretting for a moment giving Marty to Adam.
Suddenly, Tad and Liza are faced with a frightening realization, they both have a look of panick in their eyes: for the first time since the kiss, they are all alone together!
End of episode 26.
--
--Millie
Episode 27
LAD World
DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren't my creations neither are Roger and Holly.
[Recap: Liza and Tad are in business together. They kissed to seal the deal but panicked right afterward. Tad`s family is not too happy about Tad`s new business. Tad and Marty continue to bond. Tad and Liza never get the chance to be alone until now.]
Episode 27: Burning down the house!
It`s been hours since Adam picked up Marty. Liza and Tad hardly spoke for more than 5 minutes since then. They argued about the direction of their documentary and agree to disagree. For now, each of them would work on their different ideas individually. It was the perfect non-solution for them. Working together, but not close enough for them to get into trouble.
And so, Tad was at his notepad, reading a book about the justice system and taking down notes while Liza was writing her ideas and questions on her laptop. The subject was simple: corruption in the justice system. Inspired by Adam`s mishap with Judge Anderson during Marty`s custody battle, Liza wanted the direct approach while Tad wanted to get philosophical about the subject.
In this hot summer afternoon, they had their back turned to each other. Once in a while, each of them sneak a peek at the other. Tad`s concentration was weak as his mind would run off to Liza`s neck. He had spotted this little curve on her neck, half hidden by her hair. He began to fantasized about it, about how it would feel under his fingers.
Liza too was not concentrating. Tad was wearing her favorite shirt, a simple white one that she often thought about unbuttoning. She could tell that Tad had been working out a lot these days. She had too. It was a way to get the frustrations out. All she could do is imagine the well-toned chest under his shirt. Tad was always very warm, she remembered.... It was getting too hot in this house!
Liza: (to herself) Maybe I should turn up the air conditionner?
Tad, trying to get back his concentration, started to tap his pencil on his notepad. In the mist of the silence, it *really* annoyed Liza. Suddenly, Tad`s feet started to swing in tandem with the pencil, until Liza just couldn`t stand it.
Liza: Will you stop that!!!!
Tad: What?
Liza: That tapping! Don`t you have anything better to do?
Tad: No!!! (they pause, trying to get back to their work) And I still think we should go with the high road on this!!
Liza: (iritated) And lose at least 20 stations in the process?? Oh... I don`t think so!
Tad: It`s the kind of stuff you build on, for future references as....
Liza: (she interrupts) What?? As the company that puts people to sleep????
Tad: (he raises his voice) Ah Please! This is typical!! *Get into trash, so the audience can stay awake*???????
Liza: (raising her voice even more) No one is going to be interested, Tad!!!!!
Tad: (now screaming, springing to his feet) IS THAT RIGHT???
Liza: (following him) RIGHT!
Tad: WRONG!
They stay silent, standing in front of each of other, staring at each other lips, hearing only their breathing.
Tad: Fine, I`ll call Roger, he`ll settle this!
Liza: YOU WILL NOT! I`M NOT LET ROGER THORPE INTO THIS!!!
Tad: WHY NOT? HE`S THE THIRD PARTNER?
Liza: AND CREATE A PRECEDENT??? OH NO!
Tad: DAMN IT LIZA...!
Liza: I`M NOT GOING TO TURN TO UNCA ROG ON THE VERY FIRST DISAGREEMENT WE HAVE. WE HAVE THE CREATIVE CARTE BLANCHE IN THIS GAME, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS OURSELVES.
Tad: OH *WE* HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS???? LIKE WHAT??? BY BEING TOTALLY UNCOMPROMISING ABOUT THIS???
Liza: Well, maybe I wouldn`t be this uncompromising, if it wasn`t SUCH A STUPID IDEA!!!!!!
Tad: FINE!!!!
Liza: FINE!
They stare at each other again, not exactly sure what they should do next. Tad`s first instinct was to kiss her, take her upstairs. Better yet, he wanted to take her right on this very spot and make love to her until the next morning.
Tad: FINE!!!!!!! (Tad in a fury takes the backdoor and slams it hard, he was out and Liza could hardly breathe)
CUT to Jacob`s: Tad enters the restaurant slamming the door and running to the bar and Jacob.
Tad: (knocking his head on the bar) AAAAAARGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!
Jacob: Running out of cold water?
Tad: She is the most infuriating, exasperating woman I have ever known!!!!
Jacob: And that`s why we love her.
Tad: Gimme a beer and a chaser!
Jacob: Coming up! So? What happened this time?
Tad: I don`t know why I`m doing this. I mean the day started out great. I helped out with Marty. And then Adam picked Marty and BANG! All systems are gone.
Jacob: Thaddeus, we both know what you really need....
Tad: Get drunk?
Jacob: You need to get your butt over there and admit the obvious. Let the chips fall where they may. Tad: I like getting drunk better.
Jacob: Yes, but my solution can be so much better in the end. And there`s no hangover afterward. A cigarette maybe, if you`re into that.... (Tad rolls his eyes and lets his head fall on the bar, hard) Tad, man, don`t you think that if everyone in town already know how you feel that a bright woman like Liza would figure this out all by her lonesome?
Tad: (pause, thinking about his options, changing the subject) .... My brief case???
Jacob: Excuse me?
Tad: I forgot my brief case at Liza`s (he takes off)
Jacob: Good excuse!
CUT to Liza`s house.
As Tad approaches Liza`s house gingerly, he feels that something is terribly wrong. He spots Adam`s car in the drive way. His fears are confirmed when he sees some smoke coming out of the basement window. Tad rushes into the house, breaking a window in the door his bare fist to unlock it, cutting himself in the process.
Tad: (as he enters) LIZA!!!
He can hardly see anything in the dark but thinks he spots her on the floor.
Tad: Oh God! LIZA!!!!
End of Episode 27 --
--Millie
Episode 28
LAD World
[Recap: LAD Productions headed by Roger Thorpe, Tad Martin and Liza Colby is up and running. Tad and Liza haven`t been alone since the kiss. The tension is started to get to them. Adam picked up Marty leaving Tad and Liza alone for the very first time. They picked an argument. Tad left her house angry and frustrated but when he came back found the house on fire. Holly encouraged Miles to place the blame where it belongs for his problems with Belinda].
Episode 28: Bad timing.
We rewind to episode 27
CUT to Liza`s house.
As Tad approaches Liza`s house, he feels that something is terribly wrong. He spots Adam`s car in the drive way. His fears are confirmed when he sees smoke coming out of the basement windows. Tad rushes inside the house, breaking a window in the door his bare fist to unlock it, cutting himself in the process.
Tad: (as he enters) LIZA!!!
He can hardly see anything in the dark but thinks he spots her on the floor.
Tad: Oh God! LIZA!!!! It was not Liza. But still Tad continued to scream her name, looking for her.
As no one answered his calls, Tad grabs the fire extinguisher in the kitchen and goes down to the basement, to the origin of the fire. It was a bunch of papers piled up on the floor and soaked in gasoline. Once the fire was out Tad opened the light as the smoke started to clear up. Tad was sweating bullets, coughing from the smoke and out of breathe. He was trying to read whatever was left of the burned papers but couldn`t make out anything out of the aches. He suddenly heard footsteps.
Voice: Hello? Is anyone here?
Tad: (recognizing the voice) Down here, Derek!
Derek: (coming down the stairs) What`s going on? Somebody in the neighborhood called be about a prowler.
Tad: That was me. Have you seen her?
Derek: (clearing out the smoke with his hand and coughing) What the
hell????
Tad: Her car isn`t here.
Derek: Liza`s? I haven`t seen her, Tad....
Tad: I found the basement on fire minutes ago, I knocked the door open....
Derek: Looks like you were here on time (Tad is looking at the pile closely).
Tad: No, I wasn`t (Tad has a very worried look on his face). I have this very bad feeling, Derek.
Derek: Maybe she went out to dinner?
Tad: Adam`s car is here.
Derek: So she left with Adam....
Tad: No. I mean: why would Adam be here, he picked up Marty this morning? (Finally he comes about a readable piece of paper - long pause) Corview....
Derek: What`s Corview?
Tad: Remember, they owned that plane, the one that went down. Adam owned Corview. And Christopher....
Derek: Who`s Christopher?
Tad: Miles Christopher. He worked for Corview and Adam at the time of the custody battle over Marty.... Adam fired him...(thinking) Derek, can you run a check on the man?
Derek: Sure. Why?
Tad: Just a gut feeling...
Derek: I don`t think that good enough, Tad...
Tad: I think he`s involved in this.
Derek: The fire? All this because of this piece of paper?
Tad: Please, Derek I don`t have time to explain....
CUT to Chandler Mansion
Winifried opens the door to find a very distraught Tad who just bursts in.
Tad: Where`s Adam?
Winifried: Mr Chandler is out....
Tad: (who just runs upstairs to find Marty`s room) How long ago?
Winifried: (following Tad) Mr Martin, I don`t think Mr Chandler would be very happy that you just...
Tad: (in Marty`s room where he is sleeping peacefully) Thank God! How long ago? (making sure that Marty is nicely tucked in)
Winifried: Maybe an hour. He received this phone call and just left...
Tad: What kind of phone call (getting out of the room)? Did he sound mad, angry? or worry?
Winifried: Mr Chandler always sounds mad on the phone.
Tad: Did he say a name? or named a place?
Winifried: Something about Mount Evangeline. Which is strange since the place has been closed since... two years....
Tad: The cabin? What did Adam say exactly?
Winifried: He said “you think you can scare me like that?” And then said something about meeting someone at Ms Colby`s. And then he asked me where the keys for the cabin were and just left.
Tad: (overjoyed, he kisses Winifried quickly on her cheek) Thank you! Thank you! (he runs off leaving Winifried confused but stops first) Winifried? Call detective Derek Fry at the PV Police department and tell him to meet me at Mount Evangeline, at Adam`s cabin?... And keep a very close eye on Marty! Oh and call Stuart for Marty.
Winifried: I will, Mr Martin but.... (Tad doesn`t stick around) CUT to Liza`s car on the way to Mount Evangeline.
Adam is driving with Liza sitting next to him. They both look upset. Sitting in the back seat is Hayley, crying and Miles Christopher holding a gun to her head.
Adam: (looking in the rear view mirror) You`re going to regret this, Christopher!
Miles: Just drive, Chandler. You don`t want me to put a bullet in your
daughter`s head, now do you?....
End of part 28 --
--Millie
Episode 29
LAD World
DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren`t my creations neither are Roger and Holly.
[Recap: Tad and Liza had an argument over LAD Productions, when Tad came back he found the house empty and on fire. Miles Christopher kidnapped
Adam, Hayley and Liza and took them to Mount Evangeline. Tad is running after them.]
Episode 29: Lives saver
Tad is driving frantically in the middle of the night. His cellphone rings.
Tad: Martin, here!
Derek: Tad, where are you?
Tad: Somewhere between Mount Evangeline and Pine Valley. You got
something for me?
Derek: Not really. Christopher is clean. He used to be a musician. He has no police record.
Tad: Well, bully for him! Where are you guys?
Derek: Tad, are you sure of what you`re doing?
Tad: If I`m wrong, fine. But I`m not! Something is going on here. I can feel it!
Derek: We`re on our way. Try not to do anything rash or foolish!
Tad: I`ll try. Now, just get there!
CUT to right outside Adam`s cabin on Mount Evangeline.
Miles: (who just got out of the car) Now, Chandler, get out of this car. Slowly.
Adam: (looking in the back seat) You knocked her out!
Miles: I know, Chandler, now get out of the car and go to the backseat and pick your daughter up. And don`t worry, she`s not dead, she`s just unconscious.
Liza: How can you do that?? Hayley has nothing to do with this.
Miles: Well, chuck it up to bad timing and bad manners. Now Chandler, do as I say (he points his gun in Adam`s direction. Adam obeys). Good boy, now let`s go that way (he points to the East).
Adam: Why?
Miles: Mr Chandler, tsk-tsk-tsk, you should know by now: I am a very thorough man. I know there`s a cliff in this direction. Now, let`s go. (They obey him as Miles follows them).
CUT to the end of the trail
Miles: Here! Right here. (They stop) Perfect. What a beautiful place to die. You know Mr and Mrs Chandler, I`ve done of lot of meditation on this cliff. About my life, or lack thereof. And I came to the conclusion that you two are responsible for my problems. (He throws them a rope) Now, tie her!
Adam does, slowly always watching Miles, afraid of his reactions.
Miles: Tightly. Come on, Chandler, you wanted me to render her ineffective. It`s your turn....(long pause as he watches them) You know, I was a happy man before I met you Adam Chandler. I wasn`t rich or anything, but I had my moments. But you.... you promised me the sky....
>From behind the bushes, Tad comes out if the shadows. Liza spots him but stays calm.
Miles: Ironic, isn`t it? The sky. And then, the sky started to fall with that plane... And that other plane that Mrs Chandler took.... I`m so happy your baby survived this, Mrs Chandler. Too bad you won`t be there to see him grow up.
Miles points his gun at them and is about to shoot when Tad jumps him from the side. One shot rings out hitting Adam.
Liza: Adam!!!
Tad and Miles fight as the gun is thrown far away. They get closer and closer to the cliff. No one is winning the fight. Liza slowly unties herself. Adam is showing no sign of life. Tad is winning the fight with Miles, hitting him repeatedly, finally getting in that last punch. Miles stunned, was slowly losing his balance, feeling the ground under his feet vanish. Then, Miles just falls on the edge of the cliff. As quickly as he could, Tad grabs Miles` hand who is dangling in mid-air. Miles looks down.
Tad: Just... hold on. Hold on! I can pull you!
Miles suddenly gives a peaceful smile in Tad`s direction and just lets go of his hand. Miles falls to his death without a scream or a noise. In horror, Tad just closes his eyes. Silence falls in the forest as Tad lays still on the ground, his head turned away from the cliff.
Liza: (breaking the silence, her voice filled with fear) Adam! Adam!! (As a bleeding Adam starts to wake up)
The sound of the police sirens echoing in the air as the police is getting closer. Slowly Tad turns around to see Liza with Adam`s head on her lap. She`s stroking his hair as he is slowly regaining consciousness.
Liza: (in tears) Adam! You`re going to be fine. All right...
At that very moment, Tad could see Liza crying over Adam and could feel Liza`s feelings for Adam`s resurface. The police soon arrives. CUT to later that same night. Derek is approaching Liza gingerly as she`s stares at the ambulance taking away Hayley and Adam.
Derek: Well, we got all we need here. The medics say that Hayley will be fine. Just a bump on the head.
Liza: And Adam?
Derek: Nothing serious. It`s just a small flesh wound to the arm. He`ll be fine.
Liza spots Tad all alone, sitting on the porch if the cabin looking over the cliff. Derek follows her eyes.
Derek: You were lucky he was around.
Liza: Yes, I am.
Derek: Tad is going to be fine. Maybe a black eye and a small cut, but that`s it.
Liza: (always keeping an eye on Tad) Thank you, Derek. For everything.
Derek: You should thank him (pointing to Tad)... You want me to drive you back, I can have one of my men get your car....
Liza: No, no it`s Okay. I`d rather do this myself. Besides, I`d like to rest here for a while.
Derek: Okay, as you wish (looking at Liza looking at Tad) He`s going to be fine... he`s just in shock, it`s not easy to watch a man die... (Derek goes back to the last police car around). Liza hesitates and finally decides to walk over to the porch, not quit sure what to do. His back turned away from her, Tad`s eyes are red with tears and staring into the emptiness of the dark cliff. A man had just died because of his failure to hold on to him, he thought.
End of episode 29 --
--Millie
Episode 30
LAD World
DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren`t my creations neither are Roger and Holly.
[Recap: Tad and Liza’s relationship is filled with sexual tension. Miles in revenge kidnapped Liza, Adam and Hayley. Tad saved them but Miles ended up dead in the process. The police took Adam and Hayley to an hospital while Liza decided to stay behind with Tad at Mount Evangeline].
Episode 30: Take my hand
Tad and Liza are left alone in the middle of the night, in the middle of nowhere. With only the lights of the cabin to guide them, the air is thick and humid, it smells like rain. It was a moonless night.
Liza is only a few feet away from him. Tad can feel her presence but decides to turn his head away from her, hiding his tears. She wants to reassure him, to hug him, to touch him but decides to keep her distance instead.
Tad: (his voice cracking) You shouldn`t be here, Liza. You should go home.
Liza: (desperate for a joke) I still have a home?? (she faints a smile) Tad: Well... I... I broke your window, the one in the door, to get in.
For the fire...
Liza: I figured as much... Thank you.
Tad: You should go home. Marty needs you.
Liza: Marty is fine. I know that.... You checked on him before coming here, didn`t you? And you left him in good hands.
Tad: You know that?
Liza: I know you. You wouldn`t let anything happen to my son.
Tad: Yes, well... (he wipes his tears from his eyes) maybe I shouldn`t be around anyone, right now.
Liza: Oh you`re not throwing me out of here! Not when you need me.
Tad: (sadly) I failed.
Liza: What?
Tad: I could have saved him!
Liza: Miles?
Tad: I should have held his arm, not his hand....
Liza: He wanted this. He wanted to die, he wanted to jump right after he was going to kill us.... You`re not responsible for the actions of a mad man!
Tad: The look in his eyes....
Tad stays silent for a while, closing his eyes, trying to forget Miles` eyes when he fell to his death.
Tad: Still... (long pause) I`m sorry about the fight we had before at your house.
Liza: Don`t apologize!
Tad: I shouldn`t have blown up at you like that. Slamming the door.... it was ... childish. I should have stayed.
Liza: I understand these things, you were defending your wronged point of view...(she smiles) And it was not a fight, it was an argument. We always have those.
Tad: If I just stayed to deal with our problems, none of this would have happened....
Liza: Don`t do this, don`t blame yourself for this. Things happened. You saved us...
Tad: Why are we always doing this.... fighting... arguing????
Liza: Pushing each other`s buttons?
Tad: (finally he turns to her with a sad smile) Since I was ten ... (he winces suddenly feeling his black eye. Liza can see a small cut above the right eye) Ouch!
Liza: (making a gesture towards him) Tad, let me take a look...
Tad: (evading her) No, it`s all right (he walks away a few steps from her, turning his back to her).
Liza: (respecting his wishes for distance) I think we`re having fights because we can`t deal with certain things right now... Tensions...
Tad: Tensions?
Liza: It could be with the new business... and then there`s ... the closeness... we`ve been around each other a lot...
Tad: Right.
Liza: We should be able to talk about this... I feel like when we were 13 and couldn`t stand each other because...
Tad: Because.... we couldn`t do anything about it?
Liza: Something like that. And then, we rely on each other some much... I guess after all those months, it caught us by surprise....
Tad starts laughing.
Tad: (holding his eye) Ouch!!!
Liza: <sigh> Why can`t you let me take care of you, just once? Hmm? (long pause - she goes to him, forces him to face her. A little rain
starts to fall on them) I just want to help you a little with that (she puts her hand on his wound as if to shield it, he winces in pain). It`s all right, it`s all right. I won`t hurt you . . . I promise.
Tad: You promise?
Liza: (nods yes and smiles) I promise.
Soon her hand that was just checking his eye feels like a warm caress to him. Their eyes meet. His hand holds her hand to his face. Softly. They stay silent for a moment, waiting for one of them to make the first move.
Tad smiles at her sadly, his free hand caresses Liza`s face, very softly as he gazes into her eyes, trying to read her mind. At that very moment, nothing else matter to them. Liza knows she needs him, she wants him. And he wants her but waits for an answer. Liza smiles back and gives that answer right away. They kiss, a long soft kiss, that quickly becomes passionate. All the doubts and all the fears go away. He sweeps her off her feet. They end up on the cabin`s bed, making love.
Song: *Take my hand* by Los Lobos, from *The Neighborhood* cd
[Ed. Note: It`s beautiful, soft acoustic song with lots of Mexican influences.]
``Girl you know, You can`t go on this way.
Night after night, day after every day.
Whisper to me what`s in you aching heart.
This love you need is not so very far.
Chorus
Baby, dry the tears from your eyes,
and take my hand as we walk into the night.
The soul on fire and the touch that`s cold,
Seems to me that`s all you`ve ever known.
Desperately looking for something that`s real,
Hard to find is the love that can heal.
Chorus
Baby, dry the tears from your eyes,
and take my hand as we walk into the night.
Tender are the dreams
that we try so hard to hide
so deep inside
I don`t know why you go on this way
Night after night, and `bout everyday
Tell to me the secrets only a girl could know
How much to feel and just how much to show.``
End of episode 30
--
--Millie
Episode 31
LAD World
DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren't my creations
neither are Roger and Holly.
[Recap: Liza, Adam and Hayley were kidnapped by Miles Christopher. Tad
saved them, killing Miles in the process. Adam and Hayley left with the police, leaving Liza behind alone with Tad. Liza and Tad made love.] Episode 31: Confusion
Scene: The cabin`s bed, later that night.
Liza`s head is resting on Tad`s shoulder. Tad is smiling and caressing her hair.
Tad: Oh Liza, I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love
you. Don`t let me be dreaming.
Liza looks away.
Tad: Liza?
Liza: I`m alright.
Liza kisses Tad, then gets up and goes outside onto the terrace. Tad gets dressed and joins her.
Tad: Whoa...It`s cold out here! I guess this is the hour they call the dead of night. (pause) I don`t know... I don`t presume to know what you`re thinking, Liza, but if it`s... please, please don`t be sorry about this.
Liza: I don`t remember a time in my life anymore when I wasn`t sorry. It`s just like falling and falling and falling...
Tad: Honey, you may think right now that maybe you made a mistake, but if you let me I swear I`ll devote the rest of my life to proving that you didn`t.
Liza: I don`t need you to prove anything to me...
Tad: What does it matter if I say it... the rest of my life. It`s no great prize, but it was always yours. We knew that.
Liza: Oh, Tad, I don`t...
Tad: What? Don`t say anything. Why do you think you have to say something?
Tad wraps his arms around Liza
Liza: I don`t know what this is? I... I can`t have it... I can`t not know...
Tad: It`s all right.
Liza: Oh God, help me.
Tad: Oh, honey, honey, it`s all right. It`s all right. You`re just cold. You`re cold.
Liza: I am... I am cold.
Tad and Liza stares into the darkness.
CUT: The next morning.
Tad is sleeping alone in the bed as silence surrounds him. As Tad wakes up, he reaches out for Liza. But she`s not there and her absence totally wakes him up as he opens his eyes for the first time.
Tad: Liza? (he looks around)
She was already dressed and looking outside the window. She hadn`t been able to sleep and had spend her time watching the sun rise and Tad sleep. He looked so peaceful, she thought, happy. And he was, for the first time in a long while, he felt redeemed of all past sins. Tad had made love with his true soul mate and had slept the deep sleep of the righteous.
Tad: (groggy) Hi...
Liza: (smiling sadly at him) I didn`t want to wake you.
Tad: You`re dressed?!?
Liza: I couldn`t sleep.
Tad: Then you should have wake me....
Liza answers with a sad smile, her eyes going back to the window.
Tad notices her moodiness, gets up, putting on his pants in a hurry to join her by the window. Her back is turned. Tad decides just to wrap his arms around her. At his touch, Liza feels her whole body relax and shiver at the same time. This feels good, she thinks for a second.
Tad: (squeezing tightly) Hey! I meant what I said last night (she turns around but tries to avert any eye contact) I meant every word. I love you, Liza Colby.... I want to spend the rest of my life loving you....
Liza: (feeling like she was going to cave in, escapes by going outside) I can`t talk about this right now...
Tad: (following her outside) Marry me!
Liza: (trying to contain her shock) ... you don`t mean that!
Tad: Yes, I do... I`ve never been this serious. After everything we`ve been thru I`m finally coming to my senses. I love you and I want to spend my life with you ... as your best friend, your lover, the father of your children. I want to be there every morning when you open your eyes, when you rock Marty, when you complain about everything and anything under the sun. I need you. I want you. I love you from the bottom of my heart...
Liza: Tad, please... I... I can`t do this right now. I have to leave... Marty... I have to get Marty...
Liza goes inside to get her keys, silently. She quickly surveys the cabin to see if she`s forgotten anything, desperately trying not to look at Tad who is just watching her, stunned by her reaction. Finally, she gets out of the cabin and gets to her car.
Liza: I will see you in town, all right? (she says before getting in her car, driving away).
CUT to later, Liza`s house.
Liza wonders around inside her house, picking up the mess the cops and Miles Christopher left the night before. But her thoughts go back to her night with Tad.
[Liza: (trying to touch his wounded eye) I won`t hurt you. I promise.]
[Tad: You promise?]
[Liza: I promise.]
But then, they also take her back to years ago and her talk with a devastated Dixie when she learned about the *kisses*. [Dixie devastated, averting eye contact while Liza towers over her]
[Liza: I`m really sorry.... uh, you shouldn’t blame yourself. I mean sometimes... I mean maybe Tad needed something and you couldn’t give it to him. Maybe the old adage is true: Leopard never changes his spots. (giggles uncomfortably) ... Tad cheated on me. And Hillary (giggles again)... So... welcome to the club.... ]
[Dixie: I have to go home....]
And then to her discovery of Tad`s cheating with Marian 15 years before. [Tad: Liza, you got it all wrong...]
[Liza: Oh no. No. I don’t think I do.... How many people know about your little affair besides your mother and Bob Georgia? How many people know what a disgusting little piece of trash you are?]
[Tad: Wait a minute, man, this is ridiculous. You got no proof so you just go ahead. You rant and rave all you want.]
[Liza: Oh I have proof...]
Liza sighs but continues her duty. In her quest to clean up the house a little she picks up Marty`s little bear the one he likes so much, the one Tad gave him.
[Liza: ... What are you doing?]
[Tad: Making breakfast. Marty, scrambled??]
[Marty: TA!]
[Tad: Good choice. And we have cream too. Wonderful!]
[Liza: Tad?!?!]
[Marty: (imitating his mother) TA!]
[Tad: Now don`t worry about it. Eggs are good for you, they`re full of
protein and stuff. It`s one of my specialties. And afterward, I`ll mash a banana or a kiwi or something.... (He takes Liza by the shoulders) Now why don`t you go upstairs, take a shower and relax. I`ll entertain Mr Colby (he gives her a big grin)..... ]
Liza hugging the teddy bear, smiles as she remembers the morning before. It seems like a million years ago. Phone rings and startles her. She decides not to answer, she knows all too well who it is.
Machine: Hi. This is Liza, please leave a message.
Tad: (on the phone) Liza, I know you`re there, pick up. (pause) Liza!! (pause) Pick up! (pause) Please... Fine. But I`m not giving up on this. He hangs up leaving Liza confused, feeling guilty. Marian arrives in a hurry while Liza erases the message.
Marian: Darling, I heard what happened! Are you all right? (she gives Liza a hug. Liza takes it gratefully, she really needs it)
Liza: No... I`m Okay mother, I`m fine. Everything is back to normal (she lies).
Marian: Thank goodness Tad was there ....
Liza: Yes, well, timing is everything.
Marian: Darling, are you sure you`re all right? You`re as white a a sheet. You look like you`re going to be sick... (she rambles on) You know the last time I saw you looking like that you were pregnant with little Marty (she laughs).
Liza: (uncomfortable) I feel fine, just a little tired... I have take a shower and get ready to pick up Marty, would you mind sticking around?
Marian: Well just try to stop me, darling.
End of part 31
--
--Millie
Episode 32
LAD World
DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren`t my creations
neither are Roger and Holly. [Recap: After saving Hayley, Adam and Liza from the evil deeds of Miles Christopher, Tad and Liza made love. He declared his love and asked her to marry him. Liza panicked remembering their past.]
Episode 32: Happy birthday!!
Stuart opens the door of Chandler Mansion for Liza.
Stuart: Liza, so good to see you.
Liza: Hi Stuart.
Stuart: You came for my nephew?
Liza: Is he OK?
Stuart: Little Marty is just fine, Winifried, would you mind getting
Marty ready to go?
Winifried: Of course not.
Stuart: Well that was quite an adventure you`ve had.
Liza: How`s Adam?
Stuart: He`s fine. It was just a flesh wound. He`s getting out of the hospital this afternoon, which is why I wanted to talk to you. See it`s our birthday today...
Liza: That`s right, happy birthday, Stuart.
Stuart: Thank you. Anyway, I want to throw Adam a party and I was wondering if you would come?
Liza: Oh Stuart, I don`t know...
Stuart: Please, I want this party to be perfect and I want Adam to realize what he has... I want you to make peace with Adam so that Marty can have friends as parents. Please Liza, I know Adam did terrible things to you, but everything turned out all right....
Winifried: There`s master Martin...
Liza: Hi sweetheart! (genuinely happy to see Marty and he responds in
kind with a big smile)
The phone rings, Winifried goes to it.
Stuart: He`s been a good boy.... I`m glad that Tad thought of calling me last night.
Liza: He did?
Stuart: When you see him, tell him... thank him for me. And he`s invited to the party too.
Liza: (getting uncomfortable at the mention of Tad`s name) Stuart, I`ll try to be there.
Stuart: Wonderful. It`s at the Valley Inn. At 7.
Winifried: Ms Colby, you have a phone call, it`s Mr Martin.
Liza: (even more uncomfortable) Tell him... that I just left... I can`t stay.
Stuart: Is everything all right?
Liza: Yes. I will see you tonight. Bye Stuart.
Stuart: (giving Marty a little kiss on the cheek) I`ll see you later. Bye Marty. Bye Liza.
Liza had dropped off Marty with Marian who mentioned that Tad had called several times. Again Liza decided to ignore the calls. All afternoon she made significant efforts to avoid Tad. Instead, she went shopping. She had a party to go to and needed to get ready.
CUT to later:
Scene: Dinnertime at the Valley Inn in a private room.
Stuart: Liza! I`m glad you came.
Liza: I could never say no to you, Stuart.
Adam: (coming thru the door) Yes. I think Stuart has a promising career at the U.N. How are you, Liza? (He offers his hand to shake) I guess, it`s a rather stupid question after last night. You look wonderful.
Liza: (surprised by Adam`s civility, she shakes his hand) I`m OK. Really.
Liza enters the room and looks around, right away she notices Holly who has been watching her since she arrived.
Adam: Well, it was quite a learning experience.
Liza: How`s your arm?
Adam: Nothing major. Just a lot of grief for the medical staff at PVH.
Stuart: Is Tad coming?
A great commotion interrupts the awkward conversation.
Tad: (screaming) YOU LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU BIG MONKEY!
Liza and Adam rush to the waiting room to see a rather inebriated Tad struggling to get away from the bodyguards Adam hired.
Adam: Let him go. (Tad brushes off the guards)
Tad: (approaching Liza) What are you doing with *him*? (he points to Adam)
Liza: (trying to get Tad aside for a private conversation) You`re making peace. He just wants us to be friends.
Tad: (not trying to be private) Oh I`m sure you`ll fix that, won`t you?
Liza: What are you doing here?
Tad: I waited at your house for hours, I think it was hours. You never showed up.
Liza: I didn`t know.
Tad: I`ve been calling you all over town. I`ve left a message. I left you *messages*.
Liza: I was busy.
Tad: I could have been bleeding to death... I would have been dead by now...
Liza: I couldn`t talk to you.
Tad: (his voice gets louder) Why not? You can make love to me but you can`t return a simple phone call? (Holly, Adam and Belinda who just walk into the room becoming witnesses to the scene) We have to talk about this!
Liza: (embarassed, the discussion becomes very public) There`s nothing to discuss. It was a mistake. A weakness that we have to forget.
Tad: Well, see, I can`t accept this. I won`t. I know how I feel and I can`t deny this anymore. And I know how you feel, `cause I felt it last night when it was just you and me...
Liza: Oh Tad, don`t read.... it was just sex.
Tad: Damn it Liza!! I know. I know. I love you (she turns away from him but he pulls her back) and you love me. It was there. It is there...here. We can do this, for real this time.
Liza: Oh please, Tad, we can`t go back. I don`t want to. We`re not 17 anymore. And besides, we were a disaster!
Tad: I`m not that guy anymore. We were too young to know any better. But now, I know!
Liza: Why are you doing this?
Tad: You gave me that hope again, Liza. You let me taste it again. You showed me that you want to...
Liza: No. No.
Tad: Yes. Why can`t you give us that chance? (with tears in his eyes) You promised, Liza. You promised.
At those words, Liza remembers the night before, the simple overwhelming joy she felt in his arms, before all her doubts resurfaced. She did promise not to hurt him. And there he is, hurting like never before. All she can see is that cut below his black eye. It hasn`t heal yet. All she wants to do is touch that wound, and make it all better. No matter the past or their lousy history. She cries quietly, torn apart.
Stuart: (who just walks into the scene) Is everything all right?
Liza: (Stuart`s voice wakes her up) ... Tad, we can`t change the past. You can`t....
Tad: (mad, he interrupts) I can`t what? hmm?.... Change??? Is that it?? Tad the cad `till the day I die?? Hell (getting angry and cruel) why apply this little theory only to me? Right?? Liza `the Sleaze` Colby, ratings whore, the one that did everything to keep Jenny away from Greg. The one who lied, cheated her way thru life. The one who organized Laurel Dillon`s killing. Hell! you can even cry rape after what happened last night!!!! Just like you did with Jesse, right? You know what they say about the leopard and his spots!
Adam: That`s enough, Tad!
Liza stays silent, crying, watching him, sadder than mad.
Tad: (looking right into Liza`s eyes) Fine! Have it your way. Tad thecad, it is. (But then before going, Tad goes directly to Adam) And you!!!! (he stands nose to nose with Adam, his eyes filled with anger) You hurt her again.... I swear I will rip you apart!!!!!
Tad walks out, passing by Belinda without seeing her. She walks directly to Liza.
Belinda: What just happened here?
End of part 32
--
--Millie
Episode 33
LAD World
DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER, DISCLAIMER. Liza and Tad aren`t my creations neither are Roger and Holly.
[Recap: Tad and Liza made love on Mount Evangeline, leaving Liza in total confusion about her feelings for him, while Tad asked her to marry him. Liza avoided Tad the day after but was confronted angrily by him at Adam and Stuart`s birthday party.]
Episode 33: Broken hearts
The Chandler party has been over for a long time and Liza is sitting at the bar of the Valley Inn, alone, sipping a glass of white wine. Belinda spots her. Liza had evaded Lindy all night, trying desperately to avoid the Tad subject with some success until now.
Belinda: (sitting next to her, getting right to the topic at hand, Liza hated that!) Was Tad telling the truth? Did you sleep with him?
Liza: I don`t think this is relevant right now, counsellor.
Belinda: Liza, well?.... Did you sleep with him?
Liza: (she couldn`t think of a good lie that would stick, and sighs) Yes.
Belinda: You did?
Liza: Yeah.
Belinda: You slept with Tad?
Liza: (nods yes)
Belinda: How did it happen?
Liza: How? I don`t know. It was the night on the mountain. It was one of those surreal nights. You know... it was all so crazy. He saved our lives... he was a hero. You should have seen him. He was so sad, so devastated because Miles didn`t survive. And then, it was all over and we were left alone and uh...well, neither one of us were in any shape to drive so...
Belinda: You stayed behind.
Liza: Uh huh. And he was... he was so vulnerable... so sweet really... and he needed someone.
Belinda: You. He needed you.
Liza: Yes. I guess you`re right. Nothing has ever been simple for Tad and me but that night it was. He needed me and I needed... something. So we made love.
Belinda: You needed something? ... You needed him! You love him, Liza!
Liza: Oh please... You have a direct connection to my mother, here? It was just a one time thing, a mistake. Tad and I are <sighs> - were - just friends and this should never ever have changed.
Belinda: Why?
Liza: Because. Because...
Belinda: What? Because you can`t trust him, because what Tad said tonight is true: you don`t think he`s never going to change? Liza, how can you think that after the year you two just had? He loves you, he has ever since you walked back into his house when you were pregnant with Marty. He`s been faithful to *you*!
Liza: How would you know this?
Belinda: Oh please! Everyone knew it. It was a plain as the nose on his face.
Liza: (annoyed) Why didn`t you tell me that? If everyone knew, why wasn`t I told???
Belinda: I don`t know, maybe I thought you would buy a clue! I mean, how many close calls have there been?? And it wasn`t exactly like it was my secret to tell....
Liza: <sighs> No matter. You don`t know Tad like I do.
Belinda: You`re right. I`ve never known the 17 years old con artist who walked back into Pine Valley. And I know that that guy hurt you reallybadly. But... this is no the same man. This Tad is sweet and vulnerable, and willing to put himself on the line for you.
Liza: Really, you mean the one who cheated on his wife just over two
years ago with me, no less??
Belinda: Yes well, from what Tad told me about this, when he slept with you that time, Dixie wasn`t much of a wife, and basically treated him like a criminal.
Liza: I can`t risk this.
Belinda: Let me get this straight. You are unwilling to be deliriously happy with the man you love, a man who has been devoted to you for a year, a man who adores your son, a man that your son is crazy about on the off-chance that he could what??? Maybe .... cheat on you just like he did when he was a 17 years old kid??? <sarcastically> That makes sense... You`re in love with the man.
Liza: I am not in love with Tad Martin!! I wish you would stop saying that!
Belinda: Oh plu-ease! He`s all you`ve been thinking about since forever. (Liza stays silent, drinking her wine) .... Well... I know that Tad just couldn`t make sense of it all... He was devastated tonight.
Liza: He`ll be fine.
Belinda: I don`t know, Liza. Sounds to me like you were his redemption. If you could forgive him.... he could have live down his past, finally, but now....
Liza: (looking worried, there`s a lot of truth to Belinda`s statement) You`re reading too much into this. He`s not going to do anything rash...
CUT to LATER: It`s one o`clock in the morning at Jacob`s restaurant and
Jacob`s Ladder is officially closed. The lights are out, but Jacob is still in the place making last minutes adjustments to his cash registrer. A sudden noise at the door startles him.
Voice: (screaming) HEY FOSTER!!! I KNOW YOU`RE IN THERE, OPEN UP!
Jacob: What the hell??? (approaching the door he recognizes the face stuck to his window) What the hell do you want, Martin?
Tad: OH COME ON, OPEN UP. IT`S GETTING COLD OUTSIDE.
Jacob: (unlocking the door) Do you know what time it is?
Tad: (still drunk, his speech slurring) Timing was never my strong suit. You`re alone?
Jacob: Yeah, I`m alone, it`s one o`clock in the freakin` morning. We`re closed.
Tad: (disappointed) Oh....
Jacob: (taking pity) What?
Tad: No, I thought... you think we could have a drink or something?
Jacob: I think you`ve had your share.... the bar is all locked up. But I do have coffee...
Tad: Fine... geez, I can`t even do the wild thing right anymore.
Jacob: What happened?
Tad: It`s over.
Jacob: Has it ever begun? Or did I miss a chapter?
Tad: Women!!! Can`t live without them....
Jacob: Tad, what happened?
Tad: I love her, man. And I told her.
Jacob: Oh....
Tad: On the mountain.... it felt so right.... The rain, the cabin, I
mean it never felt better....
Jacob: Whoa! Whoa! Back up, what happened exactly?
Tad: We did it.
Jacob: It? It? You mean you ....?
Tad: We slept.... no... (he stops himself to find the right words) we made love. All night long. The kind of love making that changes your life forever, I felt it. And then, she just.... poof!
Jacob: Poof???
Tad: It`s like we were back in `83 and she couldn`t trust me with a bar of soap, never mind.... like the last year never happened....
Jacob: Well... maybe you went a little too far?
Tad: I don`t think so. I mean I asked to marry me and everything...
Jacob: Oy! Were you sober at the time?
Tad: She thinks I can`t change. I found her tonight with Chandler, of all people.... at this stupid party....
Jacob: Don`t go overboard with this, Thaddeus...
Tad: No. No. I`m done, stick a fork in me. (he takes out a piece of paper out of his jacket)
Jacob: What are you doing?
Tad: You got an enveloppe? I`m going to live up to my.... My? what do you call it?... My reputation (he writes down something on the enveloppe). There!
Jacob: What is that?
Tad: The end of my association with Mzzzz Colby.
Jacob: <sigh> Are you sure you should be making those decisions right now? I mean, not to be disrespectful or anything ...but you are stinkin` drunk, man.
Tad: I`m Tad the cad, my friend. Ray Gardner`s son, didn`t you know? The most ...irrep..... unr.... what`s that word??? (pause) Anyway, I`m bad, man!
Jacob: I`ll drive you home, Tad.
Tad: OK. But I`m selling the house too. Guys like me shouldn`t have houses...
End of part 33
--
--Millie