Episode 3

By Millie Savard

It's a LAD, LAD, LAD, LAD World

Recap: After discovering Adam`s involvement in the TransGlobal fiasco that almost killed her baby, Liza left Adam and is getting ready to hit him hard on the Cutting Edge with Tad`s help. Marian pleads Adam`s case. Liza and Jamie got a little closer.

Part three: the Pay Back

The Cutting Edge Studio. The crew and Tad are ending the taping of the show.

Tad (at the camera lens): The question left is: why is corporate greed more important than public safety?... For The Cutting Edge, I`m Tad Martin.

Rudy (with headphones on): And...Cut! That`s a rap. Good work, people, the phones are ringing off the hook!

Tad gets up from his chair and walks to Rudy.

Tad: Did you see her?

R: No. I was kinda surprised, she`s usually right on top of these things. Especially, the nuclear bomb shows. Excuse me...(Rudy runs off)

T (to himself): Yeah, well, I guess it`s not every day you get to blow up your own marriage right on TV.

Belinda walks right to Tad. She`s been in the studio during the whole taping of the show.

Belinda: That was very thorough.

Tad (looking around for Liza): Well you know Liza, *very thorough* is her middle name.

B: How is she?

T: I don`t know. I haven`t seen her since we drove in this morning. She didn`t show up for the taping. Definitely not like her. I`m kind of worried actually. It`s all very calculated and cold. A little too calculated and cold.

B: Well, her strategy is sound. Adam will be so busy on the lawsuits front, I don`t think he can even dream about fighting the divorce and the custody.

Tad: And what`s new on your front?

B: Adam should have receive those divorce papers right about now.

T: And a nice little divorce chaser right after the show that ruins you. Ouch! You know if Adam Chandler wasn`t such a manipulative jerk, I might feel sorry for the guy. Actually, I think Liza is letting him off easy. Did she change her mind? She`s still not asking for any money?

B: Yes, and against my better judgement. And legal advice. And I don`t feel sorry for Adam Chandler.

T: What about you? You were getting pretty close to that Christopher guy? Weren`t you?

B (ignoring the question): How was she today, really?

T: You got to work on those segues, Lindy! (smile).... Like I said I`m not sure. She had a talk with Marian this morning. That can`t be good? She seems very focus on the baby. And the station, her other baby. She`s determined, I can say that.

B: It`s a tough break up.

T: I`ll say. But I can`t say I`m not relieved.

B: Why is that?

T: Adam Chandler is no man to be married to. Believe me, I know.

B: You tried to talked her out of this marriage, didn`t you?

T: Long ago.... For the good, it did. (sigh) Timing was never Liza and I`s *forte*. Ever since we were ten, our timing has always been horrific (sad smile).

Liza`s office.

Liza is at her desk. She`s going thru papers, mindlessly. She told Iris hours ago to hold all her calls. She hasn`t seen Tad`s show. She knows it by heart and trusts Tad to put it together as planned. She didn`t want to see it, afraid that she might chicken out. She`s reading back those same papers, she can`t concentrate and keeps flashing back to her life with Adam and her discovery of his lies.

Flashback scenes:

Liza is sitting in her hospital bed when Tad pops in.

Tad: Are you up for a visitor and maybe some flowers?

Liza: Tad? Hi, come in! They`re lovely. (Tad walks close to her bed and gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek).

T: (handing over the flowers) They`re for both of you. You and little CoCo are OK? I was worried. I mean, (feeling self-conscious) *we* were worried.

L: Yes, well it was a close call but we`re doing fine. Thanks. How are things at the station?

T: You know me, when the cat is away etc. etc. etc.: one orgy after another (smile). No, seriously, everyone is really pumped up. We`re going to get those bastards, Liza. That stupid airline is not going to know what hit it!

Flashback: Later that month, Liza and Tad are at a computer looking through confidential files of the Corview corporation.

L: I didn`t know you were a wiz-hacker?

T: One of the advantages of living with a six year old and not having a life, one gets to be computer-literate. (Liza laughs while Tad computes) And also an experience as a PI is a major plus for snooping around. You know, I was quite good at that, you should have seen me way-back-when, young and stupid. Not to be immodest, but I was a great PI. Unfortunately, clients were a rare breed. (Liza looks at him wishing she had seen him in those days)..... There! I got it! Welcome to Corview`s ownership....

L: Is this illegal?

T: Oh... Absolutely!

Later....

Tad sees something disturbing.

Tad: That can`t be.

Liza: What?

Tad: No, I`m wrong.

L: Wrong? Wrong about what? Tell me!

T: Liza, according to this file, Adam owned Corview. Since last spring up until last month.

Liza is shocked.

Flashback: In Adam`s office.

Adam: (looking for a way out): You`re mistaken.

Liza: How long before you were going to tell me, Adam? Huh? Or were you waiting to get it right the next time?????

Adam: Liza, I love you. You don`t mean that....

Liza (interrupting): Shut up! Just shut up! You don`t know the meaning of the word love. I don`t know you. It`s over.

End of Flashbacks.

Mad as hell, Liza takes the cup on her desk and throws it on the wall.

Liza (to herself): YOU IDIOT!!!!! (takes her head in her hands and starts to cry)

A knock at the door startles Liza.

Tad: Hi, mind if I come in or is it a bad time?

L (wiping away her tears, trying not to show her emotions that he notices right away): No, come on in.

T: So? Anything new? ( he sits down, looking straight into her eyes but sensing that she`s uncomfortable)

L (lies): Budgets....

T (looking away): Oh!... Speaking of which I was meaning to tell you, TCE will need more money for the show about on grade school teachers?

L (exasperated, her mind is clear again): What on earth for?

T (sensing the energy): No, come you promised me a bigger budget for this month`s shows, and that`s one of them?

L: Tad, as much as it is an important subject, no one is going to watch that damn school teacher show, and I`m not going to allow any increase in the budget for that graveyard in the ratings war!

T: You promised!

L (getting mad): Unless you you have this so-called promise in writing or on tape, the answer is NO! And frankly, even if you did have any proof, the answer would still be NO! You`re lucky I`m letting you do the damn show, period.

T: Give me a break, Liza, the show is a winner!

L: In PollyAnnaLand maybe!

T: What about my guest list?

L: Well I guess, you know where to put it now, don`t you?!?! (Liza stops, realizing what`s happening) Thank you!

T (playing innocent): What?????

L (smiles): For trying to make me forget. But I don`t need this... I`m fine.

T: So, you want to go and eat something before we head for that class or shall we go there straight away?

L: The class!! Lamaze! I forgot. Again. You`d think I would remember those types of things, (pointing at her belly) she`s been fussing all day. She knows something is up. (looking at her watch) We have to get there now.

T: Come on!

Liza gets up from behind her desk with Tad`s help and gives him a hug.

T: Ready? (Liza nods)

Tad and Liza get out of her office as they close the door.

T: About that budget....?

L: The answer is still NO! (fade to black)

End of part 3

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