THE EDGE OF NIGHT
Air date: July 19, 1978
Transcribed by: Mark Faulkner
ACT 1
Scene One
(In Miles and Denise's Mayfield home, Denise is lying in bed, wracked with the pain of a terminal illness. She anxiously awaits the arrival of her husband Miles, whom she intends to frame for her death from a lethal injection.)
DENISE:
Oh, Miles. Hurry up. I don't know how much longer I can last.
CUT TO:
Scene Two
(Miles and Draper are talking via the phone in Monticello. Miles is in his clinic office, while Draper is at the Scott apartment.)
MILES:
Well, that doesn't make any sense to me, Draper. Are you sure you're reading that note correctly? My sister doesn't have the most legible handwriting in the world.
DRAPER:
No, Miles. It's right here in big block letters:" Dear Draper. Went to Mayfield. Don't worry. Love April." There's no question about it.
MILES:
Did she say anything at all to you before you left the house?
DRAPER:
No. She did have a rough night. Tossing. Turning. Dreaming. At one point, she sat up in bed and called out a name.
MILES:
Whose name?
DRAPER:
Denise's.
MILES:
That girl's just plain obsessed.
DRAPER:
That's one way of putting it. Look, Miles. I'm worried. First of all, April shouldn't be driving in her state of mind. And secondly, she has no business going up to Mayfield.
MILES:
I have an idea why she's going up there. Maybe she thinks she can reason with Denise...talk her into giving me that--well, never-mind. We've got to do something about it.
DRAPER:
What can we do about it, Miles? Shall I call the house or what?
MILES:
No, wait. There's something else we can do. Can you take a little time off?
DRAPER:
That's just what I was going to ask you. Look, will you go to Mayfield with me? I can pick you up in about ten minutes.
MILES:
Good. I was gonna go up there myself. I'll be waiting for you.
CUT TO:
(Location sequence of April speeding to Mayfield in a convertible).
DISSOLVE TO:
OPENING TITLE
FIRST COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT 2
Scene One.
(At his clinic office, a worried Miles calls Nicole).
NICOLE:
Hello.
MILES:
Nicole.
NICOLE:
(Surprised) Miles. I didn't expect to hear from you this time of day.
MILES:
(Laughs) Am I not allowed to call during the day?
NICOLE:
It's not that. It's just...you know...now that you have a nurse, the least you can do is let her place your calls for you.
MILES:
Oh, Carol must still be out to lunch. I haven't seen her since I got back from the hospital.
NICOLE:
Well, then who's watching your waiting room full of patients?
MILES:
Wait. I just opened this office...remember? My entire practice could fit into a very small elevator. That reminds me. I'd better leave a note for Carol and tell her to cancel the two appointments that I do have this afternoon.
NICOLE:
Why?
MILES:
Well, I'm waiting for Draper to get here. We're going up to Mayfield together.
NICOLE:
I thought you told me, Miles, that you never intended to see Denise again.
MILES:
I didn't...until I spoke with her earlier today.
NICOLE:
What on earth could she have possibly said to get you to go up there?
MILES:
Well, she said she's thought over our situation once again. She's ready to give me an amicable divorce settlement.
NICOLE:
I've heard that before.
MILES:
Yes, so have I...(SOFTLY) so have I. But, I thought it might be worth one more try. Anyway, I didn't want to do it without your knowledge.
NICOLE:
Miles, after all she's done, I find it very difficult to take her seriously.
MILES:
I'm not going up there with any false hopes. Believe me. But, now it seems I've got another reason to make the trip.
NICOLE:
What's that?
MILES:
Apparently April had the same idea that there might be some merit in talking to Denise one more time.
NICOLE:
April? What on earth are you talking about?
MILES:
I know, I know...it's strange. You'd think she'd never want to see Denise again, but Draper just called and said he'd found a note from her saying that she's on her way to Mayfield. She may already be there for that matter.
NICOLE:
And that's why you're waiting for Draper?
MILES:
Yeah. With the bad blood between April and Denise...well, Draper doesn't want to wait around to find out what's happening.
NICOLE:
I don't blame him what with the way April's been acting lately...
(DRAPER enters MILES' office)
MILES:
I think my chauffeur is here. (TO DRAPER) Hang on, I'll be just a second. (TO NICOLE) Draper's here.
NICOLE:
I'm going to be home all afternoon. Call me just as soon as you know anything.
MILES: First chance I get. Goodbye. (HANGS UP PHONE). (TO DRAPER) I just want to leave Carol a note, and then we'll be on our way. Listen. I'm afraid April has too much of a head start for us to get there before she does.
DRAPER:
I just want to get there before there's any trouble.
MILES:
What kind of trouble?
DRAPER:
I don't know...
MILES:
You look a little overwrought, Draper. You want me to drive?
DRAPER:
No, I just can't figure out what made April want to go back up there.
MILES:
We'll find out soon enough.
DRAPER: Miles...you're aware that April still blames Denise for the fall that caused the loss of our baby.
MILES: (Worried) Let's go, Draper.
CUT TO:
Scene Two
The Norwood house in Mayfield. The telephone rings and Denise struggles to reach it from her bed.)
DENISE:
Oh, God. I hope that isn't Miles calling to say he isn't going to come. (She answers the phone) Hello?
TINA:
Denise? It's Tina. I'm calling from Bennett's in Monticello.
DENISE:
Oh, yes. What is it, Tina?
TINA:
I was just calling to check on my patients. I still think it was unwise for you to send me on these errands.
DENISE:
Oh, well...everything's fine. (Sarcastic) My father and I are about to go jogging...that's how wonderful we feel.
TINA:
Did you get a chance to check on your father?
DENISE:
Of course I did. He's fine.
TINA:
You don't sound so good.
DENISE:
(Pained) Well...I...I've been better.
TINA:
You were scheduled for medication at a quarter past. Did you take that pill?
DENISE:
Yes. I'm not one to disobey doctor's orders.
TINA:
Now, I realize that those pills have unpleasant side effects, but you'll feel better off in the long run if you take them.
DENISE:
Yes. Now, did you get the clothes, Tina?
TINA:
Oh...yes. The salesgirl had everything here, but there's so many of them that she's still packing them. That's what I'm waiting for now. Oh, and I did get those travel brochures that you wanted from the travel agent.
DENISE:
Excellent. I really appreciate it, Tina. You know that will be the best medicine in the world.
TINA:
I still wish you'd let me get someone from the Clairmont to come and stay with you.
DENISE:
No...no. It's all right. Everybody's fine and Miles is on his way here.
TINA:
Your husband? He IS coming there?
DENISE:
Yes. Of course he's in one of his terrible tempers, but he said he was on his way.
TINA:
Denise, I should be back there in a couple of hours. If you need any help before then, you call the hospital. All right?
DENISE:
Listen, don't worry about anything. I think I hear Miles' car. I think he's here now. Talk to you later, Tina. Goodbye. (Denise hangs up as the sound of car coming up the drive is heard). Oh, the phone. We don't need to be interrupted. (Denise pulls the extension cord from the wall, and lies back on the bed in severe pain.)
FADEOUT
SECOND COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT 3
The Nowrood home in Mayfield.
(At Denise's room, there's a knock on the bedroom door)
DENISE:
Come in.
(APRIL enters)
DENISE:
(Shocked) April?
APRIL:
You seem very surprised to see me, Denise.
DENISE:
What are you doing here?
APRIL:
Well, it was just such a lovely day that I thought I'd take a ride in the country.
DENISE:
Sixty miles? A pretty long ride for somebody just out of the hospital.
APRIL:
Yeah, well...I just happened to be in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to see how you're feeling.
DENISE:
I'm not exactly in the pink.
APRIL:
(Smirks) What is it this time? An ingrown toenail, or poison ivy, maybe?
DENISE:
Why didn't you call first?
APRIL:
Why? So you could tell me not to come?
DENISE:
I might have asked you to come another day.
APRIL:
I feel slighted, Denise.
DENISE:
(Exasperated) What are you talking about?
APRIL:
Well here you are planning a family reunion this afternoon, and you don't even bother to invite me.
DENISE:
Where did you get this idea?
APRIL:
Well, you did ask my brother to come up here...didn't you?
DENISE:
Who told you that?
APRIL:
Carol Barclay.
DENISE:
When is that witch going to start minding her own business?
APRIL:
Don't blame Carol for my finding out. Blame yourself. Carol called me. She was upset. She thought she might lose her job. It seems you telephoned there and threatened Carol that you were going to tell Miles why she was fired from the Clairmont. But you see, Denise, Carol also told me how you manipulated her into leaving that patient unattended. And that it was not Carol's fault that that woman almost died... it was your's.
DENISE:
You can believe whatever you want.
APRIL:
Carol was trying to get in touch with Miles before you did and that's how I happened to find out that you asked Miles to come up here.
DENISE:
(Forceful) Now listen here, April...I was expecting MY husband...and I was expecting my husband ALONE. There is no family reunion. So, if you don't mind...please LEAVE.
APRIL:
Why is it so important that you see my brother alone?
DENISE:
It is none of your affair, April.
APRIL:
What are you planning, Denise?
DENISE:
Why is it that everything I do is so sinister to you?
APRIL:
Tell me WHY you want him up here.
DENISE:
If you must know...it was Miles' idea. I guess he wants to argue more about the divorce.
APRIL:
I don't believe that for one minute.
DENISE:
Oh yes. He's at his wits end. He threatened me on the phone...I guess he's coming to threaten me in person.
APRIL:
That's a lie.
DENISE:
Look, April. I'm really tired of battling with you. I don't want you and your stupid little opinions in my house anymore.
APRIL:
You don't want me and my stupid little opinions on this earth...do you, Denise? That is why you tried to kill ME. That is why you pushed me down those stairs.
DENISE:
April-- you are hysterical.
APRIL:
Where's your nurse?
DENISE:
What?
APRIL:
I said WHERE IS YOU NURSE?! Miles said there was supposed to be a nurse here twenty-four hours a day for you and your father.
DENISE:
She's here. She's running an errand. She'll back in a minute.
APRIL:
You really did plan to be alone with my brother, didn't you? You're planning something treacherous--
DENISE:
(Laughs) My God...
APRIL:
I know how your mind works. You're probably thinking that because you can't have him...nobody can. That's why you asked him up here, isn't it? Because you want to kill him.
DENISE:
I've heard enough of your nonsense...now get out!
APRIL:
Oh, I'll get out. I'll get out of this room, and I'll get out of this house. But I'm going to sit out on the front stoop and wait for my brother...and I'm going to make sure he never sets foot inside this house again!
DENISE:
(Hissing) Don't be ridiculous.
APRIL:
You can't stop me.
DENISE:
I most certainly can.
(Denise leaps to her feet and goes for April but collapses to the floor in pain and weakness. April stares in horror at Denise's lifeless body).
FADEOUT
THIRD/FOURTH COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT 4
Scene One
Denise and April continued in Denise's bedroom.
APRIL:
Denise? Denise! (April attempts to awaken Denise.) Oh, God...she looks dead...Denise! (Denise begins to awaken and April helps her back to the bed). You're alive! Oh God, I thought you were dead...Come on...get up.
DENISE:
(Wailing) Ohhhhhh...it hurts...it hurts...what happened?
APRIL:
God, you really are sick.
DENISE:
Ohhhhhh...now you realize it.
APRIL:
(Frightened) Look...ah...is there---why did you let that nurse go? You look bad.
DENISE:
I'm such a danger...I'm such a terrible danger to Miles. Do I look like I could hurt somebody?
APRIL:
No. No you don't.
DENISE:
(Cries in agony) Ohhhhhhhh. I-can't-stand-this-pain...
APRIL:
Is there something I can give you? A pill or something?
DENISE:
Ohhhhhhh...no...nothing. Nothing helps but that...(points to syringe) that shot...the only thing.
APRIL:
What's in it?
DENISE:
Just a pain killer. It's the only one that works. (PAUSE) April...do you think...you could...could you give it to me? (Crying) I can't stand this pain.
APRIL:
Denise, I've never given anyone an injection before.
DENISE:
I'm too weak.
APRIL:
Denise, I want to help, but I...I can't...
DENISE:
April, you've been in hospitals. Your brother's a doctor. You've had hundreds of shots yourself...
APRIL:
But I've never given one before. Denise, don't ask me to do this! Look, I'll call someone...
DENISE:
I can't...I can't wait...oh, God...
(Hesitantly, April picks up the syringe. Her hand trembles)
APRIL:
I can't...
DENISE:
Yes you can. I'll tell you what to do.
APRIL:
No...
DENISE:
It's simple. (Indicates the plunger) Just push that thing.
(April obeys)
DENISE:
No...more. You have to get the air out. That's it. All right, now just put the needle right there (Points to her arm). Right there. Just press very slowly.
APRIL:
I can't...
DENISE:
Come on, April.
APRIL:
(Tries to give the injection, but her hand is trembling so much that she can't continue) I CAN'T !!! (She drops the syringe).
DENISE:
Don't get squeamish...
APRIL:
Look, there's gotta be some other way.
DENISE:
I think I'm gonna die.
APRIL:
I'll call the Clairmont...I'll get an ambulance over here. (She begins to dial the phone, which Denise has disconnected). The phone is dead...
DENISE:
No, April...please...
APRIL:
Denise, I'm gonna go and get someone. I'll bring back some help.
DENISE:
Nooooo...no, please don't go...
APRIL:
(Leaving) I'll be back...
DENISE:
No...don't go...don't go...
CUT TO:
Scene Two
Draper and Miles in the car en route to Mayfield.
MILES:
Slow down, Draper. You get us pulled over speeding...it's only going to take longer to get to Mayfield.
DRAPER:
Sorry, Miles. My mind's not on the road.
MILES:
Well, we'll be there in less than half an hour.
DRAPER:
I just hope it's not too late.
MILES:
Draper, neither one of us has the slightest idea what April's motivation was for this visit. It might have been perfectly innocent.
DRAPER:
Oh, come on, Miles. You know as well as I do that ever since April had this accident...her entire personality has changed. For all we know, she had some sort of vision telling her to come back here. How long can we afford to go on letting April believe in these premonitions?
MILES:
That's one answer I just don't have.
DRAPER:
I'm afraid one day I'm going to come home and catch her conducting a seance...trying to contact our dead child.
MILES:
Don't talk like that, Draper. Things could start getting better in a very short period of time.
DRAPER:
They could get worse, Miles. There's got to be something we can do to bring her back from all of this.
MILES:
What do you have in mind?
DRAPER:
Well, Dr. Stern took care of her physical problem. Maybe for the things that are bothering April now... she should see a psychiatrist.
MILES:
One thing at a time, Draper. Right now let's just get to Mayfield.
CUT TO:
Scene Three
Location sequence of April driving down a paved country road for help. She stops briefly to get her bearings.
APRIL:
God, where's the nearest phone?
April speeds off down the country road.
FADEOUT
FIFTH COMMERCIAL
ACT 5
Scene One
Miles and Draper are still on their way to Mayfield in their car.
MILES:
No, I don't have anything against the idea of therapy...but that doesn't mean that April will go for it.
DRAPER:
I'm sure she's going to resist it.
MILES:
I would still like to give her a little bit of time to sort things out for herself.
DRAPER:
How much time? That's the question.
MILES:
You've got enough of it, Draper. You're newlyweds.
DRAPER:
You know, when April had that operation, I thought that after that...our lives would be absolutely perfect.
MILES:
No such thing.
DRAPER:
I wish I knew what to do for her. If I sympathize with her, she says I'm humoring her, but if I argue...then I don't understand her.
MILES:
Well, understanding is just what you're going to have to be... there's no other choice.
DRAPER:
What really worries me is that sometimes I get the impression that April herself is irrational. She believes herself to be irrational. She doesn't trust her own sanity.
MILES:
Well, show her that you trust it. That might help her.
DRAPER:
Yes. Maybe.
MILES:
Listen, Draper. Don't forget what April's been through. Two encounters with death... two of them. And she's come through both of them, and do you know why? Because of the love she felt. I know that sounds like a Valentine's Day card, but it's true. Believe me, just keep on loving her, and if you can do that...I'm sure April will be okay...
CUT TO:
Scene Two
April is speeding down the country road. As she veers around a sharp curve, she loses control of the car, which skids on the soft gravel, careens off the road, and slams into a tree. Behind the shattered windshield, a bloody, motionless April lies unconscious half inside and half outside the battered, opened car door.
FADEOUT
SIXTH COMMERCIAL BREAK
CLOSING CREDITS
Air date: July 19, 1978
Transcribed by: Mark Faulkner
ACT 1
Scene One
(In Miles and Denise's Mayfield home, Denise is lying in bed, wracked with the pain of a terminal illness. She anxiously awaits the arrival of her husband Miles, whom she intends to frame for her death from a lethal injection.)
DENISE:
Oh, Miles. Hurry up. I don't know how much longer I can last.
CUT TO:
Scene Two
(Miles and Draper are talking via the phone in Monticello. Miles is in his clinic office, while Draper is at the Scott apartment.)
MILES:
Well, that doesn't make any sense to me, Draper. Are you sure you're reading that note correctly? My sister doesn't have the most legible handwriting in the world.
DRAPER:
No, Miles. It's right here in big block letters:" Dear Draper. Went to Mayfield. Don't worry. Love April." There's no question about it.
MILES:
Did she say anything at all to you before you left the house?
DRAPER:
No. She did have a rough night. Tossing. Turning. Dreaming. At one point, she sat up in bed and called out a name.
MILES:
Whose name?
DRAPER:
Denise's.
MILES:
That girl's just plain obsessed.
DRAPER:
That's one way of putting it. Look, Miles. I'm worried. First of all, April shouldn't be driving in her state of mind. And secondly, she has no business going up to Mayfield.
MILES:
I have an idea why she's going up there. Maybe she thinks she can reason with Denise...talk her into giving me that--well, never-mind. We've got to do something about it.
DRAPER:
What can we do about it, Miles? Shall I call the house or what?
MILES:
No, wait. There's something else we can do. Can you take a little time off?
DRAPER:
That's just what I was going to ask you. Look, will you go to Mayfield with me? I can pick you up in about ten minutes.
MILES:
Good. I was gonna go up there myself. I'll be waiting for you.
CUT TO:
(Location sequence of April speeding to Mayfield in a convertible).
DISSOLVE TO:
OPENING TITLE
FIRST COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT 2
Scene One.
(At his clinic office, a worried Miles calls Nicole).
NICOLE:
Hello.
MILES:
Nicole.
NICOLE:
(Surprised) Miles. I didn't expect to hear from you this time of day.
MILES:
(Laughs) Am I not allowed to call during the day?
NICOLE:
It's not that. It's just...you know...now that you have a nurse, the least you can do is let her place your calls for you.
MILES:
Oh, Carol must still be out to lunch. I haven't seen her since I got back from the hospital.
NICOLE:
Well, then who's watching your waiting room full of patients?
MILES:
Wait. I just opened this office...remember? My entire practice could fit into a very small elevator. That reminds me. I'd better leave a note for Carol and tell her to cancel the two appointments that I do have this afternoon.
NICOLE:
Why?
MILES:
Well, I'm waiting for Draper to get here. We're going up to Mayfield together.
NICOLE:
I thought you told me, Miles, that you never intended to see Denise again.
MILES:
I didn't...until I spoke with her earlier today.
NICOLE:
What on earth could she have possibly said to get you to go up there?
MILES:
Well, she said she's thought over our situation once again. She's ready to give me an amicable divorce settlement.
NICOLE:
I've heard that before.
MILES:
Yes, so have I...(SOFTLY) so have I. But, I thought it might be worth one more try. Anyway, I didn't want to do it without your knowledge.
NICOLE:
Miles, after all she's done, I find it very difficult to take her seriously.
MILES:
I'm not going up there with any false hopes. Believe me. But, now it seems I've got another reason to make the trip.
NICOLE:
What's that?
MILES:
Apparently April had the same idea that there might be some merit in talking to Denise one more time.
NICOLE:
April? What on earth are you talking about?
MILES:
I know, I know...it's strange. You'd think she'd never want to see Denise again, but Draper just called and said he'd found a note from her saying that she's on her way to Mayfield. She may already be there for that matter.
NICOLE:
And that's why you're waiting for Draper?
MILES:
Yeah. With the bad blood between April and Denise...well, Draper doesn't want to wait around to find out what's happening.
NICOLE:
I don't blame him what with the way April's been acting lately...
(DRAPER enters MILES' office)
MILES:
I think my chauffeur is here. (TO DRAPER) Hang on, I'll be just a second. (TO NICOLE) Draper's here.
NICOLE:
I'm going to be home all afternoon. Call me just as soon as you know anything.
MILES: First chance I get. Goodbye. (HANGS UP PHONE). (TO DRAPER) I just want to leave Carol a note, and then we'll be on our way. Listen. I'm afraid April has too much of a head start for us to get there before she does.
DRAPER:
I just want to get there before there's any trouble.
MILES:
What kind of trouble?
DRAPER:
I don't know...
MILES:
You look a little overwrought, Draper. You want me to drive?
DRAPER:
No, I just can't figure out what made April want to go back up there.
MILES:
We'll find out soon enough.
DRAPER: Miles...you're aware that April still blames Denise for the fall that caused the loss of our baby.
MILES: (Worried) Let's go, Draper.
CUT TO:
Scene Two
The Norwood house in Mayfield. The telephone rings and Denise struggles to reach it from her bed.)
DENISE:
Oh, God. I hope that isn't Miles calling to say he isn't going to come. (She answers the phone) Hello?
TINA:
Denise? It's Tina. I'm calling from Bennett's in Monticello.
DENISE:
Oh, yes. What is it, Tina?
TINA:
I was just calling to check on my patients. I still think it was unwise for you to send me on these errands.
DENISE:
Oh, well...everything's fine. (Sarcastic) My father and I are about to go jogging...that's how wonderful we feel.
TINA:
Did you get a chance to check on your father?
DENISE:
Of course I did. He's fine.
TINA:
You don't sound so good.
DENISE:
(Pained) Well...I...I've been better.
TINA:
You were scheduled for medication at a quarter past. Did you take that pill?
DENISE:
Yes. I'm not one to disobey doctor's orders.
TINA:
Now, I realize that those pills have unpleasant side effects, but you'll feel better off in the long run if you take them.
DENISE:
Yes. Now, did you get the clothes, Tina?
TINA:
Oh...yes. The salesgirl had everything here, but there's so many of them that she's still packing them. That's what I'm waiting for now. Oh, and I did get those travel brochures that you wanted from the travel agent.
DENISE:
Excellent. I really appreciate it, Tina. You know that will be the best medicine in the world.
TINA:
I still wish you'd let me get someone from the Clairmont to come and stay with you.
DENISE:
No...no. It's all right. Everybody's fine and Miles is on his way here.
TINA:
Your husband? He IS coming there?
DENISE:
Yes. Of course he's in one of his terrible tempers, but he said he was on his way.
TINA:
Denise, I should be back there in a couple of hours. If you need any help before then, you call the hospital. All right?
DENISE:
Listen, don't worry about anything. I think I hear Miles' car. I think he's here now. Talk to you later, Tina. Goodbye. (Denise hangs up as the sound of car coming up the drive is heard). Oh, the phone. We don't need to be interrupted. (Denise pulls the extension cord from the wall, and lies back on the bed in severe pain.)
FADEOUT
SECOND COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT 3
The Nowrood home in Mayfield.
(At Denise's room, there's a knock on the bedroom door)
DENISE:
Come in.
(APRIL enters)
DENISE:
(Shocked) April?
APRIL:
You seem very surprised to see me, Denise.
DENISE:
What are you doing here?
APRIL:
Well, it was just such a lovely day that I thought I'd take a ride in the country.
DENISE:
Sixty miles? A pretty long ride for somebody just out of the hospital.
APRIL:
Yeah, well...I just happened to be in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to see how you're feeling.
DENISE:
I'm not exactly in the pink.
APRIL:
(Smirks) What is it this time? An ingrown toenail, or poison ivy, maybe?
DENISE:
Why didn't you call first?
APRIL:
Why? So you could tell me not to come?
DENISE:
I might have asked you to come another day.
APRIL:
I feel slighted, Denise.
DENISE:
(Exasperated) What are you talking about?
APRIL:
Well here you are planning a family reunion this afternoon, and you don't even bother to invite me.
DENISE:
Where did you get this idea?
APRIL:
Well, you did ask my brother to come up here...didn't you?
DENISE:
Who told you that?
APRIL:
Carol Barclay.
DENISE:
When is that witch going to start minding her own business?
APRIL:
Don't blame Carol for my finding out. Blame yourself. Carol called me. She was upset. She thought she might lose her job. It seems you telephoned there and threatened Carol that you were going to tell Miles why she was fired from the Clairmont. But you see, Denise, Carol also told me how you manipulated her into leaving that patient unattended. And that it was not Carol's fault that that woman almost died... it was your's.
DENISE:
You can believe whatever you want.
APRIL:
Carol was trying to get in touch with Miles before you did and that's how I happened to find out that you asked Miles to come up here.
DENISE:
(Forceful) Now listen here, April...I was expecting MY husband...and I was expecting my husband ALONE. There is no family reunion. So, if you don't mind...please LEAVE.
APRIL:
Why is it so important that you see my brother alone?
DENISE:
It is none of your affair, April.
APRIL:
What are you planning, Denise?
DENISE:
Why is it that everything I do is so sinister to you?
APRIL:
Tell me WHY you want him up here.
DENISE:
If you must know...it was Miles' idea. I guess he wants to argue more about the divorce.
APRIL:
I don't believe that for one minute.
DENISE:
Oh yes. He's at his wits end. He threatened me on the phone...I guess he's coming to threaten me in person.
APRIL:
That's a lie.
DENISE:
Look, April. I'm really tired of battling with you. I don't want you and your stupid little opinions in my house anymore.
APRIL:
You don't want me and my stupid little opinions on this earth...do you, Denise? That is why you tried to kill ME. That is why you pushed me down those stairs.
DENISE:
April-- you are hysterical.
APRIL:
Where's your nurse?
DENISE:
What?
APRIL:
I said WHERE IS YOU NURSE?! Miles said there was supposed to be a nurse here twenty-four hours a day for you and your father.
DENISE:
She's here. She's running an errand. She'll back in a minute.
APRIL:
You really did plan to be alone with my brother, didn't you? You're planning something treacherous--
DENISE:
(Laughs) My God...
APRIL:
I know how your mind works. You're probably thinking that because you can't have him...nobody can. That's why you asked him up here, isn't it? Because you want to kill him.
DENISE:
I've heard enough of your nonsense...now get out!
APRIL:
Oh, I'll get out. I'll get out of this room, and I'll get out of this house. But I'm going to sit out on the front stoop and wait for my brother...and I'm going to make sure he never sets foot inside this house again!
DENISE:
(Hissing) Don't be ridiculous.
APRIL:
You can't stop me.
DENISE:
I most certainly can.
(Denise leaps to her feet and goes for April but collapses to the floor in pain and weakness. April stares in horror at Denise's lifeless body).
FADEOUT
THIRD/FOURTH COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT 4
Scene One
Denise and April continued in Denise's bedroom.
APRIL:
Denise? Denise! (April attempts to awaken Denise.) Oh, God...she looks dead...Denise! (Denise begins to awaken and April helps her back to the bed). You're alive! Oh God, I thought you were dead...Come on...get up.
DENISE:
(Wailing) Ohhhhhh...it hurts...it hurts...what happened?
APRIL:
God, you really are sick.
DENISE:
Ohhhhhh...now you realize it.
APRIL:
(Frightened) Look...ah...is there---why did you let that nurse go? You look bad.
DENISE:
I'm such a danger...I'm such a terrible danger to Miles. Do I look like I could hurt somebody?
APRIL:
No. No you don't.
DENISE:
(Cries in agony) Ohhhhhhhh. I-can't-stand-this-pain...
APRIL:
Is there something I can give you? A pill or something?
DENISE:
Ohhhhhhh...no...nothing. Nothing helps but that...(points to syringe) that shot...the only thing.
APRIL:
What's in it?
DENISE:
Just a pain killer. It's the only one that works. (PAUSE) April...do you think...you could...could you give it to me? (Crying) I can't stand this pain.
APRIL:
Denise, I've never given anyone an injection before.
DENISE:
I'm too weak.
APRIL:
Denise, I want to help, but I...I can't...
DENISE:
April, you've been in hospitals. Your brother's a doctor. You've had hundreds of shots yourself...
APRIL:
But I've never given one before. Denise, don't ask me to do this! Look, I'll call someone...
DENISE:
I can't...I can't wait...oh, God...
(Hesitantly, April picks up the syringe. Her hand trembles)
APRIL:
I can't...
DENISE:
Yes you can. I'll tell you what to do.
APRIL:
No...
DENISE:
It's simple. (Indicates the plunger) Just push that thing.
(April obeys)
DENISE:
No...more. You have to get the air out. That's it. All right, now just put the needle right there (Points to her arm). Right there. Just press very slowly.
APRIL:
I can't...
DENISE:
Come on, April.
APRIL:
(Tries to give the injection, but her hand is trembling so much that she can't continue) I CAN'T !!! (She drops the syringe).
DENISE:
Don't get squeamish...
APRIL:
Look, there's gotta be some other way.
DENISE:
I think I'm gonna die.
APRIL:
I'll call the Clairmont...I'll get an ambulance over here. (She begins to dial the phone, which Denise has disconnected). The phone is dead...
DENISE:
No, April...please...
APRIL:
Denise, I'm gonna go and get someone. I'll bring back some help.
DENISE:
Nooooo...no, please don't go...
APRIL:
(Leaving) I'll be back...
DENISE:
No...don't go...don't go...
CUT TO:
Scene Two
Draper and Miles in the car en route to Mayfield.
MILES:
Slow down, Draper. You get us pulled over speeding...it's only going to take longer to get to Mayfield.
DRAPER:
Sorry, Miles. My mind's not on the road.
MILES:
Well, we'll be there in less than half an hour.
DRAPER:
I just hope it's not too late.
MILES:
Draper, neither one of us has the slightest idea what April's motivation was for this visit. It might have been perfectly innocent.
DRAPER:
Oh, come on, Miles. You know as well as I do that ever since April had this accident...her entire personality has changed. For all we know, she had some sort of vision telling her to come back here. How long can we afford to go on letting April believe in these premonitions?
MILES:
That's one answer I just don't have.
DRAPER:
I'm afraid one day I'm going to come home and catch her conducting a seance...trying to contact our dead child.
MILES:
Don't talk like that, Draper. Things could start getting better in a very short period of time.
DRAPER:
They could get worse, Miles. There's got to be something we can do to bring her back from all of this.
MILES:
What do you have in mind?
DRAPER:
Well, Dr. Stern took care of her physical problem. Maybe for the things that are bothering April now... she should see a psychiatrist.
MILES:
One thing at a time, Draper. Right now let's just get to Mayfield.
CUT TO:
Scene Three
Location sequence of April driving down a paved country road for help. She stops briefly to get her bearings.
APRIL:
God, where's the nearest phone?
April speeds off down the country road.
FADEOUT
FIFTH COMMERCIAL
ACT 5
Scene One
Miles and Draper are still on their way to Mayfield in their car.
MILES:
No, I don't have anything against the idea of therapy...but that doesn't mean that April will go for it.
DRAPER:
I'm sure she's going to resist it.
MILES:
I would still like to give her a little bit of time to sort things out for herself.
DRAPER:
How much time? That's the question.
MILES:
You've got enough of it, Draper. You're newlyweds.
DRAPER:
You know, when April had that operation, I thought that after that...our lives would be absolutely perfect.
MILES:
No such thing.
DRAPER:
I wish I knew what to do for her. If I sympathize with her, she says I'm humoring her, but if I argue...then I don't understand her.
MILES:
Well, understanding is just what you're going to have to be... there's no other choice.
DRAPER:
What really worries me is that sometimes I get the impression that April herself is irrational. She believes herself to be irrational. She doesn't trust her own sanity.
MILES:
Well, show her that you trust it. That might help her.
DRAPER:
Yes. Maybe.
MILES:
Listen, Draper. Don't forget what April's been through. Two encounters with death... two of them. And she's come through both of them, and do you know why? Because of the love she felt. I know that sounds like a Valentine's Day card, but it's true. Believe me, just keep on loving her, and if you can do that...I'm sure April will be okay...
CUT TO:
Scene Two
April is speeding down the country road. As she veers around a sharp curve, she loses control of the car, which skids on the soft gravel, careens off the road, and slams into a tree. Behind the shattered windshield, a bloody, motionless April lies unconscious half inside and half outside the battered, opened car door.
FADEOUT
SIXTH COMMERCIAL BREAK
CLOSING CREDITS